To Neko

最初的夢

I was thankful to receive an invitation to attend a Chinese music event at the MediaCorp Theatre last night. It was the filming session for the first 2 episodes of the S-pop contests.

I've not been following the news or watching the TV, but I am guessing that S-pop is the 新謠 of the new generation of youths today (no doubt inspired by J-pop, K-pop..)

Anyway, it must have been at least 20 years since the 新謠 movement was first started by some group of young and aspiring composers and singers in colleges. How time flies!

I still remember owning my first 新謠 cassette tape "最初的夢" during my college days. It even featured a song sung by a fellow schoolmate in college!

Well, I am glad that the movement is being "revived" in some ways here.

I suppose this upcoming series of S-pop contests are meant to provide a platform for aspiring youths to step forward with their original compositions, and to recognise and celebrate songwriting talents in Singapore.

Enough of "Super Star" singers. It's time to shine the spotlight on the composers. The first 2 episodes serve as an intro, and showcase the pioneers of Singapore Pop, the people who started it all 20 years ago.

Many chinese music fans here will tell you proudly that many local talents have been going places, and there've been numerous Singaporeans who have actually contributed significantly to the success stories in the chinese music scene in recent years.

Last night, it was a real pleasant surprise to see so many 新謠 veterans gather at one single location, especially after all these years. (Not even money can buy this, the female host cheekily said, in between takes. There were some banters off camera that provided comic relief. In fact, there were also a couple of interesting N.G. takes that you probably won't get to see on TV. One singer was spotted lip-synching. One singer sang off rhythm and asked to re-sing. The hosts tripped on their words several times, and did retakes... )

The turnout of these veterans is extremely meaningful because they are here to lend support in a bid to groom the next generation of unsung heroes behind the glamour of the performers today.

Seeing them again and hearing them perform their signature tunes and those familiar songs indeed bring back lots of fond memories from college and university days.

Admittedly, age has taken its toll on these 前輩 who have obviously lost their youthful looks, but that does not take away the spirits in the songs, and the verve in the voices.

It only serves as a cruel reminder that 歲月催人老，time and tide wait for no man. We all have to eventually face up to the reality of old age, and to learn to accept the loss of our youth gradually.

Feeling worn out after sitting through hours of filming, my friend and I reluctantly walked out of the theatre past 12 midnight, knowing that we would have to miss certain lineup of artistes scheduled for the later part of the filming.

"Aiyah.. Old already," my friend sighed, on our way out.

S-pop will be making its TV premiere sometime in end of November. If you are a fan of 新謠, you won't want to miss it.

Support local talents. Let their dreams take flight!

Breath of Fresh Air - 828

Great to get together again and see the many faces that played a vital part in launching a flagship.

After months of uncertainty, painstaking scouting around (do I hear NPCC here), and putting up with insufferable dialogue sessions, the Pecs team has finally and officially opened its door for business today - at its new cosy and homely corners.

Yes, you heard it right. Corners, literally. (But do not be fooled by these 'corners'!)

The captain of the team is well known far and wide for the happiness his mama shop brings to all and sundry. So it's no wonder that he recognises the opportunity of a sound investment when he sees one! Haha.

Clean work stations adorned with auspicious felines, fresh display of flowers and gifts, bright high ceiling, and hues of refreshing lime green greet the well wishers as they are shown around the new home by its very hospitable hosts.

You can almost smell the whiff of pride and fresh happy little ions in the air as you stroll down the aisle of the spacious compound.

Outside, at the dining area, the atmosphere was aflutter with joy, as the guests gathered in small groups to catch up.

From the trusted grapevine, I found out many people are still in the company (one has got his own company!), some people have changed accounts (wat.. again?!), someone is due for promotion in 6 weeks (it's not what you think), someone has tendered (wonder who lor), someone has sprained her ankle (and I took forever to notice, sorry mam), some people have rejoined the company, there's even an underground aspiring lawyer community...

More surprising revelations abound... Someone's 10-year-older brother is found to be linked to the captain as a hostel mate years ago. And of course, not forgetting the power of the Facebook... which revealed an unlikely linkage of one awesome member to someone high up on my new corporate ladder.

Anyway, the guests readily lapped up homemade ingredients of cup cakes and carrot cakes and other delicious food items, amidst periodic polaroids of smiles and cheerful exuberance.

To add to the excitement, each guest walks away with a mystery gift at the lucky draw. Mine looks like a back scratcher, man. I'm quite sure it'll come in handy for my bad back one of these days. And it's made in Japan!

With the relocation out of the grey tower, perhaps it's time for the team to leave the unsettled feelings behind.

Let us salute the captain and his stalwart members as they steer the ship forward with rekindled spirits and zest for the Pecs team to muscle in on the challenges ahead.

Cheers to better days ahead for all!

P.S. I bring no flowers or presents. Hope the team will accept this as my humble tribute :)

Our Hope, Our Joy

Copyrights of the pictures remain with the respective owners.

Butterfly Kisses

Many of us may have long gone past the age to celebrate Children's Day ;)

But on this special day, let us toast these little ones who have helped make the puzzle of our life a little more complete.

I have compiled a list of 10 songs that recording artistes have written for that little special ones in their lives.

Song to celebrate the arrival of the child, song to remember the child by. Song to cradle the angel to dreamland, or simply to express their love and adoration for the most important person in the world. All in a language they know best.


1. Baby Baby -
Amy Grant wrote it for her 6-month-old daughter Millie

2. Isn't She Lovely -
Stevie Wonder celebrated the birth of his daughter Aisha with this song

3. Butterfly Kisses -
Bob Carlisle for his daughter Brook when she was 16

4. Tears in Heaven -
Eric Clapton wrote this to remember his 4-year-son son Connor

5. Hey Jude -
Paul McCartney wrote this song not for his son but for John Lennon's son, Julian

6. Good Night -
John Lennon fulfilled his paternal duty by writing for Julian himself. The lullaby was however sung by Ringo Starr

7. Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) -
To be fair, John Lennon also wrote one for his second son, Sean, whom he had with Yoko Ono

8. Sweet Baby James -
Although some still think James Taylor wrote this lullaby for himself (he apparently had to sing himself to sleep as a kid), he was actually writing about his nephew James R. Taylor, named after him

9. Lovin' You -
Minnie Riperton wrote this for her daughter Maya, whose name was in fact mentioned at the end of the song, when she sings "Ma-ah-aha-aha-ah-ya."

10. Goodnight, My Angel -
Billy Joel wrote this song as a lullaby for his daughter who asked him "Where do we go when we die?"


To his daughter's question, Billy wrote these words in the song:


Goodnight my angel, time to close your eyes
And save these questions for another day
I think I know what you've been asking me
I think you know what I've been trying to say

I promise I would never leave you
And you should always know
Where ever you may go
No matter where you are
I never will be far away

Goodnight my angel, now it's time to sleep
And still so many things I want to say
Remember all the songs you sang for me
When we went sailing on an emerald bay

And like a boat out on the ocean
I'm rocking you to sleep
The water's dark and deep
Inside this ancient heart
You'll always be a part of me

Goodnight my angel now it's time to dream
And dream how wonderful your life will be
Someday your child may cry and if you sing this lullaby
Then in your heart there will always be a part of me

Someday we'll all be gone
But lullabies go on and on
They never die, that's how you and I will be

The Milky Way

For a moment, take a break from the stress of work life.

Without the use of simultaneous equations, see if you can find a way to determine the numerical value of "Sun" and "Moon" below :

Sun + Moon = 25
Sun - Moon = 5

P.S. This is a real mathematical question given to a primary one student at school! :o

Sweetest Little Baby In Town

Here's a lovely song.

Specially dedicated to a dear friend who delivered her 3rd bundle of joy on Sep 16. Congratulations Mr and Mrs C!

I gave my love a cherry
That had no stone
I gave my love a hicken
That had no bone
I gave my love a story
That had no end
I gave my love a baby
With no crying

How can there be a cherry
That has no stone
And how can there be a chicken
That has no bone
And how can there be a story
That has no end
And how can there be a baby
With no crying

A cherry when it's blooming
It has no stone
A chicken when it's pipping
It has no bone
The story of I love you
It has no end
A baby when it's sleeping
It's not crying

(The Riddle Song: Traditional English Folk Song)