I am coming Home

I am coming Home

     I lose count on how many times did i come and go in Changi Airport. I really cant figure that out. The many times i go theere since i went here last November. Not one of them is my flight. Ive been to Terminal 1,2 ,3 and Budget Terminal, but all of them is just to fetch somebody. But wait no more... here I am, with my  two feet, on my way back to the Land where i was Born. Funny, i really miss home, so much :)
      So after  days of confirming that i am clear to travel back and forth. I did book and buy my ticket last night and all is SET!. So excited that i can't sleep. lol

Ticket Check!

IPA Check!

 

Move and Shoot some ISA!

    Just stashed a cheap Shooter and Nav Controller for the PS3! Sweet! But I am flying. better play this one when i get back next week :) Crave will wait!

Let's Move and Shoot!

Chain of Memories: Walking the Walk of Life

Chain of Memories: Walking the Walk of Life

     Yes, "I did it again", as the song implies, what ever you wish not to do something you always end up the opposite. Well walking another 3 hours or so, in the middle of the night without anything but a map is not pointless after all. I really miss the old long walks or climbs i did back in my mountaineering years. Climbing mountains without any guide, after work, in the middle of the night just lighted by whatever means of light we have. Ma it be the Moon light, which is actually full moon last night. Or a human contraption like headlights to make the night going. You won't make this night pass without letting yourself realized life is not about always on track. But also going beyond your line of sight and seeing obstacles as mere decoration to the life you will enjoy eventually(Sound really so Optimistic eh.)
     I just finished meeting and drinking beer with Charlie, an old friend of mine. It was a long night. I usually not good drinking beer or i should say i never really loved the beer taste but only the beer experience. Invitation like this from an old pal should not be missed. Its like growing beard but you should always remember what scissors or shaver is meant to be(do that makes sense, well it should be written since i really am growing beard right now)
     Really had a great time. Charlie is one of my best buds way back in HS. we usually go to their house on our half day school whether its Fridays or when it was moved to Wednesday. A typical all boys adventure with stuff from Movies, Anime, Building Paper Plane Dynamics or just eating out and playing whatever cards was within our sleeves, sometimes we study... hehehe. The pain of being in a Science School really needs a good break, and spending it in Charlie's house makes every pain an ease. Well i really wish to bring those memories back, Its really hard to track down people. Kevin the Hunyango, Alviz the Asymptote, Darwin the Great, Donnel Jose anak ni Rizal, Me and Charlie with occasionally present Jansen. They all end up in UP and me didn't made it Through. So the course of history is really meant to be away from all of them, a sad truth. But nonetheless, my life function well but really there so many things i can relate with the world Charlie was into.
     The night is into its climax and the beer in getting into my nerves. We drink in Beer Market, a new place in Clarke Quay. IT was a nice place for a good conversation or just being with your group and play anything with freedom(without violence). We are heading for the Bus but i am too presuming that i am right with this bus in mind. Say bye to Charlie and boarded the assumed right Bus.Confident as i make my to the land of the lost hahaha.
     I realized i am going the wrong way when it turns the other way. I was reaching my brother to my phone but to no avail. It was passed 1 am and i don't want to take a CAB. It may seem i am stubborn. But knowing i have a mini Map on an old phone my Kuya gave me. So i know i am not lost after all.
     10 minutes pass 1 am, here I am at Clementi Commonwelth Ave West. All i have i an incomplete map from the app in Kuya's phone. Go back where the bus came from... time starts now. Clementi Sta... Dover Sta... Buona Vista Sta... Commmonwealth Sta... Queenstown. Yeah hell yeah, I am hanging on it. Before Queen Sta. I took left via Queensway all straight to Holland road toFerrer Road to Bukit Timah to Thompson  Rd to Balliester Rd to Jalan Bahagia to our block. Though not accurate that mini map app(OVI map) did one thing right, taking me back home. hahaha.

at Ferrer Rd, A new Station! I hope they have water there :)

Mcdonalds and the rest of its Inviting Gang

      I am a Mcdo Kid, So when i am hungry... you might see me eating out in one of the Mcdo store anywhere near at my point of hunger(BTW, don't watch Food Inc. documentary. It was a really nasty how food in food chain was produce... hahaha, just wish my tummy to handle the issues). So I came across 4 McDo 24 hour chain along my walk. It was really inviting me to stop over and have my sleeping rest while dining in. Hahaha. Did took a pic at Ferrer Road just before Bukit Timah Rd. :) My head might be spinning but I am no Hungry. Yeah I am still thinking about my diet and the discipline i need to put on in. I lost maybe 2 kilos this month(I really need that weighing scale), and i need to lose more in the coming month to hit my target. Actually just want to put out my tummy tucked in, it's been there since college and i am curiously checking and doing something about it while i am at large, not working, Hehehe. And also, I need to save every penny in my pocket, that's why I am walking like crazy right now. So no eating or anything if not hungry!

A pose with Mcdonald's. I'm Lovin' It!

Ooops I did it again!

     One thing for sure, I need to urinate. walking that lng with Beer in your system will really makes you feel urinating. Yeah i keep it for more than 2 hours before deciding and finding something to "lubricate". Well i did it months before when i crazily decided to walk from Bugis to Toa Payoh in February. Too bad for the plants, they are always the victim of this ill mannered tourist. But i have no choice, i know ill get UTI keeping it that long. So when the opportunity strikes, the Mouse steals the Cheese! Yeah i conquered another dark alley!

PANINI Stickers

    I was in Thompson Road just before Balliester Rd. I came Across at 7-11. My head was dizzy and i said that i need to buy water or anything to drink or i might blocked out. So water water water water... oooh they have POCARI SWEAT, and it's on sale, so i grab two and immediately payed. Waiting for the cashier to finish i came across this NBA Sticker box, the NBA logo got me carried away to look more. It was a PANINI Sticker! This sticker brand really brings back memories. I once been a sticker collector. Exactly, i was in my first grader Kuya gave me(or did i get it from Him) a sticker album. It was a Thundercats Album, oh I love Thundercats, They are my first superheroes...or i should say Supercats. Then i completed it and bought another one, The Mask(A futuristic vehicles which tranforms into a killing machines)... But the latter went to its ill fated journey... the Thrash bag. I was stubborn and hard headed when back when. So as a penalty i later saw my collection shredded in painful manner. I really pity myself and how my Dad just threw something i treasure in my early child life. This is making me teary as i went teary walking reminiscing that fact. I really am not that kid who just ask for money so i could buy stuff. I almost give my tummy a tummy-ache just to get those. i usually do not eat in our recess just to compensate the need of my collection. It was tough, i started trading and selling too at that young age just to fill the gaps in my collection. Well enough of that, now i jusr wish to get hold of this stuff again so i can rest my case... hahaha. sentimental it seems, but life with this simple things thus make life complete most of the time. So hunting for one! The art of collecting. This is exciting!

Yes, this Sticker maker is still alive!

I wish i have a Phone with a good Map Apps.

    I stop wishing for those flashy phone since i lost all back in 2009. Leeting go is not an easy task until you came across  a life changing situation. But walking with anomalies on the map listed on your phone. Well I wish i have one, but nonetheless, it did something right... yes again, bringing me back home :)

I miss the mountains, I miss the long Climbs, I miss the long walk

    One of the best thing that happened to me is when i joined a Mountaineering Group. The love for nature, people and basically the love for long walk and conversation was really sufficed by this "wish I did it when I was younger" hobby. Cannot count how many did i ever climb. You will lost count when you are loving what you do. I miss those weekly climbs. Straight from work, we will assemble and populate the unsuspected Bus Shuttle! We are just loud and so excited every weekends that came. :)

Baguio I miss You

Baguio I miss You

      Baguio is to me my second Home, Though its not the best place to be for crowded

Another Reality Check... Minus the Red Ballpen

Another Reality Check... minus the red ballpen

     Its been 5 months, 28 days, 7 hours and 58 minutes since i landed in Singapore. and It's been 6 months, 10 days, 8 hours and 13 minutes since i left my last work in the Philippines. And So?
     Yup, i am still a BUM. Though I am now expecting a work to commence a month from now, but still I'll be a BUM for another month. hahaha!
     I never came to that WORSE Scenario, yes this is not yet the worse, Knet's 9 months still the worse record i suppose. But i guess for many this long will be BIG. Many wonder how i keep my cool despite this. My only answer, I dream not to fail :) Nonetheless However long it took me, i still knocked one down :)

To My Mom, My one and only Mom

No A B C to write

No words to say
No blogs to read and write

No social networking

No Tweet and Turn

No Mountains to Climb
No Nike and the great running  

No Roads to travel

No Cities to Visit

No Pools and Beaches to Swim in

No PS3, PSP, DS to play with

No Laptop and the Internet

No TVs and great Shows to Watch 

No Movies to look forward to

No Milo and great Breakfast

No Leche Flan and food to indulge

No Friends to talk to and meet with

No great conversation that keeps the world go round

No Pencils and Drawing Boards

No Masterpieces to be in awe at

No Science, Math and History classes which i really failed at

No Girls... hahaha!

No News to get excited but something feel dull about

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No Dreams to Push 

No Friends to share my life with

No Early mornings Like this thanking you for bringing me to this world

Singapore, the land of the rising Filipinos

Singapore, the land of the rising Filipinos
by Pilosopong Balot

     Yup, unofficially, I am now a Singapore's MOM and ICA technical support. Hahaha. I'll be accurate as possible and will include personal accounts that will help you find your way going in Singapore for your dream JOB.

Preparation before embarking into the wilds of Singapore

1. Self Check. Do you really want to do this? are you mentally prepared? emotionally prepared? Si your family prepared for this? Are you willign to sacrifice everything for a better salary, a better compensation or a better environment...You got no traffic jam, Public transport is fluidly integrated with BUS system from MRT/LRT, Clean and Comfy and you are assured that your secured whether you are at home are walking alone in the middle of the night. 

2. Passport. Check your passport. Do you have one? I hope you do have one. One thing for sure, you cannot enter any country without holding a passport. So better HAVE one.
    a. The next thing you need to check is the validity of your passport, you need to have atleast 1 year, but better have more than a year left before the expiration date. Actually had issue with this, though i renewed my passport before hand here in Singapore, unfortunately, the released was delayed. So better secure a new one before going in Singpore to remove this possibility.


3.Finances. Are you planning to fly soon? do have money with you? Money is essential anywhere you go, especially when you quit your current work and all the money is going out. People recommends to me to save at least 6x of your salary or 120k(plus the plane ticket). oohhh, that's a lot of money, how come? Let me  explain, You are away from home, and worse for worse if it took you long to find work then you'll be running out of Gas. So better have something on your pocket, the more the merrier. So this pocket money covers rent, monthly dues(PUB-utility bills), Food, Tranportation, Newspaper, Gala (from time to time your need to unwind when the going is not going).

4. Documents. Have you gathered your documents needed for your applications? What do you need to prepare:(Originals)
a. Transcript of Records(TOR) 
b. Certificate of Graduation(DIPLOMA) 
c. Work Certificates
d. Training Certificates(though not necessarily needed, might help in defending your qualifications)
e. Passport. Also have scanned image of all those documents. For schools which are not in the MOM list
(http://sat.mom.gov.sg/), might as well prepare Authenticated copies of your Transcript of Records and Diploma at your school.
f. MISC, always have your USB thumb stick with you which contains scanned copies of the above documents( a,b,c,d,e)

EPEC(Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate)

      So what is EPEC? It's a certificate which can be acquired from MOM itself. Holder of this certificate can acquire a Long Term Visa Pass(LTVP-1 year visit pass). This is essential as you wont be needing to go in and out or apply for an extension of your VISA(N.B. upon arrival, visitors from ASEAN countries is granted only with 30 days VISA). So having EPEC with you will extend your stay to another 1 year after Applyig for LTVP.

      So whats the Criteria to have EPEC?  So Basically this certificates is a based on the Applicants Educational Qualifications. Your School should be listed on this MOM List (http://sat.mom.gov.sg/) before you proceed, otherwise, you can still apply for one but unlikely it will be approved. But still try, the list might not be updated. So push your luck :) 

Upon agreeing on the link, this page will load. You can check if your
school is listed, Just fill the Country of Awarding Body and the List
of School Qualified for EPEC will be shown via the Drop Down List.

Running under the Rain

Running Under the Rain
by Pilosopong Balot

2011/04/05

     I woke up when my brother got back from work, I was in the airport earlier with my friend Aynah. I should be resting and doing something and Watching NBA. But then again, i am outside fetching people TO and FROM the airport. It's not that i am not fond of it, but sometimes its getting, weel, getting on things i wish to do. Nonetheless, i still keep things going... Hahaha.
    I woke up not knowing its raining outside, wear my running gear and there i set outside. Yup its raining a bit and i am all green for a run. The rain was not that bad and the air is really chilling, i am not going back, i am moving forward.
    I need to finish 5 laps of my usual running circle its a 10 minute, 1.5km long lap. I wish i could do 6 but my knee won't let me do it. I can't run more than 10km anymore or it will break on me. I was thinking to write this blog while running, i wish there is this computer is reading sensor strapped somewhere near your head and can figure out what your thinking and write it down and transmitted 5km from you. That is such an invention that i need to have because i have so many songs written in thin air that i composed while walking, waiting for a bus or even in sleep which when i remember that i need to jot down when it was all gone.
   First and the last lap is baddest part during lapping. Its like an engine, you need to accelerate, let things going until you peak the speed you are comfortable with... 2nd, 3rd and 4th is a breeze as you still got everything with you, the energy the enthusiasm and less the spasm. The 5th one is scary, its like your knee will give in to oblivion. Its like knees will tear apart while finishing the lap. I always slows down a bit when it felt that way. I won't screw things up and cannot run anymore... as what i always say, "there's always tomorrow for everythng... chill out"
    First lap: Yup rain pouring, cold air breezing. Its like childhood again. All i need is soap to get bubbly. Memories of Bathing under the raging rain. I love it. I missed it. Well i wonder if its ok to wash here under the Rain or you'll end up taking a fine. So many things popping around me, Pinatubo, Rainy days i walked or rather swim while going home. Rushing to clear the leaves from the roof gutters, seeing roofs flies, dog barks while seeing a roof flies... hehehe.
    Second Lap, I am thinking about my work pass and my passport. i'll be going to the emba...