Make A Wish This X'mas!

20 December 2009

I had always wanted to see a collaboration between my RC and YEC. Therefore, in October, the idea of a joint project to celebrate Christmas was born. In a novel attempt, I invited some youth residents, who were not grassroots volunteers, to sit in the organising committee for Make A Wish this X'mas!.

Organising Secretary Pristine took charge of the gifts, with the assistance of our new volunteer Evelyn. Huijing and Jordan planned games for participants. Alex and Huzaifi arranged for the instant photo print-out booth.

We also conducted our usual door-to-door sale of tickets to the residents residing in the adjacent blocks beside the event venue.

Hours before the Christmas party, Jovell, Evelyn and Megan employed their creativity and transformed the Pavillion into a cosy living room.

I spent some time convincing Huijing to be one of the Masters of Ceremony for the event. Being her first time emceeing for a grassroots event, she was really nervous preparing her script. But she shined when she delivered her maiden speeches. Glad to have Megan be our Mandarin Master of Ceremony. You will hardly get to see such a disparity in heights between Emcees.

Upon arriving at the Pavillion, residents get to pen down their wishes, which were pinned onto a netting that would remain at the venue past new year.

The Guest-of-Honour was Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed, Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, MP for Aljunied GRC & Adviser to Eunos Grassroots Organisations. Also present was Mr Lin Tze Kin PBM, Chairman of Eunos Community Club Management Committee.

Donning a Santa hat, Mr Zainul was warmly greeted by the applause of residents.

YoSpinz put up an eye-catching Yo-Yo performance. Mr Zainul then officially launched YoSpinz, a Yo-Yo interest group of the Eunos CC YEC.

Among the games were the Squirrel and Trees game, Musical Chair and the Santa Makeover.

The Santa Makeover was the climax of the whole event, with residents assisting their team mates to decorate the best looking Santa Claus out of... children.

Family members also came to support the event and enjoy the festive celebrations.

Pristine spent days to paint the backdrop, of which we would take our photos with and then print it out instantly. Here's a picture with Hock Rong and Santa Chee Lee.

Photo with Cousin:

Photo with Pristine the artist and Huijing the Games Master:

After the event, we then celebrated it with ice-cream at our usual hangout place - the MacDonald's.

Aljunied-Hougang Zone '5' RC Christmas Party

19 December 2009

The beautiful paintings on the HDB flats in Aljunied-Hougang Zone '5' greeted me as I searched for the venue for the RC's Christmas Party.

I was engaged as the Master of Ceremony for the void deck party. Some residents had set up flea market stalls, selling a range of products such as clothings, accessories and soft toys. Movies were screened to engage the early-bird participants.

I conducted a Musical Chair game for the energetic kids and am glad they found it a thrill. "Hohoho!" Santa Claus came with sweets. Children, from a nearby childcare centre, performed Hawaiian Dance.

MP Zainul visits Blk 616 residents

19 December 2009

Member of Parliament (MP) for Aljunied GRC (Eunos Division), Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed visited the residents of Blk 616 Bedok Reservoir Road.

During block visits, the MP would bring along grassroots leaders, in particular members of the Residents' Committee, Constituency Office officer, Town Council officer, HDB officer and NEA officer so that feedback from residents can be promptly answered or noted down for further actions.

Floor by floor, the MP makes it a point to cover every unit and interact with residents.

Residents were surprised with the candid nature of MP Zainul. Some of the Chinese residents would converse with him in Malay, and he would bid farewell by a simple "再见" (Goodbye).

When asked if she sings Karaoke, this resident said no, but quickly pointed out "爱拼才会赢" (Ai Pia Jia Eh Yia), the Eunos Hokkien song, which MP Zainul sings fluently.

Often the conversations break out into laughters.


Here's a short video I managed to capture:

Jazzing Christmas @ Eunos

18 December 2009

In collaboration with Singapore Raffles Music College, Eunos Grassroots Organisations present "Jazzing Christmas @ Eunos". I was honoured to represent my RC as a member in this organising committee.

It was hard to imagine such a formal event to be occuring at the CC. In fact, everyone turned up in their formal attires. Mr Michael Fong PBM even came with his tuxedo!

Students from Singapore Raffles Music College sang along with the jazz tempo. Guest-of-Honour, Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed, Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs & MP for Aljunied GRC, also led everyone to sing a Christmas Carol Song.

Really loved the Jazz music!

Meanwhile, at the theatrette, the Marvel Kidsworld child care centre was having their very own graduation concert.

R2E Concepts Wedding Emcee

13 December 2009

Leaving Eunos Community Club, Hock Rong and I headed to the Four Seasons Hotel, where Hock Rong would be the Master of Ceremony for a wedding lunch.

As the bride was Korean, the emcee spoke English and Mandarin while a co-emcee provided the Korean translation.

Being my first time at a wedding lunch, it was an experience witnessing the solemnisation process and the beautiful Korean traditional clothings.

Eunos Zone '3' RC Karaoke Marathon

13 December 2009

2 hours upon arrival at Changi Airport after the One Asia Forum and World Assembly of Youth 60th Anniversary Celebrations, I went to the Eunos Community Club theatrette to help out at Eunos Zone '3' RC Karaoke Marathon.

The event received overwhelming response, with most of the singing slots already reserved.

Garlands were available for rent by supporters and fans.

And here's Mdm Sim Lai Ngin, Vice-Chairman, Eunos Zone '3' RC, who headed the organising committee for the Karaoke Marathon.

It was a pity I had to rush off for another event. Singing can be quite addictive.

WAY 60th Anniversary - "One Youth, One World, We are the World"

11-13 December 2009

Day 1 - 11 December 2009

In August 1949, an initiative was undertaken to establish a youth organisation to promote global cooperation and understanding amongst the young people of the world. Recognising the need for a universal youth organisation, youth leaders from national youth councils of all member countries of the United Nations were invited to attend an international conference at Westminster Hall in London. That conference saw the establishment of the World Assembly of Youth (WAY).

After the Asian Youth Council General Assembly in Kuala Lumpur, we were ferried to Puteri Resort, Malacca. All the other delegates were already touring the historic city of Malacca, so we quickly settled our luggage and headed off to meet them.

Photo with Acting Secretary General of WAY, Ms Ediola Pashollari:

In the evening, we went for the Melaka River Cruise.

During dinner, I got to know Patrick Kasyula, who's a Research & Development Officer at the Youth Enterprise Development Fund Board, Kenya. When I said I'm a Singaporean, he was quick to praise the Singapore Government. In fact, he pointed out that in the 1970s, Kenya and Singapore were in similar conditions. If Kenya hadn't been plagued with civil wars, Kenya could be like Singapore. He also shared that his country is learning from Singapore and he is confident that with the civil wars over, Kenya would be catching up.

After the cruise ride, we took some photos while waiting for the bus. Later would we know that our boat had dropped us off at the wrong place and the buses had left us. In the end, we spent hours waiting.

Photo with Prof Jakarin Srimoon, SEA-LAC Trade Center Executive Director:

Photo with Du Dong, Deputy Director, International Department, All-China Youth Federation:

Photo with friend from Nepal:

Photo with the Asian Giants - Du Dong from China and Ravi Narayan, Secretary General of Indian Committee of Youth Organisations:

And I bumped into Joanne, my fellow Toastmaster, who was in Malacca for a Chinese Calligraphy competition. What a small world!

Day 2 - 12 December 2009

In the morning, WAY participants gathered in front of the PKNM building to prepare for the Youth Walk "Democracy". The programme the One Asia Forum read WAY's Run, so many of us were quite surprised that we were going to actually walk for "Democracy".

The Guest-of-Honour was Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam, Chief Minister of Malacca and President of WAY. He led the participants in the walk towards the new World Youth Complex.

With the World Youth Complex in the background:

There was an official launch of the World Youth Complex and the WAY Headquarters.

Welcoming Address by Ediola Pashollari, WAY Acting Secretary General:

Address by Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, Chief Minister & WAY President:

Official opening of World Youth Complex:

Photo with a WAY executive member:

And we signed off our names at this historical event:

Back at the hotel, had the last meal in Malaysia together with Fred and Lesley.

The send-off:

Later in the afternoon, some of us decided to head to Malacca city centre instead of the bowling competition. Patt, Yunos and I were lucky to have a Malaysian Peng Hooi with us.

Our first stop was to try the famous Chicken Rice ball.

And not forgetting Chendol!

In the evening, WAY participants joined in the WAY's 60th Anniversary Celebration Dinner at Dewan Seri Negeri, Ayer Keroh.

Photo with friend from Jordan:

There were cultural performances from various countries, including Malaysia and Bangladesh.

Friends from Vietnam brought some Vietnam snacks for us:

When Yunos was named as the 7th place bowler, we were all stunned! How could he have won the competition without being there to play it?

Someone had used his name to play the game and won it for him! Yunos must be very happy. He told me he hadn't played bowling in his whole life.

We were all very amused and humoured by the different sizes of the prizes.

Videos of past WAY's themes were screened and awards were given to various youth leaders.

Photo with Dr Kwang Sun Cha, President of National Council of Youth Organisations in Korea (NCYOK) and Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, Chief Minister of Malacca & President of WAY:

Photo with Ole Lovig Simonsen, WAY Past President (1988 -1993) & former Minister for Housing and Building, Denmark:

Day 3 - 13 December 2009

Home Sweet Home.