SPH You Weekly Columnist Pass Insulting & Unnecessary Comments On SuperBand Contestant !

24 June 2008

SPH You Weekly Magazine in their latest Edition this week published a comment written by a regular columnist who pass insulting and unnecessary remarks on a particular SuperBand 2 group and went on to say about their ' inappropriate ' dressing and the ' motive ' they have for the way they dress that day during the SuperBand 2 Top 16 Contestants' first outdoor performance at IMM on Channel U Always Fun Party on 1 June 2008 .

The comments made by the particular columnist was really needless and uncalled for ! Not only was he very explicit and detailed in reference to the particular band in question , he went on to imply that the ' motive ' for the particular female contestant' dressing that day was actually to catch the attention of reporters and hoping to make headlines in the major local newspapers the next day so as to gain publicity and further increase their popularity !

Not only was he so unforgiving in his comments , he further went on to say that the particular female contestant' plan must have failed as after several checks made by this columnist , to his utter shock and surprise , there were no reports or any mention whatsoever at all on the female contestant sexy and inappropriate dressing on the various local newspapers the next day ! From the tone and the expression made in his column , the columnist sounded as if he was very disappointed with the local media for not reporting on this incident !

The comments made by this particular columnist was not only uncalled for , but also a total disrespect and disregard for that particular SuperBand group ! The comments were totally unnecessary and seriously , the words used in his ' speech ' was really rude and insulting to the contestants' integrity and reputation ! Although the columnist did not make a very direct reference to THE particular SuperBand group in question , and instead used a pseudonym , but the name he used and the description he made was so detailed and explicit that it became so very obvious as to which particular group he was actually referring to , especially for those who were there at the Event on that day at IMM itself !

As the famous saying goes ' Keep the comments to yourself ' . Or rather ' Silence Is Golden ' .... In this case , silence is really golden indeed !

My ' advice ' to this columnist : If u have nothing better to say , don't say ! Don't make inflamatory comments or remarks if u have REALLY nothing constructive to say !

* Note : For those who really have no idea of what I am talking about , please purchase a copy of this week's You Weekly Magazine ( Issue No. 133 ) to find out for yourself ( page 4 ) !

Double Standards , MDA ? Singing Of Dialect Songs On TV Charity Shows - Where Shall We Draw The Line ?

28 May 2008

The Sichuan Earthquake Charity Show on Sunday , which took the Mediacorp Artistes just days to put up was indeed a great success - within the three hour show itself , the amount raised for the quake victims was close to $7 million in total ! Well Done , Singapore ! Once again , it shows that Singaporeans are indeed a generous lot when it comes to helping people who are in real serious need , a small country made up of many kind and big - hearted people !

While the efforts of everyone involved has to be complimented for such a roaring success , given the short period of time it took to prepare and still was able to touch many hearts to give in generously , however , one particular issue should have caught some , if not many of our attention - the singing of dialect songs on TV Charity Shows !

With Mediacorp Channel 8 having organised two Charity Shows within the same month , in a space of three weeks , one can't help but wonder if it was a case of double standards by the relevant authorities involved - MDA or the Mediacorp organising committee themselves .

Cos , if u would remember , the first TV Charity Show to be organised by Channel 8 this year - Thye Hua Kwan Charity Show 2008 一心一德为善乐 - which was shown on Channel 8 some three weeks ago on 4 May 2008 , Taiwanese actor - 王識賢 , the Lead Actor in the hugely popular Taiwanese Drama Serial -意难忘 The Unforgetable Memory currently showing on weekdays on Channel 8 could sing his songs in dialect ( Hokkien ) , not one but two songs , both in dialects ! But on Sunday , in the Sichuan Earthquake Charity Show , it was reported that the cast of 881 who was to perform a song item - singing a popular Hokkien song - A Small Umbrella but the difference is : They had to re - write the lyrics of that song to a Chinese version as they were not allowed to sing that song on TV in it's original Hokkien version !

It was learnt that through various newspaper reports that - in order to still be able to perform that song , Royston Tan and his gang had to translate and convert the original Hokkien song to a Chinese version ! Actually , it was already not the first time that they were not allowed to sing their song in it's original Hokkien version ! Flashback to last year , in a particular Charity Show on Channel 8 , they were also not allowed to sing the hit Theme Song from the Local Movie - 881 in it's original Hokkien version and had to sing it in Chinese instead !

Why the double standards , MDA ? Where should we draw the line , REALLY between what's acceptable and what's not allowed on TV ? In the first place , why impose so much restrictions on the performers when in the first place - they are after all , being invited to perform for a good cause - for charity , for people in real need of these donations ? Why make things and life so difficult for people ?

In the first place , considering that it is for Charity purposes , shouldn't it only be right that the relevant authorities NOT put so much boundaries and restrictions on the performers , who are after all , not only invited to help raise funds for the needy , but also at the same time - by performing and entertaining us with their songs and dance , are in fact also at the same time doing their own small bit in order to be able to contribute in whatever means they can to help the needy too ! So , why make life so difficult for people and impose so much resrictions and boundaries in front of them ?

While one understands that there is still a set of rules and code of conduct and guidelines for people to follow , one feels that in the case of Charity , the relevant authorities should help the needy too by bending the rules a bit - if it means that no serious harm will be done by allowing the dialect songs to be sung on TV Charity Shows ! And I really do wonder and must ask the relevant people in charge : What harm will it cause or really bring ( if any ) in allowing dialect songs to be sung on TV - Especially for Charity Shows ? Will there , is there REALLY any wrong in doing so ? And why so ?

One feels that by allowing the songs to be sung in it's original Hokkien or dialect version , it will in fact help to bring in even more donations and help raise more funds for the needy persons instead , as it will be able to help connect with the people of the elder and older generations even much more and bring the ' gap' much closer too to also be moved and contribute their bit for Charity too ! Don't u think so ?

* Feel free to share your views and discuss this hot issue with us HERE ! *

Should the singing of original Hokkien or dialect songs be allowed on TV on TV Charity Shows ? Why or Why not ? How should the relevant authorities , u feel should draw the line ? How much is too much ? Or do u feel , like what has been mentioned here - the relevant authorities should consider NOT TO IMPOSE such boundaries and restrictions on the people as it is for Charity purposes ?

* Come On , have your say and participate in the discussions with us ! We welcome your views ! *

The Hey ! Gorgeous Bikini Stripping Saga ...

8 November 2007

Did anyone watch Monday's Episode of Hey ! Gorgeous and buy the Shin Min Daily News Newspaper yesterday ? What the show did made it to the front page of Wednesday's Edition of the popular Chinese Evening Newspaper and I fully agree with the report ...

You see , Hey ! Gorgeous is a beauty cum talent search competition around Singapore's most popular campuses ranging from JC to Poly , looking for the most handsome looking hunks and beauties in the schools . So , if that's the case , I totally cannot understand what's their intention of coming up with such a competition format as seen on Monday's Episode ?

The 1st Semifinal Round saw the five guys and five girls having to go through three rounds of competition : 1st - Answer the question round that test on their general knowledge . The second and third round , I personally feel has totally got nothing to do with the aim of this competition at all !

The second round saw the girls and guys being paired up ( from the same school ) to go round the beach looking for girls wearing sexy bikinis and having to ask them to take them off their bodies and later was to have the guys contestants wear them ! The third round saw them scaling heights and do balancing act and climbing a high tower ( something really high ) ! What's their rationale ? If u are feeling as puzzled as me , don't worry ! U have me with u !

I mean , that second round was totally meaningless and totally absurd - absolutely rubbish ! What were they trying to test the contestants ? What was the aim ? And bearing in mind that this was shown on Primetime where the whole family may watch ( and that include minor and those under 18 or 21 years of age ) !

Honestly , if u were to ask me what the aim and motive was , first , I think it has got to do with the show's ratings ! Simply said ... It's just to increase and boost the show's ratings ! Secondly , I think it's also just to show how easily bikinis can be taken off or how bikinis is different from Bras - It's perfectly OK to take off Bikinis but not Bras ! ( pardon me if u think I am er ... a bit dirty minded ! ) U see , the short time it took for the girls to take off their bikinis ! If it were Bras and not Bikinis , I think surely no one will go and ask them to take them off ! But since it is Bikinis then ...

Also , sure , it may be out of pure fun and entertainment , and u may say that Singapore is becoming much more open now , so the people's thinking will also be the same - more opened minded now and less conservative than as compared to last time ! And that they should be able to accept this sort of thing !

Whatever reasons it may be , just spare a thought for those poor ' victims ' whose Bikinis were being taken or stripped from them ! Well , it may only be a Bikini , but it's no different from a bra ... It's like telling them to take off their bras , isn't it ladies ? They will feel insecure without any protection and their only last line of protection has already been taken away from them !

While the contestants and all are having so much fun with their Bikinis , do just spare a thought for these poor ladies ! They will feel utterly humilated and embarrassed ! Also , there is another factor of our good impression on others ... Considering that some of these being approached in the show happen to be Eurasians or tourists , what will they think of us and their opinions of us now ?

Then , later the guys were asked to wear on them the Bikinis and have guest star Vincent Ng judge which Bikinis is the sexiest ! What's this ? Totally absurd and rubbish !!! What are they trying to promote ? Cross Dressing ? Or bisexual ? Or .... What ? Oh , please .... ? This is what they get for reaching the Semifinal Round ?

I really have nothing to say - I am totally speechless at the moment except just to keep shaking my head in disgust and disappointment ! Four words to sum up the whole Episode : A Total Laughing Stock !

Don't u agree ?

Should More Flexibility Be Allowed In The Use Of Dialects On TV Charity Shows ?

31 October 2007

I decided to raise the above query after a related report came out in yesterday's Edition of the Evening Chinese newspaper the Shin Min Daily News Newspaper ( Page 5 ) where numerous TV viewers called in their hotline numbers to voice their displeasure as they were clearly disappointed and upset that during the Cancer Charity Show held last Sunday , Chen Lei was allowed to sing two Hokkien songs but the 881 stars so famous for their Hokkien songs and dance performances here were not allowed to do so and many viewers felt that it is unfair 'treatment ' and arrangement given to the 881 casts given their mass popularity here !

Many viewers felt that had the 881 casts been allowed to sing their popular Hokkien songs , even more money could be raised given the huge support that the casts have received so far ! So why were they not allowed to sing Hokkien songs then , if it is really their success formula ?

A check with the relevant authorities by the reporter later revealed that it turned out that the MDA has a guideline that states that only on Charity Shows that dialect songs will be allowed but provided that that all dialect songs MUST NOT EXCEED 6 mins in the same show . So as Chen Lei had already spent the full 6 mins singing his two dialect songs , the 881 casts were not allowed to sing any more dialect songs in their subsequent performances !

Now my Question is : Why this restriction ? Why have this guideline ? What is their concern anyway ? I really don't understand ... Here is a Charity Show meant to entertain us and at the same time to persaude us to call in and help raise funds for the needy Cancer patients and yet so much restrictions are being placed ! How to attract and persaude even more people , especially the older generations in this case , even if they have the ability , will and financial means to do their bit for Charity ?

The much elderly generation of people , and I mean those in their 50s and 60 years old onwards are not going to get very interested watching and hearing pop stars like Angela Chang , Campus Superstars or Project Superstars singing the hit Chinese pop songs ! They would most likely be interested in Cantonese opera performances , Hokkien or dialect songs etc ... Things that really connect and relate to the people of their age group and generation . Similarly , young teenagers are certainly going to get very bored hearing oldies from the 60s or 70s .... Honestly speaking ... !

Have u ever wondered why there is a need for Cantonese Opera troupes to be invited to perform in the Charity Shows ? Have u or anyone wondered why even sometimes Cantonese Opera are being able to raise so much funds in their segment ? That is because of the generous support that they received from this elderly group of people ! This is something that really connects and are so closely linked with the people of their age group ! They enjoy every minute of it and are able to understand what the performers are performing . So , naturally , they will show their support by calling the numbers !

So , since this is a Charity Show , and the aim is to persaude and attract as many people to call in and donate as much as possible they can , a Charity Drive so meaningful that really benefits the needy so much , and it is for a good cause , can we see some sense or rather more sense being made and allow more flexiblity where dialect songs and dialect performances on TV Charity Shows are concerned ? If that really means being able to raise even more funds for those in need ?

Whatever the concerns and rationale are behind this policy and restrictions , let's not forget that utimately , we are talking about saving lives here and helping those in need to live a better life in whatever means and ways we can to help them !


* Feel free to have your say and share your views with us here on this hotly debatable topic ! *

If Only The Changes Had Come Much Earlier ... Commentary

3 October 2007

Yes , indeed .... If only the changes had come much earlier ... , I thought to myself as I read and digest the latest changes meted out by the Education Ministry to the Normal Stream Students . Cos had this particular new criteria been put in place earlier during my time , I would have benefited from it and what I am currently doing now , today might just have been slightly different .

Of the few changes announced yesterday , two of those caught my attention :

The Changes :

First , the new promotion criteria to Sec 5N - What It Used To Be : Previously , u need to score a C5 or better in English and obtain 10 points or less for your Best 3 subjects .

Now , not only u need to obtain a C5 or less in English Language , u also need to obtain 19 points or less for FIVE subjects , and that includes your English & Maths as well , under the new promotion criteria to Sec 5N .

The second change is that there is a choice of skipping your O 'Levels and going straight to study Higher Nitec Courses in ITE if u do well in your N ' Levels Exams ( that is , provided u meet the new promotion criteria as mentioned above ) . But in choosing to study Higher Nitec Course in ITE , u need to attend a 10 Weeks Preparatory Course .

Had the changes been put in place earlier , I might have gone on to study Higher Nitec Course in ITE after my N 'Levels Exams as under this new scheme , there is a choice of skipping doing the O 'Levels Exams . For me , coming from a Normal Academic Stream Course in Sec 5 doing my O Levels which I did so badly and had to repeat another year all because I failed my Maths , Science and History in my first time round . Although I did fare better in my second attempt , but it was only slightly better , as I managed to pass my Science this time round , together with my English and Chinese Language . Of course , passing only three subjects couldn't guarantee me a place in a Poly , but I was lucky enough , very lucky indeed to book myself a place in ITE studying a 2 Years Higher Nitec course in Accounting .

But as u can see , had the changes been made earlier , I could have save all these trouble of wasting my time and effort in repeating my O'Levels or in fact , doing my O' Levels at all in the first place ! I could have gone straight away to ITE and study my Higher Nitec course there and then when I passed my N 'Levels Exams ! Of course , yes , indeed u could say that things could have been very much different ! But one can also say that nothing is for sure considering that the new promotion criteria and points to obtain is different now and that my thinking is based on the old scheme .

Of course , it is and has been everyone's dream , mine as well to be able to make it and study in a JC or Poly , but I certainly won't mind having to settle for a place in ITE instead , if it means saving my time and a few of my years studying and 'wasting ' it on doing my O Levels when I couldn't even pass enough subjects and would end up the same place in the end ! With this new changes , it certainly opens up more pathways , choices and routes to those who may end up struggling in their O 'Levels .

Now that my own Education career is over .... And as I look back to the path I had taken and lament all I can and feel that I am a ' victim ' of this latest education changes , I think that the pupils can stand to benefit a lot from this new scheme , at least from my own experience and of what I myself had gone through ...

* Below are links to Related Reports :

http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest+News/Singapore/STIStory_163394.html

http://www.moe.gov.sg/press/2007/pr20071002.htm

http://www.straitstimes.com/Free/Story/STIStory_163483.html

*Any views or thoughts to share regarding the new education changes to Normal Stream Students ? Or any personal experience of your own to share ? U are welcome to post your comments or experience here ! Feel free to use this platform to air your views and share them with us ! Let yourselves be heard ! *

Getai Goes Beyond The Seventh Month !

7 Sept 2007

'Getai ' or song- stage performances is often traditionally associated with the Seventh Month Festival , but now Getai is set to go beyond the Seventh Month Festival as it will be tasked with an important role to play - that is to make use of the dialect song-stage performances to Promote Anti - Dengue Awareness in Bukit Batok . Yes , the grassroots leaders there are hoping that through a different and unique way such as this will be able to connect with it's residents there , especially the elderly to drive home the important message of just how deadly Dengue really are .

With the grassroots leaders coming up with the creative idea of using a Getai to transmit such important message across to it's people , it will certainly spark options and plans to use this similar method ( Getai ) if it proves successful this time round , to promote and create awarenessness for different organisations and welfare groups too .

Plans and considerations can be made to get Getai to take over the use of TV to raise funds for Charity for the needy people and it's organisations , as well as transmit important messages such as Cancer Prevention , Road Safety Awarenesses , Yellow Ribbon Project etc , which I really thought using Getai to do so will be as good an idea as having it to promote Anti - Dengue Awarenesses .

And if the government or relavant authorities are bold enough , Getai may or should I say can also be used in promoting crimes prevention , considering the steady increase in crimes rates recently ( with conman conning old & elderly hard-earned money ) as well as the government continuous quest in their prevention against terrorist attacks etc ...

Getai is no doubt , certainly a great media , a new option besides TV shows , radio , news and print media to transmit such important info to it's people , especially to the old and elderly . I think it's unique and creative way , a refreshing change from the usual stuff and maybe with these ' meaningful & educational ' themed Getai song and dance performances , the relative authorities will find it much easier to get the message across to it's people , not only to the old and elderly , but to the young ones too .

*Anything to say on this topic ? Want to air your views and comments ? Do u really think Getai can do much more than only in Seventh Month ? Feel free to share your thoughts here ! *

Animals , Just Like Humans Have Lives ... Treat Them With Care !

30 August 2007

Recently , it has been brought to my attention following recent reports of how some Singaporeans can be so heartless and senseless to attempt such an uncivic-minded act of cruelty to animals .... ! Just last week , the Chinese evening Newspaper ' Shin Min Daily News ' ran a report of how a harmless cat was thrown down from a block of flats , the impact from the fall killing it instantly ! Then also , there was yet another incident of how another cat was multiated and decaptiated and was left at a store ...

These uncivilised cruel acts to animals only goes to show that how some people don't see the point that animals like us are also living things . They also have a life of their own too ! They have a right to live life their own way and should be left all alone ! There is simply no excuses , reasons whatsoever , for any person in their right frame of mind or not ( and that includes being in a fit of anger and wanting to vent your frustrations , not necessary mentailty unsound ) to inflict such torment on a seemingly , cute and harmless animals ! Not necessary just Cats & Dogs only ... But to all animals of all kinds !

Here in schools , and also through media reports that we have been constantly being reminded to treat them with care and shower them with love and yet there are still some who are still indiginant and stubborn enough that such simple acts of kindness to animals have fallen on deaf ears ! So sad ! And because of these few ' black sheep ' in our society , innocent looking and harmless animals have to go through vicious acts of torture till they bleed and eventually died ! There are so many cases of animals being abused and killed each year as they are often left to suffer till death all by themselves as it often takes place without no one knowing !

' Do to others only what u want others to do to u in return ! ' As for those ' black sheep ' , I believe there is such a thing called retribution for ' everything goes around comes around ' ! Wait till the long arms of the law catches up with them ... Then they will be severely dealt with .... Then they will only realise and know the pain these innocent looking animals have to go through thanks to their inhuman acts of abuse ! For the punishment they have to face and the pain they have to endure ( caning ) will be as equally or even many many times more painful than those infilcted on those animals !

ALWAYS REMEMBER ...
* Do Spare A Thought For These Animals & Treat Them With Care and Concern ! They Have A Life Too ! THANKS ! Thank You So Much ! *

From :
Voices Of An Animal Lover ...