Home?

I have not been on good terms with my parents for quite some time. I would not like to talk about it because it is not a good thing to share, but it has been taking a toll on me. I avoid going home before they sleep. Even if I do, I would keep quiet, and retreat to my personal space in my room.

I wish I am staying on my own. No conflicts. Peace.

What am I

It is rather interesting to know how differently people view you, from how you look at yourself.

I was given a task during a training, to make a clay model to represent myself. I usually don't like such questions, because sometimes I'm really unsure of myself, what exactly I am.

I started asking some of my friends, what could I make with the clay. I got answers like 'a musical note', 'a musical instrument', because I love music and I could play the organ and the erhu. But I thought it was too generic and common, because many of the colleagues in the training session would have similar passions too.

Then I got more interesting answers:
A camera - because I like photography, and I always record the things I see
A doormat - because I'm always welcoming my friends from overseas
A walking dictionary - although I don't think I'm one
Philippines - no prizes for getting it right
A sun - because I'm a sun-loving person
An ox - because I am determined (in another word, stubborn)
A 'nuah' shape - because I like to 'nuah' HAHA
Something to represent my horrible laughter - how am I going to show it with a clay model??

Then I decided on something else - an alien. A weird person, with extreme personalities and unusual habits. HAHA.

And during this 2 day - 1 night training, I realised I couldn't be deprived of even a little bit of me-and-myself-time everyday. I actually felt relieved sitting alone at the cafe, drinking coffee, doing nothing and watching people go by. Go ahead and say I'm anti-social. :)

In the end, the activity was scraped, we didn't need to make any clay models. What a relief. But it was very nice to have a colleague who made something for me. Thanks! :)



So, if you know what could well represent me, share with me! :)

Ah..

Life has been (fill in the blank).

I'm still alive. Ha.

中毒了

最近又开始追起偶像剧来了。

为了追看偶像剧，我不只把一些睡眠时间给牺牲了，连平时收看的菲律宾戏也暂停不看了。很难想象吧，我竟然不看我的“家乡戏”！

所以我说，我中毒了。哈哈。

不切实际的爱情故事，也许是偶像剧的吸引力。当然，也要有帅哥美女的衬托。虽然这样的情节不太可能出现在平常生活里，有时候却会不经意地在幻想，自己是剧中的女主角。

我的感情生活是一份白卷，我可能不懂什么是爱情。也许是这样，有点渴望想经历一次像偶像剧般那不切实际的恋情。当然，我知道感情不是闹着玩的，我也不是18岁的少女（也就是说，我不年轻了），所以只能把渴望当成奢望，当作是自己异想天开吧。自己也清楚，一段稳定的爱情，比谈一场轰轰烈烈的恋爱来得现实一些。

至于我的感情生活什么时候会有转机，就听天由命。我相信时机到了，自然会来。就耐心等待。:)

Life is short

Life is too short to give way to regrets.

A young Filipino actor passed away in a vehicular accident while on his way back home from a provincial show last weekend. AJ Perez was only 18 years old, gone too soon. I admit I was a little affected by his death, not just because he was cut down at such a young age, and he was so well-loved by many people in the industry and his fans. His passing reminded me of my cousin who passed away when she was only 14 years old.

Then I got to hear about Fatima Soriano, a blind girl in the Philippines who could 'see' Mother Mary and has 'healing powers'. The parents of AJ decided to donate his corneas to Fatima after watching her interview with Boy Abunda, but it was then reported that a cornea transplant was not suitable for Fatima because her blindness is a retinal problem.

Out of curiosity, I watched the same interview of Fatima. I watched it with skepticism. I know there are certain things that can't be explained, but I would rather believe in facts than in beliefs and religions.

Fatima is a very pleasant girl, and speaks with amiability yet with affirmation. She is just a 18-year old teenager.

When asked about her 'healing powers', she was very humble and said, she was just happy to be the instrument of God. She was very certain that if you trust in Him, He will work it out for you.

I still remain skeptical about it. I have questions, and they are debatable. And I've said this before, I would not believe in any religion without having any true understanding of it.

The main objective of the interview is not to leave us in debates. I'm amazed by her humility, and the wise words that came from her during the interview.

"Let's not postpone love."
"Why waste time getting angry?"
"I 'see' Mother Mary, not with my eyes, but with my heart. What is essential, is invisible to the eyes."

Indeed, life is too short, life can be unpredictable. Probably we should be embarrassed about how we take time for granted, for an 18-year old to remind us of that.

Perhaps we can start first, with not postponing the sharing of love with the ones you care.

A learning excursion on the Pu family history

Ahh.. procrasination has once again took control.

Anyway, I went to Malaysia and Betong (Thailand) with my family not too long ago, for the Qing Ming Festival. It has been an annual affair for my parents, because that would be the only occasion (unless somebody gets married) the Pou family gets together and pay their respects to my grandparents. And this year, all of us managed to get away from our usual responsibilities somehow, and went back as a family.


Sunrise at my grandparents' final resting place



The Pou family has a history of its own. My grandparents were born in Guangxi, China, and came down to Betong, Thailand, to eke out a living. Before that, they had separate families of their own. Probably during wartimes, families got separated and my grandparents got together and formed another family of their own. My father has 10 siblings, and 4 step-siblings.



My father was born in Betong. He was the last of the siblings born there, before the entire family moved to Penang, then to Padang Serai. Some of his siblings came down to Singapore to work, but only my father stayed here, and thus my existence. :)

His step-siblings from my grandfather still live in Guangxi, while the step-siblings from my grandmother live in Betong.


Betong town

This gathering was a huge one, because my step-aunt from Guangxi came too, and all of us went to visit my step-aunts in Betong. This was my first time meeting all of my step-aunts.

But the most amazing thing was, I got to learn that one of my step-aunts joined the communists when she was only 20 years old, fighting against the then-Malaya government. She shared with us many stories, and I'm so privileged to hear these rare experiences of living in the jungles, from the woman herself. And she still lives near the jungles. :)

Probably the most valuable moment in this trip was that the Pou family got to spend time together, even if it was only a fraction of us who went to Betong for that 2 days. It was also then my father told us of his family stories.


The largest mailbox in the world

I remembered I've been to Betong once, when I was a young kid. I remembered seeing the red mailbox, visiting the temple and playing with chicks with my other cousins. Time to dig out all the old photos again.


Wat Phutthathiwat

But I guess this time round, it was much more fulfilling to know about the legacy that my grandparents had left us.


Langkawi morning

We did side-trips to Langkawi and Penang too. We rented a car and drove around the little island of Langkawi. There was not much to explore, only the Sky Bridge and the Telaga Tujuh falls were worth going.






Langkawi Sky Bridge


Telaga Tujuh falls

My father spent some of his childhood years in Penang, so this trip was also for him to reminisce his past. He loves to walk, even with so many different kinds of the local delicacies we have eaten, I don't think we have gained any weight. My father would simply explore the entire Georgetown on our reliable feet.


Cheong Tze Fatt Mansion


Inside a Chinese temple



This trip wasn't as bad as I imagined. I am so used to travelling independently, and I don't have the tolerance for my parents' constant naggings. Surprisingly, it was still endurable, not that they have been yakking non-stop. Ha. And it was all expenses paid for. :)

A little part of me wishes for another family vacation like this, to learn more about my own family. Perhaps we could start working on 'The Chronicles of the Pou Family - Part 1'. Haha.

Another short respite

Ah.. Another short respite, that came just in time. A call for duty as a family member of the Pu/Pou.

Afterwhich, it will be back to piling of workload again. Woot.

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.

Going back to Bago City again

After 5 (long) months of waiting, soon I'll be on the road back to Bago City again. It has been 7 long years, and I still love this place.

For the first time, I'll be there for their city's charter anniversary fiesta celebration and the Babaylan Festival. And I do look forward to our very own kite-flying activity, which to my surprise, is a part of the fiesta celebration. :)

And a very big thank-you to my friends for the support, we have raised slightly more than $800 for the stationery sets to be given to the children. :)

I'm also giving myself some me-and-only-myself-time during this trip. I hope I can survive, and come back safely.

Will be back 2 weeks later. :)

莫名奇妙的情绪

这几天，心情会无端端地酝酿着一些莫名奇妙的情绪。搞不懂，到底是怎么一回事。

工作，和上几个月比起来，顺利得很。健康，还好，只不过一些老毛病就从此离不开。撇开爱情，因为八字都没有半个丿，而且由不得我去主宰。友情，很庆幸一直都在。家庭，也还好。曾经为自己算过命，朋友会比自己的亲人还亲，我也不否认。

所以，真的搞不懂， 到底是怎么一回事。

对新年一点期待也没有，因为不是特别喜欢过新年。没做任何准备，只包了红包给重要的长辈们。

很快就能回到我的第二个家，可是，我迟迟未定自己的行程，和一向速战速决的我，很不像。

希望这种莫名其妙的情绪，快点消失。

Raising funds for Bago City

It has been quite a while since I did something big scale for the children in Bago City.

In 2006, I managed to secure sponsorships for the shipping of 4 boxes to the Philippines, and an enormous amount of stationery. We had 2 fabulous Christmas parties for the children, and these donations came as a pleasant surprise to them.

I guessed I was just being lucky.

People were touched by the video of that trip. It never fails to make me laugh and cry, leaving a beautiful memory.

I continued to help the children whenever I was back in Bago City, however in much smaller ways.

This time round, I'm planning something big. I've secured a sponsorship of 100 kites, and I'm going to do a kite-flying activity. It was also ambitious of me to set a target, to raise $500 for stationery sets to be given to the children.

I'm very thankful to have friends who have been supporting me in my efforts to help the children. Within a week of my announcement, the target was achieved. Some even donated toys and clothes. I can't thank them enough.

I'm just lucky to have you guys as my friends.

P.S. I hope I'm not being too ambitious to raise the target to $800. :)

Help the Filipino kids

Everytime when I visit Bago City, I would always try to help the children there, in the little ways that I could.

This time round, you guys can do your bit. :)

$1 can get a Filipino kid a basic stationery set. If you wish to contribute, do drop me a message or email me at "puyuhui at starhub dot net dot sg" (or SMS me, if you are my friends).

My target is to help 500 kids, but of course, the more the merrier. :)

Principles

I had a lengthy phone 'conversation' with a parent this afternoon. It wasn't the first time I had to swallow my tears while enduring the unpleasant words coming from the other end of the line.

Over the years, I've learnt to understand that such nasty problems are part and parcel of work, and I'm still learning to deal with them effectively. Sometimes I could take them in my stride, sometimes I couldn't let them lie down.

Today's 'conversation' stemmed from some misunderstanding and miscommunication issues. Things got heated up, and I just kept silent, absorbing all the angry words being lashed out. It took quite some time for us to really settle the problems calmly. In the end, 'all is well'. But I wished I could have the wits to deal with the problems faster.

The parent insisted that he had his principles, and he was setting as an example to his children, that principles should be followed once set.

Yes, I agree, but to a certain extent. I do have my own set of principles too, be it personal or for work. But sometimes, I have to set them aside for certain circumstances. And that doesn't mean that I'm not assertive enough. Sometimes one has to be flexible, sometimes we are left with no other choices.

It's just a fine line between sticking to principles and being stubborn.

Shifting of office

There have been too much movement within these few months. Having to deal with a new working space and project venue was a challenge. Hell, on some days, I would say. But at least the office wasn't on that serious tone (especially when there are people shouting 'bloody nonsense' here and there), just that I had to make do with the small space I had.

And 2 months after, we had to repack our things and move back to our old office. But it was a messy shifting of things. Dust was everywhere, files and materials were more than before. I dreaded the trouble of unpacking, given that I am quite a neat-freak. And today was only the first day. Shucks.

Once all the cleaning and clearing up are done, it's time to plan my homecoming to paradise.

Gone with 2010

In 2010, I had..

- gone back to the Philippines 3 times! :)
- snorkelled for 3 consecutive days in Coron, Palawan. But no thanks to the coral scratches, I had many bouts of rashes attacks after that.
- watched Aiza Seguerra and Juris sing live! and photos with them after the concert!
- a greeting from Richard Poon!

- been a tour guide to my friends from the Philippines on many occasions. I could work sideline on that already.

- many gatherings with my friends from primary school and high school, reminiscing the good 'old' days.
- taken many photos on quite a number of special occasions. Satisfaction doesn't come everytime.
- given my hair a new look.
- watched Voyage de la Vie, seated at the 2nd row, centre. For free. Haha. Fulfilled my childhood wish of watching a live circus show.

Of course, there were disappointments, unhappiness and frustrations that I would rather not mention them. No point anyway, let bygones be bygones.

Just hope that 2011 would be a better year. Happy new year, everyone!

格格不入

格格不入，用来形容我的个性，应该非常贴切。

我不否认我的性格很难以捉摸，脾气很火爆，思想很怪异。我任性，我自我，我不善于社交，我不会说话，甚至说话都不经过大脑。

有时候我很恨自己，为什么把自己搞成这样，却不试着去改变。我不改变自己，却希望帮助别人，很可笑，不是吗？

一切，只能说是咎由自取。很想钻进属于自己那渺小的世界里。垂头丧气也好，发泄情绪也好，没人管得了。因为那个世界，是属于我的。

我的世界，你敢进入吗？

Pinoy Christmas songs

I hate Christmas this year, because I can't go back to my lovely 'homecountry' to spend Christmas there.

During such depressing moment like this, I shouldn't be listening to Christmas songs. But everytime I get to hear them, I have the urge to just buy the tickets and fly over right away. Argh.

Sharing with you guys 2 Tagalog Christmas songs, very touching. It has been sung by many artistes, but I can't find the music videos by the original singers.

I want my Christmas.

Pasko Na Sinta Ko (My darling, it's Christmas) - Christian Bautista



Sana Ngayong Pasko (Hopefully this Christmas) - Erik Santos