NewsLoop, an app that combines the best news and lifestyle content from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, Philippines and Thailand into a single app, has cobbled together exclusive SG50 interviews with 50 relatively more famous Singaporean personalities from diverse fields.

These personalities were chosen to pick their brains about what makes them and this country tick.

Some of these personalities include ghost stories writer Russell Lee, poet Alvin Pang and footballing legend Fandi Ahmad.

They are all asked a series of standard questions, but the most interesting one posed to them is: What are your hopes and expectations for Singapore in the next 50 years?

You can either check out the free app available on Google Play and iTunes for all the personalities' answers.

Or, you can check out a selection of answers we've picked to give you a sampling of what was said:

1. Patricia Mok

Patricia Mok was talent-scouted by Jack Neo in 1996. She is a comedienne and her accolades include being the recipient of Best Supporting Actress at Star Awards 2003.

"I hope for the next 50 years, Singapore will do more to help those in the lower-income group and make housing more affordable for younger people, so that they can start family planning early on.

I also hope that we will allow singles from the age of 30 years old to buy houses, and to see more welfare and hospital care for the disabled and the aged.

Hopefully, there will be less restriction on TV and in the media industry, and we should also allow Singlish (we should be proud of it because it represents us as Singaporeans!) and local dialect channels (so that we don’t forget our roots).

I also hope to see more acceptance of the LGBT community in our country with same-sex marriage to be legalised, more law enforcement when it comes to social media, verbal abuse and animal cruelty.

Finally, I hope Singapore will have more animal-friendly places, both indoors and outdoors, especially in restaurants and cafes.

In the next 50 years, I see Singapore as a globalised country with high standards in technology, commerce, as well as healthcare, with people of different skin colours living together."

2. Jeremy Monteiro

Singapore’s King of Swing, Jeremy Monteiro, is the first jazz musician to be conferred the Cultural Medallion (in 2002) for his contributions and excellence to the artistic arena.

"That as we grow in wealth and influence, we will also grow in compassion for people in Singapore who are less fortunate, as well as people in other countries who suffer. I also hope that there will be no people or very few people in Singapore who have to worry about their basic needs and comforts."

3. Eldwin Chua

Eldwin Chua is founder and CEO of Paradise Group.

"That we are able to embrace all challenges as a graceful and forgiving nation."

4. Jo Soh

Jo Soh is the designer of local fashion label hansel.

"I hope that Singapore becomes a much more open-minded and tolerant society."

5. By2

Taiwan-based Singaporean duo By2 is made up of twins, Miko and Yumi Bai, who made their debut at 16 years old, after signing a 10-year contract with Ocean Butterflies International.

"We hope there will be more masterpieces aligned with international standards created by Singaporeans representing Asia in the future."

6. Fandi Ahmad

Fandi Ahmad is the former captain of the Singapore football team and one of Singapore’s most-loved sports legends. He is retired from playing the sport but is now the head coach of LionXII (in the Malaysian Super League).

"As there are many foreigners coming to Singapore to work, I hope that our young Singaporeans study and work hard so that they are able to get a good job for their future."

Curating content customised on users’ preferences, NewsLoop presents the latest in local and international news and myriad top trending lifestyle topics from luxury, health, beauty, to sports news, tech news and much more. Users can choose what matters most to them and personalise their NewsLoop experience with news they can use from respected sources such as Channel NewsAsia, BBC, New York Times, ESPN, and CNET Asia and Mothership.

Top photo via NewsLoop