Few weeks back, we have calls from a Reporter who wants to interview Albert on the Hotel New Hotel Collapse. As they are doing up a new documentary series on how in the past 20 years after the Hotel New World collapsed, how survivors like Albert and his family tried to overcome the various obstacles/difficulties in life. How has the disaster changed our outlook towards life and made us all stronger, more resilient, more of a fighter.

All these years after the Hotel New World Collapse, we have always tried to turn away reporters even calls from London - National Geographic. Albert has always felt that is more of commercial news rather than Glorifying God's name and that was why he always would say no to these reporters. As for churches' sharing, we are more willing to do it so as to glorify God's Great Name.

Our apology to the reporter and we do understand that is her job and it would be good if she can interview Albert, but on the other hand I fully understand my hubby who turned down the interview.

It is indeed not easy to relive those traumatic moments - the great fear of darkness, the ailing cries of his dying colleagues, the fear of death right in front of him and those last words of his late colleagues before they died.

Though 24 years have passed but the memories are fresh in our minds. The traumatic moments of identifying those dead bodies and the great fear that the dead body might be that of Albert is still fresh in our minds (My Siblings and I). Till this date, whenever we passed by Serangoon Road, we will still remember those who have died there and their families whom were left behind. We have never stopped praying for their souls to rest in peace.

After the collapse, we have always turned to God in the many trials we encounter. We were always claimed on God's saving power and surviving the Hotel New World Disaster will always keep us strong.

We have looked at life very differently after the Collapse and that anyone of us being poor or rich, young or old, will one day have to leave this temporary world and start our eternal life with God, our Heavenly Father. We have emerged to be stronger catholic and know that God will always be our Defender and Protector to help us in our various obstacles/difficulties.

The help which was rendered to us during the collapse was enormous e.g. the MRT engineers who are not related to us and yet risked their lives and tunneled into the rubble to save Albert and others as well. The food; the tonics; medications from Singaporeans who are strangers to us and yet they come forward to provide in times of needs. The church friends and members who fervently pray for survivors throughout the 5 days while rescuers battled to save as many lives as possible. We are grateful to these people.

Daily we pray for a simple and peaceful life. We just make the best of everything and live simply, love generously, care deeply and speak kindly and leave the rest to God our Father Almighty.

May God continue to bless us all, Amen