VS SOAS Exchange Day 6- Cultural Night Finale

In the blink of an eye, we have come to the last day of our school exchange. As we walked into the auditorium of SOAS school for the night of cultural performances, we were really made to feel like royalty as they showered us with rice and music.

The occasion was also graced by the presence of Director of Schools.

Today, our principal Mr Low was formally presented with the oil mural by Cikgu Mohamad which was given when we first visited the SOAS art gallery.
The Wushu boys kicked off the event with their performance first:

Thereafter, Mr Low proceeded to express his thanks to our hosts for our wonderful and meaningful time in Brunei

After that, the dinner started and we our meal accompanied by the soothing sounds of the school's gamelan orchestra.

After that, staff and students put up a musical piece serenading the water village of Kampung Air.

Our SOAS hosts never stopped amazing us with their rich heritage of cultural talents and students from the school's dance club presented a popular Kedayan dance 'Aduk-Aduk' using coconut shells.

After witnessing this myriad tapestry of artistic talents from SOAS, it was time for VS to return the favour and our Chinese Orchestra presented Singapore's multi-racial heritage by giving an Oriental twists to the classic piece 'Canon in D' by Pachabel.

SOAS followed this with their prize-winning Hadrah troupe we had seen practicing earlier this week. For the past 10 years, they have always been finalists in the National Competitions, winning it 3 times.

Our ever sporting and absolutely wonderful student buddies from SOAS were also not to be outdone and put up a show too for VS boys

There was even a special treat arranged by Cikgu Zarina for us! Having heard of my interest in Martial Arts, she actually managed to persuade one of the former Deputy Principals of SOAS to perform silat for us during the concert. It is definitely an honour for all of us to have been graced by his performance.

Well good things are meant to be shared and our hosts involved everyone in a rendition of the popular Malay Song 'Geylang Si Paku Geylang'

Their hospitality and enthusiasm were so infectious that they even managed to get BOTH principals to dance the Joget with them. (VS boys, this is a priceless moment- how often you get to see your principal dance?- Now you know why I like being BEHIND the camera, hee hee)

Even the boys couldn't get enough of it and started their own circle:

Soon, before we knew it, it was time to go but we made sure to take lots of photos- especially with the lovely teachers of SOAS!

Looks like the next time I'm in Brunei, I got my own retinue of body guards from SOAS.
Thank you SOAS- Principal, Deputy Principals, teachers and all students, we will remember you always and look forward to your arrival next year.

Yesterday we were strangers, today we are friends and when tomorrow comes, we will change the world together and make it a better place for you and me!

Nil Sine Labore, VS-SOAS boleh!