Best of Alvinology.com in 2013

As 2013 comes to an end in just one week’s time, here is a round-up of some of the best and top read posts on Alvinology.com for this year:

Top Read:

On Alex Liang, a Singaporean who gave up his Singapore citizenship – I became a best friend of MINDEF and SAF after this controversial post was shared over 10,000 times on Facebook.

On National Service – My stance on NS in Singapore.

Blogger slammed for calling NS a “slavery system”? – SAF and The New Paper really love me.

On Anonymous declaring “War” on Singapore PAP government – Note from a regular IT dude – Excellent guest post from my pal, Weikiat, on the Singapore government websites hacking saga.

Are you looking for this Hello Kitty? – The Hello Kitty madness returns to Singapore.

Did Linda Chung (钟嘉欣) “run light (走光)” at Star Award (红星大奖) 2013? – How to steal the limelight at the Star Award.

I am a Blogger, #WhereMyFreebies? – Bringing blogging in Singapore to a new low.

Move aside Miley Cyrus, Serina Wee rules in Singapore – Everybody loves Serina Wee in Singapore.

Why Darren Woo is Worse than Trinetta Chong – The battle of the NTU valedictorian of valedictorians.

Historic Moment in World History as God says SORRY to Kong Hee – The title says it all.

How Silat Athlete can be crowned Singapore Sportsman of the Year by the Singapore Sports Council – How to be a silat warrior.

Who is Yang Jie Xiang (Shane M/ redfanatic)? – A real Singapore hero in the workplace.

Today’s Biggest Entertainment News in Singapore – 715 Error – Seriously?

Blogging for Leisure vs Blogging for Profit – Insights from Singapore Bloggers – I moderated for a panel discussion on blogging.

Social media needs newspaper publishers — and vice versa – How social media and newspaper publishers need each other.

Hong Lim Park Protest Against the Population White Paper in Singapore – Say no to 6.9 million people in Singapore.

Chiam See Tong and Inderjit Singh’s Takes on the Population White Paper – These guys are on the side of ordinary Singaporeans.

Dr Koh Poh Koon Goes “Sight-Seeing” in Punggol East – Visual summary of the Punggol East by-election.

How YouTube PWND SDA Desmond Lim’s “First Online Rally” – How not to make election videos.

Top Restaurants:

Platypus Kitchen @ Bugis Junction – I have since visited the restaurant countless times after my first visit. Quality gourmet food at less than S$20 each dish.

Cocotte Communal Restaurant Bar @ Wanderlust Hotel – My favourite secret hangout.

Gu Ma Jia (姑妈家) @ Tai Thong Crescent – The assam fish head curry is a must-try.

Bar.B.Q. Tonight @ Little India – Quality barbecued Indian food at a reasonable price.

Tsukada Nojo Bijin Nabe (塚田農場 美人鍋) @ Plaza Singapura – Asher loves the chicken collagen soup.

Bellwethers Bistro Bar @ Desker Road – Yes, there is a decent bistro bar at Desker Road.

Tim Ho Wan (添好運) @ Toa Payoh Central – Amazing dim sum and it’s now available in my residential neighbourhood!

Fern & Kiwi @ Clarke Quay – New Zealand restaurant with the freshest ingredients.

Spruce at Fire Station @ Upper Bukit Timah – Love the ambient and their signature short ribs.

Sunday Brunch at Lime @ PARKROYAL on Pickering – Awesome buffet spread, great value and lovely new decor.

Frunatic @ Star Vista – Hardcore non-cooked, non-heated health restaurant. Something different.

Trattoria Gallo D’Oro @ Central Mall – Great italian food, passionate chef-owner. Love the sardine.

Top Movies and Entertainment:

12 Years A Slave – Moving portrayal of the evil of slavery.

Quentin Tarentino’s Django Unchained – You need to watch this after watching 12 Years A Slave.

3 Peas In A Pod《他她他》– Love the beautiful Australia scenery in this coming-of-age road trip movie on love and friendship.

Like Father, Like Son (そして父になる Soshite Chichi ni Naru) – Nature vs nuture – what if discover one day, the son you raised is not your biological son?

Prisoners – Dramatic thriller on kidnapping and the greater theme of humanity when forced into a desperate situation.

About Time – Cheesy time-travel love story, but in a good way.

Cold Eyes (감시자들) – Korean remake of Hong Kong crime drama, Eye in the Sky. Just as good, if not better than the original.

Mr. Go (미스터 고 / 大明猩) – Asher’s first movie. Wholesome family entertainment on a little girl’s relationship with her pet gorilla.

That Girl in Pinafore (我的朋友, 我的同学, 我爱过的一切) – Love the xinyao infusion.

The Phantom Of The Opera Returns to Singapore at Marina Bay Sands – It’s finally back!

GLASS ANATOMY – The Musical 《搭错车》– Love Della Ding Dang’s vocal prowess.

Top Travel and Lifestyle: 

The Wolverine Asia Premiere in Seoul, South Korea with GV Movie Club – I met Hugh Jackman in Seoul!

Fast & Furious 6 Asia Premiere in Manila, The Philippines – I met and interviewed Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Luke Evans and Gina Carano in Manila!

Cruising with the Family on board Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas – Asher’s first cruise adventure.

Winners for Singapore Blog Awards 2013 announced at Shanghai Dolly – My last year organising the Singapore Blog Awards.

Summer Staycation at Raffles Hotel Singapore – A walk back in Singapore history, staying at this iconic hotel.

Breakfast with China Multi-Millionaire Philanthropist Chen Guangbiao (陈光标) – I had breakfast with a multi-millionaire at a hawker centre.

Jay Chou Opus World Tour  – My first Jay Chou concert, Thanks to OCBC Titanium Mastercard.

Visiting Bata Factory in Jakarta, Indonesia – This is how shoes are made.

The Top Winners for the First Social Star Awards are… – I attended the first ever global Social Star Awards at Marina Bay Sands.

Alvinology Goes to Pink Dot 2013 – Pink Dot revisited. Bigger, more fun than ever.

Starhub TVB Awards 2013 – My first time attending this glitzy award show in person at Marina Bay Sands. ‘

Catch Alvinology on Channel NewsAsia’s SG+ – Leaving Singapore Press Holdings means I can accept TV interviews with Mediacorp.

Naoki Yoshihara by Ash Hair Salon – Brought to you by the ex-CEO of QB House. I get my hair styled there now.

Flying to Bangkok and Krabi with AirAsia – Amari Watergate Bangkok – Love this hotel and their tip-top service.

Traveling to Taiwan with tigerPLUS – I love Taiwan!

Cruising with the Family in a Volkswagen Sharan – I had the Volkswagen Sharan… for a week.

Driving the new Volvo V40 Cross Country to the Marine Life Park at Resorts World Sentosa – Experiencing the new Volvo V40 Cross Country.

Spend and Save with The Entertainer – I been spending and saving at the same time with this amazing coupon book for the whole of 2013!

Singapore Memory Project Nostalgia Tour and #SgMemory – Brought Asher on a nostalgia tour of Singapore to let him learn more of our history and heritage.

Do continue to support Alvinology.com in 2014. 🙂