Edmund Chen's baby: Ah Cai La Kopi

Why did actress Xiang Yun pick Edmund Chen as her chosen one?

Why did crocodile trainer Pannirchelvam stick his head into a crocodile's open mouth?

How did bodybuilder Agnes Quintessa Lee overcome her detractors for the love of her sport?

In Chen's latest project, which took him one year to complete, he turned into a journalist and interviewed 50 of his famous friends.

These three-minute videos can be found on YouTube under the project's title Ah Cai La Kopi.

What does this name mean?

Ah Cai is taken from Chen's Chinese name (Chen Zhicai) and La Kopi in Hokkien and Teochew means the stirring of coffee.

This phrase reflects the favourite past time of many Singaporeans, who love to have a good chat over a cup of coffee. 

Among those interviewed are actors, athletes, doctors, musicians and businessmen.

Chen believed they had great stories — of the struggles they have triumphed over — to tell, which would have a positive impact on Singapore's youth.

This memory project, which is partially funded by the National Library Board and the Ministry Of Culture, Community and Youth, was created to commemorate SG50.

Chen, 54, told The New Paper: "I had a really hard time completing this project as I stumbled upon so many obstacles.

"This resulted from the fact that I was interviewing, editing, producing, drawing my own graphics and basically doing everything on my own.

"But it's finally done. This project is really my baby. My wife (Xiang Yun) and kids told me that they are really proud of me."

Chen's aunt had dementia a few months ago and died shortly after.

He said his grief had spurred him on to complete his project because her loss of memory emphasised the importance of his work.

"Without memories, the past is erased," Chen said.

"I wanted to help relive the past as we can learn from the struggles of those who came before us.

"Young people today can learn so much from what the older generation have been through."

All the 50 videos will also be shared on LINE, WeChat and another mobile app that is currently in the works.

Chen added: "Every individual who came to drink coffee with me has had a colorful journey and inspiring experiences.

"Everyone is unique.

"That makes our meeting so special, the interviews so exciting and the la kopi session, a damn shiok and memorable one." 

OUR TOP FIVE FAVOURITE VIDEOS

1. Xiang Yun, 53, Actress

Chen says: "Xiang Yun has witnessed the evolution and revolution of the media industry.

"She has participated in our local drama development and is still contributing her efforts towards building a better media world for tomorrow.

"A true mascot of our local media scene."

Why watch: Xiang Yun is put on the spot in front of Chen and asked why she chose to marry him.

The veteran actress, after looking mildly embarrassed, explained that when she was in her 20s, she wanted badly to get married.

When she first met Chen, her first impression was that he was very lively and would always be prancing around with his walkman headphones in his ears.

After they filmed their first drama together, they fell in love.

 

 

2. Pannirchelvam, 57, former crocodile trainer

 

Chen says: "You would have rubbed shoulders with this man and still would have no idea how 'big' this man can be.

"He picked up different dialects and even martial arts because he wanted to make more friends from different ethnic groups.

"He worked with the reptiles as their first trainer when our business structures and industry was just evolving. 

"Panni is a true Crocodile Dundee."

Why watch: Mr Pannirchelvam made history in the 1990s by being the first Singapore chief trainer at Jurong Crocodile Paradise to perform dangerous acts such as sticking his head into the crocodile's mouth.

He has been bitten before but he loves his job and did it for 10 years.

Even though he is currently a tile supplier, he misses his previous job and his ferocious friends badly.

Something you probably didn't know? Crocodiles have brains the size of a 20 cent coin.

 

 

3. Agnes Quintessa Lee, 61, body builder

Chen says: "I'm very inspired by her commitment. As a young man, I was once a fan of bodybuilding.

"There was a period where I spent five times in a week, every day for 4-5 hours, having just chicken breast without skin intake for my meals. I know how tough and committed it is.

"This lifestyle requires super discipline and an iron mind in sculpting the perfect body.

"And she is still doing it after so many years."

Why watch: Ms Lee was Singapore's first body builder 28 years ago, in a time where body building was a man's sport.

Women, she said, were not accepted to be seen with muscles, especially big ones.

Her passion kept her going and she is proud of her toned physique today, at 61.

 

 

 

4. Lim Hock Chee, 54,  CEO of the Sheng Siong Group

Chen says: "I was very nervous to interview this man.

"At the end of the interview, I saw a giant with gentle mannerisms, a sincere character and a humble personality.

"He wants only good for everyone."

Why watch: His humble beginnings had him working with hydraulic systems.

Mr Lim said that at that time, work was hard and he had to do everything himself.

When tools wouldn't work, he would modify these tools until he was able to complete his work.

 

   

 

5. Bai Yan, 95, Actor

Chen says: "I had to visit him at his house for two recording sessions and numerous visits to look through his photographs, interviews and sort out documents.

"He used to have boxes of them but many were lost over years. Just like his memories of himself and others around him.

"He has contributed so much to the industry and yet so, so little has been documented and remembered.​"

Why watch: This veteran has seen it all.

Bai Yan came here from China and had to flee to Penang when World War II broke out.

He eventually returned to Singapore, which made him realise that his heart had never left here in the first place.