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Friday, September 18, 2009
Poly Forum - Closing Speech

This was my closing speech, for the Polytechnic Forum 2009 presentation on the Erosion of Singapore's Cultural Identity.
This was presented to a full-house, auditorium. Amongst the audience, was Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, and principals from the 5 polys in Singapore.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

So, what’s next?

Youths are agents of change. Youths play a vital role in developing and shaping the future of Singapore’s Cultural identity. What we decide on today, would invariably affect the outcomes of tomorrow.

What is it that we can do in preserving our individual ethnic cultural identity, while also helping to further develop Singapore’s cultural identity? This is definitely not an easy topic to suggest recommendations for, especially when even we find it hard to even understand or define the Singaporean Cultural Identity. The fusion of the different cultures in Singapore, helped along with some government policies has caused the erosion of the original form of the cultures. And this has directly contributed to developing the Singaporean Cultural Identity.

On preserving something much closer to our hearts, our hawker culture needs to be preserved as well.
Can you imagine a Singapore without our Katong Laksa?
Can you imagine a Singapore without our Chilli Crab?
Can you imagine a Singapore without Chicken Rice, char kway teow or maybe even carrot cake?
Do we want to lose this wonderful, diverse food culture that we are privileged to have as Singaporeans?

I can’t live without it.

The erosion of our language culture is another challenge for us.

Here’s our dilemma. Good English can destroy the ability for Sg to create a Uniquely Singaporean Culture but the widespread use of Singlish can seriously affect our employability especially in this time and age, where it is not uncommon to have Singaporeans living and working abroad in large MNCs.

But one thing is certain, we cannot deny the fact that Singlish identifies a Singaporean especially when we’re abroad. For youth, speaking Singlish is natural, but that does not mean our youth cannot speak good English. We just need to know when to switch appropriately between the two.

What we suggest then, is to enhance the English syllabus for secondary schools. The youths, and the future generation must be trained from young, on how to distinguish between when it’s required to speak good and proper English, and when it’s perfectly okay to be speaking in Singlish.

Again, it is up to us, the youth, to decide for ourselves. Is Singlish something we should preserve? Or is it something we can do away with? Our decision today, would affect the outcomes of tomorrow.

Change is inevitable. Erosion of culture due to globalisation is inevitable. Over time, some practices and traditions may be left behind or put aside for the sake of economic and social development. However, we should be aware that our values must be retained. After all, it is our national shared values and other universal values that makes us who we are.

We are the leaders of tomorrow. It is up to us to decide, and decide now, what kind of society we would like to have in the future. The catalysts of change lie in us right now, and we can’t go on depending on our parents, teachers, or even our maids to effect the change into our future.

Do we forego our ethnic cultural identities in place of a common Singaporean cultural identity or do we continue having these dual identities in each of us? And I think having both is what makes us unique.

Think about defining what is a Singaporean...

Where do we come from?
What do we share?
When does it go wrong?
Why do we care?
How do we define us as we see?
So exactly, who are we?

Decide now. We are the agents of change.
Thank you and goodnight.

nakalboi. Another day is done;
- 8:16 pm

Sunday, September 13, 2009
I've always..

I've always enjoyed every moment spent with you.
I've always treasured the times we spent together.
I've always remembered you as the cheeky one.
I've always tried my best to be there for you, whenever I can.

I've always been inspired by the things you have done.
I've always been proud of the awards you have achieved.
I've always been supportive of the journeys you've wanted to embark on.
I've always been, where I've been.

I've always enjoyed the rides with you.
I've always enjoyed making you laugh with my silliness.
I've always enjoyed listening to you sing.
I've always enjoyed talking to you about the things you've always wanted to do.

If you think that for a moment, I've given up on you, never.
If you think that for a moment, I've given up on us, never.
IF you think that for a moment, I think that you're not good enough, never.
If you think that for a moment, even a short moment, I think about not making you happy, never either.

Cos, you're there in my darkest hour.
Cos, you're there to make me feel better.

Cos, you're you.

For better or worse,
Till death do us part,
I'll love you with every single bit of my heart,
I swear.

Loving you every single day.

Thanks.

nakalboi. Another day is done;
- 5:30 am

randomly ME .

	Name : Bambang Suryadi Location : Upnorth, Singapore
	A little bit of here, a little bit of there. I'm a little bit of everywhere. You gotta find out more about me, to know where I'd be
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Dear God, Give me the answers I seek. Give me the strength to continue loving and caring, in this world full of hatred, and discontentment.

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Dear God, give me the ability to be the best that I can be, for my family and friends.

Dear God, please ensure her safety, and the safety of those she loves, and those who love her.

Dear God, don't take away this gift of patience, and faith which you have bestowed upon me, as it helps me keeps my sanity in times like this. Don't take away the love that I have for the people I care for.

Dear God, beyond everything I ask for help to make sure that the people I care for remain as happy as can be, even though you need to shroud me in misery.

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