Monday, April 11, 2011

Because I may continue to post GE-related stuff here, I find it necessary to keep them under this new banner from now on, so that readers can skip, if you want to.

1. I've briefly browsed through Worker's Party's manifesto, and did find it comprehensive and professionally done. It covers a wide range of issues and offers what-I-think are good solutions. Of course, the proposed changes will all seem attractive to us, the average Singaporeans. Do access it HERE.

2. Yesterday, Wong KS urged citizens to 'scrutinise' WP's manifesto. Yes, that should be what we ought to do. Likewise, we should do the same for the ruling party, right? WHAT happened during the Mas Selamat's incident, in your Ministry? There weren't any comprehensive reports for us to scrutinise. That aside, how about last year's YOG's secret expenditure numbers? Not revealed as well. And when people scrutinise your young, inexperienced candidates, you termed the criticisms as 'flaming'. Seems rather unfair, in my opinion.

3. Today, the incumbent party's chairman spoke at the press conference, criticising WP's manifesto again. But the only criticism he had, was just where the WP can get the $$ from, if they hope to make the changes. I would think that the money can be easily raised, if each of our Ministers don't get paid so much more than a US President.

4. On another note, the same incumbent party's chairman teared during the press conference, only trying to make a point that there's no "groupthink" in Parliament. My first impression was, he's probably going too far and overdoing it. Yes, I've heard about MPs from the ruling party having different views and raising them during Parliament, but that does not prove anything about not having 'groupthink'. What we're looking at, is a Parliament of 82 versus 2. And sometimes, even Nominated MPs (NMPs) and NCMPs raised more relevant concerns, because of the lack of perspectives in the House.

5. Anyway, to end on a gossipy note, there has been a rumour that WP has yet to reveal yet another 'star catch'. I had thought that Chen Show Mao is already a rare, much-needed gain to the Opposition camp. Then came Benjamin Pwee, an ex-PAP youth wing chairman for Thomson, joining hands with Chiam See Tong. And now fresh rumours that a ex-senior civil servant with credentials that are on par with Chen Show Mao, is likely to be unveiled by WP.

人生是黑白的.
10:52 PM <3

>>>

The Star: 蔡健雅 Tanya Chua
Concert: [Tanya and The Cities 2011 亚洲巡回演唱会]

A 3-hour long music extravaganza. Songs after songs that had topped charts in Singapore and Asia, presented by a live team using an elaborate mix of instruments from different cultures.

Tanya actually brought us around the world! Apart from the familiar cities Singapore and Taipei, we went to India during one of the segments (she didn't mention the city though), where she had spent time practising yoga during her downcast period in 2005. During another segment, her rendition of a French song brought us to another important city to her, Paris.

I find the theme of 'Cities' very apt. Afterall, she had been dubbed as a ‘都市情歌’ singer, with many songs surrounding stories of love and loneliness in a city. These were the songs that really pierced right into the hearts of her fans.

This was her first solo concert in Singapore, and she showed her gratitude time and again to her fans here, thanking everyone for ‘等了这么久’. Indeed, she had come a long long way, from her first English album, then decided to master the Chinese Language and venture into the regional market, to composing and penning lyrics in Mandarin, and winning 2 台湾金曲奖--最佳女演唱人。By these records, she joined the ranks of a growing list of proud Singaporean exports.

Hence, she definitely deserves a greater amount of support here in Singapore, which unfortunately, is always a notch lower than her regional fame and recognition. But I'm sure it was an important night for her that she'd probably remember a lifetime -- her first solo concert performance in the Singapore Indoor Stadium.


Here's the full song list for the concert, in running order.

[Tanya and The Cities 2011 亚洲巡回演唱会--新加坡场 完整曲目]

1. 呼吸
2. 谁
3. 无底洞
4. 越来越不懂
5. True Love
6. 晨间新闻

[Jazz segment]

7. I Do Believe (I really loved the Jazz remake)
8. 男人
9. 二手烟
10. Key To Happiness (未来英语专辑的新歌!)
11.思念
12.夜盲症 (I preferred the more subtle original version though)
13.当你离开的时候

[This segment makes use of instruments from the Indian culture, very refreshing!]