Oakwood Raised 28.7 Tonnes of Rice and Essentials for over 62,900 Beneficiaries in Asia Pacific and the USA with Give with Oakwood Campaign

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The second year of Oakwood’s global community outreach was a collaborative effort from guests and 2,187 associates at participating properties across Asia Pacific and the USA

28,689kg of rice and essentials for 62,920 beneficiaries was raised through every direct reservation

Oakwood, the pioneer of serviced apartments with over 50 years of hospitality expertise, today announced the results of Give with Oakwood, the second edition of its global community outreach. Created to alleviate hunger and economic distress caused by the pandemic, Give with Oakwood is a collaborative effort between guests, associates and local community partners to drive positive social impact at destinations where Oakwood properties operate in. Continuing the success of last year’s campaign, every direct reservation received over the period 19 July to 30 September across 59 participating Oakwood properties, funded the donation of rice and essentials to impoverished members of society. A total of 28,689 kilogrammes of rice and essentials were contributed to 62,920 beneficiaries across Asia Pacific and the USA.

“A reflection of Oakwood’s commitment to caring for our guests, associates and the local communities, Give with Oakwood is our annual global outreach to make each destination a better place to live, work and play in. We are heartened by the overwhelming support from our guests in localising our contributions to impoverished families in a meaningful and impactful way. This year’s resounding success bears testament to our guests’ confidence in Oakwood’s corporate responsibility strategy and continuous effort in delivering sustainable travel experiences. Together with our associates and community partners, we remain steadfast in our resolve to spread kindness and compassion to vulnerable members in the communities where Oakwood operates in,” said Dean Schreiber, chief executive officer, Oakwood.

Recognising that hunger and poverty exist even in the most affluent cities, Give with Oakwood aims to contribute rice and essentials to a local community, charity organisation or food bank, with every direct reservation made at its properties. Within two and a half months from 19 July to 30 September 2021, the global campaign achieved astonishing results more than doubling last year’s donation to 28,689 kilogrammes of rice and essentials.

In Asia Pacific, where rice is a staple diet for most societies, Oakwood’s associates packed and delivered rice and essentials to the privileged families through community partners like Second Harvest in Japan, the Habitat for Humanity in Indonesia and The Fineland Foundation in China, just to name a few. The Oakwood team in Singapore collaborated with A Packet of Rice, a self-funded local project group, to deliver 238 care packages to destitute senior citizens.

Over in the United States, USD10 was raised for every direct reservation made, which resulted in 16,640 meals, for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank’s distribution network.

32nd edition of Singapore International Film Festival is now open until 5th of December

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The 32nd Singapore International Film Festival officially opened last night, with leading names in independent cinema gracing the red carpet at Shaw Theatres Lido, including award-winning Indonesian director Edwin whose critically acclaimed film ‘Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash’ made its Southeast Asian premiere. This was screened alongside the world premiere of the Festival’s commissioned short film ‘Dreaming’ by Singaporean director, Nelson Yeo. 

“It is a tremendous feeling to be back at SGIFF alongside so many members of the film community,” shares Edwin, who goes by one name. “The Festival is a key marker on my annual calendar, and it is my honour to have Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash make its regional debut here — the same Festival where I showed my first short film almost two decades ago. To witness the growth of Southeast Asian cinema throughout this time has been heartening and I thank SGIFF for being a champion of regional storytelling.” 

Adds Yeo, “Dreaming is a very special short film and it is my honor to be able to open the Festival alongside Edwin. I’m grateful to SGIFF for the opportunity and the freedom to make this film the way I envisioned it from the start. I look forward to presenting Dreaming and watching many more films back on the big screen through the course of the Festival.”

In addition to filmmakers Edwin and Nelson Yeo, Thursday night’s celebration also saw the likes of Malaysian director Tan Chui Mui (‘Barbarian Invasion’), Thai director Taiki Sakpisit (‘The Edge of Daybreak’), and American director Jake Wachtal (‘Karmalink’) traveling into Singapore for the occasion. In the spirit of community and conversation, 

Tan, Sakpisit and Wachtal will also be present for live Q&A sessions after their films are screened in cinemas, alongside local filmmakers Roystan Tan (‘24’), Panuksmi Hardjowirogo (‘Scene UnSeen’) and Quen Wong (‘Some Women’). 

“Tonight was a wonderful celebration of the Southeast Asian film community and we are extremely thankful that hundreds of guests took the time out to join us. It gives us great joy to see the return to cinema for SGIFF 32 and we are excited to continue the conversations through our FORUM banner this year, with leaders of the film community participating in panel discussions and live Q&A sessions over the next 10 days,” concludes Emily J. Hoe, Executive Director, Singapore International Film Festival. 

The 32nd SGIFF is happening now until 5 December 2021. The Festival will screen over 100 titles from more than 40 countries, hosted across multiple festival venues; screenings are held at Filmgarde Bugis+, Carnival Cinema at Golden Mile Tower, Golden Village Grand, Oldham Theatre, National Museum of Singapore, and Shaw Lido. FORUM sessions will be held at The Arts House and The Projector; and Film Academy sessions at LASALLE College of the Arts, Nanyang Technological University and WILD RICE. 

SGIFF is an event of the Singapore Media Festival (SMF), hosted by Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA). 

Tickets to the Singapore International Film Festival are available for purchase on SISTIC. 

Photo caption (L: Edwin, Director of Opening Film ‘Vengeance is Mine, All Others Pay Cash’ giving his opening address, R: Boo Junfeng, Chairperson, SGIFF; Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth; Emily J. Hoe, Executive Director, SGIFF; and Thong Kay Wee, Programme Director, SGIFF

How To Get Great Sleep: 5 Hacks You Should Know

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Sleep is a crucial aspect of our lives. Our body transitions into a state of healing and rejuvenation when we sleep. It cumulates all the energy produced in the system and dedicates it to repairing muscles, tissues, and cells and balancing the hormone levels.

And that is why lack of sleep can be a burden on both your physical and mental wellbeing. When your body lacks the appropriate rest it requires, it causes the entire system to go haywire. When you frequently put your body through this trauma, it can mess up your sleep cycle and induce ailments such as insomnia.


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But sometimes, it just feels challenging to fall asleep. Like no matter how long you choose to lie down and keep your eyes closed, you just can't fall asleep. If you face such a challenge, here we present five effective quick sleep hacks that work amazingly well.

1. Try CBD

CBD is a popular and powerful sleep aids in today's times. And why so? Well, let us start with the many ways in which CBD may ensure sound sleep.

Cannabidiol, hailing from hemp, influences several body neurotransmitters that have direct and indirect implications for sleep. It eases the effects of cortisol on the hypothalamus region of the brain that calms the body from staying in a state of chronic stress. It also interacts with serotonin and dopamine to ensure the person feels euphoric and relaxed. Further, CBD may also trigger the pain and inflammation network of the body to relax, which offers instant relief from chronic pain and swelling. Collectively, the cannabinoid transforms the body and mind into a more calm and comfortable state that ensures you easily transcend into sleep when you go to bed.

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A fantastic way to tap into these extraordinary benefits of CBD would be to enjoy it sublingually through Sunday Scaries CBD sleep tincture or in edibles like candies and gummies right before bed. They offer perfect dosages and powerful benefits to give you the best sleep of your life every day.


2. Bid Adieu To Your Electronics

Although falling asleep during an amazing TV series binge feels dreamy, it is not the best way to go to bed. Our body requires some time to prepare for sleep. And by that, we mean it needs to experience low light that indicates the body to fall asleep. But bright blue lights emitted from your phones or laptops right before going to bed can interfere with your sleep cycle. Your body will acknowledge these lights and turn to a state of alertness that can mess up your sleep.

One simple step would be to bid adieu to your electronics at least half an hour before you plan to sleep. Spend the time right before bed meditating or reading a book to ensure you fall asleep.


3. Watch What You Eat

While the advice to eat consciously applies to every scenario as it can have an intense positive impact on your physical and mental health, your gut has a deep relationship with your sleep. The type of foods you consume can either ensure good sleep or disrupt your sleep cycle. Therefore, beware of what you eat to enjoy rest at night.

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Starting with stimulants such as caffeine and sugar brimming sodas, it is best to avoid foods that energize your body or make you more focussed or conscious closer to your bedtime. Next, be careful while having spicy food at night, as they tend to trigger indigestion and acid reflux problems that could disrupt your sleep. Even heavy meals that require a lot of time to digest should be consumed at least 2 hours before your set bedtime for the best benefits. Alcohol before bed is not a good idea. It can cause severe dehydration and interrupt your sleep. Plan a healthy and balanced meal before bed to have a happy sleep time.


4. Build A Comfortable Environment

Your bedroom needs to ooze comfort and relaxation for you to enjoy the best sleep. Therefore, put additional efforts into creating a calm sanctum in the room. Start with your bedding. Make sure to invest in a high-quality mattress that is appropriately supportive for your back without being too harsh on it. Use clean sheets and pillow covers, and make sure to wash them once every week to create a new sleep space.

Have soft lights in the room and use them especially before you go to sleep. Sleeping in complete darkness could be great for your body, but make sure it is mild if you prefer some light. Invest in an aroma diffuser and use it with soothing herbs like chamomile and lavender. The scents can work wonders on your mind and body and help you fall asleep quickly. Adjust the room temperature to feel cozy and warm as it ensures uninterrupted sleep all night.


5. Stick To A Schedule

Getting the right amount of sleep every day is crucial. So make sure you sleep at least 7 - 9 hours each night without fail. Plan your day such that you go to bed and rise at the same time each day. The importance of sticking to the same time is that your body automatically knows when to relax and fall asleep and when to get energized and wake up without any external trigger. This way, you can ensure good quality sleep.

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It is common to experience deviation in sleep schedules, especially during travel or change in time zones or when you are forced to pull an overnight work day or study plan. A simple way to cope with this change would be to try and get back to the same schedule as soon as possible.


Conclusion

Good sleep is the best way to heal your body and energize it for the following day. If you are having trouble falling asleep, try these five simple hacks that can help you relax and enjoy fantastic sleep.