[2010.04.27] ARTISTS UNITE TO SEND WARMTH TO YUSHU

The Artists 414 Fund Raising Campaign took place last night at the Hong Kong Coliseum with over 300 artists from three lands on both sides of the strait raising fund for the victims of the April 14 Qinghai earthquake victims. HK$35.06 million were raised, including Sir Run Run Shaw (Siu Yat Fu)'s 10 million donation, Peter Lam Kin Nogk's 2 million, Liza Wang Ming Chuen's 800,000 donation on behalf of the Yam Pak charity fund and Pak Wo, Joey Yung Cho Yi, Twins and Emperor charity fund's 1 million donation.

Aside from fund raising, many singers and artists made rare collaborations on stage, like the Grasshoppers and Big Four, Leo Ku Kui Ke and Vivian Chow Wai Man, Eason Chan Yik Shun and David Tao Jit, Lowell Lo Koon Ting and Luo Dayou, Seven Little Fortunes, Ariel Lin (Lam Yi Sun) and Janice Vidal (Wai Lan), Ivana Wong Yuen Chi and others. Near the end of the program, Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang Ying-yen and Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong S.A.R assistant chief Li Gang thanked the show business and the general public of Hong Kong.

The event was an eight major electronic media collaboration. The program began at 6PM with over 300 artists first performing the event theme song HAND TO HEART (SAU NIN SUM). Then a children choir performed THIS IS LOVE (JI SI OI) and "Home of Artists" Samantha Lam Chi Mei, Sheung Tin Ngor and others sang THE SAME DREAM (TUNG YUT GOR MUNG SEUNG). Artist Training Alumni Association and a group of new singers took turn to perform. At 7PM live television broadcast began as the 300 artists again came on stage along with Home Affair secretary Tsang Tak-sing, Commerce and Economic Development secretary Rita Lau Ng Wai-lan, and Home Affairs Director Pamela Tan held a moment of silence for the Qinghai earthquake victims. Famous pianist Liu Shikun performed the Yellow River Concerto while disaster area footage was aired. Sun Nan and Andy Lau Tak Wa first spoke. Wa Jai again urged everyone to extend a helping hand and hoped that the victims could sense everyone was Hand To Heart with them. Then he again led the artists in another performance of HAND TO HAND.

Lau Tak Wa's new film SHAOLIN (SUN SIU LUM JI) has completely wrapped up production, but earlier due to a Shaolin fire scene that he could not reschedule he could not return to Hong Kong to participate in the recording. However he found a studio in Beijing and recorded the song himself to be added later. Wa Jai as the China Welfare Fund for the Disabled vice president earlier met with the organization in Beijing to discuss how to help the victims. He also revealed that the organization made donations. Due to his World Expo promotional work he could not visit the disaster area, but if an organization had a way he would be willing to go. He would like to go later though and not flock there now with everyone else. As for the World Expo theme song being accused of plagiarism, Wa Jai said that it has not been confirmed but the event response was well done. For example it immediately compared the song with the Japanese song in question and obtained copyright from the female singer. The event showed a knowledge of intellectual property and was willing to take responsibility.

Leon Lai Ming said with "Manning Little Sister" Wong Won Kei that whenever a natural disaster took place, the Chinese people would be very united. However he suggested for the Central government to set up large scale support structures and earthquake warnings at schools and buildings, as warning was better than treatment. He also said that each time participation in such events was out of good will. He hoped that everyone would show the same compassion so others would know the strength of the Chinese people and the success of their homeland. Lam Kin Nogk not only donated the production budget but also donated an additional 2 million last night. He humbly said, "I donated the least, but donations were made from the heart so they don't have to be compared. The most important is doing a part. (Do you feel your were elbowed in the chest?) No, it's voluntary. Getting elbowed would hurt, but this time it doesn't." He sponsored the post Sichuan fund raising campaign celebration and got into a disturbance with Eric Tsang Chi Wai. Was he worried about history repeating itself? He said, "Last time because Chi Wai was drunk, now I am already suffering from aging. I don't remember what happened yesterday."

Sun Nan was responsible for calling Mainland artists to record the theme song, which he expressed was not difficult at all. He just made phone calls, and in two days he gathered 50 artists to record together. He praised every artists for their compassion and overwhelming responses. However due to scheduling issues, only he and a girl from Yushu was able to come to Hong Kong for the event. He also praised Wong Fok Wing's story to be very touching. Jacky Cheung Hok Yau pointed out that Wong Fok Wing did something that exceeded what he needed to do, something that not an ordinary person could do. Even he did not know whether he would have the courage, thus he felt that he was a role model who was well worthy of respect. His act showed the beauty of human nature. Sun Nan also honestly said that he donated 300,000 RMB. As for Mainland media discovering Zhang Ziyi's donation was different from what she said, Hok Yau appeared to be somewhat upset. "They can find out how much was donated, nothing gets by the media." He felt that comparing donation amount was meaningless, as soon as comparisons were made the matter changed in nature. Some felt that artist donations often became the focus and made people feel unnatural. Thus he tried to avoid that as much as possible. Harlem Yu Ching Hing said that donation came from the heart and should not be lied about. Hacken Lee Hak Kun also felt that comparison was bad and unfair to artists. When everyone go out for tea would anyone ask how much did you donate?

Jackie Chan led three Tibetan girls to thank Hong Kong for its support. They even performed a Tibetan tribal song of appreciation. Big Brother already booked a flight to deliver resources to the disaster area the day after the earthquake and thanked the national air force to opening a special runway. Big Brother said that an orphan's entire family of nine passed away except him, but he did not shed a drop of tear. When Big Brother encouraged him to be strong, he immediately nodded. Big Brother honestly said that the victim's unwavering spirit touched him very much. Big and Little S talked about the level 6.6 earthquake that took place yesterday morning in Taiwan and Big S was still shaken. She expressed that at the time their family was together. She and Mommy held hands and knelt by the refrigerator. That sense of fear made her experience what the victims felt. She hoped to represent the people of Taiwan in sending warmth to the victims.

Zhang Guoli, Feng Xiaogang, Wang Baoqiang, Wang Zhonglei, Zhang Jingchu and others came to support this event. Feng Xiaogang expressed that since Eastern China flood to South Asia tsunami to Great Sichuan Earthquake, Hong Kong show business has shown the strength of unity and displayed its care and love for the nation and its compatriots. Thus they as a part of the Mainland show business of course had to come in support. Zhang Guoli said that seeing how the Hong Kong show business was able to act so quickly in such a short time, they along with Chen Daoming made a lifelong agreement that as long as one of them felt it was worth supporting the rest would support it. he also said that natural disaster could not be changed, but the strength and unity of the Chinese people could overcome anything. Director Feng paid attention to the disaster area news daily. Reportedly rescue was ongoing at the disaster area. A group of Mainland directors after the earthquake met to discuss how to raise fund to help the victims. Currently they are planning an earthquake related film. As for coming to participate in the Hong Kong event, Zhang Jingchu honestly said at first she did not know what she would have to do but she sensed Hong Kong people's enthusiasm and unity; Director Feng said backstage he said many directors making tea as volunteers enthusiastically. He even praised Wong Fok Wing as amazing. Zhang Jingchu learned that Wong Fok Wing's family was not wealthy but he still went to volunteer, which touched her a lot.

Due to the numerous participants, the arrangement appeared to be chaotic at times. When the host introduced the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, it had no music accompaniment. Kay Tse On Kay originally was to perform solo, but returned backstage. Finally Coco Lee Man performed solo while Tse On Kay performed with Lee Man and Shirley Kwan Suk Yi on WELL WISHES (JOOK FOOK). The event explained that because Tse On Kay's recording broke her solo performance was cancelled. Last night Charlene Choi Chuek Yin also shared the stage with Ronald Cheng Chung Kei for the first time after their divorce. Did she see him? She changed the subject and wished that everyone with money could donate money and with abilities could donate that. Last night the event had 2,000 volunteers and 320 artists, 400 along with other performance groups.

At the end of the program, Wa Jai along with Chi Wai, Alan and Chan Ka Seung came to meet the press. Raising 30 million and more than 512 Care Campaign's 20 million, Chi Wai was very satisfied but would not compare to last time. This time the campaign had no donation goal either. Wa Jai said that so far the text message and online donations still have not stopped. As for the 40% admission rate last night, Chi Wai expressed that they announced in advance that it would not be floating admission. Viewers did not know how many seats were available so they avoided wasting a trip. For now they would not arrange for any artist to go to the disaster area unless the artists acted on their own. Chi Wai also said that he did not know about the Taiwan earthquake yesterday and fund raising would depend on the condition. Speaking of the rescue hero Wong Fok Wing, Wa Jai felt that he represented the spirit of Hong Kong. Chan Ka Seung expressed that the Wong family did not feel he was a hero, he only did what everyone should do.