Deceased former actor Chen Wencong spent last year doing things he loved
By Yip Wai Yee
Former Mediacorp actor-turned-producer Tan Boon Chong, who died of pneumonia on Dec 5, 2012, aged 42, spent the last year of his life doing "all the things that he enjoyed the most", says his widow.
Tan, better known as Chen Wencong, was diagnosed with leukaemia in October last year. He decided to stop work all together and stay at home. His wife Joelle Han also quit her office administrator job to spend time with him.
Ms Han, 33, says: "Both of us stopped work to spend time together and enjoy each other. Every day, he did what he loves, like reading, and watching variety programmes and dramas on TV.
"He also had many chats with all the people who mattered the most to him, and a lot of visits from his friends and family."
Though he had been free of leukaemia since July, Chen contracted pneumonia about a month ago and was hospitalised immediately. He was in the intensive care unit over the past two weeks.
Chen joined Mediacorp as an actor after emerging as a finalist at the station's talent contest Star Search in 1993. Some of the drama series he acted in included period drama Hero Of The Times (1999) and Wok Of Life (1999).
Later, he turned to scriptwriting and then producing. In recent years, he produced such shows as Food Source and Say It If You Dare.
Chen's wake is being held at Teochew Funeral Parlour, Service Hall 5, at 10 Ubi Road 4, until Sunday. Cremation will be held at Mandai Crematorium Hall 3 at 11am on Sunday. All condolence contributions will be donated to charitable causes in his name.