A Vocal Fusion Contestant has dedicated his Top 6 competition song as a tribute to his late fan as well as making awareness of the killer disease that killed him.
McSteve Polly, one of the Vocal Fusion’s Top 6 contestants for this season and Mt Hagen’s competitive auditionee informed EMTV Online the untimely death of his cousin brother, Bala Londei, who was his number-one fan, supporter and best friend.
Polly said he really wanted to dedicate this song as a tribute to his cousin because of the final act of loyalty and friendship late Bala did to him.
Polly, also a Lae Snax Tigers player heard of Vocal Fusion Hagen Auditions in August and was about to travel up to Mt Hagen when his car broke down. It was then that Bala came to his rescue and fixed his car.
“Bala was my best friend and little brother whom I love so much and it was his dream to see me win,” said Polly.
“Every night we would sit down and talk about the grand prize and Bala would joke of becoming the driver when I win the car.”
According to Polly, Bala died on Tuesday 7th October at Mt Hagen General Hospital, a day before Polly performed at his Top 8 competition at The Cosmopolitan in Port Moresby.
The 20-year old young man died at his tender age from Meningitis, a disease often caused by bacterial or viral infections resulting in inflammation (swelling) of the protective membranes (fluid) covering or surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can also be a result of injury, cancer, or certain drugs.
Whilst making an awareness of the disease, and encouraging young people to have monthly or yearly medical checks, Polly said Meningitis is a killer disease which is claiming lives of a lot of young Papua New Guineans and authorities need to look into it to prevent it from claiming more lives.
“This disease has crippled two of my best cousins. The other one, Rupert Kamiak is still on his sickbed. He has been there for three years.” reiterated Polly.
Polly thanked his Vocal Coach, Dorothy Numiamapule, for the encouragement and support during the time of his loss.
Fans can tune in to EMTV at 6 pm on Sunday, October 16 to watch Polly singing his tribute song.
