ARMY DRAMA SERIES TO HIT TV SCREENS

When veteran actor Huang Wenyong told his son that his latest role was one of a military personnel, his son, who is currently serving his National Service (NS) as a medic, asked: "So what rank are you holding?"

Wenyong replied: "Master Warrant Officer (MWO), okay?"

In Mediacorp's latest offering, Honour and Passion, he plays MWO Bao Pengju, an Operations Warrant Officer from the 9th Singapore Division/Headquarters Infantry (9 DIV/HQ INF).

The drama series is part of the many celebrations for 40 years of National Service (NS) in Singapore.

Other than MWO Bao, the family comprises of eldest son Wenjing (played by Tay Ping Hui), Wenzhong (Bryan Wong), Wenwei (Rui En) and Wenguo (Singapore Idol alumnus Nathaniel Ho).

Also in the cast are Felicia Chin, Pierre Png, Hong Huifang, Ix Shen and Dawn Yeoh.

Military terms like enlistment, In-Camp Training (ICT), Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) and mobilisation can be seen in the 20-parter, as will elements of kinship and love.

Not only has filming for Honour and Passion been an interesting eye-opener for the cast, they also wrapped up work for this show with good and unforgettable memories.

"I think I had the best chicken rice in Singapore at Hendon Camp!" joked Tay at the press conference held at SAFRA Mount Faber on 11 Jul.

Echoing his views was Executive Producer Winnie Ng, who said: "I must agree that the food in the Army camps were really good.

"But also, thanks to the support of the Army, our experience has been unforgettable and meaningful, too."

The cast were not just impressed with the food, but also with the technology and equipment used in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
"When I ORDed from the Army years ago, 'third-generation SAF' was merely a concept," said Ix, who plays Chengyi, a graphic designer driven to extremism because his brother had been jailed for drug-related offences.

"But during the filming, I saw that the equipment had been upgraded to newer ones, and also realised that the third-generation SAF is actually in place, and you can see it being put into action now."

Also noticing in a shift in the way the SAF operates was Tay, who used to be a battalion reconnaissance officer during his NS.

He said: "Soldiers' welfare is well taken care of nowadays. The quality of combat rations has also improved.

"More importantly, training methods have become more goal-oriented. This will help to develop thinking soldiers."

Honour and Passion will hit your television screens on 24 Jul at 9pm on Channel 8.