Singapore PM Lee out of Qi during National Day speech

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is on a week of medical leave after he had a sudden vasovagal attack hours into his rally address.

PM Lee's expression turned blank after he trembled and swayed, shocking the live audience at the ITE auditorium, as well as those watching the rally live from home.

Unlike the dramatic headlines that claims that he collapsed on stage, he never suffered a fall.  As he faltered at the podium, Defence Minister Dr. Ng Eng Hen sprinted like a cheetah to provide a supporting armlock, guiding the PM offstage.  Singapore is in good hands with such a speedy Defence Minister around. Speaking of speed, it is time to reduce the length of National Service to one year, as under such good hands plus availing of the rapid technological advances of this age, the Army should now be ready to churn out operational readiness in the enlisted men and officers in half the time it had required during the past decades.

Photo Credits: Straits Times

The Prime Minister Office offered the explanation that the PM felt unsteady because of prolonged standing, heat and dehydration, and ruled out stroke or heart attack.

Indeed, after an hour and a half, to a sounding applause, PM Lee returned to finish off the rally.

Though modern medicine frowns on it, there are traditional wisdom in recognizing the internal strength that is derived from balancing the flow of qi, which can be depleted.  PM Lee has definitely run low on Qi (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qi) that day, due to a strenuous prolonged schedules.

We hope he will be back to peak form, and after this episode, do look into the strenuously long run of National Servicemen as well.

Hair for Hope 2013

After falling prey to dubious donation drives, we have to be careful about where our hard-earned moolah go to, especially in these days of rising costs.

In fact, I zealously guard any personal budget that goes to donation drives; and in fact, run an unofficial rescue mission targetted towards the cats and animals around us.  There is a vast lack of compassion towards creatures who could not speak up for themselves.

Recently, however, friend Alan sms to solicit support for his passage into botak-hood (botak a.k.a. bald-head a.k.a. shiny-head), and more important, to support the Children's Cancer Foundation's Hair for Hope 2013 charity drive.  In a year, CCF helps >500 children and their families who are at different stages of the illness.

Botaks and kids!  Ohh! what a lethal combination to tug at one's heartstrings. 

We couldn't refuse such a donation, of course, and Alan being a runner in charity marathons as well, receive fun jibes from several donors--

"Less hair = less wind resistance. Able to run faster, longer. All for a good cause."

"Keep on running! It's going to be more aerodynamic for sure."

"There will be another part of your body that I am admiring soon other than your calf. Good job!"

"Huat Ah! Bota head..."

On July 27 & 28, the shavees, groups or individuals, will all gather at Vivo City to make their Bald Statement. 

Shine On, Botak Alan!