Visiting Concerns
The main problem that I've encountered visiting my family in Philippines is the financial matters. I need to have lots of "bala" money to enjoy with them and bring "pasalubong" presents. Then we go on shopping and lots of dining.
To solve my money matters, I allotted a budget for this. Usually, my budget includes airfare, taxi from airport to my house in Singapore and entertainment (shopping and dining).
Airfare Budget
Every week, the five airlines serving Philippines to Singapore are giving away discounted fares ranges from S$121.00 to S$160.00 round trip. But this booking will be done 2 months in advance from the flight schedule. So I have to make sure that the date is final and had filed my company leave before availing the ticket.
Company Leave
The usual annual leave given to a worker in Singapore is 14 days. When a holiday falls to a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday will be a holiday or they will add it to our annual leave days.
But Singapore don't have holidays that much. The longest holiday is only for 2 days, which is the Chinese New Year.
Every time a holiday falls on Wednesday, I will go on leave on Thursday and Friday. This will deduct 2 days on my annual leave and I could stay in Philippines from Wednesday morning to Sunday evening.
Flight Schedules
As soon as a holiday falls on Wednesday, I will book a ticket that is scheduled at 12:05am, Wednesday. I will arrive in the Philippines at around 4:00am the same day. Singapore to Philippines trip only takes 3 hours plus, but it also depends on the airline. There might be few delays but still bearable.
So after my work, which is 6:30pm, I still have time to pack up things and travel to Changi Airport. I have to make sure that I'll be at the airport 2 hours before my flight.
My return ticket from Philippines will always be at around 9:30pm on Sundays and arrives at Changi Airport at 12:05am the following day. This time, I have to ride a taxi since MRT are not available at this time.
Budget
To give you an idea on how much I spend every visit in the Philippines. I'll list down the expenses in details for you.
Airfare - S$150.00 (Average, but not including Christmas Day fare)
MRT - S$ 2.50 (estimate)
Taxi - S$ 42.00 (I'm at the opposite end of Singapore)
Shopping & Dining - S$300.00
TOTAL - S$494.50 (S$ 500 rounded off)
So my budget every month will be S$250.00. But December is expensive, I will add S$500 alone for my airfare ticket and another S$500 for entertainment and Christmas gifts.
This is the cost of my happiness, excitement and self fulfillment. It might be expensive but it's worth it....
I'm planning to go to SG by April pero 2 weeks lang po.. ok po bang thru agency nlng ako magapply para mas mabilis ang proseso?
ReplyDeleteYou do it in parallel with direct hire. Agencies needs application fees and you have a bond of 2 years in the company. It's up for you to decide, but this is possible.
Deletei finished a 4 yr course here in the phils, however, confused ako sa leveling ng SG sa natapos... what's the difference between diploma or degree tpos me parang NSA yata p dun...
ReplyDeleteHi, check this post about the difference between diploma and degree here in SG.
Deletehttp://www.benalagnam.com/2010/01/diploma-and-degree-whats-difference.html
hi, im going there soon.. maybe by this april.. im too excited.. but i stil have questions where i consider your answers. BTW, thank you so much for sharing your journey to sing' g 'poh:))
ReplyDeleteidol ben, im going there as a tourist. i wanted to have a stable work there. do you think, i have to look an agency here? or shall i go there as a tourist and find a job there? same with you' i dont want also to lock up myself with an agency for 2 years or what. i wanted to work as many as i can. would that be possible? im really excited to visit sing'g'poh:)) but im afraid if i cant find a job there with my limited period of stay. MM;))
DeleteIf you think that you have enough experience and it's related to your degree, there is a possibility that you can get a job. Just be positive...guts is what you'll need.
Deletegusto ko din po magagency, on the spot po ba ang pagbabayad ng processing fee or salary deduction? gusto ko po kc magwork sa sg pero saktong airfare, food and accommodation for a month lang pera ko eh.. huhuhu
ReplyDeleteidol ben, thanks for your response. thats it, i have the guts to work or what, but i dont really have a work related experience, im a graduate of bsn, and im working now as a "callcenter agent".. i dont actually deal with what work i might have there, whatever work is fine as long as its legal. but idol ben' im only 20 years old, and im not that confident with my height. im quite in doubt if employers there deal with age and height. what do you thing sir?.. MM;))
ReplyDeleteidol ben:)) do u have a sample resume of "YOURS" (seo talaga!?!?) may i know the link. im trying to look but i cant find:)) hope you have one;))) MM;))
ReplyDeleteNursing with an experience in call center would be quite difficult to push through MOM. They are tough in these aspect.
ReplyDeleteHeight doesn't matter here as long as you can work effectively. Age by experience is a must. I guess you're a newly grad, right? Better get more experience.
What you can do is to go with an agency, but some may deduct the processing fees equivalent to your 1 month salary in a period of 4 months...it depends on the agency's policies..
Arrange your resumes starting from Work Experience, Skills, Education...there are a lot of formats for that in the net. You can try to browse some more.
thank you so much idol ben..yep' i graduated last march 2011, fresh grad?? (maybe)still yes.. :)) ok,, i will look for an agency here, i will just update you.. thank you so much:) BTW, i tried to look for your twitter account,, is it still active??
ReplyDeleteMy twitter is still active but not updated.
Deletebe back on twitter please;)) MM:))
Delete500 for Christmas gifts and entertainment? hmmm... ang tipid mo kuya. buti ka pa.
ReplyDeleteYup, I need to be careful with my expenses...my family is growing :)
DeleteHi Ben A., ask ko lang po ano magkano ung usual application fee ng mga agencies? depende pa po ba yun kung malaki yung company or depende ba yun sa field ng work? thank you!
ReplyDeleteApplication fees usually costs S$350...and they will deduct a 1 month salary upon acceptance of the job.
ReplyDeleteYou can go direct if you have the opportunity. Try that first, going for an agency will be your 2nd option.
Hi Ben A., thank you for the reply.. yes po, direct sa company po muna ako magaapply pero pag malas e sa agency bagsak ko...
ReplyDeletePero question po ulit, if ever nga po na sa agency ako magapply at magbayad na nung SGD350 na application fee e tutulungan ba talaga ako nung agency hanggang magkaron ako ng trabaho or may certain duration lang po yun? sorry po ah, hindi ko po talaga alam ang process sa mga ganyan e.. :)
-Charen
They will help you the best that they can. But, if your tourist visa expires, you need to ask an extension from the ICA or exit to other countries like Malaysia.
DeleteThe said processing fee is not an assurance of getting a job.
If you're lucky that they've found a job for you, the next problem is the approval from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). They will check your credentials if it's in line with your experience and job applied.
SIR BEN.. ung mga agency po ba dyan singaporeans or PR lang inaacept?? are they particular po kung Filipino or what... anong pong dapat sabihin,, let say,, tourist kame and naghanap ng job, if they ask us, shall we say' "im a tourist here and im looking for a job" ganyan po ba?? whats the proper way po, or whats the right answer??
DeleteSome of my friends got a job through an agency...they came here as a tourist. What they say when asked is they are in a short term visit visa. Agencies are used to it...they know that most of the applicants are with this visa type. PR and Singaporeans seldom asked for the agency's service because they can find easily even without one.
Deletemeron po ba kayong marerecommend na agency sa amin or saan po makikita ung list ng agencies?
ReplyDeleteHi,I'm sorry, can't recommend you an agency. Please check this link to find out if a certain agency is legitimate or not.
DeleteChecking a Legitimate Agency (MOM)
sir, mag 3 weeks na po ako d2 sa SG kaso wala pa din akong mkuhang work.. pano po b magpaextend ng 1 more month dito or saan po nagpapaextend? kung hindi po ako maapprove for extension makakauwi p b ko s Pnas? hindi p po ksi ako ngpapabook, ang orig na flight ko pablik paso na.. sayang kasi pera kung maeextend tpos nagpabook ako pablik after 30 days.. help!!
ReplyDeleteHere is the link for the extension...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ica.gov.sg/services_centre_overview.aspx?pageid=374&secid=178
and this one.
Deletehttp://www.benalagnam.com/2011/07/extension-of-short-term-visit-pass.html?showComment=1330483468334#c1503792828192779450
thank you po sir ben..
ReplyDeleteis it true na pagnagSG ka at bumalik kn ng bansa makakabalik k lng sa SG after 6 months????
ReplyDelete