By Andrew Hidajat (17S03I)
Additional reporting by Yang Siqi (17A01C)

School Code: 3009
Course Code (Arts): 28A
Course Code (Science): 28S

Ah, the Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE). Along with one’s GCE ‘O’ Level results slip comes a dull, grey information booklet. In it contains basic information regarding various tertiary institutions, ranging from location, special programmes offered, net aggregate ranges of recently-admitted students, and so on.

It was certainly published with the intention of assisting students in making informed decisions. But to the immature 17 year old I was, its sole purpose was to match my L1R5 aggregate with last year’s cut-off points of nearby schools, so that I could rank them according to my own perceived ‘prestige’ levels. I closed the booklet, went to the online portal to list my preferences, and set it aside.

The next few days were to be spent visiting as many Open Houses as possible, hoarding freebies and partaking in marvelous festivities before school strongly encourages me to get back to the grind again. So I passed through the Marymount gate for the first time, wondering if somehow, through my interactions with students of this school and those I would visit after, my preferences would change.

For some reason, they didn’t. Yet, my Open House tour guide’s recount of being overwhelmed by how incredibly talented and driven everyone is – so much so that being outshined by others is a norm one may have to accept upon joining the Rafflesian family – has planted this indelible question in my head:

“Being a newcomer, would I have the same opportunities as those who have already assimilated to the community for four years?”

Every encounter, every discussion and every experience so far has formulated my final answer to said question with respect to various areas.

Area 1: The opportunity to feel at home

It is rather easy to feel alienated at times…

The first day of Orientation reminded me of the very first morning of Primary One. Exchanging nervous glances, avoiding awkwardly lengthy eye-contact, enquiring about each other’s backgrounds as a way to strike conversation with potential friends. The only difference was that like many, I chose to quietly lament the lack of familiarity rather than sobbing uncontrollably as a child would. There were innumerable worries that plagued me. Will I ever fully integrate into RI? Will I ever be able to identify as a Rafflesian, beyond my white uniform?

By lunchtime, I realised that many of those who were from the Raffles Programme (RP) in Year 1-4 seemed to socialise a lot better than those who weren’t. If they hadn’t already known each other in one way or another, they at least had very similar experiences to bond over. I wasn’t the only one to find it a little challenging to interact with everyone else. One student I interviewed mentioned how “coming late as an appeal case” meant that “cliques” were already forming by the time she arrived. Indeed, at times some of us may feel like we would never be able to attain the same closeness in friendship with RP students.

Despite this, it’s definitely not the case that anyone is deliberately trying to be exclusive. My interviewees and I agree that most RP students are open towards meeting new people. At the end of the day, Orientation is simply too short a time frame – especially for those who are more introverted – to establish meaningful friendships. As JAEs befriend more RP students through platforms like classes and CCAs, our shared experiences in school would allow us to discover more commonalities than differences.

As Lim Rong (17S03Q) stated, perhaps that feeling of being left out “had more to do with our disposition and less (but still present) to do with RP students preferring to mingle amongst familiar faces. JAEs too have to be open to meeting and connecting with RP students and escape the prison of perception that RP people are intentionally excluding them from the equation.”

And for those willing to flee, Orientation is only one out of a slew of opportunities that JAEs have to do so. The JAE Heroes programme was started in 2013 by none other than two JAE student councillors from the 32nd Students’ Council, Sai Surya and Sumedha Madhusudhanan. Ms Michelle Kwok (Assistant Department Head, Student Leadership) explained to us that it aims to “help new Year 5 JAE students better assimilate in RI by giving them an additional support group, apart from the Orientation group.”

To be able to consider a place as home, one would have to at least know the people that reside in it. Yet even mere acquaintances can be cordial with one another without living together. To truly feel that RI is home goes beyond metamorphosing into a social butterfly.

“It is to recognise one’s significance in this large student body. It means feeling at ease when you walk through the aisle of a crowded canteen, feeling a sense of pride adorning the school uniform, and knowing with full assurance that the school isn’t a battle ground, but a place you can call home.” – Laura Ng (17A01E)

Ultimately, successful integration depends on one’s willingness to avoid the trap of self-loathing due to not meeting certain perceived “criteria” for being a Rafflesian. Perhaps I will never fully integrate into RI or be truly steadfast in my identity here – but it would probably not be because I had no chance to feel at home. Rather, it is likely to be a consequence of succumbing to a puerile ‘us against them’ mindset.

Area 2: The opportunity to compete on a level playing field

Is the playing field level?

It wouldn’t be an authentic J1 experience without listening to a lecturer drone on and on about what seems to be the arcane arts from Mount Mary. From my perspective, everyone spoke faster, wrote faster, thought faster. I was a Windows 98 trying to run Grand Theft Auto V! This was especially felt in the Science subjects I took, where words like ‘hydrophobic’ and ‘hydrophilic’ – central to crucial fundamental concepts – were completely foreign to me. Not that it was practically reciting the letters of the alphabet for the RP students, but it was at least introduced to them before to help bridge the gap between secondary school and junior college.

Unfortunately, this is inevitable given how the need to prepare for ‘O’ Levels means that the syllabus would have to conclude around half a year before the beginning of the papers. That means no time for enrichment programmes or useful expansions to the standard curriculum. It must also be acknowledged that at the very least, the teachers are willing to discuss the topics in “great depth for the sake of JAEs”, as Leong Kay Mei (17S07C) described.

Looking back, there may not have been that many disparities in terms of academic opportunities. After all, a student recounted to me how “many of the RP students in [his] class were alien to the Binomial Theorem” at the beginning of Year 5, whereas JAEs would’ve learnt that at Secondary 3/Year 3. Perhaps when it comes to JC, most understandably start off with a certain degree of incapability which contributes to a sense of uneasiness about the opportunities they have been given.

While the playing field may be somewhat level for intellectual pursuits, many doubt that this is the case for leadership positions in the Student Council and CCAs. We vote for those whom we think are capable to lead, those we trust to run the initiatives of the student organisations they head. But to finally decide to vote for a candidate often involves knowing the candidate first – understanding his or her mission, how it is articulated and most importantly, his or her character.

How would a short few minutes with a candidate one has never met before ever be sufficient to convince one to vote for that candidate? The truth is that connections often do matter and having friends who are already familiar with the candidate and what he or she stands for for quite some time makes the candidate far easier to believe in. It is only natural for one to place more faith in a familiar face, someone associated with less uncertainty.

However, this is an inherent problem that is nearly impossible to fully resolve. At the very least, the advantage of RP students is negated to some extent by the interview stages where a panel of teachers and seniors attempt to judge a candidate’s mettle and potential, regardless of background. Council Elections, according to Ms Kwok, are made as “JAE-friendly” as possible in that “student nominees are put in mixed JAE-RP groups so as to minimize any advantage that may be gained by an all-RP group who may have worked together before. This is not to say that JAE (or RP) students are unfairly ‘protected’; rather, the Elections process is impartial and does not particularly favour RP or JAE students.” And the fact is that JAEs do get elected to Council. CCAs like Photography Club, for example, even have their EXCO filled with many JAEs.

Another interviewee who unsuccessfully ran for Council had an interesting viewpoint to this issue that changed my initial opinion: “I feel that being a councilor or a CCAL is to be able to earn the trust of the electorate, and this is where the personality of the candidate comes into play. I believe that as long as the candidate [has] the personality to inspire confidence, trust and warmth within people they talk to, they are fit for the office of councilor or CCAL. I felt that a large part of that failure had to do with my personality, an innate inability to connect with people on a personal level and that would make me, JAE or RP, a poor candidate for Council nonetheless.”

I’m not saying that a candidate’s failure would be entirely attributed to his or her personality. Popularity is undeniably a major factor. What I’m saying is that in a way, the electorate does take everyone’s abilities into account, whether they are relatively unknown or not. If a candidate is unable to connect with voters within that few minutes of interaction through his or her speech, Q&A segment, video and exhibit, who is to say that the candidate ever will?

I have thus come to the conclusion that whether or not the playing field is even depends on perspective. Just because one side has an advantage over the other doesn’t mean that the latter would surely lose. And in this case, both sides get to run the same elections, with the same processes. Familiarity is only one of the many tools a candidate can utilise to win people to his or her side.

At the end of this year-long musing, I’ve realised that the opportunity to feel at home has always been there, but whether or not I see it depends on my willingness to be at home. I could be surrounded by hundreds of friends and still feel isolated from the entire world, so long as I never accept that I belong here, deeming myself to be a struggling nonentity among champions, a wandering soul with no purpose among those already seizing greatness.

And the playing field is quite level. It just seems a little uneven – for a moment – when I’m standing on the side that didn’t win at the end of the match and I’m desperately thinking of why all the blood, sweat and tears amounted to a loss. But when the blood dries, and the sweat and tears stop clouding my eyes, that’s when reality sets in. Sure, there may have been more bumps and rocks where I stand, but that doesn’t mean that I am destined to stumble. It also doesn’t make my opponents any more adept than they already are.

My answer to the one question that persistently nagged at me throughout the year is therefore simply a ‘yes’. So yes, I have the same opportunities that those already assimilated into the Rafflesian community have. And yes, my preferences would never change. My school code is 3009, and my course code is 28S.

Photo credits:
https://unsplash.com/search/crowd?photo=45sjAjSjArQ
https://www.pexels.com/photo/corner-field-football-field-game-240832/

By Bay Jia Wei (17S06R) and Noor Adilah (17S06B)

Maybe you have finally made it after long nights with your Ten Year Series. Maybe you wonder if you have done enough in your 4 through-train years. Regardless of our backgrounds, most, if not all of us, want to make the best of our last 2 years in uniform. In this sense, JC presents to us endless possibilities and opportunities.

Opportunity Costs

In RI, there is plenty to tempt aspiring high achievers. Some options include: taking up two CCAs, enrolling in a Raffles Academy subject (or two), participating in Monday Enrichment Programmes, entering leadership positions, and signing up for H3 classes. It often comes as a package, with many choosing to commit to a combination of the mentioned activities.

Except for the rare few, opportunity costs accompany our choices. Most of us can’t have it all, and heavy commitment comes with its fair share of trade-offs. When all your commitments seem to want a piece of you, health and sleep often take a backseat. It is difficult to give equal attention to all of your involvements. Upon realising that, you tend to feel guilty and demoralised. This may not put you in a terribly positive position, unlike what you had set out to achieve.

For your very own well-being, it would be wise to give careful consideration when deciding to enter commitments – a capable student is aware of his/her limits.

What about those of us who have taken on too much, and are starting to feel its side-effects?

The decision to leave a commitment requires equal, if not more, consideration for the very reason that many activities are selective in nature, and your place in the programme has deprived another individual of this opportunity.

The Internal Struggle

Overtaxed, high-strung, and operating on a few pathetic hours of sleep, perhaps you are starting to regret the choices you had made, and thinking that you had probably overestimated your ability to cope. What was once passion became obligation at the onset of high stress levels. You are calculating your priorities, and wondering what to forgo, or if you should just press on for the rest of the months left.

On one hand, the choice to leave means having to lose all the opportunities that the activity had to offer in the first place. This was something you sat through an interview or took tests for, and that you were once excited about. These lingering feelings make it hard to relinquish your involvement, and the emotional attachment to the activity and its members convince you to pull yourself through.

Upon careful evaluation, you may realise that something has to go eventually. After all, life in JC is fundamentally geared towards the A Levels, no matter what the idealists say. As much as you enjoy juggling your after-school activities, it is important to prioritise, and commitments at the bottom of the list have to go in favour of the bigger, and more realistic, picture.

Once you are faced with the looming threat of stretching yourself too thin, reasons for staying may seem to pale in comparison. However, hypothetical possibilities can lead to a skewed state of mind.

For all you know, staying in that CCA could offer you more than leaving it ever would. Maybe this Monday Enrichment Programme will leave an indelible mark in your character. Maybe taking that H3 will convince you of your passion for a subject and set your career prospects for the rest of your life. And here’s the deal: if you put enough effort and time into these commitments, they will change you. The programmes that RI offers can be impactful and unforgettable — if you commit accordingly.

While the prospect of staying may seem daunting, especially if you doubt your ability to juggle your studies and the commitment(s) you have chosen, you should still remember that JC is also the place for people to stretch themselves. The time you take to figure out this great balancing act of student life can be beneficial in handling the even larger balancing act of life outside of JC. While the horror stories of all-nighters, and vowels other than A appearing on report cards can sober any Rafflesian to the realities of commitment, we can often take comfort in the fact that more often than not, the victims of these stories have come out on the other side with good grades and experiences they wouldn’t have traded for the world.

It’s important to realise that we are all made of the same stuff. The successful Rafflesians you see today were once sleep-deprived, self-doubting teenagers just like us. An experienced senior once said “If there is one thing that all past Rafflesians can agree on to say to you, it would be this: I’ve been there before. Here I am on the other side. And I don’t regret time spent on my studies or my other commitments, because they have changed me for the better. You can do it, even though you may not think so now.”

To Commit or Not To Commit? That is the Conclusion

Of course, the personal dilemma of commitment is exactly what you would expect it to be. It is confusing, and sometimes painful. Often these choices are so complicated and emotional because they seem much bigger than yourself. They involve your future, your relationships with the people around you, and will shape the days and nights of the two years you have in JC.

In the end, everyone has to make a decision. What now? Either way, you may find yourself asking yourself the dreaded “What if?” – king of all miserable, mopey questions. What’s important is to stick with that decision and to make the best out of it. Maybe now with that freed up Protected Time slot you can fit in two extra hours of study every week. Maybe by sticking with your second CCA, you can fill your free time with work that means something important to you.

Any choice made is a choice to gain something. Any choice you make is a choice to make yourself a better person, if you find ways to improve yourself. In the end, what matters is not the choice you make, but the actions you take in ensuring that the choice benefits you and the people around you.

Featured image adapted from https://www.instagram.com/p/BEEBxLqmUCk/

By Joan Ang (17A01B), Lee Yun Ning (17A01E), and Nerissa Loe (17A13A)

You’ve heard tales from seniors about the OGs that stick together all the way until graduation. You’ve heard about the anticipation of finding out who your other OG mates are. You’ve seen the Youtube video of the batch dance, perhaps wondering what your own partner dynamics would be like. We’re talking, of course, about Orientation – the first chapter, the springboard into a vibrant, dynamic life in JC.

Orientation awaits!

Now, with Orientation 2017 just around the corner, J1s can expect 4 fun-filled days of station and war-games, song and dance, as well as the storyline musical that will follow them through their journey at orientation, from the 3rd to 8th of February.

After months of meticulous planning and repetitive dry runs to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for every individual, the Students’ Council and Orientation 2017 Committee are proud to introduce the exciting events happening at Orientation this year. For this preview, Raffles Press interviewed the two Orientation I/Cs, Cassandra Yee (17S03G) and Ho Wei En (17S03G), to find out more.

Theme and Activities

What is the theme for this year’s Orientation? What inspired it, and how has it shaped 2017’s Orientation?

The theme for this year’s Orientation is Soleil 2017! Soleil represents the sun, and we really hope that this orientation will be a memorable beginning for the incoming batch of J1s. We also hope to ignite the burning passion for Raffles through this orientation.

Could you tell us more about the activities that you’re planning for this year’s Orientation?

During Orientation, there will be a variety of station games and 4 large war games. Each game has been revised thoroughly to ensure that every OGLing will be able to participate actively in the games and have a great time.

For storyline, it will be circus-themed (inspired by Cirque du Soleil), following the story of the main character, Miranda. The storyline will be intertwined with every activity so we’ll keep that a surprise!

Highlights, Song and Dance have put up an elaborate O’Nite finale for Orientation as well. With their long hours of rehearsals and practice, we promise that the show will be spectacular!

Photobooth timings and decorations will also be more prominent this year, so do take as many pictures as you wish! (Snapchat filters are also provided!)

Is there any activity that you would like us to highlight?

For storyline, we have introduced the main character on Instagram, to increase publicity and better allow her to strike a chord with the incoming batch of J1s! Her instagram account is @mrnd_zxc, so do follow her to find out more about the storyline.

In terms of activities, how does Orientation 2017 differ from last year’s?

Dance and Song: Both dance and song have come up with their own recordings and music videos. This year’s batch dance and song will be challenging, but definitely catchy for the year 5s.

Highlights: We’ve increased the number of OG hour games so as to increase inter/intra OG bonding during lunch breaks.

War Games: We’ve introduced a new game “Quidditch” that has proven to be very fun (based on the dry runs), and is Potter-inspired! It’s basically the real Quidditch, just without the brooms!

Planning and Organising Committees

Could you tell us more about your different Sub-Committees and what they do?

Dance: Dance is in charge of choreographing the batch dance as well as the O’nite performances, and they’ve done a spectacular job! Dance especially has put in many of hours of practice, staying back till 9pm everyday for the past two weeks to prep and choreograph their dances.

Song: Song focuses on composition of the batch song, and prepares for O’Nite performances! They’ve had quite a lot of fun going to the studio to record their song and music videos.

Decor: Decor does up the orientation decor around school, snapchat geo-filters as well as the photobooth preparations around school.

Highlights: Highlights plans the Opening Ceremony and O’Nite celebrations for Orientation, and comes up with the ‘Orientation Hype Video’ as well. They help to organize dry runs and coordinate the flow of events during Orientation itself, and work closely with all other sub-comms to ensure that the program is run smoothly.

Programs and Logistics (Plogs): Plogs are the unsung heroes of Orientation, doing a lot of the background work that is important to keep Orientation running. They keep a close eye on budget, O’Packs and ensure that both OGLs and OGLings are well-fed! They help to coordinate and collate logistics and equipment needed from all sub-comms during Orientation, and ensure that the entirety of Orientation has whatever it needs.

Station and War Games: They organise two large scale activities that take up a bulk of Orientation! The OGLs here have been testing out and modifying their games to ensure OGLings get to enjoy themselves while making sure that safety is upheld.

Storyline: Storyline has come up with the flow of Orientation, and ensures the smooth transition between events. They add a lot of life to Orientation with their musical, and have also been putting in many hours of rehearsal time to perfect their play!

Orientation ICs: We ensure that all sub-committees are kept updated on each other’s work, as well as coordinate an overall timeline so that each sub-committee can work alongside each other without any hassle. We also work closely with our teachers to finalize the Orientation programme and macro-details, and ensure that school protocol is followed closely by all the sub-committees.

What do you hope to achieve through Orientation 2017?

We hope that Orientation 2017 will go beyond just allowing the J1s to know the physical features of the school, but rather, be a platform for them to build friendships through their OGs, as well as allow them to create fond memories and shared experiences through the activities we will be carrying out!

OGLs

How can we find out more about Orientation 2017?
Do check out:
Our Instagram account instagram.com/risoleil2017;
Our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/risoleil2017/;
And subscribe to our Youtube channel at http://tinyurl.com/youtubesoleil.

Any words that you have for the J1s?

Remember to have fun and recharge yourselves in the beginning of JC, because life will be exceptionally hectic after! Seize every opportunity you have in JC, actively take part in the many school activities and create a memorable 2 years in Raffles!

We, at Raffles Press, wish all J1s an enjoyable and fulfilling time at Soleil 2017!

by Noor Adilah (17S06B)

You’ve heard the stories. You’ve seen the gorgeous paintings that line the corridors. You’ve probably even gawked at the beautiful Art Studio where mysterious art students spend inordinate amounts of time. What goes on in there? What are those mysterious wooden structures in the corridor? Did the Art students put those mannequin body parts there just to scare me?

Last year’s H2 Art Exhibition, aptly titled Where Art Thou? created a space for anyone to marvel at the beautiful works that the Art students created in their first year. It allowed visitors who entered the mysterious, hallowed Art Studio to meet students taking the subject. The Exhibition aimed to display artworks and creations that students made, as well as the Art theory and history that they studied over the course of the year.

Raisin Drawing, Hu Jun Yi (17S07D)

After the exhibition, I talked to Austin Chia (17A01E) intending to learn more about the H2 Art Syllabus. In turn, I learned not only about H2 Art, but more about the ways Art can shape a student’s worldview; and about the people that make H2 Art a wonderful experience.

The first part of the exhibition included the practical and theory work that students did in Semesters 1 and 2, in both Exploration and Transformation.

In Semester 1, students were trained in the art of acute observation, by being put through several exercises that train their artist’s eye. This included drawing large portraits of the miniscule wrinkles on a raisin, drawing the different details of floors, and creating charcoal rubbings of different parts of the school. These exercises train students not to take details for granted, and to truly observe one’s surroundings. Students also experience System Photography, which utilises repeated images of objects with a common theme. By creating a constraint on the types of images created, students are forced to think creatively. In Austin’s words, “You have to have a box to think outside of it!”. These exercises, amongst many others, are aptly themed Exploration.

This timeline of Western Art is a glimpse at the theory studies that Art students do, apart from practical applications.

In Semester 2, students try their hand at the transverse of Exploration — Translation. Translation involves the replication of an existing object to create art. This may come in the form of placing a familiar object in an unfamiliar context, or in changing an object to create new meaning out of it. This is best demonstrated in Chair Replication, where students translate a wooden chair to create their own art pieces. Students learn to create their own tools and use different means to achieve their artistic intentions. They learn techniques of modelling objects using different moulds and moulding tecnhiques. Through these exercises, H2 Art teachers train their students to become better artists, and in turn, better people.

Rubbings, photos and draft work. This explains the chalk on the floor next to the Parade Square last year.

Entering the Art Studio was anything but daunting. I was greeted warmly and led around by the entire Art batch — all six of them. It takes a certain tenacity and unbridled passion to be an Art student. Any Art student will tell you about the heavy workload and gruelling amount of time they spend on this subject. “Taking this subject means more than your final paper and the submitted pieces at the end of two years. It means staying back in the Art Room until 9 at night, and spending crazy amounts of time with your teachers and classmates.” Clearly, Art is not for the light-hearted. Being realistic and extremely committed are the expected traits of an Art student in RI.

Chair Replication

At the end of the year, during the June holidays, students are tasked to apply all that they’ve learnt to create their own series of artworks. These artworks formed the pinnacle of Where Art Thou? last year. 

In the A-Levels, Art students must produce three different submissions mainly:

1. A written paper,
2. 8 A3 sized boards that capture and document all they have done and learned in the two years,
3. and their Final Work, which can take the shape of any form of art

When I asked Austin for any last words to our readers, he reminded us of how Art may not offer tangible benefits to most (unless they plan on pursuing a career in the industry). Art equips its student with upright values and the ability to observe beauty in everything. Furthermore, the small batch of Arts students, along with dedicated and nurturing teachers, create an environment that encourages one to grow in technical skill, and develop oneself character-wise.

This might be best demonstrated by a habit Austin says Art students inculcate from the very beginning of their H2 Art lives. “Every time you drop a pencil, or any tool that aids you in creating Art, you must say sorry — that’s what our teacher taught us. And the subject really makes you understand why you need to say sorry. Art makes you value everyone and everything … you learn to appreciate the tiniest details of the most mundane objects and learn to find the extraordinary in the ordinary.”

All pictures credited to the H2 Art Batch of 2017.

View the students’ end-of-year submissions as part of their Promos last year.

Austin Chia (17A01E) – Morning Assembly

Lino Print on Paper

Sophia Kim (17S03P) – Arrière

Watercolour on paper

“My older sister has always loved dancing ballet, and it was always one of my fondest memories watching her dance and learning to dance with her. Unfortunately, she was forced to stop when she started studying for her A levels and, subsequently, university entrance exams and other commitments. I wanted to capture through this work the joy that dancing brings to her and the happiness that radiates from her dancing whenever she dons her trusty pair of pointe shoes. This work follows her journey from the day that she picks up this pair of shoes, to the day she stops attending ballet lessons. The title “arrière” is a ballet term “in which steps are made backward, away from the audience”. As she puts down her pair of pointe shoes and steps away from the closing stage curtains, I wanted to show that even though this chapter of her life has closed, the memory carries on in her heart as she dreams of reliving those moments once again.”

Tseng Chen Yu (17S06H) – The way home (歸路）

Watercolour on paper

“As my surroundings endlessly alter and become foreign, one thing that stays the same is none other than the way home. Although it is a seemingly repetitive routine with nothing especially “fun” and outstanding, it can be such a mysterious thing. By slowing myself down and closely observing what I go through almost every day, I begin to ponder what home truly means. Years down the road, I might have a different view on what home is. Presently, I feel that it cannot be merely defined as bricks and mortar but by the emotions I attach to a place and the presence of loved ones I hold close.”

Peng Muzi (17S06H) – Clouds

Acrylic on Canvas

Matthew Toh (17S06H) – My Brother

Acrylic on canvas paper

“I have a 15 year old brother who has autism and through this work I wish to express the relationship I have with him. The multiple portraits serve to offer several angles that reveal my brother’s personalities, moods and pains. The various postures that he has adopted in the frames are influenced by his constant need to regulate his body, and were carefully recorded through photography and observations before being expressed in the paintings.”

Hu Jun Yi (17S07D) – Her

Acrylic, ink, water colour and marker on paper “In Her, I seek to investigate the futile crusade for human beings to understand each other through exploring my own relationship with my mother, which has been an epic collage of complex situations that should never have gelled but somehow did. This senseless struggle has been captured in the styles of numerous art movements, emulating the way Art has struggled throughout history to derive its own indefinite identity. The subject has also been treated with a heavy dose of ambiguity, never once truly revealing her full figure, just to coax viewers to draw their own conclusions through her atmosphere, activity and silence. Such is the truth of relationships; there is only so much we deserve to know.”

By Noor Adilah (17S06B)

This article is part of a series of genre and format reviews done in collaboration with Raffles Reviews, an Instagram page by Raffles Debate. Click here for more beautiful photos of Rafflesians with their favourite reads.

Comic books and graphic novels are generally under appreciated as works of literature, and their value as works of art is often not recognised. The nature of this medium, which combines both illustrations and text in the form of dialogue or narration is often dismissed by critics as something meant for children, due to the supposed “simplicity” of the genre. As such, comic books and graphic novels have long been considered as undeserving of formal analysis or serious reading. Despite this, comic book writers and illustrators have proven such critics wrong time and time again with a diverse range of comic books that have spanned generations and display a depth of perception and quality befitting the highest levels of literary and artistic merit. To prove this, Press presents a detailed guide of three comic books which demonstrates the diversity and quality of narratives and styles that can be achieved through this format.

Before beginning the article proper, the author would like to make some clarifications as to one of the terms she will be using in this article – graphic novel. Graphic novels, as harmless as they may seem, are a contentious text-type. Some content generators (for lack of a better term, since writer or illustrator are not quite suitable) do not even recognize it as a legitimate format. An important concern brought up by comic book creators foregrounds that the term graphic novel often just serves as a marketing ploy to sell normal comic books at higher prices, giving readers the impression that they are paying more for a “higher brow” illustrated book. The influential and highly reputable comics writer Alan Moore, who wrote popular comics like Marvelman and Watchmen, once famously said “it’s a marketing term that I never had any sympathy with. The problem is that graphic novel came to mean expensive comic book”. Daniel Raeburn, author of Vessels: A Love Story said calling a comic book a graphic novel is the “literary equivalent of calling a garbage man a sanitation engineer”.

A Contract With God

While labelling a book as a graphic novel may be controversial today, the history behind the term graphic novel is distinct and has influenced many other book formats by setting a higher bar for the quality of comics-driven books. Will Eisner’s A Contract With God brought the term graphic novel to the public lexicon, using the word graphic novel to distinguish itself from the books created in the comic book industry by merit of its aesthetic and literary content. But perhaps this divide between comic books and graphic novels is no longer necessary given the sustained quality of comic books today.

For the purposes of this article, the author will use the terms interchangeably.

Two books of such a format that Raffles Debate has featured on its popular instagram page are Nimona by Noelle Stevenson, a fictional fantasy comic book and The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye by Sonny Liew, a local graphic novel. The vast differences in both books highlight how volatile and flexible the comic book format can be in depicting complex stories in beautiful detail.

Shannon Phuah with Nimona

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Nimona is an engaging, humorous and, ultimately, a highly lovable, character-driven book that focuses on three main characters depicted on the front cover: Sir Ambrosius Goldloin of the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics, the titular character Nimona and the supervillain Lord Ballister Blackheart.

Cover page for Nimona. Depicted are, from left to right: Goldloin, Nimona and Blackheart.

Stevenson originally posted content for Nimona on Tumblr, where it gained a cult following. She then proceeded to publish individual comics for the overarching plot regularly on her blog for everyone to see. The printed-and-published hardcopy format like the one Shannon is holding in the photo above is a recent edition of an otherwise free and accessible comic book still available online. Webcomics like Nimona actively subvert the mainstream book industry by posting high-quality content online, increasing access and creating a direct pathway for interaction straight to the content generator with little channelling to third parties or publishers. In this regard, webcomics are perhaps paving the way to a new generation of books, where access is increased and an author’s autonomy is ensured.

This author admits her love for all three characters, who are charming, humorous and incredibly well developed through well-placed story arcs and crying/laughing-fit-inducing scenes.

“I’m a shark” – “AAAHH”

As brilliant as Nimona is as a literary work, it is just as beautiful when judged for its aesthetic merits. Noelle Stevenson’s character designs are purposeful and measured, taking into account the characterisation and attitudes of each person. Stevenson’s minimalistic drawing style is also telling of the comic’s online roots. This comic book is a stellar example of the flexibility and accessibility of graphic novels, which can appeal to everyone, regardless of age or status.

Qiu Jiayu (16S06A) with The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye.

The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye by Sonny Liew

The second featured comic, The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye by Sonny Liew is a Singaporean favourite. It leads readers through Singapore’s history from 1954 until today, through the lens of an artist – the titular Charlie Chan Hock Chye. This controversial work explores themes of independence, merger, war and peace in stunning detail, with a focus on the place of the individual in a fledgling state. It also narrates the Singapore story through an atypical and unique lens.

Cover spread for The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye by Sonny Liew 

The retelling of this Singapore story through the lens of Charlie Chan has been said to “[undermine] the authority or legitimacy of the Government and its public institutions” according to the NAC, which led to a controversial withdrawal of its publishing funds on the grounds that Sonny Liew had breached publishing guidelines. However, this author stands firmly on the stance that there is no One narrative of the Singapore story that is “correct”, and no institution has ownership over that Singular Singaporean Story. In fact, the book’s increased focus of the individual’s place in Singapore throughout the tumultuous years of our history shows that we all experience history differently – and the Singaporean public deserves to have access to all the different facets of our history to appreciate our nation.

“Is Ah Tung’s sister going to be there?” – “Er… maybe!”

Besides its merit as a piece of historical fiction that balances individual stories with a larger national narrative, The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye is also extremely aesthetically pleasing. More importantly, Liew uses the aesthetic elements of the graphic novel to show the chronological progression of Charlie Chan’s artistic development, from the tender age of 16 in 1954 to more current years. The earlier illustrations are simple and more cartoon-ish, with influences from newspaper comics or textbook illustrations, and later on in the book, Charlie Chan develops his own style that is unique but has clear influences in Chinese traditional art, as shown in the picture above.

Our Graphic Novel / Comic Book Pick – Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons

“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?”

Hobbesian attitudes understand the need for watchmen – moral and legal custodians who guard the order of our carefully constructed communities. These watchmen come in many forms and shapes. In our society, they may come as policemen, governments, and maybe in a parallel universe they may come in the form of costumed superheroes. Watchmen is set in the premise of an alternate universe that has been influenced by the actions of vigilante superheroes.

“Who watches the Watchmen?”

The title of the graphic novel comes from the popular question “Who watches the watchmen?”, a translation of the famous question posed by Roman satirist Juvenal “Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?”. This timeless quote poses the eternal question – if moral and legal custodians guard us, then who will guard them, and keep them in check? As such, this comic book foregrounds the necessity for the accountability of any party that has any authority over any facet of society.

A panel from Watchmen

Watchmen is an incisive jab at the popular belief that a skilled, perfect leader, or group of leaders, is the key to moral immortality, by criticizing how no unexamined authority can rule ultimate without undermining democracy. Accountability and transparency are the true traits of a good government, according to the narrative plot of Watchmen. Of course, the importance of this message is even further understandable when one acknowledges the context in which Watchmen was written, right after events like the Watergate scandal had tarnished the American people’s trust in their own government, where the press acted as an invaluable fourth estate that represented the people in investigating and questioning the Nixon administration.

The composition of this scene is alluring and engaging, while capturing the mood of the narrative in stunning detail.

The alternate America in which Watchmen takes place was once filled with superheroes who emerged from the 1940s to the 1960s, and influenced major events in America’s history, where the United States won the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal was never exposed. The comic book narrates how these same vigilante superheroes are outlawed in the coming days of World War 3 with the Soviet Union, while former superheroes are retired or work for the government.

Doctor Manhattan’s story arc explores the concept of nuclear war and atomic bombs.

This author thoroughly enjoyed reading Watchmen, as it actively challenged the romanticisation of superheroes, and actively comments on America’s political conflicts in stunning detail, using superhero characters to play out political possibilities. The book serves as a commentary on famous political figures like Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher and Richard Nixon. A quote that has stuck with many fans of the series is a comment made by Alan Moore, writer of the book: “I reached a point doing Watchmen, when I was able to purge myself of my nostalgia for superhero characters, in general, and my interest in real human beings came to fore.”

Watchmen

In a way, reading Watchmen does not only purge romantic and childish notions of ultimate superheroes, but of figures of authority in general, and makes readers understand the importance of checks and balances against the government, the supposed “superheroes” of our countries which we trust with saving the day. This is currently relevant especially in the US, as policemen are not being held accountable for the murders of innocent people based on their race, ethnicity or gender. The free media plays the role of the watcher of the watchmen, in providing information about current affairs and acting as the fourth estate that questions, analyses and criticises the government’s actions.

Watchmen’s stunning visuals depart from DC Comic’s normal standard for illustrations, by focusing more on colour schemes and characterisation instead of the execution of action scenes. For example, one of the main characters, the Byronic anti-hero Rorschach, is easily identifiable by his constantly morphing inkblot facemask. This character design reflects his moral ambiguity and the psychological elements of his story arc.

Rorschach

To conclude, this author would like to recommend all 3 comic books to readers. They are largely variant but all endlessly engaging and beautiful, while skillfully carrying complicated narratives worthy of any literary prize with beautiful art that reflects the aesthetics of our era.

By Gan Chin Lin (17A01B)

La La Land (2016)

You’ve heard its name, fervently adored by theatre kids prone to bursting into loud Hamilton rap numbers.

You’ve seen the movie poster – lead stars Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling frozen in confrontational tap-dance, arms thrown back: simultaneously ‘mannequin challenge’ and ‘elaborate crane flight formation’.

Lapped up by viewers hungry for the candied, sugared a-capella flavour of Glee and Pitch Perfect; swooned (and sobbed) over by those who can’t resist a golden romance – it’s no surprise that La La Land is the new belle of the arts ball. The movie has won countless hearts and no, it’s not just Ryan Gosling.

From its debut at the Cannes Film Festival spring of 2016, the film recently swept the board at the Golden Globes with a record-breaking seven wins of every award it was nominated for – best musical/comedy film, best director, screenplay, score and song, as well as the actor categories. On top of that, it has earned 11 BAFTA nominations and 14 Oscar nominations; a virtual avalanche of accolades for what many hail as “The best film of 2016”.

What is this flourishing screen phenomenon about, you ask? Emma Stone plays Mia, a barista on the Warner Bros. lot and aspiring actress/playwright struggling to land an acting gig; whereas Ryan Gosling plays Sebastian, a cranky jazz pianist/purist with an endless supply of silk ties, playing dinner music in restaurants whilst dreaming of starting a jazz club called “Chicken on a Stick”. Damien Chazelle brings us through their romance in seasons starting with winter; concurrently, the music numbers and shoot locations detail their own love affair with famous Los Angeles and Hollywood milieu. The characters experience difficulty after difficulty, struggling to juggle their relationship and their individual dreams, ultimately coming to a bittersweet resolution.

An elaborately parodic homage to the song-and-dance numbers of the ‘40s and ‘50s, La La Land is rich with references to classics such as Singing in the Rain and Casablanca: littered with a veritable feast of shots and frames alluding to the darlings of retro musical culture for the golden Hollywood lovers to devour. To top it off, it is shot in CinemaScope, recalling the nostalgic cigar box frame of the 50s and 60s, and generously glazed with old Hollywood retro glamour: a lushly golden cinematographic palette with pastel primary colours, fizzy sorbet skirts, and a plummy royal sunset.

Altogether, it’s no surprise that the movie has chalked up an armada of adoring fans, waxing lyrical about its virtue. However, this writer – at one of the most critical scenes of the movie – felt a disturbing apathy. This was clearly at odds with the damp, sniffling sounds emanating across the darkened cinema. In fact, despite leaving the theatre with a distant impression that what was watched was a decent movie, there was a niggling sense of discomfiture about several bits of the plot, along with the movie’s significance as a whole. La La Land presented a promising premise of movie-musical – but ultimately, both failed to carry it through to the end, on top of saddling it down with thematic and plot contradictions.

Ryan Gosling as Sebastian, a jazz pianist

The wider incongruity manifested in the whole “musical meets reality” concept – a recognisably contemporary idiom of “Follow your heart” and “Chase your dreams” set alongside the romance and glamour of Hollywood. In La La Land, this was served alongside with the message that “Art always requires tragic sacrifice” as we were led through tumultuous audition after audition with Mia, angst and doubt about Seb’s career decisions, and the troubles of their relationship. Whilst I appreciated the attempt to add a flavour of cultured cynicism to the atypical Hollywood conundrum, to me this only served to create a sour dissonance with the Hollywood glamour it was trying to pay homage to. There was never resolution nor reconciliation – despite being a love letter to Hollywood and the magnetic charisma of LA, the film never had a message of its own; it didn’t have anything new or unique to say either, which left me with a case of thematic indigestion over the odd mix of themes.

Even visually, La La Land was riddled with juxtapositions: take the beginning, where an arid impregnable highway jam resolves into a flurry of dancing and singing that opens the first musical number. It is a visual feast: think actors twirling around vehicles in a beautiful display of musical-style choreography whilst singing about the sun, right before we are told that it is in fact winter. Indeed, the beginning of the film was a thing of beauty: the camerawork a saucy bag of visual tricks as it swerved daringly, panned in deep sweeping arcs, and even jumped into pools, on top of a zero-gravity dance sequence in the Griffith Observatory reminiscent of An American in Paris.

However, this detailed cinematography and the tap sequences and singing disappeared, oddly, about 45 minutes into the film: almost as if it got tired, hunched down into a chair, let out a breath and said “You gotta give me a second” – but never gets up. Either that, or someone shot down Damien Chazelle’s drone, which would explain why it was all mid-shots from there on in.

Hand in hand with the visual disjunct, the film failed to carry the medium of musical-drama throughout the length of the film, despite the promising start. By the point where the film dispenses with the musical set pieces and gets down to the relationship nitty-gritty, the movie feels like it goes onto romantic movie autopilot. Seb and Mia go through bland, mopey relationship drama, your stock vanilla love story: two starry-eyed youths trying to make it big in LA but at a cost – and ultimately, spoilers withheld, not even that much of a cost since they both ended up pretty successful.

Neither of the pivotal relationship scenes take the form of a ballad or any musical number, which suggests that the music didn’t drive the plot but was rather a flavour device the narrative was awkwardly arranged around. In fact, their main scene of conflict was a lazy crescendo of weak tension: the kind of fight where someone decides that “These two characters need to have a beef”, thus making them say anything but the two words that could possibly end the fight. It was a tortured conversation not from a place of character, but from a place of trying not to diffuse tension.

And indeed, character was an issue for me: Seb and Mia only represent two ciphers of the very basic ideas of a typical LA person, with no lives outside the arbitrary dreams they are portrayed to have. With  the occasional music number and all the convolutions of a stock romance, the film has the illusion of so much going on at once – but by the end, I left with no sense of who the characters were beyond some very basic traits, and not enough attachment to their characters for there to be emotional investment in their struggles. The ending scene – beautifully elaborate, gorgeously shot – seemed auxiliary as a result; it bestowed, almost as a pitying kindness, an elegiac quality that the rest of the film did not echo.

Hollywood romance at its finest

And thus as a whole, La La Land was almost self-conscious to me: painfully aware of the fact that it was a musical, it was cognizantly arthouse in a way that makes it known that it is meant to be superior cinema. It drew a dichotomy between itself and the mainstream by scoffing at entertainment in favor of an idealised “Art”. The film seems to construct an almost martyred vision of what art is. This definition of art was aloof and inaccessible – a little ironic, since the root of the word “art” itself is to “join” or “bring together”.

The film focused heavily on the concept of “authentic art”, making it seem like there was only one, superior route: manifesting through Sebastian, who stringently – almost stubbornly – demarcates “true jazz” in his mission to resuscitate the LA jazz scene (which he views to be in deteriorating shambles). This meant disdaining Keith, the head musician of a jazz band (played by John Legend) who dresses Seb down for being a traditionalist (“Jazz is about revolution!”). This elitist mindset was disturbing, but it got worse: the movie took Keith, a very successful African American musician, and made him the object of derision for Sebastian to knowingly smirk at in superiority as he profited off being in his band (grousing about being a sellout the whole time). In fact, the whole film features many African Americans in jazz scenes – either playing in the background or nodding along as musical calefare, with absolutely no speaking roles. Ryan Gosling can speak, it seems, for all of them.

This contradicts the history of jazz (which is ironic as the film seemed so insistent on promoting authenticity and legitimacy): the roots of jazz was intimately interwoven with the experience of slavery and subsequent oppression of black Americans – it is a music of protest and revolution, celebrating pride and solidarity. Sadly, in this situation and in many others, jazz is often co-opted by commerce: here, where the opinions of a minority group were spoken for by a white man, when they had the right of say.

Despite it all, La La Land was a pretty good movie. Seeing Ryan Gosling hunker down on a piano stool and ram out an impressive series of glissandos, without any cuts or musical stunt doubles, was an indication of his dedication to the role (a three month jazz piano crash course) and Chazelle’s insistence on pushing his actors to truly perform, similar to Miles Teller playing a drummer in his previous film Whiplash. However, I was more impressed with the mood it was painting and the way the film dared to take the idea of a Hollywood romance and drag it through reality: where things are messy, gritty, raw and don’t go your way. Unfortunately, it really didn’t help that after a while the trappings of a musical fell away, and La La Land lost steam, stumbling into an awkward, romance-story gait. Did I enjoy it? Yes. Would I recommend it? Yes, just to experience the work that inspired all the current critical acclaim. Did I leave satisfied? Sadly, no.

By Jeanne Tan (17A01B)

Just a personal disclaimer: I’m the type of movie-goer who seeks meaning in my movies. An essential question we all ponder, or a struggle that viewers relate to seeing resolved.

I have mixed feelings about whether Arrival fulfills this, but the rest of this movie might be enough to warrant an exception.

The premise of this movie (currently a Best Picture Oscar contender) seems a mix of the intellectual and the blockbuster: a linguistics professor is invited onto a team by the government to help bridge the communication gap between humans and a newly-arrived species of aliens. The movie’s promotion, however, appears to favour an ethereal aura, shrouding the aliens and the central conflict in utter mystery.

The vague, yet menacing alien species. (Photo: Den of Geek)

While the premise seems to imply brain puzzles and high action, the movie turns out to require neither, for the most part. The aliens, while important as a plot device, are hardly the focus of the story, which is instead centred around the emotional journey of our lead character, Dr Louise Banks (portrayed by Amy Adams).

Without going into too much detail, the movie delves into the meaning of communication and perception, drawing loosely from the linguistic theory of relativism, which states that the language we speak affects the way we perceive the world around us. The sci-fi-infused application of relativism presented is gradual, allowing the audience to slowly put together the pieces and reach the conclusion at the same time as the protagonist, making it an engaging and nerve-wracking viewing experience.

This experience was, in fact, what made this movie stand out from other movies. This form of storytelling was ambitious and introduced something that current movies rarely feature. Going into this movie blind and taking in the information as it was handed out was an essential part of the movie experience. It made watching and understanding it engaging in a way that was both unique and memorable.

And this viewing experience was definitely successful due to the stylistic choices that went into it: in terms of technique, the movie was nearly flawless. The music (composed by Jóhann Jóhannsson) was otherworldly and at times unsettling, slow and mysterious at times, high pitched and jarring at others. The long takes and scenic pans of the cinematography blended well into the suspenseful atmosphere and tone, achieving perfection in complementing the story.

The aliens and alien technology, which were vital in ensuring that the movie was neither too divorced from concept nor too cheesy, were a perfect mix of haunting and subtle, making them believable as a foreign species but not distracting from the human characters.

The lingering takes of the alien ship amidst natural scenery helped build this silent, yet unsettling atmosphere. (Photo: Popsci)

Yet despite the near perfect execution of the movie, its central message was ultimately, in my opinion, lost. This movie was based off The Story Of Your Life by Ted Chiang, which originally spent a significant amount of time focusing on a very personal, individual dilemma, questioning key human concepts like love, life, and death.

The movie centres itself around the same question, employing an abundance of gorgeous visuals to build up the climatic question, but skimming over the character’s moment of truth. The answer is given in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it scene — in a single line of dialogue, in fact, which was incredibly underwhelming on second thought.

Furthermore, as the movie progresses, it delves further into the more fantastical elements of the alien language, getting wrapped up in the nail-biting elements, to the point of bending its own credibility. Ultimately, the takeaway was a little muddled, and the story felt a little lost by the end.

Nevertheless, there were fun bits, including little linguistic fact-dropping and the exaggerated yet horrifyingly accurate portrayals of world powers. The (smaller) shadow in all the posters, Jeremy Renner, plays a scientist who clashes with Louise in hints of the science vs arts debate that we’re all familiar with.

The process of establishing communication with aliens was intriguing to watch. (Photo: Scified)

When consumed whole, the movie comes together as a mind-blowing viewing experience, with stunning visuals and overall great direction. This review is a little short, since I strongly believe that this movie’s strongest suit lies in the experience derived from uncovering the plot while watching it, and thus have refrained from specific spoilers.

While it may not hold up under a microscope, Arrival is pretty close to a masterpiece in all areas except one, and the viewing experience is something that I hope current filmmakers can start to incorporate into their movies. We can only hope that with this movie’s success, Arrival can become simply a preview into the new, innovative era for movies.

By Nicole Doyle (17A01A), Jeanne Tan (17A01B), Abdul Qayyum (17A01B), Serafina Siow (17A13A), Nerissa Loe (17A13A), Andrew Hidajat (17S03I), Ashley Tan (18A13A), Warren Liow (18A01B), Soh Ying Qi (18A01C)

Pictures courtesy of Raffles Photographic Society

This is Part 1 of our 2017 A Levels Student Feature 

Ge Kuangning 

Through grit, resilience and endless support from family and friends, Ge Kuangning (16A01A) has overcome immense challenges and emerged stronger.

It was just last year when he was diagnosed with a medical condition. When asked about his experience, he expressed that life inevitably got more difficult. Though his time was both physically and mentally exhausting, one-to-one consultations with teachers as well as support from family and friends got him through the trying time.

Whatever the obstacle, Kuangning has kept up with grades. His achievements, however, do not stop there– from completing an internship with a leading Singaporean law firm to shadowing a Member of Parliament, Kuangning has certainly gone above and beyond as a student.

Amongst his other extracurricular activities, his time in the school’s shooting team was evidently well spent. Beyond clinching an individual gold medal on top of a silver medal for the team category, Kuangning shared that shooting had taught him the importance of being calm and clear in aiming straight for his goals. This intense focus extends far beyond the target board and a calm steadiness clearly guides his life aspirations.

Regarding his plans for the future, he shared that since he has been exempt from National Service, he intends to do some internships and take a gap year, eventually hoping to apply to a law firm. Although he is interested in studying overseas, he plans to apply to local universities to study law first, before making further decisions regarding his higher education.

He would like to thank his teachers, particularly Mr Sowden, of whom he said, “Very enjoyable lessons and a very passionate teacher”, and his Mathematics teacher, Mdm Low, adding that both his Literature and History teachers were also very good. He would also like to thank his family, who gave him a lot of support.

Naomi Koh

Naomi Koh (16A13A) has not only overcome personal challenges, but she has also gone out of her way to help others. With a hearing impairment which requires her use of bilateral Cochlear implants, she is sometimes unable to understand movies without subtitles and hear the accents of the people she talks to. Though nothing life threatening, it can be annoying for her. Naomi went on to describe the strange position she found herself and others with her condition occupying as a “contradiction between assimilating normally and not”.

Despite this, she says that her classmates have been a strong support base for her, helping her to cope with her disability. “After a while – and it takes some time – you start accepting it because it’s not something you can change and it’s not something that’s inherently bad. I would certainly be a lot less mature today if I didn’t have this problem.”

In JC, Naomi decided to become a peer-mentor for a support group for teenagers with hearing impairments. She mentioned that most of these youths feel isolated and neglected by those around them who are unable to empathise on a fundamental level. The support group was suggested by a senior, Josiah Tan, and started off as a Whatsapp group where they mentored Secondary school students. As a peer-mentor, she sent encouraging messages and gave advice, and even helped plan gatherings like Christmas parties. She noted, “You can have fun games without relying on your hearing!”

On top of this, Naomi is a passionate volunteer at the food drive Food from the Heart, as they combine two worthy causes– preventing food wastage while helping the less fortunate get food. Her enthusiasm shone through when speaking of this project close to her heart. “In supermarkets, a lot of the food is fine but because of regulations and concerns of customers, they are wasted. Food from the Heart channels the food to the beneficiaries. We sit at the warehouse to help sort food, and I really enjoyed it. It sort of says how you don’t really have to be doing a big thing for CIP.”

Outside of her community work, Naomi was a CCA Leader at Writer’s Guild, Naomi says that the experience was rewarding, even if it meant compromising on her sleep. Her batch successfully oversaw the publication of two literary anthologies put together by members, Melting Pot and Enter/Exit.

As for advice on getting through Year 6, she had this to say: “Mega Mugging Madness is really good, especially the food. It may not seem like it, but sleep is actually important. It’ll probably be better if you get an amount of sleep that you’re comfortable with. I slept through classes in J1 because I had a mindset of ‘chionging’ things through the night. You shouldn’t stop striving until A’s are over!”

Toh Yu Ze

An all-rounded student, Toh Yu Ze (16A13A) is a profoundly determined and introspective individual who managed to overcome all the odds stacked against him. Aside from holding prestigious titles such as assistant CCA leader and ranked Cadet Inspector in NPCC, Yu Ze was also a member of Raffles Football, which clinched the fourth position in the 2016 National School Games Football Championships ‘A’ Division. However, he not only excelled in these pursuits – Yu Ze also went the extra mile outside school by serving the community as Lam Soon Community Centre Youth Executive Committee’s Social Development Secretary.

For the average person, the prodigious number of commitments listed above would already pose a considerable challenge. With moderate hearing loss in his right ear and colour deficiency in his sight, Yu Ze had to face even bigger barriers while coping with his academic work. Instead of caviling at his condition, Yu Ze took these obstacles in his stride and continued to push forward. When asked about his disabilities, he offered a nonchalant shrug before stating, “In general, [my disabilities] don’t affect me on a day-to-day basis, so it’s not that much of a disability.” He even went on to express gratitude towards his teachers and friends. “I remember taking a Geography paper, and people around me were very helpful,” he recounted. “For the paper, there was a map with different colours and the invigilator even came up to me to ask me whether I could see the colours… So it was really nice to see that people cared about me.”

If there was one thing that others could learn from Yu Ze, it would undoubtedly be his appreciation for and recognition of the people who have helped him along the way. “The first people (whom I would like to thank) would be my parents. In JC, you spend your time with your CCA and studying, and you don’t really get to see your parents… But I’m very thankful towards my parents for supporting me. So I think after JC, I’m looking forward to spending my time with my parents,” he shared. Indeed, this exceptional student has shown us that gratitude is the key to unlocking the fullness of life.

Loh Jia Yi

A passionate yet level-headed individual, Loh Jia Yi (16S03J) was a national sailor who won Silver for Team Singapore at the 2015 SEA Games. In addition, he was the 2015 Singapore Schools Best Sports Boy Award recipient. Despite a tough training schedule and the constant demands that he had to face as a national sailor, Jia Yi put in consistent effort in his academics during his time in RI, including visiting the school library daily when the A Level exams were approaching.

For him, going overseas for competitions during the whole of June resulted in an unsatisfactory grade for his Common Test 2 in Year 6. Instead of allowing this setback to defeat him, Jia Yi, along with his parents, made the difficult decision to stop training after June to prepare for the A Levels. Being a natural sportsperson, he found the six months without training really difficult – sailing was not just a sport to him; it was a cathartic activity for him whenever he felt stressed or overtaxed. However, he managed to overcome this transition by stressing the reason for temporarily giving up the sport he loves – he was doing it for his family.

As a sportsperson who emerged victorious from this dilemma, Jia Yi had some words of wisdom to offer to his juniors. “If you sleep during lectures, don’t. And don’t sleep during tutorials. Don’t have it bad with your teachers. Your teachers are the best help that you can get,” he advised. There were also times when he struggled with finding the right studying methods for optimal productivity. With regards to this, he had a secret strategy to share: “I think the hardest subject to study is actually Biology, because you need to retain a lot of information for a long period of time. So I took an A4 paper and folded it into four sections before writing my notes on it. At the end of the day after doing this repeatedly, I compiled my notes into a book.”

Aside from thinking of innovative methods to help himself learn better, Jia Yi is also highly perceptive, a trait that has proven to be invaluable in aiding him through his journey. For those who feel like there exists a wide gap between sports and academic learning, Jia Yi shared that the skills honed from the former may actually be transferrable to the latter: “Take whatever you learn from your sports and apply it as best as you can to your studies.”

By Nicole Doyle (17A01A), Jeanne Tan (17A01B), Abdul Qayyum (17A01B), Serafina Siow (17A13A), Nerissa Loe (17A13A), Andrew Hidajat (17S03I), Ashley Tan (18A13A), Warren Liow (18A01B), Soh Ying Qi (18A01C)

Pictures courtesy of Raffles Photographic Society

This is Part 2 of our 2017 A Levels Student Feature

Kelsie Tan

For Kelsie Tan (16S07C), working with wildlife is second nature. As the chairperson of the Outdoor Adventure and Activities Club (ODAC) in JC, she had the opportunity to plan many outdoor activities for her fellow ODACians to participate in, such as hiking, kayaking and trekking. She professed her passion for wildlife, adding that on hikes with the rest of ODAC, she would often share information about wildlife they saw on the trail with other members.

This keen interest in nature and animals began in secondary school, when she co-founded a self-initiated project called The Wild Side, which aimed to “inspire appreciation for the wildlife in [RGS]”. Efforts by the group include organising campaigns and walks for the general school population to share knowledge about the wildlife in school, and a collaboration with the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES), a charity organisation, to define standard procedures for what to do when wildlife is spotted. Upon entering Year 5, she joined the Raffles Ecological Literacy Programme (Ecolit) as part of Monday Enrichment, and went on to author a storybook about civet cats in Singapore, to raise awareness about their role in the natural environment and combat the negative perception of them as pests.

Beyond JC, Kelsie is now working at the Singapore Zoo’s Reptile Garden Zone as a reptile keeper, responsible for the welfare of the animals as well as educating visitors to the exhibit. She opined that people “generally don’t really have a very positive perception of [reptiles]”, highlighting that snakes in particular have many misconceptions about them perpetuated in the media. “There are only one or two species of snakes in Singapore that can actually kill you,” she shared. “Their main trait is that they’re very shy, so they’re not very accurately represented in today’s world.”

She is thinking of pursuing something related to environmental biology at the National University of Singapore. On how she managed to cope with her A Levels, she said that “I didn’t think too much—a lot of people over-think things, like a very scrutinised way of studying, and they want their studying plan to be perfect.” She pointed out that many students “end up thinking too much instead of actually studying”, and suggested that they “go with the flow and learn naturally”.

She also offered some practical advice for current Year 6s: “Find a group of friends with whom you can study ‘shamelessly’ and be open with about how you feel about academics.” She explained that in her own experience with group studying, she and her friends could discuss questions together and help each other out. Academics aside, she also had some wise words to pass on: “Try to stay yourself, pursue what you want to pursue but still keep A Levels in mind. Don’t be too stressed, even though it’s quite easy to say. Be happy and healthy, and you will be okay.”

Kelsie would like to express appreciation towards her teachers, for not giving up on her; her friends, for being a constant source of support; her family; and perhaps even herself, “for not giving in too much to everyone’s pressure and believing in myself and what is good for me.”

Aashwini Cassandra Gunasilan

Many students think that JC life is very tough, but this was especially true for Aashwini Cassandra Gunasilan (16A01E), who has an eye condition that has become a challenge for her. In 2012, just 2 months before she sat for her O Levels, she was diagnosed with vision impairment. She subsequently took her O Levels a year later, and had to cope with her new condition by attending classes at a poor vision clinic to learn how to use assistive devices to help her read.

Initially, she used a magnifier to aid her in her reading, but upon coming to JC and taking HELM, she realised that this method was too slow for her to cope with the readings demanded by an Arts combination. After her Promos in Year 5, she realised that the amount of effort and time she had devoted to her academics did not translate into the results she had achieved. She decided to use her ears more in Year 6, rather than her eyes. She moved on to auditory learning, where she listened to a “monotonous voice” read out her texts. In addition, a tutor from her clinic came to the school after curriculum time to have lessons with her.

Despite her condition, Aashwini found time to participate in VIA projects. She attended 2 runs of house cleanups, and helped to raise funds for Teen Challenge, Central Development Council, as well as Hong Leong Medical Services. These flag days took entire Saturdays, but for Aashwini, who had a “pretty active CIP life” in Secondary school, these “pockets of opportunities were pretty useful” as an avenue for her to give back to society.

“I’m not going to let my eyes stop me,” she asserts. Coming to JC in itself was a tough decision, she admits, and she once planned on going into Law, as it has been her greatest passion. Her condition has posed an obstacle to these aspirations however, and “many people say that Law is too much for me to take, especially with all the reading.” Aashwini accepts that a four year Law degree may be unrealistic, however this has not completely put the brakes on her dreams, and she is considering related fields such as Political Sciences in place of a pure Law degree. 

Aashwini advises the current Year 6s to enjoy life. “You don’t want to look back and see that all you did in Year 6 was study.” As for academic-related advice, Aashwini warns against “information overload”. She suggests that if you are studying a humanities subject in the morning, study a science subject, or Math after that – “space out the subjects” and ensure variety. Most importantly, she added, “Don’t burn out!”

She would like to thank her family, who made her feel that she is not different. They pushed her to do things beyond her reach, rather than just pity her, and she finds that that has instilled in her the right attitude to strive for excellence. She would also like to thank Ms Chen Yee Chien, Ms Myra, her classmates, and her secondary school teachers.

She wishes the Year 6s good luck, and hopes that Rafflesians will “make every moment in RI meaningful!”

Alex Tan

For Alex Tan (16S03B), a passion for advocating for feminism and the desire to join the battle for justice helped to fuel his efforts at the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE). With fire in his eyes, he asserted that “our society is becoming increasingly politicised and there is a burgeoning awareness of the inequality that needs to be addressed”. He admitted that as a male, he enjoyed a certain set of privileges, but this was exactly the kind of power he wanted to shed light on by speaking up and raising awareness of the issue.

In Junior College, Alex took 13 Academic Units. For him, taking 5H2s (Biology, Chemistry, Math, Literature and French) was tough, but he did not see it as a burden as he enjoyed these subjects. On top of coping with service and academic commitments, Alex was also a member of Raffles Press. When asked about how he managed to cope, he said that the “most essential thing is to find out what works for you — it’s important not to conform to pressure to study in a certain way”, but rather to “figure out the study method that works best for you.”

“From the perspective of someone who has just enlisted into the army, I would advise you to treasure your time in school — treasure your class, teachers, friends. Try to involve yourself in as many things as possible. Don’t feel pressured by prestige or expectations; you know yourself the best,” he added.

Alex would like to thank his teachers, especially Ms Rathiga Veeranan, Ms Edlyn Ang, Ms Phua Kia Ling, Ms Serene Teo and Ms Christelle Fournier, his family, secondary school teachers and best friends. To his juniors, he has this to say: “Keep an open mind and heart, and believe in your ability to make a change.”

By Tapasya Singh (17S03C)

The film starts with a scene we’ve seen countless times in every superhero movie – the protagonist, surrounded by half a dozen armed men. He warns them not to start anything, they don’t take heed, and a fight ensues.

This scene may well be scripted the same across all movies of the genre – the hero defeats them with ease, and leaves the fight virtually unharmed.

This time, however, the narrative changes. Wolverine, our hero, gets beaten badly before managing to take on his attackers, and the wounds that would once heal near-instantly are now left gaping. The difference, is that this is not a superhero movie. Logan isn’t – or rather, doesn’t want to be – the hero, and there is no supervillain for him to destroy. His greatest opponent is, and has always been, himself. Playing out like a cross between a Western and a survival road-trip, Logan exchanges spandex and fancy new tech for a raw exploration of who Wolverine really is.

Set in 2029, we see Logan with a reduced healing factor having mostly shunned his mutant abilities, choosing instead to drive a limo and self-medicate with liquor. He works alongside mutant Caliban to care for Charles Xavier, who has a neurodegenerative disease and needs to be drugged to keep his apocalyptic seizures at bay. It is clear from the onset that something is terribly wrong – death has become possible for our previously indestructible heroes.

Charles Xavier is no longer the ever-optimistic leader of the X-men

Furthermore, mutants are on the brink of extinction, with the last one having been born twenty-five years ago. The lack of mutant births is easily explained away using a classic sci-fi plot – an evil scientist attempts to control all mutants by genetically engineering corn into containing a mutant-gene suppressor. The shocker is how the movie handles the death of most other mutants.

Taking a surprisingly dark turn, it is revealed that most of the X-men were killed by Charles Xavier, or rather, by one of his deadly seizures that paralyze everyone in the vicinity with crippling psychic pain. Xavier’s brain has been classified by the government as a weapon of mass destruction, and yet he is unaware of its destructive ability – Logan has been keeping the truth from Charles, who only learns of the aforementioned event through a radio broadcast halfway through the movie. Whether driven by external forces or simply his own crippling mind, the truth is undeniable – Charles Xavier murdered his students and friends. In a movie so character-driven, this event is the catalyst that leads to the Charles and Logan we get to see – anguished and in hiding, trying to scrape together enough money to make a run for it.

Logan’s plan to buy a boat and live on the ocean with Xavier goes right out the window when a little girl sporting her very own set of adamantium claws shows up needing his help. For a man who has long since given up hope for himself, it is her arrival that gives Logan a new purpose – loath as he may be to admit it. And so begins a journey of them staying just one step ahead of the villains, trying to escape to a safe haven for mutants.

Laura – bred in the X-23 project to be a deadly weapon

The overarching thread in this movie is Logan’s redemption – he starts off being reluctant to even consider helping Laura, but by the end of the trip is willing to give up his life for her. This protectiveness might, of course, have been helped along by the fact that she is his biological daughter, bred in a lab using Logan’s DNA. The steady pace of the film allows it to explore the idea of what a family looks like – for that is what Logan, Charles and Laura end up becoming.

For the most part, it is Charles encouraging Logan to help Laura and look after her. However, as we get closer to the ending, it becomes clear that Logan sees, in Laura, not only a reflection of himself, but also a chance for her to do better – to be better. The Logan we see is haunted by the ghosts of events past, and this journey allows him to work through them – and allows us to see the man behind the myth.

The character of Logan is reminiscent of a broken-down antihero – tired of the fight, nursing decades of regret, and holding on for just one last mission. Here, we see the nitty-gritty essence of Logan – the desperate, no-holds-barred fighting, the agony of being a mutant, the need to fight for something bigger than himself – which was brought out brilliantly thanks to director James Mangold’s decision to go with an R (M18 in Singapore) rating for Logan. The movie is grotesquely violent, and is the first X-men film to truly depict the horror that mutants have to live through. The excess CGI and overhead shots are scrapped for cleaner filming closer to the action, resulting in a film that is grimly violent with an overarching sense of fatalism.

Weak and injured as Logan may be, he still doesn’t back down from a fight

This is the last time that Hugh Jackman will take on the role of Wolverine, and after seventeen years of the classic superhero trope, we have finally gotten to see the kind of performance that won him multiple accolades. A truly gifted actor, Jackman’s portrayal of a deteriorating Logan is raw and deeply compelling, and it is him and Patrick Stewart (playing Charles Xavier) who strip away the quips and one-liners to deliver an emotional, heart-wrenching performance about family and the need to belong. The movie’s introspective theme and poignant dialogue constantly remind the audience of the cost of the endless fight, and make no mistake, Logan definitely earns it tears.

by Noor Adilah (17S06B), Marilyn Kang (17A01B), Abdul Qayyum (17A01B), Liu Enqi (18S03C), Angus Yip (18A01A), Asfar Alim (18S03J), Soh Gek Shuen (18S03B)

This year, Raffles Reviews is honoured to receive books and support from the folks over at Singapore’s beloved local bookstore, BooksActually!

BooksActually is located at 9 Yong Siak Street [Photo: Cereal Mag]

Can you spot one of BooksActually’s three cats? [Photo: SG Asia City]

Capital Misfits – Julie Koh

“A woman arrives on the seventh floor of Heaven, only to realise it is a trading floor where the dead swap their karma before rebirth. In a Sydney laboratory, a vagrant participates in cosmeceutical trials in return for a Rolex watch. On an island made out of sugar, a student questions the rule of the benevolent Sugar Daddy. At an open mic night in New York, a zen poet takes the stage and begins to tell the greatest, most devastating joke in the world.”

Capital Misfits, by Julie Koh [Photo: BA]

Though the setting of each of the stories may be at once startling and strange, as the synopsis reads – they transcend a version of heaven and take us through modern cities to an island made of sugar. They cling tightly onto haunting truths that strive to surface the almost insidious nature of today’s societal ills. With that, Koh’s writing is further accentuated by vivid and witty prose, which, combined with a signature brand of absurd humour, culminates in a bold and original voice.

Haunting and thought-provoking, Capital Misfits is undeniably a hidden gem that will keep you up at night and make for an unforgettable read.

Making Love With Scrabble Tiles – Joshua Ip

Making Love with Scrabble Tiles by Joshua Ip features poems revolving around the main theme of love. Though its emphasis on romance might turn some people off, it was pleasantly surprising just what kind of stories and emotions that the different poems evoked. Through his expert craft of words, Ip constructs different vignettes of intimate relationships.

Making Love with Scrabble Tiles, by Joshua Ip [Photo: BA]

Above all, Joshua Ip’s piece was a relaxing, and often entertaining read.

Quoting the book itself, “No man can choose what grows on him, even one made of stone”. Our writers would assure you that Making Love With Scrabble Tiles will not only grow on you, but form a relationship with readers as intimate as those within its pages.

Every Moving Thing That Lives Shall Be Food – Grace Chia

The title of this book borrows itself from the Old Testament, and perhaps perfectly so. It portrays the grit, raunch and reddened knuckles of each of its stories. As for the quoted title itself, its explicit imagery of predator and prey fits perfectly with the central theme of Grace Chia’s take on the thrilling ecosystem of human lives.

“I’m interested in the idea of consumption … in the form of desire, love, companionship and more. The idea that even human beings crave for each other … you actually want to consume them, which is also why sometimes love can be suffocating and draining. You can lose your identity in love when someone has trapped you so much and has taken everything out of you.”

Grace Chia, in an interview with BooksActually

Grace Chia captures snapshots of Singaporean life, effectively dissecting them and revealing intricate human connections, as fragile and precious as they may be. Her careful depictions recreate power structures and the almost vampiric nature of human relationships from a distance, at once immersing the reader and then pulling them out to take a breath and observe these stories as they unfurl.

Every Moving That Lives Shall Be Food, by Grace Chia [Photo: BA]

Our Singlit Pick of the Month – Ministry of Moral Panic, by Amanda Lee Koe

Lauded as “the most exciting debut collection of stories by a Singaporean writer” by Alfian Sa’at and a “distinctive literary voice for Singapore’s contemporary condition”, Amanda Lee Koe’s Ministry of Moral Panic deserves all the hype that has built around it since it was first published in 2013. It tells thirteen different stories of different times and different people, yet they fit flush together as Singapore narratives. Her writing transcends the archetypal, presenting the snapshots of these fictional lives in stunning detail.

The story of an Indonesian domestic worker “made for love”. A laundromat in the middle of Chinatown which brings people together. The imagined private thoughts of Nadra binte Ma’arof – more commonly known as Maria Hertogh. The magical realism of the personified Merlion. Amanda Lee Koe writes with fresh inventiveness the imagined stories behind symbols, people, places and riots.

Ministry of Moral Panic, by Amanda Lee Koe [Photo: Epigram Books]

Amanda Lee Koe brings a fresh, unabashed take on narratives some may call unorthodox but undoubtedly Singaporean. This is the realism and plurality we constantly look out for. Ministry of Moral Panic tells Singapore stories. Ministry is a must-read for all.

By Ashley Tan (18A13A)

After months of hype and speculation over its actors and musical numbers, Beauty and The Beast finally hit the screen in March, with throngs of Disney aficionados filling cinema seats. While the 1991 animated version of the film may remain a well venerated classic in the eyes of many, the latest version aims to complement and reflect the complexities of contemporary society.

Going into the theatre, I must confess that I had several doubts as to whether the film was as “unnecessary” and “disappointing” as it was made out to be by several movie critics. However, these reservations soon dissipated. With its opulent sets and elaborate costumes that elicited gasps of awe and delight, the prodigious amount of effort that had been channeled into the film’s scenic design did not go unnoticed, and contributed significantly to its overall tone and mood.

Glass chandeliers and marble floors adorn the film’s ballroom set. (Source: Architectural Digest)

This version of Beauty and the Beast followed its prescribed storyline rather closely, with Belle (Emma Watson) being stigmatised by the villagers in her town due to her defiance of social norms. She’s deemed to be “funny” because of her penchant for reading and designing innovative contraptions qualities that a girl would not typically possess. Leading a provincial life in the village is frustrating for her, partly owing to the treatment she has to endure as a social outcast, as well as her awareness that there exists greater meaning and purpose beyond the village.

The plot follows the trials and tribulations that Belle has to overcome – from dealing with the narcissistic Gaston (Luke Evans) who seeks her hand in marriage and galvanises the masses to vilify the beast, to saving her father Maurice (Kevin Kline) from adversities with the help of some familiar personified household items. At every key juncture of the film, each of the characters performs musical numbers to convey their sentiments.

While most of the actors were fairly able to carry the familiar tunes of the original soundtrack, Emma Watson’s singing voice was a letdown. I was anticipating a fuller, more solid voice that would accurately reflect the nuances of Belle’s core identity. However, Watson’s tone was thin and wispy, patently antithetical to the expectations that I had held for a character as resilient and headstrong as Belle. On the other hand, Gaston’s’ musical numbers – Gaston and The Mob Song – were flamboyant and theatrical, unerringly capturing the essence of his character with his sonorous voice honed to perfection from spending a decade of his career in musical theatre.

Luke Evans performing “Gaston” in Beauty and the Beast (Source: DigitalSpy UK)

Another notable quality of this film was the detailed backstory that it offered, which allowed for deeper characterisation of its protagonists. The original movie did little to explain Belle’s origins and the absence of her mother, as well as the reasons as to how and why the beast turned out to become a baleful and uncaring Prince before being cursed. However, the latest version filled in these gaps, enabling the audience to grasp a deeper understanding of how each character’s history has influenced and moulded them.

Thematically speaking, this film was imbued with a spectrum of political undertones that pandered to present-day debates in the media and society at large. The attempt to portray Belle as an empowered character who subverts conventional roles of women (i.e. Belle as an inventor who is even more adept at devising appliances than her father) was a commendable one, but failed to live up to the expectations induced by mainstream media. Though it is understandable why the film may have been marketed as part of the feminist pop culture movement since its leading actress is a self-proclaimed feminist and a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, Belle’s role as an inventor was only surfaced a few paltry times in the film, and failed to contribute to its overall plot in a pronounced or consequential way.

Moreover, the “gay scenes” which incited public furore and film bans turned out to be rather misleading. One scene included Gaston’s loyal sidekick LeFou (Josh Gad) embracing him in a hug during a dramatic musical number, and another presented LeFou dancing with a peripheral male background actor.

Ultimately, these were scenes that would typically be brushed off and instinctively categorised as a natural part of theatrics. Perhaps this attempt to introduce greater diversity would have flown better with audiences without Disney’s need to pat itself on the back for what has been labelled a ‘groundbreaking representation’.

Shortcomings aside, the je ne sais quoi factor that really sold the film for me was not its leading actors, but rather the supporting characters – Mrs. Potts (the teapot), Chip (the teacup), Cogsworth (the clock), and the ever-romantic Lumière (the candelabra).

Supporting Characters (from left to right): Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, Lumière and Plumette (Source: Fandango.com)

Embellished with tints of gold and intricate details, each supporting character was a living, breathing masterpiece. Their singing voices were rich and vibrant, reverberating through the theatre with a kind of clarity that only Broadway professionals can achieve. Their presence added emotional depth to the story, propelling the audience into rooting for the beast.

Interestingly, the scene which drew me to tears was not Belle’s ultimate declaration of love following the beast’s death – it was actually the succeeding scene where the charmed household items, about to be transformed into inanimate objects, expressed their love and gratitude towards one another. There was simply something there that managed to capture the essence of camaraderie that hit close to home. The final exchange between Cogsworth and Lumière was the straw that broke the camel’s back, and the waterworks that struck me would not cease.

While the latest version of this well-known chronicle contains a handful of flaws, it was an enchanting rendition that succeeded in captivating and enthralling its audience from the very first scene to end.

Despite many individuals terming this film as a mere “remake” of the original animation released in 1991, the contemporary version of this tale as old as time should undoubtedly be lauded for its own merits. Barricading the waves of nostalgia during familiar musical numbers proved impossible, but this film also managed to bring forth fresh and previously unexplored elements. By coalescing the old and the new, this film’s days in the sun are far from over.

But if you would like to experience the magic for yourself, then by all means, be our guest. 

Lumiere: Be Our Guest (Source: comicbook.com)

By Jeanne Tan (17A01B)

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (dir. James Gunn): the fifteenth movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the second movie in the well-received Guardians of the Galaxy series, and possibly one of the best so far. The promotion for this movie might leave some sceptical – the poster looks like a poorly-coloured amateur Photoshop job with the saturation turned on high, while the trailers featured some of the more uncomfortable jokes to come out of Marvel.

The poster looks like a rainbow threw up on it. (Source: Movieweb)

Lately, movies from the Marvel franchise seem to have embraced the so-called Marvel ‘formula’ tenfold: the colours are bright and saturated, the jokes in-your-face, and the plot increasingly carried by the dialogue. The lighthearted, action-packed, and colourful movies have painted a specific aesthetic, making any Marvel movie instantly identifiable. This particular ‘recipe’ has given every movie in this ‘universe’ a consistent character, and helped develop the strong reputation these movies now possess.

However, this style has not been without its share of blacklash. The bright and colourful style has been criticised for the quality of colour grading and lack of contrasts; the insertion of self-deprecating humour has disrupted audience appreciation for serious, emotionally-heavy moments. There have been several controversies of directors leaving movies over artistic differences, due to the firm hold over individual style that the studio maintains in order to keep the movies similar.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 falls prey to the same flaws: every feature that makes this movie fall short from perfect stems from the adherence to the prescribed ‘style’; from the exposition-heavy script to the forgettable villain to the excessively lewd jokes, the features that made this movie a part of Marvel’s uniformity were its biggest weakness. Admittedly, the first Guardians movie set a precedent for witty jokes and corny 80s’ style, but the excessive need for branding atop the movie’s individual flavour disrupted the flow and made the movie feel less than enjoyable at times.

However, despite this, the movie’s personality shone through strongly. It maintained the strengths of the first movie, namely the entertaining and plot-relevant soundtrack of 80s music, the cast’s hilarious dynamic , and the out-of-this-world (literally) visual effects. While some might find the vibrant colours overwhelming, the different settings this movie explored showcased such a variety of palettes and brightness that it added to the fun of exploring a galaxy.

One of the opening scenes of the movie showed us right away that the filmmakers knew what their audience wanted: a closeup of the baby Groot (a fan favourite tear-jerker from the first movie) having a solo dance party while his team members battle a monster around him. Besides this, the dialogue is still packed full with Chris Pratt’s epic humour, pop culture references and overall cheesiness which made the first movie stand out amongst similar films.

The frequent spotlight on the cuteness of Baby Groot felt like viewer exploitation. Exploitation that viewers (at least this one) completely consented to. (Source: CBR)

The movie also moves beyond surface quirks in terms of artistic choices – it featured several visual references to movies the director was inspired by (notably the ending scene, which visually parallels the ending to Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, making this reporter squeal in her seat). It also showcased a surprising amount of subtlety; some almost undetectable visual cues hinted at the villain throughout the movie until the big reveal. Overall, this movie knew its audience well and gave them what they asked for and more.

But what was more surprising was that the movie, instead of somewhat ignoring the character development established in the first movie, as commonly seen in ensemble films, built on pre-existing stories and developed them further, elevating this movie above and beyond that of its prequel.

Storylines such as that of Gamora (Zoe Saldana) and Nebula (Karen Gillan), adoptive sisters who were bitter enemies in the first movie under the rule of their father Thanos, blossomed beyond the established positions. What was originally a one-sided tale of enmity driven by fear and hate was given another voice in this movie as a simultaneous story of misunderstanding and human connection, of love and family.

The development of Nebula’s and Gamora’s relationship was one of the more understated triumphs of this movie. (Source: uproxx)

Other subplots included Rocket (Bradley Cooper) struggling with his identity and sense of belonging, and, of course, the main storyline revolving around Peter Quil’s (Chris Pratt) relationship with his father.

Family played a central role in this movie, tying all the different subplots together to tell the story of a team, working together through their individual struggles, and growing stronger as a family through it. It was a genuinely emotional journey, and felt true to both the characters, and to real life, despite the distant setting.

This movie was, on the whole, incredibly enjoyable. Even this sceptic was won over by its unique charm, its understanding of its audience, and the strength of its story. The question now is whether the movie would have fared better without its adherence to the prescribed style. Its flaws arose in the areas where it mimicked the Marvel ‘formula’; perhaps if the director had been given total creative freedom, the movie could have soared above and beyond its already considerable accomplishments. 

Nevertheless, this movie was a creative triumph; we can celebrate this victory with a dance-off to some awesome music.

Stay tuned for: Awesome Mix 3: now on Microsoft Zune (Source: movieweb.com)

by Bryan Ling (17S06C)

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” – The New Colossus

Students of the land rejoice – for those of you looking for a repose from school life, there’s a new sanctuary in RI to hide away from the troubles of the world.

myRestSpace is open every Tuesday.

Located right opposite the Underground, myRestSpace is open every Tuesday and Thursday, coming fully equipped with sleeping mats, kinetic sand, colouring pages, and other tools to help you wind down and relax after a stressful day at school.

To find out more, Raffles Press ventured to the Underground for an exclusive interview with the brains behind myRestSpace, counsellors Mdm Woo Mei Hui (W) and Ms Chua Kah Hwee (KH).

What’s the purpose of myRestSpace?

W: We came up with myRestSpace for a couple of reasons.  First off, we visited SMU and the Peer Helpers program there has a place called CosyHaven.  It’s a place led by the Peer Helpers and it’s a quiet place for students to rest – they have massage chairs, yoga mats, gym balls, board games… a place for people to relax, as well as have access to peer helping.

myRestSpace has informative boards from the pioneer batch of Peer Helpers.

We actually thought that was a really good idea, because for peer helping to take place it would be good to have a location that’s quiet and accessible – private yet not too private.  And unless we looked to provide a space for that to happen, it’s not really going to happen on its own.

We also experimented having a [sleep] clinic during Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW), and I think the students here really do need that space where they can just lie down and rest for a while.

How long have the counsellors been working on this?

KH: Since the end of last year I think?

W: After we visited SMU we really started thinking seriously about where we could have this rest space.  We also experimented last year having Peer Helpers man a space, but it was very makeshift, and again, we felt that for it to take off we needed a more permanent location for students to easily identify.

Relaxing sofas, posters and boards make for a conducive rest space!

KH: There was intentional planning even before MHAW came about last year, [that’s why we] pushed for the sleep clinic to happen.  That was also a platform for us to test the idea to see how well it would be taken up by the school population, and whether there was a need.

Another question was what comes after Peer Helper program ends?  Where can we channel the skills that we have imparted to the peer helpers, and how can they then benefit the community? At the end of the day, that was one of the main objectives of why we set up PHP – to bring up a group of peer helpers in the community to do that outreach, to make available peer helping services to the community here.

After MHAW, we [thought] we could try this idea out for a while, so in October we tried it out for 2 or 3 weeks – again to test the take up rate.  But the lack of publicity and a few other things – the place itself wasn’t very conducive – made it less than ideal.  So at the turn of the year we were actively seeking out places to set up myRestSpace already.

Did you face any challenges while trying to launch myRestSpace?  

W:  Finding a suitable location was the biggest obstacle!  As big as the school is, somehow a lot of places are already occupied or earmarked for certain things.  It’s about finding a comfortable enough place which is accessible, visible, yet somehow private.  

It also needed to be convenient enough for us so that we can always pop by to check in on the space.  That was challenging, but in the end we did manage to find what we think is a suitable place, so hopefully it will bear fruit and be a good space for the students.

How does myRestSpace differ from other student spaces, such as the Hodge Lodge?

W:  Well, I think the Hodge Lodge is more for entertainment, because they have the movie theatre, all their board games and entertainment systems.  The library is a quiet space, but it’s meant for doing work.

myRestSpace is also a place to meet Peer Helpers, who are willing to listen to anyone about anything!

The Underground is always open, but at the same time we know there are many students who refuse to step in here – they don’t want to be associated with the counsellors, they don’t want whatever stigma is linked to counselling.  So we felt it was important to have a space that was separate from us.

The reason why it has to be manned by peer helpers is that there are certain rules that have to be enforced so that it will be quiet – it’s not meant to be a party area, it’s just for people to relax and rest.

What vision do you have for PHP and myRestSpace in the future?

KH: Well we certainly hope that peer helping will become part of the culture in RI.  We recognize that on a program level we can only pass those skills onto a certain number of students.  The long term vision is really to have as many people as possible be equipped with this basic level of skills, so that they can be of assistance to anyone in need, at any point in time.  

No longer will you see empty, dark windows on your way out of school to Marymount MRT, but the warm, inviting lights of myRestSpace!

We all recognize that whenever there’s an issue or difficulty, the first person you’ll turn to is your peers, so it makes sense to put peer helping skills into the hands of as many people as possible.  So it should get larger than the program itself – it should be blended into the culture of RI.

myRestSpace would be a complementary space for that to happen – it provides a physical location for these conversations to take place – a safe place for you and your friends if you don’t want to sit in the canteen or classroom to talk.  If you feel awkward talking about the issue to your immediate friends, you could talk to one of the peer helpers – someone you don’t really know personally but can just bounce ideas off.  Or even just to take a nap – we know the value of taking a 5 minute, 10 minute power nap.

It provides a place where you can self resource – gives you that platform to build up your own resources to help yourself through whatever difficulties and challenges you may face in RI.

myRestSpace is open every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 2:30 to 4:30.  Feel free to come on by!

By Zara Karimi (18A01A)

CEO Ms. Geraldine Tan (centre) with the very first My NoNNa’s crew, consisting of (from left to right) My NoNNa’s Stall Manager Mdm Lim, My NoNNa’s Champion Goh Wei Ting, My NoNNa’s Champion Sharon Shu & Senior Champion Jasmine Ong.

“I started My NoNNa’s after 22 years of working in the corporate sector, I wanted to do something meaningful with my time. And here we are,” recounts Ms. Tan.

Despite being located in the rightmost corner of the Y5-6 canteen, My NoNNa’s remains eye-catching. From the small cooler filled with Italian sodas, to the brightly coloured construction paper signs festooning the stall front, My NoNNa’s is immediately distinct. Yet, there is still much more to My NoNNa’s than meets the eye.

Started in 2015 at the St. Joseph’s Institution (SJI) holding campus by Ms. Geraldine Tan, My NoNNa’s is actually a social enterprise that employs intellectually disabled individuals.

It is no secret that intellectual disability is heavily stigmatised in our society.  A 2016 survey by the National Council of Social Service found that 62% of intellectually disabled individuals felt that they were not included, accepted, given opportunities to contribute, or reach their potential by society. Furthermore, another 2016 survey by local philanthropic organization Lien Foundation found that only 10% of Singaporeans felt comfortable interacting with intellectually disabled individuals.

As such, there are limited avenues for intellectually disabled individuals to obtain employment post-graduation. Often, their only option becomes staying at home and being taken care of by their families. This robs them of not only their agency but also their self-worth, and results in the deterioration of their mental health, due to a lack of purpose and meaningful social interaction outside their homes.

After witnessing a close family friend regress in this manner, Ms. Tan set up My NoNNa’s, aiming to solve the problem at its root. My NoNNa’s aims to employ intellectually disabled individuals in their twenties, who are usually fresh out of school, so as to provide them with a degree of financial and social independence.

As a social enterprise, every part of My NoNNa’s business model serves a purpose.

“The RI stall is managed by the very first My NoNNa’s team at SJI, so a lot of our regular patrons are old SJI boys who remember us, because they graduated and came here.” says Ms. Tan. Running a canteen stall provides patrons and intellectually disabled stall operators with the opportunity to engage in casual social interaction. In the long run, the benefits go both ways: intellectually challenged individuals benefit from the stimulus that these positive micro-interactions provide, while in the eyes of patrons, stigma surrounding intellectual disability is reduced.

Furthermore, the rent of a canteen stall is not as high as a stall at a hawker centre, or a restaurant. This lets the My NoNNa’s team to focus on the welfare of its stall operators as their primary operating cost. In addition to making sure that all employees are paid a living wage, My NoNNa’s also makes contributions to their CPF accounts.

“Even the food we make,” explains Ms. Tan. “Italian cuisine is relatively methodical, and so it’s easier for a intellectually disabled person to follow a fixed set of steps to prepare these dishes.”  

While My NoNNa’s is most famously known among RI students for its fresh waffles, they often switch up their Italian menu to include a broader range of western dishes. This month’s additions to the menu include two chicken dishes, pictured below.

Honey Chicken with coleslaw, baked beans and rice

Tortilla chip-breaded chicken with coleslaw and baked beans

Looking to the future, Ms. Tan has several exciting plans in place for My NoNNa’s, from catering and party services, to an app that allows you to order food via your phones and have it ready for pickup at the stall.

“We are collaborating with app developer BevEat to develop a service that allows you to order food via your phones,” explains Ms. Tan. “You pay us, say, $10, and we’ll load it onto your phone as credit. Then you can order and have your meal ready for pickup between lessons. The intellectually disabled stall operators sometimes have a hard time dealing with change, so this lets them focus on preparing food.”

To download the app and sample some of My NoNNa’s hearty Italian fare, do head on down to their stall during your breaks. Alternatively, you can check out their Instagram and Facebook page. My NoNNa’s may also be looking for volunteers from RI to promote their causes, so look out for more information.

“At the end of the day, it’s really about being a part of the community here at RI,” says Ms. Tan, as parting. “We want to be known for our food, but remembered for our people.”

By Ling Young Loon (18S07A) and Lynn Hong (18A13A)

It’s the festival of elections yet again – vibrant canteen displays and posters line the school’s corridors. To get to know our presidential candidates better, Press presents an interview feature with them.

The presidential elects, from left to right: Jared Foong (JF), Beverly Fu (B), and Warren Liow (W)
Photos courtesy of 36th Students’ Council

P: What makes you most suited for the role of President?

B: So I think as an individual, what makes me suited for the role of President is my calm and perceptive disposition. I’m someone that doesn’t crumble under pressure and with regards to [sic] my leadership style, [it] is a thoughtful and introspective one… I believe this will allow me to bring a certain grace to [the] position of President as I’m respectful and mature in my dealings with everyone. I don’t want to be overbearing; I don’t believe in micromanaging, and I want to give everyone the chance to further their own leadership

JF: I think we’re all suited to the role in someway. For me, throughout [sic] my past experiences and even now, it’s about action – action in everything through different activities that we do together, or whatever it is that we’re planning or executing for the school. The leadership I believe in is one of empowerment… leadership is not about following and leading, but about leading and developing, leading and growing, leading and empowering our peers around us.

W: For me, something really unique about me will be my positivity la. When the tough gets going… Warren doesn’t! That was my original campaign theme (chuckles) I think what really defines me is my optimism. Even when there are challenges or setbacks, I won’t give up and I will make the most of the opportunities that come my way.

P: All of you held formal leadership positions in your secondary school. Tell us one thing you have learnt from those experiences.

JF: Back in secondary school when I was PSL chairman and standards head, these two roles gave me a greater insight with regard to both interacting with my peers and what kind of actions leaders must undertake. On the first point of interactions, it was really about maintaining sincere and respectful conversations with everyone I was working with. Regardless of what position I was in or he was in, it was mutual respect that really defined our relationship. The second point is really about how action is required on everyone’s part… everyone has to come together to complete the task.

W: If I may cut in at this point, I agree that action is really important — not just by the leader but by the followers. When I was head prefect, we were able to achieve what we were able to achieve not particularly because of the leaders but because of the individual prefects, [who came] together to create something special. I think it’s a proven fact that leaders are nothing without their followers. This support network is really important to student leaders like us.

B: I think my journey as head prefect… when I had to work with all the different leadership board [sic] in RG… the whole journey just taught me that change and progress can’t come about from just one person. I realised it was super super important to support and enable each other, whatever duties we have. Everyone has a role to play in shaping the school’s culture.

P: Six months from now, if we were to ask one student “What is the most impactful thing Council has done for you?”, what would you like to hear?

B: I would like to hear that council is receptive and has listened to the concerns of the school population. I want to hear that we have strived to address these concerns. Besides formal communication channels like Town Hall Sessions, I think it would also be beneficial to have more frequent and informal feedback channels for students as well. So six months down the road, I want to hear that Council has listened out [sic] and followed up with this feedback. Ultimately, it’s my wish to see students engaged and that they find the activities organised by Council meaningful.

JF: What I would feel honored to hear would be that Council has made him or her look forward to coming to school. Council has made him/her more involved in the school and made him/herfeel like an active student in RJC. I hope that every student can be engaged in this school, regardless of class or CCA. I want Council to be able to bring people together, and that’s what I hope the student feels that way [sic] as well. It will make me very proud to be a Councillor indeed.

W: Everyone has said so many things… I think it doesn’t matter what impact it was… as long as it was a positive impact, I’ll be happy. We’re just one batch of Councillors — there’s a limit to how much we can achieve. It’s through both the small things and big initiatives that can make the school, as what Jared mentioned, feel proud and happy to come to Raffles.

P: It is often said that every Rafflesian is a leader. As President, how will you ensure that every student can be recognised as a leader in their own capacity?

W: I believe that everyone is a leader in their own right because ultimately we all lead our lives and choose how we want to treat others. Everything is part of a choice that you make on a daily basis about your life, and that choice is what defines you as a leader. You have to take responsibility for your life and actions, and so, in that right, everyone is a leader. As councillors, one of the things we do is to maintain the standard in the school, to ensure that things don’t get out of hand. To be disciplined is to be a leader, as you need to have self-restraint and that maturity to control yourself and behave in the way you should. So together with our promotion of standards through the school, it’s important that each Rafflesian steps up to be leader they should be and council will seek to further explore that point.

–

It’s not just about standards, but having a positive mindset and coming to school and participating in the school culture on a day to day basis, not just at events. That, in itself, is being a leader.

B: I would like to enable people, by giving them opportunities to lead and support them, enabling the everyday student to give them the opportunity to lead and initiate things in their respective fields, for example interests groups. I can’t promise that they’ll necessarily receive recognition in the form of RD, but i don’t think that that’s what matters, because we don’t have to have that title or that line on your CV to know that you are a leader. I sincerely believe that every Rafflesian can be a leader, and as president i hope to promote an everyday kind of leadership by giving people opportunities to lead and providing avenues through which others can serve. As for recognition…it can come in many different forms, even in the form of peer encouragement. For example, Raffles Press can feature everyday student leaders, not just positional leaders.

JF: I think my view is that leadership isn’t about the position but about the influence, so everyone has the potential to be a leader and has the potential to influence others; that’s very powerful and meaningful. If you think about it, every action or word can impact someone and change that person’s outlook and attitude and their actions. I can think of a two-pronged approach for recognising our student leaders: listening and empowering. For listening, it’s about listening to their views about what they want school life to be, what they want Raffles to become. That’s the first point as to how we can recognise them as influencers and leaders. My second point on empowerment is about getting students involved. I feel [that] we can involve more non-councillors in planning and executing events for their batchmates, and that involves engagement. It’ll be rewarding and empowering for students, and give them an opening for growth and self-discovery.

P: That’s great. Do you have anything you would like to say to the school?

W: I think we are all very capable in our own [right] and whoever gets the position in the end, i think council will be in good hands. Yeah, because of that I think it’s important that the school really votes for the person they want to see serve in the position of council president, not just because they are your friend or because they really want the position but really who they think will serve the school best.

B: I actually have a quote to share, its like my favourite quote actually “As is a tale, so is life: not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters.” Even though we are still J1, and we’re young, 16, 17, there’s really no limit to what we can do. So I would just like to tell everybody to go out there and do good things.

I feel that elections really is the time not just for us to tell the school what our visions are, but it’s also a time for people to tell us what they feel, what change they feel needs to be made and what kind of leaders they want to be elected and I fully respect the student body’s eventual vote as to who they believe is best suited to be council president because I trust and I believe in the student body. And I look forward to working forward with you guys and I’m excited about the journey and I look forward for elections to be over actually! But yes, I look forward to serving the school alongside Warren and Jared.

JF: Ah yeah. The election process has been humbling right from the start. I’ve been saying that I’ll be a fresh voice with new ideas and new perspectives and i wish to seek the school’s support for this. But the fact is that whatever the result, I believe that we can and I hope that we do continue to work together. At the end of the day, I think it’s about finding unity and the kind of school spirit.

B: And yeah I think any student can come up to us and tell any of the presidential candidates what they feel so that we can get a good sensing of the ground and know what to work on.

Press wishes the presidential candidates all the best in their elections.

By Calista Chong (18A01A)

Last November marked the grand opening of the Gudetama Cafe Singapore at Suntec City. Gudetama enthusiasts would welcome this piece of great news with open arms. After all, many of us find the lazy egg yolk relatable. There are days where we find ourselves perpetually weary and overwhelmed by the strong urge to do nothing – at all.

Translation: Gudetama doesn’t want to say gud-morning. (Source)

Earlier last month, this writer took advantage of the long weekend to check out the Gudetama cafe with her family. The cafe is a joint venture by two home-grown brands, Joe and Dough and The Soup Spoon. Little Miss Bento, renowned bento artist Shirley Wong, had also been put in charge of the food styling and menu curation. We were excited – or rather, egg-cited – for what is to come.

Although it was only 5 pm – with some time to go before the dinner crowd sets in – most of the 112 seats in the cafe were already occupied. It was evident that the ‘Gudetama fever’ has not dissipated, even after half a year.

The Gudetama craze is far from over. (Source)

We spotted a cake display showcasing creative desserts inspired by the iconic Sanrio character, and also various Gudetama-related merchandise for sale, which included tote bags and plushies. The fancy assortment of cakes included “Citrus Pan” and the classic “Baked Cheesecake”, which were sold for less than $10 – typical prices patrons can expect at cafes. At its entrance, there was a statuette of Gudetama itself with its signature spiritless expression, providing a good photo opportunity for patrons. The sharp-eyed visitor would have noticed that Gudetama has ditched its bacon blanket for a mint leaf – specially tailored to shelter itself from the tropical heat of our sunny island. There was a short queue in front of us, but we were pleased to be ushered into the restaurant after just ten minutes of waiting.

Diners enjoying a hearty chat and meal in the Gudetama cafe

Great effort had been put into the interior design of the cafe, to give it a jocund and playful vibe. Gudetama fanatics and regular patrons alike would have been enamoured by the egg-shaped booths, the waffles hanging overhead and the vibrant posters of Gudetama being cooked and served in a multitude of ways.

After settling into one of the egg capsules, we eagerly browsed the menu.

Spring Menu Special: Spring Mentaiko Pasta ($20)

Good-etama rating: 4/5

Mentaiko carbonara pasta topped with poached egg, crispy bacon, nori and ebiko

The cafe had rolled out a few eggs-quisite creations for the Spring Menu, which is available from 12 March – 30 April. One of the specials was the Spring Mentaiko Pasta. We were impressed by the texture of the pasta – it was silky and al dente. The carbonara sauce was creamy but light, suiting the palates of diners who might not appreciate the heavy aftertaste of too much cream.

The bacon strips were grilled to crisp perfection, and the mentaiko (pollock roe) added a savoury tinge to the whole dish. However, one reviewer in the group felt that the portion size was too huge for her liking – which, the rest of us felt, made up for its price. Other than that, we had no grouses. It was toothsome.

Lazy Surfer ($38.00)

Good-etama rating: 3.5/5

An assortment of grilled seafood coupled with Brazilian rice, in the shape of – you guessed it – Gudetama.

This time, Gudetama groans “bo chup” (“couldn’t care less” in the Hokkien dialect) as it leans listlessly against a bowl, surrounded by a moat of seafood. We found the prawn and mussels fresh. The sauce, coupled with a squeeze of the lemon, added a zesty spice to the overall dish. Unfortunately, we felt that the Brazilian rice was a tad too dry, and not flavourful enough to live up to its name. Alas, unlike the Spring Mentaiko Pasta, the portion size of the dish (we could hardly call it a seafood platter) did not excuse its exorbitant price. We would not recommend this dish to cash-strapped students seeking satiation.

“Shiok” Pork Ribs ($38.50)

Good-etama rating: 4/5

St. Louis-style pork ribs slow-cooked and topped with generous dollops of BBQ sauce.

The cafe yet again employs witty wordplay in the Hokkien dialect. “Nua” refers to an egg, but also describes someone lazy and unmotivated – Gudetama perfectly fits the bill.  In our opinion, this dish was egg-cellent. Although one of us felt that the pork ribs did not deliver its promise of “an irresistibly tender finish” as it had earnestly assured in the menu, the rest of us were won over by the BBQ sauce, which definitely enhanced the taste of the ribs. The Gudetama egg capsule encased a savoury cheese dip, which was a fitting complement to the fries. However, all of us thought that the dish was priced a little too exorbitantly.

Choconana ($11.90)

Good-etama rating: 5/5

Chocolate and bananas make a great pair

This reviewer thoroughly enjoyed the drink, and attributes her predilection for Choconana to her sweet tooth. The distinct flavour of banana made the drink refreshing – otherwise it would have been too cloying. The pretzels (unfortunately concealed by the straw) provided a satisfying crunch to the sugary concoction.

Straw-very “Lazy” ($8.50)

Good-etama rating: 2/5

Strawberry-infused rose tea!

While this drink might be a good complement to the savoury main courses, it was, basically, strawberry syrup in a cup. Take a cup of fruit punch, toss one lone lychee and a single blueberry – you would be able to recreate this drink for yourself. Alternatively, you can order it in another restaurant – at half the price.

Final Comments:

While the cafe paid due tribute to its lackadaisical mascot, it has also managed to infuse the cafe with a distinct local flavour. Japanese captions were swapped with Hokkien puns, certifying that this venture was established by Singaporean brands.

The dining experience in Gudetama Cafe Singapore was enjoyable – the quality of the food was not compromised on for the aesthetic, and the staff were friendly and attentive. However, we felt that the choice of music (pop hits like Secret Love Song by Little Mix and Complicated by Avril Lavigne) struck a jarring note in the overall ambience. All in all, from its interior decoration down to the presentation of food, the Gudetama cafe was a feast for the eyes (and camera lens).

Character-themed cafes have recently sprouted up everywhere – in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and now Singapore too. Novelty attracts patrons to these fascinating cafes the first time round, but cafes cannot simply please the eyes – they have to appease the stomach as well. The Gudetama cafe has – fortunately – accomplished both, but at the expense of our poor wallets.

We left the cafe with our hearts and stomachs full. Cue the food coma. There was an impulse to retreat into our shells, throw a blanket around ourselves and take a nice nap – just like good ol’ Gudetama.

by Calista Chong (18A01A), Grace Lau (18S03I), Sheryl Gwee (18A01D)
with guest contributions by Harshini Rayasam (18S06B), Sun Shuwei (18A01E) from Writer’s Guild

This year, Raffles Reviews is honoured to receive books and support from the Literature-loving folks over at Singapore’s beloved local bookstore, BooksActually!

We thought we couldn’t be happier receiving books from our favourite independent bookstore until the folks from Writer’s Guild — RI’s very own club for all things Lit –agreed to contribute to these monthly reviews.

In this joint effort to promote Singaporean Literature, we have reviewed three local books from BooksActually, and our Guild collaborators have recommended a SingLit Pick of the Month for our beloved readers.

Rain Tree — Mahita Vas

Mahita Vas’ debut novel Rain Tree follows the journey of Ani, a spirited sixteen-year-old from Malaya as she is coerced into an arranged marriage with her uncle. Arriving in Singapore with her new husband, Ani must abandon her dreams of becoming a teacher to work as a servant in the colonial house — Rain Tree — where he is employed.

Rain Tree by Mahita Vas [Photo: BA]

Bang My Car — Ann Ang

“One experiences a range of stories that freely embraces the language, without calling attention to it. Simply by surrounding us with its presence, Ang has made it become practically invisible.”

Dave Chua, on Bang My Car

Diving into the plot with a seemingly innocuous collision between two vehicles, Ann Ang seeks to portray the inner psyches and contradictions of Singaporeans and aptly utilises Singapore’s trademark tongue, Singlish, to accentuate her ideas.

Bang My Car by Ann Ang [Photo: BA]

Amongst the many short stories, ‘Fair is Fair’ and “Imaginary Geographies of the Singapore Heartland” left the deepest impression on us. The former broaches the subject of Singapore politics and elections from various relatable viewpoints, while the latter pieces together a tapestry of ground-level interpretations to explore if modern living for the average person in Singapore is defined by postmodern notion of hyperspace and liminality.

Unlike mainstream fiction plots, Bang My Car is thought-provoking and a force of contemplation. Look no further for an engaging and deeply meaningful read.

Perfection — Debbie Lee

Debbie Lee recounts her tumults and struggles with self-doubt and self-love in this honest and evocative memoir. The book shares plenty about issues otherwise regarded as taboo, such as sexual abuse and mental illness.

Perfection by Debbie Lee [Photo: BA]

“Writing can actually be very therapeutic as you transfer all the painful memories to what you have learned down into a piece of paper. My writing is my voice.”

Lee treats her work as catharsis, but also as succor for those who are entangled in their own struggles, just like she once was. Perfection is a Bildungsroman meant to inspirit and inspire.  

Guild’s Singlit Pick of the Week — It Never Rains on National Day

“I don’t really think of Singapore as home anymore. I don’t really know where I belong, but I like to be far away.”

It Never Rains on National Day by Jeremy Tiang [Photo: Ploughshares Blog]

Where the collection especially shines, however, is in its characterisation. Veering away from stodgy Singaporean caricatures, it presents an assortment of fresh, compelling, and quirkily complex characters.

It Never Rains on National Day by Jeremy Tiang

Moreover, the stories are intertwined and contained within the same fictional universe – most stories’ protagonists make appearances in other stories, where their own narratives are challenged by other characters. Far from being off-putting, the equally flawed nature of all of these characters—from the foreign worker to the government official— conveys a sense of yearning and desire for an escape from the archetypal.

For those who want to try reading something new but aren’t ready to commit to the Dickensian novel, look no further. A very concise 185 pages, with each story taking no longer than the duration of a MRT ride to read, it is perfectly suited for the busy reader.

Jeremy Tiang’s It Never Rains on National Day is available in the Shaw Foundation Library and the Hullett Memorial Library.

By Calista Chong (18A01A) and Ashley Tan (18A13A), with guest contributions by Isabel Toh (18A13A) and Sophie Low (18S07A)

LiHO outlet at AMK Hub

When we received a Whatsapp group message from a friend announcing that all Gong Cha outlets would be bowing out of Singapore by 5 June, there were several panicked reactions bemoaning the loss of a fallen brother. Yet, it seems that this sentiment was not an individualistic one – in fact, it was shared by many Singaporeans, some of whom queued patiently for their favourite Gong Cha drink for the last time at its last standing outlet on 4 June.

First introduced to Singapore in 1992, the bubble tea craze has slowly risen over the course of the 21st century. In 2011, the bubble tea wave took our city by storm, with stores popping up in virtually every neighbourhood and mall. Eventually, what came next was the purging of stores – lesser-known stores shuttered their doors, leaving just a few brand names that we are familiar with today – Gong Cha, Koi and Blackball. With Gong Cha being such an established brand in Singapore (almost synonymous with the term “Bubble Tea”), it seemed unfathomable that it would ever leave our shores.

However, the saying “all good things must come to an end” proved true once again, with Gong Cha announcing that it would be replaced by homegrown tea brand LiHO. To check out the new brand for ourselves, Raffles Press headed down to LiHO for a quick taste test.

From left to right: LiHO’s Classic Milk Tea + Pearl, Royal Milk Guan Yin + Pearl and Classic Earl Grey Milk Tea + Pearl

Classic Milk Tea + Pearl (M: $3.30)

“HO BO” rating: 2/5

Trying her very best to recreate what has been lost, this reviewer ordered the drink as similarly as she would have from Gong Cha – Classic Milk Tea with pearls, 0% sugar, with less ice. But, as much as it pains her to say this, the drinks from the two stores tasted miles apart.

The milk tea from LiHO was quite honestly, more milk than tea. While the milkiness of the drink was refreshing, it was sorely lacking in terms of the tea flavour, and this made the drink really plain. Even without sugar in Gong Cha’s milk tea, there had existed a hint of aromatic fragrance that came with the drink. The dilution in Gong Cha’s successor was further compounded when the ice in the drink melted. Bluntly speaking, this reviewer felt that she was basically drinking milk with water (with the occasional tapioca ball) which, safe to say, was not pleasant at all.

While this reviewer understands that LiHO is trying to create a brand name for itself, the vast change in the composition of tea and milk had more repercussions than it may have realised. She finds it regrettable that she is no longer able to enjoy a healthy and refreshing cup of no-sugar-added bubble tea with the exit of Gong Cha, as it seems that her go-to combination of classic milk tea with pearls is rather disappointing under LiHO’s brand.

Classic Earl Grey Milk Tea + Pearl (M: $3.40)
“HO BO” rating: 3/5

With Gong Cha’s Earl Grey Milk Tea being lauded as a fan favourite previously, we simply had to try LiHO’s version of this bubble tea classic to assess whether it would match up to the standards of its predecessor. While this drink fit the typical description of an earl grey bubble tea drink, it contained a milkier taste distinct from Gong Cha’s version, which conventionally infuses stronger hints of the tea flavour.

The deciding factor, however, boiled down to the quality of pearls that LiHO had to offer. In this regard, this reviewer was rather disappointed. The portion of tapioca pearls provided was sufficient for a medium-sized bubble tea drink, but the quality of pearls was, unfortunately, substandard. As a self-proclaimed bubble tea connoisseur, this reviewer felt that the pearls were too hard and stiff, a clear signifier of pearls that have either been overcooked or kept in the refrigerator for too long. In fact, it took several forceful chews before the pearls finally disintegrated, making it a rather unpleasant experience.

However, if you are simply pining for a standard earl grey milk tea drink (without the tapioca pearls) to quench your thirst, then LiHO may be a bubble tea store that can sufficiently satisfy your needs.

LiHO Royal Milk Guan Yin + Pearl (M: $4.00)
“HO BO” rating: 3/5

This reputedly conservative reviewer chose to stick to a classic – good ol’ milk tea (she might have also picked it because it sounded fairly regal.)

LiHO’s Royal Milk Guan Yin is one of the popular drinks on the menu that is brewed from Tie Guan Yin (translated: “Iron Goddess”), a premium variety of Chinese Oolong Tea. It was also recommended for diehard fans of Gong Cha’s Alisan Tea, which was previously renowned for its zero-calorie status.

Succinctly put, the drink was satisfying. The reviewer could taste the distinct flavour of Tie Guan Yin, although its tartness was sadly drowned by the sugar overload (bewitched by the numerous choices available, she forgot to specify the sugar level of her drink). The pearls served as a pleasant complement to the tea, but this reviewer’s only grouse is that the pearls were too stiff for her liking.

Cheese Melon Tea

Cheese Melon Tea (M: $4.10)
“HO BO” rating: 4/5

Having heard that every LiHO outlet sells only 50 cups of cheese teas a day, this reviewer was pleasantly surprised to find that this elusive cheese drink was still available when she approached the counter at 7pm. As this reviewer cannot imagine having both cheese and tea in the same cup, she ordered a cup of Cheese Melon Tea (100% sugar with no ice because she is a sugar addict) and expected the worst.

The cup of Cheese Melon Tea came in two layers – winter melon tea at the bottom and a layer of cheese at the top. The winter melon tea was rather mediocre, similar to Yeo’s Winter Melon Drink. While many would expect the layer of cheese to be thick and flavourful like melted cheese, it was actually a foamy layer which contained hints of salt, cheese and milk. Overall, the drink was not overpowering, but instead offered a light and creamy taste.

Mixing of the cheese and melon tea proved to be an arduous task as the cheese simply refused to diffuse into the cold tea. It took 5 minutes of non-stop stirring for the layer of white cheese to dissolve into a cup of cloudy brown coloured liquid. While this may not sound particularly appetizing, the cheese actually made the otherwise plain winter melon tea thicker, more fragrant, and less sweet. Surprisingly, both elements of cheese and tea worked well together to create a unique, milky, taste-bud pleasing winter melon tea that one can only find at LiHO. While some may still be trying to wrap their heads around the concept of having cheese in tea, LiHO’s new innovation is definitely worth a try despite its steep price.

Our Final Verdict

All in all, there were both hits and misses. The reviewers sincerely hope that such misses are attributable to the fact that LiHO has only recently started its operations, and that by taking into account feedback from the Singapore populace, evolve itself into a truly homegrown brand that resonates with every Singaporean’s tastebuds.

By Choi Hoe Chang (18S07A)

Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge (Directed by Joachim Ronning and Espen Sandberg; with Jerry Bruckheimer as Producer) is the 5th installation in the 14-year-old Pirates of the Caribbean (PotC) franchise.

Many reviews before this one have already dissected the movie and discussed its many flaws. The storyline was convoluted, many of the characters were underdeveloped or underused, the visual effects were tacky and even irritating at times, and the jokes were either unfunny or overused. The movie had some redeeming factors, such as the tense moments between Captain Salazar and Captain Barbossa (portrayed by Javier Bardem and Geoffrey Rush respectively). Nevertheless, the film was filled with disappointments and flaws.

Perhaps the biggest disappointment of this film was how Captain Jack Sparrow played out in the movie. The witty and charming swashbuckler is the crown jewel of the PotC franchise, and arguably Johnny Depp’s most memorable and beloved role (outside Tim Burton’s universe, that is). In this film, we saw only a bad parody of Jack Sparrow. Every aspect of the iconic pirate we love was exaggerated to the point that it let the audience down instead: his undying affinity for rum became outright miserable alcoholism, his ability to banter his way out of any situation degenerated into inappropriate and distasteful humor, and his “plans”, usually a clever mixture of luck and ingenuity, were reduced to being completely reliant on chance.

Captain Jack Sparrow: One of the most iconic and beloved pirates in cinema history.

Granted, the movie attempted to explore Captain Jack Sparrow as a washed up, out-of-luck captain struggling to relive his past glory. While these attempts had much potential, they were buried under multiple sub-plots: the romance between the two young characters Henry and Carina Smyth, the relentless vengeance of Captain Salazar, and the fatherly love of Captain Barbossa for his illegitimate daughter. These sub-plots also had potential to enrich the movie, but were all criminally underdeveloped, and thus failed to deliver emotional resonation as intended.

Obviously, we could blame the ambition of the filmmakers in trying to deliver too many things at once and their failure to juggle the multiple aspects of their story. But why do such things happen? Perhaps franchise fatigue is the root cause of the problem.

Lately, the term has become increasingly common in film reviews and discussions, as the box office and big-budget project lineups are increasingly dominated by sequels and remakes of iconic characters (Marvel Cinematic Universe, DC Extended Universe, Dark Cinematic Universe, etc). The term was coined to explain how certain franchises seem to get increasingly intensified backlash with every sequel they release.

To be clear, the phenomenon itself is not really new in the context of blockbusters. We can point back to the 90s, when Batman Forever (1995) and Batman and Robin (1997) convinced the general public to give up on live-action Batman movies. We can even look at the slasher films (Friday the 13th, Halloween, Child’s Play, etc.), where many beloved horror icons became increasingly laughable, even unbearable. In a slightly more contemporary context, one could possibly name Michael Bay’s Transformers series as an example of a franchise being milked to the last drop. One may go on to name Rocky, Rambo, Alien, Lethal Weapon, Planet of the Apes, and Final Destination as some of many other examples.

(Click to see the captions in full).

All these examples have one thing in common: the beloved characters that were featured in these franchises were overused to the point where they became a ridiculous parody of themselves, eventually pushing the film critics and the general public away. In some cases, they manage to retain some loyal fan base. The filmmakers and producers then respond by resorting to appease these fanbase, often exacerbating the vicious cycle of self-parody. In some rare cases, franchises are resurrected by successful remakes or sequels, while others remain in the vicious cycle.

Perhaps this is indeed the issue that was observed in PotC 5. We realise that every single aspect of the movie was reused from the previous installations: from the character dynamics (two lovers with Jack Sparrow as a friend in their adventures, while the other pirates take a supporting role), to the villains (supernatural pirates with a history with Jack Sparrow), to the MacGuffin (an ancient mythological treasure that will empower its owner to rule the seas), to the music (the soundtrack composed by Geoff Zanelli – while it made positive contribution to the movie, it was mostly a remix of the music of Hans Zimmer from the previous installations).

(Click to see the captions in full).

The movie’s only original contribution to the franchise was the story of Captain Jack Sparrow’s past. This, however, only resulted in controversies regarding continuity error. In addition, the opening sequence, ending, and the post credits scene even resorted to appeasing the fans by showing us the characters from past films, despite the fact that they had barely any contribution to the film.  

So what is the verdict on Salazar’s Revenge? Was it a satisfying and adrenaline-pumping swashbuckler adventure like the previous PotC movies? Not really. Was it a failed attempt to outdo its predecessors while appeasing its loyal fans? Most certainly. Is it an example of the recurring phenomenon of disappointing sequels that Hollywood cannot seem to cure? Absolutely.

The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise: More to come?

We are still unsure of whether the PotC franchise will have yet another sequel, but in light of what the producers have offered us, perhaps it is best if this is not the case. Captain Jack had his time, and it’s time to let him go.