Filipinos who have been to Singapore would be hard to fault for assuming that they’ve tried everything the small but mighty country has to offer. After all, Singapore, at least its main island, is only approximately 50 kilometers from its east-most point to west-most, and 27 kilometers from north to south.
But what Singapore lacked in land mass for visitors to explore, it made up for in the teeming experiences from every corner.
This view of Singapore will welcome visitors of 1-Arden, the world’s highest urban farm located at the 51st floor of CapitaSpring building.
Beyond visiting the majestic Rain Vortex Waterfall inside Jewel Changi airport or Gardens by the Bay; enjoying the adrenaline rush at Universal Studios Singapore; experiencing Peranakan culture at Katong and Joo Chiat; tasting laksa, Hainanese chicken rice and other delicacies at food centers, visitors can get their hands on unique activities that Singapore also offers.
To further highlight the country’s experiential tourism, Singapore Tourism Board (STB) unveiled its “Made in Singapore” campaign.
Contrary to its name, this campaign isn’t about goods manufactured within the country; rather, it’s a celebration of the unique, extraordinary moments and experiences that are crafted in Singapore, reflecting the vibrancy and diversity of this dynamic city-state.
“The Made in Singapore campaign is anchored on our Passion Made Possible destination brand, which embodies the Singapore spirit of fulfilling individual passions and creating new possibilities. Through this latest campaign, we would like to reinforce Singapore as a destination that turns imagination into reality,” Kenneth Lim, assistant chief executive (Marketing Group) of STB, said in a statement.
“Our goal is to showcase how everyday ordinary moments are made extraordinary and unforgettable, experienced only in Singapore – to inspire travel here,” he added.
By showcasing quintessentially Made in Singapore experiences in a refreshing manner, STB hopes the campaign will drive tourists to Singapore as travel recovery picks up speed and competition intensifies.
A truly Singaporean experience
In a recent media trip to the Southeast Asian gem, The Manila Times encountered some of these experiences that were “Made in Singapore.”
Fancy a cooking class? Don’t expect to see stainless steel working stations or modern kitchen gadgets at Cookery Magic in Singapore.
Cookery Magic’s Ruqxana Vasanwala opens her home to tourists who want to take experiential cooking classes.
Instead, enter a time capsule in Ruqxana Vasanwala’s home in Singlap District of Eastern Singapore.
Vasanwala admitted she likes preserving heritage, reflected in her classic Volkswagen car, vintage furniture and her quaint and quirky bungalow amid a modern neighborhood.
Since 2001, Vasanwala has been offering cooking classes in her own kitchen. She has over 500 Asian and Singaporean recipes she shares on rotation on her daily cooking classes. Her kitchen — set up outdoors — and her warm demeanor and personal stories give the feeling of receiving lessons from a cherished family member.
“I like serving people food, I love what I get out of it. That’s one of the things I want my students to learn,” Vasanwala shared with the visiting group of Philippine media.
Other worthwhile workshops to try in Singapore include the bean-to-bar experience of Mr. Bucket Chocolaterie.
Mr. Bucket Chocolaterie welcomes guests to a fun — and delicious — crash course on how it turns the humble bean to everyone’s favorite chocolate bar.
Located in Dempsey Hill, Mr. Bucket Chocolaterie tries to redefine chocolate factory and welcomes guests to a fun — and delicious — crash course on how they turn the humble bean to everyone’s favorite chocolate bar. The experience culminates in a tasting session of Mr. Bucket’s products.
For the crafty tourists, there’s the bag making workshop in Ginlee Studio where participants will be guided to apply the age-old craft of pleating to a body bag they can take home and use after.
Bird Paradise — A new natural adventure
In its “Made in Singapore” campaign video, Singapore playfully challenged the notion on “air shows” with the feathered creatures of Bird Paradise.
Some of the feathered friends tourists can visit at the Singapore’s new attraction, Bird Paradise.
The newest park to open at Mandai Wildlife Reserve, Bird Paradise is home to over 3,500 birds from over 400 avian species. They are thriving in eight walk-through aviaries that resemble different biomes and landscapes around the world.
Since its soft launch six months ago, Bird Paradise has already attracted 600,000 local and international visitors who got to see birds of varying colors and sizes, sometimes up close and personal.
Adjacent to Night Safari, River Wonders, and Singapore Zoo, Bird Paradise completes an day-long excursion the whole family can enjoy.
Redefining dining escapades
Of course, Singapore is known for its culinary offerings — from mom-and-pop shops that offer comforting home cooked meals to high-end restaurants that reimagine Singaporean classics.
One restaurant that literally stands out and can well use “Above the clouds, Made in Singapore” — as it is located at the 51st floor of CapitaSpring building — is Kaarla Wood-Fire Grill.
It takes pride in creating dishes from wild-caught sustainably and ethically raised produce sourced from the best local farms in Singapore.
After hearty meals in Kaarla Wood-Fire Grill, diners should not miss visiting the adjacent rooftop destination, 1-Arden. It prides itself as “the world’s highest urban farm,” where herbs, edible flowers, and more plants are grown for the use of restaurants in the rooftop destination. The breathtaking city view adds to the charm of this experience.
These experiences merely scratch the surface of the many offerings awaiting both new and returning tourists.
With its vibrant culture, diverse offerings, and a spirit that turns imagination into reality, Singapore invites travelers to explore and discover the extraordinary within its borders.