A Thumbs Up Musical Show

I remembered clearly about my interest in seeing the musical of Puteri Gunung Ledang in the esplanade, not too long ago. Indeed, I managed to achieve that last Friday, when I witness the first, Malaysian or rather, Malay Musical Show in the esplanade theater in Singapore.

The first thing you may wonder is that this show would probably be a failure as we never had a real good musical show for the Malay Industry. I was mistaken. I knew the Puteri Gunung Ledang show and I have always been a fan of the legendary Malay Warrior Hang Tuah since I was a child. You can definitely imagine, my enlarged concentration on the musical as I want to see whether the organizers had managed to transform it to a theatrical performance or not.

I am not a good commentor or a critic on the show itself but I will try my best in summarizing what I had observed last Friday during the musical. It all started with the Majapahit (ancient Javanese Kingdom in the current, Indonesian region) empire who have been weakened by the spread of Islam from the other states. Majapahit Kingdom is the only state with the influences of olden Hindu traditions of the past that was brought over by the ancient people from India. It's nation at that era, was one of the strongest nation in comparison with the Malaccan Sultanate (in the current Malaysian region) and other influencial states of Java who have chosen Islam as it's rightful religion through conquest by Prince Demak, (another legendary Prince in Java) at that century.

The Majapahit Ruler was pressured to call upon his best friend who is the Sultan of Malacca for further assistance against the penetration of Prince Demak's forces into his kingdom. Being a loyal friend to the Majapahit, Sultan Mahmud Shah, the sultan of Malacca, agreed to give him a helping hang by sending in Hang Tuah, his greatest admiral and warrior and his men to face Prince Demak for a truce, in hope that Prince Demak will avoid invading Majapahit. In conjunction to that, Sultan Mahmud, just want to marry the Princess of Majapahit, Princess Raden, the sister to the current Majapahit Ruler. Being forced to do something for his government, the Majapahit ruler agreed to his friend's wishes.

Evidently, Princess Raden, decided that it was not her best interest to marry the Sultan Of Malacca as she had fallen in love with Hang Tuah, when the Malaccan delegation visited Majapahit beforehand. She decided to threw off her position as Princess and become a commoner and travelled to Mount Ledang in Malacca to follow the oath that she made with Hang Tuah, in reuniting their forbidden love between them. Apparently, the love story was further dwindled in the demands of the Sultan Of Malacca. He instructed Hang Tuah himself, a loyal servant of his king, to personally meet the Majapahit Princess on the top of Mount Ledang where she is currently residing by herself, to ask for her hand on behalf of the Sultan himself.

Now, Hang Tuah is in confusion. He had to choose either the demands of his heart or his loyal obligations to his King and he made a mistake by choosing the latter. He visited the Princess and the princess was delighted at first, upon thinking that their forbidden love was reunited. To her dismay, she was only acknowledged by the Sultan's wishes which was personally given by Hang Tuah. Failing to understand why Hang Tuah had to do that in replacement of their love, she accepted it with 7 pre-conditions demands by which the last condition was to have a bowl of his current son's blood.

Of course, this was about to be fulfilled by the wicked Sultan of Malacca when the Princess Gunung Ledang, came into the palace and confronted the Sultan's on his estranged desires. She was actually giving him the signs of her refusal of the acceptance of the marriage. The Sultan was furious as he was belittled by a commoner. She was asked to leave the Malaccan empire but she requested to stay at the peak of Mount. Ledang and the Sultan agreed to let her reside there. However, he cursed her using his royal blood to the country, to be forbidden from going anywhere besides there and be completely invisible by sight by the naked eye from dusk to dawn. If she were to reveal herself to any humankind, the person's eye will bleed to death.

Her curse still lingers on till this very day. In the musical, Hang Tuah, who was in agony for making the mistake of abandoning his love for the princess, ran away and meet up with the Princess in Mount. Ledang who is currently waiting to meet him there. However, many historians said that Hang Tuah just vanished from sight ever since that day. His grave was never found.

This forbidden love legend was reinstated with colours, music and atmosphere of that era. It was perfectly done to unite the love between a Majapahit Princess and Hang Tuah, the Legendary Malay warrior. I was fascinated by the songs and the show's choreography that I realized that this musical is comparable to the broadway shows in New York. A truly remarkable display of the Malay Legend. Kudos to the team for a very extraordinary musical of the Puteri Gunung Ledang story. Thumbs Up!

Examinations are over!

The coolest things about examinations are that you actually look forward for the things you missed doing. I missed going to the movies, hanging out in cafes around Singapore, shopping and socializing. Of course, nothing beats than going for a holiday. I just rang my KL friends last week and they are so excited in meeting up with me.

Definitely this time, it is not only to Kuala Lumpur but from there, we will be flying off to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, where I will get to meet nature. What is so interesting about this trip is that, I will be able to be with to another place which I have not been to. I will have the chance to do mountain trekking in Mount. Kinabalu, one of the highest mountain in southeast asia, go to Sepilok to visit the Orang Utan Sanctuary(this will be interesting), visit the Monsopiad Cultural Village to experience Kadazan culture through activities such as cultural dances or even a chance to use a blow-pipe and many more. These are the things that I have never experienced before. If people from around the world, takes the initiative or interest to travel all the way to places in Southeast Asia, why shouldn't I do the same thing? Well, I have the opportunity to do so now.

I truly deserve this break and the best thing to have a fresh start is to travel. Why not? I have one and a half months break for the school holidays. However, my last examination was horrendous and horrific as most of the cohort did not complete the examination paper on time. The mathematics paper was the toughest as compared to the previous years. Oh well, I shall think about that when my results come out this middle of December. Till than, it is party time.

The fun starts tommorow with the visit to the Puteri Gunung Ledang, the musical show in the esplanade. I have been waiting for this theatre show for a long time. It is time to let my hair down. Cheers, Max!

What am I thinking about?

I was thinking a lot during these past few weeks. It is regarding the long break that I will tend to have after my exams. Why not? It is going to be one and half months of break. That is a long time for me to rest and relax.

Of course, the question is where will I be during these holiday break? Shall I travel to an unknown place like the middle east for instance which I have not gone throughout my life or shall I just stay in the country and enjoy the break? That is something I will leave it to fate when it arrives soon after 25th November when my school closes for the holiday.

However, as I was thinking now, my mind is thinking about Mathematics Test which is due this Wednesday. Today, I visited my colleague whom had a baby girl born last two weeks. The baby girl is so red and she look so pure. It is this kind of feeling that I will always think about myself that babies are always born without sins and they have long life ahead of them. We share my friend's happiness when we visited his house. He is indeed very happy with his wife.

Now, as I was saying beforehand, here I am thinking about the destination that I will embark on this coming holiday, others are going through a lot more thinking that me.

These are the list. As I am thinking,

• my colleague is thinking of getting a break from his new commitment of getting a newborn,
• my other colleague is thinking of getting enough money to get engage and get married,
• Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are tieing the knot - Marriage thoughts,
• President Bush had just left Singapore and is heading down to the Apec Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam - He surely has a lot to think about,
• The Palestinians are thinking on how to survive for their next few months while they are being oppressed by u know who.The Iraqis and Afghans, are thinking on how to survive in their occupied country,
• The fight in Darfur, the black moslems there are trying to survive from being killed by u know who,
• Singaporeans are thinking about the new GST hike of 7% coming soon,
• The Americans,are thinking on their new future with the Democrats winning a majority seats in the Congress,
• The Malaysians,are thinking on when will the dispute between the former prime minister and the current prime minister will end,
• Indian and Pakistanis are thinking whether they will ever see a nuclear war between them when they keep seeing new nuke tests being carried out by either side.
• South Koreans and Japanese people are thinking of whether there will be an attack by North Korean's nukes,
• The Kyoto Countries members are figuring out on how to cut carbon emmission,
• The Thais are thinking on when will their martial law ends,
• and many other people in the world are thinking on other major issues.

Now, does all these other issues in the world, play a part in my decision? No, indeed not. It is just to show me how small my problem is as compared to other people faced in the world. So, what am I thinking about? Sigh..

An Immoral Behavior

As I was studying today, I happen to notice something peculiar that is going on downstairs through my window. I saw a person peeing by the side of a tree. Now that is not a good view to see especially when you are stressed up with studying.

Apparently, the old man is having his "personal" time in dealing with his personal needs with the public. I take that as an offence. However, we got to look at it this way. Perhaps the old man is senile or could he just be immorally unconscious of his character and the people around him? I think in any situation, if there are any urgencies of any nature's call by a person, he or she should try to withstand the need and quickly look for the nearest toilet. We are mature adults and not children after all right?

The actions of the old man is actually of illegal and not allowed according to the law as it may offend people due to the nudity behaviours. This is simply absurd and requires discipline by the police. Well, in any case, I cannot do anything either as I on the 6th Level of my flat.

If I were to ever encounter such a ludicrous act again, I will definitely tell him off or shove him away. That is the funny thing. I thought we are all civilised. What ever happen to that when we come across such incidents?

Oh well, let me return to my studying for science. I wonder whether I can find out any logic from that experience I had in relations to science. Haha, apparently not!

The first blog on email

Here is my first blog using email. If this works, I believe, I can blog anywhere I want. Isn’t technology cool?

Step Up to an Inconvenient Truth

Yes, instead of studying, I had been watching two movies straight in a row this week. I have two days left before my science test. I really have to do something about it. I have to remove my "slackers" attitude so as to get flying colours for my Test.

Oh well, I wil figure out something when I start to panic tonight. As for the two movies, Step Up and and The Inconvenient Truth - Global Warming. The best thing about these two movies is that it states the necessity for us to acquire knowledge before doing something in life.


Step-Up is a movie dedicated to the learning of Hip Hop and Ballet. This movie
It always facinates me to see people who knows how to dance well. Whether it is Hip Hop, Retro, House Music, Rnb or Salsa/Merengue, it is all about the rythm. If a person can move to the groove of a music, the person knows music. That is my perception of it. I can say that this movie is a purely dance movie. There are not much of a plot to look forward to. Just sit back and enjoy the way they dance. It is cool to see them combine the two dance steps of ballet and Hip Hop.

As for the second show, The Incredible Truth, I was so indulged in this show that I thought I just went to another lecture in the school. This is purely an educational show about Global Warming. It is presented by Al-Gore and he is trying to educate the whole worth about the real truth of the causes of Global Warming and where our planet earth is heading to in the next coming years. It is interesting to know that with our modern comforts of technology and machines, we are slowly heating up the world and that explains why recently we are experiencing a sudden rise in the heat of the sun. The carbon dioxide seems to double recently and the greenhouse effects are trapping the heat that comes from the sun onto earth. There are many more of this. The hurricanes and tornados have increased. The sea level is rising. Drought is occuring on another part of the world. Certain animals are near to extinction. The North and South Pole Ice boulders are melting away leaving to a stop in the current of heat and cold climate in the world gradually.

In simple terms, we can see the landscapes of certain countries, being minimized by the influx of sea water to their lands. Some countries will even disappear from the world. Like the movie mentioned, the world map will be redrawn in the future due to global warming. Europe will encounter another Ice Age. Certain Insects will double. Mother Nature will have to submit to the force of will of the Global Warming.

I was enthralled to see these explanations from Al-Gore in the movie. His speech is really fulfilling and sensible. However, one question that I will like to ask him, if I have ever had the chance in future. The question will be, " How can human beings revert back to our old ways of life, 50 years ago, when the technology had tremendously given us the convenience of life in this rapid globalization world? In short, can we stop using our cars, air-condition, sprays, prevent cutting down trees? Recycle paper and water? Stop the emission of toxic gases or unwanted gases? Stop dumping waste to the lakes? It's not as easy as A,B,C

Some of these points are already being practiced in certain countries. In fact most countries in the world are adhering to the ' Kyoto Treaty except for America. Isn't that surprising?


' The Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an amendment to the international treaty on climate change, assigning mandatory targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to signatory nations.

' WIkipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto_Protocol



Oh well, I can think about this later. I think I better wake up and start studying for science. Till than, do your part to save our planet earth. And, start dancing. :-)

Studying at home - Its impossible!

Well..it seems that I have a lot of free time today. Actually, I am forcing myself to write something as I am feeling so lazy to study. I was browsing through some of my science notes and I realized that I am not learning anything.

So, I guess, school is the only place that I can really study for my exams. Now, what makes my room not a conducive place to study. Let me list it down here,

• I got an entertainment system in my room plugged with HBO and other CABLE movies.
• I got a desktop pc connected to a broadband internet.
• I got a comfortable bed which has a mattress designed to protect my backbone from having muscle joints pains.
• I got tonnes of DVD to watch
• I have an MP3 player with another set of speakers for me to listen to my favourite songs.
• I have a collection of Computer Games which I can choose to play for hours.
• I can smoke freely in my room.

Now..with these distractions, how shall I study conveniently? So, from tommorow onwards, school is my chosen place to study and scream, though I cannot smoke in school. Sigh..I will figure something out for that. Ok...that should be all for now..I am going to watch Shark's Tale and try to study something.

Adios, Amigos.

Puteri Gunung Ledang - The Musical

Yes, the picture speaks for itself. I have always been a fan of this movie, Puteri Gunung Ledang. It has finally been made into a broadway show or a theatre show in esplanade. (www.esplanade.com)

I have just bought some tickets to watch this first created Malay epic theatre in the esplanade and I have never been to the esplanade itself ever since it was created in Singapore.

The thing I have always liked about this show is the bondage of love between the magical Mount. Ledang Princess and the legendary Malay Warrior, Hang Tuah. I have always admired the Javanese culture and had long to learn on how its traditions are based upon. Of course, I am from the origins of the Javanese people with a little mix of Arabic from my mother side.

The Javanese culture is so unique that when a javanese dancer dances on the floor in front of you, you will be mesmerized by the beauty of a Javanese Woman. The peace and tranquility by the dance will always fascinate me and provide me with happiness.

Perhaps I have it in my blood of a Javanese inheritance culture. Perhaps I am so moved by the innocence of the movie Puteri Gunung Ledang, that I am curious to know more of this tradition. I am intrigued by the ambience of its mystified presence and its dance movements which are so pleasant and soft.

Maybe one day I will get to know more of my original roots. It can be quite an interesting voyage to find my late great ancestors lives and they most probably came from Indonesia.
In fact, only two days ago, while I was doing my mathematics tutorials, I came across this Javanese Lady who happen to talk to the school's janitor in Javanese Language. At first, I thought that they were talking in Malay Language but I was surprised to know that they were speaking in Javanese and it sounded so sweet and perfect.

Maybe I should go to Indonesia this coming December holidays to find my roots back there. Maybe also, I will be able to find my true destination or purpose in life as they say that the past is always the beginning of everything.

Well, till 24th November arrives, I will have to put all these aside for my exams to finish. At least, I have something to look foward to after my exams.

The Perfect Dream

It had been an exhausting week as today marks the end of my Maths Quizzes before my final Maths examination which will take place in the next fortnight. On the other hand, a classmate of mine had just turned into a new dad of the year as his wife had delivered his child yesterday.

Whenever such glorious events happen in someone's life, I will always feel very happy for them. Why not? That only shows their blessed life of being able to continue their next generation after years of loving each other as a couple. It seems to be the logical way of living any life in this world to most people.

The issue that I will think about is about myself being in that situation when the time comes. Now, as someone that will turn into 33 soon, I wonder whether the thought of me waiting with my future wife in a delivery room in a hospital will ever come into reality. Can I visualize myself waiting by my wife's side and seeing her in pain and agony of giving birth? What will the vision of myself be when I receive my first newborn out of my own flesh and blood?

The feeling of satisfaction? The feeling of complete? The feeling of love that will finally flourished into another human being brought into this world? I do not know. I have yet to find my love to know how is it like. Yes. I know. Who will that be? Hasn't Max been out of love for a long time since the break up of my engagement? The search for the new love has now turned into something that is dependant on fate. What is my next dream than?

Well, as the quote goes, " If you cannot get what you want in life, you should help others get what they want in life." The purpose of my life is yet to be determined. Only God knows that, it is like a perfect dream that is circling in my mind. To be realistic, the perfect dream seem to be fading away as I aged further. When I walked everyday with my disappointment on my love life eversince, I will often ponder on how to assist someone in their live so as to complete my lonely life. I guess that is why I decide to swap my engineering career into teaching. The will to inspire someone to be the best in their life when I have yet to accomplish mine is fulfilling and enriching to myself.

Well, I gave my congratulations to my classmate, who has turned into a father. I sometime wonder whether he is liking it or not. Well, that is neither my concern nor my prerogative to question that. As for me, if that perfect dream ever come to me in this life of Max Muchacho, I will be praising Allah forever for granting me that luxury of love.

One Down, Two More To Go!

Well, today is my English Examination for my first semester in NIE and I can tell you I can actually think and visualize nouns and verbs in my head! I had been studying ever since last Friday and I just realize that I love learning the English Language.

I can say I should be able to do not too bad for my examination today but nothing is for sure until I got the results. It is now in the hands of fate. What can I say about the coming examinations? It sucks!

Ok, as for science, I have to do a lot of reading in preparation for the test next Friday, 17/11/2006. Before I can do the revision for science, I have my last Mathematics Quiz this friday which is 10% out of my other 3 quizzes which I did not fare well. That is not all. I have yet my final dreaded exam which is this coming Mathematics Examination on the 22nd November.

I guess for these coming two weeks, my life is going to be merely, books and papers. Hey, that is not too bad at all, thinking that I have at least one and a half months of holiday break this coming November 23 onwards. At least, I have something to look forward too for some life.

Well, wish me luck. I can foresee a lot of my classmates getting stress over these few weeks. Adios.

Post Salam Lebaran

Ok. How did it go for my syawal today? It went good so far. I happen to manage to do some visiting to my relative house this year. Surprisingly, for this year, I visited the most number of houses as compared to last year. This is the year where I am packed with many assignments and examinations but somehow the blessed month of Syawal enable me to enrich the spirit of Raya with my family members and friends.

Of course, out of many happiness and excitement, I do face some issues with some people during my preparation before Raya. For example, my younger brother refuse to assist the house chores when Raya arrived last week. In the end, instead of him helping me, I am involved in doing all the house work by myself. This is the problem with chores, it is simple to me. If anyone who is staying with you, refuses to do it, by all means necessary, do not do it. There is no point of seeing a half done job when there is no sincerity in it. It only makes the other worker feel irritated by seeing it.

Well, actually, this is the first year where, my younger brother opens up and tries to establish the brotherhood relationship with me. It has been like 30 over years since he ever did something to rekindle the brotherhood.The first time when he messaged me that he want to know more about me, I was astonished but wary as all our lives, we have never been closed. I had an adviced from Zul whom mentioned to me to be careful when comes to talking to siblings who are not closed to me.

I was skeptical but in the end, I believed him. Why? That is because I realized that my elder brother was the one who wanted to reunite with him. Hmm. To cut the story short, my elder brother and myself once, ever quarrelled with him on matters pertaining to his decision to run away from the house recently. Imagine, the separation we had when he ran away and our hatred towards him when he ignored our parents at that time.

Time change,my younger brother came back. My elder brother of course behind my back tried to maintain contact with him except me. I was lost in delusions to know this. However, it turns out that the truth had to be revealed. He talked to my younger brother and eventually he encourages me to talk to him which I did.

Well, I was so happy to know that our brotherhood strengthened when Raya approaches. I was disappointed to know that my younger brother's character and selfish attitude remains the same still though he tried to talk to me. I realized what Zul mentioned to me is true. There is no doubt that there are a lot more for my younger brother to do when he wants to re-establish his sincerity in my brotherhood with him.

It is easy to forgive but it is not easy to forget. I have my closed buddies with me. It is the idea of relinquishing the intentions of my brother that saddens me. After finding out that my elder brother's relations with my younger brother that make me put aside again, makes me open up my wings to my close buddies instead of family. Of course, parents are my top priorities now. However, despite that fact, my relations with my brother is in a state of a deadlock, I shall just maintain the momentum but shall not go further than that.

I have my closed buddies still. That is all I need for now.