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!
Jan. 30 to Feb. 2, 2025 will mark the three days that the Manila International Film Festival takes over the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood, accompanied by a star-studded gala dinner at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. It’s the second time that the MIFF comes to Los Angeles.
The 10 entries of the ongoing 50th Metro Manila Film Festival will be shown; and other highlights include the 75th anniversary of a landmark Filipino movie – Genghis Khan, an advance screening of Love Hurts, a Hollywood film directed by a Filipino-American, the 25th anniversary of a landmark breakthrough Filipino-American film The Debut, plus the top grossing Filipino film of 2024, Hello, Love, Again. Our First Lady, Liza A. Marcos will be attending, to signify her consistent support for Philippine cinema, and the efforts of advancing its cause overseas.
It was just in November of 2024 when the First Lady graced the blessing of the Manila office of the Manila International Film Festival, and exhorted key players in the film industry to rally behind a renewed vision of showcasing Filipino talent on the world stage. It’s about marketing the Filipino creative industry abroad as a concerted, national initiative; and not just relying on individual efforts to make it abroad. “Give the World Our Best” is the campaign, and it calls for taking advantage of international platforms to elevate our film industry; and thereby, raise national pride and cultural identity.
THE FIRST LADY, Liza A. Marcos at the Makati Office of the Manila International Film Festival in November of 2024. The Festival in LA happens this Jan. 30 to Feb. 2, 2025.
How important is this? Well, beyond the national pride that it can inculcate, there are numerous economic triggers that can occur, which can lead to solid business opportunities. On the pride aspect, I know I’ve been green with Elphaba-envy ever since South Korea’s Parasite took home four major Oscars in 2020 – Best Picture, Best Director for Bong Joon Ho, Best International Feature Film, and Best Original Screenplay. Then the very next year, in 2021, we had South Korean veteran actress Youn Yuh-Jung taking the Best Supporting Actress Oscar statuette for Minari. And in 2023, Malaysian-born Michelle Yeoh became the first Asian to clench an Oscar for Best Actress, thanks to her trippy role in Everything Everywhere All At Once.
We can shout all we want about Filipino natural talent and innate creativity. Insist we’re among the best in the region, talk about how we make magic on a shoestring budget, and how we’re headhunted for top creative industry positions. But where is the third party validation for all that? Has a Filipino film, actor, director, taken home an Oscar? Closest we’ve come is Dolly De Leon picking up a Golden Globes Actress in a supporting role nomination for Triangle of Sadness in 2022; and she did take Best Supporting Actress at the Guldbagge and LA Film Critics Association Awards.
AT A RECENT screening of Hello, Love, Again, First Lady Liza A. Marcos with the film’s stars, Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards.
And then we’ll cry about opportunity, about how we’re not marketed well enough. On the flip side, those in the know will point out and blame our crab mentality, and how we actually begrudge others when they succeed – and I am sad to have to admit there is some truth in that. I’ve been around so long, and I’ve observed how so often, we kick off things with a dream and the best of intentions; then get bogged down by the reality, or lose our patience and dedication, when we realize how it’s about the long haul, and not a case of instant gratification.
So yes, I love how this MIFF is now in it’s second year, led by Filipino-Americans who seem to have their hearts in the right places. I’ve not had the chance to meet any of them; but I’m happy that our First Lady is throwing her support in the endeavor. I’m just praying the right people are at her ear, committed to an agenda that raises up the industry as a whole. And a more forceful Yes on how crucial this is. Why?
Introducing the We Give the World Our Best campaign. Pushing for the Philippines to be a Creative Industries Hub in the region.
First of all, because it really is a long term commitment. Example, Bong Joon Ho has been at this way before Parasite. There’s Memories of Murder in 2003, and The Host in 2006, which was a hit at the Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes 2006. And when Parasite did win the Palme D’Or in 2019, the first Korean film to achieve that distinction, the serious campaigning for Parasite to reach the Oscars began in earnest, supported by the government.
That was a nine-month juggernaut, when no one in the trade could escape the Parasite buzz. And it worked; as by the time voting for the Academy Awards began, Parasite was more talked about, watched, and in the zeitgeist of the time, than several of the American-made films of that year – like who actually watched The Irishman, Marriage Story, Ford vs. Ferrari, or Jojo Rabbit? And let’s not forget that Parasite also beat out The Joker, 1917, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and Little Women. That’s how good a job was made in promoting Parasite – not to mention how much money was spent in achieving that.
So it’s nice to dream of a Filipino receiving an Oscar – but the road to that dream is going to take some gargantuan collective effort; and there’s no time like now to start. More of my thoughts on this next week.
After so many years of trying and waiting, Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga is now a world champion.
After so many years of trying and waiting, Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga is now a world champion.
Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga finally won her ONE Championship title. (ONE Championship)
Zamboanga came out with a monstrous performance and scored a technical knockout victory over Ukraine’s Alyona Rassohyna to take the ONE interim women’s atomweight world championship Saturday, Jan. 11, at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 28-year-old fighter put her Ukrainian rival down the canvas in the second frame, dropping multiple heavy hits that eventually convinced referee Herb Dean at the 4:47 mark to stop the co-main event match of ONE Fight Night 27.
“I’ve been here for years. I’ve made it through hard work, tears, and everything. I’m really speechless,” said Zamboanga.
“The delays and injuries, I’ve been through a lot of injuries. Just last week I couldn’t even move my left arm but I didn’t want to cancel this fight because I know God will give me this fight,” she added.
With her MMA world title-clinching win, Zamboanga became the first Filipina to achieve such a feat while also bagging the $50,000 bonus (P2.9 million) for her knockout victory.
Zamboanga improved her pro record to 7-2 win-loss while Rassohyna (1-2) sustained her second defeat.
As expected, the two female warriors poured it all out with both sides firing heavy hits. But it was Zamboanga who was faster and on target, taking advantage of her superior speed against the taller Ukrainian to cut her down to size.
FILE - Surfers catch waves in the Pacific Ocean off of Ho'okipa Beach Park, Nov. 22, 2024, near Paia, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)
A long-awaited La Nina has finally appeared, but the periodic cooling of Pacific Ocean waters is weak and unlikely to cause as many weather problems as usual, meteorologists said Thursday.
La Nina, the flip side of the better-known El Nino, is an irregular rising of unusually cold water in a key part of the central equatorial Pacific that changes weather patterns worldwide.
The last El Nino was declared finished last June, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasters have been expecting La Nina for months. Its delayed arrival may have been influenced — or masked — by the world's oceans being much warmer the last few years, said Michelle L'Heureux, head of NOAA's El Nino team.
"It's totally not clear why this La Nina is so late to form, and I have no doubt it's going to be a topic of a lot of research," L'Heureux said.
But even as the temperature signature was late to arrive and small at that, L'Heureux said some of the effects across the globe have shown up and forecasters have made seasonal predictions based on La Nina conditions.
In the United States, La Ninas tend to cause drier weather in the South and West. They tend to make weather wetter in parts of Indonesia, northern Australia and southern Africa, L'Heureux said. They typically bring more Atlantic hurricanes in summer months, but L'Heureux forecast that this La Nina will have dissipated by the summer.
El Nino often leads to rainier weather in the United States, and tends to increase temperatures globally while La Nina has the opposite effect. Studies have found that La Nina droughts have been costlier than weather extremes linked to El Nino.
The last La Nina ended in 2023 after an unusual three-year stretch.
Jillian takes on a challenging dual role as Tata, a humble Ilongga from the province, and Venice, a glamorous actress.
Jillian Ward
Star of the New Generation Jillian Ward recently shared her journey toward independence, reflecting on how this new chapter allows her to explore the complexities of love and relationships.
Emphasizing the importance of self-discovery, Jillian expressed how stepping away from her family's influence has empowered her to better understand her feelings and desires.
As she navigates the exciting yet challenging world of romance, the Kapuso actress embraces the opportunity to grow as an individual while opening her heart to the possibilities of falling in love.
"Independent na po ako ngayon. May sarili na akong space. Yun ang gift ko sa sarili ko. After work, doon talaga ako pumupunta. Nandoon na rin ang mga gamit ko. Pero umuuwi pa rin ako sa family house namin kasi hindi ko pa talaga kaya mag-isa. Ang hirap ng nagigising na walang pagkain. (I'm independent now. I have my own space. That's my gift to myself. After work, that's where I go. My things are there too. But I still go home to our family house because I can't really be alone yet. It's hard to wake up without food)," said Jillian during an interview for her latest series "My Ilonggo Girl" held at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City.
"May yaya naman ako pero purposely naka-lock lang talaga ako sa space ko. Pahinga lang talaga ako. Feeling ko talaga independent na ako pero lahat ng kilos ko naka-update sa nanay ko. (I have a nanny but I purposely locked myself in my space. I'm just resting. I feel like I'm independent now but all my actions are updated with my mother.)
"Pinipilit ko talaga na maging adult na ako pero may nakatagong CCTV doon na nilagay ng nanay ko. May freedom na ako ngayon pero hindi ko pa talaga kayang humiwalay sa kanila. Madalas one day lang ako sa unit ko tapos uuwi na ako sa amin. (I'm really trying to be an adult but there's a hidden CCTV there that my mother installed. I have freedom now but I can't really separate myself from them. I usually spend one day in my unit and then I go home to my family.)
Jillian Ward and Michael Sager
"Sa sobrang dami kong gamit, yung family house namin puro gamit ko na lang. Hindi ko matiis si mama. So, I'm semi-independent. (Because I have so many things, our family house is all about my stuff. I miss my mom. So, I'm semi-independent)," Jillian said.
Jillian enjoys being a workaholic. After her three-year stint in "Abot Kamay na Pangarap," the young star said she started shooting for "My Ilonggo Girl." In between, she also finished a movie.
"Akala ko nga after 'Abot Kamay Na Pangarap' makakapagpahinga ako ng three months. Pero iba pala ang plano ni God sa akin. After 'Abot Kamay,' nakapagshoot pa po ako ng movie. (I thought that after 'Abot Kamay Na Pangarap' I would be able to rest for three months. But God had different plans for me. After 'Abot Kamay,' I was able to shoot a movie).
"Proud po ako sa movie na yun. Hindi ko pa napapanood ng buo yung movie dahil ine-edit pa nila. Pero masaya po ako sa performance ko roon. Sana po panoorin nila. Parang dalawang linggo lang ang pahinga ko. (I'm proud of that movie. I haven't watched the whole movie yet because they're still editing it. But I'm happy with my performance in it. I hope they watch it. It seems like I only had two weeks off.)
"Noong Pasko, kasama ko ang family ko. Kumain at nagluto lang kami. Nag-music sa bahay. (On Christmas, I was with my family. We just ate and cooked. We played music at home)," said Jillian when asked how she celebrated the holidays.
First serious love team
Jillian mentioned that this would be her first experience in a love team for a television series. She is partnered with Michael Sager, who portrays her love interest in the romantic comedy program. Jillian expressed that she still feels awkward during the intimate scenes with Michael, but she said that Michael makes her feel comfortable.
"Michael makes sure na comfortable ako. Kinakausap niya ako at mine-message niya ako. Mahiyain pa rin kasi talaga ako. May side pa rin ako na bigla akong tahimik sa isang sulok. (Michael makes sure I'm comfortable. He talks to me and messages me. I'm still really shy. I still have a side where I suddenly go quiet in a corner.)
"Attentive rin naman siya. Dahil comfortable naman kami sa isa't isa, may chemistry naman kami. She did not plan to be in a love team. But then I realized gusto ko rin ma-explore ang iba't ibang character. (He's also attentive. Because we're comfortable with each other, we have chemistry. I didn't plan to be in a love team. But then I realized I also wanted to explore different characters.)
"Sa totoo lang kapag may mga scenes na super lapit kami ni Michael (Sager), medyo naiilang pa rin ako kasi nasanay ako na walang leading man. Parang bata ang nga role ko roon. Pero now parang Version 2.0. Dalaga roles na ako ngayon. It's time na talaga to grow and explore." (To be honest, when there are scenes where Michael (Sager) and I are super close, I still feel a little isolated because I'm used to not having a leading man. My role there was like a child. But now it's like Version 2.0. I'm not playing a young girl now. It's really time to grow and explore).
The cast of 'My Ilonggo Girl'
Falling in love
For the first time, Jillian found the courage to share her feelings about experiencing love. She reflected on the moment her heart began to flutter and how the joyous warmth of that connection transformed her world.
Jillian unveiled the vulnerability and excitement that accompanied her journey, revealing the depths of her emotions in a way she had never done before.
"Tinanong ko na rin yan sa aking mama. Nakaka-inspire rin naman ang may kilig sa life pero kung darating man, hayaan ko raw na ma-in love ako. Enjoy ko raw yun habang bata pa ako. Kung masaktan man matututo raw ako sa experience sa buhay. Mas open ako this year. (I asked my mom about that too. It's inspiring to have excitement in life, but if it comes, I should let myself fall in love. I should enjoy it while I'm still young. Even if I get hurt, I'll learn from life's experiences. I'm more open this year).
"Binibiro nga ako ng mga kaibigan ko sabi nila puro raw mga pusa ang kasama ko at kinakausap po. Apat silang pusa na lagi kong kinakausap. (My friends used to joke about me, saying that I only have cats with me and talk to them. There are four cats that I always talk to.)
"Nasanay na rin ako na growing up strict ang parents ko at parang baby nila ako. Pero ngayon binibigyan na nila ako ng freedom. So tingnan natin this year. At kapag nagkaroon ako noon, siyempre ipapakilala ko agad sa inyo. (I'm also used to my parents being strict growing up and treating me like their baby. But now they're giving me freedom. So let's see this year. And if I have one, of course I'll introduce you to them right away)," Jillian said.
Asked if she has fallen in love, Jillian laughed and answered: "Kayo talaga. Syempre, tao lang din. Pero wala pa talagang serious relationship. (Of course, we're only human. But there's no real serious relationship yet.)"
On Feb. 23, Jillian will turn 20 as she celebrates her birthday. "Dito lang ako (sa Pilipinas) pero may taping ako. Masayang masaya ako kapag may work. Feeling ko magkakasakit ako kapag walang work. (I'm just here (in the Philippines) but I'm taping. I'm happy when I have work. I feel like I'll get sick when I don't have work).
"Kapag pumupunta ako ng abroad, work pa rin ang iniisip ko. Baka pwede kahit one week na vacation. Malay niyo, doon ko pala ma-meet siya. (When I go abroad, I still think about work. Maybe even a one-week vacation will do. Who knows, I'll meet him there)," she said.
Jillian stated that it doesn't matter if the guy is from showbiz; what’s important is that he is God-fearing.
"Sa akin kahit ano ang ibibigay sa akin ni God. Gusto ko God-fearing siya. Kapag God-fearing everything else follows. Iba pa rin kapag respectful ang tao. Tapos gagawa siya ng effort para kilalanin niya ang family ko. Na-i-in-love ako kapag super bait sa family ko. (For me, whatever God gives me, I want him to be God-fearing. When he's God-fearing, everything else follows. It's still different when the person is respectful. Then he'll make an effort to get to know my family. I fall in love when he's super kind to my family).
Jillian and Michael
My Ilonggo Girl
GMA Public Affairs kicks off the new year with an exciting tale of love, identity, and transformation as it proudly presents My Ilonggo Girl, a regional romantic comedy series premiering on Jan. 13, Mondays through Thursdays at 9:35 p.m. on GMA Prime.
Jillian takes on a challenging dual role as Tata, a humble Ilongga from the province, and Venice, a glamorous actress. The story unfolds when Tata is thrust into Venice’s world, leading to a series of encounters that forever changes her life.
This marks Jillian’s much-anticipated return to primetime and her debut project with GMA Public Affairs. The award-winning actress expressed gratitude and excitement for the opportunity to portray two vastly different characters.
“I feel so blessed and happy kasi 15 years na ako sa industry pero grabe pa rin ‘yung tiwala sa akin ng GMA, and first time kong magkakaroon ng teleserye with GMA Public Affairs. Nae-excite ako kasi ibang-iba siya sa mga nagawa ko na at marami akong natutunan na bago.” (I feel so blessed and happy because I've been in the industry for 15 years but GMA still has a lot of trust in me, and this is my first time doing a teleserye with GMA Public Affairs. I'm excited because it's very different from what I've done before and I've learned a lot.)
Jillian also teased what fans can look forward to in My Ilonggo Girl.
“First time kong mag-kontrabida talaga tapos dalawa pa ‘yung characters ko. First time ko ring magka-character na galing province kasi mostly ang mga characters ko taga-Maynila. Ibang Jillian ang makikita nila dahil mayroong dalawang Jillian sa show na magkaibang-magkaiba. Ang role ko rin po rito, something fresh and light, pampagaan ng gabi bago matulog ang mga tao. (It's my first time playing a villain, and I have two other characters. It's also my first time playing a character from the provinces because most of my characters are from Manila. They will see a different Jillian because there are two Jillians in the show who are very different. My role here is also something fresh and light, to lighten the night before people go to sleep)," she said.
The series boasts a powerhouse cast composed of both young, and seasoned actors that include Michael Sager, Teresa Loyzaga, Arra San Agustin, Lianne Valentin, and Arlene Muhlach, alongside talented actors Empoy Marquez, Yasser Marta, Richard Quan, Andrea del Rosario, Vince Maristela, Patricia Ismael, Yesh Burce, youngsters Sabreenika Santos, Geo Mhanna, and veteran actress Ms. Carla Martinez.
Produced by GMA Public Affairs, the creative team behind hits like Lolong 1, Black Rider, and Makiling, My Ilonggo Girl promises to bring back kilig to primetime. The series is based on an original concept by Erwin Caezar Bravo and John Mychal Ferraren, with Bravo as head writer.
Directing the series is Conrado Peru, supported by a creative team that includes Aeious Asin, John Bedia, Dickson Comia, and Lawrence Nicodemus.
Catch Jillian as she breathes life into Tata and Venice in My Ilonggo Girl, beginning Jan. 13, Mondays through Thursdays at 9:35 p.m. on GMA Prime. Global viewers can also tune in via GMA Pinoy TV.
