Aloysius Pang's wake: Constant stream of people turn up on second day to pay their final respects

SINGAPORE- Hundreds of fans and friends turned up on the second day of a public memorial for home-grown actor Aloysius Pang's wake on Sunday (Jan 27) in MacPherson.

Decked out in sombre colours of black, grey and white, people of all ages stood patiently in line from about 10am under the hot sun to pay their respects.

Driver Vincent Kan was there with his girlfriend Poh Ing Ing, 24, a nurse.

"I was an extra in a drama that Aloysius starred in some years back, and that was the first time I saw him face to face," said Mr Kan, 25.

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"I remember his acting skills and how he persevered despite the heat and the need for multiple retakes," he added.

Mr Pang, 28, died on Wednesday night from injuries suffered last Saturday (Jan 19) during a military exercise in New Zealand.

Corporal First Class (NS) Pang was carrying out repair works inside a Singapore Self-Propelled Howitzer and suffered serious injuries to his chest and abdomen when the gun barrel was lowered, the Ministry of Defence said.

At around 11.30am on Sunday, Mr Pang's parents arrived at the wake with family members in tow. They were distraught as they approached the coffin.

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His mother was inconsolable and had to be accompanied by her eldest son Jefferson. Mr Pang's actress girlfriend Jayley Woo was seen arriving at about the same time.

Scores of people also paid their respects on Saturday, including Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong and MP Tin Pei Ling. The public memorial, which was held at 82A MacPherson Lane, ended at noon on Sunday.

It was followed by a memorial service at 1.30pm at the same location.

Eldest brother Jefferson Pang shared that his mother was the first to see Mr Pang when he was still conscious. She was crying a lot when she saw her youngest son in that state, he said.

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"Aloysius' kryptonite is actually my mother's tears... When mum was crying by his bed, the first reply that he actually gave was: 'Mum don't cry, if you cry I will cry too. And I'm in a lot of pain. I'll recover in a couple of days, and I'll take you to the New Zealand casino'," he shared.

Actor Xu Bin, who is a good friend of Mr Pang, said in Mandarin: "You were always there for me, no questions asked."

He also shared how Mr Pang would take time to donate blood and even thought of donating his bone marrow.

Others who delivered eulogies included industry veterans Kym Ng, Hong Huifang and Chen Shucheng, fellow actors Felicia Chin and Desmond Tan, and producers Leong Lye Lin and Joyce Lee.

Later, Mr Pang will be accorded the full honours of a military funeral.

Many fans on Sunday spoke about a connection to the actor, having watched him "grow up on television", as Madam Leanette Teo, who is in her 60s, put it.

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Madam Teo, who works in the logistics sector, added: "I know him through the shows he's acted in, and thought I should come and pay my respects, although he is a young chap."

By about 11am on Sunday, about a quarter of the seats at the shelter set up at MacPherson Lane for the wake was filled with friends and family.

Siblings Benjamin and Narelle Kheng - from home-grown English pop band The Sam Willows - were also there to pay their respects. They had both worked with the actor, and had fond memories of him.

Ms Kheng, 25, said: "It still feels unbelievable and kind of strange that he is not around.

"You see his photos everywhere these few days, but it's not for a new movie or show. It's because he has passed away. He was a passionate actor. An angel. If anything, he wasn't one that deserved (to die in such a way)."

Polytechnic student Gloria Lim, 21, arrived shortly before noon with a classmate, but was unable to enter the wake to pay her last respects.

"It's a pity that we didn't get to see him for the last time, and it is a bit upsetting. But at least we came, and we will stay awhile for the memorial."

She too had appeared as an extra on set sometime in 2013, during the filming of one of Mr Pang's drama series.

"I hope he reincarnates and can do what he set out to do in his next life. It's sad that his life was cut short," she said.

Separately, Mr Pang's 2016 movie Young & Fabulous, in which he was the lead actor, will be re-released in cinemas from Tuesday (Jan 29).

All proceeds from the screenings will go to the Pang family.

This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.