My Father's Kampung. Shawn Seah
does it for me, better than I could.
I am delighted to contribute this foreword for the following reasons. First, Shawn Seah reminds me of people and places I know of, and second, of people and places I did not know of. That he is able to do so is a tribute to his passion and scholarship in documenting the social history of Hougang, or Aukang as it was then called before the HDB came in.
He has wisely chosen to see a large part of it through the eyes of his father and thus has performed a wonderful filial duty. Additionally, he has personalised his narrative so that it is not a dry, objective account but a highly-individualised one. The lively interviews with prominent Teochews of the area and the apt photos and illustrations all add up to a comprehensive and intriguing tale.
A third reason for recommending this book is that, while he focuses on the Teochew Catholics, he has included those who are Eurasians, Malays, Indians, Hokkien Peranakans, and others who made up the multi-ethnic composition of Aukang. The constituency is thus seen as a typical patchwork of the larger Singapore identity.
Finally, he has cleverly linked the old Aukang, which comprised the fifth and sixth mile precincts, and Kangkar and Punggol, to the new, enormous developments that is now Sengkang and other districts. In this way, he has provided continuous engagement between the OLD that his father knew with the transformed, beyond recognition—NEW.
Foreword
By Toh Tong Dee President of Montfort Alumni
Montfort School was founded as a parish school known as Holy Innocents’ English School in 1916 within the grounds of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Upper Serangoon Road. The building where the school was first established still stands today!
Due to the rising enrolment, the Diocese requested that the Brothers of St Gabriel take over the management of Holy Innocents’ English School in 1936. In memory of the Founder of the Order, St Louis Marie-Grignion de Montfort, the school was renamed Montfort School in 1959.
The premises were expanded in phases to cope with a rising student population. In 1960, His Grace Michel Olçomendy (the first Archbishop of Singapore) blessed the extension of a wing of the school’s premises.
The history of Montfort School is strongly intertwined with the Church, as well as with the old Aukang. As a result, when the time came to build a new school, it was decided that it must be located in today’s Hougang. Since 1992, Montfort School has been operating at their new premises at Hougang Avenue 8.
Such stories like these, and much more, are conveyed by Shawn Seah in his book. We strongly encourage you to read this book and support a local author who has published a book on Seah Eu Chin, his ancestor as well as a pioneer in Singapore’s early history.
Shawn was inspired to trace his father’s roots as his father spent his childhood and adult days in Aukang. He did extensive research, including interviewing his father’s family and friends, and other people who lived in historical Aukang. He spent weekends and holidays working on this book—a testimony to his dedication to bring the history of this part of Singapore to life.
This is also a story about a son learning about his father’s memories in Montfort School as a student (1953 to 1959) and later as an educator (from 1964 to 1973) at both Montfort Junior School and Montfort Secondary.
The Montfort Alumni hopes to engage more Montfortians and strive to pass on the rich heritage of Montfort from generation to generation. The Montfort Alumni is proud to support this book by Shawn Seah which documents the long and distinguished history of Montfort School.
I trust you will enjoy reading this book!
Simply Put, What is This Book About?
This book is about my father’s kampung, when it was still known as Aukang, before it transformed into Hougang. This book is about a son’s journey in appreciating the different life that his father experienced and understanding the history of the place he called home.
Covering the north-east of Singapore and the areas which would be called Hougang, Sengkang, Buangkok, and Punggol today, this book details my father’s childhood experiences from the 1950s to 1970s. It describes memories of places, people, and professions; it evokes memories. It highlights especially the unique and distinct identity of the Catholic Teochews, but captures the stories of other communities who lived in the area. It also examines the little-known history of Aukang and Punggol in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
This book also consists of a series of wider reflections, on topics like the Kampung Spirit, identity, and the Singapore Story. In particular, the Singapore Story comprises many personal and community stories. Our unique past connects us with our present, like an anchor providing ballast in the waters of an uncertain world. I hope this book can serve as an invitation to start broader dialogues and conversations on such topics.
Contents
Simply Put, What is This Book About?
Chapter 1: Why Did I Write This Book?
Chapter 3: Catholicism in Aukang (1853–Present)
The Rise of Catholicism in Aukang
Montfort School (1916–Present)
The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1853–Present)