Issue 18 April 2018

issue 18 april 2018

Talk of the town building together Singapore’ s first-ever community-built playground

04 10 16 Around our life Livin’ it up the block stories Pick up some Remaking Our Volunteers and photography Heartland residents tell all tips and tricks Contents issue 18 april 2018

Dear Readers, Welcome to the newly-redesigned Life Storeys! We’ve given Life Storeys a makeover to bring you even more exciting stories and happenings from your neighbourhood! EDITORIAL ADVISERS In Talk of the Town, we highlight the biggest story in our Director, Policy & Planning heartlands. This issue, we talk about the launch of Singapore’s Eileen Neo first-ever community-built playground at Canberra! Deputy Director, Planning Shivvonne Wong Find out what’s happening in the spaces around you in Community Relations Around The Block. Read about hidden shopping gems in Yishun, Manager and also arts performances at the various town plazas! Tan Xiao Rong

Indulge in the feel-good stories of not only our HDB PUBLISHING AGENT volunteers and residents, but also your favourite celebrity-next- door in Our Life Stories. Local actress Adele Wong talks about what makes Toa Payoh home for her in this issue. Mediacorp Pte Ltd Lastly, kick back and unwind with our new lifestyle segment, Livin’ It Up. Pick up various photography tips and tricks to Life Storeys is a community become a pro photographer! publication by the Housing & Development Board. We would love to hear from you on what you think of our Filled with lifestyle features, new design, or any other feedback. Do drop us a note at this newsletter brings to you [email protected]. stories and happenings from your neighbourhood so that you We hope you enjoy reading this issue of Life Storeys. can know your community a little better and play a more active role in community-building. Join us in creating a gracious and harmonious living environment for all! You can also access the electronic version of Life Storeys at lifestoreys.hdb.gov.sg talk of the town or scan the QR code.

01 All Hands On DECK around the block Copyright ©2018 04 our space, our say Housing & Development Board (HDB) 06 art All rights reserved. No part of A He land alive this material may be reproduced 08 heartland hauls or transmitted in any form or by any means. OUR LIFE STORies This publication is printed on FSC™-certified paper. The paper choice and printing methods are 10 new year, good-as-new home green and environmentally-friendly, 12 celebrating the spirit of care leaving behind less carbon footprint. 14 art imitates life Livin’ it up Printed by Times Printers 16 PICTURE THIS talk of the town ALL HANDS ON DECK Young ones in Canberra have a new place to play and bond: Singapore’s first-ever community-built playground.

Residents working together to build the playground

Ready To Play For many families, Sunday mornings are @ Canberra, Sembawang’s latest kid- usually spent having breakfast at kopitiams friendly feature. or brunch at cafés. But for residents Residents had gathered for the official of Sembawang Close, the morning of opening of the space, the first to be 7 January 2018 presented an opportunity completed under HDB’s Build-A-Playground to be a part of something few of them initiative. As Singapore’s inaugural had ever done before: build a playground. community playground, Adventure “Who would have thought that children Playground @ Canberra was designed in and families would be able to do that?” close collaboration with residents and said Madam Fatimah Sarrah, 38, as community partners, who had a say in its she joined her neighbours in putting the concept, look and features. finishing touches to Adventure Playground Rae Ern Lee, 10, recalls telling her

APR 2018 talk of the town

A playground built by the residents

parents that she wanted a “long slide” at the new playground. “We shared this with the planners at the design workshop,” her mother, Ms Elaine Lee, told Life Storeys, referring to design workshops which had been held to collect residents’ ideas. Some 300 residents attended these workshops, which took place last July. To Rae Ern’s delight, her idea was accepted, and the slide was designed to have two exciting turns. As the Endeavour Primary School pupil put it, “It’s already my favourite part of the playground.” The site’s centrepiece, a tall tree-like Artwork painted by Sembawang Working as a team to assemble Secondary School students the playground's structure climbing structure covered by a green canopy, is an adaptation of the community’s idea for a treehouse and kelong-themed concept for Coming together to the playground, which was inspired by the create floral craft old fishing villages of Sembawang’s past. Ropes with overhanging hammocks were also installed after residents requested for adventurous play equipment.

Build And Beautify Having been so instrumental to the design of the playground, many residents were eager to be a part of its construction as well, Mr Zifni Mohamed, 44, let in. Together with his wife and their two children, Mr Mohamed helped assemble the structure’s climbing planks. “It’s a lot easier than I thought it would be,” said Nifaal Mohamed, 12, who also studies at Endeavour Primary School. “And it is just as fun as actually playing on it!”

Issue 18 A COMMUNITY’S CREATION The Adventure Playground @ Canberra has been a collective effort from the get-go. A participant talked about her experience:

I was involved in the HDB Build-a-thon, where my team proposed creating a community treehouse based on an idea suggested by residents in Sembawang and together, A task for both the young and old we’ve created what I call a kampung treehouse that brings together Mr Zifni’s family wasn’t the only one that helped install the finishing pieces — some young residents through 50 households joined in the fun, screwing in play. It’s exciting to bolts to piece together and strengthen the have the community and structures. Other families made flowers out stakeholders help us design of plastic bags and painted recycled tyres — these simple upcycling projects contributed the playground. This is to Adventure Playground @ Canberra's known as consultative unique décor. architecture, which Also chipping in were students and is an exciting new teachers from Sembawang Secondary School; Minister for National Development direction for the Mr Lawrence Wong; Grassroots Adviser to architecture Sembawang GRC (Canberra), Dr Lim Wee community. Kiak, PBM; and HDB CEO Dr Cheong Koon

Hean. Commenting on this latest initiative, Ms Hung Yu Shan, Mr Wong said, “The most important aspect 26, an architecture graduate of a playground is not just the design but student who was part of the team that conceptualised Adventure Playground @ Canberra.

the process: how residents come together to design it and take ownership of it. When you take ownership of something, you take pride in it, you will use it and come to appreciate the facility even more.” After a thorough inspection by a safety team, Adventure Playground @ Canberra was officially opened, to the delight of young residents, who ran to begin playing on the structure. “Seeing them so happy makes all of the hard work worth it,” said Ms Elaine Lee. Working on decorations “It’s a proud moment for the Sembawang for the finishing touch community.”

Build-A-Playground will soon be extended LOOK OUT to four other HDB towns. They are: FOR ‘EM Toa Payoh Pasir Ris Woodlands Choa Chu Kang

APR 2018 around the block

OUR SPACE, OUR SAY

Residents contributed ideas for vibrant community spaces within the estates they live in at the third roll- out of HDB’s Remaking Our Heartland (ROH) programme.

s long-time Toa Question And Answer Payoh resident To gather the feedback, Mr Tan Madam Rajeswari and his fellow volunteers set up A does her regular booths at various spots in the Look at that green grocery shopping, she sees three estates. At Toa Payoh, the area there — wouldn’t numerous possibilities for booth was sited near the Toa what her neighbourhood could Payoh Lorong 4 Market. From here, that be a great spot become in the future. “Look students spoke to more than 100 for residents at that green area there — residents over the course of the of these wouldn’t that be a great spot morning. They engaged residents blocks to for residents of these blocks by asking them to identify a to have a community garden?” location in their neighbourhood have a quipped the sprightly 60-year- that could be transformed into community old retiree, pointing to an open a social node, and share the garden? space near Block 66, Toa Payoh types of activities they would Lorong 4. like to conduct there. Suggested Madam Rajeswari, Such feedback was examples of activities include 60, Retiree precisely what volunteers gardening, studying, picnicking from HDB’s Friends of Our and social gatherings. Heartlands programme sought on the weekend of Volunteers collecting 11 February, as they visited feedback from residents towns participating in the third batch of HDB’s Remaking Our Heartland programme (ROH). These towns were Toa Payoh, Woodlands and Pasir Ris. “We want to know what kind of community and social features residents would like to see in their neighbourhood,” explained Mr Melvin Tan, a third-year NUS architecture student. “And what better way of doing that than by talking to them?”

Issue 18 VIBRANT, THEN AND NO W Unveiled by Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong at 2007’s National Day Rally, Remaking Our Heartland aims to renew and further develop existing HDB towns and estates, to ensure sustainability and vibrancy of our heartlands. The programme has since benefited the following estates: Hearing out some • Punggol residents’ suggestions • Yishun • Dawson Residents were also asked to Meaningful Exchanges • East Coast suggest ways in which the space These pop-up booths were part of • Jurong Lake could be improved to support a series of resident engagements • Hougang the desired activities. “We asked adopted for HDB’s ROH plans them if a bench or shelter would to create social spaces within encourage them to socialise the three towns. To encourage more with their neighbours, or greater community bonding, the whether constructing shelves Social Corridor in Woodlands, in the community garden would Community Mall Network in Pasir be helpful for their planting Ris, and Social Linkways in Toa activities — these were some of Payoh have been proposed to their opinions. Focus group the many questions we posed to entice residents to linger around discussions were first conducted the residents,” Mr Tan let in. longer and interact more with in 2015 to reach out to residents And as the volunteers one another. and stakeholders in the early found out, many residents To instil a deeper sense of stages of planning. were ready and willing to share ownership of these social spaces, To 35-year-old sales assistant their thoughts. For example, residents are encouraged to Mr Ivan Chan, the engagement Ms Patricia Tan, a 40-year-old participate in the design process effort was refreshing and timely. clerical assistant, was keen for by providing ideas and voicing “It reminds us that this is our areas that will be conducive for home and that we have a say in group exercises. “Activities like how it looks, feels and functions,” qi gong and mass aerobics aren’t he said. “And having it done just good for our physical health offline and face-to-face makes — they also promote a healthy it more meaningful, because I It reminds us that social life,” she said by way of know I’m really being heard. This making her case. this is our home approach also appeals to seniors and that we have a more.” say in how it looks, The initiative was just as The board feels and functions beneficial for the volunteers as asking it was for residents, as it allowed residents And having it done for their them to keep up with trends feedback offline and face-to- in contemporary architecture, face makes it more pointed out fourth-year meaningful, because I NUS student Mr Jesper Ong. “There’s a global shift towards know I’m really being a more consultative approach to heard. This approach architecture and this is the first also appeals to time that I’ve done something like seniors more. this,” said Mr Ong. “I look forward to more opportunities to speak to Mr Ivan Chan, 35, the end users of our projects so as Sales assistant to better understand their needs.”

APR 2018 around the block A HEARTLAND ALIVE

Rhythm @ Plazas entertained residents young and old for free right in their neighbourhood’s town square.

Hip-hop dance group Roar City Grounds opening the show

concert here? So convenient,” a Rhythm @ Plazas can be a great platform for us passer-by at Kampung Admiralty to gain experience and build confidence when Community Plaza was overheard it comes to performing in public.” A to have exclaimed as twilight Solo indie singer-songwriter Codie Loh, approached on 25 March. He was referring to who lives close to the festival venue, mused Rhythm @ Plazas — a new platform featuring about the perks of living in the northern tip of community performances rolled out by the country. “Although it takes some time to HDB at towns and community plazas across get anywhere else, Woodlands is very peaceful Singapore (see box). On that particular Sunday and idyllic,” quipped Codie before belting out evening, residents were treated to free dance her set of five songs, both covers and original performances such as an energetic hip hop compositions. Meanwhile OneSeven, which choreography by Roar City Grounds — a group made up of six girls aged seven to 11 years old. Co-organised by agencies such as the People’s Association, Health Promotion Board, National Environment Agency, National Arts Council, SportSG and the Singapore Police Force, as well as partnering organisation, *SCAPE, the concert also featured emotional musical displays. These included an electric guitar performance by Hafiz, and a vocal with piano accompaniment set by duo Kendra and PC featuring their friend EeCheng. “We always jump at the opportunities to perform at community events such as this because it is a great platform to showcase our talents and skills,” said one-half of the band Kendra Tan, 21. “As new musicians in the scene, we think Residents enjoying the music and dance 06

Issue 18 ROVING RHYTHM Launched to enliven community spaces and provide a platform for emerging local artists to showcase their talents, the inaugural series of Rhythm @ Plazas was held at the following spots: We always jump at • Punggol Town Square | 24 March the opportunities to • Kampung Admiralty Community Plaza | 25 March perform at community • Bedok Town Square | 31 March events such as this because it is a great platform to showcase our talents and skills.

Kendra Tan, 21, from musical duo Members of OneSeven Kendra and PC belting out popular tunes

Musical duo Kendra and PC

“We stumbled upon this programme on our way to the supermarket, and decided to stick around to check out the local acts. My daughter enjoyed the musical performances and the complimentary snacks.” Meanwhile, couple Mr and Mrs Gwee, both 68, were on their way to grab dinner when the song and dance compelled them to linger a little longer at the plaza. “We enjoy music and the arts, so this is a nice pre- and post- Hafiz Singer-songwriter dinner activity,” said Mrs Gwee, whose flat performed an Codie Loh electric guitar is located adjacent to Kampung Admiralty. number comprises three friends who got together “We will definitely make time to attend when they were 17, performed acoustic entertaining, live events like this one, should versions of various popular tunes by the it come to our neighbourhood again.” likes of Justin Bieber and One Direction.

A Family Affair Besides the entertaining line-up onstage, residents also enjoyed free popcorn and candy floss. The balloon sculpting artist was especially popular among the little ones. “This programme makes very good use of the open space here, which can be otherwise quite quiet,” said Mr Nick Loh, who was accompanied by his nine-year-old daughter Kimberly. Queuing up for free candy floss and popcorn 07

APR 2018 around the block HEARTLAND HAULS Life Storeys checks out the shopping gems and best buys from Yishun. YishuN Ave 2

YishuN TOWN ishun is one of GARDEn Singapore’s largest housing estates, so Y it should come as no surprise that the northern town is also home to shopping gems. 935 And as we found out, these 934 aren’t limited to the newly- renovated Northpoint City: the surrounding heartland is teeming with bargains too. YISHUN CENTRAL 1 “The convenience of 932 various amenities is one of 931 the reasons my husband and I made Yishun our home in the early 1990s,” explains Yishun Avenue 3 resident Ms Eunice Tan. The 60-year-old secretary and her husband, a taxi driver, THE KEY MASTER can often be seen perusing Soxxi Master @ Yishun Yishun’s heartland shops after Block 931 Yishun Central 1 #01-111 dinner. “Even if we don’t have Many residents of Yishun Central anything to buy, we like to jalan will surely know this tiny shop, jalan and chit-chat with the tucked away in a corner of shop-owners, whom we’ve Block 931. Claiming to be “The Master of Keys”, it provides an known for years!” array of services, among them Life Storeys pops by key duplication and car key a handful of interesting replacements. shops in the Yishun Central WHAT WE LIKE: Forget a boring neighbourhood and finds out silver key — when making one at what they have to offer. Soxxi Master, be sure to opt for their range of novelty keys, which come in bright hues of orange, green and purple.

GET ACTIVE FRAME IT RIGHT Contours Express Sin Yip Seng Art Craft & Frame Block 930 Yishun Central 1 #01-123A Block 930 Yishun Central 1 #01-117 This international gym franchise Finished an impressive 5000-piece meets the fitness needs of women jigsaw puzzle that you’d like to show by offering them a safe and off? Or do you simply want to display comfortable space to work out. The a traditional family photo in the well-equipped facility offers weight dining room? Check out the various machines as well as free weight frames and other options from Sin Yip stations. It is also fitted with various Seng Art Craft & Frame! In addition cardio stations like an elliptical and to framing services, the shop also sells treadmill. a range of vibrant paintings and art pieces to enliven any room. WHAT WE LIKE: It’s not just a great place to get fit — residents can also WHAT WE LIKE: Traditional artists find like-minded neighbours and will be glad to know that the shop build an active community together! offers Chinese silk mounting.

Issue 18 Youthful, I nclusive, Yishun MRT Station S ociable, H appening, YishuN Ave 2 U nforgettable, N o place like it. NORTHPOINT shopping T hat ’ s o ur centre Y is huN Ce ntral NORTHPOINT Yishun! CITY

Library

YISHUN Cinema Ms Justine Koh, 25,

G Marketing Executive

921

CENTRAL 1 u N 925 s h Multi-storey i Y carpark TASTY TREATS

YISHUN CENTRAL 9301 Block 928 Yishun Central 1 Yishun was home to a number of farms in 928 Yishun the early days of Singapore’s independence, Temporary according to the National Library Board 927 Bus Interchange Infopedia. Villagers cultivated vegetables and fruits, and took up pig and poultry 926 farming as well. So it’s no surprise that Yishun residents love good food — and they don’t have to travel far to get it. Nestled within Yishun Central is the Block 928 coffee shop, home to a number of delicious SEWING SUPPLIES food stalls. Try these for a start: Freddy Elect. Sewing Machine Service Beat the heat with freshly- Block 928 Yishun Central 1 #01-141 cut fruits or squeezed fruit Few shop-owners are as passionate juice from #01-163. about their wares as Mr Freddy Kow, or Freddy, as he is known to most Tuck into a warm bowl of residents. Besides selling a variety of laksa at #01-155. For a sewing machines to suit every budget healthier option, share the and proficiency, he also offers repair bowl and avoid finishing services, both in-call and out-call. the gravy (no matter how delicious it is). WHAT WE LIKE: Mr Kow also offers his goods and services to End on a sweet note with online customers. traditional desserts from #01-157. Our favourite is the fragrant pulut hitam.

I grew up in Yishun but moved to Ang Mo Kio when I got married last year. But I’m very excited that our BTO flat is in Yishun and that I’ll be moving back to the estate in a few years. Somehow, there’s no other place like the area — it’s laid back and there are friendly faces all around. We’ll be exploring more towns in Ms Loshini Prabhai, 28, Curatorial Assistant the upcoming issues! Stay tuned!

APR 2018 Our Life Stories Students from various schools at the latest Broom It! Day NEW YEAR, GOOD-AS-NEW HOME Volunteers for the fourth annual Broom It! Day helped, entertained and bonded with elderly residents in the lead up to the Year of the Dog.

he week leading up to musical instrument) and dance the Lunar New Year performances respectively. is, for many people, The event left a deep T usually chockablock with impression on the students, household chores as they rush many of whom, like Layyina to get their homes looking spick Aleeya Binte Ali, were first- and span. So it was moving to see time volunteers. For seasoned about 200 student and corporate volunteers such as Ezio Lue Ng, volunteers taking time out on the the experience was a timely afternoon of 9 February 2018 to reminder to count their blessings Layyina (3rd from left) with spring clean not their own homes, and to help others who are not Mr Lim and her friends but those of the needy elderly. so fortunate. The students were Project SPHERE’s fourth there as part of HDB’s Friends annual Broom It! Day involved of Our Heartlands volunteering students from Woodlands programme, which seeks to Secondary School, Zhenghua nurture changemakers within Secondary School, Swiss Cottage the community and foster Secondary School and Temasek neighbourly relations. Polytechnic. They spruced up 26 units and engaged more than 100 Forging Connections elderly residents living in rental “Before today, I had never visited flats at Blocks 3 and 4 Marsiling a rental flat,” admitted Layyina, Road, and then invited them for 14, who studies at Woodlands an early dinner at the open-air Secondary School, shortly after pavilion. Students from Xishan the event had ended. She had Primary School and Fuchun signed up for the Broom It! Day, Secondary School also contributed unsure of what to expect but to the event with dinnertime determined to make a positive guzheng (traditional Chinese impact. “We learn about the

Ezio (right) and his group mates bonding with Mdm Ng

PICK UP A BROOM! Project SPHERE (Students, Singapore Pools and HDB Enriching and Reaching out to the Elderly) is a joint initiative by HDB, Ministry of Education, Singapore Pools and Nippon Paint. It aims to promote youth volunteerism and care for the elderly, and encourage intergenerational bonding. Broom It! Day events — spring cleaning sessions at rental blocks — are one way Woodlands Secondary School of achieving that. students cleaning and scrubbing

Issue 18 Dr Koh and Mr Zaqy greeting elderly residents

WHAT VOLUNTEERS DID On 9 February, student volunteers chatted away with elderly residents while carrying out spring cleaning tasks like mopping floors, cleaning toilets and wiping counters and walls. Joining the volunteers were Guest- of-Honour Dr Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister of State for Ministry of Trade and Industry & Ministry of National Development, and importance of kindness and An elderly resident trying Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Adviser helping the elderly in school, but her hand at tray painting to Marsiling–Yew Tee these values won’t stick unless we Grassroots Organisations. actually practise them. The elderly Here are some other Broom It! Day volunteer highlights: also tend to have interesting stories to share.” They facilitated a Layyina especially relished concurrent tray-painting having the opportunity to chip in workshop at the void deck to the festivities. Together with a for elderly residents. few classmates, she cleaned the They delivered senior- flat of 65-year-old Mr Lim Kok Poh. friendly bedside tables to She was initially nervous about the homes of each tenant. meeting Mr Lim, worried that her Called “EASY tables”, these were designed by students basic grasp of Mandarin would gap. “It’s just a matter of finding from ITE College Central hinder their communication. But common ground. If there’s a and have features such as at the end of the day, the language language barrier, you can use hand large drawer knobs. barrier did not really matter. “Even gestures or facial expressions to They put up performances, though I couldn’t talk to Mr Lim communicate with the people you served dinner, and also as much as I would have liked, are helping,” said the 16-year-old. distributed mandarin I could tell from his expression For example, while cleaning the oranges and ang pow that he was grateful for our help home of Mdm Ng Bee Liang, also in packets to the elderly. and company.” her 60s, Ezio asked her about the Indeed, the event was a Lunar New Year decorations in her welcomed change to Mr Lim’s flat. That broke the ice and helped daily routine. “I live alone, so I’m get the conversation between thankful and happy to have this them going. chance today to connect with Having taken part in other younger people. It has made the volunteering initiatives such coming Lunar New Year more as hospice visits and food PICK UP A BROOM! special,” he said. charity drives, Ezio’s perspective Project SPHERE (Students, Singapore Pools and HDB on life has certainly shifted. Enriching and Reaching out to the Elderly) is a joint Closing The Gap “Volunteering has taught me to initiative by HDB, Ministry of Education, Singapore Ezio, a Zhenghua Secondary be appreciative of how lucky I am Pools and Nippon Paint. It aims to promote youth School student, noted that it is and not to take things for granted. volunteerism and care for the elderly, and encourage common for volunteers to feel Being able to make a difference Students distributing mandarin intergenerational bonding. Broom It! Day events — awkward when they first interact in someone’s life, even if only oranges and ang pows to residents spring cleaning sessions at rental with beneficiaries, and more for an afternoon, gives me a blocks — are one way so when there is a generation warm feeling.” of achieving that. To find out more about HDB’s Friends of Our Heartlands volunteering programme, go to www.hdb.gov.sg/FOH.

APR 2018 Our Life Stories

Models of the “Singapore Fashion CELEBRATING Runway: Fashion for a Social Cause” on stage at the SG Cares THE SPIRIT OF CARE Carnival Volunteers from corporations, community groups, public agencies, social enterprises and more came together at the SG Cares Carnival to make Singapore a compassionate home for all.

ver 15,000 people Chung, 48, and Ms Gloria Tan, 36, thronged Our Tampines who were ecstatic to be spending Hub on 13 January for their weekend for a good cause. “I O the inaugural SG Cares am more than happy to make time Carnival. Of these, many were if it benefits those with special volunteers from corporate and needs or are underprivileged,” community partners, as well as said Ms Chung, a homemaker. social enterprises, public agencies Her booth buddy agreed. and social service organisations. “Beneficiaries of ‘Fashion for Together, these volunteers raised a Social Cause’, who include both awareness on the variety of caring the needy and elderly, learn to initiatives and causes available hone and showcase their talents Volunteers of the Fashion at ‘The Good Market’ — a bazaar in designing, sewing, modelling for a Social Cause at the carnival which featured or retail management, and as a booths offering interactive result are provided with better activities such as craft-making job opportunities,” explains Ms workshops and games. Also there Tan, an IT consultant. “We want to to check out these carnival booths spread the message that giving was the guest-of-honour Prime back can also be enjoyable.” Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who On stage, Mediacorp helped put the finishing touches celebrities walked the “Singapore to the SG Cares canvas, which Fashion Runway: Fashion for a symbolises an affirmation and Social Cause” show alongside commitment to care for those aspiring models with different in need. intellectual abilities as well as Manning the ‘Fashion for a cancer survivors, all wearing Social Cause’ booth were Ms Amy outfits designed by local talents.

Issue 18 THE EASE OF GIVING Coming forward to give back is about to get much easier with the launch of the SG Cares app designed to matchmake aspiring do-gooders and social causes. Announced by Prime Minister Lee at the SG Cares Carnival, the app offers details of volunteering projects available — these include contact information, how to volunteer and donation methods. Chief Executive Officer of the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre Ms Melissa Kwee explained Modelling for “Singapore Fashion that the app aims to Runway: Fashion for a Social Cause” inspire those who might not know those living near you, and that’s which social causes what we hope to inspire people to adopt. to start doing.” Elsewhere, a tea appreciation session was being presented by It’s important for volunteers from social enterprise Singaporeans to care Stronger Together Hush Tea Bar. Participating for one another, so a HoodChampions, a community visitors wore ear plugs and national movement like platform by the Singapore Kindness learnt simple sign language as Movement (SKM), also made their they silently enjoyed a calming SG Cares is a timely one. presence felt at the carnival. tea ritual. “We all know a caring Ms Katelin Teo, SKM’s Associate Staff encouraged carnival-goers society is a better society to General Secretary (Partnerships) to get to know their neighbours live in, but what more can we do and be gracious to them — true to care?” asked Hush Tea Bar’s to the platform’s aim of bonding founder Ms Anthea Ong. “Our neighbours through common social enterprise offers the interests and talents, as well as hearing a chance to step into the friendly competitions held in the shoes of those who are deaf. We neighbourhood. want to inculcate empathy, and “It’s important for Singaporeans hopefully that will translate into to care for one another, so a national more active volunteerism towards movement like SG Cares is a timely those who are less-abled.” one. However, we can’t offer care if The bazaar, combined with we don’t know the people living next stage programming, was rolled Singapore Kindness Movement’s staff volunteers door to us in the first place,” said out to raise awareness regarding SKM’s Associate General Secretary the different ways of giving (Partnerships), Ms Katelin Teo. back while encouraging “The first step is to simply smile community participation. and be friendly and courteous to There was also an exhibition of boots, limited-edition pouches and drawstring bags — a collection specially created by outdoor wear brand Timberland in collaboration with The Art Social enterprise Hush Tea Bar Faculty by Pathlight School.

SG Cares is a national movement dedicated to guide and support FOR A the goodwill of all who live in Singapore to better help those in need. Through SG Cares, everyone can play a part, big and COMMON small, to build a strong society, and make Singapore a caring home for all. GOOD To volunteer as an individual for causes that you believe in, sign up at Giving.sg today! Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong with other guests and participants 13

APR 2018 Our Life Stories

ART IMITATES LIFE You can take the actress and writer Ms Adele Wong out of Toa Payoh, but you can’t take Toa Payoh out of her.

hile shooting an episode for the recently- concluded Channel 8 television drama series Life Less Ordinary, cast member Ms Adele Wong experienced a sudden Wdéjà vu jolt of . “The scene had called for my character, my TV mother-in-law and my TV daughter to make tang yuan [glutinous rice balls served in syrup] together for the Winter Solstice. Acting out the scene brought me back to my childhood, when my grandmother used to teach me how to make tang yuan at home,” she says, the nostalgia evident in her voice. Home for Ms Wong will always be the Toa Payoh HDB flat that her paternal grandparents have owned since the 1970s, and where she spent much of her early years. What is your earliest memory of growing up in Toa Payoh? The earliest story I have is actually one that I can’t remember, but my grandparents love reminding me about it! I used to spend a lot of time playing on the staircase, and one day I somehow got my head stuck

Issue 18 I also learnt to respect my elders, including veteran actors and actresses — not in a fearful way, but SHOWBIZ GENES in a caring way. Although there are big, fancy In 2016, Ms Wong published malls downtown, I still enjoy checking out the her first book,Life Beyond shops underneath the HDB flats. You can find so the Big Top: Stories of the Tai Thean Kew Circus. It recounts many nice things at these shops, from cutlery to the history of the family circus, furniture, that are usually cheaper than elsewhere. founded in the 1920s by Ms Wong’s great-great- What makes a place home for you? grandfather and closed by her grandparents in the 1980s. It’s the people and the memories. My grandparents “TV work currently takes up met while working as acrobats in a travelling most of my time, but I have circus, and the flat was the first place that they written a screenplay based on the book, and I hope to could put their roots down and truly call home. eventually turn it into a movie My grandfather made the wrought-iron door once my schedule clears up,” grille outside the flat himself. Every day my says Ms Wong, who had written and produced short grandmother walks to the Toa Payoh Lorong 1 films in the past. market to do her grocery shopping, as she has done for years. She grows potted plants in their corridor that I used to help water as a child. between the metal bars of No matter how much the area changes or how the stair railing. In the end, many new amenities are built, those memories my grandfather had to use will always be there. his brute strength to bend one of the metal bars wide enough to get my head out. If you look closely at the stair railing, you can still see that one of the metal bars I attribute much of who I am bengkok is a little (Malay for to the fact that I grew up in “crooked”)! an ageing estate and lived in Toa Payoh is one of the oldest a multi-generational home. estates in Singapore, with an For one, it made me bilingual. ageing population. Was that something you were aware of I became fluent in Mandarin by at the time? speaking to my grandparents Yes, I couldn’t help but notice it as there weren’t and other older residents in many other kids my age. Those who were the neighbourhood. there were, like me, the grandchildren of older residents. We would meet up to play at the outdoor Adele Wong, FLY Entertainment Artiste, with her grandmother playground downstairs, which had a sand pit. I also enjoyed watching my grandfather play chess with the neighbourhood “uncles”, and there were many times when my grandparents had to go out and our elderly neighbours would babysit me. How did spending so much time here shape your life and career? I attribute much of who I am to the fact that I grew up in an ageing estate and lived in a multi- generational home. For one, it made me bilingual. I became fluent in Mandarin by speaking to my grandparents and other older residents in the neighbourhood. This has helped me land roles in Channel 8 TV shows, such as Life Less Ordinary and the upcoming second season of Blessings.

APR 2018 Livin’ it up

PICTURE THIS

Tips and tricks from a series of photography workshops organised as part of HDB’s ‘ Celebrating LIFE in the Heartlands’ photography competition.

ife, as they say, is 2. Be decisive beautiful if you know Once you’ve established where to look. And your subject, trust your guts. L these days, armed with Good photography depends a smartphone, everyone can largely on your ability to capture these precious moments capture a moment fast. and be a photographer. Hesitate and you might miss That said, not everyone knows a grand opportunity. the tricks to taking captivating and compelling images. So in 3. Tell a story the lead up to HDB’s biennial A picture is worth a thousand ‘Celebrating LIFE in the Heartlands’ words. A photo stands photography competition, a series out when it is able to tell a of free photography workshops story within its frame. To Learning to use the were conducted. Missed them? do this, try to capture raw various functions Fret not, for Life Storeys has you human emotions. of the camera covered. Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Know your context Be aware and sure of the subject you’re trying to capture. Ask yourself: Who? What? Where? When? How? This will naturally give your image a focus.

Capturing a slice of heartland life

A workshop session on street photography conducted by HDB 16

Issue 18 Like A Pro Ready to deep dive? Incorporate these tried-and-tested techniques when you shoot: TRIGGER HAPPY Rule of thirds Held over six Saturday sessions in Align a subject with February and March, the hour-long guidelines. For instance, workshops covered everything from the place the horizon on the ‘Art of Portraiture Photography’, top or bottom line to allow ‘Smartphone and Natural Light linear features in the Photography’ to more hip themes like image to flow. ‘Streets of Our Nation’ and ‘Hypebeast – Your own terms’. Participants were given an introduction before heading off Leading lines Use these to draw attention to shoot their own photos and having their to a specific part of the results reviewed on the spot. frame. It can be a person or a particular detail in At the ‘Streets of Our Nation’ workshop the background. session on 10 March, participants Noel Koh, 33, an administrative executive and Geraldine Lee, 33, a logistics executive Frame within a frame were eager to pick up expert photo- Another way to effectively taking tips from the trainers. “This is our draw attention to a second workshop. We previously attended particular point is to use the Smartphone and Natural Light a shape to ‘hold’ the Photography session in Yishun,” explained subject in focus. Ms Lee. “Previously, I was only exposed to the rule of thirds but I didn’t know there was a golden ratio rule [1:1.618 ratio] and Depth of field all the different ways to angle a photo.” Understanding depth of Meanwhile, Mr Koh, who admits his field, which refers to the interest in photography is just developing, distance between the found the session to be eye-opening. nearest and farthest objects in a photo that appears to The session also introduced new ways of be in focus, will help you to approaching photography to participants frame your subject to better like 20-year-old Kamarulariffin, a recent tell your story. A shallow polytechnic graduate. “I found the session depth of field blurs the interesting because I’ve never shot street background, while a deeper photos before. So far, I’ve only ever depth of field is better used done portraits and landscapes, as well as for landscapes. covered relatives’ weddings and events,” shared Kamarulariffin. “This style [street photography] is more spontaneous as it involves little planning but the outcome can be beautiful.”

I found the session interesting because I’ve never shot street photos before. So far, I’ve heartland snapshots only ever done portraits ‘The Celebrating LIFE in the Heartlands’ photography and landscapes, as well competition was open to all Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents from 1 February to 7 April. The winning as covered relatives’ submissions across the two categories weddings and events. (‘Open’ and ‘Instagram’) will be Mr Kamarulariffin, 20, displayed at the HDB Community polytechnic graduate Week 2018 held in May.

APR 2018 Come join our annual celebration of the community spirit in our heartlands! This year we are bringing the HDB Community Week to: Yishun Town Square (19 - 25 May 2018) Our Tampines Hub (26 - 27 May 2018)

Check out the new facilities in Yishun town at our exhibition Take a peek at what ‘LIFE in the Heartlands’ Good Neighbours means through residents’ lenses ,

Pick up ideas to enliven our neighbourhoods

Discover volunteering opportunities to contribute to our community

(3 Northpoint Drive) You can also join in the Good Neighbours, Let’s Roll! popiah-making activity at Yishun For more information, visit Town Square. See you there! www.hdb.gov.sg/communityweek

Take Our Upcoming Events MAY Official Opening Ceremony Answer some questions and of Kampung Admiralty stand to win shopping vouchers!

Log on to lifestoreys.hdb.gov.sg JUNE for the questions and to submit MyNiceHome Roadshow your answers. at Tampines GreenRidges

You can also find out if you For more information, won issue 17’s shopping check out vouchers on our webpage. www.hdb.gov.sg/community

* Information accurate as at the time of print