LILA Ambrosio Lauchengco @ LEILA Sani
Performing Arts in Singapore (Dance),
Accession Number 002841
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 6
Total Reels
- Julianti Parani
Interviewer
- 02:47:05
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 6
Metadata
- 22 Apr 2004
Recording Date
- 00:29:46
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Born in Colombo. Filipino-Chinese father and Filipino mother. Schooled first in Singapore, then Manila, finally Singapore at age 11, when father returned to Philippines. At early age, sang at Great World Cabaret, Dardanella. Later joined Bolero, under Bakhtiar Effendi. At 14, returned to school at mother's request. Ended at Secondary Two at Convent School in Bras Basah. Learned ballet, tap and modern dance from Sister Helina. At Bolero learned various Indonesian dances from Bakhtiar's wife Suhara and sisters Samsiar and Suratna. Known as Singapore's Shirley Temple.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 6
Metadata
- 22 Apr 2004
Recording Date
- 00:30:49
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Incident at beginning of Japanese Occupation involving her and opera group near Muar, Malaya. Returned to Singapore, worked for Bolero, under Bakhtiar Effendi. Met first husband, Abdullah Sani, Singaporean singer of Javanese origin, on tour to Tanjung Pinang. Had five sons (one died), one daughter. Second husband Fred, Eurasian; had one daughter, one son. Toured with group to Malaysia, Sarawak, Borneo, Riau. Recorded 20 songs for HMV and Columbia, mostly Malay, two English. As free-lancer, contracted by Shaw Brothers for dancing with singing. Good at kronchong. Played guitar, piano. Sewed sarong-kebayas to support mother, brothers' education. Earned more than husband.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 6
Metadata
- 22 Apr 2004
Recording Date
- 00:28:56
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Her children's upbringing. Mother Filemina helped when she was on tour. Interviewee looked after elder daughter Suraini. Choreographed dances for Malay movies. Preferred Latin-American dances; also liked international dances. Taught dancing at Kampong Glam School after War. Many teachers learnt from her. Knew differences between traditional joget and dances developed after 1970s. Also differences between Malaysian, Singaporean and Indonesian dance styles. About a Baba Tan, joget contractor, who had Indonesian wives; knew about Indonesian dances, advised her on joget. Felt that dances had evolved, joget, as well as ball-room and Latin-American dances.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 6
Metadata
- 22 Apr 2004
Recording Date
- 00:31:35
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
She was wife of Tompel, comedian from P Ramlee movies. Tompel came from bangsawan group that broke down; Tompel went into movies with wife, K P Tompel. K P was of same Joget generation as Supenah, Momo Latief. Admitted their contribution in 1960s of Sriwana group. Experienced Zapin dance with various Singapore Arabs. Joget elite entertainment in 1950s and 1960s. Differences with Zapin from Malaysia, and what she experienced in Singapore then. More about her grown-up children who had families of their own. Her marriage.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 6
Metadata
- 7 May 2004
Recording Date
- 00:30:05
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
About other Filipino artists in Singapore eg Solianos, Indai Soliano (Queenie); danced like her, whose husband was Javanese. About Gerry Soliano, famous pianist and composer; other brothers like Tony, Dudung, and Tuting, all worked in music. Remembered learning some Filipino dances in Manila when she was at school there. Earned enough money to support first, her own brothers as her mother did not earn that much, later, her own children from Sani and Fred, as both earned less than her. Earned from cabaret, teaching dance and dancing in movies.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 6
Metadata
- 7 May 2004
Recording Date
- 00:15:54
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
About her children's upbringing while she worked. She and mother had own dance group after Bolero closed down. Group called Leila Sinaran Bulan. In pre-war time, earned between $2 and $3 nightly. After war, earned between $100 and $200 nightly. Supported her families until they grew up, earned own living. Then, they were able to support her too.
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