Good Bye Caldecott Hill, Hello Star Avenue

A pop guitar group performing during a recording session of Dendang Ria at the former RTS and SBC studio at Caldecott Hill in 1963.

Here's a note from good friend Mun Chor Seng, a Singapore television news photographer, who used to accompany the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew during the former PM's trips around the region. He explains in detail the workings of a well-protected area at the former MediaCorp, Caldecott Hill. 

Thank you Chor Seng.

MediaCorp has completely left Caldecott Hill and moved to their new office in Star Avenue on 27 March, 2017. The foundation stone for the new building was laid on 8 November 2013.  The new Campus will be home to 2,800 staff and a State-of-the-Art, 1,500 seats Broadcasting Performance Theatre.

In view of the above, I would like to share with you my collection of photographs of the changes to the reception counters in Caldecott Hill from 1952 to 2017.

Tight Security At Broadcasting Centre

Photo 1: 
August, 1952

This was the layout of the radio reception counter when they moved in Caldecott Hill in August 1952.  I took part in the Singapore Memory project with this photograph and this is what I wrote.  "This picture holds special fond memories for me; it shows my first contact with broadcasting in March 1958.  That was the receptionist in Broadcasting House, which was and still is a protected area.  

As usual, I have to get the necessary clearance from the receptionist before I report for work in the Recorded Programme Section.  I was then employed as a Broadcasting Assistant. There were two shift duties for the receptionists, morning (7 am to 3 pm) and evening (3 pm to 11 pm).  

In the morning an Office Attendant will be stationed there together with the Receptionist.  He will guide the visitor to the relevant officer/section.  The photograph shows Mrs. Naidu, a friendly and beautiful grandmother who was on day duty as indicated by the clock.  

On top the Enquiries sign, two sets of telephones, one for external calls while the other for internal calls on the desk.  On her left, next to the clock, is the door (with the letter A) to the air-conditioned Auditorium.  

The types of programmes produced (in four official languages), were displayed in the background.  These are news, school broadcasts, sports, talks and features, drama and variety, etc.  A pie chart indicating the percentage of the programme for the above also included.  Your Programmes in four different languages was featured in the four corners of the chart.  

Part of the Chinese characters and the Indian language can be seen on the top and bottom of the photograph respectively.  Mr. Lee Kuan Yew who spoke at the first Aneka Ragam Rakyat Show at the Botanic Garden (centre photo) was selected for display."

Photo 2
August, 1966 

The new TV centre as declared opened by the Prime Minister, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, in August 1966.  The Reception Counter now occupied a bigger space. To man the counter, there were a total of 6 receptionists working on 2 shifts from 7 am and ending at 12 midnight.  

Being front-liners,  their duties included meeting members of the public, visitors, clients, extras, artistes etc that came to SBC (Singapore Broadcasting Corporation) mainly during office hours.  They screened all visitors and requested their Identity Cards in exchange for the departmental passes.  Recording the particulars and to call up staff members and direct them to the respective offices were part of their duty.  

The rectangular cases on top of the counters were used to retain the visitors IC's.  Other duties of the receptionists involved receiving mail/parcels, issuing keys for self-drive departmental vehicles and checking vehicle log books.

Photo 3
August, 1986

In August 1986, the Reception Counter including the Security areas moved to the newly-built annex building opposite the TV gate.  There was a display of "Speak Mandarin Campaign" publicity materials in the Reception area.  

The photographs of President (Mr. Wee Kim Wee) and his wife were hung in the background.  The duties of the receptionists remained as before with only the Security personnel now added to assist them daily.   

Photos 4 and 5
2007 - 2008

The two photographs show 2007 and 2008 respectively the state of the Reception Counter with MEDIACORP proudly displayed in the background.  It is situated in the multi-storey building above the multi-storey car park which was completed in early 1990's.  

From the main road, the public can get access to the Reception through a walkway.  Those who drive will have to park their cars in the basement car park and use the lift to gain access. Except for the decorations (flowers) on the right, the counter is clear.  

The same procedure and arrangement listed above will apply and all the visitors IC's are kept out of sight for security reasons.  Visitors will be issued with departmental passes which will permit entry to areas required by tapping at the point of entry.  In view of security, they will be accompanied by the officer concerned at all times. 

Upon completion of their visit, they will have to surrender the department passes in exchange for their IC's before they leave the stations.  This is a far cry from the old days where visitors were able to roam freely around the broadcasting complex.

18 March 2017

The Caldecott Old Timers (COT) Club organised a final tour of Caldecott Broadcast Centre (CBC). I would like to include the following shots taken that day for your reference.

Writer and photographer Mr Mun Chor Seng at the former Reception Counter.

Addendum

Whether you are a VIP, an international pop star, a band boy with a guitar, a postman with a package to deliver, or specially invited guests, anyone entering the premises has to go through the same protocol. 

At Mediacorp Star Avenue today, security is tighter still.

Images and Article: Mun Chor Seng (Copyrights Reserved).

Blog Statistics On Singapore Music Stories

Repent by Straydogs: Singapore 60s's Video by Sg Rebel. Thank you.


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One of the stories you will encounter on this blog, The Trekkers, whose lead guitarist is today a successful stock broker in California, USA.

                              Home Recording In 1963. Great Stuff !

A video story of four boys from the East Coast in Singapore aged 13- 15 years from Singapore who started a band in 1961 and played music for fun. They participated in many Talentime (talent quests) and charity shows. 

The guitars they carried were as big as their youngest members. The new style Fender guitars and amplifiers were not available in Singapore in the early 60's. 

The Trekkers members were George Wang ( Drums ), Charles Ng ( Rhythm Guitar ), William Tan ( Bass Guitar ) and Henry Gan ( Lead Guitar ). They played Ventures and Shadows music, Duane Eddy and music from the late Arthur Smith. 

Shindig was one of their favorite Shadows number. This recording was from a jam session at home in 1963.

Connect:
http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/search/label/Singapore%2060s%20Music

Legends About Thunderbirds, Tornados n Strings

From left: Freddie Kang (Thunderbirds), John Cher, Andy Lim (Silver Strings), Derek McCully (The Tornados).

One of the reasons why I write this blog is to get like-minded music people to meet and chat; so this blog is like a cyberspace kopi-tiam (coffee joint).

It has been happening since because John Cher who appreciates this blog and its usefulness, has been doing something similar. He's been gathering music-makers together for personal chit-chats in the real kopi-tiams.

And I must thank him for his innovative ways in getting people together.

On Friday last John and I (Silver Strings) met, but this time with two legends who are still around.  I remember this gentleman meeting Rickie Chng (Silver Strings lead) and myself at Novena Square, twelve months earlier, thundering into the mall and announcing himself with his sirens and beepers as he approached us (image: 2). 

Freddie Kang (record cover image: 2nd right), was from the Thunderbirds, one of the top ten bands from Singapore 60's that was still playing some years back at the Carriage Bar in Orchard Road.  

When he left the group, he went solo and with his impactful Fender Strat and appropriate amplifiers became a successful one-man band for 16 years at Riverview Hotel.  (now known as Four Points by Sheraton)

You have to sit with Freddie to know him better. He's got lots of history to tell and the two hours I spent with him hardly covered the first pages of his life story.

The other gentleman is one I had met when he with his group performed at the Temasek Club some years ago, with the band's rhythmist at that time, Arthur Lim. 

The band is called The Tornados and he was from St. Andrew School.  They made a record with the Sundowners. This grey-haired gentleman sat beside me with his numerous stories of knights in shining armour riding in fast Lamborginis, Ferraris and Aston Martins.

Derek McCully from the famous McCully clan in Singapore told John, Freddie and me about how he decided to: 

Only play the guitar for fun
And not to chari-makan...
                     
The question is, how did he *chari makan?  Definitely not with his guitar and Hank Marvin riffs.  Although he was just too good with The Shadows repertoire of instrumental hits, he did something else to earn a living.

                      Derek McCully (left) with an Aston Martin Lagonda.

As I explained this posting is just a teaser.  So for more stories about The Thunderbirds and The Tornados, watch out for them soon on this blog. 

Not the usual, who joined the band and who left, but a peek into their background and what made them take up the solid guitars they armed themselves with.  Our own Guitar Heroes!

*literal: looking for food = earn an income.

Images: A Private Collection and Star On-Line.
Videos have been disabled.

Jimi Hendrix Distorts: Horace Wee Replies Part 2

Horace Wee is one of the foremost professional pop guitarists this side of the Pacific, having been with our local radio station (RTS) for many years and a leader of his own group.  He has a reply to Henri Gann's interesting short comment about distorted guitar sound when I asked him to educate an ignoramus like me.

Thank you Horace.

His article starts here. 

The subject of distortion and a discourse of Jimi Hendrix - the man, his music and instrument has been covered in volumes of books and articles. Guitar distortion existed in various forms from the early 50's recordings. Much of it was by accident and the discovery that it produced musical tones.  Like the tremolo drenched sound of Link Wray's rumble or the bite of Keith Richards' telecaster.

Hendrix pushed the envelope further by playing louder and using larger amplifiers.  Influenced by his background of RnB music and likely listening to blues performers performing on inadequate small amplifiers distorting, were some factors that probably contributed to the crystallization of his musical approach (image: Richards-left, Wray-right).

Black people don't listen to white music. Essentially Hendrix foundation was the Blues. Probably America's greatest contribution to the world's art form.  The distortion on his guitar sort of emulates the growl in a blues holler or shout.  In short the distortion of an electric guitar sound can be equated to a primal scream. Pure raw emotion.

Technically in the beginning, Hendrix's equipment was a regular right handed Fender Stratocaster strung and played left handed, a germanium Big Muff distortion pedal, Vox wah pedal and a stack of Marshall amplifiers. He used a Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face as well, mentioned in various articles about Hendrix.


The way he played was the most important element in the final result we all have come to appreciate.

Ah Andy, you have triggered my thoughts.

Horace Wee (left) has peppered this blog with many short anecdotes and comments for some years now. If you key his name in the Search engine on the right bar of this blog you can find many of his contributions.

What triggered this discussion. Read connection here:
http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2017/03/jimmi-hendrix-distorted-guitar-sound.html

DISCLAIMER:
THIS POSTING IS NEITHER ADVERTISING NOR SPONSORING ANY PRODUCT SHOWN. VIDEO IS FOR ILLUSTRATION ONLY. ANY OBJECTION TO VIDEO DISPLAY SHALL BE DELETED.

Images: Google and a Personal Collection.
You Tube Video: Tone Factor.

Jimi Hendrix: Distorted Guitar Sound: The Trekkers

Henri Gann, who lives in California and from Singapore 60's band The Trekkers wrote a comment on Ray Anthony's posting. I thought it needed a bigger space. So here it is everyone. From one guitarist to the rest of you guys out there. Any comment?

Ray Anthony of Singapore playing Jimi Hendrix ? OMG ! That had to be quite a trip!

A few years ago, my brother John who lives in Singapore asked me, " Who's Jimi Hendrix?" The first tune that instantly came into my mind was " Foxy Lady." 

I remember the feeling when I first heard Hendrix on the radio of my '66 Ford Mustang in LA. I was instantly floored by his guitar playing. The year was 1967. 

The DJ's were raving over the happenings at the Monterey Pop Festival. When I was playing the guitar with the Trekkers in the early 60's, distorted amplifiers were negatively thought of as inadequate amplification. And here, Hendrix was able to turn all that distorted guitar sound into very beautiful sounding music. 

Years later, while at a guitar store when I saw a young kid playing Hendrix with the new Guitar God device, I instantly wished I could be that kid. 

Hendrix was indeed the rare guitarist of the century; the star that showed up in our Galaxy once in a lifetime. And as Ed Vulliami from the Guardian stated, "he was the only guitarist who could think of playing like the blues musician Muddy Waters and rock guitarist Albert King combined." 

From: Henri Gann.

My Comment:

Jimi Hendrix' music has also been associated with drugs and fantasy trips, and I must be clear here, nothing to do with Henri's letter to me.  But is his music still popular today? Looking at the number of viewers on his You Tube videos, it has 57 million watching his Watchtower song.

Comment you musicians, especially guitarists out there? What say you?

Horace Wee replies. Click connection:
http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2017/03/jimi-hendrix-distorts-horace-wee-replies.html

Images and Video: Google and You Tube.

Li Li Hua 李麗華 (1924 - 2017) R.I.P.

Actress:

Born in 1924 in China, Li Li Hua made her first movie in 1940, just before World War II. Three Smiles it was called.  She was only 16 but with a whole lot of acting experience since she started acting at four. 

Because of her training in Peking (Beijing) Opera she was able to maintain her journey through the tough film industry acting in 120 movies within 4 decades.

There were many 'firsts' in this illustrious lady's career. She starred in the first colour movie made in Hong Kong, Blood Will Tell (1955); the first Chinese actress to star in a Hollywood movie, China Doll (1958) with Victor Mature. 

She acted in a Chinese movie that won a Cannes Award, The Magnificent Concubine (1962) and walked on the famed Cannes red carpet. Could she be the first Chinese actress to be fully undressed in a Shaw Brothers' movie?

A very young Jackie Chan had acted in 3 movies with her.  Cecil B. De Mille, Yul Brynner and Clark Gable were some of her admirers.

She was under Great Wall, a China controlled movie company but was later under the banner of Shaw Brothers film based in Hong Kong and Singapore. 
She married thrice and her second husband Yen Chun was another famous actor; they had acted in many movies together.

According to a Chinese newspaper report, she had an apartment in Singapore opposite the American Club in Claymore Hill. She used to frequent this island but because of her health had lived in Hong Kong since.

She passed away in Hong Kong at 92 years in March 2017.

Singer:

She was also a celebrated singer, having recorded a good number of songs that were just as popular as her movies. Those years a movie had its own theme song usually sung by the main star. 

The You Tube song below was interpreted in a jazzy style rather than in her usual traditional way. Li Li Hua had many tracks to her name.

In 1994, at 70 years, she recorded again and had more than a dozen of her classic songs but adding 3 more to her already popular repertoire for EMI, Singapore.

                    China Doll - Li Li Hua (1956) - Video Chan Julian


A Short List of Li Li Hua's Songs:

Blue Bridge - 魂断蓝桥 (Auld Lang Syne)
Waiting For His Return In Vain -人儿不见归
Beaming - 喜上眉梢

Blazing With Irises - 万紫千红
A Million Purple and Red - 萬紫千紅
Cabbage - 小白菜

The Second Spring - 第二春 (Ding Dong Song)
Heaven and Earth - 天上人間
Blind Love - 盲戀

Snow Red - 雪裡紅
Flowers Hate - 殘花恨 
Two Flowers - 兩朵花

Song of Spring Tour - 之歌 春之旅
Song of Potherd Mustard - 之歌 雪裡紅

A Personal Experience:

This beautiful and talented lady won the hearts of both men and women in South East Asia and even around the world. My mother adored her and often went to Li Li Hua's movies at Shaw Brothers theatres in Singapore. 

I was still a child then but used to accompany her to see this Ms Li's films. What little I know of Mandarin today I had learnt from watching Chinese movies.

I remember going alone one day to queue up for one of her films. The line snaked round the Capitol Cinema so long I ended up going home, unhappy and did not see the movie until it was screened in one of the smaller cinemas in the suburbs, at the Roxy which was near the East Coast.  

                           Li Li Hua Grass On The Wall 李丽华-墙头草

Many times I would watch Li Li Hua movies at the Queens Cinema at Geylang, catching many of the shows there produced by Shaw Brothers. It was one of many cinemas own by the magnates.

I had refused to pay two dollars for any show, limiting myself to a dollar a movie. I didn't quite enjoy the costumes and plot - having been westernised even as a child - but will never forget the story of Liang Shan Po and Chu Ying Tai (1964), the butterfly lovers.

There are many websites about Li Li Hua. 

Rest In Peace Li Li Hua.

Images: Google. Pix 2 with her husband Yen Chun,  Pix 3 with Clark Gable. Pix 5 with Victor Mature.

The Capitol Cinema Singapore where many of Li Li Hua's movies were shown.

Jimi Hendrix Come Alive: Singapore's Ray Anthony

Mr Ray Anthony passed away today on 27th July, 2023. RIP Ray. Condolences to his family...

When Mr. Michael Bangar, who plays rhythm guitar for Singapore pop bands that included The Silver Strings, informed me that he was attending the *Ray Anthony / Jimmy Appudurai gig I asked him if he could cover it for this blog. As usual, he agreed. Mike's knowledge of the genre speaks for itself. 

Thanks Mike for your story.

Hood's Bar n Cafe: Bugis Street, Victoria Street, Singapore: 19/3/2017:

Doors opened at one pm. My buddy Shaikh and myself paid our entrance fee of $20 each, which includes a drink and took up position at the back with a clear view of the goings-on stage wise.

Ray Anthony with his red Fender guitar, son Ryan Marshall on keyboard and original Fried Ice member Gerry (Gerard Bheem) on drums and Felly Chitran on bass guitar. As we watched them do their sound check, we were listening to Steppenwolf's Born To Be Wild.

Their first set started at 2 pm. They opened with a Gary Moore song (unfamiliar). After that songs included Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here, The Doobie Brothers' Long Train Running, Dylan's All Along The Watch Tower, Purple Haze, Stone Free - all Jimi Hendrix Experience numbers (when Hendrix had Noel Redding on bass and Mitch Mitchell on drums).

As in the tradition of the 70's Guitar Hero era, long solos followed between Dad and Son. It was their moment !  After all these years brother Ray Anthony is still as versatile and great as he was.

They ended the set with a Chuck Berry tribute, Johnny B. Goode. And as Ray put it, "Ladies and Gentlemen, we want to pay tribute to a guy who just left us for the big gig up there, Mr. Chuck Berry."

This first set ended at 3.40 pm.

The second set featured a mixed band of two locals and two expatriate members. The band called themselves, Blues 77 and featured Lim Kiang. There was a Chinese gentleman on a guitar, a Caucasian on drums. They all did about half a dozen of their original songs, which were not familiar to many in the audience and myself.

Then *Jimmy Appadurai from The Meltones, Stray Dogs, took over lead guitar and performed Stormy Monday, a blues classic and Fleetwood Mac's My Baby's Good To Me. He was as great as ever and played just like he had done in the late 1960's.

Ray and Company took to the stage again for their third set at 4.35pm. Pink Floyd's Another Brick In The Wall. More of Jimi Hendrix' music followed. There was Hey Joe (when he formed The Band Of Gypsies with Billy Cox and Buddy Miles before his passing), Cry For Love and Them Changes.

Free's, Alright Now, Deep Purple's Smoke on the Water, some more Doobie Brothers and a few more rock classics followed. This set also included drum solos and bass guitar solos towards the end.

The two of us, including John Cher left by 5.45 pm. We did not stay for the jam session gazetted up to 7.00 pm.

Thanks Andy.

Ray Anthony lives in Taiwan while Jimmy A. lives in Cornwall, England.

Click below to read more about Ray Anthony:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2017/03/jimi-hendrix-tribute-artiste-ray.html

Images from: Michael Bangar.
Article and images are Copyrighted. 

Jimi Hendrix Of Singapore: Ray Anthony & Fried Ice

LIVE BY WHAT'S APP NOW:

Hood's Bar n Cafe: Bugis/Victoria Street, Singapore: 19/3/2017 @ 2pm:

Here they are folks, guitarist, writer and today's photographer,  Michael Bangar and Silver Strings rhythmist with Ray Anthony, who is also known as Singapore's Jimi Hendrix. He is a south-paw, like a boxer i.e., a left handed guitarist.

It's a scoop. The group Fried Ice who accompanies Ray, is still playing at a venue in Victoria Street now. Gerry Bheem is on the drums and Felly Chitran on bass. 

And the audience in the afternoon at two when they gathered at this place in Victoria Street. Lim Kiang, Jimmy Appadurai and John Cher, the man who's everywhere.

Images: Michael Bangar and John Cher Copyrights Reserved.

Chuck Berry RIP 1926-2017 Father of Rock n Roll

Mr Chuck Berry: 1926 - 2017 (90 years).

Chuck Berry, who died 18 March 2017 was described by John Lennon with this unforgettable statement: If you tried to give rock n roll another name, you might call it Chuck Berry.

I remember going to HMV at Orchard Road in February 2009 to get the 3-CD Set of Chuck Berry The Ultimate Collection (image below). It was the second last piece and there was another guy beside me wanting to buy the same set. We smiled at each other and paid the Cashier.

With nearly 30 songs by the man who was highly respected by the King himself, the list included the great anthems, Johnny B. Goode, Roll Over B, Rock n Roll Music, Maybellene, My Ding-A-Ling, Sweet Little Sixteen and two dozen others. 

But the number of songs he recorded is far beyond this figure. Chuck Berry recorded about 531 songs altogether. Don't you think he should be The King instead? But being dubbed, The Father of Rock n Roll means he's father to the King.

Now this great man is gone too. But he has a particular place to go. It's to the Promised Land (not the one in the lyrics) and You Never Can Tell because he will perform again when he has his great gig in the sky with Elvis and the rest of the Go Go Go gang.

In Singapore since the late 1950's nearly every guitar group and combo band had played Chuck Berry's compositions. The Cyclones, Siva and James, The Silver Strings, The Esquires and others would have done at least, Johnny B. Goode on stage. 

Just yesterday (20/03/2017) on stage, in a large bar and auditorium at Victoria Street, Ray Anthony - the Jimmy Hendrix of Singapore - performed the song as a tribute to Berry. 

So, Chuck Berry isn't gone. He's still around, everywhere.

Rest In Peace Sir. 

Images: Google
You Tube video by Pig City Records.

Jimmy Appudurai-chua All You Need Is Love

The Silver Strings were at the SIA Club at Changi last night, 17th March 2017. Drummer John Cher who had partly organised the jam session invited Audie Ng, Rickie Chng and myself to the meet. Veronica came with other friends.

Rickie, Audie, Veronica, Andy and John enjoying the jam session. Check posters behind us.

It was a get together for former Singaporean Jimmy Appadurai Chua, the man of the moment. Jimmy who lives in the UK showed his guitar prowess when he lead the evening's group with hits from The Shadows accompanied by drummer John and others. 

A Blues man playing Shadows. That was a sight to see and hear.
               

                                         Jimmy Appudurai-chua

Freddie Kang who was from The Thunderbirds sang a few Cliff Richard songs to close the deal. Derek Mc Cully from The Tornados provided a solid performance with a few Shadows melodies too.

What I love about the venue are the various posters that bedeck the walls of the Music Room. There are two of these beauties which caught my eye. One is a quote from Plato and the other from The Beatles. Both sayings are significant to the evening in question: Music and Love. You can't have one without the other.

A personal thanks to Rickie Chng for driving us all the way to Changi to join in the session. And Richard Toh for the photographs.

For further details regarding the many guests who were there check out John Cher's Facebook.

Images: Google and Richard Toh's Personal Collection.

Ms Dawn Tan: Meeting CNA's Nightly News Anchor

                                  Dawn Karen Tan Senior Producer/Presenter @ Mediacorp.

 UP TO 18,400 VIEWS. 

40 CHATS, COMMENTS 

"The best news anchor I've watched and listened to all these 50 years since Tan See Lai - Andy Young."

It was a chance meeting today encountering the sweetest lady from Singapore's top news channel. So it was a Hullo and, 'My wife and I watch you nightly on Channel 106 CNA's 10 pm news.'

Statuesque, Ms. Tan was in a resplendent red dress, one that suited her pleasant, strong but modest personality. She was looking lost and using her mobile phone but I couldn't help her to find her way since I was not familiar with Star Vista because the last time I visited the place it was to watch *Tony Bennett in 2013, about four years ago. 

I met her outside the food court and we managed a Selfie together which she so willingly obliged. Yes, I was focusing at the control button of the iPhone rather than at the camera lens [image -right].

But she looks great don't you think?

Thank you, Ms. Tan. 

The comment I made above on her Facebook on 2nd March 2017. This image is beautiful. The first thought that comes to mind, "Finally, the long-awaited side view of the Mona Lisa." And that's the truth.

'Mona Lisa' by Nat Cole. YouTube Video

by The Unforgettables Tv.

Latest news from Dawn Tan:

"The main character of the documentary showed great courage agreeing to go on this journey to search for the truth with me about the collection of Chinese bronzes his father left to him. It remains my hope that in agreeing to tell the world, it has lightened his burden a little. I think we can all identify, even in a small way, with having a dream come true." 

Bronze - A Forgotten Treasure. 

According to Dawn, it's her first documentary as host, etc. 
Congratulations.

From her Facebook post during her trip to the US covering the Trump/Biden Election 2020 November. Thanks Dawn. 

Dawn Karen Tan CNA on duty in the US in November 2020 after the Trump/Biden Election.

Images from Dawn Tan Facebook and GOOGLE.

"Barringtonia asiatica, also known as fish poison tree, putat or sea poison tree, is a species of Barringtonia native to mangrove habitats from islands of the Indian Ocean in the west to tropical Asia and islands of the western Pacific Ocean. Beautiful but deadly. The whole tree - flowers, leaves, bark - are poisonous."

April 2025

From Dawn Tan's FB page:

Andy Young

Hello Dawn! That's a distance! Wow! BTW when are you ever going on air again? I mean, on CNA?

Author

Dawn Karen Tan

Andy Young Hello! You may see or hear me now and again on CNA but I do more work behind the scenes now! 😁

Andy Young

Dawn Karen Tan yes, that's the way it goes. When you're in charge, they put you behind the scene. Hope to see you on screen again soon. Stay safe.