One Man’s Passion

NOTES FROM VENUS
Tuesday, 22 Jan 2008.
By Membuaya

While I know I may not be waiting in line front and centre to watch Rambo 4, I do know of one person who will be, and that guy is Greald Chuah – probably Sylvester Stallone’s greatest fan, here in Malaysia and likely the world.

Gerald is a really nice guy, a journalist whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with in the past, and the reason I bring him up is because his story is one that can be admired. We all knew Gerald was mad about Rocky, Rambo and all things Sylvester, but as we all went about our daily lives, little did we (or possibly me, since I am considered very blur) realise that Gerald was working on a book that culminates his passion into a positive undertaking.

Gerald wrote an inspirational book entitled based on Sylvester’s life and films!Who would have ever imagined that a self-help book would take inspiration from a movie?
A quote on the backcover of the book entitled In The Eye of the Tiger: Survival Principles from Sylvester Stallone’s Life & Films sums up the philosophy and concept of the book:

“I want to give the audience positive symbols, heroines and heroes who pull themselves up from the depths of despair. As they claw and finally attain their goals, viewers can realize `My God, I can do that,’ or `That’s the kind of person I want to be.” – Sylvester Stallone.

As the tagline of the latest Rocky movie says: “It ain’t over till it’s over!” Gerald who started writing this book many years ago was determined to get his book off the ground as a final tribute to the underdog fighter in conjunction with the last installment of the Rocky series.

His challenge was three-fold – to complete and publish his book, to have Jackie Stallone launch his book, and to make it on time for the premiere of Rocky Balboa (last year) within the space of one month. And, he achieved it!

Like a Hollywood ending to a life affirming story Gerald finally went the distance achieved his goal, proving that nothing is impossible to a willing heart.

When Gerald launched his book after a special screening of Rocky Balboa at GSC Times Square, Jackie was there to celebrate with Gerald. Jackie was on a Far East tour with her husband Dr. Stephen M. Levine and she made the special trip to KL to meet Gerald especially for the event.

During the book launch on Jan 22 2007, Jackie, who first saw the book two years earlier was impressed by the accuracy of the facts, and its relevance of the inspirational quotes to Stallone’s real life struggles.

She said, “I am very proud of your book! I read the book and every word is true. The whole family live by these rules.”

“It is a miracle how Gerald was able to gather all these quotes and put them together in a book. I think everyone who wants to be successful, rich, and famous should read these quotes and practice them,” she added.

Driven by a mission to impart these powerful secrets to the world, Chuah religiously documented each and every point to inspire readers to get back on their feet and onto the heart of action, proving that our greatest strength lies within and is inspired from above.

He defines The Eye of the Tiger as a feeling, an awareness and a belief that there is something greater for us to achieve in life than what we seemingly are in this present reality, it is a call of duty that we must heed and a voice from our conscience that compels us to reach the destiny of our restless souls.

Now how’s that for a good story?

Written by membuaya | | Posted in VenusReads
http://www.notesfromvenus.com/blog/?p=2364

In The Eye of the Tiger: Survival Principles From Sylvester Stallone's Films And Life By Gerald Chuah

The Greatest Treasure On Earth
By Fillip Lim (NST Life&Times)

Gerald is an old friend of mine and an office colleague. For a better part of 18 years, he has laboured on his pet project. There were times when he must have felt like giving up because he wasn't sure if the book he was working on will eventually seen the light of day.

I recall the times through the years when he came to me to express the doubts and the frustrations he has had over this book. In many ways, I understood, sympathised as well as empathised with what he was going through.

For one thing, finding a publisher for a book with that kind of title is never easy. Then there are the copyright laws and other legalities that make publication seemed like an uphill battle at times.

Gerald underwent all that and more. Finally one day about a year or two ago, he again engaged in a conversation with me over "In the Eye of the Tiger". Out of a sense of frustration with Gerald's consistent hesitations and procrastinations, I blurted out:
"You are not getting any younger. You have walked this path longer than most normal writers. It's time for you to do what you must. If you have any satisfaction or reward that you think you deserve for slogging on this project of yours, now is the time to do it. Spend your own money.

Forget about cornering or signing that book deal with a faceless publisher. That may never come. Once it's done, at least you know you have done it.

"Decades from now, Gerald, when all is said and done, at least you can boast to your grandchildren that their grandpappy has one book to his name. And nobody can take that away from you."

Before I know it, Gerald went on an overdrive and got his book published at last - all at his own expense. I thought that was the best testimony of what he has expounded in his book, In the Eye of the Tiger.

Figuratively, he jumped on the tiger and rode it.

Now that that mission has been accomplished, I am pleased to say that the book is undoubtedly a good read.

Any reader would realise quite quickly all the passion that has been invested in the book. Gerald lives his life along the principles he so believes. A man can have any hobby in the world, my friend Gerald has seen it fit to absorb the principles embodied in all of Sylvester Stallone's movies, especially The Rocky series.

I am glad this book has brought much joy to an old chum. It is not often that a person can truly feel happy with his own achievements. To have a book with such a title on the book shelves of major bookstores is truly something to be proud of.

Initially, there were doubts among a number of people, among them Gerald's friends, that whether this journalist can see it all through. But praise the Lord, Gerald stuck to his guns and romped home a winner.

The principles expounded in the book and the anecdotes that accompany most of the guideposts make a book of such nature quite palatable. Even if you are not an admirer or a fan of Stallone, you would appreciate the trouble that the writer had gone through to amass the mini-mountains of facts to put his points across.

In the Eye of the Tiger is recommended for those who are seeking answers to their lives. It doesn't matter if you are young or old, Gerald's book will shine a path in the darkened corners of your mind, and hopefully lead you to higher ground.

I have read a draft of this book before it was published and I have just digested the finished product. The writer has gone through numerous revisions of the manuscript before it saw print.

It has taken thousands of hours and much mental energy on the part of Gerald to finally sculpted it to its final form. The end product will make any writer proud.

Gerald Chuah has done a fine job. The important thing is he believes in himself. It has been a long and interesting journey. I am sure there were times when he probably question whether it was worth it.

Thank goodness, those moments were fleeting. Those painful moments are now history. The door is thrown wide open. Gerald can now hold his head up high and walk with a steady gait.

He has done well and he knows it. Congratulations, Gerald. You have earned it all. Now go and reap the rewards of your literary labour.

THE GREATEST TREASURE ON EARTH

This blog is all about books which have fascinated or caught my interest over the decades. The wonderful thing is there's no limit to finding nuggets of information in the written word.

ABOUT ME

fillip - A journeyman in the world of communications, still learning, but always enjoying what each day has to offer. Personal credo: Make the most out of every minute of every hour every single day of my life.

Posted by fillip at 2:33 AM December 2007
http://fantasticbooks.blogspot.com/2007_10_01_archive.html

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

NST (Friday, Sept 28, 2007)
by Rehman Rashid

In the Eye of the Tiger: Survival Principles from Sylvester Stallone's Life & Films
Gerald Chuah
Gerald Chuah; Kuala
Lumpur, 2007; 226pp;

SYLVESTER Stallone and his mother were astounded by this book.
When the actor was in Singapore for the opening of Planet Hollywood in 1997, Gerald Chuah managed to pass him an early draft of his manuscript.

As Stallone returned to his seat next to Cindy Crawford, Chuah heard him mutter to her: "How do you respond to this?" Exactly the right response, no doubt.

It took another 10 years for Chuah to complete and publish his book. It's impossible to categorise. It could find a place in a bookstore's sections on movies, biography, popular culture, self-help, motivation, New Age esoterica and comparative mythology, for heaven's sake.

Back in 1986, a teenage Malaysian watched John Rambo in First Blood for the first time and experienced an epiphany worthy of the road to Arizona. Over the next 18 years, Gerald Chuah dulang-washed Stallone's life and work for nuggets of universal truth.

The result is a remarkable assemblage of reflections, aphorisms and homilies built around quotes and outtakes from Stallone's films. It is the uber-fanzine; the product of an obsession that might be certifiable were it not channelled and refined into this ageless document.

Chuah remains a reporter, however, and his frequent transitions from reflection to reportage in comprehensively cataloguing Sylvester Stallone's career add to the boundary-busting, genre-defying nature of this book.

Utterly innocent of cynicism, In the Eye of the Tiger stands unique among local publications. Heck, all publications. It can be confidently asserted that nothing remotely like this has ever been done before.

But in sifting these pearls of insight from the mountainous midden of American pop culture, Chuah somehow redeems it, turning it into the compost for a strange and wonderful blossoming.

To put it another way: He's penetrated the vacuity of Hollywood to tap the heart within. It's surely poetic that this should have happened with Stallone's work, for it was just such honest-to-goodness naivete that created John Rambo, Rocky Balboa, Marion Cobretti, Kit Latura, Lincoln Hawke and all his other superhumanunderdog anti-hero avatars.

With a limited print run, despite its startling originality, it's fingers-crossed on whether Chuah's book will get enough attention to merit a second edition in paperback (hopefully at a third of the cover price).

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/Columns/20070928093656/Article/index_html

Eight Pages of Booknews!

bibliobibuli
Sunday, March 25, 2007

By Sharon Bakar

Wah! The Readsmonthly supplement in StarMag has doubled in size this month. What a great Sunday treat for the book addicted! (Next month we demand 12 pages.)

There's a story by Daphne Lee about a remarkable young man called Gerald Chuah who wrote a book about his favourite actor and films when he was feeling down and depressed in his early '20's. In the Eye of the Tiger: Survival Principles from Sylvester Stallone's Life and Films has finally been self-published by Chuah to coincide with the release of Rocky Balboa, the sixth film in the Rocky series.

The article tells how Chuah managed to pass the manuscript to Stallone when he was in Singapore, and how Jackie Stallone (Sylvester's mum) supported the project, even appearing at the launch with Chuah. And now famous motivational speaker and author Bob Proctor has offered to publish the book internationally.

Among the other reviews: Dina Zaman's I Am Muslim is reviewed by Farish Noor, Amirul B. Ruslan reviews Only Revolutions by Mark Z. Danielewski (and whilst I don't think the book sounds like my cup of tea, am impressed with the 17 year old reviewer!
Keep writing, kid!);

Ooi Si Min reviews No Dram of Mercy - Sybil Kathigesu's memoir detailing how she gave medical aid to both civilians and members of the Malayan People's Anti-Japanese Army; and (surprise surprise!) Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil talks about her reading, reveals herself to be a Hanif Kureishi fan (me too!) and reviews very nicely Sweetness in the Belly by Camilla Gibb. My dear friend Kaykay seems now to be writing under his real name as Krishna Kumar, and reviews Hannibal Rising.

And there's much much more!

*(The book is also included in Faces of Courage which was until recently a "restricted" book).

posted by bibliobibuli at 9:13 AM |

Inspiration: Going The Distance With Rocky

ONION SPIRIT

Mark Khoo aka Markk is the author of the Onion Spirit blog, who knew Gerald Chuah before the book launch, and continues to give his full support. Check out his inspirational blog Onion Spirit at http://onionspirit.com, filled with unusual ideas and rare insights on the inner workings of the mind and the internet.


INSPIRATION can be drawn from many sources if you know where to look, and sometimes it comes from the most unexpected source you wouldn’t have thought of in the first place.

A book written by award-winning Malaysian journalist Gerald Chuah has surprisingly revealed powerful inspirational life lessons from movies that featured action movie star Sylvester Stallone.

If you’re a fan of Stallone, you’ll know that his films draw on the tradition of the underdog, the downtrodden man who comes out on top.

How is that so?
According to renowned philosopher, author and coach Bob Proctor, Chuah’s book, entitled “In The Eye Of The Tiger: Survival Principles From Sylvester Stallone’s Life & Films,” has captured the inspirational nuances of “The Secret,” a best-selling book authored by Rhonda Byrne and which has been turned into a movie.

Chuah has compiled all the life lessons and inspirational quotes from Stallone’s Life and Films since the 70s, and for the first time - 30 years after - he has published the book of which you can download the first chapter for free here to get a taste of what Proctor describes as “a phenomenal book.”

The book was launched by Sylvester’s mother, Jacqueline Stallone, in Kuala Lumpur early this year in conjunction with the last episode in the Rocky series, “Rocky Balboa.”

“It’s absolutely incredible,” says Proctor. “Chuah went against all odds to deliver the book. He had asked himself: ‘What would Stallone do? What would Rocky Balboa do?’ “

From all Stallone’s movies, the man always go the extra round. So did Chuah to get the book out.

Verdict: A motivational book that reminds us that only losers give up without a fight.

Read the rest of the article at http://onionspirit.com.


Jacqueline Stallone and Gerald Chuah at
the launch of his book in Kuala Lumpur


P.S. If you’re interested in the book, please contact Gerald Chuah at gchuah@gmail.com.

THE STAR: Doing Rocky Proud

THE STAR
By Daphne Lee

Like a certain Mr Balboa, a Malaysian writer perseveres – for almost two decades – and finally gets his book published.

IT all started 18 years ago. Gerald Chuah, then in his early 20s, was feeling dejected and depressed. He was in college but felt that he had no future. Many of his friends were furthering their studies abroad and he was disappointed that he didn't have the same opportunities as they did.

"I wondered how I could change my life," recalls Chuah. "I was sitting on my bed, staring into space and then I suddenly focused on the Sylvester Stallone poster on the wall. And there and then I decided to do what I loved best. I decided to write a book about being inspired by the actor and his films."

Chuah says that writing this book became an obsession for him.
"I was very excited at the thought of doing it. At the same time, I did not know one thing about writing a book or how to publish one. I spent my whole semester break writing. In seven weeks I wrote 250 pages. That was my first draft of the book that has finally been published now."

Gerald Chuah got to meet his idol, Sylvester Stallone, at the opening of Planet Hollywood in Singapore in 1997. Yes, that's Chuah's book Sly is holding, with an earlier version of the cover.

In the Eye of the Tiger: Survival Principles from Sylvester Stallone's Life & Films is Chuah's book, self-published at considerable cost, to coincide with the recent Malaysian premier of Rocky Balboa, the sixth and final instalment of Stallone's Rocky series.

"For the last 18 years, I never forgot about my dream to publish the book. I did procrastinate a lot, though," says Chuah. "After I wrote the first draft, I sent an excerpt to Stallone's agent, but it came back, with thanks."

His life, however, was already changing thanks to the book. "I found that spending time writing it gave me confidence to apply for a job as a journalist."
Chuah is still a reporter and his job has, in fact, been instrumental in allowing him to make his ultimate dream come true: to meet his hero. In 1997, Stallone was in Singapore for the opening of Planet Hollywood. It was at this event that Chuah managed to hand a copy of the book – a first draft – to his idol.

Chuah managed to arrange to attend the opening thanks to contacts he had made as a reporter.
"It was all very hit-or-miss, though," says Chuah. "Right on the night, when I was there, I still didn't know if I was going to get the chance to meet Stallone as security was very tight."
Luckily, another contact was kind enough to introduce fan to idol.
Chuah was thrilled when Stallone's other, Jacqueline, agreed to launch his book in Kuala Lumpur.

"I felt really proud and really happy when I shook hands with Stallone and gave him the book," says Chuah who remembers how pleased and surprised the actor looked when he found out that he had inspired someone to write a book based on his life and films.

"It's never been done," says Chuah, "but to me it seems like something obvious to do, to take inspirational quotes from Stallone's movies and compile them."
To Chuah, the main message is, "going the distance".

"It's about finishing, not winning," he says. "That's why the book is not called Success Principles, it's called Survival Principles."
Chuah feels the book needed to be written because he wants others to be as inspired as he is by the quotes and lessons from Stallone's films.

"I learnt a lot from them," he says, adding that he is impressed at how Stallone's philosophy of being positive and giving everything you've got has remained consistent throughout his films.

"The book is solid proof that you must not give up on your dreams," says Chuah who launched Eye of the Tiger on Jan 22 with none other than Jacqueline Stallone, the mother of his hero, in attendance at the Borders bookstore in Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur.

"My book was given to Jackie by Bob Sands, an Australian businessman whom I'd met at a seminar. I shared my book with him and he was impressed. Next thing I knew, he'd presented it to Jackie and she sent me an e-mail."
The back cover of Eye of the Tiger has a quote from Jackie: "I read this book and every word is true. The whole family lives by these rules and these are quotes that Sylvester was raised on."


If Jackie's support alone has not had Chuah reeling with delight and amazement, this would have done it: he was recently contacted by Bob Proctor, motivational speaker and author of You Were Born Rich. Proctor has offered to publish Eye of the Tiger internationally through his company, Life Success Publishing, and wants to get Jack Canfield of Chicken Soup for the Soul fame to help sell and promote it.

Presumably, if Proctor and Canfield do indeed take on the book, it will be re-edited. Chuah himself admits that the book was not even proof read and, thus, contains many grammatical and spelling errors, as well as typos galore!

"I'm upset that there are many mistakes in the book," says Chuah. "The book was produced in a rush. It was just important to get it out and waste no time. Many people say to themselves ‘I'm not ready' but if you wait too long, the time may never come.

"Getting the book published was my Rocky experience. It wasn't about being perfect. It was about going the distance. It was a now or never moment.

"This book," he adds, "is not meant to impress. It's meant to make one reflect."
According to Chuah, Proctor has likened Eye of the Tiger to Rhonda Byrne's The Secret, the best-selling book and DVD about the laws of attraction. Does this mean that Chuah will soon hit pay dirt, just as Byrne has?

Chuah doesn't rule out commercial success. He has seen so many of his dreams come true that he prefers to continue to think positive.

If he does make it big, "I want to create a Real Rocky foundation to inspire people to go the distance with their dreams and I want to highlight their stories in my upcoming books, documentaries, and websites.

"I want to inspire people to believe in themselves and climb the mountain they dream of.
"I want my book, or my seminars in the future, to raise people above the obstacles that are stopping them, so they are able to move ahead. And through their successes they will inspire others. And make the world a better place for everyone."
Rocky would be proud.

For more information about ‘In the Eye of the Tiger: Survival Principles from Sylvester Stallone's Life & Films', visit the official website at stallonism. com. Author Gerald Chuah also has a blog called The Real Rocky Challenge at
therealrockychallenge.wordpress.comwhere he hopes others will share their own Real Rocky stories.

Related Stories:
http://clovetwo.com/articles/story.asp?file=/2007/3/25/peoplepersons/17218677&sec=peoplepersons

BUKTI GERALD

JARUM EMAS (Harian Metro, May 3, 2007)

By Adam Salleh

Kehadiran Jacqueline (Jackie) Stallone, 86, ibu aktor hebat Hollywood yang terkenal dengan watak lasaknya, Rambo, bukan mencari 91heroin’ kita untuk dipadankan dengan ‘anak jantannya’, tetapi mencari seorang wartawan tempatan bagi melancarkan bukunya In The Eye Of The Tiger. Turut menemani Jacqueline ialah suami barunya, Dr Stephen Levine.

Nak diikutkan, wartawan itu, Gerald Chuah, bukan penulis buku tersohor. Malah, buku In The Eye Of The Tiger dalah karya sulungya sesudah lebih 15 tahun menjadi wartawan.

Namun kesungguhannya menghimpun pelbagai kata-kata hikmah dan falsafah dalam setiap filem lakonan Stallone membuka ‘pintu hati’ aktor itu untuk mengenalinya dengan lebih rapat.

Antara filem Stallone yang menjadi pilihan Gerald bermula daripada Rocky (1976) hingga ke First Blood (1982), Cobra (1986), Over The Top (1987) dan Lockup (1989).

Namun sekuel Rocky hingga ke Rocky II (1979), Rocky III (1982), Rocky IV (1985), Rocky V (1990) dan terbaru Rocky Balboa menjadi pilihan istimewa Gerald.

Saya tanya Gerald, apa ‘specialnya’ filem lakonan Stallone hinggakan setiap dialog dalam filemnya mahu dipetik sebagai kata-kata hikmah, seterusnya dibukukan.

Saya fikir orang seperti Gerald lebih sesuai buat buku riwayat hidup Jackie Chan atau Jet Li. Namun Gerald yang sepejabat dengan saya melihat kekentalan jiwa serta semangat yang ada dalam Rocky boleh menyuntik keyakinan untuk generasi baru kita.

Dia mula berhujah, katanya semangat peninju seperti Rocky yang tidak mudah mengaku kalah sesuai diterapkan buat generasi baru menghadapi cabaran. Baginya, Rocky sering menjadi `underdog’, malah setiap pusingan ditempuhi pastinya berserta azam untuk memburu kejayaan.

Walaupun dibelasah teruk oleh lawan hingga tinggal nyawa-nyawa ikan, peninju cekal seperti Rocky pasti akan berbisik di dalam hati: “I have to go one more round.”

Apa yang saya kaitkan bukan nak promosikan sangat buku itu. Cuma kita ambil yang positif, bagaimana seorang wartawan yang banyak habiskan masa di Jalan Riong, Bangsar, tiba-tiba boleh terjalin hubungan dengan aktor itu, seterusnya keluarga Stallone melalui ibunya bersedia pula hadir ke Kuala Lumpur dengan perbelanjaan sendiri.

Siapakah antara penerbit filem atau pemimpin persatuan filem kita oleh ‘lembutkan hati’ pihak dari Hollywood untuk datang dalam program seperti itu?

Kita tahu bukan mudah. Selain terpaksa melalui birokrasi agensi mereka, kos perbelanjaan tinggi terpaksa dilaburkan, tetapi inilah hikmah yang ditentukan Tuhan untuk Gerald menikmatinya.

Saya katakan begini kerana ketika bersembang dengan Gerald, dia mengaku mana ada duit banyak untuk bawa Stallone atau ahli keluarganya bagi melancarkan bukunya.

Namun sebagaimana dicatatkan pada buku itu sebagai cenderamata kepada saya, “Adam, nothing is impossible if u believe,” Begitulah hakikatnya yang berjaya dibuktikan Gerald.

Dua tahun lalu, Gerald luahkan hasrat pada seorang ahli perniagaan Amerika Syarikat untuk bertemu Stallone. Ini kerana kajiannya terhadap filem aktor itu 90 peratus siap. Penghujung 2006, baru Gerald dapat melayarkan e-mel pada Jacqueline.

Melalui balasan e-mel itu, Jacqueline memang mencari Gerald. Bila mengetahui buku itu siap, Jacqueline yang mahu bercuti di Thailand, bersedia singgah ke Kuala Lumpur.

Gerald seperti teruja dengan ketentuan Tuhan. apakan tidak, pada 22 Januari 1997 dia bertemu Stallone di Planet Hollywood Singapura.

Melalui kunjungan singkat itu Gerald sempat bergambar dan memberi lakaran falsafah filem Rocky yang akan diabadikan dalam bentuk buku. Pertemuan itu berakhir di situ tanpa susulan.

Namun siapa sangka sesudah 10 tahun, dalam kekalutan memikirkan siapakah VIP untuk merasmikan pelancaran buku tu, takdirnya Jacqueline iaitu ibu Stallone bersedia melancarkan buku berkenaan pada tarikh 22 dan bulan sama, cuma tahun berbeza, 2007

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

The presence of Jacqueline (Jackie) Stallone, 86, the mother of the iconic Hollywood actor known for his rugged character, Rambo, wasn't seeking our "hero" to match with her "son," but rather searching for a local journalist to launch her book, "In The Eye Of The Tiger." Accompanying Jacqueline was her new husband, Dr. Stephen Levine.

Interestingly, the journalist chosen, Gerald Chuah, isn't a renowned author. In fact, "In The Eye Of The Tiger" is his debut work after over 15 years of being a journalist.

However, his dedication to gathering various words of wisdom and philosophies from each of Stallone's films opened the "heart door" of the actor to get to know him more closely.

Among Stallone's films selected by Gerald were from "Rocky" (1976) to "First Blood" (1982), "Cobra" (1986), "Over The Top" (1987), and "Lockup" (1989).

But the sequels to Rocky, from "Rocky II" (1979) to "Rocky III" (1982), "Rocky IV" (1985), "Rocky V" (1990), and the latest "Rocky Balboa," held a special place for Gerald.

I asked Gerald what makes Stallone's films so special that every dialogue in them could be quoted as words of wisdom and then compiled into a book.

In my opinion, someone like Gerald might be better suited for writing the life story of Jackie Chan or Jet Li. However, Gerald, who works closely with me, saw the depth of spirit and determination in Rocky that could instill confidence in our new generation.

He began to argue, stating that the fighting spirit of someone like Rocky, who never easily admits defeat, is suitable to be passed on to the new generation facing challenges. To him, Rocky often embodies the "underdog," and each round he endures is filled with determination to chase success.

Even though beaten severely by opponents to the brink of defeat, resilient fighters like Rocky would whisper to themselves, "I have to go one more round."

What I'm connecting here isn't to overly promote the book. We're simply taking the positive aspect—how a journalist who spent a lot of time on Jalan Riong, Bangsar, could suddenly build a connection with the actor and even have the Stallone family ready to come to Kuala Lumpur at their own expense.

Who among our film producers or film association leaders could "soften the hearts" of Hollywood's representatives to participate in such programs?

We know it's not easy. Besides navigating through their agencies' bureaucracy, substantial expenses need to be invested. Yet, this is the wisdom determined by God for Gerald to experience.

I say this because when chatting with Gerald, he admitted that there wasn't a lot of money available to bring Stallone or his family to launch the book.

However, as noted in the book as a souvenir to me, "Adam, nothing is impossible if u believe." That's the reality that Gerald successfully demonstrated.

Two years ago, Gerald expressed his desire to meet Stallone to an American businessman. This was because his study of the actor's films was 90 percent complete. Towards the end of 2006, Gerald managed to send an email to Jacqueline.

Through that email exchange, Jacqueline was indeed seeking Gerald. Upon learning that the book was ready, Jacqueline, who was planning a vacation in Thailand, was willing to stop by Kuala Lumpur.

Gerald was excited by God's arrangement. Why not, on January 22, 1997, he met Stallone at Planet Hollywood Singapore.

During that brief encounter, Gerald had the opportunity to take a photo and provide an outline of the philosophy of the Rocky films that would be immortalized in book form. The meeting ended there without further follow-up.

However, who could have guessed that after 10 years, amidst the confusion of determining which VIP would inaugurate the book launch, fate had it that Jacqueline, Stallone's mother, was ready to launch the book on the same date of January 22, but a different year, 2007.

Down and out for 20 years- But goes the Distance to Live Dream

THE SECRET NOTES
Monday, March 19th, 2007

By David Siddall

A burn out journalist gave up on his life long dream spanning 20 years only to see all the pieces of the jigsaw miraculously fit together in the space of 2 weeks due to some weird coincidences- maybe it was FATE, maybe it was the Law of Attraction at work.

Gerald Chuah thought his book on ‘The Eye of the Tiger’ would take off after meeting Sylvester Stallone in 1997. However this wasn’t the case, so he gave up hope and was down on his luck. 10 days before the final installment of the Rocky series- Rocky Balboa- he decided to act and be it strange coincidences, luck, destiny or fate his dream is set to take off.

START OF HIS PASSION
When Gerald was 16 years old he first discovered his passion for Stallone that would eventually change his life… though he didn’t know it. It all started when he saw First Blood, being glued to the screen and engulfed by the enormous sense of inspiration, spirit and determination of one man.

He then saw Rocky III- I’m sure we all remember the brute of a man Rocky is up against- Mr T. aka Clubber Lang. At the same time the hit song ‘Eye of the Tiger’ by Survivor was sweeping the charts. From this point onwards Gerald’s passion for Sylvester Stallone and the truly inspirational lessons behind his characters and movies was becoming an obsession.

In his early 20s Gerald was at an all time low and had no vision for what his future would hold. One day lying on his bed it suddenly came he had a Eureka moment and staring at the Stallone quotes on the posters on his wall set about writing a book of his passion. 7 weeks later the first draft was written.

The life affirming story of Gerald living his dream almost has as many sequels as the Rocky movies themselves:
Despite all the effort in trying to get the book published his dream was dead in the water. With only 10 days to go to the premiere of the final installment of the Rocky series time was running out. . .

DESPERATION

This was the last chance saloon and in a moment of desperation Gerald emailed Jackie Stallone (Sylvester’s Mum) having been in contact with her 2 years beforehand. Incredibly he got an instant reply, and Jackie had in fact been looking for him. She happened to be in Bangkok and got a flight straight to Kuala Lumpur to see Gerald and launch his book. Surely the shock of his life!

Left: Jackie Stallone and Gerald Chuah at the book launch on Jan 22 2007
A strange coincidence was that the book launch took place on the same date that Gerald met Stallone, Jan 22, exactly 10 years later.

“Indeed, it was a miracle considering both events happened exactly 10 years apart. It is strange but true.”- Gerald

MEETING BOB PROCTOR AND GETTING A PUBLISHING DEAL

By chance Gerald got to attend an event hosted by Bob Proctor, the motivational speaker and main philosopher that introduces the life changing movie The Secret. His colleague was meant to attend the event but was forced to drop out; Gerald stepped into the breach and presented the book to Bob Proctor.
He was so impressed that Gerald walked away with a publishing deal and an endorsement from one of the most highly respected gurus around today.
Left: Bob Proctor- main philosopher featured in the awe inspiring movie The Secret

UNCANNY COINCIDENCE ONCE MORE

One day Gerald was scheduled to conduct a routine interview for his paper with an top internet marketer but the day went down a very different path.
The internet marketer the previous night had seen the Rocky movie for the first time in his life (Who hasn’t seen the Rocky films?!),and there was Gerald sharing his book with him. He felt so passionate about the book that he would help to promote it.

LIFE AFFIRMING STORY-
Gerald’s Journey The Laws of Attraction at Work

All these coincidences and strange occurrences have proved to Gerald that the laws of the universe are working in his favor. From being down and out he has had an uprising to get endorsement from Jackie Stallone, Bob Proctor and a leading internet marketer and his dream is set to take off.

Gerald’s incredible story mirrors the story from Rocky almost perfectly- he, like Rocky was an underdog who has risen up from nowhere to live his dream.

SYLVESTER STALLONE’S STORY:

“Rocky turned out to be the kind of metaphor for everyone’s struggle. It wasn’t about me, Sylvester Stallone and money. It was about wanting to fail on your own terms, Rocky never thought he’d succeed. But like him, I just wanted to try. Little did I know that 20 years later, that philosophy would end up being respected.”

GERALD CHUAH’S STORY:

“I will always remember what Rocky means to me, the silhouette of a man triumphant with his arms held high, which symbolizes hope for all who persevere and are willing to go the distance.”

You can buy this incredible book by visiting the Gerald Chuah website>>
Get inside his mind on the Gerald Chuah blog>>
Has the Law of Attraction been working for you lately? Do you also have an incredible story to share?

http://thesecretnotes.com/category/bob-proctor/page/2/

REVIEW

REVIEW from http://forum.play.com.my
By demonHunter (The Professional)

I was at Borders today, wanted to check out Donald Trump and Robert Kiyosaki's Why We Want You To Be Rich.

But ended up reading parts of Gerald Chuah's In The Eye of The Tiger.

I'm a fan of Rocky Balboa and Slyvester Stallone.
Rocky Balboa and Rambo are the most iconic characters Stallone ever portrayed on films. But more remarkably, Rocky Balboa was his own creation and the award winning franchise movie was written by Stallone.

A quick search on Amazon.com doesn't show the book.

But here's the rundown of the book:

It's a good book to look into parts of Stallone's personal life, and the characters he created and portrayed.

The charm of Rocky Balboa is that it tells the story of a man who never gave up. A man who was not willing to lose, but would only agree to lose on his own terms. A story about perseverance, determination, hard work, triumphing against impossible odds and come out a winner.

This theme has a powerful attraction across all stratas of society.

Most of us can be drawn to it and identify with it.

Gerald Chuah started writing In The Eye of The Tiger in 1988.

 
It was on one day when he felt down in his life, and in the quiet time inside his room, facing posters of Sylvester Stallone, his hero, on the walls, he thought about Stallone, his life, his characters, and the teachings taught through those movies. That's how he started.

9 years later, he would be introduced through a Tan Sri to Slyvester Stallone himself at Planet Hollywood in 1997.

Another 10 years later, he official launched the book at TimesSquare Borders with Jacqualine Stallone; mother of Sylvester Stallone.

It was said that when Jackie Stallone was showed the book to Sylvester, he remarked: "How did this kid know so much about me?"

It is easy to read. Some chapters are larger than others.
The book uses many quotes from Stallone movies. Mostly Rocky series. With each quote, there is a theme to discuss. Such as rising to the challenge, overcoming despair, something like that.

On the sides, there are also a collection of famous quotes from historical rulers, poets, and other famous people in regards to the theme being discussed. Here and there, parts of Stallone's personal life are injected into it. You will find out why Stallone's Rocky movie had a part where he said: "My dad used to tell me that you ain't got much of a brain, you gotta develop your body". This quote was said by Stallone's real life father when he was younger, and that's how he put that in the script of the movie.

This is a good book to get some reminders on fighting on, moving on, and always taking the challenge. Win on your own terms, but never give up. A good motivational book. It may also shed some light into Stallone's progressive years, younger years as parts of his personal life are peppered through out the book.

One interesting part that the book talked about was called the Bum's Club. Taken from the Rocky movies. There's no such club in the movie. But it talked about how some people are just mediocre and just lazing about. They're not fighting like Rocky. Just bums letting life past them by, being content about where they are, or making excuses, and hooking up with other bums in the club.

I find this very true. Some people act like bums, few of us are like Rocky Balboa, going the distance even though he may not win. Always fighting.

But, I think positive. Gerald Chuah is currently a journalist with the New Straits Times. By analyzing Stallone and his characters through his movies, he wrote the book in two months. It takes a man who believes in the thing he was writing and patience to keep his dream alive until 2007 to get it published. Chuah showed the Rocky Spirit!

Note: Don't read this book if you're afraid of spoilers, lots of movie scenes are described in the book, from Rocky I, II, III, IV, V and others. So, you get to know what happened,why and how to illustrate the points discussed.

"No one can hit as hard as life. But the key is to keep going, and keep going forward even after getting hit!" -paraphrase from the Rocky movies.

Head here for the webpage on this book
http://www.stallonism.com/

http://forum.play.com.my/viewtopic.php?p=180108&sid=ce97fbb556168b0807b32a8837ff95f2

Gerald Chuah, Dua Dekad Mengejar Mimpi

Oleh Soraya Jamal

KUALA LUMPUR, 18 Jun (Bernama) -- Mimpi bisa jadi kenyataan, asalkan kita bangun dan mengejarnya. Bagi Gerald Chuah, penulis buku "In the Eye of the Tiger", proses mengejar mimpinya mengambil masa hampir dua dekad.

Anak kelahiran Pulau Pinang ini dibesarkan dalam keluarga sederhana. Ketika di kolej, Chuah sudah mula bekerja kerana ibu bapanya tidak mampu membiayai kos pengajiannya.

Minatnya menonton filem pernah mencetuskan keinginan untuk menjadi pembuat filem, namun kekurangan dana memaksa Chuah melupakan cita-citanya itu.

Chuah merupakan seorang wartawan dengan Kumpulan New Straits Times dan beliau kini adalah penulis di bahagian `Life and Times'.

Filem kegemaran Chuah ialah "Rambo" lakonan Sylvester Stallone kerana beliau kagum dengan semangat watak Rambo yang berani, mempunyai keazaman serta jati diri yang ampuh. Kebanyakan orang menonton filem untuk berhibur tetapi Chuah mendapati banyak sekali nilai murni dalam filem itu.

"Saya sering berfikir tentang masa depan. Tentang apa yang perlu saya lakukan dan bagaimana untuk menambahbaik kehidupan. Stallone dan filem-filemnya memberi inspirasi kepada saya meneruskan hidup pada waktu itu," katanya kepada Bernama.

Perjalanan Stallone untuk terkenal di Hollywood sendiri adalah sesuatu yang luar biasa. Stallone dilahirkan dengan pelbagai kekurangan fizikal dan yang paling ketara sekali adalah masalah pertuturan. Kerana itu Stallone bagus dengan kata-kata singkat dan menggunakan tubuhnya untuk berkomunikasi. Atas sebab yang sama juga Stallone lebih banyak beraksi dari berdialog di dalam filem-filemnya.

Rocky, legenda tinju dan Rambo, veteran Perang Vietnam yang bermasalah adalah dua watak ikon Stallone tentang mereka yang tertindas berjuang untuk mengubah nasib masing-masing.

ILHAM MENULIS BUKU

Satu hari ketika mengenang liku-liku hidup yang telah dilaluinya, Chuah bertanya pada dirinya: "Kenapa tidak saya tulis sebuah buku tentang perkara yang saya tahu dan suka iaitu falsafah dan pengajaran hidup daripada kehidupan dan filem Stallone? Mungkin ia dapat membuka peluang bagi saya untuk berjaya dan berjumpa Stallone.

Ia hanya sebuah idea yang tercetus dalam fikiran tetapi Chuah yakin sekiranya inginkan sesuatu dan percaya dengannya, ia akan berhasil.

"Tetapi waktu itu saya tidak tahu bagaimana hendak menulis (buku), saya tidak tahu bagaimana untuk menerbitkannya, saya tidak pernah berjumpa dengan Stallone, saya tidak kenal sesiapa...senang cerita segalanya kosong," jelasnya.

Chuah membuat kajian utama daripada filem-filem Stallone yang membawa mesej kuat. Bahan-bahan rujukan lain seperti dokumentari, buku, majalah dan arkib suratkhabar turut menjadi sumber sampingan.

"Saya menulis daripada hati. Saya sudah tahu apa pengajaran yang saya dapat dari filem-filemnya jadi ketika menulis saya menyusun semula kesemua isi yang membuatkan saya terinspirasi.

"Bila saya dengar temu ramah dengan Stallone, dia seolah berkata sesuatu yang saya sendiri juga akan katakan. Saya rasa seolah-olah fikiran kami menyambung," kata Chuah dengan penuh yakin.

RESTU STALLONE

"Namun seperti kebanyakan orang, saya suka berlengah," cerita Chuah.

Sungguhpun sedar projek ini adalah sesuatu yang telah beliau usahakan bertahun-tahun, ia belum lagi beliau kembangkan menjadi sebuah penerbitan, malah sempat juga terfikir untuk menjadikan naskhah ini sebagai e-buku sahaja.

Semangat Chuah untuk menyiapkan buku itu kembali membara akhir tahun lepas. Ketika itu filem Rocky Balboa bakal ditayangkan dan Chuah pada mula memberi masa sebulan kepada diri sendiri untuk menyiapkan buku itu dan menggelarkannya `Cabaran Rocky'.

"Pada 12 Dis, saya kirim e-mel kepada ibu stallone, Jackie, meminta agar saya dapat menghadiri tayangan perdana Rocky Balboa tetapi tidak mengharapkan sebarang balasan. Bagaimanapun saya mendapat respons serta merta mengatakan "Gerald, saya sudah mencari anda berminggu-minggu! Saya akan datang ke Malaysia!," kata Chuah.

Chuah ketika itu sudah mengenali ibu Stallone selama dua tahun selepas diperkenalkan oleh seorang ahli perniagaan Amerika yang ditemui ketika melaksanakan tugasan.

Lantas saya ambil cuti panjang dan Jackie merasmikan buku itu pada 22 Jan, hari terakhir cuti saya, ujar Chuah sambil tersenyum puas.

Dan tiada nikmat yang paling berharga buat Chuah bila Jackie berkata setiap perkataan dalam bukunya adalah benar belaka dan inilah prinsip hidup mereka anak-beranak.

Jackie menambah Stallone turut teruja dan terkejut bagaimana Chuah yang hanya sekali ditemuinya ketika perasmian Planet Hollywood Singapura pada tahun 1997 boleh mengingati segala-galanya tentang dirinya.

"Saya rasa seperti di awangan ketika Stallone merestui dan suka dengan buku saya. Selama ini orang ingat saya gila. Mereka tidak mengerti dan fikir saya seorang yang pelik," katanya.

BUKAN AUTOBIOGRAFI

Pasti ramai yang menyangka buku ini adalah autobiografi Stallone tetapi ia sebenarnya adalah buku motivasi pertama di dunia yang mengumpulkan pengajaran yang terdapat dalam filem-filem Stallone.

Walaupun filem pertama Rocky muncul lebih 30 tahun lepas, pengajarannya masih relevan hingga kini. Ramai pakar dan penulis motivasi antarabangsa menggunakan petikan daripada filem Rocky dalam ceramah dan buku mereka seperti Anthony Robbins, Jack Canfield dan Robert G. Allen, ujar Chuah.

Menurut Chuah kebanyakan buku motivasi membicarakan formula untuk berjaya, tetapi ia jarang membawa pembaca melalui perjalanan menuju kejayaan seperti apa difikiran seseorang itu ketika sedang berjuang untuk hidup, bagaimana sikapnya, apa kepercayaan serta pendiriannya.

Mesej yang mendasari filem Rocky dan yang dipegang Chuah selama ini ialah dia sanggup mencuba dan berusaha mendorong dirinya sejauh mana yang termampu.

Tambahnya, Rocky juga berhadapan dengan persoalan yang serupa tetapi dia mencabar dirinya sendiri untuk melihat sejauh mana dia mampu mara dalam hidup.

Bagi Chuah mesej ini penting untuk semua kerana ia membuatkan kita sedar dengan kekuatan diri dan menyakini diri sendiri.

Projek Chuah seterusnya ialah mendokumentasi "Rocky" sebenar dalam hidup - mereka yang berjaya menempuh halangan dan keperitan untuk berjaya.

Chuah sedang mencari penerbit buku untuk pasaran antarabangsa menjelang tayangan filem Rambo 4 kemungkinan besar Mei tahun depan.

Bab pertama "In the Eye of the Tiger" boleh dimuat turun secara percuma di laman web www.stallonism.com.

Cita-cita Chuah telah membawanya mengembara daripada sebuah filem yang telah mencetuskan inspirasi, bertukar menjadi angan-angan, berkembang menjadi cita-cita dan akhirnya menjadi kenyataan.

"Kalau saya boleh buat, sesiapa juga pasti mampu, berilah peluang pada diri sendiri untuk menggapai mimpi," katanya. -- BERNAMA

http://web6.bernama.com/bernama/v3/bm/news.php?id=267988

Gerald Chuah's Admiration For Sylvester Stallone

By Soraya Jamal

KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 (Bernama) -- Dreams can turn into reality, as long one remains committed and work for it. As for lifestyle writer Gerald Chuah, the writer of the book "In the Eye of the Tiger", he has been literally chasing after his dreams for nearly two decades.

The Penang born journalist grew up in a middle class family. While in college, Chuah had to work to fend for himself, as the parents couldn't afford his education.

As he was interested in films, he harboured ambitions of becoming a film producer but the lack of monetary resources forced Chuah to abandon his dreams.

Chuah has been a journalist with the New Straits Times Group since 1990 and at present is a writer for the Life and Times section.

Chuah was mesmerised by the Rambo sequels all acted by Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone. Chuah was smitten by Rambo's fearlessness, determination and self resilience. Most people watched the Rambo movies for entertainment but Chuah went deeper scrutinising the good values portrayed by the hero and his own shortcomings in real life.

Though Stallone has carved his name in the Hollywood's hall of fame, it was against all odds. Stallone was born with a number of physical disabilities and among the distinct one is his speech impediment. Due to this he became good in one-liners and used his body to do the talking. And this is why there are more action in his movies than dialogues.

Rocky, a boxing legend, and Rambo, a troubled Vietnam War veteran, are two of Stallone's iconic characters where a typical underdog goes the distance to prove himself.

INSPIRATION TO WRITE A BOOK

"I always thought of the future. On what I always wanted to do and how I can improve my life. Stallone and his films provided inspiration for me to get on with life then," he told Bernama.

One day while reminiscing his life, Chuah asked himself: "Why not I write a book on something that I know and like, the philosophy and the lessons of life from Stallone's films? Maybe it's a window of opportunity for me to succeed in life and meet Stallone.

"But at that time I neither knew how to write nor publish a book, I've never met Stallone either...," he explained.

Chuah then began studying Stallone's films that projected a strong message. He also perused documentaries, books, magazine and newspaper archives.

"I wrote from my heart. I've learned the lessons from his films that provided me inspiration to compile a book.

"When I listened to the interviews with Stallone, he was telling what I probably would have said. I felt that our brains are connected," noted Chuah with full confidence.

STALLONE'S BLESSINGS

"But I have been procrastinating," explained Chuah.

Though Chuah realised he has been working on the project for years, it was yet to evolve into a publication, he even thought of stopping short at an e-book.

But last year, Chuah's interest rekindled and he worked hard to finish the book. At that time the Rocky Balboa movie was about to be released and Chuah initially gave himself a month to finish the book in an attempt what he described as `Rocky's Challenge'

"On Dec 12, I sent an e-mail to Stallone's mom, Jackie, inquiring whether I can attend the Rocky Balboa premiere. I did not expect a reply. Much to my surprise, I received an immediate reply saying "Gerald, I have been looking for you for weeks! I will be coming to Malaysia!," said Chuah.

Chuah got to know Stallone's mother two years earlier after being introduced by an American businessman while on assignment.

"I took long leave to finalise the book and Jackie inaugurated the book on last 22 Jan," the last day of my leave, said Chuah obviously satisfied.

Chuah was elated when Jackie confirmed that the contents of the book aptly described the principles her family adhered too.

Jackie related that Stallone was excited, even surprised, how Chuah who he only met once during the launching of Planet Hollywood in Singapore in 1997 could recall everything about him.

"I felt like being in a dreamland when Stallone gave the nod for my book. All this while they thought I'm mad. No one understood and realised I'm a unique person," he said.

NOT AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY

It is the first book in the world to compile the lessons to be learnt from Stallone's films and it's not an autobiography of Stallone.

The first Rocky movie was screened about 30 years ago, but the virtues are relevant till today. Many experts and international motivational writers like Anthony Robbins, Jack Canfield and Robert G. Allen have picked quotes from Rocky movies in their talks and books.

According to Chuah, most motivational books dwell on the success formula and hardly bring readers through the road to success like what is in the mind of a person struggling to survive, what is his/her attitude and stand.

The underlying messages in Stallone's films and firmly held to by Chuah all this while is that he is willing try and work his way forward as far as he could.

In the movies, the characters played by Stallone too face the same predicament but he challenged himself to see how far he can go in life.

As for Chuah the message is important for all as it makes us aware on our own strengths and self-confidence.

Chuah's next undertaking will be documenting the real life "Rocky" - those who successfully overcame the hurdles in life. He is now looking for international publishers for his book before Rambo 4 premiers sometime next May.

The first part of "In the Eye of the Tiger" can be downloaded for free at web www.stallonism.com.

Like Rocky, Chuah too gave a try and is working his way forward.

"If I can do it, anybody can do it, give yourself a try to turn dreams into reality," he said.

-- BERNAMA We provide (subscription-based)
news coverage in our Newslink service.

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=267980

ROCKY INSPIRATIONS

CLOVE TWO (THE STAR)
Friday January 26, 2007
By ELIZABETH NG

So what does Sylvester Stallone have to do with a Penangite writer's first book? The answer: everything, as the soon-to-be released book is a collection of the Hollywood actor's "life values". The philosophies are not only gleaned from Stallone's life but are also mined from his most popular film character – the underdog pugilist Rocky.

The principles of persevering despite the odds and how winning isn't the only thing that matters are found in Gerald Chuah's inaugural book entitled In the Eye of the Tiger: Survival Principles from Sylvester Stallone's Life & Films.

"The book offers fundamental principles on how to be successful in life," said the slightly overwhelmed and nervous author during the book's soft launch at Borders, Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur on Jan 22. "My first draft was written in 1990."

Jacqueline Stallone (right) -- mother of the Hollywood actor -- launches Chuah's book. -- Picture by ELIZABETH NG.

Chuah has come a long way since then, rewriting the book countless times before finally deciding to complete it to coincide with the release of Stallone's Rocky Balboa, the sixth and final movie of the Rocky franchise.

Of course, part of Chuah's "final boost" came in the form of Jacqueline, Stallone's mother, who wholeheartedly endorses Chuah's dream project-turned-reality.

"I met Gerald through e-mail 10 years ago and when I saw the book about two years ago, I thought it was wonderful. I showed it to Sylvester and he said every bit of what is written is actually true," said Jacqueline, a noted celebrity astrologer, who was also present at the launch.

According to Jacqueline, the principles in the book were what Stallone was raised on and her son had a really difficult time while growing up.

"His face was half-paralysed and his body half-crippled because he was injured at birth. He didn't have many friends growing up and he couldn't get along with the other kids -- they were mean."

Chuah's book (above) will be available in Borders bookstores in February.
Stallone was also thrown out of 17 schools and didn't excel in any subject, even physical education! So when Jacqueline turned to her astrological charts to see what the future had in store for him, she discovered something surprising.

"His chart said that he would be a writer so I told him about it and he got angry. Didn't want to talk to me, but see now…" she said of Stallone, who penned all the Rocky movies.

Of Chuah's book, Jacqueline hopes that readers will like the quotations and gain something from the insights as they aren't dispensed by geniuses or experts, but a regular guy who has had experience fighting for what he believes in and achieving goals that others deemed impossible.

It looks like the zen-like principles do pay off. Just ask Chuah, who continued to pursue his dream even when he couldn't see an end in sight. Holding on to the very values he was writing about, the New Straits Times journalist worked on his labour of love without knowing whether a book would ever be published.

"I didn't know that today would ever come. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine my book would one day be endorsed and launched by Jackie. This is indeed a great honour, and a high point in my life.

"I want the legacy of the Rocky spirit to continue and if I can do it (publish a book), anybody can do it," added Chuah, who has yet to actually speak to Stallone.
With materials sourced from newspaper archives, books, magazines, rare documentaries and the Internet, Chuah's collection of Stallone-esque principles touches on various aspects in life such as love, faith, courage and spirituality.

Apart from the inspiring insights into reaching one's goals, the book also contains 36 hand-drawn illustrations of Stallone's popular film characters.
Now that that's done, what will Chuah attempt next?

"I would like to write a book on people who've gone through hardships and make it in real life. Stories of how people can be the best they can be. It would be about real ‘Rocky' stories."

In the Eye of the Tiger: Survival Principles from Sylvester Stallone's Life & Films will be available in all Borders bookstores in February. Those who would like to pre-order the book can do so at www.stallonism.com.

Rocky Balboa is scheduled to open in cinemas on Feb 22.

http://clovetwo.com/articles/story.asp?file=/2007/1/26/peoplepersons/20070126095635&sec=peoplepersons

LOCAL LIT

THE MALAY MAIL
March 3, 2007
By Damian Tan

IN THE EYE OF THE TIGER: Survival Principles from Sylvester Stallone's
Life & Films by Gerald Chuah

WHO would have figured that you could pick up motivational tips from The Italian Stallion? Through the process of meticulously documenting and analysing every single thing Stallone ever did or said, New Straits Times journalist Chuah believes he's stumbled onto heaps of positive life lessons people can employ to reach their goals.
Coinciding with the release of the final Rocky instalment Rocky Balboa, this self-help guide is interestingly stuffed with hundreds of memorable quotes from interviews with the actor as well as meaningful dialogue from the Rocky series and his other films.
Chuah explains his idea for the book: "Since young, I felt a special connection with Sly as I could clearly see and understand the underlying messages in his films, which seem to say that anything is possible if we set our minds to it.

Jacqueline Stallone Makes Special Appearance At TheLaunch Of Gerald Chuah's Book About Rocky

Cinema Online, 24 January 2007 By Helena Hon

22 Jan - Gerald Chuah must have had that immense sense of "arrival" yesterday when he stood up proud at the podium and launched his book, IN THE EYE OF THE TIGER: SURVIVAL PRINCIPLES FROM SYLVESTER STALLONE'S LIFE & FILMS.

It had taken him more than two decades to realise his ambition – and that is to write and publish a book based on the life lessons imparted by his "best friend" Rocky, the character from Sylvester Stallone's "Rocky" movies - who inspired and motivated him to move from his former school teacher profession to become a journalist, and now a published author.

For Gerald Chuah, the launch of his book has made him a living example of what the publication and his hero advocate, and that is, to "Go For It – Be All You Can Be Once In Your Lifetime."

Gerald Chuah launching his dream book with Jacqueline Stallone and her husband Dr Levine at his side. Choking back emotion (or perhaps nervousness), Chuah was almost at a loss for words when he explained how it all started for him.

Ever since a very young age, he had been fascinated by Stallone's films because these films held more meaning than just action scenes.

The theme of the underdog fighter struck a chord in him. "I found many inspirational ideas and life lessons which I thought would inspire audiences to reach the
pinnacle of their dreams."

It was a labour of love, he said, researching into the subject and taking quotes from various sources including newspaper archives, books and documentaries, which is why the book's topics are comprehensive, covering all aspects of life with powerful ideas for living never published before."
IN THE EYE OF THE TIGER also features 36 hand drawn illustrations of Stallone's action poses from his blockbuster films of the 80s.

The last two months have been extremely hectic for him, admits Chauh, rushing to meet the deadline to coincide the launch of his lifelong dream with the release of Stallone's latest film, "Rocky Balboa" (previewed on the same morning) together with the arrival of Jacqueline Stallone (Sylvester Stallone's mother) in Malaysia.

This was a triple whammy for him in the best of ways. "Never in my wildest dreams have I imagined my book would one day be endorsed and launched by Jackie to coincide with the last episode of the "Rocky" series. This is indeed a great honour and a high point in my life," gushed Chuah.

Chuah and Jackie have been dear friends, corresponding long distance via email for some time. Having seen the book over two years ago, she was impressed by the accuracy of the facts and promised that if Chuah ever published the book, she would be there to launch it.

By some miracle, Jackie, a celebrity astrologer for the most famous names in the world in and outside Hollywood, is currently on a Far East tour with her husband, a neuro-surgeon Dr Stephen M Levine. Together, they made a special trip to Kuala Lumpur to meet Chuah for the event.

Jackie says "I am very proud of Chuah's book. I read the book and every word is true. The whole family live by these rules and these are quotes that Sylvester was raised on." Stallone himself is an underdog who fought and triumphed over life's greatest adversities.

Stallone was born with many physical disabilities, revealed Jackie in the Q&A session that followed. "His left side was paralysed, especially his throat which gave him a speech impediment. That's why Sylvester doesn't speak much in his films, it's always done line by line but he has learnt to convey his emotions through body language instead.

As a kid, Sylvester was a lonely child as no one wanted to play with him. Kids can be mean, especially to someone who was ‘different'. But then I started him on exercises and encouraged him to build a good physique because then he would attract the girls.

He was thrown out of 17 schools because he could not read or write. But today, Sylvester has shown everyone how well he can write because all the scripts for his films have been written by him." She adds wryly, "Now all these 17 schools are calling him back because they want to give him an honorary degree."

Jackie says that all she wanted for her son was to see him grow up well and maybe get a job. "I never thought he would become a movie star!", to which she adds that even though it was she who started Syl on exercises, it was he who deserves the credit for going the distance by himself. Sylvester has surpassed even his mother's expectations and has proven to the world that he can triumph over life's greatest hurdles, just like his characters Rocky and Rambo.

Sylvester Stallone is currently in the jungles of Thailand filming Rambo's last sequel.His last "Rocky" movie, "Rocky Balboa" will be released nationwide on 22 February 2007 while IN THE EYE OF THE TIGER: SURVIVAL PRINCIPLES FROM SYLVESTER STALLONE'S LIFE & FILMS will be available in all Borders Bookstores from next week onwards.

Excerpts and Quotes from IN THE EYE OF THE TIGER: SURVIVAL PRINCIPLES FROM SYLVESTER STALLONE'S LIFE & FILMS.

"To me, a character's vulnerability is his most endearing trait…the ones that out there knowing they can't possibly win but go anyway. That's a philosophy I've embraced my whole life. The right to fail on your own terms." Sylvester Stallone

"Rocky turned out to be the kind o metaphor for everyone's struggle. It wasn't about me, Sylvester Stallone and money. It was about wanting to fail on your own terms. Rocky never thought he'd succeed. But like him, I just wanted to try. Little did I know that 20 years later,that philosophy would end up being respected." Sylvester Stallone

Face to Face with Jacqueline Stallone
Cinema Online writer Helena Hon getting up close with celebrity astrologer and mother of Sylvester Stallone, Jacqueline Stallone.

Looking at least 30 years younger than her true age (which nobody really knows and obviously don't have the guts to ask), Jacqueline Stallone's illustrious personality outshone even her own flamboyant dressing.

Looking totally at ease at the press conference for the launch of Gerald Chuah's book, IN THE EYE OF THE TIGER: SURVIVAL PRINCIPLES FROM SYLVESTER STALLONE'S LIFE & FILMS where she and her husband were the guests of honour, Jackie, as she is affectionately called, answered questions openly and spoke with great simplicity about her role as Sylvester Stallone's mother.

"Sylvester was a terrible child", she said candidly of the fact that he was born with many physical disabilities and then got thrown out of 17 schools for not being able to read and write. She herself has led quite a colourful life herself, having run away from home at the age of 15 to join the circus.

That's where she fell in love, got married and had Sylvester. "Sylvester wishes I'd be like other celebrity mothers: stay home, bake cookies and knit socks but if I wasn't as flamboyant as I am, he wouldn't be dynamic as he is today."

Indeed that's true of Jackie. She became a star aerialist on the rings and bars with the ‘Flying Wallendas' act in the ‘Ringling Brothers Barnum' and ‘Baily's The Greatest Show on Earth'. She was the first woman to have a daily TV show on exercise and weight lifting in Washington DC and later opened a gym for women only called Barbella's for her loyal fans, and she created GLOW, the Gorgeous Girls of Wrestling, a syndicated TV show from Las Vegas that ran for five years.

Then she and Richard Simmons made the Fabulous Silver Foxes exercise video that earned three platinum awards and sold in two editions over 10 million copies worldwide.

Meanwhile, Jackie went back to high school at the age of 40, entered college and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Chemistry. Her interest in Astrology got her studying the subject for 15 years under the tutelage of the world's greatest astrologers of the 20th century.

In the course of it, Jackie herself has become a world famous celebrity psychic and astrologer and was responsible for getting astrology accepted as an accredited course in many colleges and universities in the US of A.
Cinema Online, 24 January 2007

https://cinemaonline.com.my/news/news.asp?search=rockybook

SYLVESTER STALLONE FILMS

LYCOS RETRIEVER Retriever Home | What is Lycos Retriever?
Sylvester Stallone: Films

http://www.lycos.com/info/sylvester-stallone--films.html
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/rocky-book-launch-with-jackie-stallone-wwwstallonismcom/3819674354

Bij zijn geboorte raakte een gezichtszenuw bekneld, waarbij een gedeelte van Sylvester Stallones lippen, tong en kin verlamd raakte. Hier hield Stallone een typerende spraakstijl aan over, die vaak wordt geïmiteerd. Tijdens zijn lastige jeugd raakte hij in aanraking met acteren en sport. Zijn eerste film was een pornofilm genaamd Party at Kitty's and Studs, in 1970. Vanaf 1977, na de doorbraak van Stallone bij het grote publiek, zou deze film beter bekend staan onder de naam The Italian Stallion. Na een rol te hebben gespeeld in Woody Allens Bananas speelde hij kleine rolletjes in films en televisieseries als Kojak.
Source:nl.wikipedia.org

Stallone starred in the challenging and compelling role of Freddy Heflin, in the Miramax feature film Copland, which has garnered him international critical and audience acclaim. He had the starring role in Get Carter for Warner Bros., co-starring Michael Caine, which opened in Fall 2000. Stallone wrote and starred in the #1 box-office race-car thriller �Driven, co-starring Burt Reynolds and Christian de la Fuente. In addition, he completed filming �Avenging Angelo, co-starring Madeline Stowe.
Source:nettechnowebdesignonline.com

The book written by award-winning journalist Gerald Chuah is the first in the world to compile all the life lessons andinspirational quotesfrom Sylvester Stallone's Life & Films since the 70s. The book was endorsed by Jackie Stallone, Bob Proctor, Jack Canfield, Robert G. Allen, and Blair Singer (Rich Dad's advisor to Robert Kiyosaki).
Source: stallonism.com

His first screenplay to be produced was the 1974 film The Lords of Flatbush, in which Stallone ... had a part. Of course, it did not do for Stallone what his next screenplay would.
Source:uk.askmen.com

It is well known that Stallone was down to his last $100 when he was given the go-ahead to star in the first Rocky film. An unknown, he had penned the script, refused to sell the film's rights to established stars Burt Reynolds and James Caan and was vindicated when the film, made for $1 million, took $120 million on its release in 1976.
Source: dailymail.co.uk

Synopsis: First Blood is the Sylvester Stallone film that unleashed "Rambo" onto an unsuspecting world. Wandering into a small, hostile town, ex-Green Beret John Rambo (Stallone) is targeted for persecution and abuse by potbellied Sheriff Will Teasle (Brian Dennehy). When he can stand no more, Rambo goesRead More
Source:fandango.com

His injuries notwithstanding, Stallone's physique in the film is astonishing for a 60-year-old. How did he manage it? "Supplements," he replies without missing a beat, as the collective jaw of the bevy of publicists outside drops. Source:
dailymail.co.uk [One] surprise is Stallone, who gives a half decent performance here. He's not called on to do much besides look stoic or angry, but he adds a nice undercurrent of sadness to the character and he has a good emotional scene at the end of the film that is unusal for an action hero and deserves some credit.

This is my new press centre

CONTACT INFO

FOR PRESS INTERVIEWS AND BOOK REVIEW:

Please contact Gerald Chuah in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia at:

Tel: +6012-2739732

E-mail: gchuah@gmail.com

Web: www.stallonism.com

BOOK EXCERPTS

With extensive research into newspaper archive since the 70s, books, magazines, rare documentaries, and the internet, this amazing book reveals for the first time the survival principles from Sylvester Stallone’s Life and Films which offers a complete life guide covering every aspect of living from love, faith, courage, dream, determination, wisdom and spirituality.

It is a miracle how Chuah, a Malaysian journalist living thousands of miles away in South East Asia could tap into the pulse of Rocky and Rambo to unravel these living truths as he saw the correlation between the actor’s life and films and understood every nuance of his words and character.

Driven by a mission to impart these powerful secrets to the world, Chuah religiously documented each and every point to inspire readers to get back on their feet and onto the heart of action, proving that our greatest strength lies within and is inspired from above.

He defines The Eye of the Tiger as a feeling, an awareness and a belief that there is something greater for us to achieve in life than what we seemingly are in this present reality, it is a call of duty that we must heed and a voice from our conscience that compels us to reach the destiny of our restless souls.

Chuah said the book is suitable for everyone both Stallone fans or those who generally wants to reach further, climb higher and gain a deeper knowledge, understanding, and insight about their life.

“Although the series is more than 30 years old, Rocky is widely accepted an inspirational icon and is often quoted by international speakers such as Anthony Robbins, Jack Canfield, and Robert G. Allen who have written and spoken about Stallone and Rocky as success examples in their books or seminars.”

Chuah said his book is the first in the world to expound on the survival principles from Sylvester Stallone’s Life & Films. “It will reach out to a captive audience including movie goers and Stallone fans.”

Last but not least Chuah urge readers to grab the Limited Edition Hardcover Version of the book fast before it runs out, as there are only 1000 copies in print!

Retailed at RM69.90, the chili-red hardcover book with a hand drawn illustration of Rocky on the front cover is a true collector’s item. It is now available at major bookshops nationwide.

PRESS RELEASE

INSPIRATIONAL BOOK ON SYLVESTER STALLONE'S LIFE & FILMS, LAUNCHED BY JACKIE STALLONE IN MALAYSIA.

“A work of stunning originality.” – Rehman Rashid (The New Straits Times)

SELF-HELP books are aplenty in the bookshelves these days but none, if rarely, take inspiration from the movies, until now.

A new book entitled In The Eye of the Tiger: Survival Principles from Sylvester Stallone’s Life & Films, is the first in the world to capture life lessons and philosophy from Stallone’s famous characters from the 80’s including the famous Rocky and Rambo series

The 252-page book is now available in major bookshops nationwide to coincide with the release of Rocky Balboa (Rocky 6) in Malaysia.

Divided into seven chapters namely: The World Meets Nobody Halfway, Paint Your Windows Black, In The Eye of the Tiger, Stay Hungry Stay Natural, To Win a War You’ve to Become War, Heart of a Champion and The Thrill of Victory, the book contains hundreds of quotes from Stallone’s blockbuster films from the 80s including interviews from his life and films.

A quote on the backcover sums up the philosophy and concept of the book: “I want to give the audience positive symbols, heroines and heroes who pull themselves up from the depths of despair. As they claw and finally attain their goals, viewers can realize `My God, I can do that,’ or `That’s the kind of person I want to be.” – SYLVESTER STALLONE.

As the tagline of the latest Rocky movie says: “It ain’t over till it’s over!” Chuah who started writing this book many years ago was determined to get this book off the ground as a final tribute to underdog fighter in conjunction with the last installment of the Rocky series.

His challenge was three-fold – to complete and publish his book, to have Jackie Stallone launch his book, and to make it on time for the premiere of Rocky Balboa within the space of one month.

Like a Hollywood ending to a life affirming story Chuah finally went the distance achieved his goal, proving that nothing is impossible to a willing heart.

During the book launch on Jan 22, this year, Jackie said the quotes in the book are original Sylvester Stallone’s quotes: “I am very proud of your book! I read the book and every word is true. The whole family live by these rules.”

“It is a miracle how Chuah was able to gather all these quotes and put them together in a book. I think everyone who wants to be successful, rich, and famous should read these quotes and practice them,” she added.

BACKCOVER BLURB

“Rocky turned out to be the kind of metaphor for everyone’s struggle. It wasn’t about me, Sylvester Stallone and money. It was about wanting to fail on your own terms, Rocky never thought he’d succeed. But like him, I just wanted to try. Little did I know that 20 years later, that philosophy would end up being respected.”
– SYLVESTER STALLONE

ROCKY DOESN’T CARE ABOUT WINNING. All he wants is to go the distance, to prove he is good enough for himself and all the little guys pinninga their hopes on an underdog winning the big prize. In the end Rocky loses the fight, but he is still on his feet as the final bell is rung which is his real triumph.

Not because he loses, but to show there is more than one way to win. As Sylvester Stallone comes full circle in his last outing with two of his famous screen legends Rocky and Rambo, he leaves behind a legacy to the world; not with knockout punches or ricocheting machine guns, but a vital message of hope urging audiences to stand up and fight back for their dreams instead of watching them wash down the drain.

It was a miracle how Chuah, a Malaysian journalist living thousands of miles away in South East Asia could tap into the pulse of Rocky and Rambo to unravel these living truths, as he saw the correlation between the actor’s life and films and understood every nuance of his words and character. Driven by a mission to impart these powerful secrets to the world, Chuah religiously documented each and every point to inspire readers to get back on their feet, and onto the heart of action, proving that our greatest strength lies within and is inspired from above!

“I want to give audience positive symbols, heroines, and heroes who pull themselves up from the depth of despair. As they struggle and claw and finally attain their goals, viewers can realise `My God, I can do that,’ or ‘That’s the kind of person I want to be.” – SYLVESTER STALLONE
THE EYE OF THE TIGER is a feeling, an awareness and a believe that there is something greater for us to achieve, and reach for in life than what we seemingly are in this present reality. It is a call of duty that we must heed, a voice from our conscience that compels us to reach the destiny of our restless soul.

The films of Sylvester Stallone draw on the tradition of the underdog, the downtrodden man who comes out on top. The hardship of Stallone’s early life provides inspiration for the challenges faced by his movie heroes. No matter what war he is fighting, a Stallone action hero faces a personal battle for respect, recognition and survival. Whether going rounds in the ring, fighting through the jungle, or hanging from the world’s tallest mountain, audiences know Stallone will never, never say die!

With extensive research into newspaper archives since the 70s, books, magazines, rare documentaries and the internet, this amazing book reveals for the first time the survival principles from Sylvester Stallone’s Life & Films which offer a complete life guide covering every aspect of living from love, faith, courage, dream, determination, wisdom, and spirituality. Get blown away with hundreds of powerful quotes with zen-like wisdom and hard-hitting poignancy hidden from common view until now plus 36 impressive hand drawn illustrations of Stallone’s famous film characters never seen before!

Run the last mile with Rocky and fight the last battle with Rambo with this book as they inspire you to reach your highest goals and claim your total victory!

GO FOR IT! Be All You Can Be, Once In Your Lifetime.