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MARCH 15 - 21, 2013 YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND fIllED WITH fUN AND HAPPINESS DElIVERED fREE TO YOUR HOME

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02 • WEEKENDER • march 15 - 21, 2013 YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND FILLED WITh FUN AND hAPPINESS

VENTS All events are correct at time of print.= FREEFor a pdf copy of Weekender visit: www.facebook.com/weekendersgpE

This two-night al fresco festival is back for its fourth year with Grammy-winning artistes and living legends such as Robert Plant, the voice of Led Zeppelin, and his band Sensational Space Shifters; Paul Simon, Bonnie Raitt and Jimmy Cliff. This stellar line-up will also be joined by acclaimed artistes Rufus Wainwright and the Tedeschi Trucks Band. Don’t miss this fabulous combination of multiple, full-length concerts for the price of one ticket! For more information, please visit www.rockandroots.com.sg Fort Canning Green, Cox Terrace, Singapore 179618

Timbre Rock & Roots 2013

21-22 Mar, 6.30pm, $70 (Concession),

$150, $165, $210, $280

The Singapore premiere of this worldwide smash-hit musical is here. Dirty Dancing is an adaptation of the 1987 movie written and co-produced by Eleanor Bergstein, and tells the story of two young, fiercely independent free spirits from different worlds who come together for their most triumphant summer ever. This spectacular show features a cast of 26 who sing a string of hits performed by a live orchestra, with 73 scene changes lit by 200 moving lights and 21 costume changes for the female lead alone. Book your tickets early to avoid disappointment.Grand Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018956

After enjoying the performances at the Mosaic Music Festival at the Esplanade, pop into Sauce, Orgo or Harry’s for a special Hendrick’s Gin cocktail concocted by Hendrick's brand ambassador, Mr Erik Andersson, for the festival. The Mosaic Jive ($11.90), filled with Hendrick’s Gin, blue curacao, lemon juice, soda water, sugar syrup and diced cucumbers, makes for a refreshing drink on a warm evening. The participating bars have also come up with their own range of signature Hendrick’s cocktails. Be sure to stop by for a relaxing drink to unwind after a hot day. Harry’s @ the Esplanade and Sauce, ground floor; Orgo, rooftop.

– the classic story on stage24 May - 16 Jun, 8pm (Tue-Fri); 8pm (weekend), $55, $95, $125, $150, $175

Dirty dancing

to Jazz up your night

8-17 Mar, various times

Mosaic Jive

EVENT & PROMO

MUSTGO

Come to Sentosa this March break. The Sentosa KidZ Flea Market is back and young Playtrepreneurs, aged between 7 and 12, will set up stalls to trade pre-loved toys and storybooks, handmade accessories and provide services like manicure and even funfair games! Playtrepreneurs will also promote recycling and part of

sales proceeds go to the Hospice Care Association (HCA). Support these Playtrepreneurs and be entertained by various performances, including magic and puppet shows. Also, sign up to be an Islander today at just $50 per annum and enjoy unlimited island admissions as well as various island-wide privileges. Receive a free Sentosa cold cup worth $12.90 when you sign up for a Sentosa Islander Family Membership at any Islander Membership Counter! While stocks last.

There are more fun activities to choose from. At only $20 per child (free for accompanying adult), be a parrot trainer at the Animal and Bird Encounters at Palawan Beach. Better yet, join in the Ukelele Groove on 29 Mar. There are performances by Ukes Avenue, an electrifying four-piece band that will get you jiving, and by Polkadot + Moonbeam featuring Mario Serio. For more information, go to www.sentosa.com.sgBeach Station, Sentosa

16-24 Mar, 2pm-7pm, Free (excludes island admission and parking charges)

SentoSa KidZ Flea & iSlander Family PromoTioN

What does art speak? The exhibition seeks to answer this question through 33 sets of artworks that respond to dialogue, as well as concepts extending from dialogue. They come in the form of paintings, photographs, assemblages, videos and installations. Organised by the Singapore Teachers’ Academy for the aRts (STAR), a:edge is the second art teachers’ art exhibition that STAR is organising.SOTA Art Gallery, 1 Zubir Said Drive, Singapore 227968

a:edgeUntil 24 Mar, 12-8pm

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march 15 - 21, 2013 • WEEKENDER • 03YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND FILLED WITh FUN AND hAPPINESS

EVENTSAll events are correct at time of print.For a pdf copy of Weekender

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All events listed here are accurate at the the time of print, or are listed as stated by the organisers. Please check with the relevant organisers and contacts for more information and to book tickets.

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Black and WhiteUntil 10 Apr, 10am-6pmTen accomplished Asia-Pacific contemporary artists present a dynamic collection of black and white art pieces on different media such as oil, acrylic, water colour and photography. These art works feature landscapes, figural studies and abstractions which are presented both symbolically and metaphorically on a palette of black and white. This dynamic and thought-provoking collection of art promises to provide viewers with a fresh perspective on both composition and content. For more information, please visit www.artforum.com.sgArt Forum, 82 Cairnhill Road, Singapore 229684

campaign city: life in postersUntil 7 Jul, 10am-9pm From Sharity Elephant to Singa Lion, and “Clean and Green” to “Speak Mandarin”, campaigns and their mascots are a part of Singapore’s culture. Tapping on their personal memories of campaigns, 50 artists including leaders from the creative industry and students have designed posters to explore this aspect of our heritage. Their works are accompanied by highlights from the National Library’s campaign poster collection. This event is organised by the National Library of Singapore and Salon Projects. To register for guided tours (held on Mar 23), and for more information please visit golibrary.nlb.gov.sg Registration

for the guided tours can also be done at the library’s eKiosks.National Library Building, Lee Kong Chian Reference Library, 100 Victoria Street, Singapore 188064

city square mall 3rd anniversary 15 Mar - 14 Apr, various timesShopping vouchers will be up for grabs at City Square Mall's 3rd Anniversary celebrations. Between 16-24 Mar, children can also look forward to balloon sculpting workshops and magic shows (with $30 spent), with some kids even getting free balloon home-kits. Or, roving balloonists will hand out sculptured balloons. The first 200 shoppers who spend a minimum of $200 each day can redeem a $5 City Square Mall shopping voucher. For more information, please visit www.citysquaremall.com.sg180 Kitchener Rd, City Square Mall, Singapore 208539

earth hour With city square mall23 Mar, 8.30pmJoin City Square Mall - the first eco-mall in Singapore - in Earth Hour, as it powers down its non-essential lights to show its support for this global event. Children can participate in DIY candle making sessions and eco-colouring bag giveaways from 7.30pm onwards. There will also be a free outdoor movie screening of the popular animated film Dr Seuss' The Lorax, which is actually based on an environmentally-themed children's book.180 Kitchener Rd, B1 Fountain Square, City Square Mall, Singapore 208539

meet the authors of children's adventure series sherlock sam16 Mar, 2-3pmMeet “AJ Low”, co-authors of the new children's adventure series, Sherlock Sam. In this meet the authors session, you

circa survive live in singapore23 Apr, 8pm, $88; $98 (at the door)New York progressive rockers Coheed And Cambria returns to Singapore to perform with special guests Circa Survive!, an alternative rock band. Coheed And Cambria are touring in support of their epic two-part series, The Afterman. Circa Survive! will be touring for their most recent album Violent Waves, released in August 2012. Tickets from Sistic. The Coliseum, Hard Rock Hotel Singapore, 39 Artillery Ave, Singapore 098269

kids invent! Workshops for kids and parents18-22 Mar, 9.30am-1.30pm, $60-$80In these workshops, children can exercise their creativity to invent working prototypes of cars, boats and rockets using every day recyclable materials and small parts. Parents can also pair up with their children in a family bonding workshop with the same creative theme. These hands-on activities allow kids to learn maths, science and the process of transforming abstract ideas into tangible things. Suitable for children aged seven to 15 years. Call 9382 6655 or log on to inventivekids.asia for more.Sengkang Community Club, 2 Sengkang Square, Singapore 545025; Punggol 21 Community Club, 171 Edgedale Plains, Singapore 820171

leaping fish in the city21 & 22 Mar, 8pm, $12 (concession), $18In Source Theatre and The Substation co-present a multimedia theatrical piece that comprises English, Mandarin and dialect. Researchers discovered that at least six different types of fish are able to launch themselves into the air from a solid surface. We humans have become adaptable 'leaping fish', building our lives on earth and also living at levels beneath the earth. English subtitles are provided.The Substation, 45 Armenian Street, Singapore 179936

namie amuro asia tour 201326 Apr, 7pm, $128, $168, $218, $248, $288Following her successful 20th anniversary “5 Major Domes Tour”

can find out what went into the creation of this exciting series. If you are an aspiring author, you can even get inspired to write stories of your own. Join the authors in fun games and win cool prizes. in order to get your copies of their books autographed, please produce the relevant Books Kinokuniya receipt upon requesting for their autographs.Kinokuniya Singapore, Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Road, #03-09/10/15, Singapore 238872

neW Word order presents Wesley leon arooZooMar 16, 7.30pmBetter known as a filmmaker, Wesley Leon Aroozoo presents Bedok Reservoir, a provocative story about loss, searching and the accepting of one’s own demons. It was written after the spate of drownings and suicides in Bedok Reservoir, and delves into a dark side of Singapore not openly discussed. This is his first time writing for the stage, and the play and novel version of the story was recently published as a duo print where the endings are different. Join Wesley as he talks about his journey in becoming a published playwright and author, with filmmaker and theatre practitioner Ghazali Muzakir as moderator. A thought-provoking experience is to be expected.Living Room, The Arts House, 1 Old Parliament Lane, Singapore 179429

olympic medals at yog gallery @ singapore sports museum23 Mar (special opening), 9am-1pm; 9am-5pm (Mon-Fri)Discover the true spirit of the Olympic Games. The Youth Olympic Games (YOG) is not only about Winning (Excellence) but also about Friendship and Respect. What’s more, catch a glimpse of Singapore’s Olympic Medals from the 1960 Rome Olympics to the 2012 London Olympics displayed at the YOG gallery this March holidays. Get a hands-on experience in the Olympic Craft station in creating your own Olympic medal, torch and laurel wreath, and get the chance to meet a local sporting hero in person. For information, call 6471 4430.YOG Gallery @ Singapore Sports Museum, 1 Kay Siang Road, Singapore 248922

across Japan, Namie Amuro, the "Queen of Japanese Pop Music" is performing in Singapore. Departing from her usual Eurobeat style music, she now performs R&B music and works with a few of Japan's popular hip hop and R&B artists and US producers. Since then she has wowed with singles such as Put 'Em Up, Want Me Want Me, as well as Go Round. Singapore Indoor Stadium, 2 Stadium Walk, Singapore 397691

shakespeare in the park: othello24 Apr - 19 May, 7.30pm, $45, $55, $88This year, Singapore's Shakespeare in the Park presents the dark and treacherous world of Othello, one of Shakespeare’s great tragedies of love wrecked by jealousy. Spread a blanket for a picnic under the stars and enjoy a bottle of red wine al fresco, as you immerse yourself in this classic story of love, deception and greed.Fort Canning Park, Cox Terrace, Singapore 179618

singapore dance theatre’s gala performance31 May & 1 Jun, 8pm, $30, $50, $70As part of its 25th anniversary celebrations, Singapore Dance Theatre presents a gala performance featuring a myriad of the best and most memorable pieces from its repertoire. The performances include Goh Choo San’s Beginnings, the first ballet ever performed by SDT; Serenade, the most performed ballet by George Balanchine, the father of neoclassical ballet; and a newly-commissioned work by award-winning Chinese-American choreographer, Edwaard Liang, featuring the full company of SDT dancers. The gala evening also features works by The Australian Ballet and the Queensland Ballet. SDT has also officially moved to its new premises at Bugis+ Mall, after 21 years of calling Fort Canning its home. Esplanade Theatre, 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981

singaplural 2013 8-15 Mar, various timingsCelebrating Design returns for a second time to showcase the best design elements in the creative spectrum - Architecture, Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, and Interior, Furniture, Graphic and Fashion Design. Be wowed by more than 220 multi-faceted installations and exclusively-curated design spaces. Go to www.singplural.com

for more information.*SCAPE, Park Mall, Dhoby Ghaut Green, Handy Road Open Space, URA Centre

When you think of inflight meals, you will always picture a set with a main dish, a side, a drink and a bun. Ever since low-cost carriers emerged about a decade ago, that impression has changed. Not only can you now choose your preferred meal over an extensive menu, similar to what you would do at a restaurant, the selection of food available is no longer limited to just mains. You can now munch on snacks and even get a taste of the destination’s local delights, even before you land.

On AirAsia, snacks extend to almost anything, beyond your usual cookies and peanuts. Have you heard of Popcorn Factory Gourmet Popcorns? They are the makers behind those mouth-watering caramel popcorns that come in assorted flavours like S’mores, White Cheddar, even Dark Chocolate Sea Salt – and AirAsia carries them on board selected flights. Munching on them while watching my favourite movie onboard makes

me feel like I am at the cinema.

If that is not enough for that sweet tooth of yours, then you should pick the Triple Chocolate Muffin. The name may sound plain, but I have not stopped recommending it to my peers ever since I took a bite of it. Here’s a tip for you, ask for the muffin to be heated slightly when served, so you can enjoy the moist and soft exterior that melts immediately in your mouth when eaten. The triple chocolate within forms a hot molten delight that is bound to overwhelm your taste buds and leave you longing for more.

Besides snacks, airlines are also very good at serving juice, soft drinks and alcohol onboard, but how many actually go out of the way to bring in more than

those choices for the passengers? I am a fan of milk tea and was impressed to find their selection on AirAsia the last time I travelled with them. It is called the Chatime Roasted Milk Tea with Grass Jelly. The drink is served chilled and tastes like your usual bubble milk tea, except that instead of pearls, you get grass jelly which in my opinion, is more refreshing.

If you would rather have something a little more thirst-quenching, then you would be happy to know that AirAsia serves fresh coconuts on board selected flights as well. It is referred to as Mat Kelapa on the menu and the natural juice is perfect with any meal, sweet or savoury. Coconuts are also natural isotonic water that is healthy and good for hydration.

So, the next time you fly, remember to look out for the variety of snacks they have on the menu. Like me, you will be pleasantly impressed too.

Adrian Eugene Seet is founder of popular lifestyle portal superadrianme.com

PoPular lifestyle blog suPeradrianme.com talks about how airasia adds delight to its inflight meal selections by tantalising with local favouritesby adrian eugene seet

AirAsia offers inflight snacks that beat the norm

YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND FILLED WITH FUN AND HAPPINESSB 04 • WEEKENDER • MARCH 15 - 21, 2013

E HAPPIER For a pdf copy of Weekender visit: www.facebook.com/weekendersgp

MOVIE PREVIEW

From humble beginnings busking along the street of Orchard Road, Singapore’s number one beatboxer

Dharni Ng has risen through the ranks. He has since been the opening act for Lady Gaga when she was in Singapore, and performed at the Youth Olympic Games 2010 and the F1 Concert. Most recently, he attained first place for his rendition of the Harlem Shake song, in competing for the US$20,000 prize money.

Dharni also released his latest single C’est Dingue on Soundcloud. This talented

individual speaks with us through a Facebook interview, all the way from Poland.

What MadE yOu dEcIdE tO MOVE tO POland?Poland was not in the cards for me, actually. It was a coincidence that a friend of mine, Blady Kris, got famous there and wanted my help on his other project – forming a three-man beatbox band along with another Belgian beatboxer, Roxorloops. We, the Bruk Braders, then joined a big talent show and made it to the finals that was watched by millions.

However, things didn’t work out due to management issues but I decided to continue to stay in Poland due to its strategic location in between Asia and America. It is also more affordable to live here at the moment.

What aRE yOuR Plans fOR thE futuRE?My plan for the future is to finish up my EP, and start touring around the world and performing my tracks. To sum it up, I would like to become a real international music artist.

If yOu cOuld chOOsE a PERsOn dEad OR alIVE tO WORk WIth, WhO WOuld It bE?I would like to work with Grammatik, as they currently have an interesting sound which piques my very interest in this genre of music.

WhO aRE yOuR MusIcal IcOns?It is hard to say because I am inspired by many different artists, all around. Such as, J Dilla, Koan Sound, etc.

hOW WOuld yOu dEscRIbE thE “dhaRnI sOund”? It sounds like creativity. :)

at the beatSingapore’S beSt beatboxer, Dharni ng, haS been in the inDuStry for a DecaDe before relocating to polanD. he’ll be back for an excluSive performance on mar 23. We Speak With himby cheryl chia

WhEn WIll yOu nExt bE In sIngaPORE?From Mar 22 to Apr 8. I am the latest addition to the AOS Collective for Asia and Australia and will be performing exclusively at the Butter Factory on Mar 23.

What has bEEn yOuR bIggEst achIEVEMEnt tO datE?When I won an international, prestigious beatboxing competition in Austria in 2011 which propelled me further in terms of motivation and drive. Also, performing in Mariah Carey's concert in 2010. Heh heh. During her F1 concert in Singapore, she fell on stage right in front of my eyes!

What MakEs yOu haPPy? “Cooking” up a good tune and finally getting to "taste" the final product. Good friends and family.

What WOuld yOu lIkE tO say tO all sIngaPOREans?I would like to tell them to open their eyes, spread their wings and be brave to face the real world, the real ambition which lies in their hearts. Confront it and do what they love to do. Express themselves freely and be more gracious. W

Check Dharni’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dharnibeatbox for updates on his performances. His latest single can be heard at soundcloud.com/dharni/dharni-cest-dingue

BEIng tHE BEst

BeatBoxing is a form of vocal percussion, where the performer makes all the sounds of various instruments solely with his or her voice and mouth.

With origins in Chinese, Indian, African and even Scottish cultures, the art-form has evolved into a vocal tool in various genres of musical performances such as a cappella groups and in hip-hop.

The term “beatbox” was used as slang, originally for non-programmable drum machines that were called rhythm machines. The modern version of beatboxing has the performer imitating sounds of instruments such as cymbals, turn-tables, trumpets and traits of dubstep.

Beatboxers can perform a cappella without amplifiers like microphones; however a microphone enhances the delivery. Cupping the microphone, for example; can change the voice’s pitch while holding it close to the mouth can cause deeper bass sounds.

The beatboxing community has spawned stars like Rahzel (USA) formally from the Roots, White Noise (Ireland) and Beardyman (UK) all holding their own and expanding on this art form with many performances.

Beatbox performances get their own platform with their own events such as the American Human Beatbox Festival (USA) and Human Beatbox Festival (France). Even music festivals such as the Unhinged Festival feature beatboxers such as pioneer Shlomo (UK) in last year’s line-up.

There are many online websites and forums like www.sgbeatbox.com for aspiring beatboxers and hobbyists, so do hit those up for a proper introduction to the beatboxing world.

101here’S a little bit on What beatboxing iS anD hoW it came to be

it’s a familiar scenario — a mysterious virus has devastated civilisation, turning its victims into flesh-eating monsters without memories of their past lives. What’s left of humanity is holed up in heavily-fortified bunkers where they live in fear of their former loved ones.

a ZOMbIE lOVE stORyAll that changes when a ravenous zombie hunting party crosses paths with a human reconnaissance crew scavenging supplies. R, played by Nicholas Hoult, a soulful zombie, is so captivated by the lovely and living Julie, played by Teresa Palmer, that instead of eating her brains he saves her from being consumed by his companions.

Taking her back to the zombie-ridden airport he calls home, R hides Julie in an abandoned Boeing 747 plane filled with treasures he has collected during his hunting expeditions — vinyl records, snow globes, musical instruments and other lost relics of a more sane time.

Over the next few days, in their surprisingly cosy hideaway, the feisty Julie awakens long-forgotten feelings in R, while she begins to realise there is more to him than a vacant stare and a slow-motion shuffle.

Confused by her feelings, Julie returns to her walled-off city where her father (John Malkovich), a ruthless zombie hunter, leads a well-armed security force. Meanwhile, the lovelorn R has begun to change in ways he never thought possible and believes his connection with Julie could be the salvation of the human race. But when he shows up at her doorstep, it sparks an all-out war between the living and the undead that threatens to derail the couple’s chance of a future together.

A fresh twist on a classic love story, Warm Bodies offers a surprisingly romantic look at the lighter side of the zombie apocalypse — and reminds us of what it means to be human.

hOW It staRtEdWarm Bodies began life as a seven-page online short story titled “I am a Zombie Filled with Love”, that attracted a wide Internet audience and led author Isaac Marion to expand it into his debut novel in 2010.

“It had such an incredibly strong voice and character. Although it was a genre piece, it was an incredibly emotional, character-driven story,” says producer Bruna Papandrea who, at a friend’s recommendation, got hold of the book before it was published and read it from cover to cover.

Papandrea immediately set about securing the film rights and, three days later, she was in Marion’s hometown to meet with the writer.

ZOMbIEs WIth a dIffEREncEPapandrea and others were drawn to the novel’s portrayal of a post-apocalyptic world from the viewpoint of the zombies themselves.

“I’d never heard anyone treat these creatures as individuals, something that would have a perspective,” Marion says. “They’re always used as props in the background that come rushing at the human

Warm Bodies:

an unlikely romance betWeen a teen anD a SenSitive unDeaD Slacker SetS off a chain of eventS in a hilariouS anD heart-Warming zombie action rom-com

characters. They’re anonymous and mindless.”Instead of the typical black-and-white, all-or-nothing, human-or-

zombie portrayal of the conflict between living and undead, Marion chose to explore the grey areas in between — how a person transitions into becoming a zombie and then back to being human.

flEshIng It OutPapandrea took the project to writer-director Jonathan Levine (of 50/50), whose initial resistance to doing a movie based on a young-adult novel waned when he saw how wildly creative the book was.

“I was excited about the opportunity to push the envelope visually, and it was a great character piece, as well. It’s an adventure. It’s a romance. It’s got comedic elements. It’s got horror elements,” enthuses Levine.

Collaborating closely with Marion, Levine went on to write the screenplay for the film himself. He says he saw the love relationship between R and Julie at the heart of the story as a “mash-up” of Romeo and Juliet and Frankenstein.

“The arc of their relationship was the most important thing to me to get right directorially — the push and pull of guys and girls, the way relationships start and people are nervous at first, maybe even repulsed, and then come together,” he explains.

As for the film’s larger themes, the filmmakers say it follows in the tradition of zombie movies that make a social commentary, including George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead, but with some key twists that make it especially original.

“The salient theme at the heart of it is that people have forgotten what it means to be human and, through the interaction of these two characters, other people re-learn what it means to be human. Not just the zombies, but the humans, too,” says Levine.

R and JOne of the challenges of the role was that, at least initially, R cannot speak in words—a condition that changes as the story progresses.

“A lot of the time I had to communicate just through movement, my eyes, the things I do, or the records R plays for Julie. It makes you think in a slightly different way than you normally would,” says Hoult.

For the role of R’s human love interest, Julie Grigio, the filmmakers chose Australian-born Teresa Palmer (I Am Number Four) from a shortlist of five actresses who read with Hoult.

“She’s a warrior,” Palmer says of her character. “She’s strong and has an amazing energy. She’s bubbly; she’s got a big

spirit and a good heart. Things have really been dimmed for her since her mother was killed by one of the zombies. She’s unhappy. Then she meets R. He breathes life back into her. They fall for each other and she’s reminded of what life can be like and starts to hope again,” she says.

But it wasn’t love at first sight for Julie and R, who meet under the most violent of circumstances. When R saves Julie from the other zombies and takes her back to his lair in an old airplane, Julie figures he’s just storing her as a snack for later.

Find out what happens in this dead, or undead, romance. WaRM bOdIEs (Pg13)director: Jonathan Levinestarring: Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, John Malkovich and Analeigh Tiptongenre: Horror, Comedy, Romance Run time: 97min Release date: 14 Mar

Beatbox

“my plan for the future iS to finiSh

up my ep, anD Start touring

arounD the WorlD anD

performing my trackS.”

Dead romance

For a pdf copy of Weekender visit: www.facebook.com/weekendersgp

YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND FILLED WITH FUN AND HAPPINESS MARCH 15 - 21, 2013 • WEEKENDER • 05

FASHIO

HEALTH & BEAUTY

NAudi FAshion FestivAlThe Audi Fashion Festival 2013 is upon us once again, come May 15. Moving from Ngee Ann City to the Marina Promenade, the event promises to further astound with international icons of the fashion industry such as Ashley Isham, Hussein Chalayan and Carolina Herrera.

Mr Jeff Mannering, Managing Director of Audi Singapore says, “2013 marks the fifth consecutive

year that Audi is the title sponsor of the Fashion Festival in Singapore. Through this meaningful and unique regional design competition, we are discovering and enabling new talents to start their careers in fashion, thereby contributing towards the development of Singapore as a fashion city.”

Mr Dick Lee returns as chairman of the event and Ms Tjin Lee returns as festival director.

Here are a few stirrings in tHe fasHion world tHat you would need, want and love to know about

FAsh snips

You hear more talk about and see more supporters of local labels nowadays but, just a mere five years

ago, Blackmarket was one of the early ones who saw potential in the pool of young local artistic talent here.

Starting their store in Jalan Pisang in 2008 “by accident”, founders Jasmine Tuan and Quincy Teofisto happened on a studio space by chance and decided to start Blackmarket. “We didn’t want to merely just import and sell objects like any other store, but we wanted to give local designers a platform to showcase their works,” says Jasmine.

The first few brands to jump on board the concept in the early days were Frufru and Tigerlily, Quadrant and Vice & Vanity. Newer brands such as Kult3D and Koom shoes have also joined in the fray recently. They also carry a few regional and exclusive international brands.

We especially like their French perfume range. The cheeky Etat Libre d’Orange with their tongue-in-cheek-named perfumes and Juliette Has A Gun by Romano Ricci, great grandson of couturier Nina Ricci, are both delightful.

Jasmine also reveals that Blackmarket is planning to expand to Ho Chi Minh City in District 3 with “a possible café/

BLAckmArkET Shopping at the

brand curator blackmarket is one of tHe pioneers to cHampion independent designers. we catcH up witH tHem on tHeir latest Happenings

by cHeryl cHia

There’s no bigger turn off than speaking to a person with halitosis. i.e. Stinky breath. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve had to stop breathing while talking to certain people. Or sneak breaths of air at intervals when they shut their mouths. And, even then, the smell might still have been lingering in the air.

Have I painted a clear enough picture for you yet? Now, I usually come armed with breath mints and Orbit gum when I’m out of the house to ensure minty fresh breath. Here are some tips and possible products you could use to ensure a pleasant tete-a-tete.

Brush Your teethThe Health Promotion Board recommends a brush with soft bristles, with a medium-sized head. A brush with a big head will not be able to reach the back corners of the mouth. Use toothpaste that contains fluoride to prevent tooth decay. For whiter teeth, try the Colgate Optic White toothpaste ($3.80-$8.00) that contains whitening accelerators that remove stains and polish teeth surface. I’ve used this for a week, and the colour in my teeth has evened out considerably.

scrApe the BAck oF Your tongueYou can either use a tongue scraper – a U-shaped device – which gets rid of the surface bacteria on the tongue that also causes bad breath. Some toothbrushes also come with a tongue scraper of sorts on the back of the brush head. Just look out for toothbrushes with grooves or bumps.

gArgle, gArgle, gArgleDon’t underestimate the power of rinsing out your mouth, even with just water. A teaspoon of salt in warm tap water is great for soothing sore-throats and getting rid of halitosis-causing bacteria. The essential oil based mouthwash by Aesop ($33) can also help. Containing essential oils of spearmint,

cloves, aniseed and tea tree for malodour, this alcohol-free solution uses herbs to combat the bacteria that cause bad breath.

Avoid strong smelling FoodGarlic, onions and fish are no-brainers in terms of bad breath. However, citrus fruit, sugary beverages like soda and acidic ones like coffee and tea also play a part in creating bad breath. Food that gets easily stuck in your teeth such as seaweed, meat and candy can also cause your breath to smell. Rinsing your mouth and flossing regularly will help.

If you keep this simple teeth and mouth hygiene discipline, your bad breath will quickly disappear.

Have you noticed people wrinkling tHeir noses or politely stifling tHe urge to turn away at tHe stencH of your breatH? Here are a few oral Hygiene tips and products to Help you

by cHeryl cHia

Stinky breath!

Beauty in brief

olay: Anti-AgingPowered by Olay’s revolutionary Skin Energising Technology, the New Generation Olay Regenerist range fights the look of skin fatigue, hydrating skin at the first touch and delivering accelerated and continued anti-aging results over time.

The new Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream ($49.99) claims to regenerate skin up to two times faster by boosting natural skin renewal in five days, and to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles after just one jar.

m.A.cBeing pretty is no longer vapid with the Viva Glam line from M.A.C. Nicki Minaj continues her role as spokesperson of the line with pastel lavender-pink lipstick and lip gloss. Every cent of the selling price goes toward helping men, women and children living with and affected by HIV/Aids.

In stores for six months as a limited edition. Available at M.A.C outlets.

tHe long and tHe sHort of tHe beauty industry and all you need to know for tHis week

sk-iiSK-II unveils their new LXP Ultimate Perfecting Series with three products for crystal clear skin in just three days. With Centella Essence in its LXP series, it works in synergy with its signature Pitera ingredient to promote a cycle of skin energy at the root of the skin’s epidermis.

Available at SK-II counters in March.

essentialFor shiny, healthy locks, one should use a hair mask once or twice a week. A daily conditioner may not be enough to moisturise your hair.

Essential Intensive Hair Mask ($9.90) contains advanced cuticle care technology that penetrates quickly and deeply into hair to nourish and to strengthen it. Essential Intensive Hair Mask aims to moisturise the last 15cm of hair which is prone to damage.

shop concept” by the end of the year. “It’s all in the pipeline!” she says excitedly. She counts Cynthia Chua of the Spa Esprit Group, Mediacorp artiste Chen Hanwei, singer Stefanie Sun and even Paula Abdul among her celebrity clientele.

“Paula Abdul came in with her entourage when she was in town. She was looking for some local brands and even bought one of our jackets. I was so happy!” she recounts. Blackmarket is currently sourcing for more Indonesian designers to introduce to Singaporeans.

“We don’t follow trends as each brand has its signature style. There are more Singaporeans being open to investing in local brands as they know the money goes back to the designers to help them churn out more from that label. You can get a shirt from Topshop for $80 but it’s a mass-produced piece. Independent designers have limited pieces for slightly more. To own something others don’t, especially for statement pieces, why not try them out?” Jasmine points out.

She continues to say that no one would even think of stocking local designers a mere few years back as the trust wasn’t there, and that consumer mentalities are changing.

“People are getting more well-travelled and open minded to accept independent designers and brands. We are pushing something that we believe in, and give hope to these creatives to continue their dreams.” W

Blackmarket is located at Orchard Central Level 2.

“tHe first few brands to jump

on board tHe concept in

tHe early days were frufru

and tigerlily, Quadrant and

vice & vanity.”

uniqlo AmBAssAdorsJapanese basics brand Uniqlo appoints Mediacorp artistes Desmond Tan and Rebecca Lim as ambassadors for 2013.

“With Rebecca and Desmond coming on board, we hope that they will give Uniqlo a familiar face to help localise our presence in Singapore. Their amiable charm and personality connects our brand to the local target audience, while their sense of style and fashion captures Uniqlo’s brand essence of casual yet contemporary dressing,” says Mr Onoguchi Satoshi, Managing Director of Uniqlo (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

pumASports brand Puma launches its first “Cradle to Cradle Certified Basic” collection made out of biodegradable and recyclable products. “Puma’s Cradle to Cradle Certified Basic InCycle products represent a tremendous step forward in reducing our environmental footprint and giving consumers a more sustainable product choice,” says Mr Reiner Hengstmann, Global Director of Puma Safe. The range comprises jackets, sneakers, t-shirts and even backpacks.

grab greatTrAvELpromotions

Page 12


YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND FILLED WITH FUN AND HAPPINESS

OOD06 • WEEKENDER • march 15 - 21, 2013F

A WEEKENDER EXCLUSIVE RECIPEIndulge in the

DURIANS ARE bACK IN fULL foRCE, WhEthER IN PAStRIES oR IN thEIR NAtURAL ShELLS

by ChERyL ChIA

Chef Caroline liew of Ren Bakers hails from Ipoh, and comes from a family who loves to cook. She started baking when she was 12 years old. Since then, this pleasant and humble chef has been constantly honing her skills in pastry, especially in cakes and cake decorations, even learning from pastry experts in the region.

Green tea is one of the most popular drinks in Singapore. Thus, it is not surprising that Chef Caroline has chosen Japanese Green Tea to create a tasty snack. This should prove popular with many Singaporeans.

Japanese Green Tea has various natural health benefits. The astringent constituent in Japanese tea is a type of polyphenol called catechin. There are various types of catechin, and research has shown that they work to lower blood cholesterol and moderate fat absorption. Moreover, the Vitamin C in green tea is protected by the simultaneous consumption of catechin, allowing lots of Vitamin C to be absorbed.

Japanese Green Tea also contains constituents such as caffeine and theanine, which have relaxing properties. While drinking green tea is already nutritious, using the green tea leaf in food provides even greater nutrition.

Try these Japanese Green Tea Cookies that are not difficult to make.

IngredIents• 140gofbutter• 150gofsugar• 90gofflour• 10gofJapanesegreen tea powder

oCean Curry's Curry Fish is great for folks who prefer not to dig through a fish head for fleshy parts. The batang fish was less than sparkling fresh but the curry was great comfort soul food on a cool day. It was spicy, rich and potent with a touch of tanginess.

The Sesame Chicken with Mushrooms had a familiar home-cooked feel to it. With rich oyster sauce laced with sesame oil, this was fragrant and the chicken was succulent. The Pork Ribs, brushed with a sweet and sticky marinade, were tender and moist.

The Sautéed Spinach, simply seasoned with crisp ikan bilis, was a mild contrast to the rich curry of the claypot fish curry. The Sautéed

Delicious Curry Fish Head and MoreDELECtAbLE DIShES At ECoNomICAL PRICES ARE SERVED At thIS oPEN-AIR StALL At tELoK AyER StREEtby bERNICE tAN

mARCh 13 IS INtERNAtIoNAL PI DAy. PI, AS IN 3.142... Why Not CELEbRAtE

by tRyINg oUt SomE fREShLy-bAKED PIES thIS WEEKEND? WEEKENDER

ShoWS yoU SomE mUSt-tRy PIES

by ChERyL ChIA

Life of

King of Fruit

Durian lovers take note of the influx of durian-infused pastries from Goodwood Park Hotel. Available from Mar 1 to Jul 21, you can make your colleagues love or hate you by buying these fragrant treats back to the office.

This year’s new addition to their Durian Fiesta is theDurianMarquiseCake($60for1.3kg),ablendofD24mousse,richchocolatewithcrushedbiscuitsand an almond sponge base, resulting in a sinfully decadent and creamy cake. TheirsignatureDurianMousseCake($60

-$158),filledwithvelvetymoussepulp,andthegenerously-filled Durian Cream Puff ($7 for two pieces)areperfectforaspotofteatime.

For the ultimate durian aficionado, you can also join their dessert buffet with durian pastries ($26.80-$33.80)fromJun1toJul21tosavourallthe delights available. Visit www.festivepromotions.goodwoodparkhotel.com to order.

Can’t tell the difference between a durian and a jackfruit? Here’s a short guide to help you out.

Mao shan Wang durIan“Cat Mountain King” durian in English, this coveted type of durian has lots of flesh with a small seed in the centre. It has a creamy texture with a slightly bitter aftertaste. To help you recognise this, Dr Leslie Tay of ieatishootipost.sg also states

in his book, Only The Best, that there is a slightly brownish star at the bottom of the shell.

d24 durIanThese are small to medium-sized with a base without spikes. It has a fibrous texture with thick yellow flesh. It is smooth but contains fewer seeds than other durians. But, it is said that the flavour is powerful enough to satiate cravings with just a few seeds of durian flesh.

Xo durIanThis is probably the Asian equivalent to a runny camembert cheese. This one tastes slightly like cognac with a heady, almost alcohol-like feel. It is served slightly fermented (that’s where the runninesscomesfrom).Incrediblypungent,italsohas a slightly bittersweet taste. Definitely not a durian for beginners.

hong XIa or red PraWn durIanIt has a brownish-reddish tone to its shell, hence its name. Also, it is crescent-shaped. The Hong Xia is a creamier and sweeter alternative to the other type of durians around. The flesh has a dry texture and is a shade of pastel orange.

Whichever your preference, don’t delay in trying or indulging in the royal king of fruit.

Japanese foods. your quality time.

Japanese Green Tea

Cookies

by LEStER J WAN

IN thE tENth IN A SERIES fEAtURINg ChEfS ShARINg RECIPES USINg INgREDIENtS fRom JAPAN, ChEf CARoLINE of REN bAKERS ShoWS US hoW to mAKE CooKIES WIth JAPANESE gREEN tEA

• 75gofwhippedcream• 1teaspoonofvanilla• 85goflightcornsyrup• 8gofwhitesesame• 8gofblacksesame• 100gofsunflowerseed

Method1. Sift the flour and green tea powder together.2. Melt the butter then add sugar, flour and Japanese green tea powder mixture, cream and vanilla, and stir well. Then, add corn syrup. Stir in white sesame, black sesame and sunflower seed. Refrigerate the dough for 1/2 hour.3. Line baking pans with parchment paper. Drop 1 teaspoon of dough on parchment paper and flatten

the dough with the back of spoon. Repeat the process for the rest of the dough. Space the dough8cmapart.4. Bake for 6 minutes at 190degreesCelsius,or until golden.

Ren Bakers, 121 Upper Paya Lebar Road, Singapore 534836

Sliced Mushrooms, laden with delicate oyster sauce gravy, went down like a dream.

The entire meal for three persons(inclusiveofdrinks)cametojustover$45.

Ocean Curry Fish Head doesn't just serve claypot fish curry but also a repertoire of economy rice dishes. Even if you don't feel like curry fish head, you can still get a full meal with other meats and vegetables.

Ocean Curry Fish Head, 181 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068629, Tel: 6324 9226

From www.thehungrybunnie.blogspot.sg

“USINg thE gREEN tEA LEAf IN fooD PRoVIDES EVEN gREAtER NUtRItIoN.”

If thinking of Pi gives you horrid memories of maths class in secondary school, you're not alone. It gives me traumatic flashbacks as well. So, we at Weekender have givenatwisttotheol’3.142andturneditintoapie-

stravaganza. We purchased these to try, and so should you.

Durian Cream Puff

Durian Macadamia Crumble Tart

The Pork Ribs with a sweet and sticky marinade

The Sesame Chicken with Mushrooms

The Curry Fish and other dishes


YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND FILLED WITH FUN AND HAPPINESS march 15 - 21, 2013 • WEEKENDER • 07

FOOD

RECIPE

Who doesn't like Nutella right? It’s what we grew up with.

This recipe is for Donna Hay’s Self-frosting Nutella Cupcakes, because the Nutella is marbled on top of the cupcakes and then baked; so, it’s a two-in-one recipe which takes much less time.

This recipe makes 12 cupcakes IngREdIEnts• 10tablespoonsofbutter (or5/8cupor140g),softened• 1/2cupofwhitesugar(original was3/4cupbutIcutitdown)• 3eggs• 1/2teaspoonofvanilla• 13/4cupsofsifted all-purpose flour• 1/4teaspoonofsalt• 2teaspoonsofbakingpowder• About1/3cupofNutella

MEthod1.Pre-heattheovento 160degreesCelsius.Line12 muffin tins with paper liners.

Self-frosting Nutella CupcakesFood blogger Kelly loves maKing cupcaKes because they are easy to give away. these nutella cupcaKes are simply yummy

It Was a bittersweet farewell when the original Thye Moh Chan outlet-andits70-yeartradition–decided to close its doors on their tau sar piah (mung bean paste biscuits)in2011butthebrandre-opened last year with the help of the Breadtalk Group.

Since time immemorial, ‘li bing’ orgiftbiscuitshavesignifiedheartfelt blessings and well wishes, and is the commonly-accepted congratulatory gift for weddings, baby’s full month, birthdaysandvisits.TheBreadtalkGroup has polished up Thye Moh Chan with Celebration Gift Sets for these occasions. MsClaraLee,seniorbrand

manager of the Breadtalk Groupsays,“Wehaverevampedthepackagingtogiveitacontemporary look, to appeal to a new generation of customers. The store locations are also central, accessible, so as to capture consumers from all walks of life.”ApartfromthesignatureSweet

and Salty Tau Sar Piah, the new ThyeMohChanalsohasnoveltyflavourssuchastheYuanYang–spicyporkflossandsaltedegg

Old-fashioned charm for new memoriesoldies are still goodies. thye moh chan’s latest outlet at chinatown point shows how good old tau sar piah can still win new Fans

by cheryl chia

Pie

the Finalists For the world gourmet series awards oF excellence 2013 indicate the best and up and coming names. we looK at some

2. Cream together butter and sugar until light, about 2 minutes.3.Addineggs,oneatatime,until fully incorporated. Remember to scrape down the sides of the bowl with each addition. (Don’t worry if the batter doesn’t look smooth, it’ll turn out all right lateron.)Addvanilla.Stirin flour, salt and baking powder until the batter is uniform and no flour remains.4. Fill each cupcake case with batter, about 3/4 full. Top each cake with 1 heaped teaspoon of Nutella. Swirl Nutella in with a toothpick, making sure to fold abitofbatterupoverthe Nutella. (I find it easier to make circular motions starting from the bottom of the case and up to the top, so as to fold the batter overtheNutella.)5.Bakefor20to23minutes, until the tops of the cupcakes are slightly browned, and a toothpick inserted into the part without Nutella comes out clean.Removetoawirerackto cool completely.

The cupcakes were a great success–withtherightconsistency that goes well with the sticky, gooey Nutella! Everyonewantedthecupcakeswith the most Nutella on top, further supporting my hypothesis –nothingcangowrong with Nutella.

From kellkelkell.wordpress.com

Awards of Excellencefinest shortlisted forCulinary industry’s

the culInary Industry’s finesthavebeenshortlistedfortheWorldGourmetSeriesAwardsofExcellence2013.Therearefivefinalists shortlisted in each of the 28categories,pickedfromoverathousand entries. TheAwardsofExcellence,tobe

presented this weekend, will see the 28 winners take away awards such as Citibank Restaurant ManageroftheYear;ClassicFineFoodsPastryChefoftheYear;DéliciaeLifetimeAchievementAward;KitchenAidChefoftheYear;Meat&LivestockAustraliaRisingChefoftheYear;andTopWinesSommelierOfTheYear.PeterAKnipp,CEOofPeter

KnippHoldings,said,“Weareexcited to see the number of entries across the different categories grow annually, indicating the strength and importance of this award and the impact it has for the winners. This year’s field is one of the most competitivewe’veeverseen,asure sign to us that Singapore and the region is reaching new heights in culinary excellence.”Knippfurtheremphasisedthis

point by highlighting the case of the young Chef Matthew Mok, co-owner and chef of The Rabbit Stash restaurant.Accordingtohim,ChefMatthew

wasjustinterviewingtobeanapprenticechefin2010butnow,in2013,hisrestaurantisshortlisted for New Restaurant of theYear.

This is a reflection of the calibre in and the meteoric growth of the local culinary scene.

The following are just some of the other outstanding finalists and restaurants to check out.

PastRy ChEf of thE yEaRThePastryChefoftheYearawardseekstorecogniseanindividualwho has exceptional talent in the pastryfield.Previouswinners

includeJaniceWong(2011).Thisyear’sfinalistsareMrAlexChong,Swissôtel The Stamford; Mr AndresLara,Pollen;MsIvyWong,FairmontSingapore&SwissôtelThe Stamford; Ms Janice Wong, 2am: dessert bar; Mr Ng Chee Leong,OrchardHotelSingapore;and Mr Terrence Pang, The Ritz Carlton, Millenia Singapore.

ChEf of thE yEaRTheChefoftheYearawardrecognises an outstanding chef in Singapore for setting standards of excellence in the culinary arts, as wellasprovidingexcellentdiningexperiences.Previouswinnersinclude Patrick Heuberger (2008)andEmmanuelStroobant(2006).Thisyear’sfinalistsareMr Daniel Sia, The Disgruntled Chef; Mr Gabriele Piegaia, BurlamaccoRistorante;MrLinoSauro,GattopardoItalianGrill&Pizzabar; Mr Patrick Heuberger, LeBistrotduSommelier;MrPaulLongworth,AuPetitSalut;andMrRyan Clift, Tippling Club.

RIsIng ChEf of thE yEaRTheRisingChefoftheYearhonours chefs who are rising stars. This year’s finalists are Mr DavidAlmany,OsteriaMozza,MarinaBaySands;MrLeeBoonSeng,OSIA,ResortsWorldSentosa;MrMarcoGuccio,AlkaffMansion Ristorante; Mr Philipp Henkes,TheKnolls,CapellaSingapore; and Mr Sam Chin, Triple Three, Mandarin Orchard.TheAwardsofExcellencealso

continue to help groom the next generationoftalentintheF&Bindustry with the presentation offivescholarshipstoyoungandbudding talents who possess the ability to grow in their fields of culinary and patisserie arts, wine, hospitality and butchery.Thisyear’sAwardsofExcellence

will be presented in a total of 23 localandfiveregionalcategories.

yolk–CranberryTauSarPiahandAssortedNutsLotus.

We know what you tau sar piahpuristsarethinking.You’rethinking that the quality of the product has been affected since they’vebeenboughtover.Claraassures,“MrKohHongChua,third generation owner of Thye Moh Chan, was a key consultant during the brand re-launch in the knowledge transfer and product developmentprocess.”Thetwoveteranchefsfromthe

former shop were also roped in as consultants to ensure quality assurance standards and are currently based at the stores in Parkway Parade and Chinatown Point. Wevisitedtheshopat

Chinatown Point on our own and tested the products. We still like their Salty Tau Sar Piah with the fragrant shallots and lard. For the healthconscious,vegetableoiloptionsareavailable.Eventhoughwehadour

reservationsregardingthenew-fangledflavours,wethoughttheCranberry Tau Sar Piah was an interesting combination with

a slightly tart taste. Not too bad at all.

The gift sets typically contain a large tau sar piah, four smaller ones and a side of other pastries inanorientalbox($28.80).So,why not bring back tradition by givingoutsometausarpiahstosweeten the occasion? Thye Moh Chan is in Chinatown Point and Parkway Parade’s Food Republic.

Openedin2011,thispiecaféhasgainedquiteafollowing,withfood bloggers showering praises on their pies. Their pies come with a side of mashed potatoes and garden salad, making this onevalueformoney.TheirDuckConfitPie($9.95)andtheRatatouillePie($8.95)

aregood,heavymainstohavefordinner.Theirpieswouldsendyou straight into carb coma. The Ratatouille Pie is filled with a tomato-based toss-up of zucchinis, carrots and bell peppers. Thelightfillinggivesyouthelicensetolietoyourselfthatit’shealthy,justbecauseit’sveggies,buttheheavy,butterypieshellgivesyouastrongrealitycheckastohowsinfulitallis.

The Duck Confit was smoky, well-seasoned and tender. It doesn’t haveastronggameysmelleither, so a point up for that. This was one of our preferred pies to chow down. If you want to be utterlyfilled,givethisplace a try.

Visit www.piesncoffee.com for more information.

The Swissbake has a good reputation for putting out flaky pastries and delicious cakes. We tried their Engadiner Walnut Tart ($10.90)andweagree.Thepieis a little hard upon cutting, which we thought didn’t bode well for it but we were mistaken. One bite of the nutty pastry and we were sold.

There was slight scent of tea in the filling, with crunchy nuts. Pair with a glass of jasmine or Earl Grey tea, and this pie would make for a great tea-time snack.

Check out their cafe at Rochester Mall or Nex for a sit-down afternoon.

Visit www.swissbake.com for more information

The quintessential local joint, Polar Puffs and Cakes was started in 1926 and has continued on through the years.Itservesupsignaturefusion pastries such as the Beef Rendang Pie or Teriyaki Pie but we tried the signature favourite,ChickenPie($2.20).

Filled with chopped chicken, button mushrooms and mixed vegetables,thisonegivesusasense of nostalgia. I remember when we had these pies after school for tea or at the petrol kiosk because we were feeling peckish. Best not to let this one get cold though. The pastry tends to get a little tough.

Visit www.polarpuffs-cakes.com for more information.

This new kid on the block opened in December last year. It’s a little out of the way; along Horne Road at Jalan Besar, but boy are their pies worth the trip. We tried their signature Morello Cherry Pie($8)andthelocalbandSamWillows-inspiredpie,theSamWillowsPie($9.50).

The latter is an interesting mix of rosemary, peanut butter, pear and hazelnuts, a combination that goes well together. Think of a

decadent peanut pie with cream and pears, sweet, fruity yet rich, On the whole, the Sam Willows Pie has a sweet, nutty and creamy tasteandfeel.Amusttryindeed.Thecherryone is tart and encased in a short-crust weavewithsugargranulesonthetop.Nottoo bad if you like the taste of berries. The bottom of the pie was a tad burnt though.

Windowsill Pies is located at 78HorneRoad,Singapore209078.

Visit www.windowsillpies.sg for more.

IfyouaremissingBritishorAustralian-stylepiessinceyourreturnfromthecountry,giveTheGourmetPieCompanyashot.ServingupflavourssuchasSteak&CheeseandLamb&Rosemary,thesefillingpiesmake for a great lunch.

WechosetheBraisedPorkPie($8)andthedessertS’morePie($6.50).The Braised Pork Pie was juicy, with tender shreds of pork, almost like pulledporkwithsweetandsmokymarinadeandgravyoozingoutofthebutterycrust.Thiswastheofficefavouriteforsure.

The S’more Pie on the other hand is a great dessert pie with Graham crackersandsoftmarshmallowswithgooeychocolateinsides.Anyday-oldpie from this joint is donated to the Willing Heart Charity.

Visit www.thegourmetpiecompany.com for more information. W

swIssbakE wIndowsILL PIEs

PIEs & CoffEE

thE goURMEt PIE CoMPany

PoLaR

From may 24 to Jun 10, tourists will watch Sydney transformed into an amazing canvas of light, music and ideas when Vivid Sydney commences after dark.

Be captivated by this extravaganza of brilliant, immersive light installations and projections, performances from local and international musicians at Vivid LIVE, and talks and debates from leading global creative thinkers at the Vivid Ideas Exchange.

This 18-day festival of light, music and ideas is the biggest in the Southern hemisphere. It features some of the biggest names in music, lighting artistry and ideas to local and international audiences. KraftwerK Musical HigHligHt "Vivid Sydney continues to attract the world's most outstanding talent, with German legends Kraftwerk set to perform at the Opera House,” said Mr Stoner, NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade and Investment.

Kraftwerk, the headline act, will present their acclaimed retrospective series in eight performances, with additional songs from their back-catalogue.

Their performances – dubbed The Catalogue 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 – showcase nearly 40 years of musical and technical innovation including new improvisations, 3D projections and animation.

Each night presents one of their ground-breaking studio albums in full, and are performed in the order they were released - Autobahn (1974), Radio-Activity (1975), Trans Europe Express (1977), The Man- Machine (1978), Computer World (1981), Techno Pop (1986), The Mix (1991) and Tour de France (2003).

royal easter aniMalsAustralia’s largest event, the Sydney Royal Easter Show, has the touch experience of over 14,000 animals, the smells and tastes of Sydney Royal award-winning produce and top wine at the Sydney Royal Café or Arena View at Jamison, and the sights and sounds of world-class wood chopping.

Children will be thrilled by the opportunity to shear sheep, milk cows, pat chickens, and take rides at the carnival. Darcy’s Quest Another treat for the senses is the brand new

production, Darcy’s Quest, where the audience will be taken on a journey of discovery through the futuristic world in Darcy’s dream – a terrifying reality where animals are extinct. carMenWith stunning sets, lavish costumes, and a beautiful backdrop, Handa Opera On Sydney Harbour: Carmen is a glittering production not to be missed. Carmen’s passionate story of a tempestuous beauty, unrequited love, lust and tragedy will enthrall one and all. A must-watch flamenco classic Darling Harbour Jazz festivalOther events include the Darling Harbour Jazz Festival, which features a stellar line-up of blues, soul, funk and swing talent showcasing legendary names in the jazz and blues scene. For more information, go to www.sydney.com

exciting up anD coMing events:

opera on the Harbour – 22 Mar to 12 Apr, various prices, Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens; sydney royal easter show – 28 Mar to 10 Apr, Sydney Showground, $37.50 (per adult); australia premier of the addam’s family – 12 Mar to 28 Apr, Capitol Theatre; Darling Harbour Jazz festival – 8-10 Jun, Darling Harbour.

The booking of the 4 Nights Sydney Discovery Package starting from $878 per person on twin-sharing basis will receive complimentary admission to the Sydney Tower Eye with 4D experience, for the travel period between 22 May and 5 Jun. For more information, visit www.jetabout.com.sg

Be entertained by the Australia premiere of the Addams’ Family



RAVELATION08 • WEEKENDER • march 15 - 21, 2013T

I had “bookmarked” Hanoi in 2007 when I first visited Vietnam, but only had the time for Ho Chi Minh City.

I was reminded of it in 2009 when a colleague raved about how great his weekend in Hanoi was. It was only last week that I finally got to visit this thousand-year-old city. tHe city of HanoiThe city known as Hanoi has gone by many names. In its current form, it means “river’s interior”, referring to the multiple rivers adjacent to the city, including the

Red River. Over the centuries, the city has changed hands multiple times between the Chinese, French, Japanese and Vietnamese. Many of the colonial and pre-colonial structures remain intact, lending a historic feel to Hanoi.

Many of the city’s attractions are centred on a small lake called Hoan Kiem or the Lake of the Returned Sword. Immediately North of it is the Old Quarter, where we stayed, home to many of the city’s boutique hotels.

East of Hoan Kiem is the charming French Quarter where

Hanoi is one of tHe cities tHat our travel blogger kept at tHe back of His mind for tHe longest time, like a page bookmarked for future reading. He finally got tHe cHance to go

by albino cHristopHer cHua

Exploring thE StrEEtS oF

HANOI many of the colonial buildings are located, including the famous Hanoi Opera House. Both the Old and French Quarters are within walking distance of each other. We set out for a walking tour immediately after checking in.

First-time visitors to Vietnam may be shocked by the loud honking and sheer number of motorcycles competing for space with pedestrians. This is especially evident in the Old Quarter where the streets are extremely cramped, and the sidewalks are taken up by parked motorcycles.

Though I had been to Ho Chi Minh City, I was still taken aback. The motorcycle traffic seemed more dense in Hanoi, and the noise more startling. tHe olD anD frencH QuartersThe Old Quarter is an interesting mix of shops set against colonial shop houses. The streets are named according to the types of shops – there is a street for jewellery (Hang Bac); for shoes (Hang Dau) and so on. Our hotel was located in Cha Ca Street which is famous for roasted fish.

See the Sydney Opera House in a different light

The French-inspired Hanoi Opera House

Al fresco dining at one of Hanoi’s fine dining restaurants

It was a short walk to Hoan Kiem Lake which is the stuff of Vietnamese legends. There are large sacred turtles that are said to inhabit the lake. In a small island on the lake rests the Turtle Pagoda – perhaps most commonly found in postcards of Hanoi. The lake is a gathering point for the city folk, especially in the mornings for Tai Chi.

From here, the French Quarter was practically staring us in the face. Appearing more affluent,

this district was dotted with small parks, brand-name boutiques, and luxury hotels and buildings from the French colonial era. Its contrast with the Old Quarter could not be more pronounced.

The Opera House, said to be one of only three French-style opera houses in the country, is also located in this part of town. Across it is a rooftop coffee house called MyWay where one can get a great view of the activity in the opera house area. MaJor MonuMentsOn our last day, we focused on the Western portion. As it was a sunny day (a rarity as the city only gets 139 hours of sunshine

per month), we started early in the morning and made our way to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Most people make the mistake of assuming it is located in Ho Chi Minh City. It is in Hanoi.

The building faces Ba Dinh Square, one of the few places one gets to see

such a wide open space in the heart of the city. Compared to the Old Quarter, this part of the city featured large squares and wide boulevards that were more in keeping with modern communist capitals.

We walked a few steps down the square to reach the presidential palace. This is another great example of French colonial architecture. The palace used to be the residence of the governor.

It is normally not open to tourists. The Ba Dinh area is also home

to museums such as the Museum of Ethnology.

From Ba Dinh, it was a ten-minute walk to Van Mieu, the Temple of Literature. Of all the South-East Asian countries, Vietnam is perhaps the most strongly influenced by Chinese culture. In fact, this makes Hanoi the most un-South-East Asian among the major South-East Asian cities.

The Temple of Literature is a fine testament to this, having been built in honour of Confucius. Its interior is divided into several courtyards which reminded me of a much more modest version of Beijing’s Forbidden City. The compound also houses Hanoi’s Imperial Academy which, in olden times, was used to educate the country’s scholars. vietnaMese cuisineAfter a long walk we decided to take an early lunch at Quan An Ngon,one of the most popular restaurants. Hanoi is well-known for its street food. While wandering the streets the past few days, we’d chanced upon roadside stalls selling everything from pho to cold desserts, and even snails!

For those curious to try street food but find the hygiene questionable, Quan An Ngon offers such food in a restaurant setting. We had spring rolls, roast meat and vegetables, and also tried the Vietnamese Pancake or Banh Xeo which was a refreshing mix of veggies, crunchy rice flour and herbs wrapped in rice paper.

It was a satisfying lunch and a perfect end to our weekend getaway to Hanoi. W From wanderme.wordpress.com

Visually stunning Vivid Sydney 2013vivid sydney returns for its fiftH year of entHralling performances

One of the many street vendors in Hanoi



TRAVELATIO

DISCOVERY

N

PARTTHREE

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Bring your kids for days of fun for the whole family on board a cruise ship. Not only will you be surrounded by the romance of the sea and its rhythmic waves, and catch the invigorating sunrise and sunset upon the horizon, you will have loads of fun activities and facilities on board the ship. The life of a seafarer has never been so idyllic until the advent of the cruise.

In Singapore, one of the great cruise options you have is with Costa Cruises, a well-known name. Costa Cruises has great cruise experiences for those interested in tasting a fun-filled voyage on the waves.

Costa Cruises’ Costa Atlantica is its flagship in the region. This grand lady is even titled the “Venice at Sea”. It now brings the beauty and grandeur of Italian-style cruising to Asia.

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Moreover, to sweeten the deal further, there is a buy-one-get-one free promotion for all May sailing journeys (except on May 22) on Balcony Cabins. For instance, for a three-night itinerary for two adults and two kids, the first adult pays a full fare of $824, the second adult and children below 18 years of age go free.

Thus, the average cost per person is an extremely low and value-for-money $206. What are you waiting for? Call Costa to find out the many departure dates in May.

Last but not least, Costa is giving an additional complimentary onboard credit of up to US$400 per cabin! The booking of an Inside Cabin gets US$200 onboard credit, the booking of an Outside Cabin gets US$250 onboard credit, while the booking of a Balcony Cabin gets US$400 onboard credit. This School Holiday Special is for departures on May 22, and Jun 1, 5 and 8.

All these promotions are already great on their own but together they make this a sailing voyage on a dream.

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In the third and final instalment of this series on old playgrounds, we showcase a few more memorable local designs. Most of these we have featured are from the 1970s and 1980s, and are almost extinct. Do try to catch these playgrounds while they are still around.

CloCk PlAygRoundLocated at Bishan bus interchange, the clock playground looks like a page out of a fairy tale, with a colourful appearance and bold curvatures. It was likely to have been built in the 1980s, together with the bus interchange, when Bishan was being developed into a new town in 1982.

Another similar clock playground once stood in Pasir Ris. Somehow the numberings of the clocks are missing.

SPARRow PlAygRoundA small sparrow-shaped playground sits quietly at Clementi Central, between West Coast Town Council and Block 444. A large part of Clementi Central has gone through a major facelift in recent years, except for this area. Most of the residents here have already moved out.

SAmPAn PlAygRoundSampans used to be a common sight in the Singapore River in the old times. The idea was incorporated into the design of this unique playground near Pasir Ris’ Elias Mall. ‘Eyes’ and tyres were also added, making it look just like a real sampan.

RiCkSHAw PlAygRoundAnother brilliant design modelled after a significant local transport of the past, this rickshaw playground, however, is no longer found around Singapore. In the 1990s, there was one with two huge red wheels outside Yishun Town Council at Block 845.

CRoCodilE And kAngARoo PlAygRoundThis was one fierce-looking crocodile at the Sun Plaza Park along Tampines Ave 7. Built in 1998, it was torn down recently and replaced by a new plastic playground. There used to be a kangaroo beside the crocodile too!

by remember singapore

AbouT REmEmbER Sg Remember SG is a non-political, non-profitable hobby started in Oct 2010, inspired by Royston Tan’s film, Old Places. The purpose of this blog is to relive memories of Singapore, and to increase awareness of our fading heritage and vanishing landmarks in the midst of Singapore’s rapid development. Armed with a humble Panasonic Lumix FZ-18 for “exploration” around Singapore, this blog is not about detailed photography; rather, capturing memorable places and landmarks in Singapore that deserve a second look, as well as a summary of the histories of these places.

YESTERYEARS Our favourite

pLAYgROuNDSof

see if you have come across these old

local playgrounds, the last few to be

featured in our series

dinoSAuRS PlAygRoundSCertainly an innovative yet weird design for a playground in Singapore, the dinosaur playground at Kim Keat Avenue was built in 2000. The structures are shaped after two Tyrannosauruses and a Stegosaurus. Daring kids can attempt to climb the back of the mother Tyrannosaurus.

At Fu Shan Garden of Woodlands Street 81, there is also an old dinosaur-themed playground. The main characters here are two Ouranosauruses and the long-necked Brontosaurus. Children can slide down in between these prehistoric creatures made of stone.

TEAPoT And muSHRoom PlAygRoundThe teapot and mushroom playground was an award-winning design built at Woodlands Vista Park in 2001. It was by the same company that

created the Kim Keat dinosaur playground and the crocodile playground in Tampines. However, the teapot structure was replaced by a new plastic playground. The mushroom seats were retained.

TRAin PlAygRoundThe interesting tilting train at the adventure playground is the product of an upgrade of Tiong Bahru Park in the year 2000. Tiong Bahru Park was set up in 1967 to serve the residents of Tiong Bahru, Henderson, Bukit Ho Swee and Bukit Merah.

PinEAPPlE PlAygRoundThe pineapple playground is one of the three fruity-themed playgrounds at Tampines Central Park, but it is also the only one that has been torn down recently in 2009 to 2010.

I wonder why there are no playgrounds in the shape of durians, the unofficial national fruit of Singapore.

PlAygRoundS THEn And nowThe history of local modern playgrounds goes back to more than 60 years. It is interesting to see how the designs of our local playgrounds have changed over the decades.

When new towns were developed, playgrounds became essential facilities. Stunts of yesteryears at these playgrounds would probably be deemed as too dangerous for kids today. In the past, bold boys and girls had no problem climbing up and sitting on bars 2m or higher.

The local-flavoured designs by Khor Ean Ghee from the 1970s to 1980s would probably go down as representative of playgrounds in the history of Singapore.

Moving into the 1990s, besides the makeover in the designs of playgrounds, the materials also switched from concrete to plastic.

As society progresses, what will the next generation of playgrounds look like? When they grow up, will our children have fond memories of their childhood spent at the playgrounds? Only time will tell. W

to our knowledge, the information here is accurate as of end-2012. From remembersingapore.wordpress.com

AirAsia'sinflight meals

tantalise3

Page

The Dinosaurs Playground at Kim Keat Avenue

The Sampan Playground


EALTH10 • WEEKENDER • march 15 - 21, 2013

For a pdf copy of Weekender visit: www.facebook.com/weekendersgpW

Writer’s BioAs a world-renowned Forex educator, Mario Singh has trained retail investors and bankers from some of the largest commercial banks in the world. Also a market analyst who regularly appeared on CNBC, Mario has been invited to participate in many panel discussions organised by investment associations and conventions in South-East Asia to speak together with the top investment experts in the region.

Mario’s articles have also appeared in Australia’s top trading magazine, Your Trading Edge, and he contributes weekly articles to the magazine’s blog. Mario is also the only Forex educator in Singapore with his own weekly Forex column in Singapore’s My Paper, and has made many media appearances.

Earn a sEcond incomE through trading with this nifty guidE for currEncy trading

Forex Market

People who are interested to pick up financial trading tips but do not come from a financial background,

do not despair. You may feel lost in the sea of books on financial trading, or be unsure of how sound the advice given is. This is where Mr Mario Singh, founder and CEO of FX1 Academy’s book comes in handy.

17 Proven CurrenCy trading strategies17 Proven Currency Trading Strategies: How to Profit in the Forex Market is a financial self-improvement book to help you make astute financial decisions in the foreign exchange (Forex) market, as Mr Singh shares tips on how you can take advantage of the numerous money-making opportunities in the Forex market every day to earn high returns.

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This two-part book comes in a concise and accessible format. In the first part, it explains in layman terms what Forex trading is, how money is made in the Forex “game” and the six major players involved, and the importance of knowing one’s “Trader Profile”.

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a steP-By-steP aPProaChWhether you are a cautious or bold investor, this book has something for every individual. It highlights how one can achieve positive results by sticking to the strategies pertinent to the individual’s own Trader Profile. In addition, it shows the reader how to custom-tailor a trading system designed for his or her sensibilities, as well as “risk tolerance”.

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a useful resourCeYou should consider picking up this book if you are searching for a reliable second income stream. Whether you’re a recent college graduate, a baby boomer preparing to retire, a middle manager or business owner, this book aims to help you achieve the financial independence you want by trading in the Forex market, no matter your life stage, income bracket, or professional standing.

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TrAdingSTrATEgiES

“what is notEworthy is that it comEs with thE samE

knowlEdgE and tools that arE usEd by savvy forEx tradErs

in thE markEt, so you nEEd not worry too much about what

sEasonEd invEstors know and you don’t.”



FAMILY & FRIEND

HELLOWORLD

Email your photos to

[email protected] .

Please make sure to include

your baby’s name and

surname, gender and date

of birth. We look forward

to receiving photos of your

loved one!

BaBies - aren’t they the cutest things ever? That’s why Weekender dedicates a section to your adorable darlings in diapers. send us your favourite photos of your newborn, so the rest of us can coo and ‘ahh’ over him / her too! What better way is there to celebrate your child than to share him / her with the rest of the world?

S

Bella ChoyBorn Jul 20,

2012

Casper Huang

Born Jul 11, 2012

Hou JunweiBorn May 28,

2012

Klaryss NgBorn Oct 25,

2012

Lui Wing YanBorn Jun 5,

2012

Megan Leong suk Yee

Born Oct 26, 2012Muhammad

aiman Bin Norhisham

Born Nov 27, 2012

Ruby Rose Odell

Born sep 27, 2012

Vera QuekBorn apr 9,

2012Yan Kai

Born sep 19, 2012

DEar XanDEr,For 34 years, i never learnt how to use

chopsticks properly. at the time of this letter, i am 35. Your mother, though able to use chopsticks, also never really got the hang of it, and would default to the metal spoon and fork whenever possible (where not possible, it would be in Chinese restaurants where she needs to look presentable in front of relatives).

You started asking to use chopsticks since you turned three. Nearly a year later, you've

made more progress than your fishball-stabbing mother and i had at your age. Needless to say, we are impressed, and proud.

But there's more to the way of the chopstick than making things difficult for people in Chinese/Thai/Vietnamese/Korean/Japanese restaurants. it's something i learned two years ago that spurred me to refine my hand in wielding the sticks at the dinner table. it began with something [comedian] Jerry seinfeld said.

in a gist, seinfeld, as with many Westerners, cannot understand why asians

continue such a centuries-old method. Be that as it may, you will also learn through

your own experience that with some asian food, there is simply no compromise.

There are certain dishes in asian cuisine that require a very delicate touch, such as tofu, sashimi, dim sum, and xiao long bao. such delicacies require a gentle, yet experienced and masterful hand to cut, create, prepare and present it to guests. Once it is laid on its

receptacle, be it porcelain dish, bamboo basket, or leaf of green, it must maintain its form as its maker intended, right up to the point where it enters the mouth.

You might hear of the legendary itamae or sushi masters who own tiny, four-seater nooks in an obscure part of Japan, renowned for their tempers, disregard for customer service, as well as absolute care and unwavering respect for each and every single bite-sized raw fish on rice dumpling (sushi) they create.

it takes five years or more for an apprentice to even get nearer to the master's cutting board (the "wakiita" position), and the transition begins with the most unassuming part of what makes a sushi - rice. Now, before you scoff, you need to understand that sushi rice prepared with itamae standards is governed by extremely strict rules, and legendary stories are told of itamae grandmasters who can create Nigiri sushi with all the rice grains facing one direction.

it would take a wakiita another five years or more before he is granted the position of itamae (in front of the cutting board) by his teacher, during which he is tasked with preparing only the ingredients (not the sushi itself), and learns restaurant service etiquette.

such are the exacting standards of true Japanese sushi, that it would be absolutely criminal to pick up a piece of sushi that took its maker more than a decade to perfect by stabbing it with a fork.

so, where forks are merely tools for the efficient transportation of food into our mouths, chopsticks are utensils of respect.

if ever anyone tells you chopsticks are difficult to use, just say, yes, of course they are. Respect, after all, is not easily earned.

Respectfully, Dad

From dear.xander.sg

Winston tay has been a father since 2008. The idea for Dear Xander came from watching an old movie, My Life. In it, Michael Keaton stars as a cancer-stricken father who records

video clips of himself giving all sorts of advice to his son – from shaving tips to dealing with his death.

Winston thought, he would one day do just the same (or similar) for his child. And, one day, he did. He hopes this quest to connect with his son will also help other dads who may have trouble finding the words to the situations they find themselves in with

their own children. His other blog, Blogfathers! was

started in March 2012 as an idea to bring together a community of daddy bloggers to learn from one another, share diaper-changing ‘war’ stories, and exchange tips to make everyday fatherhood easier.

Check out blogfathers.sg

About Dear Xander

ChilDrEn arE likE rubber bands with tonnes of potential energy that require frequent expansion, and release, to keep them happy and healthy. Taking them to a child gym, which allows them to stretch their muscles, would do them good.

Why not try out the newly-opened My Gym at River Valley? My Gym singapore, established in 2004, provides programmes and services for children’s development. Originating in Los angeles, the chain has more than 30 years of experience in children’s fitness.

My Gym develops interactive programmes and facilities to help children, from toddlers as young as six months to children 10 years of age, to develop physically, cognitively and emotionally by incorporating music, dance, games, special rides, gymnastics and sports. a thoroughly fun time is guaranteed. Over time, the children gain strength, balance, coordination, agility and

flexibility, while developing their social skills as well.

Kids learn more about themselves as they develop independence, self-discipline, social skills and even a sense of humour, all of which lead to an increased feeling of self-worth. My Gym at River Valley just opened last sunday, at 30 Mohamed sultan Road, Lam ann Building, #05-00, singapore 238974.

other fun plaCes to take your Children:tumble totsa British chain of child gyms established in 1979, they can be found all around singapore. With locations in Jurong east, Choa Chu Kang, Tai seng and sembawang, Tumble Tots is highly accessible.

GymboreeOffering a safe and fun environment for children to play in and to interact, Gymboree’s class curriculum is developed by child development experts Zero to Three. Gymboree is located in Tanglin Mall as well as Harbourfront Centre.

Little kids

ExErcising and playtimE combinEd makE for happy childrEn

this wEEk, our daddy bloggEr swElls with pridE at his son’s chopstick-wiElding skills, and Extols thE virtuEs of thE humblE utEnsils

by winston tay

as a way of lifeChopsticks

“you’vE madE morE progrEss than your fishball-stabbing mothEr and i had...” work out

12 • WEEKENDER • March 15 - 21, 2013 YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND FILLED WITh FUN AND hAPPINESS

Weekender is published by Weekender Group Pte Ltd, 80 Playfair road, #02-03, Blk A, Singapore 367998. Printed by kHL Printing Co Pte Ltd, 57 Loyang drive, Singapore 508968.

Weekender #23

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