Wednesday, June 20, 2012

A Real Hero

Who says Singaporeans are kia-su, kia-si and kia-bu (loosely translated: loss-phobic, death-phobic and spouse-phobic)? Trussed up like a chicken with hands and legs tied, bundled in a blanket and dumped unceremoniously at the back of a pick-up truck, the only time fear crossed the mind of the tour guide cum leader was when he worried about ever seeing his wife of 12 years again.

A hero's welcome
Rather than let the heavily armed Bedouin hi-jackers seize the old couple in their 60s seated in front of the holy land tour bus, 44-year-old Vincent Toh valiantly volunteered himself to be hostage for their nefarious intent - apparently as exchange for one of their tribesmen arrested by the Egyptian police for drug related offences. The ordeal in the scorching temperatures of the Sinai Peninsula ended only when he was re-united with his Queenstown Methodist Church group which was waiting and praying anxiously for his safety at a Cairo hotel.

There is now a travel advisory out regarding travelling overland in that part of the world, still adrift in turmoil after the ouster of Housni Mubarak. Last weekend’s presidential election is supposed to be the final step in the transition to civilian government, when power will be handed to the first democratically elected leader in Egypt’s long history. Some scholars believe that Mount Sinai, the mountain at which Moses received the Ten Commandments, is actually located in Saudi Arabia. Charles Beke in 1878 suggested Mount Baggir, to the northeast of the Gulf of Akaba, as the true location.  So a detour will not be missed.

What should not be missed is that we have a real life hero at home. Will he be given a medal at this year's National Day Awards ceremony? Sadly, that's quite unlikely. The guys nominated are usually are top dogs in uniform, adding another ribbon to their many decorations for faithful lapdog service to their political masters. Some of them have ended up in the little black book of the under-age online prostitute, or listed among those who received gratification from IT vendors.

23 comments:

  1. 'kia-bo' is associated with the hen-pecked husband
    'kia-bu' is associated with the "hen-pecked" son

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  2. A real hero, I hope he joins WP.

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    Replies
    1. I am sure Vincent's wife will treasure him more than ever knowing he will never hesitate to do the same for her...
      the ultimate gift.

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  3. Tattler. That is a nice thought. I believe he be given an award at the next NDP or at least mentioned in PM's National Rally Speech. That is the minimum the nation can honour this gentlemen.
    Well done Vincent!

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  4. If Wolf and Vince were to switch places, the outcome would be as expected.....Vince own up to his speeding tickets, Wolf offering his sheeps for slaughter.

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    1. Ha! You are spot on. But one is earning pittance while another by the millions. How to compare?

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    2. Well, because of his dishonest act, he set a very fine example to his ex-staff who subsequently went on to embezzle $111k from him. She was jailed, and subsequently exposed Woffles' crime, thus resulting in this spectacle.

      Vince has lived up to his creator's image. Did Wolf live up to his uncle's - our ex-President OTC image?

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    3. timely comparison indeed. lol
      vincent will probably be much appreciated by poor folks who need reconstructive surgery and no doubt he will own up to speeding tickets, while wolf is likely to sell his sheep for profit....

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  5. Well Done Vincent!I'm v proud of you as I read about you in newspaper, though I don't know you.
    You've the guts, a heart & live up to yr "tour guide" duties that many politicians don't have. You risked yr life for an old couple you only know from a trip from yr job. Yet some politicians don't even voice out for the needy when they don't even have to risk their lives.

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    Replies
    1. He's not even a 'professional' tour guide. He's doing it as part of church group.

      Our MPs are part-time paid professionals.

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    2. And being paid in millions!

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  6. Seriously when I read the title I thought it was about alexander chew, hahaha

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  7. So must Howard Shaw surrender his PBM award that was given to him by ex-President Nathan now?

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    1. seriously, any award given by Nathan or like minded stooges is worthless.
      just a pat on the back from Mandela is far more noteworthy

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  8. We still have hope when we have brave people like 17 year old Reuben and 44 year old Vince, who dare to confront authority and kidnappers. Action speak louder than words like hatchet and knuckle-dusters and "what do you think?"

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  9. Wow, from the pulpit to real life:
    "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13

    Way to go, Vincent! You are making us Singaporeans prouder than any NDP song!

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    Replies
    1. Wow..why must quote from bible huh?
      Woffie also has his own very noteworthy quote too, you know.

      "True beauty is more than good looks.
      It has an ethereal, enchanting, spiritual and almost divine dimension."

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfW2pSytGEM

      Maybe this one can also make it to Singapore's Guinness Book of Records, after an enchanting sentence is announced. Don't you agree there is a spiritual and divine dimension to all these?

      Indeed, a very teachable moment to all elites.

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    2. If you want to bring in god, why didn't Vincent go to see his creator ASAP?

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  10. Thanks to our ever trustworthy media, cheerleading news asia, it was reported Vincent was taken to 'dessert'. I wonder what kind of "entree" and "main course' they serve him before. Super nice kidnappers leh.

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    Replies
    1. Correction..Is Channel 5 !! hahaha

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  11. First Vincent must be converted into a Millionaire-In-Waiting.
    Then he will be given award.

    And then our Millionaire Ministers will claim that Pro Alien Party members are actually capable of serving other human beings.
    Without first asking for millions in pay.

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  12. The contrast is big.

    Vincent's beauty is to the bone. Woffles' ugly is skin deep.
    The real hero sets people free. The vain hero goes scot free.

    One country, two words. Morals apart!

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