the belgian luxembourg of singapore association...
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THE BELGIAN &
LUXEMBOURG ASSOCIATION
OF SINGAPORE gazetteMCI (P) R150917242
Belgians in the hood deepavali Cooking Class
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2015
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InfoHONORARY VICE PRESIDENTH.E. The Ambassador of BelgiumMr. Gerard COCKX, Ambassador [email protected]://www.diplomatie.be/singaporeHONORARY VICE PRESIDENTH.E. The Honorary Consul of Grand Duchy of LuxembourgMr Peter SUNGHONORARY MEMBERSMr Christian VERDONCKMr Guy ROBBEMrs Arlette VANDERLINDENMrs Marjo KESTEMONTMr Nick LUIJTENMr Wojciech SZYGOWSKIMr Karel BOGAERT
BLAS [email protected] PresidentEls Poot [email protected] President Thomas [email protected] De [email protected] De [email protected] membersEls Poot, Thomas Laboulle, Anne De Weert, Mariane De Wilde, Ann Verhoeven, Manuela Clercx, Doris Claesen, Dries Verachtert, Jelleke Tollenaer, Charlotte Dhollander, Jasmine De Brauwer, Katleen Missiaen [email protected] teamAnn Verhoeven, Hilde Ampe, Marleen Demol, Nicole Fabry, Jasmine De [email protected] teamCharlotte Dhollander, Virginie Huyghe, Saskia Courcelles [email protected] clubDries Verachtert, Claire Wintraecken, Patricia [email protected] bunch Griet Baert, Mariane De [email protected] teamEls Poot, Isabelle Vanlerberghe, Hanne [email protected] Billiet, Manuela [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] ClubManuela Clercx, Isabelle [email protected] Tollenaar, Marie-Bénédicte [email protected]@blas.org.sgWebsiteDoris Claesen, Manuela [email protected]
Welcome
introduCtion
WelcomePresident’s corner 2Embassy’s corner 3Consular matters 4BLBL corner 5New BLAS members 6-7
Flavors oF singapore
The Red Pencil 8Tips & Tricks 9Belgians in the hood 10-11Deepavali 14Belgium-Singapore 15-18Singapore Haze 19Singlish 20-21
travel & nature
Maldives 12-13
events & aCtivities
Indonesian Cooking 22Whisky Tasting 23BLAS calendar 24-26Weekly activities 26Cinderella 27BLAS activities 28-29Babysitters 32
Belgian suCCess stories
TINTIN 30-31
C O N T E N T S
Dear Readers,
I'm afraid we repeat ourselves but time flies, another two months have passed, with many great BLAS activities. Sadly in those two months, the haze was present for most of the time, which made the sky look like a grey Belgian day. But now we're hopeful that it will stay away and hopefully the governments can work on some long term solutions. Because though it's quite annoying for us to miss our beloved outdoor activities for the people and animals living in the affected areas, it's a real drama. Not everyone knows what the haze is all about, so you can read it in this Gazette. You can also read about other 'struggles' we face here: find a job, where to live, where to go on our next holiday, when to go to 'Cinderella' with the special BLAS discount,...Finally, I want to wish everybody a good end of the year and we will be back in January with an all new Gazette!
Happy Holidays and have a good read! Your BLAS Gazette team,
Charlotte, Virginie and Saskia
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The new Blas year has reached its cruising speed. The memberships are renewed and we are very pleased to see a lot of new faces. It remains one of the most important tasks of our association : make sure that the new Belgians, who arrive in Singapore, quickly feel at home and get help to get around. Of course we also do not want to forget our loyal members. Therefore we keep searching for novelties. In that respect we tried a new concept at this year’s annual mussels diner, namely the concept of ‘resto tournant’. This basically means you change table and company with each course (starter, main course and
dessert). An ideal way to get in contact with a lot of people during one night and to get to know the new members. Based on the enthusiastic reactions afterwards, we can call it a success. To be repeated!
In the mean time, the haze does not want to leave Singapore. We all thought (and hoped) in October the worst was over after a week with moderate psi values but nothing was less true. With Blas we are faced with the unpleasant consequences of the haze. We had to postpone the mussels diner (with all the extra administrative work that goes with it) and the tennis group could not yet come into action this year. All in
all these inconveniences are nothing compared to the problems of companies and small businesses whose activities are mainly taking place outside. For them, the persistent haze is a disaster. We can only hope policy makers get the seriousness of the situation and finally commit to a structural solution for the recurrent problem.
We still have a lot of activities planned before the exodus for the Christmas holidays will start : cooking classes, a treasure hunt for the kids, an (evening) workshop ‘art therapy’ with Laurence (founder of Red Pencil, our charity project), ‘sinterklaas’ party, a ‘men’s only’ event and of course the regular lunches, coffee mornings and ‘Belgians after work’ drinks.
I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the get-together of the month of November exceptionally will take place on a Saturday. This get-together will be the closure of our Blas Quest. This is the car rally which will bring you to places you did not know exist in Singapore. Do not hesitate to sign up, even if you do not have a car or a group. We will be able to help you.
Hope to see you all at one of the activities!
Warm regards.
Els
President’s corner Embassy’s corner
Dear friends,
We Belgians love to talk about the weather. And these days, we are really spoiled. We are even at risk of becoming experts on the haze, exchanging information on 24-hr and 3-hr PSI readings. Joking apart, it is a nuisance and a real health hazard. At long last, some collaborative efforts are undertaken to limit the fires and go after the guilty parties. But the fires – and the haze - might last well into November –if not early next year.
According to reports, as a result of the fires, Indonesia is on track to becoming the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases. In December this year, at the Conference of Parties in Paris, the world will be negotiating a new global climate agreement. The changes effected by climate change, as well as the measures to be adopted to mitigate these changes, will have a real impact on our lives.
It is therefore necessary that globally people’s awareness is raised about this important issue. As part of that effort, the EU in Singapore will be organizing some events in the lead-up to the Paris conference. On 25 November, the film “The Salt of the Earth” will be screened at the Projector on Beach Road. We will keep you updated on this and other events on our Facebook page.
Kind regards,
Geert Cockx
Royal Embassy of Belgium
8 Shenton Way#14-01
Singapore 068811Tel 6220 7677Fax 6222 6976
www.diplomatie.be/singapore
The embassy is open Monday to Friday:
8.30 am to 12.30 pm1.30 pm to 4.00 pm
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Consular matters
Dear Fellow Parents,
As of 1st October 2015, it is possible for parents to apply for a Kids-ID for their child (below 12) at the Belgian Embassy in Singapore.
The kids-ID is the proof of identity for Belgian children below the age of twelve. Just like the eID, the kids-ID takes the form of a bank card and contains a microchip with information about the identity of the child such as a photo, surname, first name, date and place of birth, the names of the parents…
It is accepted as an official travel document in the European countries and some non-European countries. You can find out which countries accept the kids-ID as a valid travel document via the link: http://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/services/travelling_abroad/travel_documents/
For countries that do not recognize the kids-ID, the child has to have a passport.
The kids-ID is also much more than simply a proof of identity and travel document.
Thanks to the “Hello Parents” service, the card features an unique emergency telephone number (+32 (0) 78 150 350), accessible 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, which allows to warn if the child has a problem or is in danger.
If the parents activate the “Hello Parents” application, people who find the child can call the number. The application then automatically telephones numbers the parents have previously specified. Parents can specify up to 7 numbers. “Hello Parents” calls all the specified numbers one after the other until someone answers. If no one answers, the call is automatically transferred to the emergency number of Child Focus.
More information about “Hello Parents” can be found at www.halloouders.be
ValidityIt is valid for 3 years (remains valid when moving to another country or returning to Belgium)
How to apply?Belgian children who are registered with the embassy and who are younger than 12 years (on the day of application the child must be younger than 11 years and 9 months) can apply.
The parent needs to be present in person at the embassy with:
& conform to the ICAO regulations)
subject to change)
signed - In French: http://countries.diplomatie.
belgium.be/fr/binaries/Formulaire-eID-FR_tcm425-272892.pdf
- In Dutch: http://countries.diplomatie.belgium.be/en/binaries/Formulier-Kids-ID-NL_tcm426-272914.pdf
Processing time The application procedure takes at least 6 weeks. As soon as the Kids-ID arrives, we will send you an e-mail inviting you to collect the card and the envelope with the PUK code.
Best regards,
The consular team at the Embassy
The new BLBG business season started in September with a completely revamped logo and website, a slightly revamped team however with still the same mission to provide business support, visibility and networking opportunities to all our Belgian, Luxembourg members as well as to other professionals in Singapore actively involved in or seeking business with Belgium or Luxembourg.
Our goal is to bring professionals from all the different countries together during high-level content seminars and networking events. We focus on exchanging information and best practices on how to do business in Singapore and Asia. Moreover, we actively promote Belgian and Luxembourg business and support export opportunities.
With the launch of a new logo and website we want to emphasize on the dynamics and professional approach within our business community. The colors of the logo - referring to the Belgium, Luxembourg and Singapore flags – reflect the active team-spirit while the lotus flower embodies the drive for growth within our companies.
Exclusively for companies, we offer Platinum or Gold Membership programs with a wide range of free invitations, exclusive benefits and great advertising possibilities.
For small companies and individuals looking for network opportunities, business support and discounts on business events, we offer Corporate or Individual Membership programs. Meanwhile more than 70 companies benefit from our networking events, local partnerships and business relations.
Since the start of the season, we facilitate outmost interesting guest-speaker events on topics such as Fintech and Singapore’s Creativity, we arranged an exclusive “Behind the Scene” visit at Changi Airport and indulged our members during an Openings-reception, cocktail event and business lunches. But there is much more to come!
Discover all upcoming events on our website (www.blbg.org.sg), follow us on Linkedin or like us on Facebook and get involved in the great business life in Singapore.
Have great fun and good business,
Business is all about Networkingby Peggy De Rop
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New MembersWelcome to BLAS
Previous country you lived in?
Netherlands, UK, US and Latin AmericaWhen did you arrive in Singapore?
In July 2013What is the reason for your move to
Singapore?
Ex-husband’s job relocationHow long do you plan to stay?
Pff... no idea!! Would love to stay at least 3-4 years but who knows! I live in the present and will see where the boat drives me! What are your expectations in Singapore
as a family, as a person?
I expect to enjoy Singapore’s quality of life – everything is so much easier such as chil-dren’s help, making new friends, commute etc.What is your favorite Belgian food and did
you managed to find it in Singapore? I’m not Belgian though must recognize belgium’s food is really nice! But here in Singapore I really don’t fancy anymore the true French/Belgian cooking. It’s so hot so I basically enjoy light food, Vietnamese, Japanese etc! What is your favorite Asian food?
As stated above... Have to make a choice between Vietnamese and Japanese What is the biggest culture shock you had
so far?
No real culture shock in Singapore to be honest... It is very “western”
Which mystery in Singapore would you
like to unveil?
Will they once find a vaccine for “yellow fever” ? What has been the most difficult experi-ence so far in Singapore?
Hum..becoming a single mum in Singapore. Apart from this to be honest, life’s pretty easy in Singapore... though very expensive ! What has been the nicest experience so
far in Singapore?
I met really nice persons be it locals or expatsWhat do you tell your family/friends in
Belgium when you skype with them?
Quality of life is wonderful but we have to keep in mind that It might be temporary - So better not complain too much and remain grateful for having the opportunity to experi-ence it.Was it love at first sight with Singapore? Well nothing’s perfect and there is some lack of European things that I definitely miss here but I would say that yes definitely liked it at first sight.
Celine BourbanGoldenhill park condo60 Mei Hwan Drive # 10-03 568426 SingaporeHP: 9450 [email protected]
Celine BourbanPatrick Dewilde and Sule Dewilde19 Nassim Road# 03-14 Nassim Park ResidencesSingapore 258461HP Patrick: 9777 [email protected] Sule: 9754 [email protected] Dewilde Interiors
Jean-Michel Deckers and Marie Deckers15 Duke’s RoadSingapore 268898HP Jean-Michel: 8328 [email protected] Swiss CosmeticsHP Marie: 9169 [email protected] Swiss Cosmetics
Mélanie de Ligne27 Balmoral Park #08-27259855 SingaporeHP Mélanie: 9132 [email protected]
Joke Mortier101 Cashew crescentSingapore 677732HP : 8876 [email protected]
Cedric Declercq and Patricia BralThe Beacon130 Cantonment Road #03-01Singapore 089775HP Cedric: 9459 [email protected] Patricia: 9106 [email protected] Offshore
Grégoire André and Marie Mourlon342 Pasir Panjang Road #05-02118676 SingaporeHP Grégoire: 8798 [email protected] Marie: 8338 [email protected]
Nathalie Durot Ribette37 Novena TerraceSingapore 307921HP: 9675 [email protected]’theatre
Michel Sablon and Mimi Geeroms93Meyer Road# 14-04 MeyeRise437913 SingaporeHP Michel: 9237 [email protected] MIMI: 9237 [email protected]
Charlotte MullemanBukit Timah Road 263#11-11 Goodwood ResidencesSingapore 259704HP: 8709 [email protected]
Hi!
My name is Nick Machiels and I came over to Singapore (alone) in July this year, after having accepted the offer to continue practicing the same job (engineer for SIEMENS) here. In Belgium, you could often find me in Antwerp, Schoten and Leuven. Being single and finding myself in an unattached situation in Belgium, this was perfect timing. It was an easy decision as I love to travel and am interested in dis-covering Asian culture. I expected Singapore to be the perfect place to develop oneself, professionally and personally. A high paced society with all the convenience to shape your life to your goals. That expectation has partly been met.
Settling down has taken a while and seems like a very gradual process. Finding a place to stay and a home are very different things, I discovered. The former I found near Paya Lebar, the latter in the wonderful people I had the chance to meet (including in BLAS).
Singapore has shown itself as a very practical and convenient country, but has some remarkable traits; the term “artificial bubble” comes to the mind now and then. Finding a new balance has been and remains the main challenge. For someone who loves and needs sports, the Haze (capital H) has been the main downside of Singapore, but it’s hard to name a second without sounding like a spoiled brat. Discovering things like the food courts, different regions (Chinatown, Little India, Gardens by the Bay…), the malls, the city in the garden have been a true adventure and pleasure. I have discovered I’m a big fan of the Indian and Japanese cuisine, and that culinary Singapore offers something for everyone (any style in every price range). I miss my mom’s spaghetti nevertheless.
Ridiculous alcohol and rent prices are just a part of the process can best be forgotten with a beer or two. One of my favorite places until now is 1.301176, 103.872682 (you can google that): a peaceful oasis in the middle of a majestic skyscraper jungle.
I’m very happy to join BLAS and look forward to getting to know its members and Singapore through its fantastic activities.
Roy Olislagers and Leslie VerschuerenSian Olislagers (2004)7 Leedon Heights D’Leedon #23-18Singapore 267953HP Roy: 9177 [email protected] Leslie: [email protected]
James Hansford and Eva Jacobs20 Havelock RoadSingapore 059765HP James: 8424 [email protected] Eva: [email protected] Trust School
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Art therapyBringing people together
Written by Sruthi Sriram
moment of creation is shared within a contained, supportive and comfortable environment – comfort which comes to grow in just one meeting. One session. Transient and profoundly binding.
The best part of my profession is cannot be just the academic learning that follows, but the memories and creative moments that have a lasting impact. Bringing people together just to make a drawing suddenly sounds and becomes so powerful. Despite many attempts at describing the nature of work and the outcome in creative and written modes, everything falls short of the real deal – the real emotion – the real affection, compassion, acceptance and just a whole bunch of other emotions created and held in that period of time – contributing to a wholly lived experience.
The best parts in my profession are when a child who does not want to draw, ends up making a drawing. When adults become children. When you get to witness and be a part of the joy they experience. When you help them heal and genuinely know, in your heart, without them conveying it to you in words, how much you being there means to them.
Simple. Undeniably fun. Accepting. Honest. Self-inquisitive. Judgement-free. Thoughtful. Stirring. A discipline so ethically bound and noble in its quest, Art Therapy and in its clinical form, Art Psychotherapy, does wonders with its capacity to go beyond borders, languages and cultures. Offering the advantage of visually witnessing one’s imagination and self at play – either through the process of art making or in the art product or both – the tangible lived experience gained subsequently, has proven to be highly cathartic to individuals.
Often times, new settings can be intimidating. Without knowing a language, in a new society, new setting - the excitement and anxiety involved go hand in hand as one slowly discovers the ways of the profession - its plasticity and flexibility when it comes to assisting an individual discover his/her own self amidst a heap of art materials in a group, until it all converges and dissolves in the ‘now’.
Attention. Awareness and Meanings. And then things fall into place. Meanings are made. Words are chosen to be spoken and a
Tips&TricksFinding work in Singapore
by Nicole Fabry
Many of you have left a job behind to follow your partner to Singapore. For those who aspire to find a job in Singapore, here are some suggestions. limited.
but a solution will present itself over time. It takes self-discipline to devote time on job-search. Plan your strategy and your time, but balance this with time to socialize.
Singapore is very tech-savvy and many of Singapore’s business processes take place online
accountant. Singapore is an easy and efficient place to set up a business. Research the market and growth opportunities for the products or services you want to sell in Singapore.
Sources:www.Jobsdb.com, www.Stjobs.sg, www.jobstreet.com, www.careerjet.sg, www.monster.com, www.contactsingapore.com, www.cd-services.com
Check out Chambers of Commerce of the countries you previously lived in.
Primetime: Business and Professional Women’s Association, www.primetime.org.sg
CRCE: Career Resources Center for Expatriates, www.aasingapore.com
ACRA: information on how to set up your own business, www.acra.org.sg
MOM: Ministry of Manpower, information on how the Hiring Employer can apply for Employment Pass (EP), Letter of Consent (LOC) and other information, www.mom.gov.sg.
business government and has attracted many multinational corporations. This creates a dynamic job market. However, effective August 2014, MOM (Ministry of Manpower) requires companies with more than 25 employees to advertise a job locally for 14 days before opening to foreign nationals.
design, your “title”. In Asian cultures, business cards are treated with respect.
about professional associations, international clubs to join, lectures to attend,…
you have an advantage over locals (international jobs, language skills,…)
accountant, recruiters,… Check if you need certifications.
provide supporting documents (diplomas, certifications duly translated in English).
competencies are used or try something you have always wanted to do. Make a job out of your hobby.
use a keyword-rich resume so you are more likely to show up when a company searches for candidates. Explain the activity of the company you worked for in Belgium. It may be a well-known company in Belgium, but not in Singapore. Mention any scholar reward you received: education is competitive here.
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Hi, we are the Goris’ family: Joke, Bavo, Zita and Finn.Almost 2 years ago we arrived in Singapore with 2 small children. At the time they were 10 weeks and 1.5 years old.
Belgiansin the Hood
West Coast
Written and pictures by Joke Bernaert
always come across somebody you know. If you go to the waterfront you have some really nice views of the harbour and especially at night it is beautiful to see all the lights from the Pasir Panjang terminal.
You won’t find any fancy restaurants in our area but there are some great local delights at the West Coast Community center. In one the food courts we had our first (and so far best) Singapore Chili crab.
In a hidden corner off West Coast Road, on 39 Jalan Mas Puteh, we discovered a cozy home style bistro and bakery, called W39, that serves some really nice breakfast. We enjoy riding our bicycles there on Sunday mornings for breakfast.
Next to the community center is a small but very beautiful Chinese Temple. We took the children there one day for a visit and got a very nice explanation from the locals about the statues and the stories behind it.
The lease of our apartment is almost coming to an end so we had to decide what to do. After plenty of visits to other neighbourhoods and condo’s we decided we like the area so much that we will stay in the same condo for 2 more years. As we discovered that there is no better place to stay in Singapore… ;-)
When we started looking for a place we were mainly looking at a family orientated condominium with nice facilities, not too far from our workplace, Jurong Island.
We decided to choose Varsity Park Condominium on West Coast Road. This condo is a low rise estate with a nice resort feeling to it. The swimming pools are surrounded by palm trees and there are plenty of facilities for the children to play.
There is a very nice mix of expats and locals, and most families have children so our kids never lack friends to play with outside during their free time.
The only disadvantage is that we are quite far from the MRT. However, there is a condo bus leaving every 30 minutes to Clementi MRT and we also have direct busses to the MRT station leaving every 10 minutes.
What we like most of the area is that it is a very green neighborhood. West Coast Park is only 200m away from our doorstep and almost next door we have a smaller park called Clementi Woods.
When there is no haze we visit West Coast Park at least once a week. The children love going there as it has a huge playground and there are always plenty of kids around to play with. Everybody from the neighborhood goes to the park for walking, running or bicycle riding so you will
Everybody from the neighborhood goes to West Coast Park for walking, running or bicycle riding so you will always come across somebody you know.
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After many years of travelling together to amazing places around the world, we had yet to set foot in what is often described as the ultimate island paradise — the Maldives.
MaldivesSparkling Blue Love
Written and pictures by Florine Eppe Beauloye
It’s a bit of a cliché for a honeymoon location, but for good reason. It really is a piece of paradise which will leave you speechless and make you feel like you’re living out your dreams.Upon arrival at the airport, the tone was set.We chose to stay on the tiny Maldivian private coral island of Velassaru which is conveniently located in the South Male Atoll, just a 25-minute scenic speedboat ride from Malé airport.
270 sqm of pure indulgence, rising above
the turquoise lagoon waters,
right at the end of the jetty isolated behind
a private gate
Our original plan was to go for a safari in Namibia and Botswana, but the season wasn’t right. So instead, following a tropical proposal in a secluded island in Fiji and an intimate wedding where the sea meets the sky in Uluwatu, on Bali’s southern peninsula, we felt that a laidback luxury honeymoon in the Maldives would be the perfect complement to our picture-perfect love story. The honeymoon in Africa would have to wait.
Seven sun-filled days at an uber-luxe resort in the Maldives? Yes, please!We stayed at the stunning Velassaru Water Suite for the quintessential Maldivian experience (there is only one such room in the whole resort!).270 sqm of pure indulgence, rising above the turquoise lagoon waters, right at the end of the jetty isolated behind a private gate. Quiet and peaceful...The perfect luxury hideaway.
With uninterrupted views of the ocean and beyond, the Velassaru Water Suite combines natural elegance with contemporary chic.The living room features a glass floor offering a remarkable view of the marine life underfoot (our own live natural aquarium!).A huge bathroom with oversized bathtub and an indoor rain shower boasted amazing views of the sea.We enjoyed a spacious sun deck with our very own infinity pool, merging with the horizon.We loved waking up bright and early. How could we not? Imagine awakening to something as beautiful as this…...then walking right off your private deck for a swim in the endless turquoise ocean.We had stingrays, reef sharks, colourful tropical fish and coral reefs, quite literally, right at our doorstep!
We spent the week lazing around, listening to the gentle waves. We enjoyed a massage in an overwater bungalow, dined barefoot on the beach, watched glorious sunrises and sunsets, and sipped delicious mojitos under the starry skies.
About The AuthorFlorine Eppe Beauloye
A global nomad at heart with wanderlust in her veins, Florine Eppe Beau-loye is also a self-confessed techie with a natural flair for leading premium and luxury brands on their enchanting and mesmerising journey to digital relevance. Florine is the Founder and Director of mOOnshot digital, a bou-tique creative and digital marketing agency for premium and luxury brands. Guided by a deep understanding of the vast opportunities that digital can offer, a luxury savoir-faire and an intimate knowledge of each client’s busi-ness, we empower discerning brands to realise their full potential through digital innovation. We call it Digital Craftsmanship.
Florine has international marketing experience spanning over a decade and a strong network within Google, Facebook and YouTube. She holds a Master’s in Marketing and Communication with first class honours from the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), a leading University at the heart of Europe. Florine has previously worked as TV Journalist, PR Manager and Head of Marketing for leading B2C and B2B brands.
moonshotdigital.com
Powdery-white beaches, salty kisses and sandy toes...Sparkling blue ocean, vivid green palm trees...Barefoot luxury at its very best.Ever since this trip, our lives continue to be filled with serendipitous encounters, shared adventures, and above all else, wonderful surprises.
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Diwali, also known as Deepavali, Dipavali, Dewali, Deepawali or the Festival of Lights, marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year. It is celebrated on the 15th day of Kartika (October/November) in the Hindu calendar. Diwali celebrations can last for about five days
Historical BackgroundThere are many interpretations of the meaning of Diwali, its symbols, rituals, and the reasons for celebration. In the Ramayan, we learn of Lord Rama’s glorious and long-awaited return to his Kingdom of Ayodhya after having been exiled for fourteen years in the forests. His devotees celebrated his return with much joy and happiness by lighting deyas to welcome him back to his kingdom. Diwali also commemorates Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakaasura who had kidnapped and terrorized the gopis of Vrindavan. When the evil Naraka was finally killed by Lord Krishna and Satyabhaama, he begged pitifully for mercy. The day of his death was celebrated with great joy and festivity.
A New Beginning and Fresh StartFor some people, Diwali marks the start of a new year and a new beginning and a time for personal reassessment of their life: their personal and family accomplishments, their contributions to society and the poor, their strengths and weaknesses and making plans for a new beginning and fresh start.
Before Diwali, people spend a lot of time and energy cleaning and sweeping their homes and their environment and buy new items for their house to make their homes and environment more attractive.
Deepavali in SingaporeLonging for a slice of the action? Head to Little India where the streets are transformed into a fantasyland of colourful arches and stunning lights. Wander through the bazaars with their glittering gold and gems, exquisitely embroidered saris and gleaming golden oil lamps. Inhale the scent of marigolds, roses and jasmine, thickly braided into lush floral garlands mingling with the perfume of sweet incense and the fragrance of Indian spices and Ayurvedic massage oils.
Where to go Sri Veeramakaliamman TempleThis Hindu temple, dedicated to the goddess Kali, was built in 1855 and fascinates visitors with its high tower, bell-covered doors and ceilings festooned with statues of myriad deities.
Mustafa CentreThis 24-hour shopping mall is famous for having whatever you want, whenever you want it. Choose from a wide range of household appliances, gold jewellery, apparel and groceries, at reasonable prices.
Deepavali Festival VillageThis bazaar bustles with stallholders who peddle everything from festive knick-knacks to seasonal snacks like ‘murukku’ (savoury twists) and ‘athirasam’ (sweet doughnuts).
Deepavaliwhat does it mean
When you have the opportunity to go/work abroad - with or without children - a voice shows up, whispering either gently or screaming quite devastating: ‘Can I cope with that culture, climate, mentality, can I cope with homesickness, whatsoever?’, besides that tiny little voice everyone has to handle with - especially if you don’t have any expat experience before - when getting that opportunity: ‘Go, go, go.’
Hot and humidLocated just one degree north of the equator, Singapore has a tropical rainforest climate and stays hot and humid throughout the year. Temperatures average around 31 °C during the day with little seasonal variation, although it’s slightly cooler in December and January, and hottest in April and May. Temperatures are unlikely to dip below 23 °C at night; the lowest temperature ever recorded was just over 19 °C in January 1934, the hottest one 36 °C on 26th
Belgium-Singapore a different same old stuff?
Written by Dries Verachtert
The problem is that you will not know until you have been staying for several days, months, years, even decennia, comparing one person to another. Not everyone is as smooth as butter.
So, what are actually the differences between good old Belgium and unknown, therefore yet unloved Singapore? When you come out of the plane, walking down that huge lobby of Changi Airport, coming across a myriad of cultures and nationalities, what can you expect? What are the things for you to be fond of or to reject? Culture clash or kind of a different same old stuff?
First of all, when you are standing in the queue, waiting for a taxi,(families with little children are alllowed to take another, quicker queue. Don’t be embarassed) you probably look around; inside to all those people, outside to the sky beyond the huge glass windows. The sky seams rather greyish and you are about to become a non-believer to those who claim that Singapore is hot and humid. (Nice weather, there in the queue! Where is the sun outside?) Then, the queue becomes smaller and smaller and once you go outside, you will face the tropics: like baking cookies, opening the oven with your curious face almost inside, forgetting how hot it can be, like you get a humid towel in your neck... Maybe a little bit overdone, however spectacles wearers will soon see not that good anymore.
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sweat. However there is more opportunity to have some breeze on the sea shores. Annual average in Singapore 7,1 km/u (during monsoons more wind), in Belgium 13,3 km/u (during winters and on the coast more wind)
The warm air in Singapore is of course the result of the sun, being on her most effective way by pointing her sunbeams right at the equator in a straight angle with the surface.
Due to that same sun and lying nearby the sea, there is an extreme evaporation (‘when the sun stands in its zenith’) which causes the ‘thick’ air. The humid hot air will rise and condensate in higher cooler air and will come down as shower rains (zenith rain).
Monsoon rainsSingapore has a lot of rainfall to handle with and although there are no distinctive seasons (wet and dry), Singapore is influenced by two different monsoons: Northeast monsoon and Southwest monsoon. These appear when trade winds blow over land, due to high pressure above cooler sea and low pressure above warmer mainland. The warm air above the mainland expands and rises high, causing a low pressure area and giving the
cooler, but moist air from the sea the opportunity to change places and release his luggage on the mainland.
The Northeast Monsoon generally takes place from December to March and is accompanied by more frequent rain, particularly from November to January. Conversely, the Southwest Monsoon produces a marginally dryer climate from May to September. Despite the slightly lower overall precipitation levels, particularly from June to August, the Southwest Monsoon is characterized by its early-morning rainstorms; these often persist for one or two hours then taper off for the afternoon. Even these drier months experience a fair amount of rain, so be prepared for unpredictably wet weather any time of the year.
To compare with Belgium: no monsoons or zenith rains, God bless. Annually, Belgium receives about 750 to 850 mm or l/m² rain. Rainfall increases on higher altitudes and decreases when going to the coast. The average annual rainfall in Singapore however is about 2340 mm, three times more compared to Belgium! Let’s complain again about drowsy Belgium! But why not, raining in Belgium takes a long time. Raining in Singapore however takes an iron umbrella. Before you know,
of March 1998. I can hear you think: ‘Only 36 degrees, I am sure I have been exposed to more...’ That is part of the windchill, which we will talk about later.
To give you something to think about: the lowest temperature ever measured in Belgium was -30,4°C, on the 20th of January 1940, the warmest one was 38,8 °C in Ukkel on the 27th of June 1947. But because this temperature was measured in an open cabin, the 38,2 °C of the 20th of August 2009 is officially seen as the hottest ever. However it probably has been hotter in some valleys, in which are no measurement equipments. The Kempen for instance always comes up with higher temperatures, because of the sandy underground, which is more porous and containing more air. More air means more warmth conduction. As well as cold conduction in the winter by the way.
Humidity then. The region is extremely humid, with humidity levels usually between 70% and 90%; often the air is muggiest in the early morning with about 90% relative humidity (RH), abating somewhat in the afternoon to a nicer 60-70%. During prolonged heavy rain, relative humidity often reaches 100%. March and
September are particularly humid and often very uncomfortable. To give you an idea and actually a rather surprising one : Belgium has got a relative humidity percentage that is equal and sometimes even exceeds Singapore’s. About 80-85%. Relative humidity is the ratio of the amount of water vapor in the air to the maximum amount of water vapor that can appear in that air, depending on temperature and to a lesser extent air pressure. The higher the temperature, the more water vapor air can contain. So, Singapore’s constant high temperature causes a more sticky feeling compared to Belgium, because its warm air has the possibility to hold more water vapor, reaching the same RH.
Can you remember freezing mornings with frost and a deep blue sky, followed by fast increasing temperatures in the afternoon, ending up with a fleece blanket, increasing cold on your face and a coffee or tea in the evening on the terrace? Lovely, isn’t it? That’s when relative humidity is as low as can be. Homesick?
Enlarging the feeling of warmth and stuffiness in Singapore is often the absence of wind, therefore reinforcing the effect of the high temperatures and having the body more effort to make to dispose
Belgium has got a relative
humidity percentage
that is equal and sometimes
even exceeds Singapore’s.
About 80-85%.
MARITIME CLIMATE
4 SEASONS NO SEASONS
TROPICAL RAINFOREST CLIMATE
-30,4LOWEST EVER
13,3km/hAVERAGE WINDSPEED
200+ RAINY DAYS
170 RAINY DAYS
4,2 hAVERAGE DAYLY SUNLIGHT
5,4 hAVERAGE DAYLY SUNLIGHT
7,1km/hAVERAGE WINDSPEED
19LOWEST EVER
38,2HIGHEST EVER
36HIGHEST EVER
750-850mmAVERAGE ANNUAL RAINFALL
2340mmAVERAGE ANNUAL RAINFALL
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the rain stops, the people come out of their holes and life can start again. In Belgium, it can rain for days. Giving you again an idea, more than 200 rainy days ( > 0,1 mm/dag) in Belgium, about 170 in Singapore. So God bless, I don’t know... Depending on what you like. By the way, the wettest place on earth happens to be in northeast Indian Cherrapunji, having an amazing average annual rainfall of 11777 mm. The ultimate annual rainfall has also been recorded there with a gruesome 22987 mm. God bless for real now...
ThunderstormsThunderstorms are also a very regular phenomenon in Singapore, occurring on roughly 40% of all days year-round but particularly common during the Northeast Monsoon. An
average of 175 days of thunder and lightning, which gives this small city-state one of the highest rates of lightning activity worldwide.
So, back again to the windchill. Almost no wind in combination with high temperatures and high humidity will give you sometimes the feeling of living in a greenhouse. Halleluja, praise the Lo.., sorry, aircon!
Oops. I forgot to mention that Singapore besides his monsoon periods has also got a third ‘season’, a very infamous one and probably the reason for the greyish sky beyond the huge glass windows at Changi Airport, where you were looking at: HAZE season!!
Sadly, we’re all very familiar at the moment with the haze. But do we all know what exactly causes it:
Tracking fires in South East AsiaThe forest and plantation fires in Central Kalimantan and South Sumatra are the main cause of the haze in Singapore. Fires are caused by the slash and burn method which is a farming technique used to clear forested land. Here is a real-time look at the hotspots in the region using NASA’s database over the last 24 hours.
A smouldering problemHaze from Indonesian forest fires has shrouded Singapore skies for weeks. Some have identified fires burning on degraded peatlands and idle scrubland in the province of Riau, Sumatra as the main contributors to the haze affecting Singapore and Malaysia.
Peat fireFire that results from peat – partially decomposed plant matter formed in wetlands that is sometimes harvested as fuel. Unlike forest fires, it tends to travel underground and can resurface anywhere, making it much harder to combat. It is flameless and of a lower temperature than forest fires. It spreads slowly but when the right conditions are met, peat catches fire.
Peat fires are very difficult to combat, because they can spread underground. They produce a lot of smoke and release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. They can burn for days and weeks, even under relatively wet conditions. Deemed the largest fires on Earth in terms of their carbon footprint.
What’s in the haze:PARTICULATE MATTER (PM10) These make up a major component of the haze. They can occur naturally or are produced by burning wood and other vegetation.SMALLER PARTICULATE MATTER (PM2.5) These are the most worrying because high levels have been found to be strongly associated with many types of respiratory illnesses.SULPHUR DIOXIDE Produces a foul smell. Produced when fuels are burnt. CARBON MONOXIDE Odourless gas is caused by incomplete burning. Usually released by car exhaust fumes and is fatal in large amounts.NITROGEN DIOXIDE Toxic gas emitted from car exhaust. High levels increase the risk of respiratory infections and impair lung function in asthmatics. OZONE This greenhouse gas is formed when sunlight reacts with air rich in hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, common by-products of burning fossil fuels.SOURCES: Straits Times, FORBES, UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER, NASA
Singapore Hazeexplained
PM2.5 These are the most worrying because high levels have been found to be strongly associated with many types of respiratory illnesses
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Singapore’s government has long insisted that everyone in the island nation should speak English - it’s the language used in schools, at work, and in government. But in practice many peo-ple speak a hybrid language that can leave visitors completely baffled - Singlish.Singapore is known for its efficiency and Singlish is no different - it’s colourful and snappy.
Repeated Speak Good English campaigns, drummed into Singaporeans in schools and in the media, have had only limited success. Singlish has not only shrugged off these attacks, it has thrived.
It’s been documented in a dictionary and studied by linguists. And it has been immortalised in popular culture. Take for example the 1991 comedy rap song Why U So Like Dat? by musician Siva Choy, which dramatises an argument between two schoolchildren.
“I always give you chocolate, I give you my Tic Tac, but now you got a Kit Kat, you never give me back!” sings Choy.
“Oh why you so like dat ah? Eh why you so like dat?”
Over time, Speak Good English campaigns have evolved from trying to stamp out Singlish, to accepting that properly spoken English and Singlish can peacefully co-exist. The language has even come to be seen as part of Singaporean identity and heritage - it appears in advertising campaigns for SG50, the big celebration of Singapore’s Jubilee Year, and will feature on floats in Sunday’s National Day Parade.
Among ordinary Singaporeans, Singlish tends to be spoken in informal situations - with friends and family, taking a taxi or buying groceries. It indicates casual intimacy. English, on the other hand, is used for formal situations - at school, or at work, especially when meeting strangers or clients.
Over time, it has become a social marker - someone who can effectively switch between the two languages is perceived to be more educated and of a higher social status than someone who can only speak Singlish.
Someone who can only speak English, and not Singlish, meanwhile, may be seen as a bit posh, or worse - not a real Singaporean.
So how do you speak it?The grammar mirrors some other regional languages including Malay, which is indigenous to Singapore, by doing away with most prepositions, verb conjugations, and plural words, while its vocabulary reflects the broad range of the country’s immigrant roots. It borrows from Malay, Hokkien, Cantonese, Mandarin and other Chinese languages, as well as Tamil from southern India.
Having coffee, “lim kopi”, is a combination of the Hokkien word for drink, “lim”, and the Malay word for coffee, “kopi”.
A person who worries a lot is a kancheong spider - “kancheong” is from the Cantonese word for anxious, and the term evokes the image of a panicked spider scurrying around.If a situation is intolerable, you may exclaim, “Buay tahan!” The word “buay” is Hokkien for cannot, and “tahan” is Malay for tolerate.But Singaporeans have also appropriated English words and turned them into something else.To reverse is to “gostan”, from the nautical term
SINGLISH - Lah
You don’t have a coffee - you “lim kopi”. And if someone asks you to join them for a meal but you’ve already had dinner, you simply say: “Eat already.”
Singlish first emerged when Singapore gained independence 50 years ago, and decided that English should be the common language for all its different races.
That was the plan. It worked out slightly differently though, as the various ethnic groups began infusing English with other words and grammar. English became the official language, but Singlish became the language of the street.
“go astern” - a reminder that Singapore was once a British port.“Whack” means to attack someone, and transposing that to Singapore’s favourite pastime, eating, it can also mean ravenously attacking or digging into a hearty meal.Singlish also has an array of words that are simply invented, that don’t mean anything on their own, but dramatically alter the tone of what you’re saying when tacked on to the end of a sentence.“I got the cat lah,” is an assurance that you have the cat. “I got the cat meh?” is the puzzled realisation that you may have lost it.
Some Singlish phrases are also used in Malaysia but others are unique to Singapore.
To “merlion” is to vomit profusely, and refers to Singapore’s national icon, the Merlion, a half-fish half-lion statue that continuously spouts water.
Thanks partly to social media, Singlish, which used to be only a spoken language, is now starting to evolve in written form with spelling that reflects how the words are pronounced.“Like that” can be “liddat.”“Don’t play play” - a phrase popularised by 1990s sitcom character Phua Chu Kang, meaning roughly “don’t mess around with me” - is more accurately written as “Donch pray pray”.Confused? Donch get kancheong.
Spend enough time in Singapore and you sure get it lah.
The language has even come to be seen as part of Singaporean identity and heritage
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At the end of last year the BLAS organized the first “Guys’ Night Out”. It’s definitely not a new idea, but we felt it was time to put some-thing in place to gather all these fine Belgian gentlemen living in Singapore.
That’s where the next part begins, the sniffing. Experts consider this as the most important part of assessing a whisky as the tasting will only confirm what your olfactory system tells you. Then comes the palate as an enjoyable reward. It’s the moment where you finally may savor the beverage in your mouth to discover the different flavors that are present. Last but not least, you get the finish or after taste that really differentiates the whisky from other spirits once swallowed.
We obviously repeated the sequence above many times in order to finish our 4 bottles and some of us even continued their tasting after that. First in the Auld Alliance and then at Club Street.Animated discussions, a lot of laughs and excellent drinks. A great night out! So that’s why the next “Guys’ Night out” is coming up soon!
Whisky TastingBLAS Guys’ Night Out
Written and pictures by Thomas Laboulle
The chosen activity was a whisky tasting hosted at the Auld Alliance near Orchard Road. It is considered by many as the absolute temple for whisky lovers as it has a massive selection of rare and old bottles. To give you an idea they have over 1400 labels listed in a 70 page book-like menu
Our guide Arun, a living whisky encyclopedia, selected the following for our event:
So, while the experienced staff started to serve the first one for all the attendees, Arun began his explanations regarding the tasting as such.
The process is quite straight forward and it begins with the glass selection. Unlike most trendy bars we indeed received our Cragganmore in a tulip-shaped glass. The latter channels and concentrates the aromas of the whisky towards the nose…
Tuesday morning, the 15th of September, nine cooking enthousiast came together in Singapore and enjoyed cooking up some traditional Indonesian dishes.
and long beans
We started, as usual, with receiving the general explanation of all the food items that we would be using and by now I know that each time I learn something new. This time I found out all about tempeh which is fermented tofu wrapped in a banana leaf!! Scary right !!! But I found out it’s only scary because it’s something I don’t know and I have never used before. It was a great opportunity to broaden my horizon a bit more and to use it to make a very nice dish.
After two hours of cooking and lots of chatting we all sat together and enjoyed a delicious self-made lunch. Now we’re ready to make all these beautiful and delicious dishes ourselves.
Indonesian cooking class with Kay
Written and pictures by Manuela Clercx
Sayur Goreng (medley of vegetables - Indonesian Style)
Ingredients:
• oil for frying• firm tofu cut into small cubes• tempeh cut into small cubes• 1 onion, sliced• 2 tbsp chopped garlic• 1 red chilli, sliced in rings• salt• 300g long beans, sliced into small rings
Preparation:
• Fry the tofu and tempeh seperately and set aside.
• Heat 4 tbsp of oil and fry the onions until soft.
• Add garlic, red chilli, salt, beans and fry until beans are well cooked.
• If it becomes to dry ad some water.• When the beans are cooked add the fried
tofu and tempeh pieces, mix well and serve with hot rice.
Put the 4th of December in your diaries for another great evening with the guys! Be ready to discover new tastes and places and get to know your fellow Belgians! See you all then!
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There is so much so to see and do in Singapore. BLAS organizes monthly and ad hoc activi-ties. Check out the BLAS calendar and join us for on or more events (Non-BLAS members are welcome as well).
CalendarUpcoming BLAS events
Sometimes a date or event
changes. Check out regularly our
website www.BLAS.org.sg
or the Facebookgroup:
Belgians in Singapore for any
updates.
Thursday19 NOVEMBER BAW goes OverEasy
November’s BAW event will be hosted at OverEasy in One Fullerton.This modern bar offers an indoor all-American diner, a great terrace with a stunning view and plenty of room to dance once the DJ music kicks in!Our concept remains.No entry fee, excellent drinks at affordable prices and a very diverse community of people that just want to relax and unwind after a long day at work.
Spread the word and join us on the 19th of November!TIME: from 6pm until 1amWHERE: 1 Fullerton Road, #01-06, One Fullerton., Singapore 049213
Satuday21 NOVEMBER Sinterklaas/Saint-Nicholas Arrival
'Sinterklaas' and his 'zwarte pieten' are on their way from Spain to SnigaporeTIME: around 10amWHERE: The boat will arrive at Bayfront South Jettie (nearby Marina Bay Sands Mall)
We expect everybody to welcome this good man while singing his favourite songs. Dress up with a nice hat, Saint Nicolas costume or as 'Zwarte Piet'.
Sunday22 NOVEMBER Pizza making class @ Capricci
Join us for this fun pizza making class on a Sunday morning. This is not a kids activity but it is a great family activity where you can learn how to make pizza.Chef Massimo will show us how you make your own fresh pizza and you will get the chance to practice with your own pizza as well. He will top it of with a demonstration of how to make restaurant-style Tiramisu. After the class we will enjoy our pizza, tiramisu and coffee or orange juice.TIME: from 11am until 1.30pmWHERE: Capricci Restaurant @ 27 Tanjon Pagar RoadPRICE: BLAS-Member $70/ adult Non-Member $90/adult ( 1 kid free with 1 paid adult )Children 13 years and above and younger children that want to make & eat their own pizza have to buy a ticket to be able to participate.We will be joining a public event but in case there are less then 15 people you will be notified by e-mail one week before and the class will be cancelled and off course you will receive a full refund.More info can be found soon on our website.
Saturday 28 NOVEMBER BLAS Quest (& G2G)
An amazing exploration of Singapore by car full of bends and twists!Get ready for a full day of quirky venues, amazing experiences, occasional challenges but most of all loads of fun and bonding with friends & family! We promise to show you a side of Singapore you never knew existed by taking you on an unforgettable journey.Your main CHALLENGE will be to figure out the next location (5 in total) with opening a minimum number of envelopes (each one containing a ‘clue’ or ‘puzzle’ to reveal the next location). Speed doesn’t matter, creativity and originality all the more!The WINNERS of the quest, as well as some inside stories will be announced at the Get2gether the same evening.
PRICE: adult $29 child (<18) $19 (includes lunch & some drinks)NON-MEMBERS exceptionally allowed at members’ price!
Registration closes 10(!) days before the start of the quest on WED Nov 18!
Saturday 28 NOVEMBER G2G
!!! EXCEPTIONALLY ON SATURDAY !!!Enjoy a nice evening in good company & with Belgian Beers in the afterglow of today’s Quest. Ideally to share silly anecdotes or to sit on enjoying the ‘Quest – best of ’ slideshow. But even if you didn’t make it earlier to the Rally, very welcome indeed!
From 8.30pm until 1pm at Els & Patrick’s place, 44 Sommerville Road.
Drinks/consumptions are paid cash. No reservation needed, just come and enjoy. Non BLAS members are also welcome! There will be no food, maybe a very small snack.No need to bring anything, just bring yourself and your good spirit!WHERE: Home of Els & Patrick 44 Sommerville RoadTIME: 8.30pm - 1am
Save the date
THE BLAS QUESTSaturday November 28th
What? An amazing exploration of Singapore by car
with some unexpected bends and twists.
Are you ready for a full day of quirky venues, amazing experiences, occasional challenges but most of all loads of fun and bonding
with family and friends?Can you figure out the next location with a minimum number of clues?
We’ll show you a side of Singapore you never knew existed by taking you on an unforgettable journey.
Speed doesn’t matter, creativity and originality all the more!
Who can participate?Members as well as non-members (bring your friends!)
From age 7 to 77 (bring your kids!)
Curious? More details soon to be published on the BLAS website.
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Weekly Activities
BLAS sportsteam organizes at lot of activities during the year, usual and unusual sports, known and less known sports.
But every week you can do sports with BLAS and they love to invite you !!
TENNISWhere are all the sporty ones
A new location for our Friday evening tennis has been found at Turf city, the Grandstand, 287994We have 4 courts available… all waiting for you every Friday from 8pm till 10pmWe play doubles and change teams every 40 minutes so you will play with different players and different levels of skill.All levels are welcome.Just send your email details and you will get a weekly invitation... that way you can still decide every week if you like to join or not. If you want to join, don't forget to register on the BLAS site!
You can send a quick mail to [email protected].
SOCCERWe welcome you to play soccer on Saturday afternoon, usually at 3pm. We play in a competetion named: Equatorial League - Qualifying Division. BLAS does not have a home turf so we play at different pitches and surfaces every week. The team is open to players of all levels and ages. During the game, we are allowed to have continuous substitutions. Afterwards, we go for a drink and a laugh at a food court close to the pitch.
If you would like to join or get more information, please contact Hans Kerstens or Laurens Van den Brule at [email protected]
Of course, sportfans are always welcome!
Tuesday01 DECEMBER The Red Pencil Art therapy workshop
Following the success of the workshop organized in January we are now holding an additional workshop on 1 December in the evening, so partners and teenagers (as of 13 year) can join this exciting workshop.Laurence Vandenborre has put her heart and soul into the creation and recognition of the charity foundation ‘The Red Pencil’. She will share her passion with us and explain everything that there is to know about the healing process of Art Therapy. The Red Pencil not only helps children and adults to regain control in difficult situations but is also very active to train Master of Art Students to become Art Therapists.We would like to invite you to an ‘active’ workshop on Art therapy. Bring your friends and let your hands work with pencils to get an in-depth understanding of what The Red Pencil is all about. Are you very interested but you don’t feel like drawing, no problem, just join us for the talk and see the others at work.TIME: 7.30pm - 10pmWHERE: Location will be confirmed depending on subscriptions. Please book before 25 November.PRICE: BLAS-Member: $25 non-Member: $45
Thursday 10 DECEMBER Lunch Bunch @ Forlino
Join us at the next lunch bunch in an Italian Masterpiece and with a Breathtaking Marina Bay View. Part of the Deliciae Hospitality Management’s group of dining concepts, Forlino has won multiple awards as one of the top Italian fine dining restaurants in Singapore, with its Classic menu and array of Signature wines mainly from Italy.TIME: 12pmWHERE: 1 Fullerton Road One Fullerton, #02-06 Singapore 049213
From the internationally acclaimed creators of Peter Pan, The Never Ending Story, comes the Asian premiere of Cinderella, A Fairly True Story on 10 December 2015, Thursday, at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) in Singapore. Following the successful run of Peter Pan, The Never Ending Story at RWS, both Music Hall from Belgium and RWS have once again collaborated to stage Cinderella, A Fairly True Story at Resorts World Theatre. Told through a mix of original uplifting music and popular hits, dynamic dance choreography and dazzling magic, this production is set to captivate the entire family this year-end festive season.
Cinderella, A Fairly True Story is presented by RWS in association with Belgium’s Music Hall. It focuses on the existential problem of Cinderella as an orphan girl growing in forced circumstances among her terrible stepmother and two stepsisters. As the reporter recounts to the audience Cinderella’s life and ambitions, he rejects any magical interventions and encourages Cinderella to face up to her own responsibility. Adapted from a previous version staged in Europe in 2013, Assepoester, Het Tamelijk Ware Verhaal, the lighthearted fairytale-themed story with a contemporary twist is performed by an international cast and packed with eye-popping spectacle. Audiences will be brought on an enchanting journey with its high-tech scene projections and spectacular visual
Cinderellaa fairly true story
This year, the Resorts World Theatre, will be staging Cinderella – A Fairly True Story, from 10 December 2015 through to 04 January 2015. This is being produced by Music Hall, a Belgium production house.
effects including the fascinating pumpkin and Cinderella’s dress transformations.
“We are delighted to bring this timeless relevant, touching story to RWS. We greatly enjoyed the collaboration last year, when we played Peter Pan, The Never Ending Story at this great venue. But there’s more to Cinderella’s story than we always thought. A highly talented team of creatives now presents the real story. Cinderella’s tale is sometimes funny, sometimes tough, sometimes happy, sometimes sad, sometimes confusing, but always fairly true,” said Mr Geert Allaert, founder of Music Hall as well as producer and artistic director of Cinderella, A Fairly True Story.
The original direction and scripting was entrusted to the award winning Mr Stany Crets who also created the original idea for Cinderella, A Fairly True Story. He has received multiple awards for his work including a Vlaamse Musical Award for Best Director for Spamalot. Ms Karina Mertens is the director for this renewed version of Cinderella, A Fairly True Story. The show’s choreography is led by the brilliant and classically-trained ex-ballet dancer Mr Martino Muller from Switzerland. Mr Muller was also the original choreographer for Peter Pan, The Never Ending Story. Mr Niek Kortekaas is the original set designer and Mr Erik Vernieuwe is the original costume designer for Cinderella, A Fairly True Story.
Especially for BLAS We can offer our readers an exclusive discount code. So please use the discount code 'CHAMBERS15' when you book your tickets online and enjoy this Belgian musical in Singapore! Don’t miss this chance!
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For more pictures, see www.blas.org.sgFor more pictures, see www.blas.org.sg
BLAS activitiesFun filled days
Cultural Tour: Mooncake Magic
Lunch Bunch @ KithKith is a lovely restaurant in the port of Sentosa, with fresh homemade excellent food.After a stressful week of following up the PSI, we’ve been lucky on Monday 5th of October, the haze reduced to an acceptable level, so we could have our meal outside on the terrace.It is worth to go back!
SAM TourEls Van Sieleghem, passionate about Modern Art, was our inspirational guide at the ‘After Utopia’ exhibition at SAM which features some famous contemporary artists from all over Asia. You didn’t have to be a great fantast nor a knowledgeable art geek to enjoy every minute of Els’ tour. For Els masters the art of engaging her audience by giving just enough factual information to awaken your interest while leaving enough opening at the same time for a personal interpretation. Thus the one hour tour around the museum became an amazing journey along very diverse art works and installations which by turns, served as mirrors to both our innermost yearnings as well as to our contemporary realities – that gnawing sense that this world is far from ‘Utopia’.
Els Van Sieleghem is a certified SAM guide and founder of Atuatuca, More info on www.atuatuca.org
Golf initiationIn the previous edition of the gazette you could read the story of golf pro Ruby. When she proposed to give one hour of free golf initiation, we organized some dates.Two families, some ladies and men took their chances.The members for who it was the first time, enjoyed the session very much and were surprised that at the end of the lesson they could actually hit a ball!At least four of them decided to form a group and continue to take golf lessons with Ruby.I wish you a lot of success!
Treasure Hunt
Lunch Bunch @ FOC
Mussels Dinner
Zoom Park
Deepavali tour
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THE TINITN SHOP28 Pagoda StreetSingapore 059188Opening hours : 10am – 9pm (Sunday – Thursday)10am – 10pm (Friday – Saturday)Email : [email protected] Online shop : www.tintin.sgFacebook : https://www.facebook.com/THETINTINSHOPSG/
After months (or years) of preparation, on 18 December 2010, a shop totally devoted to TINTIN arrived in Singapore at 56 Pagoda St. They strived and will continue to strive and bring everything under the sun related to TINTIN. It’s one of the largest TINTIN shop outside Belgium !
Do you have a masterpiece? It has to be the unicorn ship itself. It is hand built and painted. Truly a masterpiece. But bestsellers are T-shirts and key rings as they are easier for customers to bring a small memento back with them.
and a favourite piece? My favourite comic book would be the Destination to the moon. It is amazing that Hergé wrote the book years before men actually went onto the moon. It still amazes me that he was able to capture and depict out the experiences on the moon before actually seeing it happen.
What kind of customers are visiting the shop? Since we are located in Chinatown itself, our customer base primarily are tourists. Mainly Australians, Indonesians, Indians and Chinese. Surprisingly, we get quite a fair bit of Europeans as well, as they are unable to locate the places in Europe that sell TINTIN merchandise. After 5 years in operation, we have definitely built a group which are our VIP collectors and the unique thing is that they come from all over Asia.
Moulinsart holds exclusive exploitation rights relative to the work of Hergé. Was it easy to open a shop here in Singapore?It was definitely a challenge to obtain the license to sell the merchandise. However, once they understood our business model and that Singapore is strategically located as various hubs (medical/financial/tourist) it was a smooth sailing.
In your opinion, why Tintin is so popular here and in Asia in general? TINTIN is popular everywhere. We want to be like him. To be able to travel around, to do justice and go on adventures. On top of that, TINTIN has visited various parts of Asia (Indonesia, India, Tibet, China etc…) Furthermore, the stories were written in line with current affairs during those times which makes the stories more realistic
What’s your plan for the future? Our plan is to promote TINTIN throughout Asia and our dream is to have 1 TINITN shop in each Asian country.
TINTIN in Singapore
Gabriel Tan, Managing Director, is a comic book fan and when the opportunity came to obtain the license to sell TINTIN, he jumped into it and the rest is history.
Why A TINTIN shop in Singapore? When I was younger, I always loved collecting and reading comic books (Marvel/DC etc). TINTIN was the comic book that I needed to think to get the jokes and it was usually pricier than the rest. So I treasured the few TINTIN books that I had by re-reading the same book again and again. At the same time, never in my lifetime, I have seen a TINTIN shop in Asia. So I thought that it was a good opportunity to open a shop in Asia.
What kind of merchandise do we find in your shop?Our merchandise ranges from books & stationary – figurines & objects – toys and games – home & fashion. The unique thing about TINTIN’s merchandise is that all the items are controlled by Moulinsart themselves to ensure the highest quality achieved internationally.
GET A CHANCE TO WIN A COMIC BOOK ! HOW TO BE ONE OF THE 15 LUCKY GUESTS?
1. Sending an e-mail to [email protected] with your details (Full Name, Contact, E-mail)
2. Tell us why you are a fan of Tintin
3. Fingers crossed & await the good news!
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BabysittersLooking for a friendly and enthusiastic babysitter?
Name Date of Birth Tel Languages spoken
Tom van Overloop 09/04/1998 9021 11509646 8725 (Tom) Dutch/English/French
Renaud Verbiest 12/04/1998 9115 94799812 6910 (Renaud) Dutch/English/French
Manon Billiet 05/09/1998 8608 30608608 3060 (Manon) Dutch/English
Ella Van Mael 16/04/1999 9756 66179750 2572 (Ella) Dutch/English/French
Alix Billiet 04/04/2000 8608 30708608 307(Alix) Dutch/English
Thomas Arts 06/12/2000 8356 84508694 0118(Thomas) Dutch/English/French
Nicolas Bertossi 09/09/2001 9146 57659061 4412(Nicolas) Dutch/English
Volunteers All the BLAS activities are supported by many volun-teers. But it's an ever changing scenery. People come and go. Therefore we're always looking for fresh blood to strengthen our team. Do you love writing (or willing to give it a try), if you have organizing skills to help out the fun team or the kids club; or you have a nice con-dominium or house to host our next get2gether, or you want to encourage our BLAS member to do more sports, or you have any other skills, please contact us on: [email protected]
