All Things Grand and Wonderful

Today marks my second month here in Singapore. 2 months and Im still awed with wonder whenever I see the Esplanade or the view of Marina Bay Sands from the Makansutra Gluttons Bay. I may get used to it and it may seem ordinary for me a year from now but for now, let me just enjoy the moment. And let me just pay tribute to Singapore. I am here now...

All things grand and wonderful,

All buildings great and tall,

All things nice and coloful:

Singapore has them all.

Each little flower at the Orchid Garden,

Each little bird at Jurong Bird Park,

Painted with glowing colors,

and majestic tiny wings.

The purple headed mountains,

The river running by,

The sunset and the morning

That brightens up the sky.

The tall trees in the greenwood,

The meadows where we play,

The rushes by the water,

To gather every day...

All photos are owned and were taken by my very good friend Don Alejandro Fernandez.

Please visit his site at http://www.wix.com/donfernandez/photography

Inspired by the poem "All things bright and beautiful" by
Cecil F Alexander (1848)

A Test of Spirit

When I got to my seat on the plane, that's when it all sank in. My wife's tight embrace and my son's soothing smile are the most irreplaceable things that I will dearly miss as I try to rise up to the challenge of seeking a new life in Singapore.

6 months ago, I was walking the streets of Bedok South with them. I took bus and train rides with my son on my shoulder. I held hands with my wife through the parks and subways of Singapore. now its a totally different thing when you're gonna have to do it alone.

Its funny because when I was back home, I couldn't wait to get out. Everything that is there to love about human existence has eluded the Philippines. I'm probably gonna be first to say I hate my country. From its discolored past and every corrupt government official that leeches every Filipino dry to the lowest organism in its infamous bureaucracy. From its insanely ridiculous conservatism that has held our country from moving forward up to the most high and mighty of our catholic church that sticks its fingers to every freakin' issue with their holier than thou attitude. The Filipino society, with its hopeless romanticism with all things tragic, scandalous, miraculous, dramatic, libelous and finds comfort with the mundane, has doomed itself to becoming the perpetual Sick Man of Asia. 

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Which is why its easy to fall in love with a country like Singapore. Who doesn't want order, cleanliness and discipline? Sure people here have complaints and things to whine about like the rising costs of living which has been going on for a number of years now but anyone who's been here would say its so much better here.

Basic fact, people move to another country because they want a better life. Its hard because you have to leave the people you love behind. My friend says, you can't have your own success story without that part of overcoming trials or making sacrifices, and I jokingly said "Wouldn't it be nice to have it all easy?" 

I know nothing's easy, and if this will be my test, then I'll take it head on. Walking the streets without my wife holding my hand or my son on my shoulder will be tough but I guess I have to endure it. Yes, I will always be a Filipino but I refuse to die like a sick man who willingly got devoured by his own kind.

The Sentosa Experience

Our third day in Singapore topped yesterday's Singapore Zoo experience. This time we went to the famous Sentosa and spend the day with our good friend Reggie (my bestfriend Jeff's sister). We took the MRT from Tanah Merah to Harbourfront and we rode the monorail to Sentosa.

Its easy to get around in Singapore, as I have mentioned on my previous post, all the railroads are interconnected. You just have to get off and transfer to another line whenever you reach an interchange.

The only thing that I hate in Singapore is the weather. Its humid and damp. Comparable to Manila in summertime. Apart from I can't think of anything else to dislike. Comparing it to the Philippines is no contest. Everything here is organized. People respect the law and I guess that's the main reason why they got to where they are now.

Megazip

We took pictures at Imbiah Station of the famed Merlion, then we went off to Siloso Beach and rode the MegaZip. It was a fun, exhilirating ride. Then we went to the Underwater world and we were mesmerized by awesome spectacle of sea creatures.

To cap the night off, we took the Jewel Cable Car in Ambiah lookout.







I can't wait to see and visit the Universal Studios tomorrow! Jaden's 2nd birthday celebration is truly something he will remember!





Underwater world





Jewel Cable Car



Trip to Singapore

I'm only on my 2nd day here in Singapore and I'm already loving it here. You can't help but compare it with the Philippines. Like it or not, its so much better here.

My friend Henry, who came here to work last year observes that people here fear the law. He says its a very fine country, test the law and  you'll get "fined".

He took us to the Merlion on our first night in town, right after we got settled from the airport. We just left our bags had dinner and off we went to see the famous half lion half fish statue at the Merlion park in Marina Bay.

The next day we went to Singapore Zoo. Which was quite a challenge because we had no tour guide and we had to find our way to the bus station at Ang Mo Kio from Bedok South. From my friend's flat we hiked to the nearest MRT at Tanah Merah and took the train to Paya Lebar interchange. In Singapore all the trains are interconnected. To cut the long story short, we were able to find Singapore Zoo in a little over 2 hours.

Singapore Zoo is located in Mandai, it houses over 3000 animals in its lush tropical rainforest setting. Key attractions on the zoo are animal feeding sessions, rides, tram rides around the 28 hectare zoo and of course, the animals!

We wanted to see the Night Safari too but we were pressed for time because we had to meet our friend back at Paya Lebar. My wife, my 2 year old son and I, had a lot of fun. The highlight for me was seeing a live white tiger that I only used to see on TV (Nat Geo).



White Tiger

 We're just on our second day and we still have 3 more days to go! I can't wait to see Sentosa and the new Universal Studios!!!