John and Tammy Lou bought their 2-bedroom apartment in the then brand new PakLok Garden, Central Taipa in 1984, when it was one of the few high-rises in the area. The building is famed for its friendly, predominantly owner-occupied neighbours. The Lou’s home is a show case to their interests and treasured collectibles.
In the ‘70s and ‘80s John Lou was a member of the Hyatt Regency Resort (now the Regency Art Hotel), where he exercised regularly. Having grown up in the hustle and bustle of Calcada de Monte by the Portuguese Consulate building, the emptiness of Taipa was an attraction; he would jog across the then only bridge between Macau and Taipa to the Resort and around parts of Taipa and started appreciating the quiet of this less populated area. When the bridge fee (a charge of MOP5.00 to cross) was cancelled the Resort gained a lot more members coming over from Macau.
In those days Taipa and Coloane were considered virtually ‘rural’, there were only few apartment towers and no CoTai. The tallest building at the time was the Staff Accommodation for the Jocky Club. When chatting with his Resort member friends John discovered that two new apartment blocks were being built next door. He went to investigate and decided that it would be a good opportunity to buy there. “We specifically chose a middle floor, the eleventh”, he explains, “as it’s too hot on the higher floors and if the lifts ever break down, it’s more accessible being not so high. We moved in late 1986 and since then, over the 40 years, we’ve carried out three renovations.” The layout is unchanged, an open living-dining area, small balcony and teeny kitchen, one bathroom, 2 spacious bedrooms, ideal for John’s family of 3. “We renewed the bathroom; new water pipes needed doing after 30 years. The apartment flooring laid 20 years ago is Spanish tiling, better than wood as it doesn’t scratch and doesn’t absorb moisture which could be a problem if my dog has an accident!”
Ever the practical couple the Lous furnished the home almost entirely with IKEA – sideboard, shelves, cabinets, sofa, coffee table, lounge chair. The solid wood dining table and chairs from China are an exception.
And on the shelves, one begins to learn of the couple’s various interests and hobbies. “I’m fascinated with Japanese culture, and in particular their tea ceremony – I collect Japanese Nambu cast iron kettles known as Tetsubin鐵壺which impart a gentle and delicate quality to the tea ceremony. Nambu ironware南部鐵器has a history going back to the mid-17th century. For the past 170 years skilled foundry artisans and master craftsmen have been producing these beautiful kettles and I enjoy collecting them.”
“I’m also a collector of ‘Fire King’, the brand of oven glass cups and saucers first made by American glass manufacturing company Anchor Hocking in the early ‘40s.” Cups, plates, and tableware are rarely linked to trends; however, these can be regarded as an exception. It is much sought after by antique tableware enthusiasts and fashionistas in the USA and Japan. Made of hard boron glass and characterized by its jade-green appearance and good resistance to damage it was initially produced for American restaurants; the thick and durable Restaurant Ware series is the design that many Fire King fans want to buy now. Discontinued in the USA, in 2011 a Japanese company bought the Fire King copyright and reproduces it, making the name Fire King continue to appear in the market. Although the texture of the Japanese replica is different from the American original, it has become extremely popular among the Japanese and attracted the attention of the fashion industry. “I became a fan of all the different colours and collect from Hong Kong and on Ebay”, smiles John, “but my favourite is the emerald green Jadeite design – it even appeared in the famous movie ‘In the Mood for Love’ (2000) by Wong Kar Wai, staring Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Maggie Cheung, Siu Ping-Lam!”
And what’s the story of the large red and white rocket standing in the corner of the living room? This is from John’s Tintin memorabilia. A popular European comic series created by Belgian cartoonist Georges Remi writing under the pen name Hergé, The Adventures of Tintin tells the tales of a young reporter Tintin, his dog Snowy and various friends. Published in more than 70 languages with sales of copies in the millions it has been adapted for radio, television, theatre and film. ‘Explorers on the Moon’ is the 17th volume first coming out in 1952. The narrative tells of Tintin, Snowy and friends who are aboard humanity’s first crewed rocket mission to the Moon. “My rocket was a gift from a friend!”
Another give-away to John’s passions is the swords and sticks. “Along with my family, there are 3 things I love in my life: movies, music and martial arts. I never miss any classical performances in the Macau Music festival. And martial arts is my life, I’ve been practicing it since the age of 12. At first Chinese Kung Fu, then I moved to Japanese Budo. When I started Japanese martial arts I originally focused on Kendo with my first sensei (teacher) Luis Trabuco. Then I followed Hachi Moto sensei to learn Iaido, the technique using swords – I’m a 5th Dan (there are 10 Dan, with 8 being realistically the maximum level. I’m training for my 6th Dan). In Jordo, the technique using a stick, I’m 3rd Dan. I go to Japan this November to take the 4th Dan Grade exams. With a success rate of only 25% I hope I can pass!”
John teaches four, 2-hour martial arts classes each week. His students range from children and adults, aged 6-78, and they are a mix of locals, Filipino, Canadian, American and others. “I go to Japan three times a year for training and to take students there for their exams. Its very time consuming and I don’t do it for the money, it’s my passion. My main purpose is to promote and preserve this kind of traditional art. We don’t use weapons to attack or protect us, we have our police force for that – no, we use the weapons to train our minds, to develop ourselves.”
In keeping with a love of all things Japanese, the energetic little puppy that John recently adopted is a Shibainu, a Japanese hunting dog. Her name is Nadeshiko, translated to ‘beloved or dear child’, literally ‘child being petted’. The combination of these two meanings indicates a flower of the Japanese nation, that is, a standard of female beauty that is uniquely Japanese.
John’s family originally hailed from Shinhui, Guangdong, moving to Macau in the early 1920s. “I’m 100% Chinese, born here, 4th generation Macau, and I’m now 73!” he says proudly.
John’s career began in 1972 when he joined Macau’s electric utility company CEM as a fresh graduate from the Perpetual Help College. (Reader, did you know that CEM, Companhia de Electricidade de Macau, was originally named MELCO … which today is a well-known and respected local company that among other things is the concessionaire of City of Dreams and Studio City … and did you know that MELCO stands for Macau Electric Lighting Company?!) Having a strong command of English John was put in charge of the workshop department; being young and not in the least technical he was teased by the older, experienced technicians, but through sheer force of personality, charm and likability he soon earned their respect and friendship. He stayed with CEM for 46 years, spending 20 years in HR and the latter years in Public Relations. During his illustrious career with CEM John attended the long-distance learning marketing degree programme with the East Asian University, the precursor of today’s Macau University. “Tammy also had a long career – 30 years with the Service Department of STDM, supporting VIPs with their travel arrangements between Macau and Hong Kong.”
“I retired from CEM in 2017. Then in 2019 I was approached to join the Rui Cunha Foundation administration department.” The Foundation, established by lawyer Rui Cunha and his sons in April 2012 is a service to the community, promoting Macau’s unique culture through the gathering of local artists, musicians and thought leaders of the day. “After 3 months I was transferred to their Social and Culture Department as coordinator and curator of exhibitions and events. We have a full schedule but that’s good as I’m an active person, I like to be busy. 6 years in the job and I’m really enjoying what I do. Helping people organize numerous exhibitions and events successfully gives me a sense of achievement.”
An open book as the saying goes, John explains that he’s “easy going, talkative – communication skills is essential for survival. I’m not shy, I’m not private, I participate in a lot of interviews in Hong Kong, helping to promote Macau. My face is often on TV for various advertisements. I’m known as “Uncle John”. I have an agent that calls me when extras are needed for films or promotions.
And what does John love about Macau? “We moved to Taipa forty years ago and really like the environment, our friendly neighbours, I know everyone in the building, it’s like the old neighbourhood that I grew up in, but in a modern high-rise. I have my car park, the surroundings are good, I can walk my dog. There’s lots of restaurants around us. GrandMart Japanese supermarket is nearby so I can buy all my Japanese products for when I cook. I use Japanese rice – after trying that rice, no other rice is better. I love cooking for people who enjoy food; when my grandchildren visit I always cook for them. I like the intimacy of Macau. I’m content, I lead a busy but quiet life. Here everywhere is easily accessible – across the border in China there are lots of new places to explore, new restaurants to try. Hong Kong and their international airport are only an hour boat ride away and from Macau we can travel to Japan and Taiwan easily.”
Text and photographs by Suzanne Watkinson
