Editor’s Note
When we swipe our smartphone screens or switch on the television, there’s no escaping the torrent of bad news. We hear about the imminent threat of climate change, its consequences already ravaging the earth sooner than we expected. There’s also the troubling dismantling of social and political norms evident in the instability that now characterises once-peaceful cities. But even with the negativity all around, I take comfort in the fact that everyone is becoming more generous. It’s true: giving is in and it’s not only during the holiday season.
Philanthropy and private social investment is growing across the region, and it is not only “de rigueur in Asia but being embraced”, says Ruth Shapiro, founder and chief executive of the Centre for Asian Philanthropy (page 76). She notes that more and more people are giving to various causes worldwide, something we also see in Singapore with many companies and individuals choosing to channel their wealth to benefit the less fortunate.
One shining example is Worldwide Hotels founder and group chairman Choo Chong Ngen, who has chosen education as his primary cause. Over the years, he has donated millions to various tertiary institutions to help students in need of financial support.
In our cover story on page 152, he tells us about the journey of building his business— which owns and runs 10 per cent of all hotel rooms in Singapore—and how his daughter
Carolyn Choo, CEO and managing director of Worldwide Hotels, plans to drive the expansion across the globe, and continue the group’s philanthropic efforts.
While selflessness characterises all forms of giving, we at Singapore Tatler believe that it’s important to be selfish sometimes. By this, we mean making sure you also treat yourself because we all deserve some self-love once in a while. Whether it’s attending a spectacular show, acquiring an exquisite watch or a piece of jewellery, or perhaps a new outfit that makes you smile, we hope our suggestions in the following pages will inspire you to be good to yourself. Of course, we still have the traditional gift guide (page 160) filled with grand ideas on what to give your loved ones.
I wonder if it’s just me but this year seems to have gone by so quickly. This made me realise that more than anything, time is really the most precious gift. My husband said recently, “time spent is the currency of trust”, and adding to that, I say that time is also the ultimate expression of love. So if you give nothing else to your family and friends now or in the coming year, make sure you give them as much of your time as you can. Happy holidays!