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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Friday, September 11, 2026
Do to others as you would have them do to you

2026 Bundak Music Festival in Surigao City generally peaceful - PNP
By Mike Crismundo
Published Sep 10, 2026 11:38 am
SURIGAO CITY – The 2026 Bundak Music Festival held at the Central Public Market Grounds here was generally peaceful yesterday, police official reported Thursday, Sept. 10.
“Thank God that no untoward incident happened,” stressed Regional Public Information Office chief of Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13-RPIO) Police Lt. Col. Jennifer S. Ometer.
The festival featured distinguished national and local artists whose exceptional performances enriched and enlivened the annual fiesta celebration in this city’s Island of Adventures.
Ometer said Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office (PPO) Director Police Colonel Warren E. Dablo deployed a total of 123 personnel to ensure maximum police visibility as part in maintaining peace and order.
Demonstrating Surigao del Norte PPO’s steadfast commitment to public safety at large gatherings, all police forces here ensured full security and preserved peace and order during the said event, Ometer added.
Dablo also said the deployed police force is also to maintain constant vigilance, uphold the highest standards of professionalism, and strictly adhere to established security protocols; all to safeguard the safety and security of festival attendees, performers, event organizers, and the general public.
The top police official of Surigao del Norte also reminded all deployed personnel to remain vigilant yet approachable, and to maintain consistent awareness throughout the activity; and particularly in extending assistance to the public.
He likewise emphasized the critical importance of courtesy, discipline, and immediate responsiveness to any security concerns that may arise during the duration of the event.
“This security operation concluded successfully with no untoward incidents, reflecting the strength of our comprehensive planning and close inter-agency collaboration,” Dablo said, adding “Our special thanks also to all Surigaonons for their help to make this event most peaceful and orderly”.
Dablo affirmed that every event in this province and this city in their priority remains clear: the safety and security of the people”.
In another development, the Tandag Component City Police Station, in Surigao del Sur also reported that the 14th Sangkaan Festival 2026 celebration in Tandag City was also generally peaceful with no untoward incident on Monday, September 7.
Ometer also said the Tandag City Component Police station under leadership of Lt. Col. Junyd D. Marohom deployed more personnel to ensure public safety, security, and the orderly which a big plus factor in contributing to a peaceful and successful celebration.
Reina Filipinas queens on what winning the crown really means

Reina Filipinas queens Angelica Lopez, Alexie Brooks, and Anne Patricia Lorenzo are more than just pretty faces with glittering crowns on their heads. They also have a purpose: to serve as role models for modern Filipinas.
We got a glimpse of that recently when the three queens shared what winning their respective titles means to them.
“For me, winning the crown is to really live my purpose. I've been an advocate for underprivileged kids since I was 17 years old. And whenever I tell my story of growing up in a humble household, I was very intentional about it,” Lopez, who is Reina Filipinas Grand International 2026, told us during a recent visit to the Manila Bulletin office.
As a pageant veteran, Lopez hopes to use her story to inspire the younger generation to invest in themselves and strive to become better and more productive individuals.
“At 17 years old, I told myself, you know what? I don't want other kids to experience the same way. So winning the title for me is not just about myself. It's for every kid out there that I want to really empower. For them to grow up as better and more productive individuals. Like I've said, my victory is not mine alone. It's for my purpose,” she added.
Meanwhile, Lorenzo, the Reina Filipinas 2026 MGI All Stars titleholder, hopes to pave the way for the transgender community in the Philippines.
“The transgender woman community here in the Philippines is small, so I’m very happy that Reina Filipinas allowed me to represent my community on that stage as the only transgender woman in the pageant.
“After my reign, I want the young trans women who are watching me to remember me as someone who never gives up and never lets other people’s perceptions define me,” Lorenzo said.

Lorenzo also said that even after her reign ends, she plans to continue supporting the Trans Pinay community in her own way.
Reflecting on her pageant journey, Brooks shared how her experiences taught her that winning a crown should mean more than personal achievement.
“When I competed in my first national pageant, I had been through so much in my childhood that I hoped I could achieve something for myself. But I didn’t win,” she recalled.
Her perspective changed when she began competing internationally and eventually joined Reina Filipinas. She realized that her purpose was not simply to win for herself, but to represent her community and inspire young people.
“I realized that I wasn’t just competing as the woman people saw on stage. I was also representing the little girl who was bullied, lost her family at a young age, was raised by her grandmother, and sold fruits and vegetables in the market,” she said.

For Brooks, winning the crown became an opportunity to share her story with people who could relate to her journey and draw inspiration from it.
She said she hopes to be remembered not only for her name, but also for the advocacy she championed and the people she inspired along the way.
“I’m grateful that this victory wasn’t just for me. It helped pave the way for children who dream big but are told their dreams are impossible because they are poor or lack opportunities and connections,” she said.
Looking back on her Reina Filipinas journey, Brooks said the people who believed in her became a major source of motivation.
“If I were doing it only for myself, I don’t think I would have had enough reason to win. But when I looked at the people who believed in me, I realized they saw my story and potential,” she said.
DOE Sec. Garin: Panay worst hit in Visayas power crisis
By Tara Yap
Published Sep 10, 2026 11:28 am
Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin (Photo by DOE)
ILOILO CITY—Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin considers Panay Island to be the worst hit in the Visayas power crisis with almost daily rotational blackouts.
“Pag may problema, sila ang worst case kasi sila yung huli mabibigyan ng electricity (If there is a problem, they are the worst case because they are the last to be given electricity),” explained Garin in a virtual press briefing this week.
Garin pointed out that the Visayas inter-connection of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has Panay Island at “end of the line”.
This meant power being transported via the Visayas grid would reach Panay Island last.
Among areas affected are Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo provinces as well as the regional capital of Iloilo City.
Since the end of August, local power distributors have to implement daily rotational power blackouts with NGCP not having enough supply during peak hours with several major power plants shutting down.
The rotational power blackouts—an average of three hours per day–have disrupted work, businesses, and daily lives of local residents.
Garin, a native of Iloilo, has assured that DOE is prioritizing the stability of the Visayas grid, and announced that five power plants are scheduled to be energized again this month.
Meanwhile, the DOE is tapping power plants in Mindanao to augment power supply to the Visayas as the NGCP has been able to interconnect the grid in 2023.
Luzon Economic Corridor projects to attract $20-B worth of investments; protesters rally against it
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The Philippines is looking to secure more than $20 billion worth of investments for the initial slate of projects under the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC). LEC is an initiative led by the US and Japan, which also includes Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom (UK), and the European Union (EU) as partners. Read more | ||
Meanwhile, a protest rally was held against the 2026 Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) Investment Forum in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig on Sept. 10 where three paralegals were arrested by police. Read more | ||
The Southern Police District (SPD) said police officers suffered bruises, scratches, and bleeding injuries after some protesters resisted their intervention. Read more |
7 Phrases that changed my life for the better
- If you're serious about changing your life, you'll find a way - if not, you'll find an excuse.
- Spend money on experiences, not things.
- Don't listen to what people say, watch what they do.
- Some losses set us free.
- A year from now, you'll wish you had started today.
- Motivation gets you started, habit is what keeps you going.
- When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.
Beethovens Porträt: Warhols letzte Ikone
Anastassia Boutsko
vor 16 Stundenvor 16 Stunden
Zwei rebellische Genies: Die Ausstellung "Beethoven by Warhol" im Beethovenhaus Bonn präsentiert Warhols spätes Meisterwerk, die Beethoven-Serie.
https://p.dw.com/p/5MLHs
Meisterwerk von Andy Warhol in der Ausstellung
"Mona Lisa des Beethovenhauses": Meisterwerk von Andy Warhol in der AusstellungBild: Meike Böschemeyer/Beethovenhaus
ANZEIGE
Der Künstler Andy Warhol prägte ein neues Bild von Ludwig van Beethoven. Sein Siebdruck aus dem Jahr 1987 zeigt nicht den grimmigen Mann historischer Porträts und Denkmäler. Warhols Darstellung zeigt einen präsenten Beethoven, bunt und verfremdet in Pop-Art Manier. So wirkt Beethoven eher wie ein Zeitgenosse.
Beethovenbilder an der Wand, eine Frau schaut in eine VitrineBeethovenbilder an der Wand, eine Frau schaut in eine Vitrine
Warhols Beethoven in allen Farben: Der finalen Siebdruck-Version gingen zahlreiche Versuche vorausBild: Beethoven-Haus Bonn
Die kommerzielle Arbeit des Pop-Art-Gurus für seine New Yorker Studios "The Factory" erschien in einer limitierten Auflage von 60 Exemplaren und erwies sich als eine der innovativsten künstlerischen Auseinandersetzungen mit Ludwig van Beethoven im 20. Jahrhundert. Andy Warhol produzierte die berühmte Siebdruckserie "Beethoven" nur wenige Wochen vor seinem plötzlichen Tod am 22. Februar 1987. Die Serie gehört zu seinen letzten druckgrafischen Arbeiten.
Wie sich Warhol Beethoven genähert hat, und in welchem Kontext die Arbeit in ihren zahlreichen farblichen Variationen entstanden ist, zeigt die Sonderausstellung "Beethoven by Warhol" im Bonner Beethovenhaus. Das Haus ist das original erhaltene Geburtshaus von Ludwig van Beethoven.
Zwei Genies auf Augenhöhe
Die Ausstellung zeigt Raritäten, die Besucher sonst nie zu sehen bekommen. Das Kuratoren-Team des Beethovenhauses und des Bonner Archivs unter der Leitung von Direktor Malte Boecker hat sich drei Jahre lang mit dem Thema beschäftigt. Die Ausstellungsstücke haben sie aus den Untiefen der Archive und aus privaten Sammlungen zutage gefördert.
Thursday, September 10, 2026
PH's biggest book fair returns to 'Get Lit'






