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Above images courtesy Oriental Daily News (left, right) and The Sun (centre).

Lucky Leon Lai Ming gets a kiss from Cecilia Cheung Bak-Chi as shooting of their new HK$20 million romantic comedy EVERYDAY IS VALENTINE'S DAY shot on location in Macau the night before last. In the film, directed by Wong Jing, Lai plays a characer who pretends to be a master gambler in order to woo a gambling addict's daughter played by Cheung. Ng Man-Tat plays the beleagured father while Cheung Tat-Ming, Natalie Ng Man-Yan and Pinky Cheung Man-Chi co-star.

With the co-operation of the Macau Tourist Association, the movie was allowed to shoot in front of one of Macau's most famous landmarks -- the facade of the old St. Paul's Cathederal. Commenting on shooting in Macau, director Wong Jing remarked: "The reason I chose to shoot in Macau is becuase I like the European feel. I am really grateful to the Macau Tourist Association for allowing us to shoot here in front of the facade and for allowing us to set off fireworks." Related images (courtesy Apple Daily):

http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010302/Article_ent/02ec1p.jpg (Lai and Cheung.)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010302/Article_ent/02ec3p.jpg (Lai and Cheung.)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010302/Article_ent/02ec4p.jpg (On location in Macau.)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010302/Article_ent/02ec8p.jpg (Lai and Cheung in front of the famous facade.)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010302/Article_ent/02ec9p.jpg (Natalie Ng and Cheung play friends in the film.)

In other movie news, shooting of SIU LAM JUK KAU (lit. SHAOLIN SOCCER) continued yesterday in Zhuhai as a scene involving Patrick Tse Yin was shot. While it was unclear what the scene was about, Apple reporters noted that it appeared Tse will be playing a villain in the film. In related news, Chiau revealed yesterday that he was finally able to convince Cecilia Cheung Bak-Chi and Karen Mok Man-Wai to make cameos in the film. Chiau: "The two of them have finally agreed to appear in the movie. Right now, my job will be to make up special characters for them. They will be playing soccer players that have very unique looks." Related images (courtesy Apple Daily):

http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010302/Article_ent/02ej1p.jpg (Tse and henchmen.)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010302/Article_ent/02ej2p.jpg (Chiau personally checks a shot.)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010302/Article_ent/02ej3p.jpg (Chow and Tse.)

      ZOOM    

Above images courtesy Oriental Daily News (left, right) and The Sun (centre).

Later that day, Chiau returned to Hong Kong in time to catch the first of Karen Mok Man-Wai's concerts at the Hung Hom Coliseum. With his friend Vincent Kuk Tak-Chiu (left), Chiau watched as Mok (centre) put on a steamy performance that showed off her 42-inch legs in a variety of sexy outfits. Also on hand were Roman Tam (Lo Man), Anita Mui Yim-Fong and Leslie Cheung Kwok-Wing (left to right in right image) among others.

At one point during the concert when Mok yelled out: "Raise your hand if you love me!", reporters from Oriental Daily noted that Chiau did not raise his hands. For two years after the hit comedy GOD OF COOKERY, rumours circulated suggesting Mok and Chiau were a couple. Related images (courtesy Apple Daily unless otherwise indicated):

http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010302/Article_ent/02eb101p.jpg (Karen Mok)
http://www.orientaldaily.com.hk/photo/20010302/ent/0302enew02b1.jpg (Mok courtesy Oriental Daily News.)
http://www.orientaldaily.com.hk/photo/20010302/ent/0302enew02b2.jpg (Mok courtesy Oriental Daily News.) http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010302/Article_ent/02eb200p.jpg (Chiau and Kuk.)

Above images courtesy Oriental Daily News.

To the disappointment of her contingent of male fans, Sophie Ngan Chin-Man (right) announced earlier this year that she would be taking a break from the sexy movies roles that have made her famous. Little did her fans know that she would merely be moving her act onto Hong Kong's television screens as she plays a bored housewife who frequently has affairs (left, centre) in the new television series JUNG WAN TIN HA (lit. ALL AROUND HEAVEN AND EARTH aka FLAMING BROTHERS II). Shooting on location yesterday in public by the sea, Ngan was asked if it felt awkward to be doing a love scene out in the open. Ngan: "It wasn't awkward for me at all. I'm used to it now."

When reporters from Oriental asked Ngan how she manages to keep her 32C - 23 - 24 figure, Ngan answered: "I don't do much to keep it actually! I guess I was born with this figure. I have my two bowls of rice each night. I eat bread. Why don't I get fat? Maybe it's because I do a lot of housework, that's my number one form of exercise."

For wallpaper-sized images of Sophie Ngan, courtesy The Sun, click on the following link:
http://www.the-sun.com.hk/channels/ent/20010302/20010302012907_0003.html

Above images courtesy Oriental Daily News (centre, right) and The Sun (left).

Daniel Wu (Ng Yin-Tso; left) was on hand yesterday at a press conference promoting the 25th Hong Kong International Film Festival. At the event, it was announced that Wu's film PEONY PAVILLION will be the opening film of the festival. Directed by Yeung Fan, the film tells the story of a love triangle between characters played by Wu, early-1990s superstar Joey Wong Tso-Yi and Japanese actress Rie Miyazawa (centre). Related images (courtesy Apple Daily):

http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010302/Article_ent/02et11p.jpg (Wu and Yeung Fan.)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/250pix/20010302/Article_ent/02et12p.jpg (Wu and Joey Wong.)

Three years ago, director Yeung gave Wu his first break in the entertainment circle when Wu was cast in Yeung's movie BISHONEN. Three years later, Wu is one of the industry's rising stars. Asked if his current status was reflected in his salary for PEONY PAVILLION, Wu replied: "I was paid roughly the same for this film as I was for the one three years ago."

Japanese celebrity Takuya Kimura (right).

MISCELLANEOUS FLUFF:

- Rumours emerged yesterday that Louis Koo Tin-Lok is still paying the bills for former rumoured girlfriend Natalie Wong Gei-Ying. The rumours contend that Koo pays Wong's rent and credit card bills in addition to supplying her with a monthly allowance. While preparing for work on the TVB series A STEP INTO THE PAST, Koo was asked for a response. Koo: "It's not true. There's nothing more to say!"

On the set of her new TVB series, NAM NUI JI GAN (lit. BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN), Natalie Wong was asked the same question. She too had no comment. Related images (courtesy Apple Daily):

http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010302/Article_ent/02ed100p.jpg (Louis Koo)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010302/Article_ent/02ed101p.jpg (Wong with co-star Myolie Wu Hung-Yi. Wu is in red.)

- Ruby Lin (Lam Sum-Yu) will try to break out of her 'jade babe' image by posing on the cover of a Taiwanese mens' magazine. The magazine, to be released later this month, is part of the publicity campaign to promote Lin's new album. The album will be released on March 9th. Related image (courtesy Apple Daily):

http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010302/Article_ent/02ec6pnew.jpg (Ruby Lin in publicty photo for the new album.)

- In an interview with RTHK yesterday, veteran singer Dave Wong Kit defended EEG label mate and newcomer Edison Chen Kwoon-Hei. Wong: "I think that Edison has a unique style. It's sort of like Takeshi Kaneshiro's. He's got the potential to make a breakthrough internationally." Related image (courtesy Apple Daily):

http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010302/Article_ent/02ec100p.jpg (Dave Wong)

- Miriam Yeung Chin-Wah and Joey Yung Tso-Yi appeared together at an event for RTHK yesterday. Recently, rumours of bad blood between the two have emerged as they supposedly developed a bitter rivalry while working on the film FEEL 100% II. However, the two belied the rumours at the event as they appeared to be on friendly terms. Related images (courtesy Apple Daily):

http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010302/Article_ent/02eb6p.jpg (Joey Yung)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010302/Article_ent/02eb7p.jpg (Miriam Yeung)

- Lee San-San showed off her fake tattoo the night before last as shooting of her new movie LAU MAN SEI GUNG (lit. RUFFIAN SOCIAL WORKER) took place on location in the Tsimshatsui district. In the film, Lee plays a triad leader's girlfriend who turns her life around and becomes a social worker. Felix Wong Yat-Wah and Mok Ka-Hiu co-star. Related images (courtesy Apple Daily):

http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010302/Article_ent/02ex1pzoknew1.jpg (Lee and her tattoo.)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010302/Article_ent/02ex2p.jpg (The tattoo.)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010302/Article_ent/02ex3p.jpg (Lee and Mok Ka-Hiu)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010302/Article_ent/02ex4p.jpg (Lee and her on screen boyfriend Chan Chi-Leung.)

- Angie Cheung Wai-Yi and Belinda Hamnett returned to Hong Kong from Shanghai yesterday. The pair, the latest additions to Star East's company of actors, were in Shanghai for an event promoting the May opening of the new Shanghai Star East restaurant. Related image (courtesy Apple Daily):

http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010302/Article_ent/02ex100p.jpg

(SANNEY: Thanks to Tim, John, and Richard for the following links. Keep in mind that because of the time lag in the production of these reports, some of these links may have already expired.)

The Hong Kong iMail's Sherman Chau writes on this year's Hong Kong International Film Festival
http://hk-imail.singtao.com/iconnect/public/article_v.cfm?articleid=17887&intcatid=18

SAR shines in top Chinese films
http://hongkong.scmp.com/ZZZQSB8SNJC.html

Quality over quantity (A feature on Daniel Wu)
http://features.scmp.com/ZZZL0ZCSNJC.html

Time-Asia: Short Takes - Karen Mok
http://www.time.com/time/asia/arts/column/0,9754,101132,00.html

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