Hey everyone,
Today I’m excited to share with you the things I love about living in Sunny Singapore.
For nearly two decades and starting out as a wide-eyed kampung-boy (country pumpkin) from the island of Panay in The Philippines, I’ve witnessed, with admiration, Singapore grow by leaps and bounds. From what was then thought of as a city in China, we are now known to be an equatorial country with crazy-rich Asians. Likewise, looking back, I’ve seen and felt that I too have grown with the times. While many things have changed (rapidly, mind you) in this progressive city-state, some things people love just haven’t. In the spirit of our 58th National Day (since 1965), I now introduce to you five timeless reasons why I love living here, and what I’ll probably miss when I embark on a journey overseas.
1. It’s a melting pot of cultures.
One of my most captivating experiences of living in Singapore is to be exposed to a blend of different cultures. For a small city-state, I’ve come to know people of different races, languages and religions. Some of these people, who I’ve interacted with while at school, work (including national service/army) and community events have shaped my outlook of the world.
For instance, I had a classmate who gets to celebrate nearly all of the major festivals because she’s got Dutch, Chinese and Muslim lineage. In another case, I took a bus home and I realised one lady was speaking Portuguese with her daughter. It turns out my neighbours were Peranakans who spoke a dying language called Kristang.
A walk through Singapore’s Chinatown is another proof of its diversity. One can walk down a kilometre (probably not even) and you’ll find a Church, A Chinese Temple, a Hindu Temple and A Mosque. If this fact doesn’t convince you about its cultural diversity, honestly I don’t know what else would.
Oh Food! Just walk into any food-court and you’ll undoubtedly be greeted by hawkers selling food catering to a diverse palate. Some of the common ones are Cai Png (Mixed Rice, some may not be economic already recently but still good), Japanese, Thai, Western and Indonesian. Yep, our taste buds are even more diversified than our racial distribution!
These experiences undoubtedly make visiting places such as New York and London, where there’s even more diversity of peoples per square meter– feel not that much different. Once, I went on a short trip to Washington, D.C. and in our tour group were people from Latin America, India and China. Being ethnically Filipino, I knew some words in Spanish and just the fact that I live in Singapore, I knew words and phrases in Tamil, Hindi and Mandarin. Effectively, I always had an idea what everyone in our group was talking about!
It’s amazing how being in just one point in this planet, somehow, the world comes to you.
2. Commitment to Progress.
Our National Pledge ends with, “So as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation.” Every Singaporean recites this with gusto even more so on the 9th of August. All we needed to do is commit ourselves to progress, though small in our own way.
This is evident as since I came here in 2004, iconic structures such as Marina Bay Sands, and Gardens By The Bay were still blueprints, Marina Barrage, the structure that helps us control flood, save water and have a recreational space, was still in the works. The third MRT line has just opened (there’s now a total of six) and the F1 race wasn’t even in our shores. Then, we only had two airport terminals, fast forward to today and we’re on track to building the 5th which is the size of the current 4 terminals combined!
The transformation of our island from a barren landscape into becoming a thriving hub for businesses has undoubtedly propelled our country to prosper. In effect, many are made happy.
3. World Class Education.
As someone who’s moved here as a student in the early 00’s, I was fortunate to experience the world class education Singapore provides.
My cousins, who enrol their children in school are often shocked by the depth and complexity my niblings learn in primary syllabus– they don’t even know how to navigate some of them.
Just the other day I took out my portfolio in anticipation of applying for jobs in the US and Canada. To my delight, I realised I achieved plenty in secondary school alone in my appointment as a Choir President and as a member of the Executive Committee of our School Council.
I remember studying in the Polytechnic (akin to Community Colleges in the US) being exposed to so many student-run bodies and extra curricular activities that I decided not to opt for any and worked part-time for a real work experience instead. In one of our courses I attended, we were made to conduct a survey on paternity leave which paved the way to the government introducing shared parental leave to all fathers of Singaporeans. Another instance was- for a good cause- our team ran a one-off social enterprise whereby we exercised with the primary schoolchildren to raise funds for the victims of Japan’s Fukushima disaster. Resources were always at hand, usually at an affordable cost too.
In my own opinion, Singapore’s education system has been effectively exemplary. Sure, it can be stressful and cutthroat to study here. However, in its own unique way, it has consistently nurtured and honed not only an intelligent and capable workforce but also infused with an entrepreneurial spirit.
4. Efficient, period.
From the moment you arrive in the city, The Singapore Airport already anticipates every move you could make just so you can leave immediately. This is unlike *Ahem* other airports *Ahem* in the region where they keep you going slowly in it for a reason (hint: security is probably not one of them).
This efficiency goes beyond its airport– it bleeds through its Mass Rapid Transit, where when trains break down, the whole country understandably becomes livid whereas in other parts of the globe, people can be cool about it as it happens everyday!
In Singapore, there’s probably good food centres and groceries within 15 minutes of walking distance. I’d even argue you’d need a refrigerator at home, unless if you need ice. The whole country seems to be designed in such a way that you could get what you need and want-fast.
Government transactions then, though walk-in were already seamlessly handled. Nowadays, you could do things in minutes as everything is done online. Take for instance the renewal of my passport- just 10 days from requesting a new one to collecting it at the post office.
Even the private sector catches up to this. My insurance claims and banking transactions are typically resolved within a matter of days.
One downside is, as we’ve come to expect this efficiency, we tend to expect or impose it on other countries. When overseas, we tend to roll our eyes upwards or gawk at the long lines in the immigrations and customs of the country we land in. I’ve heard hotels in neighbouring countries will be on their toes once we have holidays as they’d get more complaints particularly from travellers from Singapore.
Even the colloquial language, Singlish is efficient. Take for example the word, “Can”. We could add just a single-syllabled word right after and it totally changes the meaning of the sentence.
“Can lah” = Sure, it’s possible.
“Can leh…” = There must be a way to make things possible…
“Can hor!” = You must make it possible.
“Can ah?” = Is it possible?
“Can or not? = Will you able to do this or can’t you?
“Cannot” = No means no, period.
… and many more.
In short, Singapore’s efficiency is undoubtedly a finely tuned symphony of standard operating procedures we’ve come to expect. It contributes to its effectiveness as a place to live in as people’s times are valued, resources optimised which eventually contributes to a higher quality of life. Needless to say, this place is something other cities choose to emulate.
5. A Safe, Global City.
Walk through our streets at night and you know you’re safe. Now picture this – a city where primary-school children and elderly parents can go about their business without fear of being caught in a shoot-out. A place where laws are in place to protect the harmony between peoples. A country where if things go awry, cases are resolved quickly. Where, safety is a way of life, not a privilege.
Though our towering homes may be built closely to one another, our nosy neighbours may actually add spice to life by facilitating looking out for one another. This shared responsibility add to the communal “kampung” spirit reminds us that safety is in everyone’s hands.
Singapore’s tough stance on drugs has shielded me and my fellow residents from being addicted to substances. We’re also deterred and therefore, steer clear of the dangerous consequences it might bring to our lives.
It’s not perfect- My friend’s bag got nicked when we went out to a bar once. It was more of our fault as we’ve left our belongings out of sight. Safety is a personal responsibility too, I admit.
IN RETROSPECT, my journey in Singapore in the past two decades has been rewarding. There are times that I just experience an emotional wave of gratefulness wash over me thinking how this country can be good to someone like me – a kampung boy from another land. I do find myself become proud of being a crazy Asian– not necessarily rich.
Singapore, my home, celebrates its 58th National Day. I am grateful that in my and my family’s life, Singapore has enabled us to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress. I wish Singapore many more years of existence.
Gio Gomez 
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