很累

很累。

上一周，有朋自远方来，当然不亦乐乎。很可惜，没法抽出很多时间陪她。

忙于华乐团演出的幕后工作。今年大胆挑战在 Esplanade 办一场音乐会，也大胆地尝试演奏作曲家陈能济4首大作。喜欢这次上演的曲目，更怀念少时演奏《龙的传奇》的时光。

难得能和陈老师，和古琴演奏家余美丽老师合作。虽然没能和他们同台演出，排练时坐在乐团后面听陈老师述说他对音乐和创作的感言，也算是一种荣幸，也领悟到一些道理。

私底下，他们都很客气，很平易近人。在我合作过的音乐家之中，他们算是容易相处的。余老师很尽责，虽然她可以与家人一同游走新加坡，她却选择留下与乐团排练。与她的家人话不多（我听不懂广东话），但看得出他们很支持她。

也很感谢陈老师这位大师级人物愿意和我们这样的一个学生团体合作。他说我们是“专业的业余乐团”。不敢当。

音乐会算是成功，辛苦大家。

但是对幕后的安排工作感到失望。话若说多了，很容易被人误解。如果有心，事情或许会好办一些。所以怨言，就往里吞，又不是没做过，反正说了，也于事无补。

累了。

You can help Japan

It was a devastating weekend for Japan. A 8.9-magnitude earthquake shook the country, and the tsunami wiped out beautiful towns and cities that were once scenic spots.

Images and video footages of the destruction are constant reminders to us, that nature will still reign above man, we should love the only Earth that we have.

And for whatever reasons you may have, please do not gloat over the tragedy that Japan is now battling against. There's something called karma.

Japan is a very disciplined country, I am sure the people are brave enough to overcome all challenges, and they will rebuild their country back to its glory, or even better.

But for now, you can help them. Don't just sit there and do nothing. Singapore Red Cross is now accepting monetary donations towards the Japan's earthquake-tsunami disaster.

Please visit the Singapore Red Cross' website for donation information.

Or, check out the Red Cross' websites/offices in your respective countries.

I've made my contribution. Have you?

P.S. And don't shun Japanese products. So what if they will get expensive? Buying their products will help in regaining their economy, and I know you can jolly well afford it. :)

Back from the Philippines, for the 11th time

Yes, I'm back, since last week. But I was too preoccupied with the uploading of the photos and getting back to the hectic lifestyle. It felt like I have been back for weeks. :(

As always, the time spent in Bago City has been enjoyable and meaningful. There's always so much to experience, so much to learn.



That was my first time experiencing the fiesta and the Babaylan Festival in Bago City, and wow, what a colourful and awesome fiesta it was! Good to have Jiahui with me too! :)



I had so much fun during the fiesta. We had our very own kite decorating and kite flying activity, I think it was also the first time we had such activity in Bago City.



And it was quite a sight to behold, seeing 80 kites flying up into the sky above the Bago City sports field, all at the same time. I hope the kids have enjoyed the activity as much as I did.







And what's a fiesta without the presence of the celebrities? :) Princess Velasco of ASAP Sessionistas, 'Sample King' Jhong Hilario, Bianca Manalo, Bret Jackson, Andrew E. and 4 artistes from GMA performed live in Bago City. :)


Princess Velasco, Jhong Hilario


Bianca Manalo


Bret Jackson


GMA artists

And I've got autographs of Princess, on her CD. Woohoo~! :)



Andrew E taught me something too, "humanap ka ng pangit, at ibigin mo ng tunay". Which is translated to, look for somebody who's ugly, and love him/her truly. :)



Giving away 800 sets of stationery was also my way of giving back to the community. I've gained so much from Bago City, the warmth and the friendship, that I would wanna do more for the people there. I am very thankful to have friends who have been so supportive towards my cause. :)



The kids are so cute, their definitions of love are also out of the world. This is my favourite: Love is like a bubblegum. When it gets sticky, it will make you go crazy. :D



Got to visit The Ruins in Talisay City. Beautiful.



And revisited the Kipot Twin Falls and Paradiso Beach.


Kipot Twin Falls, Paradiso Beach

And I survived Manila. :) Was going around places alone in Manila, good that I know the shopping malls well. A perfect excuse for retail therapy. Haha. My friends in Bago City were a little paranoid about me being alone there, but I think they worry too much. Haha. There were incidents where taxi drivers tried to cheat me of my money, thinking that I was just like any other foreigner easily bullied. But hey, I can speak Tagalog, and I can deal with you. HAHA.

It was also good that I was able to meet up with some of my friends there. The me-and-myself-alone time I promised to give myself was comforting, in a sense that I was able to give myself some space, to sit down and do nothing.

Was also able to witness the 2nd Philippine International Pyromusical Competition at SM Mall of Asia. Fireworks right before my eyes. Breathtaking. I think I was just too lucky to have seen 3 times of fireworks within 2 weeks. :)



And for the 11th time, I am still not getting enough of the Philippines. Can't wait to be back there again, god knows when.

Handog Ng Pilipino Sa Mundo

"Handog Ng Pilipino Sa Mundo" ("The Philippines' Offering to the World") is a song written, based on the success of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.

With my level of understanding of Tagalog, the song is about the fight of the Filipinos against injustice under the dictatorship of Marcos, for their freedom, without violence but through the unity of the country.

Through the years, I've read on the history of the country, and with the passing of the former president Mrs Cory Aquino in 2009, people are again reminded of the significance behind the EDSA revolution. If you could watch video footages of the revolution, the sight could be quite overwhelming.

I happened to be in Manila when the Philippines celebrated the 25th anniversary of EDSA revolution on 25 February 2011. People were in yellow, congregating near the EDSA Shrine, yellow ribbons were tied around poles and fences as well. I did not participate in any of the celebrations (for fear of the huge crowd), but I could feel the patriotism everywhere I go.

But 25 years on, the Philippines still faces problems of poverty and corruption. The son of Marcos made a comment, that the Philippines would have become another Singapore had the country remained under the Marcos' rule. I have no comments to that, but I do think the Filipino government and the people should focus on improving the country, instead of just remembering that historical event without honoring its legacy and its significance.

And I definitely hope to see a better Philippines.