月度归档： 2024年7月

一位非凡的男人和他的中医故事

余东旋在马来亚通过锡矿和橡胶发了财。在至少两次生死劫难中幸存下来，他过上了豪华的生活，并拥有11位妻子、13个儿子和11个女儿，同时也回馈社会。在他的人生中（1877-1941），他拥有许多地产，包括新加坡和香港的豪宅。但他留下的持久遗产却是他在两岁时从父亲余广送他的礼物。（照片由来自务边博物馆的彭西康提供。）

冯碧仪 Foong Pek Yee

2024年7月17日
译者：黎镇荣 Lai Jen Weng

 

对余家来说，7月23日是一个吉祥的日子。

余广的独生子余东旋，出生于1877年7月23日。

1879年7月23日，余广为了庆祝他儿子的两岁生日，并在距离怡保约17公里的务边开设了一家中医药店。

这家店名为“仁生”，意为“仁泽众生”，旨在帮助成从中国抵达务边以及附近地区的移民族来开采锡矿。

那时候是正值马来亚的锡矿热潮。

但由于许多人不久后就陷入困苦、孤独以及挫折并开始吸鸦片而上瘾。

余广并使用中医治疗他们的成瘾和健康问题。

“感恩和回馈社会是中国文化的一个重要的部分，”务边博物馆创始人兼馆长彭西康说。

85岁的彭先生是《记忆之旅：务边华人开拓者故事（1850-2000）》的作者，每当谈到哥彭时，他总是充满自豪。

他说他非常感激余家将一排沿着务边的余广街的单层店铺捐赠给务边博物馆。

“这是一个拥有历史的地方，价值无可估量。”

“仁生”药店原本的位置距离博物馆步行可达，现在那里是一栋现代的混凝土建筑而已被一家银行占据。

在19世纪末，这些位于务边余广街的单层建筑曾是余广的马厩。

在21世纪，这些位于务边余广街的单层店铺如今是务边博物馆。

一切与务边相关的故事：彭西康，85岁，曾在务边担任教师和校长。从1990年代到2008年，他担任务边国会议员和住房与地方政府部长丹斯里陈祖排博士的特别助理。

在那个动荡的时代背景下，余家也面临了不少挑战。1891年，年仅14岁的余东旋幸存下来，免于皮疹的折磨，而这一皮疹却夺去了余广（1853-1891）的生命。两年后，余广的第二任妻子文云嫦（1857-1893）在船上神秘去世，而余东旋和她10岁的养女足意奇迹般幸存下来。

据伊尔莎·夏普在《正义之鹤：余东旋的生平与遗产》一书中描述，三人当时正在拜访位于中国佛山的余家的祖居地，并在登船前举办告别晚宴。

有关食物中毒的指控曾出现。

但命运让聪明、精明且交际广泛的女商人文云嫦已经为余东旋接受英语教育做好了安排。

她认为，余东旋从风水师祖父余鹤松（1822-1886）那里接受的几年传统华文教育不足以使他应对生活中的挑战和成就伟大事业。

余东旋于1892年至1898年在槟城和怡保接受了英语教育。1898年，年满21岁的他，准备继承已故的父母的遗产，却发现他的叔叔们已耗尽了家业。

幸运的是，余东旋和足意设法通过出售她的珠宝而成功挽救仁生药店。

他对教育和中西文化的接触让他在殖民时代的生活中占据了优势。

在余东旋20多岁时，他迅速成为锡矿和橡胶行业的著名富翁，并继续回馈社会。

他和几位大亨联手发起了反鸦片和反赌博运动。

余东旋也捐资助学，帮助需要的人。

他喜爱弹钢琴，自身也是中国戏曲的忠实粉丝。

1910年，余东旋将“仁生”更名为“余仁生”，并将其生意扩展到新加坡。

虽然在他的人生中，余仁生可能对他不是一个大收入来源，但余仁生和中医却是他留下的持久遗产。

从最初的“仁生”到后来的余仁生，公司逐渐发展成为中医领域的领导者，目前估值为28亿令吉（8.08亿新币）。

“仁生”或“余仁生”自创立145年以来，在华人社区中发挥了至关重要的作用。

除了中医服务外，其店也曾帮助许多文盲的移民工人与他们在中国的家人通信并汇款。当时唯一的通信方式是通过书信。

余仁生自创立以来持续主导中医行业，并成为一个家喻户晓的品牌，以其严格的质量控制赢得了信任。

余仁生的产品和服务范围也不断改变，以适应现代生活，包括草药/滋补汤包、饮品以及中国节日礼篮。

2024年6月5日，新加坡亚洲新闻台报道，位于日本的一家财团——三井物产和乐敦制药——已以6.95亿新元（24亿令吉）收购了余仁生。这笔交易占据了86%的份额，使余仁生的估值达到约8.08亿新元（28亿令吉）。

根据2024年6月5日的亚洲新闻台报道，余仁生在新加坡、香港和马来西亚运营超过170家零售店和30家诊所。

余仁生国际集团主席余义明，也是余广的曾孙，表示这家成立145年的公司期待与乐敦制药和三井物产继续共同前行。

虽然余东旋在马来亚、新加坡和香港的锡矿和橡胶生意中积累了大量资产，但余仁生仍然在他和家族的一些成员心中占据着特殊的地位。

余东旋于1941年5月11日在香港离世，而日本军队于同年圣诞节当天进攻了香港。

The Winds of Change

 

Symphonic Beyond conducted by Dr Low Chee Meng sets the stage for a rousing, highly energetic, electrifying performance –  befitting the orchestra that turned 14  in January.  Founded in 2010 with a grant from the SiWu Education Trust Fund, the Kinta Valley Wind Orchestra (KVWO) has gone from strength to strength, observes Sook Mei who is a founding member of the orchestra that comprises people of all walks of life; mostly working adults and school or college students.  Photos by Sook Mei.

By  Foong Pek Yee

foongpekyee@gmail.com.

July 19, 2024

Themed Winds of Pop,  KVWO’s annual concert was all about the different kinds of pop music; from the 70s era to the  K-Pop wave.

From the 1980s Cantopop Medley , The Symphonic Beatles, Greatest Hits of Jay Chou , ABBA Gold, Puteh Ramlee  to K-Pop Feel So Good;   the  overwhelming response from the audience at the RTM Auditorium, Ipoh  on July 7 has again underscores the fact that music is borderless and transcends time.

The rest of the repertoire  includes Santana- A Portrait, Billie Jean, Coldplay Symphony, Say Shava Shava and A Song by Jacky Cheung (arranged by Mateo Ng)

 

Upbeat:  (from left) Hong Pick Sum, Natalie Liew, Sook Mei, Mateo Ng, Dr Low Chee Meng, Lean Lip Kok and Craig Fam

Looking back, Sook Mei says KVWO, the brainchild of the late Datuk KK Lim who wished to have a community band,  has come a long way.

The KVWO  was set  up by the Kinta Valley Symphonic Society (KVSS)  in 2010.  Both organizations are based in Ipoh, Perak.

KVSS  got a grant from  the SiWu Education Trust Fund to set up KVWO

“The last two years saw KVSS added three new groups under its wings;  KV String Orchestra, KV Chinese Orchestra and KV Symphonic Voices,” says Sook Mei who is into piano.

Like any organization, KVSS and KVWO have their fair share of ups and downs, but Sook Mei is glad that it has emerged stronger.

The good news is some  members of the orchestra  went on to  further their studies in music and rose to become professionals, including lecturers in colleges.

Sook Mei is also proud to note that  Natalie Liew,  one of the two conductors at the concert, joined KVWO about 10 years ago as a player.

Dr Low Chee Meng was the guest conductor for the event.

Natalie Liew conducting Puteh Ramlee.

Sook Mei says KVWO is  more active than before after the Covid- 19 movement control order got lifted.

It held its annual concert in July 2022, followed by an Outreach performance at the Imperial International School in Menglembu, Ipoh.

Year 2023 saw KVWO having a joint concert with KLPac in Ipoh’s SMJK Ave Maria Convent, followed by a performance in Ipoh Parade Shopping Mall in July,  annual concert in November and a Christmas performance in December.

The orchestra kick off  this year with a performance in DR Park.  The  Ipoh City Council had invited KVWO to do a Chinese New Year Celebration  at the park’s new amphitheater.

KVWO was also invited by elected government representatives Jenny Choi and Howard Lee to perform in SJKC Chung Tack, Kampung Simee.

“I would say that over the years KVWO has grown from strength to strength and has made a name for itself within the community of Ipoh and beyond,” says Sook Mei who was president of KVSS in 2015 and 2018.

Big thank you : Kinta Valley Symphonic Society KVSS president Jeffrey Cheong Kok Yew ( (far right) and the concert organizing chairman Keith Lwee (third from left) with guest performers on stage.

Part of Asian Dhol playing drums.

Billie Jean with Michael Jackson impersonator Mervin Yong

He lives and breathes music

A typical day for Eric Lee is an  hour of jogging in the morning followed by  three hours of music practice.  This distinguished conductor and trombonist sees perseverance, discipline and focus as not only a must in a person’s musical pursuit but also an integral part of character building.

By Foong Pek Yee
July 18, 2024
The 45 minutes audition over the phone that won him a scholarship to study in the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) is still vivid in Eric’s mind.
It was in 1997 , and he  got a full scholarship to study trombone in HKAPA- Asia’s top performing arts centre.
The three -year- stint in Hong Kong saw him participating in Master classes with prominent figures like the American Horn Quartet, Luur Metals, Spanish Brass Quintet, Roger Bobo and James Da Sanol.
He also studied with renowned trombonists like John Swallow, Scott Hartman and Jan Mortensen and conducted with Mark Shanahan.
At 52, Eric was first introduced to trombone at age 13 when he joined the Catholic High School Symphonic Band.  He was a student at the Catholic High School in Petaling Jaya.
He never looked back since then.
In 1994, he founded the PJ Youth Symphonic Band as a platform for young musicians to develop their skills
For six consecutive years, starting 1996, Eric was selected to represent Malaysia in the Asia Youth Orchestra (AYO) that saw him performing  in 40 cities across 20 countries.
The tours include performing in prestigious venues  like the Royal Concertgebouw and the Sydney Opera House and the opportunity to perform under esteemed conductors and with renowned artists such as Yo-Yo Ma and Mischa Maisky.
This  certainly is a dream for many young and aspiring musicians.
Eric subsequently founded the Philharmonic  Winds of Malaysia (formerly known as the Symphonic Winds of the National Symphony Orchestra)  and the National Band Director Association of Malaysia.
Upon his return from Hong Kong in 1999, Eric made his conducting debut with the Kuala Lumpur Symphony Orchestra for the production of “Johan and Si Belang,” which is Malaysia’s version of “Peter and the Wolf”.
Later that year he conducted a critically acclaimed local production of “The Sound of Music”.
 Eric is  currently the president of the  National Band Director Association of Malaysia and the principal trombone of the National Symphony Orchestra of Malaysia.

The leader:  Eric is the Band Director for the Catholic High School in Petaling Jaya and Sekolah Menengah Sains Selangor which won multi champion and gold awards in Malaysia and internationally. Eric  is also a recipient of Malaysia’s Anugerah Seni Negara (National  Young Music Director  Award) for young music directors in 2006.

To lead and serve : Eric who is currently the Artistic Director  and Resident Conductor of the Philharmonic Winds of Malaysia sees music as a platform to do good.

In harmony: Eric conducting a rehearsal for Philharmonic Winds of Malaysia.

The nation’s pride:  The concert themed ” Discover Malaysian Folk Song” by Philharmonic Winds of Malaysia.

 Music is borderless : Eric conducting the Austria upper army band.
Also a regular guest player with several orchestras at a regional level, Eric has appeared as a  guest principal with orchestras like the Macau Symphony Orchestra, the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra,  Bangkok Opera.
Apart from that, Eric is  frequently invited to adjudicate international band competitions and conducts workshops and concerts across Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Beneath all the glamour, education remains Eric’s enduring legacy in the music world – his dedication to performance and leadership training goes a long way in inspiring countless young musicians all around the world and elevating  the standards of symphonic music in Malaysia.
He is set to continue to help shape the musical journeys of students in Malaysia, ensuring the continued growth and excellence of the nation’s musical talent; testimony to this is his remarkable achievements in leading and developing wind bands, chamber music, and orchestras.
And Eric has a family orchestra together  with his wife Chew Yi Chien who is a pianist and violinist, and their sons  15-year -old Marques and 10-year-old Kyle who plays  the trombone and trumphet respectively.
Yi Chien, 44,  is the music department head at Mont Kiara International School.
Eric says Yi Chien’s unwavering support for him has enabled him to focus on his musical pursuit.

 

An extraordinary man and his TCM story

Eu Tong Sen made his fortune in tin and rubber in Malaya. Cheated death on at least two occasions, he went on to lead a luxurious lifestyle with his 11 wives, 13 sons and 11 daughters,  and give back to society at the same time.  During his life time (1877 – 1941) he owned many properties including mansions in Singapore and Hong Kong. But his lasting legacy turned out to be a gift from his father Eu Kong when he turned two.  Photos courtesy of Phang See Kong from Gopeng Museum.

By Foong Pek Yee

July 17, 2024
For the Eu family, July 23 is an auspicious date.
Eu Kong’s first born and only son, Eu Tong Sen, was born on July 23, 1877.
And on July 23, 1879, Eu Kong set up a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) shop in Gopeng, about 17 km from Ipoh, to celebrate his heir’s second birthday.
Aptly named  Yan Sang ( meaning compassion and life) , the shop was aimed at helping migrant workers from China who arrived in Gopeng  and nearby areas by the thousands  to work in the tin mines.
It was the big tin rush in then Malaya.
But hardship, loneliness and frustrations soon set in for many of them who then took opium and got addicted to it.
Eu Kong used TCM to treat their addiction and debilitating health.
” Being grateful and giving back  to society is an integral part of Chinese culture,”  says Gopeng Museum founder and  curator Phang  See Kong.
Phang, 85, who is the author of a  book titled ” A Meander down Memory Lane: Stories about the Chinese Pioneers in Gopeng, Perak (1850 – 2000), beams with pride whenever he talks about Gopeng.
He says he is very grateful that the Eu family  has donated a row of single storey shoplots along Jalan Eu Kong in Gopeng to house the Gopeng Museum.
” This is a historical place and  is priceless.”
The site where Yan Sang shop was once located is walking distance from the  museum. It is now a modern concrete building and occupied by a bank.
 In the late 19th century:  these single storey units along Jalan Eu Kong in Gopeng were stables for Eu Kong’s horses .
In the 21st century: These single storey  shoplots along Jalan Eu Kong in Gopeng houses the Gopeng Museum.
Anything Gopeng: Phang See Kong, 85, was a teacher and headmaster in Gopeng. From the 1990s to 2008 he was the special assistant to Gopeng Member of Parliament and Housing and Local Government Minister  Tan Sri Dr Ting Chew Peh.
Against the backdrop of a turbulent era, the Eu family had its fair share of challenges.
In 1891, the 14 -year old Tong Sen survived a skin rash that killed Eu Kong( 1853 – 1891).
Two years later, Eu Kong’s second wife  Mun Woon Chang  (1857- 1893) died mysteriously on board a  ship while Tong Sen and her 10-year-old adopted daughter Zu Yi miraculously survived.
The trio  were on a visit to the Eu’s ancestral home in Foshan, China and had a farewell dinner  shortly before they boarded the ship to Malaya, according to a book by  Ilsa Sharp,  titled Path of the Righteous Crane: The Life and Legacy of Eu Tong Sen.
There were allegations of poisoned food.
But fate had it that Mun – a shrewd, sophisticated and well-connected  businesswoman- had already put in place her plans for Tong Sen to receive  English education.
She felt that the few years of classic Chinese education Tong Sen received from his fengshui master grandfather Eu He Song  ( 1822- 1886)in his formative years was not enough to prepare Tong Sen to navigate life and do  great things.
Tong Sen had his English education in Penang and Ipoh from 1892 to 1898
Turning 21 in 1898 and ready to inherit the estate from his late parents, only to discover that his paternal uncles had already depleted the business.
Fortunately Tong Sen and Zu Yi who had offered to  sell her jewellery to salvage Yan Sang managed to  do so.
His education and exposure to Chinese and Western culture had given  him an edge on life in the colonial era.
In his 20s, Tong Sen  rose to become a prominent tycoon in tin mining and rubber  and he continued to give back to society.
Among others, he and several tycoons  joint force to spearhead an anti-opium and anti-gambling movement.
Tong Sen also donated to education and the needy.
He played the pianola and a big fan of the Chinese opera.
In 1910, Tong  Sen renamed Yan Sang to Eu Yan Sang (EYS) and expanded it to Singapore.
While EYS might not be a big revenue earner for Tong Sen  during his life time,  EYS and TCM  is his lasting legacy.
From its early days as Yan Sang and then EYS, the company has evolved to be a leader in TCM,  and the company is  currently valued at RM2.8 bil (SGD808 mil).
Yan  Sang  or EYS  has played a vital role in the Chinese community since its inception 145 years ago.
Besides TCM services, the shop also doubled up as a place to help migrant workers, many being illiterate, correspond with their families in China and remit money home. The only means of correspondence then was by   letters.
EYS continues to dominate the TCM sector since its inception, and it is a household name and a trusted brand for its quality-control.
Its range of goods and services has also evolved to meet modern day living; from herbal/tonic soups packages, drinks to Chinese festive  hampers.
On June 5,  2024, Singapore’s ChanelNewsAsia (CNA) reported that  a Japanese consortium – Mitsui & Co and Rohto Pharmaceutical -has acquired Eu Yan Sang for SGD695 mil (RM2.4 bil).
This is 86% of the deal that values Eu Yan Sang at about SGD808 mil ( RM2.8 bil)
EYS operates more than 170 retail stores and 30 clinics in Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia, according to the CNA  report on June 5, 2024.
Eu Yan Sang International chairman Richard Eu, also Eu Kong’s great grandson says the 145 year old company is looking forward to “continuing our journey with Rohto Pharmaceutical and Mitsui”.
While Tong Sen  was a tycoon with vast assets in Malaya, Singapore and Hong Kong via his business in tin mining and  rubber,  Eu Yan Sang remained close at heart for him and some members in his family.
Tong Sen  passed away in Hong Kong on May 11, 1941 ;  and  the Japanese troops descended on Hong Kong on Christmas Day that same year.
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It is about bringing out the character

Let the music speaks: Concert pianist Lee Jae Phang at Yamaha Music Centre in Kelana Jaya on July 9, 2024.
By Foong Pek Yee
July 12, 2024
While each and every piece of music is unique and captivating , skills  are needed to bring out their character.
This applies to music at any level.
Thus, a grade one piece may appear easy,  but it is no less captivating  compared to pieces from higher grades.
To bring out the character of a piece of music requires, among others,  a combination of one’s acquired skills,  professional guidance, hard work and deliberate practice.
“It is about the communication, interpretation and delivery of each piece; the technical challenges,”  says concert pianist and music teacher Lee Jae Phang at an event in Yamaha Music Centre , Kelana Jaya, Selangor on July 9, 2024.
The event, jointly organized by Yamaha Music Centre and Harmony Music Centre, Damansara Utama,  focused on ABRSM pieces Grade One to Eight 2025 and 2026 pieces.
Lee Jae plays  pieces from each grade before highlighting  their character,  technical challenges, how to tackle them and bringing a level of deep connection between the audience and the piece.
Bringing musical excellence around the world : Yamaha Music Malaysia managing director Jin Katagiri speaking at the opening of  the event in Yamaha Music Centre in Kelana Jaya on July 9, 2024.
A passion for music:  John (left) who owns Harmony Music Centre  at the event in Yamaha Music Centre in Kelana Jaya on July 9, 2024, was seen sharing some thoughts with his friend.
Concert Pianist Lee Jae Phang.
Lee Jae is a Malaysian and he won the Audience Prize and the 1st Beethoven Performance Award in the Beethoven Piano Festival in Altaussee, Austria in 2016.
Getting  his first diploma in piano at the age of 11, he  went to the United Kingdom (UK) to continue his education not long after.
Lee Jae has Masters of Music in Performance (MMus) with Distinction from the Royal Northern College of  Music, Manchester, UK and a Fellow of the Royal School of Music (FRSM) with Distinction.