Happiness From Within - Angelina Lo
Angelina Lo - Happiness from Within
Since she entered the entertainment industry, the impression that Lo Yuen Yan has given is that she is an expert in playing the role of a housewife.
In reality, she is very trendy when she is at home - she likes to go on the internet, she likes o go to HMV to buy English CD'sand when she has time off, she likes to go and watch Western movies.
Also, she has an English name - Angelina.
A direct and open personality, she wears a smile on her face all the time and sometimes you don't understand and ask: what is she smiling at?
During the interview, Angelina saw the reporter getting annoyed by the marketing calls on the mobile, but this caused her to laugh out loud.
Maybe it is this happy-go-lucky personality that has allowed her to be happy from within at any time and find peace, whatever the situation. Having been in a supporting role for over thirty years, has she always been this way? Let her tell her story...
Pretty Young Girl
I was 19 when I entered showbiz and my first film was "Sorrow of the Gentry" (Chu Mun Yuen) where I played the second daughter-in-law, who was still full of charm and flirtatiousness despite having had children. At the time, I was not married, so I was a little shocked when I was cast in the part, but when i saw that there was such a chance to perform and develop in the part, it made me very excited: maybe the director felt I could challenge the character.
Of course, I later recognised that since joining the industry, I am no 'pretty young girl' and although I have been a 'housewife' for over thirty years, this has never made me unhappy. Not being a pretty girl means that you can adopt another deeper aura.
Maybe it was due to my childhood influence, but ever since I was very young, my father would take me to watch Western movies and teach me to listen to English songs. I also attended an English school, so I am actually very westernised.
My favourite star is Robert DeNiro. He cannot be classed as handsome, but his acting talent is superior. I have watched him numerous times in "Godfather" and last week, I went to HMV and couldn't resist buying another DVD to watch it at home once again. I was never really into the 'idols', so when I became an artiste myself, I didn't care for whether my role was beautiful or not. As long as I had a chance to shine, I really didn't mind.
In honesty, how many handsome and beautiful people do you see at the Oscars? Even Tom Cruise had to play someone's father. I am most afraid of boredom. After acting for several decades, not every role has given me the chance to make an impression and at one point, I did get very bored. However, I am easily satisfied again. Take "Life Made Simple" for instance, to be able to play such a distinct character in such a popular series makes me be thankful for not giving up and pulling out, otherwise I would not have gained this experience to look back upon.
Big Sister
I have never been defeated because I have never received a 'beauty' role, but I do regret not having had the chance to play a businesswoman or a 'big sister' in the Triad world. I just think to myself, maybe I am always smiling so I would not have as much of a stage presence in these roles.
Many people will ask me - why are you always laughing? What is so funny? I don't know what to say, but whenever people ask me this question, it just makes me laugh even louder!
It is understood that laughing all the time is an indication of a rich, beautiful and fulfilling life, but this is not quite an accurate description of me as I have no riches to speak of. I got married over twenty years ago, but we divorced a few years later because our personalities were incompatible and I have been single all the way until now.
My children have grown up and they live overseas, so we have little contact. I have few friends and relatives and frankly, an artiste's life is so varied, often working deep into the night, so when people try to arrange an activity, butyou let them down so many times, then they don't bother asking you again in the future. I did keep in touch all along with some friends from High School, but they have their own families now, so I don't want to disturb them.
No Expectations
Fortunately, I have no expectations for most things and my motto for life is: "Just forget about all the unhappy things." I tend to be pretty unfazed by things now as I am used to living on my own and understand the advantages of finding happiness from within.
Usually you will find me watching DVD's at home from morning to night; if I want to go out for a walk, I will go shopping at HMV or to the cinema. When I am hungry, I will think about what I would like to eat and then go and eat it happily.
Many women are afraid of loneliness and are not used to eating alone; some even have to go to the toilet with other people, but this is just an effect of having reliance in your heart. Of course, being on your own all the time, you will meet people who point and comment, especially when I am out eating, people will come up to me and say: "Hey, aren't you Lo Yuen Yan?" and then come out with a lot of pointless words. I find my own enjoyment in this and don't care what other people think. I just say to myself all the time: I live for myself and as long as I enjoy it, that is all that matters.
Later when I am free, I will be going to watch "The Da Vinci Code" on my own. I am too self-centred? You can't say that. If someone asks me to go out, then I will never object, but only if time allows it as I don't like to force things. Just like finding a partner - I have never given up, but at my age, to find a man who is smarter than me is not easy at all.
My ideal man would be someone like Tao Kit (Chip Tsao) who is talented and intelligent, but this type of person may not choose someone like me. When I think of this, I just want to laugh again.
Article translated by Em
Source and Pictures:
TVB Weekly - Issue 465 - 16/05/06
