Towards the end of an overseas performance in 2016, Project SuperStar singer Hong Junyang realised that he couldn’t control his voice.
“It was on the verge of breaking down. I could feel something very hot and burning gushing up into my throat,” the 41-year-old singer, songwriter and music producer told Stories Of Hope.
Junyang performed in Vegas earlier this year, as part of Singapore singer JJ Lin’s World Tour. He and JJ Lin were schoolmates in junior college.
In 2005, Junyang shot to fame as runner-up in singing talent search competition, Project SuperStar. He learnt to play the piano at the age of four. His father exposed him to a wide range of artistes like The Bee Gees, Brian McKnight and Eric Clapton.
“Right after the show, I couldn’t even talk at all.
“I felt insecure and lacked confidence,” Junyang admitted. He added that a singer’s voice is his most important asset.
Junyang was living in Taiwan at that time.
“I tried the usual remedies and went to see many doctors and specialists who gave me the usual medicines when you lose your voice or have sore throat.”
This included throat-numbing sprays. But they only brought temporary relief.
Burnt vocal cords
Then his mum’s friend recommended an ENT specialist back home in Singapore. Junyang few back here to see him.
“He said I had gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Stomach acid repeatedly flowing back into my esophagus had burned my vocal cords badly.”
The specialist prescribed some pills, which seemed to work.
“I eventually felt better and started regaining my voice. At least I could speak,” Junyang said.
Junyang with Chew Chor Meng at the actor’s latest F&B venture, a Thai restaurant, earlier this year.
“But I didn’t feel that my health or voice was back to its optimal condition.
“It still felt like my vocal cords still had knots, and my throat felt tight and hoarse.”
Healing hand
About six months after Junyang lost his voice, his pastor prayed over him.
The pastor placed his hand on the singer’s throat and prayed, “May God use your voice to impact the world.”
“During that prayer, I felt the knots untying in my throat.”
Said Junyang: “During that prayer, I felt the knots untying in my throat.”
He was instantly healed.
“I realised, Eh? My throat used to feel stuck.
“But now it feels clear again. The uncomfortable blockage I once felt is gone.
“It’s like my voice has returned. My voice was unlocked.”
Junyang has since seen another miracle: The birth of second daughter, Alessia in 2000. Watch his wife Candyce Toh – a fellow Project SuperStar contestant – share about it on 还好吗 (hhm.sg).
Junyang, Candyce and elder daughter, Azalea, celebrating baby Alessia’s 100th day birthday.
Then a “baby Christian”, Junyang recognised that a miracle had taken place.
“Wow! It’s God’s hand. His touch healed my throat. My voice was back,” he recalled thinking.
A grateful Junyang shared: “Never before had I experienced anything like this.”
Trust amid the battle
About eight years have passed since Junyang experienced God’s instant healing.
Today, he notes that keeping one’s vocal cords healthy is “a constant battle” for all singers.
Junyang (left) in Vegas with The Freshman.
“Currently, I am facing the same challenge again. I’ve lost my voice three times in the past month,” he said.
In spite of this, Junyang knows that his faith in God does not depend on whether he is healed or not. Instead, his trust is rooted in something deeper.
“As long as I know God is with me and for me, and that I do all things in honour and glory for God, I won’t go back to the days of insecurity and lack of confidence again,” he said.
This story is based on a video that Hong Junyang shared with Mandarin faith-based platform, 还好吗 (hhm.sg).
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