Looking for a watering hole

This is Suntec City.
It was Lawrence birthday and we, that is my elder brother Victor and I wanted to give him a treat so we were looking for a suitable watering hole in town area for celebrating the occasion.

On our way down we had in mind a place called the “Paulaner Brauhaus” a German Restaurant and Bar located smacked right in the centre of the city or precisely at ‘Suntec City”. The popular Suntec City is the main venue for most of the Internationally held conferences and big scale exhibitions. the WTO, IMF. trade and financial organisations. 

 

 

 The Paulaner Brauhaus at Suntec City

“Achtung!” we are entering a German Bar and found that in the middle of the building stands an impressive, shiny brew container made of copper. It is the centre of attraction, an eye-catcher as it is the only one that I know. Here I supposed the malt and the other ingredients are mixed to produce beer. We are sorry, we  are unable to relate the process of beer making as it is not in our interest of how it is done. What we are more interested in consuming the content.

 

 

From left: David, Victor and Lawrence

We selected a quiet corner for our religious ritual so as not to disturb others nor the other way round. They say that if you use a straw to sip the beer, you will find that your world would be spinning around you. The waitress appeared to take orders, Lawrence and I wanted the normal beer (white) while my brother opted for black (stout) probably to match his colour he! he!  Which was not for my liking as it taste horribly bitter. To go along with the drinks, Lawrence and I shared a meal,  the house specialty called “pork knuckle” and Victor ordered sausages with mash-potatoes. When it was served “Wow!” it looked so delicious and appetizing. We wasted no time and immediately dug into, tearing off chunks of it.

 

The pork knuckle

In the spirit of fellowship, we share our lively conversation covering a variety of topics, concerning politics, regional, local and domestic issues etc… However whatever the problem confronting us, we realize that life must go on and that we have to adapt or resolve it. Most of the time it requires patience, tolerance, exercise of common sense and letting go what is called “pride” within us (the devil in us). Recently I read an article in the newspaper on what makes a person do good or bad? The answer lies in the brain. An area in the brain known as ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMFC) responsible for highly complex functioning such empathy and the ability to make moral judgement. So most human have a sense of what's right or wrong. We are to seek God’s ways in the search of understanding in order to resolve problems amicably. The end results should be that both parties are happy, a sort of win–win situation; live and let live attitude. After all most of us from time to time do encounter problems either big or small at home, in school or place of work. Which is normal but anyway we are not God, therefore we are not perfect and do have our own short-coming. The bad thing is to judge others while failing to examine oneself closely and see whether oneself is part of the problem.

 

The two female performers on raised stage

At this stage a two female performers walked in, one with a guitar and the other a violinist. The stage is a raised platform at the center, in front of the copper brewer and the two girls had to climb up to their sanctuary. It was I think a good idea, high and aloft from the reach of the sober. the drunk or the maddening crowd. We were entertained with good variety of music, some oldies, soft sentimental and a bit of rock. The melodious music soften down our stony hearts and the drinks drown our sorrows some were self-imposed. Yes at times we feel down, it is natural as we seek solace, we want love and pity shown to us.

 

 

“Hey! house on fire”

As we consumed more there is a tendency to frequent the wash room, that is how the beer works. I suppose when the alcohol level tops up, it overshoots the load-line or the “Plimsol Mark” in shipping term. And  triggers our body internal mechanism blow-out valve  to react for a release. I would jokingly announce “Hey! house on fire” we ought to  immediately summon the two-legged fire-engines into action. So with that excuse we would take leave and go to do our business of hosing it down. Finally all good things must come to an end.

 

“this one for the road, so bottoms up”

Lawrence as usual jumped the queue and went ahead to the casher to settle whatever damages that we had created.

So thus ended our episode.

National Day celebrations continues

The National Day celebrations continues for the whole month of August with events and functions being held in the city and in the heartland. Our Teban Gardens recently had our estate spruced up, those blocks under up-grading being repainted. A large billboard erected in front of the Market/Food Court and some blocks are dressed with flags, banners and buntings. A large 3 piece-tent  to house a community dinner held at the open field.

 

Billboard at the Market, Teban Gardens

Downtown at the Esplanade by the Marina Bay, people gathered around the so called “Durian” a nick name given because of the unique thorny roofing of the two ‘theatres of the Bay’ that looks like durian.

 

Our Durian, “Theatres of the Bay” at Esplanade.

View of the scenic bay from the outdoor theatre.

A scenic view of the bay with sky scrappers mushrooming in the back ground, and a solar-powered electric driven taxi boat packed with tourists sailing silently across. 

 

A Chinese rock band thrilling the crowd.

A Chinese rock band thrilling the crowd at the outdoor theatre which included  people specially brought in from the ‘Homes’ to enjoy the concert. The free shows are sponsored by Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) for the ‘gift of Music’ in conjunction with the National Day Celebrations. Top local performers like Matthew and the Mandarins, the singer Robert Fernando, Vernon Cornelius participate to show their talents.  Can be seen in the background the 3 towers of the ‘Sands Intergraded Resort still under construction and expected to be operational by next year.

 

The Peranakan ‘Ma’in Wayang Company stage a show.

The Peranakans originally are from Malacca and the story goes that the Chinese Emperor Yong Le sent the princess Hang Le Poh to Sultan Mansur for marriage. Accompanying her were an entourage of 200 maidens. The Sultan gave her the land called Bukit China as her new home. As time went on there were inter-marriages with the locals, resulted the emergence of the Peranakan community; the Babas and Nonyas. They spoke Bahasa Melayu and especially the women adopted Malay attire (sarong, the exquisite beauty of the embroidered kebaya, baju panjang, selendang etc…) the men preferred Western dress. However they maintained some Traditional Chinese practices, ancestral worship and customs.  

 

The Nonas (maidens front row) in tight-fitting colourful sarong and kebaya, entertaining the crowd with their songs in Malay and English.

 

The Cathedral of the Good Shepherd

I was around town so I dropped in at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd. The oldest Roman Catholic Church in Singapore built in the year 1832, just 13 years after the founding of Singapore by Sir Stamford Raffles. Also it has the oldest functioning  pipe organ built in 1912.

 

 

Above the entrance into the Cathedral hangs the crest of our Archbishop with the ‘motto’ in Latin "OMNIA OMNIBUS" meaning "All Things To All Men" (1 Cor 9:22). Latin is the official language of the Catholic Church since Roman times. Other elements in the crest are fire and the Holy Spirit, a cross, the Bible, waves and a fish. The design includes 4 rows of chords designating the position of Archbishop. Placed in the hallow is the statue of the Good Shepherd. Our Archbishop Nicolas Chia is the Shepherd for the Catholic flock in Singapore. For sake of information the world Catholic population has reached 1.13 billion. Nicolas was ordained on the 7th October, 2001 and was from our Holy Cross Parish at Clementi Ave 1. He is known to us as our beloved “Papa Chia”.

 

 

Archbishop’s House

A beautiful 2-storey Colonial-style bungalow house is the residence of our Archbishop Nicolas Chia, located at No.31 Victoria St.

 

 

In the grounds of the Cathedral stands a bronze statue of the late Pope John Paul II, the 264th successor of St. Peter handed down in un-broken line for more than 2000 years ago. It was erected to commemorate the  25th Anniversary of Diplomatic relationship between the Holy See and the Republic of Singapore on 23/06/2006. Also for the 20th Anniversary of Pope John Paul’s Pastoral visit to Singapore on 20/11/2006 in which I attended the celebration of the Papal Mass at the Kallang Stadium.

 

The ‘Phantom of the Opera?’

From the Cathedral I crossed the road to Bras Basah and came across this guy, he was dressed in Medieval costume.  He looked good and I thought he was the ‘Phantom of the Opera’. However I managed to get a shot together and this is for ‘real’

 

  

The ‘Living World’

 

And these are not for ‘real’, they are painted over bronze sculpture at the Singapore Arts Museum (SAM) at the former St. Joseph’s Institution, now turned into Museum. The work of a local artist named Ju Ming in 1986. One time it was at the National Museum, Stamford Road and now re-located to Bras Basah Road.

Celebrating Singapore’s 44th Birthday

Singapore had a troublesome union with Malaysia and as a result of that broken marriage, we were separated and booted out on the 9th August, 1965. It was a sad day to remember when our then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew appeared on TV in a sombre mood, sobbingly made the un-expected announcement. Since then we have indeed come a long long way, “ there was a time when people said that Singapore won’t make it; but we did. Sir Stamford Raffles founded Singapore in 1819 and from a sleepy fishing village it grew into a modern Asian Metropolis. At Raffles Place, name after it’s founder a bronze monument erected with two scenarios. On the rear side depicted some attap huts of fisherman and a Chinese sailing junk nearby. The front view projects just the opposite, a bustling modern city with sky scrappers mushrooming all around.

Our now Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew did a lot of improvement, he led Singapore further to much greater heights and amazingly turning it from a third world country into “First”, all within a span of my life time.  With a small team of dedicated, honest, hard working people with vision and foresight transformed it into reality. I remember in the 1950's I lived with my grandfather in Kampong Bedok. He had bought a traditional Malay style wooden house, raised above ground by stits supports with a veranda. It did not have water or eletricity and we had a well for our water supply,pressured lamps for lighting and battery to power the radio. What an enormous change and as citizens we all should be proud of the achievement, after all we are only a little red dot on the map. Some people don’t even know that we exist, others even imagine that we still live on tree tops, swinging down everyday to forage for food. In terms of world trading, our tiny island State and country rank in 16th position.

 

The monument at Raffles Place

Far end Gilbert, my wife Josephine, myself.

Hey! don’t take my picture as I am Nobody.(Gilbert’s wife Victoria in centre)

 

We made our way to the Marine Bay by the Esplanade where the venue is held, the open-air seating gallery can hold some 27,000 spectators. In front of us is the stage on water,  locally-built as the largest floating platform in the world (size of 5 football fields)with tall structures to house lighting and sound system. Opposite across the Bay is the Marina Bay Sands Intergraded Resort still under construction and expected to be open next year. Behind is the Singapore Flyer, at present the largest Ferris wheel in the world.  By 5.45 we were ushered to be seated in our allocated corner under the “Green”seats; other colours are blue at the other end and red in the center. Almost everyone is wearing red; sporting our national colour. The show events are divided into 10 chapters with Military and Social segment.

 

Parachutists landing on the road.

Our parachutists known as the “Red Lion” free falling from a helicopter above us, activate their chutes at about 1000 ft  above ground level and skillfully negotiate between those  structures on the platform and the tall flood- light tower on the right to land on (DZ) drop-zone at the stretch of road in front of the grandstand.  11 were from our Commando Unit and 1 odd man from the Naval Diving Unit.

 

Sang Nila Utama landed on the island.

Chapter 1: What did he see?

A spectacular start to the show involving story telling and puppetry.  The Legend about a Prince from Sumatra named Sang Nila Utama depicted in ‘larger-than-life size’ puppet doll with movable limbs, jaws when he speaks; manipulated by half a dozen people. The Prince and his entourage were in their ship in search of a new city but they were caught in a storm. Two comedians one as his Admiral (Mark Lee, our Singapore Ah Beng) and Suhaimi as the Minister (the two popular actors star in the Police and thief TV series) created a lot of laughter with their “Singlish” English mixed with Malay. They suggested throwing un-wanted things to lighten the ship as it was in danger of sinking. Finally that included the crown of the Prince, considered heavy as it is made of gold. It was meant as the last resort, if not they will all be drown. The Prince finally gave in and took off his crown for disposal. And immediately the storm ceased and all were saved. They landed on an island then known as Termasek (old name of Singapore) seen here by the roadside depicted by prop made of foam of a small island with a coconut tree and some lions). He was resting from a hunting trip when he thought he saw a lion emerged from the sea. Of course It could not have been as the lion is not a native animal in this region. I would prefer another version, maybe not authorised and goes like this; when the prince saw it he exclaimed “Singa” meaning lion and his minister rebutted him saying “pora’ meaning “No” or negative. So in joining the two words you get “Singapura”. Our Lion City, he! he! he!  Earlier history shows that Hinduism had great influence in some part of South East Asia as can be seen in the Island of Bali and Thailand. You can see that in the old Thai culture, in their dressing and customs; the Ramakian is Thai version of the epic Hindu classical play of Ramayana.

 

The Lions are out in force.

This young lion dance performer.

One of the 24 mini-platform for the dancers, touch signers or drummers to perform amongst the crowd which happened to be just right in front of us.

 

The Police, SCDF,Army Bomb-disposal unit rolled in.

The event move on (Chapter 2, Defending our homeland) a loud ‘bang!’ startled us with a simulated bomb blast at the stage area. Then on the big screen, the simulated event appeared on News. The Home team is activated with the Police, Civil Defence Force (SCDF) with the Army Bomb-disposal Unit rolled into action. The injured were immediately attended to and evacuated by ambulances to hospital. The Army Bomb Disposal , man in bulky green protective suit managed to de-activated the bomb and render it safe for removal.

 

A Chinook helicopter dropping naval divers.

A ‘Chinook’ heavy-lift helicopter responding to underwater threat arrived at the Marina Bay and hovering low with the twin-rotor blades whipping up spray of water, effecting those nearby to scurry for cover. Six Naval divers were dropped in pairs to locate and counter a sea mine planted there by terrorists.

 

Naval and Police Coast Guard interceptor boats

Naval Interceptor in high-speed chase.

Another scenario followed and was detected on radar screen by the Operation Control, two terrorists on two jet-skis packed with explosive were racing into the Bay. Two high-speed rigid-hull Naval Interceptor boats were alerted and gave chase. They managed to round them after a shoot out. Meantime two Police Coast Guard interceptor boats gave chase another suspicious boat, also opening fire and subdued them to surrender.

 

2 Naval assault landing craft racing to the scene.

The simulated threat not yet over as some enemy landed at the Bay near the stage area and the Navy responded immediately by sending 2 assault landing crafts racing across the Bay to the scene.

 

2 ‘Apache’ helicopters called in for air support

2 ‘Apache’ attack helicopters were called in for air support to blast the target with guns, rockets and bombs. After making their support with firepower, the 2 helicopter made a graceful exit by facing the crowd, ‘bowing’ by lowering down the nose as a mark of salute and withdrew.

 

SAF hardware roll into action

The Singapore Armed Forces rolled in to display locally-built by our Defence Industries (Singapore Technologies) military hardware such as the ‘Bronco’ ATTC (all terrain track carrier), the ‘Primus’ 155mm self-propelled howitser, the ‘Bionix’ Infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), Bronco self-propelled mortar tracked carrier (MTC) that shoots 120mm mortar shells, the ‘Spider’ a light strike vehicle (LSV) armed with heavy machine gun/missiles and the 2 German-built 2A4 “Leopard” main battle tanks (55 tons) with 120mm guns. An awesome amount of firepower accumulated and to use in support of one another and in Combine Arms in conjunction with the Air Force and Navy.

 

SAF Special Forces (3G) Third Generation making exit, involved not merely new weapons but new ideas and doctrines (brains) integrated  knowledge-base command and control. Soldiers of the future must see earlier, think quicker and kill faster with the latest weapons and sensors. He has to acquire ‘network’ edge in strategic planning;capable of assessing battle field scenario from feedback info obtained by high tech un-manned aerial sensors, communication devices and to call for entire fire-power support. The soldiers are in their new green camouflage (pixel) uniform moving down amongst the crowd. The enemy has been finally been subdued and peace restored. The  main ‘crisis’ over and the SAF has been re-called to base;it is time for a celebration. The Parade begins, traditionally it has and will always be the centre piece of the celebration.

 

The Parade begins

Lt. Col. Yeong the Parade Commander assembled all the contingents taking part with the ‘Guard-of-honour’ in front comprising of 4 contingents, the Army (Commandos), the Navy, the Air Force and the Police. They are in ceremonial dress No.1 (white coats with dark trousers, except for the Navy dressed all in whites), Behind them are single row consist of the “Colour Party” (State and Regimental flags). In true military tradition where the soldiers proudly rally around their regimental flag or banner to up-hold and defend it. In the rear are the mixed contingents of Military and Civilian organisations. The Parade awaits for the arrival of the President of the Republic of Singapore, S.R. Nathan.

 

The Fly Past.

As the President arrives in a motorcade with Police outriders, the buglers sounded the fanfare. The whole Parade is called to attention as the President takes his stand, The Commander calls the command to honour the President in “Hormat Senjata”. For information as a tradition all our military commands are in Bahasa Melayu. The Military band in attendance strike up our National Anthem “Majulah Singapura”. A formation of helicopters appearing from the Singapore River side; the lead helicopter a heavy-lift, twin-rotor ‘Chinook’ bearing a huge Singapore flag size 20m x 30m with 3 escorting ‘Apache’ attack helicopters flew past slowly. Moments later 3 tiny specs in the sky (F-16 Fighting Falcons)appearing from South, executed a thundering “bomb-burst” before the crowd with the afterburner thrusting out flames. The crowd were thrilled with excitement.

 

Review and the Presidential 21-gun Salute.

As the President inspects the Guard-of-honour, 5 ex-British 25-pounders guns (relics of World War Two ) ceremoniously blast off the 21-gun “Presidential Salute” with blank rounds at 60 seconds intervals. Precise timing needed with the last shot must coincide with the completion of the inspection. The ceremonial guns are mounted on 6 M3G raft (float bridge. amphibians)linked to-gether to form a stable platform. Seen at the bay blasting off.

 

5x25-pounder guns are on Float Bridge/raft.

Seen here earlier, the 5 guns with full crew are loaded on to the Army Combat Engineer’s M3G  Floating Bridge/raft. This is the first time it is used in a National Day Parade. The M3G is  self-propelled and move at it’s own power into position at the Bay near the open theatre.

 

The “Feu-de-Joie”

After the inspect, the President returns to his place to receive another honour in the form of “feu-de-Joie’ meaning the ‘fire of joy’. It is an ancient military tradition practiced by the French by firing of muskets. The Parade Commander calls for firing of 3 volleys of shots, beginning from one end to terminate at the other and repeated three times. Of course the shots are blank rounds and after that the Commander request permission from the President to march off the Parade. The President in acknowledgement grant him permission. He then leads the Parade for the march past.

 

 

The social segment

The ‘Peranakans’ (The Ma’ in Wayang Company) put up a show in song and dance in Chapter 4 (The First Wave); regardless of race, language or religion. They are the Straits-born Chinese, the Babas and Nonyas are originally from Malacca; they inherit some Malay Culture especially in their dressing, as seen in their beautiful, colourful sarong and kerbayas or baju panjang, dance gracefully.

 

There was also ‘Pole Dancing’, young girls scantily dress just wearing 2-piece doing acrobatic stunts in their Chapter 5 segment (Fast Forward); is about prosperity and progress. Anyway it had aroused much controversy, some conservative people did not like it as they think such exposure will send wrong signal to the youth. Our Media and local artists display their talents in songs and dance. And progress meant elevating the living standard from the mudflat to first world .

In Chapter 6 (Against all odds) so it is important in order to survive to unite as one people. Here  12 climbers with harness appears as if that they are walking up upright the two 9-storey tower blocks on either side of the main stage. (seen here in blue lighting) and volunteer and martial art performers in warrior clothing with their head covered in a box-like gear, prepare for battle.

Chapter 9 (Little Red Dot)”for our nation” A mass display by various schools and organisations such as People’s and the  ‘Soka’ Associations provided the dancing and singing. This year Soka women performers created a sea of red balls, about 40,000 of them sewn on to the dresses and headgear; to depict the the chapter of their segment.  A Malay group in their traditional costumes joined in a loud chorus of ;diki barat’.

 

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The two ‘touch signers’ 

Above two out of 48 atop the mini-platform in front of us, singing National Day songs by ‘sign language’ for the benefit of the deaf and dumb.

 

Giant Puppets.

Larger-than- life size, seen here 6 out of 20 depicting our early settlers (the recognisible ‘Sam Sui’ woman in red headgear which reveal her profession as a construction worker doing the hard manual job.

 

A float of the globe with 2 youngsters in the spaceship.

Chapter 10: Finale

The ‘Pledge” was recited precisely at 8.22pm Island-wide, with a 12,000 strong participants gather at the Padang in front of the City Hall, is near to the Esplanade/Marina Bay area.

Our Pledge

“We, the citizens of Singapore. Pledge ourselves

As one united people, Regardless of race, language or religion

To build a democratic society. Base on justice and equality.

So as to achieve happiness, prosperity.

And progress for our nation”

Then for the closing, our National Anthem “Majulah Singapura"was played, everybody stood up for the President and sang, some loudly. The crowd wished President S.R.Nathan farewell as he boarded up his motorcade. The grand finale burst with a ‘Big Bang!’ of  fireworks into the sky and lighting up the area of Marina Bay. All those around the Bay, including those along the Singapore River; the Boat Quay and Clarke Quay could see. A variety of colours, twinkles, spray of stardust, some shooting up straight or burst in a ball; some a single burst followed by fragmentation.

So all good things must come to an end. Over 10,000 performers, celebrities, volunteers, staff and partners came together for this one show.

One people, One Nation, One Singapore.

MAJULAH SINGAPURA