The Magazine Article that got cropped out after final draft

22/3/07
Venue: InstantKarma @ Heeren
Time: 1445hrs

interview with Isaac Chan, 19, part-time shopkeeper / pub waiter / piano teacher

by Isabella Chong of Paparazzis-Rate-a-Total-A or P.R.A.T.A

As i walked daintily into the level 5 local retail shop at Heeren , i was greeted with a perky hello followed by a flashing smile of pearly whites. Two beady little eyes greeted me with great zest and quickly enquired whether i was THE Isabella Chong, famous for tabloid fodder and paparazzi gossip. I guess he knew it right away, judging from my 5 o clock shadow, naked makeup and a lanyard, coupled with a stack of papers on my hand and a PDA strung around my neck.

As he guided me to the nearby wonton mee stall (which i have to agree, was quite palatable for my taste), the interview got off to a good start

P.R.A.T.A: 3 jobs? that must be quite taxing on you.
ISAAC: well, not really. If you look at it this way, i devote saturday mornings to teaching piano, one friday / saturday night at MOX (the bar) and a few weekday morning or night shifts for Instant Karma, so if you think about it, it's pretty much quite coherent and does not clash with each other. As for rolling in the big bucks, i doubt so.

P.R.A.T.A: really? 3 jobs really calls for a lot of income.
ISAAC: I do these jobs for the experience, namely education, nightlife and retail. As i'm quite a believer in retail therapy and going through teenhood, there are its many downs, so yes, charging stuff to my debit certainly balances the input and output of my account.

P.R.A.T.A: if you say so, aside from working these, what do you do these few days now that you've finally graduated?
ISAAC: I've been going for casting calls and auditions for bit pieces here and there. I've also gotten myself involved in a few photoshoots, like recently one for a Coca Cola Pitch. Not exactly noteworthy considering in the final cut only my back was shown, but hey, good exposure. Another just happened yesterday, it was a TVC for One Rochester, a new condo that's coming out soon.

P.R.A.T.A: seems like you're slowly cracking your way into showbiz.
ISAAC: *chuckles* i don't know whether i'm cut out for working in the media industry. It is rather cuthroat and ruthless. After graduating (from NP FSV), i've realised how impatient i am making films that i'd probably be either in front of the camera or doing another aspect of the local media industry. As for modelling, hello? i ain't go much of a manly face. people constantly mistake me for a butch thanks to my newest hairstyle.

P.R.A.T.A: you don't say?
ISAAC: really! i think that's why people stare. I'm a real paranoid person, but i'm slowly changing. But sometimes, you just gotta take opinions in your stride.

P.R.A.T.A: aside from all your weekday activities, how about your weekends? Sources say you used to be a active devoted church goer to one of the mega churches...
ISAAC: i'm not ashamed to say i used to be rather passionate about Christianity, but after much analysis, to put it politically correct, let's just say i'm not comfortable with the culture and the way things are being run around there. Maybe i'll go back one day, but for now, i don't see myself committing myself so actively but i'll still go back once in a while for the service, cause i can't deny God's existence.

P.R.A.T.A: what exactly happened there?
ISAAC: i'd love to tell, but not within this interview.

P.R.A.T.A: moving on, you seem to be rather tanned since the last time you made headlines.
ISAAC: yeah, i recently joined the Caregiver & Counselling Welfare Association Dragonboat team (CCWA) and aside from the sunday morning trainings, i've made a great bunch of friends through these activities. We're really a close knit bunch and meet up 2-3 times a week. Girls can be seen clamouring over some of my teammates, but i don't blame them, we're all lookers in our own right.

P.R.A.T.A: sources say you recently ended an exlusive date with someone who really was attracted to you
ISAAC: i was attracted to her too, but maybe things didn't work out, you know? i don't wanna say too much, it's private. next.

P.R.A.T.A: there's been a sex tape that's been going around the internet between you and Rick Solo.. oh wait, wrong interviewee.
ISAAC: ....

P.R.A.T.A: one reader wants to know what attracts you.
ISAAC: to say that i'm not taken in by looks to an extent is a definite lie. we're all humans by nature and having a partner is like a trophy, so obviously my partner would have a certain degree of looks. Aside from the appearance, i think humility and honesty would be exceptionally good attributes. H.H.H : hot, humble, honest. mmmm. triple threat dont' you think?

P.R.A.T.A: no objections here. now for more saucy information, what turns you on?
ISAAC: glazed eyes and a cheeky smile.

P.R.A.T.A: so innocent, i'm sure there's a certain..
ISAAC: FAMILY EDITION please! NEXT.

P.R.A.T.A: you claim to have a liking for japanese food?
ISAAC: oh yes! what's not to like about sushi especially? i love 'em. though the carbo in the rice kinda makes you feel abit lethargic after awhile. I also have a fondness for yong tau foo and economical mixed rice. i like the variety. TOFU!

P.R.A.T.A: you seem to be a heartlander.
ISAAC: i really am nowadays, i wasn't exactly born in the most humble of all places, but after hanging out with appropriate people, i realised that i'd very much prefer having nice moderately priced food rather than hang out at the country club bowling and eating such atas food. I don't see the need, i'm sure money can be spent on better things like the ones you love.

P.R.A.T.A: the ones you love?
ISAAC: oh don't think so much lar. my friends, my teammates..

P.R.A.T.A: alright! before we end it off, tell us one thing you hate.
ISAAC: sweat. i can't stand perspiring! there should be more airconditioning around town! walking from like cinileisure to heeren in this tropical climate could make you perspire a bit already!