10 Things I learned about Malaysia and its wonderful people :)

A young Malaysian wearing local dress

A recent 4-day trip to Kota Bharu, a province in Malaysia, proved to be a crash course in appreciating this beautiful neighboring Asian country and understanding its lovely, friendly people.

Invited to cover the "Kelantan Food Trail" (spearheaded by Tourism Malaysia and several partner hotels), I learned more about Malaysia and its culture than I could ever ask for. While the activity was focused on food to drum up interest in the quaint district of Kelantan in Kota Bharu, I picked up things left and right that are just as equally endearing, interesting, different--something new to me.

One of the many palace-looking establishments in Kelantan

This is my second time in Malaysia (the first time I was in Kota Kinabalu, November 2009), but for sure, I am already looking forward to the next trip. For now, here are 10 things that this travel to Malaysia (sings: Truly Asia!) taught me about this country and its people:

A puppet they use for "Shadow Play"

1. Filipinos and Malaysians are more alike than different
          As expected, everyone mistook me for a local, talking to me in their native language. I can't blame them as we really look the same. But our similarities run beyond physical attributes. Both countries love food; the town's layout is very similar; many words from Filipino and Malay are the same.

2. For many, I am the first Filipino they met
          There were 58 of us who participated in the 4-day "Kelantan Food Trail" (composed of media people, tourism officials, and travel agents). Out of the 58, there were only 3 of us that were non-Malaysians--two from Thailand and myself. It was surprising for me that, for many of the Malaysians, they do not know any Filipino aside from myself. So it was somewhat more of an exchange of learning between the two cultures. 

3. They watch Filipino soap operas
          It was a pleasant surprise for me to know that they watch Filipino shows. I was told repeatedly, on separate occasions, how they love "Pangako sa'yo," which is shown with English subtitles. At one point, several Malaysian friends and I went for a walk around the neighborhood. When we stopped by for a drink at a local store, I was surprised they were watching "Encantada" even though they are clearly not Filipino (I know cause I talked to them). 

4. They know Filipino celebrities
          They may not know any Filipino in person (until they met me), but they are familiar with Filipino celebrities. I was told on several occasions how they think Filipino celebrities are hot (they're words, not mine). Top 5 Filipino celebrities they know are Dingdong Dantes, Kristine Hermosa, Jericho Rosales, Charice, and Diether Ocampo. 

5. There are no movie houses or KTV in Kelantan
          I would liken Kelantan to our provinces such as Tuguegarao or Cagayan de oro. During my visit there, I was able to meet locals who told me there are no cinema or karaoke places in this Muslim area. I'm sure they have their own leisure activities there. But my time there didn't permit me to discover those. Next time.

*** Please click here to read the rest of the "10 things I learned about Malaysia and its wonderful people" ***