Author: Arman ShahPage 24 of 32
A former travel writer with fond memories of solo adventures in Southeast Asia, Arman is now founder and editor of The Everyday People.
If you ever see him approaching with a camera and voice recorder in hand, please choose kindness and don’t decline his request for an interview.
“Radio gave me my calling, that I should spread joy and laughter wherever I go, and to make a difference, one life a day. And that’s exactly our philosophy at MADLY Gems – to spread joy and beauty and make a difference in a person’s life, one bespoke piece at a time.”
We scoured the vast world of social media for some of the best photos of the “Dale Chihuly: Glass in Bloom” exhibition at Gardens by the Bay.
Humans of Sentosa | “When I started paddleboarding back in 2014, I remember seeing lots of trash floating on the water. One day, I decided to bring a trash bag with me and started picking up trash. People thought I was crazy for collecting rubbish out at sea on my paddleboard…”
People of Legends | “I guess I had to learn to be super independent. And thanks to boxing, I learnt to be more confident, even without the presence of a male figure. In the past, guys would be overly touchy, be it at work or in public spaces. Some customers would lean on me and even touch my butt.”
Humans of Sentosa | “What you see on Baywatch is very different from what happens in real life. Sometimes, the casualty doesn’t even get to call for help; you just see some splashing in the distance. As lifeguards, we’ve been trained to pick up signs of a swimmer in distress.”
“I knew that if I had shut down the business, there would be nothing left except to look back in regret. I would forever link the business to the death of my son. That cannot be the case. That cannot be the way I remember my son.”
“I think people who discriminate against others don’t get a lot of exposure or knowledge about people of different races and religions. Somehow, they have been influenced wrongly, so they assume the worst. Just get more information before you spread rumours or hate.”
“So if you have the option of pursuing your true passion instead of ‘taking the easy way out’, I highly recommend you do so. It may be scary, and it may not be the thing that pays your bills initially, but believe me, when you follow something you’re passionate about, the money arrives in one way or another.”
Humans of Sentosa | “I love my job because I get to meet all kinds of people. I enjoy talking to overseas guests because I get to ask them about where they’re from. I get to learn so much from them.”
“So to all the aspiring dreamers out there, just believe in yourself. There will be external forces saying you’re no good or that you’re lousy, but if you don’t believe in yourself, nobody else will. And if you want to achieve anything in life, you have to fight for it.”
With a camera in hand, an introspective Hisham Zainal visits the iconic shopping mall in Geylang to find it mostly empty on the cusp of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert).
“Knowledge is important because money is part of our lives. I don’t think it should rule our lives, but if you want to live your life to the fullest and not have the burden of worrying about money when you’re older and about to retire, then you need to know.”
Humans of Sentosa | “But now when I go home and sleep at night, I can sleep properly because I feel like I did something good that day. So no matter which industry you’re in, as long as you’re happy doing your work, I think that’s all that matters…”
People of Legends | “The very next day, I went to visit my dad and placed the medal on his grave. I talked to him, knowing that he could somehow listen to me…I kept my promise to him in the end. I hope he’s proud of me. I know he’s proud of me.”
“I’ve been a workaholic my whole life. For someone who’s been working the way I have for the past 16 years, it’s a bit hard to adjust, right? I just love working. But I also realise there is more to life. I should enjoy myself more and take care of the people around me.”
“I started in sports therapy earning less than $50 a month. I was exploited and went through depression and faced so many challenges…but I have a successful career now and I go to work happy to see my clients and loving what I do.”
In need of a respite from the hustle and bustle of city life? If you’re living in northern Singapore, Arman Shah prescribes a reconnection with nature at Admiralty Park in Woodlands.
Humans of Sentosa | “Here, you get to see hawksbill turtles that come to lay their eggs and dolphins that swim around our coast. It’s very cool.”
“Find a business with a mission for the future that you can get behind. In a small business there are going to be lots of challenges and having a guiding star is key to keeping motivated and hungry.”
People of Legends | “I was one of those kids who always got bullied, pushed to the wall, slapped on the face. Looking at Iman, I did not want him to experience the same thing. So I thought I needed him to learn self-defence.”