Passport Renewal & Change Surnames | Embassy of the Philippines in Singapore

ABBEY: Philippine embassy never failed me when I'm applying for my OEC (Overseas Employment Certificate); specially when the appointment was made online. Once booked, I only spend less than 30 minutes; much less time than my travel going there. 

I was skeptical and uneasy when we are about to get our passports renewed. As the others say, you have to queue early morning as it will only process a certain number of applicants. What? Back again to "primitive" process? But I was wrong, just like OEC, book online and go in there with proper documents -duly accomplished passport renewal form, photo copy of passport data page, IC, and DFA red-ribboned marriage certificate for wife who will change their names, and on your scheduled time (the Embassy advises to come exactly or 5-10 minutes before but not 2-3 hours before). 
Still there is a queue for those scheduled in specific time slots but it will not take you more than 30 minutes. Once the number is called, go inside for passport processing. Make sure to check your particulars printed on the screen or else you'll go back to square one and then put your best formal pose as this will be your photo on your passport for the next 5 years. Once done, go out and pay 102sgd at window 6. They will give you a receipt and claim stub as to when you can get your passport. 

Another good service from Philippine Embassy. Keep up the good work.

WILL: I am not just renewing my passport, I am also changing my surname. We are here in Singapore so we checked-out what are the requirements for it. Abbey only needed 1.Our Singapore NRIC 2.Old Passport and 3.Filled-up Form (make appointment here). For me, just the same but additional marrage certificate from National Statistics Office duly certified by Department of Foreign Affairs. I phoned my sister immediately and ask her to go to DFA that week for this requirement. It was February, and all the schedule was full until end of March. So we ended up first week of April. 
      After a week, I received the DFA authenticated marriage certificate and we are just waiting for our scheduled appointment. 
      Dear Kababayans, please observe the proper attire when going to our embassy as the shorts, sleeveless and slippers were prohibited inside. There is no queue when we went there and that was the result of proper planning done by our good embassy, the scheduling system really helps not to flock all the Filipinos inside the embassy. 
      As we approached the counter, an all-smile girl is there, checked our documents and put it on queue, she asked us to go inside the office and wait for our turn for them to take a photo of us. After the photo session and verifying documents, we were asked to pay at the counter. As easy as that, no fuss at all. 
     27th of May we got our new passports. :) This is a better service. Two thumbs up for this. 

Reasons to Visit Marina Bay Sands

ABBEY: One reason is you can see their majestic structure. I was awed when we first came there. Signature boutiques are open to all. Kind staffs will greet you upon entering. No void spaces as they offer live music; be it a band, a quartet, or talent performers. Food courts, fine-dine restaurant, fast food chains, coffee shops will ease your hunger after shopping. A fountain show at the Marina bay will wrap the night; giving you enjoyment and revitalization.

WILL: 

      If you do not want to shop at crowded orchard, Marina Bay Sands is the place you may want spend your time off. 

Weekends? Go here lah! So many performers to entertain you and your kids.
      Food? Expensive? No! They have a food court that will satisfy your drool on food. Their food court is like a feast, different specialties of different countries were served here.
Videos uploaded by some performers we saw at MBS. Anyway why settle for a video if you can see those for yourselves :)

PC SHOW June 2011

ABBEY: 

A week before the event, we were scouting the estimated prices for the products that we'll buy. We're expecting that those prices will be lower once the IT show comes. We're right; aside for the prices became low, there were lots of freebies. One thing we noticed is that there are fewer people who came even though its a weekend. Maybe more people will come before the show ends on Sunday. Lesson for us is to exert effort to visit a number of shops to compare and have the best buy for your product. Patience is the key and pays a lot in the end.

WILL: Feet? Check! IC? Check! Wallet? Ahmmmm. Haha. This is not my first time to go here at Singapore's quarterly IT show. Last year we just bought for an acer netbook - a piece of cake to carry. Now we bought our very own desktop, another laptop, an iPad, 1TB HDD, so total of 4 paper bags, a trolley and one big carton. 

      Tips when you go to Suntec? Drop the idea of using the car for car park shortage, do not hail a cab traffic jam is so bad! Use MRT, alight at esplanade station. Go there as early as you can. 

      Before the IT show, scout! So you will know the price if its lower and the freebies will be greater. You can also save your time in roaming around the 2nd, 4th and 6th floor of suntec convention.
      Here you cannot haggle for the price but you can ask for more freebies. Just unlock your charm to the sales executives. 

City Square Mall

ABBEY:

The first time we got into this mall is when they soft-opened last year. Back then, there are still boutiques and shops undergoing final construction. When we went there for Pizza Hut's Facebook Party, the mall is fully opened. One thing I noticed is that is has a lot of food and beverage outlets: be it a fine dining restaurant, fast food chains, or food courts. They even have a flyer for F&B alone. Its a big mall, but most of its aspects and features are focused towards a greener environment. That's why it was tagged as the first eco-mall in SG. The mall can be reached via Farrer Park station (Purple Line).

WILL: Earth friendly mall? This is the first on the list! Solar panels for their electricity. This mall is full of restaurants with different cuisines. From abot kaya up to very expensive one. 

Very nice not so crowded. Have a relaxing ambiance. :)
      From purple line, alight at farrer park station and take the exit "i". 

Punggol Promenade Riverside Walk

ABBEY:
When I woke up, Wilma asked me if we can go to Punggol Promenade. It was time for us to jog. The place can be reached via Punggol LRT station; alight at Riviera Station. A 5-minute walk and you'll find yourself in a very beautiful scenery. We went there Sunday, a family day. You'll find children tagged along by their parents. Toddlers in blades or bikes or sometimes they just jog. A red bridge connects the promenade and the Lorong Laus Wetland. It was a gift from nature. As you stroll, clean breeze will brush your face as if telling you that its good to relax :) A comfort room was also provided. And if you feel hungry, there are fast food chain, bar and bistro nearby. Good thing for this place is its free.

WILL: When looking to PAP's election magazine, I saw this Punggol Promenade. A look-a-like of our Roxas Blvd. :)
      So one Sunday afternoon we went their to jog off some extra fats. And we were astonished by its beauty. Many families spend their time there for a walk, jog and biking. There even group using their skates. The view is so relaxing.
      We will surely go back there. Any way its just few blocks from our flat. But if you will go there by LRT alight at riviera station and just few steps you will be there.
      After we ran, we munched at Popeyes's Louisiana. Bale wala rin ang pinagpawis. Haha. 

Skyline Luge Sentosa

ABBEY:

This is what I like the most of the rides I tried in Sentosa so far. It has 2 routes; the easy one and the one they called Dragon route, which has a lot of curves. You must take caution not only for yourself but for the other drivers as well. A tutorial will be given to you as you enter the gate. Put all loose things in your bag or pocket so it will not fall along the way. Make sure to pull the stirring wheel for brakes, else you'll crash to the barrier.

WILL: I am not a thrill seeker as VA is, but I love to try new things. This luge is not just a ordinary ride, machine that needs no oil, just plain gravity. :) 

Now the dragon trail is open and we tried it. Astonished, just two of us only took this trail on our batch. 
The road is longer, more curves and more exciting! But this time, i hesitated to run the luge as fast as i took the old trail. I am afraid i'll fall to its cliff. Hehe. :) 
      Ticket how much? Free lah! A free gift when we attend the opening of Sentosa Boardwalk :) 

Wild Wild Wet

ABBEY: Its April, and its summer. Its Friday and its a holiday. Two weeks before the date we were planning to get a splash in a new swimming destination. As she is eager to have a swim, she was not able to oppose my decision for a Wild Wild Wet adventure even though the ticket costs 16sgd per person. The water theme park is at Pasir Ris along with other entertainment facilities in Downtown East. Its 15 min walk from the MRT station. According to their rules and regulations, outside food is not allowed but I saw groups have food that were not offered by shops inside. The rides were great; Tsunami, a wave-pool,be sure to get there when you heard the siren sound. Ular-lah, a water slide for group of six. All the members will ride a giant circular water raft. Shiok river, in which you will can circle the park and see the other rides. The ride which I frightened the most is what they called Slide Up . Its a U-shaped slide. Only 2 people will be on the slide at once. The slope is set at 50 or 60 degrees and has a height of 4 storeys. I just remember the feeling that I had when I rode the Space Shuttle on EK. Butterflies in stomach and was very nervous, but it was fun. I overcame it. Haha. Other rides were closed for maintenance. We ended the visit after our dinner.

WILL: Summer isn't complete if i will not dip in on a pool or see beach. Celebrating the earth day, we went to Wild Wild Wet. Entrance fee is SGD16. Its quite smaller than our own Splash Island and the slides is fewer. But anyway, I totally enjoyed. We ride the Tsunami waves, went for Urla-lah and bravely slided to the U-slide. 

We also dipped and relaxed our muscles to their jacuzzi.
Nice one but quite expensive because u can experience all these at some government owned pools for only a 1SGD. 

The Sulo Riviera Hotel

ABBEY: This is the closest hotel to our wedding venue. It is located at Matalino Road, Diliman, Quezon City.  A very good one compared to any other hotel around Quezon Ave. They have nice line of staff which caters the clients to meet their needs. We booked their Ambassador's Suite for 3 days and 2 nights. Someone would think, its not that cheap but its very reasonable. We had a complementary wine, fruit basket, mannequin for the wedding gown, a discounted price for the suite and an extension room, and six passes for breakfast buffet. The room was large that includes a dining area, living room, walk-in closet, and master's bedroom. Our stay there is great. Special thanks to Patrice, Lloyd and their front desk officers :)

WILL: I am rooting for the aquarium room of Manila Ocean Park but our venue was on QC. 

Makati and ortigas had the nicest hotel that i know but traffic blocked the idea.
Searching for last minute, we found this Sulo Riviera, automatically looked for their banquet team, then met patrice. She showed us the different rooms then we came up to occupy the ambassador suite. A very large room that have a walk-in closet. An entertainment room, small garden and an extension room that we also rented out. This ambassador suite costs us 16000php per night and my haggling powers? Di umubra. Ha! But any way worthy di naman kami araw araw naghohotel. Hehe.
Ayun, suggestions for the hotel? Lagyan nila ng jacuzzi or bathtub ang bathroom. Sila lang napunthan ko na hotel na executive room na walang gnun, hmp! 

Embassy of the Philippines in Singapore

ABBEY:  I don't care how big or small or how beautiful the embassy is. What matters to me is that they can provide the services that must be offered to any OFW. I heard others say that its just like a bungalow house with tents on the sides. Here is where I get my OEC, a certificate that entitles an OFW to be exempted for travel taxes. What I had in mind are these suggestions on how to improve their processes:

1. Since the embassy is under construction, they should first put their notification about the change of their office days (Mon-Fri currently). They can use their website since almost all the institutions here in SG are connected via web.

2. Located at Nassim road, its a long walk from Orchard. When somebody comes to the embassy, unaware of the change of sched, he will be greeted by a 5-foot tall tarp saying that the embassy is closed.

It would be better if they will have other notices in other places along Orchard.

I saw another sign in the SSS office, but its not very noticeable unless you will have remittance or you will inquire in SSS.

3. Given that the renovation is in progress, they should set first their number system. Not by marking each form with red marker. How about those who downloaded the forms and filled it up before going at the embassy? I guess they have to fill up the forms again.

I know improvement is a long process, but I'm hoping for the better of our own embassy.

WILL: From orchard road, it will take a 15 minutes walk to reach the Philippine Embassy in Singapore and on this area also located the embassies of different countries. 
Its just like an old ancestral house with so many cars parked. But now, it is under renovation and that's the cause of Monday to Friday sked instead of Sunday-Thursday.
      I am one of the Filipino who filed my OFW here in Singapore. The requirements? NRIC ID, Passport, and $42.00.
Unlike other government employees, here, smile never left their lips, very accommodating. My OFW application and OEC just took me not more than 45 mins. :)

Bag of Beans Tagaytay

Abbey:
This is our last stop after our EK getaway. We had our dinner at Leslie's then proceed to Bag of Beans to intake our share of caffeine since we will be travelling a long distance from South to North. Complementing the coldness of Tagaytay is the hotness of rich-flavored coffee served in a small cup. Perfect partner for their bread. Don't know the price as Denise put it on their tab.

WILL: Bag of beans. It was Denise's bday when i first set my feet here. The place is good for couples, very romantic. I always ordered their hot choco, why?, it reminds me of my lola's tsokolate de baterol. The long drive was just compensated. Thanks diana and john for driving us in here :) 

Marina Country Club

Abbey:
This is located to the uttermost part of the earth. Haha. Other people say that our place in Punggol is very far. How will they react if they will go to Marina Country Club? The club can be reached by taking a cab, your own car or by their shuttle. The shuttle picks up visitors in Block 257C (directly opposite CompassPoint in Sengkang). It has arcade, billiards tables, bars, diners like Sakura, shops for souvenirs, baits and tackles. It also has piers for yacht owners. I hope the LRT line will be in operation already so there will  be more convenience going there.

WILL: Punggol has a place to offer, not a mall or an ordinary place to stroll, but a club. A club that is open for public. Here you can stroll at seaside, catch your own fish, and pig out on its restaurants. 
      From punggol MRT you can only take a cab and may worth not more than $6. You can also try to hop in on their free shuttle from Sengkang. On our way there, it feels like I'm hiking up the Baguio's scenery.
      Well recommended. 

Singapore Arts Museum

ABBEY: Wilma asked me if we can go to SAM. I told her that we can come after office. Entrance is free because its an open-house that day. The main event was a photography seminar conducted by Hasselblad. That's the first time I saw a mid-range cameras. After the seminar was a photoshoot. It was informative and inspiring. 

WILL: There are so many museums of Singapore, and this is the first one we visited. Singapore Arts Musuem always have a free entrance every friday evening. Why let the oppurtunity pass? We alight at Bras Basah station and walked 100 meters to the SAM. After expolring the premises and playing at child's corner, we went to a free seminar on photography at SAM@Q. Annex of SAM only few blocks away. 
Enjoyed a lot. The seminar is very inspiring and the sad part, we never won anything. :'(
Thanks again NHB.  

Sentosa Boardwalk

ABBEY:
Sentosa Boardwalk connects Harbourfront and Sentosa island. They invited all people islandwide to participate in their foot-to-foot chain to set their mark on Singapore book of records and we didn't fail. A total of more than 1800 pax joined the activity. Freebies such as pens, stickers, tattoos, fan etc were given at the boardwalk. Gelato was sold at half the price. I love their dark chocolate flavor. The inauguration ends with a party and fireworks display.

WILL: Opening day of Sentosa Boardwalk and they just not it with a blast, they also set in a foot-to-foot record in singapore book of records and we are so proud that we are part of it. The rain doesn't stop us. In front gate, crews will give u a loot consiated of a fan, raincoat, bottled water, pen and the registration form. And because we are one of the early birds, we got a freebies, a voucher of a spa treatment, a ticket to a luge ride, smrt ticket, and the very unforgettable certificate. 
Fun. 

Sheng Siong Supermarket

ABBEY:
I'm happy when I learned that there's a supermarket near our place. In here we buy the ingredients for our weekly menu. I also buy here the chips for Wilma whenever she craves for one. The grocery sells common goods like fruits, veggies, canned goods, eggs, light bulbs, bathroom needs, etc. The price is cheaper compared to other supermarket. Bonus is they always have special prices for selected items. Beside Sheng Siong is a hawker.

WILL: This is the nearest grocery in our town, a 5 minute walk. Here u can definitely find the everyday needs for yourself and your home. 
      The part I love to their place is the aisle for laundry soaps, why? If u are lucky enough, you can see a discount or 1-1 deal. Every weekend we go here to buy our food supply for seven days.