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Actor Zheng Geping is on 2025's National Day Awards list

Actor Zheng Geping is on 2025's National Day Awards list

Straits Times11 hours ago
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Zheng Geping has been serving the community for nearly 15 years. He joined a community volunteer group at the urging of a friend.
SINGAPORE – Local actor-producer Zheng Geping is on 2025's National Day Awards list, and will receive the Public Service Medal (Pingat Bakti Masyarakat or PBM).
The 61-year-old told Chinese-language evening daily Shin Min Daily News that he learnt of his award from Ms Mariam Jaafar, an MP for Sembawang GRC.
Zheng said he had not told anyone about the award except his family, believing that he had made only a small contribution to the community.
He is married to local actress Hong Huifang, 64, and they have two children – actress Tay Ying, 29, and singer-actor Calvert Tay, 25. Tay Ying
tied the knot with celebrity chef Wu Sihan , 33, in June.
Zheng has been serving the community for nearly 15 years and said he joined the Woodlands community volunteer group at the urging of a friend.
'I joined out of curiosity, wanting to know what the volunteer group does, since I don't live in Woodlands,' he told Shin Min.
Asked what he did, he said: 'Various activities, such as distributing supplies to underprivileged families, performing at festive events, fund-raising activities and assisting at Meet-the-People sessions,' he said.
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Zheng felt that it was very meaningful as he was able to give back to society. He added that the most touching thing was seeing the happy reactions of the residents, especially when he takes the elderly from nursing homes for a walk.
'The residents we helped still remember us, and that's very touching,' he said.
He added that while he was not able to help out when he was filming or working overseas, he would try to make time for it otherwise.
Zheng also encourages his two children to volunteer.
'I have a celebrity club that frequently organises events, such as fund-raising to help disadvantaged families, and my two children also take part in them,' he said. 'Huifang will also join me, like taking part in community event performances, if she is not filming or promoting her shows.'
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