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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Friday, April 4, 2025

James Gunn predicts summer of ‘Superman’ to the rescue of the box office

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS


AT A GLANCE

  • Warner Bros. showed off a diverse and starry slate of its upcoming films on Tuesday, but the night was carried on the shoulders of Clark Kent. 

Cast and director of Superman (AP) .png
James Gunn, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult and David Corenswet (AP) 

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The 2025 box office has been hit with a deficit. Can the James Gunn-dubbed “summer of ‘Superman’” save it?

Warner Bros. showed off a diverse and starry slate of its upcoming films on Tuesday, but the night was carried on the shoulders of Clark Kent.

“I really do believe in this movie. And I do believe that there is a lack of human kindness, or at least a degradation of human kindness,” Gunn said. “This is a movie that celebrates kindness and human love.” 

At the annual CinemaCon convention and trade show in Las Vegas, Gunn — the director and writer of the first film in the new iteration of the connected DC Universe — brought out its stars, who gushed over their experience making the film.

“It’s a great honor to play a role that exists so clearly in the public consciousness, to the point where everyone I think, even if you haven’t seen a film or read a comic, you sort of know what the Superman symbol means and you know what it stands for,” said David Corenswet, adding that he hopes to “illuminate something new about the character, or even just bring the beloved character to a new audience.”

Corenswet was joined onstage by Rachel Brosnahan, who plays Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult, who plays Lex Luthor.

“James makes a family out of every set,” Brosnahan said. “The set is full of people who want to be there, who love making these movies. And it’s such a joy to come to work every day. As many of you have probably heard from other people, it’s not always like that.” 

Gunn was announced as the film’s director in 2023, shortly after he and Peter Safran became co-chairs and co-CEOs of DC Studios.

“We appreciate and share your passion for this art form,” Safran told a room full of theater owners. “It’s the fulcrum of our ambitious DC Studios slate and it’s what inspired James to shoot all over the world and push filmmaking technology to its limits, to propel moviegoers out of their homes into your theaters.”

The film will be released theatrically in July amid a summer of superhero titles, including “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” and “Thunderbolts.”

In addition to “Superman,” Warner Bros. teased some of its April releases on the convention’s main stage, like Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” and “A Minecraft Movie,” but they also looked further down the road for 2025.

In a nod to cinephiles, the studio kicked off its presentation by bringing out the stars of Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another,” including Leonardo DiCaprio and Regina Hall. The film is set to hit theaters in September.

“I’ve been wanting to work with Paul for over, gosh, almost 20 years now. He’s one of the most unique talents of our time,” DiCaprio said. “With this film, he’s tapped into something politically and culturally that is brewing beneath our psyche. But at the same time, it’s an incredibly epic movie and has such scope and scale.” 

Director Joseph Kosinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer also treated the audience to an extended sneak peak of “F1,” Brad Pitt’s Formula One racing drama premiering in June.

In addition to Hollywood studios and stars boasting the theatrical menus they believe will lure audiences to cinemas, the annual convention is also a time to discuss current industry debates, like how long movies should stay in theaters and the extent to which studios should get into production with streaming companies.

Is it true that our job kills us?



It doesn't necessarily harm us, but it makes us rely a lot on having a steady income, which can squash our dreams. Jobs are important when starting out to learn how things work and connect with people in the industry. However, working for someone else your whole life can really take away from your own happiness. The world we exist in consists of two kinds of people, Those who exploit and those who get exploited. So either you fulfil your goals or someone else will hire you to fulfil theirs.


If your job leaves you with little time or energy for activities outside of work, such as spending quality time with loved ones, pursuing hobbies, or engaging in self-care, it's a sign that your job is encroaching on your personal life and negatively impacting your mental well-being.


I have experienced it many times. I have written about it many times. Nothing changed yet. Of course not! 


Fact is, nowadays, the modern workplace can inflict dangerous levels of stress on employees even more than decades ago. Jeffrey Pfeffer, author of "Dying for a Paycheck" , argues that these practices don’t help companies – and warns governments are ignoring an emerging public health crisis.


Jeffrey Pfeffer is not the only one. Hundreds more followed Pfeffer's footsteps. 


An Uber software engineer making a six-figure income killed himself in 2016, with his family blaming workplace stress. A 21-year-old Merrill Lynch intern collapsed and died in London after working 72 hours straight. When Arcelormittal closed a steel plant that it had taken over, a 56-year old employee died of a heart attack three weeks later. His family said it was a shock. And the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work has reported that over half of the 550 million working days lost annually from absenteeism “are stress related”. 


In 2015, an analysis of almost 300 studies found that harmful workplace practices were as bad for mortality, and as likely to lead to a physician-diagnosed illness, as second-hand smoke, a known – and regulated – carcinogen.


Harmful workplace practices include things like long working hours, work-family conflict, economic insecurity arising from job losses and not having regular or predictable work hours, an absence of job control and, in the US, not having health insurance.


Your supervisor is more important to your health than your family doctor. That's not my quotation but by Bob Chapman, CEO of Barry-Wehmiller.


The workplace is making people sick and even killing them – and people should care. With rising health-care costs all over the world, the workplace has become an important public health problem. “According to the Mayo clinic, your supervisor is more important to your health than your family doctor,” Bob Chapman, CEO of the manufacturing firm Barry-Wehmiller, told the entire world.


The aptly-named American Institute of Stress claims that workplace stress costs the American economy some $300bn each year. A paper I co-authored in a leading peer-reviewed journal estimated that there were 120,000 extra deaths annually in the US from harmful management practices, and that extra health-care costs were $190bn each year. That would make the workplace the fifth leading cause of death, worse than kidney disease or Alzheimer’s. In the UK, the Health and Safety Executive reported that 12.5 million working days were lost from work-related stress, depression or anxiety in 2016-2017. 


Work practices that are bad for people don’t even help the company. Very clear. But who cares?


None of this is necessary, because the work practices that are bad for people don’t help the company, either. Long working hours are negatively related to per-hour productivity at both the national and industry level.  Although it may seem counterintuitive, layoffs or redundancies do not improve organisational performance and often drive the best employees to leave, and because of direct costs such as severance and indirect costs such as losing people with strong relationships with customers, frequently do not even save money.  For decades research has shown that giving people more control over how and when they do their jobs increases motivation and engagement.


Not surprisingly, stressed employees are more likely to quit – and turnover is expensive.  And systematic research demonstrates what ought to be obvious – sick, stressed employees aren’t as proficient or productive in their work as those that are healthier. Look into a mirror! Maybe you feel the same while reading this.


Every indication is that work is getting worse. Job cuts, which used to occur only in tough economic times, are now routine. When 3G Capital combined food giants Heinz and Kraft, 20 percent of the workforce got the axe as the company consolidated manufacturing and removed overlapping functions.


The “gig economy” means that economic insecurity is higher as people don’t know what their income will be from one week to the next. Scheduling software that permits retailers and other businesses such as hotels and restaurants to have only the people that analytics predict will be needed means that workers often face fluctuating incomes and don’t have much ability to arrange for coping with family responsibilities.


Few leaders seem to understand that when people come to work for them, those individuals have placed their physical and psychological well-being in the leaders’ hands


Most fundamentally, in the 1950s and 1960s CEOs saw their job as balancing their obligations to shareholders, customers, employees and the community – so-called “stakeholder capitalism”. Now shareholder interests dominate. Few leaders seem to understand that when people come to work for them, those individuals have placed their physical and psychological well-being in the leaders’ hands.


But some leaders are taking this idea of stewardship seriously. Companies such as Patagonia, Collective Health, SAS Institute, Google, John Lewis Partnership – which is employee-owned – and Zillow provide a template of what might be different. As I said, SOME leaders. Really only a very few. Not enough. I guess most leaders really don't care about their staff.


People get paid time off and are expected to use it. Managers don’t send emails or texts at all hours – people work, go home and have time to relax and refresh. The organisations offer accommodations so that people can have both a job and a family life. People are treated like adults and have control over what they do and how they do it to meet their job responsibilities, not micromanaged.


Most importantly, the companies are led by individuals who take their obligations to their people seriously. SAS Institute has a chief health officer whose job is not just to control costs but also to ensure employees are as healthy as possible.  Bob Chapman recognises that everyone who comes to work at Barry-Wehmiller is “someone’s precious child” or family member.


People need to choose their employer not just for salary and promotion opportunities but on the basis of whether the job will be good for their psychological and physical health. Business leaders should measure the health of their workforce, not just profits. 


If you're in a terrible job, you probably won't feel like you and will be in a negative state of mind most of the time. After all, you're spending 38+ hours a week in an environment that causes feelings of stress and anxiety. Having a job that creates a negative state of mind can also lead to future physical problems.


And governments concerned about the health-care cost crisis need to focus on the workplace, because workplace stress is clearly making people sick. None of this is necessary – no one should be dying for a paycheck.

ARE YOU IN LOVE WITH YOUR DAILY LIFE?




Love is a set of emotions and behaviors characterized by intimacy, passion, and commitment. It involves care, closeness, protectiveness, attraction, affection, and trust. Many say it's not an emotion in the way we typically understand them, but an essential physiological drive


Sometimes, we feel our life is turning miserably. Our negativism doesn't allow us to keep our eyes, ears - and, most important! - our minds, hearts and souls opened. We're reaching our breaking point.


This breaking point can be the prelude to our strongest moment. Can be! Must not! But if yes, then it is when we reach our breaking point,  we discover our real strength. Allow me to ask you, my dear readers: "What happens to you or with you when you reach your breaking point?" Do you face it or do you run away? I'll be giving you a very simple answer: If you face it - you break it. If you run away (and/or close your ears, eyes and mouth) - it breaks you!


Are you in love with life? How do you know if you're with the love of your life?

You prioritize their viewpoints. You learn their love language. You think in terms of their interests, not yours, and their needs are your own. You support them. You back them. You care and take care. You accept, and you allow.


Everyday - a dull reality! Many of us will answer this question with a big YES! Actually, we do like to cover a newborn's day already with a grey veil.But, each day has a new face, but sometimes we don't have the strength to watch its countenance. Of course, not every day has adventures and highlights. Would be really too easy!


Contrary to what might be expected, I look back on experiences that, at the same time, seemed especially desolating and painful with a particular satisfaction. Indeed, everything I have learned, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my existence, has been through affliction and not through happiness. 


If it ever were to be possible to eliminate affliction from your earthly existence, the result would not be to make life delectable, but to make it too banal and trivial to be endurable. 


By observation, we can feel that many of us need help to manage our everyday life. We need something that would keep us going as we journey through life. Many times we can also learn from other people and their experiences.


And here is one more thing: Affection is the humblest love - it gives itself no airs. It lives with humble and private things: soft slippers, old clothes, old jokes, and the thump of a sleepy dog's tail on the kitchen floor. The glory of affection, the disposition of mind, the good will and tender attachment, that can unite those who are not "made for one and another"! .


For me life has been a thing of ups and downs in approximately equal measure. I don't have something sensational to report every day about my progress. Often, I wonder if fulfillment in life is necessarily tied to change for the better. But one thing is for sure: I keep staying in love with life.

Thursday, April 3, 2025

TOP 10 Delegates

 



UPH

MANILA, Philippines — The Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) organization bared the names of the Top 10 delegates who got the highest number of votes from the Pinay Beauty online poll.

In a social media post, the organization wrote, "Pilipinas, your Top 10 picks in the Swimsuit Showcase are finally here. 

"These are the delegates with the highest number of votes covering the period of Mar 16 to Mar 31, 2025. Congratulations, queens!"

In alphabetical order, they are:

  • Benguet - Maiko Ibarde 
  • Bohol - Tyra Goldman 
  • Isabela - Jarina Sandhu 
  • Las Piñas (representing the Filipino Society of Canada - West) - Kristel David 
  • Naga City (representing the Filipino Society of Virginia) - Zoe Sofia Gabon 
  • Pangasinan - Andrea Cayabyab 
  • San Fernando, Cebu - Thelma Suzanne Dayao 
  • San Jose, Batangas (representing the Filipino Society of Canada - East) - Jessica Victoria Cianchino 
  • Siargao - Millen Joy Cabigas, and
  • Siniloan, Laguna - Yllana Marie Aduana 

The 2025 Miss Universe Philippines coronation night is slated on May 2 in Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City. Stay tuned!  

BY MARK REY MONTEJO


AT A GLANCE

  • Sporting a 7-3 card and just behind league-leading and reigning champion National University, De La Salle is giving its best effortto keep its momentum and clinch one of the two bonuses. 

With four remaining games left in the elimination round, the race for the precious Final Four spots gets tighter in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament.

UAAP87 VB - DLSU-8467.jpg
La Salle goes all out for a coveted twice-to-beat advantage in UAAP women's volleyball playoffs. (UAAP Media)

And it could only become a mad dash to the playoffs for those who are seeking a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals.

Sporting a 7-3 card and just behind league-leading and reigning champion National University, De La Salle is giving its best effort to keep its momentum and clinch one of the two bonuses.

“Actually ito talaga ‘yong goal namin na hawakan ‘yong second hanggang sa dulo para at least makuha namin ‘yong twice-to-beat advantage,” said La Salle head coach Ramil de Jesus after the Taft-based squad’s 25-21, 25-17, 25-20 win over arch-rival Ateneo at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday, April 2.

“Sana magtuloy-tuloy na, and ‘yon din talaga ‘yong isa mga goal namin,” he added.

La Salle, however, must overcome its next foes as it tries to build a cushion in the standings with Far East University and University of Santo Tomas inching closer with similar 6-4 records.

DLSU’s remaining games, however, are expected to be the challenging ones as it battles University of the East, University of the Philippines, Adamson and FEU. 

Last season, La Salle finished third to come up short for the semis bonus after yielding to UST, which was its final elimination opponent and eventually took the Final Four incentive.

Angel Canino, who quickly recovered from a neck injury scare in their previous contest against UST, anchored the Lady Spikers with her 16-point performance.

The Season 85 Rookie of the Year-MVP was just glad to see the improvement offensively.

“Actually matagal na rin naming inaantay na lumabas ‘yong mga atake, kasi, lahat kami, alam naman namin na lahat kaming kayang umatake,” said Canino.

“So, on that part, masaya kami na lumalabas na, but at the same time, marami pang kailangang i-improve,” she added. “But thinking about the positive side na naka-three set lang kami.” 

Bright future for La Salle’s rookie setter

Aside from offensive support from Shevana Laput, Alleiah Malaluan, Amie Provido, and Lilay Del Castillo, La Salle’s rookie setter Mikole Reyes has been a key piece in de Jesus' rotation.

The freshman, who replaced Mars Alba, is one of the best setters so far in the tournament.

“Siyempre ‘di pa po nagtatapos do’n, and hangga’t may mga games parin po, at patuloy ‘yong mga training namin, alam ko pong may ilalabas pa ['yong laro ko],” said Reyes. 

“Binibigyan talaga namin ng oras ‘yong mga setters namin sa training, and gusto naming magkaroon sila ng kumpiyansa, ‘di kasi nakukuha ng isang game ‘yon,” De Jesus. “Unti-unti nagiging maganda ‘yong result.”

Moving beyond jeepneys, tricycles, and motorcycles

BY PINKY CONCHA-COLMENARES

DRIVING THOUGHTS

A guide to survive 'isolation due to exposure’ 

In the Philippines, transportation is both a lifeline and a source of daily frustration. Jeepneys and tricycles, iconic as they are, have long been the go-to mode of transport for millions of Filipinos. And with the entry of electric vehicles (EVs), E-trikes with two, three, and four wheels have joined the competition for road space causing more frustration to daily commuters and motorists.

Spicing up the swarming vehicles on our limited road space are the motorcycles whose numbers have increased by leaps and bounds, we do not need to mention a figure to illustrate that point. Only last weekend, another road rage case erupted from the battle for road space, resulting in the death of one and injury of three persons from gunshot wounds.  The videos on that encounter, plus those that have surfaced from the dashcams of vehicles following the motorcycle and the SUV tell another sad story. Road rage can be caused not by waiting too long in crawling traffic, but also by unconventional risky maneuvers.

Education on road use needed

I will not add to the volumes of comments on that road rage incident in Antipolo.  I mentioned it only as a contributing problem to a population still unprepared for sustainable urban mobility.  Much education is needed by all who are road users, especially the new ones who are now driving e-trikes like they are four-wheel vehicles.  We are all sharing road space, and to do this successfully, rules have to be followed.  Number one rule is to be aware of one’s lane and when to overtake.

We need to do this fast. As urban populations swell and environmental concerns mount, these traditional vehicles can no longer meet the demands of a modern, sustainable city. It’s time for the country to embrace a future of sustainable urban mobility, one that prioritizes the health of its citizens and the environment. 

 Environmental impact and safety

Jeepneys, tricycles, and motorcycles have been integral to the Philippine landscape for decades. Their colorful designs and cultural significance make them much more than just modes of transport—they’re part of the country’s identity. Yet, their environmental impact is undeniable. Jeepneys, for example, are often outdated and run on diesel, contributing significantly to air pollution in highly congested areas like Metro Manila. Likewise, tricycles, commonly used in more rural areas, emit smoke and contribute to environmental degradation.  Motorcycles that have been cleverly converted to carry passengers, like children to school, are not safe on the highways.

The traffic gridlocks that plague cities like Manila are another consequence of an aging and inefficient transportation system. The lack of dedicated lanes, coupled with the dominance of jeepneys, tricycles and motorcycles on the roads, results in inefficient transport, longer commute times, and an overall decline in quality of life for urban dwellers.

A shift toward sustainable urban mobility is not just an environmental imperative — it’s a social and economic necessity. Modern cities worldwide are moving toward cleaner, more efficient transportation solutions to reduce congestion, improve air quality, and lower carbon emissions.

One of the most pressing needs is a focus on public transport systems that are both efficient and eco-friendly. The government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) is a step in the right direction, aiming to replace old jeepneys with electric vehicles (EVs) and more efficient public transport options. The shift to electric jeepneys and buses could significantly reduce emissions, making the air cleaner for everyone.

Beyond EVs, cities need to embrace integrated, multimodal transport systems. This means improving metro rail systems like the MRT, LRT, and expanding bus networks, making them more accessible, affordable, and reliable. But it also means creating safer streets for bicycles and pedestrians, as well as promoting car-sharing and ride-hailing services that reduce the need for individual car ownership.

 Sustainable urban transport system

A modern, sustainable urban transport system is one where different modes of transport work in harmony—where buses, trains, e-bikes, and shared vehicles are seamlessly integrated to offer residents a wide range of convenient and low-carbon options. This reduces dependency on private vehicles, helping ease congestion and reducing pollution.

While the shift toward sustainable mobility is vital, it is not without challenges. For one, the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) in the public transport sector requires significant investment in infrastructure, such as charging stations and the retrofitting of older vehicles.

Moreover, many commuters rely on jeepneys and tricycles because they are affordable, accessible, and cater to a wide range of routes, particularly in underserved areas. For private transport, the motorcycle presents an affordable option to commute to work or school because public transportation is inconvenient and unreliable.

The challenge lies in replacing these modes of transport without alienating or financially burdening the drivers and passengers who depend on them. The government must ensure that the transition is inclusive, providing subsidies or incentives to drivers who need to upgrade their vehicles and support for communities that depend on them.

BPCI names 36 official candidates for 61st Binibining Pilipinas, rumors of additional titles

BY ROBERT REQUINTINA


AT A GLANCE

  • The grandcoronation of the 61st Binibining Pilipinas beautypageant will be held sometime in June 2025. 

bin1.jpg
The 36 candidates of Binibining Pilipinas 2025 (Facebook)

The Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) has officially selected the candidates for the 2025 Binibining Pilipinas pageant during a final closed-door screening at the New Frontier Theater on April 2.

The roster of 36 new Binibinis features a blend of fresh faces and pageant veterans, each bringing unique stories and inspiring advocacies.

The official candidates of the 61st Binibining Pilipinas pageant are: 

candidates.jpg

The latest batch of Binibinis is carefully selected by a panel composed of the reigning Binibining Pilipinas 2024 queens and the BPCI Executive Committee.

Now part of the exclusive and legendary Binibini sisterhood, the candidates will compete in the grand 61st edition of the country's most prestigious beauty pageant to earn the right to represent the Philippines on the international stage.

As of 2024, there are two official titles in Binibining Pilipinas: Binibining Pilipinas International and Binibining Pilipinas Globe. The winners compete in Miss International and Miss Globe. 

Recent rumors indicate that the country's most prestigious beauty pageant will introduce new titles. The BPCI is expected to make an official announcement soon.

The reigning queens are Binibining Pilipinas International Myrna Esguerra and Binibining Pilipinas Globe Jasmin Bungay.

The grand coronation of the 61st Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant will be held sometime in June 2025.

MOVIEGOER: Maja back on track

BY NESTOR CUARTERO


AT A GLANCE

  • The 37-year old actress returns with news about a couple of new TV projects and some endorsements. 

Screenshot 2025-04-03 at 9.47.18 AM.png
Maja Salvador (Instagram)

“I didn’t move on from the 80s,” thus said Martin Nievera during a recent conversation. The veteran singer-total entertainer added his playlist has remained the same throughout the years.

John Lloyd Cruz on kissing scenes as told to Vice Ganda in an old edition of Gandang Gabi, Vice: “After doing a kissing scene, you must delete the memory in your mind immediately, or you might long for it and ask for more.”

Coco Martin’s first screen kiss was with a man. 

The star of FPJ’s Batang Quiapo, known for his rough-and-tumble action image, performed a  torrid kissing scene with co-actor Allan Paule in one of his early films, Masahista.

Coco’s poor-boy character in the movie worked as a masseur in an all-male establishment to make ends meet. The movie was directed by Coco’s mentor and discoverer, Brillante Mendoza.

Years later, Coco as TV director cast Allan as a policeman in now-running Batang Quiapo.

John Lloyd Cruz has left Maja Salvador’s talent management agency, as confirmed by Maja herself during a Beautederm event.  

Maja is back on track following an extended career lull brought about by marriage and pregnancy. The 37-year old actress returns with news about a couple of new TV projects and some endorsements.

Her management company recently signed an agreement with MediaQuest and TV5 for the following: Season 5 of Emojination opposite  Chad Kinis, a dance show, Isayaw Mo, a  teleseries, and possibly, a movie, too.

At the same time, Maja renewed her contract with Beautederm, her fifth year under Ms. Rhea Anicoche Tan’s company.

Maja endorses Blanc Set, a top-selling skincare set that includes Tretinoin (acne treatment) and Hydroquinone (hyperpigmentation treatment). Blanc Set prevents acne and pimples while brightening one’s skin Maja gave birth to her firstborn, Rambo Nuñez, in Canada on May 31, 2024. She said it had been a difficult pregnancy. Birthing Maria Reanna alone took all of 30 hours.

“The Philippines needs a spiritual leader,” according to former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza in our recent interview.

Anthony Jennings is set to star in a protracted international horror-drama film, Mother Maybe, directed by Sonny Calvento. The film is a co-production involving producers from Taiwan, Singapore, and the Philippines. Newsbreak was picked up by Variety.com. 

How time flew by. Julia Montes just turned 30. Celia Rodriguez is 87. Both are March-born actors, based on Facebook posts.

Ricky Lee is 77. Elwood Perez is 80. Barbra Streisand, 82. Eh, ikaw? 

New media platform for Mindanao launched

By Ivy Tejano

DAVAO CITY – A new media platform focused on showcasing Mindanao’s true identity—its people, cuisine, vibrant culture, and flourishing industries—was officially launched on Wednesday, April 2, in a mall here.
During the Wednesdays Media Forum, Davao resident and MindaNow Network chief executive officer Carl Lorenzana Magno launched the MindaNow Network, highlighting Mindanao’s authentic stories beyond its well-known festivals, scenic beaches, and mountain peaks.
“MindaNow aims to showcase the population—the real stars for this platform—and Mindanao as a land of rich traditions and a center for innovation and growth, sharing the diverse stories in the region, the Philippines, and the rest of the world,” Magno said.
Magno highlighted that, unlike mainstream media, their network operates independently, maintains a family-friendly approach, and prioritizes factual reporting. He also shared plans to relaunch “MindaNow Network News” in July as a news magazine program featuring individuals who positively impact society.
He also mentioned that bloggers and vloggers would be encouraged to share accurate and reliable stories, with incentives offered for credible content. One of the program’s key ideas is to involve bloggers and vloggers in its news segments.
Magno said the MindaNow Network has partnered with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) to ensure the content’s accuracy and fairness before being broadcast and address false information about Mindanao.
When asked why the network launched here only now, Magno highlighted the importance of the current administration’s support and the opportunity to showcase more of Mindanao’s progress. He admitted that the network officially began rolling out on December 2, 2024.
“To build a substantial content library, the team traveled to more areas—Cotabato City, General Santos City, Dinagat Island, Koronadal, and Siargao—capturing stories that reflect the heart of Mindanao,” Magno said, adding that the region is far different from the yesterdays.
“With all of these developments and peaceful initiatives, we can visit the region freely and show the world how peaceful it is here. We are not the old Mindanao they are talking about,” the MindaNow CEO said, referring to the earlier comparison of Mindanao to Sub-Saharan Africa.
Among the MindaNow Network programs are travel features—which explore Mindanao’s scenic landscapes from beaches to mountains; lifestyle segments (about artisans, entrepreneurs, and change-makers of Mindanao); business insights (economic trends, progress, etc.); and sports.
Magno is no stranger to pioneering media ventures. He said he launched Lakbay TV, the world’s first travel channel, in 1997, later becoming the Living Asia Channel. After moving to Las Vegas, he founded Asian Culture TV and Fil-Am TV for Asians and Filipinos to be media-represented.
The MindaNow CEO said his inspiration stemmed from recognizing the underrepresentation of Asians in American media. He added that when he was in Vegas, he also created Vegas Plus, a platform connecting independent broadcasters to over 30 million Asians and Asian Americans.
He said with their distribution partnership with Reliance Broadcasting Unlimited, which recently acquired Sky Cable, MindaNow Network would reach 11 million homes through Roku, Sky TV and Sky Direct, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Vimeo, IBC, and other platforms.
Magno said with backing from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Discovery Samal, and Samal Shores, the network is off to a promising start but needs additional support to expand its reach and impact.
With travel advisories for Mindanao already lifted by Japan and some parts of Europe, Magno said he believes that the media will play a key role in changing perceptions about Mindanao, with the participation of the media and digital content creators.
New media platform for Mindanao launched - Mindanao Journal