Living In Singapore
Last week, I was at a gathering with some Thai and Malaysian filmmakers. I asked the Thai filmmakers about their political unrest. The Malaysian filmmakers about the missing plane. They in turn asked me how I was coping. Living in the most expensive city in …
Stopping The Bully
She is 81. Like some actresses, she has had plastic surgery. Last year, she was honoured at the Cannes Film Festival where she was greeted with a standing ovation. On March 2 this year, she presented an award at the Oscars with the actor of …
The Morning Glory
This month, Singaporeans are captivated by the Trumpet Tree, also known as Pink Poui, flowering across the island. They are like our Sakura Trees, those blooming in Japan right now. I am captivated. The pink flowers on the trees and those fallen on the ground …
What Is In A Logo?
When was the last time a logo created so much talk? Generated so much scope for people from all walks of life to use as a platform to express their feelings on design, their understanding of aesthetics, their views of how wrong or how right …
The Big Hotel
On a business trip in Beijing last week, I stayed at the Marriott, a hotel that is new to me. I have been staying at the Sofitel for a while. It met my needs and was within my budget. To most of my friends and …
Art Republic
This week, some fast and furious questions were directed at me – ‘What is so good about ‘Ilo Ilo’?’ ‘A story about a maid and her employers. How good can it be?’ ‘I was busy, I didn’t have time to watch it. Do you think …
A Place To Go Back To
A few weeks ago, I attended a launch event for a new singer. Near the venue, I chanced upon Stefanie Sun whom I have not met for a while. She asked if I was there for the same event. I would discover later she was …
The Five Boys By The River
Do you sometimes feel when you see something for the first time, that you have seen it before? A familiarity. Like seeing an old friend. You know for a fact that it is the first time. But the feeling lingers. When the Singapore General Post …
Lessons From A Tuition Teacher
Have you heard this rather odd saying? ‘A child educated in school is an uneducated child.’ I have often thought about the regiments of education and when even our Prime Minister, in his National Day Rally speech, expressed his wish that our school system focuses …
A Feeling Of Coming Home
Last week, a visiting friend, one of the most mindful persons I know, related an intriguing story about relocation. A scientist, she had achieved a good standing and a comfortable life in her hometown. She never left the UK until she went on a holiday …