What's On & Expat - Philippines

Singapore was the first foreign soil that Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal stepped on en route to Spain to study medicine. That was May 1882. Fast forward 125 years and the ties that bind the two countries are more apparent than ever.
     “As a close neighbor and fellow ASEAN member, Singapore continues to take an active interest in the well-being of the Philippines,” states Ambassador Lim Keng Hua during a reception held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel celebrating 42 years of Singapore’s separation as an independent republic.
    The Ambassador points out the visit of President SR Nathan early this year and the reciprocal tour of President Arroyo in June as contributing to the strengthening of the 38 years of diplomatic relations, spilling over to business, education and cultural ties between the two countries.
    Now on its 9th year, the Singapore Scholarship has so far benefited 79 Filipino students, amounting to 28 million of educational packages at the National
 

University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Management University. Also, the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy has so far had 62 Filipino alumni with six more being awarded with full scholarships this year.
   With its melting-pot culture, a supportive government and the people’s obvious zest for life, Singapore has clearly become a growing hub for a vibrant arts and culture scene. The Singapore Arts Festival has been a regular venue for attracting international artists and showcasing homegrown talents to the world, forging artistic collaboration and innovation.
    With these, there’s no doubt that Singapore is on the right track as a globally competitive yet still neighborly nation. What’s On & Expat wishes the continued success and prosperity to the nation of Singapore and its constituents! Majulah Singapura!

UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines Commissioner and Center for Moderate Muslims president Prof. Taha M. Basman with wife Nelia, former Executive Secretary Ramon Cardenas, Australian Embassy’s Minister and Deputy Head of Mission Stephen Scott with wife Cheryl
 

Former Senator Franklin Drilon (third from right) standing with members of the Young Moro Professionals Network
 

Singaporean Ambassdor Lim Kheng Hua (right) with Social Security System President and CEO Corazon dela Paz

Susan Lee Cotton, Singaporean Embassy’s John Tan, Shariff Wookil and James Ho

Qatari Ambassador Abdullah Almutawa, Venezuelan Charge d’ Affaires Manuel Perez Iturbe, University of the Philippines President Emerlinda Roman, Randy David and UAE Ambassador Mohammed Ebrahim Aljowaid

Singaporean Embassy’s Research Assistant Claire Lee, Defense Attache Col. Tay Kim Chiew and First Secretary Koh Siew Mu

Arjun Shroff, Shukor Yatim and Singaporean Airlines general manager Clinton Tan