“My most formative years were spent in and around Outram”

Bold, brash and utterly beguiling. You’d be forgiven for thinking we’re describing comedy queen Irene Ang, but these adjectives belong to her favourite locale: Outram Park.
While the area is well-known for being a popular dining destination, Irene holds the neighbourhood dear to her heart for a whole other reason.
“I went to school here for some eight years of my life, so the neighbourhood of Outram Park and Tiong Bahru holds special meaning for me,” Irene reveals. “It all started when I had to decide where I wanted to further my studies after primary school. I was looking for one with a pool because I love swimming, so I chose Outram Secondary School.”
While she confesses that her decision was somewhat shallow, she has no regrets when it comes to her alma mater. “All my friends chose to go to convent schools but for me, it was all about the pool,” she jokes.
“I even went swimming on the weekends because I was on the water polo team, and a trained lifeguard, too. So the place where I spent the most formative years of my youth was Outram Park.”
Click through the gallery to see Irene revel in her surroundings at Outram Park, her favourite Singaporean neighbourhood:
READ MORE:
Dick Lee Reveals His Favourite Part Of Singapore Ahead Of National Day
10 Stylish Home Decor Finds From Homegrown Brands And Designers
Go On An Unforgettable Staycation At One These Cool Hotels
Like many areas of Singapore, Outram Park has seen its fair share of modernisation but for Irene, it doesn’t take away from the nostalgia she feels for the area.
“So much has changed and yet so much has also stayed the same,” she says. “It one of the places you can go to today that doesn’t disappoint, even though it’s been through its own transformation.”
So taken was she by the area, that Irene even rented a house, opened a now-defunct bar and established FLY Entertainment’s first office here.
“It’s not too obiang but it’s not high-brow either, and the food just can’t be beat,” she says breaking out into a smile.
“The vibe here, too, is like nothing you’ve ever seen. You can be living next to an old couple whose ages when added together come up to 200-years-old, while your other neighbour is an hipster artist who invites you to his raging house parties!”
READ MORE:
Super Stylish Red & White Options Under $100
Get To Know The Names Who Are Shaking Up Singaporean Fashion
8 Local Films That Celebrate The Singaporean Spirit
(Photos: Nicky Loh and Yann Cloitre; Nyen Chia/SPHM; The Straits Times; and Singapore Tourism Board / Art Direction: Christina Lim / Styling: Jerome Awasthi assisted by Jet Ong; and Lirong assisted by Caroline Neo / Makeup: Elyn from Cecilia Chng Beauty, Danny Kong and Shaun Lee / Hair: Edward Aw, Danny Kong and Nigel Woo from Passion Hair Salon)