Romulo Alipio Jr

A day in my life

1. 6.00 am

   Up before dawn. I watch the news on television then get back in bed for a power nap. Yeah, it’s a weird habit, but one I’ve had since way back. It’s a good thing the free-to-air television channels are on at this time.

2. 6.45 am

   Sun’s up! I pop on my headphones and bang out a quick riff on the electronic drum set. A shower, then a browse through e-mail while my hair dries.

3. 7.55 am

   Out the door, not a minute earlier or later. The train is so reliable I know I’ll be at the office door in exactly 30 minutes.

4. 10.30 am

   Just off the phone with my business partner in Germany. It can get challenging arranging conference calls across different time zones, but this is a global economy after all. I’m a people person – I love catching up with these folks from all over!

5. 11.00 am

   After the non-stop calls this morning it’s time for a break with the Nintendo Wii in the pantry. It’s an even better pick-me-up than the great coffee we’ve got there. Then it’s back to putting out the latest status updates on the intranet.

6. 12.00 pm

   An advisor from the Filipino Overseas Workers in Singapore (FOWS) at the Philippine Embassy calls to ask if I can teach a computer class this Sunday. I’m a substitute teacher there. It’s my pleasure to accept, especially knowing there’ll be a lot of eager students waiting!

7. 1.30 pm

   My colleagues and I catch the train to Somerset Park for a late lunch. I’ve introduced them to Filipino cuisine at Mang Kikos there – man, their liempo tastes just like it does back home – who’d get homesick here?

8. 4.00 pm

   A friend at a mobile games publisher drops in unexpectedly and I have to give an impromptu presentation. It’s nerve wracking but turns out well; I think we’ve got a good chance of securing this contract.

9. 6.00 pm

   I head to Aljunied to meet my girlfriend Jam and band mates for practice. Dinner first – something about being surrounded by all that good food in Singapore has rubbed off on me; I’m awed by the incredible variety available and am determined to try everything at least once. Hokkien mee, anyone?

10. 7.30 pm

    Swee Lee’s our regular rehearsal studio, cheap at SGD 10 per hour for a fully-equipped room. We make full use of our 2.5-hour session. Learning how to play the drums after coming to Singapore is like a dream come true for me. It’s also through music that I met Jam, who sings!

11. 10.30 pm

    Supper at Serangoon Gardens. There are so many hang-out spots here that we chill at a different pub or eatery every week.

12. 12.00 am

    I end the night watching Discovery Travel & Living. Since living here, I’ve gotten addicted to food programmes, like Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations. Like I said, the food obsession has rubbed off on me! Nothing wrong with that, as long as the waistline doesn’t complain...