Stark Cup Penang Press talent showcase returns with dazzling performances

TALENTS SHINE BRIGHT: The winners of the 'Stark Cup Penang Press Talent Showcase 2025' — champion Tan Kang Leng (centre), first runner-up Tan Hoon Cheng (fourth from left) and second runners-up Koh Huai Chen (fourth from right) and Koh Huai Jing (third from right) — posing with their mock cheques. Joining the winners on stage were representatives from the organising committee and sponsors, including (from left) Penang Press Club president Ang Tong Kai, Penang Hui Yin Seh Society chairperson Khiah Hock Leong, Stark Development Sdn Bhd deputy chairman Datuk Toh Chin Leong, Stark Development Sdn Bhd chief executive officer cum Zeon Properties Group founder Leon Lee and event organising chairperson Pek Bee Hong.

AFTER a six-year hiatus, the “Stark Cup Penang Press Talent Showcase 2025” made a highly anticipated return, with Penang Press Club life member Tan Kang Leng clinching the top spot.

He took home RM1,000 cash prize with a soulful performance that blended his voice and guitar in perfect harmony.

Coming in second was member Tan Hoon Cheng, who won over the judges with her emotive rendition of Michelle Pan's "Fu Sheng Qian Shan Lu" (Many Roads in Life). She received RM800.

The third-place honours went to her children, Koh Huai Chen and Koh Huai Jing, who delivered a dynamic modern dance performance enhanced by rhythmic drumming. Their captivating act earned them a RM500 prize.

Ten outstanding performers took home RM150 each while seven participants won consolation prizes worth RM80 each in the competition held at Penang Hui Yin Seh Buddhist Society in Air Itam.

One of the outstanding performers Yeoh Yin Yin also won the Most Popular Award and the Best Costume Award. She received an additional RM200 for each category.

Organised by Penang Press Club (PPC), with Stark Development Sdn Bhd as the primary sponsor and Penang Hui Yin Seh Buddhist Society as co-organiser, the showcase offered RM5,000 in cash prizes.

Press members and their immediate family members showcased a wide range of talents in the competition, from singing, dancing and impersonation to instrumental and group performances.

Event organising committee chairman Pek Bee Hong said this year's competition was opened to the family members of lifetime members, with the goal of encouraging the younger generation to showcase their talents.

"The youngest participant is five-year-old Chua Lee Hong, who gave his all during the performance. His mother Tan Phaik Shan was there to encourage him.

"This kind of parent-child interaction was one of the reasons for organising this event,” she said.

Penang Hui Yin Seh Buddhist Society chairperson Khiah Hock Leong praised the participants, noting that media professionals, who are usually tasked with documenting reality through words and images, revealed a different side of themselves on stage.

"Through this talent competition, we saw a vibrant, creative aspect of media professionals. Their performances and that of their family members were truly admirable," he said.