Singapore 2014- Day 1 (May 9, 2014)

We have always wanted and talked about going to Singapore, Asia’s cleanest and most efficient city. And so when the time came to bite the bullet and finally get things going, we could not be more excited. The flight was around 10:30 in the morning on a Friday via JetStar Asia. This meant that I had to be absent from work for 2 days but at least for us, it meant a quality weekend in a city that we wasted no time in discovering upon our arrival there.

As soon as we touched down and saw the massive arrival area, my camera was ready to take everything in visually and remind ourselves how airports really should be. Airports are the first thing that a foreigner sees upon visiting a country and if Changi Airport is anything to go by, Singapore definitely gives out a good and strong first impression. The arrival area was large, modern and you can almost feel the air of efficiency coming from each and every immigration official as we queued up. Certainly it was no surprise why a fellow passenger in the next lane beside us loudly commented, “Your city is beautiful and efficient”. See? And just like Malaysia and China, each counter where an official sat, had a mini screen where tourists can rate their experience with the officer checking their documents as they enter the country. Needless to say, the officer got a 5 star rating from us. In addition to that, there was also a bowl of candy where incoming tourists can help themselves to. I got a pocketful.

 After getting our bags from the carousel, we quickly grabbed a cab, which was efficiently (that word, again) deployed by the guard at the exit and soon we were off zooming through the zero traffic-laden streets of Singapore. First thing we noticed that the streets were clean and there were a lot of trees and shrubs planted along the stretch of the highway. The cabbie was conversive enough to answer questions we asked regarding the city. As it is, Singapore itself is really small and a lozenge-shaped island with 60 significantly smaller islets surrounding it. People, we were told, are quite disciplined and the cabbie was quick to point out that discipline comes naturally to them for it was instilled in them during their childhood years. To discipline an adult is so much harder than disciplining a child. Well, no argument there.

Coursing through the streets we saw the Marina Bay Sands Hotel to our left and the large Ferris wheel which was reminiscent of the London Eye itself and our very own MOA Eye at the Mall of Asia. The cars are all right hand driven and so for us left-hand drivers in Manila, driving in Singapore will certainly take some getting used to. Finally we arrived at the Bugis district where our hotel was located. The Fragrance Hotel, located along Beach Road is enough for non-picky travellers to be amply settled in while they take in the sights of the city during the day and rest securely and comfortably by nightfall. Ours was a regular small room that looked big because of a full mirror attached to the wall. It may be cramped for those wanting a bigger room but I know that there are other ones available for guests with bigger needs. We were thinking of taking a nap first before heading out but decided to explore the area in order to get acquainted more with the city. And in exploring new terrain, there was no better way to go about doing it, than by foot. We turned right as we got out of the hotel and was surprised to see that the previous hotel that we initially thought of booking into, called Hotel 81, was just right beside it. I thought that they must be sister or partner hotels to be close to each other. But later, we learned from the front desk personnel, who was actually Filipino, that Hotel 81 was like Jollibee to McDonald’s. Wherever there was a Fragrance Hotel, one can be sure that the rival hotel will just be nearby.

Walking further, I noticed the beautiful architecture on some of their buildings. It quickly reminded me of New Orleans (which I would love to visit one day). With their wooden shutters and oval shaped windows and as well arches, I felt I was in the Bourbon district of the Big Easy and that some of these buildings wouldn’t look too much out of place there. Of course, add more iron latticed railings with elaborate designs and curliques and it’s a match. We were soon surprised to find out, as we walked further away from Purvis street and Beach that the famed 5 starred Raffles Hotel was just behind us. Established in 1887 by two Armenian brothers from Persia, the colonial styled hotel which later became a Singaporian icon was eventually named after Sir Stamford Raffles, the British statesman who founded the city of Singapore in 1818.

A quick snapshot here and there at the lobby and we were off to walk further and make a left to reach Nicholl Hiway where to our right was a tall white obelisk that reminded me of the George Washington monument in Washington DC. But the top however had a resemblance to the tower of Orthanc, the granite looking fortress of Saruman the White in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. But I know I’m digressing. Allow me to get to the matter at hand before my geekiness goes out of hand. Now, all these selfies in front of hotels and buildings would’ve been easier with the help of a monopod. But I wasn’t able to get one before leaving for this trip. So I will just have to get one for our next trip. We crossed the highway, being mindful and obeying traffic laws and reached the Suntech building on our left which housed different shops that we had back in Manila and still to have like H&M, Kiehl’s UniQlo among others. Across us and to our right was the Marina Mandarin. Another hotel to be reckoned with, that’s for sure.

We then opted to check the mall that loomed in front of us called the Marina Square and discovered that it was a two-leveled mall which once more wouldn’t look too out of place in our own Ayala and Makati district. On the way there, there was a curious art piece on the sidewalk that we couldn't resist but just goof around with. Upon stepping in Marina Square, we were instantly greeted by the smell of coffee as we stepped in. Of course, the lobby housed The Coffee Club and to my right, which I would later be deprived of visiting for lack of time, was my favorite music store, HMV.

We then decided that all these selfies and walking around made us hungry and we decided to try something local via the fast food chain, Long John Silver. It looked like a partner chain of our own Fish and Co back home and so our first meal in the city of cleanliness and efficiency (not to mention, discipline) was Fish and Chips. And I just had to ring the bell right after we left, to let them know that we were happy with their service as well as food.

More walking brought us to the food court upstairs where we were treated with an awesome view of the lake and the Marina Bay Sands hotel itself! It was the hotel that looked like it had a ship on top of it. (Say what again?) Architecturally it seems an impossible feat to even construct something like that. But to see it with your own eyes, it really is a wonder and a testament to the brilliance of architecture and engineering. And knowing that we would be visiting that very same hotel and area tomorrow, my excitement doubled at the thought.

 Soon we’ve managed to cover most of the mall and it was time to head back home and grab some dinner within the vicinity. We traced our steps back and came back to Purvis street and saw a restaurant called SINSWEEKEE that was open aired and served the most tempting looking Hainanese Chicken Rice. Tempting for others, but not for me.

Hainanese Chicken Rice

Now, I find that dish too pale and so I decided to order roasted chicken instead along with some fried fish dumplings. It was good and gave both of us a sample of how tasty Singaporian cooking really is.

Roasted Chicken Rice

Fried Shrimp Rolls

I should've studied better in school in order to read this. Hehe.

I also loved the Chinese inscription on our table. As my Mandarin is quite rusty, I could only marvel at it and take a snapshot and have my Mom translate it for me. LOL!

Along with dinner, the obligatory selfies and food pics were once more practiced. After being energized and fed to our hearts content we decided to go to the opposite direction from our hotel as our mall trek was the result of walking right from the hotel, so we decided to go left. This brought us to the Bugis mall, after passing the Hotel Intercon and the National Library Building just along Middle Road. Much to our surprise, there was a street there that’s named after our own city. I know I must research on it upon reaching home. Who would have thought of finding a street named after our own. As this is a testament to the rich history between our two nations. I wonder if there was ever a move to return the favor and grant Singapore a street of its own back in Manila. (attention politicians!!!)

 The Bugis Mall was much bigger than Marina Square and  felt reminiscent of the internal layout of our own humongous and uniquely crafted mall of Sm Davao. That one you should go see if you’re in the South. We walked, window shopped and explored each and every floor and kinda did a quick overview of the mall as we knew that we would have to come back to it during the day.

All this after dinner walk was sort of a reconissance thing and knowing-your-terrain kind of walk. Soon we reached the top that housed the food courts that ranged from Western to Japanese food before deciding to call it a night and end it aptly with Singaporean milk tea at Koi Café just outside the mall. Now, I personally wasn't a fan of the traditional milk tea as I felt the drink reflects one's indecision to either have milk or tea. Since I cannot decide, why not have them all in one drink. That was how I initially felt about milk tea. But after tasting Koi Cafe's specialty, I find myself warming up to its taste and even found myself looking for it as the days progressed.

                      All in all, it was good and productive first day. Here’s to our second.

Winter Soldier 4: The Electric Ghost

What a fortuitous event to have found this at Book Sale yesterday after coming out of the cinema following my first day viewing of Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier.

While the movie deserves more than a two thumbs up and certainly ups the ante for Marvel in terms of their Cinematic Universe, reading this volume as a part of a bigger and collective work pertaining to the ever unfolding events of the Winter Soldier himself, make me regard the book as something that is best read in its entirety along with the other volumes. This being Volume 4, after all and collects Issues 15-19. This then had me for a mad scramble to look for the first 3 volumes.

Hope other Book Sale branches would have them. Wish me luck.

This 4th volume marks the departure of Ed Brubaker from the creative team and has Jason Latour at the helm. Reading this certainly makes me even more curious for the other compilations and henceforth with this volume, I will certainly be on the lookout for more. Winter Soldier, or he who I will not name (don't want to spoil Muggles), has gone thru a lot and I wait for more compilations to turn up to further enhance my history of this tragic and broken character.

Redemption is indeed possible. That is is if one is aware on how to tread the road for it and if one is brave enough to get on it.

And while you are at it, go catch the Winter Soldier currently playing in local theaters now. Let's see if this whets your appetite for curiosity. :)



If you're happy with that, here's the official first 4 minute preview. Then we talk. :)

Welcome to the Diabolical

Another brilliant addition to my TRESE collection from the master, Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo. Filipino urban fantasy, dark noir at its best.

If you have not read any volumes of TRESE, this could be a good way to start as the original prequel of a story, "One Last Drink at the Diabolical" is included. But if you already are familiar and love TRESE, the Kambal and those back stories what we never gotten around to read about, then this first compilation is for you; or rather for us.

My fave story in this Volume is "The Usual Spot". The senti and hopeless romantic in me is so touched by this story and makes me wonder if Master Budjette foresees a love angle for our beloved heroine in the near future? And since this is the first collection, I am hoping for more back stories involving TRESE and her sidekicks, the Kambal as supernatural protector of the city.

But for now, you gotta get this and add to your TRESE collection. Or better yet. Read them all again. :)

ARROW- Year One

Although I'm not a fan of the art but definitely great writing by Andy Diggle. I wonder if the Diggle character in the series Arrow is purposely named to pay homage to this writer, but nonetheless a little different from the origin story we've seen played out over the CW.

Oliver Queen still is the same spoiled rich kid who finds himself betrayed and left for dead after being thrown overboard his own ship. He washes up on an island and it is here where his mettle is tested and is faced with the hard truth about life, survival and friendship. If you have not watched the tv series, I suggest you do ASAP after reading this or let the series supplement what you would discover about Ollie upon reading this reworked origin story.

He may be not my favorite DC character, but ya gotta admit, it does have heart. And that matters much when you wanna be pulled into reading something of value and substance.

The Man Of Steel score

Okay, unless you were living under the rock somewhere or news really doesn't as fast as you would like, then you'd know that apart from Iron Man 3, there is another Superhero film around the block that is also being looked at (if not, expected) to make a killing at the box office this year; and that is The Man of Steel; or better known to all as Superman.

Since the debatable performance of Superman Returns at the Box Office back in 2006 starring Brandon Routh in the title role and Kevin Spacey as the nefarious and brilliant (to date) Lex Luthor, most moviegoers have been wondering if the franchise is at the end of its rope and there was no way to resuscitate life back into it. 

But lucky for us DC and Kal-El fans around the world, hope was rekindled when the first teaser of the Man of Steel came around last year and ended with a sonic boom shot of Supes just taking off and zooming into the ethers. It was a scene that hasn't been done before and left us with our mouths open and both in awe and anticipation of the full trailer as well as the score behind it.

Finally this year, the third and full trailer came and like everyone else, I had to replay it over and over. I couldn't stop watching and finally felt that DC was onto something. They were finally doing things right and is on the right path of re-introducing this Iconic hero to a whole new generation. But this post is more for the music behind it. Let's see if we agree on certain points.

Now admittedly, I had my issues when I first heard it, all sorts of protestations started flaring up in my head. But soon I realized that this was not the main theme and merely a small section of the score that was predominantly used in the final trailer. To compare it with the main theme that John Williams did would be definitely unfair. And so it was in these repeated playback of the theme, did I finally learn to appreciate Zimmer’s score and the possible thought process that went behind it.

Williams' score, as we know is at once majestic,  sweeping, and pretty much what and how a score of this magnitude should be, when lending musical support to a character of this iconic status.

Zimmer's theme is surprisingly the total opposite of it and starts quietly with a series of lilting soft piano notes, punctuated in tender gaps, very much like a hero, unsure of his steps and taking at it slowly but surely. Slowly it builds, adding more elements into it like the strings and the resounding drums to give it its sense of epic urgency. It pretty much is vast in its own musical structure and gives us that introspective beginning when a hero begins to find out about his identity, with who he is and what is required of him. The entry of the drums signals the grappling of that same identity and the entry of conflict and dilemmas which everyone, hero or not, has to face and come to terms with until he comes out victorious; like the swell and crescendo at the end of the score. Inspiring and triumphant at the same time, the score does set out what seemingly is the new take of this version; and that is to define a character’s journey.

John Williams’ score was the best score for the Christopher Reeve years for its focus was more of the Hero wearing the suit and all the superhuman feats that he can accomplish as he lives here on Earth. Zimmer’s score asks us to go inward and look to Kal-El’s humanity first before his Superhuman lineage. To paraphrase an old saying, “It’s not by who you are, will you be defined, but by what you do.”

And how the movie will do at the box office next month, is indicative of how receptive the audience is to this new version and the brave new direction that director Scott Snyder has decided to take. Soar high Superman. It’s about time. And we’re glad that you are back.

Geeking over Thor 2: The Dark World teaser

Everyone who knows me know how much I loved Thor 1. It was a movie that made me love Asgard and all its glory and one that had elements of life and paternal obligations that are very close to my heart.

Given its success despite what some others may thought to be a clunky movie, I knew that a sequel was inevitable and it would be only a matter of time, when I shall re-visit the Asgardian contingent and be swept away once more.

The entire cast returns for a second outing inspite of the changes made from the director to the eventual casting of Fandral.  Doctor Who veteran, Chris Eccleston is set to play the Dark elf, Malekith, who is this movie's Big Bad. Directed by Game of Thrones director, Alan Taylor, I am sure that he will bring a new dynamic to the movie.

Here is the teaser trailer for the sequel that will open in November. Time to geek out. I know I did! :)

    

Blood Oath - Here's Nathaniel Cade; the President's Vampire

First of all, anyone and everyone who knows me know that when it comes to Vampires, I just gravitate towards them like a moth to a flame. It started with Anne Rice and went on further than that.

Now seeing a book like this with the by-line and touted as the Vampire thriller that Dan Brown would have written, if in case he ever did, was enough to make me take notice. Although at first, I dismissed it quickly thinking of whatever angles would they think of next when it comes to our fanged brethren, as it it seemed like a desperate idea to forcefully graft an iconic creature such as this in our present world. Others have done so and have done wonders with it. While others, although lambasted for their efforts, were still met with the same form of success and scorn. While other throwaway Vampire novels, feel like they have not been well thought out.

But a well thought out novel is what this book really is a product of.

Enter Nathaniel Cade. He is a Vampire that has no time to deal with your crap and gets the job done when needed. Of course he should, for he is bound by duty to do whatever the US President asks of him. Unlike the brooding Vampires of late, he is decisive, quick, and very much the epitome of an efficient secret agent, except daylight can still incapacitate him to a degree.

Enter Zack Barrows, a young whiny man that gets the promotion of a lifetime. But in this case, working for the White House under covert and unconventional terms.

Put these two together and enmesh it with a new villain whom I won't be surprised if he surfaces again in future Cade titles, as well as a thought out streamlined plot, then you have for yourself a wonderful good read that is both light, fast-paced and hard to let go.

The only reason that it is one star short of 5, is because I felt the author could have given us more of Cade as well as the surprise allegiances and twists that Dan Brown himself has seemingly made a trademark of his own writing with. But nonetheless, it is still a good read and a breakthrough effort of a debut novel.

With that said, I sooo need to find my 2nd book, underneath the tons of books in my very own Book Box. :)


ps. The Author responds to my tweets on Twitter...consider me star strucked. Wouldn't you be? :)