Obituary
Philip graduated from Wah Yan College Hong Kong (the “School” or “Wah Yan”) in 1954.
The incessant love and dedication of Philip to his alma mater has been demonstrated through his distinguished services and contributions in different areas of the Wah Yan Community, including Wah Yan (Hong Kong) Past Students Association, Wah Yan International Conference, the Students of the Year Scheme (SOYS), the 15th Hong Kong Scout Group (XVHK), Wah Yan Dramatic Society and several Wah Yan school development projects.
Philip served as Council Member, Chairman and President of the Wah Yan (Hong Kong) Past Students Association (“PSA”) in the 1980s (八十年代) and afterward in the capacity of past president to continue his active participation in the PSA Council by giving different constructive ideas to enrich the services of the Wahyanites to the School. He also set up a scholarship “Fr. Grogan Memorial Award” awarded yearly to the students with distinguished service & loyalty to Wah Yan.
Philip was one of the major organizers of the Wah Yan International Conference (“WYIC”) which was held every two years in different cities in the world starting from 1988. WYIC is one of the important events for Wah Yan alumni across the globe to meet together and to better understand the well-being of each other as well as to keep informed the latest development of the two Wah Yan Colleges in Hong Kong and Kowloon.
As initiated by Philip in 1987 and supported by PSA, the Students of the Year Scheme (“SOYS”) is an innovative and lavish idea, which aims at broadening the mind of the current students and promoting good relationship between the PSA and its overseas chapters of PSA. In each academic year, there will be a nomination of 6 students among all F.6 students based on their overall academic performance, demonstrable leadership quality, organization ability, and proven record of services to fellow Wahyanites, the School and the Hong Kong community. Three of the six elected candidates will then be nominated by members of the teaching staff and the Students of the Year Society as “Students of the Year”. The three Students of the Year are then interviewed by a selection panel comprised of Past Presidents and key officials of the PSA for the selection of a “Student Ambassador” who will represent the PSA to visit one of the overseas chapters of PSA. The SOYS and the Students of the Year Society that formed in 2004 have continuously contributed to the well-being of Wah Yan and the community at large.
Philip is one of the most prominent old scouts of 15th HK Group (Wah Yan scouts) (“XVHK”). He had laid down a solid foundation, upon which, XVHK has been developed as a very outstanding scout group in Hong Kong.
Philip joined XVHK as a scout in 1948 when he was admitted to Wah Yan and since then, he had greatly involved in the activities and the development of the XVHK and the Scout Association of Hong Kong all through his life. He has been the XVHK troop leader. He formed the Sea-scouts group in XVHK. He also established the “Scout of the Year” in XVHK and awarded the overseas visit to the Scout of the Year. In addition, he established the scouts-parents association and re-organized the BP Old Scout Club of XVHK in the 90s.
Philip had served as committee member, vice-chairman and chairman of the Executive Committee of the Scout Association of Hong Kong for many years. He worked with many other scouts, especially those Wahyanite scouts including Dr. Chau Chamson, Sir Gordon Wu and Dr. Patrick Wu etc., in building the Headquarters of the Scout Association of Hong Kong in Tsim Sha Tsui. He has been one of the key scouts in the development of XVHK and Scouts in Hong Kong.
Philip had worked with Mr. Wong Chin Wah since the 1980s in the Wah Yan Dramatic Society which was established in 1947 by Mr. Wong to perform Cantonese opera using English. These “Cantonese Operas in English” not only allow foreigners to appreciate the culture of Cantonese operas, but also help to raise funds for different charitable organizations, including several Wah Yan school development projects.
Philip is fondly remembered as Uncle Philip by the young generations and he is very pleased to witness many Wahyanites are now following his footsteps to contribute to Wah Yan and XVHK. Philip passed away peacefully on 19th January 2022 at the age of 86. He will be remembered truly as “A Man For and With Others”.