CHRONICLE 校花校草看过来！19页
THE NANYANG
JA NUA RY 28 , 20 0 9 | V OL 15 NO 7 | IS SN NO 0 218 -7310 | W W W. N T U. EDU. S G / C HRONIC L E
Smokers, boxed in XIN QIANHUI KAREN SMOKERS will have less space to puff in the university as it moves towards being a smoke-free campus. From January 19th, yellow boxes have been marked out on the North and South Spine rooftops as designated smoking areas. Smokers can also go to open-air car parks for a puff, as long as they are not within 5m of building entrances and exits. This move is in line with the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) recently extended smoking ban that came into effect on January 1st. The ban expands smoke-free areas to include all indoor public places and outdoor public facilities such as walkways, covered car parks and lift lobbies. Lucas Seah, 21, a year-one student from Nanyang Business School, is glad that enclosed areas such as stairwells will no longer reek of cigarettes. While he thinks the situation was never too serious to start with, he lauded the ban nevertheless. “It will create a cleaner and healthier environment for non-smokers like myself,” he said. Increasing NTU’s smoke-free areas “to well above 95%” is the aim, said Dr Lee Kien Wah, Chief Health and Safety Officer, the main co-coordinator of the new regulations. The smoking ban will be enforced by Campus Security Officers, who may be dressed in uniform or plain clothes. They will conduct random patrols at common smoking areas, according to Mr Ong Su Chuan, Assistant Director of the Campus Security Division, who is in charge of Campus Security Operations. Surveillance cameras will help identify common smoking areas. When caught, a smoker will fi rst be advised to stop smoking. If the individual persists and is caught a second time, a written advice will be issued. Any individual who repeatedly flouts the regulation will be referred to NEA for appropriate action,
NEED A PUFF?: Smokers, please stand behind the yellow line. PHOTO | IRWIN TAN
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including a fine of up to $1,000, according to Dr Lee. While NTU declares itself as a smokefree campus, Mr Ong said they have to be realistic and not deny the fact that there are smokers here. “Rather than make them hide in corners where authorities are unaware of, we would rather provide them with proper places that have ventilation,” he said. “If we don’t provide proper smoking areas, they may litter or just throw their cigarette butts in the dustbins… It’s a fire hazard.” Cedric Sim, a second-year School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering student said: “People will not quit smoking because of this.” The 22-year-old smoker hoped for more yellow boxes so that it will be more convenient to fi nd a spot for a puff. He smokes one pack a week. Social smokers such as Rajaram, 20, have no problems with going to designated areas to smoke. “Chain smokers are probably the most inconvenienced,” said the first-year student from the School of Biological Sciences. A non-smoker, Liew Ken Yee, who is a second year student for School of Humanities and Social Sciences, pointed out that the new rule seems to segregate smokers from the non-smokers. “I don’t really like the idea, separating people is never a good option,” said the 22year-old. The officers are also expected to put up no-smoking signs in the smoke-free areas progressively. Ashtrays on top of the dustbins will also be removed. T he Ca mpus Sec u r it y Div ision is considering setting up a database system to keep track of offenders. However, no concrete plans are in place yet, said Mr Ong. Nevertheless, the latest regulations are already making an impact on some smokers. Having to smoke in marked out boxes is akin to being in “army all over again,” said 23year-old smoker Muhd Iskandar, a secondyear student from School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
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JAN UARY 28 , 20 0 9
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
Going down memory road Pearl Lee PEOPLE driving into NTU via Pioneer Road North might notice a change—a section of Nanyang Drive has been renamed Lien Ying Chow Drive. It was renamed last December in honour of the late Dr Lien Ying Chow’s contributions to the university. This 600m section of Nanyang Drive was specially chosen to be renamed, for it is a main entrance leading into the school. “T h is st retch was chosen because it is one of the key roads that lead to the central area of the school,” said the spokesperson from NTU Development Office. “It is thus an appropriate gesture to commemorate Dr Lien Ying Chow, who has contributed significantly to the school.” Dr Lien’s ties with the school date all the way back to the days of Nantah, the former Nanyang Technological University, which he co-founded. A strong advocate of education, Dr Lien donated to the school and funded several projects. The university continues to benefit from his donations even after his death in 2004. To date,
NTU has received more than $27 million from the Lien Foundation, making them one of the university's largest donors. Lien Fou ndat ion has a lso partnered with the school on four major projects, concentrating on an exchange programme for Chinese intellectuals, a Chinese enterprise research centre, and environmental and social welfare programmes. The name change did not come easily. The N T U Development Office revealed that they had to coordinate with a number of government agencies such as Singapore Land Authority and Urban Redevelopment Authority to finalise the change. It not only evolves erecting a new road sign but will also affect addresses, government gazettes and Singapore maps. Sim Ming Teck, 22, a secondyear student at the School of Chem ica l a nd Biomed ica l Engineering feels that it will take students some time getting used to the new name. “I guess students will still be more familiar with the name Nanyang Drive, although it is definitely more interesting to have a road name on campus that stands out from the rest,” he said.
Josef Fritzl, the Austrian accused of keeping his daughter as a sex slave for 24 years , will go on trial on March 16th, a court in Austria announced. A retired deputy intelligence chief was acquitted of ordering the murder of a leading human rights campaigner by an Indonesian court. A member of an elite Indian army unit has shot dead six other soldiers in a shooting incident in the north-eastern state of Manipur.
A BRAND NEW ROAD SIGN: No longer yet another stretch of Nanyang Drive. PHOTO | IRWIN TAN
Willcyn Tang, first-year student from School of Biological Sciences, shares the same sentiments. “It is definitely a nice gesture
“I do hope the festival will grow from strength to strength to present a greater platform for our cultural groups." Tan Han Kiong, 22 School of Art, Design and Media
Undergraduates get in touch with their artistic side at the festival Maxie Aw Yeong T H E a n n u a l Na n y a n g A r t s Festival (NAF) was launched on January 13th, with its opening ceremony bei ng held at T he Pavilion. This event, organised by the N T U Cu lt ura l Activ ites Club (CAC), was themed “Essence”, as it hopes to showcase NTU’s very own talents in its two-month programme. This is the seventh year which
NAF has been running, and this year it is giving more focus to performances by NTU students. “We always wanted to focus on the students, but I don’t think that we really accomplished that,” said Ee Chin Yuan, 22, Festival Director for this year’s NAF. The opening ceremony saw performances by NTU CAC Jazz and Blues, the Symphonic Band as well as a dance item by the National Institute of Education (NIE) club. NAF hopes to raise awareness of the varioius arts groups through the various performances. Apart from the performances, NAF also organises workshops to encourage students to take up
Mexico, which abolished capital punishment in 2005, is thinking of reinstating the death penalty for certain crimes. Two Japanese companies have unveiled a security robot that can be commanded from a mobile phone to hurl a net to trap unsuspecting intruders.
to rename the road to honour our founder, but I will still refer to it as Nanyang Drive,” said Tang. “It is easier and less confusing.”
Bringing out the essence
guitar HERO: Tan Han Kiong showcasing his talent with his band. PHOTO | YUSUF HAMID
news flash
cultural activities. For e xa mple , N T U C AC Kinetics and DanceSport Academy will provide training for those who are interested in dance. However, some like first-year student from School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Ho Jia Shin, 19, chose not to participate despite claiming to support the event. She said: “I will not join the workshops, as I do not think that I have talent in this area.” Another highlight was the ba z a a r wh ic h wa s he ld i n conjunction with the opening ceremony. In contrast to previous years, in which the ceremony was held i n t he a f ter noon at ca nteen areas, this year saw the opening c e r e mony t a ke plac e at t he Pavilion in the evening.
“It was a bit of a risk for us to have it in such an open space where you can really see whether there is crowd or not,” said Ee. Preparing for the ceremony was not an easy task, as the com m it tee faced d if f ic u lt ies finding cash sponsors, which was necessary for ease in planning and allocation. T he N A F com m it te e a l so attempted to have more publicity, and longer exhibitions. “These innovative programmes will not only show for th the unique character istics of the Festival, but will also underline NTU’s contribution to Singapore’s burgeoning art scene,” said Senior A ssociate Provost, Professor Er Meng Hwa, who graced the ceremony. Nevertheless, Tan Han Kiong, a second-year student from the School of Art, Design and Media had a fulfilling experience as a performer at the opening. "It was a privilege to have played at the arts festival, sharing the stage with fellow musicians and like-minded people," he said. Look ing to the f ut ure, he said: "I do hope the festival will grow from strength to strength to present a greater platform for our cultural groups." The NAF will continue for two months and will officially end on March 15th. Refer to http://www. ntucac.com for more details.
Research shows that cuts in air pollution in US cities over recent decades have added an average of five months of life to their inhabitants. Barack Obama is to keep his BlackBerry, becoming the first US president to have access to email in the White House. Malian officials report that unknown attackers have kidnapped four European tourists near the border between Niger and Mali. Containment is much harder as the main impact of Zimbabwe's cholera epidemic has shifted from urban to rural areas, a medical charity says. Egypt has asked Sweden for the return of 212 artefacts taken out of the country in 1920s.
Libya's only internet service provider is launching its first commercial wireless network which it says is one of the most advanced in the world. Two men have been given the death penalty for their involvement in China's contaminated milk scandal. A study shows giving younger children hospitalised with wheezing high doses of steroids may not help them. Malaysia has banned the hiring of new foreign workers in factories, shops and other services. China's economic growth slowed to 9% last year, its lowest rate of growth for seven years. Facing the worst recession in its short history, Singapore has unveiled a budget valued at 6% of GDP.
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JAN UA RY 2 8 , 20 0 9
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
Late speakers irk students Series of investment dialogues draw mixed reactions from students Shereen Naaz Charles Syariff SOME students were left feeling disgr untled after attending a financial talk organised by NTU Investment Interactive Club (IIC) on January 14th. The Kit Kat Investopedia is a series of investment dialogues organised to educate students about the recent subprime mortgage crisis in the light of the recent economic downturn. It covers a range of topics from basics of investment to writing a financial report. For the session on January 14th, students had to wait for approximately 30 minutes before the speakers arrived. And barely half an hour later, the participants were made to exit the venue to make room for a scheduled class. “They’re basically irresponsible. I’ve been waiting since 12.30 pm for them to star t,” said Mark Tan, 26, a fourth-year student from Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Many students who turned up for the talk on time left when they saw no representatives from NTU-IIC. In response to the incident, Senior Vice-President of NTU-IIC, Jeremy Teo apologised. “That happened for only one of our sessions as there was a major logistical problem on our side. Throughout the two weeks we are conducting 12 sessions including main conference and electives and so our manpower is spread thin," the 23 year-old explained. "We sincerely apologise to those who waited for us." NT U-IIC hopes to leverage on the financial crisis to stir up interest in investing, hence the series of talks. “It is to educate the student population on the financial crisis and investing knowledge through a fun and interactive way”, said Teo.
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Inside the dragon’s closet
NTU-IIC also hopes to reach out to students from different faculties, which explains why the talks were conducted during lunch hours and at various venues such as National Institute of Education (NIE) and the North Spine in NTU.
“We sincerely apologise to those who waited for us.” Jeremy Teo Senior Vice-President of NTU-IIC
However, despite their attempts to cater to more of t he N T U population, not all were satisfied with what the talks offered. Some students who attended their talks found it neither fun nor interactive, either due to the time constraints or the informative nat ure of the session on the subprime housing crisis. “Promoting financial literacy is a very personal thing. To get people to sit down and listen to a series of dialogues on investment has been a challenge for us in NTU-IIC. Thankfully, the feedback forms have assured us that we did a good job”, added Teo. W hile some students gave NTU-IIC credit for their efforts, they still felt that it was not enough and there is room for improvement. “They did quite a good job, however, I didn’t really pick up much advice from them. It was basically just a brief overview of everything,” said Bryan Tan, a 23-year-old Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Student. “Timing wise, they were too fast, and a lot of people weren’t too sure about what was going on”. Still, the hiccup on January 14th left a sour taste. “This is the first time that I’ve attended something like this by them, and they have not left a good impression,” said Mark Tan.
empty stage: No sign of the speaker after 30 minutes. PHOTO | AHMAD ISKANDAR
Creating the dragon float: The three-headed “Draconika” is touted as an engineering marvel. PHOTO | COURTESY
Draconika will make its debut in Chingay Parade on January 29th Edmund Lee news editor
WHILE people may stand in awe of the fire-spitting dragon come January 30th in the Chingay Parade, not many would know about the work the team of engineering professors put in. T he team, headed by A ssociate Professor Gerald Seet includes professors and professionals from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and the School of Computer Engineering. They are Associate Professor Phung Viet, Associate Professor Goh Wooi Boon, A ssociate Professor Quek Hiok Chai and Mr Lim Eng Cheng and they together helped constructed one of the tallest structures ever to appear in Chingay Parade.
According to NTU’s Senior Associate Provost Professor Er Meng Hwa, the float is even taller than Singapore’s ERP gantr y when upright. This was one of the major challenges for the engineering team as they had to ensure that Draconika can bend to pass through the gantry safely. “Bu i ld i ng a n automated dragon head with a height of eight metres is an engineering feat in itself,” said Professor Er. “Imagine an eight-metre-long robotic dragon without tresses or other forms of structural support, using only hydraulic power to support its weight and to move its head in various directions.” He also compared the task of building the float to constructing the San Francisco suspension bridge. As the dragon is both big and heavy, the team had to use 15 joints to hold it together while still ensuring its mobility. This, however, is yet another hurdle to surmount. “With 15 joints, it means
more synchronisation is needed as each point of the joint is a potential weak point in the whole structure,” added Professor Er. Technical complexity aside, the team also put in tremendous effort to make this dragon float eco-friendly, in line with NTU’s endeavour to heighten awareness of environmental protection. By using recycled materials such as water bottles, coloured water, and simple rotating motors w it h u nba lanced loads, t he team was able to create lighting effects which would give rise to spectacular wave illusions. Such efforts eventually led to creative, efficacious engineering solutions that elevate the dragon to the status of an “engineering marvel” by NTU. M r A nt hony Teo, N T U ’s Secretary to the University and Chairman of the NTU Chingay committee, said: “We hope the crowd will enjoy the spectacle of a fire-spitting dragon, lively dances and enthralling light effects enveloped by a cloud of mist from the dragon.”
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JAN UARY 28 , 20 0 9
T H E NA N YA NG C H RON IC L E
Concerns raised over sleeping guards Students voice concerns over security of halls as guards have been spotting dozing off
Even if they are awake, I'm sure anyone who wants to steal panties badly enough will be able to elude them if he really wanted to.
JOSEPHINE K CHOW CA MPUS securit y guards are reportedly being seen sleeping on jobs, sparking off safety concerns by hall residents. One of t he a nony mou s whist leblower s who revealed such behaviour told The Nanyang Chronicle that security guards have also been seen watching television with the residents in the hall’s lounge. Suc h be hav iou r ca l l s for attention as cases of underwear t hef t i n N T U ha l ls have h it headlines, such as in hall 10 where a Chinese associate professor was caught stealing three pairs of underwear and three bras. A third-year undergraduate from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Woon Tien Li, also expressed her concern when she saw security guards sleeping during what she believes were working hours.
Alex Chan, 22 Nanyang Business School Year 2 FATIGUE: Guards have been spotted snoozing away. PHOTO | IRWIN TAN
The 21-year-old noted that security guards have a huge role to play in the deterrence of crime in halls, but said: “But if they just sit at their desks, it won’t be much of a use either.” A not her ha ll resident, s e c on d -y e a r u n d e r g r a d u at e Joshua C hong, 21, f rom t he Sc hool of Elec t r ica l a nd Elect ron ic Engineer ing, a lso sa id t hat s uc h be hav iou r i s unacceptable, especially for the younger security guards, since
they are "paid to stay awake". “I guess some of them can’t help it since many of them are middle-aged,” he said. “But it is inexcusable for the younger guards.” According to Office of Facilities a nd Pl a n n i n g M a n a ge m e nt (OFPM), guards are not allowed to sleep when on duty but may rest during their break time. I f t he g ua rd s a r e caug ht sleeping, the penalities will depend
on the severity of the situation. When asked for a response regarding this issue, the OFPM declined to comment. They also would not reveal the number of security guards each hall has. The information on number and working shifts of security officers are sensitive, according to Assistant Director (Security) of Campus Security, Mr Leo Ong. However, while dozing security
guards are a cause for concern for some, not all feel that safety is being compromised. In fact, first-year undergraduate Tang Li Jun from the Nanyang Business School is not at all concerned about guards sleeping while on duty. She said: “I don’t mind if they doze off while working. Their working hours and the fact that their job is quite mundane naturally makes them sleepy.” “ I b e l ie v e t h at t h e h a l l compound is pretty safe,” said the 20-year-old. “And it is also the responsibility of the residents to be vigilant to ensure their own safety in the halls.” Alex Chan, 22, a second-year accountanc y st udent, agreed that personal safety issues arise from one’s own negligence, and should not be blamed solely on the security guards. “How can a few security guards be responsible for the safety of thousands of residents?” he said. “Even if they are awake, I’m sure anyone who wants to steal panties badly enough will be able to elude them if he really wanted to.”
Funfest at the NIE fiesta WANG SIMIN TO START the New Year with a big bang, the National Institute of Education (NIE) held its fi rst carnival on January 16th. T he N I E Fie s t a 0 9 w a s organised by the main student committee for NIE – the Trainee Teachers’ Club (T TC), which brought a five-day bazaar into the NIE campus. “The main objective of this new initiative is to provide a platform for all staff and students of both NIE and NTU to interact, socialise with each others, and to foster strong ties between them," said Durga Devi, 22, the project head of the event. “Moreover, the NIE campus is usually rather quiet after lessons end, and this carnival would be a good kick-off towards a vibrant and youthful campus.” Pr ior to t he car niva l on January 16th, stalls were set up at the Library Arcade and the NIE triangle from January 12th16th, selling items such as bags and clothes. The carnival was launched by Professor Lee Sing Kong, Director of NIE and Guest-of-Honour at the NIE Triangle on the Friday afternoon. At t he ca r n iva l, player s tied themselves to a rope while having to score a goal at a game station called Foosball, some were dunked into water at a station Splashy and Dunky while others battled it out at a mock gladiators match among other activities.
FUN AND GAMES: Student gladiators battle it out. PHOTO | HANNAH LEONG
Besides the funfair games, there were lucky draws, song and dance performances, balloon sculpting and magic show as well as a showcase of NIE hunks and babes strutting their stuff on stage. The carnival attracted not only staff and students of NIE, but st udent s f rom t he N T U community as well. One of them is Kouk Qing Yue from the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences. The 19-year-old attended the carnival with her friends after her lessons ended. “I like the games such as
Foosball, because they are very fun, especially when you are playing with friends and yelling together," she said. "These are games we do not get to engage in often, so it is great that NIE Fiesta 09 has simple but enjoyable games.” T he car nival ended wit h the movie screening of ‘The Golden Compass’ at NIE’s LT1 and participants were treated to free snacks and drinks. When asked if there will be any fiesta any time soon, Devi said: “We hope to make NIE Fiesta a yearly event, or even a biannual event in the future.”
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jan ua ry 2 8 , 20 0 9
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
A global reunion for all
New ez-link cards Mavis Goh
FESTIVE SEASON IN THE AIR: Students of different nationalites bond. PHOTO | ZOE LIM
Hong Shuheng OV ER 400 students and staff attended the Lunar New Year Reunion Dinner held on January 19th at the Nanyang Auditorium. Organised by the International Student Centre, the event saw its highest turnout rate ever since it started four years ago. Participants gathered around small tables to toss yusheng, a traditional raw fish salad dish which the Chinese eat during Lunar New Year. Ms Novia Afdhila, 20, a student f rom t he Na nya ng Bu si ne s s School, was very taken with the tradition. “This colourful yusheng thing is so funny!” she said. “I don’t see this kind of thing in Indonesia.” Besides tossing of the yusheng, which symbolises longevity and prosperity, the dinner also featured lion and dragon dances, as well as booths showcasing the art of Chinese papercut, calligraphy and knotting. “I wanted to learn more about
Chinese cultures and customs. It’s my first time celebrating Chinese New Year,” said Ms Farzareh Ahmadi, 30, a PhD student from Iran currently studying at the School of Computer Engineering. Many international students
“The meeting of minds and people is key, not the celebration itself” Associate Professor Lok Tat Seng Dean of Students
turned up at the dinner hoping to meet more people of other nationalities. “T here a re not many oppor t u n it ies to meet ot her exchange students here. This dinner is good for us to make friends,” said Ms Julia Holzberger,
23, a student from Norway who is doing her Masters of Business Administration here. D r e s s e d i n a br i g ht r e d cheongsam top, exchange student, Ms Julie Armstrong, 23, was enthusiastic. “I got this top from Chinatown and today is the perfect chance to wear it,” said the US student currently studying Environmental Engineering in NTU. I really like the colourfulness and the excitement of this event.” However, despite the large turnout, there was an obvious lack of Singaporeans at the event. “Local students may be so used to Chinese New Year that they see no point in turning up,” said Dean of Students Associate Professor Lok Tat Seng. “However, t hey should be thinking that this reunion dinner is for them to interact and know others. The meeting of minds and people is key, not the celebration itself.”
S T U DE N T S ca n e x pe c t to receive new concession cards from March onwards. For those who use the Adult Anonymous ez-link cards, free ez-link card replacement is already available from January 9th. Remaining amounts in the existing ez-link card will be transferred, including the $3 deposit. The new ez-link cards will be required after September 30th this year when the new public transpor t e-payment system kicks in. The new system is based on the Contactless ePurse Application (CEPAS), a Singapore standard for electronic money smart card. CEPAS-compliant cards can also used for Electronic Road Pricing payments in vehicles fitted with second-generation In-vehicle Unit as well as various electronic payment systems that support the CEPAS standard. The new card also features a “no travel deposit” policy which requires card holders to have sufficient funds in their card to cover the longest trip before they can enter the transit system. The value reflected on card reader devices is equal to the
IT WAS a weekend of fun for fishing enthusiasts who gathered at Nanyang Lake on January 17th and 18th for a fishing competition organised by the 8th NTU Anglers’ Club. The event drew 70 participants who stood chances to win fishing rods and reels in three categories - catfish, open and special on the first day. They battled for the Students versus Alumni Challenge trophy on the second. The anglers consisted mostly of students, alumni, staff and their friends and family. T he Guest of Honour was Secretary to the University, Mr Anthony Teo, who was supposed to cast the first line on Saturday
mor n i ng. Howe ver he on ly managed to turn up later in the day. Other guests included Director of Alumni Affairs office, Mr Soon Min Yam who came on the first day, as well as Dean of Students, Associate Professor Lok Tat Seng who came down to show his support for the event for both days. One of the participants was Desmond Ho from the class of 2004 of the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. The alumnus who attended the event with his wife was delighted to bag a catch of 2.9 kg, just a little below the maximum weight of 3kg of fish which participants were allowed to take home. Using bait such as bread, worms and goldfish, the participants
endured the searing heat to try and get as much of the 600kg of fish released into the pond for the event as they could. Another participant, James Ng, 23, a second-year Computer Engineering student had no luck on the second day though he had a good catch on the first. “Most fishing competitions are like this. The second day is mostly barren, unless the organisers release part of the fish on the night of the first,” said Ng. Nevertheless, participants had fun and the fishes were prizes on their own. “Catfish can be used to cook up quite a delicacy if you know how to,” said Gaston Chee, a fourth-year student from MAE, the winner of the biggest catch prize. His catch was a carp that weighed 4kg.
actual stored value of the new card as it has no deposit like the $3 stored inside the existing ezlink card. Hence, com muter s a r e generally advised to have at least $3 in their cards so that they are able to pay for the entire trip. Bus readers and fare gate readers at train stations will also help remind commuters with alerts warning them when the value falls below $5, or when the value falls below the fare for the longest trip. Some expressed dismay at this policy. “It’s terrible. It’s not that you don’t want to abide by the rule but you cannot always keep track of how much you have in your card,” first-year School of Humanities and Social Sciences student, Lee Xin Ying, 19, said. Sharing her opinion is Jennifer Low, 20, second-year HSS student. “Sometimes we’re not even taking the longest trip, why must you have enough for it?” she said. Nevertheless, the $3 guide he lps, ma k i ng it not qu ite different from the old card, which also has a minimum requirement of more than $0. A s Tee Ch i n Yaw, 23, a fourth-year student in School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, said, “It’s the same, just packaged differently.”
Electronic Parking System for NIE
Fishing for prizes Priyabrata Priyadrashi
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REAL TIME INFORMATION: Drivers will now know if carparks are empty. PHOTO | IRWIN TAN
Wang Simin PARKING at National Institute of Education (NIE) has become mor e conven ient w it h t he installation of the Electronic Parking System (EPS). The EPS allows drivers to drive through the gantries and have their car park charges deducted automatically from their cashcard via their Invehicle Unit, instead of them manually inserting the card. Drivers can also refer to the three new electronic signboards for updated information on the number of available parking slots.
They are located prominently at junctions connecting the NIE car parks to the main roads. Also, the new system charges one cent per minute, making it more affordable than the previous rate of $1 per hour. While the maximum cap of $3 still stays, the new system allows multiple entries to Car Parks 2, 3, 5 and 7, unlike the previous system which resets and charges all over again when the driver leaves one car park for another. This is with the exception of Car Park 1, where parking is charged at two cents per minute, with no maximum cap and multiple entries are strictly disallowed. Car Park 4 will remain free for now. Be side s c ha nge s i n t he parking rates, the entr y and exit points of Car Parks 2 and 3 have been modified to help ease congestion, according to Mr Muhammad Irfan Noor Rahman, Executive Officer of Development and Estate Department at NIE. F i r s t-y e a r N I E s t u d e nt Chiong Yinfung, 22, feels that t he c ha r ge s now a r e mor e appropriate than before. “The facilities are good and up to date, though perhaps charges can be revised to encourage more usage, especially at Car Parks 2 and 3, where lower charges and higher occupancy rates would be more beneficial,” he said.
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JAN UARY 28 , 20 0 9
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
Crafting businesses with a heart Shahida Bte Hassim IT STARTED out as a humanitarian ef for t—a g roup of N T U undergraduates went on a trip to Cambodia for a t wo-week volunteering project aimed at helping local street children on 23rd June last year. They did not expect it to turn into a potential long-term business venture. Eu4r ia I nc., a tea m of 20 u nde r g r adu ate s , de c ide d to merge volunteerism with a structured business plan, aimed at systematically helping groups who are starting out in volunteerism but have no clue how to begin. As a service-learning provider, eu4ria Inc. organises and assists in the execution of local and foreign humanitarian activities, targeting youths, companies and individuals interested in volunteerism. T he team was inspired to help people start out after their exper ience in Sihanouk v ille, Cambodia. During the trip, team members conducted educational, drama and art therapy sessions aimed at helping local street children, some of whom were physically and sexually abused. Muhammad Amin Nordin, 23, eu4ria Inc.’s director said, “We had such a great time carrying out our volunteering efforts that
SMILING FACES: Humanitarian work in Cambodia sparked 20 students to merge volunteerism with business . PHOTO | HANNAH LEONG
we wanted to allow other likeminded individuals to be able to go through the same experiences.” T he t h i rd-yea r Sc hool of Mechanical Engineering student explained that the team also wanted to show people that money is not the only determinant when it comes to measuring business
success. Factors such as social responsibility, for instance, also come into play too. It was only upon their return to Singapore in July 2008 that the group felt the need to do something more. That was when they decided to join the NTU’s Business Plan Competition.
T he tea m made it to t he final round, which took place on January 9th, and eventually came in third. “Personally, I feel contented with the outcome of the competition because it shows the feasibility behind eu4ria Inc.’s concept,” said Amin.
T he not ion of sta r t i ng businesses with a social cause is fast becoming a recognisable local trend in the local scene. First-year Nanyang Business School student Cindy Chng, for instance, started her own tour agency, ECO Travel, with the aim of bringing across environmental messages via the company’s tour activities. The 19-year-old student wanted to spread the idea that it is possible to run a business with a social cause and that the two in fact complimented one another. “If you run a business without any social cause, you will realise that it is very hard to sustain interest and passion in managing the business,” said Chng. Despite the trend, some like Dr. Adrian Yeo, Chairman of the Water Initiative for Securing Health (WISH) feel that businesses based on such efforts may be difficult to sustain in the long run. This is because of the nature of this industry, which is highly people-centric. “When it comes to businesses like these, companies not only need to build up their track records, but also gain the trust of the local communities,” said Dr. Yeo. “This requires time, during which you will constantly need to come up with new and innovative services to keep your customers coming back.”
Ten-thousand-dollar pau
A new chapter in Singapore literature
Kwan Hui Xian
Cai Zhimin
A team of four undergraduates emerged champions in this year’s NTU Business Plan Competition held on January 9th with their proposal of installing pau (steamed bu n w it h f i l l i n g s ) v e nd i ng machines. T he winning team named themselves Pantry Magic Pte Ltd, were one of the three undergraduate finalists. Their representative, Melvin Tan, 23, a second-year Nanyang Business School student, attributed the win to their ability to make the most of what they had. Initially, the team was shocked to learn that they were competing with Masters students as well. Tan added that chances of winning did not seem too high as they seemed to be the underdogs. Given t he increasingly hectic lifestyles in Singapore, Tan’s team aimed to create a healthier alternative for quick meals. Hailing from different backgrounds, they came together through the Minor in Entrepreneurship programme, where they found the synergy needed to start a business, with some help from their contacts in the pau industry, Winning was not the only surprise that came their way. A representative from SPRING
Si ngapor e, a gove r n me nt agency committed to enterprise development, expressed interest in their idea even before the results were announced. Through their youth funding programme, SPRING Singapore will give $4 to add to every $1 a budding young entrepreneur invests. Pantry Magic Pte Ltd will multiply their $10,000 winnings to kick-start the first phase of their business. During the final round, held in the Research Technoplaza, the eight finalists had to present their business plans to a panel of judges, both on stage and at their booths. Organised by the Nanyang Technopreneurship Centre, the competition aims to “encourage the growth of entrepreneurship and provide a platform in which participants present new innovative business concepts,” said one of the centre’s executive officers, Ms Goh Pei Ling. She added that many of the teams see the competition as a chance to gain exposure and net work i ng, wh ich t he y u se as a platform to launch their businesses. Nurhuda, 21, a third-year student from School of Biological Sciences, from the second runnerup team eu4ria Inc. said that they would still be going ahead with their business plans. “It’s a real deal for us."
news editor
A L A BOU R of love is what Professor Koh Tai Ann calls her work. The first ever annotated bi bl iog r aph y of Si ngapor e literature in English, compiled by Prof Koh from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, has been launched. The launch of the book was held at “Seeking An Audience: A Symposium on Singapore Literature in English”, a literary event co-organised by National L ibr a r y Si ngapor e a nd t he Centre of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences last November 7th. Usually the work of librarians, a bibliography usually presents itself as a list of books and other works. This latest compilation stands out as not only the first to be annotated, but also the first to be compiled and edited by a nonlibrarian. P r of Koh’s i nvolve me nt in such a project lends her knowledge about Singaporean writing, its development and history to the bibliography and enables an overview of the entire body of literature. The last effort to chronicle local works was in 1994. This lack of a reliable, comprehensive
reference guide to the growing literature in English was Prof Koh’s motivation behind this project. She hope s t hat “a nyone who might have an interest in Singapore literature” can benefit from it. Prof Koh looked t houg h hundreds of items to ensure accuracy, spent time at libraries and bookshops reading new books, and browsed through library catalogues. She ow n s t h ic k f i le s of book reviews and publisher’s catalogues. In her speech at the launch, Prof Koh noted that the book could be said to commemorate 60 years of writing in Singapore. In what she calls a “cultural document”, some 1,200 titles are recorded, complete with nuggets of information about the work. This project dates back to the 1980s, starting off as part of a larger bibliographic project which began when Prof Koh was teaching at the National University of Singapore. However, her commitments slowed work on it. Only in 2006 was she able to resume work on the project with the university’s research funding as well as help from her research assistants and the librarians at the National
LABOUR OF LOVE: The bibliography contains some 1,200 titles, complete with annotations. PHOTO | IRWIN TAN
Library. Singapore literature is close to Prof Koh’s heart. “I have read most of the works, written on them as a literary scholar and taught courses on Singapore literature and culture," she said. "My own life spans that of the literature and I could have said to have grown up with it since my university days." She looks forward to a larger bibl iog r aph ic projec t to be completed later this year.
news
JAN UA RY 2 8 , 20 0 9
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
Brunch bunch serves up performances for a vibrant NIE Brunch Play! @UiD brings students free flow of music every week Jamuna Raj HELD for the first time this year, Brunch Play! @UiD saw its first set of performances by students, bringing energy to the usually quiet Student Hub (UiD) at the National Institue of Education (NIE) campus on January 14th. A handful of students gathered at the hub as the first performance, a song item, star ted at about 10.45am. There were three performances staged that day, two of which were performed by the programme organisers. This programme, held every Wednesday at Level One of the NIE campus, seeks to promote a vibrant campus life. Students can come forward to showcase their talents, either solo or in a group, from 10.45am to 11.15am, which is their common break time. Moha mad Fa i za l Bi n Mat Isa, one of the organisers, said: “I came up with the idea of a weekly performance organised by students, performed by students, for the students.” “This programme also helps to promote and expose the musical talents of the NIE community,” added the fourth-year student. Several students agree that such programmes would indeed take away the monotony of campus life, and bring excitement and enthusiasm. Mu ham mad Ha k im Bin Kamarudin, a third-year student who per for med , sa id: “Suc h programmes help to build a more fun and less strenuous environment in the campus.” “Now, the student hub is not only used as a place for students to meet up for project meetings but also as a place for them to bond, relax and de-stress while enjoying the performances,” he added.
Some audience such as Alvina Loganathan think that Brunch Play! @UiD should become a tradition at NIE. “They should have come up with this earlier so that students and staff can come together to either perform or be part of the audience,” said the f irst-year student. “It creates a strong community feeling.”
“This programme also helps to promote and expose the musical talents of the NIE community.” Mohamad Faizal Bin Mat Isa Organiser of Brunch Play@ UID
But according to organisers, this programme was initiated last October but had to be suspended midway due to the impending examinations. Despite that, they are glad that the Brunch Play@UiD was greeted with enthusiasm this year and are expecting more support during the coming weeks. However, they admit that not all are willing to perform in front of the school. Faizal said: “It is not easy getting the students to come forward and perform.” According to him, if there are no other performers that week, then the two-man team will put up a performance. If there is no other performance again the following week, then the Brunch Play@UiD will be post poned t i l l t he orga n iser receives a response. “But this initiative will last for as long as there are people coordinating the performances,” Faizal said.
MUSICAL TREAT: Soloist livening up Student Hub. PHOTO | TAN ZI JIE
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New shuttle bus stop shelters This new shuttle bus shelter across the Innovation Centre provides a roof over the heads of the students, protecting them always, be it rain or shine. Do check out for the other shuttle bus shelter as you hop on the bus for your next tutorial. PHOTO | IRWIN TAN
Lifestyle
“Kelongs are noisy places too. No sea breezes, but loud Jay Chou music, shuffling mahjong tiles...” Page13
DREAMING UP SOME LOVE
It never hurts to start thinking of ideas for Valentine s Day early. Erica Ng, Ellyne Phneah and Tan Jia Yi get the latest scoop on what some NTU students would love to be doing this year. GRAPHIC | SARAH AMNAH
“I WOULD bring my date to a music café along Prinsep Street to chill out with some drinks. The café would preferably have a warm, cosy ambience and a centre stage for its patrons to freely sing a song or two if they want to. “I would go up on the stage to dedicate and serenade my significant other with my all-time favourite love ballad—Richard Marx’s Now and Forever. She will be seated right in front of the stage, and I will look into her eyes lovingly as I sing.“ - Adrian Teo, 21, MAE, Year 1
“MY IDEAL Valentine date would be one where my loved one and I can attend a very special cooking class specially catered for couples. After cooking, we would get dressed into our glamorous evening wear. I will choose to wear a lacy satin pink dress and it would be great if he wears a blazer. “We will then proceed on to a posh dining area with soft music and candle-light and we’d both be looking our best as we savour the dinner we have prepared. At the end of it all, we would end our date with a waltz in the ballroom.” - Charlyene Choo, 23, NIE, Year 1 (Hey Gorgeous 2009 Contestant)
“OUR date would start off with an adrenaline-fuelled wakeboarding session. Being absolutely stoked and famished after that, we’ll go to my place where I’ll surprise her by preparing lunch and a sinfully rich chocolate cake to melt her heart. “We’ll go shopping next and I’ll discreetly steer her to Zara and present her with a self-made voucher (that means I’ll pay for whatever she buys at the counter.) Then, we’ll drive to Marina Barrage to catch the sunset and watch the Singapore skyline glow against the darkening landscape.“ - Lester Lee, 23, MAE, Year 3
“IF MY date enjoys outdoor activities, I would join him in doing things that I have never dared to do before, like the X-treme swing or the reverse bungee at Clarke Quay. “Thereafter we’d have dinner at a romantic restaurant overlooking the skyline. Mount Faber seems like a lovely place to be, with soft, jazzy music in the background and dim, warm lights. I would wear a dress that isn’t too revealing, yet feminine. Bermudas or slippers on my date are a no-no.” - Wu Yuxuan, 21, NBS, Year 3
“THE best place to spend Valentine’s Day would be far away from the city, in the countryside. I’d be happy if that special someone takes me somewhere I have never been, on a road trip to a beach where we can do spontaneous jetty jumps together, seek adventures underwater scuba diving, exploring beautiful coral reefs and hoping to catch glimpses of turtles. When night falls, I would be moved if he strummed the song Love You Till the End by The Pogues on his guitar as we listen to the waves and gaze out into the vast horizon.” - Serene Tan, 21, HSS, Year 2
“W E WOULD while the morning away with a picnic pr e pa r i ng sa ndw ic he s together and flying kites. In the early afternoon, we will go to a small animal farm at Jalan Kayu. It will defi nitely be fun feeding the rabbits, mimicking the parrots and adoring the puppies. After that, we would head home to change, then meet for dinner at Rider’s Café, at Bukit Timah Saddle Club, an open air restaurant surrounded by lush greener y. We can enjoy our food while being close to nature.” - Kyle Lee De Hong, 22, NBS, Year 2
“I INTEND to make good use of my balcony at home. I will decorate the place with candles and rose petals scattered on the ground. The walls would be decorated with Christmas lights for a more romantic ambience, and I will paste messages of sweet nothings and pictures of both of us all over the walls “After dinner, I will ask for her hand and lead her in a slow romantic dance to our favorite love ballads. Thereafter we’ll proceed cuddle up to a romantic comedy on my plasma TV. When it’s time for her to return home, I’ll send her home and kiss her passionately at her doorstep before we say goodbye.” - Nathaniel Tan, 22, NBS, Year 2 (Project Superstar 2 Finalist)
PHOTOS | COURTESY
lifestyle
JAN UA RY 2 8 , 20 0 9
T H E NA N YA NG C H RON IC L E
Art of breaking up
Break-ups can be difficult. Lifestyle Editor Kezia Toh shows how the therapeutic effects of art can be used to cope with relationships that have soured MUSEUM OF BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS SHE is a Chinese girl who was in love with her Malay boyfriend, but she hid her relationship because her parents disapproved. They could not risk having photos and cards, so they used teddy bears to represent each other. He took the one with fairer fur covering, while she took the one with darker fur. When they broke up, her little “Malay bear” was her comfort. Now, it is part of a travelling museum called the Museum of Broken Relationships.
THE LITTLE “MALAY BEAR”: The only thing left of a secret inter-racial relationship.
ART THERAPY I WA S ne ve r a huge fa n of art classes. My experience in secondary school was permeated with memories of scrubbing the sink (as punishment for chatting too animatedly to my best friend), rather than doing artwork. So it was with much reluctance that I dragged myself out of bed on a Saturday morning to attend an art therapy session, held at HeARTspace open studio in the Church of St Mary of the Angels. Conducted by art psychotherapist
It was this highly unusual name that caught my eye while I strolled to the Esplanade. Amid the lovey-dovey vibes leading up to Valentine’s Day, such a bold antithesis is a rare sight. Founded in Croatia by Olinka Vistica and Drazen Grubisic, the museum started from the idea of consoling friends over failed relationships. The broken-hearted can seek emot iona l relea se by giv i ng away items to the museum. These items are displayed as a form of artwork. Stepping into the Jendela visual arts space, I was immediately struck by the stark white interiors that, while providing an oddly intense backdrop to the exhibits, do not overwhelm them. What intrigued me most about this peculiar exhibition (now finished) was that all the exhibits were laid out in the open, without any preventive glass case, to deter those with itchy hands. But somehow, after observing the crowd for a while, I realised that no one was touching the items. At the very most, they would tentatively finger the accompanying descriptive tab beside the item, but never the exhibit itself. I suppose that this exemplifies the goal of this museum—to create a space for “protected remembrance”
and “secure memor y”. W hile the open concept encourages us to engage emotionally with the exhibits, the “museum” layout somehow sanctifies the items. My only gripe was that there were not many exhibits from Singaporeans. Perhaps locals are less inclined to share personal d e t a i l s a b ou t t h e i r br ok e n relationships? But I viewed one that took my mind away from all that, and that certainly deserves mention here. Mounted on the wall in the farend of the visual arts space was a wall of love letters. I wa s pa r t ic u la rly st r uck by a letter clearly written by a teenage hand, with its bumbling articulation of teenage heartbreak. The words were penned on foolscap paper and double-spaced, no less. The envelope was handmade. T he r e wa s s ome t h i ng s o simple, yet so charming about the entire letter that made me pause and ref lect on the sentiments beneath. Overall, I enjoyed my museum jaunt immensely for it offers hea l i ng a nd conte mplat ion , in the ver y basic way of just viewing the items on display. This, I think, is really the beauty in simplicity.
Joanna Tan, art therapy focuses on the process of creation. When we create, we gain an insight into our innermost emotions. “Doing this in the presence of the art therapist helps the person look at those experiences with a new compassion and learn a new way of being with those feelings,” said Joanna. The session started with a short reflection on the self, and how we could strip away the outer layers of ego to get to the underlying emotions. After that, we were invited to start creating. What I appreciated most about
the class was that people from all walks of life and of different faiths, could create together without fear of judgment. To be s u r e, my ‘st ude nt ’ mentality was to rush and attempt to da zzle ever yone w it h my hitherto unsuspected art skills within an hour, but that is not how it works. I felt oddly relaxed amid the peaceful ambience. I chose to start on a watercolour after being coached to “picture the image in my heart”. The next hour just flew by. What struck me most about the class was its nonjudgemental nature. I did not feel the need to paint up to a certain standard, or follow what the others were doing. In other words, I could create whatever I wanted. When an ink blot made its way onto my art piece, I did not react in panic to erase a mistake. I just let the process flow. The class concluded with a sharing session on the artwork, with the invitation to talk about what inspired it, and the emotions experienced while I created. My painting was incomplete, with vivid colours on both sides but an unfinished white blank in the middle. I felt that one of the participants interpreted it best— that what was striking were not the vibrant colours, but that part of blank white. It is still very much an unfinished journey.
WATERCOLOUR OF EMOTIONS: Painting the image in the mind’s eye.
For more information: http://www.brokenships.com/
HEARTBREAK MUSEUM: Remnants of failed loves are now pieces of art.
ART HEALS A BROKEN HEART ELLEN (not her real name) joined the HeARTspace open studio after a painful break-up and began her journey of creating art with a class of strangers. “My friend brought me to the group thinking that it would help in my healing. I did not know what to expect and initially I didn’t know if I would feel comfortable with strangers. I was feeling lost and lonely and being with friends who knew about my breakup reminded me constantly of it and I cried often. It was really difficult to get out of the depression. “Going to HeARTspace and being among strangers helped me to not focus so much on my pain. Rather, I could externalize that pain, hold it at a distance, look at it and learn to manage it. In that way, I experienced healing. “In my failed relationship, my partner’s and my identity was so enmeshed that I didn’t know who I was anymore. HeARTspace was a sanctuary where I could retreat to and truly get to know myself all over again. The supportive and the non-judgemental attention that each participant gave when each of us shared helped in my healing.” The Art Therapy open studio runs every Saturday from 10am-1pm at the Church of St. Mary of the Angels in Bukit Batok. Sessions are free-ofcharge, and materials are provided. PHOTOS | IRWIN TAN & FOO CHEE CHANG
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lifestyle
january JAN UA RY 2288,, 20 200099
TTh hee na nan nya yang ng cch hron ronic icllee
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Of friendships and reunions A reunion dinner during the Lunar New Year period is not just meant for families to get together. Hong Shuheng and Bernice Neo check out some places for friends to gather, without breaking the piggy bank f or t h e t ra d i t i ona l steamboat
parklane deli house 12 Liang Seah Street (Nearest MRT station: Bugis MRT) Tel: 63396589
for a place that stays open over the cny holidays
TWO CHEFS EATING PLACE Blk 116 Commonwealth Drive #01-129 Tel: 6472 5361
VOTED as one of the best zi char places in The Sunday Times recently. Zi char literally translates from dialect to mean “cook and fry”. It refers to an all-rounder Chinese food stall that sells a wide variety of ala-carte dishes usually served with rice and soup. Two Chefs Eating Place offers hearty Chinese food at reasonable prices. Best of all, it is open throughout the Chinese New Year holidays. In fact, it is even open on the eve of Chinese New Year, good for a hassle-free reunion
for the fortune seekers
Lai wah restaurant Blk 44 Bendemeer Rd #01-1436 Tel: 6294 9922/ 62984460
AS PART of the Chinese New Year celebrations, people usually toss yusheng (raw fish salad) on the seventh day for good luck in the coming year. The colourful platter of julienned vegetables scattered w it h cr unchy cracker s, and topped with raw fish slices is widely regarded as a symbol of abundance and prosperity. T his colourf ul version of yusheng that everyone knows
dinner if your family does not cook. I chose to start with a cold dish of cockles to whet my appetite. For $6, I enjoyed raw, cleanly shucked cockles heaped with garlic bits, spring onions and chilli padi; and then drizzled with a sauce made of vinegar and soy sauce. However, not everyone will enjoy it as the pungent iron taste needs some getting used to. Tw o C h e f s a l s o s e r v e s a traditional dish of fish head steamed in black-bean sauce. The piquant salty sauce coupled with the tart taste of lime helps to mask the muddy taste you often get with this kind of fish, but even at its best, this dish is still rather ordinary. It did not impress me much, particularly compared to the meat dishes. In an interesting reinvention of cereal prawns, the $8 butter pork ribs as powdered butter coats the deep-fried pork ribs generously and gives it a sweet and creamy taste to the savour y pieces of boneless steaks. This mixture of
tastes, coupled with the crunch from deep-fried pieces of curry leaves, had me craving for more. Another of their specialities, the honey-fried chicken ($8), surprised me with its caramelised crispy skin. The sweetness of the honey complemented the chicken meat prefectly. A nice touch to the dish was the shallot pieces scattered on top. The crunchy bite gives a surprising contrast as you sink your teeth into the tender chicken pieces. The food may not be high-end, but there are some gems amidst the usual cze char fare. Also, there is no ambience to speak of here. Situated in a dark and dingy coffeeshop, be prepared to sweat it out over your meal if the weather is hot. However, the pricing suits a student’s wallet perfectly, and it is always good to escape from the commercialised restaurants in shopping malls to a place that returns back to basics. A meal here typically costs around $10 to $15 per person.
AFTER searching high and low for the best value steamboat, I think I may have found it at the Parklane Deli House. It is the little details that count. They showed us to our table quickly, in a spacious restaurant with plenty of fans to keep the cool air flowing. But what really impressed me, though, was the variety. Alongside the usual steamboat ingredients sat pumpkin slices, oyster mushrooms, fried wanton and lotus, which are unusual treats considering the low prices. Parklane Deli House is the sister company of the famous Parklane Wanton Noodles. Owner Deon has decided to include his famous crispy wantons in the menu. But not meat—until we learned that diners can order meat and seafood to be served fresh. This gets another brownie point—who wants to see f lies buzzing round their food? However, the range of sauces could be better. There was blended garlic, chilli paste and spring onion—all that I do not normally favour in my steamboat. Although they did have the usual sesame and fermented tofu pastes, I was not satisfied without some Chinese BBQ Sauce. Nonetheless, with a little bit of luck, creativity and some mixing skills, I created my own little concoction. There is a wide variet y of
in Singapore has its roots in Lai Wah Restaurant, which has been serving Yusheng for over 40 years. Visiting the restaurant is like taking a step back into time as it has not been furnished to fit in with the rapid commercialization of t`he country, but has retained an air of extreme nostalgia. The old-world charm of Lai Wah Restaurant carries on into its fulfilling and unpretentious food. The yusheng is piled high with a generous serving of vegetables, drizzled with specially concocted plum sauce. Ground sesame seeds and peanuts, as well as cinnamon powder and pepper neutralized the sourplum and honey, ensuring that the mixed salad is not cloyingly sweet, and the freshness of the vegetables lends a refreshing taste. For students with limited
budgets, the yusheng with ikan parang is affordable at $22 for a serving that can feed up to six people. For the younger crowd, the restaurant has also come up with
a version of yusheng with salmon slices for $26. It might not wow, but still impresses with its simple yet fullflavoured taste.
soup base to choose from. For an additional $5, there is also curry base. I chose the porridge base. Its herbal aroma hit me instantly, reminding me of home-cooked fare. On its own, it is flavourful and not too heavy on the stomach. A n over-strong steamboat base makes the soup way too salty towards the end of the meal. Hence, the f lavour of this porridge improves as the meal progresses because the essence of all the ingredients infuses into it. And, because there was no MSG, I wasn’t thirsty a few hours later. What’s more—the restaruant offers free-flow of drinks, which makes for a satisfying end to the much enjoyed reunion dinner.
A steamboat buffet costs $16.80 per person.
DO YOU KNOW?
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PHOTOS | HONG SHUHENG & BERNICE NEO
There is usually an excess of food during the reunion dinner, so much so that the food cannot be finished and will be left for the next day, as it is believed that this signifies an excess of wealth. A table setting is placed for those unable to come home for reunion dinner on this day to symbolize their presence though far away. It is a tradition to eat fish during the reunion dinner, because the pronunciation of the Chinese word (yu) is a homophone for “surpluses”. This represents hope for abundance in the New Year.
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lifestyle
JAN UARY 28 , 20 0 9
T H E NA N YA NG C H RON IC L E
drinkup
Keep cool with these brews
Had one too many cookie this festive season? If you re feeling a little worse for wear, Tan Zi Jie brings you some medicinal herbal brews to combat heatiness and other problems YOU may have heard of the Traditional Ch inese Med icine (TC M ) concept of heatiness. It is believed that there are different energy forces (ying and yang) in the body that are in equilibrium when a person is in good health. Simply put, the concept of heatiness a r ises f rom t he body acc u mu lat i ng destabilising energy when you over-indulge
in fried or spicy food or don’t get enough rest. Symptoms include dehydration, mouth ulcers, sore throat and poor appetite. In order to reduce heatiness in the body, you should drink cooling teas. The herbs in cooling teas reduce heatiness by nourishing and strengthening the internal organs. Ultimately, it brings the body back to equilibrium.
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE UBIQUITOUS local brews such as chrysanthemum tea, luo han guo and grass jelly are well-known for their cooling effects. Due to their mild nature, they can be taken frequently. If you’re feeling heaty or sense a sore throat coming on, take these as prevention.
SAY GOODBYE TO RUNNY NOSE
<< LUO HAN GUO DRINK
<< XIA SANG JU (IN GRANULES)
THE corsvenor momordica fruit, or Luo Han Guo as it is more commonly known, is rich in Vitamin C and can help ease nasal discomfort and reduce heatiness.
A COMMON cooling herbal tea, it contains mulberry leaf and chrysanthemum, both remedies for runny nose, sore throat, headache and dizziness. It tastes sweet with a hint of bitterness that is not unpleasant.
Price: $1.50-$1.80 per 500ml bottle
Price: $2.10 for 16 sachets
Buy this at: Freshly brewed Luo Han Guo drink is available at most neighbourhood TCM shops
Buy this at: Nanyang Supermarket
CHRYSANTHEMUM TEA >> BY FA R the most popular Asian drink in Singapore, chrysanthemum tea is made from chrysanthemum flowers and has a sweet floral scent. Chrysanthemum flowers are usually mixed with other herbs such as ginseng, wolfberry and mulberry to make cooling drinks. These herbs do not just add to the taste; wolfberry is known to be rich in anti-oxidants and beneficial to the kidneys and eyes. Product: F&N NutriTea Chrysanthemum with wolfberry Price: $1.30 per 500ml TetraPak
GOOD FOR YOUR DIGESTION HAWTHORNE FRUIT DRINK >> HAWTHORNE fruit or Shan Zha flakes might have been a sweet treat when you were younger but the drink created out of the fruit helps improve the appetite and aids digestion. It also helps to lower cholesterol. Price: $1.50 per 500ml bottle Buy this at: Nanyang Supermarket
Buy this at: Most convenience stores and supermarkets. Your friendly neighbourhood TCM shop should have this as well. << GRASS JELLY ALSO known as Chin Chow, this jelly is made from the leaves and stalks of the Mesona chinensis plant, and is a common cooling dessert and drink in Singapore. Product: Freshly brewed Chin Chow Price: $0.50 per cup Buy this at: Canteen A drinks store
FOR BETTER EFFECTS
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It is best to drink these brews warm and fresh. Don’t drink brews that are stored overnight. If they have to be kept over night, always put them in the refrigerator. Reheat the drinks to avoid taking them chilled as it is harmful to the stomach.
While these brews have their advantages, Mr Zhong Weiliang, lecturer at the School of Biological Sciences and a TCM practitioner for 26 years, warns that they cannot be taken constantly. It is still best to consult a doctor if you’re suffering from serious ailments.
PHOTOS | TAN ZI JIE
lifestyle
JAN UA RY 2 8 , 20 0 9
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
13
travelogue
Something smells fishy
A taste of life on a kelong left pampered urban dweller, Lifestyle Editor Cheryl Wee, feeling like a fish out of water FOUR in the morning. Jolted by a bumpy three-hour drive and a turbulent boat ride. By the time I got to Ah Fatt Kelong, a fishing village on stilts somewhere between Johor Bahru and Pulau Sibu, I was awake. Shockingly awake. Compared to the violent tossing of the waves on the boat , the gentle swaying of the house on stilts was barely noticeable. Glimpses of the greenish-blue sea that surrounded the kelong peeked through gaps in the wooden flooring. Fish swam near the surface, sending the fishing fanatics into a frenzy. Ten minutes after arriving, they had baited their hooks and were casting into the sea. I am a nervous novice, but the enthusiasm of my friend, Moses, was infectious, and kept boredom at bay for the next two days. Enthusiastic, yet mildly insulting. After teaching me the basics he left one instruction before he went off to find his own fishing spot. “Work on catching the small fish, so I can use them as bait for bigger ones,” he said. Well, it’s important to know your place.
“Work on catching the small fish, so I can use them as bait for bigger ones” We mostly caught two kinds of fish, a yellow bodied one we quirkily nicknamed “Miss Huang”, and another that looked like the kind you eat with nasi lemak. Most of them were no bigger than the length of my hand. After two hours, Moses had caught a one metre long halfbeak, while another newbie quickly got the hang of catching bait fish, reeling in about one fish every two minutes. The puny six-inch fishes I caught helped catch bigger ones twice their size. The hardest part for someone as
and a neighbouring fisherman was faring much better than my friends. “This is what killed Steve Irwin,” said the fellow fisherman, f lashing a a toothy grin as he reeled in a spotted stingray. The most infuriating thing, apart from the fact that everyone else seemed to be catching more fish than us, was that we could see schools of fish in the waters surrounding the kelong—they just did not want to bite. Two days and one night of experiencing the primitive fishing life was enough for me. I was more than happy to get back to civilization and enjoy a hot shower. The catch was divided equally among ourselves. Back home, the fish were seasoned with salt and fried, providing a perfect and tasty finish to my trip.
Got a travel experience to share? We want to hear from you!
KELONG LIFE: A zinc roof is all that protects you from the elements at sea.
squeamish as me is unhooking the fish from the rod. You have to step on the fish so that it does not jump around, and then pry the hook from its bleeding lips with a pair of pliers. I conveniently got someone to do the honours for me. Kelongs a re nois y places, too. No serene sea breezes, but instead loud Jay Chou music, shuffling mahjong tiles and an occasional shout from a card game accompanied by the rhythmic sounds of the waves while cries of “Jia Peng” (Teochew for “let’s eat”) signalled mealtime. The $105 fee for my two-day, one-night stay included four meals a day—breakfast, lunch, dinner and supper. Lunch and dinner were big bowls of soup and one meat, vegetable, fish and seafood dish served with rice. Prawns fried with oatmeal and chili crab were treats I had not expected. Supper was sausages, fried noodles, red bean soup and curried chicken wings which we had to barbeque ourselves. Howe ve r, t he food wa s not enough to distract devout
fishermen. Halfway through dinner on the first day, people abandoned their food to watch a fight between a fisherman and his catch. The rod was passed from one fisherman to another as they struggled to reel in the fish until the fight yielded a 22kg, 1.5m cobia, longer than a 12-year-old boy. It took seven hits on the head with a hammer to kill it. This was the kind of thing that made fishing exciting and wor t hwhile—t he waiting, t he struggle, the fight and at the end, the prize. After an entire day of fishing, the smell of fish clung to me like a parasite. I welcomed a wash—even though taking a bath on the kelong was like a trip into the past, as we splashed ourselves with water from a barrel. The toilet is basically a hole in the floor, and the lock on the doors are primitive, a roughly hewn wooden piece turned from vertical to horizontal to keep the doors closed. After ridding myself of the pungent smell of fish, I did not
feel like fishing any more as that would only mean I had to take another shower. Instead I occupied myself by watching people fish. The luck of the day seemed to have worn off
E-mail us at chronklifestyle@gmail.com with your full name and contact details
THREE THINGS TO take with you
1 2 3
A card game. When impatience sets in, it is a pleasant alternative to staring blankly at the sea. A sleeping bag or blanket. Ah Fatt Kelong does not provide blankets so I had to curl up under my jacket at night. Sunscreen and a hat to avoid getting sunburnt. The sun at the kelong is a lot stronger than what we are used to in Singapore. THE END OF THE TRIP: Counting our catch. PHOTOS | CHERYL WEE
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lifestyle
JAN UARY 28 , 20 0 9
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
review
BOOKS
Fall Out Boy (Alternative Rock)
Boogie Woogie Danny Moynihan $22.95, available at Borders Published by St. Martin's Griffin
The album was actually intended to be released on 4th November 2008 to build on the election day hype.
IF you always thought art was mundane and boring, Boogie Woogie would prove you wrong. Set in modern New York, the novel depicts a dirty, dog-eatdog world where artists, dealers, and collectors compete amongst themselves in a game of huge stakes and risqué sex. The convincing characterisation is mostly accomplished using dialogue. Moynihan employs a third person style of narrating the convoluted plot, choosing only to show Beth the wannabe's inner voice, punctuated with plenty of 'like', 'kinda', 'cos' and 'you know' to highlight her bitchy yet vulnerable side. The novel takes it's title from a masterpiece by Mondrian, an abstract artist known for his orderly compositions. This is reflected in the artists in the story who seem to need a restraining order, for instance, Elaine the lesbian stalker who films her sexual escapades and uses them in a video installation. The various side stories tend to distract, but still manage to captivate with their absolute weirdness. Just when you thought the main thread could not get any darker, it descends into a hellish affair, but leaves the reader hanging as if the whole story was just a snapshot taken out of a panorama. I am surprised it has only been made into a movie; it has enough juice to last an entire TV series. -Tan Jia Yi
The Wasted VigilPatrici
“So for those MUSIC Folie à Deux of you falling ¯¯¯¯¯ in love, keep it kind, keep it good, keep it right. Throw yourself in the midst of danger, but keep one eye open at night.” ¯¯¯¯¯
a
FOLIE à Deux, the newest release by the kings of emo, Fall Out Boy, is French for "a madness shared by two", a rare psychiatric syndrome in which a symptom of psychosis is transmitted from one individual to another. Pretty intense for a title but nonetheless expected from a band which has made a career out of crooning angst-ridden tunes to their hordes of teenage fans. Tracks like Disloyal Order of Water Buffalos and The (Shipped) Gold Standard are catchy and tinged with tonguein-cheek digs, with lines like, “Nobody wants to hear you sing about tragedy.” Despite the predictability of most of the tracks, Fall Out Boy deserves some credit for delving deeper into the R&B sound they experimented with in Infinity on High. Fans of the pop punk genre, this album will satisfy, but it is far from groundbreaking. -Audrey Tsen Catch Fall Out Boy live in Singapore at the Sinapore Indoor Stadium on 10th Feburary 2009. Tickets available at Sistic outlets.
Elephants... Teeth Sinking Into Hearte Rachael Yamagata (Alternative)
“Elephants” by Rachael Yamagata
FOUR years since the launch of Happenstance, Rachael Yamagata returns with a two-disc album, Elephants… Teeth Sinking Into Heart. This album manages to explore a new dimension of an almost grunge-rock style. The separation of the album into two parts draws an obvious line of divide between her musical alter egos. Elephants is intimate and vulnerable Yamagata while Teeth Sinking Into Heart shines the spotlight on her edgy, cynical side. Beginning with Elephants, a textured ballad, she sets the mood for a melancholic performance which carried on for the rest of the first disc, aided by her strong, breathy vocals. In Teeth Sinking Into Heart however, she adopts a different pitch and attitude, evident in tracks like Sidedish Friend and Accident. While the change is unsettling, the album highlights a different side of her that she has managed to pull off well, doing justice to her unique voice. -Noor Ashikin Rahman
Su
Nadeem Aslam $30.00, available at Borders Published by Faber and Faber
THE moment I finished reading this book, a myriad of emotions overwhelmed me. The Wasted Vigil, by contemporary Pakistani author, Nadeem Aslam, is the kind of novel that leaves a lasting impression. The story is set in modernday Afghanistan, a country marred by war. It is in this setting that Aslam weaves the intricate web of stories and histories of his seemingly disparate characters of diverse geographical backgrounds in surprising ways. We first meet Lara, a Russian woman whose brother served as a Soviet soldier. As she searches for clues regarding her brother’s mysterious disappearance, she resides at the house of Marcus, an English doctor and widower. As the story unfolds, more characters are brought together in Marcus’ house under different circumstances. In the novel, war-torn Afghanistan comes to life. Aslam’s prose is so rich in imagery it is almost poetic. His unique description of details surprises and entices the imagination. The portrayals of the hostilities of war however, are heart-wrenching and at times disturbing. The issues covered, from extreme Islamist views to the twisted politics of war had me questioning status quo. It is a mind opening read and I recommend this to anyone who wants to be challenged to a new perspective.
-Valerie Abadines
Yamagata, born to a Sansei American Japanese father and a Italian- German mother also has a twin brother Benji.
Fearless Taylor Swift (Country/Pop)
¯¯¯¯¯ This album is the third best selling album released in 2008, only behind Lil Wayne's The Carter III and Coldplay's Viva La Vida.
AT barely 20, Taylor Swift has already established herself as a noteworthy country singer and composer. Since the debut of her self-titled album, Swift catapulted to country music stardom with songs like Tim McGraw and Fearless topping billboard charts. Unlike most singers, she takes pride in writing or cowriting all of her songs which strike a chord with many as she sings about unrequited love. You Belong With Me in particular is about her infatuation with a boy who already has someone else in his heart. So goes the song: If you could see that I'm the one who understands you/ Been here all along so why can't you see?/ You belong with me. The mix of fast-paced tunes and doomed romance seems to be Swift’s winning formula for catchy country songs. But even the best winning formula turns stale when used on ever y t rack . It seems Taylor Sw if t has much to grow in the department of versatilit y. PHOTO | COURTESY
-Wong Yun Tian
lifestyle
JAN UA RY 2 8 , 20 0 9
T H E NA N YA NG C H RON IC L E
FILMS
Red Cliff II
DRAMA/ACTION (PG)
Tony Leung, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Lin Chi-ling 141min
PHOTO | COURTESY
AFTER a stylish recap of part one, the audience is treated to a slice of Chinese history, expounding the brilliance of ancient weaponry and military tactics complete with awe-inspiring battle scenes. For one, Takeshi Kaneshiro gives a playful spin to the role of military strategist, Zhuge Liang, an intelligent man with a likeable sense
of self-deprecation and calm, even in the thickest of the action. On the other hand, watching Tony Leung perform swordplay was awkward. Instead of achieving an ancient gracefulness, it made audience fidget in their seats while waiting for the two-minute dance to end. Director John Woo’s signature themes of brotherhood and loyalty
still stand out in Red Cliff II, so prominently this time that the humanistic vibes almost take the centre stage. The action scenes are decently played out, convincing as a war of ancient times, using fish oil to fuel bombs and arrows as the main weapon. However, it gets almost fantastic how major characters always successfully evade the avalanche of arrows. For hardcore war epic fans, the two-part offering may be a drag. While Woo manages to deliver a spectacle of battle scenes, the brutality of war is much deferred by character development. The interludes of humour and wit also dilute the intensity.This lack of tension throughout the road towards the final battle might disappoint man, but it could be refreshing for audiences seeking less violent fare. One can understand why this is the most expensive Asian film to date with its lavish costumes and majestic battle scenes. Not forgetting the dramatic filming process—a stuntman died on the set—Woo’s magnum opus offers not just a war movie, but one that takes on Chinese history in a theatrical manner. It maximizes the stellar cast by allowing immense room for characterization. By the way, Woo’s trademark dovevs do fly in this movie, w it h a pu r pose, t ha n k f u l ly.
-CAI ZHIMIN
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Academy Awards Special: Movies you should be catching and why Oscar season is coming right up and just before press time, we managed to get hold of the list of award nominees. In no order of merit, here are some movies we at the reviews section think you should catch as soon as they open on our shores. Movie Title (Premiere date)
Awards Nominated For
Doubt (January 19th)
Best Supporting Actor Best Actress Best Supporting Actress Best Adapted Screenplay
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (February 5th)
Best Actor Best Supporting Actress Best Director Best Adapted Screenplay Best Motion Picture
The Reader (February 5th)
Best Director Best Adapted Screenplay Best Motion Picture
Slumdog Millionaire (February 5th)
Best Director Best Adapted Screenplay Best Motion Picture
Revolutionary Road (February 19th)
Best Supporting Actor Best Actress SOURCE | WWW.OSCARS.ORG
While Rachel Getting Married (February 26th) and Frost/ Nixon (March 12th) open after the awards, they are still worth a watch as they have been nominated for Best Actress and Best Motion Picture respectively. The 81st Academy Awards will be held on 23rd February 2009.
Punisher: War Zone ACTION / ADVENTURE (M18) Ray Stevenson, Dominic West, Doug Hutchison 103min
PHOTO | COURTESY
T H E P u n i s h e r i s one of those confusing movies. You despise the lack of plot and cardboard characters. At the same time you can’t help but enjoy yourself immensely when the hero takes on the v illains with all k inds of weaponry. Infamous vigilante Frank Castle, (Ray Stevenson) also known as the Punisher, is a one man army who takes down every member of the mob as
a form of vengeance for the deaths of his wife and daughter. However, he accidentally kills a cop and leaves for dead a mobster Bily Russoti (Dominic West) who miraculously sur vives despite numerous wounds. Russoti reemerges calling himself Jigsaw and teams up with his mentally unbalanced cannibal brother to take revenge. A lot of the fun in Punisher is how over the top every situation is. The Punisher has no trouble
getting through any fortress by gunning, knifing or punching anyone albeit in the most violent way possible. Viewers expecting a glossy and sanitized superhero movie dealing with deep themes in the vein of Spiderman or Batman might be put off. But those looking for some mindless on-screen violence complete with blood and gore would be in for a treat.
-KARTHIK SHANKAR
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e n i h s n u S
dapper: your essential style guide
o l l e H
PHOTOGRAPHY Foo Chee Chang (chang-photography.com)
FROM L
HIM: Argyle p Graniph; from Vi $179.90,
HER: Fa nt a st i $169.90, belt, $39,
HIM: Blue & w Blackma $49.90, f checked VictoriaJo
HER: Orange d The Bottl unavailab Black & w from Vict
Dapper Editors Carina K to get in the mood for f embracing delightful br your picnic baskets now a
PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANTS Ahmad Iskandar Sarah Lim MODELS Joel Leong Jayne Tham STOCKISTS Blackmarket 19 Jalan Pisang VictoriaJomo 9 Haji Lane Graniph B1-26 Plaza Singapura Spin The Bottle 01-02 The Cathay Egg3 01-04 The Cathay
HIM: Polka-dotted shirt, $79.90, from Graniph; Blue bermudas, $49.90, from VictoriaJomo; Loafers, $179.90, from VictoriaJomo
HER: Blue polka-dotted dress, $89, from Egg3; Black & white oxford heels, $89.90, from VictoriaJomo
Dark-blue check $79.90, from Gran b $49.90, from Vict L oa fers, $179.9 Vic
Yumumu dress, from Blackmarke Heels, $89, f
jan uary 28 , 20 0 9
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
LEFT
polo tee, $ 39.90, from Black bermudas, $49.90, ictor ia Jomo ; L oa fer s, from VictoriaJomo
ik A nt ik blue d ress, from Blackmarket; Waist , from Egg3
white shirt, $225, from arket; Brown bermudas, from VictoriaJomo; Grey shoes, $179.90, from omo
dress, $75, from Spin le; Blue waist belt, price ble, from Blackmarket; white oxford heels, $89.90, toriaJomo
Koh and Audrey Tsen show you how fun in the sun this festive season by brights and summer dresses, so grab and head out for a swell time of revelry!
HIM: ked shirt, niph; Black bermudas, toriaJomo; 9 0, from ctoriaJomo
HER: $229.90, et; Orange from Egg3
HIM: Red striped shirt, $79.90, from Gra n iph ; Brow n ber muda s, $49.90, from VictoriaJomo; Grey checked shoes, $ 49.90, from VictoriaJomo HER: Black & white dress, $79.90, from Spin The Bottle; Red heels, $89.90, from VictoriaJomo; Red polka-dotted luggage, $169.90, fom VictoriaJomo; Red polkadotted Wayfarers, $79.90, from VictoriaJomo
辉哥：我在家就像气象台 —— 刊24页
新闻
花 校 校草 南大
看过来！
最新一季的《校花校草上网追赶跑》 （Hey Gorgeous）开战了！在众多“准校 花校草”中脱颖而出的国立教育学院数学 系一年级生朱慧玲以及工程系一年级生曾 峰高票当选南大的校花校草代表。他们 到底够不够gorgeous？记者洪慧敏和罗靖 婷为你一探究竟。
信就是美。南大校花朱慧玲就展现了这样的 特质。曾夺得Miss Singapore World季军并 入围Miss Singapore Universe总决赛的她认为自己 够不够gorgeous？她心目中的校花又是怎样的呢？
在
在Gorgeous指数上，你给自己打几分（满分10分）？ 8分。
《校花校草上网追 赶跑》的网上投票 活动中，南大的两位代表 分别以上万张票数暂居前 六强，战绩相当不错。 在7所大专学府的13位
自信校花——朱慧玲
自
校花校草代表当中，如果 你只能支持一男一女， 你又会把票投给谁呢？ 记者突击食堂B，向20 位南大生一探究竟，测试他 们对本校代表是否满意。
你会给曾 峰打几分呢？ 9.9分，因为没有人是完美的，可是他近乎完美。 你心目中的校花、校草应该具备什么条件？ 校花应该要人见人爱，车见车载。 校草要长得高，大概高过1.75米。他应该有迷人的 外形，品格好并且乐于助人。
南大师生： 校花校草及格！ 记
者的调查结果显 示，南大的校花校 草 都颇 受 同 学 们 欢 迎 。 校花代表朱慧玲与校 草代表曾 峰分别以9票 以及10票，成为13位大 专学府代表当中，最受 南大生青睐的校花校草。 不 少 受 访 者 都 认 为南大的两位校花校 草代表都有明星脸。 就读于商学院一年 级的刘美秀与中文系一 年级的陈菀琳都不约而 同地表示，校花朱慧 玲长得像新闻主播。 除此之外，也有人 认为她貌似新传媒七 公主之一的陈靓 。 材料科学系二年级生 周勇威则认为：“南大的 校草长得有点像台湾艺人
小鬼，尤其是发型。” 然而，不是所有受访 南大生都支持本校代表。 电机与电子工程系四 年级生杨啸认为，与其他 校花代表相比，南大校 花代表并没什么特色。 生 物 科 学 院 一 年 级 生 岑 淑 芹 则 认 为 校草代表不够突出。 可别以为只有学生关 注校花校草的动向，因为 中文系的邱克威老师对校 花校草也略知一二。老师 们阅人无数，对南大的校 花校草又有什么看法呢？ 邱克威老师表示： “我觉得南大的代表很 好，应该算是学校里数一 数二的吧，特别是男代表 （曾 峰）在比赛中应该 有机会胜出。”
上届校花：南大代表太棒了！
上
一届《校花校草追 赶跑》女冠军，毕 业自土木与环境工程系的 曾佩琪看了南大校花校草 代表的照片后，直呼： “南大代表太棒了！” 与朱慧玲相识的曾佩 琪认为现任校花很漂亮
也十分平易近人，对校草 的评价也颇高，还打趣地 说：“他看起来挺帅的， 怎么没在学校看过他？” 除了南大的两位代 表，学姐也看好走猛男路 线的南洋理工学院代表约 翰。
之前有个调查显示，南大生是本地大专学府当中， 最不具吸引力的。你认为呢？ 我认为南大生只是不会可以去打扮罢了。要是他们 也打扮，肯定不会输给其他大学的学生。来学校就 是来念书的，没有必要做特别的打扮。
南大校花朱慧玲（左）和校草曾 峰（右）目前以超 过1万5000张支持票，暂居前六强。 照片|受访者提供
作为南大的代表，如果有人走上前跟你说你不漂 亮，你会怎么回应？ 要是你觉得你有资格，你就比给我看。
阳光校草——曾
个
性率直的南大校草曾 峰在《校花校草上网 追赶跑》宣传短片中妙语如珠，现在又会爆 出什么内幕呢？ 在Gorgeous指数上，你给自己打几分（满分10分）？ 4分，不，就5分吧，刚好及格。因为觉得自己不是很 好看，可是给4分又有可能会给人打，所以就5分吧。 你会给朱慧玲打几分呢？ 8分。她很有自信，有当模特儿的经验，会教我们如 何摆姿势。 你在《校花校草追赶跑》介绍短片直接说你会在别 人面前放屁和打嗝，这么说不怕会破坏形象吗？ 其实我在我朋友当中是没有形象的，想做什么东西 就去做。如果是面对陌生人就会收敛一点，不过不 会为了比赛特意去照顾形象。 参加比赛后，生活有什么改变？ 没有多大改变，也没有什么人认出我。不过有时朋 友会取笑说：“你可以不要在我电视上出现吗？”
峰
你心目中的校花和校草是怎样的呢？应该具备什么 条件呢？ 校草应该是很开朗、外向、热情，不一定要很好 看，不过要够活跃。 校花要漂亮，在穿着上花一点心思，不过不需要太 过张扬。校花的口才也要好，如果不能沟通的话， 男生会觉得她像花瓶。 如果你赢得比赛，你会... 大吃一餐。 因为之前制作组要求我们脱上衣拍照，然后我就觉 得跟其他男参赛者相比，自己没有肌肉，所以就开 始节食。赛后大吃一餐是为了补偿。 之前报章报导一项问卷调查显示，说南大的学生不 比其他大学的学生好看。你怎么看待这件事？ 这是个误解。我觉得很多人没看到南大的学生， 因为我们多数只活动于（文礼）这一带。住在宿舍 的人也不会特意去打扮。 我觉得我们的学生是比较实在的，不会把上课当成 是去走时装秀一样。
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JAN UARY 28 , 20 0 9
T H E NA N YA NG C H RON IC L E
中文学会新春联欢晚会
本地求学不寂寞 游子共聚庆春节 白素琴●报道
新
春佳节在即，南大中文学会在 1月16日举行了一年一度的新春 联欢晚会，让孤身在本地求学的游子们 共聚一堂，一起吃团圆饭、一同感受欢 乐的佳节气氛，也让学会会员们增进对 学会的归属感。会员们也分别献上各自 的压箱绝活，为佳节增添了几分文化气 息。 担任新春联欢晚会负责人的中文系 二年级生郑志勇透露，中文学会每年都 会举办类似的内部新春聚会，旨在提供 会员们一个交流的平台，让他们在和乐 融融的气氛中，增进彼此间的沟通，更 提升了会员们对学会的归属感。当晚活 动也包括中文学会各个表艺组所呈现的 精彩才艺。 除了幽默的相声表演、优美的口琴 演奏和爆笑的短剧，静态的书画组也在
一旁展示美妙的国粹书法艺术，还现场 提供免费的提字服务。 就读于电机与电子工程三年级的书 画组组员徐政基说：“团圆饭本来就是 农历新年不可或缺的传统，中文学会的 新春联欢晚会就借由这个传统，吸引了 不同国家的华族同胞共聚交流。” 郑志勇透露，往年他们都无法让所 有组别都呈现各自的演出。 今年，组委尽可能地把几乎所有组 别都联系在一起，好让他们有机会展现 各自擅长的表演。中文学会表艺组之一 的戏剧组在开场、中场和结尾演出几 段“kuso”（搞笑）版的《梁祝》。 就读会计系二年级的戏剧组组员蕙 彦表示：“平时各个组别都是各自练习 各自的项目，大家终于能见识彼此练习 的成果。” 联欢晚会洋溢着如同数学与经济学 系一年级生章蔚与黄金辉传播与信息学 院一年级生蔡韵两位司仪所说的“热
孤身到本地求学的华族学生共聚一堂提前庆新春，感受佳节的气氛。 摄影|林佐伊 闹”和“喜气”的气氛。 无论是大声嚷嚷地捞鱼生、大快朵 颐地品尝美食、聊天打闹，或是聚精会 神地欣赏台上的演出，活动都显现地拉 近了会员之间的距离。
组委和执委为克服人数、场地与赞 助商的问题所付出的努力果然没有白 费。参与这场联欢晚会的会员纷纷表 示，晚会办得很成功，也看得出大家都 很团结，都在为中文学会而努力。
言论 咖啡厅
你被娘惹风吹走了吗？ 陈凯玲
哈
插图｜黄郁雯
日、哈韩风已经吹了好 一阵子，我国最近因为 新传媒重头剧《小娘惹》而掀 起了一股“娘惹风”。 这股热潮让本地观众不自觉 地陷入土生华人文化的情怀， 也对这特殊的文化产生兴趣。 土生华人文化是东南亚独有 的一大特色，因为土生华人只 有在槟城、马六甲和新加坡一 带才找得到。 《小娘惹》的剧组远赴马来 西亚取景，只为捕捉最真实的 画面呈现给观众。从服饰、配 件、饮食到装潢，剧中所有细 节都离不开娘惹传统，几乎所 有女演员的装扮也都是传统娘 惹服饰sarong kebaya和手工细 腻的珠绣鞋。 随着“娘惹风”的吹袭， 相信不少非娘惹的女性会在来 临的农历新年穿上传统娘惹装 去拜年，成为亲友瞩目的焦 点。 美食爱好者追看《小娘惹》 的当儿，看见女主角菊香制作 的娘惹糕点，肯定是垂涎欲 滴，忍不住到糕点摊位买一些 来品尝。由此可见“娘惹风” 带来的商机的确不少。 《小娘惹》被誉为新加坡版 《大长今》。当时，韩国政府 成功地借助《大长今》的魅力 向外介绍韩国文化与美食，并
把拍摄场景变成旅游观光景 点。同样的，新加坡或许也 能利用《小娘惹》把土生华 人文化发扬光大。 旅游局也可安排到访的 旅客品尝娘惹佳肴，参观娘 惹博物馆，或到尼尔路157 号的百年土生华人房子体验 浓郁的土生华人气息。 “娘惹风”还不仅如 此。《小娘惹》剧情充满争 议，花边新闻不断涌现。 网民纷纷在部落格和论 坛上讨论剧情，分享意见， 甚至对反派角色凌辱一番。 《小娘惹》的粉丝们也 在社交网络Facebook上成 立“小娘惹”组织，至今会 员已有多达上万人。 另外，许多观众也“入 戏太深”，纷纷对有情人不 能成眷属的结局大感不满。 为此，电视台也特别拍 摄了《月娘与陈锡重逢篇》 以平息众怒，却引来反效 果。 即使褒贬不一，本地 确实已好久没有一部电视 剧能使那么多观众穷追不 舍，并创下突破历史新高 的收视率。 《小娘惹》虽然已经圆 满落幕，不过这股 “娘惹 风”或许会持续一阵子。 粉丝们梦寐以求的《小娘 惹2》究竟会不会落实，这 还是个未知数。
金融危机的反思 鞠欣航
自
从美国次贷危机席卷亚 洲后，不计其数的银行 与公司相继倒闭。 俄罗斯40万人失业；韩国 1万8000人在去年年11月前离 岗。在中国，500万在城乡打 工的外来人口失业几乎无家可 归。新加坡失业率也在逐步上 升。 世界上数以百计的蓝筹股公 司已经崩溃。 它们所留下的，不仅仅是失 业的员工，更是那些以毕生积 蓄投资，希望“钱生钱”的投 资者破灭的梦想。 在人们投资基金、证券、 股票等多种银行信票的同时， 心中所持有的愿望也莫过于赚 钱。 从个人的角度来看，投资就 是用自己的直觉赚钱。 成千上万的投资者将自己 毕生的财产交给银行和证券交 易员，期望他们为自己争取福 利。 但是，人们在幻想金钱的 时候似乎忘记了，人类本身， 也是自私的动物。 麦道夫（Bernard Madoff） 曾是华尔街顶顶有名的证券 交易员，而他的生意都是以 “亿”为计算单位。 很多名人知士都对麦道夫十 分信任，给予他百万美金的支 持。 可想，麦道夫竟是金融风暴 最大的骗子之一。他不但没有 帮助信任他的人赚取利润，反
而将他们的金钱挥霍尽制。 麦道夫事件仅是金融危机中 冰山的一角。 很多大银行也采取相同的 “行骗”手段误导无知的投资 者。 所以，在金融风暴中受到严 重亏损的人们，更应该加强自 己对赚钱方式的认识。 赚钱有很多种方法，但其中 自己最没有掌控权的就是证券 了。 一般的小市民永远没有能力 影响股市，只能被市场牵着鼻 子走。 虽然偶尔股民幸运，但是不 走运的时候，往往输得倾家荡 产。由此可见投资的风险性。 对刚毕业并即将步入社会的 大学生来说，没有工作经验是 就业的最大挑战。 与其一心一意当个高级的打 工仔，或是参与高风险投资， 不如在风暴中自己创业。 虽然创业举步为艰，但毕竟 是在为自己的未来奋斗，所得 的一分一厘都是自己的。 即使最终还是失败，至少 等年老的时候，回顾生命历 程时，会告诉自己曾经尝试过 了。 金融风暴过后，雨过天晴， 世界又是一片生机。 但是在全球化的今天，金融 风暴的频率也大大提升。 有能力保住工作度过一个风 暴，并不代表以后也会平安无 事。 因此，大学毕业生应该趁年 轻大胆地探索，建立自己的事 业，成为自己的老板。
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娱乐 娱乐休闲厅
Olivia Ong 专访
6岁受天后启发 立志当Superstar 宋慧纯●报道
6
岁时，她偶然看到电视节目 中玛利雅凯利的演出。那个 时候的Olivia Ong就立志长大后 要当超级巨星，希望有一天在 舞台上的演出也能有如此的感 染力！ 演唱《小娘惹》主题曲 你或许知道Olivia Ong是一 名在日本发展的新加坡女歌 手，诠释的歌曲普遍为英、 日文，但多数人对她的印象仍 然模糊。 真正让本地观众认识她的， 是日前创下前所未有高收视的 新传媒重头剧《小娘惹》主题 曲《如燕》。 《小娘惹》在本地掀起热 潮，水涨船高，主题曲的询问 度极高，大家对歌曲演唱人更 是好奇。 在日本发展多年，擅长 Bossa Nova西洋歌曲的Olivia以 中文诠释歌曲，更是头一回。 她表示：“接到这项演唱 工作时，发现这首歌的词很深 奥。在日本的时候很少使用中 文，咬字、发音也有问题。但 是制作人向我解释词的意思 后，我就能把歌曲诠释的更好 了。”
“这（到日本发 展）是一个千载难 逢的好机会。我不 后悔这个决定，因 为就算不当歌手， 我还是会选择在娱 乐圈发展，从事有 关行业。”
娱乐动脉
自爆情场失意 险些泪洒现场
台湾综艺界“本土天 王”吴宗宪声称将在今 年6月30日，全身退出 台湾娱乐圈，专心经营 生意。出道27年的他笑 说：“在台湾当艺人不 是人做的事情！”台湾 综艺大哥大张菲闻讯， 却指吴宗宪只是“‘鸳 鸯炮’，也许烧很久， 但不会爆”，明显不相 信吴宗宪的退出之意。
个决定，因为就算不当歌手， 我还是会选择在娱乐圈发展， 从事有关行业。” 原能在日本续约，Olivia却 选择回新发展。Olivia坦言： “身为一名华人，我其实很有 兴趣往华语乐坛发展，更想知 道我能够闯出怎样的成绩。” 在机缘巧合之下，Olivia在 滨海艺术中心演出时被唱片公 司相中，于是决定签约，正式 向华语乐坛迈进。 她也自认，自己的华语能力 还有待加强，目前仍在勤加练 习中。 现 在 ， 除 了 组 团 练 唱，Olivia也有兴趣尝试戏 剧，2月间将会在师兄林宥嘉的 演唱会上担任特别来宾。
蓝心湄狠批利菁主持歌 唱选秀节目却不会唱 歌，利菁大感不悦，扬 言正在筹备新专辑。利 菁反驳，身为主持人， 自己并非主角，参赛者 和评审才是重点。她表 示，自己并不会收看 《超级星光大道》，以 免模仿，并坚持自己的 风格。她也透露，自己 音感、舞感都很好，正 在筹备新专辑，为自己 争口气。
不轻易放弃音乐梦想 在追逐音乐梦想的道路上， 家人的支持是她最大的原动 力。Olivia透露，母亲平日都 会上网看看网友们对女儿的看 法，然后告诉她，让她哭笑不 得。 如果有一天交往的对象要她 放下事业成家，Olivia坦言不会 轻易放弃演艺事业。她表示， 伴侣一定要体谅她的工作。 她说：“跟我交往的男生必 须跟我合得来，最好我还能从 他身上学到东西。会做菜的也 不错哦！”
Olivia Ong 本地歌手
出道过程 年仅23岁的Olivia八年前在 新加坡以少女团体“Mirai”出 道，17岁到日本升学并单飞发 行个人专辑，在亚洲乐坛的成 就是大家有目共睹的。 被问及当初一句日文都不 懂，为什么却能在学生时期毅 然放下一切，到日本追求歌手 梦时，她表示对于当歌手的梦 想，她始终有坚定的信念。 Olivia说：“这是一个千载 难逢的好机会。我不后悔这
卓文萱《超级喜欢》校园演唱会
照片|华研国际音乐提供
经纪人霍汶希证实阿娇 钟欣桐将在牛年复出。 阿娇演艺事业因陈冠希 淫照事件大受影响，但 据说，她仍颇受广告商 青睐。霍汶希表示，阿 娇将低调拍摄电影与广 告，Twins则会在下半 年出片。 卓文萱在演唱会上自爆情事，险些情绪失控，泪洒现场。 摄影|Prayudi Utomo
马依苇●报道
卓
文萱南大校园开唱， 自爆2008年情场失 意，被主持人问及分手原因 时更险些情绪失控，泪洒李 光前讲堂。 卓文萱日前在由南大文 化活动协会举办的《超级喜 欢》校园演唱会，一上台就 对观众大呼：“我很想念你 们！” 她去年因为拍戏没有机 会来新加坡，觉得非常可 惜，所以这次选择将新加坡 作为海外宣传的第一站。 虽然演唱会前一夜没 睡，卓文萱仍是精神饱满， 活力四射，力求给歌迷最完 美的演出。 在演唱会上，卓文萱除 了带来新专辑主打歌《超级 喜欢》，也演唱了自己作词 的歌曲《一个人的勇敢》。 卓文萱透露，这首歌是 为了纪念上一段恋情。她提 及分手的原因是男方嫌她太 过“黏人”，写歌也是为了 给自己一个提醒，让自己下 次更“警惕”。 在主持人的访谈过程
中，卓文萱谈及在新专辑中与 诸多大牌音乐人合作的感想。 当描述与张震岳的合作时， 她调侃说，他就是个爱讲冷笑 话的“大孩子”。 当晚，卓文萱在服装上延续 以往可爱风格，但多了一点小 性感，自称要转走“小女人” 路线。 她也不忘为新专辑宣传， 不但给大家展示了新专辑别出 心裁的两个封面设计，还故作 悲伤地大呼唱片业不景气， 希望大家多多支持自己。 在演唱时，卓文萱不时与 现场观众进行互动，还两次下 台绕全场与歌迷朋友们握手。 活泼可爱的她，当天更展现了 风趣幽默的一面，使现场气氛 达到高潮。 在主办单位特别安排的互动 环节中，卓文萱从现场选出了 三位幸运的男生，分别与他们 深情对唱情歌《梁山伯与朱丽 叶》。 虽然三位男生唱功不佳， 但都极具表演天赋，与卓文萱 对唱时毫不羞涩。 就读电脑科学系一年级的罗 森元说：“我看过很多的校园 演唱会，觉得卓文萱唱歌真的 很有爆发力，唱功很好。”
台湾第一名模林志玲据 传接演2010年贺岁电影 《刺陵》，与周杰伦大 玩姐弟恋。和邱士楷频 传婚讯的她曾扬言愿为 爱情放弃事业，现在却 为了电影事业而一再延 迟喜事，可见她野心不 小。 赵薇将担任香港导演马 楚成新片《花木兰》的 女主角。近年有关真人 版《花木兰》的传闻不 少，杨紫琼、章子怡、 李宇春和Maggie Q，都 曾是“准花木兰”，但 马楚成最后确定这一角 由赵薇出演。 新传媒再度举行校园 歌唱选秀比赛《校园 Superstar》，评选出 的12强却惨遭网友恶批 没水准，四位入围的男 生的素质更不如八位女 同学。不仅如此，日前 更爆出观众席支持者爆 粗口的事件，令其他观 众相当不满。
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娱乐
乐评 音乐Jukebox
新春贺岁片《幸福万岁》记者会
辉哥：我在家就像气象台
专辑：《静茹&情歌 别再为他 流泪》 歌手： 梁静茹 推荐：《PK》《属于》
等
待了一年多，情歌天后 梁静茹登场了。这次， 唱片公司打着“慢工出细货” 的牌子，只为送上最好听的 “静茹情歌”。 与新出炉的金曲歌王曹格合唱的《PK》和以往的对唱情歌 明显不同，走的是亲民路线。没有过度华丽的高音、没有耍技 巧的转音，以极少修饰的歌声唱出小两口争吵时谁也不想让谁 的小固执。 每件事都有其必然的发展经过。专辑的主打情歌《属于》 就唱出这种必然性；鼓励恋人不要害怕面对过去，展望未来。 这也是专辑中旋律较具起伏的一首。 这已是梁静茹的第十张个人专辑，歌曲多半延续她擅长的 抒情K歌路线。虽然听到了梁静茹对每首歌曲的细心雕刻，却 还是欠缺突破。（文／徐健源）
专辑：《D新引力》 歌手： 唐禹哲 推荐：《情报》《告诉我》
贺岁猛片《幸福万岁》的女主角杨雁雁（右）认为，男主角辉哥（左）在现实生活中是个非常细心的 好老公。 摄影|陈蕴慧
宋慧纯●报道
辉
哥程旭辉在本地导演梁 智强监制的新春贺岁片 《幸福万岁》中饰演一个结婚 二十年，缺乏安全感，不知道 妻子爱不爱自己的男人。 但现实生活中的他婚姻美 满，并同记者分享了维系幸福 婚姻的守则：互相了解，一起 把家庭照顾好很重要。 辉哥自认在家像个气象台 在上周《幸福万岁》记者会 上受访时，辉哥坦言自己不是 会把爱挂在嘴边的人。 不过他自认对老婆做过最温 柔的事情就是“让”；即不要 踩到地雷就没事了。 辉哥笑言自己在家就像个 气象台。他说：“我会在一旁 观察脸色，像可能老婆心情不 好，就会跟女儿说：‘女儿， 妈妈今天心情不好。’” 除了情人节、生日和过年时 都会包红包给老婆之外，影片 中饰演辉哥太太的女主角杨雁 雁还爆出辉哥会买燕窝给老婆 吃的秘密。 杨雁雁说：“一个男人会买 燕窝给老婆吃，证明他是很细 心的。” 杨雁雁：我是超级浪漫主义者 杨雁雁表示自己是一个超级 浪漫的人。 不说不知，个性大剌剌的她 以前还曾经买花送给男朋友。 她说自己会从小小的细节着
手，像写字条给男友传情意。 她表示：“我生气的时候不 要买花给我，我会拿花砸你。 但是如果我开心，你就算给我 残花败柳我都会开心地飞起 来。” 被问及对东方人表达爱意的 看法时，杨雁雁觉得亚洲人最 特别的地方就是不会把爱挂在 嘴边，而是以行动表示。 对她而言，妈妈晚上在家等 孩子回来，就是一种爱。 她坦言，年轻时也曾经觉得 妈妈的叮咛很烦，但是现在的 她完全可以了解妈妈的苦心。 新晋导演陈启全 为电影注入新元素 电影《幸福万岁》主要 是探讨剧中人物陈木成（程 旭辉饰）、Jeremy（林德荣 饰）、Benny（梁铭 饰）三 个不同年龄层的男人对于爱与 幸福的追寻。 这回梁智强导演首次与本地 新晋导演陈启全合作，为片子 注入不同的元素与火花。 对毕业自南洋理工大学黄金 辉传播与信息学院的陈启全而 言，拍摄商业片可是头一遭。 他觉得拍商业片很不容易， 因为除了得确保影片的素质 外，还需照顾到电影的行销和 宣传，不像艺术片，拍摄时无 须太多商业考量。 拍摄广告经验丰富的陈启全 对于台词也很重视。不过搭档 梁智强却喜欢即兴创作。 关于这点陈启全说：“梁导 很愿意分享他的经验，拍到后 来慢慢互相了解，我们也擦出
了不一样的火花。” 陈启全也透露，期待日后能 拍摄恐怖题材的电影，但他希 望能拍出不同于以往、让人有 所启发的恐怖片。 电影增设马来文字幕 开拓大马及印尼的市场 梁智强导演近年的电影作品 在邻国与本地马来社群间引起 广大的回响。 因此，在《幸福万岁》中， 观众可以看到梁导精心设计的 中、英及马来文字幕。 梁导表示，他在马来西亚的 观众有一部分是马来人，而这 些马来族观众也非常喜欢他的 电影。 他看准这庞大的市场，并希 望不同种族的观众都能欣赏这 部影片。 与此同时，梁导也希望自己 能帮助一些有潜力的导演。 他表示之前看过一些马来族 学生所拍摄的短片，觉得这些 作品都拍得不错。 因此，他有意提拔本地新一 代的马来族新晋导演，开拓印 尼以及马来西亚的市场。 既然《幸福万岁》讲述的是 爱情与婚姻，拥有一个美满家 庭的梁导对此也颇有一套自己 的看法。 他说：“凡事都要往好的方 面看。结婚很容易，在结婚证 书上签字就好了，但是眼前还 有很长的一段路要走。” 与其在发生问题时追究责 任，梁导说：“不要说你的老 公或老婆不爱你了，而是要问 自己为他们做了什么。”
唐
禹哲一年未发片，终于 推出第二张专辑《D新引 力》，果然不失吸引力，深深 抓住歌迷的心。 唐禹哲在新专辑中首次挑战电音舞曲《情报》，充分表现 出他节奏上的绝佳掌握。 他更在MV中突破以往情歌王子的形像，大秀帅气的舞蹈， 证明自己成为动感歌手的潜质，也给歌迷耳目一新的听觉与视 觉享受。 唐禹哲擅长的抒情歌曲当然也是不可少的。 《翻滚吧！蛋炒饭》的戏迷对专辑中收录的《告诉我》绝 对不会感到陌生。一边听着歌曲，一边回忆剧情，音乐与画面 的结合更令粉丝回味无穷。 专辑除了电音舞曲与抒情歌曲以外，也收录了延续上一张 专辑首波主打《爱我》的日系摇滚风格的《Kiss Me Now》。 制作人巧妙地将《爱我》的部分副歌作为新专辑的开场 白，不仅让我们更记得这位大男生热爱歌唱的初衷，也告诉我 们：唐禹哲长大了。（文／廖婧 ）
专辑：《Joanna & 王若琳》 歌手： 王若琳 推荐：《Times of Your Life》
一
直很喜欢Joanna王若 琳，因为她很有个性， 气质也非常出众。 身为“台湾最著名、最资深 的制作人”王治平的女儿，王 若琳的压力可想而知。 不过，她是少数成功摆脱父 母光环的艺人。原因无他，只 在于她独特的音乐风格和潇洒的态度。 王若琳的第二张专辑《Joanna & 王若琳》由她与父亲共同 制作，延续了她独特的慵懒爵士风格。 新专辑分“唱歌的Joanna”和“写歌的王若琳”两张CD。 在“唱歌的Joanna”里，王若琳重新演绎了Paul Anka 1975 年的畅销金曲《Times of Your Life》和《Vincent》等多首经典 歌曲；“写歌的王若琳”则包括《Nobody’s a Nun》和《His Remedy》等10首由王若琳一手包办词曲的英文歌曲。 其中，主打歌曲《Times of Your Life》很恬淡，表现出对 往事的缅怀和淡淡的哀愁，歌词却又不失鼓励人们把握时光的 积极意义，让人不禁放下手边的工作，静静地听她的声音。 21岁的王若琳为了不再被误认为30、40岁的熟女，特地为 新专辑剪了可爱俏丽的“妹妹头”，展现出她年轻可爱的一 面，还原她真实的年龄。（文／吴诗雁）
Undergraduate Investment Forum
ISSUE 15 | NTU INVESTMENT INTERACTIVE CLUB | WWW.NTU-IIC.ORG
The Need for Change Entering the Obama world in how we view investing
By Jeremy Teo
The world saw the inauguration of her first black United States President, Barack Obama, on 20 January 2009, signaling a transition into a new era. “Our challenges may be new,” he said. “The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends -- honesty and hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism -these things are old. These things are true.” Faced with the daunting task of reviving a war-weary American nation that is hit badly by its crumbling finance sector, President Obama brings a novel perspective, a fresh dimension to view this catastrophe. With him and his original style of facing situations, new and renewed hopes are brought to America; turning a pessimistic outlook to an opportunity for starting-over. By the same token, the prospect to start investing – especially when all seems lost in the market – seems to strike a chord with budding young investors in NTU. Indeed, they saw opportunity in this crisis, deciding to take this chance to understand the market and strengthen their financial aptitudes through a series of investment talks organised specially for such opportunity seekers. For two weeks, several hundreds of NTU students actively sought to understand the financial crisis and strengthen their financial aptitudes. Learning from fellow students and people from the industry through KitKat Investopedia, an initiative launched by NTU Investment Interactive Club (NTU-IIC), much positive feedback were received on this series of investment dialogues for students by students. It is interesting to note that more than half of these newly inspired young investors were not business students. Instead, they came from the various engineering faculties, humanities school and even the National Institute of Education! Straits Times political editor Chua Lee Hoong, wrote, “A longish
recession provides an opportunity to educate a new generation of Singaporeans on what governing Singapore entails.” Indeed, NTU-IIC believes that this is the best time to take a good look at the financial markets. With stock prices returning to pre-rally days of 2005, there exist many stocks trading below their intrinsic values. Many companies are like diamonds hidden beneath the coal dust, giving us our only task – to identify them. This serves as an excellent time for the youths in Singapore to truly pick up the skills of analyzing markets and portfolios. With positivity, we will, as Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Singapore’s Minister for Finance commented in the Singapore Budget 2009, “emerge stronger and ready to seize new opportunities, just as we did when we responded to the Asian Financial Crisis a decade ago.” The vital question remains as to when the market would turn around. The Singapore government has forecasted growth in the negative territory which characterizes 2009 with gloom. While some analysts predict a V-shaped speedy recovery, others expect a U-shaped, more gradual and extended period of recovery. Some jokingly say that it could be a bathtub! Despite all these, it seems like some change has come to NTU. Investing used to be that of an individual affair, kept only to the seclusion of the rich and wealthy. Today, it has evolved into a necessary and essential skill which NTU students hope to be equipped with. While President Obama and his team seem to have the antidote to the poisoned U.S. economy, here in NTU we can only be expectant, viewing change as imperative. Looking ahead, we need a change in the way we view the economy – from pessimism to optimism; a change in the way we view the stock markets – from speculation to objectivity; and a change in the way we view investing – from passivity to openness. With these changes, the President Obama way, we look towards better times.
WIN!
QUICK QUIZ 15
7 sets of Canvas Bags with pens and notebooks to be won! Answer the questions below and e-mail uif.quiz@ntu-iic.org (Set the subject of your mail as Quick Quiz 15 & leave your mobile number)
1) What did Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam say in his Singapore Budget 2009 speech which was quoted in this article? 2) How should we change the way we view the economy, the Barack Obama way? Deadline: 9 February 2009
NTU-IIC reserves the right to change the prize of the quiz without prior notice.
CONGRATULATIONS!
QUICK QUIZ 14 WINNERS!
You have each won yourself a Canvas bag with pens avnd notebooks! You will be notified via email.
1. Teo Kian Yong 2. Ng Yee Sing 3. Phoon Jian Zhong Clarence 4. Lai Chung Sing Simon 5. Nguyen Ngoc Diep
Undergraduate Investment Forum Brought to you by: www.ntu-iic.org
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Opinion
“What do local and international students think about the future of the new Obama administration?” Page 28
frankly, my dear
EDITORIAL
Remaining resilient Two notable events happened in the space of a week – a senior Singaporean civil servant was reprimanded in parliament, and the government tapped into its reserves for the first time to fund a massive economic stimulus plan for Budget 2009. Though seemingly unrelated, they illustrate the gulf between the haves and havenots of Singapore society. While the average citizen is concerned about making ends meet as the country experiences what has been called the deepest recession since its independence, the Permanent Secretar y of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tan Yong Soon, wrote an article in the Straits Times about his $46,500 cooking class in Paris with his family. Predictably, this led to a backlash in the local online community, with many feeling outraged at Mr Tan’s ostentatious display of extravagance at a time when the government is urging Singaporeans to tighten their belts. The general sentiment was clear: public servants should lead by example, and not
practise double standards. This led to Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean addressing the issue in Parliament. He said: “It struck a discordant note during the current difficult economic circumstances when it is especially important to show solidarit y and empathy for Singaporeans who are facing uncertainties and hardship.” However, the lower echelons of the local social strata may find comfort in the fact that the government is acting upon the pressing issues caused by the global economic decline with a highly expansionary budget. With a multi-pronged approach aimed at helping both businesses and households, it is hoped that the $20.5 billion Resilience Package announced during Budget on January 22nd can help Singaporeans ride through the lean period ahead. Indeed, the Budget has been welcomed as being generous, and with double the GST Credits given out this year, it seems like an early red packet has been given out before the Lunar New Year to all as a form of encouragement during a downturn .
CH R O N ICL E THE NANYANG
chief editor Ng Yong Kiat Fabian sub-editors Lien Xiu Wen Ng Wei Chuen Caleb Vo Van Hung News editors Cai Zhimin Alexis Lee Wei Jian Edmund Lifestyle editors Toh Li Min Kezia Wee Ling Li Cheryl Reviews editor Law Shi Ming Elizabeth dapper editors Koh Fang Ting Carina Tsien Si Jia Audrey Chinese editors Seow Kia Hui Ng Soon Kiat opinion editors Shahida Bte Hassim Shereen Naaz Charles sports editors Tham Hui Min Tiffany Xue Jianyue
layout editors Cha Ee Ling Alexis Josephine K Chow Zhang Leyu photo editors Foo Chee Chang Lim Joe Ee Zoe Tan Yi Leong Irwin graphics editor Sarah Amnah ONLINE editor Kuek Jinhua business managers Lee Yi Ling Eileen Teo Xin Wen Jean Toh Zong Rong Yong Sze Jean Joyce production support Ng Heng Ghee Teacher advisors Andrew Duffy Javed Nazir Xu Xiaoge
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 News Hotline: 6790 6446 Letters: chronicle@ntu.edu.sg Opinions: chronicle.opinions@ ntu.edu.sg Please include your full name, contact number, faculty and year of study.
A column by The Chronicle editors on issues close to their hearts
The name game
Shereen Naaz Charles opinion editor
Syariff
T
here is a Ca ntonese expression which when r ou g h l y t r a n s l at e d to English, means: one can change his fate but if his name is wrong, there is no hope for redemption. T he Ch i nese have a lways believed that the name of a baby can have a great impact on the child’s destiny. Perhaps, in our Yunnan Garden Campus, the name of a road can also have a great impact on all the students studying in the campus. On December 29th 2008, NTU renamed a section of Nanyang Drive to Lien Ying Chow Drive to honour the legacy of one of NTU’s founding fathers, Dr Lien Ying Chow. This change in name has already stirred up debate among the student population. Students seem to be divided into various camps – those who think it is ridiculous to rename a mere 600 metres to honour a man, those who feel that there is some significance behind renaming Nanyang Drive and those who are simply ignorant of this change. It is important to note, however, that NTU did not just choose to rename Nanyang Drive for no reason. In fact, the man being honoured was one of the founding fathers of Nantah, the original name for NTU. He was also one of NTU’s biggest benefactors. Through the Lien FoundationN T U pa r t ne r sh ip, i mpac t f u l differences have been made not only within our campus, but also, outside of it. The partnership with the Lien Foundation gave r ise to Lien Foundation-N T U Env i ron menta l Endeavou r, a programme which aims to improve the quality of life for less developed countries in Asia. In this age where everyone is rushing to keep up with the paper chase, and when fresh graduates are more concerned with the uncertain job market, it is always good to reflect upon how much it has taken to get NTU to where it is today. From a university which built its reputation on having a niche in the sciences, to the multi-faculty, multi-disciplined campus we have today, the Lien Foundation’s generous donations cer tainly played a big part in creating a home for students to excel in both
GRAPHIC | JANELL HOONG
the arts and the sciences. In an article on NTU’s website, Mrs Margaret Lien, Chairman of Lien Foundation, and wife of the late Dr Lien said, “The relationship between my husband the late – Dr Lien Ying Chow and NTU goes far back, all the way to the founding days of Nantah. I am so pleased that NTU has chosen to honour his legacy and the work of the Lien Foundation with the naming of Lien Ying Chow Drive. This lovely, tree-lined road leading into the University is an especially apt gesture as it symbolises the pathway to learning and knowledge which was so dear to the heart of Dr Lien.” Whether it was set up to cater to the Chinese population in the 1950s or to be home to the melting pot of races, religions and cultures that is Singapore today, what remains constant for NTU is the need to inculcate the thirst for knowledge.
It symbolises the pathway to learning and knowledge, which was so dear to Dr Lien.
Perhaps, it is time for that change that everyone seems to be talking about. Truth be told, NTU uses rather generic names for its buildings, hostels and roads.
While alumni and even current students may feel a sense of belonging to the school through these buildings and names, one wonders if it is time to embrace change and to allow for new memories to be created, for a vibrancy of colour within the campus, for a new culture to be born. We cannot allow ourselves to be stuck in the past, when the whole world is rushing to get to the top. Likewise, it is not enough to merely know our past. We also need to understand the significance of this past and the impact it will have on us, and on future generations of NTU students. Just like how the Chinese chose names which they believe will have a great impact on their child’s destiny, I believe that this change in name will also impact the students of NTU. Some may not be happy about this change, while others may welcome the change and anticipate more changes around campus. Perhaps students who have never known of Dr Lien’s and the Lien Foundation’s contributions to NTU will now be enlightened, and will understand the story behind the change of road names. The next time 179 turns the corner of Lien Ying Chow Drive, take a moment to think about the Lien Foundation’s contribution to your life, as a student in NTU, and as a Singaporean. You may not agree with the idea of renaming a stretch of road, but it would not hurt to look out the window and acknowledge the change that has come to our beautiful garden campus.
opinion
jAN UA RY 2 8 , 20 0 9
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
Penny wise, environmentally foolish
canteen talk
Nanyang Drive was renamed to honour the late Dr Lien Ying Chow, a founding father of NTU. How do students feel about this change?
I think that having a time capsule to highlight Dr Lien’s contributions would be a better way to remember him.
27
”
Pramodh Rai, NBS Year 1, 21
“
I’m not aware of the name change or who Dr Lien is. More should be done to raise students’ awareness. Dan Wong, ADM Year 2, 25
Wouldn’t it be better to name a building after him? I don’t think people notice the changes made to the road name.
”
Mazlynnah Subandi, ELH Year 1, 22
“
Yes, I noticed the change in the road name when I took the bus to school. However, I’m not really sure who he is. Lydia Shah , ADM Year 2 , 22
I think that having an endowment fund in his name would have been a more practical idea than renaming a road.
”
Chew Hwee Hsia, ELH Year 1, 19
TEXT | SHAHIDA BTE HASSIM; PHOTOS | FOO CHEE CHANG
GRAPHIC | JANELL HOONG
John Gamboa
O
bvious statement of the day: When people have less money, they spend less. A less obv ious statement: This current recession can mean the end of the green movement, because people have less money. This global recession means people are less willing to part with money and more likely to go for whatever is cheap but not good for the environment. Those retrenched in developing nations will turn to means of nonsustainable agriculture forms, as England’s Guardian newspaper reported last month. On Boxing Day, the New York Times reported that families in the United States are switching to coal to heat their homes in cold winters as it is more cost-effective. P r oduc t s of fe r e d at t he lowest prices will be picked up by consumers. Organic foods, which are healthier and better for the environment, but more costly, will now have a hard time competing with cheaper foods grown with synthesised fertilisers chemical byproducts that are cheaper to grow. Banks, now more careful than they have been in decades, will not be handing out loans as freely to start-up enterprises with untested or experimental technology. Corporations with a philanthropic eye on research for green technology may begin to cut back in order to stay afloat. Part of the problem lies in the lack of tangibility of going green. With the economy, people have numbers and indices to know for sure when an ailing economy gets back on its feet. But how will everyone know when we are officially green? Is the United Nations or the local government the ones to decree it? Will the general public believe it if they do? That is the fundamental problem.
to construct a $3.4 billion solar panel manufacturing plant in 2012. The Straits Times reported that thousands of jobs can be created from this venture. The “Green New Deal” may not seem to have t he same sheen and grandiose quality as its namesake of US President Frank lin Roosevelt’s 1930sera “New Deal” in the scale of large projects, but they can still be effective in keeping governments and people from reverting to destructive means of consumption. While there are no guarantees for either government-subsidised jobs, or the success of the greencollar industry, the public have limited options in making a difference, despite the state of the world economy. One big way people can help keep things green is to simply consume less.Some may think it is counter-intuitive to tell people to consume less when life is based on consumption. That is not the case. Goi ng g reen du r i ng a recession is just as easy as it is during an economic boom. You just have to think outside the box. Opting out of plastic bags At no point is a great way to cut material consumption. will someone Taking shorter showers will decrease the demand for water, say,”OK, good job a nd t he i ndu st r ia l pr oce s s everyone, we are of f i lter ing it, wh ich a lone consumes much non-renewable officially green.” resources. Such actions may seem insignificant, but if enough people adopt such habits, they can make a big difference in the Not a l l i s lo s t , t houg h . future. While this economic meltdown Already, US President Barack Obama claims to have “shovel- has millions of people worrying, ready” eco-friendly projects. it does not mean we should stop Japan and Sout h Korea are worrying about the future of claiming to have “Green New their planet. It may be hard to focus on Deals” for their unemployed staying green, but if everyone citizens. A deal between the Singapore starts trying to go green, life gover nment and Renewable can be more sustainable. It will E n e r g y C o r p o r a t i o n , a also make things better for the 2mm apart from picture Norwegian solar tech firm, aims environment at the same time. “Going green” is an abstract term to the average Joe. Sure, you have carbon dioxide emissions reports and carbon footprint data, but that is hard enough as it is. Also, at no point will someone say, “OK, good job everyone, we are officially green. You can stop recycling now.” Be i ng m i nd f u l of t he environment and the world we live in requires a fundamental shift in the means in which people live. It is not a diet for the planet. It is a lifestyle change. This could not be truer in the case of oil consumption. When oil prices skyrocketed last summer, people stopped driving as much and looked into getting hybrid cars in the US. However, when oil prices plummeted months shortly after, it was like the gas crunch never happened. People began driving more and never looked back. With reports of oil prices dropping even more in 2009, it will mean more money spent on oil. Why should Chevron, owner of Caltex, invest more in sustainable energy technology, if it means expensive construction projects and research?
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opinion
jan uary 28 , 20 0 9
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
Starts at 40mm / 5mm apart from top story
Hope for the American Dream Renee Villasenor
F
rom the perspective of a young American living
in Sout her n Ca lifor nia during the past election per iod, it wou ld be an u nde r s t ate me nt to s ay t h at members of my demographic are supportive of President Barack Obama. A more accurate description of attitudes towards the newly inaugurated President of the United States is to say that most young people are passionately supportive of Obama. Wearing a T-shirt boasting the now famous slogan “Yes we can!” became more than just a symbol of suppor t for your preferred presidential candidate. It became a fashion statement. As one of the few members who did not jump on the “Obama” bandwagon, I must admit that a lt hough I was proud of my rebellious skepticism, I could not help but feel slightly left out. A s my f r iends for med relationships based on the single common advocacy of “change” and “hope”, all I could do was sit back. When they gave me the chance to speak up, I then delivered my well-suppor ted – but not well-received – argument for considering Senator John McCain as the more qualified presidential candidate. Despite my own views however, it is a known fact that if it had been up to the world to decide on the 44th President of the United States, Obama would have won by a landslide. Personally, I credit much of the support he receives to his refreshing appearance, undeniable charisma, and great oratorial skills, which all worked together to hammer the appealing yet vague concepts of “hope” and “change” into the minds of young progressives. This may be a controversial generalisation but I’ve realised that Obama supporters tend to be uneducated on the true issues and obstacles that he faces. One cannot help but wonder if he will follow through with the promises he has pledged to fulfill during his time as President. Howe ver, I d igress; it i s obvious that my opinions on the matter are not a true snapshot of the typical young American or even the typical young person in the world. Being in the unique position that I am as an exchange student in Singapore, I am interested in the varying concerns, expectations and wishes of international and Singaporean students on the matter. W hat I have found while talking to individual students from all over the world is that while in general the people of their respective nations support Obama, views vary drastically on a more individual basis.
GRAPHIC | SARAH AMNAH
T he Singaporean react ion to American politics has been interesting, as views on Obama seem to shift radically from person to person. As I have searched and read many Singaporean opinions on the matter, as well as researched statistics on Obama supporters around the world, I have realised that most opinions on American politics stem from the concerns of one’s nation as a whole, in relation to the US. Singaporeans seem to enjoy fol low i ng A mer ica n pol it ics be cau se it i s mor e e xc it i ng than the local politics. An NTU student compared the drama of US politics to the show “Desperate Housewives”. He supported Obama because he believed that Obama would help to implement effective policies that would replace outdated policies. He may be alluding to the fact that America has always stuck to the same fundamental ideals that have existed since the nation’s founding and have played a key role in its success. The message of “hope” and “change” also seems to resonate with Singaporeans as the structure of t heir loca l gover nment is stringent and leaves little room
for the advocacy of such ideals by their people. An online BBC poll found that Singapore was one of the few nations where most citizens s u p p or t e d O b a m a b u t a l s o possessed a more positive outlook on a presidency of McCain.
An NTU student compared the US politics to the show “Desperate Housewives”. Views of international students vary even further. A fellow exchange student from Mexico explained that although Obama is well received by the general public in her country, her own opinion is that Obama lacks the experience which may result in his making many mistakes throughout his term. She explained that her primary concern would have to do with his stance on immigration, and hopes that he would help many of the Mexican immigrants living in the US to have better opportunities
made available to them. Likewise, a Canadian student explained that like most of the world, Canada is also very supportive of the Obama administration. Yet, she admitted that although there was an election in Canada right before the US elections, the event was not paid much attention to as it was overshadowed by the political drama of America. Fellow students from France and the Netherlands said that they also have hope for the success of Obama. They explained that generally their countr ies are more receptive of the Obama administration because of their common liberal outlooks and expectations that Obama will help lift America out of the rut that it has fallen into. As the world’s public opinion on Obama stirs, an issue that should be agreed on by all is that the President of the United States has his work cut out for him. With the recent crisis in Gaza unfolding and the world watching intently, all eyes turn to Obama who has taken up position in the White House. And it would cer tainly be interesting to see how he will deal with this particular issue. Given t hat t he US has
historically nurtured its sometimes controversial relationship with Israel, the question which remains is whether Obama will institute a change in foreign policy dealing with the nation, or make the decision to follow in the footsteps of former presidents. One cannot help but wonder whether he will handle the situation more delicately in an effort to preserve the friendly relations. I n doi ng so, he ig nor e s previous stances on protecting the Palestinian people under any circumstances. My thoughts are that he has no choice but to follow the latter path. This raises the question of what other promises will fall through as he faces the reality of taking up office. Granted it is expected that Obama will not be able to deliver on all of the promises he has made during the course of his campaign. He faces balancing opinions of his advisors and the implications of taking drastic actions towards tricky matters. However, it remains to be seen what effects his changing stances may have of him and whether this will affect the overall success of his administration and the overall success of his administration.
sports
jan ua ry 2 8 , 20 0 9
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
sports profile
sports talk
Laos 2009 a circus?
Staying grounded in the fast lane The sprinter who rewrote the national record shares her thoughts Jeremy Oh
GRAPHIC | ZED TAN
Xue Jianyue sports editor
THE 2009 SEA (Southeast Asian) Games, to be held at Vientiane by first-time host Laos, raised eyebrows with its unprecedented exclusion of Olympic sports such as basketball, gymnastics and almost all the water sports. Ma lay sia , i n pa r t ic u la r, frowned on its automatic loss of 34 gold medals as community games were included at the expense of Olympic sports. T h is prompted Dat u k Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the Malaysian Sports Minister, to label the SEA games “a fullfledged circus”. He also sparked a heated debate suggesting that Malaysia send only second-liners to the SEA Games. His worries are notable. With the exclusion of so many popular Olympic events, it makes sense for countries to focus on key Olympic sports in the Commonwealth and Asian Games as a stepping stone to the Olympics. The exclusion of Olympic sports does not affect Malaysia only. The current undecided status of basketball in the 2009 SEA Games could mean that the Philippines might not get to defend her basketball title. Singapore would also see her medal count drop with the absence of water polo and sailing, her traditional strongholds. Laos cited the lack of facilities, equipment and technical expertise as reasons for the exclusion of so many events. This is understandable given the considerable financial and geographical constraints facing t he la nd loc ked , de ve lopi ng country. The Philippines, along with Thailand, has offered to help Laos organise basketball for the SEA Games on the former’s home soil, but the proposals have been
29
rejected by the host country insistent on holding all games in their capital city alone. Nonetheless, the issue was not about how many gold medals a country would “lose”. Historically, SEA Games hosts have had a big say in the number and type of sports that feature in each tournament. While concerns are brewing over the introduction of sports such as péntaque in the Vientiane Games, it is noteworthy that the previous SEA Games also saw the entry of non-mainstream sports, such as shuttlecock and fin swimming. Such recurrent problems may breed the perception that the SEA Games are just a social arena for players to mingle, rat her t han a platfor m for serious sports competition.
It would not hurt if Laos accepted more help to preserve the sporting values of the games The upcoming SEA games wou ld a lso be ma rked by the absence of some world champions. Nicol Dav id, Malaysia’s world champion in squash; J a s m i n e Ye o n g - N a t h a n , Singapore’s women World Cup bowling champion; as well as world class keglers across South East Asia will be absent from the 2009 Vientiane Games. With the exclusion of so many Olympic sports at SEA Games, the prestige of the 50year-old competition has sunk to a new low, and it is time to have new suggestions to revive its status.
One possibi lit y is t hat Southeast Asian countries could come together to decide on a standard list of Olympic sports that must be held every SEA Games, instead of giving a free rein to the host country to exclude any sport at will. T h i s s t a nd a r d l i s t of Oly mpic spor ts shou ld be created after infrastructural and financial constraints have been considered. A ratio of non-mainstream games to Olympic sports should also be set, for the lack of Olympic sports cannot be made up by simply organising more community sports. This is cr ucial to maintaining the international value of the SEA Games in relation to those of the Asian and Commonwealth Games. It will also be great to keep a number of Olympic sports in the SEA Games going, even if a few are held away from Laos. It is understandable that the first-time hosts would want to have all the sporting events held on its own soil. However, Laos had already accepted much aid from her neighbours. Vietnam, for her part, is footing the bill for a new $19 million Games Village. Thailand has offered exchange lessons for Laos's officials involved SEA Games preparation, which is worth around $2.9 million. It would not hurt if Laos accepted a little more help to preserve the sporting value of the Games. Shar ing the hosting of certain games is not new to the sporting world either. Back in the 2002 World Cup, football matches were held in both South Korea and Japan. Laos, as first-time hosts, could take the first step to restoring the value of the SEA Games, and avoid the mistakes of its predecessors.
Amanda Choo Sze-Min may have broken the 100m national record at 12.12 seconds, but to her, it is passion that matters more than the figures. The NTU Sportswoman of the Year for 2007/2008 believed goals and targets are never long-term and final. “For me, an achievement is merely a stepping stone to keep me going forward to even greater things,” the 21-year-old said. “In spor t, the key to not giving up is to learn to accept failure and more importantly, not to worship glory.” Nonetheless, it is interest, not medals that continue to motivate this national sprinter, a third-year student at the National Institute of Education (NIE). “It may come to a point where I cannot achieve my goals anymore because of factors such as age but my motivation is not sustained by medals or glory but by passion,” Amanda said. Amanda started athletics in her childhood and saw it as just a CCA, but eventually grew to love the sport. “I joined athletics in Primary 4 after being selected to be a part of the school team,” she recalled. “However, I grew to enjoy the sport and developed a love for sprinting as I continued to take it as a CCA right through to junior college.” Amanda also made many f r iends over t he year s as a sprinter. She feels that team support in sports like athletics and swimming is a little more complex than in team sports
because they include individual events that require athletes to pit themselves others. But her teammates have all but overcome them. “When these people are also your close friends,” Amanda said, “the bond between us is also even stronger because we are able to put aside any rivalry outside the competition.” Athletics has also helped fulfill Amanda's dream of travelling around the world. “I have been to states i n Europe, Middle East, Australia, Asia, Southeast Asia and the experiences have been eye openers and simply wonderful." She said. “To have travelled so widely at my age is something I am very thankful for." For all her love for sprinting, Amanda remains pragmatic about a professional sporting career. “In a society like Singapore where being a professional athlete is almost unheard of, it is very difficult to maintain the same standards as our family, and career responsibilities increase with age,” she said. However, A manda doubts she will ever completely detach herself from sprinting as it has become a part of her identity. One of the options she considers is coaching. “As an athlete with first-hand experience of struggling with limited support,” Amanda said, “I would also hope to be more involved in the representation of athletes to have a more structured and beneficial scheme set in place for them.” In the meantime Amanda will continue doing what she loves, sprinting. “I want to lead a life that does not conform to societal demands,” said Amanda, “but rather, lead my life according to my own passion and wants.”
TAKING OFF: Amanda prefers to be free from conformation to society. PHOTO | ZOE LIM
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sports
Jan uary 28 , 20 0 9
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
Seven cheers for teamwork Serene Tan KICK-STARTING the New Year, t he H a l l Oly mpiad O pe n i ng Ceremony, held at the Spor ts Recreational Centre on January 14th, saw a spectacular showcase of cheerleading and entertaining mascot performances from each hall as they vied for the top three positions in both categories. The competition ended with the team from Hall 7 walking away with a double win. Hall 10 and 13 emerged first and second runners up respectively for the cheerleading competition. This event marked the start of yet another season of InterHall Games (IHG). Excitement wa s broug ht to a h ig h w it h masked drummers executing deep resonating thumps to usher in the cheerleading performances. The victorious team from Hall 7 surprised everyone with a creative performance. The unconventional theme and use of vibrantly coloured costumes in the wake of Willy Wonka’s whimsical style gave rise to an animated performance, bringing cheerleading to a whole new level. Ha l l 7 cheerlead ing tea m captains, Janice Ou, 20 and Stanley Sim, 23, expressed overwhelming joy at their victory. Ou, a second-year Business student, attributed their success to the seniors’ help. Sim also added that it has been a Hall 7 tradition to add in the entertainment factor. Contrary to the notion that the cheerleading teams of each hall are reflective of the strength of the hall players, Sim believed that the two are different issues.
HALL 13 TEAM SPECTRUM: Bring it on! PHOTO | TANG SINRACHTANANT
“I see cheerleading as one of the IHG sports; it requires as much teamwork and chemistry to succeed as any other sport,” the second-year student from the
School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering said. However, Keith Ng, 24, who helped Hall 6 clinched the second prize for the mascot categor y
with his comical and energetic performance, felt that strong c h e e r le ad i n g t e a m s a r e a n indication of better performances to come. “A g o o d c h e e r l e a d i n g performance at the IHG opening is a strong reflection on the overall fighting spirit of the hall, which directly affects the strength of hall players,” the third-year School of Computer Engineering student said. Guay Weiqin, 24, who was present to give support to his friends, offered a different way of v iew i ng t he cheerlead i ng competition. T he t h i rd-yea r Sc hool of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering student remarked on the upside of having the 16 halls competing aggressively. “NTU ACES team are able to achieve accomplishments on the international cheerleading stage because they have a large pool of talent to choose from," Guay said. “This cheerleading competition to mark t he Ha ll Oly mpiad’s opening is an excellent platform to distinguish these talents.” Apart from talent, diligence and team bonding were also key ingredients to staging a successful performance. Ha l l 14 c heerleader I r ma Listiani, 20, voiced her satisfaction with her team’s per for mance despite not emerging triumphant in the competition. “We have trained hard for this event, gained tremendous experience and really bonded together as a team and that’s what matters,” the first-year School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences student said.
Drumming up interest in sports at Exposé Yip Jieying SPORTS Exposé 2009 had threw in a new lucky draw segment alongside the popular live band performances and karate-sparring display matches. From January 14th to 15th, the North Spine foyer near Canteen A was crowded with booths set up by the 21 sub-clubs of the Sports Club. The lucky draw aimed to attract more NTU students to the annual sports feature in an attempt to increase the prominence of subclub sports such as wakeboarding, windsurfing and tennis. Students could take part in the luck y draw by obtaining t h ree coloured sticker s f rom visting different booths at Sports Exposé. Other than staging sparring matches onstage, sub–clubs such as Taekwondo, Judo and Karate also gave interested students a basic introductory course to their sport.
ROCK SPORTS: We dare you to move and take up a sport. PHOTO | IRWIN TAN
“We aim to let more people know about the smaller clubs within Sports Club,” said Ng Wei Xuan Trina, 20, chairperson of the Sports Exposé. Ng, a second-year student from the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences said: “The turnout this year improved from
the last.” It could be due to the loud banners strung across the booths which had attracted attention. This year’s venue was also more ideal as Sports Exposé was held at the open space leading to Canteen A which had higher human traffic.
In contrast, the previous venue was at old Canteen A, outside OCBC which was had relatively fewer passers-by. The Sports Club introduced a new feature this year by collating information about sports events into a flyer packed into each goodie bag given out at the Exposé. This updates students about sports activities happening on campus such as the upcoming National Vertical Marathon. One of the highlights of the Exposé was the energetic rock performances by local bands. Last Minute was one such band who performed at the Sports Exposé. The Exposé still managed to obtain sign-ups from students like Candy Lee, 20, a first-year student from the school of Civil and Environmental Engineering. “I joined the Lifeguard Corps at the Sports Exposé as I had missed the chance during the CCA fair last year,” she said. “It gave students a second chance to sign up.”
they said that? “Are there Martians out there? I haven't got a clue.” Celtic football manager Gordon Strachan's response to transfer speculation questions, which is an alien concept to him
“My girlfriend thinks I look like a reptile—it's not the best.” Tennis Player Andy Murray (below) pays the price for defending his Qatar Open title, after suction treatment on his back leaves him covered in bruises
GRAPHIC | SARAH AMNAH
“David Beckham is not bigger than the Galaxy.” Former LA manager Alexi Lalas shows off his astronomy skills
“I consider myself a minor success story." Steve Davis when asked about his six world snooker titles
"We had entered into a confidentiality agreement weeks ago but, in my personal opinion, they [Milan] bottled it." Garry Cook tries to cover up after making a mess of the Kaka negotiations
“I don't rate it—I said 'I refuse to play with you up front!" Newcastle frontman Michael Owen on new strike-partner Andy Carroll and his dodgy braids
sports
jan ua ry 2 8 , 20 0 9
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
31
Onward, YOG 2010! Singapore gears up for the 2010 Youth Olympic Games as organisers unveil the official logo Lim Yufan LIKE all the best sporting victories, the logo design for 2010 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) was a team effort. It was officially launched by Dr Viv ian Balak r ishnan at a carnival event held at Singapore Management University's (SMU) Green. While the final logo itself was created by a professional creative company, it was similar to some of the winning designs in the YOG logo competition held last year. In the opening address, Ng Ser Miang, chairman of the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC), said: “The logo reflects our vision of youth as the rising stars of tomorrow.” Commenting on the logo, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Communit y Development, Youth and Sports said: “It is just a symbol. The really important
thing is the people, the spirit of the youths and us Singaporeans as hosts.”
“It is just a symbol. What's (more) important is the people, the spirit of the youths and Singaporeans as hosts.” Dr Vivian Balakrishnan Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports
The logo was unveiled by a massive 2.5m-by-7.6m Rube Goldberg machine-inspired launch mechanism, designed by NTU students from ADM, SPMS and MAE. A series of complex chain reactions that took place on it certainly astonished the VIPs. A volleyball rolling down a ramp, a mechanical foot hitting a football and a boxing glove
popping up from a jack-in-a-box are just a few of the manuevers on the mechanism that represented the 26 sports in the Games. Iris Kok, chairperson of the launch mechanism task force said: “We are honoured to have been given the opportunity to participate in the launch of the Singapore 2010 logo." The 21-year-old MAE student also mentioned that the fact that she will still be in NTU when the Games start makes her even more thrilled. Excitement for YOG 2010 “The YOG will be a great chance for Singapore to showcase herself to the world. With the whole world converging on Singapore, we will be put on the global spotlight,” said Goh Kee Nguan, CEO of SYOGOC said. Mr Goh went on to share his excitement, saying: “This is thus far the largest international event that Singapore will be hosting, and it is a once in a lifetime experience." Amanda Zhang, 23, SYOGOC’s mu lt i med ia ed itor ha s be e n working on the event for a year already. She said: “I am very proud
RED, PURPLE AND GREEN: Dynamism of youth embodied in logo. PHOTO | ZOE LIM
that Singapore will be hosting the first ever YOG. I’m confident that we will do a good job." “Of course I’m excited," C. Kunalan, the former national sprinter, said. He feels that the YOG is an event that every Singapore teen should appreciate being a part of. CAN! The logo launch was held in conjunction with the CAN! (Create Action Now!) event. It included CAN Run, a 2010m
run flagged off at SMU green. There was also CAN Play which engaged students of all age groups in various Olympic sports tryouts such as equestrian (horse-riding). CAN Party had also featured performances and original songs done by the youths of *scape, a youth park located in central Singapore. Gwee Si Ying, 18, a volunteer for the National Youth Council said: “It is going to be a historic event for Singapore to host the YOG next year."
Sports
The bare facts at Sports Exposé Page 30
NIE scores a hat trick at ISG The sports powerhouse emerged overall champions for the third year running despite some early upsets Wang Simin FOR the first time in history, road relay entered the Inter-School Games (ISG), and National Institute of Education (NIE) won it in style. This relay, held at the Sports and Recreation Centre on January 20th, marked the end of an ISG which saw major upsets in the history of the tournament. Spanning almost two months, from December 10th to January 20th, the new ISG schedule is a break away from the usual structure of a month-long series of games. ISG 2008’s organiser, Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (WKWSCI), decided to carry forward some games to January 2009. “We did this aiming to increase awareness of the ISG itself, and bring more players and spectators to the games and the prize giving ceremony,” said ISG chairperson, Zed Tan, 21, a first-year student from WKWSCI. While NIE has traditionally been the favourite to win most of the events, competition proved stiff in this edition of ISG. In a soccer match last December, WKWSCI surprised NIE with a 3-1
victory in what was the first major upset in the tournament. In the previous ISG, NIE routed WKWSCI 7-0. The WKWSCI team had felt that winning the match against NIE, their long time challenger whom they always lost to, seemed surreal. Amongst them was Tan Thiam Peng, 22, a second-year student. “I was quite touched to see many year-four seniors putting their final year project aside to return to school to play soccer this year,” said Tan, who is also the president of Communication and Information Club.
“We hope that our achievements would spur other schools on to achieve sporting excellence ” Mohamad Faizal, 25 NIE, Year 4
WKWSCI did not make it into the finals and the soccer gold went to the school of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE). Not willing to be outdone, NIE went on to win most of the other events, beating defending champions MAE in floorball. Associate Professor Lok Tat
Seng, Dean of Students and one of the guests of honour gracing t he closing ceremony of t he ISG, congratulated NIE on their spectacular sweep of eight golds. He commended the students for organising ISG and thanked everyone for turning up for the student initiated event. In that same vein, he hoped that the same enthusiasm for sports could be channelled to NTU’s first ever Chingay parade entry. He had urged all NTU students to vote for the Draconika f loat online on the Chingay Parade website. Professor Lok said: “We can only win with the support of students, alumni and friends.” This sentiment was echoed by Accountancy and Business Club’s president, Koh Lay Ling a secondyear Business Student who led her fellow committee members down to SRC to cheer on their road relay runners. “I believe every school’s club makes an effort to come down to the games to lend support to their fellow sports directors,” she said. Similarly, the champion of ISG could not have achieved their massive 21-point lead without the encouragement from friends and their fellow sportsmen. Mohamad Faizal Bin Mat Isa, a final-year NIE student said: “We hope others can see NIE has worked very hard.” The 25-year-old also added: “We hope that our achievements would spur other schools on to achieve sporting excellence.”
MEDAL OF HONOUR: The representatives from NIE are jubilant over their victory. PHOTO | TANG SINRACHTANANT
ISG ISG 2008 2007
School
Total Points
1
1
NIE
63
2
2
NBS
42
3
3
MAE
39
4
4
SBS
29
5
6
WKWSCI
25
6
7
CEE
24
6
8
SCBE
24
8
8
HSS*
23
9
8
MSE
22
10
12
SPMS
21
11
4
EEE
15
11
11
SCE
15
13
8
ADM*
12
* HSS and ADM competed together as a team in ISG 2007.
Sport
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Badminton
NBS
SCBE
CEE
Basketball (M)
NIE
NBS
MAE
Basketball (F)
HSS
SBS
NIE
Captain’s Ball
NIE
SBS
MSE
Floorball
NIE
MSE
NBS
Frisbee
NIE
MAE
SCBE
Futsal
NIE
WKWSCI
SBS
Netball
NIE
WKWSCI
SBS
Road Relay
NIE
NBS
SPMS
Soccer
MAE
CEE
SBS
Table Tennis
NBS
NIE
MAE
Tennis (M)
NBS
MAE
CEE
Tennis (F)
NIE
NBS
SPMS
Touch Rugby
NIE
MAE
WKWSCI
Volleyball (M)
NBS
MAE
NIE
Volleyball (F)
NBS
SPMS
SCE
GRAPHICS | KUEK JINHUA