Almost everyone who came through APB’s doors in the 1980s and beyond would remember Alice Wong — our friendly, bubbly HR receptionist who worked well past retirement age, finally calling it a day at 70 in 2018.
If you came for an interview during her time, chances are she was the first person you met. You’d be greeted with a warm smile, a cheerful voice, and a knack for making you feel at ease even before your name was called. Some used to joke, “If you met Alice, you were already halfway in!”.
Throwback to a 2006 newsletter feature on Alice
Alice joined what was then Malayan Breweries Limited (MBL) after spotting a job ad in the newspaper. She still remembers the interview process — four rounds in total. “First the HR officer, then HR manager, then the admin manager, and finally the brewery manager,” she recalled. When telling the story, she laughed, saying her husband had commented, “It’s just a receptionist job.” But responded with pride, “It may sound like a small job, but it’s a very important one.”
At the Alexandra Road brewery, Alice described the people there as one big family. “People worked hard, but we were happy. The directors were humble. They didn’t act like bosses, they called us colleagues, not employees.”
A picture of the old brewery at Alexandra Road
One of the things Alice remembers fondly is watching young management trainees come through the doors and eventually rise to lead the business. “I saw so many of them grow. From trainees to managing directors,” she said with pride. “Some even went on to lead our businesses in China, India, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, the Philippines. So many.”
She also remembers the early years of Tiger Beer as one of the few local beers in the market. “Last time, you’d see every table in the coffee shop drinking only Tiger Beer Original” she said. “Now, the beer market has grown so big with more options in the market.”
Still, Alice holds her memories close. She may have stepped away from the receptionist’s desk, but the voice everyone remembers as warm, welcoming, and full of heart remains a part of APB’s story. We’re sure that her legacy will live on in the hearts of everyone who walked through our doors.