In transit

 

By Jullie Y. Daza

Published Mar 19, 2026 12:04 am | Updated Mar 18, 2026 04:25 pm

MEDIUM RARE

Somewhere I read a Japanese monk’s observation that as we are all travelers we must learn that separation awaits us at the end of the road.

Separation comes in many forms but it is inevitable. Some separations do us good, other times a separation breaks our hearts and turns our lives upside-down.

For Jenn Agrazada Schreiner, coming home to the Philippines from Germany for the first time in many years since she got married to a German was a bitter-sweet experience. It was the last time she would see and hug her mother, the first time she had to take care of such worldly matters as chasing a paper trail of documents to prove her identity, look for a buyer for the now empty house, and ask her Manila-based friends to help her find a team to renovate it for the next occupant.

For Evelyn Quiroz, from being a former president of the Malacañang press corps to taking over as president of Plaridel, the association of “senior” journalists, the transition was quick and painless – no election, no objections to Chairman Emeritus Roly Estabillo simply and formally relinquishing his presidency to EQ, as Evelyn is called. EQ took over with neither a whisper nor a battlecry. Plaridel members are holding their breath: When will EQ call her first general meeting?

If music shakes away the dust of everyday living, Mariel Ilusorio, aka Mrs. Abel Galang, must have gathered a fairly huge collection of feather dusters by now. Whether as a soloist or accompanist to vocalists such as Rachel Gerodias and Biyong Park, Mariel is also quite the pedagogue. Before any performance, she situates her audience in the time and place of the composer she is about to interpret on the pianoforte.

At her latest recital at Sunshine Place recently, Mariel announced she was now her own producer, as a result of which there were 10 ambassadors in the audience; in short, it was an international event!

If music is memories, I remember how as a kid enrolled in the Music Academy of Immaculate Conception Academy (ICA), Sister Margaret Mary, M.I.C. forced her students to join a contest for kids on a radio station. And we won! It was the last time I considered myself a pianist.

Ensure energy security; boost renewable power generation now

 

By Manila Bulletin

Published Mar 18, 2026 12:05 am | Updated Mar 17, 2026 06:11 pm

Everyone is feeling the pinch of the oil price shock.

Each escalation of conflict in the Middle East sends this familiar shock through the Philippine economy. Oil prices surge, fuel costs rise, and the consequences cascade quickly—from increased prices of basic goods and higher cost of transport to mounting inflation. These disruptions occur because the Philippines remains heavily dependent on imported fossil fuel. Every geopolitical tremor in oil-producing regions reverberates in the daily lives of Filipino consumers.

This recurring vulnerability should compel policymakers to reassess how the nation approaches energy policy. Renewable energy must no longer be treated simply as environmental compliance or as a regulatory requirement under the Renewable Energy Act of 2008. It must be recognized for what it truly is: a pillar of national economic security.

Countries that invested early in renewable energy have demonstrated how strategic foresight can reduce exposure to global oil shocks. Nations such as Denmark, Germany, and Iceland have built energy systems that rely heavily on wind, solar, and other renewable resources. Their economies are not immune to global energy fluctuations, but they are far less vulnerable because a significant share of their power is produced domestically from inexhaustible sources.

The Philippines possesses similar advantages. With its tropical climate and long coastlines, the country has vast potential for solar and wind energy. Sunlight is abundant around the archipelago, while strong wind corridors—from Northern Luzon to the Visayas and offshore waters—could support large-scale wind generation. In practical terms, the country has the natural resources required to reduce its reliance on imported fossil oil. What remains lacking is decisive policy momentum.

The executive branch must begin by elevating renewable energy development to a central national priority. Energy independence should be pursued with the same seriousness given to food security or fiscal stability. Clear and ambitious national targets for renewable generation would send a powerful signal to investors that the government is committed to a long-term transformation of the energy sector.

Equally urgent is the removal of regulatory barriers that slow investment. Renewable energy projects often face prolonged permitting processes, overlapping approvals, and bureaucratic uncertainty. A streamlined, single-window system for permits would dramatically speed up project timelines and reduce the financial risks that discourage investors.

Legislators also have a critical responsibility. Congress must strengthen the country’s policy framework by expanding fiscal incentives that encourage investment in renewable infrastructure. Tax holidays, duty-free importation of renewable energy equipment, and accelerated depreciation schemes can significantly reduce the cost of entry for developers. At the same time, lawmakers must support the modernization of the national grid so that electricity generated from remote wind and solar facilities can be efficiently transmitted to urban and industrial centers.

The private sector, for its part, should recognize that renewable energy is not merely a corporate social responsibility initiative. It is an economic opportunity. Large corporations can accelerate the transition by investing in rooftop solar installations, entering long-term renewable power purchase agreements, and supporting the financing of renewable projects. Such commitments create stable demand, which in turn encourages further investment and technological innovation.

Financial institutions likewise play an indispensable role. By expanding green financing and prioritizing capital for renewable ventures, banks and investment funds can help mobilize the resources necessary for large-scale energy transformation.

The lesson from today’s oil price volatility is unmistakable. Dependence on imported fossil fuel exposes the Philippine economy to risks it cannot control. Renewable energy offers not only environmental benefits but also strategic resilience.

The Philippines cannot control global oil prices or geopolitical tensions. But it can control its energy future—whether it continues to remain vulnerable to them, or it builds an energy system strong enough to withstand them.

How do you pronounce the German word 'ich'?

 

Brian Collins

 · 

My proficiency bounces between fluent and conversational.

They are a combination of regional variation, and foreign accent, depending on the context.

When in the context of native speakers, what you are referring to is the Ich-Laut

Many Germans in regions which historically spoke Low German languages, such as Berlin, pronounce ich [ɪk]

Germans from regions which historically spoke Ripuarian-Germanic languages, or Germans who still speak a Ripuarian-Germanic language (such as Kölsch) as their first language, pronounce ich [ɪɕ], [iɕ] or [iʃ] [ɪʃ]. The vowel can change a bit.

Native High German speakers, from regions that have spoken High German for hundreds of years, and speakers who want to emulate them pronounce it [ɪç]. [ç] is sort of like the palatalized English h-sound in the word "hue", but at the end of a word.

From experience, many German speakers in Berlin will say it [ɪk] but mich [mɪç] because saying "Mick" is very stigmatized and sounds, as one German speaker put it, like "Mickey Mouse".

Native English speakers tend to pronounce those words like [ɪk] or [ɪʃ].

Doing things from the heart

 

In a world that constantly asks "what's in it for me?", choose to be the person who gives without expecting absolutely anything in return. True kindness isn't a transaction. When you do something out of pure love, compassion, or empathy, the beautiful energy you put out into the world is never wasted. Whether it's helping a stranger, supporting a friend, or giving water to a thirsty bird, acts done from the heart will always enrich your soul. 🐦🤍

EACH FOR HIMSELF

 

The phrase “every man for himself” has deep roots in English history. Its earliest known appearance is in Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Knight’s Tale (late 14th century), where he wrote “Ech man for him-self, ther is non other.” This conveyed the idea of individuals prioritizing their own survival or interests over collective responsibility. By the 16th century, the fuller proverb “Every man for himself and the Devil take the hindmost” was in circulation, emphasizing ruthless self-preservation in times of danger or competition. The expression became popular in contexts of escape, conflict, or scarcity, where helping others might jeopardize one’s own safety. Over time, it evolved into a broader cultural cliché symbolizing individualism and the abandonment of cooperation when stakes are high. Its endurance reflects both the darker side of human nature and the pragmatic instinct to survive. 

Yes, each person does what is best for himself or herself. Yes, times are getting tougher. I think you, my dear readers, know what I am talking about. No reason to list everything again. Sometimes, there is no team spirit in this office; it’s definitely every man for himself. Neighbors would tell each other: mind your own business. The tone between us humans is becoming more and more harsher.

Some people live alone because friends and families have abandoned them. Important helpline is Psalm 27:10 for them. “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take care of me.”

 

And solitary survivors like Robinson Crusoe, or the hero in the movie Castaway, fascinate. But the loner is someone who purposely holds himself aloof, like the Unabomber, Mathematician Ted Kaczynski. People doggedly moving ever farther away from one another constitute hell in C.S. Lewis’ book, The Great Divorce.

 

Fact is  –  Proverbs 18:1 says:  A man who isolates himself seeks his own desires; he rages against all wise judgment.

 

Living in community and helping one another is foundational for all who wish to follow Christ. We know from Acts 2 that the early church took this seriously, seeing many examples of believers helping one another, including materially, so that there would be no one in need within their group.

 

Much has been written about the benefits of strong relationships. I wrote about it at this corner several years ago. People are healthier, live longer, and are generally happier if they have strong friendships beneficial for helping and encouraging each other. And let me repeat it – especially during these tough times … .

What is the Filipino dream?

 

Carlyne Therese B. Beloso

 · 

Lives in The Philippines (1962–present)

Thank you for asking this question, I never thought anyone in the world would even ask this. We always consider the American dream, but the Filipino dream? You’re the first person to ask this, and I am grateful.

For one that was born and raised in Manila, our lives have been simple. We have a phrase here, Suntok sa Buwan…it literally means a shot in the moon. If allowed to see past the trees so we could see the entire forest, it would be Unity.

This country has been torn apart long ago by oligarchs, by people who focus on greed and on themselves. They make it appear that they care for this country, but they don’t. In fact, some of them are already funding terrorists to come in, to overthrow the government. They will NEVER be satisfied, they will always ask for more, at people’s expense. To them, we are just collateral damage. The common folk.

So with all the political chaos, each and every one of us just hopes to survive, have a roof over our heads, have food on the table. And a steady job. We have dealt with so many trials in life, it’s only prayers that keep our sanity going, and strong family ties….we just keep on, hoping a dream or two would come true one day.

For those who have worked long and hard and succeeded, they get to have bigger homes, cars, better jobs. I am so happy for them.

Being poor sometimes has its advantages. We could walk the streets at the dead of night, not worrying about getting robbed, since we don’t have anything. Lol…compared to the rich folk, who hide inside their mansions, so afraid that someone would steal their precious belongings.

So the Filipino dream would be a shot in the moon….Unity, and for other countries to allow us to live in peace and not bully us, and maybe…just maybe, we could start dreaming of a real Filipino dream.

Aircon Weather

By

 Netnet Camomot

 -

Wednesday,March 18, 2026

IT was aircon weather in Cagayan de Oro early Sunday morning — 20 degrees Celsius at 4:24 am.

I’m sure it was 4:24 am. I even took a screenshot of the weather app.

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The cool weather continued throughout the day, making that Sunday the perfect time to stay in bed and read books. No aircon required — a kind of P.S. to windy Saturday.

Weekends are best spent at home, resting weary bones.

With tensions in the Middle East, and a seemingly uncontrolled U.S. president not intent on easing them, I felt I deserved a weekend where I could chill and just be. And last weekend’s weather was definitely chill. Brrr.

Pair that with home-cooked carnivore meals whose ingredients I’m sure of because, hey, I did the grocery shopping, didn’t I? Unlike in restos, where chefs are pressured to add more ingredients to ensure the dish is at its most delish — and will make me go back for more.

For Pinas to have spring and autumn has always been my wishful thinking. If climate change ever makes that happen, I’ll be the happiest Pinay in this corner of the world.

Winter has snow — great for snow angels. But plowing my way out of the driveway? No way.

Summer means higher electric bills just to keep the aircon running 24/7. Who needs that amid rising fuel prices? Not me.

For now, Pinas has only two seasons: hot and wet. Oops. That sounds like some other kind of “weather.” Let’s switch to general parlance: dry and wet. Still a bit R-18, but that will do.

“Wet” means rainy, by the way. In case you need more specific terms, the wet or rainy season can also be muddy, “flash-floody,” and even “landslide-y,” sometimes with an unfortunate Pinoy buried underneath.

Wet can also escalate to Typhoon Signal No. 5, which is not only muddy, “flash-floody,” and “landslide-y,” but also blow-your-house-away. Literally. One moment the house is there. The next second, it’s gone with the wind and the rain.

This may sound funny, but it’s not. Try telling this to Sendong survivors. Let’s see if they will laugh their hearts out.

No, they won’t. This will only trigger painful memories, as many of them lost family members in the Sendong flash floods. The loss left them numb for a very long time.

At the time, I was a member of a group that provided tent cities and conducted relief operations. Survivors told me how they had lost their loved ones.

Sendong was not even Signal No. 5. It was Signal No. 2.

The weather can be treacherous, especially in a tropical country that typhoons love to visit. Its reactive government doesn’t help much, as it tends to act only at the last minute — right before the typhoon’s arrival — while apparently focusing on securing commissions from flood-control contractors. Oops, allegedly.

The government is already aware of how destructive typhoons can be, but the controversial flood-control projects suggest that some officials continue to have other priorities — preferably personal in nature.

If they learned a lesson from the 2013 pork barrel scam, it was not how to prevent another scam from happening, but how to steal more from the national treasury and get away with it — oops, allegedly.

Calm amid the global chaos

 

By Dr. Jun Ynares

Published Mar 18, 2026 12:05 am | Updated Mar 17, 2026 06:20 pm

THE VIEW FROM RIZAL

There are two schools of thought floating today regarding the chaos in the Middle East involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, plus a handful of other countries in that oil-rich region.

One says the conflict will remain at its current level, will no longer escalate, but will persist for a long time. It will just be a global “pain in the neck,” relegated to some obscure corner of international consciousness over time.

The other school of thought says the conflict will escalate, will involve more countries, incur greater casualties, and may even be a prelude to another world war.

At this point, we cannot tell which school of thought is correct. We do hope there will be no further escalation, but there are indications to the contrary. Over the weekend, we heard news that the United States appears set to deploy foot soldiers in Iran. We shudder at the thought that an infantry invasion would put more American lives in harm’s way. When casualties mount, the US may exact retaliatory measures, thus further raising the level of conflict.

Regardless of which school of thought is correct, the fact remains that the conflict has already caused significant damage to both global and local economies. Crude oil prices in the international market have hit record highs, driving up production and transportation costs worldwide. International media calls this an “energy shock” – an appropriate term since this development has a paralyzing effect. The relentless rise in oil prices has led to higher costs for goods and services and higher public transportation passenger fares, reducing consumer purchasing power and economic activity.

We have yet to find a school of thought that says this will be a short “excursion,” as the US President put it. Still, we hope the conflict ends soon and that the world returns to business as usual, though at this point, this may be nothing more than wishful thinking.

It is said that the problem with war is that some rake in profits from it.

As a professor from London’s Kingston University wrote:

“One of the most uncomfortable truths about this (Iran) conflict is that while it inflicts pain on some, it creates windfall for others.”

“Peace benefits ordinary citizens, small businesses, global supply chains, and the planet’s climate trajectory, but the beneficiaries of war are more concentrated,” he added in an internet article. He called that situation “the paradox of incentives.”

We are clearly not beneficiaries of this war; instead, we are collateral casualties. The missiles raining down in the Middle East are – in a figurative way – also “hitting” us where it hurts most: our livelihood, our daily routine, our pockets, and our faith in the future.

Friends and constituents have asked me how one can cope with times such as these. Their concern is understandable. Anxiety strikes hardest when one feels he or she has lost control over circumstances and the future, and this sense of helplessness is only compounded by social media, now littered with images of an escalating war.

To address these concerns, we advocate the triple “A” approach: “Aware; Accept; Adapt.”

Step one is to be aware of what is happening, how it is affecting us, and how we feel about it. During stressful times, some psychologists recommend naming our feelings. By naming them, we can better recognize and manage our emotions.

Step two is to accept the present reality, the risks it poses to our essentials in life, and how we feel about it. Denial does not help. Embracing reality, on the other hand, is an important and major step.

Step three is to adapt — to make adjustments, to find new ways of coping, to formulate new strategies that will help us survive and thrive in the midst of current realities.

We will don our medical doctor’s hat for a while in this next item. The three “As” approach allows the cerebrum, specifically the frontal lobe, to do its job well—this area enables logical and rational thinking, as well as analysis, reasoning, planning, and decision-making.

It is interesting that this part of the human brain requires something essential to function well. It needs the brain's owner to be in a state called “calm.” This is why there are times we tell ourselves to calm down and think. In a way, the frontal lobe of the cerebrum is where real “thinking” happens.

Ultimately, the triple “A” approach offers a concrete technique for maintaining calm and enabling clearer thinking.

When we can use this part of the brain, we can think of ways to “adapt” to current realities. We are starting to see the effects of using this part of the brain. For example, it looks like many have started planning their daily trips better, rearranging their work and life schedules, doing away with non-essentials, and focusing on what really matters.

By coming up with new ways to ensure life could go on despite the tension in the Middle East, people can cope and find new reasons to keep their hopes for an end to the chaos alive.

In this spirit, let us pray for peace and an end to the conflict. Meanwhile, let us remain calm and allow our frontal lobes to guide us through these challenging times.

(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)

 

Nation braces for new PUV fares, transport strike on March 19

FOR ordinary jeepneys, minimum fare will now be P14 from the previous P13. For modern jeepneys, minimum fare will be P17 from the previous P15.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has approved the petition for fare increase for almost all of the public utility vehicles (PUVs) following the series of oil price hikes that hit the motorists hard. The new fares will take effect on March 19. Read more

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has alerted all its territorial units, especially in Metro Manila and other urban areas, of the planned nationwide transport strike scheduled on March 19. Read more

6 Vorteile von Mango für die Gesundheit – wissenschaftlich belegt

 

Stand:16.03.2026, 16:59 Uhr

Von: Alexandra Grauvogl

Mango Lassi ist ein beliebtes Getränk – und ohne zusätzliche Süßstoffe durchaus gesund. © IMAGO / Depositphotos

Mango schmeckt nicht nur fantastisch nach Tropen-Urlaub – sie stärkt Immunsystem, Darm und Herz. Erfahren Sie, was Studien über unser Fit Food der Woche sagen.

Sie duftet verführerisch, schmeckt tropisch-süß und ist dabei überraschend gesund: Die Mango gilt nicht umsonst als Königin der Früchte. Was in der saftigen Tropenfrucht steckt, welche Gesundheitsvorteile Studien belegen und wie Sie daraus ganz einfach ein Mango-Lassi zaubern – in unserer Serie „Fit Food der Woche“ erfahren Sie es.

Mango: Herkunft, Saison und Kauftipps

Die Mango stammt ursprünglich aus Südasien, wo sie seit mehr als 4000 Jahren kultiviert wird. In Indien gilt sie bis heute als Nationalfrucht. Heute wird sie in über 100 Ländern weltweit angebaut, vor allem in tropischen und subtropischen Regionen wie Philippinen, Mexiko, Brasilien, Thailand, Ägypten und der Elfenbeinküste.   

Weltweit gibt es mehr als 1000 Mangosorten, die sich in Größe, Farbe, Geschmack und Textur unterscheiden. In deutschen Supermärkten ist Mango durch Importe aus unterschiedlichen Regionen ganzjährig erhältlich. Die Hauptsaison der indischen Früchte ist von April bis Juli.

Worauf Sie beim Kauf achten sollten: Eine reife Mango gibt beim leichten Drücken am Stielansatz minimal nach – ähnlich wie eine reife Avocado. Entscheidend ist der Duft: Er sollte intensiv-aromatisch und süßlich sein. Die Farbe ist kein verlässlicher Reifeindikator, denn manche Sorten bleiben auch reif grün.