I've always been Daddy's girl. Since his passing in May 2022, I've tried many ways to keep his memory alive for myself. One of my favourite pilgrimages is to go for a walk in Georgetown, Penang. Drawing on his stories, I love re-tracing the steps he would have taken from home to school.
The walk starts at Beach Road Fire Station, where my dad lived with his family. My grandfather was the chief mechanic and driver of the longest fire engine in Penang in the 1950's. He was a dedicated fireman who died in his uniform, from a heart attack at the prime age of 50.
Kapitan Kling mosque street is lined with money changers and nasi kandar stalls. This is where my dad used to stop for his daily breakfast. Ten cents for a plate of nasi kandar and fish curry. If the mamak was feeling generous, he would throw in a piece of beef for free. Which my dad technically was not allowed to eat, coming from a Buddhist family. But he whacked it anyway!
The Goddess of Mercy temple is where my grandmother offered prayers on festival days. Built in 1728, this 300-year old temple is the oldest Buddhist temple in Penang. The centuries-old tree in the courtyard of the temple would have rustled its leaves as my dad ran past it every day on the way to and from school.
The back of Assumption Church hosted many of my dad's infamous fights, including one which almost got him expelled from school. The losing opponent reported my dad to his brother who was a teacher. When called to the Principal's office, my dad produced a signed contract with two signatures stating that both boys had agreed to a friendly match to test their boxing skills. Case closed.
St Xavier's Institution is the seat of my dad's happiest childhood memories and achievements. The street urchin found his calling in the athletic fields as a 110-yard hurdle champion training under Jimmy Boyle, one of Malaysia's most beloved composers, who also happened to be dad's athletics teacher. He also spent many happy days as a Boy Scout, which provided an excellent foundation for his career as a soldier in the Malaysian Army. He was a proud Xavieran till his dying day.
