It’s tough to get people excited about the weather.
And it’s even tougher in tropical Singapore, where it’s pretty much only wet or dry every day.
So the country’s national newspaper appears to have taken it upon itself to spice up its weather updates, by slipping in the odd quip and pop-culture reference:
So-called ‘death cafes’ – meetings in which people discuss death while sipping tea in a relaxed setting – have been gaining attention recently. What are these events like?
A little more than 10 men and women gathered in a room at Josenji Temple in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo. Once settled, they began to speak freely about death.
“My husband’s cancer diagnosis made me realise for the first time that everyone will die someday. I want to spend the time I have left with my husband pleasantly,” one participant said.
Another said: “My mother-in-law never suffered a single illness, but she withered away like a flower. I hoped she would die peacefully.”
A warm atmosphere free from gloom prevailed at the meeting. A 57-year-old self-employed woman from Saitama Prefecture explained: “I could never have this kind of conversation at work or in my neighborhood. We can speak up casually because we’re strangers to each other.”
The death cafe was organised by Chikako Kodaira, 55, of Mother Leaf, a group that holds workshops mainly on shukatsu – preparations for the end of life.
Learning about shukatsu made her realise that people lacked a place where they could discuss death. In September last year, Kodaira began to organise death cafes once a month at such locations as Buddhist temples.
In response to her announcement about the cafe on a blog, people across a wide age range – from their 30s to 80s – and from every part of the Tokyo metropolitan area began to gather for the events.
A variety of reasons drive people to visit the cafes, including having experienced a loved one’s illness or death. Others are struggling with vague worries or questions about death.
“It’s my hope that they hear all sorts of thoughts on death, and discover their own views on life and death,” Kodaira said.
The first death cafe is believed to have been organised about 10 years ago by a Swiss sociologist in the wake of his wife’s death. They began to spread across Europe starting around 2011, and events are now organised in about 40 countries.
The cafes aim to encourage people to fully enjoy the limited time they have in life through discussing and being conscious of death, instead of considering it a taboo. Such events are spreading in Japan as well.
In the Kansai region, a group called Wakazo – mainly young monks from Kyoto – organises a death cafe that attracts many young adults in their 20s and 30s. They exchange views on topics such as “If you were to die in 10 seconds, what would your last message be, and to whom would you deliver it?”
According to group leader Koyu Tsuruno, 29, some people leave cafe events feeling refreshed and saying things like, “The event gave me an opportunity to think about what to do from here on out.”
Young people have fewer chances to confront death as related customs, including visiting the family grave or attending memorial services, have begun to fade due to the growing nuclearization of families.
Against this backdrop, Tsuruno said, “Many people apparently have undefined anxieties about death.”
A death cafe held about once every two months in Sendai is also aimed at preventing isolation. With music and poetry recitations performed in the interval between discussions, the cafe provides an atmosphere anyone can enjoy.
The cafe is hosted by 48-year-old translator Masatoshi Shoji, who had struggled over the death of his wife.
“Some people shut their heart in the wake of a loved one’s death, isolating themselves from the people around them. I hope that [the cafe] will help people avoid isolation by providing them the chance to speak casually about death,” Shoji said.
Regarding the expansion of death cafes, Katsuhiko Fujimori, chief researcher at Mizuho Information & Research Institute and an expert on social security issues, pointed out, “It probably occurred because we’ve entered an era in which people are conscious about quality of life during the last stage of their lives.”
Advancements in medicine have enabled people to live longer with disease. Whether to continue life-prolonging treatments has also become an important choice for many.
How to approach death is a theme in everyone’s life. Even so, vaguely pondering death by oneself seldom results in a solution.
Fujimori said: “You may feel your mind has cleared after having a series of conversations. It may be a good idea to take memos at a death cafe to help you realise your intentions regarding end-of-life treatment and nursing care.”
They live alone. Some have lost their wife, husband or children.
For many of these seniors, the night visits from a stranger is something that they look forward to.
Ms Ng Run Qian, 29, is one such “stranger”.
Since volunteering with Lions Befrienders in 2009 when she was still a National University of Singapore undergraduate, Ms Ng has befriended about 90 seniors in Clementi and Mountbatten.
Together with the Befrienders team, she visits the seniors at their homes at night, chatting and providing a listening ear.
In this episode of Heroes Among Us, Ms Ng, who works as a maths tutor, talks about how these seniors have come to regard her as family, and even call her their god-daughter.
The eight-part video series explores the stories of ordinary Singaporeans who overcome challenges to pursue extraordinary lives.
This article was first published on Feb 5, 2017. Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.
With his movies being ones we grew up watching and loving, Jackie Chan is perhaps the quintessential Asian action star that many look up to.
Mixing wit, action and humour, the Jackie Chan of today is a silver screen hero who, three months ago, received his highest honour yet – an honorary Oscar.
Here are some lessons we can learn from him.
Set A Goal, And Continue To Do What You Believe In
That journey to receiving an Oscar isn’t an easy path – only coming after spending 56 years in the film industry, being in over 200 films, and breaking lots of bones.
For years, Chan was chided by his father about the reasons as to why he hasn’t won an Oscar despite being so decorated with awards in other parts of the world.
He simply brushed it off, saying that because he only made action-comedy movies, he would never be in the running for that award.
It was only after he visited friend and fellow Hollywood star, Sylvester Stallone’s home where he got a hands on with an actual Oscar trophy did it change his mind about wanting one.
After that day, he continued to make film after film in Hong Kong and Hollywood, and was eventually being recognised for his contributions.
“Why did I become Jackie Chan? Mostly because I work very hard. When people were sleeping, I was training.”
Look Up To Your Hero, But Don’t Be Him
Having worked as a stuntman to Bruce Lee, many view Chan as his successor in the post-Bruce Lee era, bridging the gap between Hollywood and Hong Kong.
But that’s where the similarities end.
The last thing Chan wanted to become was “the next Bruce Lee”, even after getting words of encouragement from the man himself.
So naturally, he started pursuing his own signature style of martial arts and action films, eventually carving out his own brand and name.
“I never wanted to be the next Bruce Lee. I just wanted to be the first Jackie Chan.”
Build Not Just A Company, But Also A Family
Last but not least, we definitely can’t forget the people behind each and every one of his films – the Jackie Chan Stunt Team.
For 40 years since 1976, they have been by Chan’s side film after film, and the team’s now in their 8th generation.
Throughout his career, Chan has seen many of his ventures folded, but his stunt team will always somehow pull through despite the difficulties faced – and this is because he treats his stuntmen as family, as brothers.
In a recent episode of a Chinese variety show which Chan appeared on, a tribute videos from all of his ex-stuntmen was shown.
In each of their tear-filled testimonies, there was a common theme all the way – about how he treated them like they were more than just employees, because he was a true embodiment of martial arts, loyalty and brotherhood.
A sentiment that he expects each and every stuntmen to abide by, because if not, Chan will simply bar them from joining.
Then came stories about how in the early days, despite being the boss, he would split the earnings with his assistants equally, and he would even help them settle the down-payment for a home and even a car, despite not being financially well-off at the start.
And it is not just the material things.
Simple gestures such as giving his assistant a jacket to brave the cold in spite of him just wearing a thin undershirt is just one example of how he helps others first before himself.
The Legend Of Jackie Chan Will Continue To Live On
Despite all his accolades, there are no signs of Jackie Chan slowing down.
With six movies set to come out this year alone (including some voice work in a LEGO movie), expect to see more of Jackie Chan and his stunt team on the big screen soon.
“My dream is to continue filming until my body tells me to stop.”
Vulcan Post is all about living life with a digital edge, up and coming startups, and people who inspire conversations. Visit Vulcan Post for more stories.
At least three policemen are facing investigation after being recognised in photos alongside alleged Lao drug lord Xaysana Keopimpha.
Two more celebrities, meanwhile, will be summoned for questioning in relation to the expanding investigation into Xaysana’s alleged drugs network in Thailand. Famous motorcycle racer Akarakit Worarojcharoendet, better known “Benz Racing”, was the first prominent figure to have his name linked to Xaysana.
National Police Commissioner Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda had ordered probes into reported links between three Thai police and Xaysana, Pol Colonel Krissana Pattanacharoen said yesterday, in his role as deputy spokesman of the National Police Office.
The investigations will start based on pictures showing the policemen posing alongside Xaysana, who was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport last month on drugs charges.
“The probes will determine what kinds of connections these police officers have had with the alleged drugs kingpin,” Krissana said.
Meanwhile, deputy chief of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) Pol Maj-General Pornchai Charoenwong said police would summon two more celebrities for questioning. “But I can’t disclose details yet,” he said.
Xaysana had portrayed himself as a rich and well-connected man from Laos, throwing many parties in Thailand and acquainting himself with well-known celebrities and other influential figures in recent years.
As the ongoing investigation into Xaysana’s alleged network has grown, police suspect that some celebrities in Thailand assisted him with money laundering and asset concealment.
Akarakit was the first Thai celebrity to be implicated in the scandal. His home and car-accessory shop were searched last week and he turned himself in to the NSB last Friday.
According to Akarakit, he does not know Xaysana personally but had borrowed Bt6 million from Nattapon Nakkam, who was recently arrested for allegedly facilitating drug deals for Xaysana.
“Nattapon and Akarakit have provided conflicting information about the purpose of the Bt6-million loan,” Pornchai said.
He also said Nattapon and Akarakit had transferred money back and forth for more than one year. “In this period, there were also some suspicious deposits in Akarakit’s bank accounts,” Pornchai added.
Asked about reports that Xaysana’s network may have also involved the children of former politicians, Pornchai said relevant authorities would look further into the details.
Aspiring singer-songwriter Shak’thiya Subramaniamm’s early stage performances were not always about music.
His roots lie in spoken word poetry.
One day, he tried singing and was so touched by the audience’s response that he has not looked back since.
“I played a song. This person from the audience, after I was done, came up to me, gave me a hug and said ‘Dude, that was amazing, you should never stop playing’. That was pretty nice.”
The 25-year-old, who also goes by the stage name Shak, performs in the fifth episode of the third season of ST Sessions, The Straits Times’ online video series featuring rising talents in the home-grown music scene performing stripped-down live sets.
The video can be viewed at http://str.sg/st-sessions.
“Just knowing that someone liked my songs, that’s good enough for me,” he says in the video.
Performing either solo or with a band called Shak And The Baits, he dives into a mix of folk, soul, jazz, blues and hip-hop.
The bachelor is part of the current batch of young and promising talents in the National Arts Council’s Noise Singapore Music Mentorship programme.
He has performed at events such as the Singapore Night Festival 2016 and at venues including the Esplanade Concourse.
He plays two original tunes in ST Sessions.
The first, Sleep Talk, was inspired by his sleeping habits.
“There was one night, I was sleeping and apparently I was talking in my sleep. My mum came into my room and saw me. When I woke up, she said, ‘Do you know that you talk in your sleep?'”
He did not, but what he remembered was the dream he was having, about him falling in love.
The second song, Funny That Way, is his way of saying that “when bad things happen, just take it and move on”.
ST Sessions’ third season is part of a series of digital video programmes under a partnership between the Info-communications Media Development Authority and Singapore Press Holdings.
The new season features eight acts, including singer-songwriter Tim De Cotta and Theodora Lau. A new episode is launched every other Friday.
This article was first published on Feb 3, 2017. Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.
PETALING JAYA: The “Ah Moi” in that famous MyEg advertisement is going places. Malaysian actress Sarah Lian has won the Best Supporting Actress award at the Los Angeles Film Awards (Lafa) for her role as Anna in Dax Phelan’s directorial feature film Jasmine.
The winners were announced by Lafa on Sunday.
“I won Best Supporting Actress at LA Film Awards! Thank you to the LA Film Awards for such an honour!
“A big congratulations to everyone who was nominated this year,” she said on her Facebook page yesterday.
Jasmine is a psychological thriller produced, written and directed by Phelan and revolves around Hong Kong businessman Leonard To who is reeling from the death of his wife.
On the first anniversary of her death, he meets a stranger who he is convinced has a connection to the murder of his wife.
Lian plays a model and an aspiring actress in the film. Jasmine competed against Magic Radio, The Lurking Man, Dress Rehearsal, Karma and Along the River to win the coveted Best Picture award.
It swept an additional five awards: Best Director, Best Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Editing and Honourable Mention for Sound Design.
“Jasmine has an intriguing story with a twist at the end that I didn’t see coming.
“The overall production value was excellent with regard to cinematography and sound as well as the lead actor’s performance, which was superb,” lead judge Skip Bolden was quoted as saying on the Lafa website.
Sarah first shot to fame as Ah Moi in the 2010 advertisement before starring in movies in Singapore, Hong Kong and Canada, among others.
DID YOU KNOW? Chingay means “the art of costume and masquerade” in Hokkien. Over 8000 participants will bring to life the traditional vibrant, multicultural street performance and float parade from 10 -11 Feb. Here’s a sneak peek at what you can expect.
DID YOU KNOW? Chingay means “the art of costume and masquerade” in Hokkien. Over 8000 participants will bring to life the traditional vibrant, multicultural street performance and float parade from 10 -11 Feb. Here’s a sneak peek at what you can expect.
Lady Gaga will not receive any compensation for her performance, an NFL spokesperson confirmed to CNBC.
The NFL says halftime show viewership lets artists reach a massive and engaged audience around the world.
“Pepsi also provides a season-long promotional programme that provides tremendous exposure to our performers,” the spokesman told CNBC in an email.
Gaga, who Money reports is releasing a new album soon, opened her performance with a medley of American patriotic songs before floating into the stadium and singing high-energy hits.
The number of littering fines meted out has hit a seven-year high, proof that old habits die hard.
For decades, the different agencies have worked hard to clean out litterbugs.
While there were some winners – today’s pristine Singapore River being the biggest success story – it appears the problem has never really left us and has only become worse.
The number of fines issued each year has been on an upward trajectory since 2012, when 8,195 were issued.
Last year, more than 31,000 fines and 1,700 corrective work orders (CWOs) were issued to litterbugs.
The number of CWOs issued was also higher than in the previous five years.
As soon as the numbers made the news, the blame game started with some netizens singling out foreigners.
When they realised that more than six in 10 litterbugs caught were Singapore residents, they directed their unhappiness at new citizens and permanent residents.
There have been calls for the authorities to be tougher on litterbugs.
This includes reverting to the “show-and-shame” practice of the 1990s, where offenders were made to clean public areas, with their pictures splashed across newspapers the day after.
Besides an enforcement blitz, Public Hygiene Council chairman Edward D’Silva suggested displaying a scorecard for each estate with the number of litterbugs caught.
That way, residents have a stake in keeping their estates clean.
The spike in fines is indicative of tougher enforcement action.
There have also been campaigns to pique the sense of social consciousness, while penalties for littering were raised in April 2014.
Sticks and carrots have been used. But it may be time for a different approach.
Sharing her experience in Japan, the chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for the Environment, Ms Lee Bee Wah, said she witnessed how passers-by surrounded a man who had littered and told him off.
She said: “That is the mindset we need, that cleanliness is everyone’s responsibility.”
samboh@sph.com.sg
This article by The Straits Times was published in The New Paper, a free newspaper published by Singapore Press Holdings.
