Embassy of the Philippines Singapore

Finding the Embassy of the Philippines in Singapore is a bit tricky. It's not easily accessible by bus, but it is around Orchard area.

Article 2 – The Elusive Embassy of the Philippines

(This article is not about the Embassy, if I offend anyone, let me apologize, that’s just my nature. This is a guide on how to find the Embassy of the Philippines in Singapore).


You’re now in Singapore.. found a job or just a tourist.. then suddenly you lost your passport or its time for you to get that OWWA and OEC!

Where the heck is the Embassy?!? And how do you go to the Embassy of the Philippines here in this tiny Singapore!

Going to the Embassy of the Philippines can prove difficult (specially if your navigationally challenged), even some cabbies don’t know how to go there (or maybe that was just me 10 years ago). Situated at 20 Nassim Road, it’s a regular looking building (cough: house), on a road filled with expatriates and other cool looking condos and embassies.

According to gothere.sg it’s right here:

*Note: You can click and use this map and use it interactively


The Embassy is on that T-junction of Nassim Road.

Get on with it! How do I go there?

Ok, you can use that interactive map for driving directions, bus routes etc.

But for me, who has survived on the humble farecard.. oops meant EZ-Link card these are my ways:

1. Cheapest way, but involves a lot of walking and time too.. Not good if you’re in a hurry (or lazy!)

From Orchard MRT, exit to Orchard Road. When you go up the escalator turn left (towards Wheelock Place, Wisma Atria should be on your right, or Ion should be above you). Keep walking in that direction until you see Orchard Parade Hotel (its past the Hilton). This is about 600 meters, 8 minute walk.

When you reach Orchard Parade Hotel, you should be able to sight Nassim Road on the opposite side of the road. Cross over and start walking up Nassim Road. You will see the cool looking condos, the dilapidated Embassy of Saudi Arabia, the futuristic Japan Embassy, and finally, a lone sign that says -----> Embassy of the Philippines. This is a 1km – 10 minute walk.


View Larger Map

2. Take bus to the nearest bus stop. (This depends on where you are coming from)

The nearest nearest one is:
Opposite British Council, Napier Road.
Buses at this stop:
7, 36, 77, 105, 106, 111, 123, 132, 174

Bus stop number: 09159

From this bus stop, just walk towards Nassim Road and turn left.




You can find more information about the Embassy here:

http://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg


If you really really cannot find it, then you’re probably in the twilight zone!

The Humble Ez-Link Card

Article 1 – The EZ-LINK card.

Welcome to the tiny island of Singapore. An island which spans about 50 kilometers from the Airport to Tuas (East to West). Singapore offers one of the world’s most efficient public transportation system – bus, mrt, lrt and taxi. Bus being the cheapest way to get around, and taxi the fastest and most expensive way to get around!

You will probably be using the bus and mrt most of the time. First thing you need to get is an “ez-link card”. No, people don’t just magically tap their wallets and they’re able to get through the MRT. There’s a thing called Ez-Link card, and by definition its “a contactless stored value ticket for use on the MRT, LRT and the buses”.

How does it look like?
Front - Back



Where to get an Ez-link card?
You can buy it at Transitlink Ticket Offices or Passenger Services Center (Read: MRT stations with those ticket offices or Bus interchanges)

How much is it?
You have to shell out $15, the card is $5 (non-refundable) and $10 will be the value inside the card. Take note, if the value remaining is low (less than $3), you won’t be able to get into the MRT and you will have to top up.

Top-up? What’s that?
Singapore lingo for load (eg: Kelangan ko ng lagyan ng load ang ez-link ko – I need to top-up my ez-link). Minimum top-up is $10, max is $100. You can top-up with those automatic ticketing machines (only use exact change or NETS) or you can go to the passenger service center (those actual people) to top-up and they do give change if you have a large bill.


So I got an ez-link, now what?
No. 1 Rule – Tap in, Tap out. At the MRT, look at the arrows! You might be tapping at the wrong gate if the barrier won’t open for you. When taking the bus, ALWAYS board at the front of the bus and TAP IN! When you reach your destination, you can exit either in front or back door of the bus. DON’T FORGET TO TAP OUT! If you don’t tap out on the bus your ez-link will be deducted the maximum fare (eg: $2.60 instead of $0.69 only).

Tap-in, tap-out – WHAT and WHERE?!
Ok here’s what the reader on the bus looks like:


On the MRT:


And so that’s it, now you have an ez-link card, you should be able to get from one place to another (for as long as you ez-link has money in it). Stay tuned to my next post on how to get around Singapore!

Goodluck!

Side note: If you are still holding the old ez-link card, it will only be valid until September 30, 2009!! You can get replacement for free from any Transitlink Ticket Offices, Post Office, roving chuva.. read more here: http://www.ezlink.com.sg/corporate/corp_2009.5.jsp

Further reading: http://www.ezlink.com.sg/index.jsp

Ranting Chel

I have a new blog! I didn't want to mix non-psp stuff with my other blog. So tada!

Let me think of what I can put here hehe... mostly on Singapore living, Singapore lifestyle, getting around and stuff like that =)

So ciao for now!