Come every Mid-Autumn Festival, veteran actors and crew from Mediacorp will come together for a gathering to hang out and reminisce about the good times.
This year’s gathering is set to take place on September 13. While the headcount for the event is still being confirmed, if the 70 people turnout for the 2023 meeting was any indication, this year’s will likely be an equally massive and nostalgic reunion.
Speaking to 8world, former Mediacorp actress Tang Miaoling, 56, who is on the Mid-Autumn gathering’s organising committee, revealed how the whole annual tradition came to be.
Miaoling was one of TV’s biggest sweethearts in the ‘90s, back when Mediacorp was known as SBC — Singapore Broadcasting Corporation. She was part of the 9th actors’ training class, alongside Xie Shaoguang, Terence Cao, Jimmy Nah, Cherie Lim, and Christie Wong.
Despite stepping out of the spotlight three decades ago, Miaoling, who considers herself semi-retired now, occasionally appears in local dramas such as 128 Circle and Provocative, and also hosts live streams on Terence Cao’s e-commerce platform, Sibay Shiok.
Amid all her side hustles, Miaoling takes the time to run the ‘SBC group’ and plan for their annual gathering with Hong Guorui and other veteran artistes.
“The reason why we choose to meet up during the Mid-Autumn Festival and not Chinese New Year is because everyone is busier during the new year, and Mid-Autumn Festival is a good occasion that’s extra meaningful as it symbolises togetherness,” said Miaoling.
It’s not easy to reach out to such a large group of people, especially when it comes to the older folks who are not familiar with some communication apps. Miaoling added: “Sometimes we have to individually call them, and in some cases, even contact their family members for assistance.”
The attendees all hold strong feelings of nostalgia towards the term ‘Caldecott’, the broadcasting company’s old location. For them, Caldecott is no longer a physical place where SBC used to be, but instead, is symbolic of a space where they gather.
The Mid-Autumn Festival reunion has been going on for nine years now.
Miaoling continued: “I will never forget the first gathering. Seeing people come together after years of not meeting, it was a very emotional sight. The past gatherings saw late veteran actors Bai Yan, Tang Hu, Cai Xuan in attendance, and they will be dearly missed during this year’s gathering. That’s why everyone cherishes the time we get to spend together and wish each other well.”
Miaoling is still a core member of the reunion’s organising group this year, but sadly will not be able to attend the gathering in person as she is headed overseas today (Sep 9) to visit relatives, and will not be back in time to join the festivities.
However, she is still busying herself with preparations, and is looking forward to seeing another super wholesome, nostalgic get-together.