Took a day off to hang out with the folks for a visit to an exhibition at Ee Hoe Hean Club 怡和轩，showcasing the pioneers that have paved the way to a prosperous and modern Singapore that we are living at this present moment.
The exhibition is called The 80th Anniversary of the Fall of Singapore (I direct translate using Google) and 1939 Tan Kah Kee Exhibition 新加坡沦陷80周年祭 - 1939 陈嘉庚展览. This is an exhibition to remember how Singapore has come this far through the war times and turbulence years with the help from all these pioneers. Not just about one person only please (iykyk). And they seems to be mostly Hokkien people. Correct me if I'm wrong.
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| INTRODUCTION |
At level 1 was the Pioneers' Memorial Hall 先贤馆 where you would see all about Mr Tan Kah Kee 陈嘉庚 and his contributions up to his death in 1961. He was the one who called for volunteers from overseas to make up for the shortage of truck drivers and mechanics in China to transport military supplies through the Yunnan-Burma Road (云南滇缅公路). Those old photos have shown how tedious it can be with that zig zag road. Many died due to diseases, bombing (war time) and also the bad road conditions.
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| ABOUT YUNNAN-BURMA ROAD |
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| CONTRIBUTIONS BY MR TAN KAH KEE |
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| THE FIGURE OF MR TAN KAH KEE |
Today I finally knew how OCBC came about. All because of Mr Tan Ean Kiam 陈延谦 who was behind the merger of Chinese Commercial Bank Limited, Oversea-Chinese Bank Limited and Ho Hong Bank Limited to become OCBC bank today. I love this bank because ATM machines shorter queue than DBS/POSB. I love UOB too because of the same reason. And we can withdraw money from both banks interchangeably (eg. Withdraw from UOB bank at OCBC ATM and vice versa).
And Ean Kiam Place at Katong area was named after him because in the late 1920s, he developed East Coast Road in that area. Nice. A banker and developer altogether.
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| LEFT: MR TAN EAN KIAM |
Another that was very familiar to me, Mr Lee Kong Chian 李光前. Why? Because in my previous job, the office is located in the building named after him. Many other schools and tertiary institutions have buildings/halls named after him. Oh... and he is also the son-in-law of Mr Tan Kah Kee. And because of his contributions to education (donated millions) and the society (donated money for free public library services), he was conferred honorary awards by Malaysia as Tan Sri and by other Malaysia states as Dato.
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| ABOUT MR LEE KONG CHIAN |
Another section at level 2 would be more on war times exhibition. The fall of Singapore in the hands of the Japanese on the fateful day, 15 February 1942. Nobody likes war so peace on earth, okay?
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| PUBLICATIONS FREE TO TAKE |
Level 2 is like an event hall, a section for exhibition and on the other side where they can hold talks or sharing sessions. A small space but good enough to contain at least 20 paxs. Glad we came today because I doubt no one will know of such exhibition, probably the elderly ones whom like my dad who knows too much of histories, not just our country but other countries too. This man read too much books. Whoever argue histories with him sure lose flat.
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| PORTRAITS |
Not sure but there was a comic on how to spot a Japanese back in those days (I think and I'm not sure). I was flipping through and all in English context. It was hilarious on how they described the Japanese back then. Oh I'm a Singaporean Chinese by the way and we are known as 华侨 Overseas Chinese. The way they described us Chinese was a little too closed minded. What do you mean by eyes have 'marked squint'? Normal lei our eyes generally.
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| HOW TO SPOT A JAPANESE |
This showcase below said American Soldier's Silk Road Map 美军丝绸地图. I think is replicate. Correct me if I'm wrong. Looks new to me.
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| SPOTTED A FAMILIAR FLAG |
Thanks to the 2 Chinese ladies who brought us around (volunteers) and entertaining my dad who couldn't stop talking (or sharing) histories he knows. He is not thirsty at all, I think. And I think they are tired of listening. Hahaha... Today was like a good history lesson for me and I hope everyone can learn more beyond our textbooks. Our textbooks don't cover as much as what has actually happen in those days.
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| EE HOE HEAN CLUB AT 43 BUKIT PASOH ROAD |
Last day of this small exhibition is 18 July 2022, 5pm. And it is free so do visit Ee Hoe Hean Club for this exhibition. Mostly written in Chinese but English is available too. Suitable for those jiak kentang (potato, meaning speak English humans) who want to know more about the history.
Last but not least, some street views of Bukit Pasoh and Keong Saik Road. The clans and association gathers in the street, along with hipster restaurants and cafes. Enjoy!
