ePassport now available at Philippine Embassy in Singapore

The Philippine Embassy have started issuing ePassport since June 28, 2010.

An ePassport is a passport which features microchip technology. An integrated circuit (chip) within its pages contains the data that are essential in verifying the identity of the passport holder. These data include the personal data found on the data page of the passport, the biometrics of the passport holder, the unique chip identification number, and a digital signature to verify the authenticity of the data stored on the chip.

The chip technology allows the information stored in an ePassport to be read by special chip readers at a close distance.

The new Philippine ePassport is fully compliant with the high security standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Aside from basic passport information, the chip will contain the digital photo, signature and thumbprint of the holder.

 

The front cover of a contemporary Philippine biometric passport with the microchip embedded

 

The data page of the biometric passport with a machine-readable zone and digitally-captured signature.

 

The ePassport will cost S$102.00, slightly higher than the machine readable passport, but will have enhanced security features. Applicants are also no longer required to submit passport photos.

In order to prevent overcrowding and in compliance with Singapore safety and welfare regulations, the Philippine Embassy shall be instituting a cut-off of 80 to 100 applicants a day due to high consular traffic.

Applicants, especially professionals (S-Pass and E-Pass holders), are advised to schedule their visits on weekdays to avoid long queues on Sundays. The processing time will be six (6) weeks from the time of application.

Philippine Embassy
20 Nassim Road
Singapore 258395
T: +65 6737 - 3977 ext. 101
F: +65 6733 - 9544

Source: Philippine Embassy @ Singapore

POSB MySavings Account now linked to your existing POSB/DBS ATM/Debit card

DBS announced that clients who have MySavings Account, a special automatic monthly savings feature that let you save with ease and flexibility by moving a specified amount from your DBS/POSB Savings Account on a monthly basis, can now perform the following transactions from their MySavings Account:

• Phone Banking - Perform funds transfer from MySavings Account to POSB/DBS accounts. All you need is a Phone Banking user ID and PIN.


• ATM - Withdraw cash or perform funds transfer from your MySavings Account at any POSB/DBS ATM.

DBS added, note for existing MySavings Account holders:

MySavings Account will be automatically linked to all your existing ATM/Debit card by 22 June 2010. If you do not have an existing ATM/Debit card, please mail the completed POSB Self-Service Banking Services application form to us today!

If you do not want to link your MySavings Account to your cards, you could remove the linkage by:

Contact us at 1800 339 6666 and we will process your request within 3 working days or visit any POSB branch

Before June 22, you can only withdraw on your MySavings over the counter by visiting a bank branch. This is feature and it discourages you to withdraw money because it is supposed to be your saving. But by introducing Phone/ATM fund transfer and withdrawal, it may lessen the effectiveness of MySavings.

POEA Advisory To Returning OFWs during the Holiday Season

As Christmas is the season when most overseas Filipino workers usually come home for a vacation, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration has issued an advisory on the issuance of POEA travel exit clearances.

According to POEA:

In order to facilitate the issuance of POEA travel exit clearances (OECs) to returning OFWs during the Christmas and New Year Holiday Seasons, please be informed of the following:

The POEA Balik-Manggagawa Processing Division experiences a surge in the number of applicants for OECs at the start of the Christmas peak season. This number is double the usual of 1,000 per day. Congestion and security are major concerns at the POEA premises. Complicating this situation is the number of OFW applicants who have immediate flights.

In order to (pace, declog or deload) minimize the delay in processing of OECs, POEA advises the following:

1. OFWs who have just arrived are encouraged to apply for their OECs early either at the POEA Main Office or at the nearest POEA Regional Offices and Extension Units, or avail of the OEC delivery service, so that they can avoid last minute problems prior to their return flights.
2. Departing OFWs who will return during the Christmas season are encouraged to apply for their OECs at the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) in their host countries prior to coming home. Or, they may apply for their OECs at the POEA Main or Regional Offices early prior to their return flights to their host countries.
3. Regular processing of OECs has been discontinued at the NAIA Labor Assistance Center (LAC) except for weekend or emergency exit within 5 days from entry. OFWs must apply for their OECs with the POEA Main or Regional Offices prior to their return flights.
4. OFWs who have not yet registered with the POEA are advised to bring their contract and/or certificate of employment, and other proofs of employment in order to be documented and be issued an OEC.
5. OFWs to regularly check the POEA website, http://www.poea.gov.ph for advisories especially before they book their flights

Charice Pempengco Performing on Singapore Idol’s 3rd Season Finale

Charice tweeted on her new twitter account, after her old account was hacked, that she would be a guest performer on the 3rd Season of Singapore Idol TV show on Dec 27, 2009. Singapore Idol is a show much like American Idol where undiscovered singers in Singapore compete over several weeks to be number 1 in the voting. This show will be the Grand Finale of the season.

Singapore Idol's two finalists are Sylvia Ratonel and Sezairi Sezali, one of whom (Sylvia) is half-pinay on her father’s side and mom is Eurasian.

Sylvia Ratonel

Season 3 is bigger and better with a whole load of surprises in store for viewers and contestants alike.

Lea Salonga Live at Esplanade Theater on the Bay

Don’t miss this chance to watch our very own Lea Salonga who will be performing live at Esplanade this coming December. Since the Theater on the Bay is an open area, I guess it will be free.

When: Dec 16, 2009 (Wednesday)
Where: Esplanade Theater on the Bay (map)

PSRC 4th Inter-Profession Bowling Tournament 2009

A bowling tournament where every worker from various industries will have the chance to meet and play against other Filipino professionals/workers in Singapore: office workers, healthcare/hospital staffs, I.T. experts, architects, engineers, household helpers, hotels, restaurants and workers in other service industries... whatever your expertise are... you are all welcome to play and have fun!

This is another one-of-a-kind bowling league organized by PSRC (Pinoy Sports and Recreations Club) whose aim is to unite more Filipinos through different sports activities.

What: PSRC 4th Inter-Profession Bowling Tournament 2009
When: Saturday, November 28, 2009                   
          Registration at 1:30pm, roll-off at 2:00pm
Where: Superbowl Mount Faber, 2 Telok Blangah Way
Format: 10-pin bowling, team of 3 bowlers playing 5 games each bowler,
                      at least 2 team members should belong to the same profession

Contacts: Randy Salita - 92231990
              Dex Guillermo - 81256920
              Emman Zoleta - 96185105
              Louie Bragais – 97317002

Register your team now! Lane bookings for November event is limited to 24 teams so registration will be on first-come-first-served-basis.

Another upcoming tournaments:

What: PSRC 9-Pin Tap Funbowl
When: Sunday, November 29, 2009
          Registration at 6:00pm, roll-off at 7:00pm
Where: Superbowl Mount Faber, 2 Telok Blangah Way
Format: 6 games of 9-pin-tap bowling, individual event

What: PSRC Inter-Profession Bowling Tournament Finals 2009
When: Saturday, December 12, 2009
          Registration at 1:30pm, roll-off at 2:00pm
Where: Superbowl Mount Faber, 2 Telok Blangah Way
Format: 10-pin bowling, team of 3 bowlers playing 5 games each bowler, at least 2 team members should belong to the same profession.

There will be step-ladder games to determine the individual winners.

Efren Peñaflorida: One more Hero for the Philippines

One more reason to be proud for being a Filipino.

Efren Peñaflorida, who started a "pushcart classroom" in the Philippines to bring education to poor children as an alternative to gang membership, has been named the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year.

Peñaflorida, who will receive $100,000 to continue his work with the Dynamic Teen Company, was selected after seven weeks of online voting at CNN.com. The CNN Hero was chosen by a blue-ribbon panel from an initial pool of more than 9,000 viewer nominations.

 

 

"Our planet is filled with heroes, young and old, rich and poor, man, woman of different colors, shapes and sizes. We are one great tapestry, Each person has a hidden hero within, you just have to look inside you and search it in your heart, and be the hero to the next one in need.

--Efren Penaflorida, CNN Hero of the Year