Pinay Expat In Singapore

Sing Food Mix

2009-03-31T06:17:00.003+08:00

Singapore was a mix of Chinese, Malays, Indians, Filipinos and Caucasians. Sing food generally catered to these various palate: noodles, curry, roti prata, kebabs, laksa, fried chicken, chili crabs!My first meal in Singapore was seafood rice and homemade iced lemon tea at a hawker center, the Singapore version of food stalls ala pinoy carenderia. Seafood rice was a hefty serving of fried rice

Singapore Lingo

2009-03-25T01:34:00.001+08:00

I remember what my niece said at the airport, “Tita, in Singapore, do not pronounce the letter “R” when you talk.” That was Singapore lingo lesson no. 1 and she was right, because of the Chinese accent, “R” is not pronounced clearly. So you might hear them say, “Bus fare is 2 dollahs” with h to represent the airy “R”.Singaporeans usually end of their sentences with “Lah”. I was told that this

Déjà vu, Up-scaled

2009-03-25T01:23:00.005+08:00

My life in Singapore is somehow a déjà vu of my life in Cagayan de Oro City during my college days (almost 10 years ago!!!). Things that are the same were my being far from home (family, friends, and boyfriend/now husband), doing house chores, trying to keep within budget and recording my expenses. But, everything else is up-scaled. For food, my all time favorite, Lucky Me Pancit Canton (

Six Weeks and An Interview

2009-03-25T01:13:00.003+08:00

It has been six weeks and no job yet. Numerous versions of my resume, continuous submission of online applications, 2 job fairs, a series of (failed) walk-ins and with the volume of newspaper I have bought, I may start my own recycling business. Looking at the brighter side though, I was fortunate enough to get one interview. Yes, you read it right, ONE. At that time, it was already my third week

My First Singapore Taxi Ride

2009-02-27T02:41:00.004+08:00

From the airport, I had to take a taxi to my friend’s house, alone (that gutsy for a first timer, eh?). It was 1145pm, probably not that late for urban time, but still late nonetheless. A few meters from the Budget Terminal exit was the taxi queue. There were around 40 people (mix of Caucasians, Indians, Chinese, and pinoys) before me so it was quite a wait. I reprimanded myself for bringing big

My First Conversation with a Singaporean

2009-02-27T02:35:00.003+08:00

As the plane eased down on the tarmac, I was looking forward to breathing the Singapore “air”. Going down the plane stairs, I took a look around and thought, still looks the same with Davao’s airport. I guess I expected more. As I followed the other passengers who entered the airport building, I decided to take a picture under the “Arrival” area. I took out my camera, and as I was about to take a

No Plane Food For Me

2009-02-27T02:22:00.002+08:00

I was told that Cebu Pacific didn’t offer free food on the plane. I expected more since this was an international flight and took 3 hours, but then I chose the promo/budget flight (beggars can’t be choosers!) I came prepared, I had my baon of yummy McChicken fillet (thanks,papa!). I was looking forward on having a Coke in can, perfect combination! Sadly, it was a Pepsi flight.Anyway, when I

At the Airport and Airport Fees

2009-02-27T02:08:00.002+08:00

I know I should have posted this before My Close Encounters with an IO, but better late than never! Read on! After holding back the tears, saying my goodbyes and I love you’s to the whole family (all of them went to the airport by the way), I headed on to the airport building entrance. My passport and ticket were checked, and valid ID was requested.My baggage was screened by the X-Ray ( ?)

Close Encounters with an IO

2009-02-24T14:18:00.005+08:00

The Immigration Officer (IO) is the most feared entity for discreet jobhunters like me. The IO can dictate the number of days that you can stay in a country, ask for any documentation to support your travel, or say that your travel will not be allowed.So there I was in Philippine IO, anxious on what the IO may ask.At that time, he was the only IO at the counter, around age 50, thin, with white

Getting My Passport

2009-02-21T00:43:00.001+08:00

I renewed my passport last October 2008. My older sister has just renewed her passport so she tipped me on the following: - Passport request/renewal costs Php550, with passport available in 28 working days while a passport available in 15 working days costs Php 750. - The process usually takes half to whole day and I had to be at DFA as early as 7am to finish within the

Jobhunting Checklist of Documents

2009-02-21T00:25:00.001+08:00

Yay, I’m in Singapore! I have so many things to share. Sorry for not blogging sooner but all the preparation, travel, adjustment and exposure not to mention the jobhunting and calling home took most of my time.But, I will be paying my debt and I will be sharing these experience with you in a few blogs time.. Let’s start with what I have brought. Research and inquiries helped me to compile these

A Time for Firsts

2009-01-23T23:01:00.001+08:00

2009 is and will be an eventful year for me, it is a time for a lot of "firsts". This is my first time to blog. (Yay!) I will be sharing with you my ups and downs, bumps and grinds...and everything else (preparations, jobhunting, working) in my soon to be Singapore experience.