The Finale & The Filmography : Honouring Farewell Of Ex-Headmaster, Encik Zakaria Bin Ismail @ PULAPOL, Bukit Sentosa & Bewitching “Hansel & Gretel : The Witch Hunters”!

The recap was a week late due to the absence of pictures. Well, at least there was a good Samaritan who was kind enough to upload the pictures; so the entry could be written. The event which was coined as “Majlis Sanjungan Budi, Lambaian Kasih” which was to commemorate farewell for our ex-Headmaster & welcoming the new Headmaster took place on the 19th January 2013 at Pusat Latihan Polis (PULAPOL), Bukit Sentosa; with me entrusted as the Emcee for that day (“Saya Menurut Perintah”). After a few dramas swirled the event prior to the day (too complex to decipher; too sensitive to fathom), the event finally managed to be executed successfully albeit few hiccups along the way.

One for the nostalgia – courtesy of Puan Norazian, GPK1.

The headmaster for SK Serendah for the past 10 years, Encik Zakaria bin Ismail has called the service off this year as he is now transferred to SK Ulu Bernam. It was really an event full with mixture of emotion. Happy to meet him back; melancholy for the farewell get-together. As a headmaster, Encik Zakaria was indeed a man who tried his best to be a good leader; that was to please everyone under his wings. He liked to use friendly approach and did not like to use harsh words to criticize subordinates. Of course, nobody is perfect but it was apparent that he tried his best. The friendliness and charismatic aura emanated via speeches and outer facade.

Me as the Emcee. Actually, I was kinda hate this picture as the sided-parting hair make me looked so geeky (well, I am anyway!) & un-photogenic. But, hey….whatever. Haha! -Courtesy of Puan Norazian, GPK1.

Wanted to take picture with him but he was not concentrating; and Cikgu Khairul interframed??? Hahaha! lol! -Courtesy of Puan Norazian, GPK1.

As the Emcee for the day, it was indeed hard to inject exuberance as the whole emotion for the event was somber and melancholic; especially when our GPK Kurikulum, Puan Norazian stopped half-way during her speech because she was too overwhelmed recalling the nostalgic days when she worked under our dear ex-Headmaster. The whole room was deeply moved affected by that. Our eyes watered and we tried to retain our feelings as we know “Life Goes On”.

Kak Rosnormala & I. -Courtesy of Puan Norazian, GPK1.

As a subordinate who had the experience of working under his wings for the past 3 years (my first year was in 2010), I could sum up that he was one of the most tolerant leader ever. Of course like any other human, he is no exempted from flaws (like I am, as well) BUT I know he tried to please everyone under his wings. He was an understanding leader & fatherly figure (in a way). I remembered him especially in 3 controversies involving me (almost every year from 2010-2012) :

1. Parents came banging my door because they were not satisfied on the way I penalized their daughter as well as the whole class due to improper behaviour/noise in class. The father threatened to box and grabbed my collar; Headmaster sent Ustaz Kamaruzzaman to accompany to report to police for my safety and gave encouraging words – Year 2010;
2. Alleged controversies with “other Headmistress” due to the comments I wrote about Choral Speaking Competition; Headmaster after being talked into sense by GPKs was nonchalant about it and even able to laugh about it & defended my act which I was moved – Year 2011;
3. Parents persistent and urged Headmaster & GPKs (for almost a week!) to take severe action to me because they were not satisfied the way their son was penalized due to negligence in doing homework; Headmaster paid no heed and refused to bow to the parents’ trivial shenanigan – Year 2012.

Bidding farewell. Goodbye En. Zakaria bin Ismail! – Courtesy of Puan Norazian, GPK1.

It maybe small but for a teacher who worked under his wings, I felt that he was a good leader. I don’t know; different people might have different perceptions but for me, he stood by me, he was there when I needed protection of a leader. May ALLAH SWT bless my ex-Headmaster, Encik Zakaria bin Ismail with prosperous life ahead, Insya ALLAH. Amin.

On the 25th January, which was an interval day between the holiday of ‘Maulidur Rasul’ and the weekend, we had “Merentas Desa” event for 2013. Attendances were meager and as expected, Yellow House emerged as the last house due to a lot of absentees (Yellow House are always the passive ones!). And I had to do the emceeing alone reading all the 60++ pupils with a hailer. Still, no complaints although I felt like fainted as I also did the patrolling for Year 4 pupils. It’s “Saya Menurut Perintah.”

Gemma Artenton & Jeremy Renner as both titular characters.

As for my social calendar; after a day touring The KL Golden Triangle from Low Yatt Plaza to Bukit Bintang Plaza/Sungei Wang Plaza to Berjaya Times Square (been ages as lately I always frequent Pavillion & The Mines), went to Alamanda, Putrajaya & managed to catch the film “Hansel & Gretel : The Witch Hunters” with Kod as he bunks at his brother-in-law’s house in Puchong. What can I say about the film? Overall, it was merely an OK film; don’t expect Oscar-kinda movie as this film is produced by MTV Films. I can say that for a light enjoyment, this film will do well.

Sure, Gemma Artenton is sexy but she as the spunky Gretel? Nay! Sorry.

I think that Famke Janssen did well as Muriel, the Dark Witch who was the antagonist for the film. She was scary and evil! She brought the evilness well-fleshed out! Nevertheless, Gemma Arterton as the spunky Gretel? Nay, sorry. I thought it was a bad decision. Artenton isn’t believable as the tough chick Gretel. What about Jeremy Renner as Hansel? Just OK but too bad they didn’t conquer the sequences in the film. This time around, Famke Janssen played her cards well! Good for her! It’s been ages since we last seen her in movies!

Now you see her as the seductive Muriel, The Dark Witch…..

And now her REAL FACE! Hahaha! Famke Janssen is cool as Muriel, The Dark Witch. She stole the show!

But I can give credit to the MTV-style of the cinematography (very chique and cool) as well the always-excellent music score by the maestro Hans Zimmer. I was captivated by the overture music and then I saw Zimmer’s name on it and I was like -“OK, no wonder!” Above all, 3 stars outta 5! (,”) If you want to see how witches ride broomsticks like motorcycles (Hahahhaa!, Kod and I laughed so much! So hilarious!), watch the film! Hahaha!