The post The Sarah-Grace Sarcoma Organisation Singapore Launches Inaugural KICK SARCOMA WEEK on 20 October appeared first on Alvinology.

Outback Steakhouse will be celebrating their 30th anniversary this year and to celebrate together with their customers in Singapore, they will be offering up to 30% off your final bill when you dine there with 4 pax or more!

The Australia-inspired America chain restaurant is known for their steaks, ribs and other American comfort food, served in hearty, super-size portions, the American way. The chain has over 950 restaurants spanning across 4 continents and is the largest casual dining steakhouse chain in the world. In Singapore, Outback Steakhouse has one outlet, located on the 4th floor of Orchard Gateway, nestled in a cosy corner besides a hotpot restaurant.

I love steaks and have eaten at Outback Steakhouse when I am overseas, but for some reason I have never eaten at their Singapore outlet. A week ago, I finally headed to their restaurant at Orchard Gateway to try out their food. These are the items I sampled:

Typhoon Bloom (S$15.90) – Hand-cut, fresh onion strings dusted with Outback’s own secret seasonings, stacked high and cooked until golden. Served with spicy signature bloom sauce.

Crispy Volcano Shrimps (S$17.90) – Crispy shrimp tossed in a spicy sriracha aioli sauce and garnished with green onions.

Steakhouse Salad (S$25.90) – Seared sirloin atop mixed greens, Aussie Crunch, tomatoes, red onions, cinnamon pecans and Blue cheese vinaigrette.

The steak serving is generous for the salad and cooked to a beautiful pink 

Ribeye (S$47.90) -10 oz. (284 grams). Seasoned and seared with Outback’s secret 17 seasoning blend or chargrilled over an open flame. Comes with two sides.

Toowomba Pasta (S$29.90) – Grilled shrimp, mushrooms and Parmesan with fettuccine and a light tomato cream sauce.

Cherry Limeade (S$7.90) – Sweet cherries, tart lime and a sparkle of Sprite.

When you visit global restaurant chains like Outback Steakhouse, the main thing to look out for is consistency in the quality of the menu offerings. On this note, the outlet in Singapore delivers for their generous serving sizes and the cuts of their steaks.

I generally eschew sugary stuff, hence I skipped their beverages and dessert items. For their starters, the Typhoon Bloom onion basket is a great item to order for sharing and their signature Crispy Volcano Shrimps is pretty delightful too. Contrary to the name, the latter is not exactly that spicy by Singaporeans standard and kids or those with low spice tolerance will be able to take it too. I couldn’t stop popping the shrimps after I ate one and moved on to finish it right to the last shrimp.

For the mains, just go for the steak… I mean, you are in a steakhouse ya? If you like more greens, opt for the steakhouse salad. The other non-steak mains are probably there to provide a variety for diners who don’t take beef, vegetarians, vegans and such who happen to be in a steakhouse.

Outback Steakhouse Promo Code

Good news for steak lovers – to celebrate their 30th Anniversary, Outback Steakhouse is running a very special promotional campaign to reward customers and we have the promo code below:

Terms and Conditions:

• 1st August – 30th September 2018, Monday to Sunday
• Available for a la carte food items only
• No minimum spend required
• Present above image to enjoy the perks
• Not applicable with any other promotions

The promotion is a very good deal – especially if you are looking for a place for a large group dining. It applies for 7 days a week with no minimum spend and 30% is quite a significant amount off the final bill if you rally together a group of 4 or more pax to eat there together. Otherwise, 20%, 15% or even 10% off are not too shabby either.

Make use of this promotion to try out Outback Steakhouse in Singapore if you have yet to done so like yours truly! Sharing is caring, so don’t say bo jiao for the promo code!

The post [PROMO CODE INSIDE] Get up to 30% OFF at Outback Steakhouse in Singapore when you dine with 4 or more pax appeared first on Alvinology.

Sparked by the recent shift to a smaller pet shelter at Sungei Tengah, coupled with a dip in adoption rates, Ubersnap collaborated with SOSD Singapore to introduce Singapore’s first pet GIF photobooth. Photography plays a key role in adoption of pets and we hope that through our GIFs people would be able to experience the unique personalities of these loving shelter dogs.

SOSD is a volunteer-run organisation that requires public donations to continue their mission to rescue and rehabilitate street dogs. With the big move from East to West, SOSD hopes to raise more funds for the renovation of their new pet shelter. A little kindness goes a long way, click here to donate https://sosd.org.sg/donation/.

Adopt, Don’t Shop! Adopting, fostering, or sponsoring a shelter pet is an extremely rewarding experience. If you feel that you are able to provide a happy home for these dogs, click here to take a look at the profiles and GIFs of the dogs available for adoption https://sosd.org.sg/adopt-a-dog/.

The post Volunteers set up GIF Photo Booth to help Singapore shelters promote adoption appeared first on Alvinology.

In a bulletin posted on their Facebook page, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) said that a whole batch of Dumex Mamil Infant Gold Milk has been recalled due to the presence of bacteria.

Thanks to their testing, they found out that the batch, which was said to expire on September 11, 2019 with batch code 09117R1 contained the Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria.

According to the post, while the batch has been completely recalled by the direct importer, Danone Dumex, AVA advises the public to check the milk that they bought, and to not consume the milk or worse, let their infant consume it if they still have it.

In an article on the AVA website, the product is said to have originated from Malaysia, and that the batch sold in 850 gram cans are the ones contaminated.

What is the bacteria in the milk anyway?

AVA said that the bacteria found in the milk, called Cronobacter sakazakii, can survive in dry conditions such as milk formula. Here are some important things to know about this bacteria.

1. This bacteria is not generally infectious to normal, adult humans, but to newborns, it can be deadly.
2. This bacteria can cause meningitis or sepsis. According to the Birth Injury Guide, Meningitis is an infection of the spinal column and the brain. Sepsis, on the other hand, is when the body attacks its own organs and systems to fight off an infection. Both conditions can cause great harm and death to infants.
3. Common symptoms associated with a Cronobacter infection are fever, lethargy, and poor feeding. Parents should note that these symptoms are quite common to other conditions, so it’s best to take your baby to the doctor immediately if they exhibit these symptoms.

What do you do if you have the contaminated batch?

In case you’ve bought the contaminated batch, AVA says to contact the importer for a refund or any other concerns at 1800 265 3188.

What if you’ve fed the contaminated batch to your child?

If you’ve found that your child has ingested the bad batch, please take your baby to their doctor immediately to rule out any infection.

Kids can still get sick from clean formula

Parents are reminded to prepare fresh formula with sterilised utensils, bottles, and other paraphernalia when giving the food to infants.

Previous product recalls

While this has scarier implications thanks to the fact that the affected citizens could be defenceless infants, this is not the first time that products have been recalled in Singapore.

Etude House and Aritaum had to recall some products for the eyebrow when they tested positive for Antimony. While the products seem to not have been sold in Singapore, some Singaporeans may have inadvertently purchased them on trips abroad.

Another recent recall of products was the durian product line from Malaysia. In a report we made on the recall,  the durian coffee had poisoned seven people in Malaysia, which prompted the government to recall the coffee here.

The report said that a group of people had drank the coffee that came from one source, and that the coffee sachets seemed contaminated and opened prior to being used.

The post Dumex Mamil Infant Gold Milk Step 1 recalled due to bacteria, but what if you have the contaminated batch? appeared first on Alvinology.

In a Facebook post by the Singapore Police Force, they warn the public about a new scam that involves threats of child kidnapping and a demand to deposit money into a bank account. But for some, the scam may be too much of a mental exercise.

Below is the message that the Singapore Police Force posted as a warning to the public about this common scam.

Using text messaging, the scammers say that they have the person’s son or daughter and that they should deposit a certain amount into a bank account. In other variations of this scam, they first threaten the parent that they will kill the child if the incident is reported to police.

In the photo of the scam message below, you’ll notice that the scammer included a name, an NRIC, and asked that he be called at that moment. He first threatened to break the daughter’s leg before 5:00 pm.

Three hours later, he sent another message, this time without his NRIC and a new name similar to the first one, and threatened again with a different amount, one much higher than his first demand. He also helpfully included his bank account number and a new threat with an emoji.

Here is another message that has been sent to the public. This one doesn’t give any details except for the bank account number and the amount. The message threatens, however, to kill the daughter.

An identical message was sent to a completely different number, which may indicate that this really is a widespread text scam that is blasted to random numbers.

According to the Singapore Police Force, the amount of reports have become quite common, which is why they issued an advisory to the public.

What are you supposed to do?

The Singapore Police Force say that the recipient of messages like this should do the following:

1. Remain calm and do not panic.
2. Refrain from responding to the text message.
3. Ascertain the safety of their sons and/or daughters, even if they have to call schools or visit the school itself.
4. Mark the number as SPAM and block the number.

If you feel that there is some truth to the claim or that there is some danger, the police ask you to dial ‘999’ for an emergency.

What netizens are saying

Here are some comments that netizens have over the police advisory:

Some clearly referenced this to Liam Neeson’s movie, Taken, which has become a viral meme and has spurred cult status of several lines of the movie.

Someone even had the time to type out all that dialogue to make a joke.

Others weren’t satisfied with how the police handled this.

Some speculated that the recent cyber attack on public information could be the reason that their number as now in the hands of scammers.

Other commenters lamented the amount the daughter was worth in the threat.

While this commenter wished that he would get sent such a message so he could troll the scammers.

There were more questions about what the police could be doing.

Some even went so far as to tell Liam Neeson instead of the police in a joking manner.

While this comment suggested the police should do more about these messages and trace the sources.

What do you think of this scam? Have you gotten messages like this? Let us know in the comments!

The post Scammer posts own name and NRIC, threatens to break your daughter’s arm if you don’t pay in latest text scam appeared first on Alvinology.

In case you missed it, Lai Wee Kiat, former leaked nude photo subject and blogger at Fabodylous‘ social media accounts have been taken down, along with the controversial Patreon and social accounts of his girl group, the SG Instababes, all thanks to the cyber sleuthing of blogger queen Xiaxue and Dee Kosh.

In a series of screenshots, the two top Singaporean bloggers reveal that the ex-body building pageant winner allegedly cajoled underage girls as young as 15 years old to appear in bikini photo shoots for his “content creation” group, SG Instababes.

This is reminiscent of similar screenshots allegedly from conversations with Eden Ang, who asked girls to pose in g-string attire for him.

Who is Lai Wee Kiat?

According to Fabodylous, which is his remaining online presence and blog, he is a body builder, personal trainer, social media marketing expert and motivational speaker. He won several body building tournaments in Kuala Lumpur and is a Malaysian living in Singapore.

Alvinology previously reported how his leaked naked photos with an ex-girlfriend had led to a low point in his life and damaged his career. The photos were leaked in 2011, but his Facebook post (from his now-defunct) page showed that he is feeling the effects of the leak even five years after the incident.

Recently, he launched a group of girls known as the SG Instababes, whom he packaged as an influencer-cum-content group you can support on Patreon.

Patreon essentially lets subscribers pay for tiers, products, or services offered by artists and creatives. You can make a one-time donation or arrange for a monthly instalment to be able to access some of the artists’ work, speak to the artist, or even commission work.

Xiaxue and Dee Kosh reveal Lai Wee Kiat allegedly preyed upon 15-year-olds

In a series of screenshots of conversations allegedly between him representing SG Instababes or himself, you can see Xiaxue and Dee Kosh point out how he would cajole girls to meet with him and participate in bikini shoots even after the decline.

Here he is speaking to a girl.

He body shames her in the photo but says in the next photos the she is “super hot.” He also allegedly says she is 15 years old.

He comments on her “innocence.”

He also asks very personal questions about her life.

Dee Kosh also revealed screenshots of him talking to a girl, convincing her to be part of a bikini photoshoot.

Xiaxue and Dee Kosh also claim that the same number he used for contacting the girl in the screenshots above is the same number he uses for his business dealings with regards to SG Instababes.

Obviously, backlash

When the blogger queen is on your case, you better be ready–but apparently, Lai Wee Kiat was not, and instead posted this before the SG Instababe account went dark. He allegedly said that he does not include girls 15 years old and below in his group, and only 18 year olds.

Dee Kosh and Xiaxue allegedly tried to get him to talk about the whole fiasco, but he said that his front camera for his phone does not work. He also asks them to follow and support him.

Remember Eden Ang?

Alvinology previously reported that Eden Ang, while lacking a content creation group and Patreon, had allegedly also asked several underage girls to model for him and take part in photo shoots.

He also allegedly asked some girls to sleep with him and was reportedly successful in getting one to have sex with him, who was allegedly 13 years old.  If proven guilty, he could be facing statutory rape charges.

Screenshots from Xiaxue and Dee Kosh Instagram account

Header photo from Fabodylous

The post Lai Wee Kiat could be the new Eden Ang, thanks to Xiaxue and Dee Kosh appeared first on Alvinology.

School’s almost out for the little ones and today is the last day of school for the term for some like my son, Asher who is in Primary One. This September school holiday, fans of Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are in for a treat as the crime-fighting turtle quartet makes its way down to City Square Mall, from 31 August to 30 September 2018, for some high-energy action.

Join the ninja turtles at City Square Mall for some high-energy action and pick up ninja tips along the way with live action experiences, meet-and-greet sessions, exciting workshops and exclusive goodies during the period. More details are available via the official website or the poster below:

In a special collaboration with Alvinology.com, City Square Mall is giving out 1 set of exclusive Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles plushies (worth S$600) and 10 Meet & Greet passes (worth S$50 each) for your readers.

Details of the meet-and-greet session:

Date: 1-9 September 2018 (daily, except Monday)
Time: Weekdays: 2.30pm and 7.30pm
Weekends: 1.30pm, 4.30pm and 7.30pm
Venue: B2, City Square Mall

To win, visit and LIKE our Facebook Page and share the post on the giveaway. Winners will be selected by 2 Sep and notified by 3 Sep online.

The post Join Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at City Square Mall this September School Holiday appeared first on Alvinology.

Televisions, refrigerators, computers, furniture – these are essentials that every household will have. But you’re more than likely missing something that could add great value to you and your family’s lives.

Here are 7 reasons why every family – including yours – could use some oatmeal in the kitchen, especially for its remedying properties that will benefit the young, the old and everyone in between.

1. So Over Overeating

Bond with family over breakfast and have yourselves a delicious bowl of oatmeal each, so you start each day on a fuller stomach for longer, and fight tendencies to overeat. Oatmeal is ranked third on the food satiety index – so you’ll all will be satisfied and loaded up for the day ahead.

2. No Wheeze, It’s a Breeze

The young ones, too, can benefit from having oatmeal! A bowl of oatmeal a day keeps asthma at bay – oatmeal helps lower risk of asthma in children, making it an incredibly nutritious and remedying addition to their diets.

3. Smooth Criminal

With old age comes a plethora of ailments, and constipation and bowel-related disorders are but some of the elders’ many worries. Oatmeal is high in fiber and can help ease the process – so your loved ones can let it out easy.

4. Antioxidants Booster

Oatmeal contains antioxidants, which help with skin health, your immune system, heart, eye and memory problems, amongst other long-term benefits. Keeping some handy in the kitchen will surely get all of you in the pink of health.

5. Oatmeal Mask?

Whether it’s for your Mom who viciously slathers on SPF 75 before stepping out of the house or for your brother who couldn’t care less about a skincare routine, uncooked oatmeal can make for a great mask for any and everyone that work wonders for your skin as it cleanses, exfoliates and moisturises all in one.

6. Banana Oatmeal Shake: Post Workout Recovery

Shake up your fitness routine with a banana oatmeal shake! Blend it all up with some yogurt and you have yourself a sweet treat to supplement your workout. The vain, fitness enthusiasts in the family can look good for the gram and drink good, too.

7. Welcoming Quick Meal For The Sick

Home really is where the heart is, and nothing is more soothing than a warm bowl of oatmeal lovingly prepared from home, especially when someone in the family is under the weather. You could help your family member fight a cold with this easy-to-prepare, delicious warm delight that provides essential vitamins and minerals to nourish the body.

If you’re ready to embrace the wonders of oatmeal, you’ll want to buy quality oats from a reputable brand well loved by many. Look no further than oats from Quaker, a household name with a range of products for your many needs.

The post 7 Reasons Why Every Family Needs Oatmeal In The Kitchen appeared first on Alvinology.

Adorable Pompompurin is setting up a summer camp adventure over at Junction 8.
Take advantage of the fun and exclusive Pompompurin events lined up for your whole family, happening from now till 30 September. This is the first mall-wide offering of Pompompurin to his fans, so make sure to be there for some serious bonding session with him!

Here are some of the things he’s excited about doing (and we hope you’ll be, too!)

Pompompurin wanna say hello

Say hello and take lots of photos with your favourite life-sized Pompompurin statues and cut-outs. Or better yet, get up close and personal with Pompompurin through meet-and-greet sessions spread over the week. Don’t miss this chance. Make every moment and selfie count.

Pompompurin wanna have a campfire

On September 8, the Junction 8 roof garden will be transformed into a campfire site with thematic snacks, drink, and activities prepared for all Pompompurin lovers. Jumpstart your summer right. Be seen in this party with Pompompurin.

Pompompurin wanna dance and play

Every day is a fun day with Pompompurin-inspired activities and games. How about workout sessions to help you groove ala Pompompurin? Or say yes to a shoe-hunt challenge for some brain-and-motor exercise and make Pompompurin proud!

Pompompurin wanna go with you!

Pompompurin will be sad to see you go so he’s making sure you get to bring him home. With a minimum spend, you can bring home exclusively-designed Pompompurin premiums like bowls and bags, available only at Junction 8.

One premium will be released every three weeks until 30 September 2018.

*For detailed activity timings and terms and conditions, please visit www.junction8.com.sg

The post Pompompurin Just Wanna Have Fun: Junction 8 Welcomes Pompompurin On His Summer Camp Adventure appeared first on Alvinology.

Instead of buying an expensive gaming phone, why not convert the current smartphone you are using into a portable gaming device with an add-on hardware like Gamevice?

MFi certified hardware

Gamevice is a cleverly designed controller that transforms mobile gadgets into a portable gaming device. It is MFi certified with compatibility from iPhone 6 to iPhone X, offering classic, functional hardware controls for a fun gaming experience for gamers at any level.

For those unfamiliar, MFi stands for “Made for iOS”, meaning that an electronic accessory has been designed specifically to iPhone and has been certified by the developer to meet Apple performance standards; though Apple is not responsible for the operations of this device or its compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

It was classified as the best MFi gaming controller and connects directly via lightning port, promoting zero latency. Best of all – no battery is required for using Gamevice.

Easy to start using

It’s easy to get started with Gamevice. Upon unboxing, just connect it to your phone and it will work instantly. I tried it on both an iPhone 6 and an iPhone 7 and it worked seamlessly.

There are over 1,000 Gamevice-supported iOS games available and you can conveniently locate them via Gamevice Live app. Some of the games include Assassin’s Creed, NBA 2K18, Grand Theft Auto and Minecraft. Be sure to download the Gamevice Live App to receive updates on all new games as they roll in.

The games are neatly categorized by genres like “Education & Family”, “Puzzles & Trivia”, among others and you can also select between free or paid games. It is pretty easy to navigate around and the controller buttons are intuitive. My 7-years old son had no problem figuring his way around even on his first try and was able to choose a few free games to play on his own.

Can be used to control drones and robots too

In addition, Gamevice is compatible with DJI Spark, Ryze Tello and Sphero’s app-enabled droids. For those who like to fly drones, Gamevice gives users the added benefit of improved precision, control, and ergonomics when flying your drone using your smartphone.

Gamevice also supports Sphero’s SPRK+, R2-D2, BB-8 and BB-9E, adding a new layer of connectivity between consumers and their robots. With precision controls, improved ease of use, and comfortable design, Gamevice ensures that when users are struck with creativity, it’s easier than ever to bring their ideas to life.

Gamevice is now available in Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines at APR, DJI, gaming and lifestyle retailers like Nubox, iStudio, Red Dot Photo and Qisahn.

Gamevice comes with a 90 days warranty. After 90 days, Gamevice provides servicing for 12 months from the receipt date.

Gamevice Specifications

Controls

• Dual Analog Joysticks
• A, B, X, Y Buttons
• D-Pad
• L1, R1 Bumpers
• L2, R2 Triggers
• Menu Button
• Input/output
• 3.5mm Headphone Jack
• Lightning Receptacle
• Lightning Connector
• 4 LED Indicators

Gamevice draws minimal power from your mobile gadgets – similar to an earphone jack. It does not require charging to use and you can charge your smartphone or tablet while playing games with Gamevice attached, thanks to its power pass through mode. Simply plug in the power cord that came with your device into your connected Gamevice to allow you hours or uninterrupted gameplay.

Why choose Gamevice over others?

Gamevice adopts lightning connectivity as compared to Bluetooth connectivity that is the case for most products in the market. This eliminates latency issues. Also, Gamevice is well recognised for its superior ergonomics.

As previously mentioned, it also do not require any battery and is MFi certified.

Ready to play?

Get a Gamevice today!

Do check out Gamevice at The Techanic booth G8, level 6 at the upcoming COMEX on 6-9 September for an exclusive promotion at S$99.

The post Convert your smartphone into a portable gaming device with Gamevice appeared first on Alvinology.

The post Hello Kitty Land Tokyo celebrates its scariest ever Halloween special appeared first on Alvinology.

Divorce is hard for the entire family, but it’s especially difficult for children. Even if they don’t admit to how they’re feeling, the chances are high they’re experiencing a range of negative emotions, including shock, sadness, anger, fear, resentment, and even guilt.

Research has made clear that divorce, especially contentious ones, can have a far-reaching negative impact on children’s behavior and mental health. According to the Subordinate Court’s profile analysis of divorced couples, children of divorce in Singapore are more likely to have poor school performance and exhibit delinquent behavior. The Ministry of Social and Family Development notes that many kids may withdraw and suffer from low self-esteem.

Fortunately, it is possible to reduce the negative impact of the divorce by making your children’s well-being your top priority. Here are four things you can do:

1. Give them frequent reassurance.

Many children blame themselves for their parents’ divorce and worry that their parents will stop loving them. Try to assure them that although life will change, you both love them as much as before, and that this is one aspect of their lives that will never change.

2. Stay involved in their lives.

Continue to do many of the activities that you did with your children before the divorce. Help them with their homework, go to the movies, play their favorite games, or make their favorite meals. Above all, talk to them about how they’re feeling and about the daily happenings of their lives. Help them to understand that although their family unit is changing, they aren’t losing their parents.

3. Don’t include the children in your disputes.

Even if you and your former spouse are furious with one another, leave the children out of any fights or disagreements. The children should never be a go-between to deliver messages between you and your ex-spouse, nor should you talk badly about your children’s other parent. Children put in the middle of a dispute between their parents makes them feel as if they must choose sides, which adds to their stress and feelings of unhappiness.

4. Join post-divorce support programs.

Support groups and parenting programmes groups can be instrumental in helping both parents and children of divorce cope with their new situation. Such groups allow you to meet others in similar circumstances, learn different methods of helping children deal with the divorce, and discuss the various issues that can arise. Divorcing parents in Singapore have many options for both online and face-to-face support, including the Mandatory Parenting Programme. 

Custody Issues

Divorce becomes all the more complicated when there are disagreements relating to child custody and visitation rights. Singapore divorce lawyers have seen first-hand how high emotions can run when it comes to these issues. But parents can make life less stressful for their children by letting go of any feelings of hurt or revenge, and keeping the best interests of their children the highest priority when considering custody and visitation issues. There are a few different types of custody arrangements:

Joint custody with visitation. This means that you share custody with the other parent but make all decisions together that may affect the child. Both parents must agree to the visitation schedule.

Sole custody with visitation. In this circumstance, one parent makes most of the decisions and does not need the other parent’s approval.

Shared custody is where the child’s time is split evenly between both parents. Both parents are responsible for all decisions, and neither parent is considered residential.

READ MORE: Child Custody, Access and the Welfare Principle, 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Engaging A Good Divorce Lawyer

Your divorce lawyer can help you think through these various options. But regardless as to what type of custody agreement is decided, the children are the ones who will be the most affected by this decision. In deciding which arrangement to pursue, try to assess which arrangement would be best for your children with as much honesty as possible. If you need it, ask for help from a family counselor, specializing in divorce.

Child Maintenance

Child support is another serious issue that can cause much emotional turmoil. Sometimes people want to hurt their soon-to-be ex and battle over child maintenance and support. But under the Women’s Charter, section 68, “It shall be the duty of a parent to maintain or contribute to the maintenance of his or her children…” This remains a parental responsibility no matter the terms of the custody arrangement.

Although the issue can be complicated, try to keep your children’s financial needs first in mind when considering disagreements over this tense issue. The top divorce lawyers in Singapore will be sensitive to these concerns and skilled to handle them.

In the end, it is crucial that parents help their children adjust to all the changes that divorce brings and address any behavioral or psychological problems the moment they arise. Moreover, despite their own emotional pain, parents must try their best to make decisions in a way that will lessen their children’s suffering. It can be extremely difficult but you’ll serve your children well in the long-run.

The post Helping Children Go Through Divorce in Singapore appeared first on Alvinology.

Every kids’ favourite journalist mouse, Geronimo Stilton will be performing in Singapore LIVE on 9 to 11 November, 2018! From the best-selling children series, Geronimo Stilton Live in the Kingdom of Fantasy musical is back after a sell-out season.

Read till the end to find out how you can get 15% off ticket prices with our exclusive promo code plus how to win a pair of tickets to the musical!

Geronimo Stilton is back with his friends in this adventure, where together they set off to rescue the Queen of Fairies. When the musical was played in Singapore for the first time last year, children aged 6 and above totally enjoyed themselves as they see their ‘fabumouse hero’ came to live on stage.

Based on the best-selling book series published in English and distributed in
Singapore by Scholastic Geronimo Stilton and The Kingdom of Fantasy, join Geronimo for his biggest adventure yet as he tries to save the Queen of the Fairies.

To succeed, he has to walk through the seven doors that transport him from kingdom to kingdom, bringing him face to face with witches, mermaids, dragons, pixies, gnomes, fairies and a giant! The spectacle is, therefore, a door open to the world of fantasy, with no age limit to cross it.

With a brand new cast, this 90-minute musical features multi-media projection and
3D effects that brings the adventures in the book to live! Fans can look forward to an engaging musical show with the narrative from the book series and a playful mix of live performance and effects.

The book series has sold more than 140 million copies worldwide across, published in over 150 countries and translated into 48 languages.

The animated series of Geronimo Stilton – The New Adventures of Geronimo Stilton, will be airing on okto from 12 October to 16 November, every Monday to Friday at 5.30pm.

Geronimo Stilton Live In The Kingdom Of Fantasy is brought to you by Mediacorp VizPro International Pte Ltd.

Promo Code for Alvinology Readers

Quote “AMC15” upon checkout to enjoy 15% discount from the ticket price! This deal is brought to you in collaboration with VizPro International, specially for Alvinology readers.

Special Giveaway for Alvinology Readers

We have 2 pairs of Cat 2 tickets to the Geronimo Stilton musical lined up soon for our weekly giveaway on Facebook. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Instagram if you would like to win one!

Ticketing Information

Geronimo Stilton Live In The Kingdom of Fantasy 2018
Dates: 9 – 11 November 2018
Venue: MES Theatre at Mediacorp
1 Stars Avenue, Singapore 138507

Show times:

Friday : 5:30pm
Saturday : 11am, 2:30pm & 5:30pm
Sunday : 11am, 2:30pm & 5:30pm
Ticket Prices (exclude booking fee)
Standard: $138, $108, $88, $68, $48

For school/group bookings, please contact vizprointernational@mediacorp.com.sg for more information.

Online Booking: www.sistic.com.sg

Tickets also available through +65 6348 5555 and all SISTIC channels.

The post [PROMO CODE + GIVEAWAY] Geronimo Stilton Live in Singapore in the Kingdom of Fantasy 2018 appeared first on Alvinology.

Singapore Zoo’s herd of five female elephants has given resounding trunks up to their additional roles as scriptwriters and directors for the revamped elephant presentation. The revised show features various enrichment options which allow the elephants to voluntarily participate—which means they get to decide when and what they would like to do.

Keepers will play supporting roles outside the exhibit, serving mainly to interpret the elephants’ actions to guests. Aside from introducing the audience to the elephants’ personalities and quirks, keepers will demonstrate positive reinforcement methods to engage the elephants and encourage them to display natural behaviours such as laying in the water or leveraging on a log to reach their favourite fruit. To make the show more interactive, a new volunteer segment has been included, where a lucky visitor will get to enjoy a close encounter with one of the modern day mammoths.

The reimagined elephant presentation, which was officially launched in celebration of Elephant Appreciation Day, is part of Wildlife Reserves Singapore’s (WRS) continuing efforts to provide world class care for her animals through improved animal welfare. It is also in line with WRS evolving the care of her elephants towards the protected contact elephant management system.

Protected contact management means there will always be a physical safety barrier between the keepers and the elephants, which allows caretakers to continue providing quality care for the elephants while ensuring a greater level of safety for both elephants and humans.

The post Singapore Zoo revamps Elephant Presentation appeared first on Alvinology.

While a lot of people may think that Vivian Lai and Alain Ong may have suffered a blow when the latter lost his CEO position at Pokka corporation,  the 41-year-old actress seems unaffected. Despite confirmation from the company itself that they are also performing an internal audit of the corporation under new management, Vivian’s position as endorser has not been called into question.

Read about Pokka Corporation’s reshuffling here and how Vivian retains her status as brand ambassador.

Testament to the star power of Vivian Lai

Some commenters online have made some statements over her brand endorsement in light of her husband’s role as CEO.

In 2012, she was allegedly paid $1 million to continue endorsing the brand. Recently, she also came out with a spot on TV and online where she promotes Pokka’s latest green tea drink product, and the advantages of catechins consumed regularly.

But if she has been endorsing the brand for eleven years as of 2018 and despite her husband’s removal from top management, her status hasn’t been affected.

According to Marketing, a business website, Mediacorp actresses and personalities have very strict rules regarding endorsements. Even if she may have been chosen again and again to endorse the brand, there is a possibility that Mediacorp also received a percentage of her earnings from Pokka.

The same website also said that her husband, Alain, did not just handle the Singapore arm of Pokka Corporation during his tenure as CEO. He had also handled the international marketing for the brand in over 60 countries.

He was also the one who pushed for more Pokka vending machines throughout the country and the world, as part of his legacy at the company.

That the company continues to engage her when younger, newer actresses and personalities have cropped up who are not tied to Mediacorp is a testament to her enduring star power and professionalism.

Alain and Vivian have built a home and a very beautiful family

As reported in our previous article, Vivian and Alain have finally built their own home on their own land, which was said to be one of Vivian’s dreams. The house is said to cost $8 million.

The couple, their two daughters, and two domestic helpers live in a three-storey semi-detached home that may be on Holland road.

In April, they let news outlet Zaobao into their new home for a tour. They also allowed Home & Decor magazine to feature their newly-finished house in April 2018.

Take a look at the video below.

According to reports, the three-storey home has a concept kitchen, a large living area and a patio on the first floor. The second floor has the Master’s bedroom, her office and dressing room. The third floor includes her daughters’ bedrooms. She has two daughters, Ariel, 12, and Vera, 8.

She said that their basement had been fitted into a soundproof lounge where she and her family go to relax and de-stress after their difficult days.

Pokka Corporation has certainly been good to Vivian, Alain, and her husband, and they have also been very good to the company in turn. While reports say that an internal audit is happening and that the whole upper management has been reshuffled, this move has happened in April 2018, and that it does not mean Alain is no longer part of Pokka–he has just been reshuffled from the CEO position.

Header image from Vivian Lai’s Instagram account

The post Vivian Lai, Alain Ong, and Pokka Corporation through the years appeared first on Alvinology.

Located at Robertson Quay, Summerlong serves up Mediterranean fares by the riverfront and recently launched a new brunch menu. From my travels, I grew to love Mediterranean breakfasts, which is generally much healthier than most other breakfasts, with an emphasis on dairy products like milk and cheese, vegetables, fruits and nuts. Hence I was excited to find out there’s a place serving Mediterranean brunch in Singapore. While there won’t be a view of the Mediterranean sea, it still offers a view of the Singapore River.

Having brunch at Summerlong can be a fun experience for the family during the weekends. I brought Asher and his best friend, Sherise there for brunch over the weekend and they had fun running around by the waterfront and playing at the nearby public playground while I get to lounge at the cosy rattan chairs at Summerlong to slowly enjoy my food.

These are the menu items we sampled during our visit:

Mixed berries and Mango & Peach smoothies (S$13 each)

Housemade kombucha (S$10)

Ham and cheese sandwich off the kid’s menu

Real Turkish Breakfast (S$35)

Housemade Granola and fruit bowl (S$17)

Counter plate (S$23)

Grilled fish and chips (S$28)

Scoop of ice cream for dessert (S$5)

The Counter Plate is a great option for those who wants to sample a bit of everything. You get to fill your plate from a selection of light and seasonally appropriate new offerings of salads, grains and house-baked treats.

Plate full of savoury mains from the Counter

Desserts from the Counter – Lemon tart and cake

Some highlights include: Grilled Eggplant – charcoal grilled with a simple dressing of yoghurt, chilli and herbs; Miso Broccoli – steamed broccoli tossed with a garlic, green chilli and white wine dressing, finished off with almonds, and the Roasted Pumpkin – oven roasted local pumpkin with a tahini lemon dressing; Caramelised onions- finished with a crunchy bite of pumpkin seeds and chopped herbs.

If you prefer your platter served to you, try the Real Turkish Breakfast, which consists of a spiced merguez sausage and Turkish beans, with a cucumber and tomato side salad, served alongside Turkish Eggs in a yoghurt and chili spiced browned butter, accompanied with a variety of condiments such as spinach and feta borek, sour cherry ham, harissa, honey ricotta, cured beef, babneh, smoked olives, mandarin orange and feta cheese.

The favourite for me was their granola bowl. The humble menu item packs a punch, filled with fresh fruity flavours and nutty crunch. It’s also a very pretty dish to look at with the vibrant assortment of natural colours.

For beverages, the smoothies and homemade Kombucha are healthy options to cool off the heat. They complement the brunch items well and you can sit back and sip them down slowly while reading a book by the waterfront.

For those with young kids, Summerlong offers a kids menu that is printed on a colouring and activity sheet which only acts as a table mat. Prices of the items averages around S$10 each:

Asher ordered a ham and cheese sandwich which kept him full and happy, washed down with a mixed berries smoothie.

Summerlong is an excellent place to enjoy brunch over the weekends, especially if you have young kids. The restaurant’s detals are as below:

Summerlong

Location & Contact Details:
60 Robertson Quay #01-04
Singapore 238252

Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday – 5:00PM to Midnight
Saturday & Sunday – 10:30AM to Midnight

The post New Mediterranean Brunch Menu at Summerlong Restaurant at Robertson Quay appeared first on Alvinology.

In the recent report from international aid agency Oxfam called THE COMMITMENT TO REDUCING INEQUALITY INDEX 2018, Singapore has arrived on the ten worst countries in reducing povertu and inequality, as per their latest.

With Singapore on the list are countries such as Bhutan, Bangladesh, Chad, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and even HAiti and Uzbekistan.

Take a look at the portion of the list below:

According to the chart above, Singapore is one of the ten worst countries when it comes to spending taxes based on reducing poverty and inequality. This means that government spending does not focus on measures that target povery alleviation and helping out the less fortunate citizens.

The report further explains that the situation with Singapore has worsened since last year. According to the report, despite raising the personal income tax, the highest earners only pay 22%, and their budget does not reflect adequately towards education, health, and social protection.

Other countries, on the other hand, such as South Korea and Thailand, put the bulk of their tax spending on these key areas, which have been priven, according to the report, to alleviate poverty and inequality.

The report goes further to say that with regards to labor, Singapore does not prioritize equal pay and non-discrimination laws for women, and the laws it has on rape and sexual harassment aren’t up to par. The only positions that earn a minimum wage in the country are security guards and cleaners.

What do netizens have to say?

While the report by Oxfam is certainly one way to look at the data on public spending and taxes, Singaporeans living in Singapore have their own opinions on the matter. Here are some of their reactions to this report:

This commenter thinks that Oxfam’s data and its analysis has no bearing on the quality of life of people on the list. Thanks to how Singaporean society and the economy works people are locked into social tiers and only consume or buy what they can afford.

While this commenter disagrees and says that there is no social movement upwards. Citizens are either stagnant or have large chances to go down the social ladder.

Some commenters say that foreigners are trying to cause trouble.

Some think that it’s a “trickle down” economic policy that is in place in Singapore.

While others say that despite being low on the list that Oxfam made, Singaporeans do not think about migrating to countries with better scores on the report. Living with the tax progressiveness in Singapore isn’t such a trial, according to this commenter.

While this commenter wants to point out that most Singaporeans have not really experienced poverty and inequality, and that other places such as Mumbai would be better to illustrate the point. Does this mean that Singaporeans’ standard of life is better than a lot of other countries?

While others have some things to say about how much ministers are paid and how many there are for Singaporean citizens.

And other commenters have their priorities straight on which public services and infrastructure matter.

What do you think of Oxfam’s assessment? Let us know in the comments!

Header image from Shutterstock, Asian woman depressed debt.

The post Oxfam says Singapore is one of the least progressive countries in spending taxes based on reducing inequality appeared first on Alvinology.

During this month of October, LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort gets a complete makeover and turns into a spooky yet kid-friendly park in Malaysia for their Brick-or-Treat festival. Check out the fun and excitement available the park in the video below:

It’s going to be a spooktacular Halloween at the resort as LEGO Lord Vampyre invite you and your family to join the fun Brick-or-Treat Part Nights, bravely enter the Castle of Grim for games and prizes, the snap some photos with LEGO characters at the Monsters’ March Parade. The full Halloween show guide is available here. 

This year, families and their little ones can look forward to fun and educational activities such as Speed Building Challenges where they can work together and learn through the magic of play.

Decked out in the best Halloween looks, the whole park will be jam-packed with
activities that families can enjoy and learn together, including Hut Activity Trail
where visitors are required to complete tasks at various checkpoints. Families can
also take Instagram worthy photos at the Laughter Castle or catch a glimpse of their
favourite LEGO characters at the daily Halloween Parade.

“At LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort, we believe children have the most fun through
play as it allows them to exercise their vivid imaginations. We have weaved in
different elements in all our activities to encourage children to imagine, innovate and
inspire, while connecting families through a quality and awesome holiday
experience,” said Kurt Stocks, General Manager at LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort.

Special Halloween Offers 

Kids with Spooky Halloween costumes enter FREE

Just for the Halloween month of October, if you dress up your kids in spooky Halloween costumes, they get to enter LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort for free!

FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS are Brick-or-Treat Party Nights

Watch the dead come to life every Friday and Saturday in October. Catch the Dancing Dead and LEGO Parades. Entry is exclusively FREE for all Annual Pass Holders. For regular patrons, tickets are priced at RM88 per night and entry is from 4pm to 8pm.

Bring a Friend for FREE to Brick-or-Treat Party Nights

Again, just for this October, Premium Pass holders get to bring a friend along for FREE to the Brick-or-Treat Part Nights, every Friday and Saturday from 4pm to 8pm.

Don’t miss these special promotions available for the month of October. More details are available via the official website.

The post Kids dressed in Spooky Halloween Costume gets FREE Entry to LEGOLAND Malaysia in October and More! appeared first on Alvinology.

Twilight Encounters returns with an after dark adventure of fantasy and mystery—this time triple the wild factor with the first ever Festive Pop-up market in the heart of Mandai, Wildlife Cluedo at Night Safari’s walking trails, and the exciting multimedia night walk experience that is Rainforest Lumina.

Immerse yourself in a medley of art installations, musical performances, photo booths and Instaworthy food and drinks at the Festive Pop-Up Market. Be sure to stop by the wildlife-themed Personalisation Workstops and get snap happy with the light installations. Let our nocturnal entourage of hedgehogs, owls and more fascinate you, and listen to stories galore from their keepers. Walk away with an owl selfie, and a priceless memory of feeding hedgehogs!

At Night Safari, channel your inner Sherlock Holmes and trek through the Walking Trails to solve the mystery of Wildlife Cluedo while uncovering the cool adaptations of our animal residents. Receive an exclusive collectible pin as a reward for your investigative efforts when you complete the trail.

After meeting our Malayan tigers at Night Safari, encounter their virtual cousin Tairee the white tiger and the rest of the Creature Crew at Rainforest Lumina—a multimedia night walk on the wild side. Inspired by the real animals in Night Safari and Singapore Zoo, each member of the Creature Crew represents a unique virtue. Pick one that resonates best with you and uncover their powers during the experience.

For an extra wild visit, indulge in the Christmas edition of the popular Safari Adventurer Tour. Aside from enjoying a cosy buggy-and-walking adventure with an expert guide, help our elephant keepers put together a Christmas hamper for our biggest residents and gift it to them during an exclusive feeding session. How’s that for a Christmas worth remembering for years to come?

Enjoy up to 20 per cent off when you take advantage of the Night Safari and Rainforest Lumina admission bundle for same day visit. Better yet, join as a Friends of Wildlife individual or family member and enjoy 10 per cent off membership between 17 November to 31 December 2018. Terms and conditions apply for both promotions.

From as low as $1, head down to our wildlife parks in Mandai in as little as 20 minutes with our Mandai Khatib Shuttle and Mandai Express    services. More information available at https://www.wrs.com.sg/en/singapore–zoo/before–you–visit/getting–to–singapore–zoo.html

DETAILS:

Dates:  16 Nov – 31 Dec 2018 (Activities on Fridays and Saturdays only); additional activity nights on 23-25 Dec and 30-31 Dec 2018

Time:  Night Safari opens 7.15pm – 12.00am. Refer to table below for various activity timings Venue: Night Safari, Safari Square and Singapore Zoo Notes:  o Activities are free but admission to Night Safari and Rainforest Lumina apply. Bundle admission rates offer greater savings and can be purchased at https://luminastore.wrs.com.sg/

Activities at Safari Square start 30 Nov 2018 (Festive Pop-up Market and Animal Encounters — Festive Edition)

But what about the Singapore Zoo?

Here be Dragons. The flying reptiles of legend and other mythical beasts have descended upon Singapore Zoo. Not to plunder and destroy, but to awe and inspire. Enter the Valley of Myths and come face-to-snout with 17 creatures from fantasy and folklore like the Unicorn, Phoenix and of course, Dragons from 17 Nov – 31 Dec 2018.

How could the legend of the one-eyed giant, the Cyclops, have originated from a modern living animal? Embark on the Creature Researcher Trail to find out how fantastical creatures were inspired by discoveries of modern animals, their appearance and the amazing abilities. See the legendary beasts come alive with animatronic movements and soundscapes, then uncover their real-life connections by visiting the animals that inspired them. Record your research findings in your complimentary trail map to redeem an exclusive prize.

Which animal can match the Basilisk’s ability to kill in a single glance? Take on the Who inspired who? challenges at the game booths to discover how the unbelievable powers of the mythical beasts were influenced by equally amazing adaptations of living animals. Complete all three challenges to redeem an exclusive collectible pin. After basking in the glory of the larger-than-life dragons, don’t forget that real-life dragons do exist! Meet our friendly Bearded Dragons at interactive sessions. Mythical beast-themed activities happen weekends of 17 November to 31 December 2018, and on Christmas Day.

Apart from fire-breathing dragons, Singapore Zoo will host some icy visitors from beyond the wall.

In collaboration with HBO Asia, Singapore Zoo will for the first time ever, display a 3D replica of Viserion, the Night King’s Ice Dragon from the hit HBO Original series GAME OF THRONES.

Stream the entire series on HBO GO (https://www.hbogoasia.sg). Mark your calendars as the Night King himself and his White Walkers will be making special appearances on 17, 18, 24 and 25 November 2018.

Between 17 November to 31 December 2018, local residents also enjoy greater savings online— receive 45 per cent off second admission to Singapore Zoo with every paying adult. Terms and conditions apply.

Details at a glance:

Dragons & Mythical Beasts

Date:      17 Nov – 31 Dec 2018

Time:      8.30am – 6.00pm

Venue:  Singapore Zoo

80 Mandai Lake Road

Singapore 729826

Cost:      Normal admission of $35 for adults and $23 for children 3-12 years applies

For more information, visit www.TwilightEncounters.sg

The post Year-end activities at Night Safari and Singapore Zoo include Game of Thrones and Cluedo appeared first on Alvinology.

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, launches Shopee 11.11 Big Sale, the biggest shopping event of the year. Following the success of Shopee 9.9 Super Shopping Day last month, Shopee 11.11 Big Sale will feature an upsized and improved line up of non-stop promotions from 29 October to 11 November, including the return of the highly-popular themed days, Shopee Shake and more.

Shopee 11.11 Big Sale comes off the back of an online shopping insights and trends piece presented jointly by Facebook and Shopee, which found that shoppers in the region, especially mobile shoppers, are increasingly regarding 11.11 as an integral part of the year-end shopping season. According to Facebook conversion data across 6 APAC markets studied, 1.3x more conversions were generated on November 11 than on an average day that same month while the share of mobile conversions during the holiday season grew to 76%.

During Shopee 11.11 Big Sale, shoppers can look forward to the return of the highly anticipated themed days, up to 90% off and over $100,000 worth of Shopee Coins to be won from Shopee Shake.

1. Popular themed days return for Shopee users

Shopee 11.11 Big Sale will see an expanded lineup of themed days, a hit among users during the recent Shopee 9.9 Super Shopping Day. From 29 October, users can enjoy two weeks of daily themed days in the lead up to 11.11 Big Sale on 11 November.

• Category-specific days including, 11.11 Electronics Sale on 30 October, 11.11 Kids & Babies Dayon 2 November, and 11.11 Beauty Sale on 8 November.
• 11.11 Men’s Day on 6 November: Up to 90% off categories such as mobile & accessories, men’s grooming, men’s fashion, with participating brands including Marshall, Sennheiser and Braun and more.
• 11.11 Shopee Mall Sale on 9 November: Lowest Price Guaranteed from leading Shopee Mall brands including Fjallraven, Sennheiser, Acer, Enfagrow, Etude House, Marina Square, and more.

2. The return of Shopee Shake on the back of its 9.9 success

Played around 500,000 times in Singapore during Shopee 9.9 Super Shopping Day, Shopee brings back its iconic in-app game, Shopee Shake, this time with an upsized pool of over $100,000 worth of Shopee Coins up for grabs. Users can also invite up to 10 friends to play at the same time to win bonus coins. Shopee Shake will be happening twice daily throughout the campaign, and nine times on 11.11 Shopee Shake Day on 31 October and Shopee 11.11 Big Sale on 11 November.

3. Deepened partnerships tailored to local users’ preferences

On top of thousands of deals at the best prices in town from leading local and international brands including JBL, Nestlé, L’Oréal, shoppers can also look forward to additional perks from Shopee’s exclusive 11.11 partners, including:

• From 29 October to 12 November, users can enjoy Shopee-exclusive KFC delivery deals redeemable through the KFC website and app. These deals include a medium whipped potato at $0.11, popcorn chicken at $1.10, and more.
• From 29 October to 21 November, all Citi cardmembers will enjoy $11 off with a minimum spend of $80 when they checkout with a Citi credit card, while non Citi cardmembers who sign up for a Citi credit card will receive $200 worth of Shopee vouchers.
• On 11 November, the first 11 groups to flash the Shopee app at any Pizza Hut outlets will dine for free.

For more information on Shopee 11.11 Big Sale, visit http://shopee.sg/m/1111.

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

The post Go big or go home: The Shopee 11.11 Big Sale appeared first on Alvinology.