MCI (P) 004/03/2016 Circulation 110,500 Copies Vibes 50 | Jul - Sep 2016

Vibes is reconnecting with the past! In our 50th issue, we find out what some of the residents we’ve featured before, are up to now. Show

08 YOUTH FOR YOUTH

THE EDITORIAL COMMITTEE 11 15 ADVISER Mr

CHAIRMAN Raymond Lye, BBM

VICE-CHAIRMAN Steven Lam, BBM

MEMBERS Mohd Anuar Bin Md Yusop, PBM Singapuri Mukesh Balwantram RACIAL AND RELIGIOUS Haja Nizamudeen, PBM HARMONY STREET PARADE Patrick Pang Zhiwei SG51 @ PUNGGOL DAMAI Lam Lee Choo

SECRETARY Regina Ang Melody Yeung

EDITORIAL CONSULTANT Design Fusion Pte Ltd

PRINTER Times Printers Pte Ltd

PASIR RIS OFFICE Blk 577, Pasir Ris Street 53 #01-88 510577 Tel: 6585 4938 Fax: 6585 4937 Email: [email protected] PUNGGOL OFFICE RUN, PUNGGOL EAST RUN Blk 603 Punggol Road #01-01 16 Singapore 820603 Tel: 6590 9500 Fax: 6659 8263 Email: [email protected] Share

RIVERVALE OFFICE It’s Vibes 50th issue and we’re commemorating it in a very special way! To move Blk 156A Rivervale Crescent #01-01 forward, we go back in time to revisit the people and places of our town that have Singapore 541156 Tel: 6489 0520 Fax: 6385 7120 grown and changed along with us. Inside, we feature a family who has been on the Email: @prpg-tc.org.sg cover of Vibes a cool 15 years ago. Wait till you see their ‘Then & Now’ picture!

SENGKANG OFFICE But more importantly, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making Vibes one Blk 266 Compassvale Bow #01-06 of the most well-received community newsletters. Thank you for reading, for writing Singapore 540266 Tel: 6489 0520 Fax: 6385 0930 in, and for giving us your support the last 19 years. We’ll continue to Email: [email protected] put out interesting and inspiring stories for your reading pleasure. Here’s to the next 50 issues! For Feedback on Vibes, email us at: [email protected] Patrick Pang Zhiiwei Member Visit our website at www.prpg-tc.org.sg

02 vibes Hearttoheart

SHOW SINGAPORE THE LOVE!

Pasir Ris-Punggol residents celebrated Singapore’s 51st birthday with bubbling fervour and enthusiasm in August by participating in their division’s National Day Observance Ceremony and the joint National Day Dinner! The observance ceremonies were held SG51 @ PUNGGOL DAMAI in the morning of August 9 for Singaporeans from all walks of life to come together and share their joy, pride and loyalty to the nation. People sang songs, watched uniformed groups march proudly in a show of unity, and took part in an array of creative fringe activities. The GRC’s National Day Dinner, held three days before National Day, had more than 3000 residents in attendance that made up a lively sea of red and white.

GRC WHAT & WHERE: National Day Observance Ceremonies & National Day Dinner at All Divisions WHO: WHO: MPs of Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC – Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Mr ; Acting Minister for Education (Schools) & Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Transport Mr ; Minister of State, Ministry of Manpower & Mayor of North East District Mr ; Deputy Speaker for Parliament Mr ; Minister of State, Ministry of Communications and Information & Ministry of Education Dr ; Mr Zainal Sapari; Ms WHEN: 6 – 9 Aug 2016

vibes 03 Hearttoheart Header Photo by Masjid Al Mawaddah

HARI RAYA @ PASIR RIS - PUNGGOL Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to all our Muslim residents! Leading up to the end of Ramadan, Pasir Ris-Punggol organised numerous community Iftar sessions, and later marked the end of the holy month with festive celebrations held around the GRC. The boisterous events saw the attendance of many residents who arrived dressed to the nines in their baju kurungs. Together with their family and friends, they enjoyed the variety of performances put up by local singers and musical groups, and also indulged in food, games and lucky draws.

GRC WHAT & WHERE: Hari Raya Celebrations at All Divisions WHO: MPs – DPM Teo Chee Hean; Mr Ng Chee Meng; Mr Teo Ser Luck; Mr Charles Chong; Dr Janil Puthucheary; Mr Zainal Sapari; Ms Sun Xueling WHEN: 31 July 2016

04 vibes Header Photo by Masjid Al Mawaddah

Classrooms and learning corners

MapleBear-ADA4-FA(Revised)-8Aug Path.indd 1 8/8/16 4:57 PM Hearttoheart Congratulations to Our 2016 National Day Award Recipients Pasir Ris-Punggol Town Council would like to congratulate our community leaders who have won the National Day Award.

(From left to right) Mr Choo Guan Ann, PBM Mr Andrew Lim Hong Wan, PBM Mr Lim Chee Siong, PBM Mr Albert Lim Swee Keng, PBM Mr John Ho Yip Cheng, PBM Mdm Glynis Lee Huang Kew, PBM Dr Doreen Tan Nee Moi, PBM Mr Haja Nizamudeen, PBM Mr Subramaniam s/o Sadasivam, PBM Mr Albert Koh Tiong Wah, BBM Mr Charlie Cheong Wing Tim, BBM Mr Alvin Tan Chee Tiong, PBM Mr Goh Hock Kwee, PBM

(Not pictured) The late Mr Jasmond Ong Chee Keong, PBM

06 vibes Hearttoheart

United Against Zika With the number of Zika cases on the rise, Pasir Ris West responded to the growing issue by organising a walkabout to raise awareness on the mosquito-borne disease. Led by DPM Teo and supported by Pasir Ris West C2E, Pasir Ris Meridian RC, Atlantis RC and WhiteWater NC, the group went around Pasir Ris West Plaza to provide residents with more information on the virus and how they can help fight it. Shop owners are also stepping up and helping to raise awareness by distributing flyers to their customers. DPM Teo also said that the most important thing right now is for Singaporeans to work together, and to deal with the situation by eradicating the Aedes mosquito and their breeding grounds.

PASIR RIS WEST WHAT & WHERE: Community Against Zika Walkabout at Pasir Ris West Plaza WHO: MP – DPM Teo Chee Hean WHEN: 3 Sept 2016

vibes 07 Hearttoheart YOUTH FOR YOUTH It’s the time of the year for community arts in Singapore to take the spotlight again! The annual PAssionArts Festival returns with the theme “Towards a Brighter Singapore” with aims of bringing people of different backgrounds together through the co-creation of art. Residents got to experience arts and culture at their doorstep on 13 August at the Sengkang Central PassionArts Festival 2016. Propelling the sub theme “Future of Us”, the event served as a platform for the youth to shine through their stage performances. Leading the way to a more vibrant arts scene were also students from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) who conducted a series of art workshops and curated a Fine Arts Exhibition for the event. Through them, residents had the opportunity to try their hand at various art techniques and bring home SENGKANG CENTRAL WHAT & WHERE: valued pieces of their works. Sengkang Central CACC PassionArts Festival 2016 at Sengkang CC WHEN: 13 Aug 2016

08 vibes Hearttoheart Waterway Terraces I Welcome Party

Residents of Waterway Terraces I took the opportunity to get acquainted with their neighbours at their block’s welcome party in August. Organised by the Housing Development Board and Punggol West Constituency Office, the event provided them the chance to make new friends through activities such as the ‘Friends Next Door’ Children’s Colouring contest and the ‘Waterway Terraces I Fun Quest’.

PUNGGOL WEST WHAT & WHERE: Welcome Party at Waterway Terraces I WHO: MP – Ms Sun Xueling WHEN: 13 Aug 2016

vibes 09 Hearttoheart A STEP CLOSER to a Rejuvenated Neighbourhood

A follow-up to the Public Consultation Exercise conducted in February 2016, the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP): Consensus Gathering for Blocks 440-461 Pasir Ris Drive 4-6 took place in July for residents to cast their vote in favour of or against the proposed upgrading works. Featuring a total of 16 upgrades/ additions, some of the highlights include a new 3-Generation garden and a landscaped path with seats. The upgrading proposal is a product of collective feedback residents provided at the Consultation Exercise previously; each feedback was analysed by the architects and incorporated whenever feasible. Mr Zainal Sapari was present to remind residents that the project is fully funded by the government, and advised them to take this opportunity to enhance their neighbourhood and living environment.

PASIR RIS EAST WHAT & WHERE: NRP Consensus Gathering at Blk 440 Pasir Ris Dr 4 WHO: MP - Mr Zainal Sapari WHEN: 17 July 2016

All proposals are subjected to clearances from various statutory authorities and approval of funds. 10 vibes Hearttoheart Racial and Religious Harmony Street Parade

More than 10,000 residents came out to celebrate inclusivity and diversity at Punggol North’s 12th annual Racial & Religious Harmony Street Parade & Family Carnival. Every year, the parade reminds us that Singapore has come a long way since the devastating 1960s racial riots, and continuous efforts must be made in preserving our unity and social harmony. On that day, contingents from different interest groups, clubs and associations took the streets to put up colourful and energetic performances for the crowd to marvel at. Hosted by Mr Ng Chee Meng, he was joined by Mr Charles Chong, Mr Zainal Sapari and DPM Teo who urged all residents during his address to always focus on what unites us as Singaporeans, rather than be drawn apart by what makes us different.

PUNGGOL NORTH WHAT & WHERE: Punggol North Racial and Religious Harmony Street Parade at Blk 173 Punggol Field WHO: MPs – DPM Teo Chee Hean; Mr Ng Chee Meng; Mr Charles Chong; Mr Zainal Sapari WHEN: 17 Jul 2016

vibes 11 Hearttoheart are They Now? Where The Rahman Family

15 years ago, the Rahmans caught our attention with their large family of seven. Sharing their unique joys and challenges of raising five children, Mr and Mrs Rahman also said they’ll never consider moving out of Pasir Ris – and they never did! Their entourage may have expanded considerably, but one thing that hasn’t changed is how closely-knit the family still is.

12 vibes Featured in: Issue 16 • When: March 2001 Hearttoheart

Muhammad Umar, 29 A carefree secondary two student 15 years ago, Umar now carries the weight of the eldest son and feels responsible for the wellbeing of his siblings and his aging parents. The father of one works at SCDF as a Disaster Assistance Rescue Team (DART) Specialist, and remembers the frenzy when the newsletter was circulated on the now-ancient ‘Friendster’ (wow).

Muhammad Othman, 25 Working at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Othman is most proud of how well his parents have brought him and his siblings up. His goal in life? To “discipline my children like how my parents disciplined us”. While Abu Bakar, 27 Siti Aishah, 32 running and wrestling were his childhood staple, he observes the current generation’s obsession with IT and hopes they will learn to limit their The first to get married, Abu She was taking her O levels usage. Bakar is now daddy to three the year the newsletter came kids. A self-described bad out. Oldest child Aishah feels Muhammad Ali, 24 boy, he was once touted as “overwhelmed” upon realising someone who would never how much her brothers The baby of the family, Ali is now studying Mechanical Engineering succeed in life. He is now the have grown! Now a mother at the Singapore Institute of Technology. Only nine years old back youngest safety manager of two bubbly boys, she then, he was blissfully unaware that his family photo had been on handling one of the biggest says she now understands the cover of Vibes and distributed to the entire town. One of his projects in Singapore – the real responsibility and has fondest memories as a child was going to Changi Airport with this Terminal 5 Airport. Because of come to see how much their family to gaze at airplanes while drinking bandung. Ali intends his work, he understands the parents have sacrificed. A to pursue his childhood ambitions of becoming a pilot after importance of Mandarin and bank officer at DBS, she now graduation. has made learning it a priority lives in Tampines with her in his family. family.

Haji Rahman, 61 and Hajjah Habsah, 57 It was all about the kids back then. Now that they’re all grown up, Mr and Mrs Rahman have more time for themselves but choose to spend their days working to keep their bodies and minds active. Mr Rahman is now a senior operations manager, while Mrs Rahman works at HDB Sengkang Branch as an admin executive; she’s been with HDB for 37 years! Like how their family has changed, they say that Pasir Ris has evolved too and appreciates the improvements around the estate.

vibes 13 Hearttoheart

NOW Sungei Api Api: Through the years, Sungei Api Api has grown from a barefaced river to one with lush mangroves and thick vegetation. In 2013, under the PUB’s Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) programme, Sungei Api Api underwent an enhancement to include even more greenery, communal spaces, cleansing biotopes and rain gardens. The makeover was completed in 2015 and now gives residents and nature lovers alike a waterfront experience like no other.

NOW 1997

NOW Pasir Ris Park and Beach: Since its opening in 1989, Pasir Ris Park and Beach has been the go-to place for those yearning to get away from the city. While the beach hasn’t changed, over time, more sporting and lifestyle elements such as playgrounds, restaurants and pony rides have been added for public use and entertainment, making the park an indispensable feature of our town.

1999 NOW

NOW Matilda House: One of the oldest houses in Singapore, the Matilda House was given conservation status by the URA in 2000. Often referred to as “Ghost House” or Istana Menanti (The Waiting Palace), the site was sold in 2012 for redevelopment and the house is now part of the condominium, A Treasure Trove. The façade and interior have been restored and it now functions as the condo’s clubhouse.

NOW 2005

14 vibes Hearttoheart SG51 Didn’t manage to grab tickets to catch the National Day Parade? Punggol Damai had the solution for those who were feeling just a little left out. Gathering all the residents who wanted to celebrate the joyous occasion together, they celebrated National Day their own way at the Punggol Damai SG51 Celebration. Plenty of game and food stalls were set up for the residents to patronise, and amongst the night’s highlights was a fire safety demonstration by the Singapore Civil Defence Force. The night ended with a hearty sing-a-long session led by Dr Janil Puthucheary, where kids and adults alike gathered and sang their favourite NDP songs with gusto.

PUNGGOL COAST WHAT & WHERE: Punggol Damai SG51 Celebration at Blk 613 Punggol Drive WHO: MP – Dr Janil Puthucheary WHEN: 3 Aug 2016

vibes 15 Hearttoheart

Some 500 Punggol East residents spent a very fulfilling morning at the Community PUNGGOL EAST SMC Sports Day 2016 & Family Day that was organised by Punggol East Community Sports WHAT & WHERE: Community Sports Day & Family Day @ Punggol East at Blk 180C Club & Rivervale Arc Residents’ Committee. At 8.30am sharp, the enthusiastic folks Rivervale Crescent Open Field convened and embarked on a 1.2km-long walk along Rivervale Drive and Sengkang WHO: MP – Mr Charles Chong East Drive, before returning to partake in the racial harmony sports challenge. The WHEN: 23 Jul 2016 area was also peppered with an assortment of game booths, sports workshops and snack stalls for their enjoyment. While the skies were overcast that day, poor weather did not stop our residents from enjoying the rest of the morning.

16 vibes

Hi Leonie, for those who haven’t caught wind of your Hearttoheart proposition, could you share what you’re offering in light of the Zika outbreak? Leonie Besson: My husband, Justin, and I are opening up our home in Pasir Ris to any couple expecting a baby and who are living in known Zika hot spots. We have a spare room that’s air conditioned and furnished with a wardrobe and pull-out bed. The couple is free to use our home like theirs, and is welcome to the kitchen, living and dining areas as well!

Why are you doing this? I was lamenting to Justin how some people in Singapore behave, clearing stocks of mosquito repellent from shelves even though they didn’t need that many right away, and in the process, depriving others of even having some for immediate use. I even saw a posting of a person selling it on Carousell at a marked up price hoping to make a quick buck.

I wish for a Singapore that is less about individual survival and more about helping everyone in the community - and thought to myself, what can we do? And then I got the idea to open up our home. I was pregnant at this time last year, so I could imagine the worry pregnant mothers must be feeling.

That’s a pretty generous gesture. Have you always had charitable tendencies? I wouldn’t say that I’ve always had charitable tendencies, but I do tend to prioritise and value a community benefit over an individual one. I had a convent school upbringing and later taught at a Lasallian school, so you could say my entire life I was surrounded by people and a culture that placed community above self.

What do you and your family stand to gain from any of this, if any? It’s always nice to meet new people, so I think the only thing to gain would potentially be new family friends.

Has anyone taken up or enquired on the offer yet? IT STARTS Nope, no one has taken it up yet! Tell us a little bit about yourselves. What do you guys like to do in your free time? WITH Justin and I stay at home mostly, and we like to cook meals together. We also enjoy taking the little one out to see things like nature in parks or for water play

How do you think the community can play their part PregnantONE and living in a Zika during trying times like these? hotspot that you temporarily I think the community can be more open and cooperative want to get away from? with each other. If a neighbour says you have a breeding ground for mosquitoes, instead of calling them kaypoh or Look for the Bessons. getting defensive, say thank you and do what you need to do to make the whole area safe. If you are ill, be socially responsible; stay at home to prevent the disease from spreading.

We are all here on this tiny island together, if we can band together and help each other, we can overcome any obstacle. We need to be the Singapore we want to see, not wait for someone else to do it.

18 vibes vibes 19 Town Council Stop High-Rise Cigarette Butt Littering! It Burns and Causes Fires!

高楼乱抛烟头会灼伤他人 也会引起火灾!

Hentikan Pembuangan Puntung Rokok Dari Tempat Tinggi! Ia Membakar Dan Menyebabkan Kebakaran!

20 vibes Stop High-Rise Allegro Education Centre: Blk 198 Punggol Field #02-05 Singapore 820198 DON’T (opp COVE LRT) www.allegroeducation.com, Cigarette Butt Littering! Email: [email protected] WASTE 9889 0533 CALLING ALL PARENTS OF 4-6 YEAR OLD CHILDREN! It Burns and Causes Fires! HELP YOUR CHILD HAVE A HEADSTART IN SPELLING! LEARN PHONICS TODAY! Allegro Phonics is developed based on Professor Howard Gardner’s theory of Multiple intelligence to meet the different learning styles of children.

高楼乱抛烟头会灼伤他人 WATER! Help your child achieve mastery in reading, spelling and writing through our comprehensive and progressive four-stage phonics programme!

也会引起火灾! Stage One: Sound Genius WE ARE LOCATED Stage Two: Word Family Masters IN PUNGGOL! Stage Three: Blending Experts Stage Four: Budding Writers

Give us a call for a FREE Hentikan Pembuangan Puntung diagnostic assessment for your child today!

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vibes 2321 Travel

MammaNatasha Razak Mia! “Italy, and the spring and first love all together should suffice to make the gloomiest person happy.” - Bertrand Russell

From the fashion in Milan, the picturesque scenery of Venice, the serenity of the atmosphere in Cinque Terre, the Renaissance treasures of Florence to the beauty of Rome, Italy was one of the most breathtaking holiday my family and I had ever been to.

We went with Dynasty’s packaged tour last December and our minds We were mesmerized by the beautiful architecture of the Duomos such were at ease as we did not have to worry about planning our daily as the Milan Duomo. Aside from the dazzling architecture, we were also activities or catching the last train or having to overcome language enthralled by the delicious food in Italy. The land of pizzas and pastas barriers if we were to lose our way in unfamiliar grounds. served food that looked similar to what we have in Singapore, yet taste vastly different. The portions were huge. Can you believe that we had half of a 16-inch pizza each for appetizers? APPETIZERS!

Towards the last few days of the trip, we were given a chance to step into Cinque Terre: where villages are strung along a short the kitchen of an Italian restaurant and make our very own pizzas for dinner! stretch of cliffs above the Gulf of Poets. The view from the top was captivating and the picture captured is only half as beautiful as the scenery itself. You will definitely regret it if you don’t try the Gelato ice cream in Italy. Despite the freezing cold weather, almost no one in our tour group gave the Gelato ice cream a miss because it was just so refreshing and tempting.

Of course, Singaporeans being Singaporeans, we definitely could not miss out on the shopping at the boutiques in Italy where the prices of luxury goods such as Chanel & Salvatore Feragamo were half the prices in Singapore! How could we possibly miss out on all the shopping to be done there?

Mamma Mia! What a trip it was with a fair combination of good food, shopping and getting to enjoy the beauty of Italy.

Quiz? WINNERS OF PASIR RIS-PUNGGOL VIBES ”QUIZ ME” CONTEST (ISSUE NO. 49) What was the theme of this year’s PAssionArts Festival? ______1st Prize $70.00 LIM BEE HUA SXXXX575H 2nd Prize $50.00 TAN XIN YI SXXXX537C Name two consequences of high-rise cigarette butt littering. 3rd Prize $30.00 SITI RAHILAH BINTE MOHAMED RUMLAN SXXXX511Z ______CONSOLATIONS $15.00 CHUA GEOK CHENG SXXXX572B How many times has Punggol North’s Racial & Religious Harmony Street Parade $15.00 HO YEH PEI SXXXX001E been held? $15.00 LEE WENDY SXXXX077Z $15.00 CHOO CHERRY SXXXX098I ______$15.00 TAN SHAN YI CONSTANCE SXXXX746A $15.00 CHAN WEI PING BRENDA SXXXX188F In what year was the Rahman family first featured in Vibes? $15.00 MUKUND VIJAYARAGHAVAN SXXXX588A ______$15.00 YAP CHEE KEONG SXXXX312G $15.00 NG SAN SHAN SXXXX928B $15.00 SUHAIMI BIN PAIMON SXXXX436I $15.00 FOO XIU TING SXXXX410I Name*:______$15.00 CHOCK KWONG FAH SXXXX766H IC:______Contact:______Email:______Address:______GLOBETROTTERS ______WANTED!! HELLO Send your entries to: Are you a travel bug who can’t wait to share RESIDENTS!!! The Editor, Pasir Ris – Punggol Vibes your travel experiences with us? Just write to us about your c/o Pasir Ris – Punggol Town Council favourite trip in about 300 words, include four photos in jpeg, and Block 603 Punggol Road #01-01 Singapore 820603 you may just see your article published in Vibes! CLOSING DATE: 18 November 2016 Send your articles to [email protected]. Selected entries stand *Name must be stated as per NRIC otherwise entry will be disqualified. to receive a special token from us!