He might not have much of an education and is not highly paid, but a humble cleaner in Fengshan has earned the respect and won the hearts of residents of the estate and many on the internet.<\/p>\n
Uncle Ong\u2019s heartwarming story was shared in a 70-second video on the East Coast Town Council\u2019s Instagram account<\/a>, @eastcoasttc, on July 2.<\/p>\n In it, he says that although he is not educated and is not earning much, he is very hardworking,<\/p>\n \u201cWork is work, can\u2019t complain,\u201d says Ong in Mandarin, gesticulating animatedly with one hand as he holds a street broom in the other.<\/p>\n \u201cNo matter who comes by, as long as you greet me with a smile, I\u2019ll respond with a \u2018morning, sir\u2019, or \u2018morning, ma\u2019am\u2019,\u201d he says cheerfully.<\/p>\n He says he has felt the appreciation of the residents of the estate.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen people notice me doing a good job cleaning, they will tell me, \u2018Uncle, you\u2019re so hardworking\u2019,\u201d he announces with pride.<\/p>\n Ong then reveals a heartbreaking secret \u2014 the words of encouragement from his late wife.<\/p>\n \u201cSometimes I will feel heartache when I think about her,\u201d he says, smiling, even as his voice breaks.<\/p>\n \u201cBefore her passing, she told me that the last few years of her life were meaningful because I was working and providing for the family and also took care of her at the same time,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n It remains an accolade which he holds dearly in his heart.<\/p>\n \u201cI will not have any regrets in my lifetime,\u201d he says before proudly showing off a photograph in his wallet of him and his wife on their wedding day.<\/p>\n The video has garnered over 64,000 views and 80 comments, with many netizens thanking Ong for his contribution to the estate\u2019s cleanliness.<\/p>\n \u201cConsistency is in the day to day, when no one is looking (or videoing)! Uncle Ong is really this hardworking and friendly,\u201d said an Instagram user.<\/p>\n \u201cUncle is superb. Live a good and happy life. We should be happy with what we have and live it to the fullest without regrets,\u201d another said.<\/p>\n One netizen was particularly moved by a little detail in Uncle Ong\u2019s personal effects. \u201cHe keeps his wedding photo in his wallet,\u201d said the Instagram user.<\/p>\n In a follow-up video<\/a>, MP for East Coast GRC (Fengshan), Hazlina Abdul Halim<\/a>, who is also Vice-Chairman of East Coast Town Council, meets Uncle Ong to give him a little surprise from residents \u2014 a hongbao in appreciation of his endeavours.<\/p>\n Haslina shows Uncle Ong the online reactions to his story, and over coffee, he says: \u201cIt had always been my wife and I enjoying life together. When she passed, I wasn\u2019t feeling my best, but that\u2019s OK. I wouldn\u2019t give up on myself. I will press on.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, you got this,\u201d says the MP, in Mandarin.<\/p>\n The video also shows Uncle Ong and Hazlina taking photos with residents and at its end, when asked for a word of advice for the residents of Fengshan, Uncle Ong says: \u201cEveryone should take care of Singapore because Singapore is great.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will work hard,\u201d he adds. \u201cLet\u2019s work hard, everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n Have something to say? Join in!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Explore more on these topics<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/div>\nHis late wife\u2019s words of encouragement<\/h2>\n
Netizens praise hardworking Fengshan cleaner<\/h2>\n
\u2018Lets work hard, everyone\u2019<\/h2>\n
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