PORNSAK the Blessed?

Monday, December 22, 2008

Channel NewsAsia - 24 A name given by a revered monk; In Thai, "Porn" means blessing and "Sak" means social status. Together the name spells blessed.
One can't help but be reminded of the lead character "Youfu" (which means blessed) in drama serial "A New Life". Though the character was slightly intellectually challenged, had his streak of bad luck and was constantly the target of bullies, he managed to win the heart of his love eventually and also became the boss of his own company.
While Pornsak's life is not full of such trials and tribulations, he did indeed enjoy his fair share of good luck in face of problems in life. Maybe he could consider "Youfu" for his Chinese name.
After all, just as the saying goes; better an old-fashioned name than a bad name.
Pornsak says, "As an artist, you must be mentally prepared to step down." These aren't exactly the words you would expect from the Star Awards winner for "Best Newcomer". With his debut appearance less than a year ago, Pornsak is now hosting five variety programmes; such on-screen frequency is far higher than his peers from SuperHost.
Inheriting the happy-go-lucky genetics from his Thai background, Pornsak stays vigilant even during good times; an attribute much suited for modern society.
"Producers take a risk in their decision to choose a rookie like me to host their shows. I wouldn't want to be the one dragging everybody down and turning out to be a disappointment when I'm given an opportunity. Besides seizing the opportunity, one must also live up to the expectations that come with it," he says.
Apart from work, Pornsak is also in the midst of obtaining certification for practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). He is attending classes three times a week, three per session. "I'm not tired. It's what I wanted," still sounding lively as he says it.
An accidental meeting with local well-known TCM practitioner, Tan Bee Gawh, two years ago, enlightened Pornsak. "In the entertainment business, no flower blossoms forever. You have to acquire a life-skill," she says.
And so, interest for TCM is gradually becoming a life-skill for Pornsak. Today, he looks forward to finishing the course and even if he doesn't become a TCM practitioner, he could still offer help or advice to friends and family, or even become a humanitarian in third-world countries.
TCM also gave Pornsak better understanding to his current work.
"TCM emphasizes the balance of yin and yang, weakness and strength... In the industry, efforts and returns may not always equate, so it's important to have an open (balance) heart. Entertainment career has a sort lifespan, and it's basically tailored for the younger generation. I constantly remind myself that while I may be popular now, it doesn't mean that it'll always be this way. When I'm no longer in the limelight, I must be ready to step down and let go.
"When I first came to Singapore to enroll for Primary Four education, I couldn't even speak a single sentence in English. It wasn't hard to make friends but communication still posed as a problem. All I had for recess was "Bao" (Chinese Dim Sum Bun) or "Hotdog" as they were pronounced the same in Thai," Pornsak recalls. He had five tuitions a week, and language, poetry and composition classes during weekends.
Being the youngest from an average income family and sent to a foreign place to live and study, Pornsak suddenly came to a realization.
"I was pretty rebellious then. I got involved in fights, ignored my homework, played truant; even my guardian didn't know what to do with me. My landlord couldn't bear with me most of the time and I was often forced to move. In fact, I was hoping to end up with no place to live and get expel from school; maybe then, my father would bring me home to Bangkok."
Then in Primary Six, Pornsak decided to study hard. To cope with the Chinese examinations, he went on to memorize 10 essays. Finally, what was usually a E became a distinction A grade. Pornsak's confidence was boosted ever since then.
"There is this Chinese saying: Wu Fu Ling Men (Five Fortunes). The last fortune refers to a peaceful, dignified and painless death," shares Pornsak.
While the last fortune seems rather distant to be discussed now, Pornsak sure enjoys the second, third and forth: sufficient wealth and status, health and peace of mind, and a good heart respectively.