Yes.

It's still Anoneh Pakuke.

Despite the turn of events, the broken winning streak and the unfathomable outcome, one thing is still as clear as our mace of honour...

TK Band is still the best band in the land - in the school's eyes, in the alumni's heart and in every each ex-band members soul. No matter how far apart we drifted from the moment we graduated off the field, no matter how we laugh at the fact that some people are still band enthusiast and no matter how much we throw snide remarks about hopes of the band losing; we're still gathered at the National Stadium on one fateful day every two years. The field of dreams. Where memories are irreplaceable and where victory had never ceased to fall in our grips.

Except.

Pretty self-explanatory. And as much as i try not to let it bother me, it still does. And although i laughed it off when leaving the stadium after the results were announced, only God knows how my heart bleeds as i stumbled upon the SYF tickets while clearing my bag for the day.

I cried when i thought of the celebrations in 2002 and 2004. And i cried knowing how sick and shitty the 2008 batch must be feeling. I do not know how to feel as i hadn't felt it before. But i know TK Band. One single downfall won't break us. Deyi might have snatch our championship away, but i believe, with every smallest faith in me, that TK Band will show the world why we claimed that we defined excellence.

And that very excellence will be re-defined in 2010. Deyi will march their sorry socks off and politely hand back our crown. After all, we are a class of our own. The best band in the land. And among all, we define excellence. Take away our title now, for you deserve it, seeing how we've underestimated you bandits, but our spirit stays and burns forever until we get back what is rightfully ours. That, i have always believed.

Deyi got my salute for the outstanding performance. Without a doubt, the best band wins. But TK Band will be back. I know. I trust.

So my band days may be over about four years back, but once in band, always in band. And even as i stand a different person, an engaged lady with a new family soon to be build, i'm still a TK Band member. And absolutely nothing can take that away.

The band's victory ten years down the road will still be MY band's victory. And you can bet that even if i'm married with seven kids, i'd still be blogging down every Outdoor Band Competition as if i was still on the field, with a clarinet in my hand, enduring the heat and sweat, and standing with rigid posture ready to strike and show why TK Band is feared.

Applause to TK Band batch 2008. You guys were marvelous. Bring back the glory in two years time. The glory that is rightfully ours. Anoneh Pakuke.

Forever. Anoneh Pakuke.

We fell this year, TK Band. But we fell with pride, our heads held high and our faithful instruments in our hands.

I am still proud to be a TK Band member. Nothing beats the experience of being in a military band. Win, lose, or draw...the memory will stay.

And...i'll still yell Anoneh Pakuke at the top of my lungs.