The Nanyang Chronicle Vol 18 Issue 06 by Nanyang Chronicle

THE NANYANG

CHRONICLE

VOL. NO.

06 09.01.12 ISSN NO. 0218-7310

Scholarly Statesman NEWS | 03

THE ETERNAL

THREE

A rare glimpse into the lives of the people of Kim IlSungâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s North Korea.

From Paris to Tehran, step onto the field of war with the highly anticipated firstperson shooter.

PRESIDENT LIFESTYLE | 09

BATTLEFIELD

REVIEWED

REVIEWS | 12

02 NEWS

THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

CHRONICLE 06

News Bites NTU LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE HEY! NOW AVAILABLE ON IPAD Campus magazine, Hey!, launched last month, has rolled out a free iPad application in addition to its print and online versions. The application aims to reach out to tech-savvy readers, including prospective NTU students, who are the magazine’s target audience. The application will contain multimedia content such as photos and videos. NEW OFFERINGS FOR HUMANITIES COURSES NEXT YEAR The School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) will roll out a four-year History course leading to a honours degree at the start of the next academic year in August. Forty students will be enrolled and in 5 years, the school intends to increase its yearly intake to 60 students. History is currently being offered as a minor in HSS. The school will also offer Philosophy as a minor next year, and as a major in a few years’ time. NTU WINS BUSINESS CHINA AWARD The NTU Mayors’ Class was presented the Business China Award, which recognises individuals or organizations that have made exemplary efforts to strengthen Singapore-China ties. The class has trained over 1000 China government officials and is conducted by the Nanyang Centre of Public Administration (NCPA). It is the “only such programme in Asia” that conducts lessons in Mandarin, said NCPA director Wu Wei.

NANYANG TECHNOPRENEURSHIP CENTRE CELEBRATES ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY A gala dinner was held in celebration of NTC’s 10th anniversary on November 23, 2011 at NTU’s Research-Techno Plaza. Students from NTC’s Master of Science in Technopreneurship and Innovation and Minor in Entrepreneurship programmes put up a series of performances, which included a dance performance and the singing of the ‘Happy Birthday’ song in more than 6 languages. SINGAPORE’S FIRST INTERNATIONAL CHIP DESIGN COMPETITION ORGANIZED BY NTU The winning design for an energy efficient microchip was unveiled at the biennial International Symposium on Integrated Circuits (ISIC) 2011. The team of 11 from Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) which clinched the top prize of $10,000 comprised of four NTU alumni. Team leader, Dr Xue Rui-Feng, said that the microchip will be able to sense and inform doctors immediately when a patient’s blood flow is abnormal. The team beat 12 other teams hailing from six countries.

SINGAPORE MORE FREQUENT TRAIN SERVICES DURING PEAK HOURS Commuters heading to work or school will enjoy more frequent train services during peak hours, said SMRT. Those travelling at the peak of the weekday morning rush hour will see trains arriving every 2.14 minutes to 2.5 minutes, while trains will arrive every 2.5 minutes to 3 minutes at the height of evening peak hours.

NTUC TO STOP SELLIN SHARK’S FIN PRODUCTS IN APRIL

PANEL RECOMMENDS 37% PAY CUT FOR MINISTERS

CAR CRASHES INTO ROOF OF HOUSE IN CALIFORNIA

This Chinese New Year will be the last which customers can buy shark’s fin products at NTUC Fairprice. Singapore’s largest supermarket chain will withdraw all sales of shark’s fin products before April this year, after Chinese New Year. Fairprice chief executive Seah Kian Peng said that the company is committed to being a socially responsible retailer.

Singapore’s top politicians should have their salaries cut by 37% to $1.1 million and their pension benefits stripped, the panel to review political pay said. The committee, headed by National Kidney Foundation chairman Gerard Ee, also recommended that President’s salary be brought down by 51% to $1.54 million, and the Prime Minister’s salary be reduced by 36% to $2.2 million.

Foggy conditions in Fresno, California caused a driver to lose control of his car last Tuesday night, sending it into the air after striking some large rocks. The car landed on the roof of a one-storey house, but did not harm the owners who were at home. The driver fled the scene with a broken leg but was later arrested. The car was removed the next morning by a crane.

WORLD

IRAQ BOMBINGS KILL 68 AND WOUND TWICE AS MANY

MINOR OIL SPILL FOLLOWING COLLISION ALONG SINGAPORE STRAIT A Singapore-registered container, Kota Tenaga, and a Malta-registered ship, SEEB, collided on January 3rd along the Straits of Singapore, said the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). According to Kota Tenega’s vessel master, about five metric tonnes of marine fuel oil had spilled into the sea. The MPA immediately activated 12 crafts to contain and clean up the oil spill. Non-toxic and biodegradable oil spill dispersants were also used to break up oil patches. No crew members were reported injured.

POLLS IN FOR TAIWAN’S JANUARY 14 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS; MA LEADS NARROWLY Opinion polls show that incumbent President Ma Ying-Jeou leads the upcoming three-way race by a narrow margin. Ma is running for his second term, against the first female presidential candidate Tsai Ing-Wen and former political heavyweight James Soong. Previous polls have proven to be fairly predictive of the outcomes.

OPEN HOUSE AT BAYFRONT AND MARINA STATIONS ON JANUARY 13TH

NORTH KOREA GUNNING DOWN DEFECTORS AT BORDER

Two Circle Line extension stations, Bayfront and Marina Bay, will open next Friday, January 13. This is a sneak preview of the completed stations before passenger service commences on January 14. The public can enjoy unlimited free rides during the Open House to explore and view architectural details in the two stations, such as the Art-in-Transit artworks.

Under the new regime of Kim JongUn, civilian defectors attempting to flee across the Chinese border have been shot down, and up to three generations of their families will be hunted down, imprisoned or even killed. These measures are part of the more stringent border control policies that Pyongyang is keen on imposing, and are aimed at solidifying the hold that young Jong-Un has on the nation-state.

A series of bomb blasts rocked Baghdad on the morning of January 5, killing Shia civilians in the Sadr region, and pilgrims on their way to the holy city of Karbala. The act has been labelled by Iraq military spokesman Maj Gen Qassim al-Moussawi as an attempt to “create sedition among the Iraq people”. The attacks have gotten more frequent since the last of the US troops pulled out in December. LANDSLIDE HITS SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES MINING SITE, KILLING AT LEAST 25 A landslide caused by constant rain and soil erosion struck the mining district of Napnapan, Philippines on the early morning of January 5th. 25 people have been confirmed dead, with over a dozen more injured and more than 100 people missing. The miners had been told to leave the area, but refused to abandon their livelihoods and dreams of striking it rich. The municipal government is considering forced eviction to prevent such an incident from happening again.

Louder Than Words

If you have any exciting events to publicise, please contact us at chronicle@ntu.edu.sg

News

Nanyang Auditorium gets new bistro—Page 4

S R Nathan: Youths have a responsibility

DIALOGUE AFTER THE SPEECH: Living up to his reputation, Mr Nathan (left), answers the questions posed by the audience in his usual down-to-earth manner as Professor Bertil Andersson (right) looks on.

Debbie Lee & Grace Chew RESTLESS youth using social media have an unprecedented responsibility, said former president S. R. Nathan. Mr Nathan, who was also the previous NTU Chancellor, was speaking at a S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) seminar held in his honour on December 6th, 2011. Before social media came into play, whatever youths submitted was subject to editing, rewriting, and portrayal, he said. “But now that technology has given them the means to publish without the process interfering in what they produce, they have an additional responsibility to ensure that it is self-edited, devoid of abusive language, and does not confuse opinion from fact,” he added. “They have to use social media responsibly. It is not there for them to let their emotions run wild, call people names or be abusive in their language. They have an added responsibility that they have never had before." Earlier that day, he had been conferred an honorary doctorate by NTU in recognition of his achievements and contributions to

the university and Singapore. The conferment ceremony, held in the Nanyang Auditorium, was presided by Singapore President and current NTU Chancellor Tony Tan Keng Yam.

“They have to use social media responsibly. It is not there for them to let their emotions run wild." Mr S. R. Nathan on youths

In his keynote speech at RSIS, Mr Nathan noted Singapore’s role in today’s changing dynamics of security. Speaking to an audience of about 200 guests, consisting of RSIS staff and NTU students, Mr Nathan said that Singapore had a pivotal role to play in helping to develop political-economic and security groupings in the AsiaPacific region. He said that new threats are emerging beyond the horizon, and religious extremism is of concern.

“The root of the debate is the language of religion, and the language of religion (Islam) is Arabic,” he said. But he noted that countries like Malaysia are not subject to the radicalization of Islam. As the mother tongue used in Malaysia is Malay— and not Arabic— the basis for a different kind of culture was formed, he said. Yet, he noted that scholars and researchers need to see the changing nature of such threats. “That is the strategic foresight we need to develop, to learn how small countries can continue to survive and prosper in this everchanging world of the 21st century,” he said. NTU President Professor Bertil Andersson said the university was honoured to recognize Mr Nathan’s contributions. He described Mr Nathan as a friendly president, one who “made it a point to get to know the students and faculty well.” Mr Nathan had a message for NTU students derived from his life experiences. “The future is yours for the taking,” he said at the conferment ceremony. “You can make it what you want to be.”

Mr Nathan on: Meeting students “I find it enjoyable to meet young people. They're enthusiastic. They approach me sort of sheepishly, and ask me what I think of social media, or what I did as President." “It’s good listening to them as they look at things from a different perspective.”

Meeting professors and faculty “When you engage learned professors, they have a tremendous wealth of knowledge, and you are able to gather lots of information from them.”

His role in NTU “I consider myself a wanderer, seizing opportunities to meet learned people and obtain valuable insights about things." "I am proud to be associated with the staff and students of this dynamic University."

PHOTO | GRACE CHEW

His links with NTU • Founding Director of the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, the predecessor of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies • Currently a Distinguished Senior Fellow of the RSIS • Chancellor of NTU from 1999 to 2011 as President of Singapore • Involved in fund-raising efforts for the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, the NTU 21st Century Fund, the Wee Kim Wee Legacy Fund, and the RSIS’ Endowment Fund. • Played a role in the establishment of major research institutes such as the Earth Observatory of Singapore.

04 NEWS

THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

CHRONICLE 06

NTU gets tougher on Floods hit home hard for Filipino staff who park illegally students Environmentally-friendly competitions attract more student participation

5mm apart from story

Trinh Hoang Ly

COMMON PROBLEM: The carpark shared between Hall of Residences 3 and Hall of Residences 16 does not have sufficient parking spaces. This results in high incidents of illegal parking. PHOTO | ALEX TAI

Siti Sarah Daud COME February 1st, a new ruling will kick in for NTU faculty and staff members who are caught parking illegally. On top of warnings, fines and wheelclamping, repeat offenders will be reported to their immediate supervisors. The additional measure serves to ensure that faculty and staff will “set an example to their students in observing the University’s parking rules in car parks on campus and not choose to illegally park,” said Mr Paul Chain, the Chief Executive Officer of NTU Development & Facilities Management. Ms Hossain, 34, of NTU Human Resources Department, feels that the threat of being reported will deter staff and faculty from parking illegally. She does, however, think that there is ‘ample parking space’, reducing the need to even risk it. Associate Professor Neil Murphy, Head of Division for English at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS), shares her sentiment, saying that he has yet to encounter an illegally parked car on campus.

“I didn’t think it was a particularly pressing issue on campus as I never had any problem getting a space,” he said. Although the number of fines doled out for illegal parking has been on the decline in the last few years, demand for parking lots remains high, said Mr Liew Sai Weng, Senior Assistant Director, Campus Security Division. This is especially true near main facilities such as lecture theatres, halls of residence and offices. Student drivers, in particular, are feeling the parking lot crunch. Even though they are unaffected by the new regulation, they feel that parking lots on campus are insufficient. Izzati Ariffin, 19, is one such student. “As a HSS student, the car park I use most often is also shared by the Nanyang Business School (NBS) and the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies,” said the first-year English major, who drives to school every day. Similarly, Benjamin Ong, 22, feels that the Halls of Residence face the same problem as well. Though not a resident, he uses the hall car parks because they

provide free parking. “You see illegal parking in nearly all the halls,” said the second-year NBS student, who also drives daily. Ong has been caught parking his car illegally once and been issued a warning. However, he still resorts to illegal parking about once a week, and only when there are no legal lots that are free-of-charge. “My gut feeling is that drivers have a tacit agreement with the authorities,” he said. “As long as you are not hindering anyone who wants to use that road, the authorities won’t come down hard on you.” Parents too are griping about the lack of parking space. “The roundabout at the lobby is clearly for dropping off my daughter, but the car park at Hall 9 always has cars parked haphazardly due to a lack of parking lots,” said Mrs Dorothy Tay, 51, whose daughter Ariel Tay, 19, is a first-year English major from HSS. Still, the current measures at NTU may have achieved some success at deterring illegal parking. First-time offenders will be issued a waning and will be fined $30 and then $50 for subsequent offences. In addition, cars parked at wheel-clamp zones risk being clamped and fined $50. Ariffin, for one, is deterred from parking illegally by the threat of wheel-clamping. “If there is no space at HSS, I will park at one of the nearby halls and walk to class,” she said. “Since I drive the family car, it will be a great inconvenience to them if it gets clamped.” Other students, such as Geng Bo Jian, 19, appreciate the smoother traffic flows these regulations bring about. “Traffic and parking at NTU are more controlled compared to the other places I have been to,” said the student from the School of Biological Sciences.

“As long as you are not hindering anyone... the authorities won’t come down hard." Benjamin Ong Second-year student Nanyang Business School

Mr Liew advised drivers to find alternative parking to avoid being penalised for illegal parking. He also said that the new electronic displays at all carpark gantries facilitate this, by pointing drivers to car parks which have vacant lots. “Motorists are less likely to park illegally if they have a better knowledge of where the available parking spaces are,” said Mr Liew.

DEVASTATION: Tropical Storm Washi claimed over 1200 lives, left half a million Mindanao residents homeless and caused nearly S$30m in damage. PHOTO | INTERNET

Serene Cai THIS past Christmas season has been anything but festive for Daniel Fernandez, 19, a Filipino student from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. The first-year student was packing for his Christmas trip home on December 16th, when he received a phone call from his parents in the Philippines. Tropical Storm Washi had hit Cagayan de Oro, the city where he was born and where his family still resides. After ascertaining that all his family members were safe, Fernandez cancelled his travel plans. Instead, he had a small Christmas celebration in Singapore with his friends, and followed news coverage on the storm closely. “My parents said the flood waters were everywhere, and that the relief and evacuation centers were packed,” said Fernandez. He added that he was “extremely thankful” that his grandparents’ house, which was built on high ground, had been spared any lasting damage. Tropical Storm Washi had brought with it 10 hours of torrential rain that caused disastrous flash flooding in the area of Mindanao. It has been said to be the worst case of flooding in the island’s history. President Benigno Aquino III has declared a state of emergency in the region. The damage caused by the storm has been estimated to cost the nation about 999.9 million pesos (S$29.6 million). Most NTU Filipino students contacted said that they were largely unaffected by the crisis, as they lived in city areas which were not hit badly by the storm.

The disaster has struck a chord with many Singaporean students. Justina Chiang, a first-year bioengineering student, was shaken to hear of the disaster. Chiang added that her family’s Filipino domestic helper has returned to the Philippines for two weeks to be with her family after the disaster struck. The 19-year-old has been in contact with her domestic helper, who will be returning to Singapore on schedule as her family, though affected, is receiving relief efforts. Her family has given their domestic helper a sum of S$1000 to help tide them over this difficult period. Other local students have expressed their sympathies toward the Filipino people as well. Ng Yi Qiang, a second-year student from the School of Biological Sciences, was deeply affected by the disaster.

“My heart goes out to the people of Philippines." Ng Yi Qiang Second-year student School of Biological Sciences

As a member of St. John Ambulance Singapore, he has been on service learning trips to the Philippines before, and is familiar with living there. He says he feels a “connection” with people he has met on his trips,and expresses his regret for the victims of the disaster. “My heart goes out to the people of Philippines,” he said. Ng has donated $600 to the Singapore Red Cross to help the victims of Tropical Storm Washi, and urges other NTU students to do what they can to aid in the relief efforts.

VOL. NO.

NEWS 05

THE NANYANG

06 CHRONICLE

Students react to taxi fare revisions

TAXIS IN LINE: No passengers waiting at Jurong Point's taxi stand

Renee Poh THE recent taxi fare revisions by Comfort DelGro, Premier Taxis, Prime Taxis and SMRT Taxis have evoked mixed responses from NTU students, ranging from disappointment to neutrality. Most respondents, however, agreed that they would be cutting down on taxi rides. The National Taxi Association

PHOTO | ALEX TAI

(NTA) cited rising operating costs of taxis as the reason behind the revisions. Rising diesel prices, especially, have been resulting in lower takehome incomes for taxi drivers. Sydney Alexandria, 19, a firstyear student from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information and a regular taxi commuter, is now more particular about flagging down a cab.

“(The) first thing I did was to remember when peak hours are and which cab company had hiked up prices. It's quite disappointing that prices have gone up because they could have lowered the rental costs of cabs if cab drivers were not earning enough,” she said. Alexandria used to take a taxi about once or twice a week, but says she will now cut down on taxi rides between NTU and her home in Toa Payoh. Before taxi fares were revised, her fare ranged from $17-$30, depending on the peak hour surcharge. “The increase may seem small for one trip but over many trips, the difference really adds up to a significant amount,” she said. For others, like Samantha Koh, 19, who lives in Pasir Ris, the decision between saving money or spending on convenience is now less of a dilemma. The first-year student from the Nanyang Business School used to take taxis over trains, as it saved her up to an hour of travelling time, but now says she will take

taxis only during non-peak periods, and is even considering stopping altogether. But not all NTU students are affected. For instance, Jin Su Huan, 20, a first-year student from the school of Art, Design and Media, has always preferred taking the bus and MRT. “It is more economical, and I enjoy seeing more of what we usually zoom past,” she said. Car drivers, such as Chen Shao, 22, have also escaped relatively unscathed from the fare revisions. “I drive every day and only take taxis when my car is under servicing,” said the second-year maritime studies major.

GRAPHICS | TRUNG

What's new: • Basic flag-down fares increased by 20 cents • Higher advance booking fees • Extended hours for peak period surcharges • City area surcharge extended to Sundays and public holidays, 5pmmidnight • Peak period surcharge reduced from 35 to 25 per cent of the meter fare.

Nanyang Auditorium gets new fine-dining bistro Tay Qiao Wei CATCH up with friends, relax over wine, or even serenade your loved one with a song at NTU's new fine-dining place. Vänner, which means friends in Swedish, is a new bistro at the Lee Seng Tee Senior Common Room. It is located at the foyer of the Nanyang Auditorium, and is open from 8am to 10pm daily. The bistro, which opened on December 9th last year, is headed by Mr Wilson Ho. Mr Ho was previously part of the management team for companies such as Fish & Co. and Rang Mahal. However, Vänner is his first restaurant venture. It caters to people who would appreciate fine food and wine, and simple indulgences once in a while, according to Mr Ho. Food, however, is not his only concern at Vänner. “I would like this place to be known for its activities rather than its food,” said Mr Ho, who is in his early thirties. He thinks that for Vänner to succeed, it should first be able to serve the community’s needs. Within the bistro, there is a small stage that customers can use to showcase their talents or to raise awareness of issues close to their hearts. “We even had couples who came here to sing to each other,” said Mr Ho. The stage is free for customers’ use, along with a guitar

and microphones. Mandy Ong, 20, a secondyear student from the school of Humanities and Social Sciences, thinks the stage is a good idea. “In school, we don’t really have a platform for people to sing or express themselves,” she said. It is not just performers who may be gathering in the bistro. Student groups also now have an additional meeting venue at Mr Ho’s bistro. As part of the efforts to promote activities within the bistro, Vänner can be booked between 2pm and 6pm free of charge, as long as the customers order food and drinks.

“I would like this place to be known for its activities rather than its food." Mr Wilson Ho Owner

One dish on the menu is Kyckling rice. Kyckling is Swedish for chicken but unlike conventional chicken rice, this dish also contains collagen that is obtained from chicken broth. Other dishes include chicken tikka (North Indian-style chicken skewers with rice) and köttbullar (Swedish meatballs with pota-

A MEAL WITH FRIENDS: Owner Wilson Ho welcomes students, faculty, and even student groups to his bistro.

toes). Prices for main courses range from $9.80 to $12.80. For Miss He Xiaoyun, 20, the prices at Vänner are decent for fine dining-style food. But she would not go there often, as it would be too expensive as compared to a canteen meal. “I might go there to discuss projects or for birthday celebrations instead,” said the secondyear environmental engineering student. Acknowledging that most students would not find their food

cheap, Mr Ho said: “ If we price ourselves too cheap, like $3 to $4 for one sandwich, we will be packed everyday." But then their service and food would become inferior to what they could otherwise offer, he added. Also, with only six tables indoors and eight tables outdoors, Mr Ho recognises that they cannot accommodate crowds. Therefore, for those willing to pay, Vänner aims to provide food made from fresh ingredients that are chosen and purchased directly

PHOTO | MARK LEONG

from the market by their staff. Vänner also offers alcoholic drinks on its menu. Mahi white wine from New Zealand and La Playa red wine from Chile are priced at $7.80 per glass. Tiger beer is available for $5 per mug. “We hope to be a place for people to hide away from their busy schedule,” said Mr Ho. “Even if people come just once a month, I would be happy, as long as they have a good experience here.”

Lifestyle

This Year, I Resolve To... – Pages 11-12

12 Ways to

Live Up

2012

It may be the last year of our lives according to the Mayans, but at least 2012’s lineup of events will take our mind off the end. In fact, they look set to be ‘bigger and better’. Lifestyle Editors Celine Chen and Wong Pei Ting suggest 12 things to tick off your bucket list.

1. Hollywood Dreams Parade

Head on over to Universal Studios Singapore not just for the thrilling rides or its seven different themed zones. This year, watch classic silverscreen characters come to life as they dance, act and parade down the streets of Hollywood and New York (above). Visitors will leave feeling like they just had a taste of movie magic. Having made its debut on New Year’s Eve, the Parade will take place every Saturday, Sunday and selected holidays at 6pm.

2. Laneway Festival

Get ready for the much-anticipated return of St Jerome’s Laneway Festival happening on February 12th at Fort Canning. The line-up for this Melbourne-based music and dance festival includes artistes such as Feist and Laura Marling. But after last year’s downpour, let’s also hope that the weather will be good to festivalgoers this year.

3. Gardens by the Bay South

In addition to the waterfront promenade that opened last November, expect more attractions to open its doors this June. Among its many draws are the Flower Dome—a giant glasshouse containing exotic plants from the Mediterranean, South Africa and Central Chile, as well as the Golden & Silver Gardens—a grove of manmade Supertrees, a spectacular feature inspired by the dominant trees of the Amazon rainforest.

4. The iPad 3

With the new A6 chip, you can expect improved graphics and processing power. Rumour has it that it will also contain a retina display as seen on the iPhone 4, which means sharper and crisp visuals—all the better to play games and view pictures with. Other predictions include a higher resolution camera and even Xbox Kinect-style gesture controls.

5. Marni x H&M

Everyone remembers the snaking queues outside the Swedish fashion giant hours before its celebrated collection by Versace for H&M. Come March 8th, get ready for another round of queuing for the Marni collaboration, the next designer tie-up. Expect bright prints, bohemian chic and quirky vibes from the Italian label founded by Consuelo Castiglioni.

6. Dean & Deluca

This name might ring a bell for eagleeyed viewers of Gossip Girl and Julie & Julia. Having made appearances in several popular TV shows and movies, this luxury gourmet grocer is going to take root right in the heart of Singapore. As the first store opening here at Orchard Central in the first half of 2012, Dean & Deluca sources food, and only the best, from all over the world—think a multi-label fashion store, but gastronomic style. Epicureans can expect high quality olive oils, fine cheeses and baked goods from this iconic New York lifestyle chain.

PHOTO | TAY YONG EN

7. Cooling-Off Day

No, we are not talking about a second round of General Elections after 2011’s watershed one. This is the title of the play by Wild Rice, a sold-out hit when it was performed at the Man Singapore Theatre Festival 2011. Come February, it is re-surfacing at the School of the Arts Drama Theatre. Portraying a collection of personal responses collected by playwright Alfian Sa’at during the 2011 General Elections, the play serves as a timely portrait of Singapore, with views ranging from pro-establishment civil servants to opposition supporters.

8. THE avengers

A strong contender for movie event of the year, this blockbuster will be the culmination of Marvel’s comic superheroes—Iron Man, Captain America and the Hulk. Brought to life by an all-star cast of Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson and Robert Downey, Jr., to call this movie a “highly-anticipated” one would be an understatement. The plot has remained a mystery but many have heard through the grapevine that a battle with the Skrulls, an alien army, is in order. This movie will be released on May 1st.

9. the illusionists

Place yourself in the hands of seven magicians with more than just a few simple tricks up their sleeves. Brought to you by the Marina Bay Sands Theatre from February 17th to March 4th, this stage spectacular promises to astound audiences with mind-blowing

illusions and death-defying tricks like levitations, escapes and mind-reading. Prepare to be spellbound.

10. Winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck

Singapore was the first country to hold the Summer Youth Olympics. And now Innsbruck, Austria, will soon be the first to hold the Winter Youth Olympics. The Games will feature 63 medal events of over 15 disciplines from alpine skiing to figure skating, ice hockey to skeleton (high-speed toboggan racing). Catch the wintry sporting action over 10 days starting on January 13th on its official website: http://www.innsbruck2012.com/en.

11. london Summer Olympic Games

The Games are only starting on July, 27th but the construction of the Olympic Park in London is well over 90% complete. With Prince William and Kate Middleton as official ambassadors, get ready for 17 days of adrenaline-pumping action in the first city to officially host the Games for the third time. It had done so previously in 1908 and 1948.

12. February 29th

For those screaming “not enough time!” there is technically one extra day for you to catch-up on work in 2012. What’s more, Irish folklore states that girls can propose to guys and the latter is not allowed to refuse. No matter what, remember to seize the day!

VOL. NO.

LIFESTYLE 09

THE NANYANG

06 CHRONICLE

travelogue

NOODLES from a

dead president In North Korea, count yourself lucky to find food. But count yourself luckier to be treated to a feast by a dead president. Low Wei Xiang shares what he finds strange but true in the world’s most closed and militarised country.

LONG LIVE KIM IL-SUNG: This portrait is only one of the many monuments of the late president you can see around Pyongyang.

e were often the only customers at restaurants in Pyongyang. But the Chor yu-gwan Cold Noodle Restaurant was packed with locals on the day we were there. It was the restaurant’s 30th anniversary, and former President Kim Il-Sung was treating the people, one of our minders said. Seeing our surprised reactions - the president died in 1994 - he explained: “This is what he would have done if he were still alive, to celebrate the culture of our city.” With such peculiar episodes throughout our 10-day trip, we too had a “treat” in North Korea. The sixteen of us, including myself all undergraduates from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (W K WSCI) - were there in December with a teacher, on an overseas reporting practicum. And boy, was our time there one bizarre ride. For starters, visitors are barred from bringing handphones into the country. Upon touching down, they must also be accompanied everywhere - except when in the hotel - by minders who work for the government. We had three minders. We also had to surrender our passports, and only got them back at the end of the trip. We could not call out and we could not get out. But this sense of entrapment grew stronger into the trip, when we realised we were not the only ones trapped. The entire country is caught up too — in its past.

TRAPPED IN TIME We travelled back in time as the entire nation served its own concoction of history. We visited nearly 15 different sites focusing on the country’s wartime past, and each one told us things we could never have imagined. At the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum in P yong yang, a v ideo accuses t he A mer icans - branded as

“imperialists” - for starting the Korean war lugging sacks of firewood on their backs. in 1950 in order to revive its own economy T he roads stretch on forever, but through arm sales. nobody looks hurried. In a land where time The Arch of Triumph, inaugurated seemingly stands still, where these people on Kim Il-Sung’s 70th birthday in 1982, are going is anyone’s guess. honours the former president’s successful resistance against Japan in the early Polished spick and span 20th century. The Soviet Union’s role is conveniently omitted. The stark differences in lifestyles between Though the monument is modeled the commoners and the elite in Pyongyang, after France’s Arc de Triomphe, an official do not seem to perturb the officials. deadpaned that Ta ke for Nor t h Korea’s e xa mple, t he 6 0 -me t r e “Our sense of off icial at the version is taller countr y’s first entrapment grew (France’s one is tur tle farm in 50 metres). D a e d on g g a n g stronger into the Meanwhile, district, which in Pyongyang opened in June trip, when we c i t y, t h e r e last year. T he are no traff ic farm, he told us, realised that we lights. Instead, was built after u n i for m- c lad K i m Jong-I l were not the only female wardens said that turtle cut lone figures meat was tonic, ones trapped.” in the middle of and wanted the wide streets, restaurants in directing the often-sparse traffic. Pyongyang to sell it. With their pretty looks, they make fine The official goes on to hail the leader traffic-stoppers anyway. for this contribution to the country, blithely Pyongyang’s grey and pastel-coloured ignoring the fact that millions in North high-rise apartments are also a throwback Korea cannot afford three basic meals a day, to Soviet times, when flats were simpler, let alone turtle meat. Indeed, problems in the country persist, nondescript structures. One exception is the Ryugyong Hotel, but these officials - you will rarely get to a 105-storey triangular skyscraper which interact with other locals - only have praises looks like a rocket. But far from taking to sing about their leaders. After all, the country is keen on showing off, construction for this “rocket” halted in 1992, and it has stood there ever since, only its polished side. Treated like celebrities, we were brought a white elephant. Away from the city, boxy buildings to dine at some of the best restaurants. give way to flat farmlands, guarded by Unfortunately, power cuts struck in at mountain ranges. The farmers appear to least three different eateries, though the own few machineries, relying more on blackouts rarely lasted beyond ten minutes. We visited at least five schools from simple equipments and animals to plough the fields. Our bus was often the only kindergartens to universities. In classes, vehicle on the highways, as we zipped past kids as young as four years old readily peasants — some riding bicycles, others follow their teachers’ instructions like

PHOTOS | ANNABELLE LIANG

clockwork. Arms shoot up to answer every question the teacher asks. The answers, given in loud, clear voices, are always correct. There is a sense that our visits - at not just the schools, but nearly everywhere else - have been meticulously orchestrated to impress. While we would discreetly cast each other knowing glances, we always smiled and nodded politely at them, even while asking critical questions. Why? Because the loud-mouthed cynic in each of us had been deliberately left behind in Singapore. After all, to truly savour a world with flavours so foreign from our own, we had to be open-minded and accept their way of life, even if we did not always agree with it.

THREE Dos

in North Korea

Leave behind complicatedlooking cameras, as they may not clear airport security. Those with GPS ports are a no-no.

Bring a book, as tours typically end after dinner. Otherwise, try the offerings in the hotel. The hotel we stayed in, Koryo Hotel, had a karaoke room and a gym.

Follow the minders’ instructions, otherwise it will not just get you into trouble, but them too. Travel to North Korea is only possible via organised tours. In Singapore, such organising agencies include Universal Travel and Eurotours. Call 6339 2222 / 8888 (Eurotours) for details.

LIFESTYLE foodsnoop

THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

CHRONICLE 06

This year, I resolve to

RECLAIM BREAKFAST Owing to our busy schedules, most of us get on by slapping Nutella on bread or some other quick and hassle-free equivalent. Not that there is anything wrong, but it seems as if we’ve forgotten that breakfast is also about savouring the peaceful morning hour in the company of good friends. This year, make it a resolution to enjoy the most important meal of the day with these breakfast places recommended by Priscilla Kham.

Jones The Grocer Address: 9 Dempsey Road, #01-12 Dempsey Hill Opening Hours: Daily, 9am – 11pm Tel: 6476 1512

Price: Around $25 per person DEMPSEY Road offers a variety of upmarket breakfast and brunch options, but one place you won’t regret splurging on would be Jones The Grocer. For the full experience, order The Jones English Breakfast ($20), with heaping portions of sausage, bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes, eggs (scrambled or poached) and toast. The mushrooms are well-seasoned and serves to enhance the overall mix of flavour. For something lighter, try the

Coconut Pancakes ($13) topped with freshly-diced mango, a dollop of vanilla ice-cream and palm sugar syrup. The texture of the pancakes, however, lean towards minimal fluffiness, but are still flavourful when eaten with the mangoes, icecream and syrup. While you dine, you may also find yourself people-watching as the place is often filled with stylish expatriates who think nothing of pairing their breakfasts with a bottle of sparkling wine. As its name suggests, Jones the Grocer also sells quaint Australian produce such as jams and cheese in cheery packaging. Take a stroll around the store after a satisfying breakfast and pick up an item or two as a souvenir of a morning well-spent (and well-fed). It is no wonder that it was also awarded Gourmet Retailer of the Year at the Asian Gastronomic Awards of Excellence 2011. The overall atmosphere is vibrant, dominated by hearty conversation over filling portions of food.

THE JONES ENGLISH BREAKFAST: A visit to Jones The Grocer can never go wrong with this savoury treat.

Prive Bakery Cafe Address: 2 Keppel Bay Vista, GF Marina at Keppel Bay Opening Hours: Daily, 9am – 12am Tel: 6776 0777

Price: Around $25 per person A MEXICAN MORNING: There is no better way to wake up your tastebuds than with the spicy and savoury Breakfast Burrito.

Epicurious Address: 60 Robertson Quay, #01-02 The Quayside Opening Hours: Tue–Fri: 11.30am–2.30pm, 5.30pm–9.30pm Sat–Sun: 9am–9.30pm Tel: 6734 7720

Price: Around $18 per person

FINALLY, a fairly affordable breakfast venue. Grab a couple of friends and head down to Epicurious, where you are bound to feel at home in its spartan and wooden décor. Inside, the wall beside the cashier proudly displays crayon drawings by previous customers,

mostly a mass of colourful childrens’ scribbles. Also lending to its offbeat, quirky charm are the Absolut Vodka bottles that are used in place of jugs to serve iced water. For $16, the Steak and Fried Eggs includes two sunny-side ups, a small portion of tender steak, roasted baby potatoes, two slices of green apple, and two small pieces of toast. Forget counting carbs here, this meal provides all the right nutrients and comfortingly hits the spot. The Breakfast Burrito ($15), a tortilla wrap filled with scrambled eggs and chorizo sausage served with a side of rocket salad and tomato salsa is Tex-mex done right, albeit a little dainty. Pair your meal with a jug of Very Lemony Ice Lemon Tea ($6) or freshly squeezed Orange Juice ($7) that will both add a refreshing kick to start your day.

LOCATED at the heart of the Marina Keppel Bay area, Prive certainly would not be considered the most accessible of restaurants. However, what it loses in ac-

cessibility it more than makes up for in ambience. Along with its relative isolation is a picturesque view you will not find elsewhere. Walk along the bridge connecting Keppel Island to the main city and soak up the shimmer of morning sunlight on clear blue waters, along with a vision of pristine white luxury yachts bobbing gently in the breeze. The option to dine alfresco allows you to continue enjoying the panoramic view, but if the weather does not permit, the cozy interior is just as inviting. The fare served here can best be described as simple and comforting. Try the Eggs Benedict ($16), served with both bacon and ham,

which is delightfully unusual as most places ask you to choose one meat or the other. The eggs are poached well, oozing out with a stab to the yolk. The Hollandaise sauce was as indulgent, but perhaps a little too excessive. Both the Seafood Wrap ($15) and the Grilled Cajun Chicken Wrap ($15) are good alternatives for a more hassle-free breakfast. They each come with generous fillings nestled in crisp but sturdy, lightly toasted skins. All in all, the draw of Prive lies mostly in its idyllic scenery that creates a leisurely atmosphere for a lazy afternoon brunch. In addition to the ambience, the good food seals its spot as one of Singapore’s top spots for brunch.

THE VIEW FROM PRIVE: Breakfast at this cafe oversees a scenic view of assorted yachts parked at Keppel Bay. PHOTOS | INTERNET

VOL. NO.

LIFESTYLE

THE NANYANG

06 CHRONICLE

This year, I also resolve to

KICKSTART 2012 WITH SOLID PLANS

THE CLASSICS (From left to right) 2012 Diary (Olive), $38.90, Kikki.k. 2012 Monthly & Weekly Tuck Diary, B6 - $34.65, A7 - $19.25, NBC Stationery. Moleskine Hardcover Weekly Planners, $23.00 each, NBC Stationery. Leather Traveller’s Notebook & Diary Guide, $75.10, NBC Stationery.

Start your year afresh with a new buddy to keep your resolutions and appointments in check — your trusty planner. Lifestyle Editor Wong Pei Ting explores the beauty in both the conventional and newfangled ways of planning your year.

THE QUIRKY

2012 The Bright Side Masterplan Diary, $23.45, NBC Stationery. 2012 Miquelrius Cloth-cover Diary, $28.60, NBC Stationery. Monthly Schedule Stick, $7.90, Artbox. 2012 Miquelrius Diamond-Patterned Diary, $24.50, NBC Stationery.

THE PRACTICAL 365 Scheduler, $20.90. Thin Paperback Planners, $4.90 each. Slim Monthly Scheduler, $3.90.Time Checklist, $5.90. All from Artbox.

THE TECH-SAvvy

(On the iPads. left to right) MUJI Calender (iPad), FREE. Planner for iPad, US$2.99. All from iTunes App Store.

Planner for iPad, US$2.99 Your planner does not have to be busier than you. Planner is an intuitive and user-friendly application that puts your weekly agenda and to-do list on the same page. Apart from the ability to colorcode events and tasks, there are no other stunts and tricks. A simple and fuss-free way to organise your plans.

Miscellaneous

MUJI CALENDAR (iPad), FREE The Japanese brand, known for its simple and minimalist designs, has even created a mobile app that lives up to its name. MUJI Calendar displays your schedule in the form of a daily, weekly and monthly planner. One of its most useful features is that it allows you to drag and drop your tasks and appointments from one day to another easily.

Patterned Ballpoint Pens, $3.90 each. Polka-dot Foldable Storage Box, Reisenthel, $42.40, NBC Stationery. Desk Calender 2012, $19.90, Artbox. Poomstyle Schedule, $9.90, Artbox.

PHOTO | ALEX TAI

12 LIFESTYLE

CHRONICLE18 06 THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

reviews

Music LET’S GO EAT THE FACTORY (Indie Rock) Guided By Voices

,,,,, Most of GBV’s songs are in the two-minute range, and often end abruptly or are intertwined with odd and homemade sound effects.

Let’s Go Eat the Factory is American indie rockers Guided by Voices’ (often known as GBV) first album since they disbanded in 2004. It is also the f irst to feature their classic lineup of Robert Pollard, Tobin Sprout, Mitch Mitchell, Greg Demos and Kevin Fennell since their 1996 album Under the Bushes, Under the Stars. Known for their lo-fi aesthetics, GBV made sure this new album stuck to their style—it was produced and recorded at the homes of three of the band members. S h or t a nd s w e e t i s probably the best description for this album of 21 songs totalling at 42 minutes. That said, the beauty of the songs lies in the fact that they were so spontaneously written and recorded by frontman Pollard. For instance, “How I Met My Mother” is about the

idea that anyone can choose their parents for incarnation, while “Laundry and Lasers” is inspired by Fennell’s basement which the band used to record songs for Bee Thousand, their 1994 album. “Spiderfighter” by Sprout features a piano coda that Pollard likens to a demo by guitarist Pete Townshend for rock band Lifehouse. Fans of the latter may find it an interesting tune; the song changes from a fastpaced rock anthem to a slow ballad at the end. One song that stands out is “Doughnut for the Snowman”, which, according to Pollard, is “the goofiest, twinkliest song” he’s ever written. It is light-hearted and perfect for a lazy Saturday morning. The final track of the album “We Won’t Apologize for the Human Race”, which is also the longest at four minutes long, is a mash-up of three songs that Pollard had written in the past. The song comes together perfectly, and it would appeal to fans of Bee Thousand, which featured mostly rerecorded and edited old songs. While Let’s Go Eat the Factory has its fair share of solid songs, it certainly cannot be counted as GBV’s finest for fans who enjoy their conventional song structures.

-Liu Kaiying

NEVER GONE: Since the band’s formation in 1983, Guided By Voices has released 16 albums and featured 12 other members

GAME BATTLEFIELD 3 (First-Person Shooter) Available on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360

,,,,, Unlike its PC counterpart, the console versions of Battlefield 3 only support at most 32 players for online battles.

SIX years after the release of the previous iteration in the Battlefield series, Battlefield 2, Swedish game developer DICE returns with what it calls ‘the true sequel’. The franchise has long been renowned for its concept of incorporating vehicles with infantry shooting in a huge war zone, setting it apart from the rest of the generic first-person-shooter games on the market. Updated with a new game engine, Battlefield 3 lives up to its decade-long pedigree of expansive big-team battles. Players join either the US Marines or Russian forces and choose from one of four soldier classes—A ssau lt, Support, Engineer and Recon.

BRING YOUR “A GAME”, SOLDIER: Fully destructible environments mean you are never completely safe.

In a Battlefield game where teamwork is imperative, the player’s choice is crucial as each class has a specialty. From reviving fallen teammates with a defibrillator as an assault medic to spotting hidden enemies using a sniper rifle exclusive to the Recon class, everyone has a role to play.

Out of the f ive game modes available, the classic Conquest mode is the star of the game. Up to 64 players battle it out on foot, in tanks and onboard aircrafts to capture flags scattered across the map. What is amazing is that despite the sheer number of players, variety of vehicles

and size of the map, the ga me st i l l ma i nta i n s a healthy frame-rate which rarely dips. This makes for an action-packed game with few hiccups. At its highest graphical settings, Battlefield 3 delivers an aesthetic treat that tops every other competitor. Thanks to the Frostbite 2

PHOTO | INTERNET

engine, character animations are life-like and smooth and environments get torn apart in showers of debris. When not caught up in the action, you would be awed by the stunning graphic details. Battlefield has primarily been a multiplayer-centred franchise, and this is only the third game to feature a

PHOTO | INTERNET

single-player campaign. However the plot is bland, saved only by some excellent voice acting and Hollywoodesque directing. It is a shame that the solo experience does not match up in terms of gameplay variety. A si x-m i ssion co-op ca mpa ign add s a not her dimension to Battlefield 3. But what you are really paying sixty dollars for, is a highquality first-person shooter experience that keeps you returning for more. This is in part due to a unique progression system that rewards players with better weapons and upgrades upon reaching a new rank or weapon proficiency level. Fans of the Battlefield series will definitely not be disappointed by this massive sequel, which f uses t he familiar multiplayer formula with a couple of new features and an amazing level of visual detail. While the sheer scale of the battlefield may be intimidating to newcomers initially, it should not stop them from enjoying one of the best shooter experiences of this generation.

-Benjamin Lim

VOL. NO.

LIFESTYLE 18 CHRONICLE13 06

THE NANYANG

06 CHRONICLE reviews

VOL. NO.

FILMS

WAR HORSE

WAR DRAMA Jeremy Irvine, Tom Hiddleston 146min

,,,,, WHAT comes to mind when watching War Horse is the story of Black Beauty, albeit a tougher, grittier version of the children’s classic. The movie is inspired by the original novel by Michael Morpurgo as well as its stage adaptation which won a Tony award. Set in England, the film begins with a remarkable friendship that develops between a boy, Albert Narracott, played by British stage actor Jeremy Irvine, and his horse Joey. They are forced apart during the outbreak of the First World War. The film trots on in a leisurely way at first, but picks up pace considerably as it traces Joey’s journey during the war. Through the horse’s eyes, we encounter different people, from soldiers on both sides of the conflict to a French farmer and his granddaughter. Joey’s movement from owner to owner provides welcome relief to the otherwise weighty narrative. Meanwhile, Albert enlists in the army in search of Joey. This gesture evokes his words, trembling with emotion, in the earlier farewell scene, “Wherever you are, I will find you”.

PARIS, YOU ARE MY LOVE: Adriana (Marion Cotillard) and Gil (Owen Wilson) take a romantic walk in Paris. PHOTOS | INTERNET

RISING STAR: War Horse is Jeremy Irvine’s first film role.

It is as much a tale about the extraordinary bond between man and beast as it is an epic narrative about the universal suffering of the Great War. This was apparent in the stark images of corpses and carcasses strewn about the battlefield. Yet amid the carnage, hope and tenacity prevail. The climactic scene of a distraught

PHOTO | INTERNET

Joey ensnared in barbed wires is chilling. Diffusing the tension is the entertaining exchange between the British and German soldier while they helped free the horse. It is at once darkly humorous and sobering, and speaks volumes about the pointlessness of war. The usual finger-pointing to those re-

sponsible for the bloodshed is largely absent in War Horse. Instead, it focuses on the shared humanity of both sides. Thankfully the film does not wallow in over-sentimentality or stoop to emotional manipulation. The masterful crafting of such a lovely tale easily overshadows Joey’s seemingly incredible quest to be reunited with his owner. Once again, director Steven Spielberg has taken the reins to weave a powerfully moving story reminiscent of past films such as Saving Private Ryan and Schindler’s List. Together with long-time collaborators Janusz Kaminski (director of photography) and John Williams (composer), the experienced storyteller has created an oldfashioned classic that will resonate with both the old and young. However, the run time of two and a half hours may leave the audience slightly restless. War Horse is easily one of the most impressive films Spielberg has done, and this was no mean feat considering that the film was mostly shot without CGI effects. Even the most hardened of cynics will be left tearyeyed at the poignant ending scene. Already, War Horse is a contender for the next year’s Golden Globe Award for Best Picture of the Year, and has been nominated for seven Critics’ Choice Awards. If anything, the film is about a solemn promise between boy and horse, and men and brothers alike. In a season of movie releases boasting Hollywood big names, this film is definitely a dark horse.

-Toh Ee Ming

SARAH’S KEY FRENCH DRAMA

Kristin Scott Thomas, Mélusine Mayance

111min

,,,,, Sarah’s Key is set in one of the ugliest episodes in French history—in 1942, more than 13,000 Jews living in France were rounded up in the Vel’ d’Hiv Roundup before being sent to the death camp. To save her brother, Sarah Starzynski (Mélusine Mayance) locks him in the wardrobe and promises to come back for him. This promising plot seems to set Sarah’s Key up to be a masterpiece (think Schindler’s List). After all, the movie is based on author Tatiana de Rosnay’s best-selling novel of the same title. The film goes back and forth between Sarah’s story and that of American Julia Jarmond (Kristin Scott Thomas, Four Weddings and a Funeral). She is a modern-day journalist who investigates the historic Holocaust event. She then discovers that her family is moving into the same apartment that Sarah’s family had stayed immediately before the round-up. Obsessed with the finding, Julia sets out to uncover Sarah’s fate. Unfortunately, Sarah’s Key proves that having two central characters is too much for a movie even though it works well for the book. Like Julie and Julia (2009), which it is often compared to, Sarah’s Key could have done better by having just one main character. Suspenseful and touching, Sarah’s share of the movie is a well-paced orchestra alternating between breath-taking wide shots of children running into sunlit fields and heart-wrenching scenes of them being torn from their mothers. Her narrative is told from the perspective of a ten-year-old and candidly depicts a firsthand experience of a young one at the turning point of history. The soothing French music in the background, sung in a child’s voice, loses no tension and adds on to the horror of the Holocaust.

EN GARDE: Aramis (Luke Evans, centre) and the Musketeers do battle with Cardinal Richelieu’s soldiers.

2mm apart from picture

UTTER DISAPPOINTMENT: Even Kristin Scott Thomas cannot believe that her performance can save the movie.

On the other hand, Julia’s blanched family drama seems like a fuss, especially when contrasted with Sarah’s historic life-and-death battle. Lengthy and predictable scenes only make the audience crave for Sarah’s haunting tale whenever the movie cuts to the present. This gets more obvious towards the end, when Sarah’s dramatic childhood story ends and Julia takes the spotlight. The thrilling ride of 1942 is ruined by the convoluted drag of Julia’s investigation into Sarah’s adulthood.

However, one saving grace of Julia’s story is the stellar performance by Scott Thomas. Director Paquet-Brenner said the actress found Julia’s character “uncannily similar” to her own, and it is evident in her acting. She slips seamlessly into the role of Julia, switching comfortably between English and French. Perhaps the same can be said about PaquetBrenner himself. Being of Jewish descent, his strong identification with the event resonates deeply in his close-up shot on Sarah’s fate.

PHOTO | INTERNET

This may also explain why he tells the other half of the movie lazily. One would probably enjoy reading the movie synopsis for Sarah’s Key or the original book, instead of sitting through close to two hours of half-hearted storytelling. Unfortunately, Paquet-Brenner’s apparent lack of confidence to fully unleash his inspiration makes Sarah’s Key a reserved movie and one that disappoints.

-Luna H. Pham

14 LIFESTYLE FILMS

CHRONICLE18 06 THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

reviews

MARGIN CALL

DRAMA Kevin Spacey, Zachary Quinto 109min

,,,,, AS MUCH as the ‘one-percent’ has been branded as heartless predators in suits, they are still human after all. That is the message that director J. C. Chandor tries to send across in his directorial debut Margin Call. Margin Call premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival to a warm reception, telling the tale of a fictional investment bank (loosely modelled on Lehman Brothers) forced to liquidate its assets. Over twenty-four hours, top executives are holed up in their offices figuring out how to resolve the crisis, setting the stage for a battle of conscience and greed. The movie begins with a depressing scene that hits home – a human resources team conducting layoffs on the trading floor of the bank. Eric Dale (Stanley Tucci, The Devil Wears Prada), the boss of a risk management team is one of those employees immediately relieved of their duties. Unable to finish a project he had been working on, Dale saves it on a thumbdrive and passes it to junior analyst Peter Sullivan (Zachary Quinto of Heroes fame). Before leaving, Dale tells his subordinate, “Be careful.” Affected by these words as well as Dale’s sudden departure, Sullivan stays

CORPORATE NIGHTMARE: Sullivan and other executives spend the night in the office.

PHOTO | INTERNET

back after work to finish Dale’s project, only to uncover the truth that the bank is on the brink of collapse. He quickly calls his supervisor Will Emerson (Paul Bettany, Priest) to check his discovery. This escalates into a series of emergency meetings involving more senior executives and eventually the CEO, who decides to make the margin call. How Chandor manages to orchestrate an intricate drama out of crisp dialogue, body language and a single location is truly amazing, considering that this is his first feature film.

Unlike the Wall Street movies where the villains are distinct, Margin Call blurs the lines of good and bad in its characters. These are a group of individuals in a state of panic, trying to save themselves from an impending global financial catastrophe of their own making. Kevin Spacey leads an ensemble cast that delivers a powerful, human performance. After a string of notable antihero portrayals (21, Horrible Bosses) Spacey proves that he can still play the good guy. As head of trading Sam Rogers, he is one of the few employees who do not agree with

done by Federico Maggioni, the tale was translated by Antony Shuggar, and has been compared to Saint-Exupery’s The Little Prince, but it holds its own as a more straightforward, modern fable. There is no clichéd “Once upon a time..”; Lamberto, Lamberto, Lamberto is a fairytale of a different sort. It is The Curious Case of Benjamin Button meets Roald Dahl, with a dash of whimsy thrown in for good measure. Rodari deftly walks the line between the believable and fantastic. The plot is interesting enough but it is Rodari’s humorous and clever writing that makes the story stand out. He describes the human body as a natural landscape waiting to be explored, using phrases like ‘venture into the tunnel of Corti’ and ‘disembark on the islets of Langerhans’. The characters are most typical—the eccentric millionaire with cash to burn, the ever-faithful manservant, the scheming relative and the classic townsfolk. Though the terrorists form an integral part of the story, their reasons for taking the Baron prisoner are never fully explained. Yet, the loose ends and certain vagueness have their own appeal, allowing readers to form their own ideas and conclusions. Rodari blends the jumble heap of situations - terrorism, the quest for eternal life, media stakeouts, small town life—to create a tale of life and death, and what it means to have another chance to live again. He peppers the story with sly repetitions and literary coincidences with random twists and complications to keep the reader on his toes. Though the tale was not as poignant as expected, the ending gave plenty of food for thought. A quirky tale wrapped in amusing prose, Lamberto, Lamberto, Lamberto is an easy and light-hearted read. Leave your logic by the door because as Rodari writes it, “certain things can happen only in fairy tales”.

WHAT IT IS LIKE TO GO TO WAR

the company’s decision. Conning clients into buying worthless assets would only make them lose their trust in the bank, something which Rogers desperately wants to avoid. Therefore, he is reluctant to follow CEO John Tuld (Jeremy Irons, Kingdom of Heaven) on the margin call. Tuld, whose last name is a clever play on that of former Chief Executive Officer of Lehman Brothers Dick Fuld, is loud and unwilling to accept any other proposals. This constant conflict is encapsulated in one final confrontation when Tuld asks Rogers, “I need to know if you’re with me,” only to be hit by a cold and ambiguous reply, “I’m always with the company.” However, Chandor reminds us that no matter how righteous a person is, money ultimately wields the most influence. Despite his principles and desire to quit the company after the fiasco, Rogers has little choice but to stay on after Tuld offers a pay raise, because he needs the money. Margin Call paints a grim and realistic picture of the corporate world and how it carries out damage control. The magic that makes this movie work is how it actually gets the audience to understand and sympathise with the characters’ predicament, without actually forgiving them for the devastation caused to the rest of the world. Having won four film awards already, Margin Call is by far the best Wall Street movie ever made, and one of the strongest offerings from Hollywood in 2011.

-Benjamin Lim

books LAMBERTO, LAMBERTO, LAMBERTO Gianni Rodari (Fiction) $30.94 at Kinokuniya Published by Melville House Publishing

IMAGINE being so rich that you can pay six people a president’s salary just to chant your name every day and night. Meet 93-year-old millionaire Baron Lamberto. Afflicted with 24 ailments (to match the number of profitable banks that he owns around the world), Lamberto lives alone with his butler Anselmo on the beautiful island of San Giulio. Taking the advice of an Egyptian mystic, he hires people to chant his name. The effect is astounding, as Baron Lamberto not only recovers from his chronic illnesses, but also seems to get younger. His only heir, his good-for-nothing nephew Ottavio, is dismayed when he comes to town expecting to find his uncle on his deathbed. Things get interesting when a gang of terrorists occupies his island villa, and the media descends upon the town to cover the siege. First published in Italian in 1978, Lamberto, Lamberto, Lamberto has only recently been translated and published in English. Accompanied by illustrations

-Michelle Ann Kwara

Karl Marlantes $39.17 at Kinokuniya Published by Atlantic Books

THIRTY years after he left the war, Karl Marlantes wrote the highly acclaimed Matterhorn, a fictional account of his tour of duty. His latest book, What It Is Like to Go to War, is a more personal and solemn affair. Coming to terms with his own combat experience, the author has actually created a literary piece that transcends age, gender and profession. Marlantes’s book sends a grim and heartfelt message—war veterans are rarely able to integrate back into normal societal life. as they attempt to come to grips with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a condition that the author suffered from as well. Comparing his experience to that of today’s soldiers, he bemoans the fact that technological advances have allowed modern warfare to be increasingly mingled with the civilian world. This, he says, would only confuse the younger generation even further as they lose their consciousness of life and death.

To prove his point, Marlantes provides an honest account of the personal conflicts he faced on and off the battlefield. In one example he shares how elated he felt upon witnessing a napalm strike successfully destroy a group of enemy soldiers. He likened them to a brand of breakfast cereal in order to reduce the guilt of killing another human. Years later he reveals that he would still have taken part in the mission because he would have saved American lives, but would have ordered in a conventional bomb strike instead because it could have ‘gotten the job done a lot more humanely’. This, along with many other stories, serves as a constant reminder that the news and media usually portray war as one dimensional. We only see the bloodshed and the victories, but we hardly get to comprehend the emotional and pyschological damage to these soldiers. Marlantes argues that some ‘primitive’ societies actually better prepare their warriors for the toll combat takes on the body and mind. Among other things, he suggests ‘rituals’ to aid combat veterans, as well as mental preparations to better prepare our younger generation for the reality of war. It is a feasible solutiona and there is little reason to doubt Marlantes’s reasoning. The war veteran is a graduate of Yale University and was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford. In writing his book, Marlantes has become the unofficial spokesman of thousands of war veterans, most of whom are less articulate to voice their opinions. What It Is Like to Go to War is a powerful book which should be on policy makers’ ‘Books I read this year’ list who have little understanding of the realities of war other than reports. But more importantly, it should be read by anyone who relies on the military, and that refers to all of us.

-Benjamin Lim

BOOKS FROM KINOKUNIYA

VOL. NO.

THE NANYANG

06 CHRONICLE

SHOW 15

dapper: your essential style guide Stocklist: Forever21, 437 Orchard Road #B1-01to18 Orchard Xchange Victoria Jomo, 9 Haji Lane

Producer: Farhana Jaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; afar Photography & Digital Work: Bryan Ho Backdrop Photography: Daniel Yeo Fashion Stylist: Tay Shi Ying Models: Connor Gibb, Sharon Yang Ge

16 SHOW dapper: your essential style guide On Connor (Prev Page): Orange shirt, $39.00, black trousers, $49.00, Forever21. Multicolour knit jumper, $34.90, Victoria Jomo. Shoes, Stylistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own. (Left): Vintage print shirt, $49.00, Victoria Jomo. Shredded jeans, $35.00, sparkly sneakers, $39.00, Forever21. (Right): Vintage tweed print jacket, $69.00, Victoria Jomo. Brown checked pants, $39.00, Forever21. On Sharon (Prev Page): Bejeweled sheer top, $39.00, short bejeweled floral pearl necklace, $21.00, duotone denim, $35.00, alligator bracelet, $14.00, sparkly stilettos, $39.00, Forever21. (Right): Brown houndstooth blazer, $49.00, peach crystal necklace, $17.00, pleated green pants, $39.00, black lace stilettos, price on request, Forever21. (Bottom): Black leather backpack, $38.90, Victoria Jomo. Jade knit jumper, $39.00, cropped grey tee, $23.00, duotone denim, $35.00, pink platforms, $39, Forever21. Striped socks, Modelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own.

THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

CHRONICLE 06

On Connor (Top): Long cardigan, $33.00, plaid print pants, $45.00, canvas boots, $59.00, Forever21. Electric blue belt, Stylist’s own. (Bottom): Knitted sweater, $59.00, pinstripe trousers, $49.00, Forever21. Shoes, Stylist’s own. (Extreme Right): Blue jumpsuit, $45.00, canvas boots, $59.00, Forever21. Vintage colorful bagpack, $79.00 Victoria Jomo. On Sharon (Top): Yellow lace dress, $45.00, oyster colored long necklace, $11, bangles with multicoloured gems, $17.00, embroidered high-cut sneakers, $45.00, Forever21. Document holder, $32.90, Victoria Jomo. Socks, Model’s own. (Bottom): Black lace maxi dress, $49.00, wooly white jacket with black lining, $59.00, silver bangles, $8.00, chunky black studded bangle, price on request, Forever 21. Shoes, Model’s own. (Extreme Right): Red lace dress, $49.00, black and gold bangles, $25.00, Forever21. Vintage clutch bag with kiss clasp, $89.90, Victoria Jomo.

朝鲜民众笑容真与否 —— 刊20页

新闻 2012年滨海湾跨年活动

许愿球

两万许愿球新年祈福绚烂烟火照亮夜空赵冰●报道中文编辑

随

着滨海湾360度的景观日益形成，这次的烟火表演观景点也增加到了12个。精心设计的八角造型在八分钟里点亮夜空。无论在海湾的哪个位置参加倒计时活动，都能清晰地欣赏到夜幕下绚烂的烟火奇景。 2011年的最后一天（12月31日）陈庆炎总统在滨海艺术中心的户外剧场写下对新年的愿望。

他写道：“我祝愿所有新加坡人在2012年幸福和平安。愿我们能团结一致克服任何迎面而来的挑战。新年快乐。” 之后，陈总统将许愿球抛入水中，与其他许愿球一起迎接新年的到来。长达八分钟的烟花表演，把新加坡夜空化为灿烂的星空，让民众叹为观止。当指针一指向2012年凌晨零时，只见聚光灯交际在夜空中，之后从天而降。围绕在滨海湾蓄水池的30万人，不约而同地仰望夜空。

随后，一朵朵绽放的烟花照亮了整个夜空。低空和半空烟花的相互配合点亮了整个夜空。笔者也是第一次如此近距离的观赏到烟花，也不由开心惊呼，甚至差点忘记按下手中的快门。两万个许愿球承载着超过五千个新年愿望点缀着滨海湾蓄水池的水面。在灯光的照耀下，一颗颗许愿球向人们展示着新加坡人民对2012年的期望。海面上的许愿球与新年的烟火交相辉映，再次为世人们献上了一幕幕震撼的视觉盛宴。

新的一年已经到来了，我们也在此祝大家新年快乐！如果你手中也有一颗许愿球，你将许下什么愿望呢？那么下面就来听听大家对新年的期待吧！ “希望能靠自己的实力完成自己的心愿，而不仅仅是空想而已！” 土木与环境工程学院

叶峻仪

“希望爸妈，阳以及朋友们都健康快乐顺利，心想事成！” 电机与电子工程学院陈总统手持许愿球。摄影|赵冰

郭琳静

“希望新的一年能找到一家心仪的公司实习！获取宝贵的经验！” 商学院

赵烁晗

“希望新的一年里能努力追求梦想，遇到挫折也不放弃！” 黄金辉传播与信息学院

吴嘉仪

文学院推出哲学为辅修课程

新哲学鼓励学生创意思考吴嘉仪●报道中文编辑

文

插图｜吴威俊

学院将在八月正式推出哲学为辅修课程。李晨阳教授表示这门课程将计划在一两年后设为主修专业。

文学院的“新成员” 想必会带给学生们更大的思考空间，让大家有机会追逐更深层面的知识。哲学基本上囊括了所有学科的主要概念，其中包含了现实、科学及道德等具争议性的主题。通过如此的思考方式，这一门课程能重塑学生们的思想和行为方式。兼具逻辑性思考与不

制造任何假设的态度，将使学生们对待周围的事物更加敏锐，并能够更加客观地面对和解决问题。从这门课程所吸收到的技能都可运用在别的学科上，让两者产生互惠互利的效应。拥有机智的思考、灵敏的反应将带给选修哲学的学生们更大的发挥空间。现在，南大的学生们

可以先尝试哲学选修课程，鉴定自己是否对哲学有兴趣。在2012上半年，学生们有五个与哲学相关的课程供大家选修，其中包括了中国哲学、道德哲学和科学哲学等。中国哲学将带领学生们窥探佛教、道教、儒家思想以及和中华文化与历史息息相关的其他课题。

许多国际名人也曾经选修哲学，影响着他们的证或态度和理念。著名武术家李小龙所倡导的坚持、努力克服困的思想深得民心。让世人不仅记得他精湛的武术，还了解到他所持有的人生道理。说不定在不久后的将来，南大的学生们也能通过哲学提升自我修养，并且拥有崇高的理念。

THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

CHRONICLE 06 生活

朝鲜人的“笑容” 朝鲜有很多让人难以理解的地方，有人说“如今的朝鲜很像20世纪六七十年代的中国”；有人说“朝鲜平民生活很惬意”；还有人说“朝鲜已成为铜墙铁壁般国家”。但这一次请让我们跟随记者黄康玮一起感受朝鲜人的笑容。

平壤第四小学的学生演出时，穿着色彩鲜艳的韩国传统服装进行表演。

孩

童露出牙齿，笑嘻嘻地举起双手、小女孩高歌演唱时挂上三分多钟的笑颜、少男在舞台上单独演唱时也不忘灿烂的笑容——只见这些照片的人或许有着朝鲜人过着美好生活的错觉。在这自我封闭的国度旅游一周，笔者所参观的校园和表演场所都充满着笑容满面的朝鲜人。苍光幼稚园教室大门一开，即刻看见数十名孩子兴高采烈地奔向大家。他们双手随后紧握我们的手腕，把我们带进大厅里和他们一同跳舞和参加接力赛。他们的欢笑不绝于耳，顿时会让自己觉得这些孩子的生活都过得好好的，和我们没什么差别。然而，这群充满笑容的学生脸上的表情竟是相同的。看久了，看多了，也产生了一份恐惧感。到了平壤第四小学观看演出时，穿着色彩鲜艳的韩国传统服装的同学们舞蹈动作一致，也不忘了脸上那僵硬的笑容，但似

乎开始有失那童真的笑颜。不知是因昼夜彩排，还是由于从幼小开始便得摆着无数笑脸而感厌倦了。他们的眼神，就这样出卖了自己那满脸的笑容。只能猜想，他们那一致的表情，满副笑容的脸孔或许只是掩盖着自己内心感受的面具。然而这一群笑容仅是冰山一角。也不难发现，和我们相同的是—— 随着时间的流失，我们也不再认为这世界是个完美而美丽的地方。从旅游巴士车窗望出，平壤街上的人们脸上可说是写不上任何表情。大路两旁暗淡颜色和林立的建筑物都是极具相同的斯大林式（Stalinist）风格，加上他们身上昏暗颜色的穿着打扮——要在这空间有些声色实属不易。然而，放学后套上鲜艳色彩冬装的孩子在街上走动玩，耍偶尔还是会为这城市增添一些色彩。但也并不是每名平壤孩童都带着笑容度

刚从北京留学回来的金玉哲（22岁）和赵香美（21 岁）反应相同，他们照相时对微笑的请求毫无回应。

在离非武装区不远的开城里，巴士上一名小女孩真诚的笑容令人印象深刻。

摄影| 黄康玮

过每一天。其中一名朋友在苍光幼稚园和一名男生参加接力赛后，意与后者合照，结果那名男生始终不愿露出牙齿，只以一张扑克脸面对着镜头。不愿意以笑容上镜的朝鲜人也不仅是这名男生。参观由韩朝联办的平壤科技技术大学时，23岁的研究班生李宋赫（译音）拒绝照相，但在恳求下勉强答应。当然，照片中的笑容流露出的是一脸的尴尬和不愿。刚从北京留学回来的金玉哲（22岁）和赵香美（21岁）反应相同，他们照相时对微笑的请求毫无回应。在和这对情侣交谈时，他们也十分拘谨，的确抱有对外来人的疑心。以上三名朝鲜人不愿意脸带笑容也并不能全归咎于成长的过程。李宋赫就读的大学能够上网查询资料了解世界动态，想必在网上也阅读过外界对自己国家的报道。而金玉哲和赵香美也刚从40年前对外开放的中国回来，也能比较过去同是共产国家

但后来对外政策不同所带来的影响。不愿意微笑，是否意味着他们对自己国家的憧憬失去了信心？但这自我封闭的国度还是能找得到真诚的微笑，只不过有如昙花一现。在离非武装地区（Demilitarised Zone）不远的开城（Kaesong）里，有名约四至五岁的小女孩在停靠的巴士里，察觉刚好经过巴士的我们，因此把手握的围巾伸出车窗外摇摆，意要引起大家注意。在摇摆的同时，她脸上的笑容让我们都感到相当惊讶。因为这是一个看见新朋友而希望能够和他们打招呼的喜悦。离开这城市时，笔者只愿那名小女孩的笑容不会在因为逐渐了解自己社会短处而消失。也希望其他人只是将笑容藏在内心里，而并非把它忘却。希望朝鲜接下来的日子能为他们注入一些希望，让他们有机会能向毫无拘束，开怀大笑的日子前进。

VOL. NO.

THE NANYANG

06 CHRONICLE

生活之节日狂想曲

狂欢

节

今年南苑想要和各位读者一起欢度佳节！中文编辑赵冰和吴嘉仪想要和大家一起分享一个不一样的春节。即元旦之后，大家最期待的节日非农历新年莫属。与其如往常一样的拜年、打麻将、拿红包，何不尝试新的体验？值得高兴的是，新加坡的迎新活动每年都在进步，以致我们有更浓厚的新年氛围。2012年是农历龙年，一个具有喜气象征性的一年。因此街上的装饰与各种节庆活动也更值得人们期待。

牛车水迎新活动（至2月21日）妆艺大游行（2月3日）

人来人往的牛车水街头将会架起高大的舞台，节目表演包括了国际舞狮大会、亮灯仪式、街头市集以及除夕夜倒数活动。

一年一度的妆艺大游行将再度掀开序幕。今年的游行会举办首次的水上活动, 带给公众非一般的视觉享宴。

今年在牛车水新加坡人能首次亲眼目睹武打片中舞狮的风采。还有，几条巨龙灯饰穿梭在街道上一定是个非凡的体验。喜欢购物的朋友们还能逛逛那里的街头市集，添些年货等等。

游行队里也会出现LED舞龙表演，巨大的舞龙由超过700名队员挥舞，相信这会是这支队伍的重头戏之一。

重要的是别忘了除夕夜一起和家人朋友们相约在牛车水，在鞭炮和烟火的祝福当中跨入新的一年。

华艺节（1月27日－2月5日）第十届的华艺节将给大家带来各种不同的表演，满足大家的感观。表演囊括了戏剧、舞蹈、音乐等各种不同的艺术盛宴。

感受南洋风情若你想要体验乡土民情，你可选择乌敏岛或巴西立的度假村。近年来，流连于乌敏岛风情的旅客有八成是本地人。在那可以尝试各式各样的水上活动，是个和家人朋友一齐度过长周末的好去处。

奢华体验趁新年正逢周末时期，想要悠闲地度过这四天还有另一个选择，那就是搭游轮。

不想搭船？那就直截了当搭地铁前往新加坡东部的巴西立度假村吧。那里的水上乐园和烤肉设备都是度假的首选。

让游轮带着你在海上漂游，望着海上的风景，占且抛开烦恼，度过一个无忧无虑的农历新年。别忘了许上新年愿，让2012年平安且快乐的度过。

新年我打算和一群朋友一起去吃火锅！赵烁晗商学院哇！如果在学校和同学一起吃火锅也不错！我会在家里打麻将，看跨念倒数活动！赵冰信息工程与传媒

七嘴八舌

照片｜网络下载

我觉得新年一定要和家人一起过，才会有佳节的气氛。叶峻仪土木与环境工程学院新年就是和家人朋友欢聚的好时刻！还能通过不同活动促进彼此的关系。吴嘉仪黄金辉传播与信息学院

下一期情人节情人节也即将到来，不管你爱在进行中，还是爱仍未萌牙。情人节都是表白，求婚，艳遇的好时机。你给他/她准备的2012年情人节礼物是什么？想好要发哪条情人节短信祝福给他;她吗？和他/她见面前你怎么将自己约会装扮好呢？你们期待去看哪部情人节电影呢？把你的想法告诉我们吧！ Facebook : NanYuan Ntu

THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

CHRONICLE 06 娱乐

记者见面会

乐评音乐Jukebox

伍家辉享受寂寞感官

伍家辉现身记者会时面部轮廓显得更加清晰，看来戒掉他最喜爱的寿司真的能让他更上镜。摄影|叶峻仪

吴嘉仪中文编辑

在

伍家辉阳光的外表下，谁也不曾料到他竟然十分“享受被寂寞折磨的感觉。”他会独自一人跑去看电影，看着出双入对的情侣，虽感心酸，但同时也乐在其中。伍家辉不喜欢人多的地点，却也矛盾地享受着在人群中的心情。他自认可能患有“空间恐惧症”，不喜欢与陌生人接触并觉得“躲在人群中没有安全感”。伍家辉更喜欢一个人在家的感受，不看电视，只是静静地思考，寻找灵感的泉源。从歌曲中表达内心感受自从《一人一半》红遍全新加坡，伍家辉阔别新加坡三年终于发行了迷你专辑《你爱我吗？》。这次，伍家辉想让歌迷更加认识他忧郁、孤独的一面。首首歌曲都收录了伍家辉阳光般灿烂笑容背后所隐藏的人生经验和故事。他说:“录制这些歌曲时还让我的“眼睛流汗，没有哭，仅流汗而已。” 他觉得每首一歌曲都应该要“把自己的故事放进去，这样才会让大家知道是真的。”

伍家辉的灵感来源而伍家辉的创作灵感大部分来自于寂寞感、想象空间以及真实经验。悲观的伍家辉习惯把小事放大去看，可他不认为这是一件坏事，反而觉得这样的习性对创作人是极大的帮助。这样一来，小小的细节都能成为唯美的故事情节。他就表示这张迷你专辑里的每一首歌曲“情感绝不重复”，能够带给歌迷不一样的情绪体验。歌唱事业比爱情重要谈过几次恋爱的伍家辉目前并没有心情成家立业，音乐仍然占据了他心里首席的位置。他认为没有写歌的日子，比没有爱情的日子来得更加彷徨。对于另一半的要求，彼此的感觉对伍家辉来说是最重要的考量。目前正处于空窗期的伍家辉坦白地说，“感情是人生中的点缀”。虽然感情上的经验的确能够启发音乐人的创作灵感，但是他坚信一个好的音乐人应该随时随地都能写出歌曲。伍家辉在台湾生活压力大这三年来，伍家辉把大部

分时间花在台湾宣传上一张专辑。与此同时，他也到处参与慈善演出。在台湾时时刻刻都有新人加入乐坛，所以每个人的步伐都得加快才能确保自己的地位。要出众就必须讲有“点”的笑话，时不时秀才华，伍家辉认为这增了他不少的压力。他就表示上吴宗宪的《王牌大明星》综艺节目时就十分紧张。伍家辉要在节目中表演魔术，但他知道看过大大小小魔术表演的宪哥喜欢破梗，因此害怕魔术被揭穿。伍家辉暗自庆幸自己的手艺还不错，从网上抄来的魔术还能过关，并无露馅。虽然在台湾生活压力大，伍家辉却非常“感恩在那里的时段。”因为台湾潮湿阴暗的气候，加上人生地不熟构成的寂寞感激发了伍家辉的创作能力，写出了不少动听的歌曲。他也从中学习到“认知要做回自己就OK”的人生道理，只要有信心，就是对自己最大的肯定。伍家辉可能是不习惯台湾的生活习性，外加上演绎压力，短短在台湾两个月就瘦了五公斤。因为想要上镜而少吃的伍家辉反而患上了胃溃。幸好回到了新马他慢慢调整饮食才恢复了健康，让歌迷放心不少。不过如今,伍家辉的轮廓更加清晰了。原来为了拍出好看的封面，伍家辉除了多运动，还不惜戒掉他最爱吃的寿司。对新马台歌迷有不同见解伍家辉也同媒体分享了他在不同国家宣传的心情。因为在马来西亚出生，在新加坡出发，他觉得在新马的自由度比较大。面对新马媒体和歌迷，伍家辉可以用比较轻松的心情单纯地和大家分享音乐心得。跑遍新马台的伍家辉认为每一个地区的歌迷都有他们的特点。台湾的歌迷较为热情，会疯狂地送上他最爱吃的寿司。他们还会守在电台外，仅为了见他一面，送他礼物，此举动让他感动万分。新加坡歌迷则较为保守，把喜欢他的心情收在心里或放在面簿上。马来西亚的歌迷就属于新台歌迷两个极端的中间点。伍家辉笑着说：“新马台的歌迷虽然有不同的表达方式，但主要共同点就是喜欢他，那才是最重要的。”

专辑：《第二人生》歌手：五月天推荐：《洗衣机》、《星空》《诺亚方舟》 ,

五

月天的《第二人生》一发行就已经杀入年度总销售量前三甲。这专辑分为《明日版》和《末日版》似乎要让歌迷自己决定他们是否相信2012是否真的是世界末日。值得一提的是《末日版》中两首空白曲

,,,

目“20”、“12”，分别长20 和12秒。有趣但又有点哀伤的空白让忙碌的城市人暂时停下匆忙的脚步，静静思考。另外，专辑里还有几首暗示末日的歌曲如《诺亚方舟》、《2012》。新专辑一如既往地在歌唱青春、人生、梦想、甚至残酷的现实。五月天的音乐总是能唱出那股真正为青春而歌、为现实而唱的情怀。对于这些年唱片产量不高的五月天来说，着实为一张歌迷必收的好音乐。（文/ 黄雪琪）专辑：《学不会》歌手：林俊杰推荐：《Cinderella》，《We Together》 ,

新

加坡小天王林俊杰累积了两年的新创作，终于发行了新专辑。这次，林俊杰尝试了更多不同曲风和题材。例如与钢琴大师朗朗合作的一首《灵魂的共鸣》，效果不俗。电子曲风的《We Together》及爵士风

,,,

的《Cinderella》也是新鲜的尝试。主打歌《学不会》则是林俊杰式的抒情K歌。姚若龙的词写得细腻：“总是学不会／再聪明一点／记得自我保护／必要时候讲些善意谎言。” 林俊杰的唱功已获得专业及歌迷的肯定，专辑中的真假音转换和R&B转音都使用得恰到好处。往后，希望林俊杰能不断寻找音乐上的突破，不只停留在一般大众化的情歌，带给听众更多惊喜。（文/ 彭丽吉）

专辑：《我爱我》歌手：萧亚轩推荐：《爱不离手》、《受够了》、《爱情的微光》 , 照片|网络下载

萧

亚轩的新专辑《我爱我》耐听度高，几乎每首歌曲都值得歌迷细细品味。轻快的《爱不离手》有趣地说明现代人时时刻刻都手机不离手。现代人更常用手机谈情说爱，减少了面对面沟通的机会。歌词“爱phone暂时

,,,

就让它松手”显示女友在嫉妒男友的手机，相信许多人都感同身受。《受够了》曲风带一点爵士风格，加上歌词不断重复“受够了”三个字，听了一遍就会如烙印在脑子里，深得人心。歌曲主要述说女人宁愿养宠物也不愿再相信男人的心情。《爱情的微光》淡淡又收敛地唱出对旧爱的思念，可听出萧亚轩丰富情感的经验。（文/ 黄雪琪）

VOL. NO.

THE NANYANG

06 CHRONICLE 凯瑟琳·德纳芙媒体记者会

官

法国电影展首次来新紧张不安。幸好她们都是非常专业的演员，在面对摄影机时就能够马上融入角色里。就因为彼此是真实的一对母女，演起来反而更能够擦出火花，把角色演得更加到位。凯瑟琳大谈人生经验与心态

拍过超过一百部电影的凯瑟琳·德纳芙（右）在她最新的影片里首次和她的女儿（左）一起合作。照片|Phish Communications 提供

吴嘉仪中文编辑

凯

瑟琳·德纳芙(Catherine Deneuve)第一次访新宣传她的新作品，Beloved (Les bien-Aimes)。“虽然和东南亚合作的经验不少，但是我还是第一次来到新加坡。” 拥有举世闻名艺术气息的法国在上个月把一系列著名的电影搬上了新加坡的大荧幕。这次，法国戏院带来了爱情、戏剧、惊忪等不同类型的电影，供一家老少齐观赏。为此盛大的视觉享宴，他们也请来了拍过上百部电影的知名法国女演员凯瑟琳·德纳芙通过媒体记者会和大家分享她的演艺生涯。此外，她

影评电影播映室

《星空》

也出席了《Beloved (Les bienAimes)》在新加坡的首映会。电影故事情节简介《Beloved (Les bien-Aimes) 》横跨了43年，讲诉了一对母女穿梭不同年代和国家的故事。电影取景于浪漫的巴黎和布拉格，造就了这部影片所要表达的爱情场景。母女对戏擦出火花凯瑟琳·德纳芙还找来了亲生女儿和她一起对戏，揣摩出更深刻真实的故事情节。凯瑟琳·德纳芙说：“虽然我和女儿的感情很好，但是对起戏来还真是有点尴尬。”她声称在拍戏之前和女儿都感到

去过许多不同国家拍戏的凯瑟琳·德纳芙还曾到过越南，并为此印象深刻。“越南人很卖力的工作，看到他们那么努力，我感到非常感动。我非常欣赏他们的环保能力，每一件物品都能够循环，这样的精神很值得被提倡。” 她在巴黎其实也能看过不少亚洲的电影，她觉得亚洲电影在过去的几年成长了不少，她也表示很有兴趣参与亚洲电影的制作。若有机会，她特别想要和日本剧场合作。在记者会上，凯瑟琳·德纳芙被问及如何保养自己的皮肤，以及是否会在意老化问题时，她大方地说：“老化是每个女人的问题，身为女艺人更是在意。但是我觉得这不是件麻烦的事，因为这是自然现象。” 凯瑟琳·德纳芙也说：“幸好欧洲影坛竞争没有美国那么剧烈，熟女型的艺人不会仅仅因为自己的年龄而被淘汰。” 但是她表示如今世界各地影坛新秀崛起，艺人必须时时刻刻学习与进步，这样才能不落人后。

杨宗纬记者会

从压力中找寻信心黄嘉琳施奕臣●报道

或

许有人会认为杨宗纬是李宗盛的复制版，甚至说他是李宗盛的“情感代言人”，但杨宗纬却觉得十分开心，更认为这是种赞美。他认为一名歌手需要很多的人生历练才能唱出李宗盛所达到的境界。同时，杨宗纬也表示自己的唱法并不像李宗盛，因为李宗盛在录音之前完全没有给他听任何的demo。李宗胜给予杨宗纬指导 “李宗盛找了两年，最后才打算让我唱主打歌之一《怀珠》。” 李宗盛在杨宗纬录完专辑曾赐给他一句金玉良言:“虚心和真诚地唱好每首歌。” 当杨宗纬得知他第二张个人专辑《原色》的制作人是李宗盛时，他感到既惊喜又紧张。杨宗纬坦言能请李宗盛帮他制作专辑并受到他宝贵的教诲是件非常荣幸的事。

他对此表示，以前的他是自卑的，经过这次的磨练，让他增加了自信。访谈期间，杨宗纬也和记者们分享他的生活趣事，笑说卖菜阿姨常常要听他唱歌，还送菜给他。在访谈时，镜头下的杨宗纬非常亲切诚恳，其中不失腼腆谦虚，对于记者的发问也有问必答。当杨宗纬被问及《被遗忘的》的灵感来源时，他表示想通过此曲提醒大家好好珍惜勇于放手的人。因为最会放手的人，是最常被遗忘的。最后，杨宗纬希望听众能花更多时间去聆听和欣赏他专辑里的歌，相信大家不会失望。

在压力下培养自信长期在北京录制专辑，杨宗纬感触良多。由于李宗盛对他的期望特别大，让他在录音过程中不由倍感压力。

杨宗纬在记者会上态度诚恳，略显腼腆谦虚，有问必答。

导演：林书宇主要演员：徐娇、林晖闵、刘若英、庾澄庆、蔡淑臻、石锦航（五月天石头） ,

,,,

改

编自几米的绘本《星空》，电影《星空》讲述一对在破裂家庭里成长的少年如何面对成长所带来的种种变化。一次离家出走的经验让两人见证了最绚丽的星空，而那一夜也将成为两人人生中最美丽的一道风景线。精湛的演技和细腻的人物内心刻画让片子增色不少。主角徐娇（饰演谢欣美）和林晖闵（饰演周宇杰）虽年仅14 岁，但二位的演技却已十分成熟。两位年轻演员把沉默少年在成长过程中的经历，害怕失去、面对失去的心理演绎得十分到位。另外，导演巧妙地将动画和世界名画剪接进片子里，创造了几米式的奇幻浪漫色彩，艺术感染力十分强烈。整体来说，《星空》是一部非常值得推荐的作品。如果想要真的享受这部片子，就得忘却生活中秉持的现实主义，让自己沉浸在那充满童真的浪漫气息之中。（文／杨明慧）

照片|网络下载

《龙门飞甲》导演：徐克主要演员：李连杰,周迅,陈坤,李宇春,范晓萱, 桂纶镁 ,

,,,

有

人必有江湖，有江湖必有爱恨情仇。明宪宗年间，宦官相互，滥杀贤臣。

侠客赵怀安(李连杰)为营救忠良，一剑毙命了恶贯满盈的东厂提督，却因此招来西厂厂督雨化田( 陈坤饰)的格杀令。一路亡命至嘉峪关的龙门，意外遇上寻西夏宝藏的顾少棠(李宇春饰)，风里刀(陈坤饰)，布噜嘟 (桂纶镁饰)一行。阴差阳

摄影| 白艳婷

错的还遇见了带素惠容( 范晓萱饰)”逃跑”的凌雁秋(周迅饰)。赵怀安在地平线突刮起数条龙卷奇风之际腾空飞出，与雨化田一决生死。此时，微妙的情感，亦藏于心却渐渐显露。电影演员阵容强大，此片还为中国大陆地区继香港后的大中华区第一部真正意义上的3D IMAX武侠电影。打斗场面的特效演绎非常震撼，徐老怪徐克的武侠地位果然无人能及。这部戏作为岁末贺岁档首批进入观众视野，想必无论是冲着这部传言中《新龙门客栈》续篇的故事情节，还是首推的3D IMAX特效，亦或是强大的明星阵容和导演徐克的武侠巨作等因素前去观影，都会惊喜而归。（文／文茜）

VOL. NO.

THE NANYANG

06 CHRONICLE

言论

SMRT应积极修复负面形象黄俊峰

好

事不出门，丑事传千里。负面新闻往往更能够激起人们的愤怒与感慨。这也是为什么它比正面新闻来得更吃香的原因。在近来所发生的新加坡地铁大瘫痪事故中，身为传媒系学生，笔者更是看到了这一点。这起事故也已经传遍世界各地。事发当晚，笔者正好和父母在香港旅游。当晚一回到酒店打开电脑，Facebook上几乎都是有关于地铁瘫痪的传闻。朋友也们都议论纷纷。父亲听后,隔天上街就买了份东方日报，里头竟然有一整篇关于SMRT的报道。其中的头条还写道：“SMRT竟通知的士趁乱赚钱”，“瘫痪五小时隧道摸黑逃生”及“星地铁大停电困13万乘客”等。刚巧在香港地铁上看完这则新闻的笔者，也自然而然的在两国的地铁之间做了个比较。整体上来说，新加坡的地铁对乘客的服务设施还是比较完善的。比如几乎每个出口都有电动扶梯，站内都设有电梯，方便老弱病残孕，或携带粗重物品的乘客。这是香港地铁所缺乏的。所

以，新加坡地铁还是有做得好的一面。如果因为一起事故，国人就对新加坡的地铁产生质疑，那是不公平的。但话说回来，这起事故也不能被轻视。地铁公司在紧急通讯上，还得加以带劲。总不能让乘客在紧急情况下还不

知所措，坐以待毙。 SMRT应该检讨如何更有效的把信息在第一时间带给乘客，比如通过一个很简单的短讯通知。前些年一个恐怖分子逃狱时，警方也是通过这样的方式通知民众的。

插图｜王天财

编辑室

中文编辑

金

正日死了！一位普通国家领导人之死大概无法在全世界引起如此之大的舆论和猜测。而金正日却是与众不同的。他不只是一个国家领导人，他还是一名在社会主义实现“君主世袭制” 的帝王。此时此景，金正日死了，对于朝鲜民众来说，无疑是个晴天霹雳。于是各大媒体、八卦纷纷爆出朝鲜上下对金正日之死过度悲痛的反映。而朝鲜的好邻居中国此时正以复杂的心情关注着他们的一举一动。“百货公司售货员趴在金正日曾经站过的扶梯上痛哭”、“ 百姓脱下衣物为金正日灵车铺路”不免让人觉得有些荒谬、可笑、但却又熟悉。这令笔者想起家中长辈说过的，在中国文化大革命时期，若是家里起火了，就先把毛主席画像护在怀里再逃命。中国

公司也应该采取跟多有关故障的演习，以便员工有相关的经验与准备。演习也应该邀请民众参与。这道理跟现在国内各建筑实行的防火演习是一样的。要不怕一万，只怕万一。与此同时，身为国民的我们，也应该从这起事件中学习，不要完全只顾着批评。比如把玻璃打破的事件，作为国民就应该自我反省。如果遇到紧急情况，应该按照地铁内的指示进行疏散。这样一来不止能让跟多空气进入，也能减少玻璃碎片伤人的危险。不过换个角度来想，如果真的遇到人命关天，必须要破坏公物或犯法才能生存或救人的情况，那也是情有可原的。我们也不要太约束自己，忘了自我生存的本能。

施奕臣

静观朝鲜新转折周庄瑜

我们不应该只是一味的批评，更应该懂得自我反省，避免相同的错误再次发生。

以及中国人对金正日毫无好感。我想作为中国人之所以厌恶朝鲜的极度个人崇拜和专制独裁，是因为中国经历过所有朝鲜的现在，并深深了解民主口号下的专制对一个国家以及民族带来的创伤。好在中国在经历了各种动荡后走上了一条强国致富之路。从闭关锁国到改革开放，中国逐步赢得了国际社会的尊敬。这点从好莱坞电影里就可看出来，以往演反派、坏人的不是苏联人便是中国人。而现在的动作片里，倒卖军火、贩卖毒品、蓄谋暗杀的基本上都是北韩人了。金正日给朝鲜百姓扣上的精神枷锁无异于洗脑的毒品。纵使生活再窘迫“再艰难的路也要笑著走”、“让我们始终保持振奋的精神，尽管道路充满荆棘”等口号为一切苦难都找到了借口。之前朝鲜电视台曾报道过一次假消息：全世界国民幸福指数中国第一，朝鲜紧随其后，美国垫

两

底。在这般颠倒黑白之下，朝鲜百姓或许欣慰的笑着，但他们不知道全世界在抱以怜悯的心态的同时如何嘲笑着他们。金正日之死会是朝鲜的转折点吗？如今中国乃至国际社会把焦点放在了其子金正恩身上。毫无疑问的是，作为朝鲜第一大

家族后代，他从小便享用了朝鲜百姓难以想像的特权，真正尝到了中央集权的甜头，但这是否影响他那颗年轻的头脑？假以时日，待浓雾散去，我们才能真正看清这个面无表情的年轻人是个改革开放的领头人，亦或只是一个胖版阿斗而已。

插图｜王天财

个星期前，一名初级学院生在本地今日报言论版上写了一篇有关于大专学府教育设备差异的文章引起了广泛的讨论。这名学生认为有些初级学院的设施根本比不上工艺教育学院的(ITE)。让这名初院生愤愤不平的是一些工艺学院生根本不会珍惜他们所拥有的优质设施，校园内多处都是涂鸦。他认为这对新加坡最优秀的学生不公平，他认为初级学院的学生值得拥有更好的校园设施。笔者认为不同学校都有自己独特的资源和教学方式，所以应该给予空间让它们有效地采用自己所认同的教学系统。这名初级学院学生的想法含有精英心态，认为初级学院的学生比工艺教育学院的学生更值得受到社会的重视。在现代新加坡社会，每个人都有同等的机会和待遇。如果优质的设备只留给初级学院的学生，也并不能达到合理分派教学资源的目的。顶尖的设施固然对教学有帮助，但是最终还是得靠学生本身的天赋和努力来取得成功。与此同时，笔者也认为初级学院生的批评并非毫无道理。他的担忧也是合理的。作为拥有优质教育设施的工艺学院的学生，应该更加懂得珍惜所拥有的良好环境。反观南大宿舍内的公用设备，如洗衣机，烘干机也因学生不够爱护，而惨遭“淘汰”。对此笔者认为，作为拥有一流校园设备的南大学生更应该引以为戒，对于学校公共财产应该如同自家物品一样善待。

学校设施差异引发争议

26 SHOW photo : spotlight

THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

CHRONICLE 06

TIME OFF

GAME ON

When school’s out, the books are tossed aside for a well-deserved break from academia. With activities from sports to arts, students were no longer students last December— they became ordinary people who just wanted to have fun. But now, the whistle has been blown. Playtime’s over.

Opinions frankly, my dear

EDITORIAL

A column by Chronicle Editors on issues close to their hearts

MARK OF A LEADER The recent SMRT debacle has been the talk of the town. Many brickbats were hurled at the embattled corporation over alleged incompetence and poor crisis management. SMRT CEO Saw Phaik Hwa refused to resign despite calls for her head. She declared she was staying to “put everything right.” The SMRT firestorm reminded me of the immense pressure US President Barack Obama is weathering as his first term of office draws to an end. While sure to seek a second term, his chances of victory are by no means as likely as they were four years ago. Despite doing a decent job, he faces severe criticism over his handling of the weak US economy. When we were young and foolish we were told that to be a leader was a good thing, even if we did not particularly understand why. As we grew older we learned leadership meant extra responsibility and work, with dubious rewards. Being the man or woman in the firing line no longer seemed a good thing. To take the reins of power requires more than just hard work. A leader has to appear

above pett y concer ns and never show fear. He or she must always have the right answers and be ready to spring into action even at 3am. T h is is t r ue no mat ter what kind of position you undertake. In NTU there are countless opportunities to step up. You can be a captain of a sports team or a club president. In our halls, the JCRCs work immensely hard to organize events and make life on campus a memorable one for their residents. Yet, no matter the activity, the requirements of leadership do not change. Your job is to set an example for the team. You are the counsellor, overseer, fireman and visionary all rolled into one. So why do we do it? Why do we volunteer for the extra burden? The spectator may be safe in his seat, but he can’t change the game. Only by walking out onto the pitch can you influence events and ensure that no matter what happens next, your input had something to do with it. To me that is the true reward of leadership, the knowledge that you’ve achieved something that at first seemed too much to bear.

THE NANYANG

CHRONICLE chief editor Sulaiman Daud Managing editor Sia Lingxin sub-editors Cassi Yang Chua Yuxuan Lysandra Lu Michelle Ann Kwara Stefanus Ian News editors Eileen Tay Liao Xiangjun Lifestyle editors Celine Chen Wong Pei Ting Reviews editor Benjamin Lim dapper editors Bryan Ho Farhana Ja’afar Chinese editors Goh Jiayi Zhao Bing opinionS editors Aloysius Lai Sneha Gururaj

sports editors Huang Shuqun Xavier Koo layout editors Debbie Lee photo editors Alex Tai Mark Leong graphics editor Josephine Tan Nicholas Ong ONLINE EDITORS Phanh Minh Trung Kien business managerS Lim Pei Yi Vivian Ng Wei Ying production support Ng Heng Ghee Ong Li Chia Teacher advisors Andrew Duffy Debbie Goh 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

Facebook: The Nanyang Chronicle Website: www3.ntu.edu. sg/chronicle General Enquiries: chronicle@ntu.edu.sg

Befriending change in 2012 Wong Pei ting lifestyle editor

hange is the constant in the equation of life. Yet change has been my greatest enemy in 2011. T he transition to adulthood at 21 years of age had been a bittersweet experience. Confused, we follow fickle fashionistas, imitate str ik ing personalities, and covet the ‘ideal’ western culture propagated to us through the media. Bombarded with uncertainty in this alienating world, we often find ourselves ploughing through days, months or even years, in search of some sort of power that can mysteriously endow us with the ability to control the world at our fingertips. It is in all these uncertainty where conscience pricks us to find an answer for ourselves. What am I here for? Revelation falls and we scream “This is all meaningless!” T h i s c ou ntdow n , I hu n g around till midnight as usual to welcome the new year. I thought to myself: “What is so special about this night?” T h e n c a m e m y t r a i n of thoughts of the year that had passed and the year that we are ushering in. On the baseline, I recognised that it is not about that night. It was about the anticipation to start anew. It was about forgetting the disappointments of 2011 and hoping that the year ahead would be better. It was about the fresh determination to change and create better habits. That’s why we make new year resolutions. And that’s why we celebrate. Looking back, 2011 was the year of watershed elections and heightened cyber political activity. In the midst of hyped-up politics, negativity and dissent towards our gover nment and over a morning of angst, I wrote a rather outrageous article to the Online Citizen on April 29 that spread like wildfire to all forms of social media. This was my first contact with public reaction. Many of the comments I received were flattering, yet many were non-gratifying. The touch of power has scared me to know the number of minds m y wor d s h av e i n f i lt r ate d . Triggered by the elections hype, I grew to fear the radical in me. This fear was not an institutional fear. I won’t speak of this fear as a bad sort of fear; I find it healthy

GRAPHIC | JOSEPHINE TAN

as it speaks volumes of me as a human being as part of growth. As our words get weightier with age and with freshly-forged credentials, this fear becomes increasingly fuelled by a sense of responsibility. As I am now accountable for every word I speak, I am fearful of this power I now hold to influence. On hindsight, turning 21 does not automatically mature us. At times, I still feel like a child who has barely scratched the surface of understanding herself and the reality of the world around her. But I have grown to realise

that turning 21 is not a feeling. It is an attitude that we choose to embody. I quote something simple, yet profound: “21. To the younger ones, freedom. To the 21 and above, responsibility.” Rather than looking for people or things to change, I challenge myself to look within and change myself this year. A new year, a new semester. New class schedules, new professors, new friends. New habits. And a fresh new attitude. I am choosing to befriend change in the year 2012.

OPINIONS

THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

CHRONICLE 06

a matter of perspective

Jessica Sng

Privatisation derailed

he Christmas spirit was dampened when SMRT’s North-South line broke d o w n i n D e c e m b e r, frustrating thousands of commuters. Many blame privatised SMRT for becoming too profit-driven, rather than focusing on delivering quality service. It is easy to see why SMRT has been accused of this. Transport fares have been increasing over the years. Fare hikes, accompanied by more delays, congestions and breakdowns, do nothing for SMRT’s reputation. However, before condemning the evils of the profit motive, we should examine the reasons behind privatisation, and how SMRT has managed to achieve them far. Prof it i ncent ives encou rage development of consumerfriendly services, if carried out well. Take the liberalisation of telecommunications since 1989 as an example. StarHub, M1 and Sing Tel now compete by introducing attractive packages that are upgraded frequently. Consumers are able to enjoy a wider range of services at lower cost, since privatised companies do not operate on a cost recover y basis. Liberalisation of Singapore’s electricity retail market in 2000 by the Energy Market Authority pushed firms to compete and lower prices, enticing more consumers. He nce , pr i v at i si ng S M R T actually keeps fares lower than nationalization can. Fares are indeed increasing, but nationalisation can drive them even higher, since companies have full government funding and have little reason to cut costs. While SMRT may not experience as much liberalisation as telecommunications, this already shows why nationalisation is not the golden solution. SMRT already adheres greatly to government directives, thus nationalisation will yield little benefit. After several train track fatalities a few years ago, SMRT initially cited cost as a reason for not installing safet y barr iers. T hey did so only af ter M r R ay mond L i m , M i n i s te r of Tr a n s p o r t i n 2 0 0 8 , a n nounced the decision to install all platfor m screen doors by 2012. SMRT facilities now are also more accessible to the elderly and disabled, following the government’s programme; for example, tactile tiles have been placed in stations to assist the visually impaired. For SMRT to improve, paying attention to public sentiment is of utmost importance. With the recent breakdowns, perhaps SMRT

should consider implementing readily available emergency bus services. The Circle Line is already a good move in providing more extensive train coverage. Given that it only opened in October 2011, perhaps we shou ld reser ve judgment on its several disruptions, such as the incident on December 14, which delayed about 1,400 passengers. Provided such hiccups do not continue frequently, we can give SMRT the benefit of the doubt, as they improve the new line. Furthermore, nationalisation does not guarantee better services. Countries like Ireland have mostly state-owned railways, but this does not mean they are problem-free. Enterprise, an inter-city train se r v ice, i s notor iou s for it s frequent delays, according to reports by the cross-border Joint

Privatizing SMRT keeps fares lower than nationalization can. Fares are indeed increasing, but nationalization can drive them even higher. Business Council in 2007. As long as there is no management action, full government support through nationalization will still fail. For e xa mple, acc u sat ion s were flung at SMRT CEO Saw Pha i k Hwa for not ta k i ng a strong lead during the breakdowns. Thus, decisive leadership is far more crucial than nationalisation. Finally, while the cause of disruptions is still unclear, the Land Transpor t Authorit y repor ted that the misalignment between the train tracks and “collector shoes” caused faults in the power rail. This could be due to inadequate maintenance by SMRT’s technicians. However, we should give the staff a chance to improve their work performance, provided it does not worsen in future. T he com mute r s’ a nge r i s justified. Packing into crowded carriages, waiting for backup buses and eventually running late will ruin anyone’s day. These incidents have made it clear that Singapore’s transport system is still far from world-class, but solutions should be centered on formulating good contingency plans and training capable and responsive staff—all possible with privatisation.

GRAPHIC | JOSEPHINE TAN

Juliana Soh

mashing a train window pane for ventilation instantly made one man a hero, while Singapore M a s s R a p i d Tr a n s i t (SMRT) became the villain. This is but one of the many recent incidents that has left a black mark on SMRT’s reputation as a first-rate public transport operator. In light of recent and numerous train malfunctions, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has launched an investigation into SMRT’s standards and practices. Despite its good intentions, the efficacy of this move is questionable at best. Even with LTA and Public Transport Council (PTC) overseeing SMRT’s operations, compliance with maintenance standards cannot be ensured. This is likely a sign that the privatisation model is not working out for the public transport sector, and thus nationalisation should be an option seriously considered. Nationalisation can ensure that externalities such as safety and passenger comfort are looked into. Apparently, corporatised SMRT has failed in this respect. LTA investigations attributed the cause of the train disruptions to a “misalignment between the train tracks and collector shoes”, which has to be the result of lack of maintenance. A state-run railway operator places commuters’ interests before profitability. As reported in The Straits Times in November 2008, train frequency was only increased to keep up with population growth when hefty fines were imposed by LTA for failure to comply. With greater train frequency comes better passenger comfort.

Moreover, a state-run railway would be more willing to invest in enhancements in the systems that do not contribute to higher earnings. Take for instance the installation of safety barriers at railway stations. Initially, SMRT was skeptical about constructing safety barriers to prevent commuters from falling onto the tracks. The main concern was the high cost of installing such barriers. Only with LTA’s S$60 million programme to improve train stations, were of safety barriers made possible. Evidently, the government is more willing to spend on

Even with LTA and PTC overseeing SMRT’s operations, compliance with maintenance standards cannot be ensured. railway enhancements Contrar y to popular belief, prices would also be better controlled with a nationalised railway system. At present, the only two public transport operators are SMRT and SBS. This duopoly does not present much incentive to compete through lower prices and better services. Wit h t he fa res increasing gradually over the years, the most recent hike of 1 per cent in October 2011, prices are pretty much left in the hands of the corporations even with PTC regulating. With the government running

SMRT, the state could absorb higher operating costs and fluctuations in oil prices. As such, commuters could look forward to more stable public transport fares. On the other hand, it cannot be ignored that privatisation can bring about certain benefits. As a corporation, SMRT has improved its efficiency to admirable levels. In 2009 and 2010, SMRT won the Best Pan-Pacific Metro award. However, over time, efficiency began to mean operating to obtain maximum performance with the least expenditure. This may be the very cause of the railway faults that contributed to the recent disruptions. Yet, with all the benefits that nationalising SM RT stands to bring to commuters, there must be a reason for the initial corporatisation of SMRT. Looking back in history, SMRT was formed as part of a privatisation programme in 1986, aimed at government withdrawing from commercial activities that no longer needed involvement from the public sector, and to prevent competition with the private sector. This plan managed to drive Singapore’s economy out of a recession, but has outlived its usefulness in Singapore’s welldeveloped economy. The priority should be to ensure that all public services run smoothly, instead of revamping the already stable economy. LTA’s investigation can only rectify surface issues, but underlying problems within SMRT will be left uncorrected. It is time that the government took a more aggressive stance to the problems with the railway system. No one wants another episode of breaking train windows.

VOL. NO.

OPINIONS 29

THE NANYANG

06 CHRONICLE

From Singlish to English

! T

S E

I R

canteen talk

On January 4th, the Committee to Review Ministerial Salaries proposed a 37% pay cut for ministers, as well as removal of the pension scheme. We find out what faculty and students think.

They are pegging it to the wrong people. The formula for ministers’ pay must include the median. As an outdated mode of payment, pensions should be removed.

”

A/P Brian K. Tan, NBS, SMO

“

Ministers should convert to the CPF scheme. I don’t think they should be treated differently from other civil servants. Ng Yi Qiang, SBS, Yr 2, 22

Louisa Eng

ver the Christmas break, a YouTube video of a belligerent young man named Aaron Tan went viral. In his 10-minute online tirade, Tan hurled insults and threats at a 14-year-old love rival using a mixture of Mandarin and Hokkien, with a smattering of broken English and bad pronunciation. Netizens scoffed Tan’s gangster image and shoddy language. Several, amused by his poor command of English, even posted spoofs of Tan’s video. Jonathan Wong, 23, second-year Mechanical Engineering student said, “When I first watched the video, it was quite funny. But I was turned off by his bad pronunciation and the incessant swearing. “I believe most Singaporeans are aware that Tan’s level of speaking is so extreme and obviously, would not seek to emulate this manner of speaking. No one would want to be subjected to the same amount of ridicule [Tan] received.” But while most Singaporeans may laugh at Tan’s “priest lahs”, the video signals a divide beween those can and those who can’t speak good English. In 2000, Singapore launched the Speak Good English campaign to get Singaporeans to “Speak Well. Be Understood”. The Singlish-spouting Phua Chu Kang, an Ah Beng television character, was the movement’s ambassador to illustrate that even the most

extreme Singlish speaker is willing to change and be understood by English speakers globally. To emphasize the importance of speaking good English, schools also raised the weightage of the English oral examination from 10% to 15%. But these programs apparently failed to help youths like Aaron Tan.

While most Singaporeans may laugh at Tan’s “priest lahs”, the video signals a divide beween those can and those who can’t speak good English. Third-year English student Colin Tung, 24, doubts the efficacy of the campaign. “Speaking good English is an intrinsic motivation while the Speak Good English Campaign is an extrinsic one. “Encouraging the speaking of good English can, and should, be fostered within the family. If parents speak proper English to their children, I believe the latter will follow suit.” But placing the responsibilities for parents to cultivate good English by example may prove a

GRAPHIC | JOSEPHINE TAN

challenge when Singaporean parents themselves speak Singlish. Coming from a family that speaks Singlish, grasping the English language was problematic in my younger days. Such hurdles can be overcome in various ways, such as mingling with friends conversant in concise English. Another strategy is to read. Tung said, “Being exposed consistently to good writing, through the love for reading, would allow the student to have an ingrained sense of how to speak, as well as write, in proper English.” At the same time, simply having the tools and means to improve one’s language proficiency is insufficient. When using online forums, social networks and mobile phones, additional obstacles are introduced. When one communicates through these avenues, brevity becomes important, often at the expense of language accuracy. Knowing where to draw the line between usage of precise English and casual conversational English is key to developing one’s language skills. Simply increasing one’s exposure to proper use of English is the solution. While it is anyone’s guess how Aaron Tan never grasped basic English, it is likely he was presented with few opportunities to converse in English. Campaigns can only do so much. Cultivating an environment for good English usage is the better option.

We should all go back to the CPF scheme. Our ministers already have the highest salaries in the world.

”

Jai, NIE, Yr 2, 32

“

It’s about time these pay cuts happened. Pensions should be extended to the whole of Singapore, not just the civil service.

”

Eugene Ng, NBS, Yr 2, 22

The CPF scheme would be better for ministers, so that there won’t be sentiment of unfairness among citizens. Lim Yun Song, MAE, Yr 4, 24

TEXT | ALOYSIUS LAI ; PHOTOS | ALOYSIUS LAI

VOL. NO.

SPORTS 30

THE NANYANG

06 CHRONICLE

bpl talk

Transfer for fantastic four?

they said that?

As the race heats up, the title-contenders begin to show cracks in recent weeks. With the mid-season transfer window, Nazri Eddy Razali examines the current top-four teams and how they can mend these damages with new additions.

MANCHESTER CITY Current position: First Manager: Roberto Mancini THE capacity to loan out a player of Adebayor’s calibre speaks of t he immense depth that Manchester City has, especially in attack. In fact, Roberto Mancini’s fall-out with Carlos Tevez, arguably their best player last season with 23 goals in all competitions, did little to slow down this goal-scoring machine. Despite this, Manchester City is still

open to the possibility of adding more firepower in the form of Roma’s Danielle De Rossi and Lille’s Eden Hazard. City of course is more than capable of purchasing both players whose combined value comes close to £60 million. By acquiring these players, City might be able to progress further in Europe following their exit from the Champion’s League.

MANCHESTER UNITED Current position: Second Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson AT OL D Trafford, Sir A lex Ferguson’s faith in the club’s youth has reaped dividends by winning the title last season. Even as rumours of interest in Scha l ke’s K laas-Jan Huntelaar persist, Manchester United’s attack and midfield appears very much settled this season. But a look at their defence tells an entirely different story.

With defenders such as Rio Ferd i na nd , Ph i l Jones a nd Nemanja Vidic injured, it is a wonder how United managed to thump Wigan 5-0 with midfielders Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia playing in defence. Instead of looking to purchase another striker, perhaps a defender might be necessary to ease the defensive crisis.

“I think there are some players who [grunt] on purpose. Because the grunt is so loud, you think the ball is coming fast and suddenly the ball just goes slowly.” Women’s tennis star Caroline Wozniacki (above) on players who distract opponents by emitting loud noises.

“I put everything aside to support him. If you count the times I did it, probably the number is in itself ridiculous.” Italian tennis standout Flavia Pennetta on her busted romance with boyfriend who cheated on her. BPL’S BEST: (From left) Roberto Mancini, Sir Alex Ferguson, Harry Redknapp, Andre Villas-Boas.

TOTTENHAM Current position: Third Manager: Harry Redknapp ONE unlikely club looking to splurge is Tottenham. Harr y Redknapp’s team exceptional performance this season meant that Spurs is once again in the top four since two seasons ago. Redknapp emphasised the need for a marquee signing to validate their claim as title contenders. Tottenham currently boasts one of the most feared midfields in England. Rafael Van der Vaart contributed significantly to the Spurs’ current season success with seven goals and three assists. They may, however, want to

look into the market for a quality forward to increase the depth of their forwards. Their present top-scorer, E m m a nue l A deba yor who chalked up an impressive nine goals and six assists thus far, is on loan from Manchester City. While the former Arsenal player is keen to remain at White Hart Lane, his wage demands remain a major stumbling block for a permanent transfer. The Togo national who currently earns £170,000 a week has explicitly stated that he is not willing to take a pay cut.

PHOTOS | INTERNET

CHELSEA Current position: Fourth Manager: Andre Villas-Boas CHELSEA’S results thus far cruelly exposes the fact that the old guards can no longer be relied upon for continued success. Already in their thirties, John Terry, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard now look way past their prime. T he Blues sorely lack a creative winger but is quick to express interest in Juventus’ Milos Krasic. The Serb, though, has struggled to cement a starting place and has not played for more than two months. Bolton Wanderers’ Gar y Cahill, also looks to be another

possible acquisition. With outof-favour Alex handing in his transfer request, Chelsea not only needs a covering central defender, but also a quality long-term replacement for John Terry. With his contract ending in June, 27-year-old Cahill looks to be a suitable candidate at a mere £7 million. With Villas-Boas all but conceding that Chelsea’s title challenge is over, the rest of the season looks to be a battle for 4th place to ensure qualification for the Champions’ League next season.

“It was probably the smallest and slowest crash I’ve ever had. It is almost embarrassing!” F1 driver Kimi Raikkonen on his snowmobile accident in December.

“I hope my players can do a gift for me (by winning)” Man City’s manager Robert Mancini hopes for a 47th birthday present from his players when his team meets Liverpool at Anfield.

31 SPORTS

THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

CHRONICLE 06

sports profile

The alley to success Siow Weiiliang

MILESTONE: Bernice Lim sets personal record.

PHOTO | COURTESY OF BERNICE LIM

SHE may have spent nearly half her life bowling, but national bowler Bernice Lim is showing no sign of slowing down her pace. Introduced to bowling at age 11 by her parents — avid bowlers themselves — the 20-year-old has been making waves in the local bowling scene since then. Her younger brothers, Justin, 18, and Jason, 16 also bowl competitively with Justin currently in the Singapore Youth Team. The precocious bowler was called up to the National Youth Team in 2006. Within two years, she was promoted to the senior squad after victories at the 2007 Indonesia International Open, Inter-Cit y Bowling Championships and Hong Kong International Open. But Lim is not one to lay on her laurels. She devotes four to five days a week to training, even sacrificing the occasional Saturday. Hard work does not always pay off though. Despite her success, it was not all smooth sailing for Lim, who failed to make the cut for the team at the 2010 Asian Games. “I was very disappointed at that time. But one does not grow from only success; we pick ourselves up from the multiple setbacks we go through,” she said. True to her words, she went on to

win the Singapore National Bowling Championship in 2010 and came in second runner-up for the Singapore Nationals 2011. In January last year, the secondyear Sport Science and Management student won the women’s doubles at the 21st Asian Tenpin Bowling Championship in Abu Dhabi. Following that, she emerged tops in the All-events, Masters, Te a m a n d wom e n’s d o u b le s events accompanied by a bronze for t he si ng les’ e vent at t he 25th Asian Inter-city Bowling Championships in October. Her own tenacity and skill, coupled with the guidance of mentors

propelled her to her recent triumphs. She credits her associate coach Remy Ong for giving her invaluable advice about competing on the lanes. “Remy has a lways been a great help to me, especially on how to deal with the stress and pressure to perform,” she said. Currently, Lim has her sights set on besting her personal record of three golds at the 2010 Asian Youth Championships during the 2012 edition that will be held next month. Even after nearly a decade of bowling, it appears that this gutsy kegler is far from throwing in the towel just yet.

ADVICE FOR BEGINNERS 1. Begin with the straight shot to learn the correct posture and follow-through motion. 2. Always follow-through as it minimizes injuries to the wrist and forearm. 3. Only move on to hook shots when you can consistently bowl good straight shots. To perform a “hook”, keep the palm behind the ball, and let the thumb slip out first. While doing that, keep fingers firm and rotate it to the side as the ball is falling off.

Old hands teach new moves

Huang Shuqun

sports editor

DANCING may sound more like a leisure activity than a sport. But try telling that to 19 couples who waltzed to Latin tunes, performing high-tempo dances at the NTU DanceSport Academy’s Closed Competition. The annual competition, into its third year now, was held at the School of Art, Design and Media (ADM) on December 9. The participants were divided into student and alumni categories. Three types of ballroom dancing were showcased – the Cha-Cha-Cha, the Rumba and the Jive. Dancers were graded on two accredited levels, namely Grade D and Grade E. Accreditation at the Grade D level is tougher as competitors have to be proficient at the ChaCha-Cha and the Rumba, since they are judged by the overall performance of both. At the Grade E level, the ChaCha-Cha and Rumba dances are judged as separate events. C ha i r of N T U Da nceSpor t Ac ade m y, Sy f u l n i z a r A b du l

Hamid, 23, said that the objective of the competition was to integrate past and current students, and share their dance experiences with one another.

“Previously, the alumni dancers had a limited involvement in the competition so we were excited to include them this year” NTU DanceSport Academy Chair Syfulnizar Abdul Hamid

While some dancers saw the competition as a chance to showcase their skills, alumni Sng Li Wei, 30, and his partner Tan Wei Jing, 26, regarded it as a good chance to return to their alma mater and help others improve their dance skills. “We’ve been dancing for five years and it was fantastic to see new faces at DSA. Hopefully, we will have more chances to come back

CHAMPIONS: Syfulnizar (left) and Sun impressed the judges.

to offer advice to newer ballroom dancers,” Sng said. Sng and Tan came out tops in the alumni Grade D Cha-Cha-Cha and Rumba category. Charmaine Wong, 21, a thirdyear student from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, found it challenging to master the routine in a mere two days. She felt that the seniors’ guid-

PHOTO | SIOW WEILIANG

ance was very helpful as it helped improve her spatial awareness, which is crucial to avoid bumping into other couples. “It was very difficult at first but the seniors shared a lot of their experiences with us.” Kat her ine Sun, 22, a second-year student from Nanyang Business School, who came in first for the Grade E Cha-Cha-Cha and

Grade E Rumba categories, agreed with Wong. “I was not confident at all as I only started ballroom dancing this semester. “However, I was in Chinese dance before and that helped greatly,” she said, adding that that her prior experience helped her keep up with the rhythm and intensity of the Cha-Cha-Cha and Rumba moves. “My partner was also very helpful and practised a lot with me prior to the competition.” Syfulnizar agreed that the competition is a good platform for student/ alumni interaction. “Previously, the alumni dancers had a limited involvement in the competition, so we were ver y excited to include them this year with the alumni category,” said the third-year student from the School of Materials Science and Engineering. Singapore DanceSpor t Federation, the official DanceSport organisation in Singapore, has also set up an education subcommittee to help organise outreach programs in the local dance scene, such as providing dance lessons for the public.

Sports

Dance of glamour in NTU – Page 31

Refereeing mars ISG David Lam EMOTIONS ran high and tempers f la red as player s d i rected sarcastic comments at referees at the latest annual Inter-School Games (ISG), which featured a total of 14 sports. Refereeing for contact sports such as basketball came under heavy criticism from the players for what they perceived to be poor of f ic iat i ng a nd double standards. Some referees were a lso cr iticised for t heir lack of knowledge on the technical aspect of the sport. Due to a shortage of referees, players themselves had to take up the responsibility of officiating matches in the sport they were competing in. This led to unhappiness from some participants as they felt that the player-referees were not qualif ied to regulate the games due to their lack of proper training to take on such roles. Some players also believed that rules were exploited as a result of improper standards. A r if Adr iyanto, 19, Spor t D i r e c t o r f o r t h e s c h o o l of Mecha n ica l a nd Aerospace E n g i ne e r i n g ( M A E ) , voic e d concerns over the foul counts. “I was quite concerned about the number of fouls committed by the players,” said the firstyear student. “If every player can get away with physical fouls, that gives rough teams the advantage.” Referees themselves admitted that they did not have enough time to familiarise themselves with the games they had to officiate. Jian Han, a student referee for tennis, felt that refereeing was a challenge due to the short time they had to learn the game.

“There wasn’t enough time to master the technical aspects of the game, so it was not an easy task for me,” said the MAE student. Ne ve r t he le s s , t he r e we r e certain committees that took the effort to acquaint themselves with the sports that they had to referee. For instance, the MAE sports committee, who were in charge of refereeing the tennis events, sent their members down to the the NTU tennis team trainings to familiarise themselves with the rules.

“There wasn't enough time to master the technical aspects of the game, so it was not an easy task for (the referees) Jian Han Referee at tennis events

But t he ne wl y-appoi nte d student referees of the sporting events still encountered hotly disputed foul calls, especially in contact sports. Ye t , t h e r e w e r e a f e w players who believed that there was nothing wrong with the officiating. E u ge n e Fo o , t h e D e p u t y Sports Director for the School of Mater ia l Science a nd Engineer ing ( MSE ) , refereed the tennis preliminary matches

STAPLE: Sports like netball makes an appearance every ISG.

PHOTO | ANGELINE YEO

CONTENTIOUS: Basketball was one of the sports which faced controversial refereeing decisions.

and believed that there were no complications as far as umpiring was concerned. “I had no issues with the umpiring during the matches. It did not hinder my play in any way,” he said. While the old sports in ISG were facing a refereeing crisis, in contrast tchoukball, a new addition to this year’s ISG, was r at he r popu la r a nd t he new featured sport took place rather smoothly without any problems. The introduction of the new e ve nt saw playe r s f r om t he tchoukball varsit y team hold training sessions for participants before the games to familiarise them with the game play. In the game, players score by bouncing a ball off a trampolinelike frame at either end of the pitch, without the opposing team

cathing the ball. Anthea Soh, 19, felt the game was fast-paced and players had to be on their guard at all times. “It was my first time playing tchoukball, and it was very intense as we always had to be alert to catch the rebound ball,” said the first year student from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (WKWSCI). Varsity players were present to help as referees as they were more experienced in the sport. Their knowledge of the game ensured that the games were refereed fairly. In view of the hiccups during ISG 2010/2011, the organising committee also sought to ensure a level playing field. D u r i n g l a s t y e a r ’s I S G , there were too many players for certain sports and too few

PHOTO | ANGELINE YEO

players for the others. T here were also conflicting versions of rules for the games. W h i le t here were st i ll refereeing issues for this year’s ISG, the committee believes that it is a step up from past years as they had done everything to level the playing field this year. Arif was part of this effort. “This year, we have imposed the standardisation of rules and the number of participants to ensure fair play”, he said. Fo o, a f e l low c om m it te e member echoed the sentiment. “We feel proud when we see the students coming together to participate in the games. It validates our efforts and spurs us to try to improve further.” The ISG will hold its closing ce r e mony on Ja nu a r y 12t h , following the finals events.