Founder and president of the 77th Street streetwear franchise Elim Chew is constantly looking for new ventures.
Most recently, the 49-year-old, who was honoured as a Forbes Asia Hero of Philanthropy 2010, collaborated with BMBX Entertainment, a recording label started by apl.de.ap of American hip-hop group Black Eyed Peas fame. She had spontaneously written a song titled Hope Of One Voice in 2010for the displaced children in Tacloban in the Philippines, which was devastated by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.
It was recorded as a single by Singaporean Miguel Antonio, 15, and fellow BMBX artist Jessica Reynoso, 19, and released late last year, and is part of a fund-raising campaign for those affected by the disaster. Donations can be made at www.give.asia/movement/hope_of_one_voice.
Ms Chew, single, lives in a singlestorey house in Bedok Avenue with her elder sister and mother.
What is a weekend like for you?
Every Saturday is packed for me. On that day, I work and attend meetings. On Sunday, I go to church in the morning and then fishing after that.
How did you get into fishing?
I started fishing on Christmas Day in 2014. I remember not catching any fish during my first trip at Auntie's Pond in Neo Tiew Crescent. But after sticking it out, I managed to catch my first fish - a sea bass. I've been hooked ever since. I also frequent D'Best Fishing in Pasir Ris and Fishing Paradise at Orto in Khatib.
Where are your go-to places for food on the weekend?
Any and all hawker centres. I can eat anything from prata to chicken rice, as long as I have my teh tarik (milk tea). It has come to the point where I already miss the local food whenever I'm at the airport and about to leave the country.
If you could go for an overseas getaway, where would it be?
I would love to go see the Northern Lights, which is the result of collisions between particles in the Earth's atmosphere and charged particles released from the sun's atmosphere, changing colours whenever the particles collide. If I can't, I'll find a spot in the Maldives to fish.
If you could meet anyone, dead or alive, for just a weekend, who would it be?
Honestly, I would spend it alone. This is because I meet people every day. For a weekend, I would love to spend some time alone in my own thoughts, preferably while fishing.
What's one thing you'd never leave home without?
My mobile phone. I have to be constantly accessible to my friends, family and other contacts - not only for business, but also for socialising. Also, I love to take photos to capture the moments that mean a lot to me and a phone is so handy when it comes to that.
Omar Amir
