Sports in Asia

I was extremely surprised after doing the reading on how sports contributed to the growth of a country, which was Singapore. Singapore being a ‘young’ nation only gained independence in 1959. The Singapore government, People’s Action Party (PAP) went to great lengths to ensure that Singapore was a multiracial society. PAP felt that sports was the way to forge bonds between these races and implemented many sports and recreational activities so that the nation could move forward and grow together as a whole.

Sports clubs in Singapore were banned of racial exclusivity irregardless whether they were premier clubs or ordinary sports clubs. The government also felt that people should be fit, healthy and sensible to be productive thus supporting the elite sport’s potential for nation-building. This led to huge amount of funds being put into constructing sports facilities. A mandatory military service was  implemented for all male citizens to undergo. It was a belief that ‘boys will grow into men’ after they complete their national service.

Fitness tests were also implemented to ensure that all students were fit and healthy cross board in all schools from age 10 and up. These tests were taken twice a year and is compulsory for all students. Obese students were also made to run and do exercise before school starts or during their recess break.

Therefore, we can tell that sports actually did contributed to the growth of the nation and that they believe that all citizens should be fit and healthy in order to lead a productive life contributing to society.

Indonesia

With the biggest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia is still full of its own heritage. One of the most renowned culture, is the wayang kulit which is sort of a shadow puppet show. It has a unique way of presenting the show through light and shadow. The puppets are usually made from buffalo skins and than plastered onto bamboo sticks.It is held up behind a screen, with a bulb or lamp as the light source. The shadow is than projected on the screen. These shows also usually depict stories of romantic tales, from classical Indian folk tales like the Ramayana. It is extremely popular in Java, and people who visit Java, usually has an opportunity to attend of one these shows.

Food in Asia

As an Asian myself, I will say that food plays a big part in my culture. We celebrate practically every occasion or I must say every occasion with plenty of food. Different kinds of food are consumed on different occasions and there is a significant behind the food which are consumed.

In Singapore, consuming the Yu Sheng during Chinese New Year, which is the 1st day of the lunar calendar is compulsory. The Yu Sheng is actually a sashimi salad and the ingredients used are usually vegetables of different sorts which signifies prosperity and good luck. On the 15th day, it is another joyous occasion where families will gather to consume rice dumpling which are shaped into small balls.The significant of eating these round rice balls, tang yuan refers to reunion. Hence, people eat them to denote union, harmony and happiness for the family.

Dumplings with egg yolks, rice and meat are consumed during the dragon boat festival on the 5th of the 5th month of the lunar calendar to commemerate  Qu Yuan, a minister of the State of Chu which was framed, and put to death. Fishermen then, threw dumplings into the river trying to divert fishes from consuming Qu Yuan’s corpse.

The mid autumn festival which had been brought up during the presentation of the week. Moon cakes are usually consumed on the 15th day of the 8th mont of the lunar calendar. There are various stories on the significant of consuming mooncakes. It is widely believed that the moon will be the brightest and the roundest on that day itself.

Therefore, Asians are also surrounded my food all year round and this excludes birthday dinners and celebration of a new born.

Politics in Asia

Politics in Asia are often dramatic and politicians are even accused of staging it. One notorious case was President Chen Shui Bian who was involved in a assassination case, whereby him and his vice president were injured, but not seriously. It was widely believed that is was ‘staged’, as the president and the vice president were doing their rounds, trying to win the votes and support of Taiwanese. President Chen  and his wife were also charged with corruption and are currently serving their sentence.

Corruption seems to be a major issue with most presidents in Asia. President Thaksin of Thailand, President Suharto of Indonesia and President Estrada were all charged with corruption and were stripped of their titles. The removal of Thaksin and Suharto had caused major rioting in their countries, causing their economy to suffer.

Masculinities in Asia

There are various forms and interpretations of masculinities or even sexuality that are interesting in Asia compared to the western world. Take the lady boys in Thailand for example, these transgendered or transexuals are accepted openly within the society. What that is intriguing is that the Thais actually have an excuse for these group of people  believing that is because of the bad karma that they had accumulated last life time, hence they are repaying it this lifetime. Why is there even a need for explaining your behaviour and sexuality?It will be a completely different situation if a transexual is living in the western society wouldn’t it be? I personally feel that it is more of a choice individually or even biologically rather that anything having to do with karma.

I was also quite surprised that there was an interpretation of japanese actor, Takuya Kimura with a rose in his mouth being associated with  homosexuality. Will anyone care to explain more?

Bollywood

Bollywood had been quite widely known after the much overrated Slumdog millionaire. However, I would not recommend people who has intentions to watch a Bollywood movie to catch that show. It simply is just too “commercialised” with Pussy Cat Dolls singing the theme song with too much hollywood influence. Another movie that is the British version of slumpdog million is Bride and Prejudice starring Aiswarya Rai. Personally, I prefer watching Bride & Prejudice because of all the dancing and singing in the streets of India. It also just gives me a more Bollywood “feel” probaly because of the lead actress Aiswarya Rai which is one of the top actress in India.

Having brought up in a multi racial country like Singapore, I had been watching Bollywood movies since I was a kid as it was entertaining with heaps of dancing, singing and lot of drama. No doubt that it is extremely time consuming, the songs, choreography of the dance and the scenery of the set simply just made my eyes glued to the tv screen. The costumes, especially the saris that the actresses dorn on are also different from the the typical modern Hollywood movies. Most movies I will say are  heart wrenching love stories with plenty of dancing and singing, yet conserative and traditional at the same time.

Week 4: Korean Wave

Despite the various discussions we had this week about the Korean wave, I am still unclear what exactly “triggered” the popularity of Korean music, movies and especially dramas in Asia. The same question was brought up in class and that some reasons suggested by my fellow classmates included the internet, throught word of mouth, etc, but there were no definite answers.

I am a huge fan of Korean dramas, even though I am not Korean myself. I must say that these dramas are extremely addictive and that their story lines are brilliant compared to the Hong Kong and Taiwanese dramas. It is epic and the casts are extremely good looking.No doubt that I am being extremely shallow, just wanting to watch the dramas because of the casts but it is an excellent to market these dramas because there are heaps of fans out there who are far more obsessed with these Korean actors and actresses.

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