On July 7, global action superstar Jackie Chan made a memorable visit to Pei Chun Public School in Toa Payoh, Singapore, where he shared his life story and inspired over 900 upper primary pupils. The 72-year-old martial arts legend, who has been in the film industry for 64 years, spoke candidly about his difficult childhood and the lessons that propelled him to international stardom.
Chan recalled his humble beginnings at six and a half years old, when he started training in wushu and opera. At that time, he said, his only hopes were a bowl of plain rice and avoiding punishment from his teacher. He contrasted his past with the opportunities available to today's students, urging them to cherish their chances. “Please work hard. Dreams may not come true but, without dreams, you definitely won’t succeed,” he told the children. He added in Mandarin that hard work today ensures one will thank oneself later, while laziness leads only to regret.
The visit was facilitated by the Lim Family Foundation, led by Singaporean businessman Peter Lim and his son Kiat Lim. The foundation has a history of bringing global icons to local youth, including footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton, and Mandopop star JJ Lin. This event also saw Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat and Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng in attendance.
The celebration began with a medley of wushu and traditional dragon- and lion-dance performances by the school's pupils. Chan then took part in a dragon eye-dotting ceremony—a symbolic ritual meant to bring good fortune. The dragon, colored orange, was chosen to represent Chan, as his Chinese name sounds like “orange dragon.”
Following the ceremony, Chan engaged in a heartfelt sharing session and a question-and-answer segment with the students. Topics ranged from resilience and discipline to cultural pride and screen time management. When asked if he ever felt scared performing dangerous stunts, Chan admitted, “Of course I am scared. I am no superman, just an ordinary person. I just wanted to do my best.” He also urged pupils to spend less time on their mobile phones, saying that if they give themselves a schedule for screen time, they will discover plenty of time for other meaningful activities.
Chan emphasized the importance of helping others. He recounted how he once received donations of rice and toiletries from well-wishers during his early struggles. One person who gave him clothes told him not to thank them, but instead to pay it forward in the future. “This advice has stayed with me since then,” Chan said. He encouraged pupils to perform little acts of charity, such as helping someone cross the road or picking up litter. “When you grow up and become successful, help others. If everyone helps one another, there will not be poverty. And when there is love and peace, there is no war,” he added.
Chan’s own charitable work is extensive. He has established schools and nursing homes, contributes to various causes, and now promotes Chinese culture and global peace. His lifelong dedication to charity stems from the gratitude he feels for the help he received as a child. He also highlighted the value of discipline and resilience, qualities he honed during his rigorous training.
The Lim Family Foundation has committed over $20 million since 2010 to the Singapore Olympic Foundation-Peter Lim Scholarship, which supports young athletes in pursuing their dreams. More than 5,629 athletes have benefited from the scholarship, including 163 wushu scholars. Several scholarship recipients were present at the event, and Chan met with over 20 young wushu practitioners.
One such scholar, 16-year-old Lucas Teo, a two-time scholarship recipient, shared that Chan’s 2010 film The Karate Kid inspired him to start wushu. “He is the absolute reason I started wushu,” Teo said. “Getting to meet him today and show him my form is a dream come true.”
Pei Chun principal Ong Lee Choo expressed her hope that the students would understand that Chan’s fame came with grit, a positive attitude, and deep passion. “Not only is Jackie Chan a celebrity due to his role as an actor, but we are also inspired by his humility and strong sense of giving back to the community,” she said.
Minister Chee Hong Tat noted that Chan and the Lim family exemplify values of gratitude and giving back, and he hoped the pupils would be inspired to follow their example. The event concluded with Chan interacting with students, signing autographs, and taking photos—a memorable experience for the young fans.
As Jackie Chan continues to entertain and inspire audiences worldwide, his message to the next generation remains clear: work hard, dream big, and always help others along the way.
Source:The Straits Times News