The Familiar Stranger.
What drives grief for a stranger whom you've never met,
Yet are vaguely acquainted with should the telly be a platform of sorts?
I'm talking about the passing of a respected local veteran actor, as illustrated below.
Singaporeans who are born and bred on local soil would recognise the ubiquitous face of the maiden television serial of our nation. Its title needs no introduction nor mention.
At the mention of his moniker, one is almost obliged to produce this from our cognitive archives :
Acknowledged as The First Golden Couple on local screens, these two are still addressed affectionately as their characters from, get this, 30 years ago.
While he enjoyed longevity in his career, he was, however, was not as fortunate when it came to his health, as he was afflicted with lymphoma cancer which led to his sudden passing on Saturday morning.
I will not lie and gush that he was my favourite. I rarely watch local telly these days, if ever.
Yet, there was a strange tinge of loss.
I did not know him. Mutual acquaintances were lacking.
Hence, what gives?
We are, but creatures of comfort. The telly was a source of stability, albeit a dubious one.
As households are wont to do, the voices and miens of different eras blended various shades of escapism. That is, after all, the role of the television - to fractionally distil reality from our lives within that requiem of time, its hues to whitewash the other waking hours.
As time went by, this face remained a stoic staple, as if taunting change with flagrant disregard.
It is with a subconscious stream of thought such as this that one champions The Veteran for defying the odds.
A hyperbole? Perhaps.
Be it so, the courage exemplified at his final public appearance in 2012 is to be accredited with the very applause that permeated his career.
Evidently weathered and afflicted, he found the courage to plaster a smile.
Acting had transcended beyond a mere career. It had become his reality.
So, take a bow, Da-Ge.
It was beautifully crafted till your life drew to a close.
Yet are vaguely acquainted with should the telly be a platform of sorts?
I'm talking about the passing of a respected local veteran actor, as illustrated below.
Singaporeans who are born and bred on local soil would recognise the ubiquitous face of the maiden television serial of our nation. Its title needs no introduction nor mention.
At the mention of his moniker, one is almost obliged to produce this from our cognitive archives :
Acknowledged as The First Golden Couple on local screens, these two are still addressed affectionately as their characters from, get this, 30 years ago.
While he enjoyed longevity in his career, he was, however, was not as fortunate when it came to his health, as he was afflicted with lymphoma cancer which led to his sudden passing on Saturday morning.
I will not lie and gush that he was my favourite. I rarely watch local telly these days, if ever.
Yet, there was a strange tinge of loss.
I did not know him. Mutual acquaintances were lacking.
Hence, what gives?
We are, but creatures of comfort. The telly was a source of stability, albeit a dubious one.
As households are wont to do, the voices and miens of different eras blended various shades of escapism. That is, after all, the role of the television - to fractionally distil reality from our lives within that requiem of time, its hues to whitewash the other waking hours.
As time went by, this face remained a stoic staple, as if taunting change with flagrant disregard.
It is with a subconscious stream of thought such as this that one champions The Veteran for defying the odds.
A hyperbole? Perhaps.
Be it so, the courage exemplified at his final public appearance in 2012 is to be accredited with the very applause that permeated his career.
Evidently weathered and afflicted, he found the courage to plaster a smile.
Acting had transcended beyond a mere career. It had become his reality.
So, take a bow, Da-Ge.
It was beautifully crafted till your life drew to a close.
Labels: familiar stranger
posted by whimsical_fantasies at 4:16 AM
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