They are familiar, well-respected faces on TV, but behind these stars’ success lies a mother’s indefatigable love.
They are familiar, well-respected faces on TV, but behind these stars’ success lies a mother’s indefatigable love.
Love takes on an endless number of forms, but there’s nothing quite like the bond between a mother and her child. It’s an unconditional love that can’t be expressed in words alone. This month, in honour of Mother’s Day on May 14, The Weekly celebrates maternal love through the stories of three celebrities, and the leading ladies who cradled them at birth and beyond...
"I think I get my strength from watching her"
Carla Dunareanu, 28, Fly Entertainment Artiste and HBO Asia Presenter, and her mother, Irene Chia-Dunareanu.
“I lost my father when I was six and Mum never remarried. She ended up raising my sister and me, all on her own. I think that’s why I’m really close to her, because she kind of had to fill the role of a mother and a father. She tried to strike a balance between wanting her kids to like her, but also being stern enough to be a parent. I think I get my strength from her, just watching how she handles things and how she perseveres, despite everything. She always has this sunny disposition, where you wouldn’t think anything’s wrong. My Mother’s Day wish for her? I hope she finds love. I know that sounds really weird because she’s kind of reached an age where she feels like it might not happen for her anymore, but I really hope someone can give her the love and affection and joy that she gives to other people.”
ON CARLA: DAVID’S DAUGHTER DRESS, $185, FROM TANGS AT TANG PLAZA. ON IRENE: GINGER SMART DRESS, $559, FROM TANGS AT TANG PLAZA. BRACELET, $260, FROM MONICA VINADER.
"My mother is without a doubt the most fearless person"
Sarah Benjamin, 27, Asian Food Channel Host and Food Blogger, and her mother, Vivienne Wee.
“The most important thing I’ve learnt from my mother is to never stop yourself from doing something just because of what others might think. She is without a doubt the most fearless person I know, and she has always said and done what she thinks is right. This means standing up and helping those in need, but it also applies to doing what you think is right, regardless of social conventions and norms. When I was young, this obviously caused me some embarrassment, but now I admire and appreciate this quality of hers. Ever since I was little, Mum encouraged me to make decisions for myself, and take on responsibility for my actions. Today, I hope that I’m a rational, independent, strong woman, and that’s really thanks to my mother giving me the room to grow through making my own decisions, and sometimes mistakes, and learning from them.”
ON SARAH: IRIS & INK DRESS, $234, FROM WWW.THEOUTNET.COM; EARRINGS, $190, FROM WHAT WOMEN WANT. RING, SARAH’S OWN ON VIVIENNE: PHASE EIGHT DRESS, $395, FROM TANGS AT TANG PLAZA.
"She made me realise that women are tough"
Yvonne Chan, 34, Channel NewsAsia Presenter, and her mother, Sally Chan.
“After becoming a mother, my admiration for my own mum went through the roof. She worked full-time while bringing up my siblings and me, yet she always looked so put together, poised and elegant. I believe her ability to multi-task with such grace and aplomb has made me realise that women are a lot tougher than we think we are. That said, Mum is a very strong believer in her faith and she says she couldn’t have done it all without God. She constantly reminds us to be thankful of what God has blessed us with. As a full-time working mum myself, I really hope I can strive to be a good wife and mother at home, just like her, and not let any of these balls I’m juggling drop. My mum helps me out with the kids while I’m at work, and I couldn’t do what I do without her.” W
ON YVONNE: DRESS, $365; AND BRACELETS, $115 (FOR A SET OF 5), ALL FROM BIMBA Y LOLA. RINGS, YVONNE’S OWN ON SALLY: TOP, $159, FROM IN GOOD COMPANY. PANTS, $59.90, FROM ZARA.
PHOTOS: ALEXANDER OW / STYLING: CK KOO / HAIR: PETER LEE/MOSCHE SALON USING L’ORÉAL/KENNETH ONG USING LA BIOSTHETI QUE / MAKEUP: GIGI SNG USING URBAN DECAY.
