Singorepore 2011 – FrightFest at Singapore Flyer

Time to stock up on fresh undies as the season of uncontrollable green stool is upon us again! Yup, Halloween is here and this year, there seems to be an unprecedented number of hell portals opening up all over Singapore. I’ve heard of at least 5 major Halloween scare attractions going on or upcoming, and numerous clubs pushing out theme parties on the Hallowed night.

So who will win in this fight to soil our inner wear now that the brandname who’s defined our local Halloween scene since 2007, the Singapore Zoological Gardens’ Night Safari’s Halloween Horrors, has bowed out this year because purportedly, its new interim CEO likened a Halloween event to devil worship.

I don’t believe eating chicken rice will make you a chicken or wearing a cross automatically turns one into a Christian.

But do I believe, with a little effort, money, and a lack of self-importance, Halloween is the best time to celebrate freedom of the mind and have fun! I mean, it is not often that we can don a costume and let our secret desire to be a superhero, sexy nurse, or anything we wish itself to manifest right?

Wig (S$14.95) and ghostly make-up set (S$9.95) from Toys"R"Us. White cream make-up (S$3.00) from Yeo GM Trading at Rochor Centre, #01-550. Cotton nightgown from a neighbourhood shop at S$5.00. Guts to wear this out on the street and take a cab... S$8.00. Balls of taxi uncle who dared take me as a passenger... priceless!

Not that I secretly wished to be a dead cliche, but the traditional long-haired female ghost given a twist in the Ju-on and The Ring movies was my favourite.  Plus, it’s easy to look the part. When I got the invite to preview Singapore Flyer’s FrightFest where dressing up was encouraged, I was toying with the idea of going as the recently deceased Amy Winehouse. Or Smurf. But I can’t find the Winehouse wig and tattoos in Singapore, neither the Smurf hats.

So I decided on Kayako. Many people are familiar with Sadako (Samara in the US remake), the creepy little girl from Ringu (The Ring), but not many know the name of the ghost housewife in Ju On (a.k.a. The Grudge). Both female spooks are somewhat identical so I’m killing 2 birds with one stone in this costume! 

Let me tell you more about Kayako so you can understand the above video better. In the Ju-on trilogy, Kayako was murdered by her husband in a feat of jealous rage. Her neck was broken and she was stuffed into a black trash bag before her body was stowed in their home attic. She wasn’t dead at that time and was gasping for air that’s why whenever she appears as a ghost afterwards, there’s a continuous rasping sound that follows.

Her husband killed their son, Toshio, and cat too. Since they died such a horrible death, their rage turned into a curse, which is what Ju-on (咒怨) meant. And anybody who steps into their family house, dies. You can watch the full movie of Ju-on at the end of this post. (Wei, don’t skip to the end now huh!)

A classic Sadako/Samara sitting pose. Imagine opening your door and seeing this at home!

Okay, enough about my obsession with one of my fave Asian horror title, let’s look at the happenings during the preview. Singapore Flyer’s FrightFest runs from 28 – 30 Oct 2011.

The ticket charge of S$25.00 entitles you a visit to the Journey of Dreams Pre-Flight Gallery, a chance to be spooked at the Rainforest of Horrors, and a non-alcoholic cocktail, the Flyer’s special concoction Halloween Brew.

Time to clown around with Kurumi (http://www.ahgirlplussize.com) and her friend. They are really cute and fun to befriend.

Rachel and her baby. Undisputedly the most outstanding costume that night. She was one of the 3 winners for Best Bressed. Totally deserved it! Really loved what she did to her baby prop and she told me this was the first time she's putting on Halloween make-up! Kowtow to her.

Tragic Ah Soh.

Before going on the Singapore Flyer, we passed through the gorgeous and highly interactive Preflight Gallery. The company I work for, Digimagic Communications Pte Ltd, produced the multimedia components in the gallery and yours truly wrote some of the contents on the exhibits. Though I worked on the gallery, that was the first time I visited it. I had wanted to spend more time to take photos but as with media previews, always very rushed.

Journey of Dreams allows visitors to discover stories about the Singapore Flyer while they wait to board their ride. Do check it out if you're here!

It was my first time going on the Flyer too. I can see the iconic circle from my room's window every night (even while I'm writing this post!) and finally, I got a chance to experience it. My virgin ride was given to this zany bunch of people. I couldn't have asked for better!

Here with Audrey Hep-B and Poca-hantu (or Poca-haunt-us?).

Come with me... Let's get up high above the Singapore skyline...

OMG! Zao kerng (wardrobe malfunction)! This photo is just so hilarious! I swear I didn't do it on purpose for the result in this picture.

Fantastic unobstructed night view of the beautiful Marina Bay area.

I'm so proud of my country!

A wonderful backdrop to make for a Halloween to remember. Bring your screams to a higher level!

Entrance to the Rainforest of Horrors where the award-winning garden within Singapore Flyer is transformed into a lair for well-known Asian ghouls. Here are scares with a generous serving of local flavour.

一见发财！One look will huat (prosper)! I used to watch so many Chinese zombie movies (such as 僵尸道长、一眉道人、僵尸先生，etc) in my younger days.

Hot gals from the 18th level of hades.

It was a media preview so the horror trail was not fully completed yet.

Christina (huneyzworld.blogspot.com) and Hong Peng (hpility.blogspot.com) cozying up with a glass of Halloween Brew. The Flyer Lounge is the place to chill with a bevy of award-winning cocktails.

Joanne-Marie, my fellow travel buddy on a recent trip to Langkawi was ghost bustered in the white sack. She never looked better. Wahahaha...

The saying goes... hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil... but I say if you haven't met the DEVIL, you haven't LIVED!

I struggled for a long time as to whether I should dress up for the event or not as I didn’t want to be the only one in costume. But looking at the creativity, gungho-ness and effort by the many bloggers and their guests, I wanted to kick myself for not doing more!

Then again, dressing up shouldn’t be a competition, but the key to unlocking fun! May you have fun watching the full Ju-on movie where the inspiration for my costume came from…:)