At a house visit this week, Jamus Lim met a couple in Sengkang who have been married for ten years and have chosen not to have children. They shared their reason with Assoc Prof Lim, “For them, it was simple: ‘Too expensive lah!’
The high cost of living in our city state, especially for middle-income households—even pre-dating the recent inflation surge—is undeniably a factor,” the Workers’ Party Member of Parliament wrote in a July 2 (Saturday) Facebook post.
Assoc Prof Lim added that because of pressures that students face to perform well at school, some couples are “also choosing to invest more in fewer children.”
He also wrote that another factor that affects this decision is the long wait for affordable housing and couples may have passed the peak years for fertility when they finally get their own place.
Assoc Prof Lim wrote that he does not believe this “state of affairs” is “inevitable.”
“Issues like education, housing, and jobs are matters of public policy, and there are known solutions that can help navigate and mitigate the forces of globalization, inequality, and technological change,” the MP, who teaches economics at ESSEC Business School, wrote.
And while there isn’t just one single solution to address the problem, Assoc Prof Lim listed several that would help: smaller class sizes, expanded skills training and recognition, broader public housing options, minimum wages, redundancy insurance, and wealth taxes.
These would also help Singapore stay competitive in the global economy, he added.
The country’s low birth rate is a problem recognized by the government, especially since it is coupled with an ageing population.
From 2000 to 2010, Singapore’s birth rate had been at 2 for every ever-married female aged 40 to 49, and in the decade that followed, it fell to 1.8.
The annual population growth decreased to 1.1 per cent leading up to 2020.
As it says in the population.gov.sg website, “Singapore’s resident Total Fertility Rate has remained below the replacement rate of 2.1 for many years. This trend reflects broad demographic and cultural shifts, with our people marrying later or not at all, and having fewer children.”
The Sengkang GRC MP ended his post on a humorous note, writing that at times he gets to meet very special residents while conducting house visits.
“Postscript: We also sometimes meet unusual residents, like this gorgeous parakeet, who (according to the family) took a liking to me, and so refused to get off my shoulder! #TeamSengkang#SengkangGRC“
And so Singaporeans are getting better acquainted with their next Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. He just delivered a speech not only spelling out some of his thoughts on how he and his 4G team will bring Singapore Forward but, in my view, also stressing how the 4Gers will be different from the previous teams. On surface, I detect what appears to be a major departure from the public stances of the 2G and 3G teams which tended to under-appreciate the importance of the Singapore core.
Wong launched the Forward Singapore exercise on Tuesday (Jun 28), a year-long exercise that will “review and refresh” the country’s social compact. The exercise will “set out a roadmap” for the country for the next decade and beyond, said the government in a separate press release, the CNA reported.
We have had similar exercises before, carried out by DPM Heng Swee Keat in 2012 and 2019. Lawrence Wong should start afresh and stamp his own mark and prove that he is different and more in tune with a population that has been taken for granted for far too long. A couple of statements stood out in his speech at a Labour Movement Conversation organised by the NTUC:
“Let me share my thoughts on… how I think our social compact might evolve. First, on how our economy is run, and whether the system benefits all or just a few. Everyone knows we have long relied on open and free markets to grow the economy. That must remain the case – for it is by staying open to investments and talent from around the world that we create wealth, keep our economy innovative and vibrant, and thus provide good jobs and better opportunities for Singaporeans. But we know that left unchecked, the workings of the free market can lead to excessive competition and rising inequalities….
“And we will be passing a new law to ensure that all employers uphold fair employment practices. We will not hesitate to take action against any employer who discriminates on the basis of nationality or other factors, namely, age, sex, disability, race and religion. At the same time, we will continue to update our policies to manage the inflow of work pass holders and ensure they come into sectors where we need them the most, to complement, not to displace, our local workforce.”
Wong has a number of advantages on his side in trying to bond with Singaporeans and in being able to carry them with him as PM.
He is an unencumbered leader. No baggage. No SAF hotshot sense of self-entitlement. Not related to any previous PAP leader, I think. Self-proven.
Tested. He did remarkably well as part of the Covid-19 Multi-Ministry Task Force. Week in and week out, Singaporeans had the chance to get a grasp of a leader working under pressure – and passing inspection with a cool performance. His Budget speech already showed a grasp of what must be done to move Singapore forward.
And now his first major policy statement as PM to be.
The one part of the speech which will help the fourth Singapore PM resonate with Singaporeans is this:
“And I want to assure everyone, Singaporeans and Singaporean workers will always be at the centre of everything we do.”
As an observer of the leaders that came after the LKY generation, this to me is as unambiguous as it can get. I have not seen any PM or DPM making that such a clear commitment. There is no hedging, no unnecessary caution about sending the wrong signal to investors. Wong’s pledge, which I am sure he did not spell out without the risk of having it thrown back at his team at the voting polls or Parliament, is a welcome reassurance to suffering Singaporeans many of whom see themselves as second-class citizens in their own country. According to some, some foreigners actually look down on Singaporeans, their host community!
To strengthen his pledge, Lawrence Wong should take one more vital step.
Without a credible armed force backed by National Service, Singapore would have been just a house of cards. Which investors will be interested in investing anything here?
We are celebrating the contributions of NS and NSMen this year. Wong should do two things.
His team must make it compulsory for the Economic Development Board to emphasise to all foreign companies and all future foreign investors the vital role that NSMen play in the country’s stability.The stability that helps attract investments was not created overnight. Produce a booklet on this.
Give priority to all our NSMen. We need a serious commitment that the sacrifices made by NSMen – for full-time service and reservist training – are not taken for granted and overlooked.
Tan Bah Bah, consulting editor of TheIndependent.Sg, is a former senior leader writer with The Straits Times. He was also managing editor of a magazine publishing company.
Content creators are often on the hunt for new ideas, although some just happen to pass by, giving them raw footage that could be borderline bizarre, like a masked woman who chirps like a bird, perhaps.
Local Twitch streamer Clarence “3wh33ler” Kang was at the right place and time and in the middle of a 12-hour livestream on June 28 when something unexpected happened.
Mr Kang was at Buona Vista with his wife, Ms Angie, and they were about to have dinner while seated near a patch of grass outside Star Vista.
They were preoccupied engaging with their viewers when a woman with her face fully covered with a skincare mask passed by in the background.
Photo: Twitch screengrab
The couple’s laughter, directed at the audience, apparently caught the woman’s attention because she soon walked closer to the camera.
Photo: Twitch screengrab
“You’re not supposed to do this here,” she told the couple. “Switch off that thing before I call the police,” the woman adds.
Mr Kang tried explaining that he was chatting with his friends, but the woman repeated her statement. “It’s ok, just call the police,” said Mr Kang, and the woman suddenly walked away.
“Go ahead, ma’am. Thank you, have a nice day,” said Mr Kang.
However, the woman returned and commented, “Don’t call me ma’am. I will not teach you anything.”
The streamer explained that it was a simple greeting, to which the woman replied, “I will kick you.”
“Do you want me to kick your ass?” she asked and walked closer to the couple. She told them they were not allowed to smoke or eat in the area.
She then kicks the couple’s food off the ground.
Photo: Twitch screengrab
Clearly angered, Mr Kang throws a plastic bag in her direction while Ms Angie slaps the woman’s back.
Ms Angie threatens to call the police, which causes the masked woman to become quiet.
Photo: Twitch screengrab
Mr Kang asked his wife to call the police, and he began explaining to the operator what had happened. The masked woman doesn’t speak a word throughout.
Mr Kang kept walking away while the woman followed him around. “She’s a female; I can’t get too close to her,” he explained.
Photo: Twitch screengrab
They walked in circles and around the vicinity, the woman staying on the trail of Mr Kang. “Really, nothing better to do. Go back home and sleep,” he commented.
One of the audience observed something about the woman’s behaviour and said, “it looks like she afraid of the grass. Stay in the middle of the grass.”
Mr Kang followed the advice, but the woman removed her slippers and continued following him.
Passersby soon noticed the commotion, and a lady in a hijab took matters into her own hands to control the woman.
She pinned the masked woman to the ground while everyone waited for the police.
Photo: Twitch screengrab
Suddenly, the woman began “chirping” or squealing high-pitched noises as she tried to escape from the lady in the hijab.
Her attempts were futile, and the lady continued holding her down by the kerb.
Following the bird noises, the woman began singing. She continued squealing after her first song.
The police finally arrived as she was into her second song.
Mr Kang paused his livestream to give his statement to the police. After thanking the lady in the hijab, the couple left the scene while the police officers talked to the masked woman still by the kerb./TISG
Fans of South Korean star Wi Ha Joon are going to be pleased as Punch as the actor has arrived in Singapore. Famous for his role in the super hit series Squid Game, he was seen leaving Incheon International Airport in South Korea on June 29 and later spotted at Changi Airport.
The Korean heartthrob is in Singapore for the filming of a K-drama that is based on Louisa May Alcott’s famous classic novel titled Little Women.
The K-drama bears the same name and will be a modern-day adaptation centred around the four sisters. The film will premiere in August 2022 and will be released on Netflix.
The star is said to be in the city for filming for two weeks but it isn’t known if he will extend his stay or not.
There is speculation that the shooting will take place on Robinson Road as Tower Transit and SBS Transit announced that their buses will not be taking this route on July 3 between 7 am and 4 pm due to a filming event.
The star’s agency MS Team Entertainment has not released any statement regarding his itinerary. This is the first time the star is filming abroad after he rose to stardom in Squid Game. His last collaboration was in an action-comedy series titled Bad and Crazy where he acted alongside model-actor Lee Dong Wook. Wi Ha Joon is expected to make his small-screen comeback this year.
Wi Ha Joon is also scheduled to appear in another fantasy-romance drama titled Gyeongseong Creature alongside Park Seo Joon and Han So Hee in the first half of 2023. Filming for this is currently underway and it will also premiere on Netflix.
The 30-year-old style icon and K-drama star Wi Ha Joon is highly in demand as a brand ambassador. His latest coup includes becoming a brand ambassador for Filipino clothing line BENCH in May. BENCH has outlets in the United States, the Middle East, China, Myanmar and Singapore.
Not sure where to head to when you are craving a buffet with your friends, significant other, or even your family member? We all love buffets, but we love it when there is a promotion to get an all-you-can-eat buffet at half price!
There are many buffet options that you can choose to go to get the 1-1 promotion as long as you use the correct credit card to spend!
Check out the 1-1 deals offered in July of 2022!
Pricey (From >$100)
Window on the Park
Source: Eatigo
Do you love seafood? Have you desired the best seafood buffet in Singapore to bring your significant other? Well, Check out Window on the Park!
Window on the Park provides the best assortment of seafood items such as the tantalising Baby Crawfish in Mala Sauce, Tiger Prawns in “Har Lok” Style, and all-time favourites, Sotong with Sambal Chilli and Deep Fried Pine Salt Calamari Lemon Wedges. As you step into the sea of superb selections, diners will be served one half Lobster each with a choice of Black Pepper or Chilli Crab Sauce.
Promotion Info
50% off Lunch Buffet
Location
11 Cavenagh Road, #02-00, Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre, Singapore 229616
Are you a seafood lover? Do you also love the taste of local cuisine? Cafe Mosaic is a restaurant that offers a Truly Singapore Flavours Seafood Buffet at half the price as long as you are a DBS Credit or Debit Card Holder.
What makes Cafe Mosaic so unique is the do-it-yourself stations that allow you to whip up your own variation of local delights, such as Gado-Gado and Rojak. Also, don’t forget to try out the seafood-on-ice counter, which features scrupulous dishes like Freshly-Shucked Oysters, King Crab Legs, Black Mussels and Poached Prawns!
Promotion Info
50% off Lunch Buffet
Location
Level 1, 76 Bras Basah Road, Carlton Hotel Singapore 189558
Requirements
Payment must be made with a DBS Credit or Debit Card
Are you someone who uses credit cards frequently for getting essential items such as dining, grocery, and transport? You should check out the POSB Everyday Card.
POSB Everyday Card is an excellent all-in-one option for families and those with high spend on essentials. While rebates vary by category, cardholders can typically earn up to 10% cashback on expenses such as online food delivery, dining, groceries, transport, personal care and recurring bills.
Are you someone who uses credit cards frequently for getting essential items such as dining, grocery, and transport? You should check out the POSB Everyday Card.
POSB Everyday Card is an excellent all-in-one option for families and those with high spend on essentials. While rebates vary by category, cardholders can typically earn up to 10% cashback on expenses such as online food delivery, dining, groceries, transport, personal care and recurring bills.
Mid-Tier (From $50-$100)
Asian Market Café
Source: Klook
Craving for Authentic Asian cuisine smacked in the middle of the city? Head on down to Asian Market Cafe to check out their amazing dishes!
The Halal Certified Restaurant serves up an excellent array of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Japanese delights. by using the freshest produce sourced by their culinary team, with their signature dish being the Asian Market Cafe Slow Cooked Australian Beef Rendang as well as our local favourite, Chilli Crab. Don’t forget to try out their Portuguese Egg Tart for their desserts!
If you are a young adult looking for the best credit card to save up via cashback, and especially if you love weekend promotions, you should definitely check out the UOB EVOL Card
Cardholders earn up to 8% on dining, entertainment, Grab rides & select UOB Travel on weekends (3% on weekdays), as well as 3% for online fashion and travel spend. There’s a S$600 minimum spend requirement, but this amount is fairly standard, and cardholders can earn up to S$60/month.
If you are a young adult looking for the best credit card to save up via cashback, and especially if you love weekend promotions, you should definitely check out the UOB EVOL Card
Cardholders earn up to 8% on dining, entertainment, Grab rides & select UOB Travel on weekends (3% on weekdays), as well as 3% for online fashion and travel spend. There’s a S$600 minimum spend requirement, but this amount is fairly standard, and cardholders can earn up to S$60/month.
Peach Garden
Source: Ms Tam Chiak
Craving for Chinese fine dining? Do you want to feast on Cantonese cuisine with your family? You should check out Peach Garden at @ Hotel Miramar to satisfy your taste buds!
Peach Garden offers a wide variety of Cantonese style dishes such as Dim Sum, Wasabi Prawns, Crispy Peking Duck, Chilled Black Glutinous Rice with Ice-Cream in Young Coconut and many more! Plus, they offer complementary Roasted Peking Duck available from Mondays to Thursdays.
S$58++ for Mon-Thur; $68++ for Fri; $78++ for Weekend
Discounted Price
S$29++ for Mon-Thur; $34++ for Fri; $39++ for Weekend
The Landmark
Source: Chope
The Landmark is a restaurant situated in Hotel Village Bugis that offers a wide array of International, Local Delights, Western, Seafood and Indian cuisines. They take pride in being Singapore’s most sumptuous and diverse Halal Buffet Singapore restaurant.
Head down to The Landmark to try out their signature dishes such as their Sup Tulang, Ayam Bakar, Butter /chicken and Chilli Crab or their Beef Rendang, Satay, Tandori Chicken, Fish Tikka, Penne Arrabiata with Parmesan Cheese and Oven Roasted Herbs Chicken with Shallot Reduction. Plus, if you love eating desserts after a lovely meal, The Landmark offers assorted Nonya Kuehs, Nutella Cream Brûlée, French pastries and sliced fruits!
Promotion Info
50% off Lunch Buffet from Mon-Sun
Location
390 Victoria Street, #05-01. Village Hotel Bugis, Singapore 188061
If you love Peranakan dishes or want to taste the best local/regional cuisine from Singapore and Malaysia, Sun’s Cafe provides a great 1-for-1 deal for a Peranakan buffet!
Being a Peranakan buffet, you can enjoy signature Nonya favourites like Babi Pongteh, Sambal Udang, Pig’s Stomach Soup and a wide variety of mouth-watering Monya desserts and Kueh Kueh, created with unique ingredients of aromatic spices, sauces, coconut milk, tamarind, ginger and garlic.
Promotion Info
1-for-1 Peranakan Lunch Buffet for the Weekday
Location
101 Victoria St, Hotel Grand Pacific, Singapore 188018
Requirements
Have to be cardholders from the following banks: DBS/POSB, UOB, HSBC, OCBC
Annual fee: S$192.6, 2-year waiver, subsequently with S$10,000 annual spend
6% rebate on dining & online food delivery
3% rebate on groceries, land transport, recurring bills & online travel
Up to 23% fuel savings with Caltex, 20.4% with Esso, 5% other stations
Free travel insurance, Visa Signature Privileges
If you are a young working adult looking for a great all in one credit card with attractive cashback, OCBC 365 Card is the card for you!
OCBC 365 Card is the absolute best no-fee rebate card on the market for everyday essentials. Cardholders earn up to 6% rebate on dining & online food delivery and 3% on groceries, travel bookings, land transport and recurring bills. Essentially, you can earn some of the highest rates for dining on the market, while also earning top rebates in a variety of spend categories. Even better, there are no merchant restrictions, which is rather rare amongst top dining cards.
Annual fee: S$192.6, 2-year waiver, subsequently with S$10,000 annual spend
6% rebate on dining & online food delivery
3% rebate on groceries, land transport, recurring bills & online travel
Up to 23% fuel savings with Caltex, 20.4% with Esso, 5% other stations
Free travel insurance, Visa Signature Privileges
If you are a young working adult looking for a great all in one credit card with attractive cashback, OCBC 365 Card is the card for you!
OCBC 365 Card is the absolute best no-fee rebate card on the market for everyday essentials. Cardholders earn up to 6% rebate on dining & online food delivery and 3% on groceries, travel bookings, land transport and recurring bills. Essentially, you can earn some of the highest rates for dining on the market, while also earning top rebates in a variety of spend categories. Even better, there are no merchant restrictions, which is rather rare amongst top dining cards.
Budget (Under <$50)
Korean Fusion BBQ (Dunlop Street)
Source: Chope
Do you miss Korea? Or just love Korean BBQ in general? Head to Korean Fusion BBQ in Dunlop street with 1-3 other friends to enjoy the sizzling meat and veggies and each other’s company!
Dunlop offers a deal where you can eat Korean BBQ for just $15.30 each with the 1 for 1 promotion! They provide an impressive array of ingredients featuring marinated and un-marinated chicken, pork belly, dumplings, beef and many more!
Perhaps you are craving Asian cuisine and want to try out Taiwanese Porridge. Coffee Lounge offers Taiwan Porridge A La Carte Buffet for HSBC Card Holders from 1 July until 31 August 2022!
Whether you pick the Value or Deluxe tier, they both offer an array of casserole dishes from the buffet section. Including braised dishes like Braised Duck Leg with Chinese spice, Egg and Tau Pok in Dark Soya Sauce and Braised Pork Belly in Dark Soya Sauce.
Promotion Info
50% off Taiwan Porridge A La Carte Buffet*
Location
Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road, Singapore 228221
Annual fee: S$160.5, 2-year waiver, subsequently with S$12,500 annual spend
2 miles per S$1 spend on local dining & entertainment, online spend (unlimited)
Online rate includes travel bookings, recurring bills & transit payments
No minimum spend requirement
Are you someone who travels often, or wishes to travel often? The HSBC Revolution Card is a suitable card to earn miles without needing to pay for annual fees for two years!
HSBC Revolution Card offers one of the best ways to earn miles locally. In fact, cardholders earn 2 miles per S$1 spent on local dining & entertainment, including everything from restaurants, cafes, and fast food outlets to clubs, pubs, bars, and more. HSBC Revolution Card comes with a fee-waiver; the S$160.5 fee is waived 2 years and then with just S$12,500 annual spend. Overall, HSBC Revolution Card is an excellent way to earn no-fee miles for local social spend.
Annual fee: S$160.5, 2-year waiver, subsequently with S$12,500 annual spend
2 miles per S$1 spend on local dining & entertainment, online spend (unlimited)
Online rate includes travel bookings, recurring bills & transit payments
No minimum spend requirement
Are you someone who travels often, or wishes to travel often? The HSBC Revolution Card is a suitable card to earn miles without needing to pay for annual fees for two years!
HSBC Revolution Card offers one of the best ways to earn miles locally. In fact, cardholders earn 2 miles per S$1 spent on local dining & entertainment, including everything from restaurants, cafes, and fast food outlets to clubs, pubs, bars, and more. HSBC Revolution Card comes with a fee-waiver; the S$160.5 fee is waived 2 years and then with just S$12,500 annual spend. Overall, HSBC Revolution Card is an excellent way to earn no-fee miles for local social spend.
Ongoing Buffet Deals
Still looking for ongoing buffet promotions? Don’t worry! We have your back, explore more about the deals we have covered previously that are still ongoing here.
Buffet Deal
Requirements
Discounted Price
1-for-1 Hotpot and BBQ Buffet For 2 on Burpple at Chong Qing Xiao Mu Deng
Get the 1-for-1 deal on the Burpple App
Up to S$38++
1-for-1 Buffet Lunch and Dinner at Atrium Restaurant, Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium
Citibank Cards
Up to S$68++ for Weekday Lunch Buffet
Up to $98++ for Weekend Lunch Buffet
Up to $98++ for Dinner Buffet
50% Lunch and Dinner Buffet at Oscar’s @ Conrad Centennial Singapore
Use Eatigo for 50% discount at most selected timings
Up to S$34.13++ for Lunch Buffet
Up to S$51.79 ++ for Dinner Buffet
1-for-1 Omizu lunch buffet at Shin Minori, Katong Square
HSBC Entertainer App
Up to S$55.90++ for Lunch Buffet
Conclusion
Missed out on the June promotions for 1-1 buffet? Well, it is not too late if you are still craving for more food options. Whether you are craving for Western, Korean, Chinese, Middle Eastern, or Malay cuisine, there’s always an abundance of options for 1 for 1 buffets if you have the right credit cards or a voucher from reservation websites.
If you are interested in more deals like the ones mentioned above, look no further than our credit card recommendations here to enjoy great savings and unique deals.
ValueChampion helps you find the most relevant information to optimise your personal finances. Like us on our Facebook page to keep up to date with our latest news and articles.
Recent house visits have served to underline to Workers’ Party Member of Parliament Louis Chua (Sengkang GRC) that inflation is a concern for many Singaporeans, not just for low-income households.
Mr Chua wrote in a July 1 (Friday) Facebook post that he had visited mostly five-room and EA (Executive Apartment) units at Rivervale, the ward he represents, the night before.
An EA is a “plus-sized” flat with five rooms, which have additional space for a study or a maid’s room, and often include a balcony.
The MP wrote that one of the residents from these units was happy to have a chance to meet with him and his team directly, adding that they “were doing ok in general and didn’t see a need to look for us at our MPS (Meet the People Sessions).”
Mr Chua added, however, that even if they are better off than others, “nonetheless they still have some concerns, one of which is that they seem to belong to a ‘forgotten’ group of people, who don’t get much direct financial support.”
He then proceeded to share some stories of the residents from the units.
One woman, a former employee of the travel industry, lost her job but continued to upskill. She still appeared to count herself fortunate, since she was re-hired by a former boss, at much lower pay, while many of her former classmates are still unemployed.
They also met an older man, a hawker centre stall holder. He told the MP and his team that in spite of the rising price of food, especially cooking oil, “he’s trying his best to minimize price increases and chooses to earn less instead.”
“Above all, inflation and the rising cost of living remains a rising concern not just for the low income, but for many Singaporeans, even though not everyone may be particularly vocal about it,” the MP noted.
A report from Nomura Holdings last month said that food prices in Asia, especially in Singapore, South Korea and the Philippines, are expected to increase even more in the second half of 2022.
Food inflation in Singapore is expected to double to 8.2 percent in the year’s second half.
Noting the present high rate of inflation as well as the risk of recession, he told Nikkei Editor-in-Chief Tetsuya Iguchi that it was a necessary risk “because if you do not act against inflation that will become a very serious problem for the world.”
Julia Roberts is making a romantic comedy comeback this year. The actress will star in Ticket to Paradise with George Clooney, reuniting the duo who were last seen together in Ocean’s Eleven.
The movie sees Roberts and Clooney acting like a divorced couple who travel to Bali to stop their daughter’s wedding. The idea behind this is that she shouldn’t be making the same mistake they did as their daughter (played by Kaitlyn Dever) makes an impulsive decision to marry a man she met on vacation.
In order to stop the wedding, they reunite temporarily and travel together.
In an interview with the New York Times in April, Roberts spoke about her return to romantic comedy after such a long time.
“People sometimes misconstrue the amount of time that’s gone by that I haven’t done a romantic comedy as my not wanting to do one. If I had read something that I thought was that Notting Hill level of writing or My Best Friend’s Wedding level of madcap fun, I would do it,” she said.
Roberts also said that the icing on the cake for her was Clooney’s involvement in the movie.
“I thought, ‘Well, disaster, because this only works if it’s George Clooney.’ Lo and behold, George felt it only worked with me. Somehow, we were both able to do it, and off we went,” said the Pretty Woman star.
The superstars have acted together in a number of other films including Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Money Monster, Ocean’s Eleven and Ocean’s Twelve.
Ticket to Paradise was co-written and directed by the same person who wrote and directed Mama Mia! Here We Go Again, Ol Parker.
In a January interview with Deadline, Clooney had nothing but praise for Parker.
“This guy named Ol Parker is a really wonderful writer and director, and he wrote us a script, and I haven’t done a romantic comedy really since One Fine Day. … I’ve done some sort of snarky ones, you know, and in this one Julia and I just get to be mean to each other in the funniest way.”
When he called Roberts after reading the script she had asked him if he was going to sign on and she replied, ‘Are you going to do it?’ and I said, ‘Yeah, if you do it.’ So, it was just one of those very lucky things,” he said.
Dever, who plays his daughter in the film described him as the nicest person in the world on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
“He had the whole cast come one day. … We were on this beautiful boat and he fed us all this amazing food, then took us back to his house and cooked us all pizza.”
The film also stars Billie Lourd and Lucas Bravo. Ticket to Paradise will premiere on Oct 21.
Rina Arano, an adult movie actress was found dead by the Japanese police recently. She was found naked, tied to a tree in a remote forest located in Ibaraki, Japan. She went missing on June 5 and her parents decided to lodge a police report three days later.
The 23-year-old was last seen on CCTV at a train station in Ibaraki Prefecture. In the footage, Arano was seen getting off a train and heading towards a car with a man named Hiroyuki Sanpei.
According to reports, the two had been exchanging text messages before her death. Sanpei was arrested last week on suspicion of abducting and holding Arano hostage.
Police say that Sanpei had picked up the actress before they made their way to his villa in Hitachiota.
However, he has denied all allegations despite the fact that her mobile phone was found at this house.
Sanpei said that he did indeed pick her up but subsequently dropped her off at a nearby store. He said he did also handcuff her for a short time but with her consent. Sanpei claimed that he did not know where she went after he dropped her off.
The victim’s body had been dumped in a remote place, on a slope about six metres below a forest road near Sanpei’s villa. Her body had already been decaying but there were no external injuries on her person.
Police are still conducting investigations and Sanpei has not been charged to date.
The post-mortem revealed that Arano had a shattered hyoid bone, which is the neck bone that supports the tongue.
Arano who was a Tokyo native worked as a freelance nude model and is said to have charged about $1k for each shoot according to SheThePeople magazine. She grew her network through the use of sexually explicit movies and meetings with customers in their homes.
Photo: IG and TikTok screengrab/ryanxgo and kayakak
“I misunderstood Ryan’s meaning of being broke. So yep, I helped! Now I realised he’s doing way better than me still,” said Khoo Keat Hwee.
He donated S$1,000 to help former co-founder of Night Owl Cinematics Ryan Tan when he said he was “officially broke.”
Mr Khoo, the founder of Mentai-Ya Japanese Cuisine, came across Mr Tan’s Instagram stories on June 24, highlighting he had lost more than 90 per cent of his money.
“I lost 90 per cent of what I used to have, and each month I have to pay rental, salary, loans, bills and legal,” he said, adding that he was in an industry where clients don’t necessarily pay on time.
Mr Tan also shared screenshots of people helping him with donations, such as Mr Khoo, who posted a video on his TikTok account.
Mr Khoo admitted he didn’t know much about Mr Tan although he wanted to help. “Bro, lets jiayou and pick up from where we all fell. Let’s learn and grow from our pain and mistakes,” he wrote in the caption.
Netizens soon commented on his video, pointing out that Mr Tan was still living a “lavish lifestyle.”
“I have been supporting your store and end up you donate your hard earn money to him? Pls la. If he broke, (how can he) travel overseas?” asked another netizen.
“Please help the real broke ones. Your 1k can help many poor families instead of an influencer living in private housing,” wrote another netizen.
On June 30, Mr Khoo uploaded another TikTok video of a compilation of netizens’ comments and his comment on top.
He explained that his bank was empty “with a huge debt that would take more than 10 years to pay….yes, that is broke.”
“So seeing his (Mr Tan’s) story, I helped. Without knowing that he’s living in a private property and having a fully paid Range Rover that I can’t afford (laughing emoji).” He added, “The joke is on me.”
Mr Khoo also asked for any leads from the public regarding organisations he should donate to as “he always enjoyed helping.”
According to AsiaOne, he has already donated S$1,000 to Singapore Association for Mental Health and another S$1,000 to social activist Gilbert Goh.
It was reported that Mr Tan had returned the S$1,000 from Mr Khoo./TISG
The newly famous busker Jeff Ng was slapped with allegations online of his abusive behaviour after his ex-girlfriend of almost three years released a lengthy post of their past.
“Worst person (I’ve) ever met,” said a netizen who went by the name of Lena Ng, in a Facebook post on Friday (July 1), referring to Mr Ng.
“Always wanted to write this post but never had the strength nor courage to. It’s something I should’ve done long ago – to clear my name with some friends or acquaintances and also to face the truth myself,” wrote Ms Ng.
She alleged that her former partner was a professional at “love-bombing”, where the partner would “spam you to get your attention, saying everything you want to hear to make you fall for him.”
Ms Ng said he could be on a call with her between one to eight hours, and 95 per cent of the time, it’s him talking. “Have literally tried putting the phone down cause I was in a work lunch, and I pick my phone up and 30 mins later, he’s still going on without noticing I was away.”
She noted that once she was “hooked to him,” the tables turned, and the relationship changed into Mr Ng blaming her for everything bad that happened.
“And you will believe him when he says it’s your fault. You end up doing anything for more of the affection he once showed,” she explained.
It reached a point where Ms Ng would “literally tremble in fear of incurring his wrath” as she felt “compelled to obey like a dog.”
She shared how they had to pretend not to be on a date if someone Mr Ng didn’t want to find out they were together happened to meet them.
On cheating, Ms Ng said he was a “serial cheater” and did so three times, “like clockwork every year.”
He “even dared to do it right in front of my face and rationalised it,” said Ms Ng.
“When we first got together, he was going between three girls. Literally went out sleeping with someone else TEN YEARS OLDER than me in the morning and come home to me to do the same, with zero shame.”
Included in her posts were screenshots of past communication with Mr Ng, including multiple missed calls early in the morning.
She admitted feeling like she was walking on eggshells every day, suffering from panic attacks and getting triggered by “just a phone call or a text” from him.
Still, she revealed it was “impossible to get out of this cycle once you’re in it.”
When she tried ending the relationship, he would “beg and cry and kneel and swearing to god that he knows he’s wrong and will change for (her).” Things escalated to Mr Ng stalking her and threatening to end his life.
“I used to not understand people who can’t leave toxic relationships. Till I met this one. It’s so close to literally feeling your own free will, even your soul, being sucked from you slowly till one day it’s all in someone’s hands,” said Ms Ng, who felt “psychologically locked in chains.”
Even after breaking up, Ms Ng said he would continue to contact her. “For a long time after the whole thing, I was genuinely too damaged and helpless to function.”
A few hours after Ms Ng’s post, Mr Ng released a public apology on his Facebook account. “I was young and reckless in my 20s and I allowed my emotions to get the better of me,” he explained.
“I know this is not a reasonable excuse at all. I was wrong, and I am sincerely sorry.” He also extended an apology to Ms Ng.
Photo: FB screengrab/黄長俊 Jeff NgPhoto: FB screengrab/黄長俊 Jeff Ng
Facebook user John Lee also attached a screenshot on Mr Ng’s post regarding his “hot-tempered” nature.
It appears that Mr Ng argued with the organisers of one of his recent events. “Very bad attitude and don’t support him!” the original poster wrote.
Photo: FB screengrab/黄長俊 Jeff Ng
“Apparently, he still scolds patrons for ‘making noises’ during his sets,” wrote another netizen on Mr Ng.
Photo: FB screengrab/黄長俊 Jeff Ng
“I just hope you know talent or not has nothing to do with whether you will 红 or not. Talent can be cultivated and nurtured; everyone and anyone can have talent,” advised Facebook user Jaycelyn. “But if that attitude and character of yours don’t change, don’t expect anything. Maybe start by being more humble.” /TISG
