Where It All Began

Founded in 2006, the TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog has grown from a humble personal photoblog into a multi-disciplinary visual storytelling, photography, and content creation platform, documenting journeys across photography, travel, heritage, arts, and technology.

Looking back at 20 years of TGH Photography and Travel

When I started to look back at my 20 years of TGH Photography and Travel, to be honest, I don’t where to start. This 20 years is not that long a period in our lifetime, it’s not short either in the blogging/social media world today. Times have changed, culture, social and media landscapes have changed so much over the past 20 years.

While I got ChatGPT to help me out on a summary of key achievements, highlights, accolades, media relationships, partnerships, they did a pretty good job (I reckon they have learned quite a fair bit about me with me feeding my website articles quite regularly into ChatGPT).

Beyond the feel-good factor and the wonderful stories, there’s also the other side of my journey that many of you don’t see, feel or understand (of disappointments, fears, managing stress and expectations, fighting egos, used and at times being looked down by others, not just in the photography field, also in the creative and social media communities).

Let me bring you on a 20-year time travel from my photo blogging days in 2006 to today’s TGH Photography and Travel visual storytelling journeys in 2026.

Key Achievements and Growth

• 20 years of continuous publishing (2006–2026) – demonstrating longevity and resilience through major digital shifts from blogging to social media ecosystems
• Evolved from a Blogspot site into an independent branded digital platform, forming part of the wider TGH Digital Studio ecosystem
• Built a strong body of work across:
  • • Photography & photojournalism
    • Travel storytelling
    • Heritage and cultural documentation
    • Events, arts, and community coverage
• Expansion into videography, digital content creation, and multimedia storytelling in response to industry changes
• Produced photo books, zines, and print works, extending digital storytelling into physical formats

Highlights and Creative Milestones 

• Coverage of major events, festivals, exhibitions, and national initiatives, including SG60-related exhibitions and arts programmes
• Participation in national-level photography exhibitions, with works selected and exhibited (e.g. Ngee Ann Photographic Exhibition 2025, National Photography Art Exhibition 2025)
• Development of long-term personal documentary projects in heritage, culture, and wildlife photography
• Continued evolution of visual storytelling style and editorial voice over two decades
• Recognition through consistent invitations, collaborations, and coverage opportunities across industries

Accolades and Recognition 

• Photographs selected and exhibited in recognised exhibitions and competitions, contributing to Singapore’s photography scene
• Acknowledged for visual storytelling contributions across photography, travel, and heritage sectors
• Built credibility as a trusted independent content creator and visual storyteller over two decades

Media Relationships and Industry Engagement 

• Established working relationships with:
  • Camera and imaging brands (e.g. Canon ecosystem collaborations and feature coverage)
  • Tourism, arts, and cultural organisations
  • Event organisers and lifestyle brands
• Regularly invited for:
  • Event coverage
  • Product launches and media previews
  • Community, heritage, and cultural storytelling projects
• Active participation in photography communities, exhibitions, and industry networks

Partnerships and Collaborations 

Over the years, the platform has collaborated with a diverse network of partners and creative collectives, including:

• Hpility SG – photography, videography, and digital marketing collaborations
• Easy Travel Recipes – travel and food content partnership
• 3 Blind Mice/4 Amigos – food media production and creative collaboration
• PR agencies/PR folks that I worked closely with – GLOO PR, Burson (especially those from XPR), IN.FOM, APRW, Brand Cellar, a group PR folks formerly from Ogilvy PR   

These collaborations reflect a strong emphasis on cross-disciplinary creativity and community-building.

Ups and Downs, Highs and Lows

Earlier you read about TGH Photography and Travel’s achievements, highlights, accolades, media relationships, partnerships over the past 20 years. Those are the highs, proud and humbling achievements through lots of hard work, perseverance, striving to learn, adapt, adopt and improve. 

There were times where I talked about my ups and downs, my highs and lows. Most people, if not everyone, just see the external facade, your end results and success. They can’t see, feel or understand what goes on behind the scenes, how I got there or how many times I fell.

From the highs of an interview feature article (close to a full page) with The Straits Times in 2015, mentioned inside the Acknowledgments section of this book titled, “No Missing Tools: Creativity In An Age Of Abundance” by Fernando Gros, a very talented creative, writer, photographer that I looked up to (especially in writing well thought out articles/topics).

As for my lows, from not being wanted anymore in a photography community without being informed that I had been contributing, building, growing and helping,

The Inner Struggles That Not Many See 

Social media platforms, networks and presence are both a boon and bane for us photographers, and creatives. On the one hand, it opened up presence, branding, awareness, growth and a cohesive, friendly social network (in the early days).

On the other extreme end of the social media, it revealed the ugly side of human beings and human nature. What are some of the inner struggles that I faced during my 20-year journey here?

Ego – One of human beings great enemies (both intrinsic and extrinsic), this can blind us especially among photographers and creatives. I am not immune to this, I made this mistake too, letting my ego got the better of me. Some life lessons learned during those ego related incidents over the decades.

Jealousy – We are human beings with heart, mind and soul, filled with emotions and feelings, jealousy is common and prevalent, in life, and not just in photography. In this current social media thirsty world filled with narcissism and showing off, it can make other people jealous. Even when you keep a low profile, stay grounded and humble, people still come for you.

Criticism – In life, not just in photography, criticism is like a daily staple for everyone of us. Some criticise in an ethical, clear, concise and calm manner with a kind heart to help you, some (many of those human beings) disguise and hide behind their criticism to put a person down.

Bitterness – Many a times, things don’t go out our way in life, that would be a sense of bitterness creeping inside us. During this 20-year journey, I had my fair share of disappointments, giving rise to bitterness. Sometimes, it’s not conducive for my mental and emotional health. However, those situations at times have also served as a motivation to improve myself further and to be better.

Anger – Combine a potent mix of ego, jealousy, criticism, and bitterness, and we can get angry easily and often. This would take some time, growing old, getting mature, in knowing how to handle the anger inside me. 

Why I am not chasing trends/styles on social media – Initially I did chase some trends/styles, as I gradually developed my visual storytelling and creative side (cross disciplinary learning from artists and writers) over the years, I started to not chase trends/styles on social media as much. Instead I wanted to have my own visual storytelling and creative style.

My Struggles and Lows in a Nutshell 

Over the past 20 years,I have had my fair share of criticisms, there are a few people who looked down on the work I did here, even judging and putting me down under the disguise of “giving me friendly advice”. Many life lessons learned, shaping me and helping me to change, adapt and improve myself during the past 2 decades.

Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter

Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter (What does the next decade look like?)

Entering its third decade, the platform continues to focus on:

• Higher-quality visual storytelling and multimedia content
• Deeper heritage and cultural documentation
• Expanded creative collaborations and long-term projects
• Growth within the digital content, photography, and creative industries

Positioning and Legacy

Over 20 years, TGH Photography & Travel has established itself as:

• A Singapore-based independent visual storytelling platform
• A bridge between photography, travel, heritage, and digital culture
• A personal yet professional archive of evolving creative work and industry engagement

To Celebrate or Not to Celebrate my 20 Years Milestone? 

So this thought came into my mind, to celebrate or to not celebrate my 20-year milestone? Some ideas and thoughts popped up, and it’s not like I am going to do some big celebration due to limited budget and I also didn’t go around seeking sponsorships. 

Some of my 20 years milestone celebration plans are:

• Small group dinners gatherings with friends from social media, bloggers, PR, photographers, spread over the months of April to June 2026.
• Working on a special edition 20 years magazine size photo zine with a curated selection of photography works and visual stories from my past 20 years.
• Printing my own customised embroidery patches (2 designs), I am looking at printing the round patch as a gift for my friends and supporters.
• Considering printing customised photography t-shirt gifts from my 20 years TGH Photography and Travel archives
• Bought a new photography backpack as a reward for myself, also as a celebration gift
• Buying new photography t-shirt and accessories for a new profile photographer shoot to mark 20 years milestone
• Planning to get new content creation toys: either a used compact camera for my leisure and media events use, I am looking at a rangefinder style camera as I always wanted to own a rangefinder style camera for my daily usage, street camera. Another consideration is an entry level drone that I can learn, have fun and for social media content creation  

20 Years (Not Out!) – Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

If you have faithfully and diligently read up to the last few paragraphs, thank you for taking the time to read all the way here (a pretty lengthy article I reckon)! I might not have covered everything or spilled everything that happened during my 20-year journey. 

This is a very personal article, a recap of the journey of the past 20 years on my TGH Photography and Travel portal/blog. Sharing my past 20 years ups and downs, the good and bad, sounds like a broken recorder on repeat ranting mode. Yet, it’s more than just surreal, it might also have triggered some touch points inside your heart, mind and soul, such as the struggles, stress, and pressure we face, not just as a photographer, or as a small business owner.

No words can describe my deep and personal immense gratitude and thanks for all the support and encouragement that you have given me during my past 20 years of visual storytelling, photography, content creation and writing on my humble TGH Photography and Travel portal/blog. 

20 Years Not Out! Would you like to continue travelling together with my TGH Photography and Travel portal/blog visual storytelling, photography, content creation and writing journey, for the next 10, 20 years and beyond? 

The post Celebrating 20 Years of TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Family Health Matters

On a more personal note, the past few months have been especially challenging as I’ve been managing ongoing family health matters concerning my elderly mum. It has been a period of significant stress, and I’ll share more when the time feels right.

This isn’t meant as an excuse, but these circumstances have affected both my professional capacity and personal wellbeing, particularly amid an already difficult economic climate.

TGH Technology and Business portal/blog major updates

My TGH Technology and Business website recently encountered a major technical issue following a WordPress update, which caused the site to go offline. I’m currently working on restoring it and am also exploring the option of migrating to a new hosting provider and rebuilding the site afresh.

This was my first time applying a WordPress update that caused such a major glitch beyond my very limited technical knowledge in IT programming.  

I am searching for solutions to bring my website back online first, I am also searching to migrate away from my current website hosting services company, and starting fresh. Hopefully, I am able to migrate over safely with my data (articles) and kick off on a brand new beginning, something like “A New Hope”.

Meanwhile, I am most likely unable to publish my technology (Consumer and Enterprise) articles/media news coverage and other business articles/media news coverage till I resolve my website crash situation.

To my friends, contacts, and partners across PR agencies, brands, and the technology space (both consumer and enterprise), thank you for your patience and understanding as I work through this situation.

Photography (Business and Personal)

As I first have to prioritise family health matters situation, as well as my TGH Technology and Business website revival and “reconstruction”, I inevitably have to slow down my photography segments (both business and personal) in December 2025, maybe January 2026 as well, while I consolidate, reorganise, strategise and plan for FY2026.  

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for your kindness and understanding regarding any slower or delayed responses — and if I seemed a little more stressed than usual when we crossed paths in recent months (even if I tried to keep it hidden).

The post Key Updates December 2025 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Photography 

Photography is not just my own small business entity, it’s also my personal and leisure form of therapy, documentation and visual storytelling. 

Photography (Business)

As compared to Q2 2024, Q3 2024 for my photography business were improved and better. However, it definitely can be further improved and better. The economic conditions were not rosy and ideal on the ground level. This is definitely not an easy time with budget cuts and higher demands. 

Photography (Personal)

Writer for ephemere 

I recently came onboard this photography platform, ephemere from Japan, as a writer. I got to know about this platform on Threads platform, signed up when they had a call for volunteers. I feel that ephemere photography platform would be an ideal space and international platform for me to bring my visual storytelling and writing to another level.

My current works are doing interviews of photographers, check out my first interview article- “Whispers” Unveiled: Exploring George Pauwels’ Photography. 

Personal projects/Publishing photo books/zines 

My personal projects are currently looking at bringing some of my current and past visual storytelling/documentation/photography projects to “life” through the form of physical photo books or zines prints. I would be discussing with Anne Murayama, founder and curator of ephemere photograph platform, on publishing some of my photo books and zines with them 

At some stage in time, I would also like to have my own photography exhibition on ephemere platform if the opportunity arises. 

Travel

I have yet to take a break and go overseas for a short holiday break, I think it’s high time for me to do so and take a break as soon as I am able to. This would also allow me to restart my travel visual storytelling and vlogs. 

Content Creation/Content Creator/Social Media Marketing

In this modern digital economy and social media driven environment that we are living in, the roles of content creation/content creator/social media marketing cannot be underestimated even though there are signs of social media fatigue, moving away from influencer style marketing, genuine content creation that connects to people are now more valued and desired. 

Social Media Marketing/Content Creation/Content Creator/Visual Storytelling/Vlogs

Content Creator/Content Creation/Visual Storytelling/Vlogs – Areas that I have been working and building for a few years, concurrently with my photography, visual storytelling, videography and social media marketing. This would allow me to diversify my business and creative services that complement my commercial photography business.

My recent collaborations with fellow content creators that I know personally has allowed me to explore this further. I can get them to work together as my writer/content creator in some of my media events or even projects.                               

Plans for Q4 2024 (Photography and Travel)

For the last quarter of Year 2024, I would continue to work hard and finish a difficult and challenging Year 2024 on a good note. I would also take this Q4 2024 to have discussions with friends on potential business partnerships, and see how it goes from there. One sector that is on my mind is travel photography related business, time to learn, connect with the industry providers and start working on it. 

Some technology sectors that I would relook into again is NFT for my digital photography artworks that I can do in Year 2025. Do visit my TGH Technology and Business website, and read about my Reflecting Q3 2024 and Plans for Q4 2024 (Technology | Business | Personal) too!

In this Q4 final sprint, let’s all continue to work hard, strive to achieve our goals and objectives that we set, and finish Year 2024 on a good note!

The post Reflecting Q3 2024 and Plans for Q4 2024 (Photography and Travel) appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

• Getting stuck at car park gantry due to insufficient funds (and you have to search desperately for a top-up machine)
• Car park gantry reader cranky / not working properly 
• Car park gantry reader reads your car In-Vehicle Unit (IU) but doesn’t want to “talk/connect” and deduct your money
• Cash card spoilt 
• Cash card expired
• You need to have two different generations of cash cards in your vehicle
• Car IU spoilt 
• You have to step out of your vehicle, take out your cash card and insert your cash card into gantry machine 
• You have to step out of your vehicle, take out your cash card and tap your cash card at the gantry 

Don’t you wish that is a motoring app (and also an All-In-One motoring app) to resolve those parking pains above? With the launch of the AXS Drive app – Motorists in Singapore can now Drive and Park Smarter. In a short summary, AXS Drive links your credit card to your car license plate and IU number that would enable automatic deductions when the vehicle exits the car park.

Writing with my motoring enthusiast thinking caps on, I recalled my earlier driving experiences (when I still have a family car to drive) a few years back. There were a number of occasions (in some industrial estates in Singapore), I had to step out of the car and insert my cash card into the gantry machine for the parking payment to be deducted before I can drive away. I was wondering why doesn’t the car park operators, the parking gantry setup and the car IU setup talk and work together? 

At the media launch of the AXS Drive app on 17th July 2024, this service can be used at 12 car parks. Currently, 55 commercial car parks are already on-board and will progressively come on live with the AXS Drive. During a live demonstration of the AXS Drive app in action at Downtown East during the media launch event, we can see the ease and breeze for drivers leaving the car park, all thanks to AXS Drive app.

AXS Drive is more than just a parking app, they are an ecosystem for motorists, an All-In-One  motoring app, they also have value-added features and integration of services for car park operators that would eventually benefit us motorists. While AXS Drive is starting off in the parking for commercial spaces, shopping malls and offices, I am looking forward to their expansion into HDB car parks down the road. You can read more in-depth about launch of AXS Drive on my TGH Technology and Business website. 

Even though I don’t own a car and my family doesn’t have a family car as of now, I am going to download the AXS Drive app. If I do get to use one of those car sharing service or car rental service, I can use the AXS Drive app. 

With AXS Drive, now only you can now drive and park smarter, this app future growth and development is of great potential to transform into an All-In-One super app for everything motoring related in Singapore. As a motorist (that currently doesn’t own a car), AXS Drive has the technological and payments capabilities, and as a platform to bring different organisations in the motoring sector to come together on one common platform for motorists in Singapore. 

The post AXS Drive – Drive and Park Smarter in Singapore appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Additional flights and additional seats

Vietjet has recently added nearly 750 flights, providing 154,800 additional seats to serve rising demand during the peak travel period around the region. This capacity boost primarily focuses on services departing from Vietnam’s largest city of Ho Chi Minh, catering to travellers going home for the holidays in the Northern and Central provinces such as Hanoi, Tuy Hoa (Phu Yen), Chu Lai (Quang Nam), Dong Hoi (Quang Binh), Quy Nhon (Binh Dinh), Da Nang, Hue, Vinh (Nghe An), Thanh Hoa, and Hai Phong. 

This increased flight capacity will also cater to the increasing travel demand to and from Vietnam’s top tourist destinations, such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Phu Quoc, Hue, Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Da Lat. International travel is expected to peak during this time as travellers make use of their long holidays in Vietnam, China, South Korea, and Singapore. The surge in international travel during Chinese Lunar New Year period is notable, as travellers ride on their extended Lunar New Year holiday break in Vietnam, Malaysia, China, South Korea, and Singapore for spring travels.

Expanded International Flight Network

Vietjet has proactively expanded its international flight network in the last two months, they have added destinations like Shanghai, Vientiane, Siem Reap (Cambodia), Busan (South Korea), Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide (Australia). Singaporeans can now enjoy a journey to Vietnam and experience the culture and festivities in destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi before continuing the next leg of their journey to the multiple destinations offered by Vietjet. Furthermore, on the first day of the Lunar New Year (10 February 2024), Vietjet will also commence the direct service linking Ho Chi Minh City with Chengdu in China. These new destinations diversify options for Vietnamese, Singaporean, Malaysian and other international travellers. 

Remarkable Growth for Vietjet in 2023

 In 2023, Vietjet experienced remarkable growth, operating 133,000 flights and catering to 25.3 million passengers onboard (excluding Vietjet Thailand), reflecting a significant Year-on-Year (YoY) surge of 183%. Of these passengers, more than 7.6 million travelled on international flights. The airline also continued to expand its flight network, introducing 33 new international and domestic routes, bringing the total number of routes to 125, including 80 international and 45 domestic routes. 

* Information and pictures courtesy of Vietjet, Rothman & Roman (Singapore) and GO Communications (Malaysia) *

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Street Corner Heritage Galleries Scheme

For those who might not be too familiar or heard about Street Corner Heritage Galleries previously. What is the Street Corner Heritage Galleries Scheme all about?

The Street Corner Heritage Galleries scheme by the National Heritage Board (NHB) started off in Balestier in 2020, followed by Kampong Gelam in 2021, Little India in 2022 and Chinatown in 2022. The Street Corner Heritage Galleries scheme is an excellent way to celebrate and document the rich experiences of heritage businesses, this scheme aims to foster a deeper appreciation for heritage in everyday spaces.

Under this scheme, NHB works closely with interested owners of heritage businesses with at least 30 years of history to co-create “mini-museums” to showcase the history, heritage, culture and stories of their businesses and trades, through the displays of historical documents, photographs and artefacts.

A brief history of Katong-Joo Chiat district

You would probably know Katong-Joo Chiat from pictures of the colourful pre-war Peranakan shophouses, that attracts not only locals to head there for a photo shoot. Our international friends have also make their way into Katong-Joo Chiat district for its charm, beauty and colourful blend of old and new, from its colourful pre-war shophouses in the neighbourhood, the diverse communities co-existing with modern shopping malls and hip cafes. 

There are rich history, heritage and culture elements in Katong-Joo Chiat, waiting for you to discover them behind those heritage businesses in Katong-Joo Chiat. Each has their own story of resilience, innovation and intergenerational piety. What are some of the stories and insights into heritage businesses in this vibrant Katong-Joo Chiat precinct? What are some of the lesser-known anecdotes behind those classic delicacies to inspirational tales of intergenerational support and cooperation? 

Why not take a walk and explore Street Corner Heritage Galleries: Katong-Joo Chiat, discover and find out more about them?

Six Participating Businesses for Street Corner Heritage Galleries: Katong-Joo Chiat

NHB is launching Street Corner Heritage Galleries: Katong-Joo Chiat with six participating businesses: 

• Kway Guan Huat Joo Chiat Popiah
• Joo Chiat Fei Fei Wanton Noodle House
• Kim Choo Kueh Chang
• Guan Hoe Soon Restaurant
• Sin Heng Claypot Bak Koot Teh
• D’Bun

Our SG Heritage Plan 2.0 – Empowering the Community 

This Street Corner Heritage Galleries: Katong-Joo Chiat is an expansion of the scheme, as part of the NHB’s ongoing efforts under the Our SG Heritage Plan 2.0, to empower more Singaporeans to get involved with the celebration of our heritage and support heritage businesses and crafts. The Street Corner Heritage Galleries scheme provides curatorial support and assistance in terms of research and content development, and funding for the fabrication of showcases. 

NHB will also work closely with the heritage businesses to develop programmes that complement the showcases, and provide opportunities for them to participate in key NHB events to increase awareness of their businesses and offerings. 

What can the public look forward to? From guided trails and workshops that will showcase the Street Corner Heritage Galleries: Katong-Joo Chiat during NHB’s inaugural Heritage Activation Nodes (HAN), that will be launched in Katong-Joo Chiat district and various precincts from this year as part of NHB Our SG Heritage Plan 2.0. The HAN provides opportunities for the community to develop and implement projects that will increase the number of heritage touchpoint in the heartlands and celebrate the distinctive heritage of their neighbourhoods. 

Mr Gerald Wee, Director, Education and Community Outreach, NHB said: “We have been encouraged by the success of the pilot Street Corner Heritage Galleries scheme over the past three years. Feedback from the business owners has been positive and we hope this expansion of the scheme will allow more heritage businesses to showcase their stories and heritage, and to benefit from increased public awareness and support.”

A short tour of Street Corner Heritage Galleries: Katong-Joo Chiat

During the media session, we took a short tour of the Street Corner Heritage Galleries: Katong-Joo Chiat district. Starting off at Guan Hoe Soon Restaurant, next was Kway Guan Huat Joo Chiat Popiah, Joo Chiat Fei Fei Wanton Noodle House and Kim Choo Kueh Chang.

Although it was a short session at each location due to time constraints, we heard stories from the  people behind the those heritage businesses. Although I had explored Katong-Joo Chiat quite a fair bit over the years for heritage, history and arts related events and activities, as well as doing photography shoots at various locations in the iconic Katong-Joo Chiat, hanging out at the Katong Square Lifestyle & Vintage Market by The Retro Factory, there were still many stories that I am hearing it for the first time about Katong-Joo Chiat district. 

As I don’t stay in the east side of Singapore, and I am not too knowledgable about Peranakan cuisine, I didn’t know about the history and legacy of Guan Hoe Soon Restaurant until that day when I stepped into the premises for the start of the media event for Street Corner Heritage Galleries: Katong-Joo Chiat. I would love to visit and try their authentic Peranakan cuisine after trying out some of their delicious kueh and light bites that they prepared for the media event. 

Next up was Kway Guan Huat Joo Chiat Popiah. I heard about them previously, now I got to visit their store and hearing them share their history, stories and journeys. I love to eat popiah, I am going to check out their website, see which popiah skin or popiah sets to order, and plan a popiah eating gathering.

Visiting Kim Choo Kueh Chang at Joo Chiat Place, the original location and also its main factory, it was not the same as their East Coast Branch where I visited a few times over the years whenever there were events held in the Katong-Joo Chiat district. We were given a tour of their factory during our media tour, hearing them share about KIm Choo Kueh Chang history, stories and journeys. 

On a personal note, it was good to meet Mr Lim of Joo Chiat Fei Fei Wanton Noodle House again, I met him a few years back, thanks to Victor, a senior in Scouting, also a heritage enthusiast that I met at Katong Square Lifestyle & Vintage Market, for introducing him. 

The four Street Corner Heritage Galleries in Katong-Joo Chiat district that we visited, all had their own unique history, stories and journeys, from one generation to the next. I would like to invite you to explore and check them out during your exploration of Street Corner Heritage Galleries: Katong-Joo Chiat, whereby you can learn more about their origins, how they continued to thrive and grow over the years.

For more information on Street Corner Heritage Galleries: Katong-Joo Chiat

If you like to know more information on Street Corner Heritage Galleries: Katong-Joo Chiat, please visit https://go.gov.sg/schgkatongjoochiat 

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Why use a Yearly Theme? How to Choose a Yearly Theme?

I am inspired by Fernando Gros “How to choose a Yearly Theme”, this is my 5th year writing and announcing a Yearly Theme, an approach that I personally feel that it’s more forward looking for a new future, a new era of working, thinking and how we connect as an individual, as a collective, society and the world. It’s not that goal settings or setting resolutions are no longer popular or useful, they still have a purpose and it still works for some people or industries.

Recap of previous Yearly Themes

Before I announce my Yearly Theme 2023 for my photography, travel, creative and heritage, let me bring you back in time, looking at my previous Yearly Themes through a recap below:

• Yearly Theme 2020: Striving to Excel 
• Yearly Theme 2021: Recovery and Rejuvenation 
• Yearly Theme 2022: Onward 
• Yearly Theme 2023: Explore

Yearly Theme 2024 (Photography | Travel | Creative | Heritage) – “Ignite”

Now, announcing my Yearly Theme 2024 (Photography | Travel | Creative | Heritage) – “Ignite”.

From my earlier editions of Yearly Theme for my TGH Photography and Travel portal/blog, I have expanded my scope of business and interests from my usual areas of photography and travel, in the areas of creativity/arts and the heritage sectors. 

Why Ignite?

Via Google Bard – “Ignite: A great story can ignite the imagination and inspire the listener to see the world in new ways. This word captures the spark of creativity that storytelling can bring.”

I want to be a better storyteller in the Year 2024 for both my two key areas of business and  key interest areas. For this year, I decided to try something different, I asked Google Bard to recommend a word to summarise “be a better storyteller”, and the chat based AI tool from Google gave me a few to choose from.

Ignite new directions and plans for my photography business and content creation business 

The photography business has been very challenging, the industry is facing its own headwinds, shrinking budgets and pie to share. That’s no doubt that some competitors are doing better than others. Moreover, the media/social media landscape is constantly changing, with current and near future trends moving towards videos consumption on TikTok and Instagram Reels. Which genres of the photography field should I concentrate on? A review and restructuring of photography services is underway, yet remaining fluid and adaptable as the months move on. 

With such changing media consumption patterns/trends, and how social media is changing, the versatility of a content creator would be more crucial and the way to go moving forward in the next few years at least. The days of being a specialist in your field may not be sufficient anymore, not just in the photography industry. In the creative sector, beside video consumption, the next area is content creation. 

Partnering with videographers and filmmakers would be key, working together on assignments and projects. As for working with agencies, whether it is PR, digital or social media, I am working to grow this segment. Even with networking and knowing people, it doesn’t guarantee anything. 

Time to re-ignite my travel photography, writing and content creation

My last overseas travel holidays when I took a flight out from Singapore was in 2018 when I visited Thailand and Vietnam. In 2019, it was a drive up to Malaysia. The years 2020 to 2022 were the global pandemic period whereby international travel and tourism industries were brought to a standstill. Year 2023 was my target year to travel overseas again, the pent-up travel demands, frustrations and high costs of travel pushed back my plans.

It’s been quite a few years since my last travel overseas. It’s finally the time to re-ignite my travel photography, writing and content creation in Year 2024. Keeping my fingers crossed that travel assignments or familiarisation tours opportunities would come true since I had been knocking on some doors over the past few years.   

Ignite my creativity from interactions with artists from other disciplines 

Year 2023 gave me new dimensions, directions and opening to view through the different world, point of view, and artistic creativity of various artists and creatives from other disciplines. They were more than just an eye-opener for me, they were inspiring and encouraging. 

Through those interactions in Year 2023, they have ignited my creativity and imagination that opened me up to new artistic approaches and cross-disciplinary creative ideas and projects that I might be able to work together with other creative artists. In 2024, I hope to bring some of those inspirations, ideas and projects to life, whether on an individual basis or cross-disciplinary with other artists.

Ignite new plans and ideas to do more for the heritage sector

The heritage sector, putting history, heritage, culture, conservation and preservation segments together, they may not give you the revenue compared to the commercial world. However, the intangible cultural heritage and intrinsic fulfilment cannot be underestimated. 

This sector already has a community running and operating in their own respective realms, that would need more like-minded people of various skills, knowledge and expertise in their respective domains to enter. 

I have always been interested in the heritage sector through my visual storytelling and documentation. I would be on the lookout for opportunities to partner with organisations and/or artists, whereby I can contribute and earn a bit of revenue as well. 

Yearly Theme 2023 (Technology | Business | Personal) – “Transcend”

As for my other key area of focus, my TGH Technology and Business portal/blog, I have chosen my Yearly Theme 2024 (Technology | Business | Personal) to be “Transcend”. I would like to invite you to hop over to my other website and have a read!

Join me in my “Ignite” journeys in 2024

To my networks in the photography, travel, creative and heritage sectors, I would like to invite you to join me in my “Ignite” journeys in 2024, let’s work closer together for more in-depth, meaningful and powerful stories, on both visual storytelling and social media. 

Thank you for your support and encouragement! 

To my family, relatives, friends, followers and supporters who supported me through my visual storytelling, photography, technology writing, social media marketing, especially those that make the effort to read, not assuming thinking you know everything about me, or my business model operations, and making the effort to know more and understand, without judgement or putting me down, I sincerely thank you for your support and encouragement! 

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While I am soaking in the year end festivities, I wasn’t too much into photographing those Christmas tree light up decorations like before. Therefore, I am using back my old Christmas tree photograph that I shot in Hokkaido from a few years back in 2016. I am going to slow down, take a bit of rest break during the final week 52 of year 2023, I would also try to clear as many backlogs that I have on hand in my visual storytelling, photography, travel, food, history, heritage, culture and arts segments. Leading up to the start of 2024, I am going into reflection and review mode, as well as strategic planning and directions for year 2024 in my photography, travel, content creation and creative sectors. 

As this is also the year end bird migration season, during the last week of 2023 rest break, I am going into the outdoors, parks, coastal areas etc for some hiking in the outdoors and bird photography action. 

Last but not least, thank you for your support for my photography, travel and writing for Year 2023! Wishing all a Merry Christmas 2023 and Happy Holidays! Have a good year end holiday break and festivities! 

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On the morning of Sunday19th November 2023, Our Fish Storey was officially launched by Members of Parliament (MPs) for Tampines GRC: Mr Masagos Zulkifli, the Minister for Social and Family Development, Second Minister for Health and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs; Dr Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and Ministry of Manpower; Mr Desmond Choo, Mayor of North East District; and Mr Baey Yam Keng, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and Ministry of Transport. 

Tampines Town Council x Aqualita Ecotechnology Partnership – “Grow More with Less”

Tampines Town Council has partnered with local company, Aqualita Ecotechnology, to implement a Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) to grow jade perch that is safe, scalable and sustainable. This project is catalysed by Temasek Foundation, and was developed based on more than 15 years of research by Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory. 

The story of Our Fish Storey 

Our Fish Storey is part of Tampines Goes Farming, this is a series of projects that are supporting Singapore’s “30 by 30” goal to grow food here for food security. Tampines town is supporting local farms’ efforts by identifying under-utilised spaces where climate-resilient and resource-efficient urban farming methods can be tested and implemented. Tampines also boasts a tilapia fish farm and a rooftop vegetable farm. All these projects have one thing in common – engaging the community and encouraging residents to adopt a sustainable farm-to-table lifestyle.

Our Fish Storey consists of Aqualita’s single 20-foot container housing the RAS. This is a highly modular system that addresses land scarcity and labour challenges in Singapore. With this standalone system, it provides a cleaner and more controlled environment, and is not affected by adverse climatic conditions and harmful organisms. This also eliminates the need for antibiotics, allowing the up-cycling of fish waste, and reducing pollution caused by uneaten feed. The parameters of this modular growing environment can be remotely monitored, reducing the need for on-site staff. A single system can produce up to 1,200kg of jade perch annually, within a space of 15 square metres. 

Community-centric approach

More than just the efficient production of fresh fish, the community-centric approach will also offer other benefits, such as creating employment opportunities within the community, as well as serving as a space for educational activities. Aqualita and the Tampines Town Council will also collaborate with volunteer groups to ensure that lower-income families and those in need have access to fresh, nutritious fish. 

Since the fish will be farmed on-site in Tampines, this will significantly reduce delivery time and transport costs. To ensure that more Tampines residents can access fresh fish with far fewer food miles, the Tampines Round Market & Food Centre Merchants’ Association is collaborating with local fishmongers to sell the jade perch. This will further support residents’ efforts towards a more sustainable lifestyle.

Mr Desmond Choo, the Mayor of North East District and Chairman of Tampines Town Council said, “Singapore is heavily reliant on food imports and faces the risk of supply disruptions, like the one we experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. With modern urban farming being implemented in Tampines, we hope to contribute to the nation’s “30 by 30” food goal. I am heartened to see our progress in food sustainability and hope our residents will support this initiative and enjoy the farm-to-fork goodness.” 

Mr Lim Hock Chuan, Head of Programmes of Temasek Foundation, said “Together with Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, Temasek Foundation is happy to support this successful deployment of ‘Our Fish Storey’, a Recirculation Aquaculture System by Aqualita, as a first step towards commercialisation. This partnership with Tampines Town Council is important so that we can bring such stacked container fish farm to more communities, reduce our carbon footprint and ultimately, enhance Singapore’s food security and resilience in the long term.” 

Mr Peter Chia, CEO of Aqualita Ecotechnology commented, “We are delighted to partner Tampines Town Council to give a glimpse of what the future of sustainable urban fish farming – where technology and innovation meets food security to benefit communities – could be to an urban city like Singapore. We are thankful for the support from TTC and all our partners as well as the various regulatory agencies in making this project possible. We hope that we can help make more affordable fresh fish available to the residents of Tampines and do so with a smaller environmental and ecological footprint. We welcome parties interested in joining us on this journey to reach out to us so that we can scale this solution to other parts of Singapore together.”  

Food x Food Technology x Food Sustainability 

The sustainable urban fish farming inside a container located in the heartlands neighbourhood of Singapore strikes a chord in me, bringing the topics that I have an interest in together, on one of my favourite topics – food, followed by the topic of sustainability and how technology can play key roles in both food production and sustainability sectors. 

While urban fish farming isn’t new, urban fish farming inside a container placed in our neighbourhoods, is not only unique and refreshing, this idea might work well for our land scarce Singapore, as we strive towards “30 by 30” goal to build up Singapore agriculture and food industry capability and capacity to sustainably produce 30% of our nutritional needs by 2030.  

I hope this urban fish farming in a container can be further expanded into other HDB heartlands, not only boosting Singapore’s food sustainability goals, it’s educational as well and can help push the topic of sustainability (and its wide scope) further and closer to the people. 

Last but not least, I would really like to try this farm-to-table freshly cooked fish from the urban container fish farming. Looks like a trip to Tampines Round Market and Food Centre is on the cards. 

* Information courtesy of Tampines Town Council and Gloo *

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A glimpse behind the scenes during a rehearsal 

I was invited to visit one of their rehearsals, I caught a glimpse of this cross-cultural musical journey performance. The fusion of Nanyin and Korean traditional music, combined with Chinese and Western instruments, the first of its kind. Therefore, there is no precedent for them to base on or even learn from.

Personally for me, it was a captivating, invoking and immersive musical journey, and I believe for those attending/planning to attend this concert at Esplanade on Friday 3rd November 2023 at 8pm, they can and they will experience all these emotions, thoughts and feelings for themselves. I do believe both groups of performers from Singapore and Korea would have already experience them too, and we can watch it from their grand finale performance. 

Although I was only there for one rehearsal session, I can see and feel the amount of passion, hard work, time and commitment put in by all the performing artists. Beyond the rehearsal, lies a cross-cultural exchange of music, arts, history, heritage, culture and long lasting friendship and bonds.  

Come onboard this traditional Nanyin and Korean cross-cultural musical journey!

You would be brought into an amazing world of traditional music from Nanyin and Korea, a journey to understand and experience traditional history, heritage, cultures and beauty, hidden somewhere along your exploration, waiting for you to unlock and discover in this captivating cross-cultural musical journey. 

On Friday 3rd November 2023 at the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, I eagerly look forward to go on my cross-cultural musical journey at The Origins Cipher – The Unbreakable Lock of Harmonious Fundamentals.

The Origins Cipher – The Unbreakable Lock of Harmonious Fundamentals

Presented by Siong Leng Musical Association

In Collaboration with Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

(Singapore, Korea)

Supported by The National Arts Council and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Republic of Korea.

Date: Friday 3rd November 2023 

Time: 8pm

Performance duration: 1hr 15mins (Intermission: None)

Venue: Esplanade Concert Hall

Tickets: Purchase it here: https://securetix.esplanade.com/esp/booking/cipher1123 

For more information, you can find out more here on: https://www.esplanade.com/whats-on/2023/the-origins-cipher-the-unbreakable-lock-of-harmonious-fundamentals#synopsis 

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