The Republican Post - September 2018 by The Republican Post

Produced by Diploma in Mass Communication students School of Management and Communication

July-August 2018 www.republicanpost.sg

A Local Delight Halal-tastic local delights page 12

observations of a food delivery rider

page 14

The Story behind the RP Apparel Brand page 15

MEET THE TEAM

EDITOR’S NOTE

Hey RP! Time passed by so quickly and it’s now the end of the semester. I just want to take this opportunity to thank all those who have been reading The Republican Post! This will be my last issue that I’ll be in charge of and it’s a special Singapore edition, so I hope you’ll enjoy it! In this edition, we feature Marcus Ang, captain and coach of the RP athletics team. Find out more about his journey where he talks about his challenges on juggling both roles. Ever wondered what some of our facilitators do outside of school? In this issue we feature two lecturers who have interesting jobs outside school. The National Day vibes are in the air and we pay homage to our country’s birthday with all things Singaporean! For the foodies, you might want to check out our desk editor’s favourite Singaporean food in Halal-tastic local delights and Food Apps for Cheap Makan Hacks. For the music junkies, our writer highlights three rising local artistes you might want to keep a lookout for. From slow Sunday morning music to mellow beats, this is your go to for new local music. Shopaholics anonymous assemble! For my fellow shopaholics who end up broke by the end of the month, we have a story that will keep your closet and wallet full. Check out the story of three online shopping hacks you can use! Don’t forget to check out our online platforms for interesting National Day content and stories on International Champions Cup. That’s all from me, I hope everyone continues supporting The Republican Post!

Love Clarabelle Editor of Republican Post

Meet the team

Top to Bottom: Row 1 (left to right): Erma Syafiqah (desk lead), Juan Sufyan, Darius Boey, Muhammad Haziq Ismail, John Tan Row 2 (left to right): Darcel Anthony, Derek Wong, Nur Syahirah Mazlan, Siti Khadijah (desk lead), Jae-Eryana Fitri, Francine Eryka Rojas, Angelyn Tan Row 3 (left to right): Fairuze Iqbal, Tashinnya (desk lead), Jasmine Lim (deputy editor), Clarabelle Tan (editor), Siti Sabrina (desk lead), Jorge Sng Row 4: Qaisara Zulkifli (design lead) 2 The Republican Post

POST FEATURE

Killing it with skills Start with a serving of passion. Add a huge amount of hard work next. Top it off with a sprinkle of creativity before serving. This was the recipe behind the success stories witnessed at July’s WorldSkills Singapore competition, where 27 students flew the Republic Polytechnic flag with pride. The competition, which was held at the Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre, witnessed more than 180 participants competing to emerge as Singapore’s best in 26 skill areas. At the end of the three-day competition, RP emerged with two Gold medals, two Silvers, one Bronze and three Medallion of Excellence – five more medals compared to the previous haul at last year’s competition. The Republican Post’s NUR SYARAFINA BTE SALINO speaks to some of the winners to find out their secrets to success. Ryan Liak Gene Ann from School of Hospitality’s Restaurant and Culinary Operations has always been passionate about cooking and making dishes that bring smiles at the dining table. “I find joy in seeing the smiles on people’s faces when I bring them their meals. The way to someone’s heart is through their stomach,” said the 19-year-old, who won a gold medal in cooking in this year’s WorldSkills Singapore competition. Behind this success was six months of intensive training, eight hours each session so that he could produce his dishes on time. In the beginning, Ryan found it tough to adapt to the long and strenuous training. Looking back, he believes the training has allowed him to improve his time management. Ryan said: “My coaches - Chef Loh Yee Chiang, Chef Jaslyn Leong and Chef Flora Lam - gave me courage to do my best. Without them, I wouldn’t be what I am today, and I am truly grateful for them.” Hand-picked by his coaches, Ryan said the tough training also enabled him to handle the stress of the competition. “I would also like to thank my family, classmates and the Diploma in Restaurant and Culinary Operations team for the moral support they have given me,” he added. The journey for Ryan has not ended. He is preparing for the Asean Skills Competition 2018, which will take place in Bangkok for nine days, starting from Aug 28.

FINISHING TOUCHES: Ryan meticulously plates his dish with garnishes before sending them for judging. (PHOTO: RYAN LIAK GENE ANN)

A year’s hard work paid off

SHAKE IT OFF: During the competition, Vivian was required to carry out eight different tasks – Barista, Bartending, Spirits and Wine Identification, Fruit Carving and Lunch Services - within a few hours. (PHOTO: VIVIAN HUNG MENG YUN)

Similar to Ryan, Vivian Hung Meng Yun also spent many hours training for the competition. The third-year Diploma in Restaurant and Culinary Operations student competed in the restaurant service category and won a silver medal. The 20-year-old said: “Competition is all about perfection and I can’t afford any mistakes. (The) Training was done every day after class until around 9 p.m. Since many of the tasks were new to me, I had to do them repeatedly until my coach nodded with approval to get them right.” Some of the equipment used during the competition were different from those used during Vivian’s training. It was also nerve-wrecking having the public and judges watch her up close as she completes her four tasks - Barista, Bartending, Spirits and Wine Identification, Fruit Carving and Lunch Services – within a few hours. Vivian said she has always been passionate about restaurant service, since she started working in the food and beverage industry. Her biggest joy is to see the different types of customers happy with her service. “I learn new things every day because I get to meet different types of customers. It is very nice to see when customers are happy with my service as it makes me happy too,” Vivian said.

The experience was a blessing Albeit having competed in many competitions before, Worldskills Singapore is one of the biggest competitions 19-year-old Muhamad Hirfan Mohd Romzi has participated in. The final-year Diploma in Media Production & Design student won a Medallion of Excellence in the Graphic Design Technology competition. On top of training for the competition, Hirfan had to juggle classes, Final Year Project, additional film projects and part-time work. During the competition, Hirfan did not find conceptualising and designing to be his biggest challenges. Instead, time management was the biggest obstacle he faced as he had only six hours to finish three to four tasks on each competition day. He learnt how to compose himself in stressful situations and being focused no matter what the outcome of each day may be. “I am always grateful with what has been awarded to me. I had expected more from myself but I know how tough and competitive it will get. Whether it’s a medal or certificate, the competition experience itself is a blessing,” Hirfan said.

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POST FEATURE

Playing to His Own Tune The sound of Gamelan music is distinctively Malay, its members often bonded by a shared language and culture. But in the Republic Polytechnic’s Gamelan Interest Group, the Naga Kencana, there is one member who stands out from the rest. He is Rohan Iyer, 20, an Australian who studies music at the University of Manchester. What does an Australian with Indian heritage doing with Gamelan music? Well, it was interest and passion that started him off on the journey and a connection with a friend that led him to RP. “I have always loved the sound of Gamelan music, from playing CDs,” Rohan said. “My parents told me that I was first attracted to Gamelan music when I was on holiday in Bali. They recalled back to when I was about three years old when I heard Sundanese Degong music in one of the shops there and I found it unique and fell in love with the music. I was too young to participate at that time so, it was hard for me to resist joining the gamelan ensemble in middle school due to the extravagant setup and display of instruments.” Rohan developed that interest by learning how to play the percussion instruments and is glad he is able to pursue it both as a performer and as a researcher as part of his course at university. His RP connection came about when he met a friend from the Gamelan Asmaradana Ltd, a non-profit ethnic music-arts organization dedicated to promoting the appreciation and awareness of all styles and expressions of gamelan. That friend told him that RP’s Gamelan IG was a good place for him to practice his craft. And so he made the trip to Woodlands and has been a regular whenever he is back in Singapore on semester break. Speaking of his first rehearsal with RP’s Gamelan IG in August 2017, Rohan remembers everyone being friendly and welcoming. “I guess you could say at first I didn’t know anyone, and I wasn’t even a student of RP. But everyone was really welcoming, and it worked out well because we all had a common interest,” added Rohan. “I was helping out the poly group by filling up instrument spaces and adding to the ensemble. I was getting a chance to do what I really like doing. The interest, communication, and participation in the music brought it all together,” said Rohan. Nur Dewi Nabilah Bte Mazlan, 19, President of RP Gamelan explains that Rohan is an example of how ethnicity is not a factor in sharing music.

PLAYING TO THE BEAT OF HIS HEART: Rohan plays along to the music composed by Pak Amran who conducts the open class every Saturday in Republic Polytechnic. (PHOTO: NUR LIYANA) “Through Rohan, we can portray that Singapore is a diverse society where everyone is open to learning each other’s traditional arts. Gamelan is typically viewed as a traditional Javanese music ensemble,” said Nabilah. When Rohan is asked about Gamelan as it is not usual for an Indian-Australian to pick up a traditional instrumental ensemble in Java and Bali, he said music should be “a language spoken by all and there should not be any form of discrimination”. “I have played music with people of different races and we all speak different mother tongues, but as an ensemble, we play as one and in harmony. The song played will still sound the same in the end. One’s cultural background should not hinder him from pursuing his passion. It is a passion that is shared together as a whole,” he added.

Father Daughter pair 4 bond over FAST CARS

By TASHINNYA CHANDRASEKARAN

“There were a few times my dad would let me sit in his buggy and he would drive me around the race track,” recalls Jasia. The moment she turned 17, Jasia decided to come work alongside her dad. She took on the role of Facility Coordinator attached to the VIP Corporate Suites and this meant she had to liaise between the client of the suite and the operations team from Singapore GP. It was tough. Work began two weeks before the race and she worked up to 16 hours on race days. “I make sure that everything in the suite is running smoothly and goes according to plan so that guests in the suite enjoy their Formula 1 experience,” said Jasia who is in her final year at RP. But perhaps the best thing about going to work was that she could work alongside her father. Seeing him work all those years, he became an inspiration to her. That feeling is mutual. “A father would rarely have such an opportunity to be together with their child at work and that really made that time special,” said Mr Shamdasani who now works part time as a Facility Director for Singapore GP. When quizzed on what some of her favourite memories of her working at Singapore GP, she is quick to talk about her unconventional NOT JUST A JOB: Jasia and Mr Sunil Shamdasani bond over their love for F1 while working long bonding time with her father over meetings and having conversations hours during race days. (PHOTO: COURTESY OF JASIA SHAMDASANI) about work. “I felt we were really able to relate with each other as our lives were just all about the race during that period,” said Jasia. When the SIA Formula One World Championship: Singapore Grand Prix She also recalls the time after one of the race ended and they comes roaring into Singapore, an army of people work 16-hour days weeks to ensure had to start tearing down and packing up. As her other colleagues the Singapore stop on the race calendar goes off without a hitch. Among them is a had not arrived, Jasia and her father formed a two-man tag team and father-daughter pair who find this a very special time – not just for their love of fast started clearing up. By the time our other colleagues had arrived, they cars but how it also gives them a chance to spend quality time together. were already almost half way done packing up the entire building. She Meet Jasia Shamdasani, 19, a third year School of Management and believes that it is a testament to their great team work. Communication (SMC) student and her father, Mr Sunil Shamdasani, 53. The two have Working with Singapore GP has also taught her to be resilient. been going to the race since Jasia was nine years old. However, she feels that being able to spend a lot of time with her father It all started when the race first came to Singapore in 2008. Mr Shamdasani began working for Singapore GP as its Director of Hospitality and Operations. He would was the best part about her work. “I think that is the biggest takeaway for me as there is nothing better than being able to share experiences take his only child to work and Jasia remembers the excitement of being among men and stories that will last a lifetime with my father,” she said. and machine, which she says fuelled her love for the sports. 4 The Republican Post

Designer: SITI AISYAH BTE MAIDEN

POSTFEATURE FEATURE POST

Straddling two worlds,,, RP lectuRers strive for the best of both By ERYKA ROJAS Besides an associate lecturer, Ms Beverly Low wears many hats. She is a producer, theatre director, performer, playwright and event writer. The former full-time stage performer co-founded and managed two local theatre groups and has directed over 30 plays both locally and internationally. She even travelled to India to learn yoga – all in the name of theatre. “At the core of my heart, I am an educator more than anything else. I love to connect with my students,” said Ms Low. “I thus treasure the opportunities to share my knowledge and passion with my students. The perfect moment comes when I can fuse theatre and education together.” Educators by day, RP lecturers assume a variety of roles outside of campus. Some are active volunteers in the community while others pursue a variety of interests.

ON A QUEST: When asked about the most memorable experience of her career as a writer, School of Technology for The Arts Associate Lecturer Anm Pek jokingly said: “Autographing my books.” (PHOTO: ANM PEK)

Associate Lecturer Anm Pek balances her time writing and being involved in two companies, Gamification Solutions Asia and QuestLife. “These roles come about because of my passions in writing and using games to apply in real life and achieving goals,” said Ms Pek, who is the author of the best-selling book The Secret Code: Is It for Real? Not only does she create interactive content, Ms Pek also leads staff development training and facilitates gamification courses for corporate organizations. While she keeps a busy schedule, the 42-year-old said: “If you are doing what you love, you enjoy doing every day, even on weekends.”

Follow your heart but allow the brain to make plans and decisions for things to happen. “If you want to get from points A to E, you cannot just sit in the car. Start the engine, and you will go somewhere. The journey could be scary as it is filled with unknown, but you will never know if you can reach point E unless you step on the pedal.” – Ms Beverly Low, Associate Lecturer with the School of Technology and the Arts.

Ms Low, a Theatre Studies student at the National University of Singapore, said becoming a performer was accidental. “I had never thought that I would be in the limelight as a performer as I felt that I was not an extrovert. To me, performing only belongs to the extroverts,” she said. But after attending a workshop, she realised how she could use her body to connect with an inner pool of creative energy at the same time. “Being a performer is not about being in the limelight. On the contrary, it is about understanding oneself and others around us; it is about exploring different aspects of human behaviour and experiences before playing these characters. It is thus not about pretending to be the characters but understanding the truth of what is in each character,” said Ms Low. Life, however, has not always been smooth sailing for both lecturers. Ms Pek said she has encountered the dreaded writer’s block and there were some days when she could not find any inspiration to create content. Ms Low, meanwhile, said the main challenges of being an art practitioner would be ensuring her stories relate to the audience, securing funding and rehearsal space for her productions. As for challenges in the classroom, Ms Low said: “While I have many years of experiences in my work, sharing too much or guiding the students too closely may bring about adverse effect as the students may think that I am putting their ideas or work down. Thus, I need to draw the fine line between supervising too closely and allowing the students to have sufficient space for exploration, falling, and getting up again.” Ms Pek said setting short and long terms goals would help those who aspire to follow her path. “Plan and manage your time well. I plan my time yearly, monthly and even down to daily. I plan how my time spent in a day. Having a right frame of mind is important, meaning, I see my ‘outside’ roles as complimentary and inter-connected to lecturer role, as they help me to gain knowledge and real life experiences that I can share to the students.”

Having a right frame of mind is important, meaning, I see my ‘outside’ roles as complimentary and interconnected to lecturer role, as they help me to gain knowledge and real life experiences that I can share to the students.” – Ms Anm Pek, Associate Lecturer with the School of Technology and the Arts. INTO HER MANDALA: Associate Lecturer Beverly Low initially thought that performers had to be extroverts. But a workshop changed her perception and performing has given her the opportunity to experience the diversity and uniqueness of each character’s personality. (PHOTO: TC YOUNG) Designer: SITI AISYAH BTE MAIDEN

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POST PHOTO

When night falls When classes end, most Republic Polytechnic students will call it a day. The campus, however, is still buzzing with life as students carry out Interest Groups activities, staff prepare for the next school day and some seeking a moment of solitude after a busy day. The Republican Post’s JUAN SUFYAN JURAIMI captures the scene at RP after school has ended.

Time: 7:20 p.m. DIVE RIGHT IN: The pool comes alive in the evening as the RP Aquatics Team affectionately known as ‘Team Salties’ - train between three and four sessions each week. Each training session usually lasts for two hours and starts at 6 p.m. (PHOTO: JUAN SUFYAN JURAIMI)

Time: 7:56 p.m. FOOD FOR THOUGHT: While most stall holders usually call it a day after 5 p.m. some extend their operating hours to feed those who stay in school after classes. Others use the time to clean their stalls and prepare ingredients for the next day. (PHOTO: JUAN SUFYAN JURAIMI)

Time:8:08 p.m. HIGH-KEY: The female Dikir Barat group ‘Endang’ currently trains on Mondays and Wednesdays. But as the competition ‘Piala Suara Serumpun’ draws closer in September, they will train almost every day. The annual dikir barat competition consist of teams from Polytechnics, Institute of Technical Education and also the National Technological University of Singapore. The RP team look to build on their third-place finish in 2017. (PHOTO: JUAN SUFYAN JURAIMI)

Time: 8:34 p.m. A TOUGH ACT: For the Style Groovaz Crew, the music only starts after school hours. Dancers find the juggle between dance and studies to be stressful as they train for three hours each session. However, it can be rewarding too as they look to hold on to the reigning champion title in the tertiary category of the dance competition, Super 24. (PHOTO: JUAN SUFYAN JURAIMI)

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Designer: NELLIE GOH JING YING

POST PHOTO

Time - 8:37 p.m. SOAP OPERA: Cleaner Muhd Ridhwan Nazir has been working on a 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. shift for two years. The sweeper scrubber is just one of many tools in his arsenal of cleaning utilities he uses to keep the campus clean. (PHOTO: JUAN SUFYAN JURAIMI)

Time - 8:53 p.m. DEAR PATREONS: The library remains one of the few facilities that is still open to the students after school hours. At that hour, the library is not only occupied by students but also operated by part-time librarians. (PHOTO: JUAN SUFYAN JURAIMI)

Time - 9:17 p.m. CATCHING A BREATHER: Part-time diploma students such as Husna, from Diploma of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, are a common sight after school hours. Their classes start at 6.30 p.m. and some end as late as 9 p.m. As a full-time technician, Husna travels by motorbike from work to Woodlands and then back home to Pasir Ris. (PHOTO: JUAN SUFYAN JURAIMI)

Time - 9:25 p.m. TAKE FIVE: The task of a security guard is often challenging. Ms Kayathri, however, found respite in some of the school events. The 30-year-old security guard who works for 12 hours starting from 8 p.m. recalls her duty during Ignite! which she found memorable as she enjoyed seeing the students singing and dancing. (PHOTO: JUAN SUFYAN JURAIMI)

Time - 9:34 p.m. THE LEARNING NEVER STOPS: Classes may have ended almost five hours ago but students can still be found in the canteen doing their school work. Nurin, a Diploma of Media Productions and Design student, finds studying at school more conducive and comfortable. (PHOTO: JUAN SUFYAN JURAIMI) Designer: NELLIE GOH JING YING

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SHOPPING

Three Online Shopping Hacks You Can Use The days of leaving home to go shopping and join the ridiculously long queues at the fitting room are truly gone. From the comfort of your home, one can simply “click” and “add to cart” to curate and purchase clothes to stay ahead with the fashion trends. Did I mention that you can save heaps while you’re at it? While online shopping has been around for a long time now, here are three tips that will help you become a true connoisseur at sniffing out all the amazing online deals. By MUHAMMAD DINIE ROSLAN

1. Shoptagr Have you seen something you like but the item’s price is way off your budget? Or to find they run out of your size? If you find it a hassle to check the website regularly to see if the size is in stock or that the item has dropped in price, the web browser extension or smartphone app Shoptagr is here to help. Shoptagr allows you to save items in your preferred colour and size onto a wish list. When that item goes on sale or when it gets back in stock, you will be notified. It feels like you have a personal shopping assistant right at your fingertips. Not to mention, it is very simple to use and it’s free.

2. Shop on the App, ratheR than on Desktop Apart from online websites, most major brands now have their own smartphone apps. This is a much more convenient way to shop as you can browse on-the-go. Not only that, by downloading their apps, you are entitled to exclusive discount codes as well! Take Zalora for example. On your first app purchase, you’re entitled to a 15 per cent discount from your total bill - what a steal! Not to mention, most of these apps makes payment hassle-free as they provide links to your Apple Pay or Samsung Pay accounts. Zalora also offers next day delivery, free returns and free delivery on orders above $40. I wanted to purchase one Jack Wills T-Shirt ($48.90) and one Fila bag ($108). If I purchase it from their website, it will cost me $156.90. However, if I purchase it from the app and enter in the app exclusive discount code, it will cost me $133.36, which means I saved $23.54.

Step 1: Create an account on www.shoptagr.com OR download the App on App Store or Play Store

Step 2: Connect the Shoptagr button onto your desktop 3. Sign up for newsletters Step 3: Whenever you’re browsing and see something you like, click the Shoptagr button to save it. Ensure it is in your specific size and colour so it’ll be easier for you. If you prefer shopping on your phone, this can also be done on the app.

Step 4: Shoptagr will email you (or text) when the item is on sale.

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It is safe to say that many of us do not appreciate spam mail. However, there are some hidden treasures in them because from time to time, retailers will notify you on exclusive sales, promotional codes, and many more if you sign up for their newsletters. If you sign up for Zalora’s newsletter, you will receive a $15 voucher. Not only that this is an excellent way to save money, you will also be notified for future sales and exclusive deals. Apart from getting first dibs on sales, you will also be notified on new arrivals. Another example would be Uniqlo.Their emails will inform you on their latest arrivals. Uniqlo also offers styling tips and advice exclusively for their newsletter subscribers. This will give you inspiration, especially on those days where it can seem almost impossible to think of what to wear. I hope the tips I have shared not only save you money, but also made your overall online shopping experience a wonderful one. Happy shopping!

Designer: NADIYA NABILAH BTE MUHAMAD F

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MUSIC

Young Talents but Rising Local

Stars

It may seemed tough for one to pursue a music career in Singapore. However, some rising local musicians have burst onto the music scene, bringing a refreshing sound and providing inspiration to aspiring musicians. The Republican Post’s SNG JORGE casts a spotlight on three artists to watch.

Linying Having clinched a spot in Spotify’s Global Viral 50 chart with her hit single Sticky Leaves in 2016, Linying is a singer-songwriter on the rise. The 24-year-old’s first EP Paris 12 reached number one on iTunes. Linying is also the first Singapore female artist to be signed on a multi-rights deal with Universal Music Singapore and music label Nettwerk Music Group. In an interview with TheHoneyCombers, Linying said she gained inspiration from everyday life. She said: “I can definitely imagine finding motivation and inspiration in a more musically diverse and mature environment. But I expect that that might interfere with – and distract from – the normalcy and banality of everyday life, which is the place from which I experience and write things.” Sticky Leaves is an indie-pop ballad with alluring vocals. The slow and mellow beat emphasizes Linying’s docile voice in the hollow background. This is a song one would fall soundly asleep to. Describing herself as a party animal when she is in the mood, the singer has also attracted dance music producers working with famous DJs - such as Afrojack and Tiësto - to approach her for collaborations.

@linyingmusic PHOTO: @linyingmusic on Instagram

GLen wee LianG wei

PHOTO: @glenweemusic on Instagram

Singer-songerwriter Glen Wee’s music style can be described as a blend of alternative folk and soul music. Recently signed with Warner Music Singapore, the 25-year-old released his first single Send Me An Angel in April this year. Send Me An Angel is the kind of song that you would want to listen to on the bus on the way home, with the sunset shining through the tinted windows. The slow rhythm accompanied by Glen’s unique vocals and delicate melodies brings the mood to a standstill. This indie acoustic is sure to calm one’s mind and soul. Currently bustling in schools and shows in Melbourne, Glen is pursuing a Bachelor Degree in Music Performance at the Australian Institute of Music. The Temasek Polytechnic graduate was also formerly a contestant on The Final One Season 1 where he emerged fourth in the singing competition. In an e-mail interview, Glen said he’s on the brink of releasing his first sophomore album titled Sounds in the City. Part of a four-piece ensemble called stillsunrise, he will be performing at Shine Festival 2018 and the Esplanade Waterfront in August and early September. When asked about what he has to say to someone who may be hesitating on pursuing their passion in music, he said: “I think you’ll be a fool not to do what you love, particularly in this decade. It’s 2018, we have the resources and financial capabilities in our entertainment industries to share our music to the world with a click of a few buttons on our computers. It would be a complete waste not to at least give it an honest shot.”

@glenweemusic

Evan Low If you haven’t heard of Evan Low, it’s probably because of his low-key profile. Local producer and multiinstrumentalist Evan Low, aka EvantureTime, wants his music to be simple and introspective. But the 29-year-old Berklee College of Music graduate has become one of the most sought-after producers locally. His latest album folds, released earlier this year in May, features other local talents such as Linying, Benjamin Kheng, and Nathan Hartono. Songs in the album such as Sober and Vultures carries a simple tune with a soft and steady melody, which Evan describes as part of his ‘Evanturetime’ sound. Alongside Jon Chua from TheSamWillows, Even is also a member of Zendyll Productions. The company aims to provide platforms for fellow local musicians to contribute in productions as well as serve as an avenue for aspiring musicians to be exposed to the industry, further expanding their talents. In an interview with Juice Singapore, Evan said: “I would like to defuse the stigma of having an unstable income as a musician in Singapore with this and hopefully, more musicians can establish themselves and proudly say that they make music for a living.”

@itsevanturetime PHOTO: @itsevanturetime on Instagram Designer: NADIYA NABILAH BTE MUHAMAD F

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MUSIC & FASHION

! E T I N G I f o s k o Lo

For many, IGNITE! Music Festival is a celebration of the local music scene as up-and-coming local musicians are given a platform to showcase their talents. But as The Republican Post’s CLARABELLE TAN and DARIUS BOEY have discovered, the relationship between music and fashion at IGNITE! remained strong as concert goers used the platform to showcase their individuality. Here are some of The Republican Post’s favourite looks from IGNITE! 2018.

FLOWER POWER: Sophia Shalini (left) and Isabel Ng (right) are the epitome of summer vibes, wearing floral sundresses appropriate for an outdoor festival like IGNITE! Keeping it cool and breezy, the year 1 biomedical students’ festival outfits do not deviate from their normal school style. (PHOTO: DARIUS BOEY)

DOLLY CHIC: A denim pinafore with high socks, Nur Liyana shows how to look like a doll at IGNITE 2018. Dressing on her mood, she took half an hour to put together her look, making it to the list of IGNITE looks. (PHOTO: CLARABELLE TAN)

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PASTEL VIBES: Faris Hasnim curates his outfit with a similar colour scheme, ensuring a cohesive look matching his shoes and cap to the underlying pink on his GUESS shirt. This arts and theatre management student styles himself based on his mood and feelings. (PHOTO: CLARABELLE TAN)

RACECAR BAE: Amelia Nor, a second year Mass Communication student, opts for a simple monochromatic look with a stripe of red on her pants. When asked about her fashion inspiration, she cited social media influencer Sonia who runs a successful Instagram page @soniaheartsfashion. (PHOTO: CLARABELLE TAN)

GIRLY HIPPIE: Dressed in pastel pink with lace and frills, Syafitri from ITE goes for a girly outfit that was suitable for a day-to-night look. Comfort was the key for the choice of her outfit. (PHOTO: CLARABELLE TAN)

PRINT MONSTER: With his cool do and printed shirt, Temasek Polytechnic student Dzakirin Zharfan is not one you can easily miss. The Communications Design student credits his style to @lucafersko. (PHOTO: DARIUS BOEY)

Designer: THEOLA IMRE NEO

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COOL CHIC: Phoebe Tan, 18, a Singapore Polytechnic student studying interior design describes her style as ‘vintage and modern’. Working as a model, she draws inspiration from Pinterest and whatever she can find in her mother’s closet. (PHOTO: DARIUS BOEY)

EARNING THEIR STRIPES: Going retro with striped bowling shirts, Abdul Rauf Bin Jamaludin and Muhammad Saifullah Bin Zulkifle, 19, from Ngee Ann Polytechnic follow in the footsteps of their style icon, Zayn Malik. (PHOTO: CLARABELLE TAN)

Designer: THEOLA IMRE NEO

MUSIC & FASHION

KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF: Watanabe Shien, 17, a first-year Mass Communication student dresses to the occasion with her eye-catching avocado socks. (PHOTO: CLARABELLE TAN)

ACCESSORIZE: Marcus Ang and Eldeen Ng elevate their bold outfits with unique accessories, making a loud statement at IGNITE! (PHOTO: DARIUS BOEY)

Denim comfort: A denim jacket adds another dimension to Jessica Tan’s basic outfit. Taking inspiration from @bellywellyjelly, she uses basics to create the outfit. (PHOTO: DARIUS BOEY)

TIE-DYE Greatness: Kelvin Josh, 20, an Interactive and digital media student, picked his outfit inspired by his style icon, Chance the Rapper. (PHOTO: DARIUS BOEY)

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FOOD

HALAL-TASTIC HALAL LOCAL DELIGHTS Singapore’s obsession with food is well-known. From the latest food fad to comfort food, Singaporeans will travel all over the island to satisfy their craving. The Republican Post’s ERMA SYAFIQAH shares and reviews three dishes that are close to her heart.

Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak THE POWER OF THIS NASI: Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak is able to attract many customers from different corners of Singapore with its original stall before they expanded their business. (PHOTO: ERMA SYAFIQAH)

Nasi Lemak has a special place in Singapore’s culinary history as a breakfast item. But we all know too well that a plate of Nasi Lemak is perfect at any time of the day. The famous Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak serves it better than most. Having been established in 1971, it has since expanded from its current location at Boon Lay Hawker Centre to three other outlets in Woodlands, Novena and Taman Jurong. With over 47 years of experience under their belt, the chain has perfected the fried chicken wing which will leave you craving for more. I would usually get an extra wing and an extra serving of their sambal to go with the fragrant coconut rice. Be prepared for the long queues, but know that in the end it will all be worth the extra calories.

Rating: 4/5 Address: Blk 221A/B, Boon Lay Place

Salted Egg Dumplings PUT IT ON EVERYTHING: Salted egg has been the latest craze to hit Singapore’s foodscene/ From fries to fried rice, the ingredient is everywhere. (PHOTO: ERMA SYAFIQAH) Singaporeans get egg-cited when salted egg is used in a dish, especially in Dim Sum. At Tang Tea House, they’ve infused the ingredient into their dumplings, creating the perfect comfort food and it’s Halal too. The second you sink your teeth in one of their dumplings, the texture and flavours is a sensory assault - you can taste sweet, spicy and savoury in a bite. Known for being generous with its servings, Tang Tea House has been in the food business for the past 13 years. They have four outlets.

Rating: 3.5/5 Address: 57 Lorong Bekukong

Indian Rojak MADE IN SINGAPORE: Usually people are led to believe that Indian Rojak is originated from India but it is invented by early immigrants to Singapore. (PHOTO: ERMA SYAFIQAH) I love Indian Rojak because it allows me to choose whatever ingredient I feel like having. And the ingredients that Al Mubarak uses are fresh. I always pick potato, fish cake, sausage, bread egg, bread prawn and paru (cow liver), and the dish works out to be around $8.80. Fortunately, even though most of the ingredients are fried, they are not very oily when they are served. On top of that, the sauce is sweet, savoury and have nuts in it.

Rating: 4/5 Address: 449 Clementi Avenue 3 #01-211

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Designer: PERIVISHNI JESSICA D/O GUNASEELAN

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Food Apps for Cheap Makan Hacks

FOOD

It is not an understatement when we say, Singaporeans will go crazy for food. Be it durians or McGriddles, this nation is easily driven by the latest food craze and pursuit of the best dishes. Eating out may be costly but thanks to these apps, dining at your favourite restaurant may be easier on your wallets.

By JAE-ERYANA FITRI JAMALUDIN

Aside from searching for new restaurants, the app allows you to make advance reservations. From a dinner date for two to a party-size gathering, Chope has no limitations to the number of people as well as how early the booking is made. It even has a section named ‘Save up to 50% Off’ where selected outlets offer cheap deals and waive half of the total price.

2. The app works offers discount on a reservation basis. Depending on the eatery, some reservation time slots offer up to 50 per cent of the total bill whereas the rest can range between 10 to 20 per cent.

More commonly known as Groupon, Fave offers discounted sets for the restaurant of your choice. It may not give the user a choice of dishes, but the set is affordable and irresistible.

For some, the thought of having to travel for food can prove exhausting. Especially if you are feeling lazy. Here are some delivery apps that can convey the food of your choice right to your doorstep.

The first delivery app to be established in Singapore. Despite its rough start, Foodpanda now has a wide range of food choices than its competitors. They are the only ones who delivers Starbucks. A minimum order of $12 is required though before they can deliver.

Designer: PERIVISHNI JESSICA D/O GUNASEELAN

With its fancy interface and chic paper bag design, Deliveroo is one of the more popular delivery apps. Deliveroo regularly serves up ongoing promotions and has a referral scheme.

4. Contrary to popular beliefs, Honestbee doesn’t only deliver your groceries but also delivers food such as Mos Burger and many local delicacies. If the food choices irk you, don’t worry - they also offer laundry delivery services and sales of entertainment tickets too.

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FOOD

10 Observations of a Food Delivery Rider

Food delivery services have become a regular fixture in the lives of Singaporeans. They provide convenience to the hungry consumer but also serve as a source of income for those looking for a part-time job. The Republican Post’s HAZIQ ISMAIL, who has been working as a part-time delivery service rider for a year, shares 10 things he has observed when he is on the job.

Talks On 2 The Road

1 Lift Situations It is common for delivery riders to share a lift with strangers. While awkward silences in the lifts are common, sometimes we may engage in small talk with others in the lift (typically aunties and uncles) who are curious about our job. They may ask about our working schedule and how much we make per trip or by the hour. Personally, I prefer engaging in small talk as I like to interact with others and exchanging experiences.

It is quite a norm to hold conversations with other strangers while we are on the road. Delivery guys who ride motorcycles might meet other delivery riders from different services and exchange their busy schedule as they wait for the traffic light to turn green. Similarly with delivery riders on the bicycle/scooter, pedestrians would at times make small talks with a common question in mind: “Now deliver with bicycle/scooter ah?”

3 ‘Keep The Change’

4 Tipping When you tip our jars, you tip our hearts too. There was once I was given a $40 tip – which worked out to be about a day’s pay. Aa small amount of loose change or tip can go an extra mile in making our day. While we normally get tipped, we also have experienced our fair share of going an entire day without getting any tips. One might not see the difference it makes, but these tips are usually used for us to quench our thirst in between deliveries. I now make it a point to tip my delivery guy whenever I order food because I know how tiring the job can be.

Although payment has now been made convenient with the presence of credit cards and ePayment such as PayLah, some customers still prefer to pay by cash. Hence, delivery riders bring along cash (especially coins) to return the change. Whoever said that kindness is dead, is wrong! Some Singaporeans are still generous by letting us keep the change, but there are still some – a small minority? - who would wait just to get the change of as little as 10 cents.

Festive 5 Periods While we tend to get more tips during festive periods, this is also the period where we get tons of orders coming in. Some customers do give us some red packets during Chinese New Year, and green packets during Hari Raya. The festive periods are definitely the periods that we look forward to, as riders tend to make some extra cash while doing deliveries.

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Customers Aren’t 6 always Dressed For The Occasion Delivery riders meet many different characters during the job. While that is so, we also meet customers who do not really bother about their outfits. When I first started out as a delivery rider, seeing people collect their food with their bellies sticking out came as a shock. However, it is now a norm to see some customers collect their food in just their undergarments.

Radiating Joy 7 From Kids It is definitely a sight when see kids wait for their food by the gate. Their happiness when they receive the delivery always brings a smile to my face. Our arrival is always one they have been expecting, hence it warms my heart when they are happy to see us. Some of the kids are also taught to always say ‘thank you’, which is definitely pleasant to hear.

Designer: MEER FAIZAH BTE A LATIF

POST COMMUNITY

Customers 8 With Dogs While we are out for deliveries, we may be greeted with dogs’ loud and sharp barking. From small and loud bulldogs to jumping golden retrievers, it is definitely interesting to see the different breeds of dogs during deliveries. Although some dogs can be fierce, they are generally harmless. Once, I made a delivery to a customer who owned a really big dog. But my fears were unfounded as it was just a really big statue of one.

9 Kindness While Singaporeans are commonly associated with being ‘kiasu’, there are still many whose hearts shine with kindness. When they see us looking exhausted, they would offer us drinks or even a small bite. This is usually common during the fasting month of the Muslim calendar, Ramadhan, where some customers would offer our Muslim riders some dates and water for them to break fast. Small acts of kindness such as holding open the lift door or even helping us unpack the food from our hot bags are also some of the common sights.

10 Patience When delivering an order late, it would be expected that some of the customers would be upset. We delivery riders deal with a lot of hangry customers. Some would glare, shout and nag about the long waiting hours, which is not surprising. While they say patience is a virtue, this is an essential quality for delivery riders when faced with hangry customers. While some might be more understanding than others, it is important to remember to stay calm and collected, and always serve with a smile.

The Story behind THE RP Apparel Brand By FAIRUZE IQBAL Republic By XXV, an apparel brand started by a RP student, has sold over 1,000 T-shirts since its launch last year. Daryl Chan, a third-year student from the Diploma in Supply Chain Management, started Republic By XXV as a mini project outside the classroom. The 21-year-old said he wanted to leave a mark in RP and inspiration struck when RP celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2017. “I kept looking around and RP didn’t have shirts for sale. I thought that everyone should end up with some form of RP identity, so I gathered a group of friends, mostly the SEG student leaders and we decided to execute on it,” Daryl said. Republic By XXV has since garnered a lot of attention from students. From the sleek designs and comfortable material, the business has seen increased interest from students. A set of black and white T-shirts costs $20 while an individual black or white T-shirt costs $15 each. The idea of creating a polytechnic T-shirt is not new: A Temasek Polytechnic graduate had created a T-Shirt to commemorate the school’s silver jubilee in 2015 and thousands of the T-Shirts were sold. But the process of starting a business required plenty of hard work. The student entrepreneur had to research, brainstorm ideas and even asked the Office of Student and Graduate Affairs for feedback. The idea of T-shirts came as students were constantly finding products that were cheap and of good quality. Hence, the team managed to get bulk orders and ensured that students could afford their apparels. At the same time, the idea of getting students to wear the shirts, as a form of pride and identity, was also achieved. Like most start-up businesses, Republic By XXV was not all rainbows and sunshine. Daryl faced a few hurdles along the way, such as the uncertainty of the success of his projects and managing a team of students. He said: “You have to plan for the next one-and-a-half or two

EXPANSION PLANS: Republic By XXV hopes to collaborate with other streetwear entrepreneurs in other polytechnics to create more apparel for students. (PHOTO: Republic by XXV) months, and you’re not sure if people are going to like the design or buy it. Even the designing process itself, it takes quite a toll on your because you’re not sure if the colours are right or if the shirt would turn out the way you want it to be.” When asked for his advice to aspiring entrepreneurs who want to start a small business, Daryl said to just do it. “Execute and stop thinking about planning so much. Get whatever idea that you want to try, get started and just execute it. That’s where you try out different things and learn from the process as well,” he said.

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More than just a captain, track athlete is team’s coach too By DARIUS BOEY

SMILE FOR THE CAMERA: Marcus Ang holds up his Most Valuable Player medal with pride and dignity, knowing that his contributions as captain of the RP Athletics Team has helped the IG progress forward. (PHOTO: DARIUS BOEY) Final-year Sport and Exercise Science student Marcus Ang was given a standing ovation by the RP Athletics Team as he received the Most Valuable Player award at the Glitz Awards Night on July 6, 2018. The 21-year-old is not just the team captain; he also doubles up as one of the coaches for the team. Marcus was nine when he fell in love with athletics. “I got to learn that it’s more than just running in a straight line; it’s a highly technical sport, where huge amounts of hard work and determination has to be put in to see the littlest improvements. Once I got to see my fruits of labour, I got addicted,” he said.

Marcus also fell in love with helping others achieve their best in the sport. He said: “I started out helping my own coach with his school engagement and outreach projects where I would teach the basics of running, jumping, and throws to primary school kids, and since I had quite a few years of training experience, I was quick to pick things up from there. After a few opportunities and referrals later, I realised ‘Hey, I’m quite good at this’, so I enrolled in the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federation) coaching course.” Marcus obtained the coaching certificate from the world athletics governing body in his second year at RP. Earlier this year, Marcus took up the coaching mantle as RP’s athletics team was looking to fill the vacancy. “It’s not easy to be sitting in class, listening to lectures all day, then with a snap of the fingers switch gears and become the one who is instructing a team of 40,” he recalled. But Marcus is able to count on vice-captains Brandon Heng and Angel Ho as the trio spilt the workload evenly. For example, Brandon, who specialises in high jump events, handles the administrative matters so that Marcus can focus on coaching. Angel Ho, 18, vice-captain of RP athletics, said Marcus places the needs of the team first. “He emphasises teamwork and ensures that we all play a part together to work towards our goal, be it studies or sports wise and puts in a lot effort for his studies, training and also coaching us,” she added. Being both captain and coach of the athletics team has also helped Marcus grow into a better athlete and person. He said: “I’ve learnt to be more disciplined as I have to set a good example to the rest, but more importantly I’ve learnt to empathise with my teammates and understand their worries and concerns while training alongside everyone.” As the 2018/2019 season approaches, Marcus wants to focus on the little things rather than set a medal target. “I would like to make the training environment more ‘homely’ to increase participation. Once that is settled, one would be more motivated to train, then the medals will come in on their own. If not, seeing everyone work hard for their own goals is enough for me,” he said.

Arsenal fans optimistic as a new era beckons By CAMILLA ROSS

KEY MAN: Arsenal midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan will look to reproduce his fine form at German side Borussia Dortmund before the Armenian made the switch to English football. (PHOTO: MARCELLIN ANGELO LOPEZ) Fans of Arsenal were encouraged by what they had witnessed during the recent International Champions Cup (ICC) matches in Singapore as a new era beckons for the English football club. In May, Unai Emery replaced long-serving manager Arsene Wenger. The club has also signed five new players – goalkeeper Bernd Leno, right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner, centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos, midfielders Lucas Torreira and Mattéo Guendouzi. In the first of two matches in Singapore, Arsenal drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid before losing 3-1 in a penalty shoot-out. The Gunners then beat Paris Saint-Germain 5-1 in their second International Champions Cup match. 16 The Republican Post

Arsenal fan Muhammad Suhairi, 21, said the new line-up looks “very promising”. “I hope that Emery can continue or improve Wenger’s legacy,” he said. Under Wenger, Arsenal won 17 trophies during the French manager’s 22-year reign at the club. But the Spaniard Emery is no amateur either - he led Paris Saint-Germain to a domestic treble last season. “Emery has proved to me that his coaching indeed has brought hope to Arsenal,” said fan Muhammad Hidir, 21. “He has also done a good job with the new signings such as Guendouzi and (17-year-old Emile Smith) Rowe. Both are very promising for their age, and potentially can bring Arsenal to win the Premier League.” For The Gunners to challenge for the title, senior players – such as strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, as well as midfielders Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Mesut Özil – will have to be more consistent. In particular, some fans have hoped that midfielder Mkhitaryan could reproduce his fine form at German side Borussia Dortmund before the Armenian made the switch to English football. “Maybe you won’t see the Mikhi from 2015/16 Dortmund season because I’m in Arsenal now. It’s a different club with a different philosophy,” said the 29-year-old after the first ICC match. “I’m working hard on scoring as many goals as possible and I’m sure that I’ll have a great season.” The arrival of goalkeeper Leno may also mean a change of guard in goal, as the German looks set to replace Petr Cech. Some fans, however, hopes that the experienced Cech would remain with the club. “I hope that Cech gets to keep his number 1 jersey and doesn’t return back to Chelsea. He’s an important player that is very crucial to the team,” said Idham Shah, 21. Arsenal fan Hakiman, 18, was impressed with Leno. “With more tactical training, Arsenal will be able to win the Premier League title and it would be a big celebration for them with their fans,” he said. The new manager Emery is more cautious. “We will continue our preparation and not change our focus, and our focus is giving the best and working on the tactical things to be better before going into the match,” he said after the first ICC match. Designer: NELLIE GOH JING YING