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Always so positive, always so honest, here's a music and home maker I met at a media site a few years ago. Readers can check Hiroshi-san's other postings on this blog by clicking his name under LABELS below the article.
Author Hiroshi-san and his family in Singapore
Hiroshi Deguchi From Japan says:
"I became interested in Singapore when I happened to visit there for the first time in 1981. So attracted by Singaporeans that I had been eager to learn anything Singaporean and national songs, too.When I first heard the song. I thought it a little too intrusive. I would have hated it if our government had done the same. We should not have been pushed, I thought. But soon I started to think those songs were necessary for people who have different ideas and origins like Singapore to become one.
I was there every summer in August, a week or so after the National Day Parade, so those National songs infiltrated me. I learned them by heart. It is not easy for me to say which song I like the best but 'Stand Up For Singapore' is one of the best surely."
Author: Hiroshi Deguchi.
Thanks so much Hiroshi-san. Comments are welcome.
This picture of Hiroshi has just been taken today,
11 August 2024, wearing his 'Majullah Singapura' T-Shirt
when I requested for a new photograph.
Thanks my friend.
2003 meeting Sir Stamford Raffles too.
'Stand Up For Singapore'. [1984]
YouTube Video from: TheMarches09.
Andy Young
ReplyDeleteThanks DICK and TERENCE for being so supportive; the earliest birds too.
Thanks PATRICK for such an early visit.
ReplyDeleteAnd FABIAN, another great friend who is also a video-cam enthusiast. Thanks for the early morning visit my friend.
ReplyDeleteHi, Andy I am honoured to be on your blog.
ReplyDeleteThese songs are the spirits and a soul of our nation. Happy to hear that our Japanese friend finds a positive connection with them.
ReplyDeleteLove that 25th Singapore National day tshirt Deguchi-san wore and thank you for celebrating with us! I think it was the year that I started to appreciate national day parades, also the themes and meaning of the songs composed by local musicians, to encourage singaporeans as one nation. If i recall correctly, that year the fighter jets form into '25' for NDP 90 - amazing! Count on me Singapore and Home, always make me feel emotional and be strong. :)
ReplyDeleteAgain thanks ANON for your positive comment. You have been writing to the blog but never revealing your identity. I respect your wish not to reveal who you are. Thank you sir or madam.
ReplyDeleteHi Andy, Gd Afternoon.
ReplyDeleteMr Hiroshi San, Japanese by
Birth n Nationality,
With Singapore at Heart, is a Child of This World.
SG is a Melting Pot of Various Cultures, Ethnicity, Etc., All Looking for PEACE n
Our Dear Bro Hiroshi Would Fit Nicely in this
" Rojak " that is S'pore.
[MERLIN LIM IS THE RHYTHMIST WHO ACCOMPANIED SHIRLEY NAIR ON HER 'YOU'RE THE BOY' VINYL RECORDING.]
Thanks Merlin for that positive reply for Hiroshi. Yes, let's hope for peace in such a traumatic world that we live in today.
ReplyDeleteHi Andy, an interesting piece by Hiroshi-san. I enjoyed reading his previous contributions/comments to your blog too. His clean cut handsome looks, his guitar playing talent, his proficiency in English and his persona reminds me of a Japanese guitar strumming singer sporting a cowboy hat, performing at a joint called Lone Star in Japan.
ReplyDeleteThis was way back in late 1981 when I was sent to Japan for a three-months technical training at the NEC training center in Yokohama. Whether Lone Star was a cafe, a bar, a salon or a restaurant, I'm afraid I don't remember. Neither can I remember if this joint was located in Yokohama or Tokyo prefecture and if it is still around. What I do remember is that the Lone Star joint was a happening place back then.
シンガポールについての素敵なコメントをありがとうございます。シンガポール人も日本をとても好きな人が多いです。
ReplyDeleteShingapōru ni tsuite no sutekina komento o arigatōgozaimasu. Shingapōru hito mo Nihon o totemo sukinahito ga ōidesu.
Thank you for your nice comments about Singapore. Many Singaporeans also like Japan very much.
40 years since that national song came out - thanks to the work of management and staff of our National Productivity Board whom I had the honour to interact with. Following years, we came out with a few more memorable ones. We were a bunch of people of difference races from different parts of the world struggling to become a nation. Today, I feel we have come a long way. MAJULLAH SINGAPURA.
ReplyDeleteI thank you, Andy. This is all thanks to your amazing edit skills. This photo [below] reminds me of our family when the kids were still small, perhaps it was 2003.
ReplyDeleteIt's posted too Hiroshi. Thank you so much for the article, photos and your amazing and interesting life story in Singapore. あなたは素晴らしい人間です [You are a wonderful human being.]
ReplyDeleteTHANKS TO THE FOLLOWING READERS
ReplyDeleteWHO LOVE AND LIKE HIROSHI-SAN'S STORY:
Fred Ching
Patrick Teng
Stephen Han
Foo Jong Fook
Hiroshi Deguchi
Sammin Ang
Colin Colin
Yip Dick
Rose Khoo
Terence Lee
Somkid Lakhawat
Moody Cash
Thanks to all the above friends and readers who wrote in regarding Hiroshi-san's article. Happy National Day.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it wonderful how people from all over the world remember Singapore and the mixing pot of cultures all blended by national songs. Yes Hiroshi has felt it and music has so very often healed, encouraged and given meaning to be one with humanity. Well remembered Heroshi and all music lovers. Nicely presented Andy on your blog
ReplyDeleteCedric, your comments lights up the blog all the time. Thank you for an honest review of Hiroshi-san's inspirational post.
ReplyDelete