For decades, Her World has been a champion for women – in mind, body and action.
For decades, Her World has been a champion for women – in mind, body and action. To celebrate Her World’s 60th anniversary this year, we present #HerWorldHerStory – a collection of 60 inspiring real-life stories on print and on herworld.com. And it starts with you: real women, in this first of our six-part series. Every month, from our March to August issues, #HerWorldHerStory will feature 10 women who encapsulate what it’s like to be a woman in Singapore. They share their successes, challenges, passions and ambitions – these are their stories.
Hair & Makeup Aung Apichai, using Kevin Murphy & Urban Decay
Location The Rink@Jcube
01/60
Chloe Ing, 22
The figure skater and gold medallist of the 2019 South-east Asia Games wants to accomplish more, as she sets her sights on the Olympics, and coaching local skaters one day.
Many people have asked me if there had been expectations for me to bring home the gold medal. Truth is, I don’t face any sort of pressure. I was very determined to perfect my skating routine. That said, there are also many things I want to accomplish that range beyond the spectrum of sport, and being driven is what keeps me inspired to continue working towards my goals.
My other passion is teaching. In Toronto, where I train – and have been living for over a decade – I’m also a part-time English tutor and skating coach. The money I earn helps to fund my training fees. My day starts at 7am and ends at 10pm. I juggle my time between training at the Mariposa International Training Centre, catching up on my studies at University of Toronto where I’m a health sciences major, and giving weekly tuition classes.
I also hope to help other athletes recover from their injuries with my studies. My twin sister, Chantelle, quit skating due to an injury that traumatised her. I’ve been lucky to have the help of sport-specialist medical professionals, who’ve helped me to heal properly and achieve my goals.
Understanding why you failed, and getting back up on your feet is very important for an athlete.
It took a lot of determination and self-motivation to get to where I am today. I’ve had many accidents on the ice over the years. Understanding why you failed, and getting back up on your feet is very important for an athlete. I fell in love with the sport when I was six, after watching the 2002 Winter Olympics on television. Some day, I hope to compete in the Olympics. I’d love to coach Singapore skaters in the future – my way of giving back to the figure skating community.
Outfit, Cos
Hair, Evangelyn Ariel Koh
Makeup, Benedict Choo, using Cle de Peau Beaute
02/60
Silvia Buniardi, 44
She rose from the depths of despair to care for her son with special needs, helping him to be independent.
For many parents, caring for their children is tiring but a joy. For me, it was very challenging as the main caregiver of my son, Seth, when he was a child. Before he turned seven, he was diagnosed with ataxia cerebral palsy, sensory processing disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorder.
I was burnt out as a result of caring for Seth round the clock – watching his diet, taking a brain gym course to better work with him, enrolling him in schools and therapy classes, and compressing his joints every two hours, every day – that I contemplated suicide, and even considered taking Seth with me. I had imagined that he couldn’t survive without me.
My ultimate goal is for Seth to be independent, and it’s driven by the thought that he will have to take care of himself when I’m no longer around.
As a child, he could not sit up on his own, and was slow in his speech development. His extremely high threshold of pain and temperature meant he would hurt himself unknowingly, as he couldn’t feel anything when he stepped on sharp objects. Looking back, I felt guilty for having (suicidal) thoughts when I saw him sleeping one afternoon.
It took me almost a year to pick myself up through self-care. I made time for myself from my daily routine to unwind by reading a book or watching a movie. My husband, friends and Seth were also my pillars of strength, who kept me together. Today, at 20 years old, Seth has gone so far in his life, having completed his O-level examination in 2018. He is now pursuing a diploma in Infocomm Security Management at Singapore Polytechnic. I couldn’t be more proud of him – and us, as a family. My ultimate goal is for Seth to be independent, and it’s driven by the thought that he will have to take care of himself when I’m no longer around.
Last year, I published my book Extraordinary You, about my journey with Seth. I wanted to share my story to encourage others who are in a similar situation not to give up hope.
Hair, Aung Apichai, using Kevin Murphy
Makeup, Lolent Lee, using Shiseido
03/60
Mary Victor, 22
The singer-songwriter and makeup artist wants women to love their bodies no matter what shape they are.
I’ll never change anything about myself today, even if I’m being judged for the way I look. It took me a few years to accept who I am and gain the confidence, following years of bullying in secondary school – all because I’m a plus-sized girl.
Last September, I started the #thebodywithin movement on Instagram to advocate body positivity and self-care. The movement encourages people who’re struggling to feel good about themselves, to share their stories and photos. Along with the movement, I took the first step to share self-portraits and my story as a plus-sized woman.
Understand that no matter how you look, you’re beautiful in your own special way.
I also started the movement because many young girls face the pressure to be socially acceptable in the way they look, often comparing themselves to others or trying to live up to certain expectations. I would know better because I have been there before.
Then, I was called all kinds of hurtful names that made me very self-conscious in school. It stuck with me even after I graduated. I wanted to be someone else, even trying whitening products, and quick ways to slim down. I was unhappy and stressed out. At 16, I started working, and later went to Cosmoprof Academy to hone my craft as a makeup artist. I grew my portfolio within three years, and slowly regained my confidence. Every day, I tell myself that I can control my life.
Despite the fact that I eat healthy (I’m on my way to becoming a vegan), work out and do yoga, my size never changed one bit. In fact, I got curvier living a healthy lifestyle. The message I’m sending across to women is: Understand that no matter how you look, you’re beautiful in your own special way.
Outfit, Something Borrowed at Zalora
Hair, Dax Lye
Makeup, Aung Apichai, using Urban Decay
04/60
Hashy Yusof, 22
The singer-songwriter survived a health scare at 20 when doctors discovered a tumour near her spine. The life-changing ordeal has given her a new perspective on life.
Two years ago, at 20, I thought I had everything going for me until doctors discovered a tumour near my spine, during a medical check-up for my back pain. The health scare has since given me a new perspective on life. Then, I was in a state of emotional turmoil when I first heard the news. I had to undergo the tumour removal operation within a week after I met with the doctors, for fear that any delay could affect my walking ability. I asked myself, why did this happen to me? I’m only 20.
Joining a competition again was to prove to myself that I could achieve something even after a life-changing ordeal.
I was scared as the thought of death crossed my mind. The days leading up to the operation were my darkest moments. I dropped out from The New Paper New Face 2016 contest to undergo the operation. It was the second competition I had joined, following my early exit from the 2013 The Final One singing contest, where I fell on my back while onstage. Luckily, the operation was successful, and I was back on my feet in a month, and my then-boyfriend, Marc Than, proposed to me. I joined the following year’s The New Paper New Face competition, where I was a finalist. Joining a competition again was to prove to myself that I could achieve something even after a life-changing ordeal. It wasn’t about winning, fame or glory. It was a personal journey that gave me a lot of strength and determination I never knew I had, and to show myself that I could do something better than before. And, one of my life goals is to explore new things that allow me to express myself creatively, such as songwriting.
Hair Evangelyn Ariel Koh
Makeup Benedict Choo, using Cle De Peau
05/60
June Lim, 78
The realtor who never stopped working and believes in active ageing.
The relationship with my family and friends is something that I treasure most. As I grow older, I appreciate the more meaningful aspects in life over material things that don’t last. Which is why my husband and I make it a point to go on our family vacation every year with our three children, even though they’re all grown up.
I also go on occasional trips in the region with my good friends. I’m quite an active and sporty person in many ways – I swim regularly, I snorkel if I get the chance to, and I’m constantly on the move.
It amuses me sometimes when people ask me why I am still working at this age. Well, the answer is simple: I never did retire from my job as a realtor – although I take on fewer clients now compared to before – because I love what I do, and I have been doing it since the late ’80s.
I believe if you enjoy doing something, nothing should stop you from it.
Fact is, I enjoy meeting and talking to people, which give me a lot of joy. I didn’t like my previous job as a remisier. I was talking to people on the phone most of the time, and there wasn’t any kind of real connection other than a “cold” transaction. It was a job that didn’t quite fit my outgoing personality, and it was a friend who later introduced me to the property sector.
I always believe that if you enjoy doing something, nothing should stop you from it. Thus, when I put my mind to something, I tend to do things wholeheartedly.
Hair Aung Apichai, using Kevin Murphy
Makeup Lolent Lee, using Shiseido
06/60
Valerie Ng, 23
The volunteer tutor overcame poverty through education, and later started a free tuition programme for underprivileged children.
I knew excelling in my exams would open doors for scholarships and a better-paying career path, giving me a shot at social mobility.
This is also what I hope for my tutees – and the reason I jumped on the opportunity to help the financially needy kids who might lack access to educational privileges, through a free tuition programme.
I believe in the power of education to overcome poverty, and it’s important to look beyond the present circumstances and towards the future.
I know what it’s like to be poor, having been in that situation before. At one point in my life, I stood in Ngee Ann City’s Kinokuniya every day for six hours, poring over books to avoid going home where the loan sharks would harass us. A week before my A-level examinations, my family was evicted from the rental flat, as we could no longer afford to pay rent.
I know what it’s like to be poor, having been in the situation before.
My phone line was cut off, and with no money, I relied on the kindness of my friends and teachers, who pooled pocket money and shared their canteen food. A friend even opened her home to me.
I buried myself deep in my studies. With the aid of bursaries and a bank loan, I recently graduated as a psychology major from the National University of Singapore.
Along with my friends Yip Yunting and Karin Pang, we give free English and Math tuition classes on Saturdays to underprivileged primary school children at Ang Mo Kio’s Cheng San Community Centre. I also plan the activities and prepare worksheets for the programme. The programme now has 10 primary school students aged nine to 12.
Last year, one of my students was awarded the Edusave Good Progress Award by the Ministry of Education. It was a very rewarding moment for all of us.
Hair Eileen Koh/Hairphilosophy using Kevin. Murphy
Makeup Aung Apichai, using Urban Decay
07/60
Deborah Loh , 16
The ballet dancer emergeD from a faulted performance to win the inaugural 2019 International Ballet Grand Prix Singapore.
I felt like quitting ballet two years ago when I missed a few steps during the last 10 seconds of my performance at the 2017 Asian Grand Prix in Hong Kong. At that time, I felt like I had failed myself and my teachers. But I recovered from my mistakes and moved on.
Dance is a very rigorous form of art. In fact, I have to be very disciplined when it comes to practising my routine. Over the years, I’ve experienced a lot of injuries. But I’m more careful now... I won’t push myself too hard when I know I may get injured.
I’m a dance student at School of the Arts Singapore (Sota), and I also perform at the Singapore Ballet Academy. I commit to a two-hour rehearsal twice a week during performance season, on top of the usual two-hour dance classes that I take thrice a week! It’s a lot of hard work, but I don’t mind. It has always been my lifelong dream to be a dancer, ever since my mother first introduced me to ballet when I was three years old.
Right now, what I want is to become confident in my own skin when I’m dancing.
I look up to dancers like Iana Salenko (Ukraine), the principal ballerina at the prestigious Berlin State Ballet. She’s known for her precise ballet technique.
I’m looking forward to the training at the National Theatre Ballet School in Melbourne when I graduate from Sota. This is a scholarship, which is part of the International Ballet Grand Prix Singapore prize. Besides this prize, I’m really proud of the time when I choreographed a contemporary solo for my performance at Sota last August.
It was really challenging, but I set goals for myself to achieve. And when I finally performed the dance for my peers, teachers and parents at school, it was such a fulfilling experience that I’ll never forget it. Right now, what I want is to become confident in my own skin when I’m dancing.
Hair & Makeup Lolent Lee, using Shiseido
08/60
Valerie Low , 31
Inspired by her ability to overcome the pain she suffered from, she co-founded The Brave Shapes Co, an all-inclusive gym that caters to all ages.
Being able to do a German hang on pull-up rings, assisted pull-ups, and ab leg-lifts might not be a big deal for many, but it is for me. I suffered from scoliosis at a young age and was never interested in working out because of the chronic pain in my back. Now, being able to exercise, which is a personal milestone, helps to alleviate the dull ache. It took two years of self-perseverance, doing a programme of light bodyweight exercises. This inspired me to co-set up The Brave Shapes Co in 2015 – an all-inclusive wellness gym that caters to all ages, including those who’re handicapped. I want to give others the privilege of having a safe space to get fit, with a curated gym programme.
I believe that regaining your physical strength will uplift you. My then condition before I could do any exercise affected my lifestyle, which was sedentary. The pain on my back increased as I grew older. Things got worse when I suffered a slip disc in a fall in 2014. A year later, I got into a car accident and suffered whiplash and mild amnesia.
Once I realised that there’s a fun way to get better and that pain isn’t permanent, I wanted to get better and take charge of my body.
I consulted physiotherapists and chiropractors, but my body didn’t respond well to the treatments, and going for surgery was the last thing on my mind.
I went through a gym programme, from squats and assisted push-ups to strength-training like pull-ups and ab workouts with weights, curated by my husband Evans Wu, an ex-triathlon athlete. He was nearly left crippled in 2007 when his bicycle collided with an oncoming car.
Working out and running my gym made me realise that life is fleeting. You have to try doing things you never thought you would do. Once I realised that there’s a fun way to get better and that pain isn’t permanent, I wanted to get better and take charge of my body.
Makeup, Aung Apichai, using Urban Decay
09/60
Liyana Dhamirah, 33
The author of Homeless: The Untold Story of a Mother’s Struggle in Crazy Rich Singapore, hopes to shed light on issues of single parenthood and homelessness.
I learnt that in prosperous Singapore, homeless folks were not always identifiable by appearance. Eleven years ago, I was homeless and living in a tent on Sembawang beach and West Coast Park, with my ex-husband and two young children, after we were kicked out of the house due to a family disagreement.
Those three months were the lowest point of my life: I was pregnant with my third child then, and had $5.25 left in my bank account... I didn’t have enough to buy milk powder for my baby. Then, I also discovered a community of people and families who were homeless. Despite the difficult times, there was a community spirit among us. We shared food and watched out for one another, even when there were raids. My predicament was later discovered by journalists and we were moved to a shelter. To make some money, I sold handmade trinkets on a blogshop. The taste of entrepreneurship encouraged me to set up a home-based business in 2013, Virtual Assistants Singapore, to provide individuals with a platform to earn income through home-based work. Although things have looked up for me for several years now, I will never forget the hardship and what I went through 11 years ago. Last year, I penned the book, Homeless: The Untold Story of a Mother’s Struggle in Crazy Rich Singapore. I want my story to shed light on issues of single parenthood and homelessness. I also hope to see a more understanding society, and more people coming forward to help the marginalised.
I also hope to see a more understanding society, and more people coming forward to help the marginalised.
Hair Eileen Koh/Hairphilosophy using Kevin. Murphy
Makeup Aung Apichai, using Urban Decay
Location Ola Beach Club/Sentosa
10/60
Beckie Liu, 24
The surfer connects others like her through a surf camp community in Singapore.
I never imagined that my passion for surfing could turn into a business opportunity – and bring aspiring female surfers together –when I first picked up the water sport eight years ago, while on a holiday in Phuket.
I’m very happy that Haikini is more than just a swimwear line because it has brought so many people together with their love for surfing.
I started an ethically made bikini line Haikini, after I graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts from the National University of Singapore. Then, I realised there weren’t many stylish swimsuits that could hold up in rough water sports, and that I could create affordably priced, multi-functional bikinis for female surfers. I thought, this could also help fund my regular surf trips to Bali.
I’m a one-woman show at Haikini, cutting out the middleman so I can liaise directly with the production house in Bali and pay a fair wage to the bikini makers.
Each piece is handmade by local housewives, and we remove unnecessary plastic packaging by using leftover fabric from our production to make swimwear pouches.
One thing led to another after I launched the online bikini store. I formed Singapore’s female-only surf camp community, Haikini Seasterhood, when my customers expressed a strong interest in surfing.
So far, I have organised and coached 15 surf camps for women aged between 20 and 30, who pay a flat rate of $698 (hotel and food included) for a five-day surfing workshop in Bali.
Last year, the Singapore Surfing Association (SSF) asked me to join their team after they “found” me on Instagram. That led me to surfing competitively for the first time – and with the national team at the 2019 South-east Asian Games in the Philippines. These days, I spend most of my time in Bali training and coaching.
I must say that the best outcome of surfing are my surf camps. This is where new friendships are formed. I tear up a little each time I see my surf camp participants organising meet-ups in Singapore.
I’m very happy that Haikini is more than just a swimwear line because it has brought so many people together with their love for surfing.
PHOTOGRAPHY VERONICA TAY, TAN WEI TE
ART DIRECTION RAY TICSAY, ALICE PIN
CLOTHING DEBBY KWONG
