Dear folks,
HP celebrates its 40th year in Singapore. A few happenings: HP family day will be held on September 18th 2010 at Universal Studios Singapore. Tickets at special rates may be ordered on pre-paid basis. Interested parties, please write tohpa.secretariat@gmail.com
As part of this milestone, HP is working towards producing a video and a coffee table book. If you are in possession of “old photos, videos or even an old product made in Singapore”, please do contribute by registering at <Click Here>.
Our Annual D&D is on 04th Nov 2010 Thu at Orchid Country Club. The organizing committee under leadership of Alex and company are working hard to bring us a sensational event. Stay wired. Lastly, our 3rd Charity Ride is on 14th Nov 2010 Sunday morning starting from Yishun Stadium. Midway point is next to the causeway.
Please donate generously; drop me an email at jokkwang@gmail.com
If you are not convinced we have a country side, come join us! Registration to ride required.
An ugly heartlander
My buddies and I decided to stop by a coffee pit stop to refuel after pedaling 12km. This was at the busy 888 Plaza, Woodlands. We parked our wheels. WY went ahead to secure a table. It was a busy eating place and we were happy he found one rather quickly. He sat, place his mobile phone on the table only to be told that it’s reserved for customers who are there for dinner, not drinks.
Meanwhile, we settled for 2 smaller tables, next to his. As he was talking to us, someone came by, nicked his phone in a flash. My brother witnessed the incident, not sure whose phone it was. He then asked WY and by this time, the culprit was some distance away. WY and another friend then dashed forward, confronted the culprit. He sheepishly returned the hand phone.
BOYs coming of age
25 years ago, DHL together with Business Times, SPH started Singapore Business Awards. Recipients from HPA included Wong Ngit Liong in 1986 (Businessman of the year), Koh Boon Hwee (Outstanding Manager) in 1991 and Alex Chan (Outstanding Manager) in 1994. Today, there are more opportunities for other awards although BOY remains the most prestigious.
Recently, I was at their 25th award ceremony and it is interesting to note how more cosmopolitan we have become. The BOY (businessman of the year) is a Chinese who came to Singapore in 1993. He delivered his acceptance speech in Chinese with English sub-title. So those mothers who still grumble and insist on watering down Chinese mother-tongue should re-think. The outstanding CEO award went to a Japanese man who heads Cerebos Pacific (think Brand’s essence). He left his comfortable job as president of Suntory International to head loss-making subsidiary Cerebos at the time of Asian financial crisis in 1997. Today, it is a billion dollar company with healthy profits and aspiration to double revenue in no time.
The Enterprise award winner went to SOS International; founded by 2 Frenchmen in 1985. It enjoys a global footprint in over 70 countries, employing 6,000 staff. The only “local boy” was Phupinder G who clinched the Outstanding CEO (overseas) award. A Singaporean by birth, he worked overseas all his life. So we have indeed become a global village in no time.
Dog intimidates man. Man no chance to bite dog (don’t try this in your neighbourhood!)
One Sunday afternoon, whilst trying to cycle across a side road (next to Courts, AMK), I wave my right hand to signal the taxi behind that I was turning right. There was oncoming traffic in the opposite direction. Instead of waiting for me to turn, that moron behind honked. I accelerated, cut in front of oncoming traffic and swung right, so the idiot behind could overtake me on my left. Immediately after getting out of harm’s way, I stopped, glared and gave a stabbing look and cannot remember what else! He stopped; he glared. I glared tempting him to step out, hoping to switch roles. He hesitated giving man no chance to bite the dog. It would have been great headline: “taxi driver run down by cyclist survived!” He then tried to swing his cab around and that’s when I scoot off into this huge open car park to join my buddies, safety in numbers.
Our famous Mr Brown supposedly rides to work every day. He was quoted in a recent incident in which a taxi almost turned him pancake. He confronted the taxi driver only to be told that cyclists have no right of way because they don’t pay road tax! The most recent fatality involved an experienced lady road biker who was simply bumped off. My group of oldies doesn’t do roads to stay alive! We always convey a cheerful thank you and bow our heads profusely after over taking pedestrians, unlike a minority of inconsiderate road bandits.
Welcome On Board HPA Jul10
HPA-Hazel Chin
HPA-Tan Yen Yen
© 2010 (Han Jok Kwang)
