# Weekly Sparks


## Posts

- [A Mother’s Grief Turned Into Advocacy](https://weeklysparks.com/people/mothers-grief-turned-into-advocacy/): Dengue claimed her only daughter’s life. Now this mother is on a mission to help prevent the same fate from happening to others. Losing a child is one of the most piercing experiences a mother can endure. Complex emotions such as intense sadness, guilt, powerlessness and hopelessness often accompany a bereaved mother’s persistent grief journey. Birthdays and holidays trigger a more intense sense of loss. Sandy Martinez Aranas could have turned 22 in May 2025. There would have been a glacé icing cake decked in candles, pretty flowers, balloons bursting in summer colours and a delicious spread to celebrate her […]
- [Sole Journeys Feed The Soul](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/sole-journeys-feed-the-soul/): Life on the road as a Single offers freedom and flexibility that are attractions by and in themselves for those who choose it. Single serial traveler Anna Testa embarks on sole journeys that feed the soul. She has scaled mountains and navigated through rugged and paved roads in 40 countries (20 of which she revisited) since she caught the travel bug in 1987 at the age of 25. Being single is a big plus. The globetrotter can pack her bags, lock up her flat and fly anywhere her heart desires. Her cumulative solo trips have promoted her physical, mental, emotional, […]
- [Michelle Ressa Aventajado: Motherhood Inspires Advocacies](https://weeklysparks.com/wow-stories/michelle-ressa-aventajado-motherhood-inspires-advocacies/): There are no benchmarks for a mother’s unconditional love for her children. It’s the kind of unwavering affection that cannot be reduced to a checklist of traits. Because to love unconditionally is to accept her children with no restrictions or stipulations, regardless of circumstances or a child’s actions. Writer. Blogger. Teacher. TV host. Social enterprise executive. Advocate. Michelle Ressa Aventajado wears many hats. But the most important hat she wears 24/7 is being a hands-on mom to Gia, Miguel, Diego and Gelli. In fact, it is motherhood that fuels her to face each day with purpose and passion. Born in […]
- [Remembering Pope Francis’ Simple Palate](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/remembering-pope-francis-simple-palate/): During his 12-year reign as the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State (March 2013 – April 2025), the late Pope Francis was known and admired for embracing a humble lifestyle. The Argentine-born pope’s simple lifestyle was reflected in the food he ate. I remember writing about Pope Francis’ exclusively prepared menu in an interview with Filipino Chef Jessie Sincioco, who was in charge of the Argentine-born Pope’s meals when he visited the Philippines in January 2015. I’m sharing the story below, originally titled The Papal Palate, which was published online on Channel NewsAsia (Premier) […]
- [Claire Dreyer: Living Consciously](https://weeklysparks.com/wow-stories/claire-dreyer-living-consciously/): Claire Dreyer is a woman who lives consciously—with intention, clarity, and purpose. Her journey has taken her across industries, countries, and challenges, but at every turn, she’s chosen to grow, evolve, and lift others as she rises. After two decades in corporate leadership, including a decade with the iconic CHANEL, Claire built a reputation for strong leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to bring out the best in her team. She led across the UK, Ireland, India, and the Middle East, driving high-performance standards in fast-paced, high-pressure environments, always fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence. Claire is now channeling […]
- [The Joy of Solo Travel](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/the-joy-of-solo-travel/): Traveling alone could be the scariest yet most liberating, life-changing experience. Try it at least once. It will stimulate all your senses, inspire curiosity, and teach you about the world and yourself. I did a bit of solo travel in a few parts of New Zealand. I relished the absolute silence and serenity on my train rides and road trips encircled by hushed postcard-perfect vistas. The random pit stops and side trips along the way afforded me a view of how resident Kiwis go about their daily lives. The whole point of traveling alone is to have fun and discover […]
- [Jenica Dizon-Mountford: A Thirst For Serving Others](https://weeklysparks.com/wow-stories/jenica-dizon-mountford-serving-others/): Consuming water from bottles or from water dispensers has become the norm for most urbanites in places like metro Manila, where city dwellers generally don’t trust drinking tap water. That doesn’t mean they don’t have access to clean, safe drinking water. They do, unlike 40 million Filipinos who still lack access to clean water – especially in provincial towns and villages scattered around the country. Some 74% of people in the world have access to safely managed drinking water. But there are still two billion humans (one in four people) who don’t. Let that sink in for a while as […]
- [Loida Nicolas Lewis: Trailblazer Extraordinaire](https://weeklysparks.com/people/loida-nicolas-lewis-trailblazer-extraordinaire/): Decades before ‘women empowerment’ became mainstream buzzwords, Filipino-American Loida Nicolas Lewis had shattered the glass ceiling many times over. Business icon. Lawyer. Philanthropist. Human rights advocate. One of the world’s most influential Asian-American leaders (male or female). In 2024 the State of New York proclaimed December 20 as Loida Nicolas Lewis Day. And deservedly so. December 20, 2024 marked 50 years since she became the first Asian woman to pass the New York State Bar without studying in a US Law School, making her eligible to practice law in both the Philippines and in the USA, she served for 10 […]
- [Make the Invisible Visible](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/making-the-invisible-visible/): Whenever I mention that I have epilepsy, there’s a moment. A pause. A bit of disbelief. Sometimes an awkward laugh. As if I just said something that doesn’t quite fit. “Really? You? You don’t look like someone with epilepsy.” And I get it – because what does epilepsy look like? Most people picture a dramatic seizure, someone collapsing to the ground, maybe flashing lights triggering an episode. That’s the version we see in movies. But here’s what epilepsy actually looks like: Epilepsy is an invisible illness. And the thing about invisible illnesses is that they don’t announce themselves. They don’t […]
- [Merly Barlaan: Peace Begins With Me](https://weeklysparks.com/wow-stories/merly-barlaan-peace-begins-with-me/): Reality is how things are. Idealism is how things should be. Sometimes, a disconnect between reality and idealism occurs when even the most iron-clad master plan slows down or fails to reach its intended goal. What does one do when this happens? For Merly Barlaan it is all about connecting the dots between reality and idealism. Her words ring with idealism. She talks with purpose and walks the talk. As Vice President of the Women’s Federation for World Peace International (WFWPI) and Director, UN Relations, NY, Merly has worked tirelessly to uplift women, youth and families globally through community development […]
- [Improve your looks. Improve your luck.](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/improve-your-looks-improve-your-luck/): Beauty may not be subjective after all. Several studies conducted in Europe and America provide scientific reasons why individuals with good looks are generally perceived to be intelligent and successful. Bright eyes, clear skin, full lips, high cheekbones, high-bridged nose, broad chin and shiny hair can affect one’s career advancement and paycheck. In some cases, facial structure seems to matter even more to potential employers or clients than a well-composed cover letter. 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 […]
- [Embrace Degrowth](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/embrace-degrowth/): What would happen if we were to say ‘no more’ to the outdated ways of growing our businesses at the expense of the earth’s assets? And, how would that in turn affect consumers and developers of goods and services? The talk of the circular economy is everywhere. We are all (or most of us) aware that sustainability is not a choice, but an absolute necessity to preserve the existence of the earth. But, what would a transition to a circular economy look like? I mean, what would an actual real transition of this day-and-age look like? How can we achieve […]
- [Leah Sweet: Weathering the Gender Bias Storm](https://weeklysparks.com/wow-stories/leah-sweet-weathering-the-gender-bias-storm/): Imagine working in an environment where you face discrimination constantly: people talk down to you, your abilities are underestimated, and you are overlooked for good opportunities. Yet you love what you do and persist; you look for ways to bring awareness to crippling gender bias; help to develop creative, innovative solutions that will correct centuries-old attitudes and behaviour and support other women with similar frustrations. Against this backdrop describing the sailing industry, we meet Leah Sweet, a professional sailor. While in the corporate world, women have made inroads in the diversity and inclusion agenda, in the sailing industry there is […]
- [Christmas Heart and Hearth](https://weeklysparks.com/places/christmas-heart-and-hearth/): The Yuletide season is usually a time for togetherness, for gathering around the table to celebrate this time of the year.
- [Ann Beatty: Education Beyond The 3Rs](https://weeklysparks.com/wow-stories/ann-beatty-education-beyond-3rs/): The impact of poverty on one’s access to getting an education cannot be underestimated. Children from low-income families are much more likely to miss out going to school. No one can attest to this fact better than Ann Beatty, who left school at age 15 to help support her family financially. It meant giving up her dream to be a lawyer. “When I was growing up, we were economically poor, so it wasn’t possible for me to go for higher education,” says Ann, recalling how she took on retail jobs back in the 1980s when the British economy was marked […]
- [Nina Daza Puyat: The Making of Food Legends](https://weeklysparks.com/people/nina-daza-puyat-making-food-legends/): Filipino food connoisseur and writer Nina Daza Puyat is on a mission to advocate flavoursome food journeys from farm to table for kids to appreciate where their food comes from. Her palatable children’s books are wrapped in a delightful fusion of savoury culture and rich history in snack-sized bites served on a platter garnished with a heap of take-away lessons while encouraging young readers to cook. “I believe that we would have a deeper understanding and appreciation of Filipino food if we could connect the dish to our land, people, traditions, and culture,” advocates Nina, who authored two children’s books […]
- [Susanne-Kikki Israelsson: Reframing Life In Post-pandemic Era](https://weeklysparks.com/wow-stories/susanne-kikki-israelsson-life-post-pandemic/): The Covid-19 pandemic brought the world to its knees. Its global impact is enormous: millions in deaths and cases, billions in lost revenues and jobs lost due to businesses and industries shutting down, an unparalleled spike in mental health issues, induced vulnerability because of mandatory social isolation, and academic deceleration are just some of the pandemic’s direct major consequences. Getting back on our feet called for a considerable recalibration in the way we think and act because, like it or not, life was never the same again. Business development strategist Susanne-Kikki Israelsson had a flourishing consultancy career for years before […]
- [Elizabeth, My First Influencer](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/elizabeth-my-first-influencer/): 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 but with deep regard for my family. 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. None of my experiences are unique to me. […]
- [AI and Talent Sustainability: Putting Heartware In Hardware](https://weeklysparks.com/wow-stories/ai-and-talent-sustainability-putting-heartware-in-hardware/): A glimpse into an Artificial Intelligence-driven world was first manifested nearly 65 years ago in The Jetsons, a hugely popular American animated sitcom in the 1960s about a family living in an utopian future. They live in a house in the sky, work three days a week, and drive aero cars that look like flying saucers. They use video calls, smartwatches, chatbots, flat-screen TV, voice 3-D printers and a robotic maid named Rosie. Who knew that this futuristic primetime TV show foreshadowed aspects of everyday life that would become part of our daily reality today? And yet … There is […]
- [Alcoholism: The Afflicted and the Affected](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/alcoholism-afflicted-and-affected/): “Hi, I’m Jim and I’m an alcoholic.” 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. Jim is among an estimated 400 million people, or 7% of the world’s population aged 15 and older, who live with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), commonly known as alcoholism, according to a report released in June 2024 by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Of this, about 209 million people (3.7% of the adult world population) are alcohol dependent. I had a chance to sit […]
- [Courage: Taking Action Despite Your Fears](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/courage-taking-action-despite-your-fears/): I’m not courageous? I have never regarded myself as a courageous person. I often feel like a little gray mouse, enviously looking at how other people do what I want to do in the most brilliant ways. Until one day, a friend said “You’re so courageous, I wish I could do what you are doing”, and I felt proud and thought “Wow, really? Me?” Suddenly I could see what she saw, and it made me reflect. I have done some things in my life that probably took a lot of courage. Bigger things like moving to foreign countries on the […]
- [K-dramas Humanise Mental Disabilities](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/k-dramas-humanise-mental-disabilities/): 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 are not about giving solutions. They are about humanising mental health. They leave behind lasting empowerment. I am drawn to K-dramas that portray authentic representations of mental disabilities. They are not always perfect, but 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, […]
- [Embracing Multiculturalism In Supervisory Relationships](https://weeklysparks.com/wow-stories/embracing-multiculturalism-in-supervisory-relationships/): Many of us navigate multicultural contexts in our personal lives. I often joke that I don’t need to step outside my house to experience multicultural clashes. I was born and raised in the Philippines, but my children are third-culture kids—born in Belgium, raised in England, with Filipino parents. This rich blend of cultures within a single family illustrates the complexity of cultural interactions. At first glance, it might seem enlightened to view people purely as individuals, independent of their cultural backgrounds; after all, individuals, regardless of their origins, possess varied personality traits, and even people of similar backgrounds hold a […]
- [Fashion For All Seasons](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/fashion-for-all-seasons/): 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? There’s an opportunity for you to support sustainable fashion efforts. Your wardrobe is a good starting point. Afterall, clothes aren’t going to change the world. The person who wears them will. Sustainable fashion refers to efforts within the fashion industry to reduce its environmental impacts, protect workers producing garments, and uphold animal welfare. Fast fashion is the business model of […]
- [Soo Son: Women’s Health Equity Matters](https://weeklysparks.com/wow-stories/soo-son-womens-health-equity-matters/): Did you know that much of our medical knowledge has been based on a single body type: the white adult male body? That historically medications and treatments have been developed primarily for males, with female bodies often regarded as smaller versions of male bodies? Well, I didn’t know that. I was shocked to learn these facts – and more – from Soo Son, a staunch advocate of gender parity. “I think female health inequality stemmed from the long-held belief that female and male bodies are identical, which has persisted for too long,” she says. There’s a gaping crack in health […]
- [Shawntel Nieto: Serving The Underserved](https://weeklysparks.com/people/shawntel-nieto-serving-the-underserved/): If you have food on the table, a roof over your head, clothes on your back, kids in school, running water and electricity, and a job that pays for the bills, then you are more fortunate than over 719 million people in the world living in poverty. To put it in context, that US$3.95 you paid for a Grande Frappuccino at Starbucks is more than the global median of US$2.15 a day that the 9.2% of the world live on. How do poor families survive? What can we do to help? The de facto, albeit temporary, fix to help alleviate […]
- [Debbi Francisco: Moving To The Beat Of Her Drum](https://weeklysparks.com/wow-stories/debbi-francisco-moving-beat-drum/): An opening act for multi-Grammy winner Bruno Mars in a mega concert is undoubtedly on any musician’s wish list. Ecstatic doesn’t even begin to describe Debbi Francisco’s once-in-a-lifetime experience. There was no live audition. Her band was hired based on its Instagram videos. She was only 23. For the leader and drummer cum guitarist of Indie pop rock Juniper’s Club band it was a surreal moment when she got the message in 2022 that they were chosen to be the front act for the American singer-songwriter’s Uptown Funk Live In Bahrain concert on November 28, 2022. It was beyond “Wow!” […]
- [Kai Ning Lim: Silver Lining for the Silver Gen](https://weeklysparks.com/wow-stories/kai-ning-lim-silver-lining-for-the-silver-gen/): It is rare to come across an MZer (under 30) looking out for retired or retiring Boomers. What is even more rare is a millennial with an advocacy to help an ageing population by offering job-matching solutions to experienced retired senior professionals. Stories about the ageing population and its associated worrisome impact (some say ‘burden’) have been widely covered in the past decade. From Asia and America to Europe and the Middle East, there is a growing cause for concern. Globally, there are 771 million people aged 65+ comprising about 10% of the world population (2022). The number is expected […]
- [Ruth Yu-Owen: Failures Fuel Success](https://weeklysparks.com/people/ruth-yu-owen-failures-fuel-success/): “If you grew up poor, you grew up dreaming, you grew up tough. If you grew up poor, you grew up thankful. But mostly you grew up too quickly.” This quote came to mind as I was interviewing Ruth Yu-Owen in the serenity of her bespoke two-storey home in metro Manila. The floor-to-ceiling louvered walls on the first floor peeks out into her verdant Zen garden. The lofty setting, I quickly realised, is simply symbolic of her remarkable achievements despite and because of her humble beginnings. “My family wasn’t well-off. Money was tight, so tight that my parents couldn’t afford […]
- [New Zealand God’s Movie Set](https://weeklysparks.com/places/new-zealand-gods-movie-set/): It’s been said there are more sheep than human beings in New Zealand. But there are no snakes here, Mate! Only enthralling sights and friendly Kiwis (as local residents are called). Having visited the country six times (and always in different locations that left me awed each time) I can confidently say that NZ must be God’s movie set. Nature must have bequeathed all its treasures to NZ that it seems like the perfect place to shoot a movie. Its stunning landscapes left audiences so awed that the UK Sunday Express once wrote: “If locations were awarded Oscars, New Zealand […]
- [Ana Zigic: Everyone Has Their Own Ocean](https://weeklysparks.com/people/ana-zigic-everyone-has-their-own-ocean/): At the end of 2023, Ana Žigić and three other brave women set out to row across the Atlantic in a human power boat. For 39.5 days, through walls of black waves, endless seasickness and layers of salt on equipment, clothes and skin, they learned to trust and support one another as the best teammates they could be. Motivated by their desire to “turn the tide for girls in sport”, they trained for two intense years with “life outside the row” falling to the wayside. There She Rows achieved a British record for the fastest women’s crew to row the […]
- [The Power of Sisterhood: Nurturing ‘She For She’ Culture Amidst Prejudices](https://weeklysparks.com/wow-stories/power-of-sisterhood/): Struggling against social and workplace gender-based prejudices in a predominantly pro-men’s world is tough enough, but it isn’t the only thing blocking women on the road to success. Women have been conditioned to be competitive with one another because there’s a scarcity of jobs at the top, or there’s a strong desire for affirmation often resorting to relational aggression (a.k.a. mean girl syndrome) against other women as a survival tactic to mask negative feelings including inadequacy, insecurity and immaturity. The truth is that women can collectively break this cynical cultural cycle if they band together. One way to overcome discriminatory […]
- [Social Media Distancing](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/social-media-distancing/): 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 panorama 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 mindlessly browsing for negative news on social media feeds? 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 […]
- [Milica Clayton: Living and Learning](https://weeklysparks.com/wow-stories/milica-clayton-living-and-learning/): A person’s life is like a book. Interwoven chapters encapsulate unique narratives describing the choices one makes, big or small, every step of the way. Milica Clayton’s life is a rich collage packed with heartening chapters of positive learning in her past 42 years. Her book of life is still a work-in-progress because there’s so much more to look forward to as her journey continues. A list of the many roles she plays is impressive enough: executive coach, customer experience expert, talent spotter and nurturer, career sounding board, problem solver, voracious reader, fitness enthusiast, lifelong learner as well as wife, […]
- [Lizette B. Suxo: Language Is The Soul Of A Culture](https://weeklysparks.com/wow-stories/lizette-suxo-language-is-the-soul-of-a-culture/): “To learn our language is to preserve the ways in which our ancestors lived in the world. How they saw, felt, and experienced the world. How they made sense of it. If we lose our language, we lose that important vision and perspective.” These powerful words of her “yatichiri” (Aymara for teacher) had left an indelible mark on Dr. Lizette B. Suxo (Sook-so), who is on a mission to protect and preserve her heritage language Aymara so that future generations including her son can also be connected to their Aymara cultural heritage. She believes that “it’s never too late to […]
- [Dressed in Holiday Style](https://weeklysparks.com/places/dressed-in-holiday-style/): The most dazzling time of the year is here. Streets are draped in twinkling festive colours from shimmering green-and-gold giant trees and red-suited Santa on his sleigh to dazing shop windows adorned with whimsical shades of silver, blue and frosty white.
- [Julie Rees: Lessons To Live By](https://weeklysparks.com/wow-stories/julie-rees-lessons-to-live-by/): British educator Julie Rees is instilling life skills grounded in character-building values. While fulfilling the academic 3Rs (reading, writing, arithmetic), she also imparts values-driven 3Rs (respect, resilience, responsibility). The latter approach is to cultivate lessons to live by, providing long-term guidance for one’s future and conduct in life. “I became a teacher because I loved children,” reminisces Julie. “I absolutely adore children and connect with them. And then I came to understand how powerful teaching could be.” Teaching values is important so children understand that materialism will not bring them happiness. “Comparison causes mental health issues and that comes from […]
- [Presence Over Presents](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/presence-over-presents/): 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. My all-time favourite quote is the one of American author Bill Vaughan: “The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.” I couldn’t agree more. Presence over Presents matters most. Christmas with my family is my happy place. For many years I made plans as early as September. […]
- [Comfort Food for the Soul](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/comfort-food-for-the-soul/): American chef and food writer Ruth Reichl’s memoirs and novels are my 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. The former editor-in-chief of Gourmet is the author of best-selling memoirs Tender at the Bone: Growing Up at the Table (1998), Comfort Me with Apples: More Adventures at […]
- [Aida Santaolalla: Rising Above Prejudices](https://weeklysparks.com/wow-stories/aida-santaolalla-rising-above-prejudices/): “What do you want to be when you grow up?” A typical answer from little girls would be a dancer, a teacher, a doctor, a nurse, a singer, an actress, or a veterinarian. Dr. Aida Santaolalla’s response, however, was far from typical. Her mindset was “to be a scientist” – something related to chemistry and/or computer science. “I like molecules. I enjoy computations,” says the senior data scientist with a PhD on ‘Data Reduction Methods To Study Cancer Susceptibility’ from King’s College London. Her parents did not stop her. “My father said maybe not go into biology but something also […]
- [Fear of Ageing](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/fear-of-ageing/): The fear of growing old (FOGO) can trigger intense feelings of uncertainty. How do we cope with ageing? Do we confront it? Challenge it? How old is “old”? If we go by Hollywood’s “sell by date” criterion, 40 is the dreaded number. Sixty-five-year-old Sharon Stone admitted in recent media interviews how at 40 she was told she was “too old” for many roles. It was in the early 2000s and the star of blockbuster film Basic Instinct had already passed the time’s Hollywood “sell by date” of age 40. Brutal as it sounds, ageism is real. Thankfully, we normal folks […]
- [Isa Buencamino: The Trailing Spouse Plays Big](https://weeklysparks.com/wow-stories/isa-buencamino-the-trailing-spouse-plays-big/): The mere mention of “trailing spouse” conjures images of a wife who follows her husband overseas often due to the latter’s job assignment. She leaves behind her comfort zone – a good career, an army of family and friends she draws support from and other conveniences of being in her home country. What most trailing spouses don’t often discuss are the struggles and challenges that come with the move: job loss, identity issues, loss of confidence, culture shock, feeling lost, etc. Born and raised in the Philippines, Isa Buencamino has experienced and transcended the stereotypical trailing wife syndrome. The family […]
- [Marie Kondo: Putting Order In What Matters Most](https://weeklysparks.com/people/marie-kondo-putting-order-in-what-matters-most/): “Does this spark joy?” The quintessential catchphrase prompted us to clear our closets following KonMari method: tidying up by “quickly and completely” discarding whatever it is in the house that doesn’t spark joy. The goal is to live in a more organised environment that she believes could bring peace, mindfulness and encourage people to live in the present rather than the past. Over 10,000 clients have tidied their homes with her firm KonMari Consultants around the world. Some mental health experts have even given the KonMari method two thumbs up, citing that tidying and decluttering are about being in control […]
- [Gemma Correll: Her Life In Comic Strips](https://weeklysparks.com/people/gemma-correll-life-comic-strips/): Decades before mental health became mainstream British cartoonist, writer and illustrator Gemma Correll has given voice to issues such as anxiety and depression through her witty yet punchy comic strips. Her struggle with anxiety and depression is now public knowledge. But back when the Aquarian artist was growing up in rainy East Anglia (England), talking about one’s mental health was taboo. Despite this, she “felt somehow compelled” to start drawing “little stories” at five years old, both as a distraction from her anxieties and as a way to connect with her schoolmates. Today the comic strips she draws are inspired […]
- [How can we feel compassion for the people who have hurt us?](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/how-can-we-feel-compassion-people-who-hurt-us/): Last month I had the good fortune of traveling to Dharamshala, a small town near the Himalayan slopes in Northwestern India, for a private audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He has been living there in exile since 1959, when he was forced to escape his homeland after the brutal suppression of the Tibetan National Uprising by the Chinese troops. He is the 14th Dalai Lama, known to the Tibetan people as Gyalwa Rinpoche, and the highest spiritual leader and head of Tibet. He continues to be active and involved with his students and followers, imparting Buddhist teachings and […]
- [Who Takes Care of the Caregiver?](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/who-takes-care-of-the-caregiver/): 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. Every family has that one person who steps up when a sibling, an elderly parent or a spouse requires long-term health care watch. Whether designated or a volunteer, that individual is typically an unpaid “primary carer” who is responsible for most, if not all, of the caring responsibilities that […]
- [Museums You Should See At Least Once](https://weeklysparks.com/places/museums-you-should-see/): Japan is famed for its cherry blossoms, sumo wrestling, manga and anime, onsens, tea ceremonies, and Zen gardens. Of course, a visit won’t be complete without food tripping on its fabulous dishes. After you’ve had your fill of sightseeing and eating, make room for some of Japan’s one-of-a-kind museums for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Here are a few cool spots you will only find in Japan (some of which you would never have imagined existed). Why not include them in your holiday itinerary? Don’t forget your fully-charged cam-phones to share real-time actions with family and friends back home. As the Japanese […]
- [Self-discovery: How deep are you willing to dig?](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/self-discovery-how-deep-willing-dig/): I’m a bit of a self-discovery junkie. I value self-development, spiritual exploration and the discomfort and challenge of questioning myself. The process of being uncomfortably vulnerable, digging out the things I must work on, embracing the lessons I have learned and recognizing what I still need to heal from. 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? I asked these hypothetical questions to my close friends and got mixed feedback. Some were willing to explore to […]
- [Yoga Beyond The Mat](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/yoga-beyond-the-mat/): Is yoga a therapy or a lifestyle? With over 300 million people around the world practicing yoga there are, potentially, over 300 million answers to this question. The responses would point toward the direction of how yoga impacts the overall health and wellbeing on the individual’s body, mind and spirit. Best friends Amanda Griffin Jacob and Karmela Oreta have been yoga practitioners for more than a decade. Engaging in health and wellness activities is but one of the primary reasons that bond them. Amanda wanted to fit well in her wedding dress so she tried hot yoga for the first […]
- [Jocelyn Goh: Boundaries Matter](https://weeklysparks.com/people/jocelyn-goh-boundaries-matter/): Do boundaries keep people out or fence you in? For Jocelyn Goh the answer lies in why they were put up in the first place. Boundaries shield us mentally, emotionally and physically. They flag up what you’re okay and not okay with. Jocelyn has hurdled barriers just by being a young female Chinese from the working class. From a young age she understood and learned to set boundaries and not just subject herself to conventions if they were unfair and unjust. As she grew older she paid more attention to self-care. It’s drawing a clear line on how she wants […]
- [Leatrice Eiseman: The Power Of Color](https://weeklysparks.com/people/leatrice-eiseman-power-color/): She has been called “the international color guru” whose career spans over 30 years. The author of 10 books – all about colors – travels around the world giving presentations on color trends and forecasts, and other color-related information. She is an influencer that the media reach out to for her expertise on the subject. Leatrice “Lee” Eisemann is fluent in the language of colors. “I don’t ever remember a time when color wasn’t important to me. When I was a teen my mom gave me free rein in my bedroom. I chose an Asian-influenced room with red walls and […]
- [Bella Borgers: What Skateboarding Taught Me](https://weeklysparks.com/people/bella-borgers-what-skateboarding-taught-me/): I’ll be honest – some days I think: “Wow, I really shouldn’t be on a skateboard.” I’m terrible at looking both ways before I cross the street. I feel genuinely guilty about the number of times I’ve literally stepped on my mother’s toes (I’m that clumsy)… not to mention I burst into tears when I’m afraid (even at the sudden whisper of Boo!). I’m completely anxiety-ridden when I feel like people are watching me. Oh, I also suffer from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) so my mind is erratic and hopelessly tangled at best. But nothing makes me forget the trauma […]
- [Lessons from Anthony Bourdain](https://weeklysparks.com/people/lessons-anthony-bourdain/): “Never order fish on Monday,” Anthony Bourdain wrote in his 2000 bestseller autobiography, Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly, where he explained that restaurants typically work with supplies purchased the previous Thursday. This unexpected admission stuck in my mind like a stubborn gum on my hair that wouldn’t come off. But then, again, Bourdain was anything but predictable. Even in death. He was the maverick (some say rock star) of the culinary world. He lived a frantic life by his own rules and on his own terms with no apologies. He crossed boundaries. It has been said that had […]
- [Reiki: The Healing Power of Touch](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/reiki-healing-power-touch/): The first time I experienced the benefits of Reiki, I was suffering from the most excruciating pain of a pinched nerve under my right shoulder blade. I was on heavy painkillers, anti-inflammatory medications, undertaking cervical tractions, hot and cold therapies, electric muscle stimulations… you name it. I could not drive or carry a handbag and my circadian rhythm was in complete disarray; I was sleep-deprived because of the discomfort and pain, which made me moody and reactive to daily life. Seeing me in this state, a close friend offered me a session with her Reiki healer, and as I am […]
- [Toy Stories](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/toy-stories/): 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. Nostalgia weighed in on his decision to establish MINT (Moment of Imagination and Nostalgia with Toys) Museum of Toys […]
- [On Borrowed Time](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/on-borrowed-time/): 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. Grief moves in and out of stages from disbelief and denial, to anger and guilt, to finding a source of comfort, to eventually adjusting to the loss. It is normal for both the dying person and the survivors to experience grief. For survivors, the grieving process can take months, even years. The challenge of accepting death and dying as the end stage of life is what the grieving process is […]
- [Think Before You Freak: What anger really does to you](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/think-before-you-freak/): 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. What is anger? Anger, according to the American Psychological Association, “is an emotion characterized by antagonism toward someone or something you feel has deliberately done you wrong”. Experts at MentalHelp.net suggest that the “average adult gets angry about once a day and annoyed or peeved about three times a day. Other anger management […]
- [The Power of Podcasts](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/the-power-of-podcasts/): There’s no shortage of stories. But what draws us to a story is the way it is told. In a podcast, the storyteller can influence a shift in our perception of issues, ideologies, biases and the way we see the world and people around us. As Voxtopica points out: “Stories hook us. They’re memorable because they’re relatable. The storyteller may come from a different background or lived experience than us, but their story helps us understand new concepts more powerfully than stand-alone facts.” That’s the power of podcasts. It was only recently that I started getting acquainted with podcasts. I […]
- [Back in Time](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/back-in-time/): Time flies at supersonic speed. A sense of retrospection creeps in the moment a new year rolls in. It is around this time when I usually go on a sentimental journey. It’s digging up a “blast from the past” collection of memories as I reflect on relationships within my multi-generational family of Baby Boomers (born 1946 – 1964), Gen X (born 1965 – 1980), Gen Y (born 1981–1996) and Gen Z (born 1997– 2010). Luckily, we are able to appreciate the generational gaps (although there are moments when eyes would be rolling between the Boomers and the Zoomers). Nowadays, we […]
- [Be A Santa](https://weeklysparks.com/places/be-a-santa/): It’s that time of year when the mood shifts from moody to jolly as we go about decking our homes with boughs of holly, planning festive menus for get-togethers and drawing up shopping gift lists.
- [Tropical White Christmas](https://weeklysparks.com/places/tropical-white-christmas/): There is a reason why Christmas is called the most wonderful time of the year. It is the season that gives us an opportunity to pause and reflect. No matter where you are in the world, the holiday season will have you dreaming of a place where you want to spend some quality time alone, or with your family and besties. An indulgent tropical white Christmas is what I’m dreaming of. There’s one spot I want to be with my loved ones: Boracay island in southern Philippines. Of all the beaches in the world I’ve been to (and I’ve travelled […]
- [Beyond Dental Care](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/beyond-dental-care/): A bright smile is the best accessory anyone can wear. But with teeth problems most of us shy away from smiling in front of others. Well, we can carry that smile anywhere without embarrassment or shame if we submit ourselves to a dentist’s care. Afraid of the dentist? You’re not alone. Dental visits are associated with pain. But the truth is we only see the dentist when we’re in pain or suffering from major discomfort. Consequently, the same fear makes us de-prioritise dental health care. Believe it or not, the state of your mouth, teeth and gums tells the story […]
- [Volunteer Lessons From Bali](https://weeklysparks.com/places/volunteer-lessons-bali/): What does an 18-year-old high school graduate do with eight months to shape whichever way he wants? Since university in Australia starts in February 2023, I decided to go on a beach holiday in Phuket, Thailand with my cousins, visit my grandmother in the Philippines, do a couple of internships to add to my experience and participate in a volunteer service program in Bali. I went to Bali thinking that it would just be a simple construction program that I would do for two weeks. But when I left Bali, I realised that those two weeks were the most important […]
- [Sabrina Gacad: Unmuting The GBV Conversation](https://weeklysparks.com/people/sabrina-gacad-unmuting-gbv-conversation/): Gender-based Violence (GBV) is a muted issue cloaked in fear. Stigma and shame are often the reasons victims keep mum and suffer in silence. Speaking up may make their situation worse since most of their abusers are usually people close to them at home, their workplace and their community. Sabrina Laya Gacad unmutes the silent button to listen to the abused. She founded Lunas Collective, a non-judgmental chatline dedicated to GBV survivors in the Philippines, during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown when there was a dramatic spike in GBV cases. The long quarantines made it impossible for the abused to escape […]
- [Sophie Chen: Provoking Women To Succeed](https://weeklysparks.com/people/sophie-chen-provoking-women-succeed/): Sophie Chen lives by her own mantra. She built a career – and let her voice be heard – in the male-dominated hospitality and casino business long before ‘empower women’ became a rallying catchphrase. She bet on herself, rising above work biases against women, and reaped success on her own terms. Now she’s positively provoking women to take the leap and be fearless in creating their own story. After over two decades nurturing a career in the cutthroat world of hospitality and casino in Switzerland, the USA, Malaysia and Macau, Sophie has transitioned into coaching women to speak up and […]
- [Where Are You From?](https://weeklysparks.com/places/where-are-you-from/): Every once in a while, a gem of a story comes along that I feel compelled to share. Some articles that I come across or talks that I listen to engage me for being authentic and insightful, fresh and thought-provoking. Nowadays, I am drawn to stories, mostly first-person accounts, examining and giving new meaning to the notion of home. Such stories touch me at the core, and I find them resonant with my life-stage or circumstances. My current life-stage can probably be defined as: (1) retired way before 60, (2) almost an empty-nester, (3) living in a country outside my […]
- [Nichol and Nicholas Ng: Care For The Hungry](https://weeklysparks.com/people/nichol-nicholas-ng-hungry/): Siblings Nichol and Nicholas Ng, founders of Food Bank Singapore, have always been surrounded by food since they were born. As kids, they saw their father, uncles and aunt hard at work, each helping to grow the family food distribution business that their grandfather started in the 1930s. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Nichol and Nicholas chose to build a career in the food industry. As Co-CEOs of X-Inc, the parent company under which a group of food-related businesses operate (including FoodXervices, GroXers and Xpace), they oversee about 200 employees, more than 5,000 products and 5,000 customers […]
- [K-drama Food Rhapsodies](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/k-drama-food-rhapsodies/): 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. They are the best comfort food for the soul. K-dramas always have food blended into the script. Regardless of genre (maybe with the exception of sci-fi flicks), food scenes have undertones of social and cultural connections, nostalgia and memories, and emotional bonds. There’s a buffet of spicy, fermented food-themed K-dramas that will make you laugh, weep, angry, fuzzy, thrilled, sappy – and most certainly crave gukbap, jajangmyeon, bibimbap, bulgogi, jjigae […]
- [Nailing It](https://weeklysparks.com/places/nailing-it/): Who would have thought that an indulgent manicure-pedicure could spur social change? Cheryl Ou did after a previous nail salon business had gone south. It made her pause and rethink her purpose. She decided to rebuild the business from scratch. This time she was determined to make it more meaningful. It has to be scalable and profitable as well as have a positive impact on people and the planet. “Back in 2014, I had just come out of a very bad experience with an investor from a previous business venture who I felt was purely motivated by money, and that […]
- [Jean Goulbourn: Hope and Healing](https://weeklysparks.com/people/jean-goulbourn-hope-and-healing/): Nothing could be worse to a parent than losing a child to suicide due to depression. “The tragedy of losing a child to suicide is not the same grief that one feels when losing a child to an illness. It makes you feel rejected. You feel you’ve been a failure as a mother. You feel abandoned. You feel unloved,” says Jean Goulbourn, renowned Filipina fashion designer, after losing her daughter Natasha, who was in her 20s. Natasha sought therapy from an Australian psychiatrist, who diagnosed her with mild depression and prescribed a cocktail of pills. She passed away in Hong […]
- [Steamy Hot Yoga](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/steamy-hot-yoga/): An active body calms the mind. This is the essence of hot yoga. Hot yoga is an 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. As a hot yoga practitioner, I was very excited to try the new LAVA Hot Yoga Studio in Great World City. The women-only LAVA Hot Yoga Studio is the first of its kind in Singapore. My friend and I signed […]
- [Bryan Peh: Outside The Box](https://weeklysparks.com/people/ryan-peh-outside-box/): A stereotypical millennial university graduate would have set out to land a job in the corporate world. No one would have dreamt of working in a sweatshop as a “karang guni” (Malay word for gunny sack), a type of local scrap dealer who visits residences door-to-door to collect discarded items. Gen Y millennial Bryan Peh certainly did not aspire to be a karang guni. But after a series of rejection in job interviews, he reluctantly accepted his father’s offer to join the family karang guni business. He has been collecting and sorting a fraction of Singapore’s 6.94 million tonnes (6.94 […]
- [Twogether Against Depression](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/twogether-against-depression/): Mental illness is not a trend, something you can snap out of, a choice, attention seeking, an excuse nor always visible.” This is but one of the many encouraging quotes I get in my inbox every morning from The Depression Project, which “emails over 50,000 people a supportive, encouraging quote to help them through their depression.” I’m a mental health advocate. While I do not suffer from any psych disorder I’ve come to appreciate the daily easy-to-digest quotes. To de-jargonaise and de-stigmatise depression, two brothers from Australia have built a platform using layman’s language and illustrations that even a grade […]
- [Eat. Give. Feed.](https://weeklysparks.com/places/eat-give-feed/): Singapore is a food paradise that offers an abundant spread of diverse cuisines ranging from gourmet to street hawker fares. Amidst its sumptuous smorgasbord are F&B social enterprises that are hard at work to help improve the lives of those who have less. There are more than 50 F&B social enterprises that serve good food for a good cause. These are places that shine light on the marginalised members of society – the disadvantaged and disabled – while serving tasty and hearty food. Here are a few eating places where the bucks we pay for good food feed meaningful causes […]
- [Janti Joso Brasali: Keto Lifestyle](https://weeklysparks.com/people/janti-joso-brasali-keto-lifestyle/): You can have your cake and eat it too. It’s quite literally the keto diet premise. But what do we really know about the keto diet? In a nutshell: no/low sugar, low in carbs, high in fat and moderate in protein. It is an effective weight loss diet that’s well supported by evidence. It is filling and usually does not require calorie counting. And it isn’t boring at all. Jumping on the keto handwagon in early 2016, Janti Joso Brasali believes the keto diet should not deprive anyone of the joy of eating. Staying steadfast in her keto journey – […]
- [Not Your Typical Museums](https://weeklysparks.com/places/not-your-typical-museums/): The mere mention of Art conjures up images of paintings, sculptures and ceramics. Rarely, if ever, do fashion, furniture, photographs, posters and such considered conversation pieces. They are often under-appreciated and under-rated since many do not associate them as works of art. We beg to disagree. We think that it’s about time to include fashion and decorative art museums in your travel itinerary for they are worth it. They are rich in culture, history and human-interest stories. Here are a few such museums we picked to add some spark to your holiday. Ferragamo Museo, Florence The Ferragamo Museo is dedicated […]
- [For The Love Of Coffee](https://weeklysparks.com/places/for-the-love-of-coffee/): Most Asians wouldn’t know the difference between Arabica, Liberica and Robusta coffee beans. But that doesn’t stop them from enjoying a cup or two to perk up their day.
- [Epic WOW Factor](https://weeklysparks.com/places/epic-wow-factor/): Is it art? Is it fashion? Is it art-and-fashion stitched together to blow your mind? Step into the World of WearableArt (WOW) Museum in Nelson, New Zealand and your head will spin from the incredible virtuosity of the creations on display — at least 60 of the most unbelievable pieces carefully curated from finalist-entries of the annual competition. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Attend WOW’s Annual Awards Show in Wellington and more works that defy explanation will dazzle you. WOW never fails to produce theatrical extravaganzas that are reminiscent of Cirque du Soleil. It certainly will […]
- [His Father’s Son](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/his-fathers-son/): 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 is an only child. He was barely 10 years old when he and his parents moved to Singapore due to his father’s job as a foreign news correspondent, which required frequent travel. Now in his 30s and still based in the city he calls home, Carlo looks back to the years growing up with his Papa, deeply appreciative of the […]
- [Hot K-drama Spots](https://weeklysparks.com/places/hot-k-drama-spots/): Raise your happiness index by taking a trip to K-drama Land. Summon your inner fan. Step into the world of your favourite dramas’ picturesque filming locations. It just might be the mental health booster you need after being grounded for over two years. If you’re a K-drama buff like me, chances are you’ve dreamt of going on a pilgrimage to your Hallyu stars’ universe. Here’s a short list of filming locations in South Korea, just enough for you to play out the scenes of your favourite dramas to spark joy to your holiday. SEOUL Nansam Seoul Tower An iconic crowd-pleaser […]
- [Fathers Matter](https://weeklysparks.com/places/fathers-matter/): “I want my mommy!” A call for affection. A cry for help. Rarely do we hear “I want my daddy!” when such a need for attention arises. It can’t be helped since, typically, moms do the lion’s share of childcare. Dads are still very much the breadwinner and consigned disciplinarian. “Wait ‘till your father gets home!” A warning from exasperated moms that could mean only one thing to the kids – behave or else…!! Well, okay… that was pretty much our family dynamics when my siblings and I were growing up. But the world has changed. One of the most […]
- [Wearable Negative Ions](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/wearable-negative-ions/): 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. Negative ions are molecules floating in the air or atmosphere that have been charged with electricity. They are abundant in nature, around waterfalls, ocean surf, beach, creek, riverbank, in mountains and forests. Many researchers of “negative ionization” suggested that exposure to negative ions could have positive effects. Negative ions are believed to neutralise free radicals, revitalise cell metabolism and enhance immune function. […]
- [Natalie Dau: Keeping Fitness Real](https://weeklysparks.com/people/natalie-dau-keeping-fitness-real/): Can exercise and fitness really be your friend? Natalie Dau believes so. The athlete, media personality, content creator, brand ambassador, health and wellness speaker and social media influencer believes in making fitness accessible to everyone. “Positive change starts with small steps,” encourages Natalie. “Go for that walk, one less sugary drink, a healthy breakfast, in bed an hour earlier, less screen time. Just pick one and take that step.” “Exercise and fitness should be about doing something you enjoy doing, want to get better at, and are maybe even passionate about. Life is too short to be forcing yourself to […]
- [Jason Wong: A Father’s Heart](https://weeklysparks.com/people/jason-wong-a-fathers-heart/): Editor’s Note: Dads are the silent guardians. They hide their true feelings and mostly stay in the background as they watch their children grow. Jason Wong is an exception. His story is one of the rare pieces we’ve come across that’s too good not to share. Jason is married for over 20 years and is a loving, involved father to two kids, both young adults. Founder of the Dads for Life movement, his greatest passion is to see family restored through turning the heart of every father back to his children, and for every child to have a good father-figure […]
- [Nurturing Nature](https://weeklysparks.com/places/nurturing-nature/): Sustainability by definition means meeting our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In addition to natural resources, we also need social and economic resources. The Toda family in the Philippines knows this too well. Second-generation Rose Marie T. Delgado takes us back to when her father, Benigno (Beny) Toda, first spotted Hermana Mayor more than 60 years ago. Here’s the rest of the amazing island’s story in her own words… Rose Marie: Many times the best way to develop an area is to honour what’s already there. Such is the case of […]
- [On Screen. Off Screen.](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/on-screen-off-screen/): 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. Even before the Covid pandemic, kids were already excessively using multiple devices. They were spending a huge amount of screen time on video games, cable TV, streaming channels, YouTube and social media. More than two years since the virus outbreak, they have become even more hyper-connected to a point that mobile devices are now practically […]
- [Sujata Sheth: Ode of Love](https://weeklysparks.com/people/sujata-sheth-ode-of-love/): “To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power,” American poet, memorist and civil rights activist Maya Angelou once described her mother. This could very well apply to mothers in the world whose offspring is the centre of their universe. To siblings Lara (5) and Aleena (8) their mother Sujata Sheth is like a hurricane that never stops giving to their family. She is their wonder woman who is strong, honest, and continues to push the boundaries. “Mommy works very hard and takes care of everybody. She is always loving, sweet and caring. She […]
- [Aaron Yeoh: His Beating Heart](https://weeklysparks.com/people/aaron-yeoh-his-beating-heart/): Aaron Yeoh’s heart beats for humanity. His empathy for the vulnerables is so deep he chose the path of compassion. He has a soft spot for People with Disabilities (PWDs) and the elderly in particular. The former Singapore naval specialist grasps the pain or suffering of the vulnerable because he grew up amongst underprivileged friends, some of whom are visually disabled. The memories he made with them since childhood started a muted desire to help PWDs be recognised for their abilities rather than their disabilities, and be given a chance to be self-sustaining members of society. The desire to be […]
- [Home Away From Home](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/home-away-from-home/): Where are you now? If you are reading this story while living outside your birth country, you are one of 250 million migrants around the world. One in 30 people lives outside their country of origin (theguardian.com). In the USA there are 46 million foreign-born residents, approximately 14% of its 332.9 million population. In Singapore, emigrants comprise over 30% of its population of 5.45 million. Regardless of relocation reasons, adaptability and resilience are key to help migrants assimilate into the local life. Ricardo Seah, 30, was born in Singapore, where his family resides. He left for Canada to study at […]
- [Moving In. Moving On.](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/moving-in-moving-on/): Reboot and Reframe aren’t mere jargon to Lia Padilla-Medalla. The mother of three reflects on life as they move in and move on in three adopted cities the family relocated to. From Manila to Jakarta and from Singapore to Tokyo, she had to restart and re-address their nomadic life in the past 13 years. After dealing with the tears and fears, the family emerged stronger and closer each time. The location-dependent enriching experiences transformed them 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 […]
- [Lily Goh: Breaking Sound Barriers](https://weeklysparks.com/people/lily-goh-breaking-sound-barriers/): Don’t call Lily Goh hearing-impaired. To the Deaf, hearing impaired is derogatory. They do not live with hearing loss that poses a problem. A lack of hearing need not be disabling. It need not be considered a ‘lack’ at all. “I’m bilaterally deaf, a profound-to-severe hearing loss in both ears. But I’d rather call myself Deaf instead of hearing-impaired, as I believe that I have no problem with my hearing loss. That’s my cultural view,” says the acclaimed performing artist and sign language teacher. Breaking sound barriers one musical note at a time through Inclusion efforts has always been Lily’s […]
- [Charie Villa: In A Higher Place](https://weeklysparks.com/people/charie-villa-in-a-higher-place/): A series of personal tragic events steered former broadcast journalist Charie Villa to flee the rat race and find peace in a higher place, in the bosom of nature to be exact. Her self-styled homestead is swathed in fruit trees, farm animals, feathered creatures and rows of vegetable gardens. It is paradise on earth. Farm life was not in her plan. She never imagined suiting up a green armour after devoting nearly 30 years in newsrooms. But the untimely death of her older brother, whom she lost to suicide in 2016, was pivotal in her life-changing decision to take the […]
- [Gina Romero: Unchaining Women](https://weeklysparks.com/people/gina-romero-unchaining-women/): Portraying Gina Romero as tech-smart, business-savvy, down-to-earth, and a connector of people and ideas is too simplistic. There’s more to her than meets the eye. “I often introduce myself as someone who has failed in business several times since the age of 16, not because I am proud of my mistakes but because I value failure as a catalyst for success. I have since dedicated my life to helping others succeed,” Gina writes on her blog site. The only child of a former domestic helper grew up in the UK surrounded by overseas foreign workers (OFWs) just like her mom. […]
- [Martika Ramirez Escobar: Genre and Gender Bender](https://weeklysparks.com/people/martika-ramirez-escobar-genre-gender-bender/): Generation Y female filmmaker Martika Ramirez Escobar became the first Filipino feature film director to win an award at the prestigious Sundance Film festival for her movie ‘Leonor Will Never Die’. Her debut genre-bending film won ‘Special Jury Prize for Innovative Spirit’ after premiering in the festival’s World Cinema Dramatic Competition in January 2022. The Sundance recognition was a surreal win for the 29-year-old, being a woman filmmaker and first-time awardee. The scriptwriter and director took eight years to complete it from script-to-screen. Even after filming ended Martika relentlessly worked in the cutting room – tweaking, changing scenes (especially the […]
- [Sera Murphy: Sustainably Chic](https://weeklysparks.com/people/sera-murphy-sustainably-chic/): The fashion industry has been one of the biggest casualties of the pandemic. As a result, the idea of dressing up for many women has shifted after months of being confined at home. Many were forced to take wardrobe inventories in Marie Condo style, which has prompted consumers to consider the enormous environmental impact of fashion on planet earth. The buzz on eco-friendly fashion became louder with many of the largest organisations and privately-owned businesses jumping on the sustainability bandwagon. However, it takes a more distinctive and personalised approach to stand out, particularly in the competitive lifestyle and fashion industries. […]
- [Angela Gaspar: Recipe for Success](https://weeklysparks.com/people/angela-gaspar-recipe-for-success/): Angela Gaspar is an avid runner, clocking 5 kms a day on average. One day she woke up and couldn’t walk, which was later diagnosed as due to an inflamed hip injury. She tried all sorts of treatments for two years, but nothing worked. Determined to get back on track, she visited an alternative nutritionist, who simply suggested eliminating dairy from her diet. Since her daily breakfast was composed of yogurt and homemade granola, the nutritionist advised shifting to coconut yogurt. Taking dairy out of her daily diet was challenging at first. Yogurt is a daily staple in Spain where […]
- [Bailey Cherry: Girl Power Behind Sustainable Literacy](https://weeklysparks.com/people/bailey-cherry-girl-power-behind-sustainable-literacy/): It is rare to come across young change-makers who took on the world, made a difference in their community and did it successfully on their own terms. Bailey Cherry did it when she was only 13. Bailey conceptualised and launched the non-profit social enterprise Rebooked Hong Kong to promote sustainability in literacy. Little did she know this would become the most searchable online bookstore and the biggest store for secondhand English language children’s books in Hong Kong, where she spent a chunk of her formative years with her parents. Today, Bailey has collected over 80,000 books and has sold over […]
- [An Antidote To Ageing](https://weeklysparks.com/lifestyle/an-antidote-to-ageing/): I am anti-ageing. I found my own antidote after two years of self-reflection. But that’s getting ahead of the story. When I turned 50 I had this disquieting feeling of being written off. I am single. I live a comfy life. I am wrapped in a loving embrace of family and friends. I love working. I have spent more than half of my life building a career in advertising, fortunate enough to experience overseas job stints. But… The idea that my days as a productive career woman may be numbered jolted me like a bolt of lightning. This was amplified […]
- [Philip Lawson Johnston: Glass Is His Canvas](https://weeklysparks.com/people/philip-lawson-johnston-glass-is-his-canvas/): Philip Lawson Johnston holds the distinction of Specialist Hand Engraver of Glass By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen, and is considered one of the most influential glass hand engravers in the world. The British master craftsman could have joined the family food and beverage production business like his older brothers. Instead, he opted to take the road less travelled. “I was 20 at the time,” says Philip, the youngest of five siblings. “Ahh… I managed to fail my art A levels… I’d never really thought of glass or engraving before. I’d never heard of it before.” It was almost […]
- [Janice Wong: Multisensory Edible Art](https://weeklysparks.com/people/janice-wong-multisensory-edible-art/): Janice Wong is a visionary pastry chef known for creating edible art on the plate and on the wall. Her multisensory palate-pleasing desserts and delightful art installations reflect a sweet body of work where art meets design and design meets art. It all started while visiting a farm in Australia, where she popped a strawberry straight from the plant. With unexpected flavours bursting in her mouth, that piece of strawberry changed her life forever. It led her to train at the prestigious culinary school Le Cordon Bleu Paris. The multi-award winning culinary chef counts world-renowned master chefs Ferran Adrià, Grant […]

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