Category: Life

The entire world was shocked on 9th October 2012, when a Taliban gunman shot a 15-year old girl three times. Her name was Malala Yousafzai.

Malala was born on 12th July 1997, in the Swat Valley of  North-West Pakistan to Ziaudin Yousafzai. Ziaudin was a poet and a passionate advocate for education reforms. Ziaudin always encouraged his daughter’s interests. It was said that he often spent long hours into the night discussing politics with his young daughter.

Unsurprisingly, her father’s passion both for education and reform became the foundation of Malala’s own spirited personality and beliefs. A bright and determined student, she was only 11 when she began writing a blog for the British Broadcasting Channel (BBC) under a pen name, Gul Makai.

During that period, the Taliban militants that ruled the region implemented a ban on television, music, education for girls and women leaving their homes. Bodies of beheaded policemen were hung in town squares to deter anyone who dared defy the regime.

Therefore, Malala was putting her life as risk writing for the BBC. Yet, her courage allowed the world to read about and feel for a young girl and her friends who lived in a turbulent time of violence and uncertainty. She and her father became vocal and outspoken critics of the Taliban, taking part in a documentary by the New York Times and criticizing the regime in a press conference.

Her fate was sealed. Her increasing popularity earned her the enmity of the Taliban, who decided that the 15-year old girl had to be killed.

The world rallies for Malala

On 15th October, Malala was moved to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, a facility dedicated to treating military personnel injured in war. In the meantime, support poured in from world leaders as well as the public, all of whom considered her a heroine that stood up for what she believed in.

And the world exhaled in relief when Malala came out of a coma on 17th. She had to undergo skull reconstruction and surgery to restore her hearing. Rehabilitation was next, and there was no stopping Malala from that point.  

The attack on Malala galvanized more than two million people to sign the Right to Education campaign, which led to Pakistan’s first right to education bill. Malala herself tirelessly gave talks and advocated reforms, and her inspiring story moved people to understand and support other girls like herself who were denied the right to education due to socioeconomic, legal and political factors. A non-profit charity, the Malala Fund, was set up to help such girls.

For her tireless efforts, 12th July is celebrated as Malala Day – to honour young education advocates worldwide – since 2013 when she gave her first public speech after the attack. Malala was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 – the youngest person to receive such an honour.  

“I am not against anyone, neither am I here to speak in terms of personal revenge against the Taliban or any other terrorist group. I’m here to speak up for the right of education for every child. I want education for the sons and daughters of the Taliban and all terrorists and extremists.”

References: 1. BBC News. Available at www.bbc.com 2. NBC News. Available at www.nbcnews.com 3. Nobelprize.org. Available at www.nobelprize.org 4. Malala. Available at www.malala.org 

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Although her acting career has seen her take on many commendable roles, it is safe to say that Emma Watson is most renowned for her role in the epic fantasy series, Harry Potter. While she has put away her wand and cape (metaphorically speaking, of course; it has been 4 years since the last instalment of the Harry Potter franchise), who could possibly forget – and not adore – her as the gutsy heroine Hermione Granger?

At first glance, it appears that Emma and her movie character share nothing in common. Be it posing on the red carpet or running errands in her London hometown, Emma is always the image of beauty and grace; nary a hair out of place. In contrast, Hermione is depicted to be average in appearance and always sporting a bushy, untamed mane. Another difference would be the way they carry themselves. Emma is generally soft-spoken whereas Hermione is bit of a know-it-all and can appear bossy at times.

But for all their differences, Emma and her character are actually more similar than you think. If anything, they share one common trait (and an outstanding one at that): the courage to stand up for what they believe in. For instance, fans of the Harry Potter series can attest to how actively Hermione campaigned for the plight of house elves. But while Hermione’s lobbying of the welfare of magical creatures is the stuff of fiction, Emma’s role as a women’s rights activist couldn’t be more real.

Making her voice heard

For many, September 20th 2014 might have been just another day but for Emma, it was the day for much-awaited change. It was the day for not only her voice but also for the voices of millions of women across the globe to be heard.

As the United Nation’s newly appointed Women Goodwill Ambassador, Emma took to the podium at the UN headquarters that very day to deliver an impassioned address on gender equality and feminism. Besides detailing the injustices faced by women, her speech called on not just fellow women but more importantly, men to play a more active role in the advocacy of gender equality.

In her speech, Emma is to have said, “I’m reaching out to you because I need your help. We need to end gender inequality – and to achieve that, everybody must be involved. This is the first campaign of its kind at the UN. We aim to galvanize as many boys and men as possible to be advocates for gender equality. Instead of merely talking about it, we strive to ensure that it’s tangible. We are struggling for a uniting word but the great news is we have a uniting movement. It is called “HeForShe”. I am inviting you to step forward, to be seen to speak up, to be the “he” for “she”. And to ask yourself ‘If not me, who? If not now, when’?”

Needless to say, the message’s honesty and urgency coupled with the fervour in her delivery sent social networks abuzzing and even, resulted in a thunderous standing ovation from UN delegates.

Waves of changes

Hilary Clinton and Prince Harry are among the world leaders who have lent their support to the campaign. Celebrities such as Russell Crowe and Harry Styles have also gotten on the bandwagon – making them two of the estimated 300,000-plus men who have joined the campaign so far. Fellow English actor Tom Hiddleston even took to Twitter to commend Emma for her stance, describing her as “impeccable” and “extraordinary”.

And it’s not just the adults who are responding to Emma’s call for change, a Year 9 student at Australia’s prestigious Ivanhoe Girls Grammar School cited Emma as her source of inspiration during her school’s special assembly on leadership. The student, Jocasta Ryman stressed, “Not only is Emma empowering women, she’s aspiring to convey this revolution to everyone, including the opposite gender. Rather than arguing for an increase in women’s rights, she’s conveying the idea to men and women alike; uniting the genders as equals, which is actually the definition of feminism. There have been great feminists but Emma’s bringing an influential change to our society by involving diverse individuals instead of just women.”

Weaving her magic

While it seems impossible to hate on Emma’s mission, naysayers were quick to strike when her speech was made public. She tells The Wrap, “People actually threatened to release naked images of me online.” But she was unfazed. “I knew it was a hoax. Those pictures don’t even exist.”

“You might be thinking what is this Harry Potter girl doing at the UN? Trust me, I’ve been asking myself the same thing. I don’t know if I’m qualified to be here. All I know is that I care about feminism. And I want to make it better. I feel it’s my duty to say something. If you truly put your heart into what you believe in, even if it makes you vulnerable, amazing things can happen.”

Emma is no witch but that isn’t stopping this petite trailblazer from weaving some magic of her own. To quote UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon: “Emma’s been waving a magic wand. I hope she uses her wand to end violence against women.” And so do we.

References:

Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. Available at www.dukeofedvic.org.au

The Public Slate. Available at www.thepublicslate.com

The Wrap. Available at www.thewrap.com

UV Women. Available at www.unwomen.org

Vanity Fair. Available at www.vanityfair.com

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Phillip Phillips sure scored a home run with his coronation song Home. Winning Season 11 of American Idol was not easy for him, though as he had to endure multiple surgeries to correct his chronic kidney problems during that time.

“He’s been doing [well], but it’s just gruelling hours and it’s just amazing what he’s done through the journey,” said Phillip Phillips Sr., Phillips’s father, after the finale. “Eight operations since we started American Idol … He’s hitting 50%, but he’s still up there swinging away.” His father was so happy with Phillips’s victory and declared that his son would be capable of performing even better when he fully recovered.

Phillips had to undergo the surgeries to remove multiple kidney stones which were too large. After the American Idol finale, he had to go for yet another surgery to reconstruct his kidneys.

He later revealed that it was a struggle for him to face the surgeries and participate in American Idol at the same time but was thankful he had the support. “It was very tough [getting through the season]. I had great doctors and great people surrounding me [who] really helped out, so it’s just a blessing to be here.”

Diamond in the rough

Phillip LaDon Phillips Jr. was born in Albany, Georgia, on September 20, 1990, to Sheryl and Phillips Sr. He has two sisters, Lacey Neil and LaDonna Urick. Although he grew up listening to Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, he was actually inspired by Damien Rice, Dave Matthews and John Butler to become a musician.

At 14, he started his musical adventure by playing the guitar. His long-time friend and brother-in-law Benjamin Neil became his mentor and encouraged him to delve in music.

Phillips teamed up with Neil and his other brother-in-law Todd Urick to form a band called Phillip Phillips Band and they performed locally. In 2010, Phillips won a local singing competition, Albany Star.

Chasing his dreams

Phillips tried out for American Idol after failing to make it to the finals in America’s Got Talent. It was after the Top 13 performance that Phillips found out he had kidney stones. He even considered dropping out of American Idol due to the pain, but managed to hang on.

Phillips’ struggle has paid off as his music career was launched along with his coronation song, Home which sold more than 4 million copies in the US. His debut album, The World from the Side of the Moon became platinum hit in 2013. The excitement and journey continued as he released his second album, Behind the Light in 2014, featuring songs he has written himself. On Boxing Day 2014, Phillips became engaged to his girlfriend, Hannah Blackwell.

Phillips is determined to bring out the best in his music and performance despite all odds, including the recent lawsuit he filed against his record and management label, 19 Recording Inc. which he feels has dealt him an “oppressive” contract. Meanwhile, he continues to give concerts and should everything go well, he will be performing in Miami in February 2016.

“I look forward to being able to make my own choices about my career and to being able to make great music and play it for my fans.” Keep up the good work, Phillip!

References:

1. ABC News. Available at www.abcnews.go.com

2. People. Available at www.people.com

3. The Hollywood Reporter. Available at www.hollywoodreporter.com

4. Wikipedia. Available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

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Just last May, Sarah Jessica Parker was nearly in tears as she listened to a third grade student, Kaliyah Parkin, recite a poem thanking her teacher for all her guidance. “Oh my gosh, are you listening to this?” she asked the teacher as Kaliyah recited the poem, titled I Am Important.

It was moments like this that spurred Parker to mentor school children, among her many acts of advocacy and patronage. These days, the actress, humanitarian and entrepreneur has come a long way from the poverty she was born into.

Born on March 25, 1965, she was one of eight children. Her mother married twice, and Parker recalls that the family had to often go without electricity and heat during the winter season. There was no extra money for treats or celebration. Nonetheless, financial woes did not stop her parents from supporting their children’s interests.  

Her mother, Barbara enrolled Parker and her siblings in scholarship-funded ballet, music and theatre classes, and this early education served as the foundation of Parker’s performance skills. Her first break arrived when her stepfather, Stephen Forste took her, still a child then, and her siblings to New York City to audition for a Broadway play, The Innocents. After Parker and her brother, Timothy landed roles in the play, the family moved to New York and she enrolled at the Manhattan’s Professional Children’s School. 

“I developed a really strong work ethic, and I don’t take anything for granted.”

Roles came and went, and with each role, Parker’s star continued to rise, culminating in her role as main protagonist Carrie Bradshaw in the iconic TV series Sex & the City. Darren Starr, the series’ creator wanted her specifically for the role, which was a daring move in itself considering that Parker, while striking in her own right, did not fit the conventional mould of Hollywood beauty. His gamble paid off – the TV series was a hit with viewers and critics alike, earning over 50 Emmy nominations and winning 7, one of which was Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Parker.

When the TV series wrapped up, Parker resumed treading the stage, her first love, while juggling the running of her own production company and fashion house with being a wife and mother. In fact, she found a kindred soul with actor Matthew Broderick, whom she met – naturally – at the theatre. They tied the knot in 1997.

Living her dream, together with a man she loves and a family of her own, Parker is home. 

“I have an inherent need to be all things to all people, to make certain everybody’s taken care of. I know I can’t sustain that level all the time, so I’m finding the proper balance and it’s made me infinitely happier.”

References:

ABC News. Available at www.abcnews.go.com

Kare 11. Available at www.kare11.com

US Magazine. Available at www.usmagazine.com

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April 28, 2015 was a great day; a day that would surely be etched in the mind of Malaysia’s badminton champion, Dato’ Lee Chong Wei for the rest of his life. It was also a day for Malaysians to breathe in relief, as Lee finally received the verdict from the Badminton World Federation (BWF) in regards to his failing a dope test back in September last year.

“The panel is convinced this is not a case of doping with intent to cheat,” BWF stated.

The 32-year old two-times Olympics silver medallist was suspended for the last 8 months after failing a dope test, and the subsequent media circus surrounding this matter was trying. Fans took to Twitter and Facebook to express their disbelief, but most rallied behind Lee as he maintained his innocence. He also found support from key figures on the international badminton scene, including Lee’s archnemesis, Lin Dan.

Lin Dan, in fact, told China’s official Xinhua news agency, “I hope that this great player comes back to the court as soon as possible. Not only does Malaysia need him, but the whole badminton world needs him.”

Among Lee’s many triumphs, he was the world’s No.1 singles player for 199 consecutive weeks (21 August 2008 to 14 June 2012), making him the first Malaysian to hold the rank for more than a year. Additionally, he was the most successful Malaysian athlete in the Olympics, having scored silver in the men singles in 2008 and 2012.

When he discovered that he had failed his dope test, he told blogger Satwant Singh Dhaliwal that he was “left speechless and dumbfounded”, as he has always believed in relying on hard work and strict discipline to bring him success in the court. Suspended and facing a possible two-year ban that could very well end his career, Lee marshalled a legal team with the support of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to clear his name. In the meantime, he continued training as badminton was also his way of coping with the stress and frustration.

When the verdict arrived, Lee was vindicated. While he was found guilty of taking the banned substance dexamethasone, the 3-member BWF panel concluded that it was unintentional and backdated his 8-month suspension. Lee could effectively play again after receiving the verdict.

Sure enough, he was promptly appointed the captain of Malaysia’s Sudirman Cup team, and he now has eyes on regaining his No. 1 title. The 28th SEA Games awaits, and the possibilities after that are plenty.

Ladies and gentlemen, Dato’ Lee Chong Wei is back!

References:

New Straits Times. Available at www.nst.com.my

Satwant Singh Dhaliwal. Available at ssdhaliwal.blogspot.com

The Malay Mail Online. Available at www.themalaymailonline.com

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If there’s one person who is the epitome of brains and beauty, it has got to be 29 year-old Liv Lo. Her statuesque figure, exquisite facial features (thanks to her mixed Taiwanese and Italian heritage), flawless skin and legs that seem to go on forever are enough to make anyone swoon in admiration. That is why it comes as no surprise that the Taiwanese-born lass has had phenomenal success as a fashion model in Japan – something most girls could only dream of. In fact, her modeling career was so successful that as many as 20,000 fans would turn up at events in Japan just to catch a glimpse of her. Such is the power of beauty, isn’t it?

Well, not quite. It takes more than physical attributes to be a successful, regardless of how beautiful one is. “There are millions of people with good looks. There will always be someone taller than you, younger than you, thinner than you,” Liv says. So, beauty is just half of the equation? “Definitely. Not everyone has the confidence, intelligence or toughness to make it in the modeling industry. You really have to know yourself, recognise what you are good at, learn how to amplify your traits and of course, understand the market.” Words of wisdom, indeed.

The sky’s the limit

Elaborating on her modeling career, Liv recall, “Modeling wasn’t a dream of mine, actually. I was fortunate enough to have been scouted. I did very well in the modeling business so it became a full-time job for me almost immediately. With the money I earned, I moved out and bought property of my own. I did all this while supporting my family on a monthly basis. Eventually, I put myself through university,” she recalls. She may have had her first break when she was first discovered on the streets of Taiwan by a model scout but over the years, she has grown by leaps and bounds professionally. “I saw modeling as a career to take me where I wanted to go and I have never looked back since.”

Liv has modeled for so many brands that her list of clients seems almost exhaustive. They include Michael Kors, BMW, United Airlines, Maserati, Roberto Cavalli, H&M – and that’s just naming a few. But these days, you won’t find the Eurasian beauty splashed across magazine covers or sashaying down the runway anymore. “I had a wonderful modeling career, but I wanted to excel beyond being just another pretty face and walking the catwalk. The change wasn’t easy initially and has taken me several years to find my place in the industry. The transition, while challenging, has been ultimately rewarding. It’s the life that I have chosen and I’m definitely the happiest being able to work as television host and yoga instructor now,” she enthuses.

Aside from yoga lessons and hosting gigs, she has added acting to her already impressive resume. “Acting was something I dabbled in when I first arrived in Singapore. I was fortunate to get an established leading role in a top-rated show in Singapore.” So, has her extensive experience as a model helped with her acting chops? “Acting is completely different from modeling. I had to enroll in acting classes and work hard to memorise lines and to flesh out my on-screen character.” For a taste of Liv’s acting, do check out Singapore shows such as ‘Point of Entry’.

Passion for fashion

Although Liv has left her modeling days behind her, passion for fashion is just something runs in her blood. She recently collaborated with Singapore’s leading online fashion store on her first ever sportswear collection. “I helped design the collection purely from the desire to provide girls with affordable and aesthetically pleasing yoga wear. I’ve wanted to create a yoga-friendly apparel collection for a while now and have been a huge fan of Love, Bonito since moving to Singapore. I was talking to a friend once day and when I told her about my interest to start an active wear line, she suggested that I speak to Viola who is the founder of Love, Bonito. This was over a year ago from today. Thankfully, Viola loved my idea – and Liv4LB was born!”

Liv describes her collection as “flattering, comfortable and flexible”. Aside from practising yoga, she runs, bikes and practises HIIT so there was how she got her inspiration for her line. “I wanted to be able to wear these pieces for whatever exercise I wanted to do. That’s why joggers and scuba necks are also in the collection. To sum it up, my zest for life and desire for functional apparel (that didn’t look like the typical sportswear) inspired Liv4LB.”

Jill of all trades

Supermodel, television host, actress, entrepreneur and now, fashion designer – is there anything Liv Lo cannot do? This Jill of all trades seems to have done it all but she is not one to rest on her laurels. “I am developing as a person and definitely not finished. I hope to have more design collaborations, more acting, more hosting, more shaking up of the health industry. I want to be a frontrunner for the health and fitness industry,” she shares candidly.

With so many feathers in her cap, it begets the question: how does she find that elusive balance amidst it all? “Well, every day is different. I plan each days around my tasks. Some weeks can be hectic while others not so busy. It depends on my projects and the season of events. I don’t find it stressful at all because ultimately, this is what I want. It all comes from me – hence, naturally, I’m able to keep up. I savour every little bit of who I am and what I do.”

Staying fit and healthy also certainly helps with things. “I love working out. I also cook for myself, at least two meals a day. I’m a huge foodie. I enjoy learning about nutrition such as what kinds of food suits my body and lifestyle; likewise, avoiding what doesn’t,” she says.

Living her dreams

Looking back on her life, Liv says, “If there was one piece of advice I could give my younger self, it would be this: all that you want, you will have in due time. Looking back, there was so much that I wanted – and I wanted them immediately. I wasn’t always happy and at times, confused about what was good for me or what I wanted to do. But in the end, all it took was time. Time to learn about myself, time to develop my abilities step by step and time to achieve my dreams.”

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Shamir Rajadurai   Crime Safety Specialist, www.PreventCrimeNow.com

Shamir Rajadurai, a Crime Safety Specialist has a 2nd DAN (Degree) Black Belt in Taekwondo and is a three-time gold medallist. Even with that experience, he believes that fighting back is never the best solution.

He chooses the concept of breakaway as opposed to fighting back because our life is more important than our belongings. Please remember that our belongings are secondary.

With permission from the authorities, he and his colleagues interviewed imprisoned criminals to find out how they committed their crimes. The following are some of things he learned.

Three important steps

The first step in crime prevention is to maintain a distance between you and your attacker. The further away you are from your attacker, the safer you are. From Mr Rajadurai’s conversations with criminals, he found that most thieves carry knives, not guns. So, they may not be able to hurt you if you keep a safe distance from them.

Secondly, you must identify potentially dangerous situations instead of potential criminals, as it is impossible to recognize potentially aggressive criminals. You are never going to be able to tell aggressive criminals apart from  non-aggressive ones. So, it is better to avoid getting into dangerous situations in the first place.

Thirdly, learn to defend yourself in a dangerous situation.

Safety tips

How to detect a two-way mirror in changing rooms or washrooms: Put your finger on the glass. If there is a gap between your fingernail and its reflection, it’s a real mirror. If there is no gap between your fingernail and its reflection, it’s a fake two-way mirror. This tip is useful to avoid getting caught in situations in which you may be spied upon as you are changing in a dressing room or using the toilet.

Escaping from your attacker: If someone grabs you, the first thing to do is to scream as loudly as you can. Sometimes, your attacker will step back temporarily, allowing you the chance to break free and distance yourself.

The safest way to carry your handbag: Wearing your handbag on your shoulder is the safest way to hold it. Do not sling your handbag across your shoulder, as you risk being dragged across the ground if the robber fails to cut the strap cleanly. Do not be complacent even if you feel that you are holding your handbag properly and away from the traffic flow – snatch thieves informed Mr Selvadurai that, if they wanted to snatch a handbag, there is always a way to do so!

When driving: Do not leave your handbag on the front passenger seat because the robber may see your bag clearly and target you. Windows protected with a security tint can still be dismantled in a few seconds with the right tool. So, keep your handbag below the front passenger seat instead.

When parking: Whenever possible, reverse park your car so you can see the road in front of you and  spot anyone approaching you on bike or on foot.

When in a restaurant: Never leave any of your valuables like your wallet or hand phone on the table or in your back pocket.

What to do during a possible carjacking: When a car knocks from the back with very little force, you must be suspicious of a carjacking. Stop your car at the side, stay inside and quickly take down the number plate of the vehicle that knocked into you. Wait in your car for the person to approach you. Do not wind down your car window more than 2 cm, as anything more will make it easy for anyone to pull down the window and attack you. Tell the person that you will discuss it at the police station, and meet him or her within the compound of the police station.

If you notice that your vehicle number plate is missing, make a police report it is because it may have been stolen and used in a robbery. This might implicate you so you must report this to the police

When a police officer stops you: You have the right to politely ask for the police officer’s ID card before you show him or her your MyKad or driving licence. To confirm the ID is genuine, call the police hotline and ask to verify the police officer’s number, which is very difficult to fake. The police officers who man roadblocks usually carry IDs that are yellow in colour.

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