Supermakan Exclusive: Ang wears the mortar board today

by SEAN LIM


SINGAPORE - AFTER three years studying in the University of Wollongong, 22-year-old Ang Jia Yi has officially graduated today.

Family members and about eight of her friends turned up at the Singapore University of Social Sciences campus in Clementi slightly after noon for the graduation ceremony, where they saw her graduate as a psychology major.

When Supermakan was at the event at about 4.30pm, four of her friends were already there taking photos to capture this significant moment with Ms Ang, who was wearing a graduation gown and a mortar hat. Four other friends - Mr Sean Lim, 23, Mr Lee Hong Jin, 23, Mr Chan Kai Chun, 24 and Mr Ng Hong Yi, 22 - joined in at about 4.30pm.

Said Ms Ang on her graduation, "(it is) a celebration of my little milestone today." On March 25, Ms Ang and six of her female friends, along with her boyfriend, were spotted at the field near Woodgrove Condominium taking graduation photographs, whom she described as "all equally important to me."

Supermakan understands that Lim Deyi is her boyfriend, and is currently in Germany pursuing his studies. Speaking from Germany, the 25-year-old student said he was "thankful to be able to witness (her) milestone live online", as he was unable to be present physically for the ceremony.

Added Mr Lim, "So much hard work, so much sleepless nights have finally paid off", referring to all the hard work Ms Ang had put in to get to where she is today.

Distance was not a concern for Mr Lim, who despite being in Germany, managed to deliver a bouquet of flowers from Floral Garage Singapore through a friend at about 11am just now.

The friend, who is willing to speak to Supermakan only under the condition of anonymity, said it was a "sweet gesture" for Mr Lim to send flowers to Ms Ang when he is currently overseas.

Ms Ang started her secondary school journey in Chung Cheng High School (Yishun), where she spent four years in the best class. After her O-levels, she proceeded for her junior college education in Anderson Junior College (AJC). She started her journey at University of Wollongong in 2014.

According to news reports last year, AJC will be merging campuses with Serangoon Junior College due to falling enrolments.

In a telegram message on her post-graduation plans, she told Supermakan that she is currently a counsellor at Singapore Children Society.

On the support all these while by her parents, the jovial Ms Ang said that right values and attitude matter most to them. She added, "They always encouraged me to be a guiding light to those around me."

One of Ms Ang's friend, Mr Lee, was there for the post-event gathering. Through a friend, he conveyed a written congratulatory message for Ms Ang on the message board.

Said the university student from Nanyang Technological University, "Continue to work hard and jiayou as you move on to the next phase of life."



EXCLUSIVE: Photos reveal efforts by friends to create gifts for '18 graduation

22-year old Ng Hong Yi seen cutting letters to be pasted on Ang's message board (SM PHOTO: Sean Lim) 

Ng Hong Yi (left) and Chan Kai Chun, 24, met on Tuesday evening at Woodlands to make paper flowers and a message board for Ang's graduation (SM PHOTO: Sean Lim)

Ms Poon Manyun, 22 and Chan Kai Chun folding paper flowers on Tuesday evening (SM PHOTO: Sean Lim)

by SEAN LIM

IN an exclusive photo coverage, Supermakan takes you behind the scenes in preparation for Ang's graduation.

Four of her friends - namely Mr Sean Lim, 23, Mr Ng Hong Yi, 22, Mr Chan Kai Chun, 24 and Ms Poon Manyun, 22 - were at Woodlands Drive 16 on Tuesday (Apr 10) evening to create paper flowers and a message board for Ang.

The paper flowers were made from crepe paper and satay sticks, whereas the board was purchased from Popular bookstore, with members contributing paper and a tapestry of colours with their heartfelt messages on the board. Most of the flowers were folded by Mr Chan and Ms Poon, whereas other members focussed on the cutting of paper and the layout of the message board.

In an unprecedented move, the group decided to spray perfume on the paper flowers to recreate the fragrance of an actual flower. As of press time, Supermakan was unable to find out the type of perfume used for this flower.

Despite the "excruciating effort" to make those flowers, as described by a member of the group who declined to be named, it was all worthwhile. Ms Ang was thankful for the handmade gifts and said, "they are so precious because it's all your effort."

Supermakan understood the group started working on the project at about 8pm on Tuesday evening after dinner, and concluded only close to midnight.

When asked for the cost of making the paper flowers and message board, the group declined to comment, stating confidentiality as a reason.

(Top photo courtesy of LEE XIN HUI)

Corrections: In an earlier edition, we said that Ms Ang spent four years in university. This is inaccurate. It should be three years. We are sorry for the error.

What It Should Have Been: In an earlier edition, we said the photo-taking session on March 25 was held at a field near Christchurch Secondary School. This is inaccurate. It should be the one near Woodgrove Condominium. We are sorry for the error