Bishop Yves Ramousse turns 77

Today is the birthday of our retired Bishop Yves Ramousse. He was born in 1928 in Sambadel, France. He joined the Parish Foreign Missions Society and finished his studies at the Gregorian University in Rome and at the Catholic University in Paris. He was ordained priest on April 4, 1953, and consecrated bishop and given care of Phnom Penh in Cambodia as Apostolic vicar on February 24, 1963.

He was forced to leave Cambodia on April 30, 1975 because of the Khmer Rouge takeover. Bishop Chhmar Salas (first Cambodian bishop) succeeded him to the post but the Khmer Bishop unfortunately fell sick and died during this regime. And so on February 6, 1983, the Holy See put him in charge of all the Khmer Catholics living in different countries and of the whole Cambodia. He was re-appointed as Apostolic Vicar in 1992 upon his re-entry to the kingdom. He retired on April 14, 2001.

Now he enjoys his retirement with us - the lovely parishioners of Sihanoukville.

SITC Vietnam closed

Here's news from Vietnam(09-02-2006).
"At least 30,000 students and 1,000 teachers remain puzzled by the closure of the English-language schools operated by Singapore International Teaching Consultancy (SITC) nationwide. If the centre is unable to re-open classes, SITC will have to offer compensation for its students, teachers and workers according to Viet Nam’s laws, and the investors will face sanctions under the country’s regulations. " Now what kind of conscience could the man behind it have? He better have some explanations up his sleeve. Singapore won't like this.

Problem is SITC has also its Phnom Penh and Siem Riep branches. Will they close too? The Cambodian Daily reported that the Cambodian brances will remain open. My only interest with this issue is that I took my MBA courses from them (under Preston University). Well ok it's not so much the money or the time for me since I had good professors and I enjoyed my study with my Khmer classmates (plus two Chinese, and one Japanese). It was a privilege to have studied with them, I can tell you that. They've really been so professional. But this thing about the school's uncertainty is altogether different. Hmm, let's see... my classmates might be on a rampage right now... better make some calls and check them out!

Sportsfest of Colors at Don Bosco SHV

Here's a montage of some pictures from the Annual Sportsfest.