Ahead of Father’s Day this year, we shine the limelight on 12 Instaworthy local dads and celebrate fatherhood by honouring the special relationships they have with their precious little ones. Read on for a little snippet of their lives, as we know it!
1. Dato’ Jovian Mandagie
Dato’ Jovian Mandagie, one of Malaysia’s most beloved fashion designers, has been described by wife, Datin Nina Ismail Sabri, as a “constantly involved and engaged father”. As a parent to 5 year old Jeanelle (aka @princessmandagie), the designer (naturally) has some fashion advice for his princess- skip those impractical attires, especially if they don’t suit her personality! According to a 2020 interview with BURO Malaysia, Jovian says that “style and fashion should represent who you are, but most importantly, fashion has to be practical and functional”.
2. Fahmi Fadzil
Lembah Pantai MP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Communications Director Fahmi Fadzil is the proud father to two young sons. Having played various different roles in his life (as a writer, actor, and an award-winning theatre performer), the role of a father and husband is still priority for this busy politician. In his own words, “I want to be there with and for my wife and child. No matter how busy my life is now as an MP, I am still a husband and father in my family.” A loud applause for this tweet, and also for his support for paternity leave!
3. Henry Golding
Crazy Rich Asians’ star Henry Golding is a new (and doting) dad to 14-month-old Lyla with his wife Liv Lo, whom he married in 2016. His Instagram page is full of beautiful pictures of the two most important females in his life. We absolutely love the ones of Henry looking dashing with baby Lyla tucked snuggly into his baby carrier! On fatherhood, Henry shares that watching his daughter grow and change so much makes everyday “a treat”.
4. Roen Cian Nagapan
Savvy Roen Cian Nagapan runs many businesses, including Common Ground, Jungle Bunnies, Life Juice, Sound Box Asia and Curious Child, whilst juggling his role as dad to two beautiful girls (alongside gorgeous wife and former Miss Malaysia, Carey Ng).
A supportive daddy, Roen encourages his daughters, Shaelyn Rey Cian and Bella Rey Cian, to be whatever they want to be. As a child of mixed heritage himself, Roen aims to raise his kids to stay true to their Asian morals and roots and to never judge someone by the colour of their skin.
5. Dato’ Fadza Anuar
Dato’ Fadza Anuar is the co-founder and CEO of modest fashion group, FashionValet. Married to entrepreneurial powerhouse, Datin Vivy Yusof, he is now a loving father to four little ones. The fashionable couple seems to have mastered the impressive juggling act of running their business, parenting four kids (in style, of course), and squeezing in silly, fun moments with each other. Dato’ Fadza’s Instagram is full of pictures of his gorgeous family, and he advises fathers to enjoy each moment, and not to be too hard on themselves when mistakes happen (as they surely will!).
6. Azlan Iskandar
Former squash player, Azlan Iskandar, is famous for reaching the world’s number 10 spot before retiring from professional squash. Talk about commitment! He’s also a dedicated daddy to his little travelling familia, Ava, Zara and Luca – with his fashionista wife, Ung Yiu Lin, declaring that she loves his commitment to the family, and that “we are always number one ahead of his own interests.”
7. Awal Ashaari
Awal Ashaari is a father to their Insta-famous 8 year old, Lara Alana (she has over 4 million followers!) and cutie pie Lila, who just turned 1 earlier this year. The TV host, model and actor shared in a Prestige Malaysia interview that fatherhood is the ‘best thing’ that ever happened to him, and that it has taught him to be more selfless. Along with wife, Scha Alyaha , these style mavens and social media superstars have certainly formed a beautiful family!
8. Keith Foo
This dashing Malaysian actor and model is notable for acting in movies like Pengantin Pantai Biru and Spy in Love. With former partner, the fashionable Kim Raymond, they share their adorable five-year-old, Skylar Ramond Foo whom they continue to amicably (and admirably) co-parent. His advice for new fathers? “I encourage fathers to be involved in caring right from the beginning of their kids’ life, it really makes a difference.”
9. SM Nasarudin
Husband to style icon Marion Caunter, SM Nasarudin is the joint Group Executive Chairman of Naza Group of Companies, and former President of the Paralympic Council of Malaysia. We love how proud this doting father is of his family and three lovely children (Leia Rose, 11, Lana Rose, 9, and Liam Nasarudin, 6), with picture-perfect family portraits gracing his Instagram feed on the regular.
10. Benjamin Yong
F&B entrepreneur Benjamin Yong is the founder and Group Chief Eating Officer of the BIG group. Married to Elizabeth Lee-Yong, co-owner of jewellery brand, Bowerhaus, the couple are blessed with 2 cuties, Blake and Baylee. Ben’s Instagram is filled with the things that bring him the most joy – food, friendships and above all, family. We can’t wait to see if the couple’s young children take after their culinary-inclined parents in the future!
11. Jin Lim (aka Jinnyboy)
Jin Lim, fondly known as Jinnyboy, rose to fame with his short comedic Youtube videos that became an instant online sensation way back in 2012. This YouTuber is now a father to 4-year-old Kayzel and 1-year-old Khloe, with an “intensified respect for mums” since the birth of his first daughter.
12. Harith Iskander
Comedian and emcee, Harith Iskander, showed his support for fatherhood with a lighthearted video done in collaboration with UNICEF Malaysia, bringing light to the everyday challenges faced by Malaysian fathers. Together with supermama doctor (the first female PhD holder for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering in UKM) and model Dr Jezamine Lim, they are parents to three young ones (aged 10, 8 and 7). In a recent interview with Prestige Malaysia, Harith shared that “fatherhood has taught [him] to be humble. To accept [his] own “good” and also [his] own “not-so-good” – an excellent reminder, indeed!
Here’s a big shout out to each and everyone of our fathers- new or seasoned, young or old, famous or not-so-famous. Happy Father’s Day!
