Miss Teochew Beauty 2021 Winner Ong Feng Yi, 25, Says She Bought Her First Pair Of Heels For The Pageant

The Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan recently held their third Singapore Teochew Festival. This year’s edition, meant to showcase and teach elements of Teochew culture, was held online due to safe-distancing precautions.

As part of the festival, they also organised the Miss Teochew Beauty Pageant, which saw 18 delegates vying for the title. In order to take part, the contestants must have at least one parent who is Teochew and be able to speak conversational Teochew.

The title was eventually won by Ong Feng Yi, who is 25 and works in marketing in the finance sector.

The delegates were also mentored by ex-beauty queen Teo Ser Lee, 55, who won her first pageant —Miss Singapore International — 35 years ago in 1986. Ser Lee would go on to be crowned Miss Singapore World in 1988, and Miss Singapore Globe in 1989.

On Nov 15, Ser Lee, as well as Feng Yi were guests on radio station Capital 958 to talk more about the pageant.

Feng Yi shared that she was very surprised to have won the title. “What's funny is that, before the host announced the results, my mum even told me, ‘There's no need to think about it’, but the next second, when the results were announced, I was so overwhelmed and flattered!”

She also revealed that she “bought her first pair of three-inch heels” for the pageant.

“It’s already quite challenging to wear heels, and when you walk the catwalk, you have to take note of multiple small details too,” she said.

Ser Lee also praised Feng Yi, saying that she has “changed greatly” since taking part in the pageant.

“When she first joined, she was a little shy, and didn’t speak much. But she became very talkative and confident soon after, and even jokes around now, said Ser Lee.

She also said the other judges felt Feng Yi was very outstanding, and exudes a unique presence on stage.

Photos: Ong Feng Yi/Instagram, Teochew Festival Singapore/Facebook