[2011.04.15] FAMILY AND FRIENDS BID FAREWELL TO ALAN TANG

Film industry big brother Alan Tang Kwong Wing at the end of last month passed away due to heart disease at the age of 64. His family yesterday began funeral services at the Hong Kong Funeral Home and invited Taiwan Chung Tai Chan Monastery monks to chant scriptures for him. Big Brother's altar was decorated in white, with three golden Buddha statues from Taiwan in the middle. Big Brother's wife and daughters chose the photo of Big Brother sitting a chair in a suit, looking dapper. They hoped that everyone would always remember the most just and heroic side of Big Brother in their hearts. The daughters also in another corner displayed valuable photos of Big Brother from youth to middle age, with the words "Mighty, Kind" for everyone to remember him by.

Around noon television coverage teams were on hand. Big Brother's family and two god daughters May Law Mei Mei and Joyce Cheng Yun Yi arrived before 2PM. Around 3PM Jenny Tseng (Yen Nei), Linda Wong Hing Ping, Joseph Koo Ka Fai and Sharon Kwok Sau Wan arrived. Then more than a dozen monks arrived to prepare chanting for Big Brother. Over 100 family and friends attended the ceremony, with over 200 kulapati under the leadership of the master of the ceremony chanted for Big Brother. After the ceremony, the monks left at 5PM. Then Yen Nei with the help of Pauline Wong Yuk Wan left tearfully; however she still was willing to stop for a media interview. She said that she and Big Brother have known each other for a long time. Big Brother in her heart was very righteous Big Brother who has always very strongly taken care of the little people. Has Big Brother taken care of her? She said, "I am more independent, but Big Brother took care of me as well. We were very family, like family. Before my husband's death, we would often meet. In my impression he is a handsome guy."

Martial art school operator Kwok Sau Wan before leaving revealed that today she would arrange for several white lions to pay their respect to Big Brother before the funeral. When asked how Big Brother's widow was, she only said that many people were heart broken because Big Brother left too suddenly. Big Brother's friend John Chiang Dai Wai revealed that the chanting ceremony was very solemn. Today he along with Ho Lai Chuen would be among eight pallbearers. The funeral will take place at 10AM. The coffin closing ceremony at 11AM will be conducted by Chung Tai Chan Monastery's Master. At noon Big Brother's remains will be transported to the crematorium.

Big Brother in life had many friends and many of them came to pay their respect. They included Sammo Hung Kam Bo, Jackie Chan, Patrick Tse Yin, Willie Chan Chi Keung, Liza Wang Ming Chuen, Mona Fong Yat Wa, Stephen Chan Chi Wan, Yen Nei, Elaine Lok Yi Ling, Margie Tsang Wa Sin, Pak Shuet Sin, Peter Lam Kin Ngok, Jimmy Wang Yu, Michael Hui Koon Man, Wu Fung and his wife, Andrew Lau Wai Keung and his wife and others. Chow Yun Fat, Leon Lai Ming, Nicholas Tse Ting Fung and Cecilia Cheung Pak Chi, Cally Kwong Mei Wan, Louise Lee Sze Kei and others sent floral arrangements, around 200 of which filled both sides of the street. At 7PM, Brother Four and Chan Chi Keung left and Chan Chi Keung stopped to speak with reporters. He sighed, "a brother of over 20 years, I really miss him. He truly was very loyal and great to his daughter. He was so strong, I never thought that he would go first." Then he was teary eyed as he said that Big Brother left very peacefully, but he did not take a final look as he was at the Tang home when Big Brother passed. At the time he saw Big Brother was as peaceful as he was sleeping, which was fortunate. As for Mrs. Tang, he said that she of course was upset, luckily her daughters were by her side.

To remember Big Brother, his daughters Yip Yan and Yip Wai produced a memorial program for him. The black program had the word Tang in silver, with Big Brother handsome black and white photos, family photos and valuable photos with friends in the industry. Big Brother's surviving family, Yun Yi, Law Mei Mei and Jacky Cheung Hok Yau all wrote eulogies to remember Big Brother. His wife wrote, "For the love of my life husband Alan, you brought me endless joyful memories and a pair of lovable and filial daughters. I will properly take care of myself and live on, you don't need to worry. Go in peace, one day our family will reunite in Heaven. Remember you always! Wife Janet"

Law Mei Mei in her writing revealed that she called Big Brother "Old Man" for 21 years already. In 1990 she and Big Brother made RETURN ENGAGEMENT (JOI JIN GONG WU), on and off screen they addressed each other as father and daughter. She never imagined that after the shoot they still kept in contact and continued this destiny. She said, "Before meeting your family, I never knew that a family could be so complete, fortunate, happy and warm." She also said that she was afraid to sit next to Big Brother and his wife because they would spare no energy into filling his belly. Once at Mother Tang's birthday, that night they had 15 dishes, Big Brother and his wife of course did not forget to fill her plate. Finally after the meal her stomach ached until four in the morning. All the food that she ate that night was enough for her to hibernate for a month. "Old Man, perhaps in the hearts of many was a righteous, just, solemn, respected Big Brother, but in my heart you were always a humorous, lovable, kind good father who is worthy of respect and love!"