Frank on property

Frank Scott Hew tells Dennis Chua about making money out of property in his new reality show

MALAYSIANS best remember Frank Scott Hew as the “singing architect” who sang Terpesona with Datuk Syafinaz Selamat four years ago. Hew is back with more songs now but more importantly, he has an original reality show on property ownership, specifically how to reap financial rewards from property investment.

The show is Anyone Can Be A Property Millionaire, currently airing on Astro’s AEC (301) and AEC HD (306) channels.

Produced by businessman Datuk Seri Gavin Tee, it is Hew’s brainchild and sees him dishing out useful advice to eight contestants from various professions.

PROPPING UP PROPERTY

“It’s an exciting reality show that educates people to make money out of their property. The contestants learn strategies and marketing skills to become a millionaire in the fastest possible time,” said Hew in a recent interview.

Hew is on a panel of experts who comprise legal, tax and feng shui experts as well as interior designers. They guide contestants in every weekly episode, giving them constructive feedback so that they “make over” their property beautifully.

“I guide them in the architectural aspect as well as interior design. I emphasise the use of recycled materials such as glass, wood and stones.”

More than 1,500 people auditioned for the show early this year. Screened at 9pm on Mondays, it is now showing the eighth of 12 episodes, with the first season ending on July 1.

“All participants must own property, be it a house, office or apartment. We teach them to cut costs and have ecologically sustainable home improvement,” said Hew, adding that recycled materials always “produced beautiful things”.

Hew and Tee, his close friend, spent the last five years planning the reality show. “There will only be one winner and he or she will guide the contestants in the next season.”

UK TALK SHOW

Meanwhile, Hew’s talk show, Frank To Frank At Two Passions, which was screened on the United Kingdom’s BBC Earth channel two years ago, will be arriving on TV2 in August.

“It will also be screened on unifi TV, Astro Prima and Fox later,” he said.

Hew has just completed a second season, and hopes to have it screened at year’s end.

“As usual, I interview world famous architecture firms such as Farrell and Hopkins, finding out about state-of-theart sustainable technology in the building of offices and homes,” he said.

The talk show, co-produced with Roger Wisdomwill of the UK, will also see Hew interview world famous celebrities as the Black Eyed Peas, Paris Hilton, Kimora Lee Simmons and motor racer Lewis Hamilton, on how they make use of sustainable technology in their daily lives.

“It’ll be a record of sorts for me - I’m the first Malaysian and Asian to interview Farrell and Hopkins.”

MUSIC MATTERS

When asked about his singing career, Hew revealed that he has recorded six songs in his new EP, Chase, which he began producing two years ago.

“The title track, which I wrote, comes in Bahasa Malaysia, English and Chinese versions, all complete with different music videos which I filmed in the UK late last year,” said Hew.

“In all of them, I explore enchanting British castles and marvel at their splendid architecture which is naturefriendly.”

The title track was chosen because it reflected the realities of life.

“We all chase after our goals or dreams, and it’s the same for me. My goal is to be a successful singer and producer, just as I am a passionate architect,” he said, adding that the songs were composed by Taiwanese Ling Yee Chung and Chiou.

GREEN BUSINESS

Business-wise, Hew has opened ecological interior design as well as furniture shops in the Klang Valley.

“They began operations in January, and offer walls, curtains, tiles and lamps that are sustainable and recycled. They are sourced from companies in China, Vietnam and South Korea,” he said.

Hew is the youngest of three siblings from Kampar, Perak. He took dancing lessons at 6 and subsequently became a model in Singapore.

He then pursued his architecture degree at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, and choreographed his own dance troupes at national dance contests.

After graduating, Hew pursued a masters degree in architecture at the University of Sydney, Australia, and worked for two years in an architecture firm in London. He returned to Malaysia in 2009.

All participants must own property, be it a house, office or apartment. We teach them to cut costs. Frank Scott Hew