[2009.08.15] HONG KONG SHOW BUSINESS SHOWS CARE FOR TAIWAN

courtesy of takungpao.com

Typhoon Morakot devastated Taiwan. Taiwan show business last night began its fund raising efforts. Hong Kong show business also responded and decided to hold a fund raiser Monday. Yesterday Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Alan Tam Wing Lun, Ng See Yuen and each major media outlet representative attended a press conference to announce the details. The Hong Kong Film Workers Union, Performing Artists Guild, Performance Industry Association, TVB, ATV, Cable, NOW, Phoenix Satellite, Radio and Television Hong Kong, Commercial Radio, Metro Radio and IFPI will co-organize the event.

The Hong Kong Film Workers Union chief Ng See Yuen returned from Taiwan, He expressed that the disaster was one hundred times worse than everyone imagined and left him in shock. He said, "Hong Kong show business with its charitable heart organizes this event, the goal of which is to make all of Hong Kong understand that as long as fellow Chinese need assistance, we will immediately assist no matter where they are." Performing Artist Guild honorary chair Tsang Chi Wai expressed that the Monday event will be held from 7:30PM to 11:30PM at the airport expo. Each Hong Kong major television station, Taiwan and Mainland media will broadcast the event live. The performance details have yet to be determined, so artists have not been confirmed. They will work hard to contact each artist. Chi Wai said that the venue had a performance industry association event before hand, fortunately they agreed to delay the stage dismantling and provided lighting, stage and facilities for free. Jackie Chan has agreed to cover the remaining preparation cost, which was expected to be similar to 1.1 million of last year's earthquake relief event.

As for whether any fund raising goal has been set, Chi Wai said, "Fund raising has many different channels. Lee Ka Shing already donated NT$100 million. We have no fund raising pressure. The evening will not have tickets. Outside the venue will be donation boxes for everyone to make donations. The proceed will go to Hong Kong Red Cross to be transferred to Taiwan for use." As for a theme song, Chi Wai said, "We hope to get permission from Taiwan to use their disaster relief event theme song as blueprint for Hong Kong artists to perform and add Mainland and Taiwan artists' performance."

Originally recuperating in Thailand, Tam Wing Lun ended his holiday early to return to Hong Kong for the preparation. He said that already the performance content has not been confirmed, the Wynners have already agreed to perform. As for whether the media will broadcast without any commercial interruption, Alan said, "Because each media ad contract policy is different, we hope that everyone can understand. I also hope that no one will compare this event to the last earthquake relief event, since everyone only has good intention to help the victims." Alan also described show business as a bullhorn that awakes all Chinese' charitable hearts. He said, "Not only do we in show business put in an effort, we are like a bullfrog that make Chinese people around the world care and help Taiwan victims. We hope that everyone will spread the charitable heart and bring every share of love." Alan also promised to arrange for artists to visit the disaster areas after the situation settles and safety and traffic condition permits.