Cebuanos urged to visit Singapore

IN Singapore, the excitement never stops.

This was a Singapore Tourism Board (STB) official’s pitch to Cebuanos encouraging them to visit Singapore.

Sherina Chan, STB area director for Philippines and Brunei, said Filipinos visited Singapore for many reasons.

These include Singapore’s positive economic sentiments, the transformation in the country’s tourism landscape and the number of flights going there.

According to the tourism board, there were 13.2 million tourists last year. Of this number, visitor arrivals from the Philippines reached 678,000 in 2011, which is an increase of 24 percent compared to 544,000 in 2010.

Chan said each week, 170 flights would leave the Philippines for Singapore.

In Cebu alone, there are 21 flights weekly.

Chan also cited the 160,000 Filipinos working in Singapore.

“When Filipinos have a very positive experience in the country, they would always return,” Chan said.

Chan said the diverse  tourist attractions in Singapore such as the Marina Bay Sand and the Resorts World, museums and farms.

The Marina Bay Sands houses the Louis Vuitton Island, the first island mansion in Southeast Asia and also the largest boutique outside of Paris.

Singapore has farms like the D’Kranji Farm Resort and Bollywood Veggies. They also have museums like the Maritime Experiential Museum and Aquarium and the Art Science Museum.

She said for technology geeks, Funan IT Mall in North Bridge Road would be the place to find budget-friendly and latest electronics and gadgets.

Chan also cited a designer’s competition called the Star Creation 2012.

“It’s Asia’s time right now. We want to showcase the best of Asia. Showcase all the raw talent and aim to profile the best of Asia,” Chan said.

In 2011, Cebuano Mike August Yapching was the first Filipino finalist who made it to the finals of the Star Creation.

Yapching,  23, said his friend, Edwin Ao, encouraged him to submit his sketches.

The fashion design student of the University of San Carlos said he was inspired with Singapore’s culture and his grandmother.

Yapching recalled that his experience in the Star Creation competition, which paid for his expenses and accommodation  in Singapore, was overwhelming.

“Now, I’m receiving clients, a small following.” said Yapching, who aims to finish his college education and afterward build a shop and promote his designs to other countries.

“I am urging other Cebuanos to join Star Creation,” said Yaphing. /CORRESPONDENT RHEA RUTH V. ROSELL