Fikon a platform for artistes to grow into versatile entertainers — Founder
BINTULU: The Final Concert, or Fikon, offers aspiring singers a platform to develop into versatile entertainers capable of going far in the industry.
Its founder Tuah Jili said contestants in Fikon not only learn how to sing properly, but are also exposed to other basic skills and knowledge in acting and dancing.
“We want our products to be versatile and not only confi ned to singing. This is for their survival in the entertainment industry,” he said, adding that very few entertainers went on to have a successful career.
He said the just- concluded Fikon 7, held here on Sunday, was the fi nal event held in Bintulu as it will be rebranded to Fikon Sarawak next year and will take place in Kuching.
“Fikon is a platform for beginners to enter the singing industry and some of the fi nalists of the previous editions have become recording artistes, releasing single albums and tracks,” said Tuah, who is the Sarawak Arts Council ( MSS) Northern Zone manager. MSS comes under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports.
According to him, the finalists had undergone practical and theoretical training and classes for a month since the audition to prepare them for the fi nale.
These finalists, he added, had been trained and guided not just to sing, but also to be able to deliver highly quality entertainment whilst performing in front of a big crowd.
“For the record, the ideas of their performances are all from them as we only assist them to explore their creativity.
“There is no room for them to take things for granted because they cannot be complacent in this industry.
“They must challenge themselves regularly to do something that they have never done before,” said Tuah to The Borneo Post.
From zero knowledge in singing to something that they and their families could be proud of is an achievement that Tuah dedicated to his years of hard work in managing Fikon since 2012.
Tuah, who has been managing Fikon since 2012, said contenders will be inculcated with not only the relevant knowledge in singing, but most importantly the discipline to be an artiste.
He stressed that without high discipline, one cannot go far in the industry.
He said the dedication shown by his team, especially Kumpulan Sri Budaya Bintulu, paid off in the end by seeing Fikon recognised at state-level following the decision to rebrand it.
“Personally, I am sad because there is no more Fikon in Bintulu, but we are proud that our efforts all these years have been recognised by the ministry.
“Rebranding it to Fikon Sarawak is like a dream come true and I will continue coordinating it next year since it is my brainchild,” he added.