For the longest time I wondered if there was a new and modern way to abbreviate the name of the garden-state of Singapore. Finally I found it: SG. As written in bold letters, all caps, SG 60, at the entrance to the ballroom of Shangri-La at The Fort, last Wednesday night.

SG 60 meant it was Singapore’s 60th National Day, thus the red carpet rolled out for Ambassador Constance See’s guests. Madame ambassador’s cocktail dress was orchidaceous, each blossom delicately embroidered in pink and lavender. “Got this in Singapore,” she said.

Both sides of the hotel’s corridor leading to the ballroom were festooned with giant paper flowers, apparently a constant theme of Her Excellency’s welcome message, be it in her residence when she entertains guests or in a bigger, more public venue like a hotel or conference room for more than 50 persons.

SG 60 at the Shang was definitely a bigger crowd, including Filipinos who live and work in Singapore, and Singaporeans who live and work in the Philippines. For example, Sean Manuntag, son of the late balladeer Art Manuntag, shuffles between Makati and Singapore as operations consultant for a private company.

Also in the crowd were Rita Dy, formerly with Singapore Airlines; Rep. Toby Tiangco of Navotas; former senator Antonio Trillanes; and Vien Ignacio, teenaged scholar and harpist, daughter of Carla and Von Ignacio who divides her time between Manila and SG.

You knew it was time for cocktails when a queue began to form out of nowhere, then someone kindly handed me a bowl of soup. It was on the spicy side, hot and steaming, a taste of Singapore. Before I knew it, I had joined three other guests at a cocktail table.

Ambassador See announced a surprise: a raffle with cash prizes and the supreme gift of a trip to SG via Singapore Airlines, but of course! The lucky winner was present when her name was called.

You cannot be Asia’s Switzerland without being expensive. A friend who is mostly a New Yorker and only part-time Singaporean, with an apartment in Singapore that’s a short walk to the mall, says Singapore is no cheaper than some glamorous cities in the West, but “Singapore is safe as far as I’m concerned.”