Flight of the Phoenix

Auditoriums, dance studios, surgery halls and emergency rooms

The Plan

On 30th of June 2018, Gaya Teacher Training Institute (IPGKG) celebrated its 55th birthday. The ambitious Director and lecturers of IPGKG's Languge Department came up with a grand plan to celebrate this Emerald Jubilee; a joint concert with the National Department of Art and Culture (JKKN), filled with glamorous dances and glorious songs, showcasing the eras that have passed since Gaya's birth, presented by Gaya's very own multi-talented trainees and alumnis. Meetings were organised, MOUs signed and performers cast and by early March, the first training was held.

Taking inspiration from one of the motifs in Gaya's original logo , The Phoenix , the concert was officially titled "Flight of the Phoenix", a 'flight' were the audience are 'passengers' and the performance the 'in-flight movie'. I was one of the 40-something crew, and was very excited. I was put together with 13 other performers as part of the 70's and 80's segment, dancing the 'twist' to popular retro songs by the late P. Ramlee, Malaysia's famous actor, singer, director and producer from the era.

Gaya College's first logo

After a couple of training sessions, we were given a rest period starting from late May until the 23rd of June to give way for the semester exam and Eid holidays. Starting from the 24th, we were trained intensively on the real stage, JKKN Sabah Branch's Auditorium. But before you say this story is boring, let me drop the plot twist.

The Surgery

Since February, I have frequented hospitals and clinics for a while. The reason? A lump on my neck that started as one but developed and grew on three separate parts on my neck. After repeated visits and no diagnosis available, the doctors at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), Kota Kinabalu, performed an excision biopsy on my swollen lymph nodes on the 21st of June. I showed up on the first day of extensive training with 5 stitches on my neck, not being able to turn my head. I was quick to wonder, "Should I quit? I can't do this". However, as I looked around in the auditorium, I saw the passion, spirit and energy from my fellow performers that made me not want to ruin their spirit and to persevere. Thank God, my surgery wound recovered in time and on the 28th of June, I removed my stitches at QEH. Little did I know that I would visit the hospital again really soon.

The Blackout

After the day's practice ended, I had another occasion to attend as a member of the campus Student Affairs Committee (JPP), the orientation for Gaya's newest batch of students. That night, the juniors are competing in a dance competition. Two performances in, I started feeling really drowsy and exhausted. On our Chairman's advice, I laid down to rest. I started to get up to leave the hall as the atmosphere heated up and gets noisier. Suddenly, I started breathing really heavily and lost all energy in my body. I blacked out and was sent to QEH's emergency room, where a doctor explained that I hyperventilated, which can happen if someone gets too stressed or hot. I didn't know how long I was out but I regained conciousness at 11 o'clock on the same night. With one more day left to the concert, I was forced to rethink my participation. Unwilling to disappoint anyone, I showed up to practice the next day and boy, did I made a very good decision.

The Stage

7:15pm, 30.06.2018. The doors to the auditorium opened and the first audiences starts entering. By 7:50pm, the VVIPs have all arrived and the concert starts at full swing. Me and my teammates glanced at each other during the opening act and when our cue came, we went on-stage and rocked it. Our segment is only 4 minutes long but by God, those 4 minutes is full of our blood, sweat and tears. The sense of accomplishment that filled my chest when the curtains were drawn? Worth it. Moral of the story? I don't know, because my life story is just about to start.

The crew, boys,left to right, Joel, me (standing), Gerard, Nadzrie, John and Mc Dowell and Russell (unpictured). The girls,left to right, Azyy, Deela, Azlin, Reen(bottom, one of the people who accompanied me when I was rushed to the hospital), Lemok, Amy and Chelsia.

New Sabah Times dated July 1st 2018

Thanks for reading. I am very sorry for the long hiatus. I hope this post makes up for it. Peace! Link for the performance video: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1774499322643669&id=100002508563829