Ng Seng Chong (Ah Peng) and Azfar Aqil Bin Jaffar
Grace & Gratitude
Ng Seng Chong (Ah Peng):
Syonanto (Light of the South)
What’s that???
Singapore!
Peng was born just when that name Singapore was given back to that British-owned island.
Peng means “Tai Ping” means “Peace”. World War 2 has ended. The colony was recovering from the Japanese Occupation. Fast forward to 10 years later, that boy had this unforgettable lifetime experience, one which he narrates 65 years later.
What’s that???
A treat of a glass of milkshake at Cold Storage Creameries at Capitol Milk Bar at North Bridge Road. Unforgettable for 65 years. Hmmmm.
Aunt Daisy (fifth aunt), a rich ‘Tai Tai’ of a Dental Surgeon in Malacca visited Singapore often. One day, she brought Ah Peng (10 years) in her chauffeured Ford Taurus limo to that one and only Milk Bar at Capitol Building. To Ah Peng, this was a “once in a lifetime experience”; a luxury! Life and childhood days then was just the basic of basics; no frills, no pampering, period! If food is put on the table, it means Fate is kind. Be thankful!
When the waiter served the long tall glass of creamy, frothy milkshake, he gulped it with gusto and glee! Aunt Daisy, dressed in her bespoke Chi Pao/Cheongsam matched with that expensive strand of Mikimoto Cultured pearls stopped him abruptly. She pulled out a straw from the holder and gave him a friendly lesson in the correct way to drink from a long tall glass of milkshake.
This is a “classy” Ang Moh Milk Bar, one of the first in Colonial Singapore, don’t forget Ah Peng.” Fast forward to 65 years today, Ah Peng is no more that naive 10 year old PSLE school boy, reminiscing that unforgettable lifetime experience. Life is a reflection of experiences; be it good, bad or ugly.
To Peng, that treat of a glass of milkshake is unforgettable till today, 65 years, last count. Significantly, 5 years back, when Aunt Daisy was warded in the Nursing Home, Peng visited her. Thanked her for that unforgettable childhood experience to get to drink a milkshake at a smart Milk Bar she could not recall, a nonagenarian (90++).
Now to reminisce: that highly popular local TV Channel 5 Sitcom, “Under One Roof” (1995), the Patriarch of that Tan family, Tan Ah Teck, with his intent of teaching some moral lessons will ask us, “What’s the Moral of this narrative?”. A good deed done is always appreciated, be it a free milkshake only.
Cheers; gulp, gulp!!
From: Ah Peng = Peace, now and forever!
(Septugenarian - 70+)
In the span of my 30 year career, I have served Royals, Heads of State, and MNCs, as well as Business Tycoons. Out of this illustrious cohort of VIPs, one impressed me till today. He is a renowned Business tycoon, a nonagenarian (90++) who owns a chain of Luxury Hotels worldwide.
Why does he impress? In-flight, on his trip to London, he showed me his wristwatch. Quote: “It’s good and cheap ($100); it never fails you. It’s a Digital Cassio.” No branded watch; No need to. Luxury Houses will pay him to wear again: The Moral of this is, in life, one does NOT need accouterments to make one happy and satisfied. A simple life makes life easier and happier! Cheers
Azfar Aqil Bin Jaffar:
I grew up in the rise of technology. There was the rise of the internet, social media (Friendster, Blogspot, MSN, YouTube) just launched. Computers were thick and getting smaller, Personal Digital Assistants and flip phones were revolutionary. My first phone was shared with my brother of Primary 4, we couldn’t do much with it. Tech was not so prevalent as it is now.
Growing up, we didn’t have phone games to play with friends. I had a classmate/neighbour, Elshon Sam. Did all sorts together, catch bugs, swim, rugby, soccer, anything at all. There was no WhatsApp or Telegram. I would either have to call his house phone, come to his door and ask if he is free or, the best and easiest way, shout at this room from the poolside. Tedious but simpler times. Good times for sure.
I have always had a passion for service to community. I had the opportunity to join my Secondary School’s Oversea Service Learning trips to Cambodia and China, despite the Recession in 2009. My time there really opened my eyes and showed me how fortunate we are with our island city, Singapore, clean waters, public transportation, smooth roads, and so many more things that we overlook or take for granted.
I served my National Service in 2014. Drafted into the Singapore Police Force, I was fortunate to get into the unit I wanted, Special Operations Command. National Service has changed so much, welfare is good, training safety is improved and again, technology is integrated into our training with computer-based learning and ‘lazer tag’ like simulations.
I am now 27, following ahead on the phrase, “Pay it forward” I am writing for the legacy ahead of me, as if it were poetry. Times will change, as with trends, technology, fashion and such. But one thing that will always prevail, is the human spirit. Always keep close to your values like compassion, sincerity, integrity and the like. Our stories will always be the same, but different. My only wish is that the future generation ‘Pays it forward’ as did the generation before me.
