Ship Shape

TNP PHOTO: GAVIN FOO

For the first time in its 20-year history, The New Paper New Face went on a cruise.

The top 20 finalists were photographed on board Star Cruises’ Superstar Virgo.

It was a three-day, two-night cruise from Singapore to the Malaysian resort island of Redang.

For Syirin Jamil, 22, this wasn’t only the first time she has been on a cruise, it was also the first time she woke up before dawn for a photoshoot.

The 4am call time was a challenge for her. She said: “I had difficulties sleeping the night before. I was supposed to wake up at 3am, but I only fell asleep at 2am.”

But then the Singapore Accountancy Academy student saw the beautiful morning scenery.

“Once you see the sunrise, you realise that it’s worth it to wake up and take your shot there.”

She added: “Besides, the weather was nice and there was natural wind. It was the perfect setting.”

Leah Yang, 18, didn’t feel the same way.

The Hwa Chong Junior College student was not slated for the morning photoshoot but got bumped up due to rescheduling.

“I was tired. So I wasn’t all that excited about the sunrise as a backdrop for the shoot,” she confessed.

Describing the photoshoot as “rather hard”, she said she had difficulty posing and standing still with the wind whipping her hair all over her face.

“But I think it’s cool. It’s rather unusual. Not many people get to do it,” she said with a smile.

The cruise was not all about photoshoots though. When they had free time, the girls were allowed to roam the ship and do whatever they wanted.

Some took advantage of the facilities and worked out in the gym.

Temasek Polytechnic design student Eunice Lim, 18, explored the ship on the second day.

She said of her little adventure: “It was a fun and different experience. I felt like I was literally on the Titanic!”

The girls also took the opportunity to get to know each other.

Leah said: “I bonded with the girls over meals when we were just chatting and relaxing.”

Added Eunice: “I felt guilty about gorging myself on food. So I didn’t eat much, but I liked the Chinese food the best.”

The second day of the cruise was devoted to the beaches of Redang where some of the girls had a photoshoot.

But it wasn’t exactly a day at the beach, so to speak. At the end of the shoot, they were flushed and sweaty from the heat and harsh sunlight.

ITE College East sports management student Nadiah Sapuan, 19, said: “The jetty was shaky and I wasn’t stable in the heels.

“I almost twisted my ankle when the heel got caught in the gaps between the planks, but I managed to pose.”

The place definitely left a deep impression on Syirin.

She gushed: “Redang was beautiful and the waters are nice! I even took a photo with two hot Russian guys I saw. The girls were quite pretty too!”

Eunice was a tad overwhelmed and exclaimed: “I’ve heard of how beautiful and clear the waters of Redang are, but seeing it with my own eyes was different. It was breathtaking!”

At the end of the cruise, the three days spent at sea brought the whole group closer.

Syirin said: “I think the cruise was exciting and a great getaway for the New Face girls so they can get to know each other better.”

Eunice added: “On the second night, we just hung out in one of the girls’ rooms and just talked about boys and modelling. It was the most memorable moment for me.”