TVB held a “Service Awards for Long-Term Employees of Excellence” in a hotel ballroom in Tsim Sha Tsui on the evening of November 28. Staff members and actors who were employed by the station in the last three decades were eligible to win the honor. The biggest winner of the night was 69-year-old veteran actor, Lau Kong (劉江), who was awarded a large gold medal for his service in the last thirty years. Wayne Lai (黎耀祥) and Nancy Wu (胡定欣) were each awarded with a gold medal of nine grams to commend their tenth year working for the station. The surprising winner of the night was famous comedian-actor Stephen Chow (周星馳), who was awarded the thirty-year gold medal with Lau Kong. Stephen enrolled in TVB’s acting class in 1982 and graduated a year later. Some of his classmates included Tony Leung (梁朝偉), Bobby Au-Yeung (歐陽震華), Francis Ng (吳鎮宇), Eddie Cheung (張兆輝), and Eddie Kwan (關禮傑). Although Stephen left TVB in the early 1990s to pursue a career in film, he never officially ended his contract with TVB. However, Stephen was absent at the ceremony. Lau Kong, referred to as “Master Lau” by many of his colleagues, expressed his content work relationship with TVB in the last thirty years. He revealed that he recently renewed his contract, and said, “My salary increases with every contract renewal. I cannot say that I am satisfied, but I can say [the increase is] okay.” Lau Kong added that he has developed a deep affection for TVB after all these years. “Some people say TVB isn’t too great, but they treat me well. At least I am given chances to portray different and challenging characters.” Wayne Lai joined TVB in the last 1980s, but left TVB in the early 2000s. As a result, Wayne could only qualify for the ten-year gold medal. Wayne exclaimed that he finally lived up to Chai Kau’s famous phrase, “How many decades are there in a lifetime?” In Wayne’s acceptance speech, he said, “The past ten years have been very productive. I hope to do even better in the next ten years.” Asked if Wayne hopes to win Best Actor at the TVB Anniversary Awards this year, Wayne said, “Hopefully! And the chance to film more productions in the future. I still have much room left for improvement.” Nancy Wu was rather shocked when she heard that she would also win a gold medal. Nancy auditioned for TVB’s New Talent Singing Awards in 1999 and became a finalist. In 2001, Nancy won TVB’s Cover Girl competition, and later graduated from TVB’s acting class in 2004. “I was in complete shock when I heard that I would be receiving this award with Wayne. I have been watching Wayne on TV since I was very little!” cried Nancy. Nancy will also be running for Best Supporting Actress this year at the TVB Anniversary Awards. Nancy said that she is very satisfied with her performance in the last decade, and hopes to win the Best Supporting Actress this year as a tenth-year anniversary present. Creds: Oriental Daily
