Theme: “Remembering the past and looking forward to the future”

The theme for the first National Photography Art Exhibition, “Remembering the past and looking forward to the future”, is a fitting theme for Singapore’s SG60 celebrations in 2025. All entries must have been taken in the last 60 years, showing the growth, development and change of Singapore in lifestyle, landscapes, nature, and others. 

Searching my photography archives – Which to pick?

The theme for the First National Photography Art Exhibition resonates with me personally and deeply, I have been documenting Singapore through my visual stories, from the disappearing old places, old playgrounds, the rail/green corridor, to the fields of history, heritage, culture, followed by new changes and developments in Singapore.

My digital archives started back in 2004, I would have enough to choose from for this exhibition. Some of my curated visual stories/photographs can be viewed in this Flickr collection – #OurSGHeritage.

“Remembering the past and looking forward to the future”, looking through my digital photography archives over the decades, which photograph should I choose to submit for this first National Photography Art Exhibition?

My photography submission is accepted! OurSG

Curating a few photographs from my archives over the decades, before a final selection on the photograph to submit. Finally, I decided on my Rochor Centre HDB flats in their iconic colours that I took in 2016. 

When I received an email from the organising committee that my photography submission was accepted, I was elated with pride and joy! Thereafter, it was administrative and liaison matters with the organising committee, and getting confirmation on the National Photography Art Exhibition dates, time and venue.

Official Opening of First National Photography Art Exhibition

The official opening of the First National Photography Art Exhibition took place on 9th October 2025. The guest-of-honour is Ms Goh Sze Kee, Member of Parliament for Mountbatten SMC.

There was a good crowd at The Art Space SG, although I don’t know everyone there, it was fun! Hearing the speeches by the organising committee, as well as from Ms Goh Sze Kee. There was a  heartwarming feel because we are all united and bonded by our love for photography, our own unique ways of visual storytelling, how and why we want to share our visual stories of Singapore’s past and looking to the future for Singapore’s generations ahead. 

It was great to meet up with fellow photographer friends whom also had their photography works selected for the First National Photography Art Exhibition. Congratulations to my photography friends, and also all the photographers whose photography works were selected for this exhibition. 

I had a good chat with Ms Goh when she was touring the exhibition, a quick sharing about my  photograph on Rochor Centre taken in 2016, the story behind this photo, and my documentation of old places/disappearing places in Singapore.

Wrapping up my Personal Thoughts and feelings

Viewing the different photography works on display, it did invoke some nostalgic memories, some venues/places are no longer around, gone forever into our archives, internet or books. 

Although I am filled with pride and joy on my photograph being selected for the First National Photography Art Exhibition, showcasing together with the rest of the amazing photography works on display, further reinforce my ongoing personal journey in visual storytelling and documenting old places, disappearing places, as well as new developments and changes in Singapore. 

Let’s continue to capturing priceless memories and moments, so we can continue to remember (and not forget about) the past, and also look forward to the future of Singapore’s growth, changes, and developments beyond SG60.

Thank you very much to the co-organisers of the National Photography Art Exhibition for selecting my photography work to be a part of the First National Photography Art Exhibition! 

First National Photography Art Exhibition Details

• Dates: 9th to 12th October 2025
• Opening Hours: 11am to 6pm
• Venue: The Art Space SG
• Address: 66 Kallang Pudding Road #01-01 Hor Kew Business Centre Singapore 349324

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Working on securing photography business deals for TGH Photography, creating visual stories / content creation for TGH Photography and Travel portal/blog. The month of January 2024 and first week of February 2024 were kind of hectic and busy as I was also working to get my writing and content creation up some gears and pace, clearing backlogs and working on key interest topics for Year 2024 for my TGH Technology and Business portal/blog.

I want to start off Year 2024 on the right note and on a good foundation. A different set of uncertainties and challenges are looming ahead in 2024, along with geo-political risks, the route ahead might be rocky and challenging, yet it might bring some opportunities too. 

However during the past few weeks, there were also other matters that brought me back down to reality, on the topics of family ties and close friends around us. I just want to say family and health comes first. Whatever judgements, noise and arguments taking place on social media or against you, we have to block them out, let it go and carry on with life, on what really matters to us, beyond capitalism, status, wealth, saving face and narcissism. 

For this Chinese Lunar New Year 2024, enjoy your Lunar New Year festivities, gatherings and eating, a long weekend holiday, a short travel holiday away, or visiting family and relatives back in your home country. Have a good festive break before we return to the daily grind action. 

Wishing all a Happy Chinese Lunar New Year 2024, wishing you good health, abundance in prosperity, wealth and relationships with family, relatives and friends. Have a good long weekend, catching up with family, relatives and friends, feasting and eating Chinese New Year goodies and snacks. 

祝大家新年快乐，万事如意，身体健康，心想事成！

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This refreshed Toa Payoh Heritage Trail is National Heritage Board (NHB)’s 11th heritage trail that was first launched in 2014. The refreshed edition will expound on the history of Singapore’s “model town”, telling more stories of Toa Payoh’s significant landmarks and locations. Toa Payoh transformed from a swampland, growing into a modern and role model residential housing estate  for Singapore, as well as home to iconic religious and community institutions. 

Refreshed Toa Payoh Heritage Trail 

The refreshed Toa Payoh Heritage Trail covers 29 heritage sites and features 10 heritage markers. There are two new marked sites namely Block 53 a.k.a. “VIP Block”, and the Iconic Toa Payoh Dragon Playground.

Those two sites join existing marked marked sites such as 

• Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery, a National Monument and the oldest Buddhist monastery in Singapore
• Masjid Muhajirin, the first mosque in Singapore to have been built with the support of contributions from the Mosque Building Fund (known as the Mosque Building and Mendaki Fund (MBMF) today) alongside community fundraising
• Toa Payoh Town Park, home to a 25m tall look out tower which was accorded conservation status by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) in 2009
• Four point HDB blocks which housed international athletes as part of the Former 1973 Southeast Asian Peninsular (SEAP) Games Village 

Mr Alvin Tan, Deputy Chief Executive (Policy & Community), NHB, said: “Through the refreshed Toa Payoh Heritage Trail, we hope to highlight new facets of the town’s history that very few Singaporeans know about, and present a more complete and updated story of Toa Payoh. In doing so, we hope to foster a greater sense of pride and belonging amongst residents, and encourage both residents and non-residents to re-explore Toa Payoh and rediscover the town’s heritage anew.”

The Toa Payoh Heritage Trail also incorporates contributions from the community and presents stories, memories and photographs contributed by former and current residents. Mdm Tang Mei Fong, a resident of Block 53 who contributed to the refreshed Toa Payoh Heritage Trail, shared her personal memories of Toa Payoh: “I vividly remember the day Queen Elizabeth II visited our block. We all gathered around our doorways to look out for her arrival. I am very proud that a queen visited, and that Toa Payoh is used as a model for Singapore’s public housing that we show to the world.”

Toa Payoh – Forerunner in design

Toa Payoh is a first for a number of things in Singapore, they are the first town designed and developed by HDB, they are the testbed for different architectural design styles and features of public housing, as well as community amenities that can be found in HDB towns today. 

Block 53 “VIP Block”

Completed in 1967, the 19 storey Block 53 not offers a panoramic view of Toa Payoh, they have a viewing gallery on its roof top that played host to many foreign and local dignitaries such as Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, then-Australian Prime Minister John Gorton, and Singapore’s second President Benjamin Sheares. With such a distinguished VIP list of visitors to Block 53, that is how it led to this iconic block being dubbed the “VIP Block”. 

1973 SEAP Games Village – Toa Payoh

More than just a model town, Toa Payoh became the host village for the first major international sporting competition to be held in Singapore – the 1973 Southeast Asian Peninsular (SEAP) Games. Toa Payoh town provided more than just venues for competition and training, they were the location of the 1973 SEAP Games Village, where Toa Payoh Central is today.

With the 1973 SEAP Games Village right in the heart of Toa Payoh, visiting athletes and officials from seven different countries were encouraged to socialise with the locals, providing them with an authentic Singaporean experience. 

There were a total of four HDB point blocks in Toa Payoh Central that were used to house athletes from the seven participating countries. Following the conclusion of the games, units in the blocks were sold to the public fully furnished. 

Iconic Dragon Playground

This is another icon of Toa Payoh, a much-celebrated landmark of  Toa Payoh, the iconic Dragon Playground, with its classic elements of a terrazzo-clad dragon’s head distinguished by bold lines and geometric features. 

This iconic Toa Payoh Dragon Playground was the creation of HDB architect Mr Khor Ean Ghee. This design proved to be so popular that it led to different versions of the dragon head in various colour schemes appearing in playgrounds across Singapore.    

A Refresh with Fresh Stories

How much do you know about the history of Toa Payoh? With this updated Toa Payoh Heritage Trail, we can know more about the lesser-known stories of the town.

Toa Payoh – A Hub of Manufacturing Activity 

Toa Payoh was a hub of manufacturing activity in the 1960s when Singapore underwent rapid industrialisation, women formed the majority of the pioneer generation of young factory workers. They played a significant tole in the employment and output growth in the labour-intensive manufacturing sector in Singapore. 

National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Welcome Supermarket – 1st NTUC Fairprice Supermarket 

The NTUC Fairprice located at 192 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, gets its landmark status from the first National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Welcome Supermarket in Singapore. It was opened to counter inflation and supplier profiteering. During its opening, the supermarket attracted huge numbers of shoppers upon its opening, and even had to close its doors every 3 to 4 hours to prevent overcrowding.

3 newly curated thematic routes of the refreshed Toa Payoh Heritage Trail

There are 3 newly curated thematic routes for you to rediscover Singapore’s history on the refreshed Toa Payoh Heritage Trail. They are self-guided routes which trail-goes can embark on in their own time, and according to their interests. 

Rediscover Toa Payoh through three thematic routes

• Of Public Housing & Shared Spaces (1.5 hours on foot, 4.5 km) 

Explore architectural development and changes of HDB blocks, communal spaces and town planning over the decades, that reflected the needs and aspirations of Singaporean homeowners. 

• Of Faiths & Beliefs (2 hours with public transport, 6 km)

Explore the various faiths and beliefs in Singapore through the temples, mosques, churches and institutions that represent the diverse communities which live, work, and worshipped in Toa Payoh.

• Of Community Institutions & Common Spaces (0.5 hrs on foot, 1.5 km)

Explore the institutions and spaces that continue to play an active role in the sporting, cultural and social lives of Toa Payoh residents.

Where can I get Toa Payoh Heritage Trail companion guide and map?

If you like to know more about the refreshed Toa Payoh Heritage Trail, you can download the companion map and guide from NHB’s heritage portal roots.gov.sg. 

There are limited printed copies of the guide and map that will also be available at various locations including the National Museum of Singapore, Asian Civilisations Museum, Toa Payoh East Community Club, Toa Payoh South Community Club, Toa Payoh Central Community Club, Toa Payoh West Community Club, and NHB headquarters at Stamford Court.

Check out this video of highlights of the Toa Payoh Heritage Trail on YouTube, for more information please visit https://go.gov.sg/toapayohheritagetrail/ 

Rediscover and Explore Singapore’s History and Heritage on Toa Payoh Heritage Trail 

I have previously explored Toa Payoh, starting from my old playgrounds personal visual story telling documentation project, photographing the iconic Toa Payoh Dragon Playground, as well as the Toa Payoh Baby Dragon Playground and Dinosaur Playground at Kim Keat Avenue, forming part of my OurSGHeritage/Old Places personal visual storytelling, documentation and photography project for the past decade (and still counting).

Thereafter, a few more trips to explore the local neighbourhoods, the iconic VIP Block 53, as well as Block 116, Central Horizon (Blocks 79A to 79E) for its bird’s eye view sceneries of Singapore, from the nearby heartlands around Toa Payoh, to green spaces and downtown Singapore. 

After rediscovering and exploring the refreshed Toa Payoh Heritage Trail, I realised that I still have more of Toa Payoh’s history, heritage, culture, spaces and sceneries to learn, explore and document them in my visual stories. With that in mind, I have consolidated my Toa Payoh earlier visual storytelling photos into an album on Flickr, for both locals and international visitors to visit and know more about Toa Payoh.

Last but not least, a special mention to Jerome Lim of The Long and Winding Road, whom I got to know (from a decade back) when I first started my old places documentation. We shared a common interest and passion in history, heritage and culture sectors, going for walks, talks, events. Jerome’s knowledge and passion in Singapore’s history, heritage and culture sectors are well-known and well-respected. 

Jerome is a former Toa Payoh resident, he has a unique and priceless connection with Toa Payoh and Block 53 “VIP Block”. If you know, you know, if you don’t know, why not visit Jerome’s website and discover it for yourself? Do also check out this video of Jerome being interviewed by Straits Times on his childhood adventures at the Toa Payoh Dragon Playground.  

I would like to encourage you, my fellow local Singaporeans and international visitors, to embark on a local and iconic neighbourhood heritage, history and culture tour in Singapore to rediscover and explore Singapore’s history and heritage on the refreshed Toa Payoh Heritage Trail.  

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From the modern iconic Marina Bay, Gardens By The Bay, Changi Airport, to our heritage buildings and districts such as our museums, those images are some of the cityscapes that would come to your mind when we mention Singapore. 

For a country that is small in land size, do we have the wide landscape view that allow us to use our telephoto lens such as a 70-200mm to compose and isolate tight landscape scenes that we photographers enjoy when we travel overseas? How about using longer telephoto lenses such as 600mm or 800mm for cityscapes or landscapes? Is that even possible? 

I have been photographing Singapore Cityscapes for a period of time, through my documentation and exploration perspective, from photographing iconic famous landmarks to the heritage, cultural and the heartlands in Singapore, usually through my work horse lens, the wide angle zoom (now 16-35mm, formerly 17-40mm). 

We may be a small country, the changes in Singapore’s built and natural landscapes have been ongoing. This is like a perpetual documentation project to photograph Singapore Cityscapes as it changes over the years.

My recent review adventure with the Canon EOS R3 brought me revisiting different locations in Singapore, along with RF600mm f/11 IS STM lens and RF800mm f/11 IS STM lenses that I am also reviewing as well. Lenses with focal length such as 600mm or 800mm are usually associated with sports and wildlife photography. Are they even suitable for landscape/cityscape photography?

Here are some Singapore Cityscapes shot with the Canon EOS R3 with RF600mm f/11 IS STM and RF800mm f/11 IS STM lenses. 

Stay tuned for my upcoming review articles (and more photos) on the Canon EOS R3, RF600mm f/11 IS STM and RF800mm f/11 IS STM lenses! 

* A TGH Photography x Canon EOS R3 Explorer Series Production * 

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This was for the long-running series “On The Red Dot” programme that airs on Channel 5 and ChannelNewsAsia. The episodes that that been produced and aired on TV were really good, excellent content, nostalgia for some of the content they produced and they also covered current issues too. You can catch up and watch “On The Red Dot” episodes on CNA Insider YouTube channel!  

When On The Red Dot episode 35: Places We Miss: The Last Goodbye on Tanglin Halt was aired on TV, I watched it with great nostalgia, the older generation HDB flats, the kampung spirit, two storey shophouses and delicious local hawker food. Although I did not stay in Tanglin Halt, it was part of my growing up years, passing by/through Tanglin Halt on my way home from secondary school days, from Gan Eng Seng School to Clementi.

Here are some of the photographs of Tanglin Halt that I shot in 2015.

I was honoured and humbled that my photographs that I shot in 2015 played a small part in this On The Red Dot episode. My personal photography documentation on heritage, history, culture and old places have always been ongoing, mainly through my photography and writing down notes. All these journeys of mine took time, at times putting it one side and moving into another area before returning back to it again.

This is the time to revisit and continue my documentation of Tanglin Halt. I made a quick trip down recently after this episode was aired, with the Canon EOS R5 camera that I am reviewing. This was meant to be a short photography fieldwork, to reconnect with this area before planning my schedule in the months ahead to continue. 

From the kampung spirit, shophouses, delicious local hawker food, the former rail corridor/green corridor and the older generation HDB blocks. I would try my best to document, photograph and cover as much of Tanglin Halt before it’s gone forever.    

Tanglin Halt – Time to revisit in 2021, to continue on my personal photography and documentation of old places in Singapore before it’s gone forever into our history books, websites and archives. This would be taking place over the next few months.

Remember to get your international driver permit from INTERNATIONAL DRIVERS ASSOCIATION when you can travel out to explore different destinations around the world by car!

A special TGH Photography x Canon EOS R5 Explorer Series Production.

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I discovered World Photography Day when I was mentioned on Singapore Embassy in Berlin Facebook Page post whereby my photographer profile photo was featured along with a sharing on acknowledging all the photographers out there, whether you are an amateur or professional.

I am honoured and humbled to be featured and mentioned on Singapore Embassy in Berlin Facebook Page! This means a lot to me for my cultural and heritage photography coverage and documentation over the years!

Thank you very much Singapore Embassy in Berlin!

Since it’s World Photography Day 2020, I decided to participate and share a photograph that I took today in Singapore on 19th August 2020. It was a photograph of The National Museum of Singapore with her facade lighted up for Singapore’s 55th Birthday.

The message is not about getting the perfect moment or the technically perfect photo. My message for World Photography Day 2020 is #SGUnited – #TogetherStrongerSG.

Let us all be #SGUnited with #OurHeartForSG for a #TogetherStrongerSG as we are still navigating our way out of this global pandemic situation along with an economic downturn with our Majulah Sprit, strength and determination.

To all photographers out there, wishing all of you a Happy World Photography Day 2020 on 19th August! Keep shooting, keep the passion and fire burning inside you, sharing your photographs, moments and stories for your loved ones, family, relatives and friends, as well as for the whole world to view, learn and enjoy those moments.

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The National Museum of Singapore is presenting Home, Truly: Growing Up with Singapore, 1950s to the Present in collaboration with The Straits Times. The exhibition will be held from August 2020 to February 2021 and explores moments and experiences in our history that express our identity and collective memory as Singaporeans.

The museum invites the public to share personal photographs or memories that vividly capture what it’s like growing up in Singapore and what makes Singapore home. The prompts for the public call can be found on https://www.straitstimes.com/tags/picture-this. Photographs and stories can be submitted on https://hometruly.photonico.asia/ by 1 March 2020.

I have been photographing for close to 35 years (and still counting), I do have some old printed photographs somewhere of my growing up days in Singapore, I reckon my Dad, Uncles and older cousins have just as much (prints and digital) memories of growing up with Singapore, to share since they had been a major influence on me to be interested in photography from a very young age. On the digital photography segment, I started to look back at my Singapore photographs collection on Flickr documented inside here since 2007, I also have a special collection dedicated to #OurSGHeritage too!

What photographs of Singapore from my growing up years am I am able to contribute and share? I have to look through my archives again, maybe there is a priceless photograph of my growing up years with Singapore that might be selected for display!

Last but not least, to my fellow Singaporeans,

“What is it like growing up in Singapore, and what makes Singapore home? Ask any of us that question, and memories of the games played in school, long queues at hawker centres, or moments of collective celebration or crisis may come to mind. Contribute your personal photographs and memories by 1 March 2020 for potential display in Home, Truly.”

Please help to Pay It Forward and Pass It On, to fellow Singaporeans, your family, loved ones and friends, to share your fond memories of (Singapore) home!

* Information and picture courtesy of National Museum of Singapore and Ogilvy *

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The Old Dragon Playground has a good coverage locally and internationally, her “birth” and history was documented in Mosaic Memories, an e-book commissioned by the Singapore Memory Project. This particular Old Dragon Playground was designed by Mr Khor Ean Ghee, who was working in Housing and Development Board (HDB) in the 1970s, to create mini adventure lands in HDB housing estates. The playgrounds were to create spaces that could impress the younger generation at that time to a sense of Singapore identity. Although there were a number of different playground designs, the Dragon Playground was Mr Khor’s most successful attempt. Do check out Mosaic Memories e-book for a more in-depth write up of Mr Khor’s works, thoughts and feelings of the Old Playgrounds!

She definitely stood the test of time and great changes to Singapore’s society, she is still standing tall and proud today. While her surrounding HDB blocks were vacated and the authorities have future plans to redevelop the area around it, the Grand Old Dame, our Old Dragon Playground is going to continue staying around her current location and still be an iconic symbol, a mini adventure space, a heritage and cultural symbol to showcase our Singapore’s culture and community from her early days and into the future.

Whenever I revisited all the different Old Playgrounds, the feeling is always wonderful, I do miss those childhood days playing at all these old playgrounds. Many of the Old Playgrounds were gone and lost forever into our history, hopefully into books, photographs or into our beautiful memories inside our hearts. For those that still remains today in Singapore, shall we all spread a message to keep and preserve all of them? Let’s all Pass-It-On and Pay-It-Forward!

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

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