Block2Blog

  T he Naval Base Way Navalites revealed in more ways than other communities the true meaning of   ‘ Loving thy Neighbour as thyself.’     We grew up living in harmony, practically in each other’s homes and like Chris Fok “ ran in and out of neighbours’ homes even to their kitchens . “ Next to being in Paradise is being in the Naval Base. No racism, all are like brothers and sisters , is how Yen King Ngo fe els. While Irene Francis, a proud grand- parent like many of us remembers, “ Though time has passed. Childhood experiences and growing up memories remain”. Perhaps there is something that other communities can learn from The Naval Base Way? Regrettably, our ‘Peyton Place’ no longer exists.   But thankfully the past has reunited us in that same spirit of togetherness through social media platforms and hopefully the future fulfils Chan Peew’s desire of “giving the younger generation a sense of what it was like, growing up in the Naval Base .” ...

 50th anniversary (of the British Forces pull-out) in 50 words (by C.P. Wan) The above photo shows an unnumbered block and by recognition, was indeed my birth place almost 75 years ago (as I pen my "50 words" today). This was Block 14 and the extreme end unit was Room 12 (our 2-room family quarters) allocated to my late dad who was employed in the H. M. Dockyard.  Two of my older brothers, my late mom and I were privileged to be employed in the Dockyard too. The road  was unmistakably, the Kowloon Road. Many of my friends grew up in this neighbourhood and our "adventures" went beyond all the surrounding blocks. The entire length of the slopes was part of our childhood playground for both boys and girls of all races. For our English language schooling, we had two primary schools - Canberra School and West Hill School; the Naval Base School was our secondary school and all these scho0ls were within walking distance for some of us. ( NB: Admiralty Asian School was an ...

50 th Anniversary in 50 words. The headline sounds like a promotional offer to entice ‘customers’ to patronize a cause actually came about during a conversation with my co-admin and ex-NB friend, Chan Peew, who for a while has been asking me to pen experiences of growing up in NB, especially this being the 50 th Anniversary of the British pull-out.   I hesitate, elaborating, “ Although I wrote a biography, I can’t write mine, cause, like doctors, I am, unable to cure my own sickness ”.   We haggle and that’s when the theme 50 th Anniversary in 50 words. bounces. He agrees to the suggestion and I realize that often friends are sounding boards and well-spring of ideas. Sweet Nothings   One day, I meet an old friend, who enquires how I spend my retirement.   I answer light-heartedly, “ I like to think, I'm not retired but-   unemployable-   because, only the well-off can afford to retire” . He isn’t amused, and sensing he enquired to prepare for h...

  Join Jon Christian Silva. as he reminisces with Peew, founder of NBFB to mark this year’s 50 th Anniversary of British withdrawal. Sit back and read this throw-back in B2B at :  thenavalbase.blogspot.com

  Young Jon Christian Silva. relives memories with Wan Chan Peew, founder of NB Facebook to mark the 50 th Anniversary of British withdrawal. 1. In your opinion, how aware are Singaporeans of their history (e.g.history of H. M. Naval Base) these days? Ans: Frankly, I do not have an answer. But having said that, I recall that the British Naval Dockyard employed people from all over the island. I feel sure these families must have often talked about their work and the reliable source of their weekly income to sustain the respective families. And to this end, all these people (including their friends and neighbours who might not have been employed in the Dockyard) would be definitely aware of the history . 2. Could you share what you think could be the possible reasons for Singaporeans to not be more aware of their history? Ans: People in general have short memories. The announcement by the British Government in 1967 their intention to fully pull-out of Singapore by 1971 woul...

  A candid "dialogue" between grandpa and grandson Dear grandson, I'm sorry for being tough with you when you were growing up In a letter to his grandson, PN Balji began with an apology. Mothership   |    March 20, 2021, 11:58 AM   PERSPECTIVE: PN Balji, a veteran journalist, reflects on his relationship with his grandson, Arrian. Here, we reproduce a letter to his grandson from  Letter to my son , a book edited by Felix Cheong and published by Marshall Cavendish. In the letter, he reflected on how he might have been unnecessarily harsh on his grandson and how this approach was based on the experience of his own strict upbringing.  He also offers some advice to his grandson to navigate the future world. PN Balji has over 40 years' experience in journalism in Singapore spanning print, broadcast and digital journalism. He has also provided communications advisory services to organisations in the public and private sector. You can get a copy of the book...

  Look out for His True Stories in Letters to His Grandson.