As in past years, they changed into their family T-shirt, each colour-coded according to generation and gender. The customisation doesn't stop there: every birthday, Mr Khoo's grandchildren, 31 in all, will make him a special gift. Last year, they gave him a deck of playing cards featuring every member in the family. But like all families, there would be differences at times; the key, Mr Khoo says, is how they are being resolved.
"No need to reprimand anyone. We'll have a talk, who's right and who's wrong. The one who's right need not be angry over small matters, and things will be fine," said Mr Khoo, who was named Grandparent of the Year in 2005 as part of the Senior Citizens Award.
Though decades apart, the younger ones say the generation gap is never an issue.
And they never run out of things to do or say to their "Ah Kong", be it going for walks, bowling or spending time with the Playstation.
Said grandson Chris Khoo, "He taught me to be humble. That is important for me to become successful. And another important take away is that when I was a kid, he taught us that we must stay together, live harmoniously together, so we will not be bullied by others."
The older members in the family hope to inculcate a sense of the kampong spirit to keep everyone together; Mr Khoo used to run a farm in Chua Chu Kang. Said daughter Mary Khoo, "We hope they will keep in mind that this is our kind of spirit. We want everyone to stay together, to be united."
So just what did they give Mr Khoo this time? A giant photo collection, depicting the many family occasions over the past year. As the Khoos would have it, spending time with the family requires some sacrifice, but blood is always thicker than water.
By Wong Siew Ying
Channel NewsAsia
Copyright © 2006
MCN International Pte Ltd
June 11, 2006
SINGAPORE: Family of 52 At Patriarch's 76th Birthday
SINGAPORE (Channel NewsAsia), June 11, 2006:
If you have organised parties for a large group of people, you will know how tough it is getting everyone together. It is a tall order to do that every fortnight -- but not for the Khoo family. One after another, all 52 members showed up to celebrate the birthday of the family patriarch, 76-year-old Khoo Chwee Seng.
As in past years, they changed into their family T-shirt, each colour-coded according to generation and gender. The customisation doesn't stop there: every birthday, Mr Khoo's grandchildren, 31 in all, will make him a special gift. Last year, they gave him a deck of playing cards featuring every member in the family. But like all families, there would be differences at times; the key, Mr Khoo says, is how they are being resolved.
"No need to reprimand anyone. We'll have a talk, who's right and who's wrong. The one who's right need not be angry over small matters, and things will be fine," said Mr Khoo, who was named Grandparent of the Year in 2005 as part of the Senior Citizens Award.
Though decades apart, the younger ones say the generation gap is never an issue.
And they never run out of things to do or say to their "Ah Kong", be it going for walks, bowling or spending time with the Playstation.
Said grandson Chris Khoo, "He taught me to be humble. That is important for me to become successful. And another important take away is that when I was a kid, he taught us that we must stay together, live harmoniously together, so we will not be bullied by others."
The older members in the family hope to inculcate a sense of the kampong spirit to keep everyone together; Mr Khoo used to run a farm in Chua Chu Kang. Said daughter Mary Khoo, "We hope they will keep in mind that this is our kind of spirit. We want everyone to stay together, to be united."
So just what did they give Mr Khoo this time? A giant photo collection, depicting the many family occasions over the past year. As the Khoos would have it, spending time with the family requires some sacrifice, but blood is always thicker than water.
By Wong Siew Ying
Channel NewsAsia
Copyright © 2006
MCN International Pte Ltd
As in past years, they changed into their family T-shirt, each colour-coded according to generation and gender. The customisation doesn't stop there: every birthday, Mr Khoo's grandchildren, 31 in all, will make him a special gift. Last year, they gave him a deck of playing cards featuring every member in the family. But like all families, there would be differences at times; the key, Mr Khoo says, is how they are being resolved.
"No need to reprimand anyone. We'll have a talk, who's right and who's wrong. The one who's right need not be angry over small matters, and things will be fine," said Mr Khoo, who was named Grandparent of the Year in 2005 as part of the Senior Citizens Award.
Though decades apart, the younger ones say the generation gap is never an issue.
And they never run out of things to do or say to their "Ah Kong", be it going for walks, bowling or spending time with the Playstation.
Said grandson Chris Khoo, "He taught me to be humble. That is important for me to become successful. And another important take away is that when I was a kid, he taught us that we must stay together, live harmoniously together, so we will not be bullied by others."
The older members in the family hope to inculcate a sense of the kampong spirit to keep everyone together; Mr Khoo used to run a farm in Chua Chu Kang. Said daughter Mary Khoo, "We hope they will keep in mind that this is our kind of spirit. We want everyone to stay together, to be united."
So just what did they give Mr Khoo this time? A giant photo collection, depicting the many family occasions over the past year. As the Khoos would have it, spending time with the family requires some sacrifice, but blood is always thicker than water.
By Wong Siew Ying
Channel NewsAsia
Copyright © 2006
MCN International Pte Ltd
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