Asia Tonight - Fri 23 May 2025
01:13:42 Min
Asia Tonight
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Independent Singapore
7 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
TVB actor Peter Pang sings in nightclub to make ends meet while battling cancer
HONG KONG: TVB star Peter Pang revealed that he started singing at a nightclub in China to handle his financial difficulties, which were made worse due to his cancer treatment, ss reported by VnExpress Photo: Instagram/Peter Pang The Star recently shared that actor Peter Pang gave his followers an update on Xiaohongshu, posting a video of himself performing at a nightclub. In the video, he's seen singing Sky , a timeless hit originally performed by the Cantopop group Beyond. The crowd was clearly enjoying the show, enthusiastically singing along as Pang delivered the song. 'I'm thankful that my body still lets me do what I love and perform for all of you. I'm going to keep continuing.' Stage 3 cancer diagnosis Peter Pang received a tough diagnosis in July 2023: stage three rectal cancer. This meant he had to step away from work for a whole year to focus on getting treatment, which, understandably, plunged him into serious financial trouble. He's been open about it, sharing that he borrowed HK$500,000 (that's about SGD80,000) just to cover his medical bills and daily expenses, but unfortunately, that money has now run out. 'Without work, there's just no income coming in… My wife's doing her best, but it's really tough for her to manage everything by herself,' he explained. 'The money we borrowed is almost gone. If things keep going like this, we're not going to make it.' Even with all these tough challenges, Pang is staying optimistic. Full of energy He said, 'I want everyone to know that being sick doesn't mean I can't keep working. I'm still full of energy and ready to take on whatever comes. I've got this!' Peter Pang, currently 55 years old, began his acting career in 2003. Some of Pang's roles include When Heaven Burns, The Hidden Town 2, and Task Force. Born on August 20, 1970, Peter Pang is a Hong Kong actor with a long list of TV series and film credits to his name. He's also been in Fire Shoot (2021) and TV dramas such as Jie Jue Shi (2019), Let It Be Love (2012), Can't Buy Me Love (2010), and Survivor's Law (2003). Family comes first With a wife and three children depending on him, the former TVB star, Peter Pang, is really determined to get back to work. He's focused on starting to pay off the debts that accumulated, especially since his cancer diagnosis and the year he took off for treatment. He's been very open about the financial strain, emphasising that he's completely used up the money he borrowed and urgently needs to get back on his feet to support his family.
Independent Singapore
7 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
987FM DJ Germaine Tan and Zouk CEO Andrew Li have announced their engagement after romantic Maldives proposal
SINGAPORE: This past Sunday, June 1, came with some heartwarming news—987FM DJ Germaine Tan is engaged to her boyfriend of two and a half years, Andrew Li! As reported by CNA , Li, the CEO of Zouk Group, proposed in the most dreamy way possible: on a secluded sandbank during their romantic Maldives getaway. Photo: Instagram/Germaine Tan Before the trip, Tan revealed to CNA Lifestyle that she had her 'suspicions'. 'He mentioned he'd set up a photographer for us one day,' said Tan. 'That definitely got me thinking a proposal might be coming, since I'm usually the one pushing for photos!' He went all in As the sun began to set, casting beautiful golden colours across the ocean, Li got down on one knee and asked Tan to marry him. She shared that he then confessed, telling her he'd known all along that she was the one he was meant to marry. He poured his heart out to her, saying, 'The way you love me—so fiercely and wholeheartedly—it pushes me to be the best version of myself. You're everything I've ever dreamed of in a soulmate, a partner, and a wife. 'Say 'yes,' and I'll spend the rest of my life showing you just how happy I can make you.' Tan was so deeply moved by his words that she broke down in tears, completely overcome with emotion and was 'full-on bawling.' The couple actually first crossed paths on a random Thursday night at Here Kitty Kitty, a cocktail bar managed by Zouk Group. No clue who he was 'Honestly, I didn't think much of it that first night, but we had a blast dancing,' Tan recalled. 'He went all out with his boyband moves, trying to impress me. After that, he left a comment on my Instagram—and then slid into my DMs.' Tan confessed she had no clue who Andrew Li was when they first met. 'I went into it with no preconceived notions about him,' she said. 'He later admitted that the moment he saw me taking photos at the bar that first night, he thought I was the perfect mix of gorgeous and adorable—and that's what made him want to get to know me.' 'Li has truly helped me conquer so many challenges throughout our relationship,' Tan shared. He helped her heal 'He's truly pushed me to grow in ways I never thought possible, and he's even helped me heal from past traumas,' Tan shared. 'A year before we got engaged, he said, 'Our relationship is my top priority right now, and I'll do anything to make it work.'' And he really proved it. 'We're in the best possible place.' According to Tan, her father, who founded the supermarket chain Hao Mart, shares a great relationship with Li. 'My dad always makes sure to snag the seat next to Andrew at family gatherings,' Tan shared. 'That way, he can talk his ear off about business and the economy—you know, all the stuff no one else really wants to hear about.' Tan recalled a conversation with her dad where she'd asked if Andrew would need to get his blessing to marry her. Her dad's reply? 'No need! I approved him ages ago!' See also Angelababy and Huang Xiaoming attend event but sit far apart Industry friends cheered them on Sounds like Tan is getting a lot of love from her industry friends! Her colleagues, including fellow Yes 933 DJ Hazelle Teo, and actresses He Ying Ying and Chantalle Ng, have all been sending in their congratulations. Right now, the couple is pouring their energy into planning a wedding that brings all their loved ones together to celebrate what matters most—love. As Tan lovingly shared, 'We're beyond excited to start this new chapter, build a life side by side, and one day grow our own little family.'
CNA
10 hours ago
- CNA
Gamers get hold of Nintendo's hotly awaited Switch 2
TOKYO: Gamers finally got their hands on Nintendo's new Switch 2 on Thursday (Jun 5), the console that could score record early sales for the Japanese Super Mario creator. The device, which features a bigger screen and more processing power, is an upgrade to the Switch that became a global phenomenon with hit games such as Animal Crossing. The original Switch has sold 152 million units since its 2017 release, making it the third-best-selling console ever. Nintendo fans, including 24-year-old Lei Wang, a recent graduate from China, queued to collect their devices at a Tokyo electronics store on Thursday morning. He had been "shocked" to win a pre-order lottery because none of his friends had been selected. "It's basically just me who got picked ... so I don't really want to say anything" to them, he laughed. Shinichi Sekiguchi, 31, said he was so excited he forgot to bring his phone, while 33-year-old Kuro said she had taken a day off work to use her new device. "The improved graphics and the ability to play with a larger group - I think that's a big deal," she said. Serkan Toto from Tokyo consultancy Kantan Games said he "would not be surprised to see Switch 2 breaking sales records in the next weeks and months". Nintendo's online store had 2.2 million pre-order applications for the Switch 2 in Japan - an "insane number the industry has never seen before", Toto told AFP. WORTH THE PRICE? The Switch 2 has eight times the memory of the first Switch and its controllers, which attach with magnets, can also be used like a desktop computer mouse. New functions allowing users to chat as they play online and temporarily share games with friends could also be a big draw for young audiences used to watching game streamers. However, Nintendo has its work cut out to match the overall success of the original. Challenges include uncertainty over US trade tariffs and whether it can convince enough people to pay the high price for its new device. The Switch 2 costs US$449.99 in the United States, more than the original's launch price of US$299.99. Both are hybrid consoles that can connect to a TV or be played on the go. New Switch 2 games such as Donkey Kong Bananza and Mario Kart World - which allows players to go exploring off-grid - are also more expensive than existing titles. "After playing it, I think it's worth the price," Steven Paterno, a 24-year-old aspiring filmmaker, told AFP at a Nintendo launch event in New York City. He had been waiting outside the Rockefeller Center's Nintendo store for a month and a half, part of a group of around 20 die-hard fans desperate to be first in line. "I loved the original Switch, but I had to admit the Switch 2 really tops it," Paterno said. CANCELLED PRE-ORDERS Retailers in the United States, Europe and other major markets are gearing up for a rush of excited fans, with some stores opening at midnight to welcome them. "I'm very excited to pick it up at midnight," 22-year-old graduate Angel Caceres said at the New York launch event. "I'm going to be very tired after that." Supply pressures have forced some retailers to cancel orders, with Britain's Game saying it is "working hard to reinstate as many affected pre-orders as possible". Nintendo forecasts it will ship 15 million Switch 2 consoles in the current financial year, roughly equal to the original console in the same period after its release. The Switch 2 "is priced relatively high" compared with its predecessor, the company's president Shuntaro Furukawa said at a financial results briefing in May. So it "will not be easy" to keep initial momentum going, he warned.
