【Malaysia / The Malay Mail / Ng Suzhen 】
The biennial PWH Music Awards, a major event for the local Chinese music scene, takes on a fresh twist as an ambassador has been named for the first time to take on the duty of promoting the PWH awards locally and internationally.
There is nobody better suited to take on the role than Michael Wong (right), who made a surprise appearance at the launch on the night of April 5.
Wong first broke into the music scene as one half of a duo with fellow musician, Victor Wong (not related) in 1995.
Considered as one of Malaysia’s pioneers who made it to the international scene, the two claimed huge popularity in Taiwan.
In 2000, the duo broke up to pursue solo careers. In 2005, Wong hit the jackpot with the song Fairytale (Tong Hua), which saw his popularity soar in Hong Kong, Taiwan and China.
Fondly known as the ‘big brother’ in the local Chinese music scene, he has always been present for the PWH awards since the start of his music career and has bagged a large number of awards purplewhich include Best Composer, Media Choice Award, Best Local Song and Best International Song.
In 2008, Wong announced that he will refrain from submitting his works for the PWH awards to allow room for new artistes to shine.
“The decision was made while I was looking at newcomers in the music industry receiving their awards on stage.
"Memories of when I started out came flooding back. It was a tough journey and I thought it was time for the new generation to have what I had back then, to feel the joy of knowing that there are people out there who enjoy your music,” said Wong in an interview during the launch at Nikko Hotel.
Wong came very close to giving up his music career. When he started out, there was no such thing as being a full-time musician.
His mother had even convinced him that singing should never be a main job for him. He already had an appointment letter in hand at a computer engineering company in KL but on the day he was supposed to start work, he never showed up.
“I remember riding a bike through my hometown, Ipoh, thinking about my job. I couldn’t accept the fact that a nine-to-five job would be all my future held. The next thing I did was to take up an audio engineering course. My family thought I was quite immature then but I convinced my mum that music was my real love.”
This year, besides being appointed ambassador, Wong will also be composing the theme song for the PWH Awards 2010, which he has already penned but is still awaiting lyrics.
The song will be performed by the Top 20 singers nominated in the awards. When enquired if the song will be included in his next album, Wong said he hopes that the song can be released as a single instead.
“It won’t be included in my album. I hope that the song can be released as a stand-alone single to be sold and that the profits can be donated to the PWH Awards.”
Being a role model with a perfect attendance list for the awards show, Wong laments that he was never an outstanding student at school.
Admitting to be a timid and shy boy when he was younger, Wong was never chosen to be the class monitor or the prefect.
“The class monitor was always the tall ones who sat at the back. I was the short boy who sat in the front two rows,” he laughed.
However, times have changed since then as Wong has stepped out of the limelight to under the spotlight, especially with his current title of ambassador.
Taking on the title, Wong feels that there are many people who already have a set of expectations for what it takes to be the ambassador for the awards, which he is afraid that he will not be able to fulfil.
“The pressure is there, but I’ll be giving my best in taking up the role,” he promised.
Known to be a tough awards show to organise, the PWH Awards has always faced the danger of being cancelled due to financial constraints.
Held every two years for the past 23 years, this year marks PWH Awards' 11th year in Malaysia. Organised by the Entertainment Journalists Association (known as Persatuan Wartawan Hiburan Wilayah Persekutuan or PWHWP), it is made up of entertainment journalists from the various Chinese dailies in Malaysia that includes Sin Chew Daily and China Press.
A total of 24 awards will be given out this year and submissions have already started.
The PWH Awards will be held on Nov 27 at the Genting Highlands Arena of Stars.