Hair for Hope….a fund raising event for Children Cancer Foundation

Changi Simei, Singapore, 29 Aug 2010

Cancer….. a dread illness even in today high standard of medical science and care. No cure has been discovered to eradicate this illness during the late stage of discovery. Nonetheless, there is hope if detection of such illness is early.

Cancer also affects children. A child suffering from cancer not only affects the child in term of physical and mental well being, the illness also affects the family psychologically, socially and emotionally. It also places financial strains on the family.

To support these children who are stricken with cancer and their families, civic organisations like Children’s Cancer Foundation established by a group liked minded individuals offers to take the lead to build a community to support these children and their families.  The Foundation helps by offering programmes to enable them to lead a normal and quality lives of their own by enhancing their emotional, social and medical well-being. The Foundation has done a great job and since 1996, it has served over 1800 families. Currently, the Foundation is serving 500 families annually with 120 new diagnosed child cancer cases every year. The numbers is by no mean small as it also implied that the Foundation will need to raise more funds to support these children and families. 

To continue with its mission, the Foundation runs its own fund raising event besides the corporate sponsorships to raise $3 million dollars annually to meet its expenses. One of the fund raising events is the Hair for Hope which the Foundation has organised since 2003. Besides raising fund, the Hair for Hope also aims to create awareness of childhood cancer in Singapore.

This morning’s Hair for Hope event is the last of the 21 satellite events organised by the Changi Simei Citizens Consultative Committee (CCC) for the Foundation. The aim of the CCC is to support the Foundation with a message to support these children that there is nothing wrong to lose hair or be bald during the chemotherapy treatment.

For many years now, our CCC has been active in supporting the various charitable causes. We work with METTA Welfare Associations in their annual charity events, we support Simei Care Centre in their flea market, we raised funds for President’s Challenge, we participated in the Run for Hope organised by National Cancer Foundation. We partnered South East Community Development Council by organising charitable events like 10 skips for a bowl of rice, brisk walking to exchange for rice and we even folded 30,000 paper cranes to exchange for 500 kg of rice to be distributed to the less fortunate families living in Changi Simei. Today, our CCC is supporting the Children’s Cancer Foundation and this is also the first time, the Foundation is working with a grassroots organisation in the Hair for Hope event.  

When we publicised the Hair for Hope event, a total of 34 residents in Changi Simei volunteered to have their hairs shaved and to solicit at least $30 for the cause. Of the 34 volunteers, there were 5 ladies. It is not an easy decision to shave off one’s hair. It is even more challenging for ladies to have their hair shaved.  I salute all of these volunteers for taking the brave decision in the name of charity. During the event, another 16 residents walked in to have their hair shaved to support a good cause. The youngest was 2 years old boy and his 4 years old brother also had his hairs shaved.  

Ms Jacqueling Chua, a member of the grassroots organisations did not intend to be a volunteer. She took up the challenge when she was offered $500 by J Force for a good cause. She decided to shave without thinking twice.  Did she regretted her action, I doubt so, perhaps feeling at the top of the world of doing a good deeds.

Mr Jason Ong is a regular in the Hair for Hope. He had been shaving in previous years. This year, he brought his son and daughter to shave too. For those who did not shave, they contributed by making donations. Ms Jessica Tan also donated for a good cause to encourage these volunteers. I have also donated to Jason and his children to encourage them.        

 

The success of this Hair for Hope event is made possible by East Point Mall Management for sponsoring the venue, J-Force (photo left)for sponsoring the publicity and the stage backdrop, TOUCHE for sponsoring the door gift and the Children’s Cancer Foundation for their advice and support and the students hair stylists from ITE College East (Simei).

It was a meaningful event this morning for me.

The Princess Birthday Party…my granddaughter

Changi Simei, Singapore, 22 Aug 2010

Last year, about this time, my wife and I were very excited as we prepared for the arrival of the youngest member of the family…. our first grandchild, Isabelle. I was on top of the world when my wife delivered our eldest daughter 28 years ago. Today, my eldest daughter is the young mother to Isabelle.

If my mother is still living today, I know she will be an extremely proud and a happy great grandmother. She had endured the hardships and sufferings in silent when she raised her three young children, my sister, brother and I after the passing of my dad in 1964, 3 months after being diagnosed with the terminal illness…cancer. It was a heartbreaking and a sad day for her when she recounted how she had to deal with her own emotions on her grief, loss and a bleak future for the family many years later to us. Life was tough and we were frugal but we managed. We did not fail her except I who gave her headaches especially in my school grades. I did make a U-turn for the better in my later years in school.        

Fast tracked to 2009… My grand-daughter was delivered at Thomson Medical Centre on 1 Sep 2009. When my daughter broke the news to my wife that she was expecting, my wife was very excited on the thought that she would soon be a grandmother. My son-in-law and daughter were also eager to be a first time parents and at the same time worried about their coping skills. Though the thought of becoming a grandfather was excellent news, nonetheless I was the cool and a steady hand in the family preferring to watch over them rather than offering all sort of advice on what to do, what to eat etc. I preferred to keep my usual role as the chauffeur, safety officer and runner which I thought I could out do others in view of my training and experience. There was also no need to have more commanders than necessary.    

As the D-Day approached, my daughter became anxious as reality of being parents set in. They enrolled to pre-maternity training and attending talks. They started the buying spree. They read books on childcare and look at names. Contrary to my wife conceiving our first child (my eldest daughter), I didn’t remember we attended any training or talks and yet we survived. Perhaps we survived because of the presence of my mother who lived with us who facilitated our “smooth” our journey as I was always at work.

Now my wife and I are the seniors and mentors to my daughter and son-in-law. My wife still reminded me about listening to the National Anthem over the radio and yet I was still at work. The initial years were tough for her as I needed to build my career. On the birth of my three children, I was with her when she delivered my youngest daughter some 12 years later. Now my wife shared her experience about the National Anthem played over the radio at midnight with my eldest daughter whenever my son-in-law is at work. The national anthem signalled the close of the day. That is my family’s own version of Community of Practice.      

On my grand daughter, Isabelle, my wife and I always joked that henceforth for the next 18 years and if she takes up teaching, her birthday will always be on a school holiday celebrating teachers’ day. Perhaps it is time for us to shape her to take up teaching as she grows up. From a sleeping beauty, Isabelle has grown up. She smiles like an angel and she expressed her irritations through her unique child language. These days, she crawls around her house and there is a need to keep pace. It is fun to play with her but it is also energy sapping to move in tandem with her. Though age has caught up with me, I thought it is still worth the effort to spend quality time with her, if not when? Children grow up fast and it will soon be a missed opportunity.

I like Isabelle’s smiles and chuckle. Her smiles were sweet and she smiles often.  She frowns whenever she is hungry and sleepy. She turns her head away as a form of expression that “look here, I don’t like this” . After a while, we are able to understand her needs better and we are able to understand her language. Last two days, my wife overheard her calling “ma”.

 Last Sunday, we celebrated her one year birthday at Aloha Loyang. We celebrated her birthday in advance as her dad is travelling overseas soon. Prior to the birthday, again the energy level in the family was high. My wife and daughter made plans. They developed their battle procedure (a system adopted by the military before going into battle) to prepare for the day. They were the commanders while my son-in-law and I were the foot soldiers, “Yes Madam” and that sent us running. My son-in-law did most of the decorations while I ran errands.  

At 6 pm, our guests, friends, my siblings and my wife’s siblings arrived. My son volunteered to be the BBQ chef to complement the buffet dinner. It seemed that he enjoyed being the chef while his girlfriend looked on. He carried out his chef duty till about 9.30 pm before he stopped to serve our guests.  

 

The photographer came soon and we took a family photo with Isabelle. Like the old patriarchs, my wife and I sat on chairs while the rest stood behind us. We started the family with 5 members and now the family has grown to 7 members. In time to come, we will have 8 members and more but the question of “when”  is beyond my control and I am no longer their “commander”.

By 7 pm, many of the guests had arrived, there were more than 50 people celebrating Isabelle’s birthday in the Princess theme. In my time, perhaps my one year birthday was a non event. But I remember eating red egg during birthdays was a must in those days.  How fortunate are children these days with parents organising birthday parties.   

 

Isabelle may not be aware of her one year’s old birthday celebration and the banner we have made for her but I have taken numerous shots for her to reminisce when she is a bit older. We sang her happy birthday and there was a big cake with the theme “princess”. Guests gathered around her to take group photographs and many offered her wishes coming her way. After the cake cutting, Isabelle was still energetic and crawling around instead of going to bed. I guessed she must have  felt the difference and the high energy level that night. She did not go to sleep until about 10.30 pm but my wife and I were very tired. We hit the bed and soon in our own “wonderland”.

My sister and brother also came to celebrate Isabelle’s birthday. Looking at the photographs, the Koh’s family has grown in size of its numbers. Who knows, one day in the future, my wife and I too will become great grand parents. Mathematically, it is possible as by then my wife and I will be in the 80s. There is still hope.

At the end of the day, I thought we had spent another quality time together as a family. Perhaps I need to implement the latest standard operating procedures for family’s time and to rally the family like the patriarchs.

I would be keeping this blog for Isabelle. One day she will read my blog to know what we were all excited to celebrate her one year old birthday.

Breaking Fast with Our Muslims Neighbours

Changi Simei, Singapore, 21 Aug 2010

IFTAR is the meal eaten by Muslims at the end of their fasting in the day during the month of Ramadan. Ramadan is the 9^th month of the Islamic calendar and Muslims as a religious obligation refrain from eating and drinking from dawn until sunset.  Breaking of fast is dependent on the time the sun set over the horizon. This evening, the sunset time was 7.14 pm.

 

Together with our Member of Parliament, Ms Jessica Tan and non-Muslim grassroots leaders and residents, I joined the IFTAR organised by the Malay Activity Executive Committee and Jawatankuasa Kejiranan Islam Simei (JKIS) at the void deck of Blk 130. JKIS has been organising Ramadan’s prayer at Blk 116 for many years now for the Muslims population living in Simei estate.

The IFTAR is an opportunity for non-Muslims of different faiths to experience and understand the spirit of IFTAR and to the larger extend understand Ramadan. Prior to breaking of fast, a religious teacher was invited to give non-Muslims like me a brief on the spirit of Ramadan and what fasting is all about. In the brief, we learnt that fasting teaches Muslims to be patience, humility, purify sins through seeking forgiveness and doing good deeds and charity by being generous. Prior to the breaking of fast, containers of porridge were prepared and given to the less fortunate residents in the estate and on each Saturday during the month of Ramadan.

For a person to fast, it needs great determination as it is not easy to forgo the temptation of food especially in Singapore where one can find food at every corner. Therefore, fasting enhances personal discipline through self-control and self-discipline. I found it hard to fast for the entire day and the challenge is always on the mind to keep in focus especially during meal times. To fast for 30 days is an achievement as it conquers hunger which means the ability to conquer other weakness of unkindness and impure thoughts. It is hard and I hold the determination of Muslims in great respect.   

Many non-Muslims may think that Hari Raya Puasa is a New Year Celebrations for the Muslim Malay Singaporeans. Contrary to this popular belief of non-Muslims, Hari Raya Puasa is not a New Year Celebrations but a celebration that marks the end of the month long Ramadan. Hari Raya means a day of celebration and Puasa means fasting.  

I was most impressed with the religious teacher for quoting a passage from the Bible to conclude his brief on Ramadan and fasting. I thought the religious teacher has done it well as he reinforces the secular space for interaction.

Ms Jessica Tan in her address also touched on the importance of maintaining harmony and social cohesion as well as prosperity for our beloved country. She was delighted that in event like IFTAR, we are able to foster greater interaction and understanding amongst residents of various racial and religious groups.         

When the clock struck 7.14 pm, after the call for prayer, moist dates were used to break the fast. We ate dates and followed what our Muslims neighbours did in breaking fast. It was not the food that non-Muslims joined in. It was more about learning from each other’s religious, cultural or traditional practices to understand each other thus creating racial harmony and forging a closer society based on one community rather than a pluralistic society of “rojak” or mixed vegetable salad.  

After IFTAR, our Muslims neighbours gathered for a prayer while said “thank you” before we took our leave.

Fun Walking

Changi Simei, Singapore, 15 Aug 2010

The Arabian saying of “He who has health has hope. He who has hope has everything”. I cannot agree more with this saying. What is the use of having lots of material wealth but without a good physical and mental health?    

To maintain my physical and mental fitness, I jog on a regular basis without a fixed time schedule. Each jog will last about 45 minutes to 60 minutes depending on the distance around the estate. On treadmill, I usually set my speed to slightly above 6 minutes per km.   

This morning, I started another new regime for a change. I joined the 100 brisk walkers of Changi Simei Residents’ Committee Zone 3 for a 2 km walk. These brisk walkers are regulars and each month, a day will be set aside for the mass walk. Besides residents living in RC Zone 3, residents from other RC zones also make it a regular activity for them.

At 7.45 am, my wife and I arrived at the start point. Not long later, our Adviser, Ms Jessica Tan also arrived to join these residents. A warm up exercise was conducted by a volunteer brisk walker, Mr Foo which residents addressed him “PTI” ie physical training instructor. He may not be a trained PTI but definitely, he had done a good job to warm up these brisk walkers. The warm up exercise was not very strenuous which I thought was just right for brisk walkers of various ages ranging from the very young to those above 70 yrs.      

As walking is convenient, needs no special equipment, is safe from the cardiology aspect as the walking pace is self-regulating, therefore, brisk walking is a suitable form of exercise for all ages. The only consideration is road safety which can be mitigated through risk management. I thought members of RC Zone 3 had good knowledge on the safety of brisk walkers and how to mitigate the associated risks along the routes.

The morning walk was refreshing. It was a cool Sunday morning as the sun decided to take a break. I started together with my wife. As my speed was about 11 to 12 minutes per km, she decided to stroll along with Eilynn Chin. Their strolling was the “fast speed’ instead of relaxing and slow walk.

Along the way, adviser interacted with the other brisk walkers.

For many, they reached the end point which was at the RC centre quite effortlessly. Few were seen panting. I reckoned that after 4 years of brisk walking, they were well trained. For the RC Zone 3’s brisk walkers club, it was success story. They started 4 years ago with few brisk walkers. 4 years later, the small group has grown to more than 100 of them.

Each year, the RC Chairman, Mr William Mok took a group photograph of the group. Adviser viewed the last 3 years photographs and singled out a couple of young participants. These young participants have grown up and one of them is now in polytechnic but they are still in the brisk walking group. These youngsters are the next generation of leaders which I think the senior brisk walkers need to groom them. In years to come, they will take over the baton and become my leaders.

The only distinct difference between these 3 photographs is the numbers of brisk walkers in each photograph. We took one group photograph after the brisk walk. Similarly, this photograph will be up on display after the breakfast.

After breakfast, adviser and brisk walkers visited the new vegetable plot managed by volunteers. The vegetables include spinach, lady fingers, red chili and many others. There are two jackfruits, lime and even a dragon fruit tree planted by these volunteer gardeners. Seeing the vegetables and fruit trees is easy for the eyes but it is hard work to gardeners. Given more time, the vegetable garden will mature with more species greens.

For those who do not invest in time to exercise, please make a commitment to start the exercise. John F Kennedy said, “the best time to repair the roof is when the sun is shinning”. Therefore, before we lose our health, start to exercise now before it is too late. Prevention is better than cure.

It was morning that was worth the time spent, got to exercise, eat and see.

Our Youth Olympic Games

Changi Simei, Singapore, 14 Aug 2010

Finally, after two and a half years of preparatory works and an intensive 6 days of flame relays around the island, tonight was the night for the youth sporting communities around the world. A new chapter was written for them. These youths from the age of 14 to 18 years could now compete among themselves in their own Olympic Games, a first ever Youth Olympic Games. Who knows that one day these young athletics may become champions in one of the summer Olympic Games.

 

The inaugural game was declared opened by our President SR Nathan with the world watching the dazzling display of lights, fireworks and the sterling performance of 7000 performers. It was not only lively and vibrant, it was spectacular and colourful opening ceremony. 

 

The scale of the opening of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) may not rivaled the Bejing’s Summer Olympic on 8 Aug 2008, but we have definitely have thought out of the box to create a new benchmark for the opening ceremony of the World’s 1^st Youth Olympic Games. I have watched many opening ceremonies of the summer Olympic Games in recent years. These opening ceremonies were usually confined to stadiums but our YOG opening ceremony took place on a floating platform optimising the water effects and fusing our multi racial cultures as one to present our best to the world. I thought it was an excellent approach to showcase Singapore’s creativity and innovative character.

What we cannot compete in land size, natural resources etc, we can surely compete in generating new ideas, hard works and the “can do” attitude. In the last 45 years since gaining independence, we have not looked back. We have worked to turn many impossible possible. We even developed our own water sources like turning each drop of water into more than a drop through recycled water known as newater, creating more reservoirs and build more desalinated sea water plants to reduce our dependent on our neighbouring country that was fond of issuing threats about cutting our water supply.

In yesterday opening ceremony, I thought we have succeeded to create a difference. I liked the segment on David conquering his fear which epitomised sportsmanship and personal character. Although the monster looked weird, nevertheless, it was an excellent attempt to bring the message across to the young sportsmen.

The other segment that I thought was refreshing was the Olympic Flame was being ferried on board a Chinese mythical phoenix and the lighting of the cauldron which symbolised the spirit of the Olympic. Unlike other lighting ceremonies, yesterday night lighting ceremony was special.

The flame travelled up a 32 metres high cylindrical  structure which looked like a lighthouse to light up the cauldron. I saw the flame curling round the cylindrical structure on its way up and it was great. It was something that I had not expected. I thought it would be another boring lighting ceremony where the final torch bearer would simply run up the flight of steps to light the cauldron. Well, our lighting ceremony was spectacular. 

In the opening address by the International Olympic Committee President, Mr Jacques Rogge, said “You will learn the difference between winning and being a champion. To win, you merely have to cross the finish line first”. Taking a leaf from his address, how many of us are merely crossing the finishing line first instead of being a real champion? I shared with Mr Jacques Rogge that to be a champion is about inspiring admiration of our character and serving as role model and I will like to add one more which is society before self. If we have reached that level we will be champion in our own rights irrespective of our rankings in the society.

In the next couple of days till 26 Aug 2010, our young athletics will compete for honours. Let hope they compete in the spirit of the Olympic values of “Excellence, Friendship and Respect”

I wish them luck.

My Reflection….south east national day celebration

Changi Simei, Singapore, 12 Aug 2010

On 9 Aug 2010, I was among the thousands of Singaporeans celebrating our country’s 45^th Birthday either at the Padang or at the 5 heartlands at Bishan, Choa Chu Kang, Eunos, Seng Kang and Woodlands.  The national day parade at Padang and at the heartlands only happened once in every 5 years with the other 4 years taking place at the floating platform at Marina.

Our South East District chose Eunos, a site in close proximity to the transportation nodes, MRT and bus services.  It was a good choice of location in term of convenient although the open field was slightly larger than one football size.  Our estimation was that the open field could accommodate between 7000 to 8000 people on standing space. Our celebration at Eunos attracted participation from Singaporeans living as far as Jurong, Queenstown and neighbouring estates like Tampines, Toa Payoh and Hougang etc. Despite the distance, the convenient offers by our MRT had brought them to Eunos.  

It was a sea of red and white at our Eunos NDP Heartland Celebrations. Many donned the colours of our national flag which have become a tradition to celebrate our Singapore’s Birthday. This year celebration was no different as red and white outnumbered those who wanted to be unique by wearing other colours.  Unlike the previous NDP, I donned white this year as I was part of the organising committee at Eunos.  

Residents started to arrive as early as 2.30 pm amid the scorching sun. By 3.30 pm, we greeted and welcomed 10 bus loads of residents being ferried from their respective constituencies. They also came with banners bearing their constituencies.  Before 5 pm, many of the residents from the 14 constituencies had arrived to join the festivity at Eunos.   Nonetheless, I also had calls from residents from Changi Simei asking why Changi Simei was so quiet this National Day as compared to last year when we organised our town live screening at Changi Simei. My answer was short, “come to join us at Eunos to celebrate this national day with a larger south east community”.    

On their arrival, many chose to queue at the fun tote stations to collect their fun totes which had also become collectors’ items. In view of the limited fun totes, only residents with  NDP tickets at Eunos were given. These tickets were distributed to residents on a first come first serve basis after the media release on 15 Jul 2010. From what I understood, the tickets were snapped up real fast on the first day of their release.  We could have issued more tickets if not because of the space limitation at Eunos.     

Unlike Singaporeans at the Padang, after collecting their fun totes, they were be ushered to their seats regardless of rain or shine. At Eunos, these residents were I guessed luckier. After collecting their fun totes, many chose to sit under the MRT rail track or at the MRT station to “escape” the heat and humidity. It was very hot as there were no trees to provide shade in the open field thus the MRT track offered them comfort and it was windy too. For the more active residents, they took to join the carnival games which offered games related to National Day to win prizes.  The carnival area was packed with long queues at all the game stalls. I think what attracted residents was it was free and there was no need for tickets to control the numbers of games to be played and the prizes were of reasonable quality.

The scorching sun and the games some how produced negative effects. Despite our announcements and encouragements through the offering of ice creams, sweets, our pleas for residents to take up seats at the stage area, there were not many residents who responded to our calls.   I overheard comments like “too hot”, “I take my seat later”, “and don’t worry” etc . These were valid sentiments from the ground as the atmospheric temperature was about 32 to 34 degrees. 

Though these residents did not leave after collecting their fun totes, our challenge was we needed 3000 people to create the island Singapore at 5.44 pm which would be telecasted live on national television. By 5.30 pm, our rough estimate was that there would be a 1000 short of people to create a new record.  I felt uneasy. We had tried many ways but residents just would not move to sit under the scorching sun. I could understand why.

The crisis management team decided to do away with the aerial shot of the island to focus on the numbers we had on the ground after going through a couple of options. The media corp producer agreed and he directed the camera to shift focus on people on the ground. It was an appropriate decision and the image captured by the camera was fantastic on the national television when Eunos came on live at 5.44 pm. We survived the crisis and created a new record of the numbers of people forming Singapore Island. We had about 2545 people which fell short of the 3000 we were eyeing for. Not too bad after all.     

As the sun began to set, many residents began to take up their seats on the island without any specific announcement being made. By the time of arrival of our resident, all the 5000 chairs were taken up by residents and for the thousands without seats, many chose to sit on the floorboard while others chose to remain standing. It was the start of our Eunos’ Euphoria.

The estimated 8,000 to 10,000 residents stayed with us until the end of the 3 minutes local fireworks. The fireworks were fired of after the last vehicle in the mobile column rumbling past the reviewing minister, Mr Raymond Lim. We had brought the fireworks very close to residents for the first time. Many were about 30 metres away from the firing site and they could felt the fireworks literally above their heads. We had allowed the close proximity after mitigating all the associated risks. When the fireworks streaked across the night sky and exploded in mid air forming various designs and patterns, I could hear the spontaneous “wow” from the spectators. It was an exciting moment for many who were at Eunos witnessing the fireworks perhaps also for the first time where they were located up close to the fireworks.

The success of any event is much dependent on engaging people. Gleaning from the lesson learnts from the 2005 Heartland Celebrations which I had helped to organise, I had in my concept paper proposed to engage residents with two additional LED screens, using buskers like jugglers and street magicians to engage residents at close range instead of performing their tricks on stage. We also distributed free ice cream, pop corns, cold drinks, package dinner to fill their stomach to capture the crowd at the site. In addition, photographic shots of residents were printed and given to them on the spot. As compared to the 2005 NDP celebration, many residents remained probably due to the celebratory atmosphere that we had created to engage them.  

Besides the close engagements, we also catered to those who preferred to have stage show before the parade. We had arranged for a percussion group which sang our national day songs, we had an illusion show which was of higher quality performance. Two local comedians, Mark Lee and Henry Thia were also at Eunos to entertain the residents. For those who braved the scorching sun, they were fully entertained and enjoyed themselves forgetting about the sun and heat. For those seasoned residents, they were fully equipped with umbrellas, sun shade, portable fan to keep cool and even sun block to protect their skin.    

The live telecast started on time. In between the live telecast, we injected a couple of our programme like the national day messages of our 14 Members of Parliament. We gave each MP 15 seconds for their messages. Instead of showing all the 14 messages at one go, we screened them at interval choosing an appropriate time to break away from the live telecast. We did it without severe interruptions from the event happenings at the Padang or the 5 live coverage points at Eunos which I had worked closely with media corp’s producer at Eunos, Mr Ignatius.

The residents were full of energy at Eunos judging from their spontaneous reactions to the emcees. At the arrival of our Presidents, they waved as hard as they could as though they were at the Padang. They waved when Mr Raymond Lim, Minister for Transports and 2^nd Foreign Minister, Mr Matthias Yao Chih, Dr Ong Seh Hong, Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim and Ms Jessica Tan Soon Neo arrived to join them.

When the “One Voice” segment arrived at 2010 hrs or 8.10 pm, residents joined those at the Padang to recite the National Pledge and sing the National Anthem. We renewed our loyalty and commitment to Singapore during this segment which was meaningful. I say the pledge and sang our National Anthem with pride especially in front of the specially created fluttering National Flag which remained the only flag that fluttered in Singapore on National Day. 

The final programme in our celebration was the fireworks. As the local fireworks lit up the night sky in bursts of glittering colours, I also noticed the high energy of residents at Eunos.  It was this energy and vibrancy that we were looking for when we crystallise the concept of the Eunos celebration.

It was a meaningful National Day celebration at Eunos after 12 weeks of preparations from concept to reality. At the end of the day, everyone in the SE District Organising Committee had delivered their mission of creating a heartland celebration worth remembering.

It was fun being a member of the District Organising Committee where I was the Chairman of the Programme which I had initially not keen to take over. As I get into the act, it became one of my favourite projects this year in my community work. My team comprising of Mr Gan Thiam Huat, Mr Jason Ong and Ms Jo Soh did help me to create and co-ordinate the programme to near perfection. 

I was especially reliefed when I read the responses from the post event surveys that we had conducted. Many respondents agreed that the time spent at Eunos was worth their efforts and they would join us the next time…..well five years time,  Singapore would be 50th years old. I am sure, the celebration would be  more grand and much bigger in scale than on 9 Aug 2010. 

We meet again in 5 years time… hopefully, time does not erode my physical well being and hopefully I still remain young at heart.

A Roaring Success @ NDP Eunos

Changi Simei, Singapore, 9 Aug 2010

The 12 weeks of preparations for our 45^th National Day celebration at Eunos had drawn to a close with the 3 minutes of fireworks being upon the crossing of the last vehicle in the mobile column driving past Mr Raymond Lim, Minister for Transports and 2^nd Foreign Minister, Mr Matthias Yao Chih, Dr Ong Seh Hong, Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim and Ms Jessica Tan Soon Neo. I looked at my watch, it was 8.33 pm and my shoulder was lighter with the passing of every minute after the last Media Corp’s live coverage at Touch Point 5.

With a captivated and awesome crowd, the bursting of frequent cheers and the waving flags the mood was inevitable. It was an evening of joy with celebrative mood besides the display of Singaporeans’ sense of national loyalty, sense of identity and national pride. I was glad that I came on board and helped the District Organising Committee (DOC) to translate our concept a plan and the plan into reality.

Our Eunos’ Heartland attracted about 10,000 residents living in South East District and other Districts as far as from Jurong, Pasir Ris, Tampines, Serangoon, Hougang etc. I had not expected their participation, but they came. So too are the foreign workers and we too welcome them.

I had also noticed that not many residents left after picking up their fun totes contrary to my experience at another heartland celebration in 2005 when droves of residents left immediately after collecting the goodie bags. Judging from the warm responses and behaviours of residents, my sensing was that there must be “some interested things” that these residents felt worth waiting for.  

I traced our journey after the formation of the DOC on 20 May 2010 for my Programme Committee, it was not so much bitter but sweet. It was sweet because from the word “Go”, the entire DOC did not procrastinate or slow down its tempo to get ready for the celebration. We toiled together as a team with a clear outcome to deliver and present the best of NDP Heartland Celebrations at Eunos. We did it in unison like the “one voice” in our DOC meetings as we knew the stake. We also knew we were good but it was not how good we were but how good we want to be.

From our own “one voice” and superimposed with the fantastic turnout of residents, I knew the DOC had got it right on the “how good we want to be”. The turnout, our works and our efforts culminated into an emotionally high point for a united Singaporeans at 8.10 pm for the “One Voice” followed by our National Anthem. As I say the Pledge and sang the National Anthem with my eye glued to the fluttering national flag, I was filled with pride and emotion that our Singapore as a nation has come a long way. We have battered numerous economic meltdown and crisis and each time we emerge stronger and more resilient. In the silent of my heart, it was “Go Singapore Go”.

Credits must also be given to the SE staff of Peoples’ Association led by its Director SE CDD, Mr Eng Kee Chye and its Deputy Director Mr Foong Hin Cheong. They were at the backroom providing all the necessary support to enable the DOC to function with efficiently and effectiveness.  Similarly, the SAF Liaison Team led by LTC Desmond Chua provided the much needed linkage between the NDP EXCO and our DOC. Without this link, I doubted my Programme Committee could be effective to co-ordinate the various activities between Padang and live television coverage.

We had much fun in this journey. Collectively, we had also “live our dreams” with the successful conclusion of our 45^th National Day.  I am glad that I was able to stitch the programme together with the help of our members of the DOC.  

As I am celebrating my birthday on 10 Aug,  my wish for Singapore is to continue with its economic growth though a government with excellent foresights and societal progress with the better off Singaporeans coming forward to serve the community and a gracious society.

The People who Delivered the Eunos NDP Celebrations on 9 Aug 2010

Changi Simei, Singapore, 9 Aug 2010

After 12 weeks of planning and preparation for the Heartland Celebration at Eunos, we are ready. Many residents will be keen to watch the fireworks, the emcees, the artistes and all those at the front line showcasing their best to the public. How many of them will notice those who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to plan and co-ordinate the show? In reality, few residents or none will notice the presence of the many people who are actually bringing the celebrations to them while the emcees and artistes merely deliver our decisions.

Similarly for the NDP Heartland Celebrations @ Eunos, not many people will notice us and I felt the need to blog their responsibilities. In our committee, Mr Toh Lim Mok, BBM (L) and Dr Teo Cheng Swee, JP (left photo) are the Co-chairmen of the DOC with Mdm A J Suhani Sujari, PBM is the Secretary.  There are committees like Programme, Logistics, Traffic/Transport, Fun Totes Distribution, Crowd Control/Safety, Finance/Hospitality and Publicity/Media. Each committee is helmed by two constituencies.

These committees are responsible for centralised planning and its subsequent decentralised execution of the plan. Their plans are approved by the District Organisation Committee. However, on the actual day, a couple of committees will need to be reconstituted to ensure the smooth running of the celebrations.  

Both Co-chairmen and the Secretary form the Command and Control Group (C2) to oversee the overall aspect of the celebrations from pre-parade to the final segment of the celebrations. The decision of “go and no go” rests with the C2 Group. As the C2 Group, they need to keep a watch eye on the overall situation to be aware on the happenings on the ground. Fengshan and Kg Ubi-Kembangan are co-chairs with Mountbatten as the Secretary form the C2 Group. 

The Coordinating Group (CG) is helmed by Programme Committee from Changi Simei and Potong Pasir.  The CG is responsible for synchronisation of performing items, special effects, engagement of residents in fringe activities and coordinating the entry of Minister and the Members of Parliament onto the stage. The CG also controls the artistes’ performance in this case the emcees, it also directs the technical elements such as light, sound and videos. In view of live coverage, precision is crucial as missing on one second is as good as missing a mile. In live coverage, time waits for no man. To achieve the required precision, cue tables and cue controllers are used. The challenge in a live show production is really to nail the cue timings accurately which may not conform to the plan. Therefore, a high degree of situation awareness is required for last minute changes and cue masters must also know when to cue the emcees. In addition to precision, the CG group did manage a crisis in view of the hot and humid weather and many residents were taking “cover” under the shade offered by the MRT track and MRT station.

In any celebrations, where thousands of people are expected, the Crowd Control and Safety Committee shoulders heavy responsibilities in term keeping troubles out. Geylang Serai and Kg Chai Chee form the CS Group. Unforeseen circumstances like injuries, local fights, misunderstandings etc may take place. Therefore, the CS Group monitors a wide range of activities from logistics safety to participants’ safety. The CS Group puts up comprehensive plans and to anticipate problem areas and to react quickly. To ensure a positive experience of residents, security personnel and ambulance crew are engaged. In mass turnout event, beside the weather, the other main challenge is people who may not follow direction given by the marshals but insist on doing things their ways.

The Hospitality Group (HG) is under the charge of Kg Ubi-Kembangan. The HG besides managing the Ministers and the Members of Parliament, its members also looks after the welfare of residents who may be unwell and they would be taken care of by the standby ambulance crews.

Our plan is to move 5000 residents from the various constituencies with fun totes tickets to Eunos from 3.30 pm onward. To move this numbers, hundreds of coaches are needed. In view of the high demand for coaches for Padang and the other 4 Heartlands Celebrations, the Traffic and Transport Group (TTG) needs to start work early to secure the coaches. Although the Eunos MRT is just a stone throw away, the need to ferry residents is necessary to support the creation of a record of forming the Singapore Island planned by the Programme Committee. Though designated alighting points are proposed, the challenge is on the familiarity of coach’s drivers to reach the designated alighting points. The TTG group staffed by Joo Chiat and Siglap.

MacPherson and Bedok chair the Publicity and Media Group (PMG) taking charge of publicity and media. One of the challenge poses to them is the videoing of the 14 Members of Parliament’s National Day messages to be beamed to residents at Eunos. As our MPs have busy schedules, the fixing of time slots poses another challenge. In addition, the PMG also has the task to ensure that format uses in the video conform to the systems use by the vendor.

The Logistics Group (LG) comprises members from Fengshan and Braddell Heights. Their main responsibility as its name suggests involve logistical procurements and preparation. It is not a small task but a mammoth task staff by a small group of people. From Day 1, the LG has been busy securing logistical requirements. In addition, the LG group also needs to facilitate the need of the programme committee which makes frequent changes to be in line with the need at the Padang. Therefore a simple task can see many revisions of requirements. The LG will start work on the first day and its responsibilities will only end when all tents and equipment are dismantled and removed from the event site.

The PA Association Group is led by Director SE CDD. The staffs from the 14 constituencies are being roped in to assist the various committees. The PA group also assists to oversee the preparations of the event and to ensure that all administrative arrangements from tendering exercise to security arrangements are looked into to complement the efforts of the various committees. In reality the PA group provides another layer of checks to ensure that when the word “go” is given, everything which is supposed to happen will take place like clock works.

Residents do not need to fret about feeling hungry as the FunTote Distribution Group (FTD) will be distributing fun totes and a packet of bee hoon to every resident who possesses a Fun Tote redemption ticket. These tickets were distributed to the various constituencies for distribution to residents on a first come first serve basis. The distribution of fun totes fall under the responsibility of Mountbatten and Marine Parade. The challenge for the FTD will be about “I want the fun tote but I do not have a ticket”.

With the various committees in place to ensure a well coordinated NDP Heartland Celebrations at Eunos, in my heart, I know we can deliver the best celebratory programme to our residents.

This blog is posted after the NDP. The result, we have made it and everyone in the various committees have performed exceeding well. Congratulations.

I felt lighter after the NDP as I have fulfilled the requirements of the programme committee.

Journey of the Olympic Flame

Changi Simei, Singapore, 8 Aug 2010

With a week to go, the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) will be officially opened on 14 Aug 2010 at Marina Bay Floating Platform. For the first time in our sports history, we are hosting an equivalent of the senior Olympic Games. Despite the limited land mass, members of the International Olympic Committee are confident that we can measure up to their expectations and thus gave us their votes.   

The games costing an estimated $387 million (Straits Times’ report) to stage will see 3600 athletes from 45 countries competing in 26 sports. Depending on which school of thought we come from, some may approve the expenses which they see as an investment while some will think of wastage public fund. Well, a good anology is the coin which has two sides. 

At Fengshan Constituency National Day Dinner, two youth Olympians, Ms Jamie Emma Wee (photo on the left from SWF)and Joel Law was seated with me. Both are competing in weightlifting. Jamie told me that she took up the sport about one and a half years ago and she was talent spotted by our first olympic silver medalist Mr Tan Howe Liang  while working out in a gym at Bedok.  I spoke to both of them on their aspirations and what they hoped to achieve during the games. Before we bid each other good night, I wished them well to pursue their passions and doing their best as they can be for Singapore and more importantly to embrace the Olympic Values of “Excellence, Friendship and Respect”.

To get residents excited and involvement in the YOG, the Changi Simei Citizens’ Consultative Committee together with the Youth Executive Committee organised a “You KnOw the Games” event on 31 Jul 2010 after launching our local YOG on 25 Jul 2010. This evening, 8 Aug 2010, we staged the YOG flame at Changi Simei at 6.30 pm. The YOG flame was lit in ancient Olympia on 23 Jul 2010 and having travelled to Berlin, Dakar in Senegal, Mexico City, Auckland and Seoul it arrived in Singapore two days ago. Since its arrival, it is going round the country in a relay before ending at Marina Bay for the light up on 14 Aug 2010.

The Changi Simei route is one of distance of the 305 km route which the YOG will pass through. Our two torch-bearer, Gary Goh and Mohd Said were all fired up to represent the residents in Changi Simei. Both of them are part of the Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame consisting of 2400 torch bearers relaying the YOG flame cross Singapore. 

Our torch relay began at the open field and both Gary and Said ran 100 metres each cheered by residents which lined Simei St 1 long before the arrival of the flame. To keep everyone occupied, we also organised the final YOG games and residents who have participated in our games will be able to exchange their tokens with a special edition of either Lyo or Merly souvenir as part of our way of saying “Thank You” for their warm welcome and support for the YOG. These souvenirs were sponsored by the Tampines Small and Medium Enterprises Association, an active supporter of the community works in Changi Simei.  

At the end of the torch relay, I guessed many residents both senior citizens and youths were fired up and excited to be able to have a first sight of the Olympic Flame. It may be a long time to go before we can set sight on another Olympic Flame in Singapore again. Let cherish our experience and cheer our young Olympians and be part of the action.

Behind the Scenes @ Eunos NDP Celebrations

Changi Simei, Singapore, 7 Aug 2010

 

In one day’s time, our country celebrates its 45th Birthday on 9 Aug 2010. We have much to celebrate as a nation on our achievements. I watched a video this evening where our Minister Mentor gave a teary interview to announce the shock news, the birth of Singapore. I remembered he said that Singapore will survive. Indeed we have not only survived we have done well to progress from Third World to First World weathering economic challenges, security issues, domestic issues etc from time to time. Nonetheless, we need to be vigilant and continue to be a resilient nation. 

 

This year we celebrate national day at the Padang and 5 Heartlands in Central, North East, North West, South East and South West Districts. We at South East District is organising our NDP Heartland Celebrations at Eunos. The 14 Districts in SE District (Marine Parade, Kg Ubi-Kembangan, Mountbatten, Kaki Bukit, Braddell Height, Geylang Serai, MacPherson, Potong Pasir, Bedok, Fengshan, Changi Simei, Kg Chai Chee, Siglap,  Joo Chiat and SE Community Development Council) are pooling our resources together to celebrate our nation’s birthday.

 

Though we have only about 12 weeks to work on the Heartland Celebrations at Eunos, the District Organising Committee (DOC) quickly sat down to work. Our first meeting was convened on 20 May 2010. Each of the districts was paired up in committees, programme, finance, hospitality, fun totes distribution, logistics, traffic/transport, crowd control/safety and publicity/media. 

 

Although we may not have met each others before the meeting, we quickly turned strangers into buddies complementing each other. Changi Simei was paired with Potong Pasir and was assigned the programme committee, an important portfolio which involved mammoth tasks and its outcome could be measured in term of participation and feedback from residents living in SE District. We took our assignment in stride.

 

We sat down to design our strategy and concept bearing in mind that our celebration must be inclusive. Our strategy involves 4 phases; attract, retain, celebrate and rally within a couple of days. We did not confine our thought process to beaten track. On the contrary, we innovated to beat a new track to call its our own and within a couple of days crystallised our strategy and concept of the celebration. We hope to translate our strategy and concept in reality and the reality will rally all Singaporean together as one united people.  

 

Upon its approval on 5 Jun 2010 by the DOC, the programme committee spared no time to commence its preparation. As volunteers in the DOC, our main challenge is time as we need to manage our career and our voluntary works. Fortunately, we have a good team consisting of PA staff led by Mr Eng Kee Chye who assisted to facilitate all administrative works without which I think the DOC will not as efficient and effective.

 

The programme committee convened many meetings in the evening. Many of the meetings were called within 1 to 2 days of notice in the initial period involving, vendors, television producer in view of live coverage, logistics committee in which we rely heavily to fulfill the logistical requirements of our programme etc. These meetings were in addition to the DOC meetings where the progress of each committtee is shared with other committees to fine tune each other’s support plans. It was great to see each committee working hands in gloves and taking in each other suggestions and ideas. We reviewed each other works for example the video recordings which we recommended changes to some. We also reviewed crowd control and security plan to ensure that everything is in order and testing contingencies if any.

 

My programme committee and the logistics committee are like twins as any lapses in co-ordination will affect the preparations of the celebration at Eunos. I must acknowledge that the logistics committee chaired by Fengshan and Braddell Height is very accommodative to the need of the programme committee in view of the many changes that occurred along the way. We make changes not that we are lacking in foresight but rather to micro manage and present the best to Singaporeans at the Padang, at the other 4 Heartlands and at home watching the NDP Live.

 

The logistical preparations to prepare the Eunos site started on 26 Jul 2010 by vendors. I have visited the sites on numerous times in the evening to ensure that the vendors delivered our requirements and to comply with our instructions. Along the way, we also refreshed our initial plan after taking into consideration the various factors on site. The vendors were also supportive of our changes as they too wanted to be our partners in the nation’s 45th Birthday Celebration.

 

Besides the logistical preparation, the programme committee was also at the Padang on 24 Jul 2010 not to watch the rehearsal but to familiarise ourselves with the proceedings and activities of the National Day Parade. We watched the parade from the screen to familiarise the various cues for our live coverage on 9 Aug 2010.

 

We were on site on 31 Jul 2010 at Eunos to run through the programme again, this time with media corps producer on the scenes that would be shown on television at the container office. We also met the two emcees from media corps to talk about the programme. 

 

 

On 5 Aug 2010, the entire DOC was on site to familiarise their tasks before we headed back to Kg Ubi Community Centre for the final DOC meeting. During the meeting, all committees made their final progress update. The DOC was given a walk through the programme including the cues and timings of the programme. We are ready.

 

The DOC invited our Guest of Honour, Minister Mr Raymond Lim and the 4 other Members of Parliament, Mayor Mathias Yao Chih,  Dr Ong Seh Hong,  Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim and Ms Jessica Tan Soon Neo to familiarise them with the proceedings of the programme. The ground walk through  was more effective to communicate and to allow them to see the progress of our preparation especially the fluttering national flag which must flutter during the national anthem after the One Voice at 2010 hrs. After the session, we are ready with the GOH group.

 

Our final preparation is on 8 Aug 2010. The programme committee will need to check the final preparation and to test all equipment for operations. We will do to the best of our ability and pray hard that our equipment will be of the highest level of standard. Though I understand Murphy Law, hopefully, Murphy takes his leave on 9 Aug 2010. After so much of hardwork and preparation, the final hurdle is the weather which can be dampener to our celebration. We pray for the weather to hold for us Singaporeans to celebrate our Nation’s Birthday.

 

As we inched towards 9 Aug 2010, on reflection, we have come a long way and what remains is to project the best to our residents for them to celebrate our national day as a community. Majullah Singapura