Three Singapore-based fathers reflect on their happiest memories with their young daughters.
Valentine's Day passed last week, but it got us thinking about the many kinds of love that exist beyond the romantic: the kind that teaches us about ourselves, bolsters our self-belief, and weaves our relationships closer together. One of the strongest of these has to be the unique bond between a father and his daughter. The popular phrase, "daddy's girl", speaks of this doting relationship and lifelong attachment.

The multi-faceted role of fatherhood continues to be redefined today. With more women in the workforce globally than ever before and the growing movement towards greater equality between the sexes, a father's main role as the family's breadwinner has made way for a more nurturing and hands-on form of parenting.

Here, three Singapore-based fathers open up
about their happiest memories with their young daughters.
"MY OWN FATHER IS VERY TRUSTING. HE FINDS THE GOOD IN PEOPLE AND HAS GIVEN ME A HIGH LEVEL OF OPTIMISM IN HUMANITY. HOWEVER, FOR ME, FATHERHOOD HAS BEEN A BIT OF A PARADOX. IT HAS MADE ME FEARFUL WITH REGARDS TO THE IMMENSE RESPONSIBILITY OF BEING A PARENT, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT HAS MADE ME FEARLESS. I HAVE ALL THAT I NEED — EVERYTHING ELSE JUST DISSIPATES."
Head of Innovation at DBS
Married to Maggie Chan
Father to Scarlett Bae Dumra and River Jae Dumra
BIDYUT DUMRA
"MY BIGGEST DREAM FOR EVA IS TO LIVE A NORMAL LIFE WITHOUT PREJUDICE OR PRECONCEPTIONS. SHE IS HEARING-IMPAIRED AND HAS A PHYSICAL CONDITION THAT CAUSES HER SOME DIFFICULTY WITH MOVEMENT IN HER LEFT ARM AND LEG. I WANT HER TO HAVE A NORMAL LIFE, TO WALK, AND JUMP. HOPEFULLY, NOBODY WILL MAKE HER FEEL DIFFERENT SIMPLY BECAUSE OF HER CONDITION. ONE THING I'D LIKE TO TELL EVA IS NOT TO BE AFRAID TO DIVE. NOTHING COMES EASY IN THIS WORLD; YOU HAVE TO PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE TO BE FULFILLED AND HAPPY."
CEO and founder of Crane,
a social club for lifelong learning
Married to Jia En Teo
Father to Ella Rose, Ines Sofia, and Eva Luisa
FEDERICO FOLCIA
"RAISING LUELLA HAS MADE ME SEE THE WORLD DIFFERENTLY. I SEE THAT KIDS PICK UP THINGS THAT WE NORMALLY WOULDN'T. JUST SPENDING TIME WITH HER HAS ALLOWED ME TO THINK THAT WE SHOULD BE MORE SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE AND LEARN TO LIVE LIFE IN THE PRESENT. SHE DOESN'T ASK ABOUT YESTERDAY OR TODAY; ALL SHE CARES ABOUT IS NOW. IT HAS MADE ME APPRECIATE THE TIME WE HAVE TOGETHER A LOT MORE."
Assistant Editor, The Straits Times (Video)
Married to Ginette Chittick
Father to Luella Lee Miller
SHAWN LEE MILLER