Keong Chiang, 75
Image from Yahoo News Singapore
Keong Chiang, 75, spends his afternoons with his wife of 45 years and his many friends at various Active Ageing Centres, relishing his retirement. He cherishes the availability of active ageing centers and community clubs, providing activities and opportunities of socialisation for both him and his wife into their later years.
Keong Chiang spoke about his childhood. ”Life at home in a kampong, with a basement for raising animals, is a stark contrast to the modern flats that are ubiquitous in Singapore today. My love for music was also fostered during my youth, where I learned to play the Dizi and Kouqin.” The Dizi and Kouqin are Chinese musical instruments. “The Dizi is a bamboo flute with finger holes, while the Kouqin is a jaw harp, a percussion instrument that makes sound when a player vibrates a membrane with their mouth”, according to an AI overview online.
At 19, he was part of the second batch of National servicemen after Singapore’s independence. He recalls the gruelling experience with bittersweet happiness. “The first six months of recruit training were brutal: 4km runs with heavy packs, long marches, and a 5am reporting time.” He fondly remembers the army becoming a crucible for the Singlish we all know today, as many young recruits, primarily Chinese-speaking, struggled with the English language. After completing his National Service, Keong Chiang worked for the government in various capacities, and even joined PSA Singapore in 1974, where he worked for over 40 years, before retiring at the age of 67.
Looking towards the future, Uncle Keong mentioned “ I wish for the youths of today to take greater agency, to embrace the opportunities before them, and to live a life of freedom and without regrets.”
Keong Chiang spoke about his childhood. ”Life at home in a kampong, with a basement for raising animals, is a stark contrast to the modern flats that are ubiquitous in Singapore today. My love for music was also fostered during my youth, where I learned to play the Dizi and Kouqin.” The Dizi and Kouqin are Chinese musical instruments. “The Dizi is a bamboo flute with finger holes, while the Kouqin is a jaw harp, a percussion instrument that makes sound when a player vibrates a membrane with their mouth”, according to an AI overview online.
At 19, he was part of the second batch of National servicemen after Singapore’s independence. He recalls the gruelling experience with bittersweet happiness. “The first six months of recruit training were brutal: 4km runs with heavy packs, long marches, and a 5am reporting time.” He fondly remembers the army becoming a crucible for the Singlish we all know today, as many young recruits, primarily Chinese-speaking, struggled with the English language. After completing his National Service, Keong Chiang worked for the government in various capacities, and even joined PSA Singapore in 1974, where he worked for over 40 years, before retiring at the age of 67.
Looking towards the future, Uncle Keong mentioned “ I wish for the youths of today to take greater agency, to embrace the opportunities before them, and to live a life of freedom and without regrets.”