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ISSUE 115 jAN 16 - jAN 22, 2015
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mirror on the Sony hacking?
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expect goals galore from the EPL giants
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WK115A/MCI(P)119/08/2014
jANUARY 16 - 22, 2015
Entertainment FUN @ SENTOSA
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Love, MAGIC & M from East to w Photo: photosthatrock / Shutterstock.com
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Jayesslee Asia Tour
Purchase 1-for-1* Wings of Time tickets when you book online today. Simply key in the Promo Code
Weekender1for1 upon check out from our Sentosa Online Store.
17 Jan, 3pm, from $58 Following the success of their first headlining Asia Tour in 2012 spanning eight cities to sold out shows with more than 3,500 fans coming out to see them, YouTube stars Janice and Sonia, better known as Jayesslee, are back with an exciting music line-up. Quick, purchase your tickets before they’re all snapped up. Only tickets to the 3pm show on Jan 17 are left! Kallang Theatre, www.sistic.com.sg
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A Night of Magic at Raffles
16 Jan, from $75 Four-time Merlin Award Winner, Joe Labero, has conjured hypnotizing illusions with an enrapturing new show that flashes with excitement, incorporating nature’s most powerful element – fire. Watch as they create a fiery punk circus show that combines old favourites with brand new illusions that have never been seen before. Jubilee Hall Raffles Hotel, www.sistic.com.sg
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Michael Bublé
16-17 Jan, 8pm, from $188 Let four-time Grammy award winner Michael Bublé take you on a wonderful journey about love of all kinds, featuring songs from his latest album, To Be Loved, as well as classics such as Home, Everything and Haven’t Met You Yet. Marina Bay Sands, entertainment. marinabaysands.com
*Terms & Conditions apply. Epic. Majestic. Mysterious. Discover a mesmerising night show by the sea. There’s no better way to complete a fabulous day at Sentosa than to take in a spectacular night show set outdoors against the backdrop of an open sea. Come, discover an awe-inspiring display of water, laser and fire effects, set to majestic music and a panorama of breathtaking vistas. All this is woven together by a tale of friendship and courage that will linger with you long after you leave our magical isle.
family
JOIN US AT THE WEEKENDER CANON PHOTO CHALLENGE & STAND TO WIN A $249 CANON COMPACT CAMERA 24-25 Jan, 11am-6pm Come on down and try out the range of Canon Digital Compact Cameras at the road show. What’s more, take part in the interactive challenges and stand to win a Canon PowerShot SX400 IS compact camera worth $249! Gather your family and friends and join us at the Weekender Canon Photo Challenge for a weekend of fun. The Cathay, 2 Handy Road, External Atrium
music Kidsfest 2015 Terms & Conditions: • Limited to 1st 100 redemptions per day. • Valid for purchase from 16–31 Jan. • Valid for 8.40pm show.
GRAB YOUR TICKETS NOW AT
STORE.SENTOSA.COM.SG
21 Jan-1 Mar, various times, $42-$62 Kidfest is an exciting festival for the whole family where compelling characters are brought to life and scenes from well-loved books including The Gruffalo, and The Princess and the Pea are enacted on stage. SOTA, Drama Theatre, 1 Zubir Said Drive, www.kidsfest.com.sg
Singapore International Violin Competition Until 21 Jan, 9am-11pm Witness stellar performances of the world’s top violinists as they compete in the final live rounds of the inaugural Singapore International Violin Competition 2015. Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music Concert Hall, Victoria Concert Hall and Esplanade Concert Hall, www. singaporeviolincompetition.com
St Jerome’s Laneway Festival 2015 24 Jan Prepare yourselves for the 2015 Laneway Festival line-up.
and impressive live show to Singapore come February 2015! Since emerging in 2006 with her iconic debut single “Smile,” Lily Allen has gone on to sell over 5 million albums worldwide. You don’t want to miss this star’s one-night-only show. The Star Theatre, The Star Performing Arts Centre
Featuring a mix of Singaporean, Malaysian and international acts, the Singapore event will host perhaps its strongest line-up to date. The Meadow, Gardens by the Bay, singapore.lanewayfestival.com
Taeyang World Tour Rise in Singapore
NEW! Lily Allen Live in Singapore 2 Feb, 8pm, from $128 The British pop sensation will bring her showmanship
8 Feb, 7pm, from $128 The melancholic crooner of Big Bang, Taeyang, will be bring his RISE Tour to Singapore’s shore next year. Since the release of his second solo album Rise in June this year, Taeyang has been busy zipping about for promotions and concerts. Now, he’s finally bringing his solo stage to us! Singapore Expo Hall 3, www.sistic.com.sg
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USIC est
Editorial Director Frank Young
frank@weekender.com.sg
17 Jan, $50-$250 With more than 20 Top Ten singles and five Top Ten albums in his recording career, this live British performer, songwriter, recording artist and Grammy Award winner will enthral the Singapore audience for a one-night concert. Esplanade Concert Hall, www. britishtheatreplayhouse.com
exhibitions
17 Jan–28 Jun, 10am, from $9 The first ever Prudential Singapore Eye exhibition will be the largest survey of the country’s emerging artistic talent from a global perspective, as part of the Prudential Global Eye Programme – an initiative dedicated to supporting emerging artists both local and in the region. www.prudentialeye.com
Singapore Art Museum (SAM) concurrently features three exhibitions dedicated to the image. With Still Moving, SAM continues its engagement with and presentation of contemporary art works from the region and the world, making room for new ways of thinking via art. Singapore Art Museum, 71 Bras Basah Road, www.singaporeartmuseum.sg
The Earlier Mona Lisa
Singapore Art Week 2015 17-25 Jan A nine-day celebration of the visual arts, offering a myriad of quality art experiences, including blockbuster art fairs, exciting gallery openings and lifestyle events, world class exhibitions, public art walks, as well as enriching discussions. www.artweek.sg
Still Moving: A Triple Bill on the Image Until 8 Feb, 10am-7pm (Mon to Sun), 10am-9pm (Sun), from $5 For the first time, the
Until 11 Feb, 11am-10pm, $20 Experience first-hand the incredible genius that Leonardo da Vinci employed to create this magnificent portrait, along with the investigations that were necessary in order to attribute this stunning work of art to the great master. The Arts House, 1 Old Parliament Lane, www.monalisaexhibition.com
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Classic Soft Rock Legend Leo Sayer Live in Singapore
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Events Chris Chow
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jANUARY 16 - 22, 2015
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Entertainment
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 something for the young and old alike. Night Safari & Singapore Zoo, 80 Mandai Lake Road, www.safarizoorun.com.sg
Singapore Canoe Marathon 18 Jan, 8am-6pm, from $60 The Singapore Canoe Marathon is back with its 13th edition this January! The marathon will include activities for the entire community and see an estimated 700 competitors racing over distances from 14km to 28km in a test of endurance and skill. Water Sports Centre, Singapore Sports Hub
new! Safari Zoo Run
7 Feb, 4-7pm (individual competitive), 8 Feb, 9amnoon (Fun Run), from $55 Come join the Safari Zoo Run this February in the 6km and 12km challenge. This family run caters to both parents and child, so there’s
alongside over 200 visually, intellectually and physically challenged runners. Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade, Event Square, www.runninghour2015.com
you take in the picturesque landscape dotted with vibrant dahlias. Gardens by the Bay, Flower Dome, www.gardensbythebay.com.sg
others White Rabbit Red Rabbit
theatre
Runninghour 2015: Run So Others Can 5-8 March, 7am, from $45 Ever ran in complete darkness and without your sense of sight? Challenge yourselves with a run like no other! Runninghour is an inaugural national event where participants will run
Photo: Pink Elephant Labs
sports
of Chinese New Year at Chinatown, where the traditional Chinese enclave springs to life with non-stop revelry for two months. With an array of exciting events and breathtaking street décor reflecting the zodiac of the year, the Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng Citizens’ Consultative Committee will fill the air with sights, sounds and scents of Chinese New Year. Chinatown, www.chinatownfestivals.sg
M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2015: Art and Loss
Peter Pan, The Never Ending Story Until 20 Jan, 8pm (Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri), 3pm & 8pm (Sat & Sun), from $58 A lingering memory of the childhood in adults and a memory to be made for every child, it’s time to watch the classic JM Barrie tale come to life in this theatrical spectacular brimming with high-flying action, thrilling swordplay, magical fairy dust and well-known pop songs. Resorts World Theatre, Resorts World Sentosa, www.sistic.com.sg
Until 25 Jan, from $22 The M1 Singapore Fringe Festival returns for its 11th year! A total of 18 events from eight countries will explore the festival’s theme of Art and Loss. For information on the festival’s various events, head to the website at www.singaporefringe.com. Various venues
The Singapore Motor show
Feat u r e d e ven t
Nihonbuyo with the master of Japanese dance Far Left: Nihonbuyo is a type of traditional Japanese dance that’s choreographed solely to entertain
Until 18 Jan, from $6 The Singapore Motor show promises to be more than just a showcase of cars. Driving exhibitions will be held and the show is sure to ignite your interest in automobiles. Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, Level 4
Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations 2015 18 Jan–19 Mar Soak in the festive mood
FREE! Nihonbuyou with the Master of Japanese Dance 21 Jan, 6.30pm-8pm Love Japanese culture beyond its mainstream food and anime offerings? Then you’ll want to join this interesting dance appreciation event! A type of Japanese dance that’s choreographed solely to entertain, learn more about the art of Nihonbuyou with none other than the master himself – Guraku Akifusa! Japanese Embassy and NAFA
new! Bright Vision Hospital Live to Give Charity Concert new! Asian Tales Floral Display 16 Jan-8 Mar, 9am-9pm Usher in the Year of the Goat with “Asian Tales”, a floral showcase that draws inspiration from scenic landscapes of mountains and valleys depicted in Chinese brush paintings. Spot goats sculpted out of wood and flowers perching on the ridge and grazing in the field, as
24 Jan, 7.30pm, $48-$128 Expect performances by Taiwanese singers Peggy Hsu and Cosmos People at this annual event for Bright Vision Hospital to reach out to the community and raise funds for its needy patients. Drama Centre Theatre, National Library Building Level 3, www.bvh.org.sg
Left: Master Guraku Akifusa presents a Nihonbuyo appreciation event and performance
Love Japanese culture beyond its mainstream food and pop culture offerings? You’ll want to go for this interesting dance appreciation event and performance! Nihonbuyo is a type of traditional Japanese dance that’s choreographed solely to entertain the audience. Learn more about the art of Nihonbuyo with none other than the master himself, Guraku Akifusa.
Origins & Performance On Jan 21, there will be a Nihonbuyo appreciation event and performance from 6.30pm-8pm, at NAFA 3 at The Black Box studio (151 Bencoolen Street). Admission is free. Refreshments will not be provided. Learn more about the rich tradition of Nihonbuyo and Japanese culture outside of its contemporary context from Master Akifusa-san. Hurry, book your seats now before they’re filled up!
About the Master Guraku Akifusa was born in Tokyo, Japan. He started to learn Nihonbuyo from his mother when he was only five years old. He earned his title of Master or “Wakayagi ryu” when he was 25 years old. Akifusa-san is based in Tokyo but he wanted to progress beyond Tokyo’s style of dance. So, 13 years ago, he turned from being a master to student once again, and studied the dance in Osaka on his own. Over time, he began to lean towards the Western dance, and developed his own unique style. Six years ago, he founded his own line as “Akifusa ryu” and he became Master again. His dance style is highly elegant. The Nihonbuyo appreciation event and performance will be on 21 Jan, 6.30pm8pm, at NAFA 3 at The Black Box studio. Admission is free. For more information, please E-mail: enishi.singapore@gmail.com
Congratulations to the winners! Toast the macallan giveaway Wong Shiong Chuen Cecilia Chng Lim Geat Siew Richard Quah Melissa Fann Irene Yam Oscar Chee Woong Teck Leong
Don’t miss out on more great giveaway prizes & exclusive lifestyle experiences. Like & follow us at www.facebook.com/weekendersgp Winners will be contacted directly on the collection. Look out for more Weekender giveaways in upcoming issues.
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Eden Hazard is one of Chelsea’s many superstars who will surely shine against Swansea
David de Gea remains Manchester United’s top performer this season Photo: melis / Shutterstock.com
Footba ll F ever
Expect goals galore More goals and exciting action are expected in the upcoming clashes of giants in the English Premier League Looking back to earlier in the season when these teams last faced off against one another, you can expect an abundance of high-scoring and intensely-fought matches when they meet again. Here are the major matches coming up this weekend.
Queens Park Rangers vs Manchester United (17 jan, 11pm) Manchester United will be hoping to recover after a poor form of three games without a win. The Red Devils sit at 4th place after their latest defeat to Southampton, who overtook them to become 3rd in the table. At the opposite end, Queens Park Rangers sit in the relegation zone and will be hoping for a win against an off-form United. Prediction: QPR 0-2 Manchester Utd
Swansea vs Chelsea (17 jan, 11pm)
Liverpool has yet to find top form this season in the Premier League, sitting uncomfortably in 8th place. The Reds will be hoping to snatch three points off 13th-placed Aston Villa, even though they play away from Anfield. When these teams last met earlier in the season, Aston Villa triumphed over Liverpool in a 1-0 upset. The Reds will be out for revenge. Prediction: Aston Villa 0-2 Liverpool
Newcastle United Vs Southampton (18 JAn, 1.30am) The Saints continue to surprise everyone this season by holding on comfortably to 3rd place in the table. It was men against boys when these teams met earlier in the season in a 4-0 win for Southampton. Will Southampton continue its run towards a Champions League spot? Expect this game to be interesting and to have at least a couple of goals. Prediction: Newcastle 1-2 Southampton
When these teams last met earlier on in the season, Arsenal looked dominant for the
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Joe labero: A NIGHT OF MAGIC
For more interesting weekend ideas and entertainment stories, like & follow us at www.facebook.com/weekendersgp
By Basil Lee
3 PAIRS OF “A NIGHT OF MAGIC AT RAFFLES” TICKETS Worth $250 (PER pair)
to be won
A NIGHT OF MAGIC AT RAFFLES If you missed his sold-out fiery performance last year, now’s your chance to catch Joe Labero live on stage! A four-time Merlin Award winner, Joe Labero returns with a brand new exciting show, A Night of Magic at Raffles, from Jan16 to Feb 22, 2015. Together with fire artistes Burnt Out Punks, Labero conjures hypnotising illusions that will both excite and mystify you. Expect a fiesty show that combines old favourites with brand new illusions that have never been seen before.
THREE EASY WAYS TO ENTER: Look for pinned post on our Facebook page:
facebook.com/weekendersgp
and follow the instructions
Visit contest page to enter contest:
Manchester City vs Arsenal (19 JAn, 12am)
Aston Villa vs Liverpool (17 jan, 11pm)
Photo: mooinblack / Shutterstock.com
The Blues will look to further cement their position at the top of table, especially against a Swansea team that’s arguably not at its best. Mourinho’s men have managed to go unbeaten for all but two games so far. With rumours lurking that Chelsea are bidding for Barcelona star Lionel Messi, the Blues will want to show the seasoned Argentinian they are truly a team worth joining. Prediction: Swansea 0-3 Chelsea
most part, only to slip up to a late header from Manchester City defender Demichelis. The Citizens will be hoping to do better in front of their own fans. Meanwhile, the Gunners look to be in top form going into this crucial match and will be boosted by the return of record signing Mesut Oezil from injury alongside Theo Walcott. Prediction: Manchester City 1-1 Arsenal
bit.ly/nightofmagic
SMS to 85026567
CODE: : Night of Magic, your Name, Age, Gender, NRIC, Postal Code, E-mail ONLY 1 ENTRY PER PERSON, PLEASE. CLOSING DATE: 22 JAN 2015 Good Luck!
No charge for SMS. Please check our Promotional & Contest Rules at weekender.com.sg for details.
jANUARY 16 - 22, 2015
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Entertainment
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Kay po h Ko r n er
5 Life lessons we can learn from cats
Left: Georgey, or George Clooney, is the oldest cat in Lion City Kitty Right: The Purr-vis Gang, an artwork picturing the cats of Lion City Kitty
They might sleep for 16 hours a day but cats can teach us a lot about life, love, and chicken treats When I see a cat on the way home, I usually take a detour around the carpark so I can avoid its sharp, judgemental eyes. But then I took a trip to the Cat Museum on Purvis Street (or as owner Jessica Seet likes to call it, Purr-vis Street) and, now, I live by the lessons these fur balls imparted on me. Lion City Kitty: The Cat Museum, Muses and Mansion consists of three levels – the Museum, where you can enjoy and even purchase adorable kitty artwork; the Muses, where nine cats from the Cat Welfare Society play and await saviours to come and rescue them; and the Mansion, where another nine resident cats lounge in luxury. Lion City Kitty doesn’t serve cafe food. So visit, stay a little while with these bundles of joy, and take some tips from them on living in the Lion City.
1 CATS the Musical in Singapore
“This is a fact of life. Things change, and people come and go,” muttered Harry as he stretched inside his hiding hole in the Mansion. All he really said was “Meow, meow, meow” but we had an unspoken understanding between us. Harry – named after Prince Harry – is the adorably cross-eyed mascot of Lion City Kitty. Jessica says, “We’ve been on this street for ten years. There used to be so many cats – whole families – but now, we can only spot one or two at most.” The Mansion has taken in several strays, two of which are affectionately named Sarah Jessica Parker and Julia Roberts. Jessica says that the Mansion’s felines don a mini bowtie whenever visitors come around. Something in the kitties’ eyes told me they like the change.
2 2 PAIRS OF TICKETS WORTH $270 PER PAIR
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Record-breaking musical CATS, written by the legendary Andrew Lloyd-Webber, is back in Singapore with your favourite hit songs and more. Featuring stunning sets and a brilliant cast from the UK, the show delivers an unforgettable blend of fantasy, drama and romance. If you missed it during its previous run here – or if you want to catch it again – here’s your chance to secure a pair of tickets to this spectacular performance!
Look for pinned post on our Facebook page:
CATS THE MUSICAL
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Win a pair of tickets for yourself now! No charge for SMS. Please check our Promotional & Contest Rules at weekender.com.sg for details.
People change and we should change with them
Even the perfect and good-looking get rejected
This was a sentiment that many of the gorgeous cats in Lion City Kitty voiced. Among the mews, the call of Angie stood out. “This soft, rich marbled coat is purr-fect,” the beautiful Maine Coon (also known as American Longhair) crooned. “But I was abandoned by my breeder,” she laments. Angie – short for Angelina Jolie – and her sister are both pure-bred Maine Coons, found in a box about a year ago. They are now pampered at the Mansion. Angie’s sister, a pastel-splashed beauty named Jennifer Aniston (or Jen-Jen), had a lot to say about rejection too. “I’m as beautiful as they come but Brad Pitt still doesn’t want me,” she says. (Brad Pitt is a handsome and exotic Persian shorthair that lives in the Mansion.)
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Someday, your prints will come
Sometimes, the key to happiness is hope. Just ask Zoolander, a stray in the Muses level who is indifferent to his surroundings – until someone turns on the tap in the bathroom. He reacts like he has been waiting his whole life for this one moment. “He loves the sound of running water, so when we use the tap he will come rushing over,” Jessica says bemusedly as she washed her hands with Zoolander staring on in a trance. Zoolander’s companions on the Muses level share the same anticipation while waiting for visitors to adopt them. Since its soft opening, Lion City Kitty has already had seven cats adopted. Visitors can play with all the cats, and choose to adopt any from the Muses level. A maximum of nine cats are housed here at a time. In the Museum, Jessica brings in feline treasures from her travels. We can’t always wait – we must venture and seek out our own gems too.
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Food isn’t everything
I was taken aback when I learned this too. How could anyone – or any animal – live without food? That said, cats don’t pounce on every opportunity to eat. They won’t grab the mysterious object you’re holding in your hands to entice them. They will wait. In the Mansion, there was only one bowl of delicious boiled chicken but the cats weren’t pouncing on it like we do with McDonald’s Hello Kitty toys. I think we can learn a lot from this. Not that we shouldn’t be excited about food but, sometimes, good things come to those who wait.
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Fear can be eased
What’s a cat and cat owner’s worst nightmare? Trying to get a pedicure done – except on knife blades that will mercilessly claw at you. Kitties will react defensively if you try to trim their claws. But Jessica has taught her cats to be comfortable with having their paws groomed – and she gives lessons to children and new owners on how to do this. “Sometimes, people are scared of and hurt cats because they don’t understand them. So we try to educate everyone,” she says. Looking up from his lunch, Georgey (or George Clooney) agrees. “People always try to run away when we approach them to rub our scent,” he meows. “If you just stand still, we will brush your leg and leave you alone. Now, leave me alone,” he says, nonchalantly. By Pamela Chow Lion City Kitty: The Cat Museum, Muses and Mansion is open every Fri-Sat, with an admission fee of $9 (free for children under six years). Reservations at: marketing@ thecatmuseum.com.sg
jANUARY 16 - 22, 2015
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jANUARY 16 - 22, 2015
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Entertainment
PEt Family
Advice on caring for your pet
This week’s best photo wins a special AVA umbrella worth $40!
photos
Weekender presents the PET FAMILY PHOTOS contest. Here are our readers’ cutest snapshots!
It’s a wonderful sense of accomplishment to see your kitten litter-trained!
Litter-training your cat is easy Keep your cat happy at home and littertrain your cat, and you’ll be happier too!
Submit your Pet Family Photo and get a chance to be published!
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Popp y
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Cats can be homely creatures and may not wander outside unless they are bored. Spend time to play with your cat and ensure that it has a clean and comfortable environment at home, so that the tendency for it to wander will be less. This will encourage your cat to be a homebody. If your cat wanders outside, it could become a nuisance by scratching things, making a din or fighting with other cats. Worst of all, it could end up defecating outside, including soiling public areas. You don’t want your neighbours to be unhappy and lodge complaints if the faeces isn’t cleared! Keep your cat happy at home, and littertrain your cat. This isn’t a monumental task - it starts with keeping the litter box clean so that the cat will use the litter box. Once you do these two things, you won’t hear from unhappy neighbours again. Here are tips on litter-training.
ly fu r
!
Are your pooches or kitties your family’s pride and joy? Then whip out those cameras now! Send us the very best photos of you with your beloved pets. The cutest PET FAMILY PHOTO will receive an exclusive AVA umbrella! Don’t miss this chance to show off your pets. Send your best photos to:
Tip 1: Sanitise the Litter Tray Clean your cat’s litter tray daily by discarding dirty litter and poop. It is advisable to clean the litter tray once every two days. Wash it thoroughly with water and a teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice to neutralise the urine odour. Remember to refill the tray with 3-4cm of fresh new litter after.
general@weekender.com. sg
with your Pet Name, Your Name, Date of Birth, Tel No., NRIC & Postal Code.
Winners will be contacted directly on the collection. Submit for the next one!
Tip 2: Placement of the Litter Tray
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Chen R ui Le’s C herry is yet ado tiny rable
The location of the litter tray is important! Place the tray a distance away from your cat’s sleeping and eating areas, yet ensure it’s accessible. If you have multiple cats, use more litter trays. Please note, cats tend to defecate shortly either after waking up, after meals or after exercise. Try scratching the litter in the tray to get it interested. This assures it that the litter tray is clean. To find out more about responsible pet ownership, visit: www.petsforlife.com.sg
Tips from Fluffy, the rescued pooch, on caring for your furry friends and being a responsible pet owner
O.M.G . How
Roy & Teresa hope this photo brings you as much cheer as Dory brings to their lives! What a sweetie she is :)
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ALS O I N T HE AT R E S
The media has been rife with buzz about satire Birdman
Into the Woods [PG] Into the Woods is a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, intertwining the plots of a few choice stories and exploring the consequences of the characters’ wishes and quests. This humorous and heartfelt musical follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk and Rapunzel – all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife, their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch who has put a curse on them. STARRING: Anna Kendrick, Johnny Depp, Chris Pine & Meryl Streep GENRE: Fantasy, Horror, Adventure RELEASE: 15 Jan
m ov ie f eat ure
The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death [PG13]
Pulling off both absurd comedy and realism, Birdman explores the mental state and duress of a washed-up Hollywood star
Its title may sound eccentric but Birdman has been receiving praise as one of the most beautiful films of all time
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pparently, Birdman was made by superpowers. No, not the superhero – everyone knows that most superheroes are formed by superpowers (or super-lethal radiation). The movie Birdman was crafted from a magical concoction of direction, acting and “Chemical X” – brilliant cinematography. Many movie-goers are going wild over this promising dark horse film by director Alejandro González Iñárritu, who directed several awardwinning films like Babel and 21 Palms. Already, Birdman is in the running for three Golden Globe Awards.
Faded Hero This black comedy follows washed-up Hollywood actor Riggan Thomson – played by Michael Keaton of Batman Returns (1992) and Multiplicity (1996) – decades after his blockbuster role as Birdman. He struggles to refresh his career, starting with a Broadway play produced by his best friend Jake (Zach Galifianakis) and starring Riggan’s girlfriend Laura (Andrea Riseborough). Riggan’s daughter Sam – played by the lovely Emma Stone of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014) – helps out as his assistant.
As bombs rain down on London during the Blitz of World War II, a group of school children are evacuated with Eve, their young and beautiful school teacher, to the safety of the English countryside. Taken to an old and empty estate, they are left at the Eel Marsh House. One by one the children begin acting strangely and Eve, with the help of local military commander Harry, discovers that the group has awoken a dark force even more terrifying than the city’s air raids. Eve must now confront her own demons to save the children and survive the woman in black. STARRING: Jeremy Irvine, Helen McCrory, Phoebe Fox & Oaklee Pendergast GENRE: Horror RELEASE: 15 Jan
This time Emma Stone stars in a non-superhero movie. Sort of.
However, Riggan begins to be haunted by the voice of Birdman and imagines himself performing telekinesis and levitation. We’re detecting shadows of earlier dark drama Fight Club but, unlike its predecessor, Birdman is rubbing most critics the right way.
Outstanding Performances Birdman’s imminent success is in part hinged upon its cinematographer, Emmanuel Lubazki, who also directed the cinematography for blockbuster Gravity (2014) and the atmospheric Tree of Life (2011). Birdman has been praised for its powerful visuals, which reflect the fluctuating state of the protagonist, Riggan. Also, Keaton’s performance reveals the actor’s talent for absurdist comedy and graceful acuity, yet without making a big, gaudy show of it. Bravo! Director Iñárritu has also done a fantastic job of living up to the genre of black comedy, peppering the story with cult jokes and going meta with references to Hollywood’s favourite superheroes. For example, Birdman’s deep, raspy voice – supplied by Keaton as well – is conspicuously similar to that of Christian Bale’s Batman. One also can’t help wondering what transpires in Keaton’s head as he portrays this role, having been the star in Tim Burton’s Batman (1989) and Batman Returns.
A Parody of the Present With the waves of superhero movies coursing endlessly into our cinemas, there’s no better time to watch this film. Birdman has been received as a realistic satire of the entertainment industry. If you’ve ever wanted to go behind the scenes of, say, The Avengers crew, then this is it. It’s certainly an eye-opening look into showbiz. There’s no glamour here; only expired contracts pestering for renewal. (But we think Robert Downey Jr should have no problems there.) Balancing both comedy and misfortune, Birdman is a brilliant work of art to watch. I’m not sure whether to laugh or to cry. Maybe I’ll do both.
By Pamela Chow
Birdman [M18] Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu Starring: Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Emma Stone & Andrea Riseborough Genre: Black Comedy Run Length: 119 min Release: 15 Jan
Whiplash [NC16] Whiplash follows Andrew, a 19-yearold who attends a competitive Manhattan music conservatory but has little interest in being just a musician. Haunted by his father’s failed writing career and plagued with the fear that mediocrity just might be genetic, Andrew dreams of greatness. Determined not to follow in his father’s footsteps, he gives it his all in practices. Things take a turn when Andrew meets the infamous Terence Fletcher. Under Fletcher’s ruthless direction, Andrew begins to pursue perfection at any cost, even his humanity. STARRING: Miles Teller, JK Simmons & Paul Reiser GENRE: Drama, RELEASE: 15 Jan
jANUARY 16 - 22, 2015
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Entertainment
weekender.com.sg Be surprised by the unique way Labero carries out his acts
star o f t h e w eek
Secrets of a worldclass magician
Do you have a certain diet and workout regime to follow?
feel very special – one lady said she’s seen my show 49 times! Joe Labero was awarded “Illusionist of the Decade” in 2009
Returning to Singapore for another mustwatch performance, master illusionist Joe Labero is at the top of his game. The Swede entertainer is known for nerve-wracking acts, such as catching a speeding bullet with his bare hands, and loved for his personal closeup engagement with his audience. I sat down with Labero in his plush suite for an exclusive interview. Let me share with you what you can expect from the magician who’s shocked the world.
Welcome back to Singapore! How will this year’s line-up be different from last year’s? It’s really great to be back, we love it here. I always try to change myself, to be better and more brilliant. I have some other characters with me in the show, and 50 per cent new illusions. I learned this from a gentleman in Las Vegas, Liberace: never change more than 50 per cent of the act. So now we’ve got new
sleights of hand and new close-ups… Music’s more intense this time; it’s more rock ‘n’ roll.
How do you get inspiration for your acts? When I travel, I see movies, follow concerts, and incorporate lifestyles into my magic world. I walked into a store this morning and saw a couple of things and thought, “Wow, that’s nice, I could use that in my show.” In my everyday life I walk around and try to get these (common) objects into my performance.
How do you set your stunts apart from others? When I find a concept, I be myself. That’s the most important: to be what I do. That includes the cool music and the lighting. It’s an art form for me. I also prefer to interact with the crowd and involve them in the show, to create intimacy. I also try to remember their names and they
m ovi e pr e v iew
Blackhat: A mirror on the Sony hacking? Acclaimed director Michael Mann’s new thriller takes us on an intimate journey into the mind of a master hacker and the damage one can do Mere months after Sony Pictures had to deal with its hacking controversy and the spray of movie and personal information leaks, a film about hacking is released. Blackhat tells the story of notorious hacker Nick Hathaway (portrayed by Chris Hemsworth, no less) who is enlisted to help Chris Hemsworth, also known as Thor, stars in Blackhat as genius hacker Nick Hathaway
suspense and sell the props to the audience. If you could have a superpower, what would it be? (Without missing a beat) Superman’s levitation. I can fly everywhere, it’ll be spectacular. I do that on the show too and the audience loves it.
the FBI take down a cybercrime network. We wonder if this cybercrime network is operating in a certain walled Asian country, such as the one suspected to be the mastermind behind the Sony hacking.
East Meets West It’s a bit unusual seeing Hemsworth star as a hacker in Blackhat and not as Thor with long hair (in The Avengers series of films). Taiwanbased pop star Wang Leehom also stars in the film, as Chinese agent Chen Dawai. Hathaway
Tell us a little secret about your acts that most fans wouldn’t expect. That’s like telling kids that Santa Claus isn’t real! There are many TV shows on that, and now people are so knowledgeable. So (think of me as) an actor, playing the part of a magician. Many kids ask me if I’ve been to Hogwarts (from Harry Potter), and I say, “Yes, of course I have!”
What was the very first illusion or stunt that amazed you? When I was young, a guy came to my hometown with Chinese rings: solid steel rings linked together. He brought my friend up on stage and he took the steel rings apart, steel through steel. He did it so slowly. It was magical and unbelievable.
Did you ever figure out how he did it? I thought I had a clue at that time – but no, I didn’t. Only much later; but it was all about the presentation and how you develop
must work together with Chen to bring down the virtual syndicate in order to be released from prison and exonerated from a previous hacking offence. Before you start pondering if Thor, an ancient Norse god, knows how to use a mouse (let alone infiltrate an entire cyber database), you should know that Hemsworth worked extra hard for this role, attending months of computer lessons to prepare for the part. Acclaimed director Michael Mann – who directed Miami Vice (2006), Ali (2001) and The Insider (1996), among others – explained that his team also conducted intensive research with “former members of the CIA and FBI”, so that they could authentically portray how “hackers speak, carry themselves and type”. We’re looking forward to seeing how the Hemsworth-Wang duo pulls off this espionage mission under such intense scrutiny from Mann! Tang Wei of Lust, Caution stars as Lien Chen
Taiwan-based singer Wang Leehom plays Chinese agent and Hathaway’s partner Chen Dawai
Yes, I go to the gym three times a week. I do quite a lot of (physical) stunts, like hanging upside-down in a straitjacket. There are a lot of tough moments on the show, especially repeating the 140 minutes night after night, and I have to look relaxed while doing it.
Of all the stunts you’ve pulled, which one is your favourite? I did a very personal show once in North Scandinavia. I borrowed three finger rings from my audience and linked them together. Then I took them apart and gave them back, and they were awed. I haven’t done this act in five, six years, but it stuck with me how strong it was and the look of disbelief in my audience’s eyes. Maybe I’ll bring it back with a new presentation!
How long does it usually take for you to develop an idea into an act? It can take a couple of years. Recently I mastered one act called “Passage” that I’m very happy with: I would walk right through a lady and back. It’s quite the visual because there are no props at all – just two humans going right through each other. You’ll get to see it at A Night of Magic at Raffles! Joe Labero will be performing at A Night of Magic at Raffles from 16 Jan to 22 Feb at The Raffles Hotel. Tickets from sistic.com.sg. By Pamela Chow
Echoes of a Real Global Scandal In a short featurette, Mann pointed out several details in Blackhat that chillingly reflect the recent Sony database hack, like how vulnerable our personal information is once it is exposed online. In case you missed it, in November last year, Sony Pictures’ private database – which contained its employees’ private data, copies of unreleased movies, and more confidential documents – was penetrated by anonymous hackers. The cyber-criminals demanded the cancellation of controversial North Korean parody movie The Interview. The hacked information, including private details on Sony employees’ families, was released for public access. Blackhat is extremely fitting as a comfort film for Sony and the USA’s intelligence agencies, which were not able to prevent the hack or identify the culprits. We imagine the agents watching capable alpha male Hemsworth tinkering adroitly with software and codes, weeping over a tub of ice cream and wishing they were able to stop the hackers in their tracks. For the rest of us, we’ll just have to be extra-careful about what information we post on the Internet. So you think revealing your birthday and your mother’s maiden name online is safe? Think again. By Pamela Chow
Blackhat [NC16] Director: Starring: Genre: Run Length: Release:
Michael Mann Chris Hemsworth, Tang Wei, Wang Leehom & Viola Davis Thriller 120 min 15 Jan
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jANUARY 16 - 22, 2015
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Foodmania
weekender.com.sg
F ood F eature
What comes to your mind upon hearing the word “kopitiam”? Hot cups of coffee, generously buttered toast and halfboiled eggs?
A
s you tuck into your usual breakfast set, served by the kopitiam auntie who has memorised your order by heart, do you wonder about the stories behind these humble establishments? Let’s find out more about our “kopitiam kulture”!
S-11 The story of S-11 is a simple one. It was a fine day in 1993 when three men and a lady got together with a mission in mind: to concoct a recipe for a potent kopi brew. They named it the S-11. From there, their idea grew exponentially. They believed in the simple concept of gathering a variety of quality food stalls under one roof, offering a great selection of food choices. S-11 has a few outlets, including one at Killiney Road and one at Ang Mo Kio Ave 10.
NTUC FoodFare Established by the Labour Movement in 1995, NTUC Foodfare’s purpose was to serve working people and their families affordable food. NTUC Foodfare has also focused on providing the ideal family-friendly mealtime experience, including in setting up childfriendly playgrounds in mall kopitiams, so that families would be able to dine and play together.
Kopitiam (True Singapore Taste) In his childhood, Lim Bee Huat remembers waking up to see seven 5-cent coins on his table, one each for him and six of his siblings. Despite his humble background, he hungered for success. At nine years old, Lim started working as a coffee boy at the Esplanade Food Centre for $1 a night. Not content with learning just the trade of the kopi business, Lim took up an additional job as an assistant fruit-seller for 10 cents a day, to master the craft of fruit handling, cutting and display. By the time he was 18, he had the trade figured out and launched his first bid on an Esplanade drink stall. His then exorbitant bid won and, in the next five years, he took over four more stalls at the Esplanade. It wasn’t long before the food and beverage industry recognised Lim a key player on the rise. There are now more than 70 Kopitiam outlets all over Singapore.
Toastbox Toast Box started as a food stall at Food Republic in Wisma Atria in 2005, serving breakfast sets. Its inspiration was the coffeeshops from the ‘60s and ‘70s, serving fragrant cups of “Nanyang Coffee” accompanied with freshly-toasted bread. Its success has been phenomenal, even garnering several brand awards. There are now about 69 outlets in Singapore and a presence in six other Asian countries.
Killiney Kopitiam Killiney Kopitiam lovingly dedicates its “story” section to a man fondly referred to as Ah-Gong (grandfather). Ah-Gong started as a “tau chew”, a simple coffee chef. He worked tirelessly and was especially famous for his delicious French toast, which caught the attention of renowned singer, Lu Ding. Upon trying Killiney’s French toast, she fell in love with it and would constantly mention it in her concerts, giving Killiney a boost in popularity. Ah-Gong has since passed down his brewing and kaya-making skills to the next generation, keeping the tradition alive. Apart from the original one at Killiney Road, there are more than 20 branches in Singapore, and several overseas as well!
Ya Kun Kaya Toast Ya Kun Kaya Toast’s story is a humbling one – it is about a man and his fierce passion for traditional local breakfast. In the early days, Ah Kun, the founder, would sacrifice his own sleep, preferring to stay the night at his stall just so he can wake up on time (at 5am) for his first hungry customers. His business grew slowly but surely, with customers raving about his simple yet hearty breakfast. Starting with just piping hot coffee and charcoal-grilled plain toast, it was Ah Kun’s wife who introduced homemade kaya (a local jam-like spread made of egg and coconut) to the toast – hence its signature name. Ya Kun now has 40-odd outlets dotting our island, and is present in about ten other countries!
Wang Cafe Wang Café’s origins can be traced to Wang Jiao (“Prosperous Corner”) founded in 1953, along Bugis Street. Today, Wang Café has more than 20 outlets serving kopi, half-boiled eggs, kaya toast and other local favourites such as mee siam, mee rebus, laksa and chicken curry. It is a subsidiary of NTUC Foodfare. By Nicole Lee
jANUARY 16 - 22 , 2015
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Foodmania
new Restaurant
n e w M ENU
Fresh seafood from Tsukiji Market & tuna burgers
All SET for courses of yum Left: We have not been so impressed by the presentation of a dish in a long while Right: The Salmon Gravlax was well seasoned – we wanted more helpings of it
Good things come in sets or, in the case of SET, in sets of six courses – from starters to desserts, we love them all Resting on the curve between Orchard and Bugis, it’s easy to overlook PoMo. When I read about this newest restaurant, SET, opening, I grumbled about how out of reach it is. But my complaints melted away when SET served the first course. Oceans of Seafood takes after the look and feel of Tsukiji Market in Tokyo
Soup for the Discerning Soul
In short, 54kg of tuna was sliced and carved up within slightly over 3 minutes.
Tuna Scrapings
Mizu-san holding the fillet of Bluefin Tuna like precious cargo
Turning a whole Northern Bluefin Tuna into sashimi and sushi is a sight to behold but Frank Young discovered something new in the process – Tuna Burgers! We have previously featured Oceans of Seafood, serving fresh seafood air-flown directly from the source, situated within PasarBella at Turf Club Road. Nonetheless, we had an invitation to view Master Sushi Chef Mizu-san slice up a whole Bluefin Tuna from Tsukiji Market in Tokyo into sushi, sashimi and more. We couldn’t miss this sight to behold!
From Whole Tuna to Tuna Burger Like all the fish in Oceans of Seafood, the 54kg tuna came directly from the famous Tsukiji Market and is served fresh. The whole tuna, sitting on the chopping block, was slightly over 1m long. Its scale-less body glistened with freshness. Although this tuna wasn’t particularly large, it still required more than one person to handle this precious cargo, costing perhaps thousands of dollars. With just one knife, half a metre in length, Mizu-san was able to cleanly slice the head of the tuna off from its body, yet leaving it attached to its spine. It’s amazing how sharp the blade is. With a smooth stroke, he was able cut cleanly through tough skin, dense muscle and cartilage, and down to the spine 25cm deep. (See our video at weekender.com.sg/oceansof-seafood-sushi-sashimi-and-tuna-burgerssingapore/) With the body on its side, he then plunged the knife down to its bones and cut it lengthwise from behind the gill area to the tail, revealing the pinkish and reddish flesh of the Northern Bluefin Tuna. With a few more lengthwise cuts, he produced body-length strips of fillets.
The tuna flesh was supple, and the colours ranged from deep red to light pink, reflecting the various types of tuna meat served. As the fillets were carted away for sushi and sashimi, I noticed the assistants gently scraping the bone areas of the tuna carcass with a ceramic spoon, collecting clumps of reddish, cotton-like meat. They were collecting the tuna’s “back meat” or “tuna scrape”. Apparently, it’s perfect to make it into patties for “Tuna Burgers” because it already has the consistency of ground meat!
It is a challenge for mushroom soup to stand out. Almost every restaurant has it as a starter. SET took the bar and raised it, teasing us with elements of peanut in its rendition of the mushroom soup – Mushroom Veloute with Peanut Butter. This gave the soup a nice touch of crunch, as well as extra-rich flavour. SET has an array of other soups too but this would be my choice pick.
Salmon, the Safe Option I was excitedly waiting for the Salmon Gravlax. The salmon portion was generous and it was intensely fresh – with the
refreshing complement of cheese instead of the usual soya sauce in the Japanese style. I was hesitant at first but the cheese gave a surprising fluffy aftertaste to the dish. Yum!
Looks Too Good to Eat? I am a sucker for beautiful food and I felt that tucking into this was sinful – it looked too good to eat! The fish was grilled to perfection, with the crispy skin providing a stark contrast to the soft meat. I did not like pairing it with the sauces though, as it downplayed the fish’s flavour, but that’s up to you.
Apt Desserts SET’s gelato is homemade, which explains its creaminess and unique flavour. The one I tried was raspberry. It was sweet and absolutely lip-smacking. The poached peach complemented the gelato well. SET, 1 Selegie Road, PoMo, #02-01, Singapore 188306 By Nicole Lee
Cel ebrity Chef Recipe
Tuna Burger ($14) The “Tuna Burger” was a patty clad with cheese and onions on the top and bottom, then grilled. There were no buns, like what you’d find in a regular burger. The tuna patty was very lean. Unfortunately, I found it slightly overcooked and somewhat dry. Perhaps melting and grilling the cheese was too much for the meat. Nonetheless, this was the first time I tried a tuna burger and I’m glad I did.
Negitoro Chirashi ($17 at discount, and above) This dish consisted of finely-minced tuna, spring onion, and lightly-poached egg yolk on a bed of Hokkaido sushi rice. Because of the raw egg yolk, I decided to mix all the ingredients together. The texture was thick and sticky, and reminded me of comfort food such as congee. The tuna was very fresh and sweet. I would have preferred chunks of tuna instead of minced tuna to give the dish a more chewy texture. If you prefer Western-style seafood, opt for their fresh Boston lobsters, Pacific oysters and other exotic shellfish.
January Promotions 2015 Call Oceans of Seafood to check if their January promotions on Tuna Burgers, sashimi and other seafood dishes are still on.
By Frank Young
Oceans of Seafood, PasarBella @ The Grandstand, 200 Turf Club Road, #02-06 (#02-K2 to #02-K11), Tel: 6466 1005
CHEF WAN The celebrity chef was in town to greet fans and sign copies of his book, 400 Resipi Terbaik Chef Wan, at BookFest 2014.
Nasi Beriani Gam INGREDIENTS • 125ml Ghee • 4 Cardamoms • 6 Cloves • 2 Star anise • 1 Large onion, skinned, peeled & minced • 10 Shallots, skinned, peeled & minced • 4 cloves Garlic, skinned & sliced thin • 1 inch Ginger, skinned, peeled & sliced thin • 2 stalks Lemongrass • 2 Pandan leaves, knotted • 250g Raisins • 2 Tomatoes, coarsely minced • 750ml Chicken stock • 250ml Evaporated milk • 1 tsp Saffron • 1 tbsp Mint leaves, chopped, for garnish • 1kg Basmati rice, washed • 4 tbsp Rosewater • 1 sprinkle Fried onions • Salt to taste
METHOD 1. Heat the ghee in a frying pan and fry the cardamom, cloves and star anise. Add the onion, garlic, ginger, lemongrass and pandan leaves, and sauté for a few minutes. Add in raisins and tomatoes, and fry again for about 10 min. 2. Pour in the chicken stock, evaporated milk, saffron and mint leaves. Bring it to a boil. Add salt and rice. Simmer until the rice is cooked, in about 20 min. 3. Reduce the heat and cover the pot. Let it simmer again for 10 min, then pour the rose water and cook again for 5 min. Sprinkle with fried onions and serve with Kuzi Ayam (the Kelantan-style chicken dish) preferably.
PAGE 13
weekender.com.sg
Savour the Si p
The Master Brewer gives us insight into how this new hybrid craft beer is brewed
Beer aged with whisky: Heavenly combo?
Two of our favourite drinks come together in Wellpark Brewery’s new Tennent’s Whisky Oak Beer – find out if it’s worth a try In the 1500s, The Tennents were a simple family of farmers who brewed beer in Glasgow. By 1797, the family’s Wellpark Brewery were exporting to the Americas, satisfying the thirsty Scottish lads in the New World. Soon thereafter, Wellpark became the largest exporter of ale in the world. That was then. Now, their footprint may not be as grand but they hold a 30 per cent share of the Scottish beer market. That’s impressive, considering how discerning the Scots are about beer and spirits.
New Hybrid Craft Beer Tennent’s Whisky Oak beer is a new hybrid craft beer. Its Master Brewer, Keith Lughton, admits that the Whisky Oak Beer is a tough sell back home, especially in the old country where Scots wouldn’t mix whisky with ice, let alone beer! Innovating with tradition is dicey and requires a truly brave heart.
Romance of Beer and Whisky When I first heard about a “Scottish beer, delicately paired with single malt whisky and toasted oak”, I was immediately enthralled. Ah, two of my favourite things in life – beer and whisky – in holy union! I envisioned Scottish beer and single malt Scotch settling in huge oak casks while the seasons do their magic somewhere in the verdant Scottish countryside, where kilted men herd Highland cattle under the brooding overcast sky. It’s a very romantic notion. And, unfortunately, it’s a fictional one.
The Truth Behind How It’s Made Lughton, being the practical sort of chap, explains that virgin oak chips are soaked in strong Speyside single malt. The strong alcohol content is essential for extracting flavour from the virgin oak. Then, like large tea bags in hot water, bags of whiskyinfused oak chips are mixed into the beer vats releasing their flavours. An additional 60 litres of whisky tops off every 50,000 litres of beer, making the finished product.
Proof in the Tasting Tennent’s Whisky Oak beer is a clear, light golden beer with a small off-white head. The aroma is honey-vanilla. The taste is sweet with hints of honey, vanilla and whisky. It is smooth, soft, light on the palate, and gently carbonated. Overall, it’s a very pleasant and lovely experience. I wonder if this isn’t the type of flavour profile ladies desire – sweet, smooth, honey and vanilla, with no bitterness. According to Lughton, it’s best to drink it at about 6 to 10 degrees Celsius to release the full flavour. But, I would’ve preferred it crisp and cold, for a refreshing, chill in the mouth, perfect for our tropical heat. Like the Scots, discerning Singapore drinkers are just as particular. Cheers!
Profoundly ‘Promiscuous’ Palate
Masculine bottle design and delicate honey, vanilla and whisky tastes
n e w R e s taur a n t
A palette of colourful burgers
According to the Conor Hardy, Commercial Director of Asia Pacific, Wellpark, they chose “Singapore to be the launch pad of Tennent’s Whisky Oak in Asia because it is a mature whisky market with a growing appetite for specialty beer”. Or, in my words: We drink lots of whisky, and we are profoundly promiscuous when it comes to beer.
By Frank Young Tennent’s Whisky Oak Aged Beer is available at the following places: The Rookery, Skue, The Good Beer Company, The Library, The Papa Shop and Cook n Brew. RRP $16-$18 per bottle.
The strongest of the four – the turmeric curry burger doubles up as a boost for good skin
Build-your-own coloured burgers sounds both fun and yummy In recent years, there seems to be a trend of putting more colours on our plates. We have rainbow cakes, flavoured syrup and other coloured food. Now, we have coloured burgers! Eggs & Berries presents coloured burgers with a healthy twist.
A Dining Palette of Colours Everything offered in Eggs & Berries is in an array of colours – from drinks to the mains to the desserts. Here, you can find Singapore’s very first build-your-own coloured burgers. Coming in wonderful hues of green, yellow, pink and black, the buns are a sight to behold. Before you get turned off or grossed out by the possibility of unhealthy, artificial colouring in the buns, we’ll have you know that the colours result from natural ingredients. Billed as the Heavenly Four, each colour or type of bun is made with all-natural ingredients and is brimming with flavours and goodness, each with its own health benefits. Pair the buns with one of four handmade gourmet patties and you can build the tastiest burger you’ve ever had.
Top: Made with all-natural ingredients – what’s there not to love? Above: The pink burger, made with smoked paprika and beetroot, is also good for blood pressure
A Colourful Dining Experience Personally, I preferred the pink burger best, which was made with smoked paprika and beetroot, and the green burger made with spinach pesto. The tastes of the two were not as strong as the black burger, made with charcoal squid, and the yellow burger, made with turmeric curry. You can customise your burgers, so we recommend pairing the green or pink buns with the chicken or pork patties to be on the milder side. But, if you prefer something
stronger, by all means, go ahead and pair the lamb patty with the yellow buns. The Heavenly Four are mammoth towers of goodness. There is something to discover in every layer. Sink your teeth into them and ascend to the peak of satisfaction. Cap your meal with one of Eggs & Berries’ aesthetically-pleasing desserts. Fresh and invigorating fruits such as berries are the marquee ingredients in each dessert. Not only do they boast health properties, they also lend more colours. Indeed, the dining experience
at Eggs & Berries is a treat for the eyes and the stomach! Eggs & Berries is an advocate of healthy and delicious meals, so only the freshest ingredients, handpicked by the chefs go into the dishes. Eggs and Berries, Jurong Point 1, 1 Jurong West Central 2, Singapore 648886
By Eu Shuqi
Photos: HarpersBazaar.com
Photos: Vogue.com
Photos: Glamour.com
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Photo: Style.com
jANUARY 16 - 22, 2015
SHOPsavvy Fas h S n ips
PAGE 15
weekender.com.sg
B e au t y i n Br ief
Indulge your skin & hair You deserve the best – don’t forget to lavish yourself with loving skincare and fancy hair-care products at least once in a while
The Body Shop The Body Shop’s certified organic range has been created for the first signs of ageing. This innovative concentrate helps to enhance surface skin condition, leaving it looking smoother, fresher and healthier. The Drops of Youth concentrate smoothens the skin and instantly moisturises, boasting 99 per cent natural original ingredients. Available at The Body Shop outlets
L’Oreal Professional Based on oriental beauty rituals, L’Oreal’s Mythic Oil is a blend of sensorial oils, powered by hairstylists for personalised nutrition and legendary shine. The sensory experience offered by Mythic Oil is enhanced by a complete range of nutrition and shine products containing shampoo, conditioner and mask. Each product is formulated with argan oil and cotton seed oil, renowned for their hair repair, hydrating and nourishing properties. Available at selected departmental stores
Clio
PHS Hairscience Engineered to complement and complete the home care program, PHS Hairscience’s advanced range primes the scalp to achieve optimum results from its products. Available in a set of pretreatment and post-shampoo tonics and elixirs, the range specially cleanses, exfoliates, soothes and moisturises the scalp to enhance greater absorption of the men and women’s products to boost overall hair growth. Available at PHS Hairscience outlets
For Beloved One
You set your hair with rollers to get voluminous curls. Now you can give your lashes a boost in volume with 001 Hair Roll Cara. Simulating a hair roller, this mascara wand is made in France and comes in a 5mm cylindrical roller for extreme volume, with an empty centre to maximise its volumizing capacity. It uses a Balloon Hollow Powder that builds volume by thickly coating each lash strand with polymers, giving you va-va-voom lashes that will put Mila Kunis’ blinkers to shame.
Taiwanese actress and singer Barbie Hsu passionately recommends For Beloved One's Whitening Bio-Cellulose Mask, which has been the top-selling item of the brand for ten years. She gushes that the effect of the mask gets better day after day, improving her overall skin condition. For Beloved One is now launching the much-anticipated, upgraded Red Wine Antioxidant Night Jelly for your skin to indulge in the most luxurious treatment and gain miraculous results.
Available at selected Watson’s stores
Available at Sephora outlets
jANUARY 16 - 22, 2015
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SHOPsavvy
home inspirations
Get ideas for transforming your home
I still collect pieces with the idea that one day I’ll be able to make something from it. – Darren Chew, principal designer, District 8
Extra strength District 8 is founded on its designer’s love for the intricate and complex world of industrialism Chess set, $2,900
Darren Chew, Principal Designer, District 8
When Darren Chew first designed furniture for his multi-concept store and café L’usine in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, it was not his intention to set up a furniture brand. But people know a good thing when they see it, and when patrons started asking to buy the highly-industrial furniture, Darren and his business partner, Paul Norriss, finally decided to start up their own furniture brand in 2010. Named after the district where the furniture brand is based in Ho Chi Minh City, District 8 manufactures furniture that celebrates the raw strength of reclaimed wood and sandcasted iron, and many furniture pieces draw inspiration from machine parts that Darren finds from junk piles around Ho Chi Minh City. “They have huge piles of machine parts at foundries around the city. We basically go to all these places and pick through it until we find pieces that are interesting. The Vietnamese thought we were crazy, poring over junk piles,” said Darren. Finding a well-made machine part is akin to striking gold in Darren’s eyes, mostly for the untold potential it holds when it comes to sparking new designs. “I still collect pieces with the idea that one day I’ll be able to make something from it. It’s good inspiration to have around the factory,” he said. Thus far, these machine parts have inspired furniture like robust tables, shelves, stools and even a hefty chess set, all of which colour turn-of-the-century industry with a patina of romance.
Q&A with Darren Chew
The Drake Side Table is a fine example of District 8’s well-crafted furniture
Describe District 8 in three words. Industrial, authentic and heavy, at the moment
– but that’s slowly changing. Describe the space that you live in. I live in an old French apartment building in Dong Khoi Street, a beautiful old French street in Saigon. I rented two apartments and turned it into one apartment. It has high ceilings – it basically looks like a loft apartment. What is the best way to incorporate a District 8 piece at home? I think you can mix it in with found objects, stuff that you collect, vintage pieces. What would you splurge on when doing up your home? Your dining table should be a big one because you wouldn’t change it so often. People can get their sofas re-upholstered in different fabrics, or you can change your chairs to create a new space, but you wouldn’t change your dining table. What is your favourite design decade? Anything in that mid-century era. It’s interesting as a design decade. But for industrial design – design and machines – it’d probably be turn-of-the-century. By Rachel Lee-Leong Article first published in Lookbox Living #36 May/ Jun 2014 Lookbox Living #39 is out now! Available at major bookstores and news stands. For more interior projects, visit www.lookboxliving. com.sg
Refresh your home for Chinese New Year Courts has a new look and it’s mighty impressive – liven up your home with new Courts furniture for Chinese New Year! The newest range of Courts furniture that has been launched is both intriguing and hip. Launched in end-2014, Courts’ ultrastylish new range of furniture comes in three distinctive styles: Funk, Classic and Urban. The new range, in the three styles, is a breath of fresh air and looks impressive, offering designer-styled furniture at highlycompetitive prices. Here is the million-dollar question: Are you ready to revitalise your home?
Funk: Conventional Knickknacks Meet Quirky Colours The “Funk” line is highly trendy and stylish, with each piece of furniture combining the vintage with the modern, resulting in a creative explosion of colours and statementmaking designs. Poised to be a daring splash of colour in your home, it’s no wonder this loud, fantastically-fun line is the most trendy in the new extensive catalogue. Portray individuality and charisma with quirky colours – mix unexpected pieces together to create new moods. It is, after all, your mark on your living space. Make it stand out! The crowd favourites in this line are the gorgeously-coloured sofas.
Urban: Clean Lines and Sleek Pieces Are you a believer of “less is more”? Treat yourself to the sleek lines of urban home decor with the “Urban” line! The pieces in this series ooze understated
class, with each holding its own against the others. Clean, crisp lines and shapely angles are the most prevalent trait here, creating a sense of flow and evoking a calming effect on the living space. Crowd favourites in this line are the simple, hyper-stylish side tables and the sleek, generously-spacious 3-seater sofas, such as the “Caroline” Modular Corner Group Fabric Sofa.
The Classic line of furniture including “Dandelion” armchair and sofa
Classic: blast from the past Looking to recreate a setting of the yesteryears? Indulge in a nostalgic ambience with the furniture from the new “Classic” line. This line of furniture has two starkly different offerings. One end of the spectrum exudes a royal, Victorian vibe with the framed, grand sofas and elegant foot stools. The other end is, similarly, wood-based furniture but in lovingly-designed vintage prints and styles. Popular choices include the 1970sreminiscent dining sets and sturdy sideboards. Nonetheless, the crowd favourites in this line would be the regal-looking sofas. Tempted already? Consider becoming a HomeClub Titanium member for $49 per year and enjoy free delivery (minimum purchase of $100) and get 12% off at Courts Online Store on your birthday month, as well as birthday deals!
Courts’ new furniture range is available at its 14 stores island-wide or from www.courts.com.sg
The Funk line portrays individuality with eclectic designs – The “Sophie” sofa is completely modular, with more than 100 choices of fabrics and leathers
The Urban “Caroline” Modular Corner Group Fabric Sofa
PAGE 17
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Jazz up your selfies with creative filters!
FUN variations with Creative Shot Mode The Canon PowerShot N2, the latest selfiefriendly camera on the market, has a function that caters to the filter-obsessed. A quick flick on the tab at the side of the camera brings you to the Creative Shot Mode. What does that do? First, you take your photo as usual. Put on your million-dollar smile and adjust your hair, and simply click anywhere on the 360-degree shutter ring. Hold it there for two seconds for the original photo plus five filter-ready versions of it to kick in. The LCD screen will then display your photo in the six different looks (including the original). The function ends in a two-second combined montage, before going back to the ready for shooting mode. How cool is that? There’s no pressure to choose one filter from the lot because the camera automatically saves all six versions! Your photos will never ever be boring again.
Doughnut Selfies and More
A choice of various filters help to give you different effects for interesting photo results
Want more exciting photos? With a selection of filters, movie effects and smart shooting, the Canon PowerShot N2 is here to jazz things up! Does this sound familiar? Your hair looks fantastic and your makeup is flawless but
you just can’t find a perfect background for your selfie. Here’s our expert tip for you: if you can’t change the background, use a filter to enhance the image and add excitement to the photos!
Review: Canon PowerShot N2
Have you heard of a “doughnut selfie”, the latest craze to sweep the nation? We talked about this in our last article. In case you missed it, a doughnut selfie is taken when you hold your selfie camera at an angle and video yourself as you rotate the camera, and change the background. The Canon PowerShot N2 goes a step further – the Creative Shot Movie Mode combines several movie clips automatically, with special effects such as super-slow motion, quick motion, and various filters for creating short films.
WEEKENDER P hoto co nte st
are you
WEEKENDER’s
NEXT food PHOTOJOURNALIST?
The Canon PowerShot N2
Why take selfies of yourself drinking coffee at one hipster joint, when you can compile all your café adventures and present them in one fantastic, envyinducing doughnut selfie video?
Smart Auto Mode The Canon PowerShot N2 also features the Smart Auto Mode with 58 different pre-defined scenes for still shots and 21 for video. This means you can trust the camera to help you look your best, without needing to switch between functions. This is ideal for the busy girl on the go.
• DON’T be discouraged by locations with bad lighting. The creative filters can go a long way in turning challenging situations into creative results – give it a try!
Ever taken a great food photo with your Digital Compact Camera and posted it online or on social media? Now you can share it with us and win a prize by doing so! Weekender is looking for our next Food Photojournalist and you could be the one! Simply submit your best food photos taken by your Digital Compact Camera 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 go with us for a media tasting at a restaurant or cafe too! Here’s the part you’ve been waiting for.
What will you stand to win? 1) A Canon PowerShot SX600 HS camera 2) The official title of WeekenderFood Photojournalist with your photo published 3) A chance to go for sponsored media tastings with us at restaurants or cafes
Hailed as the trendiest gadget right now, the Canon PowerShot N2 joins the ranks of other selfie-cams but stands above the rest with its special features We’ve taken the new Canon PowerShot N2 camera on loan and, boy, are we amazed by its special functions and stellar specs. No wonder it’s touted as the new ultimate selfie-cam.
Terms & 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
Here are some of the Canon PowerShot N2 camera’s outstanding features:
A canon Powershot SX600 HS (worth $309) & BE Published! Camera sponsored by Canon
Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/weekendersgp Look for this contest on our page - like & share
it E-mail us at general@weekender.sg with the following: Subject: Weekender Photo Contest Entry (Attach your image) Name: NRIC: Phone no.: E-mail:
With such an impressive array of features, the Canon PowerShot N2 is indeed poised to be the next big thing in the market, and the ideal selfie camera! By Nicole Lee
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Packs a punch at 16.1 megapixels Get up close and personal with its powerful 28-224mm f/3.0-5.9 8x optical zoom lens See yourself from even wider angles with the 180-degree tilt screen “Self-Portrait” mode enhances photos with auto skin-brightening and smoothing. Simply press anywhere on the 360-degree shutter ring to take a photo Touchscreen controls allow easy adjustments to settings The Canon PowerShot N2 is compact, cute and very easy to handle, even when taking a selfie
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FOR A CHANCE TO WIN, SIMPLY:
CONTEST PERIOD: 19 DEC 2014 - 18 FEB 2015 (Midnight) No charge for SMS. Please check our Promotional and Contest Rules at weekender.com.sg for details.
jANUARY 16 - 22, 2015
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TRAVELation
t rav e l F eatu r e
toP holiday DESTINATIONS
Switzerland is possibly the perfect retirement destination – but it comes at a price!
to RETIRE in
Many of us have entertained fantasies of going away and retiring somewhere idyllic with our riches – here are our top picks for happily ever after havens
1
Georgetown, Malaysia
Lying in the heart of Penang Island, this town should be renamed Gorgeoustown. Its laid back vibe channels the charm of the Mediterranean but it’s also not too far from home and everything familiar to us. And it’s pretty affordable, too. Ocean-view condominiums can be rented cheaply, and healthcare is decent. Enjoy slow-paced living, low taxes, and an English-speaking lepak (relaxed) community. You don’t even have to leave hawker food behind as Penang is known for the best!
OlegD/Shutterstock.com
So you want to retire and retreat into a peaceful corner of the world for the rest of your life. Whether you’d rather lounge in a harbour-front town or squirrel away to a scenic rural village, your perfect ending has been hovering in your head for a while. It’s time to put that vision in visuals. Join us in fantasizing about these irresistible retirement havens.
The main town in Penang, Malaysia, Georgetown is a relaxed city of arts and culture
3
Chiang Rai, Thailand
Many of us have heard of Chiang Rai but not a lot of people realise just how liveable this province is. Its population is only about 200,000 yet it’s as modern and developed as cities come – and extremely affordable to boot! In town, the streets are lined with shops and restaurants that open late into the night. On the borders, Chiang Rai boasts spectacular waterfalls, elephant camps and hot springs. This is the perfect choice for those of you who want a rural retirement without giving up your urban comforts.
Chiang Rai has a variety of choices of natural parks and modern developments, perfect for semi-rural retirement Dumaguete is a youthful and vibrant town in the Philippines
2
Dumaguete, Philippines
This sleepy seaside town in the archipelago calls out to us. It’s a little different from the other provincial capitals in the Philippines – Dumaguete is much more hip, with modern fittings and a strong arts scene. The University city has a youthful population that loves hosting world-class leisure activities, from dolphin-watching to theatre productions. A multitude of entertainment options aside, the town benefits from the same low cost of living as the rest of the country. Also, we bet you’ve never heard of Dumaguete. That means you can retire away from the crowds and in serene seclusion.
With the perfect combination of sun, sand, sea and no dense crowds, Barbados is one of our top retirement havens
4
Barbados
This island in the Caribbean is everything you’ve ever seen on TV and more: glittering sea, soft white sand, friendly welcoming people and bright sun that doesn’t scorch your skin. Locals here are versed in English; and property tax is almost as low as the cost of its healthcare. And let’s not forget the variety of food offered here, from exotic Caribbean seafood to Asian reinventions. Sounds like Barbados would have you set for life.
5
Switzerland
Now this is one of the world’s top choices for retirement, and it’s little wonder why. With free healthcare, high levels of security and safety, modern infrastructure, and Europe’s relaxed lifestyle, Switzerland’s got the whole package. Sounds too good to be true? Well, unless you can afford its extremely high cost of living, Swiss retirement can remain a mere pipe dream. We’re talking about €16 meals at McDonald’s. (That’s about S$25.) But as long as we’re fantasizing (and planning way ahead), we’ll keep Switzerland in our sights. With Singapore’s retirement age inching up every year, we just might be able to save up enough by then. By Pamela Chow
PAGE 19
weekender.com.sg
Bucket List Exceptional ideas to experience in your lifetime
The Panama Canal is one of the world’s major maritime passages
Set sail on an odyssey
The Canal Route takes sailors through the famous Suez Canal between Egypt and Saudi Arabia
Sailing across the globe may sound ambitious but it’s possible with careful planning
There’s no better way to discover life, and the adventure of different lands, than in an odyssey that spans the globe – it’s easier than you think! Last August, it was revealed that a Welsh couple’s week-long sailing trip eventually turned into a 16-year tour around the world. If that sounds outrageous to you, don’t be surprised – sailing across the globe isn’t actually that hard. Many leisure sailors can cover adventure routes within one season (about three months). There are three criteria that must be met to qualify your trip as a round-the-globe circumnavigation. Firstly, you must pass
through every Meridian (or line of longitude), connecting Earth’s two Polar Poles. Secondly, your total distance travelled must at least equal the circumference of the Earth. Last but not least, at some stage the furthest points in your path must be at least the width of the Earth. These may sound confusing and difficult but if you’re travelling leisurely, who’s really keeping track?
Time and Tide Nonetheless, if you really do want to keep track and be a true circumnavigator, don’t fret. There are many routes that other adventurers have taken, and you can plan
your journey around the world based upon them. There is a wide range of routes, from sailing solely on the high seas to paths that cut across major canals. The Race Route, or Yacht Route, is populated with racing vessels trying to be the Usain Bolt of the sea. This route is designed to take you around the world as quickly as possible. But I doubt that’s what you’d be sailing for. For me, I’d rather take a route closer to land – that’s where the real adventures are!
Land Ahoy! Leisure sailors prefer the tropical seas on the more common Canal Route, which is guided
EVA Air Hello Kitty in-flight child meals
by trade winds and arcs between the Panama and Suez Canals. Boats have covered the whole 15,000km within a season. The Panama Canal cuts between the Americas, and the Suez Canal between Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Other notable points along this course include Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Africa and the Mediterranean. This route gives you a more scenic journey, and allows for land stops at interesting ports of call. Do note that these two passages – as the world’s two major canals – charge heavy tolls, and it’ll do well to research into this before charging in valiantly like Popeye the Sailor Man.
Wet Weather Plans Sailing around the world can be scenic and idyllic, no doubt, but you’ll need weather plans too. What I really mean, if you don’t get it, is monsoon and typhoon emergency plans, since you’d actually be out on the high seas for long periods. It is of utmost importance to consider the seasons and weather patterns to plan your travel (and well-being) in certain regions. For example, hurricane season rolls around in the Caribbean between June and November, so most vessels transit the Panama Canal in February and March. The South Pacific sports the best weather conditions from May to October. There are elaborate plans available online should you plan to check this entry off your bucket list. Just remember to look out for weather forecasts and monsoon seasons! This is certainly one of if not the most difficult on a travel bucket list but it certainly promises one helluva adventure! By Pamela Chow
LOW-C OST GETAWAYS If you need a short holiday but your budget for your flight is around $100 or less, look no further Some of the cute EVA Air Hello Kitty in-flight service items
ne w F li g h t s
New Hello Kitty flights & theme Hello Kitty lovers, time to go crazy with a new Hello Kitty flight schedule and theme Following the overwhelming success of chartered flights on EVA Air’s Hello Kitty jets between Singapore and Taipei, EVA Air is proud to announce the launch of a new and permanent Hello Kitty flight schedule between Singapore’s Changi Airport and Taipei’s Taoyuan International Airport. The new scheduled Hello Kitty flights are in addition to EVA Air’s existing daily flights between both cities. Moreover, there is a brand new Hello Kitty theme created exclusively for the latest EVA Air B777-300ER aircraft, with flights between Singapore and Taipei starting from June 2015 at the following scheduled times in addition to the existing EVA Air scheduled flights on nonHello Kitty jets:
Singapore to Taipei (BR216) – Wed, Fri, Sun (& Tue from Jul 1), 1510h Taipei to Singapore (BR215) – Wed, Fri, Sun (& Tue from Jul 1), 0925h The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will feature the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system, Sky Wi-Fi access and the Global Communication Suite which offers passengers an SMS roaming service to send and receive short messages on their personal mobile phones. Best of all, Hello Kitty will welcome you on your screen!
Overwhelming Demand “After experiencing an overwhelming demand of our Hello Kitty jets when we introduced chartered flights between Singapore and Taipei earlier this year, we knew Singapore had to be our first destination in Southeast Asia to
host our next Hello Kitty themed aircraft,” said Austin Cheng, President of EVA Air. “With EVA Air’s philosophy to make flying fun, these themed flights offer not just an aircraft to take you from one destination to another, but it offers an all-round experience that begins right from the check-in counter. Our vision is for passengers, fans of the Sanrio character or not, to be in awe and enchanted by a truly-unique flying experience,” he said.
Hello Kitty’s New Routes The new EVA Hello Kitty Jet will also be deployed to EVA’s new destination between Taipei and Houston, USA, making connectivity for travellers between Singapore and Houston a convenient one. With the introduction of Houston, Singapore passengers now have more choices traveling to North America, by just one easy stop at Taipei. To date, EVA Air has launched six variants of the Hello Kitty Jet on flights from Taiwan to Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Mainland China, Guam, and Paris. Each with its own unique theme, the specially-painted aircraft presently include the EVA Hello Kitty Magic, Apple, Global, Happy Music, Speed Puff, and Handin-Hand Jets. Singapore will receive the new seventh Hello Kitty Jet variant next year. Each Hello Kitty aircraft comes fully equipped with over 100 in-flight service items featuring Hello Kitty including limited edition duty-free products, Hello Kitty shaped food, thematic pillows and even restroom amenities in accordance with the theme.
Don’t miss out on these promotions for budget airlines and low-cost carriers.
Clark – Hot Air Balloon Festival 2015
From $125, Tigerair. Promotion ends when sold out. The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta held in Clark, is better known as “A Weekend of Everything that Flies”. More than just a spectator event, visitors get an opportunity to share and exchange cultures and traditions with visiting pilots from all over the world – and best of all you’re given a taste of Filipino hospitality and the fiesta spirit. Come witness the breath-taking sight of hot air balloons in the air and much more.
Yangon – Sule Pagoda
From $102, Tigerair. Promotion ends when sold out. Located in downtown Yangon, the Sule Pagoda is a key highlight when visiting Yangon. Revealed to be more than 2,500 years old, the Sule Pagoda stands even older than it’s more popular counterpart, the Shwedagon Pagoda. Having been the focal point of both Yangon and Burmese politics, the Sule Pagoda is considered the landmark of Yangon. The Pagoda is definitely a sight to behold when illuminated at night. All prices are correct at time of printing.
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