Hey everyone,
I’ve been ruminating over this for quite some time now. I wanted to showcase Singapore to my kababayans (fellow countrymen, in Tagalog) and what better way to do this than to answer the Ten questions most Filipinos ask when they travel to Singapore.
I’m going to answer your questions from the time you’re planning your trip to actually being here already, please read on.
Question # 10: “Gio, How many days do I need to visit Singapore to see the local attractions comfortably?”
>> I would advocate spending at least 1 day for each hour you’ve flown to your destination so it’s more sulit (worthwhile). Singapore is not an exception, so if you’re coming from Manila which is about 3 hours and 40 minutes by flight I would recommend you spend three days and two nights or four days and 3 nights.
Question # 9: “Hey Gio, when is the best time to go there?”
>> There are plenty of flights between Manila and Singapore scheduled daily. You’re welcome to come all year round but I reckon, the best time will be in the first three weeks of January as it’s when it’s the breeziest and the coolest. Other times will just be plainly hot and humid, or wet and gray.
Question # 8: “Singapore’s consistently ranked as one of the most expensive places to live in. How much do I need to budget to get there?
>> I can’t deny that Singapore’s can really be expensive to live in, that’s another topic that I may discuss in the future. If you do come here, just book your accommodation and flight and set aside about SGD30.00 per person for your food and public transport. Attractions and shopping costs could vary depending on your lifestyle. You can check most attractions’ prices online anyway. Sometimes it’s cheaper online but I’d suggest you just get them once you’re in the place already.
If you’re like me who prefers to walk around places and buy food in the grocery store when I travel, SGD30.00 per person per day will already go a long way as a tourist.
Question # 7: “Gio, do we need to exchange our money for Singapore Dollars?”
>> The answer is, yes you have to.
I used to work in a restaurant in Singapore’s shopping belt and I can tell you it’s common to receive USD or EUR for cash payments but we can’t accept them unless if the staff has enough money to pay on your behalf.
What I’d advise you to do is exchange some Singapore Dollars at the airport and head to Lucky Plaza later on for more favourable rates.
Question # 6: “Can we bring in balut, hotdog, lechon (meat products) as well as cigarettes and alcohol?”
>> As for meat products, you shouldn’t bring them in if it’s manufactured in the Philippines. People can only bring meat products from approved countries of which The Philippines isn’t a source country. If you get caught just like I did many years ago trying to bring in balut, the customs officer will gladly ask you to throw it out. I didn’t do it again.
As for cigarettes, you cannot bring them in if you purchased them from other countries. I’m sure they’ll make concessions if it’s an opened pack but otherwise, they’ll ask you to throw it at the customs checkpoint or worse, fine you heavily for trying to smuggle it in.
As for the alcoholic products and spirits, which is really pricey in Singapore, you can bring some subject to a limited quantity.
Don’t mess with our law, we’ll welcome you but we’ll hand you a fine if you misbehave!
Question # 5: “Do we need to bring any show money at checkpoints in Singapore?”
>> I’ve never heard it become a requirement because technically if you were to show money to the authorities, it can be taken as bribery. But certainly if you’re travelling you’re bound to have some cash on you so just bring a reasonable amount for your stay along with a credit card and an ATM card which is accessible to you while you’re travelling. What year is it now? If the need arises you could log in online using your phone to show your bank account balance already.
Question # 4: “I have relatives in there, do I need an invitation letter from them?”
>> It’s not required by the immigration officers in Singapore but you might need it to get out of The Philippines along with your relative’s OWWA or OEC Certificate. However, it’s a good idea to have something tangible to hold on to with your relative’s residential address, name, ID and contact details in one paper. Just get it if it doesn’t cost you!
Question # 3: “Gio, I’m only transiting through Singapore. Could I get through the immigration just to see Jewel and the Rain Vortex?”
>> As long as you comply with the immigration requirements (Fill up the SG Arrival Card Here), you can go through the immigration and check out Jewel and the Rain Vortex!
I’d recommend you do so with at least about 3 hours in between flights though because of security checks and if you’re switching terminals, do take note of ways to get from one to another because we have four. Oh, and make sure you have your alarm set to get back to the immigration an hour before your outbound flight. The place is so huge that people either lose track of time when they’re there or literally get lost in there. It’s like Jumanji! I already know two groups of guests get left behind. Do not be the next one!
Question # 2: “Gio, my friends want me to buy chewing gum for them. Will I go to jail for it?”
>> Ok, let me get this straight. You are allowed to bring chewing gum into Singapore. You will not be fined nor go to jail for bringing it in as long as they’re a reasonable amount.
You’ll only be fined or go to jail if you either do one or a combination of these things:
1. Import and Sell them in Singapore.
2. If you do not dispose of them properly which constitutes littering.
3. If you have vandalized public property with them.
Fun fact: I think Singapore’s school tables are one of the cleanest in the world because not all of them would have chewing gum stuck under lol.
And finally, Question # 1: “Giooooo, can I go to Malaysia even just for a day?”
>> So you’ll have the Malaysian stamp, is that right? Yes, by all means!
What I would advise you though is to go there 7 days before flying out of Singapore. I hear the immigration officers only stamp a 7-day social visit pass visa if the visitor arrives via the land borders from Malaysia.
If this isn’t an option such as for instance you’re part of a bigger group that organized the day trip to Johor Bahru, Malaysia (Hello, Legoland!), just bring your air ticket/booking to depart from Singapore so you can explain your situation more clearly to the immigration officer and ask for a longer validity of social visit pass.
I hope you guys are having a lovely day and time reading this.
Do subscribe to my YouTube channel as well for updates. I may be explaining things rather differently on video than write them down on here.
🖖🖖
Gio
Gio Gomez 
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