It's really sad that the islanders were forced off their land, and yet after all that, no new development has even taken place. What was the point of displacing an entire community if nothing was going to be done? It just feels like a senseless loss.
Thanks a bunch for doing this story, OGS. Damn. This story was particularly heartbreaking; I think it was the emotions of Addynna and her siblings. You can feel their grief. Having their childhood, the open seas & kampung life taken away, then putting them into stale, identical flats and not even demolishing the place properly. Colour me tilted. I guess, at least, on the flipside, the siblings have fond memories to look back on. I feel like growing up in HDBs and our concrete jungle is really a life quarter-lived.
It’s so sad to see them going back to where it used to be their home, and then feeling upset because the government didn’t do a proper job of demolishing and “redevelopment” 😭
My siblings n I was born in SJI. We stayed in the island till 1971 after my grandfather died n moved to the mainland. We attended the SJI English Primary Sch n some of my English teachers are well known people such as Leslie Fong, Theresa Thumboo, Kirpal Singh. I still keep my Primary 6 Report book n birth cert. Island life is so quiet, peaceful, tranquil n we missed it all these years.
My mother, her siblings, and my maternal grandparents lived on St. John's Island. My mother sadly passed away in November 2020, and my grandfather passed around 2000 or 2001. My grandmother is still alive, aged 85 or 86 as of 2024. My family has many cherished memories of this place. My father worked for Sentosa until his retirement in late 2019 or early 2020. During school holidays, my large family would often visit the island, celebrating birthdays and going camping. My father had an office in a container somewhere on the island. I remember sitting on the back of his bicycle as he cycled around, showing me the mangrove areas and where the canteen was. My mother used to tell me stories about the friends she made from Vietnam when they were there for quarantine or something similar. She absolutely loved the island and was a beach lover through and through-she adored the beach and the sea breeze. I also remember my family going fishing, catching crabs, and swimming with my cousins. We would usually rent a bungalow, large enough to host both my paternal and maternal sides of the family. We even still have a VCR tape of one of our trips to St. John's Island.
I also have fond memories of St. John's island. We were evicted roughly in 1975, and were relocated to Red Hill HDB one room flat. Addynna grandparents, aunties, and uncles were our neighbors living in the same barrack (rumah empat) w another family. It has been many years since my last trip to the beloved island; that was back in 2007. Early this year, when I visited SG, I had the intention to take a trip to the island. However, I missed it because of my tight schedule.
Excellent production again by OGS. There is a beautiful chinese song about Pulau Tekong 岛的儿子，Son of an Island. Loosely translated by google. The sun sets and the sea breeze sends the sunset glow Tekong Island is as beautiful as a picture Playing Guitar under the attap house Watching the waves on the sea The sun sets and the sea breeze sends the sunset glow Tekong Island is my home The swaying coconut trees tell love stories Listening to the sea is not noisy I can't forget you The sea breeze blows gently Sending the sunset glow Son of the island I think of you, my island My dreamland is full of colorful clouds
Hi @alvinal1345, that's a beautiful song :") I saw it on TH-cam and it definitely invokes lots of nostalgic feelings. The english translation just hits differently.
the first time i visited st. john's island, i was so in awe of how serene it was as compared to city life and would loved to have that slow pace of life follow me back to mainland SG. it's unimaginable that there are singaporeans who've experienced that close intimacy to nature and are now forced into the hustle of an urban lifestyle, what a shame!
No idea what they're doing now but it would be super cool to have them organise paid and guided day trips onto St John's. Essentially recreate the whole experience (swimming, agriculture, etc) of what it means to live there in the past. Such a shame the island has probably been zoned to do other things, otherwise would be interesting to experience the living part of the island as well.
Such a great idea. We hope that it'll happen one day too to keep this lesser known part of our nations heritage alive. In the meantime, there are similar tours currently available for Pulau Ubin :)
@@OGS.Official My late grandfather was working at St John's Island as a chief electrician during those days, mybe in the 40's or 50's and my mom was born there , she went to a school at the opposite island nearby travel by sampan everyday. She had much shared about her childhood days in SJI. Life was simple and happy. They had to move back to Spore during the 60's when my late grandfather retired.During my childhod there were some challets at SJI where we could rent, we will spend a few days there during school holidays. SJI will always remain as my mom's Kampong.❤️
My parents was also born there. I was the last grandchild that was raised there in my family. My grandmother was ones of the last resident to move out of St. John's Island. My paternal aunt and her husband was the last people to have lived there, along with our former neighbour, who unfortunately passed away in his home at St. John's Island. I will forever call it my home. Thank you for this video, from one of the last few people from St. John's Island.
So beautiful and sad at the same time. My dad used to run the canteen there for quite some time, at the house on the hill facing the beach. I used to spend my weekends and also weekdays staying there during school holidays. I would roam around the island.. lots of beautiful memories on St John.
Thank you for the story.. I have that experience before, it is so beautiful and lovely to see all the natural things around, and in Singapore We can’t get all this anymore is very very sad.😢❤
I love this family and their story. Yeah I agree with others, they should write a picture book about their life in the island, it is a worthwhile story for Singapore
Island in the stream throughout your life, no one can take that away and from within you. Live and reflect upon it. Bitterness is much sweeter. Cheers.
in the mid 90s my brother and I always fished at Sekijang Bendera,Sekijang Pelepah and Seringat….very peaceful place to camp and relax…missed that place very much…
My Grandparents from Rengit(Seringat island) move to Lazarus island.. missed ur late grandfather Wak sairy.. Salam from me BUDAK UNGKAL (ANAK NOH BUTON)
On every Singapore islands there always OBS is pain to see that OBS on every island of Singapore demolishing every single Kampong house just to make a campsite making them feel Sad and remember what they used to do on the island back in the yesteryears
Beautifully crafted video of serene Lives un~necessarily interrupted by sg……..somehow, being a long game player, I know Nature will take its course Inevitably no matter how much man schemes ~ ~*.
Because the Lepak lifestyle is not acceptable by policymakers ..all must progress and work diligently,,contribute CPF n tax. This island will reserve for rich n famous , the 2nd sentosa…
What makes you think that islanders are not progressive & did not work diligently?⁉️ They are not just “Lepak” lifestyle it’s their HOME of course they will chill but when it comes to work THEY ARE JUST US HARDWORKING,DILIGENT & PROGRESSIVE. You 🤏don’t be so quick to judge people!
What makes you think that islanders are not progressive & did not work diligently?⁉️ They are not just “Lepak” lifestyle it’s their HOME of course they will chill but when it comes to work THEY ARE JUST US HARDWORKING,DILIGENT & PROGRESSIVE. You 🤏don’t be so quick to judge people!
What makes you think that islanders are not progressive & did not work diligently?⁉️ They are not just “Lepak” lifestyle it’s their HOME of course they will chill but when it comes to work THEY ARE JUST US HARDWORKING,DILIGENT & PROGRESSIVE. You 🤏don’t be so quick to judge people!
What makes you think that islanders are not progressive & did not work diligently?⁉️ They are not just “Lepak” lifestyle it’s their HOME of course they will chill but when it comes to work THEY ARE JUST US HARDWORKING,DILIGENT & PROGRESSIVE. You 🤏don’t be so quick to judge people!
What makes you think that islanders are not progressive & did not work diligently?⁉️ They are not just “Lepak” lifestyle it’s their HOME of course they will chill but when it comes to work THEY ARE JUST US HARDWORKING,DILIGENT & PROGRESSIVE. You 🤏don’t be so quick to judge people!
The lives of people are never in consideration for the greater ECONOMIC BENEFIT that is the hallmark of the PAP Govt.. Anything not making $$$ they will evict, tear down or destroy, then leave it there until they figure out how to make money out of it... St John, Kranji Forest etc. all are victims..
It's really sad that the islanders were forced off their land, and yet after all that, no new development has even taken place. What was the point of displacing an entire community if nothing was going to be done? It just feels like a senseless loss.
My grandparents were forced off their Kampong in Boh Sua Tian Road. To this day the Kampong has become a forest.
I agree. It makes me mad. They deserved better 😔
A lot done there. See Tourist attraction. Many people there.
We may have left the island, but the island has never left us. God bless you and your family Addynna!
Thanks a bunch for doing this story, OGS. Damn. This story was particularly heartbreaking; I think it was the emotions of Addynna and her siblings. You can feel their grief. Having their childhood, the open seas & kampung life taken away, then putting them into stale, identical flats and not even demolishing the place properly. Colour me tilted. I guess, at least, on the flipside, the siblings have fond memories to look back on. I feel like growing up in HDBs and our concrete jungle is really a life quarter-lived.
It’s so sad to see them going back to where it used to be their home, and then feeling upset because the government didn’t do a proper job of demolishing and “redevelopment” 😭
My siblings n I was born in SJI. We stayed in the island till 1971 after my grandfather died n moved to the mainland. We attended the SJI English Primary Sch n some of my English teachers are well known people such as Leslie Fong, Theresa Thumboo, Kirpal Singh. I still keep my Primary 6 Report book n birth cert. Island life is so quiet, peaceful, tranquil n we missed it all these years.
My mother, her siblings, and my maternal grandparents lived on St. John's Island. My mother sadly passed away in November 2020, and my grandfather passed around 2000 or 2001. My grandmother is still alive, aged 85 or 86 as of 2024. My family has many cherished memories of this place. My father worked for Sentosa until his retirement in late 2019 or early 2020. During school holidays, my large family would often visit the island, celebrating birthdays and going camping. My father had an office in a container somewhere on the island. I remember sitting on the back of his bicycle as he cycled around, showing me the mangrove areas and where the canteen was.
My mother used to tell me stories about the friends she made from Vietnam when they were there for quarantine or something similar. She absolutely loved the island and was a beach lover through and through-she adored the beach and the sea breeze. I also remember my family going fishing, catching crabs, and swimming with my cousins. We would usually rent a bungalow, large enough to host both my paternal and maternal sides of the family. We even still have a VCR tape of one of our trips to St. John's Island.
What precious memories Pulau Sekijang holds for your family. Thank you for sharing them with us - this is how we keep the spirit of the island alive.
I also have fond memories of St. John's island. We were evicted roughly in 1975, and were relocated to Red Hill HDB one room flat. Addynna grandparents, aunties, and uncles were our neighbors living in the same barrack (rumah empat) w another family.
It has been many years since my last trip to the beloved island; that was back in 2007. Early this year, when I visited SG, I had the intention to take a trip to the island. However, I missed it because of my tight schedule.
To Rosalind, Addyna and Radzly: Please, please write a book about your life in St John's Island! Have it published, then your story will live forever!
Excellent production again by OGS.
There is a beautiful chinese song about Pulau Tekong 岛的儿子，Son of an Island.
Loosely translated by google.
The sun sets and the sea breeze sends the sunset glow
Tekong Island is as beautiful as a picture
Playing Guitar under the attap house
Watching the waves on the sea
The sun sets and the sea breeze sends the sunset glow
Tekong Island is my home
The swaying coconut trees tell love stories
Listening to the sea is not noisy
I can't forget you The sea breeze blows gently
Sending the sunset glow Son of the island
I think of you, my island
My dreamland is full of colorful clouds
Hi @alvinal1345, that's a beautiful song :") I saw it on TH-cam and it definitely invokes lots of nostalgic feelings. The english translation just hits differently.
Wow... This is a Masterpiece... Many years down the road hopefully generations can check this video out.. Well done OGS..
the first time i visited st. john's island, i was so in awe of how serene it was as compared to city life and would loved to have that slow pace of life follow me back to mainland SG. it's unimaginable that there are singaporeans who've experienced that close intimacy to nature and are now forced into the hustle of an urban lifestyle, what a shame!
Great topic. Great video. One of the best uploads in recent months.
No idea what they're doing now but it would be super cool to have them organise paid and guided day trips onto St John's. Essentially recreate the whole experience (swimming, agriculture, etc) of what it means to live there in the past. Such a shame the island has probably been zoned to do other things, otherwise would be interesting to experience the living part of the island as well.
Such a great idea. We hope that it'll happen one day too to keep this lesser known part of our nations heritage alive. In the meantime, there are similar tours currently available for Pulau Ubin :)
My mom was from St John's Island too. Love this video.
We hope it gave you a little glimpse of what your Mom's life was like back then! :")
@@OGS.Official My late grandfather was working at St John's Island as a chief electrician during those days, mybe in the 40's or 50's and my mom was born there , she went to a school at the opposite island nearby travel by sampan everyday. She had much shared about her childhood days in SJI. Life was simple and happy. They had to move back to Spore during the 60's when my late grandfather retired.During my childhod there were some challets at SJI where we could rent, we will spend a few days there during school holidays. SJI will always remain as my mom's Kampong.❤️
My parents was also born there. I was the last grandchild that was raised there in my family. My grandmother was ones of the last resident to move out of St. John's Island. My paternal aunt and her husband was the last people to have lived there, along with our former neighbour, who unfortunately passed away in his home at St. John's Island. I will forever call it my home. Thank you for this video, from one of the last few people from St. John's Island.
so interesting. nvr knew there was a school. loved the sensitive storytelling 🥰
thank you for sharing your story. it's beautiful and full of heart and soul.
So beautiful and sad at the same time. My dad used to run the canteen there for quite some time, at the house on the hill facing the beach. I used to spend my weekends and also weekdays staying there during school holidays. I would roam around the island.. lots of beautiful memories on St John.
wish the video was longer.. would like to know more about their life hehe
Thank you for the story.. I have that experience before, it is so beautiful and lovely to see all the natural things around, and in Singapore We can’t get all this anymore is very very sad.😢❤
Man I didn’t expect this to be so sad…
The process of filming this piece was bittersweet for us as well 😢
I love this family and their story. Yeah I agree with others, they should write a picture book about their life in the island, it is a worthwhile story for Singapore
st john’s forever in my ♥️
hi afinaeddy4721
Fantastic production. For us who have the experience of leaving a place we love for whatever reasons, this is heart breaking. This is more so.
That last frame was perfect. So simple but so full of emotions. Love it.
Wow the editing was so seamless I didn't notice it. Great job editor
Beautiful
My dad and my relatives used to live at Tekong! Always hear them talk about the past makes me wonder how carefree life used to be 😊
You guys always nail it!
Thank you for your encouragement and continuous support!
Beautiful stories. Thank you for sharing.❤
Island in the stream throughout your life, no one can take that away and from within you.
Live and reflect upon it.
Bitterness is much sweeter.
Cheers.
in the mid 90s my brother and I always fished at Sekijang Bendera,Sekijang Pelepah and Seringat….very peaceful place to camp and relax…missed that place very much…
This moved my heart
Nothing last forever.. A sad reality for Singaporeans. Only the Oxley Road house can last forever I think.
Bravo! Your island! To Rosalind, Addyna and Radzly! Can tell a story on catching a grasshopper or earthworm, how cool! Cheers!🎉😊
My Grandparents from Rengit(Seringat island) move to Lazarus island.. missed ur late grandfather Wak sairy..
Salam from me
BUDAK UNGKAL
(ANAK NOH BUTON)
I was born in this Island too. Can the gov build a resort with a golf course for the public. Rather leave it unutilised.🥰😍
Hey Dynna! Nice to see you again😊
I always go there......
🙏 thank you! Was that sea almond the lady was eating?
On every Singapore islands there always OBS is pain to see that OBS on every island of Singapore demolishing every single Kampong house just to make a campsite making them feel Sad and remember what they used to do on the island back in the yesteryears
So nice to hear , you still have Malay accent
Beautifully crafted video of serene Lives un~necessarily interrupted by sg……..somehow, being a long game player, I know Nature will take its course Inevitably no matter how much man schemes ~ ~*.
So sad I feel for you❤
Please don't use the colonial "St John's Island" name. Use the native "Pulau Sekijang Bendera". Don't whitewash the history.
So you got buy down the land there ?
😢😢😢😢
The government treat Singapore as an enterprise no money no talk
What the government do to the last island?
Their tale, its everyones. But what to do?
Sad
269 Marietta Trace
My great-grandfather landed on St John's Island during the beginning of the Republic of China from China. Which is the end of Qing Dynasty.
I share your pain and memory. I remember...... by Madonna.
😢
Because the Lepak lifestyle is not acceptable by policymakers ..all must progress and work diligently,,contribute CPF n tax. This island will reserve for rich n famous , the 2nd sentosa…
What makes you think that islanders are not progressive & did not work diligently?⁉️ They are not just “Lepak” lifestyle it’s their HOME of course they will chill but when it comes to work THEY ARE JUST US HARDWORKING,DILIGENT & PROGRESSIVE. You 🤏don’t be so quick to judge people!
What makes you think that islanders are not progressive & did not work diligently?⁉️ They are not just “Lepak” lifestyle it’s their HOME of course they will chill but when it comes to work THEY ARE JUST US HARDWORKING,DILIGENT & PROGRESSIVE. You 🤏don’t be so quick to judge people!
What makes you think that islanders are not progressive & did not work diligently?⁉️ They are not just “Lepak” lifestyle it’s their HOME of course they will chill but when it comes to work THEY ARE JUST US HARDWORKING,DILIGENT & PROGRESSIVE. You 🤏don’t be so quick to judge people!
What makes you think that islanders are not progressive & did not work diligently?⁉️ They are not just “Lepak” lifestyle it’s their HOME of course they will chill but when it comes to work THEY ARE JUST US HARDWORKING,DILIGENT & PROGRESSIVE. You 🤏don’t be so quick to judge people!
What makes you think that islanders are not progressive & did not work diligently?⁉️ They are not just “Lepak” lifestyle it’s their HOME of course they will chill but when it comes to work THEY ARE JUST US HARDWORKING,DILIGENT & PROGRESSIVE. You 🤏don’t be so quick to judge people!
Perhaps our new highly-paid PM have plans for a more empathetic governance.
WOW nature place. Now tourist attraction. Lucky take back. or else the sea fill with rubbish.
Modernisation by the government. vote wisely
The lives of people are never in consideration for the greater ECONOMIC BENEFIT that is the hallmark of the PAP Govt.. Anything not making $$$ they will evict, tear down or destroy, then leave it there until they figure out how to make money out of it... St John, Kranji Forest etc. all are victims..