Alvin Dimalanta’s family has considered Singapore as their home since arriving from the Philippines many years ago.
Alvin, his wife and two children took their love for the city-state to a whole new level by taking an oath to become its citizens on August 31. The Dimalanta family is among the 149 people granted with Singaporean citizenship.
The Dimalanta patriarch worked as a regional head of IT operations for a Dutch bank.
“It’s a new chapter and a choice and commitment that we have made to make Singapore our today and also tomorrow,” Alvin said.
Alvin’s wife came to Singapore 20 years ago. Their two children born and raised in the city.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong have the citizenship certificates at the annual National Citizenship Ceremony on August 31.
“Like you, all our ancestors came from distant lands. Eventually, they made the same fateful decision, as you have, to sink roots here and make Singapore their home,” the Prime Minister said.
He added that citizenship is a personal and deep commitment.
“Being a Singaporean is not a matter of ancestry. It is conviction and choice,” PM lee said.
There are more than 160,000 Filipinos in Singapore since 2013.
