Media and public relations veteran Kun Ching-chung invited good friends to a gathering at Italian restaurant Cipriani at the Bank of China Building last week to celebrate second son Owen's admission as a barrister.

Among the guests at the happy occasion were secretary for commerce and economic services Edward Yau Tang-wah, commissioner of police Chris Tang Ping-keung, commissioner of customs and excise Hermes Tang Yi-hoi and deputy law draftsman Gilbert Mo Sik-keung.

Both of Kun's sons are graduates of Diocesan Boys' School. Years ago, we were discussing children's learning when he remarked that the school's English standards were not bad.

He told me one time, he was driving Owen when the boy reminded him to get ready as the traffic lights turned, emphasizing that the color of the middle light should properly be called amber, not yellow.

The last time I had seen Owen was in the mainland, when he was working for Cathay Pacific during the summer. In the blink of an eye, a child had turned into a polite and proper young man.

At the gathering, I met Owen's girlfriend and was told the beautiful young lady is also a HKU law graduate - with first class honors too.

I also saw Owen's elder brother, who is working at investment bank Credit Suisse.

Seeing both sons achieving success must be a source of great pride and joy for their parents.

Kun has an extensive social network and attends many events and functions. Despite a busy schedule, he and his sons are close. We said laughingly that we must credit their mother for the boys' academic achievements.

But we must not overlook the element of like father like son, as Kun himself is also a super achiever.

Not many people know that Kun joined the police force early in his working life and was awarded the hong ji sheng, or red whistle lanyard, for graduating at the top of his inspector training class.

Clearly, he is a man of many talents, and did not excel only in his studies.

Siu Sai-wo is publisher of Sing Tao Daily

Celebration call in attaboy!