The Nanyang Chronicle Vol 21 Issue 07

THE NANYANG

CHRONICLE

VOL. NO.

21

07 2.02.15

ISSN NO. 0218-7310

Struggles exchange students face in NTU

NOT HOME AWAY FROM HOME

NEWS | 03

CNY snacks at Sago Street

新年期间 寻找年味 南苑 | 27

Uncovering Telok Ayer

A HIDDEN GEM

LIFESTYLE | 10

Now screening:

THE PROJECTOR REVIEWS | 13

02

NEWS

THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

21

CHRONICLE 07

The Briefing Room:

Our news editors’ pick of interesting news stories from around the world

Yuan Ching Road deaths: Deceased sent 'Final Note' to media

Valentine’s surprise

A MAN involved in the Yuan Ching Road deaths last Friday morning had sent an e-mail to the media airing his grievances about his wife and their maid.

The e-mail, titled “Jurong Murder” was received by newsrooms here at 8.11am, with the author identifying himself as Ken Ong. The police received a call for help at Park View Mansion at 7.56am, and found the couple and maid injured and bleeding within the condominium.

The couple later died in the National University Hospital.

THE spurned and broken-hearted will get to air their hurt and pain — through the naming of a giant scorpion or a hissing cockroach.

The San Francisco Zoo has offered ‘adoptions' of these species as a Valentine’s Day special. A US$25 (S$34) package grants the adopter naming rights of a scorpion or cockroach, with the add-on option of sending an ex-partner the adoption certificate and a plush scorpion or plastic cockroach.

The promotion is part of the zoo’s fundraising campaign to support research and conservation efforts.

PHOTOS: INTERNET

Measles outbreak in US Malaysia officially declares MH370 an accident

Maroon 5 called out for faking Sugar music video

ALL 239 passengers onboard the ill-fated Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 are presumed dead, after Malaysia’s Department of Civil Aviation concluded that its disappearance was an accident.

Malaysia's civil aviation chief Azharuddin Abdul Rahman said that after 327 days of searching, the conclusion based on all available data is that “survivability is highly unlikely" for the victims.

Families of the victims can now begin proceedings to obtain assistance, such as compensation. The unsuccessful search for the plane — which went missing on 8 Mar last year — has gone on for nearly 11 months, with up to S$130 million spent. MH370 was en route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur when it disappeared.

AN OUTBREAK of measles that began in Southern California's Disneyland has spread to at least 95 patients in eight US states and Mexico.

As of last Thursday, seventy-nine cases were recorded in California, marking its worst measles outbreak in 15 years. Patients ranged from age seven months to 70 years old.

The reported 644 infections across 27 states last year set a record since the States declared the elimination of measles in 2000.

CRITICS have lambasted Maroon 5’s music video for their latest single Sugar, which showed the band supposedly ‘crashing’ random weddings in Los Angeles to perform live to seemingly shocked couples and their guests.

Several actors have been identified, such as Raina Hein from America’s Next Top Model: Cycle 14, who was one of the brides. Acting duo 2Woos confirmed in a now-deleted status on Facebook that they played the role of “parents of Asian bride” in the Asian wedding scene from the video.

However, the criticism has not stopped the video from going viral, accumulating over 82 million views since being uploaded on YouTube on 14 Jan.

THE NANYANG

CHRONICLE

ON THE WEB

Opinions: Je Suis Tired

Reviews: Whiplash

Lifestyle: New Year, New You

Reviews: The Theory of Everything

Following the worst extremist violence France has experienced in years, Opinions Writer Nazri Eddy Razali questions if freedom of speech is really worth the price of bloodshed.

As we reach the end of the month, it's still not too late to give your body the fresh start it deserves.

Join Lifestyle Writers Jolene Ang and Sheryl Tay as they shed some light on how you can lose some pounds this year for a healthier you.

Beyond the blood, sweat and tears, this critically acclaimed film also explores the unorthodox relationship between a promising young drummer and his mentor. Reviews Writer Cheah Wenqi shares how Whiplash redefines what a music feature film should be.

The Theory of Everything takes a peek into the inspiring personal and professional life of renowned theoretical physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking. Reviews Writer Nicole Ang shares why the film is deserving of the praise and recognition it has received so far.

WIN BIG WITH US

Kaizo Giveaway The Nanyang Chronicle is giving away two e-vouchers (worth $10 each) to be used at online fashion store Kaizo. The contest will run from 2 to 5 Feb and winners will be notified via Facebook on 6 Feb. Head over to our Facebook page for contest details.

SPOT SOMETHING INTERESTING?

Send us a photo at www.facebook.com/ChronNTU and it could be featured on our page.

Find us at www.nanyangchronicle.ntu.edu.sg. 'Like' us on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ChronNTU) for more information.

News

NTU alumnus shoots to prominence — Page 4

Exchange student woes Lack of hall space, cultural barriers top the list of issues faced by exchange students in NTU

which include coffee sessions and luncheons, are open to all NTU students. So far, these have been wellattended by a good mix of local and international students.”

ISC regularly emails students to invite them to these luncheons and other events.

Saranya Mahendran Tan Yuan Ting

Not all fun and games

L

ife on an exchange programme for many foreign students in NTU has not been as smoothsailing as they expected, with the uncertainty of and difficulty in getting accommodation in a Hall of Residence being the biggest concern.

Last semester, about 70 per cent of 840 exchange students were not allocated a room, leaving them to pay exorbitant amounts to secure accommodation elsewhere in Singapore.

In an official email to exchange students last May, staff from Global Exploration and Mobility (GEM) Trailblazer, an exchange programme by NTU, warned exchange students about the low success rate of getting a place in hall.

The email said that only 30 per cent of incoming exchange students would be allocated oncampus housing “due to the housing crunch”.

Johanna Lim, a third-year exchange student from Scotland’s Strathclyde Business School who currently resides in Hall of Residence 12, found this to be very unfair.

“There are a lot of exchange students who can’t afford living outside campus because the rent is so expensive,” she said.

Students living on campus can expect to pay from $225 to $375 per month, while students living off-campus will have to pay $500 to $1,200 for accommodation per month, according to the GEM Trailblazer website.

The allocation of hall places is subject to availability and takes place through a random balloting system. The Nanyang Chronicle understands that a system is in place to ensure a fair number of local and exchange students get rooms in hall.

Other factors that contribute to the lack of accommodation in halls are the rooms set aside for other groups of students, including all freshmen and those under NTU’s scholarship programmes.

In an email interview, Professor Er Meng Hwa, Vice President for NTU’s Office of International Affairs, said: “This (lack of housing for exchange students) is not unusual because similarly, not all of our NTU students on overseas exchange programme are guaranteed

THE GREAT DIVIDE: Many exchange students say they feel ostracised when forming project groups, as local students tend to assume they will not work as hard.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: S. GOWRI

on-campus housing in our partner universities.

“As we build more halls in the future, we would be able to accommodate more exchange students on campus.”

However, Lim thinks otherwise, stating that all exchange students in her home university have priority to dormitories.

She further added: “In NTU, there are a lot of local students who go home during the weekend and I don’t think they should get the (hall) room.”

The 21-year-old said that the hall rooms could be better allocated as she understands that a number of local students using their rooms only during the exam season.

Allocation anxieties

Compounding the issue, exchange students who are successful in their hall applications are only guaranteed one semester of residency. In contrast, local students get a full year.

Kristian Reed, on a year-long exchange in NTU, joined Hall 13’s Junior Common Room Committee (JCRC) believing that he would be guaranteed a second semester of stay in said hall he was assigned to.

Local students in JCRC stand a good chance of being on the recommended list, better known as the rec-list, granting them a place in the same hall the following year.

Reed, now the Recreational Secretary of Hall 13, learnt in an email from the Office of Housing and Auxiliary Services (HAS) that this was not the case for exchange students.

The email said that exchange students were allocated halls by

random selection each semester, “so as to give all exchange students (both existing and incoming) equal chances to be considered for oncampus housing”.

HAS also added that the involvement of exchange students in hall activities “would not increase their likelihood of getting rooms for the following semester”, as opposed to local students who would have higher chances of getting one.

Reed, a third-year student from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, said: “Despite organising the Inter-Hall Recreational Games — working ten hours a day for the past two months — HAS said (they) cannot guarantee (me) a hall, regardless of my position.”

“Luckily for me, I did get into the hall (in Semester 2). I understand that if they (HAS) could choose, they would provide halls to everyone, but they have the housing crunch.”

Breaching boundaries

Despite crossing international boundaries, some exchange students still face social barriers.

Lim felt that local students here do not mix as much with exchange students, in contrast with the situation in her home country, Scotland.

“In the first semester, I had two tutorials and basically I was on my own. In Scotland, full-time students are more willing to talk to exchange students, so they are more likely to mix around,” she said.

Some felt that the university should work on notifying exchange students about social events such as orientation camps.

Oliver Jeffers, 20, a third-year student from the Hull University Business School, England, said: “No one made me aware that exchange students were allowed to join. Not much information was given about anything.”

“If I have a choice, I would not take them as groupmates, because I think they may not be willing to work as hard as local students, as some of their modules are (graded) pass or fail.”

Grace Tan, 22 Second-year student School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences

An exchange student from the University of Wollongong, who only wanted to be known as Jenny, knew about orientation camps and applied to join her hall’s freshman orientation camp, only to be rejected.

“At the beginning of the semester, I asked both my hall office and International Student Centre (ISC) about joining orientation activities as I was keen to meet local students and learn more about NTU. “However, I was told that I was not allowed to join in as they were ‘for real NTU students only’,” she said.

In an attempt to bridge the gap between local and international students, the ISC organises various activities and events.

Prof Er said: “These activities,

In NTU, it is common to see local students shy away from forming project groups with exchange students as some have the assumption that exchange students will not work as hard.

Grace Tan, 22, a second-year student from the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (SPMS) admitted that she would not risk working with exchange students.

“It really depends on the person.

But if I have a choice, I would not take them as groupmates, because I think they may not be willing to work as hard as local students, as some of their modules are (graded) pass/fail.”

Gabriel Tan, 22, a second-year student from SPMS, said that the tendency for exchange students to travel out of Singapore plays a part.

He said: “It’s tough because exchange student may not be around that often due to travel plans but they are able to inject creativity and new perspectives which Singaporeans sometimes lack.”

Mr Jimmy Yap, a part-time lecturer from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, shared his perspective as a faculty member who has taught exchange students.

“I rarely had exchange students who put in zero effort. Most of the time I find that exchange students work as hard as the other students.”

However, he agreed that the work ethic differs from student to student.

“There are certainly some exchange students who come and try to do as little work as possible. They’re here just to escape the northern winter, soak in the sun and go on holidays to Krabi or Phuket. But even then, they are still putting in effort in class.”

Andrew Amaladass, 23, a thirdyear student from the School of Biological Sciences, shared a similar view.

Amaladass said: “I think it is a misconception that exchange students are not working hard. School is more than grades and the content you learn. It’s about the life skills you acquire along the way.”

“Working with international students gives you new perspectives and ideas you may not have thought of, and personally, it is always nice to make new friends from other countries,” he said.

04

NEWS

THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

21

CHRONICLE 07

Taking a shot with passion NTU alumnus How Hwee Young talks about her career switch to photography, and her experiences as a photojournalist Adeline Tan

C

rying at the devastation of a tsunami in Thailand is not something that most accountancy graduates would expect in their job experiences.

But for NTU alumnus How Hwee Young, her career progression has been somewhat different. Having worked as a junior auditor for six months upon graduation, Ms How decided to turn her back on her accountancy degree. Instead, she took a leap of faith and embarked on a career as a photographer.

She has not looked back since.

The 36-year-old’s list of achievements were further embellished last month when she became the second Singaporean to be selected as a jury member for the World Press Photo 2015 contest.

Established in 1955, the annual contest is a prestigious international photojournalism event in which winning entries are exhibited in 45 countries to over two million visitors. The only other Singaporean to have made the panel was Mr Wee Beng Huat in 1985.

In an email interview with the Nanyang Chronicle, Ms How revealed that the appointment came as a pleasant surprise.

She said: “I feel very honoured and humbled at the same time to be part of such an incredibly accomplished and esteemed group of colleagues in the industry.”

Now the chief photographer of

CAPTURING THE MOMENT: Ms How's success in photography has been fuelled by her passion for the job. She believes that one should be guided by passion instead of simply basing decisions on financial considerations.

PHOTO: STEFEN CHOW

the China region with the European Pressphoto Agency (EPA), her decision to make a career switch has long been rewarded. Ms How explained that a desire to see more of the world and learn about different cultures prompted her decision to take up photography.

Ms How said: “I fell in love with photography and wanted to make a career out of my passion rather than just have a job, which was what accountancy meant for me then. Switching from accountancy to photography was indeed a lifechanging moment and I am glad I did it.”

Ms How started her photography career with The Straits Times in 2001, before joining EPA in 2004.

She has covered events ranging from natural disasters to major sporting events, such as the 2009 Indonesian Padang Earthquake and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

However, her career has been far from a smooth ride, with the job posing its own set of emotional challenges, especially when tragic situations are involved.

Her first experience of covering a major disaster during the 2004 Asian tsunami in Thailand proved to be particularly challenging.

“I was at a funeral for one of the victims and I couldn't stop my tears from flowing even as I continued to take pictures of the grief-stricken relatives who were crying their hearts out,” she recounted.

Initially, Ms How viewed her breakdown as “unprofessional”. But in her state of tears, a volunteer there reminded her that the ability to empathise was not necessarily a weakness, but instead, simply a part of being human.

The incident has since left a lasting impression on her throughout her career. Ms How now points out

that empathy is a trait that is especially vital in documentary photography, “where a deep sensitivity for your subjects is crucial for in-depth coverage”.

"I fell in love with photography and wanted a make a career out of my passion rather than just have a job, which was what accountancy meant for me then."

How Hwee Young, 36 Chief Photographer, China region European Pressphoto Agency

Even so, this trait has continued to be a double-edged sword at scenes of distress and disaster, and Ms How admits that it comes with

her occupation.

“It is part of the job to report the news, good or bad, and we have to learn to deal with them though I do not think one can be able to do so completely, no matter how long one has been in the profession.”

However, such challenges have never dampened her passion. In some cases, they even provided her with a touch of humanity, such as during her coverage of the Lushan Earthquake in 2013, where victims offered her food and water despite their own plight.

Ms How said: “Their simple warmth and generosity greatly touched me and I learnt that even in adversity, there is much to be celebrated about the human spirit.”

Emotional challenges constitute a huge part of the job, but there are also challenges posed by hostile environments. While Ms How revealed that female photojournalists have the advantage of getting easier access to female subjects and are deemed as less threatening, caution has to be exercised to ensure her own safety.

“One has to be very alert and sensitive to the environment and be prepared to make a quick exit or talk your way out of it. It is always best to be very respectful towards your subjects and try to keep a low profile in these instances,” she said.

Her roundabout journey to a fruitful career in photojournalism may be a road less taken, but Ms How believes that achieving a successful career is something within reach for any undergraduate, even for those who are still deliberating their career paths.

She concluded: “My advice is to follow your passion and heart and not be bothered so much about money or making a living as all this will come eventually when you do what you love.”

NTU MBA team triumphs in case competition Lynette Chua A TEAM from NTU came out top in the world’s oldest and largest case competition last month, becoming the first Asian team to do so.

The four Master of Business Administration (MBA) students beat some 180 participants from 36 international teams in the John Molson MBA International Case Competition, held in Montreal, Canada from 4 to 9 Jan. The Nanyang MBA is a one-year programme, ranked as Singapore’s top MBA programme since 2004 by international finance publication The Economist.

The team of students from Canada, India and Singapore, comprising Cory Reid, 31, Aswathi Suresh, 26, Sunitha Vijiyasingam, 35, and Jonah Wong, 29, won all seven cases in the 23-year-old event.

Teams had three hours to solve real-life business challenges

without the help of reference materials. According to team leader Reid, the “sheer scale and magnitude of this competition was beyond any local one”.

Fellow team member Aswathi said: “The impromptu nature of the competition made it more intense and difficult, but the ability of the team to understand the challenges really quickly made us stand out.”

Defying the odds

The competition pitched the group against opponents who had six months to a year’s worth of preparation, some of whom had professional consultants or professors on board.

In comparison, the NTU MBA team only had three weeks of practice, with two to three sessions of training weekly.

Regardless, the team made full use of their time by reading up individually on major industries to keep abreast of current business

developments and practices.

NTU MBA alumnus and the team’s coach, Professor Vijay Sethi “worked with us and gave us invaluable feedback which helped us prepare for the competition”, Sunitha said.

The team won all five roundrobin cases in the first round to advance to the semi-finals with eight other teams. Their ability to identify growth markets for a Brazilian bus manufacturer in the final round was the key to their victory over Portugal’s Porto Business School and USA’s Moore Business School.

In addition to the trophy, the team was also awarded a cash prize of $10,000. The team revealed that no decision has been made yet on how to spend their winnings.

“We're extremely happy that our hard work paid off and we were able to uplift the name of the school to an international level,” Aswathi said.

GROUNDBREAKING WIN: (From left to right) Akshay Regulagedda, Aswathi Suresh, Cory Reid, Jonah Wong and Sunitha Vijiyasingam celebrate their victory.

PHOTO: NTU

VOL. NO.

21

NEWS

THE NANYANG

07 CHRONICLE

05

Employing a pragmatic approach Minister Teo Ser Luck encourages students to keep expectations in check and maintain an open mind in finding jobs

“It’s a little messy because the Career Fair is split over two locations. Perhaps the organisers can have a big directory to show where specific booths are located at,” she said.

External advice

Karl Lim

M

anaging job expectations was the main message underlined by Minister of State for Trade and Industry Teo Ser Luck, at the official opening of the NTU Career Fair last Tuesday.

Speaking as the guest-ofhonour at the opening, which was held at the Quad, Mr Teo touched on topics including the shortage of manpower within the job market, the phenomenon of job hopping and the importance of being pragmatic in choosing a job.

Mr Teo told students to lower their demands when it came to salaries, with companies potentially finding it difficult to meet high expectations due to the challenging business environment.

“Undergraduates must be pragmatic and very practical in their approach because some of the undergraduates may have unnecessarily high expectations.

“When you have too high expectations, you probably will disappoint yourself,” he said.

While clinching a job at a multinational corporation (MNC) is the desired outcome of many graduates, Mr Teo encouraged all students to fully explore the prospects available at the fair — such as those offered by small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

JOB HUNT: With up to 4,300 jobs available at the fair, Mr Teo (left) urged undergraduates to keep their options open when finding jobs.

PHOTO: NTU

“SMEs present graduates with a different albeit equally exciting set of challenges and experiences that are just as valuable to shaping a career as a first job in an MNC,” said Mr Teo.

Positive forecast

Held over three days — 27, 30 Jan and 3 Feb — 4,300 job opportunities were available at the fair.

This year’s edition featured a record number of 230 employers, seven more than the previous year’s fair.

More than 80 per cent of the

employers hailed from MNCs, such as Citi Singapore, Switzerland’s ABB and Japan’s IHI Group.

One of the undergraduates who benefited from the Career Fair was Michelle Lim, a third-year student from the School of Chemical and Biological Engineering.

“One good thing is that it allows students to ask and know about the job prospects at a company they might want to work for. Some companies also offer internships so the Career Fair is suitable for students across all years," said the 22-year-old.

Evelyn Tan, a third-year student

from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, echoed similar praise for the event.

The 21-year-old said: “I went for my faculty’s career fair but it wasn’t as comprehensive as this.

Through this Career Fair, I had the opportunity to get my queries answered directly.

“It was also very beneficial to have my resume vetted.”

However, she noted that some students were unaware of the booths located at the School of Biological Sciences, which were separate from the booths set up at the Quad.

Even after the fair, NTU undergraduates will still be able to receive advice from industrial consultants, with the university in the process of recruiting up to 13 consultants across various industries.

These consultants — who specialise in fields ranging from finance to media sectors — will offer advice on planning and preparing for a successful career in the students' chosen industry.

Mr Loh Pui Wah, Director of NTU’s Career and Attachment Office, said that the consultants will give students a realistic view of jobs available and the competencies needed in these positions.

Specific preparation to take on these positions will be offered

by NTU in conjunction with the consultants to help students acquire the necessary skills.

“The aim is to help students start their careers on the right footing,” Mr Loh added.

While guidance is available to undergraduates who require it, guest-of-honour Mr Teo concluded his speech at the fair by encouraging students to take the initiative in their own training and career development, and to “seize the opportunities available”.

Mr Teo said: “Your journey does not stop upon graduation, but rather, lifelong learning and skill mastery will be critical pursuits as you develop your career.”

Stocking up on financial literacy Cara Wong “BUYER?” “Seller!” “350, 350!

Buyer?”

On 17 Jan, a small auditorium in the financial district was transformed into a busy marketplace, as 42 students walked to and fro purposefully, hollering at the top of their lungs for buyers and sellers.

From their raucous voices, one might have thought that these students were aspiring hawkers.

Instead, they were participants of Financial Expedition (Finex), an annual event held by the NTU Investment Interactive Club (NTUIIC), which aims to improve financial literacy among youths.

These students formed the top 14 teams out of a record number of 255 participants. The students raced against time to complete stations around the city in the morning before arriving at their final stop — the Microsoft Auditorium at

One Marina Boulevard.

Each station on the Finex trail saw students simulating real life financial activities, such as trading ‘stocks’ — represented by numbered slips of paper — with other students in an attempt to replicate stock market operations. Teams which performed well in the earlier stations were then selected to take part in a final stock trading game to determine the winners.

Seah Wei Hao, 22, chairperson of NTU-IIC, stated that the event's turnout was much better than expected, with a close to 40 per cent increase in participants as compared to the previous year.

Apart from NTU students who accounted for 32 of the 85 teams, there were also participants from other universities, polytechnics and junior colleges.

“Of course we did have some hiccups at the start, like trying to secure venues to host the stations, but it all worked out in the end,”

said Seah, a second-year student from Nanyang Business School.

How Jin Wei, 18, one of the members of the team that won the JC/Poly category, commented: “The competition was very exciting since my team and I have never heard of most of the financial terms that we learnt today. But we still tried our best to learn from it and thankfully the learning curve was not very steep.”

The Victoria Junior College (VJC) student added: “Initially, it was a little confusing and inefficient, but it improved over time and things got a lot smoother. It helped that the instructions were very clear and easy to follow.”

An NTU team named Malatlou emerged top in the University category. Members of Malatlou and How's team took home a printer each, while the overall winners of Finex, a team from VJC, were awarded with iPads.

While most participants the

NUMBERS GAME: Partcipants raced to stations around the city to participate in various games which taught lessons on financial literacy.

PHOTO: CARA WONG

Nanyang Chronicle spoke to felt that the event went smoothly, some pointed out that there was still room for improvement. Arthur Cheong, 23, whose team finished second in the University category, noted that some of the games were unable to actively engage students.

The final-year student from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences said: “For example, in the trading game, I feel that the (stock) movements should be bigger so students can participate in it even more actively.”

Participants were not the only ones who benefited from the competition, with the organisers

taking home lessons of their own too, according to Dr Koh Noi Keng, advisor to NTU-IIC. Dr Koh, who is the chairperson of Citi-NIE Financial Literacy Hub for Teachers, said: “As an educator, I see learning from both sides. The organising side learnt organisational skills, leadership skills and marketing skills too.

“Eventually, they end up with authentic experiences that will see them through the industry later.”

This article is an editorial collaboration with Financial Expedition, organised by the NTU Investment Intractive Club.

VOL. NO.

21

ADVERTORIAL 06

THE NANYANG

07 CHRONICLE

Sharing a love for water

Nazri Eddy Razali

J

uggling work and family might be a problem for some, but this couple found a way to make it slightly easier — by working in the same organisation that values worklife harmony.

James Koh Hong Kiah, 36, had graduated from NTU with a Civil Engineering degree back in 2003 before going on to complete his Masters in Environmental Science and Engineering in 2005. In 2008, he joined PUB, Singapore's national water agency, as an Engineer.

“I’d always been interested in water processes and management, and hence even as an undergraduate, I had been taking modules related with water resource management,” he said “My friends who had been working here before me also said that the supervisors and mentors were friendly and willing to share their knowledge” he added.

After spending five years with drainage operations, James was posted to drainage construction division last year.

Eliyana Johnson Salim, 33, had worked as a consultant and also in the manufacturing industry after she too graduated with a Civil Engineering degree from NTU. In 2014, James then persuaded his wife to join him at PUB. She now works in the Engineer-

ing Development and Procurement Department.

Working in the same organisation has been a boon for the university sweethearts.

Finding love

They both met in NTU in their second year of studies. She had caught his eye during a Computer Programming tutorial.

“She was struggling with the module, so I offered to help her with her work. But of course, I had other intentions apart from just helping her,” he added sheepishly.

They started dating soon after and haven’t looked back ever since.

The couple tied the knot in 2006 and are now parents of two children, aged two and four.

With two young children, family is their priority. Attaining a good work-life balance is hence a key motivation for the couple when looking for a job.

“As most of our supervisors here at PUB are parents themselves, they understand that we need time with our families,” said Eliyana.

Work in progress

James is now working on the Stamford Detention Tank and Stamford Diversion Canal projects. Both projects are part of a holistic “source-pathway-receptor” approach to strengthen flood protection for the Stamford Canal Catchment, which covers the

BALANCING ACT: Married for eight years, Eliyana and James find career satisfaction working for the same organisation.

PHOTO: MOHAMMAD SHYBREE Orchard Road shopping belt.

Upon completion, the detention tank will capture the excess stormwater from the drains along Holland Road. The diversion canal will be able to divert a third of the stormwater from Stamford Canal Catchment into the Singapore River.

Stamford Detention Tank and

Stamford Diversion Canal projects are projected for completion in 2016 and end 2017 respectively.

Making a difference

While a civil engineering degree equips one with the skills to build beautiful malls and houses, James and Eliyana feel that it is more

fulfilling to apply their skills on water resource management, because water touches the lives of the people around them.

"We find great satisfaction working in PUB as my contributions improve the lives of each and everyone living in Singapore," said James and Eliyana collectively.

Is water your calling?

Engineer

Operations Executive

You will be part of a team involved in plant, network, reservoir, drainage management and operations, infrastructure planning and project management to manage and develop Singapore’s water resources. Your responsibilities could include overseeing plant, network, drainage operations and maintenance, drafting tender specifications, evaluating tender awards as well as planning and implementing annual budget and work plans. During the course of the work, you may be required to work closely with departments, consultants, contractors and other public agencies.

Your key responsibility is to manage the daily laboratory operations in a water reclamation plant. Your tasks are to carry out sample analysis, analysing data and trends for water quality and process parameters and compiling data for submission of reports to the relevant parties. As part of operation and process team, your tasks will include carrying out investigative and baseline studies for troubleshooting of process upsets. To ensure smooth running of the laboratory activities, your responsibility include coordination with external laboratories and procurement of laboratory chemicals, equipment and consumables. Being in an organisation that is dynamic in technologies, you will be in charge of R&D and test bedding projects.

Requirements • Degree in Engineering (e.g. Civil/Environmental, Mechanical and Electrical as well as other relevant disciplines)

Requirements • Degree in Chemistry, Biotechnology, Chemical / Environmental Engineering or equivalent • Ability to carry out laboratory work and analysis • Team player with strong interpersonal skills • Good knowledge of Microsoft Office • Willing to work in a used water environment

Internship Internship opportunities are available for Engineering students who are in the penultimate or final year of their study and are in the following discipline: • Civil Engineering • Electrical Engineering • Mechanical Engineering • Environmental Engineering

Interested candidates, please log on to www.pub.gov.sg/career or www.careers.gov.sg Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Lifestyle

OIL YOU NEED TO KNOW

For too long, oils have been associated with grease and junk food. But did you know that they can nourish the entire body as well?

From nail care to aromatherapy, Lifestyle Writer Laura Kartika Naland delves deeper into six beneficial uses of oils, and explores why they are an oasis of beauty and health.

For Hair

F

rizzy hair is definitely a common sight in humid countries like Singapore.

Consider using cheaper natural healthy remedies such as coconut oil, which work equally well.

With regular application, you can finally bid goodbye to your unruly mane.

Simply massage the oil on your scalp before showering and give it a good rinse after a few hours.

End it off with your normal hair wash routine for tame and sleek hair.

Coconut oil offers an

For Skin array of benefits for hair care.

It nourishes, moisturises and combats hair loss when used as a pre-shower conditioner.

This natural oil even boasts of impressive yet natural antidandruff properties — various fatty acids in the oil eliminate the scalp fungus responsible for dandruff. Regular application will leave your scalp nourished and clean.

Furthermore, unrefined coconut oil is 100 per cent additive-free.

The oil will work wonders for all hair types, giving a natural glossy shine.

FOR too long, a common misconception has been that people with oily skin should steer clear of facial oils.

Guess what — there are facial oils that are suitable for oily skin and some are much more effective than waterbased skin care products in caring for oily skin.

As strange as it sounds to apply oil to an oily skin base, jojoba oil can help your skin regulate its oil production, calming those overactive sebaceous glands.

This versatile oil also functions as a natural facial

For Nails cleanser, moisturiser, makeup remover, anti-ageing serum and even anti-acne gel.

Furthermore, the jojoba essence boasts excellent hydration and moisturising properties, making it a highly effective body lotion that keeps dry, chapped and irritated skin at bay.

As a tip — lock in the oil’s full hydration benefits by using natural creams, such as shea or cocoa butter, right after applying the oil.

The oil works for all skin types and each application requires only a few drops.

NOTHING completes an outfit better than a set of well-manicured fingernails.

However, all the constant polishing and painting causes brittle and dry nails.

We often neglect our nails in our pursuit of luscious locks and flawless skin, but nails need to be pampered and loved too!

Almond essence contains high Vitamin E content, which protects both the nails and cuticles from peeling, cracking, drying, and even being damaged as a result of ultraviolet rays.

OIL ABOUT BEAUTY: These oils can be found at major health and beauty stores, which include The Body Shop and GNC. They can range from $3 to $20.

For Healing TO BE caught in a whirlwind of assignments, tutorials and extra-curricular activities often results in students being perpetually plagued by typical illnesses such as headaches and migraines.

Aromatherapy — a noninvasive method of treating ailments using oil — is a wonderful healing choice for students’ woes.

Oils are either massaged on the skin or their scents are inhaled.

Psychologists have found

For Sleep that the scents of various oils trigger different brain waves, which help relieve common ailments such as headaches, colds and even insomnia.

In particular, the scent of peppermint oil invigorates brain cells and instantly jolts brain activity.

When applied directly to temples, the refreshing scent can even soothe headaches.

In addition, inhaling the scent of peppermint can also help boost concentration and alertness.

DO YOU have an important test tomorrow?

Then a good night’s rest is vital to perform your best.

Famous for its calming and soothing properties, lavender oil aromatherapy will ensure a trouble-free slumber while reducing mental anxiety.

Before sleeping, enjoy a relaxing lavender-scented shower by mixing three drops of lavender oil with a capful of water and pouring it over your head.

The application process is simple — dip one end of a cotton bud into the oil and swipe it onto both the nail surfaces and cuticles.

Ensure that both the surfaces and cuticles are sufficiently coated.

It usually takes a few minutes for the oil to be fully absorbed by the nails and the skin around it.

Should you already have damaged or cracked nails, it is recommended that you apply the almond oil twice a day for at least two weeks to observe visible results.

GRAPHIC: ZHANG LING HAN

For Common Cold This unique scent is also great for relieving stress and tension from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Lavender oil can also be used as an effective repellent against bugs such as mosquitoes and moths in the room.

Futuremore, applying the oil on exposed skin will also help to prevent insect bites.

Lastly, this oil has antiinflammatory qualities that can reduce irritation caused by insect bites.

EUCALYPTUS oil is well known for its medicinal properties due to its useful combination of antibacterial, antifungal and antiinflammatory qualities.

A good eucalyptus steam tent helps to clear lung congestion and sinus.

Start off by pouring a few drops of the oil into a bowl of hot water.

Place a clean, dry towel over your head and ensure that the towel covers all edges of the bowl to prevent

steam from escaping.

Next, position your head about 30 centimetres above the bowl, shut your eyes and breathe in deeply for about one to two minutes.

The steam helps to open up the nasal passage, clearing the way for the eucalyptus oil to penetrate and eliminate the problemcausing infection.

Studies have proven that two per cent dilution of eucalyptus oil kills 70 per cent of airborne bacteria.

08

LIFESTYLE

THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

21

CHRONICLE 07

travelogue

HIKING ON THIN ICE

A hike on New Zealand’s shrinking Franz Josef Glacier leaves Lifestyle Writer Lilian Lee contemplating the cost of climate change.

T

he contrast couldn’t have been more stark — a clear summer’s day in New Zealand and petite me, decked out in waterproof winter wear, on all fours in the middle of a gargantuan glacier.

I caught my breath and tried to push myself off the icy ground, arms flailing as I tried to maintain my balance.

Finally standing up straight, I took a gander at the vast expanse of ice that covered the terrain in front of me. How surreal.

I had done crazy things during my three-week road trip in picturesque New Zealand — like hang gliding in Queenstown and caving in Waitomo — but nothing prepared me for the hike of my life on the majestic Franz Josef Glacier, which remains the highlight of my entire vacation.

To be completely frank, prior to planning for the trip, I was ignorant of the fact that glaciers existed in New Zealand, much less of glacier hiking tours.

After all, mention glaciers and one immediately thinks of Antarctica, not New Zealand on a summer's day.

Two of the most popular glaciers in New Zealand are the Fox Glacier and the Franz Josef Glacier. While the Fox Glacier’s accessible terminal face (the end of the glacier closest to sea level) is a mere short walk from town, the Franz Josef Glacier is famed for being more beautiful due to the distinctive bluish tint of its ice.

Needless to say, the thrill-seeker in me went for the latter.

I arrived at Franz Josef on New Year's Day after a gruelling 10-hour bus ride from Nelson, a port located approximately 450 kilometres away.

I was bewildered upon seeing the Franz Josef for the first time.

The glacier was nowhere in sight and I retreated to my hostel in utter despair, wondering if I had gotten off the bus at the wrong town.

My worries turned out to be unfounded the next day. The fog had cleared up and the Franz Josef Glacier was clearly visible against the sunny blue skies, peeking through the dense vegetation that surrounded it.

Feeling especially adventurous and psyched for the hike, I made my way to the office and checkedin with the counter staff.

What followed thereafter was a whirlwind of activity where intrepid tourists were directed to various parts of the office in preparation for the hike.

Assembling hordes of bumbling explorer wannabes in groups took no more than 15 minutes.

The end product was a group of antsy tourists decked out in oversized blue jackets and leather boots with unsightly red fanny packs hanging low from their waists. After getting dressed, I headed for the main hall, eager to start the expedition.

MELTING POINT: Global warming has caused the ice around the rocky areas to melt, diminishing both the size and beauty of the Franz Josef Glacier.

FREEZING POINT: Armed with an ice axe and clad in winter garb, Lilian is ready to take on the icy slopes and chilly winds.

PHOTOS: LILIAN LEE

As it turned out, I wasn't the only eager beaver — two young German siblings in my group were bouncing off the walls, babbling about how psyched they were to ascend the glacier.

Before I could adapt to my new outfit, the guide in charge of my group led us out of the office and across the street to the helipad where a helicopter awaited us.

Until 2012, unguided walks on Franz Josef Glacier were possible and permitted. However, with the onset of global warming, the glacier began to retreat and its

unstable terminal face was deemed unsafe for visitors to tread on.

Today, the Franz Josef Glacier is mostly accessible via helicopter, and visitors who wish to walk on it have to pay a hefty fare of NZ$325 (S$320) for the experience.

The helicopter ride to the glacier was a fleeting five-minute flight but I savoured every second of it throughly, leveraging on the vantage point to enjoy the dramatic New Zealand landscape of magnificent mountains and cascading waterfalls.

But there was no time for

romantic daydreams about the Middle-earth landscape.

Upon touchdown, I settled down among the rocks and learnt how to put on crampons (a metal plate with spikes) for better traction on the ice.

The circular hike around the glacier began shortly after and I soon learnt the difficulties of walking on ice.

One of the challenges faced while hiking was my low mass, which contributed to my inability to lodge the crampons firmly into the ice. As a result, every step I

took had to be a heavy stomp to ensure I did not slip and land on my derrière.

At this point, I should add that I am not the fittest or most agile person around. At certain points in time during the hike, I found myself on all fours, scrambling to scale the steep icy staircase carved into the glacier.

Meanwhile the nimble guide ironically nicknamed Clumsy - and other seasoned hikers conquered it effortlessly, with ice picks in hands, confident smiles on their faces.

The hike was often interspersed with occasional commentary from Clumsy, who imparted her extensive knowledge on the glacier to the rest of the group.

She shared that the Franz Josef Glacier was formed thousands of years ago due to the compression of compact snow over a long period of time.

The glacier frequently shifts due to a constant flow of ice being pushed towards the terminus.

The ice does not melt until it is near sea level, hence the continued existence of the glacier even in warm summer.

After ducking under turquoise caves for phototaking opportunities and squeezing through narrow crevices, the group had a moment to enjoy the melted glacier water.

Despite being completely hesitant as to whether the water was fit for consumption, I eventually gave in, scooped a mouthful from the stream and allowed the icy cool water to quench my thirst.

The water tasted sweet and refreshing as compared to the stale tap water that was in my bottle.

I went for seconds, then thirds, trying my hardest to prevent the pristine water from trickling out of my hands.

As my group and I made our way back to the starting point, the guide turned our attention to the bushline on the rugged cliff just opposite us.

She bemoaned that the bushline marks the spot the Franz Josef Glacier used to cover.

Glaciers grow bigger in winter, making up for the diminution during warm summer days.

But these days, the Franz Josef Glacier has been retreating at a staggering rate due to drastic changes in climate. Even the winter season is unable to make up for the melting in summer.

Clumsy then ended her commentary by lamenting: “If the Franz Josef Glacier continues to melt at this rate, our grandchildren will never have the chance to set foot on this glacier.”

On the helicopter ride back to the base, I took one last chance to marvel at Mother Nature's wonderful creation, musing at the expansive but gradually shrinking Franz Josef Glacier and wondering if future generations will ever have the opportunity to experience what I did.

VOL. NO.

21

LIFESTYLE

THE NANYANG

07 CHRONICLE

09

valentine's day

BEHIND CLOSED BARS Forget the usual crowded dining shindigs this Valentine’s Day. Lifestyle Writers Aysha Quek and Fatin Amira Hairy trawl through the alleys to suss out hidden bars that suit any kind of date.

For the Intimate Date

T

he discreet exterior of a closed shophouse often leaves those looking for 28 Hong Kong Street confused. Tucked away in a street lined with hotels, this secretive bar had us questioning ourselves: is it open or closed, and is this really the place?

Its entrance is cleverly disguised, and what marks its location is a ‘28’ signage above the entrance of the store.

In stark contrast to its ordinary exterior, the bar oozes cosiness and classiness inside — absolutely perfect for an intimate tête-à-tête with your date.

Lounge music fills the dimly-lit bar, bringing you to a sweet and quiet escape.

Drinks served are pack a punch as they bear cheeky names such as 99 Problems But A Peach Ain’t One (made with Redemption Rye, Mathilde Peche, peach marmalade, lemon and barrel-aged bitters) and Slip Me a Mickey (lemon, Death’s door gin, housemade ginger cognac and fernet).

If you are spoilt for choice, the skilled bartenders are more than willing to whip up drinks tailored to your taste buds.

A perfect accompaniment to drinks,

according to staff members, is its Mac ‘N Cheese Balls — bite-sized pieces of cheesy joy, exuding a fragrant truffle scent.

Another favourite is the sweet and savoury Chicken & Waffles, glazed over with bourbonspiked maple syrup.

28 Hong Kong Street’s official website is also shrouded in secrecy, stating only their contact details.

Reservations are to be made one week in advance, so mark your calendars and keep your eyes peeled for their nondescript entrance.

28 HONG KONG STREET 28 Hong Kong Street S059667 Opening Hours: Monday - Wednesday: 5.30pm - 1am Thursday: 5.30pm - 2am Friday - Saturday: 5.30pm - 3am PHOTOS: AYSHA QUEK, CHARISSE ONG

For the Underground Date JAPANESE eatery by day, and cosy bar by night, The Secret Mermaid — located in the heart of the Central Business District — lives up to its mysterious namesake.

The bar is known as Shinkansen in the day, and serves craft beer and lesser-known boutique spirits that are directly imported from the US. It even supplies these unique spirits — which come from small independent distilleries — to other bars in Singapore, according to one of the bartenders, who only wanted to be known as Kevin.

Designed with a dark and rustic atmosphere, The Secret Mermaid is the perfect place to relax and unwind with your loved one after a long day at work.

The Secret Mermaid prides itself in being one-of-a-kind as it is hidden underground with a maximum seating capacity of 15.

Unlike most bars, customers can request for tasting flights, which start from $15, if they are

For the Local Lovers TALK about being cleverly disguised: with its localised name and unassuming location — right beside a provision shop — one might think Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall sells the usual kopitiam coffee and tea.

But we were pleasantly surprised to learn that Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall serves up tequila cocktails instead of teh peng.

Upon walking into the bar, you will see the owner Mr Samuel Wong, fondly known as Ah Sam at the counter serving up drinks and entertaining customers.

The interior pays homage to the Singaporean staple that is the kopitiam, and is intricately designed with knick-knacks to sport the look.

The concept of the bar was to create a casual and laidback setting with no dress code, so

people can actually come in slippers.

While Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall does not provide a regular drinks menu to customers, it embraces Singaporean hawker culture by serving up classic cocktails with a local twist.

Edwin Poh, a bartender at Ah Sam’s suggested some interesting favourites including a Laksa cocktail (vodka infused with dried shrimp oil, fresh laksa leaves, lemongrass, chilli padi, sugar, lime and coconut cream) and an Old Fashioned with Milo-infused bourbon.

Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall also serves up some local delights like Hokkien Prawn Mee (Hokkien-style fried prawn noodles), Fried Kway Teow (Stir-fried flat rice noodles) and Ngoh Hiang (Fried pork rolls) as the perfect accompaniment to an Old Pal or Margarita.

A beautifully furnished place with friendly staff and delactable local delights, Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall is a definite must-go if you are looking for a simple night out and wellconcocted classic drinks.

AH SAM COLD DRINK STORE 60A Boat Quay S049848 Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday: 6pm - 12am Friday - Saturday: 6pm - 3am

undecided on which drink to get.

Though this bar regularly changes its menu, some classic recommendations not to be missed include the usual Tequila and Old Fashioned.

With surprisingly affordable prices starting from as low as $10, The Secret Mermaid definitely does not disappoint.

A tip though — arrive early, because The Secret Mermaid only serves drinks till 10.45pm every weekday.

THE SECRET MERMAID Ocean Financial Centre 10 Collyer Quay, B1-08 S049315 Opening Hours: Monday - Friday: 5pm - 11pm

10

LIFESTYLE

THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

21

CHRONICLE 07

foodsnoop

TOURING TELOK AYER Lifestyle Writer Sheryl Tay Shu Wei walks you through the underrated area of Telok Ayer and shows you why the quaint neighbourhood is the perfect new place for Singaporean food lovers to explore.

N

estled between the Central Business District and Chinatown, the inconspicuous neighbourhood of Telok Ayer is not to be belittled.

Traditionally associated with the Hokkien and South Indian Muslim communities during the 1820s, the district is lined with shophouses and heritage buildings filled with a rich and compelling history, and is being conserved by the government.

The eclectic neighbourhood has now

transformed into a melting pot of eateries, restaurants and cafés.

While the district is highly popular with the office crowd, it is often overlooked by other Singaporeans who are not as familiar with this low-key area.

Located along the Downtown Line, Telok Ayer is now easily accessible by public transport, so there is simply no excuse not to check out this peaceful locality and explore its gastronomical options.

PHOTOS: TANG HAO

TRUFFS 179A Telok Ayer Street S068627 Opening Hours: Mondays to Fridays: 12pm - 7pm Saturdays: 12pm - 4pm LOCATED on the second storey of a shophouse with only a small signboard to direct you, it can be hard to locate Truffs on the first attempt.

However, the café is more than ready to prove its worth.

Brightly lit with well-spaced tables, Truffs’ clean and minimalist interior exudes sophistication and beauty, making it a cosy spot for an afternoon tea session with your

friends or a lazy day with a book.

Truffs prides itself on being a chocolate atelier and offers three varieties of handmade dark chocolate truffles: 55 per cent Equatoriale, 66 per cent Caraibe and 70 per cent Honduras.

At $3.50 a piece, these exquisite treats hit all the right spots for those with a sweet tooth without breaking the bank.

And if truffles aren’t enough, sink your teeth into the signature Truffs Chocolate Cake ($11/slice).

Featuring a decadent combination of rich chocolate ganache between two moist layers of chocolate sponges finished with a dark chocolate glaze, the cake is light and fluffy in texture yet packs a flavourful punch.

While it may be a little pricey for a slice of cake, the generous portion is well worth your buck and also perfect for sharing.

MY AWESOME CAFÉ DAL - IN KOREAN RESTAURANT

17 Boon Tat Street S069618

Opening Hours: Mondays to Saturdays: 11.30am - 2.30pm & 5.30pm - 11pm TELOK Ayer is home to an array of Korean cuisine options.

But one that really calls out to the heart is Dal-In Korean Restaurant, thanks to its ambience and uncanny resemblance to traditional eateries back in Seoul.

Located in a tiny corner off the main road, this little restaurant has been around for four years and is well-known among the office folk for its delicious yet affordable Korean food.

Opened and managed by true-blue South Koreans, you can be sure to score some authentic Korean grub here.

The eatery offers a wide variety of Korean delicacies and barbecued selections in value-

for-money portions.

Picks that are highly recommended include the Dduk Bulgogi set ($12/lunch, $15/ dinner), which features generous slices of beef marinated in soy sauce, enoki mushrooms and glass noodles — all served up in a warm, sweet and delicious broth.

Another must-try is the Jokbal ($38/ medium, $43/large).

This dish comprises pig trotters boiled in seasoned soy sauce and goes perfectly with a bottle of chilled Korean beer.

A perfect Korean meal cannot be complete without its famous side dishes and Dal-In would be the first to agree. Offered along with every meal, these side dishes, known as banchan, come in a wonderful array of generous servings that are refillable. These include traditional favourites such as Kimchi and Myeolchi Bokkeum (pan-fried anchovies).

Prices for meals are reasonable considering the large portions, especially so with Dal-In’s lunch specials.

Affordability aside, do remember to make reservations before coming as the place fills up fast during peak hours from 1pm and 7pm.

202 Telok Ayer Street S068639 Opening Hours: Monday and Tuesday: 7.45am - 9pm Wednesday to Friday: 7.45am - 12am Saturday: 10am - 10pm Sunday: 10am - 6pm EXPLORE deeper into the quaint neighbourhood and you will stumble upon My Awesome Café.

Its traditional exterior is unconventional for a café, which often leaves customers wondering if they are at the right place. After all, the place used to house the old Chung Hwa Free Clinic, which offered free Traditional Chinese medicine consultations.

A peek inside, however, will quell your doubts instantly.

With vintage maplewood door panels as dining tops and retro fire pipes as table stands, the ambience of the café follows a unique postWorld War II theme with old furniture that was given a second lease of life.

Founded by a group of entrepreneurial friends with past experience in hotel hospitality, the folks at My Awesome Café believe in putting their hearts into making the space a welcoming and cosy haven.

The result? Almost a year into the business and the café has already won the hearts of many, from loyal regulars to newfound fans.

Paying homage to its heritage building exterior, the menu was specially conceptualised to deliver healthy food for its customers.

Weight watchers will be pleased to know that one of the café’s picks include My Awesome Salad ($15), a beautiful salad of mesclun, smoked salmon, herb chicken breasts, duck rillettes, tomatoes and avocado, served with side bread and pesto.

Another wildly popular choice would be My Awesome Sandwich ($17), a fun meal option

recommended by the café.

Customers are free to select just about anything on the menu for their sandwiches, enabling them to create a fully customised meal — something that will appeal to even the most fickle of eaters.

The store also boasts its own unique blend of coffee beans specially from Sumatra, Columbia and Brazil.

With pocket-friendly prices, you can get an aromatic cup of espresso for just $2.50. Other beverages, such as teas, protein shakes and juices, are also offered here.

An integration of a café business and hotelstyle hospitality knowledge, My Awesome Café stays true to its name.

Customers can be sure to have an awesome time chomping on thoughtful food served by people with genuine hearts.

VOL. NO.

21

LIFESTYLE 11

THE NANYANG

07 CHRONICLE

THE SINGAVORE SPIRIT Does imported kang kong taste different from homegrown kang kong?

Lifestyle Writer Jolene Ang heads down to the 'We Are Singavore' event to unearth the real deal behind locally-grown produce.

LET US TAKE A SELFIE: Students get a free dish during the event by snapping a selfie with the food truck.

I

f there’s anything better than stuff on sale, it’s stuff that’s free. Free food, to be exact, was dished out at the ‘We Are Singavore’ event last week, and attracted both students and faculty alike during the busy lunch hour.

The unique event was conducted by four students from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information as part of their Final Year Project.

Free food made from fresh local produce was given out to students from NTU in a campaign to raise awareness and consumption of homegrown harvests.

There were two food options available — sous vide eggs (eggs cooked at a constant temperature of 62 degree Celsius for precise control of its texture) topped with alfalfa sprouts, olive dust and basil oil, or curry pasta with grilled barramundi, garnished with spinach leaves.

While the eggs did not differ much from the usual soft-boiled eggs, slurping down the entire sous vide egg in a single shot (as recommended by the student organisers) caused the warm yolk to burst in my mouth

PHOTOS: 'WE ARE SINGAVORE' FACEBOOK

instantly, allowing me to savour its velvety goodness all at once.

What truly tingled my taste buds, however, was the spicy curry pasta which came topped with a fillet of premium barramundi.

Drizzled with freshly made curry sauce and eaten with chopsticks, this dish cleverly embodied what Singapore is — a fusion between the East and the West.

In order to obtain a serving of the free dishes, all that the students had to do was to take a selfie with the food truck and upload it on Instagram with the hashtag ‘#WeAreSingavore’.

Students could also construct and customise mini planter kits for just $1, using locally-produced seeds and organic soil.

The assortment of sprouting seeds include mustard greens and radish seeds.

Students were able to learn more about the benefits of supporting locally grown produce, and many were willing to pledge to this meaningful cause, earning themselves a free goodie bag filled with ‘We Are Singavore’ products.

Students from the three biggest

HOT SHOT: A cup of sous vide egg cooked to perfection.

PHOTOS: INTERNET

universities in Singapore – Singapore Management University, National University of Singapore and NTU – were privy to campus roadshows where free food samples were given out to all who came.

‘We Are Singavore’ is a campaign that requires involvement on many different levels, and that is what makes it worth participating in.

Local produce does not require as much time, effort and preservatives to be transported out to the market for sale.

Local producers are also willing to let us know exactly what goes into our food. Some of the farms that are participating in this campaign, such as Quan Fa Organic Farm, are holding open-door tours for anyone who is interested in what goes on behind the seeds.

This February, the team behind the campaign will collaborate with ten food and beverage partners who will be serving dishes made with locally-grown ingredients.

Up-and-coming cafés such as Artichoke, Food for Thought and The Tuckshop have gone ‘Singavorous', creating new dishes fashioned from this concept at a discounted price for ‘Singavoreans' (people who have pledged to support local produce).

In addition, Rawksa, also known as raw laksa, is a novel creation by The Healing Concierge and gives a vegan twist to the local delicacy.

As a community, ‘We Are Singavore’ encourages the exchange of expertise between farm owners to inculcate in them the principles of self-sufficiency, especially in the hearts of the younger generation.

WATCH the Chronicle's visit to We Are Singavore at www. nanyangchronicle.ntu.edu.sg/ multimedia

Reviews album & movie

TITLE

Meghan Trainor Pop Epic Records



F

ollowing the successful release of her singles All About That Bass and Lips Are Movin, pop phenomenon Meghan Trainor has finally unveiled the rest of her debut album Title.

The success that Trainor has achieved thus far comes with little surprise, as she is no stranger to the music scene.

Prior to her international rise to fame, Trainor had collaborated with renowned country band Rascal Flatts, and Grammynominated artiste Hunter Hayes.

Also, despite marketing Title as her debut album, Trainor had previously released three albums independently, with each primarily featuring pop, country, jazz, and doo-wop influences.

These influences have inevitably found their way into Title.

From infectious pop tracks to songs reminiscent of the 1960s, the album showcases Trainor's expressive vocal prowess, with a flair and style reminiscent of

PHOTO: EPIC

Duffy’s early days.

Title features an interesting mix of bubblegum pop and Gleestyled musical arrangements set in retro framing.

These, along with a generous dose of doo-wop elements, give the album a unique musical direction which hooks listeners quickly and differentiates it from other Billboard hits.

However, some tracks, such as

What If and Close Your Eyes, tend to come across as fillers with their unimpressive sonic arrangements, and sound a little dull after repeated listens.

Lyrically, a common thread of self-empowerment runs through most tracks, a formula aligned with the trope of self-loving anthems brimming with positivity that have been released in the music scene of late.

However, these declarations tend to get too repetitive within the album, with almost half of its tracks featuring the same motif.

The track Title is a sassy pop tune about Trainor’s refusal to be banished into the ‘friend-zone’ abyss of a relationship.

Beseeching her partner to treat her “like a trophy…on the shelf”, she croons her ultimatum, “Baby, don't call me your friend/If I hear that word again, you might never get a chance to see me naked in your bed,” seemingly using her body as leverage to obtain attention and affection.

The bridge sees Trainor giving a shot at rapping over synthetic beats, but her attempt may come across as cringe-worthy to some.

Despite exuding a generally groovy vibe through the generous use of handclaps and a cheery mix of horns and percussions, the song ends up bogged down

by Trainor’s questionable choice of lyrics, as well as the awkward sonic shift in the bridge.

Apart from her usual sweet style, Trainor also showcases her rebellious side in Walkashame.

In proud defiance against the social stigma associated with the walk of shame, she raps that “if you're gonna do the walk, do it like a boss”.

Apart from Trainor’s display

I FINE...THANK YOU ...LOVE YOU

Comedy (PG13) Sunny Suwanmethanon, Preechaya Pongthananikorn 117 min

 WHILE more widely known for their work in the horror genre, Thai filmmakers have been changing their focus to comedy in recent years.

Although I Fine...Thank You...

Love You is presented in a foreign language, this romantic comedy contains universal elements that transcend language barriers and can be appreciated by all.

The film follows Pleng, an English tutor who agrees to help her Japanese student, Kaya, translate a break-up message to her boyfriend, Gym, in exchange for a Louis Vuitton handbag.

As his now ex-girlfriend leaves for America, Gym blames Pleng for the break-up, and demands that she teach him English too, so that he can follow Kaya to the States and win her back.

While director Mez Tharatorn shows a knack for telling an

TEACHER TROUBLE: English tutor Pleng (Preechaya Pongthananikorn, right) meets her toughest student.

adorable and relatable love story, most of I Fine...Thank You...Love You’s laughs are derived from cheap comedy.

Like most Thai romantic comedies, the film relies heavily on overacting and crude jokes, most of which are enhanced by nonsensical sound effects to garner cheap laughs.

One highlight of this comedy is the concomitant tendency of its native Thai characters to misinterpret English phrases and sentences as something aurally similar in Thai, but utterly

ludicrous in meaning.

Despite having a predictable plot, I Fine...Thank You…Love You is held together by the laudable acting of its lead stars, Preechaya Pongthananikorn and Sunny Suwanmethanon.

Although Gym is outwardly brash and uncouth in nature, Suwanmethanon lends a sense of hidden vulnerability to the character, revealing an honest man whose actions speak louder than his words.

In addition, viewers will find it heartwarming to see Gym’s

PHOTO: GTH

unyielding efforts in learning the English language.

One scene sees Gym annotating each English word painstakingly with Thai while reading the story of Cinderella.

Other subtle actions — such as brushing mosquitoes away from Pleng — also give insight to his true personality.

As Pleng, Pongthananikorn delivers a likeable and relatable performance.

Though her character is strong and independent in her career, her inner romantic still finds joy

of bravado and confidence, the melody is equally pompous and catchy with the clever use of horns and rhythmic hooks.

Like I’m Gonna Lose You features an enjoyable duet between Trainor and John Legend, with their cosy harmony adding a pleasant and refreshing layer to the slow piano ballad.

Casting their vocals into the spotlight, the funky arrangement and welcoming lack of repetitive lyrics, which tend to be prevalent in other tracks, allow the song to establish itself as one of the standout ballads in Title.

On the whole, it appears as if Trainor has almost milked her ‘self-acceptance’ appeal completely dry in this album.

She will have to up her ante in her next album by breaking away from Title’s musical framework, in order to prevent her sound from becoming stale.

With that said, are there any noteworthy tracks in the album?

Definitely — Walkashame and Like I’m Gonna Lose You appear to be the few fresh tracks that deserve mention.

But does Title ultimately live up to the overwhelming hype garnered from the first two singles? Well, perhaps not.

-Wong Wenbin in receiving flirty messages from one of her students.

Apart from its two leading stars, the film’s supporting cast also deserves honorable mention.

Kornpop “Joke” Chancharoen plays Gym’s sidekick, and his antics add a layer of hilarity that helps set the movie apart from Western comedies.

Furthermore, the chemistry between Pongthananikorn and Suwanmethanon is excellent, making them a natural couple to root for.

In one particular scene, the two gaze lovingly at each other at a wedding party as Pleng watches Gym try his best to translate the English lyrics of a song into Thai.

The lyrics, which double as a confession, reflect the wistful story of the two lovers — how they crossed paths at the beginning and the inevitable fact that their different social statuses make them an incompatible pair.

I Fine...Thank You...Love You comprises what one can expect from a typical Thai rom-com — good-looking lead stars, goofy sidekicks for laughs and dreamy sweet scenes. It is definitely a refreshing change from the typical Hollywood fare, and a good laugh is guaranteed.

-Chen Xiaohan

VOL. NO.

21

REVIEWS 13

THE NANYANG

07 CHRONICLE

spotlight

PHOTOS: CALVIN CHOW

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK Despite being less than a month old, The Projector has been gaining popularity among local movie-goers. Reviews Writer Nicole Ang unpacks what the newest cinema in Singapore has to offer, and shares what film buffs can look forward to.

A

mong a host of shops on the fifth floor of Golden Mile Tower lies The Projector, the newest darling of the local cinema scene.

The Projector is the brainchild of two local companies — Pocket Projects, a creative development consultancy and management company, and FARM, a cross-disciplinary design practice.

Having previously collaborated on the Lorong 24A Shophouse series — where eight shophouses dating back to the 1900s were transformed into trendy workplaces — the two companies have much experience in melding modern design with rustic spaces.

Where old meets new

The conceptualisation for The Projector began when Ms Karen Tan, founder of Pocket Projects, received a tip-off that the historic Golden Theatre in Golden Mile Tower had been left unused for months. Its interior decor and setup has been intact since it first opened its doors in 1973.

Tan and her team decided to take up the lease, and not just redevelop the place, but set up a brand new cinema nestled within the premises of the old Golden Theatre. The result of this marriage of yesteryear charm and modern influences is The Projector.

Many of the theatre’s original elements have been retained. Barring slight refurbishment and repair, the steel frame flip-up seats with wooden arms and coloured wall fabric in the cinema halls remain features that have existed since the Golden Theatre Days.

As part of the process to give the age old cinema a new lease of life, the two cinema halls also received new names — the halls have been christened The Redrum and The Green Room.

The Redrum — its name a tribute to Stanley Kubrick’s famous horror film The Shining — functions as a screening room and event space, while The Green Room serves as the main cinema hall.

Curtain call

Prior to the opening of The Projector, the local independent cinema scene took a hit when Sinema Old School at Mount Sophia, one of the prominent dedicated arthouse cinemas, drew the curtain on its operations at the end of its lease.

Commercial cineplex chains who ventured into the scene eventually went the way of Sinema Old School — operations of Golden Village’s Cinema Europa and Cathay’s The

Picturehouse were ultimately discontinued.

It was this void that The Projector hoped to fill, as part of an effort to restore the local arthouse scene.

"It's a shame how Singapore, with its rich traditions and cinema history, has fallen backwards."

Michelle Goh, 28 Assistant Programmer The Projector

“A lot of people we know have given up on going to the movies in Singapore, and some have commented that the arthouse is dead,” said Ms Sharon Tan, 30, who oversees the daily operations of the cinema.

Options and alternatives

The Projector has set itself apart from the commercial cineplexes in Singapore, primarily through the eclectic mix of films offered.

Shying away from the latest Hollywood blockbusters, it largely screens independent films, cult classics and notable foreign films that may not have been screened in Singapore's mainstream cinemas.

“Film is such a great part of art and culture. It’s a shame how Singapore, with its rich traditions and cinema history, has fallen backwards, and has been predominantly distributing blockbusters — sort of like film junk food,” said Ms Michelle Goh, 28, who is part of The Projector’s management team.

To date, The Projector has screened a wide repertoire of films. Apart from a series featuring popular Stanley Kubrick films such as 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Shining, the cinema has also showcased a selection of acclaimed Asian films, including Poetry, a Korean film which won Best Screenplay at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.

Indeed, The Projector’s efforts have not gone unrecognised, as many people are enjoying the cinema’s offerings.

“It’s great to have a local cinema providing a diverse range of films, most of which I can’t get at any other cinema. I’m looking forward to more of such screenings,” commented Mr Zachary Leow, 23, a student and patron.

Beyond the silver screen

Apart from the diversity and novelty of films screened at The Projector, the intimate and quality experience offered to patrons also

sets it apart from other cinemas.

The staff — who are the founders of The Projector themselves — readily strike up conversations with patrons, adding a personal touch to the filmgoing experience.

When quizzed on why so much effort goes into interacting with patrons, Tan revealed that the team behind The Projector aims to recreate and re-evoke the “communal aspect of going to the movies that vanished together with the drive-in cinema”, by “creat(ing) a space where people can come home to — sort of like your neighbourhood cinema”.

Interaction with patrons is also enhanced through The Projector’s efforts in involving them in their planning, such as in the selection of films.

While Luna Films, one of the cinema’s partners, curates the selection of movies that will be shown, suggestions from patrons are welcomed too — a chalkboard outside the cinema halls is available for patrons to pen down the names of films they wish to see

being screened in the future.

What’s in store

A Battle of the Band Movies series, including films like Yellow Submarine and humorous mockumentary This is Spinal Tap, is currently showing till 8 Feb, on a pay-as-youplease basis.

As for their future plans, the owners share that they “hope to premiere foreign films that won’t be shown in the big cinemas”, and films which “subject issues tend to be more challenging”.

In addition, according to Tan, the screening of more old favourites such as Pulp Fiction, or films by acclaimed directors like Wong Kar Wai and Wes Anderson, are also being considered.

While it might be too much to hope that the Projector will reinvigorate the local film scene and reinvent how Singaporeans appreciate films, this cinema is definitely a welcome addition.

DRIVEN BY PASSION (ABOVE): The Projector's founders, Ms Sharon Tan (left) and Ms Michelle Goh (right), work tirelessly on the ground, overseeing every aspect of the cinema's operations.

PAYING TRIBUTE (BELOW): Designed by local artist Mojoko, the intricate graphics on The Projector's lifts feature scenes from classic movies of yesteryear.

14-15 REVIEWS

THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

21

CHRONICLE 07

spotlight BEST ACTOR

BEST DIRECTOR

NOMINEES: Alejandro G. Iñárritu (Birdman), Richard Linklater (Boyhood), Bennett Miller (Foxcatcher), Wes Anderson (The Grand Budapest Hotel), Morten Tyldum (The Imitation Game)

BEST ACTRESS

ERNEST - RICHARD LINKLATER (BOYHOOD)

ERNEST - ROSAMUND PIKE (GONE GIRL)

“It amazes me how Linklater devoted 12 years to the production of Boyhood. To display that level of commitment to a single vision for so long, and succeed in producing a film of such cohesiveness is an absolute achievement in its own right.”

NOMINEES: Steve Carrell (Foxcatcher), Bradley Cooper (American Sniper), Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game), Michael Keaton (Birdman), Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything)

“Movie adaptations of books don’t always work out, but Pike’s performance contributed significantly to Gone Girl’s success. Capturing a variety of emotions, Pike’s portrayal of Amy Dunne possessed the required intensity to drive the thriller.”

JARED - ALEJANDRO G. IÑÁRRITU (BIRDMAN)

ERNEST - MICHAEL KEATON (BIRDMAN)

“Birdman marks Keaton’s explosive return to the silver screen. His portrayal of a washed-out and highlyconflicted actor straddling the line between desperation and delusion has deservedly garnered many plaudits.”

JARED - JULIANNE MOORE (STILL ALICE)

“Alejandro G. Iñárritu, hands down. The camerawork in Birdman resembles one continuous shot, and this technical mastery is unlike anything I’ve seen before in a film. The direction of the movie’s stellar performances are also worth mentioning.”

JARED - MICHAEL KEATON (BIRDMAN)

“Having acted as Batman back in 1989, Michael Keaton’s character in Birdman is a loose reflection of his own career. He delivers a career-defining performance that might just put him back into the spotlight.”

“Mentally ill characters are always a challenge to play, but Julianne Moore’s performance masterfully captures the struggles of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

NOMINEES: Robert Duval (The Judge), Ethan Hawke (Boyhood), Edward Norton (Birdman), Mark Ruffalo (Foxcatcher), J. K. Simmons (Whiplash)

ERNEST - J. K. SIMMONS (WHIPLASH)

“Despite being listed as a supporting actor, Simmons’ performance really carried Whiplash and brought it to a whole new level. The sight of Simmon’s character, the almost-maniacal band leader Terence Fletcher, is bound to stay with audiences for a long time to come.”

JARED - J. K. SIMMONS (WHIPLASH)

NOMINEES: Marion Cotillard (Two Days, One Night), Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything), Julianne Moore (Still Alice), Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl), Reese Witherspoon (Wild)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

NOMINEES: Patricia Arquette (Boyhood), Laura Dern (Wild), Kiera Knightley (The Imitation Game), Emma Stone (Birdman), Meryl Streep (Into The Woods)

CHRONICLE PREDICTS THE OSCARS

“Though I enjoyed Edward Norton’s performance in Birdman, J.K. Simmons’ terrifying portrayal as the Gordon Ramsay-esque Terence Fletcher is ultimately more deserving of an Oscar.”

ERNEST - MERYL STREEP (INTO THE WOODS)

“Bringing a fairy tale character to life is no easy task, let alone making a villain endearing to audiences, but Streep managed to succeed in both.

Showcasing her vocals and acting chops, Streep set a standard that’s difficult to beat.”

JARED - MERYL STREEP (INTO THE WOODS)

Following the recent announcement of the nominees for the 87th Academy Awards, Reviews Editors Ernest Chin and Jared Alex Tan weigh in with their 2015 Oscar predictions for Best Picture, Performers, Director, Original Screenplay, and Animated Feature.

“It’s hard enough to deliver an engaging performance without having to break into song, but the Oscar veteran effortlessly does both. Streep also lends a sense of vulnerability to her performance, which is hard to do when you’re playing a witch.”

PHOTOS: INTERNET

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

NOMINEES: Birdman, Boyhood, Foxcatcher, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Nightcrawler

ERNEST - BOYHOOD

“Many nominees feature interesting plots, but Boyhood separates itself easily from the other contenders with its audacious and daring concept that few screenwriters are even capable of dreaming of.”

JARED - BOYHOOD

“All the nominees tell Oscar-worthy stories, but the fact that Boyhood took more than a decade to make (with the same cast, no less) gives it my vote for Best Original Screenplay.”

BEST PICTURE

NOMINEES: American Sniper, Birdman, Boyhood, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Imitation Game, Selma, The Theory of Everything, Whiplash

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

ERNEST - BIRDMAN

“While there are undoubtedly many strong contenders this year, for me, Birdman comes out tops. Featuring beautiful cinematography, solid performances by the stellar cast, and a dizzyingly brilliant script, Birdman was breathtaking from start to finish.”

JARED - WHIPLASH

“The Best Picture category is probably the hardest one to predict — every nominee is a cinematic masterpiece that is deserving of an Oscar, but the sheer intensity of Whiplash’s performances left the biggest impression on me. Even though it was a drama, the tension was so high that I felt like I was watching a thriller instead.”

NOMINEES: Big Hero 6, The Boxtrolls, How to Train your Dragon 2, Song of the Sea, The Tale of Princess Kaguya

ERNEST - BIG HERO 6

“Big Hero 6 is no run-of-the-mill animated film with mere cutesy graphics. It’s one that demonstrates great emotional depth alongside the visually appealing animations — a tough combination to top.”

JARED - BIG HERO 6

“Disney Pixar films are always a success, and Big Hero 6 is no exception. The fact that a giant white balloon almost made me cry makes it an obvious winner in my eyes. ”

16-17 SPOTLIGHT

THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

21

CHRONICLE 07

LIFE’S SHORT PEDAL HARD

If you stay around till late in NTU, you’d realise that night cycling is a regular pastime among some students. For others, however, it is a little more than that. Photo Editors Alicia Goh and Hillary Tan find out how cycling has changed the lifestyle of one student.

C

ompetitive cycling spoke to Saeful Hakim, 22, in ways that would change his life completely.

It was not all about the races in the beginning. He had his first encounter with the bicycle when he was four.

Ever since then, he was hooked.

The outdoorsy nature of the sport allowed him to explore brand new places, which satisfied his adventurous personality.

The second-year English major from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences started participating competitively in 2013 with an intense training schedule he diligently follows till today.

Before every race, Saeful plans eight to 10 weeks ahead to build up his base endurance for long-distance races.

This meant being more disciplined with his lifestyle habits. Still, it did not deter him from pursuing the regime.

In fact, it was competitive cycling that helped him improve his selfdiscipline.

He confessed to being disorganised and unmotivated previously while making many unhealthy lifestyle choices.

With irregular sleeping patterns, his excessive intake of junk food and smoking habit, he soon realised that his unhealthy ways would hold him back from improving his performance in the sport.

“Races are fun, above anything. The adrenaline of racing is something you won’t ever get in any group or individual training.”

- Saeful Saeful has since abandoned his former ways. He starts his training as early as 4 am, all the way until his lessons start four hours later.

The need to be on form and extremely aware of his surroundings forces him to be alert and keeps his mind sharp for the day.

He made conscious effor ts to

reduce the amount of junk food in his diet and stuck to a consistent sleep schedule to keep himself in top form.

In order to get new bikes, he kicked his smoking habit and saved up the extra money he would have otherwise spent on cigarettes.

With time, he hopes to be a regular member of a biking club in Singapore.

“Competitive cycling is not an individual sport. Behind the scenes, you need strong support and this is the advantage of biking teams,” he says, re-establishing the point that no man is an island.

Saeful has come a long way since his first race in 2013.

To date, he has participated in 13 races and is currently preparing for the upcoming International Ghombau Century Ride that is about 160 kilometres long.

The reason for his dedication is simple: “Races are fun, above anything. The adrenaline of racing is something you won’t ever get in any group or individual training session.”

Clockwise from top left (Page 16): MAINTENANCE IS KEY: The bike that costs a little more than $4,000 is definitely precious to Saeful Hakim, 22, an English major from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. He uses wet wipes to remove the grime on its gears after each training session.

EYES ON THE FINISHING LINE: The competitive cyclist takes each training session seriously. He has to train at least eight weeks before each competition. Consistency is of utmost importance as he has to keep his stamina and body in game form.

BREAK FROM THE PEDAL: A race can be as long as 100 miles. It is essential that the cyclist is well hydrated throughout the race. Saeful has two water bottles planted on his bike to make sure of this. Even so, water stops dot the course. It is a skill to pick up the bottle while balancing on the bike.

WHEN IT GETS SERIOUS: Every single element matters. The electronic distance calculator keeps track of cycling data such as time, distance, calories burnt and elevation climbed. The information helps Saeful monitor his performance.

Page 17: READY FOR IT: Having finished more than 10 races, Saeful has built more than enough confidence in his cycling ability. Now, he sees each new race as a chance to test his skills.

THE NANYANG

CHRONICLE

VOL. NO.

VOL. NO.

21

THE NANYANG

07 CHRONICLE

subsect

DAPPER

21

22-23 DAPPER

THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

21

CHRONICLE 07

On him: Tony Ward Glasses: Tokyo Star Optical, $246; Bow Tie: Sabotage Store, $12; Suspenders: Sabotage Store, $15; Others: Model’s own.

On her: Rockabilly Aerian Dress: Rockstar, $69; Imperial United Futuid Bracelet: Rockstar, $98; Heels: Model’s own.

On him: Shirt, Pants and Shoes: Model’s own; Others: Stylist’s own.

On her: Beret: Talisman’s, $12; Lynn Pastel Dream Blouse: Kaizo, $15; Yacht 21 Skirt: Rockstar; $59.90; Gloves: Talisman’s, $12; Rue Sandals: Salient Label, $38; Scarf: Stylist’s own.

On him: Wool Jacket: H&M, $249; Wool Trousers: H&M, $99.90; Belt: Talisman’s, $5; Others: Model’s own.

On her: Beret: Talisman’s, $12; Spencer Pants: Rockstar, $49; Bag: Talisman’s, $39.95; Others: Stylist’s own.

On her: Jean Blouse: Salient Label, $28; Jeffrey Trousers: Salient Label, $46; Others: Model’s own.

On him: Tony Ward Glasses: Tokyo Star Optical, $246; Shirt: Sabotage Store, $39; Belt: Talisman’s, $5; Pointer Surfer Rosa Shoes: Rockstar, $169; Others: Model’s own.

24

DAPPER subsect

THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

21

CHRONICLE 07 On him: Komono Winston Royale Watch: Rockstar, $149.50; Others: Model’s own.

On her:

By Invite Only Bangle: Rockstar, $68; Others: Model’s own.

On her: Shirt: Sabotage Store, $39; Socks: Uniqlo, $9.90; Shorts: Stylist’s own.

On him: All: Model’s own.

到牛车水寻找“年味” —— 刊27页

新闻

南大停车设施问题多令学生苦恼 点缺乏免费停车场，实在不方 便。我时常得把车子停放在免 费停车区，但往往还得等候免 费接驳巴士，这使我必须更早 到学校。”

停车季票一票难求

学生投诉停车设施不完善，令车子饱受日晒雨淋。

（21岁）向本报诉苦：“我的 刘芸如● 报道 家离学校较远，开车到学校可 以节省时间，可是靠近校区的 大校园内的停车设施问 停车场费用已比校外还高，学 题多，引起驾车学生们 校是不是应该为我们学生作出 不满。经过本报记者走访调查 一些优惠呢？” 发现，停车费用高昂、免费停 车位不够便利、季票难以订购 免费停车位远离教学区 及校园内缺乏有盖停车场是驾 靠近校区的停车位收费高昂 且位置竞争激烈，而选择停靠 车学生关注的几个重要问题。 学校开放部分停车位是为了 在离校区较远收费较低的停车 给驾车学生提供便利，然而高 场或者免费停车位的学生也面 昂的停车费却令多数学生吃不 临着头痛的难题。 南大中文系的陈小姐（22 消。 南 大 土 木 工 程 系 的 李 先 生 岁）透露：“学校在上课的地

南

与每日收费相比，学校发 放的季票更加的便宜，收费最 高，也是最热门的停车位是位 于南区的Zone1，每月收费75 元。而最便宜的是位于第2宿舍 和体育中心一带的Zone3A，每 月需25元。 由于这样优惠的价格，出 现了停车季票严重不足的问 题。学校规定每月25号前必须 提交下月季票申请，可是在短 短四、五天时间里就被一抢而 空，很多学生都为抢不到季票 而苦恼不已。 另外，国家教育学院二年级 生郑先生（22岁）表示，自己 在上网购买月票时，却不被允 许购买月票。 “我不明白为什么同样为南 大学生，在属下国家教育学院 就读的学生却不准购买南大的 月票。难道这是南大对教育学 院学生的双重标准吗？” 除了收费、地点问题等，校 园缺乏有盖停车场的问题也引

起学生不满。据记者调查，现 存的停车场除了Zone3A外多为 开放式停车场，没有任何相关 遮挡设备可保护停靠的车辆。 车主们爱车心切，一想到自己 的车子除了要被日晒雨淋外， 还可能成为鸟粪的“逗留处” ，实在是有些心急。 中文系三年级的王小姐（21 岁）透露：“自从拿到我的新 车后，我一直很注重车子的保 养，我更希望将自己的车子停 在有盖停车场，会让我更安心 些。”

校方有意增更多有盖停车位 针对问题，住宿与后勤服务

处负责人李淑德回复说：“我 们能理解驾车人士喜欢在自家 院校或办公大楼停车，但上课 地点集中在一起也是为了方便 大学广大社群。不持季票的驾 车人士可以考虑在校内全日免 费停车场，或最高价为3元6角 的停车处停车。南大目前已经 有分布于包括10至15宿舍及研 究生宿舍在内，共700多个免费 停车位。 校方表示欢迎学生提出改善 停车场的建议，也指出在新月 与先驱宿舍已建有盖停车场。 将来也会在安全及美观前提 下，为校园内更多停车场安装 遮盖设备。

有盖停车位明显不足，造成学生困扰。

摄影: 杨恩乐

网站资料未更新 学生不满科目货不对办 邱振毅、黄俊杰● 报道 中文编辑

学

校网上上载课程内容未 更新，甚至不准确，导 致学生选课后不满审核标准中 的作业及考试模式，纷在NTU Confessions面簿专页上投诉。 南大化学系开办的通识课 程，“化学对社会的影响” （Impact of Chemistry on Society）遭学生们抱怨，功课量 大，及格标准太苛刻，与之前 修过该课程学生所形容存颇大 出入。 专页上有学生就提到，以一 个“非计学分科目”（Ungraded AU）来说，该课程的工作 量包括写部落格、制作录像等 对他而言实在太重了。

该学生在专页中也给予仍在 这门课等候名单上的学生们忠 告：“这学期的化学与社会， 教授做了彻底的改变，而且这 些更动让此科目与以往的课程 评分标准完全不一样。” 传播系一年级生林鹏（23 岁）也同意网上留言的看法， 他表示：“作为一个非计学分 科目，我认为这一科所须投入 的精神太多了。另外，科内的 小组作业也必须和其它系的学 生合作，我担心这会影响我的 成绩。” 相反的，化学系二年级王先 生（23岁）表示：“因为我没 有别的选择，必须修完科学与 科技通识课程（STS）的学分 （因此才选这门课）。况且， 只需及格就能得到学分，不会 影响学期成绩，所以才留下

来。但是，和我同系的好多同 学都因为课程的要求而决定不 修了。”

也有学生做出好评 然而，在充满笑声的讲堂， 也有同学对课程的设计表示满 意。 生物科学系三年级潘芝毓 （21岁）说：“虽然我不喜 欢这门课须要写部落格来完成 评分需求，但我对这门课不反 感。我想无论是去年的课程设 计，还是今年的，都没太大差 别，毕竟学校课程设计一直在 更动。” 她认为，化学与社会课程很 有趣，并且对教授更新课程设 计的做法表示赞同。 该课程教授对于网上的言 论，也做出解释。

引发网上投诉的化学在社会影响课程。 负责这一科目的化学系Felipe García助理教授向本报透 露，其实南大已经开始为许多 课程从传统的讲堂模式，改为 团队学习的方式进行，化学与 社会课程是其中一项。他也提 出，该课程并不是全校唯一有 如此课程安排的。

摄影: 邱振毅

他补充：“我了解投诉课程 的学生其实是因为不满课程所 要求的工作量。然而，课程的 现有模式其实也增加了我工作 上的负担。这门课程的新设计 目的在于更好满足内容需求， 以让学生们能得到更多学习上 的利益。”

26

THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

21

CHRONICLE 07 言论

本地饮酒管制可能引起的弊端 邱振毅 中文编辑

内

政部新拟的"酒类管制 供应与饮用法案"一旦通 过，今年四月起，公众每晚10 点半到隔天清晨7点之间，都不 能在公共场所如组屋底层、公 园和走道等喝酒。 许多国人在各大报章的调 查中都支持政府的新政策。然 而，网上却也引来不少反对的 声音。

酒精管制的弊端 饮酒长久以来是人类文化不 可或缺的一部分，对于社会凝 聚和发展起了关键作用。本地 酒精的管制，会是有它的弊端 的。 小印度事件后的爆发后，开 始影响了政府对待户外饮酒的 态度。政府为维持秩序，在小 印度划分区域，禁止人们在下 午5点后买酒，以更好控制社会 秩序。 然而，这么做却夺走了人们 和朋友联络感情的一种途径。 偶尔和朋友或邻居在公园或组 屋楼下小酌几杯，互相交流， 更能增强凝聚力，也是甘榜精 神的体现吗？ 新条例也会使本地社会更 压抑。近年来，政府不断对 香烟酒精加税，也禁止水烟

（shisha）贩卖，使本地朝气 勃勃的夜生活暗淡不少。 为了满足国人在减少喝酒后 的一些喧闹与维持安宁，也剥 夺了一些都市夜生活的精彩。

其他国家的情况 禁止饮酒其实也不是新加坡 的专利。 在美国当地，许多州户外 饮酒是不被允许的。在较为混 乱的得克萨斯州，更设立了禁 酒区，规定人们不得在该区饮 酒。 在澳洲则是完全禁止户外饮 酒，并且在昆士兰和新南威尔 士，在晚上10点过后就禁止售 酒了。 相比下，韩国对于酒精的限 制却较少，夜深路上喝得醉醺 醺的韩国年轻男女却也成了一 种特色。 当地政府对酒精的管制仅限 不允许未满20岁年轻人购买酒 饮。酒精的价格相当低廉，区 区1美元左右就可购买。 禁止户外饮酒虽然已是许 多国家的趋势，但户外饮酒却 可以是丰富社会文化的一道桥 梁。 法国夏季的Fête de la Musique音乐节，除了欣赏各种音 乐，参与者也可在大街上饮酒 作乐，十分有趣。 在韩国也可在当地的全州韩 屋村饮用当地特产米酒，同时

插图：陈佐琳 欣赏美景。

本地饮酒文化恐成回忆 在本地，青年人在前往夜店 狂欢前，到Zouk夜店附近罗伯

森桥(Robertson Bridge)饮酒也 成了本地的夜店文化之一。不 过，这恐怕要成为回忆了。 在维持社会秩序和人文情 怀上，本地政府应该更灵活处

理。酒类管制措施的实施将人 们在户外饮酒的乐趣夺走，禁 止酒精在户外的饮用虽然有维 持社会安定的利益，但也带来 影响文化发展的弊端。

姚贝娜：生命如花、惊叹不已 胡雪曼

今

年1月16日，中国内地知 名流行女歌手姚贝娜因乳 腺癌复发于北京大学深圳医院逝 世，年仅33岁。 姚贝娜无疑是一个成功的女 人。她出身音乐世家，家学渊 源，亦勤奋刻苦，她的音乐道路 走得顺理成章，也令人赞叹。

姚贝娜的音乐人生 姚贝娜四岁学琴，16岁考入 武汉音乐学院附中，19岁考入中 央音乐学院声歌系，毕业后又考 入著名的海政歌舞团，成为一 位部队的文艺工作者。2008年， 在官方主流的CCTV青年歌手电视 大奖赛上，姚贝娜夺得流行唱法 冠军。2010年与2011年她两次登 上春晚，2012年热播的电视剧《 后宫甄嬛传》令更多观众记住了 演唱主题曲和全部的插曲的姚 贝娜，2013年《中国好声音第二 季》更是令姚贝娜大红大紫。

在中国学院派歌手的典型道 路上，姚贝娜顺风顺水得令人羡 慕，尤其了不起的是，她开辟出 了一条不同于其他流行歌手的成 名之路。直到2009年力排众议离 开海政歌舞团，姚贝娜正站在一 条坦途上，如果一切顺利，假以 时日，姚贝娜会成为一个体制内 的歌唱家，一切安稳。可是姚贝 娜却历尽艰辛地转型成为了一位 少有的左右逢源的流行歌手：既 受体制认可，在春晚上独唱《天 佑中华》；亦受市场欢迎，能放 下身段参加选秀节目，在《中国 好声音》里人气极高。 自姚贝娜过世至今，关于她 的消息铺天盖地，占据着中国主 要媒体的娱乐版面，甚至连“天 王”周杰伦英国迎娶昆凌这样的 大新闻都因此失色不少。姚贝娜 生前的好友和粉丝们在社交网络 上表达哀思；她的歌曲被追忆回 放；接受了姚贝娜捐赠的眼角 膜的患者已经重见光明；与此同 时，《深圳晚报》记者假扮医生 试图偷拍姚贝娜遗体的行为又引

起中国国内对媒体行为与道德的 讨论；而网络上，一篇《一代虎 将张万年打了一辈子仗还不如姚 贝娜唱几首歌》的文章也广为流 传……姚贝娜的身后事折射着大 变革中的中国社会，一切都纷纷 扰扰众说纷纭，在进步、在碰 撞、也在被消费。 可是姚贝娜最令人赞叹的是 她从不消费自身以博取观众眼 球。在以“贵圈真乱”闻名的娱 乐圈，几乎找不出来姚贝娜的绯 闻；在“比惨上位”的中国选秀 节目上，姚贝娜宁可落选惜败， 也没有借曝光自己如何与乳腺癌 斗争求观众同情。

女性的楷模 现在全球每年年有约130万女 性被诊断出患有乳腺癌，乳腺癌 几乎可以被认为女性生命的第一 大潜在杀手。姚贝娜果断地选择 了切割乳房，勇敢地接受化疗， 依旧阳光快乐，自强自立。之前 她只是偶像歌手，之后却堪称女 性楷模。

照片：网络下载 在姚贝娜迎来音乐事业巅峰 的时候，乳腺癌再次复发，病魔 带走她年轻的生命，把无数的遗 憾与悲伤留给她的亲朋与观众。 重重的褒扬、怀念、哀悼与争议

之后，姚贝娜真实的生活如同她 的成名曲《红颜劫》（《后宫甄 嬛传》主题曲）所唱：祸福轮流 转，是劫还是缘；天机算不尽， 交织悲与欢……

VOL. NO.

21

27

THE NANYANG

07 CHRONICLE 生活

开张仅七个月的一亩甜售卖各式台湾风味的新年糕点。

摄影：钱韦良

农历新年 硕莪街寻找新“年味” 陈旭爽●报道

每

逢新春，牛车水就成了 年味最浓的地方之一。 “年味”到底是什么，每个 人也许有不同的定义，但是要 感受到年味，最容易的方式就 是尝尝新年糕点的美味。

“一亩甜”的新春天 在硕莪街（Sago Street） 上，有一家在牛车水开张了 仅七个月的糕点店“一亩甜” (Sweet Musings) 正在迎来它 的第一个华人新年。

这间店家的糕点结合了台湾 风味，其中一款凤梨酥还特意 用了台湾凤梨，味道和本地凤 梨做的凤梨酥不太一样。

干，于是我让她试了试我们的 杏仁酥，她觉得很满意，就干 脆买那个了。”

传统老字号的成功故事 可当为纪念品的糕点 店员陈美娟（47岁）透 露，“一亩甜”的糕点不只是 为了应节，平时还可以当作纪 念品，糕点中也不含防腐剂和 色素，所以一般很受年轻白领 和外国游客青睐。 陈美娟又说：“不久前还有 位美国女士，认定新加坡的饼 干好吃，想买一些回去，但是 进来找了半天找不到她要的饼

硕莪街是本地购买新年礼饼的好地方。

离华人新年还有两周多的时 间，同样坐落于硕莪街，享有 83年历史的大中国饼家就开始 推出各式各样的新年点心和零 食，从凤梨酥到紫菜卷，南瓜 籽到大公仔饼等，琳琅满目， 令人垂涎。 店员说，过年期间卖得最火 的，还是属店里传统手工制作 的年糕。年糕的样子很朴素， 被椰叶半包裹着，表面多是平

滑如镜，而且都不加点缀，和 风貌古朴的店面很相衬。 是什么让外貌平凡的年糕吸 引了那么多忠实顾客一次又一 次地回头光顾？店铺运营经理 黄连金（55岁）说，这当中没 有秘方，年糕主要原料也只是 糯米和糖而已，但是蒸年糕的 时间却长达12小时，这才使年 糕呈现出金棕色。蒸年糕时还 要确保火候平稳，不然蒸出来 的年糕表面就会凹凸不平了。

制作年糕须以人力代劳 看似简单的年糕，制作过程 可不可以用机器来代劳呢？黄

连金说：“这年糕的做工还没 办法完全让机器去代替。年糕 那么软，很容易就变形了，就 连包裹年糕的大片蕉叶，也是 要人工小心剪贴，不然很容易 破掉。” 如今的大中国饼家已经有了 第三代传人，老店也经历过几 番装修，但是糕点的原味却通 过传统的工艺保留到了今天， 并且仍受不同年龄层顾客的喜 爱，在网上也颇受好评。 在接下来的过年期间，会 有更多的顾客，不论文化和年 龄，从这两家店里感受到深深 的“年味”。

拥有83年历史的大中国饼家已开始推出各式各样的新年点心和零食，各显风情。

28

THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

21

CHRONICLE 07 娱乐

白安《接下来是什么》专辑新加坡记者会

白安筹备专辑 意外与李宗盛合作写曲

台湾歌手白安近日前往新加坡宣传自己的新专辑。

王立倪● 报道

台

湾歌手白安于前年出道 时，因为温和和独特唱腔 却发音咬字不清而受到瞩目， 单凭主打歌《是什么让我遇见 这样的你》，就在影音网站上 创下将近2000万的点阅率。 这也让她在华人乐坛中受到 相当的瞩目。她在过去一年内

影评 电影播映室 电影: 《模仿游戏》 主演：本尼迪克特·康伯巴 奇， 姬拉·丽莉，马修·古迪 类型：传记，剧情，惊悚



照片：网路下载

获得不少奖状，包括 “新加坡 e乐大赏”的“人气海外新人” 及传媒推存新人” 两大奖项。 年仅23岁的白安从小便开始 接触音乐，擅长吉他与键盘， 也在青春时期开始在网络上分 享自己的音乐创作。她于去年 9月发行第二张专辑《接下来是 什么》。 为第二张专辑做宣传，白安 再次来到新加坡，于1月24日举

电

影《模仿游戏》中巧妙利 用叙事手法，完整叙述计 算机学的创始人，密码学家阿 兰·图灵的人生遭遇。 电影中穿插着三个不同的 时间段来叙述阿兰·图灵（本 尼迪克特·康伯巴奇饰）的生 平。 一开始讲述1951年，图灵房 子遭盗窃，而当警方来到现场 时，图灵却否认盗窃之事 。这 让负责案件的侦探（罗里·金 尼尔饰）觉得事情并不单纯， 而决定追查这件案子。 画面回到1938年，当时还是 位年轻大学教授的图灵，与其 他数学精英在布莱切利园组成 了一支秘密团队，进行破解恩 尼格玛密码机的任务。 恩尼格玛是二战时，德国军 队传送秘密文件的机器，在当 时被列为是世界上最难破解的 机器。 电影中，图灵等人算出， 如果要用人工计算来破解密玛 机，就算有他们几个数学天 才，也要花上2000万年才能算 完。但图灵一意孤行，决定发 明一个可以解开任何密码的机

办在本地首场的迷你现场密室 演出。 被台湾媒体定位为“台湾怪 怪女生”的白安，虽然外表上 清秀，却有着一把纯净、温和 的嗓音。 她的独立音乐风格不仅限 于创作，也包括她的“奇怪” 发音，也有人曾说她的咬字和 歌喉像本地歌后孙燕姿。白安 也同意，有很多人形容她为“ 唱歌时看似平静，却带有“暴 力”的独特歌手。 “我觉得很多时候，不一 定是你要多大声，或者多吼， 还是要多高音才能表达自己的 情绪。我觉得有时候，那种漠 视，或者冷静是更能影响别人 的。” 白安坦诚，她花了将近一年 半的时间筹备第二张专辑，是 为了寻找自己的定位和期许同 时不会辜负喜欢和赏识“歌手 白安”的人。 “筹备第一张专辑时，我只 需要很专心写歌，只要做好一 件事就好，最重要的是要让大 家认识你。 但第二张专辑是，你需要 更清楚的让大家知道你到底想 要做什么，而不是大家对你有 个模糊的轮廓，然后很容易把 你和一些人比较。这是我第二 张专辑中最想要做好的一件 事。” 由于白安在第一张专辑时并 没有和李宗盛合作，她在李宗

白安在记者会上，与媒体分享音乐心得。 盛担当第二张专辑《接下来是 什么》制作人时，觉得录制过 程虽然严格，但每天经历都不 一样。让她印象深刻的，是她 与李宗盛“意外”合作写《接 下来是什么》专辑中的第九首 曲目《安慰》。 “我在北京录制第一张专辑 及宣传的时候陆续写这首歌， 当时写了两个版本的歌词。有 一天，大哥（李宗盛）寄了一 封电邮，跟我讲他的感受，然 后我们就合作写了这首歌。” 白安认为，李宗盛就是她 的“音乐爸爸”，除了曾煮鸡 饭给她尝试，还有很多音乐外 的分享。 “他不只教我音乐上的很 多东西，他其实跟我说，音乐 创作是和生活息息相关的。所 以他会跟我说一些生活上的道 理，或他以前做的一些案子的

摄影：吴思颖

故事。” 为配合第二张专辑，白安还 把头发染上鲜艳的桃红色，以 “不是可爱，反而还蛮跳脱、 古怪的粉红色”展现自己的个 性。她认为，粉红色放在头发 上可以很有个性，而更重要的 是反应同年龄女生的心理。 “由于我是在21、22岁时创 作第二张专辑的歌曲，这个年 龄还蛮像一个介于成熟和不成 熟之间的暧昧的感觉。但我没 有觉得（把头发染成粉红色） 是个挑战，就只是 ‘头发’而 已。” 但白安觉得更重要的是音乐 对于听者的感受。 “虽然会有每个年代不同的 语言，可是那个核心都是一样 的，只要你是真诚的，不管哪 个时代，大家对同样的音乐都 会有相同的感触。”

器，包括解开恩尼格玛机。 第三个时间段讲述了学生 时期，图灵因个性古怪而遭欺 凌。但最后认识了一位学长， 克里斯托弗.摩肯，并且和他产 生暧昧关系。 这段回忆交代了图灵的同性 恋倾向，也为电影最后的情节 铺陈，以文字的方式交代图灵 因当时社会不接受同性恋而最 终选择自杀身亡。 这让观众在看到最后难免 有些伤感，也令人感叹，一个 这么有能力的天才，为国家贡 《模仿游戏》众演员于戏中的一幕。 献，救了无数的性命，但最终 还是救不了自己。 康伯巴奇在剧中的演技生 动，把图灵复杂、情绪化的角 色诠释得非常完整。人物各种 内心层面同时也发挥极致，各 种情绪的表现都很深刻，为他 的演艺事业再添上多一部代表 作。 《模仿游戏》虽然有着亮 眼的演技和生动的叙述，但碰 上另一部强档电影《美国狙击 手》，《模仿游戏》要在今年 的奥斯卡颁奖礼上突破重围恐 怕不容易。 （文/林佳颖） 影星本尼迪克特·康伯巴奇饰演主角阿兰图灵。

Opinions EDITORIAL

Post O-levels: What lies ahead?

THE 2015 Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE) results were released on 29 Jan. This means that the oft-heard phrase “many pathways to success” resonates with the many students leaving secondary school.

The routes they can choose to take include junior colleges, the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), art colleges and polytechnics.

The different directions seem to lead to the common goal of a stable and rewarding career, which would be the goal of most students.

However strongly others may insist that all paths are equal, it is undeniable that some are more convoluted than others.

The JC route is a short but rigorous two-year path to a local or overseas university.

Meanwhile, the polytechnic route focuses on hands-on learning, and moves towards either full-time employment or a university degree after a three-year diploma course.

ITE students usually start vocational careers, or move on to polytechnics.

However, hurdles may await those who choose paths other than junior colleges if they intend to enrol in a local university or work a whitecollar job thereafter.

Public local universities generally tend to accept more

students from junior colleges, than they do from polytechnics or ITEs. Many executive-level jobs also offer diploma holders lower starting salaries than those of their degree-wielding colleagues at the same level.

This is particularly the case for ITE graduates, who may encounter more difficulty in climbing the ladders of social construct. With the institution frequently dismissed as ‘It’s The End’, some students still face discrimination and social stigma in the workplace.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong reiterated the equality of all paths in his National Day Message last year.

That said, higher education definitely plays a “big part” in a student’s future.

The Applied Study in Polytechnics and ITE Review Committee helps ITE and polytechnic graduates progress in their careers through extended vocational training.

Yet the common belief that a university degree is the surest ticket to occupational success in Singapore remains. Many employers would rather hire university graduates.

Perhaps the JC route does set one on a smoother path towards that dream university, and of course, that ideal job.

While all paths may seem equal, some are always more equal than others.

THE NANYANG

CHRONICLE

CHIEF EDITOR Louisa Tang

MANAGING EDITOR Kerri Heng

SUB-EDITORS

Abigail Ng Parveen Maghera Austen Choo Gui Jing Yi Jerone Sim Kelly Phua Lum Hui Yi

NEWS EDITORS

CHINESE EDITORS Chong Yoke Ming Kiew Zhen Yi

OPINIONS EDITORS Ang Hwee Min Lo Yi Min

SPORTS EDITORS Matthew Mohan Nur Amyraa

DAPPER EDITORS Joel Lim Lydia Teo

Shaun Tan Toh Ting Wei

COMMUNITY EDITOR Gabrielle Goh

LIFESTYLE EDITORS

DIGITAL EDITOR

Chelsea Tang Fabian Loo

REVIEWS EDITOR Ernest Chin Jared Alex Tan

Jenny Yu

BUSINESS MANAGERS Jolyne Tan Sheena Wong Tim Wong

PHOTO EDITORS Alicia Goh Hillary Tan

PRODUCTION SUPPORT

VIDEO SUPERVISORS

FACULTY ADVISORS

Nerissa Tiong

Trisha Lim

Zailani Ismail

Joe Tok Kenny Wong

Lau Joon-Nie Roseline Yew Jane Ng Zann Huang

A students’ newspaper published by the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (WKWSCI)

Nanyang Technological University 31 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637718 Tel: 6790 6446

Unsigned editorials represent the majority view of the editorial board of The Chronicle and do not necessarily reflect the policies or views of Nanyang Technological University, its employees, the students or the Council of the University.

Signed opinion columns, letters and editorial cartoons represent the opinion of the writer or artist and are not necessarily those of The Chronicle.

Printed by KHL Printing Co. Pte Ltd, 57 Loyang Drive, Singapore 508968 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Facebook: The Nanyang Chronicle www.facebook.com/ChronNTU Website: www.nanyangchronicle.ntu.edu.sg General Enquiries: chronicle@ntu.edu.sg

frankly, my dear

A column by Chronicle Editors on issues close to their hearts

Unique, just like everyone else

WHAT MATTERS MORE?: Choice of music should be about the sounds, not the image. GRAPHIC: KIMBERLY ANG

Jared Alex Tan Reviews Editor

P

opular hipster gathering St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival returned this month for the fifth consecutive year, featuring a slew of up-and-coming indie acts including Chet Faker, FKA Twigs and St. Vincent.

While I might have been familiar with at least one or two acts in the previous Laneways, this year marks the first time that I do not recognise a single name on the lineup.

As Reviews Editor — a designation that requires me to be at the forefront of musical knowledge — I found my complete lack of familiarity with the performers disconcerting.

Was this a sign that I was slowly losing touch with the music trends of today?

However, I began to question if there was really a need for me to know so much. When it comes to something as broad as music, how much knowledge is “enough”?

These questions also made me reflect on my long-standing obsession with knowing for the sake of knowing.

Back in my secondary school days, I came across a webcomic titled Questionable Content, which introduced me to the hipster culture of coffee shops, ironic T-shirts and of course, indie music.

Being an impressionable teenager 10 years ago, I started listening to bands like Arcade Fire and The Decemberists not for their music,

but for the ‘hipster cred’ that came together with doing so.

As someone who grew up listening to the radio and watching music videos on MTV, my music choices were and still are, unapologetically mainstream — think Katy Perry and Fall Out Boy. As much as I’d like to deny it, my attraction to catchy hooks and thumping bass beats is undeniable.

‘Pop’ in ‘pop music’ is short for popular for a reason, after all.

Despite this, however, I would make an effort to put some music by obscure artists into my iPod without actually listening to them much.

Thankfully, I did genuinely end up enjoying some of their material (Arcade Fire’s Wake Up will always have a special place in my heart).

However, at that time, these bands were largely in my music collection for the purpose of making me look — for the lack of a better word — cool.

Only in retrospect do I realise how superficial my actions were.

While my philosophies on music consumption have since matured, the concept of ‘hipster cred’, unfortunately, has not.

There still exists this unwritten rule that a person is cooler if he or she listens to obscure music, and that you are made a musical pariah of sorts if you have a preference for the mainstream.

Meanwhile, even though I am content with my current collection of music, I admit that I have yet to fully grow out of this mindset.

At times, I still feel an irrational obligation to keep up with upcoming trends for the sole reason of not appearing musically ignorant to my peers. I should know better, but old habits die hard, I suppose.

As I look back on this year’s Laneway, I am finally telling myself

that it is all right to be oblivious — with new musicians bursting onto the music scene every single day, was it so hard for me to believe that I had not heard of these 19 artists?

One should also understand that music choices are subjective, and passing judgement on someone who listens to One Direction is no different from criticising a person’s taste in food or fashion.

Everyone should be entitled to enjoy their choices without being scrutinised by others.

And as my Instagram feed started to fill up with filtered pictures of millennials dressed in loud floral shirts and eccentric headwear, I couldn’t help but think that many of the festival’s attendees attend more for the ‘hipster cred’ rather than for the music.

My hypothesis seems to hold some truth. Friends who attended the festival this year told me this year’s crowd felt strangely indifferent compared to previous years’, despite it being the first Laneway to sell out.

As for myself, I feel like I’ve outgrown the need to keep up with this growing age of pretension, and I am so done with prioritising my cool, perceived image over my personal preferences.

Ironically, some of the bands that I listened to back then for image’s sake are now genuinely some of my favourite artists.

It took me 24 years to become comfortable in my own skin, and it’s about time others in the same predicament be exempted from judgment and feel content with their music choices as well.

So whether it’s James Blake or Justin Bieber, it doesn’t matter.

Simply listen to what you enjoy.

Because when it comes to music, the only person you should have to please is yourself.

VOL. NO.

21

OPINIONS

THE NANYANG

07 CHRONICLE

31

canteen talk

Beyond the Instafix

Social media has become an integral part of the lives of youths today. The Nanyang Chronicle asks students to share their thoughts on using social media, and how these platforms may be detrimental to their offline lives.

I check social media very often. I think it’s only harmful when you’re out with friends but you’re busy checking social media instead.

Valerie Yeo, 22, SBS, Year 2

GOING TO EXTREMES: The effort some people put into their Instagram photos is unbelievable.

Annabel Tan

B

uzzwords can say a lot about a changing society. Last year, a particularly popular one was ‘instant gratification’.

Referring to getting what one wants immediately, the phrase is commonly used to describe the recent pursuits of many individuals.

The youth of today are especially affected by this phenomenon. They come from a fast-paced, tech-driven generation and are adept when it comes to technology and social media. Many don’t go a day without being online.

Although the benefits of social media continue to expand with the advancement of technology, getting too absorbed in the online world may adversely affect one’s wellbeing and sense of self.

The features of social media outlets like Facebook and Instagram allow for instant gratification, which may be why many youths use them.

Snap a picture, post it on Instagram, and the likes and positive comments will appear in seconds.

These may make one feel validated for a while, but is it possible to go too far for a shortlived boost of self-esteem?

Building personas online

With increasing exposure to social media, it becomes easier to identify what appeals most to the online community from the number of likes or comments received.

As such, some learn to post only the more popular things or share only certain aspects of their lives.

Since social media allows us to carefully curate how we are portrayed, experienced influencers tend to not only create personas that they think appeal to their followers, but also present idealised versions of themselves online.

Often, these constructed images are a far cry from their real selves.

One way to create an idealised image would be to compose your photos based on your intentions.

For example, posting a picture of a batch of daintily-frosted red velvet cupcakes on your kitchen table, with a small heap of flour arranged in the background added for rustic flair,

may lead your followers to believe you are a skilled baker.

But those cupcakes may be tasteless, or perhaps you didn’t even bake them yourself. Most of your followers would never know.

Instagram on the edge

While some online personas exist for instant gratification, others represent personas that one aspires to be, consciously or otherwise.

In certain cases, some of these youths go to extreme lengths to portray an idealised version of themselves online.

The phrase ‘You Only Live Once’ or ‘YOLO’, popularised by Canadian rapper Drake through his song The Motto, is another related aspect of youth culture.

This phrase is one that resonates with the notion of disregarding future consequences in order to pursue an immediately attainable activity or goal.

Attempting to obtain or achieve something right away, instead of investing time and effort in something beneficial, makes this ‘YOLO’ culture comparable to the idea of instant gratification.

This similarity may be why the phrase is popularly applied in the way we construct our online selves.

For instance, it’s not rare to see our friends risking their lives for an Instagram photo by climbing up onto the rooftop of a high rise building and posing casually for an ‘Outfit of the Day’ or ‘OOTD’. Some even perch precariously on ledges for a photo.

The ‘YOLO’ culture instantly gratifies those who use dangerous and risqué photos to present their online selves, which is why so many youth engage in such activities.

It encourages skewed motivations towards the short-term goal of using an attention-grabbing picture to garner more statistical appreciation on social media, with little regard for safety and in some cases, dignity.

There is no denying that taking risks can produce great shots.

But in the grand scheme of things, endangering one’s life or risking their future just for instant gratification on social media that others may not even remember the next day hardly seems worth it.

GRAPHIC: PHOEBE TING

Brewing jealousy

Extremes aside, social media users may create unnecessary feelings of envy because online identities represent ideals but hide other real aspects of their lives.

We’ve all seen the happy couple celebrating their first year together at a fancy restaurant, or the girl exercising regularly, flaunting her toned body in gym clothes.

It is only natural to be jealous of others who appear to be doing better, but it seems almost pointless considering that most of what we know about these influencers is only what they want us to see.

We often forget that it is easy to hide flaws online and, that we too, often commit the same crime.

In this day and age where media from various sources are rife, it may help us if we learn to actively discern between what is real and what is not.

Instead of focusing on the online versions of others and ourselves, it may be wiser and more beneficial for us to start working towards improving our real lives and achieving our offline goals instead.

More time and effort can be directed towards trying to align our real selves to our ideal selves.

For example, if your ideal self is one that is healthy and fit, one should make an effort to work out a few times a week and avoid fast food, rather than just wistfully sigh at the #fitspiration (short for fit inspiration) posts on Instagram.

Also, the ‘YOLO’ attitude might be handier if we are more spontaneous in real life.

Risk for online purposes may gain you temporal popularity. However, the actual thrill and experience from spontaneity in real life activities are more worth pursuing.

Social media, like other forms of technology, is ephemeral. In ten years, platforms like Instagram and Facebook, along with our online personas, may well be forgotten.

Reality, however, is permanent and some efforts eventually come with lifetime warranties.

It may not present us with ‘likes’ instantly, but if we unplug and truly invest ourselves in the present, we may just end up discovering our full potentials offline.

I use Snapchat the most. I check it immediately after receiving notifications, but I don’t use it in class.

Eugene Koh, 24, CEE, Year 2

I cringe when I see the hashtag #YOLO, but I don’t mind the risktaking when getting good photos.

Ramona Dass, 21, NBS, Year 1

I have three Instagram accounts. This is to avoid spam since my other accounts are just for my personal expression — no one needs to see that.

Nerissa Lee, 19, WKWSCI, Year 1

It’s good to know what’s happening around you, but if you’re checking Twitter every few minutes, you’re probably addicted.

Ahmad Naufal, 22, MAE, Year 1

TEXT: ANG HWEE MIN, LO YI MIN PHOTOS: KRISTAL TAI TING TING

32

OPINIONS

THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

21

CHRONICLE 07

Unveiling cultural differences Nazri Eddy Razali

W

hile B1A4's hit single Beautiful Target shot them to fame back in 2011, little did they know that seemingly harmless gestures to please fans would make them targets for controversy instead.

In a video uploaded on Facebook, members from the Korean pop, or K-pop, boy band hugged and held hands with selected fans at a meetand-greet session in Malaysia.

The fans were wearing hijabs, a Muslim headdress.

The video has led netizens and Malaysian officials to criticise the Korean boy band’s conduct, and even call for criminal charges to be pressed against the fans.

Protesters representing several non-governmental organisations rallied outside a police station.

Meanwhile, Mr Nik Mohamad Abduh, central committee member of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), an Islamist political party part of the ruling coalition government in Malaysia, equated introducing a foreign culture to “undermining their human dignity”.

Drawing boundaries

But given the complexities of societal relations, the notion that K-pop undermines human dignity

UNEXPECTED TARGET: Cultural differences don't translate well.

is, at best, contentious.

After all, what would constitute the boundaries of human dignity differs across cultures. Actions that seem acceptable to some may actually be offensive to others. The incident involving B1A4 would be a prime example for this.

While physical contact between genders might seem harmless to the Korean boy band, it is largely frowned upon in predominantly conservative Malaysia.

This is because in Islam, the principal religion of Malaysia, such actions are an infringement of a person’s chastity.

For B1A4, their actions are normal for “idols”, a colloquial

GRAPHIC: ONG XIAO HUI

term in South Korea that is used to refer to celebrities.

Having undergone years of training, idols are not only adept at singing and dancing, but are also expected to feature in dramas and appear witty on variety shows — all for the entertainment of their fans.

Constant exposure, coupled with their perfect but often engineered good looks, helps most of these idols cement huge fanbases.

But fame is not their main goal.

All about the money

The popularity of idols effectively translates to millions of dollars' worth of endorsement deals and advertisements for the idols. The

more fans they have, the more idols and their entertainment companies command from potential clients.

This is also why meet-and-greet sessions are so important. During these sessions, the K-pop idols strive to please and expand their fanbase.

Despite its appeal, this does not mask the fact that K-pop ultimately serves an economic end. Idols hardly bat an eyelash at sacrificing their personal comfort to maintain their images.

Fan service would entail telling fans what they want to hear and engaging in ‘skinship’, South Korean slang for physical contact. As such, what B1A4 did would be considered the norm in South Korea.

Morality — as it is constituted in a conservative society such as Malaysia’s — does not seem to be of any consequence to the idols, especially if it interferes with money-making.

Clearly, the misalignment of cultural norms and practices can be seen as the root of the problem here.

Legal dichotomy

While there have been adverse reactions to the incident, many, including Malaysians themselves, have also defended both B1A4 and the girls involved, even ridiculing the cries for criminal charges.

After all, as the girls were willing participants, they had not infringed any secular laws.

Louder than words: Painting the town red

GRAPHIC: HU MIN HAO

But the Malaysian constitution recognises another set of laws besides civil legislation.

Malaysia has a unique dualjustice system in which sharia laws, or the religious laws of Islam, functions parallel to secularism.

However, while secular laws are applicable to everyone, sharia laws are only applicable to Muslims.

Sharia law considers physical contact between singles of opposite genders to be inappropriate.

On the other hand, South Korean laws are mainly secular, and do not forbid physical contact between different genders.

Given the intercultural nature of the incident, the jurisdiction for both sets of laws would always be up for contention.

Perhaps this struggle between the secular and the religious is symptomatic of a population that is beginning to understand that they cannot exist in isolation.

Not only do people from different parts of the world hold on to values that may contradict theirs, but this may also cause them to question the values that they had once thought were cast in stone.

Prior to Beautiful Target, B1A4 promoted a single titled Only Learned the Bad Things.

In the eyes of many conservative Malaysians, perhaps that’s what they fear most about their youths embracing another culture.

VOL. NO.

21

OPINIONS

THE NANYANG

07 CHRONICLE

33

More than just a golden statue?

As we approach the season for film awards, Oscar nominations have been released. While fans and critics alike react to the lists, Opinions Writer Shalom Chalson debates on the importance of diversity in the awardees.

T

he Academy Awards will mark its 87th year of glitz, glamour, and the occasional clamour, on 22 Feb this year. As the mother of all hype-filled award shows, the Oscars, as it is now known, is watched by millions every year.

It exists as an annual television staple, a fact owed to its ability to beguile and confound.

Since we connect to films on such a deep level, watching stars get rewarded or ridiculed provides us with great satisfaction. If the films we love are left out of something as important as the Oscars, we think of words like “snub”.

A snub happens when you try to high-five someone and they turn their back, leaving your hand cold and alone. In the entertainment industry, snubs occur when widely lauded works of art go unrecognised by organisations that exist to give recognition to them.

More often than not, the people who snub will disagree with the use of the word. Since to “snub” also means to ignore or show a lack of respect, most are quick to distance themselves from it.

White boys' club

No one can claim to understand the preferences of all the members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).

But what we do know, is that they are responsible for compiling the list of nominees. They also eventually decide on the winners.

And according to a 2012 Los Angeles Times poll, 94 per cent of them are white, 77 per cent are male, and the average age is 63. It is a highly exclusive club.

Can such an exclusionary club accurately reward films produced for our consumption?

While AMPAS is still largely based in the US, films transgress geographical boundaries. They are consumed by audiences made up of more demographics than just old, white and male Americans.

If the majority of voters are from a specific demographic, results

as exceptions. In the years after their release, the film industry still struggles with embracing diversity.

Anything that could make us uncomfortable appears to be an automatic risk.

Green-lighting diversity

One might argue that a film should not be recognised simply because it carries an important social message or claims to be diverse. True, neither of those things necessarily entail quality.

Yet it is of utmost importance to acknowledge in this context that the playing field of film production isn’t levelled. Some films face more hurdles than others. Making a radical film is a struggle in an industry where investment is heavy

and runs up to the millions.

Films that challenge the status quo are seen as risks because audiences are assumed to be unprepared for provoking works.

Genre films often sell out due to their comfortable storylines.

But the cult statuses of films such as Hoop Dreams and Do The Right Thing suggest that audiences are ready for revolutionary films.

Released around the early 90s, the two films address racial diversity and tension in America.

Yet it is still easy to label them

Snubs can be debilitating because awards and nominations may encourage film-goers to choose films that have been critically recognised over others.

Socially-charged works that have been snubbed might therefore leave theatres unnoticed. While this is made less likely by the hype generator that is the Internet, an Oscar nomination will nevertheless frame a movie’s title in bright neon.

More importantly, awards are able to influence production studios. They reduce the risk involved in funding a film of which an artistic or narrative predecessor has been recognised.

Exposure to varied narratives can help us better embrace and even celebrate diversity. When award shows give recognition for works that endorse heterogeneity, it is a signal to film studios that such narratives are worth investing in.

Thus, we should care when award shows discourage diversity.

This is because it is necessary to promote diversity in our day and age. Not only do films provide us with valuable social commentary, they are able to touch us profoundly and shape our perspectives in understanding others.

Until we can demand and reward diversity, particularly in the pervasive field of entertainment, we should not sit quietly. The best way to realign the industry’s focus is to seek and support films that shift the global film perspective towards an equal representation of voices and minorities.

So let yourself be heard and call out a snub when you see it. Unless AMPAS starts paying attention to calls for more diversity, may they find the little gold man getting snubbed in return.

Do The Right Thing Spike Lee, 1989

Hoop Dreams Steve James, 1994

Gone Girl David Fincher, 2014

Selma Ava DuVernay, 2014

The hottest day of summer is met by rising racial tensions in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.

Deemed “culturally significant” by the US Library of Congress, the film is seen as a pioneer of diversity in cinema.

This documentary follows two high school students chasing NBA stardom in the face of harsh circumstances. Renowned film critic Roger Ebert proclaimed that it is “one of the best films about American life” he had ever seen.

Fincher’s calculated direction helps bring Gillian Flynn’s much-loved novel to life. Gone Girl is a stunning film about marital difficulties, loss, and the complex natures of humans and relationships.

In one of the most important movements of the 20th century, Martin Luther King Jr and his followers march from Selma to Montgomery in spite of violent opposition and rampant discrimination.

Snubs: Best Director, Best Film

Snub: Best Documentary Feature

Snub: Best Adapted Screenplay

Snubs: Best Director, Best Actor

UNCLE OSCAR?: Are the Academy Awards as prestigious as they appear to be if they only represent the opinions of a specific demographic?

GRAPHIC: ZHENG QIMING

are likely to be skewed towards a certain type of narrative in films.

Released in 2014, Selma documents the African-American Civil Rights Movement, charting Martin Luther King Jr. and his compatriots’ fight for freedom.

The film itself is a testament to how far English language entertainment has come since the days of severe whitewashing (let’s pretend for a second that Ridley Scott did not direct a film called Exodus), and blatant racism.

As Selma received high praise from critics, it came as a shock that director Ava DuVernay was excluded from the list of Best Director nominees.

Other categories are sorely lacking female nominees — Gillian Flynn, who adapted the screenplay for Gone Girl from her best-selling novel, was left out of the running for Best Adapted Screenplay.

(Fortunately, nominations for

Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress still included women, but this may not be the case next year.

Bradley Cooper is rising up the ranks, I hear.)

With fewer women and racial minorities featured in the nominees list, this year’s Awards has been heavily criticised for being one of the most racist and sexist in years.

Beyond surface recognition

If the majority of voters are from a specific demographic, results are likely to be skewed towards a certain type of narrative in films.

Beyond surface recognition AFTER nearly nine decades of handing out awards, it suffices to say that there are countless films that have been considered snubbed by the Oscars.

AMPAS has been called out for ignoring works from celebrated filmmakers such as Alfred Hitchcock and Stanley Kubrick.

While it is undeniable that they are deserving of recognition and accolades, the Academy has been known to pass over films of more challenging nature as well as their producers and directors.

Here are some that are popularly seen as snubbed because they colour outside of the gender and ethnic lines.

PHOTOS: INTERNET

34

SPORTS

THE NANYANG

VOL. NO.

21

CHRONICLE 07

New games, new goals Seasoned athletes and NTU students, Amanda Lim and Calvin Kang, share with Sports Writer Lim Ching Ying their goals for the upcoming SEA Games.

C

ome this June, Singapore will play host to the 28th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games for the first time in 22 years.

Having already qualified for the competition, NTU’s national athletes Amanda Lim and Calvin Kang share with us their expectations, aspirations and loftier goals amid their rigorous preparation.

At the mere age of 22, Amanda Lim is one of the fastest female swimmers in Southeast Asia.

Meanwhile, national sprinter and Olympian Calvin Kang holds the national junior 100-metre sprint record of 10.53 seconds.

The pair have rubbed shoulders with the world’s best at international meets and managed to hold their own.

Despite their successes, they remain hungry for more and have their sights set on yet another medal.

Their goal? Victory at this year’s SEA Games, in front of friends, family and a raucous home crowd.

Seasoned winners

Lim, a third-year student from the School of Sport Science and Management (SSM), clinched three consecutive gold medals in the 50-metre freestyle at the Games and has already amassed 15 medals in the Games in total.

24-year-old Kang, also in his third year in SSM, holds a 4x100metre relay silver medal from the 2011 Games.

This year, he is hoping not just for a team medal, but personal bests or perhaps a record-setting run.

Time is crucial for these two athletes. The clock is ticking as the Games — which commence on 5 Jun — draw ever nearer.

Kang’s intensive training period is just beginning, with a

competition scheduled each month while Lim recently returned from a training stint in Melbourne.

Time, again, is of the essence — down to the milliseconds, in which they attempt to shave off their personal bests. They also face the challenge of having limited training hours to clock in the pool and on land.

In Kang’s case, the digits determine whether or not he even qualifies for individual race events.

His national junior record stands at 10.53 seconds for a 100-metre sprint. An ideal timing to secure a podium finish, he says, would be around 0.2 seconds faster.

And as for Lim, she victoriously set a new national 50-metre freestyle record just last year with a 25.09-second swim — bettering the previous record by almost 22 seconds.

On familiar ground

Both athletes acknowledge the presence of having the home ground advantage: physically, in terms of acclimatisation, and psychologically, with regard to support from the home crowd.

Lim is no stranger to competing on home ground after taking part in 2009’s Asian Youth Games and the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010.

Upon recalling, she describes the cheers they heard when she entered the competition venue as “deafening”.

Adding that the support does not go unheard by competing athletes, she said: “The whole atmosphere at the pool is just different and you just feel pumped (up) hearing the crowd cheer for you.”

This also inevitably increases pressure on athletes to perform at an optimal standard in order to give the home crowd a good show.

SWIMMING SPRINT QUEEN: Amanda Lim starts yet another race with gusto.

However, Lim remains unfazed despite the upcoming competition.

She said: “Over the years, I have learnt to convert this pressure into motivation.”

“Running on home ground will be a new feeling,” added Kang.

“But for any sportsman, no matter what competition, whether it’s in Singapore or not, it’ll be of the same intensity in terms of the level of competition and how much we put in.”

Post-SEA Games goals

There will be no resting on their laurels after the SEA Games for these national athletes, who train intensively year-round.

Lim’s target meet this year, besides the Games, is the biennial FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia.

Also, having missed the 2012 London Olympics, she will be gunning for the 2016 edition in Rio, which she calls “every athlete’s dream”.

Kang hopes to keep training for a few more years to get stronger, stabilise his timings and reach his peak as most sprinters do at a later age.

For him, his preparation is not mindlessly centred on winning medals — although they are, of course, ideal — but rather, to constantly improve his timings.

“If the timing comes, the medal will come,” he reasons.

"But for any sportsman, no matter what competition, whether it’s in Singapore or not, it’ll be of the same intensity in terms of the level of competition and how much we put in."

Calvin Kang Third-year student Sports Science and Management READY TO GO: Calvin Kang awaits the starter's gun in the 4 x 100m relay.

PHOTOS: INTERNET

Sacrifices and priorities

Both athletes have also had to balance sporting commitments with their studies, in the midst of preparing for the Games.

Kang opted for a lighter load of three modules this semester in order to focus more on his preparations.

Lim added that while sacrifices were inevitable, NTU has been a constant source of support in her sporting endeavours.

“Juggling between school and training is never easy but I think NTU has put together a very supportive team of lecturers and advisors,” said Lim. “In the end we just have to work out a way where everything fits.”

Kang described his athletic journey as an ongoing and constant process of compromise.

Family time and an active social life are tough to come by given the intensity of training — he trains six times a week — as well as overseas stints.

To him, setting clear goals and knowing one’s priorities are important.

And whether one’s training is seasonal (for Institute-VarsityPolytechnic, Inter-School or InterHall), he still believes that mental strength remains imperative for every athlete — no matter the occasion.

“Consistency is very important in terms of the hours trained and your dedication,” said Kang.

Lim concluded: “I always live by this quote: if it is to be, it is up to me. That is what drives me.”

VOL. NO.

21

SPORTS

THE NANYANG

07 CHRONICLE

35

sports talk

IHG — All guts for no glory Nicole Chan

S

peak of the Inter-Hall Games (IHG) and the words “friendly competition” inevitably enter the conversation.

But dig deeper and unanswered questions lie beneath the surface.

Is such “friendly competition” truly possible when hall pride and bragging rights are at stake?

Or does winning matter more than giving novice sportsmen and sportswomen opportunities to participate and have fun?

The IHG, which takes up a significant part of the year’s university sporting activities, is part of the annual Hall Olympiad.

A general recruitment call is made to freshmen of the 18 Halls of Residence as they begin integrating into their halls.

Starting 15 Dec last year, the halls gathered in the spirit of friendly competition for the threemonth-long sports season.

The results of the games were not surprising — Halls 2, 3, 6 and 16 held on to the top ranks in various sports.

As with previous years, these halls, known as the “sports halls”, have consistently kept a reputation for strong athleticism.

In these sports halls, the IHG players have to be experienced in their sport and some were hand-

A MOMENT TO SAVOUR: Hall 16 celebrates their hockey championship win on 8 Jan.

picked even before the recruitment process began.

Even at the end of the recruitment period, last-minute additions may be accepted as long as they are outstanding players.

But for students who would like to try a new sport, their enthusiasm to participate is often overlooked and they are not selected because they are not as good as their more experienced counterparts.

Training hard

For those who make the cut, training for competitions requires much sacrifice.

Dance and cheer rehearsals can stretch to the wee hours of the morning; sports trainings are scheduled on weekends and throughout the December holidays.

Participants often neglect sleep and their social lives to keep up with these hectic demands.

But the rigour of IHG trainings and competitions undeniably brings individual halls closer.

Having watched the IHG both as a member of the welfare subcommittee, and trained with Hall 10's female hockey team, I can personally attest to how we bonded as a group both on and off the pitch.

PHOTO: CALVIN CHOW

Different perspectives

That said, I believe the level of enjoyment for novice sportsmen and women during the IHG often depends on the mentality of their respective halls.

For halls with poorer track records, it is almost a given that one of the dominant sports hall will win the title.

Consequently, our participation involves a more light-hearted spirit, allowing less experienced players to hold the fort with the sole intention of having fun.

In sports halls, less experienced individuals often end up relegated

to the bench as spectators.

They are reduced to looking on when their team-mates celebrate victory after victory.

When they do get the chance to play, they are overwhelmed by the weight of the hall’s expectations, pressure and unrelenting cheers.

While an athlete’s thirst to win is understandable, there is a clear disparity between the involvement of beginners and their more experienced counterparts.

Ultimately, I believe that the IHG suffers fuzzy priorities with regard to both the attitudes of its organisers and participants.

It is imperative that the IHG should not be confused with intraschool competitions such as the Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic Games or even the Singapore University Games.

Although winning may still be important and remains a key part of the Games, organisers should consider whether the competition comes at the expense of alienating sports novices.

I believe that considerations should be made allowing these novices to enjoy the games even if there remains an element of competition.

At the end of the day, every sportsmn deserves a chance to play and strive in the spirit of true “friendly competition” without worrying about being skilled enough.

bpl talk

Transfer window shopping Tan Zhuan Liang Matthew Mohan, Sports Editor THE commencement of the January transfer window in the Barclays Premier League has seen the usual rigmarole of clubs looking for new bargains and players looking for fatter paychecks, as though they don’t make millions already.

We start off in the Northwest of England where Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is reportedly continuing his quest to hoard even more former Southampton players, following the moves of Adam Lallana and company to Merseyside at the start of the season.

Unfortunately for him, mid-table mediocrity doesn’t quite have the same allure and glamour as Champions League football.

Speaking of Rodgers and Liverpool, word has it that the club will unveil their latest “signing” — forward Daniel Sturridge — who has made a miraculous recovery from a thigh injury sustained in late August.

That is if he makes it out onto the pitch.

This apparently excited fellow forward Mario Balotelli, who took a selfie with Sturridge before skulking to his customised leather seat on the bench.

When it comes to scoring goals or signing players, rivals Manchester United are famous for doing things at the very last minute.

In similar fashion to manager Louis Van Gaal’s tinkering of his pick of players and playing formations, the club remains undecided and are still fiddling with their list of potential signings.

Real Madrid star Gareth Bale’s name has been whispered nervously and for good reason — the Red Devils need a new set-piece taker now that Phil Jones has started taking corners.

That being said, any new signings may just be tinkered out of the team. Just ask Radamel Falcao — Old Trafford’s answer to Mario Balotelli.

Noisy neighbours Manchester City, in accordance to European

football governing body UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules, were punished for spending too much last season.

As a result, the Citizens have settled for Swansea City forward Wilfried Bony for a paltry £25 million (S$50 million) — consistent with their “use and dispose” team policy.

Bony had evidently not kept in contact with his former team-mate Scott Sinclair either.

The latter has disappeared off the face of the footballing sphere since his move to the Etihad, never to be seen again.

Fellow heavyweights Chelsea, with their financial might, have been unusually frugal in this window.

The club with a penchant to sign world-class strikers and turn them into flops has, however, caught the wandering eye of the world’s second-best football player Lionel Messi.

The Argentine ace has followed the Blues’ Instagram account, shaking the footballing world.

The fact that he also follows

“inspire_me_home_decor”on Instagram, however, seems to have been conveniently overlooked.

Still in the English capital, Arsenal seem to have run out of spare change to salvage their leaky defence after spending £34 million to sign Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona last summer, and a club record £42.5 million to bring Mesut Özil from Real Madrid.

With Per Mertesacker as agile as a newborn giraffe and Laurent Koscielny adeptly skilled at giving away penalties, the Arsenal backline still needs some work.

The fact that Messi also follows the “inspire_me_ home_decor” Instagram page, however, seems to have been conveniently overlooked.

Let’s not forget goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny — he’s still suffer-

ing from withdrawal symptoms.

The Pole was dropped to the bench and slapped with a £20,000 fine for smoking in the showers after Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat at Southampton on New Year’s Day. However, well-known scrooge Arsene Wenger will probably summon reinforcements from the youth academy, and the problems will temporarily be forgotten.

After all, didn’t the Gunners just defeat Manchester City?

Instead of signing new players, fellow Londoners Crystal Palace have acquired a new manager in Alan Pardew.

Rumour has it that Pardew decided to leave Newcastle after he was told he would not be allowed to sell any more of the club’s best players.

That and the death threats.

As the transfer window slams shut, we could still be in for a fewlast minute surprises.

After all, desperate times call for desperate measures.

And more terrible signings to poke fun at.

Look away, Fernando Torres.

Sports

An alternative transfer window — Page 35

Golden moments: A round-up of IVP 2015 Netball

Lim Wei Hao Neo Jie Yao

W

ith 10 sports crammed into the space of a month, the Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Games 2015 has been a whirlwind of non-stop sporting events and intense competition.

We look at some of the winning performances from NTU thus far.

Swimming

NTU men’s swim team emerged triumphant from the pool to bring home the championship trophy — a marked improvement from their 4th place finish last year.

Not only did the swim team catch the attention of many with their flamboyant attire – swimsuits adorned with unicorns and rainbows, their performance in the pool was unstoppable, complete with a magnificent display of confidence and team spirit.

It was a tight affair as NTU had entered the final race in overall second place, trailing behind the National University of Singapore (NUS).

Despite the uphill task, our relay team proved to be too strong for their opponents and led the race from start to finish.

Their win proved to be the decisive factor as NTU was crowned overall champions.

The team’s performance was lauded by captain Lai Zhi Han, 24, a third-year student at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (WKWSCI). He felt that team spirit and consistent trainings were a crucial element in their win.

“We upped the intensity of training, identified events early, focused on basics and added variations such as dryland workouts that left the swimmers sore for days,” said Lai. Lai was also heartened to see his teammates motivating one another and forging a strong team spirit.

“While most people think that swimming is an individual sport, the dynamics of the team got better over the months and the swimmers were a lot more motivated,” Lai added.

Track & field

Four athletes from NTU stood head and shoulders above the rest, clinching gold medals for the university in this year’s Track and Field IVP Games.

The first was Nurul Jannah, 23, a final-year Sports Science and

ACCESS DENIED: Two NTU Netball players block an attempt in the goal circle.

Management student who clinched the gold in the triple jump event.

Jannah, whose achievements include seven gold medals at the IVP Games and a string of competition records, managed to defend her triple jump title.

This was despite juggling training sessions and internship at the same time.

Even with vast experience under her belt, the humble athlete praised her teammates for their support.

“They bring so much motivation and joy during trainings, and are an outlet to discuss your training woes besides our coach,” said Jannah.

Another outstanding athlete was Landdis Su, 25, a third-year student from WKWSCI, who won the discus throw event with an impressive new championship record, surpassing his own expectations with a throw of 44.62 metres.

Su broke his personal best twice with his first three throws in the competition and that gave him an immense confidence boost, which led to his record-breaking throw.

His previous personal best was 41.04m set in 2013.

On breaking the competition record, Su said: “It was amazing and I never felt more relieved in my life, reason being I have been stagnating for many years.”

He added: “I was pretty demoralised along the way but I am glad I persevered and continued training hard. The satisfaction after the official announced my distance

was like no other.”

Lai Yong Hui, 26, a secondyear student from the National Institute of Education, pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Education, was another stand-out performer.

He retained both the Triple Jump and Long Jump titles he won last year.

With 16 years of track and field experience under his belt, he currently holds both the Triple Jump and Long Jump IVP championship

records, with distances of 15.15m and 7.25m respectively.

Lai said that the journey to excellence was not easy and often meant training alone to push himself further.

“I have been training alone for years. I only train with my coach for a total of four hours per week. Most times I have to execute the training routines without supervision. But it is the passion that keeps me going,” said Lai.

GOING THE DISTANCE: Nurul Jannah on the way to retaining her triple jump crown.

Back on the courts, the NTU Netball team banished the ghosts of the previous championship by bringing home the championship title.

NTU met fierce rivals NUS at this year’s finals — as they did last year.

They eventually emerged victorious.

The team was in impressive form from the start of the competition, and qualified for the knockout stages by topping their group.

They displayed their offensive capabilities by winning all three preliminary matches, with the highlight being the demolition of Singapore Management University (SMU) by a score of 101-14.

In the final, NTU managed to rally to overturn the deficit and eventually edge past NUS with a score of 55-51 to take home the victory.

Koh Hin Ann, 22, a thirdyear student from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and captain, said: “The netball court was like a battlefield and the spectators were roaring with cheers for both teams. Winning the championship is certainly the highlight of the whole season.”

She added that her team had no doubt they would clinch gold right from the start of the competition.

“In terms of attitude, the team believed that we would be champions and this gave us the extra push and motivation to push through,” she said.

PHOTOS: MUN YONG JIAN