Saturday, January 24, 2009

Opening Ceremony of River HongBao@ Floating Platform

I met Wilfrid, the secretary of Association of Bloggers (Singapore), to brief him on our assignment tonight. We arrived at the Floating Platform and went to collect our media passes. Both of us couldn't help taking a photo of this significant moment.


We standby at the entrance arch to welcome Guest-of-Honour Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Mr Wong Kan Seng. I was surprised to see Acting Minister for Manpower Mr Gan Kim Yong in the VIP group. Prominent businessmen, Mr Wee Cho Yaw (UOB Chairman) and Mr Chua Tian Poh (Chairman & CEO Ho Bee Group) were also present.


Guest-of-Honour DPM and Minister for Home Affairs Mr Wong Kan Seng and VIPs fired firecrackers declaring opening of River HongBao 2009. Many leaders came with their families to visit River HongBao 2009.

watching firecrackers from a safe distance

Performers from Hubei Art College and Nanjing Acrobatic Troupe put up acrobatic performances and an amazing ballet. They were so good, I applause until my hands ached. The girls are very good looking. You must come watch them perform.


We followed the VIPs to tour River HongBao. Wilfrid had to run ahead of the VIPs and jostle with photographers from the mainstream media for photos. This is really fun for both of us.


We were treated to a sumptious array of dimsum after the event. We had a chance to chat and take photos with the friendly VIPs. What a night!

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41 comments:

  1. AnonymousSunday, January 25, 2009 at 3:41:00 AM GMT+8

    Hi, just sent the photos over to you. Enjoy and pick the ones you want!

    Lovely event. Very rewarding experience. The running and dashing was sort of hectic but well worth it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. oceanskies79Sunday, January 25, 2009 at 5:31:00 AM GMT+8

    It seems like you and Wilfrid have had a fulfilling experience doing a coverage of the event.

    Looks like quite a crowd waiting to see the God of Fortune statue!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousSunday, January 25, 2009 at 5:54:00 AM GMT+8

    I envy you this possibility, it really looks excitings...and the dim sum!! My favorite!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Feisty CroneSunday, January 25, 2009 at 10:33:00 AM GMT+8

    This sounds really exciting. And delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  5. eastcoastlifeSunday, January 25, 2009 at 10:35:00 AM GMT+8

    Wilfrid,
    haha.... I was waiting for the photos until I fell asleep....

    Thank you. Very beautiful. Now trying to put them up.

    ReplyDelete
  6. eastcoastlifeSunday, January 25, 2009 at 10:37:00 AM GMT+8

    oceanskies,
    Yes, Wilfrid and I were running round the whole River Hongbao covering the event.

    Wilfrid was sweating profusing lugging his camera equipment along. We took more than 800 shots!! He went through the photos until 3 plus this morning.

    This is such a memorable occasion for both of us. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. eastcoastlifeSunday, January 25, 2009 at 10:39:00 AM GMT+8

    Diane CA,
    Yes, it's the opportunity of a lifetime for a nobody blogger.

    The dimsum from this caterer are special and unique. The chef won many awards for her creations.

    I have fun.

    ReplyDelete
  8. eastcoastlifeSunday, January 25, 2009 at 10:40:00 AM GMT+8

    Gran,
    Yes, it was exciting and interesting for me. Meeting all the people behind the scenes and understanding more of what goes on behind it. Eye-opener.

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousSunday, January 25, 2009 at 11:07:00 AM GMT+8

    it's fantastic that bloggers in Singapore are already recognized as legitimate members of the broadcast media =] kudos to your team for this achievement =]

    and may this be a symbol of the best that is to come in the new year =]

    happy new year!

    ReplyDelete
  10. MariucaSunday, January 25, 2009 at 1:15:00 PM GMT+8

    WOW ECL, this is all so cool. Glad to hear the VIPs were friendly! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. MariucaSunday, January 25, 2009 at 1:16:00 PM GMT+8

    Speaking of dim sum, I am craving for some now after seeing ur post. I used to have the best dim sum in Bangsar, but the place closed down oredi, still searching for the best ones. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  12. MariucaSunday, January 25, 2009 at 1:16:00 PM GMT+8

    Also wanna thank you for voting for Mariuca YAY! Thanks so much and enjoy ur holiday okay? Love and hugs! :):):)

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousSunday, January 25, 2009 at 2:05:00 PM GMT+8

    sounds like an awesome opportunity and great night! :) its always nice to attend events like these.

    ReplyDelete
  14. escapeSunday, January 25, 2009 at 2:20:00 PM GMT+8

    wow! i very much like the 4th photo.

    ReplyDelete
  15. foongpcSunday, January 25, 2009 at 4:01:00 PM GMT+8

    Wow! Rubbing shoulders with VIPs and delicious dim sum! Must be a fantastic night! Have a Happy & Prosperous CNY! : )

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousSunday, January 25, 2009 at 5:29:00 PM GMT+8

    I wish you a Happy 牛 year!

    牛年快乐，身体健康，万事如意！

    ReplyDelete
  17. GagayMDSunday, January 25, 2009 at 5:36:00 PM GMT+8

    solar eclipse this monday! looking forward to it..happy sunday!

    gagay

    ReplyDelete
  18. oceanskies79Sunday, January 25, 2009 at 6:48:00 PM GMT+8

    Waiting for Wilfrid's photos. Honestly, he is good enough to be a professional photographer. :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. eastcoastlifeSunday, January 25, 2009 at 8:09:00 PM GMT+8

    ian,
    Thank you.
    More good news in the New Year!!
    Have a great year of the OX!

    ReplyDelete
  20. eastcoastlifeSunday, January 25, 2009 at 8:10:00 PM GMT+8

    Mariuca,
    Yes, the VIPs were friendly and willingly pose for photos. :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. eastcoastlifeSunday, January 25, 2009 at 8:11:00 PM GMT+8

    Poor Mariuca,
    Craving for good dimsum. Hope you can find the best dimsum in Bangsar.

    Any one from Malaysia who can help? :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. eastcoastlifeSunday, January 25, 2009 at 8:11:00 PM GMT+8

    Mariuca,
    You're welcome.
    Good luck in the contest.

    ReplyDelete
  23. eastcoastlifeSunday, January 25, 2009 at 8:12:00 PM GMT+8

    ehon!
    My dear boy!
    Happy Chinese New Year!
    Working or still studying?

    ReplyDelete
  24. eastcoastlifeSunday, January 25, 2009 at 8:13:00 PM GMT+8

    the Dong,
    Very well taken eh. That's from my buddy Wilfrid.

    ReplyDelete
  25. eastcoastlifeSunday, January 25, 2009 at 8:15:00 PM GMT+8

    foongpc,
    The VIPs are rubbing shoulders with me. hahaha.....

    Just a happy event and everyone got together to celebrate. Everyone's friendly to one another.

    ReplyDelete
  26. eastcoastlifeSunday, January 25, 2009 at 8:16:00 PM GMT+8

    Renny!
    谢谢你！
    新年快乐！
    Have a great year of the OX!

    ReplyDelete
  27. eastcoastlifeSunday, January 25, 2009 at 8:17:00 PM GMT+8

    gagay,
    Thanks for reminding me.
    Happy Sunday!

    ReplyDelete
  28. eastcoastlifeSunday, January 25, 2009 at 8:19:00 PM GMT+8

    oceanskies,
    His photos are stunning, right?
    He took 800+ photos and spent the whole night going through them.

    He sent some over and they looked so awesome! I have to put some up when I have time.... also need to send them to the VIPs. :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Jean-Luc PicardMonday, January 26, 2009 at 1:47:00 AM GMT+8

    What a colourful set of pictures. Good pic of you.

    ReplyDelete
  30. CarverMonday, January 26, 2009 at 3:44:00 AM GMT+8

    Looks like a great time and your photographs are so colorful and well done. I also like your photographs from the floating platform in the prior post.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Awake In RochesterMonday, January 26, 2009 at 7:10:00 AM GMT+8

    Congratulations! It looks like the Association of Bloggers (Singapore) is doing very well. And so many V.I.P.s!

    Acrobatic performances can be so much fun to watch.

    ReplyDelete
  32. AVCr8teurMonday, January 26, 2009 at 7:42:00 AM GMT+8

    Looked like a fun event and top it off with dim sum! Happy Lunar New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  33. LadyJavaMonday, January 26, 2009 at 5:53:00 PM GMT+8

    Happy Niu Year dearie!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. AnonymousMonday, January 26, 2009 at 6:37:00 PM GMT+8

    ECL,

    I was there but didn't bumped into you. You were busy running around I guess... :) It was really nice..will post about it soon.

    Hubby and I were busy with packing up some of our stuff for our move- I'll just look at your photos on the CNY countdown.

    Have a good week and Happy Lunar New Year to you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
  35. eastcoastlifeMonday, January 26, 2009 at 10:17:00 PM GMT+8

    Captain Picard,
    Thank you. I think the photo was well taken too. :)
    One of the happy moments in my life. No regrets.

    ReplyDelete
  36. eastcoastlifeMonday, January 26, 2009 at 10:18:00 PM GMT+8

    Thank you Carver,
    Considering the camera was giving me much problems. I got myself a new camera the next day. :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. eastcoastlifeMonday, January 26, 2009 at 10:20:00 PM GMT+8

    Hi Awake,
    Long time no see!

    We are ironing out some problems in Association of Bloggers (Singapore). Advice and help is coming in, thanks to all of them.

    ReplyDelete
  38. eastcoastlifeMonday, January 26, 2009 at 10:22:00 PM GMT+8

    Thank you, AVCr8teur.
    It was great fun! The dimsum was a nice reward. haha....

    ReplyDelete
  39. eastcoastlifeMonday, January 26, 2009 at 10:22:00 PM GMT+8

    LadyJava,
    Thank you.
    Where are you? Back here?

    ReplyDelete
  40. eastcoastlifeMonday, January 26, 2009 at 10:24:00 PM GMT+8

    Jade,
    Ohhhh. Yes, I was running around. I'm all over. I did manage to meet some friends and two bloggers.

    Moving after CNY? Invite me for your house warming. :)

    ReplyDelete
  41. Heart of RachelMonday, January 26, 2009 at 11:41:00 PM GMT+8

    That's a wonderful opportunity and great experience.

    ReplyDelete

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