A German Expat in The Philippines - Ein deutscher Auswanderer auf den Philippinen: Mar 29, 2025

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!

Saturday, March 29, 2025

International Dance Day Fest sets 2nd edition

After a successful debut in 2024, the International Dance Day Fest returns this year with the theme "Dance For All" and a bigger line-up of artists, over 1,200 performers.

Kristofer Purnell - Philstar.com

March 29, 2025 | 9:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Samsung Performing Arts Theater (S-PAT) will once again host performances spanning different genres in celebration of International Dance Day this April.

After a successful debut in 2024, the International Dance Day Fest returns this year with the theme "Dance For All" and a bigger line-up of artists, over 1,200 performers.

International Dance Day was conceptualized by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute back in 1982 and is now celebrated annually every April 29 as a tribute to the "father of modern ballet" Jean-Georges Noverre.

This year's celebration in the Philippines will kick off with an opening gala on April 23 featuring a special performance of "Autobiography (v 105)" by the United Kingdom's Company Wayne McGregor.

Chris Mohnani, S-PAT's Managing Director, shared in a media conference that the inaugural edition was supposed to have an opening gala but it wasn't put together on time.

But now with the assistance of the British Council, plans can now push through and funds from the opening gala will be for the benefit of the Artists Welfare Project, an initiative offering healthcare to a number of dancers.

"International Dance Day isn't just a celebration of inclusivity, it's a reminder that dance is for everyone," Mohnani added.

Company Wayne McGregor will also conduct a special workshop and masterclass on the festival's second day, April 24, which will be highlighted by the Folk and Traditional Dance Gala at S-PAT.

Participating groups for Day 2 include Bayanihan, The National Folk Dance Company, the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, and the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe.

Day 3 (April 25) will be dedicated to the Street Dance Gala, last year's most exciting portion, with performances by tropy-winning groups UPeepz, A-Team, Power Impact Dancers, and many more.

The following day, April 26, is a Ballet Gala featuring leading companies Ballet Philippines, Ballet Manila, and the Philippine Ballet Theater, plus the participation of the American Ballet Theatre and Hong Kong Ballet, among others.

Wrapping up the celebrations on April 27 is the Contemporary Gala which will this year focus on artists from outside Metro Manila.

Also the point of special focus on the closing day is paradance led by the decorated Philippine Para Dancesport Team.

Outside of the performances, multidisciplinary movement group Fifth Wall Fest will showcase site-specific works, while a dance market and bazaar will open throughout the festival.

UP develops natural, safer remedy for gout

Ulasimang Bato (Peperomia pellucida) —UP MANILA/WEBSITE

After decades of studies, researchers from the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) have developed a natural treatment for gout, a type of inflammatory arthritis, and hyperuricemia, or abnormally high uric acid levels in the blood.

The oral tablets are made from the extract of pepper elder or shining bush plant (Peperomia pellucida), which has long been used as a traditional medication for its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory properties.

The plant is known in the country for its different names—“pansit-pansitan” or “ulasimang-bato” in Tagalog, “olasiman-ihalas” in Bisaya, “sinaw-sinaw” or “tangon-tangon” in Bicolano, “lin-linnaaw” in Ilocano and “clavo-clavo” in Chavacano.

The Department of Health said it had endorsed P. pellucida since 1992 as among the 10 “scientifically validated” medicinal plants.

Folk healers let their patients consume the plant’s leaves raw, have it dipped in water like tea for drinking, or apply the mashed herb like an ointment.

Researchers of UPM’s Institute of Herbal Medicine (IHM)-National Institutes of Health (NIH) have taken the medication a step further by clinically proving its effectiveness and developing it into an easy-to-take tablet.

No adverse side effects

During the unveiling of the formulation at the 2nd Philippine Pharma and Health care Expo last month, UPM professor Jade Rodriguez said the clinical trials demonstrated a progressive reduction in uric acid among participants, with a 40-percent decrease observed by Day 14.

This reduction continued to 63 percent by Day 28 and 78 percent by Day 49 of the trials.

Notably, no adverse side effects were reported, in contrast to conventional gout remedies such as allopurinol or febuxostat—which may cause kidney and liver injuries, and other reactions.

“Our research shows that ulasimang bato has powerful anti-inflammatory and antihyperuricemia properties. It could be a safer, more natural way for Filipinos to manage gout without the risks linked to synthetic drugs,” Rodriguez said.

The UPM team behind the innovation, mostly experts in herbal medicine, includes Nina Evangelista; Doctors Horacio Estrada, Nelia Cortes-Maramba, Jaime Purificacion, Romeo Quijano, Bernadette Heizel Manapat-Reyes, Jesus Sarol, Isidro Sia and Cecilia Zamora; and Professors Evangeline Amor, Natividad de Castro, Constancio de Guzman, Leticia-Barbara Gutierrez, Jocelyn Palacpac and Ernesta Quintana.

1.8M Filipinos affected

Gout is caused by too much uric acid, which dissolves most of the time in the blood, passes through the kidneys and is expelled from the body as urine.

But when uric acid is too high, it may form hard crystals in the joints, often around elbows, knees, or hands, which cause painful swelling.

Gout attacks can recur frequently unless treated and also managed through a healthy diet—which should minimize food and drinks high in purine, the gout-inducing compound, such as meat fat, seafood including certain types of fish, seeds of vegetables and fruits, sugary beverages and alcohol.

Over time, these attacks can harm the joints, tendons and other tissues.

Based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 published last year in The Lancet journal, around 56 million people worldwide are afflicted with gout—a figure projected to reach 96 million by 2050.

Around 1.8 million Filipinos, or 1.6 percent of the country’s 114 million population, have gout, according to the Philippine Rheumatology Association.

Men between 30 and 50 are more likely to develop gout, while women generally experience onset of symptoms after menopause.

Since their formulation is now patented, UPM researchers said they aim to make the tablet available to the public and are looking for companies that will manufacture and distribute the product.

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mar 29, 2025 11:03 AM

A prototype AI-based drone system with an autonomous Al-based system for early detection of forest fires by Dryad Networks, takes off during the presentation of Silvaguard, in Eberswalde, eastern Germany, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

EBERSWALDE, Germany (AP) — A company that specializes in early wildfire detection has developed a new, AI-based drone it says will help speed up the detection, location and monitoring of fires.

The Silvaguard drone by Dryard Networks was presented Thursday in Eberswalde outside of Berlin as wildfires driven by extreme heat and climate change are becoming a more common, often deadly phenomenon around the globe.

The drone will deliver infrared images, among other things, and works in combination with a fire detection system that the company developed earlier and that's already being used in several countries. The fire detection system, called Silvanet, is designed to detect wildfires at the smoldering stage using solar-powered gas sensors connected via a wireless network.

Each gas sensor can protect an area the size of a football field and be attached to a tree. The plan is that once Silvanet detects a fire, it will trigger a nearby Silvaguard drone to fly to the location and provide detailed images.

“Today we saw a combination of Silvanet — the solar powered gas sensors that detected the fire within minutes — with Silvaguard, the first prototype of an autonomous, an AI enabled drone that we dispatched in response to a fire," said Carsten Brinkschulte, the CEO and co-founder, Dryad Networks.

The drone “flew autonomously to the location of the sensor, detecting the fire, and delivered overhead infrared and optical video from the point of fire,” he said of the newly developed drone.

The company is still waiting to get the go-ahead for the commercial use of Silvaguard drone from authorities.

The information about the fire, including geographic coordinates, video and infrared images, will then be sent to the firefighters who will then know where the fire is spreading and how big it is, which will help them know how many firefighters need to be deployed.

“When it comes to wildfires, time is of the essence, you cannot be fast enough," Brinkschulte said.

PAGASA: 3 areas to reach ‘danger’ level heat index on March 29

BY MERLINA HERNANDO-MALIPOT

Mar 29, 2025 10:25 AM

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has warned that three areas in the country are expected to reach the "danger" level on the heat index scale on Saturday, March 29.

In its heat index forecast as of March 28, PAGASA said the heat index in three areas namely Dagupan City in Pangasinan with 45 degrees Celsius (°C); Cotabato City in Maguindanao with 42 °C, and General Santos City in South Cotabato with 42 °C will reach “dangerous” levels.

According to PAGASA, heat indices between 42°C and 51°C fall within the “danger level” which may result in cramps, exhaustion, a higher risk of heat stroke, and other heat-related illnesses with continued activity.

With temperatures forecasted to soar above 42°C, PAGASA urged residents in the affected areas to take precautions against heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

PAGASA also advised the public to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged sun exposure, and take necessary measures to stay cool as extreme heat grips parts of the country.

Philippine passport considered as one of the most aesthetic passport in the world

Lifestyle company Hypebeast adds the Philippine passport to its best-designed passports list

BY POCH EULALIA

Mar 28, 2025 04:25 PM

Hypebeast, a company that focuses heavily on contemporary culture and lifestyle, has included the Philippine passport as one of the most aesthetic passports in the world.

Joining the Philippines on the list are Norway, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Finland, New Zealand, Hungary, and Belgium. Among the key features pointed out on Hypebeast's Instagram post is the artwork of the Philippine eagle.

(Photo from Canadian Government website)

Among the other highlighted passports, Hungary was the first shown on the Instagram post for its rendition of the Northern lights. Canada's showcases children dancing on a farm in the fall and utilizes special security features upon exposure to UV light. Meanwhile, Japan's passport showcases the iconic Hokusai print, "The Great Wave Off Konagawa."

A German Expat in the Philippines ((XXVIII): Christmas and Teaching

Connected yet alone

It’s crazy to think that we Gen Zs can spend millions of hours on social media instead of enjoying what Earth has to offer.

I recently spent eight hours bed-rotting, scrolling through TikTok, watching YouTube videos, and chatting with my friends on Messenger. And yet, it feels empty—it feels shallow and disconnected. It made me ask: Are we really experiencing what modern life is, or has it made us more distant from one another?

Modern media has absolutely changed the way we communicate. With a simple tap on our screen, we can reach friends anywhere, keep up with the news, and even build communities that we once had to be physically connected to. Social media, messaging apps, and digital platforms have allowed people to connect, share ideas, and stay informed about important issues. Many of us think that social media is more than just entertainment—it is an aid for connection.

It has been an instrument for spreading awareness about social issues, organizing help during crises, and giving unheard voices a platform. This was especially evident during the height of the pandemic when news, donation drives, and charity efforts peaked in helping those in need.

I remember when I was in senior high school—my class and my university sent out charity donations to those who could not afford basic necessities like face masks, alcohol, and clean clothing. We also organized numerous donation drives to support fellow students who struggled to afford expensive medical bills after surviving COVID-19. Even something as simple as an oxygen tank was a harsh financial burden in an already struggling economy.

But alongside these benefits, modern media has also brought new challenges. One of the most concerning is the rise of content biases. Algorithms tailor our feeds to show content we agree with, making it easy to fall into a cycle of confirmation bias, which can lead to the spread of misinformation.

This has played a significant role in political discussions in the Philippines, where social media has become both a platform for opinions and a breeding ground for misinformation. Rather than bring people together, these digital communities often push us further apart, making meaningful conversations difficult.

When people ask why I don’t have X (formerly Twitter) or engage in threads, it’s because of the toxicity and harmful comments directed at what could have been decent discussions. Instead of civil arguments and constructive criticism, people resort to profanities, rage-baiting, and even death threats.

Modern media has also changed the way we form relationships. Conversations have been reduced to emojis and quick replies, making interactions feel shallow. A laugh that was once heard and shared in real-time is now just a simple “haha” in a chat. While social media has made it easier to stay connected, it often lacks the depth of actual conversations. Many of us spend more time curating our online personas than building real-life relationships.

We see photos of people’s lives—filtered and edited—leading to pressure to measure up. This can contribute to feelings of discontent and isolation, especially among younger generations who grew up in the digital age.

Have you ever compared your life to someone else’s perfectly curated Instagram posts and felt a sense of FOMO? Have you ever felt pressured to maintain a TikTok streak just to keep a connection alive, even when the conversations felt empty? Because I have. The stereotypes of having the perfect body, the perfect face, a good work-life balance, and more made me feel like I was wasting time and space, knowing I couldn’t live up to those ideals.

Where do we go from here? Should we just disconnect? That doesn’t seem like the answer either. Instead, we need to be intentional about how we use modern media. We can start by being mindful of the content we consume, stepping outside our homes, and engaging in deeper, more meaningful conversations. It’s also crucial to balance online interactions with offline relationships—taking time to be present with the people around us. Maybe that means putting our phones away when hanging out with friends or choosing to call someone instead of texting when they need us.

It may be easier said than done, especially with how convenient it is to maintain an online presence. But trust me, as an introvert who doesn’t like going outside or talking to people, you will need it.

As I log off and put my phone down after writing this piece, I ask myself: Are we truly using modern media to connect, or are we just filling the silence?

What would happen if, for just a moment, we choose to disconnect—to be present in the real world rather than the digital one? The answer, perhaps, lies in what we truly want to achieve. And those choices, no matter how small, can make life a tiny bit better—starting with simply turning your phone off.

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Sebastian Isaac Quiambao, 22, is a third-year digital journalism student at the Mapua University. He lives in Taguig City.

A German Expat in The Philippines - Ein deutscher Auswanderer auf den Philippinen