Content Standard: The learner demonstrates understanding of how Afro-Asian Literature and other text types equip him/her

with
communication skills that lead to embracing diverse culture heritage.

Name:___________________________________________________________Year & Section:______________________

Activity 1. Unlocking Difficulty

SINGAPORE SOJOURN
By: Tammy Mendoza
When you’re a visitor in this remarkable state, one impression that you will have is that people tend to ask you how many
times you’ve been in Singapore. For the past many years, this Asian dragon has become one of the top tourist draws in Asia. Its
vibrant economy has made it arguably the gateway in Southeast Asia, and perhaps, on this account, people have grown quite used to
tourists seeing Singapore more often than once.
Last September, our group flew to Singapore on the largesse of Singapore Airlines, unquestionably one of the pillars of the
impressive success story of the city-state. Cited several times as the best airline by prestigious international magazines, Singapore
Airlines is a showcase reliability and finesse. And so is the famed Changi Airport. Also the object of international distinction, the
modern airport has consistently been voted the world’s best, and it proves appropriate, interesting insights of what awaits the
Singapore guest.
Singapore, like the Changi Airport, is a marvel- the fruit of both foresight and careful orchestration. Despite having a land
area of only about 650 sq. kms. Singapore has a thriving economy. It has one of the world’s busiest ports, and is conceded as Asias’s
business and financial center.
Singapore by night is a thrilling sight, as we arrived in the Apollo Hotel, there seemed to be so much to look forward to in
this sprightly city of surprise.

Our next stop was the Night Safari. Now a popular attraction of Singapore, the Nights Safari was probably our best
experiences. It features over 1000 nocturnal creatures which one can see either by tram or trail. Because of the way the park was
developed, the creatures can be seen in their natural habitat without wire harnesses. Fittingly, Singapore’s Night Safari received the
1995 Asean Tourism Association ( Aseanta) Award for Excellence as the best New Tourist Attraction in the Asean.

Next in line was the Sentosa. Accessible from certain points by MRT ( Singapore mass transit system ), bus, or cable car.
Sentosa Island is a destination in itself. World, Volcanol and, and Cinemania, Images of Singapore, Fantasy Island, Cinemania.
After a hearty lunch at Timbua Restaurant, where we had our fill of declectable Indonesian cuisine, we spent the afternoon
looking around spent the afternoon looking around Orchard Road, Singapore’s shopping paradise. Along the stretch of Orchard Road
can be found mall upon mall quality merchandise for every mold of shopper.

After a generous breakfast buffet we were whisked to the Singapore Science Center. It was here that we viewed a film at
Southeast Asian’s only Omnimax Theater, where images projected on a dome screen gave us the feeling of being engulfed in the
picture. Besides the Omninimax Theater, the Singapore Science enter also houses a variety of exhibits on the life science, technology
discoveries, and aviation.
As for the evening, it belonged to a taxi ride and dinner at Clarks Quay, mainly a cluster of stores by a Singapore river. The
highlight of the visit was a taxi ride, where we taken on a guided tour of the city to better appreciate its history.
The following day, the group had splendid time at the JurongBirdpark which a co-passenger on the taxi ride at Clarke Quay
said was his personal choice as the best attraction of Singapore. Here we had breakfast with the birds, a quick tour of the aviaries, and
a Panorail ride through the park, after which we viewed the International Bird Show at the ampitheater where trained bird showcased
their wares. Some of the more memorable sights at the 20.2 hectare Jurong Birdpark were the Penguin Parade and the Southeast Asian
Birds Aviary.
Wth hindsight, the Singapore sojourn turned out to be a truly splendid experience for the group, speacially for some of us
who tried Singapore’s night life for more taste adventure.
The thing with Singapore is, it doesn’t really matter if you’ve been there before or not at all. Constantly discovering and ever-
changing, Singapore is forever new, and it’s never the same again.
Activity 2. EXPERINCE SINGAPORE

PLACES DESCRIPTION

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Activity 3. DEAR ASIANS

Identify the countries being referred to in the table below and describe the people in terms of traits and characteristics.

TITLE COUNTRY TRAITS/CHARACTERISTICS

1. Land of the Rising Sun

2. Land of Morning Calm

3. Birthplace of Islam

4. Pearl of the Orient Seas

5. The Land of Smiles

6. The Subcontinent

7. The Middle Kingdom

*THE “SINGA”

Sang Nila Utama, an imaginative and adventurous king was restless by nature and wanted to travel to faraway places. He loved
hunting wild animals, so when he heard that there were stags in the jungles of Tanjong Benta,, which were not easy to hunt, he was
excited and took with him a great fleet of ships to Tanjong Bentam.
When the king arrived upon the island, he and his subjects had a hunting expedition that lasted several hours, slaying many
wild and savage beasts, but no. Suddenly, a large stag darted out of the bush in front of Sang Nila Utama, giving the king a shock….but
the king drew his silver dagger and hurled it at the stag, only grazing the animal. The stag began to run and the king pursued it ( in those
days, it was either your feet or nothing.)
The stag run through the jungle and darted the up a knoll. The king followed the stag up the hill, but upon reaching the summit,
the stag was nowhere to be seen. There was a large rock, so the king climbed it and looked at the land and the sea spread out around
him. In the distance, he saw a stretch of white sand- an island.
Sang Nila Utama was fascinated by the sight of the island. He turned to one of his subjects who had followed him.
“ Whay is the name of that island?”
The subject looked into the distance and smiled.
“ That is Temasek. Your highness.”
“ Then we are going there.”
The king ordered his fleet to set sail and they began on their journey towards the island.
Suddenly the once clear blue skies were covered with black clouds, heavy rain poured from them, and strong bursts of wind
threatened to tear the ships apart. The ship carrying Sang Nila Utama was in the very eye of the storm. The crew lowered the sails,
started to bail the water from the ship and get most of the cargo for jettisoning.
However, an idea came to the king’s head. He remembered a story his grandfather told him of how one of his ancestors became
the Sea-King and that his crown was the only thing which belonged to his ancestor. He removed his crown immediately and threw it
into the sea.
All at once, the storm broke. As suddenly as it started, the skies began to clear and the crew gave a shout of joy and set sail
once more to the island of Temasek.
When the king stepped upon the island, a creature stepped out of nowhere, and the king and his men were awe-struck by the
magnificent creature. It was large and moved with grace, had a black head, covered in a furry mane, a whitish neck and a red body.
When the king drew his bow and arrow, the beast stared back at him with golden eyes and let out a deafening roar before leaping into
the jungle.

“What sort of animal was that?”, the king asked.

A wise old man stepped forth.
I have seen animals in portraits from the Far West. Perhaps this is a “ singa” but I wonder how he got all the way here.”
This must be a great place if it breeds such a beautiful animal. Let us live here….here in the island of Singapura.”
( Singa- the word “ singa” is actually the Malay word for “lion”. Therefore Singapore is sometimes referred to as the “Lion City”.

Process Questions:

1. If you were Sang Nila Utama, would you throw away your crown to the sea?

2. Why do you think the king decidedto live in Singapore? Would you have done the same thing?

3. What is the importance of legends, myths, and other literary grenres you have learned in the present society?

4. How would you relate the legend “The Singa” to what Singapore was and what she has become?

Activity 4:
Directions: Give meaning of the italicized words using context clues.

1. When the tourist went to his farm, he climbed a knoll to take a good look at the beautiful surroundings.
a. Stairs b. chair c. hill
2. The ground attendant advised the passenger to reduce the things he had in his suitcase for jettisoning; he had the required
weight for hiis check-in baggage.
a. Inspection b. donation c. discarding
3. The traveler’s goal is to reach the summit of the mountain.
a. Lowest part b. middle part c. highest part
4. The King’s subjects obey his rules faithfully.
a. Followers b. courses to study c. enemies
5. The fan stood in awe when he saw his favorite movie actor.
a. Fear b. surprise c. respect

Activity 5: Character Analysis Pyramid

Identify major traits and information of the main character of the story using the pyramid below:

1._______________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________

3. _________________________________________

4. ______________________________________

5. __________________________________
Activity 5:
Draw the events of the story on the story board. Record them in correct order.

Activity 6. Think it Over