116 | JUL/AUG 2007

lunchwith BY CHERYLZHANG

Q: Most females are not very athletic. Wouldn’t long distance cycling be too draining?A: All women have the potential to be athletic. Exhaustion in any sport (not only cycling) can be overcome through training, preparation and more importantly, self-discipline.

Q: Is there anything more to long distance cycling other than pedaling away?A: Well, it’s also about coff ee and prata breaks! Try to fi nd a riding partner or form a group, and enjoy the camaraderie and the coff ee breaks. When you’re riding, pace yourself and try to enjoy the scenery - the sunrise, the sunset… It’s not just the destination (not all the time), but also the journey.

Q: What exactly is long distance cycling and how much stamina is needed?A: The minimum distance would be a century or 160km (100 miles). Any distance beyond that is considered long distance cycling. Anyone who can do 200m in the fi eld can do long distance cycling. To prepare, you can do aerobic conditioning and train your legs with more cycling mileage on the bicycle.

Q: What is the toughest thing about long distance cycling?A: Some people fi nd it tough going uphill but I personally think the hills are okay. I think what’s tough is the sun, and having your butt on the saddle for a long stretch of time.

Q: Would you say it’s as draining as a 42km marathon?A: If you stop regularly for the necessary breaks, the ride should be much easier than doing a nonstop 42km marathon. But if you ride without taking a break, it can be tougher because you will

Going the DistanceMost women I know are passionate about shopping, shopping, and more shopping. We found 35-year-old Nur Azmah Ahmad whose passion lies in not simply cycling, but long distance cycling. Why, she’s even the founder of the Singapore Women’s Cycling Team.

be riding against elements such as the sun or rain, possibly a headwind, which can be a challenge with insuffi cient water and food.

Q: How good is the response in Singapore to long distance cycling?A: Given that local cyclists have had little exposure to long distance cycling, the response has been encouraging. For example, Charity Bike ‘n’ Blade events have received excellent support these past years. In the fi rst year (2005), there were 32 cyclists, while in 2006, there were more than 60 cyclists. This year, we hope to secure at least 60 cyclists for Charity Bike ‘n’ Blade 2007.

Q: When exactly did this sport pick up?A: The sport has picked up only in the past 3-5 years. I see more and more Singapore cyclists now when I ride in Malaysia, on the route to Mersing, sometimes even up to Kuantan. Previously, long distance cycling had a low profi le because cycling enthusiasts were busy with competitive cycling or just riding around Singapore.

Q: What preparations have you made for the Charity Bike ‘n’ Blade 2007? A: I have worked out a training regime for participants and interested cyclists of all levels of experience and ability. The participants will fi rst learn about “group riding” e.g. how to ride behind one another in a non-competitive environment. The primary objective is to improve stamina while promoting safe cycling. As the training progresses, the intensity increases – both in terms of the pace and the mileage.

Q: Have you ever been gored by a wild boar whilst cycling?A: No, but I have seen a whole family of wild boars crossing the road. I do get chased by dogs, and once I cycled past a snake that hissed at me. And I thought I had a puncture because it went ssssssssss!!

| JUL/AUG 2007 117

Our very fi rst impression of Vernetta Lopez came from the little box sitting in everyone’s homes. Playing Denise on one of Singapore’s most successful sitcoms, it was but a glimpse of the multi-talented Vernetta.

Her talents earned her fi ve nominations for “Best Comedy Actress at the prestigious Asian Television Awards, and she walked away with the award in 2000. Since then, she has taken on numerous comedy and dramatic roles in Shiver - The Hand, Three Rooms, First Touch (Season 1-3), Oh Carol! Homeless and Daddy’s Girls. Her talents were again acknowledged with the “Best Drama Actress” Award win at the Asian Television Awards in 2003 for Ceciliation.

This versatile actress has also hosted many prestigious shows and events over the past ten years including the Speak Good English Movement for the Ministry of Community Development, Singapore Island Country Club’s May Day Charity Open, Nite Rage, POSBank Show, Channel 5’s year-end countdown, National Day Parade ‘96, Disneyfest and most recently Trendspotting.

Singing and dancing have always been a part of her life, and we’ve defi nitely seen her performing on the President’s Star Charity, Party at the Padang - A National Day Special, Beauty World Musical for the President’s Star Charity, Millennium Countdown Show 2000 and even Mediacorp Radio’s Appreciation Night 2005.

Vernetta continues to add to her accolades as she was chosen as one of the hosts at Singapore’s birthday celebrations,

V for VernettaPrecocious Denise she is no more. The series ‘Under One Roof’ may have stopped its run, but Vernetta’s career has not stopped booming. Text Cheryl Zhang

the National Day Parade 2005 at the Padang. She was voted by listeners and won the “Carlsberg Friendliest Radio Personality Award” for two years in a row, at the prestigious Singapore Radio Awards ’04 and ‘05, organised by Mediacorp Radio.

THERE SHE GOESAfter graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, Vernetta joined Mediacorp Radio’s The Perfect Ten as a DJ, before eventually moving on to Singapore’s number one English Radio Station, Class 95 where she now hosts The Atwork Network Lunchbreak from 10am to 2pm every weekday.

Vernetta’s voice can also be heard on radio and television commercials for clients such as Ikea, Standard Chartered Bank, Mercedes Benz, Heaven & Earth, and Lancome. The voice coach for Art of Voice has an amazing talent for taking on diff erent character voices is enjoyed on the Children’s Day Special - Rats 2000, Tomato Twins - Brocktholomew, and the Arts and Craft Show in Cows and Crayons. She has also co-founded both Art of Voice and Eternally Yours, a wedding planner company.

Every year at Christmas time, Vernetta gathers her friends to raise funds for an orphanage where the children are in desperate need for basic necessities such as milk, food, blankets and even school uniforms and shoes. Her eff orts helped to purchase a much needed bus to take them to school. She has also contributed her time and hosted events for the Bone Marrow Donor Programme, Mercy Relief’s tsunami eff orts, World Animal Day, Action for Singapore Dogs, Cat Welfare Society and Animal Concerns Research. She was also on the panel of speakers at a forum organised by Action for Aids to discuss the issue with teenagers who serve as ambassadors to other teens.

A natural athlete, Vernetta enjoys softball, cross-country running, horseback riding and kickboxing. To relax and unwind, Vernetta turns to sketching, fl ower arrangement and photography. Now that’s what we call multi-talented.

118 | JUL/AUG 2007

lunchwith

Mixed reactions came fast and furious when I told my friends and family that I was going to meet Paul Twohill. “Eeww! That guy with the hair?” shrieked one of my girl friends. “The untidy boy from Singapore Idol?” gaped my mother. “That poseur?!” snorted my brother. These comments, coupled with the recent hoo-ha over the hairy one’s DJ-ing gig, made me rather apprehensive in meeting the local version of American Idol contestant Sanjaya.

Q: What’s your hair ritual?A: Err… I shower, I shampoo my hair, I wait for it to dry, and when it’s partially dry, I sit under the fan to dry it out more. (declares proudly) I don’t use any conditioner or hair products, it’s au naturel! And no, I don’t think I’ll ever do any rebonding.

Q: When was the last time you actually cut your hair and who does it?A: Actually, I just cut it on Sunday! It was a simple trim to make it neater I’m very sensitive when it comes to my hair, if there’s anything wrong with the cut, I’ll cry! . I always go to a specifi c stylist at Far East Plaza who knows what I want. In fact, I only started going to this stylist about seven months ago.

Making a mountain out of a TwohillPossibly the one who glamourised the “hair across half my face“ look, ex-Singapore Idol contestant Paul Twohill can actually speak and understand Chinese, Malay, and English. Text Cheryl Zhang

Cheryl Hoon hams it up with the aff able Paul Twohill

Paul’s overload wallet : fans you know what he needs

| JUL/AUG 2007 119

“I’m very sensitive when it comes to

my hair, if there’s anything wrong with

the cut, I’ll cry!Q: Er, have you ever had hair lice or hair misadventures?A: Nope, I’ve never had hair lice before! The worst situation my hair has ever been through was back when I was seven. I was trying to do some art and crafts, and I needed to apply glue onto my work. I raised the bottle way too high and somehow just managed to drip the glue onto my hair.

Q: During your Singapore Idol days, your hair was either covering one or both of your eyes. Does this affect your vision?A: Actually, my vision is now blurred, and I used to have perfect eyesight! But I’m not sure if this is because of my hair. Now, I can’t be a figher pilot anymore. I want to get new spectacles though!

Q: Where do you go shopping?A: Topman! Everything I have on me at the moment is from Topman.

Q: What’s your favourite hang out place?A: I don’t have one.. (thinks for a while and pounds his hands excitedly on the table). I know! Home Club! Home Club totally rocks my socks!

Q: You’re now in Ngee Ann Polytechnic studying the Mass Communication course. How are you adjusting to poly life?A: It’s not too bad! Fascinatingly enough, the very first day I stepped into the lecture theatre, everyone actually cheered. The hype has died down since then, but there are still people who ask to take photographs with me, or ask for my signature. Generally, people are nicer to you and it makes it easier for me to talk to them. The lecturers also occasionally make a joke out of my ‘status’ but I’m way cool with that. “If any of you need to interview any celebrities, maybe you can approach Hady Mirza or even Paul Twohill…”

Of course, there’s also the negative stuff. Some people just assume I’m arrogant ‘cos of my Singapore Idol days. Also, I’m currently in Radio Heatwave, a campus radio station. Once when I was hosting a programme, there was actually this guy who stood outside the glass wall, mouthed the word “Poseur” and gave me two middle fingers. Another time, there was a bunch of guys who kept making wise cracks, knowing that I could hear them. “Hey, go get that Twohill’s autograph, so I can use it to wipe my backside!”

Q: We know you’re currently unattached. What do you look for in a girl?A: I don’t really know… (ponders) I like innocence. I also like girls who know how to take care of me. She must have something that

makes me want to melt. Once those butterflies start fluttering in my tummy, that’s when I know. Having an adequate bosom would be a plus point! I wonder if it’s the breastfeeding thing… (laughs) However, I’m not into overly-tanned girls. They look intimidating. I think I prefer mixed heritage girls.

Q: What is the most romantic thing you’ve ever done for a girl?A: (sadly) I actually rented a BMW convertible with a chauffeur to pick her up for her birthday. Then we went to a restaurant and I presented her with engraved rings. The whole night cost me about $800.

Q: Career-wise, what do you plan to be in future?A: I thought I wanted to be a singer, but now I really don’t know. I was actually considering becoming a television show host. Q: We’ve heard of your DJ-ing gig. How has the response been so far?A: Not too bad! I’m totally into indie music now, so I’ve been playing those. However, I don’t plan to go into this professionally because it’s just something to keep me grounded, since I don’t have my band (Sunshine Underground) anymore.

Q: Do you have a hidden talent?A: I can debate! Yes, I actually can debate! Back in secondary school, we were the interschool debate champions for three years straight! I was usually the first speaker.

Q: You and Emilee Kang will be the celebrity team participating in City Chase on July 14. Are there any specific preparations that you are doing?A: I can read maps! However, I can’t run to save my own life, so Emilee will have to do the running. Since Singapore is so small, I’m hoping it shouldn’t be too difficult as our island is so small. However, I’m extremely scared of powder and bubbles, so let’s hope none of the challenges involve those! I’m probably just going to bring a water bottle. Emilee can bring the rest – girls usually bring such a huge bag where they can just dump everything in!

City Chase happens on July 14 and is an urban adventure (think: Amazing Race in the city). Each team of two pays $190 to participate. Visit www.citychase.com to find out more.