RĂ˜MP your definitive edutainment source
NOV /DEC 2012 issue #6
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12 secrets about jill
Global Food Traditions
Ways to fight the
xmas bulge WIN! Rip Curl watches + Beyond Beauty Spa Vouchers
Content
CHOICES 10 SMF - Treasures of the Sea Maritime Open House 2012 12 Spirit of Giving
SLOUCH 14 On the Airwaves 18 Who is: Kevin Lester 20 Trippin out while Staying in 22 Join the Crowd 24 Jack, Out of the Box
Audiophile 26 Music Reviews 28 Folk Wonders 29 Kickin’ Jazz and Taking Names
Gadget 32 Gettin’ Techie with IT Go Go Gadget Dress Up
STYLE JOURNAL 35 Season’s Staples 40 Party like a Star
Grooming 42 Princess of the Party Prim-ssential
Perspective 46 Shooting Style
Savour 50 Tackling the Turducken
Content Work it
COMMENTARY
55 Champion in Full Flow
62 Commentary
56 A Christmas Fit for You
63 What You(th) Say
GLObe trotter
SELF
51 Sweet, Sweet Serenade
58 New South Wales
64 Advice Column
52 The Spirit of a Cosmopolitan Christmas
60 Winter in the River City
68 Pride of Young Lions
“The planet’s survival has become so uncertain that any effort, any thought that presupposes an assured future amounts to a mad gamble.”
– Elias Canetti
F
or those who trust the world’s end is nigh, there’s really so much more to 2012 than that baloney.
This year, you’ve witnessed the birth and bloom of RØMP. We’ve sure come a long way since our very first edition over 10 months ago, and it’s only going to get better. Celebrate the end of the world as we know it, with magic and musings from Jack (pg 24) and Jill (pg 14), and finding solace by beating the crowd (pg 20) if you find the usual frenzy of festivities too overwhelming. In addition, let’s not forget Christmas as a time to indulge in heart-warming, timeless traditions of feasting (pg 52), music (p29), and more importantly, the spirit of giving (pg 12). While the remaining one out of our two pioneering editors will no longer be managing RØMP as from now, you can still look forward to her contributions to this and future issues to come. At the same time, we also welcome a new resident writer with open arms. So let’s raise our glasses in a toast to our editorial team, past and present, as we share with you all good things that twinkle with the number 12 instead of just another (about to fail) doomsday prediction. Signing off, Michelle & The Team
/ ROMP editor michelle zhu [michelle@rompmagazine.com] staff writer mcken wong [mcken@rompmagazine.com] senior contributors darren chua | joseph murray | rachel ooi contributors andre frois | aloysius chow | benjamin chia denise ooi | dina kahar graphic designer celine lee [celine@rompmagazine.com] sales director calvin lai [calvin@rompmagazine.com] sales executive natasya sahdon [natasya@rompmagazine.com] marketing lynda lim [lynda@rompmagazine.com] finance & administration jacqueline tan distributed by jmj distribution services pte ltd send your editorial ideas to: editorial@rompmagazine.com RØMP magazine is a free bi-monthly publication published by Cross Roads Pte Ltd. Copyright is held by the publisher. All rights reserved. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. Printed by Toppan Security Printing Pte Ltd MICA (P) 202/11/2011
On The Cover PHOTOGRAPHY Frank Foo HAIR & MAKEUP Irma Niza Jirmal STYLING Andre Frois MODEL Jillian Kimberly Lim NOSY ONLOOKERS Michelle Zhu | Darren Chua Dress from H&M, model’s own
Correction note: The image on page 17 of our September / October issue of RØMP magazine (issue #5), is courtesy of Arexer Photography.
Chøices
SMF Special
Treasures of the Sea
Maritime Open House 2012 At the Career Awareness Seminar, several maritime professionals shared interesting facets of their maritime pursuits. Thereafter, the students took part in the Educational Fair, where they had opportunities to mingle with the educators from various Institutes of Higher Learning to learn more about crossdisciplinary maritime educational options.
On 18 October 2012, MaritimeONE
organised a Maritime Open House for upper secondary school students. The approximately 1, 200 students who participated in this event were introduced to the maritime industry through a two-part progamme, namely the Career Awareness Seminar and the Maritime Learning Journeys to different maritime facilities. At the end of the event, students gained a better understanding of the maritime industry, as well as the diverse range of education options and career opportunities available. For the Maritime Learning Journeys, state-of-the-art maritime sites were made available to the students, who visited places that are out-of-bound to the general public, such as the shipyards and port terminals. Other sites included the newly launched Singapore Maritime Gallery at Marina South Pier, the Integrated Simulation Centre at Singapore Maritime Academy, Singapore Polytechnic, as well as a sea tour to view the various maritime activities occurring within the Singapore waters.
Kallang Theatre booths
For the Maritime Learning Journeys in the afternoon, students were split into groups for visits to different maritime facilities. Some groups toured the Singapore Maritime Gallery and learnt about the inner workings of cargo terminals through an interactive port displayed on a ship model, and stepped into an actual-sized 20-foot container. The Ship Bridge Simulator at the Singapore Maritime Gallery seemed to be a favourite among the students, as they took over the position of ship captain to help steer and navigate vessels through Singapore waters. At the Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS) exhibit, students were also able to gain insights to the latest technology used to manage traffic in one of the world’s busiest ports.
‘Singapore as a Major Hub Port’ exhibit at the Singapore Maritime Gallery
Some others were brought on an exclusive guided sea tour, which passed by vital maritime installations such as the Shell SBM, shipping anchorages and port terminals. The students were in high spirits as they witnessed the surrounding installations and massive vessels sailing through Singapore waters.
Mcken Wong accompanied the students from Compassvale and Yuying Secondary School as they embarked on a learning journey to explore the exciting and dynamic world of maritime. 010/RØMP
Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS) exhibit at the Singapore Maritime Gallery
Sea tour aboard the ferry
The Maritime Open House The Maritime Open House was an eye-opener for many students, and they certainly gained a greater appreciation for maritime operations. We spoke to three students from Compassvale Secondary School and Yuying Secondary School as well as Ms Sarah Choo, teacher of Yuying Secondary School, on how it was like to be part of this maiden event.
Baby Gracemary, 16, and Ms. Sarah Choo, from Yuying Secondary School Austin Tay, 14, and Jasmin Gara, 15, from Compassvale Secondary School
Which part of the Maritime Open House did you enjoy the most and why? Jasmin: I enjoyed the Singapore Maritime Gallery’s interactive ‘Connectivity’ table, where I learnt about Singapore’s strategic position along the global trade routes and how our daily necessities are brought to us through the maritime industry.
Austin: I always thought that the maritime industry was just about trading and the movement of cargos from one country to another. Through the Maritime Open House, I realised that the maritime industry is a lot more exciting and that advanced technologies are used to ensure the fast and safe turnaround of container vessels.
Austin: The visit to the Singapore Maritime Gallery was my favourite! The exhibits were very engaging, and I was especially fascinated by the interactive port that is built on top of the ship model. I could control the movements of the vessels and cargos through the interactive screens and thereby learn more about the operations at the port.
Gracemary: Initially, the word ‘maritime’ brought to mind big ships and sailors carrying out mundane tasks such as pulling ropes. After visiting the Jurong Shipyard, I gained a deeper understanding of what it is like to work inside the ship’s engine room and learnt about the sophisticated technologies on-board. I was also exposed to how a vessel is constructed.
Gracemary: The highlight of the Maritime Open House was the presentations made by the various maritime professionals at the Kallang Theatre. Through the sharing session, I gained insight into the myriad of career opportunities that the maritime industry has to offer.
What is your ideal maritime career?
Did your perception of the maritime industry differ after attending the Maritime Open House? Jasmin: Before attending the Maritime Open House, I assumed that careers in the maritime industry revolve solely around seafaring. However, after today’s programme, I learnt about the diversity of career options that the maritime industry has to offer such as shipbrokers, maritime lawyers, and ship charterer. It is also exciting to find out that the maritime industry actually contributes to 7 per cent of Singapore’s GDP.
Jasmin: I want to be a ship captain! The presentations by Capt Lee Chee Seong and Ms Milli Koh inspired me. They shared how their careers allow them to travel the world and experience new cultures; it is extremely attractive and makes the job more fascinating than others. Austin: Definitely a marine engineer. I am always interested in engineering and hope to be able to design and operate the mechanical systems of ships in the future. Gracemary: I’ve always been interested in taking up law, so being a maritime lawyer appeals to me. Before today’s event, I was not aware that the maritime industry employs lawyers who specialise in this field.
What is your take on the inaugural Maritime Open House? Ms. Choo: The maritime industry employs over 170, 000 people in its workforce. However, not many of our students are aware of the industry and the types of careers that it has to offer. The Maritime Open House is a fantastic opportunity for our students to increase their awareness of the industry and the maritime educational options that are available to them. In your opinion, what was the highlight of this year’s Maritime Open House? Ms. Choo: I like the guided tour to the Jurong Shipyard. This is my first time entering the shipyard, and to be able to come up close and personal with the operations at the shipyard is truly an eye-opening experience. How useful is the Maritime Open House in increasing youth’s awareness of the maritime industry, and the myriad of career opportunities that it has to offer? Ms. Choo: While awareness of the maritime industry cannot be built overnight, the Maritime Open House is certainly successful in increasing youth’s awareness of the maritime industry to a certain extent; one of my students came up to me and told me that that she is very keen in joining the industry. Is there anything that you hope to see in next year’s Maritime Open House? Ms. Choo: This year’s event was wellplanned, but I hope that next year’s Maritime Open House will run for a longer period, as one day is just not enough! RØMP/011
Chøices Although getting that brand new iPhone 5 or that pair of rhinestone-studded Chanel earrings might be the highlight of the upcoming season of joy, let’s try to recall the true meaning of Christmas (as demonstrated by our jolly, tubby man in red & white on his reindeer-drawn sleigh). Giving without much expectation might seem like a hard step to take, but it might not be as hard as it seems. Joseph Murray realises this as he speaks to Sean Lau, who encompasses the rudimentary beliefs of dear St Nick.
The Spirit of
Giving “Typically, children with dyslexia need help when it comes to reading, writing and/or spelling,” states Sean. “They are taught various methods to overcome their learning differences, in order to keep up with their peers in school.”
Sean Lau (extreme right), at Ben & Jerry’s ChunkFest 2012 held at Sentosa Siloso Beach
Not one to be deskbound, 25-year-old Sean Lau relishes his full-time job at the Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS) knowing that he’ll be “helping thousands of children” through his work. He especially takes joy in the adrenaline rush from running the organisation’s events, and the euphoria that comes with the success of one. Being a Senior Fundraising & Events Officer, Sean is charge of sourcing and finding funding opportunities in order to help dyslexic children, ensuring that they receive the attention of professionals who help to teach and assess their progress. He tells
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of his struggles and triumphs, while shedding light on the people he aids through DAS. “Awareness of dyslexia is relatively low and has less of a tug on the heartstrings as compared to visual handicaps. Thus, it’s not always easy to convince others of how much help our beneficiaries really need,” says Sean when asked about the day-today struggles of fighting to assist dyslexic people. Unlike some physical disabilities like the inability to walk or see, it is hard for the hoi polloi to empathise with the obstacles of a dyslexic person.
DAS helps over 2,300 children from as young as five to 17, and is also looking into providing aid for adults within the next few years. The Association has also established firm rapport with corporations and other members of the public in fundraising activities through Flag Day, Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day as well as enriching activities like educational tours, workshops and bonding sessions. Sean has made it a point to remain closely involved in these events, as he believes it’s important to establish volunteer relations in a ‘hands-on’ manner. Sean’s example as a young full-time social worker, who is dedicated to improving the lives and welfare of others, is one to follow. “I would encourage youths to view volunteer work as a past time,” he advises. “Find a cause you’re passionate about, and give volunteering a go. It’s a great way to bond and meet other people while changing the lives of others.” Show your support for Association of Singapore.
the
Dyslexia
Visit www.das.org.sg and spread awareness of dyslexia, donate to the DAS, volunteer, or support them during their events.
Cøver Støry
HOT on the Airwaves
Amidst the banter and humour of Rod Monteiro and Andre Hoeden, a perky female voice rings out over the airwaves every weekday morning to let us in on what’s happening in the world today, while playing Singapore its favourite hits to ease the worries of the week. Darren Chua sits down to shoot the breeze with one of HOT FM91.3’s stars among The Married Men, Jillian Kimberly Lim..
PHOTOGRAPHY Frank Foo HAIR & MAKEUP Irma Niza Jirmal STYLING Andre Frois
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Being skinny is not my choice- it’s really just metabolism for me. And I don’t think being thin is a positive thing, so you can say that I’d take being called ‘skinny’ as an insult. I’m trying to put on weight, work out and live a healthy lifestyle.
I
shuffle my papers in preparation, awaiting her arrival at a restaurant at the end of a road in Holland Village. Jillian can be spotted walking from about a mile away, her red hair drawing attention from passers-by all around. People might use ‘a face for radio’ as an insult, but this sultry 22-year-old wouldn’t look out of place on TV, radio or indeed, on a magazine. Jillian’s foray into being a radio DJ was almost a self-fulfilling prophecy. At the age of 11, she wrote in her diary after a big fight with her mother: If she thinks
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that the only thing I’ll grow up to be is someone’s pretty wife, then I guess I’ll grow up to be something where looks will matter. I’ll be a veejay. Then again, I don’t look Pan-Asian enough, so maybe I’ll be a deejay. Fast-forward to 2009, and the opportunity of a lifetime was presented to her: an audition to be on a radio
show. After being picked over about 200 other candidates, she got many cries of kelong (cheating) due to her predecessor on the show being her older sister. “Perhaps it was because of my connections that I got the job, but the reason I’ve been on the air for three years must be because I’m some good at it.”
The fiery-haired siren speaks about her less-than-pleasant first time on the air, when people started to call in and leave hateful mails about the way she spoke. “It was then that I realized that, whoa, people are vicious! I didn’t know that I had any slang, or that it was so obvious that people would call in about it. It being my first time on air, and I made a conscious effort to speak better. I wasn’t aware that my version of speaking better meant slanging to others. So it was quite a shock, a rude awakening of sorts.” She also soon realised that being on radio didn’t mean that she could say anything she wanted. “I was told to rephrase a lot of what I say. I couldn’t just flat out say that I didn’t like, for example, Rihanna’s new hair colour. Because it’d be like: who the heck are you to pass judgement on Rihanna? She’s a superstar; you’re just some random girl who’s been on radio for two weeks.” “But it’s not so bad now,” she adds. “I get more of a voice now – as long as my opinions are not too controversial.” But is Jill the same person that she portrays on air? “Well, I’m more vulgar off-air,” she reveals with a melodious laughter. “On-air, I’m with two other people and everyone plays a role. So it’s sort of like acting, but no one can see you! Rod plays the joker but voice of reason, Andre plays the jerk. And I play the sweet lil’ girl who goes (puts on sickeningly sweet voice): Aww, come on guys, that’s not nice! Let’s look at the positive side of things!” With Christmas just around the corner, we come across the subject of the festive season. “I don’t follow any religion, so we don’t really do the house visits and everything,” says Jill on what Christmas means to her. “But I think that Christmas is really about family, and since my family doesn’t really do visiting, my friends become my family. I tag along with them and go to Christmas mass, which I really like. The whole, you know, dressing up to go to church, where you get to see people in their best suits. All the boys look so cleaned up that you just wanna bring them home to meet your mum.” And with the season of giving, come gifts. As many of us will know, some of them can be absolutely horrendous.
wanted for Christmas, I said I wanted just that. Because everyone else had it, I had to have it, right?” “On Christmas day, I was so excited to receive a CD-shaped present from my parents. I opened it and it turned out to be an album titled ‘Dance Remix Millennium’. It was some sort of techno CD!” And how did Jill react as a disappointed child on Christmas morning? “I did what any kid would do and started crying, while my dad began ranting about how unappreciative I was. My mum walked in and decided that this was the best time to bust out the camera for some family photos, and started taking pictures of me bawling my eyes out. I was mortified! Everyone was going to own a Backstreet Boys album but me. It was the worst Christmas ever. And to add insult to injury, I had pictures to remember it by!” Speaking about the spirit of giving, she also has a more heart-warming story for us to share. “One winter during my trip to Australia with The Married Men crew, a homeless person wearing only shorts and a shirt came up to me and asked if I had change to spare. I told him no, since it was my last day there and I only had about 15AUD. After asking around, someone finally spared him some.” “He went into the nearby 7-11 and bought some spaghetti for himself,” she recounted. “He noticed me looking over at him, so he came over to me and asked me if I would like some spaghetti. It made me feel so bad that I changed my mind and decided to give him all the money I had on me; I even gave him my jacket!”
The Married Men airs Mondays to Fridays, 6 to 10am on HOT FM91.3.
“I really wanted to fit in when I was in primary 4. While everyone was really into the Backstreet Boys, I was watching Metallica on MTV while wanting to be Lars Ulrich,” she exclaimed. “My classmates all had the Backstreet Boys ‘Millennium’ album, so when my Dad asked me what I
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“When you’re having a bad day, or experiencing problems, you can’t let it show on-air. You have to go on sounding happy – overjoyed, like you’re farting rainbows.”
DRESS Daniel Yam Polyester Woven Short Dress, $127.30, ZALORA SHOES Scarlett Eliza Gold Strap Heels, $59.90, ZALORA
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12 THINGS
WE BET
YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT
JILL 1. While she’s loved all around now, no one liked her in secondary school!
5. Her favourite TV show is an obscure one.
“I wasn’t a nice person in secondary school. I wasn’t the popular mean alpha b*tch. I was the outcast. I would just do really crummy things to girls! I once cut someone’s hair while she was asleep!”
“Freaks and Geeks! So many amazing comedy actors now made appearances on that show! Jason Segel from How I Met Your Mother and even Seth Rogen from his many movies.”
2. She shaved her legs secretly in Primary 4. “My mum told me I was too young to shave my legs. So I figured if I just shaved around four inches above my ankles that nobody would know. I shaved a little bit, then I decided to shave a bit more, and I ended up shaving half my leg!” 3. She claims to look “like hell” in the mornings. “My face is pale and puffy and all that. Like dog vomit. I wish I had beauty secrets, but I really don’t!” 4. She needed a little ‘liquid courage’ for her first on-air experience. “It was around April 2009, and I was due to go on right after coming in from school. I was so nervous I just couldn’t speak. So I drank before I went in, that was my first time on air.”
6. She still anticipates gifts for Christmas. “I’m 22, so I tell myself I’m too old for presents, but I still do want them. I don’t have baby Jesus to look forward to (as I’m a free thinker), so I need some presents!”
9. She can’t sing. Not alone at least. “I can’t do it solo, but I sang Christmas carols last year when everyone in the studio sang together. That was a very big deal for me.” 10. Celebrity crushes? None that are living, apparently. “They’re all dead. But, River Phoenix! He was so... legit. He was the Johnny Depp before Johnny Depp. And plus, he was friends with Flea!”
7. Her advice to girls in relationships:
11. Where are those good oldfashioned values on which we used to rely? Jill wants a family guy!
“In front of everyone, you must make your guy seem like ‘THE man’. If you want your guy to treat you right, don’t put him down in front of your friends or anything like that.”
“I look for definitely a good sense of humour. He must also know at least a degree of music beyond Pitbull or David Guetta. He’s got to be a family guy.”
8. She’s obsessed with... – wait for it – boobs!
12. She always had the quirky habit of interviewing... herself.
“I’m obsessed with boobs. Everyone should get fake boobs cause they’re so perfectly round! Let’s think about it, you wouldn’t need a bra, which are bloody expensive. You pay for one surgery, you get nice boobs that stay up forever!”
“I talk to myself a lot; more than I think is healthy. Since I was young, I’d imagine being the world’s best guitarist, drummer, or whatever so I asked myself questions that befitted those descriptions. It’s just a weird habit of mine.”
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WHO IS:
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KEVIN LESTER
Our Lion City Boy, Kevin Lester, puts us on the hip hop map of the world once again in the annual AC3 Hip Hop Festival (Atlanta) in October, where he rocked the stage with fresh and original material. Rachel Ooi chats with the adept rapper.
You've spent quite some time preparing for the festival. Let us in on your thoughts.
personal. It's a self-discovery of sorts. That's what you'll get in 2013; I'm going all out.
There's a little workout routine that I had to put in to stay healthy for the show, especially because it was new material that I was showcasing. My tour deejay, DJ Koflow and I were putting in the work to get a solid show ready. With an album, the fun part is always conceptualising the show. It's a phase in an artiste’s head – a particular frame of mind that you want to deliver both visually and audibly.
What was the artistic workflow behind it?
And here's an exclusive for you: I was absolutely nervous about it! (laughs) Together with The Bloom Effect and Hip Hop Market, I was part of the "Planet Hip Hop" showcase, and I was one of the five artistes from the around the world who represented their countries. It's a platform to promote my new album in 2013. What better place to launch yourself into the U.S. scene than at a festival! Tell us more about the new single you recently unveiled. My new single, Hear Me Go On, is by no means a reinvention. The music I've been creating is much darker than Let's Talk About Kevin Lester. Since the release of that album, I've got more stories to share. After the heartbreaking end of an eightyear relationship and even the passing of someone dear to me, the stories started to flow. I started questioning all these situations, like: “Was the break because of me? How could this have happened?” In this single, I get more
I've found a new teammate in my music. He calls himself 'TryToPlay'. We've been building songs in the studio that you wouldn't believe. It's heat! It also includes golden touch features by some of the finest: Bani Haykal from B-Quartet, Sezairi Sezali, Aarika Lee and more. My boy Yazzid has laid out some heavy bass in each studio session. Jia, a very beautiful young violinist, laid out some lines in a couple of tracks as well. How do you think your lyrics and music have evolved over the years? Lyrically, I think I'm a lot more personable these days. There's even less of a filter. I've also been working hard on improving my flow. And I'm always trying new percussive ways to deliver my raps. It's got be a constant love affair with your art. The moment you think you're the best that you can be, you've lost the plot. How have you grown as an artiste? I've become more disciplined with my work ethic for sure. There can be no room for error. Everyone gets one or two chances in their career for that big break. What I'm sure of is that when it's my turn, I want to be ready for that.
I think I can deal with being rejected if I've tried my best, but not if I have twenty reasons in my head on how I could've done better. What advice do you have for young people here who aspire to make it big in the hip hop scene here? Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. The advantage we have is that there aren't any rules, because our scene is still in its infancy. So create your own hustle! Don't wait for doors to open for you. No one is going to give you a free ride. There's a lot of hard work that comes along with being a successful musician. Create music with the idea that you're sharing the composition and story. We're all guilty of being a little indulgent but there needs to be a balance. What does Christmas mean to you? Christmas is possibly the best time of the year for anyone. Forget about your heartbreaks and obstacles. Christmas brings your loved ones together in one space to celebrate life. What are your year-end plans for your music? My new album should be out by then. The composing and song writing is almost complete, so November brings along a lot of post-production work, mixing and mastering. The artwork also needs to be done. I'm hyped! RØMP/019
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Trippin’ Out While Staying In
‘Tis the staycation season to be jolly! Rachel Ooi recommends the snazziest boutique hotels for a quick getaway within Singapore.
New Majestic Hotel As the year-end festivities surround us with merriment and inspire the spirit of giving, wanderlust surges through our senses and we turn to gaze longingly out the windows by our work desks. We’re worn to a frazzle after an entire year of backbreaking grind, but duty calls – be it at school, the workplace or National Service. Sometimes, it’s a hapless chore to plan long vacations with our beloved family and friends when hectic schedules disagree. Our solution? Pack an overnight bag and be taken away to an indulgent idyll without having to cross borders. Some respite at a swanky boutique hotel can do wonders for our well-worn batteries. This humble yet exciting metropolis never fails to offer a slew of R&R locales for all and sundry.
The Sultan
Damage: $200 - $480++ per night Address: 31-37 Bukit Pasoh Road, Singapore 089845 Tel: 65114700
Good for: The Fancy Pants What makes it happen: Ever wanted to take a bubble bath outdoors, or go swimming at a dramatic pool with glass inserts floating above a restaurant? From luxury bedscapes to Kiehl’s toiletries, New Majestic Hotel sure knows how to pamper and amaze its wide range of weary customers – and at an affordable price too! Inconspicuously located at the heart of Chinatown, the modest building features 30 unique rooms by nine artists who envisioned their designs to be way ahead of our time. Lounge on your designer couch in the Premier Garden room that features art installations by various local artists. The best element of this room is its to-die-for private verandah with cast-iron bathtubs, complete with hydro-massage jet rain showers.
Good for: The Nostalgic
Damage: $215++ per night Address: 101 Jalan Sultan, Singapore 199002 Tel: 67237102 020/RØMP
What makes it happen: Founded in October 2011, The Sultan (nestled within the conservation shop houses at Kampong Glam) was established as a tribute to Singapore’s rich history by an absolute aficionado of Singaporean culture and heritage. Each room also aims to tell a meaningful and intimate story of the country’s past. “If generous rooms, handmade furniture, organic modern Arabic design and gorgeous views are your cup of tea, we know you’re going to like what we have in store for you,” enthused Charmaine One, vice CEO of The Sultan. Wake up to the glorious blue Singapore sky behind lush foliage at their Attic Skylight Suites for an organic experience.
The Club Hotel
Damage: $470 ++ per night Address: 28 Ann Siang Road, Singapore 069708
Good for: The Reflective Artist
Tel: 6808 2188
What makes it happen: When award-winning Singapore-based interior and architecture firm Ministry of Design took up the task of conceiving the hotel’s look and feel, they were given absolute freedom in creativity, and so they let their imagination run wild. Today, the chic monochromic building that’s aptly situated at indie-locale Ang Siang Road, spoils us with 22 art-filled rooms to choose from. The Club is the go-to hotel for cultured patrons who appreciate an artistic and modern space for meditation and jollification alike. Sprawl across a comfy traditional Korean mattress fit for a king, and marvel at the intricately oriental designed interior of the Signature Room which promises a contemporary concept and in-built controlled mood lighting.
Hotel Re!
Good for:
The Old School Enthusiast
What makes it happen: Be teleported back to the psychedelic ‘70s at any of Hotel Re!’s refreshingly-themed rooms. “The modern retro theme is what makes us unique and singular but ultimately, we want our guests to get the most out of their stays here. For business or leisure, we cater to all,” says Mr Joseph Ong, the hotel’s General Manager. Enlivened with funky colours like lime green and hot pink, the corridors and walls of their guest rooms beckon one’s inner party animal. Locals are welcomed with opened arms with premium staycation packages, which have proven to be crowd pleasers. Damage: $388++ per night
Go all out to pamper yourself with the Re!side room package which includes breakfast, a candlelit set dinner and 45-minute full-body pressure point massage sessions for two.
Address: 175A Chin Swee Road, Singapore 169879 Tel: 6827 8220
Good for: The Childlike Adventurer What makes it happen: For the inquisitive explorer who hankers after out-of-this-world adventures, embark on a journey in an intrinsically ethnic enclave. Each and every room and level has its very own unique design and zany themes like ‘Industrial Glam’, ‘Eccentricity’, ‘Is It Just Black and White?’ and ‘Creature Comforts’. As their names suggest, Wanderlust Hotel is designed as a whimsical fairyland that’s both futuristic and cultural.
Wanderlust Hotel Damage: $300++ per night Address: 2 Dickson Road, Singapore 209494 Tel: 6396 3322
“Visitors or guests to Wanderlust and Cocotte will reconnect with a small part of their childhood and once again, be enchanted with what made them want to explore the world. I can still recall the sense of adventure, fun and the thrill of exploring the world when I first travelled as a child. But we tend to get a little jaded as we enter our adulthoods,” reflected proud owner Loh Lik Peng. “Sometimes, amazing things and original experiences get lost in the fog of our worldliness. With Wanderlust, it is my attempt at making that adult world into a fun playground once again.” For the pop-art lovers, discover different animated scenes of stencilled art installations in rooms such as ‘Princess’, ‘Flowers’, ‘Big’ and ‘Directionless’.
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is
Join the Crowd RØMP shows you how to end your year with a bang!
COMPANY Stage fanatics will salivate at the prospect of COMPANY, a multi-award winning musical created by the legendary Mr. Stephen Sondheim. Having garnered seven TONY Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Music, COMPANY takes on a theme that has been relevant to us since its 1971 Original Broadway production – being single. Peter Ong, Tan Kheng Hua and Petrina Kow are just some of the star names to lend their vocals to this hilarious musical about love, and about the ups and downs of being single when our government is championing marriage. Although it is adapted to reach out to Singaporeans, viewers can be assured that the production values are still of world class standards. Directed by funny man Hossan Leong and choreographed by the very talented George Chan, COMPANY may just ignite your quest to find love, or not. Where: Drama Centre Theatre, National Library Building Level 3 When: 1 – 11 Nov 2012 Price: $57 - $97
Crazy Christmas 2012, Silver Screen Meets Silver Bells Directed by Selena Tan and George Chan, Silver Screen Meets Silver Bells is this December’s theatre blockbuster. A star-studded cast and live orchestral-like band are just a few of its many elements that will cajole and tease even the most stoic of grandmothers. Come and witness the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Fred Astaire, and Audrey Hepburn spin magic and stir guffaws during this festive season. Theatre-goers will be familiar with Hossan Leong, Selina Tan and drag-extraordinaire Kumar, as well as Crazy Christmas debutants Judee Tan and Adrian Pang. A bevy of dancing girls dubbed the ‘Merry Miss-el’toes’ are introduced this year to further intoxicate the audience with fun and laughter. A joyous show beckons! Where: Esplanade Theatre When: 28 Nov – 2 Dec 2012 (Family-friendly version) 4 – 9 Dec 2012 (R18 version) Price: $37 - $117
The Jewel Box Hilltop Celebrations 2012 With 2012 drawing to a close, indulge yourselves with what The Jewel Box – sitting pretty atop Singapore’s highest peak in the southern precinct, Mount Faber – has to offer. Get to choose from either the classic version of the cable car or the Angry Birds alternative, before ascending towards a whimsical wonderland built to dazzle. Saunter through the Angry Birds village and Sapphire Garden, revelling in the spirit of Christmas and creating photo memories with your family, friends and loved ones. Of course, food and drinks are aplenty on the hilltop, with the likes of Black Opal, Empress Jade and Sapphire - restaurants willing to tease your palate and expand your gut. Where: The Jewel Box at Mount Faber When: 1 Dec 2012 – 6 Jan 2013
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Grey Goose Guild 2012 An annual event created by vodka specialist Grey Goose, the Grey Goose Guild recognizes not only established artisans but to also nurture rising young ones with brilliant potential. This lifestyle get-together reinforces a community of inspiring and influential icons within Singapore’s fashion industry, where participants can congregate and share their passion for fashion and craftsmanship. Some notable designers who will be present at the event include Ong Shunmugam, a Singapore-based womenswear label, as well as Carrie.K, an artisan-crafted jewellery brand created by silversmith Carolyn Kan. Where: Alkaff Mansion When: 15 November Price: TBC
Passage A team of students from the Singapore Management University (SMU) is showcasing a photography exhibition, based on their recent voluntary exploits to Nepal. Via SMU’s Project Namaste VI, the 2-week expedition was held within the northern-central part of the country, where the team conducted classes to raise awareness of education for under-privileged Nepalese children. 24 large-format photographs will be presented to the public, captured by photographers Edwin Wong and Flo Yeow - reflecting the rich culture and heritage of the nation, as well as the social issues frolicking within. Where: The Cathay Gallery When: Ongoing until 10 Nov 2012 Price: Free Admission
Singaporean ceramicist Wee Hong Leng
Artworks: ‘Spring’ by Katie Allen (left), ‘Book of Life’ by David Kracov (right)
Affordable Art Fair Diversecity DiverseCity 2012, the Singapore International Foundation’s (SIF) annual arts showcase, promises to even bigger and better than before. Featuring over 92 Singaporean artists and the 108 works they presented over the past year in 91 cities, DiverseCity 2012 will be a celebration of not only the repertoire and global reach of Singapore art and culture, but cross-cultural exchange and collaboration at its very best. Look forward to artists such as Ming Wong, Ho Tsu Yuen, Vertical Submarine, Robert Zhao and Zakaria Zainal. Venue: Singapore Art Museum at 8Q (Level 4) When: 16 Nov – 2 Dec 2012, 10am to 7pm (Saturday to Thursday) and 10am to 9pm (Friday) Price: TBC (Admission charges apply)
Already into its third year, the Singapore Affordable Art Fair 2012 promises to be a bigger and better edition than its predecessors. The family-friendly event will showcase 85 galleries on an expanded space of 4,000 square metres, including an all-new bespoke bar and lounge for private hire. Parents can leave their kids at the Children’s Art Studio or printmaking demonstrations, as they listen to art talks given by renowned experts. Held at the F1 Pit Building in Marina South, the fair will be showing off high-quality contemporary artworks from Australia, Europe and Asia. Art buffs will also be keen to know that celebrity artists such as Yayoi Kusama, Justin Lee and Ang Sookoon are among the list of acclaimed artists to showcase their works. Where: F1 Pit Building When: 15 – 18 Nov 2012 Prices: $8 - $12 (General Admission)
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Jack, Out of the Box
What’s a good time without a little razzle-dazzle? ROMP / gets up-close and Magikal with the charismatic Jack Seet, also known by his stage name JackMagik.
J
ack is no ordinary illusionist. The one-man show first tried his hand at magic when he was 17, and has never stopped practising since then. The charismatic yet humble 32-year-old has been astounding audiences for over 10 years with magical and mind-blowing performances, juggling at least 21 – 25 shows every month. While he is not perfecting his full-time trade as a magician, this Jack of all trades also quadruples up as a skydiving coach, camera flyer and musician. 1. Have you always known you were cut out for magic? I only started doing magic much later in life, but my childhood dream was to be a fighter pilot. When that didn’t pan out, I realised that the people skills I had developed over the course of my youth could contribute positively to my being a good magician. As an entertainer, it is not so much the ability to perform magic effects that sets you apart, but more so the ability to communicate and connect with your audience that makes you successful. So I guess I was “cutting myself out” to be a magician without even realising it. 2. What or who inspired you to perform magic, and what do you like most about it? I first encountered live magic during my days in junior college. A schoolmate of mine had been doing magic since he was nine, and he was probably what inspired me to actually pick it up as a hobby. You can say that he changed my life just by showing me a simple card trick. As much as one watches magic on television, it is a totally different experience to witness it first-hand. It’s amazing how even the smallest things we do can have such a profound impact on people, and I remind myself of that fact every single time I’m performing for people. That’s what I love most about my work.
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3. What was your first-ever professional performance, and how did it go?
7. Do magicians get ‘magician’s block’? What other setbacks have you experienced?
My first paid gig was for a product launch, and it was, well, not perfect. Not that it was bad either, since the pressure of a paid performance pushes you to ensure it’s a good show. But it definitely taught me a lot. That was about 10 years ago, and I would like to believe I’ve improved somewhat since then.
Most definitely, although it happens less often now since performing has generally become second nature to me. When the block comes on, I usually fall back on my script and things work out fine. But sometimes, my props do not work as planned. For example, changing humidity conditions can affect my grip on props, such that things end up not going as well as planned. That’s when I have to start thinking on my feet to salvage the situation.
4. Behind the scenes, do you work with assistants/a team, or have anyone to share your ideas with? I do most of my work alone – directing, producing, conceptualising, scriptwriting, performing, marketing, etc., but when I get stuck and need some new ideas, I do have friends in the same field I call up occasionally for help, or even to borrow props! I also have a small team of magicians – hand-picked by me for their ability to engage and entertain – who cover shows for me as well. 5. Congratulations on your recent engagement. Can you tell us more about your fiancée, and how you popped the question? Thanks! My fiancée is a singer by profession and travels frequently for performances. It was during one of these gigs in China that I flew down while she was filming an episode on Chinese national television (with an estimated viewership of 3 million!) that I proposed in my horrible Mandarin, on-air. She’s essentially the first person to watch any of my new effects and critique them, and therefore a very important part of my creative process. I wouldn’t have been able to deliver much of the impact in my magic without her help and support! 6. How do you fend off any unwanted attention from your fans? My favourite line would be, “Sorry, but I’m working,” and that works most of the time. When it doesn’t, I just pull my disappearing act!
8. What’s your favourite trick that never fails to astound your audiences? I’ve been using the same opener for the past 10 years to start my roving act, which essentially consists of me pulling a stream of poker cards out of my mouth. The visual impact of this completely catches people off guard and raises their expectations of the rest of the performance. Even audience members who have watched me more than once can still get blown away by it again and again, as it is trick that is very direct and ‘in your face’. 9. Was there ever a sceptic’s mind that you didn’t manage to impress or turn around? Oh, definitely. I’m sure we all know people who just can’t seem to really get into a movie or a play, and are always about things such as lighting, camera angles, or the actor’s skills. Often, there is still that element of what I call an inability to suspend one’s disbelief. This is especially salient in a magic performance, where what we do is essentially take one’s expectations of how reality should function, and turn it on its head. Whenever I’m unable to get into someone’s head, I ask myself if it was because I did a bad job. 10. As a magician, what are your shortcomings? Ha! There are too many, but I think one of the worst would be my memory. I once borrowed a
50 dollar note from an audience member near the beginning of the show, and got him to sign it. The intended effect was for the bill to end up inside a fruit he had been holding on to the entire time. I completely forgot all about it, and had to sheepishly return the money when I found it in my pocket after the show! 11. Why did you choose to take up a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology? I chose Psychology as my major in NUS (National University of Singapore) as I wanted to study something relevant to my field. It is said that magic is 90% psychology, so what I studied in university is in fact closely related to my work. In fact, most of my term papers in school were related to magic in some way. It is the knowledge gleaned during my journey in school that have seen extensive use both in magic, and when I coach students to jump out of planes. 12. It seems you’ve got a lot on your plate. How do you manage it all? I fly at least once a month for either overseas performances or for skydiving, so I practice the most during plane rides. Other than that, I do a fair bit of conceptualisation, prop production, and rehearsals for corporate events that require custom magic. The amount of work I put in fluctuates quite a bit, but it suffices to say that I have more life than work in my work-life balance continuum. Catch JackMagik every week at: Brusselssprouts 80 Mohamed Sultan Road, #01-12 Saturday 10.30pm – 12 midnight Sunday 1.30pm – 3.00pm
Taboo 65 Neil Road Every first Friday of the month, 11.30pm – 12.30am
Tawandang Microbrewery (Dempsey) 26 Dempsey Road, #01-01 Friday-Sunday 7.30pm – 9pm www.jackmagik.com
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Audiøphile
MUSIC
Reviews Text by Darren Chua
King Animal
Soundgarden
Seven Four Entertainment/Republic Records
Rock giants Soundgarden are back with their first album in over 16 years. The band gave fans a taste of the album with the release of the single Been Away Too Long, and never has a title for a release of a single been so appropriate. A lone crunchy guitar riff starts off the song, before the drums and bass kick in and Chris Cornell’s husky, bluesy voice shouts about how he’s been away for too long. The song’s fast pace and anthemic chorus brings long-time fans back to their earlier work. The production of the album is clear enough while still retaining that dirty, gritty sound that defines so many bands from Seattle. You’ve been away for too long, Soundgarden, and we’ve all missed you so. Welcome back.
[Spectra] Desentinel
Independent Release
A rising force of metal has just been newly unleashed upon Singaporean shores. The EP features hardhitting drums with the guitars and bass tuned down so low that it’ll put hair on your chest. Desentinel’s sound will please fans of bands such as Meshuggah and Periphery. Infinite Corridors, the single released from the EP, features hard-hitting math metal riffs without overdoing it as some bands might tend to. The groove-filled beginning starts off with harsh shouted vocals, and leads into the next riff which features the singer’s versatility as he goes into a harmonious chorus. All in all, it leaves the listener wanting more. A very impressive and promising debut.
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Merry Christmas Baby Rod Stewart Universal Music
Just in time for the festive season, Rod Stewart will release his first attempt at making a Christmas album with Merry Christmas, Baby. One can almost immediately picture Stewart’s classic distinctive raspy voice over Christmas classics as Winter Wonderland and Let it Snow!. The album will feature musical A-listers such as Michael Bublé and Cee Lo Green, alongside acclaimed musicians like Dave Koz and Trombone Shorty. In perhaps one of the most unique of duets ever on the track What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?, Rod Stewart will be doing a ‘virtual’ collaboration with the First Lady of Song herself, the late, great Ella Fitzgerald. This will be one Christmas album that will bring cheer to both fans of the classics as well as the contemporary.
R.E.D. (Realizing Every Dream)
Ne-Yo
Universal Music
Earlier this year, the crooner of hits such as So Sick and One in a Million released a music video of his latest single from his new album R.E.D. The music video titled Lazy Love featured the rapper cuddling with curvaceous women in positions that look in no way comfortable or good for posture. This sort of video comes as no surprise to anyone who’s watched a rap or hip-hop video; the real surprise about the video (cue shock and horror) was the music.
GRRR!
Recently more well-known for his dance-inducing, club-thumping hits, this track takes us back to an earlier Ne-Yo, highlighting his smooth vocals more than electronic beats. It showcases the star of the show, the vocals, and rightly so. While we can’t say we’re not expecting more club hits from Ne-Yo, it’s nice to see him spring back to form after the lukewarm reception to his lacklustre album Libra Scale.
The Rolling Stones Universal Music
In commemoration of the band’s 50th anniversary, The Rolling Stones released GRRR! this November. Many might say they have the moves like him, but there’s only one Sir Michael ‘Mick’ Jagger. Alongside the familiar line-up of Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood, this marks the first time they’ve been together in the recording studio since A Bigger Bang in 2005. Available in five different formats including a three-CD version and a four-CD super-deluxe version boasting a whopping 80 tracks, this collection also introduces two brand-new songs, Gloom and Doom and One Last Shot. Fans can, of course, look forward to such favourites as Satisfaction and Brown Sugar from the British legends.
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Audiøphile
Folk Wonders Put
together five singing Austrian dressed in lederhosen and suspenders – each adept at instruments from the accordion to the clarinet – and you’ll get Murtal Express. Founded more than 10 years ago, the name Murtal is actually based on The Mur, which happens to be the main river of Styria, Austria, home of the band members. Although this ensemble isn’t your regular heartthrob boy-band, they have generated plenty of hype and interest due to their boyish good looks and yes, infectious folk music. The stereotype of folk performances as a bore-fest is torn down to shreds by these charming vocalists, who are also known for coming out tops in the Alpen Grand Prix music contest in 2010. They pride themselves on being naturally energetic and enthusiastic, as well as “enjoying the whole creative process of making music”. Another crucial factor that makes the quintuple stand out is their combination of alpine dancing music from Austria and Oberkrain – a picturesque region north of Slovakia, with evergreens and rock. Certainly, the group recognises the need to evolve their music style through the years, and at the same time, cope with the coming and going of members. There is a joyous vibe to the way Murtal Express play their music, evident in
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Text by Mcken Wong
We have loved our experience here in “Singapore. We like how it is so multicultural
and safe. Our audience at Brotzeit® have been very warm and welcoming. songs such as Murex Starting Up, as well as their cheekiness in Silent Brass – with the boys playing a melody with their trumpets partially submerged underwater. Fan service has also been evident in their attempts to engage with audiences, which the members admit can both be amusing and theatrical. Recently in town to perform for the Oktoberfest celebrations at Brotzeit®, it sure speaks of their gradual rise to prominence outside of their home country. The band is also trying to reach out to their fans in Asia by planning more performances in future. When asked if they have any words of wisdom for aspiring Singaporean musicians, it was a unanimous ‘practice, practice and practice’. “The most important thing is that you’re completely passionate about your music, and that you have fun. You remain longer in the industry when you’re motivated by passion.”
”
Audiøphile
Kickin’
Jazz
and Taking Names
Blow away the blues with Joseph Murray as he warms up to live talents who do justice to jazz music, right in our very own backyard.
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One tell-tale sign that the long-awaited yuletide festivities are coming: when you walk into a grocery store, humming to the jazz piano interpretation of Silent Night. Or on a personal note, when Michael Buble’s doleful pining for a lover on his cover of Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You blares at top volume from the headphones of that schoolgirl sitting next to you on the bus. Listening to jazz, ‘Christmassy’ or not, is a great way to get in the mood for the season.
The Scintillating Songbird
M
ichelle’s brand of jazz is much more stripped down, refined and palatable than the jazz classics by Nat King Cole and Louis Armstrong. In one of Michelle’s captivating songs, Free To Fall, there is a line that goes: “I need your hand like a glove unto mine/ feel security, a reminder we’re alive”, depicting a lover yearning for another. Unafraid to show vulnerability in her skilful song-writing, Michelle sings with a heart-stirring pain that shines through. “Among the many struggles that I’ve been through, one of the key ones was the definition of jazz in local contexts,” Michelle says. “For many years, I’ve avoided being labelled as a ‘jazz’ singer. Because that would mean you’re going to sing Fly Me to the Moon and Moon River, perhaps do some cute ‘shoop dooby doos’, and come packaged as a well-composed lady in a sassy uppity dress.” “To me, jazz is a playful, spirited exploration of breaking through new frontiers. It is improvisation not limited to only notes and rhythm, but also to concepts, sounds, timbres, lyric, and expression. Anything is possible with jazz,” says the triple-threat singer, writer and pianist. Michelle will be having fun duelling pianos this season with Stephen Francis (who used to helm the Bellini Room House Band at St. James Powerhouse), Mondays to Fridays at Marina Mandarin, 8 pm onwards. Website: www.michelle.sg
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Soulful Harmony Affendi Sahid, more affectionately known as Fendi, struggled with making it big on the music scene (in his own words: “Damn friggin’ hard!”). In his big break with Channel 5’s Live The Dream in 2007, he showcased his brilliant vocal chops and musicality, which led him to emerge victorious at the top of the Solo Artiste category. He then went on to start Fuze Collective with his guitaristslash-good-friend Munir Alsagoff, an intimate collaborative group of talented musicians ranging from DJs to other jazz artistes. Describing them as his “favourite musicians (and) brilliant people, (with) brilliant ideas”, Fuze Collective aims to find the “different musical perspectives in a song”.
Fendi says the main goal is to always harmonise the musicians’ work together. Lending a touch of infectious electronica and jazz to his heartfelt and passionatelysung neo-soul, Fendi and Fuze Collective will tug at your heartstrings, all while making your feet tap. Keep your ears perked for Fendi’s upcoming album in 2013. For more of Fendi and Fuze Collective, watch them performing live every second Friday of the month at BluJaz Café. Website: www.fendisahid.com
Old Dreams, New Horizons Influenced by the important jazz standards of Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone and Billie Holiday, Anne Weerapass packs all of that musical ‘oomph’ into a one-woman show. A small band punctuates her effortlesslyphrased jazz syncopations with a restless bass accompaniment and lush strings. Drawing inspiration from the idols of her early pop-rock band days, such as Michael & Janet Jackson and Whitney Houston, Anne declares them as “great performers and amazing singers, with great big voices that were all bluesy and soulful and moved audiences”.
reveals an edgier side to her. With both her pop and jazz influences evident in her performances, Anne demonstrates skilful musical and vocal versatility. “I totally love jazz because it’s improvisational, it’s everchanging, it’s soulful, it’s funky, and can be Latin and Samba and Cha Cha,” Anne enthuses. “With Jazz, the singer has the freedom to be creative.”
Catch Anne every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Quaich Bar, The Whiskey Store at Resorts World Sentosa from 8.30pm – 12.15am; as well as occasionally at BluJaz Café and The Sultan Jazz Club at Anne is also part of an acid jazz the Sultan Hotel. band, K’ASS (short for Kick Ass), with keyboardist Sheum Mei Mei, where Anne Website: www.anneweerapass.com
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Gadget
Gettin’
TechiE with IT
One of the world’s lightest DSLR camera, the Canon EOS 6D is pretty remarkable. Hardy due to its magnesium alloy body, it is also dust and drip proof, a fitting companion for travellers or butterfingered people. Standout features comprise an integrated Wi-Fi connectivity – for ease of sharing photos on social media, and a GPS logger function useful for outdoor trekkers. The 6D possesses a new auto-focus (AF) system, a superior image sensor and high ISO speed, producing exceptional photos even in low light conditions. Certainly, it is a gift that will set any snappy-happy fanatic’s heart ablaze. Price: Available from end-November
Bordering on the modernistic and modish, the Samsung All-In-One (AIO) PC Series 7 reflects just how far the modern PC has evolved into. The metallic arch stand props an edgeless screen featuring the latest WQHD display, delivering quality viewing whether it’s a football match or Taiwanese soap. Gamers too will test the limits of the 3rd generation Intel® Core™ i7 processor, as well as lapping up the benefits of its powerful graphics. What’s more, the unique five hand gesture recognition features will be ideal for the multi-tasker, allowing users to flip and scroll from a meter away. Surely a gift that will be the new conversation starter! Price: Unavailable
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The latest iPod Nano in Apple’s ever-expanding stable is proving to be as eye-catching as its popular iPad sibling. Priding itself on being the thinnest iPod and featuring a 2.5-inch Multi-Touch™ display, this petite player packs a pretty good punch. The built-in pedometer and support for Nike+ features will delight any fitness enthusiasts, while the newly designed Apple EarPods™ deliver remarkable acoustic quality. A 30-hour music playback competence, Bluetooth capabilities, as well as its availability in a rainbow of seven colours, are just some of the highlights of this wonderful creation for both adults and kids. Price: $198
Apple iPod Nano HTC Desire X
Canon EOS 6D
Check the latest gadgets and gizmos out this season, as Mcken Wong takes you through the hits that may earn you extra brownie points with your friends and family.
HTC’s latest foray into the world of smartphones has led them to unveil the HTC Desire X, which combines a classy simplicity in design with advanced technological features. The 5-megapixel camera allows for point-andshoot spontaneity, as well as displaying pleasing elements such as the automatic adjustable flash and Continuous Shooting mode for fast-paced action. A faster internal processor aside, the vivid 4-inch LCD WVGA screen and Dropbox integration blends into a sleek unassuming machine. A studio-like experience awaits the music buff with an integrated Beats Audio and accompanying headphones. Price: $438
Sony VAIO Duo 11 “The impossible is often the untried,” J. Goodwin once said. With Sony, the new VAIO Duo 11 is a creatively designed, high-performance hybrid Ultrabook that delivers a ‘warm’ portable PC experience. A new digitiser stylus allows high precision writing, with the screen intelligently dismissing any palm presses while you’re at it – perfect for the budding writer or doodling dreamers. Of course, the design – a sliding LCD display that switches between slate and keyboard mode – is a confident disposition of Sony’s impressive innovation. With highend music technologies (xLoud, ClearPhase) and all-in-one social media updates through the unique ‘Socialife’ app, the Duo 11 is surely an outstanding masterpiece to own. Price: $1,999 for the Intel Core i5-3317U and $2,699 for the Intel Core i7-3517U
Knomo
$187 (fo Slim Laptop #02-10 Wr Medium) fro Sleeve with m Strap heelock Place Nimbus,
Dress Up
Modern technology has blanketed us with inventions as dazzling as the twinkling Christmas lights this season. It is unavoidable that some of them have evolved into a fashion statement, faux pas or not. Red is not so much the new black (although they complement each other extremely well), but there is a reason why it symbolizes passion and love. The right buy can instantly transform your portable device into a statement item, a work of art, or the centrepiece of an enjoyable get-together with friends and family. A white Christmas you might not get in Singapore – but a jazzed-up techno-fashionista you are likely to be remembered for. e 5 covervogue Uniq iPhon @
Vlashkor ‘TwinkleTwinkle’ DSLR Strap
$79 from Cumulus, #02-14 Wheelock Place
all tech $39.90 fromstores and Nubox
Canvas Mak
i Jacket
$6 retail stores 5 from various www.goingand online at: incase.com .sg
Reflex On Ear Headphon es
$129 from www.goin com.sg case.
Edition La Sardina DIY by Astralae) (Image: ‘Da Bai Tu’
phy Gallery $178 from Lomogra South Bridge Road Store Singapore, 295
Grablet for iPad 2/3
$79.90 from Nimbus, #02-10 Wheelock Place
Jambox
$458 (Big) an (Small) from d $328 Nubox stores all
ones Headphig e Earbudzom all Sm gl $14.95 fr outlets
Monopoly zAPPED Gameboard
$49.90 from tech@ vogue, #02-22/23 NEX Mall and #B2-26 Marina Bay Link Mall
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Style Jøurnal
S taples
eason’s
Fashion should be accessible to one and all, but chasing trends should never be the crux of fashion. Andre Frois shares how finding one’s personal style exudes character, while amalgamating a touch of contemporary trend can reveal intellect. RØMP/035
Lanvin
Colour of the Season:
Burgundy
Diane Von Furstenberg
Blazer from H&M
As predicted by Gogol Bordello, it’s time to start wearing purple. From Hermès to Ferragamo fashion shows, models have been popping up on the runway donning various tones of plum.
Briefcase from Topshop
Drop Waist Ponte Skater from New Look
The choice convoy of these carmine and crimson hues has been modern gentlemen’s suits, evident from the Fall/ Winter collections of Dolce & Gabbana, Etro, Gucci, Boss Black and Louis Vuitton. While Donatella Versace has applied shades of wine to regal effect in her fashion house’s trademark smoking jacket style, Tommy Hilfiger has splashed it all over his ensembles, from casual wear to evening wear. For the fairer sex, several of this season’s blood-red textured tops, playsuits, platforms, totes and flowing dresses promise to contrast fair skin to heart-stopping effect.
Border Lace Dip Hem Dress from Topshop Shoes from M&S
Tie from H&M
ATM Alfred Lace Up from Office Shorts from H&M 036/RØMP
Grey Collar Tip Shirt from Topshop
Hansel
Body Part of the Season:
Waist Celine
Scuba Peplum Dress from New Look
Stickwomen and plus-sizers around the world rejoice! This season heralds several new fashion inventions that spice up the female midsection. Fall/Winter’s in-word is peplum, whose flag has been flown by the likes of Balenciaga, Burberry, Dior, Etro and Lanvin, while fashion houses like Prada and Yves Saint Laurent have channelled the slimming effect of cropped jackets via a myriad of creative offerings. Another waist-accentuating innovation is the drop-waist dress, whose lowhanging hem magnetises men, and will keep yours stuck to you.
Ponte Peplum Mini from New Look
Sleeveless Peplum Top from Topshop
Blouse from H&M
Women’s Wrap Top from Lipsy RØMP/037
Tommy Hillfiger
Item of the Season:
Blazer
Tuxedo Jacket from H&M
Ladies: A fashion writer of a prominent women’s magazine once revealed to me: “No matter how sloppy your outfit is, it can be saved with a blazer.” When shopping for one, paying attention to its fabric and structure is essential. A good buy will have great cutting, especially around the shoulders; must be fitting, preferably at the waist area; and comes with sleeves that are not too long. Bi- and tri-material features are a bonus. If you’re in a prosperous period in your life, look towards Helmut Lang. Black blazers are boring yet crucial to the female wardrobe, but everyone also needs a white blazer for contrasting dark outfits and for formal functions. Jacket from Uniqlo
Stretch Tailored Jacket from Uniqlo 038/RØMP
Petite Cropped Sleeve Blazer from Topshop
Business Jacket from New Look
Wool Shetland Check Blazer from Ted Baker
BOSS Black
Salvatore Ferragamo
Gentlemen: Similarly for men, owning a black or dark-coloured blazer is essential to making you a real life transformer. In this day and age when one’s presence is required at back-to-back formal and casual affairs, a blazer does the trick effortlessly. The modern-cut casual blazer is defined by its lack of structure. If you’ve a bit more disposable income, look towards good investments such as creations from Dolce & Gabbana, Hugo Boss, Dior Homme’s famous deconstructed range or even Yoji Yamamoto’s bi-material outerwear. If you have less to splash, flattering replicas are available at H&M, Zara and Topman.
Comfort Jacket from Uniqlo
Blazer from House of Fraser
Blazer from H&M RØMP/039
Style Jøurnal
Party Like a RØMP shows you how to rock the look!
Star
Now that we’re nearing the end of a challenging twenty twelve, the last thing we need is to let our party outfit be judged and be damned. We just want to let our hair down (except for the waxedup ones), and relish the celebratory atmosphere that is so prevalent during the year end. In all honesty though, if you’re to have a positive retrospect after a party, go easy on those shots.
Pitch Watch Ring, $130 - 150 from Cumulus Vanessa Silver Clutch, $450 from White Moon
Multi Padlock Charm Bracelet, $99 from GUESS
Winter Earrings, $49.00 from Lush Crystal Jewelry at Zalora
Multi Gold Member Tee Dress, $92.00 from Mink Pink at Zalora Embellished Collar, $26.90 from New Look Bow Back Brocade Prom Dress $79.90 from New Look
Near Heels, $159 from Aldo
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Utopia Festival Purse, $49 from Billabong
Fans of the Hallyu wave or not, we all know how pastel and nude tones create a soft, elegant look that’s fit for every joyous occasion. Look saccharine sweet in lovely shades of peach pink to lighten up your appearance – a warm, feminine colour that’s best accompanied by lustrous tinges of rose gold accents.
Sheen Watch, $199 from Casio G-Factoryat Zalora
If girlish and demure aren’t really your thing, you might still want to amp up your glam-factor with all that gleams. Go grunge with dirty gold and black, and top the look off with chunky accessories that scream attitude.
Bow Tie, $63.90 from N. Tyler at Zalora
Fedora, $24.90 from H&M
Belt, (price unavailable) from Billabong White Keishi Pearl cufflinks, $169 from White Moon
Overdrive watch, $218 from all GUESS boutiques & accessories stores
Bill Clip, $49 from Picard Studded Satchel, $259 (11 inches) and from Dr. Martens Winter Braces, $17.90 from H&M
Adam Black Canvas shoes, $185 from Actually+
Orchid Tie (The Vanda Miss Joaquim), $89 from T.M Lewin
Grab a distinctive looking shirt and if possible, finish it off elegantly with a pair of cufflinks. To effortlessly transition between work and play requires a look that’s smart and sleek, yet still ready for the night’s shenanigans. Accessories like braces highlight your attention to detail, while little touches such as a bow tie and a black fedora appear unpretentious but genteel. Try to be subtly different, with white jeans and belt clips that reflect the coloured lights of party places wherever you choose, or are being led to.
Shirt, $49.90 from H&M
Men Regular Fit Straight Jeans, $69.90 from Uniqlo
The colour black will never fade into fashion oblivion, thus doses of it in any part of your outfit (like a wallet or a holdall) will ease you away from being too loud or quirky. RØMP/041
Grooming
Princess of the Party Delight in delicious colour additions to Esprique’s highly-popular BLEND DIMENSIONAL EYES range. These finelypigmented eye candies are just what you need for a sweet, sugary touch to your peepers. Find romance in the bluish-pink of macaroons in Amethyst Pink (Shiny), which is perfect for a date out on any day. RØMP loves: The versatility of colour play, where eye shadow enthusiasts can choose to blend three colours with a single sweep of the extra-large application chip provided for a ‘one-stroke finish’. Price: $39.90 Where to get: Selected major departmental stores
Perfect for dry and lack-lustre hair. This 3-in-1 wearable hair treatment repairs and protects one’s tresses while adding volume and shine. Infused with organic aloe vera and nettle, Ghassan’s 3SUM INFUSED ORGANIC TREATMENT comes especially handy as a pre-heat treatment product and even serves to enhance hair colour. RØMP loves: How quickly this solution is absorbed (even when applied on skin!), to leave your hair feeling light and silky with a non-greasy finish. Price: $60 Where to get: SuperBerry at Orchard Central, #03-29
Natural herbal cosmetics brand Belif introduces its BELIF PEAT MIRACLE REVITAL line, championing pure peat extract from Finnish peat water which is abundant with humic acid, an essential ingredient for healthy skin. Peat is excellent in improving skin elasticity with its moisture-retaining qualities, and also prevents inflammation and irritation such that it is suitable for all skin types. RØMP loves: The pleasant fragrance and rich texture of both face and eye creams, which work well when applied together to provide good moisture retention, without clogging pores. Price: From $71 Where to get: Belif at Wisma Atria, #B1-64
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The LUZERN HYDRA-MICELLAR FLUID is the ultimate time saver for busy bees who appreciate fuss-free makeup removal at the end of a long day. Containing Pure Zermatt Glacial Water, humectants and aloe leaf juice, this hydrating fluid not only removes most types of makeup effectively, but also leaves your skin surprisingly soft and clean without the need for water. Gentle enough for even delicate under-eye skin. RØMP loves: The easy-peasy, non-rise formula. With just a few swipes of a cotton pad, your face will be well-cleansed and dewy in seconds. Price: $55 Where to get: SuperBerry at Orchard Central, #03-29 | My Type Store at Parkway Parade, #B1-83 and Raffles City Shopping Centre, #B2-15 | Nourish Naturally at 215C Upper Thomson Road
Packed with everything pink, sparkly and fun, the alltime favourite STARDUST bath and body set comes with lusciously-sweet treats such as the Magic Wand reusable bubble bar wand, Snow Fairy shower gel, and Snow Globe soap. The ideal party kit for every girl with pink-obsessed princess. RØMP loves: What glitzy girl at heart doesn’t covet a giant, glittery, star-shaped boxed of sweet-smelling surprises? Price: $94 Where to get: Lush at Wisma Atria, #B1-13
Treat yourself to a GINGER SPARKLE BOX full of goodies from The Body Shop this season. The Ginger Sparkle Shower Gel, Body Butter, Soap and Body Polish will leave you smelling zingy, spicy and sweet from head to toe. RØMP loves: The undeniably adorable gift tin in the shape of a giant gingerbread man, which can be reused to stow away all your trinkets. Now, that’s icing on the cake… or gingerbread man! Price: $38.90 Where to get: All The Body Shop outlets
The launch of Bottega Veneta’s EAU DE PARFUM DELUXE COLLECTION serves to celebrate the first anniversary of the luxury label’s iconic scent, and rightfully so. Standing out among the collection is the SOLID PERFUME; nestled within a refillable, antique-finish brass compact with a handy mirror, there’s no sexier way to fragrance yourself than to dab this deeply alluring perfume onto the pulse points of your body. RØMP loves: The refreshingly unique notes of leather, which blend well with the opening of bergamot and pink pepper. Promising to bring out sensuality and self-assurance in every woman, this scent is a prominent head-turner, and is truly like no other. Price: $276 Where to get: All Bottega Veneta boutiques and selected major departmental stores
Text by Michelle Zhu
W
Put Your Best Face Forward
Beyond Beauty Special
omen who spend long hours exposed to air-conditioned environments will find Beyond Beauty’s H20 Hydrating Facial a refreshing thirst-quencher for their moisture-sapped skin. Presenting a blissful 60-minute combination of cleansing and hydrating facial treatments, peppered with intervals of face, head and shoulder massages to soothe tension and re-energize.
The H20 Hydrating Facial is designed to prevent aging and blemishes caused by the build-up of dead skin and debris in one’s pores; an H2O mask is applied after numerous cleansing steps, followed by a hydrating and purifying cream mask. Its gentle and relaxing process will suit well to sensitive skin and those who fear painful extractions and post-treatment facial redness. Regular sessions of this maintenance treatment will help to reduce and prevent fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, pigmentation, acne and scarring. Leaving your skin soft, moist and ready to face the world again. Intensive H20 Hydrating facial (60mins) Trial special : $38 (U.P.$250) Available at: All Beyond Beauty outlets
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PRIM-
SSENTIAL Start the Day with a Cuppa Not just a cutesy head turner, Anatomicals’ JAVA LATHER COFFEE BUZZ BODY CLEANSER is as whimsical as the others within their latest funky range. The mixture of aloe vera and witch hazel will invigorate any skin type, with the witty design upping a few notches to the bathroom aesthetics. RØMP loves: This cleanser’s subtle coffee scent, along with its simple yet jocular container design. Price: $8.95 Where to get: www.Zalora.sg
A Berry Clean Face Benta Berry is the cosmetic brainchild of Marie-Pierre Schmitz, a fairly new brand on the block from France but already a hit in five continents. The CLEANSING FACE WASH FOR BOYS is made from 100% natural active ingredients such as pineapple, mango and lime. What’s more, coconut virgin oil is also present to hydrate your skin. RØMP loves: Its fruity redolence, which makes any sweaty boy or man smell peachy. Price: $14.90 Where to get: Selected Guardian stores and online at www.bentaberry.sg or www.arglyduckling.com
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Weed out dreaded dirt and oil from your pores with T-Zone’s PORE TIGHTENING CLEANSER. It contains the bacterial-fighting Manuka honey, as well as spot-reducing tea tree oil - propitious ingredients which are vital for your delicate face. RØMP loves: The convenience of being able to use it anytime, anywhere, and without the need for a water rinse. Price: $8.90 Where to get: Selected Watsons stores
T-Zoned Men who style their hair frequently, rejoice! Soften your crop before you wax or clay it, with Gatsby’s NATURAL HAIR WATER. Other than masking sweat odour with its subtle fruity fragrance, the liquid also contains vitamin moisture retainer that protects and nourishes your hair. RØMP loves: That uniquely old-school spray bottle – a much-needed fun factor to kick-start your day with. Price: $9.20 Where to get: All Watsons and Mediya stores
Holy, Water!
Nivea’s latest facial wash for men, the MULTI EFFECT 8 COOLING VOLCANIC MUD FOAM, boasts qualities that are pretty sui generis. Possessing mud-like capabilities, it is able to absorb oil and pore-clogging dirt, as well as protecting the skin from toxin and other harmful substances present in the air. The presence of menthol provides a frosty afterreception on the skin, a welcome sojourn from the effects of our tropical weather.
Musky Sportsman The Body Shop’s WHITE MUSK SPORT LOCKER ROOM ESSENTIAL BOX SET delivers a classy panache when it comes to men’s grooming. A perfect gift for the confident man, this set sports a deodorant, hair and body wash, as well as an eau de toilette – all in shades of poignant blue. RØMP loves: The citrus spontaneity of grapefruit and lemon fragrances that will spritz you up with a spout of optimism.
RØMP loves: The fact that this facial wash doesn’t make your skin feel taut or dry – a misconception for most men thinking that it signifies cleaned up skin. This ends up at the top of our favourites list. Price: $8.90 Where to get: All major personal care stores and supermarkets
Mud Bath
Price: $70.90 Where to get: All The Body Shop outlets
Minty Fresh Goodness Refreshing and invigorating, Organic Surge’s CITRUS MINT SHOWER GEL blends organic peppermint, lemon and orange essential oils with natural moisturisers for an exuberant wash. Untouched by harsh chemicals, it contains vitamin E to quell skin irritation and blemishes – as well as a 100% natural foaming action capable of retaining your skin’s natural moisture. RØMP loves: The minty scent and cooling effect of this lather. It’s especially gratifying in the heat and humidity of Singapore, and very apt for Christmas. Price: $14.90 Where to get: At selected Guardian stores and www.organicsurge.sg
Look Mum, No Paunch!
Text by McKen Wong
Beyond Beauty Special
M
en with the bulge, thou shall not be depressed. The introduction of For Him’s The Ultimate Trim - a body sculpting package that aims to restore confidence and eliminate fats, has proven to be exceptionally effective. Utilizing the 3 Max Cool Shaping Technology, integrated functions of the machine consist of Ultrasonic cavitation, Radio Frequency (RF) and Vacuum Technology. These functions play a vital role in targeting cellulite and speed up inch loss, as well as increasing the metabolism rate for faster weight reduction. A mere 20 minutes of this treatment on someone of acceptable weight, namely yours truly, was enough to take an impressive two cm off the lower abdominal region. You can also opt to just contour and firm up your torso, removing those troublesome fats that prevent the emergence of your hallowed six packs. The sessions will be customised according to your various requirements, although multiple visits may be required to achieve the desired result.
The Ultimate Trim (60mins) Trial special: $68 (U.P.$300) Available at: All For Him Men’s Spa outlets
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Perspective
Shooting Style E
lson Sng, 25, may have just started dabbling in the glamorous world of fashion photography in only January this year – but that did not stop him from gaining notable attention through his entries for Harper’s BAZAAR & ION Orchard Photography Awards 2012, not to mention his recent display of works at the Singapore JewelFest exhibition in October. Who would have guessed that this avid photographer had built such a stunning range of work in just a matter of months? RØMP unravels mysteries behind the man who displays talent far beyond his age.
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Model: Charlotte Hand from Upfront Models
It was love at first snap for Elson when he received a Pentax Zoom 90-WR from his parents as a 12th birthday gift. “Photography
started off as a hobby of mine since the days of my late childhood, but I only formally picked up the fundamentals of photography during my studies in Digital Media Design back in ITE,” he recalls. “I then bought my first DSLR, an Olympus E-500, to practice on my own.”
Model: Janice Yip from Upfront Models, for Jewelfest 2012 Model: Elaine Jasmine, for Calico Lookbook
Model: Charlotte Hand from Upfront Models
The BA(hons) in Graphic Communication graduate from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) now owns four cameras to date, but declares equal affection for all of them. “I don’t
have a favourite camera. However I do have a favourite lens, which is the 35mm macro on my Olympus.”
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Model: Derrick K
Top & bottom: Interpret S/S 2012
So why fashion photography in particular? His answer is simple: “Retail advertisements
have always intrigued and amazed me, so I wanted to try achieving a similar style and feel with my photographs. Two fashion photographers I’ve idolized most would be Terry Richardson and Richard Avedon, whose works have inspired me to try my hand in this field.” But success is never achieved alone. “At first, I tried to conduct fashion shoots on my own but I was never satisfied with the results. I decided to engage Indra as a stylist – a friend of mine studying Fashion Design in NAFA – along with a videographer, Yuan Shuai, who’s also the owner of Playstudio. sg, to work with me on some of my later projects. They both have helped me a lot during my process of learning the art.” He is surprisingly not a follower of any particular designer label or style in the fickle field of fashion. The bold and fantastic garments modelled in several of his works, are in fact creations of various NAFA students as part of their final year projects. “It’s more of a win-
win situation,” Elson admits. “They provide me with unique attire for my models, and I feature their works so that we both have something to add on to our portfolios.”
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Model (left and below): Sara Benjamin Ventura, for the ION Photography Competition 2012
And what does this down-to-earth shutterbug feel about consumerism in relation to our favourite time of the year, where a wardrobe revamp is synonymous with the Christmas season for many?
“To me, fashion is more than just consumerism – it’s an attitude that I work to bring out through my photography. Although I don’t really celebrate Christmas, this season just reminds me of how I’ll be looking to further my skills and portfolio in the year to come,” he professes. “I would actually avoid Orchard road at all costs during this period of time!” Elson has spent the last three years honing his skills in not just photography but also multimedia, print / interactive design and web concept development. He has recently embarked on a career in graphic and web design, but continues to devote his weekends to conducting both commercial and personal photo shoots on the side.
Interpret S/S 2012 Fashion Film: The entire process of filming and shooting for fashion editorial project Interpret Spring/Summer 2012 was conducted within just four hours in Elson’s living room. Visit www.elsonsng.com for more of Elson Sng’s works. RØMP/049
Savøur
Tackling the Turducken
Award-winning celebrity chef Emmanuel Stroobant shares his recipe for the perfect Turducken: the monarch of all meat delicacies. If you’re deciding between roast turkey, duck or chicken for Christmas dinner, we have the best of three worlds for you. Turducken (a portmanteau of turkey, duck and chicken) may appear time-consuming and tedious to make – but do it right, and this astonishing dish is bound to be the talk of the table.
TURDUCKEN (serves 8 - 10) Ingredients - 1 Turkey breast - 2 Chicken breasts - 2 Duck breasts - 2 Pigeon breasts* - 300g minced pork - 2 carrots, peeled and browned - 1 celery, peeled and diced (brunoise) - 2 onions (diced) - 300g of breadcrumbs - 100g of wild mushrooms - 200g foie gras terrine* - 3 eggs - 50g butter - Butcher string * Pigeon meat is available from Meat the Butcher (615, Bukit Timah Road) or online at: www.thebutcher.com.sg * Foie gras terrine is available for purchase online at: www.gourmetshop.com.sg and www.delicia.com.sg
Method:
FOR THE SAUCE
1. Butterfly the turkey, chicken and duck breasts. This is done by cutting in the middle of the breast 3/4 of the way through, and running the knife horizontally to open up the breast.
Ingredients
2. Melt the butter in a sauté pan and sweat onions, carrots and celery. 3. Add the wild mushrooms and cook for another 5 minutes. 4. Combine the pork mince, carrots, celery, onions, wild mushrooms, foie gras terrine, breadcrumbs and eggs. Season with salt and pepper and set aside. 5. On a clean chopping board, lay out turkey breast. Cover with a thin layer of the filling on 2/3 of the turkey breast, place duck breast on top and cover with the filling 2/3 of the duck breast. Repeat for the chicken and the pigeon. 6. To roll the turducken, start from the area that is not covered with the filling, fold and roll the bird over itself. Using butcher string, truss the bird to keep its shape.
- 1 litre of turkey stock - 2 carrots (chopped) - 2 onions (chopped) - 2 stalks of (chopped) - 1 leek (chopped) - 2 sprigs of thyme - 1 bulb of garlic
Method 1. In a pot, sweat the vegetables, thyme and garlic for 20 minutes. 2. Add the turkey stock and simmer for 30 minutes. 3. Strain and reduce to half volume.
Brought to you by Saint Pierre
7. Preheat oven to 160°C and bake for 1 hour or until the internal temperature of the turducken hits 56°C. 8. Remove and let it rest for 10 minutes before carving.
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www.saintpierre.com.sg
Sweet, Sweet Serenade
Sugar-loving, candy-enamoured souls craving for a sweet ending to their 2012 are in for a pleasant surprise this season.
Once Upon a Cookie What would Christmas be without its cookies? Marks & Spencer never fails to entice with their seasonal confectionery, which make great table decorations for the season as well as delightful, inexpensive gifts. Don’t get caught stealing cookies from the White Forest or Chocolate Chunk Cookie Jars ($15.90 each). If you’re looking to spruce up your Christmas, traditional Iced Snowflake Gingerbread Biscuits ($14.90) will suit your tree to a tee. And for those who simply want to spread the love for all things cute, any child at heart would rejoice in a Robin or Reindeer Gingerbread Biscuit ($6.90 each).
Butter it Up Werther’s Original, the popular caramel flavoured sweets maker from Germany, has come up with two brand new flavours: the Sugar Free ($2.25 for 70g) version and Butter Mints ($3.24 for 135g). 9 calories apiece for the sugarless variation is an excuse for diabetics and weightwatchers, while the buttery mints cater to those who want something tingly in their caramel doses.
Hugs for All We know wintry weather isn’t really possible for us, but here’s a cold fix for you to indulge in. Ben & Jerry’s has come up with a brand-new flavour combining maple caramel swirls with brown sugar brownies – the Maple Tree Hugger. You can now bag this novel creation in the seasonal exclusive Ben & Jerry’s Party Pack ($49.90), which comes with an ice cream scoop, rainbow sprinkles, and four pints of ice cream of your choice in a special Ben & Jerry’s shopper bag.
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Savøur
The Spirit of a
Cosmopolitan
Christmass Christmas is a time for merry-making in the company of close family and friends; depending on where it is celebrated, customs and foods for the season may vary substantially. From eating KFC chicken to exchanging bags of lentils, let yourself be inspired by real Christmas traditions from all over the world, found right here in the comfort of our cosmopolitan city. Text by Dina Kahar
01 The term ‘eggnog’ has debateable history. The ‘nog’ part of its name might have stemmed from the Middle English term ‘noggin’ which is used to describe a small, carved wooden mug used to serve alcohol. This dairy-based beverage is traditionally made with milk, cream, sugar, beaten eggs and a dash of rum. Eggnog is well-loved in the States and Canada, and is normally enjoyed during winter celebrations like Christmas and Thanksgiving. Where it can be found: TCC, Cold Storage (all outlets) Available: From late Nov - Dec
03 Pronounced as “fwa grah”, this gastronomical heritage from France is made of the liver of a duck or goose that has been specifically fattened by corn. It is a popular cuisine even in Singapore, although usually only found in more expensive cafés and restaurants. The foie gras is far superior to ordinary duck and goose liver, due to its rich and buttery flavour. Where it can be found: Ember (50 Keong Saik Road), Absinthe (72 Boat Quay), Saveur (5 Purvis Street), and plenty more Available: All year round 052/RØMP
02 Yes, you read that right! The KFC fried chicken is a Christmas hit in Japan. The festive trend developed in 1974 when KFC promoted the then popular catchphrase “Christmas = Kentucky” in Japan. Marketing efforts proved to be so popular that it has become modern tradition for the Japanese to buy KFC chicken instead of turkey for Christmas. This is also a good story to tell your family when they start giving you dirty looks for suggesting Christmas celebrations at KFC. Where it can be found: KFC (all outlets) Available: All year round
04
Christmas dinners based on English tradition often consist of a centrepiece roast turkey with mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, vegetables and raisin pudding for dessert. In many cases, the turkey is stuffed with bread-based stuffing. Restaurants in Singapore may offer an Asian twist in recipes. Mandarin Oriental, for example, marinates the turkey in ‘buah keluak’ paste and serves it with chestnut and mushroom glutinous rice instead of mashed potatoes. Those opting for a more affordable Christmas dinner might want to try the large variety of roast turkey flavours from Cold Storage. Where it can be found: Mandarin Oriental (5 Raffles Avenue‚ Marina Square), Cold Storage (at all outlets) Available: From late Nov - Dec
05 06 This Australian delicacy was believed to have been created in honour of famous Russian ballet dancer Anna Pavlova, when the star visited Australia in 1926 on her world tour. Pavlova tastes as lovely as it sounds and will appeal to those with an incurable sweet tooth. The dessert comprises of a light meringue base and is traditionally decorated with a topping of cream and fresh fruits such as kiwi and strawberries. Where it can be found: Boomarang Bistro & Bar (60 Robertson Quay), Cedele (at all outlets) Available: All year round
07
In Italy, it is Christmas tradition to give a bag of lentils to your friends for them to prepare lentil soup with. This peasant soup is supposed to remind them of their small beginnings, and to be humble and thankful for what they have. Italians also believe that the beans symbolise wealth, and that eating them will bring prosperity and good luck for the New Year. The lentil soup is equally popular in Mediterranean countries such as Turkey. Where it can be found: Sofra Turkish Café & Restaurant (100 Beach Road), Blu Kouzina (893 Bukit Timah Road) Available: All year round
The pineapple upside-down cake is a Mexican holiday favourite, and is no way difficult to make in your very own kitchen. Thousands of recipes for this cake are available on the Internet, but it should be no trouble following your intuition to come up with your own. Simply bake some cake batter over a layer of chopped pineapples, before turning it over and allowing it to set. Sugar is normally used to coat the bottom of the baking pan to prevent the cake from sticking. Alternatively, you can also head on down to Whatever Café at 20 Keong Saik Road to chomp down on a slice of Mexican joy. Where it can be found: Whatever Café (20 Keong Saik Road) Available: All year round
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08 Pronounced “hamon”, jamón is dry-cured ham and originates from Spain. It is generally served raw in thin slices. Because curing spans several months, jamón remains a pricey but highly sought-after dish. Our recommendation? Indulge yourself this Christmas. After a long year of toiling away at the office, you’ll probably need it. Where it can be found: Sabio (5 Duxton Hill), L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon at Hotel Michael (8 Sentosa Gateway), Guy Savoy at Marina Bay Sands (10 Bayfront Avenue) Available: All year round
10 There are many stories to be found about the historical origins of the candy cane, one of the most popular ones being of a German choirmaster who handed long candy sticks out to noisy children in his church during Christmas Eve in attempt to keep them quiet. Since then, the confectionery’s popularity has spread throughout the world. In the 1950s, a Catholic priest named Gregory Keller invented the Keller Machine, sparking a revolution in the automated production of candy canes.
09
Yule Log The Yule log finds its origins in ancient German paganism that was practised across Northern Europe, prior to Christianisation. It was used to represent to burning of wood in fire festivals during the winter solstice. Today, however, the Yule log is simply a traditional Christmas cylindrical sponge cake filled with delicious chocolate butter cream and, occasionally, espresso-flavoured ganache. Where it can be found: Marriott Singapore (320 Orchard Road), Mandarin Oriental (5 Raffles Avenue‚ Marina Square), HäagenDazs (all outlets) and plenty more Available: From late Nov - Dec
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Where it can be found: Candy Empire (at all outlets), and plenty more Available: Usually Nov - Dec
12 Although it originates from the Netherlands, Edam cheese is a Christmas favourite in the Philippines – brought to the island by its Spaniard conquistadors. It is traditionally sold in spheres with a pale, yellow exterior and normally coated with red paraffin wax for export. ‘Young’ varieties have a very mild flavour that may be either slightly salty or nutty. As they age, their flavour tends to sharpen. It is usually served with jamón.
The Christmas pudding is similar to fruit cake, except that it is steamed. It is usually doused in flaming brandy to ward off evil spirits. The dessert is traditionally made on Stir Up Sunday, which is the last Sunday before the Christian season of Advent. The making of Christmas pudding is one that brings family together – each member takes a turn to stir the mixture, make a wish and add coins to the batter. Finding coins in your pudding is supposedly said to bring you wealth, health and happiness in years to come!
Where it can be found: Cold Storage (all outlets), and plenty more Available: All year round
Where it can be found: Marks & Spencer, Cold Storage (all outlets) Available: From late Nov - Dec
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Wørk it
S
he’s only 22, but Ili Lim is anything but wet behind the ears. Having done Singapore proud by continuously making waves in the international flowboarding scene, she scored first place in the Women’s Category while staging her debut at the 2009 Singapore Flowriding Competition at the astounding age of 19. The spunky young lady has recently ranked first yet again in the Female Strapless Category for the World Flowboarding Championships held this September in Mallorca, Spain. RØMP dives into more detail on her buoyant love for the contemporary board sport that’s taken the world by storm.
Champion
In Full Flow
Tell us more about flowboarding, and what you love about it. Flowboarding is a hybrid boardsport, which has been evolving since the 1980s. It combines progression, maneuvers and skills from the core action sports of skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding, wakeboarding and skimboarding. I have always been in love with water sports because I grew up watching my brother surf real waves, and discovered my passion in flowboarding ever since I took it up at the age of 19. When I flowboard, I feel that every thought and worry is taken away from me; it’s just me and the waves. You’ve an amazing track record in all the competitions you participated in so far. How did you achieve this? The first competition that I joined was the Singapore Flow Championship in 2009. I was not hoping to get first place at the time, but I was more looking forward to watch and learn from the professional flowboarders from abroad. There were a few of us in the category, and most of us had the same tricks in hand. Luckily enough, my tricks were the cleanest. I was glad that I won the first competition I participated in. It became my motivation to work harder to get to an international level.
What challenges did you face along the way? When I first start to compete, I got really nervous during competitions. One such example was during my second competition at Flow Jam 2010. I was so nervous that it led me to perform badly, and I ended up placing second. However, as I gain experience from one competition after another, I’ve learned to keep myself in the right frame of mind each time to avoid crumbling under pressure. I’ve also been through a couple of bad injuries. One major injury happened last year when I was training for the International Flow Championships 2011. I broke my left collarbone due to a bad fall, so I was out for four months. Early this year, I’ve also had problems with my right knee and had to take a break for about a month. As cliché as this may seem, these injuries have made me stronger. What off-water training techniques do you employ? When I was in San Diego for a competition, my friends brought us to an open gym with huge trampolines – I realised that these could really improve a flowboarder’s aerial maneuvers and flip tricks. So I invested in a fortyfoot trampoline, and that’s how I train now. I also do yoga whenever I have the time; it works my core muscles, which I find extremely helpful. RØMP/055
Wørk it
A Christmas Fit for You Make Christmas count like it should. If 2012 has not been working out quite the way you envisioned, and all your New Year resolutions about losing weight and staying healthy now seem distant and unaccomplished, fret not. December will be your best shot at making amends. Ever wondered how to stay trim, despite soaking in the festivities accompanied by the sumptuous feasts? Learn how to bend the rules as Benjamin Chia lets you in on 12 lesser-known secrets to survive this season, and keep your waistline intact.
1
Everyone knows that Christmas season equates to having goodies lurking in every corner. By mentally preparing yourself for the arrival of jingle-bell themed songs and brandy-drenched fruit cakes, you will be aware of the dietary booby traps that entail and be less tempted to binge.
Socialise hard.
3
Have words coming out from your mouth, instead of having highcalorie mains and desserts rolling in. The more you socialise at a party, the less eating your mouth has to do. The challenge at every Christmas is the ‘waist-land’ between Christmas and the New Year, and for the Chinese locals, the Lunar New Year (read: another round of hearty partying). So have a sensible snack before any party to avoid overeating. Apples are a good choice as they provide gutfilling fibre, are relatively low in sugar and contain antioxidants that improve lung function. Hmm, helpful if you’re a smoker.
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2
It’s a mental thing.
Allocate your late nights.
It’s hard to get enough sleep given that Christmas should be a time spent catching up with family and friends, up until the wee hours of the morning. So, plan for when you are going to stay up late, and when you will be paying back your ‘sleep debt’. General research has shown that allowing yourself 7 – 8 hours of sleep regularly will significantly reduce your chances of being obese and getting a heart attack.
4
Slim-fit your get up.
Show up at the hippest party with slim-fit clothing. It is the trend of late, and wearing fitting clothes will remind you not to gorge on the next buffet because you want to look and feel your sexiest best.
Winner winner, turkey dinner. Choose protein in the form of meats over sugar and other carbohydrates when you can. Your body burns more calories digesting protein through a process called thermogenesis, where your body generates heat while digesting proteins. This also extends and raises your body’s metabolism. Another good reason to opt for an extra helping of that stuffed turkey.
6
Eat your vegetables. At any feast, be sure to indulge in any greens that you can find in the form of salads or vegetables. Veggies provide gut-filling fibre that keeps you sated for longer, which means you won’t be reaching for that extra slice of log cake anytime soon!
Pump some iron.
8
Lifting weights raises your metabolism for longer, meaning that your body continues to burn fat for up to 24 hours after your workout. This ensures the excess ingested calories keep burning through the night while you sleep. If you can, plan a gym session a day before you have your big feast, as this ensures that the protein and carbohydrates you ingest are used to replenish your tired muscles. Ladies, we know you don’t like to do weights in fear of bulking up, but the truth is, women have a lot less testosterone than men and thus build muscle far more slowly. If you’re still afraid, try doing weight exercises with 1.5kg/3.3lbs dumbbells.
Drink coffee to burn fat.
10
Have a cuppa the morning after. Research has shown that caffeine helps to raise your body’s metabolic rate, enabling you to burn more fat throughout the day. Coffee beans also contain large amounts of antioxidants capable of reducing your risk of developing liver cancer. Ditch the condensed milk and sugar, and opt for ‘kopi-o-kosong’ (black coffee, no sugar) for the healthiest option. If you can’t stand the bitter taste, just stick to ‘kopi-o’ (black coffee) or kopi-c (coffee with carnation milk).
11
7
Stay hydrated.
Studies have shown that our bodies tend to confuse thirst with hunger when we are dehydrated. When dehydration occurs, chances are that your brain will think that you are hungry and cause you to reach for food instead of water. Drink 8 glasses of water daily to keep yourself hydrated, and your ability to resist temptation to binge will be rock solid.
Buddy up.
9
Plan your exercise routine with a buddy (or buddies) to work off all those excess calories that have been accumulated. Head to the gym, go for a run or play a game of footie. The point is to be accountable to each other. What’s more, exercise is fun when done together with friends.
Smoothie out the late
night alcohol binges. If you have had too much to drink the night before, cure any hangover with a peanut butter and banana smoothie. Blend together a medium-sized banana, a dollop of peanut butter, ¾ glass of skimmed milk, ice and some honey. Peanut butter boosts the production of a feel good hormone called serotonin to help you quash the after-party blues. The honey contains a fructose which is a natural sugar to enable your body to metabolise alcohol quicker, and banana acts as a natural antacid.
Sidestep post X’mas blues. A sense of winding down and depression might hit you after all the celebration highs, so have in mind your plans and goals for January, so that it gives you something to work towards after partying, and you won’t feel empty heading into the New Year. We’re hard-wired to work towards a goal, so go on and make a few of your own. We said to make Christmas count, didn’t we?
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Gløbe Trøtter
New South Refuge from Wales: the City Life
If the annual fireworks, countdown parties and concerts are not your cup of tea – why not end your year by getting cozy with nature in its amazing forms? Denise Ooi shuns the bustling streets of Sydney to seek solace in its stirring oases of serenity.
Grand Pacific Drive Indulge in the best way to enjoy the picturesque landscapes of New South Wales. The Grand Pacific drive is a scenic route that stretches 140 kilometres down the south of Sydney, lining along the South Pacific Ocean. It is one of Australia’s most spectacular coastal roads as it leads to several scenic lookouts, coastal rainforests and rock formations such as the iconic sea cliff bridge in Illawarra and the blowhole in Kiama. The start of the Grand Pacific Drive is forty five minutes away from Sydney, and the entire drive can be completed in a few hours. But to fully appreciate what the drive offers, allow yourself at least a few days for some unscheduled stops and activities along the trip. Don’t miss bush walking at the Morton National Park, nor the magnificent Fitzroy falls in Nowra. Should you feel peckish, make a picnic stop at the Mount Pleasant lookout in Kiama, where benches overlook an arresting scene of the Seven Mile Beach, Mount Coolangatta and the Shoalhaven River. For more information on the Grand Pacific Drive, visit: www.grandpacificdrive.com.au
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seasick, opt for a larger boat to be safe. Also, look out for albatrosses and seagulls along the way, as the tall waves rocking the boat move like water walls. A word of warning: don’t expect to see any whales the very moment you are out at sea, simply because whales do not stay in the same spot over several months to wait for visitors. These gentle giants swim freely with their calves, and catching a glimpse of them requires patience while the skilful boat crew exercise their expertise in whale-spotting. Due to the unpredictable nature of this trip, it can take 10 to 20 minutes or even longer to spot a whale. Unfortunately, we spent almost 90 minutes on a rather bumpy ocean ride before the first humpback was sighted, twisting and flipping its fin out of the sapphire blue ocean surface, almost as if it came out to say “G’day mate!” to everyone on the boat!
Have a
Whale of a Time
Every year, pods of Humpback whales swim thousands of miles across oceans and past continents, from the south into the warmer shores of Australia’s east coast, their winter breeding ground. One way to enjoy a close-up view of these behemoths is to hop onto one of the Sydney whale watching vessels, operating at Circular Quay on a daily basis. Purchasing tickets for the whale watching session is quick and simple. Winds are strong during this time of the year, resulting in choppy sea waters. For a more comfortable journey and to avoid getting
From a distance, the gam of whales that followed appeared no different than dolphins, until two enormous whales flapped and splashed their huge tails at the boat. People were stunned into silence, entranced by the sight. At this point in time, the engines of the boat stopped and strangely, so did the waves. It was as if everything had stopped to admire the majestic whales leap out briefly before diving into the water with a tail splash. This went on for a while in the cold wind, but that did not stop the spectators from attempting to get up-close with their recording devices. All in all, it was an intimate and spectacular that we shared in the few minutes of their appearance. The entire trip took more than three hours, but this was definitely one of the most delightful sights that Mother Nature had to offer. For more information on whale watching, visit: www.whalewatchingsydney.net
Touring Behind
the Wheel
Driving around in Australia can be quite a therapeutic experience. Soak up the sun while driving past tall trees, or drive by a pristine white sand beach – along the way, you are sure to also encounter wildlife and farm animals aplenty. It is safe and easy to drive in Australia because of the appropriate number of accurate road signs, and also because of the well-maintained roads. However, there are a notable number of roundabouts on the Australian roads, which can be confusing and dangerous at times. Drivers should always approach a roundabout at a safe speed while observing traffic. The general rule is to always give way to traffic approaching from the right side of the
driver. Bear this is mind and your drive will be safer and more pleasant. Animal advocates would warn you to take special care to slow down, so that any wildlife animals (such as wombats and kangaroos) venturing out on to the roads will have a better chance of survival. Renting a car in Sydney can cost as low as A$25 a day. This amount excludes the fee for renting a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit and also car insurance, which is highly recommended. This might average out to about A$74 for a day rental Consider renting your car for a road trip at Budget Car Rental. For more information, visit: www.budget.com.au RØMP/059
Gløbe Trøtter
Winter in the
River City
Andre Frois would have gladly remained in the Netherlands, if it weren’t so cold all the time.
Amstel American Hotel
Amstel Canal
T
here isn’t a less offensive way to put it – I’ve always felt more at home in Holland, because of the friendliness of her strangers and the straightforwardness of her acquaintances. Trading in the coldness and introversion of bus and MRT train commutes, I arrived alone in Schiphol Airport where my amiable fellow travellers maintained a chatty mood, despite evidently reeling from the record-low winter temperatures. Gazing at this country of extremes – where prodigious engineers, junkie liberals and anti-Islamic leftists live side-by-side – would teach me, in time, the Dutch way of tolerance and honesty. Till then, I was still a mesmerised outsider gleefully
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gazing at aesthetically-pleasing rows of uniformed housing whizz past the car window. From the famed cube houses of Rotterdam to the 300-year-old shophouses of Amsterdam, this unsurpassed beauty is an inescapable mark of the Dutch people’s cooperation; in this case, the compromise of architectural individualism for a collective beauty. Putting down my belongings in an attic that would be my home till summer, I step out from my quiet abode in Pijnacker toward the historic capital of Delft. Walking across ice for the first time, I fell through its thin sheet on my first night in Europe, but managed to pull myself to safety by tugging on a thorny shrub. I was very careful to test the ice first on my future foot trails to
Bergschenhouk lake the equally beautiful townships and cities including The Hague, the seat of the international court, and Utrecht, Napoleon Bonaparte’s choice of base of regional operations during the French Revolution. These places were one and all strewn by canals, because the Dutch engineers could.
It’s a crime to see only Amsterdam for the Netherlands, because everyone there’s a tourist – from the German coffeeshop owners to the Slavic ladies of the night. It’s also a crime for residents of the city upon the Amstel to alter their houses’ facades in any way – bricks that were laid in place even before the Dutch were forced by their French occupants to adopt surnames. Don’t believe what Wikipedia tells you about Oranje cuisine – there is none, except for maybe apple pie, which is served no better anywhere else than in Dudok café, located in Arnhem, Rotterdam and The Hague. A favourite at most diners is nasi goreng, which is a memento of retro-influence from the Netherlands’ former colonial subject, Indonesia. Holland’s true cuisine is her fresh farm produce; entire sections of fresh cheeses (‘Gouda’ might ring a bell), milk, bread and several other foodstuffs, which immediately lose their personality when exported to a country of higher humidity. These glorious items were the highlight of my trips to Holland’s super supermarket chain, Albert Heijn, which might be best known for its unsuccessful bid to launch Tops Supermarket in countries like Singapore.
Zoetemeer
Delft Kerk
Utrecht
After months, my favourite trek would still be that six-kilometre one, which would draw me through the bitter cold to the now-student town of Delft. Still, few eating experiences can compare to nibbling on toasty seafood fritters I held with my near-frostbitten fingers. Street treats like raw herring, which has to be gobbled down without spilling any of its unforgiving smell on one’s coat sleeves, were what drove me from Pijnacker to Delft every Saturday when the street markets were abloom.
Den Haag Binnenhof
Come spring, the dull pavements burst into colour. The grass along my walk to Delft, usually a boring shade of green, magically sprouted bi-coloured tulips – while barren trees were replaced by pink poofs of cotton candy. In a fortnight, they all wilted to herald summer. Amstel Canal
Delft Oude Kerk
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Cømmentary
Auld Lang Syne Text by Darren Chua
Here it comes again, the end of the year. And like with almost any other year, we have a doomsday prophecy to look forward to. Apparently, the apocalypse will happen as the year comes to a close. And if you’re reading this just as the world’s about to end, I sincerely hope that you put the magazine down and do some serious panicking and perhaps a futile revaluation of your life just as it flashes past you. The word ‘doomsday’ implies that our planet is going to die out along with us, which I find an incredibly arrogant concept. The planet has been here for billions of years, we’ve only been here 062/RØMP
for a fraction of that. It has been here before us, and it will be here after. If the end were to come, to quote George Carlin, “The planet’ll shake us off like a bad case of fleas”. But before I get too inebriated by the exuberance of my own verbosity, let’s take a look at what the year gone by has brought us. The year has given us new understanding. The brilliant people over at CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research) have pretty much changed everything about science as we know it by discovering a particle consistent with the elusive Higgs-Boson particle. The year giveth, the year taketh away. After the passing of Michael Jackson, we’ve seen the death of another moonwalker that kids look up to, Neil Armstrong. The famous ‘dead man walking’, Michael Clarke Duncan, also walked his last step on the green mile. It brought us new heights of human abilities as world records were broken at the Summer Olympics, along with soaring hopes as the world watched the Paralympics, where I once saw a swimmer lose out on 1st place by literally an arm’s length because he had no arms and had to ram head-first into the wall. Compared to some of the tripe we see on the news, these were a couple of the more moving events of this year.
We’ve seen some species discovered, and we’ve seen some go extinct. Speaking of endangered species, Singapore recently welcomed two giant pandas, Jia Jia and Kai Kai, into its zoological system. The media fanfare was incredible. Social media exploded with pictures of the pandas, in the boxes they arrived in, in the trucks while they were on the way to the zoo, when they arrived at the zoo, there’d probably be a picture of them making their first stool here if people had the opportunity. While I’m on the subject of pieces of stool, we’ve also seen a number of unsavoury local characters. We’ve witnessed an old yeller on the train shrieking at a young girl about how seats should be given up, after the said girl had already done just so. We’ve gawked at another senior citizen being pushed off the bus. We’ve seen many news stories which I couldn’t give as much as a panda’s stool about. Guess what? As the next year comes to a close, these incidents will be hazy. Forgotten by the media, by our memory, by the people. We’ll have moved on to bigger and better things with more discoveries and more records being broken – progress. At least, I certainly hope so. Godspeed 2012, here’s looking at you.
What You(th) Say
Here we found 5 random individuals who tell us about their best moments of 2012.
Melanie Fe’ Goh “Rock climbing last June in Railay. Krabi definitely tops my list! The bruises & cuts were well worth the magnificent view while I was hanging 20m high up from the cliff!”
Jillian
Kimberly Lim “Being on the cover of ROMP magazine. I kid you not! It’s the first time I’ve been on a magazine cover. It’s an achievement for me!”
w
Jack Seet a.k.a‘ Jack Magik’ “It would definitely be my proposal to my fiancée. To finally make our engagement ‘official’ on that grand stage in China in front of a handful of friends and the few hundred random strangers in the TV studio’s live audience was memorable, to say the least. And to top it off, I never expected that I would EVER propose to her in Mandarin.”
Ili Lim
Aaron Christopher Jansen “I’ve managed to achieve a lot professionally this year. Prior to 2012, the future for me was hazy – I had no idea what it held for me. But after meeting my girlfriend, many things became much clearer. All in all, the year has had really positive effects career-wise, and also on my plans to start a family!”
“Being able to compete again in international events, after my injuries in 2011. Being able to get a world title in my forte division and the second overall world title… that’s icing on the cake!”
RØMP/063
Self: Advice Cølumn
Caught in the
Crossfire Mr Aloysius Chow gives us advice on the most pressing issues at present.
1
My friends are in a relationship, and whenever they have problems or have a fight with one another, they seem to seek me out to tell me about their problems. This usually ends up with me trying to give them good advice, which usually comes back to bite me in the hindquarters. They’ll eventually reconcile and each one of them will accuse me of backstabbing because I gave advice to the other party. How do I handle such a situation without cheesing either one of them off? Firstly, I hope your hindquarters are fine. If there are any infections, please do not hesitate to seek treatment from your trusted medical professional. What you have shared about is about conflict resolution which involves not only your friends, but also with you and your friends. Before my suggestion, it is good for you to understand that conflict is usually unavoidable when quality relationships are forming. Fret not though, because you have to understand that conflicts are not all that bad; when resolved successfully, the results will be deeper relationships formed and personal development.
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There are many ways to resolve conflicts, and I shall share a common method in your situation. Step 1: Get your friends together and talk as a group. This should prevent anyone from accusing you of not being honest. What needs to be said happens here and only here. Step 2: You lead the discussion and start off by stating that the conflict could be caused by something both of your friends have done. Also stress that a calm discussion rather than hot-blooded aggression will leave everyone happier. Step 3: Get your friends to tell their side of the story, one at a time without any interruption from anyone (including you).
Troubled?
Send in your questions to editorial@rompmagazine.com
If there are any unclear parts, clarify with the storyteller after the story has ended. Step 4: Clarify the problem(s) you find based on the stories (in Step 3) to your friends until both parties agree it to be accurate. Step 5: Brainstorm for solutions. It might not be wise for you to suggest or feed solutions because the success rate for the solution will be higher if they came up with it themselves. Besides if your suggestion does not work, you might have to visit your doctor for more hindquarter treatment. Step 6: Get your friends to agree on a solution, and eventually resolve the conflict so that it is a win-win conclusion for both of them.
Punch Drunk The last three times I’ve gotten drunk, I ended up ‘blacking out’ and waking up the next day not (or hardly) remembering what happened the night before. My friends will later on reveal to me that I was violently attacking both strangers and friends alike. This has never happened to me before – now, I’m avoiding nightlife and alcohol at all costs to save me the embarrassment. I’m a girl who’s usually known to be good-natured in general. What’s happening to me?
2
Alcohol intake can cause problems like a hangover or the occasional crying session. But if not managed properly, serious problems can arise. The severe problems occur when individuals abuse or become dependent on alcohol and at these stages. In this case, professional medical help will be necessary. From what you have shared, it is difficult to ascertain if you fall into the alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence category. Experiencing blackouts after a drinking session is symptomatic of a problem which medical professionals look out for. In addition, there are reports that the risks for women to develop heart and liver diseases are higher than men. On top of this, there is also an increased risk for developing breast cancer and having a problematic pregnancy. Simply put if you want to avoid these health complications, drastically curtail your alcohol intake.
If you have concerns that your alcohol intake is problematic, consult a medical professional. It is better to be cautious because once you become dependent on alcohol, the treatment will be tedious and unpleasant. Perhaps you could spend some quality time with yourself to think about all the problems you might be facing currently. And if it helps, get a good trustworthy friend to go through the list of problems with you to resolve them. This is a better solution than a bottle of Dutch courage. So in the meantime, you did the right thing by avoiding alcohol at the moment. Not only are you saved from any embarrassment, but you are doing yourself a favour by preventing any possibility of spending time at the police station and of any harm to yourself.
Advisor Al Real identity:
Aloysius Chow, Perpetual learner of Psychology. Advocate of scientific knowledge and logical exploration for the good of mankind.
RØMP/065
Where to Find Rømp magazine
F&B The Sauce Bar
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Sogurt
•617 Bukit Timah Road
Oriole Cafe
•10 Jiak Chuan Road •96 Somerset Road, Pan Pacific Serviced Suites #01-01 •9 Raffles Place Republic Plaza #01-23/23A
Island Creamery
•10 Jalan Serene, Serene Centre #01-03 •Holland Village Shopping Mall #01-02, •No. 3 Lorong Liput •11 King Albert Park #01-02 •Great World City, Basement(inside Cold Storage), 1 Kim Seng Promenade
.. ..
Haagen-Dazs
•Holland Village 21 Lorong Mambong, •Esplanade Mall #02-01/03, 8 Raffles Avenue •Springvale 907 East Coast Road #01-05
Frolick
•Raffles City #B1-51 •Pasir Ris SRC #01-09 •Ion Orchard #B4-74 •Maxwell Chambers #01-08
•Lot 1 , 21 Choa Chu Kang Ave 4 #B1-23 •Hougang Mall 90 Hougang Ave 10 #B1-K11 •Tampines 1 10 Tampines Central 1 #B1-32 •Bugis Junction 80 Middle Road #01-K1 •Cathay Cineleisure Orchard 8 Grange Road #B1-07 •Bukit Batok Central Blk 630 #01-158
MakeShake
Cupcakes with Love
Once Upon A Milkshake
•City Square Mall 180 Kitchener Road #B2-K2/K11
LICK
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J CO Donuts
•Bugis Junction 200 Victoria Street #B1-24
Awfully Chocolate
•Holland Village 40 Lorong Mambong
..
15-minutes Cafe @ LASALLE •1 McNally Street LASALLE College of the Arts Blk D #01-01
•348 Tanjong Katong Road •Tampines 1, 10 Tampines Central #03-22
Pies & Coffee
•Rochester Mall 35 Rochester Drive #01-02
Broun Cafe
•36 North Canal Road
Tango’s Restaurant & wine bar
•35 Lorong Mambong
The factory
•22 Lim Tua Tow Road
Retail chota
The Cathay 2 Handy Road #03-03
LOMOGRAPHY GALLERY STORE
295 South Bridge Road Singapore 058838
Egg3
STAGE
•Tong Yuan Industrial Building 85 Playfair Road #07-01 •The Cathay 2 Handy Road #01-18 •33 Erskine Road #01-10/11/12
ztamp
•Far East Plaza 14 Scotts Road #03-24A
Z Hairroom
•Far East Shopping Centre 545 Orchard Road #05-11
Collage
•Bugis Junction 200 Victoria Street #03-22A
•SCAPE 2 Orchard Link #02-08 •Far East Plaza 14 Scotts Road #02-60 •Far East Plaza 14 Scotts Road #03-47 •Far East Plaza 14 Scotts Road #05-117 •61 Haji Lane
DeSoul
Active Red Praise
Femmex
Tinkerbelle
•Orchard Cineleisure 8 Grange Road #03-05
Threadbare & Squirrel
•Vivocity 1 Harbour Walk #02-201
The Only Place
POLYTECHNICS
•Far East Plaza 14 Scotts Road #03-35 •Bali Lane 660 North Bridge Road
•Far East Plaza 14 Scotts Road #04-131B
Spellbound
•Far East Plaza 14 Scotts Road #03-24
Reckless Ericka
Level 5
Nanyang Polytechnic 180 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8 •Blk E, Level 4, Room E407
Ngee Ann Polytechnic
•Orchard Central 181 Orchard Road #02-08/09
535, Clementi Road •Blk 1, Level 2
Queen’s Cut
Singapore Polytechnic
•Far East Plaza 14 Scotts Road #05-115
Leftfoot
•Orchard Cineleisure 8 Grange Road #02-07A
Klearcut
•Far East Plaza 14 Scotts Road #05-113 •Serangoon Garden Estate 4A Kensington Park Road
Jurong Point
500 Dover Road •Main Library (located opposite the Admin Building) •Hilltop Library (located next to Teaching Block 22 at the western side of the campus) •Student Service Centre (Building T16, Level 1)
Republic Polytechnic 9 Woodlands Avenue 9 •One Stop Centre
•Jurong Point Shopping Centre #03-07
Temasek Polytechnic
FLESH IMP
21 Tampines Avenue 1 •Student Development Centre
•SCAPE 2 Orchard Link #02-20/21/22
Episode 2
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RØMP
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RØMP/067
Self
EASB Special
Social service and community involvement have always been under the spotlight. In recent times, we have witnessed an increasing number of youths rise up to the challenge of giving back to the lessprivileged minorities of our community. Mcken Wong speaks to two outstanding leaders of EASB’s Leo Club, Stephanie Chioh and Kelvin Yap, on their community endeavours, experiences and personal thoughts for the future. Both Stephanie and Kelvin are EASB students, pursuing their BA (Hons) in Business and Management Studies from the Cardiff Metropolitan University. Due to their course nature which involves completion of modules such as Project Management and Strategic Human Resource Management, they possess the required skills to ably manage and lead the Club. EASB’s Leo Club, although one of the newest among the institute’s existing Co-Curricular Activity groups, has already hit giant strides with regards to their contributions to the society. Events such as the successfully concluded ROAR! Fiesta, flag days as well as various charity drives are just some of the methods the Leo Club has undertaken to reach out to the less fortunate – with a range of beneficiaries including the Lions Befriender Service Association, Lions Home for the Elders and Lions Community International Foundation.
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PRIDE
of Young Lions
What is your current role within the LEO Club, and can you tell us more about your responsibilities? Stephanie: I am currently the Immediate Past President of the Leo Club. As IPP, I work closely and provide guidance to the President and the board of directors. The BOD has monthly meetings in which the committee members will come together to plan, formulate and discuss on upcoming as well as past activities. Kelvin: As President, leading and directing the club is only the bare minimum, as keeping the communications going between members and keeping them active for activities are the trickier part. Coming out with new and fresh ideas is an absolute must as members will not be interested to do the same activities over and over again.
Kelvin: I have only served as a Leo for less than a year. One thing that I found truly saddening is that many elderly are still being put in elderly and nursing homes, rather than being able to live with their children.
How has being involved in community work changed you as a person? Stephanie: It makes me realize how fortunate I am. My needs and wants are so insignificant as compared to the others, and I become more humble and understanding when it comes to helping people. Kelvin: I have learned to be more organized and patient when settling my personal things. I also consider myself more sensitive now, especially towards other people and their feelings.
Tell us more about the recent activities organized by the Leo Club and what’s in store for the end of the year. Stephanie: In late September this year, we held the Lions Befrienders’ Flag Day to raise funds for the Lions Befrienders Service Association (LBSA), a community welfare association which strives to aid the social, psycho-emotional and physical well-being of the lonely seniors through community participation. Together with the Leo Club of Singapore Raffles City and Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Leo Club of EASB was based at Tampines to raise funds. This event happens only once a year. Therefore, we had to put in every effort to ensure that we raised as much as possible to help the elderly.
What made you discover your passion for community work? Stephanie: It started off when I was participating in various CIP projects in my secondary school and junior college. Activities such as Flag Day made me realize how every little action we take will make a difference in the lives of the needy. Looking around, there is still so much we can do to help the needy. Fortunately, I was given a chance to continue serving when the Leo Club of EASB was officially chartered in November 2011. Kelvin: The smile on someone’s face after I help them. It is worth it to help and make someone happy as you can see the happiness in their eyes and on their faces.
Do you remember your first event that you planned and participated in? Stephanie: It was the fund raising carnival which I co-organized with our sponsoring Lions Club, Lions Club of Singapore Raffles City and our sister Leo Clubs, the Leo Club of Singapore Raffles City and Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Taking the role of the Vice Chairperson, I had to oversee the overall preparation of the carnival. Kelvin: I planned a fund-raiser in school to raise funds for the elderly during Chinese New Year. The fund was raised to buy goodies for the elderly, and we visited their houses to spread the Chinese New Year spirit.
Have you encountered any particular story that touched you while serving? Stephanie: The smiling faces of the elderly whom we visited during an event to the old folk’s home touched me. These events drive me to work harder and contribute more to the society.
Left to right: Kelvin Yap, 19, with Stephanie Chioh, 21.
What makes LEO Club in EASB different from the other service clubs in Singapore?
The good news is, we managed to raise about $73 ,000 island wide in just a day!
Stephanie: The Leo Club of EASB is just one of the 13 Leo Clubs in Singapore. What makes us special is that our members come from different parts of the world such as Vietnam, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, India and many more. Having people from all walks of life coming together to serve the community makes our activities more meaningful. Being able to share our experiences and contribute ideas to make more projects special in our own way.
We are also organizing another charity drive, which is another initiative by the Leo Club to raise funds for upcoming projects with our other beneficiaries. We will be selling drinks during the annual sports day for EASB, as well as clearing up the compound at the end of the event. Not only do we want to raise funds, but we also hope to inculcate the mind-set of saving the environment.
Kelvin: The Leo Club of EASB is an opportunity club for international and local students to learn and gain new experience through social services. They also can make new friends as well as building up their soft skills such as planning, leadership and teamwork qualities.
Kelvin: As of now, we will be organizing and planning a Christmas party for the deaf, a collaboration with the Singapore Association for the Deaf. We may also plan for some Chinese New Year projects such as house cleaning for elderly living in one-room flats. For more information about EASB’s programmes and activities, visit www.easb.edu.sg RØMP/069
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Present RØMP magazine to enjoy 1-for-1 Frolick yogurt. * *Terms and conditions apply. Original copy must be presented. Multiple redemptions at any one time are not allowed. Valid till 31st December 2012..
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