Contributors

Aidyn Fitzpatrick

Born in Hong Kong and educated at Christ Church, Oxford, Aidyn has had a lifelong love of Macao and a varied career in journalism and communications. Before joining Macao News, they were the Asia Managing Editor of Time magazine. In previous roles, Aidyn has been a copywriter at the ad agency Leo Burnett; a senior consultant at the Capital Group, one of Australia’s leading corporate communications consultancies; and was the London-based Pan-European Communications Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board. Their poetry has appeared in VS: 12 Hong Kong Poets (Big Weather Press, 1992), City Voices: Hong Kong Writing in English, 1945 to the Present (HKU Press, 2003), and Voice and Verse (2022). Follow them on Instagram: @aidyn__fitzpatrick.

Alidad Tash

Alidad Tash fell in love with Macao when he moved here in 2006, eventually becoming a citizen. He is the managing director of 2nt8 Limited, a consultancy specialising in international casinos and integrated resorts. When not discussing movies, books, science, and current events, he’s spotted walking around Taipa wearing his trademark headphones.

Amanda Saxton

Based in Wellington, New Zealand, Amanda has written for Monocle, the Telegraph and the New York Times, among other publications. In her spare time, she loves to explore, write, and ride horses.

Carla Thomas

Carla Thomas is a Canadian journalist. She is currently the editor of Liv magazine, Hong Kong’s health and wellness publication, and a freelance writer in her spare time. Her work has appeared in the SCMP, The Washington Post, Forbes, Time Out Hong Kong, and elsewhere.

Craig Sauers

Craig Sauers is a food, travel and culture writer based in Bangkok, as well as the features editor of the Macao News. Previously, he was managing editor of BK, Bangkok's leading lifestyle magazine, and food and drinks editor of Time Out Hong Kong.

Erico Dias

Erico came to Macao News as an intern in 2021 and stayed, taking on a reporter role with special interests in culture, city life and sports. Today he is the Macao News web producer and is also part of the newsletter team. During his time off, Erico plays football, coaches younger players, and enjoys walking in nature. He reads widely on the topic of mental health and wellness. Follow him on Instagram: @inked.in.black.

Gonçalo César de Sá

Born in Mozambique and educated in South Africa, Gonçalo’s storied career has taken him all over the world. After a stint in London at the BBC, he joined the Portuguese news agency Lusa as a correspondent and over the course of 35 years was posted to Japan, Angola, Zambia, China, Australia, Thailand and Brazil, where he was the agency’s regional director. After the establishment of diplomatic relations between Lisbon and Beijing, Gonçalo became the first Portuguese journalist in China. He also headed news at TDM for six years. Today, he is based in Macao and, besides his role at Macao News, is the Editor-in-Chief of Macao magazine and Executive Director at Macaulink.

Inara Sim

After working as a travel writer in Africa, Inara moved to Macao in 2011. Since then, she has been freelance writing for publications in Macao and Hong Kong covering dining, travel and lifestyle, as well as writing social media posts for some of Macao’s biggest resorts. When she isn’t writing, you can find her at home wrangling her three kids. Follow her on instagram: @inara121

Kate Springer

Joining Macao News in 2020, Kate contributes to editorial strategy, article commissions, daily editing and special projects. She also writes for CNN, BBC Travel, Conde Nast Traveler and Forbes Travel Guide, among others, and has edited several print and digital publications in prior roles. In her free time, Kate can be found travelling, reading or eating her way across Philadelphia, in the US, where she relocated in 2021 after living in Hong Kong for 10 years.

Kenny Fong

Kenny was born in Macao, but spent his formative years in Brisbane, Australia. In 2015, he returned to Macao and worked as a teacher at various schools, including Macao Anglican College and Colegio Dom Bosco. In order to further pursue his love of writing and current affairs, he joined Macao News as a reporter in 2023. In his spare time, he enjoys watching Hong Kong movies and reading literature from all corners of the world.

Mani Fong

Born and raised in Macao, Mani Fong joined Macao News in June 2022, with responsibility for translating articles, subtitles and other relevant content from English to Chinese. She also works with journalists and assists with project management of the Forum Macao Bulletin, providing interviews and news updates. She loves dining out, movies, and travelling.

Mariana César de Sá

Mariana was born and raised in Macao. After studying politics and international relations at the University of Bath, in the UK, she started her publishing career with Macao magazine in 2014, where she eventually became the Managing Editor and launched a non-profit social justice magazine in Hong Kong in 2018. In 2021, she spearheaded the relaunch of Macao News and established the company’s marketing communications arm Ruca Studio – Macao’s only homegrown English language agency. Day to day, she runs Macao News and all of its affiliates as the publisher, explores new business opportunities, launches new products and manages client projects. She also has a second career as a model, having fronted campaigns for brands like Cartier, HSBC, UOB and Nivea.

Mark O'Neill

Mark is a Hong Kong-based author and speaker who has lived in Asia since 1978. He loves to go to Macao – his first visit was in 1979, for peace and quiet. He enjoys writing about its rich history, culture and many extraordinary people. Follow him on Facebook: @speaker2018

Sam Sinha

Sam moved to Hong Kong after a decade working as a chef in all manner of London kitchens. This hands-on industry experience informs every aspect of his work, and he now enjoys writing wherever food, sustainability and innovation intersect, as a freelance journalist and copywriter. You can find him out and about sampling the finest street eats on offer in Hong Kong and Macao.

Sandra Norte

Sandra first collaborated with Macao News in 2019 on a one-off project, then joined the team as its in-house designer. Specialising in publication design, she’s created layouts for a number of magazines, books and booklets. Since being promoted to senior designer, she oversees all design projects across print and web platforms. Sandra spends her free time creating with her hands, be it watercolour paintings, embroidery, woodwork or whichever new medium she feels like exploring.

Sara Santos Silva

From the northern Portuguese city of Espinho, Sara is responsible for curating lifestyle content at Macao News, across web, newsletter and social media platforms. Although her position has its glamorous, sybaritic side, what she loves the most about her job is the chance to connect with people and listen to their stories. Sara has lived in Macao for eight years and both her children were born in the city.

Tanja Wessels

Tanja joined Macao News in 2020, writing features and profiles. Now based in Penang, Malaysia, she is the platform’s Social Media Editor. Tanja’s work has been published in the South China Morning Post, Ariana magazine, Echelon, Macau Closer, and more. With a love for all things sustainable, she’s also working on a startup in Singapore to shake things up in the fashion industry.

Vivianna Cheong

Vivianna has been an arts marketer and writer for over a decade. After completing a master’s degree in English Literature in the UK, she has been working in the arts – theatre, dance, Chinese opera, film and visual arts – in the UK, Hong Kong and Macao. She has written for numerous magazines and translated copy for shows and exhibitions of various scales.

Our Contributors