
A German Expat in The Philippines - Ein deutscher Auswanderer auf den Philippinen
This might not be the typical expat blog, written by a German expat, living in the Philippines since 1999. It's different. In English and in German. Check it out! Enjoy reading! Dies mag' nun wirklich nicht der typische Auswandererblog eines Deutschen auf den Philippinen sein. Er soll etwas anders sein. In Englisch und in Deutsch! Viel Spass beim Lesen!
You plan to move to the Philippines? Wollen Sie auf den Philippinen leben?
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!
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Sunday, May 10, 2026
Mothers: The hands that hold the world

'Caloy' may weaken into a remnant low in the coming hours — PAGASA
Fair weather to persist; LPA outside PAR unlikely to become cyclone
By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
Published May 10, 2026 07:33 am
The weakening trend may begin Sunday afternoon or evening, May 10, with Tropical Storm Caloy likely to weaken into a tropical depression before deteriorating into a remnant low by Monday, May 11.
Tropical Storm “Caloy” (international name: Hagupit) is expected to gradually weaken as it continues moving over the Philippine Sea, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Sunday, May 10.
PAGASA said the center of Caloy was estimated at 910 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao as of 4 a.m., moving west-northwestward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph).
The storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gusts of up to 80 kph.
PAGASA weather specialist Veronica Torres said no tropical cyclone wind signal has been raised, as Caloy is unlikely to directly affect the country throughout the forecast period.
She said the weakening trend may begin Sunday afternoon or evening, with Caloy likely to weaken into a tropical depression before deteriorating into a remnant low by Monday, May 11.
Despite remaining far from the Philippine landmass, the trough or extension of the weather disturbance may bring rains over Albay, Sorsogon, and Catanduanes by Tuesday, May 12, Torres said.
By Wednesday and Thursday, May 13 and 14, weather conditions in these areas may improve.
Meanwhile, Torres said generally fair weather with isolated afternoon or evening rain showers and thunderstorms is expected across the rest of the country in the next three to five days due to the prevailing easterlies.
PAGASA is also monitoring a new low-pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), which was located 2,705 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao as of Sunday morning.
Torres said the LPA has a very low chance of developing into a tropical cyclone and is not expected to enter PAR.
In its 24-hour sea condition outlook, PAGASA warned of moderate seas over several coastal waters.
Waves of up to 2.5 meters may affect the eastern seaboards of Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Siargao-Bucas Grande Islands; the seaboards of Batanes; the western seaboard of Babuyan Islands; and the northwestern seaboard of Ilocos Norte.
Meanwhile, waves of up to 2 meters may prevail over the remaining seaboards of Ilocos Norte and Babuyan Islands; the eastern seaboards of Cagayan, Isabela, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Sur, and Davao Oriental; and the northern seaboards of Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and Northern Samar.
Mariners of motor bancas and similarly sized vessels were advised to take precautionary measures and, if possible, avoid venturing out to sea.
A flock of sleuths: A review of 'The Sheep Detectives'


Is it correct in German if you say "Kannst du spreche Englisch" or is “spreche” incorrect? What's the correct form?
German-speakers would understand it, but there are a couple of problems with the grammar.
The first is word order. You’ve translated word-for-word from English (“Can you speak English?”).
In German, it’d be more natural to ask: “Kannst du Englisch sprechen?”. Note how “spreche(n)” is moved to the end of the sentence, and the added -n from spreche => sprechen.
You could also ask: “Sprichst du Englisch?”
Note: “Sprechen” is irregular, and becomes “sprichst” in 2nd person singular. It’s not a typo.
You would only see “spreche” on first-person singular form, e.g., “Ich spreche Englisch”.
“Kannst” is correctly coupled with “du”. But in real life, be careful about using the “du”-form when you speak to strangers. In Millennium and Gen Z this is rarely an issue, but older generations might find it rude. To be safe, you should use “Sie”, so “können Sie Englisch sprechen?” or “Sprechen Sie Englisch?”
HOW MUCH LONGER … ?
By Mindanao Daily News -
The phrase “How much longer, Lord?” echoes the plea in Psalm 13, where David cries out in distress, asking how long he will feel forgotten, overwhelmed by sorrow, and persecuted by enemies. It is a raw expression of anguish and a cry for God’s intervention in difficult times.
“How much longer” would only be used in a situation where the event was in progress and already considered to be taking a long time – i.e. ‘longer’ meaning an addition to the already long time period.
Have you been praying to God about the same challenge for the longest time? Are you asking, “How much longer, Lord?” or even, “Will it ever happen, Lord?” Perhaps you’re just so DONE with waiting and want to make things happen with your own hands. But my friend, as @hillsongworship’s song, “Seasons”, goes: “Though my waiting is even greater… I believe that my season will come.”
How much longer will You forget me, Lord?
During many times of darkness when I thought again, that the whole world is against me, I opened my Bible. Suddenly I found Psalm 13, also entitled a Prayer for Help: “How much longer will You forget me, Lord?”
I was born on a Sunday in 1953 – a so-called “Sunday-Child”. There are sayings that those kinds of people will have a life of great success without problems, worries and trials. This is -excuse me! – nonsense!
I also experience difficult, problematic and questionable times, where I am really losing all my strength to get down to work on those problems. Life’s path becomes narrow. Fears grow: it’s enough, it’s enough!
I still feel how I started becoming awkward and jerky. I struggled against everybody around me. I was reluctant against the good ideas of others. I felt driven into a corner. I started to hurt and insult people in my surroundings with arrogance and unqualified comments. Everything became a problem and my voice bellows and my groans grow louder.
But admittedly groans lighten our burden. For even a short moment only, I do feel how my inner life and inside pressure ease off. But sometimes, more trials and problems overwhelm our families and ourselves: illness, death-threats, bankruptcy, war at the working-place, efforts to give us a bad name, intrigues … .
“How much longer will You forget me, Lord?” We stop groaning. We shout already to God, especially if nobody in our surroundings likes to listen to us anymore. If we are deep in fix, God must have forgotten us already, right? A terrible situation! We see faces of those people, who show us hostility.
But I also experienced how God put me into life’s “re-conversion plant” and freshened me up: Little but meaningful and important cares suddenly happened. After a hot day and a refreshing thunderstorm, let’s enjoy the following night; the person, who insulted us, suddenly apologized; the illness wiped out.
“You prepare a banquet for me, where all my enemies can see me!” (Psalm 23:5). I am glaad, because I really don’t know about more and new spitefulness through my next “enemy on duty” in future. I actually really don’t want to know it. I learned that negativism blocks life and its plans.
But I know Psalm 23. I read it every time I have a problem. Psalm 23 should be printed in everyone’s heart, mind and soul!
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Saturday, May 9, 2026
Jurado joins Carballo for UST 'Swan Song'
Reg Jurado joins Cassie Carballo to a UST 'Swan Song'. (UAAP Media)
By Mark Rey Montejo
Published May 8, 2026 05:58 am
Reg Jurado plays one more time in the UAAP women's volleyball tournament as she committed to stay for her fifth and final year, joining Cassie Carballo for a "Swan Song" with University of Santo Tomas in Season 89.
The development was confirmed by the school's Institute of Physical Education and Athletics director and current season chairman Fr. Rodel Cansancio to Manila Bulletin / Tempo Thursday, May 7.
"I can confirm that Reg will be staying for one more year," Cansancio said via Messenger. "We're grateful for her decision, her leadership is a big win for UST and the team."
Jurado, one of UST's top scorers, will banner the Golden Tigresses next edition alongside setter Carballo and fellow spiker Angge Poyos with Avril Bron leading the young guns.
Carballo, on the other hand, had disclosed her plans to exhaust her last playing year moments after their stepladder semifinal loss to reigning champion National University last week.
Meanwhile, Xyza Gula and Jonna Perdido, both key weapons in the Tigresses' recent run, opted to follow UST mainstay Detdet Pepito as they jump to the professional ranks.
"Xyza, Jonna, and Detdet are moving pro," added Cansancio.
All of them, aside from Bron, were part of the UST team that reached the finale in Season 86, where it ultimately bowed to the Bella Belen-skippered Lady Bulldogs.
Before wrapping up their campaign, the Tigresses, with Shaq Delos Santos returning as their head coach, went on a roller-coaster stint during the elimination.
UST found ways to rediscover its fine form to enter the next stage where it bested Far Eastern University in a playoff for the No. 4 spot.
The España-based squad then pulled off a stunning three-set triumph over the Shai Nitura-led Adamson Lady Falcons -- the very same squad that dealt them two straight-set defeats this year -- in the stepladder opener.
From there, UST lost its steam and slipped to NU.
Expect all sorts of troubles in our life
By Fr. Roy Cimagala
Chaplain
Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)
Talamban, Cebu City
Email: roycimagala@gmail.com
CHRIST himself had already warned us about this. To his disciples, he once said: “They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the hour comes, that whosoever kills you will think that he is doing a service to God.” (Jn 16,2)
In another part of the gospel, he clearly said: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16,33) Yes, Christ is assuring us that we as his believers will inevitably face trials, suffering and difficulties in a broken world, but we should keep our peace and courage since Christ will take care of everything in the end.
Other verses that express the same warning are the following:
“Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Tim 3,12)
“We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14,22)
We should not anymore make a big issue out of this fact of life. Rather, we should just strengthen our faith in Christ through prayer and the nurturing of the virtues like courage, fortitude, patience, cheerfulness, hope, etc. It would be helpful if we can develop a sporting and fighting spirit in this life.
Yes, we need a sporting spirit because life’s true failure can come only when we choose not to have hope. That happens when our vision and understanding of things is narrow and limited, confined only to the here and now and ignorant of the transcendent reality of the spiritual and supernatural world.
We therefore have to develop a strong spiritual sportsmanship in the tenor expressed in some words of St. Paul: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.” (1 Cor 9,24)
Aside from a strong sense of self-discipline and submitting ourselves in a continuing training program, an indispensable ingredient of this healthy sporting spirit is the sense of acceptance and abandonment that we need to deliberately cultivate. This does not come automatically, as if it’s part of our genes. We have to develop them.
We have to be sport and adventurous in facing the different conditions of our life. And it would greatly help if we too can have an abiding sense of humor. Otherwise, we would just easily fall into states of sadness, pessimism and despair which actually are unnecessary but are avoidable.
This we can do if first of all we have a strong and deep faith in God, our Creator and Father. If we have that faith, we know that God holds everything in order through his providence. He takes care of everything, irrespective of how things go. Ours is simply to relate everything to him and to go back to him every time we go astray, especially at the end of the day.
When we have this sporting and adventurous spirit, we, of course, would like to play to win and to get as much enjoyment as possible. We would give our best shot. But we also know that this is not going to happen all the time. There will be times when we lose in a game or when we get lost in our adventure. But regardless of how things go, we can always go back to God as we should, and everything would just be all right.
Thus, whether we win or lose in tackling life’s many challenges and trials, we can still manage to have fun and, more importantly, to learn precious lessons by getting to know more about ourselves and others, about our strengths and weaknesses, about the virtues we need to develop and grow, etc.
HOW TO BE ALWAYS HAPPY IN LIFE. READ THIS AWESOME LIFE TIPS
- There is no problem that has no solution. There are solutions to the pains you are passing through.
- The way you picture yourself in your mind can affect your happiness. Picture yourself as a valuable and beautiful person. Avoid low self-esteem and inferiority complex.
- Do not mind about what people say about you. Some people are sadists. They can just say things just to make you feel sad.
- Make friends with reasonable people who make you happy. Do not make friends with people who make jest of you or laugh at you over your challenges.
- At your leisure time, keep yourself busy with your favorite hobbies like sports, games, watching movies, surfing the internet, playing computer games, etc.
- Do not allow anyone to intimidate you with money and material things. A poor man today can become rich tomorrow. Change is constant.
- No matter what you are passing through today, do not give up. As long as there is life, there is hope.
- Be very prayerful. Pray without ceasing. Prayer is a catalyst that can speed up your blessings to come to you on time.
- Be courageous to go for what you want. Life is all about risk. If you don't take a risk, you will not get the desires of your heart.
- Surround yourself with positive and supportive people.
- Practice gratitude daily to appreciate what you have.
- Focus on your goals and work diligently towards them.
Friday, May 8, 2026
VIPs gather for the grand opening of Victoria's Secret at SM Megamall

One ASEAN, one Filipino purpose




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