Street Strategist.

Byline: Thads Bentulan

The Street Strategist has found again the long lost Quiz Wizard. In Singapore, of all places.

I'm sure you are curious why I am talking about the wizard's return before establishing his existence and credentials, and without declaring he was gone in the first place. But then, it's just like me to tell stories in reverse order. I'll focus on his return this time, but don't worry because one of these days I will tell you his origins as a quiz wizard.

Ever since I finally had the chance to view on TV the local version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire (WWTBAM) three months ago, I wanted to write an article closely related to quiz shows but, given my usual high standards of relevancy, I never found a strong link that justifies writing about the topic. Until that night in Singapore.

First airport game show. Our hero arrived in Singapore Changi Airport at about 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 21, 2002, long before the scheduled CX715 10:05 p.m. flight out of Singapore, but not too long before a 9 p.m. event that was to change his life - albeit in a minor way.

He had just come from the carnival theme park called Escape, located in the nearby district of Pasir Ris, about 10 minutes from the airport. Since he had obtained his boarding pass a few hours earlier before visiting the park, he went directly to the immigration section. As our hero cleared the immigration counters into Transit East area of Changi's Terminal 1, he saw a makeshift stage near the waiting lounge and instantly recognized the world's first airport game show - "What's Your Range." He heard of this show two months back when CNN and the world press carried stories regarding this exciting show for bored Changi passengers waiting for their flights.

There were some pretty Singaporean staff apparently explaining to a passenger how the game works. Our hero approached them and said, "What's this?"

"Have you registered yet for the game?" When our hero shook his head, they directed him to the counter where he filled up a form.

As he submitted his form, a strange yet familiar feeling swept through him. He said, "I'm going to win."

The counter ladies were busy processing other forms and did not heed his joke. They assigned him Seat No. 14.

Having just come from the Escape theme park, our hero's clothes were drenched with sweat. Since it was still 8:45 p.m. on his Suunto Observer, he …