On the 19th of this month, which falls this Saturday. The country's currency will officially turn 50 years old. It will be a nostalgic moment, those who were present on the day of its launching will reflect on its journey and how far it has come. For Toea Chan, son of late former Prime Minister and First Finance Minister Sir Julius Chan, the date is even more special and of deep sentimental value and significance. It is the date and year of his birth, and he was named after the currency. Reflecting on turning 50 alongside the country's currency, Toea Chan said it is an honor celebrating his birth date with the people of Papua New Guinea (PNG). “I was looking forward to celebrating with my late father who was instrumental in setting up our financial institutions and naming our currency. Unfortunately, that cannot be, but his legacy will always live on." I am very humbled to be named "TOEA." I was born on the 19th of April 1975. The day my father introduced our currency "KINA & TOEA." During the ceremonial launching, whilst addressing the crowd at Sir John Guise Stadium, a telegram was sent to him. He was discreetly interrupted. “Mr. Chan, your wife Stella has given birth to your fourth child, a son at Nonga Hospital in Rabaul, East New Britain Province. "My name was proclaimed and given by our first Prime Minister Grand Chief Rt. Hon. Sir Michael Somare and our first Governor General General Sir John Guise on live radio broadcast to the nation that same day. The Minister for Finance's wife has just given birth to a baby boy, and he shall be known as TOEA," Toea Chan said his parents were overwhelmed and gracefully accepted the name TOEA. Toea is a large shell mainly used by the Papuan people for trade. While Kina shells were used by the Highlands people for trade. To unite both the coastal and Highlands people of Papua New Guinea it was unanimously decided that PNG's currency be named Kina and Toea. "Being the youngest child, and son, the name TOEA was given, being smaller or lowest denominator of our currency namely the "One Toea" coin. Therefore, Toea too, can always aspire to be higher. TOEA also fitted in well with our family's Chinese Heritage - the word "toi" in Taishanese and Chinese means "boy", so it was perfect,” Toea Chan explained further why he was named "TOEA." He said Prior to his father's passing, a big 50th Birthday celebration was planned to take place at Huris, Namatanai District, New Ireland Province. "That is no longer to be, I have found comfort within myself, that now, it is my duty to celebrate my day in Honor of my father,” he said. Toea Chan described himself as a " Living Currency" and basks with much joy and humility at the fact that his entry into this world was predestined through fate and reasons only known by God. Toea is grateful for his parents and the life they gave him. " My father was my mentor, my idol, my protector and my shield. I am my father's son and his legacy lives on within me. Hence my given name Julius Toea Chan. I will inequivalently reciprocate the next 50 years of my life on the 19th of April every year to honor my father, Papa blo Kina na Toea, and the last Man Standing my father, The Rt. Hon Grand Chief Sir Julius Sungmen Chan."