TuPSS Gala Night 2018: Blooming Talento

Taylor's University Pharmacy Student Society (TuPSS) have been organizing the annual Gala Night for the past 6 years since 2012. The aim of the annual Gala Night was mainly to say farewell to the Year 4 Seniors as well to say 'Thank You' to all lecturers for their endless support and dedication to shaping us into well rounded Pharmacist! However, this year there was a twist because for the first time, TuPSS Gala Night 2018 Organizing Chairperson, Chua Sher Fern decided to make it a Talent Night Competition with the theme 'Blooming Talento'. On top of that, invitation to the Gala Night was also opened to Taylor's University School of Biosciences (TUSOB) and Taylor's University School of Medicine (TUSOM) as all three schools are now under one faculty called the Faculty of Health Sciences. In saying that, we want to specially thank TUSOB for the great support as they filled two tables! Kamsahamida! 😃


Preparation begun 4 months before the event which was set to be on the 14th April 2018 at Four Points Hotel by Sheraton (Puchong) from 5.30pm-11.30pm. Yeap you heard that right, it was 4 months of preparation! When the day finally came, the committees were so excited and ballroom decorations started as early as 9am. By 5.30pm participants filled the ballroom lobby as one by one queued up to register themselves for the event. As the registration was going on, cocktails session, sponsor booth giveaways and photobooth session were also going on simultaneously. This was to enable participants to interact with one another and get freebies from our one and only Diamond Sponsor, Miracle VSlim. Beside that, participants were also given a piece of paper to nominate the Prom King and Prom Queen.

Once it was 6.30, the event officially started with the opening ceremony, welcoming the VIPs with a red carpet entry and a video thanking all our sponsors. It was then followed by opening speeches by the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Thomas and the Head of School of Pharmacy, Professor Chua Siew Seng. Chua Sher Fern who was the Organizing Chairperson also gave a few words before the the event continued on with the first game session.

At 7pm, dinner was finally served and everyone headed out of the ballroom where the buffet table was placed. Once everyone was seated back in the ballroom with their plates filled to the brim, the second game session was conducted. Then, the event continued with the most touching part of the night which was a memorial video for an angel who was part of our Pharmily but is now in a better place called heaven. There were many who couldn't hold their tears and for that few moments, the whole ballroom was filled with silence other that the music from the video. It felt like it was our last respect for her and it was heartbreaking.

Rougly around 8pm, the emcess invited Loke Ren Zhang, a representative from Year 4 to give a speech and this was followed by the farewell video for the seniors prepared by the Gala Night Committees. The Gala Night Committees also prepared momentos for the seniors which were presented to them one by on on stage. Appreciation gifts for the lecturers were also prepared and the Year 4 Seniors personally handed them to the lecturers. It was indeed more than an hour of touching moments ever since the play button was pressed for the memorial video dedicated to our lost friend.

Impromtu Performance

The event then proceeded with the part that was most awaited by everyone, the Talent Night Competition! The first three groups to perform were Beauties and The Beast, The Patrix and Viper Bloomers. The performers mesmerized the audience with their voice, dance moves and one even made them laugh. Who knew Pharmacy students had so much hidden talent!

Up next was the Prom King and Prom Queen Selection whereby 5 pairs with the most nomination cat walked down the red carpet, showing off their dress and tuxedos. Whistles were heard from all directions as each pair flaunt their beauty and handsomeness. After the catwalk, the participants were asked to vote for their favourite Prom King and Prom Queen. Then, the event continued with something new which was the Best Couple Award Selection. For this award, the five pre-nominated couples were asked to stand on stage while they played a simple game. The emcees read a few questions and the couples wrote their answers on pieces of paper without letting their partners see their answers. The couples were awarded points if their answers were similar. All the couples were sporting and there were plenty of laughter throughout the couple game.

As the night continued, the emcees proceeded with the 3rd game session followed by the first lucky draw session. Everyone waited anxiously as the emcees announced the numbers and many were lucky especially our friends from TUSOB. We hope they enjoyed the night and their lucky gifts! :)

 Third game session winner

While the lucky draw session was going on, three more groups were getting ready to perform for the Talent Night Competition. The three groups were Amanda Wong, Ragazze Talentulous and The Duo. The participants were awestrucked as Ragazze Talentulous danced in synchrony, Amanda Wong performed with a loop machine and The Duo hit high notes which not everyone can.

Participants shining lights as Amanda Wong sings

Once the Talent Competition ended, it was time for the seniors and judges to perform. The seniors did a very touching video and sung to the song "You Are The Reason" by Calum Scott. Later, three of the judges sung acapella with their harmonious voice while another did a magic trick. Their performances were flawless and the participants were amazed.

When the clock strucked 10.30pm, it was finally time for the announcement of the winner for Prom King and Queen, Best Couple Award as well as the Talent Night Competition. Year 4 Seniors, Janice Chan and Ren Zhang won the title Prom King and Prom Queen while Year 3, Amanda Keo and her partner won the Best Couple Award. As for the Talent Night Competition, the 3rd runner up was Ragazze Talentulous while Amanda Wong took home the 2nd runner up title. Finally, the night ended with a blast of party poppers as The Duo was announced as the Champion for the Talent Night Competition. The remaining three groups also went home with consolation prizes.

Champion - The Duo 

Top 3 Performers 

All performers

If there was one sentence to describe TuPSS Gala Night 2018: Blooming Talento, it would be "THE BEST GALA NIGHT EVER!". Nevertheless, it wouldn't have been as awesome a night as it was without the committees. Hence, from the bottom of our hearts, we would like to thank each and every one of the committees for putting their heart and soul into preparing this event since December 2017. You know who you are! 😉 You guys are truly the best of the best! 💙
Not forgetting all those who supported us by participating in our event too. We hope it was a memorable night for all of you!

TuPSS Gala Night 2018: Blooming Talento Comittees

And, last but most definitely not least, a special shoutout to all our 36 Sponsors who believed in us! We couldn't have done it without your support! THANK YOU AND WE LOVE YOU! ❤️❤️❤️

Written by,
Amanda Keo Wann Yuin
Editorial Board 17/18/19