Fathers' Day message

2010 Fathers' Day Message / sms from Baenita


"May this father's day be filled with happiness and the whole year ahead be just wonderful too. i love u appa, though we r unable to celebrate together father's day, it doesnt matter, everyday when we eat together, play together, they r all fathers day. happy father's day!"

My Perfect Day

My perfect day starts with a 45 min yoga session, good hot-shower, oats breakfast and then off to work. Work is always fun with unexpected people issues. Return home by 6.30pm and join my wife on a 5km walk at Jurong Lake Garden, which is 5min away from home. Then, baeutiful family dinner with wife-cooked food. This follows by reading the day's paper or Times /HBR megazine. A family prayer before hit the bed by 11pm......

SNEF Conference Panel Speaker

On the 27th July 2010, my boss, Amit Oberoi, and I shared stage as panel members to discuss, share views and answer questions on "CEO & HR partnership towards producitivity, innovation and growth" at a conference organized by Singapore National Employers Federation. This function was attended by more than 1000 CEOs of Singapore companies, ministers and professionals. It was officiated by the Prime Minister and the guest of honor was MM Lee Kuan Yew.

When SNEF approached us / Coke a few months before this conference on this speaking opportunity, I declined it due to work commitments. However, my boss felt that participation in such forums is good opportunity to build our brand image in Singapore. Though I was relunctant, I have full trust in his wisdom and started to work towards the preparation work. Anu, our OD/Learning Manager, was tasked to compile the information for Amit's presentation. From close to 100 power point slides, we bring this down to 30+ slides for the final presentation. This work took about 2+ months, multiple meetings with line managers / corporate office / marketing division to verify data / information, as well as reviews by Amit to align the flow of message delivery.

During the same period, I was extremely busy with several key projects ie Union Agreement negotiation, HR Meeting in Atlanta, HR Assessment in London as well as guiding new HR managers both in Malaysia and Singapore. Nevertheless, Anu's commitment in following up and Amit's wisdom is seeing big-picture (instead of finding gaps in our prep work or jumping into the details), made this a successful and satisfying effort.

Yes... Coke's participation in the conference was a great success... and, thanks goes to Amit (and Anu, who was working behind the scene).   

(Below photo - A scene during the panel discussion. Photo taken by Grace Lai, one of my strong Human Capital team member.)

Jurong lake view from our home

Baenita's 1st ever-Cooking effort

Last week end, Baenita baked biscuits and cake for the 1st time. She got some quick lessons from her home econ classes and tried it at home. While the taste, shape and texture were not as intended, I liked it and ate a lot. Taste great, too (at least for me). It was a great feeling to see that she has grown up. For me, her cooking effort is much more than the output... it is a mark of another stage of her development. It reflects her feelings and desire to create and cherish the own success. For me, it reminds me of her need for more freedom to think and act.

Yes.... I am moving into another stage of father-hood, I suppose. As both my kids entering teenage stage, 'Let-go and have fun watching them grow' - is the mantra. I realized this. Nevertheless, now and then, I cross the line. And... learning good lessons along the way.

Below are pictures of 1st ever cookies made by Baenita.

Black Belt in Taekwondo

After more than 5 years of taking up Taekwondo under both WTF and ITF systems,  both my kids were awarded black belt (1st Dan) this afternoon, in a simple ceremony held by Singapore Taekwondo Academy (STA). During the last 5 years, both my kids changed 4 schools, along with their taekwondo classes. This has interrupted their progress to attain black belt much sooner. When they arrived Singapore in late 2007, they re-started taekwondo classes under Master Henry of STA / Boon Lay. While settling down in Singapore and chellenging school environment, both the kids managed to keep up with their weekly training and periodical gradings. This afternoon, it was a proud moment indeed to receive their black belts from Master Henry.

I got my Black Belt in 1982 and my 3rd Dan Black Belt in 1988. Since I came to Singapore, I have stopped my training completely due to work commitments. Now that my kids are black belts, I have a renewed motivation to re-start my training..!!! Must prepared for a very slow start to avoid injuries due to inflexible (still 'young')  muscles.

Below are photos of Baenita and Baenedict receiving black belts from Master Henry, a 6th Dan Black Belt.

YOG Torchbearer

On the 8th Aug 2010, I was one of the luckiest person to run as a YOG torchbearer in Singapore as well as to represent my company - Coca-Cola. It was great to participate in this event in support of a peace, friendship and excellence via sports. My wife, Regina, and 2 kids were there to support me throughout the 300m journey-run near Upper Changi Road. Both my kids, Baenedict and Baenita, tried their best to capture their dad's historic run in camera and video. As a YOG torchbearer, I was escorted by support runners and police and the road-side were crowded with supportive public. This made it difficult for my kids to capture good photos.They struggle though the crowd, run along the road, kept shouting and supporting me as well as try capturing as many photos as possibe. Frankly, it was touching to see their love and excitement in this journey. While YOG has far greater meaning to Singapore and to the world, it has made significant and positive impact to my family - which we will treasure for many years to come.

 

Book-launch by ex-HM of my primary school

On the 27th May 2010, I have attended a book launch event of my primary school headmaster's auto-bio. It was a simple... very simple event with limited financial support. Nevetheless, was a very meaningful one for me. In his auto-bio, he made specific acknowledgement of 7 students who made academic success, far beyond thousands of students who went throught the empowerished estate Tamil school's >80 years of history, of whom includes my sister, bro-inlaw and myself. We are indeed proud of his mentioning. This also brings to memory that the successes were far more meaningful if seen in the context of socio-economic structure of our society then.

During the event, I have also managed to meet several great souls, whom I have never met since mid '80s. Some of these re-connected contacts will surely last for many years to come, if not for rest of life. One of such great soul was Mani (son of the headmaster), who is also my school mate at English College, Johor. Thereafter, met Mani the following week, at his home, and trust this relationship will continue for years to come.

At 80 years old, the headmaster (Mr P. Subramaniam) is going steady, healthy and with great mind with speaking ability. For him, neither the youth is running away nor the 'old-age' is dare to encrouch him. God bless him with many many more years of great health and happiness........'