live WELL 04 Life Through A Lens

live HAPPY 12 Friends Before Neighbours

my LIFE STORY 16 The Ah Boy Next Door

 ISSUE JANUARY 2018

live TOGE THER // RESIDENTS HAVE FUN AT HDB’ S ‘ LET’ S PLAY’  ISSUE JANUARY Contents 2018

live TOGETHER

01 LET’S PLAY EDITORIAL ADVISERS Director, Policy & Planning Eileen Neo Deputy Director, Planning Shivvonne Wong Community Relations Manager Tan Xiao Rong live WELL PUBLISHING AGENT 04 LIFE THROUGH A LENS

08 DEAR HOME OWNERS Mediacorp Pte Ltd

Life Storeys is a community publication by the Housing & Development Board. Filled with lifestyle features, this newsletter brings to you live HAPPY stories and happenings from your neighbourhood so that you can know your community a little 10 CORRIDOR CHATTER: better and play a more active role RINGING IN THE in community-building. Join us NEW YEAR in creating a gracious and harmonious living environment 12 FRIENDS BEFORE for all! You can also access the NEIGHBOURS electronic version of Life Storeys at lifestoreys.hdb.gov.sg or scan the QR code.

live GREEN Copyright ©2017 14 HEARD IT THROUGH Housing & Development Board (HDB) All rights reserved. No part of THE GRAPEVINE this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means.

This publication is printed on FSC™-certified paper. The paper choice and printing methods are green and environmentally-friendly, leaving behind less carbon footprint. my LIFE STORY

16 THE AH BOY NEXT DOOR

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LET’S amily PLAY fun time RESIDENTS YOUNG AND OLD PLAYED TO THEIR HEARTS’ CONTENT IN A SERIES OF HDB EVENTS DURING THE YEAR-END SCHOOL HOLIDAYS. PAGE 01

LET’S PL A Y HAPPY CHILDREN WITH THEIR SCULPTED BALLOONS live TOGETHER life storeys

IN THE GIFT-GIVING MOOD CARNIVAL GAMES AND ACTIVITIES ith one month to go until Christmas, seven- year-old Elizabeth Wang knew what she wanted to do. “My daddy helped me make Wthis ‘Merry Christmas’ card. I’m going to give it to my friend who lives in the same HDB block as me,” said Elizabeth, while at Bedok Town Square on 25 November 2017 with her family. They were among the many residents present that day as HDB launched a special series of fun events, called ‘Let’s Play’. Held over three consecutive weekends, Let’s Play was created for residents of all age groups to come together at various town squares and community plazas to indulge in the simple, pure joy of play. Each day comprised fun-filled activities from morning to night, including a bouncy castle and carousel, balloon-sculpting, art and craft workshops, game booths, skit performances, cooking demonstrations and movie screenings. Creating art and craft PAGE 02 Booths set up by student and resident volunteers further brought out the carnival-like atmosphere. we utilised only recyclable materials such as The card-making activity that Elizabeth cardboard, used newspapers and empty engaged in was planned by students from Catholic Yakult bottles.” Junior College (CJC), who manned not one but four Likewise, a smaller group of Victoria Junior booths at Bedok Town Square. Besides writing College students, including Tamara Fernandez, messages of appreciation for their neighbours organised an upcycling workshop, where residents and families, residents could also participate in learnt how to repurpose the pockets from old recycling-themed games, or walk blindfolded denim jeans into sling purses or luggage tags. through an obstacle course intended to simulate “Fabric waste is a big problem in . What a messy HDB corridor. “We wanted to raise better way to address it than by getting residents awareness of the 3Rs — Reduce, Reuse, Recycle to make something useful out of their old clothes — as well as promote neighbourliness through our instead of throwing them away?” said Tamara, 17. activities,” said Jonathan Lim, 17, one of the CJC “The purses and luggage tags can also be given to student volunteers. “To put the 3Rs into practice, neighbours or family members as gifts.”

Showing off THE ART AND CRAFT BOOTH IS GREAT AS their tote bag designs IT ENABLES US TO PARTAKE IN A CREATIVE “ACTIVITY TOGETHER WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS. THE FINISHED PRODUCT — A D-I-Y CARD IS ALSO A MEANINGFUL ITEM WE CAN GIVE TO THOSE AROUND US.

Mr Rahul Tyagi, 36, a Bedok resident whose daughter Shaanvi, 5, made a card saying “I love you” for her mother at HDB’s Let’s Play event A KAMPUNG VIBE The second installment of the three-part Let’s Play series took place at Kampung Admiralty Community Plaza on 2 and 3 December 2017. Highlights included the ITE College West students’ interactive game corner featuring classics like Snakes and More fun for the little ones Ladders, darts, Spin the Wheel as well as charades, which sought to inculcate good neighbourly habits. “When Lucas and I play Snakes and Ladders at home, it is usually just the two of us,” said Ms Jessie Teh, 48, a Woodlands resident whose son Lucas, 10, is an only child. “Being here today gives him a chance to play with more people and make new friends.” Another Woodlands resident, Ms Susan Ho, 56, volunteered for the event and — together with her two teenage daughters, a colleague and a neighbour — ran a marbled PEOPLE TODAY ARE ALMOST ALWAYS paper workshop. It attracted children ON THEIR SMARTPHONES OR IPADS. and adults alike, as they exercised their “WE WANTED TO PROVIDE GAMES THAT creativity while using cooking oil and water- based food colouring to create a marbled ENCOURAGE FACE-TO-FACE COMMUNITY effect on paper. “The workshop is not only INTERACTIONS, AS WELL AS BONDING an outlet for people to have fun; it also has PAGE BETWEEN MULTI- 03 educational value,” said Ms Ho, a pre-school GENERATIONAL educator. “Children learn about science, specifically the fact that water and oil repel. FAMILIES. They also learn how mixing primary colours, such as yellow and red, creates secondary Fateha Muhamad (right), 18, colours like orange.” ITE College West student and The Let’s Play series wrapped up on the Let’s Play volunteer weekend of 9 December 2017 with a two- day event at Punggol Town Square.

COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS The Let’s Play student volunteers all have one thing in common: they are volunteers under HDB’s Friends of Our Heartlands network. Under this network, volunteers are trained to become champions for gracious and responsible heartland living. They can also plan and execute projects to strengthen community ties, in this case the Let’s Play activities. The students — as well as Ms Ho — also received support from the HDB Friendly Faces, Lively Places (FFLP) Fund, which encourages residents to initiate community-driven projects to liven up their neighbourhoods.

To find out more about the Friends of Our Heartlands volunteer network,visit www.hdb.gov.sg/FOH . For more information on the FFLP Fund, visit www.hdb.gov.sg/FFLPFund live WELL life storeys LIFE THROUGH A LENS

THE STORIES BEHIND eld in conjunction with HDB Community Week, the “Celebrating THE WINNING LIFE in the Heartlands” photography competition is organised SNAPSHOTS biennially and invites Singaporeans to contribute photos that FROM THE 2016 capture the heartwarming stories of community ties in the heartlands. CELEBRATING LIFE This nationwide competition aims to strengthen residents’ sense IN THE HEARTLANDS of belonging and to encourage them to play a more active role in PHOTOGRAPHY community-building. The photographers behind some winning entries in COMPETITION. 2016 tell Life Storeys about the inspirations behind their images.

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FRUITS OF LABOUR (Open Category, Merit Prize) Residents beaming with joy at having gathered a hearty harvest from their community garden.

“I’ve been taking photos for over 40 I find community gardening a great years. I took this one in particular concept. HDB residents may not have while on a freelance job assignment their own backyard or lawn like those in Jurong East. To me, it truly living in private estates, but these captures the essence of heartland gardens enable us to tend to plant living, as residents — of different and grow vegetables. Better still, the races — are seen gathering to work harvest can be shared with all!” together to ensure their community CHIN BOON LIAN , 67, garden flourishes. This is exactly FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER, how life in Singapore should be like. JURONG WEST RESIDENT CHIRPS AND CHATTER (Open Category, Merit Prize) Visiting the bird-singing corner is a treasured weekly ritual for bird-lovers. PAGE 05 “I took this photo in my Ang Mo Kio neighbourhood on a Sunday morning. I wanted to showcase a popular leisure activity that my fellow heartland residents embark on. Most of us call it the bird-lovers’ corner. Enthusiasts frequent this unique space not only to admire birds, but also to chit-chat. Often, they seem to be in a joyful mood, just like in this photo. Besides bird-lovers’ corners, HDB estates are designed with many other features that encourage communal living such as void decks, playgrounds and gardens. One can usually find bus stops, train stations, shops, markets and food centres nearby — an HDB estate is really a st convenient living space.” STORIES ACROSS STOREYS(Open Category, 1 Prize) by Hang Loo Ming

TAN AI LIAN , PERSONAL ASSISTANT, ANG MO KIO RESIDENT AT A GLANCE

Launched in 2013, INSTAGRAM CATEGORY the “Celebrating LIFE in the Heartlands” photography competition has attracted more than 8,200 photo entries from 2,400 participants, received over 3 competitions held in 2013, 2014 and 2016. GLORIOUS AND BRIGHT (Merit Prize) by Richard Torres A GOLDEN GLOW (Merit Prize) by Mohamad Hafi z Bin Sulaiman live WELL life storeys

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OLD IS GOLD (Instagram Category, Merit Prize) The dragon playground has brought joy to different generations of residents.

“There aren’t many of these iconic can meet and play with other kids, as we playgrounds left in Singapore, and that’s did back in the day. I find Toa Payoh why I thought to capture it — for the fascinating because the neighbourhood memories. I shot this at Toa Payoh, and the has a good mix of distinctive old structures, boys in the frame were accompanied by like this playground, and also new flats their father, who looked over at them from and hip cafes. There’s a sense of society the side. Most children these days might moving on with the times, but without prefer playing computer games, so it’s nice forsaking history or heritage.” to see them running around outdoors and WONG CHE K POH , 61, TUT OR, in a public community space, where they EUNOS R E SIDENT

OPEN CATEGORY

PICKING THE BRIDE (Merit Prize) by Chua Boon Ping REFLECTIONS OF PHOENIXES (Merit Prize) by Koh Meng Hua “I was drawn very much to the sense of unity and high spirits shown by the residents within this frame. They look focused and driven, and I wanted to capture that energy. This photo was taken at Bras Basah. As Singapore progresses, many changes have been made to our HDB estates, from their designs to facilities. The concept of living close to other households, however, continues to enable the fostering of good relationships between neighbours and sometimes even between folks from other blocks too.” CALVIN CHAN WAI MENG, IT ENGINEER, TAMPINES RESIDENT

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TAI CHI MASTERS (Instagram Category, 1st Prize) Like a martial arts movie scene set against the backdrop of HDB fl ats — regular Tai Chi sessions allow residents to build their fi tness levels and communal bonds with their neighbours.

TAKE A SHOT Keep a lookout for the upcoming 2018 edition of the photo competition! Follow the competition Instagram account @LIFEPhotoComp for more details to HEARTLAND WARRIORS (Merit Prize) by Abdullah Suhaimi FRIENDS AT PARK (People’s Choice Award) by Chan Wai Meng be announced! live WELL life storeys

DEAR

HOME FLOOR FINISHES Prolong the life of your fl oor fi nishes OWNERS with a few easy precautions. HERE’S A QUICK GUIDE ON HOW TO TILED FLOORS UPKEEP YOUR HDB FLAT SO IT STAYS Common problems include: IN TIP-TOP SHAPE. Stained tiles or joints Why this happens: erforming regular maintenance work for Spillage of food and beverages your flat is important in order to keep it in Accumulation of dirt good condition. In doing so, you can spot PAGE 08 a problem before it causes serious damage and Solution: requires extensive repairs. Early problem detection • Use a suitable tile-cleaning and the necessary preventive or corrective action can agent to remove stains save you both time and money!

Dislodged or popping tiles WALLS Why this happens: Common problems include cracks along Expansion and contraction of tiles because of the joints between/in the block wall thermal movement and water absorption Why this happens: Solution:

Different materials expand and contract with • Remove and re-tile the affected areas temperature changes. Over time, this differential movement will result in cracks along the joints Cracked tiles Solutions: Why this happens: • For hairline cracks: re-paint the wall Impact from heavy object with a fl exible sealant/elastomeric Different rates of expansion or contraction paint to seal the cracks between the tile and substrate

• For wider cracks: engage a Solution: contractor to carry out the • Remove and re-tile if necessary repair works Maintenance tips: Preventive measures: Mop the fl oor regularly Facilitate cross-ventilation Clean any spillage that may stain the fl oor in the fl at Attach rubber soles or paddings to the legs Re-paint the walls regularly of your movable furniture Use suitable tile-cleaning agents to remove stubborn stains PARQUET FLOORS Maintenance tips: Common problems include: To prevent chokes, close the grating to prevent Varnished surfaces that are lacklustre particles such as hair and other solid materials Why this happens: from choking the fl oor trap

Wear and tear of varnished surfaces Avoid pouring cooking oil down the fl oor trap Solution: Clean your bathroom and kitchen daily • Re-varnish the parquet fl oor with diluted household bleach (1 part bleach; 99 parts water) Open gap between timber strips Foul smell from fl oor trap Why this happens: Why this happens: Prolonged exposure to a dry environment Foreign particles are trapped in the fl oor trap causes timber to shrink Toilet has not been in use for a long period. This may Solution: cause the foul smell to break through the water seal • Seal obvious gaps with matching putty level inside the fl oor trap • Re-varnish if necessary Solution: • Remove the foreign particles, then fl ush Hollow or bulged-up parquet strips and clean the fl oor trap Why this happens: • Flush the toilet regularly Water seeps underneath the parquet fl oor, causing loss of adhesion Maintenance tips: Seal the fl oor trap cover temporarily when it is Solutions: not in use for an extended period • Find out the source of water seepage and prevent contact Avoid pouring dirty liquid or oil down the fl oor trap with water Install an anti-mosquito device at the fl oor trap • Replace the hollow strips where necessary

PAGE Maintenance tips: THE ROLE OF THE 09 Avoid exposing the parquet fl oor to excessive dampness TOWN COUNCIL Ventilate rooms to avoid Town Councils control, manage, maintain excessive humidity and improve the common property of HDB that may affect the residential fl ats and commercial property parquet fl oor within the Town. Common property includes corridors, void decks, lifts, Attach soft paddings to your water tanks, public lighting and open furniture legs to prevent scratches spaces. Contact your respective Town on the parquet surface Councils on matters concerning the maintenance of, and improvement works on, these areas. FLOOR TRAPS Your bathroom or kitchen fl oor trap may have a foul smell or water overfl owing. Common problems include: NEED FURTHER HELP? Water overfl owing from a choked fl oor trap To discuss important matters regarding Why this happens: housing administration services, Solid matter and/or grease in the maintenance of rental properties and fl oor trap blocks the fl ow of water safe renovation works, HDB’s 21 branches and three service centres are ready Solution: to help and serve you. • Remove the solid materials causing the choke. For serious cases, engage a licensed plumber

FOR MORE TIPS ON HOME MAINTENANCE, PLEASE VISIT WWW.HDB.GOV.SG/CS/INFOWEB/RESIDENTIAL/LIVING IN AN HDB FLAT/HOME MAINTENANCE/HOME CARE GUIDE ECO

live HAPPY life storeys

CORRIDOR CHATTER

RESIDENTS SHARE THEIR CLOSE-TO-HOME RINGING IN AND INTIMATE COUNTDOWN EXPERIENCES. THE NEW YEAR Sometimes, the best celebrations happen in the heartlands. Last year, I got to rub shoulders with local celebrities and Kelly Poon at Nee Soon South’s New Year’s I typically spend party. It was a lot more exciting the New Year than I thought it would be and on a weekend the night even ended with a getaway with spectacular fireworks display ! a few friends. Joshua Tan, 25, Student, Yishun We really look

PAGE forward to that 10 New Year’s Eve tends to be a low-key affair for brief escape. me. I usually stay in with Before I leave, my family and enjoy a I try to make home-cooked dinner and movie. If I can, I squeeze in time for a small an afternoon swim a t t he get-together public swimming complex in my neighbourhood, as at home with my resolution for 2018 is my family and to exercise more regularly. close relatives. Sonia Hundal, 35, Marketing Executive, Clementi Chong Kong Yeong (left), 36, Process Engineer, Bukit Merah

I like having a quiet night to ring in the New Year but that doesn’t mean celebrating alone — sometimes, my neighbour comes over for a hot drink and we chat for hours till midnight. Then we tune in to TV specials and make up silly resolutions that we will never keep!

Usha Venkatramaiah, 55, Educator, Sengkang Family comes first AWAY FROM for me, so I make sure to spend at least part of THE HEARTLANDS New Year’s Eve with them. We usually have dinner Apart from the smaller-scale celebrations together at a restaurant rolled out in various pockets close to home, and then across the island, Singapore’s I’ll head out to meet largest countdown event is my friends. the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown. The 2018 Azhan Aziz, 36, Service Engineer, Serangoon Countdown featured

rounds5 of fi reworks, I look forward to my family’s New Year’s bash culminating in a spectacular six-minute fi nale of light because there’s always “ projections and fi reworks, a great spread of food. set against the backdrop of There’s satay and briyani the city skyline. and great company — what more can you ask for? We open our doors to the neighbours as well, so that everyone can enjoy the festive spirit together.”

Maya Vinodini, 25, Property Executive, Ang Mo Kio PAGE 11

I’ve been to a countdown party he ld in my neighbourhood. It was organised by Eunos Community Centre and held at Bedok Reservoir. Although it drizzled, many people — families especially — remained undaunted. There were snacks, a lucky draw and also Zumba and drum performances. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood, just enjoying themselves. I guess it’s a great way for families to be together on New Year’s Eve. Safi yyah Shariff, 33, Public Servant, Eunos

The countdown party in my neighbourhood takes place at the hard court opposite Choa Chu Kang MRT Station. The appeal of such a celebration, besides being able to get to know fellow residents, is the proximity to home. I can attend the event in a comfortable T-shirt with shorts and slippers . When it ends — and there’s usually a fireworks display — I can simply walk back home. There’s no need to worry about large crowds and terrible traffic jams. Summer Chan, 40, Real Estate Agent, Choa Chu Kang live HAPPY life storeys

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FRIENDS BEFORE SOCIAL MEDIA BROUGHT THESE NEIGHBOURS TOGETHER WELL BEFORE NEIGHBOURS MOVING DAY.

few months after moving in,” explains Jean Woon, to drive past our new home every selecting their flat at the a 27-year-old civil servant. day,” says Joshua, 28, a dentist. HDB office, newlyweds It didn’t take the couple “Sometimes, users post updates Dr Joshua Chong and Ms Goh long to find the Fernvale about a new floor going up or a Jean Woon decided to log onto Woods (Residents) group, certain portion of the block being Facebook to find out more about which already had some 400 painted. It’s really exciting.” their upcoming home at Fernvale members. Once accepted as Woods. “A few of my friends group members, they were able PALS BY PROXIMITY told me that there were bound to view, post and share updates The group is currently managed to be Facebook groups for new about their future home, which by Mr Keith Chong, who will be developments, where neighbours will be ready in 2019. “I really moving into Fernvale Woods could share updates and get enjoy seeing the updates, with his wife Ms Carol Chan, 28. to know one another before especially because I’m not able Keith, 28, took up the role of group administrator after the also been weaved into our previous administrator had conversations.” to leave for personal reasons. “At first, I was just involved A ‘DIGITAL KAMPUNG’ in housekeeping matters like What drew all four members keeping out advertisers,” the to the Fernvale Woods HANDY TIPS FOR research engineer explains. (Residents) group was its RUNNING A FACEBOOK “But after a while, Carol and informal, ground-up nature. I found a few friends — and “I think the fact that it was GROUP FOR RESIDENTS soon-to-be neighbours — who started by residents for shared common interests residents made it a lot more • SHARE THE LOAD. Having with us.” attractive than groups run two to three administrators One of these interests is by dedicated institutions,” keeps the group running café-hopping, which Keith and shares Keith. “It means smoothly and encourages Carol engage in almost every that everyone in the group ownership of it. weekend. When they found really wants to be there and out that Joshua and Jean contribute to it — sort of like a • RESPECT MATTERS. To Keith, Woon were just as passionate digital kampung.” nothing is more important about freshly-ground coffee And having it on Facebook than digital etiquette. and novel dining concepts, means sharing updates is a “Sometimes, one can get they were ecstatic. When Life quick, hassle-free experience. carried away with comments Storeys met the two couples, “There is no email to send on social media — remember they were sipping lattes at a or poster to design — basically, to treat people behind the café near Seletar Aerospace take a picture and upload screen with respect.” PAGE Park, a stone’s throw from it,” says Carol, who checks 13 • BRING IT OFFLINE TOO. their future home. the group’s updates every Digital connections are great; “It’s nice to put a face week. Another advantage supplementing them with to the digital profile,” says of joining such Facebook block parties will forge stronger Carol, who works in corporate communities are the group bonds between members of communications. “The bonds deals on household essentials your Facebook group. “That’s of friendship may have been and renovation packages. something we might do once forged online but they have “Buying as a group with everyone’s settled into their definitely been strengthened other neighbours allows us new home!” shares Carol. by our regular meet-ups.” Adds to save quite a bit of money,” Joshua, “We no longer just talk explains Keith. “For newlywed about our new homes — work couples, that’s definitely a and family-related topics have huge plus.” NEIGHBOURS GROUPS ON SOCIAL MEDIA From left, Ms Goh Jean Woon, Dr Joshua Chong, ARE A GREAT WAY TO GET TO Mr Keith Chong and Ms Carol Chan “KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURS. WE CAN ALSO HELP TO KEEP THE NEIGHBOURHOOD SAFE BY BEING ON THE LOOKOUT FOR SUSPICIOUS CHARACTERS IN THE ESTATE. THIS IS IMPORTANT ESPECIALLY WITH THE RECENT FOCUS ON THE SGSECURE MOVEMENT.

Mr Keith Chong, the administrator of the Fernvale Woods (Residents) group on Facebook live GREEN life storeys grapes typically grow in temperate climates HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE LIFE STOREYS FINDS OUT HOW HDB-DWELLERS HAVE B EEN GROWING TEMPERATE CROPS S UCH AS GRAPES AND BLACKB ERRIES .

s seen by the growing number of urban farming classes being offered of late, it’s clear that the “grow-your-own-food” movement is taking root in Singapore — literally. Our island’s hot and wet climate lends itself to the best tropical produce, making it easy for even the most casual of gardeners to harvest tomatoes, chilli and garlic.

PAGE But walking along the ninth floor 14 of Block 781 at Yishun Ring Road is an experience that will take you to another world. Instead of the tropical plants that most urban farmers here opt for, Mr Alex Ng has beautified his common corridor with a collection of temperate produce. He has lined his plants neatly against the corridor wall to keep the common corridor clutter- free. The most spectacular of these are his grapevines and their ruby-red fruit, which were just about ready for harvesting when Life Storeys paid a visit. Other interesting produce he grows includes coffee, blackberries and flowergourd. The 45-year-old says his love for gardening stemmed from his childhood experience in MR NG Kampong Mandai Kechil. Having SHOWING grown up in this village in northern OFF HIS Singapore, Mr Ng always felt close GRAPES to nature. “Eating fruit didn’t mean a trip to the supermarket — it meant going to the papaya tree or rambutan tree and picking what we wanted MY NEIGHBOURS SAW M Y CROPS AND to eat,” the pastry chef says with a WERE QUITE INTERESTED — FRIENDSHIPS laugh. Following an overseas stint “FORM ED NATURALLY AFTER. a few years ago, he discovered a love for temperate produce and was Mr Alex Ng, 45, Pastry Chef QUICK TIP Simply throwing the seeds of the supermarket-bought grapes that you’ve eaten into a pot is not the best way to ensure a bountiful harvest. Although the seeds may sprout, it’s likely they won’t bear fruit, says Mr Ng. It’s better to buy dedicated seeds from a speciality farmer, as these will sprout hardier seedlings that are more likely to bear fruit.

Mr Ng also grows coffee and blackberries in his HDB corridor determined to grow these back home. Although he faced some initial WHAT’S IN YOUR POT? challenges, he adopted a “can-do” Life Storeys readers share their favourite crops: PAGE attitude and faced his challenges 15 with a cheerful demeanour. He was CURRY LEAVES ARE A STAPLE IN INDIAN also determined to make the most of his circumstances. “I saw that I had a COOKING AND I’M HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO lot of things working for me and was JUST WALK OUTSIDE AND PLUCK THEM encouraged by this,” he says. His FROM MY MINI-TREE HERE. persistence paid off and a few years Ms Latha K. from Bishan ago, Mr Ng harvested his first batch of grapes. Curry leaves ALTHOUGH IT’S NOT AN EDIBLE CROP, BLOSSOMING FRIENDSHIPS I WAS VERY PROUD OF THE COTTON THAT Surprisingly, his love for urban farming has borne fruit in another part of MY DAUGHTERS AND I GREW! his life: he is now more active in the Ms Julieanna Fairoz from Jurong West community, having befriended more neighbours. “My neighbours saw my crops and were quite interested — street. “I also pick up tips from them friendships formed naturally after,” DECLUTTER and share my knowledge,” he says. he says. Be considerate What’s next for the man with the Some families in the estate have to your green thumbs? “I hope to grow an neighbours. also approached Mr Ng to ask for Ensure that assortment of pumpkins,” he shares, cuttings of his grape and blackberry your plants showing a collection of pumpkin plants, which he readily shares. “Some are arranged seeds he has just bought. “They’re do a lot better with the cuttings than neatly to keep beautiful crops and I hope to be the common others,” he quips. “Like most things, corridor able to harvest them soon!” Given urban farming requires solid time clutter-free! his habit of sharing crops with his and commitment.” Besides cuttings, neighbours, we expect residents Mr Ng also happily shares advice on of Block 781 Yishun Ring Road to gardening with his neighbours. But as be enjoying fresh, home-grown he points out, learning is a two-way pumpkins in the near future! my LIFE STORY life storeys

harlie Goh may have been in all four installments of the popular comedic film franchise and a regular face on Channel 5’s longest-running television series Tanglin, but to his neighbours, the FLY Entertainment artiste is still that child THE they used to play with after school — except he’s all grown up now. “They really don’t bat an eyelid at all. And why should they, right?” says Charlie, 29, on whether his fellow neighbours in his Bishan estate AH BOY get star-struck when bumping into him these days. “Some years ago I was just that playful ah boy running up and down NEXT DOOR the block after all.” And play Charlie did, almost FOR ACTOR C HARLIE GOH, PLAYING ALMOST religiously, all through his schooling EVERY DAY WITH HIS NEIG HBOURS WAS years. “A bunch of us would gather PART AND PARCEL OF HIS EXPERIENCE every single day, and find creative ways G ROWING UP IN AN HDB ESTATE. to entertain ourselves,” says Charlie, chuckling at the memories. “We’d be

PAGE 16 SOME YEARS AGO I WAS JUST THAT PLAYFUL AH BOY RUNNING UP AND DOWN THE “BLOCK... A BUNCH OF US WOULD GATHER EVERY SINGLE DAY, AND FIND CREATIVE WAYS TO ENTERTAIN OURSELVES. Charlie Goh, Actor and FLY Entertainment Artiste

at the playground of course, or we’d be playing “Both our temperaments mellowed a fair bit after ‘catch’ up and down the block’s stairwell. We getting married. Wei Ming just wants to spend would play along the corridor, and also used to time at home with his family, and similarly, I go play soccer at the void deck. That was all I did out less frequently with friends in the evenings. after class, until my parents returned from work.” Instead, I have dinner with my wife on most This fun-packed childhood was a memorable nights. Our priorities have changed.” part of his experience growing up in an HDB While being a family man is somewhat new, estate, says Charlie, who has lived in the area the idea of becoming an actor on the other hand since he was born. “One of my fondest memories is one that Charlie has toyed with since his is playing with everyone regardless of their polytechnic days. Enrolled in the Banking and race,” he says. Throughout his primary school Finance course for the lucrative prospects such and lower secondary school years, Charlie was a path offers, the former Singapore Polytechnic cared for by his grandmother, who student was also a member of his school’s lived about a 10-minute walk away theatre club. “I realised then that I thoroughly from his parents’ flat, while the enjoy the process of putting up a production and latter went to work. “After school, performing,” he says. “My parents didn’t know I’d go back to my grandma’s house, this back then, but I didn’t have any interest at all PAGE 17 and play until evening when my in my course because I could not grasp what was parents would take me home to do my going on, and so I only came to school to attend homework,” says Charlie, who adds my co-curricular activity. I skipped the lectures that his grandmother has always been and tutorials!” extremely protective of him — her Charlie confesses that it was initially first grandson — and would not allow very difficult to get his foot into the industry, for him to be scolded by his parents. recounting a long streak of failed auditions. Charlie’s parents have since moved Fortunately in 2012, he was picked to play a to the northeastern part of Singapore, cameo role in Ah Boys To Men, which went on but Charlie and his wife — they got to become a local favourite, raking in about $20 married in September 2017 — now live million in total. Charlie is immensely thankful with his grandmother, 88, with whom also to be on-screen as part of the Tanglin he maintains a close relationship. family. “Both the movie and drama series are “Despite her age, she is still quite long-running, which means fewer chances of healthy and walks to the market me being out of a job!” quips Charlie. “Seriously nearby — by herself — for groceries. though, I’m just really glad my career took off, And she still cooks for us,” he says, and that my wife has been extremely supportive beaming. Such familiar practices throughout this sometimes rocky journey.” evoke memories of his childhood, and also reinforce his sense of Catch Charlie Goh in Tanglin on Channel 5 every belonging to the neighbourhood. weekday at 8.30pm.

REAL AND REEL Interestingly, Charlie’s character in ’s Ah Boys To Men 4 — which premiered in November 2017 — Tan Wei Ming, is also a recently married man. “It was a funny coincidence,” Charlie notes. Upcoming Events Answer some questions and stand to win Take Our shopping vouchers! FEBRUARY Survey! Heartland Talk - Caring For Your Home Log on to lifestoreys.hdb.gov.sg for the questions and MARCH to submit your answers. Let’s Play - Bedok Town Square You can also find out - Kampung Admiralty if you won issue 16’s Community Plaza shopping vouchers - Punggol Town Square on our webpage. For more information, check out www.hdb.gov.sg/community

* Information accurate as at the time of print