Epic descriptions for 8 otherwise humble Singaporean icons

Because they are the heroes Singapore deserves

Tan Xing Qi | April 08, 2016, 11:56 AM

 

1. Dabao Bag for Beverages

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Always one to keep Singaporeans awake and buzzing, the underrated Dabao Bag for Beverages is the first thing kopitiam-going heartlander folks recognise apart from the Red Plastic Chair. Some say it’s unwieldy, we say it’s unassuming. Uncool, you say? Unbelieveable will be our reply.

2. Red Plastic Chair

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From samsui women to the construction workers of today, the Red Plastic Chair has supported generations of different buttocks. Indeed, if one were to tell the tale of the construction of Singapore the Metropolis, one could say that the shiny Little Red Dot was built on four, red plastic legs.

3. Stone Table

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Ah, the humble yet sturdy as a stone Stone Table. Always there, always an opportunity to catch up with friends, lubricate the throat with hearty rock songs or stimulate the brain juices with a game of chess (unless you live in Blk 12 Haig Road).

4. Plastic Bag

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We cannot live without this. Without the nifty Plastic Bag, how are we going to bring home our groceries? Without the versatile Plastic Bag, where are we going to keep our umbrellas after an afternoon shower? That’s right, if there’s a tagline for Plastic Bag, it’s going to be this: Saving your bag from moisture one rainy day at a time.

5. Peranakan Tiles

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Hipster even before the word was inducted into dictionaries, the Peranakan Tile has seen off many challengers such as the minimalist or the industrialist during its 100-year reign. The bold and avant-garde motifs have made it a firm favourite for the fashion-forward Singaporean, who prefers to be seen swigging a ice-cold Guinness at a Peranakan-shophouse pub than a modern one.

Indeed, one of the most famous Peranakan places in Singapore, Emerald Hill, was, and still is actually, a fashion temple for many. As a testament for its lasting power and cultural impact, the government even spent a cool $2.2 million to restore the original double-storey shophouses at Emerald Hill.

6. Bamboo pole

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It is afraid of nobody bar one: the rain. The Bamboo Pole has always stood straight as an arrow (albeit horizontally), staring down the relentless sun. Without it, our clothes will never be dry and we will never be able to go to work. And ultimately, Singapore’s economy will simply crash. If not for the Bamboo Pole.

7. Void deck

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Okay, recently, there’s been some bad press for the Void Deck. But that’s not stopping it from doing its thing. Be it weddings, funerals or just a game of football, the Void Deck always welcomes everyone with open (quite literally) arms. Foreigners think it’s devoid of life. We think it’s pregnant with promise.

8. Ang Ji Gao

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Dark, intense, full-flavoured. These are just some of the kind words proffered to the king of stouts – the Ang Ji Gao aka Guinness.

Its iconic status is further cemented with this epic Hokkien video

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Good stuff must share

Guinness has launched a brand new, limited edition version of the iconic Ang Ji Gao, pieced together by all the unsung icons of Singapore such as Keong Saik Building, Marina Bay Sands and Kueh Tutu.

Look closely and you can find Sir Stamford Raffles. Look even closer and you can find the Red Plastic Chair and Bamboo Pole. Look even closer than closer and you… why not you just buy it and stop looking closer?

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More information at Guinness’ official Facebook page.

Top photo adapted from The Farmstore Facebook page.

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