Then & Now: Recreating your memories of Singapore

It was 1970s Singapore. Every Sunday, the Ang family went on outings to different places, and Haw Par Villa, the theme park in Pasir Panjang, with its terrifying depictions of hell, was a family favourite.

“There were colourful statues with dioramas like the 10 Courts of Hell that parents took naughty boys to see as a reminder of the consequences of misbehaving,” says the eldest brother, Mr Jimmy Ang, now 63.

“That may have had a bearing on our upbringing, ingraining traditional values and an understanding of the consequences of straying from the righteous path, which moulded us into the adults, brothers and parents that we are today.”

The Yashica camera used by their father to capture the photo in 1970 is still in the family’s possession today.

“We were taught at an early age to be quite independent. Both mum and dad worked, and we had quite a bit of time to ourselves when we were not at school,” says Mr Ang.

“As the age range between the four brothers differed only by five years, we shared common interests and challenges growing up. We grew up relatively harmoniously and came into adulthood with our parents as our centre.

“Soon each brother settled into his own family unit, but we continued to gather every weekend until the onset of Covid-19, when gatherings slowed and changed. We continue to lend support to each other in looking after our mother, who thankfully remains mobile, albeit slower.”

“On our nation’s 59th birthday, we celebrate and remember our journey together. We honour our past and embrace the future, filled with promise. We are grateful for the peace and prosperity enjoyed, in the diversity we witnessed that helped us bond as a family and grow stronger together with our nation,” says Mr Ang.

“Majulah Singapura!”

“We did two public call-outs on July 1 and July 11 via The Straits Times’ Instagram account asking for readers who were keen to participate in this collaborative visual project to bring old memories back to life through photographs,” says senior executive photojournalist Neo Xiaobin, who coordinated the project.

“The original photo submitted by Mr Jimmy Ang showed his family standing in front of Tan Kim Seng Fountain in Connaught Drive. But Mr Ang then went to check and alerted us that the national monument was not there. We later found out that the fountain was undergoing a major restoration. We asked for alternative locations and Mr Ang shared with us the precious photos of the family in Haw Par Villa in 1970.”

Senior executive photojournalist Desmond Foo, who took the new photo, adds: “Three days before the shoot, the Ang brothers did a quick recce around Haw Par Villa. They found only two spots that still looked the same. Their mother came in a wheelchair, but she gamely stood for the picture, with help from her sons.”

Madam Dina Kharismawati says: “My husband and I met at Nanyang Technological University as students and, being broke, went on dates to public parks and gardens. During these dates, we discovered our mutual interest in nature and outdoor activities. We actually took shelter here during a downpour on one of our dates. When it came to deciding on a location for our pre-wedding photo shoot, we felt strongly about the Gardens.

“Ten years and two kids later, we still take them here for outdoor adventures and free orchestra performances. Back then, we had to take the MRT and bus to reach this place, but now, we can conveniently take the Circle Line.”

For almost half an hour, ST’s Mr Foo and Madam Dina’s husband, Mr Tyas Kokasih, walked around the famous Bandstand at the Gardens, trying to find the exact spot where the pre-wedding photo had been taken. The Bandstand, an octagonal gazebo, was erected in 1930 and has retained its original form.

“To recreate the photo – down to details like the colour of their attire – we even borrowed clothes for the couple to wear. Balancing the lighting was very difficult as they were sitting in the shade while the background was in bright sun,” says Mr Foo.

In the 1998 photograph shot by her uncle, Ms Tan was a two-year-old going to pre-school with her mother, then 23. This was a route that she would continue to take every day to school, tuition and the nearby hawker centre.

Ms Adora Tan says: “My old neighbourhood in Woodlands was where I had many firsts – making my first friends and neighbours, learning to cross the road independently, having my first McDonald’s Happy Meal.

“I think that these are special to me because my world was shaped around whatever there was in my neighbourhood, and I think it is important to revisit the places that matter to you before you forget them or when they are no longer around.

“We lived there till 2006. I find that a lot of us crave newness and change, and we learn to be grateful for what we have only after we lose these ties, places and memories.”

Matching the outfits in the old photos – which no longer fit or exist – was a big challenge in this project. In this instance, the mother-daughter pair needed “something borrowed, something blue”.

“We managed to find a blue checked dress with a white collar from an online shop, and we borrowed footwear from picture editor Wang Hui Fen for the shoot,” says ST’s Ms Neo. “The yellow drawstring bag Adora is holding is my son’s. I also thought it was a poetic coincidence that Candy’s T-shirt reads ‘Don’t run, fly’, given that her daughter is all grown up now, and it is a message that all parents have for their children.”

ST’s Mr Foo, who was at the photo shoot, adds: “Adora came dressed in what looked like yoga wear and tights. She effortlessly slipped into the clothes we prepared – right at the sheltered area beside the multi-storey carpark in Woodlands. It was 9am, and some passers-by were wondering what was going on.”

Mr Vivek Govind says: “When I was younger, I always had a fascination with the airport. My dad would take me on Saturdays and I would look forward to every visit like it was my first.

“We would visit the viewing mall, where I would spend hours gazing at aircraft taking off and landing. I remember the viewing gallery being much bigger than it is now, and there were two of them back in the 80s. This is something that has never left me after all these years.

“As I grew older, visits to the airport and particularly the viewing gallery were therapeutic, as they served as a great de-stressing tool. Thirty-odd years later, the airport is still one of my favourite places to go, and I would not change that for anything.”

ST’s Ms Wang, who oversaw the project and helped to source a matching outfit, says: “The shirt Vivek wore in the old photo was like no other. After much shopping and searching, we found something we could work with from Little India. We had a tailor work his magic to add two crisp white patches on it. Vivek loves the shirt so much that he took it home after the shoot.”

The team also had to seek Changi Airport Group’s permission to shoot on its premises. ST’s Ms Neo says: “The airport and terminals have also undergone upgrading works and transformed so much that recreating the old photograph was a challenge. We also had to factor in Vivek’s work schedule and find a check-in counter that was not in use at the time of the shoot because mornings and evenings are peak periods at the airport.”

Istana’s beautiful landscaping and intricate architectural details left a lasting impression on the Wee family.

Ms Wee Bao Yi says: “They say ‘home is where the heart is’, and we are immensely proud to call this little red dot our home.

“My grandmother’s stories of Singapore’s beginnings have always been a source of pride and inspiration. She would recount the perseverance of the early settlers, the communal spirit that saw them through tough times, and the visionary leaders who guided our nation’s growth. Their legacy of hard work, unity, and innovation lives on in each of us.

“As we celebrate this special day, we reflect on our journey and the progress we’ve made together. We are grateful for the peace, stability, and prosperity that we enjoy, and we look forward to building an even brighter future. Here’s to many more years of growth, harmony, and continued success for our beloved country.”

The stakes are high when you get only one shot to get it right and in time for the deadline.

The family sent in their entry on July 20 – and ST’s Ms Neo knew it would be a challenging assignment. “There was just one chance to recreate this in time for the deadline at the Istana Open House on July 28 because that spot was then open to the public.” She adds: “Ms Wee’s red shoes stand out in the old photograph because of their striking colour. As she doesn’t own red shoes now, the pair that she is wearing in the new picture are mine.”

Executive photojournalist Jason Quah, who was at the Istana shoot, recalls: “The searing midday heat posed quite a challenge when trying to recreate the Wee family’s old photo during the Istana Open House. Before the shoot, I guided them to a shaded area to practise the pose before we actually began the photo shoot so that we could minimise the time under the sun.

“Another challenge was handling the huge crowd that was also trying to pose for photos at the same spot – a popular photo spot with the Istana main building in the background. So there wasn’t the luxury of time to fine-tune their poses and positioning. Thankfully, the Wees are sporting and accommodating, and it proved to be a fun shoot despite the challenges.”

The year 2016 was the last time the family visited the attraction, and the siblings still reminisce about when they were little and not so busy with school.

Mr Ethan Lee says: “Enjoying good times with our friends and family is what makes our lives special and meaningful. Happy birthday, Singapore! Thank you for being the ultimate playground where we can always find an excuse for a food coma.

“From dodging the sun to fighting over the last plate of chicken rice, you keep life so interesting. For a place where the weather’s always ‘hot’, you’re pretty cool, lah.”

It’s a case of second time lucky for this shoot.

“The first shoot was originally scheduled early on a Sunday morning before the Skyline Luge Singapore opened to the public. But Ezenn came down with a fever that morning and could not make it,” says ST’s Mr Foo.

“It was then rescheduled to a weekday in the late afternoon, when the heat was almost unbearable and the track was filled with visitors. One part of the hairpin corner had to be blocked off briefly for the shoot to be done as quickly as possible.”

The place holds special significance for the Galistan family, who visited the beach often when the children were growing up, for leisurely walks or bicycle rides.

Ms Emily Faine Galistan says: “My parents frequently took me and my brother out, as our family loves the outdoors. Even now, we enjoy cycling around Singapore during public holidays with our extended family.

“(Some) of my fondest memories are of our outings outdoors, filled with laughter and adventure. Those moments remain cherished in our hearts. We have not been to the beach as a family in a while, but this series has inspired me to revisit those joyful times with my family. It is incredible to reflect on how much my brother and I have grown alongside my parents, and seeing old pictures really tugs at my heartstrings.

“Happiest birthday to my beloved Singapore! I am so incredibly proud to be Singaporean. As a civil servant, I am honoured to protect, serve and call Singapore my home.”

It was hot and humid in the weeks leading up to the shoot – perfect for the outdoor shoot. When the day came, rain fell.

ST’s Mr Foo says: “It rained very heavily the whole day. An hour before the shoot at 5pm, the Galistan family was stranded at a shelter near the beach while I waited in my car for the sky to clear. After waiting for about 50 minutes, we decided to go ahead with the shoot, even though it was still drizzling.”

Mr Wong Loke Kiang’s father moved the family from Malaysia to Singapore in 1954, seeking to escape poverty and unemployment.

Despite his eldest brother and older sister having full-time jobs, their meagre pay could not sustain their family. So Mr Wong and his second brother shared a job, working 8am to 10pm at a coffee shop in Victoria Street. They took turns, with one going to school in the morning, and the other in the afternoon.

Ms Wang Xiaoxi, Mr Wong’s daughter, says: “With the traditional bumboats gone, some colonial-era buildings replaced, a sleek, modern cityscape in the background, and a lifetime of experiences etched on his face, my father’s remarkable life journey mirrors our nation’s progress over the tumultuous years since its independence.

“It is a testament to his resilience, hard work, and unwavering pursuit of a better life for himself and his family.”

A picture paints a thousand words – and this set of “then and now” photos tells the story of Singapore’s rapid transformation and changing skyline.

“Mr Wong was very enthusiastic and brought along the original photograph for the shoot while recounting how it was taken,” says ST’s Mr Foo. “On the day of the shoot, we strolled along Boat Quay trying to find the exact spot where he had the photo taken. Almost all the buildings in the old picture have been torn down to make way for newer high-rise skyscrapers.”

Madam Zhong Ziqian says: “Wearing this dress brings back such wonderful memories! Thirteen years ago, we captured the beginning of our love story. Today, we are parents of two lovely children.

“In recreating the moment, it’s like magic transporting us through a decade of shared dreams, vows, and parenthood. A yearly pilgrimage to our past, these moments are our most cherished treasures.”

“This is one of the shoots that took the most effort, preparation and goodwill,” recounts ST’s Ms Neo. “The couple did their pre-wedding photo shoot in 2011 with Yvonne Creative Bridal & Photo Studio, which has since moved from Tanjong Pagar to its current location in Link@AMK. While the original dress that Madam Zhong wore 13 years ago no longer exists, the studio kindly offered to remake a gown that matched it.”

To complete the look, the team had to find the perfect parasol, which used to be a popular prop in wedding shoots. ST’s Ms Wang says: “The bridal studio did not have the props that the couple used in 2011. So Xiaobin ordered an umbrella from China – but it arrived only after the shoot because of a shipping delay. Thankfully, we got hold of a parasol from a relative just in time! And, of course, how can we forget the bride’s meticulously coiffed hairstyle that was so on trend at the time? We roped in a make-up artist and hairstylist to pull off that perfect look.”

All set, but there was one last problem – the original location at Sunset Way was boarded up. The team had to find another location with railway tracks to recreate the picture.

Jurong Bird Park, Singapore’s oldest wildlife park, closed and relocated in 2023 to the Bird Paradise in Mandai Wildlife Reserve. Both sisters now work for the Mandai Wildlife Group. Ms Siti is an experience guide who conducts tours and special programmes for guests, while Ms Indah is a herbivore keeper.

Ms Siti used to be afraid of animals, but she remembers cautiously feeding and interacting with them at the zoo. Ms Indah has always aspired to work with animals. She had a particularly soft spot for polar bear Inuka, who shared her birth month. Inuka was born at the zoo in 1990 and died in 2018.

Ms Siti says: “We took the photograph when we were about eight and five years old. Our parents loved living in the moment. When we were younger, we frequented the parks quite often, and it gave a chance for us to be exposed to nature and to the animals.

“Our parents loved wildlife – both animals and nature – and we think that love eventually was passed down to us. It was never planned that we would both eventually work here, but here we are. We just fell in love with the place, the people and the animals.”

Can you tell that the “now” photo was shot at an entirely different location?

“The old photo was taken at Jurong Bird Park, which has closed and moved to its current location in Mandai and is now known as Bird Paradise,” says ST’s Mr Foo. “We decided that the best place for the photo shoot was at the Sky Amphitheatre. A few keepers were on hand to make sure that the flamingos were not disturbed during the shoot.”

He adds: “The sisters tried their best to recreate the old look. Indah’s top was actually stitched together by her mother using two pieces of fabric, while Siti took along a water bottle and a white bandana.”

Ms Amelia Ng, who was bedridden, had a rare neurodegenerative disorder – infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy – that robbed her of the ability to talk, swallow, or take care of herself. Amelia was intubated at 12 and relied on a ventilator to breathe till the end of her life. Ms Ng helped her sister with all daily activities of care, including tube feeding, suctioning and urinary catheterisation.

Ms Ng says: “Despite Amelia’s condition, she was just like any teenager who loved shopping, chatting and going out to explore new places. Unfortunately, Amelia passed just this year at the age of 17, surrounded by our family and her palliative team (Star PALs HCA Hospice).

“The old photograph showed how better accessibility gave Amelia the opportunity to explore Singapore in her wheelchair.”

“This was a poignant photo shoot. Amanda still had the same black jacket that she wore in the old photograph,” says ST’s Mr Foo.

“We tried our best to recreate the photo, but it was challenging because the floral displays inside the dome change regularly. There was also a crowd during lunchtime when we did the shoot.”