Produced by Diploma in Mass Communication students Centre for Enterprise and Communication
Pg 6
Meet Tan Wei Shan who is a champion canoeist and an award winning cook
Pg 11
Pg 6
Juggling RJ’s and being a DJ:
Story of a female spinner
We find out what’s the hype over the hoverboard
Nov 2015 - Jan 2016 www.republicanpost.sg
Pg 10
Want to start a business?
Get inspiration from RP student entrepreneurs
pulsating proposal at South canteen By Nur Zalikha Khamis
Instead of a romantic candlelight dinner at a fancy restaurant, an ex-RP student asked his girlfriend to marry him while his friends danced for them.
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ike many budding romances in Republic Polytechnic, this one began with furtive glances across the corridors of E3. She was from the School of Health and Leisure (SHL) and he was from the then Centre for Culture and Communication (now renamed Centre for Enterprise and Communication) and they were in classrooms just opposite of each other. Mr Shivabala Mahendran finally mustered enough courage to ask Ms Vinitha Mukunthan for her number. Fast forward to a sweltering Sunday on November 8 and Mr Shivabala, 24, was down on bended knee asking Ms Vinitha, 24, to marry him. “I have been planning this proposal for months now. I knew I wanted to propose in RP so I roped in my friends from the Indian Cultural Group to help me plan and execute it,’’ said Mr Shivabala who graduated from RP five years ago with a Diploma in Communication and Information Design (DCID). And what a show it was. His friends started the process with a Bollywood-inspired dance and they then re-enacted the couple’s memorable moments in school. The whole set-up took three hours to get going: there were cameras, videos, music and even a red carpet. And because they met in the first year during their first semester, he even called down his former lecturer during that year, Ms Chan Yen Ting, to be in the re-enactment as well. “We were lucky that our Director of CEC, Mr
SHE SAID YES: Mr Shivabala Mahendran, 24 (left) proposing to the love of his life, Ms Vinitha Mukunthan, 24 (right) at the place where it all started, Republic Polytechnic. PHOTO: ISKANDAR ROSSALI
Warren Wang, fully supported this request, which started the ball rolling actually. We were also very grateful to have the support of OSG (Office of the Student and Graduate Affairs). Without them, this would not have happened too,” said Ms Chan. “After all, how many couples can meet, fall in love, and propose (and be proposed) in the same place? There’s got to be something special about RP.” When Ms Vinitha arrived, the couple took a nostalgic tour of the places that held special memories for them – from E3 to Nanyang Café before they finally ended up at South canteen – where they hung out the most after class. It was here that Mr Shivabala uttered that question every girl dreams of: “Will you marry me?’’ “I’ll have to think about it,” Ms Vinitha teased. It was Mr Shivabala who got emotional at the end of it all. What makes them tick? “I love that she challenges me. I would say that our relationship is quite
playful,’’ said Mr Shivabala, who is about to pursue his degree. For Ms Vinitha, it is being able to find a partner who accepts her warts and all. “It’s difficult to find a friend in a partner. I can speak to him about anything and everything, and I know he wouldn’t judge me,” said Ms Vinitha, who is about to finish her degree at Edith Cowan University. In a year’s time, the couple will proceed to Registry of Marriages, where they will make the marriage official. Ms Vinitha said she did not know the proposal would be in RP, even though she “secretly wished” for it to take place there. “The proposal was really sweet,” she said. “Nothing could have been better than going through the iconic moments of how we started off. Those memories will always be special.” Mr Shivabala added: “RP has given us so many wonderful memories, so it will always have a special place in our hearts.”
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among students more evident, but help is always on hand
THEEDITOR’S note
Festive greetings everyone! Here we are again at the end of another year. I would like to start off by conveying my gratitude to you on behalf of the team and I for reading the student-run Republican Post! For this issue, the new team has put together a variety of interviews that feature RP trailblazers. You may not give them a second glance in school but they have very special talents: Disc Jockey Farah Farzana and canoeist-by-day, chef-by-night Tan Wei Shan are two shining examples. The former spins in clubs like Bang Bang and F Club while the latter is a RP canoeist and won Mediacorp’s Neighbourhood Chef 2 in April this year. We also tackle the issue of depression – usually a topic swept under the carpet. Two students share their struggles and how they cope with it. If you’d like to share your own story, please feel free to write to us. December is quite often everyone’s favourite month – because it signals the end of a year and the beginning of a new one. Our review team has come up with the must-see, must-play list for 2016. I hope that you have as much fun reading the stories as we had putting them together. Here’s wishing you a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year! Visit us at http://republicanpost.sg
By Nawwarah Abdul Ghani
C
Shanjayan Email me: 13003318@myrp.edu.sg
REPUBLICAN POST
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Yogaraj S/O Panditurai, Marcus Benedict Tan Junhao, Christine Yeo Khalid, Nicole Kam Wei Yu, Seri Azilia Khairil
Sheryl Lau Chien Yee, Arwa Izzudin Kelley D’ Cruz (not in photo)
Shanjayan S/O Muniappan Ng Ru Yi Rachel, Woon Jie Min
rying, lack of sleep and loss of appetite. Those were some of the symptoms Izzati* suffered by the age of 10, indicating that it is possible for depression to hit the very young too. The RP student declined to be named because none of her friends in school know about her condition. But she was willing to share her experience. “Only when my symptoms got much worse that we went to see a doctor who told me that I was suffering from depression,’’ she said. Izzati said her condition worsened when things at home became more difficult. Her parents were constantly fighting and she was expected to do well in school. When she didn’t, their fights got worse and she started having problems sleeping and eating, often crying herself to sleep. Although Izzati’s parents have come to terms and stayed together for the sake of their children, entering secondary school was tough for her as she had to cope with more subjects which led to an increase in her stress level. When things became too unbearable, she was advised by both her parents and friends to seek help from the school’s counsellor. Her first encounter with the counsellor was at the age of 14. For Izzati, she couldn’t be happier that she listened to the advice, as the regular meetings with the counsellor helped her tremendously. “My counsellor was just like a mother – she gave me sweets and shared funny jokes with me. That made me feel better and I found myself opening up to her even more. Pouring my heart out definitely helped me a lot, in terms of overcoming my depression,” said the Republic Polytechnic student. A Straits Times article reported that the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) helped 600 people aged 20 to 29 last year, compared with 550 the year before. That is the range of age that is most at risk of suicide, according to the Samaritans of Singapore. In addition, the article reported that a survey of 393 young people was conducted by final-year students of the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information at NTU and found out that
PHOTO: NELLIE QISTINA one out of four respondents aged 18 to 25 said they suffered from four out of 10 symptoms of depression. Clinicial Psychologist Carol Balhetchet, a Senior Director at the Singapore Children’s Society, said depression is caused by three factors – expectations from parents, lecturers and teachers, expectations from oneself as well as expectations from the society. “The stress level in students is just as much, if not more of the adults. At their age, they have to think maturely and act like adults, juggling school and maintaining a decent grade. On top of that, they feel a sense of responsibility to ensure that they give something to their families,” said Dr Balhetchet. The constant building of stress will eventually contribute visible signs such as students isolating themselves away from people, being highly secretive and quiet about everything as well as developing a loss of appetite. Regular care and counselling have proven to help in improving the mental state of affected youngsters, especially if treated early. But in some, more extreme cases, counselling may not have a desired effect, and may need a more professional, clinical approach, especially when it comes to students who had been subjected under physical and mental abuse.
Ummairah Shariff, another RP student, is an example of a young person needing a more clinical, professional approach. What’s not typical about her however, is how open she is about her problems. She blogs about how a tumultuous home life drove her to depression – it started with her waking up in the wee hours of the morning crying when she was 12. Although her relationship with her mother was in a rocky state, she was the one who persuaded Ummairah to seek help from her school counsellor, who then referred her to a professional therapist at the IMH. The sessions were more intense, and Ummairah resisted opening up initially, but after several weeks, she began to improve with the help of various activities and tasks meant to isolate her depression and build up her self-esteem. One such activity that Ummairah found that helped her considerably was writing. “I used to be afraid to tell people about my depression. But now, I feel like if I speak up about it, I am able to help others who are going through what I went through,” said the first-year student. Ummairah says it is more harmful to hide sadness in the long run. “Spend time with your friends and family members who make you feel loved and cared for. Reaching out to them is not a weakness. In fact, it makes you a brave person,” she said. *Name has been changed to protect student’s identity If you think you are struggling with depression, here’s a list of help available for you to reach out to: RP Student Care (Counselling) Helpline: 9770 4375 Email: help-counselor@rp.edu.sg Samaritans of Singapore (SOS): Helplines: 1800-221-4444 Email: pat@sos.org.sg Care Corner Counselling Centre: Helpline: 1800-3535-800 Email: ccs@carecorner.org.sg
Performing for first time at World Drum Night, Capoeira steals the show By Hazel Yue
sports desk Fasiha Nazren
community Desk
Yeo Yao Qin Renald, Nurul Iiman Said
broadcast Desk
Nur Atiqah Mustafa, Charmaine Maria Jacob, Samantha Nelson
2 THE REPUBLICAN POST
lifestyle Desk
Marianne Louise Das, Febby Lee Jia Qian
design team
Dilys Lee Jia Qian, Nur Azira Khairil Anuar, Alex Sanoria, Kentrell Kwek Shiu Teng (not in photo)
reviews desk
Christopher Parwani
photo team
Tristan Loh, Muhammad Iskandar Rossali, Ken Lu, Teo Kiah Chin Damien, Nur Humaira Wahab
OVERCOMING THE ODDS: Despite a packed schedule, Capoeira IG managed to showcase Martial Arts with an amazing debut on the stage of World Drum Night III. PHOTO: DAMIEN TEO hey only managed their full rehearsal on the day of their performance, but that did not stop Republic Polytechnic’s Capoeira Interest Group (IG) from stealing the show at this
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year’s World Drum Night III. Performing at the community arts festival for the first time, the Capoeira IG combined with drummers from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) to put up a pulsating performance in front of a soldout crowd. Capoeira is a Brazilian martial arts form that has incorporated dance movements and instruments. A total of 13 students, including three Year 1s, performed at the World Drum Night on Oct 31. The choreographers of Capoeira’s dance item said they had limited time to prepare for the performance as they were informed about their involvement a week before the actual event. The group also had their annual belt grading test on the day of World Drum Night which resulted in even lesser practice time. “Although it was hard to find a day where all of the members can commit together, I am still very proud of them,” said choreographer and second-year Sonic Arts student Firzanah Abdul Rahman. “Espe-
cially considering the fact that we have the juniors with us, and this was one of their first big shows, they did a great job.” Third-year Renewable Energy Engineering student Shahrul Ikhmal felt Capoeira’s collaboration with the ITE drummers was “unique”. “It brings out the flexibility and liveliness of their dance movements,” said the 20-year-old who was among the audience of 1,040 at The Republic Cultural Centre. Besides the collaboration between Capoeira IG and the ITE drummers, drummers from Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Singapore Polytechnic also collaborated with an external percussion group, Nadi Singapura, in another performance. Maisarah Dhaniyah Noorsham Affandi, 18, a second-year Mass Communication student, enjoyed the diverse elements witnessed in various performances. She said: “It was interesting to see how they incorporate Asian vibes and drums into the whole show, although they may be from different ethnic groups and culture.” THE REPUBLICAN POST 3
LEFT HEADER POST PHOTO
Taking the Hogwarts Express
From being the iconic Harry Potter to Voldemort, students from various Interest Groups came together to celebrate this highly anticipated award show. With a Masters of Sorceries theme, the Flame Awards was a day of celebrations for many.
RIGHT POSTHEADER PHOTO
watch what
happened
http://youtube.com/c/ RepTVMedialab
LIGHT AND DARKNESS:
Whichever side you are on, the Hip-Hop Interest Group showed that it was possible for heroes and villains to dance together. PHOTO: DZULFIKAAR SUTANDAR
SCHOOL PROCLAMATION:
The Republic Cultural Centre theatre was transformed into The Great Hall, an iconic setting in the Harry Potter movie franchise but with a touch of Republic Polytechnic’s school rules. PHOTO: HASIF HASNY
BOMBARDA MAXIMA!:
Dressed up as Harry Potter, Luqman Nur Hakim Zulkifli, President of Hip-Hop Interest Group, ended the night’s final performance. PHOTO: DZULFIKAAR SUTANDAR
WELCOME TO THE FAMILY: Are you intimidated? Fear not, they are just your supportive advisors managing The Republic Cultural Centre. PHOTO: DZULFIKAAR SUTANDAR
PERCUSSIONISTS UNITE:
Flame Awards 2015 started off with a blast as members from Beats Encore Interest Group thrilled the crowd with a heart-stopping performance. PHOTO: DZULFIKAAR SUTANDAR
NOT YOUR USUAL WIZARD:
Mr Ganesh Kalyanam, the director of The Republic Cultural Centre (TRCC), came dressed as Professor Xavier from the X-Men franchise as he stood in for Professor Dumbledore. PHOTO: HASIF HASNY
STAR WARS GEEKS:
Even in “Hogwarts”, characters such as Yoda and Darth Vader crashed the party. PHOTO: DZULFIKAAR SUTANDAR 4 THE REPUBLICAN POST
DRESS TO IMPRESS:
NorAzhar Lokman and Nur Syahidah clinched the Best Dressed Awards as they wowed the crowd with their Harry Potter-themed costumes. PHOTO: HASIF HASNY
SLYTHERIN WINS!:
Dressed in Slytherin costumes, Acapella Interest Group (IG) Rhapsody members cheered on as they bagged the Most Improved IG award. PHOTO: HASIF HASNY
PARODY:
Hip-Hop Interest Group (IG) member Muhd Nur Azri performing in the One CREATE item which comprised all the CREATE IGs. PHOTO: HASIF HASNY THE REPUBLICAN POST 5
LEFT HEADER POST LIFESTYLE
RIGHT HEADER POST LIFESTYLE
‘Mr RP’ at home in the water or in the kitchen
A Relief for the Late Nights
By Marianne Louise Das
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an Wei Shan has proved he could withstand the heat of the competition, whether it involved him holding a canoe paddle or a frying ladle. A Diploma in Restaurant and Culinary Operations student, Wei Shan represented RP at this year’s Canoeing POL-ITE Games where he clinched gold in the 500m category. The 20-year-old was also named Sportsman of the Year at the Glitz Awards in July. Wei Shan said the latest win “was unexpected”, having been nominated among four others. “Compared to the other athletes, I felt I was not on par with them,” he added. He believed what helped him to clinch the award was the many hours of training where he gave nothing but his best. In the end, it was his drive and dedication that gained his teammates’ respect. Besides being a sportsman, Wei Shan also wears other hats. He is the President of the Republic Sports Club, as well as a member of the School of Hospitality Club and Singapore Junior Chefs Club. In April this year, Wei Shan emerged champion in MediaCorp’s Neighbourhood Chef 2 – a cooking competition where contestants of different races came together to pit their cooking skills on a specific ingredient for the week. “Ever since I was nine, I loved cooking,” he said. “Being on Neighbourhood Chef was a good exposure for me as I had to understand the dish, teach and cook it in a way where the audience at home could understand how to do so as well.”
With such a diverse background, some students have nicknamed Wei Shan ‘Mr RP’. The man under the spotlight expressed disbelief when told of the nickname. Wei Shan acknowledged the attention but was aware of the expectations placed on him. “I feel the expectations on me are higher,” he said. Juggling his interests with studies has been challenging for Wei Shan. He said: “It was very
hard for me to balance, especially when my friends invited me out to play basketball or go for a run with them. I had to draw up a schedule for myself in order for me to have something to follow.” But Wei Shan pointed to his father as his rolemodel. He said: “My dad is my role-model. He has showed me that in order to get something you want, you have to work really, really hard.”
THE SPORTY CHEF: At only 20, canoeist Tan Wei Shan has won Mediacorp’s Neighborhood Chef 2, bagged a gold medal in POL-ITE Games and was recently named Sportsman of the Year at the Glitz Awards. PHOTO: ANGELA LIM
Second-year Media Production and Design student who has signed on with Singapore’s largest female DJ company had wanted to be a dancer previously By Natalie Ann Fernandez
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6 THE REPUBLICAN POST
Sultry Spinner: Eighteen-year-old Farah Farzana emerged on the big stage as one of the youngest female DJs after she was signed by Altra, Singapore’s largest female DJ and artiste management company. PHOTO: TRISTAN LOH
By Sheryl Lau
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Unexpected twist lands Farah on the decks f you spend Friday nights in clubs such as Bang Bang and F Club, you are likely to be grooving to beats spun by Farah Farzana. The second-year School of Technology and Arts (STA) student gained prominence in February, this year when she was signed by Altra, Singapore’s largest female DJ and artiste management company. The 18-year-old’s foray into DJ-ing, however, was unexpected. Farah said she was most passionate about dancing since she was young, but missed the auditions when she entered RP last year. She then decided to try Electronic Music Production instead, after she saw a poster in the school. Farah has not looked back since. “Being behind the deck gives you a sense of euphoria,” she said. “You’re just there, controlling the crowd. It’s like an adrenaline rush. At first it’s scary but it all comes with practice and experience. I enjoy it a lot because I love music and honestly, sometimes I wish I was the one on the dancefloor.” While the DJ scene used to be dominated by men, the pool of women on the decks has grown in recent years. Asked about the fascination with female DJs, Farah felt there should not be a debate in the first
In an era with workloads enough to drive you sleepless, you can rejoice in knowing there is a remedy for sleep deprivation; and it is absolutely free!
place. “It doesn’t mean just because we’re girls we can’t spin,” she said. “I think the success is up to the individual, no matter whether you’re female or male. If you want to get something you work for it and eventually you’ll get it.” Farah believes a good DJ is able to read a crowd. “Everyone can be a DJ,” she said. "Technicality is one thing, you can learn and pick it up but what makes you a good DJ is being able to pick the right songs for the right crowd, that’s what sets you apart.” Farah’s parents are supportive of her passion and her mother attends her gigs occasionally. “My parents know that I enjoy what I do and as long as I know how to take care of myself then all’s good,” she said. This semester, Farah tries to maintain a balance by taking up jobs at only restaurants and bars. She also tries to wrap her set early so that she could rest early and be punctual for school the next day. Farah, who has nearly 15,000 followers on her Instagram account, has set her sights on playing overseas in the future. But she acknowledged she has “just started”. “I have a lot to learn still. I have a long way to go,” added Farah.
ou may associate naps with laziness or an unhealthy lifestyle. But let’s get over that stigma. Naps can lead to better quality of work, health, memory, decision-making skills, creativity and alertness. According to the National Sleep Foundation in the United States, the recommended hours of sleep for adults are seven to nine hours. Any lesser results in higher risk of suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. Sleep is imperative in clearing metabolite ”junk” – a main culprit of Alzheimer’s – as explained by Professor Michael Chee, Director of Cognitive Neuroscience at the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, in a recent article in The Straits Times. Some think that naps may not be necessary today due to the invention of caffeinated drinks. But Dr Sara C.Mednick, a sleep expert and author of Take a Nap! Change your life has said: “Caffeine can decrease memory performance. So you may feel more wired, but prone to making mistakes.” Fionn Chay, 19, a second-year student in Pharmaceutical Science who takes two hours of nap occasionally, said: “The naps I take will help me re-energise my body for the next activity, but I seldom have the time to do so with the commitments I have in school.” However, while a longer nap seems intuitively more beneficial, it is not always the case; it is important to take the right kind of nap at the right time.
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NAP HELP: The longer you take your nap, the more benefits your body will get. PHOTO: KEN LU
THE POWER NAP This 10-20 minute nap is ideal for those juggling hectic schedules. Power naps help to increase alertness and are also highly versatile. Be it during lunch or after school, scheduling a power nap is never difficult. This short nap also limits Non-Rapid Eye Movement Sleep, allowing continued function without feeling groggy upon waking.
THE EXTENDED POWER NAP This 30-minute nap, in addition to the benefits provided by the power nap, aid in the recovery of immune and neuroendocrine systems. “A 30-minute nap can reverse the hormonal impact of a night of poor sleep," said sleep expert Brice Faraut. However, the extended power nap may cause sleep inertia – the feeling of grogginess that takes up to 30 minutes to subside.
THE HOUR OF POWER Also known as the slow-wave sleep, the 60-minute nap carries all aforementioned benefits while aiding cognitive processing; imperative for remembering facts and information. It would be ideal if you need to memorise an entire textbook, but The Hour of Power may also result in sleep inertia.
THE FULL CYCLE While it might be a challenge to take a complete nap in school or at work, there is no harm taking a full cycle nap during the weekends. These 90-to-120-minute naps help clear your mind, increasing creativity while boosting emotional and procedural memory. As these naps go through the cycle of waking up after Rapid Eye Movement Sleep, the sleep inertia experienced is significantly reduced.
THE REPUBLICAN POST 7
POST FEATURE
RIGHT HEADER POST FEATURE
Striking out on their own A mediapreneur, a fashion designer and an animal accessory businesswoman – these are some of the businesses RP students and alumni have started in the hope of becoming their own boss. The Republican Post’s Woon Jie Min speaks to three students and an alumni to find out why they have taken the road less travelled and decided to strike it out on their own.
A business marrying Sights set on building a her needs bigger media company
A business born froM the love for animals
From school dropout to Singapore’s largest pau distributor By Yeo Yao Qin Renald
Mr Ang He Siong has spent his life making the perfect traditional bun, but is wary about the humble product’s future in Singapore society.
up.
Who: Muhammad Nur Arif Suaini, 23 What: Founder of Predix Productions
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ext year is set to be hectic for Muhammad Nur Arif Suaini. The 23-year-old’s photography and video production company, Predix Productions, has received over 20 wedding bookings thus far – an impressive feat considering the company was formed a year ago. Arif started the company after last year’s IGNITE! Music Festival where he led a team to publicise the event. He then decided to take the risk and registered his business. “When people started paying for our services, I realised that this is just the beginning and that more will come,” said the third-year Mass Communication student. Arif faced many challenges when the company first started, especially getting clients to trust his new company. But he tapped on his close friends for help and Predix Productions soon built connections with more people and organisations. Many personal sacrifices were also involved. Arif, who is now interning at MediaCorp, reaches home late at night every day and will spend his remaining hours attending to Predix’s affairs. He sleeps around four hours a day. “No matter how hard it gets, you just have to know why you’re doing it. Then the struggles won’t matter anymore,” Arif said. Completely student-run, the company uses all its profits to pay its crew and to purchase new equipment. “I don't see a point in bringing the money home because I'm still going to use it back on Predix to make it better,” said Arif. The company recently spent $5,000 buying a new camera and lens. Besides new equipment, Arif and his crew will need to juggle filming and photographing two weddings in a day on some weekends next year. “We're not booked every weekend but (for) very heavy periods along the year,” he said. “I'm still thinking how we're going to manage two weddings in one day. But we'll figure something out. We always do.”
Who: Kerstin Ong Jing Rong, 18 What: Selling water bottles on Instagram
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he initially felt carrying a water bottle was “a burden” as it did not match her outfit. Now, Kerstin Ong Jing Rong is trying to convince her peers that bringing a water bottle around could be fashionable too. The 18-year-old started an online business to sell notebook bottles – rectangular flat-pack water bottles – in October. The business fulfils her two goals of being a national athlete and earning extra money to purchase new equipment. The online business also serves Kerstin’s hectic schedule where she has to balance studies and track and field training. “It (the online business) is less tiring than working part time and this helps me in getting more rest, compared to having the need to stand all day in a retail shop,” said the second-year Sports and Leisure Management student. Among the assortment of water bottles available in the market, Kerstin decided to sell notebook bottles as she felt the shape was unique and could be conveniently placed in bags. “I drink a lot of water,” she said. “I just thought it would be good to have a bottle which looks good.” Kerstin has experienced various challenges in her business. For example, she is worried that the retail price of $14.90 may mean that she may incur losses. There are also inventory issues – such as being saddled with unsold water bottles – to be concerned about. She works around the issue by giving the less popular water bottles to friends or customers who purchase a lot of bottles. Thus far, Kerstin has sold around 90 notebook bottles. But she hopes to expand her online business onto a larger platform so that more people can purchase her product. “There are challenges definitely, but it is manageable,” Kerstin said. “I count myself fortunate unlike other students where they need to work long hours to support their family as well, so I have nothing to complain but be thankful and grateful about what I have.”
Who: Tan Lijue, 24
What: Owner of online pet accessories shop,
Your Best Friend
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hen Ms Tan Lijue started online pet accessories shop Your Best Friend last year, many – including her parents were against the idea. “They think it is risky,” she recalled. “They say: ‘You have a degree, why not just go out and look for a job?’ But I think if I don’t do it when I’m young, next time when I’m old, people might think that why are you still doing this and you’re old already? So it’s a bit of a juggle.” Ms Tan, who graduated from Republic Polytechnic in 2011 before she went on to obtain a Bachelor in Business Management at RMIT University, had to pick up several new skills when she first started her business. The sole proprietor had to design a website, set up online payment platforms and source for products. “Nobody will spoon-feed (you) if you start your own business,” said Ms Tan. “It is all your own integrity of whether you want to do it or not. You have to push yourself to do it.” The 24-year-old said the idea of starting Your Best Friend was due to her love for animals. “When I was young, my house is more like a zoo,” she added. “I have rabbits, dogs, hamsters, fishes and tortoises. Most of the pets you name it, we might have it at home.” Ms Tan is starting to see the fruits of her labour. Your Best Friend has over 1,600 followers on Instagram and the number of visitors to the business’ website has been increasing in recent months. Ms Tan receives moral support from her sisters, whom she credits for their business advice and support. She now has her sights set on growing her business. “I hope that in the near future I will have my own office, because now I’m currently operating from home. I hope to have store front, where I can actually bring my pets to work,” said Ms Tan.
F
ifty years ago, Mr Ang He Siong had no idea what he wanted to do when he grew
Amiable and loquacious with a penchant for bursting into hearty laughter, Mr Ang is the seventh of 10 children. His parents owned a farm in a Lim Chu Kang kampong. Money was extremely tight for the family, and he was forced to drop out of the nowdefunct Ama Keng Primary School in his final year, just months shy of graduation. “Back in my time, if you weren’t studying, you went to work to support your family,” recalled Mr Ang, 57, in a mixture of Chinese and Hokkien. Unsure of his career path, he decided to accept the first job that came his way. As fate would have it, it was an apprenticeship under a master craftsman who made and sold traditional Chinese pau. The seeds of Lim Kee Food Manufacturing – the largest distributor of fresh pau in Singapore – were sown that day. Founded in 1980, the company is located in Woodlands and employs more than 60 people with an annual revenue exceeding $5 million.
‘THOUSANDS OF HOURS’ TO MASTER THE ART OF BUN-MAKING When he first started, Mr Ang – Lim Kee’s managing director – had no such notions of success. He spent years honing his skills, working diligently from sunset to sunrise to produce hundreds of pau to feed the breakfast crowd every day. Because of the nature of the business, Mr Ang’s day started when most people knocked off work and went home to their families. The hours were brutal and the work punishing. “There were no machines back then, no such thing as mass production. All you had were your hands,” said Mr Ang. It took him
“thousands of hours” to master the “seemingly simple” art of making the traditional pau. Before long, he was eager to flex his entrepreneurial muscles. Throwing caution to the wind, he started his own stall in a coffee shop with “almost non-existent human traffic” in Ang Mo Kio. It was all he could afford. The stall he rented was barely half the size of his current office in his multi-storey Woodlands factory today. Labour was a thorny issue as well. In the industry, long working hours with little rest were the norm and the nature of the business dictated that work began at midnight. “I interview people, they see the working hours and the work involved, they run,” he recalled. Despite the challenging circumstances, Mr Ang threw his heart and soul into the endeavour. In due time, he built a steady stream of regular customers and business bloomed. Even then, the labour crunch continued to be a challenge. In an industry where every product was handmade, growth was limited due to the shortage of skilled labour. Undeterred, he set about solving the problem. It wasn’t long before he found the solution. Despite his traditional training, Mr Ang was one of the pioneers of mechanisation in his industry. A pragmatic man, he was quick to realise the unparalleled efficiency and production capabilities that machines could provide. “I’m not afraid to invest – I believe that you have to make smart investments to get back a decent rateof-return, and investing in machinery at that time was a very smart investment,” he said. Mr Ang is also unconventional when it comes to dealing with salespeople. Most people tend to steer clear of them, but he welcomes them with open arms. If they can identify an area which can be improved, he “will buy
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PAU-WER: Mr Ang He Siong, the man behind Lim Kee Food Manufacturing has produced quality pau for the people for over 35 years. PHOTO: SALWA NADHIRAH
DOUBLE PROSPERITY: Lim Kee Food Manufacturing wouldn’t be where it is now without its staff and their auspicious delivery trucks. PHOTO: SALWA NADHIRAH whatever they are selling”. “Rather than avoiding them, I see it as an opportunity to make a better, more delicious pau for my customers,” he said.
WILL HAMBURGERS REPLACE THE PAU? As his business grew in recent years, the company also faced fresh challenges. For instance, rising Certificate of Entitlement premiums have meant increasing operating expenses as the company had to replace ageing delivery vehicles. Another central cog of his business is the ubiquitous metal steamers that house the buns at retail outlets. Each steamer costs thousands of dollars and the expenditure fall squarely on the company’s shoulders. With over 800 stalls to supply, the costs add up. More worryingly for Mr Ang, he sees a future where future generations may replace the humble pau in their
diet with hamburgers and coffee in paper cups. “The local pau business probably wouldn’t be sustainable 30 years from now,” he shrugged, candid about the prospect. “Imagine telling that to your grandparents 30 years ago.” When asked for the most important factor behind his success, Mr Ang replied without skipping a beat: “It definitely has to be my staff – we are like one big family and we look out for each other. Without them, we couldn’t have built Lim Kee to the brand it is today.” “I’m pretty sure that my license plate numbers have helped as well,” he added with a grin. He is referring to the fact that some of his delivery trucks and personal vehicles have the number “88” in their license plate numbers, as Mr Ang believes the number eight to be auspicious. In the Chinese language, it is a homophone for the word “prosperity”. In his case, it’s double the prosperity.
Designing his own future WHO: Joshua Lin Jie, 19
WHAT: Started
http://republicanpost.sg casual streetwear
label, BlackxUntitled
8 THE REPUBLICAN POST
THE REPUBLICAN POST 9
LEFT POSTHEADER COMMUNITY
RIGHT POST HEADER REVIEW
Is the Kendama a nuisance?
School students descending on RP to play the toy has sparked a vigorous debate on social media. The Republican Post’s Nurul Iiman Said speaks to 10 students to find out their thoughts about the trend.
HERE’S HOW IT ALL BEGAN: Local fashion and kendama retailer WoofMeow organised their first kendama meet at Haji Lane last year. Local enthusiasts met up to participate in this event, winning prizes and simply having a good time. PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
I
n a campus teeming with students dressed to impress, one group stands out from the crowd of Republic Polytechnic (RP) students. Hoards of primary and secondary school students in their uniforms have long become a common sight in RP, but what has raised eyebrows recently is the mass kendama sessions by this group.
The kendama is a traditional Japanese children’s toy made of wood which players can play tricks with. The toy has a ball connected to a string on a stick, and it takes a practiced hand to toss the ball so that it lands neatly on the spiked stick. Similar to the yoyo, the kendama can be played with a wide range of tricks and can also be found in many toy stores in Singapore.
Early this year, the wave of students descending on RP to play kendama sparked a vigorous debate among social media users. Some expressed their dislike for the toy and claimed it was a nuisance while others insisted on letting the trend be. Khalish Mudzakkir Muhleseddin, an avid kendama player, is one student who makes a regular trip to RP to play the toy. The 12-year-old from Evergreen Primary School would hop onto bus 962 after school with a group of friends and make their way to RP to utilise the open spaces. “We like going to RP because it’s air-conditioned. The background is nice to take videos of us having kendama battles so we can upload them on Instagram,” said Khalish, who is familiar with other players from Admiralty and Marsiling Secondary school. He added: “Sometimes the RP students here show that they are annoyed by us, but we just let it be and continue playing. RP is a public place what, and I don’t think that we are disturbing them.” Of the 10 RP students The Republican Post polled, all said they had no objections to the toy. But six students felt students playing kendama on RP created a nuisance on the campus. One of them, Nur Faeeza Sallehuddin, a second-year Diploma in Biotechnology student, expressed strong
views against the kendama sessions at RP. “It’s so annoying if they play in RP, especially while blasting their techno music. This is a polytechnic and they have no respect for the students here. Sometimes they even obstruct the walkways when they are in big groups and I just feel that RP should do something about this,” said the 18-year-old. Elaine Lim, a third-year Diploma in Arts and Theatre Management student, expressed a different view, even though she relies on RP’s open spaces to practice her dancing. The 19-yearold said: “I think it’s fine, it’s not really annoying because it is their choice to choose where they want to hang out and play the kendama.” As for the trend itself - which started early this year - a majority of RP students that The Republican Post interviewed felt it does have its advantages. One of them, 20-year old Muhammad Sharul Fikri, a third-year student from the Diploma in Outdoor Adventure Learning said: “ I think it’s good that there is something to make kids get of their houses to play. Nowadays, kids are always stuck to their phones and game consoles which is not how a kid should be spending their day, it’s very unhealthy. They just need to be careful and aware of their surroundings, like not playing the toy while they’re crossing the road for instance.”
HALLOWEEN in the heartlands By Nur Zalikha & Desiree Ong
For those who wanted a less scary Halloween experience, they could participate in family friendly activities such as storytelling and ‘trick or treat’. The event was organised by 80 Sembawang grassroots leaders and they took four months to plan. Ms Angeline Tan, who headed the organising committee, said ticket sales were brisk as news of the event spread among residents.
Even though there was a myriad of activities going on, residents could also indulge in a variety of creative refreshments. One of the unique creations on offer was the “eyeball soda”, which consisted of a longan wrapped around a grape thrown into a cup of soda. The drink proved to be an instant hit with long queues of children waiting eagerly to drink it.
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humble home bedsheets as a material for their outfits. For those who needed extra help, organisers set up two makeup booths so that residents could paint their faces “scary” or “cute”. Residents could walk through three haunted mazes, which were lined with skeletons and tombstones. Projectors were also used to play clips from horror movies like Mirrors and Annabelle to enhance the mood.
By Iskandar Rossali you could even go as far as 20 km in distance with it. For a machine that measures roughly about shoulder width, it weighs in at 12kg. Expect some heavy lifting if you plan on carrying it around. The mechanics is simple enough: just balance yourself on the board and apply more pressure on the direction you intend to move and it does the rest for you. This is achieved by using Intelligent Balancing Chip installed under each foot placement of the hoverboard itself.
THE DESIGN PHOTO: NUR HUMAIRA WAHAB
I
n the classic 1985 movie Back to the Future, machines that levitate above ground and were able to go at high speeds were depicted. It’s nearly the end of 2015 and we haven’t quite seen any of these flying boards yet. But a different type of hoverboard has arrived as a mode of transport. They are simply a two-wheeled, handle-less and self-balancing Segway that has been all the rage among young and old alike. The hype around the hoverboard has grown thanks to YouTube celebrities, Hollywood stars and famous athletes who have been seen using this two-wheeled machine. It won’t come as a sur-
prise that the most sought after gift for Christmas this year would be these boards. I decided to jump on the board-wagon and got a first-hand experience in trying out this twowheeled machine. Does it really live up to the hype?
THE SPECS
Out of the many brands in the market, Smart Balancing Wheel was the one I used for this review. Running on a 36V Lithium Battery, this hot rod can go up to 12 km/h. The hoverboard needs to be charged for at least two to three hours before enjoying a minimum of five hours of riding time. In fact,
WITCHING HOUR: Sembawang residents came for the Halloween event on Oct 31 dressed in a variety of costumes, with some even using their humble home bedsheets as a material for their outfits. PHOTO: DZULFIKAAR SUTANDAR
Different brands offer a variety of colours and design and there are lots to choose from. Running on two rubber wheels, its 7’ inch Magnified Slim Wheel Hub ensures a smooth ride which minimises roll angle and optimises grip. Rubber paddings are also included and are placed at the footing placement to prevent slipping off the board. Wrapped with carbon fibre, the board sure packs a punch. Its durability is amazing after endless knocks and collisions into the walls and curbs when I tried it. A fair number of LED lights are also installed in the hoverboard for the battery indicator, sensor indicator and also the head and tail lights. Be prepared for scratches on knees and elbows though .
THE RIDE
I am a board junkie and have tried all sorts - skateboard, longboard, penny board and even the waveboard. I found the hoverboard was one of the most diffi-
cult boards to manoeuvre. It took me quite some time to get the hang of it and I initially had to grab onto something in order to get my feet on both of the sensors at the same time. Even after I got used to balancing on it, I still found myself colliding into walls and skidded a few times. The hoverboard works best when it is travelling on a flat and smooth ground. Riding it on uneven roads and paths is not recommended until you are confident enough to know you won’t end up kissing the ground. As innocent as the hoverboard may look, it can be dangerous for novices. It takes a lot of time and practice to get used to the board. So practice on safe ground first.
MUST HAVE OR MISS IT?
Given its price range of between $400 and $1000, many feel the board is overpriced. After spending quite some time with it, I can see why. I did have a lot of fun riding on the motorised board and it was an interesting experience to try something totally new. However, I wouldn’t recommend it as a primary form of transportation, not even around the neighbourhood as I would stick to walking. If you’ve got spare cash, this is a great toy. But for an average consumer like me, the price tag doesn’t justify the use. If you are really eager to get one, an entry level $400 model is your best bet. All in, it is a little overrated. I’d stick to my Penny board or the good old bicycle. And wait for the future where the real hoverboard comes around.
What to expect in By Wong Mun Long, Bryan
r the Gamer Fo :
First unveiled at the Electronic Entertainment Exhibition in 2015, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End is set three years after the events of its prequel: Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception. A Thief’s End is set to be the last instalment in the critically acclaimed Uncharted series, which features Nathan Drake as the protagonist for one final time. Troy Baker returns as the voice of Nathan Drake. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End will once again be developed by award winning studio Naughty Dog – best known for their critically acclaimed works like Crash Bandicoot and The Last of Us. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End is set to be released on March 18, 2016 and will be available exclusively on the PS4.
SCARED, WHO’S SCARED? Hundreds of Sembawang residents queued up for one of three haunted mazes, showing no fear for the ‘dead’. PHOTO: DZULFIKAAR SUTANDAR ver a thousand residents recently attended Sembawang’s House of Horrors, as organisers decked out the constituency’s community club with fake corpses, spider webs and mazes in an effort aimed at making the annual event the grandest yet. Residents came for the Halloween event on Oct 31 dressed in a variety of costumes, with some even using their
Hype over the hoverboard:
the serie s For
binge-watcher:
Have you been trying ways and means to get Netflix shows so you can binge watch Daredevil? The wait will be soon over. Netflix has announced that they will be launching their Internet streaming video-on-demand (VOD) service in Singapore in early 2016. Singapore, along with Hong Kong, South Korea, and Taiwan, are the new additions to Netflix’s 2016 Southeast Asia (SEA) expansion. Although the rates have yet to be announced, Netflix prices are known to go as low as USD7.99 ($11.35) a month in the United States. Netflix has been around for more than a decade and is one of the largest Internet VOD streaming media providers in the world – streaming over 100,000 unique titles like Master of None and House of Cards. With over 69 million subscribers from over 40 countries worldwide, Singaporeans too will soon be able experience vast library of movies and shows this coming 2016.
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Also known as Task Force X, they are a group of the worst (and most well-loved) villains in comic book history, doing whatever it takes to survive. From comic, to animation, to TV series and now finally the big screen – the Suicide Squad is set to be released on August 5, 2016 and promises to be yet another comic blockbuster that fans are waiting for. With an ensemble cast consisting of big names like Will Smith (Deadshot), Jared Leto (The Joker), and Margot Robbie (Harley Quinn), the movie is one of the most highly anticipated films next year. Suicide Squad will be the upcoming work of director and writer David Ayer. He is best known for his works Street Kings, End of Watch and Fury.
THE REPUBLICAN POST 11
LEFT HEADER POST SPORTS
No shortcuts in life
Three Republicans, who scored successes at recent bodybuilding competitions, share secrets behind their training. By Fasiha Nazren
“If you would like to be fitter, do something about it”
DRIVEN AND MOTIVATED: Nothing could come in the way of Tong Fu Hong (left), 22, and Tan Kha Seng, 23, in their journey to become champions in their respective categories. PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
G
ym, eat, sleep and repeat this was the daily routine for two Republic Polytechnic (RP) students in recent months as they prepared for a national bodybuilding competition. The routine seemed monotonous, but the hard work eventually paid off for third-year Engineering students Tong Fu Hong and Tan Kha Seng at August’s Mr Singapore Bodybuilding
Championship. Fu Hong and Kha Seng emerged runner-up and second runner-up respectively in the Mr Singapore Junior 2015 category. Fu Hong, 22, also won the Juniors over-70kg title, while Kha Seng, 23, clinched the Juniors under70kg title. Kha Seng entered bodybuilding in 2013 while Fu Hong joined a year later as they sought a new challenge after
a stint on the ITE College West dragon boat team. They found the journey to success was not plain sailing. The duo trained six to seven times a week, kept a strict diet and spent little time with their families and loved ones. Kha Seng’s decision to enter bodybuilding was not wellreceived by his parents. “At first, they didn’t approve of it because they didn’t like it,” he said. “But after a while, they started to encourage me because at the end of the day, this is what I’m passionate about.” Fu Hong and Kha Seng are not the only ones passionate about bodybuilding in RP. The gyms at the sports complex are usually filled with students working out. Sometimes, staff could also be seen lifting weights. Mr Heinz Loy, a lecturer from the School of Health and Leisure, is a recent entrant in the bodybuilding scene. The 33-year-old, however, has built an impressive resume. In August, he was crowned the champion for Singapore Fitness Model Search (SFMS) 2015 Sports Model as well as second runner-up for both SFMS 2015 Sports Model overall and Asia Fitness Model Search 2015. A gym goer since his army days, Mr Loy began to take bodybuilding seriously when he and his best friend
made a pact. He promised his friend that he would compete in a bodybuilding competition if she participated in a local mixed martial arts competition. An agreement between friends soon turned into a passion for Mr Loy. All three men are strongly against doping in their sport. Instead, they felt bodybuilding has taught them several lessons about hard work and sacrifice. “Muscles don’t grow overnight. Bodybuilding teaches us that there’s no shortcuts in life,” said Fu Hong. As they spend long hours on campus, all three bodybuilders usually prepare meals at home, such as steamed tilapia and chicken breasts, to bring to school. But they also rely on canteen food to supplement their needs. Mr Loy, for example, is a regular at the South and Lawn canteens. “The kind aunties at Koufu know my diet – four eggs and 1 kopi-o kosong. I also frequent the salad stall at Lawn canteen,” he added. All three bodybuilders shared a similar tip to those who are planning to start a healthier lifestyle – develop a positive mindset. “If you would like to be fitter, do something about it and not fantasise or look at others with envy,” said Mr Loy. “Start off with something small such as using the stairs to your classroom or office. As long as you are doing something, you have taken the first step.”
Quirky games create new experiences, cult following By Chiew Teng
PHOTO CREDIT: RVBSPORTS.COM
F
ancy playing football in an inflatable orb or a volleyball and football-esque game on an inflatable court? These ideas would have sounded ridiculous a decade ago but they have become a reality here and the games have attracted a following among some. Bubble soccer or zorb football is one example. This game, which originated in 2011 in Norway, appeared in Singapore around a year ago in April 2014. The game is essentially football with a twist – you have to be in an inflated orb, also known as a zorb, but the rules to the game vary depending on where you play. It is also safe for young children as the zorb is designed to absorb heavy impact well.
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Bossaball, which has volleyball and football elements, has a longer history here. The game, which is played on an inflatable court with trampolines on both sides of a net set in the middle, was introduced here by Bossaball Singapore in 2007. The game originated in Spain and was conceptualised by Belgian Filip Eyckmans in 2004. Due to the rising popularity of both games, some organisations are using them to reach out to youths here. The ACE Football League, which was started by the Student Care Services in 2011, has organised bubble soccer and bossaball games for youths. Miss Soh Xiaohan, a social worker who also manages a team, said the league was organised to allow students to learn about new games. The games also served as good bonding activities, the 26-yearold added. “As the above sport is something new for everyone, it is less competitive and helps create positive common experiences for all,” she said. Shafiq Rosli, a participant in the league, agreed. The first-year Human Resource Management with Psychology student at Republic Polytechnic said he was excited when he first heard they were going to play bubble soccer and bossaball as very little Singaporeans have played the games. The 18-year-old said: “It’s very different from football as it requires a different skill set. It was also very tiring but I had loads of fun. If given the chance, I would definitely play again.”
BUBBLE SOCCER WOW Experience 1 Pemimpin Drive #03-02 Phone: 6779 1031 http://wowexperience.sg/bloop
WHERE TO
BOSSABALL Bossaball Singapore 10 Raeburn Park #02-08 Phone: 6100 6292 http://www.bossaball.com.sg
PLAY
PHOTO CREDIT: NEWSPOTATO.WORDPRESS.COM