Things people don’t know about me.
I was born into a humble family with 14 siblings, and growing up in Tanglin Halt (Queenstown) was a daily struggle. Despite the hardships, my family showered me with love, which significantly impacted my life.
During my secondary school years, I faced financial challenges and had to rely on bread edges for sustenance. To make ends meet, I approached a nearby bread factory and requested the bread edges they discarded daily. I kept this secret from my mother until recently.
In 1985, when I was just 16 years old, I had a life-changing opportunity in broadcasting. A young radio producer named Zakiah Halim discovered my talent and auditioned me for a radio show. Together with three other talented individuals, we hosted a show that became the longest-running radio program. Zakiah Halim played a crucial role in my broadcasting career. Sujadi Siswo, a TV producer and newscaster at MediaCorp, took me under his wing and mentored me in reading the news on TV. Basir Siswo, Sujadi's brother, offered me a TV Producer/Journalist position in the current affairs program called TINJAUAN. I'm forever grateful to Zakiah and the Siswo brothers for giving me this incredible opportunity. Alhamdulillah.
My late father worked tirelessly, juggling three jobs to ensure we all had enough to eat and receive an education. He instilled in me the values of hard work and unwavering determination. My mother continues to be an unconditional source of inspiration, even in her mid-80s.
I am blessed to be married to a kind, loving, intelligent woman who is my life and business partner. She is my rock and my closest friend. Together, we have three beautiful daughters.
Here are some additional things you may not know about me:
I cherish the memories of my childhood friends, who embody true friendship. Every eve of Hari Raya, we would gather at a nearby basketball court, lie down, and have honest and enjoyable conversations under the night sky until midnight.
I can never refuse a warm tau sar pau (red bean pau). It's a delightful treat for me. :)
Although I have a fear of heights, I am comfortable with flying.
I greatly respect individuals who are passionate about their work and genuinely love what they do.
I established ScreenBox to showcase compelling human-interest stories that can touch lives and positively impact humanity. I firmly believe powerful stories can bridge socio-economic and cultural gaps, broaden perspectives, and even move mountains."
If you're interested in collaborating for content on social media, I'd love to explore potential partnerships. Feel free to reach out if you have any ideas or opportunities.