A Comfortable Life (2E5 Ivy's Father)

Interviewer: Ivy Teo
Date of interview: 17 July 2006
Location of interview: Home

I interviewed my dad, Teo Teau Hoe. He is now living in Blk 12, Holland

Avenue S’pore 272012. He was born on 29th August 1962 in

Singapore. My dad comes from a Chinese-speaking family that was

quite rich. His family was quite big. His mother had a total of 10

children, including him. He has 9 siblings, 3 sisters and 6 brothers.

He is the sixth son in the family line. Currently he has 8 siblings

now because his third brother died when he was three. The names

of his siblings in ascescending order are : 

Teo Teau shui[1st], 

Teo Tiew Lai[2nd], 

Teo Siew Chun [1st aunt],

Teo Siew Mei [2nd aunt],

Teo Teau Kun[4th],

Teo Tiew Huat[5th],

my dad, Teo Teau Hoe[6th],

Teo Teau Long[7th] 

and Teo Siew Yan [3rd aunt] who is the youngest in the family. 

His mother had two miscarriages, one was boy and the other was a girl. His mother is Chua 

Kheok and his father is Teo Hock Soon. They stayed in a two-storey bungalow for more than 10

years that is situated at Holland village. Now at Holland village, it's no longer a

residence now. My grandparents rent it. It’s now a Mexican restaurant called  ‘Cha Cha

Cha’. During that time my grandma was a housewife and my grandpa worked in

his family’s company. My great-grandfather used to own a printing company

but after my grandpa passed away, the company was sold. 

My dad’s life was carefree and good as his family was rich during that time. He did not have to do any chores, and he was served all meals.

During his childhood days, he always played with his siblings. They will run to the ‘hills’ near their house and

play there. They played very simple games like catching, badminton,

catching spiders, crickets and running around the house. He loved to climb

trees. He said that there was once when he climbed the mango tree which was

planted in his garden, he fell from the tree! He told me that he deserved

it. He was very mischievous when he was young, he ran around the house

without shoes and he stepped on a nail, he cried for days and he could not walk

properly. The most serious incident was when he was running with a pair of scissors

and accidentally cut his brother. His mother was very angry and he was grounded for a

week. 

My dad's responsibility was to study and take care of his younger siblings.

He stopped schooling after Primary 5. His primary school was Keming

Primary School. Subjects taken in school were Math, Science, English and

Mother Tongue. He studied in two primary schools. He would go to school

himself when its not raining. On rainy days his father or mother would

fetch him to school. 

My dad's religion is Buddhism and he prays at home.

Although his family was rich, his family did not have time to go on vacations or holidays. 

Now my dad is 43 years old and will be 44 on 29th August. He was married when he was 28. He met my mum at a biscuit manufacturing factory when she was 17. She had stopped schooling after secondary two because her dad was sick and unable to work and earn income for the family. She studied at Pei Chun primary school. She has very few friends due to her family background. My mum had to work at a young age because her family was poor and her dad was sick. At first, my grandma disapproved of their marriage. However, my dad insisted and my grandma had no choice. Their wedding ceremony was simple although they were rich during that time. Two years after their marriage, they had me. I am their first child and five years down the road, she gave birth to my brother. My dad says I was taken care of by my maternal grandma when I was young because they were too busy with work. After his dad had passed away, his mum rented the house to a businessman for the restaurant "Cha Cha Cha'. They moved house after my grandpa died. They moved to a 4-room flat and now we are staying in a 3-room flat.

My dad's hobby when he was young was to collect stamps. He often

quarrelled with his siblings over stamps. Now his interests are surfing the net

and cooking. My dad is a great cook. I love the food that he cooks for me.

He’s favorite sport is running. He has never attended any funerals except his

dad’s and he always had fun during their birthday parties. His family

celebrates birthdays for everyone. My dad is the breadwinner of the family.

Although he is very busy, he makes the effort to try to bring

us out on weekends or at least to spend some time with the family.



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