A dear friend, Rong, passed away yesterday (18 Sept) morning after fighting a terribly aggressive cancer the last two years. This post is multifarious and hard to button down thematically because there is a lot to express. While I seek to make sense of my emotions, too much of that would be self-serving. Instead, learning and being inspired by the path laid out by Rong would better honour him and allow us to better remember his rich legacy.

It was 2021. A long 6-day shoot. I was done with my own cancer treatments and pretty much in remission. I went down to the studio to check out the shoot. Always a production person at heart, there is a buzz and a joy when I see fellow film professionals on set. My memory is fuzzy but that was when I was told that Rong had intense back pain and had to leave the shoot to go to the hospital. I checked up on him and wanted to make sure that he had the right care. But after a battery of tests over the next few days, we found out that he had cancer in the pancreas and that he had to go for a very painful Whipple Procedure to remove the tumour from the head of the pancreas.

The surgery was successful but the recovery was long and difficult. Subsequently, he went through chemotherapy and we officially became Port Bros (That’s the Port-a-cath insertion to infuse the chemo drugs straight into the system). Through it all, we shared encouraging and existential texts and tonnes of voice messages (As I’m sure he had with so many other close friends) during that time. Trying to support one another in whatever way possible. We got a little closer through it all and he even worked with me as a Director’s Assistant for a while.

Rong had a rebel’s heart and a poet’s lips. Those who were lucky enough to read his writings gleaned deep into his complex soul. His craft came naturally and flowed with power and ferocity. In another life, I’m sure he would have been amazing as a poet, a priest, a film critic or a rapper (Perhaps all at the same time for he was not one to just stick to one).

His rebel heart was not anti-establishment though; It comes from a place of internal justice, personal integrity and ethics that he firmly held and was not afraid to voice it. Once during a long overnight shoot (yet another one) that had gone on for far too long, way beyond what should be humanly allowed, he decided to leave the set; Feeling that it was not “right” to continue with the shoot under certain circumstances. He did the right thing in my opinion. Such was his deep sense of right and wrong. Online, he used his writing prowess to properly articulate and call out bad industry practices. (Oh how wonderful it would have been if he had been an production association leader of sorts; Combining that sense of social justice with his love for the industry)

When he found out it was cancer, like most, he went through the swirl of emotions and bemoaned many things. Having our lives inextricably linked to what we do as a living to our identities, he struggled emotionally because he was stepping up within the lighting department; To hone his craft and be like Ben, King and the other established Gaffers out there eventually; People he looked up to and aspired to be.

He then started working on his short film that he eventually directed and starred in; Roping in his newfound friend from the hospital ward to act with him called “A Busman’s Holiday”. What a production that was. Crew, production, wardrobe, HMUA turned up to work on his short film. People donated food and snacks. No pay. No credit needed. Everyone just wanted to support a brother. That’s how loved and respected Rong was. People just gravitated to his soulful authenticity, brutal honesty and mega-watt smile. It was truly a sight to behold. One man bringing a community together.

More than anything, Rong wanted to express himself. Whether it was through his food vlogs, his writings, his calisthenics videos. He had so much to say and to give. Fiercely opinionated, he was not afraid to challenge the status quo; Held fast to his convictions and yet was open to what the universe was teaching him. He had so much creative potential in him just waiting to burst forth. Through his cancer treatments, he oscillated between finding meaning and purpose and realising that simple joys came from time spent with his family and friends, travel and good food.

I felt an intense heaviness in my chest yesterday and this morning and it just would not go away. When I gave him the book “When breath becomes air” by Paul Kalanathi a few months ago. In it, I directed him to Dylan Thomas’ poem made famous in the film “Interstellar” called, “Do not go gentle into that good night”. I had often gone back to the poem and tried to understand and internalise the power in those words; The penultimate creative expression of a spiritual, emotional defiance when faced with the prospect of death. This rendition of the poem as performed by Welsh actor Michael Sheen however, is the best that I’ve found (Watch it here if you can’t on this post – https://youtu.be/w-sM-t1KI_Y?si=6iofX0BV-SykuDpy). Capturing the true spirit of defiance in the poem. I watched it, wept and felt the weight in my chest dissipate a little. I hope Rong likes this; He just might – it aptly portrays the same level of intensity, sorrow, joy and ultimately human vulnerability as him.

Who says that art is not essential to life? When all else fails, and there is no adequate way to express the groans of our souls, art, in all forms gives us that voice to articulate our innermost joys and sorrows.

At the Fashion for Cancer show, organised by Rong’s parents and a whole village of supporters, he had whispered to me that he felt drained and tired. But everyone was putting in so much effort to make it a good show, he just had to push himself to do the same; He didn’t want to disappoint, much less his amazing mother, Bee Yan. And that is how I shall always remember him. Fiercely loyal to his family and friends, uncompromisingly just and a fighter who never gave up at the face of a cruel disease.

People often ask me if film production is unhealthy and causes cancer. The straight answer is that It IS unhealthy and at this rate, is not sustainable for a healthy lifestyle but it does not directly cause cancer because cancer is a multifactorial disease with multiple root causes from genetics, smoking, obesity, food choices and much more. However, the long hours, sleep deprivation, stress, bad food that film production has certainly does not help.

I hope that the plight of Warren, Chan, Rong, Jerry, Nicky and myself would spark a deeper awareness and conversation about what it takes to have an industry that upholds health – physical and mental over convenience and profit. It’s not just production houses. It goes all the way up the value chain. It’s how we value people and prioritise health. It’s how we respect crew, production and even advertising folk – with their time and effort. We can all do better. To create a healthier, more life sustainable industry for all. Together we CAN change toxic culture.

Perhaps then, we would have less fallen warriors. Perhaps then, we would have properly honoured our loved ones like Rong.

Our deepest and most loving condolences to Rong’s family and friends.

Have a great meal buddy.