Sabah quake: Faces of the tragedy and their profiles

Monday, June 8, was declared a Day of Remembrance for the victims of the Sabah earthquake.

Six pupils and one teacher from Tanjong Katong Primary School died and their bodies were flown back over the weekend. The Singaporean adventure guide who was with them on a school field trip also died.

But a student and a teacher remain missing as of Monday night (June 8). The Straits Times pieces together what the victims were like, including the missing two.

Loo Jian Liang Terrence Sebastian

Mr Terrence Loo's dream was to set up a tuition centre, according to a eulogy posted by Gloria Lee on Facebook. Ms Lee, who referred to Mr Loo as her "best friend", said he loved his family.

She wrote: "He knew he had to work hard because his parents were getting old, and his dream was to set up a tuition centre so his father could retire for good.

"He thought the world of his mother and sister, and often boasted that his mother was the best cook in the world."

The 29-year-old National University of Singapore alumnus was an animal lover who had turtles and a dog called Bella, which Mr Loo was "inordinately proud of (and perhaps a little obsessed)," she wrote.

To her, Mr Loo was a "simple guy who could travel the world with his signature singlet and waist pouch".

The caring, kind, generous teacher was raising funds for a riding event organised by Club Rainbow (Singapore).

Ms Lee has urged for the fundraising activity to carry on so as to "fulfil his last wish".

- CHITRA KUMAR

Muhammad Daanish Amran

Camp instructor Muhammad Daanish Amran was full of life and energy.

The 22-year-old was an active and outgoing person, his friends and family told media.

His uncle remembers Mr Daanish - the eldest of three siblings - as a kind man who helped carry the luggage when they went on family trips.

Mr Daanish, who had worked at the Battlestar Galactica ride at Universal Studios Singapore, was a guide at Camp Challenge, which ran the Mount Kinabalu trip.

Colleagues posted on Camp Challenge Facebook page that he "was an outstanding young man, a dedicated instructor and a cherished friend to many including our family of instructors."

- AW CHENG WEI, JANICE TAI AND CHITRA KUMAR

Peony Wee Ying Ping

A foodie and sports lover, family members and friends described 12-year-old Peony Wee as a cheerful girl who frequently helped out at her mother's traditional Chinese medicine clinic.

Peony's father, Mr Alson Wee, told the media that his daughter was a sociable, active girl who played netball and the piano, read widely and loved wanton noodles.

Mr Wee also added that Peony would sometimes call home after netball practice and offer to buy food for her family.

- KOK XING HUI AND YEO SAM JO

Ameer Ryyan bin Mohd Adeed Sanjay

An avid football fan, 12-year-old Ameer Ryyan was also a student at F-17 Academy, a football school started by Singapore's football legend Fandi Ahmad.

Writing on the F-17 Academy Facebook page, its head coach Steven Tan wrote that Ameer Ryyan was "one of my bright stars in the elite squad".

He added: "Ryyan had flair in his game & loved curling his free-kicks...he was technically good with both feet and played the game with intelligence."

Mr Tan also said Ameer Ryyan "cared for his teammates, listened to instructions and had a great sense of humour". "He was a good kid," added Mr Tan.

- CHITRA KUMAR

Emilie Giovanna Ramu

Emilie Ramu's school friend Natasha Poon, 11, said she and Emilie saw each other as sisters.

Although they were in different levels at Tanjong Katong Primary School, Natasha said that when she was sad, Emilie would comfort her.

Other school friends described 12-year-old Emilie as a caring girl who was nice to everyone and was into ballet. She had even planned to perform at a recital this coming weekend.

- DANSON CHEONG

Matahom Karyl Mitzi Higuit

The Straits Times understands that 12-year-old Karyl Matahom - who is from the Philippines - was studying at Tanjong Katong Primary School.

A photo dated May 1, 2010 - posted on her Facebook page - shows her with Peony Wee. The caption read: "With my bestfriend (sic) peony!"

Ms Matahom's aunt, who goes by the name of stacey p., tweeted on June 6 that "Our Dearest Karyl... We will truly miss you...#SabahQuake She's gone too soon.."

- CHITRA KUMAR

Rachel Ho Yann Shiuan

A love for shooting hoops, Rachel had a passion for netball and had dreamed of becoming part of the national netball team one day.

The 12-year-old had played for the school's team for the past three years.

She would practise every day - sometimes even during her recess period in school.

Just days before the trip, she had gone to watch the June 1 Singapore-Thailand netball match at the ongoing South-east Asian Games. - MIRANDA YEO

Sonia Jhala

Sonia's older sister, Karishma Jhala, told Chinese media that 12-year-old Sonia was an adventurous girl who worked hard to be selected for the trip. Sonia, too, liked sports as she was a netball player.

- REI KUROHI

THE REMAINING DUO STILL MISSING

Mohammad Ghazi Mohamed

Mr Mohammad Ghazi, 35, was "more than a classroom teacher".

Friends and students wrote on his Facebook page that he went beyond text books, and taught "the values of life".

A former student wrote: "He showed us clearly about teamwork, perseverance and respect."

In a school publication, Mr Ghazi wrote: "Leave no one behind. Never turn the blind eye."

- CHITRA KUMAR

Navdeep Singh Jaryal Raj Kumar

Navdeep's older sister is praying for a miracle, according to her tweet. She had earlier tweeted on June 6 that she wonders how their mother would cope if the worst-case scenario happens. Their father died of cancer two years ago. Navdeep is 13.

- PRISCILLA GOY

This article was first published on June 9, 2015.
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