1) What were the highlight/s on the tour for you and why?
There were many highlights on the tour for me. If I think back to the trip, I can remember firstly all the class united
in mind and purpose. A class which laughs together, plays together, and works together and takes care of each other.  As this is the first time flying budget airlines, it is considered another highlight for me. I did not know that cup noodles could cost up to 5SGD! Another highlight will be the warm reception that our tour group received when we first stepped into Balara High School. The tour group had necklaces of shells put on them, girls screaming at us in delight, all smiles of the students and teachers at the school. We were allowed into the classes being attended at the school where I saw 60 or so students sitting in a classroom about half the size of our own, with a chalkboard. When I entered the class, I noticed that all the students were way more receptive in class than our own students, including me. They all participated actively in the lessons when the teacher was teaching. I also found that the buddies me and my group paired with were very friendly and cool. Another highlight at Balara High School would also be the computer lab at the school. The computers and technology found at the lab was way below our standard, but all the students did not complain and waited for the computers to load. I also find the basketball match between our class and the students of St Anthony’s High School a highlight. It was very fun watching it. Games that we played in the conference room at the Partnership Centre were also very fun. Like Hunters and Werewolves. When you play Hunters and Werewolves, you get to understand a new side of people. Shopping was also very fun. I got to know a lot of friends better, and I actually managed to see some intimate moments of some of my friends lives! I also managed to take a look at some of the slums of Philippines. It was basically boards of zinc, made to form some cover, and a small shelter used to house many people.  Also, when we gave to the people at Brookside, I saw how happy the people were and felt that great joy inside of me having done something good for people. At the blind center, I met many blind people who had really really good voices and talents. We played games and paired up. I was paired up with a 17 year old who conversed with me and also gave me a full arm massage which I felt was really good. We sang songs, we clapped, we cheered, and I felt the same way I did giving to the people at Brookside. It was a really great feeling. Another time I felt it would be at the orphanage we visited on the second last day of the trip. That day, we traded performances played games and basically had fun. When I saw the orphans so happy that they were receiving something and when some of them came up to give me Welcome cards, and when they asked for my name to put it in their notebooks they were given, I felt touched to the bottom of my heart. When we were on the bus, we waved and waved ever so strongly at each other until we finally pulled away…

That should be all the highlights.

2) What were your feelings/emotions from tour preparation moving into the tour
I felt slightly reluctant to go on the trip as this was the holidays, and I wanted my time to rest and to play. I felt that I rather spend the time on the internet rather than on the trip. Yes the preparation was tedious and tiring, more than once did I feel the urge to go home early and let my work fall into the hands of another in the same team as me. I pulled though in the end. Before we went for the tour, as I sat in the aeroplane headed for the Philippines, I felt, anxious, excited, eager, scared and hopeful for the trip ahead. Into the tour, I had fun, I played, I laughed, I felt exhaustingly tired, I felt grateful for everything I was given, and how fortunate I was for having a good family, house, and school.

3) Who will you like to commend on his contribution/effort and why?
I would like to commend the whole class for making this trip possible and all chipping in to make this tour possible. I would like to thank Ms Seah for her guidance, Mr Ho, for his fun, enthusiasm, and his easy killing nature in Hunters and Werewolves.  Mr Ng, for everything, particularly, Adam and Mervin for your bathroom lending, Alex for his joking nature, Bing Hui for keeping the class entertained, the people at the Partnership Center for their hospitability, all the people we met at the Philippines for making this trip what it was, Group 3 for being such ownage and fun, Chin Yan for accompanying me on the plane flghts, all the people who played any form of card games with me and keeping me entertained.

4) What are the lessons you take away? How you are going to realize it in your life?
Make 3 personal goals that you will want to achieve next year
Lessons I take away will be to be ever grateful for what I have and what I am given and for my life. To recognize that giving is just as good as receiving. Knowing that you have played a part in making someone else’s life better is really a priceless feeling.             

              1) Have a positive outlook towards my life and to stop complaining about small things.
              2) To be grateful for what I have and how I have been brought up.
              3) To be able to say that all my friends will trust and help me if I need it and put their lives on the line for it.