[2011.01.04] FIONA SIT LEARNS TO BE HUMBLE AS BEST ACTRESS

The Hong Kong Performing Artist Guild last night held a Hong Kong Performing Artist Guild 17th anniversary party. At the event the first Performing Artist 2010 Outstanding Performance Award was held as the Guild selected the most outstanding male and female artists in film, television, radio and music. Moses Chan Ho and Charmaine Sheh Si Man won television actor and actress awards, Nicholas Tse Ting Fung and Fiona Sit Hoi Kei won the film actor and actress awards, outstanding performance male and female singer were Eason Chan Yik Shun and Sammi Cheng Sau Man. Outstanding performance hosts were Jan Lamb Hoi Fung and Cha Siu Yan. This year's awards were selected by 30 industry professionals through two rounds of voting. 3D Gold sponsored the awards.

Last night the event theme was a wedding banquet. Artists all wore bride and groom badges and even Chinese and Western costumes. Eric Tsang Chi Wai last night appeared in a gold suit. Why was the theme a wedding banquet? He said that because he felt it was more fun, even strangers could pose for wedding photos. In addition some might never pose for wedding photos for their lives so they could take the chance and have a little fun. Chi Wai also said that the Guild in the past had Golden Rod Awards to encourage new comers, but this award was created to encourage people in the other areas as well. Without audience voting and purely based on the votes of several judges, was he worried that it would become a small circle vote? Chi Wai said it would not because they had over ten people in the discussion. DJ members voted for outstanding singers, singers voted for outstanding DJs. Later the Guild even planned to create a media selected award and stage drama awards, and non members would be eligible for them.

Last night's event had 45 tables that cost either 50,000, 30,000 or 20,000. The tables alone brought in 700,000. After the venue rental of 400,000, little was left. However the goal was for everyone to get together. Over 100 artists attended and guests like the officials from the Central Government Liaison Office, the Broadcast Authority and Legislative Council. Chi Wai joked that this year many officials were invited because in the past officials were often seen at disasters. He hoped that through this opportunity officials would have more understanding of this Guild and know that the Guild could do a lot more. For example in the future they hoped to set up a performing art school, short term courses and industry insider forums and for Tony Leung Chiu Wai, John Woo (Ng Yu Sum), Anthony Wong Chau Sun and others to be speakers. Last the guest performers were Alan Tam Wing Lun, Mr. and a group of music new comers. Alan seemed to have injured his neck and lost his voice, Chi Wai said that he had no idea. Chi Wai was asked to sing for Alan, he joked, "No, that would 'ruin' his life."

Winning the film actress award with BREAK UP CLUB (FUN SAU SHUET OI NEI), Sit Hoi Kei said that she did not know that she would receive an award. When she learned that she beat out Sandra Ng Kwan Yu and Wai Ying Hung, she said, "I feel I didn't beat them. Because I am younger, I believe the jury only wants to give me a chance. In terms of acting they definitely are better, I wouldn't have a chance because I am still inexperienced. However this award gives me a mission, from now on I have to be humble. I believe the jury wants to encourage new comers to do a little better, because as soon as we get arrogant we don't do well." Actually earlier she has already won a Best Actress award in Vietnam with the film. Yet the film's lead actor Jaycee Chan (Fong Cho Ming) was not even nominated. Did Cho Ming not perform well? She said, "Actually I have to thank Cho Ming. Half of the earlier award also belongs to him, because if another guy plays the role I wouldn't have such a performance. In real life we are good friends, we have chemistry. A lot of the dialogue were improvised on the spot. Cho Ming was very creative. (Would you give him a thank you kiss?) I think he doesn't want me to kiss him! As for gifts he has everything. Maybe I will send a card. (Would you wrap yourself up as a gift to give to him?) I guess he wouldn't want that either!"

As for outstanding singer award winner Chan Yik Shun, he said that he attended as the vice president and he did not know that he had an award. "I am very happy about the award, thank you very much! Because the jury consists of industry people, it proves everyone's recognition of

me. Now I will try to write more songs that have positive influence on the society." He also said that if he knew that the event theme was a wedding banquet, he would have appeared with his veil from the concert.