World Cup Final Talk

First the Brazilian fans died down, then they switched camps to Argentina, same fans wasted their money buying Argentina jerseys, wear one time have to throw away already. Never mind, the same fans now all turn into snowballing group of losing fans and supported Germany instead, saying this time they will take them all the way to win the Cup and ensure their bragging rights to their friends and office colleagues .... (vomit!!!).



Remember the brilliant theories on the World Cup, all 3 major theories have been proven wrong and pundits can all go to sleep. History and trend can be negated, history has to be created.

Spain naturally should win the final because they are so happy to be in the final, they have never been there and winning or losing, they will still be heroes back home. I can't tell you how important that is, the burden you carry on the field.

The same cannot be said of the Dutch. Stepping on the field, they will have the burden of shouldering the agony of two major disappointments in the past. They will also know they fear most not the Spaniards but the possibility of being known as third time unlucky. The burden of expectations will weigh so heavily on them. The only way the Dutch can win is if they score two goals within the first 15 minutes. If not, the longer the game drags on, the pressure and negative thoughts will be their cruelest enemies.



I will also place bigger bets if it goes to penalties. The pressure will multiply a few x in the minds of each Dutch penalty taker. Anyway, its going to be a great final because I don't really mind who wins now even though I supported Spain all the way. Its just great to have the Cup be won by someone else other than Brazil, Germany or Argentina. Its too important for it to just reside with a few select countries.

Paul the octopus is incredibly accurate. The German mollusk went a perfect 6-for-6 in predicting his country's World Cup matches, up to and including its 1-0 semifinal loss to Spain on Wednesday. Paul makes his picks by choosing one of two clear containers dipped into his aquarium in Oberhausen.



Each container holds a mussel and is decorated with the flag of the game's combatants. The container Paul reaches for represents his pick. Today, Paul is slated to pick Germany's third-place match with Uruguay, and may also choose Sunday's final between Spain and the Netherlands, if he's up for it.

In the meantime, as a show of appreciation, Spanish chef Jose Andres has removed octopus from his menu this weekend.

Paul the "psychic" octopus, who has become a global star after correctly forecasting all six of Germany's World Cup games, will predict the final - but only if irate German fans don't skewer him first.

But the eight-legged oracle might not survive that long as some German fans, outraged over their 1-0 defeat to Spain, have begun posting recipes on the internet, believing Paul's reward for his clairvoyant powers should be a meeting with the barbecue or the paella pot.

Spanish Industry Minister Miguel Sebastian has even called for Paul to be given an "immediate" free transfer to Spain to "ensure his protection."

I can see many German restaurants putting up octopus as a new dish on their menus ....

The Solianos Project - Why!!!???

This will be in a series of articles on The Solianos Project. Why them? Although I begged Leslie to have a listen to The Solianos, although it seems like I "discovered" them as a recording potential, the truth is not so exceptional on my side. How do you discover a group that has been around for twenty thirty years?

Listening to the live, doing these 3 songs convinced me that there is something "big" ... Tudung Periuk, Tanah Pusaka and Gadis Idaman Ku. The Solianos have been plying their trade at various venues and even corporate events, and while most of their repertoire were in English jazz standards, I was convinced they had to do a Malay album which will totally encapsulate their brilliance, musicality, musicianship and melodious harmonies. It had to be a Malay album because it reflects their heritage perfectly (Alfonso Soliano and Tony Soliano).

The final song list is equally distributed with numbers composed by Alfonso Soliano and emblematic Malay songs through the years (with the Solianos treatment, they were given a fresh breath of vibrancy again - you didn't know that some Malay songs could actually sound so good).

In many ways, The Solianos represent the music culture for the past 60 years and the Pusaka album is more "1Malaysia" than anything I can imagine. If you are between 35-75 you will really feel that you lived through these songs, in your own country, cause nowhere else on earth will you get an album like this or get to appreciate one like this.

Both Tony and Alfonso were greats in their own rights. Alfonso was behind many artistes in the 70s, in fact he was the music arranger / director for Sharifah Aini's Pasir Roboh, Damak Ku Sayang, Serampang Laut, Dodoi Si Dodoi, etc... and thats just one artiste. I like Kartina Dahari a lot, and she also sang one of Alfonso's composition, Tunas Kasih. Tunku Abdul Rahman sought help from Radio Malaysia – Alfonso Soliano, Lanthall, Croft, Bert Read, Dol Ramli and Datuk Ahmad Merican to create the national anthem, Negaraku from a love song, Terang Bulan. Alfonso was always top of the list even then.



Alfonso's better known compositions include: Gadis Idaman Ku and Airmata Berderai. Hence the album which they are doing has almost half of them songs that linked the Soliano name to this group of talented musicians.




This great article was written by errol de cruz for NST and was published on merdeka day august 31, 2007,

IF there's one family that stands above all others in Malaysian music-making, it must be the Soliano clan.





There's an often-used joke which says that if you don't want to become a millionaire, all you need do is become a jazz musician. It's probably what used to happen in the early 1900s what with so many talented jazz and blues musicians succumbing to "occupational hazards".

In today's musical climate, however, jazz musicians have come a long way and several have made a big name for themselves, the Malaysian list includes Michael Veerapen, Lewis Pragasam, Andy Peterson, David Ah Wah, Julian Chan, Vincent Ong, Josie Thomas, David Gomes and many others.


Airmata Berderai sung by Dia Fadila

Jazz itself has come a long way, finding its way into pop, rock and ethnic fusion; it's not surprising to find pop artistes who have matured, so to speak, turning back to their roots and hitting jazz joints with sets that include songs by Cole Porter, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone and Antonio Carlos Jobim.

Last week, for example, at popular jazz joint No Black Tie, patrons were pleasantly surprised to find evergreen artiste Khatijah Ibrahim at the mike, belting out her own originals and also jazz standards like Don't Rain On My Parade, Luck Be My Lady Tonight and Fever.

Accompanying her was an ensemble starring a renowned music family - the Solianos, arguably the only family in Malaysian showbiz who can claim a heritage of jazz that dates back well into the nation's history, well past the inaugural Merdeka celebrations, thanks to their forefathers, the legendary Alfonso and Tony Soliano.



A recording of Tony Soliano playing LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDOURED THING with Azizah Basri on vocals. Recorded around 1988 by RTM on a radio program "Saturday Nite Star". Posted by Azizah, man, can she sing.



The Soliano name hails back to the days of the British occupation, when Rufino Soliano and Dominado Tirona were brought in from the Philippines to play in the Constabulary Band.

Later, Alfonso and his nephew Tony came into the picture. Alfonso was the serious one, leading and writing for the orchestras of the time, while Tony was happy being the live wire, leading local musicians in one jazz ensemble or another on both sides of the Causeway, and in the heady Bangkok scene, too.

"Those were the days," many say, "when we had talented artistes like Ahmad Wan Yet, Zain Azman and Julie Sudiro entertaining us."

Alfonso and Tony died, months apart, in 1990, and it has been up to their children and families to keep things going.

Today's Soliano clan remembers the days of yore well, especially Valentino "Tinoy" Soliano who was the only one who performed with his father Alfonso. "I was the lucky one and yes, those were the days," he said.

"If you went to any of our homes after he passed away, there'd be a portrait of him above the piano and as we practised, we'd get that echo that said: "No bluffing, ah."

"Dad's talent was his wealth," Tinoy said. "He'd always bring himself down to the playing level of other musicians and make them sound good."

The Soliano Brothers picked up the flag from Alfonso and performed all over the country for more than 15 years, until individual talent and creativity nudged them into forming their own groups.

Now, instead of just one family ensemble plying the trade, there are at least six outfits pushing the Soliano envelope, from Langkawi to Singapore.

* Tinoy's sister, Isabella, leads one band at the Datai in Langkawi, with Conrado playing trumpet.

* Brother Rizal and niece Rachel have two bands, now performing at No Black Tie.

* Sister Irene sings with the Soliano Brothers whenever she can.

* Cousin Daniel Guerzo leads his Nine Lives in Langkawi.

* Tony Soliano Jr has a band in Johor Baru.

* Cousin Louis Tan Soliano plays drums at Jazz At Southbridge in Singapore.

* Older brother Remy had an accident recently and is currently bed-ridden.

* Tinoy and Tristano are session musicians. "We're the family mercenaries," Tano laughed.



The Solianos @ noblacktie, Tricia singing Honeysuckle Rose followed by their rendition of Gadis Idaman Ku (forward to 4.10 minute of the clip to hear the second song). It is by hearing their rendition of this song and Tudung Periuk that I then begged Leslie to give them a listen.

The entire family gets together at Christmas and last year, they more or less took over Langkawi island for two whole weeks. And when they do get together, it's Salvador Guerzo who leads them.

Ado, pianist Rachel's dad, is the elder that the Solianos look up to nowadays. Like Alfonso in his time, Ado writes and arranges for the RTM Orchestra and also plays as often as he can with any of the Soliano outfits. Another "mercenary", yes, but this saxophonist is rather devoted to his daughter's band.

"Times have changed," Rachel chipped in. "I used to follow him; now it's the other way around."

It's a tough job, leading the entire clan when they get together, but Ado wears the mantle well, and his big hope is that he will one day be instrumental in making some Soliano dreams come true.

Rachel has plans to organise the Alfonso Soliano Jazz Festival and is hoping to acquire enough sponsorship over the next two years, and Ado wants to establish what they would all like to see - the Soliano School of Music.

"These are our dreams," Ado said, "and I know we can do it if we put our heads and talent together."

In this case, however, Rachel has the level-headed voice. "What we really need is someone with the business acumen to run it."

Considering the reputation the Soliano clan has earned over half a century and more, the realisation of such dreams would only be fitting.

Or as Rizal put it: "Dad didn't leave us any wealth because making music was more important than making money. But he did leave us with a big name, and it's up to us to do something with it."



Another rare recording of the late Tony Soliano's brilliance at the piano around 1988. Here he performs the ever popular RINDU with Azizah Basri on Vocals and brilliantly exploits the Javanese pentatonic scale into his music.

Brilliant Theories Why Germany Will Win

I have to restate that I am still supporting Spain for the Cup. A good friend explained two theories why Germany will win, its amazing. The first one has been around for years, much like our own RAHMAN predictor for Malaysian prime minister. The second one was devised by my talented friend, I wish I had spoke to him before this World Cup.



During the 18 tournaments that have been held, seven national teams have won the title. Brazil have won the World Cup a record five times, and they are the only team to have played in every tournament. Italy, the current champions, have won four titles, and Germany are next with three titles. The other former champions are Uruguay, winners of the inaugural tournament, and Argentina, with two titles each, and England and France, with one title each.

BRILLIANT THEORY #1 - Its The Germany Brazil Thing!!!

1950	Uruguay	Uruguay 2-1 Brazil
1954	Germany	Germany 3-2 Hungary
1958	Brazil	Brazil 5-2 Sweden
1962	Brazil	Brazil 3-1 Czechoslovakia
1966	England	England 4-2 Germany
1970	Brazil	Brazil 4-1 Italy
1974	Germany	Germany 2-1 Holland
1978	Argentina	Argentina 3-1 Holland
1982	Italy	Italy 3-1 Germany
1986	Argentina	Argentina 3-2 Germany
1990	Germany	Germany 1-0 Argentina
1994	Brazil	Brazil 3-2 Italy
1998	France	France 3-0 Brazil
2002	Brazil	Brazil 2-0 Germany
2006	Italy	Italy 1-1 (5-3) France
2010

A - The theory states that Brazil or Germany will ALWAYS be in the final EXCEPT for the 28 year cycle hypothesis. The only years when both have not been in the finals were 1978 and 2006. Take 1950 + 28 = 1978. Take 1978 +28 = 2006. In 1978 Argentina beat Holland, and in 2006 Italy beat France.

B. Thus this not being a 28 year cycle year for 2010, at least Germany or Brazil will have to be in the final = Germany. Which means that Germany will beat Spain in the semis (bookies, please take note).

C. Of course being in the finals does not mean they will win. Germany lost to England in 1966. Italians beat the Germans in 1982. Argentina beat Germany in 1986. France beat Brazil 1998.




BRILLIANT THEORY #2 - The Mirror Theory / The Palindrome Theory

Since my friend thought of this, I will help him coin it as the Palindrome Theory. A palindrome is a word that spells the same from the front or the back. For example: madam, aha, racecar, noon, etc.

Again both theories start from 1950 because of the interrupted war years. The theory uses 1982 as the center year of where the mirror is located.

1950Uruguay Uruguay 2-1 Brazil

1954Germany Germany 3-2 Hungary

1958Brazil Brazil 5-2 Sweden THEORYFAILSHERE

1962Brazil Brazil 3-1 Czechoslovakia BRAZILBRAZILBRAZIL

1966England England 4-2 Germany HOMETEAMWINSHOMETEAMWINS

1970Brazil Brazil 4-1 Italy BRAZILBRAZILBRAZIL

1974Germany Germany 2-1 Holland GERMANYGERMANYGERMANY

1978Argentina Argentina 3-1 Holland ARGENTINAARGENTINAARGENTINA

1982Italy Italy 3-1 Germany THE CENTERTHECENTERTHECENTER

1986Argentina Argentina 3-2 Germany ARGENTINAARGENTINAARGENTINA

1990Germany Germany 1-0 Argentina GERMANYGERMANYGERMANY

1994Brazil Brazil 3-2 Italy BRAZILBRAZILBRAZIL

1998France France 3-0 Brazil HOMETEAMWINSHOMETEAMWINS

2002Brazil Brazil 2-0 Germany BRAZILBRAZILBRAZIL

2006Italy Italy 1-1 (5-3) France THEORYFAILSHERE

2010


The Palindrom theory basically takes 1982 as the mirror, which is why Argentina won in 78 and 86, both sides of the center. Then it works itself out with Germany winning in 74 and 90, and Brazil winning in 70 and 94. Taking this theory, Germany should be winning the 2010 Cup, and Uruguay will win the Cup in 2014. But the theory failed on one year, and that may be enough to put things to rest.



BRILLIANT THEORY #3 - Location, Location, Location

No European team has ever won the Cup outside of its continent. Hence take out Spain,, Germany and Holland. Based on this premise, Uruguay will win the Cup!!!

Uruguay has to win the Cup in 2010 and 2014 for the second and third theories to continue to be correct.


Sigh, theories are theories, you still got to go where your intuitive and emotive muscles dictate. GOOOOOOO SPAIN!!!!

The Solianos Project - Meaning Of Tudung Periuk

Something completely different. Leslie from popopmusic asked me the meaning of the song Tudung Periuk. I will venture a guess. I am intimately involved in the production of The Solianos' album Pusaka which is close to my heart. Stumbled in life and somehow end up as an "executive producer" of the album. The Solianos have been singing for over 30 years and this is their first album, unbelievable. Les and I thought they must do an album of Malay songs, not English (even when that is their main repertoire) because their musicality and 5 part harmonies have never been imparted so brilliantly into Malay songs.

The album is going to be great, I think, because:

1. the arrangement by salvador guerzo
2. tricia's (lead vocal) honey-toasted and sultry voice
3. the choice of songs and how great each song is sung and arranged
4. the fabulous recording (world-class audiophile standards)
5，and most importantly, the superb musicality of the music! (almost everyone agreed on this)

Les played some of the unfinished songs at a listening party, these were some of their immediate responses...

"wow! malaysia can produce a record like this??"

"i would buy this album even with just one good song but all your songs are so great!"

"ador's arrangement is definitely world-class!"

"the recording (from the ark studio) is the best of all your 4 albums; again, world-class!"

"this female lead vocalist is amazing!"

This is the original selected songlist. Too bad, my favourite Sheila Majid's song Gerimis Semalam was taken out as The Solianos said they could not really add to the song, and that room for harmonies and improvisations were limited. But instead we have replaced it with Freedom's Mulanya Di Sini.

I will try to get the finished track of Tudung Periuk for all to listen soon. Its magical.


---------------------------

Three cheers for pop pop music!

Solianos' "Tudung Periuk" - a yet-unreleased single from the forth-coming album "Pusaka" - has been selected by the panel to be included in another compilation album issued by one big Hi-Fi dealer in Taiwan for the upcoming TAA Hi-Fi show. The panel loves the melody and harmony of the song! See, we told you, we told you this is a great song! ;-)

But they have one tough question for us: what is the song about?

We don't know either! Here's the lyrics of the song.....

Tudung periuk

Lid of the pot

Tudung periuk, pandai menari

Lid of the pot dances well

Menarilah lagu, putera mahkota

Dance of the son of the crown prince

Kain yang buruk

The rag

Kain yang buruk berikan kami

The rag give it to us

Buat menyapu

To wipe

Buat menyapu si air mata

To wipe the tears

Any volunteers to decipher the hidden meaning behind the song? You must be old enough to know this song, to start with!

In any case, you guys should be proud that a Malay song has unprecedentedly made it into Taiwan!

leslie@poppop

----------------------

Leslie,


The original lyrics was not "anak Putera Mahkota" but rather "anak Raja Melaka", when we were still on good terms I guess.


Tudung periuk tudung periuk pandailah menari
Permainan anak permainan anak Raja Malaka
Kain yang buruk kain yang buruk berikan kami
Untuk menyapu untuk menyapu si air mata
Kain yang buruk kain yang buruk berikan kami
Untuk menyapu untuk menyapu si air mata

Tudung periuk tudung periuk pandailah berdendang
Pandai berdendang pandai berdendang lagu seberang
Barang yang buruk barang yang buruk tak 'kan dipandang
Dijual tidak dijual tidak dibeli orang
Barang yang buruk barang yang buruk tak 'kan dipandang
Dijual tidak dijual tidak dibeli orang

We know it as the song sung in P Ramlee's SUMPAH SEMERAH PADI together with Saloma. There is a meaning to the song even though most would shrug their shoulders. Its a song sung to the kids and how they need to grow up being responsible, being willingness to take up responsibility. Tudung periuk means family leadership, the shield of the family I guess. Pandai menari means being clever and resourceful. Mainan putera mahkota does not mean toys but rather the demands of daily life. Anak raja melaka or putera mahkota does not mean royalty but rather the young ones, the new generation.

Kain yang buruk di berikan kami, in its original form its ditinggalkan kami (more poignant), is the need to be wary, the need to be protective of their heritage or family name and not to bring shame or tears to the family. Menyapu air mata, the cloth we gave you to wipe your tears is to make sure that you eat your bitterness, rally through life's difficulties and be strong.

Its an educational song/lullaby sung by probably the grandmas/mums to their grandkids/children.

Equity Strategy 2H 2010 & Asset Class Returns As At end-June 2010

Just passed the halfway mark. REITs finally took a hit, is this the beginning of the double dip. Do I believe in the double dip, yes of course. Only that the dip will be more restrained, not a significant or prolonged dip. Things move in cycles and like pendulums. Share prices are the same, they will sing to one side, over swing a bit and the correct. This is because the data are but collection of human behaviour, and masses will never react perfectly. They will chase a share price that is running until it overshoots, and attract sellers to come in. When the balance shifts to the other side, you will see it overshooting on the downside again.

June was another rough month for risky assets, although the losses were considerably deeper with U.S. stocks from a dollar-based return perspective. REITs also took a hit: for the first time since the opening months of 2009, real estate securities dropped by more than 5% for the second month running.

Bonds held up well in June. This is probably due to the threat of deflation taking a toll on investor sentiment, the safety of fixed-income (even at unusually low yields) attracted capital flows last month like moths to a flame.

US equity took the hardest hit in June. Was this an adjustment to the European crisis and the Euro crisis? Probably. Was it trying to discount a flattening of recovery, probably. Was it due to funds closing their books and squaring off positions and waiting for the right levels to reloan in 2H, absolutely.

But what we all should be focusing at is the YTD figures. Commodities are down by nearly 10% and foreign developed stocks have retreated by more than 13% in dollar terms—the steepest decline for the major asset classes on a year-to-date basis through June’s close. There has been some flight to reserve currency assets, but US equity did follow suit, much of its YTD losses came in the month of June alone.

So we are giving back all gains this year and more. Is this a risk aversion period? I think the sell in May rang true and it coincided with the Greek, Hungarian and Portuguese malaise, followed by the weakening Euro, which threatened demand for exports from the rest of the world.

China had to do a lot of braking in its domestic economy and the Shanghai index reflected that for the past 3 months. Now they have to contend with pressures to have a stronger yuan as well.

Some may cite the fact that many governments have piled on too much debt and that will come back to haunt us. Well yes, but not so soon. No one is going to put a gun to the US and ask them to lower their debts within the next couple of years. While the same seems to be happening in Europe, it is mainly a sovereign issue not a corporate issue.

We are actually still in the midst of a newly created liquidity bubble. Thanks to Bernanke and many of the other governments, we have printed and poured too much liquidity into the global financial system. We are also locked in with globally benign interest rates. Tell me what do the above ingredients make?

But why the recent pullback. Well, even when you are driving a Porsche, you are limited to how far and fast you can go if there is a traffic jam. Be sure, we have a highly powered underlying liquidity revving its engines. We just need the traffic to clear up a bit: Euro steadying a bit; unemployment growth flattening out but not down trending aggressively; corporates continuing to put out good quarterlies; etc.

I have changed my views on the Euro, I think it will stablise here 1.25-1.30 and not go any closer to 1.00 to the USD. Herein lies the key. The Euro crisis may have blighted our views too much. Look closer, most of Europe's top companies are benefiting strongly overall. We missed the picture that this is more a sovereign thing. Many of the companies are already getting an 18%-20% boost in receipts (added competitiveness) thanks to the weaker Euro - we all know that that is more than double the net margins of most companies.



European industrial production actually rose 0.8% in April much better than the average forecast of 0.5%. One of the better leading indicators of economic activity is cargo carriers, Fedex's recently reported that Europe is seeing solid activity, very much different from the picture the media would have us believe.

China may be the weak link in 2H. In addition to the yuan, the high interest rates, the yet to subside property bubble, we now have a snowballing labour issue. The Honda-Foxconn developments should ensure a cascading and rippling effect on all labour wage demands across China, watch it balloon in the coming weeks.

I think US equity and emerging markets equity will be quite positive for most of 2H2010. I see the Dow testing 11,500 and the FBMKLCI testing 1,450 before the year is over.

You're The Yuan That I Want

Hmmm, people are hoarding yuan. Even though the rise after recent developments have been tepid, chances are that Beijing will eventually relent and we should at least see the yuan appreciate a minimum of 5% before year end.


The Standard HK / Friday, July 02, 2010

Sorry, no yuan! That's the message from several Hong Kong money changers as speculators scramble to stock up in anticipation of the currency rising further.

A local bank manager is not surprised that yuan stocks have ran out as supply is tight.

"People are banking on reports that the United States is pressing for a 10 percent yuan appreciation, despite Beijing saying any appreciation will be gradual," he told The Standard on condition of anonymity. "People want to make a fast buck since interest in the Hong Kong dollar is low. So the yuan is a sure bet for anybody."

A source at the Hong Kong Monetary Authority said the shortage at money changing counters could be due to another factor - hoarding.

"Money changers are expecting the yuan to appreciate faster and sooner, and so they are holding on to their stocks," the source said.

"The fact that there is no cap on conversions to yuan has put them a difficult position in both quoting and selling of the currency.

"They obviously do not want to sell large amounts of yuan."

Local banks have confirmed they have an unlimited supply of yuan, which they get directly from the mainland central bank, the People's Bank of China.

Yesterday's exchange rate was 864 yuan for HK$1,000 - two dollars lower than on Tuesday, when speculation on possible appreciation was at its highest.

But people are continuing to snap up the yuan, a supervisor at the Hui's Brothers foreign exchange company in Wan Chai said.

"The stronge

r the yuan, the bigger the demand," he said, adding that the situation will remain the same for another week.

The supply from the mainland, Shenzhen in particular, has been low since the opening of the G20 summit last week, he added.

A money-changing agent in Shenzhen confirmed supply to Hong Kong is running low as most people hold on to the yuan thinking it will appreciate further.

On Lockhart Road, money changers at Hang Fung Foreign Remittance asked a reporter from The Standard to return today when asked to sell 10,000 yuan.

Another money changer near the Wan Chai MTR station said it had run out of yuan for the day. "The stronger the currency, the keener the demand," he added.

On June 19, just ahead of the G20 summit in Toronto, Canada, the People's Bank of China announced it will further reform the yuan exchange rate regime to make it more flexible.

The decision has been welcomed by many nations and organizations, including the International Monetary Fund.

Zhang Tao, international department director with the People's Bank, said the reform of the yuan exchange rate regime will help restructure the nation's economy and promote all- around sustainable and balanced growth.

"In doing so, we can guide resources to the services sector and boost our internal demand, to promote industrial upgrading and the transformation of the economic growth pattern," Zhang said.

The stability of the yuan exchange rate played a significant role in mitigating the impact of the 2008 financial crisis on the mainland as other currencies, including the US dollar, depreciated.

A senior official of the People's Bank said further yuan exchange rate reform can help Beijing work closely with its partners in the long term for mutual benefit and further development.

My All Time Fav Canto-Series

Now for something completely different. I don't know where I find the time but I do watch a lot of Canto-series from TVB. Below are my all time top 4:

The best of the lot has to be The Greed of Man. Though some may say I like it because it involves the stock market as a theme, but its the characters, the amazing story line and the fantastic acting. Vivian Chow, Adam Cheng and Lau Cheng Wan have never acted better. The supporting cast were excellent as well. The story, spanning three decades from the 1970s to the 1990s in Hong Kong and Taiwan, addresses various social and financial phenomena of the times, from violence in triad criminal organizations to corruption in the HKSE. The series even span the "Ting Hai" effect, whereby when a series comes out starring Adam Cheng, the stock market is bound to collapse within weeks, and that has proven true right through the 90s, amazing.




The Final Combat comes in third and its all due to Stephen Chow Sing Chi. In this olden martial arts series, Stephen shines as the joker, using "present day phrases and humour" in an odd setting.




This was probably not on everybody's short list. The Dance of Passion had a great cast and unique setting in the desert but it was not everyone's cup of tea. Gigi Lai and Bowie Lam were the standout characters.



The Edge of Righteousness would have been a close second next to The Greed of Man. Dicky Cheung was great but Alex Man was even better, even in the end you do not know if he was crazy or just very passionate and righteous. The love triangle between Dicky, Monica Chan and Chu Yan was exceptionally well drawn out. An amazing series.