November 14, 2000

By Hazel Tan
TODAY

(Click on pictures for larger image)

"We had enough to get by, but I just wanted to make some money to make things better for everyone. I just wanted to help out," said Celest, 26. Her three elder sisters, too, had holiday jobs. Her first holiday job was "arranging pencil boxes in a bookstore".

She became a model at 16 for the money - to put herself through school - all the way to the National University of Singapore where she majored in Economics and English Language.

"It was easier earning money as a model than giving tuition. Modelling is less time consuming. For an eight-hour shoot, I was paid about $300 during that time. That's about the same amount I made giving tuition to a single child for a month," she explained.

"It also gave me a lot more time to do my homework." Despite being one of Singapore's top models who recently made her debut in Eric Khoo's Stories About Love, Celest said she is far from leading a high life.

"I don't get to take home the clothes I put on during my modelling assignments! I'm not a star.

"I'm just someone who is trying to get by, making a living."

Neither is she a high maintenance woman.

"I could be! I would love to go shopping in Burberrys, walk into Kenzo and pick up the things I like," she said.

Her most expensive buy so far is just "a 21-inch colour television which costs me $500," Celest said.

"I used to buy things in bulk because I used to think that if I don't buy now, I wouldn't have the money later.

"Now, my thinking has changed. I just buy what I need … In the past one month, I only bought a T-shirt which cost $30. The most I would pay for a dress is $300.

"I wouldn't say I am thrifty, but I am practical," she said. Sure. Just try asking her what's next for her.

"I am thinking about whether I'll have enough money next month? or not? When my next pay cheque will arrive?"

Or hear her rattle on about how much it would cost to put together her dream home studio ($10,000). "A keyboard costs about $4,000. The condenser mike would cost about $1,500…."

So, how much money would be ideal for her?

"A $10,000 pay cheque," Celest said, her eyes lighting up.

But don't expect her to take the easy way out, quit her job and marry a rich man.

"That'll be the most insulting thing anyone can possibly ever say to me!"

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