It
started last year November. During the Channel 8 30th anniversary star show,
Huang Wen Yong appeared to have lost a lot of weight, and also did not look
well. It came to a shock to many as this actor had never appeared weak or sick
on television. In fact he always had very clean and vibrant image, and
definitely looked younger than his actual age. Answering to the many concerns,
Huang Wen Yong explained that he had contracted stomach flu. Due to hectic
filming schedules, he did not have enough rest so he still appeared sick during
the anniversary show. He assured everyone that he was recovering and asked
everyone not to worry for him.
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| Huang Wen Yong in November 2012 |
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Still looking vibrant during Star Awards 2012 in April,
when he clinched the top ten most popular male artistes
award for the first time.
|
From then on till March this year, there was no news of Huang Wen
Yong. He seemed to have disappeared from the entertainment scene. It did not
seem usual as we always get to see him in at least 1-2 out of every 5 Chinese
drama series. Then in mid March he gave his assurance again through xinmsn that
he was recovering well, not forgetting to thank everyone for their concerns.
Then came the ultimate shock last Saturday. On 20th April 2013,
the beloved actor passed away in Singapore General Hospital due to lymphoma, a
rare form of blood cancer. My heart skipped a beat when I first came across the
news on my Facebook news feeds. Was it a hoax? Within a few minutes, at least
three of my Facebook friends had "RIP Huang Wen Yong" posted in their
status. I knew then it must be true.
Soon, news of Huang Wen Yong's demise surfaced on television and
papers. Just the following day, it was the annual Star Awards Show 1. Usually
the stars would be on all smiles, speculating who would get what awards. But on
that day, there was not a single smile on everyone's face. Some stars had just
returned from the funeral parlour where Huang Wen Yong's funeral was held for 5
days. Some were so sad they did not even feel like attending the show at all.
Half-a-minute silence was observed before the start of the show to pay tribute
to the 60-year-old actor.
I was very touched to see so many artistes coming forward to do
something for Huang Wen Yong, be it carrying his coffin (Tay Ping Hui was the
first to volunteer), reciting Buddhist chants or taking charge of the whole
funeral (陈国华). My
11yo student asked me why this man's news was all over the papers. I told him,
"Though I do not know him personally, I believe he must have been a very
good man to receive so much outpouring of grief because of his death."
So why is everyone so shock and upset over Huang Wen Yong's death?
Well, for the past 30 years, he had never once taken a break from acting. He looked
perfectly fine on television all these years. We had never heard of any news
that he was seriously ill. Even up till the last show that I watched him acting
in, Joys of Life, (which i enjoyed a lot; his annoying character,
Smelly Fart Uncle, left me a deep impression), he still looked okay. When you
never expect someone to leave so suddenly, his death would be hard to believe
at first.
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| "臭屁仁" from Joys of Life |
I believe that if he had left his acting career a few years ago,
the impact of his death would probably not be as great. It's like everyone somehow feels
connected to him, though most of us do not know him personally, and just as you
thought he would be okay, suddenly he's gone.
It
makes me feel how vulnerable human life can be. It reminds me that we have to
learn to cherish people around us as we can never predict what will happen in
the near future. It teaches me
not to take people around for granted and learn to be grateful to others.
Huang Wen Yong, thank you for your hard work, keeping Singaporeans
entertained for the past 30 years. Your professionalism, passion, as well as humility
is something that all of us should learn from.
Rest In Peace.
(I do not own any of the pictures posted. They are taken from Google image.)
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