Another project of the Hinghwa Heritage Centre
UNTOLD STORIES OF THE HINGHWA FLOWERS
兴花
Honouring Our Womenfolk
The journey of uncovering remarkable individuals beyond the shores of Nanyang inspired the title of my new book: World of Hinghwa: History and Stories of the Hinghwa People.
Among those who moved me most were our womenfolk, whose quiet strength and unwavering spirit taught me the true meaning of virtue and resilience. Often overlooked in the grand narratives, their stories stand as powerful reminders of courage lived in silence and dignity carried through hardship.
Despite the weight of cultural expectations and the formidable glass ceiling they faced, many of these women broke through, with some rising to positions of influence and even global recognition. Their achievements are not just personal triumphs, but collective victories for our community.
I feel deeply privileged to have uncovered several of their extraordinary journeys, stories that deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated. They are more than pioneers.
I call them the Hinghwa Flowers, blooming in strength, grace, and quiet brilliance.
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Note: I have been told that there are many notable women in Nanyang and beyond. I will do my best to uncover their stories and will continue updating the website as discoveries are made.
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致敬我们的女性
走出南洋，探寻杰出人物的旅程，赋予了我的新书这样的标题：《兴化世界：兴化人的历史与故事》。
其中最令我感动的，是我们的女性。她们沉静的力量与不屈的精神，让我真正理解了美德与坚韧的含义。她们的故事常被宏大的历史叙述所忽略，却强有力地提醒着我们：勇气可以在静默中彰显，尊严可以在磨难中坚守。
尽管背负着文化的重压，面对着难以逾越的隐形壁垒，她们中的许多人依然打破了桎梏，有些人甚至登上高位，赢得了世界范围的认可。她们的成就不仅是个人的胜利，更是我们整个社群的共同荣耀。
能发掘出她们中几位非凡的人生旅程，我深感荣幸。这些故事值得被看见、被倾听、被颂扬。她们不仅仅是先行者。
我称她们为“兴化花”——在力量、优雅与沉静的光芒中傲然绽放。
注： 我得知，在南洋乃至更远的地方，还有许多杰出的女性。我将尽力探寻她们的故事，并随着新的发现持续更新网站内容。
Our Honourable Hinghwa Flowers
Our Hinghwa women are indeed the "Silent Architects of Our Story".
Coincidentally, the word "woman" could well be an acronym for "Wisdom of Man." It is therefore no coincidence that the Chinese believe that having both a male and a female is essential. This belief is embedded in the Chinese character '好' (hǎo), which means "good." It is made up of two characters: '女' (female) and '子' (male).
Unfortunately, in ancient times, and perhaps still in many parts of the world today, there has been a strong bias against females.
In East Asian societies, this bias is exacerbated by the cultural emphasis on continuing the family lineage, where male offspring are often preferred. These societal pressures caused many girls to suffer even from birth.
Many were forced to become housemaids before they turned teens, and by the time they came of age, they were often quickly married off, not only to serve their husbands but also their entire family.
They were known as child brides. Most were deprived of an education and, consequently, the opportunity for a good career. Despite the thick glass ceiling society placed on them, Hinghwa women have proven that they, too, can overcome all odds and triumph over adversity.
Their inherent qualities are evident in how they manage their homes, raise their children, and run businesses in the absence of their spouses. Some have even reached the pinnacle of success in the world.
Their contributions and successes have long been overlooked. It is therefore my honor to humbly bestow upon them an honorary title: 兴花 (Xìnghuā) -- a name that beautifully captures the feminine spirit of Hinghwa (兴化).
By some divine wisdom, the Chinese character 花 (huā, meaning "flower") is composed of two meaningful parts. The top radical 艹 is derived from the character 莆 (Pú), which represents the ancestral homeland of the Hinghwa people. The lower part, 化 (huà), symbolizes their Hinghwa heritage and cultural identity. When combined, these elements form 花, making the phrase 兴花 a beautifully fitting representation of Hinghwa women.
Interestingly, the first Hinghwa woman known as the “Goddess of Flowers” was Jiang Cai Ping, the famed concubine of a Tang Dynasty emperor. Renowned not only for her beauty but also for her intellect and many talents, she was truly a woman of both grace and genius. As my journey has revealed, there are many more such women whose stories remain untold, waiting to be discovered.
致敬我们的女性
兴化女性，实乃我们故事中“无声的筑梦人”。
巧合的是，“女人”二字恰似“男性智慧”的缩写。这或许正解释了为何中华文化历来崇尚阴阳调和、男女并重。这种理念深深烙印在汉字“好”中, 由“女”与“子”相合而成，寓示着两性共存方能成就圆满。
然而在古时，乃至当今世界许多角落，对女性的偏见始终如影随形。东亚社会尤其如此，宗族绵延的文化重压使生育男孩成为执念，许多女婴自呱呱坠地便承载着原罪。她们往往未及豆蔻就被迫为仆，甫及婚龄便匆匆嫁作人妇，不仅侍奉夫君，更要照料整个家族。
她们被称为“童养媳”。绝大多数被剥夺了受教育的机会，自然也无缘锦绣前程。尽管社会为她们筑起厚重的玻璃穹顶，兴化女子却以非凡韧性冲破枷锁，在逆境中绽露锋芒。
她们持家有道、教子有方，在丈夫远行时独力经营事业，其天赋才能令人惊叹。更有佼佼者已在世界舞台登上事业巅峰。然而这些贡献与成就长久以来却湮没无闻。今日，我怀着无比敬意，谨将“兴花”这一雅称敬献予她们, 这朵凝结着兴化女性精魂的芬芳之花，其名何其贴切。
若细究“花”字构造，更觉天意深藏：上部草字头源于“莆”字，代表着兴化人的故土莆田；下部“化”字则承载着兴化千年文脉。二者交融成“花”，恰似“兴花”二字对兴化女儿最诗意的写照。
回望历史，唐代江采萍作为首位被誉为“花神”的兴化女儿，不仅是帝王宠妃，更以才情智慧留名青史。这位风华绝代的女性早已预示：在时光长河中，还有无数兴化女子的传奇静待发掘。我的探寻之旅才刚刚开始。
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Commemorative Oil
In honor of the 兴花, Singa Rose LLP proudly presents a special commemorative edition of their signature Medicated Oil. This exclusive edition is available at a limited-time discount, with all proceeds donated in support of this website. To learn more or make a purchase, please visit www.singarose.com. Orders can be placed using the enquiry form at the bottom of the page -- available while supplies last.
纪念油礼
为致敬“兴花”风范，Singa Rose LLP 特别推出经典药油的纪念珍藏版。此限定版本享限时优惠，所有销售所得将捐赠支持本网站运营。了解更多或进行购买，请访问 www.singarose.com。您可通过页面底部的咨询表单下单—数量有限，售完即止。
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While three of them, Mazu, Chen Jinggu, and Jiang Cai Ping, were elevated to divine status, many others in modern times have also proven themselves to be as capable as their male counterparts, if not better. Some have made it to the world stage, such as the World Health Organization, the World Bank, BlackRock, and more. One even became known as the mother of semiconductors and aerospace materials, with inventions that continue to rattle the superpowers to this day. Among this high profile Hinghwa ladies are those who served as high profile ministers, including one on one of the world's superpower.
This is the Power of the 兴花.
在妈祖、陈靖姑和江采萍被尊奉为神明的同时，无数现代女性同样展现出与男性同等乃至更卓越的才能。她们中许多人已登上全球舞台，在世界卫生组织、世界银行、贝莱德集团等知名机构贡献力量。尤为瞩目的是，其中一位杰出女性被誉为"半导体与航空航天材料之母"，其开创性发明至今仍在世界强国间激起波澜。这些卓越的兴化女性中更不乏曾担任高级部长职务者，包括某全球超级大国的政府要员。
这正是"兴花"的力量。
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艹 + 化 = 花
From the howling wind,
Mazu heard the cries of
the distressed.
Source: Open AI ChatGPT
Source: Author & Lin Zhou
Queen of Heaven
(Mazu)
(妈祖; 960AD – 987AD)
She is a source of comfort and confidence for those who sail the high seas.
The Mongols learned this the hard way, when their massive armadas were twice destroyed by violent storms.
Their harrowing experiences at sea turned their reverence toward Mazu, inspiring them to bestow upon her the title of 天妃 (Tiān Fēi), Heavenly Concubine.
Her enduring legacy would later so impress the Qing Dynasty emperor that he elevated her to the revered title of Queen of Heaven (天后).
（妈祖；公元960年-987年）
她是远航者们心中的慰藉与信念支柱。
元朝军队曾为此付出沉重代价——其浩荡船队两度遭遇狂暴风浪而覆没。
惊心动魄的海上经历使元人转而尊奉妈祖，虔敬地奉上"天妃"尊号。
这份跨越时代的感召力，后来亦令清朝帝王为之动容，最终敕封其为至高无上的"天后"。
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Source: Jason Ong & Lin Zhou
Source: Hong Lin
Mazu, also known as Lin Mo (林默), was born in Putian County on March 23, 960 AD, during the Song Dynasty. The so-called “Chinese Identity Card” attributed to her was likely created by devoted followers in modern times as a tribute to her legacy.
The legendary story of Mazu began on Meizhou Island in Putian (莆田湄洲岛), where she was believed to have miraculously saved the lives of many seafarers.
In 1086 AD, the belief in Mazu spread to Putian via Hanjiang, where the Shengdun Mazu Temple (圣墩妈祖庙) was established.
In 1123 AD, Song Emperor Huizong, while paying tribute to her at the Shunji Miao (顺济庙), addressed her as "Furen" (夫人), or "Madam." This was a significant sign of respect from an emperor. Her divinity was further elevated when a Chinese diplomat to Korea reported that she appeared to guide his ship to safety during a thunderstorm. As a result, she became known as the Goddess of Navigation (Chen, 2012a).
In 1281 AD, during the Yuan Dynasty, Kublai Khan (忽必烈) awarded her the title of "Heavenly Concubine" (天妃). The temple where she was worshipped became known as the Tian Fei Palace (天妃宫).
In 1303, Li Qingshu (李清淑), a descendant of Li Fu, rebuilt the temple and personally supervised it. During the Ming Dynasty, Admiral Zheng He's famous voyages to the Nanyang and Western seas included enshrining Mazu on his fleet of "Treasure Ships" (宝船).
In 1684 AD, Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty posthumously awarded her the title of "Queen of Heaven" (天后).
This was the highest honor ever bestowed by any imperial palace in ancient China to a civilian. It superseded all other honorific titles given to her and is used in most Mazu temples today.
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妈祖，亦称林默，生于北宋建隆元年（公元960年）三月廿三日，莆田县人。民间流传的所谓“妈祖身份证”，实为后世信众为缅怀其功德而创作的纪念品。
妈祖传奇始于莆田湄洲岛，相传她曾多次显圣救护遇险航船。公元1086年，妈祖信仰经涵江传入莆田平原，圣墩妈祖庙于此肇建。
宣和五年（1123年），宋徽宗亲赐顺济庙额，尊称妈祖为“夫人”，开帝王敕封之先河。其时出使高丽的使臣奏报妈祖在暴风雨中显灵护航，自此确立其“航海女神”地位（陈考证，2012a）。
至元十八年（1281年），元世祖忽必烈敕封“护国明著天妃”，奉祀庙宇遂称天妃宫。大德七年（1303年），李富后人李清淑重建庙宇并亲自主持祠事。明代郑和七下西洋时，特将妈祖神像供奉于宝船之上。
康熙二十三年（1684年），清圣祖颁诏晋封“天上圣母”。此为中国古代帝王对民间神祇的最高褒封，此后天下妈祖宫庙多尊“天后”圣号，其余封诰皆统摄于此。
*注：年号纪年与公元纪年并置，保留“天妃宫”“宝船”等特定历史称谓，通过“肇建”“敕封”“晋封”等动词序列展现时间纵深感，末句“统摄”一词突显最终封号的正统性。
Chen Jinggu (The Holy Mother) (天仙圣母)
Maternal deaths and stillborn babies occurred even before Singapore’s independence, despite medical care already following British standards at the time.
Now imagine what it was like in ancient China, where trained doctors were few and childbirth posed serious risks to both mother and child. This is why Chen Jinggu was so deeply revered; she selflessly offered her services to help mothers in Putian, earning a legacy of compassion and devotion.
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陈靖姑（天仙圣母）
即使在新加坡独立之前，尽管当时的医疗已经遵循英国标准，但孕产妇死亡和死产的情况仍然时有发生。
那么，可以想象在古代中国，经过专业训练的医生寥寥无几，分娩对于母亲和孩子都构成严重的生命威胁。这也正是陈靖姑深受敬仰的原因——她无私地在莆田地区帮助母亲们，以悲悯与奉献的精神赢得了人们的世代传颂。
Source: Author & Lin Zhou
Chen Jinggu (陈靖姑; 767 AD – 799 AD) was born in Fuzhou, with her ancestry in Putian (莆田醴泉里竹林村, now known as Xiuyu District, Songshan).
Her father was a doctor at the imperial court. At the age of 13, she began studying law and successfully completed her studies in two years.
According to Xiang (2012a), her legendary story began when she met an old woman by chance, who taught her a medical skill known as 符术 (fú shù) and urged her to help women facing difficulties during childbirth (五丁). This ancient practice enabled her to save many women and babies during difficult pregnancies. Her fame spread throughout the region, and people flocked to her to learn midwifery.
One day, while giving a lecture in the capital, she heard that the Empress was struggling with childbirth. She immediately rushed to the palace to assist, and the baby prince was safely born.
From that moment on, she was deified as the Holy Mother (天仙圣母), rightfully so, because she, along with Wu Yuan, may have laid the foundation for the Hinghwa people to become prominent providers of medical services across the nation.
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陈靖姑（陈靖姑；公元767年－公元799年） 出生于福州，祖籍莆田（莆田醴泉里竹林村，今属秀屿区松山村）。
其父曾任宫廷御医。十三岁时，她开始学习律法，并在两年内顺利完成学业。
据向（2012a）记载，她的传奇始于一次偶遇一位老妇人。老妇人传授她一种名为“符术”的医术，并嘱托她帮助遭遇难产（五丁）的妇女。这项古老的技艺让她在危急孕产中拯救了许多母婴，名声遂传遍乡里，众人纷纷前来学习助产之术。
一日，她在京城讲学之时，闻知皇后正逢难产。她即刻赶赴宫中相助，最终太子平安降生。
自此，她被尊奉为“天仙圣母”。这一尊称实至名归，因为她与吴源共同为兴化人成为全国范围内重要的医疗力量奠定了基础。
Source: Jason Ong & Lin Zhou
Jiang Caiping (江采萍; 710AD – 756AD)(The Flower God)
A Lady with Exceptional Beauty and Exceptional Talents
Jiang Cai Ping, also known as Mei Fei (梅妃), was the daughter of a traditional medicine doctor, Jiang Zhongxun. Her family was well-to-do and well-educated, and they were natives of Putian, China (Xie, Lou & Jing, 2019a).
She became one of the most favored concubines of Emperor Xuanzong (685 AD – 762 AD) of the Tang Dynasty. The emperor fondly called her Mei Fei (梅妃) because of her love for the plum blossom flower (梅花).
She was a lady of exceptional beauty and talent. She excelled in poetry (诗歌), calligraphy (书法), painting (绘画), playing musical instruments (琴), singing (唱歌), and dancing (跳舞) (Jing, 2018). At the age of 9, she could recite the poems of Zhou Nan (周南) and Zhao Nan (召南).
One of her most famous poems, "A Pot of Pearls" (一斛珠), was written by her and later directed by the emperor himself. The poem was eventually composed into a song.
In China, there is a monthly flower festival, where each month is represented by a flower god. Jiang Cai Ping was considered the "Flower God of January," associated with the goddess of the Plum Blossom Flower (女十二花神之一月梅花花神) (Xie, Lou & Jing, 2019b).
Jiang Cai Ping's status as the Flower God of January makes her a fitting symbolic leader for the newly minted title for Hinghwa ladies -- "兴花."
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江采萍（江采萍；公元710年－公元756年）（花神）
才貌双绝的奇女子
江采萍，又称梅妃，是中医师江仲逊之女。其家境优渥，书香传世，祖籍中国莆田（谢、娄、荆，2019a）。
她成为唐玄宗（公元685年－762年）最为宠爱的妃嫔之一。因她钟爱梅花，玄宗亲昵地称她为“梅妃”。
江采萍姿容绝世，才华横溢。她精通诗歌、书法、绘画，擅长抚琴、歌舞（荆，2018）。九岁时已能背诵《周南》《召南》等诗篇。
其代表作《一斛珠》由她亲自创作，后经玄宗亲自谱曲编排，最终被改编成传世乐章。
中国民间有“月月有花神”的传统，每月皆由一位花神司掌。江采萍被尊为“正月花神”，即司掌梅花的女神（女十二花神之一月梅花花神）（谢、娄、荆，2019b）。
作为正月梅花花神，江采萍恰可作为新兴称号“兴花”的象征领袖，为兴化女子代言。
Source: Author & Lin Zhou
A Hinghwa Flower who became one of China's most powerful women politicians.
Chen Zhili
(陈至立)
Former Minister for Education, China
Credits: 维基百科 & Zheng Li
Mdm. Chen Zhili hails from Xianyou, Putian. She graduated from the School of Physics at Fudan University, where she built a strong foundation for her distinguished academic and professional career. She later pursued postgraduate studies at the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, eventually serving as a respected researcher at the institute.
Chen Zhili joined the Communist Party of China in 1961. Through her dedication, competence, and leadership, she rose steadily through the Party’s ranks to become one of the most influential female politicians in the People’s Republic of China.
Her illustrious career includes a series of high-profile leadership roles:
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Vice-state level leader
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Member of the Central Committees of the Communist Party of China
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Former Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the 11th National People’s Congress
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President of the All-China Women’s Federation
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President of the China Association of Retired Scientists and Technologists
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President of the Putian (China) Health Industry Association
During her tenure with the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China in 1988, Chen Zhili served under four different municipal Party secretaries. Among them were Jiang Zemin and Zhu Rongji, who later became the President and Premier of China, respectively. Her tenure as Minister for Propaganda brought her national and international recognition, as she became associated with the influential “Shanghai Gang”.
In 1997, Chen Zhili was appointed Party Secretary and Deputy Director of the State Education Commission. The following year, she became the Minister of Education. In 2003, she was appointed State Councilor, and in 2008, she was elected Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.
Soon after, she was named Head of the Beijing Olympic Village (2008) and later that year, President of the All-China Women’s Federation (2008). She also served as Chief Consultant of the Putian (China) Health Industry Association.
As President of the China Flower Association, Mdm. Chen Zhili remains a source of pride for the Hinghwa community, a symbol of leadership, intellect, and dedication to public service.
Excerpts from:
中国共产党新闻网资料库
Chinese Communist Party News Network Database
Credits: Zheng Li
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Lin Pengxia
(林鹏侠; 1907-1979),
The first female fighter pilot of the world who responded to the call of duty to defend her motherland, China.
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林鹏侠（林鹏侠；1907-1979）
响应使命召唤、捍卫祖国, 世界首位女性战斗机飞行员
本翻译使用了Ai智能技术。请您仔细阅读，以发现措辞上可能存在的细微差别。谢谢
Source: Sie Chin Hong
Lin Pengxia was born in Putian, Fujian, China, in 1907. Her father, Lin Xinxiang, brought her to Singapore when she was still a child. While Mr. Lin became known as the "King of Rubber," his wife, Yang Yuying, was busy establishing shelters for war widows. Their story was shared by their neighbor, Sie Chin Hong, a senior member of the Hinghwa Methodist Church.
In 1925, Lin Pengxia left Singapore to study in the United States. Four years later, she moved to the United Kingdom to study military aviation and possibly became the world’s first Asian female fighter pilot, and the second woman overall to do so. Interestingly, her Chinese name, 鹏侠, can be translated as "Friendly Warrior Bird."
In 1932, she returned to China to fight against the Japanese invaders. Her heroic wartime actions were prominently reported in the September 1996 issue of Fujian Party History Monthly (Tu, 2015b).
Her name continues to resonate across China during commemorations of the Nanjing Massacre and World War II, a rare heroine indeed.
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林鹏侠（林鹏侠；1907-1979）出生于中国福建莆田。其父林新香在她幼年时携家迁居新加坡。林父后来成为赫赫有名的“橡胶大王”，而母亲杨玉英则致力于为战争遗孀建立庇护所。这段往事由他们的邻居、兴化卫理公会资深会友余振宏先生所讲述。
1925年，林鹏侠离开新加坡赴美留学。四年后，她转赴英国学习军事航空，很可能由此成为世界首位亚洲女性战斗机飞行员，也是全球第二位女性战机飞行员。有趣的是，她的中文名“鹏侠”二字，恰可诠释为“如鹏鸟般翱翔的仁勇侠者”。
1932年，她毅然返回祖国投身抗日战争。其英勇事迹曾被详细记载于1996年9月号的《福建党史月刊》（涂，2015b），在报道中占据显要位置。
时至今日，在纪念南京大屠杀及二战的相关活动中，她的名字依然在中国大地上传扬——这位传奇女英雄的光辉，从未随着时间黯淡。
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A Tribute to Ms. Lin Peng Xia by Mr. Sie Chin Hong (薛振峰)
On 3 December 2020, I gave a Zoom presentation on my book The History and Stories of the Hinghwa People to members of the Hinghwa Methodist Church. After the session, an elder in his 90s, Mr. Sie Chin Hong, asked to meet me.
We met near his home in Bukit Timah, where he shared how surprised and delighted he was to see Lin Peng Xia mentioned in my talk. He explained that Lin had once been his neighbor in Singapore, and he felt a deep sadness that her story had largely been forgotten over time.
Mr. Sie recalled that back in the 1960s, a journalist had taken an interest in her story and wanted to write about her heroic deeds. Yet, to the journalist’s dismay, few people, even among the elites of the Hinghwa community, seemed to know who she was.
He spoke with great admiration about Lin Peng Xia, her siblings, and her parents, praising their unwavering patriotism during the Japanese invasion of China and the Nanyang. With care and reverence, he showed me a full-page newspaper article about Lin Peng Xia that he had kept for decades.
It was a rare and privileged moment to see that article firsthand, and a poignant reminder of how easily history can fade without those who are willing to remember.
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薛振峰先生致敬林鹏侠女士
2020年12月3日，我通过Zoom向兴化卫理公会的成员们介绍了我的著作《兴化人的历史与故事》。讲座结束后，九十余岁高龄的薛振峰长老特意提出希望与我见面。
我们在武吉知马他家附近会面。他谈到，当听到我讲述中提到林鹏侠时，他既惊讶又欣喜。薛老解释说，林女士曾是他的新加坡邻居。令他深感痛心的是，她的故事在岁月流逝中几乎被世人遗忘。
薛老回忆道，早在1960年代，就曾有记者对她的经历产生兴趣，希望报道她的英勇事迹。但令记者沮丧的是，当时几乎无人知晓这位英雄——甚至连兴化侨领群体中也鲜有人知。
他以充满敬意的口吻追忆林鹏侠及其家人，盛赞这个家族在日寇侵华乃至南侵南洋时期始终不渝的爱国精神。薛老还郑重地向我展示了一份珍藏数十年的报纸——整整一版关于林鹏侠的报道。
能亲眼见到这份珍贵的文献，实在是难得的机缘。这个瞬间也沉重地提醒着我们：若无人自觉传承，历史多么容易湮没于时光尘埃之中。
Lin Pengxia Video link
This is a 3rd party video, please view it with discretion.
Source: Methodist Episcopal Church. Woman's Foreign Missionary Society
Credits: Ong Lee Wha
李美珠（医学博士）
一位受到美国总统接见的兴化女性
李医生的母亲出生于一个重男轻女的时代，因而刚出生便被遗弃。幸运的是，她被人发现并送往基督教传道所，在那里成长、接受教育，后来嫁给了卫理公会牧师李先生。李美珠医生便是在这期间出生的。
幼年时，李美珠的聪慧天资被一位传教士发现，传教士决定送她前往美国深造。她先进入佛尔茨教会学院学习，随后考入费城女子医学院，以优异成绩毕业并获得医学博士学位。
毕业后，李医生行医八年，之后返回中国助力医疗人才培养。在离开美国前，《纽约时报》于1905年5月24日报道了她受西奥多·罗斯福总统在白宫亲切接见的消息。
回国后，她的仁心医术很快吸引了数千名患者。其中不少人似乎只是“装病”——或许是为了获得关怀，更久地躺在洁净舒适的病床上，而不愿回到当时几乎没有任何基本设施的农村家园。
（摘编自妇女外洋布道会记录，鸣谢王丽华女士提供资料）
Li Bicu (M.D.)
(李美珠醫生)
A Hinghwa welcomed by the President of the USA
Dr. Li's mother was born in an era when baby girls were often frowned upon and, as a result, was abandoned at birth. Fortunately, she was found and taken to a Christian mission home, where she grew up, received an education, and later married Mr. Li, a Methodist minister. It was during this time that Dr. Li was born.
As a child, Dr. Li caught the attention of a missionary who recognized her academic brilliance and decided to send her to the United States. There, she continued her education at the Folts Mission Institute. She later enrolled in the Woman's Medical College of Philadelphia, where she graduated with honors as a medical doctor.
After graduation, Dr. Li practiced medicine for eight years before returning to China to help train others. Before her departure, The New York Times, on May 24, 1905, reported that she was cordially welcomed by President Theodore Roosevelt at the White House.
Her compassion and care for the community soon attracted thousands of patients. Many of them, it seemed, feigned illness -- perhaps to gain sympathy and stay longer in the clean, comfortable hospital beds, rather than return to their farms, where basic facilities were mostly non-existent.
(Excerpt from the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society with credits to Ms. Ong Lee Wha)
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Source: Prof. Chen Chun Yang
林兰英（1918–2003）
一位以发明撼动超级大国的女性
林兰英的卓越才智，至今仍让美国深感震动。
她的先祖可追溯至明代御史林润，其官位显赫，相当于副相。家族世代居于莆田，影响深远，权势绵延。
兰英自幼由教育家父亲林建华亲自授教，母亲周水仙则悉心培养她应对人生挑战的能力。童年时期，她便展现出非凡的坚毅与韧性。在那个时代，少女的命运往往坎坷多险。兰英十几岁时已承担家务，而她已属幸运——许多同龄女孩或被迫成为童养媳，或遭遗弃。
天资聪颖的她早早明白：教育是通往更好人生的钥匙。
然而彼时，女性教育并未受重视。父母曾犹豫是否送她入学，兰英却意志坚定，不惜以绝食抗争。最终父母让步。她不仅踏入校门，更以全优成绩获得奖学金，证明了自己无需倚仗家世亦可成功。
她的日常艰辛异常：清晨即起操持家务，再疾步赶往学校；夜晚苦读至半夜方歇。初中优异的成绩打动了母亲，允许她升入莆田中学。然而日军侵华中断了她的学业，许多抵抗侵略的同学惨遭杀害，兰英被迫逃亡。
她避难至涵江女子中学，曾为一位美籍教师担任翻译，被亲切称作“小老师”。后考入福建协和大学，以物理学士学位荣膺毕业生之首。
优异的学业为她赢得了赴美奖学金。她先后取得数学学位与固体物理学博士学位，很可能成为首位获此学位的中国人。
半导体技术的重要性后来成为美国的国家战略重点。2022年，美国总统拜登签署《芯片与科学法案》，拨款数千亿美元用于半导体研究以应对中国的科技崛起。
但早在美国充分认识其工作价值之前，林兰英已于1957年归国，任中国科学院物理研究所研究员、副所长。她的政治生涯同样辉煌，曾担任全国人大代表及常委会委员，其地位堪比先祖御史林润。
1996年，兰英被诊断出晚期癌症，却仍坚韧投身科研，致力于奠基中国半导体事业。
2003年3月4日，她与世长辞，留下不朽的智慧遗产与举国哀思。她被尊称为“航天材料之母”与“半导体材料之母”，其光辉照亮了两国科技的明天。
（摘编自谭静《林兰英传》（2009））
Lin Lanying (林兰英; 1918 –2003)
(The link is to a third party video, please view it with discretion)
A lady who rattles a superpower with her invention.
The ingenuity of Lanying continues to rattle the United States to this day.
Her ancestral roots trace back to Lin Run (林润), an Imperial Censor during the Ming Dynasty, a prestigious position akin to a deputy premier. The family hailed from Putian, and their legacy of influence and power ran deep.
Lanying was home-schooled by her father, Lin Jianhua, an educator, while her mother, Zhou Shuixian, meticulously prepared her to face the challenges of life. From a young age, Lanying demonstrated remarkable tenacity and resilience. For young girls of her time, life was often harsh and fraught with danger. By the time she reached her teens, Lanying was already handling household chores. Remarkably, she was considered fortunate -- many girls her age were either married off as child brides or abandoned.
An astute child, she understood early that education was her key to a better life.
However, during that period, girls’ education was not prioritized. Her parents hesitated to send her to school, but Lanying, determined and undeterred, went on a hunger strike to make her point. Eventually, they relented. She not only attended school but excelled, securing a scholarship based purely on her academic prowess, proving that she didn’t need her parents' wealth to succeed.
Lanying's daily routine was gruelling. She would wake up early to complete her chores, then rush to school. At night, she would study until midnight before getting some rest. Her remarkable performance in junior high persuaded her mother to allow her to attend Putian High School. However, her education was interrupted when Japan invaded China. Many of her schoolmates were killed for resisting the occupation, and Lanying was forced to flee.
She sought refuge at Hamilton Girls’ School, where she became an interpreter for an American teacher, earning her the nickname '小老师' (Little Teacher). Later, she enrolled at Fujian Union College, graduating at the top of her class with a bachelor’s degree in physics.
Her academic excellence earned her a scholarship to the United States, where she obtained a degree in mathematics and later completed a PhD in solid-state physics, making her possibly the first Chinese national to do so.
The significance of semiconductors would later become a national priority for the United States. In 2022, U.S. President Joe Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act, allocating billions of dollars for semiconductor research to counter China's technological rise.
However, long before the U.S. fully recognized the value of her work, Lanying had already returned to China in 1957, where she became a researcher and deputy director at the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing. Her political career was equally remarkable, as she served as a deputy in the National People’s Congress (NPC) and a member of its Standing Committee, a role comparable to that of her ancestor, Imperial Censor Lin Run.
In 1996, Lanying was diagnosed with terminal cancer, but she remained steadfast. She pushed forward with her research, dedicating herself to establishing China's semiconductor base.
On March 4, 2003, she passed away, leaving behind a legacy of genius and a nation in mourning. She was remembered as both the Mother of Aerospace Materials and the Mother of Semiconductor Materials, her brilliance having shaped the future of both countries.
(Excerpts from Tan, J. (2009))
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Source: Dato Alan Tong
Teh Ah Sock (1907 - 1978)
In war, heroes are born, sometimes heroines. Teh Ah Sock was one of them.
Ah Sock, as she was fondly known, was born in Klang, Malaysia. Her youthful beauty did not go unnoticed by the late pioneer Tong Boon Ngoh, who would later become her devoted husband. Beyond being a loving and nurturing mother, she played a pivotal role in her family’s legacy. One of her children would rise to fame as Dato’ Alan Tong, widely recognized as the “King of Condo” in Malaysia.
But Ah Sock was far more than a “stay-at-home” beauty. She was a highly capable and resilient second-in-command, proving her strength and leadership during one of the most tumultuous times in history, the Second World War.
As her husband carried out recce missions to ensure the family's safety during the Japanese invasion, Ah Sock rose to the occasion with quiet determination. Like a seasoned commander, she managed the household, safeguarded those in hiding deep within the Malayan jungle, and ensured her children were raised with strength, wisdom, and unwavering moral courage.
These were harrowing times. Her eldest son, Kok Teck, was imprisoned by the Japanese, followed later by her husband. Miraculously, both were released unharmed, a testament to the family's enduring fortune and the strength that held them together.
When her husband passed away in 1962, Ah Sock soldiered on, continuing to care for her family for another sixteen years. Her devotion never wavered.
Even in death, she was honored with a farewell as grand as her life, a kilometre-long funeral procession, filled with mourners whose wails echoed with grief and love, accompanying her final journey to rest beside her beloved husband.
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Source: Author & Lin Zhou
Location: Tan Xunyi Museum
Tan Seok Hwa (陈淑华; 1927-2017)
A Student Who Stood Up To Three Empires
Tan Seok Hwa was born in Singapore into a highly respected family known for their unwavering patriotism and service to the nation. She was the sister of Singapore's first Hin Ann Association president, Tan Yeow Joo.
Her family legacy of loyalty and bravery ran deep. While her father, Chen Xun Yi, defended China against the Japanese invasion, Tan Seok Hwa took up the cause in Singapore -- then part of British Malaya -- fighting against the same enemy. Continuing this tradition of service, her nephew, Rev. Dr. Patrick Tan, later became a Lieutenant Colonel in the Singapore Armed Forces Medical Corps.
In 1941, as a student at Nanyang Girls’ High School, Tan Seok Hwa took up arms when the Japanese invaded Singapore. Demonstrating remarkable courage and intelligence, she quickly rose through the ranks to become a key strategist in the resistance movement.
Following the war, she quietly left the Malayan jungle and vanished into the north, never informing her family of her departure.
She reappeared in 1951, amid the Korean War -- a devastating conflict that claimed an estimated three million lives. There, she played a remarkable and rare role for a woman of her time: serving as a peace negotiator between the warring factions.
In 1955, she was transferred to the Intelligence Department of the Military Commission, where she steadily rose to a senior leadership position within the resistance army.
Her extraordinary courage and lifetime of service were later recognized in China, and in 1968, she received one of the highest honors -- a personal welcome from Chairman Mao Zedong.
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Source: Dr. Goh Chor Ching
Koh Kua Tao (許看頭)
A child-servant who groomed her
grandchildren to stand on the world stage.
Mdm. Koh Kua Tao's ancestral hometown was Dongwu Village, Putian City, Xinghua County, Fujian Province (福建省兴化县莆田市东吴村), which today lies within Xiuyu District, Putian (秀屿区莆田). In ancient times, this area was painfully referred to as Jiewai (界外), a boundary demarcated by the Qing Dynasty administration.
A cherished photograph of her carrying her grandson captures the tenderness of her later years -- a stark contrast to the hardships of her childhood.
When she was young, she and her siblings were sold as child servants to other families in the village. This was a common practice at the time, where children were taken in with the expectation of becoming future wives for the sons of their adoptive households.
Steeped in tradition, she would often remind her grandchildren to recite their ancestral origins:
祖籍福建省兴化县莆田市东吴村.
Her granddaughter, Dr. Goh Chor Ching, fondly recalls these moments, especially reciting rhymes in the Hinghwa dialect with her grandmother.
This story exemplifies filial piety in action, a core value of Chinese culture that underscores the importance of never forgetting one’s roots and honoring one’s ancestors.
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Source: Ng Mong Hwa
Lee Puay Choo (李尾厝)
A housewife, a tofu maker, a mother, and a hawker who invested in private properties, she also helped her relatives in Putian, who later became one of the largest shoe-making factories today.
Affectionately known as 'Puay Loh', she was the devoted wife of Ng Keok Pek (黄玉柏), a barber by profession. Together, they raised a daughter and two sons while living in a humble shophouse at 57 Weld Road. Their roots trace back to Putian Hanjiangbei, Wutang, Dongpo, Nankeng Village (莆田涵江北梧塘东坡南坑村).
Far more than just a wife and mother, she was a woman of incredible strength and determination. She wore many hats -- tofu maker, tofu seller, property investor, and steadfast supporter of her siblings in China -- all accomplished single-handedly. While her husband ran the barber shop, she skilfully juggled the demands of raising children and managing her own business ventures.
Her life was a testament to the resilience, thrift, and industrious spirit of the Hinghwa woman. Despite not having a formal education, she proved that women could achieve just as much, if not more, than their male counterparts. Among her most meaningful accomplishments was her unwavering support for her relatives in China during times of hardship.
Her sacrifices and hard work have left a lasting legacy. Today, her relatives in Putian have grown into one of the largest shoe manufacturers in the region, a tribute to her enduring impact and quiet strength.
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Source: Ong Lee Wha
Math Genius
Lu Yin Niang
(wife of Ong Chu Seng,
daughter-in-law of Ong Lock Cho)
A second-generation Hinghwa and one of the daughters of Hinghwa pioneer Lo Xiao Jia, she was born in Bandung, Indonesia. Leaving behind a life of wealth and comfort, she entered into an arranged marriage with a fellow second-generation Hinghwa, a decision that marked the beginning of a life defined by resilience, wisdom, and quiet strength.
A woman of great substance and a math savant with a natural affinity for numbers, she possessed deep wisdom that transcended formal education. Although she did not receive a tertiary education, she was unwavering in her commitment to her children’s success, ensuring they had every opportunity to pursue academic excellence.
She raised four Chartered Accountants, and her legacy extended into the next generation, with three grandchildren earning doctorate degrees. Her life was long, rich, and deeply meaningful.
Her enduring legacy of love, kindness, generosity, and devotion to family, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will live on in the hearts of her descendants for generations to come.
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A Legacy of Compassion
for the Needy Lives On
Dr. Ong Yong Wan traced her ancestry to Jiangdou, Fuqing. She came from a distinguished lineage of medical professionals, including one of Singapore’s finest, Ong Yong Yau.
During her years in public service, she was a pioneering figure in the field of haematology in Singapore. She was the founding Head of the Department of Haematology at Singapore General Hospital, where she performed Singapore’s first bone marrow transplant in 1985. Her groundbreaking work went on to benefit millions of patients worldwide, including over 2,000 in Singapore.
Her distinguished career also included serving as Medical Director of the Ministry of Health’s Blood Transfusion Service, as well as leading Singapore General Hospital as Chief Executive Officer from 2002 to 2003. The outpouring of love and praise from colleagues, staff, and the public on the first anniversary of her passing speaks volumes about the impact she had on those around her.
Despite her many professional accomplishments, she remained deeply committed to serving the underprivileged, regularly embarking on medical missions to areas where healthcare services were scarce or non-existent. Even in her absence, her care for the needy continues unabated as $2m of her funds was donated to the Methodist Welfare Services' first endowment fund.
In 2025, she left behind a legacy of excellence and compassion that continues to be cherished by many.
Excerpts from Ms Christine Tan, Straits Times, 27 March 2026.
Tan Sri, Dr. Ng Yen Yen
(黄燕燕丹斯里)
First Chinese Woman Appointed as a Federal Minister in Malaysia.
Tan Sri Dr. Ng is arguably the most decorated 兴化 (Hinghwa) individual outside of China. In 2008, she made history as the first Chinese woman appointed as a Full Cabinet Minister in Malaysia.
Before this milestone, she held various significant roles, including Senator, Member of Parliament for Raub, Pahang, Deputy Minister of Culture, Arts and Tourism, Deputy Minister of Finance, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development (2008–2009), and Minister of Tourism (2009–2013). She also served as Chairman of Tourism Malaysia, Vice President of the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), and Chairman of Wanita MCA (2008–2013).
With her remarkable achievements in public service and a fulfilling family life, Tan Sri Dr. Ng has exemplified the ability of the Hinghwa community to balance both home and nation, embodying the values of leadership, resilience, and harmony.
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Datin Paduka Dr. Tan Yee Kew
(陈仪乔; 拿汀巴杜卡, DSSA)
Former Member of Parliament (Klang District, Malaysia)
Former Member of Parliament (Wangsa Maju, Malaysia)
Datin Paduka Dr. Tan, 69, is a third-generation Hinghwa, born in Kampar, Perak, Malaysia.
Her grandfather, Chen Rui Zeng (陈瑞增), originally from Xianyou, Fujian Province, migrated to British Malaya to work in a tin mine. Over time, he transitioned into the transportation trade and later ventured into the construction industry.
His eldest son, Chen Zhen Jin (陈振金) -- Datin Dr. Tan’s father -- continued in the family business, eventually inheriting and expanding its operations.
After completing her early education in Malaysia, Dr. Tan pursued higher studies abroad, earning degrees from the University of the Punjab (1975), the University of Reading (1978), and the University of Wales (1980). She later obtained her Ph.D. from the University of Malaya. It was during her doctoral studies that she developed a deep interest in helping the underprivileged, which led her to enter politics.
Her political career was notable. She served as a Member of Parliament for the Klang constituency from 1995 to 2008, and as the Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of International Trade and Industry from 2004 to 2008. She later returned to Parliament as the MP for Wangsa Maju from 2018 to 2022.
In recognition of her contributions to the nation, she was conferred the title Datin Paduka by the Sultan of Selangor in 2000.
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L-R: Ong Lee Wha, Ong Soo Hwa, Ong Lian Wha, Robert Ong & Ong Eng Tong
Ms. Ong Lee Wha
President, Singapore Association of Women Lawyers
Lee Wha is the granddaughter of pioneer Ong Lock Cho. Her father, Ong Chu Seng (BBM), was also a prominent figure in the Hinghwa community.
Together with her siblings, Soo Hwa and Eng Kai, she manages the family’s accounting firm, SH Ong LLP. The eldest sibling, Bee Wha, worked as an accountant at OCBC before becoming a remisier. The second sister, Lian Wha, is a corporate secretarial and tax practitioner.
The family is deeply involved in social work. Lian Wha volunteers at the MWS Bethany Nursing Home, Soo Hwa contributes her time to the Singapore Gardening Society, and Lee Wha serves as the President of the Singapore Association of Women Lawyers (SAWL). She is also a trustee of the SAWL Scholarship Fund and actively participates in regional women’s organizations.
Their mother, Mdm. Lu Yinniang was known for her exceptional talent in mathematics.
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In Gratitude to Ms. Ong Lee Wha
"Lee Wha has a deep passion for promoting Hinghwa culture. Without her support, my writing would not be where it is today. Words cannot fully express my gratitude for her unwavering encouragement. I hope she will graciously allow me to say, quite simply, thank you."
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Heal The World
Source: Ong Lee Wha
Dr. Lo Ying-Ru, Jacqueline
(盧颖如医生)
Head (Ret.) of WHO - Southeast Asia
Dr. Jacqueline Lo is a fourth-generation Hinghwa descendant of pioneer Lo Xiaojia.
She was born in Hamburg, Germany, where she began a distinguished medical career, eventually specializing in infectious diseases and public health.
After more than 13 years practicing as a clinician in Hamburg, Dr. Lo moved to Mexico and later joined the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1998.
From October 2017, she served as the WHO Head of Mission and Representative to Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and Singapore, based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
In January 2022, Dr. Lo was appointed WHO Representative to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic -- a role intended to be her final assignment before retirement.
She is married to Dr. Jean-Louis Excler of France, an internationally recognized expert in vaccine research and development.
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Dr. Goh Chor Ching
Lead Economist, World Bank
Dr. Goh is a fourth-generation Hinghwa from Penang, Malaysia, where both her parents were also born and raised. She is the granddaughter of Mdm. Koh Kua Tao.
After graduating from Penang Chinese Girls' High School, she completed her undergraduate studies at Yale University, earning simultaneous bachelor's and master's degrees in 3.5 years, graduating Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa.
She then attained a PhD in Economics from Harvard University. She has been working at the World Bank Group for the last 27 years.
She has an elder brother, a McGill-trained engineer, and a younger sister, a Princeton-educated and McGill-trained nephrologist.
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Angie Kueh Li Ping (B.B.S.)
(郭娌宾)
Managing Director,
Hock Kui Development Sdn. Bhd.
Secretary-General,
Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers' Association (SHEDA)
Angie Kueh is a 3rd-generation Hinghwa in Sarawak. In 1995, she graduated from the University of Waikato with a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Political Science, Public Policy, and Public Administration.
She proved her mettle when she became the Managing Director of Sarawak's highly trusted brand in properties, Hock Kui Development Sdn. Bhd., Kuching. She soon became the Secretary-General of the Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers' Association (SHEDA). She was awarded the Bentara Bintang Sarawak (B.B.S.) (Herald of the Order of the Star of Sarawak) by the Government of Sarawak in 2021.
She presently serves as the Public Relations, Liaisons & Activities of the Sarawak Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Managing Director of Bloom Richmark Sdn. Bhd., and Deputy Country Director of the BIMP-EAGA Business Council, Malaysia (acronym for ‘Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asian Growth Area’).
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In Honour of Angie Kueh
"Angie’s charming and youthful appearance belies her sharp business acumen. She blends her entrepreneurial skills with a great sense of humor, making our conversation both insightful and enjoyable."
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Jamie Goh Phaik Ching, CFA
(President of the Women's Energy Network in
Greater New York)
Jamie is the younger daughter of Albert Goh, a renowned property developer from Malaysia. Her sister, Janice Goh Phaik Lin, is a lawyer in the USA.
Jamie also had a very colorful career as the Vice President of Silicon Valley Bank, where she was a project finance professional with diverse transaction experience across core infrastructure, renewables, clean technology, midstream, and conventional power.
After completing her education at the Anglo-Chinese Junior College, she earned a B.Sc. in Arts, Economics, and Psychology from the University of Washington. After starting her career at BlackRock, she transitioned into project finance in 2014, first at Fitch Ratings, then BNP Paribas and National Australia Bank, before joining Silicon Valley Bank's Project Finance Team in September 2020. A year before joining SVB, she had already earned her Master of International Studies/Public Policy from Columbia University.
Jamie now serves as Vice President of Project Finance at Silicon Valley Bank, where she provides loans and construction financing for large-scale renewable energy infrastructure projects, such as solar and wind farms and energy storage facilities.
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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Linda Too
Linda was born in 1967 to a second-generation Hinghwa family in Singapore. Like most Hinghwa in the transport industry, her father was a mechanic turned businessman who doted on her and her siblings -- Alison, Josephine, and her youngest brother, Jeffrey. She is married to Eric, and they have two lovely daughters, Hannah and Emma.
Her wilful pride during her teenage years led her to neglect her studies, which ended her junior college dream. However, she enrolled in a polytechnic and was determined to give her best.
In 1992, she graduated with First Class Honours from the National University of Singapore, where she later completed a Master of Science in Real Estate.
She was awarded a scholarship and completed her PhD at one of the world’s finest universities, the University of Cambridge. Her PhD thesis won the Toby Jackman Prize for "The Most Outstanding PhD Thesis" from St Edmund’s College. She was an Associate Professor at Bond University, Australia, from 2006 to 2013.
Linda attributes all her achievements to the amazing grace of God. She now devotes her time to serving in various church ministries. Linda co-authored the book Amazing Grace of God, with 1,000 copies distributed to churches in Singapore and Australia.
The Mandarin version of the book, 神的奇妙恩典, was recently completed in 2024.
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In Honour of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Linda Too
"All parents of teenage children are encouraged to read her inspiring biography. It’s a great read for both parents and teenagers."
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Alison Tay (Physician)
Partner,
Real Health Medical Pte Ltd
Like her sister, Linda, Alison is a very determined and self-motivated professional.
She was in the talent acquisition, or ‘head-hunting,’ industry for 20 years before her interest in self-medical care prompted her to pursue a career in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), an ancient Chinese art that has withstood the test of time.
She graduated from the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and later earned a Bachelor of Chinese Medicine degree from Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, as well as an Advanced Diploma in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Singapore College of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
With her experience in the corporate world and being a multi-lingual TCM practitioner, she is well placed to bring relief to people from all walks of life.
She is married to Edmund Hoh, and together they are blessed with a son, Luke, who is in his early 20s.
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Honouring Traditional Chinese Medicine
About 40 years ago, I read a book by American journalist Edgar Snow in which he wrote about the miracles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). At the time, the claims seemed almost too incredible to believe. It wasn’t until I began traveling to China decades later that I truly came to appreciate the wonders of TCM through personal experience.
Before I begin, I wish to seek the grace and understanding of my friends and readers who are trained in Western medicine, as I share this personal encounter with TCM diagnosis and treatment.
TCM is a remarkable and holistic form of healthcare that approaches the body as an interconnected system. I once casually mentioned to a friend, who happened to be a TCM professor from Beijing, that I had been feeling unusually tired. To my surprise, she looked at me and said, quite matter-of-factly, “I know.”
Curious, I asked how she could tell. She responded calmly, “It shows on your face.” I must have looked, as the saying goes, like I had been carrying a ton of bricks on my back for twenty years.
She kindly offered to do a quick assessment at her office at Nanyang Technological University, where she was serving as a visiting professor. When I arrived, there were no machines, no lab tests, only her fingers and eyes. She took my pulse on both wrists and examined my tongue, using the time-honored diagnostic methods of TCM.
Without me saying more than “I’m tired,” she described, with astonishing precision, the health issues I had been grappling with. She listed five problems I had silently endured, and every single one was accurate. I was stunned.
She then prescribed a blend of herbal remedies to be taken over two weeks, with the option to continue for another fortnight if needed. I followed her instructions faithfully, and to my amazement, that deep fatigue, the invisible burden I had carried for so long, was completely lifted.
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Source: Ong Lee Wha
Ar. Lydia Ong LiDi
Principal Architect, AKRE Architects
Lydia Ong is the great-granddaughter of Mr. Ong Lock Cho and the granddaughter of Mr. Ong Chu Seng (BBM). She is deeply passionate about sustainable architecture and is committed to enriching everyday life through impactful architectural projects.
With over eight years of experience in the field, Lydia has led the coordination and implementation of projects ranging from large-scale developments to smaller initiatives across the education, healthcare, residential, and civic sectors.
In 2021, she founded AKRE Architects, with a vision to create innovative and sustainable designs that enhance the built environment and serve the needs of the community.
Lydia holds a Master’s degree in Architecture and a Bachelor of Arts (Architecture) with Honours from the National University of Singapore (NUS) School of Architecture. She is also an alumna of Anglo-Chinese Junior College and Singapore Chinese Girls' School.
Beyond her professional work, Lydia is actively involved in social service through her church. In the past, she participated in overseas mission trips to Chiang Mai, Thailand, where she contributed to helping orphanages and local villagers.
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"Lydia comes from a family with a deep-rooted commitment to serving those in need. It’s no surprise that her father, Mr. Robert Ong, once served as a Christian missionary with Operation Mobilisation, an international ministry that sails around the world to share the Good News of the Lord Jesus."
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Source: Daniel Ong
Dr. Olivia Ong Lee Wee (王莉瑋醫生)(Australia)
Dr. Olivia Ong is the great-granddaughter of pioneer Ong See Mie. Her father is Mr. Daniel Ong Tjong Swie. She is a medical doctor specializing in rehabilitation medicine, with extensive experience in pain management.
Dr. Ong graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2004 and completed her specialist training in 2016. Her primary area of interest is neuropathic pain in neurological disorders.
She is fluent in Mandarin, English, and Bahasa Indonesia, and is currently practicing in Australia.
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Source: Prof. Jeffrey Kuan
Dr. Kuan, Janene Min-Mei, M.D.
(關敏玫醫生)
Pediatric Resident, University of California, San Francisco
Dr. Janene Kuan is a second-generation Asian American whose ancestry traces back to Putian. Her great-grandparents emigrated to Malaysia in the 1920s, and her parents migrated to the United States to pursue higher education in the 1980s. Imbued with a strong work ethic and a calling to serve others, she aspired to become a medical doctor from a young age.
She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology, magna cum laude. In 2023, she earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine, receiving honors in all of her clinical clerkship rotations, a truly remarkable feat achieved by only a few students each year. At graduation, she was honored with two prestigious awards:
The President’s Award for the top graduate of the medical school, and the Robert F. Chinook Award for outstanding achievement in clinical performance and scholarship in Pediatrics.
She has also been inducted into both the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society and the Gold Humanism Honor Society. In the highly competitive residency matching program, she matched into the Pediatrics program at the University of California, San Francisco, where she continues her medical training.
Dr. Kuan has a clear passion for community outreach, service, and engagement, embodying the values of compassion and excellence as a medical professional.
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Source: Frankie Nee
Dr. Irene Nee Chan Yin
(Sibu, Sarawak)
Dr. Irene Nee is the daughter of Frankie Nee, who serves as the secretary of the Sibu Hin Hua Pou Sen Association.
She holds a medical degree from Perdana University, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and is currently serving at Sibu General Hospital.
Dr. Nee is married to fellow medical doctor, Dr. Bobby Lee Yung King.
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Lim Xiaoyun, Sharlyn
Professional Emcee
A third-generation Hinghwa in Singapore, Sharlyn traces her ancestry to Putian, China. She holds a degree in Mass Communication and Media Management.
Blessed with both captivating looks and a remarkable voice, Sharlyn has become one of the most sought-after bilingual emcees for live events, ranging from corporate and social gatherings to high-profile public functions. She has hosted events graced by dignitaries such as President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and Defence Minister Dr. Ng Eng Hen.
On weekends, she delights her loyal listeners as a radio DJ on 97.2FM.
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Law Siao Mei
Lawyer and Entrepreneur
Mei grew up in a small town called Kuala Belait in Brunei Darussalam. Her father, Mr. Law Fah Ngin (刘华源律师), was a renowned lawyer there, and following in his footsteps, she pursued law and graduated with honors from a UK university in 1990.
With a prestigious law degree as her foundation, Mei also pursued her passion for art and design. Her success in the ASEAN fashion competition, held in Singapore, brought her exposure in The Straits Times and renowned magazines such as Vogue. This helped launch her career in fashion when she joined Club 21, a company in Singapore that represents international brands such as Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein, and Prada in Asia.
She later represented Brunei at the ASEAN Design Show in Manila, where designers from each ASEAN country showcased their collections. The event was covered by Ms. Elsa Klensch of CNN.
A naturally creative individual, Mei ventured into interior design and managed her own design company for 12 years (2006–2018). Her love for food led her to express her creativity in the culinary world. In 2011, she designed and opened her first café, Bello Café. The café quickly expanded to three branches, and by 2022, Mei sold the brand at a favorable price. However, her creative energy couldn't be contained for long, and in November 2022, she launched a new café, Krème. Krème offers specialty coffee, matcha, and fresh bakes, providing coffee lovers with that extra oomph.
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In Gratitude to Mei
"Though prominent in Brunei Darussalam, Mei has always carried herself with humility and grace. With quiet confidence and timeless charm, she pursued her passions with purpose, shaping a path uniquely her own. In Singapore, where her career flourished, she drew the admiration of the rich and powerful. Yet her heart was never swayed by grandeur, for it longed for something truer, something lasting. And so, she returned to her beloved hometown in Brunei, choosing a life of simplicity and deep joy — to build a family with the one who understood the true meaning of love."
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Karen Carlotta
(Union Brasserie)
Karen Carlotta Source: Ong Lee Wha
Karen Carlotta (KC) has had a passion for cooking and baking since childhood. What began as a hobby eventually blossomed into a career when she moved to Singapore and enrolled in the prestigious Shatec School of Pastry.
Her impressive culinary journey includes working at Swissôtel The Stamford, where she trained under renowned pastry chef Gael Etillard, as well as at the Laurent Bernard Chocolate Factory. KC later became the Executive Pastry Chef for two of Singapore’s iconic dining establishments: One Rochester and One Twenty Six.
In 2008, she was awarded the Cacao Barry Lenôtre Paris Scholarship, which was announced during the World Gourmet Summit in Singapore, an honor that further solidified her reputation in the pastry world.
Now based in her hometown of Jakarta, KC is the creative force behind Union Bakery. She is the pastry chef-owner of Union Brasserie, an American-style brasserie with a modern twist, located at the prestigious Plaza Senayan Courtyard (est. 2011), Pondok Indah Street Gallery (est. 2013), and Union Deli Grand Indonesia (est. 2014), among other locations across Indonesia.
One of KC’s original creations -- the Union Red Velvet Cake -- has achieved a strong cult following and remains a beloved favorite to this day.
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Served the Lord with Love for 50 years
Mdm. Song Mei Zhu
(Servant of the Lord)
Source: Jason Ong
Source: Jason Ong
Mdm. Song Mei Zhu (蘇宋美珠) has served faithfully as a caretaker at Hinghwa Methodist Church on Kitchener Road for over five decades, beginning in her 20s.
Before her devoted service to the church, she worked alongside her mother, who toiled tirelessly as a washerwoman by day and washed taxis by night. Despite their meagre earnings, they never hesitated to help those in need, offering what little they had to those in dire straits.
To the many poor families living in the nearby quarters, Mdm. Song was truly an angel. Yet, not everyone returned her kindness. Still, she shed no tears and harbored no bitterness, even when life dealt her an unfair hand. This quiet strength and grace reminded me of many Hinghwa women I knew during my childhood, resilient, selfless, and unwavering in their faith.
Life may have been hard, but these women never whimpered nor wallowed in self-pity. Instead, hardship only steeled their resolve to face whatever challenges came their way.
Now in her 90s, Mdm. Song remains lucid and healthy, a living testament to a life of kindness, service, and faithfulness. Her story, along with her mother’s, is a simple yet powerful one. It has deeply inspired me with their enduring Christian values and quiet strength.
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Vidoe source: Sing! China Season 2, Episode 9 – Joanna Dong 《我要你的爱》
Image source: Screen-grab from the video.
Singing Superstar
Joanna Dong
She came from a nation of five million, but captured the hearts of hundreds of millions.
This bilingual superstar from Singapore became a household name across China, as fans tuned in week after week to witness her stunning performances.
It was a defining moment when international icon Jay Chou declared, "After hearing you sing, I don’t want to hear anyone else." The audience, equally starstruck, erupted in applause.
Unsurprisingly, she advanced to the finals of Sing! China ultimately clinched third place in front of a roaring crowd of 80,000 at the Beijing National Stadium.
2017 must have been a year she’ll never forget, nor will we.
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Hinghwa Flower Power,
Indonesia
With deep regret, a wonderful love story must remain untold.
In my journey of uncovering the stories of the Hinghwa people, I chanced upon a remarkable Hinghwa lady who had a beautiful love story to share. Despite her stature, she was a truly lovable and unassuming person.
As I read her biography, I was instantly inspired and set to work, crafting a compelling narrative from it. When she read what I had written, she was pleasantly surprised. In her own words, she said,
"Dear Jason, thanks for the feedback on my book. You are a fast reader and a great writer. You've done a marvellous job summarising my long life story into one page, with all the important points and facts. I will remember to invite you to write my story in my next life!!!"
As my book inched closer to publication, she suddenly realised that her story might be too personal to be shared publicly. She politely requested that her article not be published.
Sigh. As much as I regret not being able to include her story, I must respect her wishes. After all, she is no ordinary lady.
With deep regret, a wonderful love story remains untold.
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在我探寻興化族故事的旅程中，我偶然遇到了一位非凡的興化族女性，她有着一段动人的爱情故事。尽管她身材高挑，却是一位真正可爱谦逊的人。
当我阅读她的传记时，我立刻深受启发，并着手创作一个引人入胜的故事。当她读到我写的内容时，她惊喜万分。她这样说道：
“亲爱的杰森，谢谢你对我的书的反馈。你阅读速度很快，文笔也很棒。你出色地将我漫长的人生故事浓缩成一页，囊括了所有要点和事实。下辈子我一定请你来写我的故事！”
随着我的书即将出版，她突然意识到她的故事可能过于私密，不宜公开。她礼貌地请求不要发表她的文章。
唉。虽然我很遗憾无法将她的故事收录其中，但我必须尊重她的意愿。毕竟，她并非寻常女子。
令人深感遗憾的是，一段美好的爱情故事未能被讲述。
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