Funeral Scene In C.L.I.F. 5 Hit Too Close To Home For Shane Pow

We're at Novena Church on a Tuesday morning (Jul 9), and the atmosphere is heavy, sombre, and funereal - a fitting ambience, considering the fact that there was indeed a service held for the dearly departed that morning.

A crowd of about 200, half of whom are dressed in full police uniforms, have been gathered in the massive, Gothic-style auditorium since 7.30am. All eyes are on the Singapore flag-draped casket in front, as well as the photo of a handsome young man placed right beside it.

The box, however, is actually empty, and the aforementioned handsome young man is still very much alive and well. It's not actually a real funeral, but looking at the convincingly melancholic expressions in the congregation, you may honestly think that someone had really died.