Category Archives: EZ 41

Captains & Legends, EZ 41, EZ 61 (2), Vol 41

Staged for Stardom 璀璨盛开

January 26, 2016 EZ Malaysia Leave a comment

Joanne Yew
Malaysian Artiste

Locally produced blockbuster “The Journey” released in 2014, whilst having reeled in positive reviews for her lead role as Ah Bee, marks Joanne Yew’s debut into film. The icing to the cake was the eye-opening discovery that blood is indeed thicker than water. Taking on the part taught her plenty on a personal level as well as helped her become more appreciative of her family and the bond shared with those whom she knows care deeply about her.

PICTURE PERFECT

Thanks to the vast exposure gained in conjunction with the aforementioned milestone, she feels exceedingly humbled by the privilege to have starred in a production that went onto to put her on the map. As she prepares for her next project, Yew has set aside some time to pursue a season of leisurely travel with loved ones. Although the opportunity for respite in now within reach, her career is every bit a demanding undertaking.

Naturally, the tremendous success she currently enjoys wasn’t built overnight. Equipped with the determination to attain perfection with every career-inspired endeavour, each take on set regardless of length of shoot, is executed with absolute finesse to the point of faultlessness. On top of being a meticulous doer, Yew relishes acting roles that are the complete opposite of her personality; a good challenge easily gets her motor running.

Funny business

Unsurprisingly, new experiences inspire her, creating room for self-improvement. As much as this is true, Yew’s next desired feat to tackle is venturing into the comedic aspect of television. As easy as the genre might appear, it entails the personification of precise body language and subtle emotions to elevate a character and scene. Clearly it isn’t for everyone, considering the rigorous technique and skill level involved in flawless embodiment.

Believing she has what it takes, the actress intends to expand her portfolio to include comedy. In addition, fascinated by her brave yet elegant style, Yew aspires to someday work with TV giant Jun Ji Hyun, and won’t rest until the dream is realised. Seeing that The Journey has been by far her biggest accomplishment, many doors have since opened, enabling her to explore new territories and un-turn stones previously foreign.

Journeying beyond

Incidentally, her latest movie dubbed ATM added the avenue to rub shoulders with the entertainment industry’s elite of Hong Kong, many of whom she’d had wanted to work with. Although she hasn’t given it much thought, she is open to the idea of taking to Hong Kong should the opportunity arise. However, being a Chinese who is fluent Korean, she is certainly looking to expand her presence into the said Eastern market.

Being a multi-tasking talent is no easy feat—especially since she is both an actress and a model. Juggling the two different yet similar careers comes down to meticulous time management and absolute camera-readiness. Yet, she favours the former over the latter. “I prefer acting as I find playing someone’s life more enticing. It isn’t easy to adapt to a character in an audience-worthy manner, so acting is a very interesting process,” Yew tells Essenze.

“Off the set, Yew takes pleasure in relaxing at home; it is why her abode is a sanctuary that celebrates her favourite music as well as need for sensually-pleasing aromatics and uninterrupted bliss for the ultimate encounter with tranquility.”

Limelight worthy

Despite her widespread success and the glamour associated with her line of work, the film star confesses that had she not ventured into the aforementioned arenas, she would have delved into sales and marketing with a focus on skincare. As to why, she says servicing a client in need and offering helpful advice on good product choices are an appealing proposition. But for the time being, she’s set on taking her acting to even greater heights.

For her, being a public figure literally means having to be in the spotlight all the time, which itself poses its own challenges. In fact, the hardest part she notes is, having to introspectively determine ways to better herself in every aspect of her job and self. The perpetual scrutiny is something she is always mindful of; one misstep and it could signify the end of the road. Therefore, her commitment to positivism helps her maintain a healthy attitude and outlook.

BUILT FOR COMFORT

Off the set, Yew takes pleasure in relaxing at home; it is why her abode is a sanctuary that celebrates her favourite music as well as need for sensually-pleasing aromatics and uninterrupted bliss for the ultimate encounter with tranquility. Busy or not, nothing takes priority over her family; they’re the reward which matters to her the most. Finally, as she is an avid fan of property development, a personal aim is to develop her personal concept of the perfect dwelling place.

2014年上映的马来西亚温馨国产电影“一路有你”，尤凤音演出的“阿美”这个角色引来各方瞩目。在历经五味俱全的探索之旅后，终于发现血浓于水的事实，这段珍贵旅程提升了尤凤音的个人思考层面，更珍惜自己的家庭，懂得与关心她的人分享点滴。

完美影像
在这部堪称她的个人里程碑电影后，尤凤音获得更显著的注目，对此她感到荣幸。下一个计划，除了悠闲旅行与家人相聚，即使现在机会不断，但她对于职业生涯带有苛刻的承诺。

目前成功并非一夜促成，她拥有决心与启发，努力达到完美。而与荧幕上形象反差的是：尤凤音现实中是一丝不苟的人，但挑战与性格完全相反的的角色，会激起她堪称千层浪般的斗志。

全新经历也成就自我提升与创造了空间。她渴望下一次能够参与喜剧或者情景电视制作，类似题材需要精确的身体语言和微妙情感，相当考验应变能力与讲究演技水平。

为了扩大演绎范围，她也希望接拍更多作品包括喜剧。韩国电视剧女王全智贤勇敢而优雅的格调是钦慕所在，期待有天能与后者一起工作，在实现这个梦想之前不会轻易言休。从“一路有你”看到她至今的最好成就，往后她也将探索新领域或海外的邀约挑战。

超越路程
她最新电影“提款机”与香港的资深演员如夏雨、鲍起静等同台共演，虽然她未有提供想法和意见，但保持开放心态，等待机会闪现。作为一名华人，她曾在韩国大学修学，说得流利的韩语，她希望在东方市场可以逐渐扩大知名度。

除了是一名演员，她同时也是模特。在两个不同的时期，工作共同点是细致时间管理和绝对专业的镜头感。然而，她倾向于前者。“我更喜欢演戏，因为“渗透”别人的生活更好玩诱人。演出让观众印象深刻的角色不容易，是有趣的过程。”

聚光灯下
尽管目前的成功与表演的魅力脱不了关系，但如果没从事影视行业，她会选择深入钻研护肤品营销。她说，为客户提供服务和有用的建议，让他们选择适用的产品会带来满足感。可是，暂时目前，她会把重心放在提高演技水平。

作为公众人物，就必须意识时刻处在聚光灯下，这也构成本身挑战。事实上，关于最困难的部分，她指出，勿忘初心，发掘和确定自己更好的一面，尤其是自我审查，因为一失足，意味着这条路已经到头，因此，保持健康的态度和外观是必须的。

建立舒适
在家的时刻是最放松的，她的住家是一个圣地，聆听着自己喜欢的音乐，个人时光拥有不间断的幸福感。忙碌或不忙，没有什么比她的家庭更重要。由于还热衷参与房产业务，个人目标是推展她的个人完美居所概念。

Captains & Legends, EZ 41, EZ 61 (2), Vol 41

Chalking Up Class 飞跃晋级

January 26, 2016 EZ Malaysia Leave a comment

Dr. Elizabeth Lee Fuh Yen

Senior Executive Director of Sunway Education Group

Born in Singapore, raised in Malaysia, educated in America, and trained in the UK, this recipient of India’s Visionary Women Leadership Award is a history-maker with lessons to teach. Deborah Joy Peter takes notes.

When contemplating the multifarious choreography indicative of Dr. Elizabeth Lee Fuh Yen’s passage through academia, the 1995 hit Ironic comes to mind. Absent ripped jeans, ombre vibe, and beanie on head, she is no Alanis Morissette. Yet, the multi award-winning Sunway Education Group (SEG) senior executive director, having by now tucked about 30 years under her belt, is by every stretch of the imagination, some indelible version of a rockstar.

ABOVE BOARD

Exposed to the field at a time when teaching was considered a white collar job with blue collar pay, she could have steered clear, but didn’t. Told that the profession was befitting of a lady just because the hours were short and its nature family-friendly, the career chaser should have reconsidered; instead she stood her ground. When the offer to practice in the United Kingdom was extended, it made sense to accept only she wouldn’t.

“I wanted to be involved with something rooted in multi-cultural studies, and therefore opted to major in English. It allowed me to return to Malaysia and serve my country by bringing the language home. That much was clear. I wanted to come back although I had something called a DES number and still do, which permits me to teach in the UK,” the SEG veteran explains, adding that infusing passion into teaching has been an endless pursuit.

Honour roll

Is there anything to suggest that the virtuoso described above isn’t every degree of audacious? Whether it was admirable persistence or sheer stubbornness only she knew, but when it came to crucial life decisions, Lee always chose going against the grain. Perhaps, being Singaporean-born had something to do with it, but the Kuala Lumpur raised educationist turned administrator is nothing if not a woman on a mission to revolutionise an entire industry.

Herself a Bukit Bintang Girls School alumnus, the Doctorate of Laws holder-an honorary title granted her by Nottingham University to mark the industry’s highest tribute-has been instrumental to Sunway’s evolution from a college to a full-fledged education group. Having served with the marque since 1992, she has spent more than two decades carving out its niche as one of the most prestigious institutes of higher learning across the world stage.

Top tier

“We have different education institutions now. We have Sunway University and Sunway College. They are very separate. Next, we have Sunway Le Cordon Bleu, our institute

of culinary arts. It is the Le Cordon Bleu of Paris. Then, we have the Sunway International School. Also, recent years have seen truly rewarding partnerships forged with numerous globally-acclaimed institutes like Monash and Cambridge.”

In fact, Sun-U brought the Oxford Symposium to Malaysia in 2015, where for first time the conference was hosted in the heart of Southeast Asia, reeling in the participation of a great multitude of students and teachers. In the same token, the 2014 Asia Leadership Camp aimed at impacting young leaders that rolled out in collaboration with Harvard proved a momentous feat for the brand as well.

“My credo changes every day. It’s never the same thing. You know those Keep calm and … expressions? It’s very fitting, I think. Sometimes, I tell frustrated parents that the children will grow up. They do grow up. So it is this idea of keeping calm and letting the moment pass.”

EASTERN DISTINCTION

While she began as associate director before being named executive director some time later, in her current and latest capacity, her myriad of duties includes looking at strategy in terms SEG’s positioning, direction, and next phase. Sharing in chairman and founder, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah’s vision, Lee opened up about the group’s ultimate goal to emerge as the ‘Harvard of the East.’ But what does that mean exactly?

“It basically means that Sunway University will become a force to be reckoned with in education, so that it is recognisable and internationally renowned. Over here, when Harvard is mentioned, everyone knows. So if we’re over there and Sun-U is mentioned, everyone will know. That’s what we mean by Harvard of the East—that we’re a credible institution marked by our stamp of distinction,” Dr. Lee reveals while gleaming in sheer excitement.

当注视着李馥彦博士陈述着她纵横学术界的各式各样繁琐经历，令人想起1995的流行歌曲“讽刺”，但没有破洞牛仔裤、渲染氛围或有小圆帽在头上，她不是Alanis Morissette。然而，这名获奖无数的双威教育集团高级执行董事，30年来深藏功与名，与摇滚巨星一样具有不可磨灭的代表性。出生于新加坡，马来西亚成长，前往美国接受教育，在英国接受培训，她是印度“远见女性领袖奖”的获奖者，也是历史创造者。

在旧时期，教学被认为是蓝领薪资收入的白领工作，但她没有刻意回避。这个职业适合女性，时间短又是面向家庭。而当英国实习的申请被延后，她才有了接受的意识。

“学校是一个奇妙的地方，无论你是否喜欢，但学生们从错误和测试的边界学习。有时候，他们会走错，但他们必须得到明确的方向。”

“我想扎根于多元文化的研究工作，因此选择英语专业。当我回到马来西亚，也是将语文带回家与报效祖国。我想回来，虽然我有所谓DES number(师资培训)在进行中，这能让我在英国教学。” 她补充说，把热情投入教学一直是她无止境的追求。

无论是因为具备令人钦佩的毅力或纯粹的固执，只有她自己知道。但在人生重大决定关口，李馥彦总是做出背道而驰的选择。出生在新加坡，但她却在吉隆坡教育集团执行管理任务，成为行业中稀有的女性教育家。

她作为吉隆坡武吉免登女校的校友，同时获得诺丁汉大学授予的最高敬意-法学博士学位荣誉称号，而采取针对性的政策，让双威从一家高等学府蜕变为全面的教育集团。自1992年开始的服务与品牌意识，以 20多年积极的创业心态打造双威成为登上世界舞台的高等学府。

“我的信念每天都在改变，
没有重复性，适当的冷静和表达。有时候，我告诉沮丧的学生家长，孩子长大了，他们也必须跟着成长。因此，这也是保持瞬间冷静的方法。”

站上顶层
“我们现在有多元层次的教育机构，设有独立的大学和学院校园。接下来，我们有双威巴黎蓝带厨艺学院，也是来自巴黎的蓝带厨艺。然后，近年来双威国际学校也与具备价值的合作伙伴或全球知名机构合作，如剑桥与莫纳什大学。”

事实上，2015年双威将牛津研讨会带来马来西亚，这是类似研讨会首次在南洋中心举行，这个文教盛典引来众多学生和教师的参与。而在2014年举办的亚洲领导干部训练营，是与国际名校哈佛合作的项目，培育年轻领导人，这是重大壮举。

当她开始任命为执行董事，以本身的能力担任多项职责，包括寻找双威教育集团下一阶段的定位、方向和策略。而她也与董事长兼创始人丹斯里谢富年博士共享愿景，最终目标是成为“东方哈佛”。

“基本上意味着双威大学将成为不可忽视的教育力量，哈佛是家喻户晓的名校，而我们的目标是让每个人都知道双威大学，这就是所谓的东方哈佛，我们是一个可靠的机构，具备与众不同的标志印记。” 说到这里，李馥彦的目光热情闪烁。

Captains & Legends, EZ 41, EZ 61 (2), Vol 41

Fair Businesswoman goes for Italian Flair 美丽女企业家转向意大利风情

January 26, 2016 EZ Malaysia Leave a comment

Dato’ Dr Wenddi Anne Chong
Owner of Marianis@7
images by Dato’ Kee Hua Chee

At first or even second glance, Dato’ Dr Wenddi Anne Chong looks like an archetypal IT Girl, rich tai-tai or spoiled daughter of millionaire with her 3 supercars. She is neither as she is basically a self-made, self-written success story. Though hailing from a well-off family, she takes great pride in buying the Porsche 911 Turbo S, Ferrari 430 Spyder and Lamborghini Gallardo with her own funds. And entering history as Malaysia’s first and only female restauranteur to own this trio of supercars.

Looking at the fashionably clad, perennial habitant of best-dressed lists, one can scarcely believe Dato’ Dr Wenddi Anne Chong graduated as mechanical engineer! True to form, that did not last long as she preferred visiting clubs and horse races in feathery hats than construction sites in hard hats!

I also modelled as back in the Eighties, you did not need to be 178 cm to model, I wanted to see the world but dad refused to finance a year of nonstop travel and accommodation so I joined Singapore Airlines! ”

Born in Malaysia, her parents moved to Singapore at 8 but she is now Malaysian resident. She joined Singapore’s Ministry of Education as public relations officer after abandoning engineering. While clubbing, she was enamoured with deejaying and with her natural sparkling personality, was swiftly scouted and trained by Juliana’s of London to be Singapore’s first batch of female deejays, spinning tracks at Xanadu in Shangri-la, then Singapore’s hottest joint.

Twelve years later she left as Chief Stewardess and Trainer. “I was Best Trainee of 1996 and my name is still in the honor board of SIA Training Centre.” She decamped to Kuala Lumpur in 1990 to be with her beau and co-founded Damansara Fertility Clinic which evolved into Damansara Women’s Specialist Centre which morphed into TMC Fertility Centre which was public listed in 2005.

Dato’ Dr Wenddi Anne Chong was co-founder, shareholder and executive director of TMC Life Sciences involved in fertility clinics, stem cell therapy, medical storage and laboratories listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia. She implemented training programmes and during her time TMC Life Sciences achieved major milestones of which she is justifiably proud.

She also currently helping to spearhead healthcare tourism with Malaysia’s Ministry of Health, MATRADE, MIDA and Malaysia Tourism Board. She is advisory committee member of Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council, PEMANDU and Negeri Sembilan Chinese Maternity Hospital.

She is a member of International Society for Stem Cell Research, American Society of Reproductive Medicine, European Society of Human Reproduction and Embroyology, Women Institute of Management, Kiwanis Club and Lions Club which awarded her their coveted International Recognition Award by Lion’s International President.

Despite her hectic schedule, she finds time for energetic fund-raising for Yayasan Tuanku Nur Zahirah, Tunku Azizah Fertility Foundation, Rumah HOPE, Ipoh Children’s Home and other deserving causes and charities.

Her list of awards and achievements include ARFF Women Entrepreneur of 2010, Business Excellence Award for Best Company in Science and Technology, ASEAN Technology Business Review CEO Award, L’Oreal Woman of Excellence, Women’s Weekly Woman of Excellence, CHT Entrepreneur Award in Healthcare and Woman of Substance by Malaysia Tatler alongside Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Tan Sri Francis Yeoh, Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong and Tan Sri Tony Fernandes.

She was included in Malaysia’s 10 Most Influential and Stylish Personalities 2010 and accorded Most Stylish Muse 2010.

Now residing in Ipoh, Dato’ Dr Wenddi Anne Chong operates and owns Marianis@7, touted as best value fine dining Italian restaurant in Ipoh.

“I love Italian food, fashion and architecture and my partner Khim used to work for an Italian restaurant chain so opening an Italian restaurant comes naturally. Oh, I also love Italian sports cars!”

如果仅凭第一眼感觉，拿督蔣慧瑩看起来就像一个IT女白领、典型富太太或被宠坏的百万富翁女儿，加上3部超级跑车的衬托。事实上，她是自己谱写成功故事的精英女性。虽然出自富裕家庭，但所拥有的保时捷 911 Turbo S、法拉利 430 Spyder 和兰博基尼 Gallardo 系列是靠自己赚回来，成为马来西亚首名配置超级跑车的餐厅女老板。

外表时髦、常年入驻时尚服装榜内，无人相信蔣慧瑩是机械工程专业。不过，比起工地帽，她更喜欢戴着优雅羽毛帽穿梭俱乐部和赛马活动。出生于马来西亚，父母已定居新加坡，但她至今是大马公民，曾在放弃工程后加入新加坡教育部作为公关部官员。在夜店里，她迷恋担任DJ，由于自然闪耀的特质，在伦敦的Juliana’s训练下成为新加坡第一批女性DJ，参与新加坡夜店节目。

“曾在80年代做过模特儿，其实无需178cm身高。”她回忆表示，虽然想看世界,但父亲拒绝资助她每年不间断的旅行和住宿费，所以她加入新加坡航空。12年后，她带着首席空姐和教员的荣誉离开。“我是1996年最佳学员，名字仍挂在新航培训中心荣誉榜上。”她于1990年移居吉隆坡，与伙伴共创白沙罗助孕诊所，再转为白沙罗妇女专科中心，最终演变为2005年上市的丽阳助孕
中心。

作为创始人之一，她同时担任TMC生命科学(助孕中心)的股东和执行董事，业务范畴涵括人工受孕、干细胞疗法，医学存储和实验室，并在马来西亚股票交易所主板上市。她感到自豪的是在TMC期间实施的培训项目跨越重大里程碑。

目前协助马来西亚卫生部、MATRADE，MIDA和马来西亚旅游局的医疗旅游项目进行推广。她同时是马来西亚医疗旅游委员会、PEMANDU和森美兰州华人接生医院的咨询委员会成员。

她也是国际干细胞研究学会、美国生育医学协会、欧洲人类生育与坯胎学、女性管理学院、Kiwanis Club的会员，而作为国际狮子会成员，她获得梦寐以求的国际认可奖，由国际狮子会总会长颁发。尽管繁忙，她还是为Tuanku Nur Zahirah基金会、Tunku Azizah助孕基金会、希望之家，怡保儿童之家等公益事业与慈善机构出力或筹募基金。

她接受的奖励与成就包括2010年ARFF最佳女性企业家、科技领域最佳公司-商业卓越奖、东盟科技商业评论CEO大奖、欧莱雅卓越女性奖、每周女性卓越女性奖、CHT大奖保健领域企业家奖，《尚流》杂志马来西亚版选为实质女性，并与前首相敦马哈迪医生、丹斯里杨肃斌，丹斯里林梧桐和丹斯里Tony Fernandes等相提并论。

她也曾入围2010年马来西亚十大最具影响和时尚风格榜。蔣慧瑩目前定居在怡保，并经营一家名为Marianis@7，深具口碑的意大利餐厅。“我热爱意大利菜、时尚与建筑，而我的拍档Khim曾在一家意大利餐厅连锁店工作，所以经营一家意大利餐厅好像理所当然。哦，我也喜欢意大利跑车!” 而她固定穿梭于怡保-吉隆坡，家中有6只狗狗，享受着温馨的生活。

“我热爱意大利菜、时尚与建筑，而我的拍档Khim曾在一家意大利餐厅连锁店工作，所以经营一家意大利餐厅好像理所当然。哦，我也喜欢意大利跑车!”