Weekender #68 by Weekender Singapore

ISSUE 68 February 7 - 13, 2014

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WK68B/MCI(P)060/08/2013

ISSUE 68 February 7 - 13, 2014

F O O D M A N IA

Have dinner with the green fairy P13 BE Happier

poojaa giLl, asia’s next top model? p6 SP E C IAL F E A T UR E

vip tickets worth 600 euro to extreme sailing! P5

foodm a n i a

BOOK for Valentine’s!

E N T E R T AI N M E N T

monkeyING with donnie he a l th & be a u t y

GET the k-beauty look this valentine’s day see our tips and tricks for your special date t r a v e l l e r s ’ cho i ce

view the best in travel WK68B/MCI(P)060/08/2013

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$390 per couple Would you like to take your Valentine for a special night cruising around Singapore with the amazing skyline as your backdrop? How about

Valentine’s is for Ladies @ Pangaea 14 Feb, 10pm until late, $40 Valentine’s Day shouldn’t just be for the couples. Just

valentine’s day events like the name suggests, ladies get to enjoy complimentary entry and a glass of champagne before 1am, (gents, apologies), with the groovy beats of hip hop, electro and more by resident DJ Patrick Oliver. Pangaea, Marina Bay Sands Valentine’s Day @ The Racecourse 14 Feb, $158 per couple Romance your night away with a delightful 4-course Valentine’s Day dinner surrounded by a spectacular view of galloping steeds and live band performances. What’s more, you and your loved one can pledge your love in the iconic Cinderella horse carriage to complement your memorable experience on this special day. Singapore Turf Club, 1 Turf Club Ave, Tel: 6879 1719 Valentine’s Day @ Joel Robuchon 14 Feb, 6pm & 8.30pm, $150++ (6pm), $388++ (8.30pm) Nothing says Je t’aime like an intimate dinner of culinary masterpieces from Michelin-starred Chef Joel Robuchon. Impress with a Valentine’s Day Set Dinner or win her heart with the Special Menu that comes complete with a luxurious limousine service. Resorts World Sentosa, Sentosa Island, Tel: 6577 6688 Share the Love @ Concorde Hotel 14 Feb, 6.30pm - 10pm, $35++ (Child, 3-12 years old), $75++ (Adult) Indulge in sweet moments this Valentine’s Day with your loved ones at Concorde Hotel while enjoying luscious treats at Spices Cafe. Featuring a pan-fried cod fillet with Shiitake mushroom and teriyaki sauce, savour a

fine selection of delectable dishes, which also include stewed beef topside with red wine and spring vegetables, wok-fried king prawns with spicy lychee sauce and slow cooked roast duck with Thai red curry. Concorde Hotel Singapore, 100 Orchard Road, Tel: 6739 8370 Dine by the Beach @ Wave House 14 Feb, 7pm-10pm, $168++ for two Wondering where to spend your Valentine’s Day? Why not a romantic set dinner by the beach? Enthral your date with a delectable selection of culinary delights for two while overlooking Wave House’s sunset by the beach. Ignite the spark and be prepared to be mesmerised this Valentine’s Day. Wave House, 36 Siloso Beach Walk, Sentosa, Tel: 6377 3113 Valentine’s Day @ Singapore Botanic Gardens 14-15 Feb, 7pm-10pm, $60, $80, $100 Enjoy a natural scenic setting with your loved one this Valentine’s Day at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Be serenaded under a moon lit sky by romantic bands and have your fill of picnicstyle nosh. It promises to be a different experience that will be sure to leave a lasting impression. Singapore Botanic Gardens, 1 Cluny Road, www.sbg.org.sg Valentine’s Day Sunset Cruise 14-15 Feb, 7pm-12am,

topping that off with a beautiful sunset and a spectacular view of fireworks? Register at http://dwineexperience. wix.com/d-wineexperience#!valentines-day/ c1x7u today as there are limited vacancies. ONE°15 Marina Club, 11 Cove Drive

FREE! Valentine’s Day Special with Corrinne May 14 Feb, 8pm-8.30pm, 9pm9.30pm Bask in the beautiful melodies and soothing vocals of the local songbird as she belts out soulful tunes in a gorgeous al fresco setting. Bring a picnic basket and mat to make a romantic evening out of it. Supertree Grove, Gardens by the Bay FREE! Dilla Month Tribute: Beats and Beyond 14 Feb, 10pm until late The monthly series that is Beats and Beyond moves to Gem Bar this month with appearances by DJs Funk Bast*rd, William J, Marco Weibel and RAH spinning the beats of funk, hip hop, boogie, house, dub and much more. Pay tribute to the late and great hip hop producer J Dilla, by whipping out those dance moves with fellow music lovers. Gem Bar & Lounge, 10 Ann Siang Hill FREE! Salsa Night Out 15 & 16 Feb, 5.30pm 7.30pm You don’t only get to boogie in clubs. Check out this sexy introductory salsa workshop (solo or with friends) and dance the night away to groovy music and great company. Tear up that dance floor! Supertree Grove, Gardens by the Bay

S P EC I A L F E A T U RE

FUN-TO-DO

IDEAS

Don’t miss out on the Paul’s Milk giveaway! Paul’s Milk is delicious and natural tasting and provides a rich source of protein, vitamins and minerals. If you don’t manage to grab one for free, you can get yours at any major retail outlets. Remember to be in the vicinity of Ang Mo Kio MRT on Thu, Feb 6, from 5pm-7pm, to grab your free Paul’s Milk!

the website for more information and preregistration. Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, www.maison-objet.com/en/asia

Coming Soon Mark your calendars for these events happening in three to four weeks

now on Check out these events over the next two weeks

FREE! Art Incubator 5: WHEN WE LAST MET 7 Feb - 6 Apr, Tue-Sun, 10am-6pm (closed on Mon & PH) From When We Last Met is the culminating exhibition of Art Incubator 5. This recollective exhibition brings together work by the 2013 artists-in-residence Kent Chan, Chun Kai Feng, Shi Wei Teh and the Indonesian artist collective, ruangrupa. Praxis Space, Block H, Level 1, #H101, and Project Space, Block G, Level 1, #G101 Slangin’ Saturdays @ Kilo 8 Feb, 1pm until late The first ever Slangin’ Saturdays event is a unique shopping experience that will celebrate Singapore’s creative entrepreneurs, artists and craftspeople. With fun activities planned, vendors specially curated by Blackmarket, food from the renowned Kilo kitchen and live DJs throughout the day with KiloWatt Soundsystem with names like DJ Flo and DJ Gonzo, this will be a day you won’t want to miss. Kilo @ 66 Kampong Bugis Kult x Mojoko’s Year of the Horse Print Mon-Fri, 11am-7pm; Sat, 1pm8pm Kult and Singaporebased creative, Steve Lawler aka Mojoko, have released the latest installation of our Chinese New Year “year of” screenprint series, ushering in the Year of the Horse with the limited edition Mojoko “Year of the Horse” Silkscreen. Visit the website for more details. Kult3D, Emily Hill, Blk C2-5, 11 Upper Wilkie Road, Tel: 6338 1066 Maison&Objet Asia 10-13 Feb Maison&Objet Asia will bring with it the very same spirit of creativity and sophistication that characterises its Parisian event, also presenting Rising Asian Talents, an exhibition platform for six of the best emerging designers, each representing their individual countries. Visit

S P EC I A L F E A T U RE

Paul’s Milk giveaway on Feb 6 For one day only, 1,000 packs of 6 x 250ml Paul’s Hi-Calcium or Skimmed UHT Milk will be given out. Simply head down to the vicinity of Ang Mo Kio MRT Station on Thu, Feb 6, from 5pm to 7pm, and grab yours. While stocks last!

WEEKENDER

weekender.com.sg

Sobe’s giveaway a roaring success

Mission Foods Beach Netball Festival 2 Mar, 9am-6pm, $90/team Get ready for more fun under the sun in this year’s Mission Foods Beach Netball Festival! With four categories, namely Women Under 23 (JC, ITE & Tertiary Only), Women Open (18-35 years old), Mixed Open (18-35 years old) and Corporate Open (18-35 years old), take part with your friends and family and stand to win up to $1,000 cash. Registration now open at the website. Siloso Beach, Sentosa Island, www.netball.org.sg

FREE! i Light @ Marina Bay 7 - 30 Mar, 7.30pm - 11pm i Light Marina Bay, Asia’s first and only sustainable light art festival will return again to Singapore’s Marina Bay water front, showcasing innovative content, the intelligent use of lighting as well as an international line-up of creative talents. The upcoming festival will feature more than 25 innovative and environmentally sustainable light art installations from around the world that will transform the Bay into a magical space of light and colour for an unparalleled experience! Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade Romeo & Juliet: A Fresh Take On The Forbidden Romance 13–23 Feb 2014, 3.30pm & 8pm, $49, $59, $69 Dubbed as the greatest love story of all time, young love has never been more beautiful yet more tragic like the story of Romeo & Juliet. Set in a modern context, witness the romance unfolds before your eyes as we take you into the world of the star crossed lovers. Tickets from Sistic. 100 Victoria Street, #05-01, National Library Building, www.sistic.com.sg

Sobe gives many thanks for the successful giveaway of Sobe Soya Milk Sobe was the first fresh pasteurised soya milk to be introduced to Singaporeans, and locals have been delighted with its rich and delicious taste. Many Thanks to All Sobe Soya Milk comes in three different variants: Original, Trim and Unsweetened. On Jan 23, from 5pm to 7pm, the 1,000 packs of Sobe Soya Milk 1L were briskly given out. Sobe would like to thank all Weekender readers for turning up for the giveaway and for the great response to the giveaway. We hope you enjoyed the soya bean milk!

weekender.com.sg

february 7 - 13, 2014

Steps in the Park 5 Apr, 7.30am, $10 (including t-shirt) Take the first step towards understanding modern-day slavery and human trafficking at the inaugural Steps event – a 5km fun run/ walk. Meet like-minded people and learn how you can make a difference to the enslaved and those vulnerable to slavery. Silver Garden, Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, stepsinthepark.com

World Tour in 2013. From being a suave superhero in one music video to a cartoon villain in the next, G-Dragon never rests on his laurels when it comes to seeking innovative methods in expressing his musical creativity. This live documentary charts his journey across the many countries showcasing his distinctive brand of music, with backstage footage and in-depth interviews to boot. GV Bishan, GV Jurong, GV Marina JP Morgan Corporate Challenge 24 Apr, 5.30pm The JP Morgan Corporate Challenge returns for the 11th edition of the race in Singapore. It has become one of the signature events in the worldwide JP Morgan Corporate Challenge Series, which is held in 13 cities in seven countries on five continents. Registration closes on Mar 28. Esplanade Bridge, www.jpmorgan.com/cc

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Photo: Aberdeen Asset Management

S P EC I A L F E A T U RE

Be a part of the battle on the seas The Extreme Sailing Series returns for its 8th instalment and its most ambitious one yet The thrills, spills and seafaring excitement of the Extreme Sailing Series are all set to sail in Singapore, in the first act of this prestigious competition. Breaking Records Fans from Singapore can be a part of the scene and excitement of the Extreme Sailing Series as, for the first time, Singapore hosts the curtain raiser to the 2014 series, starting on Feb 20. The Singapore leg of the race will take place in Marina Bay, and the event will be open to the public from Feb 21 onwards. The main local partner of the Singapore leg is once again Aberdeen Asset

Management, helmed by thrice-around-the-world yachtsman Nick Moloney. Joining him will be Singaporeans Justin Wong and Scott Glenn Sydney, both of whom competed for “Team Aberdeen Singapore” last year. This year’s race will also see the addition of two brand new host venues, Sydney, Australia and St Petersburg, Russia. A city with an extraordinary history, St. Petersburg is considered to be one of the most picturesque cities in the world. Taking it up a Notch This latest chapter in the Extreme Sailing Series will prove to be the most ambitious one yet, with eight iconic host venues spanning three continents, Asia, the Middle East and Europe, over a period of 11 months. Eleven elite-level teams representing seven nations will battle it out on the high

seas as they compete to take home the coveted Extreme Sailing Series trophy. One of the three British skippers this year is living legend Sir Ben Ainslie, who is widely regarded as the world’s greatest Olympic sailor. After a two-year hiatus from the Extreme Sailing Series, he will field his own team, “J.P. Morgan BAR Racing”. He regards the Series with utmost respect, despite the four Olympic Gold medals to his name. Sir Ben aptly sums it up by saying that there will be “a lot of action and a lot of potential for crashes and incidents”. This year’s truly promises to be the most exciting series yet. Be a part of it from Feb 21. The Promontory @ Marina Bay, Feb 21–23, 11am onwards. For more information on the Extreme Sailing Series, visit www. extremesailingseries.com

weekender vip tickets giveaway WIN A PAIR OF VIP TICKETS WORTH 600 EURO TO THE EXTREME SAILING SERIES! Weekender is giving away a pair of silver-tiered VIP tickets worth 600 Euro to the Extreme Sailing Series. The tickets entitle you to the VIP lounge (Extreme Club), including drinks and food served there. The tickets allow you to enjoy the VIP lounge (Extreme Club) on Fri, Feb 22, from 11am to 9pm. You’ll even get to mingle with the skippers and the crew, and enjoy exceptional views of the race from the VIP lounge balcony! TO WIN, SIMPLY:

t Management

Editorial Director Frank Young

events

Photo: Aberdeen Asse

G-Dragon: One of a Kind in 3D 21-23 Feb, $18 (Member), $24 (Public) Golden Village presents a unique opportunity for fans to relive G-Dragon’s One of a Kind

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1. Answer this question: Q: Which one of these sailors involved in the Extreme Sailing Series is a Singaporean? A) Nick Moloney B) Justin Wong 2. SMS to 9375 8706 with the message: <EXTREME> <YOUR ANSWER> <NAME> <HOME ADDRESS> <POSTAL CODE> <AGE> <GENDER> <NRIC>

Closing Date: Feb 10, 2014

Extreme Sailing Series 21 to 23 Feb, 11am onwards Singapore will host the curtain-raiser of The Extreme Sailing Series for the first time, to take place in Marina Bay. It will be open to the public from Feb 21. The Extreme Sailing Series features eight host venues spanning three continents, with 11 elite-level teams representing seven nations battling it out on the seas. For more information, visit www.extremesailingseries.com

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b e happi e r

weekender.com.sg

Who ya gonna call? Zombie-busters!

Norman Reedus and Andrew Lincoln of “The Walking Dead” came to town to promote the fourth season of the hit series, with zombiekilling action

The Walking Dead in Singapore

A singaporean?

Asia’s Next Top Model has quite a following in Singapore. This season, two local girls have a shot, including PoojAa Gill

oojaa Gill is one of the two Singaporean contestants in Season 2 of the popular reality TV show, Asia’s Next Top Model. Weekender speaks to her about her experience behind the glitz and the glamour. What made you want to go into modelling? Since I was five, I’ve always told my family that when I grow up, I want to be a model. Even at that age, I was a natural in front of the camera and always loved posing for shots. Models always seemed so glamorous and they always looked beautiful in advertisements. Every time I looked at them, I would secretly tell myself, “I can do this too!” The opportunity finally came at the age of 15, when I decided to join New Paper New Face after ending my sports career as a sprinter due to an unfortunate injury. How was the experience of Asia’s Next Top Model? The entire experience was just out of this world! From the way we are treated (like such VIPs!) to the friendships formed within such a short period of time, all of it has been incredibly amazing. More importantly, it has made me grow as a model. What’s the best thing you’ve learnt from the

experience? The best thing I have learnt is to step out of my comfort zone and not do what’s safe during a photo shoot because, otherwise, your images will be dull and boring. Instead, be adventurous and do the unconventional even though you feel uncomfortable because, more often than not, the final product will be awesome. Any funny or memorable moment on the set? I think one moment I’ll never forget is how we were shooting the opening sequence of the show and while shooting I really, really needed to pee but had to control it. I ended up getting a really bad scolding from one of the judges, Adam Williams. At that point, I was so scared and helpless but now as I watch it on TV, it’s amazing how it’s become a joke and something to laugh about. I don’t look back at the difficult moments and have a phobia of them because I am a mentally stronger person now (after the show).

Do you have any advice for those who want to go into modelling? Yes, practice your poses and expressions in front of the mirror. You might think it’s stupid but it goes a long way and actually really helps. Also, be daring and different if you want to stand out as a model. Most importantly, be confident because if you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will. What makes you happy? What truly makes me happy is seeing myself chase after my dreams. I’m really happy I never gave up even in such an industry where rejection happens all the time. I’m happy to be where I am today, doing what I love and not having a single regret. That makes me happy! See how Poojaa fares in Asia’s Next Top Model Season 2, airing every Wednesday, 9.40pm, on SingTel mio TV Ch 301 & StarHub TV Ch 501 (Star World).

“Most importantly, be confident because if you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will.”

Direct from the Stars At the press conference, Reedus and Lincoln looked tired from watching the Golden Globes the night before but handled questions with ease. In real life, Briton Lincoln sounds little like his Southern

Blood & Brains During filming, the stars are frequently covered in fake blood and brains. Sometimes, they forget to clean it off when they’re done for the day. Reedus related a funny incident, when he rode his motorcycle home when he was still covered in blood and shocked people.

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: The freshness of spring BY GUINEVERE SOFER Spring is in the air, and it’s a perfect time to take photos of the fresh blossoms! One photo was taken with the Canon Compact Digital Camera G15, the other was taken with a popular phone cam.

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Asia’s Next Top Model

character on The Walking Dead and he attributes that to his “method acting”. He said with a laugh, “I don’t stay in character; I stay in dialect. When I’m in the role, I need to get the accent right as I have zombies to worry about; you know what I’m saying?” The pair also revealed the lengths that fans go to, to prove their love for the show and the actors. Reedus, who keeps all the gifts in his trailer, said, “Sometimes people make creepy voodoo dolls, sex toys, whips… but my favourite is still getting little kid drawings.” He added, “One lady sent me a very expensive guitar, and I tweeted out that fans should not spend that much money on a gift for me. She told me later that it was her late husband’s guitar and he was a fan of a movie I was in, and she thought that he would like me to have one.”

Photo A

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Will Poojaa be the pride of Singapore?

he stars of the widelypopular zombie television show, “The Walking Dead”, Norman Reedus and Andrew Lincoln, literally shot their way into the hearts of fans. Reedus and Lincoln were in town to promote the series at Lasalle College of the Arts, and even fired Nerf guns in zombie-killing style. As fans of the show already know, Reedus plays Daryl Dixon, a hunter and tracker, and Lincoln plays Rick Grimes, the main protagonist who woke up from a coma to a zombie apocalypse in Season 1. The Walking Dead was recently renewed for Season 5. Apart from shooting “walkers” (as the roving zombies are called) with Nerf guns and posing for photos with fans, the duo also managed to catch a few sights in Singapore and even tried our infamous durian, which they joked could be added to their arsenal of weapons.

Photo B

Which one was taken with which and why?

See Page 16 for ANSWERS.

Lincoln recounted a more hilarious tale, “I recently got my driving licence converted in the US and I had just shot a scene where I had the seven bells beaten out of me, so I had (fake) blood all over me.” He said, “I thought I’d gotten it all, so when I had my picture taken, I had blood all over my neck and the nervous woman was just like, ‘Hard day at the office?’” Nevertheless, it’s not all fun and games. Sometimes they do get hurt and actually bleed. Reedus said, “I got hurt and had stitches across my forehead. There was so much of my own blood across my face but I had the fake stuff on me as well.” He said, “When I came in (the hospital), people were like, ‘Oh my god!’” That’s not the end. His story ends with a tale fit for a movie, with him pulling a driver out of a truck [in an accident] on the way home, after his stitches. “My story is nowhere near his. I pulled my back out ‘carrying a car’,” Lincoln said, to much laughter. The Walking Dead Season 4 Part 2 returns on Feb 10, 11.30am & 8.10pm, on Fox Movies Premium, StarHub TV Ch 622 & Singtel mio TV Ch 414.

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MO V IE P RE V IEW

entertainment

MO V IE P RE V IEW

The Monkey King: Ah Boys to Lion Men Battle in the Heavens tsunami, but he keeps the weapon that becomes the most powerful in his arsenal. The Demon King sees his worth and convinces him to assault Heaven. Everything seems to be going the Demon King’s way, but will the wilful warrior-king

The infamous Monkey King is back, this time portrayed by none other than Donnie Yen

t’s a timeless classic of Chinese mythology that has endured through the years. Journey to the West, featuring the Monkey King and gang, is always a favourite. This latest film stars Donnie Yen (most famous for his role as Ip Man) as the Monkey King. Of course, you can expect martial arts action and epic battles. The story depicts the rise to power of the notorious Monkey King and his rebellion against the Jade Emperor, before his greatest adventure: The Journey to the West.

ultimately serve a greater purpose?

Birth from a Rock After the battle of gods and demons, the Goddess Nu Wa used 36,500 magic boulders to repair heaven, and one of them accidentally fell onto Earth and sat on the Mountain of Flowers and Fruits, on an island across the Eastern Sea. Bathed for thousands of years in the energies of Heaven and Earth as well as the light of Sun and Moon, a godly creature was nurtured inside the stone-egg and finally it cracked open to release a full-grown monkey. The Wilful Warrior With magical powers beyond that of the mortals who lived in the world, the monkey, named Sun Wukong,

A Star-Studded Affair This exciting take on the timeless tale of the Monkey King utilises a starstudded cast to Donnie Yen’s latest screen incarnation propel the film. is the legendary Monkey King With names such as Donnie Yen, Chow Yun-Fat (Crouching Tiger, Hidden constantly seeks validation of Dragon), Aaron Kwok (The his existence. He finds various Storm Warriors) and Gigi avenues to further hone his Leung (7 Assassins), one skills and abilities. would expect this to be a Meanwhile, the Demon blockbuster. King, played by Aaron Kwok, What most people don’t seeks vengeance upon the know is that Jet Li was also armies of Heaven. A witch considered for the role of the tells him that the key to his Monkey King. victory would be Sun Wukong. This timeless tale does In the meantime, Wukong have a moral as well, and has learnt and trained his touches on the themes of the skills with Master Subhuti responsibility of power, the and has mastered skills acquiring of true wisdom and beyond the measure of any redemption through sacrifice. mortal. However, he begins Bored of the same old story to wreak havoc around the or excited about the remake? world because of his wilful Watch before you decide. and mischievous nature. Determined to find weapons to protect his tribe, The Monkey King [PG] Wukong ventures under the sea to the Kingdom of DIRECTOR: Cheang Pou-Soi the Dragon King, where STARRING: Donnie Yen, he obtains a suit of magic Chow Yun-Fat, armour and flying boots. Aaron Kwok, In the process, he creates Zhang Zilin and havoc by lifting the immense Gigi Leung Ruyi Cudgel out of the ocean GENRE: Adventure / floor. This act destroys Fantasy the underwater palace RUN LENGTH: 90 min and unleashes a powerful RELEASE: Feb 6

Starring Ah Boys to Men actors, this new local film has two lion dance teams facing off in a fusion of hip hop and lion dance

Who would’ve THOUGHT that fusing hip hop and traditional lion dance could result in the rivalry of two lion dance troupes, producing dance offs and much drama? The Lion Men, by local director Jack Neo, is a modern lion dance battle story. Shi Shen (Tosh Zhang, famous for Ah Boys to Men) is the top performer in the Tiger Crane Lion Dance Association but feels restricted by Master He’s traditional mind-set. He decides to lead a group of disciples to form his own lion dance troupe, that fuses hip hop dancing with lion dance movements. A major Lion Dance Competition is coming up and Mikey (Wang Weiliang, also from Ah Boys to Men) is groomed to be Shi Shen’s successor. However, Mikey has a huge fear of heights! You can imagine what an obstacle that would be to his prospects. As fate would have it, the situation is further worsened as both Mikey and Shi Shen fall for the Tiger Crane master’s daughter, played by Eva Cheng. A New Wave The Lion Men is the latest film by popular local director Jack Neo, who is still fresh from his success with Ah Boys to Men. “In this movie, I’ve added creative new moves to give lion dance a fresh perspective,” he said of his new film. Playing Master He is Chen Tianwen, the popular Channel 8 actor who recently starred in the multi-award winning

7 - E l e v e n g i v e away s 300: Rise of an Empire Giveaway Be one of the first few people in Singapore to catch 300: Rise of an Empire, opening Mar 6, when you shop at 7-Eleven! Simply spend a minimum of $5* in a single receipt at any 7-Eleven store and SMS your particulars to win! Send your SMS to 72008 in the following format: 7E*Receipt No.*Name*NRIC*E-mail If you’re one of the 10 lucky winners, you also stand to win exclusive movie hampers from the latest blockbuster by Warner Bros Singapore worth more than $8,000! Each hamper includes 4 tickets to the movie premiere on Mar 5, and includes 4 sets of the following premiums: • 300: Rise of an Empire Printed Black T-shirt • 300: Rise of an Empire Shield Bottle Opener • 300: Rise of an Empire Axe Bottle Opener • 300: Rise of an Empire Desktop Phone Holder • 300: Rise of an Empire Mask Keychain • 300: Rise of an Empire Liquid Mouse-mat • 300: Rise of an Empire Die-cut Notebook

All this and more can be yours simply by visiting a 7-Eleven store near you and spending a minimum of $5*in a single receipt today!

exclusive Kronenbourg Giveaway On top of that, purchase any two Kronenbourg 500ml cans in a single receipt and stand a chance to win more than $10,000 worth of prizes! 30 winners will each take away a Kronenbourg Picnic Basket and 4 VIP movie passes to Encore @ Fort Canning worth a total of $285. 15 winners will also take with them one 3-litre Kronenbourg Beer Tower worth $125. To participate, simply SMS: Kronenbourg500<Space>Name<Space>NRIC<Space> Receipt No. to 9010 2322.

Will these Ah Boys make it as Lion Men?

hit, Ilo Ilo. In The Lion Men, his character is hard-headed and resistant to change. As such, some of his students eventually break away from his tight-fisted regime and form a rival lion dance troupe that incorporates hip hop. With rivalry between both sides in both competition and in love, there promises to be lots of drama and action. Refreshing Ideas Neo has always wondered about and marvelled at the skill that these lion dancers have. “How heavy is the lion’s head? How do they manoeuvre the tail and, more importantly, how do they execute the Mei Hua Zhuang pillar demonstration so smoothly?” Neo pondered. He continued, “Lion dance today has shed its association with traditional religious practices. It’s now an engaging extracurricular activity (in some schools) that requires strength, endurance, and perseverance.”

Nail-Biting Stunts A number of actors from the relatively young cast were last seen in Ah Boys to Men, another Jack Neo film. They bring their youthful energy to the film with stunts and choreography so vigorous that the director would “pray for everyone’s safety” while filming those sequences. Neo adds, “Although some of the moves and choreography are raw, it provides the space and opportunity for lion dance professionals to smoothen out the rough edges and strive for fresh and innovative forms.” If you liked Ah Boys to Men or like lion dance, you might find this movie entertaining. The Lion Men [PG] Director: Jack Neo Starring: Chen Tian Wen, Wang Weiliang, Tosh Zhang and Noah Yap Genre: Drama / Comedy Run Length: 130 min Release: Jan 30

WEEKENDER TICKETS GIVEAWAY Weekender is giving away 10 pairs of the Lego Movie tickets! DirectorS: Phil Lord & Christopher Miller Starring: Will Arnett, Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Alison Brie, Morgan Freeman & Elizabeth Banks Release: Feb 6

Golden Village theatres

TO WIN, SIMPLY: 1. Like & share our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/weekendersgp 2. Drop us a private message with the words “LEGO MOVIE”. 3. In the message, include your particulars: Name, NRIC, E-mail, Mobile No.

Visit www.facebook.com/ KronenbourgSG for more details. What are you waiting for? Visit 7-Eleven today and stand to win these great prizes! For illustration purpose only

These promotions are on from Jan 29 to Feb 25, 2014. Terms & Conditions apply. Visit www.7-eleven.com.sg for more details. Purchases exclude cigarettes, lottery sales and fuel.

ONLY 1 ENTRY PER PERSON, PLEASE. DEADLINE: FEB 12, 2014 *This contest is only open to residents of Singapore. Tickets will be valid for all sessions of The Lego Movie until run ends, except on Sat after 5pm, on the eve of public holidays, and on public holidays.

TRAVELATION

february 7 - 13, 2014

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S P E C I A L F E AT U R E

Step into Eden

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in malaysia Headhunters’ Trail and whitewater rafting.

Sarawak is full of natural wonders

Venture into East Malaysia and see the stunning natural wonders of Sabah and Sarawak

Via Ferrata at Mount Kinabalu

here is much more to Malaysia than just Kuala Lumpur and Genting Highlands. If you would like to get in touch with nature, try visiting the lush and almost untouched lands of Sabah and Sarawak. You might well be surprised by their raw beauty. Sarawak is known as the Land of the Hornbills while Sabah is the Land Below the Wind. These Eastern Malaysian states are nature’s playgrounds, with so much pulsating action for ecoadventurers. Be it a primeval rainforest, a mystical cave, a winding river or even a majestic mountain, Sabah and

Sarawak have it all. Eden in the East The vast wilderness and UNESCO World Heritage sites in Sarawak have drawn visitors from far and wide. One of these UNESCO World Heritage sites is the Mount Mulu National Park. Famous for being Sarawak’s largest national park at 544 sq. km., it is also home to the Sarawak Chamber, the world’s largest cave chamber, Deer Cave, the world’s largest cave passage, as well as Clearwater Cave, one of the longest caves in Asia and a treasure trove of 2,000 varieties of plants and animals. See up to eight different types of hornbills, 170 species of orchids and ten species of pitcher plants. Other attractions include a bar observatory, a 480m long rainforest canopy skywalk, a spectacular limestone pinnacle trail, a historic

Headhunters & Jungle Folk The Headhunters’ Trail traces the route of the ancient Kayan tribesman who overcame the challenges of the mountain valleys, hills and rivers. Also, every year in July, the Rainforest World Music Festival will play ethnic music against the backdrop of the 300-million-year-old rainforest. For a more relaxing trail, drop by the Semenggoh Nature Reserve and cosy up to a cute orang utan. The young orang utans who have been orphaned or rescued from captivity are well taken care of in the reserve before being reintroduced into the wild. There are also dozens of other national parks, such as Bako National Park, Kuching Wetland National Park and Niah National Park, should you want to see more. Heart of Borneo Sabah is known for being home to one of Southeast Asia’s highest peaks, Mount Kinabalu. The Kinabalu Park, that was established in 1964, is Malaysia’s first World Heritage Site awarded by UNESCO in the year 2000, with over 4,000 species of flora and fauna, 326 birds and about 100 mammals. The main attraction of the park is the mountain. Standing at 4,095.2m, it attracts thousands of climbers

A drool-worthy getaway From the relaxing getaway of Ipoh to the food hub of Penang, the adventure in Malaysia continues By Brandon Era In the Lost World of Tambun in Ipoh, I woke up refreshed and energised, eager to see more of the beauty that Malaysia held. With the little that I know about Ipoh, that is to say, almost nothing except about the famous Ipoh Hor Fun, I was excited when we were to visit a place called The Banjaran Hot Springs & Retreat. A Cavernous Paradise Now, I’m someone who doesn’t believe in mythical places like Shangri-La but The Banjaran in Ipoh comes truly close. Picture a perfect tranquil setting, with only the sounds of nature as your “backing track”, the distant calls of birds and various other fauna, with the rushing of water from streams and a natural hot spring that resides in the resort itself.

This is truly the epitome of serenity with natural limestone caves that adorn the retreat, natural sauna caves (due to the steam from the hot spring), yoga meditation caves and even a wine cellar that is artificiallycooled, with a restaurant within to boot. Just being in The Banjaran eased my worries. It is indeed a true retreat and getaway for anyone, especially from the hectic work schedule and bustle of city life. Hard Rockin’ Penang We then loaded our barang barang (belongings) into the bus and sped off to Penang. It took us slightly under two hours to get there, and I was back to a place that boasted a mixture of rural, rustic charm and luxurious hotels. Our next stop: the Hard Rock Hotel Penang. Famous legends of rock ‘n’ roll adorned the lounge, with a huge statue of the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, seated in a throne. Memorabilia adorned the lounge and the rooms with everything done up in a rock theme. I felt like I had gone to rock heaven.

from around the world every year and is also the venue of the annual Mount Kinabalu Climbathon. Apart from that, Sabah is also known for the world’s smallest orchid, Podochillius, and the world’s largest flower, the Rafflesia. Sabah further bolsters its image as the world’s eco-tourism haven with the recent discovery of more wildlife species. The Heart of Borneo project of the World Wildlife Fund for Nature found 123 exotic species, 67 plants, 29 invertebrates, 17 fish, five frogs, three snakes and two lizards in the Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah’s largest expanse of lowland dipterocarp forest.

The famous yet elusive Rafflesia can be found in East Malaysia

For a different kind of ecoadventure, enjoy the taste of bird’s nest and see how it is harvested at the Gomantong Caves and Simud Hitam Caves. With all these natural wonders, be sure to put the Eden of East Malaysia on your next itinerary. Visit www.tourismmalaysia. gov.my

Bigger, better Citystate Cruises From Jan 1, Citystate Travel has muscled up with the acquisition of ACE Cruise Holidays. This merger boosts the capability and market reach to more travellers

Yummy Penang Assam Laksa

Of Foodies & Goodies With much reluctance, I left the rock haven I had so readily decided to call home to explore a little bit more of Penang. I was not disappointed. The diverse variety of food available in Penang eclipses that which is available in Singapore. Among the mouthwatering food, you can find familiar ones such as Roti Canai (Roti Prata), Orh Lua (Fried oyster with starch and egg), Penang Laksa (an Assam version of the famous dish), and the list goes on. The food was amazing and left me wanting more. Any description wouldn’t do it justice. I couldn’t even pinpoint a place and list it as a must-try because every dish I tried along

Penang Char Kway Teow is the favourite of many

the streets was better than the previous place, if not excellent. Penang is truly deserving of its reputation as a food hub of Southeast Asian cuisine. I am grateful that my last stop in this brief adventure in the wonderful land of Malaysia was a muchsavoured food break in Penang. This trip was made possible by Tourism Malaysia.

With the expansion of Citystate Travel in acquiring ACE Cruise Holidays, Citystate Holidays (Leisure brand of Citystate Travel) is now rebranded to Citystate Cruises (A Division of Citystate Travel) with 100% focus on introducing to and educating the market on the vast variety of cruises available. Citystate Cruises represents more than 13 cruise lines worldwide and specialises in planning and providing all guests with the most memorable cruise vacations. Its cruise consultants are equipped with extensive knowledge of the cruise lines it represents, with the belief that the perfect vacation starts with personalised services and careful planning. Citystate Cruises aims to deliver the best cruise experience exceeding customers’ expectations, and will take care of everything customers need on their cruise, at great prices. Citystate Cruises is proud to be the Top Agent for Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Azamara and Costa Cruises. Please call Citystate Cruises at 6222 9222 or E-mail cruises@citystate.travel for more information.

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tech

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Brilliant quality can be easily attained and uploaded from your Compact Digital Camera via Wi-Fi

One good reason to buy a Compact Digital Camera soon With new features to enhance connectivity, Compact Digital Cameras are preparing for a comeback. Guinevere Sofer explains

The Canon Powershot G16. Compact, powerful and easy to share with its built-in Wi-Fi

bout 20 years ago, the Compact Digital Camera was king of the cameras. Film cameras were waning, and smartphones were nonexistent at the time. In the course of ten years, smartphones and Wi-Fi have fuelled the social media frenzy, enabling everyone to post photos or videos on Instagram, Facebook, Flickr, or YouTube. Smartphones became the gateway to social media platforms in a short span of time, even though the photos taken by phone cams were grainy, poor in colour, and not sharp. Clearly, the ease of posting and sharing online outweighed the disadvantages of taking pictures with a phone cam. All this is about to change. The Compact Digital Camera will soon be making a comeback. Here’s why. Compact Digital Camera‘s Photo Quality is King Compared to Phone Cam’s There’s no disputing it. A Compact Digital Camera captures better quality images than a phone cam. The Compact Digital Camera is a “dedicated specialist” compared to the “multipurpose” phone cam. Because it is expected to serve its purpose exceptionally well, that is to take quality photos, the Compact Digital Camera possesses better sensors, processors, optics and software compared to the phone cam.

New generations of Compact Digital Cameras will connect easier than ever

Fortunately, this will change with the advent of a new wave of Wi-Fi Compact Digital Cameras. The new Wi-Fi feature, built into models such as the Canon Powershot G16 ($699), Powershot S200 ($399) and Digital IXUS 140 ($269), can connect to your Facebook, Twitter,

Built-in Wi-Fi, the New GameChanger People who loved to take and share pictures online had to live with poor quality photos in exchange for the convenience of connectivity.

Weekender CANON CAMERA GIVEAWAY Win a Canon

Cameras to be won!

Value :

$399 ea.

PowerShot SX270 HS

compact digital camera! CLOSING DATE: 10 Feb 2014

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. HOW TO ENTER THE FINAL GIVEAWAY & WIN

*SMS to 9056 2958 with the message

<CanonWeekender> <Name> <Home Address> <Postal Code> <Age> <Gender> <NRIC> *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.

YouTube and E-mail accounts either through a Wi-Fi network or through iOS and Android devices – whichever is easier. How much simpler could it be? The Wi-Fi feature also allows you to share photos wirelessly with other smartphones, Wi-Fi supported

cameras or computers, and to print directly to PictBridge printers. Finally, with Wi-Fi connectivity built-in, we can all upload great quality images from our Compact Digital Cameras directly to the web. It’s what we’ve been waiting for all this time. Hooray!

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FOODMANIA

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part 2

WORD OF MOUTH Seen and heard of the best of local Singaporean Food

Romantic Dinners

Candlelit Whispers Valentine’s Day is in a week. Quickly, make a reservation before it’s fully booked. Here’s the second part of our round-up to help you

Candlelight dinners and flowers are considered the norm for a traditional Valentine’s Day. Surprise your beloved with a romantic dinner and with your thoughtful planning for the date. Basilico A strolling violinist sets the mood for a romantic “Basilissimo – Best of Basilico” Valentine’s Dinner ($128++ per person) at Regent Hotel, comprising two buffets and a main course. Savour signatures such as

Basilico: Passion Fruit Macarons

Balzac Brasserie Executive Chef Charles Dubois presents Balzac’s Valentine’s Day menu ($98++ per person). It begins with an Alsacian speciality for the amuse bouche – Flammekueche with Black Truffle paired with an Aperitif. This is followed by the appetiser, Tartar of Mozambique Prawns with Caviar. Two selections are available for the main course: Roasted French

of tender chicken chunks that are first marinated in bitter orange and spices, then slow-cooked over a charcoal grill. There is also a Taco Platter with Tilapia, Pork Belly and Chilli con Carne. Round off the meal with the Dessert of the Day, or snack on homemade Churros drizzled with chocolate sauce while enjoying a classic Mexican movie screening. Call 6348 1302 for more information. Pidgin Kitchen & Bar Spice up this romantic affair

E-mail basilicogrm.rsn@ fourseasons.com for reservations.

Call 6268 8633 for reservations.

Lower East Side Taqueria: Tacos Platter

Pidgin: Firecracker

Whole Baked Lobster Gratin with Roasted Baby Vegetables, Pan-seared Foie Gras with Roasted Figs in Amarone Wine and Braised Angus Beef Cheek Agnolotti with Taleggio Cheese Fondue and Porcini Mushrooms, among others. End your evening on a sweet note with a Chocolate Lovers’ dessert spread featuring Cannoli filled with White Chocolate and Saffron, and more.

Quayside Fish Bar & Bistro Tucked inside the nouveau riche enclave of Quayside Isle, Quayside Fish Bar & Bistro’s Valentine’s Day menu ($95++ to $105++) comprises a three or four-course meal featuring dishes such as a Saffron Seafood Broth, Homemade Lobster Tofu and Char-grilled Tenderloin.

Cod Fish with artichokes and a hearty dish of Braised and Glazed Spanish Pork Ribs. Call 6336 0797 for more details and reservations. Lower East Side Taqueria “El Día del Amor y la Amistad”, or “Day of Love and Friendship” as Valentine’s Day is known in Mexico, is as much a celebration of friendship as well as romantic love. The set dinner ($32 per person, minimum 2 diners) features Ceviche de Camarones, a refreshing shrimp and sea bass ceviche. The Pibil Pollo consists

with bold and playful creations specially designed for the occasion. Ignite your passion this Valentine’s Day with the Firecracker ($15++), a quirky combination of jamon, pork terrine and bak kwa, shaped like a firecracker. Celebrate love and happiness with your special one over a dish of Dating Lovebirds ($52++), a delicious marriage of pigeon, Chinese red dates and cherries. Complete the night by indulging in Full Circle ($12++) a sweet and heart-warming dessert made with chocolate tang yuan and ginger crème anglaise. Available from Feb 13 to 15. Call 6475 0080 for reservations.

Skyve: Freshly Shucked Oysters with Basil Sherbet

Skyve Wine Bistro Impress your special someone with Skyve Wine Bistro’s Valentine’s Day Dinner Menu ($80++ per person), including Freshly Shucked Oysters served with Basil Sherbet, Shrimp and Avocado Chowder for appetisers. Together with Seared NY Strip, Asparagus and Pommes Puree with Fig Demi Glaze or Ancho Crusted Cod, Jicama Slaw and Baby Greens for your choice of mains, you’ll be spoilt for choice. End beautifully with a Passion Fruit Ivory Dome with Yuzu Sorbet. Call 6225 6690 for reservations.

Creamy Custard Tarts The best mix of our colonial roots and Asian baking style has resulted in our own version of the custard tart, more often known as the egg tart around these parts. The flaky pastry, typical of Chinese baked goods, houses a sweet and caramelised egg custard. Grab some at these places for your afternoon tea. Tong Heng Confectionary These diamond-shaped egg tarts have delighted us since the early 1960s, when the 1920s coffee shop took a turn into the confectionary business. The pastry is flaky and the custard is soft and jelly-like, resulting in a sweet and satisfying snack or even dessert. 285 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058833 Royal China This restaurant serves quality dim sum and among the many delights is the egg tart. Made a la minute, expect to wait for ten to 15 minutes for them but the fluffy pastry and egg custard make it worth the wait. Raffles Hotel, #03-09, 1 Beach Road, Singapore 189673 Le Café Confectionary & Pastry Bring up Lay Eng to your grandparents and they would most likely recognise it for being the place to get birthday cakes and pastries back in the day. Now rechristened Le Café Confectionary & Pastry, it still makes its version of the custard tart, but nestled in the tart shell is a lighter bean curd custard. Elias Building, 264 Middle Road, Singapore 188990 Fancy Delight This is a much newer and much more ‘evolved’ version of the typical egg tart. Coming with different toppings such as chocolate or in a green tea shell, these new-fangled tarts have proven quite popular with the younger palate. Visit www.fancydelight.com.sg Noble House Order before you head to Noble House as their egg tarts get sold out very quickly. The velvety texture of the custard and the flaky buttery pastry carry the right amount of decadence and sweetness. UIC Building, 5 Shenton Way, #06-13, Singapore 03129

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february 7 - 13, 2014

Putien:

Savour authentic dishes from a little town called Putian, in the Fujian province of China, here in Singapore By Brandon Era

estled along the shop houses of Kitchener Road, a quaint little restaurant beckoned to me, standing apart from the rest of the shops along the busy lane. With a posh interior and friendly staff to show me to my seat, my culinary journey at Putien was just about to begin. Abundant Pot of Goodies I was first introduced to

the head chef, Billy, and the philosophy behind the cuisine at Putien. With a humble beginning in the year 2000, Putien serves cuisine from the Fujian Province in China – characteristically light, downto-earth and flavourful food with an emphasis on fresh ingredients. This last point really shone in the dish we sampled, which was the “Pot of Goodies” (ranging from $228 to $468, depending on the size and ingredients), or more widely known as Pen Cai. With fresh ingredients from Putian, China, this delectable dish consists of fish maw, sea cucumber, dried clams, dried scallops and, of course, abalone. Each of the ingredients, as we were told by the head chef, was individually cooked

Dinner with the Green Fairy

The authentic taste of Fujian

Putien’s Pen Cai serves the freshest ingredients straight from Putian, China

FOODMANIA

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before being carefully layered in a clay pot to be simmered in stock for eight hours. With the amount of preparation and dedication that went into the dish, it was by no means a let-down. Now, I must confess that I’m no expert when it comes to Chinese cuisine but the flavour and the taste of the food was excellent to me. I enjoyed the fact that the seafood was cooked thoroughly, removing the grainy and sandy feeling I usually associate with shellfish. A Prosperous Start With the Lunar New Year upon us, I’ve had my fair share of Yu Sheng, or Lo Hei, but the one at Putien had a slight twist to it. The Prosperity Yu Sheng (ranging from $26.80 to $49.80, depending on size) had the signature Putien seaweed adorning the dish, along with the usual raw fish (salmon in this dish) and shredded carrots. It added an invigorating and different texture to the dish on the whole and I feel that it’s worth a taste this Lunar New Year. Putien Restaurant, 127 Kitchener Road, Singapore 208514, Tel: 6749 6338

Absinthe was once called The Green Fairy for its rumoured psychoactive properties. We now know that was an exaggeration, and its namesake has great French fare I’D always wanted to go to Absinthe since it was at its old quarters at Bukit Pasoh Road but I never had the chance. Finally, I managed to visit Absinthe after it moved to its current shophouse unit along Boat Quay. While the establishment takes its name from an alcoholic spirit with a reputation, we assure you, the visit to ‘The Green Fairy’ was nothing but pleasant and a great dining experience. Absinthe prides itself in classic French cuisine with none of the snootiness. The staff is friendly and well informed. Saints & Sinners The current space has three floors: a seafood bar on the first floor, the main restaurant on the second floor and a private space, open for events, on the third floor. The new appetiser, Saint Jacques ($27++), is seared Hokkaido scallop with braised daikon (Asian white radish), wakame (a type of seaweed) and lemon thyme emulsion. The fresh and sizeable

scallops were nicely-seared with a smoky flavour on the outside, which gives way to a pristine interior. I loved the Foie Gras Terrine ($30++), also a new addition. It is layered with smoked duck and comes with a freshly-baked brioche and black fig. The sweet brioche complemented the slightly gamey foie gras, while the smoked duck gave it a salty

Warm & Comforting Bites The dessert menu is kept simple but the quality speaks for itself. The newly-added Madeleines ($15++) are warm, crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside. They had a hint of vanilla and came with a quenelle of Valrhona chocolate mousse. Also try the Crumble ($15++), a warm banana and apple crumble with rum and

“...the visit to ‘The Green Fairy’ was nothing but pleasant, and a great dining experience.” The Canard

and meaty kick. The chef, who grew up in the south of France, has incorporated a signature dish into the menu. The Bouillabaisse ($45++), a fish and seafood soup with rouille (a sauce that usually consists of olive oil, garlic, saffron and chilli pepper) and croutons, is a taste of freshness from the sea in each bite. The Canard ($42++), a French staple of duck confit, was done supremely well. The duck leg had a crisp skin and sinful layer of fat. It was too good to refuse.

raisin ice cream. With just the right amount of crumble and fruit in every bite, I found this warm dessert familiar and comforting at the same time. If you’re going at night, sit facing the skyline as the laser show from Marina Bay Sands can be seen in its full glory from Boat Quay. Absinthe, 71/72 Boat Quay, Singapore 049860, Tel: 6222 9068 Please note, menu items are subject to change.

S P EC I A L F E A T U RE

feb’s feast for the eyes! Guy’s Grocery Games Every Thu, 8pm Guy Fieri heads this latest Food Network competition series that turns grocery shopping into an extreme sport. Four talented chefs face off in intense culinary challenges that force them out of the comforts of their professional kitchens into real world situations that truly test their creativity and skills. Competitors must overcome hurdles like finding out essential ingredients are suddenly out of stock, creating a masterpiece with only five items or less, and making a gourmet meal on a realistic family budget.

Camille Ford hosts Food Wars Guy Fieri heads the latest food competition series

Food Network has an exciting line up for you this February that is sure to make your gastronomic senses merry

ometimes, the closest you can get to that quadruple burger in the USA is through a culinary programme on TV. Food Network launches several new series and episodes of your favourite food programmes for you to salivate over.

Chopped Every Tue, 9pm It’s all about skill and speed when four chefs compete to transform everyday ingredients into extraordinary three-course meals. A basket of mystery ingredients, and seconds to plan, and the clock starts. The chefs must survive the Chopping Block as they present their creations to a panel of three expert judges. Food Network Challenge Every Wed, 10pm, starting Feb 26 From small-town cook-offs to the World Pastry Team Championship, we’ll take you to the biggest and best food battles around the world. Bragging rights and major cash prizes are on the line for the tallest

pastry, the sweetest pie, the spiciest chilli and the most savoury barbecue ribs. Food Wars Every Thu, 9pm Host Camille Ford, travel enthusiast and lover of all things food, sets out to find America’s most celebrated dishes – foods that define destinations and create local rivalries spanning generations. From family feuds to stolen recipes to secret ingredients, the final showdown will settle the debate with a blind taste test. Log On & Eat with Eden Grinshpan Every Mon, 8.30pm Intrepid chef and food fanatic Eden Grinshpan taps into the evergrowing online world of food blogs and social media to discover the best dishes in iconic American cities. At each stop, Eden meets up with the popular and eccentric Internet personalities behind the culinary reviews for visits to their favourite dining spots. Kimberly’s Simply Southern Every Mon, 5.30pm Kimberly Schlapman, a member of best-selling country music group Little Big Town, steps out of the spotlight and into the kitchen to share her passion for making simple yet delicious meals at home. Drawing her culinary experiences from her travels on her tour bus

– and always with help from her friends and fellow music artists – Kimberly creates inspired, authentic dishes straight from the heart. Unique Sweets Every Thu, 10.30pm Save room for dessert on this delectable tour of innovative eateries where the most exciting and enticing treats are being created today, from chocolate boutiques serving wild artisanal flavours to bakeries producing one-of-a-kind pastries, cakes and cookies. Valentine’s Day “Table for Two” Event Friday, Feb 14, all day Grab your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day and get cooking with a day of delectable dishes perfect for a special romantic dinner for two. Later, cuddle up on the sofa for a full evening of the Food Network Challenge with themed episodes celebrating true love, from marriage proposals to weddings to golden anniversaries.

See unique sweet treats

Food Network is on StarHub TV Ch 433.

HEALTH & BEAUTY / Fashion

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Fash snips Here are stirrings in the fashion world that you would want, need and love to know about

Citigems Convey all your heart’s sentiments with these adorable teddies, reminiscent of your childhood soft toy. Crystallise your love and send your loved one to cloud nine with adorable teddies carrying passionate red or serene blue semi-precious gemstones. Available until Feb 27, while stocks last.

Esprit This Valentine’s Day, Esprit Watches has designed an enchanting collection of heart-inspired styles with a glossy case hugging bits of floating hearts adorned with shimmering crystals on the bezel. It comes with a complimentary bracelet. Available at places such as Clout 9 at Wheelock Place, Tangs Orchard and VivoCity and selected City Chain stores.

The K-Beauty look is easily achievable

The K-Beauty look for

romance Here are some tips on how to get that natural Korean Beauty look to enthral your love

fter you’re all done with your hair, you’ll need to paint your face. We’re not talking about the overdone faces with false eye lashes and thick lashings of eyeliner. We’re talking about a more elegant and simple look to romance, much like that of the Korean actresses you see on television. A “make-under” of sorts to keep you looking like the girl-next-door yet enough to make him stare. We speak with Tina Oh, a trainer with Korean brand Laneige, for tips and tricks to achieve that K-Beauty (Korean Beauty) look. Prep Your Skin It is important to start with clean skin before anything goes on. So, wash, tone and moisturise your face before putting on any product. Tina says, “You may wonder about the different colours of primer available. Pink primers make you appear fairer and gets rid of paleness, green ones even out redness and purple gets rid of sallow or yellow undertones in the skin.” She also recommends the relatively new to market Laneige BB Cushion type foundations instead of others. Simply dab your BB Cushion on your face and build up the base slowly. You can touch up throughout the day with the same application technique. “The BB Cushion will even out your skin tone and before reapplying as the day wears on, make sure to smooth out the cracks beforehand,” she advises.

Windows to the Soul As the eyes are the proverbial windows to the soul, you should always keep those pretty peepers lively. In K-Beauty, eyeliner is very important, it makes eyes look longer and bigger.

Tina emphasises that “eyeliner is more important than eye shadow” and for a romantic look she suggests safe colours such as a shimmery pink or purple or brown. “If you are using pink, make sure the base is not white! Most Asian girls have single or inner eyelids and if a white-based pink shadow is used, it may result in puffy looking eyes,” Tina cautions. Shimmer shadows are easier to blend and build when needed. It also creates a slightly dreamier effect on the eyes. Tight-line your lashes to make them look more lush as well. How? Lift your lid slightly so you see the waterline on your upper lids, run an eyeliner pencil across the line to fill in the gaps. Then put shadow on the pencil liner to help it to stay put. Seal it with a Kiss As you can tell, this look emphasises the natural features of your face rather than hides them. Tina recommends a shimmering pink or coral lipstick to complete the look. However, if you are going out at night, update your look with a darker lip such as with fuchsia lipstick. “If you can, blend out the fuchsia from the middle of your lips. It will be darker in the middle and lighter on the outside. It will result in a nice gradation of colour,” she recommends. Put a spring in your step with the seasonal colours of shimmering neutral shades and stun your date at the same time. Happy Valentine’s Day in advance, everyone!

Song Hye Gyo using Flash Pink

Arizma Arizma welcomes health and prosperity in the New Year with “Yu” - a collection of exquisite jade pieces. Apart from traditional green jade, enliven your ensemble with a jade piece in a radiant orchid shade. Visit www.arizma.com.sg for more information.

Celebrity Sighting! Amy Adams was seen at the Golden Globes in a stunning red Valentino gown with a plunging neckline and an open back, reminiscent of her equally plunging necklines for her role in American Hustle.

Make your locks lovelier

Low Slung Bun

Textured Back Bun

Make yourself picture perfect for your Valentine’s Day date with these styling tips from Percy & Reed

Now that you’re all set for Valentine’s Day, it’s time to learn how to doll up properly. British hair care brand Percy & Reed offers some easy styles to try. Paul Percival & Adam Reed have styled the likes of Sophie Dahl, Rita Ora and Diane Kruger. They started a salon and then their own range to help everyday people to have hair just like the stars. The romantic look is all about loose and soft styles that exude a casual elegance. Here is a step-by-step break down on two styles that you can try for that perfect date. Low Slung Bun A modern take on a classic 1920’s up-do. 1. Start by applying a couple of pumps of the No Oil Oil for thick to wet hair and comb through from roots to tips. This will make hair silky, smooth and give lots of shine. 2. Next, comb a golf ballsized amount of Abundantly Bouncy Volumising Mousse through the hair, again from root to tip. Hair is now ready to be blown dry. 3. After blow-drying, braid 3 sections of hair at the back of the head and secure with a clear band. Make sure it is tight as you want the bun to be small in size. Roll back into the nape of the neck and secure with some large geisha pins.

4. Spray the remaining front section of the hair which is unpinned with the So Cool Heat Protect Spray and use a wand to create a gentle wave in the hair. To finish, secure with some coloured grips. Textured Back Bun This is an update of the classic top-knot bun, with much more body and texture in the hair. 1. Prep the hair with the Quite Wonderfully Wavy Texturizing Spray, spraying onto wet hair and then blowdrying. This will give a great foundation to the hair. 2. Then, Spray Reassuringly Firm Session Hold Hairspray onto a brush and sweep the hair up towards the crown into a high ponytail. The Hair Spray will give greater hold and control over the hair. 3. Fasten the hair with a hook band to keep it secure and then slide a bun ring down to the base of the pony. 4. Spray the Pony with No Fuss Flawlessness Dry Conditioner and then backcomb to add texture. Sweep the hair around the bun ring and pin in place. 5. Finish with Reassuringly Firm Session Hold Hairspray to get rid of any frizz or flyaway. Percy & Reed products are available in Sephora.

weekender.com.sg

february 7 - 13, 2014

beauty

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Jimmy Choo The glamorous Jimmy Choo girl is back and she’s hitting the clubs in the city of London. This floral, fruity and musky perfume contains luminous notes of lychee, citrus fruits and fresh white flowers. Great for a night out on the town.

in Brief The long and short of the beauty industry for this week

Available at Sephora, Robinsons Orchard and Centrepoint, and Metro. Sulwhasoo Korean brand Sulwhasoo expands its products to include a new innovative foundation, the Evenfair Perfecting Cushion. Known for their natural ingredients, this new foundation includes ingredients such as Apricot Kernel Oil and a Korean Herbal Hydrator which includes five herbal extracts – white lily, peony, Solomon’s seal, East India and lotus.

Innisfree A porcelain complexion is coveted amongst Asian women and Korean brand Innisfree understands that. Introducing the Eco Science White C Double Serum and the Eco Science White C Pore Double Serum, the key active ingredient is the organic tangerine skin, which has four times more Vitamin C than tangerine flesh and it helps to brighten and moisturise skin.

Only available at Tangs stores, Takashimaya and Robinsons Orchard.

Innifree is located in Takashimaya, #B2-34/35.

Sephora In line with Valentine’s Day, Sephora has come up with a special bath collection. Completely customisable, you can write sweet nothings on the Bath & Shower Gel. It smells of cotton flowers, with a blend of almond blossoms and linen softened by notes of white musk and honey.

Nuxe One Huile Prodigieuse from Nuxe is sold every six seconds worldwide. This multi-purpose dry oil nourishes, repairs and softens face, body and hair. It contains no silicone or mineral oil and is preservative free. It does contain notes such as orange blossom, rose, vanilla, Mirabelle plum and cedar.

Available at Sephora outlets.

Available at Beauty By Nature outlets and John Little.

Sports

february 7 - 13, 2014

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weekender.com.sg

Who will be the

Champions of Europe? P

erhaps the most lucrative and the most exciting championship in the world, the UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) Champions League truly is a must-watch every season. The teams that are in the knockout stage of the Champions League are already among the best in the world, and it’ll be really exciting to see the greats battle it out for the top prize, and bragging rights, as the undisputed champions of Europe. The Favourites Every tournament has its favourites as well as the ever-popular dark horse. The Champions League is no different. Here are my top three picks to win the trophy. 1. Bayern Munich The German giant, Bayern Munich, has been a force to be reckoned with since time immemorial but this current squad has further been touted as the best team we’ve ever seen in the world. Being the first team to win five trophies in a season, Bayern Munich is definitely the clear favourite. With international stars such as

2. Manchester City I know this isn’t a common pick, nor is the team favoured, but given everything I’ve seen about Manchester City in this football season, I just have to list City among the top contenders. The style of play and philosophy that the team has adopted under the guidance of Manuel Pellegrini has been nothing short of phenomenal. With a tremendously impressive home record, as well as goalscoring record all season, and the likes of Sergio Aguero and David Silva, I think Pelligrini’s main purpose for coming to City is to make sure “the Citizens” stamp their name in European history. Will they finally step out of the shadow of their noisy but faltering neighbours (Manchester United)? Watch them open their knockout phase by hosting Catalan giants Barcelona on Feb 18. That promises to be a true test of mettle.

3. Barcelona You never count Barcelona out. Never. With the ever-present danger of Lionel Messi (Ballon d’Or winner from 2009 to 2012), Neymar, Alexis Sanchez and rising star Cristian Tello, Barcelona have a formidable strike force capable of dismantling any defence in the world. Oh, did I forget to mention Xavi Hernandez and Andreas Iniesta? Sure, Xavi may be getting on in years but his pass completion rate and vision of the game is still incredible.

Enter Sony’s “We Are One” competition and you might win a oncein-a-lifetime trip to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil Sony Mobile Communications, an official FIFA World Cup partner, kicked off the pan-regional “We Are One” campaign, beginning with a video submission contest where one lucky fan will get to experience the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil on an all-expenses paid trip. Having started on Jan 22, fans from all over the region can submit videos by putting their creative hats

to good use and showing the world their passion for the sport. How to Compete Simply assemble your own fan club and sport your team colours; sing, dance, jump, move and shout and give your best shot at the video. The top ten videos from each participating market region will be picked for public voting to determine a national winner. This will be followed by a final round of voting where a regional winner will emerge and walk away with an all-expenses paid trip to Sao Paolo, Brazil and to experience the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Each of the top ten videos submitted will also receive a limited

The Dark Horse This may come as a surprise to many, but my dark horse pick for the remainder of the tournament has to be Manchester United. I know the faith of the fans, players and critics alike have been dragged through the mud this season, along with the club’s English Premier League standing. Still, you can usually count on the Red Devils for a comeback. Need I remind you of Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solksjaer in the Champions League final of ’99 against Bayern Munich? With Juan Mata recently added to the mix, who knows what could happen?

Who do you think will lift the Champions League trophy? E-mail your views and predictions to general@weekender.com.sg!

Can Messi and gang produce more magic?

edition 2014 FIFA World Cup trophy replica.

Win a trip to the World Cup in Brazil

Barcelona has an abundance of players that can strike fear into the hearts of the opposition.

Submission Deadline & More Information “We are really excited to be able to involve the region and celebrate the spirit of the FIFA World Cup and the passion for football with this campaign. Southeast Asia and Oceania are so diverse and full of culture, we can’t wait to see the entries,” said Bernard Chong, Market Head, Sony Mobile Communications (Singapore). Submissions for the “We Are One” video contest opened on Jan 22 and will close Feb 24. All guidelines and terms and conditions of the contest will be announced on the “We Are One” microsite. More information and a full overview of the “We Are One” campaign can be found at www.weareonesony.com. About “We Are One” “We Are One” is a regional platform activated across Southeast Asia and Oceania, under the auspices of the Sony FIFA World Cup partnership. “We Are One” not only allows football fans to share their passion but to do so through one another. Sony is one of six Official FIFA Partners, for the “Digital Life” category. Visit www.weareonesony.com to be a part of the “We Are One” community and receive all the latest updates.

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Win a trip to see Neymar and other superstars at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil

Photo: Shutterstock.com

By Brandon Era

Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben and Thomas Mueller, the team has plenty to offer. Fresh from his nomination for the Ballon d’Or award (for FIFA’s best player in the world), Ribery will be looking to humble Arsenal in their first game on Feb 19, when they travel to The Emirates Stadium. I know it’s a tall order to defend the Champions League title but if there’s a team out there that can do it, it has to be Bayern. I really don’t see any team beating them on a good day, especially with the maestro Pep Guardiola (formerly of Barcelona) at the helm.

ANSWERS TO SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: See Page 6 for question. 

The European leagues and clubs are among the best and best-supported in the world. But who will lift the coveted UEFA Champions League trophy?

Photo B

The photo taken with a phone cam, Photo A (not shown here) appears quite noisy (with patchy tones) on the petals and jagged at the petals’ edges. Photo B was taken with a Compact Digital Camera, the Canon G15. Notice the smoothness of the tones on the petals, and the subtle details in the greenish-white buds in the centre of each blossom. So, if you want to capture the subtlety and vibrancy of the blossoms easily, use a Compact Digital Camera.

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february 7 - 13, 2014

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