Shows how technology supports life-long learning and bridges gaps across generations

Singapore, 25 January 2024 – Singtel today launched its latest Chinese New Year festive film titled ‘A Date With Spring’ which celebrates the power of technology to change lives. The three-minute film tells the story of “Uncle”, who reminisces about his roller-skating days with his wife. Watching the young skaters at East Coast Park one day, he is inspired to look for his old roller skates and take up the sport again. When his initial attempt to skate proves unsuccessful, he turns to the smartphone to video and review his own performance as well as renew his skills by watching videos of young skaters executing their latest moves.

The film is a nod to the power of technology to inspire and empower – and not just the younger generation. Uncle’s newfound skating prowess finds him exploring modern Singapore and revisiting old haunts. His skating antics at various iconic landmarks such as Marina Barrage and Chinatown soon go viral, with onlookers recording and sharing his extraordinary moves. Even his family is surprised by his newly acquired abilities.

“This film isn’t just aspirational,” said Mr Yuen Kuan Moon, Singtel Group CEO. “We drew inspiration from the real life of 70-year-old mechanic Tan Teck Hung who stars in the film as he had indeed gone viral due to his amazing skating skills. Stirred by his personal story, we decided to turn it into a tale of empowerment for the new year which is what Singtel’s purpose is all about – to empower every generation. Technology is not just the purview of the young. It is inclusive and enabling. People of all ages can use it and we’ve made it our mission to help everyone reap its benefits.”

From real to reel                

Mr Tan Teck Hung, affectionately known as “Uncle Heng” who plays Uncle in the film, was himself an avid skater in his youth, starting at age 16. It was not until he was 59 that he chanced upon a pair of roller skates at a second-hand store in Toa Payoh, found that it fit and picked up the activity again. And the rest, as they say, is history. He has become a regular at the East Coast Park skating ring near Carpark 3, where he likes to skate while blasting Canto pop on loudspeakers. He’s mastered difficult moves that can rival skaters decades younger – like skating on one leg or executing what’s known as the Arabesque spin, both of which are featured in ‘A Date With Spring.’ All this has made him something of an online celebrity with a Facebook community called the Lion City Roller Skaters, posting videos of him which has attracted the adulation of many netizens who have become fans. Uncle Heng has also formed close friendships with other regular skaters, some of whom are above 60 years old, and is now attempting to choreograph skating sequences of his own.

“The power of this film lies in the fact that it is not fiction,” said Ms Lian Pek, Singtel’s Vice President of Group Strategic Communications and Brand. “Uncle Heng is the real thing. In real life, he’s adept at using the handphone and other technology. He’s 70 years old and skates like a dream – a classic example of ‘age is just a number.’ He’s pursued his passion and it doesn’t look like he’s going to stop. We think this is a worthy message to spread this festive season, whether its skating or technology – it is never too late to try.”     

Brand building through stories

'A Date with Spring' is the latest addition to Singtel’s repertoire of brand stories that seek to express what the company stands for.

Ms Pek added, “We find that storytelling helps create that central narrative around our brand and evokes emotional responses from customers, which helps them make personal connections to us. We hope that this film, loosely based on Uncle Heng’s skating journey, has allowed us to communicate our core values in an authentic and engaging way.”

Find out about the one other reason Uncle is motivated to skate again by watching the full film here. Conceived in-house, Singtel worked with Akanga Films to produce the film which airs on Singtel TV and various social media channels from 25 January to 24 February.

In 2023, Singtel was named Singapore’s strongest brand across all sectors for the second year running, according to Brand Finance’s ranking of the country’s top 100 brands. Brand Finance also named Singtel the world’s 6th strongest brand in the telecoms sector that same year.

Singtel’s previous Chinese New Year’s offerings revolved around the heart-warming antics of two Singaporean families – the Angs and the Huangs, who went from fierce rivals to fast friends over the years. The series including “Don’t Worry, Be Hoppy!”, “His Grandfather’s Road”, “My Grandmother’s House”, and “The Hunt For The Lucky Tiger” garnered over 50 million views as the theme of strengthening family bonds resonated strongly with viewers.

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