On 27 Sep, Tampines residents bade farewell to the iconic Esso tiger statue, which used to grace a petrol station at Tampines Avenue 7.
Turns out that its departure from the estate was only temporary — the recognisable landmark has now returned to Tampines.
The sculpture now stands in front of an Esso station on Tampines Avenue 9.
Source: Baey Yam Keng 马炎庆 on Facebook
Thanks to this move, the Esso tiger continues its long history with Tampines.
In a Facebook post on Saturday (25 Nov), Esso Singapore revealed that the tiger statue has found a new home.
The new location is just a stone’s throw away from the old one, at Tampines Avenue 9.
Tampines MP Baey Yam Keng unveiled the figure that same morning.
Source: Baey Yam Keng 马炎庆 on Facebook
Motorists who pass through Tampines may remember that the tiger statue once stood in front of an Esso station at Tampines Ave 7.
Unfortunately, the Esso station closed down on 27 Sep, rendering the fate of the statue uncertain.
Source: Sengkang to Punggol & Singapore Food, Property & PCN Cycling on Facebook
Besides the tiger statue, the station was popular for its convenient location near the Tampines Expressway (TPE) exit, so motorists entering the vicinity would inevitably catch a glimpse of it.
Another reason could likely be its appearance in the popular 90s Chinese sitcom ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’, in which several characters worked at the petrol station.
According to Mr Baey, the Esso tiger statue is one of only two in Singapore with almost 30 years of history.
That history is set to continue near its original home in Tampines, with the Esso station at Ave 9 being in operation since 1994.
Judging from maps available online, the station appears to be the one nearest to the defunct Ave 7 station.
Source: I Love Tampines on Facebook
Mr Baey said the station is next to Tampines North Primary School, Tampines EcoGreen Park and ABC Waters@Sungei Tampines.
Thus, the presence of the tiger will provide a connection to the heritage of Tampines for these comparatively new features.
Source: Baey Yam Keng 马炎庆 on Facebook
Perhaps as a tribute to the tiger’s former home, the opening ceremony included a nice touch.
According to home tutor Richard Wan, the theme song of ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’ — ‘Made In Singapore’ — was played as the official song.
Source: Flixboss
Those who remember the show fondly would’ve been delighted indeed at the hark back to their past.
Kudos to Esso for keeping the tiger statue in Tampines.
If you live in Tampines or are in the area, be sure to check out the beloved figure standing proud at its new home.
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.
Featured image adapted from Baey Yam Keng 马炎庆 on Facebook.
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