Sat, Mar 06, 2010 page3

• Vincent Siew: Learning to take life more leisurely

  TURNING POINT After facing cancer, the vice president has discovered the importance of staying healthy by exercising and eating right and enjoying family time

  • By Ko Shu-ling / STAFF REPORTER
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  There is a Chinese saying that goes: You cannot have more than one tiger on a mountain. The implication is they will end up fighting.

  President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and Vice President Vincent Siew (蕭萬長) were both born in the Year of the Tiger, 12 years apart.

  To ensure peaceful relations with the younger tiger, Siew has kept a very low profile since taking office in May 2008. However, that does not mean that Siew’s job is easy. He kept himself very busy until he discovered he had lung cancer last April.

  “It was not until then that I realized the importance of being healthy,” he said.

  Two tumors were found in the 71-year-old’s left lung during a magnetic resonance imaging scan. He had them removed in May and has been undergoing targeted therapy ever since.

  He returned to work in June, but his doctor advised him to rest by cutting back on the number of meetings and outdoor activities he participated in. So for now, he is taking things slowly.

  Speaking at his official residence on Renai Road before the Lunar New Year, Siew said his doctors were very pleased with the pace of his recovery.

  He still needs to return to the Taipei Veterans General Hospital every three months for a check-up.

  “They say I’m recovering better than expected,” he said. “I now know how to take care of myself.”

  At the advice of his doctor, Siew moved to the official residence last June because it is more spacious and allows him to do some exercise.

  CONSTRAINTS

  Because of budget constraints, Siew said he only made a few minor renovations to the living and dining rooms. He also added some furniture and had the rooms repainted.

  Pink was the favorite color of the previous occupant, former vice president Annette Lu (呂秀蓮), but Siew changed it to gold, which he said looked more graceful and classy. As for the bamboo pavilion outside, Siew said he kept it the way it is because he thinks it is quite original.

  At the entrance of the room stands a tiger fixture. Siew’s wife, Chu Chu-hsien (朱俶賢), said she likes to collect objects featuring tigers, and has many, including neckties, towels and other ornaments.

  FAMILY EFFORTS

  On the wall of the corridor, a tiger painting attracts the attention of visitors. Chu proudly declared that it was the work of their 11-year-old granddaughter.

  To keep healthy, Siew said he exercises regularly, eats healthy and is learning to take things easy.

  Siew said he gets up at around 7am and takes his medicine before beginning his exercise routine. The 45-minute workout consists of 30 minutes of hand swinging, 10 minutes of breathing exercises and a five-minute face, head and waist massage.

  He has also resumed playing golf after a 10-month hiatus, he said.

  At first, he said he felt kind of rusty, but after a few holes the feeling all came back. He has yet to take up more strenuous exercise such as table tennis or swimming, but he and his wife like to hike so they occasionally go hiking on weekends.

  It also gives him the opportunity to listen to public opinion first hand, he said.

  A balanced diet is important too. He said he has cut down on fried foods and whenever possible, he likes to eat at home because it is healthier and more hygienic.

  To ensure her husband has a healthy diet, Chu said she makes him a glass of fresh fruit and vegetable juice every morning.

  “Sometimes the juice is pink and sometimes it’s green, depending on the ingredients,” she said. “His appetite is so good after his morning exercises that he would eat grass if I gave it to him.”

  SLOWING DOWN

  Siew’s sickness has also changed his attitude toward life, he said, adding that he has begun to take things slower.

  “I was always in a hurry and didn’t really enjoy much sleep,” he said. “Now, I am learning to slow down and enjoy things more.”

  Among the many paintings in the dining room, one stands out from the rest. It is a painting by one of their granddaughters. Siew proudly said that his granddaughter not only paints, but also does Chinese calligraphy.

  As a proud grandfather, he said that some of the happiest moments of his life are spent with his family and the Lunar New Year is when he can see all of them together.
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