3.25.2011

Still Standing

Damn right the 1/1 Gundam model in Japan is still standing strong despite the disasters that rocked the nation. Gambatte!

3.22.2011

Disaster Marketing

I know this comes at a bad time and in bad taste. But I'll tell you what else is in bad taste. Everybody and his brother's startup company releasing a white-red coloured product to "Support Japan".

Years ago when a disaster struck, if companies wanted to help, donating was the only way to show people "XYZ & Co. Cares". But when a few companies with clever PR departments had success releasing "disaster products" to aid victims, the rest of the world followed suit.

When the quake hit Japan weeks ago, it was an obvious marketing opportunity. Companies big and small were thinking of ways to cash in. Either on money, public relations or both.

But the disaster in Japan doesn't just give you the chance to build goodwill. Because when the bandwagon of cool is shaken, it's everyone's chance to jump on. When Haiti shook, I didn't see no one "Dance for Haiti". I didn't see no one "Design for Haiti". It just well, isn't as cool.

So really when I see Channel News Asia trying to cash in, I shrug and move on because really, everyone is doing the same thing.

By the way, Japan's death toll is nearing 20,000. 230,000 died in Haiti.
Japan is the world's 3rd largest economy. It has the resources to rebuild itself.
Haiti has the world's 3rd highest percentage of people under the poverty line (80%). Haiti doesn't have jack shit.

So unlike the rest of the world, I'm not going to tell you how you can help a country that will help itself. I'm telling you that you can help Haiti at Yele Haiti, where Wyclef Jean has nothing to cash in on.

(Don't get me wrong. I love Japan. The food, the culture, everything. I have friends in Japan. I feel bad for everyone there. I just think everyone trying to cash in on their plight by disguising it as support really is straight disgusting. Please think of a new marketing gimmick.)

Mister Ong Talks to Christopher Chia Pt.1

I sat down to talk to Christopher Chia after he returned from Orlando finishing 3rd in the World Yoyo Contest in 1A - the most competitive division. In Pt. 1 we talk about the inverted tricks, winning US$200 at Lucky's BBQ and how AP stacks up against Worlds.
MO: We know that before worlds you had to juggle school and training for the contest at the same time. Can you tell us about that?
C: Actually before worlds I had an exam. It was less than a week before worlds. My exams ended on Thursday and I was leaving for Worlds on Monday so it was quite hard. So after my exams I practiced everyday.

MO: How many hours of training did you put in a day?
C: It depends. On a usual day, 2 to 3 sometimes 3 to 4 hours.

MO: Tell us about the planning for your freestyle.
I decided to use the same freestyle as Singapore Nationals because I don’t want to screw up.
I just added a few tricks. Like the inverted one (points inwards).

MO: Tell us how that came about.
C: Jayson told me Mickey was doing something like that at AP2010 and told us to explore. After a few weeks, I came up with this combo and it was new so I put it in.

MO: Was it very difficult to get it 100%?
C: Yeah quite.

MO: You were going up against the best in the world. Jensen Kimmit, Mickey, Yuuki Spencer, how were you expecting to do?
C: I didn't aim to lose. Because I spent so much money to go over there. I was aiming to win.

MO: Did you put a lot of pressure on yourself?
C: I did. But when I got there I didn’t practice as much as I did in Singapore. I rested.

MO: How is Worlds different from AP?
C: Very different. AP when overseas players arrive at the airport, Singaporean players will go and fetch them and bring them to the taxi stand. But when I reached Orlando, I didn’t know where to go. I had to find the taxi stand myself, and then go to the hotel. At Worlds no one would guide you. In Singapore when the Japanese come, we bring them out all over the place

MO: So no one told you what was the equivalent of chicken rice over there?
C: Ya and the food was expensive. I ate mainly pizza and burger. During the contest I ate pizza three meals a day

MO: Who was interesting there?
C: Senba and Tsubasa Onikii. Out of nowhere they will start dancing. And hoah they can dance quite well. Break dancing and popping. Eric Koloski as well. He can play the piano. There was a piano at Lucky's BBQ.

MO: How was Lucky's BBQ?
C: His house is very nice. Oh and I won US$200 there. There was a 15 seconds of fame contest there where everyone will just go up and just do whatever to try to impress the judges. You can do yoyos, anything.
Taka did soloham, Rei Iwakura did the 5a dance and some guy jumped over a dustbin.
Actually I didn't want to join but Taka said "you must join, you must join". Then there's this guy from Duncan. He said (pointing) “he's the only one from Singapore.”
Then everyone started clapping so I went up. I did the behind the back horizontal trick. At the end of it they just announced the winner and I got the trophy and two US100$ bills.

MO: How is the competitive level of Worlds compared to AP?
C: Umm.. I think it's harder to qualify for AP. Overall, AP is more competitive. By looking at the freestyles, AP almost everyone has a clean freestyle.
Second round at Worlds though is a little bit tougher. First round at Worlds is easier than AP but second round maybe is about the same.

MO: How was your condition on the day of your competition?
C: I was quite on form that day. When I practiced I didn't make any mistakes. Some of my friends in Singapore told me not to practice so much there so I just relaxed. I went up to my room and slept for a while. Then when the freestyle started, I went down.

MO: Before your freestyle, were you nervous?
C: Yeah nervous.

MO: Compared to syyc?
C: About the same.

Next time: Chris tells us about who he's most afraid of in Singapore!

3.21.2011

Too Cool for School

Who knew amidst the sensory overload of Dhoby Ghaut, one could be just a (long) flight of stairs away from a peaceful serenity? I dragged myself to Old School on a school assignment looking for an exhibition that didn't exist, but the fruitless walk around the complex was surprisingly enjoyable.

The old Methodist Girls' School is now a home to a collective of media/design companies. The first thing that greets you when you pass the gates is its elegant peacefulness. It was calmly quiet on a Sunday evening and the only few people around were just lounging at the cafe or mindfully finishing up on some weekend work.

As you walk in, slowly but surely you sense this creative spirit in the air. It's like the window of social acceptance just widens as you explore the place. The eclectic mix of companies here quietly tells you it's ok to be a contemporary dancer, to paint colourful characters on Chinese porcelain, to push or better yet disregard boundaries.

The architecture of the place is exciting. While the main building has corridors that seem to weave into each other, it remains just accessible enough to keep one from getting lost. I imagine it must have been amazing schooling in this compound exploring its almost dizzying array of nooks and crannies. Considering the building was probably built a very long time ago, I think the architect really did a brilliant job designing something that is still interesting so many years down the road.

While we are caught up in our rolled up jeans and wide framed glasses, its nice to sometimes immerse oneself in a truly genuinely unpretentious creative spirit that allow you to be whoever you want to be.

3.19.2011

The Boys are Back

Mini mini video: Some of Singapore's best headed into the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, Philippines for some intensive training under the mythical Pat Cuartero. They came back with some of that sickness.
J.J. got inspired by Kenji Eto.
Darrell extended his Spirallini by adding the Roti Prata.
Iskandar has somethin ridiculous coming soon.

3.14.2011

Gourmet Status Symbol

It's no secret that when a new food craze arrives, Singaporeans treat procurement of said food as a status symbol. They parade the results of their patient queueing proudly as they consume the product. Don't act like you don't know.

Well judging from the number of envious eyeballs we got from buying overpriced popcorn, this might be the new thing to go for.

The Chicago Mix. Dripping cheese and crispy caramel. As Oprah says, pop one of each at the same time. Salty and sweet and um.. really really good.

At $8 for a small bag, it really can seem quite expensive but the serving is pretty generous. It is actually quite a lot to go through and kind of makes up for the exorbitant price. I think when you compare it to paying $6 for coffee though, it really doesn't seem that crazy anymore.

Garrett's is at B1-26A, City Link Mall.

3.06.2011

Prison University Project

I don't think I've seen three words put together that make so much sense. What are we waiting for?

3.02.2011

Northpoint is Insane

Christopher rocks the capacity crowd outside Popular @ Northpoint. People had to go one floor above us just to get a look. Thank you for your support. Moments like these are what we live for.