Attending to My Dearest Bro Ariffin's Simple Traditional Wedding

Little did I know ....I received WhatApps from my dearest brother Ariffin inviting me to his big day on 24th Sept 2017! And of course, I do love to see him as it's been long time since I last saw him a few years ago despite our busy schedules so we still keep in touch on what's going on in our life even in Facebook as well as others. I was so happy for him - found a new love of his life.
It was a hot beautiful Sunday with full of clouds as if it was a good omen (called portent or presage) for his big day. I arrived at Bedok North estate where he lives with his family.
Well, I have been to many Malay Traditional weddings before that was in 1980s including my childhood friends' Malay Wedding at 'Kampong' huge tent at the badminton court just outside my mum's block where she and her family lived 3rd storey above the block. They have different types of setting up a spacious or grand wedding especially my childhood friend and one of her brothers who also got married on the same day as her. What a grand 'double' wedding they had. I vaguely remember during the times I attended simple Malay Traditional Wedding at one of my colleagues who is Muslim who held her wedding at void deck of her family's block but they put a lot of hard work on decorations, gatherings and sent invitations to close friends, relatives, colleagues and even foreign colleagues/bosses too. Nowadays, many Malay couples would go for cosplayer's themes such power rangers, superman...etc whom they go for... or are close friends or active members from TokuCos Singapore. Such entertainments and fun would add up enjoyable wedding blues...
That was what my dearest brother Mohd Ariffin whom I know him for a long time, He is an active member of TokuCos Singapore and a Mighty Morphin Red Power Ranger (MMRPR) cosplayer himself among with other power rangers in his group (see pic below)

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers

Photo Credit: John Kwok

This picture was taken in 2013 and shot by one of my close friends, John Kwok (also his close friend) attended his close friend, Airffin's wedding too. Bro Ariffin, a Red Power Ranger is one of the group photo. If these five power rangers were at his wedding and it would be great to see them in group. Performing Silat or Self-Defence Art are Black Panther', 'Green Ranger' ...attended at his wedding and performed 'Silat Pengantin/Malay Self-Defence Art' and at the end of the video..hilarity ensues. What a fun day for the Groom! You could name them - Zyouh Eagle, Green Ranger, Black Panther and MagiShine (blue and Gold Armor).
For the skill and knowledgeable, every ‘silat’ movement has its own meaning, for example, blessing the couple, respect the “royalty”, protection and etc. But nowadays, ‘silat asal boleh’ (anyhow ‘silat’) is also welcomed because it’s also a form of entertainment.
Originally, Islamic solemnization is very simple and straight ceremony which Bro Ariffin's solemnization held at ROMM or outside ROMM before his big day on the next day. There is a ‘wali’ (guardian), 2 witnesses, a small amount of ‘mahar’ (dowry) and/or a ring with a small dinner ‘walimah’ (celebration). Now, additional wedding gifts and dowry are expected. Usually ‘akad nikah’ is done the night before the big ‘walimah’ but sometimes, it can squeezed in a day. Bride and groom is officially married after this ceremony. 

World's Finest Superheroes with Bride & Groom

Back to the wedding finest hall that what used to be a void deck that the simple Malay Traditional wedding that he wish for and yet it turned out to be grand finest wedding, with some of the world's finest Superheroes that happened to be his close friends. The Magnificent Four Superheroes stood on guards behind Bride and Groom are - from left Muhammad Ridhwan Bin Sulaiman (MagiShine), MuhayminLeo Azman (Zyouh Eagle), Abang Kamarr (Black Panther) and Chazzy Van Meezy (Green Power Ranger).

Superheroes as Bodyguards escorted their close friend
Photo Credit;: Sharingan Ismadi

Not only superheroes as what I heard that they also got experience in pencak silat kesenian / Silat Pengantin and one of them is a former Singapore Silat representative and medallist. Well, they are doing their close friends a favour as 'Bodyguards' to escorted them to their festivities.

Superheroes posed with Bride & Groom

Some superheroes dressed up their own clothes and they would bring their own either helmet or power ranger belts to show who they are. 

I arrived in the afternoon at 1plus and was told by his uncle that Ariffin and his bride will arrive at 2pm onwards, So I could help myself with my meal and desserts while waiting for Bride and Groom. Consequently, I could end up chatting some of his relatives or family's friends at the same table.

A wide variety of foods

My favourite Lontong

Snacks

Variety of desserts

 My favourite of desserts

There are wide range of fruits, desserts, snacks, drinks and even hot beverages too. Of all the foods I love most during my kampong days.

After meals, I would watch them singing in a Malay Traditional songs and I even videoing it. I do understand the Malay songs they sang and dance in a traditional way. You can watch it as below

Traditional Songs and Dance for Bride and Groom

Video by Lina Catcat (Me)

Kompang/Drumming of handheld drums

Following the groom to the bride is not only his entourage but also a procession of several men playing the ‘kompang’ as an announcement of his arrival. The men playing the ‘kompang’ also would also sing ‘ghazal’ (lyrical poems) and songs. 

 Bride and Groom with family photo taking

Bride and Groom would sit together on a decorated stage better known as 'pelamin' for the blessing ceremony and photo taking with friends, relatives and family 

Bride & Groom with family, relatives and friends

 Me with Bro Ariffin and his bride

After all the ceremony (and picture taking) the bride and groom will be guided to their own dining table to have their lunch but not before feeding each other first in a traditional way. There is no specific reason behind this but just an act of being romantic to each other as a husband and wife.

 Bride and Groom praying before their wedding meal

Bride feeding her groom at Groom's place

I believe that each family may have their own practice so it maybe slightly different from others, just like my childhood Malay friend's wedding in 1980s in their kampong styles..
At around 3plus before I leave, I met two of our close friends - John Kwok and Ms Wong who came later and had a short chat with Bro Ariffin who was having his wedding meal half way. I brought them to the meal section for them to have their late lunch.
Then I walked back to the gifts counter and the lady passed a cute box of cake ( a cupcake) with thanks and calling out to him and said 'Goodbye'.

To My Dearest Brother Ariffin and Ruzainah

You look marvellous as a couple.

You will face on this new journey of life.

May your married life be filled with harmony, peace, joy and love,
Congratulations to both of YOU.

In addition... 

There has been lots of speculating video news or internet speculating news about cosplayer's Silat Pengantin/Self-Defence Art, had garnered lot of attention and mixed reviews by netizens on Facebook. Eh..There's nothing wrong with cosplayers performing Silat...or singing  the Kompang songs. In my views, I do hear many kompang songs in my childhood days, be it kompang gang songs or whatsoever. they are humans and they did a favour for their close friend, Ariffin for enertainment and fun once in his lifetime. Their knowledgeable in Malay traditional wedding... but nowadays people even their kids love to see their favourite cartoon/comic cosplayers in actions and even old generations would hear the oldies kompang songs. Why not? It's an entertainment and fun for the Malay couple, friends and family with kids. They have their close friend's family approval of their entertainment to the guests, young and old alike. There's no specific rules in Islamic and Malay in engaging their entertainment views on cosplayers. I don't see any negatives on my side and even my good old friends said that they love to see my photo albums that I posted on Facebook. It's a new Fashion trend nowadays. So do you?

Beautiful Old Admiralty House

On the 16th Sept Saturday morning at 10am, I including my husband and my classmate visited the Old Admiralty House (An English Country Manor) organised by SLA and Jerome. We met at Sembawang Mrt early as expected and the distance to the house is about 6 mins.

 Louise, Me & Kamal

Encik Kamal grew up in Sembawang and is very well knowledgeable around the places including old admiralty house and its grounds.

Louise, Me & Rudy

Upon reaching there, saw some of my friends here and there and quickie took some shots before our turns at 10am.
This two-storey brick bungalow was constructed in 1939. The development sits on a 5.6 hectare site, consisting of six hostel blocks, six academic blocks, a dance studio, swimming pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, laundry block and an air-raid shelter.

Entrance Arch to Old Admiralty House gate

We arrived at the school Arch gate along Old Nelson Road and the road was formerly known as Nelson Road in early 1960s where my parents used to live there based on my birth cert. before it changed its road name in 1970s.

Entrance to the former Old Admiralty House

Another entrance to the former Old Admiralty House within a short distance from the road side of the School Arch gate.

Former Old Admiralty House (Front)

This old colonial house with its distinctive red tiles and white columns was built back in 1939 and was originally the British Naval Headquarters, used by the Royal navy Officers until 1970s.
Built in 1939 towards the end of the movement and designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the two-storey brick building resembles a traditional English cottage that has a steep roof clad with terracotta tiles in a French pattern. The asymmetrical design of the building allow for numerous turns through the corridors, while the first storey is heavily stuccoed and painted white.
Between 1939-1945, it was first named the Canberra House and served as the residence of the Commodore Superintendent of the Royal Navy Dockyard as well as the strategic planning headquarters of the British armed forces during World War II.Over the next few decades, the name of the building would change frequently along with purposes. From the Admiralty House (1958-1971) where it was the home of the Commander of the Far East Fleet, to the ANZUK House (1971-1974) where it served as the residence of the commander of the Australian, New Zealand and United Kingdom forces that provided interim defence protection while Singapore and Malaysia built up their militarises.

After WWII, the building was renamed Nelson House, after the famous Vice-Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson. Lord Nelson is recognised even today as one of the greatest admirals in English history, lauded as a hero of the Battle of Trafalgar (1805). Nelson House then became the residence of the Flag Officer of the Malayan Area.

The Old Admiralty House became the residence of Commander of the ANZUK forces after the pullout of the British forces in 1971.

After the British pullout, in 1972 , Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh had lunch at Old Admiralty House during their visit.

Gate inscribed "ANZUK House" 

In 1958, the residence became known as Admiralty House. It housed the Commander-in-Chief of the Far East Station. When the British withdrew its forces in 1971, the Australian, New Zealand, and United Kingdom (ANZUK) tripartite force assumed the responsibility of Singapore’s military defence. Once again, the Admiralty changed its name – it became ANZUK House. Until this day, the words ‘ANZUK House’ can still be seen on the entrance gate of the state property (see above pic).
Four years later in 1975, following the withdrawal of the Australian forces from the ANZUK, returned the house keys to the Singapore Government. Sembawang Shipyard inherited the estate and used it as a recreation club. While its owners changed over the years, the monument continued to house recreation facility clubs until 2006. When the building was declared a National Monument in 2002, it was renamed for the last time as the Former Admiralty House.

FIS Institute (2014)

Over time it was also used as a private residence, hotel, recreational club and Yishun country club, before it became home to the FIS Institute (辅仁预科学院) (present Furen International School), a private educational institution (boarding school) to cater mainly Chinese nationals and Overseas as of 2011 till present.

 Former Old Admiralty House (Back)

The balcony private quarters

The white-washed wall above the 'semi-circle' of the balcony private quarters with the rooms below. In those days, the column white-washed walls that were used to have blinds in the past.

Possibly the reading or dinning room

The 'Open' Balcony Private Quarters

The Balcony Private Quarters looks more space to look outside the garden , a plain lawn overlooking the Straits of Johor through cutting in the trees.

A Green Lawn

From the balcony, to where the green lawn with a pond, is seen here with early participants still there taking a selfie at the far right.

A house described as possessing a wide verandah

A wide verandah is seen above the 'semi-circle' Balcony and the exposed red bricks seen on the 2nd level of the Old Admiralty House.

There are two staircases (see below) that could have described in different ways..

 Main Staircase

The Corridor from the main staircase (at the end)

What could have been the servants quarters

Servants Stairwell

Walked up from the main staircase leads to the corridor of the rooms to the end of the narrow of what to be the servants stairwell (staircase) to the kitchen blocks below.

Fire-hose Tower is seen at the rooftop

The development includes an elegantly proportioned fire-hose tower which serves as a local landmark for both the Sembawang area and the shipyard.

Rooftop Lightning Conductors

What I could have seen lots of lighting rod conductors that are built on rooftop of the hostel and academic blocks, office & laundry block as well as the main block of an Old Admiralty House. It is usually made out of a rod of metal with a pointed end and is mounted at a high spot such as the roof of a building. The rod is connected to ground through a cable that is attached to a stake that is driven into the earth.

The Servants and Kitchen Blocks

One of the hostel blocks

The grounds of the Old Admiralty House recently added structures - a pond, entrance gate a guard post and the single storey blocks around the swimming pools also added with classrooms and accommodations by the School (FIS). 

The Ground of A Pool built by POWs

The 'deepest' swimming pool is said to be built by 200 Japanese POWs for the British after Japanese surrendered in 1945.

The area of the forest was once a water tower and stone steps. The background of the building was once Sembawang Forest West Hill now HDB flats.

Air Raid Shelter (Bomb Shelter)

The 30msq underground bunker was discovered in 1990 that is believed to be a Air Raid
Shelter (Bomb Shelter) located at the driveway of the building of Old Admiralty House close by.

Closeup of Bomb Shelter

The bomb shelter (Air Raid Shelter) is rather small and clean. The Air Raid Shelter has a wooden roller shutter above, this is to pull down and close the shelter. There's a small 'round' hole in the middle of the steps. When there is rain, it will flow into the hole, preventing floodwaters flowing into the Air Raid Shelter. 

Back of the Bomb Shelter

To the toilet Closet

The remains of a toliet closet

On the left inside the bomb shelter, what remains of a squatting toilet closet (water closet) and has several light fittings can be found inside the shelter.

The room hall with propeller fan

Only one room hall that can accommodate member of the buildings with one propeller fan.

Colonial Lighting inside the shelter

Several light fittings mounted on the wall can be found inside the bomb shelter. A very grand colonial lightings could be seen inside the Air Raid Shelter and is believed to be built in 1930s or later.

Antique light bulb

Propeller fan

The 6-blade Propeller fan mounted above the concrete ceiling to where the toilet closet is and the vibration is minimal and have better holding power.

To the Staircase Escape Route

The tree roofs seen sprouting from above the concrete ceiling wall

Metal Staircase

On the right side of the bomb shelter, is the metal staircase leading to the...

Escape Route

escape route (pic as above) to where the carpark located nearby., just at the back of the shelter above.

 One of the concrete lampposts

Closeup of the colonial lamp post

One of the 3 colonial concrete lampposts can be seen in the premise of an Old Admiralty House which is only one left in the original building.

The Flagstaff of old

The Flag Mast was taken down from Kranji Wireless Station on the 12th May 1970 and re-elected at Admiralty House on the same day.

A Pair of Fu Dog Statue

A pair of 'Fu Dog' statue is seen at the staircase handrail next to the entrance gate after you walked from the Old Nelson Road driveway to the Old Admiralty House.

As a national monument, the former Admiralty House is set to be a centrepiece of the future Sembawang Community Hub and enrich the community development with its rich heritage. It will give the fresh sporting, recreational and community amenities in a park setting an added dimension.

2 Groups (9am & 10am) shots

Photo Credit: Jerome Lim

Group Photo taken by me

As the news has announced that a 12 hectare plot of land in Sembawang will soon be home to an integrated sports and community hub, just a five minute walk away from Sembawang MRT station. The FATE of the Furen International School, which will vacate the premises in 2020.