Marina Bay Sands
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The Philippines is an amazing country filled with natural resources, people and traditions that invites tourists. I have seen firsthand some of these places and events that I can truly say that I am proud of our country. But one must travel outside the country to further appreciate and differentiate the life of other people. I am currently in Singapore, an urban jungle unlike any other I have encountered in the Philippines. There is no time difference between the Philippines and Singapore but I noticed that everything here is fast paced. Even the rain which can last in our country for a day or two lasts only for an hour or two here in Singapore. But kidding aside, people here are a part of the rat race. They strive, they work and they go at it at full speed because time for them is money. With a high cost of living, these people have to grind their bones and walk blocks by blocks to reach their work places. The OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers) are a part of this grind. The Filipino people call them the new heroes of the country because of the hard work that they put in entirely to save, send some money back home or to reach their dreams.

 

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One often wonders why our countrymen leave our country when they say that home is where the heart is. Well for good reason, they leave for better opportunities, bigger pay and for some such as me: it is growth. Growth in the terms that where we see the world in a different light. Culture, tradition, race and practices among other nationalities converge in front of you and either you reject it or learn from it is up to you. It amazes me to be in a country where life is so fast-paced yet when you take a deep breath and slow it down yourself, everything becomes clearer.

 

Travel is a way to answer the questions you’ve been asking about other people and places. In order to understand, you must first be there and experience it yourself. Different religions, rules and practices are happening in front of you and you just have to take immortalize it with a single frame. Yes, there were other photographers and travelers before me but there will be more after me who could understand more the life that these people have in their country through my photographs. And just like the title of this article states, one leaves the country to understand further the life not only in our country but in the world.

 

Buddha Tooth and Relic Temple – China Town – Singapore
Clarke Quay – Singapore
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