Reflections!

Haikal’s Reflections

I was pretty confident in the history of Singapore before embarking on this project. I started the project thinking that I would probably do well since I scored an A grade for my History subject for GCE ‘O’ Level Examination.

I went on the civic district trail 2 with minimal research done. After visiting the Heritage Gallery at the Central Fire Station, I realized I was lacking in depth in my knowledge of Singapore’s History. I also learnt the importance of preserving history. If not for the preserving efforts of the Singapore Civil Defence, I would not have able to see the equipments used in the early days.

I aspire to play a part in spreading Singapore’s History by educating my family members and friends. I have sent the blog’s address to my friends and family members and have encouraged them to read up on the civic district 2. I have received a few positive responses such as an enquiry on the opening hours of the heritage gallery.

My New Music Video !

Hey peeps, check out the world premiere of my latest music video for " i Pray" .
Available for download on "i Tunez"

I really love Singapore !

Peace out
- Just-in-Bieber

Just-in Biebs - Live in Singapore

Wats up ppl!!..I am so excited right now!! I am in Singapore for my tour and I can't wait to meet all my fans way out here...WOW!! SINGAPORE!!! A country I thot that was in China is actually a small island, the size of Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex in Texas. I have a few days here so I guess I'll be going around town to see what magic this tropical land holds...Besides, how much history can this little place have rite???.......Stay tuned peeps!!!!

Peace out,
Just-in-Bieber <3

Armenian Church!

Hello readers! Just not long ago, I was at the Central Fire Station. Little did I know, that across the street, there is another national monument!

Armenian Apostolic Church of St Gregory the Illuminator, more known as the Armenian Church, is the oldest church building in Singapore. The oldest church is located across the street to the oldest fire station in Singapore. How cool is that!

I walked in, keen to learn more about it but there was not anyone around. So I took out my high-tech gadget and started ‘googling’ it. I learnt that the church was built in 1827 and most of the funding to build it came from 12 Armenian families. (Those Armenian families must have owned a backyard of gold) After the Japanese occupation, few Armenians remained. Since the end of World War 2, the church had not been able to conduct mass on a consistent basis as it has not had a resident priest.

Today, other Christian groups use the church for quiet worship.

An interesting fact!

In 1909, the church was one of the first buildings in Singapore to had electricity.

Central Fire Station!

Baby, baby, baby, oooh.

What a nice watchtower! Could that be the castle of Singapore?

The building turned out to be the Central Fire Station. It is the oldest existing fire station today! Interestingly, the station is still functioning and it is vital in ensuring that Singapore’s Central Business District is safe. The Central Fire station was opened in 1909 and the watchtower was actually the highest building in Singapore at one point in time.

The building was nicknamed “blood and bandage” in the past. The nickname probably came about due to the colours of the bricks. Blood referred to the red bricks and bandage refers to the white bricks used to build the façade.

The Central Fire Station was gazetted a national monument in 1998. The oldest part of the building has been transformed into a museum where I learnt that the Central Fire Station was involved in the rescue operation of the largest fire in the history of Singapore, Boutique Who See Fire. The fire broke out in 1961 and made 16,000 persons homeless! I have never been made homeless but I could understand how difficult it was to have no shelter. I already felt empty when I had to sleep at my front door for a night cause I forgot my keys, what more been made homeless.

Don’t play with fire kids (syaqir, you're one of them)!

REFLECTIONS!!!

VIJAI'S REFLECTION

Initially when we were given this assignment, I thought that I knew everything about Singapore. Being the oldest in the class and being an RSAF soldier, I was pretty confident that I knew all these places like the back of my hand! How wrong I was!!

I was humbled from the very start when I saw the sign TRAIL 2 START /END POINT! I was taken aback when I saw this signage and I really wanted to find out more. I couldn't wait to get to know more of places I sort of grew up around.

I was also pleasantly surprised and intrigued when I found out details about Raffles Hotel. I realised the efforts that were put in to maintain and preserve the historical value, were of such great impact! I just did not have the heart to leave the place! I yearned for more knowledge and information.

I had a very moving moment when I realised that the MICA building was actually the office where my father (deceased) had worked. I took a quick trip down memory lane and recalled my dad bringing me in occasionally. It all came back to me and I was actually very thankful to the assignment.

Therefore, I have now become an advocate of Heritage. I have brought my children to this trail and explained to them the signifcance of their existence. I strongly urge all to ensure that our history is passed down accurately and to sustain its credibility. We must be proud of oursleves as Today, will be the Tomorrow's HISTORY!! WE ARE PART OF IT!!

I would also like to dedicate this blog to our dear friend Ameerun, who stuck with us despite our antiques and saw this assignemnt through! Although she had to go overseas to pursue her degree, she will always be remembered by all who crossed paths with her!She was a real powerhouse and I wish her all the best!!!

NATIONAL ARCHIVES!

The name grasped my interest immediately. Thoughts of Nicholas Cage in National Treasure rushed through my mind! Could I find some secret of Singapore in here??

True to its name, there was a whole huge bunch of info on the National Archives when I 'GOOGLED' it. I was truly amazed with the serene and solemn atmosphere inside!! There were so many kinds of readng materials! It felt like I was in a library or something!!!

But what caught my eye, was that Singapore will be 46 this August. But I just couldn't relate the amount of information to the age of the country...Don even wan to go near the History of USA!!! The building seemed it had undergone a facelift and I don't blame the government fr doing so. It would be such a shame to lose all that rich history! Gives me the goose bumps just by thinking about it! Such deep history for such a small island! Told you guys, you must come and check it out for yourselves!!! Peace!!

SINGAPORE PHILA..PHILLY...PHILATELIC MUSEUM!!

Seems like history is everywhere I turn today!! Buildings with so much historical values are just a stone's throw away form I am (depends where I throw the stone from, of course!!). But seriously guys, this building is one hundred years old and it is a double story old colonial house which was once a school!! The ENGLISH lived here????? Boy, did they like comfort!

Apparently, the museum has a stamp collection which ranges from the 1830s to the present day! That is a lot of stamps!! Thank God for e-mails!! The curator of the museum told me (and my clown friends) that the mission of the of the museum is to stimulate interest in philately. She also added that many exhibitions take place from time to time including educational activities.

I left this place thinking how much snail mails and postmasters meant to people who did not have access to internet!! I guess, during war times or times of seperation, a letter from a loved one would have given so much inspiration to the soldiers! You know what guys, I am going to write, not type, a letter to my parents. I think letter have a personal touch and people will treasure them longer..might just get a stamp from here!!! See ya!!

Old Tan Nan School ??

Where is the Old Tao Nan School ??
Its actually called the Peranakan Museum now !
This school was officially established on 18th November 1906 by the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan and construction was complete in March 1912. An interesting fact is that it was established with the help of prominent Chinese philanthropists like Tan Kah Kee. At Daonan Xuexiao (Tao Nan School) the lessons were taught in Hokkien, a Chinese dialect and its syllabus focused on practical modules such as natural science, math, drawing, technical studies and music.


The damaged Mortar displayed outside the Museum is actually a WW2 relic, found after redevelopment of the building after the Japanese Occupation.
The 2 hunky Men u see trying to operate the mortar are actually reliving their childhood fantasies.... aka Saving Private Ryan....
Perhaps they couldn't agree on the direction to fire ?

St Andrew's Cathedral

The largest Anglican cathedral in Singapore ! It was originally also designed by this dude.. George Drumgoole Coleman, & built between 1835 and 1836. The 2nd St Andrew's Cathedral designed by John Turnbull Thomson, was damaged by lightning strikes and supposed rumors of haunting forced it to be demolished in 1855. So cool right ! The current cathedral was designed by Colonel Ronald MacPherson, superintendent of convicts in Singapore. This design kinda lacks the refinement of its 13th Century English prototype, explained by the use of Indian convicts for construction. Within the apse are stained-glass windows dedicated to Stamford Raffles; John Crawfurd, who was the first Major Resident of Singapore; and Major General William Butterworth, the Governor of the Straits Settlements.

Outside the church a grey and red memorial monument surmounted by a Maltese cross as well as a stained-glass window at the west door commemorates Ronald MacPherson. Can't wait for my next stop baby..baby baby..ohhhh !

Another moving structure---MICA Building

Puzzled??? why are we all behind bars??? Actually, the MICA (Ministry of Information, Communication & Arts) building, was also known as the Od Hill Street Police station. It was erected in 1934 and upon its completion, was considered to be a skyscraper...like our World Trade Center towers.

I found out there were 911 windows..scary scary thought!! Sky Scraper..911...Brrrgghhh!! Gives me the shivers...anyway, there are now 927 windows and I observed that the shades of the colours of the wondows become more intense as they go higher...(NO!! IT"S NOT THE HEAT OF SINGAPORE MAKING ME SEE THINGS!!!) I verified the information...

This building's asssembly rooms, between 1845 & 1856, saw a range of roles from public function spaces, to school premises and a theater!! Hope they had air-conditioners!!! Don think I would have enjoyed the movies too much!!

Anyways, the building became a national monument in 1998. I also learnt that when Singapore was occupied by the Japanese, it was used by the Japanese military police, the Kempeitai, as a holding area and a TORTURE CHAMBER for prisoners!!! No wonder I felt awkward standing behind the windows...Felt pain and suffering!!!

Well, this stop done...wonder what's waiting for me next??? Peace out for now!!!

More cool Pics from my Crib as promised!!!

As promised guys, here are more cool pics...Isn't the doll sooooo adorable!!! I think that the (VERY TALL INDIAN MAN) person is truly an icon of Singapore and the Hotel!! I also think that the hotel has kept it's tradition of Indians doing such work since colonial times....Whao!! Think I went too deep guys.....Inspiring!!! Feel a song coming on!!!

To all my fans in Singapore, watch out for my new music video done in Singapore's very own Fort Canning Park entitled ''I Praying"....

Gosh.. i didnt know how historical the place was... at first look, i thought it was merely a park where people go there to relax or have a jog.. man i was wrong!! haha.. it was previously a battle station lah... and e burial grounds for all the fallen heroes were laid there as well... some encrypted at the stairs at the side of govt hill... and the most notable one was that of the keramat of iskandar shah. surprisingly, that was the only place that has someone mantaining the cleanliness of the tomb.. and he does it voluntarily!! wow!! he must have been someone..

And............ a resevoir!! in the middle of Fort canning park???? thats shocking... haha.. had a ball of a time there doing the music video!!! a must watch man.. i guarantee you... youll have a balllllll of a time!! haha..

The places and some unusual things i saw at Fort Canning park...

Fort Canning Green

heard that it was once a burial ground for some 600 Christians... now left with 12... i was told that they were brought in from the now defunct Bukit Timah cemetery... haha.. and i dont even know where it is.. haha...(place the Lee Khia Soon picture).. but now the place does not even look spoky.. haha.. instead i witnessed a group of church people playing 'tchoukball' over at the open fields... my friends told me that even concerts and carnivals were held there.. hope they dont realise that what they are stepping on are previously graveyards... shhhhhh......

9-Pound cannon

two of my closest friends playing ard with the cannon... thank god it wasnt real or they would have ended up killing each other... haahhaha... rascals!!!! (place the cannon photo)...

fascinating how well the place was decorated.. Families can come over to play ard with the monuments which were once a defensive battle station for the british during the ww2.. apparently that was told to me by my buddies!! haha.

A resevoir???

a resevoir, in e midlle of fort canning...?? some of my buddies dont even know... thank god im not the only one... haha. i got to find out that initially, before the resevoir was constructed in 1926, the hill had a spring gushing out from it.. it served as an important source of water for the people for centuries.. cool huh!! now the place is sealed up..... wasted!! haha..(place the resevoir photo)

Keramat iskandar Shah

we went to this place called the Keramat Iskandar Shah... wanted to shoot our music video there but decided against it thou out of respect. the place is actually very well maintained.. there is always a guy to clean up the grave known by many as the last king of the island.. a pretty quiet sight thou.... seemed well respected!!

There are many more places there we visited and i really enjoyed the moment i had there.. juz being there for a whole day thought me lotsa things abt the history of it... What made my day worthwhile was that i was able to finish up my music video here, at Fort Canning... its a billboard hit, i guarantee!!!!!!! haha... till then... baby baby baby oooooohhhhh........