World’s Thinnest Tablet is Dell Venue 8 with a series of "First" in Design and Features

Dell Venue 8 is the first tablet with an Intel RealSense Snapshot Dept camera which captures a depth map for every picture taken. It also featured the best tablet display technology available with crystal clear images on an edge-to-edge screen. At the same time, it was recognised as 2015 CES Innovation Award Best of Innovation Honoree.

Launch

On the 10 March 2015, I was fortunate to attend the launch of the tablet in Singapore. It was first unveiled at the Intel Developer Form last September. It got everyone excited since the much-anticipated tablet features a series of “firsts” in its design and features.

Features

So how thin is this tablet ? Only 6mm and has an anodized aluminium finish which gives it a sleek and premium look. It has a stunning 8.4 inch OLED display which provides sharper viewing from all angles. The tablet’ vivid 2560 x 1600 resolution delivers crystal clear images that enables users to immerse themselves in their photos and videos.

The tablet runs on Android 4.4 “Kit Kat” OS, and drives performance with the latest Intel Atom processor Z3500 series, allowing for faster web browsing and photo editing. Users can also enjoy an immersive audio experience through the tablet’s premium audio technology from MAXXAudio Waves and its front-firing stereos.

If you are into digital photography, this tablet sets a new dimension by integrating the Intel ReaSense Snapshot Depth Camera. The tablet has an 8MP main camera and two 720P cameras separated b 80cm that capture a stereoscopic image with every photograph. Together with the Dell Gallery application, users will have much more flexibility when editng photos with selective filtering and refocus functions.

In addition, Dell’s ecosystem of accessories enhances the experience of the Venue 8 tablet.

Guest Panelists

At the launch, Dell invites Derrick Ong, a professional wedding photographer since 2005 to speak on his experience with the tablet.  He has won over 50 international awards from numerous photography association. The other guest is Ng Li Tying, who started her own bakery. The spatula and the Pen. Li Tying also works at Naiise, a design retailer based in Singapore. She was nominated for Her World’s The Young Woman Achiever Forum 2014.

Dell

Dell Inc. listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services that give them the power to do more. For more information, visit www.dell.com

Pricing

The Venue 8 is now available at S$659 with the Dell Venue Folio and at S$699 with the Dell Venue Keyboard Folio.

Tulipmania floral display is back with a magical theme of folklore, legends, fairy tales and nursery rhymes

Tulipmania Floral Display

The highly anticipated, annual Tulipmania display returns to Gardens by the Bay in March - this time amidst a colourful setting of magical fairy tales. In this third edition, visitors can look forward to an even wider selection of tulips at Tulipmania - over 40 varieties in a myriad of hues and forms! Look out for captivating blooms like the scarlet "Red Riding Hood", the “Purple Prince”, and the “Orange Princess” as they grace familiar fairy tale settings like Cinderella‘s carriage, Rapunzel’s tower, and the ginger bread house of Hansel and Gretel. There’s even a tulip named “Singapore”!

"Tulipmania" is the second of six chapters in Gardens by the Bay's storytelling journey in 2015. This enchanting series of floral displays for the year will draw visitors into the magical world of folklore, legends, fairy tales and nursery rhymes as told through the language of plants.

It starts from 20 Mar - 10 May 2015 9am to 9pm at the Flower Dome. Admission charges to the cooled conservatories apply. 

Do check out more information and promotions at this website. Tulipmania 2015

Movie Review of SARA

My Review

This award winning movie was based on an age old social problem, poverty and the sexual exploitation of women. The movie was rated R21 due to the sexual theme of the movie. Interestingly, no male and female genitals were shown except for heavy petting, kissing and undressing.

The exploitation of women centred around two women. Both situations were quite similar. Due to poverty, they were willing to be sexually exploited in exchange for a better future. Sara ( Charlene Chooi ) exchanges sexual service with  the educational official ( Simon Yam ) for an opportunity to study. In the case of Dok-my, the young rural girl in Thailand provides sexual service so that her family will not suffer hunger.

To address this issue of poverty and sexual exploitation of women, Sara, a journalist, through her written article, hope to create social awareness on this issue. She left for Thailand in search of information for her journalism. She met Dong-My and help her to leave the sex workers industry. By helping others, she hope to recover from her early memories of her own sexual exploitation. At one point, her early memories haunted her and she committed suicide but was save by Dok-My.

There were a number of flashbacks in this movie. It takes a while to get use to these flashbacks. It can be a bit confusing initially. Flashbacks do have their advantages. In an early scene, Sara’s mother was unable to rescue her daughter from her stepfather. She was raped. It was comforting to see a flashback in the later part of the movie where the mother comforted Sara. It was emotional. I did allow a few tears to roll down my cheek.

My Opinion and Ratings

In my opinion, this is a serious movie highlighting a serious social problem. It had achieved two important things. It satisfies the audience appetite with a good story and also created social awareness on the issue of sexual exploitation of women in the society. It is a good movie and a highly recommended one. I shall rate it 4/5.  

The movie will be showing on 26 March 2015. For those who cannot wait for this movie, there will be a special sneaks from 20 to 22 March 2015. 

Brief Synopsis: 

Journalist Sara has just spent four months completing an in-depth investigation piece. Her editor-in-chief, afraid of offending powerful politicians and business moguls, refuses to run it. Sara’s boyfriend, who works for the same magazine, chooses not to warn her and even sides with the editor-in-chief. In just one moment, Sara is turned off by her work, her love relationship and even about life.

At this low point in her life, Sara exiles herself to Chiang Mai, Thailand. One evening, while at a bar, Sara meets child prostitute Dok-my. During her time getting to know Dok-my and through the process of rescuing her, Sara becomes haunted by the memories of her own past. 

邱礼涛导演继《性工作者十日谈》及《性工作者2我不卖身．我卖子宫》后，再次挑战社会性题材，联同监制杜汶泽，借一个出卖肉体换取机会的少女成长故事，唤醒大众关注雏妓问题。电影已率先荣膺第21届香港电影评论学会大奖推荐电影，其中蔡卓妍更凭脱胎换骨的演技，与影帝任达华双双先拔头筹，赢得第6届澳门国际电影节最佳男女主角。

杂志记者何玉玲（蔡卓妍饰）花了4个月时间完成一篇关于官商丑闻报道，遭老总以杂志社利益为由抽稿，意兴阑珊的她决定到泰国散心。在清迈一间酒吧，玉玲遇上雏妓Dok-My，千方百计要救Dok-My出火海。

原来Dok-My令玉玲忆起自己过去十多年的成长经历：曾被继父性侵犯、离家出走，继而遇上比她年长30年的甘浩贤（任达华饰）──玉玲愿意被包养以换取学费及栖身之所，与甘浩贤展开长达8年的不道德交易，但在这买与卖之间，二人关系实际上千丝万缕，感情如父女又如情人般扑朔迷离……

Directed by: Herman Yau 邱礼涛

Starring : Charlene Choi 蔡卓妍 , Simon Yam 任达华


Release Date : 26th Mar 2015
Rating : R21 | SEXUAL SCENES 性相关画面
Language : In Chinese with English Subtitles
Run Time: 94 mins

Trailers : 

http://youtu.be/2cx_VJ9K1k8 



*Note : Please take note that the movie is shown in colour. The photos provided in my blog were in B/W as I wanted to give an artistic feel of the movie. This is solely my own expression of the movie.

OISHI Green Tea So Oishi ! ( Video )

It was a beautiful early afternoon at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a chance to get away from the city life.  It seems like it was going to be a green day for me with lots of greenery and green tea. A shuttle bus specially came to fetch us to another part of the Gardens. F&N Foods introduces OISHI Green Tea in Singapore.

My First Encounter with a Bottled Green Tea

What was exciting besides the venue ( Villa Halia ), is the OISHI Green Tea. I love green tea. My first taste of green tea in Ready-To-Drink bottle was in Taiwan. That was many years back when I was serving my yearly SAF reservist training. In Singapore, there was no Bottled or Can green tea until Pokka came up with their green tea. Besides Pokka, there were other brands such as Heaven and Earth. I am glad that we have another choice of green tea brand to choose from.

OISHI Green Tea

OISHI leads the new revolution of Japanese green tea with its two alluring favours, OISHI Green Tea Original and OISHI Green Tea with Genmai. Each bottle of OISHI is masterfully brewed using 100% organic tea leaves with no added preservatives and artificial colourings. Only the youngest three leaves at the top of each branch are selected for the brew. Through advanced technology and under the attentive care of experts, the young organic leaves are brewed using a refined manufacturing process to seal in the authentic goodness of the taste of green tea.

OISHI Green Tea Original has a well-rounded and subtly crisp with a tinge of pleasant vegetai and jasmine note. OISHI Green Tea Genmai has added Germinated brown rice, used primarily as a food grain that has been allowed to germinate in order to enhance the flavour and also to increase the levels of nutrients such as y-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This rice used in Japanese cuisine, has been gaining popularity as a health food because it is considered more nutritious than white rice.

Availability

OISHI Green Tea Original and OISHI Green Tea with Genmai are now available in handy 380ml PET bottles (S$1.00) and 1.5L PET bottles ($2.05) at major supermarkets and hypermarkets.

Taiko Drums Welcome

Personally, this was my third experience with Taiko Drums Welcome. Somehow, I got addicted to the drum beats and the movement of the drummers. Interestingly, I just cannot figure out the rhythm of the beat. It seems to be very different in beat for every event, even though they are from the same Japanese Drum Group.

Benefits of Green Tea Talk given by Ketki Vinayachandra

Ketki is a Naturopath, Nutritionist, Herbalist and Iridologist gave us a talk on the benefits of green tea.  She has appeared on TV, Radio and various events. I guessed she is quite popular. You may want to find out more about her at : 

http://www.alternative-naturalmedicine.com/index.html

There are many video about the benefits of drinking green tea. Here is one of them which I think it may be useful for everyone.

My Opinion

One thing I like about OISHI Green Tea, it is not too sweet. Among the two favours, I prefer the one with the Genmai. I love the pleasant flavour of Germinated brown rice. You can try it yourself. I believe you will like it.

Here is a video which I created for the event.

More Photos of the event

Be part of the smash hit broadway musical DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST this March ( Video )

 PRESS RELEASE

As part of the 20^th anniversary celebrations with a first-ever international tour, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the award-winning smash hit Broadway musical spectacular, is coming to Singapore for the first time. This elaborate theatrical production will come to life on stage at the MasterCard Theatres, Marina Bay Sands from 21 March 2015 for a limited season. Tickets are now on sale.

The musical is directed by Rob Roth and choreographed by Matt West, with Costume Design by Ann Hould-Ward (Tony Award® winner for her work on Disney’s Beauty and the Beast), Lighting Design by Natasha Katz, Scenic Design by Stanley A. Meyer, Sound Design by John Petrafesa Jr. and Music Supervision by Michael Kosarin.

Award Winning

Based on the 1991 Academy-Award winning animated feature film, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast premiered on Broadway in 1994, where it was nominated for nine prestigious Tony Awards and ran for 13 years. It still ranks as one of the longest-running and highest-grossing Broadway shows of all time. Since its debut, the titles visibility and success have expanded globally with subsequent productions produced around the world.

Since licensing of the title began in 2004, there have been productions in 22 countries, seen by more than 35 million people, translated into 8 different languages with over 28 thousand performances - equivalent to a run of 67 years, generating over $1.7B in revenue.

Story

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is the classic story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped in a spell placed by an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.

Music

The musical boasts music by Alan Menken (The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Tangled) and lyrics by the late Howard Ashman (The Little Mermaid, Aladdin), with additional songs with music by Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice (The Lion King, Jesus Christ Superstar). The book is written by Linda Woolverton (screenwriter of The Lion King, Alice In Wonderland and the upcoming Maleficent).

Opinion

If you have enjoyed the Disney film, Beauty and the Beast, why not go for this coming broadway musical smash hit. Watching a broadway live show has a very different feel from a movie. The singing, the creative lighting, stage settings and the live dancing of the people, all fall into one live experience that you will never forget. In fact, the audience is an integrated part of the live performance as compared to a movie. You just don’t get to feel it when it is a movie.

 

I was honoured to attend and watch the interview session presented by an interviewer and the two main cast of the show. Hilary Maiberger ( Belle ) and Darick Pead ( Beast ) came. Before they came out, there was a short video where the director, Rob Roth spoke about the show. David Zack, Production Stage Manager also talked about the beautiful lighting and the design of the stage setting. Both Hilary and Darick also appear in the short video giving their views about the show.

Hilary sang the first song and joined later by Darick, they sang the famous Beauty and the Beast song which was popularised by singer Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson. 

I believe it will be a wonderful experience watching this musical. Looking forward to the musical.  

Here is a video that I have recorded during the interview of the two main actors in the musical. Enjoy.

TICKETING AND SHOW INFORMATION

Disney's Beauty and The Beast International Tour

Season : From 21st March 2015

Venue : MasterCard Threatres, Marina Bay Sands

PERFORMANCE TIMES:Tuesday – Friday 8:00pm; Saturday: 2:00pm and 8:00pmSunday: 1:00pm and 5.00pm

TICKET PRICE:From $65 

* Excludes the booking fee of SGD$3 per ticket

BOOKINGS:              

INTERNET:    

www.BASEentertainmentasia.com, www.MarinaBaySands.com/Ticketing or ww.sistic.com.sg

PHONE:   +65 6688 8826

IN PERSON AT:   

Marina Bay Sands Box Offices (Museum, Theatres, SkyPark, Retail Mall and Hotel Tower 1 Lobby). For more information please log onto - www.MarinaBaySands.com

For exciting ticket package options including accommodation at Marina Bay Sands please visit: www.marinabaysands.com/packages. Corporate and Group Bookings are available via Showbiz.  Email: corporate@showbizasia.com or call 6688 1029

ABOUT BASE ENTERTAINMENT ASIABASE Entertainment specializes in the development, production, programming and management of live entertainment properties and theatre operations.

ABOUT MEDIACORP VIZPRO INTERNATIONAL PTE LTDMediaCorp VizPro International Pte Ltd has more than 10 years of experience in managing and organising many successful entertainment and MICE events.

About Marina Bay Sands Pte Ltd
Marina Bay Sands is the leading business, leisure and entertainment destination in Asia. It features large and flexible convention and exhibition facilities, 2,560 hotel rooms and suites, the rooftop Sands SkyPark, the best shopping mall in Asia, world-class celebrity chef restaurants and an outdoor event plaza.

If you require an event photographer, wedding photographer or any other professional photography services, do email me at see323@yahoo.com.sg . You can also message me at my  FACEBOOK account. To view my photos, click My Flicker Photos 

St. Patrick's Day Street Festival is back.

This weekend St. Patrick's Day street festival  ( 14-15 March 2015 ) is going to be exciting. This is an Irish world event happening yearly. Do check out the website for more details. I will be including some of the photos that I have taken during last year (2014). Do enjoy the photos and support my blog. Thanks everyone and have a FUN WEEKEND.

Info on St. Patrick's Day Street Festival