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Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
Forum: Allow SG60 vouchers to be used at local attractions
I would like to suggest that the recently issued SG60 vouchers, which have been generously given to all Singaporeans aged 21 and above, be allowed for use at local places of interest such as Singapore Zoo, Bird Paradise and Gardens by the Bay. These iconic places are wonderful for family outings and for seniors to enjoy with their loved ones. However, the admission costs can be a significant burden for larger families and can easily exceed $150. This makes such trips less accessible for the average family, especially during challenging times with the cost of living rising. Since this round of SG60 vouchers is distributed to citizens, rather than households, many seniors have also received them. Allowing the vouchers to be used at local attractions would encourage more inter-generational bonding and active ageing, and would also support these venues, many of which are local businesses or those reinvesting in education and conservation. The value of these vouchers, whether spent at a retail shop or a local attraction, still flows back into our economy. Broadening their usage to include national attractions aligns well with the original intent of easing the cost of living and supporting local enterprises. Ng Cheng Hoon
Business Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Times
Weddings and wellness at Grand Hyatt Singapore
THE STORY OF GRAND HYATT Singapore dates back to 1970, when it was lauded as South-east Asia's largest hotel. But for all its accolades, it prides itself most on the connections it has made with its guests over the years, especially its reputation as a 'venue for love', says June Choong, its director of events. Now that the hotel has completed a major refurbishment, that connection continues to be strong, she adds. 'For decades, we have been honoured to host the weddings of the siblings, cousins and even children of the couples who previously celebrated their own special day with us. 'Many of our long-serving colleagues have also walked hand-in-hand with families through multiple milestones, becoming part of their story.' Grand Hyatt Singapore prides itself on its reputation as a 'venue for love', says the hotel's director of events, June Choong. PHOTO: GRAND HYATT SINGAPORE The hotel marks its own new milestone with its multiyear makeover, layering its 55-year heritage with Singapore's garden narrative. The recent transformation 'enhances the wedding experience while preserving' the features couples have loved for years, says Choong. The Grand Ballroom's 6-m-high ceilings can accommodate tall floral decor. PHOTO: GRAND HYATT SINGAPORE 'What truly elevates the experience are the newly introduced offerings that complement the celebration – from reimagined restaurants and bars perfect for pre-wedding dinners or post-wedding brunches, to beautifully renovated suites and guestrooms that provide comfort and sophistication,' she adds. 'New gardens and lifestyle venues also offer picturesque backdrops for photography, adding more moments worth capturing.' A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up The lush garden leading to the pool is one of these spaces. It was designed by landscape architecture firm Grant Associates, which has won awards for its work on Gardens by the Bay. Grand Hyatt Singapore is now a holistic sanctuary in the heart of Orchard. PHOTO: CHANTAL ARNTS It is also among the features underscoring Grand Hyatt Singapore's rebranding as a holistic sanctuary in the heart of Orchard. Planning a wedding can be stressful, but the hotel's new integrated wellness destination, Damai – fronted by the lush garden – can turn the pressure into peace. 'At Grand Hyatt Singapore, we believe every wedding journey should be as restorative as it is celebratory,' says Choong. That is why the hotel's wedding packages highlight a 90-minute, full-body classic massage for two at Damai. The revitalising session can be extended with time in the salt steam room or infrared sauna. Damai can turn the pressure of wedding planning into peace. PHOTO: CHANTAL ARNTS At Damai, designed by Japanese studio NAO Taniyama & Associates, specialised treatments such as skin-rejuvenating facials, guided breathwork and movement sessions at the first and only Mind Body Therapy wall in a Singapore hotel will leave couples feeling and looking their best on their special day. Damai shares a garden view with Oasis, making it ideal for al fresco, barbecue-themed dinners or post-wedding brunches. The nearby garden, with its quaint arbours and clusters of outdoor seats, beckons after-meal strolls. Eating well continues the feel-good factor, and the lauded Le Pristine Singapore fits the bill for small pre- and post-wedding gatherings in a high-design environment, featuring artworks by Rotganzen, Sabine Marcelis and Rinus Van de Velde handpicked by chef Sergio Herman. Grand Hyatt Singapore offers four ballrooms to choose from. PHOTO: GRAND HYATT SINGAPORE The hotel's other culinary institutions, beloved for generations, offer more familiar spaces for small gatherings. There is Pete's Place for relaxed Italian cuisine; 10|Scotts for cosy, cocktail-style dining; and StraitsKitchen, one of the few fully halal-certified hotel restaurants in Singapore. For the ceremony, Grand Hyatt Singapore offers four ballrooms to choose from. In the Grand Ballroom – the most spectacular of the lot – 6-metre-high ceilings offer ample room to show off tall, dramatic floral decor. When the partying is done and dusted, newlyweds ought to return to Damai to rest and reconnect. PHOTO: GRAND HYATT SINGAPORE And when the partying is done and dusted, Choong recommends a return to Damai. 'For those extending their stay, Damai provides a tranquil environment to rest and reconnect.' This sets the tone for the next step after the wedding – the honeymoon. The spa's Recovery programme is a good choice following the festivities – the 120-minute experience includes infrared heat and LED light therapy to boost the metabolism, rejuvenate the skin, aid muscle recovery, and reduce fatigue. With Grand Hyatt Singapore, couples can start married life on a refreshed and peaceful note. PHOTO: GRAND HYATT SINGAPORE 'Additional experiences such as private yoga or meditation, access to the vitality pool and relaxation lounge, and treatments designed for deep renewal offer newlyweds a chance to begin their next chapter feeling centred, recharged and well-cared for,' says Choong. 'It's a perfect way to start married life – on a refreshed and peaceful note.'
Time Out
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
There's a free NDP concert at Gardens by the Bay featuring Kit Chan, Taufik Batisah and more
National Day celebrations are in full swing – from the weekend NDP rehearsals that have drawn eager crowds, to the highly anticipated heartland festivities just around the corner. Adding to the lineup is the Gardens by the Bay and Mediacorp National Day Concert 2025, taking place at The Meadow at Gardens by the Bay on August 3, 2025. Now in its seventh year, the concert returns with even more heart and spirit, as part of this year's SG60 celebrations. Expect an evening of stirring performances and Singapore pride, brought to life by some of our most beloved homegrown talents including Kit Chan, Taufik Batisah, Hady Mirza, Yung Raja, Charlie Lim and more. For the first time ever, sisters Tay Kewei and Tay Kexin will perform together on stage. Hosting the night's festivities are Gurmit Singh, Yasminne Cheng, Zhin Sadali and Nithiyia Rao, leading the crowd through a night filled with laughter, memories and the shared pride of being Singaporean. The night will also include the live debut of Ties That Bloom, a new National Day song by Hady Mirza. Admission is free. Gates open at 4.30pm, with the concert running from 7.30pm to 9pm. More information can be found here.
New Paper
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Paper
National Day: Kit Chan, Taufik Batisah to perform at free Gardens by the Bay concert
The SG60 edition of the annual Gardens by the Bay and Mediacorp National Day Concert (NDC) will feature performances by a line-up of home-grown acts including Mandopop star Kit Chan, first Singapore Idol winner Taufik Batisah, rapper Yung Raja and singer-songwriter Charlie Lim. The seventh edition of the free gig will take place at The Meadow at Gardens by the Bay on Aug 3 from 4.30pm. Hosted by local personalities Gurmit Singh, Nithiya Rao, Yasminne Cheng and Zhin Sadali, the show will also feature second Singapore Idol winner Hady Mirza, who composed and is set to sing the concert's theme song, Ties That Bloom. Sisters Tay Kewei and Tay Kexin will perform together for the first time, and other on-stage family affairs will include Cultural Medallion recipient Rahimah Rahim, her sister Rozie Rahim and granddaughter Aly; singer JJ Neo and her mother, host Lucy Chow, as well as married couple Annetha Ayyavoo and Mark Sara. Other music acts include Love 972 DJ Chua Lee Lian, jazz chanteuse Alemay Fernandez, pop singer Shazza and The Purple Symphony, an orchestra comprising musicians with and without disabilities. Chan will serenade the crowd with the National Day Parade (NDP) classic Home, as well as Here We Are, her 2025 NDP theme song with Lim. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the event's guest of honour, and his wife Jane Ittogi will lead the audience in reciting the National Pledge. He says in a statement: "This concert reflects what Singapore is about - people of all backgrounds coming together, each with something to give, something to learn, and each being uplifted. As we mark 60 years of independence, it's a reminder of how we grow stronger as a nation as we respect every contribution, blend our talents, and keep renewing the bonds that make this home." Attendees can also enjoy local dishes such as laksa and popiah at a food street, play classic games like eraser battles and pick-up sticks, as well take part in activities such as satay keychain workshops. The concert will air on mewatch, Channel 5 and Mediacorp Entertainment on YouTube on Aug 16 at 7.30pm. Book it/ Gardens by the Bay and Mediacorp National Day Concert 2025 Where: The Meadow, Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive When: Aug 3, 4.30pm Admission: Free. For more information, visit
Straits Times
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Kit Chan, Taufik Batisah and more to perform at free National Day concert at Gardens by the Bay
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox (Clockwise from top left) Singer Kit Chan, first Singapore Idol winner Taufik Batisah, singer Tay Kewei and rapper Yung Raja will be some of the acts at the concert. SINGAPORE - The SG60 edition of the annual Gardens by the Bay and Mediacorp National Day Concert (NDC) will feature performances by a line-up of home-grown acts including Mandopop star Kit Chan, first Singapore Idol winner Taufik Batisah, rapper Yung Raja and singer-songwriter Charlie Lim. The seventh edition of the free gig will take place at The Meadow at Gardens by the Bay on Aug 3 from 4.30pm. Hosted by local personalities Gurmit Singh, Nithiya Rao, Yasminne Cheng and Zhin Sadali, the show will also feature second Singapore Idol winner Hady Mirza, who composed and is set to sing the concert's theme song, Ties That Bloom. Sisters Tay Kewei and Tay Kexin will perform together for the first time, and other on-stage family affairs will include Cultural Medallion recipient Rahimah Rahim, her sister Rozie Rahim and granddaughter Aly; singer JJ Neo and her mother, host Lucy Chow, as well as married couple Annetha Ayyavoo and Mark Sara. Other music acts include Love 972 DJ Chua Lee Lian, jazz chanteuse Alemay Fernandez, pop singer Shazza and The Purple Symphony, an orchestra comprising musicians with and without disabilities. Chan will serenade the crowd with the National Day Parade (NDP) classic Home, as well as Here We Are, her 2025 NDP theme song with Lim. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the event's guest of honour, and his wife Jane Ittogi will lead the audience in reciting the National Pledge. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore NDP celebrations to be held at 5 heartland sites, including Bishan and Punggol, on Aug 10 Singapore NDP 2025: Tank that bumped into traffic light lost steering and braking power due to faulty part Singapore Keep citizens at the centre of public service, Chan Chun Sing tells civil servants Singapore SIA flight from Brisbane to Singapore diverted to Perth due to technical issue Singapore New Draft Master Plan could reignite developers' interest to buy land Business Great Eastern could resume trading after delisting vote fails to pass; OCBC's second offer lapses Asia China warns Trump on tariffs, threatens retaliation on supply chain deals Multimedia 'I suspect he's cheating': She finds proof when spouses stray He says in a statement: 'This concert reflects what Singapore is about - people of all backgrounds coming together, each with something to give, something to learn, and each being uplifted. As we mark 60 years of independence, it's a reminder of how we grow stronger as a nation as we respect every contribution, blend our talents, and keep renewing the bonds that make this home.' Attendees can also enjoy local dishes such as laksa and popiah at a food street, play classic games like eraser battles and pick-up sticks, as well take part in activities such as satay keychain workshops. The concert will air on mewatch, Channel 5 and Mediacorp Entertainment on YouTube on Aug 16 at 7.30pm. Book it/ Gardens by the Bay and Mediacorp National Day Concert 2025
