Performing for the King and Queen of Sweden on their Golden Wedding Jubilee is a milestone for the Royal Swedish Orchestra where Bernice is a tutti second violinist.
Held at the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm on June 13, 2026 for King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, it was attended by the royal family as well as local and international dignitaries.
Beaming with pride sharing the historical event over Chinese desserts in Kuala Lumpur on June 16 (2026), the spellbound violinist nevertheless is well aware of her next mission.
“I want to talk about Mendelssohn,” says Bernice of her upcoming concert “Titans & Temptations with The klpac Orchestra in Kuala Lumpur on July 18 and 19, 2026.
The event is in conjunction with the orchestra’s 20th anniversary and Bernice is the violin soloist playing Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64.
Bernice was in the United States to do violin in Indiana University Jacobs School of Music from 2007 to 2010.
She obtained her Master of Music in Violin Performance, Highest Distinction in 2009 and Performer Diploma in Violin Performance in 2010.
Bernice is with the 500-year- old Royal Swedish Orchestra since 2017.
Cellist Elizabeth Tan and concert pianist Lee Jae Phang at the concert titled Postcards from the Silk Road.
By Foong Pek Yee
foongpekyee@gmail.com
First published: July 3, 2026
Updated: Oct 3,2026
Mention the thousands of kilometres of Silk Road conjures images from camels, caravans, horses to the rise and fall of empires and civilisations.
Connecting the East and West, the Silk Road started from China about 2,100 years ago as a trade expedition – the primary commodity was its widely sought after silk textiles.
From Chang’an (now known as Xi’an) in Central China , the route went through Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa before reaching out to Europe like Rome, Istanbul and beyond.
The vast network of trade routes – overland and maritime – were not only defined by goods, like silk, porcelain, paper, spices, teas, precious metals especially gold and silver, but also cultural influences.
On that note, two prominent musicians , cellist Elizabeth Tan and concert pianist Lee Jae Phang staged three concerts in Kuala Lumpur in July and another one in Kulai, Johor in August titled “Postcards from the Silk Road” to celebrate this famous ancient route.
“I look back at our four recitals with great fondness and pride. Beyond the pleasure and privilege of working with Elizabeth, I am especially grateful for the support our audiences gave us. All four performances were sold out, and the audiences were wonderfully receptive and appreciative,” said Lee Jae.
He noted that the lively discussions of ideas during rehearsals, and the process of seeing a piece evolve as they worked on it over weeks and months was particularly enjoyable.
“Postcards from the Silk Road was very much a product of this process.”
Lee jae and Elizabeth.
Lee Jae and Elizabeth at High Note Music Centre, Kulai, Johor.
“The music becomes something that is shaped not only by the composers who wrote it, but also by the musicians who live with it, discuss it, question it and ultimately bring it to the stage.” – Lee Jae.
Republic of Turkiye Embassy’s deputy head of mission Tolga Ucak (center) with Elizabeth and Lee Jae.
Lee Jae with representatives from Goethe- Institut Malaysia.
Lee Jae and Elizabeth with representatives from Kawai Malaysia .
Elizabeth and Lee Jae : rehearsals underway with a clip from ‘Hopa’ , the second movement of Fazil Say’s Four Cities Sonata.
The pieces for “Postcards from the Silk Road” are:
Impromptu for Cello and Piano (1941) , composer Alexander Arutiunian.
Romance of Hsiao and Ch’in (1998), composer Chen Yi
Silk Road Rhapsody (2026) , composer Lee Jae Phang
Persian Folk Songs (2016), composer Reza Vali
In the Style of Albeniz (1959) , composer Rodion Shchedrin
Song of India (1896) , composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
“Four Cities” Sonata(2012) Fazil Say
Elizabeth Tan – Hailing from Kuala Lumpur, Elizabeth has been a familiar face in the Southeast Asian music scene for over two decades.
She began her professional career with the Singapore Symphony , and has served as principal cellist of the Singapore Festival Orchestra.
In 2010 she joined the Malaysian Philharmonic and in 2024 was appointed Assistant Principal Cello.
Elizabeth was part of the historic inaugural cohort at Singapore’s Yong Siew Toh Conservatory , where she graduated with first class honours under Qin Li-Wei and was teaching assistant to his studio.
Lee Jae Phang – a concert pianist and piano pedagogue from Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.
He spent his formative years in the United Kingdom, studying as a specialist pianist at Wells Cathedral School before continuing his education at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, where he graduated with a Master of Music in Performance with Distinction in 2017. That same year he was admitted as a Fellow of the Royal Schools of Music with Distinction .
Lee Jae has performed internationally as a soloist, chamber musician, accompanist, concerto soloist and orchestra pianist, appearing in concerts across the UK, China, Germany, Austria, Italy, Cambodia and Malaysia.
Hope-turns- despair…Cold and confused, a pet dog named Pudding cuts a lone figure at the entrance to its village in Yeonggwang County, South Korea waiting for its family’s return.
By Foong Pek Yee
foongpekyee@gmail.com
Jan 4, 2025
Every approaching vehicle brings Pudding hope that quickly turns despair as they zoomed past with no sight of its loved ones.
But Pudding never give up hope to be with them again.
Just days earlier, Pudding and nine of its family members bade farewell happily before leaving for a holiday in Thailand.
Little did they know that it was their last farewell.
Pudding’s family members were among the 179 people killed in the Jeju Air Flight 2216 that crashed at Muan International Airport, South Korea in the morning of December 29, 2024.
The plane, from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport with 181 on board, 175 passengers plus six crew members, saw two survivors. Both were crew members.
While Pudding is still waiting in vain for their return – the tragedy that unfolded at Muan International Airport, about 50 minutes drive from its village, also South Korea’s worst aviation disaster in the country’s history- sent shock waves across the world.
The head of Pudding’s family is a 79-year-old grandfather.
He, his wife , two daughters, a son-in-law and four grandchildren were among the 179 fatalities .
Where are you…Pudding longing for its family.
On new year’s eve, South Korea’s animal rescue group , Care (Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth ) posted on social media that they have rescued Pudding who is now under their custody until they found a home for him.
According to Care, they have received permission from a family member to rescue Pudding found wandering alone in the open amidst harsh weather conditions.
Care has sent Pudding for health checks at a veterinary hospital in Seoul.
The story of Pudding was reported in The Korea Times on Jan 2, 2025, followed by some media organizations all over the world.
Photos :The Korea Times captured from Care’s Instagram.
Update: Jan 7, 2025
Photos at the memorial : The Korea Times. Credited to Yonhap
A picture is worth a thousand words.
On Sunday (Jan 5, 2025) afternoon, a week after the crash, Pudding pay its last respects to its family members at a joint memorial altar set up in front of Seoul City Hall in Seoul, reported The Korea Times on Jan 6, 2025.
Clad in a blue outfit and with its gaze fixed on the altar, Pudding did not bark even once throughout the service.
Its attention zoomed in on its family’s memorial tablet as head of Care, Kim Young-Hwan, read a eulogy.
The Korea Times report quoting a temporary caretaker from Care said: “At home, Pudding often looks at the front door, seemingly listless. The dog gets excited just hearing the leash, wanting to go outside.”
Beneath the shimmering sunlight, the pretty little thing seemed enjoying itself – gliding gracefully along a shrub lining a busy walkway, oblivious to the surroundings.
But it does speak volumes of the serenity found in a city -something quite rare these days.
This was a scene at The Haven Resort Hotel in Ipoh, Perak, on a recent Saturday morning.
A performance to remember… Video courtesy of The Haven.
Guests were having a good time; some at the pool while others enjoying breakfast at the poolside bar and restaurant.
Best of both worlds…a blend of modernity and nature’s many wonders.
Truly fascinating…a 280 million years old limestone hill named Rockhaven is The Haven’s icon.
Located about 15-minutes-drive from the Ipoh city centre, the multiple local and international award winning resort hotel is an ideal live, work and play community.
The nearest North South Highway toll plaza is about 5 minutes- drive from The Haven
It is about a 2.5 hours-drive from Kuala Lumpur to the resort hotel using the highway.
The Haven is a 20-minutes drive to Ipoh’s Sultan Azlan Shah Airport and a 20-minutes drive to Ipoh Railway Station.
There is a direct flight between Ipoh and Singapore, a one hour 10 minutes nonstop flight.
Ipoh today is known for its good food and historical attractions.
A rich tin mining town since the 19th century, it lost its fortune overnight following the international tin market collapse in the 1980s.
And a trip to the Ipoh old town (it is part of the Ipoh city centre) will provide a glimpse of the good old days in the town literally built on tin.
The buildings are a reflection of the past colonial era and a once prosperous tin mining town.
Beyond the buildings’ rich architectural facade, lies many interesting if not untold stories worth exploring.
Not all is lost though.
Having endured decades of slow development following the world tin crash, Ipoh is poised to ride on the tourism wave.
HE is on his feet all day long – courteous and serving Chinese traditional desserts to customers with a smile.
At 25, Weng Wah believes in the business potential of the desserts.
Upbeat: Weng Wah (left) is proud of his family’s tradition.
He is the fourth generation in his family history selling the desserts; from sweet soups, herbal tea to kuih or kok kwai in the predominantly Cantonese speaking community in Ipoh.
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Auspicious: Hoong Ku -red glutinous rice dumpling in Cantonese is a very popular and sometimes a must have dessert during Chinese festivals.
All time favourite: Yam cake is among the popular desserts in Trishaw Dessert Stall.
Weng Wah says his maternal great grandfather ( tai kung ) and maternal grandfather (kung kung) sold desserts for a living.
It is desserts on wheels, he says of his ancestors who peddled food on a bicycle in the old days.
This perhaps had inspired Weng Wah’s parents to name their eatery – Trishaw Dessert Stall- which they opened in 2008.
Trishaw is a three-wheeled vehicle used to carry passengers in the old days.
Pedal power: Tricycle is a three-wheeled vehicle used to transport goods in the old days. This is a deco in Trishaw Dessert Stall.
The eatery, along Jalan Merlin off Jalan Pasir Puteh, Ipoh, has a relaxed ambience and is visibly popular among the young and old alike.
The weather may be hot and humid last Saturday afternoon (July 8, 2023) but it is no deterrent for customers to enjoy their desserts with just ceiling fans over their heads.
Perhaps this also reminds them of the good old days where fans was a luxury item then.
Like his ancestors, Weng Wah says hard work and long hours remain an integral part of the business.
The eatery opens between 10.30am and 5.00pm daily from Monday to Saturday.
A typical working day sees his mother, Ah B, slogging away in the kitchen by 7.30am and he joins her an hour later.
Each of them easily chalked up at least 10 hours of work daily.
The destination: This is the place in Sitiawan in Sept 1903 where 363 Foochows from China landed after surviving the perils of sea and a cholera outbreak.
THE year was 1903 in Malaya, against a backdrop of erratic weather conditions and plunging rice yields.
And a rice growing community in Foochow, China, became the colonial government’s target- recruit them for a rice growing project in Sitiawan, Perak.
The Methodist Episcopal Mission (MEM) was tasked to bring in the Foochows, and Rev Ling Ching Mi and Rev HLE Dr Luering went to China for the mission.
And in Sept 1903, 363 Foochows landed in Sitiawan – the pioneer batch of Foochow settlers.
But the rice growing project never took off.
The land and facilities like irrigation and drainage for the project as promised to them were not there.
They were instead made to trek about six kilometers into the jungle where they stayed in seven longhouses for the next six months.
While Rev Dr Luering was stationed in Ipoh about 80 km away from Sitiawan, Rev Ling Ching Mi also got a transfer back to China in Dec 1903.
Ling Ching Mi got his nephew Ling Ti Kong to take care of the settlers.
And Ling Ti Kong also roped in Ding Chin Seng (husband of his father’s sister) to help him.
Ling Ching Mi, Ling Ti Kong and Ding Chin Seng were Foochows.
By Jan 1904, the Foochows had set up a day school under an attap shed with 22 pupils and a Foochow speaking teacher Ling Ding Jug for an eight hour class daily including an hour long break.
This is true to the Chinese who subscribe to: ” Education for and the wellbeing of the children must never be compromised due to poverty.
The shed also doubled as a church on Sundays.
By early 1904 each family was given a three-acre- plot for them to build their own house and reared pigs, poultry and plant vegetables and fruits for a living.
The Foochows also went into rubber planting not long after.
Forever grateful: Ling Leong Choong, 62, says this was one of the three wells that fed the villagers for decades until piped water came to Sitiawan in the 1970s. The wells are in the compound of the house for Pioneer Methodist Church pastors or “Muk Su Lao” in Chinese.
Showcase: Set up in 2003, Sitiawan Settlement Museum was formerly the ” Muk Su Lao”along Jalan Lin Chen Mei in Sitiawan. It provides a glimpse of life in Sitiawan in the good old days and the missionary work in then Malaya.
One-stop-centre: The” Muk Su Lao” was the place for the Chinese to go for help in the old days.
Great job: Shih Toong Siong who wrote the book “The Foochows of Sitiawan ” is a Foochow born and educated
in Sitiawan.
Hall of Fame: Some of the prominent figures in Malaysia and Singapore who are descendants of the Foochows in Sitiawan and documented in the book – The Foochows of Sitiawan.
While the Sitiawan Settlement Museum gives a glimpse of history, the book ” The Foochows of Sitiawan” by Shih Toong Siong is most enlightening.
Rev B.F. Van Dyke who became the first resident missionary in Sitiawan together with Ling Ti Kong and Ding Chin Seng were credited for building a church costing $900( to replace the attap shed) and an orphanage in Sitiawan in 1905
Rev Van Dyke – an American of Dutch origin- was a missionary school teacher from the Anglo Chinese School, Singapore in 1900 before his posting to Sitiawan in March 1904.
Unfortunately Rev Ding Chin Seng passed away in 1906. He was 41.
Ours is 289: Ling Leong Choong who was born and bred in Sitiawan says the rubber tappers had labels engraved on to the latex sheets to prove ownership. And 289 was the label for his family, pointing to the samples on the wall.
Way of life: Bicycle was the most common and only mode of transport for the poor in the old days. The equipment used by rubber tappers are among items displayed at the Sitiawan Settlement Museum.
Simple lifestyle: A typical kitchen of the Foochows in the old days.
With their farming background, the settlers were also among the first to go into rubber planting in 1905.
And that perhaps is also one of the reasons for many Foochow oil palm smallholders in Sitiawan today.
This pioneer batch of Foochows may be small in numbers but they definitely had earned an important place in history.
Bringing hope : Another RM1.063 mil for a hospital for the people (from left); Dr Chuah, Dr Sak, Dr Ting, Prof Ewe, Dr Ling, Datuk Seri Yap, Chor, Lim and Lee. Sept 25, 2022.
The weather was fine and there was an air of festivity all over the place.
Some 100 plus golfers who gathered at the Sungai Long Golf and Country Club in Kajang, Selangor last Saturday (Sept 24) were there for a good cause. .
The event-Charity Golf Meet- has scored a big goal – raised RM1.063mil for UTAR Hospital, a not -for-profit hospital in Kampar, Perak.
“We appreciate all of you coming together to enjoy a game of golf over a good cause for UTAR Hospital,” says Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik who is Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Chancellor.
“Most golfers would agree that the friendship and bond built on a golf course are meaningful and elevating,” says Dr Ling who was MCA president and Transport Minister for about 17 years, and he is well known to have taken part in many golf tournaments to raise funds for education; including funds to expand Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TARC)in the 1990s and the building of UTAR since the early 2000s to provide quality and affordable tertiary education for the people.
UTAR turns 20 this year.
All smiles: (from left), Lim, Chor, Lee and other golfers at the charity golf meet in Sungai Long Golf and Country Club, Kajang on Saturday, Sept 24.
Describing the event as meaningful, UTAR council member Tan Sri Chor Chee Heung says it brings together diverse groups of people who value acts of charity.
Also the event’s organising committee chairman, Chor notes that UTAR Hospital will benefit Malaysia’s multiracial community especially the less fortunate by providing very affordable medical care.
He thanked the golfers for their support, and also all who contributed to the donations; from friends, partners, donors to sponsors, including Datuk Seri Ir Yap Chong Lee who through his Sungai Long Golf and Country Club, sponsored the golf course for the golf play and the breakfast and lunch for the golfers and guests for the event.
Also present were UTAR council chairman Tan Sri Dr Ting Chew Peh, UTAR Education Foundation Board of Trustees chairman Tan Sri Dr Sak Cheng Lum, UTAR council members Datuk Lim Si Cheng and Datuk Lee Leck Cheng, UTAR president Datuk Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat and UTAR Hospital board chairman Tan Sri Dr Chuah Hean Teik .
Chor commended Lim and Lee for their months of effort and hard work from day one to help make the event a success.
Prof Ewe in thanking the golfers, donors and sponsors, says their spirit of giving back in support of charity is truly heart-warming.
He says the hospital is a hospital for the community, and the funds raised will help in its development and makes affordable specialist medical treatment more accessible to those in need.
The 350-bed UTAR Hospital comprises 250 beds for Western Medicine and 100 beds for traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM).
The T& CM section has started operations early this year and the Western Medicine section is expected to open next year.
The RM330mil UTAR Hospital is also a teaching hospital under UTAR , a not-for-profit private university which turns 20 this year.
But the crowd in Golden Kimwah Restaurant in Damansara Kim, Petaling Jaya yesterday was very good.
Apart from the good food in this popular neighbourhood eatery, the patrons were there for a noble cause -raise funds for Utar Hospital, a not -for- profit hospital in Kampar, Perak.
The event, organised by Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) council and with the support of the restaurant, raised RM56,936. 80 from 7.30am to 3.30pm yesterday.
The donors include Ezon Bhd group chief executive officer Ikaxa Tan, Ir Ling Leong Choong from Sitiawan, Perak and Datuk Peter Ng from Kajang, Selangor.
Highlight: Dr Ling frying char kuay teow. Looking on are (from right), Dr Ting, Ezon Bhd group chief executive officer Ikaxa Tan and Utar council member Datuk Lim Si Cheng, also the event organising chairman.
Big support : Ikaxa Tan handing over a cheque to Dr Ling.
Good deeds: Dr Ling (seated) receiving a cheque from Ir Ling Leong Choong. Looking on are Dr Ting (second from right) and Utar council member Tan Sri Chor Chee Heung (behind Dr Ling).
Council chairman Tan Sri Dr Ting Chew Peh expressed his gratitude to the people for their support.
And he used the Chinese saying – to save a life is better than to build a seven – level pagoda- to underscore the importance of their support.
A mission: To help build Utar Hospital for the people (from left); Dr Ting, Datuk Peter Ng, Ir Ling Leong Choong, Utar official Fook Oi Yee and Wong Jung Lik.
Earlier, Utar chancellor Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik fried a plate of char kuay teow to kickstart the event.
Utar Hospital is a 350-bed hospital for Western medicine (250 beds) and Traditional and Complementary Medicine (TCM) (100 beds).
The hospital, costing RM330mil, is expected to be fully operational next year.
The TCM section has started operations early this year.
Hundreds of villagers including many who returned from outstation celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival in Changkat Kruing New Village last week.
The two-day event kicked off with a lantern parade on Sept 8, followed by dinner the next day.
Chinese celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival on the 15th day of the eighth month in the lunar calendar with family and community gatherings, praying for everything good.
Organised by the village’s Clean and Beautification Committee, the villagers were overjoyed to learn the movement control order (MCO) for big events has been lifted and that they can celebrate the festival as a village, says committee chairman Ching Sia Tiong, 68,
He says they were unable to do so in the last two years due to the MCO.
“The village is full of excitement since a month ago when villagers started the preparations; from making lanterns, preparing food to getting family members from outstation to return for the celebration ,” says Ching.
Taking centre stage: Big lanterns on the 12 Chinese zodiac.
No small feat: Coming up with lanterns on the 12 Chinese zodiac takes much creativity, time and patience.
Utilising their creativity, talents, skills and resources, and working together to make the event a success, Ching says this has always been the villagers’ strength in all other events in the village.
All is good : Ching Sia Tiong (right) and his wife Ong Cheng Eng .
Unity is strength : Villagers preparing some food ahead of the celebration.
Full force : Villagers all out to make the celebration a success.
Finishing touch: Getting ready the food and lanterns.
Environmentally friendly: Empty cans are turned into brightly coloured lanterns.
Lanterns on wheels: A very old type of lanterns using empty cans.
HAPPILY he hopped on to a bus to go home, only to realise that his schoolbag was missing.
The teenager dashed back to the stall where he had his favourite Indian rojak earlier.
And his schoolbag was there, recalls Jerry Ng, 69, who was born and bred in Kuala Lumpur.
A walk down memory lane: (front row from left) Jerry Ng, his wife Jeanie Yap, Maggie Yap (Jeanie’s sister) and Eugene (Jerry’s son); and Don Lim (Maggie’s husband) in Petaling Street.
Don Lim, in his early 70s, remembers the taste of his favourite beef noodle soup at the Lai Foong Coffeeshop in Petaling Street.
Growing up in Pudu which is nearby Petaling Street, he was a regular at the coffeeshop.
Really good: (from left), Don, Maggie, Jeanie and Eugene enjoying their lunch at Lai Foong Coffeeshop.
And last Thursday , Jerry and Don got to enjoy their favourite food in Petaling Street.
They and their family returned from Australia for a holiday recently.
Local delights: Fruit stalls are popular in Petaling Street.
Buying experience: Visitors enjoy browsing and bargain hunting
Once the pulse of Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Street used to be the landmark and meeting place with Puduraya – a station for outstation buses- just a stone’s throw away.
And Petaling Street was the place to have a cheap and nice meal like street food, and do some shopping for traditional Chinese snacks.
The place was simply vibrant all day long.
And those were the good old days .
Retro: A traditional Chinese sundry shop specialising on dried food stuffs for Chinese cooking.
In the mood for celebration: Traditional lanterns on sale in the run up to the Mid – Autumn Festival on the 15th day of the eighth month in the lunar calendar ( September 10 this year).
Today Petaling Street is still an attraction during Chinese festive seasons like Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival.
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