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For The Loss Of A Star

26 Jun 2009 by Legendria

At 8am on Friday, 26 June 2009, I was awakened by the beep of an SMS from my brother. ‘Are you going around today with one glove, black armband, face mask and black hat as tribute?’, it read. I replied drowsily, ‘Michael Jackson’s Day ke?’ (Is it Michael Jackson’s Day?). And my eyes grew wide as I read the next SMS, ‘No. He just died.’

A person who really knows me would know that I had admired Michael Jackson since I was a child, since he started singing solo and even throughout his many changes. I have every one of his albums, with the exception of the 25th Anniversary album, and even had my dad buy me the movie and music video collection when it came out. I still remember when KFC in Malaysia had the Michael Jackson promotion where you can take a picture with his life-size standee. I was ecstatic, even though it wasn’t really him.

At this moment, Facebook is filled with dedications and tributes to the ‘King of Pop’. He has touched numerous fans with his songs, many of which are soulful and has the power to make you dance around or make you weep in tears. He was a true genius in music.

However, at the same moment as tears and tributes are shouted out, there are jeers and criticisms alongside them. As I looked through my newsfeed, most of my friends’ status updates were paying homage to Michael Jackson, but some of the people commenting on their status were writing some pretty mean stuff.

As the ‘King of Pop’ has passed away after the Malaysian newspapers were printed and as CNN is not available for my Astro, I had to google to find out the real story. I read only the headline story of his death and immediately closed the browsers after that because even on the news website, there were already twisted articles written about him. The pop idol that many have loved was not even buried in peace yet and already the vultures have descended with their repulsive behaviours and ugly words.

I am not ashamed to admit that I loved him, that I admired him, even when he went through drastic appearances, even when he was accused of crimes ranging from molestation to breach of contract. No matter what people said about him, he undeniably changed the world of music, contributed many wonderful songs and touched souls everywhere. Just because he was famous and rich, people sought to take advantage of him, to bring him down, out of greed, out of jealousy and out of pure hatred. Yet underneath it all, he was still human, a human like any other with feelings and emotions, capable of making mistakes and wrong decisions but also capable of making a change in people’s life. The people who ridiculed and condemned him without concrete proof and reason forgot that they themselves are human just like him and it is without a doubt that they will face the same ridicule and condemnation that they inflicted on him, God will see to that.

As I am writing this post, I am forced to disable comments for it as I have seen the ugly side of people who are not able to hold their tongues and their fingers from saying and writing discriminatory and uncalled remarks on the passing of Michael Jackson. Who cares about which religion he is in? Who cares what he was accused of doing? Who cares whether he abused drugs? We have lost a great figure in music and all these people could think about is ‘what more bad things can I say about this man’. It is often times like this when we will see the blackness of a person’s soul and heart. May God save your pitiful self.

It is a sad day for his fans, friends and family, and even the sky in Malaysia mourns his death as it rains throughout the day, as though the tears of his many loved ones fall from the heavens.

To the late and great Michael Jackson (from 1958 to 2009), at the age of 50, you left this chaotic world to finally rest in peace, away from prying eyes and condemning mouths. Your life was not in vain for you have touched many with the music of your creation, with your wish to ‘heal the world’. Your music and your memory will still live on in the hearts of your loyal fans, your true friends and your beloved family. We have loved and will still love you always and forever. Rest in peace.

Commemorative picture with a life-size standee of Michael Jackson. May you rest in peace. God bless.

Category: Inspiration, Music, Tribute Tags: Michael Jackson Leave a Comment

Why I Continue Writing

16 Apr 2009 by Legendria

“You don’t write because you want to say something, you write because you have something to say.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald

What is it about that blank piece of paper that calls out to me? What is it that makes my heart lift in an unexplained emotion whenever I pick up a new notebook? What is it that fuels my creative fire whenever I open up the Microsoft Word?

For most creative writers, we can find inspiration and stories no matter where we are. Sitting in a cafe, we can glance up, catch someone rushing somewhere and come up with a storyline. For some, the pitter-patter of rain can stir up an emotion which we transform and convey into a piece of writing. Even relaxing in bed, a simple thought can stimulate the creative juices and mold the starting of a plot.

I noticed that I don’t write as much creative writing as I used to. I remember my brain being filled with dozens of stories itching to escape my brain, through my fingers and onto my ever-ready notebook. There were times when I lost stories that were important to me and it felt as though I have lost a wonderful friend, blown away by the forgetful wind before I could grab onto the trailing tendrils.

There are times when I feel disheartened with the world. How many times have writers heard discouragement from the people around them, telling them that creative writing is not a way to make a career? Sure, there are many needs for writers out there, but the difference in writing business articles and imaginative stories are as far apart as night and day. And so, many artistic lights die out before they can even be forged into a raging fire, all believing that it is hopeless before they even begun.

Yet…we still write.

Quietly and secretly, we rekindle the flames of our imagination, hiding its light from those who scorn us. Then, when we can no longer hold it back, we simply let go and watch as it grows bigger and brighter in the hopes that by chance, our writing will touch the hearts of those who need it, those who understand it, and those who, like us, are trying to keep our creativity alive.

I love the above quote and have often recited it to myself. Recently, however, while I still believe Fitzgerald’s saying is right in a way, I also believe that we write because of both the reasons; we want to say something because we need to keep our writing hopes alive, and we have something to say because we are constantly fueled and inspired by life.

Here’s hoping that creative writers and storytellers will never fade away in a world so concerned with business facts, political statements, commercial information and financial details.

Category: Inspiration, Something to Think About Tags: writing Leave a Comment

Wishes Do Come True

12 Apr 2009 by Legendria

Ever since I entered college, I made up a list of things I wish to do, places I wish to see and people I wish to meet. Thus far, I got quite a bit done, a few major ones and many minor ones, but I’ve never managed to meet any of the people I admire.

Many times whenever a conversation turns to people that my friends and I would most like to meet, the answers received were more often than not actors, singers and other celebrities. When it came to me, my answer has surprised some people because I said, “I would love to meet Tun Dr Mahathir. Just being able to shake his hands would make me very happy.” Why is this shocking? My friends and family know that I’m not much of a politics fan and that I shy away whenever the elections come, sparking fights and arguments even among family members. My own mother was surprised at how excited I was at being able to finally, FINALLY, shake his hands.

Tun Dr Mahathir (from his Facebook group)

Yes, after 27 years, I finally managed to shake the hands of my country’s fourth (and in my opinion, best) Prime Minister. I have often envied people who managed to take pictures with him, talk to him, even be in the same room as him. My own boyfriend was photographed sitting right beside him during a dinner event in Japan. I thought I would never be able to have the chance to speak to him, especially after he fell ill. But God is kind, and so is my boyfriend for inviting me to the dinner yesterday night (April 10, 2009) where Tun Dr Mahathir was the special guest.

I admit I was acting like a star-struck stalker that night. I took many pictures of him and when the emcee announced that he was returning to his home, I rushed to try and shake his hands. Unfortunately, so did everybody else. For a man who’s almost pushing 90, his sight is still sharp. Even though many men were pushing me aside to thrust their hands to Tun Dr Mahathir, he still noticed my hands and allowed me to ’salam’ with him.

When I noticed that there was an organized line forming outside the hall, I rushed to line up as well and managed to not only ‘salam’ with him again but also managed to wish him a long happy life. When my aunt found out that I rushed to ’salam’ him twice, she SMSed me, “Aaah, he would be most flattered.”

I myself was taken aback by my happiness at the event (I still jump up and down when I remember the moment), and the reaction I’ve gotten from my family members. Most of them said the same thing to me after I happily told them my news,“I never knew you admired him so much.” They don’t understand.

I was born during the time when Tun Dr Mahathir was already Malaysia’s Prime Minister and I lived majority of my life under his 22-year reign. I was in Australia when he announced that he was retiring, and I still remember the shock and uneasiness I felt at the news and how sad I was that I was not in my home country when it happened. No matter what wrong he did, what mistakes he committed, what hurtful remarks he said, he did alot for our country. He fought for us, for his home, when crisis comes a-knocking but many people don’t see or remember that. Having a mostly-absent and negligent father, Tun Dr Mahathir was not just a father of modern Malaysia but a father figure for me to look up to.

A funny moment with Tun Dr M and his beloved wife (from his Facebook group)

I’m not crazy over him, like some people are when it comes to the celebrities they love. I’m not going to stalk him and steal his underwear or whatnot. He is just a man I admire because he paved the way for Malaysia to join the rest of the world. Just like a true father, he guided us when we were lost, he scolded us when we weren’t thinking properly and he praised us and joined in the celebration when a goal or dream was achieved. Through thick and thin, he has been with us. He also proved that he’s human, like everybody else, making mistakes along the way but he has always apologized when he truly felt he was in the wrong. That is more than I can say for most of the past and current politicians.

I disabled the comment page for this post because unfortunately, certain Malaysians are not mature enough to handle blogs and articles supporting Tun Dr Mahathir. There have been cases whereby troublemakers just drop unconstructive and abusive comments just because they dislike the person and disagree that some people support someone other than their own choices.

Although I have said it to him, I still wish Tun Dr Mahathir a long, happy and healthy life with his beloved wife, children and grandchildren. May God watch over him and his family.

Category: Inspiration, Ramblings Leave a Comment

Meet Sean Yap

17 Dec 2008 by Legendria

No, this is not the sequel to ‘Meet Joe Black’ or a Malaysian version of it. This is an introduction to someone I truly respect and admire, someone who overcame hurdles and rocky roads to chase after a dream that many have said to be impossible and nonprofitable.

Sean Yap

Confident, forever optimistic and incredibly daring, Sean Yap realized, one day, that life was too short to waste and decided to pursue his dream of becoming an actor…..and has never looked back since. Dragging himself out from the rat race a few years ago, he took some time out for his dream and took acting classes. There he learned the basic skills that every budding actor needs in order to penetrate the tough, and often fickle, industry.

Now, we have heard and seen many people who often say that they want to pursue a certain dream but in the end, they often do not, mainly because of discouragement from others and because of lack of motivation and inspiration. Many also like to claim that they are too old to achieve their dream, but Sean does not let age, inexperience nor discouraging words deter him from his acting. If achieving your dream was easy, then it wouldn’t be so special, would it?

It wasn’t that simple to enter the acting world but making friends during his classes helped him to meet other people in the industry, and soon he landed a role in the first short film I have seen him in; Unsecured Loan.

Sean Yap played the lead character, Brian, who borrowed money from the triads. Because of his close relationship with the head of the triads, Brian thought he would be given special treatment…..he was wrong.

It was a flurry of activity after his acting debut and Sean continued going to one audition after another, getting offer after offer, and continuously traveled to Singapore where most of the shoots and auditions were held. Below are some of the films he has acted in; playing an undercover policeman in The Investigators, a mortician in Meet Charles Young, a man with amnesia in Crash, and a serial killer in Emperor, the prequel to Unsecured Loan.

The Investigators

Meet Charles Young

Crash

Emperor

Also, watch out for his performances as a widower in Mary-Jane, a psychic in Anything Whatever TVC – ‘Ah Gong & Prof DD’, an antagonist in Mnemonic, John Doe in Battery, and a commanding officer in the virtual world film Imaginator. All the films in bold red are still in post-production.

Aside from short films, he also dabbled in stage plays such as a singing extra in Tunku the Musical and as a sexually abused brother in The Two Brothers. Not all his roles were lead or big enough to take note of. Sometimes one has to be humble and take less than desirable roles in order to gain more experience and knowledge (hence the saying, ‘There are no small roles, only small actors’). Sean had a small gig as an illegal car park attendant in the television program, 3R, and as a ‘colleague’ and ‘doorman’ in the corporate video, Singapore Foreign Affairs. He also managed to land some TV roles, playing the bartender Bobby in episode 7 of NTV7’s Frontpage, a lawyer in episode 8, 9 and 10 in AstroRia’s Lima as well as an abusive father in Singapore Success Stories: Mary Chai.

It just goes to show that anyone, regardless of age and ability, can achieve their dream. They only have to take that first step to start the journey and then keep on going and gain the momentum needed until finally reaching the pinnacle. The dream can still continue on even after that, but only if you want to.

For Sean, although there were times when he lost his inspiration, he still pushed himself to go on because he knows he can do it, because there are still lots of opportunities. He is still going strong.