2018 “Music & Laughter” - Post Event Article by From Emily To You

The PSPA Singers, led by choir leader Marianne Poh opens the Music & Laughter concert

It was indeed an afternoon of music and laughter when three Perak Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) collaborated with a choir from Selangor to bring more meaning to the event which was in support of the One Million Stars to End Violence project.

Perak Society of Performance Arts (PSPA) president, Datin Rosalina Ooi-Thong in her opening speech

The Perak Society of Performing Arts (PSPA), Perak Women for Women (PWW), and Soroptimist International Ipoh (SI) invited The Philharmonic Society of Selangor (The Phil) to join hands and voices to create an awareness for the One Million Stars to End Violence project.

Maryann Talia Pau, founder of One Million Stars to End Violence Project

One Million Stars to End Violence was founded by Maryann Talia Pau, an artist and weaver from Samoa who started the project single-handedly in 2012, as a personal response to a local tragedy. Through star weaving, she found a way to bring people together to support one another.

YB Wong Kah Woh, Member of Parliament for Ipoh Timur

Maryann’s project soon caught the attention of communities around the world, and with collective effort, the project achieved a million stars weaved in 2017.

Emcee of the day, Malika Oates

In Malaysia, or specifically in Ipoh, the Perak Women for Women (PWW) Society is spearheading the project. It is not merely an act of creating stars that have gained the support of the public, but a symbol of commitment to end violence, irrespective of background, gender, race, religion, etc. As an undertaking that connects communities and to create safe spaces for everyone, PWW also hopes to reach its own one million weaved stars.

Cheryl Teh, Chairperson, The Philharmonic Society of Selangor

Maryann graced the meaningful occasion, Music & Laughter, along with guests-of-honour Y.B. Wong Kah Woh (Member of Parliament Ipoh Timur) and Y.B. Jenny Choy (Canning State Assembly person).

The Philharmonic Society of Selangor in concert