And That's A Miracle!
Emil Chau and his team of foreign
artistes put up a record-breaking NKF charity show last night.
Just like how he had predicted.
April 8, 2002
By Ang Ling Ling
Anchor
star of the show Emil Chau had earlier promised NKF he'd
create a miracle for last night's NKF 2002 Charity Show 1
and he did it. While delivering his 3rd and last song 10 minutes
before the show concluded, the target of 650, 000 calls of $5
donations each made to the NKF was suddenly met. In fact, it shot
up to over 835, 000 (and still rising) when the show concluded
at 10.15pm.
Why was the crooner so confident? We asked the
singer as he bade a hasty exit from the fans-filled post-show
reception. Emil was rushing back to Hong Kong where he would have
another charity concert on Tuesday.
"No,
I was actually very nervous. I didn't expect us to break the record
but I want to stress that the result is not important. It's the
fact that despite the bad economic situation, we're still able
to milk so many donations. It's a miracle! I think Singaporeans
should be proud and I'm gonna spread this all over Taiwan and
Hong Kong!" beamed the humble star.
I
wanted to know how the backstage was like. "You know, I've
never seen so many singers from different places coming together
for such a cause. We were very engrossed in the figures. We'd
go 'Oh, it's over 400, 000...yes, it's over 500, 000 now!'. It's
strange but we all felt a lot for the show, the Singaporean viewers
and the patients."
Indeed, it was a concerted effort by many parties
and it paid off - very well.
CEO
of NKF, Mr. TT Durai confirmed last night's effort as "the
highest number of calls in the history of NKF charity shows".
Although we can't possibly list all the donors' names and executive
producer Lee Ee Wurn's team members, we can mention some
of the items put up by the participating artistes that had us
reaching for our phones.
Forever
Young
With his jet-black hair sleeked back into a
ponytail, cool designer shades and that signature squeaky voice,
you can never guess Nicholas Tse Senior is 65. In fact,
it's like seeing a sunnier Nic exchanging funny banters with laughing
machine, Emil. No wonder the donation counter jumped.
Breathlessly
Seeking
Peggy Xu's breath-taking (literally) song got
us so breathless, we wanted to call for help. Instead, our fingers
couldn't help dialing those 11 numbers as we marveled at how she
didn't choke or miss a note - while finishing her tune in one,
very long breath.
Playback!
Taiwanese host Phoebe Huang not only
wowed us with her wits (she speaks so well!), her nice get-up
(she looks so good!) and her little-known singing talent (she
can sing too!), the sunny gal had us sitting up when she played
a tune on the keyboard - while standing behind the keys.
Mime
His Business
Surprise, surprise. Host of Who Wants To
Be A Millionaire? Timothy Cao can be equally entertaining
too when he's not talking. The multi-talented host showcased one
of his hidden talents sans his stuffy suit and Principal-esque
glasses. Of course we don't mime it...
A
Pat On His Back
It was totally unexpected to see Patrick
Tse in this light. The veteran got so affected over a couple
of letters he received from appreciative NKF patients he visited
that he whipped out a S$10, 000 note from his pocket to be donated
to the NKF.
A
Different Rush
Host Jack Neo had to be strapped, upside-down
in a rotating wheel that's hung in the air. The man could only
be turned with every 3, 000 calls made until he was fully returned
to the upright position. We don't know if it was the blood rush
or having to sing the theme song from his movie I Not Stupid
with his young cast that's more difficult.
Mr.
Popular
In fact, the affable pop star Emil Chau
only had to laugh more and crack more jokes to entice viewers
to call. But when he did these and sang at the same time, there
was no stopping the neurotic number counter. It moved so fast
it didn't even stay on the screen for a while, until it broke
the 650, 000 mark.
10 Things You Didn't See On TV
1. Sharon telling the audience about wearing
an extra pair of pants underneath her translucent Christian Dior
skirt in case her mother, who'd be watching the show at home,
cried murder.
2. Patrick Tse and Sharon sharing a high-5 as
the former made his way backstage.
3. Sharon rocking subtly to Shino's explosive
opening number.
4. Loud screams of support from Pin Guan's fans during commercials.
5. Crew members changing sets, clearing the
stage and ushering stars on/off stage - in split seconds.
6. Sharon clowning around with Phoebe Huang's
piano to "release some tension".
7. Jack clutching his aching head on his way
backstage after his gravity-opposing item.
8. Emil jumping up with joy (with pompoms) while
his fans shouted "Emil, you made it!" after the show.
9. Host Ke Lan wiping her tears when the last
video clip of a kidney patient was played.
10. NKF's CEO Mr. TT Durai hugging Emil
at the prize presentation ceremony after the show.
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