Happy New Year!

To my readers, Happy New Year!
With love, from Singapore.

Anita Mui ( 1963-10-10 to 2003-12-30)

On my Facebook Newsfeed yesterday, it has been filled with Anita Mui's departure and how Hong Kong missed her. 

Nothing can be said of her divaness. I will just attached the video of "Song of Sunset" here, just to showcase her last public perfomance and how this song mean a lot to her.

Merry Christmas

Disappearing Hong Kong wishes all readers "Merry Christmas!"

With love, from Kuala Lumpur.  

Hong Kong "Votes"-Best Drama

It is a night of disbelief. 

Not only for Hong Kong, but for the rest of the Chinese community whom follows Hong Kong drama closely. Everybody is thinking Hong Kong will chose the pro China drama The Confidant as the best TVB drama. 

Hong Kong proves the world, especially Beijing wrong. The viewers vote for When Heaven Burns, a drama that talked about lost innocence in Hong Kong society and the need to retain its identity before it is completely disappeared. 

Disappearing Hong Kong is heartened to see this, even we know, Hong Kong will lose its identity in the near future. 

Below is the MV for the ending theme, "Young and Innocent" sung by the three main  actors. Bowie Lam left TVB for greener pasture. 

港人•港事-有谁记得亚视？

文章转载：http://www.inmediahk.net/node/1014896

亚视的连续剧曾经在新加坡热播。看到其现任主席近日的表现，只能用“唏嘘”来形容。

“天作孽，猶可違；自作孽，不可逭。近日要求政府盡快批出免費電視牌照的呼聲高漲全城，正是因為大家再也忍受不了亞視花樣百出的「自殺式襲擊」。臭名昭著的「關注香港未來」集會上，幾百個打工仔在亞視大老闆王征的淫威下被逼到場「打卡」。王征堂細佬、執董盛品儒拋出「亞洲早晨」的爛gag，大家聽到後標冷汗，驚到笑唔出。王征自己亦醜態百出，江南風格的浮躁舞姿固然bad taste，指罵毛孟靜的樣子，更盡現暴發戶的財大氣粗。事後網民創作「亞視倒閉圖」，竟遭亞視恐嚇，將懸紅百萬「緝兇」。一間電視台墮落至此，卻仍低處未見低。筆者今年三十四歲，已少看電視。但我樂於承認，我是亞視的lifelong fan，見到如今妖邪當道，不免心酸。

縮皮劇集　戲味盎然

1982年秋天，邱德根入主麗的電視，正式易名亞視。我和母親在同一年夏天來港定居，算是首批獲發單程證的內地家眷。同屋還住有另外一個中年男子陳叔叔，他是父親好友，單身。他房間裡有收音機、羅文錄音帶、杯麵、馬經、色情雜誌，而且，還有電視機。母親不在，我就逃進陳叔叔的房間裡，陪伴他在百尺之內聲色犬馬。三年後，父親終於購買了電視機。我無零用，事實上也不需要，小學朋友不多，雙親忙於生計，於是不用上課的時候，終日我都在看電視。那是人生品味開始模塑的階段，而我和父母一樣，在兩個免費電視台之間，總是選擇亞視。

1985年，亞視舉辦首屆亞姐選舉，然後還有亞太小姐，大玩「鬼妹」元素。無線陣腳大亂，馬上還撃，推出明星如雲的台慶劇《楊家將》，由當時如日方中的五虎擔正，楊澤霖扮楊令公，湘漪扮佘太君，十九歲的周海媚做楊九妹，還有周潤發、張曼玉、汪明荃等「大茄」串演神仙，杜琪峰等執導。看星光確是一時無兩，但其實雷聲大雨點小，《楊》劇只有短短五集，幾十友出場不久就死，走馬看花，可以看到無線作為大公司、一呼百應的霸道，但卻見不到歷史的胸襟，無甚足觀。

相反，亞視在翌年的重頭劇《秦始皇》卻更有意思。他們北上取景，以今日合拍片的眼光看，戰爭場面粗糙至極，因為仍是典型邱德根的孤寒製作。然而老薑始終夠辣，平有平拍，徐二牛任武指，既務實又有心思，沒有解決不了的問題。演員陣容未必最有名氣，但老戲骨用心演繹，光芒四射。魯振順扮異人，盡現傀儡皇帝的queer aura；羅國輝扮志大才疏的代王趙嘉，王偉做政治家呂不韋，金像影后鮑姐演秦始皇老母，也就是狎玩「大陰人」嫪毐的怨婦趙姬；馮真、鄭恕峰分別擔任華陽夫人與爭做嗣子的子傒。宮闈間權力鬥爭簡潔分明，低成本製作，不需要下下高清，幕幕女人心事。至於今天已息影的江圖，近年辭世的老倌梁漢威，分飾秦皇的左右手尉繚和李斯，更是把進退維谷的官場文化勾勒得栩栩如生，搶盡風頭。還有黃造時（太子丹妹妹）和麥翠嫻（秦皇初戀情人）的颯颯英姿、司馬華龍（王翦）和良鳴叔（廉頗）的老當益壯，鄭君綿（太子丹祖父）與曹達華（秦昭襄王）的cameo performance，都令觀眾精神爽利。六十三集的劇本裡混雜大量野史材料，情節良莠不齊，劉永亦總是overact，但絕對拍出古中國和民間傳統戲劇的質感。

除卻《秦始皇》等重頭戲外，無線缺乏興趣的古龍改編武俠劇，也是亞視的亮點。計有惠天賜擔正的《傅紅雪傳奇》，還有劉松仁、魏秋樺主演的《九月鷹飛》。亞視的武俠劇場面十分冷清，但與古龍故事的寂寞氣氛其實分外匹配。古龍不若金庸，他不寫武林門派恩怨大屠殺，也無「俠之大者，為國為民」的包袱，只喜歡營造奇詭氣氛，用聰明的對白側寫浪子散漫的生活。《九》的場面多是地牢、廂房、海邊、山涯，有時是兩三人對話，更多時候只見劉松仁的葉開形單隻影，孤獨往返。對於還是小孩子的我，亞視拍出來的武俠精神，是令人嚮往的孤獨與自由，一個無須為口奔馳、亦無須背負家國使命的古代中國。

亞視　董驃　賽馬　三位一體

如此甜蜜的亞視回憶，當然少不了由董驃、熊良錫兩叔侄主持的賽馬直播。八十年代的賽馬規模較小，很多賽事只有寥寥十隻八隻馬匹參與，但勝在形勢簡單、賽果正氣——加上驃叔常為普羅馬迷仗義執言，正是所謂的good old days，潮語叫「那些年」。走位評述工作由何鴻燊外甥、資深馬評人第一（梁建民）擔任，緊湊得來穩重、有class。如今驃叔和第一都相繼過身，賽馬在小巿民心中的重要地位亦被足球賭博取代，更反映亞視的沒落，其實意味了一整個時代的結束。

話說回頭，其時賽馬直播後，尚有德國聯賽每週精華，講波的林尚義孤單但專業，而當時足球並不賺錢，梅鐸的天空電視尚未創立，無線只肯撥出明珠台週三黃昏時段，象徵式播放英格蘭聯賽精華，敷衍球迷一下。事實上，亞視在足球轉播上的投入確要比無線積極，不但取得英國足總盃和1988年歐洲國家盃決賽週的衛星直播權，更在1990年的意大利世界盃中，推出「球賽途中不插播廣告」的新猷，打破無線慣例，造福球迷。那幾年非常「吊癮」的足球閱讀經驗，可算是成長的啟蒙。因為亞視，我不但領教過奇連士文在史特加時代過關斬將的英姿，見證到利物浦在1988年足總盃決賽射失十二碼、敗於溫布頓的關鍵時刻，更在電視機前目睹了希斯堡路慘劇。枕戈待旦的晚上，睇波前食飯沖涼都特別快，少不更事，不明白為甚麼球賽遲遲未開始，誰料那是一整代人的創傷。英國警方直至今年才公布調查真相。

踏入九十年代，林伯入主亞視。沒有了邱德根時代的古肅，亞視的另類風格更進取。《今夜不設防》由黃霑、蔡瀾、倪匡三大才子發板，配以林青霞、張國榮之類的明星嘉賓，一面飲酒一面清談，比洪羅拔以城巿夜生活、邊緣人為號召的《活色生香》更豪放更「荒淫」，至今仍是經典。八點檔的《開枱》則找來劉志榮、陳寶蓮和簡而清任主持，讓雀民大鬥甩牌、記性和章法，正好供我佐膳，《開心主流派》發掘了林敏驄和曾志偉的無厘頭組合，《龍門陣》更捧紅了鄭經翰與黃毓民兩大名咀，二人對政壇的影響力迄今猶在顛峰。連續劇方面，韋家輝、黃日華過檔數年，創作《還看今朝》，涉獵文革題材，是少數亞視在內地曾被禁播的作品；陳木勝也跳槽，為《勝者為王》系列執導，方剛崎嶇不平的皮膚完全滿足了觀眾對梟雄的期望，亞視的形勢儼然是小陽春。

至九十年代中，香港掀起包青天熱，兩台先後爭播台灣製作，又各自泡製一套，無線有狄龍做包拯，比台灣的金超群清秀；亞視則邀得呂良偉任展昭，較何家勁更豪邁。到了千禧前夕，我已在大學階段，不怎麼看電視了。今天大家談得最熱切的《殭屍約會》系列、鍾景輝的《尋找他鄉的故事》、王晶的《縱橫四海》、林建明的《今日睇真d》、陳啟泰的《百萬富翁》，我都無緣收看。尹天照對我來說最鮮活的記憶，永遠是1984年的《五零零飛虎隊》。然後林百欣賣盤、過身，亞視年年換老闆，連藝員部也解散了，慢慢變了笑話，and the rest is history。

親中從來是part of the game

回想起來，必須承認，喜歡亞視多少有賭氣成份。小學時候，與鄰座女同學閒話家常，總有爭執。她覺得幫襯超巿要去惠康，我說華潤；她說她媽媽下午看李太教煮餸，我話梗係方太好；看劇集分歧就最大了，無線亞視之爭，每次我都吵得面紅耳熱，不共戴天。如今當然比較明白，這是階級和文化認同。亞視雖然一點也不批判，但始終草根庶民，也更貼近廣東傳統文化。頻道接收不夠無線清晰，令亞視節目永遠偏暗，普通一個海邊，也倍覺天地蒼茫；邱德根的孤寒作風，意味布景格外簡單，臨記數目零丁；戲劇設計，亦少中產角色，至少沒有無線《壹號皇庭》《妙手仁心》《衝上雲霄》那種專業人士集體幻想系列。於我，這是親切。

有朋友嫌棄亞視親中，或根本就是共產黨。我看這無關宏旨。他們是「一路走來，始終如一」。八十年代拍劇題材︰《秦始皇》、《滿清十三皇朝》、《清末四大奇案》、《武則天》、《西施》、《貂嬋》、《王昭君》、《諸葛亮》、《濟公》、《哪吒》、《八仙過海》，簡直是國民教育電視台。老闆方面︰邱德根是全國政協，林百欣是港事顧問，遑論陳永棋或王征。培育出來的電影明星︰利智、黎明、張敏、楊恭如、孫興，統統來自祖國，心繫祖國。藝員方面︰劉志榮乃民建聯中常委，《哪吒》女主角方國珊是名義獨立的建制派區議員，即使連李道洪、麥翠嫻等，也分別是安徽和番禺政協。唯有新聞部最工整正常，六君子為播放六四清場片斷抵抗高層、忿而劈炮固然入型入格，伍國任和盧瑞盛主政也尚算不失公允，直至晚近的劉瀾昌，才有明顯的內地背景。整體而言，我會公平點說︰從1982年澳洲財團轉讓麗的股權的一刻開始，亞視已是根正苗紅的建制派，三十年來，雖然沒有民建聯蒸蒸日上的資本規模，卻一樣「有辱無榮」。

話說回頭，繼無數次內地台慶演出、《ATV焦點》撐國民教育後，王征近日在發牌問題方面歇斯底里的自衛立場，無疑自取其辱，進一步吸引媒體聚焦亞視醜聞，榨取亞視的最後一滴血。我輩中坑粉絲，欲哭無淚也顯得多餘。其實，記憶總是美化過去、美化自己。細說從前，不為懷緬，只意在向曾經為筆者童年提供過快樂的一眾亞視藝人聊致謝意，並梳理我的中國認同。

曾幾何時，大家覺得亞視老土，我則覺得亞視勝在老土。日前重看甘國亮在《亞視百人》訪問梁淑莊的片斷，二人談到亞視鎮台之寶、近年逝世的劉翁與劉克宣父子間的相處，悲從中來，互相安慰。在節目的氣氛下，助紂為虐的資深民建聯區議員，雖死猶生，音容宛在，有如父兄一般溫厚親切。這就是亞視為何永遠活在我心裡的秘密，也是我對兒時那個已然消失了的中國，最是腼腆的消費與救贖。

作者網誌︰http://horrortackle.wordpress.com”

HK People, Affairs-MTR Ad "Sorry. We Inconvenienced You"

There is something about MTR TV commercials that touched my heart. 

For the one I am introducing below, the creative team combined the images of Hong Kong for the past 30 years and the characters that were affected by the construction of the MTR lines, to highlight the "I am sorry" sentiments. It reminded me of the "human touch' factor that were seen in Japanese and Western advertisements. 

For a public transportation company and a viewer whom  have not seen Singaporean creative agency creating such touching ads on SMRT, I find it refreshing. 

I do not know if this TVC had a huge budget to play around with. But if it is done in a limited budget, the message that MTR tried to bring across is successful. 

Good job done, MTR and the creative agency. 

The following advertisement is in Cantonese and with no English subtitles. 

  

Hong Kong Music-All About MTR

I was researching about Hong Kong MTR and an Youtube link revealed that from 1999 till now, there are some songs about this public transportation system. 

Hm........It seems interesting. I have to say from where I come from, there is no songs written by local singers to sing about SMRT. Plus the recent fiascos happened from this troubled public transportation company have not compelled songs writers to write songs about MRT. 

From the below link, this Youtuber listed 7 songs from Hong Kong singers about MTR:

深呼吸飛行--梁詠琪

Happy 2000--黎明

目的地--張柏芝

時光中飛舞--陳文媛/李籠怡

 總有一站愛上你--Boy'z

 東涌日和--Shine

 陪我長大--容祖兒

You may heard Joey Yeung sung the song in Mandarin and maybe like me will be surprised that this song is actually about MTR. Hehe. 

Ok, enjoy the music videos and have a great week ahead. 

HK Food-Tak Yu Restaurant (Under Renovation)

Photo credit: Apple Daily

If you like to dine in Hong Kong old style dim sum restaurant for breakfast, I have one bad news for you.

Tak Yu, the last remaining old decor dim sum restaurant in Kowloon Peninsula area has lower the shutters. According to Hong Kong's Apple Daily, Tak Yu is undergoing renovations for 2 months.

It also mean that when the 90 year old Tak Yu reopens for business, diners will not be able to see the familiar environment.

To me, I read the news with regrets. I knew this restaurant through a Taiwanese female author (By the way, she flew to Hong Kong 30 times in 5 years. An even more hardcore Hong Kong lover)'s travel guide. Even I flew to Hong Kong so many times, I have not strut my butt to immerse in the 1920s style dim sum restaurant.

From now on, we can only remember the old Tak Yu through the following link.

Remembering the old Tak Yu

What a price Hong Kong has to pay for development.  

港•食-得如酒家（装修中）

照片来源：苹果日报

有九十年历史的得如酒楼，暂停营业进行翻新。

这也意味着，香港九龙旺角区最古老的个性老食店，重新开门营业后，复古的韵味荡然无存。

得如酒楼的名字是我在读一位台湾恋港作家，栗子的《我的香港私密路线》一书时知道的。

栗子大力推荐，我本来想去“喝杯茶，食个包”。

结果，一切太迟了。

现在，唯有通过以下连接，来回味旧时代的得如酒家。

得如回忆

这是消失中的香港例子中，留给我们的见证。

HK Films-Memories of Infernal Affairs

On 12th December 2002, Infernal Affairs was released in Hong Kong. 

It was said on this day onwards, Hong Kong Cinema reached to a classical level and all other films never surpassed it. 

Martin Scorsese later turned it into The Departed, which is as good as the classic. 

I had to admit it was the most tensed Hong Kong film I ever watch. How about A Simple Life? It is good but it is a Hong Kong-China production. How about Cold War? Well, it will never reach Infernal Affairs. 

10 years later, we will talk about this film on the 12th December, 2012 (12122012). 

The trailer. 

The main theme from Infernal Affairs III. Self Inflicted Hardship sung by Hacken Lee. 

港•影-对于《无间道》系列的印象

十年前的十二月十二日，香港出了一部《无间道》。

这部电影是香港历史上，继邵氏在1965年拍摄的《梁山伯与祝英台》之后，卖的满堂红的经典电影。

 《无间道》算是我在二十岁的时候，看得最紧张的一部电影。也是唯一一部我看得很“肉紧”的电影。

十年后，没有港产片能像它那样，一枝独秀。《寒战》未达到巅峰，而《桃姐》虽叫好，但是它背负了合拍片的包袱。

香港再不出一部旷世电影，那港片就要消失在漫漫的历史长河里。

我们回首这部辉煌电影吧，看预告去。

十二月十二日，我们戏说《无间道》。

恭喜《夺命金》/Congratulations to Jonnie To's "Life Without Principle"

在今年的金马奖当中，《夺命金》拿下了“最佳导演”，“最佳原著剧本”和“最佳男主角”。

希望这一次的胜利，能够为不景气的香港影业，注入生气与活力。

恭喜杜琪峰和刘青云得到本届两大奖项殊荣。

In the just concluded 49th Golden Horse Awards, Life Without Principle clinched the "Best Director", "Best Original Screenplay" and "Best Leading Male Actor". 

I do hope the current winning streak for Hong Kong films, will inject vitality to the depressed Hong Kong films industry. 

Congratulations to Jonnie To and Lau Ching Wan. Tonight win is the first for Lau in Taiwanese film event.

HK Affairs-Cat Plea

Photo: Hong Kong Apple Daily. 

In the light of the "Sau Mau Ping Cat Abuse" that caused the death of one cat, Disappearing Hong Kong supports the cause launched by Hong Kong Apple Daily. 

The photo reads, "Please protect us as well as stay true to conscience."

Prevent animal abuse now. 

Thank you.

News Link: http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=11&art_id=128443&sid=38261195&con_type=1&d_str=20121119&fc=10

HK Affairs- Chai Wan Accident Afterthoughts

Latest Chai Wan Accident

Hong Kong just had an serious traffic accident  in Chai Wan, which left 3 dead and 54 injured. If not for the 2 Michelin starred The Fat Ducks chef died in this accident, international media will not picked up this news.

And that reminded me of the October trip which I encountered my share of fast driving by bus drivers.

I do remember it was the day I went to Hong Kong University to trace the footsteps of Chinese female author, Zhang Ailing. She was in Hong Kong to study during the World War II and her presence left footprints in the local literary scene. Hence, to get to the HKU campus in Po Fu Lam, bus is one of the affordable public transportation.

Hong Kong Double Decker Buses

Hong Kong double decker buses is famous for its engine power. Be it at whenever terrain, its poweress will left many tourists whom not taken double decker bus before, either feel awed or scared. I do hear about this and my trips so far have not witnessed any Initial D style driving. What do I mean by Initial D style? It refers to the Japanese manga involving Japanese adults racing illegally in their modified cars. Infernal Affairs directors, Andrew Lau and Alan Mak, directed the Hong Kong version years back.

Back to the trip. I was really amazed for the uphill trip from Central to HKU. Even though the road is a 2 lane tarmac, the driver can maneuvers the windy road with ease. The best part is that the vehicle is a 1990s Volvo OIympian Alexander 3 axles model, the regular maintenance has preserved the engine poweress. The more scary fact is the downhill route. From Po Fu Lam to Admiralty, there were at least 15 turns, some were sharp, some were gradual. My heart skipped whenever the driver executed sharp bend follow by a 10 degree descent and this happened thrice, with the last try was onto a viaduct. My position on the upper deck first row added the excitement on full view but fear prompted me to hold the safety belt tighter next!

Hong Kong seen the worst traffic accidents involving double decker buses. Some crashed at a speed of more than 140km/h, one ramped into bus stop in New Territory resulting in deaths. Is there any Laws governed bus driver's conducts? Yes, there is. But circumstances will normally lead to people run against the law. With Hong Kong being such a competitive society, plus drivers need to fulfill the Key Performance Index and meet commuters expectations, traffic accidents will be part of Hong Kong culture.

I do hope with the recent Chai Wan episode, the 3 Hong Kong bus companies will really look into the safety aspects for their operations. They can not be like Mainland Chinese companies, ignoring safety. If they do so, they are endangering Hong Kong's as a safer city as compared to other Chinese cities.

      

港 •电视-无线电视《万千星辉贺台庆2012》

很巧的是，禁忌数字出现在台庆上

一年一度的无线《万千星辉贺台庆》落幕了。

看了这回之后，觉得无线虽然铆足全力来办好45周年的大戏，但是觉得电视台的老气展现出来。2个半小时的节目呈现方式，和过往的台庆节目相同。我倒是为了几位无线艺人感到担心。

陈茵薇-陈豪的女友在参加一项推椅子游戏的时候，裙子太短有在观众面前走光的风险，还是被选出来玩，最后得劳驾穿着女装的男友，坐在她的前面完成游戏。

黄展兴和景荣-两位年三十多岁的男艺人，在台庆节目大跳跳耀舞，从摄影棚外到里头，有好几回差点失手跌下，还好最后平安无事。真的是，每看他们失手一回，观众也跟着心跳一回。

男扮女，女扮男-这单元是大玩《大太监》和《名媛望族》，找当红的艺人玩反串，女的就念数字台词，男的念点心台词，就找另外一批的艺人做现场配音。说实在的，只有男艺人的有笑点，配音的众艺人很尴尬地完成游戏。

而最令笔者心酸的是，看到三位资深的女演员，罗兰、韩马莉和程可为穿着猫女郎的服装，大跳性感舞。尤其是罗兰，贵为香港人尊敬的女演员，却跳着不适合她的舞蹈，这叫喜欢她的戏迷情何以堪？

还有，节目尾声的时候，大会主持汪明荃以华语请无线董事部上台来喝节庆酒。笔者认为，无线贵为香港本土电视台，虽然有台湾籍人士入主董事部，大会主持还是该以粤语请他们上台，以尊重当地的观众。毕竟，他们四十五年来都支持无线。

无线在香港过了四十五年春秋，经历了香港大小事情，也见证其竞争对手丽的电视，亚洲电视的式微。而这一年，恰逢新的对手大量挖走旗下的多名台前幕后的大将。昨晚的台庆大戏，不仅无法为香港观众带来新的惊喜，而且暴露了节目团队把以往的又旧又时而低级的娱乐，呈现给大家。这也证明了，无线电视的霸权令到它的节目出现老态的窘境。

笔者看了二十多年的无线节目和连续剧，为它在其辉煌时代的不朽娱乐向往，不希望这个竖立香江的老品牌，在后邵逸夫时代而结束。我祝愿无线电视能够在未来的日子，能够再造辉煌。

港• 乐-张学友的《你的名字，我的姓氏》（1996年）

朋友昨天结婚，婚宴上没有播这首歌曲，感到遗憾。

就把这首“你的名字，我的姓氏”放在这里吧。

以后，你们结婚，就播这首歌。

香港和粤语歌曲消失，就可惜咯。

祝天下有情人，百年好合。

你的名字，我的姓氏

就像天与地别离和重聚过程

而我跟你平静旅程

并没有惊心也没动魄的情景

只需要当天边海角竞赛追逐时

可跟你安躺于家里便觉最写意

只需要最回肠荡气之时

可用你的名字和我姓氏

成就这故事

从此以后无忧无求

故事平淡但当中有你

已经足够

如果要说何谓爱情

定是跟你动荡时闲话着世情

和你走过无尽旅程

就是到天昏发白亦爱得年青

不相信当天荒不再地老不合时

竞跟你多相拥一次便爱多一次

怎相信最回肠荡气之时

可用你的名字和我姓氏

成就这故事

快乐童话像你我一对已经足够

HK Affairs-MTR's Multi Language Announcements

What I like about Hong Kong's MTR is the multi languages announcement. They can do it in 3 languages, English, Cantonese and Mandarin. This reflects the city's society as a whole.  

Whereas my home country, Singapore, can not do it in 4 languages, English, Mandarin, Bahasa Melayu and Tamil. 

Hence, if you have the chance to visit the city, be amazed on their subway systems and the policy in running the trains. Even this minute detail, train announcements, reflect careful planning. 

Thank You Hungary and Peru

Thank you to my readers from Hungary and Peru. 

I hope you will like my blog. 

Hong Kong Affairs-"So Long My Hong Kong" by Gregory Kane

Video Screenshot

I loved old things of Hong Kong. Music, food, culture etc.

So, when hkmagazine  shared this video link by this Caucasian, Gregory Kane, whom posted a video as a parting letter to the city that he lived for the past six years, I was enthralled by it.

It does have the feel of Wong Kar Wai and Woody Allen. And that video makes Hong Kong so special and dear to me, if Hong Kong really lose its remaining identity and culture.

Looks threatening? Yes, to the pessimists.

To me, I am still optimistic.

Okay, I sidetracked a bit.

Enjoy this video and the remaining Saturday. As I will be attending a wedding, I will be touching on a wedding song sung during the 1990s. It is not Cantonese, but the feel will reminds people the heyday of Cantopop era.

Video Link

港•乐-李克勤的《红日》（1992年）

每当我碰到挫折的时候，便会想起这首歌。

而等一下的第三张试卷开始之前，我应该多听《红日》来提振士气。

果然，听了20年，还是这么好听。

当你人生不如意的时候，你会了解歌词里表达的意识。

红日

作曲: 立川俊之

編曲: 方樹樑

填詞: 李克勤

* 命運就算顛沛流離

命運就算曲折離奇

命運就算恐嚇著你做人沒趣味

別流淚　心酸　更不應捨棄

我願能　一生永遠陪伴你 *

Repeat *

# 一生之中兜兜轉轉　那會看清楚

徬徨時我也試過獨坐一角像是沒協助

在某年　那幼小的我

跌倒過幾多幾多落淚在雨夜滂沱

一生之中彎彎曲曲我也要走過

從何時有你有你伴我給我熱烈地拍和

像紅日之火　燃點真的我

結伴行　千山也定能踏過

讓晚風　輕輕吹過

伴送著清幽花香像是在祝福你我

讓晚星　輕輕閃過

閃出你每個希冀如浪花　快要沾濕我 #

Repeat * #

Repeat * five times

HK Films-Floating City (2012)

I believe that not many will take note of Aaron Kwok earlier film, Floating City. Many are looking at the Hong Kong societal thriller Cold War, which the superstar has participation in.

In brief, Floating City look at the life of rags to riches fisherman's son turned mogul, Bo Wah Chuen. It also depicted the Hong Kong society during the turbulent years of 1945-1970s. As recent Hong Kongers are looking at the good old British colony era years, the director's attempt to seek an answer at Hong Kong's past as her people struggled to find the identity. 

Here I present to you the Hong Kong trailer for this movie. Enjoy.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH2DrtzUOFc

港•乐-浅谈黎明的《一夜倾情》（1992年）

“但愿不只是朋友”唱片封套

熟悉1980至1990年代香港粤语流行乐的朋友，知道那个黄金二十年是香港本土，和日本翻译曲的天下。

要说日本翻译曲，“安全地带”是众天王天后级歌手的首选。由于安全地带组合歌曲的编曲，和香港流行乐的编曲接近，旋律容易被消费者接受，很多经典翻译曲在今时今日，被许多人咏唱。

这回要简单谈的是黎明的《一夜倾情》。收录在他的1992年发行的《但愿不只是朋友》，这个版本和已故的陈百祥唱的《冷风中》比起来，算是比较好听的。主要原因是其弦乐的编排，和日语原版《恋爱预感》较为接近。然而，黎明的唱腔没有玉置浩二来得悲凉。但是，在1990年代初期贵为偶像的黎明，歌迷对他歌唱的要求没那么严格。无线电视拍的MV，找来了大美人李嘉欣来配对。

MV女主角-李嘉欣

好了，歌曲就谈到这里。

一夜倾情

作曲：玉置浩二

作词：向雪怀

编曲：卢东尼

紅日西斜　霓虹折射

懷著焦急　等這赴約者

期待的人　迷人的夜

明月一彎　從霧中照射

☆沈醉於甜蜜歌聲

抱擁所愛　令世間頓成仙境

願這刻時候會停

置身傾心瘋顛一夜情

人盡癡情　誰能安靜

期望此生　一醉莫再醒

來吧　激情　毋負生命

放聲高歌　長夜不要盡

REPEAT ☆

請唱出如夢的歌

給我知曉誰人愛我

讓我坐於你跟前和

照片：http://www.leonfansclub.com/thread-39215-1-1.html

MV来源：http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2wYhi-iE1s

HK Affairs-Giddens Ko Vs Apple Company

Good Hong Kong Business Values is disappearing. I will talk more on this tonight.

News in Brief

Taiwan's author, Giddens Ko (You Are The Apple of My Eye), frustrated over Apple Company's rejected his official apps application over the last 2 years,while allowing pirated apps to thrive. On his recent trip to Hong Kong, Giddens went over to Apple's heaquarters in Causeway Bay to protest. He had to ask his assistant to take video recordings to prove his compliant is legal and in peaceful means.

However, things got tensed and Giddens Ko was called an "Idiot" by Apple Staff. And  local Police was called in to maintain the security. After watching the clips, Hong Kong Police determined that the recordings is legal and they escorted Giddens and his assistant out of the building.

Giddens expressed to the local media that if he as a popular author, was  rejected by Apple, the lesser known authors will not enjoy the rights that they deserved on Apple platform. He will not disclose the recordings as Apple is reviewing his case.

The original news link from Hong Kong.

http://hkm.appledaily.com/detail.php?guid=18065661&category_guid=4104&category=daily

Photos: Hong Kong Apple Daily (Next Media) and nbweekly.com

HK People, HK Affairs-Ching Cheong

As Singapore Writers Festival 2012 closed yesterday, I am glad to attend two of The Straits Times columnist, Ching Cheong's session at the event itself.

I read his articles on China since the year 2000. To me, he is the one that provides me the insight of what's happening in China for a period of five years. And then, one fine day, his writings was no longer to be seen.

Then, came the news of his arrest. But it was only one year after his actual imprisonment without trial .

Hong Kong society knew of his situation and amassed their resources to secure his release.

Listened to a man whom went to jail, talked about his tribulations, and eventually, he conquered his hatred and channeled his energy to do positive things. All these for his profound love for China.

Ching's articles provided me the insight of China as well as the relations between Hong Kong and China. My world view changed as I have been reading the information provided by Lianhe Zaobao. I can say, Ching's articles play a huge part of it.

If you are like me, whom like stories of patriots went to jail for the stuff that they wrote, later found Faith and came back as a reborn Man, this book, My 1,000 Days Ordeal-A Patriot's Torture is for you.

I do hope to meet the author in person, in the city that I love, Hong Kong.

Have a great week ahead.