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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Thursday, February 26, 2026

Where modern Filipina meets music

 


Published Feb 25, 2026 03:58 pm
Members of the P-pop girl group FINA (from left) Nala, Cia, Anika, Heaven and Chill (Facebook)
Members of the P-pop girl group FINA (from left) Nala, Cia, Anika, Heaven and Chill (Facebook)
With the growing community of P-pop groups, each act brings a distinct sound and concept that reflects their unique identity.
Under the helm of CreaZion Studios Artists, GLXY Talent Management, and Universal Records Philippines, FINA takes on the center stage.
During their official media launch last Feb 19, held at Noctos Music Bar in Quezon City. The group, composed of Anika, Nala, Chill, Cia, and Heaven, energized the event with a live performance of their debut single, Paramdam.
Aside from the performance, the girls also got to watch the music video for the first time, which features the group presenting various Filipino mythical creatures.
According to Chill, making the mythical creature the main concept of their music video was to highlight and pay tribute to Filipino culture.
"I think we connect that to the modern theme and to our mythical creatures because modern Filipinas often give back to history. They take from history, we learn from our past, then try to recreate it and own it. And that’s what we do, we try to pay tribute to Philippine folklore and mythology and make it our own through performance and dance," Chill said.   

Meanwhile, Heaven added that aside from highlighting Filipino culture, their group also aims to share how talented Filipinos are on the international stage.
"We want to represent through our music our Filipino culture, traditions, values, and instruments, to show the international stage how beautiful Filipino culture is,'' Heaven said during the interview.
Despite the different sounds of P-pop groups, FINA mentioned that it doesn't have to be a competition between the community because at the end of the day, each of these groups have their own way of presenting Filipino music.
"P-pop is versatile. There’s not just one style of P-pop. You can be different. In the end, as Filipinos, we have different sides of ourselves, and that’s what we want to showcase in the international scene," Anika said.

'Lord of the Flies'

 

From our Lifestyle section

Set on a remote island in the Visayas, “Bangaw” begins with a plane crash that leaves a group of high school students from different schools stranded without any adult supervision, government, or rules.

This local production presents a reimagination of 'Lord of the Flies'

William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies” serves as the inspiration for Far Eastern University Theater Guild's (FTG) upcoming show “Bangaw.” Opening on March 5, 2026, the theater play explores the meaning of survival through a Filipino lensRead more

PSA rolls out 100% online civil registry certificates to speed transactions, curb fraud

 

PSA rolls out 100% online civil registry certificates to speed transactions, curb fraud

To streamline transactions, especially in banks and government institutions, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has launched a fully digital, end-to-end solution for the issuance of civil registry documentsRead more

Financing the green, greening the finance


As the world confronts climate change and biodiversity loss, there is growing recognition that economies must invest in green and sustainable finance. Investment remains vital for development, but it must now serve a dual purpose: to “finance the green” by supporting environmentally friendly solutions, and to “green the finance” by reshaping the financial system to prioritize sustainability.

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific broadly defines “green finance” as funding that supports environment-oriented technologies, projects, industries, or businesses. More specifically, it includes environment-oriented financial products or services, such as loans, credit cards, insurances, or bonds. It is also closely linked to concepts such as climate finance and sustainable finance.

Intensified headwinds

Equity and debt are key instruments in green finance. Equity is often used in early stages of projects, while debt—such as loans and bonds—are typically utilized in later stages alongside equity.

In 2024, the sustainable finance market grew to more than $8.2 trillion, up 17 percent from 2023—even so, it faced intensified headwinds as well as growing investor caution.

According to the World Investment Report 2025 released by the United Nations, accelerating growth in the sustainable bond market saw “record issuance of over $1 trillion.” The value of the sustainable fund market also reached a record high at $3.2 trillion.

However, the number of new funds stalled and new inflows to the market fell to their lowest since 2015.

The report found that annual issuance grew at an average rate of 19 percent since 2019, as the market continued to mature and investors aligned their strategies with more sustainable outcomes.

The annual issuance of sustainable bonds as a share of the global bond market remained above 10 percent since 2021, and represented 11 percent of the market in 2024. Green bonds even accounted for 64 percent of total issuance, growing 14 percent from 2023 to 2024.

Complementary action

Advancing green finance requires complementary action from both the public and private sectors. By providing grants for policy reform, the public sector can act as a catalyst to leverage private finance at scale. Meanwhile, the private sector represents a major potential source of financing, seeking opportunities that generate market-rate financial returns and an environmental impact.

Governments can also directly support green growth through sustainable public procurement and eco-efficient investment in public buildings and enterprises.

In the Philippines, institutional investors and underwriters have shown interest in investing in and underwriting green bonds, but most have limited awareness and resources, according to a 2022 survey by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Global Green Growth Institute.

The study also found that investors have strong preference for small green projects (less than $10 million,) while underwriters prefer larger deals (more than $100 million). Renewable energy, green buildings, sustainable agriculture, and water management were identified as the most promising sectors.

SEE ALSO

According to the Global Climate Risk Index, the Philippines ranked fourth most affected by extreme weather globally between 2000 and 2019. As one of the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, green finance is growing in the Philippines.

First in Asean

In 2016, the Philippines became the first Asean country to issue green corporate bonds. Between 2017 and 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted Asean green, social, and sustainability bond standards. In 2019, the Philippines joined the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action and its Helsinki Principles, which promotes national climate action through fiscal policy and the use of public finance.

In 2023, the ADB programmed $10 billion in climate finance for the Philippines between 2024 and 2029 to support low-carbon transport, renewable energy, the development of carbon markets, flood management, resilient coastal development, food security, and adaptive health and social protection.

In 2024, the Philippines ranked as the second top issuer of Asean-labeled green, social, and sustainability bonds, with a total issuance of $15.30 billion. By 2025, the Philippines had already exceeded $10 billion in sustainable finance for renewable energy, according to a report by global bank ING.

The capital invested today will have a lasting impact on tomorrow’s ecosystems and production and consumption patterns. With these green finance initiatives, the Philippines is heading for a sustainable future, creating long-term environmental and economic benefits for both the planet and generations to come. —Dana Quirante and Erin Alcala, Inquirer Research

Sources: Inquirer Archives, adb.org, iso.org, unescap.org, worldbank.org, climatebonds.net, unctad.org

Abzocke bei der Rentenauskunft: Täuschend ähnliche Webseiten locken in die Kostenfalle


Kassel – Die gesetzliche Rentenversicherung ist für Millionen Deutsche ein zentraler Bestandteil der Altersvorsorge. Sie informiert über Rentenansprüche, rechnet Beitragszeiten an und sorgt dafür, dass niemand wichtige Ansprüche übersieht. Wer jedoch nicht aufpasst, gerät im Netz schnell an kostenpflichtige Drittanbieter anstatt an offizielle Stellen.   

Ein Rentner sitzt am Schreibtisch vor einem Laptop.
Täuschend echt: Verbraucherschützer warnen vor dreister Abzocke mit inoffziellen Online-Angeboten (Symbolbild) © Rainer Berg/ Westend61/ Imago

Und während die offiziellen Angebote zuverlässig und transparent sind, nutzen Betrüger die wachsenden Online-Angebote der Deutschen Rentenversicherung (DRV) und anderer staatlicher Stellen aus, indem sie dieselben Services gegen Gebühr anbieten. Künstliche Intelligenz macht diese Maschen zunehmend raffinierter. Fake-Portale lassen sich durch KI immer professioneller gestalten und sind oftkaum noch von echten Behördenseiten zu unterscheiden. Ein häufiger Fehler in der Altersvorsorge kann indes viele Deutsche Tausende Euro kosten.   

Fake-Webseiten, die Rentenauskunft gegen Geld anbieten, durch KI kaum noch von DRV-Seiten unterscheidbar

Millionen Bürger wollen wissen, wie hoch ihre spätere Rente ausfällt, welche Arbeitszeiten berücksichtigt wurden und ob ihr Versicherungsverlauf vollständig ist. Wer nach entsprechenden Keywords im Netz sucht, läuft Gefahr, auf einer Fake-Website zu landen. Diese sehen aus wie die offizielle Webseite der Deutschen Rentenversicherung (DRV), führen durch scheinbar vertraute Formulare – doch dahinter stecken clevere Kriminelle. Private Anbieter kassieren mit diesen täuschend echten Internetseiten ab, warnt das Europäische Verbraucherzentrum Deutschland (EVZ).

„Diese Angebote haben wirklich eine neue Qualität erreicht – und die Verwechslungsgefahr wird weiter zunehmen“, betont Karolina Wojtal, Juristin und Co-Leiterin des Europäischen Verbraucherzentrums Deutschland (EVZ). Künstliche Intelligenz ermögliche es, Layouts und Texte schnell und präzise an offizielle Webseiten anzupassen. „Für Verbraucher wird es dadurch immer schwieriger, private Dienste von staatlichen Angeboten zu unterscheiden.“

CRITICAL THINKING!

 

 · 

1. If you hurt someone, no matter how long it takes, apologize. People don't forget how you made them feel.

2. If someone does you a small favour, thank them.

Everyone wants to feel appreciated.

3. If someone takes time out to do something nice for you, make sure you show gratitude.

Everyone is busy nowadays and not everyone cares.

4. Most people are very emotional. So, remember, a few negative words can easily break someone's heart. Thus, think before you speak.

5. Don't ever disrespect something that means a lot to someone. Destroying people's precious moments in life is vile.

Some only have those memories to live with.

6. You don't have to be verbal to hurt someone. Sometimes, negative actions are enough.

Body language also plays an important role in communication.

A simple dirty look can knock someone's self-esteem.

It can heighten self-consciousness especially for someone who suffers from Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

7. Be kind always. Everyone is suffering to some extent even if it doesn't show on their face.

If you're kind, you have nothing to lose and in return will earn respect and admiration from people.

But, if you're not, you will only break hearts and people will remember you for that.

8. Believe in someone. This might be small for you, but it is everything to someone else.

People need motivation to thrive. Some seek it from people. If you believe in someone, it shows that you care.

Never give up on people you care about. Always be there and support them. It can give them a reason to keep going.

9. People will need some form of help in life. Help someone if they ask you for help, and don't refuse unless you have a valid reason.

10. Be kind. Little acts of kindness can build positive relationships and restore faith in humanity.

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

MUSIC IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF MY LIFE


By Klaus Döring


Music is an important part of our life as it is a way of expressing our feelings as well as emotions. No matter where you are living on this globe.  Some people consider music as a way to escape from the pain of life. It gives you relief and allows you to reduce stress. ... Music plays a more important role in our life than just being a source of entertainment.


Music affects our emotions. When we listen to sad songs, we tend to feel a decline in mood. When we listen to happy songs, we feel happier. Upbeat songs with energetic riffs and fast-paced rhythms (such as those we hear at sporting events) tend to make us excited and pumped up. 

Music means the world to me. It makes me think about how it relates to life and I love the beats. Music is a way to express yourself, keep you company while you're alone, and always give you something to do. Music is a way of expressing me and being able to relate to other people.

It won't be a surprise to most that music can affect the human brain emotionally. ... Happy, upbeat music causes our brains to produce chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, which evokes feelings of joy, whereas calming music relaxes the mind and the body.

Music is a form of art; an expression of emotions through harmonic frequencies. ... Most music includes people singing with their voices or playing musical instruments, such as the piano, guitar, drums or violin. The word music comes from the Greek word (mousike), which means "(art) of the Muses.

Music is love. David Crosby sang this wonderful song already in 1971. "Everybody's sayin' music is love .

Music tells stories. Well, composers and musicians use music to tell stories. From all over the world.  Music can be used to depict characters, places, actions and even emotions. Music is often used to heighten a mood, or to express a thought or feeling when mere words are not enough.

“[Music] can propel narrative swiftly forward, or slow it down. It often lifts mere dialogue into the realm of poetry. It is the communicating link between the screen and the audience, reaching out and enveloping all into one single experience.” The best stories engage all of the senses.

One of the great things about music in general, and in particular concert music, is that playing it opens up a whole new world of experience that further enhances the mind, physical coordination, and expression. Music lovers, who are also amateur performers, may choose to play in community ensembles (orchestra, band, choir), take lessons, perform with others, compose, and nearly anything else a professional musician may do, while maintaining their regular lives. All of this involves intense physical coordination in performing an instrument alone or with others, while reading musical notation, and adding delicate or strong nuanced changes to the music that only a performer can bring. In general, to an amateur musician, music can provide an escape from everyday life or an alternative means of expressing one's own capabilities. It is an important part of their lives and fills a need or an urge to create music.

I have been a music lover since my 4th birthday. Meanwhile, living as a German expat in the Philippines, I found out that Filipinos and Germans are music lovers. Among indigenous Filipinos, one important function of music is to celebrate or commemorate important events in the human life cycle. Fortunately, until today, these rich indigenous musical traditions live on. They serve as a reminder of the Filipinos' long history of musical talent and ingenuity.

Such is the case of Philippine music which today is regarded as a unique blending of two great musical traditions – the East and the West. ... The majority of Philippine Music revolves around cultural influences from the West, due primarily to the Spanish and American rule for over three centuries.

Becoming a German expatriate in the Philippines in 1999, I have attended many music events. I fell in love with Filipino classical music. So what does music really mean to Filipinos? It simply tells them where they've been and where they could go. It tells a story that everyone can appreciate and relate to, which is why it's a big part of every Filipino culture. 

Music of the Philippines (Filipino: Himig ng Pilipinas) include musical performance arts in the Philippines or by Filipinos composed in various genres and styles. The compositions are often a mixture of different Asian, Spanish, Latin American, American, and indigenous influences.

Notable folk song composers include the National Artist for Music Lucio San Pedro, who composed the famous "Sa Ugoy ng Duyan" that recalls the loving touch of a mother to her child. Another composer, the National Artist for Music Antonino Buenaventura, is notable for notating folk songs and dances. Buenaventura composed the music for "Pandanggo sa