Dr Tan Eng Liang and his daughter Lynn Tan refl ect on the process of writing his autobiography Simple Beginnings and the events that changed the path of his life.
HE WAS A self-taught swimmer who competed in the 1956 Olympics, the region’s first Rhodes Scholar, former senior minister of State... And over the decades, much has been written in the press about Singapore’s original multi hyphenate whose name is inextricably linked to the growth of sports and urban development. Now at age 79, Dr Tan Eng Liang sits on the board of three publiclisted and numerous private companies, and is the vice president of the Singapore National Olympic Council.
In his recently released autobiography Simple Beginnings, Tan shares anecdotes from his humble growing up years; private life as a father to twin girls and a boy, and grandfather to five; and his years in public service. It was co-written with the younger of his twins, Lynn Tan. She resigned from Estée Lauder (a company she had been with for two decades) to focus on the book. The result is an inspiring read of Dr Tan’s impressive life, his tenacity of a sportsman and his values of a gentleman.
Prestige talks to father and daughter about the writing process.
WHAT WERE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF WRITING THE BOOK TOGETHER?
L: It was nice I got to spend time with my dad because before that, he was always busy. He’s still busy [but] because of the book, we would make time.
EL: It allowed me to be impressed by her talent. I never knew how well she wrote. She made the book easy to read and brought out the message that I truly love sports. For example, in the Prologue…
L: …I imagined him as a cancer survivor after chemotherapy,leading Team Singapore as chef de mission to the Commonwealth Games into the same stadium exactly 50 years after he went in first as an 18-year-old for the Olympics.
Denne historien er fra December 2016-utgaven av Prestige Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 2016-utgaven av Prestige Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Double Take
Although somewhat dismissed by the contemporary art world as gimmicky, works that incorporate optical illusions remain immensely popular with the general public. Perhaps it speaks to our inherent need for something slightly magical in our everyday lives.
Plugged Into Wealth
Fintech advocate Carney Mak is bullish on disruptive technologies, but preaches deep understanding of business models before diving in.
Going for Green
SIMON ROGAN's visionary approach of cooking in tune with nature is inspiring chefs in Asia to be more sustainable.
TABLES TURNED
They could have their pick of the best schools, but more young super achievers from Asia are going to a hotel academy a choice they believe opens up more doors.
PRECIOUS HISTORY
Cleef Arpel TACHA VASSILTCHIKOV res her insights the jewellery house Peers preserving its patrimony and Heritage.
MARKS OF DISTINCTION
A clasp-free necklace that could be easily put on by the wearer, without assistance.
Colours of the Season
Thanks to K-pop stars, analysing colours to personalise make-up has surged, with theslategs service available from the boutique of Korean. brity make-up artist JUNG SAEM MOOL.
MAKING OF AN OPUS
In Hermes’ Barénia, in-house perfumer CHRISTINE NAGEL has realised a decade-long dream that harks back to her childhood stories.
Everywhere Care
Serums from homegrown skincare brand Blé de Fonty target more than just the face.
Pucker Up
Lip moisturisers are essential in Singapore’s air-conditioned environment. We share our personal favourites and introduce lip care that go the distance.
