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 30, 2017

Do you trust elder people?

Do you trust elder people?

IN MY OPINIONKlaus Doring
Born in 1953, I started my life at a period when more babies have been entering the German population than never before. World War II, more or less the end of the world – as my late grandmother mostly describes that time – has ended eight years ago. It was not the end of everything. The world economic crises changed into another economical world wonder.
During the Sixties, we looked upon the youth culture of Woodstock as a symbol – of the power of music, the pursuit of self expression, the values of peace, love and community, and the rejection of “the establishment” – even in the midst of torrential rain and an aftermath of foot-deep mud.
I enjoyed our flower power peace generation with long hair. Yes, I confess, many times, I was really very cynical about my parent’s values. I really rejected anything that suggested tradition.
By the way, that’s one thing, which can be observed also in the Philippines since a couple of years. I observed such changes since my first visit in the Philippines in 1976. Nowadays, I feel happy, if my nieces and nephews start listening again my ideas and ask my advice.
The slogan “Never trust someone above 30” had to be abandoned since I crossed that divide myself. Now, hopefully at the second half of my present life,  “30” looks impossible young. And let’s be honest to ourselves: Aren’t we facing the same realities our parents did: Raising families, needs to pay for school et cetera et cetera? We have held fiercely to freethinking and the not traditional ways our parents – shaped by the “Depression”, World War II and much more – never got the luxury to feel.
Those of us who have made good money, hold fewer illusions that a big house and a Mercedes (or any other brand!) in the garage are likely to bring happiness. But guys, what seems most precious to us nowadays is not career or success, but time and the freedom to do the things we love to do that hold meaning. Earnings through a job we don’t like might be painful; but isn’t it much more painful to wait for nothing while being fed by a friend?
Failed marriages, difficult mid-life attempts, something that might pass away a family – yes, I think, we know the rarity of solid and long living relationships with a partner, with children or with a hard to find friend.
We may even dare to speak the language that 30 or 40 or even 50 years ago would have seemed uncool. Call it God or something spiritually, but it would probably be the quest for the sense of life, an the hope and faith, that one exists.

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Deutsche Botschaft Manila gibt bekannt ...

 Die Botschaft der Bundesrepublik Deutschland in Manila gibt bekannt, 

dass am Mittwoch, den 21. Juni 2017 von 08.00 Uhr bis 12.30 Uhr und von 14.00 Uhr bis 17.00 Uhr ein Konsularsprechtag stattfinden wird in der University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP), Board Room, Office of the President, Iñigo Street, Haupteingang (in der Nähe der N. Torres/Cervantes und Porras Streets), Brgy. Obrero, Davao City (hinter der Victoria Plaza Mall), Tel./Fax: (082) 224-1372. 

Ansprechpartner ist Frau Mirja Mattern, Mitarbeiterin der Rechts-und Konsularreferate der Botschaft Manila. Als Ansprechpartner vor Ort wenden Sie sich bitte an Herrn Klaus Döring, Tel. 082 2271761 oder 0915 219 9002, der voraussichtlich bereits am 20.06.2017 zum Honorarkonsul mit dem Amtsbezirk Mindanao ernannt werden soll. 

Bitte beachten Sie, dass wegen der biometrischen Daten (u.a. Fingerabdrücke) nur noch vollständige Anträge auf Ausstellung vorläufiger Reisepässe und Kinderreisepässe – nicht jedoch Anträge für Europapässe – entgegengenommen werden können. Leider können Visaanträge in Davao City nicht gestellt werden. Die Visaabteilung in Manila ist nicht mit der USEP in Davao vernetzt. Bitte haben Sie Verständnis, dass aus diesem Grunde auch Fragen zu einzelnen Visaanträgen nicht beantwortet werden können. Für eine erfolgreiche Bearbeitung Ihres Anliegens (z. B. Beglaubigungen etc.) setzen Sie sich bitte rechtzeitig zwecks Vorbereitung der Urkunde mit der Botschaft in Verbindung (rk-10@mani.diplo.de) Informationen und Formulare finden Sie auf der Website www.manila.diplo.de .

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German Consular Day: The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Manila would like to inform you that Ms. Mirja Mattern, Consular officer of the German Embassy of Manila will be present on Wednesday, 21 of June 2017 from 08:00 a.m to 12:30 p.m. and from 02.00 p.m. to 05.00 p.m. at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP), Board Room, Office of the President, Iñigo Street, Main Gate (near N. Torres/Cervantes und Porras Streets), Brgy. Obrero, Davao City (in the back of the Victoria Plaza Mall), Tel./Fax: (082) 224-1372. For further details please contact Mr. Klaus Döring, Tel 082 2271761 or 0915 219 9002. The German Embassy is pleased to inform the public that Mr. Klaus Döring is set to be appointed as Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany in Davao City (presumably on the 20th of June 2017).  Applications for Regular Passports have biometric requirements (including fingerprinting) that cannot be fulfilled in Davao and can therefore not be submitted during the Consular Day. Only applications for German Temporary Passports and Children's Passports, which do not have to satisfy the biometric requirements can be accepted during the Consular Day. Unfortunately, visa applications cannot be accepted as well. Inquiries regarding visa applications will not be answered and should be directed to the Visa Section of the Embassy. Kindly contact the Embassy well in advance in case legal documents have to be prepared. You may also visit our website www.manila.diplo.de for information and application forms.

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Undue care and anxiety


Undue care and anxiety

IN MY OPINIONKlaus Doring
Life is better than ever, so, why so many people seem to be un-happy? Whenever I hear people saying that everything is bad, I think of my late grandmother, born in 1899 (!) into a really awful world in Germany and its surroundings. The so-called “Golden Twenties” between the two World Wars have been every-thing but golden for her, my relatives and millions of people. “Lola” never complained, even during the sorrowful time in the former East Germany, the “German Democratic Republic.” Lola reached the ripe old age of almost 86.
We hardly count our blessings. We enjoy counting our crosses. Instead of gains, we count our losses. We don’t have to do all that counting – computers do it for us. Information is easily had.
Just remember this: Opportunity doesn’t just knock – it jiggles the doorknob, and “your friend” – the worrier, is with you day and night, at every corner, following your every step. Complaining and grumbling are good excuses, aren’t they? We have time and opportunities to do almost anything. So why haven’t we done it? We have the freedom of bondage or restraint, every one of us in his or her very special way – but, we’re still our old inferior selves.
The job is boring! I don’t find a good job! The house is an unpleasing mixture of tidy and dirty things. It’s a mess! I am not in the mood to arrange my garden. I can’t afford a gardener. That’s life. How sad! No, it’s not MY fault. Of course not!
The whole world is an awful place filled with dreadful and horrible negativism. Especially nowadays. Yes, I confess, I am also surrounded by many worriers who put their fears into me! Politicians, i.e., many times love to search for some grave alarm that will cause individuals to abandon their separate concerns and act in concert, so that politi-cians can wield the baton. Calls to fatal struggles and fights are forever be-ing surroun-ded.
The over-bearing person, who tyrannizes the weak, the person, who wants to domineer and to bluster, is simply nothing else than a worrier, who might claim to be a friend. But he isn’t! Really not! The bullying of fellow citizens by means of dread and fright has been going on since Paleolithic times. The night wolf is eating the moon. Give me silver, and I’ll make him spit out.
Well, when will we start counting our courage and not our fears, or enjoy instead our woes? Wor-rying itself is pointless. Of course,  no society has achieved perfectly rules of law, never-ending educa-tion or unique responsible governments. Let’s seek out the worries but avoid the worriers, because they try to avoid liberty.

Friday, May 19, 2017

No more kids on motorbikes

New law takes effect: No more kids on motorbikes

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Two years after it was signed into law by then president Benigno Aquino III, the Republic Act 10666 otherwise known as Children’s Safety on Motorcycles Act of 2015 will be implemented by the Department of Transportation. Philstar.com/File
CEBU, Philippines - Starting today it is now prohibited for small children to ride on motorcycles as the law banning it takes effect across the country.

Two years after it was signed into law by then president Benigno Aquino III, the Republic Act 10666 otherwise known as Children’s Safety on Motorcycles Act of 2015 will be implemented by the Department of Transportation.
Under the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the law, only children whose feet can reach the foot peg, could wrap their arms around the driver’s waist, and wears protective gear such as a helmet may be allowed to ride on a motorcycle with an adult.


The law covers all public roads, including roads where there is a heavy volume of vehicles, where there is a high-density of fast-moving vehicles, or where the speed limit is more than 60 kilometers per hour.
An exception applies only to cases where a child to be transported requires immediate medical attention.
Land Transportation Office-7 Director Alita Pulga said that parents should read and strictly observe the provisions of the law to prevent accident and avoid apprehension. Pulga said the penalty is big enough to low income workers.
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The law provides P3,000 penalty for the first offense; P5,000 for the second; and P10,000 for the third plus suspension of  the driver’s license for one month.  Beyond the third offense, violators will have their licenses revoked.
DOTr believes that this proactive and preventive approach will ensure the safety of the passengers, especially children.
It is a common sight in Cebu that small children, even infants, are transported on motorcycles. Pulga reminded the public that only two are allowed to ride on a motorcycle—driver and one back rider. The new law has been branded by many as anti-poor.
Joy Antolihao, a housewife from Canduman, Mandaue City, said she is opposed to the implementation of the new law because motorcycles are easier to maneuver especially in heavy traffic.
 “Dili ko ganahan sa bag-ong balaod ron kay gamit kaayo ang motor. If magmotor man gud mas dali ka kalusot sa traffic. Ang importante lang jud, sakto sa gear ang driver og ang bata,” Antolihao said.
Richard Romeo, an elementary teacher and father of four, empathized with the people whose only means of transportation is a motorcycle, especially those who live far from the schools and workplaces.
“Para sa ako maayo ang tinguha anang balaoda pero mag unsa man ang mga tawo nga mao ra gyud intawn ang paagi sa pagsakay labi na sa mga lugar layo sa ilang gitrabahoan o eskwelahan? Mamahimo tingali kana kung ang batang sakay kompleto sa panagang sa pagsakay sama sa helmet. Inubanan sa pag amping sa pagdrive sa usa ka tino ug drug-free nga driver,” he said.
Antolihao and Romeo both send their children, ages 3-8, to school every day using motorcycle.
 But Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said it is not anti-poor because its objective is only to ensure road safety.
The governor said he understands the situation of the poor people, who are just forced to let their children ride the motorcycles even if they know that it is very risky, because of the absence of public utility vehicles in their places.
“Ang uban wa’y helmet. Ang inahan nga back ride gani magdala pa og baby padung simbahan para pabunyagan. Maluoy pud ta ba,” he said.
But he said the law is among the efforts of the government to curb the incidence of road accidents involving children.
 “I agree. We should be strict on that,” he said.
 Davide said it is now high time to strictly implement the Republic Act 10054 or Helmet Law.
“Helmet law should be enforced,” he said.
Authorities earlier said RA 10054 is difficult to implement as some motorists do not use helmets or use it but only if there are authorities in sight.
Any person caught driving a motorcycle without a crash helmet will be fined P1,778 based on the law.
In fact, Cebu City has an existing ordinance that prohibits children below seven years old from riding on motorcycles, but has not also been strictly implemented.
Davide said even the towns and component cities in Cebu have a “very lax traffic rules and we have to face the reality that the towns have no traffic enforcers.”
The World Health Organization’s road safety report showed that 1.25 million people have died globally due to road accidents, with motorcyclists comprising 23 percent of deaths.
 Without action, WHO said road traffic crashes are predicted to rise to become the seventh leading cause of death by 2030.
WHO said wearing a motorcycle helmet correctly can reduce the risk of death by almost 40 percent and the risk of severe injury by over 70 percent.
In a 2015 study, Thinking Machines (TM), a Taguig City-based research team, said motorcycle riders are the most vulnerable to accidents, particularly when they do not wear protective gear.
There would be an 80 percent chance of instant death for victims if a truck and bicycle were involved in an accident, it added.
 TM said motorcycle crashes were over five times more likely to result in death or injury compared with other road accidents. It also said statistics showed that bicycle riders have a 66.8 percent chance of figuring in an accident. 
— with Chiara Lei L. Qu

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Buy Filipino and create jobs

by Mario Casayuran and Reuters, Manila Bulletin

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto counseled the Duterte administration to tap local industries in modernizing the military before snapping up a $500-million loan being offered by China to modernize the Philippine military.
“The Philippines must stop relying on foreign suppliers to modernize the military equipment of its armed forces,” Recto said.
Recto gave this advice after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the country plans to utilize the loan to procure defense equipment from China.
China has offered to donate $14 million worth of military hardware to the Philippines, plus a soft loan for $500 million in Chinese arms.
But Lorenzana said they plan to use China’s money if the military’s five-year P100-billion ($2-billion) budget for modernization is insufficient.
“There is no need to borrow from China. We should tap our domestic industries for the equipment needed by our policemen and soldiers,” Recto urged.
He cited the existence of a vibrant local firearms industry that has been exporting its products for many decades now.
“Some of them were licensees of world’s leading gun makers,” he noted.
FILIPINO FIRST
There are many of them, from boat builders to vehicle manufacturers to firearm/ammunition makers who can step up to the plate once there are firm orders from the government, Recto pointed out.
“We should look inward and develop our own capability. It is cheaper to produce and maintain them locally, than to import them. That way, jobs are created for the Filipinos and the local industries are given the chance to grow,” he added.
The only equipment or parts we should import, according to Recto, are those which the country cannot produce locally.
“We should not bypass local industries which can provide parts or whole of the defense equipment being sought,” he said.
“Hindi naman pwede na mula helmet hanggang boots (We should not import everything from helmets to boots) imported. If some of the things can be made locally and the products are of the same price and quality as the ones bought abroad, then let us manufacture them here,” Recto said.
Military and police vehicles can be supplied by local car manufacturers. The President’s home province of Cebu , for one can build patrol ships.
“We have a world-class shipbuilding industry in Cebu, but our government agencies have yet to harness its potential as a major source of military and civilian boats,” he stressed.
“Buy local, create jobs. This should be the new mantra of the government,” he added.
CONDITIONS
The United States has provided its defense treaty ally with most of its major hardware, like ships, fighters, helicopters and small arms, but the Philippines is now looking to China and Russia for drones, planes, fast boats and rifles to fight communist rebels and Islamist militants behind an unrelenting spree of piracy and kidnapping, he said.
Lorenzana said acquiring weapons and equipment from the United States had become difficult because the process was slow and there were conditions tied to sales.
“That’s why we are discouraged from getting from them because of these conditions,” Lorenzana told reporters in Beijing.
“We need airplanes, we need drones, we need fast boats,” he said. “We need them in the south so that we can deter kidnappings and bring about development.”
Weapons procurements could also be complicated by bipartisan attempts by some US lawmakers to ban the transfer of arms to the Philippines that could be used in a war on drugs that has killed thousands of Filipinos, and has been condemned by Western governments.
At the sidelines of a Belt and Road summit in Beijing, Philippine President Duterte on Sunday met several Chinese state-owned corporations, including a defense contractor blacklisted by Washington for selling to Iran items that were banned under US laws.
NO DIFFERENCE
Duterte, who is working hard to strengthen ties with China has complained about the useless US “hand-me-down” merchandise given its treaty ally.
Lorenzana confirmed China’s Poly Group Corporation and Poly Technologies were among companies which called on President Duterte and the defense department is sending a technical team to look at the Chinese equipment.
Lorenzana said he signed a letter of intent with state-owned China Poly Group to buy military equipment from but no specific materiel had been decided yet.
“Yes, I signed a letter of intent with Poly Group. (However) there is no specific equipment or arms yet. We’ll let the services decide what they went to acquire from China,” Lorenzana added.
The defense chief assured there is no difference whether Western or China-made.
“The weapons are almost the same now. They are used the same way. Puede namang i-tailor made yung requirements natin (The materiel can be customized according to our requirements). Doctrine and training is peculiar to an Army so it won’t be affected,” Lorenzana said.
He is due to sign a defense agreement with his Russian counterpart next week for possible purchases of weapons and drones. The Philippines is also acquiring drones from Israel. (With reports from Hannah L. Torregoza and Francis T. Wakefield)

Senator Cayetano as new DFA Secretary

Office of Senator
Alan Peter S. Cayetano
Rm. 602 GSIS Complex Senate of the Philippines Roxas Blvd Pasay City
         

PRESS RELEASE
17 May 2017



Cayetano vows to help Du30 admin fulfill promise of change as new DFA Sec

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano vows to continue helping President Rodrigo Duterte in fulfilling his promise of promoting the welfare of the Filipino people, as well as the country's national sovereignty and interest, territorial integrity, and national security.

This was the pledge of Cayetano when he faced members of the Commission on Appointments at the Senate for the confirmation of his post as Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Members of the CA unanimously voted for the appointment of Cayetano during the plenary session. 

"To the Honorable members of the Commission on Appointments... I have the honor and privilege to be before you today as you exercise your constitutional mandate to assess and decide on my fitness to serve the DFA as its Secretary," Cayetano said in his opening speech before the commission.

The senator stressed that while much has been done in the field of foreign relations, "there is still so much to do" in order to affect more genuine changes for the country.

As Secretary, Cayetano will introduce initiatives aimed at "advocating and pushing for our national interest, strengthening our bilateral and multilateral relations with other countries and organizations around the world, and of course the protection, welfare, and comfort of our Filipinos overseas, particularly our modern day heroes."

The senator also took the opportunity to thank his colleagues in Congress "for helping President Duterte in fulfilling his mandate and vision."

Cayetano had been a public servant since 1992. He was first elected as the youngest Councilor of the then municipality of Taguig, and was voted as Vice Mayor of the same municipality. He served three terms as Representative of the Lone District of Taguig-Pateros, and was elected as Senator in 2007.

He currently holds the position of Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. The senator had since been accompanying the President during his state visits to different countries. 

"These foreign trips have... given a face to our 10 million kababayans abroad. They are working hard, sacrificing much, asking for little.They are hungry for change," Cayetano stressed, as he expressed commitment to promoting the welfare of OFWs here and abroad.#

More (global) cyber attacks

More (global) cyber attacks

IN MY OPINIONKlaus Doring
Several weeks ago, I mentioned in this corner that the German government plans cyber attack ‘hackback’ ahead of national elections in September. Indeed, there are many cyber attack fears ahead of it. How much more now!
Latest example: several British NHS (National Health Sysyem) divisions reported problems with their computer systems on Friday afternoon local time (May 12, 2017)  –  while hospitals in London, northwest England and other parts of the country alerted patients to the temporary closures.
“We are aware of a major IT secure system attack. All IT systems have been tem-porarily shut down,” Derby-shire Community Health Services said on Twitter. NHS Merseyside in the north of England reassured its patients via Twitter that it was working to solve the problem. Sure!
The NHS later confirmed several hospitals’ computer systems had been hit by the Wanna Decryptor ransom-ware variant, but that patient data had not been accessed. “This attack was not speci-fically targeted at the NHS and is affecting organizations from across a range of sectors,” NHS Digital, a division of NHS England that handles information technology issues, said in a statement.
Ransom-ware attacks  are becoming more more frequent. British hospitals have been hit by ransom-ware attacks before, with hackers typically encrypting files and demanding a bitcoin bounty to unlock the files. The malware typically spreads through networks.
In 2016 an NHS division canceled operations and diverted major trauma cases when it was hit by a virus.
Intel Security reported in 2016 that hospitals were increasingly being targeted by ransom-ware operations, with one operator earning almost US$121 million (111 million Euro).”A combination of legacy systems with weak security, a lack of employee security awareness, a fragmented workforce, and the pressing need for immediate access to information has led the criminal underground to prey on hospitals,” the report said.
In 2016 British leaders unveiled a multibillion-pound national cybersecurity strategy that included new police units to target organized online gangs and even retaliation for major attacks.
Already 2016, hackers hold German hospital data hostage. Several hospitals in Germany have come under attack by ransom-ware, a type of virus that locks files and demands cash to free data it maliciously encrypted. Ac-cording to present know-ledge, it was an attachment in an email that allowed the virus to enter the system. It will take weeks until all systems are up and running again. First thing, one might notice the system isn’t running smoothly anymore. Error messages are popping up, and the system is suspiciously slow.
Hospitals have fallen victim to ransom-ware – a type of malware that makes data inaccessible to its rightful owner. Hackers then demand ransom payments in ex-change for a key that unlocks the files.
Ransom payments happened also in Hollywood. Blackmailing hospitals into paying ransom has also been reported in other parts of the world, most notably in the US state of California where a Hollywood hospital paid about $17,000 (15,000 EURO) in the digital currency bitcoins to hackers this month.
Import is to have regular backups.  If the virus encrypted data is being backed up, one just restore the backup files. Fact is, each one of us and our surroundings are being watched by Big Brother…. A world of glass!

Saturday, May 13, 2017

Philippine Government on top of Palawan Situation

‘Government on top of Palawan situation’

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The US and the UK have issued travel advisories warning their citizens about supposed plans by terrorists to kidnap foreigners in Palawan, including in the capital Puerto Princesa City and areas surrounding the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. File
MANILA, Philippines - The government is on top of the situation in Palawan.

Malacañang gave the assurance yesterday after the US and the United Kingdom warned their citizens against traveling to the province, citing terrorist threats.
The US and the UK have issued travel advisories warning their citizens about supposed plans by terrorists to kidnap foreigners in Palawan, including in the capital Puerto Princesa City and areas surrounding the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.
The warnings came after the US, UK and several other foreign governments cautioned their citizens about kidnapping threats in Bohol, the site of a clash that left five Abu Sayyaf militants and four government troopers dead last month. 
Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the military and police are working closely to thwart any terrorist activity in Palawan, a known tourist site. 
“Public safety is everyone’s concern. We assure everyone that the government is on top of the situation and authorities, particularly those in the Western Command which covers the province of Palawan, are on heightened alert to prevent any untoward incidents,” Abella said. 
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“All units and assets are being utilized to ensure maximum security to deny any terrorist group’s entry and access in the high seas and coastal areas,” he added. 
Abella said the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police and the local government of Palawan “are in close coordination in enforcing law and order.”
“We urge everyone’s cooperation, including residents and tourists, to be mindful and immediately report to law enforcement units any questionable individual or activity in the areas,” Abella said. 
President Duterte has ordered the military to “shoot on sight” Abu Sayyaf bandits, saying the situation is “a problem of security, law and order.” 
“My order to the security forces is stalk, shoot them on sight. Kill them, do not waste your bullet, then we take care of them in hospital. Expend your bullet to finish the problem because it is really a problem,” Duterte stressed in a press conference on Wednesday.
“If you encounter them, kill them. Filipinos are in great number. Next year there will be more – there will be about 125 million of us. We can always replenish the supply, do not worry,” he added. – Roel Pareño

Friday, May 12, 2017

Global environment voices





Global environment voices

IN MY OPINIONKlaus Doring
If I meet people fighting for our clean environment, you might find me at their site. Activists have started a eight-day push to get individuals and institutions to divest from oil, gas and coal corporations. Investing in the fossil fuel industry equals pumping money into climate change, they say.
Fossil fuels seem to be losing their unquestioned position as the world’s primary source of energy, particularly after the Paris climate agreement. Even so, governments and private investors continue to sup-port fossil fuel businesses worldwide.
The Global Divestment Mobilization (May 5 to 13, 2017) will draw together thousands of people from across 39 countries on six continents to push forward divestment from fossil fuels, in favor of renewable energy. In other words, to convince investors to withdraw their financial support fossil fuel companies – and in doing so, protect the climate.
Environmental activists and concerned individuals ask for an immediate freeze of any new investment in coal, oil or gas companies. The movement has spread across the world over the past five years. It’s based on the argument that investing in fossil energies fuels the climate crisis.
As a project of the environmental nonprofit organization 350.org, the Global Divestment Mobilization started in United States universities in 2012. But the movement has now reached global dimensions. “Everything is growing very rapidly,” Melanie Mattauch, Europe communications coordinator told international media.
The network includes now countries from Asia, Latin America and Africa. The development of the movement in Brazil, for instance, has been particularly exciting for Mattauch. “There, many bishops and Catholic groups are engaged,” she said. “They want the Vatican to react as a great moral authority – and a great investor.”
And the movement has also been very successful, Mattauch said, pointing to its growth. More than 700 public institutions worldwide have already committed to divest, including educational institutions, philanthropic foundations and governments. Just last week, the German city of Göttingen has become the fourth German city withdrawing investment in coal, oil and gas companies. As German citizen I am happy to learn about it.
Faith-based organizations represent around 20 percent of the total divestment reached yet.
“Christians in the Church have a particular moral and religious obligation to speak out on climate change,” a spokesperson from the Christian Climate Action group told German media. She didn’t want to be named, out of professional reasons.
This is indeed all about raising awareness and making pressure.
Some accuse fossil fuel companies of only surviving thanks to governmental subsidies. Oil Change International issued a 2015 report that G20 governments provided more than $400 billion (360 billion Euro) per year to fossil fuel production, including some of the world’s most carbon-intensive and polluting ones. Let’s face it: unless governments stop propping up fossil fuel companies, divestment will be limited, even with clean energy becoming ever cheaper.

Monday, May 8, 2017

Summer 2017: Tarsier sanctuary-turned-resort shows a different side of Bohol

By: Jeeves de Veyra

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A view of Tarsier Botanika from offshore. Photo by author
When one thinks of Bohol, images of beaches and Chocolate Hills immediately come to mind. An image of a forest paradise is probably not on that list. And yet, that is exactly what Tarsier Botanica is: a resort situated in the middle of a forest.
Tarsier Botanika is an exclusive resort nestled in the forests of southern Panglao. It used to be a tarsier sanctuary until the local government moved the endangered creatures to their facility in Bohol. With only 14 villas in the entire complex, this resort guarantees privacy and a place to really get away from it all.
This resort was dreamed up by its architect owners. There is a museum that houses collectibles and objets d’art that they have brought home from their travels. The curated collection in the museum reflects the European and Asian aesthetics that has made its way into the resort.
Birds diving in and out of the water can sometimes be seen at the swimming pool. Photo by author
Everything in the resort was made according to the owners’ designs: the resort layout, the villas, the restaurant, and special furniture in the buildings.
As a guest in Tarsier Botanika, you don’t walk through claustrophobic hallways to get to their rooms. Rather, you wander through lush forest paths to get to your villa with the soundtrack of the wind rustling through the leaves and birds chirping in the trees.
Every step inside the resort is a picture waiting to be taken. Photo by author
A Balinese reclining Buddha in the forest pathways. Photo by author
A Santorini-inspired deck. Photo by author
With every step on the paths is an Instagram moment waiting to be captured. There’s a sleeping Buddha from Bali, there’s the Santorini-esque cliffside walkway that leads down to a private beach, the swimming pool which occasionally has birds diving in and out of the water,
And then, there are the villas themselves.
The grand interiors of a Tarsier Botanika villa. Photo by author
The villas, which resemble large nipa huts, dwarf a standard hotel room. It can easily house an entire family. The bathroom is massive with storage space for luggage. A comfortable king size bed adorns the main room with a classy desk and a breakfast nook in a corner, which comes with a CBTL Caffitaly espresso machine with a complete selection of espresso pods.
The coffee nook has its own espresso machine. Photo by author
Tarsier Botanika is not shy about the construction of the villa as the massive structures that support the roof are there to see when you lie down on the bed. The supports are an imposing sight and yet, it just shows how well made these houses are. Little touches like a foot wash outside the villa and various drying racks show how much thought was given to the design of these levelled up huts. The villa just invites guests to cocoon themselves inside for the duration of their stay.
And yet, there is a lot more to do and see in Tarsier Botanika. There is a mini-zoo that houses all sorts of birds and animals from the island. There is a stable with horses and ponies that guests can ride though their Tarsier Equestria package. Professional equestrian athletes from Cebu regularly come here for dressage and Show Jumping practice.
Tarsier Botanika has a stable and equestrian grounds. Photo by author
There is also a Tarsier Aquatica package that includes boat trips to nearby islands for scuba diving guests.
Though Tarsier Botanika has its own beach, guests can catch a boat and sun themselves at the beaches of nearby Pamilacan Island. The resort occasionally hosts beachside barbecue brunch for guests which also features snorkeling at the nearby marine sanctuary to check out Bohol’s marine biodiversity.
Barbecue brunch at Pamilacan Island. Photo by author
For those looking for a party atmosphere, the resort provides a shuttle to Panglao Beach. The resort’s shuttle station is located at its similarly named sister restaurant. The beachside branch’s menu is more down-to-earth than the gourmet menu of the resort.
A sample of desserts from the Tarsier Botanika branch at Panglao Beach. Photo by author
Tarsier Botanika is an emerald in the sea of Bohol’s beach resorts. It offers is not just a resort offering a place to stay, it is a complete experience for the world-weary who’re looking for a couple of days of disconnection from the world and a place to enjoy peace and quiet.