Thursday, November 7, 2024

弯弓猎户少一人 ——悼念《猎户》和《学文》创刊人陈圣端


缤纷述怀

弯弓猎户少一人 ——悼念《猎户》和《学文》创刊人陈圣端

订户
发布 /
2 小时前
四名猎户2018年在澳大利亚团聚,杨郁群(左起)、陈圣端、林任君和曾德阶。(作者提供)
四名猎户2018年在澳大利亚团聚,杨郁群(左起)、陈圣端、林任君和曾德阶。(作者提供)

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虽然只出版三期,《猎户》像流星一样亮丽划过夜空,短暂的存在留下了令人难忘的光辉。这终归是我们对新加坡文化的一份诚挚献礼,而圣端在这份文化贡献中居功至伟。

“……而树林里还是一样黑暗,山妖在树顶笑,金色的阳光透射不入。而他们还是很渺小很穷困的猎户。天真的猎户。只是他们还年轻,还有一些傻劲的冲动和挣扎的勇气,也许有一天他们会摸索出一条出林的路,谁知道呢?给他们弓吧,给他们箭,给他们一柄犀利的斧,如果你也年轻……”

这是55年前我们创办《猎户》杂志的心声,用小字体毫不起眼地印在创刊号封面空白折页的下端,入世未深的青涩稚嫩流露字里行间……在那个压抑的年代,确是需要一点天真和傻劲的。

陈圣端和曾德阶是创办《猎户》的灵魂人物,带领我们摸索闯荡,打破框框。德阶那些大胆前卫的设计产生了巨大的视觉冲击,让人感受前所未有的阅读体验,直到今天还为人津津乐道。身为主编的圣端则是我们的军师,在构思杂志各版主题和统筹多元纷呈的内容时,不断引进新思维新概念,引导我们活学活用大学课堂内外学到的知识和方法,通过社会调查为文章提供扎实的论据,举办座谈会提高讨论的深度,开启了中文杂志的先河。

设计超前内容多元

在20世纪六七十年代之交横空出世的《猎户》因此让人眼前一亮,惊艳不已,当年看过《猎户》的人,至今还留下深刻印象的大有人在,对其新颖超前的设计和丰富多元的内容念念不忘。

知名文化人周维介是其中之一,他如此评述:“《猎户》的内容轻易让人感受到知识分子与社会脉搏的合拍……静夜重读《猎户》,它风采依然,年轻人留下的时代脉搏,仍在字里行间跳跃。半世纪来,一路上有不同的本土杂志出笼卖相,《猎户》于我,印记厚重而深刻,它是那年代的另一种青年躁动,有型的岁月放飞。”

他在发表于《联合早报》的这篇题为《等待猎人——重读半世纪前的<猎户>杂志》的文章中(2017年7月17日),也给予圣端很高的评价:“我与老公教闲聊,他们都认为圣端是难得的人才,思维敏捷,点子不断,高中时他是文科班的班长、《学文》与毕业特刊主编。在《猎户》同仁心目中,圣端作业能力超强,是个完美主义者。上了南大搞《猎户》,他挑起了构想与组稿大梁。三期《猎户》,一群有心人在上课与逃课的日子中交出了亮眼的出版作业。”

这段评语入木三分,圣端当之无愧。

然而,在“上课与逃课的日子中”办杂志毕竟太难太难了,《猎户》只出版了三期就因各种主观和客观因素停刊,却因为第三期前六页以显目的黑底白字突出处理圣端策划的“五月是黑色的”专辑,批评1971年5月的报业事件,让人们对它的突然停刊产生了联想。

虽然只出版三期,《猎户》像流星一样亮丽划过夜空,短暂的存在留下了令人难忘的光辉。这终归是我们对新加坡文化的一份诚挚献礼,而圣端在这份文化贡献中居功至伟。

事隔多年,还有人在怀念这本杂志,偶尔问起当年猎户今何在?感谢这些有心人,猎户的领头人圣端已经于2024年10月28日在澳大利亚安详离世。

风华少年鬓已霜,弯弓猎户少一人!

除了《猎户》,圣端对新加坡文教领域的另一个贡献是创办了《学文》这份校内学生刊物。

最长寿学校中文刊物

《学文》是1966年初公教中学高一班的几位同学在圣端带头下搞起来的,名字也是他取的,并由他担任主编。大家凭着一股热情白手起家,起初很“克难”,前两期都用蜡纸打字,油墨印刷,手工装订,但也出版了五六百本;到第三、四期开始用学校新买的“柯式印刷机”(offset printer)印刷。

第五期才送到校外让印刷馆承印,出版3000本,由同学们自搞发行,分头到各所学校努力推销,结果很快就销售一空,让《学文》声名大噪,影响所至,一些学校也纷起效尤,办起校内学生刊物。

出版了五期之后,我们已经就读高二。要准备会考了,于是将杂志交给下一届同学接办。就这样,《学文》一代一代传承下去,直到今天还在出版,让这一炷文艺香火50多年来缭绕不熄,不但是公教中学的一份珍贵文化遗产,也成为新加坡目前还健在的最长寿学校中文刊物。

作为《学文》的带头创办人,圣端对国家的这个文化贡献功不可没。

从《学文》到《猎户》,我跟随着圣端,将他当精神导师,从他身上学到了不少东西。在办杂志的过程中,我这个理科生通过他发现了社会和人文科学的美丽新世界,如饥似渴地投入,结果是“越陷越深”,无法自拔,终于决定弃理从文,从新大理学院第二年转到南大念政行系一年级。那是我人生的一个重要转折,滥觞于学文,酝酿于猎户,都与圣端的“潜移默化”离不开关系。我日后会加入报馆,也应该是那时埋下的种子。

仍心系彼此

猎户们早已烟消云散,各奔前程,但当年并肩奋战的兄弟仍然心系彼此,即使天各一方,也频密联系,经常聚会。

如今圣端先走一步,虽然已在预料之中,我们的心中也难免惆怅。我们都已七老八十,无法赶到澳洲送他最后一程,只能齐聚在一名猎户的家里向他告别,诵读悼词,弹吉他合唱《长亭送别》,远隔重洋朝着南方向他深深一鞠躬。

圣端,一路走好!

(本文小标为编者所加)

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林任君: 弯弓猎户少一人 ——悼念《猎户》和《学文》创刊人陈圣端

弯弓猎户少一人 ——悼念《猎户》和《学文》创刊人陈圣端


订户


弯弓猎户少一人 ——悼念《猎户》和《学文》创刊人陈圣端

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/lifestyle/history-heritage/story20241107-5291800

2024-11-07

林任君

虽然只出版三期,《猎户》像流星一样亮丽划过夜空,短暂的存在留下了令人难忘的光辉。这终归是我们对新加坡文化的一份诚挚献礼,而圣端在这份文化贡献中居功至伟。

“……而树林里还是一样黑暗,山妖在树顶笑,金色的阳光透射不入。而他们还是很渺小很穷困的猎户。天真的猎户。只是他们还年轻,还有一些傻劲的冲动和挣扎的勇气,也许有一天他们会摸索出一条出林的路,谁知道呢?给他们弓吧,给他们箭,给他们一柄犀利的斧,如果你也年轻……”


这是55年前我们创办《猎户》杂志的心声,用小字体毫不起眼地印在创刊号封面空白折页的下端,入世未深的青涩稚嫩流露字里行间……在那个压抑的年代,确是需要一点天真和傻劲的。


陈圣端和曾德阶是创办《猎户》的灵魂人物,带领我们摸索闯荡,打破框框。德阶那些大胆前卫的设计产生了巨大的视觉冲击,让人感受前所未有的阅读体验,直到今天还为人津津乐道。身为主编的圣端则是我们的军师,在构思杂志各版主题和统筹多元纷呈的内容时,不断引进新思维新概念,引导我们活学活用大学课堂内外学到的知识和方法,通过社会调查为文章提供扎实的论据,举办座谈会提高讨论的深度,开启了中文杂志的先河。

设计超前内容多元

在20世纪六七十年代之交横空出世的《猎户》因此让人眼前一亮,惊艳不已,当年看过《猎户》的人,至今还留下深刻印象的大有人在,对其新颖超前的设计和丰富多元的内容念念不忘。

知名文化人周维介是其中之一,他如此评述:“《猎户》的内容轻易让人感受到知识分子与社会脉搏的合拍……静夜重读《猎户》,它风采依然,年轻人留下的时代脉搏,仍在字里行间跳跃。半世纪来,一路上有不同的本土杂志出笼卖相,《猎户》于我,印记厚重而深刻,它是那年代的另一种青年躁动,有型的岁月放飞。”

他在发表于《联合早报》的这篇题为《等待猎人——重读半世纪前的杂志》的文章中(2017年7月17日),也给予圣端很高的评价:“我与老公教闲聊,他们都认为圣端是难得的人才,思维敏捷,点子不断,高中时他是文科班的班长、《学文》与毕业特刊主编。在《猎户》同仁心目中,圣端作业能力超强,是个完美主义者。上了南大搞《猎户》,他挑起了构想与组稿大梁。三期《猎户》,一群有心人在上课与逃课的日子中交出了亮眼的出版作业。”


这段评语入木三分,圣端当之无愧。

然而,在“上课与逃课的日子中”办杂志毕竟太难太难了,《猎户》只出版了三期就因各种主观和客观因素停刊,却因为第三期前六页以显目的黑底白字突出处理圣端策划的“五月是黑色的”专辑,批评1971年5月的报业事件,让人们对它的突然停刊产生了联想。

虽然只出版三期,《猎户》像流星一样亮丽划过夜空,短暂的存在留下了令人难忘的光辉。这终归是我们对新加坡文化的一份诚挚献礼,而圣端在这份文化贡献中居功至伟。

事隔多年,还有人在怀念这本杂志,偶尔问起当年猎户今何在?感谢这些有心人,猎户的领头人圣端已经于2024年10月28日在澳大利亚安详离世。


风华少年鬓已霜,弯弓猎户少一人!

除了《猎户》,圣端对新加坡文教领域的另一个贡献是创办了《学文》这份校内学生刊物。

最长寿学校中文刊物

《学文》是1966年初公教中学高一班的几位同学在圣端带头下搞起来的,名字也是他取的,并由他担任主编。大家凭着一股热情白手起家,起初很“克难”,前两期都用蜡纸打字,油墨印刷,手工装订,但也出版了五六百本;到第三、四期开始用学校新买的“柯式印刷机”(offset printer)印刷。

第五期才送到校外让印刷馆承印,出版3000本,由同学们自搞发行,分头到各所学校努力推销,结果很快就销售一空,让《学文》声名大噪,影响所至,一些学校也纷起效尤,办起校内学生刊物。

出版了五期之后,我们已经就读高二。要准备会考了,于是将杂志交给下一届同学接办。就这样,《学文》一代一代传承下去,直到今天还在出版,让这一炷文艺香火50多年来缭绕不熄,不但是公教中学的一份珍贵文化遗产,也成为新加坡目前还健在的最长寿学校中文刊物。


作为《学文》的带头创办人,圣端对国家的这个文化贡献功不可没。

从《学文》到《猎户》,我跟随着圣端,将他当精神导师,从他身上学到了不少东西。在办杂志的过程中,我这个理科生通过他发现了社会和人文科学的美丽新世界,如饥似渴地投入,结果是“越陷越深”,无法自拔,终于决定弃理从文,从新大理学院第二年转到南大念政行系一年级。那是我人生的一个重要转折,滥觞于学文,酝酿于猎户,都与圣端的“潜移默化”离不开关系。我日后会加入报馆,也应该是那时埋下的种子。

仍心系彼此

猎户们早已烟消云散,各奔前程,但当年并肩奋战的兄弟仍然心系彼此,即使天各一方,也频密联系,经常聚会。

如今圣端先走一步,虽然已在预料之中,我们的心中也难免惆怅。我们都已七老八十,无法赶到澳洲送他最后一程,只能齐聚在一名猎户的家里向他告别,诵读悼词,弹吉他合唱《长亭送别》,远隔重洋朝着南方向他深深一鞠躬。


圣端,一路走好!

(本文小标为编者所加)

COE 2024-11-06 Results

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

报防诈课程反遭骗-经理转走2千元妇



☝️*The following is the unedited Google translation of the picture from Shin Ming Daily News 新明日报:*
=================

Shin Min Daily News

Daily News

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

*Woman enrolled in fraud prevention course but was cheated, manager transferred 2,000 yuan away*

By Wu Yijin yijin@sph.com.sg

@24-hour news hotline: 1800-8227288/91918727

WhatsApp/WeChat photo upload: 91918727

A 38-year-old event sales manager promoted a skills training course and persuaded a 70-year-old woman to sign up for an anti-fraud course. Later, the manager had evil intentions and used the old woman's mobile phone to transfer 2,000 yuan from her on the pretext of helping her cancel her subscription. He was arrested and sentenced to three weeks in prison.

The defendant, Xie Hongxuan (38 years old, transliteration), faced a charge of theft. He pleaded guilty yesterday and was sentenced to three weeks in prison and was required to compensate the victim $2,000, otherwise he would have to go to jail for four days.

The defendant was an event sales manager at the time of the incident and the victim was a 75-year-old retired woman.

According to the case, on February 19 this year, the defendant met the old woman while promoting a skills training course, and then persuaded her to sign up for an anti-fraud course.

In order to register and reserve a place in the course, the old woman had to pay a fee of 30 yuan. She handed her mobile phone to the defendant and asked him to help her use it.

PayNow transfer.

A few days later, the old woman was unable to attend the course and was informed that she would have to make new arrangements. On March 7, the defendant sent a message to the old woman, asking her to meet the next day to help her process the refund for the course.

The next day, the defendant and the old woman met at a coffee shop on New Upper Changi Road. During the meeting, the defendant asked the old woman to show proof of the deposit she had paid earlier, and the old woman then handed over her mobile phone to the defendant.

3 weeks in prison

The defendant then had evil intentions and took the opportunity to use the banking app on the old woman's phone to transfer 2,000 yuan from her account without her consent.

That evening, the victim found an unauthorized transfer when checking the transaction records and immediately contacted the defendant. The defendant assured her that he would take her to the bank to resolve the issue, but then did not show up for the appointment on the grounds that he was infected with the coronavirus.

Asked to delete the message and lied to the police, former colleagues became suspicious and called the police

He taught his former colleague to delete messages and lie to the police, and the former colleague became suspicious and called the police. The defendant transferred the old woman’s money to his former colleague.

chat message, the latter did so.

Two days later, the former colleague became suspicious and reported the case to the police, detailing how the defendant had previously instructed him to cover up the transaction.

He also told his former colleague that if the police came to him, he should say that the money was paid to the defendant to buy a computer for him, and asked his former colleague to delete all WhatsApp messages between them in front of him.

The police subsequently arrested the accused on March 19.

▲A 38-year-old event sales manager transferred 2,000 yuan from a 70-year-old woman without her consent and was sentenced to three weeks in prison. (Illustration)

The defendant transferred the old woman's money to his former colleague and then asked him to return it

Secretly transfer money to a former colleague and then find an excuse to ask him to pay

to myself.

The defendant transferred the old woman's 2,000 yuan to a former colleague, and

The other party was unaware of the defendant's fraudulent behavior. Shortly after the transfer, the defendant sent a message to the former colleague,

He said that there was a sum of money that could not be transferred directly to his account, and asked the other party to transfer the money to him after receiving it, and the former colleague did so.

On March 11, the defendant had dinner with a former colleague and lied to him, saying that he had met a hacker online who had hacked into the bank account of the elderly woman involved.

The defendant also said that he was afraid to use his bank account and that he transferred the 2,000 yuan as a reward to the hacker after receiving the money.

PM Lawrence Wong at the People's Association CCMC 60th Anniversary

Why Income Insurance may want to consider an SGX listing

Income Insurance: Why Income Insurance may want to consider an SGX listing

For Subscribers

Why Income Insurance may want to consider an SGX listing

Going public is one way for the insurer to draw new investors and boost the capital needed for its social mission.

Kang Wan Chern
Deputy Business Editor
A way for Income to draw new investors and boost the capital needed for its social mission is to go public. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Published
 
Nov 05, 2024, 05:00 AM

SINGAPORE - Now that Allianz’s $2.2 billion offer to take a controlling stake in Income Insurance is off the table, one alternative for the local insurer to continue growing its business is to undertake an initial public offering (IPO) on the Singapore Exchange (SGX).

Going public would enable Income’s retail investors to sell their shares on a convenient and transparent platform, and buy them back again later if they choose, an option currently unavailable to them.

Allianz in July offered to buy a controlling 51 per cent stake in Income. The deal was marketed as a win for both companies.

For the German insurance giant, it was an opportunity to expand its business into Singapore, where it has a regional office but does not operate as a business.

Income said the move would give it access to additional capital and resources, helping it to continue meeting its long-term obligations to policyholders and scale the business for further growth.

The Singapore insurer would get help to become more competitive in an industry where its market share in the life insurance business had fallen to less than 10 per cent by value over the past 10 years, according to data from the Life Insurance Association.

But the announcement triggered a public outcry, with concerns over whether Income would continue its social mission. 

On Oct 15, the Government blocked the deal, citing information that Allianz planned to return $1.85 billion of Income’s capital to shareholders within three years of the deal’s completion. This raised concerns over whether Income would be able to maintain its social mission if such a plan went through.

IPO option

Unless Allianz comes back to the table with an offer that is acceptable to the Government, a way for Income to draw new investors and boost the capital needed for its social mission is to go public.

Income said it had weighed growth options including an IPO after it was corporatised in 2022, but did not pursue a listing due to unsuitable market conditions.

Analysts told The Straits Times that the IPO route is a “well-trodden path” for insurance companies looking to grow.

The key to ensuring a successful IPO is by appropriately valuing the shares so that they can “trade up”, and setting targets for future growth to make the shares attractive to investors.

Speaking in Parliament on Oct 16, Nominated MP Neil Parekh noted “that there are many providers of growth equity capital that would be willing to take a minority stake in Income”.

He added that there should first be a five- to seven-year growth plan and a new Singapore-controlled board of directors with the right experience and vision, as well as the authority to take the company forward.

If listed, Income would have the advantage of being the only domestic systematically important insurer on the SGX after OCBC Bank moved to take Great Eastern private in 2024.

It would also be the only insurer with a social mission embedded into its business model on the SGX.

Nominated MP Keith Chua on Oct 16 urged Parliament to consider the option of listing Income “as a profitable and socially responsible business”.

He said that while there is increasing interest and capital available for social investing, the current options on the SGX for “profitable companies with clear social missions are extremely limited”.

Convenient platform to buy and sell

A public listing would enable Income’s existing shareholders to trade their shares at the market price.

Had the Allianz deal gone through, some 16,000 shareholders holding around 28 million shares, or a 27.2 per cent stake, could have taken advantage of the chance to sell their shares to Allianz at $40.58 each.

That’s a 37.3 per cent premium over Income’s net asset value per share of $29.55 as at Dec 31, 2023.

Now, though, shareholders who want to sell their Income shares are once again stuck with having to navigate the complex and time-consuming process of identifying willing buyers and dealing directly with them.

An earlier option for them to sell their shares on digital exchange Alta had also been discontinued.

For Income’s major shareholder NTUC Enterprise (NE), an IPO would enable it to monetise some of its Income holdings to free up funds for other purposes.

Having new investors on board would also ease mounting pressure on NE to keep the local insurer sufficiently capitalised at all times.

NE, a cooperative set up by the National Trades Union Congress, Singapore Labour Foundation and their affiliated unions, holds a 72.8 per cent stake in Income.

Mounting capital pressure

Amid the drama surrounding the Allianz offer, NE came out to say it is committed to supporting Income, but it cannot do so alone. That is why Income was corporatised in 2022, so that it could have more options to access capital, NE pointed out. 

In a July 29 interview, its chairman Lim Boon Heng told The Straits Times that NE provided Income with capital totalling $630 million between 2015 and 2020.

“We have to ask ourselves as NE whether we are able to provide Income with all the capital that it requires,” Mr Lim said.

“Should NE devote all its financial resources to help build up Income, it would not be a very prudent policy,” he added.

Meanwhile, Income’s capital needs have been mounting.

In 2023, the Monetary Authority of Singapore named Income, Great Eastern, AIA and Prudential domestic systemically important insurers.

They are therefore expected to meet higher capital requirements than regular insurers, given that their collapse would significantly affect the country’s economy. The new regulations kicked in at the start of 2024.

In a credit ratings review in September, S&P Global Ratings said Income continues to have a substantial allocation to riskier assets, such as equities and investment properties, which exposes it to market volatility and may affect its capital adequacy.

But it added that Income is expected to maintain a strong business presence in Singapore and satisfactory capitalisation over the next two years.

For the 18-month period ended Dec 31, 2023 – in its first set of results as a company – Income reported profit after tax of $60.4 million, thanks to the strong underwriting profitability from its general insurance business.

As at Dec 31, Income had gross premiums covering 1.7 million customers, totalling $4.86 billion. Its total assets amounted to $43 billion, including $1.92 billion in cash and $31.76 billion in other financial assets comprising debt, equities and funds.

It had $3.2 billion in share capital, and capital adequacy ratios were “well above the minimum regulatory levels”.

Need to redefine social mission?

Whether it decides to go public or not, Income needs to work with the Government to update and articulate its social mission for the insurer to move forward.

Under its current social mission, Income now offers two low-cost schemes for union members.

They are NTUC Gift, a group insurance policy exclusively for members of NTUC-affiliated unions and associations, and Income Insurance Luv, which is an affordable group term life insurance policy for NTUC members.

Income also participates in national insurance programmes and is involved in charity commitments that include a pledge of $100 million over 10 years from 2021 to promote social mobility among the lower-income, and support the well-being of seniors.

But while delivering its social obligations is important, ensuring they are both sustainable and relevant to Income’s business would be central to informing future deals and offers involving the insurer.

Quoting the former Asia Centre for Social Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy, Mr Chua said an organisation can outgrow its social mission over time as social norms evolve or when its management changes.

A key characteristic of a social enterprise is that the organisation is addressing a clearly articulated and institutionalised social mission that is relevant to the community it supports. 

“Unlike traditional businesses conducting projects as part of corporate social responsibility, the social good done by a social enterprise is a part of the core business of the company.”

Workers’ Party MP He Ting Ru said on Oct 16 that redefining Income’s social mission is necessary to avoid the risk of it focusing only on delivering its present obligations, while missing the wider picture of how Income is fundamentally able to fulfil its social mission as an insurer.

In any case, given its declining market share and capital needs, standing still may not be an option for Income.

Short of finding the right merger partner and more capital injection, going for an IPO is worth considering.

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Monday, November 4, 2024

七分饱是什么感觉?

作者:营养师李老师

七分饱是什么感觉?

说吃饭建议吃7分饱,那七分饱究竟是什么感觉呢?!
一图搞定七分饱,健康从吃七分饱开始.

不管是减肥还是平时注重健康的自己,都来看看吧,毕竟身体健康了比什么都强.

My water Meter Readings from 2024-10-11 to 2024-11-04


2024-11-03
-----------------
Meter/Difference 

1392674 (222)
1392452 (073)
1392379 (109)

2024-11-01

============

2024-10-31

1392270 (125)
1392145 (105)
1392040 (149)
1391891 (116)
1391775 (110)
1391665 (065)
1391600 (180)
1391420 (099)
1391321 (084)
1391237 (097)
1391140 (238)
1390902 (129)
1390773 (117)
1390656 (101)
1390555 (109)
1390446 (073)
1390373 (125)
1390248 (153)
1390095 (148)
1389947 (207)
1389740

Video 老年朋友应该多吃肉


 

新加坡即将消失的GEP“天才班”在读学生访谈(五):新加坡中小学竟然没有课本?

How to get Cash for LifeSG Credits for NS


 

Sunday, November 3, 2024

The 5AM Club for high achievers? A little later won’t matter


For Subscribers

The 5AM Club for high achievers? A little later won’t matter

From tech CEOs to cultural icons, early-morning routines have become ritualised for success. The key, perhaps, lies in maximising your time, your way.

Lee Siew Hua
Assistant Life Editor
An early-bird culture brings its own gifts, as the writer has discovered. But each of us finds joy meeting life goals in our own rhythm. ST ILLUSTRATION: CEL GULAPA
Updated
 
Nov 03, 2024, 05:42 AM
Published
 
Nov 03, 2024, 05:00 AM

Apple chief executive officer Tim Cook likes waking up before 5am, and for a spell he nailed 3.45am. He will spend an hour responding to his daily avalanche of 700 or 800 e-mails. His morning routine also involves strength exercises and a stop at Starbucks on his 7am drive to work.

Another early bird, former US first lady Michelle Obama, hits the gym every day after she rises and shines at 4.30am.

American actress-entrepreneur Gwyneth Paltrow is more esoteric. She sets the alarm for 5am, starting her day with a tongue-scrape, transcendental meditation and celery juice.

The trio are knights exemplar of the 5AM Club: high achievers and disciplined sunrisers at war with wasted mornings.

Leadership expert Robin Sharma, who wrote The 5AM Club (2018), lives by this sunny manifesto: “Own your morning, elevate your life.” 

He has worked out a 20/ 20/ 20 formula for optimal mornings. The first hour is spent on 20 minutes of exercise, 20 minutes of reflection and 20 minutes of planning or learning.

Though I don’t set my alarm for 5am, I am unintentionally awake at that hour often enough to discern the appeal of an early start. With the day stretching languorously ahead, I have the luxury of time to write or work out, or do little.

A week ago, when my eyes opened at 5.05am, I remembered the 20/ 20/ 20 strategy. 

First, I asked Google Home to play “soft dance music for home workouts” and Siri channelled Les Pipos by Swedish-born jazz musician Ennio Máno, along with a couple of other chill dance hits. But soon she was playing the techno remix of Fortnight by global pop superstar Taylor Swift and Canadian DJ BLOND:ISH, featuring American rapper Post Malone.

Techno, even if it releases dopamine and boosts motivation, is not a morning genre for my body or sleeping neighbours. I instructed Siri to stop, then pivoted to stretches and squats in silence. But, fine, the best intentions can unspool and the main thing is, I’d exercised.

Next, I would sit on my balcony and contemplate, journal, meditate or pray. It is never easy to sit still, so I started watering the potted plants, doing mini-chores and fixing breakfast, while summoning gratitude for my good life.

Finally, I would learn or plan. I grabbed my copy of The Straits Times and read my colleague Shawn Hoo’s interview with artist Lim Tze Peng, who is now staging a National Gallery Singapore solo exhibition at age 103.

“Art has given me longevity,” the ebullient Cultural Medallion recipient said. “There’s not a single day that I do not paint or write calligraphy.” Perfect inspiration for the day.

Wonderfully, too, in that first waking hour, I could go analogue and not reflexively look at my phone. No one expects me to respond to messages at dawn. No one is awake to judge me for disconnecting.

Unusually for me, I powered through two hours before looking at my phone at 7.15am. No emergency happened while I was phone-free. If anything really urgent happens, all of us are a phone call away, and we may have forgotten that.

After 7am, I worked in snatches. I made notes for this column, sent e-mails, planned my week. In between, there was time to finish reading the paper, light a new wild pear and freesia candle, and look at the illuminated ships on the horizon. 

So much done and a whole day of unspent hours still stretches ahead.

I was reaping the benefits of a 5am start. Thinking back, on other unrushed mornings too, I have a torrent of ideas and productivity spikes. 

Me-time in such moments is also important to the half-introvert in me. I love solitude and companionship in almost equal parts, and mornings are now my sanctuary after being a certified night owl most of my life.

Other mornings, I will step out for a walk in the neighbourhood. More people seem to be walking and running earlier; Singapore is getting hotter. The decade between 2013 and 2022 has been Singapore’s warmest on record, but it is still possible to start the day outdoors.

Members of Singapore Paddle Club commencing their training around 6.35am at Siloso beach in 2023. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

Still, I am curious about influential people who are hardly sticklers for the 5am rule. Googling around, I found that billionaire investor Elon Musk is a bit of a laggard, waking up at 7am.

Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg prefers 8am.

Singapore’s founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew slept and woke late, he revealed in an interview with The Straits Times: “I get six-and-a half, seven hours of sleep. I sleep late, I wake up late, I work late.”

Clearly, he made time for governance, family, sports, learning and everything else in his vigorous life. “My daily routine is set. I wake up, clear my e-mail, read the newspapers, do my exercises and have lunch,” he said.

“After that, I go to my office at the Istana, clear more papers and write articles or speeches. In the afternoons and evenings, I sometimes have interviews scheduled with journalists, after which I may spend an hour or two with my Chinese teachers.”

Influential people, whether they are morning larks or night owls, live fully and are paragons of productivity in their own style. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

Influential people, whether they are morning larks or night owls, live fully and are paragons of productivity in their own style.

An early-bird culture brings its own gifts, as I have discovered. But each of us finds joy meeting life goals in our own rhythm.

I maximise each day anyway, plans and playtime included, so the 5AM Club lifestyle is really another tool to live well without selling out to the cult of over-productivity.

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