Ang Magiting - The Official Web Site of Rotary Club Makati North

Amazing Singapore and Rotarians!

By: Daisy dela Torre
August 13, 2011

Our latest Singaporean visit to RC Raffles City was amazing in many fronts.

First, the spirit of friendship and caring of RCRC. We were taken cared of from end to end, from being met at the airport to sending us off, from welcome dinners to goodbye dinners and lunches and the installation of officers in between. There was much catching up and getting to know you again since our last visit was 3 years ago, especially with RCRC spouses like Lilian of Pres. Aaron Tan, Helen of PP David Ong-Choon, May of PP Vincent Chen, Jothy of PP Jimmy Daruwalla, Juliet of Johnson Tan, Jessie of Wee Koon San, Cecilia of Alfred Ong Choon and lady Rotarians Sidhi, Corina and Sigrid Zialcita (a Filipina based in Singapore). (We missed Alice of Steven Teng and Azmeen of Mohan Pillay who were away on holiday.) The RCRC’s care and concern for us extended to finding my evening purse (the most precious contents of which were my driver’s license and cellphone) which I left in the bus that ferried us back to the hotel. My deepest appreciation to Pres. Aaron.

Second, the installation of RCRC officers was an elegant and formal affair keynoted by the Australian High Commissioner to Singapore, His Excellency Doug Chester. District Governor Haji Zainie Abdul Aucasa also addressed the audience sharing the impact of Rotary service on the world’s health, hunger and literacy making us truly proud to be part of the Rotary family. Pres. Aaron expressed appreciation to RCRC members especially Past Presidents and promised to continue making RCRC an even greater club. RCRC continues to serve the community with its center for Dyslexia and outreach to Malaysia and other places, partnering with other Rotary Clubs including RCMN to expand their assistance.

It was not all formality at the installation. The venue’s mascot cushy teddy bear wearing its blue and white striped tee waited at each of our chairs. The Thunderbirds (a band famous for their 60’s repertoire) provided music, George Abraham and Ron Pereira rendered songs and our very own Pres. Archie and spouse Tintin Reano wowed and delighted all of us with an encore of their foxtrot and modern dance.

Third, our hotel, the Marina Bay Sands. A) Iconic. A can’t-miss-it-building: 3 tall towers with what looks like a curvy ship plunked on top of all 3 towers. B) Modern design (very Pabling Calma) with huge details that make people look like Lilliputians: a main lobby ceiling that rises several stories up, 3 huge Chinese lanterns lining the hallway, trees planted on tall huge pots, a dining area in what looks like a teacup. C) a large and long infinity pool on the 57th floor at the top of that “curvy ship” that creates a scary feeling you will fall off if you don’t watch it. Pres Archie Reano and Tintin and PP Ric de la Torre from the RCMN delegation sampled the pool. D) The views: the Esplanade, the pedestrian walkway that looks like a DNA molecular construct, the city across the water, the sea and the many anchored ships, more reclamation and construction!

Fourth, the food…Singapore is truly a melting pot of flavors: we sampled Singaporean, Malaysian, Thai, Indian and Chinese cuisine throughout our stay. Our stay was a culinary feast of exquisite flavors bursting in our mouths (including the delicious heat of chilis!) The desserts were sweet delights of local delicacies and baked treats, Turkish figs, dates & nuts and what for me is rare to find sweetened cassava (tapioca to them) served up by Jothy Daruwalla. We even got to try Mario Batalli’s pizza & chicken wings at Mozza Pizzeria – both terrific choices to go with PP Joe Reano’s choice of wine.

Lastly, Singapore continues to rapidly change its landscape, not just architecturally but culturally. Three years ago when we walked the Esplanade, the Marina Bay Sands was not in the horizon. Now it’s up with its shoppes, theatre and casino. Driving through the city I caught glimpses of Singapore of my early visits and I’d still like the pockets of historical buildings and areas to be preserved.

We were fortunate to visit the Salvador Dali exhibit at the ArtScience Museum which is conveniently accessible from the hotel. (“What an eccentric and fully-expressed man Dali was! Here are quotes from him: “What is important is to spread confusion, not to eliminate it.” “Each morning when I awake, I experience again a supreme pleasure: that of being Salvador Dali.”)

The broadway play Lion King was showing and Swan Lake on Ice will soon be on by end of August. The attractions continue to boom as an indoor botanical garden is in the works behind Marina Bay Sands Hotel. That will be in our agenda for the next visit, along with trips to the Zoo, the Bird Park and Universal Studios!