Latest news with #TheNewPaper
New Paper
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Paper
S'porean actor Sunny Pang on filming Netflix's Havoc: 'They rehearse until everything is on point'
You might expect Hollywood heavyweights like Tom Hardy and Forest Whitaker to breeze through their scenes with effortless charisma and minimal prep. But that wasn't what Singaporean actor Sunny Pang observed on the set of Havoc, a recently released Netflix film. "They rehearse and rehearse until everything you see is on point," Pang, 53, said in a recent interview with The New Paper, describing the actors' meticulous approach to their craft. Pang, who has been in the industry for 23 years, had a front-row seat to observe the work ethic of industry giants like Hardy and Whitaker after landing a role in Havoc, an action thriller directed by Gareth Evans. Pang plays the character Ching, a loyal sidekick of the movie's main antagonist, Mother, portrayed by Malaysian actress Yeo Yann Yann. What struck him most was not their star power, but their humility and discipline. "It was very humbling when you see a person like that, with such high status - obviously highly paid - but without an ego at all," he said. "He [Whitaker] even sat down with us to talk about things, like, 'How are you? Where are you from?' You know, [he was] curious about things, curious about you." Their professionalism challenged any assumptions he might have had about celebrity behaviour. Pang recounted how the cast hung out on several occasions, sharing conversations and laughter. Whitaker even treated the team to drinks, he added, and it was such gestures that helped foster a strong sense of camaraderie among the team. On one occasion, the cast went out to watch Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings together, and Pang recounted the fond memory with a smile. "It was like a family," he said. "You step into a set that you don't know what to think, because you've been on an Asian set, never a Hollywood set. I was like, 'Okay, try not to panic'. And I see my friends (Yeo being one of them), and we start [saying] jokes and everything, and we know that we'll have a good time." For Pang, the journey to Hollywood has been anything but typical. He began his career as an actor in local productions such as Mediacorp's Code of Law. He was also a stunt choreographer for local short films before earning international recognition for his performances in Indonesian action films Headshot (2016) and The Night Comes for Us (2018). Those roles caught the attention of Evans, who later created Ching in Havoc specifically with Pang in mind. Sunny Pang in an interview with The New Paper. PHOTO: THE NEW PAPER Even on a global stage, Pang remains grounded. He vividly remembered his first encounter with Whitaker, a long-time idol of his, describing it with awe. Recounting how professional and down-to-earth Whitaker was, Pang said: "Usually those Hollywood actors will not stay there for your reaction. That means the camera is on me, and I'm supposed to see everyone while giving lines to Yann Yann. But he stayed there. When asked if he wanted to retire and sit, he said, 'No, no, Sunny needs my eyeline.'" He also recalled receiving praise from Whitaker himself: "When I walked past him when I was done, I went to shake his hand and thank him. He said, 'What you did was cool, man. Keep it up!' I immediately texted my wife, 'Wah! Forest Whitaker said my acting is cool!' "I mean, it's such a rewarding time to see an Oscar-winning person give you that praise first, and to see him work. And you learn a lot of things," he added, describing the whole experience as a "masterclass" for him. Although the film is set in a fictional American city, it was shot primarily in Wales. After spending four months there immersed in filming and the local culture, Pang said the experience left a lasting impression - one he hopes to carry into Singapore's creative scene. "If you open your eyes a little bit more, you'll see a different side of what we can do. When I learn something from my time overseas, I come back, I don't keep it to myself. I want Singapore to evolve as well." He emphasised the need to encourage local talent to think differently and take creative risks. "What we lack is encouragement," he said. "Never doubt yourself, and always find ways to create opportunities." Looking ahead, Pang is turning his attention toward action directing. "Up to a certain point, you just have to let go (of acting)," he said. "You have to let the new generation evolve, using what you have experienced to let them evolve into something greater than what it is right now."
New Paper
04-06-2025
- General
- New Paper
When is it acceptable to address a stranger as 'uncle' or 'aunty'?
Twenty-one-year-old Lin Thant was recently left reeling after a café waitress - probably not much younger than him - handed him a drink and chirped, "Here you go, uncle." He clutched his heart as he relayed the incident to The New Paper. "Single most heart pain day of my life," he said. Welcome to the great Singaporean identity crisis: the moment someone calls you "uncle" or "aunty" - and you realise you've crossed an invisible age line that no one told you about. We spoke to Singaporeans across generations to find out roughly when it's acceptable to use these titles. The answer? It depends. Madam Tan, 59, said she doesn't take offence when people call her aunty - but it still stings a little. "Am I really that old?" she asked. "I thought maybe I look around 40-plus. But I won't correct them. I just smile and move on." She laughed and added: "I call other people aunty, too! I guess I've lived long enough to earn the title myself." Among younger Singaporeans, most steer clear of the labels unless it's clearly someone older - or someone's parent. "I just go straight into it. Like, 'Hi, may I have this?' No need to label anyone," said Ms Genevieve, 21. Online forums like Reddit and Singapore Expats Forum are filled with similar debates. One foreigner living here shared that he found it odd, even after years of hearing his Singaporean wife use the terms. But when his neighbour's kid called him "uncle" for the first time? "It made me feel old, though," he admitted. Others pointed out that in Asia, using terms like "uncle" or "aunty" isn't just about age - it's cultural. "It's common in Asia to address people with a title instead of their name as a token of respect," one user wrote. "It's not your absolute age that matters - it's the age difference. To a kid, even a 20-year-old is an uncle. But to a 20-year-old, you need to be like 40-plus to be considered an uncle." This habit is especially pronounced in Singapore, where titles are used liberally - whether you're buying kopi from a hawker or chatting with a neighbour. One commenter recalled being told as a child to address every stall owner as aunty or uncle. But now that she's creeping into that age range herself? "I call them 'boss' instead. Just to be safe." That might be the safest route. "When in doubt, just say 'boss'. Or 'hello'. Or nothing," said Ms Teo, 21. "Better than accidentally giving someone an existential crisis." Call it a uniquely Singaporean quirk - or a mild social landmine - but the auntie-uncle debate isn't going away any time soon. At least not until someone invents a foolproof age radar. Until then? Smile, be polite… and maybe skip the labels.
Independent Singapore
27-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Independent Singapore
Over half of Singapore students say parents can refuse to pay for university to teach 'independence' — Survey
SINGAPORE: More than half (52.5%) of Singapore students said parents can refuse to pay for their children's university education if it's to teach them 'independence,' according to a recent survey by The New Paper. The New Paper surveyed 60 students aged 16 to 25 from junior colleges, polytechnics, the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), and universities. One university student said it depends on the parents' beliefs. 'They might feel that their child should learn independence and stop relying so much on their parents,' he said. Still, 90.2% believe parents are responsible for paying for higher education. A 19-year-old polytechnic student said it's 'unfair' for parents not to pay since they're the ones 'bringing kids into the world,' as they have the responsibility to raise their children both mentally and physically. 'Refusing to pay [for higher education] is not ensuring a good and safe environment for children,' he added. Some respondents said that parents who are unable to pay for their children's university fees might indicate they planned poorly, putting stress on the child. When asked if parents have the right to demand money from their children, most respondents said they understood the importance of supporting parents upon retirement, especially in Asian culture, where filial piety is emphasised. 'It only seems fair, given our society's values of filial piety,' said a 20-year-old university student, adding that children should 'develop the habit' of setting aside money to help their parents after they retire. A few students saw it as a way of showing gratitude, with one noting that 'Asking for money from your child should be a healthy, two-way interaction.' However, one respondent added that it becomes a problem when parents treat their children like 'bank investments.' She said, 'It no longer makes it okay, especially if your parents expect you to 'return' the money they spent raising you.' In Singapore, the Maintenance of Parents Act allows parents over 60 to claim support from their children if they cannot support themselves. However, recent conversations online suggest deeper concerns around family expectations and emotional strain tied to parental support. See also 4 Beginner-Friendly Credit Cards With No Annual Fees In May, a full-time student who took on a part-time job shared on social media that her father often asked her for money, accusing her of 'gatekeeping money' when she said she didn't have any. She also shared that she was covering her daily expenses on her own, as she wasn't given an allowance by her parents. /TISG Read also: Did you know Singaporeans pay the most to own a BMW 3 Series (G20) in Southeast Asia? Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)
New Paper
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Paper
A tale of two pageants: Samuel Seow on celebrating culture, confidence and second chances
Samuel Seow is no stranger to the spotlight - but these days, he prefers to shine it on others. The 52-year-old founder of Beam Artistes is the driving force behind two newly launched male pageants: Misters of Nusantara and Masters of the World. Though both events celebrate men, their goals are distinct: one seeks to unite a region, the other to honour the resilience of age. Debuting this year, Misters of Nusantara is a landmark competition bringing together contestants from Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia - three countries that Mr Seow says "share a very close relationship, one that's both competitive and cooperative." "The Nusantara (the Malay Archipelago) includes not just these three, but also countries such as Thailand, Timor Leste and Brunei," he explained in an interview with The New Paper. "But we're starting with the first three countries, where there are a lot of similarities in culture, dance, dress and performance styles, and I want to find someone who can represent that shared identity," he added. Three national titleholders will be crowned - Mr Singapore, Mr Malaysia and Mr Indonesia - but the coveted overall title of Mr King of Nusantara will be decided by public online vote. The winner takes home a brand-new car. For Mr Seow, the pageant is about more than just competition. "There's a deep history in Nusantara. We're one of the oldest peoples in the world after the Africans - and I think people should know that. This is about educating others on our legacy," he said. Running separately from Misters of Nusantara is Masters of the World, an international pageant for mature men. It features two categories: Masters Prime (ages 36-49) and Masters Elite (ages 50 and up). "This has never been done before," Mr Seow stated. "We're often told we can't do things because of age - can't go to the gym, can't wear certain things, can't chase goals. I wanted to challenge that." He added: "The men we're looking for are people who have stories to tell and wisdom to share - not just six-packs." Contestants include CEOs, musicians, fathers, and even men who have overcome incarceration or difficult upbringings. "This year we have one contestant who has a stutter, and he has to work twice as hard to speak every day," Mr Seow said. "Life isn't a bed of roses. These are the stories people need to hear." Both pageants are part of Mr Seow's broader goal: to redefine masculinity and representation in Southeast Asia. "There's a lot of pressure on men to behave a certain way," he observed. "Do you open the door for a woman? Do you offer to pay for dinner? These are the kinds of questions that reflect how ideas of manhood are changing - and they're exactly the kinds of things we explore in our Q&A rounds." Despite setbacks - including issues with a partner in Indonesia who allegedly mishandled contestant fees - Mr Seow remains committed. "We had to rebuy air tickets for contestants ourselves. It was disappointing," he admitted. "But this will still be the biggest male pageant event in the region. And we're just getting started." As he puts it: "This is not about perfection. It's about growth, effort, and being the best version of yourself - no matter where you come from or how old you are."
New Paper
27-05-2025
- General
- New Paper
University fees: A parental obligation or a student's burden?
This long-standing question has sparked many debates over the years. For older generations, the answer was often clearer: tertiary education fees were typically paid by students, especially when pursuing university studies was less common. However, with rising incomes and the perceived necessity of a university degree in today's society, the question of who foots the bill has gained prominence. A recent Reddit post highlighted a startling reality for some. The user, a student accepted into medical school at both the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU), expressed exasperation over their parents' refusal to fund their university degree. To compound the issue, the student's parents also expected financial support from their children upon retirement. While such situations may not be the norm for many Singaporean families, this case raises a pertinent question: beyond mandatory education, are parents responsible for funding their child's tertiary studies, or should young adults bear the cost themselves? The New Paper surveyed 60 students, aged 16 to 25, from various institutes of higher learning, including Junior Colleges, Polytechnics, the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), and Universities. Most student respondents felt that parents should pay for their child's education in a survey conducted by The New Paper on financial responsibility. PHOTO: TNP A significant 90.2 per cent of students surveyed believe funding a child's tertiary education is an inherent parental responsibility, viewing it more as a right than something to be earned. A 19-year-old polytechnic student commented: "I think it's unfair not to pay. When bringing kids into the world, parents have the responsibility to raise them in a safe manner, both mentally and physically. Refusing to pay [for higher education] is not ensuring a good and safe environment for children." Some respondents suggested that if parents are unable to fund their child's education, it could indicate poor family planning, thereby creating unnecessary stress for the child. 52.5 per cent of respondents felt that parents have the right to refuse to pay for their child's school fees. PHOTO: TNP However, 52.5 per cent of respondents also believed parents have the right to refuse to pay their children's school fees. They reasoned that valid circumstances might exist, such as a desire to teach independence. One university student remarked: "It depends on their circumstances and their belief system; they might feel that their child should learn independence and stop relying so much on their parents." 60.7 per cent of respondents felt that it was acceptable for parents to ask for money from working children. PHOTO: TNP Students also had varying responses when asked whether parents have the right to demand money from their children. Most acknowledged that, within the context of Asian culture where filial piety is emphasised, it is reasonable for parents to seek financial support from their children upon retirement. A 20-year-old university student said: "It only seems fair, given our society's values of filial piety. Children should also develop the habit of setting money aside to support their parents, especially after their parents retire." Reciprocity appears to be a key driver: students felt that if parents had supported them financially throughout their schooling, it is natural for children to give back when they are able. Mr Ignatius Gan, a 21-year-old university student, suggested that financial support for parents should stem from gratitude: "Asking for money from your child should be a healthy, two-way interaction. The parents ask, and the child is happy to give." However, other respondents felt that when financial support becomes an expectation or demand, it crosses a line. "It no longer makes it okay, especially if your parents expect you to 'return' the money they spent raising you. Then why have kids if they're just bank investments to you?" said Miss Genevive Tan, 21. Ultimately, many students believe that once an adult child begins earning their own income, they should decide how to spend it. Currently, the Maintenance of Parents Act in Singapore allows parents aged 60 and older, who are unable to support themselves, to claim financial maintenance from children who have the means to provide it. However, a key point of contention, as some see it, is that while the Act enforces an obligation, true willingness to provide support often stems from reciprocity. Children may feel more inclined to support parents if they themselves felt supported throughout their childhood. Strained parent-child relationships can complicate this, as support given purely to avoid a lawsuit may not resolve underlying issues. Perhaps the focus should be on mending estranged family relationships and tackling the root of emotional disconnects, rather than relying solely on legal mechanisms. Laws like the Maintenance of Parents Act provide a safety net, but they cannot legislate love, trust or mutual care. In a society where both independence and interdependence are increasingly valued, the conversation around who pays - and who gives back - will continue to evolve. If there is one takeaway, it is that financial responsibility within families is rarely just about money. It often involves the invisible emotional debts accumulated over time, and how each generation chooses to settle them.
