Around GMA

CAAP extends flight ban over Mayon Volcano anew until morning of Dec. 15, 2025
Visually impaired soldier promoted from captain to major
Farm to Table: (December 14, 2025) LIVE

Article Inside Page

Showbiz News

Be inspired by how Race Wong transformed herself from being one of Hong Kong's biggest stars to the trailblazing techpreneur that she is now.

Race Wong is undoubtedly one of the biggest names in the entertainment industry in Hong Kong in the early 2000's. She and her elder sister Rosanne had a successful singing career as the multi-awarded Cantopop duo 2R. Race had also been nominated several times for her outstanding performances in her films.

Race Wong shares her wonderful career journey in an exclusive interview with GMANetwork.com. / Source: @missracewong (IG)

However, in 2011, Race decided to leave the spotlight to venture into an entirely different career. She went back to school in Australia to pursue a master's degree in Business, majoring in Marketing. Then, she entered the world of finance and equities trading.

In 2013, she set up a company with her younger sister Rhonda in Singapore called Anthill Realtors, which basically offered investment and property management services to the affluent.

People can learn a lot from Race Wong's surprising and impressive career transformation.

Race with her fellow 2R singer and sister Roseanne. / Source: @missracewong (IG)

Leaving the spotlight

According to Race, what prompted her to shift to a different career was that she felt like she didn't have control over her career and that she wanted to do something meaningful that would have a positive impact on other people.

“A lot of times I felt like, 'Hey, I'm not in control of my own career. I need to do something to take control. What can I do to grow better? To do things that are just beyond myself?'

“Because as a celebrity, our brand name is just tied to our name. You can only be as big as you are. But, if you were to do something for others, it'll be very different.

“And that's when I thought I had to make a change in my life.”

The big career change that Race went through required her to undergo a challenging but fulfilling process.

Aside from getting a master's degree in Business, learning a lot about finance, real estate, and equities trading, Race also had to do thorough research about the tech aspect of their company.

“When it comes to tech, it was a whole new world. So, I had to do a lot of reading. I read intensively on a lot of technology-related books, not just about technology (itself) but (also) about different technologies around the world and how the technology companies are run…how Google works, how it works on Facebook, to kinda like get a feel and idea.

“Because when you wanna run a tech team, it's very different from running a traditional company, and running tech guys is very different from running sales agents.

“It's been an interesting learning journey. Every single day, there's something new. Because the wants of the team and the needs of the company evolve all the time. So, we're still learning every single day.”

Race and her sister Rhonda, co-founder of Ohmyhome / Source: @missracewong (IG)

Coping with the pandemic

Like everyone else, Race had struggles, too, during the pandemic, especially during the early part when lockdowns were implemented worldwide, and it had a huge impact on their business.

Race revealed that the transaction numbers in Singapore experienced its historic low with a 90 percent decline.

“Obviously, from a business owner standpoint, we were extremely worried about how it will turn out because the economy's going down and does that mean that transaction numbers are gonna continue to go down?

Fortunately, Race and her team were able to adapt to the challenging times and they started to produce virtual tours of properties, since most people cannot go on actual tours because of the pandemic.

Their innovative way of coping with the pandemic has even gained attention from the Singaporean media because they were the first company to do it efficiently.

And all their efforts paid off because as soon as lockdown restrictions eased, their business was able to get back on its feet again.

“Lucky thing is right after the lockdown, in the month of June, transaction numbers went to a historic high.

“So, everyone who couldn't transact in the two months were able to finally transact. They were able to go to house viewings.

“So, that was a great relief for us. And we hope that this will be the same for the Philippines.”

On a personal level, the pandemic and the lockdown have also affected Race and her family's daily routine. She said she also had to work remotely like most people and supervise the Zoom classes of her daughter.

“I think that has been a little challenging, but it also created new moments for myself and my daughter to bond together.”

“I have to say that I have to be careful of what I wish for, 'cause last time when my husband said, 'Hey, let's go on a vacation.' I said, 'If we can just stay at home, it would be an even better vacation. And there, I got it. (laughs) Stuck at home for two months.

Race also offered advice on how to cope with the pandemic.

““Every time that I am met with challenges in life, I just think that, 'You know, wow, this is gonna be such an amazing and unforgettable memory for me. And this too shall be over.' Yeah, that's what I always think.

“So, I'm sure this pandemic too shall be over. Let's hope that by the end of this year, everything is cleared and we can be all back to normal again.”

“I think that if there's something good that we can learn from the entire pandemic is that we have to really invest in relationships with our family members, because they're the only ones who can be there for you when you need help.

“When the world is closed, that's the only thing we have left, our home.”

Career advice for shifters

During the latter part of the interview, Race gave career advice to those who are thinking about shifting to a different career, just like what she did.

“If you are not very satisfied with your current career and you're looking to do something else, do research about it, and actually just go for it.

“In fact, a lot of times in my life I actually just jump right into it and then I learn along the way.

“Of course, if you already have friends in the industry, it's good to ask them how it is like, how's the career progression.

“Because sometimes we have an idea about an occupation, but actually the work is very different.

“But if you are unhappy with what you are doing right now, definitely I think you should make that change.

Race's career transformation may have surprised many, but her experience is proof that it's possible to leave your old career behind and start a new one, a one that will give you more joy and fulfillment. All you have to do is take control over your life, don't be afraid to reinvent yourself, and be brave enough to take the first step.

Want more lifestyle content like this? Head out to GMA's Lifestyle page.

You might also want to read about Kara David's inspiring career journey as a broadcast journalist and TV host.