AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE
September 2018
Community newspaper since 1958
www.aasingapore.com
MCI (P) 197/03/2017
Living in Singapore.................. 1, 9-11 American Association.................... 2-5 Member Discounts............................ 3 CRCE & Business.............................. 6 Community News.......................... 7-8 That's Entertainment................. 12-19 Travel....................................... 14-15 Food & Dining........................... 20-21 Health & Wellness..................... 22-24 Education....................................... 25 President's Message....................... 26 What’s Happening......................... 27
Photo courtesy of AhLamb / iStock
THE NEED FOR SPEED LAH!ughs a-plenty at Singapore's premier comedy night venue. p12
By Bonnie Taylor “When I originally suggested the notion of Grand Prix racing under lights, people thought I had gone mad.” Bernie Eccleston, Formula One CEO
T Rimba Resort – A book is born in paradise. p14
Singapore's movie scene: from the glamorous to the downright bizarre. p18
he year: 2006. The question: could Singapore host the Formula One (F1) Grand Prix once again? With a spectator count of 60,000, the first Singapore Grand Prix was held in 1961. Crowds craned their necks from the stands on Upper Thomson Road to watch what would now be considered alarmingly unsafe cars career past, but the race was discontinued in 1974 as the circuit was deemed too treacherous. Would the government dare take a different view this time around?
filled with high-octane fumes. The F1 team envisioned a high-end event of motoring and sporting prowess, concerts and entertainment in both the city and on the circuit and, audaciously, at night.
down the pit lane with the refueling rig still attached, the team could only watch with open mouths. As a result, Massa incurred a double punishment of a drive-through penalty and dropping to last.
The initiative was, in fact, applauded by Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yew himself. Mr. Lee’s relentless work to ensure Singapore was a country of safety, security, efficiency and, moreover, a place to do business meant, with F1’s global following, the scent of opportunity to show a different side to the island hung in the air.
Preparation had to be seamless. Everyone was on board; from the Singapore Tourism Board to the Police and Civil Defence Forces, the Land Transport Authority to the National Parks Board, not to mention the numerous government agencies. Nothing was left to chance; the only unpredictable element was the race itself. Gauntlet laid down, contracts signed, acts booked, roads sealed off, Singapore poised; at 8pm on September 28, 2008, the world of F1 changed forever and the Lion City roared.
This, however, was not to be the most remarkable highlight of the race. Starting from the middle of the pack, Renault F1 driver Fernando Alonso was very vocal about his disappointment being seventh on the grid, stating, “I’m going to need a miracle”. It duly arrived, or so we thought. On the 14th lap, Nelson Piquet Jr. crashed at turn 17 meaning that the safety car would be brought out to bunch up the pack. Alonso’s usual strategy in mid-field was to start with a full tank and pit late, but on this occasion, he had done the opposite. As he resumed the race in fifth place and had no refueling stops to make, he comfortably secured first place by three seconds.
And so it happened. Not on a purposebuilt track, but in the heart of the city. With the magnificent skyline of Marina Bay as the backdrop, the streets of, what is now, one of Asia’s most prestigious of Grand Prix circuits were, again, to be
The excitement was palpable as the cars surged forwards. Marina Bay might be dubbed ‘The Monaco of the East’ but it was going to be considerably faster. Although Brazilian Ferrari driver Felipe Massa took pole position, it was team Ferrari that was first to crack under the pressure of the pace. Leading in the early stages, Massa was released too early from his first stop and as the car sped
Centennial Partners
Buses, boats and a big wheel – Singapore's quirky dining venues. p20
American Association of Singapore – Since 1917
The incident invoked fierce debate, dividing opinions of fans and sports pundits alike into the camps of ‘miracle’ and ‘mistake’. Continues on page 9
2 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
Singapore American · September 2018
W hat ' s Wednesday
5
September
Thursday
6
September
coming up
Coffee Connexions
Join us for morning coffee at Privé Orchard where you’ll have the opportunity to make new connexions and catch up with old ones too. 9:30 – 11am Privé Orchard, Wheelock Place (outside), (S)238880 Free to join, but registration required. Attendees are required to purchase from the menu. AAS members-only event. Guests are welcome to attend one Coffee Connexions event as a non-member.
13
September
Thursday
13
September
19
Living in Singapore Talk
Thursday
27
Tapas en Español
Saturday
Ambassador’s Cup Golf Tournament
September
Thirsty Thursday
Meet old friends and new at Brewerkz for a Beer Tasting! Their knowledgeable staff at their Orchard Parade Hotel location will provide a tasting flight of assorted beers and interesting info about the beermaking process. AAS Members, bring a friend for just $5! 6:30 – 8:30pm Brewerkz, Orchard Parade Hotel, (S)247905 $15 AAS Members $20 AAS Member + friend $25 Non-Members Registration required.
Thursday
Wednesday
Metworks Lunch
Networking group for men. Come swap ideas with working professionals, stay-at-home men and others who share your hobbies or interests. 12 – 1:30pm Brewerkz, Riverside Point, (S)058282 Free to join, but registration required. Attendees are required to purchase from the menu. AAS members-only event. Guests are welcome to attend one Metworks event as a non-member.
Newbie Night
Learn all about AAS, upcoming events and how you can make the most of your membership. Connect with other members and make new friends while enjoying some wine and nibbles. All members welcome! 6 – 7:30pm AAS office, Thong Teck Building, (S)228218 Free to join, but registration required.
September
6
October
Looking for some help to demystify life on the Little Red Dot? Come along to this talk, based on our popular Living in Singapore book, for some practical advice and insider tips on how to navigate your way through life in the Lion City. Hosted by AAS and Singapore American School PTA. 7 – 9pm The American Club, 3rd floor, (S)229573 Free for AAS members and Singapore American School (SAS) parents, registration required. $30 Non-Members
Have a conversation in your mother tongue or practice your Spanish conversational skills while enjoying tapas! 7 – 9pm Tapas Club, (S)238896 Free to join, but registration required. Attendees are required to purchase from the menu. AAS members-only event. Guests are welcome to attend one Tapas en Español event as a non-member.
Road trip! We’re heading to Malaysia for the much-anticipated Ambassador’s Cup Golf Tournament, hosted by A AS and The American Club. Get your foursomes together for a great day of golf, fun with friends, free-flow beer, dinner, prizes and more! If you don’t have a foursome, we’ll set you up with one. Texas Scramble format. All levels welcome. Make it a family affair with visits to LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort or the Johor Premium Outlets. Non-golfing adults can join the Saturday dinner (fee applies). Palm Resort Golf & Country Club, Senai, Johor, Malaysia $375 AAS & TAC Members $450 Non-Members (includes a one-year AAS membership)
We’re adding new events and activities all the time, so please keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for up-to-the-minute information, and to register for an event: www.aasingapore.com
3 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
Singapore American · September 2018
W hat
we ' ve been up to
We segued nicely into our return in August with a small, but perfectly formed, group who met at Privé Orchard for Coffee Connexions. A compact mix of new and long-term members, along with AAS team member, Thila Chandra, had plenty to chat about over our home away from home. Our next Coffee Connexions meet will be on September 5. To register, visit our website at www.aasingapore.com. See you there!
SAVE THE DATE!
AAS MEMBER DISCOUNTS AAS members enjoy discounts at a range of local businesses. Present your AAS membership card at time of purchase. www.aasingapore.com/member-discounts
Allied Pickfords Singapore is offering AAS Members a special insurance premium of 3%, inclusive of complimentary cover for mould & mildew, pairs & sets, and mechanical derangement. To qualify, you must book an international move with Allied Pickfords Singapore, and provide your AAS membership details. Call +65 6862 4700 to arrange a free quote today. www.alliedpickfords.com
Indulge in modern American gourmet burgers and premium craft beer. Enjoy 15% off when you dine at Brewerkz through December 31, 2018. Limit to one redemption per bill/table. Not valid on public holidays and eve of public holidays. Valid for a la carte menu. The management reserve the right to amend the terms & conditions without prior notice.
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE PRESENTS
The 86
Taste authentic Mexican Food and blue agave tequila and receive 15% off when you dine at Café Iguana through December 31, 2018.
th
Not valid on public holidays and eve of public holidays. Valid for a la carte menu. The management reserve the right to amend the terms & conditions without prior notice.
George Washington Ball
02
MAR 2019
W Singapore - Sentosa Cove
Our premier black-tie social event, enjoyed by the community since the 1930s.
Tickets on sale soon. www.aasingapore.com
Only for AAS members. Enjoy 20% off travel insurance all year round, and S$100 per couple when you book a holiday package* with Flight Centre *Package comprises of at least flight and accommodation. Discount cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Contact your dedicated travel team at 6692 9658 or visit bit.ly/FCxAAS2018 for more info.
MEMBER
BENEFITS Attention Members! As you know, coming up this month on the 19th is one of our very popular, bi-annual Living in Singapore talks. What you may not know, is that if you attend this talk, you’ll receive a complimentary copy of the Living in Singapore reference book, our go-to paperback edition guide to Singapore. Join us on Level 3 at The American Club to meet other members, enjoy lively discussion and learn tips for getting the most out of your time on the Little Red Dot!
WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS Welcome to Singapore, we’re glad you made it. You’ve come a long way and we know it’ll be worth the effort getting established in our ‘City in a Garden’. On behalf of the AAS Executive Committee we are here to serve and to make sure that your time here is enjoyable, interesting and gives you some “Americanness” that you might be missing. But don’t worry, we’ll also get you out on the town with new friends from Singapore and other countries, so that you can really get to know what makes this place tick. You’ll see in this That’s Entertainment issue that there is so much more to do here in an average week (or month!) than you could possibly imagine. More great ideas can be found in our Living in Singapore Reference Guide which is available online or through the AAS office. Of course, with our great ferry, rail and air connections, it’s easy to visit great destinations across the region too. It’s hard to explain how much the fun scene has changed here since my wife Kat and I arrived 14 years ago: slightly sleepy compared to an entirely new and vibrant entertainment center. From top tier concerts, sporting events, drama, and celebrity chef dining to amusement parks, fascinating festivals and interesting neighborhoods – today’s Singapore is a truly wonderful place to call home. We look forward to seeing you soon! Glenn van Zutphen AAS Immediate Past President
Cindy Andrade
Alyssa Fraser
Jamie Matisin
Kasturi Rangan
Matthew Aujla
Brian Gill
Hunter Morgan
Shailesh Rao
Bryan Baker
Kadia Griffin
Kathi Mujynya Ludunge
Kirk Schell
Simon Bell
Kevin Ho
Abdusamad Mukhamadrakhimov
Rosa Seo
Matthew Bergeron
Kenneth Hoskin
Sara Nelson
Scott Simpson
Queenie Bryan
Amy Huang
Augustina Nicholson
Gursharan Singh
James Chie
Jason Iafolla
Kamalprit Nijar
Peter James Succoso
William Cornwell
Michael Johnsen
Reuben Ong
Michael Toedman
Liz Coward
Thomas Kako
William Pazos
Alexander Turnbull
Michele Day
Matthew Keenen
Howard Peng
Gerry vanHolsteyn
Tiberiu Dragoiu Luca
Leslie Kiser
Jeffrey Perlman
Harry Lam Yu Pang
Bianca Florea
Rebecca Lawson
Andrew Phong Vo
Claire Fournier
Eddie Liu
Harvey Wayne Pinder
“In anticipation of moving to Singapore this past April, I discovered AAS and the existence of the Metworks group online. Metworks was just what I needed: a way to meet new people here who have also relocated either through work or with their spouse. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming. I highly recommend joining!”
“As Strategic Partners, we enjoy being able to extend to our members access to selected AAS events. It's a great way to complement our own programs and activities. The George Washington Ball and the Independence Day Celebration are annual highlights that we thoroughly enjoy. The Club has strong representation at both events.”
David Cook AAS Metworks member
Patricia Au The American Club, sister organization to AAS
“I found out about AAS through a colleague. As a member I enjoy the vast array of activities and connections offered – my favorite activity so far was attending Quiz Night with friends, which was worth joining for alone! I was really happy to attend the other events this year, such as Spring Fling, which had a Kentucky Derby twist to it, and more family events.” Christi Novomesky AAS member since February, 2017
“Being part of the AAS has allowed us to be a more active part of the Singapore community. It’s important to our company, TD Ameritrade, and to our employees to be able to give back to the community we live in and it’s a great bonus that we get to have a little fun along the way.” Chris Brankin TD Ameritrade, AAS Patriot Partner
5 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
By Katie Baines
I
t is always a somber thing when we lose one of our own and, sadly, this was the case on July 29 as American director, Tony Petito, who founded the Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT), passed away in New Jersey. He was 68. Although SRT no longer has any formal ties with the American Association of Singapore (A AS), the organization's earliest incarnation was AAS's theater group, which later became the Singapore Theatre's American Repertory Showcase (STA*RS) before Tony oversaw its transition to SRT in 1993, of which he was founding artistic director. The move ensured that actors and artistes were paid professional rates for their work, amounting to $500 a week for principals. According to his obituary at the Brenna Funeral Home, Tony was originally from Trenton, New Jersey. He studied at Catholic University in Washington DC and received his master's of fine arts in directing from the Goodman School of Drama of the Art Institute of Chicago. He came to Singapore in the 1980s after working in the corporate world in Southeast Asia then establishing a human resource consultancy, but remained firmly ensconced in the theater and was a champion of productions from a Singapore perspective. His first interpretation with STA*RS was the musical Godspell, a Vaudeville-style take on the stories of Christ. Tony was also very much instrumental in putting
www.aasingapore.com
CE SI N
Farewell, Tony Petito
19 17
Singapore American ¡ September 2018
the Singapore theater scene on the map, bringing in Broadway stars, such as Lea Salonga and Rob Narita while propagating Singaporean talent. In 1996 he adapted Singapore writer Ho Minfong's 1975 novella Sing To The Dawn into a musical, which was the first local production to open the Singapore Arts Festival in the same year, and co-wrote the musical A Twist of Fate, commissioned by Raffles Hotel in 1997 for its 110th birthday. Tony ran SRT until 1998, then upon his return to the US in 2001 he led an arts training center in New Jersey. However, he maintained ties to the Singaporean theater community, having a hand in promoting the acting career of Adrian Pang who stared in the 2015 blockbuster show, The LKY Musical, which he co-wrote. The musical, a tribute to Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, won three awards at the 2016 Life Theatre Awards, including the Production of the Year award and Reader's Choice award. Still corresponding with SRT board of director member Gaurav Kripalini, who currently helms the group, his involvement with SRT was strong right up until he fell ill three months ago. Kripalani received an email from Tony about future productions the day before he died.
Patriot Partners
Eagle Partners
Community Partner
Tony leaves behind wife Donne, daughters Nora and Gianna, and two grandchildren. Photo courtesy of Singapore Repertory Theatre
Wherever you are from, come celebrate American culture with us.
Join AAS today! www.aasingapore.com
Stars & Stripes
CAREER RESOURCE CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
www.aasingapore.com
“There are no traffic jams along the extra mile.” ROGER STAUBACH
Up Close and Personal with Andrew Cline Small Business Owner and CRCE Member enterprise, I realized the difficulties of leading a large IT organization first hand. I took what I learned from that role and now help other IT leaders shorten their learning curve.
What is your background? I have a Bachelors from the University of Scranton (where the US TV show The Office was based) and an MBA from Purdue University. I have 15 years of consulting experience with large international firms like Deloitte and Oracle, as well as smaller firms. I started my own consulting business, The CIO Coach, in 2008. I have also worked a number of roles as head of operations and Chief Information Officer (CIO) which have given me the unique perspective of both client and consultant.
How did you get started doing what you currently do? I provide consulting and coaching to IT leaders and their organizations. I focus on the areas of leadership development and fixing struggling projects by replanning and restructuring for the best project best outcome. After an engagement as CIO for a US$10 billion
As a small business owner, what is the most difficult thing you’ve had to do? This is the third time I have had to re-start my business due to relocating with my wife’s job. Some parts of the process get easier with time, but my business is based on relationships and trust, and that takes effort. From this, I have learned to refine who I can best help and use a more targeted approach instead of being a jack of all trades.
As an expat, how have you continued to be successful in Singapore? I think three related tactics helped me the most. The first is networking. There are groups organized around so many topics here in Singapore that it is easy to find like-minded individuals. Meetup or Peatix are useful, or joining business-oriented groups here at the American Association is a great way to grow your network surprisingly fast. The second tactic that doesn’t come naturally to
me is to ask for help. If you would like to meet someone at a particular company or need advice on where to open a business bank account, ask the folks you meet. Everyone starts close to the beginning when they arrive in Singapore, and I have found most people I engage with more than willing to offer assistance and share their experiences. Additionally, keeping an open mind when it comes to looking for problems to solve. Singapore and the surrounding markets are unique compared to working in the US. This can create opportunities that you might have taken for granted or not explored wherever you previously worked.
What is the future for The CIO Coach? Primarily I am focused on delivering value for my current clients and growing my business. I have noticed that several of my clients start in similar circumstances so I am writing a book and creating a few online resources to help IT leaders take decisive action to move their people and organization forward. For more information about The CIO Coach, contact Andrew via www.theciocoach.com.
CRCE WORKSHOPS Jump Start Your Job Search Speaker: Alka Chandiramani Wednesday, September 12 10am – 12:30pm Interview and Networking Skills Series – Part 1 Speaker: Suzanna Borst Tuesday, September 18 10am – 12pm Interview and Networking Skills Series – Part 2 Speaker: Suzanna Borst Tuesday, September 25 10am – 12pm Interview and Networking Skills Series – Part 3 Speaker: Suzanna Borst Tuesday, October 2 10am – 12pm
Are you an employer with an opening to fill? Did you know employers can list jobs for free on the CRCE job board? Log onto www.aasingapore.com to find out more.
NEED HELP WITH APPROACHING THE JOB MARKET? DOES YOUR RESUME NEED A FACELIFT? AAS OFFERS PERSONALIZED CAREER COUNSELING SERVICES. CONTACT US FOR A PRIVATE APPOINTMENT WITH A PROFESSIONAL CAREER ADVISOR: CRCE@AASINGAPORE.COM
SPOTLIGHT ON JOBS Admissions Consultant (Part-time) Our consultancy is looking for an Admissions Consultant (Part-time) who can coach university and graduate school applicants on self-marketing strategy and school selection, advise candidates on and expressing their uniqueness on application essays and personal statements. He/ she will also coach invited candidates on admissions interviews. (job #3694) Associate Consultant Our consultancy focuses on technology, software, digital, advertising and media space and we are recruiting for professionals with experience in these sectors who are looking for flexible work options. We will provide you with a nurturing environment, team support and ongoing learning and development. (job #3695) Interview Specialist Our dynamic, small team is looking for a new member to fill the role of Interview Specialist for scheduling calls with executives, preparing interview scripts with customization and conducting 20-30 minute interviews by phone with executives. (job #3696) Equip Director We are a Singapore-based non-profit social enterprise which aims to empower women to become successful entrepreneurs through networking, matchmaking and professional development. We are currently looking for a competent part-time Equip Director to undertake program development, curation, stakeholder management and administrative tasks. (job #3697) Events Director Our Social Enterprise is looking for a part time Events Director to join our core team. The Events Director oversees the strategy and planning of all meetings and events. You will be responsible for managing events and ensuring deadlines and budgets are adhered to, coordinating logistics and event volunteers, communicating, maintaining and developing existing or new client relationships. (job #3698) Marketing and Communications Director Our non-profit is seeking an accomplished Director of Communications. The Director of Communications will set and guide the strategy for all communications, website, and public relations messages and collateral to consistently articulate our mission. He/she will be implementing communications plans to increase brand awareness and recognition for the organization as well as test the effectiveness of communications activities. (job #3699)
7 COMMUNITY NEWS
Singapore American · September 2018
The Story So Far Interview with Devin Kimble, General Manager of The American Club
T
hings at The American Club (TAC) have been changing in a big way. In 2015 a consultant was hired to begin the planning of what would be a huge S$65 million renovation project to transform the building right down to the foundations. Two years into the redevelopment the Club experienced another change, this time from within. In December 2018, General Manager (GM), Martin Rudden, stepped down after six years in the role and 18 years of loyal service to the Club, giving opportunity for a new GM to take the reins.
Enter Devin Kimble. No stranger to hospitality, Devin has seen through many a project, including the founding of Singapore’s Brewerkz and the revamping of Hong Kong Beer Company. Could this be his greatest challenge yet?
What did you do before you joined The American Club? Immediately before joining The American Club as GM I was the director at Hong Kong Beer Company so I spent the last five years traveling between Singapore and Hong Kong, as my house, my family and the dog were here in Singapore. Hong Kong Beer Company is one of the oldest craft brewers in Asia. It started in 1995 and I purchased it with a partner in 2013. We changed the location, found a new brew master and picked up a bunch of awards along the way. It was fun to take a brewery that had history and revive it. This venture was with Daniel Flores with whom I founded Brewerkz in 1997. Brewerkz was a lot of fun and it's nice to see it's still going.
I understand you’ve been a member of the Club for a long while, what inspired you to apply for the GM role? By the time the GM role came around I already knew the place pretty well as we joined the Club as members when we came to Singapore. It was a perfect opportunity as we had decided the commute between Singapore and Hong Kong was too much and the Club was going through a complete refurbishment, which was exciting. There’s also a wonderful group of managers who have worked here a long time and are excellent at what they do. So, there was the existing human infrastructure and a new building so it really was an interesting prospect for someone with a background in hospitality. Even at Brewerkz we were fundamentally a restaurant and, while it was an interesting time, beer is really business to business; you're selling to a distributor who is selling to people, but I really like that contact with people. Being in hospitality is almost like live theater; improvising where you don't know what's going to happen every day and that makes it fun. The challenges are that you're always thinking, you're always looking for ways to improve.
What is it like seeing the Club from the ‘other side’ now?
and that's always what you're trying to achieve. It's also great when your friends and acquaintances see you do well because it's so public. You have to be a certain type of character, but I really enjoy that. I really like being able to walk around the Club and shake hands with people I know.
How did you feel about taking over the role during such a transformational period in the history of the Club? There are a couple of analogies; it's like taking a drink from a firehose, there's a lot to take in all at once and you’re catching up with people who have been on the project for some years and supporting them at the same time. The challenge is to understand the context of how things were before. That was tough, but I feel I've mastered that now. The other thing is that, because we elected to keep the Club running, it's like trying to change a flat tire on a bus while it's still running. You're operating on one hand and trying to keep people happy, feed them, let them work out, have fun at the pool, but then you're also trying to make sure that the paneling is going up at the Union Bar, we've got enough beer taps, negotiating with Asia Pacific for more beer. It's a real challenge, but it's great. It's engaged and stretched me, but it also presents its rewards through working with people who genuinely want to see the Club improve.
What are you most looking forward to in taking on this role at TAC? Getting [the Club] to where it's open and where the outlets are working well. Infrastructure is nice, but it can't just look beautiful. It's like 'view' restaurants - you can have a stunning view, but if the food and service is bad, no one wants to go there. There are some rundown restaurants in Singapore with plastic chairs selling Bee Hoon and they're absolutely fantastic. The guy's got his rubber boots on, he's watching his wok, doing one order at a time, but you love the experience. And that's the most important thing to me. It's making sure the service staff are well trained and working well together and that you're giving good value to your customers, which is difficult when you’re having to get past the dirt that's on the floor and the dust that's in the air. It will be nice to get back to running something well. For myself, though, I want to continually improve. There are a lot of clubs we’re competing with that are modern and with wonderful people working for them. The nature of the expat is changing, too, so we're going to have to be smart, good at what we do and to appeal to a group of people who aren’t the same as the expats here 20 years ago. We're catering for people whose income or family structure may be different, people who are entrepreneurs rather than CEOs, maybe people are older, so the dynamic has changed enormously.
I think I'm in quite a unique position. I sat on the boards of the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore and Singapore American School, so I'm pretty well embedded in the American community. I imagine that, given enough time I probably would have got on to the board of The American Club. With the traveling, though, my wife only allowed me to be on one board at a time!
Singapore is a fundamentally different place now, so we’re also competing with Marina Bay Sands, the casinos and restaurants with Michelin stars. That's what excites me, though; it's how we're going to respond to those changes and how we're going to remain flexible enough to be able to adapt in the future.
I think being involved with that community and knowing the people, and that they know me, there’s a lot of trust and we care about each other. You see these people at dinner parties and you see their kids growing up, I just happen to work in hospitality and it’s very visible. It doesn't mean it's not difficult sometimes, but the other side of that is that you put yourself in a position where you can fix things and continue to improve. I like having a customer or member who is passionate enough to say, "I think you can do this better". On the other hand, we always get people who say, "You're doing a great job!"
They like having me around! They like the club and they're still active members. I tease people once in a while when they say, "Devin, I've got to tell you about this..." and I say, "I have breakfast with my wife at 6:30 every morning, I've probably already heard it". It's nice though, I chat with people in the lobby, they tell me what needs to be done. It's nice being part of that family.
Are your family excited about your new role?
Photo courtesy of Keng Photography
8 COMMUNITY NEWS
Philanthropy: Not 'Either/Or' but 'And' By Sarah Morris
I
have written before about the importance of growing our culture of philanthropy at Singapore American School (SAS). To a non-profit like SAS, this is important because a philanthropic culture nurtures systemic and sustainable fundraising which is, therefore, long-term and impactful. In an organization with a vibrant philanthropic culture, all community members – parents, alumni, faculty and leadership – are proud be involved in philanthropy as donors or stewards of donated resources. Together, the entire community encourages donors to invest in its mission. One of the most common counterpoints to SAS Foundation’s fundraising is that we don’t really need money. This critique is not new or unique; I heard it all the time at Northwestern University, which is nearing the conclusion of a US$4 billion campaign. Even journalist and author Malcolm Gladwell recently wrote about it. Everyone has an opinion! My family’s spring break took us across Rajasthan traveling from Jaipur to Udaipur by train and I think now, on the heels of this experience in India, that I finally understand why people would react to the country in the way I did. There is clear and immediate need in cities and towns in India. It is massive, striking and humbling. And this is just one single country. How do we as a society begin to address all of the important gaps that exist in the world? At SAS we do not need to think about students’ access to clean water, but we do need to think how we provide them with world-class educational opportunities so that they, in turn, can address needs like clean water. We see this trickle-down effect with SAS Foundation’s support for the Executive Service Council, where funds are made available to high school service clubs each year so that they can focus on service and not fundraising. Empowered by education and character, our students can change the world. When I ask families to support SAS Foundation, I do not mean to imply that our cause is more important than other causes. Any cause that is important to you is important and, great or small, each act of generosity and compassion improves the world around us. That’s the awesome thing about philanthropy: it is not an ‘either/or’ decision; it is an ‘and’ decision. Clean water in India and world-class opportunities for SAS students, not clean water in India or world-class opportunities for SAS students. You diversify your financial portfolio with assets in equities, bonds and cash; why wouldn’t you think about your philanthropic giving in the same way? Photos courtesy of Sarah Morris
Meet Michelle Wai Consular Section, US Embassy Singapore
I
almost cried when we reached the 6,152 meter-high summit of Stok Kangri in Ladakh, India. My friends and I had attempted the summit in 2015, but Mother Nature didn’t allow it to happen. It rained and we were stranded at the basecamp (4,980m) for four days. But we returned in 2016 and succeeded after a 17-hour trek. We left the base camp at midnight and arrived back at 5pm the following day. Other climbers thought we were lost because we took so long! They cheered “The Singaporeans are coming!” when we returned. I have a family history of diabetes. My doctor told me to either change my lifestyle or get on medication, but my choice was to start exercising. Once I started, I was hooked. Now, I exercise almost every day – on Mondays I do cross-fit with friends; on Tuesdays I join the Marine workout at the Embassy; on Wednesdays I do yoga outdoors; on Thursdays I go stair-climbing at a 40-story building. Friday is my rest day and on weekends I go hiking and cycling with friends. And, oh yes, I cycle to work almost every day! Reaching the summit of Stok Kangri however had to be one of my greatest personal achievements. I have worked at the US Embassy since 1995. The highlight of my career was the temporary duty assignment I had in Baghdad. It was like being on a movie set – I arrived at the Embassy in a military helicopter, wore body armor and heard bombs on a regular basis. I had been doing the same job at the Embassy in Singapore for a long time and I volunteered to go Baghdad because I wanted to get out of my comfort zone. Being there made me appreciate how fortunate we are to live where we do. I am from Malaysia and my family still lives there. I’ve been here since 1992, but I am here on an Employment Pass so I will have to go back when I retire. I will miss Singapore. It’s become my home. Photo courtesy of Michelle Wai
Singapore American · September 2018
9 Singapore American · September 2018
LIVING IN SINGAPORE
Continued from page 1 Renault F1 came under intense scrutiny over whether Piquet had deliberately crashed to allow Alonso to sit in a more favorable position behind the safety car with a full tank and subsequently win. Meanwhile the Renault team vehemently denied any sinister tactical undertakings, emphasizing the unpredictability of F1 racing. However, in 2009 the team were formally charged for conspiring to interfere with the race outcome, resulting in disqualification and a two-year race ban. It remains one of sport’s greatest scandals to date.
“Everything you could ask for and more in F1! The party is alive in Singapore!”; “The first and best F1 night race. It's stunning. The atmosphere is electric”; “We cannot wait for next year! Truly a world class event in an amazing city!”
Fate or fixing aside, Singapore has garnered itself a reputation as the race to brace for. Some sporting clashes are known for drama, but the contest on the Singapore circuit is always ferocious and the story that unfolds, unpredictable. And there’s good reason for it. The Marina Bay street circuit is one of F1’s most challenging. It has more than 23 turns, most of them packed into the second half of the 5.067km lap. With approximately 5,000 gear changes per race, G-force surges and tight bends, the drivers are pushed to their limits. There’s no cruising, just constant racing.
Culminating in a motorsport race at its most raw and unforgiving, Singapore F1 is three days of unadulterated adrenaline rush.
Jump to 2017, and the rain. In year 10 of its involvement with F1, Singapore staged its first wet race – and made Lewis Hamilton’s day. After qualifying fifth, the Mercedes driver needed wet conditions if he stood a chance in keeping up with the super-fast Ferrari of his championship rival, Sebastian Vettel. But as the heavens opened, Hamilton defied the odds to finish first. Yet the theater behind the race start last year owed nothing to the rain. Within seconds, the green light triggered a melee of cars. Both Ferraris and one Red Bull car converged and spectacularly crashed out in an explosion of smoke and sparks as carbon fiber and rubber flew across the track. Behind them, 17 cars hurtled through the debris while photographers hammered their shutter buttons and commentators shouted themselves hoarse at the action. It was carnage but, mercifully, there were no injuries. If it is the race itself that sets the drama, then it is the night race aesthetics that set the mood. Cast your eyes skywards and Marina Bay’s cityscape looms high and the effect is simply dazzling; a vista that photographers from all over the world journey to for portfolio shots. Listen to the fans; from petrol-heads to concert-goers, the enthusiasm is intoxicating and gleaning through the reviews on Tripadvisor is testament to this:
There are few other destinations in the world where you are close enough to the race track to smell the tire fumes, where you can dine on a myriad of world class cuisine then party into the night to any one of the international headlining acts, such as Bon Jovi, Katy Perry, Maroon 5 or Calvin Harris.
Bonnie Taylor, originally from London, moved to Singapore in 2014. She graduated with a BA in English Literature, an MA in Photography and, after ten years in the business sector, picked up her camera and started exploring. When she’s not wining and dining in exotic locations, she freelances as a photographer and writer.
10 LIVING IN SINGAPORE
Singapore American · September 2018
Arts and Culture – An Overview By Nithia Devan
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ingapore had been branded a “conservative cultural desert” in past decades. This may have been the case then, but certainly not now. The arts scene has grown by leaps and bounds and the words that best describe its current state are “exciting,” “multi-dimensional” and “vibrant.” You may be surprised to learn that in 2013, there were, on average, 66 arts performances and exhibitions held daily. For the entire year, there were 22,378 arts activities, including library activities.
The Singapore government has been the main driving force behind this renaissance of Singapore as an arts hub by financing and implementing the necessary infrastructure. Take, for example, the National Art Gallery, which opened in November 2015. The cost of retrofitting the Supreme Court and City Hall buildings to turn them into the National Art Gallery was in the region of $530 million. To aid the continuing development of the arts scene in Singapore, the government increased its budget for the arts and cultural sector from $514.4 million in 2012 to $677.3 million in 2013. Furthermore, an additional $20 million was set aside to be allocated between 2014 and 2018 to promote Singaporean artists, its unique heritage and cultural assets abroad. Museums have undergone renovations to make them state-of-the-art; buildings in the central and civic districts are being turned into galleries and centers for the arts. Apart from creating the right “hardware” for the arts, there is also emphasis on raising the standards of the “software.” There are grants available for the performing arts and there is more emphasis on arts education. There are more international events taking place here and local arts groups travel aboard to perform. This has resulted in a raising of the bar for overall artistic standards. Singapore’s government announced an ambitious plan to position the city-state as one of Asia’s biggest cultural and artistic “ecosystems,” injecting hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants, scholarships, festivals and infrastructure for the arts community. More than 50 contemporary galleries, including the acclaimed Singapore Art Museum, are thriving, as are the Singapore Biennale and Art Stage Singapore. Much of this is due to a strong state-led effort to promote Singapore as a regional hub for visual arts. Art Stage is backed by government agencies like the Singapore Tourism Board and the Economic Development Board and the Singapore Biennale, which was organized by the Singapore Art Museum, had its 6 million Singapore dollar (about US$4.9
million) budget largely funded by the government. Other prominent art fairs that have established themselves here include the Singapore Art Fair which focuses on works from the Middle East, North Africa, and the South and Southeast Asia regions, as well as the Affordable Art Fair. There have also been moves to support the arts in the non-central areas and bring the arts to the heartlands (or suburbs). This is to foster a culture where art is accessible to all and is not seen as “elitist” or “high culture.” Although the general public supports the arts, it is a relatively small percentage of the population. There is definitely a need to encourage more people to support arts events if Singapore wants to remain a vibrant and vital regional arts hub. Local residents are willing to pay for expensive tickets to watch international performers and Broadway musicals but are often reluctant to support homegrown talent. Local theater companies, musicians and performers have gained recognition abroad when they travel and many of the local productions are of a truly international standard and would not be out of place on Broadway or London’s West End. One of the government’s goals is to double the share of the population who attend at least one arts and culture event a year, from the current 40 percent to 80 percent or more by 2025. Furthermore, Singapore is a compact city, so it is easy to access arts venues, which are well serviced by local public transport. So, if you are a new arrival in Singapore, please take the time to explore its arts and culture landscape. Look beyond the glass and chrome skyscrapers and gleaming shopping malls; Singapore’s soul is not to be found here. Seek it instead in the many forms and levels of art. You will be amazed at the choice of events on offer. Be prepared to be intrigued, provoked, entertained and much more, but you will definitely not be bored. Extract from Living in Singapore, 14th Edition. AAS will be hosting a Living in Singapore Talk on Wednesday, September 19. To register and for more information, go to www.aasingapore.com. Photo courtesy of Singapore Tourism Board
11 LIVING IN SINGAPORE
Singapore American · September 2018
A Newcomer's Guide to Singapore: Family By Angel Corrigan
“Love begins by taking care of the closest ones – the ones at home.” Mother Teresa
L
iving overseas covers a myriad of emotions and feelings; joy, excitement, trepidation, nervousness, determination, anticipation. All of these are valid and it's possible for any member of the family to experience any one of them moving away from home; we're uprooting and leaving behind other family members, long-term friends, familiar surroundings, cultures and ways of living. In this section of A Newcomer's Guide to Singapore I'll be looking at the family unit.
Planning an expat family life is essential to achieving success at living overseas and it's important for parents to stay connected with their kids and talk to them about how they are feeling about the changes. Spending time together ensures that their feelings are constantly being heard, so make a plan for dedicated family time without any interruptions. Make sure the kids know this is your family rule and that you value this time, as well as them, and use it to look ahead at school holidays, plan getaways together and things to look forward to. If they are struggling, schools will have counselors who can work with you and discuss strategies to help them adjust. Hiring and managing household help is not uncommon in Singapore, particularly if, for example, both parents plan on working. This may not be the norm for many of us and can mean a period of adjustment for everyone, including your new employee, so an honest discussion between each parties will help in setting expectations. There will be cultural differences and you will have to work with them over the scope of the job you want them to do; prioritize what is most important to you and be realistic, especially if you have very young children as a helper may not be able to get all the chores done while watching the kids all day. In sourcing a helper, many people who have reliable staff looking to move on post their credentials on Facebook's Real Singapore Expat Wives and this may be a good way to find the right person for you. In addition, Gerard Wong published a comprehensive guide to hiring and managing domestic help in Singapore for Britcham which can be found at britcham.org.sg.
One thing to remember is that many families are going through exactly the same experiences, so joining a parent and child group or a special interest group is a good way to meet others with children the same age as yours. The American Association of Singapore often runs family fun days, coffee mornings, their Newbie Night and many other opportunities to connect with people. All of these are excellent for talking to others about how they have taken on Singapore, so it's worth keeping an eye on their calendar. Be sure, too, to check the calendar of extra-curricular activities at your children's school to encourage friendships. Juggling all of this on top of a new job, new surroundings, new social circles and new schedules, to name but a few of the new things thrown at you, can be overwhelming and it's easy forget about the relationship you have with your spouse, no matter how tight you are. Keep a date night every so often, because you're important too. There is little doubt that family relationships can be placed under strain in relocating to a different country, but these are exciting times too. By focusing on the positives, checking in with each other and investing time in your family, even when you think you don't have any to spare, it will pay huge dividends. In next month's issue of the Singapore American newspaper I'll be covering house-hunting. Angel Corrigan arrived in Singapore in 1999 with her family. She has lived around the world as a military spouse. In Singapore, she has worked at the US Embassy and in the fundraising and development field as Managing Director of her own company.
12 THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT
Singapore American · September 2018
Just for Laughs By Katie Baines
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f Scott Mitchell had laid money on where he saw himself 16 years down the line at the time he was packing his bags in Scotland for a job in the financial sector in Australia, owning Singapore's only full-time comedy venue would probably not have been a safe bet. And yet, here he is, running regular shows at The Merry Lion five nights a week out of the seven nights his bar is open. Voted the "Most likely to become a TV presenter" and ever playing the showman in high school, the writing was pretty much on the wall for Scott and having witnessed the live comedy and arts scene explode since his arrival in Singapore, he seized the opportunity to be a part of it. Scott tells his story of how a layover in Singapore, en route to Australia, ended in him never leaving the island to follow his dream.
Tell us about yourself I was born in Scotland and always enjoyed a good joke and banter. I've never been in any other performing art, but I guess I have always been a show off. I was once told by a boss after a company presentation, "Remember the audience is here to hear what you have to say, not what you think about it". Comedy lets me tell people what I think about it. My stand-up debut was here in Singapore six years ago. It quickly snowballed into running regular weekly shows with two other comedians. I love hosting and I love performing material, too. If I could afford to, I would do it all the time. It is my passion and what keeps me sane!
When was the moment you decided to set up a comedy club in Singapore? After five years of running regular gigs at third party venues and seeing the growth in the scene, it was becoming clear that Singapore needed a home for stand-up again. There was a club in the days before Clarke Quay that had a roof, but that was well over a decade ago and nothing had materialized since. As with any venture such as this, finding the right space was the most difficult part. It took some time but we got there - we believe we've managed to capture the essence of a New York City basement comedy club in the attic of a shop house. The thing was, at the time, that I knew how to run gigs but I had no idea how to run a bar. I did the due diligence, explored the opportunity, created lots of spreadsheets and decided to go for it. With the help of friends in the field, hiring the best staff and the support of the comedy community, we pulled it together. Ultimately, I had no idea if it would work or not. Unlike a normal bar, people don't tend to come to our place unless there is a show on, in spite of us being open every day for drinks. The other thing is that we are on level three, so there is no natural passing trade, but with the support of the open mic scene and the established comedians we have been spreading the word and shows keep getting busier.
How did you make it happen? Sweating, cleaning, mopping, begging, borrowing – not stealing, though. The first show happened by accident in November 2017. We had taken over the lease on the room and were planning to get it into shape for a January 2018 launch. I was still running shows for other venues at this time, then at the last minute one of the venues let me down and cancelled the show – rather than cancel that night altogether I thought: "Right, let's do this!". Inside 48 hours, we managed to get 50 seats, stock the bar, rig the lighting, find some staff and get the sound working. Even my 14-year-old son was in helping to put chairs together and build the bar.
What was opening night like? On show night my eldest daughter worked the bar alongside a volunteer open mic comedian and a friend from another bar on his night off. The comedians were Brian Aylward, Canada's Funniest Person, 2016, and Danny O'Brien, a monster of a comedian from Ireland. Close to 100 people came – it was standing room only and it was an amazing night of comedy. The Merry Lion has never really closed since then. We planned to take some time over the festive period to focus on getting the venue into shape, but, if I'm honest, its current state is part of its charm. This is a fantastic problem to have and proved the thirst for a dedicated comedy venue for comedy fans was very much there. The official launch show was in January 2018 with local star, Jinx Yeo. The room was packed, the bar was busy, people were laughing, it was a brilliant feeling.
Tell me about the comedians that perform at the Merry Lion Since that first show, 10 months ago, we have had over 150 comedians perform at the club. All of the international headliners at The Merry Lion are TV credited and/or fill the biggest and best comedy rooms globally - we've had Netflix stars Tom Rhodes from the US, Malaysia's Kavin Jay and Singaporean comic Fakkah Fuzz. Our Comedy Central stars have included Nicholas Anthony (US), Jocelyn Chia (US/ SIN), Walter Hong (US) and many more. Even the world's oldest working female stand-up, Lynn Ruth Miller, did three shows. That said, our headliners are not always TV or Youtube-famous, but they are always of the very highest standard. Many of them are multi-national – Singaporean, Malaysian, American, British, Russian, Indian, Filipino, Canadian – performing in clubs and festivals regionally and around the world, which appeals to our international melting pot of comedy fans. These comedians can all hold their own against the best of the visiting comedians and that's always great to see. The Merry Lion is a base camp for the local scene, too. We run two free open mic shows every Sunday and Monday. There are currently around 50 regular open mic'ers trying to crack the scene and make their way in comedy on our humble stage.
What's the future looking like for the Merry Lion? It just keeps getting better and better, but there are no laurels to rest on just yet. The local scene is gaining strength at a rapid rate and we want that to continue to be a core offer to our audience and members. We are introducing more second language shows. So far we've had additional shows in Hindi, Mandarin, Japanese, Finnish and Cantonese. These add great color to the venue and I want more. Our daytime and weekend comedy writing and performing courses are also very popular. We will be expanding this and will be introducing a Comedy for Corporates course, too. We're in the midst of putting the final touches on a competition to find Singapore's funniest professional – White Collar Comedy if you will – which will partner nicely with Comedy for Corporates. I'm currently in conversation with a number of big name acts who are very keen to come to Singapore and perform at The Merry Lion. These will be very special shows in our intimate setting. Despite all of these exciting new elements, though, the main focus is to continue providing high quality entertainment for comedy fans on a regular basis. Originally from Scotland, Scott Mitchell moved to The Lion City in 2002, way before Marina Bay Sands existed and before Clarke Quay had a roof. Father of four, he shares tales of his family life, foreign adventures and the contrast of daily life in the tropics compared to his childhood in bonny Scotland. LAH!ughs guaranteed. Check out The Merry Lion and its future events at www.themerrylion.sg. Photos courtesy of Scott Mitchell and Dahalan Sarlip
14 TRAVEL
Singapore American · September 2018
A book was born at Rimba Resort By Dee Allan
T
hey say there is a book in all of us. More often than not, though, the valuable commodities that hold us back from making it come to fruition are ‘time’ and ‘space’. A book theme had been jittering around in my head for some months but, after choosing my moment, I negotiated exactly what I needed; a break in a peaceful location away from my two children to kick-start my publishing journey. With a clear objective in mind, I had six child-free nights to give myself a window of freedom to accomplish my dream. Armed with a map, I traced my finger over the multitude of destinations I could visit and fantasized over sunset cocktails, sea breezes and writing page upon page without child-shackles around my ankles (I shed my mummy-guilt quite quickly). I wanted to find somewhere close to Singapore, which didn’t involve flights, was affordable and had a laidback vibe, while being surrounded by nature. After some deliberation, the islands off the coast of Malaysia seemed viable options and, after thumbing through a few travel guides, Rimba Resort on the island of Sibu seemed to fit my criteria. I promptly made my booking. After two and a half hour's driving from Singapore (Woodlands immigration traffic was kind to me on the day), I arrived at Tanjong Lehman jetty. The boat transfer took around 10-15 minutes and, with my excitement levels starting to tango, Sibu came into view over the horizon. I was greeted by members of the Rimba team who promptly took my bag and escorted me to my sea-facing beach
Photos courtesy of Dee Allan
chalet. Everything was clean, and nicely made up with local furnishings being sympathetic to their natural surroundings. The chalet itself was simplicity at its most paired down; no TV, no Wi-Fi (unless you're at the bar), no door, no lock and key. The relaxed nature of the island was already winning me over and was exactly what I was looking for, a perfect serene and natural environment where I could achieve my writing goals. The open windows and doorway to my beach chalet provided an adequate fresh sea breeze, which was whipped around the room by the fans. Given my distaste for air conditioning, this natural set-up worked well for me, as did the wonderfully effective mosquito net which kept the pesky beasts out of my sleeping chamber. On arrival day, I was fed a delicious lunch from the sumptuous buffet of Malaysian curried meats, heaps of vegetables and rice, followed by tropical fruit, all prepared by the locals. Belly full, I walked past the sea-facing bar, promising myself a frozen Margarita if I managed to pen enough words before sunset. With a firm incentive in place, I set to work. Authors often write because they are moved to do so and it is not uncommon for writing to be a form of catharsis; this was the case for me. My aim was to create a 'healing book' with engaging prose and lingering artwork, designed to provide hope for those who have found themselves in a dark place. Aside from my own experiences, each artist who is collaborating on this enormous project has their own story and is bringing that across within their work.
With this in mind, our collaboration is a raw poetry art book about. The book will showcase all the different ‘wings’ we accumulate as we go through life and its challenges. My writing will accompany a collection of beautiful wing designs by different artists from around the world, intended to remind us of our inner strength and beauty, and provide hope for those suffering today. Having scripted enough before sunset, I found myself back at the bar. Frozen Margarita in hand, I was well poised to watch a spectacular streaky sunset of oranges, reds and purples. Bliss.
Staff What I found so refreshing is that the front-office staff hailed from a diverse range of countries, each bringing their eclectic experiences and accents together. I would spend most evenings at the bar, drinking with the staff and laughing like old buddies on holiday. I left the island knowing everyone by first name and the early seeds of friendships in place.
The Accommodation The island may disappoint princes and princesses pining for air conditioning, hot water and island-wide Wi-Fi. This is jungle beach living at its best, so if you like the luxuries of the Shangri-La, I suggest you sail straight past Rimba and head to Kuala Lumpur, or similar, as Rimba is best suited to the rough-and-ready type of traveler. If you need a detox from gadgets, Wi-Fi, email traffic, technological disruptions and, frankly, people and don’t mind the bugs who call this island home, then you will love it.
15 TRAVEL
Singapore American ¡ September 2018
Rimba has 21 chalets, 19 of which are sea-facing. If the thought of cold water showers has you popping in goose pimples then there is a family chalet with two bathrooms and an island suite, both of which have hot shower facilities.
Sunrise and Sunset I arranged to meet one of the friendly staff members at 6am to catch the sun as it came up. After a short walk and easy rock climb we found a perching point where we chatted like school-girls and watched a spectacular sunrise. For sunset, ensure you are at the bar for the daily show.
The Beach The quaint beach was one of the most interesting I have seen. The tide would be out in the daytime, revealing what appeared to be just rocks and boulders. However, as I tiptoed closer, I noticed the diversity of the marine life within shallow waters. There were anemones, coral, sea cucumbers, crabs and a variety of tiny fishes, all visible at ankle deep. As the tide worked its way back to shore, guests would snorkel or just sun bathe and relax in the clear waters.
Diving Rimba runs a decent Padi Dive Center and, according to the team, black tip reef sharks, blue spotted stingray, cuttlefish, turtles, batfish, angelfish, triggerfish, barracuda and the occasional octopus have been spotted around Rimba. In venturing to dive sights further out at sea it’s possible to spot bigger fish, such as travellis
and tuna. So there is a rich bio-diversity for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts.
Turtle Conservation As I finished breakfast one day, Adam, a long-time staff member, invited me to the turtle sanctuary on the beach as they had just taken delivery of freshly laid turtle eggs. We carefully measured, weighed and placed the delicate eggs into a deep hole in the sand, in the hope that baby turtles would hatch weeks later. Rimba runs a turtle conservation project, where they work with local egg collectors who are licensed by the Department of Fisheries to collect and sell the eggs to the Rimba hatchery. Thanks to this project, the eggs and subsequent baby turtles narrowly avoid an alternative fate of ending up as dinner. The hatchery is wonderful for kids and adults to learn about turtles, the environment and what is required to help these endangered sea creatures. Guests can buy Rimba conservation T-shirts or sponsor a nest to help the conservation team sustain their heroic efforts.
Hikes and Massages There are a few different hike options for those wanting to break up their beach holiday and mix in some jungle escapades. One option is to walk for approximately an hour to the local village. There is also a Kampong trek where you can climb the hill above it and get a spectacular view of the island. For those not wanting a long hike, and if you can drag
yourself away from Rimba, a quick walk through the jungle can take you to another resort called Sea Gypsy, where you can grab a drink and have a paddle in the sea off the sandy beach. Trek back to Rimba and visit the elevated beach hut spa, for that oh-so-necessary massage.
Monsoon Monsoon season starts in November and finishes around February. Sadly (or thankfully, depending on your perspective) the currents and tides bring trash that has been washed out to sea back to the shore. After every high tide, the Rimba team gathers to clear their beach haven from plastic bottles, flip flops, polystyrene, oil drums and all sorts of other weird paraphernalia. Huge kudos to everyone at Rimba, who do their bit as caretakers of their beautiful environment. As the week unfolded I found that Rimba was not only the place my writing was birthed, it was also the place which super-charged my own healing process. The combination of nature at its finest, simplicity and genuine human kindness was all found at this humble resort. It shall always remain special to me and I shall always remain indebted to it; I came away with a new respect for the ongoing clean-up operations, knowledge about turtles and the environment, friends, a rested soul and a book. www.resortmalaysia.com Dee Allan is the Director of 3C Synergy recruitment consultancy and a qualified freelance copywriter. You can follow her blogs on www.bossbabelady.com
17 THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT
SINGAPORE and the SILVER SCREEN By Marc Servos
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any of us may not be quite aware of how much film-making has been done in Singapore’s history. We may be familiar with local television productions shown on MediaCorp and have a scant knowledge of locally produced films in recent years, but Singapore has long been in the industry. In its heyday, there were two notable local film production chains; the Shaw and Cathay Organizations, which still operate cineplexes today. Each produced over 100 Malay-language films during what is known as the Golden Era of Cinema, a period spanning from the post-World War II era of the late 1940s until the early 1970s. Decades before, the first motion pictures were brought into Singapore during the late 1890s for public showing, shortly after this industry’s beginnings. In 1902, screenings of imported films were held at two pitched tents, one at the junction of Hill Street and River Valley Road, and the other at a Beech Road until moving operations to Hill Street. A couple of years later, the first enclosed movie theater in Singapore, the Paris Cinematograph, opened in the Malay Theatre at Victoria Street. What is believed to be the first film shot entirely in Singapore and Malaya was Chinese production Xin Ke (The Immigrant), shot in the Botanic Gardens and produced by Liu Beijin in 1927. It wasn’t until Shaw and Cathay Organizations became established, though, that Singaporean movies really took off. Shaw Organization was founded in Singapore in 1924 by brothers Runme and Run Run Shaw as an extension of their Shanghai-based family business. They opened their own studio in 1937 at Jalan Ampas, off Balestier Road and, at first, produced mainly silent movies. The main
reason for this was not for lack of audio recording capabilities, but so that the large number of dialect groups in Singapore at that time could enjoy the same film. However, they later produced four Malay-language films prior to the Japanese occupation. After the war, the Shaws rebuilt their studio, naming it Malay Film Productions, and the first movie in the post-war era produced was Singapura Di-Waktu Malam (Singapore Film at Night) in 1947. With this film being an instant success, it paved the way for subsequent motion pictures. Shaw Brothers Productions dominated the movie making business up until the early 1950s, but then in 1953, new kid and Chairman of Cathay Organizations (formerly Associated Theatres), Loke Wan Tho, challenged their supremacy. Loke was from a poor but ambitious family which originated from South China. In spite of its humble beginnings, the family's determination and entrepreneurial spirit, after migrating to Singapore, gained the Lokes access to a number of business ventures in lifestyle, hospitality and entertainment. One such venture was the construction of the Cathay Building; Singapore’s first skyscraper and, then, Asia’s tallest building which housed Cathay’s airconditioned movie theater. Teaming up with Keris Film Productions’ managing director, Ho Ah Loke, Loke Wan Tho founded Cathay-Keris Films, producing Malay-language films from their East Coast Road studio, a former military barracks used by the Japanese. Cathay-Keris broke away from the influence of traditional bangsawan, a type of traditional Malay opera or theater, and it produced Singapore’s first color films, Perwira Lautan Teduh (1952) and Buloh Perindu (1953). Cathay-Keris pioneered a series of horror films, known as the Pontianak series – a name from Malay folklore said to
be the spirits of women who died in pregnancy – beginning with Pontianak and Dendam Pontianak (Revenge of the Pontianak), both shot in 1957. Others followed into the 1960s and featured high-profile performers such as actress Maria Menado and actor Wahid Satay. After much success, a perfect storm of historic events contributed to its decline the 1960s. Television Singapura, part of what is now known as Mediacorp, introduced television in 1963, leading to a drop in movie attendance. The following year, Cathay’s Loke Wan Tho lost his life in a plane crash in Taiwan. The final blow was in 1965 when Singapore’s independence resulted in many directors, producers and artistes basing themselves in Malaysia. This, along with audiences in Singapore turning their attention to imported films from Hollywood, led to the closure of Shaw’s Malay Film Productions in 1967 and Cathay-Keris Films in 1972. Both parent companies continued to expand their movie theater chains, including Cathay opening Singapore’s only drive-in theater in conjunction with the Jurong Town Corporation in 1971, which operated until 1985. The local film industry experienced a rebirth during the early 1990s, beginning with Medium Rare (1991). Despite this film taking a box office loss, subsequent motion pictures such as Bugis Street (1995) and Army Daze (1996) turned out profits. But it was the phenomenal success of Money No Enough (1998) that revived film-making in The Little Red Dot, and this revival continues to inspire film-makers locally. Marc Servos is a Hoosier in terms of his home state and Alma Mater. From Fort Wayne, Indiana, Marc is married to a Singaporean, Sherley, and has been living here for years. He has two children, ages 16 and 8.
18 THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT
Singapore American · September 2018
It’s Showtime!
The Best of Singapore’s Alternative Movie Theaters By Frances Strong
I
t's been more than 40 years since the first drive-in movie theater was opened in Singapore. Located at Yuan Ching Road, close to the Japanese Gardens, the 5.6 ha plot could play host to 900 cars, plus 300 walk-in guests, who watched the movie from a viewing gallery. After the initial novelty wore off, patrons became tired of the long lines to enter the site and the tropical weather, which caused many a screening to be viewed through thrashing windshield wipers. It’s little wonder audiences dwindled to a point that made the theater’s future bleak. Sadly, Singapore’s only drive-in was closed in September 1985, due to falling attendance and huge competition from the growing pirate video market. Movies are, of course, still big business in Singapore, with theater chains such as Golden Village and Cathay providing all the big box office hits. Although comfortable, and in some cases out-and-out luxurious, large chain movie theaters can lack a certain charm that you only find in an independent theater. If you hanker for a more alternative kind of movie experience, read on for a few ideas…
Outdoor Viewing From the glamorous… Although it’s a bit of a gamble buying tickets for an outdoor event in the tropics, the promise of a warm, summer evening of relaxing with the family while taking in a movie under the stars is too much to turn down. Outdoor screenings pop up around Singapore pretty frequently, with events held at Fort Canning Park (Films at the Fort) and on the beach at Tanjong Beach Club, Sentosa (Sunset Cinema), to name two. Movie-goers are encouraged to arrive early to soak up the pre-film atmosphere, grab a drink and a bite to eat, then watch the sun go down before the viewing starts.
Through the quirky… Facebook-based Movie Mob is revolutionizing Singapore cinema one screening at a time by putting on outdoor movie events, which are often free of charge. Whether they’re recreating the old days of the drive-in, or taking over the Skylight Atrium of a shopping mall, they are certainly putting the fun back into a family trip to the movies. ‘Like’ them on Facebook to get details of their next event in your feed. Films at the Fort Fort Canning Green, Fort Canning Park www.filmsatthefort.com.sg 7:30pm, September 3 – 19 Bring a blanket and a picnic (full bar available on site) Sunset Cinema Tanjong Beach Club, Sentosa See website for forthcoming dates www.sunsetcinema.com.sg Movie Mob www.facebook.com/apemoviemob/ Be My Kaki Bus www.facebook.com/BeMyKakiBus/ The Projector 6001 Beach Road, #05-00, Golden Mile Tower, 199589 www.theprojector.sg The Screening Room 12 Ann Siang Rd, Singapore 069692 www.screeningroom.com.sg The Screening Room @ The Arts House 1 Old Parliament Lane Singapore 179429 www.theartshouse.sg/venues/#screening%20room
To the downright bizarre! You’ve heard of the traveling circus, now here’s the traveling movie theater. Check out Be My Kaki Bus, which travels around different locations in the heartlands, bringing family friendly movies to the masses – on the side of a bus! I challenge you to find a more unusual movie experience in Singapore.
Indie Flicks There’s really nothing more hipster than seeing an art-house movie in an alternative theater and the Singapore experience will not let you down. Indie favorite The Projector at Golden Mile has a rich history. When it was built in the early seventies, Golden Theatre was the biggest movie theater in Singapore and Malaysia, boasting more than 1,500 seats. Like its contemporaries, it was once one huge venue, with stalls and circle seats. Now, the two halls of The Projector can be found on the fifth floor, originally the Golden Theatre’s circle seats. Another option for the lesser-screened picture is the Screening Room. Established in 2007, this uber-chic venue is housed in a heritage building on the beautiful Ann Siang Road. The Screening Room selects its movies to complement culinary and cultural events and allows customers to catch quirky classics, new independent and foreign films in a luxurious setting when they spend $15++ on food or drink. Even better, you can head up to the rooftop bar after the show to discuss the movie over a cocktail or two. The similarly named Screening Room @ The Arts House is another go-to for independent movies. With just 75 seats it’s a pretty intimate venue, which played host to several premieres at the 2017 Singapore International Film Festival. Whether blockbusters are your bag or you're all about art house – there’s something for everyone at Singapore's independent movie theaters. Originally from a tiny seaside town in the UK, Frances Strong has called Singapore home since 2011. Six years later, she's still exploring the Little Red Dot and loves to find new and quirky places to wow her visitors. When she's not playing taxi driver for her children, she likes to write about travel, motherhood, food, life... and anything in between.
19 THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT
Singapore American · September 2018
Fun for Free in SG By Faith Chanda
SG for Free WEB DIRECTORY
Air Force Museum www.mindef.gov.sg Art Science Museum www.marinabaysands.com/museum The Esplanade www.esplanade.com Fort Siloso www.sentosa.com.sg/State-Specials/Events/ Free-Day-Tours-at-Fort-Siloso/
T
here’s plenty to do in Singapore and plenty of ways, big and small, to spend your hard-earned cash. Finding fun on a budget, though? Now that’s priceless. So, I’ll do one better: here are some of my favorite free fun finds.
Performing Arts – All the World’s a Stage The Esplanade boasts that nearly 70% of its programs are free. In fact, an entire section of its website (inset) is dedicated to free programs under ‘What’s On’. From music and theater to workshops and art exhibitions, the Esplanade has something for everyone, including the kids: Pip’s PLAYbox is a kid-oriented space designed to make the arts accessible for young children. Watching one of the many fabulous performances at the Esplanade’s outdoor theater means you can catch the cool breezes coming off Marina Bay and if you stick around until 8pm you’ll have a prime spot for Marina Bay Sands’ (MBS) daily light and laser show. Sentosa island also has its own laser show offerings. At 8pm Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) presents The Crane Dance at its Waterfront which features massive mechanical cranes representing the majestic bird. Later at 11pm is the Lake of Dreams show at RWS Festive Walk; a stunningly choreographed spectacle of fire, water and light, designed by Emmy award-winner, Jeremy Railton. Back to outdoor concert venues for a moment, because I can’t fail to mention the free concerts put on at the Botanic Gardens by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra as part of its Symphony in the Gardens series. Concerts encompass a wide range of musical genres so you’re sure to find something that interests you. Grab your picnic blanket and check out the schedule on their website along with the symphony’s other free events.
Art and Museums – A Feast for the Eyes Art is everywhere in Singapore. From the array of architectural styles to the sculptural pieces that liven up Orchard Road to the eclectic murals found in the HDBs and skateparks, you can hardly turn a corner without making a creative discovery. The Singapore Art Museum’s younger sibling, SAM at 8Q, which leans towards the contemporary and eclectic, is free from 6-9pm on Fridays. The venue hosts SAM Late Nights on the second Friday of every month, kicked up a notch by a variety of live music acts. The National University of Singapore has its own museum that features an ever-changing roster of exhibitions covering art, culture and history, as well as public programs and events, many of which are free. If you’re willing to go further afield, out at Gillman Barracks there is a plethora of public art to be enjoyed. Mostly contemporary, there are events, exhibitions and galleries, as well as indoor and outdoor art installations; perfect for a stroll in the sunshine. Friends of the Museum
Indie Singapore www.indiesingapore.com conduct free tours so check the website for details on art exhibitions and tour details.
Festivals – Party Like a Singaporean!
The National Parks www.nparks.gov.sg
Singapore knows how to throw a party and being the cultural tapestry that it is, we celebrate holidays of many nationalities and religions. Visit Chinatown for Lunar New Year (February 5, 2019) or the Mid-Autumn Festival (September 24), Little India during Deepavali (November 6), the Arab Quarter during Ramadan (May 5, 2019) and Orchard Road, among many places, during the Christmas season (throughout December). From exquisitely decorated storefronts, bright and colorful light displays to holiday markets and free activities and attractions, you can almost always find a festival happening somewhere.
The National University of Singapore www.museum.nus.edu.sg
History on Foot Is a Walk in the Park
Walks of our Life www.wwalks.com
As part of their Architectural Heritage Season, the Urban Redevelopment Authority sponsors a lecture series, community events and free guided heritage trail walks around Singapore’s history-rich areas, such as Telok Ayer, Tanjong Pagar and Tiong Bahru. These districts showcase the island’s finest examples of architecture, from Peranakan shop houses to stylish Art Deco apartment blocks. Indie Singapore offers free walking tours in Chinatown, Kampong Glam, Bugis, Riverfront and CBD every Tuesday to Thursday and Walks of our Life puts on a free Footsteps of our Forefathers walking tour in Chinatown every Saturday at 10am. Sign up ahead of time online as most free walking tours can only accommodate a limited number of guests. However, tour organizer, Monster Day Tours, state that there’s no need to sign up for their walks around Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam, and that attendees should just show up on the day. Check their website for meeting spots. Fort Siloso hosts free guided tours every second and third Saturday of the month which give insight to Singapore’s only coastal defense fort. Military and history buffs will enjoy the Surrender Chambers and WWII memorabilia. The National Parks are a fabulous resource for all manner of outdoor activities as well as workshops, guided tours, festivals and other programs, most of which are free and will appeal to everyone from the most rambunctious of children to elderly birdwatchers. The website lets you search for playgrounds at the parks, in case you’ve got young ones who might need to burn off some energy. Parks in the heartlands tend to be more spacious, and getting out to them gives a chance to explore lesser known neighborhoods. Faith relocated to Singapore in January 2015 with her husband and two young children. She is a freelance writer and marketing consultant as the sole proprietor of F. Chanda Communications & Events. Faith enjoys exploring food, culture, nature and design through her travel adventures.
Urban Redevelopment Authority www.ura.gov.sg SAM at 8Q www.singaporeartmuseum.sg Singapore Symphony Orchestra www.sso.org.sg/free-concerts
20 FOOD & DINING
Singapore American · September 2018
Quirky Dining Experiences in Singapore By Hannah Wilson
T
ired of your usual dining haunts? Looking for a food experience that goes beyond the norm? Singapore has plenty of gems that give you something to think about other than what’s on the menu. On land, on water or in the air, eating out need never be dull. Here are a few suggestions for you to check out…
All Aboard the GOURMET Bus! One of Singapore’s no-nos is eating on public transport. Or so we thought. GOURMET Bus is a 32-seater double-decker bus inviting guests to sit on their leather upholstered seats while they are given a tour of Singapore and dine on hawker fare for lunch, high tea or dinner. They can then decamp to the neon lit free-seating lounge for drinks downstairs. The bus operates from Tuesdays to Sundays, driving past iconic sites such as the Singapore Flyer, Chinatown and Marina Bay.
Challenge Your Senses While some argue that eating is a full sensory experience of sight, smell and taste, it is said that depriving your sight will intensify the other two. The concept behind NOX Dine in the Dark is for gourmands to be taken on a journey of aroma, texture and flavor through the mystery three course menu while being waited on in complete darkness by either blind or visually impaired staff. Post-dinner, you’ll be presented with pictures and descriptions of the treats you were served, allowing you to compare notes with other guests. Reservations can be made at: www.noxdineinthedark.com
Old-time Dining
For reservations go to: www.gourmetbus.com.sg
Emulating the experience of dining on a paddleboat on the Mississippi river, Stewords Riverboat at Marina South Pier, complete with red paddle wheel, offers Southern-style American fare. Chow down on fish tacos or chicken enchiladas in their Santa Fe Tex-Mex Grill on the main deck, or for lighter bites head up to the Bridge Deck where you’ll get a great view of the port from their Wood & Steel Gastrobar.
Somewhere, Beyond the Sea…
Go to their website at www.riverboat.com.sg for further details.
If there’s a large group of you hankering for seafood, then Smith Marine may be your thing. Located between Pulau Ubin and Changi Point, this Chinese halal kelong restaurant is only accessible by ferry so you can’t get much closer to where your meal came from. In fact, they’ll even give you a rod and bait to catch a seabass or snapper from their ‘sure to catch’ pond before they serve it to you for $35. Otherwise, just sit back and enjoy the view while the chef cooks up the catch of the day. To book your ferry and check the restaurant schedule, go to Smith Marine’s website at: www.smithmarine.com.sg English teacher Hannah, when not in the classroom, is a nighthawk who loves to explore what Singapore has to offer after dark. Between school semesters she is an avid traveler and enjoys hopping over to neighboring countries in Asia.
Up, Up and Away If the ‘wow factor’ is what you are looking for in a dining experience then the Singapore Flyer offers exactly that. Their Premium Sky Dining Flight package comprises of a four-course fine dining menu for two, an in-flight host to attend to your every need and two rotations on the wheel, giving plenty of time to take in the spectacular panoramic view of Marina Bay. Book your flight via their website at: www.singaporeflyer.com Photos courtesy of GOURMET Bus, suyashdixit and Hannah Wilson
21 FOOD & DINING
Singapore American · September 2018
The History of the Singapore Sling By Bonnie Taylor
S
ickly sweet or taste sensation, classic cocktail or ‘one for the tourists’, like it or not the Singapore Sling has been dividing tastes for over 100 years.
poured over ice – from an earlier era, Ngiam was so careful to protect the formula that he locked it away in a safe so that no one but himself would have access to it.
Back in the day when Singapore was under British colonial rule “See you at Raffles” was a common phrase exchanged between patrons of the hotel’s Long Bar. Dressed for dinner, gentlemen would sip on gin or whiskey while the ladies were restricted to teas or fruit-based drinks as customs at that time did not allow women to drink alcohol in public places.
When Ngiam eventually passed away, the bar staff at Raffles managed to get the safe open with the help of his relatives. Cat out of the bag, the bartenders eagerly scribbled down the vital ingredients and were only too happy to pass on this valuable information via their bar chits to any of their clientele requesting it. The safe box and bar chits were preserved in the Raffles Hotel museum and remained there while it was still operating.
In 1915, as the story at Raffles Hotel goes, Hainanese bartender, Ngiam Tong Boon, noticed this social taboo and sought to create a tipple for the ladies under the guise of a fruit cocktail. What he concocted was a blend of gin, Cherry Heering, Bénédictine Dom, Cointreau, pineapple juice, lime juice and a splash of Angostura bitters, all camouflaged with Grenadine syrup. Deceptively, it had the potency of a martini. The new drink soon became the talk of the town and the ‘in’ thing to be ordering from the Long Bar by those in the know on the social scene. While the Sling was gaining in popularity, the recipe for the cocktail became the best kept secret in Singapore. Although many ascertained that it was inspired by gin slings – sweetened gin
For the time being, the Long Bar at Raffles has closed until the second half of 2018 due to an enormous refurbishment project at the hotel. However, while there is a host of alternative bars that serve up Singapore’s national cocktail, Raffles Hotel has set up a pop-up Long Bar at 3 Seah Street to give visitors the original Singapore Sling experience. Bonnie Taylor, originally from London, moved to Singapore in 2014. She graduated with a BA in English Literature, an MA in Photography and, after ten years in the business sector, picked up her camera and started exploring. When she’s not wining and dining in exotic locations, she freelances as a photographer and writer.
THE PERFECT SINGAPORE SLING 7.5ml Cointreau 7.5ml Bénédictine Dom 30ml London Dry Gin 15ml Cherry Heering 10 Grenadine Syrup Dash of Angostura bitters 120ml pineapple juice 15ml lime juice Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and add ice. Shake until well blended and strain into an ice-filled highball glass. Garnish with a slice of pineapple and a Maraschino cherry.
22 HEALTH & WELLNESS
Singapore American · September 2018
Welcome to Float Club! by Laura Coulter
L
et your worries drift away... In fast-paced Singapore, we are always looking for new and interesting ways to relax and unwind. From meditation apps on our phone, to silent 10-day retreats, to massages and reiki, there are more ways than ever to relieve stress and tension. One way of restoring our calm that is becoming increasingly popular is floating in a sensory deprivation tank. Immersed in salty water and totally cut off from sound or light, we can allow our minds to let go. Floatation was introduced in the 1950s by American neuroscientist John C. Lilly. He created the first tanks in order to research the nature of consciousness. What he found was that in this unusual environment, 90% of the brain's neural activity became free from task. Float pods have more recently started to pop up in cities around the world and centers can be found just about anywhere; from Bangkok to Toronto, and there are many in California where they originated. Currently, there are two flotation centers in Singapore; Palm Ave Float Club, Kampong Bugis, and Float House Singapore, Novena Medical Centre. Similar to the Dead Sea, with its healing properties, the tanks hold more than 500kg of Epsom salts which soothe muscle aches and help induce deeper and better quality sleep. With no emails, screen-time, conversation or images crowding the mind, the brain focuses its powers inward. The result is a chance for your brain to heal, regulate and harmonize with your body.
Laura Coulter is a globe-trotting journalist, event planner, teacher and fundraiser. She enjoys hosting fabulous events that give back to her community and the causes in which she believes. Laura created and hosts the long-running Your Clothes Friend Swap. She also volunteers her time to build homes with Habitat for Humanity. As contributor to the Living in Singapore nightlife section, Laura continues to search for the perfect martini.
"How does it work? What do you wear? Do you freak out?" are a few of the many common questions about floating. Here's the process: 1. You are in a private room, so strip off everything down to what nature intended and shower with soap. You can wear a bathing suit, but this may cause discomfort. 2. Open up the bubble-shaped tank containing about 12-20 inches of water. Due to the saline quality of the water you won’t sink and you certainly don’t have to know how to swim! You can gently close the bubble lid and enjoy the glowing lights in the tank or keep the lid open if you’re feeling nervous. 3. Get comfortable, lie back in the water and enjoy the soothing meditation music played at the beginning of your allotted time. There is the option to turn off the light and float away in the darkness until the music returns to indicate the end of your session. 4. There is no 'right way' or 'wrong way' to float. Your mind will adjust and relax. It's a powerful time for meditation, visualization and recovery. You can gain mental clarity, as you are free from distraction and can relieve your stress quickly. Floating is also ideal for the jet lagged traveler as it releases muscle tension quickly and aids sleep that night.
24 HEALTH & WELLNESS
Singapore American · September 2018
Are You Feeling Sleepy?
C
onstant travel for business and leisure is a familiar feature of expat life in Singapore. Some of us with families even feel exhausted after the summer holiday. With time zone differences and constant sleep interruption it’s easy to feel you are not getting enough sleep. Emerging research is abundant and spells out how sleep is important for adults and especially teenagers. The research has been clear that lack of sleep can cause a variety of problems. In adults some of these issues include hypertension, heart disease, fatigue, anxiety, stress and a lack of mental clarity. In children, attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity, bedwetting, allergies and stunted growth and development have been associated with a lack of sleep and disordered breathing. These problems may go on to affect school performance. Related to this, dental ‘bruxism’ is the medical term used to describe habitual clenching or grinding of the teeth and jaw. Stiff or fatigued jaw muscles when you wake in the morning, headaches, neck aches, sensitive teeth, jaw pain, noises when opening or closing your mouth can all be signs of dental bruxism and TMJ disorder. According to Dr. Mike Faktor of Expat Dental, previously dentists were trained to think that grinding issues were just stress related and that the ultimate fix was to wear a night-guard for the rest of your life. Now practitioners believe that by retraining habits such as tongue position, breathing techniques and swallowing techniques, we can stop grinding and help patients sleep better. But, depending on the individual circumstances, oral appliances, medication or surgery may be required. Oral Appliance Therapy can often be used to treat both snoring and obstructive sleep apnea in adults. An oral appliance is a device similar to orthodontic retainers joined by a flexible connector and worn while asleep. The device allows your airway to remain open by supporting the lower jaw in a slightly forward position and providing forced air through flexible tubes. These devices are best designed and fitted by experienced dentists trained in sleep disorder therapy. In some severe cases, surgery may be an option for treatment.
Ask yourself these questions and if you answer yes to a few you may want to find out more. Do you… •
feel irritable or sleepy during the day?
•
have difficulty staying awake when sitting still, watching television or reading?
•
fall asleep or feel very tired while driving?
•
have difficulty concentrating?
•
often get told by others that you look tired?
•
react slowly?
•
have trouble controlling your emotions?
•
feel like you have to take a nap almost every day?
•
require caffeinated beverages to keep yourself going?
When treating children, if caught early enough, providers may be able to prevent the need for braces and allow them to live a healthier life without a grinding habit and a sleep disorder in adulthood. If you feel you or someone in your family may have sleep disordered breathing or sleep apnea, the sooner you can fix the problem the sooner you will be on the path to a much fuller life, free of the health issues that come with poor sleep.
To contact Dr. Mike Faktor at Expat Dental please email info@expatdental.com or call +65 63976718
25 EDUCATION
Singapore American · September 2018
Song Lyrics of Youth: Personal Growth in Boarding School By Graham Gamble
I
n the 1959 novel Walkabout by James Vance Marshall, later memorably filmed by Nicolas Roeg, an accident leaves two American children, a boy and a girl, alone and stranded deep in the Australian bush. With no experience of managing in such adverse conditions, their prospects look bleak. Yet the children have the good fortune to meet an Aboriginal boy. As is the custom among his people, this young man is undergoing the six-month period of solitary separation from his kin known as 'walkabout'. The rite of passage both marks and creates the transition from adolescence to adulthood. The maturity that the young Aborigine is acquiring is but one of the attributes that helps him to provide the care that the American children need to survive: "Unless he looked after them, they would die. That was certain". Many cultures recognize the need for adolescents to separate themselves for some time from the regime of the family in order to attain the fullness of adulthood. Such distancing serves many purposes: young people are free to experiment with new identities and new friends, to take a few risks and, on occasion, to fail in all these endeavors. All these adventures can take place away from the ever-watchful and, one fears, over protective gaze of anxious parents. In the US, the UK and elsewhere, young people have, traditionally, experienced this necessary separation by “going away” to college. For many years, we have thought nothing of seeing young people travel hundreds of miles – or, in the US, thousands – away from the family home to experience higher education. In my own case, I sought to put The Proclaimers’ Five Hundred Miles between my home in the North London suburbs and my university city in Scotland. Those of us lucky enough to have enjoyed higher education in that way readily agree that living on one’s own, away from parents for the first time is as much
part of the learning experience as the lectures, seminars, clubs and societies. The appeal of the boarding school for the adolescent is, of course, exactly the same. However, since, traditionally, boarding school has been, perforce, an experience for a minority, the mystique of such institutions has been, it would seem, all the greater. It is now a well-varnished cliché to speak about Harry Potter and Hogwarts in articles about boarding education. Yet, perhaps we overlook a singular aspect of J. K. Rowling’s creative genius. It may be that the true magic of Hogwarts lies not in spells and potions, but in the extraordinary outcomes that can ensue when any group of clever, creative, charming and diverse young people are gathered together in an extraordinary place, allowed to venture and to fail, yet all the time protected, challenged and influenced by wise mentors who know when to stay in the background. All this is what those of us who work in such places know that boarding schools can provide. Today we are seeing university tuition fees rise everywhere. Furthermore, many continue to question what is actually taught during short terms at university. Against such a background, higher education hundreds of miles from home may, one day, seem too expensive or too impractical. It is not difficult to foresee a time when the majority of the population studies for higher education degrees while resident in the family home, as is the case already in Brazil, for instance. Meanwhile, the primal need to 'go walkabout', to find oneself in a place far from home, remains as deep as ever. Indeed, as aspects of adulthood seem to arrive earlier in our children’s lives, there may be an increasing need to find such self-determination in the teenage years, rather than in the early twenties. With this in mind, our boarding schools have a new role
to play in the first decades of the 21st century, with all the freedom, self-determination and maturation that they provide. We embrace our role in helping teenagers mature and to follow the song lyrics of youth. Though we might not find ourselves up to the task of teaching students to skin wallabies. Graham Gamble is Head of School at Shattuck-St. Mary’s Forest City International School Photo courtesy of Shattuck St. Mary's Forest City International School
26 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
Singapore American · September 2018
SINGAPORE AMERICAN NEWSPAPER
A message from the President... September is upon us, so I hope by now that life in Singapore is settling into normality and everyone is enjoying all that our island has to offer. It never fails to amaze me how an island of this size can be such a melting pot of culture, art and entertainment. The range of museums, music events, theater and outdoor activities we have access to on our Little Red Dot is absolutely staggering. With this in mind, the theme of this month’s Singapore American newspaper is ‘That’s Entertainment’. From cheap days out, quirky places to catch a movie to a look back at Singapore’s golden era of movies, we hope there is something of interest for everyone. This month also sees the return of the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix, so if you’re an avid F1 fan, the cover story should whet your whistle for one of the biggest events on Singapore’s calendar.
EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief: Katie Baines, communications@aasingapore.com Publishing Editor: Sarah Alden, generalmanager@aasingapore.com
DESIGN & LAYOUT Graphic Designer: Miia Koistinen, graphics@aasingapore.com
ADVERTISING Advertising Manager: Thila Chandra, san.ads@aasingapore.com
CONTRIBUTORS Dee Allan, Angel Corrigan, Faith Chanda, Laura Coulter, Graham Gamble, Marc Servos, Frances Strong, Bonnie Taylor, Hannah Wilson For AAS: Katie Baines
Our own calendar for September has been shaping up nicely and we’ve got lots to look forward over the coming month. For all of our new members, welcome, and we hope to see you at our ever-popular ‘Newbie Night’. It always promises to be a fun evening where you can find out about the Association and meet some of the team and other new members over a glass of wine and nibbles.
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION BOARD MEMBERS
Also on the calendar this month is the Living in Singapore Talk, which gives greater insight into different aspects of living in this part of Asia; this time the speakers will be focusing on ‘health’, ‘culture’ and more. The talk will be preceded by wine and light snacks with plenty of time to mingle with other attendees. Make sure you go to the AAS events calendar to reserve your spot as places fill up quickly.
Immediate Past President: Glenn van Zutphen • AmCham Chair: Ann Yom Steel
We’re getting very excited about our upcoming major event, the Ambassador’s Cup Golf Tournament. The AAS team are working tirelessly to make it the amazing occasion that it is. We will be going back to the Palm Resort, Malaysia – a favorite venue for many – where the tournament will be held on October 6, so put a note in your diary! Have a great month ahead.
President: Stephanie Nash • Vice President: Shawn Galey Treasurer: Michael Borchert • Secretary: Joseph Foggiato Directors: Sammie Cheston, Blair Hall, Bill Poorman, Brian Schwender, Jenn Wood The American Club President: Kristen Graff • AWA President: Mel Rice SACAC Chair: Greg Rutledge • SAS Chair: Dr. Chip Kimball Non-Voting Members: US Embassy: Tor Petersen US Military: Rear Admiral Joey Tynch
PUBLISHER – AMERICAN ASSOCIATION The American Association of Singapore (AAS) is a professional, not-for-profit organization established to enhance the well-being and living experience of Americans residing in Singapore and to promote relationships, both business and social, between Americans and those from different cultures and nationalities.
Best wishes,
15 Scotts Road, #03-02 Thong Teck Building, Singapore 228218 T: (+65) 6738 0371 • admin@aasingapore.com • www.aasingapore.com
Stephanie
The Singapore American newspaper, circulated 10 times per year, with a readership of 10,000+, has been published by the American Association of Singapore since 1958, with the purpose of enhancing the expatriate experience in Singapore.
Follow us on Facebook or Twitter: @AmAssocSG, #AmAssocSG
SUBSCRIPTION A subscription to the Singapore American is complimentary with an AAS or CRCE membership. AAS annual family membership is just $120. CRCE membership is $220. To join, visit www.aasingapore.com and have the Singapore American delivered to your home. Reproduction in any manner, in English or any other language, is prohibited without written permission. The Singapore American welcomes all contributions of volunteer time or written material. The Singapore American is printed by Procomp Printset Pte Ltd, 57 Loyang Drive, Level 3 Annex Building, Singapore 508968.
AAS Executive Committee .com
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Stephanie Nash President
Shawn Galey Vice President
Michael Borchert Treasurer
Joseph Foggiato Secretary
Sammie Cheston Director-at-Large
Blair Hall Director-at-Large
Bill Poorman Director-at-Large
Brian Schwender Director-at-Large
Jenn Wood Director-at-Large
Glenn van Zuthpen Immediate Past President
HAPPENING IN SINGAPORE Any responder should make further enquiries with the organizer and verify information independently if necessary.
AAS EVENTS
MUSEUMS
September 5 Coffee Connexions 9:30am
September 1 – 30 The Little Prince: Behind the Story Singapore Philatelic Museum www.spm.org.sg
September 6 Thirsty Thursday 6:30pm September 13 Metworks Lunch Noon
September 1 – 30 The More We Get Together – Singapore’s Playgrounds 1930-2030 National Museum of Singapore www.nationamuseum.sg
September 13 Newbie Night 6pm
September 1 – 30 Wind Walkers: Theo Jansen’s Strandbeests Marvel Studios: Ten Years of Heroes Art Science Museum www.marinabaysands.com
September 19 Living in Singapore Talk 7pm
ENTERTAINMENT
September 27 Tapas en Español 7pm For more events: www.aasingapore.com
SPORTS September 7 – 16 Singapore Grand Prix Marina Bay www.singaporegp.sg
September 18 Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox Kalang Theatre www.sistic.com.sg September 19 – 29 Souvenir KC Arts Centre www.sistic.com.sg September 24 Mid-Autumn Festival Various venues www.visitsingapore.com September 25 The Piano Guys – Live in Singapore The Star Theatre www.sistic.com.sg
September 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 Gin Journey Meeting point TBA one week before event www.ginjourney.com/gin-journey-singapore/
September 27 – 30 The GREAT Food Festival Various venues www.visitsingapore.com
September 8 The SMASH HITS Concert – Tiffany and Debbie Gibson The Star Theatre www.sistic.com.sg
EDUCATION
September 13 Jimmy Carr – The Best of Ultimate Gold Greatest Hits Tour The Star Theatre www.la-comedylive.com
September 8 & 18 Open House GEMS World Academy www.gwa.edu.sg