A PAGEANT WITH A DIFFERENCE

Minister in the PM's Office, Mr Lim Boon Heng, presenting trophies to the winners Ms Lilian Lim, 62, and Mr Andrew Yap, 59. (Image: Straits Times)

The inaugural Mr and Ms Singapore Senior 2010 was a pageant with a difference. It was open only to those aged 50 and above. Contestants were judged not so much on their looks but more on how they presented themselves on stage, how active their lifestyles are, and how much they have achieved in their community.

The event attracted 170 participants and a boisterous audience of 1200 supporters who cheered their favourite contestants with loud whistles, cymbals and even pots from their kitchen!

Eventual winners Ms Lilian Lim and Mr Andrew Yap are role models of seniors who have adopted very active lifestyles in their retirement. Ms Lim, a former VP at HSBC, enjoys tennis and in-line skating while Mr Yap a former MD of an MNC is very much into sports. He cycles 20km almost daily.

Organisers the People's Association Active Ageing Council and Resorts World Sentosa must be pleased to have found their first Ambassadors of Active Ageing in Ms Lim and Mr Yap.

TEACHERS DESERVE A PAT ON THE BACK

Teachers in Malaysia have been getting a lot of flak lately, no thanks to some black sheep in the profession who have hit the headlines for the wrong reasons, from making racial slurs to peddling sex enhancement products.

Teachers in Singapore, on the other hand, must be feeling on top of the world as the republic celebrates Teachers Day today. Here are some announcements that caught my attention. I think it's wonderful that both the Ministry of Education and the corporate sector show their appreciation and gratitude to teachers for a job well done.

Having been in the teaching profession for more than 30 years before I retired in 2004, I feel for the teachers when they complain about the stress and the workload. But still they soldier on, knowing that they have been entrusted with the huge responsibility of educating young minds.

 

This one's for pre-school teachers who have the unenviable task of teaching our children their 1,2,3s and A,B,Cs. If you have ever tried to teach your little ones how to read, write and count, you will appreciate how challenging that can be.

The Ministry of Education published this form in The Straits Times so that students or parents can create a message for teachers. What a great idea.

A little appreciation like this goes a long way to revive flagging spirits and jaded souls in the profession.