All About Singapore

Somerset MRT Skatepark

Well, yeah. A lot of us enjoy the city and the tall structures and the fancy this and that. But some of us are looking for something a little more adventurous. Maybe you’ve grown up with rock music or used to be a big fan of skate and street culture, there’s a perfect place in Singapore for you.

Not everyone enjoys street culture. The graffiti for some is a bit too outspoken to the point that they do not appreciate it anymore. Street culture has grown both ways! Both good and bad. But hey, don’t worry, there’s a place where the culture is not only preserved but also celebrated! Being young usually means you have so much energy and adrenaline inside of you. Skating is a great way for you to let out that energy and just enjoy the sport in itself. Well, skateboarding is more than just a sport, it is a way of life!

Most people do not understand that skating is a culture in itself. The surfers are already recognized for their culture. I mean, how couldn’t you recognize them. It’s pretty obvious that they surf in the water and compared to skateboard culture, there isn’t much places where it is celebrated. Skateboards in some places are considered to be just a toy but there is so much more to that board than being just a toy.

Back in the day, the skateboard movement started and it caught fire all over the world! Even people from Singapore caught a glimpse of skateboard culture! Why wouldn’t it? There’s a lot of art to the skateboard movement. The graffiti and vandalism, the music, the clothing, the lifestyle, and the boards themselves have a lot of meaning to them.

Now, where in Singapore can we enjoy skateboarding culture in peace? You can find a small skatepark right next to the Somerset MRT! Get to see skateboarders do tricks all around the park and enjoy the visual art of the vandalism everywhere! Singapore has given this park to the skaters, this is something you should definitely not miss.

Skating is a culture and it is a great thing that Singapore itself respects that culture. Leaving the park open for anyone who wants to skate, this is a great way to learn and make friends. Chilling by the park is also something you are free to do.

There are so many places in Singapore where most locals do not appreciate. But not you, check out the skatepark next to the Somerset MRT and discover a whole new world inside the city of Singapore.

Game Series for SG50  

 

The celebrations for the 50th birthday of the island-nation are beginning. There is always something to tease us before the big day. Recently, the commemorative coins were launched. Now, there is something in store for the gamers out there. There are five mobile games that are especially designed to be uniquely Singapore and it will be released soon.

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The games are made by local developers and it is just a part of the Media Development Authority (MDA) Singapore. The games will be released in iOS App stores and Google Play. In 2014, MDA called for local developers to propose games that best exemplify the country and its people. There were forty entries and only five were chosen. The entries were judged accordingly by industry members.

The four games that are selected are funded by the MDA while the other one is independently developed. MDA realized that games are increasingly popular these days regardless of the age. Games are also universal and almost everybody has a smartphone. MDA took this opportunity to educate Singaporeans in a fun and interactive way.

Here are the games that we have to consider:

  • Rickshaw Rush: The developer is Mojo Forest and it takes after Pacman. The objective of the game is simple – we have to get pick up ferry passengers and bring them to their chosen locations as a rickshaw driver. When we get three stars, we get to collect carton versions of prominent figures. There are about fifty prominent figures we can collect.

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  • My Singapore City: The developer is Ixora Studios and it takes after Candy Crush or Bejewelled. The objective of the game is to complete card-matching to unravel eighty landmarks of the island-city. It is fun to reveal the next landmark and we can plan our own city. Every time we unlock a landmark, we are free to put it anywhere we want.
  • Kan-Cheong! Kopitiam Saga: The developer is Mojocat and it takes after Bishi-Bashi. The objective of the game is to beat other players. There are three mini-games integrated which are kopitiam inspired. Players will be given tasks like remembering orders and evade “summon auntie”.
  • Satay Club: The developer is Afzainizam Zahari and it takes after Diner Dash. The objective of the game is to feed the challenging customers who are very hungry.
  • Building The Lion: The developer is Swag Soft and it takes after Monopoly. The objective of the game is to build restaurants and infrastructure while playing mini-games (like gasing and longkang fish) then eventually beating (and bankrupting) other players.

These games have different characteristics and styles but they have many things in common – it educates people by involving culture and history and all seem to take after popular games.

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Cool Rooftop Bars in Singapore

 

Singapore’s city skyline is an attraction in itself. Match that with the vibrant night life, and it’s no wonder why there’s a proliferation of rooftop bars and lounges in the country. Below are our top 5 picks of the best places to unwind in Singapore with the wind on your shoulder and a magnificent view of the city.

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  1. Loof

Catering to lively crowds, Loof is popular for being one of the few establishments in the country where clients can play Beirut or “beer pong”. The open air and cool drinks (all their beer, wine and cocktail are reasonably priced) will certainly refresh you after being indoors the whole day. Drinks range from S5-9 based on the hour.

  1. 1-Altitude Gallery & Bar

1-Altitude is arguably the rooftop bar with the best view of Singapore. This skybar has a 360⁰ panoramic view of the city, with its western corner almost perfectly facing the setting sun. Feel like the ruler of the world as you sip on cool drinks and wait for the bar and the city to come to life.

  1. Ku De Ta Club Lounge

What Ku De Ta lacks in elevation – and it doesn’t even lack much, mind you – it makes up for with its unique vantage point, which is perfect for the wonderful laser light show at Marina Bay Sands (every 8PM and 9:30PM). The design of the place is plush yet comfy, giving off an understated opulence.

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  1. Lantern Bar

Located atop the five-story Fullerton Bay Hotel, the Lantern Bar doesn’t boast much in terms of height. However, it’s one of the most colorful bars in the country, featuring a tropical décor and a beautiful mosaic swimming pool. So if the refreshing drinks isn’t enough to wash away your tiredness, the cool waters of the pool should. Lantern Bar also has a view of the MBS light show and holiday fireworks, making it a great place for parties.

  1. Punch Winebar

Mr. Punch Bar is a unique rooftop bar as its main feature isn’t the view outside, but rather its cool vintage interiors and a toy museum below it. It’s a fine place to catch up with old friends, and drink to the good old days while being thankful for the present. The bar offers reasonably priced food and drinks and a mellow atmosphere.

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What You Need to Know about Censorship in Singapore

Perhaps you heard about a recently banned documentary film here in Singapore. The documentary film titled “To Singapore, with Love” is banned because it poses a threat to national security. It was banned on September 10, 2014. The documentary film featured interviews from activists, student leaders and other communists who escaped from Singapore from 1960 to 1980.

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Hundredths of Singaporeans are indignant of the ban so they fled to Malaysia to watch the screening. For your information, the Media Development Authority (MDA) is the media regulator here. MDA is in-charge of censorship of films. The censorship essentially marks political, religious and racial films. The distributing (or exhibiting) of films here is ruled by Films Act of 1981.

The films are classified under six ratings for diverse groups of audiences. Here are the ratings:

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  • G: G stands for General. These are films suitable for all ages. In other words, anyone can watch it.
  • PG: PG stands for Parental Guidance. There is no age restriction but parents should be there when their young ones watch the film.
  • PG 13: PG 13 stands for Parental Guidance Strongly Cautioned. These films are only suitable for kids thirteen and above.
  • NC 16: NC 16 stands for No Children Under 16. This simply means that no child below 16 can be admitted.
  • M 18: M 18 stands for Mature 18. These films are suitable for individuals 18 and above. These films may contain nudity, coarse language, gore violence and many more.
  • R 21: R 21 stands for Restricted 21. These films are only offered for individuals 21 years and above. These films may contain strong sexual contents, graphic violence and the likes.
  • NAR: NAR stands for Not Allowed for All Ratings/Banned. These films may contain things that can lead to controversies.

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Staying Cool in the Summer Season

There’s no denying it. We can all feel its presence. Summer has finally arrived! With the temperature getting higher and a few drops of sweat dripping from our bodies, summer has indeed marked its arrival. Some might welcome it and some might not enjoy it so much but whatever you prefer, there are still ways to enjoy the season and stay cool despite the heat it brings about.

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Craving for Ice?

Ice cream isn’t only for stress-eating. It’s also best eaten during the summer time. When the weather is hot, eating a cone of ice cream is definitely an enjoyable way to lower our body temperatures. But the question is, where is the best place to get that delicious cone of ice cream? Just head down to #01-06 Chijmes, 30 Victoria St. and you’ll find the sweetest haven named Lippolis Italian Gelato. They offer an array of decadent flavors including dark chocolate, buffalo milk, hazelnut, vanilla, strawberry and pistachio to name a few.

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Lippolis is truly a blessing for all those with a sweet tooth because not only do they serve such delicious ice creams, they also have a promotion offering an ice cream buffet! Yes you heard it right, an ice cream buffet. For less than $20 you get to enjoy a selection of 12 flavors, including the ones already mentioned, and a choice of different toppings. You want more? Well, be sure to have a lot of room for desserts because you will get to enjoy this unique ice cream buffet for 3 hours.

Step on Ice

Want to stay cool and at the same time have some fun? Then prepare your $7 for an admission to Marina Bay Sands Skating Rink. For an additional $3, you get to rent a pair of skates. Practice doing figure eights and release the heat as you glide through this 600-square meter skating rink. Singapore may not have a winter season but visit Canal Level, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave. and you’ll get to enjoy skating all you want. Just be sure to remember that they are open daily from 10am to 5pm, closed for maintenance for an hour, then open again from 6pm until 10pm.

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