Has it really been a year since Aloysius Pang’s tragic passing? For those close to the late star, who died on January 23, 2019 after suffering severe injuries while on reservist training in New Zealand, the pain of losing him remains heartbreakingly raw. And the grief was palpable today (Jan 5) at the late star’s memorial at the NoonTalk Media’s headquarters at Alice@Mediapolis.

The four walls of the NoonTalk studio, where the memorial was held, were filled with digital screens that displayed black and white images of Aloysius, while sentimental piano music played in the background. It was impossible not to feel overwhelmed with sadness when you enter the room.

By the time 8days.sg got there at 2:55pm (the memorial was slated to start at 3pm), the studio was already filled with 200 of Aloy’s fans and friends, including NoonTalk Media artistes Kimberly Chia, Gavin Teo and Zong Zijie, as well as two high-ranking officers from SAF.

Aloysius’s two older brothers Jefferson and Kenny arrived shortly after us, the latter with his daughter and son. According to a NoonTalk rep, Aloy’s parents did not attend the memorial. Also not present was the late actor's girlfriend Jayley Woo.

At 3pm sharp, the room darkened and a video of Aloysius’ wake, including snippets of the touching speeches from his colleagues, was projected on a giant screen. It was set to Aloy’s 2015 single ‘Black Tears’ and the sorrow immediately filled the room — the crowd could be heard crying and sniffling.

Dasmond Koh, the NoonTalk Media head honcho and mentor to Aloy, then took to the stage to address everyone, saying that the memorial was a “simple way to remember” the late actor, who eschewed hubris.

Aloy's fans couldn't control their tears during the memorial.

Dasmond than introduced Aloysius’ oldest brother, Jefferson, who thanked everyone for coming to the memorial. As he spoke about the past year and how his family dealt with the death of his youngest brother, he broke down in tears: “They say time will heal, that’s what they say when such things happen, but I can tell you honestly, every single day, just reminds us of his absence. Not a single day passes… My nephew was just asking, ‘Where is zek zek (uncle)?’ But still, I think it is difficult for our family to even… We’re still trying to [heal] ourselves for the past one year… my parents would want to address the public to say thank you to all his fans, for everybody’s support as well.”

A video montage of Aloy’s childhood pics was then shown and it included a video message from his dad. “I am Aloysius’ father. Thank you for supporting Aloysius and for all your care and concern for him. Even though he is not around, everyone still remembers him fondly. Thank you all so much,” he said in Mandarin.

Aloy’s NoonTalk pals then took to the stage to remember him. Kimberly broke down in tears as she recalled how Aloy was someone she always looked up to and would always go to him for advice. “I always called him an old man ’cos he has lot of wisdom in him. I wish that I could hear his da dao li (philosophies on life) again,” she said.

Zong Zijie talked about how Aloy would take time from his busy schedule to coach him on how to be better actor. Zijie also performed ‘The Voices Of Ordinary People’ with Timothee Yap along with a recording of Aloy singing the same song. The same tune was also performed by Zijie, Timothee, Gavin Teo and Xu Bin, who couldn't make the memorial 'cos of work, during the tribute to Aloy at last year’s Star Awards.

“I’m not good with words, so I will just sing a song,” said the singer-actor, who went on to perform a heartfelt rendition of Aloy’s ‘Black Tears’.

The comedienne, also known as Yidali, couldn’t control her emotions on stage. “I asked, 'Why did you take him away?’, it’s always the good ones that leave first. Then the only answer I can tell myself is that heaven loves him too much and there is a better plan for him,” she sobbed. “All I can say is we love you Aloysius and you will always be remembered in everybody’s heart.”

Dasmond was the last to go on stage and he delivered a touching eulogy about his protégé. He talked about how he first met a 12-year-old Aloysius when they were both filming A Child’s Hope in 2003 and how they lost touch during Aloy’s rebellious teenage years. They only reconnected after Aloy, fresh out of NS, had left a message on Dasmond’s blog.

He spoke about how hardworking an actor Aloy was and how he didn’t have to worry about him at all. Until last January when he received a message from Aloysius’ second older brother Kenny that Aloy had met with an accident in New Zealand. “To be honest, I didn’t think it would be so serious,” said Dasmond, while holding back his tears. “Those few days in New Zealand were really the worst days of our lives… Only people who have been through something similar will know how heartbreaking it is. I can tell you truthfully, from when the accident happened until today, there has not been one day where it had been easy. But we still have to continue living, so on a certain level, we can only hide our feelings, which I believe is the same for a lot of friends who love Aloysius.”

Dasmond also had a favour to ask from everyone. “I’m not someone who often posts my heartfelt thoughts on social media, so if you see me post something, it’s really a channel for me to air my emotions so you don’t have to tell me to stay strong or anything like that… A smiley face or a heart emoji is enough. I don’t want everyone to feel sad, he said.

He then played a video of his song ‘World Without You’, which he wrote “not too long ago,”. According to Das, the song describes his emotions over the past year and is a way for him to thank Aloysius for being a part of his life.

The memorial then came to close with a video of Aloysius’ past dramas and movies, which served as a heartbreaking reminder of the talent he was.

PHOTOS: CY/ 8days.sg