Philippines' Vanishing Flora and Fauna!?

Being a permanent resident in the Philippines since 1999, I observed several examples regarding vanishing Philippines's flora and fauna.

The Philippine brown deer hobbles on three legs in a tiny mud of a pen at a government-run wildlife rescue centre, a grim symbol of the Philippines' rapidly vanishing flora and fauna. PEOPLE AWAKE!!!

The deer was a victim of a snare set by villagers hunting it for food that claimed its front right foot six years ago, forcing the old male to live out the rest of its days a long way from home at the animal shelter in Manila. Heaven forbid!

The deer is just one of hundreds of local species that are being hunted close to local species that are being hunted close to extinction mainly by the rural poor who want them for food or to sell to dealers as part of an increasingly lucrative global pet trade,

Living in the Philippines... !

Three More Classical Music Composers In A Row

(Ferruccio Busoni)

(Manuel de Falla)

 (Ruggiero Leoncavallo)

 I love them and their music.

Check out more on my website or enjoy listening my radio show "Classics with Klaus Doring", every Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. on 104.3 FM, The Edge Radio Davao and via live stream:

http://www.davao.theedge.ph

http://www.klausdoringclassicalmusic.webs.com

Hope For Mountain People Ata-Manobos

The news are from Talaingod in Davao del Norte. A seemingly endless array of mountain slopes transforms into unusual shades of green that engulf the municipality of Talaingod. Though it ised to be the center of massive logging until the early 1990s, rivers still abound with life and tall trees crown its mountains.

But Talaingod is more than just a spectacular display of nature. Located at the border of Bukidnon and Davao City, it cradles a unique and colorful culture. It is home to the proud Ata-Manabos.

The Ata-Manobos dominate Talaingod with about 80% of the municipality's population. They most live in small sitios that are scattered over a wide 45,496 hectares of forest and dangerous terrain, isolating them from civilization and hindering access to their basic needs.

These proud people in the uplands never really dreamed of ever getting out from the black hole of poverty. For many, it is simply their fate. But what was more disturbing was the people's idea of the government. In all their life they have never seen a government worker. 

The entry of KALAHI-CIDSS (Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services) in 2004 at least let the tribal people started to become aware of the services of the government. Despite being among the remotest areas of the Davao Region, Talaingod started to implement the 2--4 program and the people started to appreciate the efforts of the government.

(Many thanks to Leslie Lao-Francisco, DSWD, for sharing these thoughts with us.)

Four in Ten Male Tourists ‘visit Philippines for sex’

40 percent of foreign men visiting the Philippines are sex tourists, the US-ambassador in the Philippines, Harry Thomas, said... . 

Check out the SUN HERALD story here: 

4 in 10 male tourists ‘visit PH for sex’

Heart Evangelista Is Back

Heart Eveangelista move to be silent for a while, but now she is back after dropping a bomb against Marian Rivera apparently worked to her advantage.

Her new shampoo commercial (with Toni Gonzaga) is more than an endorsement. 

Soon she will be taping a new drama series 'legacy' with Iza Calzado, TJ Trinidad and Geoff Eigenmann. Among other contract stars, her perevious shows fared well in the rating.

Welcome back Heart! 

Anton Bruckner - Another Great Classical Composer

Anton Brucker was born in Ansfelden/Austria on September 4, 1824.

Church music and great symphonies are the fundamentals of his composition works.

More about him is here:

http://www.klausdoringclassicalmusic.webs.com

I Am Back - On Air

Yes - I am back on air again with a Classical Music radio show and some "thoughts regarding our daily life".

"Classics with Klaus Doring" will be on air every Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. on 104.3 FM THE EDGE RADIO DAVAO. Positive music, powerful message!

The Edge Radio Davao is a non-profit organization and broadcasting arm of UCB-IFA (United Christian Broadcasters Initiative for Asia) with several sister stations in the Philippines and all over the world.

Check out:
http://www.davao.theedge.ph 
(live streaming).

And, of course, you can learn more about classical composers (and soon special musicians) on my website

http://www.klausdoringclassicalmusic.webs.com

Solid Waste Disposal in Davao City for Free?

Honestly, I wonder myself many times, how to give my share, if it comes to a solid waste disposal in my surroundings here in Davao City.

Maybe here is the answer: The city government will not spend a single centavo for the construction of the "Ultra-modern solid waste management and disposal plant. This is stipulated in the the draft of the Memorandum of Agreement between the city government and TIG 3 Green Technology Mindanao.

TIG Green Technology Mindanao is a subsidiary of Herhoff/Germany, a company that specializes in converting waste to energy.

On the party of Davao City, it will allow TIG Green Technology Mindanao to use the land where the plant will be built for 50 years, which is renewable for another 50 years. If the city reaches the 1,000-ton garbage generation per day, then the city government will again provide the needed land for the power plant facility that is not more than five kilometers from the MBT plant.

The City of Davao is "gung-ho" about going into an agreement with an agreement with TIG Green Technology Mindanao because the MBT plant will increase the life span of the city's landfill areas in addition to the fact that the city will also generate income from the plant.

Thank you very much Diana Lhyd Suelto for your opinion and thoughts.

Fritz Kreisler - Sweet Viennese Violin Sound

You wish to learn more about him?

Check it out here:

http://www.klausdoringclassicalmusic.webs.com

Philippines: Third in World Risk Index in Terms of Disasters

I am a very busy week leaving behind me. Including another trip to Manila... . I was just very blessed being back home in Davao City save and sound, because the PAGASA weather forecasts didn't allow me to relax: Rain, flood, storm - cancelled flights etc. etc.

While waiting at the airport in Manila, I read a MindaNews article, informing us, that the wealthy Arabian Gulf country Qatar is the safest in terms of disasters, according to the World Risk Report 2011 released this week.

Making the top three most disaster prone countries are the South Pacific island countries of Vanuatu and Tonga (one of my German friends are still residing there) - AND the Philippines.

As this developed, the Philippine Senate had passed early this week on third and final reading a proposed legislation that would establish a People's Survival Fund to support Philippine communities in developing climate change adoption and dsiaster risk reduction projects.

Countries with the lowest risk index Qatar, Malta and Saudi Arabia, which are in the bottom list, are not prone to typhoons, tsunamis and earthquakes.

Weak governance, according to this report, is an important risk factor that directly correlates to disaster impacts like number of deaths. "States with strong institutions have fewer deaths after extreme natural events than those with weak or inexistent institutions,"the report said.

Philippines - quo vadis?

Sacred Classics on a Beautiful Sunday

The British Composer HENRY PURCELL.

Check out more here:

www.klausdoringclassicalmusic.webs.com

Tuna Capital General Santos City and its 43rd Anniversary

I have been in General Santos City many, many times. I love to stay there, especially while I experiencing the 43rd anniversary with the tuna festival.

The two week affair aimed to further strengthen the city's claim to being the "Tuna Capital of the Philippines" with an assortment of sport tournaments, entertainment and celebrity shows, and specia-interest events.

A brand new slogan the city wants to develop is "General Beyound the Bay: From the metropolis to the Hills", because of the many must-see places. Among these the Sansapan Cave Falls, the Nopol Hills overlooking the city and adjoining areas, and the Kalah Karst, which is being developed bu the department of Tourism to become the country's eco-parks.

General Santos City is also being promoted as "Land of the champions" being the hometown of boxing champ Manny P_acquiao, among others.

Here are some important links: visit http://www.gensantos.gov.ph for details or like them on Facebook.

My warm regards to GenSan Mayor Darlene Antonio-Custodio.

Alibin Reappointed USEP President

The University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) Boards of Regents has re-appointed Dr. Perfecto Alibin president for a term of four years starting September1, 2011.

Alibin's reappointment to presidency was decided by the USEP BOR during August 26 meeting held at the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) central office in Quezon City.

An expert on education and a graduate of Doctor of Education in Educational Administration and Cognate in Public Administration, Alibin was elected to the USEP presidency on August 23, 2007 by the members of the USEP Board of Regents.

Dr. Alibin's interests extend to the whole of the university, across the engineering, technology, eduction and the professional spheres.

I am glad and honoured getting Dr. Alibin's full support as Faculty Member of the Institute of Languages for my German Language Course after signing a Memorandum of Understanding between USEP and the Goethe-Institute (German Cultural Center Manila).

Congratulations and God bless you, Dr. Alibin!

Rats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I saw them many times during my last stay in South Cotabato. Rats!!!!!

One could learn from MindaNews (here Allen V. Estabillo, thank you very much Allen!), that agriculture personnel in South Cotabato province will launch in September an intensified campaign against the continuing rodent or rat infestation in the area that already devastated some 36,9 million Pesos worth of palay and corn crops.

Reynaldo Legaste, South Cotabato provincial agriculture officer, said they have declared the month of September as rodent control month in the entire province to give more focus on their continuing efforts to effectively reduce the pest's population and the impact of its infestation on farm crops.

Good luck to you and your staff, Sir!

Manny Pacquiao - Retirement and Darts Propaganda

Philippine boxing superstar Manny said he considers retiring after a couple of fights to concentrate on his duties as public servant. "I am not gonna stay long in boxing. A couple of fights - ant then, it should be enough!"

Manny's iconic status will help promote the sport of darts in the Philippines, according to English darts legend Rod Harrington.

Harrington said Pacquiao, who now has his own line of darts courtesy of Target Darts, can influence his fellow Filipinos to enjoy the benefits of darts because they look up to him. 

Harrington was a former No. 1 darts player in the world. he won the 1991 Darts World Masters and the World Matchplay in 1998 and 1999.

Good luck, Manny!!!