October 1, 2003

Today Ekin celebrated his birthday with fans at the Hung Hom Hotel. Many fans brought him gifts and cards. He had a large cake with a boat on it.

His family bought him a wet suit for his diving.

Ekin said that for his birthday wishes he would like to dive in Loch Ness, Scotland, visit Easter Island and also go to the Himalayas.

During the party there was a talent show. A fan fron Singapore, played the piano and sang "My Song". She told Ekin that she likes his music very much even though there was no album for more than a year. She said that she was waiting for his new album.

Ekin was visibly moved. He moved to the back of the stage and his eyes were red. All the fans screamed that they would support him for ever and people offered him tissues.

Ekin apologized to his fans for being so emotional.

Pictures scanned from Apple Daily courtesy of House of Ekin
Mingpao - article in Chinese
Star East - article in chinese

October 2, 2003

Ekin and Shan Shan went to visit Roman, Ekin's singing teacher. Roman is very sick, diagnosed with liver cancer.

Ekin said he went to have dinner with Roman. He stayed at Roman's home for about 5 hours and played Mahjong.

Pictures scanned from Apple Daily courtesy of House of Ekin

October 3, 2003

Ekin celebrated his birthday with Shan Shan, Gigi and his friends. They left the restaurant at about 1 am.

Gigi returned from Taiwan this morning and brought Ekin's favorite snack, Duck Tongue.

Star East - article in chinese

October 4, 2003

Ekin's latest movie " My Wife is 18" has steamrolled over all the competition to be the top box office. It has grossed more that $7 million HK in its first week.

Ekin will pay for a celebration dinner for the cast and crew. He said it should be at McDonalds because Charlene was young and she would probably prefer it there.

Charlene said she would serve dinner at McDonalds, rather than Ekin.

TVB Coverage of "My Wife is 18" Premiere

Click on number 2 on September 25, 2002

October 5, 2003

The film company held a banquet tonight to celebrate the No. 1 Box Office for "My Wife is 18". The banquet was held at the Miramar Hotel. They also had a cake for Ekin and celebrated his birthday.

Pictures scanned courtesy of House of Ekin and E-Dimension

Ekin said that he had dinner with Gigi on his birthday and he also met his old friends from the TVB acting class.

Reporters asked Ekin whether Gigi gave him a special birthday kiss.

Ekin said that birthday kisses were nothing special. He always receives kisses on his birthday.

October 6, 2003

Ekin was interviewed by several newspapers and radio stations over the last few days.

Ekin began talking about how he hopes to have goodluck when he takes the test to drive a boat. He also wants to aquire a senior diving license. He was very happy that his family bought a wetsuit for him on his birthday.

Talking about the success of "My Wife is 18", Ekin said that he enjoys working with the younger actors and actresses. He says that they are very smart and very natural. He feels that he belongs to an older generation of actors now, and also his fans are older too.

He also mentioned that the press always reports that he owes a lot of money. He said that this is not true. All of his financial commitments are taken care of and he does not owe anything for property inverstments.

Ekin also said that he has not been happy these last two years. Not because he is afraid he will lose work but because he is afraid to speak. He feels that the press often misquote or twist his words to make it sound like something wrong or bad. Reporters asked if he was not happy because he signed with EEG and he has not produced any music record. Ekin said that maybe EEG has their own reason not to have him make an album. He feels he shouldn't have to force them to do it.

Ekin said that the ups and downs of life are normal and everyone will experience this. He also mentioned that he spoke with Andy Lau recently and they agreed that no one's life is perfect, there is always good and bad times.

As usual Ekin was asked if he felt Gigi's career was going smoother than his. He said that you cannot compare them because his career is in a different stage to Gigi's. He said that she has to work hard all the time to make her career. He said he remembers when he had to do the same. Ekin said he was exhausted all the time making 6 or 7 movies each year and also releasing music albums and attending promotions. Now he can make 3 or 4 movies, do charity work and have time to pursue the hobbies he enjoys. He says finally he is in a place where he can have some time for himself.

Lastly, Ekin was asked if he would marry Gigi. He replied that he would not marry anyone any time soon. He said that it was not a convenient time for marriage because he wants to work more and further his career.

October 19, 2003

At 11:15pm Hong Kong time on October 18th, Ekin's singing teacher Roman Tam passed away. Ekin rushed to his bedside at 4pm this afternoon and stayed with him until the end.

Ekin said "When I sent teacher away I did not shed a tear. Teacher dislike people crying. He likes people to smile. When you will attend his funeral you must dress up and look good and suave."

Pictures scanned from Apple Daily courtesy of House of Ekin
Star East - article in chinese

Despite the loss of his beloved teacher, Ekin continued to honor his commitments. He was scheduled to attend a WWF promotion at Tsing Yi Plaza with a number of school children. Ekin smiled throughout the event. He was mobbed by reporters wanting to know how he was coping with the loss of his teacher. Ekin was very kind and took time to sign many autographs for the school children at the event.

October 27, 2003

At the funeral of Roman Tam, Ekin will be one of the eight coffin bearers. There will be a memorial booklet with words from Roman's friends. It will contain pictures of Roman. Ekin wrote 4 characters which mean "Forever in my heart".

Because Roman was always neat and well dressed and expected others to do the same, everyone said they will buy of wear something nice for the funeral. Ekin has two suits ready for the occasion. Because he was in China promoting JS Shiseido until today, Shan Shan went to pick out two black ties for him to wear.

A special program was shown about Roman's life on Sunday, unfortuately, Ekin couldn't make it because he could not be in town.

October 28, 2003

Ekin has visited Roman many times during the last few months, trying to give him support in his fight against cancer. Ekin is extremely sad about the death of his teacher. He was there with Roman at the end and was the person holding him as he made his last journey.

Today, Ekin attended the wake of his teacher Roman Tam. He was the first celebrity person to arrive. He wore a smart black suit.

He helped to fold the paper golden and silver ingots. It is Chinese tradition for the family members to prepare these paper ingots for the deceased person.

Star East - article in chinese

October 29, 2003

Today Roman Tam was laid to rest. There was very tight security at the funeral. Ekin was one of the eight pallbearers. He remained strong throughout the event and did not cry. He said that his teacher always said that one has to be happy.

During the funeral, many of Roman's friends spoke words of farewell to him.

Ekin said:
"I am proud for being your student! I will continue to work hard and not disappoint you."

Pictures scanned from Apple Daily courtesy of House of Ekin
Star East - article in Chinese

Rest in Peace Roman Tam.
May those left behind find the strength to go on.

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