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)