FACE VALUE: Alan Tam says that he has the best smile. -- ST PHOTO: ALAN LIM

Ask Hong Kong singer Alan Tam and he tells you that his own smile is the best.

In fact, he even names his new album Ai Wei Xiao De Ren, which translates to The One Who Likes To Smile.

And the 57-year-old is in great form when he meets reporters at the Conrad Hotel on Monday.

Asked if he is a cheerful person, Tam, looking youthful in a green T-shirt and khaki bermudas, says: 'From a young age since primary school, I've always been a smiling and cheerful child.'

Then, as if to prove his point, he gives everyone in the room a huge grin before breaking into laughter.

He says the smile never fades even when he is seething with anger. 'For example, when I play golf, even on the day I'm at my worst, I'm still smiling.'

His philosophy is that if a person keeps 'choosing to be on the downside, then it's not good'.

Indeed, not once does Tam's smile waver during the 30-minute interview, even when a reporter mentions his illegitimate son, 11-year-old Hiu Fung.

Tam, who admitted to fathering a son with his girlfriend Wendy Chu, 37, last year, is composed when asked if he would like to sing a song with his son.

'He's still too young. He has his own interests, but he is learning to play the piano,' says the singer who performed at the SPD (Society for the Physically Disabled) Charity Show on Sunday night.

Similarly, he is not ruffled when asked if he feels any pressure to change his repertoire to keep up with younger pop stars.

'Why should I have to compete with the younger singers? A song has its own flavour. True, the type of songs you sang then might not work today, but if you make subtle changes, you will still be able to retain its original flavour and it can still work,' he explains.

And how does he deal with mid-life crisis?

With a twinkle in his eye, the man who professes to be 'forever 25' jokes: 'I don't know. I haven't reached mid-life yet.'

xuelingh@sph.com.sg