Afterwards, the stage was taken over by a powerful violin solo performed by Kong Jo Yee. The night then continued with an array of dances, ranging from contemporary English and a Malay piece to classical ballet to modern jazz by group and solo performers alike brought something unique to the stage, each performance memorable in its own way with their very own style. The audience was completely absorbed, unable to take their eyes off the performers.

There was something for everyone to enjoy. Although the concert lasted over two hours, time seemed to fly by, as each act held your attention even if you weren’t a music enthusiast.

One performer began her solo by addressing the audience, reminding them that by simply attending, they had done a good deed and contributed to a meaningful cause. Another performer presented a piece that I interpreted as a commentary on war, a thought-provoking piece that truly resonated with me.

Dancers were not the only thing in store for the rest of the night as there were also singers and captivating cappella performances of both well-known and not so well-known musical numbers, but thoroughly captivating nonetheless, I was in complete awe of how high they could raise their voice. 

One of the last performances of the night was a complete cuteness overload from the Performing Arts School, which consisted of seven girls performing a lyrical ballet of popular Disney songs back to back, ranging from soundtracks from Moana to Coco to Frozen and many more, where you couldn’t help but sing along.

In the end, as the curtains closed, the Once Upon a Dream charity concert became, not just a performance but a celebration of talent and kindness.

This event featured performances in collaboration with Yamaha Minuet Music ,Aurora School of Dance, Clavier Ballet Academy, Young Choral Academy, Meadow Ballet Centre, Asia Ballet Academy, and The Performing Arts School, whose talented performers contributed to the success of this event.

On 20 September 2025, Taylor’s University became a place of joy, connection, and discovery as the Active Ageing Impact Lab, together with Shine Ambassadors and Hospital Selayang, proudly hosted the Active Ageing Festival 2025. With the theme “Wellness for Ageing” this collaboration brought seniors, students, caregivers, and medical professionals together for a day that blended celebration and knowledge.

As Malaysia moves closer to becoming an aged nation, this festival carried a special meaning: it was not only about staying healthy, but also about staying connected, active, and inspired with ourselves and each other.

From the very first hour, excitement was in the air. Participants were welcomed at the registration counters before exploring the many activity booths outside The Grand Hall. There was something for everyone: bean bag toss, speed ball cups, colour match games, and even a Chinese calligraphy corner where seniors tried their hand at brush strokes. For those more health-focused, booths offered blood sugar checks, blood pressure tests, and grip strength assessments, giving useful insights into personal wellness.

At 9:00am, everyone gathered in The Grand Hall for a lively fitness session led by two energetic instructors. Using resistance bands, they demonstrated simple exercises that seniors could practice at home. Some brave participants even went up on stage, much to the delight of the cheering audience. The message was clear: staying fit can be fun at any age.

The Opening Ceremony began with a warm speech by Assoc Prof Dr. Yau Weng Keong, Director of the Active Ageing Impact Lab, followed by remarks from YB Tuan Wong Chen, who officiated the event. Both reminded us how important it is to prepare for an ageing society while celebrating the strengths and wisdom that come with growing older.

The performances that followed brought colour and culture to the stage. From the elegant Malay dance by Tari Mas and Inang Saari dancers, to the lively Chinese dance by Mr. Oon’s Subang Jaya group, the hall was filled with rhythm and applause. 

Then came a surprise flash mob, where everyone was invited to join in the fun. It was a truly unforgettable sight, with seniors and students dancing side by side.

The festival also offered practical workshops designed to help seniors and families manage real-life challenges. Topics included:

Each session gave participants not just information, but also confidence to face the future with positivity.

Running alongside the festival was a medical symposium for healthcare professionals, hosted in the lecture halls of Taylor’s University. Esteemed doctors and specialists shared their expertise on topics such as dementia detection, Parkinson’s disease, palliative care, frailty management, and even surgical challenges for elderly patients.

While more technical in nature, the symposium added great value to the festival by ensuring that the spirit of active ageing is supported by the latest research and medical practices. Many participants felt reassured knowing that the country’s best experts are working hard to improve healthcare for older adults.

After a hearty lunch at Arcadia and more workshops in the afternoon, the festival concluded with the much-anticipated lucky draw. Smiles lit up the room as winners walked away with their prizes, and the day officially closed with a sense of warmth and accomplishment.

The Active Ageing Festival 2025 was more than just an event—it was a celebration of life. It showed that ageing is not something to fear, but something to embrace with energy, wisdom, and support from the community.

From games and dancing to heartfelt stories and medical insights, every moment reflected the festival’s promise: where passion for healthy ageing meets expert care. Participants left not only with knowledge, but also with memories of laughter, friendship, and a renewed belief that the golden years can truly be golden.

        - Abraham Lincoln, 16th president of the United States

An important lesson that must be learned for the betterment of our lives, is that health and happiness transcend all material wealth. Even happiness cannot pertain without the pre-existence of good health, if not a great one. When American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, "The first wealth is health,” in his 1860 archives, the essence of that claim needs to be dissected clearly to understand its applications in conventional living. Emerson's century-old quote, cited by Harvard economist and health expert David E. Bloom in Finance and Development's lead article, reminds us that good health is the foundation of building—a life, a community and an economy (Hayden, 2014). 

The Active Ageing Lab is dedicated to promoting a fulfilling and meaningful life for senior citizens in their golden years. Striving to research and implement innovative approaches that empower older adults to lead active, engaged, and meaningful lives.

A thoughtful initiative by the Taylor’s Impact Labs Community, in collaboration with notable companies in their respective fields, namely Aham Capital, Assunta Hospital, KPJ Hospital and Allianz Bank, was held recently at Taylor’s Lakeside campus. The event aimed to effectively spread awareness of the importance of being active throughout our lives, with a special emphasis on maintaining activity during later years. Attendees were warmly welcomed by a bustling and lively atmosphere featuring game booths and complimentary medical check-up stations. A more befitting description of the event would be “your typical neighbourhood community gathering” where everybody spent their time mingling, sharing insights and discovering helpful resources. One of the event’s highlights would undoubtedly be the olden-days camera, sponsored by Allianz Bank for the photo booth, which added a fun and memorable twist to the experience.  

Dr. Lee Chung Wah has been working in the field of psychiatry for over 10 years and has served in many regions around Klang Valley & Sabah. Centering his talk about dementia, Dr Lee expanded the discussion into deciphering Alzheimer's disease, the intricacies of dementia and also a personal struggle concerning his mother’s battle with the condition. A notable takeaway from his speech was about meditation as a preventative measure. A study led by a researcher from the University College London in 2022, finds that an 18-month meditation routine improves attention and socio-emotional regulation capacities in people aged 65 (Chételat, Lutz, Klimecki, 2022). 

Assunta Hospital, one of the oldest medical facilities in Malaysia, had been present at the event to offer their complimentary yet, top quality medical check-ups for attendees. At the booth, an array of medical equipment was arranged to facilitate easy and efficient health screenings, including BMI checks and BP checks. To get a deeper insight, I had the opportunity to interview the hospital’s head of marketing, Ms Theresa Yu who shared that one of the key highlights at their booth was the ASSISS charity fund, a program designed to make medical aid accessible to those in need. Ms Yu also stressed on taking a self-initiative approach to health, urging seniors to "step out of their comfort zones" and avoid being constricted to their mundane lifestyles. "Don't put yourself in a cube," she said, highlighting the need for individuals to embrace new experiences and prioritise their health before problems arise. 

I was also fortunate to meet with the Public Relations Executive at KPJ Hospital, Ms Syarifah Aini, who expressed her heartfelt enthusiasm for the Active Ageing Fest. Apart from the usual BP and BMI screenings, Ms Aini and her team also offered pancreatic assessments, glucose and cholesterol checks and dietetic consultations. Ms Aini found the event to be refreshing and interactive and effectively fostered a sense of community, bridging the generational gap and encouraging younger individuals to connect with older adults in meaningful ways. 

One of the attendees, Ms Santa, a 70-year-old woman, expressed her excitement to be a part of the event. Being a homemaker for almost 50 years, Ms Santa claimed that her routine lifestyle has sort of etched itself into a habitual path, which she finds difficult to grow out of—a challenge for many Asian women unfortunately. It is individuals like this, that events such as the Active Ageing Fest work best for.

The student volunteers brought vibrant energy and fresh perspectives to the table, which is essential in the developmental stages of the event’s preparation. Israa Tahir, currently studying interior architecture dedicated her time to this event because she believes that age shouldn’t limit one’s willingness to try new things, and the notion that it has the power to define one’s interest was greatly challenged. She shared stories about her enjoyment of being a part of the event, from preparing 200 goodie bags to working on the interactive canvas mural and the yoga session. Mandy, who was also assisting the same booth, said that her participation in the event gave her valuable experience that is not typically offered in her digital marketing course. 

Rutba, a Biomedical Science student, gave her insightful thoughts on the modern practices of age control or age reversal which she found problematic and unnatural. She added that people should seek more natural, genuine techniques for mitigating health problems and signs of ageing, as it is not necessarily inevitable. I personally resonated with her sentiments, as we live in a world where such superficial practices are at arm’s reach, especially to the vulnerable divisions of our community like teenagers and young adults. 

As the Active Ageing Fest came to a close, it left an indelible mark on the attendees and volunteers, including myself. The beauty of the event was how it implicitly and explicitly illustrates the concept of ageing as something more than just a fleeting phase of life, but rather an opportunity that opens new doors for growth, joy and tranquillity. This was brilliantly achieved, as attendees left with more than just goodie bags and gift vouchers. They left the event space with a renewed sense of purpose, a reminder that everyone possesses the potential to lead vibrant and fulfilling lives, and it's a matter of whether we choose to embrace it or not.