The Last Performance

I was there to witness the very last performance by Golden Eagle Teochew Opera Troupe (金鹰潮剧团). Founded in 1980, it was one of the best troupe in this traditional performing art. With no successsor in sight and ageing members, the founder Mr Chua decided to close it down for good. Standing beside him just before the commencement of the last performance, he mumbled "完了，完了" (It's coming to an end). It was a photographer's dream to document such an event, the troupe members were so used to being photographed that they just let me get up close. Maybe they wanted this craft to be documented one last time.
During the half time interval, Mr Chua made a speech to the elderly crowd of about 30 audiences. He was composed, but an actress broke down in tears right beside me (I was at the back-stage). It was an emotional moment. I snapped away, holding my breath so that the camera wouldn't shake under low shutter speed.
I told my parents about this last performance of the troupe which enjoyed its heyday in the 80s. They came and witnessed it with me, I was busy at the back-stage, but when I went out to meet them, mum gave me a smile I would not forget. She seemed proud of the work Im doing. That matters alot.
I hope I have done justice to the troupe with my pictures by documenting it the best way I can, preserving this art form in the minds of its practitioners, and informing the younger generations of its existence.

Pictures of the Last performance

Chinese New Year's eve

It's been a long time since I was an active participant of spring cleaning before the Chinese New Year. For the past few years, there were always other things to do, This year, I decided to make myself useful and took over some of the back-breaking work from mum. I got to clean the toilets. I always take pride in my work, including this. The tiles were scrubbed from matt to glossy with a toothbrush....of course not. Took me about half and hour to complete one, and before I moved on to the next, mum said she had already cleaned the other one and father had cleaned the wall tiles....Phew. Then I did other chores and had a nice afternoon nap before the reunion dinner. That makes it feels like Chinese New Year!

After steamboat, we made our way to a nearby flower market. It has been our practice for the past 2 years. Kind-of fun and you could see the prices being slashed by the hour. Parents really liked the purchases they made and I am in-charge of keeping their plants alive (while they travel in China). We didn't stay to witness the price-slashing, as we had to come home and prayed to Ti-Gong (Sky God). I wonder how Chinese New Year will feel like without all these practices, which are part of our childhood memories. I even took a picture of the items that parents offered to Ti-Gong, in case I am given the task of sourcing for them next time.

I have a good 4-day break during this period, hence, the new posts are coming up. Plus, I brought my camera out this time round for family shots.

The Results Are Out

The 2006 World Press photo results is finally out. Nope, I didn't win any award in my debut entry of 3 pictures. Will definitely try again, but the works are mainly of war or conflict, which are non-existent here, not that I wish for it to happen here. The winning works are really good...I have no grouses.

See them here.World Press Photo 2006

Grand Ol' Dame, The National Stadium

It holds lots of memories, not just for me, but for most of us. I ran lots of races on her rubber track, experienced triump and defeat from the races. Its one hell of an experience running in front of thousands during the yearly National Schools' Track & Field finals. You can hear the screams and cheers before the race starts, but once you are off, everything become silent. All you can hear is your breathing, and the deafening sound of the wind as you try to defy the natural forces of resistance and run like Forest Gump. In a 4X100m relay race, you can only hear your teammate coming right behind you and you wait for his command, before you reach out and grab the baton from him. All this in split second, at high speed. I fell once during a 4x400m finals. The sound of my spike hitting the metal barrier on the innermost lane must have echoed through the whole stadium. Luckily, I picked myself up quick enough to carry on without being overtaken. The final stretch of 120m is the most crucial. Thunderous cheers from the spectators will make the adrenalin rush through your body. Lack of oxygen to your muscles will also produce lactic acid and cause your limbs to stiffen up. You try to go faster, but couldn't. You try to swing your arms harder, but your legs just wouldn't follow the momentum, as if they weigh a hundred kilos. This is the point where races are won or lost. After you cross the line, you collapse in agony. Your butt ache like hell, and everything before your eyes seems to be spinning. You could puke anytime...now thats pain. I have always thought that all these training and races during my school days are tougher than army training, in another way. They were painful, but are usually over in minutes, not hours or days.

Those are the memories I have from our National Stadium from school days. While dating in Uni, I used to bring her there too. We climbed over the fences in the wee hours of the morning (I was impressed she can climb over the fences that were twice our height). Once inside, there is complete silence in this massive place that can hold 55,000 spectators. We watch ed the moon from inside. And now, I am going to marry her. Thanks alot Grand Ol' Dame!

The picture was taken on the last game to be played there, before she makes way for a new sports hub. This is the moment when Singapore score the first goal. I waited long for this shot, and was about to move to another place, when the moment occurred before my eyes. I didn't even know who scored at that point of time, and just fired a few frames before the fans in front of me stopped jumping. I knew I got the shot. I spend the whole match in the spectator stand, preferring not to go down to the pitch for action shots of the players. My colleagues are there to cover that. It was a right decision after all....to come down for this game on my off days even though Im tired from shooting almost everyday for the past few weeks.

Thanks alot for the memories.