[EXCLUSIVE] Interview with Shaun Toh, Manhunt Singapore 2015 Finalist

Manhunt Singapore 2015 Finals will be held at Hotel Jen Orchardgateway on 5 December 2015 and many of you had visited to the various roadshow to support and cheer them on.

I am very honoured to get an exclusive interview with Shaun Toh, Junior Finalist of Manhunt Singapore 2015 to be featured in my blog.

Hi Shaun tell us more about yourself.

Hi I'm Shaun. An interesting fact about myself is that I have a younger brother who is 10 years younger than me, and I spend most of my free time playing video console games with him.

What makes you to join Manhunt Singapore 2015?

Jonathan Sung scouted me. Initially I didn't want to go for it because I felt like I was quite out of shape.

But then, one of my close friend, Dennis who is also a manhunt finalist asked me to give it a shot for the auditions, and here we are!

What have you learnt from this Manhunt Singapore 2015?

I've learnt to better myself, mainly with my confidence. Manhunt Singapore gave me the opportunity to speak in front of a crowd, which helped me a lot with my public speaking considering I have stage fright.

What is your preparation for the final Manhunt Singapore 2015?

Basically to prepare my physique for the competition, I am going on a high protein and low carbs diet. Also, I have to increase the frequency and intensity of my workouts.

I will hit the gym 4-5 times a week. I will start my workout with weighted training for the larger muscles groups for about an hour, followed by a 15 minutes with High Intensity Interval Training for my cardio.

As Manhunt Singapore 2015 is not a competition based solely on your physical appearance, I believe it is also about how one carries himself. Your charisma, how you present yourself are as important.

So what I did to prepare myself in this aspect was to build up my self-confidence and improve on my public speaking skills. I did this by practicing what I have to say on stage in front of the mirror.

You are once a National Rower who represented Singapore in Numerous rower competitions, was there any epic moment, which you cannot forget?

It was a race between Thailand's team in the Men’s Lightweight Double Scull with my partner for the bronze medal to qualify for SEA GAMES 2012.

We were going head to head against the Thai rowers at the last 100m. By then, I was already extremely exhausted and I felt my body shutting down due to heat exhaustion and fatigue. I closed my eyes and pulled my last few strokes as hard as I could.

And when we crossed the finishing line, I heard my partner screaming, it was then I realized we beat the Thai rowers and qualified for the SEA GAMES 2012!

It was an unforgettable experience, I was so happy! Till now I can still remember vividly the whole occurrence of the event.

How do you able to cope with your studies and while represent Singapore for Overseas competitions?

It was really tough to juggle my sporting career and my studies all together. Time management is extremely important; I really had to make sure I have a balanced life.

During your service in Police Force, you and your team managed to detect and intercepted a speedboat carrying 36 illegal immigrants trying to enter Singapore's water and apprehended them.

Tell us what was the most dangerous part when you and your team tried to apprehend them?

As a police, you have to expect the unexpected. During my whole experience with the arrest case, we have to keep our guards up all the time when we are dealing with them.

This is because you will never know when they will retaliate against you. One of them pretended to faint, and when we were not paying attention, he tried to jump off the boat into the sea.

Do you think that you can motivate and inspire the youth and able to change their perspective in life?

Yes I believe Manhunt Singapore stands for a greater purpose, it serves as a platform to inspire others.

And us contestants, we are role models to people who are suffering with self-confidence or weigh issues.

We give them the hope that they too can be like us someday, with the positive mindset and determination, anything can be made possible.

None of us was born fit and confident, all of us had to slowly build our way up.

Who is your most importance person in your life and why?

My mum! She is the one who brought me into this world, without her, I will not even exist.

Also I have to thank my girlfriend, who is constantly a huge pillar of support and an inspiration to me.

Would you believe if I said I owe my abs to her? I hate doing abs exercises; she is the one who constantly push me to do it. Can you do a 4 minutes plank exercise? She can!

If someone approach you to be celebrity in their Entertainment industry, do you think you will accept this offer and why?

Given the opportunity, I will. One of my dream jobs when I was a kid was to become an actor. It will be interesting to give it a shot!

Is there anything, which you would like to tell your supporters out there?

Thank you all for your kind support. I give it my all for this pageant, to be the best of what I can be. Hope I don't disappoint you guys :)

Editor's Note

When I first met Shaun and his girlfriend, Adora at Orchard for photoshoot, both of them are quite fun and lovely people that I ever met! I could see that Shaun enjoyed his every single moment with his girlfriend.

We wanted to shoot at Haji Lane but due to downpour, we had to change the location but we still managed to shoot lovely photographs. Both of them are patient and friendly towards me during our photoshoot session as I am quite introverted at times.

Despite Shaun fall sick during our photoshoot, he still managed to follow the instruction that I wanted him to pose. I really admired his professionalism and he did not shown his sick expression or attitude towards me.

I really enjoyed working with Shaun and Adora! Thank you for giving me such a good opportunity to meet up and work with both of you!

Please show your support by voting for Shaun Toh in Manhunt Singapore 2015 in the following website that below. Every vote counts!

1. To vote for Shaun as Mr. Internet Popularity, please click here.
Please noted that each vote cost SGD10.00 [Voting period ends on November 30, 2015]

2. To vote for Shaun as Mr. Puressentiel Well-Being, please click here.
Every 1 like/share = 1 vote. [Voting period ends on November 30, 2015]

3. To vote for Shaun as PHYTOgenic, please click here.
Every 1 like = 1 vote. [Voting period ends on November 30, 2015]

For your tickets to the finals on 8th December, please click here to purchase your tickets online.

If you have any words of advice or kind words to tell Shaun, you may leave down your comments below.

Follow Shaun Toh in the following Social Media:

Click here to Shaun Facebook Page.
Click here to Shaun Instagram account.

Special thanks to 7th Street for sponsoring the outfit in the second photograph. Click here for more outfit from 7th Street.

[EXCLUSIVE] Interview with Sylvester Goh, Manhunt Singapore 2015 Finalist

Manhunt Singapore 2015 Finals will be held at Hotel Jen Orchardgateway on 5 December 2015, while Pre-Judging will be on 8th November at Wavehouse Sentosa.

I am very honoured to get an exclusive interview with Sylvester Goh, Junior Finalist of Manhunt Singapore 2015 to be featured in my blog.

Hi Sylvester, tell us more about yourself.

I’m currently doing Freelance Modelling and Personal Training. 

My hobbies include Street Workout/ Advanced Calisthenics, Gymming, Cafe hopping/ Food photography, Dance (Hip Hop), Martial Arts (MMA) and Sports.

What made you join Manhunt Singapore 2015?

Manhunt is not just about the looks, the body, or personality. In order to win or do fairly well, it requires a complete package. I wanted to step out to challenge myself to join something with which I am unfamiliar. 


More importantly, I hope to inspire and motivate people to do the same, be it in terms of fitness or exploring other areas of life.

What is your preparation for this upcoming Manhunt Singapore 2015?

Well it’s pretty much the same for me in terms of gym routine, except hitting my abs and legs more cause I’m usually quite lazy to train them especially the abs. 


Also, I’ve started with a much stricter diet like grilled chicken breast, baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, salad, to see if I can improve on my physique with this now in place. 

Are your family members supportive of you joining the Manhunt Singapore 2015? Why?

Yes they are! I even have my own meals catered and pack meals for myself daily. They are accommodating to my gym times and meal preferences as well.  

I guess that’s what families do? 
Being supportive no matter what job or task I do, as long I enjoy doing it? Being in the finals is not easy, and I hope I can do them proud. 


But also, my mum is worried that I may attract the wrong crowd due to the new attention. But I tell her I know what I’m doing and I’m old enough to know what’s right.

Do you think that you have inspired people? In what way do you think that you can inspire others?

Honestly speaking, I didn’t know I was inspiring people until they dropped me comments/ direct message on Facebook. 

If you’ve seen my Facebook cover photo, you will realize that I was really scrawny and skinny back then. It goes to show that with proper determination, perseverance, consistency and knowledge, you can achieve more than what you set out to be.  


Also, I want the people out there to know that in life you don’t get what you always want. Failure is a part of life too. If you don’t fail, you don’t learn. If you don’t learn, you’ll never change. It’s okay to fail. The only way to avoid failure is to not try anything. Don’t be afraid to fail. That’s how you succeed. 


Besides, the only failure is if you stop trying. But that doesn’t mean to give up, you’ve got to fight for what you want.  In the end, it’s not always about the results, but the process. The process is what makes us grow and learn, the results are but a bonus to us.


Never look down on anybody, but instead, help anybody who needs your help or any sort of help, and sometimes, people will help you back too. 

For someone who does not have any experience in gym or working out out, what is your advice to them?

My advice would be just to begin somewhere. It can be anywhere. The most difficult part is in starting, getting the motor kickstarting, before maintaining it and followed by bringing it to greater heights. If it’s possible gow with a friend who is experienced so that he can guide you along for better results.  


Never ever be an ego lifter. Use the correct range of motion, if possible get a friend to see if you’re performing the exercise correctly. Ask people for advice, it never hurts to ask, and always share back the knowledge. 

I started out just gymming by myself all the way up till now. 
The knowledge I’ve learnt was through experience and reading up from the internet over the past 5 years.

I understand that you are into street workout, tell us what’s the difference between street workout and a regular gym workout?

Well, street workout in ghetto terms would be just to workout in the streets. In Singapore’s context, it would be in fitness corners. 
I incorporate bodyweight exercises at the fitness corners, and make use of them to help build a well sculpted body as well. 

I definitely sweat a whole lot more outdoors, and it feels great to be doing so. 
I am also in the process of learning advanced calisthenics moves like the muscle ups, front lever, back lever, planche, handstands which require a lot of basic fundamental strength through the street workout that I do.

You are into café hopping as well, can you share with us how to post such a great photos in social media so that it can benefit us and our followers?

Many people think that taking a photo of food is easy. Relatively speaking, it is. But what makes yours different from the rest is the creativeness you’ve put into the shot. It might be any sort of shot, be it flatlay, minimal etc. It has got to be your style. 


If you’re looking for inspiration, search up Instagram on the hashtag styles and learn how people do it, then add in your style to finish it. 

It takes time and effort into editing the photos as well. So, be prepared to have a new hobby!

I guess many readers would like to find out this from you! Are you Single or Attached?

Surprising to many, I am Single. I guess I don’t have that much female friends around? 

But also, I have more freedom and time to myself. 
Nevertheless, it does not mean I’m not yearning for my second half to make the first move? 


I feel that women with the courage to go and make the first move is kinda sexy.

If you have the opportunity to be a celebrity in the Entertainment industry, would you be interested?

I wouldn’t turn down an opportunity which I think seems fun and challenging. 
I have tried out acting before, and even though it’s tiring, when everything is pieced together, it looks awesome. 


The entertainment industry also seems to be rather interesting with a wide array of roles/ scenes and storylines, which is something I like as well. 

What makes you special/ unique?

I tend to do things differently, and believe I can make the best out of any situation I’m given, and that I am able to adapt under different circumstances.

Also, I learnt that you'll never be happy if you chase money all your life. I find real joy through giving and serving others.

Doing humanitarian/social acts are something I plan to do in the future.

Editor's Note

When I met Sylvester at Orchard, he was a friendly and polite guy. During our conversations, I found out that he's a rather nice guy to chat up with although he was quite shy in the beginning and I got to find some topics to break the ice.

He does not display any sort of arrogant expression towards me despite his tight schedule to follow. He is someone whom you can share your problem with if you need listening ears.

Sylvester treasures every individual opportunity that comes up to him. He is willing to take up challenges when the opportunity knock on his door.

Please show your support by voting for Sylvester Goh in Manhunt Singapore 2015 in the following website that below. Every vote counts!

1. To vote for Sylvester as Mr. Internet Popularity, please click here.
Please noted that each vote cost SGD10.00 [Voting period ends on November 30, 2015]

2. To vote for Sylvester as Mr. Puressentiel Well-Being, please click here.
Every 1 like/share = 1 vote. [Voting period ends on November 30, 2015]

3. To vote for Sylvester as PHYTOgenic, please click here.
Every 1 like = 1 vote. [Voting period ends on November 30, 2015]

For your tickets to the finals on 8th December, please click here to purchase your tickets online.

As for Pre-Judging, it will be free entry for the public over at Wavehouse Sentosa at 3pm.

Pre-judging is where another 4 contestants from the Junior Category will be eliminated.

If you have any words of advice or kind words to tell Sylvester, you may leave down your comments below.

Follow Sylvester Goh in the following Social Media:

Click here for Sylvester Facebook Page.
Click here for Sylvester Fitness Instagram.
Click here for Sylvester Foodie instagram.

The Japanese Cemetery Park

Do you know that there is a Japanese Cemetery Park in Singapore which located at 825B Chuan Hoe Ave, Singapore 549853 (Yio Chu Kang Road)?

Although Singapore government gazetted as a memorial park in 1987. Many of you may not heard about it or aware that we do have Japanese Cemetery Park.

The Japanese Cemetery Park which known as 日本人墓地公園 was official granted permission for this cemetery use on 26 June 1891 by The British Colonial Government. Till today, it is the largest and best-preserved Japanese Cemetery in Southeast Asia.

The site measures 30,000 square metres and has an estimated of 910 tombstones that contain the remains of members of Japanese community in Singapore. It's also including 唐行きさん (Karayuki-san aka Japanese prostitutes), civilians, soldiers and convicted war criminals.

When I visited on Sunday, The Japanese Cemetery Park are quiet and peaceful. As usual, I take out my camera and randomly shoot the scenery over here. It is so interesting that in Singapore, I could able to see The Japanese Shrine and the Buddhist sculpture as it is very rare here.

I also got to know that the first Japanese person to settle in Singapore was 山本音吉 (Yamamoto Otokichi), who arrived in 1862.

When I walked in further, I was rather sad for Karayuki-san who dead here during the end of the Meiji Era around 1870's to 1930's. Those poor Japanese young women were sold off for Prostitution in East Asia and South East Asia by their own family. Each of the tombstones tell a story of their past which everyone forgotten Japanese prostitution era before the World War II occurred.

Some of the well known Japanese also buried here. Those people are prominent author Takeshiro Nishimura, who lived in Singapore from 1902 until his death in 1942.

Yoshio Nishimura, the managing director of Ishihara Sangyo Koshi, an iron ore mining company in Malaya. He was a president of the Japanese Association.

During the Japanese occupation of Singapore from 1942-1945, It was the worst nightmare for everyone who lived in horror and terrified that the Japanese soldiers would captured and killed them. Despite that, the Japanese soldiers also got killed during the war.

The Japanese soldiers buried their own ally bodies and construction of memorials in the cemetery. Many of the important key appointment tombstones can be found here as well. It is good that the Japanese Cemetery Park are well preserved.

Although it could be a painful experience for our pioneers to remember, but we should let our young generation to know The Japanese Cemetery Park as it is somehow connected to part of the Singapore history.

To view more of The Japanese Cemetery Park photographs, click here.