sentinel finale

lots of finale screencaps on baidu

I love this last shot.  Steven slightly resembles Chen Dao Ming in this garb.

To me, Dor Bo is a most pitiful character.
He once lived a pampered life thoroughly by parents and friends
He lost that life because he insisted on being a sentinel, and he will carry that cross forever.

He will be forever guilt ridden by:
His parents' death.
His 'birth' father's death
His best friends' death
Fred losing his arm.
He lost his love and his sister at the same time.
What man can stand such misfortune and still retain his mind and not go crazy with grief?

He lost his identity, who is he? Dor Bo? or 4th prince?
Where can he go to get away from his past? To escape his memories, to erase the guilt from inside?
Can he find peace ever again.
Will he ever be happy again?
Dor Bo is on pitiful character.
Be a monk seeking the spiritual meaning of life seems to be the only way for him to find a modicum of inner peace.

enlarged pix link

I find Dor Bo and Hao Chong's scene very touching. HC is regretful while DB is filled with inexpressible emotions facing his imperial grandmother. She is his grandmother yet she is also the most hated person to him. How to reconcile these conflicting feelings? Twisting and whirling in turmoil is the fact that had he listened to Weird Monk's advice he would/might have prevented the deaths of his parents and friends? All it takes is just one false step to topple down a set of dominoes of events..

Or are all these happening predestined from above? Are we all puppets of Destiny? Are we like Job of the bible?

Updated with audio: Notice: airing now Steven's interview with Tsui Yong Yong

Currently rebroadcasting Tsui Yong Yong's radio Cantonese Opera program channel 7 @ 11 pm HK time link 

Click on channel 7 to listen to their talk and their pre-recorded opera duet (long time ago) that Steven sang for the very first time. (per Tsui  今天 21:58)

-- Play 2 sub-songs from PITNOL
--- On the day his wedding scene with in PITNOL was scheduled he received news of his grandmother (mother's) death. He took off from the studio to pay his last respect to her but later went back to do the wedding scene. Under such circumstances had Steven asked to be excused from filming such a joyous scene, it would have been granted.

-- play Dai Lui Fa.

- Play an 'old' recording of Steven and Tsui's Cantonese Opera duet - Steven's first time singing opera. (with lots of spontaneous laughter)

jackielhy @ tudou upload

Steven as guest on Tai Wan Wai's culinary show

Tai Wan Wai 戴蘊慧「煮場真味」
Steven is her first guest on her new online culinary show commencing August 11 2014. To watch please download 壹週Plus app on cellphone to watch the show. Can you believe Ms. Tai is already 45 years old and a grandmother to her 23 year-old son's infant daughter to boot?

Episode 4

Episode 3
【煮場真味】馬仔自認｢老粗｣ 懷念媽媽拿手銀針粉 08/13/2014

Episode 2 

【煮場真味】戴蘊慧談乳名 馬仔合組「真威水」 08/12/2014

Episode 1

【煮場真味】戴蘊慧馬浚偉炮製夏日開胃涼菜 08/11/2014

Next Plus link

tudou-Jackielhy

Steven's heart condition - on marriage

 6/18/2013 orientaldaily.
oncity


Steven Ma's Heart Condition
心臟神經短路 馬浚偉：我隨時死

C= Leila Chow Mui Fung
S = Steven Ma

*********************************************
C= Heard you're going to release a music album soon.

S = Actually I entered the industry as a singer. I've already released 14 albums altogether! Before that I was first a textbook salesman and then a plastic materials salesman. During my spare time I entered all kinds of singing competitions, in all I competed 44 times to finally win the (3rd) Pioneer Championship in 1993, and thru it entered the music industry. This time around, I'll release a hi fi quality cd with 11 songs,  8 of which are Christians songs, and 5 composed and written by me.

C: Does your belief have anything to do with your mom?

(tn: I suspect the the paragraph below is a summary, not an actual verbatim quote from Steven. (Either summarized from the below audio clip of another interview, or summarized from Steven's words in this interview. )

S: After all that stuff my family went through, I decided to convert to Christianity five years ago.  I was six years old when my mom had cancer. I could not bear it (ng gam sum). I saw her relapsed (3 times); lost her sense of smell, her hearing, her vision, and her ability to eat. One time when having dinner together she suddenly spurted blood.  This kind of scene you would think could only happen in films.  My mom later passed away in 1999. A year later, my maternal grandmother also spurted blood in from of me, and she, too, passed away later (tn: 2002).  That night I even had to shoot a wedding scene. (tn: pitnol) And henceforth, I suffered wide mood swings.  Drank from day to night. Could cry only when drunk. (para 3) I myself have this heart abnormality whereby my nodes in the heart can suddenly short-circuit.  There was this one time when I played badminton and had forgotten to bring my meds along.  I passed out and almost died. 晕喺地、差啲死 But I will not because of this condition limit myself, I'll continue to shoot action scenes and scenes with wire assistance. ref: audio clip link

What Steven dislikes most is to be disturbed when he is working - even girlfriend, doesn't matter - he will not tolerate the distraction.  "When working, whether studying the script or writing the lyrics, better don't bother me, if disturb I'll get angry.  Whether girlfriend or friend, all should be mutually considerate of each other." Steven says that he is not scared that if married late he won't have the energy to bring up his child.  "Because I'm hyper, I don't need much sleep."

Earn Money to Marry Girlfriend
C: You've a chronic health problem and have lost someone, so how come still not ready to start your own family? You've a girlfriend ma! Still the same one in the red wine business, right?  How's your relationship with her now?

S: We've an understanding I won't talk too much about us.  For now, everything's fine.  Definitely want to start my own family plus I love children, but need the right timing. 

C: Women have time constraint conceiving a baby.

S: She and I, we share a common goal. Within a year or two we each can accomplish what we set out to accomplish. If all go according to plan, I think we will be very happy.

C: So have a plan already. In other words, you are sure your current girlfriend will be your marriage partner?

S: Either I don't get married at all or if I do, it will definitely be with her. Nowadays, my daily life consists basically of working 365 days, even my time with my girlfriend is limited. During the past 5 or 6 years I've been learning nonstop the behind-the-scene work such as cinematography, script writing, and editing. I hope that one day when I have a family I can make the transition of filming just a series a year, and spend the rest in either directing or script writing thus enabling me to have more control of my time with my daily life.

C: Actually why the wait to get married?

S: Well, I'm not someone who would get married twice, so must plan carefully all details.  Right now I live with my family, when I get married the family members will continue to live in the present apartment, I myself will move out to another in the same neighborhood.  My personality is such that I will not use a penny from a woman.

C: So, you won't allow your other half to help you with the mortgage?

S: Isn't it more impressive if I can buy the apartment all by myself? I admit my sense of responsibility is extremely strong.  For people I love I willingly shoulder all responsibility. When I marry a wife,  I would never use her money because during my growing years, my father was the sole breadwinner and my mom did not have to work outside. Even though I have 3 older sisters but since young, I made most of the decisions at home.  We have a monthly family get-together, and we now have 14 members in the family, I paid for every meal, the reason being it's a habit.  (tn: not only a habit but his wont to pick up the tabs because he has said on a radio interview he'd rather pay than have people paid for him. Hence, why how he paid for all the production wrap-up dinners.) Anyway for people I care about, I'm fine with it.

C: So, girlfriend did not protest?

S: I don't think the person who married me (spouse) can't accept that. She must not be petty with my family members or I'll get mad. (tn: Yaks! Definitely not easy to be Steven's wife. She's not only marrying him but his whole extended family too.)  But then again, I treat her family members like they are mine.  During her mother's birthday I bought a good quality gold piece for her as present. My whole family has never fought over money.  Anyone with financial problem I'd write her a check. (tn: What a brother!)

C: When you have financial problem,would you family members help you out willingly too?

S: I'm fortunate there's no such need because I only would dare to spend $3 out of $10 that I earn. 

Anticipation will only lead to Disappointment
C: Last year, you prematurely terminated your contract with TVB, were you very unhappy?

S: Our work ideals were not on the same wavelength. There was stuff I wanted to attempt but the company was against it. After maintaining the status quo for a period of time I finally decided to temporary leave.  Although I would miss the company my mood was light.

C: You've won TVB most favorite tv male character awards many times but always don't have the fate with the tv king throne,  有冇唔甘心？

S:  Siu la! (Forget it lah!) Honestly, nobody would mind getting crowned. But if I hold out expectations I'll be only disappointed again and again. If you ask me if I want to have an award, of course, but in the end I don't have any.  I can't control that.  I'm not that angry.   If it is my time to have it then I'll get it. If I never get one but the general public think I deserve one, I'll be most happy.  Never ever shoot a series in hope of getting an award. If think this way, will be painful!

C: So, currently shooting a tvb series ? 

S: Yes, Signed only 1-series-per-year contract. (Tn: Did Steven sign one-series-per-year contract, or did he just sign the contract for just this one series and that's it?) After this series, will return to Beijing to shoot a movie, and later shoot a mainland tv series, and after that will do a series of mini tours. For now, not interested in signing a long term contract.

Afterword
Steven in Leila Chow's eyes -  a promising young man.
I first met Steven many years ago.  When I first met he was already very polite, "Mui Fung jie" here and "Mui Fung jie" there.  He impressed me as a very promising young man and very sincere!  To set up this interview I talked to Steven many times over the phone, and every time he was very warm, and also that he means what he says, as well as follow through with his words.

During the interview, maybe because we are both Chew Chou we got along very well.  Steven has the special characteristics of Chew Chou men, not the rough and coarse kind of benignant Chew Chou men but a gentle, considerate and refined good man who takes his commitment seriously.  I truly believe that Steven will cherish his other half, and I hope they can get married soon. Don't forget to invite at that time!

--- pix below--
first published 6/18/13 11:11 AM

Follow-up report by a different reporter.
secondary source
baidu
不說不知，原來馬仔有收藏名錶及玉器的嗜好，「買錶太嘥錢，依家買少咗，我好鍾意歷史文物，收藏和田白玉及翡翠，仲有三塊豬油膏咁嘅紫光玉，我唔玩車，儲夠錢只會買樓，起碼將來有瓦遮頭。」馬仔任銷售時因應酬需要飲茅台等烈酒，練就如酒筲箕般的酒量，「三支紅酒、半支威士忌、兩打啤酒，是但一樣都隊我唔冧！偶爾有工作壓力，想有少少微醺，但飲極都唔醉，好彩仲有個方法，就係飲香檳！飲少少香檳我就會醉！」

pix above @ news articles
pix below @ news columnist weibo @周美凤leila weibo May 10 2013 18:22
See the changes in her blouse.  lol at Steven's leopard spots outfit and 'matching shoes'.
Wow! The news report took more than a month to be published.

credit: SM HK Fanclub weibo 今天09:18

（「公關界女強人」周美鳳（Lelia）港姐出身、從事公關行業多年，公認為有拼勁及魄力的事業型女性，深得城中名人明星及各大品牌愛戴信任；近年更致力推動慈善工作，回饋社會。敢言而有義氣的她、相識滿天下，主持欄目【鳳旨要講】，奉旨講盡娛圈名流趣聞軼事。）

本周嘉賓馬浚偉（馬仔），自揭身患惡疾，一旦復發，性命堪虞；以及四度獲頒無綫「我最喜愛的電視男角色」獎，卻與視帝獎項無緣的感想。

周：周美鳳 馬：馬浚偉

周：聽聞你即將出唱片。

馬：其實我唱歌入行，我出咗十四隻唱片㗎嘞！我入行前賣教科書同塑膠原料，一有空餘就參加歌唱比賽，前後參加咗44次，到我93年參加先鋒歌唱比賽終於驘咗入行，今次推出有十一隻歌的發燒碟，裏面有八首福音歌，五首係我創作。

周：信仰同媽媽過身有關？

馬：經歷屋企咁多嘅事之後，我5年前決志信基督教，我6歲嗰年媽媽已經患癌，我好唔甘心，睇住佢復發，失去嗅覺、聽覺、視覺，食唔到嘢，有一次食食吓飯，媽媽噴血，呢啲畫面你以為拍戲先有，媽媽最終喺99年過身，一年後，到我外婆，又喺我面前噴血，之後仲過埋身，當晚我仲要拍結婚戲。之後我就有情緒病，每日飲酒飲天光，飲醉就喊，我本身心臟有神經線短路問題，有次打羽毛球，唔記得帶藥，暈喺地、差啲死，但我唔會因為呢個病而限制自己，照拍武打戲、照吊威吔

馬仔最怕工作時被打擾，就算女友一樣冇情講，「做緊嘢，不論睇劇本定寫歌，任何人都最好唔好煩我，打斷我我會嬲，情侶又好、朋友又好，應該互相體諒。」馬仔笑言不怕遲婚將來沒精力陪伴兒女成長，「因為我過度活躍，唔使點瞓。」

賺錢娶女友
周：身體有小毛病，見過生離死別，仲會唔會憧憬組織家庭？你有女朋友㗎嘛！仲係代理紅酒嗰個？同女朋友現時關係點？

馬：我同佢有共識唔講咁多，暫時一切安好，絕對希望組織家庭，亦好鍾意小朋友，但真係要睇時機。

周：女人生仔有時限喎！

馬：我同佢（女友）有共同目標，希望一、兩年內各自完成自己嘅部分，如果一切如願，我諗我哋會好幸福。

周：有晒計劃，換言之，現時女朋友係結婚對象？

馬：我一係唔結婚，如果結，都一定係佢。我依家一年365日每日基本上為工作而生活，就算見女朋友的時間都好少，過去五、六年，我不停學攝影、寫劇本、剪接有關幕後嘅嘢，就係希望將來有一日，有家庭的時候，適當地轉型，一年只拍一套戲，其餘時間做導演、寫劇本，容許生活上多啲時間調動。

周：其實唔結婚仲等咩？

馬：我諗我唔會係有兩次婚姻嘅人，所以要計劃得好仔細，我同屋企人一齊住，第時成家，現居都係留俾屋企人，自己搬出去；最起碼要有一個同住的地方，我嘅性格係唔會使女人一毫子。

周：即係你唔接受另一半一齊供樓？

馬：我買得起唔係威啲咩？我自問責任心好強，我錫嘅人我會願意一力承擔，我要娶老婆，我從來冇諗過佢要用一毫子，因為我由細到大，就係阿爸賺錢，阿媽唔使工作，我雖然有三個家姐，但自細屋企好多嘢已經係我決定，每個月家庭聚會，依家發展到有14個家庭成員，每餐飯，都係我俾錢，原因係我習慣咗，而且只要係我錫嘅人，我真係冇所謂。

周：女朋友有冇投訴？

馬：我唔相信同我結婚嘅人會唔接受，千祈唔好同我屋企人計較，否則我一定反枱！調番轉我對佢屋企人都一樣，佢媽咪生日我照樣買嚿好靚嘅金送禮。我一家人從來未為錢嗌過交，邊個有經濟問題，我就開支票俾佢。

周：你有經濟問題，屋企人係咪都會義不容辭幫忙？

馬：慶幸冇咁嘅需要，因為我賺十蚊只係夠膽用三蚊。

期望只會失望

周：去年提前同無綫解約，係咪好唔開心？

馬：當時工作上理念唔一致，有啲嘢我想試，但公司話唔好，維持咗一段時間，最後我決定暫時離開，離開嘅時候雖然唔捨得，但心情好輕鬆。

周：你攞過多次無綫「最喜愛電視角色」獎，但總係與視帝寶座無緣，有冇唔甘心？

馬：算啦！問心，冇人唔鍾意加冕，如果我抱期望，就只會失望連連，你問我想唔想有獎，想有，但最終冇，是但啦，自己都控制唔到，我冇乜嬲怒，應該係我嘅時候就係我，或者我攞唔到，但觀眾認為我值得攞，我就最開心，千祈唔好為攞獎而拍戲，咁諗，會好痛苦！

周：最近再為無綫拍劇？

馬：係，部頭約簽一部，拍完就再返大陸，先喺北京拍部電影，再拍國內電視劇，之後巡迴幾個地方唱歌，暫時冇諗住再簽長約。

後記：周美鳳眼中的馬浚偉—有為青年

多年前我在某電台初次偶遇馬仔，第一次見佢已經好客氣，「美鳳姐」前、「美鳳姐」後的稱呼我，俾我感覺係有為青年、好信得過！

為約今次訪問，我同馬仔三番四次通電話，每次佢都好親切，更覺佢為人說一不二，兼好有交帶。

訪問傾談中，發現大家都係潮州人，可能因為同聲同氣，特別啱傾。馬仔有潮州男人的特質，但絕非粗獷型潮州怒漢，而係溫文、體貼、細膩、有承擔的好男人，我深信馬仔會好錫佢的另一半，希望佢快啲結婚，到時記得請我飲！

不說不知，原來馬仔有收藏名錶及玉器的嗜好，「買錶太嘥錢，依家買少咗，我好鍾意歷史文物，收藏和田白玉及翡翠，仲有三塊豬油膏咁嘅紫光玉，我唔玩車，儲夠錢只會買樓，起碼將來有瓦遮頭。」馬仔任銷售時因應酬需要飲茅台等烈酒，練就如酒筲箕般的酒量，「三支紅酒、半支威士忌、兩打啤酒，是但一樣都隊我唔冧！偶爾有工作壓力，想有少少微醺，但飲極都唔醉，好彩仲有個方法，就係飲香檳！飲少少香檳我就會醉！」

馬浚偉打波心臟病發

馬浚偉日前透露患有心臟神經短路，記者昨日致電求證，他坦言有此病已八年，期間亦曾多次病發，對上一次是三個月前跟朋友打波時，而且剛巧沒有帶藥，他躺在地上嚇親朋友，家人及同事亦知他有此病，馬浚偉說：「其實我每日都有帶藥喺身，依家身邊啲同事都會幫我袋定啲藥，病發時心跳隨時會超過170次，犀利到成個人都會跳。」問到會否有生命危險？他指家庭醫生指心跳到暴斃只有萬分之一機會，所以他不當是甚麼一回事。

Sentinel Review By llsmusings

Review by llwy12 @ llsmusings.blogspot

llwy12's comments on Sentinel:
Steven did brilliantly here, my favorite scenes are many: 1) his adoptive parents’ suicide, 2) his torture scenes with his demonic stare of defiance, bravado smirks, his hoarse voice ominously uttering his threats, and his fatigue and pain from torture. 3) ending, when he wearily walks out of palace hall slowly unbuttoning his imperial robe and letting it drop onto the floor. That exhaustion of mind and body was so well performed. 4) taking center stage in the ending 5) all his scenes with is his parents, monk, and father and most with Kenneth including the flag dance. And much more.

Edited: April 6 2014 WE! Talk Channel

eta: Scroll down to the last video for transcript on Steven's conversion to Christianity.
note: From Steven's outfit, this interview is a very outdated interview taken around 2013 Mother's Day event.  Btw, Steven looks really good in vids.  Basically, he is repeating what he said in this 'footprints' radio interview -- except now we have the treat of watching him on video.  Goto youtube link1, link2, link3 to watch him on a hd 1080p resolution.  So envious that Steven's flawless complexion can withstand the scrutiny of extreme close ups - how amazing is that? And he's dressed so colorfully - haha!

WE! Talk 第一集 - 馬浚偉-十年.音樂
about his new music album


第二集 - 馬浚偉-自責.打擊
talks about his mother's last surgery and his lingering guilt that he 'pushed' her to take the surgery.
Similar to this radio interview on his late mother -- Footprints - transcript



WE! Talk 第三集 - 馬浚偉-難關.釋懷  Adversities. Steven's letting go
Segment on sister's Christian faith during SARS and how she dealt with their mother's death.



WE Channel @ youtube

Verbatim transcript

S: At that time I was very angry. I felt no one can help me, only that God was being too much (unfair). She (sister) said  Don’t worry, God will help you. When I heard that I had goose bumps. God gives you such powerful strength? Honestly, it (her speech) did not help me at the time. I did not believe in Christ then. My mother passing away subsequently afflicted me with a mood disorder. A year or so later, my maternal grandmother passed away and then came my younger sister being diagnosed with cancer.  And then my other sister because of pregnancy complications had problems too. So a successive series of problems bombarded me one after another, ultimately making me a total wreck. (tn: his and Sonija Kwok's scandal only added to his accumulated stress)

My older sister(s) (jie jie) and younger sister (mui) are Christians. At the time I was surprised at how differently they handled their problems vs mine. At the time, I said: (tn: to God)  ‘What’s wrong with you? (yao mou gau co?) You (God) don’t have to oppress me this much wo?’  But whether it’s my younger sister, (she herself has cancer but is still very positive) or my jie jie, she’s literally being poisoned (tn: edema?); there she was lying unconsciousness, her body swelled up as if being pumped full with air, and then her unborn child suddenly lost audible heat beats so immediately had to do a cesarean surgery to get the baby out. I collapsed. (tn: her son subsequently born mentally impaired)

And I still had to film a series at the same time. I was filled with rage;  I felt no one could help me; that God was being so unjust. And then came SARS (2003) when God gave me the first signal. My 2nd sister is a nurse. During the SARS period, the medical field workers were worried and their families also worried for them, and maybe they themselves were also feeling the stress so many of them declined to work.  Even watching the TV news made me scared too. So I said to my sister, why not skip work? What if you were infected, what would you do? But my sister said this to me: “Steven, think what if you or father suddenly got infected with SARS, but us nurses and doctors all fled, who’s going to treat you?" I was struck dumb. I did not know how to counter her. And then she said:  "Don’t worry, God will watch over me. He will give me strength." When I heard it I immediately had goose bumps. I thought to myself, God gave such powerful strength to you? How come you can always tell me that God would do this and God would do that. Even when my mother died my 2nd sister though of course was heartbroken was calm, she comforted me that mother was now in the heavenly home. I told her don’t talk to me of such things. This incident (SARS) was a big breakthrough, and thereafter I began to see God’s hands on little things.

But it wasn’t until 5 years ago (2007?) that I truly opened up my heart to Him. But since 2003 SARS henceforth there were many little things, be they family or outside, that there were many little angels were by my side.  Christ’s most profound power was changing my attitude and my mindset. What He gradually instilled in me was this sense of comfort. Henceforth, whatever problems or setbacks or adversity, I like to treat them as a blessing in disguise. I persistently tell myself or those with me when confronted with a problem, or a challenge, or a setback, or a hurt; I would treat it as a blessing in disguise. Tested, went through, subsequently it’s a xxx (?3:53)

First off, I also like this one aspect of Christ whereby on that day He forgave us, He said: "Just treat it like they did not know they were wrong; they did not know they did wrong." So in real life, would I point out a person’s transgression to him/her, I would. View from a different perspective, maybe that person is facing problems that I don’t know about, I apply the message of Christ that most touched me - that He forgave us and took over the burden on our behalves because we did not know we were wrong. Of course there’s no way I can do it as well as Christ but I’ll lean towards this perspective to view the situation. Actually even before I became a Christian, I had hoped that there were less extreme or negative dissemination of messages (tn: in films?). But as actor, one shouldn’t be that way. But as to how it (Christian) affects my acting career I’m truly grateful to Christ for this one thing which is, I can slowly let go; no more burdens. Actually not having burdens to me is very important. So this is a very big blessing from Christ so that I can be very relax and very professional in expressing what I want to express myself as an actor, a singer, or any stage performances. Success or failure, gains or losses, truly don’t think about it. Even releasing this album: wai, are you worried about your songs, or maybe when my series is airing, ai, what’s there to worry about? Put everything in God’s hands. So long you did the proper process, that’s enough. It all depends on how serious you were during the process, and that you did your best during the process; don’t worry about the result. Something when God wants you to do you will willingly do it. Something that God does not want you to do as to even arrange very inexplicable happenings xxxx (5:50) so instead I become light-hearted.

Steven's interview on Pastor Lam's radio talk show

credit wong.helena86 for the audio clips used in my video 

Steven's interview
In addition to the below news report here's a quick summary of the hour long interview.
The interview started with small talks on Steven's recent tvb series, Storm in a Cocoon.  Steven confirms that Poon Ka Yeung did indeed remember Bing Bing.  The talk segues into his nose injury during SIAC filming. When injured Steven's instant reaction was that at least it wasn't his eye that got hurt (because of his old eye injury in 2006), and his 2nd reaction was to ask for a mirror to look at his nose.  As actor, Steven was naturally concerned how the injury would affect his facial appearance. When teased by Pastor Lam that the nose injury at least proved that Steven's nose is natural, the latter is quick to assert that his facial features as well as his whole body are all natural, totally devoid of any plastic surgery or enhancement shots of any kind.

at 11:17 Retelling his mother's cancer; how her fight with cancer totally influenced his mind and attitude and his lifestyle. (turning him into a homebody taking care of his mother) He says his father not only took care of him and sisters but also his sick wife.  Steven says besides his mother he is also greatly influenced by his dad's belief and conduct.  Since his mom has passed away for so many years now, Steven has told his dad that if he wants to find a partner to share his life with, it is ok with Steven and his siblings but Steven knows his dad won't find another woman to replace Steven's mom. Steven still recalls the image of his sick mother holding onto his father's arm slowly walking down a pavement - that was a picture of 'in health and in sickness' of a couple who loved each other  'till death do we part' for life love.  But men of Steven's dad's caliber are hard to come by these days - father who was the sole breadwinner to his family of seven and who stood by his sick wife thru good times and bad times until her death, and even now remains unmarried.

Because of all the health problems that befell on his family from his mother's cancer to his grandmother's passing away a year later to his second sister's having a problematic birth delivery that almost caused his nephew his life to his 2nd sister diagnosed with breast cancer, Steven was angry at God and Heaven, and everything else. What use is God if he is so merciless and cruel?  Steven's emotional and mental anguish greatly impacted his thinking and his conduct. So, why did he change his thinking and embrace Christianity?

Though Cherish2 unlike its predecessor, Cherish, is not a Christian music album it is imbued with Jesus' teachings on love. The songs have their own respective love theme inspired by the various kinds of love between people  - romantic love (I'm getting married), sibling love (Platonic love), familial love (father's love), altruistic love etc than universal love of God for his people.

songs played: Platonic love;  I'm getting married.

The below report is extracted and loosely paraphrased from: metrodaily May 2nd 2014
Gist: Steven is well acquainted with health issues because of his late mom's 22-year battle against cancer to which she finally succumb to.  Even as his mother's illness raged furiously, seriously weakening her health and intensifying her pain and suffering so did Steven becoming more and more withdrawn during that period.  Because of his need to take care of his mother Steven said during that period he was even more homebody than a homeboy. (宅男) His daily living was simple -- work--take care of mom (home or hospital)--work.


Steven also talks about how his father stuck by his mom (Steven's) thru thick and thin all those years, and his attitude and conduct in turn greatly influenced Steven's own views on love.  "It's him who taught me what responsibility is, what 'for life' is, and what "till death do we part" is.


Steven talks about how he started work at an early age to lessen his dad's financial burden on taking care of his family.  Steven is truly a filial son. 

**************************************
-- notice announcement --
Saturday May 3 2014.  Steven will be on Pastor Enoch Lam (林以諾)'s CRHK Sound of Silence 《靜默的革命》to talk about his parents. (most probably a pre-recorded interview rather than a real time live interview) The program's air time is from 11 pm to 2 am (interrupted by a news bulletin from 12 am - 12:30 am), not sure at what time Steven will be on air for the interview. Go here for instructions on how to listen to the program live.

read related materials under the category: steven's mother ; steven's father;
or search mother, father in the blog.

Updated: Complete -- The Earnest Trio: Steven Ma, Helen Ma and Lam King Kong

source: TVB Weekly edition 868 2014【有情歲月Beloved】《認真三人組》


Steven Ma, Helen Ma and Lam King Kong (林敬剛), these three seemingly very different people are actually very similar in character, especially in their work ethics.  Their passion for acting and their maturation backgrounds make them value an “actor’s ethics”; towards indifferent actors, whether lead or temp, they will indiscriminately reproached them for their misconduct. Conversely, towards earnest actors they encountered they show appreciation; for instance like Linda Chung, Fala Chen amd Tavia Yeung after respective collaborations with Steven all became his “younger sisters” because of their professional and enthusiastic attitudes towards their work.

Steven’s affinity with Helen ma came out of their numerous mother-son relationships in their series. However, Steven and King Kong actually started off on the wrong foot with mutual dislike of each other. It was only later when their mutual dislike gradually turned to mutual appreciation, thereafter becoming bosom pals.

Steven: Helen ma and I first met at the set of  “The Return of the Cuckoo”. (tn:1999)

Helen: Thereafter we've collaborated in many other series such as: “The Journey of Life”, “Safeguards”, “The Life and Times of a Sentinel” etc.. plus we often acted as mother and son in the series.

Lam: I grew up watching Helen ma’s tv series. I became good friends with Steven in “Where the Legend Begins”.  Before that we knew each other but only casually as colleagues. 

Steven: I once thought that King Kong was very bossy; very unlikable. I didn't want to have anything to do with him at all. But later when we filmed WTLB, I noticed that he was always puncture to work and also always well-prepared for his work. I appreciated those traits in him. 

Lam: Once we started talking we found out we both grew up in Shek Kip Mei (石硤尾) public housing. The more we chatted the more we hit it off, and before long we became good friends. 

Helen: If we work in the same series we always eat together after work. When production is done, Steven likes to treat everybody to a production wrap-up celebration dinner.  And if the series ratings are good he would also treat everybody to dinner.  He is very generous to other people; also he truly cherishes the two months of filming a series together. 

Lam: Like last year August while filming “Storm in a Cocoon” at Foshan, one night Steven and I after dinner went to have a drink and chat when he suddenly found out that some martial arts instructors from the north (mainland) would be leaving the set the next day.  Even though at the time they were at another place having late night snacks Steven immediately hurried over there to drink with them as a thank you gesture for their help.  Actually we were together for ten days or so, but he still cherished their work relationship. 

Steven: During that duration the daily temperatures were hovering 30 + Celsius, they had to do many action scenes, and also be my stunt double; very grueling. So, must thank them for their help.

Lam: That period was truly very tough ah! Sometimes when shooting outdoor scenes, Helen ma stood by my side and I would fan her to cool her down.  Because she could only take care of shading herself from the sun but unable to fan herself.  

Helen: Because of the heat, we all chipped in money to buy cold sodas daily to cool down. 

Steven: Sometimes couldn't just depend on cold sodas to cool down so when I knew there would be an outdoor scene shoot on a certain day, the night before, during dinner I would prepay the restaurant owner to make some herbal tea such as “ha gu chao” or “turnips & red carrots soup, stuff like that (tn: food/herbs with cooling properties) for the production troupe. 

Helen: Steven knows how to take care of people, and  he's also a well-mannered person.  He would always greet me daily as Helen ma (媽) but then many colleagues also called me Helen ma (媽)(Chinese pun: her surname Ma (馬)rhymes with mama(媽))

----Updated--- Feb 9 2014
As Steven’s ‘mommy’ and ‘brother’, respectively, plus the fact that Helen is already a grandmother and King Kong has been a dad two years ago, they are naturally very concern of Steven’s biggest event in life (marriage) and so they are always admonishing him.

Steven: Helen ma is really like a mother
Helen: I’ll admonish him.
Steven: Sometimes she’s very nagging
Helen: I always told him: “Son, don’t be too straightforward.”

Steven: Because in “The Link of Temptations”, Johnson Lee and I portrayed Helen ma’s sons. She tells Johnson not to have too many romantic rumors but to me she tells me to have more romantic rumors.   Sometimes she would go this roundabout route and ask me: “How have you been lately? As person, don’t be too unyielding lo.” And then, go for the kill: “Wei, time for you to get married!”    

Lam: You too? I also always said that to Steven. Sometimes I said to him: Chew Chao choleric man (潮州怒漢) don’t be such a chauvinist male. You can’t find a girlfriend that way.”

Helen: He wants his girlfriend to be very appreciative of him.  Must listen attentively to what he says. It’s fine at first but after a long while, will find him quite nagging lo. 

Steven: I disagree that is the case wo.  You all say I’m a chauvinist male, that's why I not only take care of my girlfriend and family members; it's just that I'm so used to taking care of people.  

Helen: Anyway, when he talks you must listen lo.

Steven: What I said make sense.

Lam: Sometimes I also asked him: “How are you, and how's that 'certain person'?”

Steven: Wei, enough, enough! Let's stop it right now.  Hahaha!

Lam: Steven does not tell me much about his love relationship.  The conversation between us men is terse.  I‘ll only say this to him: “Don’t be a male chauvinist ”. (大男人) And he immediately feels the concern from this brother of his.  Towards his love relationship I never probed.  

Where there are people there will be gossips.  Steven, Helen ma and King Kong all truly believe that “those who tell you a gossip tidbit are themselves  gossip mongers.”; they truly disdain people who purposefully spread gossips and rumors everywhere.

Steven: Our genuine friendship is that if one day I tell them that someone is bullying me, they will not blindly confront that person but will first help me analyze the situation. If it is truly someone’s fault they will unhesitatingly stand up for me.  There’s this one time whereby someone mistreated King Kong and when I saw that person I directly asked him: “Why did you treat King Kong that way?” 

Helen: With Steven and King Kong, I’ll speak bluntly.  Like how I advise Steven not to be too “straightforward” to avoid offending people.  I tell King King if he cherishes his daughter he should quit smoking.  I’ll not because of our close friendship purposely overlook the situation and tolerate their flaws.

Lam: Actually, Steven’s  ‘straight' ’ talks are mostly for me.  He usually does not speak so straightforwardly to other people. 

Steven: Since entering this industry I dare to say that I have never cheated anybody, never exploited anybody, and definitely never stabbed anybody on his/her back.  Sometimes there are rumors like maybe someone would say something bad about King Kong, I knew that person was just stirring up gossip, so one ear in one ear out.  If I had doubts I would directly ask King Kong for verification.  

Lam: If some people talk bad about Steven to me, I immediately stop them:  “Steven and I are good friends. Wait for me to leave, then continue.”  Because I worry I might confront them after listening.

Helen: I also don’t listen to people gossiping about my friends because I don’t want to rebut after listening. 

Lam: Two phrases: “Those who tell you gossips; they are the gossip mongers.”

Steven:  That’s so true. So, whenever a person wanting to talk about someone behind his/her back to me,  I’ll tell that person to stop; unless you dare to say the same words in his/her presence.  I feel that as a person one should have this kind of open and fair integrity; only then can have true friends.  

Many people misled by Steven’s outer appearance thought that he is a pliant and accommodating Mr. Nice Guy but in actuality Steven is someone who chooses the good and adheres to it. (擇善固執) and it turns out that Helen ma and King Kong are also this kind of righteous friends.

Helen: Steven is honest and upfront with people, but not everybody can accept that.  However, I’m on his side like for instance when we have to film an emotion scene. Everybody goes inside the studio to quietly build up the necessary emotion, if at this time some people talk and laugh, Steven would speak up:  “We are going to shoot an emotion scene, can you all please keep it down?”

Steven: I won’t be impolite but I will be very firm. Because I feel that we all need to respect each and every scene.  If some people feel they can’t be serious with their scripts, or be serious in shooting a scene well, or when inside the studio still want to play with their cellphones, then they should not be an actor. 

Lam: Steven is not someone who just randomly faults everything; basically he only dislikes actors who do not take their work seriously.  

Steven: It's just that I feel punctuality and taking your work seriously should be a must.  Like you two have gone through the Shaw era, the radio broadcasting era, were they not that way? When I filmed "File of Justice",  Bobby Ouyang, Lawrence Ng and Bowie Lam, all these main leads, they all took their scripts seriously so that when the camera rolled often it only took one take to be ok.  At the time even when I had only one speaking line I still stayed back in the studio to observe other people's acting. That was how I got my training. Presently, when I filmed a mainland tv series, the director sometimes would find another person to take my place for lighting adjusting but I always insisted on doing the lighting with the lighting technician.  And to think that there were actually people praising me for that. But really that’s how it should be.  People have different heights, different facial contours, even the skin colors are different, if use a body double how can the lighting effect be accurate?  When I film a mainland tv series, I rely on my work experiences and training in TVB. They (mainland people) are all very appreciative. 

Helen: During the Shaw era we followed Mr. Shaw to shoot outdoor scenes.  Shaw Lo Ban always arrived 10 minutes ahead of the scheduled departure.  We as the employees naturally arrived 5 minutes ahead of his arrival.  At the time, I felt I wasn’t clever like Shaw Lo Ban, so at the least I should learn from him to be punctual. 

Lam: I entered the industry in 1989 to film a movie with Danny Lee (李修賢). He’s also started off in Shaw so he imparted in us the Shaw actor’s ethics.  When I saw someone being late I would speak up. 

Steven: I’ve seen King Kong confronted even the main leads. We three are birds of a feather flock together.  We won’t randomly cause trouble, if that were the case people would dislike you.  But if we see something unjust or improper, we won’t because of being afraid to offend people let the situation slide. Using an ancient saying: we dare to speak our minds honestly in the face of power.  不畏權貴

enlarged weibo links: link1, link2, link3, link4,
source: cat7115_yeah---惡魔貓貓 2014-02-08 07:06

other related materials:
related video helen ma
related radio Circles lam kin kong from foe to friend

makeup artist: FB- RickyKAZAF

Revised: "If" poem in relation to Steven

Bumped up for readers interested in Steven, the man, encapsulated.
Somehow, the mention of Steven's weaknesses 2009AF discussion  AF post#1718;  #1720;  #1721; #1723 ; #1753 had me recalling Rudyard Kipling's IF poem on what a real man should be. So upon refreshing my memory of it, I was intrigued to see how it relates to Steven. Below is my naturally biased summation. (First penned in AF# 1726 8/22/2009   reposted here 10/16/2010; updated April 5 2014)

1st stanza

IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

Those of us who follow Steven’s news know that his career path is anything but smooth, even now its ride is bumpy. From the onset, his first foray into the entertainment industry was launched from a negative starting point, unlike his peers' which took off from ‘ground zero’ as newbie. His company promotional slogan, "He’s not Hok-Yau (Jacky Cheung); he’s not Lai-Ming (Leon Lai); he’s not Hak Kan (Hacken Lee); he’s Ma Chun Wai (Steven)" backfired invoking instead the ire of the popular HK heavenly kings' fans respectively.   He was young then and innocent, only 22 years of age, full of ideas and ideals, and had yet to learn the true trade of a consummate entertainer; that of balancing the inner self vs the public persona. Thus his private self tussled with his public persona; his ideals struggled with the demands of reality; his innate integrity grappled with the hypocrisy of showbiz. During Steven’s 3 years of ‘initiation’, Doubt reigned supreme in him, having driven Confidence to the darkest recess of his being. It cast fears on Steven in his ability to perform as a  performer singer.  "A somber person like me standing on stage with fingers raised in victory, acting cute and naive; I would not be able to stand it,  neither, I believe, would the audience." With Confidence so imprisoned, Steven was at the mercy of Doubt’s insidious whisperings. He was ready to quit, until a helping hand rescued Confidence from its confinement, and subsequently lit a new path for it to discover new heights. To these days, Steven still feels indebted to his mentor, Catherine Tsang, and openly called himself Zhan Jie’s lead horse until the media arbitrarily put him in Stephen Chan party (2010), and that's that. (tn: SM: What party do I belong to?) When he had doubted himself, Ms. Tsang was there to inject him with confidence serum.

Steven Ma's Testimony to Christ 2012 Nov 2

video with transcript - Ascribing his sisters' strong faith for his own conversion to Christianity

Life’s Anxiety and Security – Steven Ma
It has been two years since our last interview with well known artist, Steven Ma. In this interview, this reporter took advantage of this opportunity to have Steven shared some hitherto unpublicized personal experiences and feelings. Hence, through this magazine Steven reveals publicly for the first time his conversion journey to Christianity.

In his 20 odd years of taking care of his cancer late mother since very young, Steven's life was filled with all kinds of anxieties including suffering depression from losing his mother in 1999.

But now he finds much security in his faith, and a rationale reason for gratitude on death.

When friends found out that I was going to interview Steven soon, all asked me this very same question: “Isn’t Steven a Buddhist?”

 Let Steven himself respond to the question: “Since young I attended Catholic schools. When I grew up I was an atheist all along. But many people thought I believed in Kun Yam (Chinese Goddess of Mercy); actually they misconstrued. Even my mother when alive was not a believer of Kun Yam, just that she was very fond of Kun Yam’s countenance so collected Kun Yam figurines as an art collection. So whenever I was outstation for work, I always bought a Kun Yam souvenir for my mother. At that time, the house was filled with Kun Yam souvenirs so friends thought we believed in Kun Yam. Actually we weren’t.”

SARS Evinced the Fearlessness of Doctors
When Steven was six years old, his mother unfortunately was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal (nose-throat) cancer. At junior high, Steven had already shouldered the care-taking responsibility of his mother. Having to tackle and resolve problems at such young age on his own cultivated his ‘believe in myself’ personality, therefore, he had never felt the need to follow any religious faith, until the year of SARS when his Christian 2nd older sister uttered a statement that changed his whole outlook on life.

“My 2nd older sister and 2nd brother-in-law are devout Christians. 2nd sister is a nurse while 2nd brother-in-law is a physical therapist. 2nd sister, of course, had hoped that I would one day believe in Christ but they rarely imposed their faith on me. The first time I was moved by their faith would have to be back in 2003, the year of SARS. At the time the situation was truly dire, many doctors and nurses couldn't endure it so one after another left the hospital. But of course, there were many who willingly stayed back, and some of them even contacted SARS and unfortunately died from it. When I saw how dangerous the epidemic was, I became panicky and called up my 2nd sister who was on duty that day.”

Steven said to 2nd sister: “Don’t work today. If something happens to you, what am I to do?”

Listening to her younger brother who loved her deeply, she replied: “My faith will support me.”

Steven’s voice became agitated, he said: “That’s not enough wo! Dr. Tse Yuen Yee was also a Christian but she was infected anyway. I’m not asking you for anything but at this moment would you at least let me as your younger brother be a bit selfish?”

2nd sister solemnly said to her younger brother: “Steven, if everybody thinks like you then every medical personnel would listen to his/her family member and leave the hospital. If one day you contacted SARS, or that father was infected with SARS, then who would take care of you both?”

At hearing his 2nd sister’s response Steven instantly got goose bumps; fighting back anxiety he said no more.

Steven said: “She said: “This inner strength came from God, it made me reflect deeply on my faith, which is the spirit of self-sacrificing for others."  At that moment, I didn’t know how to change her mind because she had a valid justification.”

Felt God’s Son’s Love in Movie
In 2004, the movie, The Passion of Christ, by renowned Hollywood actor, Mel Gibson, finally got on the silver screen.The movie depicts the last twelve hours of Jesus Christ’s tribulations before he died. The cast used Latin, Hebrew, and Aramaic (Jesus’ mother tongue) in their dialogs, effectively drawing the audience into the scenes as if they were personally experiencing  the whole drama.  Audiences all over the world were deeply moved.

He said: “One day I rented the movie home to watch. When I saw Jesus betrayed, saw him carrying the cross making the painful trek, and being crucified on the cross, my tears flowed unbidden. The movie depicted these scenes very realistically, and moreover, the actor portraying Jesus truly matched the image of Jesus in my heart. At the time I did not believe in Christ yet. As I watched I thought: “For real somebody truly went through all this? So pitiful! There is truly such a person (Jesus)?” If that is true then it is not just a movie but something that has a direct relationship with my life, because a real person actually sacrificed himself to wash over the worldly sins. Moreover, when he was being crucified on the cross he still pleaded with His heavenly Father to forgive those who had wronged Him for they knew not what they did. When I heard these words I fell apart. If I could meet Jesus of His time I would be a very happy person because that person though knowing I had sinned was still willing to use “for he did not know he has sinned” excuse to forgive me and even sacrificed his life for me.”

Afterwards, Steven happened to encounter some fellow Christian brothers and sisters from HK Artists Christian Fellowship, and had listened to numerous sermons from different pastors, allowing him to further understand Christianity. About four years ago Steven prayed for guidance for enlightenment, later he told his 2nd sister and pastor of his conversion decision.

Found Peace in God’s Embrace
Believing in Christ for four years, Steven is most happy he now has an older brother to share his burdens with.

He said: “Among my parents' 5 children, I’m the only son. I think a man has to shoulder all responsibility, so from young I seldom shared my troubles with family members. After believing in Christ it’s like having an older brother listening to my outpouring of feelings. I had always wished for an older brother, to be able to lay my burdens on him. God eases my hurt and wounds; my life no longer lonely. Hereafter, I have a listener, a God who understands my feelings and is tolerant of my flaws and weaknesses. Before him I can completely admit my own helplessness. This gives me much comfort.”

In March, last year, Japan had a 9 point magnitude big earthquake that in turn caused a devastating tsunami; the event shocked the whole world. After watching the news on tv Steven had a nightmare.

He said: “My house faces the street Princess Margaret Rd. That night I dreamed that there was a huge wave over Princess Margaret Rd (公主道) (tn: in Ho Man Tin). I became panicky. At that moment I suddenly heard a voice speaking in Mandarin said to me: “Child, don’t be scared! Everything’s fine!” The huge wave immediately subsided. And the dream ended. I went right back to sleep. The next day when I woke up I felt very relaxed. This dream had given me the security I never had in the past.”

The Lord truly understood what Steven most wanted in his whole life. From young, having to take care of his cancer mother Steven lived in constant fear and anxiety everyday. He constantly worried that should his mother suddenly have a relapse he might not be able to react quick enough, thus making her suffer even more. This cultivated in him a heightened sense of danger, and imbued in him a sense of insecurity. 

He said: “In all things, I still hope for the best but even more, I prepare for the worst. My thoughts veered very much towards catastrophe. Even today, there are things I cannot change. Like whenever I’m inside a plane I worry. Worry that the airflow may affect the flight. Before believing in Christ I would become anxious and would take all kinds of travel sickness pills. Once inside the plane I would instantly fall asleep. But now before boarding the plane I’ll say a prayer to God for a safe trip. But if accident happens I’ll tell Him I don’t fear death, as everybody will die once sooner or later, just that the dying be quick and not be drawn out torturous before going to the heavenly home.

“Also, when staying in a hotel, the higher the room is the greater the anxiety. So I always check out the emergency escape route in case of fire. That’s just my personality. Before believing in Christ I've had even more anxieties. Actually having a heightened sense of danger is not a bad thing, just that in my case it may be exaggerated thus putting myself in a constant vigilant mode. But what to do, it was cultivated in me since young.”

So what had happened to young Steven to make him think that life is littered with dangers?

Steven Accompanied Mother through Adversity. 

Steven was six years old when his mother was diagnosed with cancer and during that period she had had three relapses. She was 48 years old when she passed away after losing the 22-year battle with cancer. She had always lived with Steven, who together with his father took total responsibility to care for her.  audio ref para#3: Steven's emotional recount of his mother's death (revealed for the 1st time the deep-seated secret of his guilt over her death.   

Steven said: “Mother’s cancer first two relapses got worse each time it happened. And each time she lost more of her faculties after a relapse until in the end she was left with only one eye with blurry vision at that. The senses of taste, hearing, and smell as well as the neck flexibility were all atrophied. Those past 22 years I accumulated an abundance of anxieties and fear because Mother would suddenly go into convulsion, (tn: or suddenly spurt blood ) or suddenly passed out so in the middle of the night Father would come knocking on my door to have me sent Mother to the emergency care in the hospital. Or I would suddenly receive a hospital phone call informing me of my mother’s health condition such and such. That was our daily life. If she was “just a little bit off” I immediately thought ahead of what could happen to her and to be prepared. So I lived everyday in constant anxiety and fear. Now, I refuse to have a telephone installed in my bedroom because I don’t want it ringing in the middle of the night, nor do I like people knocking on my bedroom door (in the middle of the night).”

In 1999 Steven’s mother passed away. Missing his mother greatly Steven slipped into depression, (tn: and even considered suicide) and after a prolonged period he gradually came back up from the pit. Reminiscing on his mother, Steven abruptly clenched his fists, and said: “When Mother was alive, caring for her had become my life goal. When she left I felt as if I'd lost my whole heart. ” (tn: ref audio #3: and then there is the festering guilt that he had hastened her death because she gave in to his plea to take the surgery despite her intial reluctance.) 

Family always holds the first spot in Steven’s heart. Though not from a wealthy family, his family of seven was very close knitted. Growing up in Sham Shiu Po Pak Tin Estate, he and his sisters were close to each other as they played together in the public park playing the seesaws and slides. When grown, his young little sister was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. His 2nd sister close to childbirth got infected during her pregnancy, subsequently impairing her newborn son’s brain. And then there was his mother years’ long torture by cancer. (tn: And his maternal grandmother suffered some kind of illness and like his late mother also spurted blood in his presence.) Steven would rather all those things have befallen him instead. (tn: He omitted to mention his own heart disorder.)

Hope to look past life and death
Having taken care of his mother for 22 odd years, Steven is quite knowledgeable in nutritious food and basic medicinal remedies. Years ago he even published a book entitled: “I am a sick patient’s family” sharing with his readers his experience in caring for his sick mother. In recent years, Steven was also invited to an organ donors organization to share his outlook on life and death.

Recalling his mother, Steven became misty-eyed but still he hopes to transmit through different platforms a positive outlook towards sickness and death. He said: “First, don’t fear death; 2nd: cherish your family. Why don’t fear death? Because everybody will die one day. No matter how scared, still will die in the end. If live with fear everyday then it is the same as never having truly lived. Before believing in Christ, death to me is a deep sleep. After believing in Christ I know I will go to a better place,  and will reunite with brothers and sisters. Feel more peaceful thinking thus. I’ve already told my family and friends. When I die they must, must, send me off in a Christian memorial service.

“I once attended a Christian funeral service. Felt very peaceful. God tells us that the believers will return to the heavenly home, and will live in a better place and will no longer feel mortal pain, but will return to the Lord’s embrace. This gives me a comforting reason when grieving for a death.”

Steven thinks that since everybody will die someday, when alive then should live a good life, and also at the same time take responsibility for one’s deeds. As actor he said: “Don’t look down on movies or tv shows because they do impart an educational value. Every time I acted in a series I know I was embodying an educational character conveying different information to the audiences, so I will take responsibility for my series and will not participate in series that I think have no values. This has always been my principle. Which is why I’ve no regrets with any of my series. If in tv series production, we can maintain this kind of attitude and be steadfast in our stance, we can disseminate our God's given ideals.”

credit: baidu sm; Torrie_恩 2012-11-1 23:53