Letter from Baba Colin Chee September 2018

Letter from Baba Colin Chee, President, The Peranakan Association Singapore

(This is a monthly column to TPAS members and guests)

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A Fresh New Look

Many of you would have received, by now, this year’s second issue of our beloved magazine, The Peranakan. I hope you enjoy the fresh new design, layout and graphics. We are continuously improving the design and layout for your enjoyment.

Barely a week into the magazine’s release, we have received mostly favourable feedback from many of you. Thank you. Almost without exception, you liked the striking cover.

I would be remiss if I did not give credit to the magazine’s Creative Adviser, Baba John Lee, who more than conceptualised the cover design. The editorial team was jostling over the options for the cover. Then John added a bold touch that hit the sweet spot! As mentioned in my previous letter, he is the creative mind behind TPAS’s iconic soaring phoenix logo.

The brighter, lighter look of this issue is the work of young designer, Nyonya Joanne Low, a young Peranakan who is in her 20s.

The magazine’s editorial team is younger now, and unsurprisingly, more tech savvy. Led by Editor, Nyonya Dawn Marie Lee, the young team includes Nyonyas Victoria Chanel Lee and Natalie Cheah, and Baba Bryan Tan, who is also the TPAS Treasurer.

Youth is tempered by our more experienced former Editor Nyonya Linda Chee, now Editorial Adviser, and Assistant Editor, Baba Emeric Lau. I continue to serve on the editorial team as a writer and photographer. Another key member is our Advertising Manager, Nyonya Ngiam May Ling.

In a way, this September issue is a debut issue for this team. For more than a year we have been looking into ways to trim printing and design costs and to transition the Editor. I would like to thank my wife, Nyonya Linda Chee, who helmed the magazine as co-Editor with Baba Peter Lee for three years, and then for the next 11 years as the Editor. She deftly identified and groomed a much younger and talented Nyonya Dawn Marie Lee to succeed her.

There are four other persons that I would also like to thank. The first is Baba Peter Lee. In so many ways, he is the heart and soul of the magazine. He insists on remaining in the background and providing quiet support. But how do you hide a pillar in the shadows?

Then, there is sharp-eyed Nyonya Elisabeth Chan who has unassumingly helped Linda to proofread articles.

Finally, I must thank Nyonya Michelle Yap, who has been the magazine’s designer for more years than Linda has been the Editor, and Baba Ian Yap, who designed many beautiful covers in earlier issues. Kamsiah, Michelle and Ian.

There are countless others, too many to name, who have contributed to the stature of the magazine – writers, photographers, illustrators and advertisers. Without their unstinting support, it would have been very difficult to survive the years. Linda will be writing an article to pay tribute to them in a special issue of The Peranakan to celebrate its Silver Anniversary in 2019.

We are still looking for more good writers, photographers, researchers, illustrators, videographers and techies to join the team. Please contact Dawn at editor@peranakan.org.sg if you share our passion for our unique culture.

Embedded Technology

Our magazine has a new tech dimension by way of the QR Code, since the last issue (2018 Issue 1).

A QR code essentially allows us to add value to the magazine by enhancing print articles with related bonus content like videos, music, podcasts and other stories on our TPAS website.

If you have a smart phone, here’s how to scan the QR Codes in each issue:

1. Open your camera app or QR code reader app.
2. Point the lens over the QR Code on the page until it comes into focus.
3. You will see a message pop-up stating “Re-directing URL”. Click to see the Bonus contents. Scroll down to select.

Much of the bonus content is exclusive to The Peranakan magazine. In the latest issue, there are beautiful family photos to accompany Nyonya Wee Eng Hwa’s tribute to her late parents Dr and Mrs Wee Kim Wee, our former President and First Lady. You will also find an extremely rare audio recording of a half-hour dondang sayang performance aired on radio in 1957.

Do continue to enjoy The Peranakan magazine.

The Peranakan Will Soon Be 25! Share your memories

As mentioned, the magazine will celebrate its Silver Anniversary next year. We call on members – both Peranakans and non-Peranakans – to share with us their special memories of a treasured silver item that we may feature in this special issue. Please send your stories and accompanying photos to our Editor, Dawn, at editor@peranakan.org.sg by 15 November 2018.

Magazine For Overseas Members

For the last few years, due to the high cost of postage, we have requested that TPAS members residing overseas provide us with a Singapore address to receive a copy of the print magazine. However, our overseas members have continually asked for the print magazine to be mailed to their respective home countries.

I am pleased to announce that the General Committee has decided to give overseas members the option of receiving the twice yearly issues at their respective overseas addresses for a small fee to cover the cost of postage.

The GC has locked the fee at S$20 per year, for now, to be paid in advance in one lump sum of S$40 nett for a full two years.

Details of this initiative will be announced separately in the coming weeks.

In the interim, please help us to disseminate this message to your friends who may also be TPAS members, wherever they are, to inform them of this option.

Thank You, Baba Philip Chia!

Baba Philip Chia asked to step down from the General Committee because of several heavy personal commitments. However, he has agreed to be one of our subject experts on culinary matters.

The General Committee would like to thank Philip for the team player that he has been. He always put TPAS first in many of his personal business engagements even though he did not have to – actively networking for the association and looking out for prospective members. Kamsiah manyak, Philip!

Linda and I will soon be away on an extended holiday. Till we catch up again, God bless and be kind.

Sincerely,
Colin Chee
Unity. Stability. Growth
It is not going to be business as usual
30 September 2018