I went back to Singapore, after 5 months. The trip was not excruciating as it was before. With the help of medicine and doctor’s tip to neutralize the pressure in my ‘Eustechian tube’, I manage to go down the airplane with no pain in my ear whatsoever. The trip was tiring, first, the queue for checking was too long because there is only one counter that receives all the incoming/outbound passengers from MNL to SG. My flight was suppose to be 8:30p.m. but we left the airport at 10:30. The expected time of arrival was 11:30 p.m. but because of 2-hour delay, I arrived in Singapore at 1:30, and after immigration check, I went outside the Singapore BT, shortly before 2:00p.m. Donna was already waiting outside to take me in her room for a short nap before I go to my own destination in a hotel or hostel as the case may be.
Digressing a bit, when I was on queue waiting for my passport to be stamped with entry, I noticed two Filipinas, my kababayan, questioned (rather politely) by the ICA officers on duty that early morning. Of course, the counter was too far from where I stand so I cannot hear what was being asked of her, the immigration officer, checked some details on the computer as I see him, and fold the Pinay’s passport and called the immigration police. The scene was not hysterical. The Filipina was slowly ushered, again very politely as I see it and escorted to the ICA (Immigration and Checkpoints Authority) room in the terminal. I saw two of them getting inside the white mezzanine. Were they refused entry? I am not really sure.
But Singapore, as one our of the strongest ASEAN partner, does not require visa to Filipinos, who would enter as Social Visitor. In fact, upon entry, most of our Kababayan tourists were given 30-day period social visit pass, again with the discretion of the ICA officers upon entry to any port. Normally, when things are clear and without any complication, you can enter Singapore hassle-free. At least, that is what I have experienced coming over, twice already. I presume the two ladies violated some Immigration rules on their last trip, or that they have been sensed to most likely violate Singapore Immigration law, that I am not sure. But all countries in the world, have the right to refuse entry to any foreigner, whether with valid visa, or entering visa-exempt, if the immigration officers upon their assessment, strongly believe that the entering foreigner will be violating any immigration law or had already violated any entry rules during his previous entry. I pity the plight of the two Filipino ladies…I hope they will just there to answer some questions. But commendably, the ICA officers at the airport, managed to guide and escorted the two girls in the most courteous manner way possible, at least very acceptable at that in the eyes of a foreigner.
Donna and I saw each other after 20 days. I will be spending Christmas and New Year holidays with her in Singapore. Her condition was generally okay, as I have seen she is somewhat adjusted with the things around. SG and the PH have no time difference, only that, 7:00 p.m. in SG is still as bright as 5p.m. in Manila. Actually, Singapore is delayed 2 hours from Manila. But during the time that Malaysia decided to unite the time between East and West, following the +8 GMT zone, Singapore being an island between the two territories, found it rational to follow the decision of Malaysia’s adopting the united +8 GMT time. Thus, the Manila, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Perth Australia, Taiwan, larger part of Indonesia, have the same time clocks.
Donna rented out a room with a Filipino couple with a grandmother and cute little boy. Her room was aptly big for one person but I think enough to hold her things while she resides here for work. The unit was on the 2nd floor of HDB housing community in Bukit Panjang, a suburb area outskirts the Singapore City. The unit was very modest, it has modern amenities like centralized gas system, H/C shower, internet connection, laundry facilties (meaning, she can use the family’s washing machine) and usually, the family includes her in their meals. The rent was inclusive of the internet connection, PUB (spelled out as utilities: water, electricity and telephone for local calls). So, generally speaking, she was living in a very comfortable home with a Kababayan. The only downfall I think of the place is its somewhat remoteness from the City or rather, its distance from where Donna works. But, it was a considerable and tolerable distance, I must qualify. Singapore has virtually no long-standing traffic jams and bus services are by far very efficient. The housing community is also very near the LRT station where one can transfer LRT’s to MRT’s anytime of the day. Living in 1-2 hours ride from the city is not a difficult situation if you are in Singapore. It has efficient mass transport system, train and bus services that will eliminate almost all your fears of getting late or being stuck in a whole-day traffic affair like in Manila.
However, the trip will most of the time, make you stand inside the buses, or MRT’s; rush hours in Singapore is not really different from Manila but experiencing Manila for almost 10 years, the chance of getting a bus or MRT is much higher than getting a bus ride if you are working in Manila. Now, talk about talking a bus from Cavite to Lawton, or Cavite to Makati, the experience of taking a bus ride from Bukit Panjang to Singapore’s City junctions is easier. You have to stand for the 30-40 minute ride, but that is more bearable than sitting in 3-hour traffic journey in Starliner buses from Bacoor to Manila, which I hurdle everyday, since 1998 to present. I like the Public Transport system here in SG.
One great thing (though most countries have their downfalls), about this great City Country is its disciplined drivers (or at least the one that I chance to get along the streets), they would usually stop FIRST, if you are crossing on a pedestrian lane. No matter how big and small they are.
I have also noticed that the way of life here, especially grocery prices are more stable than way back home. You can buy vegetables as low as 30 cents, sometimes 20 cents. Pieces of meat would cost 1.50-3.00 S$ and fish would cost 1S$ to 5S$ per 100 grams. I mean, if you have around 15-20 S$ you can already buy a day’s meal or two. Complete with fish, meat and vegetables and fresh fruits on the side. If a family earns 1,500 per month, surely they will survive in this city. It may not be luxurious but for sure, they won’t go hungry. Local hawkers’ restaurants would cost, S$2 per meal. Well, if you love pork or chicken noodles or rice with curries or sweet sour pork, a hawker’s night out will be the place for you.
I know I shouldn’t compare. This Lion City has a GNP even higher than any nation ten times its size, but I couldn’t imagine, Philippines has better and even more profound natural resources, greater if not equal to its ASEAN counterparts. We have ricefields that can feed a nation (the land statistics, I don’t know), we have vast fisheries and fishponds large enough perhaps to supply our consumers. I mean, food is generally abundant back home. But the problem is, I suppose, farm-to-market roads; fast and efficient systems of transporting goods and farm products to the markets. For instance, the abundant fruits in Mindanao could reach Manila, if cheap air jumbo jets will transport the produce. The vegetables in Baguio might be fresher, and cheaper when it reaches Manila if the roads will be widened and certain highway passes and toll fees will be reduced if not exempted for those food exporters. Food is what the country needs. If they are cheap, everybody can at least afford to buy to feed their hungry stomachs. I agree with one pastor, when he said the problem is not the scarcity of food but the unequal distribution of it. And now may I add, ineffective distribution and supply of it. I have heard Mangoes in Mindoro were abundant but they cannot reach the busiest Markets in Cavite or Manila, or Batangas. The great catch in island provinces cannot be bought to wider market options because of, ultimately the lack of government’s will and planning.
But I must confess, if only everyone back home will forward, Philippines is not too far to be rich. We have what it takes, and I know, every Filipino abroad will agree. Our conditions are little off right now, but certainly possibilities are greater than our pitiful situation. Economy may not be vibrant enough to be felt by the ‘masa’ but if the government will prioritize food production, distribution and supply, housing and creating jobs (as it has been its priority as they claim), our country will be one of the top economies in Asia.
Our people are talented, that is what I have noticed. We have the trait of resiliency and adaptability. We can easily learn language and we can, almost in a jiffy blend with the locals in any part of the world we are in. Filipinos are hardworking, in fact, they work like machines, without stopping or pausing for their loved ones back home. We have strong sense of filial loyalty and devotion, something that we are far best among our Asian neighbors. Had it not been to the number of Indians and Chinese in world’s population, for sure, we will get ahead of them in terms of remittances.
Going to another place and seeing our weaknesses and our strengths, I cannot help myself but to ask.
But I have to cut this now…it’s getting late and I need to sleep, I’m counting the days before I go back to my home sweet Philippines.
Digressing a bit, when I was on queue waiting for my passport to be stamped with entry, I noticed two Filipinas, my kababayan, questioned (rather politely) by the ICA officers on duty that early morning. Of course, the counter was too far from where I stand so I cannot hear what was being asked of her, the immigration officer, checked some details on the computer as I see him, and fold the Pinay’s passport and called the immigration police. The scene was not hysterical. The Filipina was slowly ushered, again very politely as I see it and escorted to the ICA (Immigration and Checkpoints Authority) room in the terminal. I saw two of them getting inside the white mezzanine. Were they refused entry? I am not really sure.
But Singapore, as one our of the strongest ASEAN partner, does not require visa to Filipinos, who would enter as Social Visitor. In fact, upon entry, most of our Kababayan tourists were given 30-day period social visit pass, again with the discretion of the ICA officers upon entry to any port. Normally, when things are clear and without any complication, you can enter Singapore hassle-free. At least, that is what I have experienced coming over, twice already. I presume the two ladies violated some Immigration rules on their last trip, or that they have been sensed to most likely violate Singapore Immigration law, that I am not sure. But all countries in the world, have the right to refuse entry to any foreigner, whether with valid visa, or entering visa-exempt, if the immigration officers upon their assessment, strongly believe that the entering foreigner will be violating any immigration law or had already violated any entry rules during his previous entry. I pity the plight of the two Filipino ladies…I hope they will just there to answer some questions. But commendably, the ICA officers at the airport, managed to guide and escorted the two girls in the most courteous manner way possible, at least very acceptable at that in the eyes of a foreigner.
Donna and I saw each other after 20 days. I will be spending Christmas and New Year holidays with her in Singapore. Her condition was generally okay, as I have seen she is somewhat adjusted with the things around. SG and the PH have no time difference, only that, 7:00 p.m. in SG is still as bright as 5p.m. in Manila. Actually, Singapore is delayed 2 hours from Manila. But during the time that Malaysia decided to unite the time between East and West, following the +8 GMT zone, Singapore being an island between the two territories, found it rational to follow the decision of Malaysia’s adopting the united +8 GMT time. Thus, the Manila, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Perth Australia, Taiwan, larger part of Indonesia, have the same time clocks.
Donna rented out a room with a Filipino couple with a grandmother and cute little boy. Her room was aptly big for one person but I think enough to hold her things while she resides here for work. The unit was on the 2nd floor of HDB housing community in Bukit Panjang, a suburb area outskirts the Singapore City. The unit was very modest, it has modern amenities like centralized gas system, H/C shower, internet connection, laundry facilties (meaning, she can use the family’s washing machine) and usually, the family includes her in their meals. The rent was inclusive of the internet connection, PUB (spelled out as utilities: water, electricity and telephone for local calls). So, generally speaking, she was living in a very comfortable home with a Kababayan. The only downfall I think of the place is its somewhat remoteness from the City or rather, its distance from where Donna works. But, it was a considerable and tolerable distance, I must qualify. Singapore has virtually no long-standing traffic jams and bus services are by far very efficient. The housing community is also very near the LRT station where one can transfer LRT’s to MRT’s anytime of the day. Living in 1-2 hours ride from the city is not a difficult situation if you are in Singapore. It has efficient mass transport system, train and bus services that will eliminate almost all your fears of getting late or being stuck in a whole-day traffic affair like in Manila.
However, the trip will most of the time, make you stand inside the buses, or MRT’s; rush hours in Singapore is not really different from Manila but experiencing Manila for almost 10 years, the chance of getting a bus or MRT is much higher than getting a bus ride if you are working in Manila. Now, talk about talking a bus from Cavite to Lawton, or Cavite to Makati, the experience of taking a bus ride from Bukit Panjang to Singapore’s City junctions is easier. You have to stand for the 30-40 minute ride, but that is more bearable than sitting in 3-hour traffic journey in Starliner buses from Bacoor to Manila, which I hurdle everyday, since 1998 to present. I like the Public Transport system here in SG.
One great thing (though most countries have their downfalls), about this great City Country is its disciplined drivers (or at least the one that I chance to get along the streets), they would usually stop FIRST, if you are crossing on a pedestrian lane. No matter how big and small they are.
I have also noticed that the way of life here, especially grocery prices are more stable than way back home. You can buy vegetables as low as 30 cents, sometimes 20 cents. Pieces of meat would cost 1.50-3.00 S$ and fish would cost 1S$ to 5S$ per 100 grams. I mean, if you have around 15-20 S$ you can already buy a day’s meal or two. Complete with fish, meat and vegetables and fresh fruits on the side. If a family earns 1,500 per month, surely they will survive in this city. It may not be luxurious but for sure, they won’t go hungry. Local hawkers’ restaurants would cost, S$2 per meal. Well, if you love pork or chicken noodles or rice with curries or sweet sour pork, a hawker’s night out will be the place for you.
I know I shouldn’t compare. This Lion City has a GNP even higher than any nation ten times its size, but I couldn’t imagine, Philippines has better and even more profound natural resources, greater if not equal to its ASEAN counterparts. We have ricefields that can feed a nation (the land statistics, I don’t know), we have vast fisheries and fishponds large enough perhaps to supply our consumers. I mean, food is generally abundant back home. But the problem is, I suppose, farm-to-market roads; fast and efficient systems of transporting goods and farm products to the markets. For instance, the abundant fruits in Mindanao could reach Manila, if cheap air jumbo jets will transport the produce. The vegetables in Baguio might be fresher, and cheaper when it reaches Manila if the roads will be widened and certain highway passes and toll fees will be reduced if not exempted for those food exporters. Food is what the country needs. If they are cheap, everybody can at least afford to buy to feed their hungry stomachs. I agree with one pastor, when he said the problem is not the scarcity of food but the unequal distribution of it. And now may I add, ineffective distribution and supply of it. I have heard Mangoes in Mindoro were abundant but they cannot reach the busiest Markets in Cavite or Manila, or Batangas. The great catch in island provinces cannot be bought to wider market options because of, ultimately the lack of government’s will and planning.
But I must confess, if only everyone back home will forward, Philippines is not too far to be rich. We have what it takes, and I know, every Filipino abroad will agree. Our conditions are little off right now, but certainly possibilities are greater than our pitiful situation. Economy may not be vibrant enough to be felt by the ‘masa’ but if the government will prioritize food production, distribution and supply, housing and creating jobs (as it has been its priority as they claim), our country will be one of the top economies in Asia.
Our people are talented, that is what I have noticed. We have the trait of resiliency and adaptability. We can easily learn language and we can, almost in a jiffy blend with the locals in any part of the world we are in. Filipinos are hardworking, in fact, they work like machines, without stopping or pausing for their loved ones back home. We have strong sense of filial loyalty and devotion, something that we are far best among our Asian neighbors. Had it not been to the number of Indians and Chinese in world’s population, for sure, we will get ahead of them in terms of remittances.
Going to another place and seeing our weaknesses and our strengths, I cannot help myself but to ask.
But I have to cut this now…it’s getting late and I need to sleep, I’m counting the days before I go back to my home sweet Philippines.
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