Category: People of Inspiration

This Shop In Outram Sells Customised ‘Kim Zua’ Handmade By A 65-Year-Old Uncle

It’s that time of the year again. The strong smell of smoke fills the air which indicates the beginning of the Hungry Ghost Festival.

We’re quite the superstitious lot. From lucky numbers and urban legends to sticking to a few rules for Hungry Ghost month, we love indulging in the unexplained.

For the unacquainted, the Hungry Ghost Festival (also known as 7th month) is in full force, which is also the time when getai and kim zua companies enjoy their peak sales.

But just like many traditions, the practice of burning kim zua is slowly fading away and no longer practiced by the younger generation unless reminded by their older relatives.

However, this hasn’t stopped 65-year old Li Yao An who has been making and selling religious paper offerings at his shop for almost 40 years.

A Dying Trade

Nestled within a housing estate in Jalan Minyak, Li Yao An runs Yew Chye Religious Goods Trading. In this old neighbourhood, the only notable sign of activity is a small coffee shop beside it – its yellowed walls and chipped paint stand as a testament to its age.

He prides himself on making his own paper offerings by hand, unlike others who’d import the kim zua instead. Having being in the business since the 1970s, Li is a master craftsman in this traditional trade.

As I walked to the entrance, Mr Li looked up at me as he sat on on a stool working and flashed me his widest smile. He welcomed me with a question: “Were you the one that called me yesterday?”

Humble Beginnings

Prior to joining this business, Mr Li previously worked a multitude of odd jobs, ranging from a plumber to an electrician.

“I started doing this not out of choice. But because I’m not educated. It’s a skill I picked up from a guy in Chinatown”, he exclaimed as he moved about his workspace, stripping and bending bamboo which I then realised was used to make the skeleton for a paper effigy.

Mr Li starts his day as early as 4/5am and knocks off at 9pm everyday.

“I have a responsibility to my customers. I open everyday, 7 days a week. Because I agreed to take the business, so I open everyday to work”, he added.

Despite the long hours at work, one can tell how happy and passionate he is when it comes to crafting his own paper offerings by hand. He complained that it was back-breaking work but also added that he could not imagine doing anything else besides what he’s doing now.

As we began talking about his works from the past, his eyes widened and immediately got out of his seat to reach out for an old photo album that was stored within his stack of paper and brochures – an organised mess they say.

Just like a proud father, he said: “These are some of my favourite works!”

He flipped through the album and told us more about each photo.

“The most expensive one I’ve made was 13 golf club replicas. This man brought 13 golf clubs to me, and asked me to make replicas of all 13.”

Mr Li typically takes a few weeks to a month to finish each order as it involves a lot of thought for the creation process . However, if the end product isn’t satisfactory, he will redo the entire process because he believes that it’s his responsibility to deliver proper kimzuas to honor the dead.

Traditional Materials And Methods

40 years have passed but Mr Li still uses traditional method and materials from when he first learnt the trade. For instance, he has kept the type of paper consistent over the years. He also makes his own glue from rice flour as it is cheaper and saves him time from going out to buy whenever he runs out.

Mr Li also recycles the flyers he receives to make shoes for the dolls.

“Come I show you how to make. Very easy one!”

A 40 Year Old Journey

Much has changed over the years. Traditional kim zua includes houses and servants, while the more modern offerings include iPads, laptops, Rolex watches, and even treadmills.

“Uncle ah, then after this, who taking over your business?”

He paused momentarily and chuckled, “Not everybody can do what I do.”

“Nobody to pass it down to because nobody else knows or wants to learn how to do what I do.

Despite the rise of online stores that sells kim zua such as PO-PI.com.sg and STORE.KIMZUA.com.sg, Mr Li shared that he still has plenty of customers coming to him requesting for his service as “nobody else does what I do”.

Making paper offerings is not just a livelihood to him. It’s an art that he believes will die with him someday.

“I will do this for as long as I am able to walk and work, until the day it’s time for me to sleep”, he smiled to himself.

Yew Chye Religious Goods Trading
Address: 5 Jalan Minyak, #01-330, Singapore 161005
Contact No.: 6734 3389

Also Read Take A Break From Crowds At The Singapore Night Festival At This Indie Pop-Up Market At SOTA

(Header Image Source: Discover SG)

Boys Over Flours – These S’porean Dudes Bake And Sell Cakes For A Good Cause

This time last year, I came across an Instagram account belonging to a group of all-male bakers who call themselves “The Four Baker Boys“.

I never really had a FOMO moment in my entire life until I met them. This baking club of theirs looked so fun and exclusive and for once, I wished that I was a boy just so I could be the fifth member of their club.

I mean, Spice Girls had 5 members. Just saying.

I had the pleasure of meeting these 4 guys last year at one of their charity bake sales.

Meet Qamarul (@theboywhobake), Syahid (@prettyawkwardpastry), Aidil (@daintycandy) and Lutfi (@bkosfood), the dream team behind The Four Baker Boys.

Saving The World One Cake At A Time

These four amazing guys give back to charity by utilising their specialised skill set of baking as a way to raise funds for their chosen organisation.

The first time I met them last year, you could tell that they were four VERY different guys bonded by their love for baking. Aidil, the brainchild of The Four Baker Boys, established a baking-only charity organisation in 2014 because there was a growing trend of male bakers entering the market.

They all started off as four individuals with a passion for baking but eventually joined forces to give back to the community.

When I went to one of their bake sales last year, they were raising funds for Majulah Community who were travelling to Aceh to help the victims who were affected by the earthquake.

Their bake sales are typically held at 62A Arab Street. It’s a small but cosy space for the male bakers to all come together and set up tables full of bakes.

They’re also joined by other male bakers from a community called The Baker Boys Club. So you’ll meet other familiar male bakers like Arman (@armnrhmn), Muz (@mmuzs) and more!

Once inside, you will be given a box to stock up on desserts to your heart’s desire, proceed to the cashier and make the payment.

I especially love Syahid’s (@prettyawkwardpastry) tarts. If you’re a tart over cake kind of person, then you’ll love his Thai Milk Tea tarts which is usually available at the charity bake sales.

You can also get huge cake slices from Aidil (@daintycandy). His Pengat Pisang cupcake is to die for. This cupcake is the perfect balance of something old and new.

If you’re a cookie person, then you’ll love Lutfi’s (@bkosfood) cookies. He offered me a taste of his black pepper cookie. Which I initially thought was an extremely weird combination because cookies are supposed to be sweet but guess what, I still dream of his black pepper cookie till today.

You’ll be spoiled for choice because there’s just too many bakes to choose from. Be prepared to leave with two huge boxes if you’re craving for some sweet treats.

Not only are the bakes pretty but they taste amazing too.

This all-male bake club has a simple concept which is to combine their love for baking to help others in need. So if you’re looking to meet the 4 guys behind Four Baker Boys and the Baker Boys Club, then look out for their future bake sales.

You don’t only get to satisfy your sweet tooth but you also get to contribute to a good cause and help others who are in need.

So guys, are you opening up a slot for a fifth female member anytime soon?

Also Read Singapore Already Has A MasterChef And His Instagram Is Basically Food Porn

(Header Image Source: @fourbakerboys )

The Confessions Of An Artist

Professions in the arts sector may not come to mind when people discuss career options in Singapore. In fact, when you speak to any adult born before the ‘90s, they might even tell you that working in the arts sector isn’t a “real job”.

We hear from 5 artists about the misconceptions people have about their career choice, and why they find their job worthwhile.

1. Your Profession Is Frivolous

“People used to tell me that my job is child’s play, that it’s frivolous because all I do is “draw” and that it’s not productive.

I disagree –  I believe that art can help to draw attention to taboo issues in society and help to create conversation.”

At the beginning of my career, acquiring projects was a problem, but now the biggest issue is finding a balance between what I want to create versus what others expect me to create.

To me, the biggest compliment is when people tell me that they can relate to my illustrations and artworks.

I have a permanent mural at The Fullerton Gallery, and I remember watching people appreciate my artwork when I was at the opening of the gallery. That was a very significant moment for me.”

• Aida, Illustrator

2. Can You Do It For Free?

“Some clients have insisted that my art be created for free – or at my own cost – because it’s a community project, and within unrealistic timelines too. This undermines the value of the artist and the art that he/she creates.

Despite that, I still love working in the art industry. I conduct community workshops in heartlands and community centres. Some of the workshops that I’ve conducted are for Art Outreach at Gillman Barracks and Act3 International at ION Art Gallery.

Most of my workshops are catered for residents, ranging from children to senior citizens.

I feel fulfilled because I get the opportunity to inspire and influence people who attend my art workshops or volunteer at my community projects.

There was a family who told me that my art helped to bring them closer to one another. There was also a lady who told me that she was touched by my work because it depicted sights she could only see in her hometown back in India. These are moments that I live for.”

• Eunice, Multidisciplinary Artist

3. But You Don’t Look Like An Artist

“I’m a multidisciplinary artist and I’ve been developing my practice for almost 10 years now.

However, till today, people still occasionally tell me things like “But you don’t look like an artist” which I find offensive because there is no such thing as a standard “artist” look.

My work usually depicts identifiable moments and characters within contemporary urban society, suggesting a plethora of private and often solitary narratives.

Nothing beats that rewarding feeling whenever I complete an artwork and seeing people appreciate it.”

• Sarah, Multidisciplinary Artist

4. He Mentioned That He Can Recreate My Artwork Using A Photo-Editing App

“I’ve been in the creative field for almost 13 years now, working as a Senior Graphic Designer and Photographer.

I picked up drawing when I was a kid because my mother realised that I didn’t enjoy reading and gave me comic books instead.

When I first started working, the feedback I received wasn’t good and people would tell me that I cannot ‘make it’ in Singapore if I remain in this line.

The worst thing I’ve ever heard was someone mention that he can recreate my artwork with a photo-editing app. But I don’t let that get to me.

I love to sketch my friends during their birthdays, and watching them receive and love the sketch really brings me joy. At least I know that I brightened someone else’s day.”

• Ali, Senior Graphic Designer/Photographer

5. People Think That My Art Is Vandalism

“I’ve been a full-time artist since 2003, and I’m coming up to my 15^th year in the industry. I am probably the only artist with a background in the graffiti and street art scene, to have won the National Arts Council Young Artist Award.

I remember once when I was painting in the middle of Orchard Road, I overheard a father tell his son that I was vandalising. There was another incident when I was told that my profession was not “real work”.

I feel sorry for people who have such a narrow-minded mentality as to what constitutes as a “real job”.

The most encouraging thing I’ve heard was that my work and what I do as an artist and researcher is significant to my community and in the advocacy of street art and graffiti practices in South East Asia.

My advice to young aspiring artists out there, is to stay humble and keep on learning.”

• Zul Othman (ZERO), Visual Artist

This article is a sponsored post in promotion of “Dance With Me”, a Toggle: Originals series.

All 8 episodes are now available on Toggle.

Also read Tasty Street ‘Spoils Market’ With Wagyu Beef, Iberico Pork Rice Bowls Under $7

Nathan Hartono’s First Mandarin Single Is A Weird And Wonderful Bop

In case you haven’t heard the screams from crazy fangirls (it’s mainly us), Singapore’s second musical son, Nathan Hartono has released his first Mandarin single, “爱超给电”.

Following his participation in the famous Sing! China competition back in 2016, Nathan Hartono is now a nationwide household name.

Electricity

The single was released exclusively in China on 7 February 2018, before its global release across all digital platforms on 9 February 2018.

The song is basically the mandarin rendition of his previous English single, “Electricity”. While “Electricity” is smooth and poppy, “爱超给电” is more dancey and catchy than its English counterpart.

The music video sees Nathan Hartono decked out in Japanese-inspired looks by Yohji Yamamoto, surrounded by colourful characters, props, and dancers.

The music video aesthetics reminds us of a mix between Lady Gaga and Snakehips. From a lady resembling the Statue Of Liberty, to the masked dancers, and the vogueing pairs, this music video has no shortage of interesting characters.

Also, what even is that Pig suit?

Aside from the weird and wonderful outfits, we also get gratuitous shots of topless Nathan Hartono in various parts of the music video.

If you haven’t seen it, watch the music video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9t6HOxCd4k&feature=youtu.be

If the thumbnail doesn’t make you want to click on the video, we don’t know what would.

We cannot wait for more music from Nathan Hartono. In the meantime, this song will be on loop.

Also read The Definitive Guide To Ladies Night Promos In Singapore That Don’t Involve Alcohol

(Header Image Source: Warner Music)

Because Cards Are So Passé, This Site Lets You Send A Message On An Eggplant

Fans of the eggplant emoji, now you can start sending real eggplants to your friends – and you won’t even have to set foot in a grocery store.

A fruit that has gained a whole new level of popularity since the advent of emojis, it has become the universal symbol of the male appendage.

Now, there’s a website called Eggplant Parcel that lets you send a cheeky eggplant to anyone – your partner, your friend, even your family members – with any message you’d like.

Message On An Eggplant

The most basic Eggplant Parcel, Eggplant Message, will set you back $9.90*.

Create a custom message of up to 50 characters and Eggplant Parcel will have it written on your eggplant in gold paint. If you want your friends (or enemies) to know it was you who sent it, sign off with your name. And if you don’t, send it completely anonymously!

While you will not be able to choose the size of the eggplant, the longer your message, the more likely it is that you will wind up with a larger fruit.

That aside, Eggplant Parcel tries to pick an eggplant that’s fitting for the message. For example, a small, round eggplant, if it’s sent to congratulate someone on the birth of their baby.

For an added $2, your custom eggplant will come with protection. And by that, we mean condoms. Yes, seriously.

While it may seem like just an extension of the gag, the latex protection actually ensures the message is kept untampered – it serves as “an added layer of insurance”, according to the people at Eggplant Parcel.

If you’d like to go further in making your point, opt for the Eggplant Head.

At $17.90*, send someone an eggplant with not just text on it, but also an image. All you have to do is upload a picture and Eggplant Parcel will paste the printed image on the phallic fruit.

Each eggplant comes packed in a Ziploc bag. Eggplants are a tough fruit, so don’t worry about it getting bruised while being processed in the mail!

A Personal Touch

If you’d like to add even more of a personal touch to your eggplant (e.g write on it with your own handwriting, bedazzle it, etc.), opt for the Eggplant Parcel Starter Pack ($19.90*).

The starter pack comes with everything you’ll need to send a message to whoever you may have in mind – 3 eggplants, 1 gold coloured Pentel Paint Marker, and 3 eggplant explanation cards which explain to the recipient why they’ve received a random eggplant.

Send A Message, Save An Eggplant

So… Why eggplants?

Cheeky as the whole idea of sending eggplant parcels may be, the idea actually came from seeing food go to waste.

The founder of the business explains, “I read an article about how eggplants go to waste everyday, and I thought before it does, why not use it to put a smile on someone’s face?”

And from there, this cheeky personalised gift service was born.

The team is already considering expanding its product line. What this means is sometime down the road, you may get to pick from not just your typical purple eggplant, but eggplants of other shapes and colours!

Got a friend who’s thirsty AF? Want to send a passive aggressive message but haven’t yet found the right medium to send it across? Send them an eggplant!

Make sure you come up with a good, cheeky message – that’ll make your gift all the more interesting!

*Prices stated are prices at the time of writing.

Also read 10 Exciting Events And Eats That Will Wake You Up Before September Ends [16-30 Sep]

We Asked Muay Thai Fighters What It Means To Be A Fighter In And Out Of The Ring

Muay thai is a sport that’s known for a few things – power, efficiency and simplicity.

One of the most popular martial arts in Singapore, it doesn’t take someone who does muay thai to appreciate the beauty and excitement of the sport.

Those who have watched a muay thai fight will know exactly how thrilling it is to see two people sparring, pitting not just their strength but their technical prowess against each other as they throw it down in the ring.

As spectators of the sport, often, it can seem like fighting and being a fighter is all about winning – but it is in fact about so much more.

With the inaugural Asia Fighting Championship (AFC) – an event dedicated to the sport of muay thai – coming up, we decided to ask some of the fighters what it means to be a fighter not just inside, but out of the ring. Here’s what they had to say.

Bryan Tee

Age: 19
Weight: 57kg

If this is a face you find familiar, it’s probably because you’ve seen him at the recent SEA Games – the first time Singapore was represented in muay thai at the Games since 2008.

Bryan got his first taste of muay thai at the tender age of 12, as he was often picked on for being a “tiny guy” growing up. He was drawn to the sport as it is the art of eight limbs; you learn to be a complete fighter by using your hands, legs, elbows and knees.

After his first fight at the age of 14, he’s gone on to compete in numerous competitions including IFMA Royal World Cup 2015, IFMA Youth World Championship 2016, 5th Asian Beach Games, and the IFMA World Championship 2017.

When asked what his favourite part about fighting is, he says, “To hit, to get hit by a stronger opponent, and to WIN!”

What it means to be a fighter:

“Being a fighter in muay thai is to be someone who has a lot of heart and determination. One that doesn’t give up. You have to be strong and ready at all times,” he shares.

Outside the ring, muay thai has also instilled in him many lessons.

“Muay thai has taught me respect, to honour not only my parents, but also my teachers. Apart from helping me stay in top physical condition, muay thai has helped to supplement me with a good support system in the form of the great brothers and friends I have met along the way.”

He adds, “To be at the top of the game, you have to keep persevering, and [you have] to give 110 per cent each time. This principle applies to life outside muay thai as well. I will never give up — I will also strive relentlessly towards my goals.”

Bryan will be going up against Hong Kong’s Pan Ieong at the AFC. This will be his first ever pro fight.

Wynn Neo

Age: 21 
Weight: 60kg

With his lean physique, you wouldn’t have guessed that Wynn is a huge fan of McDonald’s.

As a child, Wynn watched a fair bit of martial arts movies. It was this that inspired him to want to learn how to fight, and at age 15, he started training.

The more he trained, the more his passion and love for the sport grew, and it was just one year later that he fought his first amateur fight.

For him, the best part of a fight is winning and knowing that all his hard work during training has paid off. There is nothing he likes more than going head to head with his opponent, and “[seeing] who wants to win it more”.

What it means to be a fighter:

Wynn shares that in the context of muay thai, being a fighter means “Being disciplined to attend training consistently. Even during training, when no one is watching, you must still put in your very best because you are doing it for yourself and not for others.”

“In a fight, one must have the heart to fight, which means even when you are up against a highly skilled opponent and you are losing the fight, you’re still going to do all that is in your ability to put up a fight,” he adds.

In life, he believes the same principles apply.

He shares, “Muay thai has taught me to never give up no matter how tough training or the fight gets. I feel that life is like a fight too. Each day, there will be different obstacles and challenges that are placed in front of me but I press on and never give up until the goal is reached.”

Wynn will be going up against Malaysia’s Saifullah Bin Ismail at the AFC.

He says, “I am excited to put on a good fight and represent Singapore on our home ground. Knowing that my opponent is a much more experienced fighter, if I get a win over him, it would be my greatest win yet.”

Never Throw In The Towel

Being a fighter is not simply a matter of knocking out your opponent in the ring. It is a matter of putting in the work, putting in the time, and putting on a fight, even if the odds are stacked against you.

On 23 September, Bryan Tee and Wynn Neo will be among the 6 representing our country, going up against top champion fighters from Korea, Macau, Malaysia, and more at the inaugural AFC.

Watch these talented fighters battle it out for the title of champion, and all the glory that comes with it.

Happening at Marina Bay Sands Singapore, the event is jointly organised by Muse Fitness Club Singapore and Axseed Events.

Advance Tier tickets (corner) are selling at $58; Advance Tier at $81.35** (U.P. $91); and VIP at $117.05** (U.P. $133). Get your tickets here.

Asia Fighting Championship
Venue: Hall A, Sands Expo And Convention Centre at Marina Bay Sands
Date: 23 Sep
Time: 6pm
Price: VIP: $117.05** (U.P. $133) | Advance Tier: $81.35** (U.P. $91) | Advance Tier (Corner): $58
Yeah, You Better Flip – This Prata Comes In Rainbow Colours And Is Served With Pork Curry

Placing Your Order In Sign Language Will Get You A 10% Discount At This Cafe

You can order in English – or sign language if you prefer – at Puzzles.

If you order in sign language, you’ll get an additional 10% discount.

Don’t know how to speak sign? Don’t worry, as there is an instruction board at the counter to guide you. The servers will be super appreciative that you tried to converse in their language, so take your time.

A Cafe With A Cause

Puzzles, a cafe that serves up pizza bombs and other snacks, was started by two Ngee Ann Polytechnic graduates, Suzana Slemat and Shazlina Sulaiman, who wanted to shed some light on the struggles that deaf people face when interacting with service staff.

Pizza bomb toppings (or fillings in this case) are constantly on rotation, which means you’ll never get bored by the selection. You can expect flavors like salted egg, Hawaiian, chilli crab, beef satay, black pepper chicken, and cheesy spinach.

Other than pizza bombs, there are all sorts of snacks and desserts to sate your appetite in a long lecture. Think glazed chicken bites, brownies, meatball puffs, and mac and cheese.

Sometimes, they will have an all-day breakfast menu going on, with offerings like breakfast buns, roti johns and the super popular hashbrowns.

For now, Puzzles only operates in Ngee Ann Polytechnic during term time as that’s when they get most business. Puzzles takes a break during school holidays, but is still open for catering orders.

Suzana and Shazlina has plans to continue operating Puzzles for two more years, and hopefully expand to other tertiary institutions. Soon, you might even be able to see Puzzles at other universities and polytechnics!

Till then, you’ll have to make do going to Ngee Ann Poly for your pizza bomb fix while learning some sign language on the side!  

Puzzles
Address: Ourspace@Ngee Ann Poly, 535 Clementi Rd, Singapore 599489
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 10am – 6pm (during school terms)
Website

Also read 10 Quirky Mooncakes That Break Tradition With Flavours Like Bubble Tea, Chilli And Salted Egg Yolk

(Header Image Source: Images from Puzzles Instagram)

This Library Lets You “Loan” Humans As Books, So You Can Hear Their Unconventional Stories

When you hear “Human Library”, a room full of harvested human organs may come to mind.

Don’t worry, we’re talking about no such thing. At this Human Library, ordinary humans become open books, letting you hear the most intimate details of their life stories.

If you’ve always wondered what kinds of thoughts or situations might drive a person to commit suicide, or about the hardships of a person battling cancer, this is exactly the place you want to be.

Buzzing with people you may not ordinarily get the chance to meet, some of these conversations may inspire, while others may change the way you think about certain things.

Back for its third run, this edition of the Human Library will take place on Aug 27 at Taman Jurong Community Club.

With a catalogue of over 40 books, some of the books you can expect to find in this edition of the Human Library include a Catholic monk-in-training, ex-offenders, a person with psychosis, and a wildlife rescuer.

If you’d like to hear these stories, you’ll need to register online, pick a time slot and reserve a book that interests you. You will only be able to !

Click here to find out how to reserve a book.

Also read These Epic Aerial Photos Of S’pore Will Show You How Beautiful Our Country Really Is

(Header Image Source: Human Library Singapore Facebook)

Mdm Halimah Yacob Loves Mee Rebus, And This Is Where She Gets Her Favourite Bowl

If you’ve been following the news closely, Madam Halimah Yacob should be no stranger to you – especially with the Presidential Elections coming up.

A woman who will make Singapore history if elected president, Madam Halimah Yacob has quickly become a favourite for the position, given her long years in public service and the support she’s garnered over that time.

Because Halimah is human – and Singaporean – too, we had one very important question for her: What is her favourite food?

We sat down with Halimah and asked her what she loves to eat. As it turns out, even her tastebuds are humble too.

If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your life…

Like a true blue Singaporean foodie, Halimah had a hard time deciding between three of her favourite foods: mee rebus, laksa and nasi lemak.

Eventually, she decided on mee rebus – specifically, the one served at Teh Tahrik Makan Restaurant, tucked away in an obscure coffee shop in Marsiling; this is her go-to place for the dish.

Ownself ask, ownself answer 

A woman after our own hearts, Halimah gets excited when talking about her favourite foods.

Without missing a beat, Halimah continued, “Since you asked me what food I like, you must ask me what dessert I like ‘cos I’m thinking of food already. I like tau suan and goreng pisang.”

Here Are All The Singers From S’pore To Root For On This Season Of Sing! China (So Far)

[Update: The article title has been edited for accuracy. Information about Curley Gao has also been updated to reflect that she is a Chinese national who studies in Singapore, not a Singaporean.]

If you didn’t follow Sing! China last year, this may be the time to start.

After Nathan Hartono made it all the way to second place in last year’s Sing! China, more Singaporeans have joined and found success on the singing competition. This season, 4 singers from Singapore have made it onto the show so far, and with more spots on the judges teams to be filled, who knows if more will be added to the list!

Here are the ones to look out for in this season of Sing! China.

Team Jay Chou

Remember “steady pom pee pee?”

Those of you who watched Singapore Idol back in the day will surely recognise this name and face – after all, she did come in third in the first season of Singapore Idol back in 2004.

Like many contestants on The Voice (the singing competition Sing! China is modeled after), Olinda didn’t make it on the show on her first try; it was during her second try that she found success. This season, she took a huge risk, singing Jay Chou’s ‘Secret’, which paid off big time. It won her a three chair turn, as well as a spot on Jay Chou’s team.

Watch Olinda Cho’s full performance here:

2. Joanna Dong

The first Singaporean to make it on Sing! China this year – and on Team Jay Chou, no less – Joanna Dong won both the judges and audience alike with her sweet, joyful rendition of the technically challenging Love Song, 1990, throwing in a vocal trumpet for good measure.

The jazz singer’s dynamic performance also won her a three chair turn, as well as high praise from the judges.

Watch Joanna Dong’s full performance here:

Team Na Ying

Remember Campus Superstar?

If you caught its second season, you might find this 24 year old familiar. In 2007, she came in as a semi-finalist on the youth-centric singing competition. The graduate of LASALLE’s School of Contemporary Music is now one half of the duo ‘StellaVee’ with singer-songwriter Vee.

Currently signed under Ocean Butterflies Music, the singer got two of the judges to turn withe her sweet, pop vocals.

Watch Stella Seah’s full performance here:

2. Curley Gao

Another singer who only got her shot after her second try, Curley Gao is the youngest representative from Singapore to make it onto the Sing! China stage at 18 years old.

A Chinese national who has been studying in Singapore since the age of 9, she was likened to Singaporean singer Tanya Chua by superstar Jay Chou. This teenager’s soothing vocals got two judges vying to have her on their teams.

Watch Curley Gao’s full performance here:

With not just 1 but 4 singers from Singapore making it past the blind auditions this year, this will be an exciting season for Singaporeans! Make sure to tune in and show your support – we cannot wait to see how far they’ll go in the competition!

You can catch the live telecast of Sing! China Season 2 on Singtel TV’s Jia Le Channel or on Zhejiang TV Official Channel on YouTube.

Also read At The Affogato Bar, It’s Never Too Early To Get Drunk On Coffee And Ice Cream