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The spiritual truth that leads to freedom is the truth that we belong not to the world but to God, whose beloved children we are. By living lives in which we keep returning to that truth in word and deed, we will gradually grow into our true freedom.

Fashion by itself is neither my forté nor my interest. But costumes for ballet, theatre and opera blended with choice of textures, materials, lighting and how everything comes together for the success of the story excites me. The showcase of French designer, Christian Lacroix's "the costumier" Exhibit at the Singapore National Museum carefully displayed the thought process from character to costume. At the same time bringing live again to century old operas, allowing the costumes to add a fine touch of the 21st century.

Christian Lacroix is known for defining the look of the 1980s with its bright colours and extravagant embellishments. We were told that he had a hand in curating the exhibit which was evident in his favourite colours of fresh red and black. The costumes from Carmen, Gaité Parisienne, Othello, Cosi Fan Tutte and Phèdre etc. (many of which were specially flown-in in special cases, to prevent the folding of the materials) were displayed behind a soft netted black fabric. The fabric is apparently used very commonly in theatre as a screen and provides a mysterious effect. To me, it was annoying having to photograph past the screen.

In Asia for the very first time, close to 80 spectacular costumes and 60 sketches from the collection of the Centre National du Costume de Scène (National Stage Costume Centre, Moulins, France) and from Lacroix’s personal collection were on display.

Apart from admiring the spectacular costumes, I was introduced to numerous opera and theatre works.


Costumes from "Eliogabalo" (Heliogabalus): an opera by the Italian composer Francesco Cavalli based on the life of the Roman emperor Heliogabalus

The author of the original libretto is unknown but it was probably reworked by Aurelio Aureli. The opera was composed in 1667 and premiered during the Carnival season of 1668 but it was withdrawn after only a few performances and replaced by another opera of the same name by Giovanni Antonio Boretti, perhaps because Cavalli's style was considered too old-fashioned. Eliogabalo was revived in 2004 by René Jacobs.

Heliogabalus or Elagabalus is best known for his disregard for Roman religious traditions and sexual taboos. He was married as many as five times and is reported to have prostituted himself in the imperial palace. Elagabalus replaced Jupiter, head of the Roman pantheon, with a new god, Deus Sol Invictus, and forced leading members of Rome's government to participate in religious rites celebrating this deity, which he personally led.

Amidst growing opposition, Elagabalus, only 18 years old, was assassinated and replaced by his cousin Severus Alexander on March 11, 222, in a plot formed by his grandmother, Julia Maesa, and members of the Praetorian Guard. Elagabalus developed a reputation among his contemporaries for eccentricity, decadence, and zealotry which was likely exaggerated by his successors and political rivals.

This propaganda was passed on and, as a result, he was one of the most reviled Roman emperors to early historians. For example, Edward Gibbon wrote that Elagabalus "abandoned himself to the grossest pleasures and ungoverned fury." "The name Elagabalus is branded in history above all others" because of his "unspeakably disgusting life," wrote B.G. Niebuhr.

Così fan tutte (Thus Do They All, or The School For Lovers) is an opera buffa by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The libretto was written by Lorenzo da Ponte.

Così fan tutte is one of the three Mozart operas for which da Ponte wrote the libretto. The other two da Ponte-Mozart collaborations were Le nozze di Figaro and Don Giovanni.


Costumes from Carmen and Arsa y toma both flamenco pieces

Carmen is a French opéra comique by Georges Bizet. The libretto is by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, based on the novella of the same title by Prosper Mérimée, first published in 1845, itself influenced by the narrative poem "The Gypsies" (1824) by Alexander Pushkin. Mérimée had read the poem in Russian by 1840 and translated it into French in 1852.

The opera premiered at the Opéra-Comique of Paris on 3 March 1875, but its opening run was denounced by the majority of critics. It was almost withdrawn after its fourth or fifth performance, and although this was avoided, ultimately having 48 performances in the first year, it did little to bolster sagging receipts at the Opéra-Comique. Near the end of this run, the theatre was giving tickets away in order to stimulate attendance. Bizet died on 3 June 1875, never knowing how popular Carmen would become. In October 1875 it was produced in Vienna, to critical and popular success, which began its path to worldwide popularity. It was not staged again at the Opéra Comique until 1883.

Since the 1880s it has been one of the world's most performed operas and a staple of the operatic repertoire. Carmen appears as number four on Opera America's list of the 20 most-performed operas in North America.

The story is set in Seville, Spain, c. 1830, and concerns the eponymous Carmen, a beautiful Gypsy with a fiery temper. Free with her love, she woos the corporal Don José, an inexperienced soldier. Their relationship leads to his rejection of his former love, mutiny against his superior, and joining a gang of smugglers. His jealousy when she turns from him to the bullfighter Escamillo leads him to murder Carmen.

Costumes from Phèdre which won Christian Lacroix his 1st of two Molière Award

Phèdre is a dramatic tragedy in five acts written in alexandrine verse by Jean Racine, first performed in 1677. It is undoubtedly the most grand and dramatic set of costumes on display which had audiences going wow!


Colourful ballet tutus from Les Anges ternis floating above adding to the magical feel of the centre space

More Christian Lacroix the costumier Exhibit pictures

I lost my aunt tonight.

Someone who was almost like a mother to me. She watched me grow and took care of my many needs as a child. Someone who was a teacher to me. She helped me with my school work and taught me lessons of life.

Autumn leaves can dazzle us with their magnificent colors: deep red, purple, yellow, gold, bronze, in countless variations and combinations. Then, shortly after having shown their unspeakable beauty, they fall to the ground and die. The barren trees remind us that winter is near. Likewise, the autumn of life has the potential to be very colorful: wisdom, humour, care, patience, and joy may bloom splendidly just before we fall to the ground and die.

As I look at the barren trees and remember her passing, I am grateful for the beauty I saw in her and wait hopefully for a new spring.

God bless her soul.

Inspiration from Henri Nouwen

First look at Link's next adventure on Nintendo DS - The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks! Following up on the success of Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks offers another stylus-driven, Wind Waker-styled tale following the adventures of Link. Comments from Zelda fans all over poured in since the trailer of the game was revealed last month at Nintendo's Game Developers Conference. I figure I will like Spirit Tracks regardless, but TRAINS with shooting Canons?!?!?... I am not crazy over it... really...

I am guilty to say that, despite the fact that I was totally excited about Phantom Hourglass when it was first released, I have yet to finish the game. I am stuck somewhere at sea and never came around to completing that stage. Guess I will work out some time during my trip to soak into some Zelda magic!

Spirit Tracks is tentatively due to be released later this year.



While I'm on the topic of Zelda, check out what Zelda looks like as a REAL movie! I think we need some help from Peter Jackson!

The upcoming mega shopping mall at Serangoon Central by developer Gold Ridge, has christened the mall with the name “nex”.

Gold Ridge has obtained occupancy commitments for 30 per cent of its lettable space since breaking ground in November 2008. Expected to open by the end of next year, the mall will be the biggest in north-east Singapore. The mall will be six-storey with over 600,000 sq ft of nett lettable area and will be integrated with a new bus interchange, Serangoon MRT station and the upcoming Serangoon Circle Line station; launching on 28 May 2009.

Tenants include Cineplex operator Shaw Organisation, hypermarket operator FairPrice Xtra and mainboard-listed Food Junction Holdings. Advanced talks are also underway to secure a department store operator to take up 50,000 square feet of lettable space in the shopping centre.

- Channel NewsAsia

THE ALPS IMAX® Trailer

After the Good Friday Service in the morning, Kemmy and myself headed west to the Science Centre's IMAX Theatre to catch the THE ALPS. It was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon, hiding away from the usual Good Friday afternoon downpour.

THE ALPS is a gripping story of human courage and resilience. It follows a young mountain-climber, John Harlin III, in his journey to the peak of the Eiger, a beautiful yet deadly mountain in the Swiss Alps. Often translated as the Ogre, the Eiger is one of the most perilous mountains in the world. It has claimed countless mountaineers' lives, including John's own father, yet remains an obsession for mountain-climbers as a crowning achievement in their careers. In THE ALPS, John sets out to confront his painful legacy by conquering the summit of the Eiger. Along the way, the film examines how settlers have skilfully created a life for themselves amidst the pristine yet dangerous mountain landscape. These twin stories illustrate the strength and resilience of the human spirit as these remarkable people learn to coexist with the mountains.

At the heart of the story is the theme of 'family love'. For John in honour of his late father, John Harlin II; whose life was claimed at this very same mount; and for John's daughter, Siena. To teach her courage, adventure and respect for nature.

The film is set to the music of classic rock music legends Queen, and is narrated by award-winning stage, television and screen actor Michael Gambon (Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter).

There's nothing like watching how majestic these mountains are on 70mm footage in an Omni-Max Theatre. There were moments when the film dipped downwards from an ariel shot and you almost felt as if you were about to fall off your seat. Every scene was taken with such beauty, both breath-taking and awe-inspiring.

I took some time back home to catch the 8 part On Location series. Viewing on my 37" TV fails in comparison to the theatre, by a great deal! They provide an insightful behind the scenes look from the concept to the difficulty of filming in the harsh conditions of the alps.


On Location #1 - First Steps Up The Mountain


On Location #2 - John Harlin III


On Location #5 - Filming an Avalanche


On Location #6 - Filming the Eiger with IMAX Cameras


On Location #7 - Climbing the Eiger

THE ALPS completes its screening on 30 April.

More STYG Lenten Play 2009 Rehearsal Pictures


Bonus: Behind The Scenes Rehearsal Video

Past Good Friday Lenten Plays:
STYG Lenten Play 2008 Group
STYG Lenten Play 2008 Video
STYG Lenten Play 2007 Video
STYG Lenten Play 2007: Behind the Scenes
Youth In BLACK!

Coming Soon: The VIDEO!