ESM Goh Chok Tong Clapping Out Birthday Candles Is A Whole Mood
Good to follow his lead in these pandemic times.
Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong celebrates his 80th birthday today (May 20). Four days ago, he also Instagrammed a video of himself at an early birthday celebration with a giant ang ku kueh-shaped cake.
What caught our eye is also ESM Goh’s way of snuffing out his birthday candles — by clapping his hands, which generates a strong puff of air that extinguishes the candles’ flames.
The clapping happens so fast that the clip even has a slow-mo effect so we could catch the action. See it for yourself:
If you do it fast enough, you look like a kung fu master
We wonder why clapping out birthday candles is not a thing, even before the Covid-19 pandemic (who has hesitated at eating birthday cake sprinkled with saliva droplets from a robust blowing out of candles?).
Clapping out candles appears to be more hygienic, provided you wash your hands thoroughly first, of course. Also, you can pretend you’re Ip Man doing Wing Chun if you’re good enough at it.
ESM Goh has interesting birthday cakes
Among the many birthday cakes ESM Goh received is an ang ku kueh cake made by “KP, my daughter’s best friend from school”. When cut, it reveals - not mung bean paste - but sponge cake with a layer of blueberry filling. Cute.
Longevity peach cake
He also got a longevity peach cake with a fondant figurine of himself, which he Instagrammed while musing: “Today, I turned from a septuagenarian into an octogenarian. My birthday wish is to stride on to be a nonagenarian. I seek good health, warm family relationships, genuine friendships, purpose through serving the country and community, and tranquility in the process.
Many of you have extended your birthday wishes to me. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am touched that so many of you care, including people whom I have never met. You have stood tall with me. Now, I hope you will continue Standing Tall with Singapore. I wish all of you good health and more good years. --- gct”
Happy birthday, ESM Goh!
Photos: @mparader
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