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!
A heavy rainfall warning remains in effect over several provinces in Mindanao as the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is expected to continue to bring widespread rain, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Friday, May 23.
The ITCZ is a weather system where winds from the northern and southern hemispheres converge, forming rain-bearing clouds that bring prolonged rainfall.
On Friday, heavy rains are expected in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental, and Davao Occidental.
By Saturday, May 24, heavy rains may persist in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and Davao Occidental.
PAGASA warned that the sustained rainfall may cause localized flooding, particularly in low-lying, urban, and river-adjacent areas.
Landslides are also possible in mountainous and high-risk areas.
Rainfall may be heavier in elevated areas, and impacts could worsen in places that have already seen significant rain in the past few days, PAGASA said.
Residents are advised to stay alert and coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices.
Authorities urged the public to take precautionary measures to safeguard lives and property.
Meanwhile, the rest of the country may continue to experience warm and humid conditions.
Batanes and Babuyan Islands will experience partly cloudy skies due to the ridge of a high pressure area.
he easterlies will continue bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies in the morning with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening across the rest of the country.
It started with a dream between two friends, with no blueprint but a shared desire to explore Palawan. They followed the tides, listened to local communities, and slowly uncovered a deeper way to travel that gives back and grows alongside the people it touches.
That dream became Tao Philippines (pronounced ta-ó, meaning “human”), a movement rooted in empowerment, education, and sustainable livelihoods. What began with a single boat now funds schools, trains islanders, and connects travelers to stories that matter.
I joined Tao Philippines’ two-day island expedition in El Nido, even though it wasn’t part of my original plan.
While figuring out what to do in El Nido, I remembered Tao. I checked its site, found a trip that matched my schedule, and everything just fell into place. I hesitated at first because it was pricier than the usual El Nido tours, but I’m so glad I went for it.
Setting sail —PHOTOS BY KELLY AUSTRIA
Not your typical adventure
After years of hiking mountains and camping on remote beaches across the Philippines, I thought I’d already had my best adventures. But Tao was on a whole different level.
Tao Philippines is not your typical adventure. It gives travelers a chance to be part of something real—a sailing expedition through the remote islands of northern Palawan. Onboard, there are no set itineraries. The routes shift with the weather and the rhythm of the sea, guided by the experience of the crew, many of whom come from the very islands the boats explore.
We sailed on the Balatik, a majestic 74-foot wooden paraw named after the constellation Orion in Hiligaynon. Modeled after the traditional vessels that once navigated Philippine waters more than a thousand years ago, the Balatik is a graceful double outrigger boat adorned with tribal carvings and powered by both wind and motor, depending on the sea’s temperament.
It had everything one needed to feel right at home at sea. There were two toilets and a freshwater shower so we could wash up comfortably after a swim. We tucked our luggage safely under the deck, and there were designated spots for our day bags, along with baskets for our sunblock, tumblers, and slippers.
There was room to sprawl out on deck chairs and enjoy the breeze. The kitchen was open, literally. We were free to watch the chef work his magic or even pitch in. When we wandered over to the captain’s area, we found it wasn’t off limits. We could ask questions, learn a bit about sailing, or just enjoy the view beside the one steering the ship.
Breakfast at Cadlao Camp, beautifully served on woven leaves.
Our crew members, affectionately known as the Lost Boys, are the heart of every Tao journey. They are local islanders, former farmers, fishermen, and students, trained by Tao. Their stories reflect the spirit of Tao itself: humble beginnings, hard-earned skills, and a deep respect for the land and sea.
There was Roy, our expedition leader, who worked his way up from crew to barman to chef before leading journeys like ours. Art, our ever-smiling chef, prepared unforgettable meals. He shared that cooking has always been something he truly enjoyed, and Tao helped him grow even more in the kitchen.
Jo was our barman and was always quick with a smile and ready with a drink. As Roy joked, the barman is the most important member of the crew and “as long as the barman is alive, you will never go thirsty.”
Hondo was our calm and capable snorkeling guide, always keeping an eye on everyone in the water. Amar, the engine man, made sure we kept moving, while Kian was always nearby to help. Marvin was the joker of the group, and Captain Rolly guided the Balatik. Rounding out the crew were three adorable Jack Russell Terriers named Nala, Sulu, and Riri.
Small community
Each expedition is different, not just because of the changing routes but also because of the people on board. With everyone coming from different places, we became a small floating community, sharing stories over meals and making friends under the stars. On our trip I was the only Filipino born and raised in the Philippines so I gladly answered questions about my country.
We had three stops on our first day. Our first was Snake Island, officially known as Vigan Island, famous for its sandbar that curves like a snake connecting two land masses. Though it was high tide when we arrived and the sandbar was submerged, we still climbed a short trail for a sweeping view of the winding shoreline.
The next two stops were snorkeling sites near Pasandigan Beach and Natnat Beach, both teeming with marine life. Snorkels and fins were provided by Tao, and the crew made sure everyone felt safe and relaxed, even offering a buoy to float with for those who preferred a gentler experience.
Our camp that night was at Cadlao Island, where the dream of Tao first took shape. The Tao logo, inspired by a smiling face or a laugh, traces its roots to this very place.
We slept in bamboo huts known as tukas, elevated and thoughtfully designed with mosquito nets, cushion beds, and views of the sea just steps away. The architecture blended seamlessly with nature, using traditional bamboo bending techniques that were both sustainable and strong. Amenities included open-air showers with organic soap, two enclosed toilets, two enclosed showers, and communal dinner tables under the stars.
Meals on board and at camp were highlights in themselves. Most fresh fish, fruits, and vegetables were sourced locally or harvested from Tao’s own Beach Farm. And they served some of my favorite Filipino dishes like fried matang baka, monggo, and tortang talong, all lovingly prepared by the crew. Coffee and ginger tea were available throughout the day. Every meal came with rice, which the Tao Lost Boys called “Filipino power.”
Lunch was pansit, fried “matang baka,” stir-fried vegetables, and of course, rice.
Final stop
On the second day, we had a long stretch of sailing before arriving at our final stop, Daracotan Island, which is another Tao camp, this one even more beautiful than the last. It had wide white sand beaches, shaded lounging huts, and a Guapo Shack where more Lost Boys served cold drinks.
Our final stop was the Tao Beach Farm that also serves as a training ground and home base for the Lost Boys. Roy, our expedition leader, shared that before joining Tao, the only words he could say with confidence were “yes” and “no,” and even then, he was not always sure if his answer was correct. Today, he leads briefings with ease at the start of each expedition, before every stop, and at the journey’s end. And his final message to us was met with warm applause.
Travelers who join Tao often come seeking adventure. But what they find goes far beyond beaches and coral reefs. They are welcomed into a community. They hear the crew’s stories. They see where their travel money goes.
The Tao Kalahi Foundation, the organization’s social development arm, ensures that the benefits of tourism ripple outward. It builds kindergartens and elementary schools in remote villages, hires and trains local teachers, and offers scholarships in fields such as marine biology, public administration, and education. The foundation also hosts summer training programs, where young people learn skills in agriculture, hospitality, and community leadership.
In a world where tourism often exploits and extracts, Tao offers a different way—a slower, more mindful route that honors both place and people. It is a reminder that travel can be transformative not just for the traveler, but also for the places they visit.
Sonneneruptionen werden in fünf Kategorien eingeteilt: A, B, C, M und X. Jede Stufe stellt eine zehnfache Erhöhung der Energieabgabe dar. A ist die schwächste, X die stärkste
Foto: picture alliance / ASSOCIATED
02:13
Eine massive Sonneneruption droht in den kommenden Tagen unseren Planeten zu treffen. Schon jetzt hat die Sonne mehrere starke Strahlungsausbrüche ausgesendet, wie am 14. Mai. Die Eruption wurde als Klasse X2,7 gemessen, die höchste Kategorie.
Die Stürme entstehen, wenn die Sonne geladenes Plasma ins All schleudert. Sie können das Erdmagnetfeld empfindlich beeinträchtigen und haben laut „Daily Mail“ zu Funkausfällen in Europa, Asien und dem Nahen Osten sowie eine Beeinträchtigung der Stromversorgung im Osten der USA verursacht. Nasa und andere Behörden warnen vor weiteren Ausbrüchen.
Im Mai 2024 simulierten US-Behörden bereits den Ernstfall: Bei der „Solar Storm Emergency Drill“ wurden vier Szenarien geomagnetischer Stürme durchgespielt. Besonders das „Supersturm“-Szenario sorgte für Aufsehen. Wochenlange Blackouts an der US-Ostküste, Ausfälle von Pipelines und Zugverbindungen sowie ein befürchtetes „Internet-Apokalypse“-Szenario wurden durchgespielt.
Das Ergebnis: Die größte Schwäche der aktuellen Technik ist die späte Erkennung von koronalen Massenauswürfen (CMEs). Diese können erst etwa 30 Minuten vor dem Eintreffen auf der Erde zuverlässig erkannt werden. Das macht eine effektive Vorbereitung nahezu unmöglich.
Behörden fordern bessere Abwehrmaßnahmen
Wissenschaftler fordern daher nationale Strategien zur Abwehr von Weltraum-Wettergefahren. Mehr Satelliten zur Überwachung der Sonnenaktivität, bessere Echtzeit-Daten und eine engere internationale Zusammenarbeit seien nötig.
„Laufende Vorbereitungsbemühungen auf ein Weltraum-Wetterereignis sind von entscheidender Bedeutung, da ein extremes Ereignis das Potenzial hat, die kritische Infrastruktur unseres Landes schwer zu beeinträchtigen und unsere nationale Sicherheit zu gefährden“, heißt es in dem Behörden-Bericht. „Genauso wie wir uns auf Erdbeben, Hurrikane und Cyberangriffe vorbereiten, muss unsere Nation Maßnahmen ergreifen, bevor ein größeres Weltraum-Wetterereignis eintritt.“
Trotz der Gefahren hat die Sonnenaktivität auch einen faszinierenden Nebeneffekt: In US-Bundesstaaten wie Alaska, Montana und New York erhellten spektakuläre Polarlichter den Nachthimmel.
Funkausfälle möglich:Sonne schleudert geladene Partikel
OUR BELOVED MOTHER EARTH (Reflections by Klaus Döring)
The poem “Mother Earth” is a beautiful description of the earth as a mother of everything, including all the objects in the world as well as human beings. The main idea of the poem is love of nature, and the role of the earth in being a part of nature’s beauty.
Our Mother Earth is currently facing a lot of environmental concerns. Environmental problems like global warming, acid rain, air pollution, urban sprawl, waste disposal, ozone layer depletion, water pollution, climate change and many more affect every human, animal, and nation on this planet.
Our environment provides a wide range of benefits, such as the air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink, as well as the many materials needed in our homes, at work and for leisure activities.
Healthy ecosystems clean our water, purify our air, maintain our soil, regulate the climate, recycle nutrients and provide us with food. They provide raw materials and resources for medicines and other purposes. They are at the foundation of all civilisation and sustain our economies.
The environment gives us countless benefits that we can’t repay our entire life. As they are connected with the forest, trees, animals, water, and air. The forest and trees filter the air and absorb harmful gases. Plants purify water, reduce the chances of flooding, maintain natural balance and many others.
We hear about threats to the environment every day. Whether it’s the ravages of climate change, deforestation, or pollution, apocalyptic-sounding events fill the news cycle. It can be overwhelming and challenging to discern what exactly it all means. The environment – which includes everything from the ocean to the forests – impacts every area of life. Here are ten reasons why that’s important:
If you work in an office setting, you may not think about how the environment affects peoples’ lives and jobs. However, billions of people depend on the environment. Take forests, for example. Over 1.5 billion people rely on forests for food, shelter, medicine, and more. If crops fail, many turn to the woods. 2 billion (or almost 27% of the world’s population) earn their living from agriculture. Another 3 billion people depend on the ocean.
Caring for the environment could create millions of new jobs and help reduce poverty. In a report from the International Labour Organization, shifting to greener economies could create 24 million new jobs by 2030. Many fear that switching to green energy and more sustainable practices would cause more people to fall into poverty, but if green jobs take the place of old jobs, it does the opposite.
The loss of biodiversity has many negative consequences, but weakened food security is a big one. As the world loses animal and plant species, the ones that remain are more vulnerable to disease and pests. Our diets get less healthy, as well, which increases the risk for diet-related illnesses like heart disease and diabetes. Protecting environments like the forests and oceans ensures there’s food for every living thing.
Polluted air is a major issue in our world. 9 in 10 breathe unclean air, which impacts their health and lifespans. Health effects include developmental delays, behavioral problems, and diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Every year, polluted air contributes to the deaths of 7 million people. Trees are an especially effective filter. They remove air pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide while releasing oxygen.
Environmental factors account for many infant and childhood deaths every year. Issues include a lack of access to clean water and clean air. Waterborne diseases alone kill about 1.4 million kids each year. To save the lives of children, healthy environments and basic rights like clean air and water are necessary.
The vast majority of medicines have origins in the natural world. As an example, chemicals from the Pacific yew tree led to the creation of two chemotherapy drugs. Scientists and pharmaceutical companies constantly look to the environment for new and better medicines. Unfortunately, about 15,000 medicinal plant species face extinction, so if they go, humans miss out on potentially life-saving drugs.
Mental health is complex. It’s the result of factors such as genetics, lifestyle, relationships, and the environment. Researchers have studied the effects of nature and green spaces on mental health for years. Many studies show a significant benefit. In a 2019 review in Current Directions in Psychological Science, researchers found that green spaces near schools encourage cognitive development and better self-control in children. Another review from Science Advances learned that nature is associated with better happiness, well-being, and a sense of purpose.
Humans drive climate change. In the 6th report from the IPCC, the authors determined that the last decade was the hottest in human history and we can now link specific weather events to human-made climate change. Climate change’s effect on the environment is hard to overstate. Diseases, droughts, severe weather events, and more threaten plants, animals, and humans. If fossil fuel emissions aren’t reduced immediately, the environment will become uninhabitable.
It’s challenging not to feel hopeless in the face of environmental disasters and climate change. However, we can’t afford to be hopeless and there are many solutions we still have time to implement. Protecting plant and animal species, conserving healthy green spaces, and reducing emissions will make a difference. Humans can save the planet for future generations by caring for the environment.
We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our mother, we send greetings and thanks. But how long???
What is your contribution to keep Mother Earth alive?
