Monthly Archives: April 2013

A Quintessential Nice Guy Has Left Us

In the seventies, when he was in his mid-20s, Huang Wenyong quit his teaching job in Kuala Lumpur and came to Singapore with 50 bucks in his pocket to join the local TV station as an artiste and subsequently acted … Continue reading

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Waterboard the Bastard!

The Cenotaph was erected in 1920 to commemorate the 124 soldiers from Singapore who were lost in World War I. In 1950, an extension to commemorate those who died in World War II was added. It was gazetted as a … Continue reading

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Utopia

I know bupkis about life but I look forward to the day when the top and bottom sheets of my toilet paper are aligned and when chickens can cross the road freely without people questioning their motives.

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Chubby, Don’t You Cry

Dear Chubby You threatened to “break the waists of the crazy enemies, totally cut their windpipes and thus clearly show them what a real war is like.” Belligerent huh? What happened to you, Chubby? I know you probably had a … Continue reading

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Is the Iron Lady Rusting in Peace?

The Iron Lady is dead. World leaders sent condolences, laced with sugar-coated words of syrupy, empty praise. Clueless bloggers who were still in school when she ruled, raced to be among the first to post glowing tributes. In some streets … Continue reading

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Ruins

Once again I am wandering about in the middle of the night in an old dilapidated mansion. Dust is everywhere. Cobwebs too. There’s a musty smell. It’s dark. I am rummaging through books and luggage covered with thick layers of … Continue reading

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The Devotion of Suspect X

This is one book I couldn’t put down. The Devotion of Suspect X is a 2005 novel by Keigo Higashino that has sold over two million copies in Japan and is said to be a national obsession. In fact, Higashino has been … Continue reading

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Goodbye, Roy Ang Chai Siang

It must have been some 30 years ago when I first met you. You were a reporter in a press trip I headed to the Philippines. And I was in the Philippines on Wednesday – in Tagaytay – when I … Continue reading

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The Accidental Apprentice

India’s Consul General to Osaka and Kobe, Dr Vikas Swarup, author of Slumdog Millionaire has written a book in the tradition of Eliyahu Goldratt’s The Goal. Because of his position, Swarup’s book carries this disclaimer: “Though the author, Vikas Swarup … Continue reading

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The Rifles Conversation: Lunch with the Minister

by ANGIE PANG SYE BIN ICE CREAM CORRESPONDENT The Strait Times – not to be confused with The Straits Times SINGAPORE – The Asian palate is known for its penchant for exotic, health-boosting fare such as monkey brains (elixir for … Continue reading

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