duet july-september13 lr no promo - lowres part1

7/23/2019 Duet July-September13 LR No Promo - Lowres Part1

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HEISSUE

HO

jl-

pbr

LIFEHead-to-toe guide

for a successfuldate on Sentosa.

Find out whatKelly Poon looks for

in a relationship!

Sizzling hotmoves fromDirty Dancing’ sJohnny Castle.

Dancingh Sr

IN T HE HOT SEAT !

Wih



CONT ENT SJULY–SEPTEBER

OUT & ABOUT:

SENTOSA 4Sun, sand and sea are the focus of this

month’s Out & About. Explore all that

Sentosa has to offer, and find out why

it is ‘Asia’s favourite playground.’ We

also invite you to find out more about

the hottest online dating reality show

to hit our shores: It’s a Date!

Art Direction KEVIN ONG Stylist RUFF ALIAS Asst. Stylist CHERMEL TOH Makeup/Hair HANA HEARTS Photographer MATIN LATIFF

Camera Assistant UNGKU

COVER:ON IMMELIA: PEACH TOP FROM THE BLOGSHOP EMP IRE; NECKLACE FROM THEBLACKGROUND; EARRINGS, RING, BANGLES AND BRACELETS FROM LOVISA; WEDGES ANDSUNGLASSES FROM ALDO. ON MICHAEL: STRAW HAT FROM ALDO; SHIRT AND SHORTSFROM HEADLINE; LINEN JACKET AND SHOES FROM MUJI; BRACELET FROM CARRIE K ATBLACKMARKET; WATCH FROM ROCKSTAR.

INSIDE, EVENTS P26:ON IMMELIA: WHITE TOP AND ORANGE SKIRT FROM ELEVENTH; NECKLACE ANDEARRINGS FROM LOVISA; WEDGES FROM ALDO. ON MICHAEL: JACKET FROM MUJI;PANTS FROM FURRMUSE; YELLOW BRACELET FROM CARRIE K AT BLACKMARKET;LOAFERS FROM PEDRO.


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12

2216

FEATURE:BEACH RESORTS

REEL TO REAL:DIRTY DANCING

REVAMP:NIGHT AT THE THEATRE

PERSONALITY:KELLY POON

RELATE:HEATING IT UP

EVENTS

12

16

18

22

24

26

Touted as nirvana for beach lovers,

Sri Lanka is emerging as one of the

world’s best-value destinations. We’ll

look at three different resorts there,

and what each has to offer.

Still a favourite among movie fans

today, Dirty Dancing has all the right

mix of elements, including a sizzling

romance and a sweet declaration

of love.

Carol and Benedict spruce up for a

night of classy entertainment. Learn

how to recreate their spiffy looks,

what to do, and where to go!

We ask singer and TV-host Kelly

Poon—who’s currently single—what

she looks for in a partner.

Is your idea of love too grandiose

to be feasible? Can the flames of

romance still burn bright after three

years? Are singles missing out? All

these questions and more answered!

Don’t hide at home; go out and

have fun! A variety of events awaits,

from enrichment classes to quick

getaways—all at your fingertips!

BROUGHT T O Y OU BY :

KATE HO

SHARON TANJAIME KOHNG TING WEINANTHINI PARTIBAN

EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR

CHUA KIM BENG

LEAD WRITER

DAPHNE BOEY

CONTRIBUTORS

CHIN WEI LIEN, ILIYAS ONG

CREATIVE

CREATIVE & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

KEVIN ONG

SENIOR DESIGNER

CHERLIN CHAN

DESIGNER

KHAIRUNNISA

CREATIVE SERVICES MANAGER

KWAN GEK LIAN

TRAFFIC & PRODUCTION MANAGER

PEARLYN KWAN

CONTRIBUTOR

RENEE KEE

L O O K O U T F O R AN E N H AN C E D D I G I T AL E D I T I O N O F D U E T C O MI

N G Y O U R W AY S O O N !



For editorial feedback, contact NovusMedia Solutions. For general enquiries, callSDN’s hotline at 6838 3988. All returnedmail should be directed to: SDN, *SCAPE, 2Orchard Link, #05-02, Singapore 237978.

For advertising queries, please e-mailSimon Cholmeley at [email protected].

DUET is published and distributed for SDNby NOVUS MEDIA SOLUTIONS PTE LTD at77B Amoy Street, Singapore 069896.

Copyright is held by the publishers. Allrights reserved. Reproduction in whole orin part without permission is prohibited.Printed in Singapore by Times Printers:www.timesprinters.com.

FROM THE

HEART

Dear reader,I’m pretty sure that you’d have

noticed the differences betweenpast copies of this magazine andthe issue you’re holding now, evenbefore you remove its wrapper.

Allow me to present to you thenewly revamped DUET !

The magazine now exudes afun, active vibe through the use of

vibrant colours, engaging photosand quirky fonts. Aside from mereaesthetics, we understand thebenefits of balancing career, friendsand family, as well as personal life.That’s why we’re now focusing alot more on activities that you cando in your free time. We also knowthat it can sometimes be dauntingto go out and make new friends,but—trust us—your life will be muchricher when you do. To help youstep out with confidence, this issue(and future ones, too) will provideplenty of advice on preparing for allkinds of social activities.

I hope you enjoy the way wedish out information in bite-sizedpieces throughout the features,which are cohesively presentedbecause of the application of a

WINNING

LE T TER!

theme. I trust that, after you’vetaken the time to read this issue,you can feel that we’re trying toreach out to you as a friend-in-the-know rather than as a know-it-allauthority figure.

August is probably the hottesttime of the year, so check out oursuggestions on how to beat theheat and have fun as well in Out

& About (p4). Thinking of takingsomeone special to dine in aromantic restaurant? Impress herwith your impeccable mannersby referring to our tips on diningetiquette (p9).

So you’ve been bitten by thetravel bug but can’t decide whereto go. Why not flip to p12 forsome ‘sun, sand and sea’ typeof inspiration? If you’re not anadventurous kind of person, beatthe heat by catching a theatreshow—we give a couple a make-over suitable for a night out at thetheatre in Revamp (p18). But if TVis more your thing, do catch theonline reality dating show calledIt’s a Date!—details on p10.

Enjoy the new DUET . Better yet,share it with a friend!

July-September 201 302

Kate Ho

As a regular reader, I mustadmit that the articles aregetting more interesting! Iespecially love the eateriesrecommended in Out &About . I brought my girlfriendto two of the restaurantsfeatured, and we found thefood awesome! The Ask theExpert column also gives meinsights into matters of theheart. All in all, DUET is notonly inspirational for singles,

it is also a good magazine formarried couples, too! Welldone, DUET !

—Wong Wai Keong

Congratulations, Wai Keong!You’ve won yourself aweighing scale, a limited-edition SDN first-day cover,and Takashimaya shoppingvouchers worth $50.



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CONGRA TULA TION S TO

OUR LUCK Y WINNER S!

READER SURVEY

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GOGREEN CYCLE &ISLAND EXPLORERThere is something special aboutexploring on two wheels with the windin your hair. Rent your bicycles at theGogreen E-Bike Kiosk and explore adifferent side of Sentosa with your date!

In Singapore, we have allbut two seasons: summerand summer .

When it isn’t raining cats anddogs, the sun is beating downlike a freight train transportingUV ray. The last thing we want

to do is jostle with the crowdsalong Orchard Road, queuefor an hour at a sushi joint, orsettle for front row seats in acinema. There are people nearlyeverywhere in Singapore, andthe ironic thing is that, despitethe crowd, finding like-mindedpeople can be quite a challenge.Wouldn’t it be great if, for aweekend, you could travelto a place that is not nearlyas crowded as downtown

Singapore, where you cancasually meet up with peopleand have fun at the same time?

Here’s an idea: why not headover to Sentosa?

Hear us out! Sentosa isan island getaway just offmainland Singapore. Becauseof its location, you don’t get theinsufferable crowds you see onSunday afternoons in downtownSingapore. Moreover, Sentosais the entertainment capital of

Singapore, which means thatthere is something for everyone.It doesn’t matter if you love tocycle, explore nature, soak inthe sea or dance the night awayto great music—Sentosa has it

SUMMER

BY CHIN WEI LIEN

YOUR PERFECT DATE THIS SUMMER MAY NOT BE SO FAR AWAY

AFTER ALL. SENTOSA HAS EVERYTHING YOU NEED AND MORE

FOR A DATE TO REMEMBER.

04 July-September 201 3

LOVIN’

OUT & ABOUT

INTHEDAY



Car: A flat gantry admission charge isapplicable to each car entering Sentosa.Take note! Admission charges and parkingrates vary according to time period andparking location. Visit www.sentosa.com.sgfor more details.

MRT: Take the North-East Line toHarbourFront, then make your way to Level3 of VivoCity, where you’ll find the SentosaExpress monorail to the island. Operating

from 7am to 11:45pm, a round-trip costs $3.

Bus: For $2, you can take the RWS 8 busfrom the bus stop in front of VivoCity andHarbourFront Station.

Cable Car: A return ticket on the cable carbetween Sentosa, HarbourFront and MtFaber will cost $26.

On the island: Three bus shuttleservices (yellow, red and blue)connect Imbiah Station tovarious points on the island.

Buses run from 7am to 11pmon weekdays and until 12.30amon Fridays and Saturdays.

all, and there are peoplethere who are lookingfor the same type of funas you.

When you’refamished, diningoptions are abundantas well. Craving forsome simple Italianfood? No problem, it’sright around the corner.

Sentosa is boundto have somethingthat will make yourstomach happy.

The best part aboutdining on Sentosa?

SOLEPOMODORO

TRATTORIAPIZZERIA

Located on Quayside Isle, SolepomodoroTrattoria-Pizzeria presents the best ofSouthern Italy on a plate. Serving up thefinest flavours of traditional Italian cuisinein a cosy and unconventional environment,this seaside pizzeria is the ideal placefor you and your date before the night’sactivities commence!

05July-September 201 3

GE T TING

THERE

MARINE LIFE PARK

Break away from the punishing heatand head to the Marine Life Park,where you will find the world’s largestaquarium. With more than 800 speciesof marine animals, the aquarium willgive you and your date more than alittle something to talk about.

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

If you are afraid of awkward pauses,a theme park is your best bet. Can’t takethe summer heat? Be adventurous andget drenched at the Jurassic Park RapidsAdventure! Do visit the theme park asearly as possible, as crowds tend to buildup later in the day.

Attractions andeateries there are fairlysegregated from oneanother, so no moreshouldering your waythrough tourists andfamilies just to have aquick bite.

To sum it up,you’ve got engagingentertainment, lively

activities and great foodcovered, with a healthydose of romance throwninto the mix. What areyou waiting for? See youat Sentosa soon!



If you are reading this at theend of July, you, like all of us,haven’t had a proper publicholiday in a really long time.You desperately need a break

from work, but haven’t got thetime to travel abroad—whatdo you do?

Sentosa is a great place tobegin if all you need is a dayout in the sun with your specialsomeone. However, for those ofus who need something a littlelonger than just a day at thebeach, there’s always the optionto spend a night or two on theisland itself. The W Singaporeat Sentosa Cove, for example,is your ticket to travellingoverseas, locally.

What sets W Singapore fromother weekend getaways on theisland is the fact that you get thebest of Sentosa all under the same

roof. Chilling out at the pool, ahearty meal at the restaurant or arelaxing afternoon at the spa, theW Singapore checks all the rightboxes. Nestled on the quieter,more exclusive end of Sentosa,the W Singapore is as good as it

gets when it comes to the world-class hospitality that you andyour date deserve.

TAKE IT EASYImagine having to drive homeafter a day out in the sun withyour dirty laundry. Your bodyis still aching from the day’sactivities, and all you want is arelaxing, soothing spa treatment.If you intend on spending justone night at W Singapore, make

sure you drop by the AwaySpa. It offers a state-of-the-artdecompression area, whichis also home to the hotel’ssauna, steam room and vitalityroom. Complete with woodensculptures and decked out withnatural surfaces and materials,the entire spa feels like a hotspring in the middle of an oasis,the ideal place for you and yourdate to wash away the summerheat and grime.

FOOD OF LOVEIf you are looking for an intimateplace for food, head to Skirt,a restaurant that celebratessustainable produce and a simple

July-September 20 1306

‘W’THE PLACE FOR A STAYCATION

YOU AND YOUR DATE DESERVE.

ROOMS AT THE W HOTEL

SINGAPORE START AT

SGD$. FOR MOREINFORMATION, VISIT WWW.

WSINGAPORESENTOSACOVE.COM

OR MAKE AN ENQUIRY

AT .

ELECTRIC PET SHOP BOYS LIVENothing bonds people together betterthan a shared sense of nostalgia. Forthose of us born in the 70s and 80s, dropby the Resorts World Convention Centreon 3 Aug to catch the Pet Shop Boys inconcert!

TIGER SKY TOWERDid you know that Sentosa is home toAsia’s tallest observation tower? Fromup here, enjoy a breathtaking panoramicview of Singapore. And, if the conditionsare right, you will even be able to seeparts of Malaysia and Indonesia!

SONGS OF THE SEAAs darkness falls over the island,head down to Songs of the Sea ,where you will find one of the mostentertaining and dramatic light showsin town! Complete with a l ive cast andpyrotechnics, the show is a visual feastfor you and your date!

AT

NIGHT

IS FOR WONDERFUL

approach to dining. Amid themodern yet rustic charmsof the furnishings, enjoy therestaurant’s signature Cape Grim

Australian natural grass-fedAngus, or share the TenderloinTasting Plate with your date.

THE NIGHT IS YOUNGEnergised by that wonderfulmeal at Skirt? Then amp up theexcitement at the W’s Woobar,a fusion bar that pulsates withsome of the hottest summerbeats at night, thanks to theresident DJ, Has. The laid-backatmosphere also encourages

your date to snuggle up to youwhile you sip on your choice ofpremiere spirit—from deliciouslysweet mojitos to customisedlibations, served individually orby the shaker for sharing.

NEED TO KNOW

OUT & ABOUT



‘SUMMERTIME’

BY BECK

Summer is a time for fun,and sometimes the funcan get messy (in a goodway). This track is theperfect icebreaker in theheat of summer.

‘DIVE’ BY TYCHO

From the first note to thelast, ‘Dive’ is like a coolbreeze on a hot summer’sday—your date willappreciate the sudden anddelightful change of pace.

YOUR

ULTIMATESUMMER PLAYLIST

MUSIC GETS SOCIAL

What good is a summerplaylist on mediocresmartphone speakers?

Try packing Ultimate Ears’UE BOOM (S$299) for yournext beach date! As thefirst-ever social music player,the UE BOOM allows you toconnect two players togetherwirelessly to create thebiggest private party on thebeach! And since the acousticskin is water- and stain-resistant, you can bring yoursummer party everywhere!

‘SOMETHING GOOD

CAN WORK’ BY TWO

DOOR CINEMA CLUB

Fun, suggestive, and alittle wistful. This is thekind of song you want tolisten to while sipping acocktail with your date.

On the surface, it’s acatchy track. Pay moreattention to the lyrics,though, and somethinggood may work outbetween the two of you.

July-September 201 3 07

If you’ve got a date, found a shady spot, and stillfeel like something’s missing, maybe you forgot tofire up your summer playlist. Add some music toyour beach date to spice things up for the summer.Here are a few tracks to kick things off:

“DID YOU KNOW THATSENTOSA’S ORIGINALNAME WAS ‘PULAU

BLAKANG MATI,’ WHICHMEANS ’ISLAND OF

DEATH’ IN MALAY?”IT WAS RENAMED IN 1972, AND

NO ONE IS QUITE SURE HOW THE

MACABRE NAME CAME ABOUTSO

YOU AND YOUR DATE CAN TRY TO

FIGURE IT OUT.

AZZURA BEACH CLUB

It’s a hot summer night and we’ve got abeach on hand. It’s time for a beach party!Azzura Beach Club is one of Sentosa’shottest night spots, and it attracts someof the most renowned DJs from aroundthe world, not to mention a sassy crowdthat’s not afraid to dance!

BRE AK T H E I C E



THE BEACH WA TCH LIS T

JULY-SEPTEMBER 201308

ALL I T TOOK WAS A

LYDIA CHONG AND MICHAEL SOHTELL DUET ABOUT THE SUNNIERSIDE OF THEIR RELATIONSHIP.

It only took two months

of dating before LydiaChong and Michael Sohdecided to tie the knot.

The couple hadmet over the then-Social DevelopmentUnit’s Lovebyte onlinemessaging service in late2007, and it took a monthof chatting before theywere confident enoughto meet in person.

Their first date was

your typical movie nightout, but it was whathappened after the filmthat really brought themcloser. “We stood at therailing in the crowdedshopping centre andchatted for one anda half hours withoutfeeling tired or hungryor realising that timehad flown by,” recallsLydia. According to

the 30-year-old publicservant, they had somuch to talk about—andlittle did Michael knowthat Lydia had alreadyseen the movie! “I justwanted to get to knowhim better.” They cappedthe movie date with

dinner and coffee, andbegan seeing each otheralmost every dayafter that.

Eight weeks later, onNew Year’s Day, Michaelbrought Lydia back tothat very same mall,then popped thequestion on bendedknee. Touched, Lydiaagreed. On Valentine’sDay the year after, thetwo officially becamehusband and wife.

“She was the first andonly girl I had met fromSDU,” confesses Michael.

“She was the one I waswaiting for, and I wasworried she would besnatched away byother men.”

As you might expect,the usual criticisms werelevelled at the couple:could they survive inmarriage with only afew weeks of courtship?That was four years ago,making the answer a

resounding “yes!”It might have beenbecause the couplelove taking time out bythe beach. Their firstholiday was to Bintan.Lydia says they try togo to such resorts asoften as we can. “They’re

DOS

1. Bring a mat. Yes, it’sbulky, but no matterhow sweet a talkeryou are, having sand inyour shorts is the polaropposite of romantic.

CALLING COMMITTED COUPLES!If you found your soulmate through SDN or our accrediteddating agencies, e-mail us at [email protected] (Subject:SDN Success Story). If you and your partner are featured inDUET , the two of you will receive shopping vouchers worth$150 plus a set of limited-edition SDN bears.

Know any friends who have gotten married through us? E-mailtheir details to us too! We’ll give you a token of appreciation ifyour friend’s story is featured.

MOVIEgreat for couples andare very relaxing andrejuvenating,” says Lydia

So what do theydo there? “Cycling,strolling along thewaterline, picture-taking,snorkelling, jet-skiing,or just whiling the timeaway in each other’sarms,” she rattles off. “Butthe itinerary cannot berushed. There must betime to stop and smellthe roses at each placewe visit. I prefer shoppingin the cities, but Michaelloves the beach. Myfavourite type of holidayinvolves splurging onfood and shopping,while Michael is all aboutsightseeing.”

Back on this island,the duo used to spendlots of quality timeat East Coast Park.“Singapore beaches areclean…” begins Lydia, asMichael excitedly finishesher sentence, “And

full of great facilities!”It’s obvious who’s thereal beach bum in thisrelationship!

With such variedtastes, getting intoarguments here and

there must be common—but Michael brushes thataside. “We give and take,”the 33-year-old financialmanager says. “In life,you win some, you losesome. If we really cannotdecide, we’ll take a vote.But by virtue of Lydiabeing a lady, she getstwo votes!”

Michael couldn’t havesaid it any better—guys,take note!

The couple go bya simple principle whenthey are in a foreignland: “Take it as a verygood opportunity toknow each other betterin a different setting.But most importantly,enjoy yourselves andimmerse in each other’scompany.”

OUT & ABOUT


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WHAT YOU DO DURING DINNER CAN MAKE OR BREAK

THE DATE YOU’RE ON. HERE’S AN IDIOT’S GUIDE TO

MAKE EVERYTHING RIGHT FOR THAT SPECIAL MEAL.

T HE GENT LEMAN’S

ETIQUETTE

GUIDE O DINING

By now, you should know thatthere are myriad restaurantsto choose from on Sentosa.Congrats if you’ve managedto ask that special someone to

join you!However, before we get

too cocky, it’s important toremember that her acceptanceis merely half the battle won.To win the war, you haveto mind your Ps and Qsthroughout the evening.

Men often think thatthey know what the properconduct is when it comesto etiquette. However, whenthe time comes to perform,

they trip up. To prevent suchoccurrences, here are a coupleof guidelines to keep in mindif you are taking your date outfor a dinner date on Sentosa.

THE PRELUDEThe dining experience beginsfrom the moment she said“yes” to the dinner date.

Sentosa has a tonne ofselections, yes, but doyour homework andconsult your companionbefore making a

reservation. It is importantto find an establishmentthat both you and yourdate will like. THE ARRIVAL Behave like a gentlemanfrom the outset! Openingthe car door, extendingyour elbow for her whilegetting off the bus, orpulling out her chair aresmall but significant things

that will likely impressyour date. It doesn’t matterwhat kind of girl she is orthe kind of place you areat—small gestures like thatcan go a long way.

THE ORDERInstead of making all thedecisions yourself, talk to

3. Pack an extrabottle of water.If this is the firstdate, you and your

companion areprobably not ready todrink from the samebottle! If possible,bring along a bottle ofwine and pack somecheese and crackersto sweeten the dateeven more.

DON’TS 2. Don’t plan boy-only games.If you are out in agroup, plan gamesthat girls feel

comfortable joining.A game of frisbeecan be a greaticebreaker and notnearly as rough as agame of football.

1. Put away those

sunglasses. You’reat the beach and thesun is brutal, fine, butthat doesn’t meanyou have to speakto your date withsunglasses on at all

2. Plan a beachdate during off-peak days. Avoidpublic holidays,

school holidays andSundays. Decreaseyour odds of sharingthe shade with totalstrangers to give youand your partner lessawkward momentsand more privacy.

times. The tinted

lenses break eyecontact, which cangive the impressionthat you’re avoidingcommunicationor just beingdownright rude.

your companion aboutwhat appears enticing. Thisis a great learningopportunity as the simple actof ordering a meal can revealmuch about the person.

THE FOODSlow down, this isn’t aneating competition. No

matter how famished youare, take it slow and keepthe conversation flowing.Savour the experience andmake sure you do not finishway ahead of your date.That way, she willnot be pressured to matchyour pace.

THE BILLYour date will generally bedelighted if you offer to

pick up the tab. However,do not over-react if sheinsists on going dutch. Ifthe occasion is a specialone and you are insistenton footing the bill, submityour credit card beforehandto prevent any awkwarddebates.

THE SENDOFFThe date doesn’t end withthe bill being paid for.

Offering to send your datehome is always a gesturewell appreciated. If thisis the first date, do takenote that Singaporean girlsgenerally do not expect orappreciate a goodbye kissat the front door! You don’twant to spoil the entirenight’s efforts now, do you?


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IT’S A

THREE BACHELORS, THREE BACHELORETTES,ONE ONLINE DATING SHOW. EVERY WEEK,IT’S A DATE! TESTS THE CHEMISTRY OF SIX

SINGAPOREAN SINGLES TO FIND OUT IFTHERE IS A MATCH!

DATE!BY CHIN WEI LIEN

Having less time for socialgatherings and meeting newpeople is one of the manyfirst-world problems we facethese days. Some people simplydon’t have the time! To remedy

that, a group of bachelors andbachelorettes have taken mattersinto their own hands by takingpart in It’s a Date! , Singapore’sfirst-ever online dating series,which debuted on 4 Jun 2013.

Supported by the SocialDevelopment Network (SDN) andproduced by clicknetwork.tv, the showhas male and female contestantsgoing through different activities ineach episode to test their chemistryand compatibility. Hosted by localcomedian Chua En Lai, widely knownfor his roles in The Noose , the first fourepisodes of It’s a Date! have to dategarnered 100,000 views each, which isquite an achievement for a local onlinedating show.

It’s a Date! uses a unique formatthat works like this:

SPECIAL


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Lif

Lssos

Three single girls meet threesingle guys. They go throughdifferent challenges in eachepisode to get to know eachother. Everyone picks a partnerthey like best at the end of three

weeks to go on a date. Girls whoend up without a date will stay on,and vacant spots are filled by newgirls. On the other hand, all theguys will be replaced, regardlessof whether they found a matchor not.

This way, everything is keptfresh—with new relationshipsbeing formed at all times.

“Reality dating shows havebeen around for ages, so whenwe were brainstorming ideas forthis, we wanted to do somethingdifferent and more relatable,”reveals Gillian Tan, founder ofclicknetwork.tv. “We worked withdating agencies accredited bySDN, and learnt that many ofthem have been organising funand exciting activities for singles.

We roped them in during pre-production and managed to tapon many of their ideas forIt’s a Date! ”

The result is a surprisinglyaddictive online reality dating

programme. Clocking in atapproximately 12 minutes perepisode, It’s a Date! is long enoughfor viewers to get involved withthe goings-on each week, yet notso long that it starts getting dreary.Perhaps it’s the mix of contestantsthe show introduces—they’reall pretty genuine and sincere,and they all seem to relish thechallenges thrown at them.

Most of all, these contestantsfeel just like average Singaporeanswho are too tied up withwork commitments for properrelationships. If they can find anideal partner, so can you, so keepyour chin up! You never knowwhen the perfect someone isgoing to come along and enteryour life in unexpected ways!

We ask some of the contestants

ofIt’s a Date!

what they’velearnt from the show.

Never mess around with a girltrained in martial arts, ha!

Having a checklist of traits yourpotential partner should have is

fruitless, because you’ll never knowwhat you’re missing out on until you

give the both of you an opportunity todiscover what’s beneath the surface.

A good way of getting to knowa person is to try doing things

together, even if it means gettingbeyond my comfort zone. It can bespontaneous and in the moment!

—CHARLENE ONG

—IMMELIA IZALENA

—DEREK SUN

C A T C H

I T

N O W !

Catch all the episodesof It’s a Date on

www.clicknetwork.tv/itsadate!



YOU’VE GOTYOUR SUNTANLOTION, SHADESAND SWIMWEARREADY. NOW ALLTHAT’S MISSING IS AGLORIOUS BEACH

AND SRI LANKA HASTHOSE IN SPADES.

BEACHY KEEN

Fancy a change fromChangi, or a swap forSentosa?

While the beaches in

Singapore can be clean and

well-manicured, there’s only so

much you can see and do—and

with their proximity to the city,

getting away from it all isn’t one

of them.Although there are many

great beaches in the region

that’s a quick but bumpy ferry

ride away, a trip somewhere a

little more exotic would surely

impress your date.

Somewhere like Sri Lanka.

BY ILIYAS ONG

12 July-September 201 3

The teardrop-shaped island

off India’s southeast coast might

not be on the lips of beach bums

yet, but with over a thousand

miles of sun-drenched coastlines

and sparkling, blue water, it’s a

no-brainer for lovers of sand and

surf. They don’t call it the ‘Pearl of

the Indian Ocean’ for nothing!

Whether you’re on yourfirst holiday together or if

you’re planning a getaway with

your friends, Sri Lanka offers

plenty of beach resorts to suit

your vacation. Here are three of

them, from the wallet-friendly to

the über-luxe.

FEATURE



Where: Kalpitiya (northwest region)Room rates: S$125–170(Peak: Apr–Dec 2013),S$180–230(Off-peak: Dec 2013–Jan 2014)

Perfect for couples who want ano-frills beach holiday, PalagamaBeach is a small, family-run resortwhere you can stay in cabanasor villas with the waves (almost)lapping at your feet. But don’ttake that to mean ‘budget.’ Thethree-year-old resort, designed byrenowned architect Cecil Balmond,is styled after rustic local villages,with touches of contemporaryflair in its decor. It is—pardon thepun—still oceans apart from youraverage East Coast Park chalet.

PALAGAMA BEACH


WHY DOES IT

ALWAYS RAINON ME?

Like Singapore, it’salways summer in SriLanka—just pick theright time to visit if youdon’t want your holidayto be rained out by those peskymonsoons.

DECEMBERMARCHBest (driest) period to visit the westand south coasts.

APRILAUGUSTThe weather is driest in the north andeast coasts.

AUGUSTSEPTEMBERThe ‘safest’ period to hit all beaches.

WHAT TO DO

There’s loads to do in Palagamaif you’re bored of suntanning orwading around the resort’s infinitypool. Thrill seekers, get youradrenaline pumping with a kite

surfing session. Otherwise, hangout with Black Tip Reef Sharkswhile scuba diving in the Bar Reef,one of the most bio-diverse andpristine coral reefs in the watersaround India.

WHAT TO SEE

If you’re up for a short ride, theWilpattu National Park is just60km away, and is home toleopards, elephants, jackals

and bears. But if that’s too faror if that deck chair is toocomfy, hop on a boat instead.You can go for a lazy cruise alongthe coast, and take in sights of theSri Lankan countryside. Or book atrip further out, where you mightcatch a glimpse of dolphins!

www.palagamabeach.com

WALLE TFRIENDL Y


http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/duet-july-september13-lr-no-promo-lowres-part1 16/2314 July-September 201 3

Where: Galle (southwest region)Room rates: S$350–1,700

With six categories of roomsand suites, you can go fromreasonable digs to all-outopulence at The Fortress.For panoramic views ofthe Indian Ocean from theground floor, pick the BeachSplash Rooms and OceanLofts. Or go for the OceanRooms and Beach Roomsto take in the view fromhigher up. And if you really

want to impress, the FortressResidence suites are 2,500ft2 of sheer grandeur—eachcomes with a personal butler!

WHAT TO DO

The region’s coastal areasaren’t just known for their

HE FORRESSRESOR & SPAwww.fortressresortandspa.com

Your only option from ChangiAirport is to fly to BandaranaikeInternational Airport, located in thecapital city of Colombo. Thankfully,there are a number of airlinesthat can take you there, includingSingapore Airlines and CathayPacific. From the terminal, all threeresorts listed here will provideairport taxi or limo transfers—youjust need to arrange for onebefore you land!

HOW TO

GET THERE

soft, golden sands. Under thewater is where all the magic lies,where kaleidoscopic coral reefsare teeming with aquatic life.And the best way to experiencethis is to get up close and

personal, either by snorkellingor scuba diving. Back on solidground, visit the nearby GalleFort and Yatagala Temple foryour requisite dose of culture.

WHAT TO SEE

The beach is smaller and not

as manic as the others,which makes it ideal forcouch potatoes whowant a change of scenery.And what a change it is.Reserve a deck chair in

the shade and unwind aslocal fishermen practise theancient art of stilt fishing inthe sea in front of you. Youmight even get lucky andspot a few marine turtleslaying eggs aroundthe beach!

MIDRANGE

FEATURE



Where: Tangalle (southern region)Room rates: S$730–890(till 15 Dec 2013);S$1,010–1,200(16 Dec 2013–30 Apr 2014)

AMANWELLA

It doesn’t get any moreluxurious than this. There are

only two types of suites, onenearer to the crescent-shapedbeach than the other, but theyall have jaw-dropping viewsof the ocean or the coconutplantation on which Amanwellasits. The rooms are designedwith the swanky urbanitein mind, so expect lots ofcontemporary furniture andmodern conveniences. Oh, didwe mention each suite comes

with its own pool?

WHAT TO DO

We know what you’re reallyhere for: some well-deservedR&R. Treat yourself to a spasession, which includes facials,massages and body treatments.

You can get this done insecluded garden locations or

in the privacy of your ownsuite. After that, head to theal fresco dining area besidethe swimming pool andwind down the day with acool cocktail.

WHAT TO SEE

If you’re there betweenDecember and April, don’tmiss out on whale watching!Set sail on a leisure trawler

to Weligama Bay and crossyour fingers for a chanceto spot blue whales. Shouldthese gigantic marinemammals be shy that day,you can swim and snorkelfrom the boat, or try yourhand at fishing.

www.amanresorts.com

ÜBERL U XE



TURN UP THE HEAT THISSUMMER WITH THESELESSONS FROM THEICONIC MOVIE.

DIRTY

DANCING

Who can forget PatrickSwayze literally sweepingJennifer Grey off her feet inDirty Dancing ?

A favourite of movie buffseven today, the film—releasedin 1987—has all the elementsof a sizzling romance: thesummer heat permeating the

air, good girl meets bad boy,her disapproving parents,and, of course, the smokin’-hot dancing.

WHY WE LOVE THIS“Nobody puts Baby in a corner,”declares Johnny Castle (Swayze)as he picks Frances ‘Baby’Houseman up to perform theclimactic dance sequence. Andwhat about that speech Johnnymakes about Baby making hima better man? If ever there wasa scene to elicit an involuntary“aww” from cynics, this was it.

Dirty Dancing is the classicexample of true love knowing nobounds. Johnny and Baby maybe people from opposite sides ofthe track, but their love proves to

all naysayers that happily-ever-after is possible, even for theunlikeliest of couples.

HOW TO RECREATE THISTo earn brownie points fromyour better half (perhaps as alead-in to a proposal), preparea heartfelt speech about howhe or she makes your heart gopitter-patter. Die-hard romanticswaiting for the grand gesture oftheir lives will melt to a puddleat your feet! Remember that it’snot about how flowery yourlanguage is; it’s how sincereyou are.

How closely you mirror thefilm depends on how much

BY DAPHNE BOEY

16 July-September 2013

of a fan your partner is. Ifthe lady swoons for Swayze,then it’s time to shop for atight, black singlet and eventighter jeans, guys. Ladies, ifyour guy thinks Baby is cute,you’ll want to deck yourselfout in a white halter-top andthree-quarter jeans, or a flowy,white summer dress. And ifyou want to replicate the flickwith authenticity, there’s onlyone song to burn up the dancefloor with: ‘(I’ve Had) TheTime of My Life’ by Bill Medleyand Jennifer Warnes. Still,if you prefer to personalisethe moment, have your ownspecial song played.

REEL TO REAL



DANCES TO LI ALLYSWEEP YOUR DATEOFF HIS OR HER FEET.YOU’D BE PAIREDWITH OTHER PEOPLE,SO WHILE YOU’RE

BUSTING A MOVE,YOU MIGHT END UPFALLING—IN LOVE,THAT IS.

IT’S A DATE! CONTESTANT

IMMELIA IZALENA SHARES

HER LOVE FOR ALL THINGS

RELATED TO DANCE.

SALSA

Salsa is a fiery and flamboyant dance thatleaves even spectators breathless. It’sa dance style that focuses attention on

movement in the lower body.WHERE: JJSalsaRengue51 Cuppage Road #06-04Tel: 6735 6215

LINDY HOP

Lindy hop, a response to swing jazz in the1920s–30s, incorporates dance moves fromstyles such as jazz, tap or breakaway.WHERE: Jitterbugs Swingapore2 Handy Road, The Cathay, #B1-08Tel: 6887 0383

ARGENTINE TANGO

Sexy and sultry, Argentine tango’s successis arguably less about technicality than aboutthe intense connection between dancers—that’s why it’s so dramatic.WHERE: A Dance Date162 Bukit Merah Central #04-3575Tel: 6769 0500

GE T T H O S E MO V E S !

ON DIRTY DANCING / I love dancing—pair it up with a littleromance and I’m sold! You’d never get sick of watching, timeafter time! ON DANCERS/ I think that dancers are passionate,but [not necessarily] more than [non-dancers]. I believe they’re

more expressive, and fortunate because they get to expressthemselves through dance. ON LOVE AND DANCING/ I don’tthink it’s necessary for my partner to know how to dance. It’dbe great if he could, but if he can’t, it’s fine by me! I believe thatdance is all about expressing oneself; even if my partner weredoing the most ridiculous moves, I’d be happy because [I know]he doesn’t mind looking silly. [That means he’s] comfortablebeing himself around me.




NIGH T A T THE

THEA TRE

BY DAPHNE BOEY

FROM THE PRESTIGIOUS

ESPLANADE TO INDEPENDENT

BLACK BOX SPACES,

THE THEATRE SCENE IN

SINGAPORE IS THRIVING

GOOD NEWS FOR CULTURE

FIENDS WHOSE IDEA OF A

GOOD NIGHT OUT INVOLVES

SOME CATHARTIC RELEASE.

REVAMP

A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME WOULDSMELL AS SWEET, IT’S TRUE, BUTDRESSING RIGHT FOR THE THEATRE IS

A GUARANTEED WAY TO MAKE YOURDATE GO EVEN SWEETER.

Art Direction CHERLIN CHAN

Stylist RUFF ALIAS

Asst. Stylist CHERMEL TOH

Makeup/Hair HANA HEARTS

Photographer MATIN LATIFF

Camera Assistant UNGKU

O N

C A R O L : W H I T E F I T T E D

D R E S S F R O M

B Y S I ; G O L D N E C K L A C E A N D E A R R I N G S F R O M

L O V I S A ; B R A C E L E T F R O M

T H E B L A C K G R O U N D ; H E E L S A N D C L U T C H

F R O M

A L D O .

O N

B E N E D I C T :

B L A Z E R F R O M

F R E D E R I C S A I ; P A N T S

F R O M

F U R R M U S E ; B R A C E L E

T F R O M

C A R R I E K A T B L A C K M A R K E T ; B R O G

U E S F R O M

A L D O .



Time spent at the theatre meansat least two hours of escapism—

not just from your daily woesbut also from the relentless heat.

Factor in the amount ofentertainment you’d enjoy anda night at the theatre soundsmore and more appealing as adating destination. What’s more,this activity is a surefire way ofgenerating plenty of post-showconversation topics for the bothof you to delve into.

Here are some pointers thatshould make your theatre-goingventure smooth sailing. PRESHOWNobody likes a bossypants, so makesure you discuss with your datebeforehand what to watch beforeyou run to get tickets. It may betempting for you to agree to thefirst suggestion that your dateoffers in a bid to be agreeable, butthe wise thing to do here is to behonest with what you like andwhat you don’t. Nothing can beworse than agreeing to catch, say,the ballet, and end up snoringwhen the lights dim and themusic comes on. DURING THE SHOWBear in mind theatre etiquetteat all times. Observing age-oldcustoms is a must; after all, if youwish to partake of the theatreexperience with other people,then the courteous thing is to

be considerate. So turn yourhandphones off (or switch it tosilent mode), keep your voiceslow (and to a minimum), andrefrain from fidgeting too much.Besides, displaying impeccable

manners will just impress your dateeven further.

POSTSHOWUnless you’re a minor, the thoughtof heading home right after theperformance should be squashed—why give up the chance toget to know your date better?Instead, make plans for a lightbite or a quick drink somewherecomfortable and cosy. You can thensuss out what your date thinks ofthe show without having to yellyour lungs out. If you have difficultystarting a conversation, “Howdid you like the show?” is usuallysufficient to kick things off.

WARDROBE WATCHSo you’ve picked the show, andhave ideas on what to do beforeand after. Now comes the reallytough part: what to wear?

A guide for London theatregoersin the 1950s advised that thosewatching a performance inthe West End should considerwearing an evening dress, whichis testament to how fashion andtheatre were once inseparable.Today, unfortunately, many dressfor comfort rather than glamour—this, in our opinion, takes away halfthe fun of a night at the theatre!Some feel silly at the thought ofdressing up for a performance (afterall, who’s watching whom?), butcomfort or sensibility is no excusefor looking like a slob, especially

when you’re out with someoneyou’re hoping to impress. A roseby any other name would smell assweet, it’s true, but dressing rightfor the theatre is a guaranteed wayto make your date go even sweeter.

WHA T’s ON?Recommendations for you.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

If you haven’t heard of The Phantomof the Opera , shame on you. Created

in 1986, Andrew Lloyd Webber’smusical theatre masterpiece isthe most financially successful

entertainment event to date, andis still showing to packed houses

worldwide even after 27 years. Filledwith unforgettable tunes, the gripping

story is about howa disfigured man living in the bowelsof the Paris Opera strives to make

a star out of a fresh new singercalled Christine.

PERFECT FOR: EveryoneDATES AND TIMES: 16 Jul–25 Aug,

8pm (2pm weekend matinee)

LOCATION: Marina Bay SandsMastercard Theatre

TICKET PRICES: S$55–230

HOSSAN-AH!

CELEBRATING LEONG YEARS!Who says theatre performances haveto be all high-brow and arty-farty?For a dose of local humour that’sguaranteed to tickle your funny

bone, drop by the Drama CentreTheatre and catch Hossan-Ah!

PERFECT FOR: People who enjoya laugh.

DATES AND TIMES: 1–4 Aug, 8pm(4pm weekend matinee)

LOCATION: Drama Centre Theatre

TICKET PRICES: S$17–$47



THE PERFEC T

GENTLEMANBENEDICT YONG30, SAP PROJECT MANAGER

Hair

The look: Volumised and waxed hair with side-

parting and flattened sides.

With flat and hard follicles, Ben’s hair had no

personality. It also made his face look rounder.

Taming down the sides of his hair while giving

the top some volume elongates Ben’s face andshowcases his angular jawline.

ApparelA night out at the theatre doesn’t have to be a

lavish affair, but you should aim to look spruced

up and casually smart.

For starters, invest in a well-fitting blazer: it

instantly takes your look up a notch. Experiment

with colours as well as prints so it won’t look like

regular office-wear.

Pair your blazer with a T-shirt and some khaki

pants. This gives you a relaxed appeal, so you don’t

have to worry about looking overdressed. Rolling

up your pants a little adds to the charm.

Accessories

Men, it’s okay to accessorise, especially when we’re

talking about things like watches, cufflinks or even

socks. Just remember that your outfit is made up

of individual elements, so every little bit counts!

For a night out at the theatre, however, you

wouldn’t want to overdo things. Keep it simple

and understated with dark-coloured accessories:

a black leather watch, or braided bracelets.

B E N sa y s

THE HAIRDO AND BLAZER MAKES ME

LOOK MORE YOUTHFUL, AND IT’S GOT

ME THINKING THAT I SHOULD TAKE UP

THIS NEW APPROACH TO DRESSING.

I THINK CAROL’S MAKEOVER IS VERY

SUCCESSFUL—SHE LOOKS SLIMMERIN THE DRESS. ADDTIONALLY, HER

PERMED HAIR COMPLEMENTS THE

OVERALL LOOK WE WERE GOING FOR.

REVAMP



AN ELEGAN T

LADYCAROL TAN31, EXECUTIVE

Hair

The look: Side-parted curls

swept to one side.

Side-swept hair is in vogue now, and it’s

universally flattering—provided you flaunt your

best side! Glamour is achieved through the

addition of curls in her locks. With this hairtreatment, Carol’s neck is elongated, making her

face look slimmer.

Apparel

Contrary to popular belief, fitted dresses do not

make you look fat. The difference between a

fitted dress and a body-con

one is that a fitted dress accentuates

your curves. By wearing a tailor-fitted dress

that’s made of non-stretch material,

you achieve a slimmer silhouette.

The semi-sheer chiffon patches on the

shoulder of Carol’s give modest hints of skin

and indicates a confident woman, while cut-out

details at the waist flatters her figure.

Accessories

Accessorising this dress is a breeze because it is

monotone with a clean silhouette. Feel free to

go with chunky metallic jewellery for that added

pizzazz. Just remember to take note of your

skin tone—silver for cool skin tones and gold

for warmer ones. Are you warm or cool? Check

your veins—if they’re blue, you’re cool toned!

C ar o l S AY S

WH RED MY MAKEOVER LOOK

IENDS, THEY ALL SAID I

BSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!

SO TRANSFORMED. BEN’S

EOVER IS GREAT TOO—HE

S COOL AND FULL OF

UNSHINE. I ALSO LIKE HIS

CHARMING SMILE.

duet july-september13 lr no promo - lowres part1

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