OH! Open House at Tiong Bahru: My experience today

Being a resident in Tiong Bahru since 1972, I thought I should know a lot about the estate, yet, I realised there are a lot more for me to explore today!


Joining the "OH! Open House at Tiong Bahru" this afternoon allows me to visit 6 homes, 1 temple, walk through many back lanes and view the works of 15 local and overseas artists.


For the official website of "Oh! Open House at Tiong Bahru, visit:
http://artitute.com/2012/02/17/oh-open-house-at-tiong-bahru/


For photos of the artists' works, view them via:
http://flickriver.com/photos/artituteart/sets/72157629302663309/


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OH! Open House at Tiong Bahru: My experience today
==============================


Today is the last day of the Open House "Occupy" Tiong Bahru.  The event started last Saturday, only run for 2 weekends (on Saturday and Sunday, 18-19 and 25-26).


It is curiosity that drive me to sign up.  I like to see art works in general, and being a resident here, it is interesting for me to see how the interior of the my neighbours' apartment look likes.  Most of the people prefer to keep their home private, so it is hard to have the opportunity to enter other people's house nowadays.


Since I miss the event in Marine Parade last year, this time, the event is so near and so convenient, I have no excuse to miss it. 


Entering strangers' house and look at the interior, their personal items and art collections, is something new for me to look forwards to.  As I do not like to walk under the hot sun and have to rush home for dinner around 7pm, the 4-5pm tour I booked in advance is the best slot for me!


Though the tour I signed up was scheduled to start between 4-5pm, it was delayed.  I think the reason could be that the response is so good that all tours are full booked. Hence, the groups took longer to visit all the sites as there are bigger in size. 


We have 18 participants in our group and we started at around 5.15pm, about one hours and 15 mins later than the actual schedule slot.  Fortunately, the waiting area this week is moved from ground floor to the air-con hall on the second floor of Tiong Bahru Community Centre.  Most of us have a good nap or good rest while waiting. When it is our turn to do the tour, the heavy rain just stop and we have a refreshing afternoon to start our walk!


As I saw a lot of tour leaders over last weekends were full of passion, I was looking forward to have an exciting tour with lots of anecdotes. I should not have this mind set to start with...


The volunteer guide who guided us is not a Tiong Bahru residents, the information she acquired is from her research, we are not able to hear personal experience and the main focus is on the artists and the history of some street name etc.  As the group is too big to hear her clearing, I wish I could have a copy of the written notes for future reference and hope that the feedback to the co-ordinator at the end of tour at 7.05pm would benefit both parties.


Even an old timer like me, looking at the neighbourhood from many front and back balcony of the six apartments is an eye-opening experience. With the unique art deco architecture and tastefully done interior of the apartment owners, it makes one yielding to stay in the apartment and admire the owner who own them.


Many visitors in our group feel that Tiong Bahru housing is rather unique: it is Singapore’s most eclectic neighbourhood! In the 1.5 to 2 hour tour, we learnt the name and the origin of Seng Poh Road, Eng Watt Street, Tiong Poh Road and other interesting facts and history of the estate!


The laid back rustic atmosphere of the pre-war and post-war housing, blended the contemporary art of the 15 artist, make it even more artistic for viewers like us to appreciate.  Art enhance the estate, and the estate make the art pieces more appealling to viewers!


For me and many of the tour participants, the welcoming owners or artists who are there at the door or inside the apartment during the arts walkabout are warm imprints that we will never forget.  I remembered Jason, the banker, offering us chocolates and Steven Black, the multi-talent artist,  giving us Ang Ku Kueh. Their kind gestures warmed both our stomachs and our hearts!  Many are humble and do not disclose their names and their smiling face made us feel comfortable and welcoming!


Some of the things I learnt in the walking tour include:


* the Swan sculpture placed in the centre of Tiong Bahru Garden, was sculpted by Mr Lim Nang Seng, the same artist of Merlion (the Singapore Icon now). 


* the Teochew Noodle stall inside the coffee shop next to the car park exit in Moh Guan Terrace was the Mee Po Man filming site.


Many participants do not know the different types of Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) and Post-war housing in Tiong Bahru. This visit to the 6 artistic homes may lead them to see Tiong Bahru apartment as their dream home.


Viewing the artistic interior design of the six apartments done by the owners or designers may create "Fairy Tale" images of the estate, and lead them to dream and have high expectation on Tiong Bahru Estate!  I know from my own experience that most of the apartments in Tiong Bahru are not the same as the six homes we experienced today!

Of all the artworks I view, the first whimsical mobile hanged by the window, made from plush and felt, in the shapes of traditional Singapore food is the one that I like most!

For more photos of the artists' works, please view them via:
http://flickriver.com/photos/artituteart/sets/72157629302663309/

The mobile is created by Tye Sok Kuan who is a well-known freelance illustrator known for her alter-ego, Sophie Black.

In this hanging mobile, Sophie Black is also the centrepiece.  I think most viewers would like all the yummy objects stringed around the smiling Nyonya, such as Ang Ku Kueh, Butterfly Kueh, Nine layers cake, Small Bao, Sue Mai, Kueh To To and many yummy and delicious local treats.

What I fall in love with is the bright and colourful hanging mobile theme with Paranaka ideas and the details stitches which is hard to match. To me it is like 3D painting using colourful treads as paint brush and felt as canvas!

I learn from this visit and meet some hosts of the homes. They were a nice mix of Singaporeans and expats and art is the one that transcends cultural borders. 

Tiong Bahru is not a big estate and the distance between each homes which host the exhibitions are not very far apart.  Nevertheless, all the apartment are without lift and walking up and down take time and energy. 

After the 2 hours sweaty walking tour, our thigh muscles were tire. The expected workout for me allow me to make excuses for not having much physical exercises next week!

How do I feel about the tour at the end of the day?  Well, like my tour mates, we feel intrusive, and on the other hand, was thankful to hosts who are so kind and so generous in giving us a change to peek, share and enjoy their way of living for a moment! 

Maybe it is a learning journey for us to be humble about what we received and learn to share the joys by being kind and generous to others in the future!

Dexterine Ho Soo Miang

我心中的中峇鲁

After using "中峇鲁" in Chinese text and google , I found this article today:

文章标题：我心中的中峇鲁 发表日期：2010-07-20（2010-08-05修改）


作　　者：骆宾路
2010年07月20日，星期二
2010-8-5 13:26:22   被依林编辑过


For full text of the article, visit the link:
http://sgcls.zhongwenlink.com/news_read.asp?NewsID=8700

Here are some interesting facts and history related to Tiong Bahru Estate mentioned in the article:
* 中峇鲁是英殖民政府属下改良信托局于上世纪四十年代初所建的居屋，是目前属于政府管辖下屋龄约七十年的最老的组屋区。
　　
* 二次大战前，中峇鲁区只限于中峇鲁路（即现今的大牌五十五座至威镇庙）、中保路、成保路、英云街、永发街、源全街、齐贤街、炳源街及薛华街一带，人口不是很多。二次大战之后至新加坡独立，中峇鲁区扩建至成保路右侧，今之中峇鲁巴刹及食阁一带以及中峇鲁路南面原属坟山一带，即原南洋工商补习学校对面并延至今之中峇鲁广场。

* 中峇鲁在二次世界大战期间，遭受日军空袭。中峇鲁五层楼炳源街有一个单位受炸。我家齐贤街前的草坪也落过两枚炸弹，一枚爆炸，一枚是死弹。日军蹂躏新加坡百姓三年八个月，中峇鲁也不能幸免。我们这些适龄学童都成了失学儿童。新加坡光复之后，华校复课，中峇鲁这批失学儿童都拥到南洋工商补习学校就读。

* 当年住在中峇鲁一伙小伙伴，已经走的据知有前华语话剧资深导演、演员张维明（维爵），恐怕他是住在中峇鲁区最早走的一个（一九七六年）。前《人闻月刊》创办人杨明兴（笔名鸣人）也在几年前走了。

* 曾经住在中峇鲁老区的，还有老报人傅无闷一家，夫人刘韵仙、公子傅超仁、傅超贤。他们就住在我家（齐贤街）斜对面（源全街）四楼一个单位。

* 前杨协成酱油厂老板昆仲，弟弟也是住在源全街和傅无闷一家比邻；哥哥一家是住在齐贤街和我家比邻。

* 前南洋工商补习学校龙姓美术老师也是住在源全街，龙老师的公子郁君贻年少负笈英国，是英国皇家钢琴学院的教授，二十一世纪中，曾在新加坡出任南洋艺术学院院长。龙家千金郁君谋是钢琴家。

* 此外同在中峇鲁区的玩伴，还有前国会议员政务部长庄日昆、前宏文学校校长杨先景、南大史地系第一届毕业生林肯俐、留学澳洲（不知有没有记错）著名建筑师杨树先，还有杨柳芳、杨柳青等。在南洋工商补习学校和我同班的何炯照（据说他留学英国后曾出任海港局高职）、朱智生（其父，一时记不起他的名字，是前中国银行高级职员）等。

* 住在齐贤街还有两家吴姓家庭，吴敬山和我大哥曾是中国银行同事，弟弟吴仰山，另有一个和我年龄相近的弟弟就记不起他的名字了。他的姐姐和我姐姐年龄相近，如果没有记错名字是叫吴楚燕。

* 另一家吴姓家庭有两个姐妹是前南桥女中的学生，篮球打得顶好，是校代表队主力球员，一叫吴楚文，一个好像叫吴楚珊。

* 当年我的小学（南洋工商补习学校）老师住在中峇鲁的有前南洋工商补习学校校长陈国祥、陈姓英语老师，听说现在旅居美国，今年高龄应该有八十几了。

* 余松年（已故）以及夫人马老师住在成保路。庄令昭老师（已故）住在今中峇鲁路大牌五十五座二楼一个单位。已故资深作家姚紫也曾住在中峇鲁路南后期扩建的居屋。至今仍扬名歌坛的资深女歌唱家潘秀琼也曾住在战后扩建的中峇鲁路的居屋。

* 有人说，中峇鲁是个老化了的老区。守在这里的老一辈，心中仍有很多中峇鲁说不完的、精彩的、动人的故事。不管你今日住在哪个角落，只要听到你是在中峇鲁住过的，大家会格外感到亲切。这是一个原住民缅怀的地方。

For full text of the article, visit the link:
http://sgcls.zhongwenlink.com/news_read.asp?NewsID=8700

I get very nostalgic when I read the article. I was very touched by the author as he is very detailed in recalling the names, past events and fill the lines with sentimental statements.  I wish I could do the same when I am at his age!  Reading his narration of event happened in the estate for the past 70 years is like watching a documentary on screen!  

Highly recommended for reading!

Dexterine Ho

Tiong Bahru: Article in Chinese found via Google's Cache

I just run a google search on Tiong Bahru and found the following Chinese article:

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:TuWW_4RtT3oJ:big5.17u.com/blog/article/153971.html+%22tiong+poh+road%22&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=sg&lr=lang_zh-TW

中峇魯，拐個彎就是一道風景

This is Google's cache of http://big5.17u.com/blog/article/153971.html. It is a snapshot of the page as it appeared on 27 Aug 2010 00:05:34 GMT. The current page could have changed in the meantime.

中峇魯，拐個彎就是一道風景

[原創]作者：佳寶 日期：2008-6-12
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:TuWW_4RtT3oJ:big5.17u.com/blog/article/153971.html+%22tiong+poh+road%22&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=sg&lr=lang_zh-TW

中峇魯是繁忙市區的一片清涼之地，空氣彌散著一種悠閑的味道

　　沒有到過中峇魯，你很難想像繁忙的城市裏還有這麼一片清涼之地。它範圍不大，小小的住宅區裏都是戰前的舊式組屋，空氣裏彌散著一種悠閑的味道，偶爾會看到有人走過，但多數時候看到的只是趴在墻角的懶洋洋的貓。

　　一個地方的氣質跟歷史的厚度有關。

　　中峇魯發展於1936年，是英殖民政府在新加坡興建的第一批公共住屋，經歷了戰火，仍然完整地保存下來。2003年，政府宣佈中峇魯為保留區，它與眾不同的建築外觀，它的一磚一瓦，將永久成為我們歷史遺產的一部分。

　　中峇魯是繁忙市區的一片清涼之地，空氣彌散著一種悠閑的味道。

　　看到、聽到、嗅到生活

　　老區的房子，連一樓都住滿了一戶戶的人家，黃昏時分從他們的門前走過，生活，可以看到、聽到、嗅到。中峇魯從很久以前就是一個令人垂涎的地方，咖啡店、菜館、餐廳、煮炒店，加起來超過15家，鎮中心的巴剎與熟食中心遠近馳名，翻新以後，很不幸的變得格格不入，反而成了區內最煞風景的地方。

螺旋形樓梯是中峇魯戰前祖屋的一大特色

　　每一條街都是一部人物史

　　中峇魯一帶都是蜿蜒的小路，轉一個彎就是一道風景。

　　從中峇魯路轉進忠坡路（Tiong Poh Road），包括英雲街（Eng Hoon Street）、林烈街（Lim Liak Street）、成保路（Seng Poh Road）、成保巷（Seng Poh Lane）、永發街（Eng Watt Street）、齊賢街（Chay Yan Street）、永錫街（Yong Siak Street）、茂源臺（Moh Guan Terrace）、源全街（Guan Chuan Street）、有進街（Eu Chin Street）、金榜路（Kim Pong Road），都構成中峇魯的命脈。

　　根據《南洋年鑒》和《南洋歷史》記載，這些路名都是為紀念19世紀華社名人而取的。如金榜路是為紀念大慈善家劉金榜，有進街是為紀念義安公司的主要創始人佘有進，忠坡路是為紀念福建籍富商邱忠坡，齊賢街則是紀念陳篤生的孫子陳齊賢。他是新馬橡膠業的開路先鋒，最早把樹膠作為園丘式經營。每一條街都是一部人物史。

　　在中峇魯，還有百年老廟、古早的咖啡店、50年不變的雜貨店和當鋪、傷痕纍纍的防空壕，以及郁達夫在《星洲日報》擔任副刊編輯時，曾經住過的房子。

　　今年底，中峇魯第53和第54座組屋將改建成酒店，屆時，可以想見，這個老區將有另一番風景。

吳玉桂是齊天宮的顧問，也是中峇魯的“地方領袖”，是中峇魯的活字典


　　找到中峇魯的“字典”

　　寫中峇魯的故事，最大收穫是認識了吳玉桂老先生。吳玉桂肖猴，今年76歲，是齊天宮的顧問，廟裏理事說：“他是第一百零一個老中峇魯，其他的搬的搬、走的走（故世），現在只剩他一個了，中峇魯的歷史你問他吧，他最清楚。”

　　吳老先生為人風趣，學養很好，問起我的父母親，都用令尊令堂。他老當益壯，但不認老，開一輛馬賽地轎車，每天還到自己的公司上班。開頭我叫他老伯，他作惱怒狀，於是我趕緊改口叫他大叔。哈哈。

　　看著一棟棟房子建起來又看著它們拆除

　　吳大叔在中峇魯出世、長大，父親是齊天宮的乩童，一家人就住在齊天宮樓上。他指著英雲路上的老房子說：“我看著它們一棟棟建起來，現在又看著它們一棟棟的拆除重建。”吳大叔一直住在中峇魯，間中有段時間搬到烏節一帶，不久又搬回老地方，現住在金殿路，跟我算是街坊。大叔是中峇魯的“地方領袖”，擔任中峇魯聯絡所主席有30年之久，現在還是聯絡所的顧問。

　　他看盡中峇魯的變遷，在情感上，一輩子與中峇魯有著千絲萬縷的關系。他說：“中峇魯以前都是有錢人住的地方，生活起碼要在中等以上才有資格住進來。這裡住了很多文人，也有很多人在這裡包二奶。”

　　齊天宮斜對面是忠坡路，吳大叔說：“郁達夫當年就住在忠坡路的一個單位。”後來我回報館查資料，發現記載的是第65座組屋三樓24號。大叔還說，中國大畫家劉海粟也住過中峇魯。

        訪問第二天早上，約了吳大叔拍照，他知道我想到防空壕看看，慷慨的充當我的車夫，用他的馬賽地把我載到茂源臺。

　　茂源臺的老房子俗稱五層樓，建成一個馬蹄形，樓房後面是停車場，廢棄已久的防空壕就在樓房後面的底層，面對停車場，大門深鎖，並不是我原先所以為的什麽秘密通道。要不是吳大叔帶路，我恐怕找上一天都找不到。

　　大叔說，這是英國人設計的老房子，建得銅墻鐵壁，堅硬非常，釘子釘不進，大戰期間炸彈下來，也只是打穿一個小洞，底層拿來做防空壕最合適不過。大叔曾經帶電視臺的攝影隊到裏面拍攝，被蚊子叮得全身又紅又腫，他問：“你想進去嗎？可以跟市鎮會申請，讓他們給你開門。”我想到他的慘痛經歷，當然不敢輕舉妄動。

Here are the links with the same article:

http://cbbs.chinadaily.com.cn/viewthread.php?tid=4221&extra=page%3D34
Wtih "稿件来源：联合早报"
This link have some photos included, yet with some typo errors and irrelevant text added!

http://www.chinabaike.com/article/316/tour/2007/20071024609409.html

POSB Disappearing from Kim Seng Road

I was disappointed when I went back to the POSB (Post Office Saving Bank) and they were no longer available at Kim Seng Road, Tiong Bahru in Singapore around 2007.

Many things brought back lots of fond memories for me.

I remembered how much a part of life POSB was for me since I know how to save money by collecting stamps on the saving book.  I grow up with the "Thumb Print" Post Bank Saving Book.

Banking through POSB, the "Key" logo was in my childhood memory and I still remembered how much I enjoyed the coin saving experience.

Now the convenience of having the POSB within mins of walking distance is no longer available. Our POSB within Tiong Bahru Market vacinity is moved and relocate on Ground level at Tiong Bahru Plaza. 

I think most of the residents in Tiong Bahru Estate will miss it, especially the hawkers with a lot of cash to deposit daily will miss it even more!

Here is some backgroup on POSB I found on the web at http://www.getforme.com/Bankingfinance_POSBank.htm

=====
The history of the bank dates back to 1 January 1877. The British Government established the Post Office Savings Bank in the General Post Office Building in Raffles Place. In 1951, its number of depositors hit the 100 000th mark. It grew until its peak in 1955 and languished thereafter.

In the mid-sixties, the Post Office Savings Bank, as POSBank was then called, was part of the Postal Department.

It was Dr Goh Keng Swee, the then Minister for Finance, who helped to revitalise the bank. He saw the potential in tapping the national savings for the development of the infrastructure in Singapore.

On 1 January 1972, the Bank was made a Statutory Board, under the care of the Ministry of Communications. Its two principal functions under the Post Office Savings Bank Act of 1971 were:

1. To carry on the general business of a savings bank and to promote saving and encourage thrift
2. To mobilise domestic savings for the purpose of public development.

The Bank commissioned Mr William Lee to design its logo in 1972.

In 1974, responsibility for the Bank was transferred to the Ministry of Finance. In the same year, the Bank set up a subsidiary, Credit POSB Pte Ltd, to tap into the housing market.

In 1976, the number of accounts hit the one millionth mark. In the same year, deposits crossed the S$1 billion mark.

In 1980, it introduced the Passcard, and the Principal Branch. In 1981, its first Cash-On-Line ATM machine opened at Newton Branch.

In 1983, its eight-storey headquarters, POSBank Centre, at Bras Basah Road was completed.

In 1984, the Bank introduced its current account facility. In 1986, deposits crossed the S$10 billion mark.

It changed its name to POSBank in March 1990. In 1996, it won the National Productivity Award conferred by the National Productivity Board.

It introduced the Electronic Share Application to let its depositors apply for Initial Public Offering (IPO) shares.

In November 1998, it was acquired by DBS Bank.
=====
Source of above information: http://www.getforme.com/Bankingfinance_POSBank.htm


Dexterine Ho
Revised with Labels (Tags) and some new information on 30 Sept 2011