Peter Ho : Postman of love

Peter Ho’s passion for charity work knows no boundaries.

DASHING Taiwanese actor-singer Peter Ho Yun Tung developed a soft spot for needy children after visiting a child in a hospital during the filming of Star Charity Night in Shanghai, China, a couple of years ago.

When he first took part in the charity programme, he had no idea what was in store for him, much less expect the event to leave such a lasting impact. But, after he left the hospital that day, the meeting with the gravely-ill yet spirited boy ignited a passion for charity.

“I brought him a PSP (Playstation Portable) but he had never seen something like that before as he lived in the countryside. So, I gave him a few easy instructions and he was smart enough to figure out how to operate the gadget himself.”

It struck Ho then that if the bright boy could live to grow up, he’d be a great benefit to society.

“I realised then that if I failed to raise enough funds for his medical treatment, he might not survive.”

Going to the streets with a collection box, he managed to raise about RMB130,000 (RM66,000).

The personable star said he had never been emotional in public but recalled that he broke down and cried four times that day. “I was really touched seeing so many people willing to donate their money to help someone they don’t even know.”

Recently, Ho led a team from Shanghai Media Group WaTV Channel’s fund-raising TV show, Star Charity Night, on their first overseas charity mission to help finance the education of needy children at Persatuan Kebajikan Ti-Ratana in Salak South Baru, Kuala Lumpur.

Star Charity Night is a regular fundraising programme on WaTV which features artistes leading charity drives for various charitable organisations in China.

After several years of fundraising in China, the charity show decided to venture out of China for the very first time. It picked Malaysia for its first overseas stop and Persatuan Kebajikan Ti-Ratana as its beneficiary.

Likening himself to be an ai xin you chai (postman of love), Ho said he was honoured and excited to be the first to spread love across boundaries.

The 1.8m artiste, whose birthday was on Sept 13, spent the morning with the children at Persatuan Kebajikan Ti-Ratana, and the children there put up a show to celebrate Ho’s birthday.

At the event, which was recorded for the show, Ho said: “I wish that all the children here will grow up happy and have the opportunity to realise their own dreams. Getting a proper education will provide them with a brighter future. This is the best birthday present for me.”

As part of the TV show, Ho also conducted the “Peter Ho Care with Love” charity drive at Sungei Wang Plaza, Kuala Lumpur.

Ho’s untiring efforts paid off as he managed to collect RM40,000 here in Malaysia and in the Shanghai Media Group studio (in Shanghai). All donors received a copy of his dual-disc (CD + VCD) single Wo Zhi Zai Hu Ni (I Only Care for You), which is not on sale.

Ho was born in California to Cantonese-speaking parents, brought up in Mandarin-speaking Taiwan, and furthered his education in Canada. Ho, who is fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese and English, practically lives out of a suitcase as he shuttles between packed filming schedules in China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and other Asian countries.

The industrious artiste has a dozen feature films, several albums and close to 30 TV series under his belt. He recently completed filming an NHK TV series in Japan titled Shanghai Chao (Shanghai Typhoon).

Prior to his visit here, he also shot a music video in South Korea with Korean actress Chae Rim, his co-star in Qing Ding Ai Qing Hai (Love of the Aegean Sea, 2004). Not forgetting his singing career, Ho has already begun recording the songs for his next album.

“Starting Valentine’s Day next year, I’ll be releasing one song every month, complete with music video, featuring famous actresses I have worked with. Each song will receive airplay on the radio and TV in Taiwan. By September, I’ll release an album,” said Ho.

Ho will commence filming an as-yet-untitled TV series in China and will also begin pre-production work on another Chinese TV series Pao Mo Zi Xia (Summer’s Bubble), a love story based on a popular novel in China.

“I’m going behind the scenes this time as the producer and I’ll be working on the script. It’s about show business and orphans, a bit like what I’m doing now.”

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