Take this quick, impromptu quiz:
• Do you like movies?
• Do you like checking out film locations?
• Do you like Jackie Chan?
• Do you like to have fun?
If I'm right about most people, the answer to all the above questions would be yes. I would have to
answer in the affirmative, too. And if 1 may add - yes, I did check out some film locations, I did See Jackie Chan and did have a whole whale of fun recently when the Hong Kong Tourism Board invited The Philippine STAR to an exclusive Hong Kong excursion like no other. Having settled in my elegant room at the Holiday Inn Golden Mile, I braced myself for the ultimate Hong Kong experience.
Nope, Ocean Park was not an our itinerary. Instead, I had a four-day fascinating tour of various film locations, celebrity hangouts as well as the newly opened Avenue, of Stars. Indeed, Hong Kong is fast becoming the "Hollywood of the Orient" and, with stars in my eyes, I saw for myself why. For starters, Hong Kong movie Stars have carved a niche all over the world, especially in Mainland China, Southeast Asia and North Asia. More, no less than action star Jackie Chan is Hong Kong's tourism ambassador. Yep, you read that right and, without a doubt, Jackie is proud of this new role, which he takes very seriously. Promoting peace in a troubled world is a challenge the spunky Jackie Chan will not run away from. He went an to prove this when he decided to bring over 120 Buddy Bears that caught his eye while filming in Germany.
Buddy Bears were created in 2002 by German Dr. Klaus Herlitz and his wife Eva. They believe that people all over the world share a fondness for bears so it would be a perfect symbol of peace, solidarity and understanding among nations. These "multi-racial" bears were designed by different artists from different countries. Jackie Chan was so bear-y impressed that he decided to bring some Buddy Bears home. I and STAR photographer Manny Marcelo were among the guests at the unveiling of these awesome bears last May 15 at the Central Lawn of Victoria Park.