Teenage Apr issue 304 (Preview)

APR 2014

THE OFFICIAL YOUTH MAGAZINE OF BUGIS JUNCTION AND BUGIS+

Posters:

AH BOYS TO MEN: THE MUSICAL Demi Lovato

Celeb news!

My Love from the Star S.M. THE Ballad

WINNER SNSD 2NE1 TVXQ

B.A.P

flumpool

Avril Lavigne

Wong Fu Produc tions

Stefanie Sun

Me, Myself and I

ce • Upsize your confiden ugh for you o • Find someone good en personality • Discover your secret

APRIL 2014 ISSUE 304 $3 (inc GST) www.teenage.com.sg

APRIL 2014

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21

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Life

24

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Features 10

Ed’s Note

8

Your Say

57

Radar

60

Top things we’re taking away from the game

16

Pressure to Pair Up

Pick the best sunscreen for you

Fend off the pressure and celebrate your single life

18 Lifestyle Hot Picks

21

Let’s Go Nuts

22

100

Outtakes

72

5 Lessons to Learn from Flappy Bird

How to calm down irritated skin

82 98

70

Tips on graciously accepting compliments

Yummiest nutty dishes to indulge in.

Astroscoop

Go from meek to spunky in just one week

12

Teenage Mission: Couple Search 2014 Calendar

68

Upsize your Confidence

Are You Pushing Praise Away?

Shields Up!

6

What stars have for breakfast

Beauty Hot Picks Stop Your Skin from Freaking Out!

Inside Scoop

66

Breakfast of Champions

Get Your Game On Chill out with our top games

24

Sweet and Stylish Teenage Mission: Couple Search winners model swoon-worthy clothes

30

All-Star Outfits for Any Date Our guide on dressing to impress!

74

76

Signs Your Crush is Worthy of You Find someone worth your time

77

Quizzes: All About Me! Are your friends bad for your body image?

How fearless are you?

84

Youth Watch Valentine’s at The Rink Celebrating top brands and idols at the m:idea Youth Choice Awards N.E.mation! 8 winners announced

92

Dear Kelly

APRIL 2014

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Valerie Singapore’s very own J-pop star

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Farisha The Final One winner returns with a debut album on the cover: AH BOYS TO MEN: THE MUSICAL photo: RUNNING INTO THE SUN

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Stefanie Sun Highlights of her comeback concert in Taipei

54

flumpool The stories behind their upcoming tour and album

Avril Lavigne At her recent gig in Singapore

Ah Boys To Men Cast On fame, girls and National Service

38

Singapore Vloggers Up-and-coming local YouTubers with talent

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p.

40

Wong Fu Productions

42

Channel 5 Localicious

42

My Love From The Star A look at the drama that tops South Korea’s TV viewership

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Printer & Colour Separation: KHL Printing Co. Pte Ltd (Business Registration No. 197801823M) 57 Loyang Drive, Singapore 508968. Tel: 6543 2222 Fax: 6545 3333 Published By: Key Editions Pte Ltd (Business Registration No. 200005022G) 20 Bedok South Road, Singapore 469277.

Tel: 6445 3313 Fax: 6445 3373 Email: info@key-editions.com Distributor: MediaCorp Pte Ltd

S.M. The Ballad The best and brightest in the K-pop scene collaborating on hits

46

WINNER 100 days of the hot new K-pop band

What you should pick up now

business manager lavonne lam managers (marketing & communications) maggie mok, darran ong executive (sales & marketing support) loke pei ling coordinator (sales & marketing) audre teo

editorial matters email: t-ed@key-editions.com advertising & marketing enquiries email: enquiry@key-editions.com subscription enquiries email: subscription@key-editions.com job & internship enquiries email: hr@key-editions.com

New local productions to watch

48

creative director aris lai associate art director angie ng designer michelle lim

enquiries

p.

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K-pop New Releases

deputy editor yuen yi ying writer priscilla wu contributors Alisa Chopard, Amanda Tan, Chew Hui Ling, Edel Ang, Eric Tan, Jing Jing, JUSTIN LOH, Kelly Chopard, Kenny, Vicky Andhika

advertising & marketing

34

The online sensations drop by for a good cause

editorial

art

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Entertainment

publisher foo mei siah associate director (business development) kelen koh business development manager Lavonne Lam strategic content manager Maggie Mok operations manager emmeline lee

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MICA (P) 030/05/2012. Published monthly by KEY EDITIONS Pte Ltd. Copyright © is held by the publisher. All rights reserved. The publisher will not be held responsible for any infringements of copyright material in articles submitted by contributors. The views and opinions of the writers and contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the editor or publisher.

Don’t be afraid to be alone Dear readers, I have to admit, my teenage years were such a mess! I was always trying to blend in and be cool. I would get the same things as popular kids and try to like the same things they did. Of course, I only came across as looking ridiculous and such a poser! Needless to say, it only alienated me more from my peers.

As they say, hindsight is 20/20. After graduating from poly and moving overseas for university, I got to spend more time with myself. I chose to go somewhere where I wouldn’t know anyone, so I had plenty of solo time to try things I was truly interested in. And you know what? I became cooler and more interesting – at least to me... and that’s what matters, right? As I became more confident, I carried myself better and started making friends. And that’s when I truly began living the life I was trying hard to achieve!

So, in this issue, Teenage celebrates being yourself with plenty of cool activity suggestions you can do alone, tips on improving your confidence and even a quirky quiz you can try to discover your true personality.

The Etude House Precious Mineral Any Cushion ($32) is an all-in-one miracle product that gives me flawless hydrated skin and high sun protection.

I always carry lip balm with me, and the limited edition Ettusais X Amphi Lip Essence is so pretty.

This month, we’re also big on local loving. Find out what the Ah Boys to Men cast think about their fast ride to fame, girls, and NS. We’ve also featured homegrown artistes Stefanie Sun, Valerie, and The Final One winner Farisha. It’s peak period for Korean artistes too! Read all about the new S.M. The Ballad, Winner, SNSD, 2NE1, TVXQ, B.A.P and more. And don’t miss out on what happened when Avril Lavigne and Wong Fu Productions came to town.

Enjoy this issue! I look forward to chatting with you again next month.

Cheers,

Collection Cosmetics Hot looks Nail Polish

($3.90, in eight shades) dries in one minute, which means less chances for smudges!

Howdy!

Pick up these adorable Marvel and Disney Pixar figurines at all 7-Eleven stores! Simply spend $3 to get a stamp, and collect eight stamps to get one figurine for $3.90, or 24 stamps to redeem a character for free! The promo runs till 22 April or while stocks last.

BONUS! We have a set to give away to one lucky winner! Fill in the cut-out coupon to win now!

Meet my new frien

ds!

Terms & conditions: Closing date is 18 April 2014, 6pm. The promotional giveaway is open to all Teenage readers residing in Singapore only. Incomplete and/or illegible entries will be disqualified. All entries must be original.

Photocopied entries are not allowed. There is no limit to the number of entries sent. Only the winners will be notified via email and/or mail. By taking part in this giveaway, you agree that the information you provide can be used for future marketing and promotional purposes for Teenage.

Name: NRIC:

Gender: F / M

Email: Address: Postal Code: Contact: School: Are you a Teenage magazine subscriber?

Yes

No

Send your entry to: Teenage April issue 304, 7-Eleven Giveaway Key Editions Pte Ltd, 20 Bedok South Road, S(469277)

KEEP CALM AND

CHILL OUT!

Argghhh...

Darn you itchy skin!

Stop Your Skin from

Freaking Out!

Do you have an easily irritated complexion that reacts violently to every little thing? Find out why that’s happening and what you should really be doing to calm your skin down. By Yuen Yi Ying If you think you might have sensitive skin, you’re not the only one. According to a study from skincare brand Vichy, 51 per cent of ladies and 38 per cent of guys think so too. However, with common symptoms such as itching, redness or dryness, it’s easy to mistake the signs for something much worse. Do you really have cause for concern, or just being slightly paranoid? We spoke to experts Dr Low Chai Ling, Medical Director of The Sloane Clinic, and Aimee Pua, Product Manager for Vichy, to learn more.

12 APR 2014

What is sensitive skin?

According to Dr Low, it’s a layman term (not medical term) to describe skin with reduced tolerance to cosmetics, personal care products and even environmental factors like cold weather, sun and pollution.

Its symptoms tend to appear immediately after a triggering factor occurs, but might be temporary, intermittent or prolonged, says Aimee. When exposed to the trigger again, the signs will probably recur.

What causes sensitive skin?

Spot the s

igns

Only a derm atologist c an tell you have sensit if you ive skin. B u t if you have or more of five these symp toms, you probably s s h o uld ee one.

Stinging Itching

Peeling R a sh e s

Burning

Hives

Redness

Tightness

Dryness

Swelling

Scaling

B r e a ko u t

s

Dr Low and Aimee caution us against these common culprits

BEAUTY GOODS

LIFESTYLE

Emotions, fatigue and stress can cause inflammation to run free and cause flare ups.

Beauty junkies beware. Soaps, hair dyes, fragrances and nonhypoallergenic makeup are common triggers. And mixing products without professional advice might set off an outbreak too!

DIET

Who knew spicy dishes and very hot drinks could cause skin discomfort?

PRESERVATIVES

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES

Common ingredients to extend a product’s shelf life like parabens aren’t great for preserving the health of your complexion.

ENTHUSIASTIC WASHING

You might think you’re doing a thorough job when you’re scrub-happy with your skin, but you’re actually injuring it and making it vulnerable.

THE ENVIRONMENT Variations in temperature, UV light, the cold, excessive heat and low humidity are a recipe for disaster.

APR 2014

13

KEEP CALM AND

CHILL OUT!

Myths, busted!

Common belief:

Sensitive skin is the same as allergic skin.

Truth

People who have allergic skin are only sensitive to specific substances, whereas those with easily irritated skin can react to various ingredients or factors. Typically, those with allergic skin will get visible reactions like redness. Those with sensitive skin tend to have few visible signs, but will feel symptoms like tightness and itching.

Common belief:

Common belief:

Natural or organic products are better for reactive skin.

Truth

They’re just as potent, and sometimes even more potent than regular skincare. Plus, many ‘natural’ products sometimes contain very little (about 5-10 per cent) botanical ingredients. The rest could be synthetic add-ons you don’t want on your skin!

Sensitive or sensitised?

Yes, there’s a difference! According to Dr Low, sensitive skin is genetic, permanent and irreversible. It tends to be thinner with a weak protective barrier, so it’s more vulnerable to the factors normal skin is protected from.

The best way to prevent irritation is to reduce exposure to provoking factors.

When skin is sensitised, it’s only in a temporary state of sensitivity, usually brought on by stress or products we misuse. Once the trigger is gone, your skin should be able to restore itself to full health.

14APR 2014

Sensitive skin only affects those with dry or very dry skin.

Truth Sensitive skin does not occur in any one specific skin type.

Common belief:

Tingling means it’s working.

Truth

That’s how you wake up with a swollen, red and angry face the next day. If the product does not mention it causes any tingling sensation, it shouldn’t cause any.

When it’s really bad...

Painful, insufferable and embarrassing, this is when sensitivity gets turned up 100,000 times. Head to a derm now!

ROSACEA: Characterised by constant flushing and redness all over your face, you might also experience acne-like bumps and skin that seems to feel thicker over time. Seek help quickly because it might get worse if untreated.

ECZEMA: Skin seems to itch crazily for no reason,

especially around joints and creases, and might develop red, angry patches of rashes with painful oozing cracks and flaking dry scales.

PSORIASIS:

Like eczema, psoriasis can cause extreme itching and a burning sensation, but lesions tend to develop thick, silvery-white scales and often affects the scalp and nails too.

Caring for sensitive skin If your complexion is crazier than a fan at a G-Dragon concert, these will help calm it down.

L’Oreal Paris Skin Perfection 3-in-1 Purifying Micellar Solution ($17.90, personal care stores) Designed for dry and sensitive skin, it’s hypoallergenic, perfume- and alcohol-free. Apply it with a cotton pad, then leave it on for a few seconds to swiftly remove makeup with no need for rubbing and rinsing.

Sloane Inc. Gentle Cleansing Gel ($53.50) Get a mild yet effective cleanse with this soap-free and pH-balanced product.

Celebs with sensitive skin “I have dry and sensitive skin. So after I reach home, I’ll put on an aloe vera pack. Aloe vera has a cooling effect so it’s good for the skin.”

– Goo Hara, Kara

Did you know?

Asians tend to have weaker, more easily damaged skin. Our complexions are also more prone to sunburn and reacts more with stress.

– Clinique study

Clinique Clarifying Lotion ($39)

“My skin is quite sensitive, so I prefer to avoid wearing too much on my face. It’s far better to look natural.”

– Emma Watson

With reactive skin, you need an ultragentle exfoliator such as this, which can be used twice daily. It clears away dulling flakes to renew skin and helps your complexion absorb more moisture so it’s more resilient. This reformulated version leaves skin more hydrated and comfortable than before.

Omigosh!

Sloane Inc. Sunblock SPF 70 ($32.10)

Each day, our skin must deal with approximately nine heavy metals, four reactive gases and 400g of dust that stick to skin, making it more vulnerable.

– Vichy study

Mineral sunscreens like this tend to have less allergens than chemical ones. This uses titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to block UV rays while boosting skin health with green tea extract and vitamins E and C.

The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Gel ($24.90) If skin heats up and flushes during the day, tone down the redness with this cooling and comforting gel.

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Dynamic Hydration Light Cream ($45, personal care stores) Hydrating skin reduces its reactivity and reinforces its protective layer to protect against irritants.

This lightweight moisturiser has 15 minerals to strengthen skin and also maintains even distribution of water around skin for all day comfort.

“I’m seriously allergic to everything. So I just use natural grapeseed oil from the grocery store on my face as a moisturiser.”

– Emma Stone

APR 2014

15

KEEP CALM AND

CHILL OUT!

Get Your Game On Take a break and chill out with the hottest games right now. Here are some of our favourites to get you started! By Chew Hui Ling

League of Legends (LoL) Platforms: PC (free)

With more than a dozen spin-offs in this multi-million dollar franchise, it’s going to be hard for players to settle on one as each version circles around a different storyline.

For now, the spotlight is on the Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. In a nutshell, you’re supposed to brave through quests and battles until the end of your journey. What’s truly amazing about Final Fantasy is some of the coolest heroes and heroines we’ve seen. Cloud Strife and Lightning Farron anyone?

I love everything about the entertainment features!

The storyline is intriguing, battle system and gameplay is unique and the graphics are as realistic as they can be. There,s also an immediate sense of satisfaction after every game so you get the urge to keep playing. - Jeremy Chiong, 18 Big on whimsy design elements, AvatarStar puts much emphasis on player customisation features. This third-person shooter game lets you create a one-of-a-kind character with the use of an AvatarCard. Then, battle head-to-head against other players in different game modes such as Team Death Match, King of the Hill and Domination. It’s a feel good game where you just simply rock the match, level up and reap rewards.

22 APR 2014

Two teams of powerful champions duke it out across multiple battlefields and game modes. Your team has to then destroy the nexus at the opposing team’s base in order to emerge victorious. If you’re a newbie, a tip is to play cautiously. The learning curve takes awhile to adjust to, so it’s better to have zero kills than to die early in the game.

I get hooked on this really easily. And because it ,s a MMO (massively multiplayer online game), the average game only lasts for around 40 minutes. So even if you lose a round, ,the next one will be completely new.

Plus it s a way to spend time with my best friend and boyfriend, who are both gamers!

- Koh Jia Ying, 19

AvatarStar Platforms: PC (free)

The Sims Platforms: PC, console, handheld versions

Turn even the most mundane of virtual moments into the extravagant life that you’ve always wanted. Build a house for your Sim, satisfy their desires and give them a fulfilling career. If you don’t fancy fighting monsters, this friendly simulator game is great for unwinding after a tough day at school. With so many different expansion packs and renditions in the market, you probably won’t be able to shelve this game anytime soon!

Toukiden: The Age of Demons Platforms: PS Vita

Marching in with everything brand new – a fresh storyline, new starter Pokemon and never-seen-before species – Pokemon X & Y totally wiped out other flashy titles when it was first released not too long ago. Set in a spectacular star-shaped region called Kalos, you will be sent off on your journey to become Pokemon masters. In addition to the stunning 3D imagery, you get to customise your trainer’s appearance from head-to-toe and even collect outfits later on!

Pokemon X&Y Platforms: Nintendo 3DS XL

This might be a new game on the block, but it had no problems sneaking into the hearts of fantasy lovers. The story is set in ancient Japan, where war has broken out between mighty warriors (known as Slayers) and towering beasts (known as Oni). To stop the world from total destruction, you have to defeat demonic enemies and unlock new missions on the way. The narrative is pretty predictable, but it doesn’t get in the way of the rock-solid gameplay that focuses heavily on team work.

I ,ve been an avid fan of Pokemon since I was a kid, so I ,was delighted when X & Y came out., What s so great about this series is that it s so addictive! There is always something to look forward to, be it new features or a new Pokemon popping up along the way. - Edmund Toh, 19 Minecraft

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

Platforms: PC, console, handheld versions The blocky graphics might seem oddly old school, but that’s all part of the charm. Because of the frequent updates, it makes the content fresh enough to keep coming back for more. The idea is to let your imagination run wild and create your very own pixelated world. Invite friends to play, survive and build together. Just make sure to protect everyone from monsters in the dark.

For the first time ever, you and your friends get to play as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad simultaneously! Comb through levels of obstacles and explore colorful puzzle elements such as transparent pipes and vertical conveyor belts. With small surprises and new game features like cat transformation, Super Mario 3D World guarantees hours of endless console fun.

APR 2014

23

Style Closet Couple

Search

2014

On Iskandar: Sweater, $70, Gap Polo shirt (worn under), $35.90, Messy Shorts, $45.90, Portrait Shoes, $79.90, H&M On Hanee: Romper, $25.90, Kissjane Top, $79, Necklace, $33, Topshop Shoes, $49.90, New Look

Sweet and Stylish!

Introducing the winners of Teenage Mission: Couple Search 2014! Here, the super cute couples share their stories and some swoon-worthy fashion.

Photography: Vicky Andhika Stylist: Edel Ang assisted by Jing Jing Hair by: Kenny from Clover Hair Boutique Makeup by: Eric Tan using Collection Cosmetics

24 APR 2014

Winners:

ive ss e r p m I Most Couple

Iskandar, 18 Hanee, 16 How did you two meet?

Iskandar: In secondary school.

What do you like best about each other?

Iskandar: Every time I go out with her, I can be myself.

Hanee: I like his nice smile and his sense of humour.

Iskandar: She likes everything!

What’s one quirky habit about your partner?

Hanee: He likes to bite his lips…

Iskandar: I like to bite people too. (Hanee playfully swats him) Iskandar: She’s very shy, I find that adorable!

What do you like doing together?

Hanee: We like taking walks around Raffles Place at night. The scenery is beautiful and it’s peaceful.

What was your favourite date?

Hanee: We went walking along the Woodlands Waterfront once and ate breakfast which he prepared.

What are your thoughts on winning the competition?

Hanee: We feel very lucky and grateful, especially because it’s Teenage. This is quite a rare opportunity!

Hanee is wearing: • Freshkon Colors Fusion Sparklers in Shimmering Grey • Collections Cosmetics Glam Crystals Dazzling Gel Liner in Pizzazz, Hotlights Lipgloss in Dazzle, Shimmer Shades in Blushalicious

APR 2014

25

lookbook

All-Star Outfits

Cafe Date

Keep it simple yet styli sh by experim enting with tex ture or accesso rie the outfi s to keep t interes ting.

for Any Date So you want a cool and memorable look on your date? Done! We’ve found the outfits you’ve been looking for.

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1. Striped shirt, $29, The Editor’s Market 2. Sunshades, H&M 3. Polo shirt, $46, Topman 4. Bracelet, $15, Forever 21 5. Black & white necklace, $15, Forever 21 6. Skirt, $46.90, New Look 7. Clutch bag, $39, The Editor’s Market 8. Men shoes, $69, Topman 9. Cream heels, $53.90, New Look 10. Bermuda shorts, $39.90, H&M

30 APR 2014

ut ChilleO Dsat thanging ouat lla?t

m Ju or the y home ant to coz w y l f ’l m u o o Y se c e h t up in eet outfits. w and s

Cafe Date Keep it simple yet 2 stylish by experimenting with texture or little accessories to keep the outfit interesting.

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Photography: Justin Loh Sourcing & Styling: Angie Ng

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1. Rope necklace, $39.90, H&M 2. Flower print shirt, $17.90, H&M 3. Glasses, $5, Forever 21 4. Flower pin, $17.90, H&M 5. Flower print jumper, $35, The Editor’s Market 6. Bermuda shorts, $59, Furrmuse 7.Belt, H&M 8. Shoes, $74, Topshop 9. Hair band, $9.90 for two, New Look 10. Yellow Shoes, $40, Furrmuse 11.Flower print shorts, $24.90, H&M

APR 2014

31

KEEP CALM AND

WATCH NOW!

Benjamin believes that the greatest gift as an artist is to inspire, to evoke emotions and to drive audiences mad.

Ah Boys 101

They won our hearts as bumbling recruits in Jack Neo’s Ah Boys to Men. Now, the charming lads are back to reprise their roles in a spinoff musical. In an exclusive interview, Priscilla Wu quizzes them about fame, girls and National Service.

Tosh admits that he is actually rather shy in person.

Noah is addicted to sweet drinks.

He has to have at least one can of sweetened beverage every day.

Weiliang absolutely cannot live without music.

Maxi is a martial arts expert. He was the first Singaporean to compete in mixed martial arts in 2006.

34 APR 2014

TOSH ZHANG Being a member of the Ah Boys to Men cast is probably one of the

best things that has ever happened to me.

Fame is a double-edged sword. It can take you to the greatest of heights, but it can also destroy you thoroughly if you don’t handle it properly.

One thing I didn’t know about the entertainment industry was how tiring and difficult it is to be an artiste.

It is not all bright lights, red carpets and glamour.

Behind what the public sees is a whole lot of hard work, difficult times and sleepless nights.

PHOTOS: Running Into The Sun – Tosh Zhang, Wang Weiliang, Maxi Lim, Noah Yap (JM Artistes, marketed by FLY Entertainment) and Benjamin Kheng

I find it weird when girls think that having a thigh

gap is really important and attractive to guys. It really isn’t. You don’t need a gap between your thighs to look or feel beautiful.

My role model is anyone who is passionate about

what they do and puts in ample time and effort to become the best they can be at their craft.

When I was in NS, I wished that my ORD date would

arrive sooner every day (laughs).

In five years’ time, I will be a better man who is

happy, healthy and able to provide for his family fully.

ARE YOU THEIR DREAM GIRL MATERIAL? Pick the category that applies to you.

Your friends often describe you as…

1. Down to earth, funny and comfortable in your own skin.

2. Someone who will make them laugh.

3. Someone with a great voice 4. Close to your family. You are loyal and have the right values.

5. Genuine.

Tosh cannot live without… anyone he loves or shares a close friendship with.

“Without them, I would not be me.”

Find out whose ideal date you’d be: 1. Tosh, 2. Noah, 3. Weiliang, 4. Maxi, 5. Benjamin APR 2014

35

AND

WATCH NOW!

Good Guys with Heart

We’ve been lucky enough to have the boys from Wong Fu Productions drop by occasionally. But this time, they’re here for a good cause! Over lighthearted banter, Philip Wang and Wesley Chan share their plans to build homes for the less fortunate.

Their Mission Collaborating with Habitat for Humanity Singapore through Soulheartist – a platform under Soulmanna Live that connects artistes with charities, fans commercial brands – the YouTube stars were in town to raise awareness and funds

to build homes for communities in need.

They also travelled to nearby Kuching to get their hands dirty building an actual house for the first time!

Why did you decide to take up this project?

Philip: We wanted a different reason to come back. Not just saying ‘hey’ and then leaving.

Wesley: We wanted to have a different effect on the community. I think that’s important. Especially for people who’ve had the fortunate success that we’ve had.

Have you ever had similar experiences before?

Wesley: We did some volunteer work in university, but nothing like this.

Coming Soon!

“We’re documenting the whole process and hopefully through the video, people can see what we’re doing out here and get involved. It’ll be a very different Wong Fu Weekend!”

How can you help?

You can subscribe to the project (for $6 a week over three months) at www.soulheartist.com, and every subscriber will get a memento pack including an autographed Wong Fu poster and other Soulheartist goodies. Want to help build homes yourself? Visit www.habitat.org.sg for more info.

Philip: In college and high school, we did some volunteer work. I’d heard of Habitat in high school, but we never had the opportunity to work together.

You’re starting production on your first feature film, you’re travelling around and giving talks… how do you find the time for everything?

Philip: You can make time. It’s basically where you put your priorities.

Wesley: We try to balance everything.

Philip: We also don’t really have a life, so that helps when you’re trying to find time (laughs).

Is Ted going to be helping out with the building as well?

Wesley: Ted is helping indirectly, because we wouldn’t be able to be here if he wasn’t back in the States holding down the company.

Philip: We’re also quite fortunate that we’re a group, so we can split our time.

Maybe that’s how it seems like we can do a lot – there are three of us… He really wanted to come though.

Would you be back for something like this again?

Philip: We try to get involved with as many charities as we can, realistically, for a company. I mean, as long as we do a good job and they want us back (laughs).

40 APR 2014

Text: Yuen Yi Ying PHOTOS: Soulmanna Live

KEEP CALM

Simply Localicious If everything on TV is as good as the shows Channel 5 rolled out last month, then we don’t think we will be stepping out of the house much. Here are the new productions Priscilla Wu will be glued to.

Rules of Tham

What do you get when you throw four completely different undergrads under one roof? Chaos and loads of laughter, of course! When Joshua and his baby sister Lee move into a HDB apartment with skirt-chaser, Dinesh, and exchange student, Maya for a social experiment, they’re forced to adjust their once-comfortable lifestyle to suit the unwavering house rules.

Catch Rules of Tham on Channel 5 on Tuesdays at 8.30pm

Code of Law

Spouse for House

Our favourite criminal lawyers and police investigators return for the second installment of this popular crime drama. Inspired by real local cases, the new season will explore deeper issues of law enforcement.

Catch Code of Law on Channel 5 on Mondays at 8pm

Didn’t they say that a typical Singaporean proposal starts with a HDB flat application? Well, that was what happened to John, a free-spirited musician and his wife Jessica, a straitlaced banker. Three months after their first date, the couple decide to get married and apply for a flat, only to fall out of love on their wedding day. Not willing to give up their dream home, they decide to either make the marriage work, or drive the other out of the house.

Catch Spouse for House on Channel 5 on Tuesdays at 8pm

And on cable TV…

Intelligence

Photos: Mediacorp

Wok Stars

Channel 5’s first cooking competition features celebrity chefs, Alvin Leung and Willin Low and has 16 contestants battling it out for the grand prize of $30,000 and oneyear’s free rent for a Koufu food court stall.

Catch Wok Stars on Channel 5 on Wednesdays at 8pm

Gabriel (Lost’s Josh Holloway) is no ordinary intelligence operative.

Installed with a super-computer microchip in his brain, he’s the first human to have total access to Internet, telephone and satellite data. Despite his unpredictable nature and disregard for protocols, Gabriel leads an elite government cyber-security agency to protect America from external threats.

Catch Intelligence on Channel 318 RTLCBS, mio TV on Tuesdays at 9.55pm APR 2014

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KEEP CALM AND

HEAR THIS!

What’s New In The

K-pop World?

It’s only the beginning of 2014, but the Korean music industry has already seen a number of highly anticipated comebacks.

Priscilla Wu sieves out the hottest picks on the charts.

NEW S GENRE Girls’ Generation Mr.Mr. When it was revealed that the group had lost a portion of their music video footage during the editing process, fans feared that a reshooting delay might put them on direct competition with rival group 2NE1’s upcoming album. Thankfully, fueled by an iTunes leak, the EP containing six songs of varied genres – including the R&B title track produced by The Underdogs – was later released online on 24 February.

What was SNSD up to weeks before their comeback?

NEW SE 2NE1 RELEA

Crush

Following the announcement of their All or Nothing world tour; YG Entertainment revealed that 2NE1 will roll out their long-awaited album on leader CL’s birthday. Videos of tracks ‘Come Back Home’ and ‘Gotta Be You’ are expected to come on at a later date, and the full-length record will also house three songs (one solo!) written by CL.

48APR 2014

NEW FACE

SAM Garosugil

After eight years of training, rookie SAM is ready to make girls swoon with heartthrob looks and groovy beats.

While his debut single is written and produced by Lee Hyun Seung and Red Rocket, we hear that he is also fluent in English and has awesome songwriting skills!

NEW SE RELEA

NEW E IMAG

CNBLUE Can’t Stop

Donghae & Eunhyuk Ride Me

Remember the catchy lyrics of ‘Oppa, Oppa’? Super Junior duo, Donghae and Eunhyuk, rolled out an equally infectious ‘Motorcycle’ from their maiden studio record Ride Me last month.

And to keep fans hyped before the release, a series of teaser photos was shared on their official Avex site.

NEW

COLL ABOR ATIO N

Korean rock unit CNBLUE makes their comeback with sixtrack EP Can’t Stop. While leader Yong Hwa is credited as the brains behind the songs, guitarist Jong Hyun showed off his songwriting talents by penning the lyrics of track ‘Sleepless Night’. On the whole, the boys sound a lot like they did in their indie days, especially on ‘Can’t Stop’ and ‘Diamond Girl’ where the pop-rock sounds are so infectious, it’s hard not to hum along.

Playful Clues

After School Week In celebration of Brave Brothers’ (the man behind their hit single ‘Because of You’) 10th anniversary, A.S. teamed up with the producer to produce ‘Week’ – an electro-pop track recounting the emotional rollercoaster one goes through after a breakup.

Dress to Kill The second Japanese album of After School sees the band’s return to the scene with new member Kaeun after the exit of former leader Kahi. Despite a one-year hiatus, singles ‘Heaven’ and ‘Shh’ performed only moderately on the Oricon music charts.

B.A.P First Sensibility

their LIVE Before B.A.P starts e SK th at ur ON EARTH to ium, ad St ll ba Olympic Hand sing es gu s fan they have left s ing an me n de about the hid rs. ste po t er nc behind their co e th t ou ed Have you figur secret keywords?

NEW STYLE

After three wildly successful mini albums, the six-member band kicked off their second anniversary with their first full-length studio album. Shedding their usual hip-hop image to take on a variety of genres, the title single ‘1004 (Angel)’ is an experimental output with country-gospel sounds that juxtaposed the boys’ tough, masculine image.

APR 2014

49

KEEP CALM AND

HEAR THIS!

Rising Star

At 19, Farisha Ishak is probably one of the youngest contestants to win a local realitysinging competition. Months after being crowned Channel 5’s The Final One, the bubbly newcomer is back with debut album Aligned. By Priscilla Wu

The Final One has been so amazing for me. I wouldn’t be here today if not for the competition. It is a good opportunity for budding musicians like me to showcase our talents.

After winning, I am very happy that I had the opportunity to perform at various events like Singapore Day in Sydney. It was very interesting to perform in a different city. I also had the chance to go on TV again for the President’s Star Charity. That was really cool. [I did] all that while recording my album, so it was a pretty busy time for me.

What is it like having your own album at 19?

When my album was released, I went to Popular bookstore to buy a copy. People said [I] should buy [my] own album for good luck.

When I went into Popular, it was such a strange feeling to see my face on the shelves. I walked in and I was like, “Oh my God, that’s me”. That feeling is indescribable. I feel so blessed to have my dreams come true.

Performing on stage must have been very different from the recording process.

It was my first time recording in a proper studio at Hype Records and I didn’t know what to expect. It really wasn’t as easy as it seemed.

52 APR 2014

You see people singing into the microphone on TV and it seems very easy. But when I was there, I was very stressed because every note is heard. Every muscle in your body tenses up. It was very difficult, but fun. I’m still learning and I hope that I get better at it.

What was it like working with The Final One judge Ken Lim on your album?

People know Ken as the harsh judge, but he’s very different offair. He is actually very nice. He is very nurturing towards his artistes as well. Recording with him is a different experience because Ken knows exactly what he wants, and he will make you do it over and over again until he gets what he wants from you.

Your ‘Aligned’ music video was featured on Channel 5.

Did you have fun making the video?

The shoot started at 5am. It was still dark and I had to wake up at four to travel to the location. It was because we wanted to catch the first light. I have never done a music video before, so I had no idea that when the music was playing, the song [would be] two times faster than normal. Even though the song sped up, I still had to ‘be in the moment’. I would be lip-syncing quickly with a straight face (laughs).

Photo: hype records

How has life changed since winning The Final One?

The Queen is Back!

Local songbird Stefanie Sun marks her comeback to the Mandopop scene with new album Kepler and a highly-anticipated world tour. Priscilla Wu recounts the highlights of Taipei’s opening show.

Photos: universal music

It seems we weren’t the only ones excited about Stefanie’s return to the stage. A-listers including A-Mei, Jolin Tsai, Faye, Christine Fan and Hebe took time off their busy schedules to attend the concert. Rumour has it that A-Mei brought 50 bowls of tangyuan and bird nest to help the hot mama keep fit!

We don’t know about you, but we think the sound quality of the concert hall can make or break a show. And Stef must have felt the same. Working with stage designer Fion, the pair imported K1 surround sound systems worth TWD $15 million (S$629,200) for the tour!

The audience had a pretty huge surprise when mystery guest Mavis Hee stepped on stage to share the duet ‘Moonlight in the City’!

If Stef can churn out number-one hits with decent regularity, is it any surprise that she can draw a large, uber-enthusiastic crowd when it comes to touring?

The entire hall stood chanting for an encore, following the last number ‘Encounter’, and eventually brought the Mandopop queen back on for another performance of ‘Dark Sky’.

Nothing beats Stefanie’s powerhouse vocals and to keep her in top shape for the gruelling tour schedule, the 35-yearold underwent a rigorous regime of yoga classes and night swims.

It is a big year for Stef Sun. Besides the start of her world tour, she has recently dropped her latest output Kepler. The music video for the title track has since received attention for its musical creativity, but did you know that… …the ‘free fall’ scene was shot at least 20 times? Stefanie was reportedly trembling after the scene was done! …this is the first time she played a piano onscreen in 13 years?

APR 2014

53

Couple

Search

2014

For two weekends in February, Teenage celebrated Valentine’s Day by dishing out exciting surprises and sharing the love with loyal readers at Bugis Junction!

Let the Hunt Begin!

Hot on the heels of Campus Run, Teenage quickly launched into the annual Couple Search. The competition is usually held online, but this year, we decided to bring it directly to you!

The contest kicked off at the mall on 7 February, and in addition to fun activities which kept the Teenage booth buzzing with activity from morn to evening, we kept an eagle eye out to pick the best 50 couples to join the competition.

After a gruelling selection process, one lucky couple was eventually picked by the Teenage team as the final winner.

Another pair also caught our attention and walked away as the subsidiary title winner. Don’t forget to check out the winning couples who impressed us the most in our fashion shoot (p. 24)!

All Day Fun At the Teenage booth, shoppers got to scribble and doodle their V-Day messages to loved ones on the the all-new Post-it Big Pads and Super Sticky Notes. Instant Post-it prizes were given away to those that took part in the Instagram contest.

Over at the Collection Cosmetics counter, a wide range of items were on display for visitors to browse their extensive products at a glance. Shoppers who picked up over $50 worth of products were given a free makeover, and lovebirds who signed up for the Couple Search contest also received a complimentary makeover and photo session from the UK makeup label.

At the Nexcare corner, crowds happily tried their skincare products on the spot and received other product samples with completion of a simple survey. And FreshKon was also on-site giving away free pouches to shoppers who participated the FreshKon Instagram contest.

To thank readers for their ongoing and loyal support, we distributed bottles of Snapple drinks and Pepero snacks to the crowd as well. So here’s a big thank you to everyone who have dropped by to support the event. We are looking forward to seeing you again at the next Teenage Mission event!

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APRIL 2014

Awesome free goodies! Lotte Pepero, Diet Snapple, Post-it® Super Sticky Notes and Freshkon Vouchers.

Check out couples who impressed us! You could also head over to Teenage Facebook page to view their pics.

Flip over to the next page to see what you have missed out from the event!

Organiser

Official Mall

Sponsors

Supporting partners

APRIL 2014

61

Collection Cosmetics

All participating couples were treated to a complimentary makeover by Collection Cosmetics!

Every Teenage magazine purchase entitled readers to a free wheel spin at the Collection Cosmetics booth.

Enjoying the great 1-for-1 deal from FreshKon!

FreshKon

Shoppers won free gifts from FreshKon for joining their Instagram contest.

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APRIL 2014

Nexcare

A tried and tested Nexcare counter was set up for shoppers to check out the wide range of products available.

Pamper your tired feet with Nexcare Foot Care Pads which are targeted for blisters.

Go ahead and love big! Shoppers penned down their love dedications on the new Post-it速 Big Pads and pasted them onto the wall!

Brand new Post-it速 Big Pads!

Post-it APRIL 2014

63

Focus

5

Lessons to Learn from Flappy Bird

You know the game. The insanely annoying bird we’d all love to hate, but can’t. Despite being a seemingly brainless, fragile pixelated bird f lying through endless openings of pipes, it taught us key lessons about life even during its short existence. Here are the top things we’re taking away from the game.

RIP Flappy Bird. By Sebastian Soong

Life is not always as simple as it seems Let’s face it. We were all too confident when we first saw the ancient pixelated interface like that of Nintendo’s Mario – only to face the harsh reality of spending the next hour trying to beat the high score of four. So the next time you decide to procrastinate and leave studying of that test to the last minute, remember that things can turn out harder than you thought!

find the bird hitting rock bottom. The current high score you have was probably achieved at a time of intense concentration. Similarly, to complete your homework well, you can’t have your Facebook window open right in front of you, have chats with 502,948 people concurrently, and listen to Avril Lavigne’s ‘Rock N Roll’, all at the same time!

Practise makes perfect

The occasional fail doesn’t relate to your overall skill

As with all matters in life, things always get easier with practise. No one starts their first game in Flappy Bird with a high score of any kind. If you decide to give up after trying a few times, there is no way you will have any improvement. But if you keep practising, you will always keep getting better!

Focus is key to doing a good job Try playing the game while talking to a friend. Yes, you simply can’t. You could try, but your pal would be wondering why you’re speaking with a full stop after each word.

Try speaking a full sentence, and you might

72APR 2014

After achieving that high score of 42, you’ll probably still crash the bird with scores of two, one or even zero. But does that mean you’re bad at the game? No! It just happens. So you missed the basket from the free throw line you’d usually hit? Tripped on your own foot while executing a dance move? Took longer than usual to solve a math problem? Don’t beat yourself up about it. Just smile and carry on – it happens to the best of us!

96% of you have Flappy Bird in your phone!

38

is your average high score in the game

8

Among readers surveyed:

was the lowest score

201 was the highest score

1.83

was the average first game score

Did you know?

• Flappy Bird was officially released on 23 May 2013 and shot to over 50 million downloads in early 2014 before being removed in February this year by its maker.

• The app was made in only two

days!

• The maker announced on Twitter that his personal high score was “just a little over 200”. It was only 40 when he released the game.

• The original name for Flappy Bird was

Flap Flap.

• People are now selling their phones with the game installed for those who missed out on downloading it.

• At one point, the game was even more popular than Facebook,

Instagram, Skype, Twitter and Instagram!

• The creator took the game down because it was too addictive

and affected people’s personal lives, including his own.

Alternatives to Flappy Bird Although you can still play the game if you already have it, here are three similar suggestions for your entertainment – there’s even a Flappy Miley!

Flappy Miley Control Miley’s floating head as she wings her way with her ears through a series of pipes. Even though the graphics are way better, we would really just prefer controlling a bird. It seems less mean.

Flappy Wings

Flappy Bee

Probably the closest you can get to the original, with almost identical graphics and mechanics. This is even harder however!

With a totally different gameplay and enhanced graphics, the obstacles are less frustrating and the collection of multiple honey pots at one time can prove to be more satisfying.

Persistance Pays Off Even after getting that score that you are somewhat satisfied with, there will be days where you just can’t seem to improve or get any higher. Fret not my friend. Pat yourself on the back for having come so far. Don’t see each crash that prevents you from breaking your high score as a failure, but rather another step towards improvement because after all, no one breaks their record each time they start a new round. However when we finally do, that feeling of setting a new high is always worth it, every single time.

* P.S. We hope these lessons inspire you, but we’re not encouraging you to waste time trying to beat your current score because time can be used for more meaningful things in life!

“How do you feel about the game being taken down?”

“It didn’t make much of a difference for me because I already have the game. It’s a pity that such a simple game had to be taken down because of the negative repercussions on the founder.” - Jarron, 20

“It’s kinda sad that there won’t be any more Flappy Bird, but luckily I still have it in my phone. Long live 8-bit games!” - John, 19

“Before the game was taken down, I already deleted the game because it was wasting too much of my time!” - Galen, 23 APR 2014

73

Quiz

Are Your Friends

Bad for your Body Image?

The friends you’re often around can heavily inf luence how you view yourself, positively or negatively. Take this quiz to find out if they’re good for your self-image!

1. When it’s recess time, you buy yourself a hearty lunch and tuck into it without thinking twice. a) Your friends drink bottled water and advise you to eat less or you’ll get fat. b) Everyone buys their own snacks and shares with each other. c) They glance at your plate but discuss other stuff.

3. It’s time to celebrate your best pal’s birthday! You suggest a good buffet place, but... a) Everyone violently refuses. That’s too much calories to gain in one night, celebration or not. b) Some remain silent; others suggest a healthier option. c) Everyone agrees excitedly and plans a date and time.

2. You’re out with your pals at the mall for some retail therapy. While shopping: a) They constantly ask each other for feedback in the fitting rooms. b) They make fun of other people’s looks and clothing choices. c) Everyone heads in different directions to browse. It’s understood - to each her style.

4. When you receive a call from a friend at night, it’s most likely about: a) Her gaining half a kilogram after dinner and she’s panicking big time b) School work c) Suggestions on what to wear tomorrow (To make sure she doesn’t look fat)

80 APR 2014

5. Your friends’ conversations are usually... a) Trying to compete with others about who’s fatter.

Depressing, much? b) Comparing their favourite celebs. c) Anything under the sun: shopping, boys, and parents.

6. The school hunk is walking pass. Your friends... a) Flash wide smiles and call him over to hang out. b) Fidget nervously and fiddle with their clothes. c) Immediately turn away to whip out their mirrors, freshen up their lip-gloss and check their teeth.

7. Your best buds pass by a slimming advertisement.

Their reactions: a) “The girl is already too skinny, why does she need any slimming?” b) “Maybe I should try it? It seems to be better than this diet I’ve been on for forever.” c) “It’s looks like one of those cons - better exercise and stay on the safe side.”

8. At a party, someone approaches you, compliments your dress and leaves you his number. a) Your pals stare at the exchange curiously and tease you with a note of jealousy in their voices. b) The moment he walks away, your girlfriends break out into excited giggles and check out his number. c) Your mates appear decidedly glum and look away in dejection.

9. You are reading a magazine and your friend comments on a model featured. She says: a) “Isn’t she a little too fat to be a model?” b) “She looks gorgeous. I wish I can be just like her.” c) “That body probably took a lot of work.”

10. Your BFF has just broken up with her boyfriend, and she asks you if... a) She’s gotten too ugly and fat for him to like her anymore. b) The problem in the relationship was her fault. c) He was crazy or stupid to dump her.

TEXT: AMANDA TAN Photo: Getty Images

Your Score:

1) a = 3 b = 1 c = 2 2) a = 2 b = 3 c = 1 3) a = 3 b = 2 c = 1 4) a = 3 b = 1 c = 2 5) a = 3 b = 2 c = 1 6) a = 1 b = 2 c = 3 7) a = 1 b = 3 c = 2 8) a = 2 b = 1 c = 3 9) a = 3 b = 2 c = 1 10) a = 3 b = 2 c = 1 11) a = 2 b = 1 c = 3 12) a = 1 b = 2 c = 3

2 0-1

You are surrounded y a d Bo ters by healthy s Boo bunch of pals that have good influence on you, emotionally, mentally and physically. There is a good balance of camaraderie and independence because everyone accepts each other, which shows a strong sense of maturity.

11. Your friends’ favourite television shows are... a) America’s Next Top Model b) The Big Bang Theory c) The Biggest Loser 12. Your friends date... a) Anyone who they have true feelings for. b) Guys who are fitness freaks. c) Guys who are tall and trim.

Fend Off Body Bashers What to do if the negativity is getting to you.

1

Raise Your Concerns

Your pals might not know what they’re doing bothers you, so tell them. And you can all take part in fun activities like craft DIYs and sports to shift your focus while having fun and getting healthy. Much more constructive, right?

2 3

Change The Topic

When you sense that the chatter is getting depressing, quickly change the topic. You can also inject some positivity among your pals by bringing up happy memories or cracking silly jokes.

Ignore the comments

It may seem tough, but after practising this habit for a while, you’ll be able to be more unaffected by what people say. Accept whatever they say as a passing comment and display little interest in continuing the conversation.

4

Find other friends

If things have gotten to the point of no return, step out of that negative zone by making the first move out of there. Befriend new classmates that can bring some light into your life.

Most of your pals are doing fine, except that they go through periods of insecurities, like everyone does.

Do be cautious not to let those moments of negativity take you down. Take every opportunity to remind them that their appearances aren’t everything and there are so much more that matters in life!

13 -

24

36 25 - y

Your friends are definitely Bod ers lacking h s Ba selfconfidence in their body image. They can’t stop thinking about their appearance and how to make themselves look better.

In fact, it also will influence you little by little if you don’t change the culture of your clique soon enough.

APR 2014

81

Advice

DEAR KELLY Dear readers,

pressure of dealing with unfamiliar situations and facing the reality of people dying”.

Meet Dr Ashwin Paramanathan, who recently received the

Western Health Intern of the Year 2013 award. He practises medicine in Melbourne, Australia. Dr Ash, as I call him, is a 27-year-old Singaporean who completed his secondary education at St Joseph’s Institution and his ‘A’ Levels at AngloChinese Junior College. When asked about his preferred study methods, he emphatically stated, “I prefer to study alone so there would be no distractions. I can focus.”

His classmate, Khairularifin Zulkifli confided,

“He was smart – at SJI, his teachers believed in him. He struck out for himself.

By ‘A’ Levels, he was self-directed”.

Dr Ash comes across as humble and reticent. It was quite a feat to get him to “open up”. I had to press him to share his learning journey, sternly explaining that he could be an inspiration to others, so he reluctantly relented.

Ash left for Melbourne University, Australia, in 2007, to pursue his medical studies. His GOAL – General Surgery. It didn’t take long for him to decide that he “would never be bored with the work”.

“What about the tough times?”,

I asked. “In tough moments, I refuse to give up but I understand that sometimes people die, so I focus on easing their pain and suffering when I know I can’t save them.” I have to take this in my stride.”

His generosity of spirit is clearly evident when he said, “It is not only we doctors that are at the forefront of helping patients – there are the social workers, nurses and physiotherapists, who also help patients.”

What was his scariest moment when he first went on ward duty? “The first day at work, when I was on call and had to face the patients essentially alone. It was a lot of pressure for someone fresh out of university. There was the

92 APR 2014

Dr Ash is the only child of retired Marine Engineer K. Paramanathan and Sakubai a freelance teacher. I wanted to know the role his parents played in his life. Without hesitation, he responded, “I am very lucky – my parents provided me with everything.

I am the end product of them”.

To the question: “Why did you choose medicine?”, his unhesitant reply was, “I was inspired by simply a desire to help people directly. To help them in their time of need, to help them return to normality in a field where one’s work shows tangible results”.

Thoughtfully, he shared, “I am happy to work late as I know I can make a difference.

I treat my patients as if they are my mum and dad.” This sentiment touched

me deeply. It clearly reflects the way he was brought up. Interestingly, it jelled perfectly with what long-time family friend Andre Lobo shared, “Even as a teen, Ash always struck me as wholesome and well-grounded. He was sharp, curious and interested – signs of high intelligence. He was fortunate to have parents who provided a firm foundation that in turn inspired confidence.”

Dr Ash enjoys playing the guitar, going fishing and he is a football fan.

When asked to pose with his award, he did so reluctantly, sheepishly referring to it as a “paper weight”.

I asked Khairularifin what his reaction was when he heard that his friend had won a prestigious award. His immediate smiling response: “I am completely unsurprised”.

We at Teenage wish Dr Ash well as he proceeds on his life’s journey. May you heal the sick and gain personal strength as you undertake your mission. God bless you.

Always here for you.

Do you have a problem you wish to share?

Something to get off your chest?

Kelly’s responses take into account age, experience and needs of writers.

Those writing in know and seek her tough love, no-nonsense approach. Readers wanting a different type of response should seek advice elsewhere. Older and more experienced readers knowing the answers to questions need to exercise patience. Not everyone knows what you know.

After qualifying as a teacher, Kelly Chopard went on to attend several counselling courses. Over the past 30 years, she has been invited to sit on panels and discussion groups, give talks and has taught modules dealing with youth issues. She counsels primary and secondary school pupils. She also engages in parent-pupil counselling sessions. In the 1970s, she was a member of a People’s Association Team counselling young adults in areas like drugs, smoking and other health and social issues. From 1979 to 1983 she had a counselling column in a local woman’s magazine. Since 1996 she has been responding to Teenage readers in her Dear Kelly column.

IMPORTANT When writing to me through the Mail or Online, state your Full Name, Age, I.C. No.,Telephone No., Gender and Pseudonym. There is no length restriction. Send your letters to: Dear Kelly, Teenage Magazine, 20 Bedok South Road Singapore 469277 or Dear Kelly online via www.teenage.com.sg.

Letters will be treated with the strictest confidence. I cannot respond to requests for personal responses.

Regret aborting my baby I have been reading your column and finally I have the courage to write to you. I can’t get over my guy, even though we parted many months ago. When we were dating, I usually went to his house as he is jobless and hasn’t got much cash.

He quit school a long time ago. I am 19 and he is four years older. I prefer older guys.

When I discovered I was pregnant, he was delighted and wanted to marry me and keep the baby. When I confessed to my parents that I was pregnant, they were shocked and angry. After a family meeting, it was decided I get an abortion because my family felt I was young and the guy was jobless, so how could he support a family of three?

They explained in such circumstances, the couple will start quarrelling because of money issues. Listening to my parents made me angry, but I was more scared. I didn’t know what to do. Finally, I decided to do as my family ordered.

When I told my boyfriend what I had decided to do, he was very angry and his younger sister, who is a year older than I, called me “a murderer”. She said I should give her brother a chance, marry him and have the baby.

Mum told me to break up with my guy and I did. I regret breaking up with him because I still love him. I think about him all the time and even dream about him.

I am miserable every time I see a baby as I recall my abortion.

Am I cruel? I suffer from sleepless nights. I mourn my baby.

Please help me.

From: Depressed Kelly: This is one of the saddest letters I received recently. I understand your pain, sense of regret and feelings of loss. You are a lovely girl and you were put in a difficult position. You now understand why I always advocate safe sex, because having sexual intercourse without practising birth control can result in an unplanned pregnancy, like in your case.

It was decided by your family that you should terminate the pregnancy. I am not here to judge, although I always advocate safe sex so nobody would be placed in your unhappy situation. Many unwed mothers live with regret because they decided to or had to terminate a pregnancy.

Having said the above, I know you expect some straight talking and my brand of no-nonsense advice in addition to sympathy, empathy and understanding. I will now be stern because I need to yank you away from a really hopeless place and bring you back into reality. I really care for teenagers like you and want the best for you. Sometimes I need to adopt the stern approach precisely because I care.

FACT: You must never resume your relationship with the guy.

Sad to say that both of you have exercised poor judgement.

Being older than the typical teen that writes to me, you and your guy should have been conscious that having unprotected sex, as I constantly warn, can result in an unplanned pregnancy. Everything began to unravel at this point. Everything became complicated.

Despite the fact that the guy wanted to marry you and urged you to have the baby, he comes from an unrealistic place. He doesn’t work. How does he think will support the three of you?

Not he, his younger sister, nor you, are in a position to put food on the table and diapers on the baby. Looking after a baby is not an easy task and it is expensive.

Neither your parents nor the guy’s parents offered to care for and pay for the baby’s upkeep. This is their choice and you have to respect their wishes and decision.

I want you to look to a future that doesn’t include this guy. Love is one thing, but it quickly dies in the face of poverty, no home, no job and no savings.

This is the reality your parents were alluding to. You need to move forward. Sign up for a course. Get a hobby. Volunteer at a home for the less fortunate. You need to be suitably engaged so you will not dwell on the past. You cannot change the past, but you can make wise decisions in the future. Don’t ever engage in

unprotected sex unless you consciously plan to have a child. Being a responsible

adult should be your quest

from now on.

My dear, I really sympathise with you, but have to urge you not to dwell on the past. Regardless of your feelings, I have to stress that it will break you and I don’t want this to happen. You need to look forward, no matter how difficult it will seem initially. This is your only option. I sympathise and empathise with you. I know your sorrow.

I am interested to know how you are faring my dear. Write me a letter marked URGENT and send it to Dear Kelly c/o of Ms Emmeline Lee. The address is in the magazine.

APR 2014

93

Out-takes

Exclusive inside scoop on what the Teenage team did for Teenage Mission: Couple Search 2014!

How the Teenage team spent their CNY & VDay weekends!

Prepping this month’s shoot!

Battle of the sexes? Who do you think will win the Teenage MC of 2014?

I’m watching you Darran...

Edel fussing over one of the winners of our recent Teenage Mission: Couple Search before the shoot

So am I... *spy for Lavonne*

Pretty accessories and shimmering make up. All to ‘transform’ our winners into angels!

Even Kelen and Mei joined in the fun!

Aris: “From art directing to showing them the poses, I have to do everything!”

Teenage team multiple shot burst photos (Notice Pei Ling’s hands never move... only her facial expressions.)

Getting rejected, being shunned, rain or shine... all this won’t lower Pei Ling’s spirit in finding potential couples at Bugis Junction!

We have surprise vistors! Past contestants from last year’s Teenage Mission: Gorgeous You! popped by our booth! So sweet of them.

Past contestants - #fashionistas Maggie - #shortynista.

100 APRIL 2014

After seeing how fit all the contestants are...Key Editions decided to have ‘Workout Tuesday’! We will update you on our progress.

On Friday

What happened to keeping fit Miss Lavonne Lam? ‘Workout-Tuesday’ just went down the drain... sigh...