Christmas shopping in Singapore, as Supertrees light up holiday skies

Filipinos are known to celebrate the longest Christmas season in the world. The air gets festive as soon as the -ber months start, signaled by the playing of Christmas carols on the radio. This goes on until January 6, the Feast of the Three Kings.   But although Filipinos love their Christmases at home, their neighboring country, Singapore, is hoping more Pinoys would consider spending the holidays in the cosmopolitan city state.

True, there may be no parols in Singapore, but the new Supertrees at the Gardens By The Bay will light up the December skies. The shopping haven of Orchard Road also gets all decked out in festive lighting for Christmas—even more than Ayala Avenue. And the eating, oh the feasting: take your pick from chicken rice at hawker centers to kaya toast at kopitiam shops, and chili crab at restaurants run by celebrity chefs to Singapore Sling at Raffles, or the chic rooftop bars overlooking the bay.   There is no place for a joyous holiday season than Singapore,” Sherina Chan, area director for Philippines and Brunei of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday at Mandarin Oriental Manila.   Ranjan Jha, Singapore Airlines general manager for the Philippines and two other areas, agreed. “This holiday season is the best time to go to Singapore for shopping,” he said.   It’s not that Filipinos who have cash to spare need a lot of prodding. Last year, 678,000 Filipinos visited Singapore, said Chan.   “The Philippines is the sixth largest group and the third fastest growing market for us after China and Taiwan. Last year’s figure was a 24 percent growth. We see frequent visitors from the Philippines to Singapore.”   And just what do Filipinos do in Singapore? The top four answers, not in any particular order, are shopping, food, entertainment, and sightseeing. This was the result of a survey done in October 2011 in the Philippine market, Chan said.   This coming holiday season, Filipinos can look forward to plenty of events, new places to visit, and sweet deals in Singapore.   Among these, said Chan, are the following:  

• David Foster and Friends concert on November 2
• “God of Carnage” starring Lea Salonga on November 6 to 18
• Singaporean Food Festival on November 19 to 26
• SITEX 2012 (Singapore Expo) on November 22-25
• Launch of Sesame Street Ride at Universal Studios in December
• Opening of Marine Life Park, said to be the world’s largest oceanarium, on December 7
• ZoukOut dance music festival on December 7-8

  And these are just a few of the events in town. “Over 30,000 art and entertainment events happen in a year in Singapore,” Chan said. Since Filipinos like to travel in groups (whether with families, friends, or as couples), Singapore Airlines partnered with the Singapore Tourism Board in offering holiday packages which include round trip Economy Class seats from Manila, Cebu, or Davao to Singapore aboard Boeing 777 aircraft, airport transfers, hotel stay with breakfast for two, selected tours, inclusive of all taxes and surcharges.   The packages range from US$575 per person (Barkada Fun) to US$648 per person (Romantic Escapade). The Family Getaway package starts at US$618 per person. All packages are available until January 31, 2013, and travel must be done by March 31, 2012. Details are available at the Singapore Tourism Board website. “Our prices are very low compared to some domestic packages,” said Rita Dy, marketing communications and services manager of SIA.   Chan said they are targeting the Filipinos this holiday season, because “I think Filipinos give themselves little credit for what they deserve.” – YA, GMA News   Photos courtesy of Singapore Tourism Board