What drives Celeste Basapa?

In the first of our series on conversations in cars, Jane Ngiam the charity fundraiser on a drive in the Audi A8

n any given day, one would imagine Celeste Basapa swanning into posh restaurants for celebratory lunches, then zooming off for nail and hair appointments before appearing at a glamorous gala dinner. This cheeky doyenne confirms with a wink that she does all of that—and makes it look more effortless and lightweight than it all really is. Casual observers may turn up their noses at the seemingly social nature of her schedule. But behind the perfectly coiffed hair and artfully styled outfits is a hardworking lady who typically rises early and spends her time serving the community through the boards of many charity fundraisers she sits on. Those who know Celeste appreciate her principled ways and perfect manners, and admire how she expertly navigates the social circuit to corral support for her pet charities and raise awareness for the causes close to her heart. Naturally, getting through her jam-packed day involves carefully planning travel routes that help her get the most out of her time. “I use my time in the car to think,” she shares. And whether she’s driving or being chauffeured, you may find her putting final touches on her lipstick while humming to the tunes on Class 95FM, her choice of music on the go. It also helps if her ride is in the discreet and luxurious Audi A8, in which I played chauffeur to Celeste for a day. The head-turning marque’s suspension, built-in window shades, extended legroom and vanity mirrors turned her city transit into a cocoon of luxury, leading Celeste to remark that travelling in an Audi A8 is akin to “flying first class in turbulence-free skies, thanks to its superlative suspension!” Here are the highlights of our chat.

takes