3 Born to be free

Yesterday I took part in my first "protest" - Save the World's Saddest Dolphins organized by the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) held at, most appropriately, the Speakers' Corner. This peaceful protest cum concert is to speak, or rather sing, out against the capture of 27 bottlenose dolphins for the new marine park attraction at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS). I wasn't very clear on what makes this campaign different from the rest (aren't animals kept in captivity in zoos too?). Apparently, the public furore was because these dolphins were caught from the wild, off the shores of Solomon Islands. This is akin to animal wildlife trading. For all the talk on championing conservation and sustainable development, this makes Singapore nothing less than a wolf in sheep's skin. Disgusting. The dolphins are now being held in an enclosure in Philippines and two have since died from acute bacteria infection despite RWS promise to provide "the very best care for our dolphins including a superior diet, daily enrichment, and veterinary care."

From left to right: singer Alicia Pan, ACRES President and singer Michaela Therese. In one part of the campaign, names of the public (mostly children) were randomly drawn. These names will then be used to name the 25 remaining dolphins, to show that these dolphins are just as innocent as children. You wouldn't harm your children, so why would you harm the dolphins by capturing them from the wild?

The dolphins had support from their furry couterparts too. This pair of dogs, in particular the larger one, was quite the attraction of the day.

We were then engaged to participate in the dolphin formation, which appeared in today's news! I'm somewhere in the dolphin's tail :) I sincerely hope RWS and the ministers will finally open their eyes and ears to our voices and reconsider their decision based on animal rights, environmental welfare and the moral fabric of society.

After a long sweaty day under the sun, I wanted nothing more than to return to the hot kitchen. Instead, I picked up a regular box of salad from Sumo Salad at Raffles City Basement. The regular box entitled me to two salads, which I chose the Penne Pesto w Pine Nuts and Tandoori Chicken. For all its claims of being healthy, I noted that the tandoori chicken salad came with a dressing of what I suspect is mayo. Twas yummy though - the standards you expect from takeaway counters.

PS. I'll be celebrating by 21 bday later tonight with my college mates at Pizzeria Mozza! I'm so excited! I'm torn between the myriad of pizzas to choose from.