Quake victims remembered at Sunset Fest
Kudat: Aprilissa Sue Ann, winner of the State level Sugandoi Kaamatan 2015, sang a heart-rending “Note to God” at a packed Tip of Borneo Sunset Music Fest Saturday night, in remembrance of those killed at Mount Kinabalu during Friday morning’s 5.9 magnitude earthquake.
The irony was “Note to God” coincided with the most beautiful sunset ever seen at the tip, particularly in conjunction with the sunset music fest, according to Yap Ling, conductor of the Jesselton Philharmonic Orchestra.
Partly an emotional prayer, “Note to God”, a high selling digital number originally sung by Filipino Clarice Pempengo, written by Diane Warren and produced by David Foster, was first performed at the Oprah Winfield show.
“I inserted ‘Note to God’ to my repertoire especially for the ‘fallen heroes’ and all those affected by the aftermath of the earth quake,” said Aprilissa who started with a Chinese number ‘Listen to the Oceans’; ‘Lucky and’ and ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’.
“I knew some 20 people died. That’s why I was teary and kind of carried away while singing that song,” said mandarin-fluent Aprilissa, a graduate of Sabah Tao and an events organiser.
Key attendees in the audience picked up Aprilissa’s emotional vibes of the moment.
“I thought it was absolutely beautiful to share Sabah’s culture on a very emotional day,” said Thomas Anderse, General Manager of Gayana Eco Resort and Bunga Raya.
“I felt very privileged to be here because of the terrible happenings yesterday (Friday morning),” said Andersen who said it moved him with an idea to promote the Tip of Borneo Music Fest even more next year.
“I think this could be done. We can promote this a lot more than we have to the international community. This should be on the list of every visitor who comes to Sabah,” Andersen reckoned.
“The beauty of this sunset music festival is that the locals and international community are mixing well and that’s what it’s all about,” Andersen said.
Indeed the open, natural and leisurely atmosphere saw foreigners and locals filling the stage dancing away with gusto to the tunes of local songs and bands and just enjoyed the occasion.
The evening captured hearts right from the word go.
Permata Seni Muzik, comprising 8-14 year old kids conducted by Mustafa Fuzer Nawi, struck off with stirring sounds of strings on familiar great classical pieces from Bach, Mendelssohn, Roassini, Tchaikovski, to modern pop tunes from Lady Gaga to Abba the standard of which stunned music buffs.
Followed by amazing operatic singing from La Cantabile- Classical voices who belted out ‘The Phantom of the Opera’; ‘Nella Fantasia’; ‘O Sole Mio’ and capped it with ‘You Raise Me up’.
Energetic dances from The Flexible Crew transmitted the vibes, with inviting showmanship thrown in by the rest –Daisy Daniel, Norbert Andilah, The Deep Buskers and the indomitable veteran Dusun song great and entertainer – Francis Landong.
But what added visible color to it all was the presence of five tall Unduk Ngadau 2015 finalists – Sheraline Jane, Cheryl Lynn, Natashia, Kimberly Bung and Everina.
But in obvious absence was Minister of Culture, Tourism and Environment, Datuk Panglima Seri Masidi Manjun and his deputy, Datuk Pang Nyuk Ming or even Datuk Irene Charuruks, General Manager of Sabah Tourism Board, who were understandably busy attending to the aftermath of the Kinabalu quake tragedy.
However, Sitti Damsal, General Manager of Sri Peloncongan Sabah which produced the event, was onsite.
Source: Daily Express
