Khoo Kongsi Annual Dinner for Clansmen – Awards Recipients & Graduates on Saturday, 13th December 2104

After the morning’s Paying Homage Ceremony, Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi held its usual Annual Dinner honouring Khoo clansmen, who have graduated and who have been given awards for community service.  This year it was held at Jade Palace at 7.30 p.m.  Over 400 clansmen and guests attended this dinner.

The Master of Ceremony for the evening was Khoo Lean Huat, who gave a welcoming speech, followed by a speech from the President, Dato’ Seri Khoo Keat Siew.  Then plaques were presented to Awards Recipients and for the graduates, they were given plaques and ang pows.  It was a memorable evening for all present.

Thank you to the Organising Commitee for a very well-organised dinner with sumptuous food served by Jade Palace.

Master-of-Ceremony, Khoo Lean Huat welcoming guests to the Annual Dinner of Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi, Penang.

Dato’ Seri Khoo Keat Siew, President of Khoo Kongsi, Penang giving his speech.

Tan Sri Khoo Kay Por, Dato’ Khoo Yeoh Gan Hong and guests at Main Table.

Dato’ Seri Khoo Keat Siew presenting plaque to Dato’ Khoo Yeoh Gan Hong.

Dato’ Seri Khoo Keat Siew taking a group photograph with the Recipients of Federal/State Awards.

Khoo Kay Hock presenting a plaque to a Khoo Graduate.

Trustees presenting plaques and ang pows to Khoo graduates.

Guests watching the presentation of plaques and ang pows to Graduates.

We are enjoying ourselves.

A very happy Dato’ Lim Eng Soon and Khoo Chye Poh making their way in hand-in-hand.

Inset bottom photo on the right – Khoo Kay Hock with Alan Khoo (photo – courtesy of Mary Khoo, one of our graduates).

 

Till we meet again next year, A Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous Year 2015.

 

 

 

Awards Recipients and Graduates at Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi, Penang – December 2014

It is December 2014 and this is the time of the year when Khoo Clansmen, who have received Federal/State Awards and Khoo Graduates gathered at Khoo Kongsi, Cannon Square to pay homage to their Patron Saint, “Tua Sai Yeah” and their ancestors.  Members of Toon Boon Tong Khoo Kongsi headed by their Chairman, Khoo Kay Hock, welcomed all Khoo clansmen with drinks and the traditional nyonya kueh.  Mr. Peter Khoo Boo Hin, the Hon. Secretary of Toon Boon Tong Khoo Kongsi; Mr. Khoo Lean Huat, the Master of Ceremony together with committee members gave them a briefing and guided them to the various halls to pray to “Tua Sai Yeah”, “Tua Pek Kong”, “Chai Sin Yeah” and the Khoo ancestors.  The Ceremony started at 11.00 a.m. and ended with Peter Khoo giving interested participants a historical tour of the famous Khoo Kongsi, the Heritage Jewel of Penang.

Peter Khoo looking at the plaques in the Cheng Soon Keong Hall.

Khoo Lean Huat, Peter Khoo Boo Hin, Khoo Kay Hock and Khoo Boo Kean of Toon Boon Tong Khoo Kongsi welcoming the Khoo clansmen.

Members listening to the briefing by Peter Khoo, after a welcome speech by Khoo Kay Hock.

Khoo clansmen looking at their plaques in the Cheng Soon Keong Hall before praying to “Tua Sai Yeah”.

Khoo clansmen admiring the plaques in “Tua Pek Kong” Hall, also known as the Hall of Fame. They then prayed to “Tua Pek Kong”.

Praying to “Chai Sin Yeah” and Khoo ancestors as part of the Paying Homage Ceremony.

Group Photo 2014

Peter Khoo giving a historical tour of Khoo Kongsi to interested participants.

Time to call it a day. Till next year. Dinner at Jade Palace in the evening.

 

 

 

 

Cat n Dog Shop

On the right of the entrance of the famous Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi along Cannon Street, are two very alluring theme shops – the Owl Shop and the Cat and Dog Shop.  I have written an article about the Owl Shop last year and I am doing this Cat and Dog Shop because I found the most charming and interesting collectibles for sale in this place.  Animal lovers, especially cats and dogs lovers, should try to pay a visit to this place.  It is run by KuangNien Sim and his wife, SiauHong Tee.  They are successful, upcoming young entrepreneurs, with a lot of imagination and they have a real talent when it comes to choosing sweet and charming collectibles to display in their shop for their customers.

It is a wonderful place for browsing around if one wants to look for gifts and souvenirs for friends and foreign visitors.

Owl Shop and Cat n Dog Shop on the right of the entrance to Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi, Penang

KuangNien Sim in his Cat n Dog Shop.

Charming gifts and souvenirs for the discerning collectors.

Shoppers browsing in the Cat n Dog Shop with cute and adorable posters of cats and dogs adorning the walls of the shop.

Practical gifts of mugs and bags as gifts for friends.

Exterior of Cat n Dog Shop. Customers can order personalised carvings as souvenirs for your friends and visitors.

 

Family Evening at Khoo Kongsi, Heritage Jewel of Penang

Once a month Khoo Kongsi switches on its LED lighting for visitors.  It is usually on either the third or last Saturday of each month with Penang Global Tourism arranging cultural shows and performances for the spectators.  On Saturday, 22nd February there were drummers, Chinese Orchestra playing beautiful music, Chinese Yoyo and the main event was a Snake Show.  The crowd was held enthralled by the brave antics of the Snake Performer culminating in kissing a 16-ft King Cobra, not once but numerous times.  The whole evening’s entertainment was from 7 to 10 p.m. with souvenir stalls and hawkers food being sold for the spectators to take their dinner while enjoying their family outing at the beautiful and magnificent Khoo Kongsi.

Drummers starting off the evening’s entertainment with the beautifully-lit Khoo Kongsi as the backdrop.

Family outing at Khoo Kongsi, Penang

Kelvin Lim dressed up as Kwan Kong together with friends.

Lim Soo Peng and friends.

Meeting of Toon Boon Tong during the Evening of Lights at Khoo Kongsi, Penang.

Visitors watching the evening’s performance while hawkers served customers.

Chinese Orchestra entertaining the crowd with sweet melodies. Inset photos by Lim Soo Peng.

Visitors, family and friends enjoying their dinner while chatting to the accompaniment of soothing and relaxing music from the Orchestra in attendance.

Chinese Yoyo. Photos by Lim Soo Peng.

Snakes and Pythons of the Snake Performer.  Top right photo – a Penang boy with the python.  Bottom photos show a visitor from China and his family (note the children standing a short distance away once the father has the python around his neck). Bottom right photo, a visitor from Italy.

Snake Performer patting and kissing his 16-ft King Cobra a few times during his amazing performance.

Drummers came out for the final performance of the evening.

Photos with the Snake Performer’s pets.  Girl in top left and right photos looking nonplussed wondering where was the head of the snake as it was curled into a ball.

Snake Performer with his brave little nephew.  Looking at the little girl in the photo, I must say she is indeed one amazing little girl, fearlessly holding the snake.  Remarkable.

It was indeed a memorable evening for families and friends at Khoo Kongsi, Penang.  Hopefully they will look back at this Family Evening spent at Khoo Kongsi’s Evening of Lights with fond memories.  Thank you Lim Soo Peng for your photos.

Hean Boo Thean Floating Temple at Sunrise

My friend, Michael Chuan, has taken some stunning photos of Hean Boo Thean and its surrounding at sunrise and I would like to share them with you.

Setting up for the photo shoot.

Hall of Goddess of Mercy on Top Floor.

Ground Floor of Floating Temple

Jetty for sampans to dock at Hean Boo Thean.

View of Chinese Clan Jetties.

Enchanting and breathtaking seaview from Hean Boo Thean.

Majestic photo of sunrise.

Are you taking my photo?

Sunrise

Photographers taking photos of sunrise.

Low tide.

Interesting photo.

Thank you Michael Chuan for allowing me to blog these photos.  Much appreciated.

Chinese Clan Jetties at Waterfront in Weld Quay, Penang

After the visit to Hean Boo Thean Floating Temple, we made our way to Lee Jetty and Tan Jetty in search of dinner.  The beckoning lights of these Chinese Clan Jetties during Chinese New Year were very inviting.

Entrance to Lee Jetty, the one nearest to Hean Boo Thean Floating Temple (on the left as one faces the entrance to the Floating Temple).  Notice the Por Seng Tai Tay Temple to the right of the entrance – the Lee Clan and the Chew Clan pray to this Deity.

Brightly-lit Lee Jetty. Inset – entrance to Tai Tay Yah Temple.

Lee Jetty by day (photo taken by Michael Chuan).

At the entrance of the unlit Tan Jetty. This is where the Burmah Road Temple comes to send off the boat during the Nine Emperors God’s Festival on the 9th night of the 9th lunar month of the Chinese Calendar.

At the end of Tan Jetty, we reached the side gate of the Thai Restaurant. Inset – the main entrance facing Hean Boo Thean Floating Temple.

We decided to call it a night after dinner. The visit to the famous Chew Jetty and Lim Jetty had to wait.

At the entrance area of the famous Chew Jetty where the Chew clan (like the Lee clan) pray to Por Seng Tai Tay.

Along the iconic Chew Jetty where they pray annually to God of Heaven on the 8th night of Chinese New Year on a grand scale, attended by the Chief Minister of Penang and his family.

At the end of Chew Jetty, there is a Tai Tay Yah Temple, Deity of the Chew Clan. One can also see fishing traps, speed boats collecting passengers and folks just relaxing. In the distance, the Floating Temple “floating” at the Waterfront.

Next to the Chew Jetty is the Lim Jetty, all brightly lit up for Chinese New Year too.

Lim Jetty. Notice the the old photo of Lim Jetty taken in 1910 (bottom left) and the painting by a 15-year old artist, Khoo Ka Leong (bottom right).

Lim Jetty. Notice the two bottom photos on left and right – that is the Ong Jetty where there are no houses as the Ong clan had bought houses and moved out a long time ago. It is the venue for the Kew Ong Yah Temple in McCallum Street to come to send off their boat annually on the 9th night of the Nine Emperors God’s Festival from 1st to 9th day of the 9th lunar month.

I was given to understand that there are two more Clan Jetties after the Hean Boo Thean Floating Temple (to the right as one faces the road to the Floating Temple) – the All Chinese Surnames Jetty and the Yeoh Jetty.  Will make a visit at another time.

Hean Boo Thean (Floating Temple) at the Waterfront by the Clan Jetties

As I have never been to Hean Boo Thean since its opening last year, a good friend offered to take me.  We decided to go at about 6.30 p.m. to take photos so that we could watch the transformation as day turned to night.  When the lights come on each night, the floating temple looks like a floating fairyland against the velvety night.

I shall attempt to share with you a most memorable trip using photo collages.

Our adorable tourist guide showing the way to Hean Boo Thean walking amongst the haphazard and idyllic setting of pre-war houses established by the early settlers when they arrived from China by ships.  Right bottom photo shows the exit staircase from the top floor.

The exterior of the Floating Temple on the Ground Floor. Top left photo shows the various clan jetties visible across the sea.

Main Hall showing Main Altar in front with various Deities.

Cabinet on right of altar showing various headgears of the Deities. From left to right of bottom photos – headgear of Hock Teik Cheng Sin, headgear of Chai Sin Yah and headgear of Ong Yah Bo.

At the back of Main Hall.  Photos from left to right at the top – Altar of Tua Pek Kong, Central Altar at the back of Main Hall with various Deities, passage way into back of Main Hall showing a grand intricate sedan chair used by Deities during processions.  Bottom photo on left – Chor Soo Kong whose placement is below the yellow robe of the right Deity at Central Altar.  Altar of Tay Choo Kong below Central Altar in centre photo at the bottom.

Leaving Main Hall on Ground Floor to go upstairs using staircase located next to the kitchen at the back of property (bottom photo on left).  Top photo showing table selling praying paraphernalia for purchase by devotees.

Hall with Goddess of Mercy on top floor.

Inside Hall of Goddess of Mercy.

Images of  Kuan Yin Hall, roof decorations, lanterns, statues of 24 filial piety and enchanting sea vista before the magical lights came on.

As the lights came on, the magical setting started changing making it a most memorable experience.

Back to Ground Floor to see the Floating Temple by night.  Notice the lanterns with name tags – blessings for devotees during the lst lunar month to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Lights against the black velvety night sky. Notice the moon between the Dragon’s mouth and the lantern in top right photo.

Retracing our steps for a well-earned dinner. What a memorable experience watching the magical transformation.

Thank you to my wonderful tourist guide and most patient companions, waiting for me to take countless photos while their stomachs must have been calling out for dinner.

Chinese New Year Open House at Sian Chye Tong, Air Itam, Penang

Sian Chye Tong held its open house on the 16th day of the 1st lunar month (corresponding to 15th February 2014). It was attended by devotees and well-wishers.  The temple was brightly lit with a magnificent horse in the Main Hall as the centre piece.  At 8 p.m. there was a lion dance, followed by drummers and a dragon dance.

Sian Chye Tong at dusk.

Main Hall of Sian Chye Tong.

Rich and opulent interior of Sian Chye Tong.

Hosts and Guests enjoying themselves at the Open House.

Sian Chye Tong celebrates the Year of the Horse with this beautiful white horse.

Lion Dance paying homage to Baby God and all the Deities at the Main Altar.

Drummers entertaining the guests.

Tossing of Yee Sang at Sian Chye Tong.

Dragon Dance – paying homage to Baby God.

Sian Chye Tong all lit up to celebrate the Year of the Horse.

Gong Xi Fa Cai.  Sian Chye Tong wishes all devotees a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.  Till we meet again in the Year of the Goat, blessings from Baby God.

Horses and Zodiac Signs at Ban Ka Lan Festival 2014

This event was jointly organised by Hokkien Kongsi, Penang; Penang State Tourism Development and Culture and the Snake Temple Area Residents Committee at Snake Temple, Jalan Tokong Ular on the evening of Tuesday, 4th February 2014.  It was on the 5th day of Chinese New Year which is the Year of the Horse.

As one walked into the venue along Jalan Tokong Ular there was an air of gaiety and festivity.  We went early at 5.30 p.m. to be in time for the official event at 7.30 p.m. and it was a good time to to take photos before the crowds came.  There were the 12 beautiful zodiac signs on display with horses as well.  I shall try to share with you the photos I have taken with my little camera trying to capture the sights, essence and atmosphere of this gala event.

Organisers checking and preparing the stage for the Official Launching of the Flame Watching Festival 2014

Jalan Tokong Ular, Venue of the Ban Ka Lan Festival 2014

Twelve Zodiac signs on display with the Horse taking centre stage. The famous wooden horse is usually on display at New World Park. In main photo of Horse is Khoo Kay Hock, Khoo Kee Chooi, Yeoh Seng Hoe and Ong Hock Lye (creator of the Horse) of OHL Gallery.

Chor Soo Kong Temples from Penang setting up kiosks for the Chiah Hoay Ceremony which would commence from 11 p.m. onwards.  Centre Photo below shows Cheng Hoe Seah kiosk.

For more details on the the Flame Watching Ceremony (Chiah Hoay) by Cheng Hoe Seah, please refer to http://ritalim937.wordpress.com/2014/02/06/ban-ka-lan-snake-temple-annual-flame-watching-festival-2014/

Take your pick of your favourite horse.

Dragons leading dignitaries to pay homage to Chor Soo Kong.

Official Launching Ceremony of the Ban Ka Lan Flame Watching Festival 2014.

Star attraction of the evening’s programme – The Shanghai China Cultural Acrobatic Performance.

Chiah Hoay Ceremony by Cheng Hoe Seah at altar of Chor Soo Kong in Main Hall of Snake Temple.

Prediction for Penang’s Economy for Year of Horse 2014.  First 4 months – average; next 4 months – good; and last 4 months of the year – average.

Down Memory Lane on Monday, 4th November 2013

A group of friends took a day off from their schedule to spend some time together, with some flying in from abroad and some from outstation.  Some of us have not seen each other since school days.  It was a time of nostalgia and a trip down memory lane.

The afternoon started with lunch at the Happy Family Restaurant in Hye Keat Estate, at the foothills of the iconic Penang Hill.  Then it was a trip up to Viaduct Station to The White House, a colonial bungalow rented by our organiser, Soon Hin through John Lau.

In the evening amidst the tranquil and idyllic setting of Penang Hill, we had a reunion dinner with the traditional steam boat.

Let us toast to many more years of friendship and happy times together.

Of course, the girls must have a photo together (without the guys).

In the train going uphill . (Photo – courtesy of Wong Soek Wai)

See Viaduct Station on the left – out the train and up the slope. (photo – courtesy of Wong Soek Wai)

The hike up the “flatland” so said Yap Soon Hin. (Photo – courtesy of Lim Guat Ean)

The stately and majestic White House overlooking Georgetown, Penang.  (Notice the long white table on ground floor.)

At the entrance to White House (3 guys were taking photos with numerous cameras).

Now it is the guys turn. Not fair to leave them out of the photo; besides we need them to take some more photos of us so we have to be nice to them, right gals?

What a beautiful living room (graced by elegant ladies).

Having a lighthearted moment in the Dining Room.

Down the steps of the bungalow to go for a walk up to the summit, (Photo – courtesy of Wong Soek Wai)

Whose feet are these? (Photo – courtesy of Wong Soek Wai)

Hilltop View. (Photo – courtesy of Wong Soek Wai)

After their invigorating walk to the summit. We are back!

What a charming photo for the album.

Chatting before dinner.

Getting ready for dinner in the Dining Room before the power glitch……(Photo – courtesy of Wong Soek Wai)

Notice the long white table in Photo 6 – that was where we had our steamboat dinner.  (Photo – courtesy of Wong Soek Wai)

Come on guys, let us have some more of the yummilicious food. (Photo – courtesy of Lim Guat Ean)

They may all look serious in the photo trying to “behave” themselves, but I can assure you the dinner was full of fun and laughter .

At Viaduct Station waiting for the 9.00 p.m. train to go down. (Photo – courtesy of Wong Soek Wai)

Adieu, till we meet again.

All of us would like to thank Saw Kee and Soon Hin for making the arrangements.  We had a wonderful and memorable day up Penang Hill.  Thanks to Lim Guat Ean and Wong Soek Wai for sharing your photos.