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New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Friends, co-stars fondly remember Mano as a 'man for all seasons'
KUALA LUMPUR: The late veteran actor Mano Maniam has been hailed as a "man for all seasons" by his friends and co-stars, and a truly Bangsa Malaysia entertainer. Mano, who passed away yesterday at the age of 79, coincidentally starred in a play titled A Man For All Seasons back in 1991. Throughout his illustrious, five-decade acting career, he made his mark across various mediums – television, film, and theatre. Douglas Lim, actor and comedian, who co-starred with Mano in Kopitiam, described the Ipoh-born screen legend as a great "sifu" (master) and friend. "I first met him while we were starring in Kopitiam back in the 1990s, and he was always kind, friendly, helpful, and fun," said Lim. "I'm honoured to have known and worked with him, for he always encouraged me to aim high and helped introduce me to the entertainment industry." Lim also noted Mano's superb sense of humour. While they didn't work together often in the last decade, Lim will always cherish Mano's friendship and guidance, describing his death as a significant loss to Malaysian showbiz. Kopitiam's main actress, acting coach Joanna Bessey, remembered Mano as a great mentor and father figure. "Mano was always a teacher and a friend to me. We actually met in a play called Witness For The Prosecution before Kopitiam began, and I was instantly struck by his jovial, chatty, and playful demeanour," said Joanna, who also highlighted Mano's extensive knowledge. "Over the years, we met many times, and I learnt a lot from him. He taught performing arts in colleges and universities, as did I, and when he couldn't conduct his classes or workshops, he got me to stand in for him!" In 2019, Joanna, Lim, and Mano reunited for Kopitiam Double Shot, reprising their roles as Marie, Steven, and Uncle Chan respectively. Joanna described Mano as one of Malaysia's "brightest stars" in showbiz, who bridged the gap between television, film, and theatre, as well as English, Malay, and Tamil entertainment. "He was truly a Bangsa Malaysia icon in entertainment, and we will all miss him," she added. A PILLAR OF MALAYSIAN ARTS Datuk Faridah Merican, founder of the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC), shared that Mano had been a close friend for five decades. "We first met in the 1970s, and he played my father, a circus owner, in a play titled He Who Gets Slapped," she recalled. "I was impressed not only by his brilliant acting but also his passion for the arts and all-round friendliness." She added that they worked together in many plays over the decades, and he was a regular visitor to KLPAC. Faridah further noted that Mano was a great teacher of the arts, conducting acting classes for senior citizens who greatly enjoyed his workshops. "He didn't confine himself to English language theatre and starred in Malay language television dramas and comedies, as well as movies," Faridah said. "One of the main highlights of his career was playing Moonshee in Anna And The King alongside Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-Fat, which was partly filmed in Malaysia in 1999." Faridah believes Mano helped put Malaysian entertainers on the world map. She lamented that Mano was due to receive a special award for his lifetime contributions but passed away before he could attend the ceremony. "Malaysia has lost a giant in entertainment, but he will always be in our hearts – a passionate actor, a great teacher, and a wonderful friend." INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION Actor and comedian Datuk Afdlin Shauki said that Mano was an inspiration in his acting career. They both attended the same school, Sekolah Menengah Anglo Chinese in Ipoh. "Both of us were active in our alma mater's music and drama society, which staged many musicals in the 1980s," Afdlin said. "I played Datuk Lat in a musical adaptation of the legendary cartoonist's famous, semi-autobiographical cartoon book Town Boy in 1987, and he commended me for doing a great job." Afdlin added that he learned a lot about acting from Mano and also starred with him in Anna And The King. Afdlin described Mano as one of the country's best-known actors who represented Malaysia in several international movies. "He was one of the few actors who put Malaysian talent on the world map, and I'll always remember him for his love of the arts and great humour."
Rakyat Post
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Rakyat Post
Exciting May: Dragon Boating, Theatre Play & More Weekend Activities Not To Be Missed
Subscribe to our FREE There are some awesome surprises this weekend and the next lined up for you! Imagine diving into the vibrant world of Bornean cultures and then hopping into a dragon boat for your very first ride. No matter which activity you choose to participate in, every moment is going to leave you buzzing with excitement. Here are some picks to keep your weekends exciting and colourful. Artisan Bread Festival | 21-26 May | Lot 10 | 10am-10pm | Free public event Salon Du Pain Artisan Bread Festival this year follows the theme of pistachio. Part 1 of the festival will be held at Lot 10 from 21 to 26 May featuring delicious bakes and treats from 19 bakeries. You might be able to sort out your breakfasts and lunches for the next few days too. Meanwhile, Part 2 will take place from 27 May to 2 June featuring 20 bakeries while Part 3 features 21 more bakeries from 3 to 8 June 2025. Do check Salon Du Pain's Instagram page for updates. If There Is An Afterlife, I Hope It's Your Version Instead Of Mine | 22-25 May | KLPAC | Daily: 8.30pm, Weekend Matinee: 3pm | Ticketed event EJKLS seni is restaging its most emotionally gripping play written and directed by its founder and artistic director, Asyraf Syahir. The play is a tribute to Asyraf's late mother who lost her life to cancer. As such, the play explores the grief and the sense of loss that comes after, and faith during this bleak mourning period. Tickets are available for purchase at CloudJoi Borneo Native Festival 2025 | 23-25 May | Central Market | 10am-10pm | Free public event The Borneo Native Festival is back for its fourth iconic year celebrating the vibrant spirit of Kaamatan and Gawai. There'll be tons to look forward to such as the Datun Julud mob dance and the live music performance Brew & Bites Market | 23-25 May | The Campus Ampang | 10am-10pm | Free public event The Brew & Bites Market is exactly as it sounds. There'll be delicious fresh bakes paired with coffees to satisfy your cravings and activities that everyone can enjoy. Some fun things taking place include hands-on workshop making sand art, coffee candle, and paper lanterns to exercise your creativity. Maple Food Market | 23-25 May | Great Eastern Mall | 11am-8pm | Free public event The Maple Food Market returns with a flavour-packed selection so expect fine bites, brews, and bakes from passionate local artisan and gourmet vendors. Come hungry so you can taste and explore more. Aloha Party | 24 May | Selected TGVs | 3pm onwards | Ticketed event To celebrate the new Lilo & Stitch movie, TGV Suria KLCC, 1 Utama, Pavilion Bukit Jalil, Gurney Paragon, and Tebrau City are holding an Aloha Party, a tropical getaway for the girls on 24 May from 3pm onwards. The deluxe ticket costs RM40 while the beanie ticket costs RM95 per pair. The ticket is inclusive of mystery gifts, tropical fits, and the opportunity to participate in activities such as the Aloha photo booth, cake decorating session, and carnival games. Remmeber to get your tickets from TGV's official website Kodama Toy x 30 Malaysian Artist | 24 May-16 June | A4A Gallery, GMBB | Free public event Established in the 1930s in Tokyo, Kodama Toy is known for its handcrafted soft vinyl figures. Their most iconic creation, Charmy-Chan, has remained a beloved collectible for nearly 50 years and will be sporting fresh interpretations by 30 Malaysian artists. Each piece is a 1-to-1 creation accompanied by a personalised artwork from the artist. The opening day on 24 May will start from 2pm until 7pm. The exhibition will run from 24 May to 16 June from 1pm to 7pm. World Otter Day | 25 May | Rimbun Dahan | 10am onwards | Free public event Rimbun Dahan partners with the Malaysia Otter Network to celebrate otters. There'll be various activities for the whole family such as art workshops, engaging talks, exhibitions, and more that explores the lives of Malaysia's otters and the wetland ecosystem. There are no entrance fees but workshops require registration. Pasar Tapau | 25 May | Kedai KL | 11am-5pm | Free public event You can shop for old records and vintage finds while enjoying a cuppa at Pasar Tapau this Sunday. The F&B vendors are moved to the Zen Garden where visitors can also chill on the benches while listening to the DJ spinning tracks. Argo Naga Dragon Boat Open Day | 31 May-7 June | Marina Putrajaya | 8am-11am | RM50/pax Are you interested in dragon boating but don't know where to start? Try it out at Argo Naga's open day that's happening from 31 May to 7 June. The friendly open day will be held at Marina Putrajaya, Presint 5 from 8am to 11am. During the open day, newcomers get to try out dragon boating under expert guidance, especially learning the basics of paddling as a team in this exciting sport. If this piques your interest, remember to sign up by filling the Google Form You can also direct questions by dropping them a message on their social media accounts or sending an email to The Godfather Live | 14 June | Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra | 8pm | Ticketed event You can relive the rise and fall of the Corleone family empire while listening to a full orchestral performance led by conductor Gerard Salonga. Italian composer Nino Rota composed the legendary score for the three-time Academy Award winning film The Godfather starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, and Robert Duvall. On 14 June, the legendary score comes alive in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Remember to purchase your tickets from MPO here. READ MORE: Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . 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Hype Malaysia
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Retired HK Star Petrina Fung Bo Bo Makes Rare Appearance At klpac
While Hong Kong stars aren't strangers to Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur, it's still surprising to see some stars make a rare public appearance in the city. Recently, retired Hong Kong actress Petrina Fung Bo Bo (冯宝宝) made her first public appearance in years at Sentul. Over the weekend, the former child star appeared at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC) to attend the Malaysian performance of the Cantonese black comedy stage play 'Left Unsaid'. The stage play stars HK actors Kenny Wong (黄德斌) and Cecilia Yip (叶童), produced by Joseph Chan and directed by Mathias Woo. Petrina reportedly attended the performance in support of her long-time friends Joseph and Mathias. In photos shared online, the retired actress looked radiant in a pale yellow and black ensemble with a matching headpiece. Despite turning 71 this year, Petrina appeared youthful, with smooth and fair skin. Besides meeting up with Joseph and Mathias, the veteran star also took photos with the cast of the stage play. After the show, she praised the production 'Left Unsaid', saying she thoroughly enjoyed the cast's performance. If you wonder why Petrina appeared in KL out of all places, it's because the retired star currently lives in Penang. She has been living here for years, since stepping away from showbiz. She once said living in the state is better suited to her state of mind as she ages. However, the star reportedly travelled several hours by car to KL to support the play and reconnect with old friends. Petrina also has other ties to Malaysia, having been born in British North Borneo (now known as Sandakan) in 1954. She was also married to a Malaysian architect from 1997 to 2012. She also lived in Kuala Lumpur for some time, travelling between HK and Malaysia for her acting career. The actress was also once active in activism, speaking at local talks and events to advocate for mental health awareness. As it's been a while since Petrina was at a showbiz-related event, it's nice to see how well-respected she still is amongst her peers. Her appearance at klpac is a reminder of her enduring legacy in the HK entertainment industry. Sources: Dimsum Daily, China Press
