The moment you start choosing yourself

 

make the decision today to stop putting yourself last.

Protect your peace, honor your values, and stop settling for what drains your energy.
The moment you start respecting your own worth, the world begins to respond differently.
Invest in your growth.
Guard your time.
Walk away from what does not respect you. When you truly choose yourself, you stop living for approval and start living with purpose, and that is where real change begins. The moment you start choosing yourself,
your life begins to change.
Your standards rise. Your boundaries become stronger. Your energy becomes different.
You stop chasing people and start attracting the right ones. You stop seeking approval and start trusting your own worth. Life often reflects what you believe you deserve. Choose yourself first, and watch everything else align.

#peace #yourself #growth

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28 YEARS IN THE PHILIPPINES AS GERMAN EXPATRIATE

 

By Klaus Döring

While writing this part, my time in the Philippines almost reached 26 years.

I started loving the Philippines. I started loving my life here. I tried to accept Philippine Time and many other things, but the culture shock has been recognized by other expatriates. Yes, sorry, maybe I am a lucky guy. As one says: One in a million. Or ten in a million. 

Well, I remember many messages about other expatriates. Yes, I know, I am the lucky guy here. 

Many decades ago, I told everybody contacting me: "Don't compare your life with mine. Everybody is different and everybody has another partner."

Well, I have reached my 27th year as an expatriate in the Philippines. I am happy and blessed with my life here. Sorry, if some readers are not the same here. I know, it's not easy. But how and where on this planet is it easy?  I wish everyone a good life. An awesome life , maybe. 

God bless you all. God bless the Philippines.

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Email me at doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me on Facebook and LinkedIn or visit my www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com .

A salute to the Filipina

 

By Dr. Jun Ynares

Published Mar 11, 2026 12:05 am | Updated Mar 10, 2026 05:30 pm

THE VIEW FROM RIZAL

Last Sunday, the 8th of March, the Nation and the rest of the world marked the annual celebration of National Women’s Day. In our country, the 8th of March is also International Women’s Rights Day and International Peace Day. The rest of March marks the Philippines’ celebration of the Month of Women’s Role in History.

Recent incidents of apparent “disrespect” toward prominent women, widely discussed on social media during this month’s women-focused celebrations, prompt us to reflect as a nation on the true value of “respect” — particularly for women, and especially for the Filipina.

We must recognize that our past was marked by what sociologists call “sexual objectification.” This is the act of treating a person — female or male — only as a commodity. Such acts see a woman or man as an object, disregarding their dignity.

Many societies have worked to rid themselves of this mentality. For instance, laws and ordinances in several parts of our country penalize words and actions with sexual overtones directed at women. Likewise, slapstick comedies with sexual innuendoes about women are now out of style. Furthermore, “bastos” jokes against women rarely elicit laughter, and whistling and ogling at women are no longer acceptable.

While sexual objectification of women persists, it is no longer the societal norm. Women are no longer labeled as “the weaker sex.” Society now gives them the respect they fought hard to earn.

Today, the Filipina has more than proven that they must be held in high regard. Not only do they occupy key positions in business, but they are also successfully steering their respective companies — making a name for themselves and earning the esteem of their male counterparts in the boardroom.

Marquee names in the corporate world today include Tessie Sy-Coson, vice chairman of SM Investments Group and chairman of the largest Unibank; Martha Sazon, the first woman CEO of a financial technology company; and Robina Gokongwei-Pe, chairman of one of the country's largest retail store chains.

This group also includes Lorelei Quiambao Osial, the first woman president of the Philippine arm of a major petroleum company; Anna Margarita Dy, CEO of the country’s largest real estate developer; Lynette Ortiz, president of Land Bank of the Philippines; Cosette Canilao, president of a top infrastructure firm; and Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso, president of a leading property developer.

The list is by no means complete. Many women are now in key leadership positions in the corporate world. They have made an impact and brought their own unique brand of visionary leadership to the business sector.

As we honor the present women leaders in business, we must also remember Mercedes Gotianun, the first Filipina to ever sit at the president’s desk of a large banking institution.

Together with Helen Yuchengco-Dee, chairman of a major holding company, and Evelyn Singson, former executive vice president of a respected bank, current hotel president, and first woman president of the Management Association of the Philippines, Mrs. Gotianun paved the way for women leaders in a field once dominated by men.

In saluting the Filipina, the list must include Alexandra “Alex” Eala. She is the first Filipino to break into the top 50 of the World Tennis Association. She earned this honor by defeating champions and capturing the admiration of the international tennis community.

Before there was an Alex Eala, there were Filipinas held in high esteem in the international athletic community. That list includes the likes of Olympic Gold Medalist Hidilyn Diaz; the late Lydia de Vega, a multiple Asian Games gold medalist; long jump queen Elma Muros; and sprinter Mona Sulaiman, dubbed the fastest woman in Asia in the 1960s.

The Filipina shines and continues to shine in other spheres of our nation’s life: Government, the civic sector, the military, and nongovernmental organizations. In recognition of their remarkable contributions, we salute them this month, set aside to honor them.

They are the worthy daughters of Filipinas who pioneered the courageous display of grit, intellect, and giftedness among Filipino women. To clarify, this list includes the icons of our history: Melchora Aquino, Gabriela Silang, Princess Tarhata Kiram, Teresa Magbanua, Trinidad Tecson, Josefa Llanes Escoda, and Nieves Fernandez. Furthermore, it also recognizes pioneering Filipina political leaders such as Carmen Planas, Elisa Ochoa, Geronima Pecson, Tecla San Andres Ziga, Eva Estrada Kalaw, Maria Kalaw Katigbak, Magnolia Antonino, and Antipoleña Corazon Aquino.

These women cannot be objectified. Any man who tried to shame or dehumanize them would fail. In many ways, they achieved what men did not.

By remembering these names, we reaffirm the sterling character and intellect of the Filipina, who deserve the full respect of our nation.

(The author is a Doctor of Medicine, an entrepreneur and the mayor of Antipolo City, former Rizal governor, and DENR assistant secretary, LLDA general manager. Email: antipolocitygov@gmail.com)

Civil registrars in Davao City for nat'l conference

By Ivy Tejano

Published Mar 10, 2026 06:23 pm

DAVAO City Hall (FB)

DAVAO CITY – Acting Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte II highlighted the crucial role of civil registrars in ensuring accurate public records and efficient government service delivery during the opening of the 4th National Convention and Seminar on Civil Registration Processes on Tuesday, March 10, at the SMX Convention Center Davao.

More than 1,000 civil registrars, government personnel, and civil registration stakeholders from across the country gathered for the convention organized by the Samahan ng mga Tagapagtalang Sibil ng Pilipinas Inc.

In his welcome message on behalf of the Davao City government, Duterte greeted the delegates and acknowledged the vital work of civil registry professionals in maintaining reliable records of vital events such as births, marriages, and deaths.

Duterte emphasized that accurate civil registration is essential to ensuring that citizens are properly recognized in government records and can access public services and legal rights.

The convention brought together participants from various local government units and national agencies to discuss best practices and strategies to improve civil registration nationwide.

With the theme “Everything is Accounted for,” this year’s gathering highlighted transparency, accountability, and the adoption of modern practices to support efficient, accurate documentation systems.

Organizers said the convention aims to strengthen collaboration among civil registrars and government institutions while enhancing the knowledge and skills of civil registry personnel.

Participants attended seminars and workshops focused on improving service delivery and modernizing civil registration systems nationwide.

Officials expressed hope that the discussions and training sessions would equip civil registrars with the tools and insights needed to strengthen civil registration services further and ensure that every Filipino is properly documented.

The event also showcased Davao City’s capacity to host national gatherings that promote professional development and cooperation among government agencies.

'TictoClock' grand finalist Eula Bautista faints during performance

By Robert Requintina

Published Mar 11, 2026 06:58 am

Eula Bautista, a grand finalist at the Tanghalan ng Kampeon segment on 'TictoClock' on GMA Network, fainted in the middle of her performance on March 10.

Kuya Kim Atienza gives a statement about the emergency situation on 'TicktoClock' where contestant Eula Bautista fainted during her performance.

"Eula Bautista fainted in the middle of her back-to-back tapatan performance against Princess Palti. There was an emergency in the studio. Eula Bautista fainted. We had to take a commercial break, so our medical personnel could attend to Eula," said Kuya Kim Atienza during the show. "Right now, the medical team is observing Eula's condition."

Eula Bautista, a grand finalist at the Tanghalan ng Kampeon segment of the 'TictoClock' program on GMA, faints in the middle of her performance.

Judge Renz Verano added, "Our priority is Eula's health. We're hoping and praying that she's okay. This is the first time this has happened, so we are a little shocked."  

Eula was performing "Better Days" when she fainted. Renz urged viewers to pray for her.

"Whatever the judges decide, we will let you know tomorrow. We will give you an update on Eula's condition. For now, let's join in praying that Eula is safe and that nothing serious happened to her. Let's all be careful," Renz added.     

Update on Eula

Later, in a report by GMA News Online, "TiktoClock" program manager Charles Koo said Eula is fine now.

"We had a medic with us, and we assessed her medical condition. Eula had herself checked," Charles said. "Her oxygen rate was at 100 percent, her heart rate was normal, but her breath rate was a little high at 18 breaths per minute."

When Eula complained of a numbing upper lip, the medic said it must be anxiety. "So we put her on oxygen, sat her in a wheelchair, and relocated her to the dressing room, where she could rest and for further check."

Gov’t arranges chartered flights for OFWs

 

Gov’t arranges chartered flights for OFWs, warns against hoarders, profiteers

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro (Photo courtesy of RTVM)

In a statement, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said that chartered flights are now being arranged to transport Filipinos from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, with the earliest flight departing on March 14. Read more

In a related development, AGIMAT Party-list Rep. Bryan Revilla is calling for a whole-of-government response to the Middle East crisis in a bid to protect the safety and welfare of the estimated 2.4 million overseas Filipino workers in the region. Read more

Meanwhile, Malacañang warned that hoarders and profiteers taking advantage of the expected oil supply disruption caused by the conflict in the Middle East will face consequences of their actions. Read more

Shipping lines cut trips

 Local shipping lines have resorted to trimming their daily trips and increasing passenger fares to cope with spiking fuel costs, affecting Filipinos planning to travel during the Holy Week. https://tinyurl.com/bddtvpv8 | via ONE News

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