“Mens sana in corpore sano” – a cliché, right? Well, not for me! Growing up in a mixed-race family certainly didn’t come without its challenges and my early years landed me with low self-esteem and a definite lack of confidence. Cue: sports, which kept me sane and, frankly was my lifesaver….firstly basketball, later progressing to netball – I even tried wakeboarding. Being part of a team, celebrating small wins and successes, helped me grow in confidence and challenge stereotypes. Why should I not go to University to follow my dream of becoming an architect, and why not apply to study overseas and learn to overcome new challenges? I was totally determined and despite a lack of family support and finances, I did it – I transcended all those barriers and was off to study Architecture at SCI-Arc! Whilst in High School I developed a love of weightlifting. Being perceived as a rather male-oriented sport gave me an added impetus to succeed. Now, it is my North Star, not only helping me to keep fit but clearing my mind, energizing me, and overcoming the stress of deadlines, projects, and assignments. A bonus is the friends I have made along the way; gym members are amazing, always happy to offer help and advice, or just an encouraging word. I have so much to thank my fitness regimes for getting me through hard times, building my strength of character, finding new friends, driving me to reach my true potential, and achieve grades I would never have thought possible. I know working out will take me all the way to my final goal – my own architectural practice – and beyond, supporting me every step of the way. Exercising has become such an integral part of my life that I would not forsake even when at my busiest because maintaining an active lifestyle is essential to our health. Because in life, work is essential, but the utmost priority should be protecting your physical and mental health.

Walt Disney said, “Animation can explain whatever the mind of man can conceive. This facility makes it the most versatile and explicit means of communication yet devised for quick mass appreciation.” In the same way animation in films captures the hearts and minds of children and adults alike, I want to develop this skill to bring my architectural designs to life. As an aspiring architect, I have learned that visuals and graphics are extremely important. Unlike 2D technical drawings, everyone can understand a 3D model; it also makes it interactive and fascinating. Animation allows potential clients to view designs through my eyes and truly experience the space. There are five different kinds of animation styles, and they can be used interchangeably depending on what I am trying to achieve or express. I can captivate using a 360-degree walkthrough experience, imitate a drone to show settings and landscapes, or tell the story behind the design. Learning the different kinds of animation techniques would allow me to showcase my designs in great detail, highlighting aspects that would not be noticeable through 2D technical drawings or even in 3D perspective renderings. Also, I know the importance of having alternatives in every design proposal, which can be achieved easily with the use of 3D models and animations. This grant would be a key, unlocking the door to add an extra dimension to my skills. It would enable me to acquire animation software and take an animation course to complement and enhance my current major and bring me a step closer to realizing my dream of helping create attractive, practical, smart, green, and energy-efficient cities.

DISASTER!!! My world collapsed; the timing could not have been worse. COVID -19 started just at the time my university application results came through. How could I fulfill my ambition of studying at my chosen school in the US? A million questions filled my head: would I be allowed to travel? What about my family? But ultimately, that did not affect my decision to go ahead - I just knew that it was the school for me. My parents and relatives were hesitant at first, but they saw how determined I was, and, albeit reluctantly, supported me wholeheartedly. That’s not to say I did not worry about COVID-19 but I concluded I should not let it overtake me. Life would still go on, it should not come to a standstill just because there is a virus out there. Not that we should be reckless, we should definitely be cautious, but never let it dictate our path. Many viruses have come and passed and, I like to think positively, so will COVID-19. Meanwhile, I have had a very different experience than I expected in my first year; social distancing means a very different school experience, but I am nevertheless just thrilled to be lucky enough to have the opportunity to live my dream. I signed up to be on the Student Council, but all our events are online and remote. I have learned to respect peoples’ views; some decided to isolate and that is their choice. Who am I to judge? I also recognize the huge sacrifices being made by those we take for granted on the front line. Healthcare personnel, tending the sick or infected, risking their lives. Food store assistants, transit staff - they all have loved ones too. I really admire these people and all those who continue with their lives, because I now also recognize the juxtaposition of protecting people whilst trying to maintain the economy. This is a real dilemma for the world, to avoid a collapse and continue to fund research for vaccines, run utilities, provide food on our table - even the masks that we wear, someone has to produce them. We obviously are not yet in a generation where artificial intelligence is producing them. For me, I have recognized my priorities - and my determination - to doggedly pursue my path, while respecting and protecting others. And so, my dreams prevailed over the nightmare.

For once in my life, I let go of the shy part of myself and did something bold, it felt out of my league. But it was the best Halloween ever.

Being half Chinese and Filipino, I stand between two worlds. It’s what defines me. Being part of two very different cultures has taught me an innumerable number of things: language, culture, etc. I hold in high regard the ability to see things from different perspectives, which helps me to vividly discern and thus broaden my horizons. This is why during my last year in high school, I decided to study abroad in the United States. Going to another country, allowed me to experience a different set of principles that the people here follow. It made me truly independent, being away from my family, and actually having to be able to decide matters by myself. Something I said to my mom made her realize how much I have changed, and I did not realize it until she repeated it to me. She was asking me how was life here, I simply replied, “It is hard, but it is the life I chose.” It is not easy being in a different country, but it is an effective way to grow as a person. I learned that life back in Singapore, together with my family, was actually so easy. I did not realize this until I lived alone in the United States. But in the future, when I look back on the hardships I am facing now, I will know that it played a part in my success. I am pursuing a bachelor's degree in Architecture, a major that requires me to be an all-rounder learner. To be successful as an architect, you must be able to withstand the hardships and persevere. The way we learn here is drastically different, we have constant debates and discussions with the professors, they do not simply treat us as students, who are there to learn from them, but they would also learn from our ideas. It is a mutually beneficial relationship. That is different from Singapore, it helps me be more confident each time I successfully validate my design idea. But because I was able to adapt, I managed to produce outstanding results in school, and I will be able to do the same in the industry.

“Mama are you going to make pineapple tarts this year as well?” My daughters’ eyes were filled with excitement. “Anything for you, my dear princess, you want to help Mama?” I knew that as long as I had her, I could take anything, even their scorn. It is a tradition to make pineapple tarts at Chinese New Year, and when the time came, the closer I was to that day of the year which I dreaded. My husband’s sisters appeared kind, but if that were actually true, why would I not look forward to this day? The moment arrived. It was like watching my husband in slow motion, as he walked out from the car, into the lift, towards the door, and the most excruciating part — as he rang the doorbell. And the door to my personal hell opened. The gatekeeper was smiling at me, welcoming me with open arms. I gave her a big hug in return, followed by a handshake, wishing her a Happy New Year. It was only nine in the morning and I thought to myself, twelve more hours and it’ll be over. Please. No matter what, hang in there. After 12 years, they still despise me for having two other children… for being a Filipino… Something that I didn’t get to choose. Still, they refuse to accept me as one of them, not to mention my two other kids — or “nephews” — according to them. I cannot even imagine how cruel I must have seemed to my children from a previous relationship, having to pretend that I had adopted them. I felt the mother’s instinct within me growing as my daughter grew older. And… Boom! Suddenly, it surged to the surface within a second. They were stating outright that my daughter should not pursue her passion. That letting her go to a polytechnic was them compromising already. And that was more than enough. “Women should stay at home and raise the kids, do household chores and serve her husband.” But this seemed to apply only to Filipinos, specifically me — and my daughter, despite the fact that she is of their blood. And yet they continue to put up barriers. Barriers which only make my determination stronger. I didn’t have a chance to go to school, being the oldest one who had to support all my siblings. So, all I want for my daughter is for her to do what she likes. To pursue higher education. To satisfy that need for learning of hers. To be successful. And here we are now, my daughter will be applying to university in less than a month’s time. I am filled with pride. The facade that I have kept up for so long has finally paid off. I have won the mental battle, after years of struggling. I was too young back then, blissfully ignorant. But not anymore, I am a grown young woman, and it is my turn now to protect her. I have persevered all these years, working hard, just so that I can go to a good university, where I would aim to be an architect. The best thing I can do to repay my mother is to become successful. To show her that every second of anguish she has suffered has been worthwhile.

My interest in architecture began with the wish to design a quirky, dream house for my parents, which made me realize that I didn’t just want to design for them, but the world. Different countries, with so many possible variations. To some, creativity is thinking outside the box, to others, it’s being artistic; I think it’s all about design relevance. Creative people have something in common, they are insatiably curious. If designers take inspiration from current buildings, all buildings will look the same. If this happens, how can it still be called design? This is one of the reasons I design outside mere functionality; why does an office have to look like one? My reasoning has 3 main concepts: the feelings of the users, the functionality of the space, and the look of the space. However, designs cannot be expressed in words alone, they need to become three-dimensional. I wish to change the vocational model of architectural education, architecture should not be just a form, every building should be unique, I will start by becoming an architect that does things differently, by not following the rules, by making my own rules. The rest will follow.

I am currently enrolled at Southern California Institute of Architecture, my major is Architecture, my school is essential to me because I believe that only through real-life experience, can one learn most effectively. The instructors at my school are current practicing architects, giving students like me a taste of what it will be like in the industry, but they never push down on your creative side, they encourage it. It is really what an architecture school should be like, they push for students to stand up and debate, whether it is about a research thesis or design ideas, to them, there is no wrong answer, you just have to be able to justify your claim. It allows students to try almost anything, since the way we are taught, anything and everything is possible. The reason why they make us believe that there is no wrong answer is that, even in the real world, there are two opposing opinions, like there are two sides to a coin. Therefore, it is essential because it prepares us as future architects, we will be ready to justify our claims because as architects, we need to have our unique style and design, and a principle we adhere to.