28
Jul 2001 -
I was on ICQ, chatting up a senior over in the States, and he messaged me
that Faye was coming down to Singapore on the 31st, to promote her new Japanese
serial, Love From a Lie (or more commonly known as Usokoi) at Far East Square!
I was flabbergasted - having not kept in the loop regarding Faye-related activities
for the past two years; finally, here comes a chance to see her 'live' in
Singapore again.
3 years ago, during her 99 Concert in Singapore, I had bought a 100-300mm telephoto lens for my trusty Canon EOS in hope of photographing her in concert, but alas, my camera was "confiscated" on the day, as photography was not allowed. Now, with the news that Faye was coming down to Singapore again in 3 days time, I finally revelled in the chance to utilise the telephoto lens again.
My senior fowarded me the email from the Singapore Fayenatics group and emailed Mingyi, the organiser for the welcome party from the Fayenatics, that I would be going... brought out my camera and lens from the cupboard and dusted away the layer of dust accumulated...
30 Jul 2001 - went home late, checked my e-mail and found out that the Fayenatics had e-mailed those going the flight details and time to meet. SQ001 from Hong Kong, 11.30 am arrival time...
31 Jul 2001 - I reached Changi Airport T1 at around 11 am, bought a pack of Kodak Max 400 film, loaded and readied my EOS, and took the Skytrain to Terminal 2 to meet the Fayenatics. Upon reaching Belt 33, where Faye was supposed to come out from, there were several Channel U staff (media covering the event) and Fayenatics waiting already. Met up with Mackey and Weiliang, and chatted about her previous concert and other Faye stuff, and it was 11.30am! The plane with Faye in it landed characteristically late at around 11.43am and it was a mad rush for the best spots to catch a glimpse of our favourite star when she emerged from the baggage claims area. A few anxious moments later, someone cried out, "look! she's the one wearing the red pants!" and all eyes turned, cameras clicked, and flashes flashed. Wearing a bright red pants and her dark glasses, there she was, the diva...
Faye at the baggage claims area at Changi International Airport Terminal
2
Faye walking towards the Arrival Hall exit.
Upon her exit to the waiting area, the crowds swarm towards her. I was caught up in the human flow as well, and was actually right in front of her at one glorious moment, but my fingers froze at that moment, poised over the shutter button, but never actually depressing it; and I was swept away again by the crowd...
Faye being escorted to her black, tinted-glass Mercedes awaiting outside
the terminal.
It was a whirlwind rush to her black, tinted-glass Mercedes waiting outside. Again I was jostling with the crowds and the official media photographers for the best spots to capture her on film, and at another glorious moment, I was right in front of her window, with my lens ready, but alas again! I lament my slow fingers and the wasted chance. Ahh...if only I had used the more touch-responsive Nikons...
Mackey, Weiliang and myself then shared a cab to Far East Square near Raffles Place where the promotional event was being held. At Far East Square itself, a small stage with white top had been errected and the area enclosed by ugly yellow crowd control barriers. As we had arrived relatively early (the event was due to start at 1.30pm), we settled ourselves in a nice spot on the left of the stage. Unfortunately due to the poor design of the entire set-up, more and more people began crowding there, and eventually blocked the passageway, prompting security to chase everyone to the rear. But we persisted and stood our ground, hehe..
The winds were not with us however, as the skies grew overcast and droplets began to fall from the sky. While the people directly in front of the stage were sheltered by the roof of Far East Square building itself, those standing at the side, including Weiliang and myself, were not so fortunate. The rains grew heavier and for fear of getting my camera damaged, I decided to retreat to the sheltered zones where Mackey was already waiting. While I was not as close to the stage as before, it would suffice...
Faye's promotional poster for her Japanese serial, Love from a Lie.
Faye came fashionably late at 2.15pm; the sun had come out and it was bright and cheery again, in stark contrast to the gloomy and threatening weather just half an hour ago. Guo Liang hosted the event, which was a press conference to promote her Japanese drama serial, Love From a Lie, or Usokoi, which it is more commonly known. There was a section where several Fayenatics dressed up as kawaii characters and received signed autographs from Faye herself, and later it was the question and answer session for the press and media reporters. The event drew quickly to a close at 2.45pm and Faye was whisked off back to her hotel...
The host, Guo Liang, and Faye, waving to her fans..
Laughing in response...=)
Faye answering press questions..
The Fayenatics who dressed up as the characters in the show!
Expressing surprise and delight at her birthday cake...
Technical
notes: all images captured on Kodak Max 400 negative film
using Canon EOS 888, with 100-300mm F4.5/5.6 EF lens, copyright Ho
Wen Yao.