Rochor’s final farewell: Two Generations of Memories

Posted On 31 Oct 2016
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Photos and text by Ashley Chew, Christy Yip and Esna Ong

With the iconic Rochor Centre soon to be demolished for redevelopment, a group
of Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information photojournalism
students visited the colourful estate over the past two months to document the memories of its residents.

Mdm Yeow Hong Keow, 68, and Mr Teo Chung Tai, 79, have been married for 50 years. Of these 50 years, 39 have been spent at Rochor, raising their four children — and later, nine grandchildren — in their three-room flat. A sentimental duo, Mr Teo and Mdm Yeow’s home still houses much of the furniture they bought for their nuptials, including this dressing table, which was a wedding dowry gift from Mr Teo. “These are all his treasures, he can’t bear to part with them,” said Mdm Yeow in Mandarin.

Mdm Yeow Hong Keow, 68, and Mr Teo Chung Tai, 79, have been married for 50 years. Of these 50 years, 39 have been spent at Rochor, raising their four children — and later, nine grandchildren — in their three-room flat. A sentimental duo, Mr Teo and Mdm Yeow’s home still houses much of the furniture they bought for their nuptials, including this dressing table, which was a wedding dowry gift from Mr Teo. “These are all his treasures, he can’t bear to part with them,” said Mdm Yeow in Mandarin.

Growing up, Ms Sharon Teo, who is Mr Teo and Mdm Yeow’s third child, stayed in this room with her youngest brother. Both siblings eventually moved out after marriage, but Ms Teo returned during her confinement period to be taken care of by Mdm Yeow. Both Ms Teo, 42, and her daughter have stayed in this same room at Rochor Centre, as nine-year-old Jiayi is looked after by her grandparents when her parents are at work. “It was very different last time — even different genders still have to live together, not like kids nowadays, can have their own room,” said Ms Teo.

Growing up, Ms Sharon Teo, who is Mr Teo and Mdm Yeow’s third child, stayed in this room with her youngest brother. Both siblings eventually moved out after marriage, but Ms Teo returned during her confinement period to be taken care of by Mdm Yeow. Both Ms Teo, 42, and her daughter have stayed in this same room at Rochor Centre, as nine-year-old Jiayi is looked after by her grandparents when her parents are at work. “It was very different last time — even different genders still have to live together, not like kids nowadays, can have their own room,” said Ms Teo.

Their new home at Kallang Trivista is designed by their second son, who is an interior designer and owns his own business. Moving in was a family event, as the whole extended family popped by to lend a hand.

Their new home at Kallang Trivista is designed by their second son, who is an interior designer and owns his own business. Moving in was a family event, as the whole extended family popped by to lend a hand.

With their impending move, a lot of old furniture will be replaced with new pieces. New sofas, a curved TV and even an all-new, king-sized bed await them at their new apartment in Kallang. Here, son-in-law Mr Seah Kam Chuan, 50, takes a photo for memory’s sake and to seek inspiration for his own art pieces.

With their impending move, a lot of old furniture will be replaced with new pieces. New sofas, a curved TV and even an all-new, king-sized bed await them at their new apartment in Kallang. Here, son-in-law Mr Seah Kam Chuan, 50, takes a photo for memory’s sake and to seek inspiration for his own art pieces.

Mr Teo and Mdm Yeow’s place at Rochor Centre acts as a daycare centre for their grandchildren. Jiayi is the second granddaughter to be brought up in her mother’s old bedroom, as her elder sister has since graduated from this “daycare centre”.

Mr Teo and Mdm Yeow’s place at Rochor Centre acts as a daycare centre for their grandchildren. Jiayi is the second granddaughter to be brought up in her mother’s old bedroom, as her elder sister has since graduated from this “daycare centre”.

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