The Nanyang Chronicle Vol 22 Issue 10

THE NANYANG

CHRONICLE

VOL. NO.

22

10 8.08.16

ISSN NO. 0218-7310

WINDSURFING

HIS WAY TO RIO NTU’s Leonard Ong on how he overcame odds to qualify for the Olympics| Page 5

Easy, healthy recipes you can cook on campus| Page 5

Tips to prepare for the new school year | Page 7

How you can swap your style for a fresh look| Page 11 PHOTO COURTESY OF LEONARD ONG

02 OPINIONS EDITORIAL

THE NANYANG

CHRONICLE MANAGING EDITOR Kenji Kwok

CHIEF SUB-EDITOR Godwin Ng

NEWS EDITOR

Karl Elliott Lim Peng Lim Ching Ying

LIFESTYLE EDITOR Constance Yeo

SPORTS EDITOR Nicole Chia

OPINIONS EDITOR Dipshikha Ghosh

DAPPER EDITOR Gary Khoo Gracia Ow Kimberly Ong

PHOTOGRAPHERS

PHOTO EDITOR Kenji Kwok

Lim Pei Yi Low Zhang Quan

COMMUNITY EDITOR

REPORTERS

Miranda Yeo

BUSINESS MANAGER Sheena Wong

PRODUCTION SUPPORT Joe Tok Kenny Wong

FACULTY ADVISORS

Edson Tandoc Zakaria Zainal

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

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

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

22

CHRONICLE 10 A column by Chronicle Editors on issues close to their hearts

LAST month, Acting Minister for Education Ong Ye Kung advised graduates not to “settle to be a cookiecutter graduate”, a message he has been consistently pushing for since he took up the position last year.

It’s a challenge to be different, to stand out, and to not just go with the flow, especially in a harsh employment climate.

This new academic year presents an opportunity to take up that challenge.

For those who did not perform up to their expectations the last year, whether in terms of grades or expanding their portfolio, a new year represents a fresh start.

For others, it’s just another year to keep up the fight to stay on their honours track.

Or the new academic year might just be a time for some to discover passion in areas beyond the confines of lecture halls and tutorial rooms.

Take some internships or work attachments. Participate or organise extra-curricular activities. Take up that class you were interested in but never had the guts to.

You don’t have to be everything all at once, but trying on new things will help you discover what you are really passionate about.

This might seem intimidating, but a little planning goes a long way. For starters, decide how you want to spend each year, including the summer break, which could be the best time for you to pursue your interests or learn a new skill.

See each year as progression, a journey that culminates in an ultimate goal at the end of your university career.

Regardless of how you choose to find purpose in this new academic year, choose one that will make it count in years to come.

Charmaine Ng

VOL. NO.

frankly, my dear

Finding purpose in the new academic year

CHIEF EDITOR

THE NANYANG

James Ng Nicholas Yeo

Being okay with Option B Lim Ching Ying News Editor

G

rowing up, success was the only option I was taught to accept. When I was in Primary Six, I was bent on attending the top girls’ school in Singapore.

That year, urged on by my parents and teachers, I began my relentless quest to gain entry into my dream secondary school. At the tender age of 12, I was assembling portfolios, reading interview tips, practising my firmest handshake and filling in application forms.

Yet, all that amounted to nothing when I failed the Direct School Admission interview.

A few months later, I lost another golden opportunity to achieve my goal when I missed the school’s cutoff score by a mere three points.

When I was posted to my third choice of secondary school instead, my teacher had only one piece of advice for me: Go for an appeal.

This led to yet another round of interviews, which I once again bombed. My secondary school years began on a sour note as I was upset at failing my teachers, parents and finally myself.

I was not alone in going through these experiences of failure.

In junior college, my schoolmates

who wanted to become doctors or lawyers felt pressured to score straight As or give their childhood dreams up entirely.

If we failed to reach our goals, we often felt like we weren’t working hard, or didn’t want them badly enough. To this day, my best friend texts me whenever she needs consolation over a bad grade.

After all, “do or do not, there is no try”, as what our favourite Jedi master said, and what our teachers or parents told us.

Fast forward to today and if I had to pick between achieving something at all costs or option B, I would be fine with the latter.

Option B is not a backup plan. It refers to an alternative – not in the hipster, road-less-travelled sense but, simply put, accepting the cards you’re dealt with.

Of course, many achieve what they want when they keep trying.

I’ve had peers who reapplied to universities and courses of their choice after facing rejection and eventually got what they wanted.

But fully embracing the alternative option means accepting that second chances may not happen.

To me, failed experiences are experiences nonetheless, and just as much a part of who I am as the triumphant moments in my life.

I failed to get into my coveted

secondary school, but I would be far more jiak kantang (non-Chinese-speaking) than I am now if I had gone there.

As someone who cannot read musical notes, I would not have been able to join a guitar ensemble — something I did in my junior college because we were the only school that worked with tabs.

This isn’t me trying to comfort myself. After all, I am aware I might have received more opportunities in the school I wanted.

At my dream school, I could have come under the tutelage of a bigger literature department or attended more writing programmes to hone my passion for writing.

When I look at my ex-classmates who attended those schools, I do wonder sometimes if I could have achieved a more impressive portfolio than the one I have today.

Yet I remain deeply thankful for the path I was given as it has made me wiser and sharpened aspects of my character in other ways.

Option B is something we should never rule out. Though it may feel like scant consolation for what we originally had in mind, option B remains a perfectly decent route.

Now, whenever I face crossroads, I take faith in the choice I’m allocated because I know that either way, I’ll be just fine.

ASIA JOURNALISM FELLOWSHIP

Since July, 18 journalists across Asia have been attending professional workshops and seminars held at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information as part of the Asia Journalism Fellowship. The programme, a joint initiative with the Temasek Foundation, will end in October.

GRAPHIC ARTISTS

Dawn Puah Goh Pei Xuan Ignatius Koh Loy Kheng Wee Muhammad Syafiq Nicole Lim Quah Jia Ling Ry-Anne Lim Sherlyn Goh Sean Loo

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

PHOTO COURTESY OF ASIA JOURNALISM FELLOWSHIP

News

Cooking clean | Lifestyle, Page 5

Striking it out as students Holiday jobs are a popular option for students during the semester break but for some, working is second nature.

The Nanyang Chronicle highlights two enterprising students who have found a footing in their fields of business, while still in school.

HE IS HIS OWN BOSS

SHE PARTIES FOR WORK

After his father died in 2004, Isaac Mung started a banner design company to support his ageing mother.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ISAAC MUNG

MUCH like many other part-timers, 22-year-old Isaac Mung is working while studying. But one thing separates him from the rest — he works for his own company.

The first-year Electrical and Electronic Engineering student found the drive to become an entrepreneur after discovering the poor state of his family’s finances two years ago.

He was a year into national service when he sat down and went through his family’s bank statements, bills, insurance policies and stock assets. His calculations showed he would have scant savings left once he completed university.

“I lost my father to cancer back in 2004, and my mother quit her job when I was born to take care of me so there wasn’t any income,” he said.

He decided he had to find a way to support his ageing mother, as well as offset his own expenses.

“That was when I texted my running buddies and pitched the idea of starting a banner design company,” he said.

They took to his suggestion well and met him that night at a McDonald’s outlet at the nearby Tampines Mall to brainstorm for more ideas. By the end of the night, they came up with their first brainchild – a company called Snow Web Design.

Two years on, Mung runs Bolide Ventures, a graphic calculator rental enterprise targeted at students. The company also specialises in startup businesses and counts Snow Web Design as one of its subsidiaries.

He is also a managing partner of printing company Pisti Prints.

Although Mung never imagined that he would become an entrepreneur, he now gets a thrill from managing his business assets.

“I actually wanted to be a pilot,” he said. “But now, running a business and finding out ways to profit and value-add other clients and companies are what energises me.”

He added that he enjoys meeting people who are passionate and hungry to learn in his line of work.

“I was taught to have three kinds of people in every stage of my life,” he said. “A mentor, who is someone more experienced than you, a friend who is around the same level of ability and can walk this journey with you, and a person who is not as skilled but hungry to learn, who you can actually value-add and equip with the skill that will propel them to the next level.” — RY-ANNE LIM

As an events planner, Sarah Almodiel says the most interesting aspect of her job is the people she meets.

PHOTO: NICOLE LIM

FOR her 21st birthday, Sarah Almodiel opted for a modest celebration with a plain cake, pizza and a homemade photobooth — a far cry from the lavish affairs she is used to throwing at her part-time job.

For the past three years, the second-year student from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences has been working for an events company that handles planning and execution for company events.

Her work involves ensuring that even the minutest details suit the designated theme and finding party entertainment ranging from photobooths to mechanical bulls.

“I once organised a company dinner where the theme was ‘Old School Singapore’ and instead of buffet spreads, we built food stalls resembling the typical roadside stalls in the past,” she said.

“Everyone came in singlets and

slippers and many of the older employees said it felt very nostalgic,” she added.

Although the part-time job is time-consuming for the English literature undergraduate, who is actively involved in hall activities and pursuing a double major in communications, she revels in the sense of accomplishment after a successful event.

“Having so much on my plate also forces me to manage my time better,” she said. “In a way it has helped me be more disciplined.”

She also finds the opportunity to network with a variety of people the most interesting aspect about her job.

She said: “You meet a diverse range of people and end up making many friends, all while establishing many useful connections.”

— NICOLE LIM

Lifestyle foodsnoop

POWER PROTEIN MEALS

With all the hype surrounding high-protein low-carb diets, Lifestyle writers Goh Pei Xuan and Sherlyn Goh try out two crowd-pleasing eateries that offer a range of yummy and healthy meals.

THE DAILY CUT 1 #B1-31 One Raffles Place Singapore 048616 Monday to Friday: 11am - 3pm, 6.30pm - 8.30pm Saturday to Sunday 11am - 3.30pm Open on Public Holidays EATING clean should not be a chore. So when gym buff Jonathan Yang was frustrated by the lack of good recovery food after his workouts, he opened The Daily Cut to provide high-protein, low-carb meals. With at least 16 gyms in the vicinity, it is no wonder the Raffles place eatery has been such a hit.

The Daily Cut’s smallest portion starts from a regular-sized box at $12 which comprises one protein, one complex carb and three sides. Protein choices include chicken breast or thigh, tilapia or salmon fillet, tofu, ribeye steak and turkey breast, while complex carbs include brown rice, romaine lettuce and whole-wheat pasta etc. Sides include sous vide egg and quinoa, among others. The lunch boxes also come in Large ($15), and Beast ($18), which includes one and two more protein servings respectively.

We got the salmon fillet, which was pink in the middle and while the salmon skin was oily, it did not leave a greasy aftertaste. The button mushrooms were pillow-soft and melt-in-your-mouth buttery, complementing the rather bland steamed sweet potatoes. Boiled edamame beans and fresh cherry tomatoes completed the meal.

True to the eatery’s slogan to “make clean eating easy and enjoyable, one protein salad at a time”, the food was light on the palate and the portions were just right.

LEAN BENTO 11 Collyer Quay The Arcade #02-02 Singapore 049317 Monday to Friday: 11.15am - 5.30pm Closed on weekdays and Public Holidays

PHOTOS: NICHOLAS YEO

THE idea of clean eating can often appear tasteless, bland and boring.

But Lean Bento’s concept of healthy Japanese-inspired takeaways may perhaps change that misconception.

The 24-seat eatery offers a small menu of hearty set meals for those who are strapped for time. For gym rats watching their diets, Lean Bento has also got them covered by providing the nutritional information for each set meal.

The Honey Baked Chicken Donburi ($13.95) came in a handy recyclable takeaway box, packed with 52 grams of protein, 56 grams of carbs, and 12 grams of fat.

Sweet chunks of chicken thigh, crunchy roasted broccoli and brown nigiri rice balls sat atop a bed of fresh lettuce.

A cherry tomato, sweet corn kernels and melty soft-boiled egg added a pop of colour to the vibrant bento.

The tender chicken chunks had a hint of honey and were juicy, complementing the chewy nigiri rice balls which had the consistency of sticky glutinous rice.

The fresh lettuce and broccoli were lightly seasoned with rosemary and provided a nice balance to the sweet rice and chicken.

Topping it off, the runny yolk from the soft-boiled egg left a buttery aftertaste — a perfect end to the delectable bento.

Chinese Heritage Centre | Page 6

Healthy Hall eats

Low budget and healthy eating amid hectic school schedules means whipping up your own meals. Lifestyle writers Goh Pei Xuan and Sherlyn Goh came up with their own rendition of high-protein low-carb meals.

Lemon Salmon There’s nothing fishy about this creamy slab of salmon surrounded by sauteed vegetables. Tangy with a hint of sweetness, this well-balanced meal keeps your stomach full and your waistline trim.

Prep time: 10 min Cook time: 22 min Serves: 1

Main Ingredients

1 sweet potato ($2.20/kg) ½ box of cherry tomatoes ($1.90/box) ½ box of Swiss brown mushrooms ($3.55/box) 1 salmon fillet ($5.00) ½ box of sweet peas ($1.50/box) 1 lemon ($0.70)

Vegetables 1. Slice sweet potato to preferred thickness 2. Fill pot with water and bring to a boil 3. Add in sweet potatoes and peas when water is boiling 4. Boil vegetables for 10 mins, remove peas and leave sweet potatoes to continue boiling for 2 more minutes Mushrooms 1. Slice mushrooms to preferred thickness 2. Season mushrooms with salt and pepper 3. Add ½ tablespoon of olive oil into heated pan 4. Sauté for 4 minutes or until mushrooms are browned Salmon 1. Marinate salmon with lemon juice, salt and pepper for 2 minutes, just before frying 2. Pan-fry salmon fillet for 6 minutes on each side or until preferred doneness

Cauli Chicken This healthy chicken rice swaps white rice for diced cauliflower ‘rice’, which makes for a crunchy surprise. Combined with honey chicken pieces, greens, cherry tomatoes and corn, this super simple dish is both guilt-free and fuss-free.

Prep time: 10 min Cook time: 25 min Serves: 1

Main Ingredients

PHOTOS: NICHOLAS YEO

¼ head cauliflower ($1.20/head) ¼ head broccoli ($1.75/head) ½ medium corn corb ($1.50/packet of two) 100g chicken breast ($3.25/kg) 4 cherry tomatoes ($1.90/packet) Lettuce ($3.75/packet) Other condiments: Salt, pepper, honey, soya sauce, oil

Cauliflower rice 1. Dice cauliflower head 2. Add 1 tablespoon of water and microwave it for 6-7 minutes, season with salt and pepper Chicken & Greens 1. Cut chicken into even slices and sprinkle with salt and pepper 2. Pan-fry chicken for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until golden brown 3. Cut broccoli and boil for 4 to 5 minutes 4. Boil corn cob for 15 minutes before slicing kernels off the cob 5. Wash cherry tomatoes and lettuce Honey Sauce 1. Mix 1.5 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of soya sauce, squeeze ¼ lemon into mixture Assemble cauliflower rice, chicken and greens on a serving plate and drizzle honey sauce over the chicken to serve.

06

LIFESTYLE

THE NANYANG

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CHRONICLE 10

Preserving NTU's heritage Lifestyle writers Muhammad Syafiq and Loy Kheng Wee visit the often overlooked Chinese Heritage Centre to explore the history and significance behind this iconic building.

Opening Hours: Mon to Fri - 9.30am to 5pm, Sat and Sun - 10am to 5pm. Closed on public holidays. Last admission 4.30pm Permanent exhibitions: Free admission for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents; $4 per adult, $2 per student for foreign visitors

M

ost students walk by this red and gold oriental building, but only few would know the Chinese Heritage Centre (CHC) is a museum, library and research centre rolled into one, specialising in the study of people of Chinese descent outside of China.

This often overlooked historical gem, which houses exhibits that take spectators back to when NTU started, was also gazetted as a National Monument by the National Heritage Board in 1998.

The CHC houses the Wang Gungwu Library and two permanent exhibitions on the first floor, while the Nantah Pictorial exhibition and Chinese More or Less are featured on the second floor.

The Nantah Pictorial exhibition details Nanyang University's history from the early 1950s.

The walls of the exhibit are adorned with pictures showing notable historical events, such as the Chinese community’s efforts to build the first and only Chinese institute of higher education and the student activism by the thenstudents of Nantah in the 1960s.

One of the most memorable pictures in the exhibit was one of the CHC building with its distinct architecture, taken in the 1950s. Although it has been 60 years since the black and white picture was taken, the iconic landmark remains unchanged.

Despite its fresh facade, the Chinese Heritage Centre is steeped with history and has been standing in its current location since the 1950s.

The exhibit allows NTU students to learn and understand the history of Nanyang University and how NTU came to be.

On the other hand, Chinese More or Less is an exhibit about the meaning of the Chinese identity.

The expansive exhibit — which took us about 45 minutes to view — provides historical background on how the Chinese diaspora migrated out of China and lived in the other areas of the world. It includes many pictures and artefacts such as ancient coins.

It also showcases prominent Chinese businessmen, such as the late philanthropist Tan Kah Kee and physician Dr Lim Boon Keng, both

The Nantah Pictorial exhibition tells the tale of NTU's founding and chronicles the university's journey over the years.

of whom founded Xiamen University in 1921.

The exhibition also showed how these Chinese leaders promoted Chinese culture by opening schools and institutions of higher learning, such as The Chinese High School and the Singapore Chinese Girls’ School here.

Professor Zhou Min, director of Chinese Heritage Centre, said both of the permanent exhibitions will be revamped and expanded by the end of the year as CHC plans to incorporate multimedia technology to enhance visitors’ experience.

Prof Zhou said most of CHC’s visitors were tourists from neighbouring countries such as China,

Malaysia and Indonesia. These tourists book sightseeing heritage tours with local travel agencies to visit the national monument.

Final-year Civil Engineering undergraduate Joel Goh has always found the historial landmark out of place in NTU’s modern campus.

“When I first entered NTU, I thought CHC looked like a temple," the 26-year-old said.

“Sometimes I even see tourists posing in front of it.”

But it is not just tourists who visit CHC. The heritage centre also often welcomes students of all ages, from primary level to junior college level to learn about Chinese roots in Singapore.

EVEN before Chen Sixuan entered NTU in August 2014, she was already a regular patron of CHC. Then 18, she started working as a museum tour guide at CHC after learning of the job from her older NTU friends who were also guides.

Chen, who was interested in working in an academic and cultural environment, applied and became a guide in early 2014.

She earned a token sum of $15 per tour and conducted up to five tours a month.

Her job scope included walking visitors through both of CHC’s permanent exhibitions: the Nantah Pictorial exhibition and Chinese More or Less.

She would also share relevant anecdotes and interesting stories and pose food-for-thought questions that help visitors better understand and appreciate the exhibitions.

“When you spend time researching and know how to explain the history to others, you know the culture better and find it more interesting,” the Chinese national said.

PHOTOS: KENJI KWOK

“The heritage centre represents an important part of Singapore’s history and the struggles of the Chinese population in their thirst for higher education in the 1950s,” Prof Zhou said.

“The building itself is a piece of history, of how the community struggled to build the university.”

Cindy Low, a first-year Chinese studies student said: “I’ve always passed by the building and found that the building has very oriental vibes which is unique given that the rest of NTU doesn’t have a Chinese theme.

“I wouldn’t mind going for the exhibitions if there's no entry fee,” the 21-year-old added.

Chen, who is currently a second-year student at the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, said her most memorable visitor was a man from China who had an immense fascination with Chinese history.

“We talked to each other for 10 minutes about the exhibition and at the end, he even shared his family story with me,” she said.

Although they no longer keep in touch, this conversation remained meaningful to Chen as most visitors were usually reserved and tended to keep to themselves during guided tours.

Chen hopes more NTU students will apply as guides as she feels working in CHC helped her to stay close to her Chinese roots despite living in a foreign country.

She also said: “The exhibitions showcase the history of early Chinese Singaporeans and give visitors a peek into how far the Chinese community has come in Singapore.

“When you step into CHC, it feels like you’re being transported into the past. It’s a good place for students to immerse in Chinese culture.”

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LIFESTYLE 07

THE NANYANG

10 CHRONICLE

back-to-school special

It’s a situation Easties are familiar with — you’ve finished watching an episode of your favourite drama but NTU is still many stops away. Graphics artist Lim Pei Yi and Sports writer Ignatius Koh share their tips on how to survive the train ride to NTU.

ELIMINATE THE NOISE

Nothing beats plugging in and losing yourself in music – that’s if your phone still has any juice left. Have a portable charger with you at all times. You don’t want to be trapped in the MRT without entertainment. It’s like being in lecture, but the only difference is you’re moving.

WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS

If your phone runs out of battery during your ride, don’t despair. You came to NTU for a reason – to get a degree. Whip out those lecture notes and take your first step towards a 5.0 GPA. It might not be the best way to study but when you have no Wi-Fi, even notes can turn into novels.

FORTY WINKS

When school and hall commitments are flung at you from all directions, every chance to take a nap is precious. The train is a conducive place for some shuteye before you reach school for your 9am lectures. While there may be ambient sounds like wailing kids or gossiping aunties, you’d be too tired to care.

08-09 LIFESTYLE

THE FRESHMAN’S GUIDE TO NTU You’re stuck on Pulau NTU, away from the comforts of home. You have no idea what’s in store, or where anything is. With this guide, Graphics artist Lim Pei Yi and Sports writer Ignatius Koh bring you the lowdown on campus amenities.

STATIONERY

It happens to the best of us — your pen is out of ink and your ruler is nowhere to be found. Fortunately, there are many places in NTU to spruce up your pencil case.

You can find an array of stationery at Prime supermarket at North Spine Plaza. Just be careful not to get sidetracked by Dunkin’ Donuts or Each-A-Cup while you’re there.

Further down at the adjacent academic buildings, there is a must-know bookstore at basement five of Block S4 where you can buy stationery as well as textbooks.

Away from the academic blocks, there are two other places to get your stationery fix. Head down to the Popular bookstore at the National Institute of Education or drop by Giant supermarket at Hall of Residence 2.

COLD SHOULDERS

Demanding professors are not the only thing to be afraid of in lecture theatres and tutorial rooms.

Be prepared to confront the cold blast of airconditioning, which seems to be cranked to the lowest everywhere you go.

It’s almost as if they are specifically designed to train and condition students to brave freezing temperatures before they fly off to Scandinavia for exchange in the harsh and frigid winter.

Bring along a jacket or cardigan if you are averse to low temperatures. Otherwise, you’ll be more focused on shivering and blowing your nose instead of paying attention to the lecture and taking down notes.

For female students, here’s your chance to mix and match the layers you’ve always wanted to wear. Ditch your casual tank tops and slippers for pants and leggings for a dressier look.

MATRICULATION CARD

It’s the most important card that all NTU students should carry on them at all times. Your matriculation card unlocks tutorial rooms at The Hive if you wish to study there, verifies your identity for welfare pack giveaways and helps the forgetful ones remember their matriculation number.

NTU MOBILE

If you need any more reasons to love NTU, this app is it. Several useful features such as Maps and Directory will help you find your way around school, a useful crutch considering how easy it is to get lost in the confusing pathways of NTU. There is also a calendar of NTU events giving you the lowdown on when and where to receive freebies. Also on the app is the Blackboard, which is the mobile version of the NTULearn website, the place where you receive course information, download readings and watch online lectures.

An interesting feature is the Crowd Watch, where you can toggle several CCTV cameras and check the crowd at the most visited places on campus.

THE NANYANG

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CHRONICLE 10 HOME AWAY FROM HOME Living on campus is one of the highlights of university life and you should start on a clean note by ensuring your room is spick and span. The halls have been unoccupied since the previous semester ended three months ago so expect to do some housework. And no, there is no cleaning service provided by the hall.

You can begin with some simple mopping and wiping, before furnishing your room just the way you want it. Both Giant and Prime sell cleaning supplies that will keep your room spotless for the rest of the year. It’s time you showed your parents how housework is done.

STAY CONNECTED

There are three things millennials need to survive: Food, water, and Wi-Fi. Unfortunately, some halls have weak internet connection so to stay online without incurring data charges, buy a router for your room. Unless you can thrive without free internet, you should consider splitting the cost with your roommate.

Single room dwellers, you may want to get to know your neighbour and you might just make a new friend to share a router with.

HUNGER PANGS

With most of the vending machines removed from campus, there is no solution for your late night hunger except McDonald’s – which closes at midnight – at North Spine.

To satisfy your tummy in the wee hours, bring in snacks to nibble on. Don’t worry, a run around the campus’ 4.3-kilometre long blue running track will keep your weight in check.

LAUNDRY DAY

The washing machines and dryers in halls only accept new $1 coins so ensure that you have a steady supply, or you might have to ask someone.

But that’s how you make new friends right?

If your neighbours are away and you’re really desperate, here’s a cool tip.

Simply put any permutation of coins adding up to $1 in the vending machine, press the coin return button and voila! You now have a brand new $1 coin.

As the laundry room is a shared facility and there are limited machines available, please be considerate and remove your clothes once you are done. You wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of a dryer hogger yourself, would you?

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CHRONICLE 10

techreview

BANG FOR YOUR BUCK How much is too much to spend on headphones? Priced from under $100 to thousands of dollars, is it truly a matter of getting what you pay for or is it just overpriced hype? Jay Yeo tests out four mid-range headphones priced between $200 and $500 to see if they hit a sweet spot in price and performance.

MARSHALL MAJOR II BLUETOOTH ($259)

 THE distinctive Marshall black leather and white script logo makes for a strong first impression of the Marshall Major II Bluetooth.

It builds upon the looks and success of the previous Marshall Major model with a new trick — it is now able to operate wirelessly through Bluetooth. The traditional wired mode is still an option with an included cable, so running out of battery will not be an issue.

The newly improved control knob allows the user to now control the music and volume by pushing it in a direction, much like a tiny joystick.

SENNHEISER M2 OEI ($319)

 WITH its classy leather and metal build, the Sennheiser M2 looks good without drawing attention to itself and complements formal and casual outfits.

It is light and comfortable to wear, is foldable and features an in-line microphone and remote.

But what sets the M2 apart from other headphones of this price range is the large soundstage and detailed separation of the musical layers. Vocals are clean, uncoloured and sit in the middle of the music, never overpowering the other song elements, allowing for a layered musical experience.

It also has deeper and more controlled bass that is true to the source track.

But some might be slightly disappointed by its preference toward bass depth instead of volume.

Connected to the Centrance, the M2 boasts even smoother vocals.

The M2 works well across almost all genres except rock, which might require a stronger bass presence for a satisfying audio performance.

The M2 has surprisingly good sound performance. It is a strong competition to many headphones above its retail price and punches above its weight at this price point.

BEYERDYNAMIC CUSTOM STREET ($398)

 THE Custom Street gets its namesake from its versatility and customisability, and is the smaller version of the Custom One Pro. It comes in black or white, but the design of the headphone cups can be changed by unscrewing the ring plate and replacing the printed inserts with any of the 16 designs that come with the headphones.

More designs are sold separately.

The ear cups are comfortable and they isolate decently against ambient sound.

A notable feature is the built-in

bass switch with three adjustment levels, but for general music, the low and mid settings might be too sibilant and lacks body.

When connected to the Centrance, the bass and timbre of the sound improved significantly as compared with the headphones' neutral performance on its own.

Overall, the Custom Street offers a lot of potential in looks, features and sound but with each Cover costing about S$5 per set and cables at S$20 each, the costs can quickly add up.

While the Marshall fits comfortably, the thicker ear cups tend to trap more heat during extended listening periods of more than two or three hours.

Best described as a fun sound that forgoes precision and subtlety for bold and unabashed enjoyment, the Major II stands out because of its deeper, full-bodied, and boomier bass sound signature.

This signature sound brings a satisfying presence and gravity to the music.

The bass-led sound lends itself easily to grooving to the beat. It is not slouchy in the mids and highs

either, although it tends to bring out the main vocal track more than the backing vocals and effects.

Most genres will sound good on the Major II, but those with acoustic or instrumental preferences might find the bass a tad overpowering.

As it is, however, the Major II performs very well on its own and does not require a separate audio device like the Centrance to perform its best.

At S$259, the Marshall Major II is highly recommended for being the most affordable and yet having Bluetooth capability and great sound quality.

BEYERDYNAMIC T51P ($398)

 THE T51p is part of Beyerdynamic's Tesla line of products which boast efficiency and transparency of sound. With its finished metal, black accents and clean lines, the design is distinctively German.

The ear pads are filled with memory foam, making it one of the most comfortable on-ear designs without being too thick or hot after long hours of usage.

While the build is overall excellent, the cable is attached to both sides of the ear cups, which means the headphones must be removed with both hands to avoid tangling.

Sound quality is very good, with sparkly highs, clean piano notes and punchy bass. With forwardsounding vocals and a warm and slightly grainy quality, the headphones present an intimate soundstage such that any lack of clarity is a forgivable trade-off.

It performs particularly well on most pop and R&B ballads and would likely please fans of mainstream music.

However, despite a delightfully punchy bass, it lacks the depth to elevate the sound to head-banging territory, making it a bit pricey for its sound quality.

Overall, the T51p sounds great straight out of an iPhone, and reaches much of its full potential without having to hook up extra audio equipment.

Author's note: Music was tested from an iPhone 6 with lossless (high-quality) music and Spotify Premium. A separate device, Centrance HiFi M8, was used to test if the headphones sounded better when paired with dedicated audio equipment.

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DAPPER

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ALTER EGO Four undergraduates step out of their comfort zones by ditching their current wardrobes for bold and fresh looks. They share their thoughts on stepping out to the streets in new style.

FROM BASIC TO PREPPY Martin Loh, 22 First-year student, Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information

THE extroverted and outgoing Martin Loh switched his simple tee and jeans for a colourful preppy look.

Decked out in a pink checkered shirt and matching navy blazer and pants, Loh posed confidently in his new style. “I’d wear the pink shirt out on a normal day,” he said.

“It's very versatile and will go well even with a simple pair of bermudas.”

Loh said he would emulate the preppy getup for future formal events. “This style is very bold but it makes me feel confident in it,” he added.

LEFT: Before makeover RIGHT: After makeover Bowtie, $29.90 Shirt, $99.90 Blazer, $398 Pants, $178 All from Benjamin Barker

Text: Photos: Styling:

Goh Pei Xuan Sherlyn Goh Kimberly Ong Gary khoo Gracia Ow Kimberly Ong

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CHRONICLE 10 FROM FLORAL TO CHIC Amanda Lee, 20 First-year student, School of Humanities and Social Sciences

AMANDA Lee left her shy personality behind with this loud and chic outfit. The softspoken student said she often sticks to casual floral dresses because they are fuss-free and save her the trouble of having to match tops and bottoms.

She also thought it would be difficult to pull off pants with her physique.

"I'm not very tall, so it's always hard to find pants that fit me," she said. "This outfit is slightly out of my comfort zone, but I will definitely try it the next time I go out."

LEFT: Before makeover RIGHT: After makeover Top, $149 Pants, $169 Both from Collate the Label Coat, $31.90, OhSoFickle Heels, model's own

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DAPPER

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FROM CASUAL TO STREET Amos Tan, 22 First-year student, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

OFTEN dressed in casual shirts and jeans, the sporty Amos Tan turned to street style for a new look. With his oversized jacket and baggy jogger bermudas, Tan described his new look as “edgy, like a b-boy dancer”.

His metallic silver loafers and circle-frame spectacles were added to amp up the cool vibe.

While Tan found his look exciting, he still prefers his usual casual clothes. Chuckling while he walked out in his new style, Tan said: “Shirts and jeans are still more of my thing. I feel more like myself in a simpler style.”

RIGHT: Before Makeover LEFT: After Makeover Shades, $30 Top, $29 Jacket, $59 Bottom, $39 Shoes, $30 All from Flesh Imp

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CHRONICLE 10 FROM MONOCHROME TO BOHEMIAN Soh Jia Xian, 20 First-year student, Nanyang Business School

SHE may have a bubbly personality, but Soh Jia Xian's monochrome style often hides it.

“It’s easier to match your clothes when most of them are black, white or grey,” she said, adding that she looks “terrible in floral, especially in pink”.

But she had always wanted to try an edgier bohemian look. For her makeover, Soh swapped her white shirt and black skirt for a top with white embroidered details and a pencil skirt layered with lace.

She is particularly fond of the skirt as the lace and fringe give the outfit a playful touch. “It's not something I'd try on when I go shopping because it looks too long for me, but I think it turned out well,” she said.

RIGHT: Before Makeover LEFT: After Makeover Top, $25.90 Skirt, $25 Both from OhSoFickle Jacket, $25.90 AntiClockWise Sandals, Stylist’s Own

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SPOTLIGHT 15

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Top Left: “Don't do unto others what you don't want others to do unto you.” One of the guiding quotes in my father’s life, Confucius’ words have always governed his self-expectations as well as that of those around him.

Bottom Right: Meditation has helped my father cope with work stress and recuperate from his heart surgery. At least twice a week, he meditates to achieve inner peace and a steady state of mind.

IMPERMANENCE

F

rom a diagnosis of depression in his late 20s to a heart condition where the four vessels leading to his heart were more than 90 per cent blocked, my father, Cheah Sin Koong, has seen his fair share of highs and lows at the age of 55.

Those difficult years were plagued with frequent mood swings that were easily triggered by stress from work and worrying about his health and family.

But more than 20 years after recovering from the

PHOTOS AND TEXT BY CHEAH WENQI

depths of depression and six years after his heart surgery, my father has healed, both physically and emotionally, and found renewed strength through his newfound hobbies and passions.

From calligraphy to yoga and meditation, my father has discovered his own ways of managing his emotions.

This is a story about my father, a man who never stops seeking growth.

Left: While there were many occasions where our family was the source of his anger, we were also the ones walking alongside him through thick and thin, encouraging and supporting him when he needed it the most.

Top Right: Traditions such as the annual Qingming Festival, where my family spent the wee hours of a Saturday morning paying our respects at my grandfather’s tombstone, are especially indicative of the transience of life — a philosophy that my father has been studying recently.

Top Left: Since I was young, my father emphasised the importance of knowing Mandarin, my mother tongue, to understand our ethnicity, our roots and our tradition. He picked up Chinese calligraphy not just to remain rooted to Chinese culture but also because like yoga and meditation, it required strong focus and a steady rhythm

16-17 SPOTLIGHT

Top: “Follow me, follow me,” said gong gong. I only realised 15 minutes later that gong gong was referring to the brand of the hair gel he uses every day. His favourite, he insisted. The narrow aisles of the supermarket are no challenge for gong gong as he has learnt how to swiftly navigate his electric wheelchair, which he took less than a month to master. “It’s very easy if you know how to drive a car, I learnt it very quickly,” he said in Mandarin.

Left: Every weekday, gong gong ambles out to the corridor to wait for his grandson Ivan to come home from daycare. Although day care ends at 6pm, Ivan sometimes spends an hour or two playing at the nearby playground, or having dinner before arriving home to the unit next to gong gong’s. Still, gong gong waits at the balcony every day at 6:30pm. “(Ivan) likes to see people waiting for him at the door, so I try my best to do that,” he said.

Right: Before lying down, gong gong had joked that he seldom realises that there is a bag collecting his stool until it is time for him to “poop”. Gong gong underwent a colostomy last year to remove part of his large intestine due to a benign tumour. Since then, he has been relying on Certam, his domestic worker, to change his stoma bag. He uses an average of two bags a day but on days where he eats less, Certam only has to change the bag once.

AGEING, ALONE PHOTOS AND TEXT BY CYNTHIA CHOO XIN LE

P

ictures of my cousins adorn the walls of my gong gong’s (grandfather) three-room flat.

Photo albums line the shelves in his closet, in the compartment right beneath his medication. Among the collection of group photos, a lone portrait of gong gong when he was younger stands out. It is hung right above his bed.

Below the frame, gong gong sleeps soundly as the afternoon idles away — his usual routine after the replays of serial dramas on television fail to keep him awake.

That was about two months after gong gong underwent a colostomy in July, rendering him bedridden for a month. Earlier, he had also suffered from a stroke that caused

him to have difficulty moving the left side of his body. Since then, he has had to adapt to moving around with a walking stick, maneuvering about on an electric wheelchair, and daily reminders that his stool was collecting in a pouch attached directly to his large intestines.

“It’s been a while since I left the house, I want to go out with my children,” gong gong had said to my dad. My relatives often talk about the physical challenges gong gong faces, but I often think he has had a more difficult time adapting emotionally — to being alone.

This series documents my grandfather’s physical and emotional recovery from a colostomy in July 2015.

Bottom: Gong gong eats an apple with my cousin and his grandson — four-year-old Ivan Choo.

While gong gong uses dentures, Ivan’s adult teeth are only just beginning to grow out, making their eating speeds much the same despite the drastic difference in age.

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CHRONICLE 10

THE DEFINITION OF FAMILY PHOTOS AND TEXT BY CORIN TOO JIA HUI

M

y mother, Joan Lee, 51, and my father, Alex Too, 52, are not on talking terms.

Although they are still married, their relationship is strained. My father only comes home twice a week and when he does, he sleeps in the living room as I share a room with my mother.

On many occasions, my mother has thought of leaving the family.

However, she stayed on for my sister and I. While my father provides her with financial support, they have not been able to support each other emotionally.

Because of that, my mother is having a hard time. She has to work, do the household chores and to top it all off, the responsibility of caring for my maternal grandparents also fell on her.

Having to juggle all these obligations without the help of my father is wearing her thin.

This photo essay depicts some typical scenes in my home. The definition of family differs for everyone but for my mother, this is it.

Top: My mother makes about $1,200 every month and even with my sister’s contribution to the family income, my father still remains the main breadwinner who foots all the bills.

Because he does not come home often, he needs to go through a large stack of letters and bills when he does. My mother said: “If not for your dad, I really don’t know how we would have survived. We must appreciate all the things he did for us.”

Top: This is the only time I get to see my father and mother together. However, my father usually only drops by for dinner and to check in on my grandparents before leaving. This is also when my mother starts to clean the house.

Bottom left: My mother’s favourite pastime is to watch “I Am A Singer”, a Chinese singing competition. She spends most of her Sundays, her only day off, catching up on the episodes.

“Some of the contestants’ stories are really touching and sometimes I’ll cry. Especially when I can understand what they are going through,” said my mother.

Bottom right: My maternal grandmother was diagnosed with a tumour in her throat and had to undergo an operation earlier this year. Despite hiring a helper to take care of my grandparents, my mother still worries about them and has to bring them for routine checkups.

Sports Windsurfing his way to Rio NTU’s Leonard Ong will be waving the Singapore flag on the waters of Rio de Janeiro in August, but the windsurfer’s Olympic journey has not been all smooth-sailing.

Sean Loo

F

or the first time in over 30 years, Singapore windsurfing will be represented at this month’s Olympic Games, thanks to NTU’s Leonard Ong. The first-year Nanyang Business School student secured his ticket to Rio de Janeiro in March at the Asian Sailing Federation Asian Championship in Abu Dhabi, where he finished seventh to clinch one of the two spots on offer.

For Ong, who took a leave of absence from school in January to focus on his Olympic qualification quest, the way to Rio has been “like a dream”.

“It took me about one or two weeks to slowly take in the fact that I had qualified for the Olympics,” said the 23-year-old, who was unsuccessful in his previous attempt to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Speaking to the Nanyang Chronicle at Constant Wind Sea Sports Club where he trains, Ong revealed that his road to Rio had its obstacles. He recalled being outclassed by his competitors during his first few international competitions.

“They were so much better than me, and I was always among the last few,” he said.

“It was a horrible feeling.”

A sailor until primary school, Ong switched to windsurfing in 2005 when he was in Secondary One after he was impressed by the high speeds of windsurfing.

He recalled how he had seen a group of windsurfers glide past him while he was sailing.

“The windsurfers were going quite fast, especially when the wind was strong, and it seemed like fun,” he said.

Ong has never looked back since.

Setbacks Within a year of picking up the sport, Ong took part in his first overseas tournament, the Penang International Regatta. He made his Southeast Asian (SEA) Games de-

NTU windsurfer Leonard Ong will be the first Singaporean windsurfer at this month’s Olympic Games since 1984.

but in Thailand in 2007 when he was just 15.

Last year, he won silver at the SEA Games in Singapore.

Explaining how he overcame the initial setbacks of regularly finishing near the back of the field during his first few international competitions, he said: “I had to push through and continue learning what I could improve on.

“Sometimes, it was difficult to persevere,” he said. “I had to remind myself why I enjoyed the sport in the first place.”

Ong, who stressed that passion is a key ingredient to his success, said: “I enjoy travelling, and through windsurfing, I get to travel.

“So I’ll go out there and have fun on the water. Once I’m enjoying myself, I’ll push really hard because I don’t want to waste my trip.”

Skipping school With a hectic travel schedule due to his windsurfing commitments, Ong often had to strike a fine balance between training and school work.

During his final year of polytechnic, he attended only four out of 18 weeks of school.

Still, Ong believes his involvement in the sport has helped him improve on his academic work.

When he was in Secondary Two, his principal gave him permission to skip school to participate in an overseas competition, but on the condition that Ong’s grades improve the following semester.

Ong said: “It really forced me to buckle down and study hard, because I made a promise.”

For now, Ong’s focus will be on doing his best in Rio, where he will be up against the best windsurfers in the world.

Olympic goals Ong has come a long way from his days of finishing last at international competitions.

“For the Olympics, I really want to enjoy myself first,” he said.

“When you enjoy yourself, you will definitely push even harder.

“My aim is not just to avoid fin-

ishing last, but to do my best and hopefully also beat a few of my competitors.”

Ong’s six-week training stint in Europe before the Olympic Games will help his chances, said coach Sakda Sakulfaeng.

While Ong worked mainly on strength and fitness in Singapore, his training trips across France, Italy and Netherlands allowed him the chance to hone his water techniques with accomplished Olympians like Italian Alessandra Sensini, an Olympic gold medalist in 2000.

“There are a lot of good windsurfers whom he can learn from in Europe,” his coach also said.

Ong, who is the first Singaporean windsurfer at the Olympic Games since the late Kelly Chan in 1984, will be riding on the support of his parents, coach, and the Singapore Sailing Federation as he bids for Olympic glory.

“They believe that I can do it and that’s what really drives me,” he said. “That’s the reason I fight so hard — it’s for them.”

PHOTO: KENJI KWOK

After Rio Beyond the Olympic Games, Ong hopes to play a part in raising local participation levels in the sport, especially on the tertiary scene.

Ong is also the president of NTU’s windsurfing club. He does not only coach his team members but also guides his counterparts from the other local universities.

Earlier this year, he helped a group of windsurfers from Singapore Management University adapt to a different set of equipment for a competition in Japan, where the wind is much stronger.

He also helped them plan training sessions with the junior national windsurfing team.

Downplaying his willingness to help rival institutions, Ong said: “In the bigger picture, I want to help grow the windsurfing scene in Singapore.

“I’d like to build up the next generation because I want others to enjoy the passion that I express, and a chance for them to experience what I experience.”

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SPORTS

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Running in time

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Five must-watch competitions this month 1 SWIMMING (6-13 AUG) Catch the Republic’s finest make a splash at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium as Joseph Schooling and Quah Zheng Wen aim to win a medal after asserting their dominance in Southeast Asia. Schooling, who won Singapore's first world championships medal last year, will compete in the 100m and 200m butterfly events but his bid for a medal will be severely tested by South Africa’s Olympic champion Chad le Clos and American Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history.

2 To improve his 2.4km run timing, sports writer Sean Loo followed a training routine comprising several types of interval workouts.

PHOTO: NICHOLAS YEO

There’s no running away from IPPT. The Nanyang Chronicle tries out a new training regimen to test if it really works, or if it will leave students running in circles. sean loo

I

t is the bane of many Singaporean men’s yearly schedules.

As our respective birthdays approach, so does the deadline for taking the annual Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) – a fitness test that all combat National Servicemen are required to take.

Over the course of six weeks, I embarked on a running regimen in preparation for my upcoming IPPT. This running regimen includes three stations: • Push-ups • Sit-ups • A 2.4-kilometre run Many university students find it extremely difficult to train for this fitness test, myself included.

The main reason: We have lots of assignments to clear and tests to study for.

It had been more than six months since my last workout when the Nanyang Chronicle decided to test the effectiveness of an online workout regimen in February.

It fell to me to be the guinea pig and after discussing it with my peers, I settled on a training schedule posted online by Men’s Health magazine that was meant to improve my 2.4-km timing.

The exercise routine comprised different forms of interval trainings, which consists of alternating

periods of high and low intensity workouts.

The plan was for me to run three times a week — 18 runs over a period of six weeks — alternating between three different types of interval training.

The process Before embarking on my running regimen, I timed myself to get a better gauge of where my 2.4-km standards were.

During the time trial, I clocked 13 minutes 34 seconds – a far cry from my best time of 10min 9sec that I clocked as a recruit during my compulsory three-month Basic Military Training at Pulau Tekong over three years ago.

I wanted to at least come relatively close to my personal best and thus, the target I set for myself was to break the 11min barrier by the end of my training regimen.

But it was easier said than done.

Things did not exactly pan out as I had expected.

During my sixth run, I re-injured my left hip while sprinting round the bend of the Sports and Recreational Centre’s running track.

In a rush to return to my hall room to complete an assignment, I did not warm up properly before starting the run that day.

I learnt a valuable lesson: Warmups are crucial in preventing any injuries and I should not discount the importance of warming up well before exercising.

Setbacks My injury kept me from running for a week.

As my workload piled up, I also found it more and more difficult to continue my training regimen.

By the end of six weeks, I only managed to train 11 times out of

the planned 18.

But throughout the course of those 11 sessions, I felt more and more confident.

My feet tired less easily, and my lungs felt less likely to explode at the end of each run.

With this boost in confidence, I decided to time myself again.

This time, I ran 2.4km in 11min 30sec, well over my initial target but still commendable, considering my compromised hip.

Reflections The process of training for my IPPT was certainly not easy.

My running times did not improve as much as I hoped and as my work piled up, I found it more difficult to get back on the track each passing week.

As an NTU undergraduate, free time is always a scarcity.

But through this experience, I found that it is still possible to find a little bit of time to set aside for my fitness goals.

Although I was disappointed at falling short of my goal, I still managed to improve my running time by more than two minutes, which I was quite proud of.

I am not the most naturally gifted runner around but I can take pride in my progress and have taken a giant step towards clearing my IPPT. In the end, my consistent effort did yield results and I have learned that as long as I do not give up halfway through the process, improvements are bound to happen.

Now with the exams over, I have no more excuses not to head back down to the track for some unfinished business.

After all, August and the dreaded IPPT will come around in the blink of an eye.

WINDSURFING (8-18 AUG)

For the first time since 1984, Singapore will be represented in the sport of windsurfing. NTU’s very own Leonard Ong will make his Olympic debut in the men’s RS:X windsurfing category. Ong booked his spot in the field by finishing seventh in the Asian Sailing Federation Asian Championship. He will compete against the best windsurfers in the world such as defending Olympic champion Dorian van Rijsselberghe of the Netherlands and former world no.1 Wang Aichen of China.

3 FOOTBALL (3-20 AUG) Hosts Brazil will be seeking to win their first gold medal in the Olympics — the only international tournament they have not won in football. Barcelona’s Neymar will lead the Samba Boys’ charge in Rio as one of three overage players in the Under-23 squad. Their closest competitors, Germany, Portugal as well as old rivals Argentina, will try to spoil the party with talented squads of their own.

4

BASKETBALL (6-21 AUG)

The United States team will have a plethora of stars to pick for a chance to win a third straight Olympic gold medal, and 15th overall. With LeBron James not committing to the team just yet, the Golden State Warriors’ all-star trio of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green will be more than capable of taking the Cleveland Cavaliers’ forward’s place. With France’s San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker possibly missing out due to the birth of his son, and Spanish lynchpin Pau Gasol at 35, the American team might just sweep the tournament.

5

GOLF

(MEN: 11-14 AUG; WOMEN: 17-20 AUG)

Golf returns to the Olympics after 112-year absence, with players eager to prove that the sport has a place in these Games.

Countries will compete in four-man teams in the new format.

With two-time Major champion Jordan Spieth most likely on the United States’ roster, the Americans have a strong bid for the gold medal. Australia, who boasts world no.1 (at time of print) Jason Day, and Ireland, with former world No.1 Rory McIlroy in its arsenal, will aim to derail the American team’s challenge.