The Living Room

Sorry for Being M-I-A!

2010-11-07T07:18:00.014+08:00

First of all, if you are a follower of the Living Room blog, I want to apologise for being missing in action for a while. A few people have asked me how come we haven't been blogging lately, and although I feel terribly guilty about it, I smile inside because it means there are people reading our blog! *beams*

Wow. So much has happened in The Living Room! Where do I begin?

First of all, as you all know, Stanley has left us. He is now with the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), helming the New Media department there. So yes, he is still generating content, but as a new media journalist. We have pretty much switched roles in that respect, as I used to be the print journalist & Deputy Editor! *LOL*

Stan and I are still very much "in tune", I have to tell you! *LOL* Despite the (physical) distance between us, we are still scheduling pretty much the same interviews and approaching the same people to feature. Such is the connection I have with my buddy! *beams*

But joining me in The Living Room now is a good friend nonetheless, and my "new buddy" if you will. You would have heard him previous on Body & Soul (938LIVE, 3pm-5pm).

That's right, he's the very swave, man-with-the-voice-of-God, and the very bald, JOEL CHUA!!!

It's been good so far, and Joel has settled down very well as the new host of The Living Room. You can get to know us better on our brand new Facebook page. And that is another reason we've been MIA -- we are building up our little community there.

I guess Facebook is just so much faster & immediate, especially with Joel & I owning iPhones. We just snap pics of our guests on our iPhones and it's immediate uploads... with weblinks for listeners! How do you beat that, right?

So, if you are not yet a follower of our Facebook page, please go to Facebook now and search "938LIVE The Living Room" and join us there! For a direct link (oh, you lazy ones!), click here.

Our Living Room blog is still ALIVE, so don't disappear. We'll be trying to get more active here now that our Facebook page is up. Thanks for your support, guys!!!

Seasons of Love

2010-10-01T00:01:00.002+08:00

Welcome to a new season in The Living Room!

Regeneration is important. As a recent guest on the show shared, fire is crucial in helping certain plant species germinate, hence changes are critical for survival, growth and development.

To me, The Living Room's never been about the host. Since being thrust to host the programme in 2002, I'd always wanted for the show to benefit the listener. Listeners were and continue to be THE stakeholders and they deserve the best in being kept informed, entertained and engaged - nothing more nothing less.

The Living Room's stood the test of time (and station rebranding) because of the value that's inherent in the conversations she hosts. It is within her that guests are made to feel like this was their own living room, and unless and until they felt that way, they weren't going to speak candidly and let their guard down like they have.

I've been asked who's been the most memorable or significant guest I've spoken with on the show, and as hard as I try, everyone has held his or her own. Not everyone's been easy to talk to, but the consolation is that everyone has a story to tell...even you. Yes you reading this blog entry. The Living Room has been where titles and trophies are set aside and humanity prevails - the unifying factor for host, guest and listener.

I'll miss the adrenalin rush of turning on the mike at 10.10am on weekdays and saying "Good morning!". I'll miss the interaction with those in public relations and corporate communications in arranging for interviews. I will miss connecting with our listeners and identifying with you on so many levels, your questions and concerns.

I will miss 'Pamster' (my nickname for dear Pamela). Since she began co-hosting with me, Pam's called me 'buddy' - a label I find difficult reciprocating because I find it inappropriate to call a lady 'buddy' although she probably can refer to a male colleague that way. But she truly has been a fabulous friend and....okay 'buddy'. Pam's so easy to excite and so personable to befriend that I ought to make it known that she's been a blessing to work with. It was Pam whose sharing of her own life experiences on air unlocked more of me to reveal more of the person I am.

How quickly the sands of time have emptied itself into the lower half of the hour glass. Change is eminent, though in all irony, change is the only constant.

'The Living Room' will always be a very special season for me. I hope it has been for you. Thanks for tuning in and it's been a joy, privilege and pleasure producing and hosting the programme these many years.

Returning to the plant analogy, taking root with Pam in The Living Room from 4th October will be Joel Chua from 938LIVE's only other weekday talkshow, 'Body & Soul'.

Sending you blessings and wishes that you will continue to learn, laugh and love lots!

Farewell and welcome to the start of a new season in The Living Room come next Monday!

God bless!

Stan

Go Fly A Kite!

2010-09-17T17:38:00.002+08:00

Meet kite master Mikio Toki-san. He came into our studio in traditional Japanese kiting gear. Ooh, I love his wooden clogs!

Kite Master Mikio Toki.

Mikio-san is a kite maker and carries on the tradition of Edo kite making. "Edo" is the old name for Tokyo, and these kites are rectangular in shape, made of bamboo and washi paper, and all hand-painted.

This gentleman - who learnt the art from his master Katsuhisa Ota from observation - creates about 300 to 400 kites a year. Each kite is handmade & painted from scratch. His drawings are inspired by ancient Japanese tales.

Edo kites inspired by ancient Japanese tales.

These kites can go up to 2- to 6-metres high in size, and require up to 20 people to fly. Some of Mikio-san's Edo kites will be taking the skies at the Kite Festival Singapore 2010, which happens this weekend at The Promontory @ Marina Bay, 4pm to 8pm.

Aside from making Edo kites, Mikio-san also makes origami kites! In fact, he has even written an instructional book on how to fold origami kites. Mind you, these origami kites can fly!

The origami kite book & origami kite Mikio-san made. It's supposed to fly!

Here is Mikio Toki demonstrating how an origami kite is folded. He will be conducting workshops for kids at the Kite Festival Singapore this weekend, so watch out for him. Apparently, it takes just 10 mins to make one!

While Mikio-san teaches kids to make simple kites in his workshops, he often plays the Japanese flute ~ Kabuki style. We could not pass up on the opportunity to have him play for us in The Living Room. Check it out!

And of course, we had to put his origami kite to the test.

Well, MediaCorp isn't exactly Marina Bay or the beach where there's a natural breeze. We're pretty wind-less. But Mikio-san was game, and so we headed down to the basement carpark with him and his kite.

The moment of truth...

Kite Festival Singapore 2010

18 - 19 Sep

4pm - 8pm

The Promontory @ Marina Bay

FREE Admission

For more info, click here.

In This Moment (in honour of TEACHERS!)

2010-09-01T13:11:00.007+08:00

Years on from being a bespectacled boy in navy blue shorts with my imported school badge nicely aligned and pinned above my right shirt pocket, I still celebrate this day. Yes, teacher's day! I used to take advantage of my florist mum and get free stalks of roses to give away to all my teachers. Even my Chinese teacher (who didn't have much hope in me) had a stalk - it must have made her smile!

But I truly appreciate all my teachers who have tirelessly moulded and shaped me, taught me and trained me, challenged and disciplined me, praised me and spurred me. Among the dedicated that made an indelible mark in my life: Mrs Ponniah, Mrs Gladys Chia, Ms Chia Bee Teck, Mrs Lee Gek Kim, Ms Marianne Chong and Ms Caroline Rajaiah,

This Teacher's Day, I join many in honouring educators past and present for your dedication!

Composer of 'In This Moment', KC Gan and educator Ng Yeow Ling.

Our guests in The Living Room today Ng Yeow Ling (Principal of North View Primary School) and Creative Director KC Gan paid tribute to the contribution of teachers in Singapore. KC who's also composer, music arranger and musician, shared with listeners a song he'd written and composed in appreciation of teachers. It's titled "In This Moment". The lyrics go like this:

No matter where I go
Every time I look back on this road
You’ll always be a part of who I am
Everything I’ve known
Every seed of greatness you have sown
Through good and bad
Your love has watched me grow

You teach me right from wrong
Inspire me to be strong
You care in every way
In my heart you will always stay

Chorus:
In this moment let me say
How I’m grateful everyday,
You are here to guide my way
When I’m lost, beside me stay
In this moment let me say
You turn my little into great
There’s no fear, my dreams awake with you

All that I can be
Mean so much ‘coz you believe in me
You show me how to live with dignity
When the lessons end
I can share with you just like a friend
Your loving smiles and frowns keep me safe

Chorus:
In this moment let me say how I’m grateful
Everyday, you are here to guide my way
When I’m lost, beside me stay
In this moment let me say you turn my little into great
There’s no fear, my dreams awake with you
And I really want to say “Thank You”

Interviews from Horqin Desert, Inner Mongolia!

2010-08-25T19:35:00.009+08:00

I learnt so much from this trip from the conversations I had, things I witnessed, and the hands-on hard work to plant, water and prune plants in the desert. It's an experience I will never forget!

Here are the FACES behind the VOICES you hear on my Greening of the Horqin Desert series of interviews on 938LIVE.

Yoshio Kitaura, Executive Director of Green Network, a Japanese environment NGO that has been working to green the Horqin Desert for a decade.

Kitaura-san could not speak a word of English! But because I wanted the interview so badly, I got an interpreter from the Japanese team to help translate!

What has the local community witnessed? 52-year-old chief of Maninchu Village shares how he has seen the Horqin Grassland become desert.

Steward Whitney is the VP & MD of Timberland Asia Pacific but what a down-to-earth & funny man! He shares about Timberland's Earthkeepers Movement.

COMING SOON....

Me & Janet Hsieh, host of Discovery Travel & Living's 'Fun Taiwan' and 'Fun Asia'!

Catch that interview on 938LIVE this coming Friday 27 Aug, 10am-11am, with a repeat broadcast at 10pm-midnight, as well as on Channel NewsAsia, 2am-3am.

You can also listen to us online at xinmsn.com/938LIVE,

or on your iPhone by downloading the free app, MeRadio!

Back from Horqin Desert!

2010-08-21T11:56:00.015+08:00

For the past four days, I was away in Inner Mongolia to help green the Horqin Desert. This area, which covers 400,000 sq km (the size of Switzerland!) used to be a grassland - the way you'd imagine a Mongolian grassland to be - but due to climate change, over-cultivation, and over-grazing, Desertification has taken place. Today, the Horqin Desert is expanding at 6 million hectares a year - that's 1,900 sq km per second!

I studied Desertification as a Geography student for 6 years, but that was only a concept I understood in theory. Never in my wildest dreams would I imagine myself witnessing this process first-hand... and better yet, to do something within my capacity (albeit small) to help reverse it.

I feel really privileged to have the opportunity to join Green Network (Japanese environmental NGO) and Timberland's Earthkeepers movement to head to Horqin Desert to plant 1,400 trees over 2 days, to water them and prune them. Here's some background to the Earthkeepers initiative, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year:

And I have many stories to share now that I'm back, as well as four interviews to air on The Living Room in the coming week! Stay tuned to find out when we'll be airing this Greening of Horqin Desert series on 938LIVE!

For fast & regular updates, join us on our Facebook page. I'll be uploading lots of photos & videos there in the coming days! *wink*

But first, here's a vid to whet your appetite: Here we are arriving at Horqin Desert in "cattle transporter" vehicles, and the girl you see reporting is Discovery Travel & Living's Janet Hsieh, whom you will also hear me profile on our show this week! *grin*

At 45, Singapore You're Fabulous!

2010-08-09T12:13:00.004+08:00

It's so easy to take Singapore for granted. Sometimes, I complain about our rules being too stringent, too many fines (carpark, speeding, littering), the standard of living being too high... the weather too hot, the education system too tough for our kids...

But at the end of the day, I am thankful that I live in such a safe, clean, peaceful & corruption-free country. Think about it, how many countries in the world are there like Singapore?

Pam's sheep Baaabara is originally from Hong Kong, but she considers herself whoolly Singaporean and is bent on celebrating National Day today.

So celebrate with Stan & me (and Baaabara!) today as Singapore turns 45! And don't forget to catch the National Day Parade this evening... Our colleague Bharati Jagdish will be commentating on TV!

At 45, Singapore you're fabulous!!!

We are on Facebook!

2010-08-08T17:14:00.006+08:00

Sorry we've been MIA on this blog for a while.

Let you in on a secret...

We're on Facebook!

And we're currently working to build up a community there.

So give us a little time & we'll be back.

In the meantime, join us on Facebook at:

"938LIVE The Living Room"

or simply click here.

See you there!

Violence Against Afghan Women

2010-07-16T22:45:00.028+08:00

Ignorance is bliss. Oh! There are countless times in my life I've felt this to be true. Because once I know, ignorance can no longer be an excuse. Then I have to face the question: Now that I know, what am I going to do about it?

I posted some videos of violence against Afghan women on my Facebook wall recently, and a few friends commented that they "can't bear" to watch it. I guess it's easy to not see, not know, and not feel. It's safer to hide behind a closed door and not let unpleasant things get into our system and stir up unwanted feelings within.

BUT YOU HAVE TO WATCH IT. And you must dare to open your heart wide to feel all the injustice, sadness, anger that arise naturally. Because only then, only then, will you be compelled to take action.

According to the United Nations, 87% of Afghan women have been victims of domestic violence.

Many girls in their teens are forced to marry men they do not know. When they are abused and try to run away, they are tortured or flogged publicly, some are even killed because they bring disgrace to their families. And the killers are often family members.

Because this is a fate they believe they can't escape from, many attempt suicide, some by setting themselves on fire. Read about it here.

Here is Sosan's story. She is just one Afghan woman, but we're told hers in not unique...

The plight of women in Afghanistan is horrifying. And so when I got word from Mellisa Chong of UNIFEM Singapore that the Country Director of UNIFEM Afghanistan, Wenny Kusuma, would be in Singapore for two days, I jumped at the opportunity to have an exclusive interview with her.

The interview was held at the Parkroyal hotel on Beach Road, after her day of training with the staff of the International Red Cross. It was almost 7pm when my best friend Ning (she came along to take photos) and I got to the hotel and met Mellisa and Camilla of UNIFEM Singapore. They had made arrangements for us to hold the interview on the 7th floor of the hotel, which was a private VIP floor, so that it was less noisy.

Me seated on the carpeted floor as I interview Wenny Kusuma on the executive floor lobby of Parkroyal @ Beach Road.

Still, you will hear the ambient noise during the recorded interview: Lifts going "ding!" or voices as hotel guests walk by... but I promise you Wenny's stories will keep you hooked.

Her voice was calm, measured and reflective, but there was a sadness that hinted at the many things she has seen, heard and witnessed that she carries perhaps as a burden upon her soul.

Wenny shares that her life has been threatened many times.

If you watched the Sosan video above, you will know that what UNIFEM and other human rights organisations are doing in Afghanistan to empower women to speak up & seek help is changing the World Order in the country. They are rocking the boat, ruffling feathers, and making many people angry.

Wenny reveals off-air that her life and her staff's have been threatened many times. She has even lost members of her staff to these death threats. It really touched a deep chord in me because it speaks volumes of the conviction they have.

I think if you have witnessed the brutality and injustice with your own eyes, it's impossible to turn away from helping another human being.

I will not reveal much more of that interview. You will just have to tune in to hear the full story. In the meantime, to find out more about the work of UNIFEM Afghanistan, click here.

Thanks to UNIFEM Singapore for arranging this exclusive interview: [L to R] Mellisa Chong, Wenny Kusuma, Camilla Adinda.

Thanks too to my best friend Ning for coming down to help take photos & videos for our blog & Facebook page. You can read her blog entry by clicking here.

Catch the airing of this pre-recorded interview on 938LIVE in mid-August.

Keep abreast of the latest by joining our Facebook page here.

C'mon & Tuck In!

2010-07-16T21:52:00.015+08:00

Tuck out if you're tucking into the Singapore Food Festival 2010! You'll almost certainly be more comfortable because we doubt you can resist the gastro-cultural fare! Why 'cultural'? That's because this year's festival scoops up the specialty dishes of the five main Chinese dialect groups here - the Cantonese, Hainanese, Hakka, Hokkien and Teochew communities.

Clarke Quay's Read Bridge reads like it's the city's latest hawker centre, all 50 metres of it! You'll be spoilt for choice with 30 food stalls that line the entire length of the bridge on both sides.

My makan companion at the launch (officiated by Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Lim Boon Heng) was F-Cube's Levisha Kumar - a self-professed foodie like I am, even though we both don't look the part. Each armed with a special edition SFF2010 Kopitiam Card with a stored value of $20 each, we were spoilt for choice. Apart from the rojak and duck dish, we deliberately bought ourselves food that looked foreign to us. This must have been why a Thai national whom we shared the table with looked surprised when I confessed that the dishes laid out on the table were just as strange to me as they were to her. And to think I am a third generation Chinese Singaporean! That goes to show just how familiar (NOT!) we really are with the specialty dishes of the various Chinese dialects groups.

Visit The Living Room on Facebook for more photos of the foods we tucked into. By the end of the night, we were stuffed. Boy were were we glad we tucked out!

SINGAPORE FOOD FESTIVAL 2010 (16th - 25th July 2010)
Main Event: Clarke Quay Food Street at Read Bridge
Above and beyond Food Street, other appetitising highlights that will have you dribbling will be the Culinary Master Classes, the Singapore Chinese Dialect Heritage Feast and the Tingkat Cruise. Read more about them at www.singaporefoodfestival.com.

You have Power Over Cervical Cancer!

2010-07-15T09:16:00.016+08:00

A very close friend of mine recently fell prey to cancer. It shook my world because I distinctly remember having a conversation with her not too long ago -- while raising funds for a friend's (who passed away from ovarian cancer) foundation -- about how we think cancer is something that happens to other people. Well, it happened to her.

Visiting her this week hit home the fact that cancer can happen to anyone. It scares me to think that if it happened to me, my two little boys may have to grow up without a mum. And the sad fact is the cancer can't be prevented, in most cases. You just have to deal with it when it happens.

But our guest in The Living Room yesterday revealed that for at least one form of women's cancer, prevention is possible! And that's cervical cancer. Our medical expert was Dr Quek Swee Chong, a Council member of the Society of Colposcopy & Cervical Pathology of Singapore, as well as Senior Consultant & Head of the Pre-Invasive Disease & Screening Unit, at the Department of Gynaecological Oncology at the KK Women's & Children's Hospital

Yes, we have power over cervical cancer! Regular pap smear will help detect if there are abnormal cells in the cervix, and a simple vaccination will help prevent the HPV cancer-related cells from developing.

Hearing the story of Mrs May Tiong and her 19-year-old daughter Wen Ning was particularly moving. A mother of two, she broke down and wept when Dr Quek (her oncologist) first broke the news to her that she'd been diagnosed with cervical cancer. I would too... Wen Ning remembers being in school when her mum told her over the phone. She could not concentrate after that, worrying that cancer would take her mum away.

We have Power Over Cervical Cancer! Here to share with us were [L to R] Wen Ning, Mrs May Tiong and Dr Quek Swee Chong from POCC.

In Singapore, a woman is diagnosed with cervical cancer every two days. Every five days, a woman dies of cervical cancer. And the truth of the matter is, IT CAN BE PREVENTED!!! Yet only 3 percent of women in Singapore are vaccinated. Have you been?

I have to admit I fall into the 97 percent who have not been vaccinated. After today, I will make my appointment with my gynae for my pap smear and have my vaccination done. Join me because it matters to those we love. And if you're a man, please spread this message to the women in your life. It is within their power to protect themselves, and that's good news.

Also, do support POCC's Celebrate Life! Bazaar & Pink Party next Saturday. Here are the details:

Celebrate Life! Bazaar & Pink Party

Sat 24 July

12noon - 6pm (Bazaar)

8.30pm - 10.30pm (Pink Party)

ZOUK

Admission is FREE.

To register, visit www.pocc.sg

To find out more about the work of POCC, click here.

Garden(s) of Eden Found!

2010-07-14T23:25:00.034+08:00

Fancy a lush garden (above) that greets you when you return home? I don't see why not, especially when we've got award-winning landscape architects right here in our midst. Yes, the Singapore Garden Festival 2010 is back and bloomin'. The 8-day event that opens on Thursday, 15th July is poised to be Asia's premier garden and flower show.

I was among the first to view the showground at Suntec Singapore during the media preview this afternoon and am impressed by the effort that's gone into transforming empty space in a convention hall into plots of lush gardens. Right from when I entered the lift on the ground floor, I knew this show was going to be different and coming up roses. (lift interiors left & right)

The Landscape Gardens section features spectacular creations by local designers and top award-winning designers from renowned garden shows around the world. Standing tall and distinctive is the two-storey structure called Tree House by local designer and certified horticulturalist John Tan. Lush greenery including bamboo wrap around a warm wooden structure with a meandering stream complete with catfish. The ground floor's furnished with a bar and a couch and the staghorn fern as a a plant 'installation' in place of a regular wall painting. Neat! The upper deck's like a patio with even more space to lounge around and mingle with moss. It was perhaps the closest to feeling like you're in the Garden of Eden, only without fruit trees hanging their produce and friendly animals a whisker away. Oh and John, despite his ability in designing enchanting gardens (his garden by the way won 'Best of Show' award - the festival's top honours) whisks you back to reality and has you know he lives in a modest HDB flat.

Also on show and garnering a Gold award is Daintree, designed by Australian garden architect Jim Fogarty (left: with Kenny Eng of Nyee Phoe) who was our guest last week in The Living Room. His latest tie-up with Nyee Phoe Flower Garden as the implementing partner makes it a hat trick at this biennial festival since striking his first Gold in 2006.

Kenny, whom we've also hosted previously in The Living Room, wanted me to tell you that there's literally a 'green' message behind their garden and it's got to do with penning on pebbles. Click here to find out about Project Pebbles.

I'm also proud to report that another former guest also bagged a Gold for his entry (see below) in the Landscape Garden category. Congratulations to Peter Cheok from Far East Flora!

For more photos of Singapore Garden Festival 2010, visit The Living Room now on Facebook!

Ti(mor)e or Les(s)te - A Paradise of Promise!

2010-07-07T13:42:00.032+08:00

It's paradise...more or less.

The imprint of Portugal, Timor Leste's colonial master, on the land lingers. If you don't hear it taught or spoken, the signboards on streets and signages of shops and property are visible representations of a language very much alive in this place. The old-world feel of this young nation (gaining independence only in 2002 after a shortlived 9-day stretch in 1975) has many scars to show for - holed out buildings, poverty, malnourished citizens and high unemployment attest to a nation finding its feet. Like a mother hen is to her chick, a strong United Nations presence is felt throughout Dili - exactly what a fledgling nation needs to attain some kind of social and political stability to get the economic engine going.

Leading the charge towards nation building is its President Jose-Ramos Horta, a Nobel laureate. The former foreign minister has encountered firsthand the atrocities during the Indonesian occupation, where four of eleven of his siblings were killed. Yet his focus is forward-looking. When Pam and I spoke with him in person during our visit to Dili, he singled out Singapore as a country whose successes ought to be emulated. He said in jest that if he had a nation made up of Chinese, Jews and Indians, they'd work hard to get the economy growing and the rest of his people could just sit back and watch. He was a president most candid and accessible to his own people.

Pam and I were honoured to have chatted with the president the day before we participated in the inaugural Dili 'City of Peace' Marathon. Pam chose the leisurely 5-kilometre run while I signed up for the punishing half marathon - my first and one I hadn't trained for. Together with about 20 other members who signed up with The Chain Reaction Project (TCRP), amongst them our ex-colleague Melanie Oliveiro, we were part of the small Singapore contingent of runners at the landmark event that saw international participants, mostly from Australia (just a 60-min flight away).

The run wasn't the sole purpose (no pun intended) of the trip. Rather, it was a trip with soul! Our particpation to be 'catalysts' through TCRP would benefit HIAM Health - a local NGO in Dili set up to alleviate the widespread problem of malnutrition and to raise awareness among parents on what they can do for their children. Our visit coincided with the official opening of a sponsored playground in the premises by Singapore company Playpoint. Director of HIAM Health Rosaria Martins da Cruz was most heartened by the contributions received. It was TCRP's founder Zhang Tingjun who'd helped raise the awareness of their work to the attention of President Horta. That was how he agreed to be the guest of honour who officiated at the ceremony to open the playground.

Timor Leste has much potential for economic progress and development. With hope in the eyes of a people wanting to move on from the its grim days of civil unrest, with natural resources and an untapped market that could bring in the tourist dollar, Timor Leste has a lot going for it, and it could do with international help to prop it up on its feet and prime it for the long run ahead.

TAKE ACTION!
> To keep tabs with more exciting projects planned by The Chain Reaction Project, sign up as a member with TCRP on Facebook!
> To support the good work at HIAM Health, click here.
> To read our previous entry on TCRP, drop by this page.

Unbubble-lievable!!!

2010-06-16T19:18:00.013+08:00

The first thing that struck me about Fan Yang is that his face does not match his name. I had envisioned a Chinese man, but he was obviously not. His father is Hungarian, and his mother Vietnamese. They met in Vietnam when his dad was fighting the Vietnam War. The couple fell in love, and moved back to Europe after the war, setting in present-day Yugoslavia.

Fan Yang came from a very poor family. His brother Jano and him grew up on a farm in the countryside. He had but 8 years of education. Before he discovered his love for bubbles, he was performing on the streets just to earn an extra penny. Juggling... whatever it took!

Fan Yang [right] with his elder brother Jano [left], who is involved in backstage work for the Gazillion Bubble Show.

His first encounter with bubbles was not the sort of bottled bubbles we find at Toys R Us. It was bubbles floating on the surface of a river. He thought to himself, how wonderful to be able to make these bubbles really, really big and to make them float in the air! The imagination of a young teenage boy... but it started him on a journey of no return.

For the first half of his 26-year career as a bubble artist, he invested in finding a special bubble solution that would make bubbles more "flexible". He did - after much blood, sweat & tears.

There are 7 secret ingredients in his special bubble solution, and with that, Fan Yang was able to create pure magic. In fact, he currently holds 16 Guinness World Records! The latest being to put a 8,800lb elephant in a bubble! *gasp*

Bubbles within bubbles! I blew gently on the surface of a bubble, and a baby one appeared inside miraculously!

This father of two says that the Fan Yang Gazillion Bubble Show is very much a family affair. As mentioned, his brother Jano helps backstage. His wife is a bubble artist as well, as are his children Deni, 20, and Melody, 19.

He tells us that he would do this for nothing. It's not about money.

The Gazillion Bubble Show is really about his true life story. And his journey is not without hardship and ridicule. For many years, people laughed in the face for wanting to do a bubble show. They could not understand or accept because they could not see what he saw.

But Fan Yang did not give up, and today, he's been welcomed with open arms on top-rated shows like The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The David Lettermen Show, LIVE! with Regis & Kelly etc.

Fan Yang on the Stan & Pam show! *LOL*

I did not expect, as I walked into the studio this morning, to be touched and inspired so deeply by The Bubble Man. But I was. Fan Yang's sharing touched me deeply.

He spoke in a low, calm voice tinged with an Eastern European accent, which told me that even though he now resides in Canada and New York, he spent most of his formative years in the poverty of Yugoslavia.

A country boy who today travels the world sharing his love for bubbles... I can only conclude that this is the result of following his heart. This is his life's calling.

So without further adieu, here is the one & only, amazing Fan Yang creating a SQUARE bubble for us. Check this out!

Fan Yang Gazillion Bubble Show

18 - 20 June

D'Marquee @ Downtown East

Tickets via SISTIC

For more info, visit the Gazillion Bubble Show website.

Or find out more about the science of bubbles here.

And if you're still sitting on the fence, brace yourself for a sneak preview:

Transforming Slums in the Philippines

2010-06-11T20:40:00.024+08:00

I have never been to the slums of the Philippines. But just browsing for images to upload in this blog entry gave me a brief glimpse of the squalid conditions and the lives of the slum dwellers. Makeshift houses made from whatever they can find (from cardboard to zinc sheets), alley ways filled with dirty sloshy water up to the ankles, litter everywhere, no sanitation, no electricity.

[From BBC News] Family living under a bridge in Manila. Mother sleeps on the table, oblivious to the traffic noise above & around her.

Even so, it's hard to miss the smiles on the children's faces! Perhaps this is all they know? And I suspect many of them don't know what can be beyond this. They don't imagine life will be any different, or that they will get out of these circumstances, according to some interview footage I watched on YouTube.

What I feel we must never do as outsiders is to impose our values & perceptions of what life should be on these people. While our intentions are good, it sometimes irks me that we descend upon places like Cambodia & the Philippines and try to help the people in a condescending sort of way, like we are modern day Saviours, and they are beneficiaries of our kindness.

What struck me about what our guest Aileen Ong, Chair of GK Hope Initiative (GKHi), said is that the slum dwellers they work with in the Philippines are partners. GK's approach is to work with them and to treat them as equals. The lingo & vocabulary is often so revealing!

Aileen was so convinced about the "GK way" that she gave up a 30-year career as a music teacher to commit to this cause full-time. She downgraded to a smaller home and chose to lead a more modest lifestyle ~ with the support of her husband Albert & four kids, of course. In fact, her daughter Lisa often accompanies her to the slums.

Aileen Ong, Chair of GK Hope Initiative (GKHi) shares with us about her work in the slums of the Philippines.

GK is an acronym for Gawad Kalinga or "give care" in Tagalog. Its Singapore branch, GK Hope initiative (GKHi) achieved 'international charity organisation' status last year, and is now working to make Singapore a hub for the coordination of efforts in the region.

GK's mission is to transform slums into communities of hope. The slum dwellers themselves spend months building their own homes. A decent home there costs about S$2,000 to build, the cost of a laptop or designer bag here! Their vision is to touch 5 million families by 2024.

GK Tripura Hope Town Village: Brand new homes built by the community.

From June 25 to 27, there will be GK Global Summit held right here in Singapore where we'll see experts & activists from around the world congregating here to discuss solutions to eradicating poverty.

The outgoing Vice-President of the Philippines will be here, and the Minister for Community, Youth & Sports, Vivian Balakrishnan, the Guest of Honour. The theme of this Global Summit is Icon of Hope Against Poverty. To find out more or to register, click here.

There will also be a choir that will be coming to Singapore next weekend that you will not want to miss! They come from a small church in the slums of Manila. Aileen stumbled upon them quite by chance, and was mesmorised by their voices. She issued them a challenge: If they can achieve a Gold Award, she will get sponsors to bring them to Singapore.

The choir members, all children & teens, took up her challenge. They were up at 5am to rehearse, often in the open courtyard, in the blazing sun. And within 3 months, these children achieved a Gold Award for their performance. Yes, a slum choir!

The children of the Gawad Kalinga Tatalon Performing Arts group at the ASEAN Festival of the Arts 2009.

And so Aileen is now keeping her end of the bargain! Come Saturday, 19 June, they will be performing at The Arts House (Chamber) to a Singapore audience! *grin* You can check out event details here.

Do you see what I mean about Aileen? Never look down on people, even if the rest of the world does! They are equal in God's eyes and gifted as you & I are. And if we see their potential, believe in them, and raise the bar for them, they will invariably rise up to touch that bar we hold up for them!

Find out more about about the Gawad Kalinga Tatalon Performing Arts group here. And please support them if you can!

Making Public Private Lives

2010-06-07T21:57:00.036+08:00

With a beaming face on a book cover and
a title that screams a basic need we all hunger for,
who wouldn't want this pick-me-up for a read?!

Chef Judy Koh may not be a motivational speaker, but she sure has the persuasive powers to turn you into a baker. Her latest cookbook, Pockets of Happiness, is soaked through with recipes to mouthwatering desserts. The book's also got an unusual 'filling' - poems! Yes, honest-to-goodness poems baked straight from the heart!

Chef Judy has 18 years of professional baking experience and is Managing Director and Principal Chef of baking school Creative Culinaire. She also heads up an in-house bakery and runs Caffe Pralet. Her accolades are many - clinching several national and international records (among them 'The Guinness World Records for the world's Tallest Chocolate Sculpture' and 'Singapore's Biggest Birthday Cake') and having written other cookbooks. With all these to her credit, you'd think she's 'arrived'. Wrong. There's still Cambodia! She has plans to improve lives and livelihoods of the needy in that land. When asked how far off she was from fulfilling her ambition to make good her skills in imparting them to villagers at risk, she puts it down to eight years. I wish Godspeed.

My heart swells with delight as I recount how in The Living Room, we've come to learn of so many entrepreneurs and professionals from various trades who are making their skills count beyond dollars and cents. Last Friday, award-winning photographer Alex Soh was on our show sharing how he was using his photography skills to aid villagers in Cham Resh (a remote village in Cambodia) build a road that would 'help them walk out of poverty'. Alex emailed me today to say that the 3-day exhibition at VivoCity raised close to $12,000! May The Living Room's profiling of such personalities and their acts of selfless giving rub off on you.

My other guest today was also a shutterbug-cum-multi-disciplinary artist. His story is one of pursuing your dreams. At the beckoning of his wife after marriage when they were just 23 years old, he dropped out of LaSalle College of the Arts, bundled themselves onto a plane bound for the US. No contacts, no leads, no clues. Twelve years later today, John Clang (born Ang Choon Leng) is making headlines after confronting his fears. (Con)Front happens to be the name of his solo exhibition that opens this Friday, 11th June at 2902 Gallery.

John strikes me as melancholic, quiet and contemplative. His personality is in stark contrast to New York City where everything is loud, brash and brazen. Despite having lived a decade in the Big Apple, he's a true blue Singaporean. He even proudly exclaims how he continues to speak like a Singaporean in the US and never did adopt the American accent.

(above: A piece of John's work with his dad as the subject matter. In place of his face that's been blanked out, are the Chinese characters that express an apology to his father.)

Being abroad, he admits to missing his family dearly, especially his elderly parents. His works reflect how highly he treasures family ties - yet another obvious Asian trait. In fact, a video installation at his upcoming exhibition portrays that clearly through his communication with them over Skype while based in the US, and how he walks into the projection and stands in place to make it look like a family portrait. Novel!

A Song for Everyone!

2010-06-02T20:48:00.014+08:00

I think Ken Lim is cool. In Singapore Idol, he is the judge I most like to listen to cos I know he says it as it is, no mincing of words. But then, he's been in the industry of over two decades, heading the reputable Hype Records and Artiste Networks, what does he not know? Seriously.

So when the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee contacted me about the possibility of having Ken Lim on the show to talk about the Singapore 2010 Theme Song, which he composed & produced, I was secretly thrilled.

I thought he would be quite intimidating to interview. After all, he must have been interviewed a million times before, and he's not exactly a media whore (is there a male equivalent for that term?). So if he stared across at us with his bored, serious look throughout the interview, with arms folded, I will so die.

But truth be told. Ken Lim is not like that at all. He is really nice and charming! And he smiles a lot too, much more than I've seen him smile in all seasons of Singapore Idol put together. Or then again, it could just be that he really likes Stan & me? *LOL*

Ken Lim and Tabitha Nauser shares the Singapore 2010 theme song.

What I didn't know about the man was that he had produced the official theme song of the 11th Asian Games (Beijing, 1990), and composed & produced the theme song of the 17th SEA Games (Singapore, 1993). So composing & producing for the Youth Olympic Games can't be that big a deal. Right?

"It's different because this time, I know how much the Games means to our nation. And so writing the theme song has its pressures that way," Ken explains. "But composing the song itself wasn't particularly hard. The theme 'Everyone' just came up very naturally."

That's right, the Singapore 2010 theme song is entitled Everyone and it features 5 youths from 5 different continents singing it. The video is currently being played exclusively on MediaCorp Ch5.

But we had an unplugged version of the theme song sung for us 'live' over the airwaves from the voice of Asia herself, Tabitha Nauser. Here she is:

You'll remember Tabitha as 2nd Runners-up at the most recent Singapore Idol 2009. She's only 18 and oh, what a big voice! *beams* She currently sings with an acoustic band at Republic Polytechnic and has plans to pursue a career in the music industry. Go for it, girl!

Without further ado, here's the video of the Singapore 2010 theme Song. In fact, the night before our interview, I still couldn't find it on YouTube. I was told it would be uploaded specially in time for The Living Room's interview at 10am. And we were the first programme to announce its presence on YouTube! *woohoo*

Well, here is the song Ken Lim composed & produced. This time, YOU be the judge!

Onboard the Orient Express!

2010-06-01T20:20:00.034+08:00

I watched a TV drama years ago, starring Cheryl Ladd, called Romance on the Orient Express, and I fell in love with trains! I've since taken a steam train at Fort Bragg, California, the shinkansen (bullet train) in Kyoto, and just last week, the luxurious Eastern & Oriental Express.

The classic green & gold of the Eastern & Oriental Express.

It was just a dinner trip which started at 6.30pm and ended at midnight, and we probably went as far as Johor. But the Orient Express managed to transport me into another time and place. It was pure luxury, and I allowed myself to be spoilt rotten! *LOL*

Today in The Living Room, Stan & I had the pleasure of hosting the General Manager of Eastern & Oriental Express, Leesa Lovelace, and the man who whipped up that delectable gourmet meal for us, Chef Yannis Martineau.

From them, we got a rare behind-the-scenes peek into life onboard the Orient Express, which currently runs the Singapore-KL-Butterworth-Bangkok route. We're told it has since gained access to Laos, and will be making its maiden journey to Cambodia!

GM Leesa Lovelace & Chef Yannis Martineau step off the Orient Express to join us today in The Living Room!

But I'll let my photos tell the story of that marvelous adventure. ENJOY!

Stan could not make the trip, so I invited my best friend Ning to join me. The train was to depart from the Railway Station at 6.30pm, but we had an exclusive guided tour by Leesa at 5.15pm, so we made it there early!

Ning & I were ushered into the VIP Lounge at the Railway Station where we filled up our travel documents in cool comfort. Boarding passes & passports all ready!

All the guests were impeccably dressed. The men had to be (at least) in jackets & ties, while the ladies were dolled up in cocktail dresses & gowns!

Leesa met us there and took us onboard the Orient Express for a guided tour. We were told to walk towards the train discreetly so that the other passengers would not think it was time for them to board too. We cleared immigration there with little fuss and *woohoo* climbed onboard....

Leesa shows us the restaurant carriages where we'd have our dinner.

There are various accommodation options available. For those who think a train journey is not really a train journey unless you sleep on double-decker beds, you can book a Pullman room. Charming!

... or you can opt for a State room, which has two single beds. Does this look like a train to you? It's seriously so luxurious, it can pass off as room in a 5-star hotel!

The Presidential Suite ~ there are only 2 onboard. This is its day setting. When guests head for dinner, the staff transforms it into its night setting.

Every room comes with an attached w/c and shower!

After the guided tour, all us media folk were ushered to the Observation Car at the back of the train to get some fresh air and drinks as the other guests started boarding.

Ning and I (being non-drinkers, although booze was free flow for us that night!) ordered some mango juice and chilled out at the open-air Observation Car.

Mingling with the other journalists at the Observation Car before the train pulled out of the Railway Station.

We were scheduled for the second seating for dinner at 9.15pm. The exquisite meal was prepared by Executive Chef Yannis Martineau and his team of talented chefs. And we totally enjoyed the feast laid out before us!

We started off with warm breads.

The starter.

A unique blend of East & West: Tom Yam Cappucino.

For mains, I opted for the sea bass. There was also the option of lamb!

Always room for dessert. This was really yummy! *drool*

After dinner, we were served coffee/tea and treated to this pretty serving of petit fours. By then, we were too full to eat! But we took the opportunity to chit chat...

We shared a table with the Group Editor of Expat Living and his lovely wife Jillian, who shared about their adventures living & working around the world. Such a delightful couple!

You can catch the encore broadcast of this interview on 938LIVE at 11.10pm, or on Channel NewsAsia at 2.30am. To find out more about the Eastern & Orient Express, click here.

All aboard!!! *toot*

French Flair in the Kitchen

2010-05-24T09:51:00.017+08:00

Just hearing the theme song of Asian Food Channel's French Food at Home, makes me wring my hands in glee and anticipation. I love watching Laura Calder glide around the kitchen as she whips up delectable French dishes & pastries. She's so pretty to watch! *LOL*

I am so not a cook. I always tell people I can't bake to save my life. "But have you tried?" My BFF asked me the other day. Well... not really.... But I do entertain the fantasy of being a Domestic Goddess on weekends, when I blast French music, put on an apron, and whisk flour & eggs in the kitchen.

The BFF started baking recently and that has inspired me to at least consider dipping my finger into it. Maybe I can start by being her assistant? And watching Laura Calder makes me feel like I can do this.

There's an episode of Season 3 that I particularly like. It's on Simple Pleasures. And she bakes petit fours, powder puffs with cream & raspberry jam, canele, and stirs up a mean lait de poule (eggnog). Oo-la-la! *drool*

Although this Canadian lass loved cooking and baking from a young age (she won her 1st competition at age 6 for her chocolate cake with peanut butter icing!), cooking as a career never did cross her mind.

No, she pursued a degree in Linguistics in Toronto, then a Masters degree at the prestigious London School of Economics, and even began a career in print & broadcast journalism (radio!), all the while cooking & baking as a hobby.

"Even when I traded all my textbooks (after graduating from LSE) for cookbooks, and carted all the crates back home, it didn't hit me that it was what I was meant to do," she says with chuckle. "It was in my face all the while, you'd think I'd have seen it!"

But it was a particularly low point in her life, and a failed relationship, that led her to give up everything, take that leap of faith, and enroll herself in a cooking school in Vancouver. And as they say, the rest is history.

A chance meeting with cookbook author & chef Anne Willan led her to spend the next decade of her life in Paris, learning the finer art of French cooking. And what ensued was two cookbooks of her own, French Cooking at Home (HarperCollins, 2003) and French Taste: Elegant Everyday Eating (2009).

In 2005, she was served up a TV series of her very own, titled after her first published cookbook, and it's been so successful it's into its 3rd season! *beams* I guess when you're born to do something, the universe makes a way for that to happen, no matter how you try to skirt around it. I guess you just have to listen to your heart and trust your instincts.

A very tall Laura Calder, host of AFC's "French Food at Home".

I was thrilled to meet Laura face-to-face in The Living Room and to get to know her better. I found that we have much in common! For one, we're both writers at heart. And it's in the expression of the word that we're able to crytalise our thoughts best. *grin*

She keeps a journal which she carries with her everywhere. She never leaves home without it. And it's there that she scribbles her thoughts, ideas and reflections. I asked her why not start a blog? She smiles and declines. I love that "old schoolness" about her somehow, especially since she's an celebrity chef and must face so much pressure to do so!

Well, you can bet I'll be tuning in French Cooking at Home 3. You can catch Laura too on Mondays 9pm on the Asian Food Channel (Starhub Ch435), or visit her website to find out more about her.

Tip: Read her bio page! It really gives a hint of the sort of person she is! I so totally enjoyed reading it... *wink*

A Class of Budding Glass-makers

2010-05-23T15:16:00.000+08:00

The still moist air was an unwelcome prelude to the morning drizzle. The heat perhaps set the mood for what was to be a flaming hot affair at working with glass. Except for two participants who joined Pam and I at The Living Room's Hot Glass Bead-Making workshop, it was the first time they were going to work with glass. It certainly is a rare find to chance upon a professional glass artist than say a ceremic artist in Singapore, so Dominic Fonde, co-founder of Art Glass Solutions was a gem!

What distinguished this workshop apart from many other events before this, would be that this was almost wholly hands-on. The theoretical bits were kept to the minimum and not long after welcome words were exchanged, participants were split into two groups and herded to the back of the colonial studio space on Kuo Chuan Avenue. One group was going to start with engraving on lemonade glasses while the other group would begin with bead-making.

Before we could start engraving, Hannah who's from Germany, had each participant prepare a design on a piece of paper. It would later be rolled up and stuffed into the lemonade glass, and we just had to trace our design with the engraving drill bit. It would be advantageous to possess the ability to produce a good design and to have steady hands. I was down on both counts. I can't draw anything decent, nor are my hands apt in keeping the swirling drill bit from pirouetting away from the design I was to trace.

I did slightly better in the bead-making though Dominic did most of the work. After all, you had to work with a flame about 1,200 degress that shot out from a canister tightly clamped to a table.

In between activities, participants gathered around another table to watch Dominic's friend Katherine demonstrate how copper foiling's done. Most of the pieces that participants produced that day were either for a partner or a child who wasn't in attendance. Such sweet gestures!

Meantime, stay peeled to 938LIVE for details of the next Living Room outdoor event!

A Christian conversion

2010-05-21T16:40:00.027+08:00

While there are those who swoon over a certain Italian crooner coming our way next month for a one-night-only concert, we're happy to report we've got one of our own who just as effortlessly makes women weak in the knees with his ballads. Just ask Pamela, who got serenaded to live on air in The Living Room this morning. No wonder he comes in the way of boyfriends and their girls. It's this easiness and charm about him. This is the magnetism of Christian Bautista.

Vocals aside (he has a rich baritone timbre that glides on higher registers, transporting you to third heaven), it doesn't hurt to have chiselled good looks and looking dapper yet relaxed. Words flow easily for this 28-year-old, who first struck out as a singer in 2004 after a decent showing at Star in a Million, a reality singing contest in his native Philippines. Christian's music has won hearts not just among his country(wo)men, but across Southeast Asia. Indonesia in particular loves him, with album sales there reaching the triple platinum mark. Not that his music hasn't won over radio listeners in Singapore. Back a few years ago, his rendition of 'The Way You Look At Me' made it it to #1 on the Perfect 10 chart (what is now 987FM).

When asked why his music appeals to such a wide audience across cultures, he puts it down to digging deep into his emotions. "Every time I sing to my audience, I do my best to romance them, look them straight in the eye and tell them from my heart what I want to say. I think it's important they feel what you're singing...even if it's in a recording studio or on tv. I believe that's the way to go - to get that connection".

Christian's music is slow, sentimental, reflective and reminiscent, and there's no splitting hairs between his music and his personality. He adds, "I believe that we Asians are really romantics at heart. We love singing, we love romance, we love break-ups. There are so many good break-up songs that we just want to listen to them and cry".

I'd read in another interview that Christian begins and ends each day with prayer. I couldn't help but ask him if his faith shapes his life. To which he relates this story:

"When my mother named me Christian Joseph Morata Bautista, my grandfather said "You better be sure this man grows up to be a good boy because of the name you give him". You've got 'Christian' there, you've got 'Joseph' there, and 'Bautista' is Tagalog for 'Baptist'! So wow! I have to live up to that name."

Speaking of names, singing aside, he's also made a name for himself on both the tv & silver screens. Another feather in the cap - playing Tony in a musical theatre production of West Side Story back home. He fancies being in more musical theatre productions because he gets to be another character. For the time being however, this character has a lot going for him, releasing his second album in Singapore titled "Romance Revisited: Love Songs of Jose Mari Chan". Christian's latest album can be found in all leading music stores.

If you are a new convert and want to keep him in range, connect with him on Twitter and Facebook.

Watch Out Boy She'll Chew You Up!

2010-05-10T21:14:00.007+08:00

She's no 'man-eater' like how Darryl Hall and John Oates described, but she's definitely an eater! Cutting a slim finger more befitting of a beauty queen than a professional eater is Juliet Lee. The native of the People's Republic of China up until 1992, Juliet now calls Maryland in the land of star and stripes home.

Pam and I have played host to all kinds of people from all sorts of background and varying stature, but none as fearsome as this lady with a voracious appetite. The night before, Juliet had swallowed 160 shrimp dumplings in 8 minutes. That's just over 3 dumplings in a second! When she sashayed into our living room this morning, she radianted health and didn't look weighed down or sickened by her feat of a feast less than 24 hours earlier.

She has us know that her strategy is to use her hands as teeth, especially when she has to wolf down pizzas. Before stuffing the next mouthful, she'd grab the slice in waiting and roll and form it into a shape and size that would go down easier). She didn't need to employ this technique at yesterday's CP Biggest Eater Competition 2010 - a wonton challenge organised by CP Foods. The boiled dumplings were already softer than say hotdogs or hamburgers, and with the smooth skin, they went down easier than most other foods. But Juliet admitted that the going got tougher in the later stages. As each dumpling contained whole shrimps, she had to chew on the dumplings in the closing stages just to get more in.

When asked if she felt bad about such ravenous eating while half the world was starving, she sets the record straight, saying competitive eaters like herself did what they did to promote foods rather than the act of binging or extravagant wastage. We also learn that she and many of her competitors make donations to impoverished communities, so they do plough back part oftheir winnings.

If you're wondering if there is a 'hall of fame' for the competitive eating fraternity, bingo! They call themselves the Major League Eating & International Federation of Competitive Eating! Juliet currently ranks #11 on the Eater Rankings, with only one other lady ahead of her in the male-dominated pack.

When Juliet's not gorging, she leads an active life playing mother to two teenage daughters and runs her own hair salon back in the States. She also claims she's as good in the kitchen as she is at the competition table, preparing meals for her family and her cat, but she says she eats most "gracefully" when the clock's not ticking down.

And as a true blue Chinese, she jests that she'll eat anything that has legs, except tables. Eating is truly Juliet's 'Romeo', and being Chinese gives her an edge!

Sushi Ice Cream Anyone?

2010-05-08T10:18:00.024+08:00

I can't be impartial when it comes to ice cream. I'm known among my friends as the die-hard foodie, and I go only for the real quality stuff. Ever since I discovered Haagen Dazs years back at my (rich) aunt's party, I have not looked back. For the record, it's the only strawberry ice cream I like. And don't even get me started on their Belgian chocolate... *drool*

When Jansen Siak (Word of Mouth Communications) invited us for the launch of Haagen Dazs' new menu, I said Yes on the spot. C'mon, I'd clear my work schedule for this! *LOL*

The media tasting was held at Haagen Dazs' Suntec outlet (#01-017A), and Senior Marketing Manager, Mandy Saviour, came down to introduce us to the new menu. What's this we hear about sushi ice cream???

These are usually created at their out-of-bounds kitchen (with ideal temperatures), but for the media, they brought a "chef" down specially to demonstrate how the sushi ice cream is made...

This ice cream block is made up of thin layers of mango ice cream, alternating with vanilla. It's done kueh lapis style: One layer after another, manually. In fact, it takes them a whole day to make this! No kidding.

These ice cream blocks are then sliced up into sushi-sized chunks, depending on whether they are the "rice" or the "salmon" [pictured below]. But what about the "seaweed wrap"?

Dark chocolate, of course! The demonstrator brushes some dark chocolate onto a strip of paper and wraps it around the ice cream sushi. Then it's off to the freezer! Once the chocolate is hardened, she removes the strip of paper, and... tada!

It's starting to look a lot like sushi! *GRIN* And now for the final touches....

To create the explosion of tastes, fresh kiwi fruit and strawberries are carefully spooned onto the sushi pockets. At this point, I wasn't sure how the flavours would come together, but visually, it was already a treat for me. Look at 'em lovely colours!

Voila! Haagen Dazs' sushi ice cream!

I love this mango one (which is supposed to look like salmon maki!). The other one I really like is the tamago (egg) maki, which boasts a unique combination of macadamia nut ice cream and (I think) passion fruit. Mmm.

The dark chocolate "seaweed" is unsweetened. I think if you don't have too sweet a tooth, it balances off with the very sweet ice cream. But I do have a sweet tooth, and I do wish it was sweeter!

And that's not all. We were also introduced to HD's new selection of ice cream cakes, including this Double Chocolate Royale. It came to us quite dramatically, I must say! Dry ice effect and all....... *LOL*

And if you're not a big fan of chocolate, well there's always the fruity option for you.

Each of us got our very own personal-sized Double Chocolate Royale. Now this is the type of dark chocolate I like... slightly sweetened... I could just eat the coating on its own! *LOL*

And what's inside?

Macadamia nut ice cream.

Eat your heart out! If you love quality ice cream + an explosion of flavours (from rich dark chocolates to fresh fruits) + a visual treat, then I suppose it's time to head down to your nearest Haagen Dazs outlet to check out their new menu? *wink*

Bon Appetit!

Experiencing Dili in Running Shoes

2010-05-07T23:01:00.013+08:00

The Chain Reaction Project (TCRP) is a group of four young women - Zhang Tingjun, Alexandra Toh, Anina Boshoff and Jasmine Wong - who describe themselves as "catalysts for change".

Last year, they took part in the Tour de Timor, riding 450km across Timor-Leste, and raising over $50,000 for Hiam Health, an NGO focused on education, rehabilitation & prevention of malnutrition.

Stan & I had them in The Living Room before and after their trip to share their experience. That was August 2009, and we remain firm supporters of these spunky girls and their cause.

Well, fast forward nine months and the girls are back! This time, they are roping YOU and ME in as they participate in the Dili Marathon 2010 to raise funds for Hiam Health, their beneficiary for the 2nd year running.

Don't switch off at this point if you can't run 42km! Neither can I! *LOL*

There are other options: The Half Marathon (21km), 10km and 5km. And if you are like our guest today, participant John Gordon (or Johnnie, as the girls call him!), he will be walking the 5km and enjoying the scenery of Dili! That sounds doable, no? *wink*

Alex, Johnnie & Tingjun tell us about the Dili Marathon 2010 project.

Coming down with John were Alexandra Toh and Zhang Tingjun, now regulars on our show! *LOL* I have to say they have become good friends of ours!

Of course, this is more than just a sporting challenge. You'll also get a once-in-a-lifetime private audience with the President of Timor-Leste, Jose Ramos, plus a 4-wheet drive up to one of the country's highest points to spend a day! You'll also get to meet new "like-minded" friends, experience the beauty of Timor-Leste, and embark on an adventure like no other!

And it's all for a good cause. 100% of the proceeds go to Hiam Health.

TRIP DETAILS

19 - 22 June

(Dili Marathon on 20 Jun)

$2,100/pax OR $1,9oo/team of 4.

To register, click here.

For more info, click here.

Stan & I are seriously considering doing this... Imagine the interviews we can do there, including one with the President of Timor-Leste? *wink* Hope to see you there!!!

The Singapore Graphic Novel

2010-05-05T22:16:00.001+08:00

When we think of Graphic Novels, Neil Gaiman's Sandman and the hugely-popular X-Men or V for Vendetta (which were made into blockbuster films) come to mind. It's ambitious to say the least ~ I mean, how many people are proficient writers and artists?

It requires a team of talents ~ which can include a writer, artist, colorist, inker, letterer, penciler etc. In Asia, Japan seems to be taking the world by storm with its manga, but a graphic novel created in Singapore? Hmm, that seems unlikely.

But thanks to IGNITE!, a graphic novel initiative by MDA & in collaboration with the Association of Comic Artists Singapore (ACAS), a generation of young graphic novelists is rising up in Singapore, and being published for the first time.

Take a look at what IGNITE! has unearthed...

Well, today in The Living Room, we got to chat with the President of the Association of Comic Artists (Singapore), Jerry Hinds, as well as three winners of IGNITE!

Singapore's very own graphic novelists: Tan Soon Meng (Ockham's Razor), Beryl Kwok (Memorium) and Regina Ying (Bridge), together with Jerry Hinds, President of ACAS.

It was an enlightening chat indeed, and we learnt quite a bit about the whole process involved into creating a graphic novel, as well as where the industry is heading.

"What we need now most are good writers, people who have strong concepts. I see these storytellers moving into gaming in a big way - that's where the big money is!" says Jerry. "The artwork may be so-so, but if you have a strong story and concept, you will still go far. Just look like South Park and The Simpsons!"

To find out more about the work of the Association of Comic Artists (Singapore), click here.

Catch the encore broadcast of this interview:

Tonight, 10.10pm - 11pm, on 938LIVE.

2am, Channel NewsAsia.

Peter & Blue's Forest Adventures!

2010-05-04T10:46:00.021+08:00

A bumble bee that falls in love with a butterfly. A playful dog called Blue who fights a lot with a lazy cat called Calico (but they're apparently also very fond of each other!). And a pure-hearted little boy called Peter who goes into the forest in search of treats to surprise his mother on her birthday.

In the woods, Peter meets curious characters like the Blueberry Boys, Apple Blossom Girls, Mr & Mrs Strawberry, and more... but all these enchanting forest creatures are only visible to those with do good deeds!

How charming! Stan & I were tickled pink when the Singapore Dance Theatre's Artistic Director, Janek Schergen, related the story of Peter and Blue's Forest Adventures to us ~ a story he's written from "taking a little bit from here & there", but especially inspired by a Swedish children's writer he grew up with.

Also joining us today was a very nervous Peter, the latest addition to SDT. He's 20-year-old Naoki Kataoka from Japan. He had a certain wide-eyed innocence about him, I swear! *LOL* That's probably why Janek picked him to dance the role of the young boy.

Our third guest was Singapore-born Ginny Chan plays Peter's lazy cat, Calico. "When Janek first told me about the role, he said 'I need you to do one thing: You need to be very, very, VERY lazy'!" Ginny reveals with a chuckle, admitting it's harder than it sounds.

Personally, another reason I'd go watch this would be the set. Designed by a student of Lasalle College of the Arts, it promises to be stunning. This SDT production is suitable for kids 4 years & up, and plays through the weekend including Mother's Day, so why not make it a family outing?

Peter and Blue's Forest Adventures

(Singapore Dance Theatre)

7 - 9 May

11am & 2pm

Lasalle SIA Theatre

For details, click here.

Farewell to Mel

2010-05-03T18:46:00.010+08:00

938LIVE is a family. And while you may be a regular follower of The Living Room, I'm sure you're familiar with the two voices that come on after we sign off: F-Cubers, Eugene Loh & Melanie Oliveiro!

Well, if you didn't hear Melanie's voice over the airwaves today, it's because last Friday was her last day. *sniff* Stan & I decided against doing our on-air tribute to Mel before she made the announcement herself cos we thought it wasn't appropriate.

But now that it's out there, we just want to say this to her:

Mel, you have been a great friend. A touch of sunshine to our day. You are sorely missed.... already!!! We love you, and know that we'll always be good friends. All the best in your new adventure, and know that you'll always have a second family right here at 938LIVE! *hug*

Stan & I with our dearest colleague & friend, Melanie Oliveiro, who has left 938LIVE to embark on a new adventure!

Of course, we want to say a very warm welcome to the baby of our 938LIVE family as well, Levisha Kumar. She is the sweetest girl ever, but oh... what big shoes to fill! :D

As for Mel, we will not say goodbye to you, girl.... only ta ta for now!

REVIEW: ANIMAL FARM

2010-04-30T09:31:00.024+08:00

Another valiant effort by W!ldRice, though less deserving of a standing ovation on all twos (or fours) than the previous season. I had a few words with Animal Farm's Director, Ivan Heng, before the show and told him I'd caught the previous run and thoroughly enjoyed it. He interjected that this time around, there had been "some updates". I wonder if he'd said that to lower my expectations or if that was an apology in disguise.

The set was simple and static, resembling a barn with zinc sheets as walls. In the centre, a few rows of steps rise up to meet the back wall, on which the seven commandments were scribbled. Animal Farm by W!ldRice is possibly the most physical piece of local theatre you'll ever see. The arched feet, the bent knees and backs, the stiff fingers that resembled pig trotters, head and body jerks reminiscent of fowl behaviour, the shrieks, neighing, barks and clucking. For the cast, this was one place they could behave like animals and get away with it. In fact, animal behaviour is imperative!

Yeo Yann Yann (of 881 and Singapore Dreaming fame) deserves special mention for how hard she worked herself playing Clover the horse. Gani Abdul Karim who played Boxer was convincing as the tireless and diligent workhorse, but the way Yann Yann trotted around the stage the whole show through and kept in character and stance is praiseworthy. I can't remember a time she wasn't on stage. Someone, anyone...please put a trough on stage for her to hydrate herself. Pam Oei was the convincingly conniving righthand pig Squealer, whose squeals made the audience squeal with adoration, but it was Denise Tan who pulled in the most laughs as Mollie the mare who believed in sugar candy mountain - a place animals go to when they die. Her Filipino-accented portrayal of Moses the raven also lent much comedy to the show. Lim Yu Beng was so-so as the kingpig, I mean 'kingpin'. He lacked the evil streak (why am I thinking of streaky bacon all of a sudden?!) and presence that Napoleon ought to have had. He just was so much more masterful as Boxer in the previous season.

There were a few slapstick moments that didn't jive. The odd song that sprinkled the show, including 'Tonight's Gonna be a Good Night' didn't go down well. The attempt to make the show palatable for the younger crowd didn't work for me. I hope George Orwell didn't turn in his grave. Another flaw was how inconsistent the accents were. Some dialogues were in standard English while others were laced with ethnic accents.

The show had elements of Stomp (when Jenson Koh the 8th member of the cast came out from behind his drum set and started banging on the stage floor and zinc sheets) and Mummenschanz (the use of aluminium tubing coils) and even a fleeting moment of Les Miserables.

Should you catch the show?

Yes, if....
- you've never caught the previous seasons
- you appreciate the hard work that goes into good physical theatre
- you love watching animal behaviour in humans
- you want to see how closely it sticks to your Literature text
- you want to see how text is adapted for theatre

ANIMAL FARM is now on at the Drama Centre at the National Library Building. Now on till 8th May 2010! Tickets still selling at SISTIC.

A Man They Call The Bladerunner

2010-04-28T17:27:00.018+08:00

He is a 42, a father of three, and in a month's time, will be racing in the 84km Adidas Sundown Marathon. What's more, he has plans to climb Mt Everest, and to run across the Sahara Desert. If that is not an inspiration, how about this?

Mohd Shariff Abdullah, of Shariff as he prefers to be called, has a prosthetic leg.

Throughout the conversation, I sat there in disbelief and awe of this man. Partly because I've just started running again myself, averaging about 4km, and already I am huffing & puffing by the end of the run. What excuse do I have -- even to complete the 10km -- if this man with a prosthetic leg can run an ultra marathon?

Shariff will attempt an 84km overnight race with a prosthetic leg.

We were curious to see what his prosthetic leg looked like. After all, he's not called The Bladerunner for nothing. Shariff dug into his bag and pulled out this sickle-looking contraption [pictured left]. He basically attaches it to his stump, and there are even rubber soles beneath, like regular shoes!

I wouldn't say it's light, but it's not heavy & clumsy either. Shariff describes it as a "spring" and says it's pretty hardy. It's only broken off once when he was running on rough, pebbled terrain. For an idea of the races he's completed, click here to read his blog.

I seriously don't think Shariff knows how inspiring he is. He kept thanking us for having him on our show, and saying that it's really nothing. I'm incredulous that he should think that, because he has broken down walls for me, and made me see that anything is possible, if you just set your mind to it.

If you'd liked to support him for his Mt Everest climb or his Sahara Desert run, do contact him. I don't think it's easy for him to raise enough funds for what he hopes to accomplish for Singapore, but we can all do out part to make his dreams come true. Contact him here.

Shariff showed me that if you set your mind to it, truly nothing is impossible.

"M" is for the Man who Motivates

2010-04-27T23:06:00.010+08:00

"Mr Motivator" has us know he's a supporter of Manchester United, but quickly dismisses it as needless because he doesn't want to take sides. Besides, "the club has many fans already", he says. He puts paid to the fact that most of these fans have never even watched their favourite club play a live match. Instead of advocating 'fan-ship', he's more concerned that fitness is nothing short of fun!

His real name's Derrick Evans. This 56-year-old grandfather of three has been championing fitness for about thirty years. He got himself on British TV channel GMTV in 1993 and since then, has been rallying his countrymen to take the path of fitness. This TV personality and fitness instructor believes people will be drawn to fitness if there's a fun element to it. In fact, such is his pull that even British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has tasked Derrick to help millions in the UK shed the pounds and fight obesity belly-on!

There are many triggers that have people turning to fitness, and fun is his bait. Ladies, there's a free workout happening at Zirca this Thursday, 29th April 2010. Click here to read more or sign up for his event led by Mr Motivator himself!

Mr Motivator even had us do some simple stretching and breathing exercises in The Living Room to get our muscles moving. And we thought moving our lips with all that talking we're paid to do was enough of a workout. I guess not. *sigh*

Mao's Last Dancer

2010-04-26T18:56:00.013+08:00

He was born into utter poverty in China, but at age 11, was selected to train as a dancer with Madame Mao's Beijing Dance Academy. At 18, he won one of China's first cultural scholarships to the US and later secured a contract to dance with the Houston Ballet.

Two years later, when he wanted to defect to the West, a dramatic media storm ensued! Even involving then US vice-president, George Bush Snr.

This is the amazing & inspiring story of Li Cunxin, author of the bestselling book, Mao's Last Dancer, and protagonist of the hugely-successful movie (of the same name) now playing in the cinemas.

In fact, the movie opened this year's Singapore International Film Festival.

If you missed the conversation between Stanley and Li Cunxin in The Living Room this morning, there are 3 encore broadcasts tonight. This interview was conducted back in 2007, way before the movie was filmed. It's a 3-part conversation that should not be missed!

Mao's Last Dancer: A Chat with Li Cunxin

Tonight, 10.4pm - midnight, 938LIVE

2.15am, Channel NewsAsia

4.15am, 938LIVE

Chicago the Musical: Sensationally Sexy!!!

2010-04-23T23:02:00.015+08:00

The moment that lanky, leggy woman sauntered up on stage, with that single spotlight illuminating her scantily clad, super toned body, I knew Chicago the Musical was unapologetically in a class of its own. My first thought? Boy, they sure know how to grab someone's attention!

Stan & I were privileged to catch the Opening Gala of Chicago on Tuesday night, three days before we were scheduled to meet the cast for an interview. I wasn't sure what to expect from an Australian cast, to be honest. After all, Chicago is such an all-American production, isn't it? The set, the accents, the jazz & choreography... just the whole genre of that era. Can an Australian cast really pull it off?

Besides, I dozed off watching the 2002 movie of Chicago, starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellwegger and Richard Gere... *bashful* And it had won 6 Oscars, including Best Picture!

But one consolation was this: Chicago was originally written for the stage, and so I believe on stage would be where the magic & splendour would happen!

After all, Hollywood always takes what's best on Broadway and spins it into a movie. But somehow, even the movie Rent was nowhere close to the stage version I caught in Nashville, Tennessee. So there was hope...

With that mindset, I went to Chicago the Musical at the Esplanade Theatre. And I have to tell you: I was completely blown away! It was witty, wicked and very, very sexy. The cast was completely believable with their American accents (not like a certain recent production where accents were all awry!), and the dancing was visually captivating.

In fact, everyone on stage was visually captivating! *LOL* I swear, you will not be able to take your eyes off them. They look good, sing good, dance good. What more can a paying audience ask for? But I gush.

At Chicago's opening gala where Stan & I bumped into many friends from MediaCorp TV, radio & print also present there. Media out in full force!

Well, we finally got to chat with the cast of Chicago the Musical in TLR today, and it was one of the most rowdy, entertaining & engaging conversations we've had in a while. I guess partly because Craig McLachlan (Billy Flynn) was in the house. He's the heartthrob who played Kylie Minogue's brother in the hit series, Neighbours, on Australian TV.

This guy used to grace the covers of teen magazines every month, and our beloved colleague Melanie Oliveiro admits to collecting posters of him as a teenager herself! *LOL*

Craig is charming, cheeky, and brilliant at stoking up the playful humour in the conversation, like making Caroline Kaspar (Dance Captain / Miss "Not Guilty!") spew Hungarian 'live' on-air! *LOL* I think someone's been feeding Craig too much jelly beans!!! ;P

But one lady I really wanted to meet was Deone Zanotto. She plays Velma Kelly in this production of Chicago, and her character really stood out for me. In my opinion, she quite outshone Roxie Hart's character, even though the latter had a juicier role on stage.

[From top, clockwise]: Craig McLachlan (Billy Flynn), Deone Zanotto (Velma Kelly), Caroline Kaspar (Dance Captain/Hungarian girl), and Karen Mortimer (Resident Director).

Despite her explosive character on stage, with her flawless voice & dance moves, Deone is surprisingly calm, collected, and very down-to-earth in person.

What struck me most about what she shared (and what Craig interjected, of course!) was that backstage, she would be stretching... jogging on the spot... keeping her muscles warm for the next scene. Each scene just demands so much from her physically that she can't afford to let her muscles cool down! When you watch Chicago, you'll understand.

We also had Resident Director Karen Mortimer on our couch, telling us about her role as (in my words) "Prefect" or "Monitor" for the cast! *LOL* In fact, she, Caroline & the hot female conductor Vanessa have been entrusted with ensuring that the music, choreography and characters stay true to what was originally intended, which means keeping everyone in check while still allowing their personalities to shine. Tough!

But it pays off! This production is nothing short of excellent, and it definitely exceeded my expectations. Guess what? I'm going to catch it again this weekend ~ paying this time! *grin* The only other musical that has compelled me to do that was my all-time favourite, Les Miserables.

Do catch Chicago before it ends its run here on May 9 ~ strictly no extension!. All I can say is: You will NOT be disappointed! *wink*

Chicago the Musical

Till May 9

Esplanade Theatre

Tickets via SISTIC.

Ebony & Ivory... Living in Perfect Harmony

2010-04-21T18:21:00.011+08:00

His name is Yaron Kohlberg, and he's a pianist from Israel. What impressed me upon first reading his bio (other than the fact that he's quite a handsome lad!) is that he's only 27, and already he has clinched numerous international awards and travelled the world, sharing his gift.

It's a gift he was born with, with both parents being musically-inclined. His mum was a performing violinist with an orchestra, while his dad played the piano, albeit not professionally. But Yoran tells us that it was a demanding Russian piano teacher around the time he was 10 that really made him recognise his talent and set him on the path of professional musician-hood.

When he yawned and asked for coffee, I knew we would bond! *LOL* When Stan was reading the Business News on-air, I ran upstairs to grab some coins and then down to the vending machine to get him some. He had arrived in Singapore from Mumbai, and prior to that, was performing in Poland.

And he's such a charming young man who spoke English proficiently and exuded an air of quiet confidence. That was how I felt about Hen Lasker too, an Israeli filmmaker I interviewed for International Women's Day last year. But I digress!

The reason Yaron is in town is because the Embassy of Israel is staging a one-night-only concert featuring two accomplished young pianists from Israel for the Singapore community. What's heartwarming is that Yaron Kohlberg is Jewish, and Bishara Harouny is Arab, and despite their religious differences, they will be playing side by side on stage, and in complete harmony.

Hmm, now doesn't that remind you of the song 'Ebony & Ivory'? *grin*

Pianist Yaron Kohlberg & Idit Abu, Deputy Chief of Mission from the Embassy of Israel join us in The Living Room.

The concert is entitled Israeli-Arab Piano Duo Concert Gala, and it's held at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts on Thu 22 April, for one night only. It promises to be a spectacular show! And joining Yoran in The Living Room to tell us more is an "old friend" I interviewed with filmmaker Hen Lasker last year, when we did an IWD special on Women in the Israeli Army. Her name is Idit Abu, and she's Deputy Chief of Missions with the Embassy of Israel here.

Well, we're all crossing our fingers now that Bishara makes it to Singapore by tomorrow. He was stuck in Berlin due to the Icelandic ash cloud that has paralysed air travel all across Europe...

Yes, every day this week, Stan & I experienced the volcanic ash cloud's impact on The Living Room. We've had at least one guest missing on our couch each day this week! That's how connected we all are these days, isn't it? The world's become a Global Village.

And so, more than ever, I feel we need to be building bridges. Lots of bridges. Everywhere. And through ways & means beyond politics. And music is one of them. Music has the ability to transcend language, culture, and religious differences. And I take my hat off to the Embassy of Israel for recognising that, and for putting forth this message of peace & hope through this concert. We wish Yaron & Bishara all the best!!!

Israeli-Arab Piano Duo Concert Gala

Thu 22 April

7.30pm - 8.30pm

Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (Campus 3)

FREE

Pre-register by emailing press@singapore.mfa.gov.il

DEE Man on a Mission

2010-04-15T19:35:00.017+08:00

An American man's footrace across the Atacama Desert from Peru to Chile paves the way for 50 Singaporean athletes to head to Athens, Greece to compete in the Special Olympics World Summer Games in 2011!

Defining human spirit and endurance, denying the difference in cultures and what would have been in the name of national interest and designating his race as a cause worth investing in simply blows your mind. These are moments when you see love lived out and hearts and hands opened, just because someone had put his foot forward. And so began a 250-kilometre adventure across six days over rough undulating terrain in the South American desert, where temperatures soared to 46 degree Celsius. His feet and feat have raised $300,000 from donors all around the world. The beneficiary - Special Olympics Singapore athletes.

This is the story of Michael Dee.

(above: Michael Dee, David Rutherford - MD of Special Olympics Asia Pacific, Dr Teo-Koh Sock Miang - President of Special Olympics Singapore)

Michael who recently resigned as senior managing director of Temasek Holdings had previously worked with Morgan Stanley for more than a quarter of a century. Despite the high-level corporate life he led, charitable causes was never far from his mind. In fact, Michael is a founding board member of Make-A-Wish Foundation Singapore - a charity that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. Incidentally, he'd literally put his feet to work for them by climbing Mt Kilamanjaro.

But why his choice to benefit the Special Olympics team most recently? Let's put it this way...If anyone could comprehend and appreciate the challenges (and promises) of one with intellectual disabilities, Michael could. His younger sister Anne, who's in her forties, has Down Syndrome. But what a remarkable difference Special Olympics had made to her life and he knows it can do the same for many more like her here in Singapore.

With the concern for funding out of the way, our athletes who'll be flying the Singapore flag next year can now direct all their focus and attention on training for the international competition. That's according to Dr Teo-Koh Sock Miang, President of Special Olympics Singapore. The funds are there and the flight is waiting.

It became apparent to Pam that if Michael's feet could do so much, what larger good could ours do beyond walking or running for fitness' sake? May this thought challenge you. Perhaps it's time to get your feet wet for a good cause. I'm feeling itchy already since my last run for a cause last November.

Speaking of a good cause, Special Olympics Singapore will be holding its flag day on Saturday, 1st May 2010. To lend a hand as a volunteer for the day, please make contact with them. Open your heart that day if you meet a volunteer. Financial contributions will continue to benefit the athletes in their training and development programmes and in support of financing other smaller scale tournaments throughout the year.

We like how Michael used the word 'investor' when speaking of those who gave towards the cause. He wasn't for the term 'donor' because the gesture of giving was really an investment into people's lives. Nice.

Retrace Michael's adventure and read the letters Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and President S.R. Nathan sent Michael here.

Who's Harry?

2010-04-14T17:04:00.015+08:00

Even the CEO draws a blank. If Mohan Mulani can't give a definitive answer to my question, our guess is as good as his. After "How are you?", that could well be the question he's asked most often. Mohan's after all the CEO of Harry's Holdings Limited - a post he's held since 2006. Prior to that, he was its Director.

Harry's has truly come a long way from when its founder Jim Gelpi in 1992 first planted the first outlet along the south side of the Singapore River at Boat Quay. From a lone F&B outlet, it added an 'upstairs' comprising a lounge and function room in 2000. Mohan wrote himself into Harry's history in 2002 when he bought out the shareholders and what change ensued. He was like a spark plug who ignited the business, growing it from jazz bar to what's now a heavyweight brand. By year's end, our island will have 31 Harry's outlets spread across the CBD, business parks, recreational and lifestyle belts, as well as malls. Remarkable growth for an 18-year-old company.

Among the many famous personalities, both customers and jazz greats, that Harry's has hosted, rogue trader Nick Leeson of Barings will perhaps be best remembered as a frequent patron. Mohan however shares that he was once told by his staff that Minister Mentor Lee had popped in one afternoon. Ahh! Could this be the missing piece to the puzzling name? I'm none the wiser after my chat with Mohan that I was before.

Mohan pens his journey and that of the business and brand in The Story of Harry's, his first book through which he articulates fresh, heartfelt and vivid recollections of the path they've collectively and individually taken. From milestones to millstones, it's obvious this man's no quitter.

It's an easy read brewed with lots of wholesome honesty, bubbling with full-bodied flavour just like Harry's Premium Lager (which you can redeem a bottle for by presenting Mohan's book at any Harry's outlet from now till April 2011).

The Story of Harry's (published by Marshall Cavendish) is on sale at all major bookstores at S$25 (before GST).

More than a Barnyard Story

2010-04-07T20:52:00.015+08:00

I remember the first time I read George Orwell's Animal Farm. If there's one word I'd choose to describe how I felt, it would be "indignant".

Animal Farm is anything but a story about peaceful barnyard animals. It's about how absolute power corrupts. You won't need to look too far below the surface of those pigs' skins to find ugly human traits. But I shall not get into the story here...

All I can say is 65 years after George Orwell wrote the book, the message of Animal Farm is still relevant today -- perhaps even more so. And what better way to soak in the powerful message than through a stage production that features Singapore's very best.

Lim Yu-Beng (Napoleon), Pam Oei (Squealer) & 881's Yeo Yann Yann (Clover) in W!ld Rice's Animal Farm!

This is W!ld Rice's 3rd season of Animal Farm. It made its debut in 2002, and played to rave reviews. In 2004, the theatre company brought the play to New Zealand, and again, all shows were completely sold out there.

Just last month, Animal Farm travelled to the prestigious 2010 Hong Kong Arts Festival, and months before the Singapore cast & crew even stepped on Hong Kong soil, tickets for the show were already completely sold out.

In fact Yu-Beng & Pam have been in all three runs -- playing different roles of course! They joked that all the other cast members "can't stand them" because they knew everybody else's lines & would correct them! *LOL*

What was poignant for Yu-Beng though was that he's played both a pig and a horse. Napoleon, of course, being the dictator. So he knows how it feels to lord it over the animals, and how it feels to be lorded over. I've always known Yu-Beng to be an individual with a strong sense of social justice, and so I can understand when he said he felt "angry".

Animal Farm opens next Wed, 21 April @ Drama Centre Theatre!

For Pam & Yann Yann, the whole physicality of the production was what they griped about. I tell you, these girls so amused me! *LOL*

"If I could bring in a massage therapist right now, which parts of your body will you ask to be massaged?" Stan asked, with a twinkle in his eye.

"Lower back!" Pam squealed. OK, she didn't squeal. Groaned, more like it.

Apparently, them pigs have to be on all fours. And Yann Yann admits that though the other cast members did warn her about the physical demands of the production, she didn't quite take heed till she found herself limping & aching her way into rehearsals! And Yann Yann looks every bit a fit & toned young lady, so... GOSH.

SO! If you're catching Animal Farm, don't think it was all a piece of cake. A lot of blood, sweat & tears went into it! OK, more like sweat & aching muscles. Personally, I can't wait to catch it! Hope to see you there!!!

ANIMAL FARM

21 April - 8 May

Drama Centre Theatre

Tickets via SISTIC

For more info, click here.

Seafood & Cocktails by the Sea...

2010-04-02T23:08:00.009+08:00

Do you enjoy seafood? What about cocktails?

OK, here's a proposal for you: Why not, on your next date with your special someone, head down to East Coast beach to enjoy a scrumptious seafood spread & top-notch cocktails by the sea? Think balmy evening. Al fresco. Sea breeze. At a restaurant that's posh yet laidback.

Sounds good? Well, it sure did to me! *LOL*

That's why on Monday - though I was technically on leave - I accepted 1 Twenty Six 's invitation for a media food tasting. I wasn't sure what to expect except that the cocktails would be good, since 1 Twenty Six is (after all) the sister of One Rochester, where we recently held our colonial cocktail workshop!

It was cool & drizzly when I got to Playground @ Big Splash at 7pm. Getting there is easy if you drive, but you'll need to cab in if you don't. Just look out for Carl's Jr and 1 Twenty Six is beside it.

Well, I'll let my pictures do the work from here on. As they say, "A picture's worth a thousand words". ENJOY!!!

The whole al fresco "jardin" concept reminded me of One Rochester, where we had our cocktail workshop recently.

My colleague Justine & I went together. Pity Stan couldn't join us. He had to be in "top form" for his upcoming tennis tournament!

The Nibbles Platter! Potato skins with sour cream & ocean trout caviar, Homemade cod brandade with grilled brushetta, Steamed vongole clams w a garlic & herb crumb, Crispy soft shelled crab with chilli mayo.

The Coast Platter! You can "upgrade" the communal set with this starter if you like. It has tiger prawns, crab, oysters, mussels, claims, sashimi...

We were served a variety of cocktails throughout the evening. These are the first three. Each one unique & refreshing. I had to really pace myself cos I drove! *sob*

Ah! The mains finally arrive...

Grilled King prawns with goat cheese tortellini with clam broth and coppa cracklings.

Tuna Nicoise in two styles, seared tuna tataki and tuna confit, with French beans, cherry tomatoes, and soft boiled quails eggs.

And if you're not into seafood, this beef dish is awesome & oh so tender! It's the Braised short rib of beef with creamy Paris mashed potatoes and horshradish cream.

A Truffled French omelette with hand-pickd Sri Lankan crab meat and mascarpone.

Wild barramundi with a brandade crust, spinach & almond puree, served with shellfish sauce.

Classic fish pie with snapper, ocean trout, prawn, leek and dill 'Pocolo fritto' lightly battered seafood with hand cut fries and lime aioli.

Our colleague Carolyn Camoens had been here before and told us about the Raspberry Donut shooter the mixologist made for her. We requested for that, and it was awesome! Heavy on Bailey's Irish Cream, with a fresh raspberry thrown in the middle.

A selection of petite sized desserts to share! All my friends will tell you, this is always my favourite part of any meal. Here's what we had:

Rose perfumed pannacotta with poached pear in creme de framboise.

Lime Souffle.

Wild honey and pistachio nougat parfait with cherry compote.

Pavlova with vanilla ice cream, poached strawberries, and passion fruit coulis.

Devils flourless chocolate, mascarpone, and raspberry ripple cake.

Fine apple and frangipane tart with calvados ice cream. This was another of my favourites because it's both savoury & sweet. :P~

We ended our meal close to 11pm! A very contented Justine & Pam with Executive Chef, Christopher Millar. Bravo! ♥

For more information about 1 Twenty Six, click here.

Whose Singapore? YOUR Singapore!

2010-03-30T17:43:00.038+08:00

So the jury is out. Who does Singapore really belong to?
Is it MY Singapore, YOUR Singapore,
or are we alright to share this place?
[Leave us your opinions & thoughts in the Comment box!]

It's come full circle according to Assistant Chief Executive of Marketing at the Singapore Tourism Board, Ken Low. The new destination brand, Your Singapore, which was unveiled earlier this month has since attracted a fair share of fans as it has critics. The latter generally say the new slogan doesn't convey anything about Singapore. Some basically find fault that we're lacking an adjective to describe who we are and what we have to offer. Yet that argument can barely stand up to the notion that a country and all that is it and has, cannot be embodied and described in just one word. Even a sentence wouldn't suffice. A country's got to be visited, felt, trodden under foot, smelled, tasted and touched. Speaking of touch, it's a multi-sensorial experience that's got to touch the heart.

(above from l-r: Veteran hotelier Mohd K Rafin - Senior Vice President of Park Hotel Group, WIT Producer Yeoh Siew Hoon and STB's Asst Chief Executive of Marketing Ken Low)

"Uniquely Singapore" may have been laid to rest, but Producer of Web-In-Travel Yeoh Siew Hoon says the preceding brand was the 'inspiration', while the newly-minted tag was for 'conversion'. Therein lies the bridge, often the missing link in many tourism branding campaigns - converting the inspired and making it easy for them to want to visit your shores. First feed them all the information they want, then make it a breeze for them to plan their itinerary from a smorgasboard of things to do and places to visit here. Once that's done, entice them to make their flight and accommodation bookings, and before they know it, Singapore's theirs to savour! The portal is all about empowering would-be visitors with the ability and platform to customise their own holiday.
Now who wouldn't like that?

You may have read my earlier blog review of Universal Studios Singapore. One thing I'd omitted from mention was how my heart swelled with pride as I toured the attraction. Alas, Singapore finally has her very own world-class theme park! We're getting there. The makeover of Orchard Road has been radical and bold. Gardens By The Bay at Marina is also taking shape and soon the shifting sands of time will usher in the opening of Singapore's second IR. It'll be sooner than later before we're spoilt for choice.

I retract that statement. In fact, I believe we are already spoilt for choice with the variety of places to go and things to do here. Last week, I packed three passengers into my car and zipped them off on a free-and-easy drive around Singapore. Would you have imagined the photos below to have been taken right here? Yes, everything from the scenery to the food and canopy of trees can be found in our own backyard despite being an island just 682.7 square metres.

It's OUR SINGAPORE! It's (Y)OUR SINGAPORE! Now go forth and explore!
Oh and one more thing, just beware of falling branches if you're
out in the open.

Pixar Magic Comes to Singapore!

2010-03-27T18:52:00.006+08:00

If you love Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc, Toy Story, Up, Cars, Incredibles, WALL*E, Ratatouille, then you are in for treat! The magic of Pixar comes to Singapore in a spectacular exhibition celebrating 20 years of animation!

Join us on Monday, 29 March @ 10.30am - noon, in The Living Room, as we chat with 4 animators, designers & technical experts ahead of the exhibition launch on 2 April @ Science Centre Singapore.

A conversation NOT to be missed!!!

For more info, click here.

EARTH HOUR 2010!!!

2010-03-25T20:20:00.009+08:00

60 Minutes. This Saturday, 27 March, 8.30pm - 9.30pm.

What will YOU be doing???

I'm asking this question because it's a choice, it's totally within your power to use those 60 minutes as you wish. And sometimes, little actions can mean so much.

Well, Earth Hour 2010 is back for the second year running, and this year, it's grown. More individuals & businesses have jumped on the bandwagon, and the level of awareness and consciousness has risen too. But really, knowing is one thing. Are we taking action?

I had a very honest chat with Amy Ho (Managing Director, WWF Singapore), Nadya Hutagalung (Earth Hour Ambassador), and Allan Lim (CEO, Alpha Biofuels) today in The Living Room. We discussed the Green movement in Singapore, the apathy of Singaporeans, the slow take-up of Green businesses here, and what Earth Hour really stands for.

Straight "Green" talk with Allan, Nadya & Amy in The Living Room.

"It's really much more than saving electricity for an hour," says Amy Ho, MD of WWF Singapore. "It's symbolic. A reminder. And it really should be something we do everyday."

Nadya echoed that. In fact, she reiterated it a couple of times throughout our conversation. Battling climate change in simple, everyday ways is a cause close to the heart of this ex-MTV VJ, and mother of 3. Because she couldn't find enough information to live out her eco-sustainable lifestyle, she founded GreenKampong.com.

"It's entry level for those who want to live a more eco-sustainable lifestyle," Nadya explains. Here's Nadya sharing why she started GreenKampong.com, and what it's all about.

Allan, who is part of a 3-man team that helms Alpha Biofuels, shared about doing Green business in Singapore. He tells us that while there is support from the government, it's still a slow uptake because for Singaporean businessmen, it's always about dollars & cents, the bottomline, and sometimes sustainable products don't have that competitive edge in terms of cost.

"But in the long run, sustainable businesses make sense, they save you money," he explains, almost exasperated that people fail to understand this. The ladies nod in agreement (which you can't "see" on-air!).

Allan's business recycles waste oil into Biodiesel, which is sustainable & renewable. In fact, his passion won him the Spirit of Enterprise Award in 2005. He's a down-to-earth, practical, but passionate business man, and his perspective was very much-welcomed.

Ambassadors for Earth Hour 2010... they've made me one too!

So the question remains. On Sat 27 March, 8.30pm - 9.30pm, what will YOU be doing??? Will you participate in Earth Hour and switch off all your lights for 60 minutes? Or will you just let these precious minutes pass you by for yet another year without making a stand?

Imagine what you can teach your children if they asked you, "Mum/Dad, why are we switching off all the lights and using candles?" Imagine what you can share with your neighbours, your colleagues & friends about climate change, if you decide to do this.

And you CAN pledge your support online. Just click here and make that pledge. Do it with your children, why not? *grin* Earth Hour 2010 is powerful simply because it's doable, it's a choice we can all make.

I know I'm sounding like a politician or evangelist, but I do feel passionately about what WWF Singapore is initiating & spearheading. So please, come join me!

Earth Hour 2010 Concert & Carnival

Sat 27 March

6.15pm onwards

(Concert begins at 7pm)

Esplanade

For more info, click here.

Going Colonial with Cocktail Concoctions

2010-03-24T11:16:00.065+08:00

A little bit of cucumber in my life,
a little bit of of ginger on the sides,
stir in some chilli for more delight,
it'll surely take you to an all-time high!
(to tune of Mambo #5)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I always thought I had a deep seated talent for songwriting, but not to digress, let me keep with my day job just talking and blogging. But the limerick is in essence how The Living Room's Colonial Cocktail workshop turned out last Saturday, 20th March.
Our event partner: One Rochester.

Three delightful cocktails concocted in just over two hours, some with calm overtones, some sharper, but all with zesty flavours that had tongues wagging. Not big on anything alcoholic, I'd never expected chillies and ginger to be used in creating cocktails, but they won me over with the way they seductively courted my tastebuds. Under rain-emptied clouds, our participants started arriving as early as 3.20pm. Like the cocktails to be made, our crowd was itself a colourful mix - married couples, dating sweethearts, buddies from forever (kindergarten?!), friends from wherever (clubs?!), ex-colleagues and a mother-&-son.

Alongside the cocktails that were to be the talk of the town that day, the crew at One Rochester did a fine job ensuring the session ran with such fluidity (no pun intended). Kudos to mixologists Ivan Fernandez and Jill Bellah (left) for the show-and-tell. Their larger than life personsas and their chirpy disposition ensured no one in class was ever lost or distracted from the instructions they were dispensing. Adding a dash of comic relief to the event and playing cheerleader role was One Rochester Group's Operations and Marketing Manager Juwanda Hassim (below) who also ensured the seamless flow from one cocktail to the other.

The two-plus hour workshop turned out to be a good alternative to heading to the gym on a Saturday afternoon. With all the slicing, dicing, stirring, pounding and shaking, our listeners would have surely broken out in sweat if not for the air-conditioning in the black-&-white 2-storey bungalow. Those who wore flat heels probably took the session better, having had to stand throughout the workshop. But everyone was game to be on their feet and concocting their first ever cocktail for themselves. Now this is what I call 'reaping what you sow'. I caught sight of some participants adding more than the recommended shot of gin or vodka into their mix, but the staff never batted an eyelid. As long as everyone was happy, learnt something and enjoyed their handiwork.

The workshop came to a close with a flaring performance (not for the faint-hearted or butter-fingered) by Neil. On a side note, I can't help but wonder if One Rochester makes it a point to hire only good lookers. But hey, beauty's a bonus if your staff know their stuff!

After some delectable nibbles laid out at the courtyard, the happy campers made their way home.

I was asked by some of the participants what our next event will be. Well let me just say that....

It'll be in May and it'll be crystal clear when we get closer to the date. All I can leak at this point is that it's going to be a hot and fiery affair!

Watch this space and stay tuned to The Living Room on 938LIVE!

Meantime, CHEERS from us to YOU!!!

Icing on The Cake @ Singapore Radio Awards 2010

2010-03-18T16:25:00.031+08:00

THANK YOU
if you're among the million people (guess-timate)
who voted for Pam and/or myself!

Up until yesterday, we were in the running for the Singapore Radio Awards 2010's "Most Popular Radio Personality on 938LIVE" award. This blog, yes, the one you're reading right now, was also up against stiff competition in the new 'Best Personality Blog' category.

The Living Roomers clinched one of the two categories we were nominated for! Thanks to our listeners, studio guests and friends in public relations agencies and corporate communications departments across the island who cast generous votes for us.

We're only as good as how impressed and appreciative you are with our 'work' (if we can even call it that). The award is a stamp of affirmation that we're doing something that's not only right, but doing something well and deserving of recognition. We're honoured and humbled.

Pam had suggested I blog about the win after clinching the Most Popular Radio Personality Award for 938LIVE. I was initially unsure. Would I be misconstrued as being self-indulgent? Self-effacement would be more appropriate, no? But after some thought, it'd firstly be polite and proper to thank listeners for their support. Pam also had these two questions for me:
1. How do you feel?
2. What do you see this award representing after almost a decade in the business?

So let me tackle the questions like a studio guest would on our couch...

1. It took me by surprise! And Pam and Melanie Oliveiro (of F-Cube fame) can vouch for that. I was happily snapping photos with my Canon 80IS right up to the moment I thought I heard my name being called. The screen projection below was the last shot I snapped before I slapped myself and leapt out of my seat to receive the trophy from Irene Ang.

In fact, I was so unprepared to give a thank you speech, I vaguely remember thanking listeners for their votes. Threw in mention of my parents after Irene had teased that radio ran in the family,(my brother had clinched the award for LUSH 99.5FM minutes earlier!), acknowledged a most supportive boss and saying something along the lines of the award being really received on behalf of all the fabulous presenters we had on 938LIVE!

2. The award's like the icing on a cake. The intrinsic value of the conversations Pam and I brew from The Living Room and what we distill from the hearts and minds of our guests is rewarding in itself. Every weekday, we take pride in knowing that our programme is like balm for the soul and knowledge for the mind. Beyond information and entertainment, we know The Living Room interviews are powerfully stirring, arousing, stimulating - words that all mean 'evocative'. That listeners don't just say to themselves, "Oh I see" but "Looks like I must do something about this then".

There's something else to be said about awards. Notice that the word 'war' appears smack in the middle of the word 'Award'? But instead of pitting one over the other, I say the award is really the pride and ownership of every presenter on 938LIVE, especially my dear Pamela, Bharati Jagdish & Keith De Souza (the morning's FRESH team), Melanie Oliveiro & Eugene Loh (your lunchtime companions on F-Cube), Daniel Martin, Janice Teo & Joel Chua (Body & Soul) and Michelle Martin & Will Xavier (your evening drive home on EXPRESS). The amount of dedication each one exudes and the long hours put in often goes unseen, but these go into making magic on 938LIVE every single day! Everyone's a winner! A round of applause for all please.

(Above: With winners from 938LIVE's sister stations - Gold 90FM (Brian Richmond), Class 95 (Jean Danker), LUSH 99.5FM (Hossan Leong) and Sin Yee (Symphony 92.4FM).

Singapore Radio Awards 2010 Tonight!!!

2010-03-17T08:33:00.004+08:00

It's Tonight, 8pm!!!

All the DJs from MediaCorp's 13 radio stations will come together to celebrate, together with international & local acts.

You can catch the event 'live' via webcast by clicking here.

Our Living Room blog is nominated for Best Personality Blog.

Whether we win or not tonight,

THANK YOU for your support!!!

This blog has always been about YOU, not us.

YOU are the reason why we do this.

Whizzing & Whirling The Universe

2010-03-16T15:28:00.050+08:00

REVIEW: Universal Studios Singapore

If you think New York on the east coast is a long way to Hollywood in the west, then you haven't been to Madagascar and back. Now that's Far Far Away, so far you think you might have hallucinations you're in Ancient Egypt, thrown back in time and in The Lost World. But mere metres away, you're back to the thrills of modern Sci-Fi City. Welcome to Universal Studios Singapore and its seven zones!

Ahead of the public opening this Thursday, 18th March, I was a happy camper with an invitation to suss out the thrills at Singapore's hippest attraction. With a buffet of 24 rides and attractions (a few remained closed at our time of visit), I was like a dog let out of a cage ready to run loose. Who's got time to look at the park map we were given?! My companions - Gold 90FM's Maggie, Hossan and Audrey. C'mon guys!

If you've been anywhere near or on Sentosa in recent months, you would have seen the blue and red roller coaster tracks that loop through towering white pylons. Battlestar Galactica ought to be the hottest ride in the theme park! Heard so much about it being the world's tallest duelling roller coasters and all. The publicity material tells me to choose a side - Human or Cylon. Trash that! No loyalties for me, I'll ride both. Thank you very much! First up, the Human Viper Mark II. Mustering enough courage, I walked up to the red bucket seat assigned and strapped myself in. Trying to look confident like I was a roller coaster junkie, I asked the ride attendant which was the scariest bit of the ride. I'm one who prefers to expect the expected. She said, "The sharp drop at the top of the ramp". I looked up. Gulp. My pulse was beginning to race. She was right. Who was to know if my heart was racing faster than the 90km/h the ride promised to be? After the first swoop, I was crying out for more heart-stopping action. My cry went unanswered. The rest of the ascents and depressions were mild, so too the cornerings. I wasn't done yet and consoled myself that I still hadn't gone on the 'fiercer' ride of the two - the red tracked Cylon Raider. So if you, like me, would like your first ride at the park to be 14-storeys in the sky, head directly to Sci-Fi City (make a right once you come through the entrance at Hollywood and round the corner at New York and you're there).

If you're planning to move through the park anti-clockwise, then Ancient Egypt awaits. You've got to take the Revenge of the Mummy ride! It's full of surprises and if I tell you what to expect, it wouldn't be a surprise any more would it?! So just take it. But you've got to keep your bags and any loose article on you (children and spouses excluded) in a locker. There's no charge for locker rental if your belongings are there for under 30 minutes.

Remember Wonderland at Kallang in the 70s and the one and only roller coaster it boasted back in the day? Well if you want to relive that particular ride (which is pretty tame compared to the Battlestar Galactica), then find it in Enchanted Airways in Far Far Away. If you or whoever you go with needs some time warming up to roller coaster rides, this has to be it.

Along the way, the maps came out again and we were losing our bearings after a restroom stop. But before our fingers started tracing the route we'd taken, a staff member walked over and asked if she could be of assistance. Kudos for her being so clued in and attentive to our needs. After asking if a certain attraction was open, she radioed a colleague to ask and promptly saved us a walk half way round the park. Speaking of attentive staff, they were also quick to spot some monkey business in one corner of the park when I decided to turn my world upside down with some slick moves I'd picked up from pole fitness class some months back!

We caught a breather at the beautiful Pantages Hollywood Theatre (where AI Finalist Adam Lambert recently performed), sitting down for live entertainment with the cast of Monster Rock. This is where Universal's monsters transform themselves into Rock 'n Roll stars. Don't let the pyrotechnics scare you.

We still wanted to fit in lunch before our time at the park expired, so it was a fast forward to where the excitement all began this morning - Battlestar Galatica. My brother who's more gung-ho of the two of us was yelping like a happy puppy when we got front row seats for Cylon Raider, the suspended coaster. I wasn't exactly doing a handstand or leaping for joy. There was this other guy who was sharing the first row with us, and we learnt that this was going to be his fourth ride while his wife waited for him way down there. He said he enjoyed an earlier ride where the energy and noise from those who rode with him was exhilirating. He made a mistake by sitting between my brother and I. I on his left and Hossan to his right, we gave him a surround sound experience he would never forget. We screamed at the top of our lungs at every corkscrew, dip and rise. This had to be the ride of my life and probably his last after my brother and I gave him a 'deaf' threat with all our screaming.

We had a dim sum lunch at Hollywood China Bistro before heading for the exit, flanked on both sides by boisterous staff who applauded and waved farewell to one and sundry. It was surreal - like we were being treated like emirs for braving our fears.

I almost never made it out of USS alive after a chance meeting with Beetlejuice...

...but am thankful he let me go to see another day and ride another roller coaster.

Hours of operation: Weekdays: 9am – 6pm
For this soft opening period, operating hours on Sat, Sun and Public Holidays are 9am - 6pm.

Ticketing Details: Click here!

Cocktail in the Afternoon?

2010-03-15T20:09:00.008+08:00

You must already have heard! The Living Room is partnering One Rochester this month for an exclusive Colonial Cocktail Workshop this Saturday, and Stan & I are mighty excited to be meeting you guys again to learn something new!

I was thrilled to host in The Living Room today the two mixologists who will be teaching us how to mix those 3 cocktails. They were Ivan Fernandez and Jill Bellah, and they were such a blast to chat with!

I especially enjoyed chatting with Group Operations & Marketing Manager of One Rochester Group, Juwanda Hassim. This guy is such a colourful chap (he's in theatre too!) that I swear I have to profile him separately some other time! *LOL*

Can't wait to see them again this Saturday! [L to R] Juwanda, Jill & Ivan from One Rochester.

It will be a hands-on experience so we'll be making our own cocktails, cutting fruits etc. And if you're keen to start immediately on making your own cocktails, well the good news is that there's a cocktail shaker included in the goodie bag! *woohoo* Plus, a $15 Martini voucher and a mini bottle of Bombay Sapphire worth $30!

OK, that's for the benefit of the typical Singaporean, where goodie bags matter! *LOL* But if you're not the typical Singaporean, then you'll be thrilled just to learn something new!

Come join us lah! Here are the details again. Spaces are limited, so don't wait. Get shakin'!

Colonial Cocktail Workshop

Sat 20 March

4pm to 7pm

(Registration at 3.30pm)

One Rochester

$30/pax or $50/pair

To register, call 6359-7314.

For more info, click here.

Or visit One Rochoster's website here.

Happy International Women's Day!!!

2010-03-08T21:34:00.007+08:00

It's 8 March today, and the world celebrates International Women's Day -- a day set aside by the United Nations in 1913 to acknowledge "ordinary women in their centuries-old struggle to participate in society on an equal footing with men".

But more so, I wanted to find out about the women's movement in Singapore, and the significance of IWD to us. Who better to tell us more than the Association of Women for Action & Research (AWARE), who have been in the forefront of advocacy work for women since 1985. In fact, this year they celebrate their 25th anniversary!

Corinna Lim, the newly-appointed Executive Director, and Dana Lam, President of AWARE tells us about the women's movement in Singapore.

Well, AWARE announced last week that they've appointed Corinna Lim as its new Executive Director. I was keen to meet her and hear from her, and I felt thankful that she and President Dana Lam were willing to make time to come & share with us, considering how busy they must be around this period.

And they were a blast! I didn't think it would be so easy to chat with them. We chatted about AWARE's new structure, as well as their plans for 2010. Also, I learnt more about our fight for women's rights in Singapore, which started in 1952, with the pioneering Singapore Council of Women, which activist Shirin Fozdar was a part of. Awesome stuff!

But taking a more global perspective, my conversation after this took us to Nepal, where Australian couple Adam & Rebecca Ordish started a foundation to empower girls & women there through scholarships, educational programmes & training opportunities.

Bec & Adam Ordish founded the Mitrataa Foundation to empower girls & women in Nepal.

They started the foundation about 10 years ago, after they spent 5 months living in Nepal as volunteer English teachers. Today, their Dream Catchers Scholarships sponsor hundreds of girls through school; their Dream Centres are havens for them to explore their passions & talents, like drama, dance & art; and the Daisy Chains initiative empowers women to start micro businesses.

The profits they make are not returned to Bec & Adam, but to the next batch of women, whom they also mentor. I was fascinated by this "pay it forward" concept. It leads to women empowering women to be financially independent, a community of business owners flourishes. The point, Bec & Adam tell me, is to work themselves out of a job in Nepal. Now shouldn't that be the aim of all NGOs?

It's awesome work they are doing there in Nepal. If you'd like to find out more or to support them, click here.

Oh yes, and I asked them what "Mitrataa" [pron. MEE-tre-tah] means. "Friendship," Adam explains. "When we were choosing a name, we thought that would be the most simple and accurate word, to establish lasting friendships with the wonderful people in Nepal."

Kumar: Stripped Bare & Standing Up

2010-03-07T21:06:00.004+08:00

I love Kumar!!! He is absolutely brilliant! And his wicked, irreverent humour always leaves me in stitches. I love that he makes fun of people, of late-comers, of himself. And he's not afraid to say it as it is. There are not many straight-up Singaporeans like him around -- and you know it.

I was down at the Esplanade Theatre this afternoon to catch him in action at Kumar: Stripped Bare & Standing Up and he was in top form. He totally shone. And of course, he looked gorgeous in drag. He even had his name in bright lights, which was something he always dreamed of, but I guess never expected would one day happen...

Even though Kumar made us laugh with his Merlion and Indian self-deprecating jokes, underlying it all - I felt - was painful honesty, openness, and just a need to be accepted and loved for who he is. The "wedding" video he made of himself, with his family & closest friends commenting on him, brought tears to my eyes.

The other highlight was when he sang the song from The Little Mermaid. He was lip synching of course, and it cracked everyone up! But that song carried in it such rich meaning, if you really listen to the words. It's about a girl, who is different, who just wants to be part of our world. It's a song of longing. I teared!

Growing up for Kumar was never easy. He always felt different. People always made fun of him, calling him names, especially in NS. He was abused as a child. And I guess he just struggled not only to be accepted, but also to accept himself.

In our interview with the man, he was unusually sombre and reflective. He shared with us that he was raped at 10, which surprised me because I've never heard him share that in previous interviews. He told us that he hid that fact for many years because he felt ashamed. But now that he's in his 40s, he's embraced it and is able to talk about it more openly.

A sombre & reflective Kumar in The Living Room.

"If I were to ask your closest friends what Kumar is really like, what would they say?" I asked him.

"That he's always looking for love," Kumar responds with a wry smile.

"And are you looking for love?" Stanley interjects.

"I'm currently in a relationship," Kumar reveals. "But it's never enough, is it? Love is never enough."

Away from the limelight, Kumar admits to be a quiet person. He enjoys the company of close friends, where he can be 100% himself.

Looking at how far he has become, I realise that it's only when we accept ourselves for who we are, when we stop fighting to be who the world expects us to be, when we can come to love ourselves and say, "hey, it's OK to be me", that freedom comes.

And I think that's where Kumar is. The moment he embraced himself, put on a dress, and behaved as he naturally would, without care of what others may think or what others, he became KUMAR. And he soared!!!

I never thought I'd say this, but Kumar inspires me. Not only after that soulful chat in The Living Room, but more so, after watching Kumar: Stripped Bare & Standing Up.

From him, I'm challenged to be honest and open about who I am. Come on, there will always be people who will criticise, condemn or reject us. You can't please everyone. And approval is seriously over-rated. A wise friend once said to me, "It's better to have one person accept you totally, than 100 who approve of you."

I left the Esplanade Theatre feeling uplifted by Kumar's courage, touched by his talent, and of course, with a silly grin on my face.

Ironman Luke McKenzie!

2010-03-03T07:30:00.005+08:00

What does it take to be a 3x Ironman Champion?

My guest today placed 1st in the Ironman Japan Championship in course record time in

2008 and 2009, and emerged Champion yet again in Langkawi last year at the Ironman Malaysia. He has also placed Top 10 in races all over the United States and Australia.

His name is Luke McKenzie.

Luke was born & raised in NSW Australia. He now resides in Queensland, Australia, as well as in the US, shuttling between California & Oregon. He took part in his first triathlon in 1995, at the age of 15, and won. That was it ~ the lad was hooked. He started racing professionally at 18, and internationally at 20.

Today, he travels the world to compete as a professional triathlete, and we're indeed glad he's made a stop in Singapore so that we can grab him on our coach!

Tune in to 938LIVE today, 11.10am-noon to catch that interview!

Encore broadcast:

11.10pm, 938LIVE

About 2.30am, Channel NewsAsia

Save the Tiger

2010-02-26T15:36:00.011+08:00

Tiger, tiger, burning bright

In the forests of the night,

What immortal hand or eye

Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies

Burnt the fire of thine eyes?

On what wings dare he aspire?

What the hand dare seize the fire?

And what shoulder and what art

Could twist the sinews of thy heart?

And when thy heart began to beat,

What dread hand and what dread feet?

That the hammer? What the chain?

In what furnace was thy brain?

What the anvil? What the grasp

Dare its deadly terrors clasp?

When the stars threw down their spears,

And water'd heaven with their tears,

Did He smile His work to see?

Did He who made the lamb make thee?

Tiger, tiger, burning bright

In the forests of the night,

What immortal hand or eye

Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

~ William Blake (1757 - 1827) ~

I am not sure Blake saw a real tiger in his lifetime. Even those who work tirelessly to save them from extinction today hardly get a glimpse of them, save for the occasional tracks they spot in Tiger Reserves. Perhaps back in the 1700s, tigers roamed more freely and had closer brushes with humans.

Just 100 years ago, there were close to 100,000 tigers in the wild. Today, that number hovers around 3,200. And if nothing is done to protect them, it's highly possible tigers will become extinct before the next Lunar Year of the Tiger, 2022.

What Michael Baltzer, Leader of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Tiger Network Initiative told me shocked me. After all, the tiger is the biggest of all cats and top of the food chain. What could possibly threaten them to extinction?

"Their habitat has shrunk to 7% of what it used to be," explains Michael. "In that way, it has brought man and animal really close, causing a lot of tension. It has led to many tigers being killed."

But more so, Michael confirms what I've long suspected. It's always man's greed, isn't it? That diminishes our precious wildlife. It happened with sharks, and it's happening with many other animals poached for their body parts.

"The irony is that because the tiger is associated with power and strength, that has led to its downfall," Michael says. "They are hunted for their body parts for folklore medicinal reasons. People, especially the Chinese, believe that if they eat tiger parts they will be strong -- even though TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) associations have issued countless messages denying that. It's an uphill task educating them and changing mindsets."

The Tiger Man: Michael Baltzer, head of WWF's global tiger conservation efforts, shares the causest close to his heart.

Michael has worked tirelessly for many years saving the tiger across various continents. In 1999 - 2004, he joined WWF and was based in Vietnam, working to protect the tigers there, as well as in Cambodia and Laos. In 2004, he was seconded from Vietnam to Vienna to be Director of WWF's programme in Eastern Europe. But even before joining WWF, he was already involved in tiger conservation efforts in Africa & Southeast Asia.

The Tiger Network Initiative has been around since WWF was founded, but efforts have been stepped up these past 2 years. This year being the Lunar Year of the Tiger, a global initiative has recently been launched. Named the Tx2 Campaign, the initiative hopes to double the number of tigers by the next Year of the Tiger 2022.

And we can all get involved in several ways: By not buying tiger parts. We all know that "once the buying stops, the killing will too". It applies to sharks & sharksfin too.

We can also support the work of the World Wildlife Fund by joining them as a member, and perhaps if we are parents, involving our children as well. Nothing beats starting them from young!

Michael Baltzer is giving a talk about tiger conservation this Sunday, and if you are free in the afternoon, I strongly encourage you to go down, meet him, hear him, and ask him questions. He will convince you (with his passion) that you and I need to be involved.

The Realities for the Wild Tiger Today

Sun, 28 Feb

3pm - 4pm

National Geographic Store

VivoCity, #01-19

Admission FREE!

Read Us? Love Us? Vote Us!

2010-02-26T09:25:00.018+08:00

This blog is in the running for the
Best Radio Personality Blog Award
at
Singapore Radio Awards 2010!

Yes, The Living Room blog is a nominee (938LIVE's only blog nominee) for this prestigious category to be introduced at the Awards for the very first time!

Pam and I have thoroughly enjoyed many caffeine fixes, sacrificing sleep to bring more of The Living Room to you! Beyond what you hear on air, there's so much more that you don't hear and see. It was never about self-indulgence or glorification. It was never about us; it was always about YOU.

This was primarily the reason that gave birth to this blog in late 2008. To turn back the clock to our earliest blog entries, click here.

Apart from straight-on reportage, we try to be as creatively comprehensive in showcasing our guests and our show to you. Hope you've enjoyed the blog entries and will continue to be a lifelong follower of this blog.

Your vote costs nothing but means everything!
Directions >>> Click here, then click on the button beside our blog, click 'Next' and fill in your particulars!
No $$$ at all!
[Hurry 'cos voting ends on Sun, 7th March 2010!]

We thoroughly appreciate YOUR vote!!! May the best blog win!!!

Man at the Helm of Singapore Sports

2010-02-24T08:01:00.017+08:00

Correct me if I'm wrong. But I do remember a time when there were NO JOGGERS on the roads. When I was a kid, I think I'd be very curious if I saw someone running "for no reason", except to catch an SBS bus.

But these days, GOSH. I can't walk down any street in Singapore (not even Orchard Road or Clark Quay!), at any time of day, without bumping into someone jogging... or cycling.

The sports culture here has blossomed, and it seems there are more people who are keeping fit than there are couch potatoes.... like me! (no wonder I host The Living Room!)

On the record, this is the 3rd year I'm making a New Year's resolution to start running again, and Feb is already almost gone. And where am I? Still here blogging... on the couch! :(

But we are not here to talk about me. We're here to talk about my guest in The Living Room yesterday. Yes, he came in yesterday, but I didn't want to blog about him after the Barista Competition entry lest he gets lost in the coffee grind! *LOL* So he gets a whole blog entry to himself! *grin*

He is Oon Jin Teik. Man at the helm of Singapore sports. Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Sports Council.

I actually bumped into Jin Teik when a mutual friend of ours, Jeremy Lim, brought the coaches of Barcelona FC down to Singapore for a week-long soccer clinic. Jin Teik's 2 younger sons were attending it, and my 2 boys as well. We were introduced informally at the gravel carpark of the football field at Dempsey!

But it was only when I went through Jin Teik's bio that I realised what a "celebrity" he is! He'll probably smack the back of my head for saying that, but this ex-ACS boy is a national swimmer who was voted Sportsboy of the Year in 1980, and even represented Singapore in the 1984 Olympics Games in Los Angeles!

And who would have guessed that this avid sportsman was also 2nd violinist with the Singapore Philharmonic Orchestra?! :0 He seemed a little bashful when I brought it up, but it just shows what a well-rounded individual he is. Who would've guessed, seriously? It's like Troy in High School Musical! *LOL*

I totally enjoyed chatting with Oon Jin Teik, CEO of the Singapore Sports Council!

There were many things Jin Teik said that hit home because he's just very down-to-earth. One thing that struck me was his philosophy in life. It's something my late Grandpa used to tell me too as a little girl growing up: Don't do things to others that you don't want others to do to you.

I love that. So true. And he also mentioned being open to learn. From everyone. And for a man who helms a large government agency, it's a very humblething to say. He reminded me about the importance of openness & humility in my interactions with people -- no matter what rank I hold in society.

This is why I've dedicated an entire blog entry to Oon Jin Teik. I'm glad I bumped into him at that gravel carpark at Dempsey as we were both dropping our kids off at soccer training! *LOL* You never know when a beautiful conversation can result from a chance meeting.

Making the Perfect Cuppa!

2010-02-23T19:07:00.009+08:00

Wake up and smell the coffee!!!

I just have to have my cuppa in the mornings... and afternoons... I average about 3 cups a day. While I do love the traditional kopi at the hawker centre (yes, complete with condense milk!), I quite enjoy the whole romance of the espresso bar as well.

And today I was thrilled to be able to chat with a couple of baristas (my kind of people) about pulling the perfect shot of espresso. This is ahead of the Singapore National Barista Competition 2010, which runs from this Thursday through Saturday, and will see 33 baristas pit their skills against each other for the chance to represent Singapore in the annual World Barista Competition.

And one of my guests has won this title twice (2007 & 2008), representing Singapore in the World Barista Competition in Atlanta, USA. In fact, he did our nation proud by placing 21st internationally!

His name is John Ting, and he's currently Head Barista at Oriole Cafe & Bar. It was clear to me that this young man is driven by passion. The way he talks about coffee..... not only does he know so much, he makes me want to go out and grab my cuppa... like now! *LOL*

We also had 2 participants of this year's competition joining us: Mohd Aslam bin Kamsan and Lynette Huang. Aslam is a Product Development Specialist Beverage (F&B) with Spinelli Coffee Company, and been 7 years in the industry, while Lynette is a barista at Wild Honey.

Lynette started her journey back in 2000 with Starbucks Coffee, then took a 2 year hiatus to pursue a diploma in design. But hey, she's back with a vengeance! "... to your first love," I tease her.

Passion & Coffee: [clockwise from left] Aslam, Pam, John, Victor, Lynette.

It was also a pleasure for me to meet Victor Mah, President of the Singapore Coffee Association. In fact, I got a text from my good friend Su that my coffee connoisseur guest is her neighbour and she didn't even know he was President of SCA! That's how humble he is. *grin*

And he's such a colourful & knowledgeable character. I totally enjoyed chatting with him, and I learnt so much from him too -- about the history of the barista profession, as well as the SCA which in fact was established back in the 1950s, as an association for coffee traders here. Oh, how it has grown!

Well, as expected, I went out and bought myself a cuppa coffee after! *LOL* It's sad that I can't drink coffee before I go on-air, as it makes my throat a tad raspy. So you will know if I've drunk coffee in the mornings...... if I sound like a toad! *LOL*

Coffee wakes me up, and as my ex-boss from publishing used to say, "You should buy Starbucks stocks!" I used to head into work with a Tall Mocha every morning. Gosh. Some things never change..... I think I take after my mum! *gasp*

Singapore National Barista Competition

25 - 27 Feb

Suntec City Convention Centre

(Rooms 303 & 304)

Admission is FREE.

Catch the finals on Sat 27 Sat, 11am. There's free flow of coffee!