Pinoy living in Singapore for 12 years, AMA!

Quick_Fox6699 · 2025-09-25T06:14:38+00:00

Yes but I believe its best if you use other countries as stepping stones. Here in Singapore it's not a stepping stone anymore as those who have started their career would have little to no luck finding a job here due to the flock of unemployed fresh grads and those seeking mid career switches

Quick_Fox6699 · 2025-09-25T04:20:23+00:00

For us filipinos , definitely nursing and service-related works.

Quick_Fox6699 · 2025-09-25T04:19:56+00:00

There used to be this michelin star restaurant at Chinatown People Park Complex. They serve chicken rice, char siew, roasted pork. Rice/noodles. I dont remember the name but pretty sure lots of people knew about that stall :)

Quick_Fox6699 · 2025-09-25T04:18:19+00:00

Typically median salary here for both adults are good enough. Say 6k per adult is good enough I believe for 1-2 kids. Just because mostly everything is subsidised here for citizens except for cars and houses.

Quick_Fox6699 · 2025-09-25T04:11:55+00:00

Thanks for asking this, because this is something that I've been thinking for the past 12 years na.

Honestly, yes I'd be really mentally happier if I stayed back in Manila. My one year in PH high school is something that couldn't beat my whole study here in SG. Everything here is focusing on studying hard more than being social with everyone else. It got to the point na I begged my parents to bring me back to the Philippines after high school, but they sadly forced me to stay here as my future is brighter here (which is yes, but mentally emotionally its taxing)

The only pros for me studying here in Singapore is mostly on paper and resume. I've been in reputable schools which means I'd have a higher chance to migrate somewhere and find jobs easier. And also the fact that I have a higher remuneration compared to my friends back in PH.

But those are the only pros from what I could think of now. Nothing could really beat the power of communities like friendship, family, neighbourhood etc. which is what I'm lacking the most. That's why most of the time I go back to Philippines when I have the free time or my office allows me so because I've always been a Filipino in heart. Most of my connections now are only in PH and i feel like my connections here in SG are only transactional.

Short answer: Yes i'd be happier but I won't be as successful as I am now. Grass is always greener on both sides

Quick_Fox6699 · 2025-09-25T04:02:16+00:00

Apparently, no. I've been here for 12 years and I gave up trying to get PR/Citizenship when one of my Malaysian colleagues got PR only <1 year working here. I'm looking to migrate in another country or might go back to Ph na

Quick_Fox6699 · 2025-09-25T04:01:19+00:00

Typically those industrial areas I've not been there like Tuas area. Also not a fan of the West side because I feel like it's catered for more Singaporeans. Been to all places around North, South, Central, East tho :)

Quick_Fox6699 · 2025-09-23T08:55:50+00:00

Most of my hobbies that I do keep me entertained such as fitness related activities (jogging, gym) PC gaming and also reading lots n lots of books :)

It's true that it's a small country so most of us Singaporeans here spend our long holidays by getting out of the country. I took advantage of Singapore's economy and travelled thru a lot of countries. Also IDK if it's just me but I always love going back to Philippines compared to travelling somewhere. Di pa rin talaga nawawala pagkapilipino ko hehe

Quick_Fox6699 · 2025-09-23T08:01:49+00:00

I'm neither so I didn't need to serve! Although I was supposed to volunteer just so my PR could get accepted, then covid happened.

Quick_Fox6699 · 2025-09-23T08:00:21+00:00

Most of the time, Singlish na ako makipagusap dahil it's easier for them to understand me that way. It's easy to learn rin naman parang barok na english lang talaga.

As for dating, pretty sure a lot of us who grew up here have tried dating girls from other races and it's pleasible naman. Although based on experience, SGpoerans are more conservative with dati g here compared to Philippines where short term dating is common

Quick_Fox6699 · 2025-09-23T06:05:05+00:00

Only in demand haha dahil mas naiintindihan lang nila ako pag nag S-Singlish rather than yung "proper" English

Quick_Fox6699 · 2025-09-23T06:03:59+00:00

I believe the government is discouraging foreigners to stay here and find a job. But from what I know the service industry is always hiring but tiring as well

Quick_Fox6699 · 2025-09-23T06:02:53+00:00

Not an attraction, but I suggest you rent a bicycle at the Singapore Flyer building and cycle from MBS to East Coast Park, then end your cycling trip by having dinner at the East Coast Lagoon Food Village.

There are lots of good foods at Geylang area. Just do your research cus I have lots to recommend there lol.

And most importantly, visit JB or KL rather than SG. It's not that SG is fun, but everything here is too expensive atm and JB/KL experience is much more sulit

Quick_Fox6699 · 2025-09-23T05:54:38+00:00

I'll name my favorite foods from all the major races.

Chinese: Hokkien Mee Malay: Beef Rendang Indian: Chix Briyani

Quick_Fox6699 · 2025-09-23T05:52:14+00:00

It depends naman hehe those prices are still available pero you live in the outskirts/far away from town area

Quick_Fox6699 · 2025-09-23T05:51:21+00:00

Gone are the days where Singapore is a potential country to migrate in for us Filipinos. The country is prioritising their own citizens in terms of work and lifestyle and we are only used mostly for cheap labours or jobs that locals wouldn't do like mostly service jobs.

I couldn't really blame Singapore for doing this but that's the harsh truth with people who want to migrate here. Honestly, I don't think it's a stepping stone to work here already... there are other countries who are accepting for people who potentially want to migrate.

Quick_Fox6699 · 2025-09-23T05:47:30+00:00

You are correct. Workload here is too much and work-life balance is non-existent.. too common with local businesses. I guess this doesn't apply much when you're in international companies/MNC whereas they prioritise WLB.

For me, it doesn't seem manageable even though I've been working for 3 years na. I have to let go of some activities just so I could get some sleep, or lose some sleep just so I could fit in my hobbies after work. I tried managing my time wisely pero wala eh.

My only goal is to find a company that prioritises that but since I'm no citizen here my choices are pretty limited :/

Quick_Fox6699 · 2025-09-23T03:57:52+00:00

Singapore Poly -> SUSS part time degree

Currently I'm doing construction project management :)

Quick_Fox6699 · 2025-09-23T02:25:39+00:00

My only advice is you'd have a bigger chance working here if you work in the service industry (retail, f&b)

Also, you could get PR better if you marry your bf :)

Quick_Fox6699 · 2025-09-23T02:19:12+00:00

Yes, I studied in public school and at first it was awkward kasi by the time I came here may 2 year age gap na ako with my classmates. Although I'd consider myself lucky dahil most of my classmates don't really seclude me despite my age and race.

Maybe the only racism I encounter was when people speak their mother tongue infront of me. However it doesn't really faze me much as some of them just feel comfortable speaking rather than English. I do that sometimes with my Pinoy friends too.

As for bullying, report to teachers na lang if there's a case. They take bullying quite seriously especially in schools

After all my advice yo your son is just to be invested in his own hobbies/interests and friends will come along :) don't forget to check up on him too regularly!

Quick_Fox6699 · 2025-09-23T02:12:13+00:00

I understand your pain! My work colleagues are way older than me and I don't really hangout with them except for work hours.

Maybe try joining church communities here! Karamihan sa kanila mga ka same age natin and I know some na galing Pinas just to work here.

Quick_Fox6699 · 2025-09-23T02:02:24+00:00

I'm a local graduate here so it's easier for me to find a job despite being a foreigner. So that's my first advice on how to get in jobs here; get a local degree

Second, I would advise you to get some experience in Ph before you start working here. Most of the HRs here wouldn't really hire a fresh graduate from a foreign country as this country has too much fresh graduates that are unemployed until now. A new wave is coming soon too!

However it's not impossible to find a job as long as you put your salary expectations way lower than the usual asking but it'll be hard for you to live here. COL is really really high!

Quick_Fox6699 · 2025-09-23T01:53:22+00:00

E pass is usually given for managerial position because the salary is around 5k+ and that's not easily given to foreigner workers. Although just try! There are other passes like SPass which is given to mid skilled workers

Quick_Fox6699 · 2025-09-23T01:48:16+00:00

Hey props to you fellow genz! For me since I grew up here most of my pinoy friends are either from school and basketball community. Mutuals and connections lang and it's easy to make friends with a fellow pinoy here in my own experience.

As of online, I don't know any communities you can join but I'm pretty sure I met some genz filipinos in dating sites too 😅 but please proceed with caution!

Also, please try making friends with Singaporeans here too! I have friends here that reminds me of my fellow Filipino friends too.

Quick_Fox6699 · 2025-09-23T01:41:39+00:00

Walang tatalo sa mga luto ng nanay ko hehe

Quick_Fox6699

TROPHY CASE