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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Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Tears, laughter mark 2NE1’s reunion show in ‘second home’



BY ALLAN POLICARPIO

NOVEMBER 20, 2024


After all this time, Sandara Park still cries the same way she did when she first burst onto the scene and captured the hearts of Filipinos.

But the context was different. She was no longer the wide-eyed show biz aspirant desperate to get in, but a seasoned performer out to recapture the halcyon days of music and friendship with 2NE1—the seminal girl group that catapulted her and her bandmates, CL, Minzy, and Park Bom, to international stardom in 2009.

It had been eight long years since the quartet’s official disbandment, and 10 since they last shared the stage together in Manila. But after intermittent false alarms and dashed hopes, that dream finally materialized in her “second home” on Nov. 16—just four days after Dara, as she’s fondly called, turned 40.

She couldn’t have asked for a more precious gift. And with the SM Mall of Asia Arena jam-packed with thousands of Filipino “Blackjacks” singing and wishing her a happy birthday, Dara—tried as she might to fight back tears—inevitably lost it.

With her face crumpled into that half-frown, half-grimace that we first saw in her now iconic audition for the 2004 reality talent search “Star Circle Quest,” we half-expected her to give that little wave of hers and say, “Mahal ko kayo!”

Only this time, it was her three “sisters” who uttered her famous words. “Mahal ko kayo … mahal kita,” they said, huddling around and comforting Dara, before leading her to the birthday cake awaiting her.

“I used to celebrate my birthday with 2NE1 and the Blackjacks. But after the disbandment, I wasn’t used to spending it by myself. Now, we’re here again, together,” she said in between sobs, the hyped-up crowd suddenly dissolving into a chorus of “awws.”

“My wish is to be with you guys forever. 2NE1 forever!” she added.

While all four members fought hard to keep the 2NE1 fire burning, it was Dara, arguably, who acted as the glue that held everyone together, long after they put out their last song and pursued solo careers.

She supported her bandmates through tough times, helped promote their respective projects, and made sure that communication lines remained open. In her interviews or television appearances, she never shied away from expressing her desire for a possible reunion.

In her career milestones, like winning awards or receiving recognitions, she made sure to give the girls their flowers. And whenever an opportunity to do 2NE1 hits presented itself, Dara made the most out of it, regardless of how lonely it could be doing them by herself.

As such, more than sheer joy, there seemed a sense of relief that washed over Dara. “I’m not going to forget this moment forever,” she said. “Ayokong umuwi.”

Mounted by Live Nation Philippines, 2NE1’s two-stop appearance in Manila (the second one held the next day, Nov. 17) is part of the group’s ongoing “Welcome Back” reunion tour to mark its 15th anniversary.

The atmosphere was electric, as one would expect in a concert by a beloved music act making a homecoming of sorts before a large and devoted following. The venue teemed with fans in permutations of denim cargo pants, plaid skirts, sports jerseys, sparkly tops, and leather jackets. The more committed came in full 2NE1 regalia, the marching band concept being the most popular of the lot.

The air crackled with endless chatter and squeals from giddy revelers who every so often broke into songs, as if wooing the band to take the stage, because they couldn’t bear to wait one second more.

Guided by instincts

The arena bled, the lights’ red haze revealing CL’s, Park Bom’s, Minzy’s, and Dara’s distinctive silhouettes. “I go by the name of CL of 2NE1. It’s been a long time coming, but we’re here now … ” CL’s voice blared from the speakers. But before she could even finish the spoken intro to the hit song “Fire,” the crowd had already sprung to its feet.

“Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh-eh 2NE1!” Ring the alarm, because the girls had set the stage on fire. With flames shooting up from the perimeter, they immediately took command: CL with her natural rap swagger; Park Bom with her assertive singing; Dara with her considerably more forceful dancing; and Minzy’s athleticism and trademark splits.

And it’s this dynamic—how the four complement each other’s unique strengths and quirks—that makes 2NE1 such an engaging presence onstage. Yes, there’s structure and choreography to what they do, but their ability to entertain isn’t bound by those. They can take liberties with the moves and make them work, or heck, even make little mistakes and still giggle about them later.

As such, 2NE1 never looks too calculated or preoccupied with what they have to do next. They let their instincts guide the way they work their numbers, and make sure to always leave room for spontaneous interactions with each other, or with the crowd.

This served them well, especially in the hard-hitting bangers they were known for such as “Gotta Be You,” “Can’t Nobody,” and “I Am the Best,” which had the crowd singing and screaming their heads off. This was one concert where you didn’t have to think if it was okay to stand up or not, because, for the most part, the seats were there only to hold food and belongings.

Quick on their feet

The show wasn’t picture-perfect, though. Park Bom, the band’s main vocalist, missed several numbers, including the entire ballad section, where she was expected to shine most. At first, her disappearance was pinned on “a wardrobe malfunction.” But the next day, YG Entertainment, the company that formed 2NE1, issued a statement saying the singer had been having “health-related issues.”

But if there’s anything positive to be gleaned from the mishap, it was that it only showed how incredibly quick CL, Minzy, and Dara were on their feet, alternately covering Park Bom’s parts in “Lonely,” “It Hurts,” and other slow-burners with different vocal flavors, but with equal aplomb.

Luckily, Park Bom managed to return for the last nine numbers and join the rest of the gang for the night’s kulitan moments. And from the looks of it, the fans couldn’t be more understanding of the situation. Park Bom has had her share of challenges, both personal and medical. That she’s onstage performing and having fun is something the Blackjacks are already grateful for.

They performed Dara’s local novelty hit “In or Out,” and this time—much to the crowd’s delight—CL already knew the steps unlike in 2014. Dara and Minzy did a short dance challenge to Bini’s “Pantropiko.” There were lots of laughing and goofing around, too, like that one time a panicking Park Bom pushed CL, after the latter teased the former that she would have to do the challenge by herself the next day.

The crowd loved every minute of it, from the dazzling lights and production numbers to the littlest, lighthearted moments. And as the show drew to a close, it became increasingly apparent to CL that the Philippines is a second home, not only to Dara, but to the rest of the group as well.

“We feel like we have a family and a fan base here. Your energy is so awesome,” she said. “We feel blessed to be back here with Dara in her hometown.”

“Philippines is my second home. But it’s not only mine; it’s 2NE1’s second home, too right?” said Dara, who thanked the fans for their patience and undying love.


“Salamat sa paghihintay niyo sa ’min… Pero andito pa rin kayo.”

'Hello, Love, Again' sets single day box office record, to donate some proceeds to typhoon victim


Kathryn Bernardo, Cathy Garcia-Sampana and Alden Richards during the red carpet premiere of "Hello Love Again" on Nov. 12, 2024 in SM Megamall

Kristofer Purnell - Philstar.com

November 20, 2024 | 9:51am


MANILA, Philippines — "Hello, Love, Again" starring Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards, continue to break box office records less than a week since its global premiere.

The sequel initially set the record for the biggest opening day by a Filipino film at P85 million then became the highest-grossing for a Filipino film in North America with $2.4 million (almost P141 million).

For comparison, the 2019 original also directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana earned $1.99 million (P116.7 million) during its entire North American run.

The film earned P245 million on its first three days in the Philippines en route to earning P566 million as of November 18.

The current box office earnings include P131 million from Saturday alone, yet another box office record.

It is on track to become the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time, currently held by last year's "Rewind" starring Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes, which claimed the title from the 2019 original "Hello, Love, Goodbye."

"We're so blessed because binigyan ng mga tao ng chance 'yung pelikula namin at lahat ng nare-receive namin. Wala na kaming mahihiling pa," said Kathryn.

Alden added as he expressed his thanks to supporters, "No words can express how grateful we are for the turnout and we're very happy na maraming naka-appreciate nito."

Part of the proceeds of "Hello, Love, Again" will go toward helping the victims of Typhoon Pepito, which passed through the Philippines over the weekend.

Kathryn and Alden will also represent the film as it closes the Asian World Film Festival in Los Angeles.

"Hello, Love Again" continues to screen in the Philippines and North America, and later this week opens in five countries in the Middle East — where a huge population of Filipino migrant workers may boost ticket sales even further.

Catch up with the stars at Illo’s Home Buffet on Shaw Boulevard

BY GISELLE SANCHEZ


AT A GLANCE

  • I could play catch-up with the stars that graced the fast-rising buffet restaurant chain opening in Metro Manila. 

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From left: Ryza Cenon, Giselle Sanchez, Andrea del Rosario, and Regine Tolentino
 

Ryza Cenon, Rocco Nacino, Regine Tolentino, Andrea del Rosario, Enzo Pineda, Michelle Vito, and I grace the opening of Illo’s Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong. 

Located at Lancaster Hotel, the legendary Chef Niño Rodillos of Illo’s Party Trays opened three huge halls providing an events place for up to 200 guests plus delicious food. 

I could play catch-up with the stars that graced the fast-rising buffet restaurant chain opening in Metro Manila. 

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Rocco Nacino, Melissa Gohing, Giselle Sanchez, Chef N, Cong Gus Tambunting, and Maq Agapito

Ryza Cenon

I was particularly impressed with Ryza’s semi-bald look. Only Ryza Cenon can pull off such a hairstyle and still look stunning.

The TV5 actress tells Gossip Girl why she is sporting that look, “My character Christine Maceda in Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa demands such a hairstyle. She’s a bad-ass. You should watch her Mondays thru Fridays at 7:30 pm on TV5.” 

Regine Tolentino

I recently visited Regine Tolentino Atelier to rent a sexy casino-royale-inspired dress and hosted an event with that theme. I was surprised to see beautiful gowns and event dresses aside from the usual costumes she rents for themed parties. I was in awe and told Regine how significant the expansion of her business was. The actress-businesswoman told me a secret, “Never stop innovating, never stop expanding. Resting on your laurels will stagnate any business. Continue working hard to excite your customers so they will always return.” 

Andrea del Rosario 

When Andrea was a councilor in Calatagan, Batangas, I heard from constituents that she did a fantastic job with her projects to help the people's economic livelihood. I was surprised she did not run again with her impeccable work for the town: "I have to be a mom first. My daughter will undergo her third surgery. Please pray for her.” 

Beatrice Anne is the daughter of the award-winning actress. Bea is currently suffering from a rare congenital disease called Jejunal Atresia, which is a rare type of obstruction of the small bowel. 

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From left: Regine Tolentino, Cong Gus Tambunting, Enzo Pineda, Chef Nino Rodillos, Michelle Vito, Maq Agapito, and Lancaster Hotel owner Ronald Lim

 Illo’s Home Buffet Shaw

And finally, the main star of the night – Illo’s Shaw. The New Illo’s Home Buffet is at Lancaster Hotel, 622 Shaw Blvd. You can check out their website, www.illoshome.com. They have three event venues for weddings, corporate parties, and baptisms. Illo’s party trays still deliver food to your doorstep, especially this Christmas; you can check out their menu on their website www.illospartytrays.com, and for larger catering needs, there is Illo’s prive (www.illosprive.com)   

Cebu definitely loves OPM

 AT A GLANCE

  • With the rich lineup of OPM hits, this fourth installment of “I Love OPM” in Cebu was a resounding success. 

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Kuh Ledesma

Cebu made it loud and clear: they love OPM! The full-packed ballroom of NUSTAR was the ultimate proof.

"I Love OPM” brought together some of the best talents in Filipino music for an unforgettable three-hour show, with the audience singing along, dancing, and feeling deeply connected. 

The evening was a showcase of timeless hits. Marco Sison's hit songs ' Make Believe' and ' Si Aida, si Lorna o Si Fe' were big winners. His duet with Kuh on Habang May Buhay had the crowd swooning, capturing that classic kilig factor. "Angayan sila," said someone from the audience. 

Vina Morales electrified the audience with her OPM retro medley, bringing everyone to their feet. Her duet with Kuh, a mash-up of Basil Valdez' "Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo" and Dulce's "Paano Kung Wala Ka Na," was seamless; their voices blended perfectly, with neither overshadowing the other. This Kuh-Vina combination felt fresh, showing great potential for more future collaborations beyond Kuh’s usual singing partners. 

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Kuh Ledesma and Marco Sison

Nonoy  Zuniga surprised everyone with his humor, showing a playful side that made the audience laugh. Yet his soulful rendition of "I’ll Never Say Goodbye" was pure sincerity—each note was heartfelt. The crowd was silent, completely captivated.

Meanwhile, the Apo Hiking Society, or the Apo ageless Society as Kuh called them, delivered their signature charm, performing their biggest hits, including a duet with Kuh on "Ewan," Apo’s very first hit, proving that a great song that no matter the age or who sings it, remains fresh to the ears.

Kuh, as always, delivered! Despite a slight cough at the beginning due to the smoke machine as she explained, she dazzled, delivering her classic hits with the same brilliance and excellence that have made her a household name. She has long championed Filipino music, and her dedication was evident in every song, especially her "Pilipino Ako (Pilipino Ako," a powerful nationalistic song celebrating the pride we should all feel as Filipinos. 


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The accompanying video showcased Filipinos who have made a mark on the global stage in various fields, including film, music, and sports. What was surprising, yet humbling, that Kuh was not featured in the video’s background—even though she was one of the first to become a judge at the Miss Universe pageant. 

The show began late, but it was worth the wait, especially knowing the event was for a good cause. Universal Cultural Foundation’s support for Kalipay Negrense, an organization dedicated to rescuing and caring for disadvantaged children, made the concert even more meaningful. The cast’s powerful performance of "Lift Up Your Hands" was a heartfelt moment of solidarity, reminding us that the only way forward is to turn to God, trust Him, and accept Him as our Savior.

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Despite the three-hour show time, many were left wanting more. How I wish Kuh would explore current hits like the songs of Ben&Ben, Sarah G’s Tala, or even SB 19's "Kapangyarihan." And with Kuh, there’s no doubt she could make these songs her own.

With the rich lineup of OPM hits, this fourth installment of “I Love OPM” in Cebu was a resounding success. Here’s hoping for a fifth, sixth, and so on in Cebu or other parts of the country—or the world. OPM unites us and makes us proud, and as Kuh’s show proved, it’s a priceless part of our cultural heritage worth celebrating.

Lisa announces debut solo album ‘Alter Ego’

BY JONATHAN HICAP

Lisa, a member of K-pop group BLACKPINK, announced her highly anticipated debut solo album, “Alter Ego.”

The world renowned rapper, singer, dancer, and style icon will be releasing her solo album on Feb. 28 next year through LLOUD Co. and RCA Records. 

Lisa started teasing about the new album last week with a series of social media posts hinting at the album title while also touring Asia for her five city sold-out limited run of fan meet dates. 

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Lisa (Photo by Wontae Go)

In a video, Lisa emulated five characters each representing a unique personality. They are represented by the five points on a star, which has become a key emblem in the campaign. The announcement of Lisa’s debut solo album comes at the tail end of a record breaking year full of exciting new solo music and high energy performances. 

She recently made headlines on the cover of Billboard as its first ever global cover star. She graced the cover of the magazine for 10 Billboard editions including Billboard US, Billboard Arabia, Billboard Brazil, Billboard Canada, Billboard Espanol, Billboard Italia, Billboard Japan, Billboard Korea, and Billboard Philippines. 

“Lisa has star power in spades,” Billboard announced. 

Earlier in the week, Lisa was also featured as one of the cover stars of Vanity Fair’s highly coveted Hollywood Issue in anticipation of her debut acting role in season three of HBO’s “The White Lotus.” 

Lisa’s most recent single from the forthcoming album, “Moonlit Floor”, showcases both her ethereal vocals and immense talent as a rapper while interpolating the 90s hit classic, “Kiss Me,” by Sixpence None The Richer. 

In addition, she also saw success with her preceding singles “New Woman,” featuring Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Rosalía, and “Rockstar,” which quickly propelled to the top of the charts following its release. 

“Rockstar” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Global Excl. US Chart and No. 4 on the Billboard Global 200 weekly while debuting at No. 8 on Spotify’s Global Daily Chart and charting in more than 20 markets worldwide. 

The single also held the No. 1 spot in Thailand on Spotify, LISA’s home country, for 10 consecutive days and now has nearly 427 million streams. 

The official music video for “Rockstar,” directed by Henry Scholfield and choreographed by Sean Bankhead, amassed an impressive over 265 million views to date and hit No. 1 on YouTube’s global weekly chart following release. 

Along with the release of the three singles, which will be included in “Alter Ego,” Lisa gave electrifying performances at Global Citizen Festival in NYC and the 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show

Lisa also returned to the VMA stage in September where she performed a medley of “New Woman” and “Rockstar.” She took home the moonperson for Best K-pop for her single “Rockstar” that night and broke a new record as the first solo act to win in that category multiple times. 

Additionally, Lisa won two awards earlier this month at the MTV EMAs for Best Collaboration for her hit song “New Woman" feat. Rosalia and for Biggest Fans. 

NOWADAYS LIFE IS NO MORE FAIR


 

Life isn't fair because you expect it to be. Life is random. You think it is supposed to be fair, so you have expectations. The key to happiness is letting go of expectation and dealing with what is in front of you. Life is tough, it is cruel at times, but there is also great capacity for happiness, even joy.  


You are the only person who can see from your exact point of view. Everyone else around you has a completely different point of view. Therefore, people just might disagree with you because your view of reality may be different than theirs. If they disagree with you, they will work against you.

Plenty of people work hard but never get what they feel they deserve. Plenty of people are incredibly decent but always seem to get the short end of the stick. Plenty of people are smart but never seem to apply their academic excellence to entrepreneurial or professional achievement.

Plenty of people fall in love only to see their love squandered on someone who doesn’t reciprocate.

The conclusion most of us reach . . . life isn’t fair.

Or, is it that many of us just don’t understand the "protocol" and have a bad relationship with “fairness”?

Many times I have observed that children at a young age like to cry out: "It isn't fair", whenever they feel they are wronged. Just a couple of days ago, I heard one father, whose patient was already very thin, responding grimly: "The whole life is not fair!"

Even we adults often have problems with the idea of fairness. the laborers in the vineyard certainly did. They received exactly what they had bargained for, yet they complained when others got the same pay for less work.

If this parable was a story about earned wages, the grumblers would have been quite right to complain. But this story is about the way God deals with us, and how can we say that God is not fair?

Fairness means clearness and being free from fault or stain. Fairness is the light-colored, hopeful and plausible part of our life - the span between life and death. Life is and cannot always be fair - of course not! But we could make it a little bit fairer, though many times our world is ruled by falseness.

Fairness requires people to be put into categories. Anyone who fulfills certain requirements will receive a certain reward, regardless of differences in the situation. But only God knows that categories only outline the sort of people we are. He knows that each one of us is unique and with individual needs.

In our everyday life, do we really practice the idea of fairness at our workplace and in our dealings with others? How? Let's analyze ourselves. May we learn what it means to be fair to another person... .

I learned a lot from Steve Wohlenhaus, CEO of Weatherology, the leading company in the world at disseminating audio weather information. Wohlenhaus said, "We need to spend more time focused on the present and less time ruminating about the past. We need to accept the unpleasant aspects of our past and do our best to move on. Concentrate on the present and create a beautiful and better future. That’s energy well spent. 

When we get trapped believing our past defines our future, life seems unfair. When we spend too much time contemplating the future and believe our destiny is outside our control, we feel helpless and life seems "unfair". Allocating our emotional energy wisely helps us dedicate our time to what truly matters and gain control over the belief that life is unfair".

Proverbs, probably the most down-to-earth book in the bible, prepares us for our daily life. In its prologue (Purpose and Theme) it says in 1:3: "...for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just fair". The Colossians added in the "Rules for Christian Householders" in 4:1, "Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair... .".

Life is unfair and therefore painful enough to cause grief. By a consideration that some good may develop from the unfairness of life still makes life a good option over dying. Life is still good in light of living hopefully, not as one prone to quitting

What are the traits of leaders that change lives?



It's not what you think.

True leadership isn't about corner offices
or impressive titles.

It's about these 8 essential traits that transform
ordinary moments into lasting impact:

1. Lead with Real Empathy
↳ Move beyond surface-level listening
↳ Understand what drives your people
↳ Connect with their challenges and dreams

2. Master Adaptability
↳ Turn obstacles into opportunities
↳ Keep moving forward when others freeze
↳ Find new paths when old ones close

3. Share a Clear Vision
↳ Paint a picture others can see
↳ Make the future feel possible
↳ Give purpose to daily work

4. Build Trust
↳ Do what you say you'll do
↳ Create safety through consistency
↳ Be the leader people can count on

5. Speak with Clarity
↳ Cut through the noise
↳ Make complex things simple
↳ Give direction that moves people forward

6. Own Your Actions
↳ Take responsibility, not credit
↳ Stand behind your decisions
↳ Show others what accountability means

7. Stay Authentic
↳ Drop the corporate mask
↳ Lead with real transparency
↳ Let others see your human side

8. Lift Others Higher
↳ Celebrate progress, not just results
↳ Push people past their comfort zones
↳ Help others see their hidden potential

Here's what most people miss:

These aren't just traits.
They're choices you make every day.

Small moments add up.
Simple actions create lasting change.

Which trait will you strengthen today?
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