Tips for first-timers in Singapore

MANILA, Philippines - As an artist, I am fully aware that developing, especially among the young, an appreciation for the arts, starts with being exposed to beautiful things — museum collections, great architecture and world-class music and performances. Hence when opportunity brought my ever busy husband and my equally very active self to spend a long weekend together with our two children, Jon and Mika, we chose to have a not so expensive trip to Singapore, not only for family bonding but also to nourish the heart and the soul with first-class art and entertainment.

Our first day was time well spent. First, we went to the new and much-talked-about three-tower Marina Bay Sands (MBS) where we had an exquisite 360-degree view of Singapore and a peek at the famous world’s largest and highest infinity pool at its Skypark. Shopping for Apple gadgets of my daughter Mika was done at the classy MBS Shoppes, celebrated as a fashionista’s paradise. Dinner was at Gerry’s Grill (yes, our very own Gerry’s Grill) at the food center of the MBS where, according to the Filipina cashier for drinks, no less than actress-turned-politician Vilma Santos and Sen. Ralph Recto had their meal the day before. (Speaking of OFWs we encountered at most of the stores and restaurants, I had very strong but mixed emotions: Marveling yet again at the much in-demand skills and versatility of Filipinos which have deservedly engendered the trust and confidence of their employers, but at the same time saddened by realization of what caused them to seek the so-called greener pastures abroad.)  

After dinner, off we went to the MBS’s ArtScience Museum to experience the highly-educational and heart-wrenching Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, a first-time-only-in-South-East-Asia event that features 275 recovered artifacts saved from the Titanic, realistic recreations of cabins, photos and personal stories of its passengers and crew. This was followed by a highly-pleasurable and edifying visit to the Andy Warhol exhibit, one of the most prolific artists of our time (ooops, I am dating myself!), whose works I wanted to stare at for hours and hours. Had my husband and I not watched the musical Wicked in London two years ago, we would have surely gone off to catch it at the Grand Theater also at the MBS.

The second day was reserved for, you guessed it right, Universal Studios at the Resorts World of Sentosa Island. Highly-enjoyable attractions for all of us were The Shrek 4-D Adventure, Lights, Camera Action, Waterworld, and the thrill coasters Revenge of The Mummy and TRANSFORMERS The Ride. As my husband and I did not want to get sick, we avoided getting wet at the Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure and the high-speed, turbulent rollercoaster Battlestar Galactica: HUMAN which gave the thrills to our more adventurous kids. Kudos to the very talented Filipino dance group (which I was later informed was the Streetboys) with outstanding routines despite the blazing Singaporean sun.

Last day was meant for shopping and we combed the shopping malls and department stores (Ion, Takashimaya, Centrepoint, Orchard Central, Somerset and Galleria) for the best items on sale. The last night was a taste of nightlife in Clark Quay where tourists enjoy the exquisite cuisine, fine drinks, wonderful live acts and even bungee jumping.

Having traveled to Singapore several times, here are my tips to those who will go for the first time: 1. Use the Internet and research on airlines and hotels that can offer the best bookings within your budget; for your lodging, choose a hotel near the MRT station and the Orchard Road. 2. Learn to use the highly-efficient and very safe MRT; avoid riding taxis which will be much more expensive. 3. Always wear comfortable walking shoes and cotton shirts. 4. Eat your full complimentary breakfast at the latest possible time so you save on spending for lunch. 5. Buy snacks at the nearest grocery. 6. Try yummy Singaporean dishes at hawker centers which are much cheaper than meals in shopping malls.

7. Always carry an umbrella with you to protect you from the scorching sun and the intermittent rains. 8. Never miss out on fantastic musicals like Wicked (winner of 35 major awards!) and awesome exhibitions like Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, both showings of which end this month. 9. Go around the malls before buying anything; my daughter Mika discovered two Singapore trendy shops that offered great bargains at the Somerset mall. 10. For your visit to Sentosa Island and the Universal Studios in particular, study the map and schedule of shows.  

11. For those with younger kids, educate them with visits to the museums, galleries, the Singapore Zoo (said to be the best in the world), Night Safari, Underwater World Singapore, the Science Center and the Botanical Garden. 12. For pasalubong and budget shopping, go to Mustafa and Bugis. Now for our government officials, here are some tips: Learn from Lee Kuan Yew and Singapore’s Economic Development Board who, in one generation, turned a third world country, (ranked lower than the Philippines then, into a most envied economic powerhouse and one of the cleanest, safest and most hi-tech cities in the world. Thank you, Singapore, for bringing world-class entertainment much closer to home!

(E-mail me at [email protected] or text 09275000833].