We’re celebrating Friendship Day today! While we shan’t wait for one particular day to celebrate love and friendship, 30th of July is a day where we all reflect upon the bonds that we’ve made; for some friendships are here for a season or a reason, whereas others last for a lifetime!
Some say that best friends are siblings that we get to choose.
True friendship is when someone knows you better than yourself; someone who celebrates you for who you are, triumphant moments or time of despair, they are always there to cheer for you and lift you up. They speak words when it’s needed, and they share the silence with you when words fail to string into sentences.
In conjunction with this special occasion, we’ve been releasing real stories about the best of friends since last week (some of you might even recognize them from social media!). Through their stories, you will be able to learn a thing or two about how they friendships blossomed, and in spite of the dynamic of their friendships, how they weather through the turbulence of life, together.
These two lads form the best team of what a strong brotherhood would look like. Although they are not siblings in real life, Noel and Ismail sure do look like close brothers! The tight bond shared between Noel and Ismail indeed is a treasure hard to find, for nothing could ever trade the shared loyalty that is found between brothers. Both represent different sides of a coin, read on as Noel and Ismail shares about their friendship journey!
So get comfy, and grab your best pals because these are reads that you don’t want to ignore!
Noel Faizal & Ismail Rosly
1. Hi Noel and Ismail! It’s such a privilege to have the both of you for Sevenpie’s special Friendship Day Featured Interview! Both of you are among some of the well-known influencers in the Malaysian community! Share with us how did both of you first met! Was it an instant “click”, or did the both of you took time to let the friendship grow?
N: Thanks for having us, Sevenpie! I’ve actually followed Ismail on Instagram for a very long time (I really admired his sense of style!). We’ve only messaged through DMs in the beginning. At that time, his skin was breaking out. So, I suggested a product that might help him. We’ve only met a year later from a mutual friend. I would say, it was an instant click. I knew right then that we could be good friends!
I: I’ve actually noticed Noel a long time ago on Instagram. I first started talking to Noel when I asked for his opinion about acne, as I was having a very bad breakout. Later on, we meet through a mutual friend, and we clicked instantly! I guess, it’s also because Noel is a very shy guy!
2. We can’t help but notice how much do both of you look alike with each other! Do both of you often get comments about this? Have anyone ever mistaken both of you as real “brothers”? If both of you were siblings, who would be the older one and who would be the younger brother?
N: Yes! Every time I post a photo or a video of both of us, comments and DMs starts flooding in, asking us if we are siblings. At first, I only thought it was the photos. But when people started to ask me the same questions when they see Ismail and I in person, I started questioning my mum if I have a brother that I know nothing about, haha!
Since I’m much older than he is, if we were siblings, I would naturally act like an older brother. Although, I can be more childish than him at times!
I: Yes! We get that often! Every time on events, or just anywhere at all, people would ask us: “Are both of you siblings?”. Even on Instagram, people would think that we’re siblings. But if we were both siblings, Noel would obviously be the older one. He is 36 years old this year!
3. Aside from having the same passion in skincare, what are the other common passion or interest that both of you share?
N: We both love shopping, good food, travelling and we have the same taste in music. It’s always fun to have someone else singing along to your favourite songs in the car!
I: We love travelling, shopping, and food! As a matter of fact, we just got back from a holiday. We went to Pulau Perhentian for a short vacation.
4. Share with us what would be that one trait that you admire about each other and why?
N: Ismail is a really hardworking person! He is always eager to learn new things. Seriously, if I was as hardworking as he is back then, I think I would become a millionaire now already! Jokes aside, his dedication always reminds me to keep on going whenever I feel lost.
I: Noel is a very simple and easy-going person. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him get angry. He’s so laid-back. In terms of being “simple”, I meant that he is someone who is easy to communicate with. Not to mention, a very caring person as well. He cares about everyone!
5. Have the both of you ever been into an argument before? How did both of you resolve it at the end?
N: The thing about Ismail and I, we always say things as it is. I’ve never felt once that I had to sugar coat anything when I’m with him. We’re both really patient and understanding towards each other. At times, he can really annoy me (and, so can I, haha!), but at the end of the day, we would always choose to understand and to compromise with each other.
I: Never! We’ve never gotten into an argument before.
6. Both of you have very different interests from each other: Noel as a YouTuber while Ismail owns his own watch business, Times. How do both of you support one another in your respective careers?
N: Even though we do really different stuff, Ismail and I share the same goals. We like to share ideas with each other all the time. When we’re hanging out, watching movies, or just having meals, you can bet that there’s going to be a conversation about work or business!
I: I believe the differences between me and Noel have made us closer to each other. I love all things business, but for Noel, he’s not really into business. Despite that, we still help each other. Noel had always helped me promote my business, while I always share to people about Noel’s YouTube channel. In short, we always help and support each other as friends.
7. If you could choose one trait that best describe this brotherhood that both of you have, what would it be, and why?
N: If there could be one trait to describe this brotherhood, it would be tolerance. To me, friendship is an investment. Seriously! It doesn’t just magically last 30 years. If you find someone who puts in as much effort to keep the friendship going, keep em’!
I: It would be ‘family’! Whenever I’m with Noel, I would always feel like he’s my big brother. I’ve even met his family a few times. His niece loves me so much, haha!
8. How do both of you juggle between trying to keep the friendship alive while being in the fast-paced media industry?
N: We always make it a point to hang out at least twice a week. The good thing about me and Ismail, is that it’s never hard to ask each other out. Our conversations would always be like:
Me: “Mail, dinner?”
Mail: “Jom!”
I: We always support each other. I will always back him up if strangers were to talk bad about us. We would also always keep in touch through WhatsApp every day.
9. Share a message with one another this Friendship Day!
N: Thank you so much for always being there and for tolerating with my nonsense, haha! Keep working hard and ignore the naysayer because you are most amazing when you’re just being you. Okay, excuse me while I puke my lunch.
I: Thank you for always be there, for believing in me when everyone else doesn’t. I can’t wait to travel with you around the world, buddy! Whatever happens, just know that you are the best brother and good friend that I’ve ever had.
