Singtel Group celebrates National Day with new film

Source: Singtel YouTube channel. Beyond Connection is Singtel's National Day film for 2026. 

Singtel Group has launched its 2026 National Day film, Beyond Connection. The film is a tribute to the spirit of progress that has shaped Singapore over 61 years, charting the country's journey from a resource-poor island in 1965 to today’s global economic success story before looking ahead to how digital infrastructure and AI will support Singapore's next lap as a Smart Nation and regional AI hub.

Beyond Connection also tells the story of Singtel's own evolution and the role it has played in nation building.

Yuen Kuan Moon, Group CEO, Singtel, said: “The story of Singapore has always been one of looking beyond the horizon and building for the future. Every generation has played a part in building a stronger foundation for the next and this includes investing in the infrastructure and capabilities that have helped us dream bigger. 

"As AI reshapes economies and societies, we are entering another defining chapter. As national telco to today's digital infrastructure and services group, we feel privileged that we can continue playing a part in driving Singapore's Smart Nation ambitions and continued success by building the digital backbone that will help Singapore seize new opportunities in the AI era."

The film blends archival footage with present-day scenes to bring Singapore’s development and progress to life, capturing how Singtel’s technology and services played a role in transforming Singapore’s airport and port, healthcare and manufacturing sectors. 

Shots of Singtel's National Day Parade marching contingents, past and present, highlight the company’s longstanding role in supporting this journey. True to the spirit of AI, selected historical images were enhanced through AI-assisted production tools to improve their visual quality and introduce subtle movement while respecting their authenticity and original context.

Accelerating industry transformation

Beyond Connection illustrates how Singtel’s investments in digital infrastructure are unleashing fresh innovation in Singapore’s world-class healthcare sector while breathing new life into old industries. 

Contributing to community

The film also highlights Singtel's longstanding commitment to empowering every generation. Through the Singtel Touching Lives Fund, Singtel has supported children and youth with special needs for more than three decades. It has also lent support for the visual and performing arts through the Singtel Waterfront Theatre at the Esplanade and the Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery at National Gallery Singapore. It continues championing Singapore’s national athletes through a 15-year partnership with the Singapore National Olympic Council.

Lian Pek, VP, Group Corporate Affairs & Investor Relations, Singtel said: “Dare I say this is not our typical National Day celebration. With the world on the cusp of an AI-driven revolution, it is even more critical that a company with our DNA helps Singapore make its way in the brave new world while leaving no one behind. We know Singaporeans’ determination and resilience will always prevail and we celebrate that in the film while also reaffirming our support for the nation through innovation, partnerships and community.”

Explore 

Beyond Connection can be viewed on Singtel’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WErIVWHn91g

It will also air on screens at the National Day Parade, Singtel TV and various social media channels. 

Singtel releases National Day film for 2020

Singtel has launched its annual National Day film tribute, celebrating the Singapore spirit of tenacity and perseverance as the country navigates its way through the challenges of COVID-19. This is the year is currently airing on Singtel TV and various social media channels.

This is the year acknowledges the pressures and strains that the pandemic has placed on Singapore society, and pays tribute to the Majulah (onward) spirit that is propelling Singaporeans through the storm to emerge stronger.

Source: Singtel video. This is the year we will not have the F1 race. But this is also the year we emerge stronger.

“The way Singaporeans have responded to this crisis is something we can all be proud of,” said Chua Sock Koong, Singtel’s Group CEO.

“Our coming together as a community, our discipline as a nation, our fortitude and quiet determination to get through this and get on with life has become even more pronounced as National Day approaches. We may be celebrating in a more muted way this year without the usual fanfare, but our national pride and core values are still the same, the Singapore spirit is stronger than ever,and we want to celebrate that.”

The two-minute photo montage begins as a tender survey of the Singapore landscape when the new normal kicked in, moving from one empty public space to another, from playgrounds to hawker centres to void decks and the prospect of having to forego annual staple events such as the F1 and the National Day Parade.

“It’s been a difficult time for everyone, and the film captures this dislocation and sense of displacement, ” says Lian Pek, VP, Group Strategic Communications and Brand at Singtel.

“But what starts off as a reflection on the things we are having to give up this year becomes an invitation to see the good that has come out of the crisis. Despite the restrictions on movement, disruptions to daily life, and cancelled events, the closing photos in the film show that Singaporeans have gained even more important things in return.”

The film features photos by well-known photographers Chia Aik Beng, Nicky Loh and Tay Kay Chin as well as from members of the public.

Conceptualised in-house and produced in collaboration with Akanga Film Asia, the film is narrated by veteran actor Lim Kay Tong. the video will air on Singtel TV and hosted on various social media channelsfrom 29July 2020.

Explore:

View the video

Amara Sanctuary Singapore launches National Day promotion

Source: Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa. Singapore laksa.

In celebration of Singapore’s 53rd birthday, 5-star resort hotel Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa is holding a National Day promotion at its Shutters restaurant.

This National Day, guests to Shutters between 6.30 pm and 10 pm can enjoy the Singapura buffet, going at S$53++ for adults. The buffet is usually priced at S$75++. Dine on local favourites such Nyonya laksa, barbequed stingray and charcoal-grilled satay. Durian fans can also enjoy a free flow of durians that will be opened on the spot.

True-blue durian lovers can also look forward to the pop-up durian pancake stall which will be located at the hotel lobby from 1 - 9 August, 11.30 am – 6.30 pm. Three durian pancakes, handmade fresh on-site, will cost S$5.30 nett.

Source: Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa. Sambal stingray.

Amara Sanctuary Resort is located on a hillside overlooking the South China Sea, surrounded by 3.8 hectares of gardens and natural tropical rainforest. The hotel blends colonial architecture and modern design for 140 guest rooms, suites and villas.

A dedicated MICE building can accommodate conferences for up to 850 guests in its 6 m-high grand ballroom and eight function rooms. The Glass Pavilion, furnished with stylish transparent Philippe Starck-designed ‘Louis Ghost Chairs’ and seating up to 40 (60 standing), is a popular event location.

Details:

For enquiries and reservations, call Shutters at +65 6825 3866

The Butchers Club Burger serves up National Day fare for Singapore's 51st

Source: The Butchers Club Burger's National Day menu will feature a specially created The Little Red Dot Burger.

For two weekends starting from 29 July, The Little Red Dot Burger will be available as part of The Butchers Club Burger Singapore’s National Day Set Menu. This is The Butchers Club Burger’s first National Day celebration in Singapore, and The Little Red Dot Burger is a fitting creation that pays homage to Singapore’s satay ayam (chicken satay).

The Butchers Club Burger’s Singapore-inspired burger features 140g of a grilled juicy chicken patty, with crunchy cucumber strips, freshly shaved red onions, caramelised pineapple is lathered in rich ginger peanut sauce, and served between two sesame buns. The Butchers Club touch was added by upsizing it to the usual Butchers Club Burger portion, and serving it with caramelised pineapple for that extra zest.

The National Day Set Menu (S$28++ for the non-alcoholic version) is a combination of popular local flavours: It will come with The Little Red Dot Burger, a side serving of straight-cut fries seasoned with curry powder and a chocolate, vanilla or strawberry milkshake. This set menu will only be available from 29 July to 10 August 2016.

Have you met Daisy? She's our living, breathing vertical garden cow at The Butchers Club Burger. This lucky gal gets a water spray bath every day! Be sure to give her your love the next time you're here - she loves taking pictures. Don't forget to tag us at @butchersclubsg and #butchersclubburgersg when you upload your wefie with her! ;) Photo credit: @irinanilsson . . #butchersclubburgersg #clarkequay #clarkequaysg #burgers #doublehappiness #butchersclub #butchersclubburger #regram

A photo posted by The Butchers Club Singapore (@butchersclubsg) on Jun 26, 2016 at 9:30pm PDT

Interested?

The Butchers Club Burger is at 3A River Valley Road, #01-01 Clarke Quay, Singapore. It is part of the The Butchers Club group, which established itself in Hong Kong for bringing the trend of dry-aged beef from the US and Europe to Asia.


Hashtags: #butchersclubburgersg, #butchersclubburger, #clarkequay, #clarkequaysg

Vital Voices Global Mentoring Walk to be held in Kuala Lumpur on 27 March

Women Entrepreneur Network Association (WENA), an NGO in Malaysia, will be organising the Malaysian leg of the Global Mentoring Walk for the fourth time.

On 27th March 2016, hundreds of women are expected to join together at Taman Rimba Kiara, TTDI for the tenth annual Vital Voices Global Mentoring Walk. This walk is a part of a global movement to inspire a rising generation through mentorship. Held in celebration of International Women’s Day in communities around the world, the Vital Voices Global Mentoring Walk convenes established women leaders and emerging women leaders to walk together in their community.

Participants discuss professional challenges and successes to establish a mentoring relationship. The event in Kuala Lumpur is one of 86 mentoring walks taking place around the world, creating a global movement to highlight the importance of women’s leadership and to accelerate the impact of women leaders through mentoring.

Interested?

The walk will be held on 27 March 2016 from 7.30am – 12.00pm at Taman Rimba Kiara, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Register

Twenty SK-II prizes up for grabs in the Singapore BRAND'S InnerShine RubyCollagen Essence 30-Day Challenge

Source: Brand's website. Sample Instagram posts.

BRAND’S is running the BRAND'S InnerShine RubyCollagen Essence 30-Day Challenge in Singapore till 31 December 2015. Prizes will be issued on a first come first served basis during the promotional period, or whilst stock lasts, whichever occurs earlier. The company is offering SK-II facial treatments as prizes.

Individuals can join the contest by buying BRAND’S InnerShine RubyCollagen Essence Drink or Strip from retail stores or online. A minimum of 30 bottles must be purchased, for example three 10-strip RubyCollagen packs, three 12-bottle packs or five 6-bottle packs.

Take BRAND’S RubyCollagen for 30 consecutive days, with a minimum of one bottle or strip consumed a day. Document the journey through a minimum of one Instagram post a day, for 30 consecutive days, with the hashtags #rubycollagen30daychallenge and #innershinesg, plus tag @innershinesg in the post.

Once the 30-Day RubyCollagen Challenge has been completed, send a message to BRAND’S InnerShine Facebook account with your Instagram account name and personal details (full name, identity card number, email, mobile number), and a photo of the purchase receipt(s) as proof of purchase.

The first fifteen participants to complete the 30-Day RC Challenge will each win a SK-II Perfecting Luxe facial worth S$320. The next five participants who complete the 30-Day RC Challenge will each win a SK-II Discovery Facial worth S$190.

Interested?

InnerShine RubyCollagen Essence costs S$62.90 online for a dozen 50ml bottles. Read the terms and conditions

Hashtags: #rubycollagen30daychallenge, #innershinesg

Solarwinds calls for IT personnel to be recognised on September 15 as IT Professionals Day

SolarWinds, a provider of hybrid IT infrastructure management software, has established the third Tuesday of every September, beginning September 15, 2015, as IT Professionals Day to honour all IT professionals as the unsung heroes of modern business. 

In connection to IT Professionals Day, SolarWinds also released the findings of its IT Pro Value Survey*, which clearly demonstrates the value that Singaporean IT professionals provide. The research outlines the value end users place on the IT department and sheds light on how valued IT professionals themselves feel by their organisations. 

According to the survey, most Singaporean end users agree IT has a greater impact on their daily work lives than the C-suite, with almost two-thirds (60%) agreeing that their company’s IT department going on vacation for a month would have a greater impact on their daily work life than if their company’s C-suite did.

The study also highlights the value Singaporean end users place on technology in the workplace over personnel, with more than four in five (81%) of Singaporean end users placing greater importance on the technology supported by IT professionals in the workplace—such as phones, computers and software—than they do on personnel (35%).

Almost three-quarters of Singaporean end users (72%) indicate work productivity is lost without the technology supported by IT professionals, with a third (36%) saying one day’s work would take an additional business day or longer to complete without said technology and 16% saying it would not at all be possible to carry out their daily work without it.

From an IT professional perspective:

· Three out of five IT professionals (62%) feel at most moderately valued by their employer for their unique contribution to business, with more than one-quarter (27%) feeling only slightly to not at all valued.

· Four out of five IT professionals (83%) feel they are worth more than they are currently compensated, with one-third (35%) saying they feel worth at least 21% more.

· The majority of IT professionals (61%) are concerned about job security, with four in 10 (42%) suggesting company leadership not understanding the importance of IT as a key reason why.

“The survey results demonstrate that business leaders and end users can do a lot more to show IT pros how appreciative they are of the value they provide to business,” said Kevin Thompson, President and Chief Executive Officer, SolarWinds. “The technology we rely on to keep business running smoothly is absolutely critical to success, but the level of recognition and reward IT pros receive for the part they play in enabling and supporting it may not match it. IT Professionals Day is a great way to start levelling that.”

IT Professionals Day is designed to annually celebrate all IT professionals regardless of discipline. Whereas holidays such as System Administrator Appreciation Day do well at recognising one category of the profession, IT Professionals Day honours not only system administrators, but also network engineers, database administrators, information security professionals, developers, IT support technicians and all other professionals serving in IT-related roles.

“We’re very excited to be a part of establishing IT Professionals Day as a way to honour all IT pros for the amazing work they do to keep business moving at the lightning speed required for success today,” added Thompson. “When you think about what a typical day would look like for many of today’s workers without IT pros and the technology they support, it’s safe to say work on the whole would slow to a crawl or worse. Considering all they do, IT pros truly are the unsung heroes of modern business. So, on behalf of SolarWinds, thank you to all the IT pros out there. And happy IT Professionals Day 2015 and beyond.”

Interested?

Explore the full survey results, scope and demographics

Hashtag: #ITProDay

*SolarWinds’ IT Pro Value Surveys are twin studies done in connection with IT Professionals Day. One survey explores business end users’ attitudes and opinions about IT professionals and the technology they support to underscore the high value of the profession. The other showcases IT professionals’ general feeling of being undervalued to highlight an opportunity for business leaders and end users to show greater appreciation. 

Intel Security launches #PasswordConfession contest on World Password Day

Intel Security is marking the 3rd Annual World Password Day, which falls on May 7, with a social media-based contest to raise awareness.

“Passwords are a basic aspect of using online platforms, apps and mobile devices however, users often overlook setting secure passwords which helps to keep their information safe. It’s important that users put into practice some simple habits that will help to keep their personal information safe from cyber criminals,” said Vice President, Consumer, APAC at Intel Security, David Freer. He advises employees at businesses to:

• Change passwords regularly
• Enable multi-factor identification
• Use unique passwords for every account
• Avoid the casual sharing of passwords
• Lock devices with a PIN or password
• Let a manager memorise the passwords
• Stop using passwords that consist of one word, making them "long and strong"

In observance of World Password Day, Intel is encouraging people to share a password confession via a picture, video, tweet or status update using the hash tag #PasswordConfession. Participants stand to win a one-year premium subscription to True Key by Intel Security.

Want more? Read the WorkSmart Asia blog post on:
Intel's predictions on the future of passwords, and the WorkSmart SG blog post on password generation.

Euromonitor finds below-average per-person calories purchased in India, China

Euromonitor International has released new research tracking the total amount of nutrients purchased per-person per day through packaged food and soft drinks products. The data, available in Euromonitor’s Passport: Nutrition database, tracks energy, fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates, sugar, salt, protein and fibre in 54 countries globally.

According to the new research, the world buys 1.5 trillion calories a day, with the average global consumer purchasing 765 calories each day through packaged food and soft drinks. While the recommended intake is around 2,000 calories for an adult, countries in North America and Western Europe purchase over 1,500 calories a day while India buys 150 calories per day and China, 510 daily. Mexico buys the most calories a day with 1,928 calories per person, which is 380 calories more than the US. 

“Despite over 40% of the global population being overweight and obese, our nutrition data shows that by 2019 the world will purchase 90 calories more a day,” says Lauren Bandy, Nutrition Analyst at Euromonitor International. “This analysis helps address rising concerns surrounding nutritional value in food while building a picture of what people eat in different countries.”

The Passport: Nutrition database depicts a brand's contribution to the purchase of nutritional content around the world, identifying the contents of the world’s diet and the impact each nutrient, such as salt, has on our diets. The data allows companies and governments to understand consumers' taste and food preferences around the world.

June 26 is Global Day of Discovery at Renaissance Hotels worldwide

Renaissance Hotels will host its third annual Global Day of Discovery on June 26 at more than 150 of its hotels around the world. On this day, nearly every Renaissance Hotel will celebrate by offering both hotel guests and the local community the opportunity to get out and discover something new by hosting exclusive musical, culinary, art or culturally focused events and unique local excursions designed by hotel Navigators to showcase the unique stories of each destination. 

The Day of Discovery celebration officially kicks off Renaissance Hotels' Summer of Discovery calendar, a summer-long programme of exclusive events at all 157 hotels around the world designed to help travelers experience the best discoveries of the season.

"We make a promise to our hotel guests that every time they step into a Renaissance Hotel they are inspired to discover and experience something new and meaningful," said Toni Stoeckl, Vice President for Renaissance Hotels. "Celebrating our Global Day of Discovery is just one way that we encourage guests to Live Life to Discover by inspiring travelers and locals to make the most of their time in a destination by visiting a new local art gallery or listening to an emerging musician perform in one of our hotel lobbies."

A sampling of events taking place on June 26 includes:

Soccer at the Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel. There will be a mini competition during an outside BBQ with live music and live viewing of soccer games to compete for fabulous prizes. 

Source: Renaissance Hotels website.

The Renaissance Shanghai Caohejing Hotel will provide insider access to the Shanghai Museum of Glass where guests can experience the crystal-clear world of glass featuring interactive and live demonstrations.

The Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa is organising a bicycle ride to discover the Mai Khao environment with an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) expert. 

From June 12-27, Renaissance Hotels is also running a competition encouraging fans to share their best business travel stories. Entrants will be asked to share a photo with caption on Twitter and Instagram, tagging @RenHotels and using the hashtag #businessbrag. Two winners will be eligible to win. 

The first will win a trip to the Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel to experience an exclusive music performance by Lucy Rose. The second will win a year of tickets to AEG concert venues, and a stay at a US Renaissance Hotel of choice. 

Winners will be announced on June 30 via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Visit www.renhotels.com/businessbrag for more information 

Watch the associated video here.