Day 1 To Singapore We Go

At the famed Merlion

October 26, 2009.

This trip to Singapore has long been planned. Since July of this year, Dr. Leonardo C. Canlas, the President of Mabalacat College had instructed me to communicate and establish possible linkage with the South East Asian Ministers of Education Organization - Regional English Language Center (SEAMEO-RELC). But because of my inefficient note-taking, I noted only the keywords ‘English Language Center’ which led me to the website of Centre for English Language Communication, National University of Singapore (CELC-NUS).

As a result, I have been communicating with the CELC-NUS for a while and even made arrangements for Dr. Canlas’ visit. In one of our later conversations, Dr. Canlas clarified that he wanted to visit the SEAMEO-RELC. Oops! Just when I thought I’m ready to fly to Singapore, it turned out that the institution we plan to visit is not aware of our coming. I’m back to square one.

I hastily communicated with SEAMEO-RELC for an audience and after few exchange, we settled on a date. The SEAMEO-RELC team will be at the lobby of their Center to meet us. To remedy the situation, the President decided to visit both institutions. It was a fruitful error, I would later on say, for it opened a lasting relationship with CELC-NUS.

And to Singapore we did go.

To make the trip hassle-free we signed up for a package tour with Creative Travel & Tours based at the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. We are in a group tour and frankly, I have no idea who will my companions be until the day we left. Early morning of 26 October 2009, I found myself in a van full of strange people bound for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). Later, I became acquainted with each one and every one of them. Besides Dr. and Mrs. Leonardo C. Canlas, we are in a company of tourists from Mabalacat, Mexico, San Fernando and Macabebe, all in Pampanga. The tourists from Mabalacat are: Dr. and Mrs. Prospero T. Lagman, Mr. and Mrs. Eduardo Sotto, Mr. and Mrs. Tomas Manalo and Mrs. Myrna S. Ocampo; from Mexico, Dr. and Mrs. Telesforo Luna and Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Buan; from San Fernando, Dr. Eriberta T. Maglaqui and from Macabebe, Ms. Ruby Laquindanum.

The early morning breeze must have added to my excitement. It was my first time in Singapore so that every minor airport hassle seemed tolerable. This tolerance did not survive when we lined up at the immigration.

“Where do you work?” asked the immigration officer

“Mabalacat College,” I answered.

“A government school?” she asked.

“Technically, yes,” I affirmed.

And there she goes. She began to ramble about the Executive Order (E.O.) 459 which prohibits government employees from traveling without authority from the Malacañang Palace. I wanted to bark ‘I have a travel clearance from my President!’ But she didn’t give me a chance.

“Even if you’re using your own money!” she lectured almost shouting.

I explained that I am a lawyer in private practice by full-time profession and that I am teaching at Mabalacat College. She allowed me in but only after a really good lecture on the E.O.

“You are a lawyer, you should know that!” she pointed out with an air of victory.

Argumentum ad hominem! She must have been drop-out from some law schools somewhere. Indeed, some members of the immigration staff assigned at the airports lacked modesty. Reviewing E.O. 459 later, I found out she was wrong. I don’t need travel clearance from the Palace. I only need a travel order from the College President. I have a travel order from my president. Incidentally, he is traveling with me.

Soon, after a series of rituals involving frisking and prying on persons and belongings, we’re on the plane. Singapore Airlines, as always, is on time. Everybody must be in as scheduled. But the NAIA had a heavy traffic. This caused a 15-minute delay on our take-off. The airport traffic is a taste of Manila traffic –heavy! We left Manila before 9:00 a.m.

            It was a very nice trip up in the sky. I did not have the slightest fear of crash – something I always feel when flying and I hate it. The thought that I am 40,000 feet above the ground makes me shiver. Compared to my past flights, of which I only had a few, that was a relaxing one. The flight attendants were pleasing and dutiful. Their faces, curves and their classic Singaporean prints were delightful. Their English needs a little ‘come again?’ And I am always amazed by how airlines fit in a sumptuous meal in small space-saving trays.

I sat beside Councilor Eduardo Sotto. I wanted to know more about him and so I initiated a talk. Our buzz ran from politics, education, health, travels and his wife. During slack moments I glanced at the dailies. They say most of Southeast Asia, including Singapore will be sunny. Manila behind us was sunny but it was cloudy when we landed at the Singapore airport.

Lining up at the immigration, I feel like I’m going to be subjected to an interrogation again. The officer looked like a Tamil – a first glance of Singapore’s multi-ethnic society. He looked at me, looked at my passport, looked back at me and began to talk. I’m in trouble again.

“Do you know ‘Sad Eyes’” He asked.

“No I don’t.” I answered, puzzled, but noticed that this is going to be an amiable talk rather than an interrogation.

“What is it?” I asked back.

“It’s an old song of my favorite singer – Robert John.” He answered.

“Ah okay, but I don’t know him.” Hmmm, my name reminded him of artist who recorded one or two popular hits.

He scribbled the words ‘Sad Eyes – Robert John’ on a blank Visa Card and handed it to me. He told me to search for the artist on the web. Then he allowed me in.

Singapore Terminal 2 is a beautiful airport. Its indoor gardens are beautifully landscaped and crammed with colorful flowers mostly orchids. Red, yellow, orange, ‘go to my country oh flowers of Singapore!’ What a fascinating sight indeed, especially to a weary traveler! The gardens made the airport a happy place. This airport could easily be the most beautiful in Asia.

We were met by a Filipino tour coordinator, Ms. Jennie Naca Arboleda, from Platinum Holidays. Jennie gave us our Singapore itinerary and brought us to the Gold Coast Seafood, a local restaurant in downtown Singapore. Despite the nice meal from the Singapore Airlines, we are so exhausted that everyone is hungry. We were treated to a Chinese feast of seven courses. They first served the soup, then the vegetables, then the fish, then the chicken, and then the chili crab. As the guests become full, another dish is served and then another until the table seemed to be a cornucopia of food.

Chili crab is the specialty to Singapore as Peking duck is to Beijing. It was great and real hot! It is a cuisine of large crabs cooked red in rich delicious chili sauce. However, the crabs are thin. The red sauce gives an impression that the crabs are fat. Had they been fat, those red fats would have been mixed up with red chili to my awesome delight. That fish cooked in soy sauce was also great. And I finished the chicken, which were cut into easy bites. Everything tastes good to a hungry traveler!

However, the servers lacked refinement. They laid all the soup bowls for everyone and pour soup on each bowl hastily that some of it were spilled on the table. So hasty that they almost dipped their fingers into the soup! They also filled the glasses with water almost to the brim. All the dishes were served in such a hasty manner. The restaurant is literally a fast-food. The food were cooked in a rush and served in a rush too! It was our first taste of Singaporean hospitality. Welcome to Singapore!

In the afternoon, we went on city tour under the scourging sun. We toured around the City of Singapore. We visited the Raffles Landing Site, Merlion Park and other historic places. The Raffles Landing Site is near the mouth of the Singapore River. The district is replete with British colonial buildings. Across the river are old buildings which once served as warehouses of trade goods (including opium) for trading with China.

In this historic district, I saw a familiar picture on the tarpaulins hanged among the colonial buildings. It was that of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, a Philippine patriot. There was an on-going exhibit in tribute to the hero. But just like the mute statue of Sir Stamford Raffles, no one is interested on something biographical at the moment. The sun’s heat was tormenting and all we wanted was to be back to the air-conditioned bus and go to some cooler place.      

Our tour guide, Garry – a native of Singapore, is very energetic. If given a chance, he is more than willing to share everything he knew about Singapore, including his childhood experiences! Many times, he found himself talking without an audience. He is very talkative to a point of being annoying. I fell asleep as he talked about his neighbor on the microphone. I can infer from his unattractive face his pride and love for his native land. This could be the reason for his overzealousness.      

The dailies were right; it was a very hot day. Except for few spots, the city tour wasn’t really pleasant because of the scourging heat. The sun plus Garry means torture. The Merlion is under construction. And as what unscrupulous tour guides in China always do, Garry brought us to a jewelry factory. Thanks God it was closed when we arrived. We weren’t able to buy expensive jewelries and Garry did not have his commissions. We did not enjoy the sightseeing.

Singaporeans traced much of their country’s success to the political will of Lee Kuan Yew. The historic Singapore River, for example, was cleaned and all the polluting elements were transferred somewhere else. The British warehouses (reminiscence of the East India Company) lining up the river were preserved. Lee Kuan Yew made the city history-conscious.

Before nightfall, we were at the China Town for some cheap dinner. Then we went around sightseeing. The district is announced by an imposing Chinese temple. Behind the temple is a square and alleys lined with souvenir shops. It is a clean China Town. Garry said he missed the dirty China Town which he called ‘authentic.’ Garry, himself, had a Chinese blood.

At the food court, I went for a combo of fried chicken, rice, peanuts and whatchamacallits. The fatherly Dr. Telesforo Luna bought me a coke, which I didn’t refuse. Ice-cold Coca Colas are expensive in Singapore.

After a long and busy day, we went back to our hotel, exhausted. We were billeted at the Orchard Parade Hotel along Tanglin Road. What a lovely hotel! The room’s ambiance was so relaxing and the bed was so inviting. This hotel fits my travel style. I travel very light – lighter than the usual. And the hotel room services and complimentary toiletries fill in what I deliberately fail to do or bring.         

Though tired, I started writing this memoir. But no! I have worked like a slave this morning. Tonight, I must sleep like a king.

Day 2 The Side Trip to Indonesia

Hail native artists!

October 27, 2009.

The side-trip to Batam, Indonesia was a pleasant surprise. I did not know about it until the itinerary was given. Well, let’s go to Indonesia!

To maximize our time at Batam, we had early breakfast. By 7:45 a.m. we were on our way to Harbourfront Centre. While in a queue at the Indonesian immigration counter, I found out that in some slips provided by the travel agency, my name was misspelled. I panicked unnecessarily. In the Philippines where a slightest discrepancy on one’s papers may mean non-issuance of your passport or visa, and worst, being inconveniently interrogated in some immigration chambers, I am quite surprised that the immigration in Indonesia was so lax. We left the country free from creepy stares and sarcasms of immigration officers.   

We embarked at 8:45 a.m. The cruise passed along the shores of the island of Sentosa where we enjoyed the sights of Singapore from afar. We saw the heart of Singapore as we sailed to the island of Batam, Indonesia. The Singapore Flyer, because of its gigantic size, is indeed a landmark.

We reached the island after 45 minutes. Batam is the first significant Indonesian island south of Singapore. We were welcomed by a Chinese Indonesian named Pingping, our tour guide. Looking around, I noticed that some parts of Batam have reddish soil. Dr. Telesforo Luna said it’s full of iron. The island’s natural vegetation is markedly similar to that of the Philippine Islands. The island also has abundant rains. According to Pingping, they always experience intermittent rain showers chiefly in the afternoon.

Indonesia Miniature Garden

      

Pingping asked us a trivia which nobody but herself answered correctly. How many islands does Indonesia have? Dr. Canlas expected me to at least make an educated guess. To my disgust, I made a wrong guess. Pingping revealed that Indonesia is an archipelago of 18,110 islands. And with this prelude, she brought us to Indonesia Miniature Garden where the highly diversified Indonesian society is showcased in one setting. Each province is represented by its architectural landmark built in miniatures. However, we failed to see this point because we were too busy taking pictures on some of the little edifices. The rains drove us back to our van. The buildings are too small to shield us from the rains.

Batam is famous for branded shirts which can be bought there at half the price than that of Singapore. We are of the impression that these brands were manufactured here for cheaper production costs and then shipped to Singapore. Thus, the prices of the items are cheaper. Whether or not this is true, only those who purchased know.

An Indonesian lion dance.

            Nearby is a traditional theater. The locals presented an adaptation of a lion dance. Their costumes show some Chinese or Thai influences but it may also be indigenous. They also presented rustic antics and daring acts like swallowing bottle shards, playing with rings of fire or husking coconuts with bare mouth. Hail native artists!

For lunch, we went to Restaurant Golden Prawn 555 Seafood Kelong Restaurant, a dining place within a fish farm. The restaurant resembles a tropical Southeast Asian long wooden house built on stilt with nipa thatched roofs. It is standing in the middle of fish ponds where many kinds of marketable fishes are raised. Some of the harvests are placed in aquariums and tanks ready to be cooked to satisfy the cravings of hungry tourists. Our lunch was a sumptuous seafood feast.

The whole set-up is a brilliant idea. It is where science, technology, commerce and culture meet. Dr. Prospero T. Lagman, himself a science enthusiast, can’t help but appreciate the grand display of marine animals in large tubs and tanks. On my part, I appreciated the Indonesian hospitality. Like royalties, we were being served by humble waitresses.

Batam is the home of the City of Nagoya, the main business district. The city is just like a typical Philippine provincial city where life is not in a hurry. There is no clear urban planning, people build houses wherever they like. However, it is generally clean – cleaner than Manila.

Goods are much cheaper in Nagoya than in Singapore. But just like anywhere else, one has to really bargain. Pingping led us to a downtown department store named “FM Collection” along Komp Bum Indah. It is where the imitation perfumes are sold side by side with the genuine brands. The bags with big names are glaringly fake. I went out of the store without buying anything. The items on display are made of low quality materials.  

St. Petrus Church, Batam Island

At the request of the group, Pingping brought us to one of the island’s only two Catholic Churches. To our delight and Catholic pride, the Gereja Katolik, St. Petrus, is beautiful! The church is new and is constructed on top of a hill in the town of Baloi. It was inaugurated only in May 2009, or some five months ago. Catholicism is flourishing in this rather predominantly Islamic island. Pingping is herself a Catholic.

Then we went to one of the island’s mall – a modest mall with very few shoppers. Many of the stocks on display are out of style (or am I looking at it in a different perspective?) The mall has a funny name: Golden Truly. I suspect the name was a poor English translation of Pure Gold, the name desired by the owner.

At Golden Truly, I bought two beautiful wooden masks crafted by local artisans. I also bought a pair of wooden anthropomorphic figures symbolic of a Malay wedding. These items cost me a lot of money, but I am very satisfied. Cultural items of superior craftsmanship should be expensive.         

To my surprise, people smoke inside the mall! This caused the pungent smell of the mall ambiance. Because of slack moments in a rather empty mall, the salespeople gossip a lot. I started a cheap joke and in few minutes, the joke was all over. Smoking inside any mall is a taboo in the Philippines. While gossiping is a cultural pastime in the Philippines, busy salespersons can hardly find time to buzz.  

We left Indonesia at 5:19 p.m. As the Penguin Empress started to row away from the Batam, I can see an Islamic mosque sitting grandly near the bay. Goodbye Indonesia.

By nightfall, we’re back at the Orchard Parade Hotel. The next day, we will be at the NUS CELC. I browsed the web for some last minute communications from Dr. Chitra Varaprasad or RELC, but there were none. This caused me $16 charge from the hotel. (Dr. Canlas took care of the bill). I downloaded a map of the University for Ian Galistan, our driver. Though Ian is a seasoned driver, he admitted that it’s his first time to drive for tourists to a University. I smiled; after all, tourism was more of a secondary purpose.

The room’s ambiance was very serene. The bed is irresistible! The room, the lamps, the sight, the cold air and the kingly bed, together, constitute a blissful treat. Hmmm! Goodnight Singapore. 

Day 3 At the Centre For English Language Communication, National University of Singapore and Sentosa

28 October 2009

I woke up very early today. I needed to prepare for the visit at the National University of Singapore. I personally ironed my business suit (called Americana in the Philippines). I looked so elegant on it that Madam Sotto noticed and praised my presence.

Before we left, we had a hearty breakfast at the hotel. I always look forward to the buffet breakfasts at this luxurious hotel. It made me realize how cosmopolitan we Filipinos are. I mixed American, European and Asian breakfast elements to create a sumptuous combo which I call the Filipino breakfast. My plate contains bacon slices, cheese, fried rice, boiled eggs, bread, and margarine. I also took two glasses of pulpy orange juice and a cup of coffee. This serving is hardly Asian, neither purely American nor European. It is a Filipino breakfast, a hearty one.                 

  After breakfast, the group broke into two. I have no idea where the other group went. But according to our itinerary, the morning schedule is ‘free and easy’ and we won’t go anywhere as a group until 3:30 p.m. when we leave for some evening adventures at Sentosa Island. My group will go to the famed National University of Singapore.

Representing Mabalacat College at the NUS CELC are: Dr. Leonardo C. Canlas, President; Dr. Eriberta T. Maglaqui, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Prof. Carmelita P. Sotto, Vice President for Administration and Finance and myself. Joining us are the officials of the Municipality of Mabalacat, Pampanga: Dr. Prospero T. Lagman, Vice Mayor and Hon. Tomas Manalo, Councilor.      

On our way to the NUS, Dr. Canlas dictated the things that we shouldn’t miss when facing the NUS CELC officials. Dr. Canlas is good at dictating things. He seemed to have memorized it beforehand. I scribbled:

1. Benchmarking

2. Twinning Programs

3. Problems with English

4. Research Outputs of the CELC

5. Finalization of Institutional Relations

Big words. I wonder if all these things can be discussed in a two-hour visit.

After a few heavy breathes, the van entered a big university via a rear entrance somewhere. Along Architecture Drive, we glide from one building to another until we arrived at the Centre for English Language Communication. Dr. Chitra Varaprasad, the focal person for academic visits, met us at the main road and led to us to the Centre where Lee Kooi Cheng (K C Lee), the Deputy Director of the Centre and Dr. Patrick Bernard Gallo, a member of the faculty, are waiting.

An exchange of pleasantries followed. K C Lee opened the program. She said she went to the Philippines last July. Ms. Lee is optimistic that we can explore possible areas for collaboration. Lee is interested to know the meaning of ‘English Proficiency’ in the Philippines so that both parties may settle with ‘predictors.’

“In a country,” Lee stated, “there may be many predictors.”

We were informed that the University assesses the English proficiency levels of the students. Based on the said assessment, the students are either allowed to enroll in a regular University course or required to take remedial English language modules at the Centre. The Centre delivers its English Language lessons by module. The students are free to take the modules at anytime during their stint at the University.

CELC also offers writing programs manned by course coordinators and tutors. These coordinators and tutors assess the written language proficiencies of the students. Besides the writing programs, Dr. Gallo said that the Centre also offers bridging courses for scholars ‘poached’ from all over Asia. He used the word poach to mean ‘the recruitment of students with exceptional talents or skills but with zero English communication to enroll in the University.’ For example, bridging courses were offered for the students of the Conservatory of Music. Brilliant musicians and musical scholars but who cannot communicate in English were ‘poached’ from as far as China. As a rule, every NUS graduate must possess a certain level of competence in the International language.

Dr. Gallo started his powerpoint presentation about the process of learning the English language but since Dr. Canlas snatched the floor, he turned off the LCD. Dr. Canlas gave a short history of Mabalacat College. He explained the objective of the College – that of producing graduates who are globally competitive. The College accommodates out-of-school youth and those who stopped schooling. K C Lee was surprised that a school like Mabalacat College thrives. 

During the open forum, Dr. Eriberta T. Maglaqui asked the questions she scribbled in a piece of paper. Among others, she asked how the Centre measures the success of its programs. Dr. Gallo acknowledged that they still have to sharpen their system of assessment.

We then proceeded to view their facilities. They have complete facilities for the students to learn by themselves. Everything is provided for. Students can learn the English language through print and non-print materials. There is a wide array of books and journals to learn from. The Centre has a superb resource centre. The Centre also maintains an internationally refereed research journal. International researches were conducted and published in the Reflections on English Language Teaching.

The meeting ended up in exchange of tokens. It was a very fruitful meeting. The Centre treated us with a snack of colorful Singaporean delicacies. And like the Iwakura Mission, we went home envisioned.

        

For lunch, we went back to the Chinatown. We ate Peking duck at the Wan Tang Eating House Tai Pei Sea Food along Trengganu Street and then we rummaged the whole place for souvenirs. In between the souvenir shops, I noticed historical memorials and statues commemorating the hardships of the early Chinese migrants in Singapore. Their dark and crammed quarters became the core of what is now Singapore’s Chinatown.

The tour guide left us to fend for ourselves. The tourists’ historical sensibilities should be at its peak here. Or it will be lost in the midst of the sights and sounds of the district, being a commercial and heritage centre at the same time. I spent much of my money buying key chains, t-shirts and other items. From here, we went to Sentosa for some sunset adventure.

Sunset Adventures at Sentosa

Any trip to Singapore will never be complete without spending a day or two at Sentosa Island. The island is one of the world’s most fabulous playgrounds. It is connected to Singapore Island via a bridge and a railway. We took the rail, the Sentosa Express, and alight at Imbiah Station. Either on wheels or on foot, Sentosa is a place where every turn’s a surprise. Like wide-eyed wanderers, we just followed our tour guide almost absent-mindedly. Thanks to Platinum Holidays, we never have to worry where to go next.

It was beginning to drizzle when we took our pose at the Merlion at Imbiah. Our talkative but prudent tour guide, Garry, distributed long identical umbrellas. The resultant photos were funny – all looked old fashioned with umbrellas as walking sticks. Later, these umbrellas became bothersome – camera on one hand, brochure on the other, bag hanging on one forearm and the omnipresent umbrella on the other. Most of the attractions in our itinerary are indoors!       

We visited the Images of Singapore. This attraction showcases the history of Singapore in a glance. It has three major sections: the Four Winds of Singapore, Singapore Adventure and Singapore Celebrates.     

At the Four Winds, we were hauled and seated in a warehouse of a trader. The warehouse turned out to be a theater where everyone is a captive audience to Singapore History 101. The show features the races that came to trade and eventually forged a nation – the Chinese, Indians, Malays and Europeans. Like the winds, they came from all four directions.

We then walked through history with Singapore Adventure. This is a series of diorama exhibits of important milestones in Singaporean history. The exhibit emphasized the multi-ethnic background of the island. It is enlightening how exhibitors made big stories from the ordinary lifestyles of the early Singaporeans. The special features include: the warehouse, the jungle, the harbor and the streets.

Another highlight is Singapore Celebrates. This showcases a series of tableaux showing how the locals celebrate cultural and religious festivals as well as family milestones.

The Images of Singapore experience is highly academic. Like a passionate learner on a school fieldtrip, I tried to learn as many as I could. But trying to clump the history of Singapore in one setting almost caused me indigestion. Unless one reads the brochure well, the exhibits would seem like a hodgepodge of dioramas, photos and thingamabobs.                    

We then went to the Underwater World Singapore. This experience is an abrupt departure from the earlier socio-historical attraction. We found ourselves in a huge oceanarium where we flirted with some 250 species of sea creatures. This place should be a paradise for people who love marine biology. The oceanarium has an 83-meter long acrylic tunnel, where we viewed marine creatures from beneath the waters.  

Via a travelator, we moved through the tunnel as a hundreds of sea creatures swim around undisturbed in their underwater world. They come in diverse sizes and shapes. From huge sharks to small clownfishes, name it, they have it.

I am so fascinated that I do not know what to feel. I know I’m happy and satisfied. There seemed to be too much and yet I want more, ahh, life is but a dream. “And dreams are only dreams,” Pedro Calderón de la Barca once said.

And then we proceeded to the Tiger Sky Tower, the newest addition to Sentosa’s attractions. It is the Singapore’s tallest observation tower at 131 meters above the sea level. As such, it offers spectacular bird’s eye view of the whole country. Everything’s too small from above. It is our talkative Garry’s first time to be up on Tiger Sky Tower. Silenced by amazement, his unattractive face broadcasted his pride for his country’s achievements.

By 7:40 p.m., we lined up to watch the Songs of the Sea. I thought we were to watch something familiar as the background looked like some houses built on stilt at Manila bay. But we’re on for a spectacular display of pyrotechnics, water jets, flame bursts, lasers and music. And though the plot is shallow, the visual effects were fantastic and full of surprises.

The group was so pleased with the show. Dr. Canlas and Dr. Maglaqui and everyone else were smiling. Dr. Canlas wished the MC cultural troupe could stage those spectacular acts. I told him, it is possible.

Tired, we went back to the hotel. Tomorrow, we will be at the SEAMEO Regional English Language Center. I wished myself good luck.

Day 4 At the SEAMEO RELC

At SEAMEO RELC 

October 29, 2009.

Today is another busy day. The Mabalacat College group is scheduled to go to the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Regional English Language Centre (RELC). I confirmed our visit with Ms. Joyce Oliverio, but she seemed to open her mails only once in a blue moon. I wonder if she read our confirmation. Thus, it still seemed like we are in for a gate crash. I could only hope everything will be fine.

Unlike our NUS visit, this time we are not in a hurry. The Centre is just few stone throw away from our hotel. And indeed, after a few maneuvers, Ian announced, “We’re here!”

SEAMEO RELC, by Singaporean standards, is an old massive structure. Like an old knight, it stands dignified along Orange Grove Road. At its entrance, we were welcomed by a flat panel display television which announces our coming.    

Reading “Mabalacat College” as one of the expected visitor for the day relieved me. At least, they were expecting us. Ms. Oliverio, whom they called ‘Filipino,’ was there to meet us. She is joined by some high RELC officials. Later, she clarified that Oliverio family is not Filipino but Portuguese.          

Dr. Christopher S. Ward giving enthusiastic lectures.

Dr. Christopher S. Ward, the Centre’s Deputy Director for Training and Professional Development, opened the program with a video presentation. During the Question and Answer Session, he volunteered many ‘nice to know’ trivia giving me an impression that he missed the classroom so much. He is very spirited, almost like Garry, only more pleasing. Mrs. Rosalinda G. Luna, herself, an alumna of a SEAMEO INNOTECH program, is very pleased to be around.         

Dr. Canlas inquired about the programs and scholarships of the Centre that may be availed of by the members of the faculty of Mabalacat College. Dr. Ward showed the brochure where the Centre’s programs were enumerated. He said that the Centre may customize a program to suit the needs and budget of a client.  The program costs, according to Dr. Ward and Joyce, cannot be lower than the Centre’s ‘threshold,’ which is like an equilibrium price. We hoped for some scholarships but there were none. The program costs, however, were really reasonable.

SEAMEO RELC Library

After some photo opportunities, they showed us around their facilities. In some ways, the facilities reveal the Centre’s tight budget. Though not dilapidated, the facilities looked old-fashioned. To augment their income, the Centre maintains a low cost accommodation to cater to the needs of those who attended seminars with them. We went up to see this ‘hotel.’ It is undergoing renovation.

We also observed a group of Vietnamese students learning the English language at the speech laboratory. The Centre boasts of a library collection which is unparalleled in the region. Then, after buying some books and journals, we headed for lunch. It took Ian more than an hour before he picked us up.

According to our itinerary, today’s free time, so we went gallivanting around Orchard Boulevard. The boulevard is a grand assemblage of green, glass-and-steel, cars and people. It is an amazing place – so clean, so green and so orderly.  Singapore, indeed, have come a long way. We went to the mall frequented by many Filipinos. We ate at the Kapampangan Restaurant. I missed the adobo so I got a plate of one. It wasn’t good.

Madam Maglaqui wants to buy a laptop for her nephew but can’t seem to make up her mind. She instead interviewed the Filipino salesman who hailed from Angeles City.

The last four days had been fun-filled and very exhausting. One wonders if there are attractions still left unseen. We only have one night and tomorrow off we go. And indeed there is – the Night Safari Singapore.

This attraction is not a part of the package but the group decided to see it. Garry volunteered to guide us at the night safari. So, we roamed around a 40-hectare safari which is home to some 1,000 nocturnal animals.

However, we did not use the map. Thus, we missed so many attractions! We missed the Leopard Trail, Fishing Cat Trail, Forest Giants Trail. The only attraction we joined in was the Tram Ride which took us around the park and observed nocturnal animals from afar. When we arrived at the amphitheatre, the performers of Tribal Dance and Creatures of the Night Show bowed to close the evening. What a waste. Next time, I should know better; I should use the map!

The philosophy behind a night safari is for us to view the animals ferociously hunting for food at night. However, this will mean seeing animals kill each other for dinner. That will be awful. But expecting these animals to play around at night to the delight of the visitors is impossible. They are supposed to fight for their survival. Inside the safari, the environment is already sanitized – no more preys, predators just wait for the serving of the next meal. I wonder if these animals have not lost their hunting abilities. They fed on dole outs since their ‘imprisonment.’

Back at hotel, we started packing up. Tomorrow, we’re home. I just can’t wait. Thank you Singapore!

Day 5 Home Sweet Home

October 30, 2009

After our last hearty buffet breakfast at the Orchard Parade, we brought our baggage down the hotel lobby ready to go home. The baggage now weighed thrice as heavy as they were days ago. I myself am a light traveler so I don’t have to worry about freights and enjoy much of the trip. But the boisterous Ruby Laquindanum asked me to carry a huge box of perfumes and lotions. Hail to a lucky day! Indeed, he travels fastest who travels alone.

Why do Filipinos love to carry many luggages during travels? How can they enjoy the trip with much burden on their backs? Sometimes, I get culture shock with my own culture.

            We waited at the hotel lobby for our transport to the airport. It’s a lazy day. Our energies had been drained by too many activities. Some sleep at the receiving area, others chill out, while others socialize with other tourists. Dr. Maglaqui befriended some tourists from the Middle East. These tourists have no way of communicating except through key words browsed from a pocket dictionary. We gathered that they are businesswomen on a business trip in Singapore. Wow! The status of women in the Middle East had drastically changed. Clad in their traditional robes, they do business the Singaporean way!    

We arrived at the airport before 11:00 a.m. Our flight is still at 2:20 p.m. so we have lots of time processing our tax refunds. As usual, Dr. Maglaqui had lots of questions on where to go, what to do, whosits and whatsits galore. And worst, she’s hyperactive and wants things done at once. She wanted to check in early. I told her that the counter is still close. She insisted on checking in. I told her that rest of the group are still processing their tax refunds, she wouldn’t budge. We left her alone with her hyperactivity. She’s simply so excited in lots of things.

The colorful airport flowers bid us goodbye. In a soliloquy,   I whispered: ‘Goodbye Singapore. You are such a great nation. Asia has much to learn from you.’

On our way to the plane, Dr. Canlas discussed with me some concepts on relevant education. I tried to absorb his ramblings as best as I could but the words simply slipped away. We were all exhausted. Even the prints, curves and smiles of the flight stewardesses of Singapore Airlines failed to excite us. The flight was smooth. Were the pilots good? Or was it our exhaustion?

Going home is a lot easier; no intimidating questions, no qualms and no butterflies in the stomach. Entering the country feels like a demandable right. Tired and exhausted, I am ready to hurl invectives against those officers who will attempt to stop me from entering my country.

I joined the van going to Mabalacat. As expected, the heavy traffic (not flowers) greets us ‘Mabuhay!’ With our heavy baggage, the driver sends us off on a literally door-to-door basis.

As Dr. and Mrs. Lagman disembarked, I whispered, “Home sweet home.”

“Yeah, it’s nice to be home.” Mrs. Lagman answered smiling. She invited me for dinner which I politely declined.    

I was the last to be sent off. Some members of my household did not know about my Singapore trip, my baggage may invite questionings worst than that of the immigration. I asked the driver to drop me off at Mabalacat College so I can park my things. And so he did, I thanked him profusely.

Hello Philippines! Did you ever know how much I miss you? No matter where I go, you will always be the place I long to go back to. You will always be my home.