In memoriam Joel Ng En Quan (SMU LL.B.’22), who served as SMU Lexicon’s Executive Editor in AY 20/21.

Ow Joshua
Friend, schoolmate and churchmate
You will be remembered fondly, and may you and those who stay behind also find rest.

Beverly
Friend and schoolmate
I’m really sorry to hear that Joel has passed on. Although I didn’t know him personally, I often saw him around in school and my memory of him is that he was always smiling. Rest well Joel and my condolences to Joel’s family and friends.

Genevi
Friend and schoolmate
Hi Jub!!! You and the rest were the first friends I ever made in law school, and you were such a warm and welcoming presence that made the first week of classes so much less daunting than it initially was. I will forever hold close to my heart my first birthday in school when you and the rest barged into my LRW class with balloons :,,) I had felt so out of place, but you really did make the first semester of school that much more bearable and enjoyable to me. Our last conversation together is now such a bittersweet memory. We really spent the whole half an hour just talking about our worries and I remember you telling me that you wanted to learn to enjoy your own company and being so motivated to take more time for yourself. I really really really hope you are happier on the other side Jub, and that you can see how loved you are and how much of an impact you have had on the lives of those around you!! I will look back on our conversations fondly, and will keep you in my memories ❤ Rest in peace Jub, you will always be loved!

Elza
Friend and schoolmate
Jub has the sweetest soul and brings joy to everyone. We love your noodle-pulling skills, my dearest friend ❤️ I miss you.

Melanie Koh
Friend and schoolmate
Jub, you’ve brought so many people together so effortlessly in life – and we can all attest to how you’ve also done so even after. I take comfort that you’re in a much better place right now, finally free of all your sufferings. One can never imagine, nor comprehend, how much pain you must’ve been suffering all this while.

You’re truly a precious, generous, and genuine soul that we will definitely miss. You’ve always shown up for everyone around you even if they may not be the closest to you, because you’re just truly such a kind soul. I hope you know that you’re very very well loved by all of us (in fact, so many of us), and we’ll always hold you close to our hearts. Our hangs (especially drinks and karaoke sessions) will never ever be the same without you.

Thank you for trusting me with some secrets and for teaching me what a prawn is – I am indeed honoured. I’ll also really miss saying “Jub, touch your earD!” and thereafter watching you playfully do it. I’m so glad we took a picture capturing this cute and playful side of you. Also, while I can no longer find and disturb you anymore each time I go to Selegie to do my nails, I will forever be reminded of, and reminisce, the times that I did.

My biggest regret is that I should’ve gone down to the CBD to find you for that dinner that you asked me out for (a week or two before) even though I was WFH. I would never have imagined that my “Another round!” will never happen anymore. I guess we’ll have to have save that dinner for when we eventually meet again. Anyway, it’s not a goodbye, it’s a see you again!

Lee Xin Yi
Friend and schoolmate
A dear friend who brought so much joy and laughter to everyone around him

Matthew Lim
Friend, schoolmate and churchmate
I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of my dear churchmate and schoolmate. Although our connection may have been relatively casual, Joel’s impact on the people around him was significant, and his absence will be felt by all who knew him. Please accept my heartfelt condolences during this difficult time.

Tan Zay Hua
Friend and schoolmate
Hi Jub, I will always remember you as the happy and cheerful boy you are, eager to share what you know and strike up conversations with others. From the first time I met you in school many years ago to meeting you again as workmates, you always had an infectious smile and positive attitude. I remember in the last few semesters of school, you were my TA and had helped me out tremendously on admin/other matters, and you would go the extra mile – I will always appreciate your assistance. You will be fondly remembered, may you rest in peace.

Ong Siew Choo
Friend and schoolmate
Sending heartfelt condolences. Our brief interactions as schoolmates and friends will be deeply cherished.

Aaron Lim
Friend and schoolmate
Dear Jub
Thanks for being a friend, for your cheerful personality and for all the memories in law school. I’ll always remember you for pulling gatcha pulls and farming for Genshin during class, yet being able to answer perfectly when being cold-called. Thanks for all the lunch jios and banter, and clutch discussions around finals period. You will be missed.

Joshua
Friend and schoolmate
We might not have had much interaction outside of our project work, but I remember each one of them fondly, and how I would always see you with a smile. Thank you for being a part of my life. Rest easy.

Darryl Hor Jun Heng
Friend and schoolmate
Jub was the most like-minded friend I had in university – we both enjoyed playing the same games (League of Legends, Genshin Impact), we both liked the same girl, we had the same food interests and we had similar personalities. It was no surprise that we became close friends.

However, we actually didn’t start off as friends. We were wary of each other back at the start of Year 1 as we were both interested in the same girl. I thought Jub was a strong competitor because he was so bubbly, lively, humorous and friendly, and he would definitely catch her attention. Little did I know that Jub also thought I was a strong competitor. I recall a hilarious moment when we messaged each other through Facebook saying “Hey, I will back off and support your relationship with the girl”. Lo and behold, neither of us really took a step back, but because we had similar personalities in terms of avoiding risks, being shy and overthinking things, neither of us took further steps to pursue a relationship with the girl as well. Unsurprisingly, we both didn’t get together with her. But that was not a meaningless experience as that was how I started to get to know Jub, and that was how I found a like-minded close friend of mine.

As time flew by, we became closer, we played games together. I will always fondly remember the times I egged Jub on to spend money in Genshin Impact, seeing his joy at getting the characters he wanted and his frustration when he was unlucky in the game. We played League of Legends together and Jub will always play the way he wants and more often than not, he was the reason we lost games. But we had loads of fun. We studied together after classes, had meals together, and poked fun at each other. After graduation, we went to Bali together.

Jub was always the centre of the group, even though he would never admit to being an essential part of our friend groups. I dare say that Jub was an essential and irreplaceable part of our friend groups – he was the glue that held all of us together. He was always the humorous one – he would willingly make himself the joke of the group in order to bring joy to everyone. He was content to laugh along with us when we poked fun at him. He simply took pleasure in seeing all of us happy.

Jub was also a very supportive friend. He would always support me regardless of whether I made reasonable sense. In Bali, I had disagreements with others in the group and in hindsight, I was being rather impatient and impulsive and there were definitely better ways to have handled our disagreements. There was an instance when I walked off from the group and headed back to the accommodation because I was just so frustrated. I didn’t expect anyone to follow me because I thought that the rest of the group was closer to themselves than to me. Yet, Jub ran after me and went back together with me. He listened to me, supported my arguments and got angry on my behalf when I raised various points of frustration with him. Jub was on my side. That fact reassured me.

Now that Jub is no longer here, each of our friend groups feels empty. There is always a missing spot that can never be replaced. There will no longer be anyone who will drag us out for a Genki meal on the first Wednesday of every month when they have a 20% discount. There will no longer be anyone posting pictures of his characters in the Genshin Impact group. There will no longer be anyone who I can get annoyed at for consistently losing my League games.

But I take comfort in the fact that Jub is in a better place now. Jub has always had his struggles. In university, he struggled with academics and friendships. When we graduated, he struggled with his job and work, and that must have been such a hard and lonely time for him as his friends were not always there for him and I will always regret that we did not manage to spend much time together after we began work. But I sincerely believe and pray that he is in a much better place now, and I will always take comfort in the fact that Jub can rest and be free from all his struggles and stress. I sincerely hope that all of us who have known and loved Jub will be able to take comfort in that fact, and know that Jub was well-loved and will continue to be well-loved by all of us. I will always miss Jub for the person he was, and he will always be an irreplaceable good friend of mine.

Justin Hoo
Friend and schoolmate
Dear Jub, the entire graduating batch of 2022 is likely to owe their degree and success in large part to your spirit of generosity and giving. You are my dear friend and brother, and I will look upon the memories we made in school and beyond fondly. Thank you for shining your light into my life.

Khoo Xin Hui
Friend and schoolmate
I first met Jub as OGLs at law camp and we subsequently bonded a lot over K. Jub brought lots of joy and was such a fervent supporter of whatever was going on in my life. He is a very good friend and also known as my pong piah supplier because he always gets me some when he goes to Malaysia for a short getaway. It pains me very much that he will no longer reply to my messages in our Sing K group with our DP from JJ’s concert and I will probably cry again when I go to Mayday’s concert without him next January. @jubbercoonie will also not reply to my lunch jios to Shenton on WFO days anymore. But I hope he is happier now and is having a great time up there with no worries (with his Herman Miller chair, latest iPhone and a karaoke system). I really cherish all the time we spent together and being absolutely chaotic together. Love you very much Jub. You are dearly missed.

Kay Kiat
Friend and schoolmate
Joel’s presence was a beacon of joy in every room he entered. His awkward-boyish charm never failed to draw people to him. At gatherings, he naturally became the life of the party. His laughter and antics echoed and brought smiles to everyone’s faces. His ability to connect with others through his humour and warmth made him cherished among his friends, leaving an indelible mark on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Losing someone so genuine and beloved is a profound loss, and his memory will live on in the countless hearts he touched with his laughter and genuine presence.

Koh Zhi Jia
Friend and schoolmate
Jub was always there as a friend – study sessions, meals, gatherings, gaming sessions, house parties, and karaoke sessions (which were his favourite). He was more than just a learned friend. He was kind (albeit sometimes to a fault), the life of the party, and, above all, he was not just a fair-weather friend. He was like a younger brother to us. We thoroughly enjoyed his company and looking out for him, and we knew that he would always have our backs regardless of the circumstances; he would always listen with great empathy and provide support. Jub will always live on in our hearts, in loving memory.

Chin Dan Ting
Friend and schoolmate
In loving memory of our dear friend Joel, or as we fondly called him, Jub. I have had the honour and privilege of knowing Jub in our first year of law school and being his friend. Jub’s warmth, genuineness, and kind-hearted nature illuminated the lives of all who knew him. His bubbly personality and contagious laughter brought so much joy to the people around him. Jub had a special gift of bringing people together with his sociable nature, and he was the life of every party.

In our conversations and interactions, Jub always showed deep empathy, thoughtfulness and sensitivity towards others. He celebrated his friends’ achievements as if they were his own, uplifting and cheering us on every step of the way.

Jub’s courage and tenacity, and how he always gave his all inspired me greatly. I will deeply miss our conversations, karaoke sessions and having good food together, amongst other cherished memories. His presence in our lives was a gift and he will always remain a bright ray of sunshine in our memories.

Robbie Tan
Friend and schoolmate
Joel, who is known affectionately by all his friends as Jub, is one of the most sincere and genuine people I have had the pleasure of crossing paths with in law school. He was a thoughtful, patient, and loyal friend, who was always there to hear your problems and rants. He was also a ball of energy – during our karaoke sessions, he would still have his voice intact despite singing at the top of his lungs after 3 hours. I remember Jub for many things. He was a dutiful orientation group leader, a fervent class parter, and above all, an avid karaoke goer. He has touched and impacted many lives in law school (and certainly beyond) and this tribute compilation bears testament to this. His legacy will continue to live on in our hearts and memories. Thank you for everything Jub.

Dexter Chow
Friend and schoolmate
Joel will always be remembered as one of the best friends I have ever made in my life thus far. He always puts his friends first and never fails to think for others. He will always be the first one to comfort me when I am down, and the first one to celebrate with me when I receive good news. I will always remember the love and the warmth that he showed to me during our time in university. May Joel’s family find peace and comfort in knowing that Joel had made a huge positive and beautiful impact on everyone around him.

Yiran
Friend and schoolmate
Dearest Jub, you will always be remembered for your kindest heart and warmest presence. The littlest things reflect your big heart for others – the ocr-ed resources you painstakingly scanned and sent us when we had to go through reading lists and the randomest jios to eat together when you had genki discounts. Thank you for being the most entertaining person to be at teo heng with too 😀 You’ll be dearly missed.

Ian
Friend and schoolmate
Jub, or Joel, will be fondly remembered as one of my closest friends. His empathy sets him apart as an exceptional listener who truly understands and cares for others. The genuine joy he shares in our successes and the support he offers during difficult times make him the kind of friend we are fortunate to have. Jub is a steadfast cheerleader who is always by his friends’ side through challenges, and his loyalty will be deeply missed by many.

Jub has a social charm that brings people together, and his infectious mood sets the tone for numerous friend groups. He is celebrated as the life of the party and a passionate performer, particularly in his love for karaoke. Jub’s zest for life, evident in his love for food and travel, also serves as an inspiration for living life to the fullest.

Jub challenges conventional norms that equate strength with emotional restraint and he is emotionally expressive and courageously authentic about his feelings—a quality I find challenging but admire. His life has inspired me in countless ways, and his absence will be deeply felt.

Rest in peace, dear friend. I hope you knew the profound impact your life had on everyone. Until we meet again.

Jacie
Friend and schoolmate
Jub, you were a spectacular blend of kindness, warmth, laughter and chaos. It was in the big acts of being the Resident Textbook Scanner for the entire SOL, and in the small acts of looking out for and including everyone in daily conversation. It was the questionable insistence on the garlic butter prawn at Genki (was it? I probably should have remembered better), and our passionate performances of 珊瑚海 in the SOL basement in perfect harmony in preparation for our Teoheng / HaveFun debut.

There’s so much more we haven’t done – I’m still struggling to believe we haven’t made our debut as YouTube influencers because our collab deal with Jusmas and Yiran fell through. And I still owe you one for helping me pick out my first customised mechanical keyboard (with a set-off of $2 for actually wearing my PJs to the bar exam, I remember). I don’t think money is a concept in Heaven, but I fully intend on following through with these plans in Heaven to the extent possible, by the way.

I’ve probably never said this before, and you probably never realised it yourself, but you always brought laughter, joy and comfort to everyone around you. Thank you for making law school feel like a kampong and a home, even though it wasn’t always the easiest to get through. I only wished I had told you more often how much I appreciated you, and that I had extended to you the same kindness and care that you extended to me.

But I know that you are in a place now where the pains and tribulations of life can no longer touch you, safely in the comfort and the arms of the Father. You are Home now.

To everyone else of Jub’s friends, thank you for being there for Jub. You might not think this of yourself – but you were the best brothers anyone could ask for, and I’m sure Jub knew that you loved and looked out for him very very much. This is not a goodbye, but we will see him again in our time (God willing, with many more K sessions to come). Please take care and stay strong. I am keeping all of you in my prayers – we are here for each other, and I am here for you.

Song Xin
Friend and schoolmate
I remember when I first met you when you were the TA for my contract law 2 class. I remember when you texted me when we barely knew each other, asking me when I was starting my internship because you were starting yours too. I remember Justin showing me your Hearthstone clips. I remember talking to you when we went to HOPE with Ian together for the first time. I remember proudly showing you my first mechanical keyboard, lame though it was. I remember whining to you about my problems and how you took the time to listen even as you were busy with your own burdens. I remember you and your friends graciously letting me crash your hangouts and meals. I remember studying with you in Connexion and watching you play Genshin. I remember going to your flat and visiting Loaf. I remember all the memes we shared on Instagram. I remember us laughing together at your jokes. I remember you messaging me to check on how I was doing a day before my bar exams, and giving me advice on how to get through it even as I was drowning in anxiety. I remember hoping, in the midst of my exams, that I would get to meet you for a meal when I start my training contract.

A part of me often wondered, in the days after your funeral, why I was so affected by what had happened even though I was just your junior and had spent less time with you, but I suppose that in you I found a kindred spirit who somehow made this lonely world feel a little less lonely. Those memories we shared were real to me, and they are still real to me. I did not get the chance to say it, but I admired you for how genuine you are and how easily you made others feel at ease. It is a mark of how much of a rare and gentle soul you are that so many people have been so affected by what had happened, and how many people have had such wonderful stories about you, and the world seems a little worse off and a little colder without you in it. A bit of the light has gone out of my life. Every day I wonder if there was something I could’ve done. On the days that I do think about you, I feel sad, and on the days I do not, I feel guilty. People keep telling me that you are in a better place. I will spend my life trying to believe that.

I’m sorry for double texting you so many memes. I’m sorry for sending you depressing memes. I’m sorry I whined so much to you even as you had your own problems to face. I’m sorry for taking you for granted.

I pray that your family and those close to you will receive closure. I pray that your family and those close to you will heal. I cannot bring myself to pray that we will move on, but I will pray that even as our pain still remains, the emptiness, one day, will not. I pray we will get to see you again.