Thursday 14 April 2016

Taiwan man airs love for Singapore - on video

Montage of local sights earns many positive reviews from Facebook users
By Sanjay Nair, The Straits Times, 13 Apr 2016

A Taiwanese man who lives in Singapore has produced a video clip of his visits to more than 60 landmarks here and said he did it out of love for his adopted home.

Mr Liu Kuan-ting, 30, spent three months putting together the 15-minute montage, which features his excursions across Singapore from 2012.



The video, which the self-taught Mr Liu said he made himself, has been shared more than 1,000 times on Facebook since it was first posted on March 29.

Having worked in Singapore for nearly four years, the Web programmer decided just before the National Day Parade in August last year to create his own visual ode to the island's unique sights and sounds.

"I thought there was no better way to show my friends and family in Taiwan why Singapore is so special and has many places worth exploring - words alone are not enough," Mr Liu, who lives by himself in a rented Choa Chu Kang flat, told The Straits Times yesterday.

"I had no idea how to make a video before, so I learnt some new editing skills along the way, too. It may not look professional, but I hope my love for Singapore shows through."

Mr Liu, a graduate of the Ming Chuan University in Taipei, said he did all the filming and editing, adding in background music from the likes of British rockers Coldplay to "suit the scenery".

On his days off from work, he made it a point to visit attractions such as Gardens by the Bay, River Safari and Jurong Bird Park.

He also took in last year's Formula One night race, the Singapore Night Festival and the Golden Jubilee celebrations at Marina Bay.

Uniquely Singaporean sights such as a $1 ice cream vendor, Toa Payoh's dragon playground and the brightly coloured Rochor Centre - four blocks of HDB flats and shops - were also on his itinerary.

His video has earned many positive reviews.

Facebook user Maggie Chow posted on Mr Liu's page: "You probably went (to) more places (and) participated in more events than a typical Singaporean. Every time I (think), hmm, maybe he hasn't been to this place, the image of the place will appear. Very impressive."

Another user Alison Lee said the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) "should seriously consider using your clip", and added: "Thank you for showing us the beauty of Singapore that we often (take) for granted."

When contacted by The Straits Times, STB's digital and content director Terrence Voon said: "We are heartened by Mr Liu's passion for Singapore. User-generated content like this helps to showcase Singapore in a very authentic way, and we welcome more of it."

Buoyed by the responses, Mr Liu is already planning his next project.

"I want to show the best of Singapore food, from hawker centres to restaurants to foodcourts. I just hope I don't eat too much along the way," he said.












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