Christmas Party in Institute of Languages/USEP Davao City

It was indeed a very wonderful and meaningful Christmas Party in the Institute of Languages of the University of Southeastern Philippines. It's really an honour for me being invited to teach German language in this university.

The VP for Academic Affairs Dr. Daniel T. Ugay, Jr., the VP for Administration Dr. Rodulfo C. Sumugat, my good friend the Executive Director of the Institute of Languages Dr. Patricia O. Elbanbuena, our Administrative Assistant Shella Lariosa, teacher colleagues such as Joan Jontilano and Jojean Retardo-Kwak, Professor Fernando Magdato, Jr. from the Lifelong Studycenter, and many visitors from different university departments joined us.

The inspirational talks of the two vice presidents and Ma-am "Pattie" said it: "It's really an honour and privilege to be part of the USEP-family"!

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Promotion on my own account: Start for new enrolments and for re-enrolments regarding the German Course will be on January 4, 2010.

HAPPY NEW YEAR and GOD BLESS!

10th Christmas in the Philippines/10.Weihnachtsfest auf den Philippinen

This has been our 10th Christmas in the Philippines together with some family members - and, I must confess, it was wonderful.

Dies war das 10. Weihnachtsfest auf den Philippinen zusammen mit einigen Familienmitgliedern, und, ich muss sagen, es war wunderschoen.

Christmas in the Philippines - no more culture shock for me as before... .

Weihnachten auf den Philippinen - kein Kulturschock mehr fuer mich ... .

German, Philippine, and International Music in Davao City

ADI (Advanced Design & Innovation) Davao City presents the "Musikverein Kressbronn Brass Band" from Germany LIVE, featuring German, Philippine, and international music on January 9, 2010, at 7 pm at the People's Park, Davao City, and on January 10, 2010, at 11:00 am at the Paradise Park and Beach Resort on Samal Island. For further information you might call Luz at the Paradise Park and Beach Resort city office (082) - 234 2926.

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Der Musikverein Kressbronn Brass Band von Deutschland ist fuer zwei Tage live in Davao City - und zwar am 9. Januar 2010 um 19 Uhr im People's Park und am 10. Januar 2010 um 11 Uhr im Paradise Park and Beach Resort auf Samal Island. Viel Spass bei deutscher, philippinischer und internationaler Musik.

Are YOU a credit card holder?

It's really amazing: three Philippine financial institutions took home top honours in MasterCard Worldwide's Hall of Fame Marketing Awards, which had its inaugural launch in Singapore on the first of December 2009.

Banco de Oro, Allied Bank and RCBC Bankard won three out of the ten awards - Best Cardholder Promotion, Most Effective Card Marketing Program and Best Usage Campaign (cross-border), respectively - for their outstanding marketing efforts in launching or promoting MasterCard card programs in South- and Southeast Asia. Their wins inducted them,along with 23 other Asian banks, into MasterCard's Marketing Hall of Fame. Congratulations.

I am glad to know that. As an expat it's necessary to know which bank should be choosed for money transfers from abroad, i.e. for pension transfers.

NOCH EIN BUCH UEBER DIE PHILIPPINEN/BOOKREVIEW

Es gibt unzaehlige Buecher, die sich mit dem Thema "Philippinen" beschaeftigen. Darunter findet der Leser (immer noch) jede Menge Reisefuehrer, die, kaum veroeffentlicht, schon wieder ueberholt sind. Davon habe ich "tonnenweise" (aeltere und ganz alte!) Ausgaben in meiner Buecherei.

Vor einigen Monaten erhielt ich vom Verlag Shaker Media GmbH in Aachen "noch ein Buch ueber die Philippinen" - aber, ein ganz Besonderes. Es ist Wolfgang Bethge's "Die Philippinen" mit wirklich grandiosen Einblicken in Natur, Kultur, Geschichte und Gesellschaft der Philippinen. Der Autor hat dieses Werk seiner philippinischen Ehegattin Eva A. Torres gewidmet. Eine wunderbare Geste - dieses in Leinen gebundene Epos faellt aus dem Rahmen vieler Buecher ueber die Philippinen, die ich jemals in den Haenden hatte.

Autor Bethe erwaehnt (zu Recht) das Resultat "aus einer nun doch schon mehrjaehrigen Bechaeftigung mit dem faszinierenden Land Philippinen". Natuerlich versteht sich das Buch als Ergaenzung zu vielen auf dem Markt befindlichen Reisefuehrern. Und, es ist das wirklich. Ich habe manche Stunde fasziniert gelesen - und noch viel dazu gelernt, wenn es zu bestimmten Themen ueber die Philippinen kam.

Das Buch bietet wirklich jedem etwas. Auswanderer, die hier schon leben - so wie ich, oder solche, die es werden wollen. Bethge's Werk gleicht einem Gemischtwarenladen - aber, das ist gerade das, was es so faszinierend macht.

Wolfgang Bethe, Die Philippinen, 314 Seiten, gebunden, 27 EURO, www.shaker-media.de.

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Again another book about the Philippines - but, a very special one. It's unfortunately only in German. Really unfortunately, because an English translation would help many expats living in the Philippines to overcome the culture clash, which can't be avoid - where ever you live on this globe, or where ever you live in this beautful country named Philippines.

What's YOUR favourite Philippine Airline?

Honestly, it's very difficult for me to explain by mentioning several airlines. I got some very bad experiences with one! Let's talk about good things happened right now.

Just being back again from Manila in Davao, I really enjoyed Philippine Airlines: excellent service and very much being on time departure and arrival. The new slogan 'With us, you're ALWAYS NO. 1' let me really feel smiling.

By the way, if you plan to travel to Sydney you can avail the "777 only" (US$ 777) for round trip economy class, all-in-fare (excluding government taxes). Don't get me wrong, this is not a paid advertisement. I only got this information from  an Australian expat friend, who also kept on praising the nation's flagship Philippine Airlines.

Maybe you have some other experiences. Feel free to post your comment here on www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com.

My (Philippine) Music/Meine (philippinische) Musik

I love music since I was four years young. I started playing piano and got my first "Hohner" accordion. I really love any kind of music: from Beethoven up to the Beatles.

Moving to the Philippines for good meant also to bring my whole music collection (and library with more then 2000 books). It helped very much to ease some "culture shocks" in the beginning of my expat life here in the Philippines.

I started being very much interested in Philippine music.

Meanwhile I could mention hundreds of favourite Philippine compositions: "Dahil Mahal Na Mahal" (Pinoy Biggie Hits), MINDANAO, or Kung Ako Na Lang (Sana: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).

Talking about movie themes: I was really lucky to find in SM City Davao finest music by the best artists - YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE 101. These are 101 digitally remastered recordings on 6 CD's. A really awesome collection for music lovers produced in 2009 by Universal Music International. Check out www.getmusic.com.ph.

Have you ever heard about "Manilac Lay Labi"? This is the second part of a Philippine suite for piano by Ryan Cayabyab "Pahilaga" which is Ilocano meaning in an easterly direction. Manilac Lay Labi means a quite night and this delicate piece transports us to just that - a calm, untroubled and peaceful night.

How about "Pandangguhan"? This is a popular and well-loved Filipino dance piece. One can imagine a Filipino couple dance skillfully and rhythmically to the familiar tune. The piano arrangement is really interesting and exciting.

And, I love Philippine Telenovelas' music. For avid followers of well-known Tagalog TV series such as "Pangako Sa Iyo" or "Sana'y Wala Ng Wakas" these melodies evoke the familiar and the intimate.

Merry Christmas to all of you my dear readers!Froehliche Weihnachten fuer alle meine Leser hier!

German Christmas Party in Davao City/Deutsche Weihnachtsfeier in Davao City

My wife and me got an idea. Why not inviting German nationals from Davao City and its surroundings for a Christmas party? Here they came- and, I am sure, they enjoyed! Good food, some drinks, some very enjoyable hours with a touch of German AND Filipino Christmas spirit at the Roadway Inn Hotel in Davao City. Merry Christmas!

Meine Frau und ich hatten eine Idee. Warum sollten nicht deutsche Staatsbuerger von Davao City und Umgebung zu einer Weihnachtsfeier eingeladen werden? Und siehe, sie kamen- und, ich bin mir sehr sicher, sie fuehlten sich alle sehr wohl. Gutes Essen, einige Drinks und einige sehr unterhaltsame Stunden mit deutsch-philippinischen Flair von Weihnachten im Roadway-Inn-Hotel in Davao werden unvergesslich bleiben. Frohe Weihnachten!

Philippine Long Distance Company and its goals

PLDT (Philippine Long Distance Telephone -Company-) has been my sponsor for six months for my former radio show "Classics at Night"on an FM station in Davao City together with "Deutsche Welle" (the "German International BBC") as a rebroadcasting partner.

Some of my in-laws are still working with and for PLDT.

Please bear with me, if PLDT feels great to be a winner! I am not talking about PLDT's 3rd quarter results, which shows a core net income up to 11% to 31 billion PHP! Allow me, my dear readers, to mention the Quill Awards!

PLDT (Philippine Long Distance Telephone) and SMART received a total of 13 Quill Awards from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), one of the world's most prestigious of business communicators.

The Philippine Quill Awards of Excellence and Merit are conferred to organizations that have the highest level  of thought leadership, strategic management, creativity, resourefulness and succesful solutions.

SMART Communications also bagged eight Quill Awards including three awards for its various communication campaigns and programs for 'Tipid Sulit  Pinas!"

Minus 6 Grad und Schneefall/6 degress below Zero and Snowfall

Waehrend ich diese Zeilen schreibe, erhalte ich gerade den neuesten Wetterbericht aus Deutschland. Nun, ich war noch nie ein Freund vom Winter. Vielleicht war dies auch ein Grund, warum ich immer in die Heimat meiner Familie auswandern wollte. So sah es in unserer Umgebung am 1.1.2005 (Neujahr) aus. Aehnlich ist es auch heute, wenn auch der Himmel wolkenverhangen ist und gelegentliche Regenschauer ueber uns herniedergehen. Frohe Weihnachten!

While writing this post, I am receiving the last weather forecast from Germany. Honestly, I have never been a fan of winter time. Maybe this has been one reason for me and my family to move to the Philippines for good. Watch the photo: that's how our surroundings looked like on New Year 2005. Today it's very cloudy with some rain showers. Anyway: Merry Christmas!

Climate Changes - where is the end of the tunnel?

Every time I stayed on one of my favourite islands in the Davao Gulf, I experienced the same worries of the people living there. Yes Sir, the sea level is rising... .

I took this photo during my last visit in a beach resort. I know this place since 26 years. High tide... . Yes, even several years ago I could sit down there and enjoy my lunch. Now tables and chairs have been removed while high tide... .

After two weeks of discussion in Copenhagen/Denmark, an outline plan to tackle climate change was finally hammered out. But the deal has been strongly criticized for not setting tough limits on emissions. The UN-climate talks avoided a total collapse by skirting bitter opposition from several nations to a deal championed by the United States of America and five emerging economies.

And? Where is the end of the tunnel?

The Song of Christmas

Christmas, the song, awakens our hardened hearts and move us to create a hopefully better world. Maybe a new earth and new people at last - if we allow ourselves to be showered by the real spirit of our Lord.

Christmas, this great day bears the message that God is with us. He has not abandoned his world, and even in the darkest moments of our time.We might live in corrupt and dirty times, as we experienced daily and as many people like to preach us more and more.

Let us not despair then even if difficulties rise before us, either in our personal lives or in the life of humanity. Christmas holiday should be spent at home where love binds us together. Somebody has prepared delicious food for the Media Noche. We have brought our gifts for every one. My family and i happily arrange our gifts under the colorful Christmas tree.

On the streets everybody lingers around. Houses are well lighted, there's music, there's is laughter, noise. Enemies hopefully come into reconciliation; jealous hearts change. Rich and poor people try to overcome their mutual gaps in life for this very special season.

Next year nobody can tell how we might celebrate Christmas again. Will it be the same? Will it be with a difference? We therefore hope the best.

This will be my 10th Christmas as an expat in the Philippines. Meanwhile the culture shock has gone.

Merry Christmas to all of you my dear readers. And: PEACE all over the world!

Classic Concert TO END POLIO IN THE PHILIPPINES a BIG SUCCESS/Klassisches Konzert in Davao grosser Erfolg!

My friend and President of the Rotary Club of East Davao Ronald Go voiced it out: "As we fast approach Christmas and the end of this year, I am ecstatic over the results of our recently concluded fund raising activity, which we held last December 5, 2009. We practically filled the CAP auditorium with a crowd of 900 or more people... . Generally, I believe those who went, truly enjoyed the concert and more importantly our club earned a substantial amount allowing us to contribute to the Polio plus program of Rotary International." Very well stated, Ronnie.

As event chairman I also love to express my deepest gratitude to the Four Davao Pianist Ladies Daphne Cabaguio Jocson, Mila Cabaguio Jocson, Evelyn Abellera Magno and Ma. Luisa Fucoy Montero for a wonderful and unforgettable enchanting evening. A big thanks to the event sponsor Smart Communications, Inc. and a lot of sponsors and benefactors, such as Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario, Stanfilco - Dole Philippines Inc., PAGCOR Davao City, Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, Vice Mayor Inday Sara Duterte, Hon. Councilor Mabel Acosta, Davao Light and Power, Kia Motors, Bureau of Customs, and many many more.

From the bottom of my heart I also like to thank all Rotary Club member's, spouses and friends. Without them this event wouldn't have been so successful. Maraming salamat and Mabuhay!

DUST TO DUST... .

No, one can't scatter a person's ashes in the sea or the air, nor keep the urn in your home. I have heard such things many times - and, I saw the family grave somewhere on a big lot and compound... .

In 1963, shortly after Vatican II the Catholic church "determined that cremation was no longer absolutely forbidden. Only with the New Code of Canon Law (1983) did the Church lift the prohibition.

Monsignor Joselito C. de Asis, JCD, assistant secretary general of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and a canon lawyer, who completed his doctoral studies in Rome informed, that the CBCP has issued a number of guidelines, such as follows:

- Cremation may take place before or after the funeral mass.

- After cremation, the ashes are to be placed in a worthy urn and brought reverently to the place of burial.

- The cremated remains should be buried in a grave, mausoleum or columbarium. The practice of scattering the ashes in the sea or from the air is not keeping with the Church's norm regarding the proper disposal of the remains of the dead. 

- The urn holding the ashes should not be kept permanently at home for family altar... .

 

Der Kulturschock (Teil 2)

Wie ich schon im ersten Teil erwaehnte: der verspaetete Kulturschock trifft jeden. Risse im Paradies. Permanent leben auf den Philippinen heisst nicht, nur Urlaub zu machen.

In vielen anderen Teilen Asiens wird die Andersartigkeit durch die Sprachbarriere oder andere Kleidung und Traditionen sehr schnell und klar herausgestellt. Filipinos allerdings fuehren mit vielen westlichen Einfluessen in die Irre. Einige Aspekte des Lebens der Filipinos werden uns Expats wahrscheinlich fuer immer fremdbleiben. Sie haben die Wurzeln in der uralten Vorgeschichte und sind oftmals die Auswirkungen der spanischen und amerikanischen Kolonisierung.

Es ist auf alle Faelle vorteilhaft, in Alltagsangelegenheiten, wo man als Expat mit Filipinos zusammenkommt, Erlaubtes und Verbotenes, das Tun und Lassen und die allgemeinen Umgangsformen im Alltag der Filipinos mit der Zeit zu lernen - und auch mit anzuwenden.

(Mehr dazu demnaechst hier in Teil 3)

NOTICE: GERMAN CONSULAR DAY! BEKANNTMACHUNG: KONSULARSPRECHTAG!

Die Botschaft der Bundesrepublik Deutschland in Manila/Philippinen gibt hiermit bekannt, dass am Mittwoch, dem 27. Januar 2010 von 9:00 bis 12:30 und von 14:00 bis 16:00 ein Konsularsprechtag stattfinden wird im Business Center Davao, Inc. (BCD), G/Floor, BCD Training Center, SME-Union Ave., 8000 Davao City; Tel./Fax (082) 297-0739. Ansprechpartner ist der Leiter der Rechts- und Konsularabteilung der Deutschen Botschaft, der Erste Sekretaer, Herr KLAUS MUELLER.

Bitte beachten Sie, dass nur noch Antraege auf Ausstellung vorlaeufiger Reisepaesse und Kinderreisepaesse - nicht jedoch Antraege auf Europapaesse entgegengenommen werden koennen.

Weitere Informationen und Formulare finden Sie unter www.manila.diplo.de.

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The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Manila/Philippines would like to inform you that the Head of the Legal and Consular Section, the First Secretary Mr. KLAUS MUELLER, will hold office on Wednesday, the 27nd January 2010. Visit our website for more information and application forms www.manila.diplo.de.