It was a fun day out with the animals for the participants of The New Paper Courts Big Walk on Saturday.

About 5,000 people – including couples, families with children, and the elderly – turned up despite the rainy weather to complete a scenic 5km route through the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari.

Many took the opportunity to stop along the way to pose for photos and selfies at strategic spots in front of the enclosures of animals such as elephants, zebras and giraffes.

School canteen operator Terry Lim, 41, who was at the event with his wife and nine-year-old son, said: “It’s so hard to have family time these days, so we thought we should take some time out here to look at the animals and have fun.”

The non-competitive fun walk, which was first held in 1991, holds the Guinness World Record as the event with the largest number of walkers with 77,500 taking part in 2000.

The women stole the show at the Golden Horse Awards on Saturday evening – both on stage and on the red carpet.

The Golden Horse, Taiwan’s equivalent of the Oscars, honours the best in Asian cinema over the past year. It was held at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei.

Taiwanese actress Shu Qi, 40, one of the guest presenters of the night, was teased endlessly by event host Matilda Tao.

Tao sent the audience into a frenzy when she said: “I really have to thank Shu Qi for coming here. Furthermore, she is wearing high heels.

“Is this hint obvious enough? I’ll leave the media to make their guesses. Anyway, if she doesn’t admit or deny, the speculation can go on for another three months.”

Taos’ remarks seemed to suggest that Shu, who had announced her marriage to Hong Kong actor Stephen Fung in September, is pregnant with her first child.

Chinese couples consider it unlucky to announce a pregnancy till after the first trimester.

Shu appeared surprised at Tao’s spontaneous ribbing. Later, Shu’s manager told reporters backstage that she is “not pregnant”, insisting that “the two ladies were just joking around”.

Chinese star Fan Bingbing, 35, who was in an elegant Elie Saab blue gown, took the opportunity to send her belated thanks to the Golden Horse Awards organising committee for handing her the Best Supporting Actress accolade in 2006, in recognition of her performance in horror flick The Matrimony.

“Ten years ago, I couldn’t attend the awards ceremony,” she said.

“When I received the news that I had won, I was so jubilant and in my mind, I was going, ‘This is crazy. Unbelievable.’ Thank you very much, Golden Horse,” said Fan, who was nominated this time round for Best Actress, but did not win.

The acclaimed Chinese coming-of-age film Soul Mate scored a double win in the Best Actress category, with both its leading stars Zhou Dongyu and Ma Sichun sharing the award. 

On the red carpet, Italian-Taiwanese actress Tiffany Hsu, 32, turned heads with her cleavage-baring white gown that reportedly cost $150 million RMB (S$3 million).

Malaysian singer and songwriter Zee Avi flew the flag high for South-east Asia by winning Best Original Film Song for Arena Cahaya, which she had penned for the Malaysian sports film Ola Bola.

“This is a movie about unity and diversity. I’m very proud to be able to be part of this project that has so much love,” said the 30-year-old musician.

Veteran French actress Juliette Binoche, 52, brought a touch of European glamour to the awards ceremony when she presented an award with Taiwanese arthouse filmmaker Hou Hsiao-Hsien.

“You have directors who just want to fit in, and you have directors who have a vision and want to make a difference. Hou is such a director. You don’t know how much we love him in Europe,” Binoche praised Hou effusively, to cheers from the crowd.

“I’m looking forward to working with more of you guys in Asia,” she added.

When choosing a secondary school, Aasmiya Mohamed Tahriq, 12, is considering three key points: the school’s cutoff point, proximity to her home, and whether it offers her mother tongue.

She said: “My family and I (listed) several schools around my Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) marks and chose those near my home at Farrer Park. Schools not offering Tamil language as mother tongue are also excluded from our list.”

She attended Beatty Secondary School’s open house with her sister last Friday.

The school will open its doors to prospective students and parents until tomorrow.

It is known for its achievements in the performing arts and uniformed groups.

Its principal, Mrs Marion Tan, said: “(Through this open house) we want to highlight the school’s holistic education, which includes developing our students’ critical and inventive thinking, as well as their information literacy skill.

“Such skills are honed through community or subject-based project work, hence making learning more meaningful and engaging for students.”

Another visitor at the open house, customer service executive Chew Ching Huat, 51, explained how his family helped his daughter, Charlene Chew, 12, choose a secondary school.

CUT-OFF POINTS 

Knowing his daughter scored above 220 for PSLE, he zeroed in on schools where the cut-off point last year was between 210 and 230.

They visited several schools to gauge how helpful the teachers were and how the students behaved.

“After this, we’ll discuss which suits her most, which interests her, taking into account our own observation during the open house,” Mr Chew said.

Ms Elleen Goh, 44, was starting a year early, taking her daughter, who is in Primary 5, to the open houses at four schools.

Ms Goh said: “I think it’ll be helpful so she can see what the schools are like, know for herself what school she wants, and work hard for it.

“Her secondary school (options) depend on her marks and her own preference.

“She will be the one doing the homework and shouldering the burden of schooling. So I think it’s fair if she decides where to go.”

It is not unusual for some fans to go to extremes to please their favourite stars.

They shower their idols with lavish gifts, or do everything they can to meet them in person.

But pull sponsors together to pay for a wedding?

Malaysian TV personalities Amyra Rosli, 25, and Amar Baharin, 31, have already held their wedding – twice.

But with effort from some of their fans, they will be celebrating their marriage for a third time on Saturday.

The couple, who first tied the knot on Nov 11, have already held two receptions in Kuala Lumpurfor their families and friends.

The third reception, which will be held here, is for their Singapore fans.

The project was spearheaded by Madam Asliani Abdul Ghani, who heads Amyra’s local fan club, Aamyra Rosli Supporters Singapore,together with local events company FA Event & Entertainment.

The fan club has nearly 29,000 followers on Instagram.

News of the third reception, which is estimated to cost more than $50,000, irked some users of social media, with critics calling it a waste of money.

But Madam Asliani, 36, who has been a fan of the couple for four years, feels the effort and money will be worthwhile.

She told The New Paper: “I can understand how disappointed the fans felt when they were unable to travel to attend the wedding.

“This is a present to their fans for their support over the years.”

SPONSORS

Madam Asliani, a logistics officer, set the wheels in motion after attending the couple’s engagement ceremony in July. She also received the go-ahead from Amyra’s mother, who is a close friend.

Within three weeks, she and her team of five secured 22 sponsors for the reception. 

There will be about 300 guests at the event, to be held at The Ballroom at East Coast, which is owned by local radio personality AB Shaik.

Said Madam Asliani: “We gave priority to big fans who were unable to attend past events, those who have paid in the past for their meet-and-greet sessions, and members of the public who have never had a chance to meet the couple.”

Amyra and Amar, who grew close when they co-starred in the 2015 Malaysian TV drama series Suamiku Encik Sotong, were in town on Nov 22 for a wedding photo shoot.

Amyra said: “We feel very grateful for our fans here. Singapore is like a second home to us and we are truly touched that the fans have gone out of their way to organise this.”

One sponsor, Mr Zulkeffli Mohamed, director of local bridal company Chantique The Bridal Gallery, told TNP that the couple’s wedding outfits were specially designed for them.

“Amyra prefers something simple yet classy, without too many heavy accessories. She will be wearing a modern traditional songket dress, as well as a white ball gown,” said Mr Zulkeffli, 46.

“I like the couple’s acting. When I met them to discuss the wedding, they were nice.”

Another sponsor, Madam Masturah Mohd Nor, director of decor company SID Events, is looking at a pastel, English-inspired theme for the reception.

Madam Masturah, who is in her 50s, said: “I’m thinking of baby’s breath and hanging vases with candles. But we will let this remain as a surprise for the actual day.”

Netizens reacted with ire to news of the upcoming reception, which was posted on the Berita Mediacorp Facebook page. While it received 1,000 likes, most of the 80 users who commented called it “wasteful” and “stupid”.

CHARITY

Others thought the money should have gone to charity.

But Madam Asliani said: “This is something we do sincerely as fans. This backlash is normal, so we let it be.

“At the end of the day, we know what our intentions are – and that is to give back to their supporters.”

Amar said: “Without our fans, we wouldn’t be here. With regards to the backlash that these fans received, that is merely from keyboard warriors who do not know our true intentions.”

This is something we do sincerely as fans. This backlash is normal, so we let it be.

– Madam Asliani Abdul Ghani, who organised the third wedding, responding to criticism

It is not unusual for some fans to go to extremes to please their favourite stars.

They shower their idols with lavish gifts, or do everything they can to meet them in person.

But pull sponsors together to pay for a wedding?

Malaysian TV personalities Amyra Rosli, 25, and Amar Baharin, 31, have already held their wedding – twice.

But with effort from some of their fans, they will be celebrating their marriage for a third time on Saturday.

The couple, who first tied the knot on Nov 11, have already held two receptions in Kuala Lumpurfor their families and friends.

The third reception, which will be held here, is for their Singapore fans.

The project was spearheaded by Madam Asliani Abdul Ghani, who heads Amyra’s local fan club, Aamyra Rosli Supporters Singapore,together with local events company FA Event & Entertainment.

The fan club has nearly 29,000 followers on Instagram.

News of the third reception, which is estimated to cost more than $50,000, irked some users of social media, with critics calling it a waste of money.

But Madam Asliani, 36, who has been a fan of the couple for four years, feels the effort and money will be worthwhile.

She told The New Paper: “I can understand how disappointed the fans felt when they were unable to travel to attend the wedding.

“This is a present to their fans for their support over the years.”

SPONSORS

Madam Asliani, a logistics officer, set the wheels in motion after attending the couple’s engagement ceremony in July. She also received the go-ahead from Amyra’s mother, who is a close friend.

Within three weeks, she and her team of five secured 22 sponsors for the reception. 

There will be about 300 guests at the event, to be held at The Ballroom at East Coast, which is owned by local radio personality AB Shaik.

Said Madam Asliani: “We gave priority to big fans who were unable to attend past events, those who have paid in the past for their meet-and-greet sessions, and members of the public who have never had a chance to meet the couple.”

Amyra and Amar, who grew close when they co-starred in the 2015 Malaysian TV drama series Suamiku Encik Sotong, were in town on Nov 22 for a wedding photo shoot.

Amyra said: “We feel very grateful for our fans here. Singapore is like a second home to us and we are truly touched that the fans have gone out of their way to organise this.”

One sponsor, Mr Zulkeffli Mohamed, director of local bridal company Chantique The Bridal Gallery, told TNP that the couple’s wedding outfits were specially designed for them.

“Amyra prefers something simple yet classy, without too many heavy accessories. She will be wearing a modern traditional songket dress, as well as a white ball gown,” said Mr Zulkeffli, 46.

“I like the couple’s acting. When I met them to discuss the wedding, they were nice.”

Another sponsor, Madam Masturah Mohd Nor, director of decor company SID Events, is looking at a pastel, English-inspired theme for the reception.

Madam Masturah, who is in her 50s, said: “I’m thinking of baby’s breath and hanging vases with candles. But we will let this remain as a surprise for the actual day.”

Netizens reacted with ire to news of the upcoming reception, which was posted on the Berita Mediacorp Facebook page. While it received 1,000 likes, most of the 80 users who commented called it “wasteful” and “stupid”.

CHARITY

Others thought the money should have gone to charity.

But Madam Asliani said: “This is something we do sincerely as fans. This backlash is normal, so we let it be.

“At the end of the day, we know what our intentions are – and that is to give back to their supporters.”

Amar said: “Without our fans, we wouldn’t be here. With regards to the backlash that these fans received, that is merely from keyboard warriors who do not know our true intentions.”

This is something we do sincerely as fans. This backlash is normal, so we let it be.

– Madam Asliani Abdul Ghani, who organised the third wedding, responding to criticism

It is not unusual for some fans to go to extremes to please their favourite stars.

They shower their idols with lavish gifts, or do everything they can to meet them in person.

But pull sponsors together to pay for a wedding?

Malaysian TV personalities Amyra Rosli, 25, and Amar Baharin, 31, have already held their wedding – twice.

But with effort from some of their fans, they will be celebrating their marriage for a third time on Saturday.

The couple, who first tied the knot on Nov 11, have already held two receptions in Kuala Lumpurfor their families and friends.

The third reception, which will be held here, is for their Singapore fans.

The project was spearheaded by Madam Asliani Abdul Ghani, who heads Amyra’s local fan club, Aamyra Rosli Supporters Singapore,together with local events company FA Event & Entertainment.

The fan club has nearly 29,000 followers on Instagram.

News of the third reception, which is estimated to cost more than $50,000, irked some users of social media, with critics calling it a waste of money.

But Madam Asliani, 36, who has been a fan of the couple for four years, feels the effort and money will be worthwhile.

She told The New Paper: “I can understand how disappointed the fans felt when they were unable to travel to attend the wedding.

“This is a present to their fans for their support over the years.”

SPONSORS

Madam Asliani, a logistics officer, set the wheels in motion after attending the couple’s engagement ceremony in July. She also received the go-ahead from Amyra’s mother, who is a close friend.

Within three weeks, she and her team of five secured 22 sponsors for the reception. 

There will be about 300 guests at the event, to be held at The Ballroom at East Coast, which is owned by local radio personality AB Shaik.

Said Madam Asliani: “We gave priority to big fans who were unable to attend past events, those who have paid in the past for their meet-and-greet sessions, and members of the public who have never had a chance to meet the couple.”

Amyra and Amar, who grew close when they co-starred in the 2015 Malaysian TV drama series Suamiku Encik Sotong, were in town on Nov 22 for a wedding photo shoot.

Amyra said: “We feel very grateful for our fans here. Singapore is like a second home to us and we are truly touched that the fans have gone out of their way to organise this.”

One sponsor, Mr Zulkeffli Mohamed, director of local bridal company Chantique The Bridal Gallery, told TNP that the couple’s wedding outfits were specially designed for them.

“Amyra prefers something simple yet classy, without too many heavy accessories. She will be wearing a modern traditional songket dress, as well as a white ball gown,” said Mr Zulkeffli, 46.

“I like the couple’s acting. When I met them to discuss the wedding, they were nice.”

Another sponsor, Madam Masturah Mohd Nor, director of decor company SID Events, is looking at a pastel, English-inspired theme for the reception.

Madam Masturah, who is in her 50s, said: “I’m thinking of baby’s breath and hanging vases with candles. But we will let this remain as a surprise for the actual day.”

Netizens reacted with ire to news of the upcoming reception, which was posted on the Berita Mediacorp Facebook page. While it received 1,000 likes, most of the 80 users who commented called it “wasteful” and “stupid”.

CHARITY

Others thought the money should have gone to charity.

But Madam Asliani said: “This is something we do sincerely as fans. This backlash is normal, so we let it be.

“At the end of the day, we know what our intentions are – and that is to give back to their supporters.”

Amar said: “Without our fans, we wouldn’t be here. With regards to the backlash that these fans received, that is merely from keyboard warriors who do not know our true intentions.”

This is something we do sincerely as fans. This backlash is normal, so we let it be.

– Madam Asliani Abdul Ghani, who organised the third wedding, responding to criticism