In a video shared by Facebook user Tan Boon Wee, taken at Boon Lay Food Centre, an elderly uncle is seen jaywalking dangerously across a traffic junction, carrying a young girl in his arms.

When honked at by the driver of the car camera, the uncle turned aggressively and can be seen gesturing and posturing to the driver for a confrontation. He was only pacified and moved on after another old lady came and pulled him across the road.

Was it right for the driver to honk at the old uncle carrying a young child crossing the road? Or should the driver exercise a little more patience towards old folks and young kids, allowing them some leeway in jaywalking.

Or is the elderly uncle at fault for jaywalking in the first place and even turning aggressive when rebuked by the driver’s car horn. Many comments on the video suggested that there is a traffic crossing visible nearby and there wasn’t really a need to jaywalk, putting the life of the young girl in danger on top of the old uncle’s own life.

What do you think?

If viewed from the perspective of parenting, it is definitely a big fail for the old uncle by setting a very bad example for the little girl that it is right to break the law (by jaywalking) and turn defensive when caught.

The post Uncle caught jaywalking carrying a child – turns aggressive at driver appeared first on Alvinology.

This Mother’s Day, Philips has put together a curated list of some of their best-loved ‘superstar’ tech products from the kitchen, home, beauty and personal care categories, especially for techie mums who love their tech gadgets.

If you are still undecided on what to buy for your mum on Mother’s Day, we hope this guide will be helpful. Be sure to read to the end to find out how you can win a Philips Air Purifier!

MUM, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL

Every Mum deserves to be treated like a Queen. And what better way to start the royal treatment than by looking and feeling the part! Pamper Mum to an indulgent spa treatment in the comfort of her own home with these highly sought after beauty devices from Philips. Leave Mum feeling refreshed, radiant and youthful, just in time for that Mother’s Day brunch you’ve been planning for her.

Philips VisaCare Microdermabrasion (SC6240/03)

Boost Mum’s skincare regime with standards that are akin to professional beauty salons so Mum can pamper herself in the comfort of her own home. The Philips VisaCare Microdermabrasion provides the most relaxing yet easy way to exfoliate! Boasting a unique VisaCare DualAction Air Lift and Exfoliation system, this device stimulates blood circulation while removing dead skin cells. It revitalizes the skin’s natural cell renewal process, rewarding Mum with younger-looking skin in just four to six weeks.

Recommended Retail Price (RRP): S$489

Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Sonic Electric Toothbrush (HX9362/67)

Keep Mum’s pearly whites healthy with the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Sonic electric toothbrush. Equipped with a unique DiamondClean toothbrush head, every brush ensures effective removal of surface stains and plaque, with improved gum health in as little as two weeks of use.

RRP: S$319

Philips StraightCare Vivid Ends Straightener (BHS675/00)

Help Mum take extra good care of her locks with the Philips StraightCare VividEnds Straightener! She will love the SplitStop Technology in the straightener that puts an end to split ends and hair damage, while preserving hydration levels in Mum’s hair and leaving her locks luscious, shiny and healthy. Other unique features include the UniTemp sensor and ionic technology for Mum to achieve salon-ready hair in minutes!

RRP: S$109

MUM, YOU ARE MY MASTER CHEF

For the Mother that cooks with love, reward her with these revolutionary kitchen appliances from Philips to spice up her signature dish! Let Philips’ wide range of kitchen tools give her the ultimate Master Chef experience – from frying, to blending, and even to customizing some of her favourite food.

Philips Viva Collection Airfryer (HD9623/31)

If the family loves fried food but Mum is always concerned about the family’s health and using too much oil in her cooking, then the TurboStar technology in the Philips Viva Collection Airfryer is the perfect kitchen toy to get her this Mother’s Day, with its ability to fry food using minimal oil and evenly cook dishes. Mum will now be able to fry, bake, roast and grill to her heart’s content, making delicious meals containing less fat than a conventional fryer.

RRP: S$449

Philips Viva Collection All-In-One Cooker (HD2137/72)

Mum will be happy to find out that it is possible to slow cook, pressure cook and multi cook all in one machine, with the Philips Viva Collection All-In-One Cooker’s intelligent cooking system. With its easy-to-operate cooking functions such as the high and low temperature and reheat functions, Mum can now enjoy quick, delicious and healthy meals, from nourishing soups to savoury meat dishes, with this handy tool in the kitchen!

RRP: S$239

Philips Daily Collection Mini blender (HR2874/01)

Let Mum create healthy smoothies with the Philips Daily Collection Mini Blender. This multi-functional appliance has a powerful 350 watt motor and a multi chopper for soft and hard ingredients, ensuring that everything blends smoothly – whether it’s a smoothie, a shake, a soup, or even dips and cocktails! It even comes with a convenient On-the-Go bottle for Mum to enjoy all her favourite blender beverages everywhere.

RRP: S$79

Philips Avent 4-in-1 Healthy Baby Food Maker (SCF875/01)

Designed for the busy Mum who is constantly on the go, the Philips Avent 4-in-1 Healthy Baby Food Maker makes healthy, nutritious meals with just a flip of the jar, making meals absolutely fuss-free and easy! For ultimate convenience, it boasts four functions – steaming, blending, defrosting and reheating, helping save preparation and cooking time. Less time spent on food preparation means more time to bond with baby!

RRP: S$239

MUM, YOU DESERVE TO BE PAMPERED

Get mum exactly what she’s been wishing for this Mother’s Day! Show her some affection by splurging on that most coveted item she’s been eyeing on. Whether it’s something for her daily beauty regime or to help her out with the household chores, we’ve got it covered.

Philips VisaPure Advanced Home Facial Device (SC5370/10)

Pamper Mum this year with the Philips VisaPure Advanced. This intuitive skincare tool will help her take at-home skincare routine to the next level! The 3-in-1 multifunctional product provides Mums with a salon-like facial in less than five minutes with its three interchangeable heads – Deep Cleansing, Revitalizing Massage, and Fresh Eyes – to improve micro-circulation, absorption of skincare products and refresh tired eyes from the non-stop mother duties.

RRP: S$455

Philips PerfectCare Elite Steam Generator Iron (GC9642/60)

Make ironing less of a chore for mum with the PerfectCare Elite Steam Generator Iron’s OptimalTemp technology. Mum can enjoy up to 2 hours of continuous ironing and she won’t have to worry about the different temperature settings for denim or silk, as the temperature will be just right for all her clothes! The device also has a silent steam technology for a quiet yet ultra-powerful ironing experience, ensuring a fast ironing time, so Mom will be ready and out the door in seconds!

RRP: S$799

Philips SmartPro Compact Robot Vacuum Cleaner (FC8776/01)

Help get rid of Mum’s cleaning woes with the Philips SmartPro Compact Robot Vacuum Cleaner! Its Smart Detection System adapts to any environment and optimizes a cleaning strategy to ensure that every inch of the home is spotless, even hard to reach low spaces! Its TriActive XL nozzle can also clean in double time by collecting more dust. Mum can now sit back and relax when it comes to cleaning the floors as the robot vacuum cleaner gets the job done for her!

RRP: S$799

Philips PowerPro Aqua Vacuum Cleaner and Mopping System (FC6409/61)

Another essential tool for your domestic goddess is the Philips PowerPro Aqua Vacuum Cleaner and Mopping System, a powerful cordless 3-in-1 vacuum cleaner that delivers convenience and efficiency with every stroke! Suitable for all hard floors and carpets, the device is equipped with TriActive Turbo Nozzle technology for high vacuum cleaning performance, giving Mum the ultimate cleaning experience!

RRP: S$699

Philips Air Cleaner (AC2887/30)

Protect Mum from harmful pollutants in the air with the Philips Air Cleaner 2000 series. Its new Aerasense technology offers vital reassurance that the air she breathes at home is clean. Equipped with an advanced sensor, the device accurately measures PM2.5 particles, which are so small that individually they can only be detected with an electron microscope. It also comes with three automatic purification settings – a General mode, an Allergen mode, and a Bacteria and Virus mode, for Mum to personalize and optimize purification.

RRP: S$599

Philips Air Cleaner (AC3256/30)

With Mums always concerned about the air quality at home, give her the gift of cleaner, more allergen-free air! The Philips Air Cleaner 3000 series has specially been designed as a convenient solution which can naturally remove ultra-fine particles like pollen and pet hair, allowing allergy sufferers to find the relief they are looking for – so no more sneezing, colds and allergies at home! With its Vitashield IPS and Aerasense technology, Mum can now have vital reassurance that the air she breathes at home is clean.

RRP: S$799

Pricing and Availability

Philips products are available at leading electronics stores, major department stores and selected authorized dealers. Philips Avent products are available at leading departmental stores, baby specialty shops and selected hospital pharmacies. More information is available on the official Philips website.

Exclusive Giveaway for Alvinology Readers

In a special collaboration with Philips Singapore,we are giving away a Philips AC2882/30 Air Purifier worth S$499. The Philips AC2882/30 Air Purifier removes both large and small particles, dust, bacteria & viruses, and harmful gases from the air, that can be triggers for asthma and allergies. Say goodbye to sneezes, red eyes and irritation!

To win, complete the following steps:

1.‘Like’ both the Alvinology Facebook page and the Philips Home Living Facebook page.

2.‘Like’ and share this post on Facebook and tag three mothers. Make your post public so we can find it. Make your post public so we can find it.

3.Tell us how a mum could benefit from the Philips AC2882/30 Air Purifier. Simply comment below or on our Facebook post.

4. Get as many friends as possible to like your comment on the post as well as get them to like Alvinology on Facebook. 

Contest ends at 11.59 pm on 14 May 2017. The winner will be notified via Facebook, and must be able to collect the prize in Singapore.

As part of Mother’s Day, use the code ‘HELLOPHILIPSAIR20’ to enjoy 20% off the Philips Air Purifier Series 2000, from now till 16 May, 2017. 

The post [GIVEAWAY] Mother’s Day Gift Guide for Techie Mums appeared first on Alvinology.

Direct School Admission (DSA) resurfaced as a hot topic of discussion in the education fraternity when the Ministry of Education (MOE) recently announced changes to admission guidelines. To give PSLE-taking students a fairer opportunity to enter elite secondary schools the likes of Raffles Institution, Dunman High, Anglo Chinese School and Hwa Chong Institution, general academic ability tests will be scraped in stronger favour of sports or arts talents.

Although adaptive parents have come up with ways to game the system – by enrolling their children in specialised sports coaching – this same bunch of students who successfully booked their places into their (parents’) secondary school of choice have reportedly struggled to keep up with their peers academically.

This just shows DSA has its drawbacks and academic scores still matter. Students still have to “mug” until they hemorrhage in the brain. Instead of pushing them two-dimensionally and aggravating their stress level, there is much room for you as a parent to play the supporting role in managing the exam madness. Here’s how to do it right without stretching them over a million tuition classes.

Enrichment classes

As if those endless tuition classes aren’t enough, parents are trying to make a Schooling out of their children. They spare no expense in engaging professional sports coaches so as to turn their little ones into sports champs. The DSA has, in no small part, contributed to this trend. As a result, children have practically zero space for a breather. The math, science, creative writing and other extra-curricular classes outside of school may effectively aid in the pursuit of academic excellence, but at what cost? This could be a case of too much too soon.

The ironic thing is, enrichment classes do nothing to enrich your riches. Course fees at brand name enrichment centres don’t come cheap. Tuition has become somewhat inevitable now, but that doesn’t mean you should sign your kids up for everything. You don’t need to be an economics major to understand the concept of diminishing returns. Do yourself a favour, save the thousands, and sign your kids up for only the subjects they struggle with the most.

As for the rest of the subjects, if you can help your kids DIY it, DIY it. When that fails, there’s always Mr Google to play tutor, right?

Be the academia version of Sun Tzu

What we mean is, strategise and plan early. There is almost one full year’s worth of time to prepare for the big exam and as much as it is clichéd, you are indeed setting yourself up for failure if you fail to plan. Your kids may not have learned to adopt a long-term approach to things, which explains why so many students like to take a shortcut known as “spotting questions” right before an exam.

Well, here’s our study tip: combine both. Start early and “spot” smart. Study past-year papers to get a feel of questions that frequently pop up, then work around it. At the same time, take some of the guesswork out by instilling in your kids the habit of writing a summary at the end of each completed chapter or topic. A little note-taking goes a long way in covering all the bases, compared to a major revision cramp at the last minute.

Manage expectations

In a way, Singaporean parents are just typical Singaporeans: they love to compare. But it is exactly because of excessive grades comparison that causes unhappiness and a niggling feeling of never being good enough in kids. On seeing top students score A’s like there is no tomorrow, expectations go haywire.

Remember not all of us are born the same. Some of us are late bloomers, which calls for a different strategy and pace. Refrain from feeding your kids unrealistic goals like becoming a Math whiz overnight, or imposing scary consequences for failing a test. The Tiger Mum shtick is fear badly disguised as motivation. Take some focus off the outcome (i.e. getting into good schools) and invest it into the journey. Work baby steps, build momentum and celebrate little achievements.

A good night’s sleep

You snooze, but you won’t necessarily lose. The sheer intensity of students’ workload nowadays is forcing them to sacrifice not just play time, but the amount of sleep as well. According to the NurtureSG committee, an advocate for children’s physical and mental well-being, nine to 11 hours of rest is recommended for children between the ages of six and 13. Insufficient rest could impair cognitive abilities, which is surely counterproductive to exam performance. If late bedtimes are due to excessive gaming or Facebook-ing, regulate it.

Compare credit cards, personal loans and insurance on GoBear!

The post Things You Can Do To Help Your Kids Prepare For Exams appeared first on Alvinology.

Over the weekend, LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort celebrated the launch of LEGO Star Wars Days with a bunch of special activities, including a massive Imperial March featuring over 100 Star Wars characters.

Despite the rain, the characters showed up in full force to support the event:

A special Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia LEGO piece was also unveiled at the launch on Saturday to commemorate the late actress who passed away in 2016.

If you miss the launch over the weekend, you can still experience the special LEGO Star Wars Day activities at LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort. The celebration will run over the course of 34 days across 5 weekends (28 Apr to 31 May) with a variety of exciting and entertaining Star Wars daily activities for the whole family.

The star of the show lies at LEGO Star Wars Miniland, the only indoor LEGO Star Wars Miniland in Asia, where guests can experience a special ‘live storytelling’ of great scenes from the epic space saga exclusively for the month of May.

Those who wish to be one with the Force can do so at the Jedi Academy, where they can train to become a Jedi.

To bring the Star Wars experience to life even further, Stormtroopers and Star Wars characters can be found roaming around the park and will stop for photo opportunities. The trickiest character to spot will be the elusive LEGO Darth Vader, so be sure to be on a lookout for him.

“Building on last year’s successful LEGO Star Wars Day, LEGOLAND is once again embarking on a journey to bring LEGO Star Wars to life for all Star Wars fans, young and old alike. This year, we are kicking it up a notch and ensuring that it will be filled with building activities that will inspire and encourage learning through play. Our guests will be in for a treat as they will be able to participate in various building activities such as Star Wars World, R2-D2 Challenge, Speed Building, Star Wars model build, and create your own Star Wars set,” said Kurt Stocks, General Manager at LEGOLAND Resort Malaysia.

The younger guests will also receive a LEGOLAND Star Wars Passport, which can be used to collect stamps from activities such as R2-D2 build, Star Wars World, Trivia Hunt, Jedi Academy, and Speed building competition. Upon collection of all stamps, guests can stand a chance to be rewarded with a special commemorative brick – awarded on a first-come, first-served basis – to remind them of their fun and exciting adventures at LEGOLAND.

Exclusive LEGO Star Wars Merchandise Discounts

LEGOLAND Malaysia is offering exclusive deals on the newly launched LEGO Star Wars Classic merchandise.

Only available at LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort and during LEGO Star Wars Days, guests spending RM300 and above on LEGO Star Wars Play sets will get their hands on the coveted LEGO R2-D2.

Alternatively, for purchases of RM100 and above for LEGO Star Wars Play sets, guests can redeem the exclusive LEGO U-Wing Fighter.

From May 4 to 15, LEGOLAND Malaysia will be handing out RM10 cash vouchers at its main entrance which gives guests RM10 off for any LEGO Star Wars Play sets with a minimum spend of RM90.

Last but not least, guests who purchase the ultimate LEGO Star Wars Death Star at LEGOLAND Malaysia’s retail shop will get a free LEGO Star Wars Kylo Ren Command Shuttle worth RM599.90. These offers are valid while stocks last.

LEGO Star Wars Days runs till the end of May. More details on the various activities available for guests are as below:

Star Wars Miniland ‘Live’

Enjoy an interactive walkthrough at Star Wars Miniland with the Jedis who will regale guests with the story of the episodes displayed.

Jedi Academy

Always wanted to be a Jedi warrior? This is your chance! Let our Master Jedi train you in the ways of the Jedi.

Spot the Stormtrooper

Be on the lookout for the Stormtrooper minifigure on the crew’s vest. Find him and you can redeem a prize at the admission counter

Star Wars Trivia Hunt

Prove how much of a fan you are by solving the quiz. Visit the Miniland and lookout for clues on the posters and descriptions.

Photo opportunities with the coolest Star Wars characters

Spot LEGO Darth Vader and take a photo with him. Also, be on the lookout for the Stormtroopers and Jedis. In addition, the meet and greet with the awesome Star Wars characters including Jedi, Stormtroopers and Princess Leia that started on the 1st of May, will continue for the subsequent weekends (20 to 21 May and 27 to 28 May) where guests can also have their photos taken.

The post LEGO Star Wars Days 2017 at LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort appeared first on Alvinology.

This June holidays, your favourite kawaii Sanrio characters will be coming to Changi Airport’s Terminal 3.

Expect nothing but boatloads of kawaii-ness with life-sized Hello Kitty & Friends opening a month-long showcase at Terminal 3.

There will be no lack of games, activities, shopping and great prizes to be won. What’s more you get to capture some super kawaii Nordic moments with your favourite characters from Sanrio for FREE this coming Friday, 26 May at 7pm.

Here what’s to look out for this kawaii June holidays:

 

Song & Dance Opening Ceremony by Hello Kitty & Friends

Welcome all-time favourite Hello Kitty & Friends to kick start the June holidays!

Life-sized characters Hello Kitty, My Melody, Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll, Gudetama, and the Little Twin Stars will be all dressed in their Nordic winter costumes to welcome the holiday season with a song & dance show on 26 May.

You may just get the opportunity to take a photo with all seven characters at a special Meet & Greet session after the Song & Dance.

Opening Date/Time: Friday, 26 May 2017 (7pm)

Location: Terminal 3, Public, Departure Hall Level 2 (Near Skytrain Platform to Terminal 1)
Entry Requirements: Free

Photo courtesy of Changi Airport Group.

Nordic Exhibition

Prepare to be transported to the Nordic landscapes and countryside.

As a video re-creates the scenic backdrop of the amazing Northern Lights, it transports you into a magical realm of mysterious fjords and snow-capped mountains of Norway. Sweden’s Old Town is also recreated in your midst for you to experience walking through the charming Old Town as well as  explore a Viking ship inspired gallery while learning more about the Nordic culture, their animals, and history. Better yet, these photo opportunities are free because you don’t have to pay to enter.

Iconic landmarks featured: Viking ship-inspired exhibition gallery, iconic Fjords of Norway backdrop, Northern Lights video display, and Swedish Old Town set-up

Spot the photo opportunity: Not only are there various sights for visitors to see at the exhibition, you may also see My Melody dressed in a Swedish traditional dress by the mountain scenery, as well as Pompompurin dressed in a Danish Viking suit aboard a Viking ship.

Dates: 26 May – 26 June 2017
Opening Times: 12pm – 11pm daily
Location: In front of Central Immigration area

Entry Requirements: Free

 

Nordic Snow Funhouse by Snow City

Kids can have their very first indoor snow experience in the east at the Nordic Snow Funhouse by Snow City right at Changi Airport!

This will be the first time that a snow house, complete with a snow luge, snow pit and an igloo is housed inside Changi Airport and is available for children to play in. The full experience lasts for about 30 minutes, including a 10-minute briefing and 20 minutes of playtime.

While the kids are occupied, parents can take the time to go next door to the Nordic Gift Store (open 12pm – 11pm daily) to get some lovely presents for the kids. These include Nordic merchandise such as huskies and polar bear plush toys, as well as Sanrio merchandise such as water bottles and cutlery.

Spot the photo opportunity: Some visitors may just spot Hello Kitty, Gudetama and Cinnamoroll all dressed up in Nordic-themed costumes at this area, enjoying winter activities like soaking in a hot spring, snow-skiing and ice-fishing.

Dates: 26 May – 26 June 2017
Opening Times: 12pm – 10pm daily (approx. 30 min timeslots; last admission at 9.30pm)
Location: Opposite Check-in Row 11
Entry Requirements: $60 in max 2 same-day receipts (S$80 for supermarket purchases) entitles 1 pass admitting two ticket-holders to Snow Fun House

Daily Santa Claus appearances

To complete the Nordic experience, Mr. Santa Claus will also be arriving directly from Finland, and will be having 3 appearances a day at the exhibition, from 26-28 May only!

Dates: Friday to Sunday, 26-28 May 2017
Times: 12-1pm, 4-5pm, 8-9pm
Location: Nordic Exhibition and Snow Funhouse sites

Entry Requirements: Free

Photo courtesy of Changi Airport Group.

Changi’s Sanrio Character Ranking Contest

Cast a vote for your most favourite Sanrio character (Hello Kitty, My Melody, Pompompurin, Gudetama, Cinnamoroll, or Little Twin Stars) at the first-ever Changi Sanrio Character popularity contested hosted by Changi Airport and stand a chance to be amongst the six lucky voters (one for each character).

The winners will be invited to witness the crowning of Changi Airport’s most popular Sanrio character on 26 June! The one who voted for the most popular character will win a free trip for 4 to Puroland Japan!

In addition, there will be an on-site lucky draw to guess the Sanrio Character Voting Contest Champion. Similar to the Changi Millionaire Grand Draw event, those present can guess which will be the winning Sanrio Character, and stand a chance to win a set of six limited edition Sanrio-Character-designed Changi Gift Cards (details below).

The contest runs from 26 May – 20 June 2017 and votes can be made here.

 

All Available Redemptions
Redemptions that can be made at both Exhibition and Kids Activity Area:

• Event Activity Guide (features Exhibition Guide + Colouring Book)
• Lucky draw form (attached in the guide)
• Free Sanrio file
• Sanrio tote bag for $5.90Qualifications (for both exhibition and Kids Activity Corner)

Details on qualification of redemptions.

While you may not be flying out to any overseas destinations, you’ll be enticed to make your way down to Changi Airport this June because why not? The extremely kawaii Hello Kitty & Friends await you.

The post Super Kawaii Hello Kitty & Friends From Sanrio Are Coming To Changi Airport This June Holidays appeared first on Alvinology.

Nowadays, just about every other film is part of a series – from the endless superhero films to Harry Potter to Star Wars to… wimpy kids.

Do you know the latest Diary of A Wimpy Kid film, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul (2017) is the fourth instalment in the Wimpy Kid film series?

The first film was released as simply “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” in 2010. This was followed be a sequel, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules in 2011 and a third film, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days in 2012.

Following a five years hiatus, everyone thought the third film will be the last live action adaptation, but alas, a fourth film was released this year with an all-new cast. This is the problem with casting kids in your films. They grow up too fast. That’s why the Harry Potter films have to be shot back-to-back.

The main cast in the fourth instalment of Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Synopsis:

The film takes place one year after the events of Dog Days. Greg Heffley, sheepish and agitated after an incident at “Corny’s Family-Style Restaurant”, decides to eliminate his humiliation by going to a video game convention where his idol, gamer Mac Digby, will be attempting to break a world record. He formulates a plan to use a family road trip to great-grandma Meemaw’s house for her 90th birthday as a way to sneak into the video game convention, as both events are being held in Indianapolis, Indiana. However, the family may be stalled due to Greg’s schemes, his brother Rodrick’s general obliviousness, and several strange occurrences which involve a pig the Heffleys win at a fair.

Trailer:

I have not watched any of the earlier Wimpy Kid films nor read any of the original books the films are based on. As such, I entered the cinema on a clean slate, with no previous experience to judge the cast of the fourth film against the earlier instalment.

I caught the preview screening together with my 6 years old son, Asher. This is the first time I brought him to watch a full-length non-animated film. Okay there is some animation at the beginning and at the ending, but most of the film features real-life actors. Thankfully, the film was entertaining and accessible enough for Asher to sit through the whole screening.

Asher got a little grumpy at the beginning before the family set off on their road trip. Once they hit the road, he was happily entertained by the gags and jokes all the way till the end.

Right towards the end of the film, Asher was laughing loudly at some of the end scenes and he was able to share his thoughts about each of the main characters after the film. His favourite character was the main protagonist Greg, because “he is very funny” and he dislike “Beardo”, the villain in the film.

For the little ones, this latest Wimpy Kid film definitely works.

How about for the adult?

I am always happy whenever I find kids friendly films with wholesome family values which I can enjoy together with my son. Diary of a Wimpy Kid is one such film series.

What to expect: simple storyline with predictable ending, slapstick gags which kids can understand, good moral values

What NOT to expect: finding the meaning of life, Oscar-winning acting or script, sex or violent scenes

It is now showing in Singapore cinemas, just in time for the June holidays! Bring your little ones to catch it!

The post Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul (2017) – with an all-new cast from previous films appeared first on Alvinology.

The mid-year school holidays have began. Fret not if you have yet to plan any activities to keep your children occupied.

Here’s a list of activities to keep you and your family entertained from day to night at Sentosa. Highlights include mega inflatables, an enhanced Fort Siloso experience, movie nights by the beach, and more.

Palawan Beach 

Inflatable fun at Sentosa. Photo courtesy of Sentosa Development Corporation.

Have a splashing good time with mega inflatables spread across Palawan Beach, where you can challenge your family and friends to an exciting line-up of fun activities at the:

•   Mega Ball Pool
•   Foamy Maze
•   Horizontal Slide
•   Balancing Beam
•   Cliff Jump
•   Traversing Wall
•   and more!

Dates: 8 – 11 June, 15 – 18 June, 22 – 25 June
Time: 10am – 7pm

Movies by the beach @ Palawan Green
Head over to the beach to unwind and end your day with a fun line-up of family-friendly movies under the night sky.

Dates: 8 – 11 June, 15 – 18 June, 22 – 25 June
Time: 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Bubbleologist @ Palawan Green
Always a crowd pleaser, enjoy special bubble performances by Bubbleologist, and be amazed with bubbles of various shapes and sizes.

Time: 3pm & 5pm

Go back in history @ Fort Siloso 
Start your journey at the Fort Siloso Skywalk and choose from two trails – Heritage Trail and Gun Trail – to explore Singapore’s World War II history! Also from 8 June, drop by the newly revamped Surrender Chambers where you can learn the stories of the historic British and Japanese surrenders.

Time: Daily from 10am – 6pm

Magical lights @ Merlion Plaza
Be treated to a visual spectacular as the 37-metre-tall Sentosa Merlion transforms. Witness the iconic colour-changing Sentosa Merlion, and watch it twist as a pin ball drops from its top and off its body, creating stunning animated sparks. This light show has been created by some 10 people over a period of 2,800 man hours, with world-class projection technology and intelligent lighting.

Date:  2 June – 9 July
Time: 7.45pm, 8.15pm, 8.45pm and 9.15pm on weekdays. Two additional shows at 9.45pm & 10.15pm  on weekends, eve of public holiday and public holiday.

Magical Lights @ Merlion Plaza. Photo courtesy of Sentosa Development Corporation.

The post School’s out! 5 places to check out this June holidays 2017 appeared first on Alvinology.

As a mom, you only want the best for your newborn.

From the moment your child is born, whether you should breast-feed your child or feed him with formula comes into question.

This is an inevitable issue parents these days would have to deal with from the get-go. Well, if the whole idea of formula milk seems hazy to you, this new and locally made formula milk brand Einmilk may very well be what you will feed your child with.

Breast-feed or formula milk?

As much as many moms would want to breast-feed their infants, they may not be physically capable of doing so due to a multitude of reasons. Reason being, certain medications taken by the mother may have adverse side effects on the baby drinking her breast-fed milk.

Nevertheless, mothers should breastfeed their newborns so long they are able to.

The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months and Einmilk supports this along with the introduction of complementary food, as advised by healthcare professionals. After the initial six months, milk then becomes complementary to the solid food consumed by the child.

Image via Einmilk’s Facebook.

When breast-feeding is out of the question 

In a situation where the mom is unable to provide her child with breast-fed milk, formula milk becomes an alternative. While locally made milk powder may be relatively unheard of, Einmilk is poised to be a great hit with parents here.

Besides its strong reputable and strong local branding, a bevy of parents would find themselves drawn to its affordable prices. The prices for the milk products do not exceed S$40 (800g) even for infant formula milk for infants aged zero to six months.

Einmilk – locally made and locally owned formula milk 

As Singapore’s very first and very own milk powder,  Einmilk is specially formulated and proudly made here using 100% fresh milk from New Zealand.

Einmilk’s Stage 2 milk powder (800g) for children between the age of 6-12 months is priced at $35. Photo courtesy of Einmilk.

As the local brand raises world-ready children alongside parents, it ensures that it provides these four essential nutrients; namely calcium, iron, zinc and vitamins.

Amongst all vitamins, Vitamin A is paramount to a child’s development, especially in guarding off infections. Needless to say, this vitamin is included in Einmilk too.

Each tin also comes with quality assurance and meets the manufacturing standards by Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) and the HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) for food safety.

Einmilk’s Stage 3 milk powder (800g) for children aged one year and above is priced at $33. Photo courtesy of Einmilk.

How would local brand Einmilk fare in domestic market? 

Quality aside, Einmilk also leverages upon the prestigious reputation local brands enjoy. It is likely to be one reason why the Singaporean brand would be well-received here.

Typically, local brands are deemed to be reliable and trustworthy, hence inducing confidence in consumers. As the brainchild of Singaporean company – AE Solutions, Einmilk is manufactured by SMC Nutrition, one of the four infant-milk powder license holders in Singapore.

SMC has been producing milk powder products for over 18 years – so parents can put their mind to ease as this is a highly seasoned manufacturer.

Einmilk’s Lactose-Free milk powder (400g) for babies and children of all ages is priced at $25. *To be consumed under doctor’s advice. Photo courtesy of Einmilk.

Available in four formulations – from newborns to children of all ages – and given their affordable prices, parents would certainly be keen to give Einmilk a try. Here are the prices for some of the formulations:

Stage 2 (children aged between 6-12 months) 

Price: $22 for 400g and $35 for 800g 

Stage 3 (toddlers and children aged one year and above) 

Price: $19 for 400g and $33 for 800g 

Lactose-Free 

Price: $25 for 400g 

*to be consumed under doctor’s advice. 

The list of ingredients in Einmilk also includes Taurine, DHA & ARA, FOS and nucleotides – all of which are pivotal in the optimal health and growth of your child.

Indeed, this new locally made brand is set to give other brands a run for their money. Well, if this doesn’t, what does?

Einmilk is available at all U Stars Supermarkets outlets nationwide, online via Shopify and its Facebook page. For more information, please visit Einmilk. 

The post New locally made milk powder Einmilk gives other brands a run for their money appeared first on Alvinology.

Have you seen this latest set of five limited edition LEGO Singapore Food Culture Mini-Builds? Inspired by the vibrant local food culture that makes Singapore truly amazing, The LEGO Group launched five exclusive Singapore Food Culture Mini-Builds featuring our beloved food cart, national dishes chilli crab, nyonya kuehs, and traditional kaya toast breakfast set, as well as our truly unique hawker centre ‘chope’ practice:

Don’t you want to collect’em all? Read to the end of this article to find out how you can get the full set. They are part of the LEGO Group’s #BuildAmazingSG campaign, inviting Singaporeans to showcase our creative side.

Majulah Singapura!

Beyond the picture-perfect skyline and bustling city centre, there are endless possibilities about what truly makes Singapore Amazing. As such, the LEGO Group presents #BuildAmazingSG to call on all Singaporeans to showcase our creativity by recreating and redefining the country’s most significant local icons using LEGO bricks.

LEGO #BuildAmazingSG Contest

The idea of #BuildAmazingSG is to inspire and uncover what makes our Lion City amazing, told through the lens of locals and LEGO bricks. It can be anything from an iconic landmark, a monument, a cultural element, or something about us – the people. How will you #BuildAmazingSG?

To enter the contest, simply take a picture of your LEGO creation, upload it to Instagram with the hashtags #BuildAmazingSG and #LEGOSG, and share a short explanation of why the creation is special to you. There is no limit to the number of entries one can submit, and each entry has a chance to win the complete set of Singapore Limited Edition Food Culture Mini-Builds, and feature their winning creations at Plaza Singapura for the entire nation to admire and celebrate!

With entries open until 15th June, there’s still time to start building and inspiring others. The only limitation to what you can build is your imagination!

Here’s my attempt at doing so with my son Asher, drawing inspirations from the colourful shophouses at Joo Chiat:

Inspired by the colourful heritage shophouses in Joo Chiat in Singapore, Asher and I decided to build our own futuristic version with Lego bricks. This is the ideal shophouse home Asher would like to live in when he grows up, complete with eco-cars parked in an adjoined garage. Singapore is a City of Wonders if we look around with curious eyes. It’s fun doing this little project with my son. Get inspired by something around you and build it with your kids too. Share it to @lego with the hashtags #buildamazingsg #legosg Have fun!

A post shared by Alvinology.com (@alvinology) on May 18, 2017 at 8:19am PDT

Singapore Limited Edition Food Culture Mini-Builds

These bright and colourful Singapore Food Culture Mini-Builds are carefully designed to create the perfect collectables that speak directly to all who treasure the unique food culture and national identity of Singapore. Show your love for our amazing city by collecting all 5 of them – exclusively made available in Singapore! Furthermore, you’ll be entitled to an exclusive Singapore Food Culture ‘base’ when all 5 mini-builds are collected!

Each mini build is redeemable with a minimum purchase of S$80 of LEGO products in a single receipt and will be released one each week from 2 June onward. Hurry and get them while stocks last.

Cities of Wonders Event

The celebration for #BuildAmazingSG continues at the LEGO Cities of Wonders event – where imagination becomes real, and kids can look to enter a parallel world that belongs to them, modelled on some of the most popular LEGO CITY and FRIENDS sets.

Kids can look to immerse themselves in a colourful LEGO world filled with fun games, exciting activities and challenges to emerge victorious in the series of missions. Parents can experience how their child’s imagination can lead to amazing creations at this exciting event designed especially for kids.

Join in the fun at Parkway Parade from 2 to 18 June and let your kids’ creativity fly high with unlimited creations to be built.

The post How to get full set of LEGO Singapore Food Culture Mini-Builds appeared first on Alvinology.

The June school holiday starts next week and here’s something for the whole family to enjoy together. Aviva Superfundae – Singapore’s largest outdoor party for the family – is back on 10 June, bringing you more sunshine and happiness!

This is the third year Aviva is hosting this mega family event.

More than 30 non-stop games and activities sprawled across 22,000 sqm of open play space, await you across five thematically-designed fun zones – Circus Centre, Speedy Zone, Dream Castle, Pirate Island, and Jungle World. Designed to encapsulate three play elements, Connective Play, Active Play, and Creative Play, the games and activities fuse structured play with free play to enrich a child’s physical, cognitive and emotional wellbeing.

Highlights include a Mega Candy Cannon that fires Haribo gummies hourly; Jungle World and Ninja Quest Giant Inflatable Obstacle Course; CrayCraySpray Waterplay Area for some wet fun; and Family Dashes to cater to both young and old.

For the little ones, all kids attending the event will get a Superfundae goodie bag and a Medal of Achievement when they complete all the challenges.

There will also be food and entertainment provided throughout the day, including a movie screening, under the stars. Free ice cream will be available all day long and parents get to enjoy cold beer.

Organised by local events management company IMAGINE+, and sponsored by insurer Aviva, Aviva Superfundae is about ‘Making Time for Fun’ this year, where families come together for some sun-loving, quality play time.

To have a sense of how the event will be like, check out this video from last year’s Aviva Superfundae:

“At Aviva, we value relationships and look to nurture stronger family bonds from generation to generation. This unique family outdoor event aligns with our beliefs, which is why we are delighted to return as the title sponsor for the third year running, further creating opportunities for families to remain active and present in each other’s’ lives, thus fostering greater bonds. As title sponsor, we are honoured to have brought happiness to families over the past two years and look set to roll out the best experience at Aviva Superfundae this June holidays.” Shared Nishit Majmudar, CEO of Aviva Singapore.

Priced at S$19.90 each, the one-price-for-all tickets are now on sale through SISTIC. Each ticket comes with a Superfundae pack for children, or a free beer or juice for adults. Visit the official website for more details. 

Exclusive Giveaway for Alvinology Readers

In a special collaboration with Aviva Superfundae, we are giving away a family package (4 x tickets, worth S$79.60) to one lucky winner. To win, complete the following steps:

1.‘Like’ the Alvinology Facebook page.

2.‘Like’ and share this post on Facebook. Make your post public so we can find it. 

3.Comment below or on our Facebook post on why you want to win the tickets.

Contest ends at 11.59 pm on 5 June, 2017. The winner will be notified via Facebook, and must be able to collect the prize in Singapore.

The post [GIVEAWAY] Aviva Superfundae 2017 – Singapore’s largest outdoor party for the family appeared first on Alvinology.

If you thought that Clarke Quay is just a raving nightspot crowded with late-night revellers, you thought wrong. The selection of dining and brunch options is endless. And we’re also talking about a whole array of choices from Vietnamese and Thai to Spanish and more.

Contrary to what many may think, a bevy of restaurants in Clarke Quay are open for lunch and weekend brunch amidst the availability of a variety of entertainment like family-friendly karaoke at Tang Music Box and Go Scoot, a scooter rental service. If you’re looking to take a walk on the wild side, an adrenaline-pumping extreme bungy-jumping experience awaits at G-Max.

Besides that, here are 10 places that will prove why Clarke Quay is now THE spot to hit up for a wonderful weekend brunch with your family.

Peony Jade Clarke Quay

Chao Zhou Braised Platter (duck, eggs, peanuts and tau-kua)

Szechuan-style stewed eggplant with minced meat

Tuck into a sumptuous spread of Teochew and Cantonese dishes as you gather with your family or friends in the intimate and elegant setting at the family-friendly restaurant. There’s no better time as Peony Jade is running its Hearty Heritage “Lai Jiak Mui” Teochew & Cantonese Porridge Ala Carte Buffet Lunch ($18++), with 20 dishes for you to choose from.

Stir-fried Kurobuta pork with black peppercorn

One must-try at the lunch buffet is the Stir-fried Kurobuta pork with black peppercorn sauce, where the peppery taste enhances the flavour of the succulent pork. The mouth-watering ChaoZhou Braised Platter and Szechuan-style stewed eggplant with minced meat are also a hit with diners. Apart from that, the group setting makes it ideal for family feasts during gatherings, or to celebrate special occasions like birthdays, baby’s full-month parties, graduations and life’s little meaningful milestones.

*For a limited time only, 1 dines for free with every 2 paying customers for “Lai Jiak Mui” Teochew & Cantonese Porridge Ala Carte Buffet Lunch! Minimum 3 to dine.

Blk A, #02-02
Phone: 6338 0305

Opening hours: 11am to 2.30pm and 6pm to 10.30pm daily
More details on the restaurant can be found here.

Little Saigon

Pho Bo, or Beef Noodle Soup, $17++

Situated along the Singapore River, Little Saigon boasts of delectable and authentic Vietnamese dishes you can’t miss. Pho Bo (Beef Noodle Soup, $17++) at Little Saigon comes with glass noodles of the right chewiness and tender beef slices any foodie will relish. This is certainly a dish parents and their kids can’t say no to, making Little Saigon an ideal place for family brunch.

Tom Va Thit Ga, or Prawns & Chicken Fresh Spring Rolls, $10++

Round off your meal with Tom Va Thit Ga ($10++) and a summer Mekong cocktail ($16.50++) with zesty notes of lemongrass and Curaçao. Better yet, immerse yourself in the evening glow of the river as you enjoy an authentic meal at Little Saigon while admiring a picturesque view of an iconic spot in Singapore.

Mekong cocktail, $16.50++

Blk E, #01-02
Phone: 6337 5585

Opening hours: 12pm to 1am (lunch 12pm to 3pm) on Sunday through Thursday; 3pm to 3am on Friday, Saturday and Eve of Public Holiday

More details on the restaurant can be found here.

Octapas

Stuffed Piquillo with Shrimps Béchamel (Piquillo relleno con Camarones), $15++

If you’re looking for a cosy environment to catch up with your family over tantalising tapas, why not head down to Octapas? Indulging in tapas and drinks isn’t limited to any time of the day – especially with new menu additions such the tasty Stuffed Piquillo with Shrimps Béchamel. Fret not, the tapas are bite-sized so you still have some room for your next meal.

Summer Melon Sangria, $15.50++

Braised Lamb Shank in Red Wine Sauce (Estofado de Cordero), $22++

While you’re at it, refresh your tastebuds with a glass of Summer Melon Sangria ($15.50++). Braised Lamb Shank in Red Wine Sauce is one dish you HAVE to try with its tender and earthy-tasting lamb meat, which you won’t stop at the first few mouthfuls.

Blk D, #01-08
Phone: 6837 2938

Opening hours: 12pm to 1am on Sunday through Thursday (last order at 12.30am); 12pm to 2am on Friday, Saturday and Eve of Public Holiday (last order at 1.30am)
More details on the restaurant can be found here.

Hutong

Fried Rice with Seafood and Caviar, $18 ++

There is nothing NOT decadent at Hutong as even fried rice comes with caviar. The Fried Rice with Seafood and Caviar ($18++) is aromatic and scrumptious with every bite, with different textures of both rice and fish roe complementing one another.

Braised Pork Ribs with Coffee Sauce, $24++

Coffee connoisseurs will love the Braised Pork Ribs with Coffee Sauce ($24++) with the distinctive taste of coffee infused in the ribs, leaving a pleasant aftertaste that of course reminds you of coffee. Northern Chinese cuisine hasn’t tasted this good in a while and it tastes even better as you bond with your parents over brunch during the weekends at this oriental gem.

Blk D, #01-07
Phone: 6336 0212

Opening hours: 12pm to 3pm and 5pm to 11pm daily

More details on the restaurant can be found here.

Bayang

Curry Chicken Hotpot with Prata Bread set, served alongside Iced Bandung or Fresh Lime Juice, $20++ per set

Clarke Quay has literally every type of cuisine because even if you are in the mood for Balinese food – they have it. Set foot into Bayang and you will be greeted by the familiar laid-back setting characteristic of Balinese restaurants.

The Curry Chicken Hotpot with Prata Bread set, served alongside Iced Bandung or Fresh Lime Juice ($20++ per set) is highly recommended. The prata bread is not only crispy on the outside but fluffy on the inside. As the Curry Chicken Hotpot tends towards the sweet side, diners unable to take spiciness can also enjoy the alluring medley of herbs and spices in this curry.

Blk A, #01-05
Phone: 6337 0144

Opening hours: 11am to 11pm daily

More details on the restaurant can be found here.

Fremantle Seafood Market

Hot Seafood Platter, $86++

Revel in the scenic view along Singapore River at the alfresco dining area outside Fremantle as you sink your teeth into a tantalising spread of Hot Seafood Platter ($86++). The platter is chockful of grilled Tarragon octopus, grilled oysters, steamed butter prawns, mussels & clams as well as Soft Shell Crab with Chilli Crab sauce and fried Man Tou are bound to leave you salivating. You’ve been warned.

Lychee Fizz (mocktail), $12++

Singapore Sling, $18++

Singapore Sling ($18++), a uniquely Singaporean tipple at Fremantle also packs a punch, leaving you revitalised and zesty after the drink. Or else, chill out with Lychee Fizz ($12++), refreshing mocktail that freshens you up, especially in the afternoon heat. In fact, Sunday is a great time to hit up Fremantle Seafood Market with your kiddo, as kids enjoy a Sunday treat where they can dine for free with two paying adults between 12pm and 3pm.

*Terms and conditions apply. More details are found here.

Blk E, #01-06
Phone: 6337 1838

Opening hours: 12pm to 11pm (last order at 10.30pm) on Sunday through Thursday; 12pm to 2am (last order at 12.30am) on Friday and Saturday

More details on the restaurant can be found here.

Talay Thai

The Thais are known for their creativity and it shows in the alcoholic tipples at Talay Thai. Thai-jito ($28 for 2 pax) is a creative lychee and rambutan concoction with a unique spin on a classic Mojito – the drinks are served in old-school tingkat. If you find yourself more of a Thai milk tea person, Thai-chai ($12++) is the go-to drink for you.

Thai-chai, $12++

Grilled Platter, $46++

Seafood lovers won’t be able to resist the delectable Grilled Platter ($46++) at Talay Thai, especially with three dipping sauces – chilli, seafood and satay – and each enhancing the smoky flavour of the meat. The platter presents an exciting seafood party of grilled ribeye with jaew sauce, grilled prawns with spicy tamarind glaze, grilled oysters with nam jim dressing, grilled chicken brochette with peanut sauce as well as thai-marinated char-grilled squid with nam jim dressing.

Given such a wide variety, there’s simply something for everyone in the family, so bring your children to Talay Thai, especially with a Sunday treat promotion where one kid gets to dine for free with every two paying adults between 12pm and 3pm.

*Terms and conditions apply. More details are found here.

Blk E, #01-05
Phone: 6337 1838

Opening hours: 12pm to 10.30pm on Sunday through Thursday; 12pm to 1.30am on Friday and Saturday

More details on the restaurant can be found here.

Xiao Chen Gu Shi

$10++ for white rice, 2 sides (braised peanuts and salted vegetables) and a bowl of bak kut teh. 

As you take in a waft of the peppery aroma of the Bak Kut Teh soup, everything else fades into nothingness. Xiao Chen Gu Shi has some of the best and most value-for-money Bak Kut Teh set.

The set comes with rice and other essential and delectable side dishes such as Braised Peanuts and Fried You Tiao. Even if your children aren’t in the mood for Bak Ku Teh, their slow-cooked Braised Trotters will pander to even the pickiest taste bud common amongst children.

Braised Trotters, $7++ 

Blk E, #01-08
Phone: 6336 0939

Opening hours: 11am to 6am daily except Sunday (11am to 10pm)

More details on the restaurant can be found here.

Paulaner Clarke Quay

Bavarian Sausage Platter, served along various dips, $16++

Even with kids in tow, Paulaner Clarke Quay is one destination you mustn’t miss, particularly with their weekend-only brunch menu. Bavarian Sausage Platter ($26++ for 1 pax) and Pretzel Hotdog ($16++) make pretty good brunch fuel, especially with their tasty and succulent sausages.

Crispy Pork Knuckle, $23++ for half,  $35++ for whole

You also won’t go wrong with a German specialty – Crispy Pork Knuckle ($23++ for half, $35++ for whole) that is served alongside tangy sauerkraut, enhancing the flavour of the meaty pork knuckles.

Strawberry Booster Smoothie (left), $10++ and Hefé-Weissbier (right), $18++ per pint

Need to satiate your smoothie fix? Paulaner Clarke Quay has just the perfectly sweet Strawberry Booster Smoothie ($10++) for you. If not, just grab yourself a pint of fresh and crisp Hefé-Weissbier beer ($18++ per pint) from the bar.

Blk B, #01-12
Phone: 6338 0480

Opening hours:  5pm to 2am on Sunday through Tuesday; 5pm to 3am on Wednesday through Friday; open till 4am on last two Fridays of the month and 5pm to 4am on Saturday

More details on the restaurant can be found here.

Da Miao Hotpot

Slices of premium Australian beef ($32++) are served for hotpot.

This specially formulated Da Miao Hot Pot oil helps diners to digest the hotpot meal while doubling as a condiment.

Embark on an epicurean journey at Da Miao as you savour slices of premium Australian and American beef ($32++ & $18++ respectively), mutton rolls ($16++) or alongside their specialty Ma La broth. You are bound to find a broth to your liking with 10 different types of broth (ranging from $20++ – $22++) , which comes with varying levels of spiciness. Now you don’t have to worry about family members who can’t take spicy food well, making Da Miao the perfect brunch spot to catch up with your parents.

Mutton rolls, $16++

Beef tripes,$12++

Unlike other hotpot restaurants in Singapore, Da Miao insists on serving its meat ingredients in whole portions as it ensures only the finest cuts are served. Likewise, its firm culinary philosophy of staying true to its origins is palpable through the authentic-tasting Sichuan hotpot served at Da Miao.

There are even riveting performances such as mask-changing and Chinese long-sprout tea pouring ceremony at night to entertain diners. It is no surprise that even prominent figures – in the likes of Michelle Obama and international delegates – have been to the restaurant in Chengdu, China; given their impeccable service.

All eyes are on the captivating mask-changing performance put up during  Sichuan Opera “Bian Lian”. Photo courtesy of Da Miao Hotpot.

A professional stage artist performing a Chinese long-sprout tea pouring ceremony (traditional Sze Chuan performance) for diners. Photo courtesy of Da Miao Hotpot.

Blk C, #01-11
Phone: 6250 9969

Opening hours: 11am to 10pm daily

More details on the restaurant can be found here.

This June, there are even more reasons to hit up Clarke Quay as the International Champions Cup (ICC) draws near. ICC Singapore ICC Singapore will feature English Premier League winner Chelsea FC, German Giant FC Bayern and Italian FC Internazionale in a round-robin three-match tournament.

Prior to ICC, Clarke Quay will be hosting “Football in the City” family carnival on two Sundays. On 11 and 25 June 2017, you can expect to see fascinating activities such as Active SG Football Academy Clinics for kids, trickshot football course, photo booths and other kids activities on 11 and 25 June 2017 from 11am.

Now, Clarke Quay is all the more the latest dining destination for a wonderful weekend outing with your family.

Find out more about ongoing or future promotions at Clarke Quay here. This post is brought to you in collaboration with Clarke Quay.

The post These 10 Places Prove Why Clarke Quay Is THE Spot For A Wonderful Family Weekend Brunch appeared first on Alvinology.

After our altruistic mothers that we very much dote upon, the next person to treat right is none other than your dearest daddy. While your father may be a man of few words or hardly express his feelings, everyone likes to be appreciated. Yes, you know who we are talking about.

This Father’s Day, why not seize the timely opportunity to revel in the lush beauty of Bintan island with your dad? You can easily treat your dad to a laid-back and sun-soaked afternoon escapade at the sandy beaches in Bintan Lagoon Resort (BLR) with their Father’s Day getaway from IDR 3,984,000 (approximately S$300) per family.

The dreamy weekend escape is just over an hour’s ferry ride from Singapore. Better yet, the ferry sends you straight to tropical haven – there’s no need for transfer as it goes directly to the private beach at the resort.

A smorgasbord of family-friendly activities

Golf. Photo courtesy of Bintan Lagoon Resort (BLR).

There’s simply no place more happening than BLR with its plethora of entertainment and activities for everyone. Expect over 50 land and sea activities, including two world class golf courses and a spa to rejuvenate your senses after a daily free beginner Golf Discovery lessons at the driving range.

Photo courtesy of Bintan Lagoon Resort (BLR).

While your dad plays a round of 18 holes on the undulating golf course, the rest of the family can be kept occupied with exhilarating water sports activities. Every Monday through Friday, there is a Beach Club Early Riser Special – a 25% discount follows for water sports activities between 9am and 1pm.

ATV rides. Photo courtesy of Bintan Lagoon Resort (BLR).

If your dad has an adventurous streak in him, you might want to take him on a joyride with the ATV (All Terrain Vehicles) rides. This adrenaline-pumping sport is also safe and suitable for everyone in the family. Apart from that, your children are bound to have the time of their lives at free workshops such as cooking, cupcake, mini spa, golf and more.

There is even archery at BLR. Photo courtesy of Bintan Lagoon Resort (BLR).

You don’t have to watch your wallet at BLR because there is a great deal of enticing offers such as the 30% discount in the pro-shop for golf enthusiasts. Spa-loving dads will also be rushing for their much-awaited spa treatments during the Spa Early Riser Special period with 30% off any spa treatment.

Shower your dad with lotsa love and lotsa food

The weekend escapade isn’t complete without some gastronomic pleasures, especially if your dad is quite the foodie.

Accompany your dad to a tantalising afternoon of High Tea at the lobby. Photo courtesy of Bintan Lagoon Resort (BLR).

Indulge your dad in a 4-course modern Indonesian Rijsttafel (meaning “rice table” in Dutch) dinner at Nelayan Restaurant, the signature beachfront restaurant in the resort. This exquisite cuisine pays homage to the Dutch colonialism of Indonesia in the past, giving rise to the local Indonesian take on the Dutch food.

Interiors of Chop Chop restaurant. Photo courtesy of Bintan Lagoon Resort (BLR).

Easily take your pick at over 14 dining destinations and enticing special menus put in place for the upcoming Father’s Day. Besides set Japanese menus at Miyako Restaurant and delectable Asian street food sets at Chop Chop that you can’t miss, a free Father’s Day mocktail workshop will be held on 17th June.

Being a father isn’t a cakewalk but giving your dad this getaway – it means the world to him.

Details

Booking Period: Now until 15th June 2017

Travel Period: 16th-18th June 2017

2 Adults + 1 Child: IDR 3,984,000 (approximately S$415)

2 Adults + 2 Children: IDR 4,656,000 (approximately S$490)

Package includes:

• 2D1N stay in a Deluxe Room
• Buffet Breakfast
• Two-way direct ferry service from Singapore to Bintan Lagoon Resort
• Fun Father’s Day Program
• 15% off Food & Beverage
• Complimentary activities include Ninebot Rides (15mins), Archery (20 arrows), Driving range (80 balls), paddle-boating, Powerhouse Gym, Billiards/Snooker, Tennis/Table Tennis, Mahjong/board games, Darts at the Terrace, Two Swimming Pools, Basketball, Badminton, and Futsal
• Free cover charge to SILK Nightclub & KTV
• Unlimited golf at IDR900,000 nett per person/per day
• Top up IDR 288,000 (approximately S$30) for Deluxe Sea-Facing Room
• Top up IDR 1,920,000(approximately S$200) for Cempaka Villa

Terms and conditions apply.

Click here for more details on the Father’s Day getaway package.

You may email reservations@bintanlagoon.com or call +65 62233223 and quote the “Father’s Day” package

Alvinology X Bintan Lagoon Resort Giveaway

In a special partnership with Bintan Lagoon Resort, we will be giving away a 3D2N Stay in Deluxe Seaview Room with breakfast for 2 people (worth S$400).

*Valid for six months. Ferry tickets not included. Terms and conditions apply.

To win, simply complete the following:

1. ‘Like’ the Alvinology Facebook page and Bintan Lagoon Resort Facebook page
2. ‘Like’ and share this post on Facebook and tell us which is the most exciting activity (from the list in the article) you look forward to do at Bintan Lagoon Resort.
3. Also, tell us a reason why you would like a 3D2N stay at Bintan Lagoon Resort on our Facebook post. Contest ends at 11.59pm on 12 June 2017. The winner will be notified via Facebook, and must be able to collect the prize in Singapore.

For more information on Bintan Lagoon Resort, head over here.

The post [GIVEAWAY] Give Your Dearest Daddy His Well-deserved Holiday At The Family-Friendly Bintan Lagoon Resort appeared first on Alvinology.

To celebrate World Milk Day, Dutch Lady Singapore (Dutch Lady) brought together more than 5,000 school children and their parents on June 3 to participate in a mass workout at the Singapore Sports Hub.

This event marked the Singapore launch of Dutch Lady’s health campaign, Drink.Move.BeStrong.

In response to Singapore’s rising trend of obesity and inactive children, and the government’s efforts to get children healthier and more active, Dutch Lady is partnering with ActiveSG, Singapore’s national movement for sport and physical activity, and the Official Active Partner of Dutch Lady, to conduct nutrition education programmes and sports clinics in 70 pre- and primary schools in Singapore.

The campaign – Drink.Move.BeStrong – has been running in other Southeast Asian countries since 2014 and is designed to encourage people to make healthy eating decisions and exercise.

As milk is recognised as an important source of energy, protein and nutrients, the call to action is simple: drink one glass of milk and complete one hour of physical activity outdoors each day to develop strong and healthy bodies.

General manager of FrieslandCampina Singapore (Dutch Lady), Adrick Ang said: “As a leading milk and dairy brand, Dutch Lady believes that we can play a key role in Singapore’s health agenda.

“We are delighted to launch our award-winning Drink.Move.BeStrong campaign in Singapore following the resounding success in getting children moving and making healthier choices in other Southeast Asian countries. We are looking forward to working alongside ActiveSG to roll out a number of initiatives that will complement the Singapore government’s efforts to get people moving as well as encouraging an active lifestyle with the family,” he added.

Chief of ActiveSG, Lai Chin Kwang said: “ActiveSG encourages everyone, regardless of age, to take up an active lifestyle and we are encouraged when like-minded organisations such as Dutch Lady share the same vision as us.

“Two important components essential for active living is to have regular physical activity and proper nutrition and we are supportive of what Dutch Lady is doing to encourage these healthy habits. We look forward to more collaboration opportunities with Dutch Lady,” said Mr Lai.

Dutch Lady’s World Milk Day event aims to create awareness on the importance of milk and dairy in a balanced diet, inspire children to get active, and encourage families to bond.

The event’s participants were treated to a do-it-yourself drinks station for children to learn smoothie recipes; a rock-climbing wall and skipping station for children to test their stamina; sports-focused activities conducted by the ActiveSG Football Academy and Athletics Club; and an arts-and-craft session for children to create unique art pieces from recycled milk cartons.

Dutch Lady also hosted children from a voluntary welfare organisation for the underprivileged at the event.

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You know summer is approaching when you feel the temperature rising, but that’s not all. As June kicks into full swing, many of us are gearing up for the much-awaited event of the year – the Great Singapore Sale (GSS).

In celebration of GSS, Capitol Piazza is having the ultimate mall party between 9 and 11 June. The Summer Beats Mall Party is replete with cash-stretching special offers and discounts from your favourite brands, restaurants and cafes.

COMPLIMENTARY BEAUTY TREATS

Pamper your skin with a 20-minute facial including a cleanse, scrub and face mask at L’Essenza (02-30). You may pre-book at Vaniday here or call 9220 1139.

When: 9 June, 6.30pm – 9pm; 10 – 11 June, 11am – 7pm.

Simply Aesthetics (B1-28) brings you closer to fairer and radiant-looking skin with their Glow Zone Facial (U.P.: $400) – the treatment targets various skin conditions and imperfections while whitening your skin. You may pre-book at 6384 2598 and the facial is complimentary for the first 100 customers.

When: 9 June, 6pm – 10.30pm; 10 – 11 June, 10.30am – 10.30pm.

Nothing beats a soothing scalp massage at Aveda (B2-33) with their Pramasana™ Awakening Scalp Ritual that will energise your scalp and revive your spirit. Walk-ins are welcome; customers don’t need to pre-book.

When: 9 June, 6pm – 10.30pm; 10 & 11 June, 10.30am – 10.30pm

Attain those head-turning luscious locks with a quick blow-out at Organic Hair Professional (B2-43). Pre-book at 6386 4833.

When: 9 June, 6pm – 10.30pm; 10 & 11 June, 10.30am – 10.30pm

Pamper yourself with a princess manicure treatment at PINK Parlour Prestige (B2-21) – including shape and paint – that will take no longer than 20 minutes. You just need to pre-book at Vaniday here.

When: 9 June, 6pm – 9pm; 10 & 11 June, 5pm – 9pm

All walk-ins are first come first served unless otherwise stated.

WORKSHOPS

Bring out the “bartender” in you at the cocktail making workshop held by Equilibrium Modern Italian Bàcaro & Ristorante (01-86), where you could be amazed at even your own flair. You may pre-book at 6384 4069 or email reservation@cre8group.com.sg.

When: 10 & 11 June, 7pm – 8pm

CYC The Custom Shop (01-23) shows us the way when it comes to dressing like a dapper-looking gentleman. If you’re serious about getting the fit right and looking fabulous, sign up here.

When: 10 June, 4pm – 6pm

Get your green fingers moving and create your very own open terrarium at Knovus (Galleria / B1) as this therapeutic make-your-own terrarium trend isn’t going anywhere else soon. You may pre-book here or walk in – workshop is priced at $35.

When: 10.30am – 12.30pm; 2.30pm – 4.30pm; 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Have you always had a penchant for handmade jewellery? The Reckless Shop (02-32) has a one-hour jewellery-making workshop hosted by Elaine, designer of Amado Gudek. You may pre-book here or walk-in. The workshop is priced at $55 for one piece of jewellery and $85 for two.

When: 9 June, 8-9pm; 10 June, 11am-12pm, 2pm-3pm and 3pm-4pm

When it comes to taking care of your precious jewellry, La Putri (01-25) offers essential tips on keeping them in pristine condition. You can even receive complimentary jewellery cleaning service at the outlet this period.

Never belittle what the right scent can do – there’s a special one for every occasion. Immerse yourself in the luscious scent of a luxurious range of candles at To Be Calm (B1-16) while making your very own candle. You may pre-book at 9139 1784. The workshop is priced at $50.

When: 9 June,  6.00pm – 7.00pm; 10 & 11 June, 12.00pm – 13.00, 13.30-14.30

SPECIAL OFFERS

This GSS, Capitol Piazza also promises an exciting slew of special offers budget shoppers can’t skip out on:

Price-conscious shoppers rejoice once they set foot into the chic space at Mimento (B2-17). There’s simply no need to break the bank with 1 for 1 promotion for 6 mode travel massage pillow, 6 mode car neck massage pillow, foldable travel bag, paperthinks and Lodis belts. You can also get Buckley bracelets or quality products from premium brands such as Baylis & Harding as well as Zadig & Voltaire at a promotional price of 3 for 2.

Two Estella Bartlett bracelets (U.P.: 1 bracelet is $35-$65) are only $45 at Mimento? Consider us sold.

Grab a midday snack (and a foodie friend) with this 1-for-1 Classic Waffles at Geláre (B2-32).

It’s hard to say no to 1-for-1 sake, which is found only at Ryu’s Dining & Bar (01-87).

Purchase a $9 pint of beer at Naughty Nuri’s (01-84) and enjoy complimentary pig ears. Did we mention they go well together?

Can you believe it? TAP Craft Beer Bar (B2-51) is having $10 Pints & Wines promotion.

Bid goodbye to messy and shapeless brows at HighBrow (B2-16), especially with their 1-for-1 eyebrow threading (U.P.: $17).

Stretch your dollars with a $55 Special Buy on three different Sabrinagoh dresses at SabrinaGoh (02-14).

Soap lovers won’t be able to find any self-restraint with a 50% off storewide at Soap Stories (B2-22).

If by Summer Beats Mall Party you mean shopping till you party, then count on us to make our way down to Capitol Piazza this weekend.

Terms and Conditions apply.

Promotions are valid from 9 – 11 June 2017, unless otherwise stated or while stocks last.

Price excludes GST & service charges.

Not valid in conjunction with other happy hours, promotions, vouchers and discounts.

Please check in-store for more details.

Pictures are for illustration purposes only.

All information is correct at time of print.

Capitol Piazza Summer Beats Mall Party

9 June 2017: 6pm – 10.30pm

10 & 11 June 2017: 10.30am – 10.30pm

Visit the pool zone at B1 and take a photo with the LetsFloatSG giant inflatables.

Check out Capitol Piazza’s Facebook and Instagram for more details on the event.

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Local Chinese newspaper, Lianhe Wanbao reported that the parent of a secondary two student from Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road) is suing the school principal for confiscating the boy’s iPhone.

From the ACS (Barker Road) official website, the current school principal is Peter Tan Chong Tze.

The boy was said to have violated school regulation on mobile usage with his iPhone 7 and had his phone confiscated for three months as a punishment. This was said to have drawn the ire of the boy’s parents who took the principal to task by suing him, demanding for the return of the phone.

The said incident is reported to have occured on 8 March this year in a famous local school. Lianhe Wanbao identified the school as ACS (Barker Road).

The court plaintiffs are the parents of the student while the defendant is the school principal.

According to court documents, on 20 March 2017, the school principal received a feedback from the class teacher of the secondary 2 boy that the boy and his friend had been caught breaking the school rule on mobile usage, using his mobile phone during classes.

The next day, when the principal met with the two students, the plaintiffs’ son admitted to using his iPhone 7 and lending it to his friend to use. He also admitted that he knows that there is a school regulation that anyone caught using their mobile phones during lessons will have their phones confiscated for three months.

The boy was subsequently brought to the school office whereby the SIM card in his phone was returned to him while the phone was confiscated and locked in a school cabinet in the office.

The principal then issued a confiscation note to the student, stating that his phone is to be confiscated for a period of 3 months.

The same day evening, the student’s parents sent an email to the school, listing four reasons the school principal should return the phone back to their son.

According the the testimony from the plaintiffs, the school did not reply to the email and as such, a letter of demand was issued from the plaintiffs’ own law firm on 23 March, demanding for the return of the mobile phone or a lawsuit will follow.

Since the plaintiffs did not get any response from the school, they proceed to sue the school principal, applying for an injunction seeking the court to compel the school to return the phone.

Do you think the parents of the boy are making a mountain out of a molehill? Or was the school right to confiscate the boy’s mobile phone?

Remember, today’s strawberry generation are used to getting what they want and may not take punishment like confiscation of possessions as lightly as we used to. Moreover, it’s a smartphone we are talking about. Kids nowadays are glued to their mobile devices 24-7 and some deem it as important as their own lives. How is the boy going to live if he cannot share his rich kid on instagram updates or chat with his friends n Snapchat using rainbow filters for THREE MONTHS?

In Singapore, ACS (Barker Road) is generally known as a ‘school for rich kids’ and this incident is only going to reinforce this stereotype on the school as a breeding ground for spoilt brats with arrogant parents. Although to be fair to the students and the school, this family may be the exception rather than the norm. The school also does has a tradition of meting out harsh punishment.

According to SgWiki:

“Punishments at the school include detention, suspension, and corporal punishment, a long-standing tradition in the ACS family of schools. In the latter case the offender receives strokes of the cane across the seat of his trousers, often inflicted by Mr Ng. Caning is applied for offences such as repeated lateness to school, truancy, lateness to class, cheating, fighting, bullying, vandalism, truancy and smoking.

Punishments may be combined, for instance a boy may be suspended for one week and then caned upon his return to school. In serious cases, corporal punishment is administered in front of the offender’s class or even the whole school. Up to six strokes of the cane may be delivered on any one occasion.

On 20 April 2009, three Secondary 3 boys were caned in front of the whole school for bullying.”

We are not sure if 2009 was the last time public caning was done at ACS (Barker Road). However, we cannot imagine the reaction from the parents of the secondary 2 boy who had his phone confiscated if their son was given public caning instead. Would they have made a police report and try to get the school principal arrested?

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This June, the Despicable Me Minions are in town to take over McDonald’s Singapore, and they’re starting with the Soft Serve machine!

For a period of time, the mischievous Minions will be switching out McDonald’s famed Vanilla Soft Serve with a creamy Banana Soft Serve. From just S$1, cool off with a Banana Cone, or enjoy a Banana Hot Fudge or Strawberry Sundae available from S$1.90. Don’t miss out on the Banana Oreo McFlurry, available from S$2.90.

Minions fans will know how much the minions love bananas, and these menu items are going to drive Singaporeans banana for more too.

To leave their mark on McDonald’s, the Minions have also cut potatoes into Minion-shaped potato bites and have slipped Banana Pies onto the menu. Minion fans can enjoy the Minion Potatoes available from S$2 and the Banana Pie available from S$1.20.

The minions have arrived at @mcdsg and here are some of the special menu items – spicy nuggets, minion shaped potatoes and banana pie! Not to mention the cute minions collectibles with Happy Meals purchase. Ready to collect’em all! #theminions #despicableme3 #minionsparty

A post shared by Alvinology.com (@alvinology) on Jun 6, 2017 at 9:06pm PDT

To combat the Minions, McDonald’s is striking back by releasing the fiery Spicy Chicken McNuggets!

For a limited time only, McDonald’s fans can help keep the Minions in line with the return of everyone’s favourite sizzling nuggets available from S$4.75. To top it off, McDonald’s has launched a line-up of 10 exclusive Despicable Me 3 toys. Fans can collect the free Despicable Me 3 toy with the purchase of any Happy Meal on a while stocks last basis.

Here’s how the full collection of the Minions toys look like:

Are you ready to collect’em all and try’em all?

The post The Minions are taking over McDonald’s Singapore and here’s what is in store appeared first on Alvinology.

Still looking for ways to keep your young ones entertained this holiday? There’re still plenty of fun options at the National Heritage Board’s annual Children’s Season Singapore.

This year’s edition goes beyond museums and will encompass all aspects of art, culture, heritage and education. Highlights this year include a wonderland of discovery and play at the National Museum of Singapore, where you can pick your favourite mode of traditional transport and embark on a trail to “join the dots” and experience “connections” as you discover popular family hangouts of the 1970s and 1980s and historical landmarks along the Singapore River.

Here are some interesting programmes:

Be a Soldier
There are many different kinds of soldiers in the army. Which one do you want to be? Come dress up in a uniform sized just for you, and try out the different pieces of equipment that soldiers use to do their jobs.
Date: 9 – 11 June, 16 – 18 June, 23 – 25 June 2017
Time: 11am – 5pm (following day)
Free admission (Regular admission charges apply)

Night@ARMS
Gain the skills that you need to stay out in the field. Learn about building a “basha” tent, field cooking, go on a confidence walk and more. Spend the night in your “basha” tent and feast on combat rations – like real SAF soldiers. Bring your Dad too. He’ll share his own National Service “war stories” as you go through this special two-day field camp as a team.
Date: 10 – 11 June
Time: 1.30pm – 1.30pm (following day)
Price: $102 per pair (Registration is required)

Photo courtesy of Army Museum.

I want to be a Policeman!

Photo courtesy of Police Heritage Centre.

Did you know that the police force is the oldest uniformed organisation in Singapore? Learn more about its fascinating journey at the Police Heritage Centre, through a workshop with many interesting activities and a talk by real-life police officers. You can even pretend to be one by dressing up in kid-sized uniforms.
Date: 30 May – 1 July
Time: 10am – 11.30am, 2pm – 3.30pm, 4pm – 5.30pm (Weekday); 9am – 10.30am, 11am – 12.30pm (Weekend)
Free admission (Registration is required)

Future World: Where Art Meets Science

Interactive artworks at Future World. Photo courtesy of Artscience Museum.

Immerse yourself in the world of myths and legends at ArtScience Museum. Unearth remarkable stories from around the globe and immerse yourself in cutting edge contemporary artworks. Enter a futuristic world of high-tech interactive artworks at Future World, created in collaboration with TeamLab, a renowned Japanese interdisplinary art collective. Be immersed in a world of art, science, magic and metaphor through a collection of cutting-edge digital installations.
Date: 2 June – 25 June
Time: 10am – 7pm
Price: Admission charges apply

Stencil Screen Print on Totebag Workshop

Photo courtesy of Singapore Tyler Print Institute.

Unleash your creativity as you create your own unique designs and screen print them on totebags in this Stencil Screen Print Workshop.
Date: 24 June
Time: 10am – 12.15pm and 2pm – 4.15pm
Price: $30 per participant (Registration is required)

For a full list of activities and programmes, refer to: www.museums.com.sg/cs17. 

The post Children’s Season Singapore 2017: 5 activities to keep your kids entertained appeared first on Alvinology.

The most anticipated mid-year is here and it’s none other than the Great Singapore Sale. This time, 313@somerset is giving you even more reasons to hit up the bustling mall with actors Tosh Zhang and Wei Liang on 17 June.

Here’s what you can expect this Great Singapore Sale at 313@somerset, one of the most happening hotspots in Singapore.

Meet Tosh Zhang and Wei Liang in person

Image via FLY Entertainment.

Known for his breakout role as Platoon Sergeant Ong in the Ah Boys To Men installment, local artiste Tosh Zhang steals many of our hearts away with his bad-boy charm and numerous talents. The actor can also sing, rap and even break-dance. Is there anything this “realest Youtuber in Singapore” who has 92, 000 subscribers on his channel can’t do?

Image via FLY Entertainment.

There’s no denying the versatility of this talented Singaporean artiste. Wei Liang has appeared alongside Tosh Zhang in the massive box-office success Ah Boys To Men series of films as the easily relatable and comedic “Lobang King”. Before his claim to fame in the movie industry, he already had landed singing gigs as a  “Getai” singer. Impressive, huh?

Look out for new and exclusive stickers of Belle (left) and Carrie (right) in Line Sticker Shop. Download the new set of 16 exclusive stickers from LINE Sticker Shop NOW!

Carrie also has a beau – Dave, who is a new character and his stickers are available for download too.

On 17 June, 313@somerset gives you the chance to meet these talented local actors in person alongside Belle and Carrie.

Better yet, prepare to have a star-struck afternoon of fun and games with your favourite local celebrities and stand a chance to win prizes while you’re at it.

Meet and Greet with Tosh Zhang and Wei Liang

Event date: 17 Jun, Sat

Time: 3pm to 4pm

Venue: Level 1 Atrium, 313@somerset

This Great Singapore Sale (GSS) @313

From 26 May – 2 July, shoppers at 313@somerset can rejoice as there is an endless slew of enticing deals for everyone. As you snag cheap thrills during Great Singapore Sale, you can also be rewarded with $20 worth of 313 vouchers members if you charge $200 to your Citi Credit Card.

Spend and redeem different weekly designs of LINE pouches this GSS.

You can even start a collection of new designs this GSS with different designs of LINE pouch released every week. How do you get these adorable LINE pouches? Shoppers just need to spend $150 to redeem one; while CLUB313 members only need a minimum spend of $120.

If pouches aren’t exactly your kind of thing, there are other merchandise and prizes up for grabs. Simply spend $80 for a chance to win a giant – approximately 43.3” LINE plush toy  (worth $200) and 313 vouchers in the weekly draw at the WIN BIG WITH 313X LINE weekly draw. CLUB313 members and Citi Credit Cardmembers are entitled to double their chances of winning.  

Line Up To Win This June Holiday (17 – 25 Jun)

Aside from the irresistible GSS, there’s something else you should keep a lookout for this June holiday. Between 17 and 25 June, you just need to spend a minimum of $80 and be a friend of 313@somerset on LINE to win adorable merchandise. See how you fare at the LINE claw machine as you maneuver your way to winning a gift.

Terms and conditions apply. More details regarding the terms and the GSS promotion at 313@somerset can be found here.

Spice up your GSS with #313CarrieandBelle

Stand a chance to shop even more as you chill out and share your joyful moments with Carrie and Belle at 313@somerset. You just have to follow @313somerseton Instagram and hashtag #313CarrieandBelle. Who knows – you could walk away with $100 313 shopping vouchers!

New stickers of Carrie (left) and a new character – Dave (right) will be available from LINE Sticker Shop. Download the new set of 16 exclusive stickers from LINE Sticker Shop NOW!

Dave and Carrie are such a comedic pair of lovebirds whose stickers you can’t wait to get your hands on.

Introducing Dave as the latest character and sticker joining the adorable Carrie and Belle, you can now download the new set of 16 exclusive stickers from the LINE Sticker Shop 13 June onwards. Just as Dave is smitten with Carrie, we are equally smitten with these new and cute-to-boot stickers.

Carrie’s and Belle’s Appearances

17-18, 23-25, 30 Jun & 1-2 Jul

Time: 1pm & 5pm

Venue: Level 1 Atrium, 313@somerset

There’s always something at 313@somerset beckoning for you to come and it goes without saying this GSS.

313@somerset

313 Orchard Road,

Singapore 238895

Website: http://www.313somerset.com.sg

Contact number: (+65) 6496 9313

The post Meet Your Favourite Local Actors Tosh Zhang and Wei Liang at 313@somerset on 17 June appeared first on Alvinology.

It’s the June school holiday and if you are planning an outing for the whole family, why not head down to the Night Safari? Just for the month of June, Singapore residents visiting the Night Safari will get to enjoy a complimentary meal of roasted quarter chicken with two sides at the park’s newest al fresco dining outlet, Jungle Rotisserie, with the purchase of park admission from 8.15pm.

Look at the beautifully roasted chicken!

Dinner is served

Quarter chicken with broccoli and coleslaw

Quarter chicken with mashed potatoes and pasta

For the little ones with child tickets (3 to 12 years old), they will get a complimentary 8 pieces chicken nuggets with fries kids’ meal.

For even more saving, book your tickets online for additional discount – off peak adult tickets are just S$38.25 compared to the usual price of S$45, while child tickets are just S$25.50 compared to the usual price of S$30.

For Singaporean guys, the government just sent a stack of S$100 NS$50 SAFRA vouchers to all of us who served National Service. You will be happy to know that these vouchers can be used to purchase Night Safari tickets as well.

If you arrive earlier in the evening at around 7pm, enjoy a stage-side view of the Night Safari’s own fiery Thumbuakar performance featuring fire dancers, while enjoying your dinner before embarking on your wildlife adventure at the park.

My son, Asher and I tried out the promotion last weekend and the dinner was pretty good, with generous portions. You won’t be disappointed!

The promotion, which runs from 1-30 June 2017, is valid for Singaporeans, PRs, employment pass holders, dependent pass and long term visit pass holders, and applicable to purchases of adult and child Night Safari admission tickets only. For more details, visit the official website.

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Other than being an extraordinary statesman, the late founding prime minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Kuan Yew (LKY), was also a well-loved fatherly figure in his own home, raising three equally extraordinary children who are each extremely successful in their respective field.

All three of his children were President’s Scholars – the pinnacle of educational achievement in Singapore.

Eldest son, Lee Hsien Loong (LHL) is the current prime minister of Singapore. He graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge University, as Senior Wrangler in 1974 (gaining a Diploma in Computer Science with distinction as well) and later earned a Master of Public Administration at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Before he entered politics, he served in the Singapore Armed Forces, becoming the youngest brigadier-general in Singaporean history at age 32.

Younger son, Lee Hsien Yang (LHY) is the current Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore. He was previously a brigadier-general in the Singapore Armed Forces, the Chief Executive Officer of SingTel from 1995 to 2007, and a Non-Executive Director and Chairman of Fraser and Neave from 2007 to 2013.

LKY’s only daughter, Lee Wei Ling (LWL), is the head of the National Neuroscience Institute in Singapore.

What are some parenting tips we can learn from LKY to help raise such high achieving and morally upright children?

1.

Never Pamper  

LKY made sure his children learn to pick their own ball from young and learn to be independent. Shared LKY in his book, Lee Kuan Yew: The Man And His Ideas, published in 1998:

“I carry my own bag as a matter of principle, because otherwise, for 30, 40 years, with everybody pushing chairs for you, your limbs will atrophy. And I was very keen that that shouldn’t happen to my children, that nobody pushed chairs for them. If a ball fell down and the Istana boy wanted to pick it up, I would stop him and say, ‘No, that’s his ball. Ignore him. He will go to the drain and pick it up.’ They had to learn that, and I think they have benefited from it.”

2.

Bilingual Education

LKY sent all three of his children to schools which are known for their bilingual language prowess. LHL attended Catholic High, LHY attended Chinese High, while LWL attended Nanyang Girls’ High School.

Shared LHL in 2015 at the 80th anniversary of Catholic High’s founding: “They (LKY and wife) chose it because it was a Chinese-medium school. But it has high standards of both English and Chinese — bilingual.”

3.

Respect 

Madam Ouyang Huan Yan was a former housemaid with the Lee family for more than 40 years whereby her tasks including caring for the LHL, LHY and LWL.

In an interview with Apple Daily in 2015, she shared that the children were always “courteous, respectful and obedient” as a result of their parents’ strict discipline. Unlike other children born in a well-off family, the three children were said to have to seek their parents’ approval to buy anything.

When LKY became the prime minister of Singapore, Madam Ouyang started calling Wei Ling as “Da Xiao Jie” or “employer’s eldest daughter” in Mandarin.

But she told the maid: “It’s my father who’s the prime minister, not me. So please address me by my name.”

4. 

Frugality

LKY is well-known for his frugal and simple lifestyle, choosing instead to focus on more important things in life than material wealth. He impart this value to his family as well, as shared by LWL in an article on the Straits Time in 2015:

“We had to turn off water taps completely. If my parents found a dripping tap, we would get a ticking off. And when we left a room, we had to switch off lights and air-conditioners.

My father’s frugality extends beyond lights and air-conditioners. When he travelled abroad, he would wash his own underwear, or my mother did so when she was alive. He would complain that the cost of laundry at five-star hotels was so high he could buy new underwear for the price of the laundry service…

Frugality is a virtue that my parents inculcated in me. In addition to their influence, I try to lead a simple life partly because I have adopted some Buddhist practices and partly because I want to be able to live simply if for some reason I lose all that I have one day.

It is easy to become accustomed to a luxurious lifestyle. Some people believe that they will not miss their luxuries if for some reason they were to lose them, I think they are mistaken. I think they will miss them and be unable to reconcile themselves to a simpler lifestyle.

So I have trained myself to be satisfied with necessities and forgo luxuries.”

5.

No Television

It is a well-known fact that there is no television set in the Lee family home. LKY felt that television serves to distract and he would prefer his children to focus on the things around them or to read books to stimulate their minds.

“Life is not just eating, drinking, television and cinema. The human mind must be creative, must be self-generating; it cannot depend on just gadgets to amuse itself.” Shared LKY.

Given that the LHL, LHY and LWL are squabbling publicly online now on social media channels like Facebook for the whole world to see, if LKY raised his children in the post-internet age, it is likely he probably would have banned his children from spending too much time on Facebook or gave them a solid education on Internet privacy.

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