Pan Ling Ling shines brighter than ever

Settling back into full-time work after beating breast cancer, Pan Ling Ling is more radiant than ever.

That can be seen in the MediaCorp TV Channel 8 heartland dramedy 118 — her performance as a sensible housewife and mother lights up the screen and her comfortable chemistry with on-screen husband Chew Chor Meng is easily the show’s most charming element.

When she hospitably invited us over for coffee (backstage on the 118 set — literally her second home), the 44-year-old said this is the first time she has completely inhabited a character.

“In the past, people said they always saw my image (not the character) in my acting. They would say, ‘That’s her — pretty, lor.’ There was a feeling of, ‘Give me something different,’” she said.

Not this time.

Pan said the show’s executive producer told her: “I don’t see Pan Ling Ling in there. What I see is the character that was written for you.”

“I was so pleased and happy (because) after you encounter certain things, the way you portray things will be different,” she added.

After battling cancer, this self-styled warrior is stronger than she ever was. The show marks her full-time return to television and she seems to have imbued her performance with that strength.

“When you go through something this big, family and friends are very important. Having more time with them is more important than whatever nonsense people give you,” Pan said. “After everything has passed, you think, ‘Love from everywhere is very important.’”

A YEAR OF FIRSTS

Besides her loving husband and two teenage sons at home, Pan has found another family in 118’s cast and crew. “It’s the first time in my 26 years of acting that I’ve had such a feeling of family,” she said.

“After one year (of illness and recovery), I felt the itch to be back at work,” she said. “I’m a workaholic. I just loved coming back to Channel 8 to act because this is what I’m familiar with. This is my family; this is the first and only job I ever had. No matter what role they gave me, I would have grabbed it!”

It’s also the first time in her career that a show’s scriptwriter has asked the cast for their input about how they think their characters ought to evolve. Producers were initially worried that a long-form drama such as 118, with its projected 190 episodes, would tire Pan out, but she relished the chance to develop her character over a long period.

“Normally, you wouldn’t have the chance to do that because all 20 episodes are written and the character is fixed,” she said. “I feel so involved in this show. It just feels so good.”

There was yet another first. “This is the first time Chor Meng and I are playing husband and wife,” she said. “In the past, he always had a baby face, so I always acted as his sister. I could never be paired with him and he was always paired with youngsters. I said, ‘How come I’m always your friend or colleague, but never your wife?’”

Bonded by their battles with illness — Chew has muscular dystrophy — the veteran pair has taken their on-screen chemistry to the next level. Their spousal banter has a touchingly real and tender sense of cosy domesticity.

“Chor Meng and me — after our illnesses, it’s so different. I’ve completed (my fight), but he’s still fighting. I told him, ‘You are tougher than I thought you were.’ I salute him. We don’t have to help him with anything,” she said.

In fact, she said he even brings breakfast every morning.

“When we get here at eight o’clock, all our breakfasts are here,” she said. “He buys nasi lemak, bee hoon, curry buns, dough fritters, noodles — lots of things. And he doesn’t repeat the menu — it’s different each day! He has made everyone else feel guilty and start to buy things too!”

STRENGTH IN SIMPLICITY

How else is life different for Pan? “I told myself, ‘I must treasure everything’. Treasure the people you love and love the people by your side,” she said. “I’m easygoing. I’m very strong inside, but people say I have no temper at all. I always believe it’s better to make a friend than an enemy.”

It’s clear that she finds joy in the simple things, such as spending quality time with her husband and sons when they toured Eastern Europe last month. And meeting the two idols in her life this September — David Beckham and Lee Kuan Yew, coincidentally on the same night at dinner — was definitely a highlight.

“I am contented. I can die happy,” she laughed.

These days, Pan shares her story to support and inspire others. “Nowadays, when people approach me, it’s always (to talk) about breast cancer,” she shared. “I tell cancer patients, ‘When you receive news of cancer, it’s not the end of the world. Face it, fight it and you will be back. If you think that you will die, you will.’ It’s all in the mind. So, to me, nothing is difficult. I have passed through the most difficult thing.

“I met this lady who also had breast cancer,” she continued. “She asked, ‘Will my hair fall out?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ She said, ‘Not even one strand will be left?’ I said, ‘No. Even your eyebrows and lashes will fall out.’ She said, ‘Thank you. Now that you’ve told me this, at least I can prepare myself for it.’ I said, ‘Don’t worry. After completing the chemotherapy, everything will grow back. Look at me.’”

And in true “warrior” fashion, she added: “If you ask me if there’s anything I’m afraid of now — there isn’t anything. After going through last year and this year, I think I can handle everything. Simplify — there’s no need to make things so difficult.”

Catch 118 on weekdays at 7.30pm on MediaCorp TV Channel 8.

CREDITS

Photography: Jason Ho

Makeup: Andy Lee (9674 2997)

Hair: Louis Lim, Passion

Dresses: Carolina Herrera, prices available upon request

On the cover: Tennis necklace, S$430; Brazil bracelet, S$430, from Swarovski.

Accessories: Baron earrings, S$255; Baron bracelet, S$400, from Swarovski.