Cultural Education Program.

Seeing the first group set off to the Youth Olympic Village the last week and return with not only stories to tell of their visit there, but also with a large collection of beautiful country pins they exchanged with foreign athletes around the world, I set off that Tuesday to see for myself how the foreign athletes were hosted right here in Singapore at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), which served as the Youth Olympic Village.

Upon reaching the Village, everyone entering was subject to a series of security checks and all. Seeing how tight security was I felt somewhat assured that Singapore was doing a decent job with the security and hosting of the foreign athletes! I was impatient to finally step into the village that when we all finally passed the security screenings I started snapping photos in excited bursts! Prior to going to the Village, I found out that Asia was the continent featured at the Cultural Booth. Beautiful traditional costumes, games and tidbits of the country’s history were displayed at each booth, which made for a rather educational and refreshingly interesting walk around those booths.

What also caught my attention was the ongoing trading of country pins amongst the athletes themselves, the volunteers even and the coaches in some cases! Intrigued, I decided to try my luck with two Hungarian athletes that simply had masses of shiny pins fastened to their lanyards around worn around their necks. They proved to be rather eager and excited about trading theirs for the Samsung pins that I had brought! In exchange for the pins, I received a very old but beautiful pin from the Summer Olympics quite sometime back! From then on, it kick-started my entire pin trading experience right there in the Youth Olympic Village! It wasn’t difficult to trade seeing that there were many athletes milling around the area participating rather enthusiastically at the cultural booths!

I even managed to catch a short interview with a young boy from the Philippines who took part in Taekwondo. From my short interview, I gathered that he had finished off well at 5^th in the competition and he pretty much enjoyed it here during his short stay in Singapore! For me, it was really cool to have managed to interview an athlete and about his sporting successes and his perspective on the Youth Olympics!

To wrap up that day, there was the Chat with Champions segment, at which previously enormously successful athletes sat down to a rather informal dialogue with the foreign athletes. That day, the athletes featured were Alexander Popov and Sergey Bubka, a swimmer and pole vaulter respectively. It proved to be a rather well attended event, with athletes raising valid questions on performance, sporting spirit and even techniques! I was left impressed by their eloquence and spontaneity during the segment and that concluded my positively uplifting visit to the Youth Olympic Village!

(Sorry the internet connection’s real slow so photos will come later!)

Universal Studios Singapore. Alrighty guys, I promised a write up on the trot around Universal Studios we had yesterday so here it is! :)

Yesterday’s trip around the Island of Sentosa was mind-boggling, seeing how everyone was admiring the general resplendence of a newly constructed Universal Studios right here in tiny Singapore! The entire place had evidently charmed everyone with its Disney themed décor and layout.

Enduring the heat and the sun while constantly moving on foot to various attractions, the foreign SMEs certainly had trouble contending with the stifling heat and humid weather here in Singapore! But I’m sure everyone agreed unanimously that while the walk around was utterly draining, the view, the sights and the sounds were all worth the energy and time! What made me proud too, was how magical and fantastical Universal Studios was, and that it was heart-warming to see the foreign SMEs enjoy themselves thoroughly.

Knowing us youths, everyone wanted to plunge right into the thrilling rides that kept the adrenaline racing! Heading to all the rollercoaster rides we could find, we were all having a whale of a time riding new rides and even going twice on those rides that were electrifying we all just had to have another go at it. It indeed was the Jurassic Park theme ride that was just got everyone talking with its scary fiery effects and icy blasts of mists throughout the ride! It was disappointing though, that we didn’t get to visit the WaterWorld since it closed early! Nevertheless, we spent the remaining time going through the numerous tiny souvenir shops selling all the cute little pins, hats, pens and stuffed toys! It was great fun visiting Universal Studios running around and enjoying the rides that I couldn’t have asked for more bubbly and enthusiastic company that day!

Sentosa. It was rather bright and early on a Monday morning that all the Singapore, China and Korean SMEs headed out on various modes of transport, while some went ahead with buses and trains, some simply headed for the monorail and cable cars, which my group (consisting of Garam and Nahee form Korea & Lucy and Zeng Zheng from China) today had the privilege of! In fact, the way to the cable car station was cause for much excitement amongst the foreign SMEs and even amongst the local SMEs, seeing that it had been quite awhile since everyone had last taken a cable car ride!

Despite the long walk to the cable car station and even getting a little lost while making that long trek up Mount Faber Hill, what gave all of us comfort was the knowledge that our swanky Samsung Galaxy S was there to provide the necessary navigation to the station. When we all finally got to ride in the cable car, the view completely took my breath away, seeing that the ride afforded a bird’s eye view of the Sentosa/Habourfront area. Smiles, laughter and the snapping of digital cameras painted a picture of a group of youths clearly having fun.

Despite the unrelenting heat, everyone seemed to be having fun as the whole group made our way to the various attractions located around Sentosa Island. 

First up was the trip down to the LUGE AND SKYRIDE, which proved to be a thrilling ride down the concrete course, with it’s sudden twists and turns in the course. The SKYRIDE also proved to be a scenic photo-taking opportunity as everyone took the chance to snap away at the beautiful landscape of the Island.

After 2 consecutive rides on both the LUGE AND THE SKYRIDE, it was already noontime and everyone was just simply famished. The ride had clearly been a fun yet tiring one that everyone had enjoyed together while tearing down the course at full speed in their tiny buggys! Stopping over at Delifrance to rest and recharge, it was just the timely respite from the unrelenting heat that everyone was in great need of!

Before heading off to Universal Studios, the group headed to the final stop at Underwater World, which was both a fascinating haven for the exotic marine life that the aquarium was home to, but also a great place to capture the various hues and striking colours of the aquatic life there!

The day ended with a trip to Universal Studios, which everyone thoroughly enjoyed! (I’ll elaborate more on this in the next post so do stay tuned for more action!)

YOG Mascots Lyo and Merly looking good

Before

I reached the stands at 4.10 and it was just sweltering! There were not many people in the stands then but and there was a slight buzzing around the audience. I could feel that the volunteers were carefully picked as they were all really helpful, patient and friendly! As I reached my seat, I realized that it would be a long wait before the performance even began.

Many spectators of different nationalities, wielding cameras, big and small were snapping away at the scene while children were toying with electronic gadgets and plugging in to music players. In front of to me, a child happily pressed away at his iPad to kill time as the unforgiving sun refused to give us a moment of relief.

The heat was really unbearable to a certain few.

As the Clock struck 6, the heat had somehow dissipated and the majority of the spectators streamed as it started to get dark. Patriotic members of the audience, waved Germany the flags of various NOCs from Korea, to Chile, Sweden, Switzerland, you name it, they were all flying proudly.

Darkness slowly engulfed the sky and a cooling breeze set in. It seemed then that like it might rain on the augural YOG Opening Ceremony! People scrambled for the ponchos found in the Audience Interaction Bag, praying that the dark clouds would not interfere with what lay in store for them.

Dark clouds slowly engulfing the sky.

Everyone was interacting with one another and it was great to be part of this entire experience. Night-lights illuminated the stage, against the mesmerizing backdrop of the Marina Bay hotels made the entire scene simply breathtaking. As certain officials passed the spectators to get into their seats, they were given a round of applause from spectators nearby. It was really heartening to see Singapore playing the role of a gracious host to our foreign guests.

Videos were screened on huge screens at the back of the performance area. The YOG Ambassadors who interviewed them was both inspiring and motivational. Lyo and Merly even appeared on the screens to greet the spectators and conduct a cheer.

Patriotic Swiss fans! 

Australian fans showing Singapore some love.

Start

The event officially started! The crowd was really exhilarated and the emcees made the atmosphere perfect for the evening. The performances ensued and the spectators literally went crazy! What I was loved especially how the Athletes were introduced from opposite ends of the stage but exit through the same entrance.

A highlight of the show was the ‘Monster’ performance. It was depiction of how a man had to train hard and conquer his fears to defeat the monster, which once had caused much damage to him physically and emotionally. The animation really was game-like and it really appealed to the youths in the audience. A good storyline coupled with great lightings, together with innovative use of kites with lights on them, made the entire evening really beautiful and welcoming.

The Segment ‘Playing with Fire’ was indeed mind-blowing.  The heat of the flames and co-ordination of the fire together with the little girl’s movements truly depicted how prepared and well rehearsed the crew of the Opening Ceremony were.

Next up was the band performance. Personally, as a huge fan of epic music and the tune played just left me mesmerized. The animation highlighted world issues such as hunger, poverty and natural disasters, and also on how efforts have been made to alleviate these issues, went really well with the music played.

The Parade of Flags was amazing. It was just great to see the various Flags of the NOCs being paraded as such. Singapore, being a gracious host, had put themselves last, with a resounding response from the spectators. The animation of DNA strands with the colours of the flag of a certain country when it was introduced was really innovative and was a fresh idea, which I liked!

Wonderful display of lights and performances.

Soon after, the doves symbolizing peace were brought into the show. As they were released into the night sky, the lights reflecting off them simply made the entire show so beautiful and touching.

Balloon doves soaring into the night sky.

Finally, the Olympic flame was brought to shore. The majestic boat ferrying the first relay runner was just awesome. As the runners ran down the floating platforms, I felt that it was a great feat of engineering that the platforms could be on water yet be so stable that the runners could transport the flame with such speed and ease. At the end, as the final runner ran across the water and lit the Olympic flame, it was just an outstanding display as the flame travelled upwards and into the lighthouse, symbolizing a beacon. The spiraling flame was such a formidable sight to behold and the fireworks that tore through the sky concluded the event a on a high note.

The Olympic Flame in the cauldron burning strong.

 With a generous amount of dazzling fireworks, the event was ‘boomz’ indeed. 

Boomz.

Reported by Leon Lee

Samsung Mobile Explorer

Kickstarts. Even as the nation of Singapore has been in a state of a flurry of preparations for the upcoming opening celebrations for the Games, the average citizen gears up in preparation to extend the usual warm Singaporean hospitality to the World. The opening acts – the extravagant display of fireworks, colourful performances and excited fanfare served up portrayed Singapore as a Modernised Urban City playing host to the World’s first ever-groundbreaking Youth Olympic Games. The colourful splashes of light were to the recurring theme of the elements fire and water, which are represented by the mascots Leo and Merly. The entire opening ceremony was segmented in different chapters, which tell the Singapore Story of prosperity and progress that Singapore has achieved thus far since its early days as a tiny, insignificant fishing village.

(download)

Click here to download:

opening-act-CInGJwChiicAIuwewzkx.zip (19.74 MB)

At the crackling of the fireworks, the resplendent display of colourful costumes, I couldn’t help but feel a genuine swell of pride for Singapore, my country that had the privilege to play host nation to the first ever Youth Olympics. The atmosphere there at the Marina floating platform was one that could be described as exuberant, triumphant, and festive. The world converging in our little small red dot for such a momentous event as the Games is by no means any small feat for Singapore. It would be the event that would go down in history, breaking new ground for the Olympics.

(download)

Click here to download:

opening-act-JftBejxjbcEqjlsokabk.zip (16.62 MB)

The entire experience of documenting the opening ceremony through the lens of my canon was a rather thrilling one. To capture the colour, the expression, the triumph of the faces in the crowd is one that I feel very honoured to have been granted with. The entire splendor and grandeur of the event simply blew me away. The youths dancing away to popular music such as the Black Eyed Peas “I Gotta Feeling”, the fantastical props that the performers had just showed the painstaking preparation that Singaporeans had gone through to welcome the foreign athletes to Singapore for the Games. What impressed me too was the constant fusion of fire and water, the intense colour of fire and the cool calm of aqua marine, which was a magnificent visual spectacle of which I truly felt electrified capturing such moments on the canvas of my photographs. All in all, the experience of the ceremony conveyed a sense of solemnity combined with festive gaiety that I’m sure will be much talked about for many months to come. 

(download)

Click here to download:

opening-act-cFBuCgbJDerBcjBvxqjI.zip (15.87 MB)

The mad rush today was well worth the experience — the jostle with the throng up at the centre stage, meeting my fellow SMEs from China and Korea, madly snapping away at the live gigs going on stage, the historic lighting of the Olympic flame and the excited air that ensued. 

First up in line for the day’s activities was the meeting and introduction with the foreign SMEs hailing from China and Korea. They came all prepared, bringing with them their bubbly enthusiasm and sense of humour despite having arrived at 12 midnight the previous day! Getting to know their names, remember faces and offer just brief self-introductory snippets in the process of getting to my fellow SMEs was pretty interesting, seeing how we were all youths coming together in this excitement of the Games. It was a refreshing experience to meet fellow youths from the both countries and join them in journaling the progress of the Games.

(download)

Click here to download:

rock-out-IhdotjmFBckzImncxxJC.zip (4.78 MB)

After the introduction, the excitement just compounded and rose as we all headed towards Marina Promontory for the eagerly anticipated live performances by Korean superstar bands Beast and 4Minute! Entering the VVIP area offered front row seats and an unobstructed view of the stage, and with that I was all set and ready to enjoy the night of live performances and action. What stood out for me though, was the invigorating musical showcase that the local alternative rock band, Electrico, put up. Personally, it truly epitomizes the incredible talent and heart that the Singapore Spirit embodies and the soul that which Singapore has truly become. Admittedly watching the local band rocking out was an electrifying experience in itself, the twang of the electric guitar and bass, the throbbing energy of the crowd was amazing! Indeed, it was a great start to the Games, along with the lighting of the Olympic flame by MM Lee. Looking forward to a great time at the Games! 

(download)

Click here to download:

rock-out-JHlbJEApBwwquyIwkdyH.zip (5.97 MB)

(download)

Click here to download:

rock-out-meuhDFtfrHvvksGbzCaz.zip (2.88 MB)

The past few weeks leading up to the eventual coverage of the first ever inaugural Youth Olympic Games have blitzed by and I must say I’ve really enjoyed myself! For starters, to better prepare the 10 Media Explorers for documenting the Games, we had Patwan Singh to talk more about the essentials of journalism and its challenges posed to greenhorns like us. Concise, informative and clearly delivered, the talk had indeed served as a head up as to what was expected of a journalist covering the Games. The tips and tricks of the trade he shared were also particularly useful and might eventually come in handy when the Games arrive.

The lesson on the essentials of taking a photo and knowing your camera well was rather helpful in the preparation to capture even the littlest details at the Games and I’m truly thrilled at the prospect of just being there in in the heat of the moment, in Singapore’s proudest moment as the host to such a momentous event. Hopefully, the workshops and the tools (Samsung Galaxy S!)  that we’re equipped with all come together in making this Media Experience at the games a fruitful one! :)