Away from the boardroom and the limelight, three high-profile gentlemen share with Julian Tan ways they connect with their inner child.
MICHAEL WONG
Actor and businessman
When did you discover your love for... flying? I started back in 1998. Omega invited me to Crans-Montana, Switzerland to play at one of its golf events and while I was there, I met Apollo 17 astronaut Captain Eugene Cernan. A few months later, I was invited to the Houston Space Center where I met him again and had the opportunity to talk to him on a personal level. But before that, on my way travelling to the US, I read the book A Man on the Moon. And by the time I got there, I was just in awe by the whole space programme. It was a real treat at that time for a young guy! I love flying around Hongkong and taking people who live in Hongkong and have never seen it by air. That’s one of the reasons I started the Hongkong Air Cadet Corps “Operation Flying Eagle” programme in 2000.
Describe one of your best moments... up there. My first solo flight both in the airplane and helicopter, on two different days. That was after 25 to 30 hours of flying time, and that was in Canada. And one of the first times I took my kids up with my wife. We flew up to the Buddha in Lantau; it was very noisy and they were very chatty while I was trying to communicate with the tower control. After about 20 minutes of flying and we were on our way back, it was very quiet. I turned around and saw my girls back there reading and they were so comfortable, like in a car. I thought it was the cutest thing.
What would you say to someone who’s... afraid of heights? Try going for a helicopter flight and know that initially you’d be scared, but once the helicopter takes off it’s just like you’re floating. It’s a different experience than a fixed-wing aircraft.
Toy or wife: which would you choose for a day of bliss? Being exhausted after flying an aircraft for a (safe) maximum amount of time.
RAPHAËL LE MASNE DE CHERMONT
Shanghai Tang executive chairman
When did you discover your love for... polo? I was born in the countryside and I’ve been riding horses all my life. I started riding since I was six and at one stage I was preparing to enrol in the French junior team and I wanted to make horseriding my life. At 16, I wanted to be a rider and professional polo player. But my father thought otherwise, and he was right actually. He said: “You can enjoy your riding as long as you work and find your resources elsewhere.” So I started working seriously and went through my MBA. Wherever I am, I always have my polo ponies with me. Hongkong doesn’t have any facilities to keep polo ponies, so I have to keep them in France. When I was in Belgium I had my four polo ponies in Antwerp next to where I live, and I was playing two or three times a week. I ride whenever I have access to horses.
Describe one of your best moments... on horseback. When I was in Belgium about 12 years ago I had my polo ponies in a very nice polo club and I was basically training them every evening. The best moment of my riding life, really, was when I was training my best mare called Quemada, which is Spanish for burnt. Training in spring when the grass is freshly cut and smells wonderful. Of course, there are drawbacks. Polo is an extreme sport. I paid my tribute and I had a few accidents – I was stuck under my horse a couple of times, I almost lost an eye at 16, I had a polo stick in my face, I have no ligaments in my knee. It’s extremely exciting and dangerous and that’s what I like.
What would you say to someone who’s... afraid of horses? Don’t play polo. Riding is a discipline; you don’t ride like taking a bike. A horse is a living animal and it can have strange reactions sometimes. You need to anticipate it and know how to react to it.
Toy or wife: which would you choose for a day of bliss? My wife – she is my best friend.
GIAN LUCA TRACERSO
Furla general manager, Asia-Pacific
When did you discover your love for... music? I’ve always been into music, probably since I was five. I remember my mum listening to music and I would try to sing along. When I was 13, I decided that I wanted to learn to play the guitar. I studied Spanish guitar and loved it. Then I went on to learn to play chords. From then on, I never stopped. I’m a big rock fan. My favourite artists include Bruce Springsteen, U2, Bob Dylan, Eagles, Green Day, Maroon 5 and Coldplay. I like music in general. I also listen to jazz, rhythm and blues, soul and black music.
My friend and I formed a band three years ago, called Ice. He and his family have since moved back to Bologna, Italy after spending many years in Asia. And Bologna happens to be where my company (Furla) was founded. So every time I am there for business, we get to jam together. The band has grown to seven including me. We play in my friend’s house in the basement, which is all set up with a stage, drum set, an amplifier, keyboard, guitar, mixer and so on. In Hongkong, I have a little room with an amplifier, mike and guitars – three acoustic and one electric. When I’m in Italy, usually for a week, we’d rehearse every evening and on Saturday night we have a performance either in a bar or friend’s place.
Describe one of your best moments... on stage. The first time we played in front of people. It was December 20 last year at Thai Simple restaurant in Causeway Bay. At the end of it all, some people came up to us and said: “You guys were very good. We enjoyed it very much; we loved the songs.” That was a really big, fun moment. Every time we get to play together or when we’re together on stage it’s fun.
What would you say to someone who’s... a bad guitar player? There are no bad players; you can learn to play or sing properly. It really depends on how much you want to.
Toy or wife: which would you choose for a day of bliss? I’ll choose to go out with my wife.
