Sunday, August 24, 2008

'Keriauke' Moments



The brief trip to Port Dickson for the PESAT family day yesterday (Saturday 23rd August) was an afterthought. But with the benefit of hindsight, it was very berbaloi (worth the effort) indeed.

Due to an oversight, I was informed about the gathering of PESAT (Persatuan Anak-anak Terengganu), an association that brings together those born in Terengganu but living outside the State, very late, just two days before the event.

Out of loyalty to my T'ghanu roots, and excited at the prospect of meeting some old sekolah rendah (primary school) friends from my Bukit Besi days, I decided to jenguk (look-see) the function, just to 'show face'.

We set out for PD around 2pm, immediately after attending the wedding of a cousin in Setiawangsa, KL, and arrived at the venue, Port Dickson Golf & Country Club, just in time for a taklimat (briefing). We didn't participate in the telematch held two hours later because Pak Abu needed a shut-eye after the drive.

There was a brief religious talk just before dinner. Delivered by a young but eloquent ustaz, it touched on harmonious family living from the Islamic perspective. This was followed by another interesting but equally brief talk, on healthy living the herbal way.

Dinner started well past nine, by which time the children present were visibly fretful. Well, you know how kids are when they are hungry. But the food was good, a combination of barbeque and standard dinner fare.

It was what came after dinner that had Pak Abu and yours truly all perked up. It was a karaoke competition! Being diehard karaoke kakis (fans) that we shamelessly are, we signed up, just for the heck of it.

With no practice whatsoever, we just went up there, grabbed the mic and sang our hearts out. There were 15 contestants ranging from teenagers to pensioners.

Pak Abu dished out his favourite number, Hero, by Julio Iglesias while I went for a Malay number, Butakah Cinta, popularised by rock group, Spring. What a sight that must have been, a tudung-clad, rotund makcik belting out a 'rock kapak' song. Fuyoo..!

We were in luck, for we took home the top two prizes. Pak Abu was over the moon, saying he never won any prize in a singing competition. Then again, he never took part in any such competition before this!

For me, it was only the third time in my life that I ever participated in a singing contest. The first was in 1971 with Dream, Dream, Dream and the second in 1972 with Puff The Magic Dragon, where I got third and second placing, respectively. Anyway, it's the top spot 36 years later. Better late than never, kan?


5 comments:

Kak Teh said...

wow, you must be something! Mesti selalu practise dalam bilik mandi!!
I had my moments too...sat on stage with David Arumugam but nothing came out. All those hours I spent in the bathroom belting out Hingga Akhir Nanti, and I only managed: Makasihhhhhhhhhh! at the end.
Sigh!

Kama At-Tarawis said...

Pakai bantai aja Kak Teh, we enjoy singing. Stress reliever. sedap or not belakang kira. You suffered from stage fright la tu Kak Teh!

RoyalTLady said...

Puteri Kay,

I was in the same group singing dream, dream, dream...hahahahahahah

Then Jon, Tip and Zam, remember?

That time kita baru form...FOUR!

Kama At-Tarawis said...

Astaga lady! Mu budok kemamang tu ker? LOL

Kama At-Tarawis said...

to recap, lady.. we were in form four and we formed a singing group called The Van Dovers.. hahahah.. punyerla glemernye mek2 tranu di STF. we won second place in the school talentime.. walauweh..

tq for dropping by, minoh!