"True Hearts" (23rd November 2003) True Hearts indeed, and pure souls as well. Emcee Chew Chor Meng was in an intense mood as he mentally reprises his script. The concentrated look reveals the stress of copious work and extended effort he and many other celebrities, local and abroad, and technicians, staff from Mediacorp and from NCSS plus many volunteers put into the fundraiser.
I tried hard to concentrate on the actual drawing part but it was a real dread to mouth the few lines in Mandarin. The rehearsal worked out most of the details needed to predict any impending problems. Still, the prospect of a live telecast and an artwork to be finished in 8 minutes is as daunting as it gets. So many things can go wrong. Exact positions of tripod, paper, brushes, paint and ink will have to be carefully planned to the last detail or disaster will beckon. I wonder if others go through the agony of sleepless nights and nightmares too. Yet while looking at the determination and teamwork of the people in and around the St. James Powerhouse, I was slowly imbued with a sense of mission. This is an event that will make a difference in the lives of over 300,000 needy lives. 300,000 over lives the Community Chest supports and helps every year. It is a tremendous undertaking year after year taking care of these disadvantaged fellow Singaporeans. I am so privileged to play a part in this experience. I gave my best. Yet so many other true hearts gave more, so much more.
Dashing and scurrying was the order of the day. There were technicians rolling up or out the miles of cables, connecting and disconnecting jacks for monitors and microphones, cameramen trying out their angles, the floor manager barking out orders with the scriptwriter making last minute changes. Xu Nai Lin, the really witty and awfully fun emcee from Taiwan, was working out the final kinks to improve on his repartee with fellow Host Chew and Hostess Carrie Chong. All this while multi-colored lights flicked on and off as spotlights searched out targets to verify accuracy.
Outside at the car park area, stunt experts were setting up equipment. The jigsaw puzzle of wires, poles, ropes and scaffoldings were assembled and checked and double checked and checked again to make sure the safety aspects are beyond doubt. It was a moving sight to see the commitment these professionals weigh to the responsibility it entails when lives are put in their capable hands. In any case, ambulance staff stood by on alert should the unthinkable happen.
It was a thrill to meet the fabulous Zoe Tay and take a photo together, to ogle at the adorable Chen Liping and the Holland V gang gamely having a go at their Chinese Orchestral instruments. It was drama serial come alive! On the night of the event, where even the Speaker Of Parliament Mr. Abdullah Tarmugi did his part with a laudable solo, the title of his Tagalog song 'Because of You' reaches out to everyone, to abled and disabled, famous and unknown. Those who give will receive in return, those who receive have learnt to give back. The evening ended with the satisfaction of knowing Singaporeans are a giving lot. The
attempted figure was reached. But that is not the ultimate point. The lesson derived is spiritual. This is
charity at its best. No extra phone charges, no prizes, no cars or condos given away. There are people who
need your help. Your gift enable guys like Leprosy sufferer Ah Lee lead more independent lives, your
investment will nurture children to succeed, your generosity will keep families together, your selfless
choice will dignify elderly lives. The Community Chest TV Show is the reality of all reality shows, for
life goes on. |
Copyright © Gilbert Tan 2003. All Rights Reserved
My presence at this event was to complete a Chinese ink
painting within the time frame of 2 songs performed by Hong Kong Superstar Frances Yip. My brushwork skills
have been honed over the last 14 years so I had the confidence to handle the challenge. The difficulty was I
was getting distracted over the allure of meeting this elegant lady who sings, no, belts out her songs in
perfect English, fluent Mandarin as good as she does Cantonese. I hoped she would sing her signature tune
from the drama serial, 'Shanghai Bund' which she wonderfully did. Though I was not told what the 2 songs
were beforehand, my heart prayed for at least one song to be a lengthy one. It was both joy and relief
when Frances picked the beautifully apt 'The Greatest Love of All'.
Stars like Ivy Lee put life and limb in danger
swinging way up high using the thinnest of wires in her role as a pretty and kindhearted fairy as much as
the 'bad guy' role of the devil so frightfully fleshed out by Jeff Wang. The 2 green camouflaged actors on
high stilts portraying trees had rivers of perspiration rolling down their cheeks while trying to navigate
the unwieldy heights. In the midst of the glamour world of television, many people seldom see well-known
Channel 8 TV personalities quickly wolfing down their cold Styrofoam packet of roast duck rice before
hurrying to costume up for practices and rehearsals. Mark Lee in his drummer outfit did not even have time
to finish his meal before being called upon for his item on stage during Saturday's full dress rehearsal.
Yet he used his cheeky humor to brush off the situation as he gave me a wink, a nod and a shake of the head
as he adjusted his belt and headed onstage.
During rehearsals, the teacher put the Metta school students
through their routines countless times as the Down's Syndrome's children needed a lot more time, patience
and of course generous amounts of loving encouragement. Sally Yeh was so natural with the senior citizens
choir group, doting on them with gentle touches, an arm around the shoulder and adjusting microphones.
This sporting superstar tried swaying her hands like a conductor to prod the old folks to sing with more
gusto. Her voice soared through the high notes with lilting ease and I imagined angels should sound
exactly like that. Sigh.
The industrious and overworked staff
of the National Council of Social Services, much like busy bees were lining up those who need make-up while
simultaneously instructing disabled participants and family members further pointers, handing out drinks and
food, opening doors and offering listening ears to anxious people needing help. Strict seating arrangements
for VIPs and by invitation only audience were studiously mapped out for the next evening so as not to ruffle
any feathers.
Chen Lei's performance was such incredible light-hearted
fun, with his inimitable gawky dance steps exploding the viewers into much needed laughter. He was such a
friendly fellow but ardent fan Vincent seemed overawed being face to face with his Hokkien singing idol.
The second song where they sang together had the motto which is my daily mantra 'Happy It's Good!'. As for
the young girls, they got to scream lungs and heart out, among other internal organs. Their object of
adoration was the handsomely dashing Wilbur, the teenage sensation who did his rap influenced number. His
next song paired him with his fan club members on stage 'singing' in sign language, no less. It must have
been such visual candy for the hearing-impaired. As for evergreen Qing Ting, who is around my mother's age,
this dignified matriarch wowed with a sweet voice that easily puts to shame young singers of today.