‘TONIGHT, we celebrate the ties that bind Singapore and the Philippines.”
This was the opening message delivered by Carol Ong, general manager of Singapore Airlines, during the proud carrier’s 50th anniversary dinner. The event was hosted by Singapore Ambassador to the Philippines Kok Li Peng, and was attended by diplomats, frequent Singapore Airlines fliers and partners. However, the night was also clearly a toast to the synergy between Singapore and the Philippines, given that both countries have enjoyed a close relationship, especially in terms of tourism.
For the past year, we’ve worked closely with our partners from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to continue promoting Singapore as a dynamic destination for Filipino travelers. And as we have observed, there certainly are lots of interesting similarities between Filipinos and Singaporeans. For one, Singaporeans call cab drivers and hawker center stall owners as “Aunties” and “Uncles,” the same way we refer to them as Tito or Tita. Both countries are also known for their vibrant Chinatowns, love for arts and culture, and a discerning taste for gustatory delights.
With observations coming from the perspective of an airline company that serves both countries, Ong agreed that, indeed, we share a lot of other things with our Asian neighbors. “It’s like we’re amassing the best of both cultures. Filipinos are very known for their hospitality and warm service, something that we also pride in ourselves and continue to deliver to our customers,” she said.
Apart from the thousands of Filipino tourists visiting Singapore every year, there’s also a considerable number of Filipinos who now call Singapore their second home—an interesting fact that Ong also noted links the two countries the strongest. “I think it’s by virtue of the fact that we have a large number of Filipinos who travel to Singapore for both leisure and business, and a large Filipino community living in Singapore, as well. So I think that naturally establishes a unique connection between the two countries,” she said.
A family affair
For the most part, travel has always been a family affair for us Filipinos, even for trips abroad. We seek experiences and activities that we can enjoy and look back to as a family. Singapore offers a lot of opportunities to do just that, which is why it remains to be one of the top family-friendly destinations on a lot of Filipinos’ must-visit list.
Universal Studios Singapore and Resorts World Sentosa, for example, are always in the itinerary of families looking to explore the sights and sounds of Singapore together. With our interest for thrilling rides, movies and attractions that bring us closer to our loved ones, it’s not surprising that these spots are the first to come to mind when it comes to family activities in Singapore. Kids are particularly thrilled with activities related to nature, science and animals, making venues, such as the Night Safari and Children’s Garden in Gardens by the Bay, truly unforgettable for the little ones.
A feast for the taste buds
Anyone who has dined in Singapore’s hawker centers and restaurants will not question its status as one of Asia’s hottest culinary capitals. Home to iconic dishes, such as the Hainanese Chicken Rice—the country’s national dish—Fish Head Curry and Kaya Toast, tourists all over the world head to Singapore to get a taste of Asia’s unique flavors.
Singapore’s historic Chinatown is particularly renowned for its Chinatown Food Street, a row of hawker stalls, shop-house restaurants and kiosks along Smith Street. For those who are looking for modern treats, the area also has chic restaurants and bars frequented by expats for trendy dinners and drinks.
Every year by end of June, foodies flock to the Singapore Food Festival for a monthlong celebration of the country’s best local food and culinary talents. Given our own emerging food culture, it’s not surprising that we Filipinos, as travelers, are also steadily growing interest in gustatory adventures.
An arts and culture haven
Seeing the burgeoning arts and culture scenes around Southeast Asia, many of us Filipino travelers are eager to find out our neighbors’ latest masterpieces.Likewise, many of us have taken interest in learning about the rich culture and colorful history that neighboring countries, like Singapore, take pride in.
“There’s always something fresh and new whichever time of the year, like festivals and activities,” Ong said about what makes the Singapore experience dynamic. True enough, the island-nation is never short of hot spots and events celebrating art and culture from homegrown and foreign artists alike.
Owing to the country’s religious and ethnic diversity, visitors can look forward to experiencing a myriad of events and celebrations throughout the year, the major ones being Chinese New Year, Mid Autumn Festival, Hari Raya and Deepavali. Likewise, the annual Singapore International Festival of Arts showcases the creativity brought upon by this colorful diversity alongside the best international works in theater, dance and music. For art fairs aficionados, gallery openings and exhibits, the Singapore Art Week held every January makes for an insightful glimpse into the best of the country’s contemporary art.
From the Philippines and Singapore to the rest of the world
Being home to some of the busiest ports and airways in the world, it’s inevitable for Singapore to become a jump-off point for travelers around the world. Even our frequent travelers are no strangers to this fact, given that many flights to and from the Philippines have Singapore as a stopover. This is why Ong sees that the lasting ties between our two countries will not only continue to bring us together, but also offer exciting travel opportunities in and out of Philippines and Singapore.
“I believe that we’re just going to continue to grow because both countries have so much to offer to each other; not forgetting that the two countries coming together have so much to offer to the rest of the world,” she arduously said. I couldn’t agree more.
Image credits: Gardens by the Bay