Active Agers Awards, part 5 - The IDA family

When the evening's programme ended and the President had left, IDA staff requested Sam, Harry and me to stay behind as IDA chief Ronnie Tay wanted some group pictures to be taken by the official photographer. I thought I saw a few of these pro shooters that night. They probably represented different organisations like the media and press, govt agencies, stat boards and maybe even the many sponsors for the C3A and the Awards.

Come to think of it, such pro shooters were also there in previous events but I've hardly seen the results of their work. No idea why.
That's why it's imperative to always carry a small digital camera, like I usually do, for any event big or small.
That way, we don't have to wait for or depend on others for snapshots of the occasion.
So, here are some snapshots from my camera that captured those moments.

The 3 Infocomm Champions with IDA CEO Ronnie Tay and his staff

AAA Infocomm Champions - From L, 4th Sam Liu [2009], 6th Harry Lo [2010]

and 7th Dick Yip [ 2008 ].

The 3 wise men surrounded by all the pretty IDA ladies

IDA staff with Sam Liu, Unk Dicko and Harry Lo

These are my fellow 2008 Active Agers Award winners

L to R: Mdm Krishnavani, Mona Yeo, Unk Dicko, Tang Wing Kee, Daniel Koh

Since 2008, these Active Ager Award Winners are as active as ever.

Mdm K is still dancing away!

Mona Yeo is still a great story-teller!
Tang Wing Kee..is still roller blading away!

Daniel Koh is still adventuring abroad!

Sam Liu is still conducting IT at RSVP!

And Unk Dicko......?

Active Agers Awards 2010...part 4, President honoured.

The presentation of the Awards began midway through the evening. Of all the hundreds who were nominated for the 7 Active Agers Awards 2010, the most outstanding ones were selected by the panel of judges/interviewers to be publicly honoured and recognised. They received their much deserved trophies and other prizes from President Nathan.

However, the runners -up for the Awards were not forgotten either. They were similarly invited to the event and presented with their own sets of certificates.

Also invited to this prestigious event were all former winners of the Active Agers Awards from
2007 to 2009. Their spouse or family member was also included.

The inspiring stories behind these 7 winners have in this past week appeared in the press in all
the languages...Malay, Chinese, Tamil and English.
The event also made it to the TV news.

The Runners-up in the Active Agers Awards were honoured too.

This is the 2010 Infocomm Champion Awardee, Harry Lo

The 1st winner of new POSB Active Award, Jim Then

Active Ager Award winner Betty Wee

Active Ager Award winner Zaleha bte Akbar Ali

President SR Nathan receiving his special Active Ager Award 2010

from C3A Chairman Gerard Ee

When President Nathan had given out the last award, he was then told to remain on stage for a moment. What happened next was a complete surprise to all, most of all to the President himself. The C3A presented him with a most Special Active Agers Award 2010. When the M C explained the circumstances of the Award...the President received the loudest applause.

The President of Singapore has set and is still setting an excellent example for all.

He's 87 and is still working as hard as ever in shouldering his state responsibilities and keeping very active. He embodies much of the qualities for giving out these Awards.

He fully deserve such a special Award!

Active Agers Awards 2010 - entertainment by..Part 3

The evening's entertainment was provided by the versatile duo of Robin and Terry.
Robin did his magic on rhythm guitar and also lead while Terry added the all important bass quality to their singing style.
They must have picked their songs most carefully knowing well beforehand this was an 'oldies' event!
All the songs were from that great era of music...the 50's to the sweet 70's.
They slowly got the listeners warmed up as they gently played those familiar old songs.
As soon as Terry played the intro to that great Russ Hamilton's hit ... I whispered to D2 "Rainbow! ". Sure enough, that got everyone clapping and snapping their fingers as we at our table sang along with Robin and Terry. More joined in, caught by our infectious singing.
We could see that the duo was very motivated and appreciated our warm response to their music.
It was no surprise then that the very next song after that was the one song most old timers will always associate with Russ Hamilton.."We will Make Love".
That got everyone in the hall swooning and grooving again.
D2 wrote out a request for Johnny Horton's " North To Alaska" and R and T responded superbly!
When they took their break, both walked over to our table and thanked us for the support.


Robin and Terry... the entertainers

Rita Chua was introduced as S'pore's own Teresa Teng

Another entertainer for the evening, Rita Chua, catered to those who love Mandarin songs.

Rita said she has not been performing in public for quite some time but decided to do so for this event. She asked the audience to forgive her as she may be "rusty". It was not necessary. She still had a good voice and stage presence and gave quite a good rendition of Teresa Teng's numbers.

The VIP table with President Nathan and Mrs Nathan

Our table # 9

Our Table # 9

A surprise birthday cake was sent to me by the House

After the main course of our dinner, a few waiters approached our table. One was holding a platter with a birthday cake on it. He said to me, " Happy Birthday sir! "

Taken aback, I thanked them but asked who arranged or sent it.

He smiled and said, " It's on the house sir. "

A few others including Eleanor Yap came over and all sang"Happy Birthday" to Unk Dicko.

D2 helped spread the cake around.

On reflection, I have had many a birthday celebrations over the years but Never with VIPs present. And never with the President of Singapore, seated 2 tables away, also present.

Active Agers Awards 2010...part 2.

Brian Richmond has been the long-time host of Gold 90.5 Fm, especially of the popular 'dedicate and song request' segment. He has also been closely associated with these Annual C3A awards since its inception...as the M C.
So before anything began, we had a quick chat. It was always good to meet up with my " older by 3 week, senior" and friend. How did I know all that?
I have blogged about it in 2008, HERE.

" How are things? " Brian asked.
" No change.. and you are still older by 3 weeks!", I answered and we laughed most heartily.
He'll always remember that and. For me, as I'm listening to his golden voice on Sunday nights...
my mind goes, ''ah Brian, good ole' Brian.. my older senore ".


Our handshake is always very,very firm !

Unk Dicko and Eleanor Yap...a great friend and lady writer.
She is the owner of this website...click Here.

The Banner for the evening said it all.
All? Not all lah!
Yes, the date is clear as transparent glass for all to see. But no
one knew it was also my personal 'Big and sentimental ' day, that day, except my wifey.
Yes Unk Dicko was born on October 2nd some 63 years, ago same as Brian, born 3 weeks earlier in the same year.


With fellow AAA winners -Mr Sabapathy (2009) and Mr Singh( 2007)

Brian.. all ready to roll out his cute one-liners and lively jokes.

Our table was # 9
L to R: D2, Unk Dicko, Daniel Koh and wife, Mrs K's daughter.

This was still before the President arrived. He was delayed
slightly. It could be because, unknown to any of us inside the hall, at about 5.40 pm that same day, Mrs lee Kuan Yew had passed away at home.
Obviously news of such a happening must be relayed to all in the government and elsewhere...
and some advice to go with it.
None of us were aware.
I only knew when an SMS reached us...that was after President SR Nathan had arrived.

Active Agers Awards 2010..Winners and Presentation!

The much awaited 2010 Active Agers Awards winners were announced last week in the media and press. This is the 4th consecutive year that this Highest Honour and Public recognition for active senior agers has taken place. It was started in 2007 under the able Chairmanship of Gerard Ee from Council of Third Age ( C3A ).

In 2008, in addition to the C3A AA Awards, 2 other special Awards were newly created. One was the Infocomm Champion Award given out for the very 1st time that year. Unk Dicko had the honour of being recognised as the 1st Champion. The other was the Award sponsored by Prudential for adventure and zest.
In 2009, the same awards were also presented with the exception of the Prudential one.

This year's Award was held on Saturday 2nd October 2010, at the Copthorne Hotel.
President S R Nathan was the Guest of Honour.
The Master of Ceremony was again Mr Gold 90.5...Brian Richmond, my special friend.
It was a memorable night for one and all.
I'll have more pics and reports in coming posts.


L to R:
Jim Then, Chua Bee Tin, Lo Kwok Kwong, POSB Rep,
Gerard Ee C3A Chief, President SR Nathan, CEO Ronnie Tay IDA, Amy Chua,
Betty Wee, Zaleha Bte Akbar Ali, William Liu

Photos: Unk Dicko's archives


From CNA news online:
Seven senior citizens honoured with Active Agers Awards
By Lynda Hong and Milton Sau Posted: 02 October 2010 2117 hrs

Seven senior citizens honoured with Active Agers Awards

SINGAPORE :
Seven senior citizens were honoured with this year's Active Agers Awards. President SR Nathan gave out the awards to the recipients who exemplify active living. Retirement is not a word usually associated with the beginning of an exciting journey. But for Betty Wee, a retired teacher, that marked the start of a new chapter in her life.


"I've always been interested in arts, culture, fashion, music, paintings, heritage, history, nature but they were just in the background. But now, I can go into it full speed, you can say I'm diving into it," said Betty, a recipient of the Active Ager of the Year award.
Betty now spends most of her time volunteering as a guide in various places around Singapore. From national parks to museums, this is the start of her never-ending journey of discovery.
Betty said:
"Don't stop learning, because it is an ongoing journey. You never know what you will branch out into during your pursuit of learning a particular thing, and that's what happened to me."

For the first time, the Council for Third Age also presented the POSB ACTIVE Award, bagged by 64-year-old Jim Then Cai. The award is given to one who practices sound money management and is adept at using modern-day conveniences such as ATMs, Internet banking and credit cards.
For Jim, making the move from the financial investment industry into counselling allowed him to meet different people.
He said:
"When I was in the investment, I work with people whom you would call the high flyers. "When I move into the Family Service Centre, I worked with the other continuum of the society, people who don't have (enough), and I think that's a learning (point) for me about the world that we live in. And that also changed my value & beliefs, and my philosophical view of life."
Jim is also an avid brisk walker. In his free time, he likes to relax with his family and keep up with current affairs.
"I will never miss Channel NewsAsia for what's happening in the day. When I don't get that piece of news, I feel that I'm lost in the world, disconnected with the world. I must know what's happening around me to update myself, to be current," said Jim.
Not one to stand still, Jim is now currently pursuing a specialist diploma in Health and Promotion at Nanyang Polytechnic.


The Active Agers Infocomm Champion Award 2010 went to Lo Kwok Kwong, 69. Other Active Agers Awards recipients are Chua Bee Tin, 62; Amy Chua Seok Keng, 71; William Liu, 62; and Zaleha Bte Akbar Ali, 62.
- CNA