You plan to move to the Philippines? Wollen Sie auf den Philippinen leben?

There are REALLY TONS of websites telling us how, why, maybe why not and when you'll be able to move to the Philippines. I only love to tell and explain some things "between the lines". Enjoy reading, be informed, have fun and be entertained too!

Ja, es gibt tonnenweise Webseiten, die Ihnen sagen wie, warum, vielleicht warum nicht und wann Sie am besten auf die Philippinen auswandern könnten. Ich möchte Ihnen in Zukunft "zwischen den Zeilen" einige zusätzlichen Dinge berichten und erzählen. Viel Spass beim Lesen und Gute Unterhaltung!


Visitors of germanexpatinthephilippines/Besucher dieser Webseite.Ich liebe meine Flaggensammlung!

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Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Do You Love Philippine Soap Operas?

If you love them, then you might have another reason to watch TV in the Philippines.

ABS-CBN opened yesterday the pages of one of the most provocative stories to be ever told on television: Precious Hearts Romances presents HIYAS, starring the first team up of Zanjoe Marudo and Megan Young. this series marks the return of sought-after leading man Zanjoe in a soap opera and marks the first daring role to be portrayed on television by host-actress Megan. Joing the two are model-turned-actor Edward Mendez, and princess of Pinoy indie films, Mercedes Cabral.

HIYAS is being aired every day after "PBB Teen edition 4 UBER on ABS-CBN.

Be Again On Guard Against Dengue

The Philippines' weather bureau predicts the onset of the rainy season now. The usually rainy season is six months in the Philippines - from June to November each year. With rains comes flooding, along with threat of illnesses such as dengue fever.

We are all advised here to be vigilant against dengue, a perennial health problem, prevalent in tropical countries such the Philippines. Anyone can fall ill with dengue fever any time during the year but the number of patients increases during the raining season. The dengue-carrying mosquito  called AEDES AEGYPTI, which is black with white spots, lays eggs in clear waters found in flower vases, cans, bamboo husks, empty soft drink bottles, rain barrels, and old rubber tires. Left undetected and treated, dengue could lead to a number of complications.

An expert warned against a "secondary mosquito species - the AEDES ALBOPICTUS - as a possible dengue risk. The forest area at Mount Makiling in Laguna is said to be the natural habitat of this specie. The Department of Health is conducting further studies to validate the threat from this "secondary mosquito species".

The first quarter of 2012 registered a 28.96 percent drop in dengue cases, mostly in Metro Manila - from 23.241 cases in the same period last year, to 16.511 cases this year.

BUT, be on guard as there is no treatment, cure, or vaccine for dengue. A way to prevent it is to maintain clean surroundings to eliminate breeding sites. Prevention involves regular clean up, fogging, spraying of insecticides and larviciding. Clothing, mosquito repellent, and netting can held reduce exposure.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Struggles Abroad

From the first moment I have been involved with Filipinos I thought that there must be a reason why they detached themselves from their loved ones... only to be enslaved in a foreign country.

Look through a migrant worker's life and agree with me: being an overseas worker is not easy. But for innumerable Philippine families, it seems the only way to survive financially.

Oversea workers have to deprive themselves of many things they used to enjoy at home - physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and even spiritually. Some of them go to the extent of sacrificing one's cherished profession in order to reach that proverbial greener pasture, to cross the poverty line and have a fraction of taste of the "God's' comfortable living.

When one goes abroad, his toughness as a person is put to a test. both, an older timer and a neophyte suffer the same illness every now and then: homesickness, especially when one doesn't receive any news from home any more. Moods become utterly dull and dispositions are greatly affected.

Of course, sometimes unexpected news from home "go abroad": death of a family member, the husband is womanizing or the wife having a paramour; the child is being hospitalized, the house robbed of products of sweat and tears, natural calamities, and many others. And, as I know from many Filipinos abroad, added to these is the knowledge that sometimes hard-earned money is just spent wastefully by the recipients, despite repeated reminders that working abroad is not lifetime.

With these uncalled for events, sometimes you can do nothing but close your eyes, secretly shed tears, have deep sighs and call for someone "up there" for make you stronger and ask for hope. My good friend Arvie, who experienced her first weeks as a nurse in Vancouver in Canada sent me the following lines:

"When things go wrong as they sometimes will, when the road you're trudging seems all uphill, when the funds are low and the debts are high, and you want to smile but you have to sigh, when care is pressing and you lay down a little bit, rest if you must, but never quit!"

How very true, because in working abroad, one is confronted with equally exhilarating daily crosses, deal with hard-to-spell employers, perform boring, routinary, round-the-clock-chores, overcome fatigue, but always doing the very best to adapt to the culture of the new place.

After these sufferings, it is every migrant worker's wish, that his crosses overseas will be rewarded after several years - rewards happily shared by the whole family, the community and by the nation as a whole.

+++
 
(Republished from MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR, Friday May 11, 2012: my regular column IN MY OPINION).

 

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Corona debunks charges in Impeachment Court

 Philippine Chief Justice Renato Corona was admitted to the intensive care of a Manila hospital today, interrupting his impeachment trial yesterday.

He was advised to stay in the Medical City Hospital for 48 hours over fears that he could suffer a heart attack, DZHR Radio reported, citing a cardiologist at the hospital. 

Corona had walked out of his Senate trial yesterday after declaring that the charges against him, including an allegation that he stashed away $ 12 million in 82 bank accounts were pure lies forwarded by President Benigno Aquino.

Here is more:

Missing Blindfish of Mayayahay Cave

Compostela Valley - Ever heard or seen a blind fish? Chances are you will not see again in Mahayahay cave in the village of Taboran, unless you are fortune.

The cave is less then a ten minutes walk from the military camp of the 72nd Infantry battalion at camp Manuel T. yan, Sr., headquarters of the 10th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army - 12 km 

away from Tagum City in Davao del Norte.

Efren Tagorda, representative from the Regional Office of the Department of Environment and National Resources - Protected Area Wildlife Division confirmed the "very slim" chance inside the cave of seeing this species of fish.

The unchecked and unregulated caving activities in the past have contributed to the disappearance of the blindfish.

(My grateful thanks to Christine T. Dompor, MPA, Provincial Tourism Officer for sharing this!)
 


Paul Abraham - Hungarian Classics

Paul Abraham...

Check out more here:

http://www.klausdoringclassicalmusic.webs.com 

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Music With Ease: Claudio Monteverdi

Music with ease: really... .


Claudio Monteverdi is really one of the greatest Italian composers.



Check out more here:
http://www.klausdoringclassicalmusic.webs.com

Or tune in to my Sunday's radio program "Classics with Klaus Doring" from 2 to 4 PM (Philippine Standard Time) on 104.3 FM "The Edge Radio Davao" or via live stream 

http://www.livestream.com/theedgeradiodavao

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Jessica Could Go Home on "American Idol"

On Wednesday's night's American Idol (in the Philippines last night!) the finalists perormed three songs each, fighting for their spot in the final two.

Joshua Ledet, 20, was the first performer, and he got all three judges up on their feet following his strong rendition of Etta James' "I'd Rather be Blind".

Though the evening seemed like ti was Ledet's, Phillip Phillips' final performance gave Ledet a run for his money.

Jessica Sanchez, 16, was by no means lost in the crowd. Sad to say! She made herself prominent by boldly performing Aero Smith's "I don't want to miss a thing". Steven Tyler gave her a standing ovation, though he was the only one of the judges to do so.

Her other songs were both powerful and memorable.

But, who goes home? And who made the difference? We will see tonight.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Sulu As a Tourist Spot?


I was really surprised, when I received the press release through "MindaNews"...

Sula as a tourist spot?

Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan said has approved the formulation of a Provincial Tourism Plan to establish a clear direction and provide the necessary information and strategies to develop a viable tourism industry in the province.

In this press statement, Tan said Sulu's natural beauty, unique environment structure and refined white sand beach fronts are a come-on to local and foreign travellers.

A tourism multi-stakeholders forum was held several days ago at the provincial capitol to gather insights into the development and identification of potential tourist destinations in the province.

"The people of Sulu are losing so much for years of neglect of these untapped resources. The development of tourism in Sulu can be the biggest source of income and revenue for the province and its people," Tan stressed.

But in his interviews with the Zamboanga media, Tan would usually say, he doesn't want to talk about the security situation. I guess, that's the main problem and biggest of all questions.

Of course, one could enjoy wonderful places, such as the one-kilometer long white sand Maubo Beach in Patikul, the town next to Jolo, the capital of the province, or the 33,200 hectare Tubbataha Reef... .

Sulu, still one of my dream destinations... .
 

SMART Gains International Recognition for Green Initiatives

SMART Telecommunications Philippines recently received two prestigious awards in 2011 for programs that support the preservation of the environment - one from the Asia Communication Awards and other from the World Communications Awards.




The Asia Communications Awards bestowed upon SMART the Green Technology Award while the World Communications Awards gave the Philippine company the Green Award, both for its "Alternative Power for Cell Sites" program. This brings to five, SMART's awards for the said program which enforces the use of renewable engery to power cell-sites in off-grid areas nationwide.

SMART's mangroves continue to flourish along the shoreline of Cagsao in Camarines Sur (see photo above).

"We are proud and fulfilled that our environmental initiatives are being recognized as one of the world's best practices when it comes to protecting the environment", said Darwin Flores, SMART Public Affairs' Senior Manager for Community Partnerships.

I strongly agree with you, Sir. Kudos!

Monday, May 14, 2012

Two More Classical Music Masters: Respighi and Rachmaninoff

Here is more about them:


Or tune in to my Sunday's radio program "Classics with Klaus Doring" from 2 to 4 PM (Philippine Standard Time) on 104.3 FM "The Edge Radio Davao" or via live stream:

Thursday, May 10, 2012

More From a Blessed Davao City's Fashion Designer: Silverio Anglacer

Gown for Dr. Vina Lim

(Photos taken by Cookie Tan Photography)

"If you design like this and you come to Pakistan - everyone will treat you like a real king in our fashion industry." (Joverea Batool)

"That's I call a piquantly zestful whiff of an English meadow in spring time!" (Mae Madelette Chua).

Silverio Anglacer - a really blessed fashion designer from Davao City... .

Plastic Bags and Styrofoam Ban in Davao City

It took so long. Finally it's done!

Starting June, Davao City joins over a quarter of the world's countries that ban the use of non-biodegradable plastics or polythene bags used for grocery and shopping, including materials made of polystyrene foam.


The ban of the use of plastics and Styrofoam takes effect on June 28, 2012 - two years after the Davao City Ecological Solid Waste Management Ordinance was approved in June 2010.

Acting City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) chief Jospeh Dominic Felizarta said CENRO's advocacy team has been doing the rounds of business establishments, including the big malls, informing and educating owners on the implementation of the law. 

Davao City is not focusing on sanctions against violators but wants to install discipline in following the law, which in the case of the ban on plastics is indeed a big help in preserving and protecting the environment.

There are about 29,000 business establishments in Davao City based on the number of Solid Waste Management Certificates issued by CENRO after underdoing a mandated seminar. 

However, wrappers of candy, snack foods, and other such items will be treated by CENRO as residual wasters that are disposed at the city's sanitary landfill.

As we all know: discarded plastic shopping bags are the most common items that clog the drainage system and contribute to flooding.

More Support for the Ifugao Rice Terraces

As one could learn from news reports from the Philippine News Agency, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has committed 5 million PHP for the restoration of the world-renowned Rice Terraces of the Philippines in Ifugao province. 



DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje said that the amount was included in a Memorandum of Agreement signed among the DENR, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization  (UNESCO), National Commission of the Philippines (NatCom) represented by its Secretary General Dr. Virgina Miralao; and the provincial government of Ifugao, represented by its Governor Eugene Balitang.

Paje said the DENR's commitment was to provide assistance to the local government of Ifugao in rehabilitating the terraces, especially in Batad which has been assessed by experts as the "most damaged".

The DENR appreciates the natural and cultural heritage that the rice terraces bear, and the Filipino people are one with the provincial government in recognizing the need to reserve the deterioration of this heritage site, especially those areas that were damaged by typhoons.

Davao Music Nation Launches Website

To celebrate Davao's widely music culture and showcase the inherent talent of its home grown musicians, the Davao music community is launching a a website to increase awarness and support for Davao music culture and Davao musicians.

Davao Music Nation (DMN) is an internet magazine created bu the Davao Music community for the fans and for anyone looking for good music.

"We have all this talent in Davao City and most of us who live here aren't even aware that they exist," says entrepreneur and website co-founder, Jessica Madrazo."There  is actually more to Davao than just show bands and ethnic music. We have reggae, hip hop, metal, folk, acoustic, jazz and many more. We have tons of great original music just waiting for an audience. And we have lots of great music places that could rival any bar or club in the country!"

In addition to being an online resource for Davao music talents, Jessica Madrazo sees the website as a means to a bigger goal. 

Jessica says: "By showing fellow Filipinos and the world how great Davao music is, we're giving them more reasons to come and stay in Davao. We see this website as the first big step in strengthening the Davao music community so it can eventually a mark in the local and music market. DMN is simply the avenue to help musicians make their music more accessible to the public without changing their identity."

I really wish to support this great idea too.

Check out more here: http://www.DavaoMusicNation.com

Saturday, May 5, 2012

The Durian Legend


A long time ago there lived an ugly, old but powerful king named Barom-Mai in Calinan near Davao City. He married the young and beautiful Madayaw-Bayho, a daughter of Tageb, king of the sea pirates who ruled the islands of Ligid, Talicud and Samal. But Madayaw-Bayho did not love the king: so she often ran away from his kingdom. But her father always returned her to the king. One day, she ran away, and vowed never to return to the king. Because of this King Barom-Mai told his advisers, headed by Matigam, to find a way to make his wife love him.

When the king met the hermit, the hermit said to him to get three things: the egg of the black tabon, twelve ladies of white carabao's milk, and the nectar from the flower of the tree-of-make believe, because the egg would soften the heart of the princess, the milk would make her kind and the nectar would make her see the king as young and handsome. 

Pawikan, king of the sea turtles, helped him secure the tabon's egg. The king also easily got the milk. He procured the flower with the help of Hangin-Bai, a wood nymph. He gave the three things to the hermit who mixed the nectar, the milk and the egg together and told him to plant it. It grew into a durian tree!

He brought the fruit to his wife who ate it. After eating, she fell in love with the king who looked young and handsome. They returned to their kingdom and feasted. they forgot to invite the hermit who said angrily that the delicious fruit with offensive odor be covered with thorns. Since then the durian fruit is thorny but delicious.

Davao first to Receive Fishery Patrol Boats

Among the regions in Mindanao, the Davao Region is the first to receive their share of patrol boats given by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic (BFAR) to municipal governments.

BFAR Regional Director Fatma Idris gladly notes that Region XI is one of the five regions nationwide, and the only one in Mindanao given such facility to strengthen community-based coastal resources management.

Region XI gets six of such patrol boats which cost 1.2 million PHP each. These are given to the municipalities of Tarragona and Lupon in Davao Oriental, Maco and Pantukan in Compostela Valley, Tagum City in Davao del Norte, and in Digos City, Davao del Sur.

Each patrol boat has -not only - a boat cradle through which it can be tugged inland and be kept in a safehouse. It is also equipped with global positioning system, telescope, compass, life jackets, enabling Bantay-Dagat volunteers to go after illegal marine resource poachers.

 

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Building "Noah's Ark"

It was February, still months away from the rainy-season downpurs that can blanket Metro Manila with deadly floods, but in Barangay Tumana, Marikina City, the townfolk were busy evacuating their riverside homes as if their lives depended on it.

Carrying some clothes, beddings and important documents, about 350 people - including men, women and children - left their homes in an orderly fashion, boarded trucks and moved to the H. Bautista Elementary School in nearby Barangay Concepcion which had been identified as a safe haven in times of floods.

While there, the "evacuees" were brought to pre-assigned rooms and attended to by various barangay committees. For example, nursing mothers and pregnant women were brought to "lactating rooms" while the others were served piping-hot "lugaw".

All this was just a drill, but barangay officials and the residents took it seriously.

"People here remember Ondoy. They had a terrible time then and they want to be better prepared the next time around," said Hilda Tabar-Cleofe, executive director of the Corporate Network for Disaster Response (CNDR), which is helping the flood-prone barangays ofmarikina prepare for future calamities under a program appropriately named "Noah's Ark".

"We are focusing on community preparedness, particulary for those areas that are frequently hit by calamities like floods," said Mon Isberto, public affairs head of Smart Communications which funded the drill.

"The idea is to develop a model that can be replicated in other communities with local governments and private companies working together,"added Isberto, who is also president of CNDR.

This model for community preparedness has already been tested in real emergencies. 

In 2010, Noah's Ark was piloted in Barangay Malanday, Marikina City with funding from Ayala Foundation. The effectiveness of the Malanday contingency plan in achieving "zero casualty" was tested - and proven! - during typhoons Falcon and Pedring in October 2011. 

For 2012, the plan is to bring Noah's Ark to four other high-risk communities, namely  Baranagay Bayanan in Muntinlupa City, Barangay Macasandig in Cagayan de oro, Barangay Banago or Mandalaganin Bacolod City, and another barangay in Iligan City.

These efforts are being supported by various corporate partners. Habitat for Humanity Philippines joined Ayala Foundation in supporting the program for example... .

CNN's Eye on The Philippines


Since yesterday till May 4, 2012  "Eye on The Philippines" features daily reports with Anna Coren from Manila, Batangas and Lake Taal and in-depth reportage from Kyung Lah, providing insight into this tropical country's people, politics, business and culture.

The special week of coverage culminates with a half-hour program featuring highlights from the week, airing from May 4 to May 6, 2012.

As an expatriate and journalist living in the Philippines, I am hoping that this will turn into positive things that the world has been creating negative look to the Philippines.

Ara Mina, Christine Reyes and Heidi Gatmaytan

(Ara Mina and Christine Reyes)

 A relative of celebrities Ara Mina and Christine Reyes is appealing to the public to give them time to settle their differences following their much-publicized rift. 

In an official statement Heidi Gatmaytan, sister of Reyes and Mina, said their family is deeply saddened by the turn of events. 

"This has gained so much publicity to the damage of the family. Let us give them time to talk and settle their differences. We understand that both of them are hurting right now. We appeal to everyone to give them space so these matters can be cleared up and let the family patch things up. They are both generous and supportive to the whole family contrary to what is being reported by some sectors. We just hope that people would be fair."