For eight years, Super Star Original Famous Penang Laksa was a well-known presence at Singapore’s People’s Park Food Centre, drawing both local patrons and tourists eager to sample its acclaimed Penang assam laksa. The stall was operated by 59-year-old single mother Phua Yoke Phek, whose dedication to her craft earned praise from food enthusiasts and bloggers alike. However, in May 2025, Phua closed the hawker stall and shifted careers, choosing to become a taxi driver in order to better support her daughter, national cyclist Valencia Tan.
Phua made the change to gain greater flexibility in her schedule, enabling her to transport Tan to training sessions and competitions ahead of her debut at the Asian Games later this year. “Of course I miss the shop but I do not regret it because I want to support my daughter’s dream to go to the Olympics,” Phua said. She noted that operating a hawker stall involved long hours that limited her ability to assist Tan, while driving a taxi allows her to accompany her daughter to the gym and carry her bicycle, which can be cumbersome for Tan to manage alone. Additionally, Phua is able to prepare meals and provide groceries to meet her daughter’s nutritional needs.
Their close relationship is evident in their Bidadari Housing and Development Board flat, where photos of Tan’s sporting milestones are prominently displayed. The 21-year-old cyclist began riding as a hobby in 2021, inspired by her twin brother Sachin’s enthusiasm for the sport. Starting out at East Coast Park on a secondhand Decathlon bike handed down from an aunt, Tan quickly progressed to road cycling and soon earned selection for the national team.
As her commitment deepened, Tan upgraded first to a $2,000 secondhand road bike. In 2023, she sought a higher-performance racing bicycle and requested her mother’s help to purchase a professional-grade S-Works bike, priced at $16,000. Despite initial shock at the cost, Phua secured funds by borrowing from friends and has since repaid the debt in full.
Tan, now a first-year business student at Singapore Management University, expressed deep appreciation for her mother’s sacrifices and support. “I know how lucky I am to have my mother support me in my ambitions, and it motivates me every day, in every training and race,” she said. Looking ahead, Tan aims to qualify for the Olympics, hoping to honor her mother’s faith and dedication through her own achievements on the cycling track.