Media Accreditation ~ Suraj Singh

29 Jan 2009, one day before Chingay Preview, We had Our Media Accreditation at People’s Association Head quarter. Other than getting our Media Passes for Chingay 2009, we also get to watch the International Groups Perform. If you think Chingay is all about Singapore, then you are wrong. There are 7 countries performing at this year Chingay and they are: China, India, Indonesia, Korea, Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand.

Media Accreditation starts at 5.30pm; we had 15 minutes to have our refreshment before the Media Accreditation starts.

They even invited the ambassador of Thailand to the Media Accreditation.

The Briefing talks about the International Groups that will be performing and the most surprising FIRSTS in Chingay History.

They are:
1. The tallest Float (9 Metre) by NTU
2. The tallest Puppet in Chingay History
3. The longest Float (26 Metre) by Magic Box
4. The oldest Performing group (Formerly known as PA Cultural Troupe)
5. The Biggest and First Magician Contingent by Master Lawrence and Priscilla Khong
6. The Biggest Contingent from a Single Organisation (The Japanese Association of Singapore with 350 Participants)
7. The most “Green” Floats by NUS

After the talks, it’s time to get our Passes!! Everyone is queuing up for their pass and it’s my turn.

Here’s my pass, Media (Journalist).

The four Chingay Blogger looks Happy with their passes.
And here’s the International Group that are Performing. When i walked out of the Hall, the first group that attracted me was the Thailand Girls performing, they are so beautiful.

Not forgetting to greet them Sawat-dee khrap and after taking their photos, i said Khrap pom Khrap to them which means thank you.

Sawat-dee Khrap...

The Thailand Group are performed by The Thai Dance Group which is supported by The Tourism Authority of Thailand. The choreographer is by Mrs Niparat Karnchanachote from Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University, Thailand.

Of course not forgetting the ambassador of Thailand who will be standing on the lotus flower performing with the Thai Dance Group.

She is very Pretty, a good representative of Thai and i am glad i have a chance to take a photo with her.

Next we have People from India Performing at Chingay 2009. It is performed by Cultural Group from Western Zonal Cultural Centre, India. They are supported by High Commission of India and India tourism.

I was lucky to be able to get such shot there, i was standing at the end of the road hoping that i can have my own time to take the photos because alot of the media Photographers are cramping in the middle to get the best shots. Hahas.

“Gema Nusantara” (Indonesia)
It is performed by Sadupi, wonogiri Cultural Group and is supported by Embassy of the republic of Indonesia.

It is choreographer by Begug Poernomosidi.

This performance represents a combination of several dances form Sumatra and java, with the main attraction of Reog Ponorogo in three dances namely Ganong, Jathilan and Warok Dances. The performance will showcase the gracious as well as the dynamic movement in Javanese Dance. The Reog Mask (Dadak Merak) consists of Tiger head and Peacock feather ornament. It weighs about 30kg and the player will only bite a small stick of bamboo to lift up the mask.

The Korea Team, Best of the World II @ Chingay Wonderland “Hello Arirang”
It’s Perform by Yang Sook hee Dance Group, Bu Seum Sae (Ulsan Management Information High School Pungmul Group), Hyun Taekwondo Academy, NTU Korean Cultural Society and YMCA Metropolitan Singapore.

By Hyun Taekwondo Academy.

Not only people from the Korea country itself, Korea association from Singapore will be also involved in the dance with them. They are supported by Korean Association (Singapore), Korean Tourism Organisation, Embassy of the Republic of Korea and Asiana Airlines.
Choreographer is by Yang Sook Hee, Jang Sung Dae and Lim Hyun.

Not forgetting the Taiwanese Performance for Chingay 2009, “Dance of Mountain and Sea”
It is performed by Taiwan Yuan-yuan indigenous Culture and Troupe and is supported by Taiwan Visitors Association (Tourism Bureau)

The dance is choreographer by Tung Hsiao Chun and is conducted by Ko Li Mei.
A total of 7 COUNTRIES will be participating in Chingay 2009 this year, want to see more of the performance live? Then wait no more, buy your tickets now!!

After the 1st rehearsal we had all our photos took, so after that we rush down to Vivo City for the Media Conference at Topshop. Lucky there was a bus to fetch us there so we got there in time.

The first time i ever see a media conference in a shop itself and most importantly the shop is still open to customers. Later on, they charged $15 per person who want to enter into the media conference, they get to shop, drink (tiger beer), watch, listen and they get to get a goodie bag.
30%-50% offer in the shop, on top of that there is an additional of 15% discount for that event itself. I get to shop, drink and mingle around with Oli Pettrigrew, Dj Sassy, Yiu and Bo (Hong Kong Hip Hop Dancers).

This is DJ Sassy Pandez from United Kingdom; she has recently got the icon of the sexist DJ that appeared in Maxim magazine. She is also a super model.
Want to know how she spins?

Here’s the video:

Want to watch more? Buy Cityalive tickets now!! Tickets are selling fast, better hurry.

Oli Pettrigrew was there too, and he is awesome in his hosting skills. And by chance i get to take a group photo with him.

With DJ Sassy Pandez Spinning at the left side of the shop, YIU AND BO is dancing at the right side of the shop, due to some purpose i can’t show you how the dance, or how well they dance. Want to know how well they dance? Buy the tickets now!!

Advance Tickets: $15 (Passion Card Holder), $20 (Others)
Event Day Tickets: $28 (Cash Only)
Ticket price includes one drink
Advance tickets are available at all community centres/clubs
Singapore Visitor Centre @ ORCHARD
http://www.sistic.com.sg/ and
All SISTIC authorised agents and via SISTIC Hotline: (+65) 6348 5555