Book review: The Summer House by Masashi Matsuie is a quiet ode to Japanese architecture
The Summer House
By Masashi Matsuie, translated by Margaret Mitsutani
Other Press/Fiction/400 pages/$29.98
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Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Filipino teens celebrate coming-of-age with traditional bash in Singapore
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The TL;DR: The 18th birthday bash of a Filipino girl is one to remember, a coming-of-age celebration marked by the '18 roses' and '18 candles' tradition. Singapore-based Filipino students continue to celebrate their debut, even influencing students of other ethnicities. Temasek Polytechnic student Andrea Din's debut was themed after an enchanted garden. During the event, she danced and sang with her friends. SINGAPORE –Temasek Polytechnic student Andrea Din celebrated her 18th birthday in December 2024 in grand style: about 120 guests showed up at the Holiday Inn Orchard ballroom. Filipino customs were followed; the birthday girl danced with 18 male relatives or friends, receiving a rose from each one. Her female relations and friends lit 18 candles and offered her well-wishes. This is the '18 roses' tradition, a part of an 18-year-old girl's coming-of-age celebration, known as a 'debut'. Ms Din, a product experience and design student , is among Singapore-based female students of Filipino descent who keep this tradition even while abroad . It is a joyous gathering that is often planned and celebrated by the birthday girl's family and friends. The custom is also catching on among non-Filipino students with friends in the Filipino community. 'It's the one time you get to celebrate you, and it's a good way to connect everyone in your family,' said Ms Din. 'You get to show your Filipino side to your Singaporean friends, too.' For debuts that take place in Singapore, Filipino families can sometimes invite more than a hundred guests, including relatives who live in the Philippines. A party can cost upwards of $5,000. The party venues vary in size, from as small as a karaoke studio to as large as function halls and hotel ballrooms. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 18 persons nabbed and 82 vapes seized in HSA ops in Raffles Place and Haji Lane Singapore 3 Sengkang Green Primary pupils suspended for bullying classmate, with 1 of them caned: MOE Singapore Woman trapped between train doors: Judge rules SBS Transit '100% responsible' Singapore Religion growing in importance for Singaporeans: IPS study Life Record number of arts patrons in 2024, but overall donation dips to $45.74m Life 'Loss that's irreplaceable': Local film-makers mourn closure of Singapore indie cinema The Projector Singapore Nearly 2 years' jail, caning for man caught with at least 100 sexually explicit videos of children Singapore Grab users in Singapore shocked by fares of over $1,000 due to display glitch On this occasion, partygoers dress to the nines. And the birthday girl, usually in a ballgown fit for a princess, is the star. Attendees may take part in traditions that show their affection for her. For example, those closest to her present 18 gifts – or 'treasures' – and make speeches to express their gratitude for the celebrant. There is also the custom involving 18 roses and 18 candles, which was displayed at Ms Din's debut. Bringing people together Planning a debut is a team effort. Often, the debutante's friends and parents take care of the venue booking, catering, decorations and programme. Ms Din's bash was planned by her mother and a team of 'titas' (aunts or family friends) from her church. The debutante and her friends started things off with a ballroom-style and hip hop dance routine they had rehearsed hard to perfect. Then, Miss Din sang, her friends playing the guitar and singing along . Friends who attended the same church as her gave speeches about watching her grow up – something that moved her a lot. 'They knew me as a shy, timid person, but now they see me stepping up to serve our church confidently,' she said. 'To hear them say that made me shed a tear.' To thank her guests, Ms Din gave out about 120 blind box figurines that she designed herself. Ms Paulyn Grace Aleta, another Filipino student here, is helping other girls plan their deb ut. The 23-year-old Singapore University of Social Sciences student had her own debut six years ago, with a 1950s-themed party, where her friends sang her favourite song by The Beach Boys. Ms Aleta said the special performances and gifts from those in her community made her feel recognised. Since then, she has arranged her best friend's debut and volunteered to coordinate the food, decorations and the programmes for four other debutantes, including Ms Din. She even sourced custom-made decorations for her brother's 25th birthday, which was themed around Filipino street style. While less common, Filipino men often celebrate their debut at 21. Helping debutantes is her way of passing down tradition. Ms Aleta, who moved her as a child , said: 'Growing up here, there are things I feel I missed out on. Having this debut brings you back to being a Filipino.' Her experience planning other girls' debuts prompted her to work in the events industry for two years, where she sourced venues and helped set up events, before entering university. Charis Joy Siah, though not from the Philippines herself, celebrated her debut with her church community. PHOTO: ANDREA DIN Influenced by the community Some non-Filipino students are picking up this custom too. Singaporean Charis Joy Siah, 21, grew up attending a church with a mostly Filipino congregation. So her mother encouraged her to have a coming-of-age celebration just like her Filipino friends. Her debut did not take place when she turned 18 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, so she had a big bash for her 21st birthday instead. Ms Siah is so in tune with Filipino culture that she drops Tagalog words into her conversations with ease – for example, saying that the cost of a debut depends on how 'maarte' (dramatic) a debutante is. Tagalog is one of the major languages spoken in the Philippines. 'There's a lot more life that goes into these parties. Filipinos, in general, are much more welcoming, much more joyful,' said the NTU student. Her debut was a community affair. Her parents' friends helped with the decor and baked cake, while her friends planned the programme and set up the venue. The party theme was inspired by her favourite Netflix series Bridgerton , a romantic drama set in London in the 1800s, and even the emcees' script was written in 19th-century English. In place of 18 roses, candles and treasures, attendees read out 21 letters, dedicated songs and gave flowers to her. 'To Singaporeans, it might seem dramatic,' Ms Siah said. 'But I don't just celebrate myself, I celebrate all these people too.' She said many debutantes are at the age when they feel unsure about their place in life. So, seeing their community come together to celebrate their coming of age can be a source of confidence. 'You see 80 people gather because they love you, you get to witness 21 years of all these people playing a part in your life,' she said. 'It helps a lot for your self-esteem.'
New Paper
13 hours ago
- New Paper
Singapore indie cinema The Projector in debt to the tune of $1.2m
Ahead of a meeting with creditors set for Aug 29, the firm behind Singapore indie cinema The Projector has revealed that it owes them more than $1.2 million. In an e-mail sent out to creditors on Aug 19 and seen by The Straits Times, Pocket Cinema listed 33 different creditors comprising individuals and organisations. The highest amount - $382,888.03 - is owed to Overseas Movie (Private), while others named in the list include the firm's director Karen Tan, as well as other shareholders, including one of The Projector's founders, Ms Blaise Camille Trigg-Smith. Ms Tan, also one of The Projector's founders, is owed more than $120,000, while Ms Trigg-Smith is owed slightly above $100,000. ST has contacted Ms Tan for more information. Other creditors include those who held memberships with The Projector that have yet to expire. These comprise 2,295 people who are owed a total of more than $89,000. The majority of them, or 1,566, held memberships with The Projector Fan Club. Although membership information on the indie cinema's website has been replaced with a notice of suspension as at Aug 20, a version dated July 9 on the Internet Archive showed that it costs $85 to hold a membership through this tier. All members are entitled to four free tickets, $2 off standard ticket prices, 10 per cent off the total bill at the Intermission bar at Golden Mile Tower and No Spoilers Bar at Cineleisure, special giveaways and prizes, as well as invites to exclusive members-only events and screenings. Other membership tiers include The Projector Student Club, for those with valid student identification, and The Projector Senior Club, for those above the age of 55. Both cost $67. To one 24-year-old patron of The Projector, the $7 he is owed in membership fees is but a petty sum. The patron, who declined to give his name, said: "I'm not really bothered about them owing money to me, since it is a relatively small amount, but more so about losing a space where I can find curated films through their various film festivals and events. "It was also a space for many smaller organisations to host events and share stories." The cinephile added that he, alongside other friends who are regulars, have decided not to claim their refunds to help the now-shuttered indie cinema with their finances. Meanwhile, those with unused tickets were also included in the list of creditors, with a total of $14,302 owed to them. A 28-year-old moviegoer who had bought two tickets to the Aug 20 screening of Punch Drunk Love, a 2002 romantic comedy starring Adam Sandler, told ST that he too was on the list of creditors. He said: "Fortunately for me, the refundable amount of $23 was relatively low. I'm just surprised at the speed at which operations were shut down." One person has 16 unused tickets - the most, compared with others on the list. The meeting for creditors is set for 2.30pm on Aug 29 via video conference, according to the e-mail. The Projector's sudden closure on Aug 19 after more than a decade of operations took many by surprise, with its screenings and events scheduled after the date cancelled. It cited rising operational costs, shifting audience habits and the global decline in cinema attendance as reasons for its closure. Ms Diane Chan, the management consultant of KillerMud Films, said The Projector's announcement had taken the company by surprise. The boutique film distribution company, which focuses on Asian, genre and independent films, is owed more than $1,800, according to the list of creditors. Ms Chan said: "The Projector has built up such a loyal audience for art-house and alternative content over the years. We sincerely hope that they can reinvent themselves and surface again. "We need an independent exhibitor like The Projector for our local cinema industry and arts scene to progress." Incorporated on Sept 16, 2014, Pocket Cinema's records with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (Acra) showed that it started out as a loss-making venture. In the financial year ending on Dec 31, 2014, it reported a loss of slightly more than $45,000 after taxes. The company's fortunes turned in the financial year ending on Dec 31, 2016, when it made a profit of almost $166,000 after taxes, with its revenue reported to be about $1.16 million. But its profits shrank the following year by more than 2½ times to $64,122 after taxes, despite a revenue of about $1.3 million. Based on Acra records, the latest financial statement was filed in December 2017. Separately, a listing on CommercialGuru showed that The Projector's 10,000 sq ft space at Golden Mile Tower was listed for rent at $33,000 a month from July 28. While the listing was removed as at 11am on Aug 20, it was put up again about four hours later.
Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Straits Times
‘Loss that's irreplaceable': Local film-makers mourn closure of indie cinema The Projector
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox On Aug 19, The Projector announced it had ceased operations immediately, with all future screenings and events cancelled. SINGAPORE - Local film-makers have likened the closure of local indie cinema The Projector to the death of a close friend, given its importance in the cultural landscape. For over a decade, The Projector was a haven for alternative cinema, a space where film-makers could test new ideas, and a hub for cinephiles to connect, these film-makers said. On Aug 19, The Projector announced it had ceased operations immediately , with all future screenings and events cancelled. Award-winning filmmaker Boo Junfeng described the closure as a 'huge loss' not only for Singapore's film scene but for its cultural vitality. Boo, whose film Apprentice (2016) won the Netpac award at the prestigious Golden Horse Awards , said: 'The Projector was a space that dared to be different... it was something Singapore sorely needed.' He added that the cinema had an emphasis on showcasing films beyond the blockbuster movies that typically fill other theatres. Its closure leaves a significant gap among cinema-goers in the range of movies available here, with audiences able to access such a broad range of films only during the annual Singapore International Film Festival, Boo added. He said: 'These are not always titles suitable for watching on streaming platforms. They require the big screen and the commitment from the viewer to set aside their schedules and distractions to watch and enjoy.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 18 persons nabbed and 82 vapes seized in HSA ops in Raffles Place and Haji Lane Singapore Judge finds SBS Transit '100% responsible' in lawsuit filed by woman trapped in train doors Singapore COE premiums up in all categories except motorcycles; Cat A price climbs 2.5% to $104,524 Singapore Grab users in Singapore shocked by fares of over $1,000 due to display glitch Singapore MyRepublic's policy of not imposing download speed limits to stay after takeover: Starhub Singapore Emergency broadcast system to alert S'pore public to disasters via their mobile phones: Edwin Tong Life S'pore bands mark milestones with gigs: Silver Strings at 60, Mel & Joe at 55 and Lovehunters at 40 Singapore Singapore indie cinema The Projector owes over $1.2m to creditors Director Anthony Chen said he was set to screen his upcoming film We Are All Strangers at The Projector in 2026 before the news broke about the closure. Director Anthony Chen held a screening of Ilo Ilo (2013) followed by a question-and-answer session at The Projector in 2019. SCREENSHOT: INSTAGRAM The Ilo Ilo (2013) director said he would always get 'the most thoughtful responses and exchanges' from screenings and question-and-answer sessions there, and he would leave these events 'feeling inspired and energised'. 'I don't know how we can rebuild and recreate such a space again from scratch... What we have lost is a piece of the city's cultural soul.' A gathering of minds and a place to experiment The Projector was also an incubator for emerging talent, said film-maker He Shuming, whose debut feature film Ajoomma (2022) received four nominations at the 59th Golden Horse Awards in 2022. Film-maker He Shuming held a screening for Ajoomma and question-and-answer session at The Projector's former premises at The Cathay in 2022. PHOTO: HE SHUMING 'It was a space for young emerging filmmakers to screen their works to their first audiences, it was beyond a space for alternative films but also one where dialogues can exist with entertainment,' said He, who held a screening for Ajoomma and question-and-answer session at The Projector's former premises at The Cathay in 2022. The space was also where film cast, crew and fans could mingle, said film-maker Kelvin Tong who is best known for his acclaimed local horror film The Maid (2005) and box-office hit It's A Great Great World (2011). One of his favourite memories was screening a restored digital print of his debut film Eating Air (1999) in 2022, followed by a celebratory party just outside the theatre. 'At an inflection point when so much human activity has migrated online, losing a physical landmark like The Projector, which was akin to a temple to cinema, is simply heartbreaking. It is a loss that is irreplaceable and I really wish something could have been done to preserve its existence,' he said. Eric Khoo, the director behind acclaimed films such as Mee Pok Man (1995), 12 Storeys (1997), and Be With Me (2005), said the Projector helped to expose younger viewers to his movies. 'It's been a wonderful platform for cinephiles and engaging a younger audience to all types of cinema,' he said. '(The Projector) did Mee Pok Man's 20th anniversary (in 2016), and it was wonderful as we had a restored version by Asian Film Archive. 'It captured a wide and young audience who had never seen the film before.' Beyond film, The Projector also hosted book launches, poetry readings, and other arts events. Poet Pooja Nansi shared on Instagram that it had been a vital space for artistic experimentation. She wrote: 'The Projector has been a haven and a safe harbour for so many of us in a city where licences, laws, rules and regulations can scare you away from just trying to be yourself.'
