An exquisite fusion of elegance, camaraderie, and celebration, the Catholic Lawyers’ Society’s 29th Anniversary Dinner and Dance dazzled 280 guests at the Royal Lake Club, Kuala Lumpur on the Saturday evening of 7 October 2023.  This memorable and successful event was orchestrated by the AD&D organizing committee, co-chaired by Mr. Bernard Scott and Mr. Annou Xavier.

The theme this year, ie. “Global Cultural Gala” really came to life as guests arrived in a stunning array of multicultural outfits, showcasing the rich diversity of cultures that make up our global community. From fiery Spanish flamenco dresses to mysterious Arabian veil, from the spectacular Sabahans’ ‘Siga” to the elaborate robes of the Chinese Yuan Dynasty and from the rugged cowboy hat of the wild wild west to the authentic “Barong Tagalog” of the Philippines, the magnificent sight added an extra layer of excitement, vibrancy and inclusivity to the magical night. 

The grand occasion was graced by the presence of esteemed VIPs, including notable individuals such as His Grace, the Most Reverend Julian Leow of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, Member of Parliament for Seputeh, Yang Berhormat Teresa Kok, the Vice President of the Catholic Doctors Society, Mr. Freddie Loh , and the President of the Royal Lake Club Mr. Gaspar Gnanamuthu. The wit and charm of Mr. Stan Cross, the President of the Catholic Lawyers’ Society (CLS) when delivering his speech magnetically captivated the audience, and guests couldn’t help but cheer and applaud throughout the high-spirited speech of the President.

Together in a joint effort with the gorgeous Ms. Calista Appaduray, the amazing emcee for the night, Mr. Trevor Padasian, added a touch of cultural flair to the Global Cultural Gala with his stunning Kadazan outfit representing the beautiful heritage of the Land below the Wind.  Not only did he look impressive in this traditional attire, but he also excelled in his role as the emcee, captivating the audience with his charisma and professionalism. Mr. Trevor’s fantastic job in emceeing the event contributed to its success and helped create a memorable and engaging experience for all guests at the 29th Anniversary Dinner and Dance of the CLS.

The culinary experience at the grand night was nothing short of exquisite as the 9-course Chinese dinner was served to all guests, while the explosive 2-piece band, “Zarsadias Brothers” totally smashed it and brought the house down with its captivating tunes over a seamless fusion of genre that soon had everyone on their feet. Embracing the cultural theme to the full, the energy was electric as the captivating infectious beat of the Sumazau rhythm filled the air which was miraculously brought out by the dynamic duo’s electric instruments and rocking voices, infectiously beckoning guests to hit the dance floor like never before.

The night was filled with exciting programs to keep the guests entertained throughout the evening. Among them were the male and female best dress contests, allowing participants to showcase their stunning multicultural outfits and compete for the coveted titles. The finalists for the Male and Female Best-Dressed contest truly stole the show with eye-opening and jaw-dropping impromptu performances as they unleashed their hidden talents. Some of the stereotyped lawyers-turned- hilarious Superstars simply had the entire floor cheering at the top of their lungs. Additionally, the lucky draw prizes also added an element of anticipation and excitement. 

As the night progressed towards its climax, DJ Calvin seized the moment and took over the irresistible dance music that set the dance floor ablaze ensuring that everyone could let loose on the dance floor.

The success of the 29th Anniversary Dinner & Dance of the CLS was greatly enhanced by the generous support of sponsors and donors who sponsored advertisements in the CLS souvenir book or made donations. Among the sponsorship and donation is the contribution from Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department through YB Hannah Yeoh, the Minister of Youth and Sports of Malaysia. This CLS event was also supported by many Catholic parishes and dioceses, including the support of His Grace Most Reverend Datuk John Wong of Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu.  The Society was also honoured to witness the unwavering support of organisations dedicated to fighting for human rights such as the rights of migrants, including North South Initiative and the Father’s Rights Association of Malaysia.

The annual Dinner & Dance is the yearly traditional, main fundraising event of the CLS that serves a crucial opportunity for the society to raise funds to support their various initiatives and activities throughout the year, in furthering their mission of promoting justice and peace through the rule of law in the spirit of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to promote fellowship and understanding among Catholic lawyers. This event is not only a significant fundraising effort but also serves as a platform for members to come together, celebrate their shared values, and contribute to the greater good of the community.