Eulogy read by Suhaimi

Below is the eulogy read by Suhaimi during the memorial

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With this humble eulogy that I am making, I form just part of the many lives and persons which Pierre has touched and continued to touch.

I became one of the jigsaws in Pierre’s life when he was the first person whom I knew in Kent Ridge Hall when introduced by our mutual friend, Nauval.
Being the new senior, I was blessed that you were the first that I met as you weave through your wonderful thoughts and feelings on Kent Ridge Hall.

Pierre, the one thing I know why love and warmth resonates from and around you is the unique you.
That one thing that we always forget that being unique and different is something that we should all celebrate.

Your wide grin from ear to ear will always greet me as you called out to me, whether a casual “Bang’ which means big brother, or “how are you, bang?” whenever we meet and whenever we talk about anything that spans from tennis, to theatre productions to soccer and about life itself.

Never will I able to appreciate your zest for F1 Grand Prix then, but for that I will remember.

For that great tennis match between Capriati and Hingis, where Hingis is your favourite, while we were watching in the Lounge, that I will remember.

I couldn’t help thinking for that one or two times that we actually tried talking you out into a makeover on your clothes, switching your black attire to something else that is popular. Again, for that, your black shirt, shoes, pants, uniqueness, I will remember.

For every single production that you did and watch, with the ticket stub and production booklet that you arduously, meticulously kept, and I, have been following you since. For that, I will remember.

Thank you for always helping me out, particularly in my school’s production during that last dying minutes where I needed a photographer and you were there rescuing me, asking only for the price of getting the films and producing the pictures, not even a tinge of your services and hard earned labour. For that I will remember.

For your generosity in always letting all of us hanging out at your place in Hong Leong, in the big 2002 World Cup especially the Spain vs Korea match, I will remember.

From the time that Nauval and I were wondering about when you shall get attached to the last time that me and Weishin saw you in Beach Road before you left Singapore, we know how faithful you were as you talked about her. With that personal message always there in your MSN: “wishing you were here”, speaks volume of your devotion for her. Now, we are also “wishing you were here”.

My last conversation with you was sadly just through MSN. I was just telling you about my engagement and I was ready to invite you to my wedding next year, where you told me that sadly that you can’t make it at that time. Now, it’s another different story. But I shall know that you will always be, close to our hearts.

Our friend Nauval, wrote this testimonial for Pierre in his Frenster in 2003 and I would like to say that here."People, be sure it's "Pierre-Andre", he's very particular about the pronunciation and the spelling, hee hee! :=)Where shall I begin? He's just exactly the mirror of what I always wish to be! *ahem*. Getting fully involved in arts scene while maintaining the truest characters of himself, handy in IT (he's got a degree in this, folks!) and electrical stuff, his magic eyes see the unseen angles captured in his photography works, a well-read person indeed, countless experiences of doing financial matters, equipped himself w/ tremendous amount of knowledge in other fields like history, language, etc. ... Well, to say he's a great guy would only be very minimum, he's simply one multi-talented guy! Thanks for always being helpful, Pierre!"

So, Pierre, at that tender age of 26, you are a brother to us and even at that age, your maturity is beyond some of your own abang. Never once you speak ill of others.

So, the famous lines by Robert Frost for you, Pierre, the unique you:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—


I took the one less traveled by,


And that has made all the difference.


May you rest in peace, my friend.

Your bang,
Suhaimi

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Thank you

On behalf of Pierre's family, we would like to thank you for making time for the memorial today.

We will send all your photographs, tributes and messages to his family in Jarkata. If you have yet to leave a message but would like to do so, please leave it in the comments tag below, by this coming friday, 30th Nov. We will be collating all comments left in this blog as well.


We would also like to thank Prof Kuldip Singh, KR Hall Master as well as the RFs, Mr Lewis, Mdm Saadiah, Mr Supa'at and all from KR who has helped us in one way or another. It means a lot to all of us to have this memorial to be held in KR. Thank you very much for all your assistance.



Thank you all once again.

Speech by Pierre's Classmate

Below is the speech delivered by Pierre's classmate Tom Delgado at memorial service. '

Love, Huzir

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I am very honored to speak on behalf of the second year class and for ourbrother and friend Pierre. My simple words will never equal the wonderful joy that Pierre brought toeach of us. As I begin many of the classes my classmates and I take together I findmyself counting to 10. I count to 10 because when we started this programthere were 10 of us, and I want to make sure we are all present before theclass begins.

This morning as we began our first class without Pierre, Iknew in my heart and soul that we are still 10. We are still 10 because each of us will take Pierre with us as we continueforward with our lives. We are 10 because we take Pierre's beautiful smilewith us each day. We are 10 because we take Pierre's strength, wisdom, andcourage to help us and guide us. I know that when we walk in a year and a half from now at our graduation, wewill still be 10. We will take you with us Pierre, at that moment, andmany, many more moments the rest of our lives.

Pierre and I have a mutual friend, Jun, who is very dear to us and sharedsome beautiful words about Pierre the other night. He said that Pierre wasat the peak of his life and was showing us all how to live. He said thatPierre was taking advantage of every opportunity and was sure of his path.I know that his confidence on his path will help us all to live better.

Thank you Pierre for sharing your confidence and your vision. Thank you for sharing your contagious smile and sense of humor. Thank you for asking the questions we were all afraid or embarrassed to ask. Thank you for making us proud to call you a friend even though many of usare still silly Americans. And thank you for bringing your fellow TD & P brothers and sisters togetherin a show of love, respect, and admiration for you. For showing us ourstrong and deeply caring leaders who will continue to guide and inspire us.And for showing us your beautiful YSD family who will continue to love andremember you, and pray for you and your family.

At the beginning of this school year Pierre had unknowingly volunteered toTD a cabaret. Since Jun and I had TD'ed the cabaret over the summer, Pierrecame to us for some advice on dealing with the black hole we affectionatelycall the cabaret. In the days that followed I remember walking down thepath next to the cabaret garden, seeing Pierre busy at work, offering histime and talents. I know that each time I walk by that garden I will seehis warm smile and friendly wave hello. Pierre, that garden will alwaysbloom with your warmth and beauty. Pierre you are our fellow brother. We proudly carry you with us each andevery day. Your memory will be an inspiration for us all. It will never begoodbye, but just, thank you my brother.

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Pierre's final resting place

Update from Huzir - Pierre has been cremated and his ashes will be scattered in the river tomorrow at mid-day US time (Thurs)

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Wednesday, 7.30pm US Time

Dear friends,

Today Pierre's family and Pebble finished packing up the things in his flat. Pierre has been cremated, and at the request of his family, his ashes will be scattered here. Tomorrow at midday we will be going to the Boathouse ofthe Yale University Rowing Team, to scatter his ashes in the Housatonic River. It is a beautiful spot.

You can see pictures here: http://www.yale.edu/rowing/gallery.html

Pebble said to me the other day at the airport, "The only consolation isthat he will finally get to meet Krishen. He always wanted to meet him. Ithink if he had lived he would be as wise as Krishen. They will do a lot ofgreat productions together up there."

Love, Huzir

Memorial Service in Yale

The following is an account from Mr. Huzir, of Pierre's memorial service held in Yale.

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Tuesday 8.20pm US time:

Dear friends,

I have just returned from Pierre's memorial service. Claire has gone to tapau some rice and taufu to add to the dinner she cooked earlier. Lay Hoon and Val are coming over, as well as Pebble, Michel and Adeline as soon as they go over to Peirre's place to tie up some things there.

Pebble has really been accepted by the Salim family; they are all being so kind to her and asked her if she wants to come back with them to Jakarta. She is bonding with Michel and Adeline. When you look at Adeline, who is very pretty, you realise how good looking Pierre really was. He was so handsome in the big photo at the theatre tonight at the Memorial service - the one in his black NUS polo shirt.

It was a cold and slightly wet day. At 5pm it was dusk, almost dark. Winter is upon us. People were streaming into the University Theatre, a handsome 1930s proscenium stage with dark wood and velvert chairs and red velvet curtains, a bit like a cross between Victoria Theatre and the old Drama Centre, but more ornate. The curtains were drawn, and flowers were on the lip of the stage. In front was a riser with a lectern on it and the big picture of Pierre next to it. It was beautifully lit.

House Left was the coffin, the upper half of which was open. Pierre looked very good. Pebble, God bless her, had picked out the most expensive casket and Dr. Salim had agreed, and by golly it was a beautiful piece of cabinetry.

Claire, Lay Hoon, and Val brought a bouquet to put into the coffin on behalf of the Singapore theatre community. It was bright and lovely -- white and yellow lillies and purple things that Val suspects were irises but Claire disputes. Also got green something flower. Anyway very nice leh, wrapped in his favourite colour green paper.

House Right was a piano and seat for a cellist. In the Processional, as people lined up in the central aisle to file past the coffin and pay their respects, a young cellist played the Prelude of Bach's Cello Suite No.2 in D Minor.

The family and Pebble, who had been in James' office, came in last and everybody rose. There were about 400 people there. The stalls were full and there were people in the balcony too.

James welcomed everyone and gave a speech about faith and art and Pierre. I confess I couldn't really take it in. The feelings were too powerful. (Later, I asked if we could get the soft copy of all the speeches tonight and they're trying to arrange that. I will send them when I get them.) His voice was even and calm, only breaking
uncontrollably towards the end.

The Reverend Robert Beloin, the Catholic Chaplain of Yale University, then read the 23rd Psalm.

The cellist played the Sarabande from the same Bach suite.

I got up to speak. I was teary and fragile. I had to force myself to breathe and take it very slowly, making my way through the text I prepared last night. Here it is. I apologise if I left anyone out or made any mistakes:

"It's an honour and a terrible duty to talk of Pierre-André Salim's life in Singapore, to speak on behalf of the hundreds of friends he has on the other side of this Earth.

"In Singapore, Pierre was loved, and we love Pierre still, more fiercely than ever. We hold him close to us even as we are terrified by his loss. The theatre community and his old friends from the National University of Singapore are united both in their pain and in the endless embrace of memories sweet and fine.

"At university, Pierre was a celebrity in his residential college, Kent Ridge Hall, full of good cheer and eccentric charm. He was a joiner, and a doer, the man you wanted on your committee if you wanted your committee to get things done. He was the linchpin of the Hall plays. He was the Stage Manager, the Rag Engineer, the Kent Ridge JCRC Finance Secretary. He played softball. And he flew the flag for what he was involved in: he wore the t-shirts, and he wore the jackets. He loved his university, and they loved him back.

"In 2002, in his final year, doing crew at the University Cultural Centre, he worked on a multi-play event by the company I'm with, Checkpoint Theatre. One of the plays was my political satire, Atomic Jaya. He took a liking to that show, and kept imitating all the different characters during the lighting focus. His great strengths as an actor, in all candour, were… his good cheer and eccentric charm.

"But I am proud that my play was one of the reasons he decided to go into theatre professionally, and to stay in Singapore. He asked Checkpoint to hire him so that he could remain in the country and get his Permanent Residence. We did, and he did, and he worked on our shows, and we came to love him for the same reasons you loved him here at Yale.

"He was smarter than us, and more passionate, harder working yet hugely humble. He had a quiet determination to learn, to improve himself, not for the simple sake of his own career, but for the sake of improving the artistic community as a whole. Quite rapidly, Pierre essentially began to own the entire Singapore theatre scene. He worked professionally on at least 46 productions that I know of before coming to Yale. He did every job, for every company, and he did every job well. He was a production manager, a stage manager, a production stage manager, lighting designer, lighting operator, follow-spot operator, video operator, and something called a chief venue electric.

"He worked for everybody, not because he was desperate, but because everybody was desperate for him and his incredible competence, and his amazing attitude: Singapore Lyric Opera, Dramabox, The Substation, Wild Rice, The Arts House, Gateway Entertainment, Centre Stage, the LaSalle-SIA Repertory Dance Company, the NUS Dance Ensemble, the NUS Centre for the Arts, Dream Academy, Esplanade Theatres on the Bay, the Theatre Training and Research Programme, Toy Factory Theatre. He did a lot of work, and he did big jobs. With Checkpoint, he was Production Manager of Singapore Arts Festival commissions that toured to Hong Kong, and a play that went to Kuala Lumpur. With Wild Rice, he did ten shows, and for the team there, from the Artistic Director to every member of the production team past and present, his loss is unbearable. He loved Singapore theatre, and they loved him back. Their tributes have flooded in over the last two days. I invite you to read them later in the booklet that Yale has prepared.

"He loved theatre so much. Accompanying his brother to Pierre's apartment yesterday on Chapel Street, my heart broke when I saw the bundles of backstage passes hanging on hooks on the wall, souvenirs of every show he's ever done, from the Singapore Arts Festival to the Esplanade to international tours, two or three dozen of them. He loved our world, the insane life we lead as theatre practitioners. Yet ultimately, theatre-making for him was a joyous thing, and he was not only joyful in the making of it, but he brought joy to all he made it with. Even in his seriousness he was light; in his discipline he was free.

"Pierre loved his family. Dr. Salim, he spoke of you often to his friends, with such love and pride in your achievements in medicine. He was a naughty child, he said, and you were strict with him, but that made him the man that he was, quiet and orderly but full of exuberant kindness and love for the world. One day when my wife was scolding me a little for buying so many books, Pierre said, 'That's just like my Dad, he always collects books, non-stop. My mother has just gotten used to it.' Thank you. Mrs. Salim, Pierre said you knew him best, Ibu; he knew what sacrifices you made to be with him in France, and he understood the depths of a mother's love. He was a very good boy. Michel, he used to say, 'My brother is a genius. He is so much smarter than me.' He worried about you, almost as though he were the elder. He wanted you to succeed, to take your place in the world as the genius that you are. Adeline, you were his adored baby sister; two weeks ago he showed my wife and I pictures of you, full of pride at you studying medicine, following in your father's footsteps. You should all be very proud of him. We respected him, and we loved him, in Singapore, and here in New Haven.

"We cannot speak of Pierre without speaking of the woman he has loved for the last year and a half. Pebble Tan is a stage manager from Singapore, a sophomore at Carnegie Mellon, and someone my wife and I have known since 2002. She is here today; she was supposed to visit Pierre for Thanksgiving; she was supposed to go back to Jakarta for Christmas to meet Dr. and Mrs. Salim for the first time. Pebble was Pierre's first girlfriend. He'd never wanted to be in a relationship before, because, he said, if you are not serious, then why bother? When he told me about Pebble, in August, I asked him if they were serious, and he said, with his usual manner, 'We are serious.' Pebble tells me he was always kind to her, and had time to listen to her problems and give her advice, even after an exhausting day of work at Yale. He left a tulip outside her office door at 8am one day so that she would find it. He sent her flowers when she was on tour. He was always encouraging her to achieve her potential. She wants you to know that she feels honoured to have been in his life, to have made him happy, and to have had him make her so very happy.

"But he has gone. He cannot be retrieved. Can we find him in the trivia of his life? His favourite colour was green. Eric Cantona was his hero, and if you don't know who Eric Cantona is, now is a good time to learn. His drink was Bacardi and Coke, or latterly, Southern Comfort; even a saint is allowed bad taste in one area. His favourite food was pan-fried Shanghainese dumplings, which Pebble made for him on his birthday. His favourite song was 'Usah Kau Lara Sendiri', by Katon Bagaskara and Ruth Sahanya. It's an Indonesian song that meant, to him, don't let go.

"We won't let you go, Pierre, we won't ever let go of you, unless and until you go to a better place than this world; in which case, go with God, and go with our thanks for the gift of your life."

I slowly went back to my seat. Bronislaw (Ben) Sammler, the Professor of Technical Design and Production, the head of Pierre's program got up to speak. He is in his late 60s and was very affected by Pierre's death. On Sunday night he had told me that Pierre was one of the best students he ever had. He spoke simply and movingly. Again, I couldn't really listen. I found myself wracked with silent sobs.

Next, one of Pierre's second-year TDMP classmates, Tom Delgado, got up. He said that before every class he would always count to ten, because there were ten of them in their program and he wanted to make sure everyone was there. Now, he said, even with Pierre's death, he still thinks there are ten, and on graduation, they will still be
thinking of themselves as ten. They all loved and respected Pierre. By the time he was finished speaking, you could hear the whole theatre crying.

Michel Salim got up to speak. He sounds like Pierre, but even more French, and even more intellectual. His was a beautiful speech. He read Caius Catullus' poem On the Burial of his Brother. Our hearts, which have broken so many times in last few days, broke again.

Sharon Kugler, the Yale University Chaplain, delivered a closing prayer. The casket was closed and then the members of Pierre's class bore it out to the waiting hearse to the strains of the recessional. Everyone was sobbing.

Later, we all went down to the basement, to the Experimental Theatre, for the reception. A row of tealights lined the stage. On tables and stools of different heights were arranged pictures of Pierre; handsome, with a cast, working, sleeping. What a beautiful soul.

The booklets with your tributes were taken by everyone. Many, looking at it, said, "this is amazing." Thank you, all of you, for showing the Yale people how we celebrate each other and how we are a family.

Okay, darlings, I have to makan now. Claire has come back. In the end she went to York Noodle House to order Spicy Basil Wok Noodle. This was one of Pierre's favourite hangouts. He told us he would go there once a week because he had a class that finished at lunchtime nearby. Claire said she went in and ordered the food and the waitress said, "I'm sorry about Pierre." She was Indonesian. "He used to order this all the time," she said.

"I know," said Claire.

She brought her the food: "It's on the house."

We'll eat it and think of you, Pierre. We love you and miss you.

Love,

Huzir

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Gathering: In Memory of Pierre

In memory of Pierre, there will be a small gathering for all of us to come together to say our final goodbyes. Details of the gathering are as follows:

Date: 25 Nov 2007 (Sunday)
Time: 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Venue: New Kent Ridge Hall, Multi Purpose Hall
Map: http://www.streetdirectory.com/asia_travel/travel/travel_id_6110/travel_site_7508

Programme:
1400 to 1500 - Gathering
1500 to 1600 - Remembrance and Sharing Session

Memorial booklet and items:
There will be papers and pens available for people who wants to write some words, memories or experiences. You can paste some photos or bring some items that you would like the family to have. We will be compiling and sending the writings and sharings back to Pierre's family back home.

Email:
Please do drop a mail to inmemoryofpicant@gmail.com to indicate whether you will be coming in order for us to estimate the attendance and make appropriate preparation. We also need some assistance in setting up the venue. If you are able to come earlier and would like to help, please also indicate in the mail and provide your contact number. Many thanks in advance.

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There will be another memorial service organised by his theatre friends and colleagues. You may want to attend this if you cannot make it on Sunday.

Date: 24th Nov (Saturday)
Time : 5.30pm - 6.00pm
Venue: Drama Centre 3rd floor, Function Room 1and 2

Please bring any photos or messages to contribute to a scrapbook for his family.

News report by The Straits Times

This is the news report by The Straits Times, found on the asiaone website.

News Report by Yale Daily News

This is the news report by Yale DailyNews on exactly what happened


Thank you, Pei Zuan, for the link.

In memory of Pierre

Dear friends of Pierre,

This is probably the worst way to start a blog. As you have known by now, Pierre has left us very unexpectedly yesterday in Yale, USA.

At the request of his parents, there will be a memorial held at Yale. If you wish to send any messages, tributes or reminiscences to be included in the booklet or be read outloud, please send it to

huzir@checkpoint-theatre.org


by 11am Tuesday morning (20th Nov 2007) Singapore time.

I have copied all the email correspondences that I have received with regards to what have happened.


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From: "Huzir Sulaiman" Date: November 18, 2007 9:28:48 PM PST To: "Ivan Heng" Cc: "Casey Lim" , "Chien Seen Chiu", heyin.sg@gmail.com Subject: Pierre Update 2 Dear CS, Casey, Ivan, Please circulate: Sunday 11:55pm US time:





Claire and I have just returned from a vigil held for Pierre at the Experimental Theatre. There were 150 or more people there, students and faculty, including heads of departments and the Dean. The shock and grief were palpable -- many were weeping -- but it was clear that Pierre was very much loved. Many spoke and shared memories of Pierre's dedication and quirky humour. Again and again people talked about how passionate he was about Singapore theatre and how much he had talked about wanting to go back and make a difference. Poems were read and music was played. I talked about the Pierre that we all knew from Singapore, and how much he loved theatre and was so commited to learning, and how much he loved being at Yale.


Leaving the theatre, we lit candles and walked slowly to the courtyard of the Yale Cabaret. We gathered and looked up at the moon -- a Lighting student had told the story of how Pierre brought mooncakes one day and explained that people separated were still united by being under the moon. Two students sang beautiful spirituals, and we raised our candles high. Three verses of Amazing Grace were sung. It was heartbreaking. Tomorrow at noon Pebble and Pierre's brother are getting in to JFK. I will go to meet them and bring them back to New Haven. Pierre's father will be arriving at Newark airport around 5, and Claire will meet him there and bring him back to New Haven. The Drama School is sending cars for them. On Tuesday afternoon, a Catholic memorial service will be held for Pierre. At the request of his family, it will be in a Yale theatre, which the School is arranging.


If members of the Singapore/Malaysia theatre community would like to send messages, tributes, or reminiscences of him, please email them to me (huzir@checkpoint-theatre.org) by 11am Tuesday morning Singapore time so that they can either be read or distributed in a booklet at the memorial service.


We are both overwhelmed with grief. It is very surreal. On Tuesday Pierre helped us with a read of Atomic Jaya. Claire and I did it in one of the Yale Drama School spaces. Pierre took the whole day helping us. The reading went well and we all went to Sullivan's, the unofficial Drama School pub/restaurant, for supper. Pierre ordered an Irish Martini. The waitress said, "We haven't had one of those in a while." That just about sums up Pierre -- we haven't had a spirit as bright as his in a while, and we are not likely to see his like again soon.


We really miss him.


Love from both of us.

Huzir

(Huzir is Pierre's ex-colleague in Singapore)



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On 11/18/07, Ivan Heng wrote:



Thanks very much for calling Huzir. This is devastating news. I spoke to Doris and Felina were close and who had booked his airticket for his return to Jakarta and Singapore. I will inform the many folks who knew him and loved him. Please let me know if there's anything I can do to help. Love, Ivan



*****



From: Huzir Sulaiman [mailto:huzir@checkpoint-theatre.org] Sent: Monday, 19 November, 2007 7:35 AM To: Casey Lim; Chien Seen Chiu;

Subject: Update on Pierre



I have just spoken to James Bundy, dean of the Drama School. There is a vigil for Pierre tonight, in 3 hrs time, at the Experimental Theatre at Yale. His parents are due to arrive on Tuesday night US time. An autopsy is currently being performed as required by law and his body will be returned to the funeral home tomorrow morning. A memorial service will be held with his parents and the Drama School if his parents wish it. We have spoken to Pebble and we will look after her when she arrives.



Love Huzir



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On 11/18/07, Huzir Sulaiman wrote: Dear CS, Casey, Ivan:

Below is the official message with the terrible news about Pierre, I will keep you updated on the situation. Please tell the people who knew him.

Love, Huzir


Dear YSD Community,

I write with heartbreaking news of the death of one of our students: Pierre-André Salim. Pierre sustained an injury to his head while unloading scenery during the load-in of Tartuffe this morning. EMS was immediately called. He was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital where they were unable to resuscitate him.

At 3:00 p.m. today (Sunday, November 17th), you are invited to a meeting in the Yale Rep Lounge where the community can gather together and we will share what information we have. Between now and 3:00 p.m., members of the faculty, staff and counselors will be available in the Yale Rep Lounge to talk with you and gather informally. I am terribly sorry to share such tragic news in an e-mail, and I hope that you will be able to gather with us this afternoon.

We will continue to update you as we know more.

Sincerely yours,
James James Bundy
Dean/Artistic Director
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If there are any updates or any news, we will update in this blog.
Please feel free to leave comments below, if you have any.

Let us pray for Pierre and his family.

In memory of Pierre,
C Blkers