Audience: Family

9 S’porean Photographers To Follow On IG Who Actually Shoot, Not Steal, Photos

Besides having an Instagram handle, anybody who owns the latest iPhone, a film camera and VSCO is loosely deemed a “photographer” now. All you have to do is aim, shoot, edit and post right?

Easy? Not quite.

What sets a legit photographer apart from the amateur ones is a creative eye that only few posses. Not everyone can find a creative spin to a photo that has been shot multiple times by other photographers.

Don’t get us started on amateur photographers ripping photos from other sites, editing them and claiming it as their own.

We sussed out some of the most talented photographers in Singapore that you should keep a look out for. See Singapore in a new light through the lenses of these talented photographers who are making a name for themselves on social media.

Also, #supportlocal lah.

Through Their Lens

1. Jayden Tan (@jaydenation)

Jayden Tan’s striking photographs will get heads turning for all the good reasons. His work first went viral in 2016 when he posted a series of 4 tongue-in-cheek portraits to celebrate National Day!

The photographer’s “Char Bor” series was created to commemorate Singapore’s 51st Birthday. The series feature the same model reimagined as the various women of Singapore. I mean cmon, who would’ve thought to use chilli packets as earrings?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BIz3BgYjCLC/?taken-by=jaydenation

He’s back again this year with a “Make Yishun Great Again” themed photoshoot. I mean just look at the amount of effort that goes into his work.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj7kyg7HOSx/?taken-by=jaydenation

Versatile and striking, there are plenty of reasons why you should be following Jayden’s work on Instagram. This the kind of quality content we should all sign up for!

2. Tim Tan (@perspecgifs)

If you’ve seen Mura Masa – What If I Go MV, then you’ll be familiar with the Wiggle 3D Effect.

The image of the subject is taken in a stereoscopic manner to give it a sense of depth. This effect is so popular that Tim has dedicated his entire Instagram to this Wiggle 3D Effect.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXM2P63BiPG/?taken-by=perspecgifs

If you’re familiar with film cameras, then you’ll realise his images gives off a very old school Fujifilm vibe.

You’ll notice some familiar faces on his feed such as the gorgeous Malaysian singer, Yuna and Korean R&B prince, Dean.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNdsYr0DcHT/?taken-by=perspecgifs

3. Yais Yusman & Yafiq Yusman (@_yaisyusman_ & @_yafiqyusman_)

The Yusman’s are definitely the coolest duo in Singapore. Yes, they’re actual twins.

When the #hypebeast #exploresg trend first kicked off on Instagram, these brothers were out and about exploring the entire Singapore for the sickest shots.

Their Instagram feed is carefully curated with creative architecture shots and clever light play. A prominent feature in all of their photos would be their quirky subjects “hanging off” railings and “playing dead”.

This is how Mondays feel like.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhT5-FUnwET/?taken-by=_yaisyusman_

Most of their shots are taken with an iPhone edited using apps such as VSCO. It’s hard to believe that some of the shots were taken in Singapore.

Like wow damn really, is Singapore THAT beautiful?

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj2MJ_Fg7sn/?taken-by=_yafiqyusman_

4. Khairul Azmas (@khairulazmas)

Khairul’s Hypebeast-esque aesthetic has garnered him a strong following in the photography scene.

He is a self-taught photographer who delved into photography in late 2014 when he bought his first DSLR & iPhone. His Instagram account was also created around the same time was where he shared most of his work.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BbBI7gwF0N2/?taken-by=khairulazmas

In 2015, after working for 5 years as a marketing professional, he left the corporate world to pursue a full-time fashion diploma & focused on his photography which brought about attention from brands & secured him jobs.

His photography skills are next level and it comes as no surprise that he is one of Sony’s go-to photographers in Singapore.

#madskills

5. A (@anelephntintheroom)

Although not as known as other local photographers, A’s work is definitely a beauty.

His photography projects are often the result of my encounters with the cycle of redevelopment in Singapore. He is also inspired by the work of photographers such as Aik Beng Chia, Robert Zhao Renhui, Daido Moriyama, Martin Parr and Sim Chi Yin.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd0IF1UH3bF/?taken-by=anelephntintheroom

Did you know he published a photobook called “Ways Of Seeing” which you can get from Books Actually?

With nearly 10, 000 public housing blocks spread throughout Singapore, “Ways of Seeing” is a collection of images that attempts to capture the aesthetic of look-out points and sight lines in and around such estates in Singapore.

From colour coded void decks whose pillars seemingly repeat infinitely to the peonies, diamonds, moon gates and circles found in stairwells and lift lobbies, the architectural motifs found in public housing blocks in Singapore became our Ways of Seeing.

You can get his book here.

6. Fandy Razak (@frazak)

Fandy is mostly known for his wedding photography works and also for being the coolest skate dad to his two kids.

On weekdays, he can be seen sending his two sons to and fro from school. On weekends, he’s busy photographing someone’s wedding.

He’s known for coming up with the most creative wedding concepts for his clients.

Asides wedding photography, Fandy also captures images of his family on their travels.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjtUTM4FPJm/?taken-by=frazak

Someone give this man a “Best Father Award” already.

Check out more of his work here.

7. Yik Keat (@yk)

Yik Keat’s images pretty much sums up this photographer’s mad skills when it comes to producing breathtaking visuals.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi4XuQBFU1D/?taken-by=yk

His saturated shots have garnered him a strong following base, so much so that Singapore’s Biggest Music Festival, ULTRA Singapore roped him in to be the event’s official photographer.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkILu9ileGx/?taken-by=yk

For god’s sake, this dude even has his own Lightroom Presets which you can download.

His work is giving us all the FEELS.

8. Lenne Chai (@lenneigh)

Fashion photographer Lenne Chai captures stunning portraits and amazing fashion images.

What sets her apart from other fashion photographers would definitely be her style that is a mixture of romantic and quirky.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkCQT_2n-P1/?taken-by=lenneigh

She also had her very own exhibition at this year’s Oh! Emerald Hill called “Salvation Made Simple”. This installation explores the ways in which spirituality has become commercialised to match our commercial world + erasure of native culture as a result of colonialism.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgYCFY4j5lD/?taken-by=lenneigh

9. Estelle Shing (@estelleshing)

If you love anything from portraits, streetwear and film vibes, then you have to check out Estelle’s work.

One of her photos even received a even received a congratulatory thumbs up emoji from musician ASAP Rocky on Instagram .

https://www.instagram.com/p/BO6_5y1g4uQ/

Estelle’s work is largely inspired by classic photographers such as Mary Ellen Mark and Diane Arbus.

Over at Discover SG, we appreciate creativity and identity. Support your local creatives that put in hours to deliver original content from hard work. Let us know if there are other local photographers that we missed out!

Also Read 15 Things Only S’porean 90s Kids Will Remember From Their School Days

(Header Image Source: @yk, @jaydenation, @khairulazmas)

From Merlions To Durians, These Uniquely S’pore Ice Cream Creations Will Make You Melt

Though we live in the tropics, we never cease to complain about how bloody hot the weather is. Recently, temperatures have managed to hit a high of 35 Degrees Celsius and IT IS NOT OKAY.

In response to this ridiculous heat, I’ve taken at least 3 cold showers per day over the weekend, and consumed enough Magnum ice creams to develop lactose intolerance. Okay, I exaggerate but you get my point.

Speaking of ice cream, Esplanade recently saw the opening of a local artisanal ice cream shop.

Introducing, Leeu SG.

You Mean, We Can Eat The Merlion?

With a logo of a lion’s head that looks way better than LiHo’s, this local artisanal ice cream is making waves across the nation for their iconic Merlion ice pop, The Icy Merlion.

The Icy Merlion is Vanilla and Strawberry-flavoured, because red and white are our national colours.

That’s not all, there’s also a durian ice cream, aptly named The “Esplanade” that’s made to look like a durian.

Other items on the menu include soda floats and soft serve ice creams.

Choose from 4 different soda floats, each with their own locally-inspired names.

The lychee-flavoured Sentosa Breeze, The Red Dot with peach soda, The Zouk-Out Cure with yuzu lemon ginger soda, and The Old Timer which is a pandan-infused milk beancurd float.

Their soft serves are made with Blue Majik. No it’s not a drug. Blue Majik is a new superfood that’s a derivative of sea algae spirulina.

Every soft serve is served (no pun intended) in a normal or charcoal Taiyaki (Japanese fish-shaped waffle).

For the month of June, Leeu SG will be selling their local desserts at discounted prices. Get your Merlion Ice Pop at $3.80 (U.P $4.80) and the Esplanade Ice Cream at $8.80 (U.P $11.80).

And lastly, you will be able to buy a unicorn float for $1 with any purchase of a drink.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get myself a Merlion to munch on and get that adorable AF unicorn float. Peace.

Leeu SG
Address: The Esplanade Mall, #02-07, Singapore 039802
Opening Hours: Daily: 11am – 10pm
Contact no.: 9489 7433
Website

Also read If You Can’t Cook, This Fish Stall Will Teach You How To Prep And Serve Seafood Like A Pro

(Header Image Source: Leeu SG)

If You Can’t Cook, This Fish Stall Will Teach You How To Prep And Serve Seafood Like A Pro

One of the things that’s synonymous with the old school lifestyle of elderly Singaporeans is the wet market.

It’s a place that bustles with so much life and a gathering spot for the previous generations, yet millennials and the younger generations fervently avoid it.

As a millennial, I can attest that the smell and wet floors bothers me. I do try to avoid the wet market as much as possible, though sometimes I do join my grandfather on his grocery shopping trips.

Now, enter Dish The Fish.

A Modern Fishmonger

This fishmongering business began as an outlet in West Coast Plaza, equipped with a kitchen and cooking studio for cooking demonstrations and sampling.

Equipped with elegant wood-panelled walls, glass displays (so aunties don’t aggressively poke and pick) and iPads for ordering, Dish The Fish might be a modern fishmonger, but they’re not losing out to their traditional counterparts.

Now they have a 2nd outlet in Beo Crescent Market, that looks more like a traditional wet market stall.

They bring in a wide variety of seafood from various sources, with popular Asian fishes such as Threadfin, Grouper (Garoupa?) and Pomfret and even lesser known fishes such as Tongue Sole, Yellow Ribbonfish and Asian Whiting (better known as Sua Jiam).

If you’re lucky, you might even find seasonal catches such as Salmon, Turbot and the rare Kinki (a type of Japanese rockfish).

On a personal note, the Asian Whiting is SENSATIONAL when lightly battered and deep fried. Moving on!

Don’t forget to check their online store to see what’s on sale, in season or out of stock. You can order the fish online and they’ll deliver it to you!

I am ashamed to say that I cannot cook. If you’re like me, Dish The Fish is a godsend.

The staff are knowledgeable and helpful, and will assist you with making a choice on choosing the “right” fish and how to determine what’s fresh or not.

Basically, they teach you how to be competent with seafood.

That’s not all, they even give tips on how to prepare the fish and the best way to cook the fish of your choice.

Cooking Studio

While this is formally known as a cooking studio, it’s more of a dine-in restaurant situation. What better way to teach you the best method to prepare a certain fish, than to cook, serve and taste it?

The menu isn’t extensive, and it comprises only seafood. They serve prawns, so if you’re allergic, this is your heads up.

Now, the menu is small, with 4 set meals and 4 à la carte dishes available. However, one thing’s for sure, the seafood is FRESH.

For the set meals that are reasonably priced from $10.80 to $12.80, you have a choice of Teochew Style Steamed Whole Snapper, Thai Style Steamed Prawns, or maybe something different with an Aburi Salmon Bowl.

The à la carte menu showcases 2 curry dishes that uses stingray and fish head respectively. The remaining 2 options allow you to fully customise your dish – choose your seafood of choice and cooking style.

Eh, Can Join Member!

That’s right, this fishmonger even has a membership program.

You will get $5 rebate as a welcome bonus when you register as a member at any of their stalls. As a member, every $10 spent will give you $0.10 cash rebate that you can redeem any time AND you’ll also know about exclusive promotions and products first.

It’s time to introduce my parents to this.

Dish The Fish is a great place to start if you’re new in the kitchen and venturing into handling and cooking seafood. With their friendly and knowledgeable staff, it won’t take long before you’re dishing out seafood dishes at home like a seasoned chef!

Dish The Fish
Address: 38A Beo Crescent Market #01-24, Singapore 169982
Opening Hours: Tue, Wed, Sat – Sun: 7am – 12pm
Contact no.: 8742 8957

Address: 154 West Coast Road, West Coast Plaza, #B1-22/23/24, Singapore 127371
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 10am – 9pm
Contact no.: 6988 9271
Website

Also read This App Will Be Your Cheat Sheet When Bae Asks You, “Where Should We Go Ah?”

(Header Image Source: UOB and Dish The Fish)

Attention: Charlie Puth To Hold First-Ever S’pore Concert On Nov 13

Attention: If you don’t listen to Charlie Puth, we can’t talk anymore.

But that’s not the point.

The point is, Charlie Puth is coming to Singapore on 13 November 2018 for a one night only performance.

Voicenotes Tour

While ticketing details have not been released at the moment, we do know that he will be performing at The Star Theatre this November!

Fans will be able to watch Charlie Puth perform hits from the Voicenotes album, such as “Attention” and “Done For Me”.

Who knows, he might even sing his other hit singles that we know and love.

In the mean time, here’s our favourite song at the moment:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfs8NYg7yQM

Till then, we’ll be blasting Charlie Puth in the office all day!

Charlie Puth Voicenotes Tour
Date: 13 November 2018
Where: The Star Theatre
Website

Also Read 2 More Shows To Be Added To JJ Lin’s Concert In S’pore This Aug

(Header Image Source:

From June 20, Your KFC Drinks Will No Longer Come With Plastic Caps And Straws

Starting 20 June 2018, all 84 KFC restaurants nationwide will stop serving beverages with plastic caps and straws.

It comes as no surprise as there’s been a ramping up of anti-plastic waste measures by huge companies recently.

For example, Deliveroo Singapore pledged to do its part to cut down the use of plastic with the introduction of an “opt-in function” for cutlery on World Environment Day (5 June).

There are also plenty of start ups in Singapore introducing bamboo/metal straws to encourage Singaporeans to ditch the plastic straws and opt for reusable ones instead. Melissa Lam, the Bamboo Straw Girl, sells reusable bamboo straws and other products such as natural soap bars, bamboo fountain pens, and fabric wraps, and strawkeepers.

Ditch The Plastic Straws

In a bid to reduce single-use plastics, KFC will stop serving their drinks with plastic caps and straws as part of their No Straws initiative.

Lynette Lee, General Manager of Kentucky Fried Chicken Management Pte Ltd, said: “We acknowledge the strain that single-use plastics put on our environment and are taking steps to do our part in endeavouring a change.

This makes KFC the very first fast food chain in Singapore to ditch single-use plastics. It has been estimated that this move will “save 17.8 metric tons of single-use plastics in a year”.

Since December 2016, KFC Singapore has made efforts to go green by swapping out paper boxes for reusable baskets for dine-in meals. In early 2017, KFC introduced recyclable paper packaging for their breakfast platters in place of foam packaging for their KFC a.m. menu.

These initiatives saw a reduction of close to 2.5 million paper boxes and over 700,000 sets of foam packaging in a span of only 6 months.

KFC Singapore also added that they will continue to review and rollout the use of more biodegradable packaging for their offerings as part of their ongoing eco-conscious efforts.

Good on you KFC, you’re doing it right!

What are your thoughts on KFC ditching their straws and plastic caps? Let us know!

KFC Singapore
Address: Find your nearest outlet here
Website

Also Read From Seoul To S’pore – Korea’s Popular Isaac Toast Chain To Open In Plaza Singapura This July

(Header Image Source: KFC Singapore)

From Seoul To S’pore – Korea’s Popular Isaac Toast Chain To Open In Plaza Singapura This July

Did you actually go to Seoul if you never tried Isaac Toast?

Isaac Toast is a possibly one of the best breakfast places in Seoul. Long queues are evident at almost every Isaac Toast outlet in Seoul daily. Despite it being a breakfast item, Isaac Toasts are eaten throughout the day now.

Isaac Toast started their franchising journey from 2003 and can be found outside of Korea! As of 2016, the chain has over 700 retail stores in South Korea and  further expanded internationally and established branches including Macau, Taiwan and even Malaysia!

Great news for fans of Isaac Toast, you can finally get your hands on this popular Korean street snack in Singapore next month!

Isaac Toast will be opening in Singapore at Plaza Singapura in mid-July 2018!

What You Should Check Out At Isaac Toast

If you’re a first timer or you have zero clue as to why everyone is raving over this toast, here’s how they prepare their toasts in Seoul.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fEtC4hrxOQ

All their sandwiches are freshly made and grilled upon order. You pick your preferred fillings and the slices of bread are toasted to a right level of crisp before they pile on the fresh fillings.

You’ll be spoilt for choice as there are plenty of toast fillings for you to choose from!

If you’re having Isaac Toast for breakfast, the price of your sandwich varies depending on your filling. But they won’t burn a hole in your pocket as the sandwiches ranges from $2.50 to $5 (2,200 to 3,200 KRW)! Complete your breakfast with your favourite kopi O and you have the perfect breakfast combination.

Here’s what you should get from Isaac Toast once they open in Singapore!

Hot Chicken MVP Toast 

This simple ham and cheese toast combination is pretty popular. I mean you really can’t go wrong with a slice of ham and cheese sandwiched between buttered toasts for breakfast.

Bulgogi MVP Toast 

The Bulgogi MVP toast comes with a beef rib patty, omelette egg, pickles, shredded cabbage and a special savoury-sweet sauce sandwiched between crisp buttered toasts.

Pizza Toast

The Pizza Toast is a relatively new addition to the menu. This toast comes with melted mozzarella cheese and grilled ham drizzled with pizza sauce!

The sandwiches may look simple and honestly something you can make at home BUT once you’ve tried it, you’ll understand what the hype is all about – it’s simple stuff made particularly good.

Some of the toasts even comes with a special sauce and sweet honey which gives it an extra kick.

So if you’re looking for a change from your usual kaya butter toast every morning, you’ll be able to get your hands on these popular toasts soon.

Isaac Toast is slated to open mid-July 2018; so keep your eyes peeled for more updates to come.

Isaac Toast Singapore
Website

Also Read llaollao FINALLY Makes A Comeback In S’pore – Reopens First Outlet At Changi Airport

(Header Image Source: @michico13 and @jobyna)

llaollao FINALLY Makes A Comeback In S’pore – Reopens First Outlet At Changi Airport

Remember when a frozen yogurt war broke out in Singapore in December last year?

https://www.facebook.com/llaollaoSingapore/photos/a.668588463157992.1073741824.518168531533320/2030168586999966/?type=3&theater

Ah, don’t you just love it when frozen yogurt chains throw shade at each other.

Fans of llaollao mourned its departure when they suddenly announced a sudden closure of all its 29 outlets across Singapore and was replaced by another frozen yogurt brand, Yolé.

Great news for fans of llaollao, your favourite frozen yoghurt brand that you know and love is finally back in Singapore with a new store at Changi Airport!

Make Frozen Yogurt Great Again

Llaollao had said in a statement on Facebook then that it was “far from finished in Singapore” and was working to keep the brand in the country.

True to their words, llaollao returned to Singapore on 16 June at Changi Airport Terminal 2 next to American doughnut chain Krispy Kreme and Taiwan’s TP Tea.

https://www.facebook.com/llaollaoSingapore/photos/a.668588463157992.1073741824.518168531533320/2262493870434102/?type=3&theater

If you are one of those people who still believe that if something tastes good it can’t be healthy, then you haven’t tried Sanum. Made from skimmed milk, its Sanum which is a yogurt parfait topped with three layers of fresh, seasonal fruit, muesli, honey and drizzled with sauces!

Totally guilt-free and perfect on a hot day.

To mark their return, llaollao has planned a series of promotions, including the chance for the first five customers to win six months’ supply of its popular Sanum (one redemption per week for six months).

The rest of the first 100 customers will also get to win other prizes in a lucky dip.

It will also be introducing a loyalty card, which customers can use to collect stamps and redeem a small tub of frozen yoghurt.

Best part, they’ll be opening a second store in Tampines 1 mall at the end of June, with more outlets in the pipeline after that.

Step aside Yolé, llaollao is FINALLY back in town and here to stay!

Froyo anyone?

Llaollao (Changi Airport)
Address: 60 Airport Boulevard, Level 2 (Departure Hall), Changi Airport Terminal 2, Singapore 819643
Website

Also Read Try 26 Hawker Dishes For $1 Each At This Carnival In Yishun Park Hawker Centre

(Header Image Source: llaollao Singapore Facebook and @noamisohungry)

2 More Shows To Be Added To JJ Lin’s Concert In S’pore This Aug

As we all know by now, JJ Lin will be performing in Singapore this August for 2 nights – 18 and 19 August 2018.

General ticket sales have already gone live and tickets have sold out almost immediately.

While there are no more tickets available at the moment, Unusual Entertainment has just announced that they will be adding 2 more shows to the JJ Lin ‘Sanctuary’ World Tour on 15 and 16 August 2018 as well!

https://www.facebook.com/UnusualEntertainment/posts/10160522381665716

JJ Lin ‘Sanctuary’ World Tour tickets go from $148 to $348. If you got your tickets the first time round, lucky you!

For those of you who didn’t, do keep checking back for more details on when the ticket sales for the additional shows will go live!

JJ Lin ‘Sanctuary’ World Tour
Venue: Singapore Indoor Stadium
Date: 15 – 19 Aug 2018
Price: $148 – $348
Website

Also read It’s Official: JJ Lin Will Be Performing In S’pore As Part Of His ‘Sanctuary’ World Tour

(Header Image Source: Asian TV Awards)

Try 26 Hawker Dishes For $1 Each At This Carnival In Yishun Park Hawker Centre

For the longest time, Singaporeans have complained about the increasing prices of food and housing.

But for a day in the month of June, Yishun Park Hawker Centre is taking things back to the old days, when food was still cheap, and a crisp $10 note made you seem like a rich man.

What I’m saying is, on 23 June 2018, Yishun Park Hawker Centre will be having a $1 Carnival – Reunion @ YPHC to commemorate and celebrate both traditional and new hawker food.

Old And New Hawker Fare

For ONE DAY ONLY, 26 stallholders in Yishun Park Hawker Centre will be showcasing food from its traditional and young hawkers and you get to try the signature dishes from the participating stalls, for just ONE DOLLAR.

Happening from 11am to 5pm on 23 June 2018, you get to dig into signature hawker dishes such as thosai, prata with curry and prawn noodles. Look out for JJ’s Prawn Noodles, which are known for their rich and complex broth.

Other dishes to look out for include the handmade fishballs from Fishball Story and the smooth Chicken Porridge from Li Fang Congee.

While the traditional hawkers have stood the test of time and are exceptional at what they serve, the new hawkers (we call them hawkerpreneurs) hold their own too, serving up some pretty impressive dishes.

Once again, Ah Tan Wings leads the charge with his Har Cheong Gai (Prawn Paste Chicken).

Ah Lock Tofu serves up fluffy taupok skewers and Nasi Lemak Taliwang brings their addictive spicy Sino-Indo Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang to the table.

Haven’t seen anything you like yet? How about the Lala White Beehoon from XLX Modern Tze Char that boasts some intense umami flavours?

Seafood Pirates serves up a mean Prawn Omelette Rice and Midas Every Touch Is Gold spoils the market with a Midas Signature which includes baked prata, curry and roasted chicken.

Now that’s really making the most out of a dollar.

Flea Market

Of course, no carnival is complete without a flea market and carnival games!

There will also be a flea market for the adults, carnival games stations for the kids and the young at heart, a colouring contest, as well as an instant photobooth to capture the moment!

While the $1 Carnival runs from 11am to 5pm, the flea market will close later at 8pm.

Return Your Trays And Stand To Win Store Credits

Yishun Park Hawker Centre encourages diners to return their own tray after eating and every tray returned is a chance to win in the Tray Return Lucky Draw.

There will be a total of $1000 worth of store credits to be won in the Tray Return Lucky Draw.

For those of you living in Sembawang and Khatib, there will be complimentary shuttle bus services available to take you to Yishun Park Hawker Centre.

From 10.45am to 3pm, there will be pick-ups and drop-offs at Sembawang, Khatib and Yishun MRT station.

Are you ready for a sensational Saturday feast for $1?

Don’t forget to bring your friends and family so you get to try as many dishes as possible!

$1 Carnival – Reunion @ YPHC
Venue: Yishun Park Hawker Centre, 51 Yishun Avenue 11, Singapore 768867
Date: 23 Jun 2018
Time: 11am – 5pm (flea market closes at 8pm)
Website

Also read The Kevin Hart Irresponsible Tour Makes Its Final Stop In S’pore This Dec

(Header Image Source: Yishun Park Hawker Centre)

DBS Is Making Banking Effortless Because Really, “Where Got Time?”

Just a week ago, I realised that my debit card was nearing its expiry date.

Immediately, I thought about finding a good time to brave the typically long bank queues and renew it…and then it hit me.

When was the last time that I actually queued at a bank branch?

Not trusting my bad memory, I asked colleagues around me about the last time they queued (or even visited) a bank branch.

“Wow…I really think the last time was 5 years ago, when I went to get my debit card set up. I had a POSB kids account, and I needed to changed it to my current account,” said one.

The others, like myself, couldn’t remember the last time they even visited a bank.

Sure, withdrawing cash from an ATM is still pretty old school, but many bank-related transactions can now be done by starting up your iBanking app.

Take for example the transferring of funds.

I still remember when buying an item from an online shop meant heading down to an ATM, carefully keying in the account number, getting the transaction receipt, taking a photo of the receipt, sending over the photo to the vendor, and waiting for confirmation of payment.

Now, all you need is the recipient’s phone number to make a transfer!

What’s more, you’ll even get the digital receipt sent via SMS to your phone as well.

Checking in on my savings and financial health has also never been easier. I can’t imagine how tedious it might have been a decade ago, when the only way you could check your funds was by updating your passbook!

DBS Bank has just revealed plans to make banking even more convenient for customers, and it’s doing this by going ‘invisible’.

The Very Visible DBS Bank Goes…Invisible?

Just 2 weeks ago, DBS Bank unveiled that it’s ditching the decade-old, well-known tagline “Living, Breathing Asia” for a brand new one.

Said DBS CEO Piyush Gupta during the event, “In the last 10 years, we have successfully established ourselves as a leader in Asia banking. While we remain rooted to Asia, Asia is rapidly changing, like the rest of the world.”

With the ubiquity of the smartphone, the explosion of data and the rise of the sharing economy, customer behaviours are dramatically different from what they were before. Customers want a new kind of banking.

Thus, it wants to evolve from simply being a bank that understands the region it’s in, to being one that reimagines how banking is done and perceived.

And it’s doing so by, ironically, going ‘invisible’.

But how does a bank that serves a few million customers and that’s almost as old as Singapore go ‘invisible’?

Its new ethos, “Live more, Bank less”, is the answer.

Evolving With Singapore And Its Customers

Just like how Singapore has evolved and grown over the years, DBS Bank has similarly followed suit since inception in 1968.

First established by the Singapore Government as The Development Bank of Singapore (yes, that’s where the ‘DBS’ comes from!) to take over industrial financing activities from the Economic Development Board (EDB), it has since grown not just locally, but across various markets in the region as well.

Currently, there are over 280 DBS branches across 18 markets.

With a market capitalisation standing at about S$75 billion currently, it is among the top 40 most valuable banks globally, and has been the most valuable bank brand in ASEAN for the past six years.

Named the “Safest Bank in Asia” by Global Finance for nine consecutive years, and “Asia’s Best Bank” by publications like The Banker, Euromoney, IFR Asia, and Global Finance, it has also been the pioneer of many firsts in the industry.

For example, it was the first bank in Singapore to adopt cloud-based productivity technology, Office 365, in its workplace in 2016. DBS also became the first bank in Singapore to launch a cloud-based data centre in the following year.

While these 2 ‘firsts’ might not be very applicable to a regular Singaporean, I’m sure you’ve heard of another Singapore-first initiative that they launched last year.

Called “NAV Hub”, it is Singapore’s first financial planning centre by a bank which offers free advisory services, with – get this – no financial products being sold.

Targeted at millennials, they launched phase 2 of the initiative just last month – “NAV – Your Financial GPS“, a digital financial advisor that can be found in customers’ DBS/POSB iBanking and digibank apps.

Integrating all customers’ banking transactional activities, users can set budgets and goals, and no expenditure goes unaccounted for – making it the perfect solution for those who aren’t sure about whether or not they’re on the right track – financially-wise.

Not Just Chasing ‘Firsts’

But more than just chasing ‘firsts’, DBS Bank’s main driving force lies in enabling more customers to, like its new tagline, “Live more, Bank less”.

“Live more, Bank less” encapsulates many aspects and DBS is intent on enabling its customers to:

1. Live Hassle-Free With Invisible Banking

One way it plans to do this is by embedding banking in customers’ financial journey.

To do this, DBS has launched car, property, and electricity marketplaces on its website in the last 9 months, making browsing and purchasing these items even more seamless.

DBS iWealth, its platform for the higher-end consumer segment, also allows customers in Singapore and Hong Kong manage, trade, and transact via their mobile phones 24/7.

2. Seize Life’s Opportunities

iWealth also provides insights to these customers to better seize investment opportunities.

This includes having access to sophisticated portfolio and performance analysis, as well as curated research and investment views.

For the entrepreneurs among us, SMEs with DBS BusinessClass can get access to the latest market trends, a knowledgeable community of Asia’s business leaders, and also attend industry-specific events to gain more information and contacts.

As a means to give back to society and encourage customers to live more fulfilling, socially-conscious lives, AsiaForGood.com, was launched as a first-of-its-kind lifestyle portal to help social enterprises in Asia gain greater visibility.

3. Live Larger Than Themselves

More than just giving them a platform to showcase their goods and causes, DBS has also been helping social entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life since 2014 through the DBS Foundation, which is actively supporting social enterprises through funding, mentorships, and training.

Banking, Like Living, Should Be Effortless

Having made reimagining banking a priority in the last few years, we believe we are well-placed to personify and embody banking of the future. – DBS CEO Piyush Gupta

Doing bank-related transactions have become so effortless that there’s no more excuses for any inertia – be it in paying any bills, signing up for any new cards, or even getting a head start on investing.

More than just effort saved, it’s also a whole lot of time saved, and while I’m speaking mainly as a DBS Bank customer, I’m pretty sure this is the same for customers of other banks as well.

For banks, freeing up time and energy for customers doesn’t just make them more bold to do more with their account – it also gives them time to do more non-banking stuff.

Like having fun with friends over food and conversation.

Like building a home and loving relationship with your partner.

Like witnessing your child’s first words and steps.

And that’s exactly what DBS wants to help its customers do.

For more information on “Live more, Bank less”, please visit: www.dbs.com/livemore. This article was written in collaboration with DBS Bank.

This article first appeared on Vulcan Post.