I was kind of shocked to read in the papers today that an old MediaCorp colleague has died.
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The weird thing is I don't usually read the obituaries, so if I didn't happen to flip the page, I wouldn't have found out.
I didn't even know Cynthia was in Australia. I also don't know if she had left MediaCorp. I haven't seen her since I quit MediaCorp five years ago. (UPDATE: I'm told she died of lung cancer even though she didn't smoke.)
I spent my last couple of years at MediaCorp sitting opposite her cubicle. I used to enjoy using obscenities as often and as loudly as possible just to annoy her.
When I first knew her in the late 90s, I think she was directing Channel 5 dramas like Growing Up, but she later came to specialise in so-called "docu-dramas", like Exposed and Unnatural, which consist mostly of re-enactments of true stories.
Despite her conservative and Christian nature, she didn't shy away from sensationalism. Much of her stuff is rated PG. Hey, anything for ratings.
She struck me as one of those low-key journeyman types at MediaCorp who stuck with what they knew and just kept churning them out. She did it long enough to be eventually promoted to vice-president.
If you watch Channel 5, I'm sure you've seen something Cynthia has produced.
I tried Googling her, but could only find her name in some write-up about Crimewatch. I'm amazed some people can still leave such a minimal digital footprint in this day and age.
At least you can still watch her series Exposed, Unnatural, Cradle Of Life and Journey With Me online at xinmsn.
Tribute to Cynthia Chew Facebook page
UPDATE: Ironically, Cynthia seems to have left a bigger digital footprint in her death than when she was alive. Below is a video of her 2 November 2013 memorial service at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Singapore. I see a few familiar faces, including Channel 5 censor David Christie and convicted maid abuser Zahara Lateef.
The weird thing is I don't usually read the obituaries, so if I didn't happen to flip the page, I wouldn't have found out.
I didn't even know Cynthia was in Australia. I also don't know if she had left MediaCorp. I haven't seen her since I quit MediaCorp five years ago. (UPDATE: I'm told she died of lung cancer even though she didn't smoke.)
I spent my last couple of years at MediaCorp sitting opposite her cubicle. I used to enjoy using obscenities as often and as loudly as possible just to annoy her.
When I first knew her in the late 90s, I think she was directing Channel 5 dramas like Growing Up, but she later came to specialise in so-called "docu-dramas", like Exposed and Unnatural, which consist mostly of re-enactments of true stories.
Despite her conservative and Christian nature, she didn't shy away from sensationalism. Much of her stuff is rated PG. Hey, anything for ratings.
She struck me as one of those low-key journeyman types at MediaCorp who stuck with what they knew and just kept churning them out. She did it long enough to be eventually promoted to vice-president.
If you watch Channel 5, I'm sure you've seen something Cynthia has produced.
I tried Googling her, but could only find her name in some write-up about Crimewatch. I'm amazed some people can still leave such a minimal digital footprint in this day and age.
At least you can still watch her series Exposed, Unnatural, Cradle Of Life and Journey With Me online at xinmsn.
Tribute to Cynthia Chew Facebook page
UPDATE: Ironically, Cynthia seems to have left a bigger digital footprint in her death than when she was alive. Below is a video of her 2 November 2013 memorial service at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Singapore. I see a few familiar faces, including Channel 5 censor David Christie and convicted maid abuser Zahara Lateef.