From Michael Singho
Finian Lowe’s passing on Sunday at the age of 64 was unexpected, a shock to all those who knew him, especially members of the Portuguese Eurasian (Cristang and Serani) community here and abroad.
As a singer-musician, Finian had gained a reputation of a folk personality with legendary status.
Malacca folk will have him perform at almost all, if not all, of their weddings, birthday parties, dinner functions and cultural festivals like Intrudu and San Pedro.
He was also a mainstay in the music and entertainment scene of Eurasian events in the Klang Valley, Penang, Negeri Sembilan and other places.
The reasons for his enigmatic pull was not just because he was a good vocalist, a consummate musician or he had a wide repertoire but because he felt the Portuguese heart.
He knew the Cristang temperament, he breathed the Eurasian pulses, he moved with the Serani beats, all of which was what he was – a representation of what we all are in our music and artistic flows and temperament.
That was why he and his music were able to connect and the response towards him was equally enthusiastic.
Whether he was delivering the classics, the samba, rumba, rock and roll, cha-cha, country hits, the Latins, the Branyo, joget or Surangani, he delivered them the way we wanted, simply because that was the way he wanted it, too.
Finian and his music were an important and vibrant element in conserving and enhancing the social and interactional fabric of our community.
He brought us together, serving multiple moments when our hearts were held warmly as one.
He had earned the status of being an icon in our community, one that will never be forgotten.
Personally, he was a good friend, a wonderful friend of the family and a close and long-term associate in the music arena.
He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew and were touched by him.
Thank you for the music Finian, and may you now rest in peace with Jesus by your side and your voice resonating in songs through the corridors of heaven.
Members of the Portuguese Eurasian and music communities extend their deepest condolences to Margaret and children.
*The funeral mass will be held tomorrow at 10am at the Chapel of Immaculate Conception, Portuguese Settlement, Melaka, followed by cremation at the Melaka Memorial Park.
Michael Singho is the president of the Malacca Portuguese-Eurasian Association.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.