Enthusiasts sing for joy, cross-border camaraderie

Top: Category B winners include Singapore’s Tan (second from left), Malaysia’s Chiang (centre) and Khoo (second from right). With them are Thuang Boo (left) and Ooi (right).

Singing enthusiasts from Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand came together in Penang for an international competition aimed at promoting cultural exchange and fostering friendships across borders.

Sixty contestants aged 40 and above took part in the second Huang Chu Er Cup Malaysia-Singapore-Thailand International Singing Exchange Competition last Saturday at a local restaurant in George Town.

Organising chairman Lim Thuang Boo said the event aimed to promote singing and encou­rage more Malaysians to take up the hobby, which he described as a healthy activity.

“We want to bring more vibrancy to the singing community and encourage Malaysians to learn and enjoy singing,” he said.

The contestants competed in Categories A and B, performing Mandarin, Cantonese and Hok­kien songs in front of a crowd of nearly 300 people.

In Category A, Singapore’s Pak Hong Chee emerged as champion with How Much I Wish to Hug You in Life, winning RM1,000 and a trophy.

Malaysia’s Lim Bei Bei took second place with Alone on the West Tower, while Fong Eng Song, also from Malaysia, came in third with True Friend.

(From left) Category A special award winners Fong (Best Male Costume and third place in Category A), Thailand’s Warare (Best Female Costume) and Lee (Best Stage Presence).

Fong also won the Best Male Costume award, while Thailand’s Warare received the Best Female Costume title.

Malaysia’s Cally Lee won the Best Stage Presence award with her rendition of Half Drunk, Half Sober.

“Singing is my hobby. It is a good pastime and I get to make many new friends here,” she said.

In Category B, Singapore’s Tevin Tan emerged as champion with A Heart Broken Without a Trace. He also won the Best Male Costume award.

Malaysia’s Irene Chiang took second place with Suffering Grie­­vances for You, while Malay­sia’s Winnie Khoo was placed third with Sea of Romance.

Kong Tai Chai from Singapore won the Best Female Costume award while Thailand’s Usa Wang LiJun received the Best Stage Presence award.

Singapore vocal instructor Gao Fei, who brought 25 students aged between 50 and 75 to Penang, said the competition gave participants an opportunity to evaluate Penang’s singing standards and learn from regional peers.

“Through a competition invol­ving participants from different countries, our students can ob­serve and exchange experiences with singers in Penang and appre­­­­ciate healthy interaction.”

In Category A, Singapore’s Pak (left) emerged champion while Malaysia’s Bei Bei took second place in the vocal contest.

Gao said his students travelled to Penang partly to support their friend Zoey Ooi (Huang Chu Er), after whom the competition was named.

Having taught vocal music in Singapore for 25 years, Gao hoped to discover more promising singers.

“Many senior citizens enjoy singing and it is a healthy form of activity,” he said.

The group also took the opportunity to sample Penang’s local fare.

The contest attracted 60 participants and delegations of supporters from Thailand and Singapore.

“Penang people are very warm and welcoming, making us feel at home.

“The scenery and culture here are also beautiful and rich.”

Thai delegation leader Jerry Chen said his group comprised nine students aged between 45 and 80.

“For us, friendship comes first and competition second.

“Our students enjoy the opportunity to interact, learn from one another and observe each other’s performances,” he said.

Former Penang MCA adviser Datuk Koay Kar Huah was also present.