Letter from Baba Colin Chee, President, The Peranakan Association Singapore
(This is a monthly column to TPAS members and guests)
Dear Babas and Nyonyas,
JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP
I am happy to announce that for the first time in the Association’s history, we will open a new Junior Membership category from age 6 to below 18 years. This is a significant amendment to our constitution. It is a key part of our strategy to give the Association a much-needed dose of longevity and to keep our culture alive!
The Registrar of Societies has given in-principle approval for this amendment, among other changes to the constitution that members had approved at our Association’s Annual General Meeting on March 30, 2019.
We will soon start recruitment. Junior members:
(1) Must be sponsored by parents, grandparents and guardians who are members of the Association.
(2) Pay a one-time non-transferable fee of $38.
(3) Will not have voting rights.
(4) May convert to Life membership when they reach 18 years, at the rate applicable then.
(5) Will not receive a hard copy of The Peranakan magazine, but can access the digital version.
(6) Can join events organised for them as well as those specified suitable for families.
KEEPING OUR CULTURE ALIVE!
“Why do we even bother? We are a dying community. It is only a matter of time before we don’t hear about Peranakans.”
How often have we heard these questions asked and these statements made for as long as we can remember?
Even today, we are still hearing them. Despite a resurgent interest in our unique hybrid culture!
We are experiencing overflowing registrations for our Association’s events. More wayangs are being shown. More sarong kebayas bought and worn. More entertainment by independent Peranakan groups. Baba Malay classes by Gunong Sayang Association. New short stories written in Baba Malay. More Peranakan restaurants to dine in. More Peranakan digital groups on social media – from cuisine to phraseology to material heritage. Not to mention greater interest in our Chitty counterparts as represented by The Peranakan Indian Association of Singapore.
In the month of June alone, Peranakan Sayang’s first-ever pop Peranakan Sayang Concert at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre sold out. Saint Francis Enterprise’s play, Ayer di-Tetak Takleh Putus, starring the inimitable GT Lye, sold out. The Peranakan restaurant’s Kamcheng Peranakan Gala Dinner also sold out.
In July, The Peranakan Association Singapore’s inaugural Baba Nyonya Literary Festival – likely the world’s smallest literary festival – sold out. And our The Peranakan Identity Forum: Who Am I?, coming up on Friday 2 August, is overwhelmingly oversubscribed. Many of us still keenly feel the absence of The Peranakan Museum, closed for a two-year renovation.
Still no interest?
A few weeks ago, I had an animated discussion with Baba Richard Tan of Generasia. He shared with me the flurry of events coming up in the months ahead into 2020. My spirits soared just listening to him.
We may be on the cusp of a cultural renaissance, especially if we are able to excite our young about their heritage. The irrepressible Baba Ivan Heng is equally as exhilarated about the prospect of our Association’s adek Babas and Nyonyas being introduced to world-class theatre at Wild Rice!
As a throwback, the year 2008 must be the turning point for our Peranakan culture and our community. The Peranakan Museum opened its doors on 25 April with ten beautifully and thoughtfully curated galleries.
Suddenly, Peranakan families became painfully aware of the heritage they merrily jettisoned in favour of modern trappings. Even families started to quibble over artifacts that were once never treasured.
Fortuitously, on 25 November the same year, the critically acclaimed drama series, The Little Nyonya, debuted on MediaCorp TV Channel 8. It ushered the universe to our little beautiful world. Within weeks, many otherwise disinterested Babas and Nyonyas started looking a little harder and a little deeper at their roots. Peranakan restaurants mushroomed. Our culture became pop. It also became a business.
It has never been the same since. Last year, the romantic comedy, Crazy Rich Asians, which showcased elements of Peranakan culture, became a runaway success. Sequels of the film are expected. Peranakan was again on the lips of our community.
Similarly, a consortium of Chinese and Singapore companies has finished shooting a remake of The Little Nyonya for Chinese audiences. Our former GC member Baba Philip Chia was consulted on the aspect of Peranakan cuisine during production. It will fan a fire that will surely reach our shores.
MALAM JOLLY WESTERN
While we are still on food, we have launched the sale of tickets for our Association’s annual dinner and dance on Saturday, 28 December 2019, at Joyden Hall.
An 8-course banquet dinner will accompany this year’s Western-themed dinner. Let us all celebrate and joget and line-dance with Matthew & The Mandarins and our The Peranakan Voices and The Merrilads!
God Bless, Good Health and All Things Nice!
Blessings,
Colin Chee
Unity. Stability. Growth
It is not going to be business as usual
31 July 2019