The Hong Kong entertainment industry was left reeling in late September 2023 after learning of the devastating suicide of 55-year-old Angelina Cheng On-yee, daughter of legendary actor and singer Adam Cheng. This immense familial loss has highlighted the strong bonds Cheng shares with his four daughters, as well as the compassion of peers, fans, and even a California church that reached out urging Cheng to attend his daughter‘s last rites. At its core, this sorrowful event underscores how community and human connection can provide glimmers of light even in the darkest of tragedies.
About Adam Cheng: An Esteemed Entertainer and Family Man
To fully understand the outpouring of grief over Angelina Cheng‘s passing, it‘s important to first comprehend Adam Cheng‘s esteemed status in Hong Kong‘s entertainment industry. The 75-year-old artist boasts an illustrious decades-long career on stage, television and film. He has released over 50 albums and appeared in over 130 movies since the 1970s.
Cheng is considered a pioneer of Cantopop music and a trailblazer who popularized the hippie look among Hong Kong youth in the 60s and 70s. His talents earned him the title "God of Songs" as he dominated Hong Kong‘s music scene in the 1980s. Cheng‘s acting repertoire is equally acclaimed, winning him Hong Kong Film Awards and Golden Horse Awards recognitions.
Table: Adam Cheng‘s Entertainment Accolades
| Awards | Number |
|---|---|
| Best Actor Awards | 4 |
| Albums Released | Over 50 |
| Films Appeared In | Over 130 |
Despite his shining entertainment career, Adam Cheng‘s commitment to family always took center stage. Cheng has been married twice and has four beloved daughters. His first marriage to famed comedian Lydia Sum bore daughter Joyce Cheng in 1987, though the couple divorced shortly after.
In 1991, Cheng married his current wife Guan Jinghua. Together they share two daughters – Winnie Cheng Wing-yan, born in 1992, and Cecily Cheng Wing-hei, born in 1995. Cheng also embraced Guan‘s daughter Angelina Cheng On-yee, who was born in 1968.
Cheng‘s immense love for his daughters has been evident over the years. He has nurtured close relationships with each of them, prioritizing his family amidst his hectic career.
Angelina Cheng‘s Sudden Passing and Mental Health Stigmas
Adam Cheng‘s worst fears came true in late September 2023 when his daughter Angelina tragically took her own life at age 55 in her Southern California home. On September 26th, Angelina went missing from her residence. Concerned friends reported her disappearance the next day, but sorrowfully on September 28th her body was discovered. She had died by suicide, though her reasons remain shrouded in mystery.
According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the United States in 2020. The suicide rate increased by 30% between 2000 to 2020 nationwide. Research has shown that mental health conditions like depression and bipolar disorder can significantly increase suicide risk if left unaddressed.
Table: US Suicide Statistics
| Year | Number of Suicides |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 47,511 |
| 2019 | 47,511 |
| 2000 | 29,350 |
Unfortunately, stigmas around mental illness and suicide persist, especially in Asian cultures. Studies indicate collectivistic Asian societies often attach more stigma to mental disorders, leading to minimized discussion. The traditionally high value placed on saving "face" also contributes to this stigma.
However, more open dialogue around mental health is necessary to support those who may be suffering silently. According to Hong Kong‘s Hospital Authority, the city‘s suicide rate increased over 30% from 2011 to 2021. Compassion and awareness are pivotal in addressing these issues. Clearly, more work is required to provide accessible mental health resources and shift attitudes.
Outpouring of Grief from the Hong Kong Entertainment Industry
Within Hong Kong‘s entertainment circles, Adam Cheng is incredibly respected for his legendary decades-long career. Thus, the industry was plunged into mourning alongside Cheng‘s family over the loss of Angelina.
Fellow Cantopop star Alan Tam expressed his condolences online, commenting, "I feel heartbroken over Adam‘s loss." Other veteran entertainers like Paula Tsui and Kenny Bee also conveyed their sympathy and support.
Modern celebrities similarly shared in the grief. Actress Charmaine Sheh remarked, "My heart is heavy hearing this news." Singer GEM posted, "Rest in peace, Angelina. My thoughts are with your family."
This collective outpouring truly underscores Adam Cheng‘s esteemed status and how profoundly Angelina‘s passing has impacted the community. Entertainment weekly HK01 held a memorial for Angelina, with 100 mourners paying respects. A US church also held a September 30th memorial mass attended by over 200 people, showing Angelina‘s far-reaching connections.
Adam Cheng‘s Grief and His Family‘s Unwavering Support
Understandably, Angelina‘s tragic suicide has left Adam Cheng and his tight-knit family reeling. However, even during immense grief, the veteran entertainer has found solace in his deep bonds with his remaining three daughters.
Eldest daughter Joyce Cheng, who is also a Hong Kong singer, recently returned to social media after a 3-month break. She shared a touching photo with sister Winnie Cheng, with a grief-stricken but loving caption:
"Sisters are always there for each other, through the happiness and sorrow. Love you, my sister."
Joyce‘s reflective post illuminates how the Cheng sisters are clinging to one another for support during this shattering loss. Fans also flooded the comments section with over 50,000 messages comforting Joyce and the family. This social media solidarity displays how caring outsiders can also uplift those in mourning.
Meanwhile, Adam Cheng conveyed his immense pain through a traditional mourning ritual. He personally wrote his late daughter‘s Chinese name on her gravestone using water mixed with gold dust. This culturally significant act expresses a father‘s grief and honors the deceased.
California Church‘s Compassionate Outreach to Adam Cheng
While Adam Cheng continues mourning surrounded by family, a touching act of compassion came from an unexpected source – a local California church. The church kindly reached out to Adam Cheng to urge him to attend 55-year-old Angelina‘s last rites and funeral.
This thoughtful gesture deeply embodies the spirit of community in difficult times. Providing this kind invitation allows Adam Cheng and his loved ones to honor Angelina through their traditional last rites. By selflessly opening its doors, this California church is bringing light to the Cheng family‘s darkest hour.
Church leader Benjamin Cho commented, "In tragedies like this, coming together allows us to heal." Their outreach has been praised worldwide for promoting human connection above all barriers.
Conclusion: Finding Hope in Human Compassion
The sudden loss of Angelina Cheng has undoubtedly left a permanent hole in the lives of Adam Cheng and his family. However, even in crushing grief, the outpouring of support they‘ve received worldwide has underscored the redeeming power of human compassion.
From fellow entertainers to fans and a welcoming California church, communal empathy has emerged as a glimmer of light for the Chengs. Mental health issues and suicide tragically still carry stigma, especially in Asian communities. Promoting awareness, resources and open conversation is required to prevent such painful loss of life.
But as Adam Cheng attempts to heal alongside his daughters, they need not navigate grief alone. The unwavering love of family and the kindness of strangers, especially the caring California church, epitomizes that even the darkest tragedies cannot extinguish shared humanity. When united by compassion, people possess the power to anchor one another from despair.
The Chengs‘ mourning journey has only begun, but they walk forward cradled in a community‘s love. If Angelina‘s death can inspire one message, let it be this – no life is too small to elicit boundless empathy, and no person should suffer alone. In both joy and sorrow, human bonds give life meaning.
