Pokemon Go? Premium Ice Cream Cold!

View this post on Instagram

Come on down to Raffles City outside Robinsons to get free @haagendazssg new flavours stick bars ice cream!! #hdraisethebar #rafflescity #sgig #sgigfood #icecream #dontsaybojio

A post shared by Ci En 🌊 (@theleecien) on Aug 5, 2016 at 9:38pm PDT

On August 6th, Häagen-Dazs™, the world’s number one super-premium ice cream brand, unveiled their newest range of Häagen-Dazs™ Stick Bars in custom-built fridges across Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok to reward their long-time fans.

Those in Singapore unlocked the new flavours by #hashtagging #HDRaiseTheBar on their social media platforms to collect their complimentary ice-cream from these fridges at Raffles City when the crowdsourced social media chatter reached critical mass!

Waiting in line under the hot sun for cold premium ice cream! Cr – Häagen-Dazs

How will Salted Caramel taste like?

View this post on Instagram

The new Salted Caramel flavour on stick was intense and luxurious, enrobed with premium Belgian Chocolate. Yum yum check out my #goodiefoodiecienie review at bit.do/hdrtb or link in bio! #foodporn #Haagendazs #hdraisethebar #burpple #foodstagram #instafood #foodphotography #sgfood #sgfoodporn #foodgasm #foodpic

A post shared by Ci En 🌊 (@theleecien) on Aug 8, 2016 at 6:49am PDT

Carefully balanced between sweet and savoury, it was rich but not overpowering. The salted caramel was smooth and not grainy. Coated with premium Belgian Chocolate, it made the whole experience an indulgent one.

Eek double chin!

My friend who queued up with me agreed that it appeals to the local palate – other flavours included – and what set it apart from rival brands such as Magnum was its creative concoction of the freshest and best natural ingredients.

There were other new innovations from Häagen-Dazs™ that I did not try and is now available in single and multi-pack formats. They retail at $5.90 and $13.90 respectively at all their stores and major supermarkets. The other new Häagen-Dazs™ Stick Bars flavours are:

• Chocolate Choc Almond – real Belgian cocoa combined with swirls of chocolate fudge, coated in Belgian chocolate and crunchy almonds.
• Green Tea & Almond – matcha green tea flavour ice cream coated in Belgian chocolate and almonds
• Vanilla Caramel Almond – made with premium Madagascar vanilla ice cream
• Strawberries & Cream – real fresh pieces of strawberries infused and coated by velvety Belgian chocolate

Did you know that Häagen-Dazs™ blends their “world quality best” ingredients “gently with minimal air” so that each scoop is dense, creamy and has the lingering taste in your mouth?

Häagen-Dazs Singapore 
Available at all Häagen-Dazs outlets islandwide: Bishan Junction 8, Esplanade Mall, Great World City, Hilton Walkway, Holland Village, Ion Orchard, Sentosa Beach Station, Springvale and Tampines Mall. 
Find Häagen-Dazs Singapore on Facebook
Follow Häagen-Dazs on Instagram 

Baliza – Singapore’s latest mega club

BALIZA (@balizasg) opened its doors (RSVP only) earlier today on the 25th of June and welcomed close to 300 clubbing fans to experience the highly anticipated debut of the city’s newest mega club.

The brainchild of the original team from the hugely popular early days of Attica (@atticasg) at Clarke Quay, this 8000 square feet venue is committed to raising the region’s nightlife experience with its innovative approach and excellent service standards.

Although registration took a while to process, service was good and registered guests were stamped with UV ink. VIPs were given a limited edition GOLD Baliza wristband

State-of-the-art technology
LED super-trees wrap the main room to create a unique and engaging setting through its interactive lighting technology. World renowned acts featuring Angelux and BALIZA’s resident celebrity DJ – Jade Rasif (@djjaderasif) – got the groove going on the 3-meter elevated DJ platform for a phenomenal audio-sensory experience throughout the night.

DJ Angelux (Cr – Baliza)

Unparalleled invite-only VIP suite experience
I was given access to the sleek, seductive and captivating ultra-lounge and my friend who was with me noted that it had the luxury vibes and a refreshing dated bottle-service experience.

Wine Champagne (Cr – Baliza)

Gold Tommy Champagne Gun – 1st in Asia
The gun was first unveiled at Nightclub & Bar Convention & Trade Show in the Las Vegas Convention Center weeks ago. This harmless weapon blasts out an epic stream of bubbly for 45 seconds.

Gold Tommy Champagne Gun

Being my first experience in a club AND mega-club, it was a breathtaking experience for me and I really liked the open format music style for anyone and everyone to dance to. However, the “8000 sq ft venue” was underwhelming for me as it became very packed by 2315. Do note that the age limit is 21 too! Be sure to be there when the club opens its doors to the public on the first weekend of July and catch some dinner at their sister neighbour – The Beacon.

LIVE Band at The Beacon

Baliza (Esplanade / City Hall MRT)
6 Raffles Boulevard
#01-04,05 Marina Square
Singapore 039594
Opening Hours: 2200-0600 TBA
Follow Baliza on Facebook

The Beacon (Esplanade / City Hall MRT)
6 Raffles Boulevard
#01-01,02,03 Marina Square
Singapore 039594
Opening Hours: 
Sun – Tues 1700-0100
Wed – Thurs 1700-0130
Fri – Sat 1700 – 0300
Follow The Beacon on Facebook

Arise and Shine

On 12 March 2016, Youth Corps Singapore launched its new signature initiative, Common Space for Common Good, with an inaugural mass island-wide youth community service event. More than 1,000 youths aged between 16 and 35 came together to serve diverse community needs of 600 beneficiaries in different parts of Singapore.

Some of the youths shared their views on the various activities that took place that morning.

Appreciating the pioneers

At Moral Home for the Aged, the volunteers did some morning exercise with 50 of the residents before bringing them out to Bedok Food Centre for lunch and chit-chat.

Minister Fu with a beneficiary from Moral Home

Ong Yee Hwee (20) a volunteer from Nanyang Technological University shared her experience, “Volunteering and appreciating our pioneers reminded me if not for the hard work and effort put in by them, Singapore would not be the same today. It is both amazing and heartwarming to see individuals putting the needs of others ahead of their own to make the lives of others more joyful.” 

Yee Hwee having lunch with Mr Lau

 Befriending the special needs

Kenneth Yap (24) and 32 other volunteers interacted with 20 residents of Bishan Home for the Intellectually Disabled at the Botanic Gardens. They visited the Heritage Garden and played team games. The activities culminated with a delicious picnic for everyone.

Kenneth (in black) leading the games

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu joined in the activities and had a whale of a time. Encouraging the Youth Corps Leader Kenneth and other volunteers on the ground, she said, “The youth volunteers are a wonderful bunch of people. Though they are busy with their studies and their work, they feel that by volunteering, they are bringing meaning to the lives of people and improving their quality of life.”

To go fast, go alone. To go far, go together! 

Caring for the environment

Together with 360 volunteers from ITE College West, Sheila Manokaran (21) led the efforts to clean the beach at East Coast Park by picking up the litter and sorting out the recyclable items.

The Youth Corps Leader said, “It’s never about how busy you are but it’s about your priorities. I’m always grateful for the opportunities and experience that Youth Corps has given me in paying it forward.”

Sheila in the center with staff, leaders and members of Youth Corps

Delighting the families (low income)

Volunteers partnered with Beyond Social Services and Lakeside Family Services to explore the Singapore Sports Hub through fun activities

Mr Baey Yam Keng

Unite to ignite

When the activities ended, the volunteers returned to the Red Box Building to install light bulbs. Each light bulb contained a small sprout and mounted on a Red Box, each bulb signified each youth volunteer and their potential in making a difference by growing in the red “incubator” and spreading the spirit of volunteerism.

Acts of service shining brightly in darkness

As I witnessed the endless arrival of cohorts of youth volunteers, rivers of tears cascaded down my face. In the blazing hot afternoon sun, my heart melted as I witnessed firsthand how 1,000 youths dropped their personal activities to be part of this event.

A sea of red

These were youths who could have spent their Saturday morning in bed, who could have been mugging for exams or playing with their friends. Once called apathetic and self-contained, our youths are now a purposeful force that looks into the interests of others by paying it forward.

My life mentor Crystal Chua (Volunteer Coordinator), said this was the start of greater things to come. This youth movement does not stop here and we can look forward to more exciting initiatives organised by Youth Corps Singapore. More than that, we can start now and be part of the movement. Whether you are young or young-at-heart, everyone of us can step up and step out of our comfort zone.

Be it our pioneers, people with special needs or low-income families, we can play a part to initiate conversations and empathise with them.

If you are looking for a meaningful service-learning experience, join Youth Corps today!
Together, we can make a difference in someone else’s life.