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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Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Philippine Fairy Tales (XVI) - Philippinische Märchen (XVI): The broken word - Das gebrochene Wort


The broken word - Das gebrochene Wort


Nana Kikay hatte eine einzige Tochter, sie hieß Pura. Eines Tages erblickte Pura im Haus, auf einem Bord, eine kleine Schachtel.

„Was mag in dieser kleinen Schachtel sein ?“ dachte sie.

In dem Augenblick trat Nana Kikay ein. Sie rief Pura zu sich und sprach :“ Ich gehe in die Stadt, um etwas für dich zu kaufen. Schau , dort auf dem Bord liegt eine kleine Schachtel , rühre sie nicht an, öffne sie nicht, Pura ! Sei gehorsam.“

„Gut, Mutter, ich verspreche es dir, ich werde die Schachtel nicht anrühren", erwiderte Pura.

So ging Nana Kikay auf den Markt.

Pura räumte die Wohnung auf und wischte Staub. Sie war mit der Arbeit im Nu fertig, dann hatte sie nichts mehr zu tun.

Neugierde überkam sie. Sie schaute die kleine Schachtel an, wandte sich ab und schaute sie wieder an. Wie gerne sie doch gewusst hätte, was darin war !

„Warum hat mir Mutter verboten , sie zu öffnen ?“, fragte sie sich im Stillen. Ich würde so gerne wissen, was darin ist. Schmuck ? Geld? Ich muss es wissen !“

Pura nahm die kleine Schachtel vom bord. Wie schön sie war.

Schließlich öffnete sie die Schachtel. Eine kleine Wolke schwarzen Rauchs entwich ihr. Der Rauch stieg auf, höher und höher und in der Luft bildete er eine große dunkle Wolke.

Als Nana Kikay heimkam, war Pura nicht zu sehen . Die Mutter rief sie, sie rief ihren Namen, doch niemand meldete sich.

Da kam Nana Kikay die kleine Schachtel in den Sinn. Sie lief zum Bord, doch die kleine Schachtel war nicht dort. Sie begriff sofort, was geschehen war : Pura hatte ihr Wort gebrochen, sie hatte die kleine Schachtel geöffnet. 

Seither kann man manchmal am Himmel dunkle Wolken sehen. Wenn man aufmerksam hinschaut, kann man erkennen, dass sie eine menschliche Gestalt darstellen. Das sind Wolken, die der ehemals in die kleine Schachtel eingeschlossenen Rauch bildet. 

Und man sagt,jene menschliche Gestalt sei Pura, das Mädchen, das sein Wort gebrochen hat. 

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Nana Kikay had an only daughter, her name was Pura. One day Pura saw a small box on a shelf in the house.

“What could be in this little box?” she thought.

At that moment Nana Kikay entered. She called Pura to her and said, “I am going to the city to buy something for you. Look, there's a little box on the shelf, don't touch it, don't open it, Pura! Be obedient.”

"Okay, mother, I promise you, I won't touch the box," Pura replied.

So Nana Kikay went to the market.

Pura cleaned up the apartment and dusted it. She finished the work in no time, then had nothing left to do.

Curiosity overwhelmed her. She looked at the small box, turned away and looked at it again. How she wished she had known what was in it!

“Why did my mother forbid me to open it?” she asked herself silently. I would love to know what's in it. Jewelry ? Money? I have to know it !"

Pura took the small box from the shelf. How beautiful she was.

Finally she opened the box. A small cloud of black smoke escaped her. The smoke rose higher and higher, forming a large dark cloud in the air.

When Nana Kikay came home, Pura was nowhere to be seen. Her mother called her, she called her name, but no one answered.

Then Nana Kikay thought of the little box. She ran to the board, but the small box wasn't there. She immediately understood what had happened: Pura had broken her word, she had opened the small box.

Since then, dark clouds can sometimes be seen in the sky. If you look carefully, you can see that they represent a human figure. These are clouds formed by the smoke that was previously enclosed in the small box.

And it is said that that human figure is Pura, the girl who broke her word.


[Translation (C) Dr. Anna Fialova, 1978 - erschienen im Verlag Werner Dausien, Hanau/Main und im Verlag Mlade leta, Bratislava, CSSR.]

Developing Tropical and the frigid cold surge in the western pacific



TPB’s must-visit of the month: Exciting ancient escapade in Banaue, Ifugao

A testament to the nation’s rich heritage and natural beauty


Nestled in the north of the Luzon island group of the Philippines, Banaue, Ifugao, stands as a testament to the nation’s rich heritage and natural beauty. This captivating destination offers travelers a glimpse into the soul of the Philippines, where terraced rice fields and ancient traditions coexist harmoniously.

Banaue’s serene ambiance and cool mountain climate make it a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life. It is renowned to both local and international travelers for its picturesque rice terraces carved into the mountain slopes by the inhabitants of the Ifugao people more than 2,000 years ago. The marvelous man-made terraces have been recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserving their cultural and historical significance.

Discover a journey like no other, and learn why Banaue was hailed as the Eighth Wonder of the World. Here’s a travel guide on exploring the enchanting beauty and culture that define Banaue, Ifugao.

The exciting journey to Banaue

Banaue is located at the foot of the Cordillera Mountain Ranges. Traveling from Manila may take quite a while since there is no direct flight to Banaue, and it will take nine to 10 hours of land travel, but the trip is definitely worth it. Here are ways on how you can get to Banaue from Manila:

1. If you are a fan of road trips and enjoy sightseeing while traveling, you can drive a car to Banaue. Simply take NLEX from Manila, then exit to SCTEX; from there, take the TPLEX exit to Pura and right to Guimba-Nueva Ecija toward Baloc, then Maharlika. From Maharlika, turn to San Jose, Nueva Ecija, and then drive all the way to Nueva Vizcaya to Ifugao.

2. You can also travel through a direct bus trip via OhayamiBus Liner located at J. Fajardo St. Corner Lacson Ave., Sampaloc, Manila. If you will be traveling from Quezon City, Coda Lines Bus Fleet also offers a direct bus trip to Banaue, located at HM Transport Inc., corner Maryland Street, Cubao, Quezon City. One-way bus fares going to Banaue start at P740 to P1,000, depending on the type of bus. 

3. Tourists may also travel by air with a combination of land travel. Tourists can book a flight to the nearest airport, which is in Cauayan, Isabela. Upon arrival, travelers can take a three-hour bus or van to Bagbag, and another three-hour bus or jeepney ride to Banaue.

The taste of native delicacies

A visit to Banaue is not complete without savoring the flavors of Ifugao cuisine. Their traditional dishes, often prepared with locally grown ingredients, offer a unique culinary experience to tourists.

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Inlagim (Photo from Tourism Office LGU Banaue, Ifugao)

Since the weather in Banaue is usually cold, it is always nice to have a cup of warm soup to compliment the weather. With that, Banaue offers the appetizing Inlagim, a native chicken stew used during rituals and celebrations. The word inlagim literally translates to "burn cooking" in Ifugao, so instead of traditionally boiling the chicken when plucking the feathers, they roast the chickens over the open fire instead; and then pluck the feather until it is completely cleaned. The “burn” in the chicken gives the smokey essence of the ginger and onion-based soup. For P1,500, tourists can enjoy a whole chicken stew good for four persons.

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Binakle (Photo from Tourism Office LGU Banaue, Ifugao)

For those who like to eat while still doing activities in Banaue, Binakle can be a tempting must-try. It is traditionally prepared in a communal ritual or sometimes in family activities, which is usually served at night after the evening meal. For P10 to P20 per serving, you can already have Binakle, a rice cake made from pounded glutinous rice with sesame seeds wrapped in banana leaves. This is also commonly sold in their local markets.

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Tinawon Cookies (Photo from Tourism Office LGU Banaue, Ifugao)

Given that Banaue is known for its terraced rice fields, locals have innovated their rice products and one of them is the Tinawon Rice Cookies. The Ifugao term tinawon literally translates to “once a year” because this variety of local rice can only be harvested from the Banaue Rice Terraces once a year. The locals will store the harvested tinawon rice for the supply to last longer and will be used to make cookies that usually cost P80 to P100 per box of 10 bite-sized pieces. 

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Banaue-Batad Rice Terraces, Banaue, Ifugao (Photo from Tourism Promotions Board PH)

Beyond the picturesque postcards

For adventurous travelers, Banaue offers a gateway to thrilling experiences. One way to experience Banaue is to visit the rice terraces that we can only see at the back of the P20 bill. The Banaue-Batad Rice Terraces are known for the amphitheater rice terraces and are commonly referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the World for remaining untouched by civilization. The 2,000-year-old scenic wonder covers a vast area of over 10,300 square kilometers and never fails to leave travelers in awe of its majestic beauty.

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Tam-An Village, Banaue, Ifugao (Photo from Tourism Office LGU Banaue, Ifugao)

Apart from the famous rice terraces, tourists can also add hiking to Tappiya Falls as an exhilarating escapade. Beyond the terraces, a trek to Tappiya Falls awaits, where Banaue also takes travelers’ breath away with its incredible waterfalls in the middle of a forest. After hiking the steep, uneven steps of the rice terraces, a natural swimming pool rewards tourists with its cold and refreshing water. The view from the falls also offers a close perspective of the rice terraces, which is worth the hike.

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Tappiya Falls, Banaue, Ifugao (Photo from Tourism Office LGU Banaue, Ifugao)

This picturesque town offers local and international tourists a unique blend of culture and nature, making it a must-visit for anyone seeking an authentic Philippine experience. Witnessing a protected and well-preserved ancestral land is not to be missed, let Banaue take your breath away with its rich culture and breathtaking landscapes.

Plan your next trip  to Banaue, Ifugao and fall in love with the surprises awaiting you in your next adventure, make sure to download the Travel Philippines App for Android and IOS. It is a handy companion complete with interactive maps, insider tips, and exclusive discounts.

Banaue, Ifugao is not just a feast for the eyes but also a culinary and cultural adventure waiting to be savored. Discover the heartbeat of Banaue, where traditions flourish, landscapes entice, and adventures beckon at every turn.

Live your life by a compass not a clock. —Stephen Covey


AT A GLANCE

  • Live your life by a compass not a clock. —Stephen Covey


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Full steam ahead, that’s how 2024 is going, but where are we headed this year? Better yet, where are we aching to go?
The Philippine Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) of the Department of Tourism (DOT), along with Tatler Philippines, threw an intimate cocktail party at the Samba Restaurant at Shangri-La The Fort.
There were no more than 50 guests, each handpicked by Tatler Philippines managing director Irene Martel-Francisco because they, as she told me, “love to travel and explore, all of them very much attracted to wandering in places both new and favored.”

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Marga Nograles, Rocio Olbes, Kelly Misa Fernandez, Irene Martel Francisco, Vicki Belo, and Ching Cruz

TPB chief operating officer Marga Nograles was, of course, the life of the party, whose raison d’etre, after all, was the Travel Philippines app, now enhanced with more features. We were all there to see how it could help us make 2024 the year we would see more of the country. “It seemed fitting to gather the people I chose around the COO as she shared the latest insights on the enhanced Travel Philippines app,” said Irene.
Incidentally, Ana Lorenzana de Ocampo, Stephanie Zubiri, and I have been asked by Irene to highlight why the Travel Philippines app is essential to our travel plans across the country. We all agreed that among its most appreciated features is that it’s easy to download and use. It’s a credible source of information on destinations, activities, what to do, where to stay, what to eat across all the regions of the Philippines. The app is designed to be your pocket assistant, where you can store, manage, and easily access e-copies of your travel documents, such as passport, boarding pass, hotel and restaurant reservations, and more. Plus, with the app in hand, it’s so much easier to avail of the latest, hottest deals and promos from accredited and trusted partners of both TPB and DOT.
It was a night bubblies, cocktails, and other heady drinks, delectable pica-pica with a clever Pinoy twist, not to mention a kilawin bar! But, champagne in hand, I made myself busy asking everyone about the pleasures and treasures they are aching to discover in the Philippines. Here are some of the answers. 

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Irene Martel Francisco

I have always been fascinated with Batanes! It seems far removed from our amazing beaches. There is something raw, authentic in the photos I see of it—the scenic waters, terrain, and clean environment. I will find the time to visit and yes, I will make use of the TravelPH app in planning our trip. —Irene Martel Francisco

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Ching Cruz

Tawi-Tawi is in my bucket list for its breathtakingly beautiful islands with almost untouched beaches and forests of corals and reefs, and lots of underwater life. They say it has the most beautiful seas on earth. But I find the sea nomads, the Bajaus, so intriguing, their way of life is so unique. I don’t know yet how to get there, but if I could, I would at the first opportunity. —Ching Cruz

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Stephanie Zubiri

Mt. Banahaw! I would love to explore our deeply mystical and spiritual ancestral heritage. I believe there is so much wisdom we can learn from our indigenous ancestors and how they connected to Mother Earth and the elements and saw the divine everywhere. I’m also fascinated by the marriage between the Catholic faith and our ancient beliefs. These are sacred places where these practices are very much alive! —Stephanie Zubiri

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Monique Madsen

It’s only in the last few years that I got to see more of the Philippines and I get filled with so much pride each time. We really have beautiful beaches! I’m not much of a beach person so I think my top destinations would be more of the north. Growing up we drove up to Baguio every summer, riding horses and enjoying the cooler weather. I still remember my trip to Banaue, Sagada, and Vigan a decade ago, which really stuck with me. So much history, so many heritage sites, which I love, also the culture, the people, the food—the coffee!—the views up there, and the way of life. La Union, Laoag, Pagudpud, and Batanes are on my bucket list. —Monique Madsen       

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Kelly Misa Fernandez

Last year, my destination of choice was Siquijor, so I made it a point to go and I did! I was there for almost a week. It was such a fun trip! The place is gorgeous, I was pleasantly surprised. And the food was really good. I had such a good time I made it a point to explore a new place every year. This year, a part of the Philippines I want to go is Tawi-Tawi. I’ve heard a lot of wonderful things about it, from its pristine beaches to its beautiful underwater life, food, and culture. —Kelly Misa Fernandez

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Rocio Olbes

I am very intrigued by Iloilo in the southeast portion of the Visayan island of Panay. It’s rich in historical beauty. I have deep family ties in Iloilo on my grandfather’s side and I hope one day to explore not only my own family history but the picturesque surroundings as well. —Rocio Olbes

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Ana Lorenzana de Ocampo

Batanes has always intrigued me, not just because I have never been, but because of what I’ve seen and heard from others. It feels entirely different from any other part of the Philippines. Its location on the northernmost islands of the country, its unique weather and topography (and architecture), the different culture, flora, and fauna have always piqued my interest. I hope to experience them myself in the future. —Ana Lorenzana de Ocampo

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Chinkee Koppe

Because I have always enjoyed our beaches more, now I am more curious about the mountains. I would love to go up north to Sagada and to the seaside cliffs of Batanes. Or maybe farther south to Bukidnon and Davao. —Chinkee Koppe

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Nicole Ortega

I’ve never been to Cebu, can you believe it? I am dying to explore its food scene, which I know and hear is excellent. I also want to go to Sagada for the weather, the small cafés, and the solace. —Nicole Ortega

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Farbricio Sordoni

I would love to explore more of Mindanao. In terms of landscapes, people, food, colors, and fashion, it looks quite unique and different from the rest of the Philippines. But I don’t know where I would start. Maybe Siargao, definitely for the vibe everyone talks about. I’d also like to go to Siquijor and Camiguin for the landscapes and the stories of friends who have gone and loved them. —Farbricio Sordoni

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Ella Pangilinan Miranda

I have always wanted to visit Batanes, especially because apart from the scenic views I’ve heard it’s one of the places that have been able to really preserve traditions and keep its rich Ivatan culture! —Ella Pangilinan Miranda

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Issa Litton

I’d like to go to Siargao. I’m a creature of habit so we usually go to our favorite spots in Coron, like Club Paradise, and Boracay. I look forward to exploring new beaches around the Philippines. —Issa Litton

Flood-hit Davao de Oro now in a state of calamity


STILL UNDER WATER Some agricultural fields in Davao de Oro are still under water on Monday, days after being flooded from heavy rains brought by a shear line last week. PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF DAVAO DE ORO PHOTO


By: Germelina Lacorte, Ryan Rosauro - @inquirerdotnet

Philippine Daily Inquirer / 04:35 AM January 24, 2024


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Philippines — The province of Davao de Oro has been placed under a state of calamity due to the massive destruction wrought on its communities by heavy rains brought about by the shear line last week.

Nearly 200,000 people in the province were affected by floods and landslides in four days of continuous rains, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said.

At least 600,000 people had been affected by the floods that also inundated communities and farms, and damaged numerous roads and bridges in the Davao region.

The region is composed of the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental and Davao Occidental; and the independent highly urbanized Davao City.

The neighboring Davao de Oro and Davao Oriental are bearing the heavy brunt of the shear line that dumped heavy rains on Mindanao’s eastern seaboard last week.

Davao de Oro’s calamity declaration was approved last Saturday by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan led by Vice Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy, upon recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) chaired by Gov. Dorothy Gonzaga.


Rapid assessment

The PDRRMC noted that a rapid damage assessment counted 51,140 families, or 182,653 persons, were affected throughout the province. More than P130 million in agricultural production of about 3,700 crop and fish farmers were lost to floods and landslides that damaged 5,000 hectares of fields.

Gonzaga said the estimate of damage could go up as reports from the municipalities flow in.

Davao de Oro province recorded 12 dead, 11 of them from the landslide that occurred in Mt. Diwata, Monkayo town, and another one in Maragusan town.

Joseph Randy Loy, the provincial disaster risk reduction and management officer, said the calamity declaration paves the way for the release of funds needed to assist those who were affected.

In Davao Oriental, the PDRRMC on Tuesday recommended a calamity declaration throughout the province to also free up its quick response funds to attend to the havoc wrought by heavy rains in its communities and allow the imposition of price control on basic commodities.

Some 63,377 families in Davao Oriental were affected by the floods and landslides that damaged many roads and bridges, as well as flood control dikes.


Power still out

A rapid assessment estimated that some P112.21 million in agricultural production was lost; about P160,000 in livestock, P106.44 million in crops and P5.61 million in fisheries.

As of Tuesday, several communities are still cut off from the local power distribution system as the lines are still being repaired in portions of Governor Generoso, San Isidro, Lupon, Tarragona, Caraga, Manay and Cateel towns, and in Mati City.

Gov. Niño Sotero Uy said he expects approval of the calamity declaration by provincial legislators who will meet on Wednesday.

A state of calamity had already been declared by the municipal governments of Caraga, Tarragona, Cateel, Governor Generoso and Lupon.


Regional figures

The death toll from the recent landslides and flooding in the Davao region rose to 16 as two more persons were reported to have died in Mati City, Davao Oriental, and another one in Don Marcelino town of Davao Occidental.

According to the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), the number of people affected by floods and landslides in the Davao region rose further to 606,483 (or 134,879 families), as local government units continued their assessment, taking into account those areas that were difficult to reach.

Of those affected, a total of 3,495 families, or 12,725 persons, are still staying in evacuation centers.

Initially, the OCD placed at P68.09 million the estimated damage to agriculture in the region and at P26.87 million the damage to infrastructure.