No one goes through life unscathed. We all have our own stories with episodic little dramas — the good, the bad and the ugly — unfold daily just like plots in soap operas. The narratives may be similar, but the finale depends on the consequences of the choices we make.
“I’ve chosen to live life on my own terms. I’ve made a lot of mistakes, miscalculated decisions, and even stubbornly forged ahead with plans despite thunderous alarm bells that forbid me from taking another step. I was scarred by and scared of some of the choices I made but, I now know, these shaped me into what I am,” writes WS editor Debbie Reyes-Coloma. But none of her experiences are unique to her. She’s heard the same strains from many who generously shared their stories with her. Every piece she's written for Weekly Sparks since 2021 aspired to encourage someone out there to carry on with renewed hope.
"It’s my turn to tell my story. It begins with my mother Elizabeth. Her story is my story. I am who I am because a strong woman raised me."
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It is not easy to admit being an alcoholic. Many are in denial due to shame, guilt, low self-esteem and to protect themselves from being harshly judged by society. An estimated 400 million people, or 7% of the world’s population ages 15 and older, live with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), commonly known as alcoholism, according to a report released in June 2024 by the World Health Organisation. Of this, about 209 million people (3.7% of the adult world population) live with alcohol dependence.
“Nobody starts drinking because they want to be an alcoholic. They always start drinking because it serves a function. When they drink they feel more pleasant, more relaxed, more sociable with other people like they can talk to the opposite sex when they normally can’t. It‘s also a form of stress release. But alcoholism comes with a whole heap of consequences,” says Dr. Munidasa Winslow, a recognised expert in addiction and impulse control disorders in Asia Pacific. (Image: unsplash.com)
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“Courage doesn’t mean an absence of fear as you ‘take on the world’. Courage is when you are taking action in spite of your fears. However big or insignificant the action may seem, they help you live a more authentic life and move in the direction of your dreams. No step is never insignificant – because it is the start of something new,” shares Agneta Olsson, certified coach specialising in leadership and team development.
“Fear is like a barometer showing if we are moving in the right direction. ‘I’m scared out of my mind, great, this is the way to go!’ Maybe that’s not how we think. It’s probably more like ‘I know it’s the right thing to do, but I don’t want to, I’ll wait a bit, let me do nothing about it for a while and just stay here and feel safe…’ But deep inside, we know it’s where we need to go.”
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Mental health-themed TV series or films are sometimes hard to watch because they tend to be too intense, dark, clinical, macabre, or preachy. Western narratives may be negative or positive, but many rarely resonate with me.
But K-dramas are different. They portray authentic representations of mental disabilities. They are not about giving solutions. They are not always perfect. They are about humanising mental health. They foster empathy and understanding by presenting more realistic depictions that challenge stereotypes and outdated notions of mental illness, thus, opening a path to healing, fostering a community that can lead to a sense of belonging. Thus, they leave behind lasting empowerment. (Image: Extraordinary Attorney Woo/wonder.ph)
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What’s in your closet? Chances are it’s a mix of high and fast fashion articles of clothing and accessories, possibly more than half of which you haven’t used in ages. Could it be that you’re unknowingly contributing to global warming?
Consider this: it takes 3,781 liters of water to make a pair of jeans, and that equates to the emission of around 33.4 kilograms of carbon equivalent. Yes, that’s just for a pair of jeans. There’s an opportunity for you to support sustainable fashion efforts. Your wardrobe is a good starting point. After all, clothes aren’t going to change the world. The person who wears them will. (Photo: ceoworld.com)
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Are you more engaged in virtual space than in the real world? Are you snapping images of your food instead of enjoying it? Are you more hung up on taking panoramic videos of your holiday destination spot than experiencing it? Are you glued to your phone, scrolling through social media, replying to messages while in the company of family and friends? Are you incessantly checking your phone for Like, Comment and Share on your latest posts? Are you envious of the picture-perfect curated lives of influencers and celebrities shown on their social feeds?
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Popular South Korean actress Park Min-Young’s good looks has captivated fans the world over. She probably has a ‘lucky face’ judging by the K-drama hits she stars in. Traditional Feng Shui face reading practitioners say looks can impact one’s fortune or misfortune, in career and in life. A mole, a flat nose, a receding hairline, a pointed chin and drooping eyebrows in relation to one’s general face shape are believed to reveal a glimpse into one’s past, present and future personal and financial state of affairs. Thus, to boost luck, aesthetic doctors are performing procedures to modify some patients’ faces based on Feng Shui masters’ specifications. There is no conflict in mixing Feng Shui face reading practices and aesthetic remedies. Both disciplines cater to people who need a change in their life, or change how they feel. After all, everybody wants to look and feel good, and succeed in love, career or business.
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Yuletide carols fill the air. Streets and stores are dolled up in festive red, green and gold. Airports are jammed with excited passengers heading home for Christmas. The sounds, scents and sights of Christmas never fail to elicit good vibes. There’s no other place we’d rather be in the presence of our family. Looking back, it’s not really the presents that we remember most, but that snug feeling that the season brings which we look forward to every year.
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Former editor-in-chief of Gourmet and food writer Ruth Reichl’s memoirs and novels are comfort food for the soul. They are soaked in raw emotions seasoned in anecdotal nuggets filled with ebbs and flows, pleasure and pain, joys and sorrows, soft and hard places. They feel like a warm hug that sparks up my day with hope and a dose of joy. They are satiating palate cleansers that leave me craving her next book. As The Washington Post Book World once put it: “Reading Ruth Reichl on food is almost as good as eating it… [she) makes the reader feel present with her, sharing experiences.” Her book titles alone (Save Me The Plums, Comfort Me With Apples, Tender At The Bone) are more than enough to whet the appetite.
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The fear of getting old (FOGO) can trigger intense feelings of uncertainty. How do we cope with ageing? Do we confront it? Challenge it? How old is “old”?
Sharon Stone, 65, admitted in media interviews how at 40 she was told she was “too old” for many roles. It was in the early 2000s and she had already passed the time’s Hollywood “sell-by date” of age 40. Thankfully, we normal folks don’t have to subscribe to Hollywood’s standard, although we are very much conscious of biases related to “old” age.
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Can compassion and warm-heartedness solve the jealousy, violence and power struggles of today’s society? Can forgiveness replace hate with love? Can a warm gesture bring down years of resentment? Can an act of random kindness change another human being’s journey? Can gratitude make your own life a happier one? But most importantly, are we willing to try?
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Are you a designated or volunteer caregiver? Do you feel overwhelmed, worried and stressed? Are you not getting enough sleep? Do you sometimes feel alone and unappreciated? These are but some of caregiver stress signals that indicate you may be on your way to, if not already, experiencing a caregiver burnout. There’s no one-size-fits-all in caregiving. Shifting focus on patient-caring tasks requires major adjustments on the part of the caregiver. But you don’t have to be alone. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help because if you don't, who will take care of you?
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How deep are you willing to go to know yourself better? To face your deepest sorrows, heartbreaks and loss? Understand the root of your fears, and the origins of your emotional triggers? Writer Claudia Bermudez-Hyun asked these hypothetical questions and got mixed feedback. Some were willing to explore to a certain point, others had no interest in delving into painful memories: “Why open Pandora’s Box and relive the whole painful experience again? I’m done.” Only a limited few were quite open about unearthing and facing their past in order to “unclutter” the path ahead.
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Yoga has been known for its physical, mental and emotional health benefits. With regular practice, it could result in achieving a mindful life, a mindset, by consciously making intentional lifestyle choices. Soon-to-launch Vida Yoga (Philippines) is rooted this principle. It's a thoughtfully designed space where you can slow down, tune in, and tap into your inner power goes beyond the mat. “Vida is not just a wellness studio. We're a community of individuals who are here to help you explore yourself, break boundaries, and redefine life on your own terms. It’s a journey that will encourage you to make mindful choices towards a more fulfilling, empowered life that may somehow change the world,” says hot yoga devotee and health advocate Amanda Griffin Jacob.
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Touch heals; there is no question about it. And in the fast-paced and hectic world we live in, there are people in need who could greatly benefit from Reiki. That this increased care is coming from another human being’s hands might translate into lowered blood pressure, abated pain, less anxiety or reduced bleeding—as has been observed in hospital patients who experienced this holistic approach—would seem like a logical enough reason to keep this practice close at hand.
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The emotional bond between toys and kids cannot be downplayed. They are a source of comfort and security. Toys become the trusted sidekicks they talk to, confide in, laugh and cry with, and punching bags in moments of frustration. They eventually outgrow their play buddies, which end up in stacked boxes buried somewhere in the attic or basement. Not all toys, however, are stored away to gather dust. Singaporean Chang Yang Fa turned his enormous 50,000+ toy collection into a museum.
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Like a rollercoaster that you just can’t get off, grief comes with spasmodic dive drops, half-twist turns, sudden jolts and a scream escaping from the hollowed depths of your soul. Anticipatory Grief is perhaps the most difficult. Knowing that you’re on borrowed time, it’s a crushing experience for both the dying and those who’ll be left behind. “So, how do I spend my limited?” It was the question the late Randy Pausch asked himself when diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer and was told he had only 3-6 months. “Where do I go from here?” cried survivor Nicol, who lost life partner Tom in just two weeks.
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Are you fast to react? Do you lose your temper quickly and "see red" regularly? Being angry all the time won't only reduce your hopes for better social interactions and put people off, but it can significantly affect your heart and body in negative ways. Sometimes, irreversibly. Havoc occurs when anger is not properly managed.
There’s no shortage of stories. But what draws us to a story is the way it is told. The power of podcasts lie in the compelling storyteller, who can influence a shift in the way we see the world and people around us. “Stories matter. Many stories matter. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign. But stories can also be used to empower, and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people. But stories can also repair that broken dignity… that when we reject the single story, when we realize that there is never a single story about any place, we regain a kind of paradise,” says Chimamanda Adichie in her "The Danger of a Single Story” on TED podcast series.
Time flies at supersonic speed. A sense of retrospection creeps in the moment a new year rolls in. We take you back in time with uncluttered tales from the Seventies to reminisce what it was like before the Digital Era. Digging up from a “blast from the past” collection of memories sometimes puts in perspective the past, present and future.
A bright smile is the best accessory anyone can wear. We can carry that smile anywhere without embarrassment or shame if we submit ourselves to a dentist’s care. Believe it or not, the state of your mouth, teeth and gums tells the story of your overall health. Taking dental health for granted – and ignoring the symptoms – often lead to more serious, more painful oral problems, not to mention more expensive cumulative treatments. But finding the right dental care is a challenge, Fortunately, Skye Dental’s husband-and-wife team Drs. Andrew Doig and May Ling Eide goes beyond their clinical skills, providing personal care and attention to folks from all walks of life.
A heap of romance, a pinch of action, a dash of suspense, and a huge dollop of gummy actors are what make K-dramas the perfect concoction to lift your mood. There’s a buffet of spicy, fermented food-themed K-dramas that will make you laugh, weep, angry, fuzzy, thrilled, sappy — and most certainly make you crave for gukbap, jajangmyeon, bibimbap, bulogi, jjigae stew and samgyeopsal washed down with soju, cheongju, makgeolli, or somaek. Of course, there’s always a take-away bag filled with inspiring insights on human struggles, relationships, love and loyalty.
Ever heard of hot yoga? Hot yoga is a exuberant form of yoga performed in a very warm and humid studio. Typically, the room temperature is approximately 38°C and has a humidity of 40 percent. It is known to encourage and increase perspiration to help remove toxins while accelerating the body’s metabolism. When metabolism is increased in a “hot” environment, there is a positive impact on the body including weight loss, swelling relief, improved blood circulation and shoulder tension release.
To de-jargonaise and de-stigmatise depression, brothers Danny and Matthew Baker created The Depression Project, a rapidly increasing mental health online platform that encourages people to fight back and take control of their life. Fuelled by personal reasons, both came to a realisation that those with depression were/are rarely given a clear step-by-step treatment plan. Sufferers aren’t really getting well and are highly likely to depend on – and increase tolerance for – prescription drugs. Therapies and therapists generally are not focused on patient rehabilitation. It was a cycle that they felt compelled to change.
Can negative ions fabrics produce positive health results? The buzz on negative ions products, including fabrics, has picked up in recent years. They are designed to replicate or generate negative ions, which could be beneficial to our health. Several scientific studies have been published on the pros and cons of negative ions – whether ‘ionised’ products result in some positive therapeutic effect on health. Lorenzo Chia was skeptical at first, but now he swears by it. He shares his story with Weekly Sparks.
Not everyone grows up with a positive male role model in the household. There are, however, fortunate ones who have been privileged enough to grow up with fathers who showed them by example to live life with zeal. Carlo Coloma looks back to the years growing up with his Papa from whom he learned to “work hard, play hard” while staying humble, honest and guided by ethical principles.
Lakshmi Mohanbabu is floating on air quite literally. She has every reason to feel over the moon with her ‘The Cube of Interaction’ art piece. It is one of the curated 100 artefacts that will take permanent residence on the surface of the moon. She is the first and only Singaporean artist to be invited to participate in the Moon Gallery mission, which launched the first permanent extraterrestrial art gallery. The artworks are set to land on the moon by 2025.
It’s a Wired World. Parenting in a hyperconnected digital age can leave parents flustered. The choice between screen time and scream time can be mind-bending. It is a tough, tricky balancing act. It is akin to maneuvering a snakes-and-ladders board, only it’s not a game.
He says, “Home is Food, Friends and Family, not necessarily in that order.” She says, “Home is my family: my husband and 3 kids. Wherever they are is home.”
Both Ricardo Seah and Rina V. Syjuco spent a significant number of years living outside the comfort of their birth countries, making a new home for themselves and integrating their childhood hobbies into their daily life.
A Nomadic Life. After dealing with the tears and fears in every move, the location-dependent enriching experiences transformed this family into adventurous travellers, arts and culture enthusiasts, and itinerant foodies.
“It was almost as if without travelling the world, the world came to us,” as Lia Padilla-Medalla frames it in retrospect.
Ageism is under-discussed. Yet, age is a potent benchmark by which people are judged to classify their abilities and capabilities, as Cathy Siapno shares in her anti-ageing antidote. If 50s is the new 30s, she is proof that there’s life after 50 and is living it with the same zeal as when she was in her 30s.
Holiday merry-making won’t be complete without indulgent food and tipples spread on dazzling tablescapes. Lavish festive menus may have evolved – vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free and vegetarian dishes are now added to the mix – but traditions, nostalgia, indulgence and rituals all come together at the table.
To hail the arrival of Christmastide, Weekly Sparks assembles a feastful fare of food, fizzies and table trimmings to spark up the holiday vibe. Eat, drink and be merry. Have your fill until you can’t stuff in another bite. Remember, Christmas calories don’t count.
Christmas traditions and rituals are a huge part of our happy memories. Looking back, it’s not really the gifts that we remember most. Rather, it’s that snug feeling that they bring which we look forward to every year. As the family grows, the more we appreciate these annual rituals.
Refreshing Christmas traditions, especially with inspired collaborations with family and friends, not only kindle camaraderie but also make your Christmas celebrations merrier in the coming years.
Disposable spoons are thrown away every day without a second thought, contributing to the plastic waste problem. There will be more plastic than fish in the oceans (by weight) by 2050. You can help protect nature by eating your spoon.
incrEDIBLE Eats is on a mission to reduce plastic polluting the ocean by replacing single-use plastic utensils with edible cutlery that are crunchy, sweet and savoury. You have to eat it to believe it.
The multi-billion dollar gaming industry’s importance goes beyond culture, social networking and entertainment. Opportunities abound to rally millions of gamers across the world towards sustainability efforts to protect and save planet earth.
Weekly Sparks invites Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, to share its insights on the subject of sustainability.
Osteopathy is an often misunderstood form of physical therapy solely for the elderly with weak bones and those who sustained bodily injuries. But this is just a fraction of what osteopathy is all about.
Osteopathy is a drug-free, non-invasive manual therapy that aims to improve health across all body systems by manipulating and strengthening the musculoskeletal and biochemical framework. Manual medicine means that both diagnosis and treatment are carried out with the hands with a focus on the joints, muscles, other soft tissues, and skeletal system. Treatment aims to positively affect the body’s nervous, circulatory, and lymphatic systems.
For many of us, 2020 made us realise how far away we were from home. As the world went on lockdown, as borders were shut and travel placed on a standstill, we all had to sit and wait till we could visit our home country and hug our family once again. In the meantime, we made do and recreated all the things we missed from home.
Such is the story of Esther Sanchez and Karmela Oreta, two friends who have made Singapore their second home. Feeling nostalgic and missing their families in Spain, they launched Missing Spain, an online Spanish Grocer.
There’s no reason to dampen your shopping mood just because of pandemic social distancing measures. If anything, this may be a good time to get a hefty dose of retail therapy in a much cosier private setting.
Singapore’s The Privato Club is hosting “Philippine Collective” Pre-Christmas special event from 1-30 November. The by-invitation-only event is extended to Privato’s VIP patrons, clients and Singapore-based media.
Visionary Japanese designer Yoshimasa Takakura spearheaded The One World Kimono Project. The future of kimono is under threat, due to fewer people wearing it today and the dying out of ageing experienced artisans and kimono makers. His desire to keep the kimono alive was inspired by the Japanese Olympic Games in 1964 where women dressed in traditional kimono performed the medal presentation.
After being cooped up indoors, it’s the perfect time to unwind, de-stress and experience Singapore’s best sights. There’s no better way to do that than by bicycle.
Imagine the wind blowing through your hair as you zip through old colonial buildings, modern skyscrapers and green corridors. Picture yourself steering from one scenic sight to another as you navigate from the city center’s concrete jungle to pockets of green oasis on the Park Connector Network (PCN). Don't own a bike? No problem. There’s an abundance of bikes-for-hire around the island and near cycling trails.
Is it really okay not to be okay? Experts say it is. But in reality it’s easier said than done. In a culture of “don’t ask, don’t tell” it takes herculean courage to admit that one is suffering from a mental health issue, the most common of which are depression and anxiety.
The unbearable feeling of shame, disgrace or disapproval that results in being rejected, discriminated against is in itself demoralising. No one wants to be labelled unstable or unfit for work or any social activity.
There’s always that one book that makes us feel good, takes us to a happy place, makes us laugh out loud, sparks inspiration, or provokes us to dig deep into ourselves. The affinity with our feel-good book is such that we don’t get tired of reading it over and over again.
Check out the list for our latest feel-good books.
It’s not common to find bespoke artisanal sartorial and ready-to-wear couture in this part of the world. What is even less common are distinctly designed ensembles that require delicate hand embroidery to transform each piece into remarkable crafty creations. But fashion designer Nida Shay pulls it off.
Her namesake label Nida Shay’s niche sophisticated hand-embroidery couture reflects her Pakistani heritage.
Little Farms is widely known as a homegrown gourmet grocery online chain that delivers fresh produce to our doorsteps. It has had a lot of success as an effect of the pandemic. Online orders surged by 30 times compared to pre-pandemic levels.
But what many are not aware of is Little Farms’ big efforts in caring for its customers, the environment and the community it lives in.
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Freeloafers never do anything half-baked. Whether it’s baking a loaf of sourdough bread or a Zoom call, you get a taste of their passion and enthusiasm. What started out as a shared hobby by exchanging tips and recipes between strangers on social media has turned into a meaningful initiative: baking sourdough bread for charity.
“The energy in this group is tremendous,” says Aileen on a Zoom meeting organised to talk about their advocacy. I couldn’t agree more. It was palpable even virtually.
“The Little Engine that Could” is an American folktale which was published in 1930. It is a story used to teach children about the value of optimism and hard work.
Almost a century later, we are writing another Little story.
“Buy less, choose well, make it last.” These words may have been uttered by Vivienne Westwood but could very well have been voiced by clothing entrepreneur Eileen Tay. Petite, polite, principled and spirited, Eileen is the designer behind the brand Elizabeth Little that makes playful vintage-inspired outfits and accessories for little girls and more.
Some centuries-old customs and traditions live on. The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of them. Also known as Mooncake Festival, mooncakes are regarded as an indispensable delicacy – a custom that goes back to more than 2,000 years. Rituals dictate that to fully celebrate the festival, one must reunite with loved ones and eat mooncakes! Celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, on a full moon day, the festival starts on 21 September this year.
Love and loyalty bond humans and dogs. Once that connection is forged no one and nothing can come between them. As the saying goes: money can buy you a fine dog, but only love can make him wag his tail. Friends of Weekly Sparks share snaps of their snuggly pooches that have brought woofing joy into their lives.
How do we stop the constant chatter swirling in our heads, free ourselves from stress and anxiety? How do we enter a state of inner tranquillity? Meditation may just be the answer.
A friend and I decided to explore transcendental meditation. We attended the introductory TM workshop with a room full of diverse people. We were each given the chance to explain the reason why we were there. Every single person in the room gave a different answer that included mental health, influence from a loved one, less stress, curiosity, back pain and so on. But one thing was sure: we were all looking to improve ourselves.
White. Yellow. Blue. Red. These are the colours of the moon as it rises and sets on earth. Whether it's a full, a waning gibbous, or a waxing crescent moon adorning the skies, it never fails to be awe-inspiring. Of course, the most sublime of all is the Supermoon, which is said to occur 3-4 times a year. This year we were fortunate to watch four Supermoons rising. Mark your 2022 calendar for the next two supermoons on June 14 and July 13. Friends of Weekly Sparks share these poignant images of La Luna that had us humming “Fly Me To The Moon”.
What does it take to capture birds in stills? Patience, patience, and more patience. Many of these flying creatures can run, jump, swim and dive. With their rhythmic chirping sounds and colourful plumage patterns birds in their natural habitats are a sight to behold.
Late-bloomer photography enthusiast Parameswaran Ponnudurai knows this too well. "Capturing wildlife amid the magnificence of nature brings immense satisfaction but it requires lots of patience because everything is unpredictable.”
Brighten up your space with a splash of green. Indoor plants spark joy and unleash good vibes. These low maintenance plants were photographed and shared by friends of Weekly Sparks, all plant aficionados who nurture nature indoors.
The plant-based diet is the newest kid on the block. Is it just a fad, trending after the likes of impossible burgers and tofu cheesecakes? Apparently not.
Plant-based, vegan and vegetarian are often used interchangeably. But there are key differences in these three diets. Plant-based does not mean meatless, nor eliminates animal products totally.
Argentinian Maria Florencia Rauzi has embarked on a mission to bring in the flavours, aromas and colours of her native Argentina to Singapore. She founded Los Andes Co to offer carefully selected Argentine wines and Colombian chocolates that capture the essence of her native land.
From sweet and savoury street food to colourful street scenes, get a little taste of the Land of Smiles while waiting for travel restrictions to be lifted. Our Gallery presents images of everyday life in Thailand through the lens of Bangkok-based Claro Cortes IV, a Filipino photojournalist with almost 30 years of professional experience.
ANTHONY BOURDAIN. Who amongst food lovers, world travellers, and culture mavens does not know him, respect him, and wish he were still around? He was a singular voice in food writing, but he was more.
He was irreverent and we, his followers, loved him that way. Effusive with praise if he liked the meal (or the people); but otherwise, blunt, rude, and sometimes, profane. He was a rogue, a lovable one, and God, how we miss him!
Chill with these classic cocktails - perfect as sundowners, party starters or pre-dinner sips.
Acclaimed up-and-coming artist Debbie Ding is a visual artist and technologist from Singapore. One of our favourite works is The Library of Pulau Saigon. Did you know that Pulau Saigon is a lost island in Singapore? Formerly located in the Singapore River, it had been absorbed in the mainland and vanished from street maps after 1975.
Sprinkle some sizzle onto your wardrobe for Singapore’s forever-summer weather with Maracuya’s handmade artisanal accessories, adding that sultry touch in a snap.
Being grounded nowadays could lead to frustration and lethargy. Here are some therapeutic, even cathartic, ways to get your mojo back.
Fix that craving! Indulge in these heavenly and healthy treats. From sugarless and reduced sugar to keto-friendly and no or low carbs, here are some of our favourite picks to binge on without feeling guilty.
No one crafts romance stories like K-dramas. They are therapeutic getaways when you want to escape but have nowhere to go.
“Kindness is a gift everyone can afford to give.” It’s not often that we hear about celebrants giving – or rechanneling – gifts for a good cause as a gesture of gratitude for the fortunate lives they have. They are the Birthday Gifters.
Look good. Feel good. Style Nomads’ gorgeous fashion accessories are hand-made by marginalised breadwinner single mothers.