This might not be the typical expat blog, written by a German expat, living in the Philippines since 1999. It's different. In English and in German. Check it out! Enjoy reading!
Dies mag' nun wirklich nicht der typische Auswandererblog eines Deutschen auf den Philippinen sein. Er soll etwas anders sein. In Englisch und in Deutsch! Viel Spass beim Lesen!
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!
MANILA, Philippines — P-pop girl group BINI needed to cut their performance at the "Araw ng Kalayaan" concert in Quirino Grandstand yesterday for security concerns.
BINI performed at the government's Independence Day celebration after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his speech.
The girl group appealed to the crowd to behave after performing their song "Lagi," after seeing some fans have already fainted.
They then noticed that some fans climbed the scaffolding, and this prompted them to cut short their set to avoid untoward incidents.
In their official Facebook account, BINI thanked their fans for showing their support in the event, but they made sure that safety came first.
“Thank you to everyone who supported us tonight! However safety should always come first and we hope for your understanding," they wrote.
"More chances to see each other real soon! We hope everyone gets home safely tonight. Thank you so much! Happy Independence Day,” they added.
Four ways to show how much you love the Philippines.
BYPOCH EULALIA
AT A GLANCE
As citizens of this nation, we must strive to educate ourselves enough to distinguish fact from fiction.
Image by Freepik
As we celebrate our 126th Independence Day, we are likely to see the numerous flags being waved and a countless flurry of “Proud to be Pinoy” posts on social media. It’s one thing to brag about being Filipino, but it’s another to actively participate in activities that help support the country. Here are four simple ways you can show your love for the Philippines and actively help our fellow countrymen.
Volunteer
There are countless volunteer organizations out there to help the less fortunate. What better way to show you love our country than to lend a helping hand to our fellow Filipinos in need? You can use services like VolunteerMatch.org to find organizations that need our help. Check with your local LGUs or barangay centers to see if there are any community activities you can offer your services to. Just remember, don’t be a martyr. Only take what you can handle and know your limits when it comes to providing support toward others.
Support the local art scene
You’ve likely heard “support local” as the go-to cry from Filipino artists to ensure we remain at par with the international artists we follow. One of the simplest ways you can do so is by watching Filipino-made shows and movies, listening to OPM, and following local content creators on any of the available streaming platforms out there. You can go the extra mile by attending your favorite local artist’s shows live or buying any of their available merchandise.
Spend, spend, spend
Call this the go signal to go on that shopping spree you’ve been thinking about. By spending on small local businesses and vendors, you are providing support to the local economy. You might think nothing of these small purchases, but every centavo counts. As more people invest on local produce, products, and goods, we strengthen our nation’s economy and provide ample sources of livelihood for the owners of these small businesses.
Learn our history
In this day and age, the lines between fact and fiction continue to blur as fake news and conspiracy theories reign supreme. As citizens of this nation, we must strive to educate ourselves enough to distinguish fact from fiction. One of the simplest ways to do this is to visit historical museums or landmarks. Often, these places offer tours accredited by the Department of Tourism and have tour guides who have an extensive knowledge of these areas. You can also visit any local library to read up on our rich, if complex, past. These books open a path for you to learn about our country’s long and winding history.
When Irha Mel Alfeche entered the Miss Philippines Earth 2024 pageant, she aimed for more than just a crown. At 24, this newly minted beauty queen from Matanao, Davao del Sur is on a mission to protect Mother Earth with her advocacy for "eating green and living green."
For Irha, her advocacy is not just a slogan but a way of life. "Eating green is just as crucial as living green. My advocacy primarily focuses on urban or home gardening, a practice that has become more pertinent recently. The pandemic has taught us the value of resourcefulness and innovation," she shared in an interview.
2024 Miss Philippines Earth Irah Mel Alfece believes in promoting urban farming as a way of protecting Mother Earth. (Photo by Noel Pabalate)
Urban gardening, she explains, involves cultivating plants in urban settings, whether in apartments, residences, or other areas with little to no land space. Irha believes that this practice is beneficial not only to the environment but also to the country’s economy and food security.
During the pre-pageant activities on Camiguin Island, Irha observed local residents tending to vegetable gardens in the barrios they visited. She was thrilled to see that even in urban areas in other parts of Mindanao, residents embraced this sustainable practice. "If you live in a city, urban gardening is excellent work," she enthused.
Support for eco-tourism
Irha's passion for the environment extends to eco-tourism as well. She advises municipalities to invest in their local communities. "To further promote eco-tourism, we must invest in the locals in training and calibrate them with the traits Filipinos are known for. That way, tourists will feel more comfortable, loved, and carefree away from home, so they will feel invested in returning and enjoying themselves again," she said.
Educating the people
A graduate in special needs education, Irha believes in the power of education to foster environmental conservation.
“As an educator, I need to educate the young ones, the children, to preserve and conserve our Mother Earth, and as the new Miss Philippines Earth, I will be a role model in protecting our Mother Earth. Always remember that if we work together, we can create an environment for a better future," she said.
A believer in hard work
Irha also believes that her advocacy will need a lot of work, just like her journey to the Miss Philippines Earth crown.
"Simple. I have what it takes. I've got what it takes, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to be a successful Miss Philippines Earth 2024," she confidently stated.
She fondly recalled participating in beauty pageants as a child, with one particular event in her grandfather's hometown standing out as especially memorable. "Having joined three times, I've learned that pursuing your goals in life requires a great deal of hard work, persistence, and discipline," she said.
Learning from a strong mom
Irha points to her mother's resilience as her model. Reflecting on her childhood, she described it as a roller coaster ride which she survived thanks to her mother's strength that made her grow into an equally strong and independent woman.
"I've grown more independent and committed to life's realities because I believe everything happens for a reason, and that purpose has shaped who I am now," she said.
Reinventing Beauty Pageants
As for Miss Philippines Earth, the contest is now in its 23rd year and its producer, Carousel Productions Inc., emphasizes its environmental advocacy. Lorraine Schuck, co-founder and Executive Vice President of Carousel, highlights the unique mission of the pageant.
"Because many people admire and aspire to be a beauty queen, Carousel Productions believes beauty queens could be good and effective advocates of worthy causes. Since 2001, Miss Philippines Earth has existed to have its candidates and winners actively promote and get involved in the preservation of the environment," Schuck said.
Irha Mel Alfeche's journey to the Miss Philippines Earth crown is a story of dedication to one’s personal dreams and to the greater cause of environmental conservation. As Irha prepares to take her advocacy to the international stage, her message is clear: With hard work and a commitment to sustainability, beauty queens can live up to a mission of truly protecting Mother Earth.
Im Juli 2024 treten einige Änderungen der deutschen Rentenversicherung in Kraft, die unter anderem die Hinzuverdienstgrenzen regeln. Alle Neuerungen im Überblick.
Berlin – Ab dem ersten Juli dürfen sich Rentnerinnen und Rentner hierzulande über steigende Bezüge freuen. Darüber hinaus gibt es einige Änderungen bei der Hinterbliebenen- und Erwerbsminderungsrente. Ein Überblick darüber, wer mehr Geld ab Juli bekommt.
Erhöhung der Rente um 4,57 Prozent
Zur Jahresmitte gibt es 4,57 Prozent mehr Geld, wie die Deutsche Rentenversicherung auf ihrer Homepage mitteilt. Für Rentner dürfte sich diese Erhöhung im Geldbeutel besonders bemerkbar machen, liegt sie doch das erste Mal seit zwei Jahren wieder über der Inflationsrate und das dritte Mal in Folge oberhalb von vier Prozent. Es handelt sich außerdem um die erste bundeseinheitliche Anpassung, nachdem sich die Rentenwerte in Ost- und Westdeutschland mittlerweile angeglichen haben.
Damit aber nicht genug. Nach Informationen des Fachportals Ihre Vorsorge erhalten zudem etwa drei Millionen Rentner im Juli einen Extra-Zuschlag, der bis einschließlich November 2025 in Form einer monatlichen Zusatzzahlung gewährt wird. Wie genau das funktionieren soll, zeigt das folgende Beispiel.
Ein Rentner erhält im Juli 2024 nach Berücksichtigung der Erhöhung von 4,57 Prozent eine Rente von 1600 Euro monatlich. Außerdem hat er vor Juli 2014 bereits Erwerbsminderungsrente bezogen und bekommt nun zur Monatsmitte eine Sonderzahlung von 7,5 Prozent. Der Zuschlag beläuft sich somit auf genau 120 Euro und wird voraussichtlich bis November des nächsten Jahres gezahlt.
Nicht jeder Rentner kann mit einem Zuschlag über die normale Erhöhung der Rente von 4,57 Prozent rechnen. Gezahlt wird er laut Ihre Vorsorge denjenigen, die vor dem Jahr 2019 Erwerbsminderungsrente bezogen hatten. Der Zuschlag soll als Ausgleich dafür dienen, dass die EM-Rente zuvor mehrmals von Verbesserungen ausgenommen war. Die konkrete Höhe des aktuellen Zuschlags ist abhängig davon, in welchem Zeitraum die Erwerbsminderungsrente gewährt wurde. Für alle Zeiträume zwischen Januar 2001 und Juni 2014 beträgt der Zuschlag 7,5 Prozent, für Zeiträume zwischen Juli 2014 und Dezember 2018 erhalten Rentner dagegen nur 4,5 Prozent.
Hinterbliebenenrente: Höhere Hinzuverdienstgrenzen ab Juli
Neu ab Juli ist zudem, dass bei der Hinterbliebenenrente höhere Hinzuverdienstgrenzen gewährt werden, ohne dass es zu einer Kürzung kommt. Der Freibetrag für das eigene Einkommen erhöht sich von bislang 992 Euro netto auf 1038 Euro netto im Monat. Änderungen gibt es darüber hinaus in puncto Pfändungsfreigrenzen. Beträge dürfen ab dem ersten Juli nur dann gepfändet werden, wenn ein Rentner monatlich über mindestens 1500 Euro Nettoeinkommen verfügt.
Zuvor hatte die Grenze noch bei 1409 Euro gelegen. Berücksichtigt werden muss zudem die seit Januar dieses Jahres geltende Hinzuverdienstgrenze von rund 37.117 Euro pro Jahr, die bei Renten wegen teilweiser Erwerbsminderung greift. Im Falle der vollen Erwerbsminderung sinkt der Wert auf 18.558 Euro.
