My Perfect Weekend with singer Olivia Ong

Who: Home-grown singer Olivia Ong, 35, known for performing the 2012 National Day Parade anthem Love At First Light and Like A Swallow, the theme song from hit Mediacorp drama The Little Nyonya (2008 to 2009). 

Ong, who lives with her parents, has been in show business for over two decades.

She has released studio albums such as A Girl Meets Bossa Nova (2005), featuring reinterpretations of jazz hits like Fly Me To The Moon and, more recently, a Mandarin single titled Azure (2023).

She will be one of the headliners at the free Gardens by the Bay and Mediacorp National Day Concert, along with other notable Singaporean artistes like Taufik Batisah and Benjamin Kheng. The event will take place at The Meadow on Aug 4 at 7.30pm.

The concert will be shown on mewatch, Channel 5 and Mediacorp Entertainment on YouTube on Aug 17 at 7.30pm.

“My idea of the perfect weekend? Quiet, far from the madding crowd and lots of self-care.

During the weekdays, I’m usually caught up in a flurry of activity. So, I usually like to set aside my weekends for a bit of ‘me time’. 

I set up my own ‘spa’ with essential oils, a face mask and ambient music. In my aromatherpay diffuser, I will alternate or mix oils that I have: peppermint, lavender, rose and eucalyptus. I steam my face for five minutes and then put on a cold hydration face mask before sitting back to relax with a good book or music.

I am a big fan of dystopian novels. My current favourite books are English author Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World (1932) and Canadian writer Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale (1985). 

I first read Brave New World as part of my literature class requirement in school. It examines the darker aspects of human nature and gives a glimpse of the possible frightening aspects of people’s potential futures. It makes for an intriguing read – it is why I like The Handmaid’s Tale too. 

In short, holing up in my room with a good book and hot chai on the side is bliss.

When it comes to food, it really depends on my mood, but I have an incorrigible sweet tooth. On occasion, I meet my close friends for desserts, like tea and cake. I also treat myself to some ice cream or my favourite strawberry cream mochi from (Japanese discount chain store) Don Don Donki.

Additionally, I love spending time with my toddler niece, who brings such joy to my weekends. She likes listening to music, so I will put on children’s songs for her and dance along to the music with her. I am always amused by her little goofy actions. Sometimes I play the ukulele and sing for her too.”