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!