(This is a monthly letter from Baba Colin Chee to members and friends of the Association.)
Dear Babas and Nyonyas,
Recognising Our Heroes
It was a dream come true!
In October, last year, Nyonya Dawn Marie Lee gushed on the General Committee’s (GC) group chat: “Hooray! The National Heritage Board has announced a new national award for individuals and groups who have contributed to Singapore’s intangible cultural heritage!”
Since our inception in May 2018, this GC has discussed how we can recognise our community’s heroes. These individuals have contributed so much to the community and Singapore. Yet none had been formally recognised by the Association.
We deliberated extensively on this matter.
Do we do this on our own? How would we do it? What would it cost? How do we manage the dissonance that might result from our choices? What would be the criteria? Who should be on the selection panel? How do we prioritise? Will it be an annual award? If so, how soon? And will they still be around to receive it? Should we recognise them all at once? When do we launch it? During our 120th Anniversary celebrations in 2020?
We had many more questions and could not reach a satisfactory conclusion. We were too pressed prioritising the many other challenges that daunted us then.
However, we decided we would try, as much as we could, to at least write about our heroes in every issue of our magazine, The Peranakan, going forward – individuals as well as corporate entities.
A Steward Of Intangible Cultural Heritage – Wayang Peranakan Doyen Baba GT Lye
Photo by Colin Chee.
The Cultural Medallion has been awarded by the National Arts Council since 1979 to recognise individuals whose contribution to artistic excellence have enriched Singapore’s arts and cultural landscape. But not everyone who has made significant contributions is eligible to be nominated for this award.
I discussed our desire for a proposed award with someone from the National Heritage Board in July 2018 and was heartened to learn that NHB also realised the need for official recognition of heroes of cultural heritage. From our discussions, I learnt that a new national award might be in the works to plug this gap especially in the area of intangible cultural heritage.
To be honest, I had only a hazy idea of what intangible culture was. I googled it after the meeting.
The GC decided to wait and see whether NHB would launch the new award. If it did not happen by 2020, the Association would then revive the idea of our own award for our heroes. In our minds, we had already developed a rough list of deserving Peranakans.
So, when Dawn, our Head of Communications and Editor of our magazine, The Peranakan, shared the news of the new award with the GC, we were all very excited. She had attended NHB’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Symposium where the new award was announced by Ms Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth, and Communications and Information on 30 October 2019.
The Stewards of Singapore’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Award recognises individuals and groups in the categories of the performing arts; traditional craftsmanship; food heritage; knowledge and practices surrounding nature and the universe; social practices, rituals and festive events; as well as oral traditions, expressions and language.
We all knew straight off who we would nominate – our much-loved Wayang Peranakan doyen, Baba GT Lye.
Dawn was tasked by the GC to lead the application for the award. She accomplished it very well.
She painstakingly called on each of GT’s past associates – those who had acted with him, those he had mentored and coached, and those he had advised. They all agreed without hesitation. They shared our sentiment and enthusiastically embraced TPAS’s nomination of GT. Our sister organisations – Gunong Sayang Association and the Peranakan Indian (Chitty Melaka) Association Singapore – generously endorsed our submission.
We thank all of them for supporting our long-overdue endeavour. (Please see the story “Peranakan Theatre Actor Baba GT Lye Wins Heritage Award“ )
As for GT, when Dawn first told him of our plans to nominate him for the award, he simply thanked her. Ever the consummate actor, GT kept a calm demeanour. A week later, when I chatted with him, he was clearly overwhelmed.
Appreciating A Former Team Member
The GC would like to also thank Nyonya Agnes Ng who stepped down early this year to focus on her growing consulting business when we were forming a GC team for the new term. As Assistant Hon Secretary since May 2018, she doggedly carried the heavy load of digitising our membership data. At the same time, she carried out other secretarial duties. I am glad that Agnes will make time, whenever she can, to help in TPAS’s sub-committees and also remain as a member of our choir, The Peranakan Voices.
The Virtual Annual General Meeting
The GC would like to thank members for their support of the upcoming AGM on 12 July 2020.
We would like to thank especially Babas Mathew Ho and Johnian Ng for being our Scrutineers. They oversaw the collection of mail and proxies on 26 June 2020, through to the mail opening, verification and counting of the Proxy Forms by the Secretariat sub-committee headed by Hon Secretary Baba Ronney Tan Koon Siang.
Admin details relating to the AGM will be shared directly, in early July, with members who have registered to attend the virtual AGM on 12 July 2020.
The Last Letter
While writing, it occurred to me this is my last monthly letter to members for this 2018-2020 term. It is unbelievable how time has dashed by since I first wrote to you in June 2018. I never anticipated that my letters would be regularly followed by members. But you did.
My monthly musings were meant to keep members updated on what was happening in the Association, share whatever was on our minds about the challenges we faced, and what we were celebrating. Clearly, there is always a need for information on what the Association is planning and doing.
Many of you have responded openly to me to share your thoughts and feelings as well. This is a precious connection. It has formed a certain trusting relationship between members and the Association otherwise unattainable.
Your honest, constructive and sincere feedback has let us listen to your heartbeat better. Thank you very much for helping us in the GC to serve you more effectively.
As we slip into the 2020-2022 term for a new General Committee, our wish is for your continued good health, your safety in these times of the Circuit Breaker’s second phase, and your general well-being.
Kamsiah manyak manyak, jaga badan baik baik, berkat bekumpul kumpul!!
(Thank you very much. Take care of your health. Bountiful blessings.)
Blessings,
Colin Chee
Keeping the Culture Alive
30 June 2020