How Phua Chu Kang Was Scouted In Haw Par Villa & Musicians Who Entertained Us | On The Red Dot

This episode explores how Singapore has always known how to package and present itself—whether for fun, for culture, or for the world stage. Gurmit revisits a quirky childhood keepsake: his Haw Par Villa mascot piggy bank, a reminder of how attractions once captured young imaginations. Cecilia Gaspar’s grandfather’s signed circus contract with the Great World Amusement Park highlights the Filipino musicians whose journey to Singapore brought not only the thrill of live entertainment, but also the vibrant rhythms that once filled its playgrounds, hotels, and nightclubs. The journey continues into film, with the original script of Forever Fever, Singapore’s breakthrough movie that made waves internationally and proved local cinema could go global. And finally, a touch of playfulness: the Singapore Airlines game collection, shared by Dr Ong Pang Yeow, that reveals how even the national carrier knew the power of packaging fun and branding together. These artefacts show how Singapore learned not just to create, but to captivate. On The Red Dot playlist:    • On The Red Dot | Full Episodes   00:00 Introduction 01:22 How Gurmit Singh was scouted in Haw Par Villa 04:38 Who else used to perform at Haw Par Villa? 05:31 What was Great World Amusement Park? 06:10 A Japanese Circus in Singapore? 11:11 A Great Way to Fly! 13:21 Games that were on SQ flights 16:06 Gatecrashing a celebrity ========== About On The Red Dot: CNA's weekly programme documents the stories of ordinary Singaporeans and celebrates their resilience, identity and sense of belonging. =========== #CNAInsider #OnTheRedDot #Singapore #SingaporeHistory For more, SUBSCRIBE to CNA INSIDER! https://cna.asia/insideryoutubesub Follow CNA INSIDER on: Telegram: https://t.me/CNAInsiderSG Instagram:   / cnainsider   Facebook:   / cnainsider   Website: https://cna.asia/cnainsider