Latest news with #PeckSanThengCulturalFestival
AsiaOne
a day ago
- Politics
- AsiaOne
I was 'overwhelmed': Gan Siow Huang apologises for delayed handshake at Cantonese culture festival, Singapore News
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Industry Gan Siow Huang has apologised after a video of her delaying a handshake has surfaced. In the video, she is seen getting out of a car and being greeted by a group of men, including an elderly man in red. He helps close the car door and eagerly extends his hand to Gan for a handshake, but is passed over as she shakes the hand of another man first. The man in red succeeds in getting a handshake only after he takes her hand and catches her attention. The viral video was posted to TikTok on Saturday (June 7) and has already amassed over 214,000 views and 1,300 comments. @lunachloe0573 Hmmm... awkward moment when people think everyone is the same in Singapore... 🤔 ♬ Aware - Adrián Berenguer The incident happened on May 17 at the Peck San Theng Cultural Festival in Bishan, according to Gan who spoke to The Straits Times on Sunday. "When I got out of the car, I was trying to identify the host of Peck San Theng and shake hands with the host first," she explained, adding that it was her first time at Peck San Theng. Gan, who is also the MP for Marymount SMC, told The Straits Times that she was "a little overwhelmed by the big group" when she exited her car, apologising to the man in red for her delayed handshake. She also reiterated her gratitude for the invitation and warm welcome from Peck San Theng. Netizens were outraged at Gan's actions, calling her out for being "arrogant" and "proud". AsiaOne has reached out to Peck San Theng for comment. [[nid:718848]]
New Paper
a day ago
- Politics
- New Paper
Gan Siow Huang apologises over handshake incident at Cantonese cultural festival
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Industry Gan Siow Huang has apologised following a handshaking incident. A video that recently made its rounds on the internet shows her getting out of a car and being greeted by eight men, including one wearing a red shirt. She shakes the hand of one man while being greeted by the others. The man in the red shirt then helps her to close the car door before extending his hands for a handshake. But Ms Gan shakes the hand of another man she was being introduced to before shaking the hand of the man in the red shirt and those of the others. Speaking to The Straits Times on June 8, Ms Gan, who is the MP for Marymount SMC, said the incident happened on May 17. She was attending the inaugural Peck San Theng Cultural Festival at Peck San Theng in Bishan. The Cantonese cultural festival was organised by Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng, a 155-year-old cultural institution managed by 16 Cantonese clan associations. Ms Gan said it was her first visit to Peck San Theng, and she was overwhelmed by the group that went to greet her. "When I got out of the car, I was trying to identify the host of Peck San Theng and shake hands with the host first," she said. "I was also a little overwhelmed by the big group that received me when I got out of my car. I sincerely apologise to the man in the red shirt for the delay in shaking hands with him." The video has been making the rounds on social media, with one post on TikTok garnering more than 185,000 views just a day after it was posted on June 7. Many netizens had commented that they felt Ms Gan's actions were arrogant and disrespectful. Ms Gan said she was thankful for the invite to the festival and the warm welcome, and that she has requested the organiser to convey her apologies to the man in the red shirt as she is currently overseas.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Gan Siow Huang apologises over handshaking incident at Cantonese cultural festival
A video that recently made its rounds on the internet shows Minister Gan Siow Huang shaking the hand of another man she was being introduced to before shaking the hand of the man in the red shirt and those of the others. SINGAPORE – Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Industry Gan Siow Huang has apologised following a handshaking incident. A video that recently made its rounds on the internet shows her getting out of a car and being greeted by eight men, including one wearing a red shirt. She shakes the hand of one man while being greeted by the others. The man in the red shirt then helps her to close the car door before extending his hands for a handshake. But Ms Gan shakes the hand of another man she was being introduced to before shaking the hand of the man in the red shirt and those of the others. Speaking to The Straits Times on June 8, Ms Gan, who is the MP for Marymount SMC, said the incident happened on May 17. She was attending the inaugural Peck San Theng Cultural Festival at Peck San Theng in Bishan. The Cantonese cultural festival was organised by Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng, a 155-year-old cultural institution managed by 16 Cantonese clan associations. Ms Gan said it was her first visit to Peck San Theng, and she was overwhelmed by the group that went to greet her. 'When I got out of the car, I was trying to identify the host of Peck San Theng and shake hands with the host first,' she said. 'I was also a little overwhelmed by the big group that received me when I got out of my car. I sincerely apologise to the man in the red shirt for the delay in shaking hands with him.' The video has been making the rounds on social media, with one post on TikTok garnering more than 185,000 views just a day after it was posted on June 7. Many netizens had commented that they felt Ms Gan's actions were arrogant and disrespectful. Ms Gan said she was thankful for the invite to the festival and the warm welcome, and that she has requested the organiser to convey her apologies to the man in the red shirt as she is currently overseas. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
The Star
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Artefacts, opera performances among highlights at inaugural Cantonese culture festival
SINGAPORE: A century-old statue of the Chinese god of war Guan Gong wielding his battle blade and a charcoal portrait of Chinese revolutionary Sun Yat Sen from over 100 years ago are among the artefacts on display at the inaugural Peck San Theng Cultural Festival to be held on May 17 and 18. The festival is a major outreach effort by organiser Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng (KWSPST), a 155-year-old cultural institution managed by 16 Cantonese clan associations. Besides the cultural artefacts exhibition, the festival will also have performances such as Cantonese opera and music, lion dance and martial arts, as well as cultural talks. And, because there is nothing quite like food to whet anyone's appetite for tradition, visitors can look forward to a Cantonese food showcase of culinary delights such as dimsum and Samsui chicken rice. 'Our ultimate goal is to use the festival as a platform to encourage more people, especially the younger generation and non-Chinese, to take an interest in our traditional culture,' said Dr Yee Wai Seng, vice-chairman of the festival. 'At the same time, it serves to promote Peck San Theng as a cultural and educational hub.' Peck San Theng in Bishan Lane is where the festival and KWSPST are located. The place itself is steeped in history: Today, much of Bishan New Town stands on KWSPST's old cemetery, which was built in 1870 by Cantonese and Hakka immigrants from the prefectures of Guangzhou, Huizhou and Zhaoqing in Guangdong province, China. It was the final resting place for more than 100,000 Chinese immigrants. 'Peck San Theng' means 'jade mountain pavilions', a reference to the pavilions on the burial site that served as locality markers and shelters for visitors. The Government acquired the 131ha burial ground around 1979 for the development of a new town called Bishan, whose name was derived from the Peck San Theng Chinese cemetery. After the acquisition, the Government leased KWSPST 3.2 ha of the land, on which now sits a columbarium that is available to all Singaporeans, two temples, an office building, and a heritage gallery which is open to the public by appointment for free. There are several historic artefacts on the sprawling grounds, including a pair of Italian marble lion sculptures dating back to 1918 – which were part of the tomb structure of Cantonese pioneer Wong Ah Fook – 23 pieces of porcelain murals, and a statue of the Monkey God from the 1880s. More unique treasures and ethnographic artefacts are found in the 560 sq m heritage gallery, which was established in 2018. The gallery remains open, even as it is undergoing a revamp to better showcase its extensive collection of funerary objects recovered from the storied Bukit Brown Cemetery. It also conducts visits for student groups to learn more about the tales and legacies of Singapore's early Chinese settlers, and frequently collaborates with other grassroots and community groups to host guided visits and cultural exchanges. 'We have opened our gates, both literally and symbolically, to people from every dialect group, ethnic community and nation, fostering dialogue, mutual understanding and the collective celebration of shared heritage,' said Dr Yee, who is also vice-head of KWSPST's heritage gallery. Every five years, KWSPST organises a grand ancestral worship ceremony for all to uphold the virtues of filial piety and remembrance. It also offers support and financial aid to others, including making donations to Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital. The upcoming festival is the first project to benefit from increased funding from the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA). The apex body of Chinese clan associations in Singapore announced in January that its members will get more money to organise activities, with the expansion of a fund to promote Chinese culture. It raised the cap for applications to tap its Clan Associations Cultural Activities Fund, from $2,000 to $7,500. Clans stand a higher chance of getting more funding if they work on joint projects. For clans organising events independently, the funding limit has also been raised from $2,000 to $5,000. Since then, SFCCA, which has about 250 member associations, has observed a threefold increase in applications for the fund. 'The initial response is encouraging, and we remain optimistic that more clans will leverage this funding opportunity to develop meaningful, forward-looking projects that safeguard cultural heritage,' said an SFCCA spokesman. He added that the Peck San Theng Cultural Festival demonstrates strong alignment with SFCCA's mission to promote and celebrate Chinese culture, and is one of the larger-scale events within the clan community. Sharon Woo, a member of the festival's organising committee, said the festival is a springboard for KWSPST's future efforts in cultural and heritage outreach. 'From here, we will get to know what people like, and can curate more interesting exhibitions and programmes that also shed light on our past,' she said. KWSPST has invited grassroots organisations, schools and other community groups in Bishan to attend the festival. It hopes to attract Singaporeans to find out more about its rich history and culture. KWSPST president Ho Kwong Meng noted that other clan associations have organised similar festivals for Teochews and Hokkiens. 'There are diverse talents among our 16 member clan associations,' Dr Ho said. 'We should use this platform to showcase our Cantonese heritage and unity, and I hope this becomes an annual tradition.' The Peck San Theng Cultural Festival will be held at Peck San Theng at 50 Bishan Lane, on May 17 and 18, from 10am to 5pm. Admission is free (but food is chargeable). - The Straits Times/ANN
Straits Times
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Artefacts, opera performances among highlights at inaugural Cantonese culture festival
The Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng Heritage Gallery has a charcoal-drawn portrait of Chinese revolutionary Sun Yat Sen from over 100 years ago. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH SINGAPORE - A century-old statue of the Chinese god of war Guan Gong wielding his battle blade and a charcoal portrait of Chinese revolutionary Sun Yat Sen from over 100 years ago are among the artefacts on display at the inaugural Peck San Theng Cultural Festival to be held on May 17 and 18. The festival is a major outreach effort by organiser Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng (KWSPST), a 155-year-old cultural institution managed by 16 Cantonese clan associations . Besides the cultural artefacts exhibition, the festival will also have performances such as Cantonese opera and music, lion dance and martial arts, as well as cultural talks. And, because there is nothing quite like food to whet anyone's appetite for tradition, visitors can look forward to a Cantonese food showcase of culinary delights such as dimsum and Samsui chicken rice. 'Our ultimate goal is to use the festival as a platform to encourage more people, especially the younger generation and non-Chinese, to take an interest in our traditional culture,' said Dr Yee Wai Seng, vice-chairman of the festival. 'At the same time, it serves to promote Peck San Theng as a cultural and educational hub.' Peck San Theng in Bishan Lane is where the festival and KWSPST are located. The place itself is steeped in history: Today, much of Bishan New Town stands on KWSPST's old cemetery, which was built in 1870 by Cantonese and Hakka immigrants from the prefectures of Guangzhou, Huizhou and Zhaoqing in Guangdong province, China. It was the final resting place for more than 100,000 Chinese immigrants. 'Peck San Theng' means 'jade mountain pavilions', a reference to the pavilions on the burial site that served as locality markers and shelters for visitors. The Government acquired the 131ha burial ground around 1979 for the development of a new town called Bishan, whose name was derived from the Peck San Theng Chinese cemetery. After the acquisition, the Government leased KWSPST 3.2 ha of the land, on which now sits a columbarium that is available to all Singaporeans, two temples, an office building, and a heritage gallery which is open to the public by appointment for free. An Italian marble lion sculpture dating back to 1918 on the sprawling grounds of Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng's premises. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH There are several historic artefacts on the sprawling grounds, including a pair of Italian marble lion sculptures dating back to 1918 – which were part of the tomb structure of Cantonese pioneer Wong Ah Fook – 23 pieces of porcelain murals, and a statue of the Monkey God from the 1880s. More unique treasures and ethnographic artefacts are found in the 560 sq m heritage gallery, which was established in 2018. A mural on the sprawling grounds of Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng's premises. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH The gallery remains open, even as it is undergoing a revamp to better showcase its extensive collection of funerary objects recovered from the storied Bukit Brown Cemetery. It also conducts visits for student groups to learn more about the tales and legacies of Singapore's early Chinese settlers, and frequently collaborates with other grassroots and community groups to host guided visits and cultural exchanges. The heritage gallery at Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng houses a rich trove of artefacts. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH 'We have opened our gates, both literally and symbolically, to people from every dialect group, ethnic community and nation, fostering dialogue, mutual understanding and the collective celebration of shared heritage,' said Dr Yee, who is also vice-head of KWSPST's heritage gallery. Every five years, KWSPST organises a grand ancestral worship ceremony for all to uphold the virtues of filial piety and remembrance. It also offers support and financial aid to others, including making donations to Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital. The upcoming festival is the first project to benefit from increased funding from the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA). The apex body of Chinese clan associations in Singapore announced in January that its members will get more money to organise activities, with the expansion of a fund to promote Chinese culture. It raised the cap for applications to tap its Clan Associations Cultural Activities Fund, from $2,000 to $7,500. Clans stand a higher chance of getting more funding if they work on joint projects. For clans organising events independently, the funding limit has also been raised from $2,000 to $5,000. Since then, SFCCA, which has about 250 member associations, has observed a threefold increase in applications for the fund. 'The initial response is encouraging, and we remain optimistic that more clans will leverage this funding opportunity to develop meaningful, forward-looking projects that safeguard cultural heritage,' said an SFCCA spokesman. He added that the Peck San Theng Cultural Festival demonstrates strong alignment with SFCCA's mission to promote and celebrate Chinese culture, and is one of the larger-scale events within the clan community. (From left) Ms Sharon Woo, a member of the Peck San Theng Cultural Festival's organising committee; Dr Ho Kwong Meng, president of KWSPST; and Dr Yee Wai Seng, vice-chairman of the festival's organising committee. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH Ms Sharon Woo, a member of the festival's organising committee, said the festival is a springboard for KWSPST's future efforts in cultural and heritage outreach. 'From here, we will get to know what people like, and can curate more interesting exhibitions and programmes that also shed light on our past,' she said. KWSPST has invited grassroots organisations, schools and other community groups in Bishan to attend the festival. It hopes to attract Singaporeans to find out more about its rich history and culture. KWSPST president Ho Kwong Meng noted that other clan associations have organised similar festivals for Teochews and Hokkiens. 'There are diverse talents among our 16 member clan associations,' Dr Ho said. 'We should use this platform to showcase our Cantonese heritage and unity, and I hope this becomes an annual tradition.' The Peck San Theng Cultural Festival will be held at Peck San Theng at 50 Bishan Lane, on May 17 and 18, from 10am to 5pm. Admission is free (but food is chargeable). Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
