Environment spokesperson reveals reason behind lightning storm

Singapore last evening witnessed an intense lightning and thunder storm that was accompanied by very strong winds and rain. Lasting almost an hour, residents all over Singapore were mostly caught unawares by the sudden change in weather.

"It was so hot and humid in the afternoon, then suddenly at about 7:30pm, I saw many lightning flashes. It freaked me out." quipped Ms Soh Sua Koo, a housewife on her way home from NTUC to prepare dinner.

"My dog was terrified. For the first time, my pitbull terrier cowered in fear and hid behind the kitchen sink!" added pet owner Mr Espeecy Aye.

The reporter spoke to an environment expert, seeking answers to the weather phenomenon.

Ms Lai Ning Bot, 43, researcher at the Peh Eh Peh Institute, attributes it to increased energy due to more activity and interaction between neutrons and electrons. "We received news that new electrons have been introduced into the largely neutral atmosphere in recent days. Flashes of lightning is a result with resounding claps of thunder."

"The atmosphere will see more introductions of new electrons in the coming days, so be prepared for more lightning and thunder in the days to come." added her colleague, Mr Lau Tan Der.

The reporter went on to ask if such weather phenomenon is harmful to Singapore, and Ms Lai had this to say, "Don't worry. Singapore is safe. This kind of phenomenon happens once every 4 to 6 years. The last time Singapore experienced this was in 2006. If it rains hammers, then we should be worried. But that is unlikely to happen because our climate is quite stable."

Aspiring artist to feature 'iconic' art in heartlands

The Singapore Biennale 2011 is back in town and our local artists are taking the opportunity to showcase their works of art. One such aspiring artist is Pang Sai Chua, who will feature his installation art in the heartlands.

Mr Pang, 32, who claims his only education in art was in the now-defunct De la Salah Primary School says, " I learn about art by observing art around me and by trying to understand what is art all about." Like an expert in art forms, he continued, "I like installation art. There are many foreign artists who install art in our CBD. How and why they can do it and get paid for all these art is beyond me. I am homegrown just like Yeo Hiap Seng and Boon Tong Kee. But I want to be like Charles and Keith. I will install art for our Singapore people right here in the heartlands."

The reported asked about his installation, and Mr Pang was excited and confident. "You guys are funny. Go all out to cover the Merlion Hotel installation art. All that bugger did was to build 4 walls and a roof over the Merlion, and Singaporeans pay money just to stay with the Merlion! I mean, seriously I've been trying to understand the rationale behind this but I just cannot put my finger to it."

"I am going to build four walls and a roof around a porta-loo. Yes, a portable toilet. You want to know why and what this means?"

The reporter shook his head. Dumbfounded.

"Just as I thought; you are confused. Going to toilet is a very private thing in Singapore. The concept of the four walls around the porta-loo is an emphasis on privacy. It is also a reminder for all Singaporeans to be vigilant. Remember how Mas Selamat escaped?"

Mr Pang Sai Chua was starting to make sense.

"And I'm going to charge only twenty cents to enter my installation art. Why? Don't you pay ten cents to visit the public toilet anyway? Mine is a practical piece of art for all to enjoy!"

Mr Pang's porta-loo installation art will be showcased at Woodleigh MRT Station 'to help boost ridership there' from 1 April 2011 to 30 April 2011. He plans to seek MICA's approval to have his piece of art permanently displayed next to the Merlion statue 'after that temporary hotel is torn down'.

How about the Goh Keng Swee Bridge?

Picture this:

Young Son to Dad, "Daddy, why is this bridge called 'The Helix'?"

Dad, "well, Son, that's because it looks like DNA."

Then the father goes on to explain what DNA is, hopefully.

Son's general knowledge goes up one notch.

Now picture this:

Young Son to Dad, "Daddy, why is this bridge named after a Goh Keng Swee? Who is Goh Keng Swee?"

Dad, "Well, Son, Dr Goh Keng Swee was one of Singapore's founding fathers. He was a visionary and a pragmatic leader....... Without him, Singapore wouldn't be what it is today."

Then the father goes on to tell the history of Singapore and Dr Goh's contribution to our nation building.

A sense of pride envelopes the Son; the legacy of Dr Goh lives on.

The design and thought process that went into The Helix is in itself something for Singapore to be proud of, just like it being the impetus for people to know who Dr Goh Keng Swee was to Singapore. Would it be too late to name The Helix into the more appropriate Goh Keng Swee Bridge?

Dr Goh just passed away at the age of 91. Local TV stations are broadcasting a tribute for him. After this slew of tributes, then what? Dr Goh Keng Swee will be forgotten after his state funeral. Already the younger generation have no idea of who he is, who he was to Singapore, and how he contributed to our nation building. There must be something to remind us and future generations who Singaporeans really are.

Making a (more mobile) comeback

It's the iPhone era.

Alright so I was distracted by the Facebook popularity surge. Status and my goings-on were (and still are) updated on Facebook. Who wouldn't jump on the social networking platform? Blogging is dying. Video killed the radio star in the early 80s. Facebook is strangling the blogging scene. What's next?
Now it is the iPhone era and everyone is hooking up with applications. It's more convenient to blog on the go now.
We shall see.
What's next?


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Farewell Lunch with Close RID Colleagues

We had lunch at Alexandra Village this afternoon. There were 2 tables. From left standing: Simon, James, Vera, Maureen, Yian Kee, 'Mama' Beng Cheow, myself, Lifeng, Qingwei, Weiyang, Lissiana, Juvena, Darren, Terence. Seated from left: Ranga, Catherine, Kia Wang, Swee Tin, Sung Hong, Mok, Ms Loh.

Leadership comes with great responsibilities and......

In a couple of weeks, I'll be taking on the role of a General Manager at the Singapore office of an MNC. Many friends have congratulated me and gave me sound advice. One piece of advice in particular stood out: A great leadership role comes with great responsibilites.

It is true.

I've been thinking seriously about life lately, especially when I'm experiencing a career jump and at the same time, a jump in another stage in life - Marriage.

Career and Marriage. Both jumps are not mere hopscotch play, but leaps of faith, discernment, trust, passion, and love as described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

Love is Patient, not Hasty

Love is Kind, not Inconsiderate

Love is Content, not Envious

Love is Humble, not Prideful

Love is Courteous, not Rude

Love is Generous, not Selfish

Love is Good-tempered, not Irritable

Love is Forgiving, not Vengeful

Love is Indestructible

I'm driving at the Love of Christ and the Love for Christ. Perhaps I'm at this stage in my life's journey that I have to consciously rely more on God's guidance to get by. Leadership in my career and leadership in marriage (and later, fatherhood) should be endorsed by Christ and I've to be willing to accept that fact. I need to allow God to guide me through the big responsibilities coming my way.

Only then will I be on the road to being a great leader.

Turns - Open Turn Sequence Step #4

practice practice practice!

Turns - Open Turn Sequence Step #3

Being aware of hands and arms during the turn reduces unneccessary drag

Turns - Open Turn Sequence Step #2

Part 2 of the Open Turn

Turns - Open Turn Sequence Step #1

ha! Flip turns and water in my nose NO MORE!

Teaching is Rewarding.. for Life!

Let's put it this way: I've had a few stints as a relief teacher and the last stint spanned about 6 months between March and September 2002. Most of my stints were in junior college and many former students have since become good friends through the years.

It's been several years since, and I can affirm that teaching is indeed a rewarding career - but only if you will it to. My former charges are now entering the workforce and many have come forward to ask me to be their referee. I have no hesitation, simply because I've seen them grow from naughty boys to matured and responsible young adults. I'm very happy to hear of my charges getting into the poly or university and then graduating. Some have found jobs while others are matured enough to persevere through the economic downturn. I am proud of every one of them. Well done!

This is not my first time expressing my joy in hearing of my students' success stories. This will not be my second or third time either. That is why teaching is rewarding.

Teaching is about relating to your students and forming a unique bond with them. You are friends with them, yet they see you as the 'guru' in most of life's situations. Teaching is about nurturing and growing with your students through school and beyond. Teaching is about sharing notes of experiences and feelings.

The Ministry of Education just recruited some 3000 new teachers for the education sector. In these uncertain times, there are bound to be some who jump on the bandwagon just to look for job. Teaching requires passion and patience and the keen sense to relate. How many of the 3000 are fit to be teachers?

It's not for me to say; It's not for their students to find out. It's for these new teachers to agree with me that Teaching is indeed a rewarding career. I hope the 3000 would one day share the same feelings as I do.

C.H.A.N.G.E

Well it's been so many months since I last blogged here. Time really flies, and things have changed quite a bit.
There's heavy involvement in getting the pentathlon squad up and running (literally), Dad's surgery and his acknowledgement of Jesus Christ as Saviour, me taking up competitive swimming (speedwork finally!), and major changes at work.
I guess the 2 most significant episodes for this year thus far is when Dad took it upon himself to follow Christ and when I got headhunted some weeks ago for a huge jump in my career.
Dad: Well he had a routine checkup and doctors found a suspicious tumour in his kidney. Dad got worried and so did we, but by knowledge of Science, we knew that humans could live on one kidney if docs decide to take one side out. Anyway Dad decided one day to follow Christ and to accept Him as Saviour. Now, that was kinda shocking too... coz Dad was somewhat previously resistant to being Christianity. He didn't oppose, he just was kinda stubborn. We decided to leave it in God's Hands and as you would have it, the tumour was taken out and Dad still got two kidneys. In other words, he's recovered pretty well ever since even with a little complications with diabeties... but Dad has been very disciplined in eating well and exercising lots with walking and more walking. In his heart, he still believes in God and has faith in Him, but he needs to go to Church though. Church and Bible studies helps us to grow in faith. Having said that, I also need to go Church.
Work: There's been lots of change at work and this was made more pronounced with the realisation of recession. In April, Surbana's got a great Chief in Mr Chua and I highly respect his leadership and vision. A few of us got involved in the strategic thinking group to lead for change in the organisation. Things are slowly progressing.... and then a headhunter hooked me up for a management position. In gist, I literally went from Senior Engineer in a multi-discipline consultancy to a General Manager in an MNC overnight. I just quit my job in Surbana for that GM post. I owe it partly to Chief who always believed in me... and I foresee a fair bit of collaborations in the future.
We are all blessed people... and we shouldn't take things for granted.
Thanks to Michael Jackson's untimely demise, I quote him from Man in the Mirror "If you wanna make this world a better place, take a look at yourself and make that change."
Well, I'm living it.

Will a Black Man ever rule the US? - A tribute to the Goens on Inauguration Day

I am sitting in the living room right here in Singapore. It's 2300hrs now and there's a live telecast of Barack Obama's Inauguration into Presidency. Washington DC is swarmed with millions of proud Americans. I am very sleepy and I've got a headache. Yet the inauguration is a special moment for me.

I'm not American, and I'm not tearing from 'the special historical moment'. Why then, is it special for me?

Some years ago, I had a conversation with Sherman Goens and Teresa Goens at their humble house on Broadway Street. I gave them a surprise visit when I visited Indianapolis in 2005. The conversation was on great black people who have been influential in US history. I knew quite little about significant black people in the US but I knew enough to make conversation to learn more about them. You know, it's one of those situations - the more you talk, the more you listen; and the more you listen, the more you learn. I think the Goens and I had an engaging conversation. That's it: an engaging conversation.

We talked about Mohamad Ali, the boxer. We talked about Martin Luther King Jr. Then we talked about slavery and freedom, and how America has become more 'inclusive' and less racial discriminating. The conversation led to how I embraced what we called 'the color-blind culture'. The Goens and the rest of my friends I made in the US didn't see me as yellow. I didn't see them as black or white either. We sat in the living room reminiscing our past adventures, and we joked about how 'black' I had become while hanging out too much with the Goens.

"Chen, do you think the US will be ruled by a black President?"

I don't remember if I gave a definite answer. I probably would have said something along the lines of globalisation and choosing great leaders and such. After all, the answer was somehow along the lines of what we had talked about anyway. "If the right person comes along, and if he's a charasmatic leader... why not? You (American) guys need someone who's pragmatic and who can ensure change!"

Fast forward to 20 January 2009: Barack Obama will be the first black American to be inaugurated as President of the United States of America.

Sherman and Teresa, you have your answer now. You may now rest in peace. Smile down at us from Heaven, and bless Obama while he leads America.....

And this is why Obama's inauguration is special to me - because even though my black friends are not in this world today to witness a historical moment, I'm at peace that Sherman and Teresa have always been part of this historical moment from the time we had THAT conversation in 2005.

Munnster's photos gets published in the Straits Times

That's right. Even though the company is claiming credit for it, I am the rightful owner of the photos published in the Straits Times.

The photos used in the print edition and online edition are different, but both were taken by yours truly.

The online version can be found here:

SCE makes inroads for Singapore

Award winning local producers tasked to direct Youth Olympics opening

Singapore. It's official: Local producers Jack Neo and Royston Tan have been tasked by the Youth Olympic committee to direct the opening ceremony for the inaugural 2010 Youth Olympics. In a bid to out-do, out-class, and out-perform Beijing's recent stellar Olympic ceremony showcase to the world, both producers were given the mammoth task to produce the 'world's best' show on earth for many years to come.
Reporters who were left out of the Beijing media entourage were at the closed-door press conference yesterday for the public announcement to engage both producers. When asked if he had immediate plans for the extravaganza, Jack Neo said "Actually I (am) very happy to hear I (am) compared to Zhang Yimou. I will do my best to produce (a) very exciting and big performance." Royston Tan, the director of the hit movie 881 had no comment, but Jack Neo indicated he would like to call the show 'Medal No Enough'.
It was also understood at presstime that the committee is working with the ICA to extend honourary Singapore citizenships to the various 'brains' behind Beijing's performance.

It's in the print edition of the Straits Times

Woohoo..... my letter got published in the print edition today, albeit edited to suit the context. A Straits Times editor contacted me yesterday to clarify. Although edited, the content is and intent to seek clarification from the authorities is there.
I reproduce the edited letter here:

N-Day song's music concept video a copycat?
I WAS proud of Singapore when I first read the lyrics to this year's National Day theme song Shine For Singapore.
The song made me reminisce about songs of past National Day Parades.
All of them, whenever sung or hummed in the head, invoke pride and belonging.
Our usual complaints of fare hikes and increase in Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantry prices are overshadowed by the fact that our pragmatic Government has boldly moved forward to be one of the best in the world in many aspects, including prosperity, security and technology.
The songs make us feel that we're part of the nation's progress.
But here's the glitch. The music video concept popularising Shine doesn't seem original. It mimics one that was aired by the Japan Ad Council, about two years ago, which, ironically had a tagline that said: 'How to encourage your child? Use your imagination.'
The uncanny similarities between Shine and the Japanese ad, can be viewed on the Internet's YouTube, titled Imagination Whale.
I hope it's coincidental. If it isn't, what does it say about our imagination and creativity? How do I call Shine my Singapore song if the music video copied its Japanese predecessor?

Have you seen a whale, one that guided someone to make this year's MTV for NDP Theme Song?

I sent the following letter to the Straits Times Forum. Let's see if they'll publish it.

I was so proud of Singapore when I first read the lyrics to this year's National Day theme song "Shine for Singapore".

"Have you heard a song,
One that moved you, one that made you sing along?
Your dreams and hopes will all come true
If you believe that every vision begins with you.....
Shine for Singapore
This is your song
Deep inside your heart where it belongs
It'll always stay, strive for your goals.
You will achieve with visions so bold..."

The song made me reminisce the rest of the national day songs of past NDPs. All of them, whenever sung or hummed in the head, invoked a sense of pride and a sense of belonging. Our usual complaints of fare hikes and increase in ERP gantries are all overshadowed by the fact that our pragmatic Government has boldly moved forward to be one of the best in the world in many aspects including prosperity, security, technology, etc. We cannot really deny the fact that we've all been part of our nation's progress to what it is today.

"Shine for Singapore. This is your song." And then I saw the MTV for the theme song. It reeked of plagiarism and the total lack of originality and creativity. The MTV is the same as one that was done by the 'Japan Ad Council', one that ironically had a tagline that said "How to encourage your child? Use your imagination."

The uncanny similarities between 'our song' and the 'Imagination Whale' version on youtube lean towards what I see as a lack of respect for intellectual property, much less imagination and creativity. It's even worse when this is meant to be our national song!

What have we become? I'm totally disappointed. I'll still shine for Singapore in other ways, but acknowledging this song as 'my song'? No thanks, I don't need the accolade.

Imagination, Whale - Japan Ad Council

See the similarity between this ad from Japan and Singapore's MTV for the new NDP theme song?
To think that this ad encourages imagination. Ha! And Singapore copies the concept. Talk about creativity and IMAGINATION! gosh....
For the record, I first saw this japanese ad a few months ago when a friend sent me a link. And when I saw the NDP MTV, I immediately knew that someone copied the concept.
The Japan Ad Council should sue whoever did the MTV for the theme song.... and Singaporeans should feel ashamed that we are in total lack of creativity and imagination. Or perhaps on the positive note, we're just excellent plagiarists.

Shine For Singapore (NDP 2008 Theme Song)

Alright, here's the new theme song for this year's National Day Parade. Lyrics are not too bad, and the tune is rather nice and soothing.
But I've got doubts about the MTV. Find out why......

CSI: Grandma decodes the TV

We were having trouble with the TV remote control last Sunday at Grandma Popo's place. We figured it was probably either the batteries of the remote control (RC) unit or just plain bad contact between batteries and RC. In any case, we managed to turn on the TV after a few palm slaps and hard button pressing of the RC.

Well, Grandma Popo witnessed the entire episode and got rather concerned that there must have been something wrong with the TV signals.

Popo (in cantonese): Ah Munn, I've got a new television in my room and there are words on the screen that just wouldn't go away! See? Even this TV in the living room [she points at the one that we just switched on] took such difficulty. I've never seen those words before and they are also on the TV.

Me: What are you talking about, Popo? Don't worry about those words on the screen. They are subtitles.

Popo: No they are not subtitles! I know what subtitles are! I noticed this discrepancy ever since we got the new TV in my room. I've been monitoring the situation.

Me: And how have you been monitoring it? [Popo's got all the time in the world, and she's very capable of thinking of very innovative ways to solve certain 'mysteries in life'].

Popo: Wait. I copied down those words that wouldn't go away. I'll go take it (the paper) from my room. See if it makes sense..... [she scurries into her room and comes back with the slip of paper, then thrusts the paper into my hands]

Popo: Here. Take a look at it. See... these are the words!

On that small slip of paper I'm holding were these words, painstakingly copied letter by letter, line by line.....

My beloved Popo..... always the Sherlock Holmes in her!