Movie Box Review

"Student Prince" Alan Tang Kwong Wing's cremation ceremony took place yesterday around 3PM. Around 10 in the morning, his wife Janet Yim Siu Ping, elder daughter Tang Yip Yan and younger daughter Tang Yip Wai wore traditional white funeral clothing and sunglasses to the Hong Kong Funeral Home. Then over a hundred friends and family members arrived, they included John Chiang Dai wai, Joyce Cheng Yun Yi, May Law Mei Mei, Pak Shuet Sin, Chan Sin Chi, Jacky Cheung Hok Yau, Wong Kar Wai, Ho Lai Chuen, Tong Tong, So Si Wong, Choi Yat Chi and his wife, Sandy Lam San San, Choi Yat Kit, Chiu Sai Tsang, Cheung Yiu Wing, On Tak Chuen, Sharon Kwok Sau Wan, Andrew Lau Wai Keung, Wong Ha Wai and others. Many monks were still on hand to chant for Big Brother as his family and friends chanted along for Big Brother's passing.

The ceremony began around 11AM. According to the funeral committee distributed documentary short film, outside the altar were many photos of Big Brothers with a pair of banners that complimented Big Brother. The film also had his daughters giving eulogies. Younger daughter Tang Yip Wai tearfully said, "Papa this time passed without any preparation and very reluctantly, but he was very fulfilled. When we were born he was next to Mama, as such a filial Papa, he chose to pass away next to Grandma. When he went he even wanted to raise his hand to tell Grandma to lie down. Even his final words were telling Grandma to eat more and be nice. As he passed Papa still thought of his family, he was a very responsible man!"

Elder daughter Tang Yip Yan said, "Perhaps he now has just gone to another realm from us and left early to take care of everything first, waiting for us to have a chance to meet again in the future. Actually we have to thank him." After she was done she was already in tears. Before the official ceremony began, Kwok Sau Wan arranged for three white lions to bow three times in front of the coffin then began the drums and the gongs to send Big Brother on his final journey. The entire ceremony took around a hour. Around 2PM under monk chants, Tang Yip Wai stepped out with Big Brother's photo, then Yim Siu Ping, Tang Yip Yan, Law Mei Mei, Cheng Yun Yi and others followed. All were sadden with tissues in hand to wipe away their tears. Law Mei Mei and Yun Yi after helping the mother and the daughters into their vehicle got into a bus to depart for the crematorium. At this time Hok Yau left. He said that because he was busy with his concert he was unable to attend the cleansing banquet. After the cremation ceremony he had to rush back to the Hong Kong Coliseum.

The hearse was decorated with white flowers. Before leaving three white lions again kowtowed toward the hearse. After 2:30PM the hearse arrived at the crematorium. Under the leadership of the master of ceremony Tang Yip Yan left the vehicle with her father's photo. Tang Yip Wai carried his memorial tablet. Yim Siu Ping followed. Around 3PM the farewell drums and gongs sounded and everyone's cry of "Papa, Big Brother" could be heard. After the ceremony, everyone came from the backdoor to cross over the flaming basin and wash their hands. Tang Yip Wai carried her father's photo while Tang Yip Yan left in the company of Law Mei Mei.

Yim Siu Ping was again in tears. Yun Yi was also obviously heart broken, as she shook her head and declined media interview requests.

After all the ceremonies, six buses headed to the Shatin Hyatt Hotel for the cleansing banquet. Big Brother's good friend Wu Fung revealed that chanting continued there as many friends gave eulogies. His daughters also thanked their father for always taking care of them. Many were moved to tears after hearing. He of course cried too. How was Dai Soh? Wu Fung said, "Mrs. Tang only sat and listened. She didn't have anything to say. Almost 100 people went to console Dai Soh. (She still couldn't accept it?) Of course she couldn't accept it, they were such a great couple and he was so young. As a friend even I couldn't accept it. (Did you see them while they were dating?) No, his film peak was in Taiwan." Wu Fung revealed that they would continue to conduct ceremonies but had little idea what would actually take place. Right now Yun Yi was in OK mood and Law Mei Mei spoke. What was the most memorable about Big Brother? Wu Fung said, "I remember taking him to a night club. At the time we were still very young, and back then night clubs were for dining, singing and dancing. We even had to bring our own companions. They weren't like they are now." Wu Fung also said that he was uncertain where Big Brother's ashes will be. Also, in Big Brother's memorial short film, Big Brother's favorite English songs accompanied the first half. When the film reached the photos with his friends, the music changed to Big Brother's performance of THE END OF TOMORROW. Photos included Lydia Shum Din Ha, Jackie Chan, Anita Mui Yim Fong, Chiang Dai Wai, Pak Shuet Sin, Patrick Tse Yin and Yun Yi as a child, as well as his daughters and intimate photos with his beloved wife.

courtesy of mingpao.com