Learning from Singapore's museums
When my mom was transferred to Singapore, I did not look forward to the day when I had to visit her. I grew up, after all, during the time of Flor Contemplacion’s execution, and since then, I’ve always thought of Singapore as a country of heartless people.
As usual, familial duty superseded everything, and I had no choice but to visit the arrogant nation that would always use the Philippines as an example of a system that doesn’t work. Admittedly, once there, it’s easy to feel at ease with a country that has embodied efficiency, convenience, and quality of living. Add the tourist attractions and Singapore is truly the closest thing to the United States in this part of the world. The only places I refused to visit though were the SG museums. I did not want to care about Singapore’s history and culture. But my mom must always get her way lest we won’t get the new clothes and shoes we so desperately need. And though I hated it, I had no choice but to be indoctrinated by Singaporean history and culture.
Fast-forward to eight years later, and I find myself pleading to my mom that we re-visit all of Singapore’s museums instead of going to Sentosa and Universal Studios. What can I say? The exhibits are impressive, the stories inspiring, and the whole experience truly enlightening.
Singapore has invested heavily in educating its citizens about its proud history as a nation. The most notable museum in Singapore is the National Museum. The exhibits are so extensive that it’s impossible to finish touring the museum in a day. Interestingly enough, the museum has two paths — a personal one that would tell Singapore’s history through the perspective of the ordinary citizen, and the event path, which is the traditional exhibit one can find in a museum. Being a literature teacher, I naturally fell in love with the stories of old Singapore and how the nation’s struggle reflected on the experiences of its people. The path ends inside a room that recounts how the legendary Lee Kuan Yew transformed Singapore to the enviable country it is today.
Not content with an already impressive structure, Singapore still has three war museums to commemorate and honor its gallant citizens during World War II. The Battle Box, which is very similar to our Malinta Tunnel in Bataan, is the actual underground tunnel of the British Forces before they surrendered to Japan. Walking inside the tunnels will give you a first-hand experience of the tension and suspense that pervaded the place before the Fall of Singapore. Meanwhile, Reflections at Bukit Chandu honors the brave Malay regiment of the British Army that gallantly defended Singapore from the Japanese lightning strike. Bukit Chandu explains in narrative detail the Japanese strategy in invading Singapore, matched with accounts of oppression by the Japanese Army. Finally, the Changi War Museum narrated the suffering and persecution of the British Forces under the Japanese Occupation. Once again, Singapore combined the best of art and history in recounting the resiliency of the human spirit. Coming out of a Singapore museum is like finishing an excellent book. You learn a lot, you feel wiser and understand what it truly means to be human.
Come to think of it, it certainly is a great feat as to how a former anti-Singapore Filipino like me became an SG museum addict. Every time I visit their museums, it’s as if I am part of the country’s story. But no, I am not turning Singaporean. If at all, how I yearn that the Philippines would also dream of building and investing in educating our citizens of the value of history and love of country! At present, our National Museum and other similar structures around Manila are good places to visit. Sadly, unlike SG museums, there really is no need for a second visit. As far as I know, existing displays aren’t renewed or updated, and there are no new exhibits that would entice Filipinos to keep visiting our heritage galleries. Most of all, our curators have yet to learn about the power of the human experience and how ordinary citizens are as much a part of our history as our heroes and martyrs. It’s the story in history that would convince people that their country is worth of their love and loyalty.
No matter how impressive the Singapore museums are, I know from experience that Filipinos are better writers and have a much richer and meaningful history. If only we could learn that the secret of Singapore does not lie solely on its admirable economic and political policies. The secret to Singapore’s greatness is kept inside their museums that ensure their citizens would never forget who they are as a nation.
