Aloysius started out in radio back in the early 90’s. For him, radio is not just about playing music and having fun, but it is an opportunity to communicate with the audience on a deeper level; possibly informing, and thereby “educating” in a subtle yet entertaining way.  

And when he thinks of Radio, his heart is especially with the whole generation of Radio listeners who grew up with Radio, either because their families could not afford a television, or they were illiterate. He recalls the days when most households used to tell time by the changes in the programming of the station. 

Vintage Radio SG was borne out of a sense of outrage he felt in the start of covid-19. He saw that there were many seniors who just could not understand why they could not be eating out. People took pictures of them and condemned their stubbornness or called them “entitled” on social media, but he says with frustration, “they don’t follow the rules not because they won’t, but because they don’t understand why.” 

Imagine, for so many of us, we are so connected and constantly ‘online’ to the extent that we find ourselves overwhelmed with ‘information overload’. But there is a large sliver of society that could be feeling bewildered and ‘left behind’ in a world where information channels are not catered for them.  

He states matter-of-factly, “Look, if your primary means of getting information is via the Radio and if radio stations no longer find you relevant and do not play the music you like to listen to, then there is no reason to be listening to the radio at all!”  

It made him angry, that there were so many media companies and radio stations catering to the younger (and more lucrative) demographics, but there wasn’t a single station that was doing the work of bringing information and entertainment to this Radio listening generation! 

Vintage Radio SG is his way of fighting for the inclusion of seniors in Singapore. He hopes things can change. With 1 in 4 Singaporeans over the age of 65 by 2030, he reasons, we cannot have a whole swathe of seniors being excluded, just because that is not a “sexy enough” demographic. 

For Aloysius, inclusion goes beyond taking care of the bread and butter issues. It means to be able to participate and be a part of society, and to do that, you must have the means to access information and education. Inclusion is also about the intangibles like mental well being, dignity and respect. It is about recognising that without these seniors, we would not be where we are today.

Anger and indignation is a call to action. And he asks the same of us. 

“If you are so lucky to be able to grow old, how would you like to be treated, be recognised and be seen? What kind of a society would you want to live in? Answer that and start creating that now. Act now.”