Gallen Harbour

Source: Youth Times

by Cheng Ming-Hui

Photo (right): Youth Times

[Rough translation by Mimosa]

Since 1986 when he accepted an invitation to perform the theme song of ATV’s “Emperor Chun” on a Hang Zhou’s stage, Gallen Lo has come back to visit almost every year. But this was the very first time he would accept an interview. “I usually come quietly just to enjoy West Lake’s scenery, eat great food, and wander around,” said Gallen with a slight shrug of the shoulder and a comical raise of the eyebrows. A grin soon spread across his face. If what he claimed about his trips to Hang Zhou being always relaxing is true, then his yesterday spent endorsing the Brother China Clothing Brand must have gone by flawlessly.

Gallen had just been back from Sichuan, where his main mission was to film for a documentary, “Seven Days that Shocked the World”. His character in the documentary was a volunteer. “I was there for three days. On the second day, we encountered an aftershock. The locals told us how the Earthquake was like, so that we had an idea. When the rescue efforts were re-enacted, many re-lived the disaster.” The color of his countenance changed slightly as he told us about the experience. “Filming this has left some very strong feelings. Maybe I should not be so uptight with certain matters… Let nature take its course.” A personal struggle, when compared with a disaster such as this quake, becomes quite insignificant. Except when he is at work, Gallen said he now tries to lead a relatively “slow” life. “I love listening to classical music, going to the museums, and golfing when I have free time.” The pace at work should be fast enough, one doesn’t need to impose more pressure on oneself. But then Gallen disclosed that he would soon return at the end of July to film for a TVB series. “(It’s) about 40 episodes. Any less and it won’t be able to quench my thirst (for acting).”

At 48 years of age, Gallen looks and is still very energetic. The secret recipe must be his original “Tensed Yet Relaxed” formula of living.

May I call your attention to Gallen’s latest blog entry, 四川不哭! (Sichuan Does Not Cry!). He shared many thoughts on Sichuan, his days spent to film for “Seven Days”, and the impact of the disaster on his outlook in life.

This latest entry is also illustrated with many of his personal and exclusive photos. I hope you will find the visit worthy of your time.

::: Mimosa :::

Source: OMY

[Brief translation]

Gallen Lo attended Mount Bright [Mt. Guangming] Charity Event in Singapore last night, June 23rd, 2008. He opened the event with “Let Me Stay” and “Kindness on Heaven and Earth”, the two golden theme songs from TVB classic “ATE” (1999-2000, GH)

Gallen was jesting that he’d been singing these two songs all these years, so one local fengshui master shouted encore and requested a third song. If Gallen complied, the requester would donate $30.000 to the event. Gallen was surprised at the request, but the host pressed on, so he went on to sing “Fairy Tale of Time” (theme of “Golden Faith”, TVB 2002, GH). Everyone applauded.

After the song, Gallen was about to go downstage, when another host, Wang Yan Qing, came onstage. Gallen thought that she was going to shout for encore and he froze: “I’m afraid that I have no more song to sing…”

Gallen left amidst the audience’s laughter.

::: Carmen Yip :::

Related article: Gallen Exclusive Interview

Gallen Lo shared his experiences of working at ground zero. Video courtesy of CCTV6 and Baidu. Enjoy!

Transcript:

For the last few days, filming for the new documentary “Seven Days that Shocked the World” has been rigorously carried out in Sichuan. In addition to Jiang Ming, Wang Yi and other Earthquake Relief heroes who have been featured in our program up to date, the documentary will also zoom its lenses onto the unsung heroes. One of those many anonymous volunteers is being portrayed by Gallen Lo Ka Leung.

In a camouflage medic uniform with a red ribbon around his right arm, Gallen tried to appear calmed and composed. His character in the series was leading a rescue team of volunteers, going through the ruins to search for any sign of life.

Gallen: The red ribbon here is to show that we are volunteers. Our main mission is to find many people as quickly as possible. Since time is crucial, the faster we move, the more lives we could save.

As part of their mission, the volunteers led by Gallen’s character risked the chance of encounter the aftershocks which could occur at any time. Never experienced a quake, Gallen felt he had some research to do before filming.

Gallen: (There is) no earthquake in Hong Kong. The only one quake I had experienced was when I was very little. It was mild and all you could hear was just rattling noises.

Desperate, Gallen set out to interview a few locals.

Gallen: There are some local people who live around here who told me that the earthquake felt like a snake lurking beneath the ground. You wouldn’t be able to stand up. The camera (angles) can also help out a little.

Only after some advices that Gallen would feel confident going in for the shot and it was smooth. The experience, though not real, still left Gallen with deep feelings and appreciations toward the disaster relief volunteers.

Gallen: I personally have friends in Chengdu who were affected by the quake. Their outlooks in life changed greatly after what they had gone through. They reached out to help the next person, just to save a life. I greatly admire and would like to send my appreciation to all of them.

The second “troop” of artists, including HK’s Gallen Lo and Marco Ngai, has been dispatched to Sichuan on June 12th to work on the next portion of the 26-episode documentary “Seven Days that Shocked the World”.

Marco Ngai plays a colonel, while Gallen plays a medic. As the documentary is on a very tight schedule, the cast and crew are ready to work under all weather conditions. Filming, however, was suspended temporarily at one point due to a flood evacuation order.

Source: Sina
Photos: Gallen Lo Baidu Board