Kuala Lumpur and Singapore

Some Preliminary Matters

Some people at Mabalacat City College liked me for being brutally frank and straightforward. Others hated me for it. Sometimes, I don’t like it in me too. But I’d rather be frank and straightforward, it’s more beneficial for myriad of reasons.

For sometime now, I have been isolated at the College. The College Officials had meetings every now and then. I am a College Official, but I was not included. Everything I say or do always goes out of context. It will always be misinterpreted to mean that I am aiming to become the next president. Oops, the straightforward in me again! Frankly, I don’t, at least not for now, or in the immediate future. There is a right time for everything. And I might even become one in another College and not necessarily at Mabalacat City College.

By the last week of November, 2013, there were hate text messages against a College official circulating around. I didn’t know about it until Mr. Franz Lawrence Senapilo, a social science faculty member, showed me one of the text messages. Reading the message, I told him to just ignore it. The issues raised were old and were just recycled. And I don’t think the official involved will even be bothered by it at all.

         To my surprise, official involved was totally bothered. Worst, in a coffee klatch with the Deans, he identified me as the source of the text message. Eventually, I ended up in a meeting where the hate text messages were discussed. There were only two suspects, both of us found ourselves under investigation.

I denied involvement. I am very vocal and straightforward. I speak my mind. There is no reason for me to use hate text messaging for I am a lawyer and I can always to go courts and other quasi-judicial bodies for my grievances. I also found parts of the messages which are inconsistent with my position or which I do not know. For instance, the message criticized a recent trip to Thailand which I did not know a thing about.

Speaking of trips, I was informed (in the same ‘custodial investigation’) that the College and Institute Officials will attend the Global Peace Convention 2013 in Kuala Lumpur come December 4-10, 2013. As I was isolated, all College and Institute Officials, except me, are going. Out of courtesy, the ‘investigating panel’ invited me to join them but I politely declined. I am attending an MCLE seminar at the University of the Philippines Law Center which will last until December 5. The panel insisted that I should go. Me? Trip to Malaysia? Why not? I will just follow them after my seminar.

Malaysia here I Come, December 6, 2013

I am very early today. It’s my first time to travel to a foreign country alone. And I’m sure I am going to get lost (I am expecting it, but the thought of it excites me). In the meantime, I don’t want to be late for my trip. According to my eTicket, my flight to Kuala Lumpur is at 6:50 a.m. so I have to be at the airport at least two hours before. I left home at around 2 a.m., arrived at Pasay City at around 3:20 a.m. and as always, I ate at my favorite Kapampangan Carinderia near the Rotunda. From there, I’m supposed to take a service bus to the airport. But I was told that there is no service bus to NAIA Terminal 1 so I took a cab to the terminal. I have a little chat with the cab driver. He said he wouldn’t eat in the said restaurant because every time he does so, he experienced constipation. I paused to reflect.

At the check-in counter, the Filipino ground staff of Malaysia Airlines sounded like an important immigration officer. He noticed on my eTicket that I am entering Malaysia on December 6 and coming back to the Philippines via Singapore on December 10. He inquired if I have a connecting flight. I said “no.” He proceeded to ask if I already have a return ticket. I said “yes.” Then, out of nowhere, he asked what I am going to do in Malaysia. I told him I am attending a sort of peace convention which at that point I have no idea what. Realizing it’s none of his business; he cut my explainings, thanked me for waiting and told me to be at Gate 1. Strangely, at the immigration counter, they stamped my passport and allowed me in. No questions asked.

And Gate 1 it is. The departure area is so dirty – soiled carpets, dingy surroundings. It doesn’t seem like an international airport at all. Malaysia Airlines’ flight MH 0805 promptly took off as scheduled. As the plane took off, I realized that I am braver now. Before, I am always afraid of take-offs. But now I enjoyed it.

I am lucky to be seated near the window. My thoughts float. If you are at the top of the world, you will see everything. I had an early morning bird’s eye view of Metro Manila and its grandeur. It is so beautiful. Manila’s dirty streets cannot be seen from above. As the plane ascended, I saw the fish pens of Manila Bay. I cannot forget the grand view of the green mountains of Mariveles, Bataan. From afar, I saw the big cross – Ang Dambana ng Kagitingan. I once climbed that shrine with my classmates from Tarlac State University. I easily recognized the tadpole-shaped Corregidor Island. Behind it are the volcanoes of Bataan Peninsula. Bataan is indeed a geological wonder. The captain announced that we are flying towards Vietnam at 2,000 ft. altitude.

My thoughts were disrupted by the flight steward clad in batik. Her luscious lips murmured if I wanted rice with spicy seafood or chicken with Chinese noodles. I chose the former. The food is delicious. This is my first taste of Malaysian cuisine. I am now convinced that there is a universal concept of tastefulness. Sleep is the next thing on my mind. I attempted to sleep but just can’t.

Lost in Kuala Lumpur

Nobody met me at the airport. I have been roaming around the airport for almost an hour and nobody was there to fetch me. I searched for my name from the boards of those who were there to meet someone. But my name wasn’t there.

My phone is useless. I left Manila early enough that I wasn’t able to shift my phone to roaming mode. I was on the verge of panic; I am a stranger in an unfamiliar place, with useless sim and nowhere to go. I scribbled the phone numbers of my companions, just in case I ran out of battery. A new sim (probably with a Malaysian signal) would cost me 8 Ringgit – this I am about to do but, the queue is long. Though, I still hope that a card with my name on it will be shown by a stranger. No help is coming.

Checking on the itinerary for Singapore, I read that the group will be fetched from Kuala Lumpur at the Concorde Hotel. Aha! Trying my luck at the Concorde Hotel, I went to the booth of Taxis with fixed rates.

“I needed to go to Concorde Hotel.” I said.

“Sir, we have a problem. There are six Concorde Hotels in Malaysia.” The puzzled lady behind the glass window answered.

“Bring me to a Concorde Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.” I tried my luck.

Luckily, there is only one Concorde Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. The airport taxi with fixed rate is really a gift. I paid RM 74.30. And this is really cheap considering that the distance from the airport to Concorde Hotel is more than an hour and passing through at least two toll gates.

The taxi driver was short and dark. He looked like an Indian with a Thai name and Malaysian citizenship – a taste of Kuala Lumpur’s multiracial society. For confirmation he asked me if I am bound for Hotel Concorde in Kuala Lumpur. I said yes. He was dismayed. He said “bad place.” I am sure he is referring to the traffic situation. He cursed all the time. I think he’s racing against time. It’s past lunchtime and every time we got stuck in a traffic jam, he cursed. His black lips, balding head, and dark neck, definitely looked ugly as he cursed.

And soon, after a few traffic stops and lots of curses, we arrived at the doorstep of the hotel. I gave him my remaining RM 25 to compensate him of his stress. After a few unsuccessful calls and after gathering what was left of my strength, I asked a panicky hotel front desk staff named Mike if Madam Carmelita P. Sotto is billeted in the said hotel. When the answer was “yes,” I was relieved. I remembered a text message from Madam Sotto asking me if I wanted to be registered to which I said yes. I asked the hotel staff if I am registered guest at the hotel. He said “yes,” you were billeted since December 3. I said I just arrived. He became confused. I asked for the key which he hesitantly gave. Well, I got the key. It’s time for a long well-deserved sleep.

I slept till the afternoon and I woke up hungry. Then I went for a stroll. It’s time to conquer Kuala Lumpur. I hunted for food. I saw KFC and became happy. At least, it’s a western restaurant, I told myself. To my joy, the cost of living in Kuala Lumpur is almost the same with that of the Philippines. So food costs almost the same. I ordered chicken combo which has a Malaysian touch. The spicy fried chicken was red with chili power and sprinkled with green chopped lemon grass. This, plus nasi lemak, the rice cooked in coconut milk. Wow! It’s a meal that is a blend of Western and Asian flavors.

At KFC, I saw some students wearing blue shirts which stated that they were committee members of the Global Peace Convention 2013. I asked them where the said conference is held. They told me it was held at Shangri-La Hotel. Aha. My companions are at Shangri-La Hotel. And there I went. The hotel was just a few blocks away, so I just walked.

Reaching the hotel entrance, I saw Madams Carmelita P. Sotto (VPAF), Eriberta T. Maglaqui (VPAA), and Amelia Z. Macapagal (VPSAS) coming out of the hotel exhausted from the conference. I’m found.

At the Global Peace Conference, December 7, 2013

Day two started with a sumptuous breakfast at the Concorde Hotel. I love buffet breakfast at hotels. I can mix up almost everything. From the assemblage for Chinese porridges, I picked some eggs, chopped fresh onions, fried peanuts and dried fish. And then I go for something western, like sauced beans, sausages, bread and then, coffee and apple juice. Aha! My tray looked like a collection of all the food I missed. This mix-up reflects my Filipino culture.

Today is the last day of the convention. Yet, it is my first. But the convener still collected the full US$ 500 from me. Well, at least it included the bill of the Concorde Hotel. There was a plenary session in the morning, and in the afternoon, parallel sessions were held under many major topics allied to “peace.” I chose the topic on women and interfaith. Generally, I liked the convention. It brought me so much enlightenment. My only problem is, I found its goals too lofty. Just how serious were these people in these goals? They’re too good to be real. It seemed like some were only there for a show!

For example, Mrs. Norlina Alawi, a woman from Malaysia who legally adopted thirty three (33) children in addition to her seven (7) biological children. They now comprise the One Big Family Foundation of Malaysia (Cinta Tanpa Sempadan). During her presentation, she became emotional and burst into tears. After rearing forty (40) children, some of them died in her arms, she’s supposed to be tough by now. The other presenters seemed to show only minor results of their efforts.

Noticeably, Africans show much interest in the convention. They’re everywhere and in their traditional African garb. I later found out that most of the beneficiaries of the Global Peace programs are African countries.

From the convention, we decided to walk to the Petronas Tower for supper. According to Madam Sotto, she’s tired of the food served at the Shangri-la. She invited us for some food trip at downtown the Kuala Lumpur. It was a short walk. But it’s too tough for the old women with us. We passed through some landscaped parks. I am impressed of the trees at the park we passed by. The trees grow almost straightly, beautiful indeed.

We ate at the mall at the base of Petronas Tower. Then, we went to buy dried fruits for gifts. With us is Dr. Dinah F. Mindo, Chair, Character-Based Education Program, Global Peace Foundation, Philippines. There is a newly-opened flee market. We promised to drop by after our Petronas Tower visit. But when we came back it was already closed for the night. We walked towards the hotel. The oldies were so tired and exhausted but were happy.

Kuala Lumpur unfold its Street Secrets

After ‘sending the oldies to bed,’ I tried contacting the Deans. But they were not in their rooms. They must have strolled around Kuala Lumpur. I have no choice but to roam around Kuala Lumpur by myself. I walked to the location of the minaret, the Menara. I did not enter the establishment but took some good photos of it. It’s Saturday night and I’m at the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Party people, young and not-so-young, converged at the crowded bars along Jalan Pramlee near the Petronas Tower. The partying caused too much traffic and because it’s rush hour, the commuters really got irritated.

Ignoring the Jalan Pramlee, I walked through Jalan Sultan Ismail towards the Berjaya Times Square. As the night deepens, the streets unfolded its secrets. There was a lover’s quarrel which erupted into sobs. The woman’s cry broke my heart. At the roadside, exhausted workers and commuters are waiting for their buses home. Joining the crowd are prostitutes and other shady personalities.

I intended to walk to Berjaya Times Square, but to my disappointment, I saw from afar that it is not a square at all. It is just a big building. Along the way, a gateway caught my attention – the Ain Arabia. I thought it is a historic place because the locals and the government especially reserved the corner for it. But it’s not. It is only a park for Arab tourists. I loved the arabesque orange walls that surrounded the park. To complete the ambiance, the park is dimly lighted. I feel unsafe roaming around and taking photos around the park. There were people sleeping at the park too and taking photos seemed awkward. So, I left.

Tired I went back to the Concorde Hotel. I slept like a king. My roommate, Dr. Jose V. Guintu, Dean of the Institute of Teacher Education, was not able to make it. His passport cannot be located. So, the room is mine, totally.

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception at the Church of Saint John the Baptist, December 8, 2013

To go to church or not to go, that was a tough question. Of course the answer was a “Yes!” But long socializations at the breakfast table especially with other Filipinos felt better than going to the church. Buffet breakfasts were great at the Concorde Hotel. As usual, I go for an unusual mixture of American, Chinese and whatsoever. And the result – A Filipino breakfast feast!

The Church of Saint John the Baptist is said to be a well-known place. But the first taxi-cab we hailed said he did not know the place. Well, according to the next taxi cab, that first one just feigned ignorance because he doesn’t want to take us there. It’s not profitable for him because the place is too near. It’s located downtown Kuala Lumpur near the Menara. It’s December 8, the feast day of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, and my companions – all Marian devotees – are aching to be in the church. We arrived there just in time for the mass.

The church scene reveals Kuala Lumpur’s multi-cultural society. I saw brown, black, white and red people – Africans, Americans, Malays, Indians, Chinese and Filipinos. It was a well-attended mass. The choir is very spirited. Mostly black, they sounded like an African choir.

Outside the church are food stalls selling Filipino food. We were informed that many of the Sunday church-goers are Filipinos who probably missed Filipino food. Thus, some of our enterprising kababayans were at the church gates selling packed Filipino food. The oldies bought Filipino food and ate like picnickers at the Concorde Hotel’s poolside. While we went to KFC for some chicken cooked a la Indonesian style.

Not Filipino, but Malaysian Drivers are the Worst in the World

The rest of the day will be spent travelling by land to Singapore. We waited at the hotel lobby for our ride to the Berjaya Times Square. The lobby, though lavishly decorated with Christmas gizmos, lacked Christmas spirit. It felt like they’re faking Christmas just to patronize their Christian clients. Well, Madam Amel and I posed in almost everywhere corner of the hotel and have ourselves photographed until we got tired.

“Is there any of you named Robert John Donesa?” asked a stranger with a loud low voice.

“It’s me,” I said.

“I am your driver and your ride is ready,” the stranger introduced. His name is Dasri. We were eventually informed that his mother is a Filipino from Palawan.

Our bus schedule is at 12:45 p.m. but it didn’t arrive on time, thus, we have to wait. Dasri was in a hurry and had to leave us. He told us not to go anywhere because the bus may arrive at any time. He warned us to be always on the alert because Malaysian bus drivers do not care about tourists. They will just drive the bus away without notice leaving some tourists behind. Soon, we realized that he’s right.

Our bus driver is reckless. At one stopover, while some of our companions were at the rest room, he immediately drove the bus away leaving some passengers behind. I was just at the bus’ doorstep taking pictures, while Dean Reynaldo C. Laxamana and VP Amelia Z. Macapagal were just few steps away. Our companions frantically asked him to stop the bus. If that was his way of telling the tourists not to dillydally at stopovers, then that was not proper! In another instance, he just drove the bus away with the door of baggage compartment at the side of the bus still open. Luckily, Dean Rey noticed it and immediately called his attention. But that was totally dangerous! Just like in the Philippines, Malaysian drivers are threats to tourism industry.

The rest of the afternoon was spent land traveling. We were on the bus the whole afternoon traversing through fields of palm trees. Palm trees are all over Malaysia. I was told that this palm will be the future source of oil. Malaysia will soon be the next Saudi Arabia. I remembered I saw some patches of palm plantations like these in Sultan Kudarat in Mindanao.

Morbid Dreams at Singapore

Arriving at Singapore, we have to unload our heavy pieces of luggage and carry them through the immigration counters. Then we have to load it again to the same bus with the same reckless driver. This is a totally tiresome process.

We were billeted at the Orchard Grand Court Hotel. Oh don’t be misled. It’s not grand. Having a semi-royal experience at Concorde, Orchard Grand Court Hotel is ordinary. I spelled the hotel’s name completely because at Orchard Road and it surroundings, there are hundreds of hotels which bears the name ‘Orchard.’ The front desk and receiving area are very small and are located at the back of a restaurant! I like the tall ‘Ming’ jars that adorned the hotel lobby, though. They are taller than humans. I have always been joking about bringing home one or two of them. The hotel is located at Lloyd St., one of the smaller and lesser known streets near Orchard Road.

Our tour guide knew that we will be out for the night for some souvenir shopping at Lucky Plaza along Orchard Road. Because it was late, he will not be around to fetch us. So, he challenged us for some adventure. He told us to walk from Lucky Plaza to Orchard Grand Hotel. We took the challenge. We were lost. We walked back and forth the Orchard road and its surroundings to find Lloyd St. We found our way only after several trial and errors. All tired. To the oldies, it was too much to be called an exercise.

Resting in our rooms, VP Carmelita P. Sotto called me and Dean George Granados to discuss a sexual harassment case filed by a group of students against an instructor. Wow, VP Amelia Z. Macapagal brought a complaint with her during the trip! She brought work with her? Oh no! So, after a tiresome day, we went back to serious work – a morbid and well-described sexual harassment case.

And this sent us to sleep. Morbid dreams!

Alone in a Group at the Universal Studios, December 9, 2013

The next day, December 9, we went to the Universal Studios. Though, it’s my 2^nd time in this grand attraction, it always felt like the first. I always have that child-like excitement. At the entrance, I immediately grabbed some maps and distributed it to my companions. I suggested that they always use the map to minimize wastage of time and to maximize enjoyment of the rides. I’m off for some extreme rides. I insisted to my younger companions, the Deans (Rey, Dino and George), to go for the extreme rides. But they were afraid their blood pressures might shoot up. The oldies made their own itinerary. Of course, I cannot be with them, they move slowly.

Haay! The thought of high blood pressure also limited my choices. But my insatiable thirst for extreme adventure prevailed. I eventually veered away from the Deans to enjoy the ‘Return of the Mummy,’ alone. I love being alone. I don’t have to queue long lines as there is a special lane for those who are solo. Rudyard Kipling once wrote: “He travels the fastest who travels alone.”

The ‘Return of the Mummy’ was hell of a ride. I am used to extreme roller-coaster rides where coaches steeply fall. But this one, the ride is in total darkness, mummies come back to life and coaches fall straight into the abyss. Shout all you can but there’s no stopping the mummy from ‘taking your soul!’ This is an attraction I cannot resist. The Egyptian-inspired buildings and massive statues are also sights to behold. I also wanted to ride the ‘Battle Star Galactica,’ but to my dismay, it was out of order. I skipped the ‘Transformers.’ I thought it’s boring or too youthful.

By nighttime, we were at the Orchard Road again for food and shopping. I bought a Merlion statue for $50. I was so happy with my find until Sir George called my attention to some similar statues at half the price. I ignored him and his banters. I developed a new personal rule: When buying something I like, there must be no regrets.

It was late when went back to our hotel tired. The small unwelcoming lobby failed to bother me. The giant ‘Ming’ jars greeted my weary soul. The room is big, nice but not grand. Sleep is the next thing on my mind.

Touring and Shopping at Singapore, December 10, 2013

Our last day in Singapore, December 10, 2013, was a busy day. In the morning, we went to the gardens by the bay. The gardens are one of the newest attractions in Singapore. (Well, Singapore is noted for something new every year.) The gardens feature several biomes. I am lucky to have climbed some parts of the Cordilleras and to have seen the highland vegetation in its natural setting. Although they were able to simulate the mountain environment, nothing substitutes a natural setting.

A Singapore tour will not be complete without going to its Chinatown. So, we went to the Chinatown. A local Chinese tour guide once remarked: “This Chinatown is not a real. A real Chinatown should be dirty!” For the third time, I visited the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. The temple, as always, continues to fascinate me. Despite the many renovations it had undergone over the years, I can still feel its holiness. There, I met many Buddhas: Manjusri, Akasagarbha, Avalokitesvara, Samantabadra, Maha-shtama-prapta, Amitabha, Acala, Vairocana, among others. The images were just replicas. The original ones were under restoration. The colors, sights and sounds of the temple almost made me want to stay there and become a monk. And even though it’s my third time, I still made a wish which I now forgot.

Then, we braved the scourging afternoon sun to shop for some souvenirs around the vicinity of the temple. The seniors did not join us; they would rather rest at the van. The district is very historic; the souvenir shops were housed in buildings dating back to British colonization. The buildings are now protected by law. Though the interiors may be renovated, the façade must be retained. There are also historical markers from here and there detailing the ordeals of the pioneering Chinese migrants in Singapore.

My companions, Deans Rey, George and Dino, shopped till their last Singaporean dollar. Almost all thingamabobs bearing a Merlion can pass for a souvenir. They bought t-shirts, bells, key chains, nail clippers, perfumes, etc. Our tour guide did not inform us in advance that he will bring us to Bugies Road, a haven for cheap souvenirs. Many of the things we bought at Chinatown and Orchard Road can be bought at Bugies Road for half the price.

The unwritten rule in Singapore is that one should not be a compulsive buyer. Before buying, one should first make a survey. Souvenir items may be priced excessively by some unscrupulous deceitful merchants. And my piece of advice: if one already bought an item, never try to find a similar item in a different store and compare prices. You might get disappointed. If you like an item, then buy it and never look back.

At Bugies, my companions ate at a Thai restaurant, the Tastebud Foodcourt. The food looked good but I am still full eating just about anything my companions shared – dried fruits, junk food, chocolate fudge, baked goods and whatever. The restaurant’s noisy cashier irritated me. She claimed there were six food orders but there were only five payments. But when double-checked, there were only five food orders and so she was wrong. But her mouth wouldn’t stop, her ramblings of unintelligible words sounded as if there was an attempt to defraud her. I murmured Filipino words telling her that I would want to buy her food booth and dismiss her.

Then, we prepared to go home. By two o’ clock we were at the airport waiting for our flight back. We were two hours ahead of time so there was nothing to do but to enjoy the sights and sounds of the airport. We already ran out of dollars, not even for a cup of coffee. George, aching for one, invited me for a cup of coffee. He used his credit card to pay for it. The airport is decorated with flowers. I can’t help but take photos of the orchids. Exhausted, happy to be home. It was almost midnight when I reached home.