It is somewhat disturbing to read of the spat between two popular TV actresses (“Pan Lingling's alleged comments on relationships of Hong Huifang's children led to their split” (July 25, 2018, The Straits Times).
Even more troubling now is
that a former Ex-MediaCorp actress Julie Tan has
joined in the fray – as reported in “Julie Tan hits back after Hong-Pan spat casts spotlight on love life”
(The New Paper, July 25, 2018).
Relationships can be so tricky, and even the best of friends can fall out
when hurtful words said on the spur of the moment causes anger, bitterness,
jealousy, envy and resentment. Spats can
also take place in homes when relationships turn sour.
Given that these two artistes
have a large fan base, it does not augur well for both of them as well as for
MediaCorp to vent out their dispute that has caught the attention of the media.
Added to that, morale among their fellow artistes can take a beating. If these
issues are not handled properly, the reputation of MediaCorp will suffer. We
should not allow this to happen to our national broadcasting station. It would help if the MediaCorp HR department
counsels the celebrities involved so that others who feel upset about this spat
will not jump on the bandwagon.
MediaCorp has done
exceptionally well by showing kindness to the less fortunate in Singapore
through their on-going fun-raising shows on TV, programmes that raises
awareness of those with special needs and through their staff who do community
work. Such kindness must be ingrained in
all their employees.
In all relationships, we
need to embrace understanding, forgiveness, love and care for one another, as
life is so very fragile. Just read the reports of people in Vietnam and
Philippines who are struggling to cope with natural disasters, the collapse of
a dam in Laos and the heatwave that has devastated the lives of thousands in
Japan to fully understand what an uncertain world we now live in.
Though these events are mind boggling, we have also seen
that out of such human tragedy, it is the milk of human kindness that has
united people together – against the
odds.
Many people and
organisations will readily step forward to provide that much-needed assistance
and give a glimmer of hope to those in chaos.
And on all accounts, it so important to practise the virtue of kindness.
If we want to build a better
home here in Singapore – for both locals and foreigners who live here, then
everyone of us, including the media, must take on that added responsibility of
bringing people closer together and bonding them. More so when we live in a fast-paced
environment with so much uncertainties coming on-stream.
This brings to my mind, my number 1 choice song which is, “Try
a little kindness”, sung by
well-known country and western singer Glen Campbell. It is one of my favourite songs because to me,
the lyrics bear an important message, a forgotten virtue, often overlooked in
this complicated world of increasing stress and strain, greed and
selfishness. The message is one of
showing kindness to another.
The Hollies smash hit, “He ain’t heavy, he’s my
brother”, is yet another meaningful song because it too touches on the
struggles in life and the apparent need for people to help one another.
That said, I urge both Pan
Lingling and Hong Huifang to set aside their differences, don’t hold anymore grudges,
embrace kindness and then work towards reconciliation.
Raymond Anthony Fernando
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