Chingay Day 1

The procession of the 5 deities from JB's Old Temple to the temporary shrine at Jln Ulu Ayer Molek. The video shows quite clearly the 5 deities passing by. The 5 deities are:

• Yuan Tian Shang Di (元天上帝) (大老爷)
• Hong Xian Da Di (洪仙大帝) (洪仙公)
• Gan Tian Da Di (感天大帝)
• Hua Guang Da Di (华光大帝)
• Zhao Da Yuan Shuai (赵大元帅)

Huge Chingay Procession

Finally made it to the huge Chingay Procession this year. There were more than 100,000 people gathered in front of City Square waiting for the procession to reach Jalan Wong Ah Fook. It was amazing to see so many Johoreans gathering in a place which on normal days would be occupied by foreign workers. The procession started off from Jln Ulu Ayer Molek around 7pm as the crowd starts to build in anticipation of its arrival at City Square. Even the Menteri Besar was around to grace the ceremony, and he sat through the entire procession. Just before the procession arrived at 9.30pm, we were feted to a fireworks display and a spectacular lion dance performance by the Muar-based world champion. And now I understood why they were the champions!

It was also incredible to see how religious and devoted Johoreans are the 5 deities from the Old Temple. Many were holding huge joss sticks and everyone clasped their hands in prayer when each deity passes by.

Each deity is proceeded by a long number of floats and performances representing each Chinese group. The 130-year old tradition features numerous cultural performances, lion/dragon/tiger dances, Chinese clowns, beautifully decorated floats, martial arts troupes, huge Chingay flags etc. The 5 deities coming in at different points of time would be welcomed with eagerness. You have to catch the sight of the deities sitting on the carriage being swing in earnest as a sign of good fortune and prosperity. And accompanied each time by shouts of "Huat Ah" and "Heng Ah", which basically means good fortune. The Menteri Besar must have been amused and impressed by such show of devotion. By the time the last deity passes by it was past midnight. It was definitely an eye-opener to the age-old traditions of culture of the JB Chinese community. Definitely an event which should be promoted on Tourism Malaysia's calendar!

One of the deity being paraded. See if you can spot the deity. I took the pic from afar!
A float passing bay

One of the huge Chingay flags. Beware as it is swung around, sweeping just above your heads!

Some other facts about the Chingay procession:

• JB is the only place in the world where CNY is celebrated for 22 days instead of 15 days. And the highlight of this is the Chingay procession to mark the successful completion of the CNY celebrations.
• On the 19th day of CNY, a ceremonial cleaning of the streets would be carried out in preparation for the parading of the deities. The routes to be passed by the deities would be cleaned. It is also said that after completion of the cleaning rituals, the sky has never failed to open up and rain.
• On the 20th day of CNY, the 5 deities would be paraded from the JB Old Temple in the city center to a shrine at Jalan Ulu Ayer Molek where devotees can come to offer their prayers.
• On the 21st day of CNY, the Chingay Procession known as the Parade of the Deities would be the climax of the entire Chingay event. The 5 deities would be paraded from the shrine through the city center of JB before returning to the shrine. The event starts off at 7pm and by the time the procession returns to the shrine, it would be around 1 am.
• On the 22nd day of CNY, the 5 deities would be paraded back to the Old Temple, marking the end of the Chingay procession as well as the CNY celebrations in JB.

For more information on the annual event, check out this web site: http://jboldtemple.blogspot.com/. Pity though the site is only in Chinese.

JB's Biggest Procession

The biggest Chinese event in JB of the year will be held this weekend - The Chingay Procession which is also the day the Gods of JB's Old Temple go for a walk around town. Apparently, this Friday, the 5 Gods representing the 5 Chinese clans will make its way to a temple located just outside of the city. The main procession will be on Saturday when the 5 Gods will make a tour of JB city, passing by JB's waterfront and Jalan Wong Ah Fook amidst much festivity. There will be cultural performances, drum-beating, dragon dance, men walking on stilts and lots of joss-sticks by devotees. It is said to be the biggest cultural event of the year for JB and attracts thousands of visitors and devotees. On Sunday, the Gods will make its way back JB's Old Temple.

I've stayed in JB for many years but have never witnessed the procession in person. This year, it coincides with a weekend. Perhaps, I should make a plan to experience the cultural part of the city! Meanwhile, some pictures of the event from previos years:

And from the old B&W days...

Power Plant Explosion

An explosion has ripped apart a power station in Middletown, US killing at least 5. The power plant is a 620MW combined-cycle plant under construction. It was reported that the explosion occurred while testing on the gas pipeline was ongoing. Siemens is one of the equipment supplier to the plant.

There's still no details on what actually happened. Hopefully, more details will surface soon. A grim reminder to be safe always!

When You Believe - Agnes Monica

Agnes Monica is a talented singer from Indonesia who started singing since she was 6. Indonesian entertainment scene has always been way ahead of Malaysia. They are definitely more open and not subjected to as much restrictions as the Malays are back home in Malaysia. Great singers like Broery Marantika and Kris Dayanti are household names even in Malaysia so much so I even used to listen to a CD of Dayanti. On the contrary, I don't ever recall buying a CD of any Malaysian singer.

Agnes actually has a rather controversial song (well controversial in Malaysia but not in Indonesia) which I am sure will never see the light of day in Malaysia. The song by the way is broadcast over RCTI. The title, translated into English is "God Cares". I am not a Christian but I do believe goodness is universal regardless of religion. The song is touching and sang with great emotions by Agnes.

Hopefully, one day Malaysians will see it in a positive light. As it stands, I doubt that will happen any time soon. Well lets hope Malaysians regardless of faith will continue to uphold the spirit of unity, peace and non-violence in resolving all issues. Yes, we can continue to sweep everything under the carpet but for how long?

CNY MV by Namewee

Don't really like this Namewee guy for his always rebellious outlook. But found this CNY song quite funny though.

1Malaysia down the drains

A special officer to the PM allegedly uttered some racist remarks. Of course, everyone has the right to be angry and condemn such insensitive and nonsensical statements. God knows what was in his mind when he blurted those crap out of his mouth. I wasn't there to verify what he said but anyway he has made a public apology. To me, at least he admitted his mistakes (who knows if it was sincere???) and apologized compared to one particular idiot some time ago (can't even remember that fella's name since he is so insignificant).

What was more important: there are bigger morons around. In today's Star, in defense of Nasir, I couldn't help but notice a bigger monkey lurking around:

"Meanwhile, non-governmental organisation Perkasa came to Nasir’s defence.

Its president Datuk Ibrahim Ali said the remarks would have been harsher had it come from him (Ibrahim).
He said he understood why Nasir had made that statement."

Thanks Ibrahim... you really make a point to inform us of your IQ and EQ level. I guess he made it quite clear where he stands. But then again, isn't this guy that Independent MP from Kelantan? So it's really no surprise.

As Malaysia descends into oblivion we can assure ourselves are ever "useful" politicians will keep us entertained. 1Malaysia in sight? That's just fat hope...

【惜福】

Another CNY MV. This scene was apparently shot at the UPM fields - the one beside the PLUS Highway. Reminds me of the days when I used to travel daily along the fields to UNITEN. The green field reminds me of the beauty of Syria's north-western region.

And the lyrics...

(薇恩) 暖风吹 (德荣) 飘送着(薇恩/德荣) 一种花香芬芳的味道

(菲比) 告诉你(伟康) 这一年(菲比/伟康) 一切都会变得更美好

(婉滢) 暖风吹 (奕斌) 飘送着(婉滢/奕斌) 一种真心相惜的味道

(莞媇) 告诉你(一飞) 新一年(莞媇/一飞) 风雨过后就是晴朗天

(佳贤/贾森/书尉) 昨天今天明天 依然没有变

(汇雰/Emily/Christina) 只是见面时间少一些

(蕊丽/斯伟/惠芳/陈鸿) 祝福你每一年 都是丰收年 大步大步走向前

(合) 手牵着手一辈子要惜福 珍惜你身边的人和物他爱笑 你爱哭有甜有苦才会有满足

(合) 手牵着手一辈子要惜福 生活有你才不会无助老朋友 老样子祈望每年相聚都能看到你幸福

(毓敏) 暖风吹(界辉) 飘送着(毓敏/界辉) 一种花香芬芳的味道

(洁钰) 告诉你 (健桦/富祖) 这一年(洁钰/健桦/富祖) 一切都会变得更美好

(卉勤) 暖风吹 (志康) 飘送着(卉勤/志康) 一种真心相惜的味道

(Jentzen) 告诉你 (靖毅) 新一年(Jentzen/靖毅) 风雨过后就是晴朗天

(海其/Danny) 昨天今天明天 依然没有变

(纹敏/慧敏/宝玉/婧婷) 只是见面时间少一些

(江瀚/文博) 祝福你每一年 都是丰收年(海其/文博/江瀚/Jentzen/纹敏/慧敏/宝玉/婧婷) 大步大步走向前

(合) 手牵着手一辈子 要惜福 珍惜你身边的人和物他爱笑 你爱哭 有甜有苦才会有满足

(合) 手牵着手一辈子 要惜福 生活有你才不会无助老朋友 老样子 祈望每年相聚 都能看到你幸福

(合) 啦啦啦啦啦啦啦 啦啦啦 啦啦啦啦啦啦啦啦啦他爱笑 你爱哭 有甜有苦才会有满足

(合) 手牵着手一辈子 要惜福 生活有你才不会无助老朋友 老样子 祈望每年相聚 都能看到你幸

For years we have to bear with CNY songs by some half-baked 10-year-olds and some old Cina Apek belching horrible Hokkien tunes. Finally of late, we get some nice CNY MVs.

《下半生》

Know this is kinda old but just stumbled upon it on the web... Feel very Cantonese nowadays, my KL instincts kicking in again. Years in JB shall not Mandarinize me.

2010 CNY 【大日子】MY ASTRO 舞虎扬威大日子

Just realized how quiet JB was for the past one week. The shopping complexes were so quiet you can hear a person cough in the ground floor from the top floor! And with the CNY just around the corner, that's amazing. But CNY songs are now back in business and everywhere it's the sound of drums, gongs etc.

So, in the spirit of CNY... here's Astro's CNY MV which has been making its round. Heard the CNY movie 大日子 is not bad and tickets are all sold out. It's after all in support of "Made in Malaysia" movies.

(林德荣/颜薇恩/萧慧敏) 兜一圈 又一年 春回到人间 看世间 每一天 不停在转变

(志康/贾森/靖毅) 多少年 泛黄的那张贺年片一直留在我记忆里面

(佳贤/菲比/汇雰) 绕一圈 又一年 长长的思念这一天 多疲倦 心只有团圆

(海其/江瀚/书尉) 有了你在身边 约好在今天我们牵手看福到人间

(纹敏/宝玉/Emily/Christina/伟康/Danny) 抱一抱 笑一笑 肩并肩 欢呼 嘿 新年好

(伟康/Danny) 蒸年糕 步步高 吃得饱睡得好 乐陶陶

(合) 大日子 一个好开始 每一步 有梦有坚持 这条路 只要有付出 走一步 每一步 不怕输

(合) 大日子 一个好开始 道祝福 看一元复始 这旅途 要珍惜彼此 祝愿你丰衣足食

(婉滢/莞媇/奕斌) 兜一圈 又一年 春回到人间 看世间 每一天 不停在转变

(一飞/Jentzen) 多少年 泛黄的 那张贺年片 一直留在我记忆里面

(卉勤/婧婷/文博) 绕一圈 又一年 长长的 思念这一天 多疲倦 心只有团圆

(蕊丽/斯伟/惠芳/陈鸿) 有了你在身边 约好在今天 我们牵手看福到人间

(毓敏/洁钰/健桦/富祖/界辉) 抱一抱 笑一笑 肩并肩欢呼 嘿 新年好

(健桦/富祖/界辉) 蒸年糕 步步高 吃得饱 睡得好 乐陶陶

(合) 大日子 一个好开始 每一步 有梦有坚持 这条路 只要有付出 走 一步 每一步 不怕输

(合) 大日子 一个好开始 道祝福 看一元复始 这旅途 要珍惜彼此 祝愿你丰衣足食

(合) 大日子 一个好开始 每一步 有梦有坚持这条路 只要有付出 走一步 每一步 不怕输

(合) 大日子 一个好开始 道祝福 看一元复始这旅途 要珍惜彼此 祝愿你丰衣足食