“The Lost Poem” Photography Competition by ibis Singapore Novena

I submitted a total of ten photos for this photography competition organised by ibis Singapore Novena.

Rachel and I enjoyed ourselves very much at the Singapore Arts Festival 2012 – Parallel Cities installation at ibis Novena and were more than keen to support them in preserving the heritage of the Balestier area.

Here is our little contribution to the history of Balestier:

8 Jalan Ampas, the former Malay Film Studios set up in 1937 by the Shaw Brothers in the heydays of Singapore cinema. Film legend, P.Ramlee used to work here.

Uncle Joe, the caretaker of 8 Jalan Ampas recalls that P. Ramlee and other actors used to play dum at a coffeeshop opposite the studio.

The 89-year-old male owner of Loong Fatt Tau Sar Piah at 639 Balestier road with his longest-serving employee.

Sweetlands Confectionery – one of the only two traditional bakeries left in Singapore.

This two-storey villa at 12 Tai Gin Road was once the headquarters of Dr Sun Yat Sen’s Tong Meng Hui during the early 1900s.

Maha Sasana Ramsi, a Burmese Buddhist Temple at 14 Tai Gin Road.

Lim Kay Khee Optical & Contact Lens Centre – an old-school shop at 330 Balestier Road.

The brother and sister behind Lim Kay Khee Optical & Contact Lens Centre. Their father used to reshape old spectacle frames using a set of wooden tools seen here. They continue the tradition.

Mr Tan Boon Heong, 64, owner of Lam Yeo Coffee Powder at 328 Balestier Road.

Buildings, old and new stands side-by-side in Balestier.