Skip to main content

COVID-19 vs Culture Series: Who will win? The Singapore Experience

By Thereze-Lou Sison 

Information Security Officer 

 

I’ve been in Singapore for 5 years and 5 months. I wanted to express myself in Asia-Pacific’s main hub of technology. Other than that, I ended up here because my love life turned out to be a failed relationship, but I was then awarded with a good career here in Singapore. Everything happens for a reason.  

As an Information Security Officer, I design and enforce policies and procedures that protect our organization's computing infrastructure from all forms of security breaches. I’m also responsible for managing risks, identifying vulnerabilities and implementing mitigation controls ensuring that our network and data remains secure from any cyber-attacks. 

The Situation in Singapore 

When the pandemic started sweeping the world, panic buying also became a trend here in Singapore. Racks were literally empty! I went to the grocery at 9 AM and ended up at the payment counter after 2 hours as expected, there was a long queue! The Singaporean government and people prioritize contact tracing. The method of contact tracing here is a top-notch and innovative effort of the Singaporean government. They developed the Trace together app or token, where QR Codes must be scanned before entering malls, the MTR, buildings, etc. in order to keep track of whoever comes in and goes out. Masks are also mandatory. If you get caught without a mask, you’d be fined on the spot with 300 SD. Even worse, for OFWs or expats, you’d get your employment visa revoked and would be on one of the repatriation flights back to your home country.

Thereze lou sison

The social restrictions are also very strict: no gatherings or visiting other houses. When you get caught in another house (not your registered home address with the government records), you’d be fined. Working from home was also strictly imposed. I’m also sad to hear that there are many Filipinos that lost their jobs due to the pandemic. There are flights once a week to Manila that are only dedicated for repatriated OFWs. There also aren’t any incoming or outgoing flights for tourists. 

Luckily, in my work, there were only a few changes since I work in IT Security, which is vital to every company. Even so, we’re provided with new perks: Grab for Business (to and from home to office cab paid by the company), Udemy for Business (unlimited online courses paid by my company), additional allowance for COVID assistance, and a Flexi-fund to claim anything under utility expenses, insurance, gadgets, etc. 

Accentuating the positives 

Despite the many changes the pandemic has brought in our lives, on the bright side, now is a perfect time to hone skills, learn new things, and invest in studying. Wearing masks all the time has also saved me from buying even more makeup kits, so I get to save money that way! 

Socially, now, I also never get to meet more than 5 colleagues at restaurants or bars. And in spite of restrictions, I’m learning to become more generous towards people due to our shared struggles. I’ve also found myself spiritually becoming closer to God, and I am hoping and praying COVID would be over since a lot of people are not capable of surviving due to poverty.

For me, aside from working and studying, I’m also improving my gaming skills on-Call-of-Duty mobile. I also get rid to stress through playing drums, piano, and guitar. Unwinding also includes enjoying cold beer and chilled wine in the comfort of my home. Even though times are tough now, I’ve decided that the pandemic wouldn’t triumph over me. I am still focused on learning more. I am still determined in every aspect in life and keeping an optimistic view.  

Thereze lou sison

About the author 

Thereze-Lou Sison has a specialist post-graduate diploma in Information Security and Digital Forensics from Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore and has worked with companies such as Smart Telecoms, Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, and ING Bank Singapore. She is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Information Systems at the University of the Philippines Open University.