Friday, July 31, 2020

Walking down Victoria Street

Victoria Street (Xiao Po) begins from the junction of Stamford Road right up to the junction of Lavender Street. Along the way, there are lots of old building but sadly they are disappearing soon due to urban redevelopment and the earliest building was the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, Covent of the Infant Jesus (Chijmes) I remember vividly I used to travel with my late mother one building stood at the corner of Bras Basah Road with Victoria Street called in Hokkien language (Teck Kok Seng Ong) which translate as a German Pharmacy, our mode of transport was the one-time famous pirate taxi plying the street, they will use to promote their fare, Xiao Po, 20 cents Toa Po 30 cents fast forward now we have the Taxi, Grab, Gojek for our convenience.


Thursday, July 30, 2020

Kampong Bugis


Bugis which was commonly referred to as Xiao Po (小坡; little Slope) and was internationally known in the 1950s to 1980s for its gathering of transvestites and transsexual and know by others as Peh Soa Pu in Hokkien or Bai Sha Fu in mandarin  (白沙浮; white sand mounds). Beside Bugis MRT, there is Bugis Junction, Bugis Street Market (recreated from the former Albert Street), Bugis+, Bugis Cube, Village Hotel Bugis and so on.




Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Bugis Junction - Victoria Street (Two Horse Road)

It was built from the site of our former Bugis Street (Hak Kai), Malay Street, Hylam Street and Malabar Street bound by Victoria Street, Rochor Road, North Bridge Road and Middle Road. At that time it was known as Parco Bugis Junction and later renamed Bugis Junction. It is a commercial building with Offices, a Shopping Mall and Intercontinental Hotel
Along Victoria Street directly opposite our old Bugis Street stood Blanco Court with shops and a food centre together with some HDB flats in that vicinity and also a Community Centre before the construction of our Bugis MRT Station. When the plan was announced Blanco Court was evicted and the flats demolished to make way for the new development of our MRT, Blanco Court was converted and renovated into a private hospital named Raffles and the vacant plot was awarded to Raffles Group to build the new Raffles Specialist Centre.

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Short Street (Tek Kha So Si Tek Hang)

Short Street begins at the junction where it meets Middle Road, Selegie Road and Wilkie Road where you can find David Elias Building at the junction is a Jewish landmark and opposite there was a building used by Tiger Balm Co which had been demolished. Along the way, you find a Tamil Methodist Church and further down the road you'll come across a dwell Student Living and next door is the famous Selegie Road HDB Flats you could also access Lasalle College of Fine Arts through Short Street and last but not least there is Chang Cheng Golden Wall Centre which had been sold by en bloc and that very short on Short Street.



Monday, July 27, 2020

Five Horse Road (Bencoolen Street)

Space Plaza
77, Bencoolen Street was once Kian Hua Hotel, now occupied by Space Asia Hub in a white building consist of a Showroom for furniture and also F&B, together with the unit next door a restored heritage building, next to sit  Masjid Bencoolen with a 12 storey Service Apartment.


Masjid Bencoolen

Sunday, July 26, 2020

Prinsep Street (Six Horse Road)

Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church
Located at 77 Prinsep Street and within the Singapore Arts District, the church was founded by Rev. Benjamin Peach Keasrberry in 1843 and was previously known as the Malay Mission Chapel. This historical and heritage building was built for the outreach for the Malay people and was designed by the firm Swan and Maclaren with its notable features and deep red bricks and raised brickworks with a front belltower 
Deck
This is an unusual structure along 120A Prinsep Street it consists of Shipping Containers and built into an independent art space with its mission to support and naturing the community of photography enthusiasts in Singapore and South East Asia which act as a connector between art institutions which offer a platform for people to celebrate photography in the heart of Singapore.

Saturday, July 25, 2020

Prinsep Street (Six Horse Road)

LaSalle College of the Arts
The Late Brother Joseph McNally founded LaSalle,  in 1984 and it is a post-secondary Arts and Design institution in Singapore. It offers more than 30 diploma undergraduate and postgraduate programme in contemporary arts and design education.


Singapore Life Church (Teck Khah Tng)
Founded in 1883, the church is the oldest Presbyterian Church in  Singapore. In 1956 the church rent a plot of land in Changi 10th milestone called Changi Outreach Station to spread the gospel. In 1956 the church decided to rebuild the church at Prinsep Street, the church was completed in 1975 and renamed Singapore Life Church the rest is history.


Friday, July 24, 2020

Five Horse Road (Bencoolen Street)

Sunshine Plaza
Standing at 81, Bencoolen street and the opposite of Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts was once upon a time the site of our Registry of Vehicles (ROV), it's now a commercial building with residency. Famous for printing services and some food shop there are also toys that you can find. Directly behind is our Election Department. I could remember that I always find myself in the ROV for road-tax payment or making a transfer, due to my vocation as a staff of a freight forwarder company. Now ROV is known at the Land Transport Authority (LTA).



Election Department Building 

Thursday, July 23, 2020

Five Horse Road (Bencoolen Street)


Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA)
NAFA offers a post-secondary arts institution in Singapore and had its location at 80, Bencoolen Street sits beside the newly constructed MRT Station. NAFA provides comprehensive arts and design education and also undergraduate degree programme. The institution had 3 campuses mainly for Design and Media, Fine Arts, 3D Design, Fashion, Arts Management programme, Dance, Theatre and Music. Behind Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts is GSM Building going for en bloc.


Wednesday, July 22, 2020

111, Middle Road (Hylam Jiak Quay 一街)

National Design Centre
The National Design Centre of Singapore is located in the arts, cultural, learning and entertainment district of Bugis-Bras Basah district. The complex is a focal point for all things design in Singapore and space where designers and business can exhibit their products and exchange ideas and even works. It occupies the 120 years old premises of the former St Anthon's Convent and it is also once home to the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) after they moved to their own building further down the road.

Bank of China-North Sub Branch Bugis
133, Middle Road 

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Three Horse Road (Queen Street)

Carlo Catholic Society
Stood beside the Catholic Church of St. Peter and Paul is a non-profit organisation set up in 1996 as a society, their objective is to bring the Christian message of salvation to all people of goodwill to encourage beliefs to receive deeper Christian formation and promote spiritual growth.  They own a gift shop that sells religious articles and also publish a bi-weekly the Catholic Newspaper of Singapore Archdiocese 

Monday, July 20, 2020

Around Three & Four Horse Road (Queen Street & Waterloo Street)

Kum Yan Cantonese Methodist Church
The Church had its beginning in 1918 and was led by the founding member of the church led by Mr, Lam Lu Cheung and held their services in Yeung Ching School but in 1946 the pastor and the church had decided to buy a piece of land and to build their own named Kum Yan (感恩) 1 Queen Street was the plot of land that they had purchased and the building commence and was consecrated in December 1957.
The Catholic Centre
The Catholic Centre is a religious Centre in Singapore located at 55 Waterloo Street. It is a gathering place for Catholic and friends to share, to support, to learn and to grow in the spirit of love, joy and peace in each other through their faith. They also organise talks and events related to their faith and bad also a books rental services and knick-knack store.

Sunday, July 19, 2020

SAM

Singapore Art Museum
Singapore Art Museum is at Bras Basah Road within the downtown civic district of Singapore. Home to the former a 19th Century Catholic School know as St. Joseph Institution. It is the first fully contemporary visual arts museum with the world's most important collections by local, South East Asia artists. The museum is presently closed for upgrading as I speak and will reopen in 2 years time from now.



Sam@8Q (8 Queen Street)
It is the annexe of the Singapore Art Museum also in the heart of the civic district it is a 4 storey building home to former primary school wing of the Catholic Chinese High School. It was first home to Kim Yan Cantonese Methodist Church and they ended their tenancy and was returned to Singapore Land Authority and later converted into a visual arts museum.


Saturday, July 18, 2020

Queen Street

Church of St. Peter and Paul

One of the oldest Catholic Church in Singapore which catered to a predominantly Chinese congregation, it was built more than a century ago and located at 225A Queen Street.  The church underwent a series of expansion and renovation in the late 19th century and as of today as I wrote it still under renovation today the church is under the care of the Frides of the Discalced Carmelites






 

Grace (S.C.C) Church

The church was founded by Rev. Ho Yew Kin in 1950 due to the influx of immigrants from Hongkong and Guangdong Province of China and known as Grace Oversea Chinese Christian Church and had its premises at Chinese YMCA at Selegie Road. The language used in their services is Cantonese. In 1970 the church started fundraising to purchase a plot of land at 14 Queen Street where now the church stands they now had services in English and Madrian to serve the descendants of the older immigrants from Hongkong and China.


Friday, July 17, 2020

Jacob Ballas Centre & Maghain Aboth

Still stuck in Waterloo Street there are two building represent our Jewish Community in Singapore are the Jacob Ballas Centre and the Orthodox Synagogue sitting side by side with the Jewish Maghain Aboth. The centre offer function room, office and accommodation for the rabbi a kosher slaughter room for fresh chicken and a restaurant also a kosher shop


Does anyone still remember going to Bras Basah Road to look for your second-hand book and other titles and sometimes also visit the food stalls along Waterloo Street just for Indian Rojak and Teh Tarik, sadly it makes way, for now, SMU Campus and Plaza by the Park which used to be a commercial building for shops and offices, now had renamed to Manulife Centre, before we had Kopi Tiam but now the Food Republic. It is a good location now because it is accessible by 3 MRT Lines serving the vicinity (North-East Line, Circle Line and Downtown Line).




















Thursday, July 16, 2020

Singapore China Cultural Centre

Singapore China Cultural Centre was built to foster cultural exchange between our two nations, construction begins in 2013 on the premises of the former People's Association Clubhouse along 217 Queen Street. The complex consist of a variety of units consisting of exhibitions hall, theatres, libraries and classrooms, it is a platform for diverse cultural activities and offers courses in Chinese dance and Martial arts. The aims of the centre are to introduce the various culture and art practice by the Chinese to Singapore and also to enhance the understanding and promoting friendship between the two people. 
The centre was officially declared open by then ESM Goh Chok Tong and Chinese President Mr Xi Jinping from the People's Republic of China in 2015. The cultural activities include lectures, training program, performances, exhibitions and consulting session.

Oxford Hotel & Hotel Royal @Queens are two landmark hotels standing at Queen Street beside and opposite of the Singapore China Cultural Centre nothing was said about the two hotels.
                                                               

    

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Heritage Building

The Old Parliament House is the oldest government building and perhaps the oldest surviving one in Singapore and was built-in 1827. In 1999 the flag of Singapore was lowered for the last time at the Old Parliament House before the ceremonial walk over was conducted from the old building to the new one led by the Speaker of Parliament, Prime Minister and the entourage of Member of Parliament.

The Arts House was open in 2004 at the Old Parliament House and was restored and the interior was preserved and the Chambers were converted into a function room where music performance could be held together with Arts Exhibitions and other functions and also regularly held at the gallery which had Tuscan Style Column and Cornices. 

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

222 + 51 Heritage Space

This remarkable colonial building was once the home of the prestigious Catholic High School an all-boys educational establishment and holds many fond memories for his alumni including our very own Prime Minister (Mr Lee Hsien Loong) It is a symbol of Singapore diverse culture fusing with a rich history with new lease of life through contemporary culture it is located at 222 Queen Street.

Over at 51 Waterloo Street along its corridor are a series of heritage murals designed by Mr Yip Yew Chong and Mr Yuen Kum Cheong, these murals capturing scenes from the past bring them back to life in vibrant colour which our younger generation had not seen or experienced before. 



Monday, July 13, 2020

NAC- Arts Housing Scheme Waterloo Arts Belt

54, Waterloo Street once held by The Theatre Practice Singapore longest-standing professional bilingual theatre founded by the late Kuo Poa Kun and Goh Lay Kuan 53 years after the founding, the Theatre Practice continues to shape  Singapore Cultural and Artistic landscape guided by the core principle it had presented over 330 productions from classical to musical and experimental works. As a pioneer in arts education, it had inspired a generation of students to think creatively and critically informed by a rich heritage and motivated by a desire to contribute positively to life, it is an art place for all.
Centre 42 is based in 42, Waterloo Street which is a text-based work, dedicated to the documenting, promoting and creating of writing for Singapore Theatre. It aims to be a focal point for incubation of new works nurturing of playwriting talents, the centre will serve theatre practitioners and the greater arts community who are interested in text-based creations for the stage. In addition, it will reach out to the public through activities to raise awareness and appreciation for the history and the development of Singapore Theatre Works.

Sunday, July 12, 2020

NAC- Arts Housing Scheme

The Selegie Arts Centre is home to The Photographic Society of Singapore it was established in 1950 throughout the years, the Society had produced many outstanding international renowned photographers.
The second floor comprises a members' area Digital Resource Centre, a classroom and a darkroom.


This 2 storey building is home to the Dance Ensemble Singapore, a semi-professional Chinese Dance group it is used for a dance workshop, dance rehearsals, dance classes and small scale dance performances.

Saturday, July 11, 2020

Arts Housing Scheme - NAC Waterloo Street


The Singapore Council of Women's Organisations had its address at 96, Waterloo Street (SCWO) was founded in 1980 in order to coordinate efforts of women group in Singapore and advocate for women rights and provides workshops and other events in Singapore.
Across the road is Waterloo Centre located in the hearts of the Arts Community was built by the HDB and the places to go for looking for affordable vehicles spare parts. Today Waterloo Centre is an Arts destination, it was one of the venues for the 2013 Singapore Biennale as well as art community performance for fine artists there is an open-air plaza for holding arts activities with
music studios and learning centre and also interested in retail shops and eateries.
At 48, Waterloo Street you can find Singapore Calligraphy Centre is actively involved in promoting the arts of Chinese brush writing. Besides that, it also holds local and overseas exhibitions and demonstration are hold here. It also houses Singapore Institute of Chinese Calligraphy, the academic arm of the Society and the head office of International Congress of Chines Calligraphy.

Friday, July 10, 2020

10th July 2020 is Election Day

Another 5 years had gone by and it seems only yesterday that we are going to be given our right to choose our member of parliament to represent us to voice our concern and our livelihood on our daily life and also letting the appropriate people to form the new government for the next 5 years, but for me, I am uncertain that I will be around when the next 5 years comes round the corner but no matter what comes may I will be there to exercise my right and wisely choose the next government should it be the incumbent or the opposition lets the people of the nation decide.


The incumbent Member of Parliament had decided to retire from the post at Marine Parade GRC to give way for renewal change for new blood to be able to serve the residents of our ward.  He is leaving after 44 years of service to the nation, thank you Mr EMS Goh Chok Tong just to show my appreciation for caring toward our ward for such a long time.


Now I am on my way to the polling station to do what I have to do, see you
   

Wednesday, July 8, 2020

Sculpture Square

Located at the corner of Waterloo Street and 155/161 Middle Road started as a Chapel Gallery in 1872 by English Missionary Charles Phillip to promote Christianity in Singapore. The area was used to uphold social activities with the church for the community as well as worship.
There are a lot of changes starting from 1894 which was used to be the first Methodist Church known as the Straits Chinese Methodist Church serving the Babas, next it becomes the Tamil Girl's School and then Methodist Girls' School during 1900, after that become the Baba Malay Church, Middle Road Church in 1930 the building was sold to Eu Tong Sen and at this time the church was renamed as Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.  During the Japanese Occupation is was May Blossom Restaurant in 1980 the place was turned into a motor workshop and car park operated by Sin Sin Motor Co. In 1990 the Church was allocated to arts groups as part of NAC Arts Housing Scheme and the adjacent two-storey building was used as a budget hotel named Continental Hotel.
In 1999 the Church was converted to Sculpture Square as an Art Gallery dedicated to exhibitions and the adjacent ground floor of the two-storey was converted in a gallery space.
In 2014 onward the ownership was passed down to Objectifs which a gallery for film and photography.






Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Bugis Street of my time


Bugis Street Market had its address at 3 New Bugis Street but I remember the old Bugis Street is where makeshift store street hawkers display their wares when evening comes, besides shopping, you can enjoy street hawker foods and also coffeeshop around the vicinity and if you require moving your home or goods there are lots of transport Co, to choose from along Albert Street but the real Bugis Street is just opposite now Bugis Junction Shopping Mall bound by  Malay Street and Malabar Street where you find those transvestite performing for the local and tourist alike and prostitutes loitering and evening there is beauty pageants to pick the Queens or Queens.  Then in 1980, the area was embarked for the construction of Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Station and it was razed to the ground and Bugis Junction was born.

Monday, July 6, 2020

Church of Our Lady of Lourdes,


The Church of Our Lady Lourdes is located at 50 Mount Ophir Road and it is the first Tamil Catholic Church in Singapore and was officially opened in 1888. It is a Neo-Gothic building with good proportions of the fine details and it said to be modelled on it the building namesake in the town of Lourdes in France. For some time it was in need of care and Maintainanceand the church was somewhat eclipsed by the addition of a new school building, Our Lady of Lourdes English School. Its brightly coloured redecoration of reds grey and yellow in late 1982 was considered as unfortunate, however, in early 1986 a renovation was carried out on the building which was decorated with a coating of white paint and the doors was highlighted with two shades of blue.
In 2009 the church underwent restoration works to resemble the original church and was completed in
October 2010.



Tales of two Sim Lim

Construction of the Sim Lim Square started in 1983 and completed in 1987.  The six-storey building offers a wide range of electronic items such as  DVD's, cameras, video camera, computers and parts and also servicing. Located at 1, Rochor Canal Road it had its share of bad press of frauds faced by tourist and the culprit booked and sentence. In its early years, it is famous for pirated software


On the opposite of Sim Lim Square along Jalan Besar you can find Sim Lim Tower is a commercial property consisting of 15 floors of office and shopping complex which open business in 1980.
Unlike Sim Lim Square the traders are mostly dealing electronic components, resistors, capacitors and also video and audio gears, Sim Lim Towers is a heaven of electronic of different sizes, make and prices range and they are readily available there and been patronized by both local and foreigners.