A special screening of the film “Mama’s Prime” brought Hong Kong actress Chow Ka-Yan back to the hallways of her alma mater, St. Clare’s Girls’ School, this week. What began as a typical curtain call alongside director Hu Tsuier quickly evolved into an intimate homecoming, as the star was greeted by thunderous applause from current students and the surprise attendance of retired faculty.
Deeply moved by the turnout, Chow embraced the principal who presided over her school years and accepted a custom lightbox made from photographs of her previous visits to the campus. The warmth in the room set the stage for a candid conversation that went far beyond cinema.
Addressing the young students directly, Chow shed her celebrity persona and spoke openly about her rebellious streak. “I was a handful,” she admitted. “I spent my time wandering the streets and avoiding home. Then one day I walked in and saw my parents. It hit me like a truck. Wow, when did you get so old? Oh, right. We are all on an expiration date.”
She urged her juniors not to wait to show their appreciation for family. “If you can understand this now, while you are so young, you have time to make the most of it,” she told them. Even a simple text message to check in on a parent, she stressed, is a powerful act of love.
The actress also reconnected with the teacher who served as her class instructor and the school’s discipline mistress. Chow recalled a memorable clash over her makeup. “I didn’t have much of an eyebrow shape back then, so I drew them on,” she explained. “My teacher told me I couldn’t go to school like that. I argued back and said my face looked scarier without them.”
The story took an empathetic turn. The educator eventually compromised. “She said I could draw them—just not so dark. She pretended to be very strict, but her heart was always with her students. She was someone who was willing to listen and negotiate. That is what makes a great teacher.”
Reflecting on the day, Chow admitted the strongest emotion she felt was nostalgia. “The biggest takeaway for me is that I want to go back to school and start all over again,” she said with a laugh. “When you are young, you think studying is just a chore. When you grow up, you realize how blessed you were to study for yourself without any real worries. That is a pure, carefree happiness.”
For the students in attendance, Chow’s vulnerability transformed a standard celebrity visit into a lasting lesson. Her message underscored a simple truth: time with family is finite, the strictest figures often have the gentlest hearts, and youth itself is a privilege best appreciated in real time.