My Perfect Weekend with Ocean Purpose Project CEO and singer Mathilda D’Silva
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Mathilda D'Silva eating briyani with her Ocean Purpose Project team at a fish farm in Pasir Ris.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF MATHILDA D'SILVA
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Who: Mathilda D’Silva is the Singaporean founder and chief executive of Ocean Purpose Project (OPP), a Pasir Ris-based social enterprise that turns ocean plastics into hydrogen and promotes ocean conservation. She works with indigenous groups, as well as scientists, to drive innovative sustainability strategies.
The OPP will be involved in Ode To The Sea, a free event that blends music, dance, sustainability, creativity and culture, and she is one of the featured vocalists. Taking place at Bedok Town Square from May 16 to 18 at 7.30pm, the commissioned work is part of the Singapore International Festival of Arts 2025.
Besides being an ocean conservationist, D’Silva – who declines to reveal her age – is also a jazz and R&B singer and actress who first came into prominence as a contestant on the first season of local reality singing show Singapore Idol (2004).
“I enjoy outrigging, canoeing, dragon boating and paddleboarding. As long as I am able to rest my brain over the weekend, and switch off and do fun activities, either sports or music, I’m great.
When I’m out at sea, internet connectivity is terrible, so that is the best way for me to unplug. About two weeks ago, I was with my team in Bali and the connection wasn’t great. I could switch off and not answer any e-mails or join any Zoom calls, and just focus on swimming around the floating pontoon and watching the dive teams descend. Those are some of the little moments I take to relax.
But being invited to eat in a kampung or a fisherman’s home is the best meal I can think of.
About two years ago, the fishermen I worked with said, ‘We are going to take you in our little boat all the way up to Johor, and we’re going to stay in some small, dinky village to celebrate your birthday’.
They taught me to play golf there. And after that, they took me to one of the fishermen’s homes, and he had big prawns from fishing in the South China Sea. There were a couple of fish and vegetable farmers who brought some of their produce too. It was one of the best meals I’ve had, especially with that traditional style of cooking.
It really was an experience. I enjoy these adventures over the weekends.”
Correction note: In an earlier version of the story, we said that the OPP put on Ode to the Sea. This has been corrected, as they were only involved in the show. We are sorry for the error.
