More than one month after completion of the FAPA 2008 Congress, the memories still lingers and no forgetting that a number of back-end tasks have yet to be completed; but for now, we bring you the last part of the update from this event.

Whilst it has been a very successful event, the financial aspects of organizing it have been one of the biggest challenges, especially when the charges for hospitality services were almost at the peak right after the frenzy and euphoria of Singapore’s first Formula 1 Grand Prix. Hotel room rates, meeting venues, entertainment, rental charges of equipment etc were all unbelievably high!

Despite those concerns, the 1,098 delegates were rewarded with a wide array of topics and symposia.

Dr. T Matsuda shared the Japanese experience in pharmacovigilance.

more knowledge from Hong Kong....

more lectures, more knowledge, that's great!

In between lectures, presentations and networking, the organizing committee also included some cultural performances and activities which showcased to delegates, especially those from overseas, the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Singapore community. Part of the "extra-curricular" activities were Chinese and Indian traditional performances; Chinese calligraphy; traditional handicraft etc.

And we get some entertainment, too!

...nice music to sooth our soul.

not forgetting some play time...

...or perhaps looking for hidden talents in calligraphy?

more demonstration & expression of artistic skills..

and some Indian dance item...!

After the hectic schedules of the day event, one of the most anticipated highlights of the FAPA tradition is the Gala Dinner. The usual protocol would of course include some "appetite building" speeches.
Before the dinner was served, the upcoming FAPA 2010 host - Pharmaceutical Society of Taiwan - was handed over the official FAPA flag from Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. Both Presidents were on stage for the handover ceremony; which was promptly followed by a time slot to promote the next Congress and encourage participation.

The official FAPA flag handed over to the next host in Taipei.

Taipei welcomes you in 2010 !

Part of the delegates from Taipei's promo team.

Climax of the Dinner was the country performance. Typically each FAPA member country with sizeable delegation is expected to let their hair down and unleash their talent. Such performances often never fail to enhance the mood, strengthen the sense of camaraderie amongst pharmacists from various countries and attachment towards FAPA for such occasion.

And the Korean movies come to town, live in Singapore?!

and the Indonesian dangdut loosening up our joints....

our Taiwanese friends wooed the crowd..

And it's friendship time from table to table.

more network & memories to be capture digitally!

...and a MRT ride in the hotel...? By the way, they are your boss..?

These are part of the hardworking people putting together the show...great stuff!

And then it’s hasta-la-vista; until we meet again in 2010 in Taipei and 2012 in Bali, adiós from
the organizing team & the stage is now empty..........

...hasta la vista inTaipei 2010. Different stage - but same spirit of FAPA!

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