The Idol 2013 - Fragments of Memories

I had to pen down this moment as it is still fresh. I've had a real awesome experience this year for The Idol, Season 2013. From Day 1 Auditions to the training ground & working on each and everyone, before the showcase, more intense private sessions to one-on-one crash courses & counselling and finally... The Finale. (Oh yeah, there's Freya Lim too... cool performance!)

The entire process has so much to offer. From Dreams to Love & ending off with Regrets. Such Fragments of Memories were merely just a footprint in my DNA bank & memory bank but later, I realized that my Genes that carry my passion & love for Music would rather need more...

It happened so quickly that I actually felt so emotionally attached to each and everyone of the contestants & organizing committee. Regardless, winner or loser, finalists or just a participant.

And this is because, seeing each and everyone of you grew and became much more matured than I expected. The transition of becoming someone else that is gifted in Music, Friendship, Teamwork & most importantly that special bond. The type of bond that is indescribable. Not even a painting could replace those Fragments of Memories.

For the past 72hours was rather sentimental to me. My proteges writing very touching paragraphs/essays of how they felt & what the entire competition had done to them. In fact, to all of them, especially the Finalists, they were all extremely incredible. The Transformation of them is more than just a growing up process but more like a Metamorphosis. I really saw everyone of them enjoying themselves on stage, while still being nervous (of cos! some of you were even sweating!).

I'm gonna go indepth for some of them... cause, each and every one of them is a foot print in my life now. In no particular order, just randomly from my head... here goes:

Mr. Alex & Mr. Song: you both boy wonders certainly RAWX... Judging with both of you every year always intrigue me with laughters and all sorta nonsense that brings so much tickling & entertainment. If only we could keep this going almost every once in awhile, then it would really be great. (P/s: stop being so gay & also go Ghost Hunting... if gal hunting, ok la...)

Benny Gan: You know your uniqueness... we have all sorts of fun in training and having you singing an Elvis piece really boils our blood to stand up and dance. Being eliminated shouldn't stop you from trying more challenging pieces. OH YES... and PLSSS... treat Wei May well... *ahem* (hint hint...)

Jian Hui: sad to hear that it's gonna be your last time to serve us with your skillful photography... but do come back every yr to make it like some sorta reunion gathering... may the best be in your future endeavors...

Johan Lee: You've a unique performance too. Don't think I forgotten about you. Just that you didn't make it to the finals doesn't mean you're left out. Keep it up. Cause the passion is there and sure, you can sing. Just the other co-judges didn't vote for you.

Kacau Yeo: This one ah.. memang kacau punya... Hahahaha... Well, Happy belated birthday to you. May all your years be filled with MUSIC~! Yeah.. u thought I was gonna say wishes huh? I'll keep it to myself. Take care, don't fall sick & forget about assignments la... FUN is more important... Oopsss... bad me.. anyway... stay cool~

Celist + Rainie: It's cool to judge with you, Rainie... Celist: I'm so proud of you and your achievements now. It will become a memory that will be an everlasting one. I hope to see that passion kick-off to greater heights. Perhaps one day, my songs will be sung by ya'all...

Li Fen: It's always great to have ya around. It's so much fun and you always cheer me up. Plus... it's cool to have you being my duet partner for just a song. You'll forever be a powerful lil' vocalist. And... YOU always make those fun & laughters come out of us. Stay cute as always.

Michelle Chee: Though it was just for a eenie mini tiny weee bit while of being involved with you at INTI's Got Talent Season 2, but nonetheless, your charming & shiny personality never ceased to amaze me & gave me fun & laughters too. Keep it up with whatever you're doing. Oh, take care of your health, babe. Cheers~!

Kenny Chok: hey.. superstar.. got to catch a glimpse of you for awhile. From previous Idols, I always got to hear that you never stop singing & performing. It's good! Keep it up and spread the joy to others too. Cheerios.

Yang Cheng: It was tough for you to juggle and pull-off with an event of such magnitude scale. Good job. It's really worth the appreciation. *cling*

CJ + Potato: It's always my happiest moments to see either or both of you. We have to go back for more vocal rehearsals and group singing more often. Those darn good times are just too few to mention. One of the best pairing I've ever seen & the most natural chemistry. Will never forget the both of you.

Thomas Tee: stop being so blur already. Every time see you also so steam-steam like that. But end of the day, it's a good job done still. Many thanks indeed.

Zag: Oh yeay... the talented music man. Plays almost every instrument that can be mastered.. :) keep it up coz it's not that easy to be so gifted. You just have to work on your vocal technique next and you're almost MAGNIFICO...

Lun Cheng: It's a gift to be able to sing Tenor & be doing such incredible music. You still do best in "The Prayer" but nonetheless, your uniqueness will always be respected, remembered & appreciated. Keep practising. 2nd Runner-up isn't enough for. The sky's the limit.

Ee Min: It's great to know that you're made the Most Promising Idol though I feel you should be getting a different award. Anyway, don't give up on singing. It's just that the odds are not aligned. You can do better. So, keep singing!

Shakira: Girl, you surprised me on stage with your transformation. Really a young Whitney Houston look-a-like. Your voice is the soft & subtle type, so you've got to look at a different range & style to make you more flexi.. I believe in you =)

Dynamic Duo: You both have a weird but interesting partnership. Don't worry, its not that you're not gifted. The both of you can sing but just differently. Perhaps you should consider solo for both and especially for Nurul, you'll definitely shine well.

How Ann: Good la you... when want to treat us to eat at Jogoya? Got sponsors already. With the 2nd place prize some more. You sapu all the prizes d. Anyway, you never stop believing and thus you made it. That's what I'm talking about.

Vera: Never before, have I seen or heard a voice like yours. You definitely got what it takes to go into the next level and compete or even move into the semi-pro level before being spotted & signed up by other labels. I've seen a little kid like you before and now, she's already furthering her career in Taiwan & Hong Kong. She was just like you with that raw talent and after I polished her and she found her way into the hearts of her fans. She is happily dueting with some of my other former proteges that turned celebrities. I see that path in you too. Keep it up. Don't stop believing/dreaming.

Eva Khoo: Don't think I forgotten you too... no worries, I didn't.. You also deserve to work on your emotions & feelings when you sing. You're almost there anyway. =) Play hard, play smart but sing with your heart, k? have fun

Chloe: You also have a good chance to bring out that specialty in you too. You have a one-of-a-kind style. It's like your trademark =D Happy singing.

Eva Loo: This is one caterpillar that really became a surprising butterfly. Your on-stage skill was really unexpected. I was trying so hard to teach you those stuff and didn't see you bust a move but when you took center stage, it really had me blown off. I believe in you. And I must most-definitely say, You're the true SuperStar & Most Promising Idol. Keep it up, cos your Ling Tang jie also believe you can do it and shine further.

Nicole: You ah, don't know what to say... really GENG... I've had some of the best memories cause of your funny character. So smart & yet so sentimental. Your recent post made me miss all of you Idols so damn much till it could almost shed a tear. Your words were not only encouraging but so matured. It's like seeing all of you growing up, graduating and moving on to the next level of life as part of evolution.

De Latte: You both will be the first 2 to be inducted into the Experimental Talent Development Program, Class of 2013. Congratulations~! But before that, it's also sad to hear it's also one of those last times you'll both partner and perform before parting ways. Though there's another chance for both of you to be in another event, it's just never the same. It's like separating a pair of chopsticks. I will NEVER forget the both of you.

3 Direction: I really don't know what else to say about you guys. It's really a pleasure for me to be entertained by all 3 of you. I must say you're anything but boring. I had the best laughters of my life in INTI/IDOL because I laughed so hard & my stress was totally lost. Great Job! Don't stop performing. I need that laughters =D

Yii Pin, Sin Yee & Shuen Shuen Shuen: 3 of the most awesome Personal Assistants I've ever had cum Program Masters. It's also sad to hear that Sin Yee & Shuen will be graduating soon too. A lot of emotional times & fun we've had in previous Seasons. It's really like the song: Seasons In The Sun. But I will never forget what we've gone through and best moments.

Emily Gan: Same for you too... good days were there. We shall also hang out again. Maybe in beach as well. Hahahaha

Jasmine Chin: Oh yes.. talking about leaving... another sad one is to hear that you're also gonna be packing the saddle soon. Awww... just when I was just enjoying with all of you guys. Anyway, one of the coolest emcees to grace my events. It suddenly ROCKS to have ya around. Keep in touch...

Pi R Square: Strangest but yet a fast up-coming group (Most Favorite/Popularly voted). Learn fast & improves quite tremendously. Its hard to improve all of you in 1 go as not enough time was given to tweak each and every of you but as a whole, at least things were so much better on stage. Ting Wei: its always the source & center of all the noise and fun. But good for you too. Keep it up and make more attention spotlights, k? *winks*

D'Coincidence: Wooowww... the most awesome group. I enjoyed myself in epic proportions when you guys rawk the stage. I feel so touched to see every single part of the training unfolding and just as I pictured it. A natural, all of u, really... WOW is all I can keep saying. *still in awe* Keep it up and I wanna see more of your shows in the near future.

I hope I didn't miss out anyone. Was writing this at midnight n was getting tired. Su Leen: I also wanna express my appreciation for your great hospitality n success. By the way, great transformation. Look so pretty suddenly when feminine :D

oh yes.. last but not least.. almost forgotten.. luckily she "popped" up in my FB private message... (yeah, I'm getting old and forgetful)

Yelena: after all the lengthy private talks & counselling, I've got to say... once again... no, you did not disappoint me & need not say sorry to me. You did WELL... And in case others have a wrong impression of things, I'll clarify it here. She wasn't a favored one or was I bias neither. Yelena is very talented actually but her abilities aren't unlocked yet. Her potential can surpass many but its just not seen yet. Thus the co-judges did not favor her. I did not give her special private lessons or sessions but merely used a different environment and technique to help her overcome her fear of stage fright, audience surroundings & her distractions. I also fully support her because where others did not, which includes her parents, siblings & friends, she was in this competition not to just win it but to prove to them and most importantly proof to herself that she could do it and it was inside of her all along.

On the night of the Finals, she was rather devastated that only her siblings were gonna attend and she couldn't prove to her mom or do it for her. To her unexpected surprise, (besides the fact that she missed a step & twisted her ankle slightly, which caused things to go spiraling down) she saw her mom at the 2nd song and made an emotional impact to her performance thus the mis-cued of forced errors.

But I am still proud of her because the improvement was still a lot better & the performance index is satisfactory. She was originally destined to be the Most Promising Idol as her talent can later surpass the Champions of past & present but would still need to go a long way before she can achieve it.

Enough said, it is with Idols like all of you that made my journey in life with a purpose & worth every single sweat, time & effort in making all of you the SuperStar Idols you all earned, yearned to be & has become. Welcome Legends, Welcome to Your Showcase of Immortals & Welcome to the Hall of Fame that is among those Heavenly Kings of Music. ~ The Idol, the best Fragments of my Memories ~

This just reminds me of the reason why I wrote songs.. and moments like this that also recalls the lyrics to songs like: You In Me & Stand.

Here's my favorite song: Stand

Stand

Today feels different somehow
Living on the edge of a breakthrough
Yesterday’s pain of people’s disdain
Didn’t hurt me as much as it used to
Maybe I’ve found my remedy

I’m gonna stand up and walk my life
Not afraid to stumble and not afraid to fall
I’m gonna speak up, I’m gonna say what’s on my mind
Never mind if they don’t hear me
I know the ones who love me
I know the ones who will hold me
Just the way I stand
Just the way I am

Standing here on my stage
Why do your stares look so empty?
Strangers and friends all around
Funny how it still seems so lonely
Maybe not such a tragedy

I’m gonna stand up and walk my life
Not afraid to stumble and not afraid to fall
I’m gonna speak up, I’m gonna say what’s on my mind
Never mind if they don’t hear me
I know the ones who love me
I know the ones who will hold me
Just the way I stand
Just the way I am

I don’t wanna have to make pretend
And say what I will not want to
Not just to please you
I won’t be forced to love all who say they love me
But never know what makes me content completely

I’m gonna stand up and walk my life
Not afraid to stumble and not afraid to fall
I’m gonna speak up, I’m gonna say what’s on my mind
Never mind if they don’t hear me
I know the ones who love me
I know the ones who will hold me
Just the way I stand
Just the way I am

To listen to the song dedicated to all of you, here's the link:

http://brandonching.blogspot.com/2010/07/lyrics-to-stand.html