It’s been a relatively quiet week on social media this past week, although there were still the usual birthdays, anniversaries, throwbacks… and one unfortunate COVID-19 swab test experience.

As a budding young actress in China and a student at the prestigious Beijing Film Academy, Eleanor Lee hasn’t been able to come back to Singapore much… until the pandemic struck and all her acting projects got pushed back and classes went online, that is.

In what is undoubtedly a silver lining, she managed to fly home and got to celebrate her 21st birthday surrounded by her loved ones last Monday (Oct 12). Although she admitted she wasn’t exactly thrilled with being “stuck in Singapore” — ahem, sound familiar? — for the whole year at first, she realised that it was exactly what she needed. This is home, after all.

Photos: Eleanor Lee/Instagram

Do you know anyone else who kneels and serves tea to their parents on their own birthday? This is a habit that Yifeng has insisted on instilling in Eleanor as a way to remind her to remember to be grateful, that life is precious, and to be filial at the right time (and not just after her mum is gone).

Photos: Quan Yifeng/Instagram

He may be a Golden Horse Award-nominated actor now, but to his daughters Calynn and Calista, Mark’s still just their dad who helps to dry their hair at home. And judging from how deftly he handles the hair dryer and brushes (and how nonchalant the girls look), it looks like it’s something he does really often.

Photos: Mark Lee/Instagram

Speaking of his Best Actor nomination, the trailer and some first look stills from Number 1 were released earlier this week, with Mark sharing a pic of his own — in false lashes, a wig, and all — on Instagram to, ahem, mark his birthday on Friday (Oct 16).

“What! I’m 52 years old already! Aiyoh! Still so beautiful!” he wrote. We should all aim to always have that same level of fabulous confidence.

Photo: Mark Lee/Instagram

On Wednesday (Oct 14), Rui En revealed through her fan club RBKD that one of her cats, whom she called her “children”, had “suddenly and unexpectedly” passed away a few days earlier.

In a very lengthy and emotional statement (which is quite uncharacteristic of the fiercely private actress), she documented her intense feelings of grief, saying that “there are times the pain gets so overwhelming that I wish to be dead so that I don’t have to feel it”.

However, she is trying to hang on and be strong, and decided to use this opportunity to point anyone who might be going through a tough time like her to seek help if they need it, leaving the hotlines of the Samaritans of Singapore and Singapore Association for Mental Health in her note.

Our condolences to Rui En. Losing a fur-kid is certainly not easy.

Photos: RBKD/Instagram

Last night (Oct 17), the former Mediacorp actress and newly certified fitness trainer made a heartbreaking announcement that her father had passed away.

“Today, he has left to join my Mom. Sigh... I can’t bear to let you go. Why so fast daddy? (sic)” she wrote on Instagram, along with an old story of how she once disappointed him in the past and the lessons that she learned from him.

Our deepest condolences to May and her family.

Photo: May Phua/Instagram

After such a long time of not seeing each other ‘cos of the circuit breaker and all, the actor and his loyal fan club, Elvinology, finally got to meet up yesterday (Oct 17) when they visited him on the set of his new drama Mister Flower.

“Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and it’s really nice to feel your presence close to me,” he gushed on IG, where he also showed off a cute ‘Ruivin’ (his couple name with Rui En) card they made for him. So sweet right?

Photos: Elvin Ng/Instagram

In case you haven’t noticed, there’s been a “how it started, how it’s going” challenge circulating on the internet, which is basically like a “before and after” kinda thing.

Jean managed to dig out a really old photo of herself with her husband from their super early days as radio colleagues to compare with a more recent shot, but to be honest, we probably would never have guessed it was them in the throwback pic.

Photo: Jean Danker/Instagram

The actress has been travelling to and from Singapore and JB for work and, of course, has had to undergo COVID-19 swab tests each time she crosses the Causeway. However, she revealed that one of her more recent tests “actually hurt”, even though it’s generally said to not be painful. Ouch!

“It all comes to luck on who does the swab test for you!” she said. To make things worse, she was asked to clean her nose “with a tissue as rough and thick as kitchen towels”. Well, let’s hope she isn’t as suay again when it comes to her remaining two tests.

Photos: Jeanette Aw/Instagram

Has it really been three years since the former Mediacorp actress surprised us all with the news of her marriage to her Japanese husband Tomoyo? She’s also become much more open about showing his face on her socials, something she declined to do in the past.

“It’s been a tumultuous past year, but with you beside me, I can bravely face the lows,” she wrote next to a series of lovely photos of the couple at Gardens by the Bay. “Till the day our up begins (sic) let’s stay strong together.” Awww…

Photos: Seraph Sun/Instagram

Also celebrating their wedding anniversary this week were Pierre and Andrea, who have been married for 17 years as of today (Oct 18). The couple spent the weekend dining out at some pretty atas-looking places, complete with champagne, pretty plating, and top-notch service (as they deserve to enjoy on this special occasion of theirs). Happy anniversary, you two!

Photo: Pierre Png/Instagram

Jimmy went all out to celebrate his mum’s 70th (yes, we know she doesn’t look it) birthday with a huge banquet, complete with celeb guests like JJ Lin and Wallace Huo, as well as the biggest ang ku kueh — filled with many more smaller ang ku kuehs to represent having many children and grandchildren — we have ever seen. The perks of having a rich and famous son.

Photos: Jimmy Lin/Instagram

If you’re wondering what a tiny — and utterly adorable — Suthasini is doing casually touching that gigantic bottle of alcohol, don’t bother asking ‘cos the singer quipped that she’s “not answering any questions” in her caption. With two laughing emojis, but still.

Photo: Suthasini/Instagram

Well, if this isn’t the #throwback to end all #throwbacks. The star shared this old photo of a younger him practising martial arts by the sea — he even has a sword! — and proudly brought up his “passion and dedication” to the sport. Wonder how long it’ll take before we can achieve such a high yet well-balanced leg lift like that.

Photo: Donnie Yen/Instagram

We guess it saves time — and makes you look good — although we honestly have no idea how we would react if we saw someone like this in public (and found out it was the Story of Yanxi Palace star, no less).

Photo: Lawrence Wong/Instagram

Most people only gush about the nice and Instagrammable sides of parenthood on social media, but the model-turned-actress, who welcomed daughter Layla last month, chose to be candid about the not-so-fun part earlier this week.

After a particularly difficult feeding session, poor Sheila broke down and was left literally crying over spilled milk, “For the wastage of milk, for not being able to feed my baby yet again and for feeling so careless and clumsy.” It’s not the prettiest story for sure, but she wanted to encourage other mums who might be struggling as well, which is really commendable of her. Jiayou!

Photo: Sheila Sim/Instagram