THE GROUP ARRIVES AT THE CHANGI AIRPORT, SINGAPORE.

The last touring group of Manresa School comprised twenty-three Manresan educators, three F.I. Sisters, and a travel agent on their Singapore and Malaysia trip on June 11-16, 2024. This group mainly consisted of teachers, staff, and maintenance personnel who had served the school for 15 years and above. According to Sr. Jeck Silorio, F.I., the tour was both a gift and a responsibility because it gave everyone time to enjoy, bond, and learn together in a fun and refreshing way while practicing a higher sense of responsibility and maturity in responding to all circumstances and acting sensibly for the common good.

Day 1 - City Tour: Through the local tour guide, everyone learned about and appreciated the history, culture, iconic landmarks, and beautiful sceneries in Singapore, such as the Merlion Park, Parliament House, Esplanade, Padang, Supreme Court, National Gallery, Suntec Fountain, Singapore's oldest urban quarter, Kampong Glam, and Gardens by the Bay.

Day 2 - Ultimate Rides, Fun, and Lunch at Universal Studios Singapore (USS) The group spent the whole day at USS exploring the 20 hectares of land with six themed zones: New York, Sci-Fi City, Ancient Egypt, The Lost World, Far Far Away, and Hollywood, and 24 exciting attractions located within Resorts World Sentosa. Everyone enjoyed the adrenaline-pumping rides, interactive shows, and a wide variety of exciting and relaxing movie-themed attractions based on blockbuster movies and television series that energized and satisfied each one's inner child.

  Survivors of the  Transformers nerve-wracking ride 

At the Water World...

Visiting Madame Tussauds Attraction at Sensosa Island

After dinner, the group went to Bugis Square, known for its affordable merchandise and cheaper souvenir shops. The tour was completed with the taste of local ice cream and a thrilling ride on the double-decker city bus. Getting lost on the way home was inevitable but a funny, memorable, and unforgettable experience for all.

Day 3 - Off to Malaysia During ordinary days, it takes only 5 hours to traverse the total driving distance of 223 miles or 356 kilometers from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. However, the group traveled for more than eight hours due to traffic jams, with many locals and Muslim pilgrims going to Malaysia for the Eid al-Adha celebration on June 16, 2024. Sightseeing, patience, and getting enough sleep on the way to Malaysia were key to a stress-free cross-border trip.

Swiss Garden Hotel, Bukit Bintang welcomes the CET Singapore Group

Day 4 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City Tour The group visited the King’s Palace and National Monument, drove through the Old Railway National Station, Mosque Independence Square for Muslim celebrations, and the Petronas Twin Towers. Batek and Chocolate Souvenir Shops were the last stopovers before having dinner and heading to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

Entrance to the National Monument (inset) in Kuala Lumpur

A group went ahead to see the Petronas Twin Towers at night!

Indeed, the words of Sr. Jeck were taken to heart and mind by the group as everyone lived out the school’s maxim: Tatak Manresa Kapatid sa Kapwa throughout the journey, both at home and in foreign lands. The smiles of the group said it all: satisfaction and gratitude for everyone, especially to the Hijas de Jesus sisters and Manresa School, for this grand Asian tour and vacation.

By Ms. Loi Mandario

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