HK Magazine #1095, May 8 2015

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Beaches be cray

HK M AGA ZINE NO. 1095 FRIDAY, M ay 8, 2015 w w w.hk-magazine.com

Sneak away to Asia’s best beaches

hk-magazine.com /hktablet

PAGE 3 10 COVER STORY

Seek out one of Asia’s best beaches

Warm Weather Tips

It’s only going to get warmer from here on out, so you’d better start developing some coping strategies for the heat. Here are some tried-andtested warm weather tips for our sweaty SAR.

Insult Carrie Lam to her face.

Get keelhauled on the Star Ferry.

The Chief Secretary’s ice-cold glare will freeze the very marrow in your bones, which is a great remedy to the cloying humid heat. Suggested insults: “You sold out years ago”; “CY and Carrie sitting in a tree / sub-ver-ting de-moc-rah-cee”; “I prefer Regina Ip to you.”

Commit a particularly heinous crime at sea, which will result in you being tied to a rope and dragged along the barnacle-encrusted hull of the the Star Ferry. It will be a refreshing and invigorating dip, if you survive the risk of drowning and massive physical trauma.

Flip that T-shirt.

Think cooling thoughts.

Who says you have to be an overweight 50-year-old market stall owner to flip your T-shirt up? Go right ahead and expose your jiggly midriff to the cool air that wafts through your air-conditioned Central law firm office. It’ll feel all the better breezing past as security escorts you out of the building.

Do not underestimate the power of the human mind to convince itself. Try concentrating on the following thoughts: “It is cool outside.” “This sweat on my brow is actually ice.” “A broadly representative nominating committee represents genuine universal suffrage.”

See? All better now.

Ice lemon everything.

Move to Canada.

Ice lemon teas are a surefire way to cool off after being exposed to the unrelenting heat. But it doesn’t have to stop when you leave the cha chaan teng. Consider introducing ice lemon showers, ice lemon business meetings, or ice lemon sexual intercourse into your life.

All are equally effective at wicking that sweat away.

It’s colder, probably nicer, and all the Hongkongers are coming back to Hong Kong so you won’t even be surrounded by them all the time. Downside: mainlanders everywhere, but what did you expect?

15 shopping

Beach gear for beach bunnies

18 dish

Splurge or save on Macau’s best bites

22

Who’s in charge?

Editor-in-Chief Luisa Tam Managing Editor Daniel Creffield Editor Adam White Features Editor Kate Springer Senior Associate Editor Adele Wong Online & Social Media Manager Katie Kenny Staff Writers Andrea Lo, Charlotte Mulliner,

Evelyn Lok, Isabelle Hon Reporter Adrienne Chum Contributing Photographer Kirk Kenny

Director of Sales Gary Wong Strategic Sales Director Jan Cheng Senior Sales Manager Joyce Wu Senior Advertising Manager Kent Ma Advertising Managers Dominic Lucien Brettell Advertising Executives Bonita Yung, Celia Wong,

Harriette Cheung, Lamy Lam Advertising & Marketing Coordinator Yan Man

art

Finance Manager Karen Tsang Senior Accountant Alex Fung, Freda Chau Internal Compliance Officer Lucy Wong Accountant Winson Yip Assistant Accountant Coa Wong Administrator Olivia Ma I.T. Manager Derek Wong Web Developer Timothy Cheng Messenger Li Sau-king

The Affordable Art Fair is back this month

23

Production Manager Blackie Hui Art Director Pierre Pang Senior Graphic Designer Mike Hung Graphic Designers Elaine Tang,

nightlife

Demand some Justice in your life

Ryan Chan, Tammy Tan Production Supervisor Kelly Cheung

Where to find us!

HK Magazine Media Ltd. 302 Hollywood Centre 233 Hollywood Road, Hong Kong Tel: 852-2850-5065 Fax: 852-2543-1880 E-mail: hk@hkmagmedia.com Before you decide to purchase or use the products and/or services that our magazine introduces, you should gather further information about the same in addition to the representations or advertising content in our magazine. The content in articles by guest authors are the author’s personal views only and do not represent the position of our magazine or our company. Please gather further information about the products and/or services before you decide to purchase or use the same.

HK Magazine is published 52 times a year by HK Magazine Media Ltd., GPO Box 12618, Hong Kong. Copyright 2015 HK Magazine Media Ltd. The title “HK Magazine,” its associated logos or devices, and the content of HK Magazine are the property of HK Magazine Media Ltd. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is strictly prohibited. Article reprints are available for HK$30 each. HK Magazine may not be distributed without the express written consent of HK Magazine Media Ltd. Contact the Advertising Director for ad rates and specifications. All advertising in HK Magazine must comply with the Publisher’s terms of business, copies of which are available upon request. Printed by Apex Print Limited, 11-13 Dai Kwai Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, N.T.

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Animal activist and environmentalist Sharon Kwok HK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, may 8, 2015 3

mailbag Mr. Know-It-All’s Guide to Life Dear Mr. Know-It-All, All this talk of radioactive food has got me spooked!

Are we really at risk of radiation? – Radioactive Man Well, there’s good news and bad news,

Of course not. The truth is that

Radioactive Man. It’s actually true that Hong

even those elevated levels of radiation

Kong is more radioactive than other cities in

are unlikely to affect us in any meaningful

the world—with higher levels than Beijing

manner. The Hong Kong Observatory

and even Tokyo, birthplace of radioactive

monitors radiation levels in the SAR

city-crusher Godzilla. But our radiation

to a pretty exhausting degree, and the

doesn’t come from the Daya Bay Nuclear

organization is confident that there’s no

Power Plant just 50 km to the northeast, nor

undue risk of radiation damage in Hong

does it come from glowing green fruit flown

Kong. A recent study of the year 2013 put

in from overseas. No, Hong Kong’s radiation

ambient radiation levels within the normal

comes from its very own bedrock.

baseline range and well below anything

You see, more than a third of Hong

levels would have to increase several

of pluses: it’s hard, tough and easy to

thousand times to pose any meaningful

quarry. It’s used widely in the construction

risk to us.

production of concrete.

One problem with granite, though: It

Our tablet app: Out Now!

that might be considered harmful: radiation

Kong is granite. As a rock, granite has lots

industry in the city, especially in the

Know your sands

Of course, given the Observatory’s track record with reporting the weather before your next junk trip, you might want

contains radioactive elements that release

to start carrying around a Geiger counter.

radon gas, which can be very harmful to

You never know when Godzilla’s going to

humans in significantly high doses. A 1994

show up next.

Your praise phrases:

“I wanted to email you to say a massive thank you”

Environmental Protection Department study found elevated levels of radon in Hong Kong buildings, with 5 percent of residential and 10 percent of non-residential buildings found to be over the recommended maximum levels of radiation. Given that our city is built on the stuff, and built of the

J’adore Odor

On the Run

They call it the Fragrant Harbour for a reason—

One of our readers, an avid traveler and

our recent cover story [April 24, issue 1093] took

enthusiastic runner, recently took some

readers through the SAR’s signature smells. Our

New York Marathon advice from our Escape

Facebook readers added their own two scents.

Routes travel column [March 20, issue 1088]… and ran with it.

stuff—you might ask: Is our concrete jungle

Those photographs look wondrous!

slowly killing us?

Margaret Rowena Usmar Radiation levels holding, cap’n

Mr. Know-It-All answers your questions and quells your urban concerns.

Send queries, troubles or problems to mrkia@hkmagmedia.com.

Smells like buses and cigarettes.

Robert J MacFarland

I read your feature as I didn’t actually realize you could purchase marathon packages this way... I’ve obviously been living under a rock and thinking the only option for major

No Child of Mine

accents. Our Facebook readers chime in.

Perfect for Russian language students Ha Oileen Really a pity it had become a box office bomb Mat Lau

FRIDAY, may 8, 2015

a massive thank you for your feature the other marathon packages. I was so excited when

crisis, as well as the actors’ awful Russian

4 HK MAGAZINE

routine. I wanted to email you to say

lack of deodorant in the summer

wrote about the dark, tense thriller’s identity

Photo by Kinga Owczennikow

a copy of HK Magazine is a regular

Let t the er of We ek

week about The Flight Centre’s New York City

In a recent film review of “Child 44,” we

Morning Stop

for over seven years and picking up

How about the smell of the

Tiffany Tea

#PrivateEyeHK

I have been living in Hong Kong

Write in and Win! Got something to say? Write us!

Our letter of the week gets an HK Magazine notebook, umbrella (pictured) and copy of “Historical Hong Kong Hikes,” total value $470.

marathons is entering the ballot/online registration. I am very happy to say that I purchased a package and will therefore be running one of my dream marathons in NYC this November. My husband also couldn’t resist signing up.

So a big thank you from both of us!

Alison Drake via email

THE WEEK fri 5/8

fri 5/15

wed 5/13

Friday 5/8

Monday 5/11

Love designer swag, but hate the hefty price tags? Fashion charity initiative Luxarity is hosting a designer sale, with clothes and accessories donated by the city’s models and socialites.

Proceeds go to Hong Kong charities, including the Women’s Foundation and Mother’s Choice.

May 8-9, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen St., Central. www.luxarity.com.

Hong Kong may no longer be the fishing village it once was, but Tin Hau—the goddess of the sea—remains a popular figure of worship. Join the celebrations for her birthday at Tin Hau temples across town, including in Joss House Bay— which will see a fisherman’s boat parade.

Joss House Bay, Sai Kung. Take a ferry from North Point Pier to Joss House Bay Pier.

Shop For a Cause

Thursday 5/14

She Sells Sea Shells

Tuesday 5/1

The Spring Fling at new nightclub Déjà Vu is more than just any old DJ gig—there are ice-breaking games involved to help you get the best out of clubbing in LKF. Do these games include… shots?

10pm. 1/F, 17 Lan Kwai Fong, Central, 2810-1100. Price TBA.

Kapok’s PMQ branch is getting transformed into a retro 1960s-style shop. It’s not just about the aesthetics, either: Kapok is collaborating with labels like Maison Labiche, which features clothes embroidered with French expressions. What’s more, there are croissants served until they run out. Ooh la la!

Through May 31, 11am-8pm. PMQ, 35 Aberdeen St., Central.

Sunday 5/10

Southside Calling

Head south to the Stanley Plaza Bazaar, with all the goodies you’d expect from a cool weekend market: arts and crafts, organic beauty products and handmade soap.

Sat-Sun through May, noon-8pm.

Stanley Plaza and Murray House, Stanley.

Wall to Wall

La Vie Française

Wednesday 5/13

Fresh Faces

The Fringe Club hosts Shall We Tango!?, featuring four-piece Coamorous—which is made up of four musicians from all over the world who came together in Seoul while performing the tango.

9:30-11:15pm. 2 Lower Albert Rd., Central. $130 at the door, including a drink.

Friday 5/15

Saturday 5/9

Fling When You’re Winning

You’ve Been Tango’d

New resto Fresh Modern Kitchen has a pretty great happy hour: $299 will get you a whole seafood platter and a bottle of Torres Viña Esmeralda Spanish white wine. Bring friends.

Mon-Sat, 5-8pm. Shop C, UG/F, Felicity Building, 56-58 Hollywood Rd., Central, 2771-1328.

Head to hipster-tastic Secret Walls x Havaianas to test your own cool cred. Live art battle? Check. Beats courtesy of local DJs? Check. Bring your own beard.

See Nightlife, p.23.

Saturday 5/16

King of Pong

The Hong Kong Beer Pong Association hosts the Beer Pong King and Queen of Hong Kong, a series of tournaments to find the champion of the best drinking game of all time. May the hops be ever in your favor…

7-11pm. Déjà Vu, 1/F, 17 Lan Kwai Fong, Central, 2810-1100.

do this

Curds Awhey!

The Lifestyle Federation is hosting Soft Hard and Stinky: The Cheese Market, a two-day cheese extravaganza.

Expect to try out more than 30 types of premium European cheeses. There are two sessions every day and you get free-flow (literally, in some cases) cheese plus craft beer coupons. Cheese fans, you’d be sorry to miss this.

May 16, 17; 11:30am or 3:30pm.

1/F, Baskerville House, 13 Duddell St., Central. $380 from www.eventbrite.hk.

HK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, may 8, 2015 5

NEWS Last Week In Reality

Talking Points We read the news, so you don’t have to.

Sat 25

Sun 26

Adult Behavior A 24-year-old woman, who

Dumb Thieves While the police are

quit her job as a nurse to work in a Tsim Sha

handling a noise complaint in Yuen

Tsui bar as a professional drinking companion,

Long in the early hours, they see a

is being collected from work at 3am by a

parked car with two men inside who

male friend when a regular at the bar makes

appear suspicious. They approach the

inappropriate comments. He tells her that he

car to investigate, and the men speed

wants to “do things that adults do” with her,

off. They drive the car into a cul de

then picks her up and tries to take her away.

sac and the driver escapes, but the

Her friend hits the man in the face then flees.

passenger trips while running and is

The woman accompanies the injured man to

arrested. The police find that the car

the hospital.

was recently stolen in Tai Po.

Mon 27

Ting Hai Effect Strikes Again

Hard to Swallow An 82-year-old woman

becomes ill at home in Wong Tai Sin after

The “Ting Hai Effect”—the phenomenon by which a TV or film appearance by actor Adam

swallowing several coins. One of the coins

Cheng appears to cause rapid stock market declines—is seemingly at work once again.

becomes stuck in her throat, and she calls 999.

On April 13 TVB announced a re-run of Cheng’s 1992 series “The Greed of Man,” in which he played

She is sent to the hospital. She explains to the

the character Ting Hai: The Hang Seng Index fell by 454.85 points. On the show’s first airdate

police that she swallowed the coins by accident

on the 20th, the index initially rose 117 points before dropping 558 points, continuing to

and denies it was a suicide attempt.

decline for the next two days. As of the sixth episode on April 27, the Hang Seng Index rose 1.33 percent. Cheng told the South China Morning Post that he does not believe in the so-called phenomenon, and is optimistic that the stock market will continue to rise.

Tue 28

Our Take: Sell! Sell! Sell!

Knife Party A 20-year-old man is sentenced

to time in a detention center after chopping an i-Cable security guard after being unable to terminate his broadband contract. The incident took place last year when the man, who turned up at the iCable building, was told to call a customer service representative instead. He was unable to provide information to complete the termination. He then took a butterfly knife and an army knife and demanded to talk to i-Cable CEO Stephen Ng, attacking the guard in the process. His sentence length will depend on his behavior.

Wed 29

SAR Press Freedom Reaches 14-Year Low Reporters Without Borders has released its 2015 World Press Freedom Index, which ranks 180 countries by their levels of press freedom. The index is calculated based on factors such as pluralism of opinions, media independence, transparency, environment and self-censorship.

Hong Kong ranks 70 this year, and holds an index score of 21.97—while deemed “satisfactory,” the SAR’s world ranking has fallen nine places since last year—reaching its lowest position in 14 years. China is number 176 on the list, falling one spot since 2014. Reporters Without Borders expressed concern over a seemingly global regression: two thirds of the 180 countries ranked have fallen in their ranking from previous years.

Our Take: Well, we’re not afraid to speak the [SENTENCE CENSORED]!

New Basic Law Teaching Resource Kinda Weird

Baby Mama Drama At 2pm, a 20-year-old

woman brings her 5-month-old daughter to a

The Education Bureau has produced a Basic Law video teaching package for secondary school

drop-off at a clothing store in Mong Kok run by

teachers that critics claim is far too in-line with the White Paper released by Beijing

the father of the child. She finds that he has

last year. The package addresses two themes: the constitutional status of the Basic Law

already left the shop. The woman hands the

and the concept of “One Country, Two Systems.” Critics such as solicitor Kelvin Yam from the

baby to a shop assistant and leaves the store,

Civic Party criticized what he saw as an intentional downplaying of Hong Kong’s special

saying “I don’t want the baby anymore. You

administrative region status, and China’s responsibility to implement the Sino-British Joint

can give her to whoever you want.” The shop

Declaration. The new teaching materials appear to suggest that the Central Government has

assistant, who fails to reach the store owner,

never interfered with the SAR’s internal affairs, and also allegedly does not emphasize

calls the police. The baby is sent to the hospital.

that the Chief Executive should be elected via universal suffrage. Secretary for Education

The police track down the father, who agrees to

Eddie Ng has said that the teaching resources are intended only to complement other materials.

collect his daughter.

Our Take: Sounds like National Education by any other name, doesn’t it?

Thu 30 Roach the Subject While shopping in Sham Shui Po a woman encounters live caged

cockroaches being sold. The cockroaches are kept in narrow, transparent plastic boxes.

A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department finds that the roach vendors have set up their stalls on Ap Liu Street with fixed-pitch hawker licenses in the “other” category. In the same area are cockroach poison and traps. The spokesman

Quote of the Week “It’s like saying, I was supposed to kill you, but

advises the stall owners not to raise cockroaches.

I’ll rape you instead—if you don’t support me

Fri 1

raping you, then you support me killing you.”

Anger Management A student-run music event at Lingnan University comes under fire after a hip-

hop group performs a song titled “Fuck the Police.” Hong Kong Federal Trade Unions member Wong Kwok-hing told students to “shut up” in response, prompting complaints from students regarding

Raymond “Slow Beat” Chan Chi-chuen, Legco member and deputy

his own comments. The university’s president later apologized on behalf of the students, and said

spokesperson of People Power, uses a graphic analogy to respond to Chief

that the school would punish those who continued to swear excessively. A video of the song being

Secretary Carrie Lam’s statement that supporting the government’s electoral

performed has been watched 93,000 times on YouTube.

Illustrations: Ryan Chan

6 HK MAGAZINE

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

reform package is “logical” because the alternative is no reform at all.

UPFront HongKabulary

Street Talk

Hammer Timer (hæmər tɪmɜː), n.

Not having to set an alarm because you’re woken up at 7am every single morning by a jackhammer ripping up the pavement outside your flat.

“Why are you at work so early these days? Seems like you’ve changed your schedule totally.”

“Stop! It’s hammer timer.”

Caption This HONG KONG—French street artist Invader poses by Hollywood Road. (Franke Tsang/SCMP)

Bowie Chan owns Billy & Betty Tailor Made, a tailor popular with Hong Kong celebrities. But when he’s not cutting suits, he’s caring for over 350 reptiles and spiders. He tells Nicholas Cheung about his hobby.

HK: Reptiles and arachnids? How did you get started in this hobby?

Bowie Chan: I was born in Hong Kong but I grew up in Singapore. When I was 12, my family took me to a pet store. I first saw reptiles such as salamanders and bearded dragons. I fell in love with them and started collecting them. I now have hundreds of reptiles at home. I make videos on how to take care of them and share them with other people.

HK: How many animals do you own?

BC: It’s a very long list. An albino Woodhouse toad, “Pacman” frog, African bullfrog, African ball python, western hognose snake… I have over 300 tarantulas, three bearded dragons, more than 30 snakes, 10 toads and frogs, one giant gecko, 10 tiger salamanders. And four cats.

CY Leung Finally Finds Hobby He Can Do Anonymously, Creepily all Cap, Destroys Remaining Street Cred Illustrious Artist Pairs Blazer with Baseb

Exfoliating Masks Getting Kinda Dark These Days

Fast Facts

Do the Crime...

Activist Derek Chan must serve three weeks in jail for throwing eggs at Financial Secretary John Tsang.

What would we do a three-week stretch for?

➢ Hacking into CY Leung’s Wi-Fi router, renaming it “The Love Grotto.” ➢ Kicking a child who totally deserved it in the face. ➢ Self-identifying as a “Hongkie” or calling it “The 852.” ➢ Bringing a flying disc to a gazetted beach or public park, in the name of anarchy.

➢

Throwing eggs at Financial Secretary John Tsang, definitely.

8 HK MAGAZINE

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

HK: Aren’t these animals dangerous?

Don’t they eat each other?

BC: Not at all. Although my home is just typical Hong Kong size, I can keep them in different habitats. I just need to make sure the room temperature is not lower than 25 degrees and I feed them regularly.

They won’t hurt you, for sure.

HK: Is it hard for you to feed your whole collection?

BC: Most of the snakes are lowmaintenance and I just to need to feed them one time a week. They mainly eat frozen mice. For others, I have to feed them twice a day. Once I get off work, I rush back home and take care of them. I enjoy doing it because I love watching their behavior and helping them to reproduce.

Once you find it, you’ll buy it no matter how much it costs.

HK: So, can I buy a snake from you?

BC: I always sell off baby reptiles because my place is really small. But it’s just my hobby and I don’t consider it a business.

As long as they reproduce, I sell the babies to shops. Also, I have a YouTube channel and I always sell or exchange animals with other people. I have spent more than a million dollars on buying reptiles throughout the years.

HK: What does your wife think of all your animals?

BC: My wife was totally against it when we started living together. She was really scared of snakes. We argued for a long time about it and she has finally come to tolerate it. This is the main reason: I won’t have time to chase girls if I put all my effort into taking care of the pets!

HK: You’re a tailor: Would you ever make clothing with snakeskin?

BC: For my wedding photo, I got my frog involved by putting it in my top pocket. But I don’t recommend people wear snakeskin since I always respect my pets. I’ve brought my snakes to a TV show before and it feels disrespectful if people treat my snakes as toys. I try to separate my clothing business and my hobby!

Check out Bowie Chan’s reptile videos at tiny.cc/ hk-bowie. Need a (nonsnakeskin) suit? Visit Billy & Betty Tailor Made at Room 1104, 168 Sai

HK: Which pet is your favorite?

BC: It would be hard, but I’d choose snakes.

A snake was the first pet that I owned. It is a hard to find a snake with great coloring.

Yeung Choi St. South, Mong Kok, 2771-5525, billynbetty.com.hk.

Coast to Coast From offshore islands in Okinawa to Boracay’s hidden beaches, we’ve scoured the seas of Asia to find worthy beach destinations for your next sun-drenched getaway. By Kate Springer and Katie Kenny

Island Hop in Okinawa Japan’s prefecture of Okinawa has a personality all of its own thanks to the island vibes and tropical fare.

Kate Springer dips a toe in the area’s famously crystal clear waters.

Lay of the land: Most first-time travelers to Okinawa will want to explore the main island, as well as the surrounding archipelago. The airport is just outside of the capital of Naha, where the main ferries connect with picturesque beaches. The city makes a good base, though we’d recommend renting your own wheels from a company such as Europcar (from $439 per day, www.europcar.com) so you have the option to travel to the northern side of the island, home to craggy cliffs and gorgeous stretches of sand.

Monsters of the deep at Churaumi Aquarium

About the beaches: If you only have a week in Okinawa, then the first thing you’ll want to do is hit the water. Travelers can plop down on one of the many Kerama Islands, which are between 30-50 minutes by ferry from Naha. The islands form a sprawling national park that’s home to barely touched beaches. Choose your adventure, ranging from a straight-up Robinson Crusoe experience on Aka Island to more touristfriendly Tokashiki.

We opted for something in the middle: Zamami ($386 roundtrip, 50 minutes each way), which is home to some of the area’s best snorkeling and scuba diving. You can hang by the pristine beach all day, rent snorkeling gear from the snack shop (from $32) and swim out to the reefs in minutes. If you’re visiting between January and March, you can also go whale watching for the best chance to see breaching humpback whales. Island hop from Naha for a couple of days, or spend the night in one of the many cozy gusuku, aka guesthouses, like Kawai (from $465, oki-zamami.jp/~kawai).

Okinawa, you rock

10 HK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, May 8, 2015

The northern part of Okinawa main island is also home to some pretty plots of sand, especially around Nago. Take a scenic drive out to Kouri Island where you can spread out on an empty beach all your own, or hop on a ferry to the crescent-shaped Minna-jima Island ($108 roundtrip, one hour each way). The area is also home to the memorable Churaumi Aquarium ($121, oki-churaumi.jp). One of the most celebrated aquariums in the world, the enormous center is particularly famous for its 7,500-square-meter tank, which plays host to whale sharks and manta rays, as well as the sprawling Emerald Beach.

Where to stay: It’s slim pickings in Naha but we had a pleasant stay at the Naha Terrace hotel (From $1,606, 2-14-1 Omoromachi, Naha, Okinawa, (+81) 98-864-1111, www.terrace.co.jp). The rooms are disappointing but the ambience is classy, with live piano floating from the lobby at night and excellent service from start to finish.

Koh hello there Don’t go chasing waterfalls

SExy time in KOh Samui

You’re so nosy

Let some Okinawan waves wash it all away

There’s a reason newlyweds flock to this sunny little Thai island. Kate Springer test-drives a few amorous excursions for lovebirds on an ultra-romantic getaway.

Live it up at the Ritz

Do some lion around

If you want the tip-top experience on the island, though, we’d recommend the Ritz-Carlton Okinawa (from $2,133. 1343-1 Kise, Nago, Okinawa, (+81) 980-435555, www.ritzcarlton.com), which is the only five-star resort here. It sits on top of a hill overlooking the ocean, and the breezy walkways and in-room terraces lend a tropical feel. As you’d expect from a Ritz-Carlton, the spa here is excellent—try the ESPA ocean shell body treatment (120 minutes, $2,133) for something traditionally Okinawan—as is the food, particularly at Italian restaurant Kise, where all of the dishes have been infused with the region’s flavors. If total relaxation is your game plan, then this is a no-brainer. The only drawback is that it’s perhaps a little too family-friendly for couples.

Lay of the land: Koh Samui is an easy island for resort lounging and beach bumming but it can be a pain to get around. Taxis don’t use meters, charging about $200 to get from one side of the island to the other. You can rent motorbikes for about $60 per day, but many do not include insurance. If all else fails, try to hail a songthaew open-air truck that starts at $5.

About the beaches: Though the most famous stretch of sand on the island are Chaweng and Lamai Beaches, they’re certainly not the most intimate.

Skip the big names and instead opt for little more privacy at inlets such as side-by-side Coral Cove and Crystal Bay, which are set off by big boulders.

There’s also Mae Nam on the northern side, which has maintained a low-key vibe with a sprinkling of little eateries nearby. Of course, the most undisturbed natural beauty is in the snorkeling epicenter of Ang Thong National Marine Park. You can bask in the area’s glorious clear waters all day on a snorkeling day trip with 100 Degrees East (day trips from $1,061. www.100degreeseast.com).

What else is there? Outdoorsy types may want to explore the Namuang Waterfalls ($12 to enter via “Magic Garden” sculpture park): head there in the morning to take advantage of the swimming holes along the waterfall. The surrounding half-baked tourist center is a little scummy, but the 20-minute hike to the waterfalls will transport you far away from that scene.

Get a little R&R at Tamarind Springs Classic Spa (from $400. 05/7 Thong Takian, Koh Samui, (+66) 77-424-221, www.tamarindsprings.com), which offers up several spa packages, along with access to natural herbal steam caves and rock pools.

If you’re out to impress, then book a table at Dining on the Rocks at the Six Senses Resort (9/10 Moo 5, Baan Plai Laem, Koh Samui, (+66) 77-245-678).

The restaurant is built across 10 teak wood decks all at varying levels. Each hosts only four tables at a time, providing an intimate dining experience and a 270 degree-view of the sea. The food holds its own too: go with the “5 from Stefano” tasting menu (from $763) from Chef Stefano Leone, who has taken a sophisticated spin on homey Italian food. Ask about Table 100—a private table on a nearby ledge.

Where to stay: Speaking of beautiful beaches, the Four Seasons Koh Samui (from $7,612. 219 Moo 5, Koh Samui, (+66) 77-243-000, www.fourseasons.com/ kohsamui) has claimed one hell of a plot of land, as well as one of the island’s most secluded coves. The arrival here is dramatic: you slide through a narrow wooden door only to be hit smack in the face with an astounding palm-fringed view over the hotel’s villa rooftops and off to the ocean. It’s a complete treat: thanks in part to the private villas, plunge pools, buggy transfers and a never-ending breakfast buffet.

Getting there: Cathay Pacific flies the three-hour route daily on a route operated by Bangkok Airways (from $3,850, www.cathaypacific.com).

Getting there: Hong Kong Airlines (from $3,550, www.hongkongairlines.com) flies the 2.5-hour direct flight daily.

Dining on the rocks: true to the name HK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, May 8, 2015 11

What Happens in Boracay...

Boracay’s 10 beaches may be all about the flour-fine, snow-white sand during the day. But come nightfall, the Philippine island is all about live music and partying until the wee hours. Katie Kenny checks out the best beaches, each offering very different sides of Boracay.

Lay of the land: Boracay’s Caticlan airport only operates during the day, so schedule an early flight in case of delays. Once you’ve landed, grab a motorized tricycle for a short ride ($7) to the jetty port, where you’ll need to pay an environment tax ($15) and also buy a ferry ticket ($13) to Boracay Island. As soon as you dock, walk straight out of the pier, past the “porters” (they’ll try to weasel cash out of you) and jump in another tricycle to your hotel. Depending on where you’re staying, this shouldn’t be more than PHP150 ($26) but work out the price before you start the journey. This goes for any time you use this mode of transport.

About the beaches: There’s everything from standup paddle boarding, kayaking in see-through boats and skimboarding during the day to pub crawls and full moon parties at night on White Beach— a long stretch of sand on the east side of the island which is split up into three stations. But while Boracay’s most popular beach is the heart of the party, the crowds can be a bit much for those looking to relax.

Take it easy in Danang

Kickin’ back on a paraw

Welcome to Boracay

For a quieter, sun-kissed sandy day head up to Puka Shell Beach on the northern tip of the island.

The 800-meter-long beach is sprinkled with shells and white coral, and offers a few stands selling adorable trinkets at lower prices than you’ll find on White Beach.

And for an even quieter (and perhaps empty) beach travel southwest to Tulubhan and Tambisaan Beaches, two secret spots undiscovered by most tourists. These tiny beaches have lots of shade from old trees and a number of coves to explore.

Sports enthusiasts flock to Bulabog Beach for its world-class windsurfing and kiteboarding facilities and instructors. Spend the day with both amateurs and professionals on the windy west side before walking 10 minutes across the road to Station 2 on White Beach for dinner and drinks.

Looking for a simple beach holiday? Book a regular or motorized paraw double outrigger for a day of island hopping and snorkeling.

What else is there? The food in Boracay isn’t anything special except for three spots visitors shouldn’t miss: the husband and wife-owned Paupatri Restaurant (Station 2, Balabag, (+63) 036288-2477, facebook.com/paupatri.boracay) serves amazing Filipino food served family-style in a wooden treehouse-esque establishment over a small body

Boracay Baywatch: we’d watch it

of water. For a hands-on experience, head over to Talipapa Seafood Market (between Boracay Main Road and White Beach) and haggle for the catch of the day. Then bring your bought and bagged seafood two steps over to Plato D’Boracay Resto where they’ll cook everything for a very reasonable price.

Where to stay: The perfect luxe spot away from the action is Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort and Spa (from $2,158, Barangay Yapak, Boracay, +(63) 036-2884988). The gorgeous resort is tucked into a hillside overlooking its own private beach with one of the best snorkelling spots in the area. Guests can book outings through the hotel or simply take advantage of the inhouse classes, restaurants, bars and the Chi Spa. On the opposite end of the spectrum is the very popular Frendz Hostel (from $165 for individual room, Boat Station 1, Gate No. 0384, Balabag,(+63) 036-2883803, www.frendzresortboracay.com). Backpackers will love the party atmosphere and the friendly boarders.

Getting there: Philippine Airlines flies the three-hour route daily via Manila (from $2,490, www.philippineairlines.com).

Easy Beach Breaks Get on the beach in under three hours. Ready, set, relax!

Danang: If all you want is an easy breezy holiday, then Danang is where it’s at. Venture out for a quick hit of culture in Hoi An if you’re feeling guilty. Or… just stay put.

Cebu: Alternate between stuffing yourself with crispy pork lechon and lazing by the water at the Möevenpick Hotel’s (www.moevenpick-hotels.com) private beach in Cebu. Day trips to see the unique Philippine Tarsier are only a ferry ride away.

But that would require you to move.

Sanya: The only things on the island are luxury hotels and their private beaches. What else do you need anyway?

Kota Kinabalu: Hunker down on the enormous beach at the Shangri-La Rasa Ria (www.shangri-la.com) and relax before taking on Mount Kinabalu. Woah, woah, wait a second— who said anything about hiking?

Phuket: If all else fails, there’s always Phuket.

The Shangri-La does luxury right

12 HK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, May 8, 2015

Get adventurous…

…or take it easy at the Sheridan

Gear up for Puerto Princesa While you’ll find more adrenaline-pumping activities in other parts of Asia, Palawan’s adventurous activities are focused around the exploration of its rare fauna, forests, coral reefs, mangroves, limestone cliffs and virtually empty white sand beaches. Katie Kenny flies into Puerto Princesa for a short yet action-packed beach holiday.

About the beaches: An hour and a half by van outside Palawan’s capital city of Puerto Princesa is Sabang Beach. The calming stretch of sand is less frequented than the main touristy beach in Honda Bay on Puerto Princesa’s east coast, which draws in tour groups and massive crowds. Honda Bay is beautiful but the attractions are quite similar to the same ones you would find anywhere else. Sabang Beach’s pristine

Hop on and take off

Time to hit the beach

waters and soft sand are perfect for a secluded beach day, but they’re made even better by the number of adventurous activities the beach has to offer.

Start with a quick yet scenic 800-meter zipline over Sabang Beach, close to the mangrove forest, with the Sabang x Zipline Tour ($96). Or head to the Irawan Eco Park (bit.ly/hk-zipline) for their four-hour “Adventure & Zipline Tour”—which includes one of the longest ziplines in Asia, a scary skywalk above the forest and a river tour.

Farther south along Sabang Beach are the Sabang Waterfalls and the Chinese Temple. Sign up for a twohour tour, which includes scenic hikes, a guide and visits to both attractions ($52).

You’ll want to start early when heading to the Puerto Princesa Underground River Cave (www.puerto-undergroundriver.com), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the “New7Wonders of Nature” ($263), a few minutes by boat from the Sabang Boat Terminal. But we suggest signing up for the longer boat tour, which takes you deeper into the cave and away from the crowds.

What else is there? If you have time to head into the city for a cultural tour and a touch of shopping join a city tour ($105, bit.ly/hk-ppcity) which takes you around Puerto Princesa City to places including a crocodile farm, old churches, and a factory practicing the famous Binuatan weaving technique.

Where to stay: If you want to try everything in Puerto Princesa—and stay away from the city—check into the Sheridan Beach Resort (packages with activities, food and transport from $1,490. Sabang Beach, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, (+63) 908-880-8509, www. sheridanbeachresort.com). It’s not only located next to the action but the hotel also has its own organic farm not far from the resort. Arrange a lovely afternoon tour and lunch at the farm ($175) and bring home a bag of healthy black rice.

Getting there: Cebu Pacific flies the 3.5-hour route daily via Manila (from $2,120, www.cebupacificair.com).

Spelunk your heart out

Zip across Sabang beach HK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, May 8, 2015 13

LIVE FROM

LAS VEGAS

1 8 M AY M O N D AY 9 : 0 0 A M PRIMETIME ENCORE 9:00PM

Get more out of HK | SHOPPING + TRAVEL + DINING

Junk in the Trunk It’s heating up and we’re all thinking about skipping work to hit the beach.

But you’ve got to look good doing it, perhaps in a pair of trunks from brand new Hong Kong swimwear label Mazu.

The brand is all about special fabrics and colors with a uniquely Hong Kong twist, like these junk-patterned shorts. Hunky muscles not provided: You’ll have to supply those yourself.

“The Junk” swim shorts, $1,400 from Mazu Swimwear x The Dot pop-up shop, H3A, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen St., Central (through May 10) or from www.mazuswimwear.com.

HK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, may 8, 2015 15

Shopping LOOKbook

with Katie Kenny

It’s hot and the sun is out. And while you could simply hop on a bus to the closest beach, why not do one better by flying off to one of the amazing sandy destinations in this week’s cover story? It’s easy. Look, I’ve even packed your bag for you: Itsie Bitsie Shop G117, The Repulse Bay Shopping Arcade, 109 Repulse Bay Rd., 2565-0818.

Bikini, $1,098, Odabash @ Itsie Bitsie

Rebecca Minkoff Shop 306B, 3/F, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, 3-27 Canton Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2406-8618.

Rigby & Peller Shop 310, Landmark, 15 Queen’s Rd. Central, 2877-5655.

Victorinox Shop 2001, 2/F, IFC Mall, 8 Finance St., Central, 2730-1847.

Cutout swimsuit, $1,940, Aubade @ Rigby & Peller

Travel luggage scale, $115, Kikkerland @ Homeless

O’Neill Shop 5, G/F, 52-60 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, 3579-4612.

Homeless 29 Gough St., Central, 2581-1880.

Mr. Porter www.mrporter.com.

Trunks, $1,078, M.Nii @ Mr. Porter

16 HK MAGAZINE

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

Dress, $TBC, Rebecca Minkoff Light jacket, $899, O’Neill

Spectra 2.0 case, $4,150, Victorinox

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DINING

Every One’s a Winner Macau is full of great eateries to suit every budget. Whether you’re torn between splurging on fine dining or want to save a few bucks for the baccarat tables, these restaurants have you covered. By Dan Creffield

Have a bite at Belon

Take it all in at Robuchon au Dôme

Splurge Pearl of the Orient Belon is the Banyan Tree Macau’s signature restaurant, named after Brittany’s famous oysters. Cuisine is innovative and contemporary, with grilled and premium seafood including fresh oysters (of course), seafood platters and more. Some dishes are made tableside for that extra wow factor. Take your squeeze and share steamed sea bass or Australian wagyu côte de boeuf before retiring for the night.

31/F, Banyan Tree Macau, Galaxy Macau, Avenida Marginal Flor de Lotus, Cotai, (+853) 8883-6090.

Mais Oui MGM’s Aux Beaux Arts seeks to recreate the charm and romance of a cozy French brasserie in Paris, where diners linger over classics such as escargot and moules mariniéres, while sipping a glass of wine as the world passes by. Fresh, organic produce, perfect execution and service come together to produce some of the most authentic French gastronomy around.

MGM Macau, Avenida Dr. Sun Yat Sen, NAPE, (+853) 8802-2319.

The Spice is Right The Golden Peacock picked up a one-star rating in the Michelin Guide in 2014 and 2015, thanks to its traditional, authentic Indian cuisine. Nearly everything is prepared from scratch in-house– from yogurt, paneer cheese and ice cream to masalas, sauces, pickles and chutneys.

Shop 1037, 1/F, The Venetian Macao, Estrada da Baía de N. Senhora da Esperança, Cotai, (+853) 8118-9696.

Dome with a View

Surf and Turf

Formerly Robuchon a Galera, the renamed Robuchon au Dôme has relocated to its new home at the 238-meter dome at the Grand Lisboa Hotel, offering great views of Macau. With three Michelin stars and one of the most extensive wine collections in Asia, this is the epitome of fine dining with impeccable service and the décor to match. Signature dishes include caviar jelly with cauliflower cream or pan-seared Kagoshima beef with green asparagus stuffed with black truffles. All that luxury will cost you: set dinner menus start at $1,588 per person.

With a reputation for good food and service, A Tasca do Luis is a homey restaurant off the main tourist strip in Taipa that offers some of the tastiest Portuguese dishes this side of Lisbon. Dig into sweet clams in lemon sauce, marinated squid, or prawns in a butter and wine sauce. Don’t miss the roast suckling pig either at this no-frills, atmospheric establishment—and wash it all down with some Portuguese wine.

43/F, Grand Lisboa, Avenida de Lisboa, (+853) 8803-7878.

Let’s Latin

Save Toute Sweet

El Gaucho serves homemade Argentinean barbecue and tapas dishes, including a variety of grilled meats, pastas, and empanada (meat pies). With an inviting ambience and welcoming host, the steaks—usually from Australia or the US—are cooked perfectly and expertly carved at the table. Booking is essential.

A little off the beaten track, sweets and patisserie café Kafka is a cut above your typical dessert shop. Le Cordon Bleu-trained chefowner Nicole Lei studied bakery in France and she brings a Gallic flair to her signature cakes. “Gloomy Sunday” is a winner, offering rich Valrhona chocolate perfectly paired with fruit cream. Coffees and teas are also excellent.

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

57-59, 63 Rua Correia da Silva, Taipa, (+853) 2882-7636.

26 Rua Direita Carlos Eugenio, Taipa, (+853) 2882-7015.

152 Rue de Braga, Taipa, (+853) 2882-0086.

The Real Deal Hidden away in an alley, Ou Mun Cafe is a little gem that offers the real feel of a Portuguese café. Look out for feijoada de bacalhau, a northern Portuguese take on the classic bean stew, served here with stewed white beans and salt cod instead. The camarão frito (fried prawns) and roasted sucking pig are also worth your time.

G/F, Block A, 12 Travessa de S. Domingos, 12 Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro, (+853) 2837-2207.

18 HK MAGAZINE

Brasserie classics at Aux Beaux Arts

High stakes at El Gaucho

DINING NEW AND NOTED with Adele Wong

The Hong Kong Juice Co.

Mr. Saigon

Viet Kitchen (Shop G04-06, Nexxus Building, 41 Connaught Rd. Central, 2806-2068) is the latest of Chôm Chôm chef Peter Cuong Franklin’s expanding empire. It features a spacious dining hall, communal tables and all-you-can-squeeze cock sauce (it’s SRIRACHA. Geez). On the menu are pho, rice paper rolls, and hearty dishes like grilled meats and wok-fried clams. Snacks (caramel wings) and things to share (pork and prawn dumplings) are another common theme.

Cold Off the Press

Viet Kitchen

In case you were wondering, pressed juice is still a thing. The Hong Kong Juice Co. (Shop E, 18 Lok Ku Rd., Sheung Wan, 2815-5515) offers it in the funkiest selections. Don’t have time to hit the gym? Try a bottle of “Internal Combustion”— which, despite its moniker, does not cause an explosion of your innards, the spontaneous passing of gas, or anything that you would expect from a drink of this name. Thankfully, the carrot, ginger and chili pepper combo only claims to boost your metabolism. “The Hulk,” “Duty Calls,” “Wakey Wakey,” and “Bottle o’Bravado” complete the collection.

The Kitchen Faerie

Dance of the Sugar Dust Fairy

Home baker Fabienne Sayarath is the woman behind The Kitchen Faerie (9688-6329, kitchenfaeriehk@gmail.com, www.facebook.com/ kitchenfaeriehk), a cake and pastries operation that offers custom gateaux, chocolate-frosted cupcakes, rainbow-swirl meringues called Faerie Kisses, choux pastries, and even gluten-free carrot cakes. See the samples pictured here and tell me you don’t want to place an order, like, right now. Given that Fabienne is a one-woman team, she doesn’t do delivery for the time being: Customers will need to pick up their cakes at TKF’s headquarters in Sai Ying Pun. Fabienne needs three days advance notice, and you can reach her by email or phone. Also check out her FB page to get the latest updates.

Email me at adele.wong@hkmagmedia.com or follow me on Twitter: @adelewong_hk.

RESTAURANT REVIEWS

All of our reviews are independent and anonymous!

La Paloma ★★★★★

The Cupping Room ★★★★

Spanish. 1/F, SoHo 189, 189 Queen’s Rd. West, Sai Ying Pun, 2291-6161.

Café. LG/F, The Centre Mark, 287-299 Queen’s Rd. Central

pastries ($22 per piece) to the bacon and cheese “air” baguettes ($17 per piece) to the crispy croquettes ($14 per piece). The savory, creamy squid ink paella ($328) was generous, the variously themed tortilla omelets (potato and onion; Iberian meats; salted cod, $50-60) were fluffy; the suckling pig ($350) a perfect balance of roasted skin and fatty meat.

You can have pigeon at La Paloma (which means “pigeon” in Spanish) and a whole lot more besides. This upstairs Spanish restaurant is chef Willy Trullas Moreno’s second Hong Kong establishment, and is a fun and colorful—not to mention generous— take on tapas.

HIT We loved everything we could pick up with our fingers, from the smoked salmon

MISS The desserts were too carb-y and boring. There was one that was literally just some sweet bread filled with nutella; and a donut-like product that wasn’t treacly enough to be the real deal, or fluffy enough to be a cake.

BOTTOM LINE Don’t save room for dessert, but do order as many dishes as you possibly can to appreciate the La Paloma experience.

Open Sat-Sun noon-4pm, Tue-Sun 6-11pm. $$$

Ratings ★ Don’t go ★★ Disappointing ★★★ We’ll be back ★★★★ We’ll be back—with friends ★★★★★ You MUST go

Price Guide $ Less than $200

$$ $200-$399

$$$ $400-$599

$$$$ $600-$799

$$$$$ $800 and up

(entrance on Cleverly Street), Sheung Wan, 2799-3398.

stone-baked sourdough ($78) came with an impressive amount of fish and a handful of freshly diced tomatoes. It was great as light lunch, but might leave those with bigger appetites wishing they’d gone for a plate of pasta. We finished with a small pastry: a rhubarb and pistachio cake ($36) that was packed with fruit, sprinkled with nuts, and just the right three-bite size.

The Cupping Room doesn’t just do awardwinning coffee: the casual, industrial-chic café puts out great brunch and lunch too.

HIT Though the place is not open for dinner, brunch and lunch set options ($98-138, noon2:30pm) are pretty varied, including everything from king prawn linguine to eggs Benedict.

We went with the all-day breakfast options.

Smoked salmon scrambled eggs tartine on

MISS The poached egg with mashed avocado and smoked salmon on stone-baked sourdough ($108) was topped with a huge portion of salmon but the egg was overdone.

Overall the dish was too soft and wet: it needed some crunchy texture to balance it out.

BOTTOM LINE TCR is a warm and inviting spot for a simple coffee catchup, a lingering weekend brunch or a quick bite.

Open Mon-Friday, 8am-5pm; Sat 8am-6pm; Sun 10am-6pm. $$$

Our Policy Reviews are based on actual visits to the establishments listed by our super-sneaky team of hungry reviewers, without the knowledge of the restaurants. Reviews are included at the discretion of the editors and are not paid for by the restaurants. Menus, opening hours and prices change and should be checked. New restaurants are not reviewed within one month of their opening. Reviews are written from a typical diner’s perspective. Ratings are awarded in accordance with the type of restaurant reviewed, so the city’s best wonton noodle stall could earn five stars while a fancy French restaurant could be a one-star disaster.

HK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015 19

Culture + nightlife + film

Hate to See You Go But Love to Watch You Leave Unless you’ve been living in an internet vortex, chances are you’ve stumbled upon the #FollowMeTo series by Murad Osmann—photographs of his girlfriend leading him across stunning landscapes all over the world. Highlights are, of course, Osmann’s visits to Hong Kong landmarks last year, but also wanderlust-inducing trails across Georgia, India and Russia. The latest series of photographs were taken in collaboration with jewelry brand Bochic. Want one on your wall? Prints are available through The Cat Street Gallery.

Through May 10. Sky Lounge, The Upper House, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty.

20 HK MAGAZINE

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

ARTS

Need to Know

Theater & Arts

Urbtix (credit cards) Urbtix (enquiries) HK Ticketing HK Arts Centre Fringe Club HK Cultural Centre

Edited by Evelyn Lok evelyn.lok@hkmagmedia.com

HK Picks

CCOHK: Lise de la Salle

If you managed to see I Am Concepts’ “Duets” last Valentine’s Day—an anthology of stand-up comedy, poetry and theater—or scored seats to their “Black Narcissus” collaborative show with Erbert Chong, you’ll enjoy their latest production, themed around women. It’s a series of chance encounters between modern-day women and ladies from literature, musing and debating about “love, ambition, independence and fate.” What’s more, each encounter will be the subject of a themed drink. May 15, 8pm; May 16, 4pm, 6pm, 10pm. Lightstage Art & Events Venue, G/F, 218 Hollywood Rd., Sheung Wan. $458 for one, $888 for two from eventbrite.com.hk; includes free flow wine. www.iam-dining.com.

The City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong’s take on Le French May brings the French piano virtuoso Lise de la Salle to the SAR for the first time. The pianist will be playing three charming tunes: from Mozart’s playful piano concerto No. 23, to Saint-Saëns’ cabaret-style second piano concerto, to Fauré’s “Masques et Bergamasques.” Budding pianists can check out a masterclass by de la Salle on May 9, 3pm (CR2, 7/F, Concert Hall Backstage, Hong Kong Cultural Centre). The pianist will also play a solo recital on the 11th (Jockey Club Auditorium, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University). May 10-11, 8pm. Concert Hall, City Hall, 5 Edinburgh Place, Central. $100-400 from www.urbtix.hk, Register for the masterclass from www.ccohk.com.

The Sound of Music The classic musical graces the Hong Kong stage this May. Coming straight from the West End’s Palladium Theatre, the international tour of this old-school Rodgers and Hammerstein production has teamed up with the HK Youth Arts Foundation to cast Hong Kong children to play the Von Trapp kids. You’ll be 16 going on 17 all over again. Family ticket packages for two adults and two children can be had from $1,888. May 15-Jun 21. Lyric Theatre, Academy for Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Rd., Wan Chai, 2584-8500. $395-995 from www.hkticketing.com.

Dance Bipolar Bodies Inspired by the mesmerizing harmony of two dancers, the Hong Kong Dance Company has enlisted the artistic direction of new media artist Keith Lam and choreographer Daniel Yeung to bring on a multimedia feast for the senses. May 15-16, 7:45pm; May 16-17, 3pm. Sheung Wan Civic Centre, 345 Queen’s Rd. Central, Sheung Wan. $150 from www.urbtix.hk. Free seating.

Shall We Tango!?

The title of this concert is an outcry as baffling as the band’s name: the Coamorous Quartet, which has a mix of members hailing from Russia and South Korea. The Seoul-based ensemble brings original Argentinian tango and a mix of contemporary tunes to the Fringe Club stage.

May 14, 9:30pm. Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Rd., Central, 2521-7251. $130 from the Fringe Club.

Includes one drink.

Comedy TakeOut Comedy Presents: Paul Ogata

The HK Singers presents their first musical of the year, Stephen Sondheim’s “Assassins.”

Coming right on time in the lead-up to the US presidential race, the musical is a series of sketches of all the men (and women) who have tried to assassinate US presidents—with era-defining music to match each case. Through May 9, 8pm; May 10, 3pm. HKRep Black Box, 8/F, Sheung Wan Civic Centre, Sheung Wan Municipal Services Building, 345 Queen’s Rd. Central, Sheung Wan, 2853-2689. $200-250 from www. urbtix.hk.

2921-2840 2584-8500 2408-0128 2268-7321 2268-7323 2268-7323

Encounters with Ladies

Hot off the trail of “The Sound of Music,” and “Phantom of the Opera” and “Mamma Mia” last year, Lunchbox Theatrical Productions presents the SAR with another catchy song-and-dance spectacle straight from the West End. Never seen it? The beloved umbrella-touting, rainboot-splashing Hollywood musical—arguably the best of them all—follows three performers in the thick of the transition between the silent film and talkie era. The current production will be recycling 12,000 liters of water per performance, so prepare to get splashed. Sep 25-Oct 11. Lyric Theatre, Academy for Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Rd., Wan Chai, 2584-8500. $445-1,125 from www.hkticketing.com

HK Singers: Assassins

HK City Hall HK Academy for Performing Arts Kwai Tsing Theatre LCSD Music Programme Office LCSD Dance/Multi-Arts Office LCSD Theatre Office

Comin g up!

Singin’ in the Rain

Musicals

2111-5999 2734-9009 3128-8288 2582-0200 2521-7251 2734-2009

The TakeOut Comedy legend returns (yet again!).

The Asian-American comedian has been a TOC fan favorite and top headliner for all of the club’s major celebratory events, including its 1,000th show in 2013. He’ll talk about societal bullcrap, his parents’ wise words, dating, and living up to Asian expectations: he’ll certainly surpass yours.

See him at Champs bar (209-219 Wan Chai Rd.) on opening night, and TakeOut Comedy thereafter. May 14-16, 8pm; May 15-16, 10pm.

TakeOut Comedy, B/F, 34 Elgin St., Central, 62204436. $250-300 from www.takeoutcomedy.com.

Comédie Ballet: The Bourgeois Gentleman A Molière masterpiece is brought to life in its original intended form of a comédie-ballet (a play interspersed with music and dance), with music by Molière’s frequent collaborator Jean-Baptiste Lully. The satire pokes fun at the pretentious, social-climbing middle class and the snobbish aristocracy, focusing on protagonist Monsieur Jourdain, who is conned by a young man posing as the Sultan of Turkey. The play is in French, with English and Chinese subtitles.

Jun 4-5, 7:30pm. Grand Theatre, Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui. $120-480 from www.urbtix.hk.

Classical

Masterworks: Mozart & Shostakovich Conductor Case Scaglione of the New York Philharmonic joins the HK Phil in a presentation of Mozart’s “Paradis” concerto, a piece originally composed for Parisian audiences—making it perfect timing for Le French May. It’ll be followed by a powerful punch of Russian orchestra work, with Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 11—an homage to the 1905 revolution. May 15-16, 8pm.

Concert Hall, Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui. $160-360 from www.urbtix.hk.

Good Music at the Fringe with James Cuddeford The HK Sinfonietta’s Concertmaster James Cuddeford steps out of the concert hall for this chamber music series at the Fringe Club Dairy. He’ll be playing a mix of classical to contemporary on the violin. May 19, 7pm.

Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Rd., Central, 25217251. $150 from hksl.org, including a drink.

Lilly Singh Going by the internet handle “Superwoman,” Indian-Canadian YouTube sensation Lilly Singh is known for her on point observational sketches, parodying anything from girls’ everyday lives to impersonations of her Punjabi parents. Singh is paying a visit to Hong Kong as part of her global tour, “A Trip to Unicorn Island”—part comedy show, part song-and-dance performance, Singh’s show will be all about sharing love and positivity—as you’d expect from any unicornrelated spectacle. May 30, 8pm. MacPherson Stadium, 38 Nelson St., Mong Kok. $380-480 from www.cityline.com.

Theater Jekyll and Hyde This collaboration between Hong Kong’s Chung Ying Theatre Company and playwright and director Jonathan Holloway—worshipped for his dark interpretations of “Vertigo” and “Les Misérables”—brings a brand new spin to the classic Jekyll and Hyde tale. Through May 9, 8pm; May 10, 3pm. Amphitheatre, Academy for Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Rd., Wan Chai. $160-420 from www.hkticketing.com.

Herbal, Vocal or Motional The Chinese Orchestra teams up with a cappella masters the Yat Po Singers to investigate relationships between Chinese medicine (藥) and music (樂). The two share similarities: their Chinese characters are set apart by only one radical and each has five fundamental facets to its philosophy—the concept of balancing five elements versus the pentatonic scale. At the concert, you’ll hear the Singers playfully work with traditional Chinese sounds. May 8-9, 8pm.

Concert Hall, Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui. $100-380 from www.urbtix.hk.

Royal Festivities at the French Court in the 16th Century The Doulce Memoire Ensemble will be taking on some serious French nostalgia by reenacting the atmosphere of the royal court during the 16th century, in celebration of the 500th anniversary of King Francis I’s reign as part of Le French May’s overarching theme this year. It’ll be a splendorous event filled with music, singing, dancing, and beautiful period costumes—presumably omitting the hereticburning, chamberpot-tossing, tactical-wedding shenanigans of the time. May 28, 8pm. Concert Hall, City Hall, 5 Edinburgh Place, Central. $180-380 from www.urbtix.hk.

HK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, may 8, 2015 21

ARTS Exhibitions “Paul Meyer plays beautifully, with smooth, silken tone, immaculate dynamic control and unfailingly sensitive phrasing.”

HK Picks

Gramophone

Comin g up!

Affordable Art Fair 2015

Returning for its third edition in the SAR, the Affordable Art Fair heads the now much sparser May art wave. The fair famously showcases a wide variety of art, all priced between $1,000 and $100,000: but more importantly, it has also been a springboard for plenty of young Hong Kong talents. The artists featured in previous years’ “Young Talent Hong Kong” exhibitions at the fair have gone on to garner plenty of international exposure and gallery representation. Want to catch trends in art before they go all mainsteam? Or do you just need something to hang in the corridor? Don’t want to miss out. Be sure to check out the kickoff party, “Art After Dark Evening” on May 22 at 6pm. May 22-24. Hong Kong Convention Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai, 2582-8888. $80-150 from www.hkticketing.com. affordableartfair.com/hongkong.

Clarinet

Paul Meyer

Pang Yongjie: Sensual Encounters Widely recognized as one of China’s best “post-contemporary” abstract artists (whatever that means), Pang Yongjie’s work consists of a signature abstract female: a matronly figure with a tiny, bright duckface pout. Modelled after the Tang dynasty style of depicting women, Pang’s canvas ladies are painted in thick, fat daubs, with thick accentuated curves. Bootylicious! May 14-Jun 12. Fabrik Contemporary Art, 1102 Nam Wo Hong Building, 148 Wing Lok St., Sheung Wan, 2525-4911.

Programme

Ravel Nielsen Debussy Sibelius

Pavane pour une Infante Défunte Clarinet Concerto, Op 57 Première Rhapsodie Symphony No 6, Op 104

23.5.2015

Beyond the Sound: New Media Art Exhibition Le French May presents its very first sound art exhibition, featuring 14 works by Hong Kong and French artists. Artists such as Cedric Maridet, Samson Young and Edwin Lo will each create immersive soundscapes, whereas Pierre Bastien, Bertrand Lamarche and Phoebe Hui’s work investigates the materiality of sound through tangible objects. May 8-Jun 8. Comix Home Base, 7 Mallory St., Wan Chai, 2824-5303.

(Sat) 8pm

Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall $360 $220 $140

Tickets at URBTIX 2111 5999 | www.URBTIX.hk

Programme Enquiries: 2836 3336 | info@hksinfonietta.org For ages 6+ Hong Kong Sinfonietta reserves the right to change the programme and artists

Music Director/Conductor

Hong Kong Sinfonietta is financially supported by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Yip Wing-sie

Hong Kong Sinfonietta is the Venue Partner of the Hong Kong City Hall

Exclusive sponsor

Co-presenter

Venue and ticketing services sponsored by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department

22 HK MAGAZINE

FRIDAY, may 8, 2015

Huang Yin: My Distant Voice Sichuanese artist Huang Yin made a name for herself after being lauded by the National Art Museum of China in 1997 when she graduated from the Sichuan Fine Arts Academy. She’s now best known for her works depicting Mao-era culture, of cartoonish little boys in traditional Maostyle garb. It’s not just your average revolutionary painting: the characters in Huang’s paintings also have a western fable undertone, plunged into “Pinocchio” or “Lord of the Flies”-esque narratives.

Through May 10. Lightstage Art & Events Venue, 218 Hollywood Rd., Sheung Wan. Free.

nightlife hk picks

Justice Just in time for Le French May, the people behind Clockenflap are bringing in Grammy-winning, disco-infused electro duo Justice for a DJ set. May 15, 8pm. Star Hall, KITEC, 1 Trademart Drive, Kowloon Bay. $690 from www.hkticketing.com.

Clubs Ozone 4th Anniversary Party With Flying Colors The highest bar in the world is celebrating its anniversary in style— a colorful night featuring an “interactive” graffiti wall and cocktails crafted by the bar’s own mixologists, plus of course beats from the bar’s resident DJs. Who’s gonna be there? Mistrezz C, Hitomi, Tai Pan Dan and Mike Wolf, among other local mainstays.

Dress code is “bright colors,” so don’t turn up in a business suit, unless your business is being fabulous. May 9, 10pm. Ozone, 118/F, The Ritz-Carlton, 1 Austin Rd. West, West Kowloon, 2263-2263. Free.

DJ Excel Originally from Philly, DJ Excel spins hip hop, house, funk and more all over LA’s hottest spots. He’s coming back to Hong Kong to spin at Levels. May 14, 10pm. Levels, 2/F, On Hing Building, 1 On Hing Terrace, Central, 2811-1568. Price TBA.

Concerts Mika Is Mika still relevant? Evidently so—the UK singer of “Grace Kelly” fame is doing an intimate set at the Vine Centre in Wan Chai in June. Jun 3, 8pm. Vine Centre 2, 29 Burrows St., Wan Chai, 25730793. $590 from www.ticketflap.com.

Blur Attention Britpop fans: Blur is coming back to Hong Kong. Last time Albarn, Coxon et al. were here, they were inspired by the city to make their latest album, “the Magic Whip,” released on April 27. Start listening to it on loop now, so you can sing along to all the lyrics. Jul 22, 8pm. Grand Hall, HKCEC, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai. $480-880 from www.hkticketing.com.

Imagine Dragons Did you miss Imagine Dragons’ free gig last year at the “Transformers” premiere?

The Las Vegas alt-rock band is coming back for a one-night performance. This time, though, you’ll have to pay. Sorry. Aug 23, 9pm. AsiaWorld-Arena, Sky Plaza Rd., Chek Lap Kok, 3606-8828. $288-788 from www.hkticketing.com.

Robbie Williams Unless you’ve pulled a Walden and confined yourself to a wooden cabin on Po Toi, then you’ve probably heard of ex-Take That mischief-maker Robbie Williams, and his string of pop hits including “Angels” and “Let Me Entertain You.” He may be better known for his antics than his actual pipes but the singer is returning to Hong Kong for a one-night concert this September. Fans, jump on tickets quick. Sep 23, 8pm. AsiaWorld-Arena, Sky Plaza Rd., Chek Lap Kok, 3606-8828. $880-1,480 from www.hkticketing.com.

Gigs Uncovered: Not Your Usual Cover Bands The Underground normally hosts gigs featuring original tunes, but this time, it’s doing things a little differently. At Uncovered, you’ll see four cover bands take to the stage. The lineup: acoustic duo SPAM, or Solomon’s Porch Awesome Musicians, who do chart hits; Banyan Bay Ensembles, who bring everything from bluegrass and country blues to delta and swing to the table; Champs Band, performing covers of hits from the 60s to 80s; and Mainland China-formed Revolution. May 9, 9:30pm.

Backstage Live, 1/F, Somptueux Central, 52-54 Wellington St., Central, 2167-8985. $120 from www.tickets.undergroundhk.com; $150 at the door, both including a drink.

Nowhere Boys Indie five-piece Nowhere Boys—which counts local mainstay Nate Wong as its drummer—was formed last year to play cinematic soft-rock tunes. What does that sound like? Go to this free gig and find out.

May 10, 3pm. TC2 Café & Workshop, G/F, 23 Cedar St., Prince Edward, 2388-9772. Free; email tc2bandshow@gmail.com to register.

Cosmic Chauffeur Presents Double A Sides At this gig, see rock four-piece 22 Cats— which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year—plus lounge punk three-piece Logo. May 16, 9pm. Orange Peel, 2/F, 38-44 D’Aguilar St., Central, 2812-7177. $100 from www.ticketflap.com; $120 at the door.

HK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, may 8, 2015 23

nightlife hk picks

It’s free!

Noughts and Exes: The Final Show Hong Kong’s indie darlings Noughts and Exes are disbanding! The indie folk-pop band originally burst on to the scene in 2007, gaining traction in 2011 with a second album “The Start of Us.” Two years later they became the first Hong Kong band to release an album through a Kickstarter campaign. Over the years, they have established themselves as mainstays on the scene, becoming one of the city’s best-loved indie bands. Sadly, they’re now saying goodbye. Luckily for fans—or maybe just to prove this isn’t a Yoko situation—they’re coming together for one last hurrah at the Vine Centre. See them now, or never. Jun 6, 8pm. Vine Centre 2, 29 Burrows St., Wan Chai, 2573-0793. $180 from www.ticketflap.com; $220 at the door.

We Start From Here Five Hong Kong bands all of different styles are coming together to present this gig. See indie pop-rockers Hydro-Balloon; indie rock four-piece Bittersweet; pop-punk group Stella; rock band Guan Yin, which started off as a cover band; and finally, power-pop band Silhungmo. May 19, 7:30pm. The Warehouse Teenage Club, 116 Aberdeen Main Rd., Aberdeen. Price TBA.

Electric Wonderland Combining a pool party with EDM beats and the Hong Kong summer always works, so get excited for Electric Wonderland, a two-day pool party at the W. Dutch DJs and producers R3hab (ugh) and Dannic will hit the decks, plus other DJs dropping EDM, electro, deep house and progressive beats.

May 8-9, 9pm. W Hotel, 1 Austin Rd. West, West Kowloon, 3717-2222. $380 including a drink; $580 including a glass of champagne.

Tickets from www.eventbrite.hk. www.electricwonderland.com.

This Will Destroy You Texan four-piece This Will Destroy You returns to the stage at Hidden Agenda (where else?). Also known as TWDY, the band plays instrumental and post-rock, garnering critical acclaim and a considerable fanbase. Disclaimer: the music may, in fact, Destroy You. Addendum: It probably won’t.

May 20, 8pm. Hidden Agenda, Unit 2A, Wing Fu Industrial Building, 15-17 Tai Yip St., Ngau Tau Kok. $240 from www.ticketflap.com; $280 at the door.

Secret Walls x Havaianas With humble beginnings in an East London bar, Secret Walls is now a worldwide live art event. This time, it’s joining forces with Havaianas to hold a live art battle at Backstage Live. There are eight artists fighting it out to vinyl tunes from hip-hop, funk and house DJs, including Jay Pelmet— that’s Clockenflap founder Jay Forster to you plebs. Grab your tickets now for the hipster-filled affair. May 15, 7:30pm.

Backstage Live, 1/F, Somptueux Central, 52-54 Wellington St., Central, 2167-8985. $150 from www.ticketflap.com.

Nightlife Events hk-magazine.com/hktablet

24 HK MAGAZINE

FRIDAY, may 8, 2015

Ladies Who Whisky Hullett House’s Whisky@Stables bar plays host to Ladies Who Whisky, a series of 90-minute classes aimed at getting women to learn more about the tipple.

There are different workshops, each bringing something different to the table. On May 14, Jasmine Smith of fashion blog Dress Me will be on hand to talk about whisky and fashion.

On May 21, reps from Pierre Hermé will take you through a tasting of chocolates paired with whiskies. On May 28, learn exactly how floral arrangements and whiskies go handin-hand with pros from Oulala Flower. Finally, on June 4, the class’s theme is “the Nordic whisky experience,” helmed by chef Jaakko Sorsa of Scandinavian restaurant FINDS. May 14, May 21, May 28, Jun 4, 7pm.

Whisky@Stables, Hullett House, 1881 Heritage, 2A Canton Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 3988-0104. $398 on May 14; $500 on May 21; $398 on May 28; $350 on Jun 4.

White Party No, it’s not a party for gweilos. The annual White Party is now in its 10th year, and it’s going to be bigger than ever—it’s taking place at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. On the cards: DJs Thomas Gold and Spencer Tarring. VIP tickets ($1,080) will get you all kinds of extras, such as access to the VIP lounge and outdoor terrace, a drink voucher, and fast queue for the bathrooms. You know it’s gonna be a messy one when they offer the VIPs a different line for bathrooms. What is this, the Sevens? May 30, 10pm. Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, Kowloon City. $480-1,080 from www.hkticketing.com. www.whitepartyhk.com.

macau

Edited by

Charley Mulliner charlotte.mulliner@ hkmagmedia.com

hk picks

Cesar Millan: Love Your Dogs The world’s most-loved dog expert returns to Asia this summer with his “Love Your Dogs” tour.

This time Cesar Millan is bypassing Hong Kong but will be hitting up Macau’s Cotai Arena in June.

You can expect a full-on show from the “dog whisperer” as he imparts his wisdom with a variety of demonstrations live on stage. Does your dog suffer from behavior issues? Do you want to be able to read your dog’s body language? If it’s one woof for yes, book your tickets now. Leave your dog at home, though. Jun 6, 7:30pm. CotaiArena, The Venetian Macao, Estrada do Istmo, Cotai. $280-880 from www.hkticketing.com. www.cesarmillanlive.com.

Stage Live Spectacle—Naruto A fan of Japanese manga? Then a live-action version of manga sensation “Naruto” should get you all worked up. The live spectacle— based on the first 27 volumes of the popular series by Masashi Kishimoto—will focus on the first part of Naruto’s life in an acting, dance and acrobatic performance. Intricate costumes, incredible makeup and immense special effects will all help bring these characters to life. May 22-24, 7pm; 23-24, 1:30pm. Venetian Theatre, The Venetian Macao, Estrada do Istmo, Cotai, $280-880 from www.cotaiticketing.com.

War Sum Up This contemporary opera by experimental Danish theater group Hotel Pro Forma is an reflection on the brutal nature of war that’s already been slated to perform at the cutting-edge Brooklyn Academy’s Next Wave Festival. Featuring the Grammy Award-winning Latvian Radio Choir, the cast of 12 singers tells the story through three main characters: a soldier suffering from PTSD, a ghost of a warrior killed in battle and a spy-turned-superwoman. Expect a dark, visually stunning performance. Jun 27, 8pm. Macao Cultural Centre, Avenida Xian Xing Hai, Macau Peninsula. $100-300 from the Macao Cultural Centre box office, (+853) 2840-0555 or www.ccm.gov.mo.

Film Festival

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Macao International Film and Video Festival 2015 The ninth edition of this annual festival puts on a show of both international and local productions, complemented by a packed schedule of workshops, talks and exhibitions. Get your tickets now for May— the month of “Macao Indies.” The lineup features 26 local filmmakers including short features, animations and documentaries.

Look out for “The Other Half” (May 13), a story that follows Juliet as she arrives in Macau after her mother’s death to trace her diary of clues from beyond the grave, and “Fallen” (May 12), an animation involving a time-traveling boy and his skateboard. Indie indeed. Through May 17.

Macao Cultural Centre, Avenida Xian Xing Hai, Macau Peninsula. $60 from www.ccm.gov.mo.

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Ghost The Musical Get your tissues out—one of Hollywood’s biggest love stories hits the Macau stage in August. A West End and Broadway hit, Ghost the Musical is based on the 1990 Oscarwinning movie starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg. Not familiar with the tearjerker of a tale? Meet Sam, the murder victim who returns as a hunky ghost; Molly, the grieving widow whose life is in danger; and kooky psychic Oda Mae Brown, who ends up in the middle of the drama.

Who are you kidding? You’re just here for the sexy pottery scene. Aug 4-9, 8pm; Aug 8-9, 3pm. Macao Cultural Centre, Avenida Xian Xing Hai, Macau Peninsula. $180-480. www.macauticket.com.

Coming Macau Grand Prix Get your diaries out: our sister up!

SAR is shifting into gear for the 62nd Macau Grand Prix already. Four prestigious international races will headline the program from November 19-22, including the all-new FIA GT World Cup. For speed demons, the Motorcycle Grand Prix is back for its 49th edition—expect white-knuckle thrills (and that’s just for the spectators) as the world’s best racers hit speeds of up to 280kmph. Stay tuned to www.macau. grandprix.gov.mo for ticketing details.

Nov 19-22.

HK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, may 8, 2015 25

FILM

Edited by Evelyn Lok evelyn.lok@hkmagmedia.com

Coming Soon

The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death Cart

Citizenfour

(South Korea) When a large Korean supermarket chain decides to outsource all of its existing part-time roles, the shop’s dedicated and underappreciated cashiers and cleaners decide to rise up and fight for their rights. They pull out all the tricks in the book: forming a union, picketing, peaceful protesting, and occupying the supermarket grounds—even enduring violent threats from authority just for a chance to negotiate their terms. How familiar this feels…

Opens May 14.

PPPPP

(UK) The 2012 British horror film based on the Susan Hill novel gets the full sequel treatment. Set during the WWII Blitz, a schoolteacher brings the children under her care to a house in the country—a place they discover is haunted by the vengeful spirit of a(nother) woman in black who targets young children. Cue creepy music and plenty of mangled dolls! Opens May 14.

Opening Citizenfour (USA) See review, left. Opened May 7.

(USA/HK) Documentary. Directed by Laura Poitras. Starring Edward Snowden, Glenn Greenwald, William Binney. 113 minutes. Category IIA. Opened May 7.

It’s been about two years since Edward Snowden first leaked classified NSA information while holed up at The Mira Hong Kong. The news storm that ensued called it the most significant leak in all of US history. But even before that, everyone already had an inkling that we were all being spied on. How could you not? Think about when your Google searches immediately show up afterwards as sidebar ads, or when your long-forgotten Tinder matches curiously pop up on Facebook as recommended friends. As an internet citizen, it’s inevitable. You merely don’t realize the full extent of it until you have the truth laid out in front of you. In doing so, “Citizenfour” succeeds in instilling a more profound kind of fear than what supernatural nightmares can conjure: Because it’s real.

In 2013, Laura Poitras received encrypted emails from someone claiming to have information about the US government’s covert surveillance programs—someone called Edward Snowden.

Together with reporter Glenn Greenwald, Poitras flew to Hong Kong to meet him. Much of the film takes place from within Snowden’s hotel room: An alien view of the situation to most of us in Hong Kong, who were hanging on to media reports delivered at street-level at the time. We witness his eight-day stint in Hong Kong, as well as his transfer to Russia with help from the UN refugee agency. As he fades from sight, other points of view—security experts, journalists and lawyers— all begin to thread into the picture.

In Poitras’ edit of the remarkable source material, the story gets eerie yet effective background music and suspenseful pacing—built up much like a thriller. “Citizenfour” is also characterized by a lot of waiting, and a great buzzing quietness. It’s so cinematically delivered that you barely remember that you’re watching real people who are discovering revelations in real time.

While the truths uncovered in “Citizenfour” are not comprehensive, it doesn’t aim to be a lesson in whistleblowing, nor a crash course in government surveillance tools—it sufficiently illustrates the tip of the iceberg of “metadata” that governments accumulate about each individual every day. Snowden goes on to elaborate: your cellphone data which logs your location, which links to your purchasing data, travel card data and your debit card, and so on.

In between each crucial revelation, there are quiet moments: Snowden in his room shaving, packing, using the phone, staring out the window. We listen to muffled conversation from outside glass doors. Even towards the end, we look in through a nondescript apartment window at Snowden’s Russian home, as he cooks with his girlfriend. It all builds up that voyeuristic feeling, almost as if we are the ones who have been eavesdropping the whole time.

However, that comes with drawbacks: the narrative feels closed despite the filmmakers’ attempts to introduce new voices as they lose touch with their main informant towards the end of the film. There are wider, continuing issues about our personal privacy and its implications for freedom that are raised, but it seems there’s not enough to suggest a continuing battle. It’s easy, then, to become complacent once more when the cinema lights come back on.

Snowden, Greenwald, and Poitras emphasize throughout the film that this is not any particular individual’s story. It’s pertinent to everyone who exists in today’s world. It’s now years on since the first leaks were made: how much more frightening is it now that nothing has changed? Evelyn Lok

Mad Max: Fury Road (USA) George Miller’s dystopian action series from the 80s finally follows up with a fourth installment, with Tom Hardy replacing Mel Gibson as “Mad” Max. An insane road war takes place in a post-apocalyptic future across a desert wasteland. Max is enlisted to help Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) to cross the desert and to hide and protect the world’s greatest resource from a deadly motorcycle gang. Get ready for breathtaking visuals and the sandiest ride of your life.

Opens May 14.

A Little Chaos (UK) Alan Rickman directs and stars in his second cinema baby, “A Little Chaos”— a story about a female landscape architect (Kate Winslet) who competes against her male counterpart to design the gardens at Versailles for King Louis XIV. Feminism, Rickman and gardens? What could go wrong?

Opens May 14.

Full Strike (Hong Kong/China) Director Derek Kwok returns after last year’s mega box office hit “As the Light Goes Out.” It sounds like a pretty big artistic jump: from intense firefighting epic to action comedy romp about a jaded former badminton star (Josie Ho) who rediscovers a thirst for the sport and her life—thanks to a ragtag team of newfound ex-con friends.

Awww! Opened May 7.

Spandau Ballet: Soul Boys of the Western World (UK) This docu is “True” “Gold” about the princes of the New Romantic movement, from the band’s inception up ‘til their recent comeback. A must-see for any Spandau Ballet fan, as there’s a 45-minute-long concert at the end of the movie that’s accompanied by lyrics in case you feel like crooning along. Opened May 7. PPP

Continuing

The Taking of Tiger Mountain (China) Director Tsui Hark brings a highoctane twist to the famed Chinese bandit tale, originally based on one of the “eight model plays” allowed during the Cultural Revolution.

Set in 1946 in the midst of the Chinese civil war, a small PLA unit treks across the unforgiving northeastern Chinese countryside as they hunt down ruthless bandits ruled by Hawk (Tony Leung Ka-fai) from up on Tiger Mountain. They are helped by an investigator, Yang (Zhang Hanyu) who must outsmart the outlaws by infiltrating the fortress on his own.

Opens May 14.

26 HK MAGAZINE

FRIDAY, may 8, 2015

The Avengers: Age of Ultron (USA) The fate of mankind is (once again) hanging by a thread: this time as Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) creates Ultron, an artificial intelligence which decides that the best way to bring peace to the world is to exterminate all humans. It’s up to The Avengers to join forces once more to protect our home… prepare for plenty of exploding robot fun.

PPPP

Need to Know AMC Cinema, 2265-8933 www.amccinemas.com.hk Broadway Circuit, 2388-3188 www.cinema.com.hk

Golden Harvest Cinema, 2622-6688 www.goldenharvest.com

UA Cinema, 3516-8811 www.uacinemas.com.hk

MCL Cinema, 3413-6688 www.mclcinema.com

The Metroplex, 2620-2200 www.metroplex.com.hk

The Grand Cinema, 2196-8170 www.thegrandcinema. com.hk

Helios, who helps a terrorist group forge nukes in Hong Kong. Caught in the middle?

Jacky Cheung, as a physics professor who’s working with two Korean weapons experts.

Murmur of the Hearts

Dior and I (France) In this documentary about the legendary house of Christian Dior, director Frédéric Tcheng managed to get a rare insider’s look at Raf Simons’ first couture collection for the brand as artistic director.

You don’t need to know haute couture to relate to the stress of the fashion industry; neither will you need it to appreciate the breathtaking final products. PPP

Helios (Hong Kong) Starring an ensemble cast, Shawn Yue and Nick Cheung play the good guys against Chang Chen—the titular baddie

(Taiwan) Veteran director Sylvia Chang makes a comeback after a seven-year hiatus. Focusing a lens on her hometown of Taipei, “Murmur of the Hearts” looks at three estranged members of a family and the ways they react to compassion and perhaps, reconciliation.

White God (Hungary/Germany) When 13-year-old Lili is forced to abandon her dog in a society that deems mongrels “unfit” to be kept, it stops at nothing to reunite with her again— even if it means banding with all the other literal underdogs of society to instigate a dangerous uprising. But while “White God” boasts some stunning cinematography, there are too many unanswered questions here to provide a satisfying experience. PP

Special Screenings

Le French May Film Program The Le French May festival also brings plenty of French film into the mix this month. Don’t miss our picks, including “New Territories” (May 10), a thriller of sorts about a French woman in Hong Kong selling a new method to dispose of dead bodies; “You and the Night” (May 12), a story of a sexy midnight orgy club featuring a cast of strange characters learning to embrace their strangeness—all inspired by “The Breakfast Club”; and “We Did It On A Song” (May 24), a coming of age documentary about five 17-year-old aspiring musicians in a French fishing town troubled by the financial crisis.

May 8-31. Broadway Cinematheque and Palace IFC. $80-95.

HK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, may 8, 2015 27

Free Will Astrology Rob Brezsny

TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20): Here’s one of the best things you can do for your mental and physical health: Withdraw your attention from the life that lies behind you, and be excited about the life that stretches ahead of you. Forget about the past, and get wildly inventive as you imagine the interesting future you will create for yourself.

Forgive everyone who has offended you, and fantasize about the fun adventures you’ll go on, the inspiring plans you’ll carry out, and the invigorating lessons you hope to learn.

GEMINI (May 21-Jun 20): In the children’s

it can. It will. It must. I predict that your detail-

repeated ever since. After Dean retired, he was

book “The Little Engine That Could,” a little

loving intelligence will paradoxically guide you

inducted into the Hall of Fame. Never shy about

blue engine volunteers to pull a long chain

to expand your possibilities even further.

acknowledging his own prowess, he declared that “if you can do it, it ain’t bragging.” It is in

of train cars up a steep hill, even though it’s not confident it has the power to do so. As it strains

LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 22): According to the three

this spirit that I invite you to freely expound

to haul the heavy weight, it recites a mantra

science fiction films collectively known as “The

on your talents and accomplishments in the

to give itself hope: “I think I can, I think I can,

Matrix,” we humans suffer from a fundamental

coming week. You won’t be boasting. You will

I think I can.” The story ends happily. The little

delusion. What we think is real life is actually

simply be providing information. And that

blue engine reaches the top of the hill with its

a sophisticated computer simulation. Intelligent

will ultimately result in you being offered

many cars in tow, and is able to glide down

machines have created this dream world to keep

an interesting new opportunity or two.

the rest of the way. As you deal with your own

us in suspended animation while they harvest

challenge, Gemini, I recommend that you use

our energy to fuel their civilization. Now as far

AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18): There has rarely

an even more forceful incantation. Chant this:

as I can tell, this scenario isn’t literally true.

been a better time than now to refine the art of

“I know I can, I know I can, I know I can.”

But it is an apt metaphor for how many of us

being your own mommy or daddy. You’re finally

seem to be half-asleep or under a spell, lost

ready to take over from the parental voices

CANCER (Jun 21-Jul 22): Here’s a confession:

in our addiction to the simulated world created

in your head and assume full responsibility for

I have taken a vow to foster beauty, truth, love,

by technology. I bring this to your attention, Libra,

raising yourself the rest of the way. What do you

justice, equality, tolerance, creativity, playfulness,

because now is a favorable time to diminish the

want to be when you grow up? You may feel

and hope. To do this work is one of my life goals.

hold that the metaphorical Matrix has on you.

a giddy sense of freedom as it becomes clear

I approach it with the devotion of a monk and

What can you do to at least partially escape your

that the only authority who has the right

the rigor of a warrior. Does that mean I ignore

bondage? (Hint: A little more contact with nature

to answer that question is you.

difficulty and suffering and cruelty? Of course

could do the trick.)

not. I’m trying to diminish the power of those

PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20): The universe has

problems, so I sure as hell better know a lot

SCORPIO (Oct 23-Nov 21): In the coming

always played tricks on you. Some have been

about them. On the other hand, my main focus

weeks, you may be as alluring and intriguing

so perplexing that you’ve barely understood

is on redemption and exaltation. I prefer not

and tempting as you have been in a long time.

the joke. Others have been amusing but not

to describe in detail the world’s poisons,

I suggest you capitalize on this advantage.

particularly educational. Now I sense a new

but rather to provide an antidote for them.

Proceed as if you do indeed have the power

trend in the works, however. I suspect that

Even if you don’t normally share my approach,

to attract more of the emotional riches you

the universe’s pranks are becoming more

Cancerian, I invite you to try it for the next two

desire. Assume that are primed to learn new

comprehensible. They may have already begun

weeks. The astrological time is right.

secrets about the arts of intimacy, and that these

to contain hints of kindness. What’s the meaning

secrets will make you even smarter and more

of this lovely turn of events? Maybe you have

LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22): The hill where I take

soulful than you already are. Cultivate your ability

finally discharged a very old karmic debt.

my late afternoon hikes is teeming with the six-

to be the kind of trusted ally and imaginative

It’s also conceivable that your sense of humor

petaled purple wildflower known as the elegant

lover who creates successful relationships.

has matured so much that you’re able to laugh at some of the crazier plot twists. Here’s another

cluster-lily. Every one of them—and there are hundreds—lean hard in the direction of the sun

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21): Physicist Frank

possibility: You are cashing in on the wisdom

in the west. Should I deride them as conformists

Wilczek won a Nobel Prize for his research into

you were compelled to develop over the years

that follow the law of the pack? Should I ridicule

quarks, the tiny particles that compose protons

as you dealt with the universe’s tricks.

them for their blind devotion? Or should I more

and neutrons. The guy is breathtakingly smart.

sensibly regard them as having a healthy instinct

Here’s one of his operating principles: “If you

ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19): Benedictine monks

to gravitate toward the life-giving light? I’ll go

don’t make mistakes, you’re not working on

observe the Latin motto Laborare est Orare.

with the latter theory. In that spirit, Leo, I urge

hard enough problems. And that’s a big mistake.”

The 19th-century abbot Maurus Wolter

you to ignore the opinions of others as you turn

Let’s enshrine his advice as your meditation,

interpreted these words to mean “work

strongly toward the sources that provide you

Sagittarius. I think you’re strong enough and

is worship” or “work is prayer.” He was trying

with essential nourishment.

brave enough to go hunting for some new super-

to impress upon his fellow monks that the work

rich dilemmas. Yes, they may lead you to commit

they did was not a grudging distraction from

VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22): Am I reading the

some booboos. But they will also stretch your

their service to God, but rather at the heart

astrological omens correctly? I hope so.

intelligence beyond its previous limits, giving you

of their devotion. To do their tasks with love

From what I can tell, you have been flying under

a more vigorous understanding of the way the

was a way to express gratitude for having been

the radar and over the rainbow. You have been

world works.

blessed with the gift of life. I propose that you

Homework: No one can make you

exploiting the loopholes in the big bad system

feel any emotion unless you agree to feel it. You are the sovereign of what happens inside you. Explain why at FreeWillAstrology.com.

and enjoying some rather daring experiments

CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19): In 1934,

weeks, even if your version is more secular.

with liberation. At this point in the adventure,

Capricorn baseball player Dizzy Dean was named

What would it be like to feel contentment

you may be worried that your lucky streak can’t

the Most Valuable Player after winning 30 games.

with and appreciation for the duties you have

continue much longer. I’m here to tell you that

It was a feat that no National League pitcher has

been allotted?

28 HK MAGAZINE

FRIDAY, May 8, 2015

experiment with this approach in the coming

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FRIDAY, May 8, 2015

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FRIDAY, May 8, 2015

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HEALTH & BEAUTY / EVERYTHING ELSE SAVAGE LOVE Dan Savage Last summer, I reconnected with a highschool teacher I hadn’t seen for a year.

We first met when I was 15, and I had nothing but respect for him and his intelligence. I also had a crush on him for the next four years. Fast-forward a year.

He is sexting me and sending dick pics and wants to hook up. He has told me he loves me. I feel violated and tricked, like he was supposed to be someone I could trust and he didn’t respect that. Now I wonder how teachers really see underage high-school girls. This whole experience has made me feel dirty. Moreover, he has never respected that I have a boyfriend and that I want nothing to do with his advances. I met up with a former classmate, and she told me that this teacher and another teacher said similar things to her. Ew! Most former classmates of mine still believe him to be a respectable man and a great teacher.

But I know him for what he really is, and when I think of it, I get so angry. How do I move on from this?

– Schooling Thankfully Over Permanently

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I would never want to minimize the creepiness factor of a former teacher sending you dick pics and refusing to take “I want nothing to do with your advances” for an answer. (And you didn’t just say “I have a boyfriend” and hope that he would hear “And I want nothing to do with your advances,” right? Because if all you said was “I have a boyfriend,” STOP, he may have heard, “I would love to fuck you, but I have a boyfriend.”)

And I definitely believe high-school teachers—all teachers who work with minors—should refrain from fucking current students and sending dick pics to former students. One is statutory rape and an abuse of power (fucking underage students); the other is career suicide (hitting on former students will get your ass fired eventually). As for the other issues you raise…

This guy was your teacher when you were 15… you had a crush on him for four years… a crush he doubtless picked up on… and you somehow reconnected with him after not seeing him for a year… and one year after reconnecting, he’s still contacting you despite your rejection of him.

If I’ve got the timeline right (math is still hard!), STOP, you were 19 or 20 when you reconnected with your former teacher and you’re 20 or 21 now.

Maybe even 22. That means nothing happened— nothing appropriate or inappropriate—until you were (1) no longer his student and (2) legally an adult. Your former teacher did nothing inappropriate when you were his student (you surely would’ve included that detail), and so far as you know, he’s never behaved inappropriately toward a current student. Which means either your former teacher has a solid age-range floor (he’s not attracted to anyone under the age of 18) or he’s capable of exercising self-control (not only can he refrain from fucking girls under the age of 18 who he happens to find attractive, but he can conduct himself in such a way that those girls have no idea he finds them attractive).

Your former classmate’s story complicates the picture—and yucks the picture—but she was a former student and an adult when these teachers said “similar things” to her, right?

That’s still creepy, of course, it’s still not okay, and it’s still potential career suicide for both these idiots. But it’s not technically illegal. If you honestly believe that either or both of these idiots are behaving inappropriately toward their current students, STOP, you should approach the administration at your old high school with your concerns. Doing so will result in the end of their careers as educators—but if these guys are trying to fuck their current students and/or grooming their current students for fucking a year or two after they graduate, then both should get the fuck out of teaching.

As for feeling dirty, STOP, I don’t understand where that’s coming from. You didn’t do anything dirty. The realization that this teacher might have had a crush on you back when you had one on him—and he might not have had a crush on you then—shouldn’t hurl you into some sort of existential crisis. If knowing that a teacher might have found you sexually attractive back when you were a junior in high school leaves you feeling violated, tricked, and angry, STOP, if that realization has you convinced that all teachers are secret perverts, then you seem to be operating under a faulty set of assumptions about what teachers are. They’re not robots, they’re not eunuchs, they’re not humanoids from a parallel universe where life isn’t occasionally complicated by an unwanted sexual attraction. Teachers are human beings, and like all other human beings*, they sometimes experience sexual attraction, including sexual attraction of the unwelcome and/or inappropriate variety. What they choose to do about it—suppress it, act on it—determines whether they’re respectable men and women and (possibly) great teachers or total creeps and/or sex offenders.

This does not, of course, excuse what your former teacher is doing to you now. He’s sexually harassing you. Tell him to stop and threaten to take it up with the school board if he doesn’t. How do you move on? You do what I do on Twitter: Block and forget the asshole—BAFTA. Male here, 21 years old. I’ve been in a relationship with my girlfriend for a year and a half. We have somewhat kinkthemed sex, though nothing too intense.

My girlfriend is very submissive, and I’m more on the submissive side myself, so we have done only light bondage and light flogging. Recently, my girlfriend and I had a fight, and while things were still kind of heated, she suggested I “punish” her by spanking her, which I did, and we wound up having a much better, calmer conversation after the spanking. The next day, she proposed that this be something we do more often. I am not certain about all the dynamics at play here. Is this a healthy approach to resolving conflict? We already do a bit of kink, and there would be two consenting partners. But at the same time, I don’t want to be an abusive boyfriend or something. It seemed to help us resolve the conflict—but if we do it more, I’m not sure it would play out as well. It happened only that one time, so I haven’t moved forward on it. I’m uncertain whether it would be good for our relationship.

– Keeping It Newly Kinky Research conducted at Tilburg University in the Netherlands found that kinky people—people who engaged in consensual submission, bondage, and pain play—scored better on most measures of psychological health than non-kinky people.

So enjoying a spanking, asking for one, giving one on request, etc., isn’t evidence that there’s something wrong with you or your relationship.

As for whether it’s a good idea to spank your girlfriend in the heat of an argument, well, that depends on two things: whether she wants to be spanked at those times (gotta keep it consensual) and whether the spanking—for you—represents an extension of the argument or a suspension of the argument. If you’re setting aside the argument to enjoy a spanking—maybe a little conflict gets her blood pumping and turns her on—and then picking it up later, after you’ve both enjoyed a spanking, then I don’t see the harm. * Except for asexual humans, of course. Except for them.

On the Lovecast, science PROVES that liberals are happier than conservatives: savagelovecast.com.

Find the Savage Lovecast (my weekly podcast) every Tuesday at thestranger.com/savage.mail@savagelove.net

HK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, May 8, 2015 35

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Our company was established since 1994.

1) Part-Time Models (Age: 16 to

Fill that vacancy.

45 years old) For Photo Shooting/Fitting Job/ Fashion Shows/TV Commercials/ Products Image Representatives/ Event Promotions - Requirements: Stylish/Cool/Smart/ Elegant/Sweet/Camera Face

2) Baby & Kids Models (Age: over

To advertise, please contact Lamy Lam on 2534 9560 or lamy.lam@hkmagmedia.com

• Hair Stylists minimum 5 years experience.

• Senior Stylist over 9 years experience. International references are a plus.

3 months to 15 years old) Baby & Kid Products Image Representatives/Press Conferences/ Photo shooting for Newspapers and Magazine/TV Commercials - Requirements: Cute/Smart/Active/ Camera Face/Twins

• Creative Stylist over 12 years experience. International

Love singing. Clear Pronunciation.

For Hotel and Casino

• Junior (hair assistant) no experience required,

3) Singer (Age: 18 or above)

All candidates MUST be open-minded with a learning orientated attitude, a team player with excellent communication skills.

If you are interested, please contact Ms. Leung at 2740 9059 or email us for casting.

references are a plus. Free Lance Stylists are welcome.

• Spa Therapists minimum 8 years experience. Self-motivated.

• Receptionist independent and able to work under pressure.

English speaking is preferable. training provided.

Please send your CV to severine@emmanuelf.com.

Shop 211, 2/F, Nexxus Building, 41 Connaught Road Central www.emmanuelf.com

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HK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, May 8, 2015 37

First Person Animal activist Sharon Kwok was an actress in Hong Kong in the late 80s and 90s before switching to work in environmental conservation. She tells Andrea Lo about being taught to swim by Ocean Park’s dolphins, becoming a mother at 19 and her passion for wildlife.

I was born in Hong Kong. My father is American and my mother is Chinese.

I left Hong Kong when I was 9 and went to San Francisco.

I spent a lot of time at Ocean Park when I was growing up, because my dad was one of the founders.

I learned how to swim from dolphins.

I fell into the dolphin pool at Ocean Park by accident. They wouldn’t let me drown.

I’ve completely thrown myself into conservation work. It didn’t happen overnight.

I’ve never been much of a planner.

I’m an artist. I used to teach art. The art ends up nice, but may be slightly different from what I envisioned in the first place.

My mother got me involved in beauty pageants. I won my first one the evening I turned 16.

One competition led to another and I ended up in Hong Kong. I had job offers after that.

When I was that age, I kept buying brand names. I thought I needed them to look posh and be somebody.

When most people in Hong Kong look at the ocean, they think, “My real estate faces the ocean and the price is going to increase.”

The main thing we should be thinking is: this is our life support system. It gives us the air that we breathe, the atmosphere we enjoy, the water we drink. We’ve been trashing it.

I started with marine conservation. Then of course, sharks—they’re an important part of the ocean. I didn’t want to do elephants, but the statistics came and I saw pictures of poaching—so I took that on. Species by species, I realized I was able to do something.

Our biggest problem right now is Mainland China. You’re facing a massive number of nouveaux-riche people who think that they need to pile on the brand names.

It does take time for them to change.

What gets me really angry is how people are used to dealing in the ivory trade.

There is a lot about elephants that we can’t explain, that seem almost eerie to humans.

They’re going to disappear in roughly 10 years if we don’t change what we’re doing.

I’m not saying I’m somebody now, but I’ve learned—from those who I feel are somebody—that it doesn’t matter. It’s bullshit.

Social responsibility has gained a lot of momentum. If we’re relying on Hong Kong to change China, it’s not going to be overnight.

But it is happening.

When I filmed my first movie, I met my ex-husband. I did the proper thing and got married.

We are seeing fewer people have shark fin in Hong Kong. Shops selling elephant ivory are closing.

Well, I got pregnant first.

This year I am working on pangolins. They’re the highest illegally trafficked form of wildlife.

Next year I am thinking of tackling seahorses.

I was 19. I was working up until I was five months pregnant. I was doing [legendary TVB variety show] “Enjoy Yourself Tonight.”

I went to Australia and had my son. I came back when he was 1 month old. No one knew.

Naïvely, I thought I would continue working and people didn’t have to know about it.

Shortly after, I realized the folly of that because I was proud of my son. I wanted to show him off.

The marriage broke down. He was my first real boyfriend. He didn’t really speak English, so that’s half of my heritage gone. It was pretty tough—we both tried in our own ways.

Raising my son as a single mother was a handful. It’s been a learning experience.

He’s 24 now and he still says, “Mom, I need this, I need that.” I say to him: “When I was 24, you were 4.”

38 HK MAGAZINE

FRIDAY, may 8, 2015

We should be custodians for nature and natural resources.

I have a very intimate relationship with Hong Kong. It’s a love-hate relationship. But why are we still living here? Because we love it.

I don’t want to retire. It’s like a declaration: “I’m now a vegetable.”

Being able to connect with nature—I’m most alive while I’m out there doing these things.

Need to Know…

Sharon Kwok found fame when she competed in the first-ever Miss Chinese International Pageant in 1988 and placed as second runner-up. She established Aquameridian, which creates products aimed at educating the public on environmental concerns. Learn more at aqua-meridian.com.

“If we’re relying on Hong Kong to change China, it’s not going to be overnight. But it is happening.”

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