By: Hoe Pei Shan, newsroom intern

IT WAS a day of cheers, resounding applause and standing ovations.

The scene seemed more a celebration than a funeral - and this was how the family of Andre Tang Jia Rong wanted it.

He may have died far too young at 15, but he had also lived 15 years longer than he was supposed to.

Born with half a heart, Andre had defied the odds and outlived the three days that doctors gave him after diagnosing his hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

So his parents invited all those who their 15-year miracle had touched to celebrate his life at the Church of The Holy Spirit and Mandai Crematorium yesterday.

About 200 of them turned up, dressed in all shades of blue - Andre's favourite colour.

Yes, there were tears and heart-rending moments as they remembered Andre, who died on Sunday.

But more overwhelming was the shared joy of having known Andre, who was not only his mother's 'sunny boy', but also the witty child who loved making others laugh.

Said his mother, Mrs April Tang, 41: 'Andre was his sisters' best friend, and the pillar of the family.

'He was always mischievous, and would greet me with his cheeky smile and a big hug each morning.'

Andre's infectious humour also found its way into the hearts of those who knew him at the Anglo-Chinese School (ACS Barker).

His best friend and fellow ACS Barker student, Ahmed Qabyr Maricar, 16, gave a moving eulogy that drew chuckles.

He recalled: 'We didn't become friends immediately, but I was drawn to his sense of mischief, and we built a special bond that became invincible.'

Andre may have been 'the smallest guy around', but that did not stop him from greeting his friends with hard whacks on their backs.

'I will always remember you calling me, 'Ahmaaaaaad!', in that manner of yours that sounded like a screeching train,' added Ahmed.

Andre's other schoolmates, who had helped him carry his bag and lift his spirits, shouldered Andre one last time as his pallbearers.

So many ACS Barker students wanted to attend the funeral that the school, which originally planned to charter one bus, ended up with two busloads.

The boys chipped in to buy blue balloons for the occasion, including a huge helium-filled balloon in the shape of a plane.

Float into heaven

They later let the balloon go and watched it float into the heavens as family and friends cheered.

Ryan Foo, 15, who had known Andre since Primary 4, said: 'Andre had always wanted to fly in a plane, so we bought one for him and set it free so he can fly.'

Former national sprinter Hamkah Afik, Andre's godbrother, also celebrated Andre's life in a unique way at the Mandai Crematorium.

He created an 'Andre's Olympics' moment by commentating on a simulated 100m race in which Andre came in first with a time of 10.5sec, bettering his father's personal best of 10.56sec.

'It was something that Andre had wanted, because in his life he could not run or jump, so this race was his dream come true,' Mr Hamkah said.

Said Andre's proud father, Mr Tang Ngai Kin, 55: 'Today was his victory lap. An athlete has to have the heart, the passion and courage, to win.'

Andre had twice the heart of anyone. He had fought bravely in the race of life and won, added the former national athlete, who now coaches the national 4x100m women's relay team.

The ACS Barker contingent sang the school anthem at the crematorium, ending with the school motto, 'The best is yet to be'.

Ryan said: 'Andre did everything to the fullest - the best was already in him.'

--TNP

This article was first published in The New Paper.