Local celebrities pay tribute to former actress Tiffany Leong
PUBLISHED ONDecember 30, 2015 6:45 AMByJocelyn Lee
She is with the angels now.
That's what former Mediacorp actor Zen Chong said of Malaysian-born actress Tiffany Leong, who died at the age of 30 on Monday.
Chong, 37, was speaking to The New Paper yesterday from Kuala Lumpur, where he was attending the actress' wake.
He recalled how Leong had helped him when he was in Malaysia with no personal transport.
"She lent me her car for a few days without any hesitation," said Chong.
Leong was diagnosed with liver cancer in 2013 and underwent surgery to remove 60 per cent of her liver in early October the same year.
She took a break to recuperate before returning to filming in Malaysia early this year.
The former Mediacorp actress had appeared in Singapore and Malaysia productions such as Priceless Wonder (2010), Code Of Honour (2011) and Mind Games (2015).
Leong was also nominated for the Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes at the 2011 Star Awards.
She suffered a relapse and was admitted to hospital on Christmas Eve.
PEACEFUL
Her family shared news of her death on her Facebook page on Monday evening, saying she had passed away peacefully.
Chong, who has acted with Leong in more than five dramas since 2007, drove from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur on Sunday to visit her in hospital.
Actors Zhang Yaodong, Cai Pei Xuan and Tracy Lee also visited her.
Chong said: "She looked very pale and weak and she was very happy to see us. She started crying when she saw me and I said, 'Don't cry, silly girl'.
"She had no energy to talk, and spoke in soft whispers, but she tried to keep her eyes open so that she could talk to us."
Chong said that the group entertained her with gossip to lighten the atmosphere, which made her smile.
He said: "She also whispered something, but I couldn't hear her at all. She then shouted really loudly, 'I want to eat cake!' "We told her that when she recovers, we will take her out to feast on good food.
"Who knew that when she fell asleep after an injection, she (would) never wake up..."
WELL-MANNERED
Local veteran actress Xiang Yun, who played Leong's mother in 2010 Channel 8 drama Priceless Wonder, told TNP: "She was very well-mannered and nice to work with. Every time she came on set, she would come up to me and call me 'Mum'."
The 54-year-old added: "She studied film productions in school, she had a bright future ahead of her. It's such a pity that she passed away. I feel very sad."
她年轻，有学问、才华、美丽、谦卑，善良、亲和、勤快，有许多优点。在《游戏人生》拍摄中认识了这么一位有深度的好演员，深深喜欢她。虽然修读的是幕后制作，却因为美貌让伯乐说服到幕前演戏，我由衷的祝福她前途似锦。此刻。。难过。。不舍。。但还是不得不告别。丽芳，请安息，把你的真善美带到另一个世界，让美好继续延续。。我会永远记得温柔的你，和你那甜美的笑容。（照片是我和诗梅在拍完“游戏人生”后的聚餐，与丽芳的合影）
Posted by Xiang Yun 向云 onMonday, December 28, 2015
Other artists also paid tribute to Leong on social media.
Andie Chen wrote: "I've always been in awe of your hard work. It has been tough on you during this period, rest in peace."
Ann Kok wrote: "You will always be the sensible, cheerful and happy little princess in my heart. Rest in peace, love you."
jocelee@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on Dec 30, 2015.
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