Cai Luong Artist Phuong Binh: At home with a patchwork corrugated iron roof, the bed has to be placed in the kitchen, the U90s go to shows to make ends meet

Once a famous reformed artist, receiving the prestigious Thanh Tam award, Phuong Binh currently lives with his wife in a dilapidated, patchwork house, the floor is sinking and has to use the neighbor's wall.

Recently, at the program "Love the life of rice and river water market", artists Phuong Dung and Phi Phung visited the home of Cai Luong artist Phuong Binh, a famous name in the 1970s but now living in difficult circumstances. towel.

Artist Phuong Binh lives in a small house located far away in the suburbs of Saigon, with difficult roads. As soon as Phuong Dung arrived, she had to exclaim: "You live right in Saigon but it's like you're in a remote countryside, you have to travel forever to get there."

The house where artist Phuong Binh lives is quite cramped and temporary, patched together in some places with broken bricks and mortar, in other places with iron roofing for the walls, furniture in disarray, the floor sinks, it leaks from the rain, the bed has to be placed in the kitchen because tight, making everyone feel sad. Artist Phuong Binh confided: "I am 82 years old this year. In the past, I used to sing with My Chau and Mong Tuyen.

Previously, I was an impresario for the Huong Bien troupe, went to Hanoi to perform and lived there for 18 years, but then it all disappeared. I had to sell all my houses to pay off my debt, I had nothing left.

At that time, I worked as a theater troupe director. Sometimes it rained for a whole week and I couldn't perform. I didn't have any money. I had to pick up water spinach to feed the artists.

Two weeks ago, I discovered a tumor in my back, but luckily it was benign. However, it still caused a lot of pain and I couldn't lie down because it hurt every time I lay down. I still sing occasionally, but only rarely because I often sing at bars, but the shops are in a slump these days so they don't call me. Many times I drive there and then come back empty, just wasting gas money."

Having said that, artist Phuong Binh sang a Vong Co voice full of intensity and passion, his breath still strong.

Regarding her current life, artist Phuong Binh's wife shared: "I help people sell vegetables at the wholesale market, I earn 200 thousand a day but I can't eat or drink. From 1 o'clock at night I went to the market and worked. didn't return until 7am.

My husband and I have been together for more than 20 years, I have 3 stepchildren and he has 6 stepchildren. My children are also poor and difficult, so they cannot take care of their parents much.

Previously, the couple lived in a rented house, but in March, 4 million, they couldn't stand it so they had to return here. This piece of land belonged to my child, which used to be used as a factory, but is now being built for my parents to live in. The house has been built for 5 years, so that's all there is. I have arthritis and he has leg pain due to an accident and has difficulty walking."

Artist Phuong Binh and his wife also expressed their dream of repairing their dilapidated, patchwork house. The floor was sinking and they had to use a neighbor's wall to make it more spacious.

After hearing the plight of artist Phuong Binh and his wife, artists Phuong Dung and Phi Phung were moved to donate some money.

Despite the difficulties, Phuong Binh still devoted herself to art. In previous years, he and a number of artists from the Kim Chung troupe and the Lac Long Quan Theater Club participated in staging operas praising the nation's heroic history to perform for students.

What excited him and the artists of the Kim Chung troupe was that the stage program they had learned introduced to the students the unique features of each traditional musical instrument such as: flute, pliers, flute, gourd, etc. concave key guitar, pipa... and create conditions for children to go on stage to practice playing and singing with the artists.

"I hope that the 2019 school theater program will create good results, aiming at the value of educating young people to understand the cultural and artistic roots of the country, including cai luong art" - Artist Phuong Binh said.

Artist Phuong Binh is a famous face of Thanh Nga stage. With his handsome appearance and generous singing style, he left an impression on the audience - especially women - through his roles as a knight and gypsy such as: Ao Vu Co Han ("Confidences of Seabirds"), Murong Thach ("There's no love in this life"), Son Tinh ("Son Tinh-Thuy Tinh") and a unique social drama role: Captain Hoang Anh (play "Love Drops of Blood").

Whenever mentioning the ancient hopeless ways of artist Phuong Binh, it is impossible to forget two ancient songs performed very impressively by him and famous singer My Chau, which are "My hometown, your hometown" and "Eyes" by the composer. Trong Nguyen.

Artist Phuong Binh was awarded the Thanh Tam Gold Medal in 1967 for the role of Co Gia Truong (play "Wind of Season" - directed by Meritorious Artist Truong Xuan).

He entered the profession quite late. It was not until he was 21 years old that he joined amateur music and quickly became a star.

The press at that time called him "a love double", because his performances with My Chau, Thanh Nga, Thanh Kim Hue, Dieu Hien, Le Thuy, and Le Thu were so good that fans sent letters to the troupe. Pair him up with the girls.

After 1975, he established a theater troupe but encountered financial difficulties, and in 1998 it disbanded.

This year, he is 82 years old and still passionate about his profession, still on the stage of the 5th Artist Tribute program organized by Kim Cuong.

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