TR EMERITUS

Written by our Correspondent Singapore's English National Daily The Straits Times made an another boo-boo - it mixed up the names of the  ministers attending the APEC Summit in a picture caption in an article written by Lee Seok Hwai yesterday. Straits Times made an apology today: "In our picture caption accompanying the report 'Ministers vow to stand together' yesterday, we identified the minister on the left as the Philippines' Margarito Teves. She is in fact Indonesia's Sri Mulyani Indrawati. We also named the Vietnamese minister as Tran Xuan Ha. It should be Vu Van Ninh. We are sorry for the errors." Strangely enough, though its editorial staff have identified the errors, they remained uncorrected. A snapshot of the picture caption today at 11am showed no rectifications made: As the flagship publication of Singapore's only press company, the Straits Times should be held to higher standards. Despite the dearth of independent coverage and analysis on domestic affairs, the Straits Times have largely managed to retain its readership due to the complete monopoly it enjoys. The other online daily maintained by Channel News Asia is hardly any better. It was criticized in a media event lately for sounding like a "government mouthpiece". The Singapore press was ranked 133th on the world press freedom index conducted yearly by respected international media watchdog Reporters Without Borders which was described as "divorced from reality" by Singapore Law Minister Shanmugan. Government leaders have lauded the Straits Times and other dailies frequently for being a "credible and trustworthy" source of news in Singapore. There is no free press in Singapore. All the printed newspapers are owned by a single company - Singapore Press Holdings whose current Chairman is Dr Tony Tan, a former deputy prime minister.  Read More →

By Novia Lim Want to be a part of the glamorous and sexy modeling industry? Let's start with identifying the competitive and complex insides of this industry with some realistic tips. Step 1: Understanding the Type of Model You Are Fashion Model A fashion model is a model that is often hired to promote apparel and clothing. The most typical type of fashion model is a runway model who works in a fashion show. Requirements for a fashion model include: Height requirement: Female 170cm / Male 180cm Meet specific clothing size measurements and long legs are preferred Event / Promotional Model An event model works at either a convention or a trade show. In Singapore, this is the most common type of model. They are often seen in car shows, IT shows and all types of roadshows. Requirements for an event model includes: Pleasant looking Meet specific characteristics requirements to demonstrate a product. (e.g., Fair skin for skin whitening products, long hair for hair products) Face / Print Model A print model is hired to model a specific product for photographs found in magazines, newspapers and all other forms of advertisements. To be a successful commercial print model, there may not be any specific requirements. However, you must be comfortable providing a variety of looks, emotions or body postures during a photo shoot. Specialty / Body Parts Model A specialty model only models a part of his or her body (e.g., hands, legs, torso, neck, hair or feet.) Such models are often used in photo shoots for products such as jewelry, watches and shoes. Requirements for a specialty model include: Flawless body parts. No scars, blemishes or wrinkles on specific body parts to be modeled. Step 2: Building Your Portfolio As a model, you need to promote yourself. You will need professional photographs of yourself to start off your portfolio. You can either engage a professional photographer or collaborate with photographers on a TFCD basis. TFCD / TFP, (Time For CD / Time for Print) is a collaboration between a model and a photographer. The job is usually unpaid for both parties and the model will receive a CD or prints of some or all of the shots taken during the shoot in exchange for her time. You can join websites like clubsnap.com or modelmayhem.com to network with hobbyist, freelance or even professional photographers to collaborate for a TFCD photo shoot. Guidelines to Building Your Portfolio Always use a professional photographer. Make sure you screen the photographer's portfolio before agreeing to a photo shoot. If you do not like what you see, often you will not get something you like. Never work with only one photographer. It will be best to work with several photographers to gather a variety of style for your portfolio. Use only the best photos. Do not include all your photos with similar poses and backgrounds in your portfolio. Use a variety of pictures, including different angles, body postures, profiles, hair styles and expressions. Dare to be different! Step 3: Do Your Homework Do not expect modeling jobs to land on of your doorsteps. The modeling industry can be extremely competitive and bitchy. It might appear glamorous and breezy to be a model, but the actual fact is that a lot of research is required and there can be many pitfalls. Modeling Agencies Research reputable modeling agencies. One reputable resource is the Association of Modelling Industry Professionals (AMIP). In Singapore, we are able to find just a handful of accredited modeling agencies on the AMIP website: http://www.amip.sg/agencies.htm There are several small scale modeling agencies but make sure to do your homework to avoid getting scammed. Black and White You need to study legal documents such as engagement letters, model release forms, talent agreements, etc, to fully understand what you are getting yourself into. Avoid situations where you are tied down exclusively to one agency and the agency is unable to get you any modeling jobs. Monkey See Monkey Do Spend time looking at magazines and modeling websites. The main aim is not to follow exactly what other models do but to learn from them and enhance your own image. Step 4: Join an Agency It is not mandatory to join any modeling agency. However major modeling jobs are often offered via agencies. Be extremely aware of scam agencies. A prominent example will be a suspicious modeling "scout" who approaches you in MRT stations or Orchard road telling you that they want to engage you as their model. Always do your homework and research modeling agencies, their projects and clientele listing. Avoid any agencies that require you to: Pay upfront fees. May it be signing fees, membership or evaluation fees, a real agency will never require you to pay any money upfront. Paid courses or photo shoots - If the agencies require you to pay for makeup, modeling courses or photo shoots to build up your portfolio. They are more than likely interested in earning your money rather than acting as your agent to get modeling deals. Too good to be true - There's no such things as guaranteed jobs or high initial salary. If the agency sounds suspicious or too good to be true, bail out immediately. Step 5: Improve Yourself! In modeling, you are the trump card to making an impact! Start looking gorgeous! You will need to start proper grooming and a skin care regimen right away! Eating right and exercising regularly is also highly recommended. Essential skills also include the ability to apply basic makeup, posing comfortably in front of the camera and having reasonable fashion sense. You can also improve yourself by attending courses that teach you how to apply makeup, modeling and how to dress properly. Conclusion Not everybody will emerge to be the next top model especially in countries like Singapore where advertisers still favor Caucasians over Asian models. But never give up, work hard to pursue your dreams and protect yourself on your way to becoming a successful model. Credits: Model : Novia Lim, Welna Yeo, Angela Kiyomi Photographer: Satch, Leng Keong, Jeff Boyle About the Author: Novia Lim is a global data analyst by profession, honored with years of solid experience with multinational corporations. She is also a hobbyist model and food blogger striving to achieve lifestyle balance with proper prioritization between career, demands of life on one hand and pleasure, leisure on the other. Novia blogs at http://eatcookshoot.blogspot.com  Read More →

Written by our Correspondent Three former political detainees under Singapore's draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) will launch a book today at the Alumni Medical Centre located in the Singapore General Hospital's Outram compound from 3pm to 6pm. The new book is called The Fajar Generation: The University Socialist Club And The Politics Of Post-war Malaya And Singapore. Fajar, the club's monthly journal, was founded in 1953 to raise political awareness among students of the University of Malaya. The new book comes in a 361-page English version ($45 for hardback, $24 for paperback) and a 282-page Chinese version ($18 paperback). It is written jointly by Dr Poh Soo Kai, Mr Tan Jing Quee and Mr Koh Kay Yew who will be speaking at the event together with Dr Lim Hock Siew and Mr Tan Kok Fang, also former detainees. The book promises to tell a "neglected story of a remarkable group of men and women who advanced a radical agenda of anti-colonialism, democracy, multiculturalism and social justice." At the same time, it will also serve as a reminder of "how much of that progressive political agenda is still to be won in contemporary Malaysia and Singapore. Dr Poh Soo Kai, a grandson of the late philanthropist Tan Kah Kee, was detained under the ISA during Operation Coldstore in 1963 for a total of 17 years. Dr Lim Hock Siew who together with Dr Poh, were leaders of the now defunct Barisan Sosialist, was detained for 19 years from 1963 to 1982. In a press statement released in 1972, Dr Lim said his ISA captors wanted him to “concede something” so that then prime minister Lee Kuan Yew would not lose face. Dr Lim refused to do so and was detained for another 10 years. The longest political detainee in Singapore and in the world is Mr Chia Thye Poh who was incarcerated without trial for 32 years, longer than Nelson Mandela. Unfortunately, his struggles were in vain as few Singaporeans remembered him when he was finally released in 1998. Mr Chia, a Nantah graduate was a Barisan Sosialist MP when he was arrested. The wave of arrests effectively crippled and decimated Singapore's opposition which allowed the ruling PAP to cement its rule and entrench itself firmly in all the state institutions. The ISA has come under intense public scrutiny in recent years especially in Malaysia where a massive anti-ISA protest erupted in August this year in Kuala Lumpur organized jointly by civil society organizations and the opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition. Singapore Law Minister Shanmugan defended the ISA in front of a skeptical American audience lately during a conference held here by the New  York State Bar Association International Section. The last time the ISA was used against political opponents of the government was in 1988 when 20 or so opposition politicians, social workers and activists were arrested and detained without trial under "Operation Spectrum" for plotting a "Marxist conspiracy" to overthrow the Singapore government. Since then, the ISA was used only sparingly against suspected Islamic terrorists, the most famous of whom is limping terrorist Mas Selamat Kasteri who embarrassed the Singapore police and deal a blow to its reputation by making a daring escape from Whitney Detention Centre and swimming across the Straits of Johor without being detected by his captors. Some have argued that the continued existence of the ISA will deter Singaporeans for participating actively in politics and suggested replacing the ISA with an "anti-terrorism" act to deal specifically with terrorism. Read Dr Lim Hock Siew's 1972 press release here  Read More →