THE NANYANG
VOL. NO.
CHRONICLE
22
01 11.08.15
ISSN NO. 0218-7310
TURNING UP THE HEAT AT
NTU FEST
NEWS | 02
BACK TO BASICS
南大新生 吃什么？
DO-IT-YOURSELF WORKSHOPS 南苑 | 16
LIFESTYLE | 05
News
SG50 stories — Page 9
Kpop, celebs set to dazzle at NTU Fest
NTU Fest is set to be a dazzling affair with a concert, charity run and carnival Loh Pui Ying
F
or a second year running, Kpop fans hoping to get their fix of Korean music will be able to do so at the upcoming NTU Fest — for free. The student-organised annual charity extravaganza will take place on 29 Aug at The Promontory@Marina Bay. The main event is a free evening concert headlined by Korean girl group Dal Shabet, along with a number of local MediaCorp celebrities such as Elvin Ng and Rebecca Lim. The Fest will comprise of a daylong carnival and a charity run. The event is also intended to be NTU’s gift to celebrate Singapore’s Golden Jubilee. Tan Hui Jun, chairperson of the NTU Fest organising committee, said: “This year’s concert is a starstudded affair with K-pop group Dal Shabet performing their first solo concert in Singapore.” Tan, a fresh graduate from the Nanyang Business School, said Dal Shabet was successfully invited with the assistance of former NTU board member Mr Kwek Leng Joo,
POPPING OFF: K-pop girl group Dal Shabet will headline the concert at NTU Fest, which takes place on 29 Aug.
who had also helped to secure Korean artistes Kang Gary and Jung In for last year’s fest. In a media release on 21 July, Dal Shabet said: “We’re very excited to be in Singapore performing for such a meaningful event and we will do our best to put up a good show for all our fans here.” The group’s presence has been welcomed by some students such as Teh Guan Chin, 22, a second-year student at the School of Chemical and Biological Engineering. He said: “I like K-pop and I’m going for NTU Fest mainly because of Dal Shabet. They are pretty, and their songs, such as Joker, are catchy.”
Mr Heng Swee Keat, Minister for Education and Chairman of the SG50 Steering Committee, will kick off the evening concert. He is expected to jointly perform a National Day song with the finalists of talent show “The Final 1”, a reality-competition series that aims to uncover Singapore’s next top singing talent.
All for a good cause
While the concert will provide an opportunity for participants to let their hair down in the evening, fest goers will get to support charitable causes before catching the performances. This year festival’s tagline is
PHOTO: NTU
“seeing beyond yourself”. Tan said: “Besides inspiring our own NTU students to stretch their capabilities by planning a mega event, we also hope to provide opportunities for the underprivileged to reach beyond their limitations and succeed.” Proceeds from the charity run, titled 5ynergy Run, will go towards a two-year training programme in partnership with SportCares, a national initiative that uses sport as a means to teach values and character development to underprivileged children and youths-at-risk. 100 less-privileged families are also invited to join the carnival, accompanied by NTU student vol-
unteers. Apart from complimentary carnival coupons, they will get to participate in the children’s races for free. Participants can also take a step into the past at the event, with retro toys and food available at the carnival. Fifty booths will offer a variety of food, from Mediterranean kebabs to slushies and ice cream, reminiscent of the olden days. Toys such as whistle candy as well as blog shop merchandise will also be on sale. In addition, NTU Fest will break the Singapore record for the largest logo formed by photos. For the past five months, 10,000 photos of people from NTU and the community were collected through social media, websites and events organised by the various student clubs. Tan said: “These photos will be put together to form a huge NTU Fest logo to signify the unity among NTU students, faculty, staff and alumni.” The organising committee has kept the cost of the NTU Fest low by recruiting students as volunteers and securing sponsors. One such sponsor is Mediacorp, which is helping to publicise the event and provide more than 30 celebrities and performers for the celebration. Admission to NTU Fest is free, but coupons have to be purchased to buy items at the carnival. For 5ynergy Run registration and purchasing of carnival coupons, visit www.ntu.edu.sg/ntufest2015.
New Hive’s small group hubs grow collaboration Shaun Tan News Editor
NTU’s iconic new learning hub, which resembles stacks of dim sum baskets, has officially opened its doors this new semester. The building, officially named The Hive by NTU President Professor Bertil Andersson in his convocation speech on 27 July, will support the "flipped classroom" teaching method. In this approach, students learn content online and discuss questions in class. The $45 million learning hub, brainchild of British designer Thomas Heatherwick, who conceptualised the London Olympic Cauldron, was officially unveiled in March this year. The Hive is home to 56 newgeneration smart classrooms, which aims to foster collaborative learning and student interaction.
Prof Andersson called The Hive a “sight to behold”, revealing that it was selected as a finalist in the World Architectural Festival 2015. He added: “We expect it to be a hive of student activities and new learning pedagogies.” Prof Kam Chan Hin, Senior Associate Provost (Undergraduate Education), said: “The advanced educational facility provides a tremendous opportunity to bring down the walls between the different disciplines.” The eight-storey learning hub’s smart classrooms come with flexible clustered seating for small group discussions. Each classroom is also equipped with electronic white boards, multiple LCD screens and wireless communication tools. The Hive has already created a buzz among students. Natalie Chong, 19, a first-year student from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS), said: “It’s very aesthetically pleas-
NEW DIRECTIONS: The Hive serves as home to 56 smart classrooms and a library.
ing and modern. Every time we walk past it, my seniors will point it out.” “It’s a nice change from the factory-look of the older buildings.
I hope NTU continues on the same path design-wise,” she added. Faris Malik, 23, a third-year student from HSS, also welcomed the opening of The Hive.
PHOTO: HUFTON AND CROW
He said: “It really stands out in stark contrast to the existing architecture in NTU. It shows the university’s changing direction, like its fresh approach to education here.”
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NEWS
THE NANYANG
22
VOL. NO.
CHRONICLE 01
Graduating with distinction More than 8,600 graduates received their degrees over 18 Convocation ceremonies this year Toh Ting Wei News Editor
H
e stepped onto the podium to receive a SEA Games floorball gold medal in June, and less than two months later, Glendon Phua took centre stage again — this time as the valedictorian for the graduating batch of the School of Biological Sciences. The 25-year-old was among the 8,639 NTU graduates who received their bachelor’s and higher degrees over the last two weeks over 18 Convocation Ceremonies, and the opportunity to deliver the speech capped what Phua described as a “perfect four years in NTU”. He said: “I am very lucky to have two great opportunities this year, to represent my country and to represent my cohort. “My only target in university was to achieve a first class honours, and I am very happy to have achieved it.” The teacher-in-training will be moving on to the National Institute of Education for his Postgraduate Diploma in Education studies under a Ministry of Education teaching award, and is hoping to return
to his alma mater Meridian Junior College to teach biology in the future. Phua, who will be starting on his second year as the captain of the university’s Institute-VarsityPolytechnic Games, credits his success to hard work and support of his family, friends and girlfriend. However, he is not resting on his laurels yet, and is instead hoping that these achievements will be a sign of things come. “They are milestones, but they are not achievements that define what I will be. Hopefully, I will see greater successes down the road. I expect things to get better.” For his batchmates who are embarking on their careers, their prospects also appear to be more promising this year. In a preliminary survey conducted by NTU last month of more than 5,000 graduands, almost seven in 10 fresh graduates said they secured jobs before graduation. This represents a slight improvement from the Class of 2014, where two in three secured jobs before graduation. Among this group of graduates are students such as Frank Quek, 25, who have gone down the route of entrepreneurship. Quek, who graduated with a double degree in Business and Computer Science, started his own e-commerce platform in his second year at NTU. While he admits that entrepreneurship is a riskier path to take as compared to finding a job, he hopes to push ahead with his business now that academic commitments are out of the way.
LOOKING UP: Frank Quek, who runs a e-commerce business with three staff, is hoping to grow his business now that he can focus on it without jugging academic commitments. PHOTO COURTESY OF LI HAOLUN
“Starting my own business was something that I contemplated for very longb , because the success rate is very low for entrepreneurs. “I have friends who secured starting pays of more than $4,500, but I wanted to do something on my own,” he said. He added that he had initiated his own computer hardware business in secondary school, but was encouraged by his father to concentrate on his studies then. While he has fulfilled his long-running goal of embarking on his own business venture, Quek is keeping his expectations in check. He said: “I will give myself three to five years to try to succeed with my business, and if not, I will find a job outside. “If I do not try now, it will only get harder in the future, and I do not want to have any regrets.”
CENTRE STAGE: It has proved to be a bountiful year for Glendon Phua, who has built on his SEA Games gold by representung his school as the valedictorian PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE YIP
NTU rises into the limelight Reviving a woolly mammoth, building a multi-purpose hall for a Laotian community, constructing an eco-friendly sports hall on campus, and rising in academic rankings. These activities have come together to place NTU as a rising university with global impact. The university, in collaboration with Penn State University and the University of Chicago, have made progress in bringing the extinct woolly mammoth back to life after creating a genetic blueprint of the ice age creature. NTU’s Dr Stephan Schuster told The Straits Times that this is the first of many steps that would make it possible to revive the woolly mammoth, and that knowledge gained from the project could also contribute to helping other endangered animals avoid extinction. Closer to home, couples getting married in Na Phong village in Laos will now have a proper facility to hold their weddings in the form of a multi-purpose hall, following the efforts of 161 NTU students. Named Na Phong-NTU Singapore Friendship Hall, the facility spans over 330 square metres, and
in June showed improvements for NTU on its ranking in Asia. The Times Higher Education Asian University Rankings saw NTU edge into 10th place, from 11th last year. And in the latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asian University Rankings (AUR), NTU rose three places to rank fourth among the top universities in the continent. This is the university’s highest position since the AUR was introduced in 2009. Performance indicators contributing to rankings include academic reputation and faculty to student ratio. NTU president Professor Bertil WAVE OF CONSTRUCTION: Among the new buildings set to be unveiled next year includes the new sports hall. Andersson said: “NTU has successPHOTO: NTU fully climbed the rankings despite the very competitive global and reits $40,000 cost was entirely paid new eco-friendly residential halls ing and Development Board flat. for by NTU. The hall will also be for NTU students will be completA new environmentally friendly gional landscape. “Asia is fast becoming a global used for events like village ceremo- ed by early 2016, with more than sports building will also open in nies and school exams. 1,850 students to be accommo- the first quarter of next year. It will powerhouse of higher education, This was the result of a collab- dated in six blocks that stand at 13 have a seating capacity of 1,000, with many young Asian universities oration with NTU on its Overseas storeys each. twice the number of the current below 50 years old surging ahead of their global peers, and NTU is In addition, the university’s new sports hall. Exposure Programme, with batches of students spending two weeks of and largest gym is also set to be On top of coverage of the uni- proud to stand among these young unveiled. Located at North Hill on versity's non-academic achieve- up-and-coming Asian tigers.” their holidays to work on the hall. On campus, students can also Nanyang Avenue together with the ments, NTU also made headlines look forward to more accommoda- new halls, the gym is about five for its academic achievements. - Toh Ting Wei tion and new sports facilities. Three times the size of a four-room Hous- Two university rankings released
Lifestyle national day feature
MADE IN SINGAPORE To commemorate our nation’s Golden Jubilee, Lifestyle Editors Chelsea Tang and Fabian Loo round up a few local startups that have helped spread the Singapore flavour by injecting a local twist into different food products.
STRAITS PRESERVES www.straitspreserves.com
I
nspired by our worldfamous gin cocktail, the tropical Singapore Sling Marmalade is packed with tropical flavours from a variety of fruits such as pineapples, oranges and limes. While the initial smell of the marmalade reminded us of vinegar, our fears were expunged when we tasted it. The marmalade was rather mellow and we had to slather a thick layer on our toast for the sweetness to pull through.
EASTERN GRANOLA www.easterngranola.com IN AN attempt to put a local twist on conventional snacks, Eastern Granola takes the common cranberry-walnut combination and turns it up a notch by offering granola infused with the savour of Southeast Asian cuisines. With unique Singaporean flavours such as Chicken Rice and Yu Sheng Granola, both of us were spoilt for choice. After much deliberation, we decided upon a local family favourite — Milo Granola. The Milo Granola had a
FISH SH-NACK www.fb.com/thefishshnack THIS fried fish skin snack might look reminiscent of the classic Singaporean snack keropok (deep fried crackers made of starch and dusted with salt), but its texture and taste couldn’t be any more different. We were initially a little hesitant at the idea of snacking on fish skin, but after getting past our fears we found that this crunchy snack tasted light and airy, something you don’t really find with deep fried snacks. Adequately seasoned with sea salt, it also carried subtle
The spread was not entirely reminiscent of the eponymous drink, partly because of the lack of a distinct alcoholic tang. But the idea behind incorporating such a quintessential local cocktail in a marmalade is indeed novel, and definitely worth a try. Straits Preserves serves up other marmalades with locally inspired flavours like Tropical Calamansi and Spice Island. Each bottle costs $14.50.
candied texture and tasted extremely rich. While we would love the Milo malt flavour to be more distinct, the chocolatey sweetness came through well enough. The velvety chocolate candy melts that accompanied the sugar-glazed granola chunks balanced the crunchiness in every bite. We love the idea of letting the granola sit in fresh milk for a Milo-infused breakfast treat. Each granola pack costs $12.50.
hints of sweetness, making for a welcome change from the usual keropok. Although the package was sealed extremely tightly, making it hard to fish (pun intended) out the individual snacks at first, that did not stop us from consuming its contents within seconds. We got hooked — it certainly is a healthier alternative to chips. Pair this savoury snack with beer, or with FishShnack’s homemade EastWest condiments. Prices start at $10 per pack.
ALL LOCAL CONTENT: (Clockwise) Crunch on keropok-inspired crispy fish skin from Fish Sh-nack; turn up the heat with Level 5 Dodge The Bullet chilli sauce and Gunpowder chilli powder from MOFO Chili; have fuss-free and bite-sized snacks like Almond Longan Jelly (Without The Jelly) and Cheng Tng (No Ice) from BoxGreen; quirk up breakfast with Milo and Yu Sheng granola from Eastern Granola; enjoy tropical flavours in a jar with Singapore Sling Marmalade from Straits Preserves. PHOTO: KIVEN LIM
BOX GREEN www.boxgreen.co THOSE tired of the usual snacking options can consider BoxGreen, a local venture that curates healthier confections with uniquely Singaporean flavors. The Cheng Tng (No Ice) piqued our interest — it is a healthy trail mix of dried longan, goji berries and crispy lotus seeds, that aims to capture the essence of the Chinese sweet soup dessert without any ice. True enough, we found it managed to do so when we popped a handful of all the different components
together in our mouths. These crunchy goodies came in handy zip-lock packs to satisfy cravings on-the-go. Drawing on the same kind of whimsical inspiration, the Almond Longan Jelly (Without the Jelly) comprises baked almonds sprinkled with dried longans. Expect the same sweet floral taste of an almond jelly dessert, but this time, with an added nutty and creamy taste from fresh almonds. For $5.90 a packet, opt for these local inspired healthy snacks instead.
MOFO CHILI www.mofochili.com IF THERE is a condiment that Singaporeans absolutely cannot live without, it is chilli. Chilli connoisseurs swear by their love for the spicy dip by having it with every other foodstuff. MOFO Chili offers chilli sauces in two different spice levels: Level 5 Dodge the Bullet for the regular chilli lovers and Level 10 Final Destination for the hardcore spice fanatics. As we have a relatively low threshold for spice, we decided to start small and went for Dodge The Bullet.
Bracing ourselves for the worst, we expected a fiery explosion of heat. Instead, we were greeted with a gentle punch of spice — strong enough to give us a kick, yet mild enough for us to discern the nuanced fragrance of the onions that lingered at the back of our tongues. We liked that the heat was strangely addictive. Prices start at $10 for a jar. For those that are more courageous, we recommend Final Destination — a surefire way to heat things up during meal times.
VOL. NO.
22
LIFESTYLE
THE NANYANG
01 CHRONICLE
05
THE ART OF GETTING CRAFTY
Do-It-Yourself workshops are all the rage these days — the masses seem to have taken a liking to creating personalised products from scratch. Lifestyle Editors Chelsea Tang and Fabian Loo attend some of these workshops to find out the appeal behind getting your hands dirty.
Perfume Making
D
id you know that our personalities affect the scents we prefer? That is why different people prefer certain aromas over others. Creatives prefer floral scents, while sporty individuals lean toward fragrances with citrus tones, said founder of homegrown DIY perfume label Je’taime Mrs Prachi Saini Harg, 41. Hoping to create the perfect fragrance that best fits our personalities, we attended the basic perfume making workshop conducted by Mrs Prachi. To better pinpoint our predilections, Mrs Prachi had us undergo a perfume personality quiz. From there, we were able to find out which type of tones best suit our style and character — be it citrus, fresh, floral, woody or oriental. While both of us have always loved citrusy fragrances, our quiz results revealed that we have vastly different scent profiles from what we like, which meant we were instead more suited to floral and fresh fragrances based on our personalities. We were then introduced to separate perfume boxes – the box for females featured different feminine notes of flora and fauna,
Leather Crafting LEATHER crafting brings literal meaning to the term arts and crafts. From using our creativity, to making clean and precise cuts, to assembling the final product, our two-hour long session worked us out both mentally and physically. As we were absolute greenhorns, our instructor recommended a beginner’s craft that involves only the most basic skills of leather crafting. The task might sound deceptively simple, but the entire process of creating a humble cardholder was a tedious 12-step procedure. We first had to create our own templates and trace it on a chosen piece of leather, then slice it meticulously with a penknife to ensure a clean and straight cut. We also had to dye the edges of the leather using a special leather paint to give it a more polished and finished look. Our hands were soon trembling from the pressure of attaining a clean finish, as we had to be extra careful with the dye, which stains the leather permanently. We were told us that ladies typically do better in this step than men.
while the men dealt with more masculine, musky and woody tones. The perfume concocting process was simple but tedious. For a typical 75ml perfume, we had to drip 500 drops of various fragrant concentrates in scentless alcohol. If you’re wondering, yes, we had to count every single drop! We even had to drip scents from all perfume categories — it left us rather apprehensive as it seemed like we were brewing up a mishmash of potentially mismatching scents. The process of dripping various concentrates may put people off initially, but it is the standard procedure in perfume making. Mrs Prachi even guaranteed us that we would adore the end product. “A single rose smells good by itself, but a bouquet of different flowers is bound to smell better,” she quipped. True to her words and much to our astonishment, after a two-hour long process where we were subject to at least twenty different fragrances, we both ended up with scents that really impressed us and we would use it as an everyday perfume. The perfume making workshop made for a novel experience, allowing us to learn a lot more about the art and benefits of handmade perfume as compared to their store-bought, commercialised counterparts. Also, we The next step was to apply glue and puncture holes along the edges to sew the leather shut. A bit of elbow grea mse was required to punch the holes in a straight line and achieve a straight seam. Lastly, we got to choose a thread to stitch the ends shut. Despite the tediousness of the workshop, we found ourselves enjoying it thanks to the intimate one-on-one guidance from the instructors and the rustic aesthetic that leather crafting has. One can also virtually create anything — simply bring along an image of your desired product, and the instructors will advise on the feasibility and price of the project. And do not worry if you are not able to complete the tasks perfectly. We found that our blunders and misalignments added a certain personal touch to a handmade product. We left the workshop with personalised cardholders, and a sense of pride knowing we created items that can last the weather.
THE MAKETH PROJECT 751 North Bridge Road #02-02
PACK A PUNCH: Leather crafting works both your brawn and brain.
MAKING SCENTS: We found out our scent preferences through a personality quiz.
gained a greater understanding of our own scent profile and the fragrances that best suit our personalities. Prices start at $125 for a two-hour beginner’s workshop.
PHOTOS: LIM ZI SONG
JE’TAIME www.jetaime-singapore.com
SLIPPERY SLOPE: It's easy to get caught up with the sheer variety available at The Soap Ministry.
Soap Making WE ALWAYS had the misconception that soap making was very much like candle making — and we couldn’t be more wrong. Soap creation goes beyond just melting and pouring melted soap into moulds. When we stepped into the store and saw the variety of different essential oils, moulds and fragrances, we knew we were in trouble. Soap making is definitely not for the fickleminded. For a start, participants are allowed to choose from different soap bases that are suited for a variety of skin types. Choices include organic goat’s milk that’s for all skin types, premium Baobab (an African fruit) and Centella Asiatica (herbaceous plant) for healing and firming. The first step was to chop up the soap base and double boil the pieces to melt them. Then, we had to decide between the different herbs and essential oils for our soaps. With an extensive list of choices — each with its own unique medicinal and beauty properties — finding the perfect balance was hard. Given the daily stress from work and
assignments, we opted for lavender to calm any tense nerves and the revitalising lemon to get through the day. After adding our all-natural herbs and fragrances into the melted soap base, we quickly poured the runny mixture into the moulds. One can pick from moulds of all shapes and sizes, from classic soap bars to unconventional ones shaped like rice dumplings. What the soap bars from The Soap Ministry lack in practicality, they more than make up for with their customisability. Trust us when we say they make for some unique gifts for friends and family – our friends squealed in delight when they received our crafted soap bars. But above all, you get to craft the soap to suit your skin type and eliminate artificial chemicals. A word of advice though: those who cannot make firm decisions like us should be prepared to spend a much longer time at the workshop.
THE SOAP MINISTRY Orchard Central 181 Orchard Road #B2-07/08
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Reviews 1965
movie review
Historical, Drama (PG13) Qi Yuwu, Sezairi Sezali, Joanne Peh, Lim Kay Tong 130 min
H
aving lived in relative peace our entire lives, racial harmony is a part of society we often take for granted. As part of an ever-growing list of initiatives to commemorate Singapore’s 50th anniversary of independence, 1965 takes audiences back in time to remind us of the cost of this peace, though a lack of clear direction might have diluted the film’s intended message. The film takes place shortly after Singapore’s merger with Malaysia, and chronicles the events that led to the eventual separation of the two countries and our nation’s subsequent independence. The story is set in motion after the 1964 race riots create a distrustful rift between the Chinese and Malay communities, and the movie explores the tension-filled aftermath from various sides of the conflict. While it is undoubtedly interesting to see moments from your social studies textbook come to life, the accompanying narrative
A MISSED OPPORTUNITY: Lim Kay Tong (right) deserves more screen time.
of 1965 is built on a weak foundation. The central plot revolves around a Malay hawker blaming a Chinese police inspector for a tragedy, and what ensues is an illogical back-and-forth that fails to evoke any emotion or provide any meaningful insight on racial intolerance. 1965 also suffers from an overpopulated, yet underdeveloped cast. Mike Kasem’s character of a Pakistani journalist, for example, had the potential to provide an outsider’s perspective of the conflict, but
PHOTO: BLUE3 PICTURES
only appears in a handful of scenes without making any significant impact to the plot. This feels like a missed opportunity that unnecessarily dilutes the story, and Kasem — among others — should have been given a larger role or taken out entirely. Among an ensemble cast that features the likes of Qi Yuwu and Sezairi Sezali, one standout performance is Lim Kay Tong’s portrayal of Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. For the most part, Lim manages to capture the essence of Lee’s mannerisms
and, much like the man himself, exudes an enigmatic presence that commands your attention whenever he appears onscreen. It is unfortunate that his appearances in the movie are sparse, as the character takes a back seat to the larger narrative. Despite his limited screen time, Lim still manages to deliver what is easily the best scene of the film, recreating the iconic press conference where Singapore’s separation from Malaysia is tearfully announced. Given his minor role in 1965’s story, it is peculiar that the film ends with footage of his funeral procession, followed by a montage of Singapore’s achievements over the years. This makes for a confusing conclusion — it seems as though director Randy Ang couldn’t decide if he wanted 1965 to be a tribute to the founding father of Singapore, a cautionary tale of racial disharmony, or simply a celebration of how far our nation has come. It could have been any one of the three, but not all at once. 1965 will no doubt make you appreciate the hardships that our forefathers had to endure in order to achieve the prosperity that we enjoy today. Despite some strong performances however, the movie stretches itself too thin. Had it been more focused, 1965 might have been the quality SG50 movie Singaporeans were hoping for this National Day.
-Jared Alex Tan
singles of the month by Ernest Chin
PHOTOS: INTERNET
BACK TO BACK
MOUNTAIN AT MY GATES OMEN Foals Transgressive Records
Disclosure ft. Sam Smith PMR/Island
DRAG ME DOWN
FEUDS are aplenty in the rap industry, but of late, none has gathered as much attention as the one between Drake and Meek Mill. Accused by Meek of engaging uncredited writers to produce his material, Drake released a quick one-two of tracks in response to the ghostwriting allegations. Back To Back sees Drake’s lyricism in full flow. Without breaking stride, he takes snipes at Meek, reserving his most pointed barbs at Meek’s choice to air his misgivings on Twitter, and his comparative lack of success. Packing a flurry of punches all under three minutes, Drake also delivers a warning: “I don’t ever wanna hear about this ever again” — and the industry best heed it.
PROMISING that their forthcoming record What Went Down will be a “primal, intense” offering, English indie rock band Foals have duly delivered. Their latest single grows in intensity, with a raw edge seething just below their polished musicianship. The track builds up to a roaring outro, a cacophony of guitar riffs, frenetic drumming, and frontman Yannis Philippakis’ voice ringing through the wall of noise. Brimming with anthemic potential, Mountain At My Gates will undoubtedly reverberate through arenas and stadiums, and signals that the Oxford quintet are set to return with their sound bigger, louder, and surely, better than ever.
FOLLOWING their worldwide hit Latch, Disclosure and Sam Smith have joined forces again on Omen, a track from Disclosure’s upcoming sophomore release Caracal. Similar to their previous collaboration, Smith’s signature falsetto is paired with a groovy tune by the British electronic duo. Omen melds hi-hats, handclaps and discoinfused synths with Smith’s crooning, which rises and ebbs amid the infectious beats. Ready for the dance floor, the track is another stamp of success for their alchemic partnership, and a great teaser for Caracal, which boasts other collaborations with juggernauts such as The Weeknd, Lorde, and Miguel.
BOYBAND One Direction has a knack for releasing surefire hits, but Drag Me Down undeniably carries greater significance than just another aspiring chart-topping single. The pop tune marks the beginning of a new chapter, being the first release following the departure of former member Zayn Malik. Drag Me Down revisits their pet topic of love, but its electronic and, interestingly, reggae influences set it apart from their previous songs. Despite the changes, the resultant upbeat sound remains familiar. Fans worried that Malik’s departure would leave too big a void will find their fears assuaged — if anything, the band has shown that indeed, nothing will drag them down.
Drake Self-Released
One Direction SyCo Records
VOL. NO.
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REVIEWS
THE NANYANG
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spotlight
50 YEARS, 50 WORDS, 50 STORIES PHOTOS: HILLARY TAN, JARED TAN
How do you write a love letter to Singapore when you only have 50 words? Reviews Editor Jared Alex Tan sits down with Andre Yeo, Assistant Editor of The New Paper, to discuss his first book, Home: 50 50-word stories to celebrate Singapore's 50th birthday
D
ifferent people have different ways of commemorating Singapore’s 50th anniversary of independence — some write songs, others stage plays, and there are those who carve numbers into fish cakes. As for journalist Andre Yeo, 43, he decided to honour his country by doing what he does best: write. Inspired by the book The World’s Shortest Stories by Steve Moss, Mr Yeo — who is an assistant editor at The New Paper — took it upon himself to write a book titled Home: 50 50word stories to celebrate Singapore’s 50th birthday.
feel that they weren’t truthful and honest." As his day job involves supervising the crime team at The New Paper, Mr Yeo also admits that managing a desk of such a nature had a certain degree of influence on the way he approached his stories, leading to stories written from a more character-driven perspective. “In the stories that we feature (in The New Paper), we always focus on the individual.” he said. "It’s fascinating to read about why people do the things they do, and I try to bring that out in my stories."
Trials and tribulations
A labour of love
As the name suggests, Home is a collection of fifty 50word stories that capture the essence of what it means to be Singaporean. From crowded MRT trains to fighting the haze, the book features a range of uniquely Singaporean experiences that anyone living in the country would be able to identify with. While Mr Yeo always envisioned his book to be released in conjunction with Singapore’s 50th birthday, he had already conceived the concept of a self-imposed word limit more than two years ago in 2013. It would take him nine months to write the 50 stories. With a full-time job and a family to raise, Mr Yeo would often start writing only at 10pm after his children had gone to bed, and would sometimes carry on till 2am the next morning. After he finished writing, Mr Yeo faced a more practical problem in the form of finding a publisher. As a first-time author, book publishers were not willing to take a chance on him, though he admits that the rejection only spurred him on further. Without much success five months later, Mr Yeo decided to fund the book through his own means. He coughed up a five-figure sum from his personal savings, and with the help of numerous contacts that he had accumulated over the course of his career, finally managed to release Home in September 2014.
Hard truths
While many of the 50 stories featured in Home are a celebration of Singapore’s culture, Mr Yeo did not hesitate to explore some of the less glamorous sides of the country as well. With stories that discuss hot-button issues such as underage sex scandals and the 2013 Little India riots, his intention was to capture both the good and bad aspects of the nation, acknowledging that no country is without its faults. “I’m proud of my country, but if I were to pretend that Singapore was perfect, I would not be truthful with myself, and people would not be able to relate to the stories if they
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR
While he admits that Home was written to realise his dream of being a published author, Mr Yeo emphasised that the book goes beyond just himself. Two chapters, for example, are dedicated to his parents — his way of telling them how much he loves them, and appreciates everything they had done for him.
I'm proud of my country, but if I were to pretend that Singapore was perfect, I would not be truthful with myself.
Q: How long did it take for you to complete one story? A: I try to finish a story each night. I didn't leave any stories uncompleted to continue the next day, because if I didn't complete a story I would not be able to sleep. I would be thinking about it, and that is something I didn't want.
Furthermore, Mr Yeo also says that Home was written to inspire his four children. Having seen firsthand the effort their father put in to reach his goals, Mr Yeo hopes that the book will be a source of motivation for them. “They know how difficult it was for me, they know I had challenges and obstacles. But to physically see the book in bookstores, I hope it will inspire them to not give up in whatever they do." And as for everyone else who picks up his book, Mr Yeo will be satisfied even if it connects with just one person. “I have no way of knowing how my stories will affect people. I will die not knowing how my stories inspire them, but that’s fine — so long as it inspires someone, that’s good enough for me."
Q: You were limited to 50 stories — were there any other topics you would have wanted to explore? A: I guess politics would be one of them, but that is a topic that I am not to keen to comment on. I was more interested in the experiences of ordinary Singaporeans, because those are the issues that I face with them
Home: 50 50-word stories to celebrate Singapore’s 50th birthday is available at Books Kinokuniya, Times, MPH, Popular and Cat Socrates for $15.90. The book is also available online at www.naisse.com.
Q: What advice would give to aspiring writers? A: I would tell them to just do it. Initially I was afraid of starting this project, and I gave myself a lot of excuses not to write the book, one of which was "I don't have the time". Pick up a pen, pick up a notebook, and just start writing. And plan your time properly, because if I have a busy job, a wife and four children and I can do it, so can you.
Want to win a copy of Home? Send in your best 50-word story to chroniclereviews@gmail.com, and the two best entries will receive a free copy of the book.
Q: Do you intend to write more books in the future? A: Eventually I hope to write more books. I have some ideas, and once I am sure that those are the stories I want to write, then I will start writing. For Home, I only started writing when I was a hundred percent sure that this was what I wanted to do, and when I truly believed in this project. Because if you don't believe in something, then you won't do a good job in it.
10-11 SPOTLIGHT
NEW BEGINNINGS
In March this year, the New World Café at North Spine suddenly closed after three years of business on campus. Photo Editors Hillary Tan and Matthew Chew speak to ex-store tenants of the popular eatery to see what they have been up to.
W
hen Ms Elizabeth Zheng, 28, first came to Singapore from Shanghai, China in 2002 under a dance scholarship, she knew she wanted to be her own boss. The LASALLE College of the Arts graduate chased her dreams and set up her first bubble tea store in 2009 at Bedok Interchange — while concurrently conducting ballet lessons at various primary schools and dance studios. “I decided to open Q Essential because I was interested in starting my own business,” said Ms Zheng. Q Essential was an instant hit,
and at one point, Ms Zheng managed four stalls in Singapore. In the years that followed, mainly due to a manpower shortage, she was forced to close two of the stalls, including the one in Bedok. Her remaining stalls were located within NTU, and were still making a profit. However, Ms Zheng, along with other stall tenants, met with a critical setback when New World Café at North Spine closed unexpectedly. At that time, Ms Zheng already bought a batch of fresh supplies, which quickly went to waste. Furthermore, Ms Zheng also had
to make sure her employees were taken care of after the closure. During its operation, she hired three full-time staff members, and she felt obligated to help them find new employment. Ms Zheng revealed that one of them is currently working at the Mala stall in Canteen 1. The other two, however, were not so lucky. “One of the staff members was from China, and she had to go back after we closed,” said Ms Zheng. Right now, Ms Zheng still has her ballet lessons to help with the cost of living in Singapore. “My parents are staying with me
here, and I have to look after them. I also have car and home loans to pay off,” she explained. As Q Essential used to make up about half of her income, Ms Zheng had to drastically cut down on her own spending. Ms Zheng’s first goal was to bring tasty drinks and desserts to the students, while high profits were the secondary consideration. Due to New World’s closure, she had to close her remaining outlet in Pioneer Hall’s food court as well. “I don’t have the capital to maintain the business right now,” Ms Zheng elaborated.
Asked if she would reopen Q Essential in the future, she was uncertain. “Even if I do, it will take a long time to build up capital again.”
“One of the staff members was from China, and she had to go back after we closed.” Ms Elizabeth Zheng, 28 Owner, Q Essential Bubble Tea
THE NANYANG
VOL. NO.
22
CHRONICLE 01
Clockwise from top left (Page 10): CLOSURE: The New World Café has been closed since March this year. Its signage has since been removed. Students are often seen walking to it in hopes that it has reopened. IN STORAGE: A tea cooler from Ms Zheng’s New World stall. Most of her items were sold off to try and recoup losses, but some still remain with her. In her current situation, Ms Zheng is unsure if she will have another chance to use any of these items.
On the other hand, tenants like Mr R T Sekar, 56, managing director of Komala’s Restaurants, have taken a more positive and forgiving view on things, saying that setbacks are part and parcel of doing business. Acknowledging that Komala’s was the only corporate-owned stall among the other self-owned businesses, Mr Sekar said that they were able to cope with the loss. With 20 years’ worth of business experience from managing Komala’s, the closure of New World Café was not the first of such incidents for him. “We were previously affected by Banquet’s closure. That one was much more damaging as we
lost $450,000 from that,” shared Mr Sekar. Mr Sekar, who has been managing Komala’s Restaurants since he took over the reins from his father, said that these incidents were merely unfortunate. He is now fully concentrated on keeping his five remaining restaurants running. “This is business. We win some, we lose some,” he added. Occasionally, some of his old customers from NTU, mostly professors, patronise his other branches, like Komala’s Fusion Food Restaurant in Little India. Mr Sekar sees this as a sign that the customers appreciate Komala’s brand of food.
“Some of them even ask me if we’re going back. In truth, Komala’s at NTU was actually losing money. But for us, it was more like a service to the students and faculty,” said Mr Sekar. In order to fulfil manpower needs, Mr Sekar’s operations manager even had to make regular trips down to NTU to help out with the lunch hour crowd. There were also additional food and ingredient deliveries that had to be made thrice a day to NTU, which was out of the way compared to his various other branches. Yet, when asked if he would reopen Komala’s in NTU given the chance, Mr Sekar replied wholeheartedly: “Yes. Of course!”
LEFTOVER GOODS: Ms Elizabeth Zheng, 28, showing the leftover perishables that she imported over from Taiwan. These leftovers are stored in a warehouse in Kallang that Ms Zheng still has to pay for.
Clockwise from top left (Page 11): RIGHTHAND MEN: Mr R. T. Sekar, 55, and his staff. With manpower shortages to deal with, Mr Sekar was more than willing to offer new jobs to the former New World employees, and is glad for whatever help he has now. THE MAN IN CHARGE: Mr Sekar, as the managing director of Komala’s Restaurants, has 20 years of experience behind him, and is more accepting about the closure of New World. UNCERTAIN FUTURE: New World right after its closure. Months have passed and it is still unclear whether it will reopen, or what the space will be used for.
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Opinions EDITORIAL
Help ahead for single mums THE issue of single parenthood has been blowing up online, following a media interview late last month with Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin. In a review by his Ministry, unwed working mothers may soon get the same benefits as married ones, with maternity leave as one area under review. Currently, unwed mothers receive eight weeks of paid maternity leave, half of what married mothers get. Unwed mothers also do not enjoy the Handicapped Child Relief and Baby Bonus schemes. The benefits resulting from this long-overdue review will be of substantial aid to unwed mothers, who are as much a part of society as married mothers are. But letters from members of the public published by TODAY newspaper, criticising the proposed changes, have attracted much controversy. One writer stated that unwed mothers got into their situation by choice and questioned whether society is obliged to help make their lives easier. Another writer responded, agreeing with the previous writer and stating that unequal benefits were necessary to deter unmarried women from having children, just like how jail terms are meant to deter potential offenders. While such reactions are
not surprising, given our generally conservative inclination toward the conventional nuclear family, it is reassuring to know that not all Singaporeans agree with these views. In fact, some are lambasting these writers, calling their views narrow-minded and biased for leaving out important considerations. First, by denying equal benefits to unwed mothers, we marginalise these women and reinforce harmful stereotypes. This seems absurd in a time when our country, as in other countries, is starting to be more accepting of nontraditional family structures, including single-parent families. Second, the welfare of the child is at stake. As netizens have rightly pointed out, children in any circumstance are equally deserving of financial support and care, to close gaps where they may be. Third, the notion that providing equal benefits for all mothers would encourage single motherhood is inherently flawed. It is not a reward system to attract women to have children — it is a safety net to care for those already in the situation and in need of help. At the end of the day, relieving the heavy burden on single mothers remains the priority. We hope that the review does actualise equal benefits for unwed working mothers as soon as possible.
THE NANYANG
CHRONICLE CHIEF EDITOR Louisa Tang
MANAGING EDITOR Kerri Heng
SUB-EDITORS
OPINIONS EDITORS Ang Hwee Min Leila Lai
CHINESE EDITOR Chong Yoke Ming
Abigail Ng Austen Choo Parveen Maghera Kelly Phua
SPORTS EDITORS
NEWS EDITORS
Kimberly Ang
Shaun Tan Toh Ting Wei
LIFESTYLE EDITORS Chelsea Tang Fabian Loo
REVIEWS EDITORS Ernest Chin Jared Alex Tan
PHOTO EDITORS Hillary Tan Matthew Chew DAPPER EDITORS Joel Lim Lydia Teo
Matthew Mohan Nur Amyraa
GRAPHIC EDITOR COMMUNITY EDITOR Gabrielle Goh BUSINESS MANAGERS Jolyne Tan Sheena Wong Tim Wong
FACULTY ADVISORS Debbie Goh Edson Tandoc Zakaria Zainal
PRODUCTION SUPPORT Joe Tok Kenny Wong
A students’ newspaper published by the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (WKWSCI) Nanyang Technological University 31 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637718 Tel: 6790 6446 Unsigned editorials represent the majority view of the editorial board of The Chronicle and do not necessarily reflect the policies or views of Nanyang Technological University, its employees, the students or the Council of the University. Signed opinion columns, letters and editorial cartoons represent the opinion of the writer or artist and are not necessarily those of The Chronicle. Printed by KHL Printing Co. Pte Ltd, 57 Loyang Drive, Singapore 508968 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Facebook: The Nanyang Chronicle www.facebook.com/ChronNTU Website: www.nanyangchronicle.ntu.edu.sg General Enquiries: chronicle@ntu.edu.sg
frankly, my dear
A column by Chronicle Editors on issues close to their hearts
It’s not you, it’s me
ALL-INCLUSIVE: Love is about increasing one’s affection, rather than withdrawing it as others enter our loved ones’ lives.
Abigail Ng Chief Sub-editor
L
ast July, I attended my Freshmen Welcome Ceremony. Together with at least 300 other bright-eyed freshmen, I listened as the guest-of-honour shared that 70 per cent of us undergraduates would find our lifetime partners in university. Well, I haven’t, yet. However, two of my siblings turned out to be part of this 70 per cent, and I realised that it was difficult for me to befriend their significant others. To explain why this is so, I say: “It’s not you, it’s me.” My potential in-laws are not unfriendly or mean. Rather, over-thinking my friendships is an inner struggle that causes me to treat them coldly. In fact, there was a time when I believed that I had no close friends. Strangely enough, I was not upset by the revelation. On the other hand, my friends were both intrigued and hurt when they found out I did not consider them close friends. In particular, a friend who was also my neighbour and classroom seating partner would repeatedly demand to know why she was not considered my close friend. After all, we did spend enormous amounts of time together. I suppose that should have been a sign that my logic was flawed, but to 15-year-old me, it made so
much sense. In my mind, people are like circles in a Venn diagram. Each person is represented by one circle encompassing their feelings and thoughts — all that they are. When people become friends, a portion of their circles intersect. The extent of the overlap depends on how close they are. But because of the complexity of the human mind, I felt that there was so much more I needed to know about a person before we could be considered close friends. At that time, to determine how well I knew someone, I asked myself: “What would they like for their next birthday?” And too often, I didn’t know. My conclusion would then be: No, I did not know this friend well enough. While I grew to realise that knowing everything about someone is not the only way to foster a great friendship, I still can’t help but see people as circles in Venn diagrams. So when my brother started dating his girlfriend five years ago, I understood it as his circle overlapping with hers. And because she was a stranger to me, I felt that my circle was mutually exclusive to hers. Therefore, I thought that the more her circle overlapped with my brother’s, the less mine overlapped with his. Then my brother started making decisions that I did not understand, inadvertently making me believe that he was choosing his girlfriend over the family. Because I was upset at some of his decisions, I distanced myself from him, and despite knowing him all my life, I began to feel like I was losing the person I grew up with.
GRAPHIC: KIMBERLY ANG
The natural solution would have been to get to know his girlfriend better, but instead I kept to myself even as my other family members welcomed her into their lives. Unfortunately, this is not the only time such a situation has occurred. My sister and her boyfriend have been dating for a year now and I still don’t “like” him. It’s not him, it’s me. I’ve shared a room with my sister my whole life. While her boyfriend will not replace me, a selfish part of me feels that it is difficult to be friends with someone who will take up more and more space in my sister’s life. Thankfully, I have progressed further than before. He has not noticed my struggle to befriend him, although we are definitely not the best of friends. Scientists say the human brain is only fully developed at the age of 25, so perhaps that’s when I will finally be able to relate to my family members’ significant others properly, right from when I am first introduced to them. In the meantime, I am attempting to mitigate my problem by being honest about this matter. I also discussed this with my second brother and asked him to update me if he is courting anyone. This way, even before I meet his future girlfriend, I would already know a bit about her, making it easier for us to become friends. I also explained to my sister that one day I will be friends with Potential Brother-in-Law, just as I am now friends with my brother’s girlfriend, who, turns out, is sweet and wonderful. After all, if I love my siblings, then I can learn to love those who become part of their lives.
15
OPINIONS
THE NANYANG
VOL. NO.
22
CHRONICLE 01
canteen talk
Selling out SG50
The year-long hype surrounding SG50 reached its peak during the National Day celebrations this past weekend. The Nanyang Chronicle asks students to share their opinions and observations of the festivities, and what SG50 means for Singapore.
I think I don't feel very strongly about SG50 because I didn't witness all the drastic changes Singapore underwent in her 50 years. Tan Yuan Xia, Engineering, Year 1
CASHING IN: The temptation to use SG50 on every product and promotion has proved too much for some corporations.
Leila Lai Opinions Editor
A
s Singapore celebrates its 50th year of independence, it is hard to miss the SG50 moniker and its accompanying circular logo. Devised specially to bring this year's festivities under one branding umbrella, the red circle has been used on every imaginable product, from bicycles to bubble tea cups. While some manufacturers were content to add the logo to their package designs, others went as far as to alter the products themselves. The one that took the cake — literally — was the SG50-themed fish cake, which had a cut-out in the shape of “50” at its center, as well as a slightly higher price tag. After making its rounds on social media, it earned the merchant a barrage of criticism for blatantly cashing in on the nation’s Jubilee celebrations. What was conceptualised as a symbol of national pride has now become a marketing gimmick. With the focus shifted from celebration to commercialism, Singaporeans are likely to remember more gaffes than accolades when reminiscing on SG50 after 2015.
A logo for all to use
The campaign started out with seemingly good intentions. The original design of the red-and-white logo was made simple and customisable so that Singaporeans could use it for their own projects and celebrations. “The logo is designed to target a more generic audience, with a neutral look that will not alienate youth or turn older people away,” said Jeremy Ng, 22, freelance designer. The organisers hoped that the adaptable logo would encourage Singaporeans to use it to connect personally with the national festivities. “My greatest hope for SG50 is that it is a truly inclusive celebration,” said Minister Heng Swee Keat, who chairs the SG50 committee.
SG50 overload
In the spirit of marking milestones, the logo appears on official government documents issued this year, such as driving licenses and birth certificates, as well as materials for many events not officially endorsed by the SG50 committee. The #SG50 hashtag is also circulating widely online, with local Instagrammers tagging it on their photos in hope of reaching a wider audience for their work. Twitter hopped onto the bandwagon on 3 Aug with the launch of two special emojis, which would be added to tweets tagged #SG50 and #Singapore.
Singaporeans respond
All the same, not everyone is buying blindly into the SG50 hype. When the logo began to appear on one too many unrelated products and promotions, Singaporeans spoke up to oppose the commercialism. In February this year, the hashtag #simisaialsoSG50 surfaced as netizens took turns to poke fun at bizarre SG50 products. A blog, simisaialsosg50. wordpress.com, was also set up to curate the most outrageous entries and encourage readers to vote for examples they thought were worthy uses of the campaign.
With the focus shifted from celebration to commercialism, Singaporeans are likely to remember more gaffes than accolades when reminiscing on SG50 after 2015. Cultural programmes such as Esplanade’s 2015 event lineup were generally considered deserving of the SG50 label. The Concert Series in the Park in March this year featured local singers like Kit Chan and convinced 70 per cent of readers to approve of its SG50 event status. However, netizens voted down
GRAPHIC: KIMBERLY ANG
NTU's use of the logo to highlight its status as “top among the world’s universities under 50.” Plastic manufacturer Seow Khim Polythelene Co Pte Ltd (SKP)’s logo-festooned website was also given the thumbs-down by more than 90 per cent of readers. The weak link between the celebratory SG50 sentiment and the promotional intent of the two organisations may have contributed to the general disapproval of the way they employed the logo.
Patriotism endures
Some Singaporeans chose to look past the commercialism and support the SG50 campaign in their own way, as did Mr Foo Suan Wang, who referenced it when expressing his pride for his fellow countrymen. The Facebook user captured and uploaded footage of more than 30 passers-by working together to lift a truck off a trapped man. “Accident outside my office… Man screaming and then all walks of life came and help… Well done Singapore,” Mr Foo wrote in the video caption before tagging it with #SG50.
The year in retrospect
At the end of the day, memories of this year’s far-reaching SG50 campaign are likely to endure, reinforced by numerous events - planned as well as unforeseen that occurred this year. The passing of former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew was a somber time for Singaporeans to reflect on their national heritage. Singapore took pride in national achievements such as the inscription of the Botanic Gardens as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage Site. In addition, the nation pulled together in June to make the 28th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games a success, with 17,000 volunteers assisting to ensure that the event ran smoothly. Coupled with the many incidents of 2015, SG50 looks set to leave a deep impression on Singapore's collective memory beyond our nation’s Jubilee year.
The crowds in malls on a weekday seem to be much more than usual. People are in a really celebratory mood. Sourav Mitra, SPMS/PAP, Ph.D Year 2
This half-century milestone is made even more meaningful with the passing of our founding father. Chelsie Teo Yun Qi, NBS, Year 2
Some of the SG50 budget could be better used to help the poor in our society, so we can progress together and not leave anyone behind. Yasira Yusoff, WKWSCI, Year 2
I think it's okay to do it once every 50 years; the budget is worth it to bring the people together. Chong Cheang Hwa, EEE, Year 3
TEXT: TEXT: ANG ANG HWEE HWEE MIN, MIN, LEILA LEILA LAI LAI PHOTOS: PHOTOS: HILLARY HILLARY TAN TAN
南大校园美食好介绍 张育铭● 报道/摄影
学期于本周开始，对许 多新进的一年级新生来 说，南洋理工大学的校园可能 还仍然是一个非常陌生的地 方。《南苑》在这一期将与学 校新生分享校园内外各式各样 的国际美食。
食堂中的煮炒摊位也不逊 色，不管任何时间都有顾客光 顾，但比其他摊位的等候时间 较长。 另外，南大校内唯一的越南 食品摊位就位于第13食堂，由 越南人经营和掌厨，为前来的 学生们煮出正宗的越南美食， 包括越式牛肉河粉。如果学生 想要清爽健康的一餐，也不妨 品尝越式春卷。
校内食堂
校内咖啡厅
对学生来说，校内的食物更是 他们在课堂之间补充精力的来 源。校内一共有九间食堂，本 报为读者选出其中两间食物较 受欢迎的食堂与读者分享，分 别为第2和第13食堂。 由于第2食堂也是许多光顾 校园体育与康乐中心的学生所 向往的去处，该食堂常常是处 于人潮拥挤的情况。 不过，这间靠近第1和第2宿 舍的食堂有众多的食品选择。 除了受欢迎的韩国菜肴和 肉骨茶，食堂内最受欢迎的 角落摊位所售卖的印尼炸鸡饭 （Ayam Penyet），以外头较昂 贵的印尼炸鸡饭相比一点都不 逊色，美味的辣椒也让人垂涎 三尺。 食堂外除了有摊位售卖松饼 和章鱼烧等小吃，附近也有超 级市场和便利商店，甚至还有 一间理发店，设施应有尽有。 位于第12与第13宿舍之间 的第13食堂虽然位置离校舍偏 远，但仍然有不少学生特地前 去光顾。 食堂里最受欢迎的是韩国食 品，是南大学生中公认校内最 美味的韩国韩式烤肉或拉面都 是学生们必点的美食。
即使吃腻了食堂的食物，南大 学生也不必担忧。除了食堂以 外，校园内还有两间售卖西式 菜肴的咖啡厅，让学生拥有多 些选择。 Pitchstop咖啡馆坐落于数 理科学学院旁的创新中心，学 生们更是喜欢在炎热的午餐时 间享有美味佳肴及宽敞环境。 由南大李光前医学院的应届 毕业生卓国俊（26岁）经营的 Pitchstop咖啡馆是校内最受欢 迎的饮食场所之一。 咖啡馆近期也为了迎合新学 期推出新菜单。除了各种口味 的披萨饼让人回味无穷，招牌 菜叻沙意大利面更是色香味俱 全。 虽然Pitchstop去年因为经 费而调涨食物价钱，但学生们 还是能以大约十几块钱的预算 中享用这些美食。 另外，学生们还可以在非繁 忙时期在咖啡厅做作业，该咖 啡厅也装有无线网络供顾客实 用。 南大校园内共有两间Spruce 咖啡厅连锁店。因由学生的 反馈而在黄金辉传播与信息学 院营业的咖啡厅，主要售卖咖 啡、西式点心、沙拉及微波炉
中文编辑
新
位于南洋大会堂的Spruce咖啡厅食物价格较昂贵。
食品；另一间位于南洋大会堂 内的连锁店则以十几块的价格 售卖鸡扒和鱼扒等主食，虽然 价格也较为昂贵，不过其咖啡 厅的平静气氛足以弥补一切。
校外食物 对于平日留在学校宿舍中的学 生来说，宵夜是宿舍生活不可 或缺的一大部分。 虽然学校的饮食场所在夜间 都是关闭的，学生们仍可在校 外附近的咖啡店找到既便宜又 好吃的宵夜美食。 位于先驱地铁站旁的咖啡店 在深夜仍然继续营业，是许多 渴望吃宵夜的学生的好去处。 在南大学生群中，无人不 晓的“阿莲”炒米粉，就以区 区3元的价格，让食者能享用 丰盛的炒米粉套餐，还能任选 鸡翅膀、煎蛋、台湾香肠等配 料。 此外，学生们也可以光顾咖 啡店旁的一间便利商店，购买 宿舍生活的必需品。 若觉得先驱地铁站太遥远， 学生也可前往附近的大牌964 咖啡点。 这间咖啡店在校外的南洋民 众联络所对面，住在学校先驱 出口附近的学生只需花上15分 钟的步行时间便能抵达。 咖啡店里的“大食家”煮炒 摊曾获不少美食家的好评，很 受国人的欢迎。 咖啡店内更不能错过的是 西餐摊位所售卖的蟹肉意大利 面，价格7元。 该购物中心是本校学生喜 爱的去处。场内拥有各式各 样的国际美食，甚至有自己 的香港街和日本食物街，以及 专门售卖马来西亚道地美食 的“Malaysia Boleh”食阁。 其中，于二楼香港街“港饮 港食”餐厅就售卖地道港式美 食，其装潢更是能让食客瞬间 感觉在香港饮食一样。 该餐厅菜单从饮料、点心到 主餐，就已有超过100样食品。 该店的叉烧包、流沙包、 猪肠粉等精致的点心馅料都非 常丰盛，而口感浓郁的港式“ 丝袜”奶茶也能让食客流连忘 返。 位于B1的日本美食街也不逊 色，除了驰名的Kuishin Bo日 式料理自助餐，还有各种小吃 摊，售卖寿司等食品。
裕廊坊的日本美食街拥有各式各样日式料理，包括寿司。
校园内的Pitchstop咖啡馆是南大学生爱光顾的饮食场所。
裕廊坊二楼的香港街售卖着道地的港式美食。
Sports
Transfer merry-go-round — Page 22
NTU at the SEA Games Following the conclusion of a hugely successful 2015 SEA Games, Sports Editors Nur Amyraa and Matthew Mohan caught up with some of NTU’s student athletes to find out about their various experiences at the Games.
ALL SMILES: Bernice celebrates her win in the Women’s Trio event.
PODIUM FINISH: Pang achieved his target of an individual medal with a silver at the Games.
Bernice Lim, 23 Bowling Alumni, School of Sports Science and Management
Pang Sheng Jun, 23 Swimming Year 2, School of Sports Science and Management
My first taste of the Games was... Amazing, especially to be representing Singapore on home soil. It definitely boosted my confidence knowing that my friends, family and our fellow citizens were cheering for us.
Achieving my goal means... A lot to me as it has always been my dream (to win an individual medal) and to do it on home soil just made the whole process more memorable. It was definitely a rough road for me as it took me 6 years. However, a life lesson that I have learnt from here is that as long as we work hard towards our dreams and don’t give up, we’ll definitely get there one day. I’m glad that I was able to finish the Games with 2 individual medals.
My preparation for the Games involved... About two months of intensive training leading up to the Games. This included three hours of on-lane training five times a week, and two-hour gym sessions thrice a week. I won’t reveal too much but being on home ground has its advantages and we were able to cover a lot more aspects. My highlight of the Games would be... Winning the gold in the Trios event. It was my debut at the SEA Games and to be able to take home a medal, let alone gold, was really a memorable experience. We later found out in an interview that Singapore has not won the gold in the Trios event for 20 years!
My biggest obstacle at the Games was... Fighting the psychological barrier on whether it was possible to win an individual medal for Singapore. I was having doubts about having a podium finish for my races as I’ve never done it before, even after trying my best for the past three SEA Games. However, looking at the preparation I had leading up to the recent SEA Games — from taking a semester off for full time training to having the best possible preparation, I was more confident in overcoming my mental obstacles.
SUPER SILVER: Syahir (first from left) attributed his silver medal to the team’s hard work.
EVADING THE TACKLE: Chua sprints clear of her opponents.
Syahir Ezekiel Rafa’ee, 25 Rowing Year 2, School of Art, Design and Media
Chua Yini, 25 Rugby Alumni, Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information
The SEA Games was different from other competitions I’ve participated in because.. It meant a great deal to the Rowing Association. Most of the competitions I participated in had just as strong competition but the prestige that came with the SEA Games was like taking a major examination — we showcased everything we have been practising for the past few months.
Winning a medal... In itself doesn’t mean anything. It’s just a piece of metal. What will stay with me are the memories of the team and how we worked hard, really hard, together. It was never about winning a medal but to reach our fullest potential as a team.
My favourite part of the Games was... To see how my team had bonded over the course of the compeitions. Despite adversities and the hiccups from our previous races, it was a great feeling to see how the team has grown.
I couldn’t be happier with my Sea Games experience because... As an athlete I felt I had all the support we could wish for. We had a great coach and management team, resources from Sport Singapore, and of course all the supporters who turned up for our games.
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF ATHLETES
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bpltalk
Window of opportunity Matthew Mohan Sports Editor
W
e kick off at Villa Park, where fans are still seething over the departure of former captain Fabian “Judas” Delph. In a betrayal of biblical proportions, Delph was spotted slithering into the Etihad to complete his move to Manchester City — a mere week after kissing the badge, thumping his chest and pledging unwavering loyalty. Despite the pleasing sight of Delph being stretchered off on his debut in a pre-season clash against Real Madrid last month, Villa fans have promised a warm reception for the midfielder should he appear in the Midlands within the next decade. After all, once a Villan, always a villain.
Savvy Stokecelona
Meanwhile, former long ball connoisseurs Stoke City have continued their unrelenting quest to sign as many Barcelona players as they possibly can. Stokecelona now boasts the likes of youngster Moha El Ouriachi and winger Ibrahim Afellay, who will join Bojan and Marc Muniesa at the Britannia. Word has it Mark Hughes will
eventually look to lure Lionel Messi with the promise of bitterly cold nights and the chance to line up alongside Peter Crouch, in the world’s ultimate little and large strikeforce. However, one player who resisted Hughes’s charms was Inter Milan winger Xherdan Shaqiri, whose alleged move to Stoke City made countless headlines. While delighted Stoke fans licked their lips at the prospect of Shaqiri lining up alongside Glenn Whelan, footballing neutrals also got involved, taking to social media and welcoming pop star Shakira to the club. Rumours that Gerard Pique was to be part of the package were later found to be untrue. Another move that seemed too good to be true was that of midfielder Yohan Cabaye to Crystal Palace. Cabaye, or Kebab as otherwise known, ultimately completed his £12.8m (S$27.5m) switch from giants Paris Saint-Germain, and will prove a delicious addition to Alan Pardew’s team.
Revamped Newcastle
Pardew’s former team Newcastle United have also undergone a renaissance of sorts, having ditched the “best coach in the Premier League” for a man dubbed as the Wally with the Brolly.
Or money. Maybe Probably money.
money.
Busy Brendan
UNLIKELY TRANSFER: Cabaye's move to the Eagles could see him flying high. PHOTO: INTERNET
Steve McClaren is proving to be very much the rainmaker, and has already snapped up three new signings, the most noteworthy of whom is Aleksandar Mitrovic. Described as the Serbian Mario Balotelli, Mitrovic wears the same number as Liverpool’s petulant Italian, and his favourite goal celebration involves a delightful gesture of how he snips off his critics’ tongues. The striker will bring the fireworks to St James’ Park, which will be fine as long as he doesn’t set them off in his bathroom.
We are recruiting journalists. For 21 years, we have brought you stories that mattered the most to NTU students. From student elections to satellite launches, they have got you talking. No matter what the story, there has always been a team of dedicated storytellers on the ground, listening and presenting the most relevant facts to you, readers. And who better to do that than you? If you have a keen interest in telling your stories to our NTU community, we want you in our team.
While we refrain from discussing the inevitable cliché that is Balotelli, his want-away teammate Raheem Sterling finally scored a big money move to Manchester City. After several visits to the doctor and a stroppy boycott of Liverpool’s pre-season tour of Southeast Asia, Sterling’s medical certificate eventually proved a good investment when the Citizens swooped for his signature. Ironically, the warm climes of Malaysia could have been the perfect antidote for poor Sterling’s maladies.
Speaking of money, Sterling’s former manager Brendan Rodgers now has bucket loads after the teenager’s departure. The Welshman wasted no time with the captures of Brazilian Roberto Firmino, striker Christian Benteke and full-back Nathaniel Clyne. Following the success of exSouthampton teammates Rickie Lambert and Dejan Lovren, Clyne probably needed little convincing. Rodgers has also tried to keep pace with title rivals. While Arsenal had to settle with signing Chelsea’s Petr Cech, Rodger signed Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper Adam Bogdan, who helped his team to the dizzying heights of 18th in the Championship last year. But Rodgers’ biggest coup has been finding a player to fill the number seven shirt left vacant since the departure of Luis Suarez. Worn previously by the likes of Kevin Keegan and Kenny Dalglish, it was only fitting that a player of James Milner's calibre be handed the responsibility. But if Milner ultimately doesn’t bring the flair to Anfield, it will hardly matter — as long as he shows great character.
C
Find out more about the changing journalism landscape at our information session — held on 12 Aug, 6pm at Newsplex Asia in the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information. If you have completed CS0204: Basic Media Writing and CS2021: News Reporting and Writing (or are about to enrol concurrently), join the Nanyang Chronicle. Those who do not meet these requirements are also welcome to the session.
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THE NANYANG
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Better eight than never Nur Amyraa Sports Editor
E
ight years after a debut silver at the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), Daniella Ng went one better as she clinched not just one, but two gold medals at this year’s edition. Motivated by her second place finish in the women’s Optimist Team Racing event in the 24th SEA Games in 2007, it was sweet redemption for Ng, who took home the top spot in the Women’s Match Racing Keelboat and Fleet Racing Keelboat. The 23-year-old said: “After losing to host-nation Thailand in 2007, this year’s Games was an opportunity for me to prove that I have grown over the eight years of hard work.”
Eight years long
Ng had her fair share of ups and downs during those eight years. She participated in the international under-18 Class 420 event in 2009 and 2010, but decided against competing in the Olympic Class 470 the following year. It would have meant the hassle of sourcing for a different partner who weighed at least 70 kilograms, in order to meet the Class 470 requirement of a combined weight of at least 110 kilograms between the two crew on board. Ng then took a break from sailing, and went on to try other sports like rowing and archery, but realised that her heart was still set on her primary sport. In 2011, Ng enrolled in the Sports
Science and Management (SSM) programme in NTU, where she met an NTU sailing alumni who invited her to sail for the varsity team. She then picked up from where she left off, started sailing again, and underwent nine local training camps, which lasted between seven and 10 days. Ng also participated in numerous overseas competitions in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and France, conducted by the Singapore Sailing Federation between February and June this year. On days where she takes a break from sailing, Ng is at the Singapore Sports Institute’s gym working on her fitness, with one of her trainers Scott Vanderput. “It just goes to show that hard work pays off,” said Ng.
Newly formed team
Despite her newfound success, the journey has not been all smoothsailing for the final-year SSM student. Having only met her teammates for the keelboat events in early February, Ng was left with little time to adapt to her new teammates’ sailing styles. “Since everyone was set in their own way of sailing, it was challenging for us to gel together initially,” she said. Ng added: “Our trainings started off with a lot of boat handling, working on team dynamics and finding a system that works best on board.” However, the experience from two-time Olympian Dawn Liu proved useful for the team. “Dawn made most of the tactical decisions such as the direction to steer the boat in,” said Ng.
IN HER ELEMENT: Daniella and her teammates getting ready for her women's Keelboat racing event.
Making sacrifices
Not only did Ng have to contend with the dynamics of a new team, she also had to juggle both her academic commitments and an intense training schedule. With training thrice a week, Ng knew that she had to put her studies on hold — therefore, she took a gap semester to dedicate her time fully to the SEA Games preparations. “My parents have always been
supportive of my endeavours, but they were noticeably worried when they learnt of my semestral deferment,” said Ng. “Furthermore I was not entirely sure if I would be able to complete my Final Year Project at a later date. Thankfully everything worked out for me.”
Getting into the sport
While Ng professes her love for sailing today, her first encounter with the sport stemmed from a chance encounter. “I was actually in a track team during my upper primary years when it was closed down," said Ng. "Coincidentally, the teacherin-charge of the sail team needed an additional team member to participate in the inter-school sailing competition, so I jumped at the chance." Her accidental foray into the sport sparked Ng's interest. Since then, she has never looked back. Everything seemed to fall into place when the Singapore Sports School opened in 2004 and offered her a spot on the sail team, opening up more doors for her. “Although I was new to the sport, I was lucky to be able to train with the national squad and improve my skills,” said Ng.
Looking ahead
TOP SPOT: Daniella (second from right) and her teammates pose after their win in the Women's Fleet Racing Keelboat event.
After her breakthrough at this year's Games, Ng will look to focus more on the women’s keelboat event and hopes to do Singapore proud in more of such events in future competitions. Sailing aside, Ng aspires to be a physiotherapist and will enroll in a graduate programme once her term ends in December.
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF ATHLETE
I would describe myself as... Cheerful, resourceful, sporty.
My hobbies are... Watching detective shows like CSI, NCIS, White Collar, Elementary and Sherlock. I enjoy guessing the suspects before they eventually reveal the criminal.
My guilty pleasure is... I don't have a sweet tooth, so I don't really enjoy chocolates or cakes, but every once in a while I do indulge in a little bit of vanilla ice cream.
My pet peeve is... When someone drags their feet when they walk or when someone keeps asking me questions especially after I have had a long day.
My personal goals and aspirations... If I was not vertically challenged, I would like to get a pilot license and be paid to travel the world.
If not for sailing, I would... Probably not be doing sports. During my 2nd and 3rd year in NTU, I tried archery and rowing but did not quite like it.
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