Day 1, Realities, and the Merlion Park

Stepping into a new land will have you finding where you can be at peace. And you do it relentlessly just to have you grounded, that you’re finally in a place that had you imagine big things, denying the worst version of them.

When we (alright, I was with a co-risk-taker!) arrived in Singapore on September 11 almost midnight, the excitement became more real. You heard me right, I was thrilled, excited, and oh well, it was mission accomplished for a first international flight. There was fear of endless discouraging possibilities at the back of my mind, but entertaining such thoughts would never help. The ultimate perennial optimist that I am.

No time for drama or anything that would impair a good shot. So, I did my assignment, as if I was on a deadline and preparing for the final exams in college. I needed to refresh my mind anew, becoming a typical student. Honestly, I was somehow cramming (not a friendly word). Because when I was still in the Philippines, I had less time studying. It was less of a priority than work responsibilities to anyone who’s leaving a job. I had to finish things first. I only knew the struggles that I had to go through. Sweet remembrance! To anyone who’s Singapore bound, put your best foot forward.

On September 12, our official first day in Singapore, we went to see the original statue of the country’s very own sea legend, the Merlion at the Merlion Park. Half-lion, half-fish, it roars under the sea (smiles). Anyway, it’s homing to be welcomed by Singapore’s national symbol. Thanks, it had me grounded, at peace, and acknowledged my circumstances. It made it less dismal, the fact that I’m anchored far away from home.

Merlion Park: The Merlion has been erected as a symbol to welcome all visitors to Singapore. It was formally installed at a ceremony on 15th September 1972 by Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, the Prime Minister.

Merlion Park: The Merlion has stood as a symbol of Singapore as well as an icon of welcome to visitors since 1972. It was formally unveiled at this new vantage point on 15 September 2002 by Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew.

Sculptor: Lim Nang Seng

Faces of Singapore

Diversity is welcomed in Singapore, or is it safe to assume that, given the variety of people that you will meet anywhere? I could only hope that this will go on as an optimistic atmosphere. Something that feels like everyone appreciates and respects each other’s culture, and keeps friendly mutual relationships with people of different races while preserving this nation’s own identity. I’m still in the process of finding out what Singapore really is. I mean, I want to find the uniqueness that this country has.

Orchard Road

Singapore is a melting pot (video taken at Orchard MRT Station)

I sense that Singapore is fast becoming into an Asian version of an American melting pot (though I have never been to Uncle Sam’s myself). Chinese, Malays, Indians, Caucasians, and Asians from various backgrounds constitute the faces of Singapore. And not to discount foreign workers from all around the world. Singapore does very well in attracting foreign professionals and those hoping to find just any kind of job. FYI, I am part of the 150,000 Filipinos residing in this country, and have thus far met people from Myanmar, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India, China, Thailand, and a few Caucasians in the office.

For multi-cultural immersion? Definitely this is an excellent place.

I talked to a Singaporean of Indian descent while waiting for the bus going to Church of St. Mary of the Angels in Bukit Batok. Our conversation surprised me as it was the kind of perspective I had always wanted to hear, and so he went on talking about his own people and even compared them to Malays, Indonesians, Filipinos, and Thais, his own travels around Southeast Asia (said he used to work for Philippine Airlines), their food, government, economy, army, and Singaporean companies in general. It was probably out of pure honesty, but it wasn't all that pleasant to hear.

Where Sunrise and Sunset Come Too Late

Doing things differently from what you are accustomed to (for better or for worse), exchanging smiles with random strangers that look no way the same as your old-time people in your neighborhood, following rules and regulations too religiously that ought to be embedded in your system, as if an unquestioned norm, of course, minding to be always on the “right” side in public, which polarizes you entirely if you’re from the Philippines, and eating at a place offering a variety of not-too-familiar or novel cuisines becomes a “taste experiment” for a first-timer, which is actually either a love or a hate relationship and can have an absolute change of appetite for sure (I once ordered minced meat noodle. When served, I already knew it wasn’t just pork, and that made me less excited about my meal that day. I wasn't sure about eating the rest inside the bowl.) – all of these tick you off every time, as they become the average dosage to your regular day. Give yourself a week or two to get used to.

It has finally sunk in, that I am miles away from home since 9/11 and trying to digest all things new to me -- most things around me here are. Although adapting to this highly urbanized city is just easy, I cannot help but be in awe of its multi-ethnic population, shiny skyscrapers, crazy architectural designs, virtually pollution-free, immaculately clean environment, and the many birds (I still haven’t figured out their names) that are very tolerant of people or seem to be comfortable with their presence. Back in the Philippines, birds don’t go near to humans lest they be killed or on a starving note, be eaten. And talking about real independence, well, this might just be it. I am embracing both opportunities and uncertainties here. I am crossing my fingers that the universe will conspire in achieving my goals. The journey that brought me to this first world reality is a constant reminder that I am moving forward, that I am chasing my dreams or more so dreams that are yet undefined, unnumbered that would make my story here. With fervent prayers, hard work, and God's help in the equation, things are a possibility. God, you’re always beyond amazing.

So this is it, for crying out loud (no pun intended), I am automatically an OFW (overseas Filipino worker) trying to become a provider, at the same time, enjoying this beautiful city-state, where sunrise and sunset come too late. The sun breaks into morning light at around 6:30 A.M. and rests at 7:00 P.M. There are slight differences in what we call as day and night in reference to Philippine time despite being framed in the same time zone. Well, this is Singapore, the Lion City, just southwest of my home country.

Image: Choa Chu Kang, Singapore

Kalesa de Cebu

Taxi horse. That’s what my father would fondly call this horse-driven carriage, which was once a popular means of transportation back in the old Spanish times. Commonly called the kalesa, in downtown Cebu, it remains an attraction parading its design of antiquity, color, gentle speed, and the engine that breathes life into it. 

According to a kutsero (kalesa driver), a minimum fare of only 5 pesos will take you to nearby Carbon Market or even up to the southern barangays of the city like Mambaling and Cogon, Pardo. But they are also open for a pakyaw (full service), especially for tourists who want a ride to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, the City Hall, or Fort San Pedro.

Going Rasta: Making Dreadlocks along Colon Street

Let us paint the town green, yellow, and red -- the tri-color brand sans the ugly indulgence (please!).

I am not practicing the Rastafari lifestyle, but I can see the good out of this often regarded bizarreness. It's just got to be appreciation of its music and fashion if you can.

I chanced upon an uncommon activity in downtown Colon area (the oldest street in the Philippines). Making dreadlocks while street goers were too mindful of their own business? That's rare that I had to stop by, observing, examining, and for the sake of knowing the tedious process, interviewing the dreadlock stylist.

The whole part isn't easy, weaving each section by a crochet needle for some 20 minutes multiplied by the number of sections. That’s a big amount of time. It's just funny to know that dreadlocks don't smell bad.

The cost to get dreadlocks ranges between 2000-2500 pesos, and for repair, around 1500 pesos.

To the two guys, MacJoy and Jay-r, who weren’t hesitant to let me take pictures and video them, thank you. They even prided themselves on becoming so-called instant artistas. : ) MacJoy, an architecture graduate is the owner of a stall along Colon Street (beside Jollibee, 138 Mall) that sells Rasta clothing and accessories, and the sole dreadlock stylist. His cool customer, Jay-r, is a skimboarder from Tanauan, Leyte (the skimboarding capital of the Philippines)

Go check out the video interview in 2 parts by an obvious novice. The clips are in Cebuano (a Philippine dialect), fyi. :)

Part I

Part II