Singapore: The Essence of Today’s New Asia

Overview

The muti-cultural and sophisticated city-state of Singapore, officially called “Republic of Singapore,” lies in the South-Eastern of the Philippines. It has a total land area of 660 sq km. Most of its citizens are known to be living at their public housing under the Housing and Development Board (HDB). Majority numbers of the population are English speaking, aside from other local language such as Malay, Mandarin and Hinduism.

Over the years, this city-state has grown into a center of industry and commerce. Singapore is my first outside the country travel. I was surprised to discover that Singapore is not just one island. The mainland is surrounded with about 60 islets.

Getting There

Basically, you arrived via airplane and will land at their only airpot Changi Airport. With the new card “EZ-Link that are available at any Transitlink Ticket office, you can travel on all trains and buses in Singapore. So before hopping in the train or bus, get this card first. After securing one card for yourself, you can then either take a bus, or a train. I highly recommend train because its cheaper. Its the most affordable and convenient way of traveling in Singapore. When you ran out of credits all you have to do is go to the nearest top-up station to buy or fill in more credits. How to use this card? Better be observant, but its easy. All you have to do is tap it at the gate. Then you can pass once the way is open. The same when you go out from the station once you arrived in your destination. Warning! Do not seat on the seats provided for the elderly and handicapped. Do not hand-carry a drink or a food and munch it inside the station or inside the train. You will definitely get a punishment.

No other Asian country that is safer, reliable and convenient transport system than Singapore. Their transportation system is considered to be well established. With integrated fare, information and networks of their Singapore Mass Rapid Transport (SMRT) and their buses that makes everyone easy to travel.

Housing and Accommodations

When I visit Singapore for an educational tour back in July 2011, we stayed at a very low cost accommodation. Being a develop country, it is expected that the standard of living will go up in parallel. Though, hotels in this country is expensive, there are still low cost and budget dorms type accommodation that you can find as long as you are an intelligent traveler. During our visit we stayed at Urban Hostel Backpacker. However, if you can afford such luxurious hotel, why not! After all a vacation is really worth the spent!

During my visit, I had this chance of meeting my long time and best friend working in Singapore. My group that I travel along with went home one day and night ahead of me. I had this chance of staying in my friend’s place. One friend told me that housing in Singapore is pretty much different from the Philippines.

Amusement and Entertainment

The Seven District Zones. Is Universal Studio Singapore seven district zones in the park which has a total of 24 unique rides and attractions.

Hollywood. The entrance and the first zone of the park which replicates the glamorous life in Hollywood and the buildings of 1940’s and all of the possible things you can see in the real Hollywood.

Along the streets of this zone are unique shops, live Broadway Musical, also you will have the first meet and greet with Hollywood films famous characters such as Marilyn Monroe and more cartoon characters such as Puss in Boots and a lot more.

New York. The City of New York in Universal Studios Singapore is the next zone. If you have been to that city in the 1940’s then this is your chance to reminisce its glory.

Sci-Fi City.  Basically, this is the third zone of Universal Studios which is the haven of those who are addicted to Science and Fiction. Along its street, you can see the enthralled adaptation of the movie Battle Star Galactica roller coaster. It has two features, the human coaster (on the red tracks) which is designed for riders who want a roller coaster experience with no inversions. While the cylons, are for those riders who alley themselves to the (blue tracks) that travel on a space craft that will perform more intensive maneuvers such as one inverted loop, one cobra roll and one helix spiral. It also plunge into a 5 meter deep pit filled with artificial fog to give thrill seekers the sensation of a near mist with the ground, since part of the ride will take place at a lagoon. The two exciting loops will have a sudden turn’s breathtaking drop and thrilling near-collisions that will make everyone scream their heart out. So, if you are scared take another rides.

Ancient Egypt. Basically, this zone has two features. You can take the ride “Revenge of the Mummy,” or the Desert Treasure. If you want to take the Revenge of the Mummy ride, be ready to queue for an hour or more.

The Lost World. This zone features two movie adaptation the movie “The Lost World,” and the movie “WaterWorld” filmed in 1995. Witness a breath taking stunts, along with gun fires and other water exciting scenes. Warning! “Do not seat in the front rows…there are a lot of surprises!

Kingdom Far-Far Away. Fan of Fairy Tales? Behold and join the adventure of Shrek by entering this enchanted castle “Kingdom Far-Far Away” of the hilarious movie “Shrek” and have fun watching the 4D Animation movie. You’ll definitely don’t get bored!

Madagascar. The Madagascar is the last zone in the park. Yes, its the adaptation of the movie “Madagascar.” You can see them dancing on the stage by their lovely music and beat. Your children can dance along with them.

Food 

During our stay in Singapore, we ventured and walked a lot, but food is not a problem when you get hungry. There are lots of local restaurant who are more willing to serve you. If you don’t like the local food, there are also popular fast food chains across the country like Jollibee, McDonals and etc.

Since, it was my first step in Singapore. I made sure that I shall have the taste of their flavor. The next morning we hurried to the local restaurant and had a chance to discover what great food they have. “Lo mai kai” is a local recipe which I deliberately like after tasting it. There are still several Singaporean cuisines that I am sure you will surely love. How about drinks? Well, they got a lot of drinks which are fruit flavored. I was kind of interested to try Singaporean Sling. It’s a cocktail drink which is developed through the long years of history before the year 1915. Someone told me it’s really worth the try. It’s sad that I was with a group of students…No alcoholic drink is allowed throughout the travel. Its recipe includes a gin, benedictine, fresh pine apple juice and cherry heering. Next visit I will plunge myself with this drink!

Traveling in Singapore is very easy, of course it is made easy because of their healthy economy, developed infrastructure, strict and well implemented laws. Its just sad to know that many of their citizens are lonely. More and more of their citizens got bored that eventually commit suicide. It is in this fact that I was caught into thinking. Happiness can never be guaranteed and fostered by development. It is subjective in the sense that. One can never tell what makes a person happy. This will make us realized that the happiness of one person is always relative. Anyone can be happy with a small amount of money despite lacking the luxury of life. Money is not a guarantee for happiness, perfect and harmonious life.

Traversing the Islamic City of Marawi

Officially known as the Islamic City of Marawi is the capital of the province of Lanao del Sur, the spiritual and cultural center of the Filipino Muslims of the Philippines. It is located in the southeast of Lanao del Norte, about 37 kilometers away from its Christian gateway City, Iligan. A dominant physical feature of this potential travel destination is the Lake Lanao to which the province economy is very much dependent.

How to go to Marawi

From the south bound Integrated Bus and Jeepney terminal of Iligan City located at Camague, Brgy Tomas Ll. Caili, you have to take a jeep or a van which will cost you more or less P50 pesos which would take more or less one hour travel. If you are a Christian and it would be your first travel to Marawi, I would strongly recommend that you should find a local trust worthy contact for your safety. If you are a woman, you should dress decently, if its not too much you can wear their “kombong” a local term for turban  which is made from Maranao fabric.

Craftsmanship

My recent visit to Marawi gave me a glimpse of the culture of the city’s dominant tribe, the Maranao.  The Maranao’s or the “People of the Lake,” together with the Tausug and Maguindanao are among the three major Muslim groups of the Philippines. My history class back in college teaches me about the craftsmanship of the Maranao tribe. They are a superb craftspeople who are known for their excellent malong waving and brass-wares. The brass-making town of Tugaya is accessible by boat upon crossing the Lake Lanao from the busy market. It is a municipality situated for about 23 kilometers on the western shore of Lake Lanao.

The MSU Main Campus

Mindanao State University Main Campus. The MSU Main Campus is founded in 1962 with a total area of 10 sq. kilometers. The campus that showcases Muslim culture, intellects and aspirations. The University is run by Muslim and Christina educators and the students are both Muslim and Christian coming from the different parts of Mindanao. The university serves as the vehicle for integration between the Christian and Muslim cultures.

The Aga Khan Museum of Islamic Arts

Inside the MSU main campus is the Aga Khan Museum of Islamic Arts. The museum has two sections; one that displays Muslim and the Maranao tribal artifacts, textiles, and some Chinese pottery; while the other section contains exhibits of history.

The People of Marawi and the Lake

Majority of the settlers of Marawi are the Maranao or “the people of the lake.” The Maranao dialect is the local language of communication. The word “Lanao” came from the word “ranao” means “lake” a body of water in the native dialect. The Maranao’s are very sensitive to maratabat which is a term that derives from Arabic and signifies rank and its due respect. They are the most status-conscious among the tribes settling the 7,107 islands of the Philippines. Maratabat serves as the controlling factor of the Maranao’s social actions, which determines not only what they do, but what they avoid doing so as not to offend the maratabat of their fellows. Sometimes it is intricately linked with family honor and afronts against it that may seem trivial to outsiders can lead a Maranao to demand retribution or exact violent revenge.

The Mosques and the Madrasa

In my recent travel to Marawi, I had this chance of visiting and taking photos with their famous Mosques. Marawi as the cultural and spiritual center of the Filipino Muslims, it has built several Madrasas, a religious schools whose curriculum includes instruction in the basic principles of Islam, performance of the tribes rituals, and the reading of an Arabic Kor’an.

More about this here.

Experience Tanza Oasis, Cavite, Philippines

In my recent travel to Manila, I’ve got the chance to experience this tastefully and luxuriously done modern refuge called—Tanza Oasis in Cavite City. My trip to Manila was not an ordinary one. I came to Manila with a group to take part on the 6th Global Business Conference held at  the Philippine Trade Training Center on the 4th of February 2012. The itinerary includes a trip to Laguna Techno Park  for Gardenia company visitation, Enchanted Kingdom and then will proceed to Tagaytay.  After Tagaytay we should head back to our accommodation in Manila at Longwood Garden Hotel in Pasay. Due to curiosity, the group decided to drop by at Tanza Oasis.

When we arrived I was mesmerized and totally in exhilaration  for I discovered that Tanza Oasis is not just an ordinary pension house, but a hotel and resort, a getaway that presents a beautiful combination of the idyllic seaside and the dynamic design. Behold! as you enter its tastefully done modern interiors of the lobby that hold a wealth of architectural elegance. You will really feel you entered a kingdom of the modern world.

Accommodation

The hotel has 124 luxuriously spacious air-conditioned rooms and suites that are equipped with facilities and amenities that comply with international standards. Each rooms are furnished with a mini-bar, coffee and tea making facilities, cable TV, mirror, dressing table and writing desk. Each room are designed with private spaces and bathrooms filled with high-tech  amenities. If you are worried about your expensive properties, electronic safety deposit boxes are found in every room for free charge.

       Room Type                           Weekly Rates              Weekend Rates

Superior Room’                        P3,000.00+                        P3,500.00+

Deluxe Room                              P3,500.00+                       P4,000.00+

Junior Suite                                 P4,000.00+                        P4,500.00+

Executive Suite                          P4,500.00+                         P5,000.00+

Presidential Floor                      P18,000.00+                     P21,000.00+

Single or Double Occupancy                                     

Complimentary use of Swimming Pool from 7AM-9PM

Children 4ft and below are free (maximum of 2)

Extra Person: P500.00 additional fee

Breakfast/Head: P150.00 additional

Services

Tanza Oasis Dining and Banquet Services is open for private dining to event management which offers a 550 square meters of meeting space for revelry or conference that a rough estimate of 1,000 people can be accommodated. The in-house restaurant “Sagobe Cafe” offers a superb selection of dishes that my mouth loved so much. The Grand Ballroom is fully equipped with modern audio-visual requirements which is an ideal venue for grand banquets and corporate affairs.

The Outdoors

Tanza Oasis Hotel and Resort is packed with breathtaking outdoor features that are sure to make your vacation filled with fund and exciting adventures. While you are at the outdoor why not dip in the cooling waters of the picturesque safari-inspired swimming pool with slides to excite you senses. Giant animals along the enchanting bridge where you can walk and take photos with.

The trip to Cavite and the experience at Tanza Oasis captures my heart. The indulging experience at Tanza Oasis thoughtfully soothe and relax my senses. The owner of the Hotel Resort was very friendly and accommodating. The dinner they served us when we arrived from a long travel from Tagaytay was perfect. Visit their website www.tanzaoasis.com and book now.

This is not a sponsored post.