Flora Chan Enjoys Raising Daughter; Knows Family Will Eventually be Separated
Flora Chan (陳慧珊) and husband Mike Chung (鍾家鴻) traveled to Nepal earlier to film ViuTV’s Stages of Marriage <婚姻五重奏>, a program which focuses on international marital cultures. Visiting schools and speaking with families in Kathmandu, Flora and Mike observed the local educational attitudes and marital customs. Stopping by a crematorium, the couple reflected that a family has limited time together due to the cycle of life and death. They will cherish their time with loved ones while they are alive.
Teaching Philosophy
Currently pursuing a doctoral degree in education, Flora was interested to learn about the educational philosophy at schools in Nepal. Visiting an elementary school classroom, Flora watched the children sing while learning English. Then she visited a middle school classroom where she spoke to the children about their dreams. Despite the limited resources, Flora was delighted by students’ enthusiasm for learning and strong self-identities.
Realizing that Hong Kong has a culture of monster parents who arrange their children’s activities meticulously in hopes of future success, Flora wondered if it was better for parents to let go to allow children to learn and find their own interests.
Marital Values
Speaking with Nepalese families, Flora discovered that they valued traditional marital values and customs, which they would like to pass on to their children. Families from multiple generations often lived together.
Reflecting on her own marriage, Flora admitted that she became a mother because she realized Mike likes children. After giving birth to their daughter Mira, Flora has wholeheartedly enjoyed motherhood and gives all her time to her daughter while placing lower priority on work. Mike said he appreciates the sacrifices that Flora has made for the family.
A Family Will Inevitably Separate
Observing a local cremation ceremony, Flora and Mike reflected on the impending separation families must face due to death. Mike said that if he had to be separated from Flora and Mira, he would feel sad but would remember their beliefs to continue living.
Flora teared up at the thought families only have a limited time together. Reflecting on her elderly parents who live in the United States, Flora admitted that she has been unable to spend a lot of time with them after returning to Hong Kong to pursue her career. After becoming a mother herself, Flora realized that parents will always think of their children no matter where they are. Now even if she is very busy, Flora remembers to always reach out to her parents to let them know how she is doing.
Sometimes while sitting at home, Flora’s gaze will linger on Mike and understand that there will come a time when they can no longer be together. Flora knows to enjoy and cherish her time with Mike and Mira, rather than focus on matters beyond her control.
Source: On.cc
This article is written by Jayne for JayneStars.com.
Wow. I wonder how old Flora husband is? My guess would be his 60 or 70? I’m sure he looks better if he fixed his hairstyle it reminds me of Linda Chung husband hairstyle.
@cutie777 I saw this on viu.tv and they mention he is 67. It was a great watch… very emotional
@vell Good to hear that the show is worth watching!
I haven’t had a chance to watch it yet but got it lined up to get to soon. ViuTV has actually been coming out with good stuff in the last year or so…hope they keep it up, as quality programs are severely lacking in HK at the moment….
@vell thanks. I was closed about his age.
@cutie777
He would look so much better, without all that excess hair.
Time to leave the California Beach Boys behind and go for a short and sharp crew cut at 67.
More updated trendy, and more flatteringly youthful too.
It doesn’t come across as arty-farty (as Peter Chan – director too) … it just comes across as stuck in a rut. A shorter crew cut style would be so much more flattering – instant face lift.
I don’t watch TVB anymore but I used to enjoy Flora Chan – she was so no nonsense.
@nomad822 I still watch tvb back and forth with older and recently one. I’m not sure who Peter Chan is he Sandra Ng husband? The name sounds familiar.
“Sometimes while sitting at home, Flora’s gaze will linger on Mike and understand that there will come a time when they can no longer be together.”
Life sucks. Eventually there will come a time of separation for everyone. Especially when people are old. When I am old, I will have lost my parents, grandparents, uncles and aunties. I will have lost my children, my spouse. The only thing we can look forward to is heaven.
@kk12345
It just makes more sense that when one is older … it’s likely they will leave.
BUT there are also NO guarantees in life. A life can suddenly be taken away with no warning, in many cases. Someone 30s can have cancer and leave after a roller coaster …. someone can die in an accident suddenly in the most unexpected cirumcstances, out of the blue (for eg Korea’s Kim Joo-hyuk)
It happens everyday. “Life sucks” whether older or not. Just enjoy it doing whatever makes you happy and makes it meaningful for you – watching dramas, writing, volunteering and helping etc. Stop living to please others, or to meet their agendas.
As I grew older … I also had to remind myself of this:
Your lack of preparedness, does not constitute MY emergency.
Wow, a 20 years difference between them.
When you get to around that age, you inevitably start thinking about passing away. Death itself isn’t that scary, but it’s losing the things and people you love which makes it frightening.
@coralie Yup. Flora and her husband Mike’s relationship reminds me of Celine Dion and her late husband Rene. Mike was also Flora’s manager previously and they also met when Flora was very young (in her teens) but they didn’t get together until way later (Mike is Flora’s second husband). Celine and Rene proved to us that the age gap made no difference when true love exists and it’s obvious Flora and Mike have that same strong bond. I wish the two of them (and their daughter) the best of luck!
P.S. to Flora: I’m still waiting for UE reunion with Bowie! Please don’t make us wait 3 years (according to joint interview with Bowie last week)! Even if you only have a few months available in between studies, I’m sure Bowie will make it work now that he has his own production company (and a few scripts being considered). As he said last week, he is just waiting for you to say “yes!”
@llwy12 I don’t want to be rude, because I know some relationships are great even though there are large age gaps. However, I caution most people from seeking out these arrangements. In Flora & Celine’s situation, they found great partners despite the age difference, but you have to wonder if they wouldn’t have an easier relationship if their ages had been closer. At the very least, Flora wouldn’t have to worry so much about Mike passing away earlier than her until they’re both up there on the senior pole. Not to mention the kids involved. My parents have a large age gap and even as a child, I grew up a worrisome kid thinking about the possibility of losing a parent young. It’s just food for thought.
@coralie Having an older spouse definitely makes it harder especially when it comes to raising kids together. As this is Flora’s second marriage, I’m sure personality and compatibility were more important factors for her rather than age. She probably weighed the situation and is prepared to raise her daughter by herself should anything happen to Mike due to his advanced years. But the happiness now probably outweighs any unknown factors in later years.
@coralie
Death itself isn’t scary …. it’s the process (might be pain, prolonged illness etc) that is.
My SIL is the last person you’d expect to die – she’s a very healthy eater, slim, etc – looks like a sexy teen in her sundresses and tanks … despite being mom of 3.
She passed at 39 after 3 yrs of determined fighting with Cancer. The irony? It was only through breastfeeding that she realised she had breast cancer – stage 2 – that was the start of her roller-coaster/ And she had breast fed all 3 of them.
@nomad822 That’s terrible. I’m sorry to hear about your SIL. She passed away really young. And left behind 3 kids too…that’s awful. Your brother and their children must’ve been devastated.
And you’re right; it’s also the process leading to death that is petrifying. I hear the last moments are usually very peaceful though as your brain signal your body to shut down. At least with that in mind, passing away doesn’t seem so hard to swallow.