That’s the question we posed to some of Singapore Tatler’s friends, as they share their sentiments and best memories of our island country, who turns 50 this year.
As Singapore celebrates its milestone golden jubilee this year, Tatler's friends share with us some of their most cherished memories of this tropical nation, the things that make Singapore truly unique, as well as their plans for the National Day weekend.
Gerti Iwatake
Managing Director of trading company Getan
She had come to Singapore in 1977, and together with husband Katsuji Iwatake pride themselves on making the nation their home since becoming Permanent Residents in 1982. Sharing with us a slew of photos – including those of Chinatown and the Singapore River in 1979 – Gerti has indeed seen the transformation of Singapore from its humble beginnings to today’s vibrant city state, boasting of how “beautiful Singapore is, as well as all the great amenities such as the MRT and our Medical and Health facilities here”.
Another mark of a true-blue Singaporean: the fact that she packs along local spices or mixes whenever she travels to Europe. This includes chili, belachan, and pickled green chili, and if her overseas destination allows for cooking – Gerti confesses to even bringing packets of ready mixed chicken curry powder and laksa paste.
Picture credit: Gerti Iwatake
Adrian Ng
Anaesthesiologist
“I am extremely proud to be from a pint-sized country that has a significant presence on the world stage,” says Adrian, adding that a lot of that success was contributed by none other than the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
He recounts the week of 23rd March 2015 as a dark one, where he was sitting at the doctors’ lounge at one of the hospitals when PM Lee went on-air to announce the passing of his father.
“The gravity of the situation and the emotional tension PM Lee must be feeling at that time did not elude the doctors. Suffice to say, there were some sniffles and tears in the room. The reflective week that followed and the heart-wrenching in-the-rain funeral that concluded the mourning showed us what it meant to be a Singaporean. Mr Lee’s passing is to me a significant milestone of our modern era, and ranks next to 9 Aug 1965 in terms of national remembrance.”
Picture credit: Adrian Ng
Celeste Basapa
Veteran fundraiser
Chuckling as she shares how she is known to arrange as many parties as there are waking hours, Celeste has however put aside numerous invitations and even curtailed her travel plans just for one thing – to be in Singapore on 9 August.
“We’ll be watching the parade of course!” as Celeste refers to her plans with husband Lawrence Basapa for this coming weekend. She also reflects on the sparkling tribute that was accorded to the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew by locals and even business visitors and tourists, all of whom “braved heat and long hours to pay their respects to their great leader; and even rain on the day of the funeral to wave their last good byes”. Herself one of them who queued at the Parliament House, Celeste counts the experience as one that was truly touching, calling the patriotic Singaporeans who went as people that deserves her highest respect and admiration.
Picture credit: Celeste Basapa
Andre Huber
Executive Director of Huber's Pte Ltd
A self-professed lover and promoter of good food, it comes as no surprise then that Andre misses Singapore’s delicious array of local fares whenever he travels out for long periods of time. For SG50, the family man has already caught the parade spectacular at the Marina Barrage during the preview last weekend. Nonetheless, he still has plans to head out to watch the fireworks on National Day itself, which he reckons “should be terribly exciting for my young kids”.
Picture credit: Andre Huber, at the Marina Barrage with his family
Iroshini Chua
General Practitioner
“A friend recently asked me if Singapore is really just 50 years old, and that comment really drove home the point that our country has made an impact on the world map by building a nation in a relatively short span of time; a multi ethnic, multi-religious society living on this prosperous island home,” reflects Iroshini. “And that truly fills me with a great sense of hope for my children’s future.”
Family takes first place for the GP, who happily shared photos of her two children, then 10 and seven, having fun while at a photo-shoot session at the Botanic Gardens –recently crowned as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Coming a close second, is her nation home, Singapore.
“My favourite part of any long trip is the journey back. Boarding the Singapore Airlines flight is like stepping onto local soil – making me feel I’m already home. I will be celebrating with the rest of our country on National Day, there is no place in the world like Singapore!”
Picture credit: Benny Ang Photography
Vihari Seth
Partner at Vihari Jewels Pte Ltd
A Singaporean and proudly so, Vihari speaks of the 50 year-old nation as a young one that has flourished into a successful country – and that “its spectacular infrastructure and cleanliness is enough a reason to visit it”! As 9 August rolls around, Vihari will be catching the parade at home thanks to her apartment’s location which offers direct views of the fireworks. And another thing the jewellery designer will be doing for SG50? “I have made a special line of jewellery this year, and have also bought one of the pieces for myself in remembrance of this golden jubilee for Singapore!”