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Hactl Goes Pop!
[ October 21, 2016 // Gary G Burrows ]How do you celebrate your 40th birthday, in a way that leaves a lasting legacy? Hactl has added to its long list of “firsts” with the writing and performance of a pop song!
The song – “We are Always Here” – was the brainchild of Hactl Chief Executive Mark Whitehead, who wanted to create a memorable highlight for the company’s 40th birthday staff party. But the stunning end result was the work of an enthusiastic team of Hactl staff. They composed it, spent eight weeks rehearsing it, and then delivered an emotionally-charged performance that brought everyone to their feet.
The song tells the story of a terminal filled with devoted handling staff, and ramp workers who turn out in all weathers, to serve Hong Kong’s air cargo community – as they have done every day and night, for forty years.
Victor Leung, Senior Supervisor of Hactl’s Service Delivery team, composed the music and song structure, with professional help on the lyrics. The singers – none of whom had ever performed in public before – were Matthew Tang (Senior Manager – Terminal Services), Steven Tang (Manager – Terminal Services), Lawrence Cheung (Manager – Business Development, Hacis), C.M. Ho (Service Performance Officer, Hacis) and Victor Leung. They were supported on stage by a professional band at the Hactl 40th Anniversary Dinner.
A proud Mark Whitehead says: “I just thought it would be a nice idea for the party, and left the staff to work on the details. I didn’t expect them to get so enthusiastic about the project, or to put such strength of feeling into it.
“The live performance at the party brought the house down. The words and delivery so clearly came straight from the singers’ hearts. To realise how proud they all are of Hactl was a humbling experience, and it brought a lump to my throat!”
The studio recording of “We are Always Here” is now on YouTube, FaceBook, LinkedIn and Google+, and on the company’s web site (www.hactl.com).