You don't have to visit a landmark to meet a piece of Singapore
Sometimes Singapore looks like an uncle behind a hawker stall who already knows your order. An auntie making kopi faster than you can say it. The familiar bell of an ice cream cart downstairs. A karung guni uncle calling out from somewhere in the neighbourhood. And sometimes, it looks like a kid in school uniform carrying a bag that seems heavier than he is. Long before the skyscrapers, malls and airports, Singapore was built around ordinary people going about their everyday lives — among them the Samsui women in their red headscarves, who came from China in the early 20th century and took on gruelling construction work, becoming a symbol of the resilience behind Singapore's early development. Singa Faces are not kings, superheroes or famous people. Most don't appear on postcards. They're simply the faces that make a place feel familiar.
NO. 01The Tough One
Strong, independent and incredibly hardworking. Hong Tou Jin doesn't complain much and has little patience for anyone who does — if there's work to be done, she's already doing it. Resilient · Independent · Practical · Determined. Weakness: refuses help even when she definitely needs it.
NO. 02The No-Nonsense One
Loud, experienced and very serious about his food. He might look slightly annoyed when you order, but come often enough and your portion mysteriously starts getting bigger. Hardworking · Gruff · Generous · Proud. Weakness: takes criticism of his cooking personally.
NO. 03The Multitasker
Fast, sharp and somehow aware of everything happening around her. She can take five orders, make three drinks and continue gossiping without losing track of a single thing. Energetic · Observant · Caring · Straight-talking. Weakness: sometimes knows your business before you do.
NO. 04The Happy One
Easygoing, friendly and always seems to appear at exactly the right moment. He believes most problems become slightly smaller after an ice cream between two wafers or a slice of rainbow bread. Cheerful · Friendly · Nostalgic · Easygoing. Weakness: has absolutely no idea what "too much ice cream" means.
NO. 05The Resourceful One
Practical, persistent and convinced almost everything deserves a second chance. Where everyone else sees something old, he sees something that might still be useful. Resourceful · Thrifty · Persistent · Street-smart. Weakness: finds it extremely difficult to throw anything away.
NO. 06The Kiasu One
Curious, competitive and permanently carrying too many things. Homework, CCA, tuition and a test tomorrow — but somehow still knows exactly what everyone is talking about online. Curious · Competitive · Energetic · Adaptable. Weakness: thinks everything might be graded.
Cities change. Buildings disappear, shops close, neighbourhoods get rebuilt. But somehow, certain faces stay with us. Singa Faces is our little tribute to them.
