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15 February 2006
Makcik's scream is tops
The New Paper
By Sheela Narayanan
Grandma steals show by out-screaming other fans to win Most Fantastic Fan award at Suria's Pesta Pesta Pesta
MADAM Mariam Osman is not a star. The makcik (aunty, in Malay) describes herself as 'just a housewife from Telok Blangah'.
MADAM Mariam Osman is not a star. The makcik (aunty, in Malay) describes herself as 'just a housewife from Telok Blangah'.
But last Friday, the 63-year-old grandma stole the show from the likes of Singapore Idol Taufik Batisah and Najip Ali at Suria's new awards show Pesta Pesta Pesta.
She was picked out of three hopefuls to win the Most Fantastic Fan award by Suria's artistes at the wacky awards show held at the MediaCorp television theatre.
Madam Mariam out-screamed them with her enthusiasm. She further endeared herself to the raucous crowd by getting up on stage and dancing with the Suria artistes.
She later told The New Paper in Malay: 'I was very surprised to be picked... When they told me to clap and scream, I did.'
Pesta Pesta Pesta is a first for Suria, which took a leaf from the MTV Movie Awards and turned this awards into a let-your-hair-down-and-party show.
With award categories like Most Melodramatic Crybaby and the Most Happening Hair, Pesta Pesta
Pesta was not going to be ataid affair.
The two-hour show, which 'honoured' programmes screened from 2003 to last year, was dedicated to Suria's loyal viewers.
From what Suria staff told The New Paper, Madam Mariam is as loyal a fan as they get. Said senior manager Mohammed Shabirin: 'We see her at every one of our events, whether it is a road show or an awards ceremony.'
Madam Mariam, a mother of two, cheerfully agreed when The New Paper asked her about it. 'I have nothing else to do. All my children are grown up. Where there is a Suria show, I am there with my friends. It's fun.'
The man behind the wacky show was Najip Ali, who was the show's creative director. He, by the way, won the Most Happening Hair award.
The New Paper spoke to the 40-year-old host, who said that it was a chance to do something different for the Suria audience.
'The Malay community is very loyal... I wanted to give them an awards show that was different as a thank-you. Without them, there would be no Suria artiste,' he said.
All the winners were voted by viewers either by SMS or on Suria's website. The trophy was a gold-coloured remote control in a Perspex case.
Suria's vice-president, Mr Fahmi Rais, echoed Najip's comments. He said: 'This awards show comes on the heels of our new mission, which is to do things differently.'
He said that Pesta Pesta Pesta is an addition to the channel's awards roster and not a replacement of its Pesta Perdana, which honours the best from the station.
'Pesta Pesta Pesta is not a serious competition... It's an opportunity for everyone to let their hair down,' he said.
And let their hair down they did. At one point, the show looked like an exercise in racial harmony with
Patricia Mok and Kumar presenting awards, and Suhaimi Yusof doing a funny take on Chinese opera.
Suhaimi said that it took him three rehearsals to get the opera moves down pat.
He added: 'I had a trainer from China who couldn't speak English. I had a translator. But on the days when he wasn't available, I... (blindly did) the movements.'
Ms Mariana Amin, a 27-year-old human resource assistant, thought the concept was refreshing. 'It was good to see Singaporean artistes make fun of themselves,' she said.
AND THE WINNERS ARE...
Most Melodramatic CrybabySeri Wahyuni Jaes for Hanyut (Telemovie)
Most Terrifying AngerJainon Pari for Rahsia Perkahwinan (Secrets Of Marriage)
Most Manja (Malay for pampered)Norfasarie for 2 x 5 Dol
Most Compatible On-Screen PairSuhaila Salam & Aaron Aziz for Cinta Bollywood
The Show That Is So OverDn A
Most Happening HairdoNajip Ali for 80an Gerek
Most Spirited SingerKhairil Mohd Yusof
Most Cool VeteranRahimah Rahim
Best Selling ArtisteTaufik Batisah
Up-Coming Icon Khairul Anuar
