Latest news with #SG50
New Paper
5 days ago
- General
- New Paper
'Ah, National Day has arrived': Uncle Ong's 11-year flag tradition in Toa Payoh
Anyone passing by Block 107 and 109 in Toa Payoh Lorong 1 of late may have noticed a striking '60' made of Singapore flags hanging between the two blocks. Every single one of those flags was tied by Uncle Ong, 63, a familiar face in the neighbourhood who has been quietly flying the flag for Singapore for more than a decade. The retired provision shop owner's story was recently told on kaya, a Ministry of Community, Culture and Youth website that profiles ordinary Singaporeans leading the charge in arts, heritage, community, youth and sports. Uncle Ong has been putting up elaborate National Day flag displays for the past 11 years, in an annual labour of love. "The flags used to be faded and worn, and hung on ground level," he said. "So for SG50, I thought, why not do something special?" That idea led to his very first large-scale flag formation in 2015. He used aluminium tabs from soda cans and fishing rope to string dozens of flags together, forming the number '50' to mark Singapore's golden jubilee. Since then, it has become a yearly tradition, with each year's design more ambitious than the last. "The first time we took a full three to four months to craft the display, and we only hung it up at the end of July," he recalled. "Now we use plastic rope and aluminium ring washers instead, and it takes just about 10 days. We reuse materials too, so it costs less than $150." This year's design features the number '60', with the Chinese characters for sixty, '六十', in the center of the zero. Rooted in the community Uncle Ong has lived in Toa Payoh since the 1970s. His family moved from a kampung in Ang Mo Kio, and his father opened a provision shop there in 1972. It was later run by the Ong Brothers and recently closed down after Uncle Ong's retirement. The shop became more than a place to buy groceries - it was where residents reported broken lifts, fires, and neighbourhood news. Many turned to Uncle Ong, a 27-year grassroots leader with the Toa Payoh North Zone 2 Residents' Network Council, for help with errands and community issues. He hopes to continue hanging the flags even after retirement. "If I stop, it might be a few years before someone else like me steps up to do it again." A quiet patriot Uncle Ong told kaya that his commitment to community service was inspired by his late father, also a grassroots volunteer. "My father always said, 'It's not just about making money. If we can't give much, we can still give our time.'" Uncle Ong has won decoration awards, been featured in the news, and even had a shoutout from then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during National Day celebrations in 2020. "When people pass by and see the display, I just hope they think 'Ah, National Day has arrived,'" he said.
AsiaOne
5 days ago
- General
- AsiaOne
'Ah, National Day has arrived': Uncle Ong's 11-year flag tradition in Toa Payoh, Singapore News
Anyone passing by Block 107 and 109 in Toa Payoh Lorong 1 of late may have noticed a striking '60' made of Singapore flags hanging between the two blocks. Every single one of those flags was tied by Uncle Ong, 63, a familiar face in the neighbourhood who has been quietly flying the flag for Singapore for more than a decade. The retired provision shop owner's story was recently told on kaya, a Ministry of Community, Culture and Youth website that profiles ordinary Singaporeans leading the charge in arts, heritage, community, youth and sports. Uncle Ong has been putting up elaborate National Day flag displays for the past 11 years, in an annual labour of love. "The flags used to be faded and worn, and hung on ground level," he said. "So for SG50, I thought, why not do something special?" That idea led to his very first large-scale flag formation in 2015. He used aluminium tabs from soda cans and fishing rope to string dozens of flags together, forming the number '50' to mark Singapore's golden jubilee. Since then, it has become a yearly tradition, with each year's design more ambitious than the last. "The first time we took a full three to four months to craft the display, and we only hung it up at the end of July," he recalled. "Now we use plastic rope and aluminium ring washers instead, and it takes just about 10 days. We reuse materials too, so it costs less than $150." This year's design features the number '60', with the Chinese characters for sixty, '六十', in the centre of the zero. Rooted in the community Uncle Ong has lived in Toa Payoh since the 1970s. His family moved from a kampung in Ang Mo Kio, and his father opened a provision shop there in 1972. It was later run by the Ong Brothers and recently closed down after Uncle Ong's retirement. The shop became more than a place to buy groceries — it was where residents reported broken lifts, fires, and neighbourhood news. Many turned to Uncle Ong, a 27-year grassroots leader with the Toa Payoh North Zone 2 Residents' Network Council, for help with errands and community issues. He hopes to continue hanging the flags even after retirement. "If I stop, it might be a few years before someone else like me steps up to do it again." A quiet patriot Uncle Ong told kaya that his commitment to community service was inspired by his late father, also a grassroots volunteer. "My father always said, 'It's not just about making money. If we can't give much, we can still give our time.'" Uncle Ong has won decoration awards, been featured in the news, and even had a shoutout from then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during National Day celebrations in 2020. "When people pass by and see the display, I just hope they think 'Ah, National Day has arrived,'" he said. [[nid:720908]] This article was first published in The New Paper . Permission required for reproduction.
AsiaOne
6 days ago
- General
- AsiaOne
Every Saturday, his wife and neighbours watch the sky, looking for one jet
Every Saturday evening, Stephanie and her neighbours gather outside their HDB block, eyes on the sky. There's no WhatsApp reminder, no loudhailer. They just know the flypast rehearsal is happening again. Somewhere in that thunder of jet engines is Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Muhammad Iskandar, Stephanie's husband — and the man leading the F-15SGs at this year's National Day Parade (NDP). "I didn't tell my neighbours about it, but they somehow know based on my uniform that I'm probably involved," says LTC Iskandar, amused. "So when my wife goes out to catch the flypast, all my neighbours are also standing outside watching the flypast unintentionally. Now, it's become like a community event every Saturday!" From his POV in the sky, NDP rehearsals offer something RSAF pilots don't often get: a bird's-eye view of the Lion City they've grown up in. "Flying over the heartlands is something special, especially at sunset. I always take a couple of seconds just to look out and admire and appreciate that sight," says LTC Iskandar. This is the 37-year-old's third time flying in NDP. His first was in 2015 (to celebrate SG50), then again in 2021, when the country was navigating a pandemic. But this year is different. "Unlike the previous years when I flew as a wingman, this year, I'm actually the Flight Lead of the formation," he says. And while the pressure is higher, the privilege is deeper. "It's an added responsibility of not just performing the show, but also developing and mentoring the next generation of aircrew and leaders." The leader in the sky is also one on the ground Beginning at the Singapore Youth Flying Club in 2008, LTC Iskandar has gone on to become a fighter pilot with nearly two decades in the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), and the Commanding Officer of 142 Squadron (SQN), recently named Best Fighter Squadron for the second year in a row at the Singapore Armed Forces Best Unit Competition. He's quick to deflect credit. "Every fighter squadron is doing excellent work, and is made up of excellent, hardworking people… I think what differentiates us is the culture," he says. "142 SQN has a culture where we ensure that we take care of each other… Even though there's a rank structure, we are very open to feedback, both top-down and bottom-up. That includes myself." It mirrors how formations function in the air — not with hierarchy, but through trust. "The formation can only function when there's mutual trust among everybody," he says. "We are all there to train and improve." That commitment to training others, and being open to being trained himself, has become part of how he defines success, both as a leader and a Singaporean. "That's always been the spirit in Singapore - making sure we develop the next generation, whether it's in the military, public service, or anywhere else." The flypast is a spectacle, but it's never just for show This year's NDP will feature a total of 26 RSAF aircraft — fighter jets, helicopters and transport aircraft among them. These include the CH-47F Heavy Lift helicopter aka Chinook and the mighty C-130 Hercules. Three aerial displays will feature the F-15SG, with LTC Iskandar taking the lead. First, the "Enhanced Salute to the Nation" will see six F-15SGs in delta formation burst upwards with afterburners, followed by four F-16s in a diamond, symbolising our Diamond Jubilee. Then there's the "SG60 Tribute", with six F-15SGs sweeping over the Padang before the outer wingmen turn outwards, break away and climb, representing peace and prosperity for the nation. The remaining four will continue their flight in diamond formation. And finally, the "Multi Axis Flypast", a historic first, with six jets flying in from opposite directions, crossing each other dramatically before breaking into full climbs. For LTC Iskandar, each flight isn't just about choreography. It's about reflection. "NDP is special because we get to see and reflect on the progress we've made as a country," he says. "The first time I flew in NDP was SG50. Now it's 10 years later. We've matured, both individually and as a nation." Quiet moments help this cat dad decompress With all the high-stakes action in his day job, you'd expect Iskandar to crave thrills during downtime. But when he has a free moment, you'll likely find him in a library or hiking through MacRitchie or Bukit Timah with his wife. "I like walking outside and immersing myself in nature… it's a change from the hectic and loud environment that I'm in every day." That said, old habits die hard. "When I hear a slight sound of an aircraft, I will always look up and try and guess what aircraft it is based on the sound. I think it's one of those job hazards!" Home life includes Stephanie and a 20-year-old American Shorthair named Mister Kitty (incidentally, it's International Cat Day tomorrow, Aug 8 — meow!). No children — just this quietly content cat dad, who commands Singapore's top fighter squadron by day and makes time for quiet at night. Small country, big responsibility Ask LTC Iskandar how being an RSAF pilot has shaped him, and he doesn't talk about skill or speed. He talks about awareness. "We get a true sense of how small Singapore is geographically. With that lack of geographical depth, we understand how vulnerable we are in any military conflict or tension," he says, adding that this perspective fuels his work. "It reinforces the importance of the role we play… It's been quite an incredible journey for Singapore the past 60 years — to achieve [the position we are in]. To ensure peace and security of the country — it's something we should not take for granted." Beyond geography, LTC Iskandar's time in the RSAF — including overseas deployments and multinational exercises — has shaped the way he sees leadership, teamwork, and responsibility. "At the root of it, every aircrew that flies the F-15 is just an average Singaporean," he says. "The skills we have — team spirit, the pursuit of excellence, the ability to prioritise multiple demands — those are transferable outside the military." At 60, he hopes to still be learning Singapore at 60. Himself at 60. The two are connected. "Singapore today is very diverse, inclusive, modern — always trying to reinvent, adapt to the ever-changing circumstance of geopolitics," says LTC Iskandar. "So, if I take that as an example, when I'm 60, I hope I have that same desire to continuously adapt, to continuously learn and grow. And not be static." He doesn't imagine changing the world. Just contributing where he can — in small but meaningful ways. "Hopefully I can do the same when I'm 60… helping not the world, but hopefully the people around me in whatever way I can." For now, he'll keep leading by example, on the ground and in the cockpit, soaring across a city that's still looking up at him every Saturday, waiting for the sound of one familiar jet. [[nid:720783]] This article was first published in
Business Times
06-08-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Unearthed Productions sinks roots into South-east Asia
[SINGAPORE] What do you do when clients start moving events across borders to cut costs? For Adam Piperdy, founder and chief experience officer of Unearthed Productions, the answer is simple: follow them. Over the next 12 months, his events management company is opening offices in Bangkok, Jakarta and Ho Chi Minh City – formalising what has long been a stream of ad hoc overseas gigs into a permanent South-east Asian footprint. The decision is driven by a visible shift in client behaviour. 'There's more conversation about clients moving their events around the region, either due to cost or due to variety,' Piperdy told The Business Times. 'If we don't set this up formally, we're going to lose that connection and relationship with the clients.' His expansion play hinges on a simple thesis: that South-east Asia is becoming a more attractive destination for international events, thanks to relatively lower operating costs and geopolitical stability. 'We sense that the region is poised to be almost a safe haven for events to happen,' he said. 'Labour is much cheaper here compared to other countries, and international clients are going to get very good value for their money.' A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am SGSME Get updates on Singapore's SME community, along with profiles, news and tips. Sign Up Sign Up To support the expansion, Unearthed has set aside a S$1 million budget across the three cities. Each office is expected to start with a team of 10, largely staffed by local hires. 'We highly enjoy the idea of a local office run by locals,' said Piperdy. 'They would know the market better than us. They just have to connect with our (senior leadership) to make sure we're standardised in our services.' Radio waves If today's Unearthed is a regional events player, it had far more humble beginnings. The company's name traces back to a secondary school project where Piperdy aimed to promote local music talent. He registered the company in 2006, at the age of 16, under his mother's name – because he was too young to do so. 'Every event that I attended when I was a teenager and young adult, those were core memories for me,' he said. 'I liked the idea of people coming together for a common interest.' Piperdy took a S$30,000 loan from his father to buy equipment – a sum he repaid within a year. Since then, the company has been entirely bootstrapped, with profits consistently reinvested to fuel its growth. There are no immediate plans to seek external funding. What started as small-scale gigs – he and his brother Daniel would DJ and host parties using a mobile sound system – slowly evolved into more structured event work. In parallel, the 35-year-old spent nearly a decade as a radio DJ and producer with SPH Radio and Mediacorp, working across stations such as ONE FM 91.3 and 987. Even as his radio career picked up, Piperdy kept his side business running. But by 2015 – coinciding with Singapore's SG50 celebrations and a spike in event activity – the Singaporean entrepreneur decided it was time to go all in. His turning point came when Unearthed won a tender to run the inclusive carnival at the Asean Para Games, a seven-figure contract that would become his 'big break'. 'We managed to scale up the hiring; I called in good friends to work for two to three months on a contract basis,' he recalled. 'It was all hands on deck.' At the time, Unearthed had just six full-time employees working out of a shared office – so cramped that Piperdy recalled working at a desk perched above another tenant's safe. The momentum from the Para Games project gave him the conviction to invest in a proper office space and hire a larger team. New ecosystem Even as Unearthed's portfolio of events grew, Piperdy saw the limits of being just an organiser. To offer end-to-end service – and diversify revenue streams – he began building up what he now calls an 'ecosystem' of companies to support every facet of event execution. The first addition came in 2015 with the launch of Live Productions, a company focused on audio-visual and technical services, led by his brother Daniel. The two had long collaborated, but formally separating the technical arm allowed Live Productions to brand itself as an independent player and take on third-party clients beyond Unearthed's events. 'We always had this mindset (that) it's better to have more friends in the industry,' said Piperdy. 'Since we were already investing in assets like audio-visual gear, why not open it up to other companies?' The strategy worked. Today, Live Productions is regularly tapped by other event organisers, giving the group a broader customer base. Piperdy remains a majority shareholder, but his brother runs it as managing director. 'That helps reduce friction (as) we each manage our own domains, our own clients and our own revenue,' he said. In 2016, Piperdy expanded further: acquiring a fireworks and special effects company, Spectaworks, for a six-figure sum. He even trained to become a certified pyrotechnician himself, spending a week each month in China over six months as part of a hands-on certification programme. That investment in special effects – confetti cannons, cold spark fountains and fireworks – proved helpful. 'It gives us that wow factor,' said Piperdy. 'When we're competing against other companies (for tenders), can we use our special effects services to our advantage? The answer is yes.' Pandemic woes But no amount of planning could have anticipated the disruption that came with Covid-19. Like many in the events sector, Piperdy's business saw work vanish almost overnight. He acted quickly. In early 2020, shortly after the pandemic hit, his team converted their office storeroom into a green-screen studio – then one of the first in Singapore equipped for high-quality livestreams. That experiment evolved into a new business: Star Studios. 'Back then, nobody (in events) had even heard of green screens,' Piperdy recalled. 'Our event managers became studio managers, (and) our technical crew became broadcasters.' Star Studios ran back-to-back sessions for virtual events, webinars and even a National Day Parade virtual show. At its peak, the studio hosted two events a day. It eventually wound down in 2023, after in-person events came roaring back. The group later formalised its content creation capabilities under another new entity, UP Media, which creates short-form content and digital campaigns for Unearthed's own events and for clients across the region. 'You can't just have one person talking on a screen anymore – you need motion graphics, you need videos, you need influencers,' Piperdy said. 'We realised consumers respond differently now; advertising in the newspapers won't draw a crowd, but maybe TikTok will.' Taken together, the ecosystem that Piperdy has built – events, audio-visual, special effects and content – forms the foundation for his next act: regional expansion. Critically, he is not trying to compete with entrenched domestic players in these markets. 'The domestic market is quite saturated,' he acknowledged. 'What we really want is to capture the new international market coming into these countries.' That, he believes, is where Unearthed's regional presence and integrated service model will give it an edge.
New Paper
05-08-2025
- General
- New Paper
'He was devastatingly handsome': Woman joins NDP march, ends up meeting future husband
For Vivian Chua, National Day has always held a special place in her heart - but in 2015, it changed her life. Before online balloting was a thing, Ms Chua and her family would queue overnight for tickets just to score tickets to the National Day Parade (NDP). "It was like our yearly tradition," said the 41-year-old, who now works as a KYC Specialist at DBS. "We'd sit on folding chairs, snack on potato chips and stay up just to be first in line." From the booming flypasts to the precision of the marching contingents, she was captivated by it all. Nothing, however, could have prepared her for what the SG50 parade would bring: the man who would become her husband. That year, Ms Chua was selected to march with the DBS contingent. At the very first rehearsal at Nee Soon Camp, she noticed a trainer from the Republic of Singapore Air Force, Edwin Mong. He was assigned to her contingent. "He was (and still is) devastatingly handsome," she said on a DBS Facebook post. "But more than that, he was kind. He always made sure our group drank enough water and took proper rest breaks." As rehearsals continued, a quiet friendship began to form between them. After long hours under the sun, the group would often grab meals together, until one day, he asked her out to dinner, just the two of them. They've been together ever since. A year later, after countless "prata and Hokkien mee dates", he popped the question with 99 blue roses hidden in his car boot. They got married soon after. Today, they're both back at the parade grounds - Ms Chua as a reserve contingent commander for DBS, and Mr Mong, 40, now an Air Force engineer, training this year's marching groups. "While we won't be marching side by side this time, we're still honouring the mission that brought us together," she said. Reflecting on her decade-long journey with DBS, from insurance to private banking, she said she is proud to be contributing to Singapore's financial integrity. "As I march forward for SG60, I'll be carrying more than just a salute. I'll be carrying the pride of being Singaporean, the gratitude for a company that's helped me grow, and the joy of having found love in the most unexpected place."
