VOL 42, ISSUE 7, APRIL 2010

TYR specials: Community Issue

Subscribe to our email alert now at tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk INDEX News 3-5 Features 6-11 Cover Stories 12-15 Interview 16-17 Review 18

Living history A visit to the old vendors in Western District Page 6 TYR’s Selection 19 Opinion 20 Editorial 21 Gallery 22-23

Printed By Department of Journalism, School of Communication, Hong Kong Baptist University

Michael Chugani What journalists live for Page 20 Publisher Huang Yu

Editorʼs Note Advisors This should be the very last editor’s note I write here. Judith Clarke, Robin Ewing, The good times I worked for The Young Reporter hover in my mind. I still Andrew Wood remember how I ran my very first story, which was on the now defunct Low- er Ngau Tau Kok Estate, for TYR when I was in year one – I was so shy that I Chief Editor hesitated at the door of the estate office before people inside noticed me and Simpson Cheung Wai-ming asked me what I was doing out there. I managed to finish my draft – a not-so- focused piece which I learnt reporters should pick an “angle” to write on. Deputy Editors Then it came to my second year, when I realised one of the true values of being Jojo Choi Tsz-tsun, a reporter for a student publication, is that we have the luxury to run investigative Natalie Wong Hiu-ying stories. So I did a couple of investigative stories which made a little noise. That really made my journalistic juice flows. I found myself enjoyed doing investigative Web Editor stories, which bring along intangible and unmeasurable satisfaction. Kelvin Chan Mankey When I was really into this publication, I spotted some flaws and faults that await someone to make changes. Ideas began to develop in my mind. Then I spent Art Director the whole summer to work with my team, while we were having our internship, to Edith Tsang Hok-yee make TYR a more contemporary and readable publication. It is easy to make changes, but hard to make the right ones. You always have to Distributing Directors be bold, but careful, to make changes, especially to something traditional. Phila Siu Chi-yui, Connie Wan Pui-lam I am very happy to work with a team of very dedicated minds that made my ideas come true. We revamped TYR into a magazine, which was quite well-received. Public Relations Directors I dare not say it is the best TYR ever, but it should be a great leap forward for the Isa Kwok Ling, Luna Lau Wan-lun publication. We still have much to learn and improve, so please do not hesitate to mail us your opinions. Email As the oldest journalism students’ publication in Hong Kong, TYR deserves [email protected] more. It is deemed to be lagging behind. But I strongly believe that it is never too late to build up our reputation and authority. With the absolute editorial freedom Address we enjoy and unreserved support we receive, I am sure TYR will be more widely FSC 1015, recognised in the future. Fong Shu Chuen Library Building, Issue 7 is a community issue. We hope to gather news at community levels HKBU, Kowloon Tong which show the unique and grass-root face of Hong Kong. Enjoy your reading! Issue 8 will be passed on to the next editorial board. I hope you can continue Tel to support TYR. 3411-5074

Fax 3411-5079

Simpson Cheung Wai-ming Website Chief Editor http://tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk

2 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk APRIL 2010 NEWS

(Left) The construction site near some residential buildings in Tai Po. (Below) The widening pro- ject involves killing 10,000 trees and all that is left on the once tree-fi lled slope are stumps now.

ENVIRONMENT Tolo Highway widening project: A struggle between environment and development “This scene really can’t bring me a good Tolo Highway was opened in September mood,” Mr Wong said. “Protecting the envi- 1985. It connects Shatin and Tai Po and is a BY JESSICA ZHANG ronment is such an important issue these days, major expressway on Route Nine. Cutting how could they still cut so many trees?” trees is essential to the widening project. But he ongoing Tolo Highway widening The Environmental Impact Assessment in Ms Song’s opinion, the project itself is un- work involving the felling of more Report of this project said the woodlands necessary. Tthan ten thousand trees is raising a affected were of low to medium ecological “I drive to work through Tolo Highway mixed opinion from the public. value. every day, but I don’t feel there is any traffi c The Tolo Highway widening project was According to the written reply from the problem,” Ms Song said. “Sometimes there launched in November 2009. It was to coun- Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms may be traffi c jam, but it won’t last long and teract the increasing traffi c pressure due to Eva Cheng Yiu-wah, to the question raised I think it’s normal for every road.” the development of northeast New Territo- by Legislative Councillor Mr Chan Hak-kan When the project is completed in mid- ries and increasing cross-boundary transpor- in a Legislative Council meeting, more than 2012, the number of one-way vehicle trips tation. 3,620 large trees with diameter over 75 mil- per hour during peak hours is expected to The major aim of the project is to widen limetres, 44,000 seedlings and 50,500 shrubs increase by about 700, from around 4,200 to the Tolo Highway from a dual three-lane to a would be replanted after this project. 4,900. dual four-lane road. Ten thousand trees have After taking ecological and aesthetic fac- “I support this project very much as there to be cut down to make way for it. tors into consideration, new tree species, such will be less traffi c jam on the highway,” Mr Some residents living in places beside the as Sapium sebiferum and Litsea glutinosa, Lau Kit-hoi, a taxi driver who always drives section currently being widened such as Wan will be planted. around Tai Po, said. “For us taxi drivers, time Tau Tong Estate, King Nga Court and Classi- Ms Song Wai-lam is a volunteer of Green is money.” cal Gardens are dissatisfi ed with the project. Power who lives in Classical Gardens. Al- Mr Lau said the traffi c problem of Tolo They said it affected their daily lives and though she was happy that the government Highway was not as serious as some other destroyed their living environment. would plant new tree species after this pro- parts in Hong Kong. Mr Wong Ching-wah, who has lived ject, she thought the government shouldn’t However, he would be happy if there was in King Nga Court for more than 20 years, have cut so many trees. no traffi c jam at all as he could spend less usually takes a walk after dinner with his Ms Song has joined and organised many time in traffi c and have more time to seek family every day. He said they enjoyed the tree planting activities in Hong Kong as she passengers. moment very much in the past. It was quiet wanted more trees in the city. She believed “The society needs development and we and they could see a lot of trees and take a every tree counted, no matter if it was of high need more convenience,” Mr Lau said. “I breath of fresh air. or low ecological value. think widening the Tolo highway is a must However, there are now lots of tree “The new planted seedlings and new spe- and I really don’t think cutting some trees is stumps, machines, and bare slopes instead. cies may die or [may not adapt] to the en- such a big deal. We have to sacrifi ce for de- He thought this project made a huge damage vironment here,” she said. “They also need velopment.” to the environment as well as to his living time to grow, so they couldn’t compensate for standard. the loss of cutting these big trees now.” EDITED BY VANESSA YUNG APRIL 2010 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk 3 NEWS

The kids’ playground on the Ma Chai Hang Recreation Ground will not be rebuilt after the construction. SOCIETY MTR demolishes park to make way for new rail line “It’s a pity for us to lose this lovely recre- They should also seek possible alternatives ation ground, I have to go to Morse Park to to minimise impacts brought to the commu- BY EDWARD MA spend my leisure time, which is much more nity,” Mr Hui Kam-shing, District Councilor farther away,” said Mr Lo Kam-tim, a retired representing Chuk Yuen (South) Estate, said. ome 70,000 residents in Chuk Yuen are Chuk Yuen resident who spends his leisure An MTR spokesman said that they had going to bid farewell to their only re- time everyday in the park. already submitted consultation documents to Screation ground, as soon as this year, Ms Doris Chan Lai-ngor, a Tin Ma Court the Wong Tai Sin District Council and held to make way for a new MTR line. resident, concerned much about the pollutions a few public consultation meetings in Wong The 2.16-hectare Ma Chai Hang Recre- that may be brought by the construction. Tai Sin. ation Ground is going to be expropriated by “My fl at is directly facing the recreation They plan to build a temporary football the MTR Corporation Limited (MTR) for ground, it is annoying for residents nearby pitch at Kai Tak East to meet the demand for constructing ventilation facilities and emer- like me to live with noises, dust and other sports grounds. gency exit for the Wong Tai Sin section of pollutions for fi ve years,” she said. The railway giant also plans to optimise Shatin to Central Link (SCL) railway. The SCL will link up several existing rail- the design of the ventilation system’s exterior “It is a fantastic place for residents to re- ways and connect the Northeast New Terri- at Ma Chai Hang so it merges with the sur- lax and take deep refreshing breaths,” said tories and Hong Kong Island via Southeast roundings. Mr Chow Sau-keung, a frequent visitor who Kowloon to serve a population of 300,000. Mr Andrew To said the government and lives in the nearby Chuk Yuen Estate, “The The construction work of the new railway business giants should consider interests of construction will defi nitely mess up our will start this year. However, some residents different parties and strike a balance before neighbourhood.” like Mr Chow and Ms Chan, are unaware of making policy and decision. Mr Tsui Kai-man, an engineer from mobi- the construction under The Young Reporter “The powers should not misinterpret par- lity division of Siemens Limited said ventila- spoke to them. ticular needs as the needs for the majority,” tion system was compulsory for underground Mr Andrew To Kwan-hang, District Coun- he said. railway tunnel longer than 230 metres. cilor representing Chuk Yuen (North) Estate, “Policy makers should do their utmost to The construction in Ma Chai Hang will be slammed MTR for lacking transparency. protect the welfare of all classes in society,” completed in about four to fi ve years. He said the MTR only consulted the dis- Mr To said. The football pitch, tennis courts, fi tness trict councilors representing the housing es- Similar problems arises in other old dis- trail and children playground on the ground tates closest to the recreation ground, namely tricts. will be demolished and only the football the Chuk Yuen (South) Estate, Tsui Chuk At least four parks and one swimming pitch will be rebuilt after the construction. Garden, Tin Ma Court and Tin Wang Court. pool in Western District were demolished to The construction stirred discontent among “The construction brings tremendous in- make way for the West Island line. residents before they can really enjoy benefi ts fl uences to the residents, the MTR should of the new rail line. consult them before fi nalising everything. EDITED BY SIMPSON CHEUNG 4 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk APRIL 2010 NEWS

SOCIETY Build more female toilets, lawmaker urges

BY LEILA POON

ong Kong should build more rest- rooms for women, the World Toilet HOrganisation urged. A similar call to rectify the queue issue was also echoed in last year’s Legislative Council, by Ms Emily Lau Wai-hing, vice- chairperson of the Democratic Party. The Buildings Department of the govern- ment changed the male-to-female ratio from the original 1:1 to 1:1.25 in the 2005 practice note. The statutory standard was based on an assessment of the number of both sexes in shopping arcades, cinemas and other pri- vately owned recreational spaces. But the compartment ratio in public toi- lets in Hong Kong remains an inconvenience for women. Since 2004, government-built public toi- lets have adopted a 1:2 ratio in planning and refurbishment. Recently, the Leisure and Cultural Ser- vices Department has just fi nished the con- struction of female toilet facilities in Victoria Park. Women spend twice as much time as men in toilet rooms. The problem is worldwide, and big cities across the globe are working on the solutions, care of their children. “The phenomenon seems so common that Mr Jack Sim, the Singaporean founder of the On the users’ part, a survey by the Demo- everybody gets used to it and forgets to ask World Toilet Organisation said. cratic Party in 2009 backed up their request. why they always need to wait,” he said. In 2005, New York City passed a law to Some 85 per cent of the respondents agreed Ms Joanna Leung Suk-ching, the chair- regulate toilet fi xtures in renovated public lo- that the ratio should be adapted to include person of the Women committee and Welfare cations, also at a 1:2 ratio. Japan and Taiwan more female fi xtures. group of the Democratic Party said they re- soon followed. “I have to wait for a toilet in shopping cognised the problem. However, the new ratio has yet to con- malls almost every weekend and holiday. I “We have been lodging this problem with vince concerned parties. can’t remember how many times I have been the government for years,” she said, “But it Ms Lau suggested that the government trapped in a long line outside the restrooms,” takes time.” should learn from our counterparts to do a said Ms Jane Cheung Mei-suen, a 24-year- While the lack of women toilet rooms better job, if Hong Kong were to keep up old clerk. may be a laughing matter to some people, Mr with international standards. She had just spent nearly ten minutes in a Sim takes it seriously. Mr Sim also deemed the ratio in the prac- lavatory in Langham Place, a shopping mall He pointed out that the issue could cause tice note “too low”, regarding the physiologi- in Mongkok. More than ten other women urine suppression, low productivity, and is it- cal difference between men and women. queued up with Ms Cheung for three stalls. self a form of gender discrimination. “Potty-Parity” is the formal term for gen- And the waiting is not restricted to Letting aside the biological and social der equality in the restrooms. It traditionally the ladies’ room. Outside the doors were consequences, lawmaker Ms Lau addressed demands equitable space for both sexes. Late male shoppers waiting for their female the government’s role. advocates are demanding more fi xtures for companions. “For the government, be it a matter of an women to ensure equal waiting time. “Men seldom have to wait for a toilet and attempt to improve the situation, of doing Studies showed that women spent twice we can use urinals. I always wonder why public good or of eradicating gender discri- as much time as men in the toilet room. The they [the women] need to wait for such a mination, they should be alert to public difference can be attributed to women’s men- long time,” said Mr Kelvin Law Chi-hin, 27, needs,” she said. “What we can obviously see strual cycles. Other factors include their in- Ms Cheung’s boyfriend. He leaned against is an inconvenience.” creased likelihood of securing themselves a wall outside the lavatory, alongside a few inside the stall, using toilet paper and taking other men. EDITED BY ECHO CHEN

APRIL 2010 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk 5 FEATURES Living history in the corner of Western District

BY THOMAS YAU

n his tiny workroom in Western District, silver-haired Mr Yip Kam-tim bent to Ilook attentively through his thick glasses at the little silver plate on his hand which he just drew from the drawer. With some skill- ful bending and tweaking, it became a shiny container in less than ten minutes. In this hustle and bustle city, everything old, ranging from quaint colonial buildings to traditional craftsmanship, is replaced by the new at the speed of light. Mr Yip is one of the very few silversmiths left in Hong Kong. Roaming around in Western District, the Loyal customer Mr Tang will very soon bid farewell to the shoe master. ringing of tram bells reminds people of the old days. The district is one of the oldest in to challenge himself on every piece of silver- Walk down Wing Lee Street and head the city. It is where British troops landed in ware he makes. west is Sai Ying Pun, where in a byroad 1841, who then built the Victoria City and de- “What? Can I make a ring? That’s just a found World War II guerilla veteran Mr Lui veloped into the modern city of Hong Kong. piece of cake,” he said with a strong ego. He Chun-yui polishing and fi xing shoes in his Now that the high-rising buildings and can make different kinds of silverware such very small shop. It is packed with piles and luxury shopping malls have taken over the as containers, rings and trophies. piles of shoe leathers, shoestrings, heels and district. A trace of the old days is hardly in When he was an apprentice, he did not tools that the 84-year-old has to do his work sight. But somehow, at the corners of some just sit around waiting for orders from his sitting at the doorstep. byroads lies the living history of our time. master. Instead, he looked around the work- It is almost impossible to associate his fee- The 76-year-old works in the quaint Wing room, eagerly searching for inspirations for ble appearance with his past, until he pointed Lee Street in Sheung Wan, where Echoes of new designs and techniques. to several wooden bullets on his working the Rainbow, the fi lm that won the Crystal “That’s why I’m so talented today,” he table. He made the bullets to remind himself Bear Award for Best Feature Film at the Ber- laughed out loudly. of the brutal war he fought bravely more than lin Film Festival, was shot. He has been in But Mr Yip said he would retire very soon a half century ago. The memory was so fresh the business since 1943, during the Japanese because he is getting too old. in his mind he even remembered the name of occupation of Hong Kong. “My days are numbered…I want to be a his captain is Li Wo. “You post-80s are luckier than our ge- silversmith forever but time doesn’t allow Mr Tang, a customer, sat down on a stool neration…when I was a kid many people just me to do so. My strength is waning and my and handed his shoes to Mr Lui. “The sole starved to death on the street,” he said. eyesight is not that good now,” he said as he broke, can you fi x it?” he asked. The memories of the old days came rush- lowered his eyebrows for the fi rst time. Mr Lui took the shoes and skillfully fi xed ing into his head. He sighed that even after he retired, he it in fi ve minutes. It takes a modern shoe He said that it was hard to make a living would bring his tools home because they repair shop more than a day to fi x it, not to out of this business. But he persists because have been together like partners throughout mention the staggering price. he enjoys the job. Another secret to success is the years. “All you need is a hammer and some glue. I’m so good at it because I used to make shoes myself…I used to have a large shop and many staff members but now everything is gone,” he said. Putting his shoes back on, Mr Tang said he has been sending his broken shoes to the shoe repair master for two decades. “I still remember when he once relocated the shop, I spent the whole month looking for him,” the loyal customer said. As the clock ticks mercilessly, more and more stories are buried six feet under. Mr Yip’s and Mr Lui’s stories are only the very few that will soon be forgotten very soon. Mr Yip is one of the very few silversmiths left in HK. EDITED BY PHILA SIU

6 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk APRIL 2010 FEATURES

Restaurant staff usually do not wake customers up during quiet hours from 2 to 5 am, according to the chain’s policy. A good night’s sleep at McDonald’s TYR explores how people spend their bedtime in the 24-hour fast food chain. Having a plan to send his only child to Fort Street in North Point, Mr Cheng was study abroad, Mr Tong has chosen this harsh born to a well-fi xed Shanghai family. How- BY SYBIL KOT living style to save money. ever, after a series of business failures and And more surprisingly, his family knows family problems, his wife divorced him. Now t is 3.30 am. When the city is still slee- nothing about it. he rents a slum-like fl at on Kam Ping Street ping, people in the 24-hour McDonald’s “I told my wife I’m staying with a co- in the district but seldom stays there. Ispend their time differently. Loud teena- worker,” he starts murmuring to himself, “I “I like meeting friends and seeing diffe- gers shout at each other, old friends chat and don’t want them to worry about me.” This rent happenings on streets. It’s never funny to a few loners sit silently. sacrifi ce has so far saved him about $1,200 stare at the walls inside my fl at,” Mr Cheng With cool air-conditioning, the restaurant every month. says after he refuses to talk about how he gets chilly after midnight as the crowd va- When the night falls, he will have dinner maintains a living. nishes. Mr Tong, in his early 40s, who de- at a co-worker’s place, then wander around While the place seems to be a heaven for clines to give his full name, shrinks into his malls until most of them close. A neigh- some people with intriguing stories to tell, jacket at an unnoticeable corner. bouring McDonald’s is his “residence”, where the restaurant staff have ways to minimise “I do have a home,” he pulls out a clean T- he orders himself a cup of hot chocolate and the troubles they cause. shirt and a towel from his backpack and says, occasionally, a burger at around 11p.m. “We do have policies against people ly- “my wife has them washed every other day.” Mr Tong takes naps with the food tray be- ing down on sofas or chairs, and those who It is true that Mr Tong has a cozy home side him at an inconspicuous table around the sit here without purchasing items. But we and a caring family - with his wife and corner. To him, what he does is worthwhile. wouldn’t bother them if they sit up, buy daughter - but after he lost his waiter job at At the other corner of the restaurant sits a a drink and stay quiet,” Mr Tsang, a junior a Chinese restaurant two years ago, his daily talkative and cheerful man. manager of the restaurant, says. life has undergone a tremendous transition. “They’re all my friends. The manager “Actually there are not really a lot of peo- Working as a construction worker at a site knows me well. I’m here quite often,” Mr ple sleeping overnight in the shop, so gene- in North Point, Mr Tong, who lives in Tuen Cheng Mun-man, 56, says, waving to the rally it doesn’t affect the business,” he adds. Mun, has given up taking a two-hour bus ride manager as if they are close friends. It seems Usually he does not wake customers up home and stayed in the McDonald’s in North to him that the McDonald’s is a territory of during quiet hours from 2 to 5 am, but only Point overnight for three months. his - customers see him chatting with the staff till the shop is ready to serve breakfast, the “It saves me more than $50 and four hours in a boss-like way light-heartedly and patrol- restaurant manager will tap on their shoul- on transport every single day,” he says. ling around to help pick up trashes. ders and wake them up with silent whispers. The tenacious father holds a faith behind More than that, he never leaves the res- No alarm clocks, no stretching in bed, and the decision for his 17-year-old daughter sit- taurant without enjoying his coffee refi lls in no morning toilette - Mr Tong, Mr Cheng and ting for HKCEE this month. every early morning. many other walk out of the restaurant when “I know how it’s like to live without [aca- “I’m not homeless, I just don’t want to go the sun rises - that is how they start another demic] certifi cates in Hong Kong. I know home,” Mr Cheng says like a naughty and en- brand new day. that, and I won’t let it happen to my daugh- ergetic ten year old boy. ter,” he says with strong sentiments. Once living in a luxurious apartment on EDITED BY NATALIE WONG APRIL 2010 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk 7 FEATURES Idle market dies down with poor facilities

some measures to boost the popularity of the markets, such as putting on festive decora- tions and holding cooking demonstration show. However, the effectiveness is so limited that sellers are reluctant to follow. “The government only holds such activi- ties twice to three times a year. They dispatch some daily groceries like detergents and hand out leafl ets. But seldom are people attracted by that. These measures didn’t help my busi- ness, “ said Mr Kay Tak-ho, a fi sh seller in Kwun Chung Mareket. Mr Hui Tak-leung, a Yau Tsim Mong Dis- trict Councilor, also the chairman of Com- munity Building Committee, said that Kwun Chung Market would probably be closed down in the long run as the government has been losing money. The situation also exists in many other public markets in Hong Kong. Most of these markets have been built de- cades ago and they are no longer functional and suitable for the development of the com- munity. Mr Hui points out that it is a trend for all public markets in Hong Kong to decline gi- Few customers shop in Kwun Chun Market, leaving sellers little to prepare. ven the fi erce competition with supermarkets Many people living around would prefer and privately-owned markets. BY ELEVEN LIU going to Yau Ma Tei Market. It takes only ten To make good use of spaces, Mr Hui sug- minutes to walk from Kwun Chung Market gests rebuilding the market and making it long the empty aisles in Kwun Chung to Yau Ma Tei Market, which is much more multi-functional. market, some maintenance workers prosperous. “We could rebuild the whole building. Aare soldering iron doors of the idle Some stall keepers in Kwun Chung Mar- The fi rst fl oor is the public market while the stalls. The annoying sound it makes echoes ket are also complaining about the design and second fl oor can be restaurants, and the third loudly in the giant yet void area. the maintenance of market. fl oor will be a library. More people will be At 4 pm, the prime time for housewives The facilities are old and the lift is only attracted to go there,” he said. to buy food for dinner, stall keepers in Kwun going up. People have to walk across the Mr Ip Ngo-tung, district councilor and Chung Market are chatting, writing on their market to go downstairs. member of Housing and Building Manage- account book or simply sitting there. They For most of the stall keepers in Kwun ment Committee and District Facilities Man- are not preparing for the peak hours. Chung Market, their main business is coop- agement Committee has another suggestion. Kwun Chung Market has been declining erating with restaurants and regularly selling “We are considering improving the utili- for many years. Many stalls are vacant and goods and food in bulk. To them, the stalls are sation of the market by integrating it into two few shoppers are found. more like storehouses for goods than places fl oors. But there is no mature decision yet,” If nothing is done to revitalise it, it may selling groceries and food to shoppers. he said. face the same fate as Mongkok Market, “It is so hard doing business here. Seldom which was closed down in February. do people go inside this market. Most of my EDITED BY LUNA LAU Built in 1991 and located in Yau Ma Tei, products are sold to Kwun Chung Market comprises three fl oors fi xed customers,” Ms and 216 stalls. According to the Kwun Chung Yau, a grocery seller Market Offi ce, only around 150 stalls are cur- in Kwun Chung Mar- rently rented out. ket, said. Kwun Chung Market was once a thriving She rents a stall social center in the fi rst few years after its at about $1,000 completion. However, with more and more per month and has offi ce buildings in the area and residents been doing business moving out of the community, fewer and here for more than fewer people shop in this market. 10 years. Now she “I don’t shop in Kwun Chung Market at is considering mo- all. There are fewer choices here. I’d rather ving out of the poorly go to Yau Ma Tei Market. There are wider va- equipped market. rieties with cheaper prices,” Ms Ho Man who In fact the govern- lives in Yau Ma Tei said. ment has introduced Vacant stall are now closed with iron doors.

8 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk APRIL 2010 FEATURES Lesbian Filipinos fi nd love in HK

BY MAGGIE TAM

ith a crew cut and no make-up on her round face, 31-year-old Ms WHermie Jessica has a masculine look. “My madam said if her child was a girl, she would fi re me,” she said. “She doesn’t want her child to be infl uenced by my style and my sexual orientation.” Ms Jessica is a typical tomboyish Filipino domestic helper in Hong Kong. She has been working in the city for 6 years. Her style is disliked by her female employer who has des- cribed her as “half boy half girl.” Couple Ms Jessica (left) and Ms Delay (right) spend their holidays together. She had to adapt a different dressing style at home because her madam was not happy was less religious than the Philippines. Once to meet men. I am one of the few,” he said. with her style. “On Sundays and public holi- a rape victim at young age, Ms Oblea has Filipino Christian Ms Alma Martei, days, I would go out wearing a t-shirt and chosen to be with girls. a friend of Ms Oblea, said she wanted to change to a shirt in a public toilet,” she said. “Hong Kong people accept the way we changed Ms Oblea to normal girl again. “I can only be myself during weekends.” are. My employer is nice to me,” she said. “I don’t accept lesbians. But I accept her “Luckily my sir is okay with that [a les- Her employer did not ask about sexual ori- as a friend. I want to bring her back to god’s bian]. We are like buddies. He buys me shirts, entation. “As long as I can take good care of world,” she said. hair gel and other male stuff every time he her baby, she doesn’t bother,” she said. “But I “I admit I discriminate against tomboys,” comes back from business trips,” she said. have to behave more girl-like at home.” said Mr Samuel Yuen, the boss of T&H Em- She has a three-year-relationship with her She liked being called “tomboy”. “I am ployment Centre with 18 years of experience 39-year-old girlfriend Ms Juvy Delay, who real tomboy because I love girls very much for placements of domestic helpers. divorced her husband few years ago. and I am very proud of myself,” she said. “I don’t want to recommend tomboys to “While I was working hard, he had fun She said some girls had relationships with my customers. I think they are less respon- with another girl. I don’t trust men anymore. tomboys because they did not want to get sive maybe because they took the role of man I feel more comfortable with Hermie. She’s pregnant. in their countries. Men in the Philippines do more caring and lovable. I’m more blessed “Some of my ex-girlfriends just wanted to not need to do housework,” Mr Yuen said now,” said Ms Delay, who is also a domestic have sex as they were lonely in Hong Kong Ms Lea A. Salazar, a Filipino staff wor- helper in Hong Kong, but she has chosen to without their husbands,” Ms Oblea added. king in T&H Employment Centre said, “If I hide the relationship from her employers. She despised people who pretended to be were the employers, I would consider tom- Every Sunday, Ms Delay and Ms Jessica tomboys. “Some of them are only tomboys in boys. They can carry like ten kilogram of would attend activities such as band shows Hong Kong, then they return home as a wife potatoes and play basketball with my sons. and music concerts organised by a private and mother. They shouldn’t make fun of it. And my husband wouldn’t be interested in organisation for lesbian’s interests. All mem- Being a tomboy is not easy. If you’re a tom- the boyish her. Why not?” bers of the organisation are lesbians. Toge- boy, you can’t withstand a man,” she said. “My maid sometimes brought her girl- ther they also rent a tiny apartment in Tai Po “My current girlfriend also has her hus- friend home and my home is like their free so they could spend some intimate moments band and children in the Philippines. Our re- hotel!” said Ms Frances Lai Wing-kum, an during holidays. lationship is true only here,” she added. ex-employer of a tomboyish domestic helper, Though complained by their emplo- Now Ms Oblea is in love with Ms Gina- who fi red her maid after knowing she was in yers, most lesbians actually feel better here in lyn Condrillon, a beautiful woman with wavy a relation with a girl. “She’s a helpful worker. Hong Kong than in their own country. dark brown hair. But sorry I couldn’t endure her private life.” “We hold hands in the street. We love However, Ms Ginalyn was married and Ms Bella Wulf, a 45-year-old domestic Hong Kong as it is more open than our coun- would not accept homosexuals. helper who has worked in the city for more try. People are more willing to admit they are “I just treat her as a close friend. I think than 20 years, said she accepted lesbians but gay,” Ms Jessica said. “My Christian friends she has misunderstood me,” she said. did not think they could easily survive. in Hong Kong accept me. They’re more Mr Marlin Cometa, the 23-year-old owner “When you’re out of your country, you open-minded.” of Unique Karaoke, a lounge bar in Central have to be strong and hope for the best. Em- She said homosexual marriage was mainly catering for Filipinos, said he had ployers don’t always respect normal Filipino strongly opposed by the Catholic Church in many tomboy customers. women like us, not to mention the lesbians or Hong Kong but relationships are generally “I think girls love tomboys because there tomboys. It takes a long time for every one to accepted by the public. are not enough Filipino boys here. Most Fili- accept them,’ she said. Ms May Oblea, a 37-year-old with radi- pinos come to Hong Kong to work as domes- ant skin and short black hair, said Hong Kong tic helpers. There’re not many opportunities EDITED BY SYBIL KOT APRIL 2010 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk 9 FEATURES

Two traditional tramcars and a Millennium New Tram run side by side. On the crossroads: old and new trams which a tramcar is passing by a Western-style his choice because the stations are so conve- BY SARAH LAI building. It looks so beautiful,” he said. niently located. Since then, he has fallen in love with Mr Lee Tsun-lung, member of the post- ith their tram bells clanking across trams and has started collecting everything 80s generation, launched a website “My Hong Kong Island for 106 years, tram-related. Tramway” in 2006 to provide a platform for Wtramcars are still moving steadily Tramcars have now entered their fi fth tram fans to exchange ideas. as usual on the narrow rails, witnessing the generation. It is, however, a shared fee- Mr Lee has always wanted his own tram- island’s changes day by day. ling among Mr Cheung and his friends that car since he was a child. “Tram models were The tramway from Kennedy Town to only by having rides on the old-style wooden rarely sold in the market, but I really wanted Shau Kei Wan is no longer along the coast. tramcars could they recall their fond memo- my own tramcar, so I came up with the idea The Hong Kong Tramways Limited is no ries as the Millennium New Trams are only of making tramcar models myself,” he said. longer run by Hong Kong people. Over the “buses” to them. Mr Lee has created a miniature “tram past decade, the island has undergone drastic Since March, the century-old company town” with several tramcar models and a changes, but the tramways and the traditional has come under full ownership of the French tram rail model. He is cooperating with a tramcars remain. company Veolia Transport. factory and planning to put out a tram mo- Being the longest-serving public trans- “I appreciate that Wharf Transport Invest- del for sale. He also proposed his models to portation service in town, tram rides have al- ments Limited managed to keep the low price the Hong Kong Tramways, hoping that they ready become part of the local lifestyle. and provide great transportation services for would be turned into real tramcars that could “Trams are not only a means of transporta- Hong Kong people, but the company was run on actual rails out there someday. tion. In fact, it is like one of my old friends,” low-profi le. Why didn’t the company put “The management board of the company said Mr Cheung Shun-kwong, vice-president more effort in promoting the trams, the icon has changed and I feel disappointed that of the Hong Kong Collectors Society. of Hong Kong?” said Mr Cheung. Hong Kong people could not run the com- Having been living on the Hong Kong Is- He continued, “I think it is okay to have pany better. However, I am already trying to land for nearly 60 years, Mr Cheung has be- a French company operate the trams. I have contact the company again and propose my come a frequent tram passenger since child- contacted the new management board and tramcar models to them,” he said. hood. He regarded tramcars as an elegant and I feel that they have an open attitude in im- As a youngster, he has a different view on classic work of art. proving and promoting the trams.” the future directions of Hong Kong’s trams. Unlike years ago, taking tramcars is no With the continuous development of the He thought that local trams should not be in- longer a necessary routine but an enjoyable Mass Transit Railway and buses, more peo- variably nostalgic the entire time. journey to him. “When sitting on the second ple have given up taking trams when they are “I think the company can run the new fl oor of the tramcar at dusk, I can feel the in a hurry. To them, taking trams is now more tramcars in commerical areas like Central comfortable stroking breeze,” he said. of a relaxing, nostalgic activity on holidays. and Causeway Bay as they will blend well Mr Cheung has collected more than 700 Mr Tony Mak, a resident who has been with the modern atmosphere and they can tram-related memorabilia including tickets, living on the Hong Kong Island since the run the traditional ones in old districts like postcards, photos and even the Hong Kong 1950s, said he seldom took trams now ex- Sheung Wan,” he said. Tramways’ annual reports. cept on holidays. However, when going out “The fi rst item I collected is a postcard in for shopping on the island, trams are still EDITED BY YVONNE LOU 10 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk APRIL 2010 FEATURES Fire dragon strives to keep its blaze

BY PEARL LIU

t was superstition that led villagers in Tai Hang to perform fi re dragon dance. But Ias development is wiping out our history, the annual plague-dispelling ritual, dated back to 1880, offers us a glimpse to the past and the art of the old days. Around October every year, a 67-metre- long dragon studded with burning joss sticks is held up by Tai Hang residents and parades through the streets of Tai Hang. But people’s passion for the dance is petering out and there are worries that the tradition will disappear Photo: Thomas Yau soon. The fi re dragon is treated with care before the dance. “‘The whole town turns out’ pheno- menon will never happen now because fewer the grass from the mainland now and pricey Tai Hang fi re dragon dance is actively ap- and fewer people take part in the dance,” Mr transportation fee ramps up the cost of the plying for being listed as World Intangible Chan Tak-fai, organiser and commander in grass to $40,000 for three tonnes. Cultural Heritage now to let more people to chief of the Tai Hang fi re dragon dance, said. When the traditional culture is dimi- join forces and keep the cultural custom. As he fl ips through the photo albums which nishing, some in the younger generation hope “The title doesn’t really matter too much, records his almost 60-year-long ties with the to keep the dragon afl oat. but I hope our fi re dragon dance could get dance, the good old days of fi re dragon dance Form one pupil Chan Kwok-yu is one of more attention by the success of the applica- unfold. them. The 13-year-old fi rst encountered the tion,” Mr Chan said. “When I was a little boy, people in our dance when he was six, acting as a cloud- village thought it’s a shame on the family lantern player. if boys did not take part in the dance,” Mr “I always drag my classmates to the Chan said, smiling. “My brother and I were training and show them how interesting fi re selected as the leaders and my family was dragon dance is,” he said. very proud of us.” Burn scars on his hands are testimony to Many parents do not allow their children his love for the dance. to take part in the dance nowadays, fearing “Boys should not fear pain and injuries,” that they would get burnt by the glowing joss he said. “Playing fi ghting video games is just sticks. different. Dragon dancing is much more ex- Huddled in a corner of the busy shopping citing. And as you dance, you feel like you area Causeway Bay, Tai Hang used to be a are a real hero.” fi shing village of the Hakka people. Traditionally, only men are allowed to “Many old villagers have left since re- perform the dance. But females are now development of the village,” Mr Chan said. rising up to protect the tradition from va- “They are replaced by outsiders, who could nishing and to ease their urge to participate in not understand our connection to the dance. the dance for hundreds of years. So it’s hard to convince them to get in- “I begged my brother to let me in before volved.” the dance last year, and joined the team half Development of the village comes at a the way on the sneak,” Cheung Hiu-ying, 14, cost. When villagers replaces muddy path said. “A lot of my girl friends do envy me a with pavement, they also exterminate pearl lot.” grass, a material for making fi re dragon. Though it is against traditional rules, many Mr Tsang Shiu-tim, a fi re dragon maker of old people like Mr Chan is now acquiescing 40 years’ experience, said the grass was rea- in having young girls like Cheung to perform dily available on the roadside in the 70s’. in the dance to pass down the tradition. “Now you seldom see them in Tai Hang, “If you ask me face to face to let the girls not to mention other parts of Hong Kong,” in, I would defi nitely say no. But I could pre- Lin Ivy Chan he said. tend not to see them when they join…Rules Lanterns with the Chinese words “Tai Mr Tsang said it took about three tonnes have to change someday when the whole si- Hang Fire Dragon”. of pearl grass, which is strong and hard to tuation is not the same,” Mr Chan, in his 70s, burn, to make a fi re dragon. They have to get said with a smile. EDITED BY JAYSON HUI APRIL 2010 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk 11 COVER STORIES

Mega urban redevelopment: Big promises but empty cheques Since the government has lowered the forced sale threshold from 90 to 80 per cent of aging building units since April 1, demolition and redevelopment in old districts are expected to speed up. This affects about 4,000 old tenament buildings with over 50 years of history around the town. While the Urban Renewal Authority stresses a "people-oriented" approach in revitalising homes for many, Carrie Cheng, Tiffany Ho, Brian Law, John Nicolas and Daisy Zhong visited the neighbourhoods of Cheung Sha Wan, Sham Shui Po, Central and Yau Ma Tei to tell us their piteous stories.

12 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk APRIL 2010 Cheung Sha Wan property owners evict tenants from residence roperty owners and developers have She wanted to get into public housing a bigger say in building acquisition fl at nearby because she had lived in Sham Pwhile tenants’ interests are not pro- Shui Po for more than 60 years, but Urban tected in urban redevelopment. Renewal Authority still has not reached her Ms Yang Yuen-liu, who lives on Shun to offer any advice or assistance. Ning Road in Cheung Sha Wan with her “The landlords said they did’t want three children, has a two-year verbal contract money [from us], they just wanted the fl at with the property owner of the unit. back,” Mrs Chan said, who was asked not “The law cannot help us,” Ms Yang said, to pay rent since February and was forced “Issuing a letter to ask you move is so easy. to move out. But finding another flat is not that easy for “Frozen population” refers to resi- me.” dents of affected apartments in the rede- The government has loosened the rental velopment project who had registered to policy in 2004. Property owners can require the government in an initial stage. tenants to move out within a month by Mrs Chan, who registered in 2009, issuing a written notice. is one of them. But no authorities have The unit on the fourth floor, where her reached her family to deal with compen- family lives, is co-owned by Man Hing sation or housing arrangement yet. Property and Tung Kong Property. Ms Yang said the landlords had dif- “Perhaps I have to go for nomadic life,” ferent strategies on achieving their aim – Ms Yang said if she was forced out of the one attempt is to take away the family’s fl at, they might have to sleep in parks as she refrigerator and the bed from the fl at, or to had no plan where to move at the moment. lock its main door with three metal locks The mother of three cannot apply for and chains to threaten tenants. public housing estate as she is a two-way The grass root and the poor have no permit holder. where to air their grievance about the The property owners proposed to offer current situation - it was unfair and totally $5,400, which is equivalent to the sum unreasonable, Ms Yang said. of two months rents, as an incentive for The forcible removal of her flat had removal. come effective since March 3, her family But for Ms Yang, money is not the only had no way but to struggle for help. consideration of whether to stay or not. “The government believes the free The Urban Renewal Authority has once market deeply,” Mr Frederick Fung Kin- offered a rental flat in Lai Chi Kok. But kee, legislative councilor of the Kowloon Ms Yang refused to move in because her West geographic constituency, said. children’s kindergarten is far away from Lai He said the government did not Chi Kok. interfere the market for most cases but it “At least let me stay until June,” Ms was principally wrong for the authority to Yang sighed, saying that her eldest daughter regard those buildings as commodities. will be promoted to primary one in the next “Buildings are something we can’t see academic year, so she hoped they could wait from commodity perspective,” Mr Fung until the result of admission comes out. said. Mrs Chan Lee Yuk-ying, 81, another “Once people have built up a connec- residents living there with his son, said she tion with their neighborhood, it’s no longer had diffi culties in walking up and down the a mere commodity [that is valued by fi nan- stairs in the residential building with no lift. cial incentives],” he added.

ABOUT SHUN NING ROAD REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT: The site will be renewed to provide 110 residential units and about 8,300 square feets of commercial space by 2016-2017, according to the Urban Renewal Authority’s proposal. Affected parties include 42 property interests, 81 households comprising 182 local residents.

APRIL 2010 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk 13 COVER STORIES Redevelopment chokes businesses of vendors

s Wong Fung-ying, in her 60s, Briefing sections were arranged by court case against the Housing Society, he ran a small business with her hus- Urban Renewal Authority to the affected had to relocate his home and shop. Mband selling Chinese red bean owners and tenants about the prevailing He now works as the artist-in-residence pudding, Chinese glutinous rice dumpling acquisition and compensation arrangements. to teach young generations the art of fl ower and organic vegetables in Sham Shui Po. However, he could not obtain a new board making in Woofer Ten, a non-profit But after the redevelopment project had license from Television and Entertainment organisation in Yau Ma Tei, which aims casted them out of their original place, she Licensing Authority to open a new gaming to introduce a lively conception of art had to fi nd a new shop for rent. center in the area because new regulations engaging with the community. Suffering from higher rents and smaller prohibit gaming business from operating He said, “The authorities never evaluate area of their new shop, their business was too close to schools. And the Housing how much damage the redevelopment will greatly affected. Her husband recently got Society had refused to offer any assistance. do to the people.” a job outside to support the family's living, Mr Yeung once operated entertainment Ms Villy Lo Suk-ling, lecturer at the leaving Ms Wong to operate the shop alone. business, like a bowling centre, a snooker Caritas Francis Hsu College and volunteer The Sham Shui Po redevelopment project centre, and an arcade game centre. He said social worker in the district, guided her K20-23, announced in late 2004, targets the about his unemployment, “I tried to look for students to understand the neighbourhood. area surrounded by Fuk Wing Street, Un a job in this period, but nobody is willing to She said, “The community was des- Chau Street, Cheung Wah Street, Hing Wah employ a 50-year-old shopkeeper like me.” troyed. They used to know and helped out Street and Castle Peak Road. Mr Lee Sui-keung is a garageman who each other here. These kinds of cohesion Sham Shui Po will see a major facelift rented a shop in Sham Shui Po. Having cannot be built easily.” upon the gradual completion of the whole been forced out from the original place The URA announced in January project, which involves about 90 buildings for redevelopment, he now continue his that Grandwood Investments Limited, a and over 3,800 residential units in the dis- car maintainence business on his van, but wholly-owned subsidiary of Cheung Kong trict. he lost many loyal customers and could Holdings, has beaten seven competitors and It intends to bring better life to residents, not afford the much higher rent in the new won the contract for the joint development but many expressed discontent and distrust place. project in Sham Shui Po to redevelop the to the project. “Business in this area is getting worse sites to provide about 400 residential units. Residents and shops united to protest for almost every shop,” he said. and have submitted a proposal of staying in “Residents left, offi ces moved, the district but was rejected. Under the law, and So Uk Estate is also being many were forced to leave their place. redeveloped. There are fewer Mr Yeung Kai-ming, who ran a gaming people here than ever.” center in a small shoping arcade, was Mr Wong Lai-chung, nick- worried about the resettlement. Since the named by his neighbours as announcement of redevelopment was "the last man standing against made, he had been cooperative with the the redevelopment project", is Housing Society. He did all the registration one of the few who knows how as required and closed his shop before the to build giant fl ower boards in termination date. the city. But after he lost his

(Left) Sham Shui Po is one of the nine sizeable target areas that have been designated for urban renewal. Others include Kwun Tong, Wan Chai and Tsuen Wan. (Right) Business of Ms Wong Fung-ying's stall gets worse after being forced to be relocated beside a demolition site.

14 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk APRIL 2010 Gov't envisions arts shops within Who has the "Oasis" in HK's busiest town fi nal say on reconstructuring historic buildings?

en Grade I historic buildings on Shanghai Street were “downgraded” Tby the Antiquities and Monuments Offi ce in March, revealing the worrying practicality of the historic buildings’ grad- ing system in Hong Kong. The verandah-type shophouses on Nos. 600-626 Shanghai Street were listed as Grade II historic buildings on March 2 this year, downgraded from the assessment in October 2008, said Mr Lui Kin-pui, an as- sistant curator at the AMO, in a written statement. The Executive Council approved the draft plan of the preservation and revitalisation of the historic buildings on March 12. But the Urban Renewal Authority said in a written statement that the change of the grading “should not have any impact” on the plan. Preliminary external artwork of the coming Central Oasis plastered The gradings are for reference only and on the Central Market in Central. do not “give legal force” to the protection of historic buildings, said Mr Henry Lo Ka-yu, evelopers and the Hong Kong go- Tsim Sha Tsui, is now where tourists go to a research project manager of the Centre for vernment plan to turn the 168-year- satisfy their shopping spree indulgence. The Architectural Heritage Research at the Chi- Dold Central Market into an urban Victorian-styled shopping mall now features nese University of Hong Kong. oasis with arts shops and studios. Dunhill, Cartier, Shanghai Tang and other “Grade I buildings are not necessar- Amid backlash in public opinion against luxury brands. ily immune to demolition,” said Mr Lo. “It inconsistent government redevelopment “I see similar, and boring shops in many doesn’t matter much whether a building is decisions and poor track record, the Urban malls hidden under art décor,” Mr Steven Grade I, II or III. It won’t have actual limit Renewal Authority is under close scrutiny. Castro, who strolled to 1881 Heritage in on reconstruction plans of the government.” Built in 1842, the Central Market was not February, said. “Malls will be visited once. Under the Antiquities and Monuments only the biggest but also the most modern They are repetitive and uninteresting.” Ordinance, only “monuments” or “proposed market in Hong Kong before World War II. “1881 Heritage’s purpose is tourism- monuments” are protected from reconstruc- The future Central Oasis would be an art based, and so far it is doing its job in bring- tion. The AMO said the URA, headed by and culture hub of shops and leisure centres ing tourists and locals to see inside the old the Secretary for Development, has the fi nal with a rooftop garden, Urban Renewal Au- headquarters,” Ms Fione Lo, Antiquities and say on deciding whether or not the historic thority said. Monuments Offi cer Curator said. buildings are protected by the Ordinance. “Many people wonder if Central Oasis She agreed a new purpose is important to The Secretary for Development and the will become a high-end money-making be adapted modernly but it depends on the AMO said they would “actively consider” shopping mall. The answer is no.” Secretary decision of the private company developers. Grade I historic buildings to be listed as for Development Mrs Carrie Lam said in a Also in Guangzhou, the former Huang- “monuments”. It is also “possible” for the speech last year. pu Military Academy built by the then- government to intervene if the Grade I his- However, government's credibility is incumbent party Kuomintang in 1924 toric buildings are under demolition threat. in a new low after it flip-flopped on was made into a privately owned night- From 1996 to 2000, the AMO, under the demolition of Wing Lee Street, where the club. Government officials closed it Leisure and Cultural Services Department, movie “Echoes of the Rainbow” was shot. after residents complained. carried out a survey of some 8,800 build- The 12 tenements were spared demolition Mainland authorities now want all ings in Hong Kong mainly built before 1950. after the movie garnered recognition at remodeled club designs removed and Among them 1,444 buildings with higher Berlin International Film Festival in Fe- the interior restored to its original look, heritage value were studied more carefully bruary. according to the Global Times. between 2002 and 2004. Other heritages with rich historical It is not known when the revitalisation The grading criteria include “historical values, local and overseas alike, did turn into of Central Oasis would be completed. The interest, architectural merit, group value, “high-end money-making” uses. URA said the public also prefers a sport social value and local interest, authenticity “1881 Heritage”, formerly the head- centre and a cinema inside the Oasis, but a and rarity”. quarters of the Hong Kong Marine Police in rooftop garden remains a priority. The Board, however, does not make deci- sion on listing the historic buildings under EDITED BY MILEY LI, KAREN SHIU, ANDREA WONG, DODO YIN, SIMON YIU the Ordinance.

APRIL 2010 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk 15 INTERVIEW Life in a wooden hut down a Tai Kok Tsui alley

Lai Bak was scolded by his wife not only A neighbour of Lai Bak, who has been for giving out his personal information, but living in the alley since it was formed, says BY MINERVA CHENG also for letting strangers into the hut. the latest price of a wooden hut in the alley is “Security and order has become a big over $100,000. n old man buys a new fridge every problem to this community since the govern- Mr Wong Ming-sun also says the row of one to two months. It is probably the ment allowed more people from the main- wooden houses was built by a hardware retail- Asixth from a second-hand store with- land to come to Hong Kong seven or eight er in Li Tak Street, where Tsim Shui Building in the year. There are two at his home now. years ago. There are more and more people is, in 1974. The businessman planned the huts One is inside the apartment to keep food cool roaming the alley,” he says. for his personal use, but then sold them out as and fresh, while the other is placed outside someone else bought his hardware shop. the house on the alley. The broken refrigera- “My head may be The huts in the alley then become home tor becomes a cupboard storing cutlery. to about ten families, says Mr Chan Chung- He is Lai Bak (uncle Lai). The 81-year- chopped off if I sleep kit, representative from Tai Kok Tsui District old has been living in a double-storey woo- outside!” Resident Livelihood Concern Society. Most den hut with his wife in an alley between of the dwellers are 50 years old or above. Tsim Shui Building and Cosmopolitan Estate For once, a few men went to Lai Bak and Being one of the oldest residents in the al- in Tai Kok Tsui for over 20 years. chatted with him about his daily lives. They ley, Lai Bak is contented with his life in the As he ages, Lai Bak can barely leave then requested to go upstairs to visit the bed- alley despite the shortcomings. His leg injury home and walk for a long distance, but still, room. Lai Bak agreed, but as they walked and fi nancial situation limit his choice of ac- he enjoys reading newspapers and watching down the stairs after the visit, the men pressed commodation. television that draws its electricity from Tsim Lai Bak to the fl oor and asked him to hand His case was once followed by the Hous- Shui Building. out all his money. ing Authority, but he didn’t receive any res- “I’d copy Chinese medicine prescriptions “Luckily, neighbours in front shouted at ponse from them until now. To him, moving or soup recipes from newspapers and televi- the thieves and my money was dropped onto to public housing is just a bonus. sion programmes,” he smiles with pride. the fl oor,” he recalls. Lai Bak places stacks of folded monthly Lai Bak used to sleep in the alley outside EDITED BY JOJO CHOI calendar sheets, which is indeed his “cook- his house when the book” behind a metallic shelf with all sorts of weather was hot in things including pills, metal containers with the past. But now, he tea leaves, cigarettes and ashtray inside his chooses to sleep in the 100-square-foot hut. bunk bed indoor with He also makes use of the space outside the the fan on. hut. On the left side of the alley, opposite to “My head may be the front doors of the decrepit row of wooden chopped off if I sleep huts is the laundry area. Clothes line up on outside!” he exclaims. a bamboo stick near the “ceilings” made of It wasn’t like this translucent plastic boards. when Lai Bak moved Underneath is the laboratory where he ex- into the alley with his periments with the recipes from newspapers wife, two sons and a and television programmes. There stands a daughter in the 1980s. kerosene stove, a little red plastic stool, and The family used to live the “refrigerator”. A closet, a shoe rack with in a tenement building two pairs of worn out shoes and some clutter in Bedford Road, the are also sitting in the area. other side of Tai Kok Although Lai Bak is happy to share his Tsui. They moved af- recipes, he refused to give his name in full ter he had an accident because of his encounters in the community. at work. “It’s really complex here. I am stressed “I was carrying a out with all the nightmares these few years. heavy hemp bag of People would just take your name and identi- coffee beans on my ty card to do whatever devastating,” Lai Bak back as I twisted my blurts out. waist. I couldn’t af- Men claimed to be “social workers” from ford walking up the the Housing Authority visited the family in stairs in the tene- late 2008 when Lai Bak was alone at home. ment building, so we They asked for his identity card to help regis- have no choice but to ter for public housing. Few days later, some- move,” he explains. body yelled out his name and threatened him A friend of Lai for money in the middle of the night. Bak then introduced “It may be the ‘police’ coming next time him the wooden huts if I give out my name once more. I don’t want in the alley. He bought to quarrel with my wife for this again,” he the house at $40,000 81-year-old Lai Bak has lived in the 100-square-foot hut sighs wearily. in the 1980s. for over 20 years.

16 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk APRIL 2010 (Top Left) Clutter next to Lai Bak’s “outdoor kitchen”. (Bottom Left) The broken fridge now serves as a cutlery-storing cupboard. (Top Right) The huts in the alley have become home to about ten families. (Bottom Right) Lai Bak uses old calendar pages to jot down recipes.

APRIL 2010 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk 17 REVIEW Time travel restaurant takes people back to old HK

Tak Yue Restaurant has been serving dim sums at affordable prices in a time-honoured setting for over 80 years. procedure you never attempt in western-style long time I paid a visit here. This is my short restaurants. visit to Hong Kong to walk around - and I BY ALAN KWOK Dragon and phoenix sculptures on wall, come to Tak Yue for sure,” he said. which are indispensable to Chinese restau- Almost every customer had a newspaper t the corner of Shanghai Street and rants, seem to be staring at my dishes. in hands. They drank their tea and read the Pitt Street in the busy Yau Tsim With their wooden dark-brown appea- news leisurely. Hong Kong people are always AMong District lives one of the last rance, they looked even more mighty and in a hurry but at least not in Tak Yue. Here, few Chinese traditional restaurants left in fearful than those in modern Chinese restau- time goes slow. Kowloon. rants with sparkling eyes. Mr Lai shared his attitude of drinking tea While landmark restaurants Lin Heung Dim sum trolleys were travelling from one in Tak Yue restaurant: Yum cha (drink tea) and Luk Yu attract mostly high-end tou- fl oor to another by the lift. Ladies pushed the should be Tan Cha (enjoy tea). But he wor- rists, the over 80-year-old Tak Yue serves trolleys and yelled out the dim sums’ names ried the restaurant may have gone when he traditional dim sums at affordable prices in a on and off like singing a dim sum song com- come back to the city next time, as it is too time-honoured setting. posed by themselves. old and has no choice but to be demolished. It has four storeys. The ground fl oor is a If you would like to spend an leisure after- lobby, which looks like an old movie theatre, Ladies pushed the noon in Tak Yue, do pay attention to its open- stands the sales counter and a bakery selling ing hours. Arrive before 1.30 pm as it closes traditional Chinese Bridal Cakes. trolleys and yelled out at 2.30 in the afternoon. It is a usual practice The second fl oor is now closed but the the dim sums’ names on for traditional Chinese teahouses to open and third fl oor is a bustling dining hall with round and off, like singing a close early. Every day, Tak Yue opens at 5 am tables at busy hours, with a delicate aroma of to serve its regular patrons who have worked Po Lei (Pu-erh tea), fi lling in the air. dim sum song composed overnight in Yau Ma Tei Fruit Market. Go A hanging crystal lamp between every two by themselves. earlier if you want to try out the very rare dim beams creates a classic and graceful atmos- sums such as Siumai (pork and mushroom phere with its dim yellow light. I randomly “The business is so-so, not very good,” an dumpling) with Quail Eggs and Chicken Ball grabbed a table near the corner and started old dim sum trolley lady in her 70s said. Big Bun (a bun with chicken fi lling). this unbeatable “time travel” experience. Dining tables are usually shared by cus- I was there until the very last minute. “What kind of tea do you want to drink?” tomers. Mr Lai, a loyal customer, sat down While people were leaving, Tak Yue quieted a waitress asked. “Po Lei (Hong Kong old at my table and wondered why a young man down. I heard a piece of Cantonese opera generations’ favouite),” I uttered and soon was sharing a table with him in this age-old music was actually playing in the air. discovered that some customers were aware restaurant. We started a long chat with his The aroma of Po Lei lingered and recalled of my presence perhaps because I was proba- personal favours of yum cha. my childhood. It was a leisurely afternoon in bly the youngest among them. “I’m more than 70. When I was small, Tak Tak Yue, a time travel to the old Hong Kong. I lowered my head and washed my cup and Yue has already been here,” Mr Lai said. bowl in the fi rst pouring of tea - an ordinary “After I moved to the US, it has been a EDITED BY SAMSON LEE 18 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk APRIL 2010 TYR’S SELECTIONS A guide to hidden breathingb space in HK In Hong Kong island’s crowded bustling scene, TYR uncovers three quality public spaces hidden in concrete-heavy corners.

BY CARRIE CHENG

Terrace outside Red Bar, IFC mall

he terrace outside Red bar o ff ers public Tsea ng on top of IFC Mall. Public seating of Dragon-I, Enjoy your own food and drink beside Wyndham Street the terrifi c Victoria Harbourview. One piece of advice to the public from fl oor supervisor he outdooroutdoor terrace of Dragon-I Dragon-II iissopentothepublicfor24 open to the public for 24 of Red Bar Ms Sherriff Ho: Clean up the Thours according to the Sino Property Services. space before you leave. Though it is common to see ‘Reserved’ signs put on the tables, don't be frightened, just push aside the sign, grab a seat to relax in Level 4, IFC Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central this popularised tavern.

UG, The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central Hong Kong Island

he whole building including the roof is leased to the Trestaurant operator - which is not considered as public openo space, according to Ms Rowena Wong, external relare onal offi cer from the Urban Renewal Authority. But the roo op is open to members of the public when tthereh is no private func on. When you go there, do pay attention to see if there is aany no ce displayed on the glass door of the Pawn’s ground ffloorl lift lobby. Notice will be put up if there is private ffuncu on. No food is allowed on the roo op.

111am to 11pm The rooftop of The Pawn, 662 Johnston Rd, Wan Chai Wanchai

APRIL 2010 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk 19 OPINION Let ers to the Editor

The way out of temptation

hen we come to the world, there Michael Chugani are myriads of temptations cha- Wllenging us. A story in the Bible, about Adam and Eve who ate the fatal fruit What journalists live for when tempted by Satan, tells us that if we cannot resist temptations, we will suffer the o many experiences helped cut my when Sino-US ties were in a terrible state as same fate. teeth as a journalist that it’s hard to a result of the Tiananmen crackdown. Local In Hong Kong, students live under great Ssingle out one as more worthy than the people, jittery over the approaching handover pressure, cramming for public examinations. others. But that’s what we journalists are re- to China, were emigrating in droves. Parents and teachers attach inordinate impor- quired to do all the time – face pressing dead- I received an evening call from the offi ce tance to their academic results that creates a lines in singling out the best stories to tell. of Senator Mitch McConnell who is now the sense of desperation to students. I remember well my constant trips in late Republican leader of the Senate. I was asked Many cannot fi nd a positive way to release 2000 from my home in Seattle to Vancouver to go to his offi ce the following morning but their pressure. Then they will easily fall vic- where I built a trusting friendship with the was not told what it was about. I thought it tims to the temptations of drug or alcohol, in lawyers of mainland fugitive Mr Lai Chang- was a prank since I didn’t know him or the hopes of indulging in a world of fantasy. xing who was seeking asylum there. A day person who called. But I went anyway and Sadly, some temptations lead juveniles before Mr Lai’s fi rst refugee hearing I gained was astounded to be met by the senator him- to the way of death. They become obsessed exclusive access to his written testimony in self who personally briefed me on something with those bad habits. And soon, they cannot which he claimed he was tipped off about his so controversial I knew right away it would control themselves. possible arrest by none other than immigra- cause a stir in Hong Kong and infuriate The recipe for overcoming temptation is tion offi cial Mr Leung Kam-kwong who was Beijing. He was going to introduce into the to strengthen your mind so that triggers no killed in a sensational arson attack at the Im- Congress a bill that would make America’s longer overpower your resistance. migration Tower, a story that sparked a storm relations with Hong Kong separate from that One helpful advice is to teach your mind here. Also etched in my memory was being with China. Called the Hong Kong Relations how to visualise the consequence of your ac- granted the very fi rst exclusive interview Act, it was similar to the Taiwan Relations tion. Temptations will not suddenly disappear with Mr Lai after he was released from prison Act which spells out Washington’s ties with from your environment. to house arrest. I remember how he showed Taiwan. He told me he wanted legislation to Since temptation is a constant part of the off to me his big-screen TV in his Vancouver make clear the US would treat Hong Kong world we live in, it is best to create a plan suburb fl at while hired guards made sure he differently from the rest of China after 1997. to deal with it. This plan must be portable, didn’t leave his home. He ordered his driver After concluding the interview he told me easily accessible, and simple enough to be to bring back Singapore noodles, a dish he so he was on his way to fi le the bill which would activated at a moment’s notice. liked he ate it often for lunch during his many then make it public. It was very late at night Youth can play sports with their friends to hearings for asylum status. in Hong Kong. I knew if I missed my dead- resist temptations and relieve pressure. The Then there was the time in Washington line the story would have to wait a day which government can promote the importance of DC when I found myself becoming a virtual meant I would no longer have an exclusive. playing sports, for example, ensuring at least go-between for the Chinese and the Ameri- I had just minutes to read the bill and fi nd a two PE lessons per week in schools. cans during particularly testy Sino-US trade pay phone since mobile phones were unheard Schools, parents and students can demon- talks. I had built up contacts on both sides of at the time. I found one nearby, called the strate passion for sports. As a result, young- during my many years as a Washington DC SCMP, but was told it was too late to take sters will be willing to work out to relieve correspondent. In the course of trying to get even an exclusive story. I couldn’t believe it. pressure. details of the closed-door negotiations from I explained the importance of the story and People at a tender age are highly vulne- both the Americans and the Chinese I some- pleaded with them to re-do the front page but rable to peer pressure. Schools should play how turned into a source for both sides. My was told to call back after they had discussed an active role in helping students to resist contact from each side would ask me what it. I then called the HKEJ which instantly temptations. By and large, teens growing up the other side was thinking and what their recognised the story’s signifi cance. Since I in a comfortable and loving environment can bottom line was. Being in such a position is had no time to sit down and write out a story resist temptation stoutly. a reporter’s dream. I ended up with a lot of I had to quickly dictate one from my head scoops. But it can also be risky. Towards the just by glancing over the bill. I then called CHIU WING-SUM, CHRISTY end of the talks I got an important story hor- the SCMP again and this time was told they Hong Kong True Light College ribly wrong when one side fed me something wanted the story. I dictated it one more time. to throw the other side off track. The way both papers played up the story the But there was one experience which really next morning is what reporters live for. got my journalistic juices fl owing. It had all Write to us and you could win an English the ingredients that put reporters on a high – Michael Chugani is a regular con- novel from Bookazine. Send your letter with an exclusive, a very tight deadline and a story tributor to SCMP and author of the your full name, address and phone number to of major signifi cance. It happened in late 1991 bestsellers Double Talk 1, 2 & 3. [email protected].

20 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk APRIL 2010 EDITORIAL New life for old factories kills creative industries

which involved collaboration of 90 per cent marked an end of their creative efforts. In- BY CONNIE WAN of the ownership of the buildings. vididual groups staying in factories in Kwun However, from April 1 this year, the Ur- Tong initiated a squatting movement to fi ght ince the late 1970s, the open door pol- ban Renewal Authority has a new package of against the new policy. icy in China has attracted Hong Kong measures for the developers. Some art groups urged the government to Smanufacturing industries to relocate This includes lowering the threshold for guarantee suffi cient rental space for the stu- their business to the mainland, especially for compulsory sale and fi nancial incentives such dios and art workshops after revitalising the the clothing and textile industries that take as waiving the fees for changing the land use industrial buildings and to provide support- up much space for machines and intensive and offering discount on premiums. ing funds for them to sustain their work. One labour force. Besides, some government offi ces will way is to exempt the waiver fee for the cre- Many local factories have remained vacant move to the revitalised factories too. ative industries for six months to one year. for years, with some located in bustling areas This was meant to add values to the old in- The Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre of the city like Kwun Tong, San Po Kong and dustria buildings. But apparently the govern- in Shek Kip Mei, jointly operated by Hong Cheung Sha Wan. ment has done harm with good intentions. Kong Jockey Club and Hong Kong Baptist The government has earlier announced the After the announcement of the policy, the University, showcases a sustainable example “six pillars” to drive Hong Kong economy, rental fees for art groups in the industrial area that tells the government the appropriate di- which include the educational service, and have been raised by landlords. rection it should go. cultural and creative industries. It is because factory owners foresee that It is not necessary for you to travel a long The government has unleashed new mea- many big corporations would apply for turn- distance to Shanghai or Beijing to visit world sures for over 1,000 potential industrial ing the industrial buildings into hotels or class art hubs. Cities like Shenzhen also set buildings for redevelopment. shopping centres that can generate higher up art hub by revitalising old factories. That Some owners have already rented out their revenue. can also be a role model for Hong Kong gov- vacant blocks for music recording studios, Some tenants, including several indepen- ernment to learn from. arts workshop or retail outlets at a relatively dent art groups, are even forced to move out. The revitalisation project shows high po- low rent. For them, it is very diffi cult to fi nd another tential to boost the local economy and cre- But before they can begin their business, affordable place which is as convenient as ate job opportunities, but it risks wrecking owners of industrial buildings or develo-pers their original industrial blocks. the creative industry if not handled with wise have to pay fee for changing the land use, As a result, the revised policy may have procedures and supervision. TYR is now available at...

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APRIL 2010 tyr.journalism.hkbu.edu.hk 21 Horse racing lovers bet on a good time

22 Horse racing lovers bet on a good time

orse racing has been with the Hong Kong community since The culture and community of horse racing developed along 1846. The integration of sports and gambling attracts peo- with the Hong Kong history. From the 1880s colonial period to Hple from all walks of life and makes it a signature of Hong World War II, horse races have never stopped in Hong Kong. Kong. And in 1980s when China and Great Britain was negotiating Middle-aged men, young couples, photographers and tourists about Hong Kong’s future, Deng Xiaoping, the former leader of the shout for their favourite horses in the race course every Wednes- Communist Party of China made a promise to Hong Kong people, day night and Sunday, creating the weekly hustle and bustle in “So the horses will keep racing; people will go on dancing”. Happy Valley and Shatin. The Jockey Club is the largest single taxpayer in the city and Each year, over one million people attend the races while pro- one of the largest charity donors in the world. viding business opportunities for the organiser, Hong Kong Jockey Club, to generate about $3.09 billion of prof t margin in the year TEXT & PHOTOS BY CANDICE WONG 2009. EDITED BY EDITH TSANG

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