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 youre a visitor in this remarkable state, one impression that you will have is that
people tend to ask you how many times youve 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 worlds 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 worlds busiest ports, and is conceded as Asiass 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, Singapores 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, Singapores 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 Asians 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 copassenger 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 Singapores night life for more taste adventure.
The thing with Singapore is, it doesnt really matter if youve been there before or not at
all. Constantly discovering and ever- changing, Singapore is forever new, and its 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
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

COUNTRY

TRAITS/CHARACTERISTICS

*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 kings 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 travelers goal is to reach the summit of the mountain.
a. Lowest part
b. middle part
c. highest part
4. The Kings 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

Prepared by:
NELYN JOY A. CASTILLON
SHIELA MAE A. MANELJA
English G8 Teachers
Checked by:
BEATRIZ SENOBAGO
Master Teacher 1

Noted by:
SELMA S. SALUBRE
English Department Head