MyStory

Ms Chen Jun Yan, 1976
Project Engineer, Land Transport Authority

Do you know that you share a very important birthday with our country? 3rd December is the date when Singapore’s National Anthem, the new flag and Coat of Arms (State Crest) were first unveiled to the newly-self-governing state. How do you feel about that?

Very proud and very happy!

What are some of the biggest changes between the Singapore of your childhood and now? Could you share more about them?

Quite different, Singapore from last time and now. Last time, the HDB flats were not so nice, in terms of the colours they used, the tiles, all that. Today there is a lot more design. The design is nicer, more like a condominium than HDB. But last time, I can run around the corridors. I used to run around the corridors and make friends around my age, my neighbours. Our gates were left open, we didn’t worry about safety. Today we stay on a level with seven households, and we got no chance to talk to them at all. But we leave our doors open, and sometimes neighbours pass by and say ‘hi’. At least we make efforts to say ‘hi’ to each other.

Then infrastructure too, from non-aircon buses to fully aircon buses today. And we have short rail networks to MRT. The transport now is so extensive. But I still like to take the non-aircon buses last time, can see the scenery passing by and wind blowing in the face, and enjoy the cool night air in the evening!

The landscape is also very different nowadays. Now there is more proper planning, more trees, more buildings, and more landscaping. There were more shophouses last time, now all high rise. So when the shophouses went, the good old days and memories are lost too. 

What were some of your favourite memories of Singapore? Is there anything you miss about Singapore from the past?

Every Sunday, going to my Granny’s place. She stayed in Queenstown, Strathmore Avenue, behind the Princess House. Last time, downstairs, there’s this uncle selling wan kueh, rice cakes. I cannot find this anymore, the taste really cannot, cannot find the taste anymore. He was an itinerant hawker in Queenstown. This uncle would always hit the metal, ting ting ting, and use the bell, and alert us; then we would run down to buy from him. 50 cents for one piece. It was quite a big piece, like the size of a plate.

We have six national symbols - the Flag, National Anthem, Pledge, State Crest, the Lion Head and the National Flower. Which of these symbols mean the most to you? In what way, and why?

The Flag. Because whenever we go out of Singapore, we always look for the Flag. Also, many athletes carry the Flag to represent Singapore in games and sports meets. Once people see, they know it’s Singapore. I feel very proud when I see the Flag.

But I feel more emotional when I sing the National Anthem. Sometimes tears would well up in my eyes when I sing the Anthem, then I had to control, control, turn one side! Singaporeans are very protected. Whenever during National Day Parade, I would get quite emotional! But nowadays, it’s so difficult to get tickets! Now when I watch National Day Parade at home, my parents and I will sing the Anthem together.

What does ‘Home’ mean to you?

It’s a place where we can share our happiness, worries and a place where we can depend on each other to get help, and share whatever things we have.

Would you see Singapore as your home? Why is that so?

Yes. This is the place I grow up, I feel attached here.

What does it mean to be a Singaporean to you?

Singaporeans speak Singlish! They should be born here, best if they also grow up here. They must be nurtured from young, in Singapore, so that they truly understand the culture here, and feel integrated and belong to the community. It’s about the sense of belonging. Someone who has a family here, has fun memories here, grow up here. Someone who is totally immersed in the culture here.

What hopes and aspirations do you hold for Singapore?

That the economy will be better, life be better and salary increases. Hope that everything increases, but salary also must increase to beat the inflation.