John and Tammy Lou bought their 2-bedroom apartment in the then-brand new Edificio Jardim Do Hipódromo at 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 and the Lou’s home is a show case of their interests and treasured collectibles.
Translation Daisy Wong / Photos Mark Phillips
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 at the time was an attraction. He would jog across the then-only bridge between Macau and Taipa to the Resort and around parts of Taipa and began appreciating the quiet of this less populated area. When the bridge fee (a charge of MOP5 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 a few apartment towers and no Cotai. The tallest building at the time was the staff accommodation for the Jockey 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 with an open living-dining area, small balcony and teeny kitchen, one bathroom and two spacious bedrooms – ideal for John’s family of three.
Ever the practical couple, the Lou’s 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 ceremonies – I collect Japanese Nambu cast iron kettles known as Tetsubin which impart a gentle and delicate quality to the tea ceremony,” says John. “Nambu ironware 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 1940s.”
Cups, plates, and tableware are rarely linked to trends, however, these can be regarded as an exception. Fire King is much sought after by antique tableware enthusiasts and fashionistas in the USA and Japan.
“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 and Maggie Cheung Man-yuk!”
And what’s the story behind 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, The Adventures of Tintin tells the tales of a young reporter Tintin, his dog Snowy and various friends. Explorers on the Moon is the 17th volume which first came 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 all his swords and sticks.
“Along with my family, there are three other things I love in my life: movies, music and martial arts. I never miss any classical performances at the Macau Music Festival. And martial arts is my life. I started practicing martial arts when I was more than ten years old. I first learned Wing Chun Kung Fu from the famous master Chen Heng. During the 70’s I learned mixed martial arts from the famous Hong Kong martial artist and actor Carter Wong. In 1998, I learned Kendo from my first teacher, Mr. Luis Trabuco. In 2012, I met Master Kenyo Otsu, 8 Dan Kyōshi in Niigata Prefecture, Japan, and studied Iaido. I am a fifth-dan (there are ten levels in total, though the highest rank that can be obtained in the assessment is eighth dan. I am working towards sixth dan). In Jodo, I am currently under the instruction of Hanshi (eighth Dan Ishido Shizufumi Sensei, Grand master of the Shinbukanin Kawasaki City, Japan). I am only ranked as third Dan. This November I will go to Japan to challenge for my fourth-dan. The success rate is only 25%, I am working hard and crossing my fingers for that!”
John teaches Kendo, Jodo and Iaido at two community centers in Macau. Two hours of Japanese martial arts are taught in six classes each week at each center. Students range from children to adults, from 6 to 76 years of age, and come from Macau, the Philippines, Canada, the US and other countries.
“I go to Japan three or four 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 our inner selves,” John explains.
In keeping with a love of all things Japanese, the energetic little puppy that John recently adopted is a Shiba Inu, a Japanese hunting dog. Her name is Nadeshiko, translated to ‘beloved or dear child’, literally ‘child being petted’.
John’s family originally hails from Shinhui, Guangdong. His family moved to Macau in the early 1920s.
“I’m 100% Chinese, born and raised here, fourth generation Macau, and I’m now 74!” 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. (Did you know that CEM, Companhia de Electricidade de Macau, was originally named MELCO? Today MELCO is of course one of the six gaming concessionaires. 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 at CEM. Young and not in the least bit technical, he was teased by the older, more 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 more than 20 years in HR and the latter years in Public Relations. During his illustrious career with CEM, John attended a 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,” says John. “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 Dr. Rui Jose Cunha and his son 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 three months I was transferred to their Social and Culture Department to coordinate and curate exhibitions and events. We have a full schedule but that’s good as I’m an active person, I like to be busy. Six years in the job and I’m really enjoying what I do. Helping people organize exhibitions and events successfully gives me a great sense of achievement.”
An open book as the saying goes, John explains that he’s “easy going and talkative – communication skills are 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’. The agents will contact me when extras are needed for films or promotions.”
And what does John love about Macau?
“We moved to Taipa 40 years ago and really like the environment and our friendly neighbours; I know almost everyone in the building, it’s like the old neighbourhood that I grew up in, but in a modern high-rise. I like the intimacy of Macau. I’m content, I lead a busy but quiet life.”
