Chinese street opera has become an endangered art form in 21st-century Singapore - a vanishing world of color, ritual, and resilience. And yet, the backstage remains alive with energy, beauty, and dedication. I found myself returning three times this year, unable to stop observing the performers as they transformed into mythical characters before my eyes.

In this frame, a seasoned artist, her face adorned in intricate makeup and tradition, holds up her phone. On its screen is a picture of herself in full costume - perhaps showing it off with pride, or simply asking her colleague for feedback. Either way, the gesture speaks volumes: she’s not just keeping the tradition alive - she’s owning it, celebrating it.

Amid fading spotlights and shrinking audiences, her quiet confidence reminds me that passion is sometimes the most powerful preservation.