ISSUE 66 January 17 - 23, 2014
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ISSUE 66 January 17 - 23, 2014
foodmania
a Galloping good TIME SEE OUR SPECIAL LUNAR NEW YEAR PULLOUT
E N T E R T AINM E N T
JAZz & FANTASY
t r av e l at i o n
COLOURS OF CAMBODIA
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WEEKENDER
FUN-TO-DO
IDEAS
Intricacy Exhibition @ Nikei Fine Art 19 Jan, 2pm; 20 Jan - 30 Mar, 11am Bask in the vibrant art displays of three amazing young and emerging female artists all the way from Japan - Nieda, Kaori and Maiko, who present paintings that depict the various intricacies of their respective crafts. Nikei Fine Art, #01-34 Raffles Hotel Arcade, Raffles Hotel, 328 North Bridge Rd
Coming Soon Mark your calendars for these events happening in three to four weeks
What consumes you?
Rob Zombie will be rocking Singapore
Singapore Rock Festival 5 & 6 Mar, 6.30pm, $118 (early bird), $128, $148, $198 (both nights) Rock out at the very first Singapore Rock Festival as six of the hardest and heaviest rock bands join forces for two nights, featuring the likes of Korn, Rob Zombie, Black Veil Brides and more! Tickets available at Sistic. Fort Canning Park, 70 River Valley Road, www.sistic.com.sg
now on Check out these events over the next two weeks Beautiful paintings adorn Art Stage
Art Stage Singapore 2014 16 - 19 Jan Art Stage Singapore’s fourth edition introduces eight country and regional platforms that offer an immersive and comprehensive experience of contemporary Asian art for visitors to the fair. With its new fair format, expect a strong showing of new and returning galleries and a comprehensive outreach and art education programme. Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue
Art in Motion
Art in Motion 10 Jan - 22 Feb, various locations Debuting at Singapore Art Week, this oneof-a-kind art event offers a discovery of our island’s premier art galleries. Art in Motion presents a multi-venue arts and cultural experience, complemented by a week of special pop-up installations and events to engage all art enthusiasts. Visit the website for more details. www.agas.org.sg
Sobe Soya Milk Giveaway on Jan 23
Fly on Valentine’s
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: Which Red Panda is fuzzier? BY GUINEVERE SOFER Here are two photos of the same Red Panda. Both photos were taken with the zoom function, one from a Canon G15 and the other from a leading handphone camera. Which is the better photo? And why?
See Page 14 for ANSWERS.
WEEKENDER www.facebook.com/weekendersgp www.weekender.com.sg
Editorial Director Frank Young
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Editor Lester J Wan Writer Cheryl Chia Junior Writer Brandon Era
Senior Designer David Tiang Designer Zoe Lai Distribution Lawrence Tan Coordinator Syarila Zainal Advisor James Yip
Sales Seth Leow
Steve Lye
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Cheryl Lim Redzwan Mohamed Mohd Asri GETTING HARD COPIES:
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Don’t forget to be at Somerset MRT next Thursday, Jan 23, from 5pm-7pm, to enjoy a free 1-litre pack of Sobe Soya Milk!
Sobe Giveaway at Somerset MRT For one day only, Sobe will be giving out 1,000 packs of Sobe Soya Milk 1L. Simply head down to Somerset MRT on next
Thursday, Jan 23, from 5-7pm and grab a pack, while stocks last! If you don’t manage to grab one for free, you can always head to the nearest supermarket or hypermarket and get one. Sobe is releasing three new designs of its Soya Milk packs, to prepare for Valentine’s Day.
iFly Singapore - Love is in the Air 26 Jan - 16 Feb Celebrate Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year with iFly as first time flyers get more than 30 per cent off the usual price to experience indoor skydiving. Valentine romantics will get the unique opportunity to see water droplets suspended within the wind tunnel, before taking turns to encounter an exhilarating free fall experience. iFly Singapore, 43 Siloso Beach Walk, Sentosa Island, www.iflysingapore.com
Sales Director David Phey
Sobe is giving away 1,000 packs of Sobe soya milk 1L. Don’t miss out! Sobe was the first fresh pasteurised soya milk to be introduced to Singaporeans, and locals have been delighted with its rich and delicious taste. A favourite with the young and old, the humble soya bean is considered one of Nature’s healthiest gifts. Sobe Soya Milk comes in three different variants, Original, Trim and Unsweetened.
Grease @ MasterCard Theatres From 25 Apr, Tue - Fri, 8pm; Sat, 2pm & 8pm; Sun, 1pm & 5.30pm, from $60 The new multi-million dollar musical Grease will blaze into town, direct from London’s West End. This rockin musical production is packed with explosive energy and features a spectacular international cast, super-slick dance moves, dazzling costumes and all those unforgettable songs from the hit movie. Get your tickets at www.marinabaysands.com/ ticketing or call 6688 8826. MasterCard Theatres, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue
Noise Singapore – Recognise your cultural heroes Until 30 Jan Celebrate the contributions of our cultural heroes and recognise the potential of emerging artistic talents! Find out how you can nominate deserving individuals for Singapore’s highest award for arts practitioners at the website. www.nac.gov.sg/cultural-leadership
NUS Arts Festival 2014 - Consumed 14 - 29 Mar, Various timings and prices This year’s NUS Arts Festival offers food for thought about what we consume and what consumes us. Expect a diverse spread of offerings, exploring our favourite preoccupations from shopping and eating, to deeper searches into the nature of human motivation. Tickets from Sistic. University Cultural Centre, 50 Kent Ridge Crescent, www.nusartsfestival.com
Zouk x DJ Mag present Osunlade with DJ Mag Allstars and Jeremy Boon 17 Jan, 10pm, $25 - $32 (inclusive of two drinks) Widely dubbed as the “messiah of house music”, American DJ Osunlade will transform Velvet Underground with his special brand of soulful house at Zouk. Party the night away with friends to celebrate the end of the week. Velvet Underground, 17 Jiak Kim Street, www.zoukclub.com
Noise Singapore
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JANUARY 17 - 23, 2014
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JANUARY 17 - 23, 2014
POWER 9 8 SPORTS One wonders how long it will be before David Moyes is sacked. According to Elliott Danker, we might need some sympathy for the Devil
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ou can’t help but pity David Moyes. The pressure of being handpicked by Sir Alex Ferguson to steer Manchester United into the future has gotten to him. At the rate things are going, you can’t help but wonder how long it will take before he cracks. Well, it might not be entirely his fault. Sir Alex has to shoulder part of the blame too. If you think about it, the main problem in the past few seasons has been that midfield engine room. Fergie never really did replace the old axis of Paul Scholes and Roy Keane. Scholes had to come back from retirement to help United to its 20th League title, and that says a lot. Now, Moyes has discovered that Fergie’s Man United
Should Moyes go?
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for the Devil has passed its sell-by date. Just look at the squad – it’s aging in the areas such as in defence, which has been the main Achilles heel this season. Leaky Defence While Patrice Evra has contributed in assists and goals this season, he has been found wanting at the back. His inability to track back and to cut out crosses fast enough has led to either Nemenja Vidic or Johnny Evans having to cover the ground of an exposed backline. Many teams have discovered this weakness, and have continuously attacked Evra down the flank. I’m surprised that nothing has been done about this. Let’s not forget Rio Ferdinand, who can hardly get a game these days. He’s 35, not as pacey as he used to be, injury prone and probably should call time on top flight football.
Midfield Muddle Then, we have the midfield problem of a big hole. Bringing in Marouane Fellaini for £27.5 million on the final day of the transfer window back in September was not the solution to any of United’s problems. The Belgian has struggled to make an impression and has so far not offered any evidence of replicating the form he had with Everton. Paul Scholes has retired again and Ryan Giggs is left playing at 40, the last of the Class of ’92. If you’re still reliant on a player who is past his prime, then you’ve got a serious problem. Don’t get me wrong, I love Giggs. But he should be guiding the younger players off the pitch and not on it. Tom Cleverly and Anderson are not up to standard, and the misuse of Shinji Kagawa is just criminal. Unconvincing Attack? Danny Welbeck has been a
David Moyes – The record breaker. This season has seen a few records broken or destroyed by him: 1. Everton’s first win at Old Trafford after 21 years 2. Newcastle United’s first win at Old Trafford after 41 years 3. West Bromwich’s first win at Old Trafford after 35 years 4. Man United’s worst start after six games since 1989/1990 season 5. Swansea’s first-ever win at Old Trafford.
Playmaker Hazard’s role will be pivotal to the outcome of the match
bright spark. Though he still has some way to go, he has been reliable this season. It appears Robin van Persie is starting to revert to his injury-prone ways, while Chicharito loves having the ball looped over him and played to his feet – a style that might not work with Moyes’ high-intensity game, where everyone needs to be involved and constantly moving. Then, we have the curious case of Wayne Rooney. He has been brilliant this season – in fact, almost a one man team at times. While he seems to be enjoying life under Moyes, he’s stalling over a new contract. What’s his play here? So, you see, the cracks were already there even before Moyes took over. Perhaps Sir Alex was much better at motivating his players, so much so that they practically willed themselves to their 20th English Premier League title. A club of Manchester United’s stature cannot afford not to win anything for too long, even though that might have to be the case for a while. I believe they will get over it eventually. Catch Elliot Danker on weekdays, from 10am to 2pm, on Power 98FM.
By Brandon Era
Mourinho’s Stellar Record The statistics tell an interesting story. Since Mourinho took over the reins at Stamford Bridge in his
first stint at Chelsea, Chelsea have only ever lost to the Red Devils once. In his three years in charge of the Blues, from 2004 to 2007, Mourinho has maintained quite a strong record at home against the Red Devils, securing three wins out of the four matches played at home in the league during those years. It’s also interesting to note that in his first stint as Chelsea Manager before moving to Inter Milan, he had not lost against Manchester
United at Stamford Bridge, in the FA Cup, the then termed Carling Cup and the English Premier League itself. An under fire and heavily criticised David Moyes will have his work cut out for him this Sunday. We take a look at how the players match up. Head to Head To be honest, none of the strikers in both teams are coming remotely close to the form that Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is currently in. The Uruguayan
international has a staggering 22 goals to his name in just 16 appearances, despite serving a long ban due to a moment of madness – biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic on the arm. The current top scorer for troubled Manchester United is the talismanic Wayne Rooney, with nine goals to his name – the same amount that Chelsea’s top scorer, Eden Hazard, has. One thing Chelsea has to address is the serious lack of firepower up front. If your top
Time for the old guard to be replaced?
ABOUT ELLIOT DANKER DJ Elliott Danker is an avid football fan, and the host of The Sporting Life and Lunch on Power 98.
Left photo: mooinblack Right photo: Pal2iyawit Photos from Shutterstock.com
compared to the woes the team has been facing at the hallowed ground of Old Trafford. Moyes’ men have won six out of their ten away games, while losing two and drawing two. In comparison, United has only won five out of 11 home games, having drawn two and losing a worrying four times midway through the season.
Manchester United will once again be looking to youngster Januzaj for inspiration.
It’s a clash between red and blue as top clubs Chelsea and Manchester United go head to head, amid transfer rumours. Who will triumph?
It promises to be a hell of a slugfest. One of the classic match-ups in recent times, Chelsea taking on Manchester United could prove to be either a test of Mourinho’s trophy aspirations or a reassurance to critics and disillusioned fans of Manchester United.
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Sympathy
FACT BOX
The Blues for the Red Devils?
sports
scorer is not a centre forward of sorts, you know your team is lacking the bite and grit up front. (Of course, there are exceptions such as Cristiano Ronaldo.) Nonetheless, the current home and away records of the two teams are rather interesting as well. The Blues remain unbeaten at home, having won nine out of ten home games this season, and having drawn only one. Manchester United, surprisingly, have a far superior away record as
Rumour Mongering If that’s not enough to chew on, how about the fact that Chelsea are also interested in buying Wayne Rooney in this January transfer window? Of course, it’s all speculation and nothing is quite concrete. However, if that move materialises, where would that leave the Red Devils? If Rooney were to be out of the picture, with a notso-surprisingly injured van Persie and with Hernandez also rumoured to be opting out to find more first-team football, the fans might truly have something to fear. Is Manchester United going the way of Leeds and Nottingham a possibility? For football’s sake, I pray we won’t see another titan fall. Photos: mooinblack/Shutterstock.com
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weekender.com.sg personification of this tune, making this another classic touch by Michel Gondry, famed for using literal personifications to communicate the setting of the film.
MO V I E P R E V I E W
One of the many quirky scenes in the film
effects and fantasy that only Gondry can create.
incredibly lonely with no one to care for and no one to love after his best friend, Chick (played by Gad Elmaleh of Priceless and Midnight in Paris), breaks the news to him that he has fallen in love. While attending a party with Chick and his lawyer, Nicolas (Omar Sy of The Intouchables), Colin meets the stunningly beautiful Chloe, played by the effervescent Audrey Tautou (of Amelie and Coco Before Chanel). Despite all of Colin’s insecurities and quirks, Chloe quickly falls in love with him and they get married; a seemingly blissful end to a picture-perfect encounter.
Happily Ever After? Romain Duris (of The Spanish Apartment trilogy including the recent instalment, Chinese Puzzle) is a French actor who plays the leading role of Colin, a wealthy and idealistic young inventor, who invents a cocktail-mixing piano, a “pianocktail”. [Classic Gondry] Colin decides that he is
In the Name of Love Not long after the marriage begins, Chloe falls prey to a very unusual illness, which Colin vows to fight – even if it costs him everything that he owns in life. Their idyllic marriage is turned on its head when Chloe discovers that she has a water lily growing in her
An atypical love blossoms between Colin and Chloe
Mood Indigo:
A phantasmagoria of jazz, tragedy & fantasy Michel Gondry’s new film ventures into melancholy and returns to his adventurous styling of fantasy and drama
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t may seem incredible to some that despair and hope can co-exist in a romance, but Michel Gondry’s latest film does exactly that to great acclaim. All too many rom-coms (romantic comedies) use a similar mould but Mood Indigo takes you on the whirlwind reality of a relationship and all the perks, quirkiness and trouble it brings, alongside the magical
T E L E V ISION
Hawaii Five-O: New take on the classic still excites
lung. In order to make ends meet, Colin goes on a series of increasingly ridiculous and absurd jobs to earn enough for her treatment. While all this is happening, their apartment begins to disintegrate, including their friendship with Nicolas and Chick. The Origins of the Story The French title for the film is L’Ecume des Jours, adapted from renowned author Boris Vian’s novel of the post-war, jazz-loving and pipe-smoking epoch of a fantastical Paris. The novel itself was actually inspired by a jazz arrangement done by Duke Ellington entitled “Mood Indigo”, which was lauded during its 1930 release for having an “upside down” arrangement where muted instruments played at an opposite pitch of what they were supposed to. The intricacies of this arrangement seem to be incarnate in Chloe, who appears to be the
A Connection of Livelihoods “Mood Indigo”, the Duke Ellington tune, is a perfect fit for the mood and setting of the film, which utilises all of the masterful creations that Gondry conceptualises so well – a rom-com coupled with a descent into mild madness and a dreamy bizarreness. The film gives us a whiff of science fiction and phantasmagoria that only Gondry can deliver, with literal interpretations of the feelings we endure when we’re in relationships. Critics and movie-goers have also heaped praises on this production, calling it Gondry’s most accomplished and powerful film in almost a decade. Like it or not, it’s a film not to be missed.
Mood Indigo [PG] Director: Michel Gondry Starring: Romain Duris, Audrey Tautou, Omar Sy and Gad Elmaleh Genre: Drama, Fantasy Run Length: 125 min Release: Jan 23
What action and conspiracies will the team face next?
The new season of Hawaii Five-O is chockfull of drama, action and romance as Steve McGarrett and his team continue to make waves in Hawaii Daniel Dae Kim from “Lost” is Chin Ho Kelly
first appeared in the original series and crosses paths with McGarrett. In the second episode, titled “Fish Out of Water”, or “A’ ale Ma’a Wau” in Hawaiian, a Five-O murder investigation leads the team to help a Texas Ranger who comes to the island to find his missing daughter. Meanwhile, Kono and Adam are fighting to stay alive after their secret hideout in Hong Kong has been compromised.
Alex O’Loughlin is a modern, sexier McGarrett
Contrary to the sun, sand and sea that you think of when you think “Hawaii”, the revamped all-time favourite series “Hawaii Five-O” captures the darker side of the sunny getaway. This contemporary take on the classic 1960s series follows the new elite federalised task force on their mission to wipe out the crime that washes up on the sun-drenched beaches of Hawaii. Stunning beaches, babes and action sequences will promise to keep your eyes
glued to the screen. Resolving the Cliff Hanger In the season finale of the previous season, viewers were treated to a nailbiting end to the series as protagonist Steve McGarrett, played by Alex O’Loughlin, was trapped in a maximum security detainment facility by unknown assailants. He manages to escape, only to find himself entangled in more trouble. Gunmen from a terrorist organisation,
led by Henry Ian Cusick of “Lost” fame, storm the Five-O headquarters, compromising Kono (Grace Park, who also starred in “Battlestar Galactica”) and Adam’s (Ian Anthony Dale) secret location in Hong Kong. With Catherine Rollins (Michelle Borth from “The Forgotten”) kidnapped by the gunmen, McGarrett is forced into breaking the law and turning on his own in order to find her. Chi McBride guest stars as SWAT Captain Lou Grover, a character that
An Assortment of Stars In this latest season of “Hawaii Five-O”, the show sees regular guest stars appearing in the series, adding a fresh look to the widely popular series. You’ll see Tim Daly (“The Sopranos”) take on the role of a tough Texas Ranger as he looks for his missing daughter. Jorge Garcia, of “Lost” fame, also appears in one of the episodes, as a conspiracy theorist helping the task force to locate a missing artefact when they realise it is the key to solving a double murder. Even Nick Jonas, of the Jonas Brothers, guest stars
as a young computer hacker that McGarrett and Grover are hunting. This season promises to be as explosive and exciting as the previous three. Subtle Similarities The current “Hawaii Five-O”, largely a re-imagination of the original TV series that was such a hit, shares few similarities with the original. Steve McGarrett’s famous line, “Book ‘em, Danno”, first gained traction in the original series and occasionally continues in the new edition. This series is not a continuation of the older one starring Jack Lord as McGarrett, but rather an adaptation of the original. The catchy and iconic theme music from the original series still survives, and the latest season of the sexier and more action-packed Hawaii Five-O continues to excite viewers. Catch Hawaii Five-O Season 4 starting Jan 20, every Monday, 10pm, on AXN & AXN HD, StarHub TV Ch 511.
“With Catherine Rollins kidnapped by the gunmen, McGarrett is forced into breaking the law and turning on his own to find her.”
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MO V I E P R E V I E W
How I Live Now:
Love will find a way Saoirse Ronan is known for playing unusual roles
Based on an adaptation of the award-winning book of the same title, the story tells of young love, courage and finding the way home
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t’s a love that’s not common, but still a type of love nonetheless. In this adaptation of Meg Rosoff’s book, How I Live Now spins a tale of love, loss and the long way home. A Troubled Teen American teenager Daisy, played by Saoirse Ronan (of Atonement and Hanna fame), has attitude to burn.
Daisy’s mother passed away during her birth and, with too much tension in her adolescent years, her father sends her away for the summer to live with her aunt and cousins in the English countryside. With adverse feelings to the change in her environment, Daisy refuses to warm to her new pastoral surroundings and the three cousins she’s meeting for the first time – 17-year-old Eddie (George Mackay), 14-year-old Isaac (Tom Holland) and eight-year-old Piper (Harley Bird).
more primal instinct starting to stir deep within her whenever she looks at Eddie, and finds herself falling madly in love with him.
The Enchanting Countryside Despite the dilapidated and forlorn look of the farm that by all appearance looks to be crumbling around them, Brackendale is indeed an enchanting place. Meanwhile, the cousins’ mother is (Anna Chancellor, of BBC series “Pride and Prejudice”) engrossed in her role as a peace negotiator to the deteriorating relationships between the countries of the world. In her absence, Daisy and her cousins have the run of the romantic bohemian idyll to themselves along with their friend Joe, played by Danny McEvoy. As the hard and rebellious shell around Daisy starts to thaw, she finds a
Rebel Through & Through Before the filming of the show started, Saoirse Ronan didn’t read Rosoff’s novel, unlike Holland and MacKay. She decided to wait until afterwards, upon Academy Awardwinning director Kevin Macdonald’s advice. “That’s what I prefer to do anyway, because a screenplay will always be different; it’s someone else’s take on the story and I’m interested to see how the book compares, but the script is amazing,” said Ronan. This movie comes at a great time
An Untold Love With their feelings quickly developing for each other, they find themselves in a situation threatening to tear their newfound, albeit taboo, love apart with the outbreak of a 21st Century World War, leaving them isolated and forcing them to fend for themselves. When the cousins are violently separated, Daisy embarks on a terrifying journey in order to reunite with the boy she loves. He is never far from her mind but, as her journey to find him reaches desperation, the idea of what she may or may not find consumes her consciousness and haunts her soul. The power of young love and the bond it forms grants her the courage to keep on pressing forward, although unsure of the fate that lies ahead.
for Ronan as well, as she was looking for a role in which she could play someone who was just a normal teenager, having played a number of complex or unusual roles already. She went on to add, “It was perfect that she (Daisy) came along at that time because it was just what I needed, and I loved playing Daisy so much.”
How I Live Now [M18] Director: Kevin Macdonald Starring: Saoirse Ronan, George MacKay, Tom Holland and Harley Bird Genre: Action/Thriller Run Length: 101 min Release: Jan 23
The advent of a 21st Century World War threatens to isolate them and force them to fend for themselves
True Detective: Hunting a killer
T E L E V ISION
Catching a killer is not easy, and may span many years, as depicted in this drama series
Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey play the detectives on the hunt
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rue Detective follows two Louisiana detectives, Rust Cohle and Martin Hart, as their lives collide whilst on a 17-year hunt for a killer. Cohle and Hart are portrayed by Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, respectively. The investigation of a bizarre murder in 1995 is framed and interlaced with the testimony and story of the detectives in 2012, when the case is reopened. Blast from the Past Detectives Hart and Cohle, partners in Louisiana’s Criminal Investigation Division, are assigned to a macabre murder by a killer with disturbing occult leanings. As they attempt to uncover the secrets of this bizarre crime, their own lives collide and intertwine in unexpected, sometimes catastrophic ways. When a similar case leads to an investigation of the original 1995 murder by two new
Michelle Monaghan stars as Hart’s wife
detectives, Hart and Cohle separately tell the story of both the investigation and their lives, including why Cohle left the CID in 2002. Alternating between 1995, 2002 and 2012, all eight episodes were written by series creator and novelist Nic Pizzolatto, and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga (of Jane Eyre), who executive produced along with Scott Stephens, Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson and Steve Golin. Opposites Attract At first glance, Martin Hart and Rust Cohle couldn’t be more different. Hart, a native Louisianan, is an outgoing family man with two kids, whose marriage is buckling under the stress of the job. Cohle, a former undercover narcotics detective from Texas, embraces isolation, articulating a pessimistic, even bleak, world view. But they share an obsession with justice and a facility for violence that will inflict
irreparable damage on both men. This eight-episode anthology series also stars Michelle Monaghan as Hart’s wife, Maggie, who struggles to keep her family together as the men in her life become locked in a cycle of violence and obsession. Also featured are Kevin Dunn as Major Quesada, Hart and Cohle’s boss; Tory Kittles and Michael Potts as detectives Papania and Gilbough, in charge of the 2012 investigation; Elizabeth Reaser as Laurie; Shea Whigham as revivalist Joel Theriot; Clarke Peters as a rural minister; Jay O Sanders as Billy Lee Tuttle; and Lili Simmons as Beth, a prostitute. The Murders Continue The first victim of the killer 17 years earlier is prostitute Dora Lange. The detectives give their statement as they look back on the occult signs and details of the crime. Under pressure to land a suspect in the Lange murder, Major Quesada warns Hart and
Cohle that they might be replaced by three detectives from a new task force. The pair lobby for extra time to follow up on a lead that takes them from a rural cathouse to an incinerated church. A hidden image at the burnt out church leads them to Joel Theriot, a tent-revival minister whose parishioners finger a scarred “tall man” seen with Dora Lange. Brought in for interrogation, a sex offender matching the description is quickly dismissed by Cohle, despite offering a confession. Watch to see how this mystery-thriller unfolds. True Detective premieres in Asia this Sunday, Jan 19, at 9pm, on HBO & HBO HD, StarHub TV Ch 601.
“...Their Own Lives Collide and intertwine in unexpected and sometimes catastrophic ways.”
weekender.com.sg
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CNY fashion
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Fashion for the festivities Here are a few suggestions in searching for your outfit for the New Year
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4. T.M. Lewin Show up in style with these new machine-washable Merino wool trousers from T.M. Lewin. These wool rich flat front trousers are cut on the Sackville slim fit block and feature a curtain waistband so that it sits better on your waist. The French bearer and double hook and bar fastenings help to maintain a cleaner look as well. 5. Triumph For a sexy twist to the New Year, don this Aqua Corset from Triumph as your outer wear. The corset comes with the unique Aqua padding for a boost and a natural bounce. Use them again for Valentine’s Day for more bang for your buck.
Incorporating modern elements such as the fit and flare into cheongsams, it also features jacquard, lace and oversized oriental bloom prints for a touch of Spring.
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eeping with the Lunar New Year tradition of shopping for new clothes, here are a few suggestions you can look at if you have not already bought your clothes for visiting. Don’t wear the same clothes you wore last year, or even the year before. Worst of all, don’t let your family and friends think you have a shabby sense of dressing. Even if you don’t celebrate the Lunar New Year, this season is always a good excuse to shop for new clothes. 1. Erza For fashion-forward yet traditional women, try Erza’s Lunar New Year collection from Zalora.sg.
2. Pandora Enliven your Lunar New Year ensemble with Pandora’s festive jewellery. Its signature charm bracelets get a touch of chinoiserie with accessories in royal red with accents such as ingot and money bag charms. 3. Shanghai Tang Shanghai Tang debuts its new Spring/Summer 2014 collection. Men can incorporate a lightweight linen jacket with a short Mandarin collar into their wardrobe this New Year. Women can update their wardrobe with outfits with jade accents. This is perfect for looking festive yet not overdone.
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CNY Events
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Year. Navigate your way through five-foot ways and restored colonial shop houses as you take in the stunning sights of Chinese New Year decorations and the sounds, lights and ambience of the Festive Street Bazaar. Kreta Ayer Road, Sago Street, Pagoda Street and New Bridge Road, chinatownfestivals.sg
CHINESE NEW YEAR 2014 Chinatown Wishing Tree 7 Jan – 14 Feb, 11am – 9pm Inspired by the renowned ancient banyan tree in Lam Tsuen in Hong Kong to which people travel to during Chinese New Year to leave their special wishes, a lucky banyan tree is installed at Chinatown Point where you can try throwing Mandarin oranges tied to your wishes onto it. If they stay on the tree, it is said that your wishes will come true! Buy a Mandarin orange wishing charm for $2 to toss it onto the tree. All proceeds will be donated to the Kreta Ayer Seniors Activity Centre. Chinatown Point, 133 New Bridge Road, www.chinatownpoint.com.sg
Festive goodies are available at the bazaar at Chinatown
Festive Street Bazaar @ Chinatown 10–30 Jan Feast on mouth-watering New Year delicacies, enjoy the brilliant lights and decorations of the stalls and shop for the many New Year traditional goodies from cookies, decorative items, waxed duck and preserved fruits to potted plants and clothings at Chinatown as you prepare to usher in the Year of the Horse. Pagoda Street, Smith Street, Sago Street, Temple Street and Trengganu Street
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Joy Blossoms @ AMK Hub 10 Jan – 16 Feb, various timings AMK Hub is all set to usher in the auspicious Year of the Horse, with goodies, amazing holiday getaways and fabulous giveaways in store, as well as a series of exhilarating roving performances. In addition, 12 larger-than-life zodiac animals will make an appearance at the main entrance to welcome shoppers and get them into the festive spirit. Visit the website for more details. AMK Hub, 53 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3, www.amkhub.com.sg
77th International Lion Dance Competition
Great Fortune Zodiac Display 10 Jan - 16 Feb Snap a photo with the lighted displays of the twelve Zodiacs at City Green (Outdoor Park). While you’re at it, learn more about each Zodiac sign and take a peek at your fortune forecast for the year ahead. City Square Mall, 180 Kitchener Rd, #01-06, www.citysquaremall.com.sg
Why not have a Mass Reunion Dinner?
Mass Reunion Dinner 26 Jan, 7pm – 10pm Some 1,000 underprivileged families and elderly from Chinatown will be off to a healthy and joyous start in the Year of the Horse. Supported by Select Group and Singapore Flyer, the Mass Reunion Dinner, a community initiative organized by Kreta Ayer, Kim Seng Citizens Consultative Committee will enable the guests to enjoy a warm and healthy dinner
7th International Lion Dance Competition 18 & 19 Jan, 6pm–11pm, $10 (one day), $15 (both days) From the rhythmic beat of the drums to the jaw-dropping stunts, there’s just something about the lion dance that evokes a sense of awe and majesty. Steeped in tradition and culture, the lion dance has gained popularity across the globe over the years and is now an internationally-recognised sport. Open field at Banda Street, call 6222 3597 to book your tickets today and celebrate the Lunar New Year festivities as one big family in the community. Open field next to Banda Street, chinatownfestivals.sg FREE! Sentosa Celebrates Chinese New Year 2014 31 Jan – 2 Feb, 11am-9.30pm Celebrate Chinese heritage and culture on Sentosa this Chinese New Year with two renowned performing troupes from China – Zhengzhou Star Acrobatics Troupe and Baoding Flowers Lion Dance Team, as they perform traditional acrobatics and Northern lion dance routines. Have fun for the whole family this Chinese New Year at Sentosa. Sentosa, Merlion Plaza to Beach Station, www.sentosa.com.sg Chinatown Chinese New Year Walking Trail 2014 12–26 Jan For the first time, heritage walking tours will be conducted at Singapore’s best-kept Chinese enclave – Chinatown, during Chinese New
Chinese New Year’s Eve Party @ Chinatown 30 Jan, 9.30pm – 12.30am Usher in the Year of Horse with live performances and an exciting countdown celebration with MediaCorp artistes in the heart of Chinatown. There will be a medley of festive songs, skits and interactive games as the countdown party culminates with popping firecrackers and a spectacular display of fireworks. New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street, chinatownfestivals.sg Yuan Xiao Party 9 Feb, 6.30pm – 10pm Festivities culminate on the 15th day of the Chinese New Year, which marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations. It is also the Chinese Valentine’s Day for couples. Enjoy local and overseas performances and highlights of the Chingay Parade Singapore as the floats and performers make an appearance at Chinatown. New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street, chinatownfestivals.sg
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WORD OF MOUTH Seen and heard of the best of local Singaporean Food
JANUARY 17 - 23, 2014
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CNY HOME / FOODMANIA
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How to dress up your house for the
Lunar New Year Apart from dressing up to go visiting, you would also need to decorate your house to usher in the Lunar New Year. Here’s how
As the Lunar New Year rolls around, the traditional crowdpleaser of bak kwa once again comes to the fore. This sweet, glazed and barbecued pork jerky is a slice of caramelised and smoky tasting meat unlike the tough and chewy Western jerky. Here are a few places to get your supply. Be prepared to queue as the New Year draws closer though. Lim Chee Guan Bak Kwa This stall sees snaking queues each year during the Chinese New Year season. This shop has been around since 1939 and is currently located at Chinatown. The meat is sweet and chewy enough. Lim Chee Guan can be considered one of the more popular options. 203 New Bridge Road, Singapore 059429 Kim Hwa Guan This one is not as well known as the other brands. The bak kwa from this place is sliced thinly and the smoky scent from the grill permeates the meat better. Kim Hwa Guan is located at People’s Park Food Centre. 32 New Market Road, #01-1022, Singapore 050032
Put Old Ang Pow Packets To Use You have to realise that ang pow or red packets that have a particular zodiac animal printed on them have an expiration date. You won’t be able to use them for another 12 years if you don’t finish them. Still, you can put these to good use by creating paper lanterns or wall decorations to add a touch of festivity to your home. Moreover, making these lanterns or decorations can be a good family project to do with your kids.
Change Your Cushion Covers Without having to go overboard, change your cushion covers into something more colourful and lively-looking. Aesthetically, it is probably better that you have dual-coloured cushions. For example, red on one side and black on the other. Alternate the cushions with one another in order to break up the monotony and to mute the red.
Add Some Life If you are fans of (real) plants in the home, try bringing home a bunch of pussy-willows. These are a smaller species of the willow plant, which reveal furry catkins when the shelling is pulled off, or falls off. These are the earliest indicators or signs of Spring, which is perfect for the Lunar New Year.
Add Some Flower Power Get an assortment of flowers such as cherry blossoms, yellow sunflowers or even violets to brighten up your home. If you use artificial flowers, after the Lunar New Year season is over you can store the cherry blossoms away and leave the less Asian-looking flowers out for a quick ‘make-under’.
Basted Barbecued Bak Kwa
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f you still have your Christmas tree up from the December holidays, it’s about time to take it down. The Lunar New Year is almost upon us, and you would have to quickly put up the relevant decorations if you and your family celebrate this auspicious season. Here are a few tips and ideas that you can try.
Chinese New Year
Salt Crusted Fish
Fusion
Fragrance Food Stuff Private Limited What started out as a singular stall run by a family has now expanded into a multi-store franchise. Fragrance Food Stuff sells its own “secret recipe” bak kwa. Visit the website for more information and outlets. www.fragrance.com.sg Bee Cheng Hiang Probably one of the most recognised brands, Bee Cheng Hiang started out as a stall in 1933 and has also expanded into a multi-store franchise. The founder of Bee Cheng Hiang started out peddling bak kwa in a cart during the prewar era. For more information on the various outlets, visit the website. www.beechenghiang.com.sg Chai Ho Satay & Dried Pork Apart from selling killer satay, this stall also makes a mean bak kwa. This one is a little on the harder side, with a taste like bacon. 448 Clementi Avenue 3, #01-10, Singapore 120448
Baskets But Not Brooms A simple basket, preferably in red or in an Asian design with a lid, could be a good complement or addition to your Chinese New Year décor. The basket can also double up as a space to store all your New Year goodies, until guests come. This also helps to prevent cluttering of the coffee table. Last but not least, it’s also the perfect excuse to be lazy for a day or two. Sweeping the house is considered bad luck during the Lunar New Year season, so you can save your spring cleaning for later. That alone makes a great reason for a celebration.
Mix it up this Chinese New Year with a French twist By Cheryl Chia
C
hinese New Year cuisine can get a little repetitive every year, with the same old tossed yu sheng and pen cai combo. Shake things up this year with French restaurant Bar-Roque’s version of the Chinese New Year feast. Chef Stephane Istel brings you “Love Chinese New Year With Bar-Roque”.
“I want to infuse this great festival with my own love for feasting… so you can celebrate Chinese New Year at Bar-Roque, and at home with the people who matter in your life,” he says. Updating New Year Cuisine Even the ubiquitous yu sheng ($88 for eight people) gets a refreshing spin with fried lotus root chips, sesame seeds, French carrots, radish, raw salmon and scallops drizzled with a ginger-sesame dressing. The resulting difference is remarkable, with crunchier vegetables, a less cloying sauce and generous portions of fresh
salmon and scallops. I was never a fan of pen cai. It seems too much at once, and all the flavours get lost. Bar-Roque separates the ingredients with a Crispy Pork Belly ($158 for 2kg) and a honey-glazed, five-spiced Whole Rotisserie Duck ($98). Both came with a crisp skin and tender and well-seasoned meat. We were pleasantly surprised by the duck, which had little to no gamey scent. The piece de resistance is their version of a roasted suckling pig ($398 for a whole piglet) stuffed with French chestnuts, mushrooms and pistachios, and served with side dishes. I loved their sides of mashed potatoes and sauerkraut as well. For a less intimidating pork dish, try their Pork Knuckle ($68) with sauerkraut. It is crispy on the outside, and fatty and tender on the inside.
From the Sea Whether or not you like all that meat, hold your horses for the Whole Fresh Fish of the Day (market price). Depending on the fish that Chef Stephane receives, the preparation method can vary from salt-crusted, steamed, panroasted or en papillote. When we were there, the chef had prepared a bouillabaisse [a rich, spicy French soup] with sides of shrimp and squid. This dish is not recommended for takeaway as it is best consumed after preparation. If you have space in your belly after all that, end your meal with the signature Mom’s Recipe Apple Pie ($12). The Chinese New Year menu is available from Jan 28 to Feb 14, 2014. Visit www.bar-roque.com.sg for takeaways.
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CNY FOODMANIA
NEW YEAR
Treats
cookies and treats abound in the Lunar New Year season. Take your pick
D
uring this time, C stands for “cookie” as much as “Chinese” New Year. Here are some lovely bites that you can try this year while you fend off questions of “When are you going to get married?” Just keep eating. Da Paolo Gastronomia Shake things up this year with Da Paolo Gastronomia’s Chinese New Year take on the “cronut”. Their Gold Coin Crodo ($5.80) is made to resemble gold coins with edible gold dust, flaky layers and a rich egg custard filling. Also available are adorable Horse Stick Cookies ($6.80) to usher in the Year of the Horse. Visit www.dapaolo.com.sg for a list of outlets. Shang Palace Shang Palace at Shangri-La Hotel also offers new auspicious Chinese New Year goodies with a healthy twist – Red Bean with Sweet Ginger Pastry ($39.80+) and Apple Pastry ($39.80+). Inspired by the popular century egg pastry, each Red Bean with Sweet Ginger Pastry is an addictive morsel of blended red bean paste with a mild touch of spicy ginger. The moist Apple Pastry features a smooth mix of purple sweet potato and crunchy-sweet apple. Visit www.shangri-la.com/singapore/shangrila for more.
JANUARY 17 - 23, 2014
PAGE 10
Goods of Desire Hong Kong cult brand Goods of Desire (G.O.D.) brings back their ever-popular Mahjong Box ($38). This box contains 16 individually-wrapped pieces of pineapple cakes that resemble a winning combination of mahjong tiles. Expect snaking queues. G.O.D. is located at The Central, #02-08. Cherry Garden These signature festive goodies from the Cherry Garden at Mandarin Oriental bring back the well-loved Golden Piglet Shortcakes with lotus paste, symbolic of a bountiful
harvest. Also available are their miniature mochi balls with lotus paste filling and macadamia nuts.
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Visit www.bakerzin. com for a list of outlets
The Cookie Museum The Cookie Museum is known for its quirky flavours such as Nasi Lemak cookies, Chicken Rice cookies and Pandan Chiffon from its Singapore Heritage Collection. Impress your relatives this season with these cookies in a local flavour. These cookies are available year round.
TWG Tea Apart from fragrant teas and macarons, TWG also has a Cigar Cookie – its version of a love letter, filled Cigar Cookies with caramel. from TWG Buttery and sweet, it is less lemak than the traditional love letter but equally satisfying. It comes in a packet of six for $14.
Visit www.thecookiemuseum.com for more.
Visit www.twgtea.com for more.
Bakerzin The crowd-pleaser pineapple tart has been given a Japanese update with this Yuzu Yuan Bao Pineapple Tarts ($26.80+). Each ingotshaped tart has generous pineapple filling infused with yuzu zest. The bittersweet flavour is a refreshing change for the New Year. They also have the traditional pineapple tarts and assorted cookies. Available until Feb 14.
PrimaDeli Can’t decide between savoury and sweet? Why not try both with PrimaDeli’s new Cheese Pineapple Tarts ($16.80). The hint of parmesan cheese complements the sweet and tart pineapple pulp within. There is also, once again, its signature Chicken Bak Kwa cookie.
E-mail mosin-festive@mohg.com for takeaways and enquiries.
Visit www.primadeli.com for a list of outlets
your guide to
CNY eats We bring you the second part of our round-up on Chinese New Year menus and delights
E
ating a horse, figuratively, is completely understandable during the Lunar New Year. Here are a few more options to book and to spend quality time with your family and loved ones.
Szechuan Court’s Ultimate Success Yu Sheng
slightly lighter and less decadent option. Au Chocolat For an atypical Chinese New Year meal, try Au Chocolat’s set menus starting from $38++ per person. Available from Jan 16 to Feb 16, expect dishes such as a Confit of Duck, Peking Style and Creamy Drunken Prawn Pasta. Visit www.auchocolat.com for more. Keyaki Enjoy a Japanese take on a traditional Lunar New Year dish with Keyaki’s Wafu Lo-Hei ($98) where tuna, salmon, yellowtail and tobiko sashimi are mixed into a crisp salad, comprising shredded pumpkin, carrot, radish, cucumber, Japanese ginger, seaweed, Mandarin peel and jellyfish, and topped with rice crackers. If you feel like splurging, try the Premium Wafu Lo-Hei ($288) with the inclusion of lobster, salmon roe and sea urchin into the salad. Available from Jan 8 to Feb 14. E-mail celebrate.sin@panpacific.com for reservations or enquiries. Ku De Ta Ku De Ta’s Executive Chef Frederic Faucheux has created the “Ingredients to a Year of Prosperity” menu ($168 ++) for Jan 13 to Feb 6. It features dishes such as an iconic yu sheng toss with tuna, scallop and salmon sashimi mixed with shredded daikon, carrot, crispy yam and beetroot, as well as a Mandarin Chocolate Confection with Benedictine Dom, coconut, and strawberry yuan jelly for dessert. Visit www.kudeta.com/singapore for more. Lingzhi Vegetarian Restaurant If you are tired of all that meat and fine food, try this vegetarian pen cai option from Lingzhi Vegetarian Restaurant. Filled with three delectable layers of vegetarian abalone, white asparagus, Bai Ling mushrooms and more, you’ll have a
Visit www.lingzhivegetarian.com for more. Man Fu Yuan Be all set for a traditional Chinese New Year feast with Man Fu Yuan at Intercontinental Hotel’s six-course Prosperous or Vegetarian Set ($198+) for five, complete with yu sheng and other dishes. Also savour Chef Kwan’s Double-Boiled Fu Zhou Buddha Jump over the Wall with delicacies such as abalone, sea cucumber, fish maw, dried scallop, and goose web and panax ginseng for a broth that is rich in flavour. Visit www.intercontinental.com/singapore for more. Peony Jade Traditional dishes such as the “Abounding Riches” Golden Suckling Pig Stuffed with Glutinous Rice ($238.88 for 5kg) and the “A Wealth of Prosperity and Longevity” Hong Kong Roasted Goose Sealed With Chef’s Special ‘Fa Cai’ Broth ($188.88 for 12 persons) are available. The latter is popular. The pre-marinated 3.8kg goose is sealed with their noble broth rich with herbs and spices and finished with a slow-roast of up to two hours to achieve succulence before being served. Peony Jade, Keppel Club, Level M, Tel: 6276 9138, 6375 5562 & Block 3A Clarke Quay, #02-02 (entrance from Liang Court), Tel: 6338 0305 Szechuan Court Make a statement with Szechuan Court’s yu sheng with exquisite ingredients such as African abalone, salmon sashimi, Boston lobster and a special blend of sauces. The salad is then meticulously plated into the Chinese character of Horse for an impressive start to your meal, and the year. E-mail dining.singapore@fairmont.com for reservations and enquiries.
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JANUARY 17 - 23, 2014
Fire up the oven Kandahar Street and the Arab Street area have a mix of ethnic eateries, and another has recently opened By Cheryl Chia
T
he Arab Street area has become quite international in recent years with many restaurants popping up, especially along Kandahar Street and its vicinity. Cicheti [chi-keh-tee] is one of the new additions to the area, named after the signature snacks served in a Venetian bacari or wine bar. Cicheti serves both large platters as well as smaller ones (to order more variety) for communal dining. Caring is Sharing It’s more fun coming here with a couple of friends to really get the whole picture and variety at Cicheti. Upon entering, you’ll spot a wood-fired oven with fresh pizzas rising within. All the pizza dough, pastas and breads here are made in-house. We liked the Diavola pizza ($19), a tomato base thin-crusted pizza with mozzarella and parmesan cheese topped with salame, chilli, garlic and basil leaves. Also try the classic Italian pizza, the Quattro Formaggi ($19), with mozzarella, provolone, gorgonzola and grana cheese. The pastas are also not to be missed at Cicheti’s. For a unique spin on the ragu (meat sauce) pasta, Cicheti does a Pappardelle Ragu ($23) featuring fresh papparddelle pasta with a slow-braised lamb shoulder ragout, porcini mushrooms and garnished with pecorino cheese. We much preferred their Tagliatelle Carne ($23) with homemade tagliatelle tossed with beef meatballs slow-cooked in a sauce of semi-dried tomatoes, chilli and roasted garlic.
If you prefer the Italian zuppa (soup), try the Cioppino ($27), Pomodori Secchi a seafood stew simmered in a savoury broth of fish, prawn, squid and clams. Light bites are refreshing to the palate at Cicheti. The Duo Caprese ($11) is a spin on the insalata caprese with fresh tomatoes and fried mozzarella cheese with homemade semi-dried tomatoes on Capri-style bread. The Gamberi Grassi ($11) – translated to mean “fat prawns” – is served in a smoky herbed butter sauce. Pretty Desserts The desserts at Cicheti are picture-worthy, complete with garnishing of edible flowers. Their off-the-menu Semifreddo is creamy and filled with orange peel, biscotti and topped with strawberries and raspberries. We would recommend the Salted Chocolate Dessert ($12.50), a salted chocolate molten cake with a side of vanilla gelato and drizzled with caramel sauce. This was so good, we wished for a bit more molten centre to spoon up. They also do a Crema Bruciata ($12.50), a chilled crème brulee with candied bacon, but we felt that it was a bit of an acquired taste. Cicheti also has a range of Italian sodas to wash everything down. Cicheti, 52 Kandahar Street, Singapore 198901, Tel: 6292 5012
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FOODMANIA
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S P E C I A L F E A T U RE
A love affair
with SobE After Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day will quickly arrive. Sobe releases three limited edition packs that embody love
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t will soon, once again, be the time of the year when romance and love fills the air. Sobe gives you three romantic reasons to celebrate love with your significant other. Power of Three In light of its recent success with its Christmas packaging, Sobe has now come up with three different designs of Valentine’s Day packs. The Valentine’s Day packaging comprises “When Handsome met Hattie” hedgehogs on the Original flavour, “Bingo and Betty”, the lovey-dovey bunnies, on the Trim flavour and “Smitten by Kirie, Kiro feels that he’s king” kitties on the Unsweetened flavour. Sobe has also come up with special love
Sobe Win a Diamond Pendant Lucky Draw Buy your pack of Sobe today and stand a chance to be one of 4 lucky winners to take home a diamond pendant! Cut out the entry form on each individual carton of Sobe Soya Milk Valentine’s designed pack, and write your Name, Gender, NRIC, Telephone no. & address on the reverse, and mail it to: Sobe – Win a Diamond Pendant Lucky Draw, 348 Jalan Boon Lay, Singapore 619529 poems to help you further celebrate love with your soul mate. The Soya Legacy The humble soya bean is considered to be one of the healthiest gifts from nature and Fortune Food Manufacturing has learned to extract its goodness and pioneered the way consumers enjoy it by packing it into convenient Tetra Paks. Sobe was the very first fresh and pasteurised soya milk to be introduced to Singapore, and its delicious taste is still a favourite with both the young and the young at heart. A Healthy Option for all occasions Soya milk is an excellent source of protein and calcium and it doesn’t matter if you’re lactose intolerant as Sobe Soya Milk is lactose-free. It also contains no cholesterol and comes in three different variants – Original, Trim and Unsweetened – to suit every taste and need. Look out for these special Valentine’s Day packs as they hit all major retailers from Jan 2014.
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HEALTH & BEAUTY
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JANUARY 17 - 23, 2014
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Cranberries S P E C I A L F E AT U R E
for a healthier life Y
Learn more about the benefits of cranberries in your diet and how it could help women especially to lead a healthier life
ou may know about the various beneficial properties that the more popular fruits, such as apples and oranges, have for you. As a lady, you may have encountered the dreaded Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). Research and studies have shown that consuming Cranberry, whether the fruit itself or the juice, drastically reduces the chances of UTI and other urinary deficiencies. But what is it about Cranberry that makes it that special fruit that helps women prevent the occurrence of UTIs or even cure those suffering from it? A History of Medical Practices Cranberry is a small, evergreen shrub that grows throughout North America. Cranberries were first used by Native Americans, who discovered the wild berry’s versatility as a food and healing agent. The name “Cranberry” derives from the Pilgrim name for the fruit, “craneberry”, so called because the small, pink blossoms that appear in Spring resemble the head and bill of a Sandhill crane. European settlers adopted the Native American uses for the fruit and found the berry a valuable bartering tool. American whalers and mariners carried cranberries on their voyages to prevent scurvy because of its rich value in Vitamin C.
Holland & Barrett Cranberry Fruit Concentrate, 100 rapid release capsules
“It contains many different beneficial nutrients that help to strengthen a woman’s body in more ways than one.”
The Beneficial Berry Cranberry naturally contains substances referred to as proanthocyanidins, which belong to a class of phenols. Cranberry possesses one of the highest levels of phenols, which is an organic plant chemical that lowers the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol. The proanthocyanidins also give the fruit its vibrant colour. Studies have indicated that the proanthocyanidins in Cranberry can help protect against UTIs, by preventing the bacterium E.Coli from attaching itself to the bladder wall cells and infecting them. Cranberry works by acidifying the urine which inhibits the bacterial growth. Cranberry also has components which prevent bacteria from adhering to the lining of the bladder. Safe for Most Cranberry is safe for most people. Cranberry juice and cranberry extracts have been used safely in research, also proving likely to be safe for children. However, as with all things, drinking too much Cranberry juice can cause some side effects such as mild stomach upset and diarrhoea. Drinking more than one litre per day for a long period of time might increase the chance of getting kidney stones. Cranberry juice and cranberry extracts contain a large amount of a chemical called oxalate. In fact, studies and research have shown that some cranberry extract tablets can boost the level of oxalate in the
precaution regarding the combination of the medication and Cranberry products. Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver, and Cranberry might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some types of medication. Taking Cranberry along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking cranberry, talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medication that is changed by the liver. Warfarin (Coumadin) is used as an anticoagulant medicine to slow blood clotting. Warfarin may interact with Cranberry and has its pharmacodynamics altered to potentially increase its effects significantly. Cranberry might increase how long Warfarin is in the body and increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. Co-administration of Warfarin and Cranberry should be monitored carefully.
urine by as much as 43 per cent. On the other hand, in the same study, urinary excretion of magnesium and potassium (which are inhibitors of stone formation) also increased. Since kidney stones are made primarily from oxalate combined with calcium, individuals with a personal or family history of calcium-oxalate kidney stones should consult a doctor before using cranberry supplements or a large amount of juice for long periods of time (e.g. More than a week). For women who are currently pregnant or breastfeeding, Cranberry and cranberry juice are safe to consume for the most part but don’t use dietary supplements that contain cranberry products as it is not known if these are safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Cranberry contains significant amounts of salicylic acid, which is similar to aspirin. Avoid drinking large quantities of cranberry juice if you are allergic to aspirin. Precautionary Measures For those that are currently undergoing treatment with medication that directly interacts with the liver, you may want to take
Cranberry Goodness Although the Holland & Barrett Cranberry Concentrate helps to strengthen the body with the use of Cranberry extract, men and children should not be unaware of the benefits Cranberry has for them as well. Cranberry helps to fight cancers, namely prostate, lung, colon and breast cancer. Laboratory studies have shown that cranberry extracts can prevent breast cancer cells from multiplying. Cranberry also helps to reduce the risk of heart diseases, as it lowers the body’s bad cholesterol levels, which can clog the arterial walls. They also help to prevent plaque from forming on the arterial walls, thus reducing the chances of a stroke. It also acts as a good weight-loss supplement as it is rich in antioxidants, which help to flush out your system and in turn improves your metabolism and digestive system to aid you in your weight-loss regime. Visit Holland & Barrett to find out more. Holland & Barrett supplements are available at all Holland & Barrett stores, subject to item availability. Visit www.hollandandbarrett.com. sg for more on promotions and store locations.
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JANUARY 17 - 23, 2014
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FRIENDS & FAMILY
JANUARY 17 - 23, 2014
PAGE 14
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S P E C I A L F E AT U R E
When one shot
Tay Kai Xin Feb 4, 2013
is not enough Choose your “sweet spot” and let the multi-shot feature in your Compact Digital Camera capture the action of your favourite sport
When it comes to action-packed excitement, tell the story through multiple photos. With the right camera, it’s easy! Guinevere Sofer explains
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f you enjoy exciting sports such as skateboarding, football or wakeboarding, then try to capture those moments in photos. It’s simple if you’re equipped with the right camera and the know-how. Choosing the Right Equipment Phone cams may be convenient but, for this technique, use at least a Compact Digital Camera, for three reasons. Firstly, most phone cams don’t have the multi-shot feature. In other words, you have to take one picture at a time. Meanwhile, almost all
Compact Digital Cameras have this fantastic feature, which allows you to take multiple photos with just one push of the button. Next, Compact Digital Cameras have faster response time, which allows the first photo to be captured almost in real-time. Unfortunately, a phone cam’s response time is much slower, and quite often the subject matter moves out of the frame before the image can be recorded. Last but not least, the image processor of a phone cam is typically much slower than a quality Compact Digital Camera’s. A slow image processor will delay capturing the second shot, third shot and so on. With a Compact Digital Camera’s superior processing speed, more shots are captured in the same amount of time. This is crucial for capturing a sequence of images of a fast moving object. With a Compact Digital Camera in hand, set it to multi-shot mode. Read your camera’s instruction manual
ANSWERS TO SPOT THE DIFFERENCE:
on how to activate the feature. Often it’s just a few twists of the dial. Finding a Sweet Spot In any sports activity, there are common areas where the athlete will more likely “explode” with fast action. If it’s football, for instance, it will be close to the goalie or when two players are jostling for the ball. If it’s skateboarding, it could be at the top of the ramp, where the skater is airborne. For basketball, it’s by the hoops. If you’re a fan of the sport, you’ll probably be able to anticipate the approximate “sweet spots”. Preparing to Shoot After you’ve found your sweet spot, point your camera to that area and be prepared. Keep your eyes open. Before the players reach the sweet spot, press the shutter release button, and let the multi-shot feature do the work. The Compact Digital Camera will continue to take pictures in sequence until you
release your shutter button. Tip: The trick is not to wait until you see the players in your camera’s screen. It would be too late. You might be not be able to capture the ideal sequence of shots until you have taken several. Don’t be afraid to shoot more. You can always delete them later. Fortunately, most sports give you plenty of opportunities to try again and again. As in sports, practice makes perfect. Enjoy.
“...more shots are captured in the same amount of time.”
Babies - aren’t they the cutest things ever? That’s why Weekender dedicates a section to your adorable darlings in diapers. Send us your favourite photos of your newborn, so the rest of us can coo and ‘ahh’ over him / her too! What better way is there to celebrate your child than to share him / her with the rest of the world?
hello world Jacey Lee Jan 28, 2013
E-mail your baby’s photos to general@weekender.com.sg . Please make sure to include your baby’s name and surname, gender and date of birth, as well as your own Name, NRIC and mobile number. We look forward to receiving photos of your beloved one!
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CANON CAMERA GIVEAWAY
See Page 2 for question. Photo A
Win a Canon PowerShot SX270 HS
compact digital camera! CLOSING DATE: 10 Feb 2014
The difference is more than a hair’s breadth. Photo A was taken with a Compact Digital Camera, the Canon G15. Notice how the fur and the whiskers on the Red Panda are clearly defined, while the photo from the other camera is noticeably fuzzier and pixelated. So, the next time, you go to the zoo, bring along a Compact Digital Camera for better photos!
Canon PowerShot SX270 HS The Canon PowerShot SX270 HS has a 12.1 mega pixel CMOS image sensor, a maximum ISO speed of 6400, and a 20x Optical Zoom lens that allows users the versatility to zoom from a 25mm wide shot for near wide-angle capture to a 500mm telephoto shot for subjects. *Only ONE SMS per week is allowed. The winner will be notified by post. Terms & Conditions apply. Visit www.weekender.com.sg/terms for Terms & Conditions.
3
Cameras to be won!
Value :
$399 ea.
HOW TO ENTER THE FINAL GIVEAWAY & WIN
*SMS to 9056 2958 with the message
<CanonWeekender> <Name> <Home Address> <Postal Code> <Age> <Gender> <NRIC>
weekender.com.sg
JANUARY 17 - 23, 2014
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TRAVELATION
JANUARY 17 - 23, 2014
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weekender.com.sg
The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh has many striking monuments
Colours of Cambodia Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are beautiful places but not for the faint of heart By Cheryl Chia
M
y first time in Cambodia was far from uneventful. It wasn’t a vacation. It was an adventure. I almost bought the tourist T-shirt that had “I survived Cambodia” emblazoned across the front. My first stop was at Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia, before heading to the picturesque and historic town of Siem Reap. Interesting Sights & Sounds My first hotel was right smack in the middle of the riverfront, which is where all the cafes, restaurants, bars and a string of “Happy Herb” pizzerias reside. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can easily take a walk and explore the central area of the city easily. Or, hop into their tuk tuks, which is pretty much the only mode of transport. Almost all the Cambodians there are quite well-versed in English, Mandarin, sometimes French and, of course, Khmer. You’ll almost never see riel [Cambodian currency] in Cambodia as they mostly prefer to deal in US dollars. A tuk tuk ride, depending on the distance, should never cost you more than US$15, and that is for a full day trip to the Choeung Ek Memorial (The Killing Fields) and the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum (S21), etc. However, entrance fees to most attractions in Cambodia can cost you quite a pretty penny, so balance your finances well. A Dark Yet Intriguing Character The two attractions mentioned can be quite depressing but they are necessary to understand that part of history in Cambodia and how the brutal Khmer Rouge still affects their lives until today. The Killing Fields are about 15km Southwest of Phnom Penh and was the site of a mass grave and concentration camp, where Tonle Sap Lake has an interesting village on the water
approximately 17,000 men, women and children were killed and dumped. The latter, S21, was a high school prior to 1975. It may seem innocuous from the outside but the inside depicts the horrors of the systematic torture of “war criminals” in order to extract false confessions, before they were shipped off to the Killing Fields to be executed. Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot died in 1998, never having faced justice. Trials are still ongoing for some of the other culprits who have been taken to court for crimes against humanity. Apart from visits to Cambodia’s colourful history, the large temple of Wat Phnom is also a sight to behold with carved stone nagas and towering steps.
Postcard Perfect I much preferred Siem Reap. There are less syndicated child beggars, prostitutes and dodgy bars. The town seemed richer than Phnom Penh with a better layout due to the volume of tourists generated by the largest religious monument in the world, Angkor Wat. Be sure to be dressed appropriately should you visit, with your shoulders and knees covered. Angkor Wat means “Temple City” in Khmer, and it is truly massive. Its aesthetics are also impressive, and it is hard to describe in a few words. There are several modes of transport that you can take to get around – hired car, tuk tuk, or, if you’re adventurous, bicycle. But I would only recommend a bicycle trip if you are truly an experienced bike rider. Why? Well, this is where my trip got eventful. I was more than nudged off the street by a tuk tuk who thought that I was going too slow. I ended up falling on some muddy rocks. The roads are also quite uneven and can give you a sore bum from riding, by the end of the day. City of Gods Angkor Wat was originally a Hindu temple, which explains the many intricate carvings of traditional Hindu myths and legends on the walls. Sadly, much of its former glory has long been lost to war, colonisation and the ravages of time. Still, Angkor Wat remains a sight to behold. Personally, I preferred the Bayon, a majestic temple with Buddha faces carved into the sides of the walls. If you like, you can even climb into the dark tunnels. There is usually someone in there as there are more shrines and altars within. After Angkor Wat, you can head to see Tonle Sap Lake and its surroundings, or take a slow boat ride to catch the beautiful scenery and sunset. You can even pop by the touristy Pub Street for an ice-cold beer if you wish. I would choose the boat ride to Tonle Sap Lake any day, with the fresh air and unobstructed horizon.
Best In Travel. Recommended by Our Discerning WEEKENDER Readers Coming soon in the Feb 7, 2014 issue of Weekender, we will be giving recognition to Singapore’s favourite travel agencies. These reputable travel agencies will be recognised for their excellence in service as well as their itineraries for Singapore’s most popular travel destinations. The information to decide the winners will be gathered from readers as well as our editorial team.
WEEKENDER INVITES YOU TO CHOOSE Simply SMS to 9375 8706 <DESTINATION CODE> <AGENT CODE> <NAME> <NRIC> <E-MAIL> to take part and vote for the best travel agent for the destination. SMS and help to decide the winners now!
Closing Date: 28th January 2014 DESTINATION & CODE
NOMINATED TRAVEL AGENCIES & CODE 2 Nominated Travel Agents for Each Destination (Either or)
Australia (AU)
Qantas Holidays (QT)
Farmosa Holiday Tour (FA)
China (CN)
ASA Travel (ASA)
M-Asia Travel (MA)
Europe (EU)
CTC Travel (CTC)
EU Holidays (EUH)
Japan (JP)
Ho Wah Travel (HWT)
SingExpress Travel (SET)
Korea (KR)
S Travel (STR)
ASA Travel (ASA)
Malaysia (MY)
Konsortium Express and Tours (KET)
Grassland Express & Tours (GET)
New Zealand (NZ)
Jetabout Holidays (JAH)
Diners World Travel (DWT)
Taiwan (TW)
Nam Ho Travel Service (NHT)
New Shan Travel Service (NST)
Thailand (TL)
Giamso International Tours (GIA)
Asia-Euro Holidays (AEH)
USA (US)
EU Holidays (EUH)
Chan Brothers (CHB)
Best International Cruise Line (ICL)
Costa Cruise (CC)
Star Cruises (SCR)
Best International Cruise Travel Agent (CTA)
Citystate Cruises (CSH)
Stamford Travel (STL)
NOMINATED AGENCIES:
NOTE: 1. Travel agencies and operators are nominated from Weekender’s travel advertisers and partners. 2. For more Terms & Conditions, please visit www.weekender.com.sg/terms
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JANUARY 17 - 23, 2014
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