'Celebrating LIFE in the Heartlands' Photography Competition 2018

What is your idea of a lively and vibrant neighbourhood?

Is it the children having fun at the playground, neighbours mingling at the void deck, or families enjoying the shared spaces within their HDB estate?

Take a look at our lively and vibrant neighbourhoods, and heart-warming stories of community ties in the heartlands captured by our competition winners. These photos are exhibited at HDB Community Week 2018 which is held at Yishun Town Square from 19 to 25 May 2018, and at Our Tampines Hub from 26 to 27 May 2018.

Open Category

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First Prize
"Playground Unites!” by Ong Yi Chao

First Prize
"Playground Unites!” by Ong Yi Chao

I visit Punggol often to photograph the beautiful architecture of the new HDB blocks. On a particular weekend evening, I chanced upon this group of children having fun at the playground. Their cheerful faces and laughter lit up my day and brought back fond memories of my own childhood, where I had lots of fun playing and forging friendships at the playground!

 

 

 
Second Prize 
“Eng Hoon Street Comes Alive” by Khng Hwee Hoon

Second Prize 
“Eng Hoon Street Comes Alive” by Khng Hwee Hoon

Eng Hoon Street in Tiong Bahru Estate comes alive every Lunar New Year as the community gathers to enjoy the vibrant Dragon Dance performance. This is all thanks to one of the trading shops on Eng Hoon Street that invites residents of the estate to join in their festive celebrations yearly. As a fairly new resident in the estate, I felt welcomed and was touched by the warmth of this quaint neighbourhood.

 

 

 
Third Prize
“‘Dishu’ (Ground Calligraphy)” by Chen Wen Yun

Third Prize
“‘Dishu’ (Ground Calligraphy)” by Chen Wen Yun

This was taken at a void deck of Bedok South. I read about ‘dishu’. Having a strong interest in Chinese culture, I was thrilled to check out the void deck of Bedok South where a group of seniors gather weekly to practise calligraphy. It was an amazing scene to see these seniors, dipping their home-made gigantic ‘brush’ in water and waving them gracefully on the cold, hard cement floor to form beautiful chinese characters of poems. It was heartening to see our seniors spending their free time in an unconventional yet meaningful way.

 

 

 
People’s Choice Award
“Dancing to the Same Beat” by Chow Kian Yew

People’s Choice Award
“Dancing to the Same Beat” by Chow Kian Yew

Perfection through practice; graceful as one.

 

 

 
Merit Prize “Peace of Mind” by Chan Wai Meng

Merit Prize

“Peace of Mind” by Chan Wai Meng

Soaking in the morning sun with a yoga workout at Bishan Park and finding balance in our lives.

 

 

 
Merit Prize “Morning Walk” by Kwan Sai Hoe

Merit Prize

“Morning Walk” by Kwan Sai Hoe

There is nothing quite as magical as spending the beautiful morning at the neighbourhood park with our loved ones.

 

 

 

Merit Prize

“Adventure Time!” by Chua Tiew Eng

Merit Prize

“Adventure Time!” by Chua Tiew Eng

 “Look at me! I’m having great fun at this watermelon playground right at my doorstep!”

 

 

 

Merit Prize

“A Brand New Day” by Peh Siong San

Merit Prize

“A Brand New Day” by Peh Siong San

Cycling through light and shadow in the serenity of dawn as a brand new day awaits.

 

 

 

Merit Prize

“Under The Same Sky” by Ahmad Iskandar Bin Abdullah

Merit Prize

“Under The Same Sky” by Ahmad Iskandar Bin Abdullah

This is my HDB estate, a lively and vibrant place where love and friendships bloom.

 

 

 

Merit Prize

“Wheeling Good Times” by Xu Ling

Merit Prize

“Wheeling Good Times” by Xu Ling

One, two, three, let’s go! Watch our trolleys roll! It’s such a breeze for residents to do their daily grocery shopping with these ramps and handrails.

 

 

 

Merit Prize

“Splash!” by Leonardus Novianto Depari

Merit Prize

“Splash!” by Leonardus Novianto Depari

Gotcha, my net is faster than any fish! A big smile captured in the shutters of the camera as this little boy caught his first catch of the day!

 

 

 

Merit Prize
“Eye On The Goal” by Tan Jian Kai

Merit Prize
“Eye On The Goal” by Tan Jian Kai

Watch out! Quick reflexes, laughter ensues, smiles all around!

 

 

 

Merit Prize
“Dancing Under The Sun” by Steven Liew Seng Leong

Merit Prize
“Dancing Under The Sun” by Steven Liew Seng Leong

Gracefully swaying their bright red fans under the sun as a way of keeping healthy and fit together as a community.

 

 

 

Merit Prize
“Teamwork Makes The Dream Work” by Ng Chin Leong

Merit Prize
“Teamwork Makes The Dream Work” by Ng Chin Leong

Go, go, go! The team pushing on to the end point as the loud cheers from the crowd spurred them on.

 

 

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Instagram Category

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First Prize
“My Favourite Shopkeeper” by Chan Wai Meng

First Prize
“My Favourite Shopkeeper” by Chan Wai Meng

A joyful smile, a friendly wave, as I go pass my favourite shopkeepers at the neighbourhood market. I was looking for a subject to photograph, and was attracted by this jovial stall owner and his neatly arranged goods. This particular scene reminded me of the traditional stalls that I used to patronise during my younger days. There are fewer shops like these nowadays, therefore I feel that it is a precious moment to be captured.

 

 

 

 

 
Second Prize
“All Hands Up!” by Ahmad Iskandar Bin Abdullah

Second Prize
“All Hands Up!” by Ahmad Iskandar Bin Abdullah

The HDB heartlands is a melting pot of cultures. Regardless of race, language or religion, residents in Jurong were wowed by the captivating dragon dance performance. As the audience went wild with their cameras to capture the beautiful performance, I was enticed to record such a moment and slice of life in the heartlands.

 

 

 

 

 
Third Prize 
“Bird(-lovers) of a feather flock together” by Mohamad Yusof Bin Noor

Third Prize 
“Bird(-lovers) of a feather flock together” by Mohamad Yusof Bin Noor

This was taken at a lush open field in Keat Hong. It is a weekly gathering for my bird enthusiast friends, where they train their birds to free-fly together. This growing hobby not only brings fellow bird lovers together, but attracts curious onlookers to join us and watch as the colourful birds soar high in the sky.

 

 

 
People’s Choice Award
“Blocks After Blocks” by Ng Yao Zong Joshua

People’s Choice Award
“Blocks After Blocks” by Ng Yao Zong Joshua

Shades of red make my neighbourhood great!

 

 

 
Merit Prize 
“Time Is Love” by Hoong Qi Hao

Merit Prize 
“Time Is Love” by Hoong Qi Hao

Love is simply about the time we spend together.

 

 

 
Merit Prize 
"Kopi Connects” by Chen Wen Yun

Merit Prize 
"Kopi Connects” by Chen Wen Yun

Grandparents enjoying their morning coffee at a neighbourhood coffee shop and chuckling in response to the endless ‘Whys?’ from their inquisitive grandson.

 

 

 

Merit Prize 
“Chess Buddies” by Goh Koon Boh

Merit Prize 
“Chess Buddies” by Goh Koon Boh

Heartland friends deep in concentration in a battle of wits.

 

 

 

Merit Prize 
“A Void Deck Date” by Steven Sung Hong Meng

Merit Prize 
“A Void Deck Date” by Steven Sung Hong Meng

A couple sharing a moment as they stroll hand-in-hand towards home.

 

 

 

Merit Prize 
“Fun Times, Fond Memories” by Wong Chek Poh

Merit Prize 
“Fun Times, Fond Memories” by Wong Chek Poh

The open field at a Tampines estate came to live when hundreds of residents gathered to enjoy the National Day carnival.

 

 

 

Merit Prize 
“Dragon Delight” by Goh Teck Leong

Merit Prize 
“Dragon Delight” by Goh Teck Leong

A spectacular dragon dance performance at a HDB heartland that never fails to amaze the residents.

 

 

 

Merit Prize 
“Joy of Dance” by Chow Kian Yew

Merit Prize 
“Joy of Dance” by Chow Kian Yew

Leading a fun and healthy lifestyle is easy when you dance with your fellow friends!

 

 

 

Merit Prize 
“Bird Park” by Hong Yew Kwong

Merit Prize 
“Bird Park” by Hong Yew Kwong

The void deck turns into a “bird park” as avian lovers gather every weekend, relaxing and listening to the melodious tunes by their precious pets.

 

 

 

Merit Prize 
“The Peaceful Punggol” by Goh Ngan Pin

Merit Prize 
“The Peaceful Punggol” by Goh Ngan Pin

A picturesque view taken at a beautiful heartland, Punggol.

 

 

 

Merit Prize 
“Dazzling Lights” by Lim Leng Wee

Merit Prize 
“Dazzling Lights” by Lim Leng Wee

Bedazzling night sky at the Pang Sua Pond.

 

 

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