Saturday September 26, 2009

Talented lass with a knack for ancient art of face-changing

By YIP YOKE TENG

ESTHER Yap’s youthful and demure demeanour hides a secret — the 21-year-old model knows how to perform the ancient art of face-changing.

“Chinese traditional arts have always fascinated me. I think these arts are gems our ancestors passed down to us and we should all play a part in preserving them,” she said.

Preserving tradition: Yap believes that everyone should play a part in keeping ancient traditions alive.

She learned the art of face-changing or bian lian, an essential element of Szechuan opera in which the performer changes his face masks in a blink of an eye, at a centre in Cheras and managed to get the hang of it in just several classes.

“Of course, it takes years of practice to perfect the skill but I am ecstatic that I managed to learn this rare skill. I hope to develop a career out of it,” she said, adding that she would perform the art in a show in December.

Yap also bakes and plays the piano in between time on the catwalk.

“I enjoy baking and playing the piano, it is quite therapeutic,” she said.

The lanky lass aspires to be a beauty queen. She has already bagged the first runner-up title of Miss Chinese Campus 2009 and emerged in fourth place in Klang Parade shopping centre’s Cover Girl Search 2009.

What do you like about KL?

It is a pot-pourri of cultures and cuisines. I have always been fascinated by the many authentic cuisines available in Kuala Lumpur, especially Japanese food.

What do you dislike about KL?

Traffic jams and pollution!

What’s your favourite food?

Sushi, Japanese cuisine is always my favourite.

What do you do to relax?

I listen to music, it is calming and soothing.

What’s your favourite place to hang out?

Sunway because it has almost everything I want there.