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ISSUE 104 OCTOBER 24 - 30, 2014
Halloween Weekender exclusive: shutter director Which is scarier: spooktacular or horror nights? more party & food ideas!
A Midsummer night’s dream 2 pairs of cat 1 tickets to be won!
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d e e pava l i
how to partake in the colours & senses
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LOcal Produce
get cooking ideas from violet oon’s series
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movi e previ ew
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bRAD’s BACK with more war & GORE
WILL chelsea flatten man u this weekend?
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WK104B/MCI(P)119/08/2014
October 24 - 30, 2014
Entertainment FUN @ The colours SENTOSA
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SENTOSA SPOOKTACULAR 2014 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31 Oct & 1 Nov, 7pm-1am, $66.60 (Standard), $333* (Buy 5 get 1 Free)
D ee p a v a l i f e at u r e
& the horroRs await! Colours of Deepavali This Deepavali, come immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the festival of lights Deepavali is a rousing festival of lights, colours and senses. Here’s how you can join in.
Get ready for a whole new extreme experience this Halloween! Experience the dark come to life in the new Spooktacular haunted village – Laddaland – with horror features from Alone, Countdown and The Swimmers.
1. Get a Henna Painting Henna is a temporary tattoo that lasts two to three weeks. The intricate designs of flowers and suns are often related to Indian culture and folklore. You can get henna done in Little India, where beauty parlours in every nook and cranny offer the service at low prices.
Check out what we have to say about Sentosa Spooktacular this year.
“
If you’re more frightened by Asian horror because the stories are spookily relatable, Sentosa Spooktacular is where you want to be. Spot all the interesting details in the walkthroughs – if you aren’t too busy screaming and weeping! - Weekender review
family
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day with an array of masks or designs to choose from. Complimentary for kids accompanied by dining adults. 112 Katong #OOTN Contest Come dressed in your best Halloween costume and be spotted at Laddaland to win tickets to Siloso Beach Party and an exclusive surprise.
Garner your courage and challenge yourself to an ultimate horror fun! Get your tickets now!
For more creepy details, find us on Facebook “Sentosa Spooktacular” or log on to www.spooktacular.com.sg
NEW! FREE! Safari Boo 22, 25 & 26 Oct & 1-2 Nov, 6pm-9pm This Halloween, come join the Safari Boo festivities at River Safari. Kids are encouraged to dress up for this merry-notscary event and participate in various Safari Boo festivities including interactive discovery stations where little ones can play archaeologist and uncover animal bones to solve mysteries! River Safari, 80 Mandai Lake Road, www.riversafari.com.sg NEW! FREE! Charly T’s Halloween FacePainting for the Little Ones 26 Oct, 1.30pm-2.30pm Come join Charly T’s for a Halloween Face Painting Workshop where kids can transform their looks for the
Doors To ‘Hell’oween 29 Oct–2 Nov, $35 Enter the maze of narrow passages and dark chambers and scare the living daylights out of yourself. Ghastly creatures, vengeful ghouls, demons and angels lurk in every crack, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting guests. Whatever your encounter may be, may the odds be ever in your favour. D’Marquee @ Downtown East, 1 Pasir Ris Close, www.downtowneast.com.sg KPO Halloween Bash Vamps, Vixens + Vampires, Villains 31 Oct Calling all vamps, vixens, vampires and villains. KPO welcomes all to its house of horrors this Halloween. Come party in your scariest best to stand a chance to win prizes - Best Dressed Woman, Best
Dressed Man and Best Dressed Group. Enjoy shocking drink treats with spirits, wine and beer at $6 each all night. KPO, 1 Killiney Rd, Killiney Post Office, www.facebook. com/kpo.sg
NEW! Spooky Seas Adventure Trail Until 16 Nov, 10am-7pm Ready, set, go! With a map in hand, kids can set off on this fun and educational adventure. Through 12 activity stations around the aquarium, they will learn about amazing facts about seemingly scary animals and discover why they are so often misunderstood. S.E.A. Aquarium, Ocean Gallery, Resorts World Sentosa, www.rwsentosa.com
Art Rojak! Until 29 Nov, 10am-5pm, $10 Ever wanted to master makeup and hair styling? Or put together your own bohemianstyle trinkets? Or even design your own fonts? Art Rojak has it all covered! For just $10, you can pick up a new creative skill that would otherwise cost thousands at a fancy art school. The Playtent, 180 Joo Chiat Road, www.theplaytent.com/ art-rojak-10-workshops/
Hop and Honk 29 Oct-15 Nov, $30-$32 Hop and Honk is a marvellous musical for the whole family to enjoy, in the best Broadway and West End tradition and is bound to entertain, challenge and tickle your funny bones. Drama Centre Theatre, 100 Victoria Street, www.itheatre.org Santa Run for Wishes 29 Nov, 4pm-10pm Make this Christmas extraordinary and celebrate the spirit of giving. Participate and help bring smiles to the beneficiaries of Make-A-Wish Foundation Singapore! The Promontory@Marina Bay, www.santarunforwishes.sg
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3. Decorate your home! Brighten your home with Rangoli, a form of folk art from India in which patterns are created on the floor with materials like coloured rice, dry flour, coloured sand and flower petals. These festive decorations welcome Hindu deities to the home, bringing good luck. Ancient symbols are kept within the family and passed down to multiple generations.
5. Admire the Lights It is a must to visit Little India during Deepavali. This cultural precinct is bedazzled with a canopy of lights as well as bustling bazaars that heighten the festive aura. It is a sight to behold while taking in the sounds and tastes of Little India at night. The Deepavali Light Up stretches from Selegie Road to Serangoon Road and Race Course Road, spreading the Deepavali magic to all visitors.
others
Singapore Writer’s Festival 31 Oct–9 Nov The Singapore Writer’s Festival, one of Asia’s premier literary events, presents the world’s major literary talents to Singaporeans while shining a spotlight on homegrown creative talents. Come meet acclaimed authors and attend the events as part of the festival. Singapore Management University’s Campus Green, singaporewritersfestival.com
Running Man: Race Start Season 2 29 Nov, 7.30pm-11pm, from $148 Following the success of Race Start: Running Man Fan Meet last year, the members are going to have to put on an even bigger show or their adoring fans this year! The Star Performing Arts Centre, 1 Vista Exchange Green, www.sistic.com.sg
International A Cappella Festival 24-26 Oct, from $35 Before the A Cappella Festival ends, catch the TAS Voices (25 Oct), who will serenade you with easy-listening love songs and jiving pop arrangements. Jamaica Café (24 Oct), described as one of Indonesia’s mostentertaining vocal performances, will be performing as well. Discount for Weekender Readers in these easy steps! 1. Go to http://peatix. com/user/349328 to purchase your tickets 2. Select the event(s) that you would like to go for 3. Click “Get Ticket” 4. Enter the quantity e.g. “2” 5. Key in the promotional code “Weekender”, and enjoy $5 discount off the ticket TAS@AAC, 28 Aliwal Street, Aliwal Arts Centre, #03-03, www.a-cappella. org.sg
deepavali NEW! FREE! Sentosa Celebrates Deepavali 22 Oct, 4.30pm-8pm Come bask in the festive mood with Bollywood hit songs by Vasanathan Band featuring Pravin Saivi this Deepavali. Also, tap along to dazzling dance moves by Tanglin Arts Studio against the setting sun. An event not to be missed! Merlion Plaza, Imbiah Lookout, Sentosa, www.sentosa.com.sg
Deepavali Street Light Up Until 2 Nov Little India, the cultural precinct, is bedazzled with a canopy of lights and bustling bazaars that heighten the festive aura. The Deepavali Light Up stretches from Selegie Road all the way through Serangoon Road and also Race Course Road spreading the “Deepavali Magic” to all visitors. Selegie Road & Serangoon Road Indian Safari Floral Display Until 3 Nov Come on a botanical expedition to India, with animals of the wild like
2. Feast on Indian Goodies For Deepavali, Indian families prepare special sweets and savoury delights at home. Halw burfi and laddoo are the most commonly made sweets on this occasion. If you don’t have much of a sweet tooth, delicacies like tandoori chicken and fish head curry are also popular. Feast at the restaurants and shops lining Little India and Serangoon Road!
4. Get Closer to Nature Prefer somewhere more serene? Head on a botanical expedition to India without leaving Singapore, at Gardens by the Bay. Come face to face with animals of the wild such as tigers and elephants – made of plants of course – and admire the grandeur of India’s national bird, the peacock. This display comprises colourful blooms such as pansies, marigolds and orchids.
tigers and elephants – made of plants of course – as you take in the grandeur of India’s national bird, the peacock, elegantly draped in colourful blooms as pansies, marigolds and orchids. Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, www.gardensbythebay.com.sg
October 24 - 30, 2014
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Entertainment
Will Cesc Fabregas continue to keep the machine running, having scored his first Premier League goal for Chelsea?
RED CARD FOOTBALL FEVER
Juicy reviews & tips on the EPL & the best of world football
Will the Blues go marching on at Old Trafford? This week’s big clash sees Chelsea travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in an attempt to preserve its unbeaten start to the league There’s never a week without a big match, and this week is no different. The Blues travel to Old Trafford in an attempt to preserve their unbeaten record against the revitalised Red Devils. Who will come out on top? Photo: melis / Shutterstock.com
Will Manchester United’s result depend on David de Gea?
The Big Match: Manchester United vs Chelsea (27 Oct, 12am) Believe it or not, this would actually be Manchester United’s first clash with one of the big boys this season. There’s already been plenty of drama for the Red Devils this campaign but Louis van Gaal seems to have steadied the ship, although it does look top heavy at the moment. Monday’s draw against West Brom may not inspire confidence. As for Chelsea, deny all you want but there are already whispers about the Blues emulating Arsenal’s Invincibles squad in the 2003/2004 season. Can they do it? Well at this point in time it appears they just might, although we’re not even a quarter of the way into the season yet. We know how easy it is for people to be quick to jump the gun in football. But we also know how things can change in the blink of an eye. The Red Devils have made football fun to watch again but will that be enough against the well-oiled machine of Chelsea? I highly doubt it. Prediction: Manchester Utd 1-3 Chelsea
Other Matches: West Ham United vs Manchester City (25 Oct, 7.45pm) The Hammers haven’t been too bad, huh? Sam Allardyce must be beaming after three wins in four games. But Manchester City is a totally different animal. And by animal, I mean Sergio Aguero. And by Aguero, I mean that he will score again and make West Ham suffer. Prediction: West Ham 1-3 Manchester City
Liverpool vs Hull City (25 Oct, 10pm) It’s no surprise that the Reds were lucky to have gotten all three points against QPR. That in itself says a lot, doesn’t it? The Tigers, on the other hand, have scored in every Premier League game of the season so far, so I’d back them to get on the score sheet at the very least. Results-wise, I think the stage is set for a draw. Prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Hull City
Sunderland vs Arsenal (25 Oct, 10pm) Any pity party for Sunderland must be vanquished as soon as possible as Arsenal come to visit. The Black Cats must still be reeling from such a heavy 8-0 defeat to Southampton but then again the Gunners are struggling themselves with only two wins out of eight. Quality should shine through here, but only just. Prediction: Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal By Ahmad Khan Log on to the all-new www.RedCardConnect.com for exclusive articles, interviews, radio shows & videos of the Premier League, Singapore & the world of sports.
About Ahmad Khan Ahmad Khan (@AhmadKhan12) is a presenter for #RedCardConnect. He has the potty idea that football makes the world go round and is convinced that the beautiful game forges greater bonds than the United Nations. Call 6281 1898 and join him in his rant about football every weekday from 6pm-8pm, on #RedCardDRIVETIME, and every weekend just before the EPL matches on #RedCardLIVE.
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delivery of anything absolutely effortless. Say goodbye to the slow, old-school way of moving goods! Lighten your load by using the GoGoVan app to make delivery arrangements today You may be familiar with taxi booking apps which connect you to the nearest taxi. But what if you’re not a passenger but seeking a delivery service to shift bulky items that won’t fit into a taxi?
GoGoVan Gets Things Moving Instantly GoGoVan is the mobile app with the perfect solution! It is an ingenious innovation that taps on crowdsourcing to connect you to the nearest driver of a motorcycle, van or lorry. With just a few simple clicks, you can
book delivery arrangements instantly, or schedule one.
Deliver Anything Anytime to Anywhere GoGoVan is flexible in that you can use it to help you deliver anything, from as small as an invoice to as bulky as a wardrobe. And it’s especially useful if you’re in a hurry. With GoGoVan’s extensive fleet of 2,500 dedicated drivers, you will be matched with a driver within minutes, even if it happens to be in the dead of the night. With vehicles of various sizes available at any point of time, you can deliver your items across the island without hassle. GoGoVan is user-friendly, convenient and makes
Affordable, Reliable and Trustworthy Hailing from Hong Kong, GoGoVan is an established start-up with a proven track record of efficient delivery service and excellent customer experience. Its network of drivers have all been verified and screened, and its fleet of vehicles undergo safety inspections. Definitely value-for-money, GoGoVan’s rates for each delivery are as low as $7 for documents and small parcels, and $18 for two cartons, for instant delivery. Additionally, GoGoVan offers you assurance for loss and damages to your goods during the process of moving.
You can easily download this FREE GoGoVan app from the App Store (iPhone users) or Google Play (Android users). Step 1 — Select the service and key in the route (the fee will be reflected) Step 2 — Set the date and time Step 3 — Enter your information and place the order instantly Why download the GoGoVan App now? Download the GoGoVan app now and enjoy up to $20 discount for your first booking by using the promo code “GGV20”. The promotion ends 30 Nov. What are you waiting for? Get your hands on this handy dandy mobile app now!
ONGOING GOGOVAN Promotions: - *$20 off in the month of November 2014 - 10% discount until December 2014 *$20 is only applicable for 1 time & $20 is not valid for 10% discount.
October 24 - 30, 2014
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Entertainment FLUFFY’s Pet DIARY Musings by Fluffy, the rescued pooch, on her new life as a beloved pet and other furry tales
Mothership.sg covers current affairs, lifestyle topics as well as soon-to-trend issues. It is read by more than 700,000 Singaporeans monthly.
Irfan Fandi is the next Fandi Ahmad
Even dogs know they need a leash!
Singaporean footballing legend Fandi Ahmad with two of his sons, who’re talented footballers as well
Because being the next Lionel Messi is too mainstream
Universidad de Catolica, a club in the top tier of the Chilean league.
And we have a rising football star! Irfan Fandi (in yellow), son of local football legend Fandi Ahmad, was named by The Guardian (the UK paper, not the pharmacy) as one of the 40 Top Young Talents in World Football on Oct 14, 2014.
Other Prodigies in the Family Hang on, there’s still Ikhsan Fandi. What if The Guardian picks Ikhsan Fandi, 15, a couple of years later? Here’s a probable headline: Ikhsan Fandi is the next Irfan Fandi since Irfan Fandi was named as the next Fandi Ahmad. Wait a minute. There’s still 11-year-old Ilhan Fandi, the youngest son. Well, it will be a hat trick that daddy will be very proud of.
AMONG Top Young Talents in World football Some achievement he scored there, considering the 17-year-old was mentioned among a “Serbian Falcao” and others who attracted the scouts of many European football clubs. [Note: Falcao is no falcon. Falcao is a striker and plays for Manchester United] Described as possessing a good first touch, the 1.86m Singaporean striker is tipped to “terrorise defenders back in Asia”. According to Channel News Asia, Irfan and his brother Ikhsan are both currently training in Chile with
Tips from Fluffy, the rescued pooch, on caring for your furry friends and being a responsible pet owner
Check out a 13-year-old Irfan terrorising defenders on the post page at: http://mothership.sg/2014/10/irfan-fandi-isthe-next-fandi-since-fandi-ahmad/
by Tan Xing Qi
NEW WEEKENDER PET COLUMN
GIVE YOUR PET 15 MINUTES OF FAME Submit your Pet Family Photo and get a chance to be published!
Weekender is starting a new Pet Family column and we’d like you to be a part of it. Simply E-mail your photo of your pet with you or your family to:
general@weekender.com.sg
with Pet Name, Your Name, Date of Birth, Tel No., NRIC & Postal Code
Simple ways to walk your doggie & be a good owner
Franky brought home some gifts for me! One of them is a new leash. I asked him what it was for and he explained. Hi, I’m Fluffy! Today, my owner Franky got me a new leash! We usually go out walking every day and he always uses a leash and walks me responsibly. I love my new leash; it feels comfortable.
Walk Smart, Always Leash your dog Outdoors I must admit, sometimes I get carried away chasing birds and cats that I may accidentally run into the street and get injured. Or, I might get lost! Leashing also reduces bigger problems such as a dog hurting or disturbing others. I was also told that dog owners are required by law to leash their dogs in public places. So don’t waste money paying a fine!
Sharing Small Spaces with Others When walking or heading into small spaces such as lifts and staircases, owners should try to keep their dogs close to their side or carry them, if possible. I try to stay around Franky’s legs when we enter the lift.
Poop and Pee in the Right Areas During walks, owners should clean up after their pet using a plastic bag to pick up the poop and to dispose of it safely in a rubbish bin. Dog pee is smelly and it lingers. So don’t let dogs pee on concrete floors or pillars in common areas. If such accidents happen, the owner must take responsibility and try to wipe it or wash it away to prevent bad smells and stains. We should do our part to maintain a clean environment for all our neighbours.
Places to Visit Our Garden City has many sidewalks, neighbourhood trees and parks, and grassy areas for us to explore every day. There are even malls with doggie playgrounds! Better than ever, there are also dog run areas in parks where we can run freely and safely without needing the leashes! With so many great places to visit, it gets me and Franky excited on the number of places we can explore together. Got to go. Time for my next walk! To find out more about responsible pet ownership, please visit: www.petsforlife.com.sg
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(1-inch) sensors. This feature allows capturing beautiful images in low-light scenes. But that’s not all; it also has a 9-bladed shutter, which creates beautiful out-offocus painterly backgrounds (known as “bokeh”). This helps to isolate the subject in focus from the busy background. And little points of light in the background become like soft glowing balls of light in your photo. It’s like magic! Why not challenge yourself to shoot a photo with the dazzling bokeh effect? It certainly will differentiate your photos from the rest!
Additionally, the 31-point AF (prevalent in most DSLRs but rarely in Digital Compact Cameras) and touch screen, will give advanced amateurs the power to focus precisely within the frame with a touch of the screen.
Canon PowerShot G7 X
Preview Before Photographing
Low light? No problem. Capture the festive lights with fast lens and beautiful background bokeh!
Achieve bright & lively photos in low-light It is a common problem for most cameras to under-perform for low-light settings. An exception is the Canon PowerShot G7 X. Curious to know why?
Most cameras are ideal for day photography. Be it early morning or late afternoon, most cameras perform a fine job in the day. But when you need to capture memorable photos at shows, events or activities, where lights are dim, the Canon PowerShot G7 X is the ideal camera for delivering performance anytime.
More Light & Beautiful Bokeh With its fast lens (aperture opening to f/1.8) it can catch more light to its large
This has to be the newest, most necessary function now. Never risk a bad selfie again with the 180-degree tilt touchscreen LCD. You can even check yourself in the preview screen before clicking the shutter. You can also place yourself strategically for fun shots with background objects or for gorgeous shots with beautiful scenery. Better photos await you!
PHOTO TIP
Ideal for Advanced Photographers For advanced photographers who find DSLRs too troublesome to carry around and want an advanced Digital Compact Camera to use for travel or casual shooting, this is an excellent option. With its monster 20.2-megapixel 1-inch sensor, fast and powerful 4.2x optical zoom, and premium 9-blade shutter, this is a complete top-of-its-class camera!
Don’t let your photos turn out blur or dark. Use a Digital Compact Camera
DO zoom in for single portraits and use a wide aperture (i.e. f/2.8 or f/4) for a beautiful bokeh background.
Ever taken a great photo with your Digital Compact Camera? Now you can share it with us and win a prize by doing so. Weekender is looking for our next travel photojournalist and you could be the one! Simply submit your best travel photos to stand a chance to win. The winner will walk away with a Canon PowerShot SX600 HS and a chance for the photo to be published. That’s not all. You’ll stand a chance to join us and travel on our media familiarisation trips too! Here’s the part you’ve been waiting for.
WEEKENDER Photo contest
Terms and conditions 1) Photos must be taken with a Digital Compact Camera – photos taken with phones and DSLRs will be disqualified immediately 2) A person can only submit a maximum of 5 entries FOR A CHANCE TO WIN, SIMPLY:
are you WEEKENDER’s NEXT TRAVEL PHOTOJOURNALIST?
What will you stand to win? 1) Canon PowerShot SX600 HS 2) The official title of Weekender Travel Photojournalist with your photo published 3) A chance to travel on a sponsored holiday with us, on media familiarisation trips
WIN
A canon Powershot SX600 HS (worth $309) & BE Published!
Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ weekendersgp Look for this contest on our page - like & share it Email us at general@weekender.sg with the following: Subject: Weekender Photo Contest Entry (Attach your image) Name: NRIC: Phone number: E-mail:
Winners will be selected by a panel of judges. CLOSING DATE: 19 NOV 2014 Camera sponsored by Canon
No charge for SMS. Please check our Promotional and Contest Rules at weekender.com.sg for details.
October 24 - 30, 2014
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Entertainment
Brad Pitt’s newest movie has us anticipating this upcoming war film
O
ut of Fury’s many reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, almost all have something to say about how brutal it is. Some agree that it’s an accurate depiction of war, while others insist that it wasn’t cinematic enough. Except for one naysayer who was convinced that Fury was “disappointingly bland”. Well, his tolerance for war and violence might be bordering on psychopathic. That’s because the other reviews settle on one common sentiment: this movie cannot just be watched – it must be endured. And with the short glimpses of the story that we’ve gotten, I can only agree and nod in shocked silence.
Outgunned & out-armoured
movie preview
Breaking Brad: Fury and the horrors of war
The movie depicts an American tank crew – called “Fury” – thrust deep behind enemy lines during World War II. Brad Pitt plays hardened sergeant Don “Wardaddy” Collier, who must deal with the fact that his new Private Norman Ellison (Logan Lerman) is more trained for typewriting than battling and surviving. And it doesn’t help matters that the Nazis’ fortified Leopard and Tiger tanks are chewing up the American Sherman tanks like canned tuna.
Joining the crew is Shia LaBeouf as Boyd Swan, the religious gunner; Jon Bernthal as loader Grady Travis; and Michael Pena as driver Trini Garcia.
Oh, the horror The sterling cast brings to light the true trauma of participating in war, and Pitt’s performance is just the tip of the iceberg. He opens the film with a visceral kill, and Fury doesn’t give you a moment’s relief from the disgusting scene. Even during the clean-up, the viewer is treated to a nice close-up of bodily remains. Lerman’s wide-eyed and slack-jawed expression is a perfect fit for his role as Norman, a sheltered private who is forced into a nightmare world of kill-or-be-killed on the battlefield. And at the heart of this movie lies the paradox that defines war. I won’t give away too much, but it reveals a treacherous reality that we don’t always get to see on the silver screen.
Raine in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds. Like the 2009 war fantasy film, Fury is all counts of violent, bloody, noisy, and emotional. But unlike Lt Aldo Raine, Fury’s Wardaddy has no time for jokes and macho smirks. Rather, Pitt’s squint-eyed gaze and stout square features become an arsenal for channelling a sombre, stern, and damaged air. Watch if you can stomach the grittiness.
Fury [NC16] Director: David Ayer Starring: Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman & Michael Peña Genre: War, Action Run Length: 134 min Release: 23 Oct
Glorious basterds Many of us would be inclined to compare Pitt in Fury to his similar role of Lt Aldo
Wardaddy (right) puts Private Ellison through gruelling tests of courage and survival
Brad Pitt plays Sergeant Don “Wardaddy” Collier (centre), with Logan Lerman as Norman Ellison (back) and Shia LaBeouf as Boyd Swan (back, left)
A L S O IN T H E ATR E S St. Vincent [NC16] A boy whose parents divorced moves into a new neighbourhood and finds an unlikely friend in the next door neighbour, a retired old man with a penchant for alcohol and gambling. STARRING: Bill Murray, Melissa McCarthy & Naomi Watts GENRE: Comedy RELEASE: 23 Oct
Ouija [NC16] A group of friends face their most terrifying fears when they awaken the dark powers of an ancient spirit board. Directed by horror director Stiles Whites (The Possession, Boogeyman), Ouija is another horror masterpiece. STARRING: Olivia Cooke, Daren Kagasoff, Douglas Smith, Bianca Santos & Ana Coto GENRE: Horror RELEASE: 23 Oct
The Good Lie [TBA] Sudanese refugees are given a chance to resettle in America. They are taken in by a straighttalking American woman in their new home in the USA, and this changes the lives of both parties. STARRING: Reese Witherspoon, Arnold Oceng, Ger Duany & Emmanuel Jal GENRE: Drama RELEASE: 23 Oct
Let’s Be Cops [M18] This is a potentially feelgood buddy cop movie, except they’re not cops. Two struggling friends dress up as police officers for a costume party and are a hit. However, they soon get embroiled in a web of mobsters and dirty detectives, and must put their (fake) badges on the line STARRING: Damon Wayans Jr, Jake Johnson & Nina Dobrev GENRE: Comedy, Action RELEASE: 22 Oct
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WEEKENDER
Another Keanu vehicle?
www.facebook.com/weekendersgp www.weekender.com.sg
Editorial Director Frank Young
Sales Director David Phey
Editor Lester J Wan
Writers Nicole Lee Pamela Chow
frank@weekender.com.sg
Art Director June Law Sales Karin Ng
When push comes to shove, John reverts to his violent ways for vengeance
movie preview Does John Wick deserve its near-perfect online ratings? Keanu Reeves’ latest action movie, John Wick, has raked up an almost 100 per cent rating on review sites Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb (International Movie Database). This is a big deal. Let’s put things in perspective: Popular 1999 classic The Matrix, which also stars Reeves as the iconic bullet-dodging Neo, averages only 87 per cent rating. We wonder if John Wick is really that good, and whether having the awardwinning Reeves playing the hero is just cheating.
Don’t Cross the Man The movie follows retired hit man John Wick (Reeves) just after his wife has passed away. Her parting gift is a beagle puppy named Daisy, attached with a note that tells him not to forget how to love. But it’s not all rainbows and smiles. When he refuses to sell his 1969 Boss Mustang to mafia thug Iosef Tarasov (Alfie Allen), John becomes the target of a breakin that ends tragically. What happens when you steal from a man who has lost it all? We already know the answer – now to find out how he executes his revenge.
John Wick: Lights, Keanu, action! Wicked John Playing John is veteran action star Reeves, whose portfolio encompasses the groundbreaking Matrix trilogy, the blockbuster Speed franchise, and his directorial debut, Man of Tai Chi. With Reeve’s eternally youthful appearance, it may be tough for him to pull off John Wick’s world-weathered anti-hero look though. But, being Keanu Reeves, he should have no trouble delivering. He revealed on Reddit that he likes acting as “complicated heroes”, which describes John Wick to a tee.
The Real & the Hyper-Real John Wick places an ordinary scenario into the realm of hyper-reality but without getting too philosophical about it. “It’s a very human premise for a big action movie, something that could happen to anyone. The holy grail of the action genre is to pair a very simple and very accessible premise like this with a hyper-real style,” said producer Basil Iwanyk.
karin@weekender.sg
Erwin Lim
Indeed, break-ins can happen to anyone – including Reeves. Last month, his house was broken into by two stalkers within days. However, Reeves handled it quite differently from his character John. He shared on Reddit: “It was really scary. The first time was at like four in the morning on a Saturday, and it was scary.” Instead of charging full throttle at the criminals, however, he opted to amp up his security system. On that note, we’ll leave you with Reeves’ favourite elements of John Wick: “It’s got great action, great characters... and a puppy! And it’s fun. And funny. Emotional.”
erwin@weekender.sg
Syarila Zainal
syarila@weekender.com.sg
Events Arwhin Harie
arwhin@weekender.sg
Designer Zoe Lai Advisor James Yip Contributors Igert le Roux Victoria Shareen Wong Interns Runbin Yew Eu Shuqi Alison Chu
Distribution Lawrence Tan Coordinator Riki Zou GETTING HARD COPIES:
Weekender is delivered to hundreds of thousands of homes island-wide. You can also find copies (while supplies last) at: Over 200 selected 7-Eleven locations island-wide
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JOHN WICK [NC16] Directors: David Leitch & Chad Stahelski Starring: Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Ian McShane & Adrianne Palicki Genre: Action, Thriller Run Length: 96 min Release: 23 Oct
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A Midsummer night’s dream Congratulations to the winners!
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a Midsummer night’s dream by Shakespeare’s Globe
The acclaimed Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is back with another raucous, heartwarming classic theatre production. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of Shakespeare’s best loved plays and comedies, with three interconnecting plots linked by the wedding of Duke Theseus of Athens and Amazon queen Hippolyta. Janie Dee and Aden Gillett star as fairy lovers Titania and Oberon, while Molly Logan stars as the popular character of the mischievous Puck.
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Entertainment
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H A L L OW E E N F E AT U R E
Spooktacular vs Horror Nights: Which is scarier? Halloween scares have begun – but which to go to? Let me help you choose.
Sentosa Spooktacular
E
very year for Halloween, Sentosa Spooktacular and Halloween Horror Nights rise up and claw for new victims (like us) to scare silly. So, the same question haunts us annually: Which fear-fest should I surrender my soul to? This year, I charged through both parks to help you answer that question. Fair warning about my fear threshold: After watching Shutter, I couldn’t walk to my room without lighting up my house like Christmas at Orchard Road. If you’ve been cowering away from these events, it’s still not too late to prove your bravery over the Halloween weekend.
Held at the creepy historical battle grounds of Fort Siloso, Sentosa Spooktacular reproduces movie sets from famous (read: outrageously horrifying) horror films by Thai studio GTH. This year, it morphs into the haunted town of Laddaland with three terrifying walkthroughs – all longer than last year’s. Explore the haunted house of Alone’s Pim and Ploy, the Siamese twins who underwent fatal separation surgery.
Say hi to a tortured soldier in Mati Camp
The Swimmers takes phobia to new depths
DOWN TO EACH HORRIFYING DETAIL The movie’s director, Parkpoom Wongpoom, or Aoe, duplicated props from the set and shipped them here from Thailand. So the house you’ll be inching through is almost exactly like the one on screen. The Alone path also features scenes that were in the first draft of the movie script, like a labyrinthine basement.
If you’re more frightened by Asian horror, because the stories are spookily relatable, Sentosa Spooktacular is where you want to be. After all, it won a Silver in the prestigious 2014 IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards.
Photo: Sentosa Spooktacular
The dresser in the Alone house is a replica of the movie scene
If you’re more engaged by the Western horror scene, then Halloween Horror Nights should be your choice. The houses and zones here mostly feature Western ghouls and demons.
4 themed scare zones That doesn’t make it any less frightening though. Halloween Horror Nights 4 comprises a theatre show and four haunted houses, connected by four themed scare zones. Make your way through Jack’s 3-Dementia, the first trail that makes you wear 3D glasses. The way I see it, 3D stands for Die, Dying, and Dead. Freaky psychedelic images of clowns and snakes seem to jump out from the walls, and you can see yourself distorted in the room of mirrors – but, wait, that isn’t you in the reflection… The L.A.B conducts research on alien breeding, but where are they getting their experimental subjects from? Push past disgusting gutted bodies and solve the mystery, but risk putting your own limbs on the line. Halloween Horror Nights also has treats for Asian scaredy-cats. Venture through a run-down old campus, where all the ghostly rumours about your school come to life. The men can recall the joys of army at Mati Camp, where a certain Sergeant Major takes torturing soldiers very seriously. It’s like going through a war zone – you may not make it out alive. I remember sobbing throughout this petrifying route, pleading to ORD.
Scattered and Spattered
Photo: Pamela Chow
AWARD-WINNING ASIAN HORROR
The spooky school in Halloween Horror Nights
Photo: Sentosa Spooktacular
Also waiting to claim their share of victims are ghosts from The Swimmers. It’s a hydrophobe’s nightmare – this route will pull you beyond the deep end of a pool. Being sporty won’t help you. These are star athletes who can easily outrun and outswim you. Finally, you can end the night at a party from Countdown, where an innocent celebration has turned into a sinister headcount. Get ready for the trip of your life: Floors that feel shaky, doors that seem to shiver, and walls that appear to close in on you. Oh, and a maniacal guest pursuing you through the disorienting halls. I don’t recommend any eating or imbibing prior to this trail!
Photo: Resorts World Sentosa
MANY EVIL ENTITIES LURK
Halloween Horror Nights 4
Because its grounds are bigger compared to Fort Siloso, Halloween Horror Nights 4 also has scare zones scattered around the park. These include a haunted magical forest, where your favourite fairytale characters have been mutated into dreadful creatures and a realm of lost ghost children. Come here if you want to experience how West meets East in the most terrifying way possible. And I’m not talking about bad fusion food.
Ghost wanderers on the streets of Laddaland
Tip: You might want to catch up on the movies so you can spot all the Easter eggs in the walkthroughs – if you aren’t too busy screaming and weeping.
I Lost My Soul & Voice At: Mati Camp Look Out For: Mini Store of Evil, where you can shop ‘til you drop dead Scare Dates: 22-25 & 31 Oct and 1 Nov
I Lost My Soul At: Alone Look Out For: The friendly welcome perched on the gates of Laddaland Scare Dates: 24, 25 & 31 Oct and 1 Nov
Regular tickets from $68. Discounted rates available.
Regular tickets from $66.60 (see what they did there?). Discounted rates available.
Photo: Pamela Chow
Photo: Sentosa Spooktacular
By Pamela Chow
Canyon of the Cursed in Halloween Horror Nights
October 24 - 30, 2014
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W E E K E ND E R E X C L U SI V E
Director Paween Purijitpanya said you guys like to prank people. What were some of the pranks you did?
Shutter director Aoe reveals what scares him
Please tell us about your role in designing Sentosa Spooktacular. Sin, Goff, and I have together devoted ourselves fully into this project from designing it on the papers to painting the sets ourselves! We intend to make every walkthrough scarier, more spectacular, and, most importantly, three times longer than last year.
Which is your favourite trail in Spooktacular? Every trail has a unique significance to me. For “Countdown”, I like that it’s a 3D haunted house – I could guarantee its uniqueness
Parkpoom Wongpoom or Aoe is the master behind Shutter and other terrifying Thai films
Photo: Pamela Chow
Photo: Sentosa Spooktacular
With his friendly grin and relaxed demeanour, director Parkpoom Wongpoom may look like a cute and huggable teddy bear. But this is the evil genius who brought terror upon the world with his freaky movies Shutter, Alone, and 4bia. Wongpoom, or Aoe, also played a big part in the construction of this year’s Sentosa Spooktacular, which is modelled after Thai horror hits like Laddaland, Alone, and The Swimmers. He worked with fellow directors Yongyoot Thongkongtoon a.k.a. Sin (4bia, Phobia 2) and Paween Purijitpanya a.k.a. Goff (4bia, Body) to make Sentosa Spooktacular as terrifying as the original movie sets. Weekender chatted with Aoe to find out about Spooktacular’s trails, Shutter’s behind-the-scene moments, and what makes this horror maestro shiver beneath his covers.
Oh, wow. You’ve worked a lot with Director Banjong Pisanthanakun. Any funny stories about him to share?
Aoe horsing around with a Sentosa Spooktacular prop From left: GTH Studio Senior Director Yongyoot Thongkongtoon, Director Aoe or Parkpoom Wongpoom, the Alone twins, and Director Paween Purijitpanya
There will be laughter all the time working with Banjong, because he always comes up with ideas to change a stressful horror scene into a comical scene. For example, for the flash scene in Shutter, he wanted to make it look like the ghost is dancing in a nightclub.
Before you started out with horror films, what types of ghosts or folktales were you scared of? I tend to be scared of the common ghosts that we could potentially see in our daily life, such as in the elevator, car or bedroom.
If you had a time machine, when and where would you teleport to and why?
Photo: Sentosa Spooktacular
A master of freaky Thai movies that have scared the world, Aoe talks about Sentosa Spooktacular and scary pranks
One of the striking pranks I did was a prank on my younger brother. I made a video presentation for his wedding by telling him that his girlfriend had a severe car accident. The cameras were hidden to record my brother’s reactions on his way to hospital where the set-up doctors and nurses were there and prepared to trick him.
I want to see the ancient world when the world’s greatest people were still alive, and be able to talk to them. For example, the Buddha.
and astonishment. It’s a mixture of terror and illusion that the audience will have never experienced before. For “Alone”, it is a castle-like house that we intended to replicate from the movie as much as possible. This house will send chills down your spine. “The Swimmers” will be more frightening, haunting, and intense than the other trails. For those who enjoy the utmost excitement, this is a trail not to be missed.
What is your favourite horror movie classic? My favourite horror movie is The Exorcist.
How do you figure out what scares people best? Last year, I observed the visitors by following behind them when they walked into the trails. I found out that every element – sets, lighting, smoke, ‘booing’ areas – is needed to make it as real and detailed as possible. To predict the feelings of the audience or to hide the ghosts in the right area is something we needed to work really hard on. Another thing which I think helps scare people is the story of each trail. We picked those unforgettable scary scenes from the movies and replicate them on the trails.
Are you working on any new projects now? What can fans look forward to? I’m in the process of writing a script for a new hardcore horror TV series, which will be aired next year. By Pamela Chow Sentosa Spooktacular tickets are still on sale! Visit spooktacular.com.sg for more information.
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Foodmania
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was delicious and succulent. The meat is slightly salty, providing a great mouthful with the bland yet savoury mashed potato. Scary is now yummy! 6 Handy Rd, Singapore 229234
F d items to spook you You have your parties and your cocktails settled. Now, are you ready to be spooked by your food?
Caffe B
Catalunya This is possibly the tastiest spider web ever. While the stewed oxtail and pigeon rice look scary in their own right, it is the exquisite pumpkin biscuit that caught my eye. It feels as if there is a spider trying to guard its precious meal from me. Not today! The web and biscuit was delish. 82 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049327
I
think the scariest thing about food is the calories that go into my body. But then I met these dishes and now I finally know what spooky truly is. We scoured Singapore for the scariest Halloween foods. Are you ready to start feeling scarily hungry yet?
Who says spooky can’t be cute? These cupcakes look like Monsters Inc’s kindergarten class. I don’t know about you but I love the red devil. Those little horns look delish. The orange devil does quite a good job in the scare department. Look at its face! ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, #03-22, Singapore 238801
I am cringing already. This Brain Haemorrhage is deservedly on this list; I have not seen any drink scarier than this one. How could you or anyone drink that while looking at it! This is hands down the most disturbing drink to challenge your friends to this Halloween. www.drinkdings.com
Fish & Co
Saint Pierre The Open Your Eye Clarisse gave me the chills. I felt slightly disturbed as I sliced it into smaller pieces. For a dish so strange, it tasted surprisingly well. Let’s not forget Raw Flesh too. We love the touch of the syringe inserting its ghastly concoction into the Wagyu beef. Chilling. Quayside Isle, 31 Ocean Way, #01-15, Singapore 098375
Silver Shell Cafe Food has never been scarier. The Devil’s Curry is intricately carved and intensely flavoured. The mini cupcakes absolutely frightened me too. As it turns out, scary things are absolutely delicious. The Spiderweb Pumpkin Soup is as luxurious as it is scary too! Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa, Singapore 098970
Brussel Sprouts Inspired by the apple of the evil queen in Snow White, it is no wonder the crumbs and nuts of the dish are all dark coloured, each looking dubious in its own right. Captain’s Hook 5 fingers look absolutely delicious, though. Or maybe that is the cannibal in me talking. Big Splash, 902 East Coast Parkway, Block F, #01-27 Singapore 449874
Delifrance No, I have not seen anything as adorable. The ghost cupcake looks like he is terrified of being eaten and the mummy looks like he has seen some terrible things. The Oreo-based ghost cupcake is sure to be a hit among the little ones! I personally preferred the creamy mummy cupcake. Across all outlets
Drinkdings
The Marmalade Pantry
BreadTalk This is BreadTalk’s first ever Helloween collection and does it look good! Some of us will be hosting Halloween parties and we know how troublesome it is to prepare spooky treats ourselves. I particularly loved the Hallow Eve and Harlequin Demon! It gave me great pleasure to chew off the head of the pesky ghost. Across all outlets
One of the four drinks is aptly named the Flaming Flesh ($17) and it contains grapefruit juice infused with Patron XO and Bacardi rum, resulting in a refreshing yet potent mixture. The cocktail is then set aflame, so prepare your cameras! The Shoppes @ Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Avenue, #B1-15 & 01-83, Singapore 018972
Black Bird Bistro & Bar I am not going to lie; that hand looks so realistically charred that I would not eat it. The hanging corpse, on the other hand,
It was a surprise to see a Fish & Co cocktail on the list! But this one is their best effort yet. Just looking at it is making my own eye twitch and feel deeply uncomfortable. Yes, it is just a cherry in a lychee but look at how bloody it looks! Would you drink it? Across all outlets
Just Candy This newly- released jelly beans is for the kids. You can’t go wrong with candy! I am guessing the most harmless prank would be to promise that the jelly beans will be sweet and to offer them the sour ones instead. This is a simple, sweet treat with a devilish packaging. Across Golden Village theatres & selected 7-Elevens
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Foodmania
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Recipes and tips from local chef Violet Oon!
Lemak Daun Kledek Delicious
Sweet potato leaves was a traditional favorite during the olden days, but has gained popularity in modern Singapore kitchens. The slightly sticky texture of the leaves complements the delectable sambal sauce with its coconut milk base. I’ve added red spinach leaves and sweet potatoes, for a more complete meal experience. Buying locally farmed vegetables helps to promote environmental stewardship as food travels a shorter distance. This not only saves resources and fuel, but it also means the food comes to me fresher.
Ingredients • 150g • 150g • 250g • 25g • 5 • 6 cloves • 6 • 3 tbsp • 350 ml • 150 ml • ½ tsp
Method
Sweet potato leaves Red spinach leaves Sweet potatoes Dried shrimp Red chillies, sliced roughly Garlic, peeled Shallots, peeled Vegetable oil Coconut cream
1. Wash sweet potato leaves and red spinach leaves. Pluck off leaves, chop stalks to finger-length, and discard the stringy fibres on the surface of each stalk. 2. Peel sweet potatoes, cut into wedges, and soak in tap water. 3. Soak dried shrimp for 10 min, then drain.
(UHT packet or chilled)*
Water Salt, to taste
4. Pound or grind dried shrimps, red chillies, garlic and shallots until fine.
(or more)
*Option to replace packaged coconut cream with fresh coconut milk. Add 350ml water to a freshly grated coconut and extract the milk.
5. Heat a wok, add oil and stir fry till the spice mixture is fragrant (about 2 to 3 min). Add water and sweet potatoes and boil till sweet potatoes are cooked.
For the Freshest, Go Local Choose locally farmed vegetables supplied from farms that are certified and accredited under the Good Agricultural Practice for Vegetable Farming (GAP-VF) Scheme.
6. Add coconut cream and bring to a boil. 7. Just before serving, add the vegetable stalks, bring to a boil on high heat and add the leaves. Bring to a boil again, turn off heat and add salt to taste.
Look out for the GAP-VF quality assurance logo and be assured of buying the best.
Food safety tips • Do not buy fruit and vegetables that are bruised, blemished, shrivelled or mouldy.
8. Ready to serve with steamed rice for 4 persons. Brought to you by:
• Fruit and vegetables are perishables. Buy only what you can eat within a few days.
new menu
D’bell rings in Deepavali goodness
The Shah Jahani Murg Korma is our pick out of the mains
D’bell is offering a new menu of delicious, modern North Indian cuisine just in time for Deepavali
I found it ordinary and, while I like the mango bits, the dish was generally too sweet for my taste.
With Deepavali upon us, we face the dilemma of how to celebrate it. Yes, we have the lights, the henna and the confectioneries. But, most of all, we have food. We went to check out the new Deepavali menu at D’bell, a hyper-stylish establishment along North Canal Road that is getting a lot of attention for its food.
Definite Must-Haves
A Good Start For starters, the Kachori Ki Chat was served. It is actually a crispy, round puff primarily stuffed with masala cheese. The flavour of the cheese was deliciously overpowering; it almost overshadowed the rest of the tastes. The elements in this little puff work well together and separately. It was easy to pop one after another.
Mains of the Menu
The starter, Kachori Ki Chat, is one of the hot favourites
The Shah Jahani Murg Korma is a dish of boneless chicken roasted in tundsor and immersed in flavoured yoghurt and cashew nuts curry. It was accompanied with basmati rice and multi-layered butter naan. It is surprising to me that I preferred the curry dipped with rice over the curry dipped in naan. The rice was fragrant and soft, a perfect complement to the strong flavour of the savoury curry. The chicken is succulent and soft. The yoghurt element is a nice twist from our usual diet. The cashew nuts are delectable too and lent a new dash of taste to the curry.
One of the Misses I was looking forward to the dessert, my favourite part of any meal. However, the Mango Kheer did not tickle my taste-buds.
The dinner starter platter consists of three parts. The first is the Masala Chana Ki Tikki, which is crispy spiced potato cake topped with masala chick peas. The second is the Papadi Chaat which is a round, thin puff dressed with tamarind pineapple salsa. Finally, the third is the Tandoori Mutton Ki Seekh, which is a tandoor mutton kebabs skewer-roasted in charcoal flame. For me, the Papadi Chaat is the must-have here. While it differs slightly in taste from Kanchori Ki Chat in the lunch menu due to the different filling, both are still the main favourites for me.
Other Great Dishes There are four choices for the Hyderabadi Dum Biryani Chicken, Mutton, Seafood or Vegetables. The dish consists of flavourful long-grained basmati rice and your choice of ingredients cooked together in a sealed pot in traditional Hyderabadi style. My pick would definitely be the seafood. It goes fantastically with the fragrant rice. The D’Bell Curry Platter is, as the name implies, the star of D’Bell. The non-vegetarian choice consists of Butter Chicken, Kerala Fish Curry and Rogan Josh. The Kerala Fish Curry particularly was cooked to crisp perfection, blending perfectly well with the strong curry. D’bell, 43 North Canal Rd, Singapore 059299 www.facebook.com/DBellSingapore By Nicole Lee
October 24 - 30, 2014
SHOPsavvy SG50 Storytellers Collection w
Dr Tan - City in Bloom
Dick Lee - Mad in Singapore
RISIS has unveiled the Singapore Storytellers Collection curated to mark Singapore’s 50th birthday – proceeds support over 200 social service programmes
RISIS SG50 Storytellers Dr Kiat W Tan is the CEO of Gardens by the Bay and Advisor to the National Parks Board. He has played an instrumental role in the transformation of Singapore from a Garden City to a City in a Garden, through efforts including the development of parks and gardens, and the protection of nature reserves and nature areas. Dick Lee is an established performer and composer. He celebrates his 40th year in the entertainment industry this year. Anita Kapoor is a travel and lifestyle television host and MC. She has hosted various programmes including Discovery TLC’s “Go Asia with Anita Kapoor” and Lonely Planet’s “Stressbuster”. Trina Liang is President of the UN Women National Committee Singapore, one of Singapore’s leading women’s organizations and a leader in campaigns as “Women such in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)”, “Ending Violence Against Women”; and “STOP Sex Trafficking”. Dr Leslie Tay is a medical practitioner who is also one of Singapore’s top food bloggers, who’s passionate about all things related to local hawker food.
BP de Silva, owner of the RISIS jewellery brand, has been invited to join hands with the Community Chest to raise funds for the underprivileged in the run up to Singapore’s 50th birthday. Its contribution to Community Chest’s SG50 project – the Care & Share Movement – is a collection of handcrafted, limited edition pendants. Each pendant represents a key milestone of Singapore’s growth since 1965, as seen through the eyes of five celebrated local storytellers – spanning nature, the arts, business, travel and, of course, food.
Iconic Individuals & Iconic Landmarks The RISIS SG50 Storytellers are Dr Kiat W Tan, CEO of Gardens by the Bay and Advisor to the National Parks Board; Dick Lee, accomplished music director and composer; Anita Kapoor, television host and MC; Trina Liang, President of UN Women Singapore; and Dr Leslie Tay, Singapore’s most renowned food blogger and medical practitioner. Being outstanding individuals in their respective fields, the RISIS design team worked with each storyteller to share his or her unique journey through the handcrafted pendants. The first of the collection was launched in August, with the remainder being released in stages leading up to Singapore’s 50th birthday in August next year. Each of the five boxes illustrates an iconic local landmark. As a series, it visually represents Singapore’s evolving skyline over the last 50 years. Each pendant will retail for $50 with 100 per cent of proceeds going to the Community Chest.
About the Care & Share Movement Care & Share is a national fund-raising and volunteerism movement led by Community Chest for the social service sector, as Singapore approaches its 50th year of independence. Donations raised by Community Chest and participating VWOs from now till Dec 31, 2014 will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the government. The Singapore Storytellers Collection is available at RISIS stores and counters island-wide.
of colour, in either classic or vibrant styling. Immerse yourself in the spacious showroom as you marvel at the exquisite detail and quality of hand-stitched apparel, bedding, cushion covers, napery and throws, as well as unique accessories and giftware from Mumbai. Transform your home into a welcoming sanctuary. The L&M team provides interior decorating service and welcomes custom orders. Win an L&M Cushion for yourself now!
to be won! Linen & More
Founded in 2010, Linen & More or “L&M” offers affordable linen, home ware and fashion of sophisticated simplicity. Specialising in luxurious, hand-stitched linen, L&M’s stock explores the full spectrum
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LINEN & MORE CUSHIONS
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October 24 - 30, 2014
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TRAVELation
L OW- COS T G E TAWAY S If you need a short holiday but your budget for your flight is around $100 or less, look no further Don’t miss out on these promotions for budget airlines and low-cost carriers. Photo: suronin / Shutterstock.com
Manila – San Agustin Church From $116, Tigerair. Promotion
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T R AV E L F E AT U R E
Seek out legendary creatures
Photo: shadow216 / Shutterstock.com
ends when sold out. Known as the wedding capital of the Philippines, San Agustin Church is the oldest stone church in the Philippines, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993. Witness the splendour of the architecture that has withstood the test of time, surviving two fires and multiple earthquakes.
Clark – Nayong Pilipino From $126, Tigerair. Promotion ends when sold out. Looking for a cultural and historic tour of the Philippines all without travelling throughout the entire country? Visit Nayong Pilipino for a taste of everything Philippines. Here you’ll find a unique Filipino village, contained within a 45-acre amusement or theme park type environment. The park is essentially a miniature-version of the diverse Philippines and its culture, all in one place. Photo: aphotostory / Shutterstock.com
Haikou – Minority Village From $118, Tigerair. Promotion ends
when sold out. Located in the Chinese Island of Hainan, known as the “Hawaii of the East”, Haikou offers more than a beach holiday. Enter the world of Hainan’s ethnic minorities in this recreated village built in a superb mountain setting. Come watch elegantly-dressed performers sway to the bamboo dance, learn about ancient traditions, admire the weaving of colourful brocades, sample local delicacies, visit traditional houses and so on. Photo: Korkusung / Shutterstock.com
Hong Kong – A Gastronomic Adventure
From $99, Scoot. Promotion ends when sold out. Fly all the way to Hong Kong just to eat? Yes, why not? From the local street stalls to the cha chan tengs to the Michelin-starred restaurants in Hong Kong, there will never be a moment of hunger (except when you take too long to decide what to eat). From local classics like the Australian Dairy Company to the Michelin-starred Tim Ho Wan, you don’t have to spend a bomb to taste Hong Kong’s best.
These areas are hot spots for monster sightings – and some are nearer than you’d expect!
W
hy dress up as a mythical monster for Halloween when you can spot one wandering in the wild? Creature sightings have been reported for years, and many travellers have stuck their neck out in the hope of spotting these elusive beasts. So, try your luck and comb through some wilderness – you may just be the next YouTube “Yeti spotted!” sensation.
1. Zombies of the Caribbean Remember the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean movie, in which Jack Sparrow is captured by a cannibalistic indigenous tribe? It’s not totally ficPhoto: Screen shot of photo in tional. HubPages article by Mark Hall In some places in the Caribbean, such as Haiti, native tribes are reported to practise cannibalism and black magic. Witch doctors, called “bokor”, are rumoured to raise the dead members of their tribes. They allegedly use poisonous and deadening brews to do this. A famous film that featured this phenomena was The Serpent and the Rainbow. On HubPages, Mark Hall has also written an article about this (see screen capture above). So, if you happen to visit these areas, you may be fortunate – or unfortunate – to catch some less-than-lively tribe members!
Philippines! There are several varying descriptions of this monster, ranging from a wolf-like beast to a cryptid with a spiked spine, resembling a swamp frog. As its name implies, the Chupacabra is known to have a penchant for attacking and preying upon livestock. The first reported attack in Puerto Rico in 1995 turned up eight sheep drained of blood. Sightings have since been reported around the world. You may want to look out for this fiend the next time you venture into the outskirts, but don’t panic at every wild dog you see!
3. Fairy sightings: UK TO the USA While fairy sightings have been reported (and disputed) at least since the early 1900s in Britain, many people have also reported encountering fairies in America. These Do fairies places include exist? Virginia, Wisconsin, and even in the Central American country of Belize. These fairy-tale experiences are not purely physical – some witnesses describe telepathic communication with the little creatures, while others tell of an ‘aura’ or presence. But you know what they say: magic only appears to people who believe in it. If you want a sure-fire way to interact with fairies, perhaps you should head to Disneyland. You can even get a framed photo for a souvenir!
2. The chupacabra in the Philippines This four-legged creature, whose name means “goat sucker”, has apparently been sighted in numerous A depiction based on Hispanic countries incommon descriptions of the evil chupacabra cluding Puerto Rico, Brazil, small towns in the USA, and even the
been reportedly sighted in different parts of the world over many years. It is usually described as standing upright on two feet, and about 2m tall. The Yeti is often sighted in the Himalayas, in Nepal and Tibet. It is a strong figure in the region’s history and mythology, and is often regarded as the guardian of the mountains. Many tourists traverse the Himalayas in search of this snowman. But you can get your own glimpse of the Yeti in the Khumjung Monastery, which purportedly holds a Yeti scalp. Experts have claimed that the scalp hair is distinctly ape-like, and contains unclassifiable parasitic mites. Could the Loch Ness Monster be a surviving plesiosaur from prehistoric times?
5. Monster tours in Scotland The highlands of Scotland offer some of the most hair-raising tours, where you can try to spot the famous Loch Ness Monster that supposedly inhabits the Loch Ness lake. The Loch Ness Monster – affectionately known as Nessie – has been the subject of alleged sightings since the 6th Century. Eyewitnesses have described her as a giant long-necked creature, sometimes with several bumps sticking out of the water. Could Nessie be a surviving plesiosaur from prehistoric times? Whether you’d like to observe from the safety of a bridge or get close to scrutinise the waters on a boat tour, there are packages for every level of daring. By Pamela Chow
Wouldn’t it be a scream to catch a glimpse of Sasquatch or the Yeti?
4. Yeti’s scalp in the Himalayas A big and furry ape-like or humanoid creature known as Sasquatch, Bigfoot, Yeti or the Abominable Snowman has
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TRAVELation
Bucket List
weekender.com.sg In the grey whale sanctuary of San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja, Mexico, a whale brings up its flukes during a dive
Exceptional ideas to experience in your lifetime
Befriend a whale!
Few things would compare to getting up close and personal with wild grey whales off the Mexican Coast, who love human company Many of us have, at least at one time, stared out of a boat or ship hoping to spot a majestic whale careening through the open sea. Even if we have seen one, it was likely that there was no way we could’ve reached out to caress the magnificent giant. Nevertheless, at San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja, Mexico, you can. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the breeding ground of the Pacific grey whales that happily interact with humans who visit.
It’s an extraordinary connection you’ll get to share with the largest mammals on Earth – and it’s the closest encounter to whales that you can experience on this planet.
Winter Sanctuary From late January to mid-March, hundreds of grey whales migrate to San Ignacio Lagoon from the Bering Strait to mate. These waters are protected, so the population can roam freely. San Ignacio Lagoon gained popularity in the 1970s when a grey whale cosied up to a local fisherman and let him pat her head. Word of this remarkable occurrence spread
A grey whale approaches a boat to be touched in a sanctuary lagoon in Baja
among the fishermen, and apparently among the grey whales as well. These gentle giants are known to initiate contact, and will quickly warm up to visitors. Even the shy infants take little coaxing, and will gladly stay by your boat to make new friends. Pick this season to visit, because breeding means tons of baby whales – and baby versions of animals mean instant happiness!
Get a Little Closer There are several camps on the lagoon that are approved to conduct whale-watching tours. The most common trips are made on Mexican fishing boats, driven by the local
SPOT LIG H T ON M A L AY SIA
Many know Malaysia as a thriving urban hub but did you know that the country also has sprawls of undiscovered natural treasures? Nestled beneath its emerald canopies is a kaleidoscope of lush flora and fauna. These forests hide a large portion of the region’s wildlife population: at least 15,000 species of flowering plants, 4,000 species of fish, 150,000 species of invertebrates and 280 species of mammals call these lands their home. And those are just the documented species – there are many more that have not been discovered. Find out how you can take the tropical tracks and experience a whole new Malaysia.
For the AdrenalinE Seekers Those who enjoy extreme activities will feel right at home in Malaysia’s natural parks and jungles. These rich lands are
Nature Protected by Law Whale-watching in San Ignacio Lagoon is federally regulated, so all agencies have the same itineraries and get to spend an equal amount of time with the whales. A lagoon guard monitors the exact time each boat enters the whale-watching area, and ensures that each group spends no more than two hours in the sanctuary. If you ask us, just getting so intimate with these beautiful animals is splendid enough!
Reconnect with the great outdoors as an eco-tourist
Discover the gems of Malaysia by being an eco-tourist You may have been a tourist many times but have you been an ecotourist? Discover Malaysia’s hidden gems in the arms of Mother Nature
fishermen who act as guides. Watch from comfortable skiffs as the young whale calves play in their nursery while the adults mingle with one another. Some of the whales exhibit fascinating behaviour, such as breaching backwards, fluking with their tails, and peeking cheekily out of the water by spy-hopping. If you’re lucky – and you probably will be with these playful mammals – a mother whale and her calf will wander near your motor skiff for contact. It’s a magical feeling to be approached by wildlife, instead of vice versa. Some camps are even located at the deeper regions of the lagoon, right in the middle of the whales’ migration path. So, you can have breakfast while watching these creatures breaching off shore, or be lulled to sleep by their blows.
Nestled beneath its emerald canopies is a kaleidoscope of lush flora and fauna
the ideal place to plunge into some highimpact sports. Besides the usual hiking, you can head to high ground for rock climbing and cable sliding on a Flying Fox. Be swept to greater heights as you marvel at the unparalleled vista of Malaysia’s endless sea of treetops and rolling hills. Or you could go low for white water rafting and cave spelunking, and be immersed in the excitement and mysteries deep within the heart of the country.
Or Take it Slow If you’d prefer to admire the forests on level ground, go on a leisurely trek through the jungle. You can enjoy the colourful sights of nature with bird watching, diving, and even river cruising. There are numerous eco-tourism companies and events that will take you on a journey through the flourishing tropics. From the Tabin
Ecoparks in Malaysia Ecopark Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary Sungai Chilling Waterfall Kilim Geopark Turtle Island Mulu National Park Wildlife Conservation Conquest in Sabah to the Taman Negara Eco-Challenge, there are many programmes that highlight the natural and cultural wonders of Malaysia. Whichever you choose, the rainforests of Malaysia promise a spectacular and unforgettable nature-filled experience.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites What makes Malaysia one of the region’s prime eco-tourism destinations? It has multiple areas recognised by UNESCO as protected heritage sites.
Malaysian State Pahang Selangor Langkawi Island, Kedah Sabah Sarawak
These include the Mulu National Park in Sarawak and Kinabalu Park in Sabah. The beautiful island of Langkawi has also been declared a UNESCO Geopark – the only one in Southeast Asia – securing it as one of the 50 most outstanding geological landscapes in the world. On your next holiday, venture out and experience the natural beauty of Malaysia’s ecosystems. From relaxing forest trails to refreshing dives into the sparkling sea, there are many ways to get closer to the biodiversity that our neighbour offers.
October 24 - 30, 2014
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