ISSUE 25 Jan/Feb 2020

DRAWING INSPIRATION FROM THE HEARTLANDS Read about the journey of a local lecturer-turned-illustrator

00 LifeStorey Cover v2.indd 7 13/2/20 4:24 PM EDITORIAL ADVISERS ISSUE 25 JAN/FEB 2020 Eileen Neo, Shivvonne Wong, CONTENTS Jeremy Choy, Peh Yang Yu, Keegan Lim

Dear Readers, PUBLISHING AGENT Happy New Year! We hope you kick-started 2020 with an amazing time with ThinkFarm Pte Ltd your family and friends! Managing Director This issue, we continue to focus on community-driven events and initiatives Christopher Tay in the heartlands. We joined participants for a series of workshops marking the launch of a new season of the Lively Places Challenge 2020 (previously Editor known as HDB Build-a-thon). Find out what we discovered about ideation Dang Hui Ling processes in Talk of the Town. Head, Creative There are more landmarks and storied history to Toa Payoh, other than Sean Lee the iconic dragon playground. Check out the shops and eateries that you Art Director shouldn’t miss when you are in the area! In addition, follow our journey Lee Lily around Punggol’s Explorer Trail and learn more about this vibrant eco-friendly town in Around the Block. Contributors Fiona Chen, Jasmine Alimin, Cheryl Sim, To help seniors better understand the benefits of the Merdeka Generation Ahmad Iskandar, Justin Loh, Mark Lee, Package and promote engagement with their community, a string of Vernon Wong, Gina Ang, Lee Kow Fong roadshows was organised islandwide. Also featured in Our Life Stories is Singaporean artist Lee Kow Fong (Ah Guo), who shared about his leap of Head, Client Relationship faith to pursue his passion for children’s book illustrations. Jessie Kek

After all the Chinese New Year feasting, we offer tips on how you can Life Storeys is a quarterly expend the excess calories from the festive goodies in Livin’ It Up. community publication by the Housing Last but not least, stand a chance to win shopping vouchers by participating & Development Board, bringing you in our Readers’ Survey at http://hdb.gov.sg/lifestoreys! stories and happenings from your neighbourhood. Join us in creating We hope you enjoy reading this issue of Life Storeys. a gracious and harmonious living environment for all! You can also The Editorial Team access the electronic version at http://hdb.gov.sg/lifestoreys or scan the QR code below. TALK OF THE TOWN 01 Designing for Change

AROUND THE BLOCK 06 Touring Toa Payoh 01 08 Eat, Drink & Shop Copyright ©2020 Merry in Toa Payoh! Housing & Development Board All rights reserved. No part of 10 A Walk Down the this material may be reproduced Eco-friendly Lane or transmitted in any form or by any means. OUR LIFE STORIES 06 12 Ageing with Benefits 14 Drawing for Keeps This publication is printed on FSC™-certified paper. The paper LIVIN’ IT UP choice and printing methods 16 Belly Happy are green and environmentally friendly, leaving behind a smaller 14 carbon footprint. Printed by KHL Printing Co Pte Ltd

00 IFC Content.indd 14 12/2/20 4:26 PM Talk of the Town DESIGN -ING FOR Change THE LIVELY PLACES CHALLENGE 2020 KICKED OFF IN OCTOBER 2019 WITH A SERIES OF WORKSHOPS GEARED TOWARDS HELPING PARTICIPANTS TURN THEIR COMMUNITY-CHANGING IDEAS INTO REALITY.

Living in one of Singapore’s many HDB estates is very much community-centric, and the Lively Places Challenge aims to foster a stronger community spirit in the heartlands by encouraging residents to be active contributors to the very environment they live in.

This islandwide initiative began as the HDB Build-a-thon, which was launched in 2014 to invite residents to conceive projects that would add vibrancy to their neighbourhoods while fostering a stronger sense of identity and belonging.

This year, residents from eight towns were invited to participate in the initiative, now renamed as the Lively Places Challenge, namely Bishan, Bukit Panjang, Choa Chu Kang, Punggol, Sengkang, Tampines, Toa Payoh, and Yishun. From the get-go, the participants, who included representatives from Residents’ Committees (RCs), residents and schools, were guided by a comprehensive Learn, Engage and Co-create process that aimed to bring their ideas to fruition. 01

01-05 Talk of the town v2.indd 1 6/2/20 10:15 AM A series of Training & Engagement workshops was and conducting their own research methodologies, conducted across five zones in October and November could help them progress with their initiatives. 2019 — a Design Thinking workshop, followed by a Check-in Session several weeks later. “Design ideation plays a big part in creating functional outcomes. It is important to ensure that The learning advantage research of the end-users is a key part of that process. The Design Thinking workshops were led by mentors There are methods that range from participatory from the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), Ngee design to co-design, which are different ways that Ann Polytechnic (NP), National University of Singapore designers can engage with the users on a deeper (NUS), and Singapore University of Technology and level," said Dr Teo. Design (SUTD), with different methods and practices imparted to each zone. This was followed by an idea refinement session, where the groups filtered out the unfeasible ideas by During the North East Zone’s workshop at Sengkang applying what they had learned, with Dr Teo and his Primary School on 2 November 2019, SIT Assistant team providing input on the teams’ plans. Professor Nicholas Teo walked the attendees through a lecture on the design thinking process, explaining how Next, the participants visited the actual sites where fundamentals, such as developing a user journey map their projects would be executed to garner residents’ feedback about their ideas. Over at Waterway Cascadia, conversations with residents allowed the team to gather useful opinions from the people By integrating who would directly benefit from their project. games and This allowed them to refine their prototypes of rewards into transforming two unused void decks into vibrant the workshop, community spaces. we managed to Over at the East Zone’s session conducted at get more energetic responses Tampines Changkat Community Club on 23 from the participants. Some of November 2019, participants were given a crash course on Asset-Based Community Development them came with preconceived (ABCD) concepts, and Mapping and Engagement notions but after the session, Strategies, facilitated by Ngee Ann Polytechnic they realised that their ideas lecturers Mr Javihn Chan and Mr Daryl Chan. need to be refined and more During the first half of the day, Mr Javihn led the grounded. Public engagement introduction into ABCD. Using various group and observation is crucial to discussions and case studies to fuel understanding, identify if their project is Mr Javihn explained how the ABCD framework galvanises the community into action by drawing suitable for execution. on the strengths of its people, whether physical or - SUMMER HA, 29, RESEARCH ASSOCIATE, ARCHITECTURE AND personal. Empowering the community in this SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FACULTY, SUTD ground-up manner fosters stronger bonds and

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01-05 Talk of the town v2.indd 3 13/2/20 4:29 PM motivates everyone to create new opportunities for “I think this is a very good platform for people from themselves in the process. diverse backgrounds to create a better community. It’s also interesting to see how different the ideas are across Mr Daryl’s segment focused on the importance of the different age groups! For example, the younger community mapping in identifying and strengthening generation prefers using technology to connect people, project goals and objectives. In addition, he explained how while the older participants are more into hands-on community engagement is critical for participants to form activities,” shared Mr Wang Yam Peng, deputy general better insights into how their proposed project can meet manager at Tampines Town Council. the needs of residents and members of the public. Armed with new knowledge and these fresh perspectives, “We teach our students how to frame their projects by the participants will be implementing their ideas through looking at the data first, and how to synthesise it and use to March 2020. Their efforts will culminate during HDB it to create better ideas,” said Mr Daryl. Community Week 2020, where these projects will be showcased and the winning teams announced in an To grasp a better sense of the community mapping awards ceremony. techniques, the groups conducted mock site inspections at nearby void decks. While one group focused on a fruit and herb garden maintained by residents, another was invited into the home of a resident who embraced their plans for a tech- Urban planning has driven event. With this feedback, the groups were ready for always been a very the actual site inspection, which was held later that afternoon. top-down approach, Time for an update so it’s good to see Reconvening a few weeks later, the groups presented their that the authorities final ideas to the resource persons from various agencies, are receptive to letting the such as the Town Council, as well as the facilitating community create their own schools like SUTD. The Check-in Session at the East Zone on 30 November 2019 was a particularly rousing identity and people-places. one, with participants, facilitators and resource persons - FATHIMAH FATHAH, 26, URBAN PLANNING POST-GRADUATE all adding to the lively discussions that ensued. AT NUS AND HEAD OF “THE URBANIST” 04

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LIVELY PLACES PROGRAMME

WHAT IS IT? The Lively Places Programme is a joint initiative by HDB and URA to support community-led efforts in enlivening Singapore’s public spaces.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF FUNDING AVAILABLE? Project Fund Building Fund Street Closure (up to $5,000) (up to $5,000) - Implementation period of 6 (up to $5,000) This is for event months or less after installation; and Building This is for projects initiatives that activate Fund (up to $20,000) - Implementation period of that transform spaces or bond more than 6 months after installation streets into active neighbours in HDB This is for projects involving installations that bring public spaces for neighbourhoods. about a physical transformation of existing public spaces. the community.

Who can apply for How do I ensure that my ideas get funded? the funding? • Singaporean Citizens and permanent residents • Individuals or as a team

For more information, visit https://www.hdb.gov.sg/ cs/infoweb/community/ getting-involved/lively- places-programme.

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01-05 Talk of the town v2.indd 5 12/2/20 4:50 PM TOURING Toa Payoh TOA PAYOH IS ONE OF SINGAPORE’S OLDEST Toa Payoh, the first estate developed Today, Toa Payoh remains one of ESTATES THAT HAS THE by the HDB and the poster town the busiest estates as well as among DISTINCTION OF BEING for being a public housing model, is the most coveted, thanks to its TOA PAYOH VISITED NOT JUST ONCE, famous for a few milestones, such as proximity to the city. Besides the BUT TWICE, BY HER being the location where the MRT iconic Dragon Playground, here are ROYAL MAJESTY QUEEN held the inaugural ceremony that five more landmarks to discover in ELIZABETH II! kick-started operations back in 1987. the area.

Block 53, Lorong 5 Back in the day, Block 53 at Lorong 5 formed a distinct part of the skyline as one of the neighbourhood’s My best memory of tallest blocks and was the only high-rise with a unique living in Toa Payoh Y-shaped design. There are iconic buildings and that status certainly belongs to Block 53 — after all, it is has to be receiving Queen Singapore’s first block of public housing apartments Elizabeth II at my old home. that Queen Elizabeth II visited during her maiden visit I remember my parents making to the country. sure that the flat was spick and Accompanying her on this momentous occasion on span, and that we were dressed 18 February 1972 were other dignitaries who included appropriately to receive the Singapore’s second president Benjamin Sheares and Sir William Goode, the last British governor of VIPs. Of course, there was a Singapore. In 2006, Queen Elizabeth II visited Toa Payoh lot of anticipation building up again, for a second time. towards the big day! – JEROME LIM, 54, SELF-EMPLOYED

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I’ve lived in Toa Payoh for more than 20 years. Although I don’t really remember using the facilities Toa Payoh Sports Complex In 1973, Singapore was abuzz at the at the Toa Payoh prospect of hosting the Southeast Sports Complex Asian Peninsular Games (now back then, now that known as the Southeast Asian Games) for the very first time. Four I have children, I residential blocks in Toa Payoh were find myself going Dragon Pillar chosen as the Games Village for there a lot more. While Toa Payoh’s most famous visiting athletes and officials. dragon resides at the playground My children enjoy on Lorong 6, another dragon Constructed specially for the event, swimming there, can be found elsewhere in the the Toa Payoh Sports Complex estate — specifically, in front comprises a stadium, a swimming and it’s just super of Block 91 at Lorong 3. Here, complex, and a sports hall. Since convenient for us to the mystical creature is curled then, the Complex has been visit as a family, as around a red pillar, which is maintained for the community. It has thought to have been built to also served as a venue for other major it is located in the enhance the fengshui of the sports events, such as the 2009 Asian neighbourhood. area (in Chinese culture, Youth Games and the inaugural – AZMAN IVAN TAN, 41, CEO OF A dragons represent wealth and Youth Olympic Games in 2010. LOCAL START-UP good fortune).

TOA PAYOH TOWN PARK

Chung Hwa Medical Institution At a glance, the palatial Chung Hwa Medical Institution seems uprooted from a bygone Chinese dynasty. Fittingly, visitors can expect to receive exemplary services at the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clinic in its premises. Thanks to its beautifully landscaped grounds, the verdant park was one of the most The building also houses the Singapore College of popular wedding photoshoot venues in the Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Chinese Medical and 1980s. It is also home to a diverse population Drugs Research Institute, and the Chinese Acupuncture of flora and fauna — in fact, more than 20 Research Institution. It is also the headquarters of the species of damselflies and dragonflies have Singapore Chinese Physicians’ Association, the country’s been spotted here! recognised authority in the TCM field. 07

06-07 Around the Blk - Toa Payoh landmarks 1a.indd 7 14/2/20 4:01 PM Eat, Drink & Shop Merry IN TOA PAYOH! IT IS NO SURPRISE THAT ONE OF SINGAPORE’S EARLIEST HOUSING ESTATES IS ALSO WHERE YOU CAN ENJOY THESE NATIONAL PASTIMES TO THE FULLEST.

Toa Payoh’s dining and retail landscape features an eclectic mix that leaves both residents and visitors spoilt for choice, with a handful of notable establishments worth travelling for.

Chey Sua Carrot Cake Blk 127, Toa Payoh Lorong 1, #02-30, Singapore 310127 Chey Sua’s history dates back to the 1960s, when founder Tay Hoe Seng first started selling homemade chai tow kway (carrot cake) from a pushcart in Serangoon Gardens. Although his daughters now helm the stall in Toa Payoh, they still insist on making everything from scratch — from steaming the carrot cake to preparing the chilli.

The steamed carrot cake is cut into cubes, fried with a huge serving of eggs and caipoh (preserved radish), then spread with a thin layer of chilli. Unlike the usual chai tow kway, Chey Sua’s version is flatter and resembles a pancake. Beneath the crisp brown outer The Larder Cafe layer is the moist and soft Blk 177, Toa Payoh Central, #01-124, carrot cake, while the Singapore 310177 chilli adds an extra kick. A stone’s throw from Toa Payoh MRT station, The The Tays’ delicious Larder Cafe is still going strong after four years in treatment of this business. With its concrete screed flooring, industrial- humble dish earned style decor, and abundance of natural light, it’s hard to their version a imagine the cafe being located at an HDB shophouse. listing in the Singapore The biggest draws for the cafe’s returning customers Michelin Bib are its friendly service, extensive menu, and generous Gourmand two portions at affordable prices — most of the mains are years in a priced below $20. According to the staff, bestsellers row, in 2016 include the Honey Baked Ham Eggs Benedict, Black and 2017. Mama Pork Burger, and BBQ Pork Ribs. During our visit, their wide selection of homemade ice cream was also a hit among the full-house crowd. DID YOU KNOW? Chey Sua sells only the white version of carrot cake. The stall is open from 6am DID YOU KNOW? You can save on to 1pm daily (except Mondays), but drop by early service charge and GST at The Larder Cafe. to avoid disappointment! Advance reservations are recommended. 08

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BNC Retail @ Toa Payoh Blk 178, Toa Payoh Central, #01-226, Singapore 310178 A frontrunner in the gardening and landscaping industry for over 50 years, Ban Nee Chen has diversified operations islandwide with its sprawling nurseries and now, retail shops that cater to the needs of gardening enthusiasts in the heartlands. Its retail store in Toa Payoh Central opened about a year ago, and offers an extensive selection of indoor and outdoor plants, flowers, and tools to indulge all levels of green fingers.

I go past the shop every Sunday. I’m happy to have such a comprehensive shop in the neighbourhood. There’s no need to go to the nurseries anymore! Creamier – MDM WONG, 61, RETIREE Blk 131, Toa Payoh Lorong 1, #01-02, Singapore 310131 DID YOU KNOW? Apart from retail, Ban Nee One of the pioneering cafes that ushered in the first Chen also provides a wide range of professional wave of ice cream and waffle parlours in the HDB landscaping and design-and-build services for both heartlands back in 2011, Creamier is famous for consumers and industrial users. its generous scoops of handcrafted ice cream. New branches have since opened at Gillman Barracks and Phoon Huat Tiong Bahru, but it is the original location at Toa Blk 107, Toa Payoh Lorong 1, #01-270, Payoh Lorong 1 that has the lion’s share of loyalists, Singapore 310107 who formed long lines before the shop’s closure in Despite its well-earned reputation as a go-to for all June 2019. baking needs, Phoon Huat offers a bigger treasure trove that goes beyond its core offerings of cake mixes and Thankfully, Creamier’s absence from the dairy products. neighbourhood was short-lived, as the cafe made a comeback with its new space located just across The surprise is in discovering ingredients for Western the road from the former outlet! To our delight, dishes are sold here, with myriad options for pizzas, the richness and taste of their ice cream remain pastas and soups available. Although there is no artisanal gratifyingly good. We recommend crowd favourites cheese, the outlet does stock soft types such as brie like Earl Grey lavender, sea salt gula melaka (palm and camembert, sliced sandwich cheeses, and breaded sugar), and pulut hitam (black glutinous rice). mozzarella sticks. You can DID YOU KNOW? Creamier has partnered with even customise The Food Bank Singapore (FBSG) to dedicate a your own muesli section of the store named PIKO (short for “pick with ingredients and go”) to host The Food Pantry 2.0, a concept such as rolled featuring fully automated smart vending machines oats, nuts that dispense donated food at $2 per item. The and cereal! machines also serve as a collection point for beneficiaries with issued RFID tags. Those who DID YOU KNOW? On top of prices that are on wish to donate non-perishable food can do so at par with or lower than regular supermarkets, PIKO, which also offers products such as frozen Phoon Huat offers 10% storewide discount every meals, snacks, and household items to bring Wednesday and Sunday. greater convenience to residents. 09

08-09 Around the Blk - TP Eat drink V1.indd 7 13/2/20 4:36 PM Eco-friendlyA WALK DOWN THE Lane ONCE HOME TO AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES FROM PIG FARMING TO FISHERIES, PUNGGOL’S CHANGING FORTUNES AND FACELIFT HAVE CULMINATED IN A SHOWPIECE OF MODERN ECO-LIVING.

Punggol may be one of Singapore’s and the use of self-cleansing paint newest housing estates, but don’t on wall exteriors. let its modern facade trick you into thinking that it is just another concrete “I joined the Explorer Trail because jungle. Earmarked as Singapore’s first I was interested to find out more eco-town, Punggol’s once rugged about the sustainable features of coastline has steadily transformed Punggol,” explained Ms Maisie Koh, into a waterfront oasis primed for 24, who was there with her partner, sustainable residential living. Mr Tan Wei Hao, 27. “But what I really liked most about the activity In particular, Punggol Waterway was the stories that our guide shared and Treelodge@Punggol precincts of his childhood.” represent the hallmarks of a vibrant eco-friendly town with lush greenery Besides personal anecdotes, the as well as innovatively designed tour’s programme shed light on recreational spaces and infrastructure. how to fashion self-propelling toys from tapioca leaves, and the various To learn more about these iconic types of edible plants grown at the developments, Life Storeys joined community garden. the Explorer Trail, part of HDB’s Eco Learning Journeys, which offer We headed next to My Waterway@ participants a free 2.5-hour guided tour Punggol, a riverine park a stone’s to discover the green pulse of Punggol. throw from Treelodge@Punggol. Punggol Waterway is Singapore’s Crossing the picturesque Kelong Led by a professional tour guide, longest man-made waterway. The Bridge, we arrived at our last stop, a our 40-member group headed to 4.2km-long waterway meanders 160m-long preserved stretch of Old Treelodge@Punggol, HDB’s first through the heart of Punggol, Punggol Road, where information eco-precinct that harnesses natural allowing visitors to enjoy panels outline Punggol’s history, elements to promote green living. water-based leisure activities or including descriptions of the wild take a stroll along the promenade animals that once roamed the area. The precinct, which brings eco- surrounded by natural foliage. An old bus stop serves as a rest friendly amenities closer to residents area and a throwback to a time while fostering closer community Here, the group paused to learn when most bus stops sported these ties, was completed in 2010. It is more about several types of trees distinctive orange and white stripes. also a winner of the Green Mark growing at the park, such as Platinum award, a prestigious “Singapore’s cherry blossoms” Although she did not grow up in recognition for environmentally (Trumpet Tree or Tabebuia rosea, Punggol, Mdm Chua Heok, who is friendly buildings. This is evident which in full bloom, cascades a in her sixties, recalled her visits to from how the blocks are oriented to blanket of pink blossoms), and the the area when she was younger — in maximise natural cross-ventilation rubber tree. particular, the pig farms, the last 10

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I joined the Explorer Trail because I was interested to find out more about the sustainable features of Punggol. – MS MAISIE KOH, 24

of which closed in 1990. “Things have certainly changed but I can almost still ‘smell’ the stench from the former pig farms here! Punggol is so nice and green now, and I will definitely come back to visit with my family,” she added.

To find out more about the Eco Trails, visit https://www.hdb.gov.sg/ cs/infoweb/ecolearning.

The guided tour allows participants to gain a better understanding of the history of and the eco-friendly features in Punggol 11

10-11 Around The Block - Eco-friendly lane_V2.indd 11 13/2/20 4:42 PM AGEING WITH Benefits SENIORS NOT ONLY LEARNED MORE ABOUT THEIR BENEFITS, BUT ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE WITH THEIR COMMUNITY AT THE MERDEKA GENERATION ROADSHOWS.

Born in the 1950s, the Merdeka package, which serves to defray set up by People’s Association (PA), Generation was raised during a healthcare costs and promote active Health Promotion Board (HPB), tumultuous period before and after ageing, will be offered to some and Sport Singapore (SportSG) Singapore’s independence. This is 500,000 eligible Singaporeans. aimed to encourage seniors to join the generation that went through active living programmes. the struggle against colonialism and Starting from June 2019, a total of communism; they witnessed the 23 community roadshows have been Event-goers had the chance to take racial riots and were instrumental progressively organised islandwide part in workshops, such as DIY in Singapore’s survival after the to educate and engage the seniors on body scrub, basic Pastel Nagomi separation from Malaysia. the benefits of the MGP and other Art and air-dry clay art. Those care schemes. who signed up for PA courses on To recognise their contributions, the spot could also redeem Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong A wealth of information exclusive collectibles. first announced the Merdeka Held in the heartlands, the Generation Package (MGP) during roadshows were met with huge Silver Generation Ambassadors his National Day Rally in 2018. The turnouts. At each roadshow, booths were on hand to provide 12

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I heard about the roadshow on the radio, so I came to see BENEFITS Rahimah Rahim. It’s a good OF opportunity to mix around. I chatted and made friends MERDEKA with people around my age. GENERATION5 JAMIAH BTE SHAN, 61, PRODUCTION OPERATOR PACKAGE

one-to-one consultation for those One-time $100 top-up to who required clarifications or had PAssion Silver cards feedback. Visitors could also pick up 1Use it to pay for activities a comic book based on the theme at community clubs, utilise of Lao Fu Zi (Old Master Q), with ActiveSG pools and gyms, make essential details on the MGP. The purchases at selected merchants, book also lists resources, such as take public transport, and more. career support and lifelong learning $200 annual programmes, and care services, MediSave top-up which the seniors can tap into. Get the top-up every year until2 2023. This can help to pay In addition, the seniors were for health screenings, chronic rendered digital literacy tips, such disease management, outpatient as downloading of useful apps treatments, hospitalisation, (Wireless@SG and Healthy365, for care scheme premiums, example), signing up for MGP’s among others. WhatsApp service to receive Game for golden years updates, and registering or resetting It wasn’t all serious, however. One Additional outpatient a SingPass account. event highlight that attracted long care subsidies queues was the Spin & Win booth, Enjoy special Community where participants snagged useful Health3 Assist Scheme (CHAS) goodies, such as water bottles, subsidies for common illnesses, The umbrellas, cooler bags, and chronic conditions, and dental roadshow airtight containers. procedures. Get an additional 25% off subsidised bills at helps The seniors particularly enjoyed polyclinics and public Specialist raise the games where they could win Outpatient Clinics. awareness prizes by demonstrating their understanding of the MGP, as well More incentive to join CareShield Life about the MGP. as interact with local celebrities, Receive an extra $1,500 Those who only including Rahimah Rahim, Marcus 4“participation incentive” — on Chin, Kym Ng, Mastura Ahmad, knew of some of the top of the previously announced benefits previously and Pornsak. The latter proved to be $2,500 — when you join a hit with the crowd at the Clementi CareShield Life. This can offset can now have a roadshow as throngs formed lines to your annual premiums for over better idea of the snap a shot with him at the Lao Fu 10 years. Zi photo booth. package by coming Additional MediShield here. I also had Other stage activities, which varied Life premium subsidies fun collecting the according to the different locations, These subsidies start from 5% of included a skit on dementia by HPB, MediShield5 Life premiums, and freebies, and the skit a sketch on cyber safety and scams will increase to 10% after your performances are by the Media Literacy Council, 75th birthday. This translates exercise demonstrations by to a discount between $31.50 very informative! SportSG, and performances by PA and $918, depending on the MR TAN, 66, CLEANER interest groups. premium amount. 13

12-13 Life Storeys -Ageing with Benefits.indd 13 14/2/20 4:09 PM Draw ng FOR KEEPS SINGAPOREAN ARTIST LEE KOW FONG DRAWS INSPIRATION FROM THE HEARTLANDS TO INJECT A LIVELY LOCAL SPIN INTO HIS WHIMSICAL WATERCOLOUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

We may get on in years, but our reputation and a strong following with endowed the 48-year-old with a rent- inner child still resides within his distinctive works. Besides authoring free studio for his tenure as its first us. Embracing that childlike sense and illustrating four series of picture artist-in-residence. Life Storeys paid of wonder can help us rediscover books for children, he has also ventured him a visit at his cosy workspace, life with a fresh perspective. That’s successfully into merchandising, with where he shared with us more about what Lee Kow Fong, better known his illustrations adorning items from his extraordinary journey. by his pen name Ah Guo, seeks to tote bags and towels to cushion covers, accomplish with his works. stationery, and more. How did you acquire your moniker? A prolific columnist, illustrator In February 2019, Singapore Press When I was in junior college, I used and author, Ah Guo has earned a Holdings’ Chinese Media Group to submit my writing to the Chinese 14

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papers. The trend then was to use a like look. If you look at the works of way of life through my works. This pen name and I wanted one that didn’t different illustrators around the world, prompted me to start on a nostalgic- sound too “artistic”. Aptly enough, the you’d realise that some of their styles are themed series depicting traditional “Fong” in my name represents good actually very sophisticated and meant playgrounds, old bus stops and heritage harvest, and indeed, I hope to reap to be appreciated by adults. During buildings, which turned out to be very fruitful results in whatever I do. my visual storytelling, I use my own well received. imagination liberally and this results in When did you discover boundless possibilities. My vision is to These days, my drawings are related your passion for drawing? create picture books that are not only to daily life. I’m currently working on I’ve enjoyed drawing since young enjoyed by children, but also adults. a hawker centre series, which is so fun but I didn’t attend any art classes. to draw! Kopitiams and hawker centres Although I took Art Elective There’s a distinctive local are places that I pass by every day, and Programme (AEP) as an O-level flavour in some of your where I make interesting observations. subject, my subsequent endeavours works. Why is that so? When I witness heartwarming still focused more on Chinese studies When I first started watercolour moments, such as an elderly man and and writing, rather than art. Drawing painting, I didn’t incorporate any local his grandson having breakfast together, was more of a personal hobby. Then elements. It was in 2015 when I’ll record these down to recreate in my came the rise of blogging, which Mr Lee Kuan Yew passed away that illustrations later. spurred me to create one to share I painted three portraits of him that my writing. At the time, most people deviated from my usual style. It struck What’s your favourite part were posting photos but I wanted to me then that I could convey the local about living in an HDB flat? include my own drawings. I lived in a kampung until I was five years old, and I’ve been residing in How has your an HDB flat ever since. It is my living professional journey as space and it provides me with a lot of an artist been like so creative inspiration. In particular, I find far, given that such a the void deck such an intriguing space: career is not exactly sometimes, you see the elderly chit- common in Singapore? chatting or playing chess; kids playing; I joined Ngee Ann Polytechnic as or weddings, parties and wakes being a lecturer in 2007. Along the way, I held there. Despite its name, the void had opportunities to freelance as an deck is not empty at all; rather, because illustrator, before I took a 1.5-year it is “void”, anything is possible. break in 2009 to obtain a Master of Arts (MA) degree in children’s book Any advice for illustration in the UK. Although aspiring artists? I returned to Singapore in 2011, When I meet illustrators in their 30s, I it wasn’t until two years ago that I envy them as, unlike myself, they have finally decided to resign from the luxury of time to explore, make full-time teaching. mistakes, and develop their talent. Time is of the essence; so if you are very Initially I felt insecure and wondered if certain that this is what you want, go for I could survive. In fact, I still do adjunct it while you are young. However, before teaching at Ngee Ann, while working I find the void you take that leap of faith, do consider on commissioned assignments. I also building a sizeable portfolio first, which collaborate with my friend’s company deck such an will help convince people that you can to produce merchandise that feature produce quality work. my illustrations. I’ve put up several intriguing space. original paintings for purchase, too. Despite its name, Why children’s book the void deck is GET YOUR ART FIX illustrations in particular? not empty at all; Visit Ah Guo’s (@kowfong) I like writing original stories and ongoing art exhibition complementing the words with rather, because it Whimsical Reality at Singapore drawings. There’s a misconception that is “void”, anything Flyer. Open daily from 10am illustrations for children’s picture books to 8pm, with a selection of require a certain kiddy or Disney- is possible. merchandise available. 15

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KUEH LAPIS (multi-layered butter cake) Belly WORKOUT • Walk 73min • Swim 35min • Household chores Happy 90min 56 THE AVERAGE ADULT WOULD kcal CONSUME AN EXTRA 500 KCAL per piece A DAY FROM FESTIVE SNACKING. HERE IS A GUIDE ON HOW MUCH LOVE EXERCISE YOU NEED TO EXPEND LETTER THE EXCESS CALORIES. WORKOUT • Walk 17min • Stair-climbing 8min • Household chores Workout: recommended duration varies 20min based on intensity

EAT YOUR WAY THROUGH CNY goodies are usually low in stimulates the release of peptides FESTIVE SEASONS WITHOUT nutrients and therefore should not in the gut, which then signals to RISKING UNHEALTHY be meal substitutes. Avoid skipping your brain that you are full. If you REPERCUSSIONS. your regular meals before visiting are at a buffet or potluck party, be — foods that are rich in fibre and more selective and not pile some of LOAD UP ON vitamin C will help you stay full over everything on your plate. FIBRES FIRST longer periods, so you naturally Research has shown that people cut down on snacking. PACE YOURSELF who go supermarket shopping Did you know it takes about while feeling peckish tend to make PRIORITISE PROTEIN 20 minutes before your brain 1more impulsive and calorie-laden At the dining table, identify registers that you are full? Avoid purchases. Visiting your relatives on the lean protein (such as overeating during this lapse by an empty stomach is likely to trigger skinless chicken, fish, and soy- chewing3 your food slowly, which the same behaviour, with all the treats based foods) first. Protein is a aids digestion, too. To trick your becoming even more irresistible. satiating2 macronutrient that mind, try eating off a smaller plate 16

16-17 Livin It Up - Belly Happy v3.indd 16 14/2/20 9:48 AM Livin’ It Up

23 kcal per piece

SPICY DRIED SHRIMP ROLL WORKOUT • Walk 7min • Skip 2.5min • Household chores 7min 15 kcal per piece

KUEH BANGKIT (coconut cookies)

WORKOUT • Brisk Walk 5min • Carry a baby 5min • Household chores 5min 93 kcal 370 per piece kcal per slice PINEAPPLE TART BAK KWA WORKOUT WORKOUT • Walk 28min • Walk 113min • Jumping jacks • Jog 47min 25min • Household chores • Household chores 140min 30min

or nibbling smaller pieces of bak rough amount of time it takes for nuts or chia seeds in place of kwa (sliced barbecued pork). food to fully digest. deep-fried crackers. AVOID EATING THREE DON’T SNUB QUENCH YOUR THIRST HOURS BEFORE BED HOMEMADE GRUB We may sometimes mistake A sore throat in the wake of Preparing meals at home thirst for hunger and end up the holidays could be a result of is not only economical and cosy, snacking when we really should laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), but you are also in control of the be drinking. To tell the difference, 4which happens when stomach amount5 of salt, oil and sugar that 6reach for a glass of water first. acid travels up the oesophagus and goes into every dish. Consider If the hydration makes you feel causes inflammation of the larynx making your own healthier better, then you probably weren’t (voice box). To minimise LPR from version of the prosperity raw fish hungry in the first place. Water also occurring, stop eating when you feel salad (yusheng) by substituting contains zero calories, while soft nearly full and at least three to four plum sauce with a lime and drinks and alcohol have at least 150 hours before sleeping, as that is the honey mixture, and using crushed calories per serving. 17

16-17 Livin It Up - Belly Happy v3.indd 17 14/2/20 9:48 AM Take Our Readers’ Survey

Answer some questions and stand to win shopping vouchers! Log on to http://hdb.gov.sg/lifestoreys for the questions and submit your answers.

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