The Fullerton

Built between 1924 and 1928, the Fullerton Building was named after Robert Fullerton, the first Governor of the Straits Settlements, and was opened on 27 June 1928. Its first tenants included the General Post Office, the Singapore Club and several government departments.

In 2001, the building was re-opened as a high-end five star hotel. It was totally refurbished on the inside but its original exterior has been preserved.

The Fullerton Hotel Singapore has 400 rooms and suites which either overlook the atrium courtyard, or face downtown Singapore's skyline, the Singapore River promenade or the Marina Bay. The hotel's 199-square metre Presidential Suite even has its own elevator, and a glass-enclosed veranda.

Designed with the business and leisure traveller in mind, The Fullerton Hotel has a 24-hour financial centre with the Bloomberg Professional service that provides financial reports and world news, and 15 meeting rooms equipped with conference facilities.

The hotel has a 25-metre outdoor infinity swimming pool, fitness centre and a luxury spa. The hotel has five food and beverage outlets, which include Jade, a restaurant serving modern Chinese cuisine; Town Restaurant, an all-day international dining restaurant; The Courtyard, which offers afternoon tea and lunch choices at the hotel's atrium; San Marco at The Lighthouse serving modern Italian cuisine on the top floor of the hotel; and the stylish Post Bar which serves a wide range of signature cocktails and wine. Ballroom and conference facilities are located at the basement.

The Fullerton Hotel has won major travel and architectural awards such as the Condé Nast Traveler Gold List award and the Architectural Heritage Award from Singapore's Urban Redevelopment Authority.

More images HERE.

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I already purchased a new scanner last weekend (finally) so I have already scanned and uploaded a bunch of strips for my webcomics. The latest is what's shown above (under the site logo) and it will automatically update itself every Monday. :)

No Place I'd Rather Be

What I like about Singapore, apart from the almost 0% crime rate and very efficient public transport, is that they really treat their National Day the biggest day of the year. They look forward to it, prepare for it, and the government spend insane money to celebrate it (Even making a 30,000 people capacity floating stadium at Marina bay just for it). People from all walks of life here talk about it with enthusiasm, and with their family celebrate the culmination by watching the National Day Parade, an extravagant show that Singaporean anticipate year after year, with glee marked on their faces. Sadly, I don't see that kind of enthusiasm back home in the Philippines. Many people don't even know the date of our independence day. And I think I'm not mistaken that there are many more people that can identify Manny Paquiao than people who knew how to sing the National Anthem correctly.

Anyway, this 9th of August, Singapore will once again held its 42nd birthday, and I am writing this not because I'm already becoming a Merlion patriot, but because I want to share you this year's Singapore National Day Parade song. The reason is that it's one of those songs that let you thing of your roots, especially if you're like me, are plying your trade overseas. This simple but beautiful song--sang by Kit Chan-- speaks about the longing for a homeland, even after seeing the four corners of the globe.

Watch it for yourself below.