And he dances too...
My ex-boss and colleague Yeap Tan Lim, the man with three surnames we used to call him, recently threw a dinner party to 'Celebrate Life" for about 200 of his dearest and closest friends, family and accomplices in the ad industry.
TL as we all affectionately refer to, has a huge appetite for life and he makes no bones to conceal it. Everybody knows when TL is hungry, angry, playful or even frisky and everyone tags along whatever the indulgence, except perhaps the anger bouts. This time we all tagged along to his party on a Saturday night with our spouses to celebrate TL's life. And this night, if anyone had any doubt, we saw once again how magnanimous this man is.
A songstress sang her heart and lungs out, a Thai buddy who never sang karaoke before, let alone in public gave his all for a splendid show. Friends young and old, one by one and some in duet came onstage to sing their tribute to TL.
Special mention must also go to father and daughter performances, both separate, of KK and Yiki Ng. KK Ng long time client and now good friend sang 'Friend' in cantonese while daughter Yiki, gave one of the night's best performances with her rendition of Sheila Majid's 'Lagenda', originally composed as a tribute to Malaysian song and screen icon-P. Ramlee, now delivered as a fitting tribute to TL. Simply exquisite!
The ever dapper and debonair Ken Brady, also my ex-boss, mentor, teacher, friend was there. Readily armed with the most 'lethal' weapon of them all, his smile...
As was all my ex-colleagues, clients, friends, acquaintances, brothers and sisters all. It was lovely to see them all. Some hardy changed, hardly aged, some kept their hair styles, some changed theirs...
Right after the singing, a very fitting Ken Brady gave his short and very sweet 'Overture' introducing and launching; The Fat Man ....making an entry singing songs from his heart. Telling us the trials and tribulations of his journey with cancer, he held court over all his subjects as he unashamedly poured his heart and soul sharing his fears and joy as he enrolled all of us into prayer for his quick recovery, no matter what the doctors say. We will have faith in you and with you TL.
The night ended as we lingered on for photo opportunities and light banter and eventually left with renewed love for the man I have often referred to as "our fearless leader".
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