As promised, here are the pictures from the Philippine Embassy here in Singapore. I was able to take some pictures on the inside when I claimed my new passport. You have to see my picture in the passport, I honestly looked like the mug shot of Nicole Richie. My friend commented that I look thinner now and my hair is diminishing a lot. Anyway, here are the pictures.



And oh, here are more pictures that I taken from Orchard.

Yesterday morning, I finally went to claim my new passport. If you have read my article about my first visit to the Philippine embassy, we'll here's the follow up. This second visit was different. Instead of taking the bus in Queenstown, I took the bus going to Orchard. When I alighted the bus in Tangs, I walked towards Lucky Plaza and hoped it was the way to the embassy.

After a long walk, sight seeing and lots of picture taking, I was on the wrong side of Orchard. When I was walking a long distance and I'm seeing unfamiliar landmarks, I have decided to walk the other direction and asked someone if I'm going the right way now. Luckily, I'm on my right track and I'm seeing familiar places.

When I arrived in the Philippine Embassy, I was very thirsty from the long walk and it was very hot. I went straight to Window 5 and handed my receipt to claim my passport. I checked the soda vendo machine and glanced on my coin purse if I can produce $1.10 for the iced lemon tea. Thank God, I was able to sipped a cold drink.

Well, to those who are interested to see my new passport, here it is. Just don't laugh at my mug shot. And oh, I'm going to post the pictures from the embassy tomorrow.

I have finally got my new passport today and I have additional pictures of Christmas Trees just taken today in Orchard Road. I just love the Christmas Tree in Paragon (first picture). It is the biggest Christmas Tree that I have seen here in Singapore. And it looks very nice!

The holiday season might be over but I have many Christmas stories to tell. I have been in blog leave for four days and have tons to share with you guys.

I'm just going to round down the topics that I'm going to post on my four blogs:

1. Anniversary party of my recruitment agency (I won in the raffle).
2. Christmas party of my company (boring!).
3. Cotton On Christmas Sale (my credit cards aren't working?)
4. Excited to go home in the Philippines.
5. My Christmas Day in Ikea Alexandra.
6. Christmas Trees in Singapore.
7. Top Albums and Songs for 2008.
8. Follow-up on the $99 iPhone.
9. Kathy Griffin Is My Favorite Comedian (and his dad).
10. Christmas with my housemates
11. Resolutions for 2009.
12. Makoy's Blog Contest Is Looking for Sponsors.

Happy holidays!

Christmas Tree is from St. Mary of the Angels Church in Bukit Batok

Top 10 Hollywood Movies as of December 21, 2008

1. Yes Man
2. Seven Pounds
3. The Tale of Despereaux
4. The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)
5. Four Christmases
6. Twilight
7. Bolt
8. Slumdog Millionaire
9. Australia
10. Quantum of Solace

Our recruitment agency celebrated their 10th year anniversary last Saturday at the Amara Hotel. I think it was also the Christmas Party. For starters, here are some of the pictures that I took in that celebration. I will tell some stories including the prize that I won in that party, tomorrow.



Sorry, not so many pictures. Merry Christmas everyone!

After the mass today, I went to the food court to have my dinner. I had the usual set of vegetables, tofu and sweet and sour pork. After that enjoyable meet, I went to West Mall to check out some gift items and some clothes for myself. At the entrance of the mall, I was surprised that there's a commotion. A group of people, kids specifically with their parents formed a circle with this familiar face. Hey kids, it's Santa Claus (the Singaporean version).

I tried capturing a picture of him with the kids when he went for a pose for me. Isn't Santa Claus nice?

Yesterday was a good day for me. Not only was I still in the rush from the good news in my employment contract renewal but I suddenly felt excited from going home in the Philippines. I can't wait to see my loved ones and eat at Jollibee and Sbarro in the Philippines. I only have a few days of vacation so I have to plan everything so I won't miss a thing in my short vacation. I'm thinking of shopping clothes, watching a movie and meeting my friends for dinner.

Speaking of Sbarro, my officemates and I dined at the restaurant in our building last Friday. We were greeted by a Filipina staff there. My Filipina officemate and I had chicken lasagna while my Indonesian officemate had this rice meal. It is a bit pricey meal but the restaurant gave us 20% discount. The food was okay but not that great. That pasta made me miss Sbarro a lot.

Still last Friday, I checked the tickets for Friday and Saturday (January 23 & 24) since I was booked on the Sunday flight. I'm still thinking if I will go for the Saturday flight since it will only cost me $58. The only problem is that my ticket is tied with my room mate. If I rebook my ticket, his ticket will be changed as well. Hmm...

I'm going home Philippines!

After a week long of suffering from my back pain, I'm now back to my old self, feeling much better. Thank God that my officemate advised me to buy a Salonpas. Only after two days of applying that pad on my back, it's now pain free. I should have known that pad before. I really thought Salonpas is just for old people.

One more thing that made me a lot better is when I received a call from my recruitment agent today. She informed me that my current employer is renewing my contract for another year. I just felt relieved that I don't need to look for work. It really bothers me about the recession. Talking about recession, my housemate told this story that happened this week in their office. Apparently, more than 200 employees of their company were laid off. The biggest shock to them was to be informed that they are laid off by disabling their card key. If your card key is not working then it's "bye bye" for you.

Eight more days to go and it's Christmas Day. I can't wait to go home.

Top 10 Hollywood Movies as of December 14, 2008

1. The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)
2. Four Christmases
3. Twilight
4. Bolt
5. Australia
6. Quantum of Solace
7. Nothing Like the Holidays
8. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
9. Milk
10. Transporter 3

Today marked the fourth day of my terrible back pain. I really thought the massage that I had last Saturday will help ease the pain or even make it flew. Yesterday, I was feeling okay and the pain was bearable. When I woke up this morning, the pain level was still okay so I skipped drinking my pain killers since I don't want to immune myself with these medications. I only applied the ointment prescribed by the doctor here in Singapore.

When I arrived in the office, I was surprised that my computer, desk and other stuffs are missing. I was on sick leave last Friday by the way. I was informed by my Indonesian office mate that our things are placed in the other room since during the weekend, renovation was made. Thank God, he was able to help me carry my PC and other things. I felt so helpless with this back pain. The whole day I was in pain. The pain level was more than 10 even I took the pain killers during lunch break. I was close to tears after work when I went to the pharmacy to buy some Salonpas. It just surprised me that after I bought the Salonpas, the pain level was more than 15. Our mind definitely knows how to suppress pain. When I arrived home, I washed my back and placed four Salonpas pads on my back. Right now, I'm feeling better. I just hope tomorrow, it would be gone.

Anyway, here in Singapore, the Filipino Christmas tradition of Simbang Gabi (Misa de Gallo) started tonight at Church of Saint Anthony of Padua in Woodlands. I was supposed to attend the Simbang Gabi with my room mate but I was in so much pain that I have to skip it.

Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo is the start of the Filipino Christmas celebration. Simbang Gabi in the Philippines starts on the 16th of December and the mass begins as early as 4 in the morning, while in Singapore it starts at 8 P.M. Simbang Gabi is a 9-day mass or called the Novena. Filipinos usually wish for something on the 9th day of the Simbang Gabi and have to complete the 9-day mass for their wish to come true.

Here is the schedule of the Simbang Gabi here in Singapore courtesy of pinoysg.com.

December 15, Monday
Thou shall have no other gods before me
CHURCH OF SAINT ANTHONY OF PADUA
25 Woodlands Avenue 1
Contact Persons: FRANCIS CEPE / TONY ODIADA
Tel no. 94761255 / 91052930
Bus no. 912/912E (Berth 12) from Woodlands
Interchange, alight at 5th Bus Stop

December 16, Tuesday
Thou shall not make unto thee any graven image
CHURCH OF OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA
10 Yishun Street 22
Contact Persons: LORENA LIM / VIVAN ONGPAUCO
Tel no. 97414646 / 93226438
Bus no. 804, alight at 2nd bus stop

December 17, Wednesday
Thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain
CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE HEARTOF MARY
24 Highland Road
Contact Person: PAULINE OLINDANG
Tel no. 97510262 / 62887841
Bus no. 24, 60, 70, 76, 103, 136, 147, 156 and 317
NEL @ Kovan

December 18, Thursday
Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy
CHURCH OF CHRIST THE KING
2221 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8
Contact Persons: VING RIMANDO / ALLAN SATO /
ROBERT MENDOZA
Tel no. 92278043 / 96548467 / 93853396
Bus no. 22, 24, 135, 159, 162 and 853

December 19, Friday
Honor thy father and thy mother
NOVENA CHURCH
300 Thomson Road
Contact Persons: REY ESTABILLO / SARAH LACANO
Tel no. 90863457 / 90762186
Bus no. 54, 143, 162, 167 and 851

December 20, Saturday
Thou shall not kill
CHURCH OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI
200 Boon Lay Avenue
Contact Persons: YOLLY LIGON / ALDA VICTORIANO
Tel no. 94876534 / 81893796
Bus no. 99, 174, 198, 240 and 502

December 21, Sunday
Thou shall not commit adultery
CHURCH OF SAINT MICHAEL
17 Saint Michael’s Road
Contact Person: FR. ANGEL LUCIANO, CICM
Tel no. 63920592
Bus no. 13, 23, 26, 31, 61, 64, 65, 66, 107, 125, 133,
147, 853, 857 and 985. NEL @ Boon Keng – Exit A

December 22, Monday
Thou shall not steal
CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY
20 Tampines Street 11
Contact Persons: ZAP / MARIE SAPIERA
Tel no. 82881025 / 94783985
Bus no. 8, 17, 18, 28, 34, 39, 59, 292 and 518
Tampines MRT walk towards Simei (2nd crossing)

December 23, Tuesday
Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor
CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR
31 Siglap Hill
Contact Person: LYN RIVERA
Tel no. 96569968
Bus no. 2, 7, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 33 and 854

December 24, Wednesday
Thou shall not covet
CHURCH OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL
225A Queen Street
Contact Person: JENNY ARANCON
Tel no. 62563163
Bus no. 7, 14, 16, 36, 106, 111, 131, 162, 167,
171, 401, 502, 518, 700/700A and 857

Eucharistic Celebrations start at 8:00pm (7:00pm on Dec. 24). Fellowship will follow soon afterwards
FR. ANGEL LUCIANO, CICM - is the officiating priest.

Photo courtesy of panoramio.com

As promised, here is the second part of the Christmas in Singapore pictures.