How Phua Chu Kang Was Scouted In Haw Par Villa & Musicians Who Entertained Us | On The Red Dot

Key Concepts Haw Par Villa, Dragon World, Jazzo the Lion, SBC (Singapore Broadcasting Corporation), Live on Five, Great World Amusement Park, Kinoshita Circus, Doro Asena's Gaspa, Filipino Musicians, American Colonization, Malayan Airways Limited (MAL), Malaysia Singapore Airlines, Singapore Airlines (SQ), Mastermind, Forever Fever, Glen Goei, Adrian Pang, Miramax, Sundance Film Festival, Princess Diana.

Haw Par Villa: From Mascot to Media Career

The video begins at Haw Par Villa, a location that holds significant personal history for the speaker. He reveals that his first item is a Jazzo the Lion piggy bank, representing his past role as the mascot at Haw Par Villa. He performed as Jazzo from 1988 to 1992, a period of four years. The Jazzo costume was described as a "huge 7+ ft costume" with limited vision through a gauze. Jazzo was one of four characters in Dragon World, alongside the dragon, leopard, and tiger.

From 1990 to 1995, Haw Par Villa was transformed into Dragon World by the entertainment arm of Fraser, aiming to operate it like a "mini Disneyland" rather than just a museum. It featured a large amphitheater that hosted musicals for a thousand people. On its opening day, 12,000 people attended, causing the front gates to be locked due to overcrowding. However, the speaker observed a decline in attendance starting around 1982, attributing it partly to the ticket price of $16, which was considered high for locals at the time. The attraction then relied heavily on tourists, whose interests eventually shifted.

The Jazzo piggy bank serves as a "gentle reminder about my humble beginnings." It was at Haw Par Villa that a manager from SBC (Singapore Broadcasting Corporation) discovered him, launching his TV career with his first show, "Live on Five." Other notable personalities discovered at Haw Par Villa include Kuma (who went on to do "Boom Room" and "Raj show") and Koh Chieng Mun (known for "Dolly in Under One Roof").

Great World Amusement Park and the Legacy of Filipino Musicians

The discussion then shifts to Great World Amusement Park, which was located where Great World City now stands. Opened in the 1930s, it was a vibrant entertainment hub featuring carnival rides, game booths, cabarets, cultural shows, and international acts, including a Japanese circus.

The speaker introduces Cecilia Gasper, whose late musician grandfather, Doro Asena's Gaspa, performed at the park. Cecilia shares precious artifacts: handwritten notes detailing circus acts (magic show, elephants, ladder balancing, rope wire sliding) and a contract. The contract, dated February 16, 1969, was an agreement between Kinoshita Circus of Japan and Mr. Da Gaspa, specifying a six-person band (two trumpets, tenor saxophone, alto saxophone, drum, electric organ). Cecilia's grandfather played the electric organ, being a pianist and violinist. The Japanese circus hired local musicians, as they did not travel with their own band.

This highlights a different era of entertainment, where live music was paramount. Musicians like Cecilia's grandfather were professional, available for hire, and played in hotels, cabarets, and restaurants. They primarily played jazz. There was a significant presence of Filipino musicians in Singapore's jazz bands, largely due to the influence of American colonization on Filipino culture and music. These musicians were highly sought after because they were often multi-instrumentalists, making them a more cost-effective choice. They also found overseas engagements more prestigious and lucrative, earning "four times more than what you're paid at home." Cecilia's grandfather arrived in Singapore in 1931, as evidenced by his American passport from the "Singapore Strait Settlement" era. Filipino musicians, from as far back as the 1920s and 1930s jazz era, made substantial contributions to Singapore's music scene.

Singapore Airlines Memorabilia and In-Flight Entertainment Evolution

The video transitions to a collector who has spent nearly five decades collecting items related to flying, particularly Singapore Airlines (SQ) memorabilia. The collector, Melissa, shares that her father worked for SQ, starting with its predecessor, Malayan Airways Limited (MAL), in 1965. MAL became Malaysia Singapore Airlines in 1966, and then Singapore Airlines was formed in 1972 after the cessation of Malaysia Singapore Airlines. Her father's main role was overseeing staff travel, issuing tickets to staff and non-commercial passengers.

Melissa showcases Singapore Airlines 80s first-class tableware, which her family bought when it was phased out and has been using daily for "close to 30 to 40 years." She also presents Mastermind game sets, which were given to children on SQ flights in the 80s. These games were a "clever strategy" to keep children "quiet" and "entertained" on long-haul flights, especially to Europe, before the advent of seat-back screens. The game sets have evolved, becoming progressively smaller over the years.

"Forever Fever": A Singaporean Film's International Success

The next segment features a visit to the home of renowned theater and film director Glen Goei. Goei is known for directing plays like "The Tim Dollies," "The Importance of Being Earnest," "Emily of Emerald Hill," and "Tatou," as well as films. His film, "Forever Fever," holds the distinction of being the "first and only Singapore film that was bought and distributed commercially internationally." It sold to "over 30 countries worldwide," premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and opened throughout America, largely due to Miramax acquiring the film. Miramax was known for championing "indie unusual international films," and their purchase often encouraged other sales agents and buyers.

Goei reveals that the original title for "Forever Fever" was "The Year I Caught Fever." This title was chosen because, as his first film, he wanted to write about himself and the profound impact of the film "Saturday Night Fever" on his life as a 15-year-old in 1970s Singapore. He was also a Bruce Lee fan, seeing a connection between kung fu and dance choreography. The title was changed to "Forever Fever" after friends suggested the original sounded like a "hospital movie," with the new title reflecting the idea that "disco never dies."

Goei recounts how he cast Adrian Pang as the lead actor. While Adrian was working as a stage manager/driver, Goei observed his dancing skills at a club called Zoo, realizing he had found his lead. The speaker's favorite scene in the movie is Adrian Pang's dancing, while Melissa's favorite is the hospital scene where three siblings support each other.

A Glimpse of Automotive History and Royal Design

The video briefly touches upon an old car, which participated in "small events" that served as preparation for the Singapore Grand Prix in its early days. The final artifact shown is a design for Princess Diana, indicating a connection to royal design.

Synthesis/Conclusion

This video offers a rich tapestry of Singapore's cultural and entertainment history through personal anecdotes and historical artifacts. It highlights the evolution of entertainment, from the vibrant Dragon World at Haw Par Villa and the live jazz bands at Great World Amusement Park to the in-flight games on Singapore Airlines and the international success of local cinema. The narrative emphasizes the personal journeys of individuals, like the speaker's start in media and Glen Goei's cinematic breakthrough, alongside the broader contributions of communities, such as Filipino musicians, in shaping Singapore's diverse cultural landscape. The collection of memorabilia serves as a powerful reminder of humble beginnings, forgotten histories, and the enduring impact of past eras on the present.