I’ve known her ever since she was a college student at UP College Cebu, when she applied as folk singer at our original Shakey’s Pizza Parlor along Mango Avenue (now Gen. Maxilom Ave.). This was in the 80’s when guitar-playing folk singers were the rage among the young crowd, before the rise of the showbands. Even then, Pamela was one of the best!
She moved to Singapore and soon became a sensation over the airlanes as “Pamela Wildheart,” giving advice to radio listeners of all ages. Meanwhile, she got married to a Singaporean Chinese, Clifford Khoo, who has remained her number one fan to date. Pamela Pilapil of Liloan (Cebu), with a master’s degree in Mass Communications, now conducts public workshops even as she holds the position of Senior Manager on Sales & Corporate Affairs of one of Singapore’s main tourist attractions – Jurong BirdPark. The afternoon of my BirdPark morning tour, Pamie flew to Australia on a sales mission. Typical frenetic Pamie.
Like a younger sister, she calls me Ditchie (like my younger cousins who also performed onstage at Shakey’s and Tuxedo Junction at about the time she did.) and gets all excited whenever we get the chance to reunite. Despite the hectic schedule on this trip (We had more bonding time the last time I was in Singapore courtesy of Cebu Pacific, when I stayed behind at Sentosa Shangrila.), I had a personally conducted tour of her “baby.” Pam worked on the park’s critical corporate sponsorships, the design and production of all the chic collaterals, on improvements like the tallest man-made waterfall in the free flight aviary, among others.
The Jurong BirdPark opened in 1971 and is one of the largest bird parks in Southeast Asia with 20.2 hectares of hillside terrain, home to 9,000 birds representing 600 species. In order to nurture these mostly endangered birds, the park has simulated the various natural habitats where these animals come from – the grasslands of Africa, rainforests of South America and Australia, and the jungles or Southeast Asia.
An aircon Panorail makes touring the huge park enjoyable, convenient and encompassing. The overview from the Panorail is fantastic! This multi-awarded park has the following sites:
1. World’s largest walk-in aviary;
2. World’s tallest man-made waterfall;
3. World’s first aircon Panorail Train to enter within a walk-in aviary;
4. World’s largest collection of Southeast Asian birds;
5. World’s largest collection of Southeast Asian Hornbills;
6. World’s largest collection of Humboldt Penguins bred in captivity;
7. World’s greatest variety of birds performing in a bird show (I watched this –truly fascinating and delightful!);
8. World’s first water treatment plant in a zoo;
9. Asia’s first Heliconia Repository;
10. World’s largest lorikeet aviary.
I met Pam’s boss, the friendly and learned Daisy Ling (Ms. Sc. - Dip. Ed., England), the park’s Deputy Executive Director who is a person of Pam’s emulation. As a mentor, Ms. Ling’s unequivocal trust in Pam to deliver has enabled Pam to grow and hone her talents within the organization.
The BirdPark is open everyday of the week, 9am – 6pm. Admission fees: S$18.00 for adults; S$9.00 for children (3 – 12 years old)/ Panorail charges: S$4.00 for adults; S$2.00 for children.
Aside from watching the fabulous Chingay Parade of Dreams, my Jurong BirdPark tour was a highlight during my recent Singapore visit. Thanks, Pamie!
