April 04, 2016 5:17 PM
SINGAPORE – Singapore’s “most handsome” policeman has married his sweetheart, but his new status has not affected his popularity.
Singaporean artist is keen enthusiast of unique art of yarnbombing
Think graffiti, but with yarn instead of spray cans.
The art of yarnbombing started in 2005 when Texan clothes shop owner Magda Sayeg found a creative way of using up half-finished jumpers and scarfs – by putting them on door handles.
The craze took off, with artists plastering street signs and even buses with colourful strands of wool made by knitting or crocheting, reported The Telegraph.
Freelance graphic designer and illustrator Kelly Lim, 25, is one such yarnbombing enthusiast here.
She first saw it online and was drawn to it because “yarnbombs are so random and unpredictable… they add a burst of surprise and excitement in everyday life”.
It helps that Ms Lim can crochet, having taken lessons at seven.
“(Because it was) seen as a granny hobby, I was teased by my classmates… and I guess it affected me enough for me to stop for about a year. I picked it up again later, though.”
As a fashion design student at Temasek Polytechnic, she even knitted dresses for her final-year project.
Her first yarnbombing project was to cover the handlebars of her bicycle.
She went on to yarnbomb several statues, including adding Pikachu caps to the bronze figures along the Singapore River in April 2013.
The good thing about yarnbombing is that unlike traditional graffiti, it is temporary. But that also presented a challenge for Ms Lim when she first started.
“The hard part is actually removing the yarn without cutting the wool,” she said.
When coming up with a design, she first considers the colour and after that, it’s “create as I go along”.
Singaporean artist is keen enthusiast of unique art of yarnbombing
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SCOOTER
In January, she posted some yarnbombing ideas on her Facebook page. Art lecturer Lucinda Law, 38, contacted her within hours and Ms Lim agreed to undertake her current project: yarnbombing Ms Law’s Vespa scooter.
So far, after about three days and six to seven balls of yarn, the front part of the scooter is complete, with a design of moss and plants.
Ms Law described the result as “whimsical, witty and well-crafted”.
Ms Lim has turned her skills into a part-time business, but declined to reveal how much she makes from it.
She has done commercial work for several shops, yarnbombing items such as a hose reel and even a tree for product displays.
She also crochets items such as pouches, coasters and hats, and creates dreadlocks from wool.
Ms Lim proudly wears her crochet pieces and dreadlocks and often gets curious stares from passers-by.
Said Ms Lim: “Just the other day, I saw this little boy knock into a chair while turning back to gawk at me. I just love kids because they are so honest and don’t bother to hide their interest – most of it being good.
“Even in Tokyo Disneyland, I’ve had kids wanting to take photos with me, thinking I’m a mascot.”
Retiree Betty Oh, 65, saw Ms Lim when we were doing this interview.
She said: “Very cute and special! You should take up hairdressing course!”
For more on Ms Lim’s work, go to www.kllylmrck.com.
wanglx@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on April 4, 2016.
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K-pop girl group Apink wows local fans despite band member Kim Namjoo's neck injury
Despite wearing a neck brace on stage, Apink member Kim Namjoo gave it her all at the K-pop girl group’s mini concert and fan meet last Saturday.
She had sprained her neck while rehearsing for the event, Apink Pink Memory Day, held at MegaBox Convention Centre in Jurong East. However, she managed to take part in games and shimmy in her seat.
Tickets to see the girls, who are often touted by critics and netizens as “successors to Girls’ Generation” and “Korea’s next National Girl Group”, were priced at between $98 and $288.
Speaking to 2,500 screaming fans, the 20-year-old said in English: “I’m so sorry for not being in good condition due to sickness, but I promise I will show you a better performance next time, in perfect condition.”
Namjoo’s inability to dance with her fellow idols clearly did not matter to Apink supporters who, at one point, collectively held a sign with the message #GetWellSoon Namjoo, eliciting chants of “don’t cry” by the other members Eun Ji, 22, Bo Mi, 22, Ha Young, 19, Cho Rong, 25 and Na Eun, 22.
Best known for their catchy, upbeat tunes such as No No No, LUV and Remember, the sextet performed songs and played games with their fans, officially known as Pink Pandas, during the three-hour gig.
To celebrate Apink’s fifth anniversary, fans also prepared a surprise that left the girls in tears, with some even sobbing.
A fan-made video compilation of their appearances in music and variety shows was screened near the end of the event, accompanied by a sea of banners raised by the audience, reading “Even after five years, we thank and love you”.
This was also the highlight of the concert for hardcore fan Lee Wei Min, 21, who had queued for 26 hours at MegaBox to buy the Cat 1 (VIP) tickets when sales officially started.
K-pop girl group Apink wows local fans despite band member Kim Namjoo’s neck injury
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MILESTONE
The full-time NSF, who also attended Apink’s concert in Singapore last March, told TNP: “This is a very important milestone for Apink.
“They have won a lot of medals and prizes, especially in the last year. The Singapore Pandas had hoped to come together and do this for them.”
It was love at first sight for Mr Lee, after he watched the music video for their hit song Mr Chu online in 2014.
He was attracted to the girls’ “innocent and fairy tale-like image”.
Mr Lee spent about a third of his monthly salary on their latest show, but he said it was “perfect” and worth every cent of the $288 it cost him. He also spent $105 on official concert merchandise, including a file and banner of his favourite member Cho Rong.
Cat 1 ticket holders like Mr Lee were entitled to either a high touch – which refers to idols giving fans high fives – or group photo opportunity.
Said a thrilled Mr Lee, who was randomly selected for the latter: “I have posters of Apink in my bunk.
“Sometimes, after an outfield or tiring day, my section mates will come into my bunk to see the posters because they feel that the members are pretty, too.
“Because of Apink, I feel very energetic now and am willing to face any punishment or ‘tekan session’ that comes my way.”
krystalc@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on April 4, 2016.
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Challenger Funan Closing Sale From 4 Apr – 30 Jun 2016 | SINGPromos.com
Challenger closing sale at Funan DigitaLife Mall
Challenger Funan Closing Sale From 4 Apr – 30 Jun 2016 | SINGPromos.com
Challenger has started their closing sale at their Funan outlets Everything must go at the Funan Challenger Closing Sale. Save up to 80% on selected products!
Budget debate: Develop metrics to track efficacy of Govt spending, MPs say
In Day 1 of the debate over Singapore’s 2016 Budget announced by Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat, Members of Parliament focused on the finer details of implementation to ensure that the investments realise their intended outcomes.
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Sixteen-year-old becomes Singapore's first cadet world fencing champion
Teenage fencer Lau Ywen entered her name in the record books when she became the first Singaporean to win gold at the Cadet & Junior World Fencing Championships, held in the French city of Bourges.
The 16-year-old narrowly defeated Germany’s Larissa Eifler 15-14 to claim the women’s cadet individual (sabre) title yesterday morning (Singapore time).
It was a tough route to the final for the Republic’s top female sabre fencer, who had to overcome some of the best Under-17 fencers from around the world.
Lau Ywen beat Asian Cadet champion Risa Takashima (15-14) of Japan in the quarter-finals, before edging out European Cadet champion Liza Pusztai (15-13) of Hungary in the semi-finals.
Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu praised Lau Ywen for her historic achievement.
“She may only be 16, but Lau Ywen did Singapore proud by defeating her German opponent 15-14 in an intense final match to become our first world champion in fencing,” she said, in a Facebook post yesterday.
“Kudos to Lau Ywen and Fencing Singapore for flying our Singapore flag high.
“All the best to our cadet and junior fencers who are still competing in their respective events.”
ACHIEVEMENT
The victory is a significant achievement for the United World College student, who only two months ago fell 15-13 to Takashima at the Asian Cadet and Junior Fencing Championships.
Last year, Lau Ywen clinched a couple of bronze medals in the sabre team and individual events at the South-east Asia (SEA) Games on home soil.
Speaking to The New Paper yesterday, Fencing Singapore vice-president Yau Wee Sian said: “The World Junior-Cadet Championships is no pushover tournament, even though it’s for U-17 fencers.
“The event is very different from the SEA Games, which was a senior tournament but obviously kept to countries in the region.
“Those countries are not top fencing nations but, in the World Championships, the best of the best are there.”
Yau, who pointed to an ever-improving crop of young local fencers, tipped Lau Ywen for more success.
“This is a major achievement for her in the whole learning journey as an athlete; somebody who will be that lighthouse to inspire the many other young fencers around her,” he said.
“It shows that she has arrived on the world stage because, in the same tournament last year, she finished in only 25th spot.
“This year, she is number one and she’s not even done yet because she still has one more year in the U-17 World Championships bracket.
“Fingers crossed, it will be another good outing for her next year.”
haziqm@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on April 4, 2016.
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Tampines Rovers struggles to win
His fists clenched, an annoyed Jermaine Pennant spun around and screamed at his teammates at the Jalan Besar Stadium last night: “Come on, let’s keep the ball, hold on to the ball.”
It was supposed be a lesson dished out as Tampines Rovers, boasting some of the best footballers in the country and with a good mix of foreign players, huffed and puffed against a bunch of young upstarts looking to find their way in the game.
The Garena Young Lions made a game of it, and made the five-time Great Eastern S.League champions sweat for a 2-1 win, in what was perhaps the best performance by Patrick Hesse’s charges this year.
“People said we were going to score seven or eight goals against the Young Lions, but it wasn’t easy,” Tampines coach V Sundramoorthy admitted.
“Anywhere in the world when a so-called big team play a small team, that’s when problems arise. Those young boys were very motivated, and they wanted to show that they are good enough for the S.League, and they are clearly getting more confident.”
It was a placid Tampines side who trooped out at Jalan Besar last night.
They kept the lion’s share of possession but, devoid of ideas, largely struggled to break down the Young Lions in the first half and needed a stroke of luck to open the scoring.
It came in first-half added time, with Shakir Hamzah lashing the ball in after Chris van Huizen’s corner found its way to the post via Fabian Kwok.
The Stags added a second through van Huizen, who scored in the 50th minute after Pennant’s initial shot was well saved by Young Lions’ goalkeeper, Benjamin Bertrand.
PENALTY
The dangerous Fareez Farhan pulled one back with a well-struck penalty in the 62nd minute after Shakir unfortunately handled a Muhimin Suhaimi cross.
Fareez remains the Young Lions’ only goalscorer this season with four strikes to his name.
Inspired by the goal, the home side put pressure on the Tampines goal, but required their goalkeeper to pull off another good save – off Shahdan Sulaiman in the 83rd minute – to stay in the game.
“I couldn’t see the difference between the Young Lions and Tampines, we are very proud of our players. This is the first time, during a game, that I’ve seen progress (in my team),” said Hesse, who walked into the post-match press conference ranting about Tampines disallowing Firdaus Kasman from playing last night.
Firdaus signed with Tampines, but was allowed to join the Young Lions in January, with the caveat that he would not play in matches against his former club.
The Frenchman was buzzing at the progress his charges have shown and was confident that come the end of the season, they will not be propping up the nine-team league table.
“I promise you we will be better. Today we lost, but we can see progress… I’m sure we can be better, I’m sure. I’m sure we’re going to succeed,” was Hesse’s emphatic declaration.
Tampines lost goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud, who came off in the 78th minute with what appeared to be a thigh injury, but Sundram was already looking ahead.
His team joined Albirex Niigata at the top of the table, but with a game in hand.
“At 2-0, we should’ve gone for a third, but that penalty changed the game,” said Sundram.
“But three points are three points and we’re moving on, looking forward to the next game.”
shamiro@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on April 4, 2016.
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Seven dead after car plunges off Cambodian river ferry
Phnom Penh – Seven people including five children drowned in Cambodia when a car packed with passengers slipped off a ferry and plunged into a river, police said Monday.
The incident took place on Sunday night in southern Kandal province when a driver boarded a local ferry at what investigators said was an unsafe speed.
“The driver had drunk two cans of beer… he drove the car too fast onto a ferry and it fell into the water,” a police report said.
The group had been returning from worshiping at a relative’s grave for the annual Qingming festival – also known as Tomb Sweeping Day – the report added.
The driver managed to escape out the window but the rest of his passengers, including children aged between four and 13-years-old, died.
The driver has since been arrested. Three other people who were part of the group had exited the vehicle before it boarded the ferry, police said.
Impoverished Cambodia has a poor health and safety record with road and industrial accidents commonplace.
Ferries are often used to transport cars and motorbikes over wide rivers in the tropical nation.
As in China and many other East Asian countries, Qingming festival is widely celebrated across Cambodia’s various communities.
During the festival people visit and clean the graves of their ancestors as a mark of respect and to make merit.
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S'pore women bowlers on a roll
S’pore women bowlers on a roll Their calibre has long been acknowledged by the international bowling community, but now the national women’s bowling team’s depth in quality is reflected in the world rankings too.
Four Singaporeans have cracked the top 10 of the latest World Bowling Tour (WBT) rankings, the most since the professional circuit of the sport’s world governing body was inaugurated in 2011.
Cherie Tan is No. 4 – behind three Americans Danielle McEwan, Liz Johnson and Kelly Kulick.
Shayna Ng, the All Events champion at last year’s Women’s World Bowling Championships, is No. 6.
Jazreel Tan is two spots further behind while Joey Yeo comes in at No. 10.
This puts Singapore on a par with traditional bowling powerhouses the United States, who also have four keglers within the top 10. Three more Singaporeans – New Hui Fen, Bernice Lim and Daphne Tan – are ranked within the top 20.
With the ranking based on performances at WBT events over the last two years, this is a result of national keglers competing more often – and doing well – on the circuit.
Joey, 18, for instance, was crowned women’s champion at the Bowling World Open last July, winning what was the richest tournament on the Tour last season.
It should be noted, however, that giants such as South Korea do not compete as much on the circuit.
SingaporeBowling technical director Mervyn Foo said that while the federation has always focused its competitive plans on major tournaments, the introduction of the Sports Excellence (spex) Scholarship in 2013 has given the bowlers the ability to compete in even more high-level competitions.
The scheme is targeted at elite athletes earmarked for success at the regional, continental and world levels. They receive financial backing of up to $8,000 a month, as well as support in areas such as sports science, training and equipment.
All seven keglers currently among the top 20 in the WBT rankings are Spex scholars.
Added Foo: “There’s never been a team like this in the history of Singapore bowling.
“SingaporeBowling has always focused on the team, from the council up to the players, coaches and staff. The rankings just show the commitment the association puts into the investment of our athletes, with the tremendous support from Sport Singapore and the Singapore Sports Institute.”
For bowlers like Ng, it has meant far more overseas exposure – the team just returned from competing in Munich and a training stint in the US, and will be back on the road for a month-long trip at the end of the month.
She said: “The rankings are a reflection of how good the team are on the whole. It’s not just one or two of us, but a handful.
“It shows consistency… and we are now seen as a threat to strong teams like the Americans and the Koreans.”
SingaporeBowling president Jessie Phua, however, insisted that numbers are not what the association emphasises.
She said: “We’re happy but not obsessed with this ranking. Ultimately, it’s about staying focused on the process, and getting the team to be stronger and better.
“While we’re supportive of our top bowlers, our focus this year is to build up the second- and third-tier teams. They must be given a chance too.
This article was first published on April 4, 2016.
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Leadership Skill Series: Strategic Management
Leadership Skill Series: Strategic Management
Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at 9:00 AM
Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at 9:00 AM
Park Mall, Singapore
9 Penang Road #09-20/27 Park Mall Singapore 238459, Singapore, 238459 Singapore
