I'm a comic book artist. My dad's a comic book hero/villian!

For my "Sir Fong's Adventures In Science" friends, here's something else you don't know about me!

If you didn't Google "Fong Swee Suan" after reading my last blog, here's one more opportunity to find out: he is now a character in a new graphic novel (aka, comic book) called The Illustrated Men In White. This book is a illustrated version of the recent best-seller of the same title (below):

When New Paper reporter Lediati Tan interviewed my father and myself on 22nd Nov (Sunday), she showed us a copy of the upcoming graphic novel. I was thrilled!

You see, when I was growing up, I only saw my dad portrayed as some vicious, angry villian (see two examples below):

This image is taken from the excellent Morgan Chua's My Singapore, published by Marshall Cavendish. My dad is top right.

This image also taken from Morgan Chua's same book - my dad is in the middle.

You can imagine how bruising it was for a son to see something like that about dad (kind of like Luke Skywalker finding out that his dad is the galaxy's super villain Darth Vader - "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!").

Now, I saw artists Kelvin Chan, Chng Choon Hiong, Jonathan Roberts and Celesto Gulapa's portrayal of dad differently (Ng Tze Yong is the writer of the graphic novel). Well, he's still somewhat fierce-looking in some scenes, but it's pretty cool. I thank them!

So if you pass by the grocery store downstairs, buy a copy of The New Paper (22nd Nov/Sun). Or go get The Illustrated Men In White!

Thank You MM Lee!

A friend of mine on Facebook said this of MM Lee Kuan Yew:

Chor Pharn Lee: "Seems like LKY's sense of mortality, and the urgency to wrap up loose ends is accelerating. Closure through Men in White, hectoring the USA to stay its course while receiving some award, now public atonement for killing the Chinese language in Singapore. In balance, he has done more good. Like how they sum up Mao's achievements as one third bad, two thirds good. I think I'll be more generous."

Here's the link on MM Lee about his education policy:

 http://www.temasekreview.com/2009/11/18/mm-lee-admits-mistake-made-in-his-education-policy/ 

Personally, I have had my own prejudices about MM Lee. Afterall, my father is Fong Swee Suan (google him, or "Hock Lee Bus Riots"), one of the main opposition leaders during the early days of PAP.

But I am also a product of MM Lee's Singapore. I had a great bilingual education (it's not perfect, but it's still great!). I benefited from growing up in a multi-racial, multi-lingual country. I can live my life without fear of racial or religious prosecutions, or being shot down in the streets, or in fear of the triads.

MM Lee took ownership of his triumphs, and more importantly, he took ownership of his failures. It takes a great man to do so. And I want to acknowledge him for creating a great country that allows me to go after my dreams.

So, to MM Lee, THANK YOU! You're a great man! I love you as I love my father!

Here's an old song about giving credit - for those of us who didn't get it when we first heard it:

Otto Fong

Discovering Water On the Moon: Who Deserves the Credit?

http://www.india.com/technology/computers/why-nasa-taking-credit-india-finding-water-moon_6019

This week, online headlines screams: "Tons of Water On the Moon!" (To be accurate, 25 gallons were discovered.)

 The implications are incredibly exciting, just as exciting as when the first human being - an American - left his footprints on the moon. Suddenly, everything was possible . . . for Americans, at least. 

When I was young, a popular television series called "Space: 1999" depicted a moon base, where humans work and live. For my last birthday, my partner bought me a die-cast metallic model of the Space: 1999 ship - that's how dear the series was to me.

Now, the discovery of water on the moon is re-igniting our possibilities for the Moon - water implies that we can sustain life!

However, most news on the discovery of water credited NASA, and neglected to mention that it was India's first mission Chandrayaan-1* that carried the equipment which discovered the water in the first place.

While due credit may not be interesting to some, I felt it really makes a big difference whether the headlines say "India discovers water on the Moon" or "NASA (aka America) discovers water on the Moon". Why?

It makes a difference to young kids in India and Asia. When I read that an American walked on the Moon, I told myself that only in America, dreams could come true. When I read about Einstein and Newton in school textbooks, I told myself that only Westerners could be great scientists. 

It is a little tricky at the moment: while the moon probe belonged to India, the equipment that detected water belonged to NASA. Regardless of the final verdict on who found water on the Moon, I hope young people all over the world are inspired by the possibilities - not just for human kind, but for yourselves as great scientists.

Can an Indian, Chinese, Malay or Thai be great scientists? Why not? 

 

* In Sir Fong's Adventures . . . Book 2, I faced a problem while plotting the story: "How can an Earth satellite take clear pictures of the Moon surface?" I posed that question to Professor Lui Pao Chuen (the ex-Chief Defense Scientist who is featured in the book as Professor Thunder). He gamely suggested that a moon satellite can take clear pictures. And in fact such a venture was undertaken by Indian space scientists. 

And wah lah! The rest is comic book history!

Rabbit Institution and How Sir Fong looks on your furnitures!

 Ever wondered how a simple drawing of a simple comic artist ends up being plastered all over the world, on mugs, calenders, toys, bed sheets and other merchandise? My family have been ultra-supportive the last two years as Totto and his friends (mainly Izak Nooton and Abby Nooton) were in their infancy. 

 

In my family home, I looked and looked at how the creation appeared on the walls and dining table. And that helped me see what areas of improvement are needed to move the designs forward.

 

 

Friends also play important roles. As I shared with my good friend Miel about the name of Totto's school (Rabbit Institution), he immediately sketched out how the school compound might look like. 

 

Finally, here's a few really fantastic comic works from students of Coral Secondary School!

 

To the Class of 1D, Shu Qun Secondary School, 2009

When I was teaching, being Form Teacher to a class was my favorite appointment.

At the beginning of each year, a form class was assigned to me: 30-plus amazing kids - each of them the greatest jewel in their parents' hearts - was entrusted to my care. Everytime I discovered a talent, a leader, a kind soul, a brilliant mind - I felt pride. Nothing compares to the joy of making a positive difference in a child's life. My students made me a better person.

So I was really touched when another form teacher shared about his class. It brought back vivid memories of the bond I made with my students.

So here's a valuable glimpse of one form teacher and his special class: Mr Elfie, and Class 1D of Shu Qun Secondary School, 2009:

"If you are my student once, I am your teacher forever."

"Aiyoh . . . Joo Kian, wipe your mouth lah! Got something white white at the corner of your mouth!

And for goodness sake, straighten out your collar!"

"From 8 o'clock to 4 o'clock: Feiqing, Wu Zi, Liu Kun and Vivian -

nourishing their cells with McDonalds Extra Value Meal!"

"Ranjan! Why you lean away from me? OK, smile everyone! Nice shot! Naizirul, Firdaus, very photogenic!

Joo Kian, you in the previous shot already! Kay-poh for what? And wipe your mouth!"

"Arfan (left) and Garda feeling frenched on a tray full of fries! BURP!"

And here's something Mr Elfie wants to say to his international students:

"Thirty seven students in this class of mine,

Seventeen raised abroad, my kids so fine.

Lucky Plaza four, Mao Zedong three plus three,

Petronas Tower two, and one eats kim-chi.

Three survived 2004 tsunami, they're ok!

One last gem from the land of Mandalay.

Last twenty from the land of five stars and a moon,

These are my pearls, my strength, my baboons!"

Mr Elfie

I Finally Found The Name of Totto's School!

It is amazing what you can get when you really, really listen to other people!

If I look back on this November 2009, I would call it my "I Just Realised I Never Listened to Anything or Anybody In My Life" Day!

Remember what your mom said when you were young? "Listen carefully!"

Remember what your teacher said everyday in primary school? "Listen up!"

When I talk to my friends, all I wanted was to talk. I wasn't interested in what they had to say. I was more interested in what I want to say to them!

Since I already knew what I was going to say, my conversations were usually quite boring to me.

Starting last week, something changed. I decided to start conversations by opening my ears instead of my mouth. When I gave a talk at Tanjong Katong Secondary School about comics, I said to myself, "I am going to listen to what the students say to me!"

I asked the students this question: "Do you know why I drew my first batch of students in RI as bunnies?"

Here's what I heard:

To that brilliant girl who gave me that incredible answer, I have this to say: "thank you! You just named the school that Totto and his pals in 'Sir Fong' studies in!"

Henceforth, Totto, Abby and their classmates study at Rabbit Institution. :>

Win the new Sir Fong from What's Up online!

What's Up interviewed me on their current issue here:

http://www.whatsup.sg/news/nov09_SirFong.htm

And you can win a copy of the new book if you can answer their questions about Inventors here:

http://www.whatsup.sg/contest/nov09_SirFongContest.htm

Also, thank you to those of you who wrote to me about my previous blog post. (As some of you have read, I was upset when I found out that a Manga Guide to Physics is now in the market.) Your perspectives on the subject are valuable:

1. Competition shows that there is a good market out there for Science comic books!

2. It raises awareness to parents and students - reading such books at an earlier age is very useful to building a good foundation in Science learning!

3. My books have strengths that the other books do not have: a. it is drawn by a person with 8 years' experience in teaching Science, b. the same artist has years of experience drawing comics and c. he also wrote theatrical plays for many years so the story-telling in Sir Fong is strong.

4. Their books don't have Totto the Killer Rabbit!

5. Great artists have put in much more hard work before making it. For example, James Cameron slept 4 hours a day to complete the Titanic movie! Why am I complaining when all I have to do is to work harder for my dreams?!?

Last Thursday, I was invited by a Science teacher to give a talk to his form class at Shu Qun. He personally bought each of his form class students a book of mine. This teacher went out of his way to organise something special for his students, and they also get a permanent reminder of his care for them in the form of my autographed books. They are lucky to have him as their teacher. I am lucky to have him take the effort to invite me to his class. And that really pulls me out of my self-pity mode!

Thank you all!

Yours sincerely,

Otto