For those new PR you need to update the following to change your personal details of your FIN to NRIC.
Company or Agency
Bank
Insurance
Memberships
Let me know if i missed something.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Change of Particulars like Address? April 7, 2010
For those who recently moved to a new location you need to update the following to change your address.
Company or Agency
Bank
E-Pass, S-Pass, Workpass or IC
Insurance
Memberships
Some takes a only a phone call or email to change address. Some takes time. So you have to decide for yourself when do you want to change the address else your letters might not be delivered to your new location.
If you're a PR then you can just bring any recent bill, bank statements, tenancy agreement or contract which states your new address to the nearest Police Station. It will just take them 10-15 minutes to update.
They scratch your old address at the back of your IC and replace with a sticker with your new address at no cost. They will also give you the list of Government agencies that will be automatically updated so that you don't need to inform them one by one. I must say they're very efficient.
Company or Agency
Bank
E-Pass, S-Pass, Workpass or IC
Insurance
Memberships
Some takes a only a phone call or email to change address. Some takes time. So you have to decide for yourself when do you want to change the address else your letters might not be delivered to your new location.
If you're a PR then you can just bring any recent bill, bank statements, tenancy agreement or contract which states your new address to the nearest Police Station. It will just take them 10-15 minutes to update.
They scratch your old address at the back of your IC and replace with a sticker with your new address at no cost. They will also give you the list of Government agencies that will be automatically updated so that you don't need to inform them one by one. I must say they're very efficient.
How to renew Green Passport to Machine-Readable Passport April 7, 2010
If you're green passport is still valid for more than 6 months and you're in the Philippines for a vacation for more than 1 week you can renew your Passport in DFA and have it "RUSH" which takes 7 days. It will cost you 750Php. If you renew in the Philippine Embassy then you need to pay S$85.
Step 1
Get the form online to fill-up and prepare requirements listed in the application form or in.
Photocopy personal particulars of your passport and IC, E-Pass, S-Pass or Workpass front and back because the nearest Photocopying machine in Philippine Embassy is in Tanglin Mall.
If you plan to take an id picture in the embassy itself then prepare small bills like S$2 or coins. Inside there's a Self-Serve Photobooth. You don't need to cut the pictures. During submission they will do it for you.
Bring some reading materials, refreshments, fan, pen, paste and scissors just in case. If you came in late then you better prepare for a long wait. Make sure you get a queue number right away.
Step 2
In the claim stub it indicates the date and time for you to come back. Bring your old passport, IC, S$85 and claim stub. Give the claim stub in Window <> and wait for your name to be called. Once called double-check the details of your new passport and your done.
Step 3
If you are a PR then you need to login to www.ica.gov.sg using your Singpass to update your Re-Entry Permit (REP) of your new Passport Number. Once you updated it you can print your new REP already and wait for 14 days for the approval letter to be received.
Disclaimer: This may not be the latest procedures or requirements. Refer to related government agencies.
Step 1
Get the form online to fill-up and prepare requirements listed in the application form or in
Photocopy personal particulars of your passport and IC, E-Pass, S-Pass or Workpass front and back because the nearest Photocopying machine in Philippine Embassy is in Tanglin Mall.
If you plan to take an id picture in the embassy itself then prepare small bills like S$2 or coins. Inside there's a Self-Serve Photobooth. You don't need to cut the pictures. During submission they will do it for you.
Bring some reading materials, refreshments, fan, pen, paste and scissors just in case. If you came in late then you better prepare for a long wait. Make sure you get a queue number right away.
Step 2
In the claim stub it indicates the date and time for you to come back. Bring your old passport, IC, S$85 and claim stub. Give the claim stub in Window <> and wait for your name to be called. Once called double-check the details of your new passport and your done.
Step 3
If you are a PR then you need to login to www.ica.gov.sg using your Singpass to update your Re-Entry Permit (REP) of your new Passport Number. Once you updated it you can print your new REP already and wait for 14 days for the approval letter to be received.
Disclaimer: This may not be the latest procedures or requirements. Refer to related government agencies.
How to apply for a Foreign Domestic worker (Maid) April 7, 2010
For those who are planning to apply their own FDW a couple of things you need to consider:
Costs
Salary for a Filipino FDW ranges from S$300 - S$400 depending on your requirements.
Then there's a monthly levy, cost incurred during application including insurance and security bond, Medical Checkup every 6 months, airline ticket and basic necessities like food, bed and rent.
So if you have Parents or Parent-In-Laws willing to take care of your child while both of you are working then that would be ideal. You just need to apply them a Long Term Visit Pass which needs to be renewed yearly. If they can't then you have to do your computation to compare the cost of having one of you stay at home or hiring a FDW.
Other option would be Working from home.
Security
If you can find someone you can trust or at least recommended by a close friend to take care of your child then that would be best. If not you can always setup a basic surveillance system.
Below are the steps i did as of December 2009. Always double-check www.mom.gov.sg for the latest requirements.
Step 1
EMPLOYMENT ORIENTATION PROGRAM CERTIFICATE
Step 2
GET INSURANCE AND SECURITY BOND
Step 3
APPLY FOR WORKPASS
Step 4
MEDICAL CHECKUP
Make sure you mention to the doctor that it's for first time application of FDW checkup. Bring a copy of form.
Step 5
ORIENTATION AND WRITTEN EXAM
You can go to for a sample of the written exam. Almost all are just common-sense.
Step 6
SUBMIT REQUIREMENTS TO MOM WORKPASS DIVISION WITH FDW
Bring your IC and Passport
Step 7
CLAIM WORKPASS
Costs
Salary for a Filipino FDW ranges from S$300 - S$400 depending on your requirements.
Then there's a monthly levy, cost incurred during application including insurance and security bond, Medical Checkup every 6 months, airline ticket and basic necessities like food, bed and rent.
So if you have Parents or Parent-In-Laws willing to take care of your child while both of you are working then that would be ideal. You just need to apply them a Long Term Visit Pass which needs to be renewed yearly. If they can't then you have to do your computation to compare the cost of having one of you stay at home or hiring a FDW.
Other option would be Working from home.
Security
If you can find someone you can trust or at least recommended by a close friend to take care of your child then that would be best. If not you can always setup a basic surveillance system.
Below are the steps i did as of December 2009. Always double-check www.mom.gov.sg for the latest requirements.
Step 1
EMPLOYMENT ORIENTATION PROGRAM CERTIFICATE
Step 2
GET INSURANCE AND SECURITY BOND
Step 3
APPLY FOR WORKPASS
Step 4
MEDICAL CHECKUP
Make sure you mention to the doctor that it's for first time application of FDW checkup. Bring a copy of
Step 5
ORIENTATION AND WRITTEN EXAM
You can go to
Step 6
SUBMIT REQUIREMENTS TO MOM WORKPASS DIVISION WITH FDW
Bring your IC and Passport
Step 7
CLAIM WORKPASS
Umbrella not allowed from DMIA Clark to Singapore December 8, 2009
Take note when coming to Singapore from Philippines don't bring Umbrella in your Hand-carry. Put them in Check-in bags. Mine got confiscated. I didn't see the sign.
Invitation Letter for Singapore vacation December 8, 2009
One of my friends posted something in Facebook about his friend having been denied to go to Singapore in DMIA, Clark when he failed to produce an Invitation Letter with Seal from Philippine Embassy in Singapore in a closed envelope. Some commented that there's such a thing. Here's what i did to get one:
Philippine Embassy
Office Hours: SUN - THU 9am-12pm and 1:30pm-5pm
Bring
- IC or EPASS or SPASS
- Your Passport
- Pen
- Photocopy of Passport (the page with ID)
- Copy of Passport of visitor
- Age (this would be in handy in filling-up the form)
I went on Sunday around 1:30PM and there were a lot of people outside. They were controlling the people coming in already since it's jammed packed inside. Just inform the guard that your purpose is for notarization only. They only control the Passport application and renewals.
There's a guard house to the right where everyone needs to register however when i told them that i just came to get a notarized invitation letter he just pointed me towards Window 5 so if you want once you're in just go directly to Window 5.
They're just 5 of us in the line at first. When it's my turn i told the officer i want to get the notarized application form. He asked me for whom and i said for my Wife's cousin whose visiting. I guess they just want to make sure that it's really for vacation purposes.
He gave me an Affidavit form and pointed me to the long table at the back. There are sample forms posted in the table (For invitation letter, for affidavit of loss, etc.)
Once I'm done i went to Window 5 again. He checked then told me to go to Window 9 for payment. The amount is S$42.50. I brought the form with attached receipt back to Window 5 and waited for my name to be called. That's it. Just make sure the form has a red seal and it's really yours.
UPDATE 30Dec2011: A comment from jcam
Disclaimer: This is my own personal experience only. Do check the embassy for latest procedures.
Philippine Embassy
Office Hours: SUN - THU 9am-12pm and 1:30pm-5pm
Bring
- IC or EPASS or SPASS
- Your Passport
- Pen
- Photocopy of Passport (the page with ID)
- Copy of Passport of visitor
- Age (this would be in handy in filling-up the form)
I went on Sunday around 1:30PM and there were a lot of people outside. They were controlling the people coming in already since it's jammed packed inside. Just inform the guard that your purpose is for notarization only. They only control the Passport application and renewals.
There's a guard house to the right where everyone needs to register however when i told them that i just came to get a notarized invitation letter he just pointed me towards Window 5 so if you want once you're in just go directly to Window 5.
They're just 5 of us in the line at first. When it's my turn i told the officer i want to get the notarized application form. He asked me for whom and i said for my Wife's cousin whose visiting. I guess they just want to make sure that it's really for vacation purposes.
He gave me an Affidavit form and pointed me to the long table at the back. There are sample forms posted in the table (For invitation letter, for affidavit of loss, etc.)
Once I'm done i went to Window 5 again. He checked then told me to go to Window 9 for payment. The amount is S$42.50. I brought the form with attached receipt back to Window 5 and waited for my name to be called. That's it. Just make sure the form has a red seal and it's really yours.
UPDATE 30Dec2011: A comment from jcam
jel,,
hello! jcam here... just want to inform everyone na di pinapayagan kumuha ng AIL kung para sa kaibigan o para sa bf/gf dapat relatives mo na.. so ang ginawa ng iba nilagay "FIANCE" pero dpende kung papayagan parin sa Embassy.. ang iba nakiusap nalang pero may mga pumayag naman na officer ng Embassy ang ginawa di na fill-up yung part na kung sino yung iimbitahin ang ginawa ng iba sila na ang nagsulat.. Ang best advice bayaran nyo muna para ala ng magagawa yung officer.. karamihan ganun ang ginawa.. sana makatulong po ito.. Pagpunta ko dito nahold din ako pero naging smooth naman ang lahat..
Jel,,salamat sa mga infos.. merry xmas and happy new year to everyone..
Disclaimer: This is my own personal experience only. Do check the embassy for latest procedures.
Baby Carriers anyone? December 8, 2009
For me it's a must for people who travels. It's safer for the baby since both hands are free to support yourself in case you fell.
Imagine carrying your baby without carrier then you tripped, instinctively you'll let go of the baby to support your fall. If you carried your baby using the baby carrier you can support your fall without letting go of your baby.
Choose a trusted brand or do an online search to check on reviews. However it's not advisable to use this everytime.
Some don't recommend using the baby carrier 2 hrs straight. we bought the one with the Lying Position if we need to feed her.
Be warned though that some baby still prefers to be handcarried. Make sure to follow instructions and safety precautions.
Do also share your own experiences with your baby carrier.
Imagine carrying your baby without carrier then you tripped, instinctively you'll let go of the baby to support your fall. If you carried your baby using the baby carrier you can support your fall without letting go of your baby.
Choose a trusted brand or do an online search to check on reviews. However it's not advisable to use this everytime.
Some don't recommend using the baby carrier 2 hrs straight. we bought the one with the Lying Position if we need to feed her.
Be warned though that some baby still prefers to be handcarried. Make sure to follow instructions and safety precautions.
Do also share your own experiences with your baby carrier.
Finally, certified "Tatay" December 8, 2009
My Wife and I are pretty much convinced that our first child is my New Year's gift to her. It was around February when i got home from work where i experienced the most pleasant surprise from Wife when she came out of the toilet saying "Jel,i'm pregnant...".
It's quite funny because i think she doesn't know what kind of emotion she's going to convey. I asked her if she's sure since i don't want to be disappointed. I'm so ready to be a Dad already.
Unlike in the movies 2 pregnancy test kit are accurate enough for us. It would make more sense to confirm it in an actual clinic.
Next day is saturday so we searched online and asked recommendations from friends for a Female Gynecologist however first lesson we learned...Call for appointment in advance. You can walk-in but you'll have to wait for a couple of hours and most of the doctors recommended to us are fully booked alreaady and won't accept walk-ins.
Finally we found a Male Gynecologist in Thomson Medical Center. We were so excited that we don't want to put off the check-up for any other day. Seeing the first ultrasound of my baby is indescribable even she's no bigger than a 5 pesos coin. I can't help smiling throughout the session.
Here in Singapore Male Gyne are not bad since they do Ultrasound almost everytime to check the baby.
Throughout the pregnancy sometimes i hoped the baby would grow faster like Renesme in the Twilight book minus the gore. Luckily the effects of pregnancy to my Wife is minimal physically and emotionally.
I think the most trouble that she experienced is constipation. She's already constipated before so she needs to up the ante on the fibre department. We also feared her clumsiness so from that time in the bathroom were she almost slipped i always make sure that we shower together.
Every checkup day is a happy day for me since i could take a glance again at my baby and see how she's developing. I think most first time parents would mutter to themselves "So...this is how it feels like".
My Wife went back to the Philippines on her 7th month. Airline limits the travelling of pregnant women to 30 weeks. However this might not be the case on some airlines.
You have to bring the medical certificate from your Gynecologist also.
Her due date is Oct. 10 so i booked a flight on Oct. 8. But it seems that my baby is ready to see the outside world and she came knocking around 6am of Oct. 3.
My Wife still managed to inform me that she's already on labor. They rushed her to the humble clinic of her Gynecologist where her sister and cousin delivered their own child.
It's past 3pm already and she still hasn't delivered my baby. I started to get nervous. Her mother called to inform me that dilation is still 5cm. My Wife is already asking for a ceasarian however the doctor told them that they will wait for another hour, if not they will rush her to the nearby hospital for ceasarian. They will just inform my parents once they hit the 10cm mark.
My imagination ran wild. 4:30pm, 5pm, 5:30pm still no call. I was going to call her mother on 6pm but then i she called first. I thought it was her mother...it was my father instead.
And at that very moment i stopped breathing. "You have a daughter!" he said. I asked him "How in the world you got there so fast?" From Antipolo to Muntinlupa it only took them 45 minutes and it's afternoon.
I guess my Mother-in-law forgot to inform me that around 5pm they already called my parents. At the very instant that my father and father-in-law arrived at the clinic my baby is delivered.
A healthy 7.11 pounds baby girl and her name is Jelene Margaux To-ong. Jel for Jelmarven, ene for Magdalene where my Wife's name, Madel, came from and Margaux from the character in the book Sunday's at Tiffany's by James Patterson. My wife nicknamed her Maije.
Things i learned so far...
- Be prepared. My Wife has a checklist of the necessary things to purchase in anticipation of the delivery. I'll post it separately
- How to properly carry a baby (support head and back). Her head is still very soft.
- 1st month to 2nd month her milk formula (Similac Advance 0 to 6 months) is for 3oz = 1.5 scoop, 2oz = 1 scoop, 1oz = .5 scoop
- How to properly clean and change diaper
- Using baby wipes, wipe from genitalia to buttocks so the grit will be away from her genitalia
- Apply Bottom butter to prevent rashes before replacing diaper
- Bottom butter works on neck rashes too!
- Stretch mark creams did not work on my Wife (it also doesn't mean it will not work on others)
- Use distilled water for the milk (not purified or mineral and specially not tap water)
- Help your Wife on everything (she just went through the most exhausting physical activity she ever experienced)
- Newborn babies are relatively easier to take care since they sleep most of the time. You just need to feed and change her diaper
- Her 1st week will be her first bath and massage
- Newborns cries when its time to change diapers, 2 months and above doesn't so you have to check and know the habits
- Habits don't last
- Ask for help if you need it
- Use alcohol on excess Umbilical cord. It falls of on it's own so don't forcefully remove it
- Don't change the diaper first specially if she just peed or pooped, wait for a couple of minutes for the aftershock (followup pee and poop) unless you want to get sprayed
- Changing mat is advisable
- Drypers are ok however it's noisy when you remove the belt, in EQ you can feel the pee and poop in outer skin. Huggies is our choice.
It's quite funny because i think she doesn't know what kind of emotion she's going to convey. I asked her if she's sure since i don't want to be disappointed. I'm so ready to be a Dad already.
Unlike in the movies 2 pregnancy test kit are accurate enough for us. It would make more sense to confirm it in an actual clinic.
Next day is saturday so we searched online and asked recommendations from friends for a Female Gynecologist however first lesson we learned...Call for appointment in advance. You can walk-in but you'll have to wait for a couple of hours and most of the doctors recommended to us are fully booked alreaady and won't accept walk-ins.
Finally we found a Male Gynecologist in Thomson Medical Center. We were so excited that we don't want to put off the check-up for any other day. Seeing the first ultrasound of my baby is indescribable even she's no bigger than a 5 pesos coin. I can't help smiling throughout the session.
Here in Singapore Male Gyne are not bad since they do Ultrasound almost everytime to check the baby.
Throughout the pregnancy sometimes i hoped the baby would grow faster like Renesme in the Twilight book minus the gore. Luckily the effects of pregnancy to my Wife is minimal physically and emotionally.
I think the most trouble that she experienced is constipation. She's already constipated before so she needs to up the ante on the fibre department. We also feared her clumsiness so from that time in the bathroom were she almost slipped i always make sure that we shower together.
Every checkup day is a happy day for me since i could take a glance again at my baby and see how she's developing. I think most first time parents would mutter to themselves "So...this is how it feels like".
My Wife went back to the Philippines on her 7th month. Airline limits the travelling of pregnant women to 30 weeks. However this might not be the case on some airlines.
You have to bring the medical certificate from your Gynecologist also.
Her due date is Oct. 10 so i booked a flight on Oct. 8. But it seems that my baby is ready to see the outside world and she came knocking around 6am of Oct. 3.
My Wife still managed to inform me that she's already on labor. They rushed her to the humble clinic of her Gynecologist where her sister and cousin delivered their own child.
It's past 3pm already and she still hasn't delivered my baby. I started to get nervous. Her mother called to inform me that dilation is still 5cm. My Wife is already asking for a ceasarian however the doctor told them that they will wait for another hour, if not they will rush her to the nearby hospital for ceasarian. They will just inform my parents once they hit the 10cm mark.
My imagination ran wild. 4:30pm, 5pm, 5:30pm still no call. I was going to call her mother on 6pm but then i she called first. I thought it was her mother...it was my father instead.
And at that very moment i stopped breathing. "You have a daughter!" he said. I asked him "How in the world you got there so fast?" From Antipolo to Muntinlupa it only took them 45 minutes and it's afternoon.
I guess my Mother-in-law forgot to inform me that around 5pm they already called my parents. At the very instant that my father and father-in-law arrived at the clinic my baby is delivered.
A healthy 7.11 pounds baby girl and her name is Jelene Margaux To-ong. Jel for Jelmarven, ene for Magdalene where my Wife's name, Madel, came from and Margaux from the character in the book Sunday's at Tiffany's by James Patterson. My wife nicknamed her Maije.
Things i learned so far...
- Be prepared. My Wife has a checklist of the necessary things to purchase in anticipation of the delivery. I'll post it separately
- How to properly carry a baby (support head and back). Her head is still very soft.
- 1st month to 2nd month her milk formula (Similac Advance 0 to 6 months) is for 3oz = 1.5 scoop, 2oz = 1 scoop, 1oz = .5 scoop
- How to properly clean and change diaper
- Using baby wipes, wipe from genitalia to buttocks so the grit will be away from her genitalia
- Apply Bottom butter to prevent rashes before replacing diaper
- Bottom butter works on neck rashes too!
- Stretch mark creams did not work on my Wife (it also doesn't mean it will not work on others)
- Use distilled water for the milk (not purified or mineral and specially not tap water)
- Help your Wife on everything (she just went through the most exhausting physical activity she ever experienced)
- Newborn babies are relatively easier to take care since they sleep most of the time. You just need to feed and change her diaper
- Her 1st week will be her first bath and massage
- Newborns cries when its time to change diapers, 2 months and above doesn't so you have to check and know the habits
- Habits don't last
- Ask for help if you need it
- Use alcohol on excess Umbilical cord. It falls of on it's own so don't forcefully remove it
- Don't change the diaper first specially if she just peed or pooped, wait for a couple of minutes for the aftershock (followup pee and poop) unless you want to get sprayed
- Changing mat is advisable
- Drypers are ok however it's noisy when you remove the belt, in EQ you can feel the pee and poop in outer skin. Huggies is our choice.
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