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Filipino American Expat in Singapore

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Natatakot ako bumalik sa training.

Nung una kasi, may skin allergy ako. May kasama pang mild fever. Nagpatingin ako sa tatlong doctor. (WOW.) Nothing life-threatening naman sa results. Hindi naman ganon ka-seryoso. Pinainom lang ako ng mga medicines. Mukhang okay naman. I guess?

Ngayon na medyo pwede na ako bumalik sa training… biglang parang tinatamad ako. Ang palagay ko, humina ako lalo. Hindi ako as strong as I want to be. Last year was athletic. Like tipong, my best year in sport: weightlifting, dragon boating, running.

But I ended the year feeling a sense of defeat.

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It’s an expression I’ve heard a few times the past few days.

Started 2016 with skin allergies and a checklist of work.

  • Haven: The Final Season, reversion.
  • Suits S5 Generic Version 2.
  • REELDIVA Real Murders: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery.
  • Martian Land, a Syfy Original movie.
  • Ad Sales work with our creative director.
  • Casting call with my senior producer.
  • Making plans with our company LGBT group.
  • Re-launch the FDS website
  • Launch new FDS social media profiles.
  • Coordinate FDS race singlet orders and payments.
  • Provide graphics and design support for FDS team.

I have not been to the gym in over a month. The last time I paddled was in November. I haven’t jogged since. The feeling is that I’ve deflated and returned to the kind of workaholic lifestyle I had when I was still with MediaCorp. (more…)

This is the third year I’m sharing my experience in filing my annual report (AR) at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) main office in Intramuros, Manila. If it is in anyway useful, you can read about my experiences in 2014 and 2015. Do be forewarned if I was ranting in the previous instalments.

What’s the AR? It’s a requirement for ACR I-Card Holders (Alien Certificate of Registration) to report in person to the BI within the first 60 days of the calendar year.

I’ve had traumatic experiences at the BI with epic queues and overly bureaucratic procedures. I thought, who else writes about this? The senior citizens clutching their brown envelopes in confusion?

Giving credit where it is due, I have observed that in recent years… things DO LOOK BETTER. There are true blue express lanes for Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). These days you will see younger immigration staff who are far more welcoming than their roughened superiors. The AR itself is now a three-step “simple” process.

Since I’ve been based in Singapore since 2012, filing for my annual report must be done during my annual “Christmas holiday” in the Philippines. It’s the sexy part of my holiday itinerary. Sadly leeching on my precious paid leave days.

What’s the secret to getting it done quickly?
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This was my fourth homecoming to the Philippines since I started working in Singapore in 2012.

At this point, both countries feel like home. I’ve learned to gauge the pros and cons of both countries. If only we lived in a universe where we could have the efficiency and safety of Singapore, combined with the hospitable warmth and unpredictable spirit of the Philippines.

One can dream, right?! (more…)

Started the year on a sore note. I haven’t been feeling well in days. I went to see the doctor and she prescribed allergy medicine for a small rash I’ve developed. It all seemed to have started the day after we had cheese at Sofitel. Did I eat too much cheese?

I can’t really say I’ve been in a holiday mood. I’m happy for many things, but I’m also sad about certain things. On top of that… feeling sore and under the weather.

New Year was quiet. Seems that each year the sounds of fireworks and firecrackers are getting less and less. Except that some people moved in across the street and fired a series of firecrackers that ensured bad spirits in our side of the subdivision will stay away. (more…)