Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Property Protector Blessing Ceremony 2013-5-28




eta: Bottom video (Mandarin) Steven and Tavia recount their total past collaboration - Steven says first is The Land of Wealth, 2nd is Sweetness in the Salt; to which Tavia chipped in and said adamantly their 2nd series was Cupid Stupid. Of course Tavia's wrong and Steven's right - SITS is their 2nd series followed by Cupid Stupid and SIAC.

Steven jests that Tavia bullies him so, that whereas he treats her like his younger sister, she on the other hand treats him like a servant, and hits him too -- to which Tavia immediately slap his butt, once twice thrice. But of course she denies hitting him. lol! It especially irks Steven when crouching down, Tavia would covertly creep behind him and suddenly gave him a push from behind making him lose his balance. Tavia quips that she also treats Steven well, most time.  She says her mother likes Steven a lot, always making soup for him.

Since production started, Steven has had Tavia's mom's soup 3 times already. Tavia says because her mom appreciated how Steven had taken care of Tavia before with sharing of his homemade soup with Tavia, so now she (Tavia's mom) is returning the favor to him. (In AP she also brought up that her mom likes Steven a lot.))

ddddddd


Yesterday, Steven Ma attended the blessing ceremony of his first TVB come back series, Property Protector (守業者) with cast members including Tavia Yeung, Evergreen Mak, Maggie Siu, Tracy Ip, Raymond Cho, Katy Kung etc. Steven expressed he had longed to film a pre-modern series for the longest time. Attired in his Chinese tunic suit costume, Steven's makeover strongly resembled Damian's character, Kam Chan Sai, in an old TVB series, Yesterday's Glitter, co-starring Liza Wang. Steven said: "Yes. Anyway, I've always wanted to portray Damian's role (Glitter). In fact,a few years back I even suggested that to TVB but I was told to finish filming the Qing Dynasty dramas first."

When asked who would be most suitable to play Liza Wang's role? Steven said: "I Have always wanted Fala to do it. (But she's left TVB!) I left too. She can also come back. And when she does we can shoot 2014 Yesterday's Glitter".

As to TVB's new policy of having 80% finished script and 8 hours of rest, Steven said he has not experienced that yet. Presently he has in his hands about 10 episodes of the script, and about 5 to 6 hours of break. He said perhaps the new policy will only start next year.

credit:Sing paoSingtao 2013-5-29

credit pix as labeled.
more pix in sm baidu thread

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Steven's heart condition - RTHK

May 25th  2013 audio clip from RTHK "舊日的足跡 Old Footprints" radio program



2013: 6 years ago Steven was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition that causes abnormal heart palpitations. A surgery is required to permanently fix the problem but the catch is that to be effective the surgery should only be done when the heart is actually acting up. When asked if the condition can be fatal, Steven was nonchalant about it. He said his family doctor said there is only about 1 out of 10,000 chance that a person can die from an over-active heart, so he was not too concerned over his health condition.*

Actually had the radio host in this May radio interview not brought up his heart condition, Steven would not have talked about it at all. His heart condition was first publicized in 2007 because of his conspicuous absence from the 1st promo event of his then airing tv series, Steps, so tabloid inquiring minds wanted to know why and went digging for info. Their efforts were rewarded with a juicy morsel at their disposal, so naturally they ran amok with sensational headlines such as "Steven Ma May Soon Die of a Strange Disease". (And that's the tamest headline at the time). But Steven later downplayed his heart condition to media, and like all news, this news soon ran its course and long forgotten until it was once again brought up by the radio host during Steven's May interview to promote his new music album. I myself started following Steven's news in mid 2007 so I do know about his problematic heart, but yeah, Steven never mentioned it again since that time in 2007 until now. His heart condition is no secret to the public, but in the May radio interview (footprints) Steven revealed two secrets that he had hitherto never talked about in public.

Verbatim transcript of his heart condition segment
H: I didn't know that your heart has a problem. When did you find out?

S: I think it's about 5 or 6 years ago. At the time I thought it was just heart arrhythmia. But one night, (it's quite scary) suddenly my heart beat extremely fast, never mind fast but that my heart actually jolted

H: That bad?

S: The force made me dizzy. Truly scary. So immediately I was sent to the hospital. I was at home then. So in the hospital I was examined but the doctor could not find anything wrong with me. But then I began encountering similar occurrences thereafter. Sei lo, truly scary, am I going to die soon? So I underwent a lot of testing, also hospitalized for observation, EKG testing, other medical examinations and everything else possible. Finally the specialist told me that my heart has 2 nodes 'shortcut' (short-circuit). Either surgically cauterized one of the nodes' end, but (so funny) the cauterization can only be done when the the heart problem is happening - only then can he see through a scope which node is malfunctioning. I said isn't that very complicated? I asked: "Is it possible that the wrong node be cauterized?" He said yes, it's possible. I said: "So if the wrong node is cauterized, will I become 'sai ging' (insane) then? (wordplay on sai ging sing - node) Doctor said "you won't but it won't solve your problem." So I asked if I can die from it? He said if it truly palpitated too extremely you can pass out. My family doctor told me the ratio is 1 to 10,000 that people can die from it. Oh, cheh, that's pretty low. Actually, I don't fear death per se because death is a certainty in life, just that after death I go on to heavenly home, that's all. The question is in your living years, did you live a good life? As to this heart problem, I'm fine with it - just take my meds with me. So my close colleagues or close friends, they are aware of my medicines - 2 kinds. One is the heart medicine; the other to be taken to immediately slow down my heart rate because a rapid heart rate can make me dizzy and pass out, and who knows where I would fall onto. That's the concern there. They all advise me not to play badminton too vigorously. Because last month on the badminton court, while playing I suddenly collapsed onto the floor. And my heart was racing but what made it worse is that I forgot to bring my medicine that day. So scary! Almost call the police. But luckily I was very calm

H: So did Loletta Chu Ling Ling help you? (tn: Ms. Chu is also an avid badminton player.)

S: She wasn't there that day. Haha! But all my badminton friends were there and also my manager, too. They didn't know what to do. What's wrong? What's wrong? So now they know where to quickly get hold of my medicine. But I enjoy playing badminton, of course, don't overdo it. But if when I'm playing badminton, or singing or filming, and plop, I suddenly passed away, there's nothing I could do about it. I'm pragmatic about it but I would not let that mess up my life. I won't play roller coasters (tn:like how he had to in the Brink of Law promo event - lol) or willfully engage in thrilling but dangerous activities just to challenge my life. But if God wants me to leave then I'll leave. I'm not scared. If you're scared of death everyday, then you've never lived. I believe I still have a long period of time to experience new thing in life like last year I..


***********************************************************
*There are different types of supraventricular-tachycardia heart problems, not exactly sure which one is Steven's. Based on description, my guess is this: Atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia.

"Normally, the AV node is the only tissue that conducts electrical impulses between the upper and lower chambers of the heart. All electrical impulses must go through the AV node to reach the lower chambers of the heart. In an (atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia), electrical impulses travel one direction in the normal manner, down the AV node to the lower chambers (ventricles), but they then travel back up to the upper chambers (atria) through an abnormal, extra electrical pathway (accessory pathway) located outside the AV node." 

2007 news report extract: Doctor: The extra electrical charge produced intensifies the heart beats sometimes to as high as 150-200 beats per minute, (causing a short-circuit) which is serious enough to cause a cardiac arrest, and in the extreme case, even death.

**************************************************
News first broke out on Steven's heart condition - 2007 news report (in Chinese) Doctor's explanation of Steven's abnormal heart condition. Because of his newly heart problem, he had to skip Hunan's tv variety program, Strictly Dancing 《 舞 动 奇 迹 》and replaced by Michael Tse.

A doctor's description:
对 於 患 上 心 脏 旁 导 管 症 , 心 脏 科 医 生 李 沛 然 表 示 : 「 病 人 天 生 心 脏 旁 多 咗 一 条 旁 导 管 , 俗 称 多 咗 条 电 线 , 所 以 令 心 脏 出 现 短 路 情 况 , 一 般 嚟 讲 大 部 份 病 患 者 会 心 跳 加 速 , 最 高 可 以 每 分 钟 心 跳 150-200 下 , 严 重 嘅 话 亦 会 休 克 , 甚 至 死 亡 。 我 强 烈 建 议 病 人 做 放 射 频 率 能 量 导 管 消 融 手 术 , 将 多 咗 嗰 条 旁 导 管 切 除 。 」

Steven's description: 经详细检查后才发现是“心脏神经线短路”。当两条神经线“搭上”时,心跳立即加速。

马 仔 早 前 不 得 不 推 掉 去 湖 南 录 影 的 大 制 作 《 舞 动 奇 迹 》 , 长 留 在 家 休 养 。另 外 , 无 綫 大 型 节 目 《 舞 动 奇 迹 》 本 来 亦 安 排 他 参 加 , 顺 道 配 合 剧 集 《 舞 动 全 城 》 宣 传 , 但 恐 怕 应 付 不 了 长 时 间 的 训 练 及 去 湖 南 的 连 日 拍 摄 , 马 浚 伟 最 後 只 好 向 高 层 乐 易 玲 请 辞 , 他 的 位 置 由 谢 天 华 顶 上 。 谢 天 华 更 成 为 冠 军 。

Steven's colleagues' responses:
当 子 珊 得 悉 马 仔 有 怪 病 缠 身 , 表 现 得 一 脸 惊 讶 。

在 《 舞 动 全 城 》 饰 演 马 浚 伟 妹 妹 的 陈 法 拉 , 日 前 接 受 访 问 时 亦 表 示 , 「 嗰 时 都 有 听 佢 ( 马 浚 伟 ) 讲 过 心 脏 有 毛 病 , 但 系 唔 知 详 情 , 亦 都 唔 知 咁 严 重 , 希 望 佢 快 啲 好 番 。 」

至 於 跟 马 浚 伟 合 作 《 秀 才 爱 上 兵 》 的 黎 耀 祥 , 亦 知 道 对 方 心 脏 出 问 题 , 「 我 都 听 讲 佢 有 心 律 不 正 , 仲 要 成 日 度 期 去 做 检 查 , 希 望 佢 身 体 健 康 ! 」

马 浚 伟 最 近 病 发 次 数 愈 见 频 密 , 早 前 拍 摄 《 金 石 良 缘 》 经 常 请 病 假 , 剧 中 拍 档 锺 嘉 欣 被 问 到 马 浚 伟 患 病 一 事 , 亦 表 现 得 相 当 避 忌 , 「 佢 依 家 好 健 康 。 ( 咁 佢 拍 嗰 阵 有 冇 请 病 假 ? ) 病 假 系 人 都 有 , 我 同 佢 系 好 朋 友 好 同 事 , 呢 啲 嘢 我 唔 会 回 应 。 ( 佢 依 家 个 病 好 严 重 喎 ? ) 唔 系 咁 严 重 啫 ! 人 哋 私 人 嘢 我 唔 讲 啦 ! 」

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Footprints interview -- mother




It’s only with faith in God that for the 1st time Steven could finally open up his heart to share this deep-seated secret buried deep his heart all these years, festering the gaping hole preventing his heart from complete healing.

In the previous segment Steven talked about his tough beginning as singer. In this following segment Steven talks about his mother – the most heart-wrenching portion of his interview.

Italicized words in brackets are mine.

H: How did you family see it? Seeing your first step in the industry and down you fell.
S: Always supported me. Always Every time they heard my song played on radio or saw my program on tv, they all very happy. As to whether they were aware of the criticisms thrown at me, of course they did, just that at home they would not talk about it. We’re a family, so all in the heart. In this case, family’s support – silence is greater than spoken words.

H:1997 - Dr. Joe Cheung Ka Yu came into being but in 1999 mother passed away.

S: hai ya, hai ya (yes, yes)

H: Seeing you having 2 favorable years, she must have felt comforted.
S: She loved to watch my show cos’she couldn’t hear, lost her hearing long time ago. Cos’ when I was 6 years old she had this illness. Which is why in my childhood period I did not play much and also had to work outside at an young age because circumstances forced me to grow up fast. My mom had nasopharynx cancer. At the time, the treatment technology was bad, so her treatments (chemo/radiology?) had destroyed many of her cells and nerves including xxx, so very quickly after each treatment she first lost her sense of smell, and then later her sense of taste began to deteriorate, and then she started have relapses (in all 3 relapses) Gradually she lost her senseof hearing, and then her total sense of taste. When she left she had only a blurry vision in one eye. To communicate with her, we exchanges messages on this ‘Magic Slate’ You know the kind that you write on top of the plastic film, and to erase you just lift up the film? Everyday we used that slate to write messages.

H: So though your mother could not hear well but she still liked to listen to Deanie Ip’s Weary (倦), right?

S: Would play 倦 karaoke for her. (tv) She could not hear well but she had the cassette with her. She also liked Siu Fung jie’s songs too. (Paula Tsui 徐小鳳) but later she couldn’t hear anything at all so playing the songs was just for comforting the heart. So we played karaoke songs for her since she could still see images on the screen. But of course she was most happy when she saw my karaoke.

H: Ai! So recently you expressed your feeling your mother, right?

S: yeah!

H: For Mother: Weary! Composed and written by you. Back to the time when your mother passed away, you could not accept it.

S: Because accompanying her all those 20 odd years – when I was 6 I already knew she was sick – so I witnessed her battle against the disease along with my father and my sisters – we all supported her, a very close warm feeling. We saw how courageous mother was.

H: “I’m the relative of a chronic patient.”
S: Yeah, I wrote the book precisely for that reason. We watched her gradually losing her faculties. Sometime having a meal with her, she would suddenly spurt blood. Because of blood vessels inside her nostril would certainly burst. You think that could only happen in movies but it actually do happen in real life. If a thick blood vessel burst inside the nostril the blood would come out through the mouth, so if you sniff the blood rushes into the mouth. And when that happened during meal she would rush into the bathroom but she would say she’s fine but actually it was painful.

S: (4:13) As for her passing, we knew it was imminent. If asked after all these years were we prepared? Yes we were. But why is that when she passed away I was so devastated? All these years, honestly if you ask me have I healed (her death) completely? No. I’ve not. Is it, is it because I did something wrong? No. Was it because I did not treat her well? No. Honestly, I think, I believe, in this world if look for a son who is utterly filial to his parents, his mother, I dare to take the #1 spot. But there’re things that are not up to me to decide. So why did I say after she passed away, I, I

H: Self-withdrawn for half a year.

S: It’s because of a surgery. A week prior to her passing away, all her neck tissues had actually atrophied. Her mouth, her jaw structure; their tissues had actually atrophied. Her mouth was clenched tightly – could not be opened, could not even open up her mouth.. Her jaw was locked tightly together. The doctor wanted to insert a tube into her mouth to infuse nutrition into her but to no avail. Doctor told us to try to pry open her mouth just a few mm then he could give her nutrition. He gave us a few popsicle sticks and told us to slip them inside her mouth in hopes of propping open her mouth. But the thing is her mouth part tissues were all atrophied no matter how we tried still could not open her mouth. The doctor then told us that you had to tell your mother to do a surgery. To cut a hole on her stomach to infuse nutrition into her so she could live. So we wrote the message to her. At the time she still could see though barely.

When she saw a surgery was needed she was enraged and threw a fit. No, no no!! Because she was already in great pain. Cos’ 2 weeks prior she was in the hospital, her whole body suddenly having a seizure. I saw her body turned to a dark hue. The doctor had just stepped out the room. I immediately slipped my hand into her mouth to let her bite. I finally got it that a person can really turn black in less than 15-30 seconds - the lips, the face, because it's her brain having a seizure. Her breathing immediately stopped. So immediately she was given a stabilizing shot. This kind of scene is truly terrifying to me.

H: Wah, your hand was truly tough!

S: 7:05 No problem, I didn't know pain (then). I could only yell out loudly: Doctor, doctor, seizure! Why is that after so many years I still can't completely recovered? My emotion. Actually, that I now have this courage to speak out, to compose the song, is just I want find a release for myself. (let go) Because at that time the doctor warned that if mother did not have this surgery she'd die. Would last only 3 or 5 days. No hope for her to stay alive. So I said to my mother, cos' mom listened to me the most.

H: (sigh) Cos1 you're the only son. And obedient (guai)

S: But she wouldn't. She got angry and threw a fit. "No I won't do it. Just let me die!" I knew she was in great pain. So she refused adamantly to do it. Very angry, truly very angry. Because she's truly in pain. So I said "no, the doctor said you must do it." Hearing that she said: (wrote) I don't want to do it, do you want to push me to my death? You want me to die? I don't want to do it!" So when I saw her speak like that there's nothing I could do. If even I could not persuade her to do it there's no way my sisters could. But at that moment I was bad (soi), but I couldn't control myself and cry. When I saw her anger and her saying I'm pushing her to death (Steven pause to compose his emotion.)

H: So was there a surgery in the end?

S: Just that she said I want her to die

H: Well, at the time, she

S: Of course I knew she was just angry. I knew she was suffering. But when I saw her words I immediately burst into tears. (long pause) But when she saw me crying she could not bear it. (sniffling)

H: You never cried around her?

S: I seldom cry, never in front of my family. Besides my father, I don't cry when at home. And then she nodded her head and said 'fine, I'll do it." She had the surgery that very same day at night. So my family and I stayed back to accompany her. Her surgery ended at around 11:30 pm - midnight. So she was wheeled out on the gurney and the doctor said the surgery was a success. She was still conscious and we held her hands, and asked how she was, and she could nod her head. So I was relieved. So sent her to the patient room and sat with her for a while.

And then we went home to rest cos’ we were tired. (sniff) My father had went home before cos’ he always visited my mom very early in the morning. At around 5 am, my father would visit her so we all could take shift. At home around 5 :30 am, I was sleeping then, my father called me and said “Ah Ma is slipping , come.” I said “huh? What’s the matter?” He said: “Don’t ask, come quickly.” (sniff) Turn out my mother had already passed away at that time. Cos’ at around 3 to 4 am because of acute pneumonia infection cos’ her body was too weak, so she departed just like that. When we got to the hospital, her body was still on the bed., still slightly warm. (pause) But I did not cry Couldn’t. I spoke to her, and then kissed her. (pause) Thereafter, the funeral service, internment , at that time I wasn’t a Christian then. I held this xxx (Buddhist?) service , so went up the hill and other stuff, I did them all. But only I pushed her up the hill. When up the hill, I pressed button to start her cremation. It was brutal but still had to do it. Couldn’t cry. Even when all emotions had been spent still could not cry. “Did I truly push her to her death?” (play chan chin (play Familial Love song)

H: 14:36 I think actually your mother understood you meant well

S: Yes, of course she did. Cos’ my mother loved me a lot, of course, I loved her too . My family at home all told me not to be so stupid to have such a thought. Don’t think that way. I don’t want to but that’s how I received the message. (at the time) Thereafter, I isolated myself.

H: No need to work?

S: Work stopped during that period. So stayed home everyday drinking so that I could get drunk. And only when drunk I could then cry.

H: So your father must be very distressed?

S: I would hide myself so they could not see. I wouldn’t let them see me that way. I wouldn’t let my family see me like that. When awakened would eat something

H: What to do then? For half a year? How did you help yourself get out of it?

S: For the 1st month I was that way, everyday. Would not see anyone. Inside my bedroom, I turned off all lights and closed the curtains. Very dark, could not see anything. Gradually some friends became worried about me. The person who accompanied the most was Tsui jie. (Tsui Yong Yong)

H: Your former manager. She dotes on you.

S: She was very worried about me. Yes, she dotes me, even now our relationship is still very close. She came everyday to keep me company. She just listened to me talk. Because she is a mother so she listened to me from a maternal perspective. Actually not one month but 2 . Not I was numb, did not have interest in life. When people looked me up for work, I said whatever. Didn’t matter. To describe that period with words - truly like living without a heart. 17:30 I should not say this or think this way but at that time I truly thought of just dying. Because I felt like an empty shell. It’s not that I didn’t have people with me, I still had my father, my sisters, my friends, and lots of people I loved but but.. the process all that time she had lived with me.. The place inside my side, she had occupied almost 100% of it. And then suddenly she’s gone , tell me how to replace that? (vacancy left in the heart) (pause) Nothing. Honestly, nothing can, even today nothing can replace that vacancy. Even though now I’m a Christian and there’s Jesus but sorry .to have to say to Jesus, nothing can replace her. At that time I thought of suicide. So my friends started to get scared. So went to see a doctor. I’d a family doctor and diagnosed with depression. I was on medication for a year. Actually did not help much in recovery. Medication was not enough.

H: So what helped you the most?

S: First, my friends. 2nd sports

H: Sports? Badminton

S: Badminton, at that time I had started jogging. To gym. Or on the walking machine. Exercise causing heart rate over 120 beat/hr for 30 minutes the brain will releases endorphin. Can become addictive. Really, can be addictive. People who exercise constantly suddenly don’t for a week they would feel something missing. Another thing that helped was an essay. They recommended an author to me Tong. He wrote this article “Life’s Experiences” talks about a beloved passing away, and how to get through the mourning. …….the pain of losing a loved one is inevitable to all, but I encountered this pain way too early because my mother was only 48 years old when she died. (song play Deanie Ip’s Weary)

--  interview paraphrase --

RTHK channel 1 - 舊日的足跡 (Old Footprints)

Program presenter:車淑梅
Guest: Steven Ma

Steven going down the memory lane with the radio host.



1) early singing career -- being jeered, vilified and hated because of slogan. (Tn: The ill-feeling towards Steven still lingers to these days. Even more unfair and crazy is that some netizens on Hk forum + hkgolden forum still hate him because Charmain's character ended up with his character in Return of the Cuckoo instead of with Julian Cheung -- so incredible, isn't it?) ref: Steven's memoir

2) first major series - Hong Hei of Domd1998 - author Jin Yong commended he was the best Hong Hei. Steven forever grateful to Catherine Tsang and Li Tim Shing for pushing him to take up this role, and their belief in him that he could do it.


3) For the first time Steven revealed the deep seated secret festering in his heart that he had hastened his mother's death when his mother gave in to his plea to have the fatal surgery that took her life in the end. Although she finally agreed to the surgery she wasn't at first and communicated her anger in written words to Steven. The memory of that scene still made Steven choke up with emotion when he  spoke of it.  (7:55 ) Mom wrote:  "I don't want to do it. Are you pushing me to my death? Do you want me to die? I don't want to do it!"  Her words cut right into Steven's heart, that wound never healed.  At reading his mom's written accusation, Steven instantly collapsed in loud sobs, and his mom's heart melted at seeing her son's heartbreaking collapse, (she had lost her hearing by then so could not hear Steven's sobs) and so in the end she agreed to the surgery. And though the surgery itself was successful, she succumbed to post-surgery pneumonia and died of it a few hours later. Worse, Steven and his sisters weren't there when their mother passed away as they went home to take a much needed rest after a long day at the hospital (doctors had assured them their mother's surgery was successful), only his father was there beside her when she passed away.  (see my comments below)  When narrating his mom's cancer and her death, Steven's voice sounded hoarse and shaky with emotion. He had to break off his narration several times to compose himself. Even the hostess quietly cried with him.  After his mother's death Steven did not cry, and could only cry when he was drunk and so he locked himself inside his bedroom and got roaring drunk to release his tears.  But he did that all behind close door since he had to be strong for his grieving family. After his mother's death, his grandma died a few year later, and a few years later in 2003, his younger sister was diagnosed with breast cancer, but luckily she is now in remission.

4) After 5 years striving starting from ground negative to ground zero in Domd1998, his career finally made it above ground with his role as Dr. Joe in HH1.  (TN: Incidentally it was because of Steven's Dr. Joe that I first noticed him - thought he was sooo cute!)


5) Revealed the secret for the first time publicly why he came back to TVB on a per series contract with TVB. (eta: confirmed in other interviews that he only signed that one contract with TVB for SIAC only, that's it) Besides repaying his gratitude debt to Catherine Tsang and TVB, the main reason is because he had given his word to TVB executives (Tsang and Chan Fai Gong (Uncle 6's secretary then) at the time of his early termination negotiation with them that he would sign a different form of collaboration with TVB.  The management wanted Steven to sign another form of contract collaboration at the time but Steven was too busy then filming in mainland, so he told them he would but not then because he just did not have the time. But he assured them he would come back at a more convenient time to discuss with them about signing a different form of contractual collaboration.

****

eta: Circles 2014-6-14 why leave tvb** clarifies signed siac contract only.

To Steven, his spoken word of promise is just as binding as any legal b&w contract.  In February 2012, I think, TVB (Catherine and another TVB high executive) tried to persuade him to film a tvb series in September but he could not due to schedule conflict but he kept his word by filming PP.

Steven - a man of his words. I gather from this interview and other news reports Steven has only signed this one series contract, that's it.  Just like how I'd previously conjectured on why Steven got off 'easy' for his unprecedented premature termination of his contract - because TVB had exacted from him a promise at the time to sign a different TVB contract.  And Steven gave his word he would but and so he did, cos a man of his words, his promise is as ironclad as a written contract. TVB had looked him up in February but he was still busy filming then. 


6) Love life
Love life is doing fine. Vivien is a very independent woman with a quiet personality.  Steven and her understand each other very well but he has promised her not to talk about their love life to the public so a pretty short segment here. But what's interesting is that when the hostess brought up the old news that reportedly Steven had planned his wedding to Vivien without even telling her parents, Steven denied he had ever said that -- that the reporter made that news up. 


7) 5-6 years ago Steven was diagnosed with a heart disease that causes abnormal heart palpitations. A surgery is required to permanently fix the problem but the catch is the surgery can only be performed when the heart is acting up. When asked if the disease can be fatal, Steven was nonchalant about it. He said his family doctor said that there is only about 1 out of 10,000 chance that a person can die from hyper heartbeat, so he was not too concerned over his health condition. read link

8) Want to make a movie inspired by his mother's life
Steven has already completed the script inspired by his mother's story.  If all goes according to plans, he would probably have it shot next year as he has already have a sponsor lined up to produce it but he would not be in the cast cos' it would be too painful for him.

listen link Old Footprints
or open realplayer with this part 1 link and part 2 link

My comments:
Besides two hitherto unrevealed secrets now exposed, Steven is basically rehashing what had been published about him on the newspapers from his early career as a singer, his first major series as Hong Hei in Domd1998 and his career changing role as Dr. Joe in HH1, to his mother's cancer and her death, to TVB work and his early termination of contract to love life, to tvb awards to tvb's present situation to lots more.  But I already know most of what he said through print reports, audio and video interviews, so no surprises there for me except for his insight in TVB's present situation. But what caught me off guard is how emotional Steven was talking about his mother's death. How he still carries the irrational guilt over that ill-advised and ill-fated surgery that hastened his mother's death, how the scene of their last exchange (written) constantly replayed itself in his mind - haunting him through the years, and how his mother's  written accusation of him pushing her to her death still cut him to the core. (ngo mg wui zou, ni hai mai yu ong ngo hui sei ya? - I won't do it, you want to push me to my death?)  Time has not erased that guilt, that written accusation; only faded them somewhat, but there it lodges forever in Steven's heart and mind, easily re-ignited - what a burden to carry around.  The psychological trauma of losing his mother so unexpectedly, his remorse and guilt over his advice to his mom to take the surgery forever changed Steven's psych and his life outlook.

I feel that Steven is forever trying to atone for that very moment when his uncontrollable and bitter sobs made his dying mother change her mind to finally agree to the ill-fated surgery. His mother's death is a cross Steven carries to this day on his back, its intangible weight heavy on his conscience, hopefully one day Steven can totally discard that guilt and drop that heavy cross.  Guess his 'selfish' desire of wanting his mother to take the surgery despite her pain and suffering somewhat attributed to Steven's own tolerance and forgiving nature towards other people's frailties and flaws, for who amongst us do not err in our lifetime. To these days, Steven is still making amends to atone for his 'transgression' towards his mother's death. It was not his fault but often it is heart over mind.  Glad that Steven has found spiritual strength and peace with his faith in God.

And good for him, Steven has Vivien to support and love him as he is cos' from what I gather, Steven is quite a moody bf.  Moreover, Vivien has to know this, and most probably does: she can never get the full, complete love from Steven cos' he has already given a part of it to his late mom, so she has to be content with whatever Steven can give of his heart. Like I said: Take Steven as he is - warts and all, and 2nd place in his heart after his late mom.  Before Vivien, there was Tsui Yong Yong, Steven's ex-manager to comfort him.  God bless him, them and us all!

In part2 last segment on TVB, Steven is once again downplaying his talents and accomplishments; modesty/humility is a virtue but if excessive, it can hold back an artist from realizing his potential to achieve a greater height in his career. I always feel that Steven is too humble, too passive and not exertive enough in his career.  I recall this weibo entry from an (ex?) long time fan who said this on weibo: Steven lacks the 霸气 (the aggressiveness) that's why he can only be a celebrity not a superstar. Without that aggressiveness - acting is his career but he cannot make it (career) into a  superstar business.  (sounds like Cao Zhi). Tn: Steven's lack of aggressive spirit, plus his overly humility and his selling short his talents and accomplishments, collectively hinders him from realizing his full potential as an artist, a loss to his fans. But whatever floats his boat - it's his life.  But imo as his fan, what a shame to his god given talents being under-appreciated. Moreover, as an outsider, I don't understand his loyalty to TVB despite their past maltreatments; there is such thing as blind loyalty. (愚忠)Thank goodness, he only signs a one series per year contract.

Another good fan essay on Steven's psych. (Too bad I somehow overlook this original essay when I transferred the other Steven-ma.org fans' essays here before the fansite closed.)

So, those who have listened to the interview, any comments?

***


mv Sentinel

song title: 江山此夜MV
mv creator: 胧月霊 @ youku link

WTLB mv -- updated with new mv

Disclaimer: I only uploaded the MVs here, which I dl from various sources.

First 2 mvs are newly uploaded here.
It's been far too long.  Bumping up WTLB to remind myself why I became Steven Ma fan. Wish he would come up with another series that can move masses and touch my heart once more.  So much potential in him still not fully realized, what a waste! It has been too long in between, far too long. Steven, add oil.

Even though Siu Yan jie's new series' focus is on the women, I still wish Steven were in it.  


2013 mv by: 醉意浅 @ tudou link

2007 instrumental music dolphinnini@ tudou link

Thursday, May 23, 2013

editorial

Haiz! I just got on HKticketing site. The English translation on Steven’s concert is so way off from the original Chinese blurb. Anyway, 2 things stick out from the translation: 1) Steven album is a Christian music album not a gospel album as stated in the website. (even if 福音 is translated as gospel in the dictionary.) Steven's songs are Christian (pop) songs not gospel. 2) 信仰 is erroneously translated as religion, which is incorrect in the context.  In the context, 信仰 is faith .

Reading the English blurb on the website, one would think the concert is an evangelist religious event.

Here’s my English translation: 
In their first time collaboration, Steven Ma, who will be releasing his new hi-fi Christian music album soon, and TBM, an active local Christian band in recent years, will bring together the different emotions of familial love, friendship, romantic love and faith in this music sharing concert. 

All net proceeds from the ticket sales will be donated to TBM ministry in support of its campus music tour campaign to promote life education in all local schools through music.

Here's HKticketing
Following the release of an upcoming gospel album, Steven Ma, with an unprecedented partnership with a recently active gospel band TBM, is going to bring a mini concert cohered with love themes ranging from family, friends and romance to religion.

All revenues from the ticket sales, after cost deduction, will be donated to support a campaign of TBM ministry to promote life-changing values through music and sharing to schools throughout Hong Kong

The original Chinese blurb
即將推出全新創作發燒福音專輯的馬浚偉,首次夥拍近年活躍於本港的福音樂隊 TBM,帶來一場凝聚親情、友情、愛情、信仰心情...的音樂分享會。是次音樂會的門票收入於扣除成本後,將全數捐出支持 TBM 事工機構的校園巡迴音樂計劃,於全港學校推廣生命教育。

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Steven's concert with TBM - Sharing Music of love and faith

poster source: sandy lau weibo 19:43
click link to enlarge image.
Steven's promo poster for his upcoming concerts in collaboration with TBM (The Bridge Music) .
Ticket sales start on July 25th. The sales proceeds after break-even will be donated to TBM to support its 《I want to fly》Ministry Music Tour.

Ticket price: HK$280
Date: July 13 + 14
Time: 8 pm
Venue:  KITEC - 3rd floor performance hall
tickets start selling May 23 on hkticketing 
Program search reference#: 3468 2004
hotline local# 31 288 288
Seating: 702 seats (buy early to get best seats)


Steven - too thin?


Steven is so thin!
2013-5-20 19:51 大家都說我太,嗯......今早06:00開工,下午兩點收工後,去了做健身,現在在打羽毛球,明天繼續拍外景.....這樣,相信想胖也很難!不過大家請放心,我很健康!嘻嘻!

Monday, May 20, 2013

2013 May 20 (520)

2013-5-20 15:15 今天520,是一個特別的日子,也是守業者首天開工(這造型,是一個內心很痛又想家的軍人)願一切順利、平安快樂!p.s.祝小豬們每個都開心快樂!520s


Sunday, May 19, 2013

The 3rd 520 piggy family day

Edited: In 2010 when Steven opened his weibo in April, he designated May 20 (in Mandarin, 520 == Wo Ai Ni= I love you) as Family Day for all his piggy fans, so mosey over to his weibo to say hi and to heap love on him today.

P.S. The first day of filming for Property Protector.  Good luck to Steven and cast, crew and Producer Leung. 

weibo 520 tag

Saturday, May 18, 2013

weibo: songs suggestions

2013-05-18 18:16 July 13 & 14 two concerts. In the process of selecting songs. So what songs do you all want me to sing? Suggestions welcome! Thanks!

Any of his songs, but I would especially love to hear Steven sing
Amazing Grace,
You Raise Up Up.
滄海一聲笑,
掌聲響起,
沉默是金
偶然
劉歡-從頭再來,

But of course there is the matter of cover copyright.

Friday, May 17, 2013

ET news: Steven Ma wants to get tan fast for his new series


ETA: transcript @1:10 - Steven's on tanning his skin.
Steven: Because I portray a soldier so he'll be under the sun but I'd not been out in the sun for quite a while and the recent days were overcast so I used the tanning bed. (showing his arms) See the skin's peeling here (I: Did you not apply ..) I did but because I did not get a tan (tanning bed) for so long, actually this (peel) is not too bad, the peeling is worse on my back and whole body like a snake shedding its skin.  (I: Is it (tanning effect) always been like this?)  Well, I was being too 'greedy' so tanned myself twice in one day.  In the past I did some tanning before (for his series characters) but not recently for a long time. So now I'll wait for the body to heal, and in 2 days' time I'll do some more tanning because my character is a soldier, I can't accept myself to be so fair skin.


Steven needs to get a tan for his character in his new series, but his over zealous and excessive tanning (2x a day - did that on the day before the interview) caused his skin to peel. 


Take care, Steven.  Not worth to abuse and damage your natural good skin for a role.


So, is Steven too fair for his character as a rural army doctor, like he think so?

Thursday, May 16, 2013

News: Steven Ma digs gold, but didn't forget to help out tvb

In his RoadShow radio interview, Steven says he is quite exhaustive from promoting his new album in various radio stations. He says one more vocal recording (tn: Wednesday) to do and his album will all done just in time for him to film tvb seris, Property Protector.  He says the series will wrap up in August, thereafter he will go to mainland to shoot a modern movie.

Steven also says that he has signed a one series per year contract with TVB. He did consider signing a a tvb managament contract as he is enjoying doing his own stuff that interests with his own team.  And that if maternal home tvb has him to help out he would if he could.

When pointed to him that recently TVB is losing many artists, and that there is a rumor that Tavia Yeung may leave too. (In the video, a reporter jestingly accused Steven's leaving tvb started it all.) Steven smiles and in no way did he influence her at all: "Everybody has his/her own thinking, just need to find the best way suited to himself/herself."

orientaldaily 5-17-2013

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

MV: An Understanding


馬浚偉全新歌曲 ﹣ 心照 (Official MV)
credit Truestarhongkong @ youtube  also on fb

Featuring friendship cast from Hong Kong Li Ning Badminton Club.
Steven thanks fellow collaborators: album producer - Adky Wun Yin Hong (溫應鴻),林千豔,Milk, 阿超, 阿Ken at TBM  and 阿Ken.

Steven has completed the singing recording for the whole album on Wednesday night, May-15-2013.

see screencaps on sm baidu

Steven looks absolutely gorgeous and charming, and very youthful bursting with vitality! Good job to his AndyDaniel for Steven's couture choice.  The mv exudes a very positive and happy vide! Congratulations to Steven for doing such a good job in his first time directing.




credit banners: iceyan316 @ sm baidu
-- more comments --

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Editorial

Tomorrow, Steven will record his last song for his new album. I wonder what promotion techniques and what marketing channels he plans to use to sell the album?  It is all well and good to come out with a superior product but in the end it is enticing the public to buy it as a collector's item that matters the most. Fans are not enough to spike up sales but must also have the general public support too.  I hope Steven makes the album easily and conveniently available to international markets too via online music sites and international iTunes.  The success and failure of a product in the end lies in how well it is been marketed to a jaded public so that they want to buy it, as free downloads are just a click away from the keyboard. I hope Steven has a good marketing team to help him -- a professional marketing team and not simply count on friends, who have only basic knowledge of marketing and no marketing expertise. Good luck to Steven!

Steven Ma composed song as remembrance to late mom

馬浚偉寫歌懷念亡母
2013/05/14


Steven went to a radio station to promote his new song. He said the song is written as a remembrance of  his late mother, who passed away 14 years ago because of cancer.  Beside composing a song for her he also plans to film a movie or a tv series of his mother battling her cancer. He said:"Hopefully next year I can make a movie of her 22 year-old battle against cancer.  It's meaningful. I'll be responsible for the script only. If I act in it I fear I would cry."

Aside,  there are numerous reports of TVB fadans leaving the nest heading north. It is rumored that Steven's co-star, Tavia Yeung' is thinking of leaving tvb for mainland too, so asked Steven for his opinion of TVB artists exodus? He said: "Actually, TVB has recalled many former tvb artists back to film series, such as, Lawrence Ng. The form of collaboration is not important. Having variety of artists is a good thing." 

on.cc link


appledaily

Steven is puzzled why Women at War has such low ratings. 

Tsui Yong Yong's news article on Steven














magscan credit sm hong kong fanclub weibo
Tsui Yong Yong's article on eastweek mag

RTHK: 2013-5-14

dj 蒙阿O

Radio F903 早霸王 2013-05-14

CRHK F903 Steven promoting songs, DJ recalls Steven's first time having his hair washed in a salon, play a game.

Circles: Mother's Day 2013-5-12


Steven on CRHK Circles on Mother's Day 2013-5-12 promoting An Understanding and For Mother: Weary.  He talks about his friendship with his badminton friends and his favorite dish 'silver needles dish' by his mother.
Jackielhy@tudou

weibo 2013 may, Really too thin?


2013-5-13 19:59 really too thin? 真的太了嗎?

Monday, May 13, 2013

Steven caught playing badminton with friends


source: mingpao


magscan credit sm hk fanclub weibo

Sunday, May 12, 2013

RTHK

Steven as guest in RTHK Mother's Day program May 12 2013




News: Steven Ma dedicated new song to his late mother.

Happy Mother's Day to all. Give praise and blessing for your all mother.



May 12 2013, Sunday, Mother's Day event
fan video link Jackielh@tudou


Date: 2013-05-13
Yesterday, Steven Ma attended the mother's day event "全城愛家、愛家周報發佈會" held at Tseung Kwan O. He debuted his new song, 'For Mother: Weary' that he especially wrote for his late mother who has passed away 14 years ago.  Steven said: "Even if their mothers are no longer with them, as children, people still can celebrate Mother's Day, like how I can still dedicate this song to my mother, which also comforted me at the same time." (So yesterday, did you celebrate with girlfriend's mother?) "Girlfriend's mother was not in Hong Kong."

To coordinate with his new album Steven will hold two  mini concerts in July 13 and 14 at the KITEC Conference Hall in Hong Kong, and that their ticket sales proceeds will go towards a Christian organization's fund raising project.  Although he has released 14 albums to date he has yet to hold a concert in Hong Kong. Because of the short preparation lead time, the concert will consist mainly of singing sans dancing sequences.

(Ask Steven if he is nervous since it will be his first time holding a concert in Hong Kong?)
He said: "No, because I've had concerts in the US, Canada and mainland before, just not in Hong Kong."  Presently he is getting his album ready for its release in June, and right now it is still short of one recorded song.

As for his upcoming new series "Property Protector' 《守業者》by Producer Leung Choi Yuen, it will commence shooting on May 20th until late August, of which the last month will be shot on location.  After that will go to Beijing to shoot a drama.

macaodaily; ; singpao daily ; appledaily

TN: I guess Steven new album negotiation with investing company is thus: in return for its (the Christian org) investment in his new album, Steven will in return forfeit his first 2 concerts' tickets proceeds to investing company, which is either the said Christian org or affiliated with it. 

Don't understand why the press often picked unfavorable photos to put on their papers.  Steven's fans photos look so much better than the accompanying photos on various news reports.  Wonder where he got his tan from since he is more closeted at home or studio working on his album?


eta: knewpower@youtube



eta leonlee97: 2013-05-31 22:47 May Steven interview by the same magazine weekly 
上星期日出版的第3期《#愛家周報#》有@馬浚偉 的專訪【走過絕望的幽谷】

**********************
eta 2013-06-01
magscan by: Torrie_恩:2013-06-01 23:30Love Family Weekly 〈愛家周報〉 ~ 走過絕望的幽谷 
-- more-- pix below

Saturday, May 11, 2013

An old video Year 1995 年博愛歡樂傳萬家



Hahaha! All of them so young then.
Year 1995 年博愛歡樂傳萬家
Steven comes out @:58

Song medley:  Kowloon Hong Kong, 玖瑰玖瑰我愛你, 給我一個吻, 等者你回來, 夜來香, 不了情, 假正經, 歡樂今霄.

懷舊歌舞 - Steven Ma, Edmond Leung,William Soo, Amanda Lee, Anita Lee, Joyce Lee
梁漢文+蘇永康+馬浚偉+李惠敏+李婉華+李樂詩

source: cheukwahp @ youtube
*********************************************



1995 Anniversary Actors on skates.
Gray @郑伊健、red/white @孙耀威、orange/white@张智霖、red@陈浩民、gray/white squares @郑嘉颖、yellow@陈建颖、green/square@马浚伟、blue@谢天华、orange@陈小春、silver/white@朱永棠

Friday, May 10, 2013

Weibo May - why dedicate song to late mother?

 今天 02:01 Just received a friend's text asking:
"How come you dedicated a song to your late mom on Mother's Day? Isn't it inappropriate?"

Eh, what I want to say is this; my mom has passed away for 14 years, so for these 14 years I did not celebrate Mother's Day. But, every year on Mother's Day I would look at her photo and say "Happy Mother's Day!"  

Actually, even though on Mother's Day without mom, to me it is still a Mother's Day!  For each individual, how to celebrate and how to express?  To each their own ba! Friend, do you understand? There are lots of people without mothers, so allow me to express my feeling for my mom in my own way, ok?  Thank you! Happy Mother's Day!




TN: Personally, don't think Steven's song dedication is inappropriate at all. Steven's right, people should be allowed to celebrate Mother's Day they way they see fit.  Personally, I think Steven's dedication of song to his late mother as tribute and as remembrance is a most meaningful gesture of his 'gone but not forgotten' affirmation of his love for her - a son's love that is imbued with a promise that he and his mother will meet again someday in their Heavenly Father's home.  

Notice: Steven Ma Facebook page

Steven has opened an official facebook account. Do mosey over to say "hi" to him. Facebook link

This is "For Mother: Weary" promotion kit. Thank you, King Bakery, for their special cup cakes especially designed for Steven.  Also wants to thank both Stephen and Mick for handling the promotion. Here's wishing everybody a very happy Mother's Day in advance!![心]  Btw, 4th Brother's fb fan page is now open. Timely info on 4th Brother's upcoming schedules and events will be posted, so fans, do check it out. 


Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Translation: For Mother: Weary

Translation subject to revision.
Melody/lyrics:  2 Buffaloes
Music arranger/producer: Adky Wun
Singer: Steven Ma
Voiceover: Siu Gam Ji
Title: For Mother: Weary

Voiceover 1
So long you heart still misses mama, no matter where she is, she will always know.

Voiceover 2
Remember, so long you have this belief, the one you love, (you) will certainly meet again.

Though didn’t want to but still encountered, unwilling but had no choice
Had also tried desperately to calculate every single minute
*This moment both hands still warm, turn around, they weren't
Had said love you forever, unwaveringly in this lifetime

Listening to your most favorite record, that song is ever changing.
The leaves continue to fall; the stars broke apart; a bone-weariness no one comprehends. 
Studying the sepia photo, the sound of laughter as if at the ears.
The heart at this moment fills with doubt, don’t know what to do.

**I love you, you must know that always, unfortunately separated too far apart
Mired in pain eddy, who can accompany me I'm yet to find out.
I love you, you must always know that; even if ephemeral like snow
So long the heart has this yearning, you and I will surely meet again*

Reunited at His heavenly home, you and I will finally meet again.


NOTE:
Before I didn't quite know what to make of this sentence:  那片葉再下墮星也碎 
edited 5/12: But now I do. That phrase is a direct reference to the lyrics in Deanie Ip's "Weary". 

--- Chinese --

Monday, May 6, 2013

Steven's song dedication to his late mother

TN: I love this song and the way he sang it – like a child to his mother, quietly and directly from his heart – and the whole mv mood feels like a very personal and genuine 4 minute or so - a tribute also a remembrance, but most of all, a promise that they will meet again someday in heaven. Well done, Steven!



Do watch the mv on youtube to increase its hits count.
To promote the mv pls click the like button on truestarhongkong on youtube
screencap @weibo 土豆音乐-小筑
Viet sub karaoke video on youtube

馬浚偉新歌﹣給媽媽的「倦」Official MV
Steven Ma dedicated song to his late mother - "'Weary', dedicated to Mother".
The song, 'Weary'  by Deanie Ip is Steven's late mother's most favorite song when she was alive.









Upon viewing the mv, anyone has the urge to pick up the phone to call your mom, or with live with mom, to give her a big hug, or if mom has passed away, cried with sadness. Why hold back, give in to your urge. 

Steven Ma's debut as Director - MV

馬浚偉處男下海執導演筒
 on.cc 東方互動


A few days ago, artist Steven Ma made his directorial debut in directing his own music videos.  In preparation to release his music album next month, he at one go directed three mvs within 22 hours namely : 《給媽媽的倦》,《心照》and  《如願》giving him a taste of being a director. His new album will have 10 new songs with a bonus track Christian song.  Presently, he is in the process of recording the last three songs for his album.  Among the three mvs,  the song 《給媽媽的倦》is dedicated to his late mother who has passed away for 14 years. He says: "As an expression of my missing her, hope the song can also bring comfort to those who have also lost their mothers, to comfort their hearts at the same time mine too."

Steven says that the whole process was both tiring and stressful. He personally handled the whole process from groundwork preparation to location, to setting, positioning, lighting, to editing and all other post-production work. His hands-on  immersion reinforced to him that behind-the-scene work is indeed not easy.  He said: "First time as a director, my feeling is that one must be able to multi-task, be able to think on the feet while shooting, quite exhausting but also very exhilarating and very satisfying. The finished three mvs are right now being edited. I hope in the future I'll have the opportunity to shoot different mvs."


Steven jests that during the editing process as he sat there repetitively replaying every single shot, he had unconsciously taken the form of a fossilized statue with eyes unblinking, much like a dummy whose accupoints have been pushed. (tn: as in wuxia) During those times, the crew did not dare chat with him, actually he was only pondering on how to shoot the next scene.  Steven reveals that he will experience shooting a short film pretty soon. In fact, earlier this year he was invited by an investor to film a short film but in the end he rejected the offer. But now having experienced directing these three mvs, I'll take on directing a short film. "I've a few completed script at hand, ready for filming, I hope I've time to do it. But probably I will only direct because if direct and act, I worry I may encounter technique problems. Still undecided on that."

Songs inspired:
《給媽媽的倦》=late mother. "倦" by Deanie Ip  being his mother's most favorite song.
 《心照》=  friends
 《如願》 = Mandarin love song composed by Singaporean songwriter, 梁文福




related material link SM dedicated new song to late mother 
related news: singpao 馬浚偉懷念過世14年母親首次執導福音碟作歌拍MV