AFTER much egging from colleagues, veteran Singapore journalist Philip Lee, described variously as a 'compelling storyteller' a 'wordsmith' and a 'raconteur', has come out with a book containing a selection of newspaper columns from among the many he has written in his nearly 40 years in the profession.

The contents of the 195-page book, Fridays with Philip, are his comments and observations on the many aspects of Singapore life, present and past, as well as some of the prominent local personalities, including then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, the late S. Rajaratnam, American Idol reject William Hung and striptease dancer Rose Chan, he met in the course of his work, starting from 1974.

His compendium of 45 newspaper columns is grouped into four sections in the book - language, people, nostalgia and anecdotes.

In his assessment of Mr Lee's work, Dr Cherian George of the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University, writes in his review published in the book: 'Philip Lee's columns show a love for language and a free-ranging mind. Although written originally for adults, this collection will also be helpful as supplementary reading for students.'

The New Paper's Editor, Mr Ivan Fernandez, says: 'It is writing that goes beyond the usual button-down newspaper columns.'

'His trail of work leads to hidden treasures too,' he adds.

Former Editor-in-Chief of The Straits Times English and Malay Newspapers division Cheong Yip Seng says 'Philip Lee is a compelling story teller, and has a charming, easy-to-read style.'

Mr Lee, 66 and still working, is now a writer with the Special Projects Unit of Singapore Press Holdings' marketing division. He joined The Straits Times in 1974 as a reporter and rose to become an associate news editor, The Sunday Times news editor and later chief copy editor of ST.

He then left for a new life in Canada but returned 10 years later, to rejoin The Straits Times as copy editor in 2000.

In 2002, he was seconded to Streats and worked as the tabloid's copy editor. He liked the work so much that he stayed on until its closure in 2004. He joined The New Paper as copy editor and later went into retirement.

He says he found the copious free time he had during retirement so stressful that he decided to join SPH again, this time as a writer.

His advice to retirees: 'Get back into the work force. Abundant leisure is a fatal disease.'

Asked what or who inspired the book, Mr Lee says: 'Family members and a few colleagues. They said since I has written so many pieces, I should not take them to my grave. I saw sense in that and I have dedicated the book to my only child, Jeremy.'

'My friend and colleague Zain Afridi, an administration manager, was the one who egged me on almost daily. It was he who gave me the final push.'

Why the book title, which alludes to the bestseller, Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, also a journalist?

Says Mr Lee: 'Well, the overwhelming majority of the columns in this book were published on Friday. Since the issues I discussed were many and varied, I could not think of a book title which best reflects them all.'

'So since mine were Friday columns, why not 'Fridays with Philip'?'

The book is available at major book stores.

One reader emailed Mr Lee to say: 'I must recommend your book to my friends and kids. At the very least, I must get my daughter to read one of your columns, 'A little ditty can sometimes be handy,' a piece in praise of general knowledge, a neglected priority these days.

'Your language is a joy after the 'magaziney', American-influenced writing I encounter daily in our newspapers.'

Says Mr Lee, 'I hope secondary students and university undergrads would pick up the book, as Dr George recommended. I write not only about the way we write and speak English but also about people such as Lee Kuan Yew, S Rajaratnam, the late opposition politician Harbans Singh, and on issues like why local women prefer ang mohs and what young Singaporean women want in their men.'

'Of course, I also took some nostalgic trips into the past - to a Singappore in the 1970s when we were poorer but not necessarily less happy.'

Does he plan to do another book, Mr Lee says: 'Oh yes. I am already into Chapter 5 of a book about my life as a Singapore journalist. It is actually about my life in Singapore and not just in journalism. I hope it will be out later next year.'

Fridays With Philip, designed by one of the leading book publishers, Epigram, has a beige-and-white cover to attract younger readers with black-ink sketches of the many subjects and objects Mr Lee mentions in his variety of columns.

Priced at $15.90 (GST included), it is sold at Borders, Kinokuniya, MPH, Times the Bookshop and Harris.

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