Paddy Chew
Encyclopedia
Paddy Chew was the first Singapore
an AIDS
victim to come out to the general public.
before becoming a flight steward.
He worked for Singapore Airlines
for thirteen years, after which he joined the Boom Boom Room, Singapore's first drag cabaret.
or HIV
during the first half of his career as a flight attendant, and never used a condom
. He began practicing safe sex after hearing of the disease in 1986 or '87, but fell ill in 1995, two years after leaving SIA
.
His hospital caretakers were inexperienced with his condition, failing to recognize his oral thrush
until he made the diagnosis. He was put through a series of standard medical tests before being administered an HIV test at his request, to the reluctance of his doctors.
After his diagnosis he was relieved to know what was wrong. He traveled to Brussels
to begin receiving treatment unavailable in Singapore at the time, but by 1996 he had lost 45% of his weight and his health was failing rapidly.
Out of an inability to function and a desire to prevent scandalizing his workplace should his condition be discovered, he left the Boom Boom Room.
His likeness and words on AIDS in Singapore were printed in local and foreign publications. His public position drew controversy. A columnist in the Chinese-language
daily Lianhe Zaobao
criticized him for being a promiscuous bisexual while others considered him a publicity-seeker.
Responding to the allegations, Chew retorted, "I do not mind being famous for winning the Miss Universe
crown, or as a singer, or a beautiful face, you know? Who wants to be famous for having AIDS? For goodness sake!...I have seen too many AIDS
patients die. Most die alone. There is no warmth, no care for them. They are not ready to die- you can see it in their eyes. I told myself I had to do something worthwhile for myself and for the cause- to clear the path for future patients, so that they will not die like that."
, written by Haresh Sharma
, directed by Alvin Tan
and staged at The Drama Centre from 10–17 May 1999. At the end of each performance, Chew would strip to his shorts and raise his arms to allow the audience to take in his emaciated frame. This was followed by a frank question and answer session. All proceeds from the play were donated to the charity organization for which he was an outspoken volunteer, Action for AIDS (AfA).
Chew dreamed aloud of writing a book and taking a last holiday in Europe, but his last wishes were not to be. His health deteriorated rapidly, necessitating his admission to the Communicable Disease Centre
(CDC) in Moulmein Road in June 1999, 2 months before his death.
infection at 6:15 a.m. on 21 August 1999, three months after his play's run ended.
Chew's sister, who declined to be named, and Alvin Tan
, the Artistic Director of The Necessary Stage
were by his bedside. Tan called the press to request for help in informing Chew's friends about his funeral service at 3:45 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Crematorium, Hall two. Chew's family requested that there be "no wreaths, no sad tears, no black attire and for everybody to dress glam".
, so his funeral was held that very afternoon, with about 80 people present.
Chew's sister Jessie, 37, said in her short eulogy
, "He wanted everyone to come, preferably in red, and party with him." She said that her brother remained full of spirit and fought all the way to the end.
There also were 2 older siblings present, Shirley, 53 and Edwin, 52. Another sister, Joanne, 41, was living abroad. 2 others, the managing director of Boom Boom Room
, Alan Koh and an old friend, Audrey Fegen, gave additional eulogies.
The service, led by Roman Catholic priest Augustine, lasted less than half-an-hour. Calvin Tan, 38, a friend of Chew's since Primary 1, said: "He was in critical condition at 8 p.m. on Friday, but he was a fighter. He fought from 8 p.m. to 6 this morning. He refused to give up."
Action for Aids president, Assoc. Prof. Roy Chan, who knew Chew since he was diagnosed with AIDS
in 1995 and who worked closely with him on several AIDS
awareness projects, said: "Paddy was a very outspoken person. He had a lot of guts to do what he did. He was selfless and courageous. He did not do it for himself, but for society."
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
an AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
victim to come out to the general public.
Early life
He attended St. Stephen's School and St. Patrick's SchoolSt. Patrick's School
Saint Patrick School or Saint Patrick's School or St Patrick's School may refer to:*St. Patrick Catholic School in Miami Beach, Florida*Saint Patrick School in Chatham, New Jersey*St...
before becoming a flight steward.
He worked for Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines Limited is the flag carrier airline of Singapore. Singapore Airlines operates a hub at Changi Airport and has a strong presence in the Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and "Kangaroo Route" markets...
for thirteen years, after which he joined the Boom Boom Room, Singapore's first drag cabaret.
Early Decline
Chew was not aware of AIDSAIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
or HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
during the first half of his career as a flight attendant, and never used a condom
Condom
A condom is a barrier device most commonly used during sexual intercourse to reduce the probability of pregnancy and spreading sexually transmitted diseases . It is put on a man's erect penis and physically blocks ejaculated semen from entering the body of a sexual partner...
. He began practicing safe sex after hearing of the disease in 1986 or '87, but fell ill in 1995, two years after leaving SIA
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines Limited is the flag carrier airline of Singapore. Singapore Airlines operates a hub at Changi Airport and has a strong presence in the Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and "Kangaroo Route" markets...
.
His hospital caretakers were inexperienced with his condition, failing to recognize his oral thrush
Candidiasis
Thrush redirects here. For the hoof infection see Thrush .Candidiasis or thrush is a fungal infection of any of the Candida species , of which Candida albicans is the most common...
until he made the diagnosis. He was put through a series of standard medical tests before being administered an HIV test at his request, to the reluctance of his doctors.
After his diagnosis he was relieved to know what was wrong. He traveled to Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
to begin receiving treatment unavailable in Singapore at the time, but by 1996 he had lost 45% of his weight and his health was failing rapidly.
Out of an inability to function and a desire to prevent scandalizing his workplace should his condition be discovered, he left the Boom Boom Room.
Coming out
On 12 December 1998 during the First National AIDS Conference in Singapore, Chew became the first Singaporean AIDS patient to publicly declare his disease, but he was not the first aids patient in singapore. The first was his colleague, a flight steward of mixed parentage. He declared himself bisexual but have yet to identify a woman who has slept with him. He expressed his impatience with others for not coming out with him. It's like the emperor is about to leave this world and he has all his subjects, the terracote warriors to go with him.Publicity
He became a public figure overnight, giving many interviews and inviting attention everywhere he went.His likeness and words on AIDS in Singapore were printed in local and foreign publications. His public position drew controversy. A columnist in the Chinese-language
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
daily Lianhe Zaobao
Lianhe Zaobao
Nanyang Sin-Chew Lianhe Zaobao , commonly abbreviated as Lianhe Zaobao , is the largest Singapore based Chinese-language newspaper with a daily circulation of about 176,000. Published by Singapore Press Holdings , it was formed on March 16, 1983 as a result of a merger between Nanyang Siang Pau and...
criticized him for being a promiscuous bisexual while others considered him a publicity-seeker.
Responding to the allegations, Chew retorted, "I do not mind being famous for winning the Miss Universe
Miss Universe
Miss Universe is an annual international beauty contest that is run by the Miss Universe Organization. The pageant is the most publicized beauty contest in the world with 600 million viewers....
crown, or as a singer, or a beautiful face, you know? Who wants to be famous for having AIDS? For goodness sake!...I have seen too many AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
patients die. Most die alone. There is no warmth, no care for them. They are not ready to die- you can see it in their eyes. I told myself I had to do something worthwhile for myself and for the cause- to clear the path for future patients, so that they will not die like that."
Completely With/Out Character
In 1998 he began working on a one-man autobiographical play called Completely With/Out Character, his debut effort. The final version was produced by The Necessary StageThe Necessary Stage
The Necessary Stage is a non-profit theatre company with charity status in Singapore. Formed in 1987 by current Artistic Director Alvin Tan, The Necessary Stage has been identified as one of the Major Arts Companies by the National Arts Council. The company is also the organiser and curator of the...
, written by Haresh Sharma
Haresh Sharma
Haresh Sharma is a Singaporean playwright. To date, he has written more than fifty plays that have been staged all over the world, including Singapore, Melbourne, Glasgow, Birmingham, Cairo and London. Sharma has a BA from the National University of Singapore as well as an MA in Playwriting from...
, directed by Alvin Tan
Alvin Tan
Alvin Tan is Founder and Artistic Director of The Necessary Stage and co-Artistic Director of the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival. Under Alvin, TNS has grown from a society in 1987 to one of Singapore’s most prominent and respected theatre companies...
and staged at The Drama Centre from 10–17 May 1999. At the end of each performance, Chew would strip to his shorts and raise his arms to allow the audience to take in his emaciated frame. This was followed by a frank question and answer session. All proceeds from the play were donated to the charity organization for which he was an outspoken volunteer, Action for AIDS (AfA).
Chew dreamed aloud of writing a book and taking a last holiday in Europe, but his last wishes were not to be. His health deteriorated rapidly, necessitating his admission to the Communicable Disease Centre
Communicable Disease Centre
The Communicable Disease Centre is a hospital at Moulmein Road in Novena, Singapore. It is part of a division of nearby Tan Tock Seng Hospital....
(CDC) in Moulmein Road in June 1999, 2 months before his death.
Death
Chew died at the CDC from complications of HIVHIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
infection at 6:15 a.m. on 21 August 1999, three months after his play's run ended.
Chew's sister, who declined to be named, and Alvin Tan
Alvin Tan
Alvin Tan is Founder and Artistic Director of The Necessary Stage and co-Artistic Director of the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival. Under Alvin, TNS has grown from a society in 1987 to one of Singapore’s most prominent and respected theatre companies...
, the Artistic Director of The Necessary Stage
The Necessary Stage
The Necessary Stage is a non-profit theatre company with charity status in Singapore. Formed in 1987 by current Artistic Director Alvin Tan, The Necessary Stage has been identified as one of the Major Arts Companies by the National Arts Council. The company is also the organiser and curator of the...
were by his bedside. Tan called the press to request for help in informing Chew's friends about his funeral service at 3:45 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Crematorium, Hall two. Chew's family requested that there be "no wreaths, no sad tears, no black attire and for everybody to dress glam".
Funeral
Dance music played at Mount Vernon Crematorium's Hall Two and the mourners came dressed in red, blue, pink and orange. People with AIDS must be buried or cremated within 24 hours of death in SingaporeSingapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, so his funeral was held that very afternoon, with about 80 people present.
Chew's sister Jessie, 37, said in her short eulogy
Eulogy
A eulogy is a speech or writing in praise of a person or thing, especially one recently deceased or retired. Eulogies may be given as part of funeral services. However, some denominations either discourage or do not permit eulogies at services to maintain respect for traditions...
, "He wanted everyone to come, preferably in red, and party with him." She said that her brother remained full of spirit and fought all the way to the end.
There also were 2 older siblings present, Shirley, 53 and Edwin, 52. Another sister, Joanne, 41, was living abroad. 2 others, the managing director of Boom Boom Room
Boom Boom Room
Boom Boom Room was a British male vocal/instrumental pop group, comprising Andy Nakanza , Skid , Inz , and Lushi . Lushi was also in a band called One The Juggler...
, Alan Koh and an old friend, Audrey Fegen, gave additional eulogies.
The service, led by Roman Catholic priest Augustine, lasted less than half-an-hour. Calvin Tan, 38, a friend of Chew's since Primary 1, said: "He was in critical condition at 8 p.m. on Friday, but he was a fighter. He fought from 8 p.m. to 6 this morning. He refused to give up."
Action for Aids president, Assoc. Prof. Roy Chan, who knew Chew since he was diagnosed with AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
in 1995 and who worked closely with him on several AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
awareness projects, said: "Paddy was a very outspoken person. He had a lot of guts to do what he did. He was selfless and courageous. He did not do it for himself, but for society."
External links
- A GoogleGoogleGoogle Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
-cached archive of SintercomSintercomSintercom was an Internet community launched by Dr Tan Chong Kee in 1994 with the objective of providing a platform for free flowing discussion on various national issues much akin to soc.culture.singapore in USENET where he was active.-SBA incident:On 5 July 2001, before the general election, Dr...
's interview with Chew just before the opening of his play "Completely With/Out Character":http://kd.mysearch.myway.com/jsp/GGcres.jsp?id=gJe8BtQXuXEJ&su=http%3A//kd.mysearch.myway.com/jsp/GGweb.jsp%3Ffr%3D30%26searchfor%3DKumar%2520Boom%2520Boom%2520Room%2520Singapore%26ptnrS%3Dkd%26st%3Dsite%26nsa%3D2%26pg%3DGGweb&u=http%3A//www.newsintercom.org/index.php%3Fitemid%3D56&searchfor=Kumar%20Boom%20Boom%20Room%20Singapore&pg=GGweb - An archive of the AsiaweekAsiaweekAsiaweek, the English edition, was a news magazine focusing on Asia, published weekly by Asiaweek Limited, a subsidiary of Time Inc. Based in Hong Kong, it was established in 1975, and ceased publication with its December 7, 2001 issue due to a "downturn in the advertising market," according to...
article dated 21 May 1999 on Chew's final months of health: http://www.sfdonline.org/Link%20Pages/Link%20Folders/Other/aidschew.html - An article entitled "Portraits of AIDS" by Roger Winder in the Action for AIDS (AfA) periodical, "The ActThe ActThe Act was a popular and critically acclaimed Norwegian rock band in the mid 1980s. They toured extensively and released the album September Field.-Band members:*Bjørn Kulseth – vocals, guitars*Rune Krogseth – vocals, guitars...
". It ends with a poignant eulogy by Assoc. Prof. Roy Chan, president of AFA:http://www.afa.org.sg/issue/issue21/portraits.html - Another article on Chew's swansong performance written by Caroline Fernandez in "The ActThe ActThe Act was a popular and critically acclaimed Norwegian rock band in the mid 1980s. They toured extensively and released the album September Field.-Band members:*Bjørn Kulseth – vocals, guitars*Rune Krogseth – vocals, guitars...
":http://www.afa.org.sg/issue/issue20/without.html