Teochew Speech at Singapore Worker's Party Rally (April 28, 2011)

Found this speech by Low Thia Khiang at a Singapore Worker's Party Rally. I don't know much about Singaporean politics, but it speaks volumes that people are still holding speeches in Teochew - that means that there are still people (at least in Hougang - an area of Singapore with lots of Teochew) who can understand it, and that probably want to hear it. One might think that the Singaporean gov't might ban speeches in dialect - and force them speakers to use one of the four official languages (English, Mandarin, Malay, or Tamil... particularly English and Mandarin nowadays)... but no... interesting. On the speech itself, I rather like his Gek-io: accent... very agreeable to my ears. =)

Teochew Food & Culture: A Visit From Singapore to China!

Food Nation: Teochew from Mak CK on Vimeo.
Food Nation is a TV show (web or broadcast?) that covers, yes, food. This 45 min episode is all about Teochew food. They compare all the Teochew foods that Singaporeans are used to eating with the versions in the Teochew homeland. On the way, they also get to experience other aspects of Teochew culture. It's a great primer on Teochew culture actually, particularly for anyone who doesn't know what to say Teochew culture is about... my only qualm about this otherwise awesome find is that everyone speaks Mandarin except for two or three people (The kid in the beginning, the oyster fisherman, an the Singapore blogger who says "Sua:" and "Hài") [that was pretty cool by the way - his explanation about the muē, heh heh) Here's what you'll get a taste of.

Oyster Omelette Ọluat
Yam Paste Ọunī
Braised Goose Lọghō
Teochew Woodcarving
Kungfu Tea Gang-hudē
Bamboo Dumplings Sungguè
"Mouse Shell Gue" Chéukākguè?
Kaiyuan Temple and Xihu
Teochew Opera Diọgiāt
B-boy dancing
Rice Porridge Muē

Guiyu, E-waste Epicenter is near Sua:tāo!

Have you heard of Guiyu 貴嶼, e-waste epicenter of the world? Back in 2008 there were lots of reports of this electronic graveyard and environmental disaster site located somewhere in Guangdong, and at the time I found out, to my dismay, that, guess what, it's in Diọjiu (Chaoshan). It's in Sua:tao County, halfway between Póulēng and Diọ-iō: I was aghast! You hear about all sorts of environmental disasters and problems around the world, but you never REALLY think about them until it's in your backyard or affecting people you know.

Does anyone have any information on what is going on in Guiyu in 2011? Has anyone ever been there? I also wonder if the people doing the dismantling are all local Diọsua: people or are there folks from other provinces who come here just to do the work. Questions, questions, questions. Also, what can we do to help? For me, I'm going to try to limit my technology purchases to what I absolutely need, not buying anything just because I want the latest and greatest. Also, the stuff I already have I will try to find a responsible e-waste recycler. Thinking back I have dumped the following: a Compaq Presario (it was a monster), a CRT monitor or two, a flatscreen monitor, 3 or 4 keyboards, 3 or 4 mouses, wires and cables plenty, a NES, SNES (or maybe I sold them), and countless other electronic devices... it's kind scary that I'm typing on a little flat box of poison. 

Check out the stories done of Guiyu back in 2008 from CBS's 60 Minutes and Greenpeace. The one from Greenpeace even has a picture of gang-hudē made from the local Guiyu water which is black. UGH. It was so black I thought it was a teacup cover.