The skit rehearsed by Tzu Chings of Singapore is a story about a boy who gained the realisation that all lives are equal from his nightmare. (Photo by Gan Ming De)
“Earth-Shattering Disasters Require World-Awakening Realizations.”
Since the invisible enemy shattered the world, people are now more aware of the importance of environmental protection and vegetarianism.
From March to September 2021, a total of 20 Tzu Chings JPOS1 Tzu Chi Collegiate Youth Association (Tzu Ching), of which comprised of 12 newcomers, held their second Sign Language programme called “Skit, Sign, Save the Earth” at Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre (HYC) in hopes of raising awareness for vegetarianism and environmental protection among youths and likewise to advocate compassion for all.
Tzu Chings in charge of the sign language performance for the song "Blue Planet" are practising together at HYC. (Photo by Ong Jia Hui)
For this event, the team was divided into two, one for the skit while another for sign language performance. There were also rehearsals every fortnightly at HYC. However, it was all not sweat and toil as there was always light-hearted 30 minutes sharing before the end of the rehearsal, such as introducing Tzu Ching and recycling to encourage everyone to lead a greener and environmentally friendlier lifestyle. Fortunately for the Tzu Chings, they had the privilege of hearing from Tzu Chi staff shared the “Veg Forward” project and through this, get a better understanding of adopting and promoting vegetarianism. Besides, Tzu Chings also managed to embrace the serenity and nature of HYC as they had forest bathing sessions in the yoga studio at HYC.
Although it was most Tzu Chings first time planning an event of such magnitude, they were unhindered by the COVID-19 outbreak and Heightened Alert measures as they pulled through the preparations despite social gathering restrictions. In spite of the restrictions and two months delay for the recording, Tzu Chings seized the opportunity to strengthen the team bond through virtual meetings and games.
Tzu Chings embrace the serenity and nature as they have their forest bathing session in the yoga studio at HYC during the 30-minute sharing session. (Photo by Ong Jia Hui)
Same beginning but different ending
Friend or food?
What makes a loyal our beloved pet dog our beloved pet companion while the chicken ends up on our dining table despite both being animals?
“No... because I thought of dogs, and maybe my pet dog, Snoopy and chickens are kinds of the same.” Teh Xu An, who act as Charlie, retorted unwaveringly during the skit.
The story mainly revolved around the lead, Charlie, who was about to sink his teeth into the Chicken McNugget before he started daydreaming about his pet dog whining and transforming into a chicken that was about to be slaughtered. Apart from that, he also noticed the confined space the chicks had until they were mature enough for slaughter. It was this short yet frightful dream that made him understand the significance of every life and treating every animal equally.
It was through meticulous brainstorming with no fanciful storyline that allowed the above message to be conveyed to the audiences. However, the preparation for the skit was neither an easy nor smooth sailing task as there were difficulties in getting newcomers to join in as they were either showing more interest towards sign language performance or too shy to go on stage. It was only after some persuading from Tzu Chings that changed the newcomers’ mind to also join the skit.
“Although the rehearsal was halted and we did not meet each other during the Heightened Alert, it did not affect our team dynamic greatly,” Tang Yong Yu revealed, who happened to be chosen to act as Snoopy after the skit team went through countless rounds selections and arrangement to get everyone into an ideal role for the skit.
Tang Yong Yu (right) and Dai Xu An (left) who didn't know each other have managed to develop rapport with each other in their first attempt to perform a skit. (Photo by Chloe Wong)
For Tang Yong Yu, a student from Singapore Polytechnic with no acting background acting as a deceivingly easy character went the extra mile of learning the motions and emotions of a lively dog and how it will react when separating from its owner. And even to the extent of abrasing his knees while being on his four limbs for an extended period of time during the rehearsal. Similarly, for the scene where Snoopy was in despair when separating from Charlie, Tang Yong Yu had to rake up some unhappy memories in order to bring out the feelings of Snoopy naturally to the audiences.
After the recording, Tang Yong Yu shared his experience. “What really moved me was the last scene when Charlie snapped out from his nightmare and came to the realisation that every life is of great significance and should be respected.” He added. “And this has spurred me to adopt vegetarianism.”
Tzu Chings act as small chicks confined in a narrow cage throughout their life until the day they are slaughtered for their meat. (Photo by Ong Jia Hui)
Likewise, Synhanny, who acted as a chick in one of the scenes, gained valuable lessons, such as recycling and vegetarianism, from this event. Initially, she was rather introverted but to act her role well, she had no choice but to be more animated. With Tzu Ching seniors’ constant guidance and motivation, Synhanny became more expressive with her thoughts.
A Blue Planet for you and me
“Forests start disappearing...our animal friends are losing almost all their habitat...we, wise beings what have we done?”
Not only is this a verse from the song “A Blue Planet” that describe the various environmental destructions caused, it serves as an alarming reminder that we, members of this planet, should also do our part in protecting the environment and do more to promote vegetarianism,” Tew Hao Zhen, an organising committee member, shared.
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The team form a circle to practice the sign language to ensure synchronicity. (Photo by Chloe Wong) -
Tzu Ching and their seniors getting the props ready for the skit. (Photo by Ong Jia Hui) -
The rehearsed skit and sign language performance were recorded and made into a short film as they could not be performed live on stage due to safety measures. (Photo by Gan Mind De)
The sign language team was also made up of a mixture of both newcomers and Tzu Chings. Tzu Chings that are more experienced in sign languages guided the ten newcomers for their recording. To ensure all actions were in unison during the recording, the team gathered and rehearsed the sign language together so as to forge better chemistry among themselves.
Ng Qiao Yong (bottom left), who has been a vegetarian since birth and in her second year of Nursing at Nanyang Polytechnic, is no stranger to sign language as she came across this when she was younger. Additionally, she revealed, “Wanting to protect the animals is what made me persevere on with the meatless diet since young.” However, after this event, she is more affirmed to remain a vegetarian as she learnt that through a meatless diet, one could soothe global hunger issue as there would be ample productive land for growing crops for human consumption. Besides, abandoning the wasteful method of feeding plants to animals which we eat can scale back pollution and global warming.
(Photo by Ong Jia Hui)
Not only that, Ng Qiao Yong also invited her coursemate, Hee Jing Min to join her in the sign language performance. Like her coursemate, Hee Jing Min too gained invaluable lessons from it. “Going meatless is indeed challenging, but to protect our Mother Earth, I will take my first step by start learning how to cook meatless meals from my roommate, Ng Qiao Yong and have vegetarian meals every Meatless Monday,” Hee Jing Min acknowledged.
“To save the world, one must engage in environmental protection of the spirit, society, and our planet.”
This is a Jing Si Aphorism by Dharma Master Cheng Yen familiar to all. Everyone indeed needs to start from themselves and seize every moment to do what is right for the environment. With strong motivation after this event, the youths will be able to start making positive impacts on both the environment and the people around them.
*Note: JIPOS – Founded on 4 April 2010, is made up of Junior Colleges, Institute of Technical Education, Polytechnics, Others, Singapore Institute of Management
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