Glad we made the trip....

My later Father came to Singapore when he was 6 years old in 1936.  Together with his parents and my eldest aunt, they braved a 40-day boat ride from 留安 township in Yong Chun  (永春）county, Fujian （福建）Province in China.

Yong Chun is popular for its Mandarin oranges that we buy for the Lunar New Year.  It has absolutely nothing to do with the Yong Chun martial arts though many friends mistake it so.

I spent 13 days between September/October in 2002 traveling in China with my parents- we went to Guangzhou (广洲）， Swatow (汕头）， Hainan (海南）, Teochew (潮洲),  and Xiamen (厦门）. The tour group (which actually comprised the 3 of us and another elderly couple (a 80 year old chinese man who used to run a tailoring shop in Peoples' Park as well as his 69 year old wife) ended its itinerary in Xiamen.

The 3 of us then proceeded to YongChun.  Dad's cousin, Gart Boh (刘乐模) fetched us for the 2 hour drive into the 'village'.  The trip was interesting for me as I retraced Dad's journey to Singapore.  It is meaningful as I discovered many aspects our our ancestry including finding our 'family book' or record of our genealogy (家谱). 

The ancestral home was still there then.  We visited but could not stay as the basic amenities were still lacking too :-p.  Gart Boh put us up in the YongChun Hotel - one of the better ones there.  By the time we visited, many overseas Chinese had invested in the development of the county.  A Malaysian Chinese who was from YongChun built a massive convention and exhibition center that was largely underutilized except by migrants from the inner cities peddling their souvenirs as well as food.

The front of the Grand-Uncle's home.  Taiwanese investors had been buying up land to develop into industrial estates.  Our ancestral tombs were moved several times to make way for this onslaught.  Two years ago, Dad was asked to sign off his claim to some land.  We did not pursue details as it is highly unlikely that we would have any interest in it. 

The roads around the town of the village are well paved and there were even internet/video game parlors (网吧）。  People from the village are well known building artisans, they also work in coal mines and grow the popular ponkan (mandarin oranges).

Dad at 6

Our grand-aunt showed us a framed photograph of Dad at 6.  It was taken the day they set off for Singapore.  Our great-grandfather had engaged a photographer to capture the historic moment.  As I could not remove it from the frame, I had to retake it with my video cam as a still and then redevelop it when I returned to Singapore.

I made copies of it :p for fear that we might lose it.  Here it is :

Great-grandfather (seated in the front) with Great-grandmother to his right.  Dad is standing next to him while Eldest aunt is in front of her.  Our Grandparents are standing directly behind them.  The front porch where this photograph was taken was still standing when I visited.  The other grand aunts and uncles - some of them were octogenarians.  The youngest grand-uncle is on the extreme right. He is 85 this year. 

Dad was obviously quite a mischievous child - a close-up of him shows him making a face at the photographer.



Family Tree Book 

The next thing we discovered was the family tree book or (家谱).  Though the records were disrupted for some reason, it was quite emotional to read Dad's name in the list.  It was also through this book that Dad found out by accident that his biological mother had passed away when he was very young.  Grandfather had married thrice - the second wife passed away too without bearing him any offspring whilst Dad was the only child from the first wife.  The Grandmother we knew while growing up bore him 10 children - 5 boys and 5 girls.  

A photocopy of the family tree record book.  

The record of Grandfather's birth and marriage.  Dad's birth was also recorded on the right of the page.  

Dad's name as registered in the book.  Translated as Son, Eldest Gart Huan. 

Dining & wining (almost)

During our stay, we were treated to dinner every night by different groups of relatives.  The food was familiar fare - those that we were brought up on.  Breakfast at the hotel was plain porridge with pickles and fritters.  Lunches were also fairly delicious home-cooked style food.  Dinners were more deliberate affairs as liquor was always involved with many rounds of toasts.  As visitors, we were expected to drink - a useful phrase 随意 - according to your means - was my way of getting out of the binges. 

From left - (Youngest Grand-Aunt-in-law, Mum, Dad, Youngest Grand-Uncle, a close childhood friend of Dad, Grand-Uncle's daughter). Standing - Son of Grand-Uncle's eldest son, myself, Gart Boh who drove us from Xiaman and his third brother. 

Relaxing in the hall of Dad's birthplace after visitations at various places in the village.  Mum watching the youngest son of Grand-Uncle serving tea - a common feature of households in the south of China.  Dad chatting with Grand-Uncle.

Ancestral 'home'  

Over the years, we knew Dad had sent money back to either help in building bridges or repairing the 'old home' (老屋）。  One such construction was the ancestral home or (祖屋）。 Dad showed me the engraving that acknowledged his contribution, amongst the thousands of overseas Chinese who helped to erect the building that houses the ancestors of the village.  

Dad visiting the ancestral 'home'  Notice the fine carvings and exquisite roofing of the building.  Apparently the structure is designed not to retain water nor falling leaves.  Neat !

Genealogy  - our genes

When I saw many of our relatives - one thing struck me - there are some uncanny similarities in our physical features - the sharper nose, the more thicker eyebrows, and the more prominent facial features.  Gart Boh is my age - he is my 'Uncle' and has 3 daughters and one son - he obviously tried to ensure a male lineage :-) - I just recently chatted with him on msn - his eldest daughter studied English in Murdoch University and has settled there.  His family has also migrated to Melbourne too.  One other daughter married someone from Inner Mongolia.  He had asked me when I visited in 2002 to 'adopt' her.  When he brought it up recently, I joked that if she had come to Singapore - he would not be visiting Inner Mongolia (as he was doing so) as guests of his in-laws.  

During my visit, I could not help feeling tickled that I have so many cousins who were about the same age as, or younger  than my nephews and nieces.  One of the girls recently emailed me in her QQ account.  She is all grown up and working as a clerk in the local train station.  

Photo taken with 'cousins' during the farewell dinner.  The girl seated to my left shares many features - in fact I thought she looks like Angelina, my eldest niece. 

To be continued....(getting some more photos scanned - and uploading them as I recall the anecdotes)

Upbringing vs Up(Yours)bringing - musing on upbringing

Sorry for the rude headline but what I witnessed during lunch yesterday would best be described this way.

We were at Tung Lok Paramount at about 11.20am.  It was quite empty except another table with three adults.  While waiting for our visitors from Australia, a family of 5 came into the restaurant - grandparents, a young mother and two children.  One of the boys screamed his way into the restaurant while the rest strolled in behind him.  The younger boy who is probably about 5-6 years old turned around and shouted "I want to sit upstairs".   His grandmother and mother explained that the upper level is not opened for seating.  What happened after that was like a hostage situation.  Everyone including the other restaurant staff stood around looking at the boy as if The boy refused to let up - he kept insisting loudly that he wanted to 'sit upstairs'.  The entire family except all stood around the restaurant looking at him while he went on.  It took a dutiful restaurant manager to coax the boy by offering to bring him downstairs to see the other seating and to show him (quite needlessly since it is in full view) that the upper deck is not meant for dining.

The hostage situation was then resolved.  A little later, the father of the kids walked in - probably after parking his car.  He sat down and began ordering the food.  What I saw after that also shocked me - the brat who was screaming earlier on - use his left foot to kick his father's face.  A little visibly upset, all the father did was put the kid's foot down and uttered something to him.

The manager of the restaurant very kindly offered to move us to a private room as she explained - "understandable it might be too noisy for you".  Frankly, I was keen to watch how the meal for the family would pan out.  But we nonetheless took her up on the offer and had a wonderful time catching up with our friends. 

I do not have kids.  I might not fully understand the anguish and trials of bringing them up.  I cannot help feeling sad for his parents - but I also blame them for his upbringing.  To be fair to the child, he appears very intelligent and well loved.  He might be a kid who has attention deficit disorder or other marginal developmental condition.  I doubt though.  I can also imagine them enjoying his moments of cleverness or wittiness that many parents mistake as 'cute' or 'smart'.

There are 'boundaries' or rules that parents must set for their children just as adults we respect the boundaries in our interaction or discourse with others.  It is not a question of disturbing others in a public place, but what this kid would become to society at large when he grows up. 

Just my two cents -:-)

New letter boxes secure but junk mail reappears

 This appeared today on ST Forum Online -




Recently, mailboxes of our flats were replaced with anti-junkmail ones.  This was quite a relief as the littering of junk-mails was becoming a serious problem.  But this respite did not last.  We have since received unaddressed mails from fast food outlets, property developers, shopping malls etc.  Since the new mailboxes were 'locked', I would like to ask SingPost to clarify how did the junk mails get delivered? 

The whole exercise of replacing our old mailboxes would have been in vain if SingPost allows them to be delivered as a commercial consideration.  The littering would resume except that the collection well for junk mail has been removed. 


http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_733603.html

I am a Buddhist

Friends who know me - often wonder why I became a Buddhist.

We came from a family of traditional ancestor worshipers. When we were young, Mom would bring Geok and I to temples to pray to the various deities. I remember fondly the outing with them to the Amoy Street temple - that is now a heritage building too. Mom would be considered a pious disciple - she would always pray for the good health of Dad and all of us, including our success in our studies and work etc.

We were more Taoist-Buddhist followers (in the traditional sense). Dad was active in the committee of the Geylang United Temple.  It was really a filial duty as his Father has handed him the responsibilities as the latter had also been active.  

My introduction to the practice of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism happened in 1985 while I was in the University. Many things were happening in the family front. Both Dad and Mum were involved in gambling and there was much squabbles over money issues.

I was also at the age when I was asking fundamental questions about life. In the years preceding that I had also explored other faiths.    

I still remember that Geok was the one who started chanting the mantra 'Nam-myo-ho-renge-kyo'. She was introduced by Khiam, our second brother. Interestingly, at that time, our eldest sister-in-law, Irene also started practicing on her own. We did not know of this until much later.

I had always been a 'self-believer' - in fact, I told friends in the army and also those from school that I was a non-believer or atheist. I always felt that life was within our own grasp - our destiny was something we had to take charge.

But I was also overwhelmed by the many trials that life was throwing at me. Acne, relationship issues, plans for studies, and many more. Geok told me that I should try and that 'it works'.

I remember the day I chanted the first time. I had just returned from NUS. I felt very tired and overwhelmed. I knelt facing east - and chanted. For the few minutes I did, I felt a calm over myself. I cried tears of relief (of what I was not sure). I felt connected with my inner self.

Thereafter, I started to read up on Buddhism. I also joined the Student Division of then Nichiren Daishonin Buddhist Association in Singapore (now the Singapore Soka Association). We attended meetings at the homes of other members too. We were introduced to the warmth and generosity of Soka members very well-known throughout the world.

What drew me to the practice of Buddhism?

It is the values that the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) - (http://www.sgi.org/) promotes - peace, culture and education are central to the activities of our practice.  Our Buddhist practice engages us to take charge of our lives so that inner transformation occurs.  We are constantly working to create value (in human connections) in all our stations in life. 

To me, this practice  is a philosophy. Yes, I chant Nam-myo-ho-renge-kyo - and it is a most basic practice of the faith.  I also recite the Lotus Sutra (teachings that embody the absolute Law of Cause & Effect).  A few key precepts in my practice resonates with me and have remained deeply entrenched in my life.    They also guide my life and how I relate to others.  

The first is the teaching of Ten Worlds. These Ten Worlds (or life states) exist in every phenomena.  I will not go into too much detail. Suffice to say, I have witnessed time and again the workings of the Ten Worlds in the people and situations I have encountered.  This link (http://www.sgi-uk.org/index.php/buddhism/tenworlds) of the SGI-UK provides a good reading of the precept. 

In essence, it is that humans can attain Buddha-hood - the embodiment of wisdom, courage and hope. It is the ultimate life state one can achieve.  To be sure, it is not when a halo appears over your head or a supernatural state. 

It is essentially about clarity - of one's weaknesses or causes that contribute to one's woes as well as one's immense potential to overcome them.  The human race has triumphed because individuals let this state prevail for the greater good.  We have very sterling examples of such 'Buddhas' - some even in our midst. 

At the same time, we are also capable of being in a state of hell - a world of immense suffering that is not limited to just the physical kind.  Humans are capable of being really evil. History has produced many of those too.

To be certain, life states fluctuate every moment of our lives.  In fact, there is a teaching of Three Thousands Moments in One Moment (一念三千）- indeed very profound.  To us, a person who is nearing the end of his life or suffering immense physical pain is also capable of achieving Buddha-hood.  Similarly, a person in the state of Buddha-hood could be in a simultaneous state of Hell.   

I have been practicing Buddhism since 1986.  It has transformed my life in many ways - both materially and otherwise.  It has improved our family life immensely.  I find much joy in compassion - I also find inner expanse in detachment - though I also subscribe to the teaching that earthly desires are enlightenment too.  The Law of Cause and Effect is absolute.  Through our practice, we can create the causes not only within our lives but in our universe to be aligned to prayers. 

I have gained much in sharing this great philosophy with people who are willing to listen - not just those in search for a 'compass' in their daily life.  I do not believe in proselytizing - only sharing.  I would be happy that lives of those around me are a little better for having known me.

Other friends who knew me from my earlier career days - lament the loss of the hard-driving and demanding person in me.  This is especially so for those who feel that it is a persona that would be helpful to them.  I feel sad when that happens.  But I am hopeful that when they see me as a fundamentally 'better' person, they will come round to my thinking. 

I have through my practice, overcome many challenges in my life.  I hope to share them in my blog over time.  Keep in touch !

Swing Singapore Street Parties 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991

Journey Back - Were You There ?

I left SAFRA in December 1991.  I was its Assistant Director (Special Projects) and Clubhouse Manager (Toa Payoh).

SAFRA was my first job after graduation from NUS.  I always tell people that what I am today - I learned during the most formative years of my career in SAFRA.  I will always be appreciative of the many opportunities that the management gave me as a young graduate.  Specifically, I am grateful to
Tan Kee Boo, the past GM of SAFRA.  It was him who 'spotted' me at the job interview and gave me so many career breaks.

Organizing Swing Singapore (SS) in 1988, 1989 and 1991 must count as the milestones of my working life.  I was responsible for many major events in SAFRA during my tenure from 1987 - 1991. Many of these activities involved many people, SS for example, involved half a million party- goers.

Though I consider myself quite internet savvy, it did not occur to me to search for accounts or recollections of those events that might be in cyberspace.

Until recently.  I attended the wedding dinner of Nicholas Tan - the son of Tan Kee Boo, the past GM of SAFRA at the Grand Hyatt.  I met with many volunteers as well as ex SAF officers who were involved in SAFRA during my time.  They included Mr Phua Bah Lee, first President of SAFRA, Colonel (Retired) Goh Lye Choon, Chong Peng Jek, Hoong Bee Lok amongst others.  I also met Richard Tang of Rich Art Enterprises besides all my ex-colleagues such as Edward Leong (now CEO of SAFRA), Donald Tan, Kenny Ng, Tommy Ang and Goh Chay Hiang.  They are the only staff who are still with the organization.  Many have left and are now in various organizations.  

Col (Ret'd) Goh introduced me as the man behind Swing Singapore to his wife - frankly I was a little embarrassed as it has been more than 23 years since.  He mentioned that - 'you cannot change history, Bernard'.  When I returned home, I decided to search for anything related to the biggest streetparty of Singapore.

I found some postings - one from NLB infopedia (http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_20_2004-12-27.html) as well as others from contractors or suppliers (http://www.globeartstudio.com/History.htm)/ who were involved.  There was also another by a blogger who attended the party and had an image of the news supplement for Swing Singapore.

The supplement produced to capture the partying the day after

All the reading and reflection made me decide to blog about this massive event that put Singapore on the world map as well as made event history for SAFRA.  Many major news network were in town to capture the party - NHK, TVB-HK were amongst them.  In fact, EDB Singapore facilitated the shooting of a scene in an Alan Tam movie on the streets of Orchard Road during Swing Singapore.

As I read the postings and went through some of the literature I kept of the events, many fond and sometimes very exciting memories flooded back.  I think it would be interesting for me to recapture them.  If anyone who was involved in any capacity then - either as a volunteer, staff of SAFRA or in the Police force or the SAFRA - read this - and have any personal reflections or even photographs too - please feel free to share them. 

As a full time staff of SAFRA - I held key positions in the organization of the street parties.  I was the SAFRA Coordinator and the Vice-Chairman of the Executive Committee for the event.  SAFRA was the organizer with the SAF and the Singapore Police Force assisting in logistics and crowd control as well as security/safety arrangements respectively.  We of course had the generous sponsorships of F&N, Singapore Pools, Singapore Telecom, DBS Bank, BMG Singapore, Northern Telecom, Entertronics as well as ProArt Communications among others. 

In 1990, the event was organized by the Singapore Civil Defence Force with SAFRA providing advisory assistance.  1991 saw SAFRA returning as the organizer.  The last attempt at a street party was in 1999 midnight as a countdown to the new millennium - organized by both SAFRA and Mediacorp.

The Origins of Swing Singapore 1988

1988 was Singapore's 23rd year of independence.  GM SAFRA Mr Tan Kee Boo asked me to think of some ideas of how the organization could be involved in the national day celebrations.  I was at that time the Acting Clubhouse Manager of SAFRA Toa Payoh.

SAFRA was also celebrating its 16th anniversary.  Kee Boo felt it was opportune for SAFRA as it matured to also engage the community at large.  I thought it would be quite appropriate to develop an umbrella event - with multiple activities that would engage different segments of SAFRA membership as well as Singapore society.

"Making 23 - Together 10 Cheers To Singapore" was the result of the brainstorming session we had.  It began with 'Light-up 23" - a symbolic lighting up of a giant birthday cake shaped stage at Orchard Road on the grounds above the Orchard MRT station (it was an open field where many Filipino foreign workers congregated).   ION Orchard now sits on the piece of land.  What followed were 9 other activities including a Giant Jig Saw Competition and a Big Time Chase Telematch.

The giant cake-shaped stage on the open field above Orchard MRT station.  Throughout the 23 days, performances were staged to entertain Singaporeans.  

One of the 10 activities organized as part of Making 23 - the Big Time Chase Telematch

The climax of Making 23 was The Birthday Party of the Year - held on 8 August 1988.  Only a short stretch of road between Orchard Turn (Wisma Atria) and Scotts Road/Paterson Road junction was closed with a target crowd of 20,000 party goers.

1st DPM Goh Chok Tong at the countdown party on 8 August 1988 toasting to Singaporeans.  With him were from right, Colonel Goh Lye Choon, Dr Yeo Ning Hong, Chairman SAFRA, Mr Phua Bah Lee, President SAFRA and Mr Bernard Chen then CEO of F & N. On the right is Mr Leslie Pillay the emcee for the party. 

Instead of 20,000, a crowd of 100,000 revelers thronged Orchard Road.  As the resources were not planned to manage such a huge turnout - the Police advised that we cancel the party.

The following day, all major newspapers reported the cancellation and many revelers shared their disappointment.  In fact, then PM Lee Kuan Yew remarked that 'It was a mistake' to cancel the party.

News clippings on the cancellation of the Birthday Party of the Year

The thought of what could have happened assured us that the decision was a correct one.  Given the traffic was still flowing outside of the party area and the massive crowds emerging from all corners of Orchard Road/Boulevard, it would have been disastrous if any untoward incident had occurred.

I am reminded of a young mother who brought her baby in a stroller being almost crushed by the crowds.  They were rescued by SAFRA gym instructors and volunteers led by a staff Alan Ong who carried the stroller with the baby and then the young mother to safety onto the pavement of Orchard Road within the barricaded areas.

In fact, the vehicle of 1st DPM Goh Chok Tong who was the guest of honor at the countdown party had to reverse all the way out of Orchard Turn onto Boulevard even though the planned departure route was supposed to be main Orchard Road. 

SAFRA was tasked to organize another street party - with more resources from the Police and SAF as well as a much longer stretch of road - between Buyong Road and Scotts/Paterson Junction - 1.7km.  On 27 August 1988, Swing Singapore (the title was offered by Permanent Secretary of Defence Lim Siong Guan as Chairman of the National Day Celebrations Committee) was born.

Mr Goh Chok Tong with Dr Yeo Ning Hong and Mr Tan Kee Boo at the reconvened street party on 27 August 1988.

250,000 revelers danced into the wee hours of the morning with an estimated 60,000 watts of audio, lights, lasers and 5 DJs placed on cherry-pickers lined along the party arena.

It was to be the greatest street party in Singapore's history.

The event was held during the period of General Elections 1988.  The term Swing Singapore became 'politicized' as Chiam See Tong urged Singaporeans to swing the votes against the ruling party.  Of course, commentators reminded Singaporeans that it was an event with much political undertones.

Politics do not change much even during the 80s

For us in the thick of the action - we were unfazed by all these comments - all we did was simply to turn Orchard Road into a massive discotheque and made sure everyone enjoyed themselves.  The New Paper on 29 August 1988 described the event as "the biggest. the best, the loudest".  Singaporeans' verdict of Swing Singapore '88 was "the best" according to the Straits Times dated 22 August.  

Section of the crowds jiving to the music and interacting with the DJ mounted on a cheery picker

I must add at this point a team of creative talents who contributed much to the party on 8 August 1988 particularly.  They were staff of the F & N Group that ran the Haw Par Villa.  Kelven Tan was the creative person who conceptualized the performances leading to the countdown.  He and his team of talent including Gurmit Singh were a core part of the revelry that night.  I was glad they managed to perform before we canceled the dance party. 


1989, 1990 and 1991

The following year, SAFRA was once again tasked to organize Swing Singapore.  With the experience gained from the previous one, we up the ante - the party floor was expanded to stretch from Scotts/Paterson Junction to the Meridian Hotel Junction just before the Istana.  More cherry pickers with DJs to work the crowd were deployed.  A mobile stage built on a lorry was moved into the centre of Scotts/Paterson Junction to be the focal point for the party ceremony.

SAFRA also introduced a specially choreographed dance movement aptly entitled 'Orchard Swing'.  The national song 'Stand Up For Singapore' was remixed to a different beat and went disco.  Swing Singapore 1989 was held on 19 August 1989. 


On 20 August 1989, The Sunday Times called the event, an "electric Swingout for a million feet in SwingStreet" - an estimated 500,000 people attended Swing Singapore 1989.

BG (Res) George Yeo who became President of SAFRA and was Minister of State (Finance and Foreign Affairs) was the guest of honor.

BG George Yeo with a representative of the Handicap Welfare Association singing along during the party.

In 1990, Swing Singapore was again organized but by the Singapore Joint Civil Defence Forces and the Singapore Police Force.  It was held on 8 August 1990 to commemorate Singapore's 25th birthday.  then PM Lee Kuan Yew was the guest of honor.

SAFRA took a breather for the year and was invited to play an advisory role.  It was involved in other 25th anniversary celebrations and organized the Space Odyssey Telematch and the National Treasure Hunt.  

For 1991,  SAFRA organized Swing Singapore for the 3rd time.  The guest of honour was PM Goh Chok Tong.  It was held on 24 August at 7pm.  This time, the party floor was further extended to cover Forum Galleria to Hotel Meridian.  A giant invitation banner was erected over Shaw Centre.

SAFRA's massive invitation 'card' put up on Shaw Centre facing Orchard Road

 Giant video screens were added along the stretch of Orchard Road to involve spectators and to link all the various party points. 

The most memorable shot of the huge crowds during Swing Singapore 1989

Again various firsts were achieved. The first massive outdoor video conference was held between PM Goh and several overseas Singaporeans based in Washington, USA.  Many of them drove many hours from other parts of the USA to join in the conference. 

I plan to upload more photographs of these few major street parties as I receive them.  In fact, I have a dossier of all the news cuttings of the 1991 Swing Singapore - tonnes of memorable photos in black and white.

After thoughts

Friends have asked me how would a Swing Singapore 2011 or later be like if we were given the opportunity of organizing it again.  I think the music would be markedly different.  We have witnessed many new musical talents and geniuses - I am certain their genre of music would be critical to the success of such a street party.

The use of technology - particularly the Internet also means more and better engagement with party revelers would be possible.  I bet there would be much more use of the social media to share experiences by revelers too.  With the internet, linking various cities to have simultaneous parties would also be possible.  There is so much that we can put our creative minds to work to make such a party even more impactful.