Where Have U-Bin? Ft. Ruizhi
Hi All!
Joining us for this edition of "Where Have U-Bin?" is someone who have been following Wan's Ubin Journal for quite some time - I realised this because he had been actively liking my pictures and posts on Instagram and Facebook for a long time coming, hehe. So, without further do, let me introduce to Ruizhi!
Ruizhi, 27, is currently taking his masters (MA) in History at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Concurrently, he is also running Singapore Stories, an online platform where he offers reflections of Singapore's past as well as shed some light on our local affairs in a very creative and intellectual way! Be sure to follow him in the links below!
When asked to recall on his first trip to Ubin, he mentioned that "it was too long to remember", but he fondly recalled "childhood memories of being taken on treks and cycling trips in Ubin" by his parents. His most vivid memories at that time were "eating and drinking nice refreshing coconuts at the end of the trips."
On February 28th, 2019, Ruizhi joined me on Ubin for a walk after I actually invited him over as he was very keen in "revisiting Ubin after so many years". It was also the time where the both of us get to understand deeper on the different types of work we are doing, too!
Ruizhi had always enjoyed the "distinctly different ‘feel’ of Ubin, which conforms and challenges our ideas of Singapore; there is the familiar, but the sense of 'not-really-Singapore' at the same time." Ubin also made him "reflect on the quieter, less flashy facets of Singapore."
He also added that during our simple walk that day that he really enjoyed the stories that I shared wih him and the significance of specific places to different people.
"It made Ubin come alive for me, and reminded me that this place was also a home to many: holding quiet, intimate memories for various peoples. Wan’s stories reminded me that Ubin was not just an unpeopled ‘nature reserve’ – it was also full of nooks and crannies that held much significance for the people who lived, and continue to live here.", Ruizhi concluded.
He definitely took away a lot from his experience on Ubin, he happily shared with me that he was reminded that "each seemingly ‘neutral’ corner, each ‘blank’ space seen by outsiders, can actually be layered with many bright memories to people who live there such as the place where a durian tree was planted, or where a loud argument once occurred or where cooking classes were conducted."
He even went on to emphasise that he was "extremely moved by how richly layered with stories each corner of the kampung seemed to be – stories I would never have known without Wan’s help." Through it, Ruizhi also began to "wonder how much of these stories we had lost back on the mainland too."
When asked if Ruizhi would be coming back to Ubin soon, even after spending nearly six whole hours with me on foot throughout the eastern part of the island, he expressed his confidence, "Hopefully! There’s still the Chinese kampung and the Western side to visit! And now I have made a good friend too 😊"
For those of you who are still contemplating about coming to this island, Ruizhi has a special message that he would like to share with you!
"Only a quote, for good luck and encouragement:
“When setting out on a journey do not seek advice from someone who never left home.” (Rumi)
Your project is so inspiring and it gives me hope about the future of our Singapore. About us millennials, who want to act on the problems, the loss we see in our society, rather than simply complain. You remind me how we can ACT!"
Let me take this opportunity to express my gratitude for Ruizhi who braved the heat, terrain and distance on that day and also for being so interested to know what I had to share about the stories about the Ubin community, heritage and future. I never would have thought that becoming close friends would be that easy, but I'm thankful to know that Ruizhi and I are close friends just like that.
It is also here that we remind ourselves that Ubin is a place of creating fond memories that can last a lifetime. By now, from the amount of posts I've done on WUJ and on Facebook and Instagram since WUJ started in July 2018, you would know that Ubin holds a huge and utmost important place in my heart. But what I would never have imagined: that my love and passion for my family and community's island resonates deeply among passionate individuals such as Ruizhi and of course, all of you!
It warms my heart to see people pouring their affection for Ubin. It reminds me that there is still hope for our island, one where Singaporeans alike can come together in celebrating our kampongs, its people and heritage.
Right before I share with you this special and moving piece on Ubin that Ruizhi had done on Singapore Stories, please be sure to follow him on Instagram @singapore_stories and Facebook, "Singapore Stories" and support him in his cause in writing the chapters and recollection of all the stories that makes Singapore, Singapore.
--
Like WUJ on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/wansubinjournal
Follow WUJ on Instagram!
https://www.instagram.com/wansubinjournal
Follow WUJ on Twitter!
https://www.twitter.com/wansubinjournal
Have any enquiries? Send an email to wansubinjournal@gmail.com
Joining us for this edition of "Where Have U-Bin?" is someone who have been following Wan's Ubin Journal for quite some time - I realised this because he had been actively liking my pictures and posts on Instagram and Facebook for a long time coming, hehe. So, without further do, let me introduce to Ruizhi!
Ruizhi, 27, is currently taking his masters (MA) in History at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Concurrently, he is also running Singapore Stories, an online platform where he offers reflections of Singapore's past as well as shed some light on our local affairs in a very creative and intellectual way! Be sure to follow him in the links below!
When asked to recall on his first trip to Ubin, he mentioned that "it was too long to remember", but he fondly recalled "childhood memories of being taken on treks and cycling trips in Ubin" by his parents. His most vivid memories at that time were "eating and drinking nice refreshing coconuts at the end of the trips."
On February 28th, 2019, Ruizhi joined me on Ubin for a walk after I actually invited him over as he was very keen in "revisiting Ubin after so many years". It was also the time where the both of us get to understand deeper on the different types of work we are doing, too!
Ruizhi had always enjoyed the "distinctly different ‘feel’ of Ubin, which conforms and challenges our ideas of Singapore; there is the familiar, but the sense of 'not-really-Singapore' at the same time." Ubin also made him "reflect on the quieter, less flashy facets of Singapore."
He also added that during our simple walk that day that he really enjoyed the stories that I shared wih him and the significance of specific places to different people.
"It made Ubin come alive for me, and reminded me that this place was also a home to many: holding quiet, intimate memories for various peoples. Wan’s stories reminded me that Ubin was not just an unpeopled ‘nature reserve’ – it was also full of nooks and crannies that held much significance for the people who lived, and continue to live here.", Ruizhi concluded.
He definitely took away a lot from his experience on Ubin, he happily shared with me that he was reminded that "each seemingly ‘neutral’ corner, each ‘blank’ space seen by outsiders, can actually be layered with many bright memories to people who live there such as the place where a durian tree was planted, or where a loud argument once occurred or where cooking classes were conducted."
He even went on to emphasise that he was "extremely moved by how richly layered with stories each corner of the kampung seemed to be – stories I would never have known without Wan’s help." Through it, Ruizhi also began to "wonder how much of these stories we had lost back on the mainland too."
When asked if Ruizhi would be coming back to Ubin soon, even after spending nearly six whole hours with me on foot throughout the eastern part of the island, he expressed his confidence, "Hopefully! There’s still the Chinese kampung and the Western side to visit! And now I have made a good friend too 😊"
For those of you who are still contemplating about coming to this island, Ruizhi has a special message that he would like to share with you!
"Come! But come with open eyes, open hearts – not just to nature, but to the humans who still live here. If you can, listen to what they have to say, and share their stories to your friends and family. There’s so much to learn from, and love here."He ended by sharing this thoughtful shoutout to me:
"Only a quote, for good luck and encouragement:
“When setting out on a journey do not seek advice from someone who never left home.” (Rumi)
Your project is so inspiring and it gives me hope about the future of our Singapore. About us millennials, who want to act on the problems, the loss we see in our society, rather than simply complain. You remind me how we can ACT!"
It is also here that we remind ourselves that Ubin is a place of creating fond memories that can last a lifetime. By now, from the amount of posts I've done on WUJ and on Facebook and Instagram since WUJ started in July 2018, you would know that Ubin holds a huge and utmost important place in my heart. But what I would never have imagined: that my love and passion for my family and community's island resonates deeply among passionate individuals such as Ruizhi and of course, all of you!
It warms my heart to see people pouring their affection for Ubin. It reminds me that there is still hope for our island, one where Singaporeans alike can come together in celebrating our kampongs, its people and heritage.
Right before I share with you this special and moving piece on Ubin that Ruizhi had done on Singapore Stories, please be sure to follow him on Instagram @singapore_stories and Facebook, "Singapore Stories" and support him in his cause in writing the chapters and recollection of all the stories that makes Singapore, Singapore.
"Margins | Lest we be mistaken: Ubin is not an unpeopled wilderness, meant for tourist pleasuring. People still live here. Vividly, I was reminded again of this fact, on today's (very comprehensive and passionate) walk with @wansubinjournal.
Ubin conjures up: OBS campsites, NPCC proving grounds (so many scrawny kids struggling with oversized backpacks), unspoiled nature, boardwalk mudflats, hornbills crabs junglefowl island-living.
But just like the mainland, there are other stories here, just beyond the paved roads, the information plaques (what an infestation of them) and clean, shiny signboards with names nobody here has ever used. If you ask, or listen, or wander, there are other glimmers here, beyond the navel-gazed, self-congratulatory clamour of State and Science: of lives quietly and uncomplainingly lived, endured.
Of weekend cooking classes, conducted 'neath zinc roofs. Of paintings and photographs, proudly framed and hung up ("yes that's what our house used to look like, on another part of the island, long ago"). Of courtyards carefully swept, a morning routine scrupulously observed. Of plastic sunflowers, carefully planted, weathered algae-green. Of houses lent, then given, to old friends in need. Of durian-trees felled in great storms. Of doors kept welcome and open, because "that's just been the way here". Of hot cups of milo, gently, insistently served.
I know how it is, this wanting for wildness, this cry for nature, for peace inside us all. But Ubin is not unpeopled, has not been for nearly two centuries.
Past the slick veneer of state-sponsored pipedreams (theme parks, bungalows, island escape, manicured nature park, butterfly hills) there are other stories, older names. There are other lives here; trajectories which have wended from Tekong to Tampines.
Here is a thought from the margins today, lest we forget: not too long ago, there existed stories of "unpeopled" wildernesses too, in settler Australia, America, Africa, in lands walked by aborigines for millennia.May Pulau Ubin thrive again, with its people in its heart.
.
Not just the bright hornbills, or the brusque macaques, or the timid mousedeer - People Iive on, here in Ubin, and they still have stories to tell, to hear, to record, to share.
Listen: this is Singapore, too."
--
Like WUJ on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/wansubinjournal
Follow WUJ on Instagram!
https://www.instagram.com/wansubinjournal
Follow WUJ on Twitter!
https://www.twitter.com/wansubinjournal
Have any enquiries? Send an email to wansubinjournal@gmail.com
Comments
Post a Comment