SINGAPORE - Members of the public, celebrities and politicians took turns to pay their respects to the late actor Aloysius Pang on Saturday (Jan 26).
Even though the morning wake in MacPherson Lane was reserved for Mr Pang's close friends, family or VIPs, members of the public started streaming in as early as 10am to form a queue to enter the grounds.
The public memorial started at noon.
Celebrities, such as actors Chen Hanwei and Shane Pow, were spotted at the wake, as was Mr Pang's actress girlfriend Jayley Woo.
Woo wore a pair of big sunglasses and was hugged and comforted by several people around her.
Actress Zoe Tay, who was at the wake, said between tears: "I've only worked with Aloysius on one show, but I could already see that he was such a polite, humble and hardworking young man.
"He offered to drive me home once even though it was a detour for him, and we chatted a lot. I had really hoped that I would get the chance to work with him again."
Politicians, including Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong and MP Tin Pei Ling, also stopped by to pay their respects.
The public memorial is held at 82A MacPherson Lane from noon on Saturday until noon on Sunday.
Corporal First Class (NS) Pang Wei Chong, 28, died on Wednesday night from injuries suffered last Saturday while he was on reservist duty in New Zealand.
His body was flown into Paya Lebar Air Base on a Republic of Singapore Air Force KC-135R tanker aircraft on Friday evening.
CFC Pang will be accorded the full honours of a military funeral.
On Friday night, hundreds of people turned up at the wake, hoping to pay their respects even before the public memorial was due to start.
On Saturday, many members of the public offered small bouquets of flowers at Mr Pang's wake.
One teenage boy by the name of Jimmy Han, 17, borrowed his father's suit jacket to wear, even though it was one size too large for him. He said: "I wanted to look formal for this. It's my way of showing him respect."
Mr Pang's fan club, Pangsters, showed up as a group in their official orange fan club T-shirt. They huddled and cried before walking in to the wake.
Dozens of wreaths lined both sides of the entrance to the wake, sent from business partners, friends and celebrities such as Jeannette Aw, Christopher Lee and Fann Wong, and Priscelia Chan.
The cremation ceremony will be held at Mandai Crematorium on Sunday.
Post your condolences to the family of Aloysius Pang here.
