Superstar eyes Penang property

HONG KONG superstar Simon Yam likes Penang so much that he plans to buy a holiday home for his family on the island.

The internationally acclaimed actor described the island as a “beautiful and happy” place during his visit to launch Canon’s ‘Eye on Canon’ showcase at Gurney Plaza in George Town.

“My last visit was about five years ago and I can notice some changes. I hope I’ll be able to find a suitable property here where I can bring my family for holiday.

“I can play some golf while there are other scenic destinations like the Butterfly Park for my daughter,” Yam, who is also the camera’s brand ambassador, said yesterday.

He also likened the sea here to the one in Maldives.

“I notice the sea water is cleaner and there are also new properties around.

“This city and the happy faces here make me feel very relaxed.

“Not only that, the old structures are still maintained which brings back nostalgic memories of Hong Kong in the old times.

“For me, Penang is the warmest (welcoming) place in Malaysia. My favourite food here is oh chien (pan fried oysters)!” he said yesterday.

Yam also said he hoped to be able to make a film in Malaysia, preferably a romantic movie.

On cameras, the 57-year-old father-of-one, who is also an avid photographer related the loss of his two mobile phones about two weeks ago which contained many precious moments of his daughter as well as family.

“I went for a jog and I lost my phones. I was busy then and didn’t have time to transfer the photographs so I didn’t have any back up!

“So now, I’ve vowed to use Canon’s Ixus 510HS because I can immediately send photographs via WiFi,” he said.

He also said he has three upcoming films to make including one that also stars Hollywood star Keanu Reaves in the “Man of Tai Chi”.

Earlier, camera flash lights flared as eager shutterbugs caught sight of Yam when he arrived.

When a fan asked for photographs, he cheekily challenged her for a “scissor, paper, rock” game before she was able to take a photograph with him.

A hardcore fan, Lim Hong Zheng, 26, was also seen wearing a specially printed T-shirt with Yam’s name and image as well as a custom-made puzzle of the star at the session.

Yam then invited him to come on stage and gave a special gift.

“I’m really flattered that Yam would invite me on stage and even offer to take photographs with me!” the freelance photographer said.

Yam later visited the EOS Boutique in Burma Road for another session with fans who took photographs with him and asked for autographs.

The Eye on Canon showcase to celebrate Canon’s 25th anniversary started yesterday and will be held until May 6, from 10am to 10pm daily.

Canon Marketing (Malaysia) imaging communication products division director Simon Wong said in line with the company’s corporate philosophy, RM10 from each camera sale at the events in Mid Valley

and Gurney Plaza will go to the Yayasan Sunbeams Home for children.

There are exciting promotions, discounts, instant cash rebates of

up to 25% on selected models,

purchase-with-purchase (PWP) for lenses on selected EOS models and lucky draws with Canon products worth RM10,000 awaiting visitors.

There are also the not-to-be-missed RM25 deal for 25 units of selected camera models.

The first 100 early birds to purchase selected Canon EOS models will also receive the Canon limited edition miniature Hansa camera, the very first commercial camera produced by the company in 1936.

By The Star