Hong Huifang and Chen Tianwen star in Kopitiam Days SG60 film anthology
Actress Hong Huifang in the short film Meet Me At The Pavilion, part of Kopitiam Days, an SG60 anthology film.
SINGAPORE – Veteran local actress Hong Huifang is busier than ever in a period of her life when she thought she would be resting.
'I thought I would be retired by now,' says the 64-year-old, who enjoyed a 40-year career starring in series such as The Unbeatables (1993) and The Price Of Peace (1997).
'I felt I had reached a plateau and could not go any further. I thought only young people had opportunities, and there were none left for me.'
Hong was speaking to The Straits Times at a media event in York Hotel Singapore to promote the SG60 anthology film Kopitiam Days.
Then the drama Ajoomma (2022) happened, in which she starred as a widow who becomes stranded in South Korea and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. The film, helmed by Singaporean director He Shuming, earned Hong a Best Leading Actress nomination at the Golden Horse Awards.
Following that achievement, the idea of retirement was shelved.
Her latest projects include local film A Good Child, opening on Oct 9; Taiwanese supernatural series Haunted House Secrets, which aired in June; and the Singapore-Thai mystery thriller series Decalcomania, to be released in 2026.
She is starting production on another local drama series co-starring other veteran actors, with details to be announced later.
'I was lucky to be in Ajoomma . It brought me up to another level. People watched my performance, they saw my potential and they gave me another chance. I'm so grateful, and as long as my physical and mental health is good, I will carry on working and find new challenges,' she says.
Actress Hong Huifang earned a Best Leading Actress nomination at the Golden Horse Awards for her role in Ajoomma (2022).
ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
In Meet Me At The Pavilion – one of six short films that make up Kopitiam Days – Hong plays Ai Hua, a volunteer performer at a Hainanese opera troupe in danger of going broke unless it can persuade a former sponsor (played by Zhu Houren) to step up again.
Directed by Shoki Lin and based on his own family's background in the art form, the role required Hong, who was raised in a mainly Teochew-speaking environment, to brush up on what remained of the Hainanese she had picked up from her maternal grandfather, a native speaker.
She practised Hainanese with native speaker and co-star Zhu and also with her opera coach, who is a member of Singapore Hainan Society's opera troupe.
'Just as spoken Mandarin is not the same as the Mandarin that is sung in Peking opera, spoken and sung Hainanese are not the same, so I had to train in singing as well as d ancing, especially the hand movements. The gentle, flowing hand gestures are hard to do,' she says.
In a separate interview, veteran local actor Chen Tianwen spoke about his part in another short film, the martial arts-inspired action-comedy Dragon Gate Assembly – one that was a decade in the making, he says.
Chen Tianwen in the short film Dragon Gate Assembly, part of the Kopitiam Days anthology for SG60.
PHOTO: CLOVER FILMS
Chen, 62, gained fame in local martial arts series in the 1990s, and became known for playing a fighting monk in The Royal Monk (1997) and The Royal Monk II (1998).
At the gala premiere of his 2015 comedy movie Mr Unbelievable, he and Singapore film-maker Eric Khoo chatted, during which the director promised the actor they would work together one day.
Khoo, executive producer and creative director of Kopitiam Days, then suggested to Dragon Gate Assembly director Yeo Siew Hua that Chen be included in the project.
(From left) Director Yeo Siew Hua with actors Chen Tianwen, Xenia Tan and Tay Ping Hui, who are in action-comedy Dragon Gate Assembly.
ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
He and co-stars Tay Ping Hui, Xenia Tan, Richie Koh and Kung Cheung Tak play characters who assemble at a coffee shop, representing the famous inns of wuxia.
Chen says: 'So when I talked to Eric again for this short film, I told him, 'I've been waiting 10 years for your call.''
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Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Straits Times
He studied architecture to chase childhood dream of designing an NDP stage
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Architectural assistant Kenneth Chiang with NDP stage replicas he made, from 2009 (left), 2011 (right), and a scale model of the Padang he modelled and 3D-printed. SINGAPORE – Much like how people have the names of their favourite sports idols, movie stars or music artistes at their fingertips, Mr Kenneth Chiang can rattle off the names of National Day Parade (NDP) show segment creative directors by the year. As he does so, the architectural assistant offers short and at times unprompted commentaries on their shows, underscoring his fixation with Singapore's biggest annual production. It is unsurprising, then, that Mr Chiang – who has a 3D-printed scale model of the Padang complete with NDP bleachers and self-designed performance stage in his bedroom – dreams of one day being an NDP creative director. 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In 2012, he chose to study architecture to fulfil a childhood dream of one day designing the NDP show stage – a step he hopes will eventually lead to him becoming the parade's creative director. Mr Chiang recalls a meeting with veteran show stage designer Randy Chan in 2011 that changed his life. Mr Kenneth Chiang (left) and NDP 2011 stage and set designer Randy Chan at a National Education show in July 2011. PHOTO: KENNETH CHIANG While watching an NDP National Education show at the now-demolished The Float @ Marina Bay in July that year, Mr Chiang – then 15 – saw Mr Chan in the stands out of the corner of his eye. Mr Chiang, spurred on by his friends, tapped Mr Chan on the shoulder. 'I love your work. I think what you do is damn cool,' Mr Chiang recalled saying to Mr Chan, the principal of architectural practice Zarch Collaboratives. That night, Mr Chiang left Marina Bay with Mr Chan's name card – which he got him to autograph – and an invitation to chat in Mr Chan's office. At Zarch's former office in Selegie, Mr Chan had an employee show Mr Chiang a model of the NDP 2011 stage that he had designed. The NDP 2011 stage (left) featured many smaller cubic spaces that could hold performers. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO 'It was the coolest thing ever,' said Mr Chiang. 'He told me, if you want to do the NDP stage, you need to study architecture. That is the condensed story of how I got into architecture – through the 'NDP route'.' If recent design competition results are anything to go by, Mr Chiang's goal of at least designing the NDP stage one day is no pipe dream. In the past year, he topped two ideas competitions organised by the authorities – one for Tanjong Pagar Railway Station and the other for Jurong Bird Park and Jurong Hill – proving his design chops. Mr Chan, 55, said the chance encounter with Mr Chiang in Marina Bay is etched in his memory. 'It lasted no more than 10 minutes, but it was magical. My family were seated nearby and they were surprised I had a fan,' said Mr Chan, who has designed five NDP stages since 2004. 'I told him to keep up the dream and to enjoy chasing it,' he said. By the time he enrolled in Singapore Polytechnic to study architecture in 2012, Mr Chiang had made models of about 10 stages – some of them replicas of NDP and other performance stages, others self-designed. A model of architect Randy Chan's NDP 2011 stage that Mr Chiang made when he was 16. PHOTO: KENNETH CHIANG The first of these was made in 2006, said Mr Chiang, who was then a Primary 5 pupil and was inspired by platforms that rose out of the NDP 2005 stage. It was on one of these platforms that singer Taufik Batisah and actress-singer Rui En stood as they performed Reach Out For The Skies in that year's finale. 'As a young kid watching, I wondered, 'How on earth did they make that happen?', so I spent months at home experimenting,' he said. 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Straits Times
4 hours ago
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Senior Gentlemen's Circus debuts to engage older men to stay active
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Mr Kwan Pak Kean, 67, a part-time lecturer at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, said that at first, it seemed difficult manipulating the diabolo – an hourglass-shaped object that is manipulated by string like a yo-yo – but the 'fun factor' kept him going. 'I haven't fully mastered the advanced tricks, but I have learnt enough to impress and train my three grandchildren,' he said. Insurance agent Darren Tan said he joined the circus due to the 'novelty effect' but kept dropping the diabolo initially. 'It took me two lessons to get the hang of it, and I have been coming to the centre to practise on top of the lessons,' said the 62-year-old bachelor. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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Mr Lee Poh Wah, the chief executive of Lien Foundation, which brought the programme to the AAC, said circus acts offer a rich blend of physical challenge, mental focus and social connection. 'Senior men continue to remain on the margins of our social care and preventative healthcare system,' he told The Straits Times. 'Through our various programmes, we see that senior men respond better to activities that tap past passions, rekindling youthful energy and inviting them back into the centre of community life.' The philanthropic organisation has commissioned other activities like magic, rock climbing , e-sports, a music band and the yo-yo as part of its Seniors Go! programmes, which have allowed seniors since 2022 to explore activities rarely associated with ageing. In 2024, the Lien Foundation supported the Silver Pride Lion Troupe, Singapore's first senior lion dance troupe, at Fei Yue Active Ageing Centre (Holland Close). 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Many AACs are organising male-centric activities to engage male seniors. For example, NTUC Health AACs run various physical and social male-exclusive programmes to address social isolation among elderly men. Male seniors gather weekly for Let's Lim Kopi to trade stories and connect with one another over coffee and snacks, while Let's Steel Combat engages male participants in simple martial arts. Let's Go Man!, a collaboration between Touch Community Services and Ngee Ann Polytechnic, organises activities such as memory games and walking soccer for male seniors to promote physical, cognitive and social well-being. At Allkin's AAC in Pasir Ris, the Men's Club is a senior-led group where male seniors take charge – planning and running their own activities, from cycling to chess to even repair work. Many also volunteer to accompany frail or less mobile neighbours so they can participate too. This ground-up model has since expanded to two AACs in Ang Mo Kio, with over 70 members and tailored activities at each location. Besides joining the circus, Mr Kwan will be participating in a water-colouring class at Goodlife Studio (Telok Blangah Towers). Mr Tan, who is active at two AACs currently, said he has been attending health and digital talks. 'I hope to go on more outings around Singapore,' he said. 'Staying at home all the time is bad for health.'
Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Straits Times
With her friends as her eyes, this NDP dancer shines
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The TL;DR: Sherri Lim was born with a congenital eye condition that took most of her sight. With the help of her friends, this National Day, the 26-year-old Republic Polytechnic student will dance with her schoolmates at the parade. Miss Sherri Lim, 26, is a student performer from Republic Polytechnic. She is blind in one eye and partially sighted in the other. Under the glaring lights at the Padang, dancer Sherri Lim, 26, is trying to find her way to her next position as the performers make a new formation on stage. But the world around her is a blur, and she cannot make out the numbers on each marking on the floor which tell the dancers where to stand. Unlike the other performers, she is visually impaired. Another dancer takes her arm and guides her to the next position. Miss Lim is one of 400 Republic Polytechnic (RP) students who will showcase their dance and martial arts flair at 2025's National Day Parade (NDP). She is part of an 11-minute dance routine fusing hip-hop and traditional dance styles. The Year 3 information technology student was born blind in one eye and partially sighted in the other. She has a rare congenital eye condition called Peters anomaly, which causes clouding of the cornea and blurred vision. This means she cannot see anything clearly around her, even her laptop, except when she leans in close to the screen. She chooses to rely on her hearing at school instead of using visual aids, and can navigate mostly independently by memory. But performing is a different beast. Throughout the act, dancers must make 17 formations in complex shapes, without any obvious spaces between performers. Miss Lim said: 'Every (rehearsal) day is a new stage for me, especially when the lighting is on us. I cannot see anything at all.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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'I don't know how many times I wanted to give up. But on show days every Saturday, when you step on the Padang stage, it feels very unreal.' 400 students from Republic Polytechnic will perform during Act One of the NDP. PHOTO: REPUBLIC POLYTECHNIC Dreams of performing Although this is her biggest performance so far, Miss Lim is no stranger to the stage. She has played the guzheng (a zither) in RP's Chinese Ensemble for three years, and played the liuqin (four-stringed lute) in primary school. She relies on her sense of touch and memory to play the right strings. And in 2024, she danced in public for the first time at the National Gallery as part of a visual and performing arts showcase by Project Dreamcatchers. The initiative, led by young people with chronic illnesses and the National University Hospital, was held to show people that lifelong medical conditions do not make them less able than others. 'I've liked dancing since I was young, but didn't have the opportunity to (until then),' said Miss Lim. Her favourite part, she added, was working with the choreographer to 'tell (her) life's story' through contemporary dance. So, when her school's performing arts groups were selected for NDP, Miss Lim leapt at the chance to express herself through dance again. The performance features a dance routine with hip-hop and traditional dance elements, as well as a martial arts segment. PHOTO: REPUBLIC POLYTECHNIC Guiding the way Miss Lim's wish to dance was met with support from her CCA peers and instructor. At rehearsals, the dancers clarified the steps with her, and held on to her when they changed formations. Her schoolmate Menfred Tan, 20, is one of the performers who guided her during the show. He said: 'For Sherri, we make sure she never goes alone. We ensure someone always tags along with her from the start to the end.' Mr Tan, who has played the erhu (two-string fiddle) in RP's Chinese Ensemble but has no background in dance, was eager to perform at NDP. 'From the start, there was a lot of pressure,' he said. 'It was unexplored territory for us.' Apart from showing up for rehearsal after his full-time work internship, he said the hardest part has been keeping up with the upbeat routine for all 11 minutes. 'Our energy has to be high most of the time. It is a test of our stamina, and we are drenched in sweat the whole time. 'It's not just glitter and fireworks. It's also a lot of sweat and tears.' RP student and fellow Chinese Ensemble musician Menfred Tan (centre) joined NDP despite having no experience in dance. PHOTO: REPUBLIC POLYTECHNIC Preparing for NDP was a hard feat even for dance captain Khairatul Syahirah Kahar, 19, who has been dancing since primary school. On top of learning the steps quickly from the choreographer, she was tasked to teach almost 150 participants at a time. She recalled seeing the other dance captains' 'confused faces' when they were picking up the steps, which helped her feel less alone. 'The people around you are what keeps you motivated.' In the end, Miss Khairatul was inspired by how anyone can pick up dance, no matter when they start. 'We're all doing the same thing, dancing the same steps, wearing the same costume,' she said. That includes Miss Lim, who said she has learnt to trust her friends to teach her the right steps and lead her to the correct spots. As she performs on stage this National Day, alongside her idols such as singer Benjamin Kheng, she hopes to encourage others to pursue their passions. 'I want to show people with disabilities also can chase their own dreams,' she said. 'I want to show people that if you dare, then you can.'
