Ben de la Cruz: Building a Life and Career in Singapore

The Chief Engineer at Skyline Luge reflects on his journey of life that led him from the Philippines to a challenging yet rewarding career in Singapore.

Story first appeared on Sentosa

“When I was working in the Middle East, I could only return to the Philippines once a year. I was based in Saudi for five years, so being separated from my family for that long was very, very hard for me.

We used to have old school phone booths that members of the public could use. You could talk for maybe one minute each time. Whenever I called my family back home, I would have to keep inserting coins into the phone. That’s how it was back then.

Now, technology has made it easier to communicate, with mobile phones and apps that help us stay connected. Working in Singapore has also made it easier to fly back home and see my family. Singapore is much nearer to the Philippines than the Middle East.

I’m the Chief Engineer at Skyline Luge. It’s one of the most popular attractions in Sentosa. It’s similar to go-karting, but our karts are driven by gravity, so no fuel is needed. The fun begins the moment you get on our four-seater chairlift and go to the top via the Skyride.

Once you’ve reached the top, you get on a kart and ride your way down our tracks. It’s very fun. But most importantly, it’s safe, thanks to the unique stopping function that’s been put in place. It lets you have control of the brakes at any point during the ride.

As the Chief Engineer, safety has always been my number one priority. There is no room for mistakes. The Skyride brings you 24 metres above ground, and we want our visitors to be safe. Every morning, my team and I do thorough checks to make sure everything is in order.

There is pressure that comes with my job. On top of being the Chief Engineer, I’m also one of the Ride Managers. What makes my job easier is having a great team.

It’s impossible to do this job alone. I rely on my team a lot. Thankfully, we have a healthy team. The morale is good, and we work as a family to get all things done. Communication is key to having a successful team.

Looking back on the last 15 years, I feel like it’s been a blessing working at Skyline Luge. When I first started in 2010, I was hired as a maintenance technician. I became a supervisor three months later, and that’s when the company moved my family to Singapore.

My family stayed in Singapore for 10 years. That allowed us to be together and build a life here. They only moved back to the Philippines because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But even during the pandemic, I felt very well taken care of.

While people were losing their jobs, my company didn’t cut my salary. With permission from the government, I was the only one allowed back to the luge to continue its maintenance. Sentosa felt like a ghost town then, but I felt valued as an employee.

I was also given the opportunity to work at Skyline Luge in Korea. I worked and stayed in Korea for three years before I returned to Singapore and resumed my role as Chief Engineer. They gave me a good package, and I was able to support my family because of it.

It’s just a really great environment here. I love that work is in Sentosa. In the past, when I was working in a factory, I didn’t even get to see sunlight. But here, you’re surrounded by nature and the outdoors. Whenever I’m here, I feel like this is where I belong.

The company has done a lot for me. I was able to buy a car and a good house for my family back in the Philippines. One of my kids has now graduated from college. It’s all made possible by my job and salary in Singapore.

And to think that during my time here, Skyline Luge has also hit its 100th million ride globally — it feels special to have grown together with the company. I’m very blessed and grateful.” – Ben de la Cruz, Chief Engineer at Skyline Luge

Interview by Arman Shah

---

READ: HUMANS OF SENTOSA

VISIT: SKYLINE LUGE