Please help our friends in Philippines!

We would like to take a moment to deviate from our usual Wheel sports post to offer our solace to the recent tragedy that has struck Philippines.

We at "The Wheelies" were saddened and shocked by the devastation that the Typhoon Haiyan had caused and the countless lives that were lost. Once again, we humans stands helpless and defenseless in the face of the forces of nature. Typhoon Haiyan has affected about 9.5 million people across Philippines and the official death toll is 2000 till date and the fear is that up to 10,000 lives could have been lost.

The world is never too big in this global community that we live in. The Wheelies would like to offer our prayers for the people of Philippines that is affected by Typhoon Haiyan. Stay strong. You are not alone in this fight.

Below is a list of organizations you can contact if you wish to donate:

SINGAPORE RED CROSS

Please visit the Red Cross House at 15 Penang Lane Singapore 238486, from 9am to 7pm (Mon-Fri) 9am to Noon (Sat-Sun), or post your cheque to ‘Singapore Red Cross Society’ at the above address.

Please indicate ‘Red Cross Haiyan Relief’ on the back of the cheque, along with your name, contact no. and address.

Note: In-kind donations (food, clothes, etc) are not accepted due to logistical considerations. Tax deduction is not applicable for overseas giving.

MERCY RELIEF
Mercy Relief has deployed its second response team to the areas affected by Typhoon Haiyan this morning. The three-man team will be assessing ground zero in Tacloban City, in Leyte province and other affected areas within the Visayas region, to address the critical needs of the survivors such as water, food and shelter.

Mercy Relief will deploy its manually-powered water filtration systems, PedalPure, to provide clean and potable water to the affected communities. The team will also personally procure S$30,000 worth of supplies such as food supplies and blankets/tarpaulins from nearby unaffected areas within the Philippines. The public can assist in the following ways:

1. Cash donations personally presented at Blk 160, Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, #01-1568, Singapore 3101602. Funds transfer to Mercy Relief’s DBS Current Account 054-900742-0
3. Credit Card donation via www.mercyrelief.org (GIVE page, Pledge to “Foreign Fundraising 2”)
4. Cheque crossed to Mercy Relief Limited, with ‘Typhoon Haiyan Relief 2013’ written on the reverse, and mailed to Blk 160, Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, #01-1568, Singapore 310160

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Habitat for Humanity is appealing for funds to assist families and help them rebuild their lives and gain access to decent shelter. Habitat staff are on the ground assessing the situation and coordinating with government agencies and other partners on the disaster response operations. The organisation’s country office in the Philippines is raising funds to distribute 30,000 Shelter Repair Kits for home repairs and 50,000 clean up kits to families affected by the disaster. A Shelter Repair Kit comprises: plywood, lumber, corrugated GI Sheets, sets of nails, hammer, handsaw and screwdriver. Each Habitat for Humanity Shelter Repair Kit costs 15,000 pesos (S$430) and is good for one family.

To donate, visit:http://www.give2habitat.org/philippines/ReBuildPhilippines

UNICEF

UNICEF staff in the Philippines are rushing into position to deliver aid. More emergency experts are on the way. In Copenhagen, 60 metric tons of emergency supplies — for the health, medical and shelter needs of children — are being readied for an emergency airlift, to arrive within 48 hours. Every moment matters for these children. Please, support UNICEF's emergency response in the Philippines: $50, $100, $250, $500 or any amount you can give will help save kids' lives. Please go to this link 

https://secure.unicefusa.org/site/Donation2?df_id=16500&16500.donation=form1

Others

Hi dear sisters and brothers, do u have old clothes, blankets or slippers to give away? U can help the Filipino victims of the typhoon. We have a friend who owns a cargo shipping company & is collecting items to be shipped there.

Please collate your items and bring them down to:
Gaden Shartse Dro-Phen Ling Buddhist Centre
12 Guillemard Lane, Singapore 399878.
Tel: 63449521 / 63420806
Opening hours: 9:00am to 6:00pm

Important note: Please bring your items down to GSDPL by 16th Nov, this Saturday 5pm.

You are very orbit!!!

In the land of Sing-Ka-Por where Singlish is widely understood and commonly used, having the right branding and name is even more challenging due to the diverse nature of the market. However, a lot of brands selling in the market has been ridiculed for their translation or pronunciation in local dialects and accent 

• DBS: Don’t be Singaporean
• PRADA: Roti Prata?
• Subaru: Just Lost 
• Honda: Win(d) Big 
• Pepsi : Die for nothing
• Shell: Crazy
• Volkswagen Passat : wet market
• NTUC: Auntie You See
• SENTOSA: So expensive Nothing to see actually
• BMW: Bring More Woman
• Dior: Tio Toto or 4D
• Peugeot: Pang Jio means peeing
• OG: Old Generation, Old Girls
• Chanel: Channel 5?

So how does the Orbit Wheels compare to the above hilarious translation in Singapore context? 

Orbit in local context means something that is old fashion or out of fashion. Alternatively, it could also means serves your right. Definitely not a start they are looking for fashion conscious Singaporean. 

In terms of design, it does remind me of the wind fire wheels used by Chinese deity Nezha. That aside, weighing at 5 pounds, it means that I can carry around wherever I go.

AS for the usability, based on some of the video presentation on the web, it uses a completely new technique for skaters to move. Rather than moving in a V-shaped forward thrusting action in inline skating, Orbit wheels moves sideways with twisting forwards and backwards momentum. It certainly looks like it can only be operated on a smooth surface. The movement does look unnatural too. Based on general feedback on the web, it certainly does not look easy to learn and it does appear the learning curve is going to be steep for most.

While it does looks like a wheel for a perfect workout if you want to burn some calories, I will probably not be seen using it as it seems too much of a torture just to move a short distance. Last but not least, the investment of USD145 is definitely keeping casual users away. Till the next upgrade of Orbit Wheels where i can levitate and move forward and backward like Nezha, I will probably stick to my trusted bicycle and unicycle.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Portable
• Good quality

Cons

• Steep learning curve
• Expensive as compared to kickscooters / entry level inline skates
• Unnatural movement
• Unwanted attention when using it

All I want for this X’mas is…….

Most of us long for a white X’mas, regardless of your gender, age or where you are from. There are no words to describe the sensation of waking up to your surroundings covered with layer of snow (lest the BIG FOOT staring at you when you wake up). It’s simply out of this world.

 



Unfortunately for most of us in Singapore, that reality will never happen unless there is a significant change in the climate where the El Ninos, El Nanas or whatever et el devastated our topology so much that Singapore suddenly shifted to Northern hemisphere.

For us Singaporeans, the idea of a X’mas is about coming together for gift exchanges as well as a sumptuous X’mas feast. For others, its about snapping pictures at giant X’mas decorations and getting excited over chemical foams passing off as snow in shopping malls. God knows what that foam is made of... 

Well, if you belong to the earlier group and if you are still shopping for that perfect X’mas present that is fun, cool and revolutionary for your family and friends, do consider the “White Wheelies Electric Unicycle”. It is a fun and cool ride where you can spend hours using it at a park with your family and friends. It's lightweight and handy design makes it convenient and easy for you to carry around; from classrooms, national parks, MRT stations, offices etc. The usage of this Unicycle can also lead to a whole range of other benefits such as improvements to your concentration, confidence, co-ordination and muscle strengthening. Besides, you are playing your role as a global citizen as it is environmentally friendly, using only electric power.

For a limited time only, The Wheelies is offering the white electric unicycle at a promotional price of $828. Prices valid till 25 Dec. Drop us a note at thewheeliesasia@gmail.com if you are keen to find out more.