Living in Opera Estate

May 12, 2020

Living in Opera Estate

Contributed by Chin Kong and Ab Aziz Bin Md Ismail (aka footballer “Muller”)(13 May 2020)

We Were Neighbours

Both Chin Kong and Aziz were neighbours in Opera Estate. Chin Kong remembers that he stayed at 26 Reinzi Street in Opera Estate till 6 years old after which his family moved to Bedok to stay in a kampung house.

Aziz stayed at Dido Street till he was 8 years old and then moved to nearby 4 Rienzi Street until 1992. So Chin Kong and him were closed neighbours for 6 years but they were too young to know that.

Chin Kong remarked that All the streets named after operas. Hence Opera Estate. The big school field (of present day Opera Estate Primary School) is still there.

Aziz pointed out that big school field was where he developed his skills to become a good footballer. It was also his primary school. There were 2 different schools back then - Opera Estate Boys’ School and Girls’ School. They got demolished and a new one erected to become a co-ed Opera Estate Primary School,

Source: Street Directory

Siglap HDB Blocks

“Siglap is a neighbourhood located in Bedok in the East Region of Singapore. The area also encompasses the Frankel and Opera Estates and their names have sometimes been used interchangeably to refer to the approximate same are” (Source: Siglap, Wikipedia)

“A small public housing estate consisting of four blocks of five-storey flats built 1963 completed 1964, at the junction of East Coast Road and Siglap Road. Known as the Siglap housing estate, the two-room Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats were built on the site of a former kampong that was razed by a fire during Chinese New Year in 1962. The fire destroyed about 50 attap houses in Siglap, leaving more than 500 homeless. The HDB flats were part of the housing authority’s low-cost housing scheme, and it was the first of such schemes to be built in the east. The victims of the fire were given preference for the units. These four blocks were near to Siglap Market, which now became the Siglap Centre”

(Source: Siglap Blocks, Remember Singapore blog)
(Note These 4 blocks are at the corner of Upper East Coast Road and Siglap Road, opposite Siglap Centre and kitty-corner from the new Siglap V.)

Photo: The fire that destroyed 50 attap houses on 5 February 1962, the first day of Chines New Year Source: Siglap Blocks, Remember Singapore Blog

Source: Street Directory

Both Chin Kong and Aziz remembered Dr Wong Kum Hoong of Wong Clinic. Chin Kong recalled that Dr Wong’s clinic was in these 4 blocks of HDB flats. He also remembered that there was a sewing shop and Chinese medicine shop. Dr Wong was Chin Kong’s family GP. Aziz consulted Dr Wong right till Aziz was almost 40 years old.

Chin Kong commented that Dr Wong was amazing as a GP. He was reading medical text Harrison and doing his own CME before the days of CME. So he kept current with the literature.

Chin Kong was inspired by him. He never retired. He kept working. He referred a few cases to Chin Kong in 2004 after Chin Kong started practice at East Shore. He worked till he died. He went home nearby for his lunch, had his afternoon nap and died in his sleep (in 2009). That was the story Chin Kong heard.

Ocean Theatre, Upper East Coast Road (early 1960s-1985)

“Old newspapers say Ocean Theatre was opened by Mr Ko Teck Kin, former chairman of chung khiaw bank, on 25 November 1962. Managed by Mr Lee Mah Seng. The cinema cost S$200,000 built by the Ocean Theatre Company. Address: 6 3/4 milestone Upper East Coast Road”

(Source: The Sammyboy Times)

When Ocean Theatre (海洋戏院) operated at Upper East Coast Road between the sixties and eighties, it showed a large variety of Malay, Tamil, English and Mandarin movies. After its closure in 1986, the premises was converted into a 20-stall Ocean Food Centre, but its business lasted for only a couple of years. (from Remembering Singapore blog).

Chin Kong recalled that opposite of Dr Wong’s clinic was the Ocean Theatre. Chin Kong recalls watching his first James Bond movie there, "You Only Live Twice". It has an amazing storyline. Till today it is his favourite 007 movie. He hopes they preserve it and can be a place for small businesses like in Everton Park.

Aziz also has fond memories of Ocean cinema. For 50 cents, he would walk all the way from home to watch iconic movies like the famous western “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” and Bruce Lee’s “Big Boss” and Fist of Fury”.

Waiting to Be Demolished

Aziz remarked that these 4 Siglap blocks are now empty. They have been vacated about 2 years ago. He frequently come here and know this place very well since childhood as he was living in nearby Opera Estate. He that it is a really nice and unique area in Singapore, quite buzzing and yet quaint and laid back and that Singapore Government should preserve such places.