So the movie will waddle its way to our sunny Singapore shores after all!
According to yesterday's edition of Life, March of the Penguins will open in Singapore on the 25 August.
I have actually heard of the movie quite some time back, but I wasn't sure if it was going to be shown here as it was an independant movie and it only had a limited release in the States.
Judging from the trailer and the reviews, March of the Penguins promises to be a really wonderful documentary not to be missed.
Just about everyone thinks penguins are silly and cute, but what most people don't know is the hardships they endure just to survive. A few years ago, I read a really heart-warming tale of the life of a penguin.
Every year before winter, packs of penguins set forth to march some 70 miles inland where they all meet at the same mating grounds SDU-style. Males and females pair off and mate.
Once the egg is laid, the female will pass the single egg onto the male to shelter from the cold by making a pouch between their claws and belly. If the egg is exposed even for a minute to the cold, it will not survive.
She then waddles 70 miles back to the ocean to feed, while the males pack in tight clusters to share body warmth and protect the eggs as they go food-less for 3 months.
Just as the egg hatches, the females return with full tummies and food for their offspring. Now it's the males, who have by then lost up to 1/2 of its body mass, who march back to feed. And the cycle continues for 4 years.
It is a miracle of life. So many things can go wrong. And so many things do.
Some females won't make it back, killed by leopard seals. Some males won't make it through the harsh -30deg conditions. And some eggs fall and touch the ice, causing it to freeze.
If one thing goes wrong, all the work is for nothing. There's no consolation prize, just a long wait for another year.
Thenceforth, after reading the article, I had a newfound respect for the penguins' determination and endurance.
Afterall, arguably no other species on Earth endures so much just to produce a single offspring.
Kennyster @
12:01 PM
The Unpretty
Kenny Loh
23
Formerly from Dunman High, VJC and formerly a proud member of the 2SIR 11th mono Alpha Company Apache warriors.
Currenly a 3rd year student at the Singapore Management University.
I'm into books, pool, soccer & conversation (by day), justice, honour & vengeance (by night).
Constantly on the lookout for crimelords, deformed megalomaniacs and women.
