tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13303109.post9078073822606738969..comments2023-12-23T22:32:53.531+08:00Comments on Taking Up The Challenge: Framroz's Aerated WatersVictorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10339178864363140977noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13303109.post-17107719710669039692022-11-25T19:50:09.898+08:002022-11-25T19:50:09.898+08:00Framroz was buried at the Parsi cemetery in Tampin...Framroz was buried at the Parsi cemetery in Tampines. When the Tampines cemetery was closed his remains were moved to the Parsi Cemetery in Chua Chu Kang. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13303109.post-42740188684013747852014-04-14T20:56:30.120+08:002014-04-14T20:56:30.120+08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13303109.post-39157366718374295192014-03-30T11:27:45.740+08:002014-03-30T11:27:45.740+08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17431190189659304627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13303109.post-30164891422076151292013-08-03T22:25:28.019+08:002013-08-03T22:25:28.019+08:00Massimo, thank you for your comments.
I have emai...Massimo, thank you for your comments.<br /><br />I have emailed my heritage blogger friends regarding your questions. Hope someone may know the answers and post them here.Victorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10339178864363140977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13303109.post-29612687927645176752013-08-02T18:18:31.809+08:002013-08-02T18:18:31.809+08:00I've just bought this cap
http://www.ebay.it/i...I've just bought this cap<br />http://www.ebay.it/itm/300937615002?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649<br />and you can find other bottle caps from Singapore in my site at the page<br />http://www.worldcrowncaps.it/singapore/index.html<br />If you want to use any photos you are free to do it.<br />Can you tell me something about the caps with the pearl and the one with the sea-horse?Massimohttp://www.worldcrowncaps.itnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13303109.post-3805055528786097562009-10-29T13:37:27.652+08:002009-10-29T13:37:27.652+08:00Its my pleasure, Victor. I am glad to share my chi...Its my pleasure, Victor. I am glad to share my childhood experiences at your blogsite and those of other "bloggers of the same feather" to refresh my memories of bygone days. Thanks to all for the remarkable contributions of snippets in bite-sized portions by fellow bloggers. These blogs have become precious resources for the young to learn about our heritage and history.<br /><br />Beside soft drinks from the provision shops, the swill collectors also offer eggs and chickens during the Chinese New Year as a traditional goodwill and gesture of appreciation by the farmers to individual householders, who have contributed leftover food (swill) throughout the year.<br /><br />Unlike Uncle Dick, I do not have extra room space at home to store the precious old newspapers. My archived records are tediously copied from old newspaper microfilms whenever I have time to visit the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library. These handwritten records are used for reference purposes; or to blog about them later. I read "stale news" to track back the old days and to understand how things have changed over the years. Today's news is tomorrow's history ;)<br /><br />Cheers!Thimbuktuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04495581875211093357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13303109.post-73843344175538666522009-10-26T09:11:29.576+08:002009-10-26T09:11:29.576+08:00Thimbuktu - Thank you for sharing that interesting...Thimbuktu - Thank you for sharing that interesting article on why provision shops stopped giving out soft drinks as gift yearly. Wow, do you keep decades of old newspapers like <a href="http://uncledicko.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Uncle Dick</a> too?<br /><br />Andy - You're welcome. I have learnt quite a few things about Singapore's 60s music scene from <a href="http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">your blog</a> too.Victorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10339178864363140977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13303109.post-48794062559339114542009-10-22T07:50:27.207+08:002009-10-22T07:50:27.207+08:00Thanks Vic. Learnt from your blog. Never knew ther...Thanks Vic. Learnt from your blog. Never knew there was an Eastern Cola too.ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. ©https://www.blogger.com/profile/10946638825812052608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13303109.post-66802533610776270392009-10-22T06:57:00.810+08:002009-10-22T06:57:00.810+08:00Peter mentioned about the free gifts of soft drink...Peter mentioned about the free gifts of soft drinks by provision shops which are delivered to their customers during Chinese New Year.<br /><br />I came across the following article in The Straits Times of January 2, 1973 and thought it would be interesting to share it here.<br /><br />"NO MORE FREE SOFT DRINKS FROM YOUR SHOP”<br /><br />No more free soft drinks from you shop.<br /><br />Don’t expect that Chinese New Year gift of soft drinks from your local “kedai” anymore. Shop-keepers can’t afford it.<br /><br />All the shops in Toa Payoh and St. Michael’s Estate – 98 of them – have decided to stop this “annual bonus” this year.<br /><br />The decision was taken after three meetings last month. Yesterday they informed their customers of the decision through an advertisement in the papers.<br /><br />Shopkeepers in other parts of Singapore are likely to follow suit. Some shops in Tanglin Halt, Alexandra, Jurong, Bukit Timah and Redhill areas are also going to continue with this tradition.<br /><br />On average, a shopkeeper spends about $1,000 on soft drinks each year. Each family is usually presented with a “goodwill” case of two dozen bottles.<br /><br />One shopkeeper said: “Distribution of the drinkds involves lots of work and the period approaching the Chinese New Year is usually the busiest in shops”.<br /><br />High flats<br /><br />“Labour is not easy to come by these days. Most of the workers employed do not stay long. The shortage is most acute during festive seasons.<br /><br />“Besides, most of the flats these days are so high that it is tedious having to distribute the drinks and collect the empty bottles later.”<br /><br />Another shopkeeper said: “Business has been bad these years. Costs are always rising and profits are marginal.<br /><br />“Moreover, emporiums and other businesses do not give annual gifts like this. We are the only ones to do so in past years. From what I’ve heard, some shops have stopped this practice for about two to three years.”Thimbuktuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04495581875211093357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13303109.post-22527063383849995522009-10-21T00:46:54.219+08:002009-10-21T00:46:54.219+08:00Is that Anony-mouse again? I don't remember th...Is that Anony-mouse again? I don't remember the other soda fountains in the vicinity of Middle Road except the one at the corner of Bencoolen Street and Middle Road. Maybe by the 1960s, there was only one left?<br /><br />I blogged about the Queen Street market <a href="http://victorkoo.blogspot.com/2007/11/memories-of-queen-street-market.html" rel="nofollow">here</a>.Victorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10339178864363140977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13303109.post-18607143456817544782009-10-21T00:43:24.713+08:002009-10-21T00:43:24.713+08:00Chun See, that's another good "s" th...Chun See, that's another good "s" thing that I am good at. Sharp, that is. :pVictorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10339178864363140977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13303109.post-9970688808788335552009-10-21T00:42:09.377+08:002009-10-21T00:42:09.377+08:00Peter, I didn't know that Phoenix Aerated Wate...Peter, I didn't know that Phoenix Aerated Water's "office cum factory" was located in Anson Road. Thanks for the info.<br /><br />In the 1960s, big aerated factories like F&N were already using machines to wash their bottles for re-use. I know because I went on a primary school excursion to its factory in River Valley Road.Victorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10339178864363140977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13303109.post-29081232691736251612009-10-20T22:55:04.274+08:002009-10-20T22:55:04.274+08:00Hi!
Vic, since you were living nearby Middle Road...Hi!<br /><br />Vic, since you were living nearby Middle Road, during the good old days, I would think you are the best person to advise me.<br /><br />My mum told me that there were actually 2 soda fountain shops along Middle Road. I can only recall one shop. I guess she has a better memory than me!<br /><br />One soda fountain shop was in Middle Road, situated directly opposite a coffee shop. This coffee shop was next to the old Queen Street Post Office. Its owner was a Chinese man and this was the shop that my grandma brought us to, for drinks, on Sundays.<br /><br />The other soda fountain shop was situated further down along Middle Road, nearer to Waterloo Street. Its owner was a Goanese family with surname De Sa. They also lived upstairs in the shop. Other than the soda drinks, they also sold some homemade snacks. <br /><br />Thanks & Cheers,Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13303109.post-73851858721032093292009-10-20T11:58:15.688+08:002009-10-20T11:58:15.688+08:00Victor. As usual you are so sharp. I didn't no...Victor. As usual you are so sharp. I didn't notice the details of the Eastern Cola bottle. Too fixated on the object of my childhood desires - the Framroz.Lam Chun Seehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01762020157703342970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13303109.post-28668649098586157002009-10-20T06:23:27.611+08:002009-10-20T06:23:27.611+08:00Phoenix bdlg was the factory cum HQ of the Phoenix...Phoenix bdlg was the factory cum HQ of the Phoenix rated Water Co.peternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13303109.post-25800112210492492872009-10-20T06:22:18.094+08:002009-10-20T06:22:18.094+08:00There used to be a Pheonix Bdlg in Anson Road; cou...There used to be a Pheonix Bdlg in Anson Road; could now be 89 Anson Road today. It was also once the CPF Bdlg in the 1960s. I was told that my late great grand-mother used to make a living "washing" used bottls which were recycled. She walked form her Tg Pagar Roa flat to this place (Btw this building is now GE Tower). It must have been before 1925. My great grand-mother was paid 2 cents for every 5 bottles washed. The money she saved went towards supporting the family.peternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13303109.post-47738604266539727962009-10-20T00:22:40.186+08:002009-10-20T00:22:40.186+08:00Oops! Sorry, should be in the late 1950's.
C...Oops! Sorry, should be in the late 1950's. <br /><br />Cheers,Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13303109.post-359529939205766962009-10-20T00:16:49.281+08:002009-10-20T00:16:49.281+08:00Anony-mouse, why so shy? :-)
Thanks for your comm...Anony-mouse, why so shy? :-)<br /><br />Thanks for your comments.<br /><br />I remember the shop selling soda fountain drinks distinctly because it was on the way from my home in Cheng Yan Place to Short Street where my primary school was. I would have to pass by this shop if I took the Middle Road way to the school. (I would not pass this shop if I took the Albert Street way.)<br /><br />This little shop was located at the junction of Middle Road and Bencoolen Street (where Fortune Centre now stands). It had a counter tiled with white 4-inch-square bathroom tiles. Sticking out of this counter were about 3 chrome taps, much like the beer dispensers of today. Aerated water came out of those taps and was mixed with the syrup you ordered.<br /><br />During my primary school days (from 1963-1968), if I remember correctly, the drinks were sold for 20 cents each but the cup was very small - maybe just 200 c.c.Victorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10339178864363140977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13303109.post-68608317116494174732009-10-19T23:57:04.979+08:002009-10-19T23:57:04.979+08:00Chun See, I can't find that entry where we deb...Chun See, I can't find that entry where we debated on the origin of the term "<i>hor lan shoi</i>". (Maybe it was on Chris' blog which we can't access anymore.)<br /><br />This time your memory lose to me - I remember distinctly that Frannxis laughed at my answer.<br /><br />Hmm... this shows one thing - that the one who got "dismissed" always remember the experience more... Haha. Ok, ok, you've have more than redeemed yourself by sending me the image of the Framroz bottle.<br /><br />Thanks again.Victorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10339178864363140977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13303109.post-46119633505957762412009-10-19T23:36:56.157+08:002009-10-19T23:36:56.157+08:00Hi!
On the topic of aerated waters, I recall the...Hi!<br /><br />On the topic of aerated waters, I recall the Soda Fountain shop at maybe the junction of Queen Street and Middle Road (cannot remember clearly the exact place but maybe opposite St. Anthony's Convent). In the late 1960's, my grandma would bring me and my siblings, to St. Joseph's Church on Sundays. When mass ended, we would proceed to the Queen Street wet market. After doing her routine marketing, we would sit down for a meal of kway teow soup at a stall in the market. After which, we would then go to this Soda Fountain Shop for a drink. We could choose the type of flavors we desired from the long row of bottles, lined up on the shelves. The vendor would pour a portion of the syrup into a small glass followed by soda water from the fountain. My grandma would pay 10 cents for her drink and 5 cents for us kids (smaller glasses). It was indeed a thirst quencher. This was our normal Sunday routine - mass, marketing, meal of kway teow soup and soda fountain drinks. <br /><br />Also, I recall the drinks, bottled by Phoenix Aerated Water, which was established by Mr. Mistri, who used to work in Framroz. Mr. Mistri was also a very prominent Parsi.<br /><br />Vic, thanks for incorporating my comments (from Icemoon's blog)into your excellent article.<br /><br />Cheers,Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13303109.post-53830754878755775072009-10-19T23:03:18.405+08:002009-10-19T23:03:18.405+08:00The name Framroz is something I always associate w...The name Framroz is something I always associate with Chinese New Year which I blogged about <a href="http://goodmorningyesterday.blogspot.com/2007/02/5-things-i-do-not-miss-about-chinese.html" rel="nofollow">here</a>. But I cannot recall when Victor and I had that debate about hor lan sui.Lam Chun Seehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01762020157703342970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13303109.post-21642570985542816812009-10-19T22:48:36.787+08:002009-10-19T22:48:36.787+08:00Peter, your provision shop seemed quite generous. ...Peter, your provision shop seemed quite generous. I don't remember receiving free crates of drinks from my provision shop. But then again, my memory has not proven to be very reliable, especially lately. If I could not remember things that happened barely 2 years ago, how could I remember things that were decades ago?Victorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10339178864363140977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13303109.post-79807567857845145932009-10-19T22:43:54.820+08:002009-10-19T22:43:54.820+08:00Thanks Andy. I have updated the post with photos o...Thanks Andy. I have updated the post with photos of the building that you have described. It would be great if someone can provide one with the Framroz sign.Victorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10339178864363140977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13303109.post-63507808804477249612009-10-19T06:38:22.102+08:002009-10-19T06:38:22.102+08:00During Chinese New Year, the provision shop where ...During Chinese New Year, the provision shop where you made your household purchase, usually gave away 1 - 2 crates of F&N rather than Framroze. <br /><br />I also find that when you serve drinks during New Year, you are not suppose to serve it with ice in a glass but offer the bottle + an empty glass OR glass filled to the brim with the drink. Still can remember we also offer the postman and rubbishman orange drinks + red packet.peternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13303109.post-35928725692458835422009-10-18T23:15:39.814+08:002009-10-18T23:15:39.814+08:00Sorry: It could have been one...Sorry: It could have been one...ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. ©https://www.blogger.com/profile/10946638825812052608noreply@blogger.com