Phillip Bank hosts Shiok Sabay to mark Singapore National Day

Phillip Bank launched the Shiok Sabay 2026 festival over the weekend at Phnom Penh Walk Street to mark Singapore’s 61st National Day and highlight ties between Singapore and Cambodia.

The two-day event featured cultural activities, including Peranakan costume try-ons, photo opportunities, traditional lion dance performances and a live screening of Singapore’s National Day Parade.

The celebration was attended by Ong Teong Hoon, director of Phillip Bank Cambodia; Albert Tan, president of the Singapore Club Cambodia; and Emmanuel Tay, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Singapore Embassy in Cambodia, representing Ambassador Steven Pang Chee Wee.

Speaking at the event, Ong noted Singapore’s trajectory since independence, stating that the country’s development was built on discipline and integrity.

“Discipline means doing the right thing and not doing the popular thing or not doing the thing which everybody does,” Ong said.

He said these principles apply to the operations of Phillip Bank and the PhillipCapital Group in Cambodia, citing examples of staff assisting a hospitalised customer and handling gifts in line with internal standards.

He noted that the PhillipCapital group entered the market around 16 years ago with an investment of about $100,000 in a micro-mortgage firm. Today, the group operates four companies in Cambodia, with total shareholder funds estimated between $170 million and $180 million.

On social initiatives, Ong noted that the group supports Koampia Phum Yoeung, an organisation assisting rural communities, adding that the firm aims to balance commercial operations with community support.

“PhillipCapital Group doesn’t just put profits over people. We look after the poor as well,” Ong said.

Ong also clarified that PhillipCapital and Phillip Bank are Singaporean entities, responding to claims on social media that the bank is part of a Chinese group. He stated that while some shareholders are Chinese Singaporeans, the group is Singaporean-owned and based.

Emmanuel reflected on Singapore’s development over the 61 years since independence. He noted that Singapore began with limited natural resources and built its economy through hard work and unity.

“What we had was our people, our resilience, and our willingness to work hard. And that belief that if we pull together, we could build something worth being proud of,” he said.

Emmanuel said Singapore’s economic model earned international standing through consistent governance.

He described relations between Singapore and Cambodia as active, citing Singaporean investments and institutional contributions to official training programmes in Cambodia.

“The Singapore–Cambodia relationship is warm, substantive, and growing,” he said, adding that members of the Singaporean community have formed connections in the country.

He also noted the role of community organisations, including the Singapore Cambodia Connection, in connecting citizens living abroad.

“Overseas Singaporean clubs like this play an important role in ensuring that Singaporeans living overseas do not lose their sense of belonging, their connection to home, or their ties to one another,” he said.

Emmanuel acknowledged PhillipCapital for supporting the National Day gathering, adding that the involvement supported the local Singaporean community.

He encouraged Singaporeans to acknowledge the country’s development and the work of previous generations.

“I hope each of us takes a moment to feel genuinely the pride and gratitude that this occasion calls for pride in what Singapore has built and gratitude for the opportunities that the earlier generations of our little red dot have fought for and given us,” he said.

Tan noted the history of relations between the two countries, adding that Cambodia has provided operational opportunities for Singaporeans.