Sunday, March 8, 2026

Courage isn't having the strength to go on. It is going on even when you don't have strength.

 


Nearing the finish line of my 9th full marathon in 2014. 

This is the words of Napolean Bonaparte to motivate myself when all around me are flailing and falling. 

"Courage isn't having the strength to go on. It is that you have to go on even when you don't have strength"

Take heart, there are countless people who have gone through the limits of pain both mentally and physically and overcome their greatest obstacles.

And when they do, they are so much more grateful that they went through the fire.





Wonderful Spanish Dinner at Kulto - Best Meal of 2026 !

 

Kulto (Sapnish Restaurant) 
87 Amoy Street

Description : Spanish Restaurant in a Shophouse setting. 


Jamon Iberico Croquette 

Yesterday, my family had a treat, courtesy of my lovely wife. We booked this fantastic Spanish place, called Kulto, which is located at 87 Amoy Street. Bookings are all done online, and to prevent 'no shows' there MUST be a surchage of $25 per person, IF there is a no show for the reservation.

I must say, this strategy, will really kill off any fence sitters who are booking just for fun and then at the last minute they change their plans. So, the dishes, as described by me. 

Jamon Iberico Croquette
===================

This tapas as a starter was exceptionally tasty, the crust was slightly crispy and the ham bits mixed with potato inside was a winner. Lovely to start the meal.





Grilled Octopus Galician Style 

Grilled Octopous Galician Style
========================

This one was a little mystery to me at first. We have been to Spain a few times, and when I first ate this tapas, I thought this was some form of back bacon. The octopus flavour of the sea was too camoflaged by the red chilli pepper and yellow eggy paste. Once I realised the chewyness, I then realised it was octopus done in an unusual way. OK, I liked it once I realised what I was really eating.


Iberico Chorizo with Crispy Potato, Organic Egg and Fried Kale 

Iberico Chorizo with Crispy Potato, Egg and Fried Kale
==========================================

This was my third favorite dish. The Chorizo sausage stood out for its  taste (something like our preserved Chinese Lap Cheong sausage) and the crispy potato, the onsen style egg and the fried kale made this dish a must try the next visit when I do get to visit.



Roasted Cauliflower Garlic Chilli Sauce, Mint Yoghurt and Hazelnuts 

Roasted Cauliflower with Garlic Chilli Sauce, Mint Yoghurt and Hazelnuts
=======================================================

The 'healthy option'. The cauliflower was nice, the hazelnuts stood out and the mint yoghurt gave this savoury dish some 'oomph'. Though it wasnt one of my top 3 favorites, I would say it is a necessary dish given there was little vegetables ordered. 




Seafood Paella 
(Seabass, Prawns, Clams and Mussels) 

Seafood Paella
============
The Piece de Resistance meal. The one that all of us gave a 11 over 10 rating. The seafood Paella which everybody raves about long after the meal is eaten, the reviews made and the memories locked in our basal ganglia. The seafood paella is so fresh, the 4 prawns were literally jumping out of the hot plate, the mussels, the clams all had no fishy smell. They must have been airflown in probably on the same day. 

The Paella rice was  savoury and light, it was  not sticking to the hot plate like in the other Spanish Restaurants. I must say this Paella rice is probably the best I have tasted in Singapore. (I have tried TInto,  Asador,  Pura Brasa and La Taperia). 

My Favourite Dish of last Evening. 





Aged Rib Eye with Mesclun Salad and Organic Peppers (500 g) 

Aged Rib Eye with Mesclun Salad and Organic Peppers
=============================================

One phase. 

"Out of this world" 

The marbling on this ribeye must have been M5 or M6, and while it literally melts in your mouth, the savory aspect of it, makes you want to come back for more. 

My second favourite dish of the evening. 




Kulto Cheesecake 

A fantastic end to a really superb meal ! The Kulto Cheesecake was not too densely packed, and the raspberry icecream, with the biscotti bits made this a grand finale to a truly unforgettable meal !  A must try. The head Maitre 'D gave this to us as an 'on the house' offering and really made our day ! 


My review of Kulto (I havent done one for close to 9 months).

Food         :  4.8 out of 5
Service     :  4.8 out of 5
Ambience :  4.0 out of 5 
Satisfaction: 5.0 out of 5. 

Overall     :   4.65 out of 5  (Fabulous !) 

Kulto (Sapnish Restaurant) 
87 Amoy Street

SGP 069906 


Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Accelerated Aging Biomedical and Pharmaceutical - 2026 QRA Laboratories in S E Asia

 


Why do Environmental Testing ? Watch this Video where I explain the rationale 




Test Laboratory (we have 2) in Singapore providing 

Accelerated Aging and 

Shelf Life Testing.

Common Test Conditions (Accelerated Aging)
===================

Temperature         : 55 or 60 C
Relative Humidity : 50 % to 55%  RH

Test Durations
===========

Duration :  5, 6, 9 or 11 months

Shelf Life Test Conditions 
====================

Temperature         : 30 C              (or 5 C) 
Relative Humidity : 60 % rH 


For more information contact :

Asia 

E : mark@qra.com.sg

Europe 

E : reypereira@qra.com.sg

Australia

E : clifford@qra.com.sg






Wednesday, February 25, 2026

HBOT Chambers from QRA International - The Latest in Wellness and Health.

QRA is proud to announce the launch of HBOT chambers  for :

> Wellness and Longevity

> Sports Recovery

in the Asia Pacific region.

Price from : $ 9000 onwards 

                               Soft Skin HBOT chamber for muscle recovery and wellness.

What does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy which is offered in Soft Skin Hyperbaric Chambers do  for you and me ? 

Theory 

There are 2 basic theories which are in the realm of physics :

a) Boyle's Law

b) Henry's Law. 

Essentially the application of these 2 laws 2 are these. For a fixed temperature, the higher the pressure, the lower the volume of the gas at constant temperature (Boyle's Law) and Henry's Law states that for a fixed volume, the higher the pressure applied, the more molecules of gas will be in the liquid at equilibrium. 

Henry's Law  

The amount of gas that will dissolve in a liquid is directly proportional to the partial pressure of that gas above the liquid. Breathing oxygen inside the pressure chamber increases the total amount of oxygen delivered to the cells by the bloodstream (Henry’s law). 

In addition, the increases in pressure result in a decrease in the size of bubbles (Boyle’s Law).An increase in ambient pressure (and thus partial pressure) results in more gas dissolving into the liquid portion of blood and tissues.

The definition of Henry’s Law (named after William Henry) explains that pressure is necessary for a gas (oxygen) to dissolve effectively in a liquid (blood plasma).

Gas will go from a higher density (lungs) to a lower density (tissues) to achieve equilibrium.



HBOT chamber for 6 people 



HBOT for 1 to 2 people. 



HBOT for 4 people 


Boyle's Law

If the temperature remains constant, the  volume of a gas is inversely proportional to the absolute pressure.

Studies have shown over the last 3 decades that for mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment, which is providing the atmospheres and O2 levels as such :

a) 1.4 ATA or 1.4 bars 

b) O2 at 24 - 28% 

there are many health benefits to this treatment, if the person can stay in a Hyperbaric chamber for up to 1.5 hours at a stretch. The total amount of these 'treatments' to optimise the results and not cause harm is less than 50 times per year. In short, one 'treatment' per week.

Our body has 25 trillion cells, and with mHBOT treatment, nutrients and O2 can be input at a far higher rate than at normal atmospheric levels.

Increasing the atmospheric pressure while breathing in enriched O2 atmosphere creates an environment where O2 is dissolved more efficiently into the surrounding liquids, such as blood plasma and cerebospinal fluids.

During mHBOT we breathe O2 under higher than normal atmospheric pressures inside a soft hyperbaric chamber (much like a soft cocoon with windows).

There will be many amazing good effects on health or results from treatment using mHBOT. 

Therein is the magic of HBOT.  (Henry and Boyle Law in action). 

Contact :

Email : mark@qra.com.sg 

            reypereira@qra.com.sg

Website : https:\\ www.qra.com.sg




  

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Aiming for 500, 000 views by end 2026 ! Happy Chinese New Year Readers

 


QRA's latest offerings  - Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Chambers 



Wishing One and All a Happy Chinese New Year ! 

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

My best ever marathon video ; 4 hour 48 minutes

 


This is one for the history books.  My 4th marathon when I was a sprightly 45 years young gent.

I can say that at the start of this Horse Year, I plan to run another 3 -5 marathons before I call it a day.

If people can run ultramarathons when they are in their late 80s why can't I push for another 3 - 5 in my mid ______s ? 

You are only as old as you think


Seize the Day !!!! 


QRA's Environmental Chambers - Top Quality Singapore Brand for the World

 


QRA International makes high quality test chambers for the world. We have the following for sale 

> Temperature Chambers

> High Temperature Ovens

> Temperature and Humidity Chambers

> Temperature Shock Test Chambers

> Walk In Chambers


Walk In Chambers

8 m3 to 120 m3.


                                                 Temperature : - 20 to 150 C 

                                                    Humidity :  20 - 98% 


Stability Chambers 

80 litres to 1500 litres 



For more information please email :

Asia 

mark@qra.com.sg

Europe

reypereira@qra.com.sg

Australia

clifford@qra.com.sg


For more information. 

Website : www.qra.com.sg 





Happy Chinese New Year Everyone !

 


Chu Xi Chinese New Year Eve dinner 


A full house this year ; How lucky 

This year is the year of the Fire Horse. So I am hoping I get all the good fortune in terms of good health (I must never take anything for granted), good relationships (with my closest and dearest - my family, my close friends, friends, business associates and my colleagues) and good fortune.

Fortune favours the brave ; and the brave always have discipline, do things no one else would have thought possible and have a lot of courage to stand up to his convictions.

Beyond all the nice sayings and glad tidings, I must be hardworking rise from the sting of defeats, and keep to my strong habits. Only then will I be able to one day say "I have made it !". 

Huat Arh !! 





Sunday, February 8, 2026

Goodbye my Mentor and Best Friend - Roland Teo Cheng San

 


This past few weeks have been turbulent ones, for me. My very good, practically best friend, of late, Roland Teo passed away on Sat 31st Jan 2026 at 11.20 am. 

While I am very sad of his passing and as a friend, I tried my very best to be there when he was literally breathing his last breaths, I am happy that we had a good 16 years of great friendship bonded over bouts of training (first) at the Ken Shin Kai karate club where he was a member then the club President from 2009 till about the time he left at 2019 - a span of 10 years.

During those times, we had numerous lunches and the occasional dinners at his best in the world dining place, the Crystal Cafe at Killiney Grand Court Residences. The staff there all knew him almost like a member on an extended family.

He was blessed with decades of widsom, honed from his working at the various top multinational companies of Pepsi Cola, Citibank (Taiwan) and Standard Chartered (Taiwan) where he was the CEO of the entire Standard Chartered operations (I believe) from the late 1990s till the early 2008 when he decided to retire at the age of 54. 

He had tremendous big picture vision, a global understanding of money markets and most importantly, the ability to understand human behavior, and how to bring out the best of his team of people.

He was generally revered and seen as a great mentor to many (easily close to 50) people who looked up to his razor sharp financial acumen, his managerial skills, and understanding of how to manage upwards (his bosses) from over 50 years of working for top level corporations.

He was on the board of my SME and I seeked his assistance in many strategic decisions.

I am so grateful for his friendship, his willingness to share his experience and his foresight in handling many things in life which have led me to take him as the ultimate mentor for me these last 16 years.

Rest Well, Play the Music you so loved in heaven Roland. 

I will always remember you with much fondness and gratitude. 

Carpe Diem.



              Roland's family (Melanie Teo, daughter, Monica Teo (wife), NIcole Teo (daughter)

 


Monday, January 26, 2026

'If' by Rudyard Kipling




Good Times with Great Mates 
Roland Teo ('V' sign) and Tom Gan

 If - Rudyard Kipling 

If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming you

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, but make allowances for their doubt too.

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting or being lied about, don't deal in lies or being hated, don't give way to hating and yet, don't look too good or look too wise.

If you can dream and not make dreams your master

If you can think and not make thoughts your aim

If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters just the same

If you can hear the truth being spoken twisted by the knaves to make a trap for fools or watch the things you made your life for, broken.

and stood up and built them up with worn out tools

If you can make one heap of all your winnings and risk it on one turn of pitch and toss,and start again at your beginnings, and never breathe a word about your loss

If you could force your heart, nerve and sinew. To serve your turn long after they are gone and so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the will which says to them 'hold on'

If you can talk with crowds,and keep your virtue or walk with kings nor lose the common touch

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you

If all men count with you but not too much

If you can fill the unforgiving minute with 40 seconds of distance run

Yours is the earth and everything that is in it !

and which is more, "You'll be a Man, my Son". 




Sunday, January 25, 2026

Walk In Cold Storage Chamber - QRA Brand

 


My company has proudly delivered and commissioned the Walk In Cold Storage Chamber to a global MNC in Singapore. The above Cold Room Walk In Chamber can control temperatures from 5 - 10 C for extremely long durations of times (months) without any issues.

There is internal lighting for easy access of the technical specialists and the chamber is cooled using a recirculating chiller from the outside. We can provide accessories like ramp and stainless steel racks inside for the proper sorting and moving of their samples  seamlessly.



Safety wise, there is an urgent call out button linked to audio and blinking light to alert for any issue. Additionally, there is an door override function from inside so that there is no possibility that anyone will be trapped inside the cold chamber for any time longer than necessary.

For further information, please contact 

E : mark@qra.com.sg

or visit :

https://www.qra.com.sg

for more details. 



Friday, January 16, 2026

QRA Oven for Curing


 

Last year, QRA started providing Ovens from Bench Top sized to Stand Alone sizes for the purposes of drying all kinds of products from food additives, to pharmaceuticals and biotech products.

QRA's name is getting more renowned with each passing year.




Thursday, January 1, 2026

Happy 2026

 


              With Darian, a very good friend of our son Andrew. 

This is the first day of 2026. As a young elder person (elder I would categorise at 70), so I have only few more meaningful years left.

My parents left in me a spirit to contribute to society at large, and apart from the usual one off small donations here and there, I feel this year will be a very significant year for me both professionally and personally.

I must make use of the little precious time to be the best version of myself to my loved pnes and friends.

Have a meaningful and successful 2026 readers !

Lets get to 500, 000 views by end 2026 beginning 2027 ! 

 



Courage isn't having the strength to go on. It is going on even when you don't have strength.

  Nearing the finish line of my 9th full marathon in 2014.  This is the words of Napolean Bonaparte to motivate myself when all around me ar...