Friday, February 25, 2022

粤海清庙,老爷宫,孖庙 (Wak Hai Cheng Bio)

上世纪70年代,我家隔壁姑婆房的妈姐乘船返乡,先到香港办理签证,大约一个星期后才得偿所愿回到乡下。那些有工作的通常请假三至四个星期,扣除客货轮的航行时间,等候签证和回乡的交通等,实际上留在家乡的日子并不长。

老人家难得出国,老早就张罗一番,父亲总会包封利是,祝福她们一路顺风。顺风红包是那个年代的习俗,收了红包必须回礼,妈姐回来的时候同样拎着大包小包的行李,回赠的多数是家乡的土产,行李中最珍贵的莫过于顺德香云纱。记得我祖母有两套香云纱衣裳,从中国带过来新加坡后不舍得穿,往生后将这些衣服烧给她,让她穿着回乡。

刮起东北风的时候南中国海风大浪大,先民都希望能够在顺风下安全抵岸,直落亚逸岸边的海唇福德祠、粤海清庙和天福宫,帕玛路(Palmer Road)的望海大伯公庙和小坡的天后宫成为昔日广东、潮州、福建、客家和海南五大籍贯人士登陆后答谢神恩的庙宇。



先民安全抵岸,登陆后到海边庙宇答谢神恩。


出国前先拜妈祖


妈姐上船前先到粤海清庙拜妈祖,祈求平安顺风。虽然她们在家乡拜的是观音,但来到本地多年,或多或少受到其他籍贯人士的习俗所影响,拜妈祖就是其中一个例子。上世纪80年代我的弟弟航海实习一年,父母亲也到粤海清庙为他祈福。



(粤海清庙的天后宫)

我的岳父是粤海清庙的常客,他年轻的时候是一名海员,得到妈祖的庇佑,一路来都平安无事。如今延续着传统潮州人过年的习俗,到“老爷宫”拜老爷(玄天上帝)及天后圣母(妈祖)。

粤海清庙是一座“孖庙”,面向着庙宇建筑,左翼为天后宫,安奉天后圣母;右翼为上帝宫,安奉玄天上帝。



(粤海清庙是一座孖庙,潮州人俗称老爷宫。面对着建筑,左翼为妈祖宫,右翼为上帝宫。)

民间传说中,护海女神妈祖的故乡是福建莆田的湄州岛,原名林默娘,尊称为“妈祖”、“娘妈”、“天妃”、“天后”、“天后圣母”等。本地广东人尊称天后为“阿婆”,天后庙称为“婆庙”,每年三月廿三日天后诞辰的庆祝活动特别隆重。

至于到老爷宫拜老爷,老爷是个民间词汇,潮州人的老爷特别多,丈夫、父亲、祖父等都统称为老爷。称神灵为老爷,相信可以拉近神与人的距离,也表示对神灵的尊敬。

至于本地一般人使用“lao-ya”来形容品质差(lousy),很多时候写成“老爷”,其实应该是“老椰”。椰子曾经是本地的经济作物,就像棕榈树一样全身都是宝,但老的椰子就没什么用处了。


粤海清庙是座“孖庙”


粤海清庙坐落在菲利普街(Philips Street),庙前的海岸线早已消失,四面高楼大厦环抱,从前很大的粤海清庙如今看来格外矮小。不过山不在高,有神则灵;水不在深,有龙则鸣,大小只是观感,心诚最重要。



粤海清庙四面高楼大厦环抱,庙前的海岸线早已消失。

粤海清庙的“粤”指的是广东省,“海清”则是海路清平的意思,即祈求广东省人出洋一路上海水清平,安然抵岸。

潮州人“未上红头船,先拜妈祖娘”的信仰传承自樟林港天后宫的习俗。樟林港是个远航的古港,根据义安公司的网站,新加坡开埠的年代,潮汕的海员商贾来到本地,为答谢神明保佑海运平安,于海边兴建妈祖庙,由万世顺公司管理。再请来潮州人祖神老爷(玄天上帝)安奉,设立老爷宫。1826年(道光六年)妈祖庙与老爷宫合为粤海清庙。1845年(道光廿五年)由义安公司管理,于1852 至 1855 年兴建孖庙。这座工艺独特的庙宇是潮州传统建筑工艺的结晶,建筑外观采用嵌瓷,泥塑,石雕木刻,壁画等传统工艺。1896年,粤海清庙全面重建,变成一座雕梁画栋的水泥墙大庙,如今的粤海清庙仍延续着左右两宫连接的格局。



(屋脊的嵌瓷工艺别具一格。)


嵌瓷工艺


粤海清庙外观上最显眼的特色,就是潮汕的嵌瓷工艺所制造出的人物、亭台、花草与动物造型,屋脊上还有四条造型精美的腾龙。一般潮州古庙只在屋脊和垂脊处添加人物或花草嵌瓷,粤海清庙连屋面也布满嵌瓷装饰。



(庙内的嵌瓷艺术装饰。)

嵌瓷也叫贴瓷,以切钳、铁剪等工具,将彩瓷剪成形状各异的瓷片,拼贴在灰胎上。有些则将烧制好的彩瓷器摔破,挑选大小适中的碎片来完成作业。

灰胎的制作方面,潮汕地区用贝壳烧制成贝灰,支架一般以藤或竹片为材料,现在则以铁丝铜丝取代,在支架上以贝灰堆塑出粗胎,将剪好的瓷片镶嵌到灰胎上,再以颜料描绘细节,形成完整的造型。

根据网站资料,明代万历年间出现“五彩瓷”,为陶瓷装饰开拓一片蓝天,衍生出潮州嵌瓷工艺。清朝年代,潮汕各地祠堂和豪宅民居风盛,嵌瓷工艺得以进一步发展。


曙海祥云


粤海清庙的另一特色是“曙海祥云”匾额。清朝光绪二十五年(1899年),两广总督谭钟麟与广东巡抚鹿传霖联名请奏,光绪皇帝御书“曙海祥云”赐予粤海清庙,感谢本地的潮州侨民捐助山东水灾的灾民,可见粤海清庙乃本地潮州人早年的聚会及议事场所。这个御赐匾额高悬在天后宫正殿。



曙海祥云匾额是光绪的墨宝。


对场作


粤海清庙上帝宫正殿左右梁雕的花款并不一致,这是“对场作”建筑风格。这类建筑以中轴线分成左右或者前后,让两批建筑师傅分别独自建造,施展才艺。建筑相对应部分的元件尺寸相似,但形状、样式、手法各异。工匠面对竞争对手,自然会施展浑身解数,力求完美,增加传统建筑的美感。



(参观粤海清庙上帝宫的时候,可以注意“对场作”的建筑风格。)

相关链接

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

翠兰岗

作者:何乃强
原文刊登于《联合早报》20211122

 

上世纪的养正人,都知道母校的校舍是建在名叫翠兰岗的小山丘上。

翠兰岗这个地方的名字来由,仍有不同的故事,众说纷纭。

比较常听到的传说是这山丘上杂草丛生,荒凉偏僻,人迹罕至。有一个“翠兰”小姑娘,为了贪方便,抄捷径攀越山丘,被歹徒盯上,意图污辱她。她死力抗拒而惨遭杀害,当地人便在山丘上建一座亭子叫 ”翠兰亭”。

十多年前,已故文史专家名报人韩山元,也有提到这个传说。也有人说,翠兰是遭强暴后被辣手摧花,死后阴魂不散。传说有人夜夜闻到女鬼哀嚎,后来有人在一棵大树下设了牌位,入夜焚香合十,阴魂才消散。这些传说以讹传讹,疑点甚多。

又已故报人洪锦棠所载,翠兰亭原为洋行栈房管理陈翠兰所建,因被洋行误以为作弊致富,兴建豪宅被革职。辞退后将大厦脱售,几经易手,1918年成为养正学校校舍。至于是否有陈翠兰其人,或是误传,个人认为洪老的故事不尽确实。

我查阅英文记录,富商陈桂兰(Tan Quee Lan,?-1904)买下这小山丘的6英亩地皮,曾称为桂兰岗(Quee Lan Hill)。陈桂兰是殖民地政府以他的名字来为小坡一条街道命名(Tan Quee Lan Street),表扬他对新加坡的贡献。早在1885年之前,陈桂兰在此兴建豪宅,以及成立翠兰亭俱乐部(Chwee Lan Teng Club)。1884年俱乐部因纠纷被法庭下令解散。这地段在18851893年曾有过两次公开拍卖。成立于1895年的华人维基利俱乐部(Chinese Weekly Entertainment Club),不知道是否在俱乐部原址拆下重建,或是改装修饰?所知维基利俱乐部建筑设计图,有陈桂兰的儿子秋金(Tan Chew Kim)的名字。

比较可信的是翠兰岗这地段曾经为陈桂兰(及他的后人),邱汉阳及林推迁等人所拥有(或是先后拥有)。前养正学校的操场是向林推迁购得。1918年成为养正校舍的建筑,就是邱汉阳在20世纪初兴建的私人别墅。别墅没有起名,绘测图称该地段为桂兰山岗。不过好多人包括我,以为别墅叫翠兰亭。翠兰亭是始于更早的翠兰亭俱乐部,位于养正校舍的对面。不知道那里有没有过一个亭子?

翠兰岗是因翠兰亭俱乐部而得名!至于为什么用翠兰这名字,有待探研。

 

相关链接

Friday, February 18, 2022

芭窑浮生

原文刊登于《书写文学》VOL 9, 2020

原来多年来,大巴窑长在我心间。

上世纪70年代,新加坡电视台积极打造本土文化,我在邻居家初识陈建彬编写的《家在大巴窑》。笨重的电视机藏在大箱子内,扭开电视后必须等上30秒才发出声响,一分钟后才出现模糊的影像,真是名符其实的人未到,声先到。明明是光速比声波快,电视机却偏偏颠覆常识。



(1960年代本地设计生产的Setron电视机。图片来源:Roots.sg)

邻居的Philips电视机,中文名叫“菲力士”,不晓得什么时候变成飞利浦。邻居神气地说,菲立士是荷兰制造的名牌货,全世界销量第一,你们在联络所看的是日本货,便宜一倍的水货,影像声响都比名牌差得远了。


(声宝牌电视机的报章广告。1972年。)

荷兰,不简单啊!过年才有机会喝荷兰水,玩荷兰牌;荷兰豆炒三层肉,荷兰薯煮咖喱,那是美好的一顿了;至于带人“游花园”,那是“带你去荷兰”。荷兰肯定是很大,很漂亮,很有气派,也很容易走失的了。

于是每个星期天下午,我们注视着荧光屏,沉浸在大巴窑组屋的情节中。明明是编出来的,陈建彬却写得好像煞有其事。垂直甘榜的环境,潜移默化中改变国人的观念,放弃鸡啼狗吠,星夜踏着黄泥路回家的乡居,迁入灯火明亮的新镇生活。

那时候我在俗称“72家房客”的店屋居住,上学前放学后都自己料理煮食,往往为了小小的共用厨房和厕所发愁,有个属于自己的单位是个摘星梦。至于组屋楼下的店铺和洋灰游乐场,吸引力倒不大。 “我的家在骑楼上,楼下是个好地方,不管世界怎么样,只知楼下是天堂。”住家骑楼下的世界五花八门,附近又有山有水,大地就是最好的游乐场。

以前的大巴窑头上长草,叫做“大芭窑”,电视里头的大巴窑即没有山芭,又没有窑穴,为什么取个“大巴窑”这么古怪的名字呢?为此我纳闷了半辈子。原来“巴窑”的马来文原意为“沼泽地”。这块大沼泽地的确辽阔, 1846年的新加坡海峡地图上已经标志了“大巴窑”(Toah Pyoh,大片沼泽地)和“大巴窑内”(Toah Pyoh Lye,大片沼泽地的深处),大巴窑内就是现在的咖啡山,一百年前开始成为迁葬的墓地。



从山芭到卫星镇


上世纪60年代,偌大的大巴窑还是乡村地带的时候,老师叫同学们列举新加坡的名胜地。我住在水仙门,生活离不开皇家山和伊丽莎白道,坐在国家剧场后面山坡的梯阶看免费演出,好位置被占领了,只好在山风虫鸣中聆听《 百灵鸟,你这美妙的歌手 》。偶尔搭乘112号巴士到植物园看猴子,或是登上145号巴士去虎豹别墅神话故事。当同学说花柏山、金宫别墅和双林寺的时候,眼睛都瞪大了。终于等到某一天,父亲带我搭乘霸王车,来到偏远的双林寺。不晓得为什么,从前看到重重楼阁的双林寺,总觉得大得无法形容,跟常见的庙宇不可同日而语,难怪成为旅游胜地了。


(大巴窑金吉道旁的莲山双林寺城隍庙。2017年。)


(大巴窑金吉道旁的莲山双林寺城隍庙。1954年。图片来源:互联网。)

从前不知道坐落在山芭附近的双林寺所隐藏的故事,后来知道了。中日战争爆发后,南洋的热血青年响应回国抗日的号召,这群南侨机工在滇缅公路上开着大卡车,从缅甸输送物资到云南,双林寺就是训练机工的大本营。时任住持普亮法师除了提供场地外,亦在双林寺办斋筵,为星华筹赈会募得大笔款项。出家人的法门不清净,普亮法师成为日军检证的对象,从容就义了。

双林寺有庄严的大雄宝殿和藏经楼,寺庙旁的金吉道则是个龙蛇混杂之地。私会党猖獗的年代,每个甘榜,每条村落都有地头蛇,德士霸王车都不敢入村,以免搭上天堂有路你不走,地狱无门闯进来的霉运。

甘榜标榜着旧时代,留存在年纪较大的国人的记忆里。甘榜精神建立在人的感情上,洋溢在空气中的是浓浓的,接地气的乡土情。甘榜设施虽然不足,但金窝银窝比不上自己的狗窝,居民不愿意搬迁,已经迁徙的则想回到从前。新居的生活空间缩小了,不能种菜也不能饲养家禽,连过年才有鸡鸭吃的日子都被剥夺,难免心理不平衡。时任总理李光耀下乡访问,最终跟住户达成共识。

大巴窑赶上建屋局的第二个五年建屋计划,甘榜消失了,山丘的泥土填平加冷河的沼泽地,建筑工地到处可见来自广东三水、清远等地区的红头巾和蓝头巾,任劳任怨地挑起广厦千万间。1970年初的大巴窑已经发展成为十多万人口的卫星镇,有设施完善的镇中心,每个邻区都有商店、巴刹、工厂和学校,足不出镇便可安居乐业。



(大巴窑一巷。小山坡上的第165,166和167座组屋已经拆除。图片来源:互联网。)


让梦想起飞


1973年新加坡第一次主办东南亚半岛运动会,电视台全日直播赛项。短短的两个星期,大巴窑成为东南亚的熔炉。

大巴窑中心刚落成的四栋点式组屋(175, 179, 191 和 193座)先让选手入住,对面的综合体育场就是选手们冲刺角逐的地方。我们为19岁的金牌姑娘陈丽燕雀跃欢呼,期待她继续拼搏,让国人的梦想起飞。陈丽燕11岁便参加国际游泳赛事,正常人无忧无虑的童年,放学后跟同学逛街看戏的日子都离她十分遥远。东运会结束后,陈丽燕宣布退休。



(陈丽燕 Patricia Chan,1966。图片来源:Wikipedia。)

上世纪70年代也是本地文艺团体蓬勃发展,伙伴们度过谈人生,追求理想的青涩岁月。70年代中叶持续五年的逮捕行动,严重打击文团的生态,一时间人心惶惶,在维多利亚剧院和国家剧场的文娱表演从高峰掉入平地。大型的公众演出做不成了,只好转换跑道做对内汇报。


(在维多利亚剧院的演出剧照。图片来源:1974生活剧社文艺晚会。)

我们学府的中文协会在社团法令下独立运作,同学们都有强烈的传播健康文艺的使命感,期待艺术之花盛开,说开了不也就像电视台一样,打造新加坡文化吗?对外演出的年代,协会通过售票来支持团体的运作,失去公开的大舞台后,协会改变方式,跟光前戏院一拍即合,在人口稠密的大巴窑镇中心播映长城、凤凰的《我又来也》《红缨刀》,这些武侠片弘扬正义又少教条,多数观众都可以接受。有些大巴窑居民看到同学们热情地逐户敲门,甚至买下整叠戏票,这几张是阿姨家的,那几张是表嫂的….。星期天的早场,千五个座位都坐满了。


(《红缨刀》海报。)


明天会更好


30多年前,我的第一份正式职业,雇主竟然是大巴窑一巷的菲力士。这里原为甘蜜大王佘有进的种植园,腹地延伸至武吉知马,最近我们还在菲力士附近的小丛林中探访佘有进的坟墓。


(佘有进墓。2019年。)

记得接到这家荷兰公司邀请面试的电话时,是否被录取已经不重要了。文团的伙伴眼中,跨国公司的形象烂透,都是吃人不吐渣的资本主义者。尤其是美国厂,hire and fire,千方百计地剥削劳工,没利益可图的时候就卷席而去,全然不顾工人死活。可是走出军营后,能够提供合理的就业机会的,偏偏是被唾弃的跨国企业。

菲力士是新加坡第一家跨国电器公司,早在1951年殖民地时代已经进军新加坡,1970年代在大巴窑兴建电器制造厂。那三栋“很大”的五层楼建筑,专门生产黑白与彩色电视机、收音录音机、随身听(walkman)、电视调谐器等。傍晚下班时分,成千上万名女工像瀑布泉涌般冲出工厂大门,大巴窑出现一片温暖的蓝海。

充满阳光气的女工有些在大巴窑长大,有些越过长堤,在工厂附近租房子。年轻女孩喜欢喋喋私语,时而爆出爽朗笑声,路人已习以为常。跨国企业的工资福利都比华人公司好,女工想到在大巴窑组织自己的小家庭,不免喜滋滋的为憧憬而奋斗。



(1980年代充满阳光气的Philips女工。图片来源:NAS)

菲力士打开中国市场,成为第一家在长春设立电视机制造厂的跨国企业。长春工厂兴建期间,本地负责生产双倍数量的彩电供应到吉林省,中国的领导、工程师和生产员工一批批的前来取经。为了应付额外订单,女工拍胸口讲义气,自愿调整作息做轮班,为公司解决当前的难题。

我刚在那儿上班的时候,菲立士电视仍属新加坡的第一品牌。上司说荷兰厂有人情味,不像美国公司那样随时炒鱿鱼,我可以放心地规划人生大计。事实上形势比人强,两年间菲立士电视机销售量从老大变成老三,日本品牌将顾客抢了过去。公司大幅度节省成本,优厚的花红没了,还在一年内进行两轮裁员行动。虽然我的饭碗不受影响,但为了寻找更好的出路,还是决定回返校园,做个成熟的超龄生。



21世纪的光和热


大巴窑也有老化的时候。大巴窑一巷的三房式住户陆续“提升”,空置的屋子改为让独居老人居住的租赁组屋。住在第160座的史先生无妻无儿,平日有义工上门送茶饭。他活到老学到老,十多年前以78岁高龄参与国家博物馆导览员培训,成为文物局年纪最大的义务导览员。80多岁无法负荷导览任务后,依然积极的为新学员上课培训,奉献发热的余生。


(大巴窑一巷第160座组屋:这里曾经是热闹的家居,后来人口渐少,变成租赁组屋。)

史先生经历过日战与建国的岁月,感受最深的却是消失的甘榜情。他以一贯缓慢清晰的语气说:“关在家里也会患上感冒,可贵的是网友们纷纷提出各种各样的疗方,虚拟空间令人有身处甘榜的回味。可是见到面,那颗心却窝藏起来,变得很陌生。想从前,在那夜不闭户的甘榜里,一人有事,大家奔走相告,有人患病,人人慰问,提供药方,甚至有人提供自己服过痊愈的药品,当然也有食疗处方,或者煮好的食疗药物,其实那就是美味可口的食物。整个甘榜就像是一个家庭。现在的垂直甘榜无法复制从前的生活,因为人心已经转变了,我们都变得更自我。…”

乡土,梦想,人生,余晖…。93岁的史先生终于等到国家庆生,缓缓地呼出生命的最后一口气。

家在大巴窑拉下帷幕。

相关链接

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

德霖路与王德霖

作者:何乃强
原文刊登于《联合早报》2022131

 

在牛车水有一条德霖路(Teck Lim Road),人称德林街,是“三条街”之一(其他是恭锡路若铨路)。德霖路是殖民地政府,为了纪念市议会议员王德霖(Ong Teck Lim1875-1912)而命名。根据《新加坡自由西报》讣告,王德霖是因为患上痢疾不治,天不假年,只活了36年。痢疾原因是因为饮用水、食物处理缺乏卫生受污染。可惜当年医学不发达,抗生素还没发现,痢疾要了他的命!王德霖英年早逝,未能为社会服务做出更大贡献,令人遗憾。

王德霖生前曾经担任新加坡殖民地政府的市政局委员(Municipal Commissioner),1909年任满三年后就告退,不寻求连任,让同僚惋惜。他因社会服务有功,曾被殖民地政府册封为太平绅士JP

王德霖受英文教育,在英华学校毕业。他的父亲王求和(又名王九和Ong Kew Ho1825-1889),来自马六甲,祖籍福建同安,年幼失学,受教育不多。他早期替老板建成打工,“建成”号在驳船码头开设子公司“源通”(Guan Tong),作为代理商。“源通”同时经营硕莪。王求和得到老板建成的赏识,后来成为“建成”的合伙人。老板去世后,王求和把公司改名为“王九和公司源通号”,邀弟弟加入公司联手经营。他最大的贡献是和两位王姓富翁(有海、沧州),买下221英亩的土地,作为王姓宗亲的种植地及坟场,该地又称“姓王山”,也叫“太原山”,也就是后来的武吉布朗,俗称㗝呸山或咖啡山。

王父殁后,王德霖接掌“王九和公司源通号”,把父业发扬光大,发家致富,成为一名成功年青商人,他以经营木薯土产生意而著名。他致富后置业,拥有谐街及厦门街产业,最后在谐街的住宅过世。王德霖曾参加海峡华人义勇军步兵队(The Chinese Company Singapore Voluntary Infantry),成为队员。他也是英籍海峡华人公会(Straits Chinese British Association)的会员,生前爱好运动,是网球好手,代表英籍海峡华人公会等团体比赛。

王德霖热心教育事业。为了纪念他,他的遗孀以他的名义,捐赠母校英华学校奖学金。在莱佛士书院和圣若瑟书院,也设有“王德霖奖学金。”

 

相关链接

Friday, February 11, 2022

Cultivating values, nurturing generations

This article is published in the book Cultivating values, nurturing generations, Tuan Mong High School Alumni Association, September 2021, ISBN 978 981 18 0861 6

 

Introduction

At the end of 1994, Tuan Mong High School sent off its last batch of students, ending its 88-year-long educational mission. The current Tuan Mong Alumni Association was officially established on May 28, 1996 arising from the school closure. It remains active for 20 over years now, hosting seminars, calligraphy classes, school anniversary celebrations and visiting senior activity centres, among others. The scenes of a thousand teachers and alumni gathering are not uncommon.

 

“Cultivating values, nurturing generations” – To our dedicated teachers with love

Despite the severe Covid-19 pandemic situation, a group of our alumni, span from 40 to 70 over year old, came together for about 2 years to plan, interview teachers, and research into the school’s legacy. The relentless effort are edited into a published book “Cultivating values, nurturing generations” (勤慎诚正 时雨春风) and e-media to express our gratitude to our dedicated teachers. These are the harvests with love solely produced by ex-students of Tuan Mong except for the typesetting and printing portions.

 

The surrounding is our classroom

Tuan Mong was founded on October 1, 1906 as a Chinese school. There were only a school principal, two teachers and 60 students back then. During its heyday in the 1970s, the primary and secondary sections had a total of more than 2,000 students. In the 1980s when Singapore's education was undergoing a major revamp, it was transformed into a national stream school with English as the first language. As the resident population in the city declined, The Ngee Ann Kongsi decided to establish a new school (Ngee Ann Secondary School) in Tampines New Town.

For Tuan Mong students, learning did not only come from the school itself. Fort Canning Hill and its surrounding are our classroom, allowing us to bring those knowledge from books to real life.

Tuan Mong and its surrounding

Harmony and tolerance: At the bottom of the hill along Tank Road, the Hindu Temple (Sri Thendayuthapani Temple) built by the Indian Chattier and the Catholic Church (Church of the Sacred Heart) funded by Chinese donors are still standing on the solid ground. Sandwiched between the two century’s old religious sites is a unique Chinese building which is a fusion of both the Teochew and Western architectural styles. It is where the Tuan Mong High School was situated. For more than a hundred years, this place has witnessed social harmony and mutual tolerance among all races and religions. We witnessed the Thaipusam procession year in year out.

Tuan Mong is situated in between the two historical religious sites: Church of the Sacred Heart and Sri Thendayuthapani Temple

Sri Thendayuthapani Temple established by the Indian Chattier

Indian security: The security who worked for this traditional Chinese school for many years was a fellow Indian, Mohamed Hussain. Since the end of World War II, his family had been living in the school compound until the day of its closure. His granddaughter, Julaiha, shared her gratitude through an article “Tuan Mong High School My Home” captured in the Singapore Memory Project.

Julaiha, the granddaughter of Tuan Mong security guard Mohamed Hussain, shared her gratitude in the Singapore Memory Project.

The major mass transportation route: Tank Road is named after the train of which the railway terminal in front of the school was completed in 1903. The railway joining Singapore and Malaysia was the main means of transportation for many decades. Indeed, the trains had facilitated the close relationship among people between Singapore and the Federation. Today, the CTE and the MRT Northeast Line are built underneath and continue to play the significant role as they did a century ago.

Tank Road is named after the train of which the railway terminal in front of the school was completed in 1903. Source:NAS

The origin of Singapore history: The Fort Canning Hill is the birthplace of Singapore history. 700 years ago, Prince Sang Nila Utama established the ruling centre on this "Forbidden Hill". Excavation in the 20th century found ancient porcelain, glass beads and Kara gold ornaments substantiated the glory of ancient Singapura.

The economic lifeblood: In the early 19th century, the British revived the ancient port of Singapore, promoting free trade and laying the foundation of modern Singapore. The Raffles House, the flagpole, the lighthouse and the time ball on the Fort Canning Hill facing the sea had taught us that the mouth of the Singapore River was the starting point of our maritime trade. The Singapore River is always a lifeline for Singaporean from supporting the economy and daily living in the past, to providing fresh water for urban living today.

Hall of arts and culture: The National Theatre was jointly funded by the government and the public. It signified a strong cohesiveness during the nation building years. It was an important venue for promoting arts and culture since its opening before the Singapore’s merger with Malaysia. The National Theatre organised calligraphy, painting and photography exhibitions during the day, and cultural shows at night. Tuan Mong students used to sit on the hillside to watch free live performances by Teochew opera star Ms Yao Xuanqiu, the North Korean Art Troupe, the Hong Kong and China performances, among others.

The National Theatre was where most Tuan Mong students would capture their fond memories. Credit: 梁秀香

 

Founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew cast his sacred vote in Tuan Mong

May 30, 1959 was a memorable day when the general election for the full internal self-government  of Singapore was held. All 51 seats in the Legislative Assembly were elected by the people for the first time. It marked the new journey towards independence for Singapore.

Tuan Mong High school was one of the polling stations in the district of River Valley. Early in the morning, voters lined up outside the school, ready to cast their sacred votes for the first elected government. Opposition MP and Tanjong Pagar district candidate Mr Lee Kuan Yew also queued up to cast his vote. After this election, he became the Prime Minister of Singapore.

Mr Lee's home, 38 Oxley Road, is just behind Tuan Mong, which is less than a 10-minute walk to the polling station.

May 30, 1959, opposition MP and Tanjong Pagar district candidate Lee Kuan Yew queued up in Tuan Mong to cast his vote. Mrs Lee was in front of him. Source: LIFE Magazine
 

Tuan Mong teachers’ calligraphy

Calligraphy is in the DNA of Tuan Mong thanks to the Vice Principal Mr Yang Wee Chyun and teacher Mr Chang Kwang Wee.

The late Mr Yang Wee Chyun was comfortable with all styles of Chinese calligraphy. When Singapore decided to adopt simplified Chinese, he specially wrote the simplified characters for the students to practice. If you are passing by Kreta Ayer, you may want to take a look at Mr Yang's calligraphy inscribed board "Chinatown Complex", which is located at the entrance of the complex facing the Buddha's Tooth Temple. It has already been captured by the lens of many visitors.

Yang Wee Chyun's calligraphy inscribed board "Chinatown Complex"

In 2011, the 25th anniversary of the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA) was celebrated with a plaque inscribed with the words "Harmony and Co-operation" in Chinese presented by the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew, former Senior Minister. The plaque is now hanging over the entrance lobby of SFCCA. The words on the plaque were written by Mr Chang Kwang Wee. Mr Chang is still conducting calligraphy classes for the general public.

"Harmony and Co-operation" presented by the late Lee Kuan Yew and written by Chang Kwang Wee

 

Tuan Mong teachers' paintings on display at the National Gallery of Singapore

The National Gallery's DBS Singapore Gallery features the works of four Tuan Mong teachers.

Mr Tchang Ju Chi was a first-generation Chinese artist. He was a painter, cartoonist, writer, activist and intellectual leader in Singapore before the Second World War. He is probably one of the first artist who painted “Nanyang colour” as early as the 1920s. He was killed during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore in 1942.

Tchang Ju Chi, fruits

Mr Chen Chong Swee was another pioneer of the Nanyang art. Although he had a good grounding in oil painting, he was most at ease with painting in Chinese ink and colour as well as Western watercolour. His oil paintings often captured Malay kampungs and Malay women as his subjects. Mr Chen advocated that Chinese ink painting must incorporate Western painting techniques to express modern life, and use of English or Malay poetry to reach out to more audience for Chinese ink painting.

Chen Chong Swee, Malay women

Mr Gog Sing Hooi was one of the pioneer watercolour artists whose artistic talents and dedication to the medium placed them in mentoring roles amongst younger local artists participating in the Sunday Group during the 1940s – 60s. They eventually helped founded the Singapore Watercolour Society in 1969. Mr Gog served as the inaugural Chairman of the society.

Goh Sing Hooi, Thiam Hock Keng

For over 50 years, Mr Ho Yee Ping performed watercolour painting during weekends when he was holding a day teaching job in Tuan Mong. When he was studying at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, he became close friend with Georgette Chen although he had never attended her classes. After graduation, he used to ride around in Chen's beetle car to make sketches of local scenes.

Ho Yee Ping, Chinatown

 

Members of parliament

There are four Tuan Mong alumni who have served as Members of Parliament: Mr Yeo Toon Chia, Mr Goh Choon Kang, Mr Seng Han Thong and Mr Sam Tan, who together have been MPs for about 80 years, serving in four single-member constituencies and three GRC.

In late September 1996, Deputy Prime Minister Brigadier General Lee Hsien Loong introduced the new candidate, Mr Seng Han Thong, saying that the younger generation of candidates with a Chinese language background could be selected from graduates from Catholic High, Hwa Chong and Tuan Mong.

In late September 1996, Deputy Prime Minister Brigadier General Lee Hsien Loong introduced the new candidate, Seng Han Thong

 

Olympic personalities

Our alumni Mr Tan Howe Liang is a weightlifter and won the first Singapore Olympic Games medal in 1960.

Half a century later, Singapore hosted the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) established by the International Olympic Committee. The event was held in 2010 which wrote a new chapter in the history of local sports. Mr Ng Ser Miang, a Tuan Mong alumni, served as chairman of the YOG Organising Committee.

 

NASA spacecraft engineer

Tuan Mong alumni Mr Allan Lee, a NASA spacecraft engineer, spent 25 years working on the Cassini/Huygens mission to Saturn and Titan. He has also supported other interplanetary missions including the Galileo Jupiter mission scheduled to travel to Jupiter in 2022. Mr Lee has never forgotten his mentors and classmates. He caught up with them whenever returned to Singapore.

 

Tham Luang Cave, Thailand: The high-risk search and rescue mission

On June 23, 2018, 12 "Wild Boars" football team teenage players and their coach were stranded in the Tham Luang Cave due to heavy rains. Hundreds of volunteers from all over the world joined in for the rescue effort.

Mr Poh Kok Wee , a Tuan Mong alumni, took the initiative to contact the military and join the international rescue team. He put aside all his business, paid for everything, and risked his life with a five-member professional climbing team hired by his company to participate in the rescue operation. His team was mainly responsible for checking other holes that could lead to the stranded site. He also served as an interpreter for the international rescue team. After 18 days of struggle, all the missing boys and their coach were finally rescued. As Mr Poh said, he is only a small candle, but the light brings hope to others.

Poh Kok Wee said, he is only a small candle, but the light brings hope to others. Credit: Poh Kok Wee

 

Summary

Tuan Mong is not a prestigious elite school. Most of the students came from ordinary families. The former students learnt from the pool of devoted and caring teachers as well as the unparalleled geographical environment. They are contributing to the society in their respective fields.