Only 150 OEC applications will be accepted at the Embassy’s OEC extension service at Lucky Plaza on the above dates, and will be processed according to the following schedule:

Application Nos. 001-075: 9:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
Application Nos. 076-150: 1:30 P.M. onwards

Likewise, on the above dates, only 800 OEC queue numbers and 400 OWWA queue numbers will be issued at the Embassy, and will be processed according to the following schedule:

Queue Nos. 001-200: 9:00 A.M. to 10:30 P.M.
Queue Nos. 201-400: 10:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
Queue Nos. 401-600: 1:30 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.
Queue Nos. 601-800: 3:00 P.M. onwards

Applicants without queue numbers, or with queue numbers that are not yet scheduled for processing, will be restricted from entering the Embassy to prevent overcrowding. The Embassy reminds applicants to refrain from bringing companions, to avoid further congestion of its public waiting areas. The Embassy reserves the right to restrict the entry of non-applicants.

To further facilitate the speedy processing of OECs, applicants are reminded to ensure that their documentary requirements are complete and in order. The list of requirements for OWWA membership and OECs are available at http://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg/labor/owwa/ and http://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg/labor/oec/ respectively. The necessary forms may be downloaded and printed out ahead of time from http://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg/forms/ under “Labor Forms”.

In order to avoid inconvenience in obtaining necessary documents during peak travel periods such as Chinese New Year, applicants are strongly encouraged to schedule their visits to the Embassy from Monday to Thursday and in advance of their planned travel dates.

Applications for passport renewal received from Monday, 30 January 2012 onwards will be processed and ready for release in four (4) weeks, instead of the current six (6) weeks.

All Filipinos are reminded that a passport with at least six (6) months’ validity is a standard requirement for international travel.

Filipinos in Singapore, therefore, are encouraged to renew their passports early to avoid inconvenience. The Embassy will not collect or cancel a passport applicant’s current passport until his new passport has been released.

For information on the procedure and requirements for scheduling an appointment for passport renewal, please visit http://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg/consular/passport/ application-renewal/.

The appeal was made by the humanitarian community in the Philippines, composed of United Nations specialized agencies, international organizations and development partners, together with the Philippine Government.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario has requested Philippine Embassies and Consulates General around the world to inform their host governments of the flash appeal, which seeks to address the needs of 471,000 persons in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City affected by Sendong for the next three months.  The appeal amounts to US$28,576,819.

The flash appeal is based upon a rapid-needs assessment conducted by the Philippine Government, in cooperation with the Philippine humanitarian community led by Humanitarian Coordinator, who is also the UN Resident Coordinator in the Philippines.  It will be revised in six weeks to reflect ongoing assessments and evolving humanitarian needs.

It calls for urgent assistance in the following: (1) non-food items and shelter, such as kitchen utensils, blankets, sleeping mats, jerry cans, clothing including underwear; (2) temporary shelters; (3) water, hygiene and sanitation items (WASH), including soap, hygiene kits and latrines, and (4) food, preferably ready-to-eat and with appropriate nutritional content, not requiring water for cooking.

Other needs identified are clearing of debris, medical supplies, psycho-social support and livelihood support.

The flash appeal is more formally known as the Emergency Revision of the 2012 Humanitarian Action Plan (HAP).  The 2012 HAP for Mindanao was launched last December 12 and appealed for assistance in the amount of US$37,912,468, primarily focused on Central Mindanao and the humanitarian needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The Emergency Revision is an additional request for funding to address the humanitarian needs of those affected by Sendong.

As of 0600hrs on 20 December 2011, there are 957 dead, 1,582 injured, 49 missing, and 432 rescued/survivors, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

The total number of population affected is 338,415 persons in 260 barangays across Regions VI, VII, IX, X, XI, CARAGA. Of these, a total of 284,610 persons are currently being served inside and outside evacuation centers.

We encourage those from the Filipino community in Singapore who would like to help to support the various fundraising campaigns and donation drives spearheaded by charity organizations like the Philippine Red Cross and Gawad Kalinga, among others.

Those who wish to donate through Philippine government agencies may do so through the NDRRMC or the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD):

Meanwhile, we also take this opportunity to remid those from the international community who would like to provide assistance, of the Guidelines for Foreign Donations, which may be accessed through the Department of Foreign Affairs website: http://dfa.gov.ph/main/images/Donation%202011%20-%20for%20website.pdf

Let us rally around those affected by this tragedy and help them overcome their loss, while finding a deeper meaning to this season of giving.

Clients with queries are advised to send an e-mail to php@pacific.net.sg with their name, contact number and specific query. Queries will be responded to within one to three working days.

Filipinos in distress requiring urgent and immediate assistance are advised to text or call the Embassy’s emergency hotline, +65.9072.2797.

Please be guided accordingly.

Christmas allows us to remember – the birth of Christ with its message of love and hope, the journey of Mary and Joseph and its story of humility and sacrifice, the Magi’s quest and its lesson in faith and courage.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is one with the entire nation and Filipinos all over the world in celebrating this wondrous occasion.

The passing year rained extraordinary challenges.  Succeeding waves of high-impact global events, from the Arab Spring to the economic and debt crisis, and the Philippines’ adept response, underscore our resilience as a nation.

In the spirit of genuine public service, the men and women of the Department marched through the storms with dedication, commitment, and fortitude.  Looking back, we see how much we have achieved by being true to our duties and responsibilities.  Throughout the year, we remained steadfast, hopeful and optimistic with the victories we gained.

To everyone in the Department, each step we take forward is the perfect opportunity to do more, serve better, and reach beyond our grasp.

Together with all Department personnel in the Home Office, Regional Consular Offices, embassies, consulates, and missions abroad, I wish every Filipino peace and prosperity.

May the spirit of Christmas further unite our nation and may our collective faith as a people usher in a brighter future.

The Embassy’s contact numbers for consular and labor services are as follows:

Telephone queries regarding passport collection will not be entertained. Should you require early release of your passport, kindly send an email to php@pacific.net.sg (Subject: Early Passport Collection) with the following details:

Name of Applicant: (Last Name, First Name, Middle Name)
Date Filed:
Mobile Phone #:

Alternatively, consular queries may also be submitted to php@pacific.net.sg. Should you have concerns that require further consultation with a consular official, kindly include your full name and you mobile phone number in your email.

Please be guided accordingly.

The talk was followed by a performance by Medalla and his collaborator, Berlin-based artist and independent curator Adam Nankervis, entitled “Listen to the Sonar Trees.” The performance involved audience participation and drew many eager volunteers, including Ambassador Minda Calaguian Cruz, wife of former Philippine Finance Secretary Mrs Kim Camacho, and artist and internationally syndicated cartoonist Prudencio “Dengcoy” Miel, among others.

After the performance, Ambassador Cruz announced the official launch of The Pocket Arts Guide (TPAG), a monthly publication that lists arts-related events in Singapore and provides insights into the local arts scene. Mr Remo Notarianni, editor-in-chief, gave a background about the TPAG and its thrust, and publisher Ms Jennifer Soen presented a copy of the November issue, which features Philippine Art Trek and David Medalla, to the Ambassador.

On 4 November, the second part of the Philippine Embassy-NUS Museum collaboration brought together Filipino artist and one-time Singapore resident Jose Tence “Bogie” Ruiz, together with his Singaporean counterparts Amanda Heng and Lee Wen, both recipients of the Cultural Medallion, in a conversation entitled ‘Sites of Practice: Performance Art Here & Abroad.’

Art historian T.K. Sabapathy discussed the development of performance art in Indonesia and Malaysia in his opening remarks, including its prohibition in Singapore, before handing over the floor to Associate Professor Kwok Kian Woon from the Nanyang Technological University, to moderate the panel discussion with the three artists. Heng and Lee Wen then elaborated on their respective bodies of work, while Ruiz presented an index of performance art practitioners in the Philippines.

After a spirited open forum, the gathering was treated to an art performance by Ruiz entitled “Ago.” Draped from head to toe in a heavy red hooded robe, he wrote the words ‘Ago’ and ‘Ever’ on blank sheets of paper that he then folded into paper planes. Some of the paper planes were sent flying towards the audience, some were torn up, while the last was tied to the end of the string holding a white balloon. Ruiz proceeded to swallow the paper plane bit by bit until what was left of it was light enough to allow the balloon to float free.

Videos and images of Medalla’s lecture and performance, the panel discussion, and Ruiz’ performance, as well as the other Art Trek events, may be viewed on Art Trek’s Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/arttrekPH.

Art Trek has showcased the works of more than 200 Filipino artists in Singapore since 2007, helping to deepen the cultural interaction and friendship between the Philippines and Singapore.

The highlight and culmination of their visit to Singapore was a thanksgiving and goodwill concert organized by the Philippine Embassy in cooperation with VIVA Foundation for Children with Cancer on the afternoon of 13 November at the Shangri-La Hotel Island Ballroom. Around 300 guests representing the Singapore government, the diplomatic corps, the business community, the Filipino community and other partners and friends of the Embassy and of VIVA Foundation attended the performance.

With angel’s voices, the Loboc Children’s Choir delighted the audience with a repertoire of 22 songs, ranging from solemn Latin mass songs like Sanctus and Ave Maria to touching Filipino classics like Mutya ng Pasig and Ugoy ng Duyan, to popular movie themes such as Nella Fantasia and Sister Act Medley. Psalmideo Chorale, composed of Singapore-based Filipino professionals, presented two songs, the William Tell Overture and Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas, during the intermission.

“Music is said to be the universal language,” Ambassador Cruz said in her opening remarks at the concert. “It is also a language that we Filipinos are very comfortable communicating in.” She and Mrs Jennifer Yeo, director of VIVA Foundation, thanked the children for the precious gift of their music in thanksgiving for the generous supporters of the foundation’s project in conjunction with St. Jude’s Research Hospital for Children, to aid children suffering from retinoblastoma in Southern Philippines.

The children concluded their performance with Mo Li Hua, in honor of Madam Kay Kuok of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and VIVA Foundation Singapore, who sponsored the group’s stay at Traders Hotel, Singapore as well as the concert venue. The members of Psalmideo Chorale then gave a rose to each of the children while Ambassador Cruz presented a bouquet to Ms Taldo.

On 11 November, the children brought joy to patients of the KK Women and Children’s Hospital, by rendering well-known children’s songs for them such as Get On Board and Swinging on a Star, as well as Filipino folk songs like Leron-Leron Sinta. They also surprised the staff of KK Hospital with a rendition of the Chinese folk song Mo Li Hua and the Chinese-language version of It’s a Small World.

The following day, 12 November, the children were treated to a visit to Universal Studios Singapore, sponsored by friends of the Embassy. In the evening, they attended the Saturday evening Filipino mass at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Tampines, where they performed a few songs during the mass and the subsequent community fellowship, such as The Prayer and Salve Regina.

Singapore was the eighth country on the LCC’s itinerary, after Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, France and Spain, where they competed and won third prize in the Children’s Choir category of the prestigious Certamen Coral de Tolosa or Tolosa International Choral Competition, from a field of 19 competitors.

LCC’s successful visit to Singapore was made possible by Shangri-La Hotel, Traders Hotel, Down Town Travel Services, Motor Image Enterprises, i-Remit International Singapore, Metro Remittance, Philippine National Bank Singapore, Bonifacio Restaurant, Tapa King, Filipino Fiesta, Liwayway Marketing Corporation, the Local Government of Bohol Province and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

The FSO Exams will be held on the following dates:

All parts of the examination will be conducted in the Philippines.

Applicants must meet the following basic criteria:

• Filipino citizen;
• Less than thirty-five (35) years of age on 19 February 2012; and
• In possession of a four (4) year bachelor’s degree.

The list of additional requirements and the application form for the examination may be downloaded from http://dfa.gov.ph/main/index.php/downloads/cat_view/87-bfse-docs.

Those interested may submit their duly accomplished application forms, together with all necessary supporting documents, in person at Window 1 of the Embassy no later than 5:00 pm on Thursday, 5 January 2012. Application forms may also be sumitted in person to the DFA Main Office until 5:00 pm on Friday, 13 January 2012.

Applications will not be accepted beyond the set deadline.