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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Friday, March 29, 2024

The 34 Very Best German Sayings…EVER! (20): in den Sand setzen

 

The 34 Very Best German Sayings…EVER!


20. in den Sand setzen

German Sayings in den Satz setzen

If you are putting something in the sand, you are literally screwing something up at least in German. So whenever that happens, you could use the German saying “in den Sand setzen” to express just that. 

Now, what does this all have to do with sand? Why would you mess something up by putting something in the sand? While it is pretty easy to track the (possible) origins of some German sayings, there does not seem to be a lot of consensus about the origins of “in den Sand setzen.”

However, if you are just trying to think about what actually happens when you put something in the sand, then a possible explanation might just be that an object that has been put in the sand is simply stuck there and can, therefore, no longer be moved.

This standstill could then be metaphorically linked to what happens when you mess something up. Well, nothing happens (anymore), hence everything comes to a standstill.   

Example:

Ben kann einfach nicht mit Geld umgehen. Der hat sich letztes Jahr wieder für ne Million Euro Aktien gekauft und hat wieder mal alles in den Sand gesetzt!  

 

Translation:

Ben simply cannot handle money. Last year, he bought himself a million euros worth of shares and once again ruined everything!  

 

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Heat index could hit 'danger' level in 14 areas on Good Friday, PAGASA warns


 

Ian Laqui - Philstar.com

March 29, 2024 | 11:23am


MANILA, Philippines — State weather bureau PAGASA reported on Good Friday that the heat index in 14 areas across the Philippines might reach "danger" levels.

In its 5 a.m. forecast on Thursday, the agency noted that certain areas could see a heat index soaring up to 44 degrees Celsius (°C).

The heat index, also referred to as the apparent temperature, factors in both relative humidity and the actual air temperature, providing a measure of how hot it feels.

Under the "danger" classification, temperatures range from 42°C to 51°C, posing risks of heat-related ailments such as heat cramps or heat exhaustion, as warned by PAGASA.

A heat stroke, on the other hand, might be also be probable with continued sun exposure.


The following are the areas under the “danger” level:

Roxas City, Capiz - 44 °C

Iloilo City, Iloilo - 44 °C

Dumangas, Iloilo - 43 °C

San Jose, Occidental Mindoro - 43 °C

Puerto Princesa, Palawan - 43 °C

Aborlan, Palawan - 43 °C

NAIA in Pasay City, Manila - 42 °C

Sangley Point, Cavite - 42 °C

Calapan, Oriental Mindoro - 42 °C

Coron, Palawan - 42 °C

Masbate City, Masbate - 42 °C

CBSUA Pili, Camarines Sur - 42 °C

Mambusao, Capiz - 42 °C

Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur - 42 °C

PAGASA advised the public to reduce outdoor activities, stay hydrated and avoid certain beverages to prevent heat-related illnesses.

The agency also advised the public to use umbrellas, hats, and wear sleeved clothing when outdoors, and to schedule strenuous activities for cooler times of the day.

The state weather bureau formally declared the beginning of the dry season on March 23, indicating the conclusion of the amihan, or prevailing northeast monsoon, which had led to decreased temperatures nationwide.

Experience spirituality and tranquility at this farm in Iloilo

A resort that integrates agriculture, leisure, and pilgrimage all in one place


Holy Week is a time when many Filipinos seek solace and spiritual reflection. One perfect site for such contemplation is Garin Farm, located in San Joaquin, Iloilo.

Spanning 14 hectares, this multifaceted property operates from Tuesdays to Sundays, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., allowing guests to immerse themselves in spiritual enrichment amid its natural beauty.

A highlight of Garin Farm is the pilgrimage hill. This 480-step staircase, also known as the "Stairway to Heaven," offers visitors a journey through biblical scenarios. From the birth and baptism of Christ to the resurrection and ascension, the staircase provides the perfect destination for Holy Week reflections.

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'Stairway to Heaven' (Photo: Garin Farm/Instagram)

At the top of the staircase, guests are welcomed by an altar adorned with a towering cross and intricate sculptures, creating a tableau of heaven in pristine white.

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Tableau of heaven (Photo: Garin Farm/Instagram)

In addition to its pilgrim features, Garin Farm offers various activities for those seeking a different kind of break. Thrill-seekers can zip line across the tranquil lagoon or enjoy activities such as buggy car driving, boat paddling, fishing, and swimming.

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The lagoon (Photo: Garin Farm/Instagram)

For those who wish to extend their visit, the property also offers overnight stays, providing a longer retreat experience.

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Pool area (Photo: Garin Farm/Instagram)

5 Books to read this long weekend

All are written by female authors


The Holy Week's long weekend is officially here. If you're looking for books to read to catch up on that reading habit you set this year, we've listed five books written by women. After all, we're still celebrating International Women's Month, with genres encompassing historical fiction and the dystopian era.

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Your Utopia 

From the brilliant author of “Cursed Bunny,” South Korean writer Bora Chung brings “Your Utopia,” a compilation of short stories that will allow readers to experience a variety of possible fates for us humans, from total demise because of a disease to an AI elevator that develops a one-sided love for an elderly person. 

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The Memory Police

Written by award-winning Japanese author Yoko Ogawa, “The Police Memory” is an International Booker Prize finalist. The story takes place on an unnamed island where things disappear, along with the memories that come with them. This book masterfully tackles the trauma of loss in a suspenseful drama setting.  

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The Fountains of Silence

“Inspired by the true postwar struggles of Spain,” this book follows the story of 18-year-old Daniel who travels in Madrid with his parents, hoping to know more about the country through his camera. But Daniel discovered more than he intended to do so, which endangered him and his loved ones. Written by Ruta Sepetys (“Between Shades of Gray,” “Salt of the Sea”), “The Fountains of Silence” is a must-read for everyone who loves stories inspired by real-life situations. 

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Loving the Sky

One of the most-read books from Wattpad is now available in hardcopy through Precious Pages publication. Written by Inksteady, it reflects what love is like for a young adult and the sacrifices he/she’s ready to make for that love, even if it means loving someone from afar. 

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Chasing in the Wild

With more than 129 million reads on Wattpad, Precious Pages publication yet again gives us a hard copy version of this widely read online book. Written by 4Reminct, it will bring back readers down memory lane about their campus love story and whether that story ended up with one happy ending or if life’s harsh reality drifted them apart. 

Song lyrics are getting simpler, more repetitive: study



AT A GLANCE

  • Lyrics have also become angrier and more self-obsessed over the last 40 years, the study found, reinforcing the opinions of cranky ageing music fans everywhere. 

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In contrast to Bob Dylan's literature Nobel, lyrics have become simpler and more repetitive over the last 40 years, a study says (AFP)

PARIS (AFP) - You're not just getting older. Song lyrics really are becoming simpler and more repetitive, according to a study published on Thursday.

Lyrics have also become angrier and more self-obsessed over the last 40 years, the study found, reinforcing the opinions of cranky ageing music fans everywhere.

A team of European researchers analysed the words in more than 12,000 English-language songs across the genres of rap, country, pop, R&B and rock from 1980 to 2020.

Before detailing how lyrics have become more basic, the study pointed out that US singer-songwriting legend Bob Dylan -- who rose to fame in the 1960s -- has won a Nobel Prize in literature.

Senior study author Eva Zangerle, an expert on recommendation systems at Austria's University of Innsbruck, declined to single out an individual newer artist for having simple lyrics.

But she emphasised that lyrics can be a "mirror of society" which reflect how a culture's values, emotions and preoccupations change over time.

"What we have also been witnessing in the last 40 years is a drastic change in the music landscape -- from how music is sold to how music is produced," Zangerle told AFP. 

Over the 40 years studied, there was repeated upheaval in how people listened to music. The vinyl records and cassette tapes of the 1980s gave way to the CDs of the 90s, then the arrival of the internet led to the algorithm-driven streaming platforms of today.

For the study in the journal Scientific Reports, the researchers looked at the emotions expressed in lyrics, how many different and complicated words were used, and how often they were repeated.

"Across all genres, lyrics had a tendency to become more simple and more repetitive," Zangerle summarised.

The results also confirmed previous research which had shown a decrease in positive, joyful lyrics over time and a rise in those that express anger, disgust or sadness.

Lyrics have also become much more self-obsessed, with words such as "me" or "mine" becoming much more popular.

'Easier to memorise' 


The number of repeated lines rose most in rap over the decades, Zangerle said -- adding that it obviously had the most lines to begin with.

"Rap music has become more angry than the other genres," she added.

The researchers also investigated which songs the fans of different genres looked up on the lyric website Genius.

Unlike other genres, rock fans most often looked up lyrics from older songs, rather than new ones.

Rock has tumbled down the charts in recent decades, and this could suggest fans are increasingly looking back to the genre's heyday, rather than its present.

Another way that music has changed is that "the first 10-15 seconds are highly decisive for whether we skip the song or not," Zangerle said.

Previous research has also suggested that people tend to listen to music more in the background these days, she added.

Put simply, songs with more choruses that repeat basic lyrics appear to be more popular.

"Lyrics should stick easier nowadays, simply because they are easier to memorise," Zangerle said.

"This is also something that I experience when I listen to the radio."

Philippine Fairy Tales (XXXII) - Philippinische Märchen (XXXII): The Flood Story (Igorot) - Die Flutgeschichte


The Flood Story (Igorot)

Lumawig's two sons decided to flood the earth to bring up mountains so that they can catch pig and deer. However, in the acts of doing this, they drowned all the people on earth except for two people; they were brother and sister. Ludwig helped the two survive the flood and after the flood subsided, the brother and sister got married and repopulated the earth.

References

Cole, Mabel Cook (1916). Philippine Folk Tales. Chicago: A. C. McClurg and Company. pp. 102–104.


Die Flutgeschichte 


The Flood Story

Igorot

Once upon a time, when the world was flat and there were no mountains, there lived two brothers, sons of Lumawig, the Great Spirit. The brothers were fond of hunting, and since no mountains had formed there was no good place to catch wild pig and deer, and the older brother said, "Let us cause water to flow over all the world and cover it, and then mountains will rise up."

So they caused water to flow over all the earth, and when it was covered they took the head-basket [a bamboo basket, in which the heads of victims are kept prior to the head-taking celebration] of the town and set it for a trap. The brothers were very much pleased when they went to look at their trap, for they had caught not only many wild pigs and deer, but also many people.

Now Lumawig looked down from his place in the sky and saw that his sons had flooded the earth and that in all the world there was just one spot which was not covered. And he saw that all the people in the world had been drowned except one brother and sister who lived in Pokis.

Then Lumawig descended, and he called to the boy and girl, saying, "Oh, you are still alive."

"Yes," answered the boy, "we are still alive, but we are very cold."

So Lumawig commanded his dog and deer to get fire for the boy and girl. The dog and the deer swam quickly away, but though Lumawig waited a long time they did not return, and all the time the boy and girl were growing colder.

Finally Lumawig himself went after the dog and the deer, and when he reached them he said, "Why are you so long in bringing the fire to Pokis? Get ready and come quickly while I watch you, for the boy and girl are very cold."

Then the dog and the deer took the fire and started to swim through the flood, but when they had gone only a little way, the fire was put out.

Lumawig commanded them to get more fire and they did so, but they swam only a little way again when that of the deer went out, and that of the dog would have been extinguished also had not Lumawig gone quickly to him an taken it.

As soon as Lumawig reached Pokis he built a big fire which warmed the brother and sister; and the water evaporated so that the world was as it was before, except that now there were mountains. The brother and sister married and had children, and thus there came to be many people on the earth.

+++

Die Flutgeschichte

Igorot


Es war einmal, als die Welt flach war und es keine Berge gab, lebten zwei Brüder, Söhne von Lumawig, dem Großen Geist. Die Brüder jagten gern, und da sich keine Berge gebildet hatten, gab es keinen guten Ort, um Wildschweine und Hirsche zu fangen, und der ältere Bruder sagte: „Lasst uns Wasser über die ganze Welt fließen lassen und sie bedecken, und dann werden Berge entstehen.“ aufgehen."

So ließen sie Wasser über die ganze Erde fließen, und als sie bedeckt war, nahmen sie den Kopfkorb [einen Bambuskorb, in dem die Köpfe der Opfer vor der Kopfabnahmefeier aufbewahrt werden] der Stadt und stellten ihn auf eine Falle. Die Brüder freuten sich sehr, als sie ihre Falle besichtigten, denn sie hatten nicht nur viele Wildschweine und Hirsche, sondern auch viele Menschen gefangen.

Nun schaute Lumawig von seinem Platz am Himmel herab und sah, dass seine Söhne die Erde überschwemmt hatten und dass es auf der ganzen Welt nur einen Fleck gab, der nicht bedeckt war. Und er sah, dass alle Menschen auf der Welt ertrunken waren, bis auf einen Bruder und eine Schwester, die in Pokis lebten.

Dann stieg Lumawig herab und rief dem Jungen und dem Mädchen zu: „Oh, du lebst noch.“

„Ja“, antwortete der Junge, „wir leben noch, aber uns ist sehr kalt.“

Also befahl Lumawig seinem Hund und seinem Hirsch, Feuer für den Jungen und das Mädchen zu machen. Der Hund und das Reh schwammen schnell davon, aber obwohl Lumawig lange wartete, kehrten sie nicht zurück, und dem Jungen und dem Mädchen wurde es immer kälter.

Schließlich ging Lumawig selbst dem Hund und dem Hirsch nach, und als er sie erreichte, sagte er: „Warum bringst du so lange das Feuer nach Pokis? Mach dich bereit und komm schnell, während ich dich beobachte, denn dem Jungen und dem Mädchen ist sehr kalt.“ ."

Dann ergriffen der Hund und das Reh das Feuer und begannen, durch die Flut zu schwimmen, aber als sie nur ein kleines Stück zurückgelegt hatten, wurde das Feuer gelöscht.

Lumawig befahl ihnen, mehr Feuer zu machen, und sie taten es, aber sie schwammen nur noch ein kleines Stück weiter, als das Feuer des Hirsches ausging, und das des Hundes wäre auch gelöscht worden, wenn Lumawig nicht schnell zu ihm gegangen wäre und es genommen hätte.

Sobald Lumawig Pokis erreichte, machte er ein großes Feuer, das den Bruder und die Schwester wärmte; Und das Wasser verdunstete, sodass die Welt wieder wie zuvor war, nur dass es jetzt Berge gab. Der Bruder und die Schwester heirateten und bekamen Kinder, und so entstanden viele Menschen auf der Erde.


Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Holy Week reading


 

By: Ambeth R. Ocampo - @inquirerdotnet


Historians read differently. While most people start with the so-called “Front Matter” (Title Page, Introduction, Table of Contents, etc.) historians usually start at the back of a book; checking out the Bibliography or the list of sources (manuscript, printed, oral, and digital) used in the writing of the book. Historians judge a book not by its cover but by its “Back Matter.” While normal people will consider reading a dictionary as penance for the sins of the past year, I find it an absolute joy browsing through early vocabularios or diccionarios of Tagalog from the 17th to 19th centuries. Added to my unusual taste in reading matter are bibliographies (lists of books or sources, often annotated, that form the basis of a given subject). Bibliographies published in the early 20th century from the likes of Wenceslao E. Retana, Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera, and James Alexander Robertson enabled me to talk authoritatively about books I have not read fully nor handled physically.

Last Palm Sunday, I was invited by a friend to a “pabasa” in his garage in Cardona, transformed into a “kapilya” with an altar dominated by a crucifix and three life-size processional images of saints with their heavy beards and equally heavy velvet vestments embroidered with gold and silver thread. Instead of flowers, the altar was festooned with “palaspas” in many various designs. There was a long table with people reading from, and chanting, the Pasion text in old Tagalog. Christ was being mocked and beaten when I arrived around 1 p.m. and if I cared to stay on until the evening I would hear the burial of Christ, chanted with accompaniment by the town band.

Four decades ago, during my first immersion into Philippine Studies, I assisted a visiting ethnomusicologist who recorded an entire Pasion in Angeles, Pampanga, over two days. At the time, I learned to distinguish different tones and tunes utilized by the readers. There was plain chant, there was one that was lilting, another was used when a penitent or flagellant entered the chapel. We were told that in the Malolos passion play or “sinakulo,” music that accompanied the scene of the death of the Virgin Mary was a rowdy drinking song like “roll out the barrels” that was replaced by “Anchors Aweigh!” when the Virgin ascends into heaven. For the Resurrection, “Lupang Hinirang” or the national anthem. This is the charm of our folk religiosity that is more Filipino than Roman Catholic, when the foreign was “indio-genized” and made our own.

Protect our citizens from dangers of April-May-June and July

At the Cardona pabasa last Sunday, I told people at lunch that this time I focused more on the words rather than the tune, fascinated by the unusual turns of phrase in Tagalog difficult to translate into English. The Pasion text in Cardona reminded me of the first time I heard the short-cut passion and death of Christ in a chanted novena during a wake in Poblacion or Old Makati. I heard it again, in the background, while on the phone with a classmate at a wake in Malabon. Of Jesus sweating blood in the Garden of Gethsemane, the novena prompt for a response was “Hesus ko, alang-alang sa masaganang dugo na iyong ipinawis nang manalangin ka sa Halamanan.” When Jesus was slapped on the face, “Hesus ko alang-alang sa tampal na tinanggap ng iyong kagalang-galang na mukha.” When he carried the cross on the road of bitterness, “Hesus ko alang-alang sa paglakad mo sa lansangan ng kapaitan, na ang Cruz ay iyong kababaw-babaw.” When he was stripped of his garments, “Hesus ko alang-alang sa damit mong natigmak na dugo na biglang pinaknit at hinubad sa iyong katawan ng mga tampalasan.”

Included in the novena is the Litany of the Virgin Mary that rendered, “Mother Most Chaste” as “Inang Walang Malay sa Kahalayan.” Most complicated was “Rosa Mystica,” translated as “Rosang bulaklak, na di mapuspos ng bait ng tao ang halaga” (A rose whose worth cannot be known by human reason). Tower of Ivory was rendered as “Torreng Garing” while “Singular Vessel of Devotion” became “Sisidlan ng mahal at tangi na makusaing sumunod sa Panginoong Diyos.” Mother Most Admirable became “Inang Kataka-taka.”

My Holy Week reading was “Pasyon Genealogy and Annotated Bibliography” by Rene B. Javellana, SJ, published in 1983. It lists 31 texts from the earliest extant by Gaspar Aquino de Belen “Mañga Panalañging Pactatagobilin sa Calolova nang tavong nag hihiñgalo: Ang may catha sa vican Castila ang M. R. P. Thomas de Villa Castin sa mahal na Compañia ni Iesus. At ysinalin sa vican Tagalog ni d[on] Gaspar Aquino de Belen. At ysinonod dito ang mahal na Passion ni Iesu Christong P[añginoon] Natin na tolá; at ypinananagano sa cataastaasang poong Iesus Nazareno” (1760), to the most popular that can still be bought on Shopee today being the “Pasion Henesis” because it has an account from Genesis. It is also known as “Pasion Pilapil” for Mariano Pilapil, not the author but a priest who wrote preliminaries to the text “Casaysayan nang Pasiong Mahal ni Hesucristong Panginoon Natin na Sucat Ipag-alab nang Puso nang Sinomang Babasa” (1814). Javellana provides a road map to all these old texts, a real penitence to the uninterested but engaging to the scholar.


Why is the Philippines Asia's Most Unique Country?


The Philippines stands out among its Asian neighbors for numerous reasons. Renowned globally for their warm hospitality, Filipinos embody a spirit of kindness that transcends cultural barriers. Endowed with rich biodiversity, the country is home to unique species like the Tarsiers and boasts diverse ecosystems from coral reefs to lush rainforests. Its underwater world, adorned with sunken Japanese shipwrecks and teeming with marine life, offers unparalleled diving experiences. The iconic Jeepneys symbolize Filipino ingenuity and artistic expression, while the country's active volcanoes add a thrilling element to its landscape. With over 7,100 islands, each exuding its own charm, and cultural influences from Spanish colonization evident in architecture, art, and cuisine, the Philippines offers a tapestry of experiences that make it truly exceptional in Asia. Let us delve into the question, "Why is the Philippines Asia's Most Unique Country?" Like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth coverage of global economies and geopolitics. Watch complete video and do not forget to visit our channel for more interesting videos. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Have you ever pondered why the Philippines stands out more in contrast to its neighbouring nations? 0:44 The Philippines host a wealth of endemic wildlife 1:24 The Philippines is a paradise for divers 2:07 Let's not overlook the Jeepneys 2:53 The Philippines, a nation abundant with natural wonders 3:38 Moving on to the Philippines' remarkable archipelago 4:16 Let's explore the massage culture deeply ingrained in the Philippines lifestyle 5:00 Another wonderland of the Philippines is Puerto Princesa Underground River 5:42 For over 300 years, the Philippines was under Spanish rule 6:20 In the realm of art, the Spanish brought Western painting techniques and styles 7:19 Another uniqueness of the Philippines is their cuisine 8:08 Don't miss out on future explorations and discoveries

Philippine Fairy Tales (XXXI) - Philippinische Märchen (XXXI): THE STORY OF GAYGAYOMA WHO LIVES UP ABOVE




THE STORY OF GAYGAYOMA WHO LIVES UP ABOVE

One day, while Aponitolau sat weaving a basket under his house, he began to feel very hungry and longed for something sweet to chew. Then he remembered that his field was still unplanted. He called to his wife who was in the room above, and said: “Come, Aponibolinayen, let us go to the field and plant some sugar-cane.”

So Aponibolinayen came down out of the house with a bamboo tube, and while she went to the spring to fill it with water, Aponitolau made some cuttings, and they went together to the field, which was some distance from the house.

Aponitolau loosened the earth with his long stick and set out the cuttings he had brought, while his wife sprinkled them with water from the bamboo tube. And when they had filled the field, they returned home, happy to think of the splendid cane they should have.

After seven days Aponitolau went back to the field to see if the plants had lived, and he found that the leaves were already long and pointed. This delighted him, and while he stood looking at it he grew impatient and determined to use his magical power so that the cane would grow very fast. In five days he again visited the field and found that the stalks were tall and ready to chew. He hurried home to tell Aponibolinayen how fast their plants had grown, and she was proud of her powerful husband.

Now about this time Gaygayoma, who was the daughter of Bagbagak, a big star, and Sinag, the moon, looked down from her home in the sky, and when she saw the tall sugar-cane growing below, she was seized with a desire to chew it. She called to her father, Bagbagak, and said:

“Oh, Father, please send the stars down to the earth to get some of the sugar-cane that I see, for I must have it to chew.”

So Bagbagak sent the stars down, and when they reached the bamboo fence that was around the field they sprang over it, and each broke a stalk of the cane and pulled some beans which Aponibolinayen had planted, and the stems of these beans were of gold. Gaygayoma was delighted with the things that the stars brought her. She cooked the beans with the golden stems and spent long hours chewing the sweet cane. When all that the stars brought was gone, however, she grew restless and called to her father, the big star:

“Come, Father, and go with me to the place where the sugar-cane grows, for I want to see it now.”

Bagbagak called many stars to accompany him, and they all followed Gaygayoma down to the place where the sugar-cane grew. Some sat on the bamboo fence, while others went to the middle of the field, and all ate as much as they wished.

The day following this, Aponitolau said to his wife:

“Aponibolinayen, I am going to the field to see if the bamboo fence is strong, for the carabao will try to get in to eat our sugar-cane.”

So he set out, and when he reached the field and began looking along the fence to see if it was strong, he kept finding the stalks that the stars had chewed, and he knew that someone had been there. He went into the middle of the field, and there on the ground was a piece of gold, and he said to himself:

“How strange this is! I believe some beautiful girl must have chewed my cane. I will watch tonight, and maybe she will return for more.”

As darkness came on he had no thought of returning home, but he made his meal of the sugar-cane, and then hid in the tall grass near the field to wait. By and by dazzling lights blinded his eyes, and when he could see again he was startled to find many stars falling from the sky, and soon he heard someone breaking the cane. Suddenly a star so large that it looked like a flame of fire fell into the field, and then a beautiful object near the fence took off her dress which looked like a star, and she appeared like the half of the rainbow.

Never had Aponitolau seen such sights; and for a while he lay shaking with fear.

“What shall I do?” he said to himself. “If I do not frighten these companions of the beautiful girl, they may eat me.”

With a great effort he jumped up and frightened the stars till they all flew up, and when the pretty girl came looking for her dress she found Aponitolau sitting on it. “You must forgive us,” she said, “for your sugar-cane is very sweet, and we wanted some to chew.”

“You are welcome to the sugar-cane,” answered Aponitolau. “But now we must tell our names according to our custom, for it is bad for us to talk until we know each other’s names.”

Then he gave her some betel-nut and they chewed together, and he said:

“Now it is our custom to tell our names.”

“Yes,” said she; “but you tell first”

“My name is Aponitolau and I am the husband of Aponibolinayen.”

“I am Gaygayoma, the daughter of Bagbagak and Sinag up in the air,” said the girl. “And now, Aponitolau, even though you have a wife, I am going to take you up to the sky, for I wish to marry you. If you are not willing to go, I shall call my companion stars to eat you.”

Aponitolau shook with fear, for he knew now that the woman was a spirit; and as he dared not refuse, he promised to go with her. Soon after that the stars dropped a basket that Gaygayoma had ordered them to make, and Aponitolau stepped in with the lovely star and was drawn quickly through the air up to the sky. They were met on their arrival by a giant star whom Gaygayoma introduced as her father, and he told Aponitolau that he had acted wisely in coming, for had he objected, the other stars would have eaten him.

After Aponitolau had lived with the stars for some time, Gaygayoma asked him to prick between her last two fingers, and as he did so a beautiful baby boy popped out. They named him Takyayen, and he grew very fast and was strong.

All this time Aponitolau had never forgotten Aponibolinayen who, he knew, was searching for him on the earth, but he had been afraid to mention her to the stars. When the boy was three months old, however, he ventured to tell Gaygayoma of his wish to return to the earth.

At first she would not listen to him, but he pleaded so hard that at last she consented to let him go for one moon. If he did not return at the end of that time, she said, she would send the stars to eat him. Then she called for the basket again, and they were lowered to the earth. There Aponitolau got out, but Gaygayoma and the baby returned to the sky.

Aponibolinayen was filled with joy at the sight of her husband once more, for she had believed him dead, and she was very thin from not eating while he was away. Never did she tire of listening to his stories of his life among the stars, and so happy was she to have him again that when the time came for him to leave she refused to let him go.

That night many stars came to the house. Some stood in the windows, while others stayed outside by the walls; and they were so bright that the house appeared to be on fire.

ponitolau was greatly frightened, and he cried out to his wife:

“You have done wrong to keep me when I should have gone. I feared that the stars would eat me if I did not obey their command, and now they have come. Hide me, or they will get me.”

But before Aponibolinayen could answer, Bagbagak himself called out:

“Do not hide from us, Aponitolau, for we know that you are in the corner of the house. Come out or we shall eat you.”

Trembling with fear, Aponitolau appeared, and when the stars asked him if he was willing to go with them he dared not refuse.

Now Gaygayoma had grown very fond of Aponitolau, and she had commanded the stars not to harm him if he was willing to return to her. So when he gave his consent, they put him in the basket and flew away with him, leaving Aponibolinayen very sad and lonely. After that Aponitolau made many trips to the earth, but at Gaygayoma’s command he always returned to the sky to spend part of the time with her.

One day when Takyayen was a little boy, Aponitolau took him down to the earth to see his half-brother, Kanag. The world was full of wonders to the boy from the sky, and he wanted to stay there always. But after some time while he and Kanag were playing out in the yard, big drops of water began to fall on them. Kanag ran to his mother and cried:

“Oh, Mother, it is raining, and the sun is shining brightly!”

But Aponitolau, looking out, said, “No, they are the tears of Gaygayoma, for she sees her son down below, and she weeps for him.”

Then he took Takyayen back to his mother in the sky, and she was happy again.

After that Takyayen was always glad when he was allowed to visit the earth, but each time when his mother’s tears began to fall, he returned to her. When he was old enough, Aponitolau selected a wife for him, and after that Takyayen always lived on the earth, but Gaygayoma stayed in the sky.

+++

Eines Tages, als Aponitolau unter seinem Haus saß und einen Korb flocht, verspürte er großen Hunger und sehnte sich nach etwas Süßem zum Kauen. Dann fiel ihm ein, dass sein Feld noch unbepflanzt war. Er rief seiner Frau zu, die im Raum darüber war, und sagte: „Komm, Aponibolinayen, lass uns auf das Feld gehen und Zuckerrohr anbauen.“

Also kam Aponibolinayen mit einem Bambusrohr aus dem Haus, und während sie zur Quelle ging, um sie mit Wasser zu füllen, machte Aponitolau einige Stecklinge, und sie gingen zusammen auf das Feld, das in einiger Entfernung vom Haus lag.

Aponitolau lockerte die Erde mit seinem langen Stock und legte die mitgebrachten Stecklinge aus, während seine Frau sie mit Wasser aus dem Bambusrohr besprengte. Und als sie das Feld gefüllt hatten, kehrten sie nach Hause zurück und dachten glücklich an den herrlichen Stock, den sie haben sollten.

Nach sieben Tagen ging Aponitolau zurück zum Feld, um zu sehen, ob die Pflanzen überlebt hatten, und stellte fest, dass die Blätter bereits lang und spitz waren. Das erfreute ihn, und während er dastand und es betrachtete, wurde er ungeduldig und beschloss, seine magische Kraft einzusetzen, damit der Stock sehr schnell wachsen würde. Nach fünf Tagen besuchte er das Feld erneut und stellte fest, dass die Stängel hoch und zum Kauen bereit waren. Er eilte nach Hause, um Aponibolinayen zu erzählen, wie schnell ihre Pflanzen gewachsen waren, und sie war stolz auf ihren mächtigen Ehemann.

Ungefähr zu dieser Zeit blickte Gaygayoma, die Tochter von Bagbagak, einem großen Stern, und Sinag, dem Mond, von ihrem Zuhause am Himmel herab, und als sie das hohe Zuckerrohr unten wachsen sah, wurde sie von einem Verlangen erfasst um es zu kauen. Sie rief ihren Vater Bagbagak und sagte:

„Oh, Vater, bitte sende die Sterne auf die Erde, um etwas von dem Zuckerrohr zu holen, das ich sehe, denn ich muss es zum Kauen haben.“

Also schickte Bagbagak die Sterne herab, und als sie den Bambuszaun erreichten, der das Feld umgab, sprangen sie darüber, und jeder brach einen Stiel des Rohrstocks ab und riss einige Bohnen heraus, die Aponibolinayen gepflanzt hatte, und die Stiele dieser Bohnen waren aus Gold . Gaygayoma war begeistert von den Dingen, die ihr die Stars brachten. Sie kochte die Bohnen mit den goldenen Stielen und verbrachte viele Stunden damit, das Zuckerrohr zu kauen. Als jedoch alles verschwunden war, was die Sterne brachten, wurde sie unruhig und rief ihrem Vater, dem großen Stern, zu:

„Komm, Vater, und geh mit mir an den Ort, wo das Zuckerrohr wächst, denn ich möchte es jetzt sehen.“

Bagbagak rief viele Sterne zu sich, die ihn begleiteten, und alle folgten Gaygayoma bis zu dem Ort, an dem das Zuckerrohr wuchs. Einige saßen auf dem Bambuszaun, andere gingen in die Mitte des Feldes und alle aßen so vnächsten Tag sagte Aponitolau zu seiner Frau:

„Aponibolinayen, ich gehe auf das Feld, um zu sehen, ob der Bambuszaun stark ist, denn die Carabao werden versuchen, hineinzukommen, um unser Zuckerrohr zu fressen.“

Also machte er sich auf den Weg, und als er das Feld erreichte und anfing, am Zaun entlang zu schauen, um zu sehen, ob er stabil sei, fand er immer wieder die Halme, die die Sterne gekaut hatten, und er wusste, dass dort jemand gewesen war. Er ging in die Mitte des Feldes, und dort lag ein Goldstück auf dem Boden, und er sagte sich:

„Wie seltsam das ist! Ich glaube, irgendein schönes Mädchen muss an meinem Stock gekaut haben. Ich werde heute Abend zuschauen, und vielleicht kommt sie zurück, um mehr zu erfahren.“

Als es dunkel wurde, dachte er nicht daran, nach Hause zurückzukehren, aber er bereitete seine Mahlzeit aus Zuckerrohr zu und versteckte sich dann im hohen Gras in der Nähe des Feldes, um zu warten. Nach und nach blendeten blendende Lichter seine Augen, und als er wieder sehen konnte, war er erschrocken, als er sah, wie viele Sterne vom Himmel fielen, und bald hörte er, wie jemand den Stock zerbrach. Plötzlich fiel ein Stern, der so groß war, dass er wie eine Feuerflamme aussah, auf das Feld, und dann zog ein wunderschöner Gegenstand in der Nähe des Zauns ihr Kleid aus, das wie ein Stern aussah, und sie erschien wie die Hälfte des Regenbogens.

Noch nie hatte Aponitolau einen solchen Anblick gesehen; und eine Weile lag er zitternd vor Angst da.

"Was soll ich tun?" er sagte zu sich selbst. „Wenn ich diese Gefährten des schönen Mädchens nicht erschrecke, könnten sie mich fressen.“

Mit großer Anstrengung sprang er auf und erschreckte die Sterne, bis sie alle aufflogen, und als das hübsche Mädchen nach ihrem Kleid suchte, fand sie Aponitolau darauf sitzend. „Sie müssen uns verzeihen“, sagte sie, „denn Ihr Zuckerrohr ist sehr süß, und wir wollten etwas zum Kauen.“

„Gern geschehen im Zuckerrohr“, antwortete Aponitolau. „Aber jetzt müssen wir unsere Namen gemäß unserer Sitte nennen, denn es ist schlecht für uns, zu reden, bis wir die Namen der anderen kennen.“

Dann gab er ihr etwas Betelnüsse und sie kauten zusammen und er sagte:

„Jetzt ist es bei uns Brauch, unsere Namen zu nennen.“

„Ja“, sagte sie; „Aber du erzählst es zuerst“

„Mein Name ist Aponitolau und ich bin der Ehemann von Aponibolinayen.“

„Ich bin Gaygayoma, die Tochter von Bagbagak und Sinag oben in der Luft“, sagte das Mädchen. „Und jetzt, Aponitolau, obwohl du eine Frau hast, werde ich dich in den Himmel tragen, denn ich möchte dich heiraten. Wenn du nicht bereit bist zu gehen, werde ich meine Begleitersterne rufen, um dich zu fressen.“

Aponitolau zitterte vor Angst, denn er wusste jetzt, dass die Frau ein Geist war; und da er nicht wagte, sich zu weigern, versprach er, mit ihr zu gehen. Bald darauf ließen die Sterne einen Korb fallen, den Gaygayoma ihnen befohlen hatte, zu machen, und Aponitolau trat mit dem schönen Stern ein und wurde schnell durch die Luft in den Himmel gezogen. Bei ihrer Ankunft wurden sie von einem riesigen Stern empfangen, den Gaygayoma als ihren Vater vorstellte, und er sagte Aponitolau, dass er klug gehandelt habe, als er gekommen sei, denn wenn er Einspruch erhoben hätte, hätten ihn die anderen Sterne gefressen.

Nachdem Aponitolau einige Zeit mit den Sternen zusammengelebt hatte, bat Gaygayoma ihn, zwischen ihren letzten beiden Fingern zu stechen, und dabei sprang ein wunderschöner kleiner Junge heraus. Sie nannten ihn Takyayen und er wuchs sehr schnell und war stark.

Während dieser ganzen Zeit hatte Aponitolau Aponibolinayen nie vergessen, der, wie er wusste, auf der Erde nach ihm suchte, aber er hatte Angst gehabt, sie den Sternen gegenüber zu erwähnen. Als der Junge jedoch drei Monate alt war, wagte er es, Gaygayoma von seinem Wunsch zu erzählen, zur Erde zurückzukehren.

Zuerst wollte sie nicht auf ihn hören, aber er flehte so heftig, dass sie schließlich zustimmte, ihn für einen Mond gehen zu lassen. Wenn er am Ende dieser Zeit nicht zurückkäme, sagte sie, würde sie die Sterne schicken, um ihn zu fressen. Dann rief sie erneut nach dem Korb und sie wurden auf die Erde gesenkt. Dort stieg Aponitolau aus, aber Gaygayoma und das Baby kehrten in den Himmel zurück.

Aponibolinayen war wieder voller Freude, als sie ihren Mann sah, denn sie hatte geglaubt, er sei tot, und sie war sehr abgemagert, weil sie in seiner Abwesenheit nichts gegessen hatte. Sie wurde nie müde, seinen Geschichten über sein Leben unter den Sternen zuzuhören, und sie war so glücklich, ihn wieder zu haben, dass sie sich weigerte, ihn gehen zu lassen, als die Zeit für ihn gekommen war zu gehen.

In dieser Nacht kamen viele Sterne ins Haus. Einige standen in den Fenstern, während andere draußen an den Wänden blieben; und sie waren so hell, dass es schien, als stünde das Haus in Flammen.

Aponitolau hatte große Angst und rief seiner Frau zu:

„Du hast Unrecht getan, mich zu behalten, obwohl ich hätte gehen sollen. Ich fürchtete, dass die Sterne mich fressen würden, wenn ich ihrem Befehl nicht gehorchte, und nun sind sie gekommen. Versteck mich, sonst kriegen sie mich.“

Doch bevor Aponibolinayen antworten konnte, rief Bagbagak selbst:

„Verstecke dich nicht vor uns, Aponitolau, denn wir wissen, dass du in der Ecke des Hauses bist. Komm raus, sonst fressen wir dich.“

Zitternd vor Angst erschien Aponitolau, und als die Sterne ihn fragten, ob er bereit sei, mit ihnen zu gehen, wagte er nicht, abzulehnen.

Nun hatte Gaygayoma Aponitolau sehr liebgewonnen, und sie hatte den Sternen befohlen, ihm keinen Schaden zuzufügen, wenn er bereit wäre, zu ihr zurückzukehren. Als er also seine Zustimmung gab, legten sie ihn in den Korb und flogen mit ihm davon, was Aponibolinayen sehr traurig und einsam zurückließ. Danach unternahm Aponitolau viele Reisen zur Erde, doch auf Gaygayomas Befehl hin kehrte er immer wieder in den Himmel zurück, um einen Teil der Zeit mit ihr zu verbringen.

Eines Tages, als Takyayen ein kleiner Junge war, nahm Aponitolau ihn mit auf die Erde, um seinen Halbbruder Kanag zu sehen. Für den Jungen aus dem Himmel war die Welt voller Wunder und er wollte immer dort bleiben. Doch nach einiger Zeit, während er und Kanag draußen im Hof ​​spielten, begannen große Waropfen auf sie zu fallen. Kanag rannte zu seiner Mutter und rief:

„Oh, Mutter, es regnet und die Sonne scheint hell!“

Aber Aponitolau blickte hinaus und sagte: „Nein, es sind die Tränen von Gaygayoma, denn sie sieht ihren Sohn unten und weint um ihn.“

Dann brachte er Takyayen zurück zu seiner Mutter in den Himmel und sie war wieder glücklich.

Danach war Takyayen immer froh, wenn er die Erde besuchen durfte, aber jedes Mal, wenn die Tränen seiner Mutter zu fließen begannen, kehrte er zu ihr zurück. Als er alt genug war, wählte Aponitolau eine Frau für ihn, und danach lebte Takyayen immer auf der Erde, aber Gaygayoma blieb im Himmel.