Time really flies. It seems like just yesterday that the idea of starting a Manhunt Singapore Alumni Facebook group just popped into my head. And now, one year later, we celebrate our very first anniversary of ManSA on 17 July 2012! Not only has the alumni group more than quadrupled in members, from its initial 5 (past organizer Dinesh Sujanani, Manhunt Singapore 2011 2nd Runner-Up Alex Ng, finalists Yip Jian Wei, Edwin Ng, Huang Huolin and myself) to our present whopping 96 members; just last week we’ve also launched the very first and only Manhunt Singapore Alumni blog not just in Singapore but globally too! And to date, we have just hit 1,000 views! What a lovely surprise birthday “gift” to us!!!
Thank you to our truly awesome current organizer Samuel Seow, our awesome Manhunt contestants past and present, our beloved sponsors and of course, YOU, our wonderful ManSA blog readers! Without you all, none of this success would be possible! So here’s looking forward to many more years to come of more engaging write-ups, gorgeous photography (courtesy of talented photographers by the likes of Marcus Mok, Milk Photographie, Ferry Tan, etc) and entertaining competitions!
First up, we have last year’s 1st runner up Charles Phua, who we soon discover is quite the likeable joker, definitely a far cry from the “arrogant show-off” as he claimed people who aren’t familiar with him assume him to be.
It’s been a year since we last saw you at the Manhunt Singapore 2011 finals. Could you share with us what have you been busy with since then?
Since Manhunt Singapore 2011, I had been offered various opportunities, but in the end I decided to follow my heart and pursue my interest in singing, as cliché as it may sound. So for the past six months, I have been taking vocal training under Dick Lee and will be continuing this training for the next few years, while pursuing my degree in NUS. Should the opportunity arise, I may consider exploring hosting or more acting roles. But for now, I am entrusting my managers to offer advice and steer me in the right direction on the choices I make with my career development.
The majority of the past year for me had been dedicated to vocal training as mentioned above. I was also involved in the Fashion Orchard runway show, thanks to my past modelling connections before my Manhunt days. And I even dabbled a little with acting, taking on a small role as a teenage basketball captain on a Xin MSN drama production “iRock”. I guess the casting director felt I was more suited for adolescent roles with my boyish looks. I originally intended to do my “campus house” proud by taking part in the NUS pageant, but later withdrew my application when I realized I was contractually bounded from participating in other pageants right after Manhunt Singapore. I felt extremely apologetic about withdrawing last minute, and really do hope there were no hard feelings.
Has taking part in Manhunt Singapore 2011 made an impact or changed your life in any way/s? How so?
My life is still pretty much the same. Even though I am proud of making it to the Top 3 of Manhunt Singapore 2011, I try to keep a low profile about it. I’ve been told that because of my tiny eyes, when I am not smiling, people get this impression that I look quite arrogant, even though it really is not the case. So I am a little apprehensive about flaunting my title, as I wouldn’t want to be misunderstood to be showing off or anything like that. But without doubt, making it to the Top 3 of Manhunt Singapore 2011 was definitely one of the greatest achievement moments in my life and I’m happy to be part of the alumni! 
Do you get recognized by fans on the streets? How do you usually react to being recognized?
I don’t have any fans lah, ha, ha, ha… Or if I do, maybe it’s my “arrogant non-smiling look” that scared them off? Ha, ha, ha… 
Do you still keep in touch with any of the former finalists? Who would you consider to be personal friend/s amongst the contestants/winners past and present?
I was already friends with Juan Wenjie and Robin Khoo even before the Manhunt Singapore 2011 competition. And later through the course of the competition, I became buddies with Shane Pow, Yip Jian Wei and Treviz Tan. We’d go to Malaysia every once in a while for supper together. And yes, we know it is fattening. Ha, ha, ha…
If given the chance, would you enter Manhunt Singapore again in the future to compete for the winning spot again? If not, why not?
My intention in entering Manhunt Singapore 2011 was purely to experience what it would be like to be part of this competition that was the pioneer of all other male pageants. Whether I won or not was not my focus. I am content with what I had achieved in this competition, so let the spotlight be on the future contestants instead to vie for the winning glory. 
Could you share with us some of your upcoming plans and projects? We’ve seen past contestants and winners pursue their ambitions in acting, modelling, bodybuilding, business entrepreneurship, etc. How about you? What are your aspirations for the future?
Believe it or not, I was actually thrown out of class during my younger days back in school for singing too much! And after all these years, I’ve come to the realization that singing is what I’ve always loved and wanted. So now, my dream is to carve out a successful career as a well-rounded and wholesome artiste in singing and acting. 
I do have a few friends in this year’s competition so I'd be rooting for all of them, but I can’t share who they are though! Ha, ha, ha…
What are your personal thoughts about the creation of this alumni group and blog for the Manhunt Singapore “family”? Do you think it works well as a complement to the competition?
I think it’s a commendable effort and I applaud the creator of this alumni group. At least now the past and present contestants can reminisce about great memories together with this alumni group and blog.
What are some suggestions you can think of that would make the Manhunt Singapore competition, the alumni group and this blog an even greater success for the future?
I’m not just saying this for myself, but I think it'd be great if we could get sponsors and perks for our alumni members, such as gym or spa benefits. And vice versa, the alumni members could in return, help promote these fitness facilities or do publicity for the sponsors. 
Thanks Charles for taking precious time off your busy schedule to catch up with us here at ManSA to share the latest on your successes in life since Manhunt Singapore 2011! We wish you all the best and look forward to hearing great news about your burgeoning success in your singing career real soon!
Check back with us real soon, as we promise to bring you up to speed with the rest of the Manhunt Singapore 2011 leading quintet! And fingers crossed that we'll have a bigger and better 2nd Birthday Bash next year!!!
Beam Artistes (http://www.beam.com.sg/)
Damian Tan Photography (http://damiantanphotography.com/),
Ferry Tan (N.D Photography http://www.ndphotography.com.sg),
Koh Sze Kiat (Pic Hour Photography http://www.pichour.com/index2.php#/home/)
Marcus Mok Photography (http://www.marcusart.net/),
Mohamed Irwan's Work of Testshoot Models Portfolio (https://www.facebook.com/groups/348096901916990/)
and Charles Personal Photos
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