I was once a state representative...... :P

We won the first ever lion dance champion for the organisation/school in Perak lion dance competition, 1996. We were very excited because we had qualified ourself to the National Dragon and Lion Dance Tournament, for the first time. The competition was to be held in Seremban.

After a short moment of joy, we underwent a month of "horrendous" training to prepare ourself for the national tournament. Once, I fell from a 6-feet high pole for mistaking intructor's directive. Before landing, my chest hit on an extremely hard metal disc. I was unable to breathe for some seconds, and only then I realised the importance of oxygen to human being.

On the day of tournament, it was windy and the competition was held outdoor. Many troupes could not complete their performances. We had successfully completed our performance and won the forth place among 13 competitors. It was an encouraging result because we were competiting with professionals like the Malaysia Kun Seng Keng Dragon and Lion Dance Association, Muar (The five times world champion and the champion of the tournament).

The toughest part in a lion dance competition is the final stage. The performers are exhausted but yet they need to squeeze every ounce of their strength to complete the performance by using the same route they have come. According to the competition rules, performers are not allowed to start the performance from one end and end at the other end. At this stage, perseverance become an important element to decide whether the performers could complete the performance.

I was thinking, isn't the social movement working in the same way? At the final stage of changing a dictatorial regime (when we are about to win), we will face rampageous, fierce and final attack from them. Perseverance and determination are important to keep us moving in that gloomy but short period of time. If we manage to overcome, we are the victors!

Top: Warming up before the performance starts.

Middle: Performing......slow and steady (I was behind the lion head)

Bottom: Saluting the panel judges after the performance.