Every single life lost was lamentable; five very fine ones lost at the same time was just unspeakably sad.
Since some of my friends are Singaporeans, when this news broke I naturally took a keen interest just like any other. When I had a look at the list of names in the evening after a full-day of weekend activities, I was shocked to see a familiar name amongst them. Immediately I rang up my S.O. in Singapore and confirmed that the name that cropped up was indeed the name I read about earlier.
I do not know Reuben, and - like many have now said in the blogsphere - regret not having the chance to. Therefore I cannot hold on to claims that he is nice/friendly/brotherly etc. But I chanced upon one of his piano soli in Youtube a few months ago when fellow bloggers posted the link. Out of interest I clicked and was amazed at his self-taught skills on the keyboard. Being mainly a classical pianist I do not share the joy he has in making game music, but it had been soothing and relaxing to listen to the songs that he composed/arranged/performed. Music is such magic: it can bond strangers together in mysterious ways.
The one thing that I am truly in awe, is the passion he has in music (and, of course, other things as well like dragonboating, but I do not qualify speaking in such capacities). Musicianship is definitely not the smooth easy road one can pursue as a career. Observing from my numerous (professional) musician friends, the success of one's composition and album depends on a complex array of factors: the production team, the advertising, the marketing, the networking, one's popularity, the 'catching-on' in front of the audience, competitors, foes... and then there is the composer's own skills on music arrangements, countless hours of tweaking with the mixer, styling, adding this and that for that perfect effect, etc etc. And then there is, of course, the composing.
He mentioned in his blog about pursuing this dream of his, and needless to say it is easier said than done. I am sure a lot more sweat and effort was put in than what he wrote, but the amazing thing is, it appeared that he was doing it (together with many other things) rather well. His compositions have brought out excitement, joy, the spirit of (in-game) fighting. All together it was a delight to just listen to the music, with the added dimension when actually seeing him perform the music in Youtube (which, until now, I have shyly avoided). I can see from the videos he was truly committed to what he was doing, and his talent in making them work was of course precious, to say the least.
The other thing that has caught me (sadly, one that is after the tragedy), is the effect he has brought to his friends, and even strangers afar (like me). In the hundreds (if not thousands by next week) of replies in his Friendster/Facebook group, a lot of people had identified how Reuben had changed their lives. "I joined dragonboating/got into MUGEN/got into the music business because of him". The way he had positively lifted friends and strangers alike into doing things they have not done before was truly amazing.
In his blog that has regrettably been only kept for four months before its final entry, this positivity is in ample supply:
"No matter the odds, no matter how strong the opposing team. Even if we don't win, I'd give my all in the hope of overcoming the odds." - Nov 15
"There are dreams that may seem good but are only worth a short while, and there are dreams that you know you will have no regrets living for the rest of your life. " - Nov 6
"I probably wouldn't have fought so hard to break out of [the conventional path of life]. To forge my own path. But the things I've lost along the way still haunt me to this very day. Whatever happened to do good old days, that never existed. But will eventually come." - Oct 26
"Being at the top of a competitive environment can be all you hope for sometimes. It can be all you think about and train for. But ultimately life goes on. You can't be there forever and what shallow satisfaction you get for being up there at that time wanes when you realize that you have to move on to the next "phase."... Only when you push against the power will you find the energy required to breakthrough things you never imagined possible." - Oct 20
It was spirit-lifting upon reading these entries. Being rather introvert as I am, I had not the opportunity to participate in any highly competitive team sport, but from what I read, I am sure he could have been, and would be, a very good mentor in his own right.
His departure from this world is a big loss to family members, friends, fans and the game music industry. But when our tears become dry and we start to view it on another light, he has also brought us many positive things by virtue of his short but very accomplished life, to:
* Live one's life to the fullest with no regrets;
* Pursue one's dreams no matter what the obstacles are;
* Have passion in what one does;
* Be a leader, mentor and an inspiration to those around him.
and, most importantly:
* Treasure and love your friends and family while one still can.
On these, his family will be proud of him. His friends will be proud of him. And he would have been proud of himself. The legend will go on and will spread to all that are touched by him, physically and spiritually.
Reuben, I am grateful to have been blessed by your stories and learnt what you have done in your life. May you rest peacefully in heaven.
