Our Childhood Games And Toys (2)

Digimon Bandai Digivice Virtual Pet Monster 

Aeroplane Chess

Tamiya Car

Plasticine Modelling Clay

Craft Stick Rubber Band Gun

Miracle Wand Bubbles

Bestman Balloon

Toy Gun with Rubber Bullets

Brick Game Console

Rainbow Spring 

Kite

Waterfull Ring Toss Handheld Game

My NS Life

The old BRTC at Jalan Bahar

If you asked me how I felt during my 2 years in National Service (NS), I would rather said it was fearful and 'siong' (tough).

I trust that training in the NS these days is much safer than my time. Also a lot of the punishments that the Commanders of my days dished out to us are no longer allowed.

My advice to the pre-enlistee? Don't try to 'take cover', don't 'keng' (always find a way to report sick) and waste your time in NS; and help the weaker ones.

I think the Ministry Of Defence has done a pretty good job now - with the colorful brochures, slide shows and walkabout to see the impressive facilities; and even hosted a lunch in the cook house - at reassuring the parents.

Inevitably, thoughts of my own enlistment in 2005 to 2007 came flooding back. I tried to recall what the feeling was like for me in those days just prior to my enlistment. However, it was too long ago and I just couldn't be sure. I think I felt dread and fear because we had heard so much about how 'siong' the training was. In those early days of NS in Singapore, lots of stories were floating around the grueling training. 

The old BRTC at Jalan Bahar 

In 2005, I was enlisted into Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). 

Honestly, the first 3 months of Basic Rescue Training (BRT) Course was so 'siong'.

I always got into trouble with the Officer-in-Charge of the Charlie Company (at the old BRT Centre in Jalan Bahar) and my Platoon 9 Commander.

At one time, they even sent me into the Detention Barrack (DB) for 3 days. It was on the 3 February 2006.

After serving the 3 days 'hell in a cell', I became more focus on whatever I have to learn in the 3 months course and I considered myself lucky after being 'picked' by the Head Personnel Branch Of Civil Defence Academy, Captain Narindar Singh to attend the Provost Unit Course; even when he knows I already had a 'record' in my NS Profile.

On March 2006, I became part of the Provost Unit at the SCDF 2nd Division HQ - Tampines.

Less than a year, on 1 February 2007, I was promoted to become the Division's Provost-in-Charge or Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO). I proudly served this post for 1 year 10 months till I completed my Full-Time NS on December 2007.

Not only that, I was also selected to represent SCDF in National Day Parade 2006 and the Division in SCDF Day Parade 2006.

On 13 September 2012, I received the Good Service Medal from SCDF; an honor.

Malaysia Cup Fever

Mention the Malaysia Cup Fever and the younger generation will think of the LionsXII squad that participated in the Malaysia Super League. 

But mention Malaysia Cup Fever to the 'die-hard' Singapore's soccer fans, and immediately they think of the Malaysia Cup soccer matches at the old Kallang Stadium in early 1970’s to 1994. 

Yes, those days were the prime of Singapore's soccer craze and every match had the stadium filled to capacity.

During that time, tickets were sold on match day but my father always get it free as he was the staff in the Sport Singapore (formerly known as Singapore Sports Council). 

Those days, it was really shocking to see so many people all pushing one another to get in. I will always remember the sight of the pile of slippers, sandals and shoes near the entrance. Many supporters actually took off their footwear and climbed into the stadium via the pillars!! After that incident, the stadium authorities put up barbed wires around those pillars.

The most funny part is that the man we 'loved most' in any match was.. the Referee..!! The poor guy got booed every time he made a decision against Singapore and everyone loved to chant "Referee kayu.. Referee kayu..!!".

The other guy we loved to hate was the Linesman - "Linesman bodoh.. Linesman bodoh..!!" was our favorite chant. 

Keeping Cats And Fishes

Lucy, the Persian cat

I think I was about at the age of 5 when I developed an interest to play with cats. 

My mother told me that every morning at 7am I found my way down quietly to our home’s void deck at Yishun Avenue 6. There were many cats for me to choose but I took all the cats home. By the end of the day, my mother was the one who brought the cats back down to the void deck. 

Just before my 6th birthday, my father surprised me with a Persian cat which was purchased from Sembawang Shopping Centre.

As time when by, I kept more than one cat. At any one time I could have about 5 different types of cats in the house.

Lucy, the Persian cat

After we moved to Bedok North Street 3, my mother would not have anymore of my 'nonsense'. I guess she was right in her opinion because we lived in a small size flat.

Back in 2000, the idea of keeping cats no longer entered my mind.

As a kid and till today, I liked to keep fishes too. Living in Singapore, we were exposed to the idea of keeping fish in an aquarium. There were tropical shops everywhere, and especially my grandfather - had aquarium full of colorful fishes.

Springfield Secondary School

Springfield Secondary School was established on 21 December 1992.

Originally named Tampines West Secondary School, Springfield Secondary School made history being the first new school to be allowed to change its name. Approval for the change came barely one week before the Secondary One Registration and just in time to get the exercise books and uniforms printed.

Springfield Secondary School moved to its present premises located at Tampines Avenue 8 in June 1993. Located at the junction of Tampines Avenue 1 and Tampines Avenue 8, Springfield Secondary School is one of the new generation schools designed with a unique identity by the Public Works Department (PWD).

Within a short span of time, its enrollment escalated to about 1 800 pupils and a teaching staffs of 85 in 1998.

School Song:

Springfield, oh Springfield

to you our loyalty we pledge

with glory your flag we raise

in one resounding voice

we sing your praise

diligent in our work

your worth we proclaim

Springfield, our Springfield

in truth and virtue we grow

for better self and better tomorrow

Springfield, oh Springfield

we strive to live up to your name

to bring you glory and fame

from the glowing earth

rises the golden sun

brightly lights the way

till our work is done

Springfield, dear Springfield

we hear your beckoning call

better self for better tomorrow

To be honest, it pains me to share multiple instances of bullying within the school premises, that had affected the overall learning environment there. 

Throughout my tenure at Springfield Secondary School, I observed a prevalent issue of student misconduct, with some students displaying a lack of respect towards both teachers and school regulations. This not only hindered the educational atmosphere but also created an environment where students felt unsafe and anxious. 

My personal experience as a victim of bullying adds to the gravity of the situation. On a particular occasion, a group of boys subjected me to physical assault without provocation, taking advantage of a dark classroom to perpetrate their actions. This traumatic incident has left a lasting impact on my well-being and has motivated me to advocate against such behavior. 

But slowly, disiplinary problems in the school seemed to have dissipated, thanks to the enforcement of discipline by our Principal Mrs Ng Gek Tiang and Vice Principal Ms Jael Patricia Tan. They would not hesitate to call for the police if they knew any of their students took part in any nefarious activity. 

For this, I implore the ministry to implement measures to curb bullying, ensuring the safety and well-being of students at all schools. 

Ms Jael Patricia Tan and Mrs Ng Gek Tiang

The only one memorable moment during my days there is when I emerged as the only students to have retained the prestigious award - Academic Excellence in Malay Language (for Normal Academic) in 2001 till 2003. 

Marsiling Primary School

Marsiling Primary School 
Image: Marsiling Primary School Facebook

Marsiling Primary School 
Image: Marsiling Primary School Facebook

Marsiling Primary School is just an example although its address stated Woodlands Centre Road.

I take this opportunity to share with you about my days in this school from 1998 to 2000 (Primary 4 to Primary 6).

Marsiling got its name from Lim Nee Soon. 

Lim Nee Soon 
Image: National Archives Of Singapore

Marsiling or Maxi Ling, is named by Lim Nee Soon after his hometown of Maxi Village (China) in Teochew prefecture. 

The Chinese word 'Ling' means hill; a well-known hill remembered by many older residents and some National Service (NS) men who underwent military exercises on this famous hill.

Prior to development, the area was mostly covered by plantations, interspersed with attap houses and forested area. 

When the Causeway was completed in 1923 linking Singapore with Tanah Melayu (now Malaysia), the once dense woodland made way for settlers who set up farms and more kampung. There were many rubber plantations in the area and older residents remembered that there were many orchids planted in the area.

In the neighbourhood, there was one main road with many connecting lanes; Kampong Sungei China, Lorong Marsiling, Hock Choon Road, Marsiling Avenue, Lorong Chikar, Genista Lane, Lorong Serindit, Lorong Chenangau and Lorong Salor Ayer, all of which do not exist anymore.

Marsiling Road used to be 4 kilometer long and used to include the present Woodlands Fire Station. The road had seen been redrawn.

The old Marsiling Road witnessed several important milestones including; the construction of Woodlands Railway Station in 1910, the Causeway in 1923, the Bukit Timah Expressway in 1985 and the Marsiling MRT Station in 1996.

Marsiling School as it was known in the early days was founded in 1958. It was the oldest school in the Marsiling estate; and provides instruction in English, Chinese and Malay language.

Previously, it was located along Marsiling Avenue, off Lorong Chikar (now became the vicinity of Marsiling Secondary School at Woodlands Street 13). 

Marsiling School; off Lorong Chikar 
Image: National Archives Of Singapore; 1958

Marsiling School; off Lorong Chikar 
Image: National Archives Of Singapore; 1958 

Marsiling School; off Lorong Chikar

Marsiling School; off Lorong Chikar 

Marsiling School field

Marsiling School was the relocated to its present premise at Woodlands Centre Road in June 1986 and renamed as Marsiling Primary School. 

School Song:

Marsiling you are dear to us

Oh how we gaze with pride and joy

to a future bright as we go along

striving to work hard for our school

Marsiling we love you so

you are here to lead us through

may we always be loyal

tolerant and courteous too

In Primary 4, my Form-Teacher was Mdm Goh Soy Moi. Unfortunately I can't remember much about her, only that she treat us very well. 

Our Principal was Mr Ng Chor Hee. Mrs Melissa Liow was the Vice Principal. 

Our teachers 
Image: Marsiling Primary School Official Alumni Facebook

Cikgu Iswani binti Ali (middle)

Cikgu Iswani binti Ali
(standing second from left) 
Image: Marsiling Primary School Official Alumni Facebook

My Malay Language Teacher was Cikgu Iswani binti Ali. She was a kind and soft-spoken young lady. Till today I can't forget the moment she cried during our Mother Tongue lesson.

The sad news that shook me on 10 January 2011 was when I read an article in Berita Harian; Cikgu Iswani passed away peacefully at a very young age of 36. May Allah SWT blessed her soul. Aamiin. 

Miss Lee Ern Ern (sitting in the middle) 

In Primary 5 to Primary 6, my Form-Teacher was Miss Lee Ern Ern. She's a very good looking young lady who always make us stayed-back for extra lessons after school, so as to improve our English, Maths and Science.

My Malay Language Teacher was Cikgu Norlidah binti Ismail. She never talks much, but has her own way on teaching us. When attending to her lesson, she was like being charged with a megawatt of energy, moving swiftly from one end of the black board to the other. To the disappointment of everyone, she taught us only for a short term (until the quarter of 2000) and left the school to pursue her studies in Malaysia.

Faizal bin Mustafa, Rusydi bin Johari, Azlan, Andin Heffendi, Anwar, Halimun, Hemaraj s/o Barathan, Mohanansundram s/o Vengalastevi, Najib, Gavin Chew, Tan Shu Lin, David Ho Yu Kuang - among my best pal. 

Class 6G in 1999

My memories of Marsiling Primary School..:- 

Indeed there were many stories during my days in this school.. let me share some of the interesting ones. 

Mr Ng Chor Hee, he's a very kind Principal who served the school from 1996 to 2000. We know that he loves us a lot. He even treats the staffs, non-teaching staffs and students for breakfast and lunch in few occasion. But when it comes to rules and regulations, don't ever 'langgar' or else you 'kena caning'. I had received 'public caning' twice in front of the staffs and students in our school's main hall when I was in Primary 5 and Primary 6. Reason? Caught playing soccer when lesson still on-going. 

Mr Ng Chor Hee (standing in the middle) 
Image: Marsiling Primary School Official Alumni Facebook 

Mr Ng also known to be the only Principal who made us sing so many songs during morning assembly. 

Through The Years, Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, Somewhere Out There, Bright Eyes and If We Hold On Together - songs that was played and sung by us. 

The most touching moment is when Mr Ng personally entered our classroom (Primary 6G) to announced his retirement; and he sang us a song from Kenny Rogers - Through The Years. It touches our heart deeply that we all cried knowing that we had to say farewell to a 'loving and caring father'. 

Mrs Melissa Liow
(standing below the red arrow) 
Image: Marsiling Primary School Official Alumni Facebook

Mrs Melissa Liow giving speech 
Image: Marsiling Primary School Official Alumni Facebook

For Mrs Melissa Liow, she's quite strict too. Whenever I get caught for mischievous act, she will grab my neck and drag me to her office causing a ruckus in the process. 

Mr K Mohanan 
Image: Marsiling Primary School Official Alumni Facebook

We also had Mr K Mohanan - the school's Discipline Master whose name smack fear to the students. He was best known for his 'Regimental Sergeant Major' style. When heard his voice from far or see him walking around the school holding a long rattan cane, the whole campus transformed from a 'wet market' to a 'cemetery'; totally silence, not even a a single footsteps can be heard.

The most memorable moment are when I won Bronze medal in the Annual Athletic Meet (Year 1999) for the 4X100m and 4x400m relay - Boys 'C' Division; representing the Orange House.

Then, the moment when I came up second place in the Kuiz Bahasa Melayu (EM1 / EM2) in 2000.

Everyone played the music recorder during music lessons. Yeah, I hated it. I always pretended to blow when the whole class was supposed to play. I was afraid of blowing the wrong note, then having the people around me stare at me.  

Lastly, our Snow White Corner.. some fantastic teachers took 2 weeks to paint mural. I was there the whole time and I can tell you the teacher was just very good at painting. This place is where we played Pepsi Cola, Batu Seremban (five stones) and ‘catching’. 

Snow White Corner 
Image: Marsiling Primary School Official Alumni Facebook