Happy National Day Singapore !

                                          Happy Children watching the National Day parade

          Today August 9th, Singapore celebrates its 47th year as an independent nation, after separating from the Malayan Federation of States in 1965. Our history is short, but the achievements, many. As a proud and patriotic Singaporean, I would like to highlight one of the core values stated by our PM yesterday which many of us take as a 'given'. Many people who were born in the 60s and beyond, find the going more difficult with each passing year.

         Since 1965, we have had no natural resources save for a deep water harbour and Sentosa island, so practically 90% of our food resources are imported. We suffered from a lack of water, having had to buy water from neighbouring Malaysia and filter it. Our people were poor, lived in abysmal conditions in the kampungs and along the Singapore river. Gangsters and gangs operated in many estates from Redhill to Selegie to Katong. Healthcare was 3rd world standard, as was education and a whole host of basic amenities and infrastructure was lacking. Communist groups were festering and race relations was very fragile.

       Fast forward 47 years, the picture below shows the tremendous change since those tumultous days.With a GDP per capita of US$ 52,000 in 2011, Singapore is among the top 10 countries in the world.Its standard of living is very high, personal safety is practically the world's best, easily beating USA and many European countries, 40% of our water is self processed, through catchment and recycled (yes we drink our own processed 'toilet water' !), our smooth downtown traffic is the envy of many 1st world countries with the  COE , Electronic Road Pricing and the comprehensive Mass Rapid Transit. (OK its had its share of breakdowns and is a 'work in progress'). We have 2 thriving casinos (many would say that this is the root cause of many social problems of late) developing our downtown into a bustling tourist and metropolitan hub, our port is 2nd in the world in terms of tonnage passed, the Singapore Airline is the standard bearer for quality service worldwide, Keppel Corp is the largest oil rig builder in the world, the list just goes on and on.

     Many Singaporeans who have grown up with all these little luxuries, take everything for granted and want more. The complaints about the new foreigners taking jobs, school positions, not adopting to local culture and not integrating are genuine and valid. Having foreign people in our city is an inevitable aspect of globalisation as the flow of opportunities, money, talent, jobs will continue to the most open and adaptable of societies. Thereafter, the country can progress economically. That cannot be changed as this is the groundrules of globalisation.

     Singapore has a unique advantage other than the rest in that it is one of the most multi-cultural and multiracial societies in the world. It was not by chance that we are very tolerant and accepting of interacial friendships, marriages and living together side by side with the same 'kampong spirit' that was with us in the beginning in the 60s. People were much poorer then, and helping out each other regardless of race was, and is, a cherished core value of our great little nation.

     Lets stop and think during this  47th celebratory day of Independence. Racial Harmony is Singapore's key 'takeaway' to the world. The new immigrants who come here, have to work doubly hard at achieving what Singaporeans have obtained in the last 47 years. Granted there are some really rich tycoons who put their multi-millions or billions here (think Severon of Facebook as one example), but  Singaporeans have 'been there and done that'. Europen, Chinese and Indian migrants must adapt to our rojak mix like it or not,  so they eat at our coffee-shops, drink Tiger beer, and their kids attend our schools, we compete for the work opportunities on equal footing (discriminatory practices are 'no no' here).  Its getting a little crowded somedays on the  MRT trains and buses, but adapt we must and we will.

    Happy National Day My Singapore !!

  

              

Do we subconciously set 'roadblocks' to our success ?

       Today at around 5pm Singapore time (London time 10am), Team Singapore's Men's Table Tennis was taking on China for a spot in the Men's Team Semi-Finals. True, mighty China are world champions, and Singapore are lowly ranked, perhaps in the top 10.

        I was having a drink before the start of my Karate class at the Community Centre's Canteen. So my friend and I were chatting about the week ahead, and I noticed that the TV was switched on the the Olympics channel, namely the Men's table tennis action. A little boy, of age 7 or 8 was rooting loudly for Singapore, shouting  "C'mon Singapore, you can do it !"  I was pleased that the youngest generations of our citizens are so solidly patriotic and behind our team (even though they were foreign born) even up against the toughest opponents in the world.  

       Much to my surprise, a man next to him, his father I presume, admonished him by saying " Ah yah, they have no chance, lah, that is China they are playing, sure lose !!"   For the record, Singapore lost 3 - 0. But the little boy's pure and outspoken cheering was refreshing, as it was a NEVER SAY DIE attitude. 

       I was quite taken aback at this attitude, but decided to keep mum. It just brings to me the question, does a life experienced with joys and setbacks, and reality, keeping us from having a dream ? Can't we beat mighty China in table tennis ? Why are we adults so negative about Singapore being able to   make it to the top of the sporting scene worldwide ? 

     Do we SUBCONCIOUSLY drive ourselves AND OUR CHILDREN to MEDIOCRE  and SUBPAR PERFORMANCE because WE THINK WE CAN'T DO IT, THEREFORE WE DON'T OR WE LOSE IN THE MIND GAME  EVEN BEFORE THE ACTUAL GAME STARTS ?   

      Away with the defeatist mentality, my friends !!   WIN !    You will be shocked at the results. 

Well done Feng Tian Wei ! 1st Bronze for Singapore !

    Congrats to Ms. Feng Tian Wei, for showing us what talent, nerves of steel and killer instinct are all about.

       In the arena of world's GDP per capita, economic well being, and standard of living, Singapore is already amongst the world's best. In the arena of sport, to be honest, Singapore is really pathetic. Many Olympics have come and gone, and we had nothing to show for it, as thousands of parents have also decided that their children's best bets in life and earning a decent and long staying job is through the pursuit of an education. So many billions of dollars are spent year in and year out to tuition, condition, and even hothousing the children to study and achieve good to excellent grades. At the expense of their sporting potential. We've all seen the athletes who excel at the SEA or Asian Games level but somehow, the sacrifice and toil of making it to the world class level is still lacking. NOT TODAY !  

  

       In 1995 when the 'foreign talent' drive started, many people were accusing the authorities of 'buying talent' from abroad to improve Singapore's image. Well, after almost 20 years, the fruits of this talent program has yielded top results especially in table- tennis, badminton,football and even some athletics. Singapore won its first Olympic silver in almost 48 years in 2008, the women's table-tennis team coming in 2nd only to powerhouses China. In 2010, Singapore stunned the world table-tennis fraternity by becoming WORLD CHAMPIONS in the table - tennis World Championships surpassing a weak China team.

       Today, history is made again when our Singapore girl, Feng Tian Wei won the Bronze medal in the Women's singles, beating her Japanese opponent convincingly 4 - 0. To all those detractors who say, yeah, she was born in China, well may I remind them that almost all of our forefathers were immigrants not too long ago (most immigrants came in the early 20th century), so everybody has a place to call 'Home' and she calls Singapore 'Home'. Many netizens are no more than 'keyboard cowboys' who know nothing else better than to moan and groan behind a pseudonym, they should take this as a WAKE UP CALL. Some, talented, hardworking foreign-born people are making it good in Singapore, what about you and I ? Go out there and aim to achieve to our fullest potential.

     Parents should see sports as not just as a means to build character, but as a viable, long term career, which may pay off handsomely. So let the young boy or girl try their hand or leg at football, table-tennis, tennis, sailing, squash and badminton. There are avenues for a long and profitable career. The Singapore Vision 2030 is one fine goal, and the Singapore Sports Center is primed to achieve that goal. 

       Coming back to Feng, I must applaud her and the entire STTA S'pore Table Tennis Association for having the tenacity, resilience and perserverence to see through the program which has been started for more than 15 years and now, the fruits of their labour are finally taking fruit.

      Feng, I salute you, and your teammate, Wang Yue Gu.The tremendous fighting spirit,the many thousands of hours of sacrifice, and the talent you have is a fantastic role model for our children. We need to emulate the same spirit of our table-tennis players, in our Singapore youth, as well as give ourselves a reminder that, with an iron will, talent, and hard work, we can and will succeed.

      Its just an Olympic Bronze medal, but to me, its a whole lot more, its showing the world the Singapore Can Do Spirit which is so much more valuable to all of us, as a lesson. 

     Seize the Day.       

Lets have a great Olympic distration - London 2012

London 2012 

27 July - 11 Aug 2012

         Its the 'silly season', where everybody and their dog goes gaga over the sporting spectacle every 4 years called the Olympics. Over 2 and a half billion people from all 190 plus countries save a few lucky folk from the Pacific Islands and maybe the southern part of South America, or even the South Pole, people are watching the best jocks the world has to offer.

      Will Usain Bolt do a 'back to back' 100 m repeat over his upstart training partner Johan Blake ? Will Michael Phelps manage another repeat of his 8 gold medals in 2008 (highly unlikely) ? Will Singapore win any medals this time around (our Silver in 2008 was the first ever in 40 plus years) ?  Will Lee Chong Wei beat his nemesis Lin Dan in the badminton singles ?  

        Frankly, at the end of the day, world records will be broken, dreams will come crashing down, tears of joy and frustration will be shown countless times over the large and small screens of the sporting heroes who overcame all odds to do either their personal best or win unexpected medals which the sports press will make extra mileage to promote the 'spirit of humankind'.

       I predict that this Games, China will top the medal standings, USA, Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand will come in with great showings too. Singapore will still be nowhere but a medal prospect can still come from our table tennis or sailing members. 

       This is a great distraction from the daily humdrum of life, but after 16 days, the EURO crisis is still at risk of drawing down the whole world's growth. China is facing the first slowdown in almost 20 years and US is still an indebted nation of U$ 17 trillion. We have a mountain of challenges to get ourselves 'future ready', Singapore is aging very fast, and the challenges going forward as a developed country are 1. aging gracefully 2. adapting foreign people in our midst as well as they adapting to our culture 3. having enough funds for retirement, if not, then having a decent social safety net for those in need. 4. developing a culture of inclusiveness amidst our competitive environment  

      Many aspire for the bigger house, branded car, yearly skiing holidays and fine dining. But reality and dreams never meet, so your dreams are tempered with a harsh dose of reality when you see people without 3 full meals a day. Folk who need help, bathing, doing even the basic things like going to the toilet let alone being mobile outside the house. Many elderly people have to face these everyday.  The true heroes are the social workers and the service providers will do help out day in day out the lesser advantaged people. Some may be young, others are elderly and still serving. I remember a great lady called Theresa Tsu who spent more than 50 years in service to the less advananged people. She is my true Hero. A Gold medallist in the game called Life.  My father was also another Medallist, serving tirelessly in his Church and social work.

      The Olympics provides just a sweet  distraction for 16 days. Who remembers even 10% of the results 1 week after the Olympics ?  Who is the basketball champ, football champ ? 400 IM champ ? (OK , some guy name Lochte) Taekwondo silver ? There are easily more than 1000 medals on offer.   

      Perhaps, our daily problems are too long standing and the solutions too long in the horizon to actualise that it is just that - a sweet distraction for 16 days.

       

A little piece of Europe in Duxton Hill, Singapore

The seafood platter, Oui, cest magnifique ! 

       To celebrate our wedding annivesary recently, May and I decided to go French. At the top of the small hill at the Duxton area, lies several nice fine dining restaurants and one of them is the la petit Cancale. There are a number of French, Italian and Irish restaurants (I can almost hear people saying, Irish ?? Food ??) at the top end of this small hill. 

        We started with the seafood platter which is very gerenerous with the huge serving tray of fresh slipper lobster, small escargots, linguistines (I think thats what they call them), prawns and crabs all steamed and served on ice. The next course of Lamb leg was a little strong, but the mint sauce was a nice complement to the meat. May had her lobster, which was slightly sweet in flavour.

        To top off a really memorable evening, we had some German Riesling. Cheers all !

       

My first oil painting

      One of my newest hobbies is to paint, oil or acrylic paintings to be exact. Maybe, after a certain while I just want to be a little creative or leave a small legacy for the future generations to either reflect on or try to understand what their father or grandfather was like in terms of talent. Perhaps my talent is not in painting, but this juvenile like painting is my first attempt (ever) without being assigned by a class teacher so its something which I think I can try to improve upon over the next months and years.

      What do you think ? . I think this painting is lacking in the vibrancy of colours as well as the statement the artist wants to tell his viewers. Its a start, so I need to understand the media as well as exhibit more of my character in my next piece.

      Seize the Day.     

Noel's birthday 25 Dec 2009

       During tough times, one can always draw comfort from one's family. This was one of the last few celebrations (we had many over the last 25 years, to be honest, thanks to the gregariousness of my mother Anna), so now that my parents  are no longer around, I look to these pictures to remind me of those happy times untinged by the present worries. Your family is the most precious asset you can ever 'own' and all the money, fame and success in the world cannot buy you the good relations you have had with your flesh and blood. So, in a way, I pity the lives of the super-rich celebrities because the price they have paid for their relationship and time with their families is being compensated by being 'news' and 'gossip trash' for the ever probing media. Look at how messed up and coplicated the divorces of the famous actors like Seal and Heidi Klum, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, Katy Perry and Russell Brand to name just 3 of many breakups this year alone.  

      Every Christmas and Chinese New Year's since the early 1980s, my mother would make it a point to call every single sibling of her family, young and old to house, and the noise and rowdiness was something which I miss this past year. Close friends and new acquaintences would also be invited, so every year for 2 times, we would have a full house.

    Patrick Chua, David Mitchell, Dr. Dale, Dr. Teo, Dr. John Abisheganaden and Hanna, my niece    

        Treasure your family, the good times and the bonds which keep us together, for money,success, distractions like a high flying job or career are fleeting and what matters is whether we have been good to our parents, our spouses and children and genuinely cared for the people that matter most to us and our society.

        Seize the Day.