When decided to move to the Philippines in 1999

 

C

It did not last long. Rossana agreed. We set up an appointment with the then Philippine Vice Consul Armando L. Comia in the Philippine Embassy Berlin. He looked amazed at us  - at me specially. We could get on very  personally through many events in the Filipino Community in Berlin. Then his secretary gave us a list. 18 requirements on how to apply for a Non-Quota-Visa Section 13 (G) of the Philippine Immigration Act. 

Yes, my decision was firm. I wanted to immigrate to the Philippines with my wife and, of course, with my mother too, forever. Eighteen requirements - I took a deep breath. Rossana too. My mother, well, several months later, too.

Fact is, our subsequent stays in the Philippines made her feel very much at home. Rossana's family had no doubt that sooner or later, we would settle here in the Philippines. Me too. Rossana too.

Our coming and numerous trips to the Philippines each together with my mother followed. Meanwhile she became 73. "You don't transplant an old tree!" Many of our old acquaintances and friends in the place where I was born tried to intervene against our plan. "Where else do I have family?" my mother asked.

Back in Berlin, we went on many trips. Poland, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland ... . I was a really passionate driver without speed limit on German highways (Autobahn). Sometimes, my car and I reached 200 km per hour. But my thoughts stayed in the Philippines. A never-ending journey of my  mind. In Germany, Rossana and I had a steady and well-paid job. My mother was already a lucky retiree. 

The construction work for our new house in the Philippines has begun. Who lives where? Where is my bathroom? Where is the kitchen? How does our furniture fit where. Ask about questions?  In the meantime, Rossana and I tried to answer all the questions the Philipine Embassy Berlin gave us for the emigration.

I tried to capture more and more reports on camera about the Philippines for Germany, But somehow I already lived here.

On October 30, 1998 our non-quota visa was issued and signed by Vice Consul Armando L. Comia. Our households were packed in two containers. A 40 feet and a 20 feet container. Christa, our special friend, gave us shelter in her apartment for the last few days. Meanwhile, she worked at the Australian Embassy. 

Goodbye Germany. We left a lot behind. No mention of any details. Many things awaited us. Good and bad, But my life as an expat in the Philippines started now. Ludwig van Beethoven was with me. And some others too. Should my trip around the world come to an end? Maybe. But with which amazing consequences?

Fyang Smith in hot water anew following Star Magic All-Star Games remarks

By Neil Ramos

Published Aug 25, 2026 06:50 pm

At A Glance

• Fyang Smith draws criticism after her remarks toward fans cheering for Team GMMTV Thailand during the Star Magic All-Star Games 2026 sparked backlash online.

Fyang Smith is facing another round of criticism after videos of her remarks during the Star Magic All-Star Games 2026 drew backlash from Filipino and Thai BL fans online.

The controversy happened during the Aug. 23 basketball game between Team Star Magic and Team GMMTV Thailand at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Despite the game being held in Manila, Team GMMTV had a strong following in the arena, with Filipino fans loudly cheering for the Thai stars.  

That did not appear to sit well with Fyang.

During a courtside interview with JM Ibarra, Fyang was asked to greet the crowd.

She initially refused, saying, “Ayoko! Sa ibang bansa nagtsi-cheer yang mga yan.”

After eventually greeting the audience, she turned toward the crowd as fans screamed and remarked, “Ang kakapal ng mukha niyo, ha!”

Later, while JM was being asked about the game, Fyang again reacted to the noise from the GMMTV supporters.

“Ang ingay niyo, teka lang! Ano ba kayo?! Grabe kayo. Hindi niyo man lang tsini-cheer yung bansa natin,” she said.

Another circulating video showed Fyang reacting to a missed shot by one of the GMMTV players while fans of the Thai team were behind her.

She was heard calling them “traydor” and repeating, “Ang kakapal ng mukha niyo.”

The clips quickly made their way around social media, prompting criticism from fans who felt that Fyang had crossed the line between friendly sports banter and insulting people who had paid to watch and support the team they wanted.

Some questioned why Filipino fans should be expected to support the Philippine team simply because the game was held in the country.

Others, however, defended Fyang, saying her remarks appeared to be part of the usual teasing and trash talk that happen during competitive games.

The incident has once again put Fyang under scrutiny, recalling previous occasions when her blunt remarks and behavior became subjects of online debate.

Queen of the Islands stirs curiosity with star-studded lineup

By Neil Ramos

Published Aug 25, 2026 04:21 pm   

It is easy to see why people are curious.

Among those reportedly joining are Miss Universe Philippines titleholders Ahtisa Manalo, Michelle Dee, MJ Lastimosa, Ariella Arida, and Gazini Ganados.  

Other beauty queens in the mix include Herlene Budol, Yllana Aduana, Tarah Valencia, and Alethea Ambrosio.

PBB Collab alumni Shuvee Etrata and AZ Martinez are also set to return to the pageant scene, putting the two in another beauty contest where they will once again face each other.

Fans are also looking forward to seeing Sanya Lopez, dubbed the “hot Maria Clara,” and Faith da Silva, known for her role as “Sang'gre Flamarra.”

Other Sparkle artists joining the lineup include Ashley Ortega, Skye Chua, Haley Dizon, Jade Tecson, and many more.   

With such a curious mix of names, questions have naturally followed.

Is “Queen of the Islands” a real beauty pageant? A reality show? A movie?

For now, the mystery appears to be part of the attraction.

The intrigue is only heightened by the announced P25 million grand prize and the long list of sponsors backing the competition.

Whatever “Queen of the Islands” turns out to be, one thing is already certain: people are watching and waiting to find out who will ultimately be crowned.

When peace becomes opportunity

 By Amenah F. Pangandaman

Published Aug 26, 2026 12:05 am

Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

Every Sept. 2 sends me back to the same thought: peace isn't something made in a single moment. It takes years — institutions willing to keep showing up, communities willing to be served, and people choosing, again and again, to build instead of tear down.

The 1976 Tripoli Agreement was where it started. It was a major turning point in the peace process between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front. Twenty years later, on Sept. 2, 1996, that early promise finally had a signature behind it, when the government and the MNLF signed the Final Peace Agreement for its full implementation, with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation as witness. It set the terms for autonomy, development, and a path home for former combatants. I don’t think of these as dates in a textbook. I think of them as a promise we're still keeping, one that only means something when it's felt in people’s everyday lives, not just declared on paper.

During my years as secretary of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), I learned that the government keeps its promises with resources and not just words. Peace, if it's going to be real, has to be paid for. Thus, in 2023, I signed the release of ₱5 billion for Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (BARMM’s) Special Development Fund—annually allocated for a decade since the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law—to rebuild what conflict had broken.

We, at the DBM, also allocated ₱80.6 billion for BARMM in FY 2024 — the Annual Block Grant, the Special Development Fund, and the region's rightful share of national taxes and fees. Alongside it, the budget set aside ₱5.3 billion for the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) Program, to rebuild roads and infrastructure in communities which conflict once tore apart, and ₱1 billion for the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Program.

Numbers like these matter, but a budget only means something once it reaches people. That’s why the recruitment of former MNLF and MILF members into the Philippine National Police stayed with me. I watched men and women who once pointed rifles at each other pin on the same badge and walk the same beat. That's not a policy line. That’s peace taking root.

My time with the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) taught me something similar: peace survives because institutions keep choosing to sit at the same table, argue through their differences, and still walk out united. The activation of seven IGRB mechanisms did exactly that, strengthening cooperation between the National Government and BARMM. It reminded me of something I still carry with me: development and peace can't be separated. Communities need roads and public services, sure, but they also need capital, markets, and real chances to earn. People with stable livelihoods have more to protect, more to give, and more reason to trust the institutions meant to serve them.

These days I’m in a different seat—as the first woman Chairperson and CEO of Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines. Nonetheless, I believe it is the same work, really, just a different desk, still chasing a peaceful and prosperous Mindanao.

Back in June 2026, Al Amanah met with the Bangsamoro Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) to strengthen MAFARLENDS, the MAFAR Loan for Enhancement of Necessary Development Strategies. It's a small program, but to me it's proof that this vision is already taking shape, opening up financing to farmers, fisherfolk, cooperatives, and associations across the region.

Just this August, we partnered with the Ministry of Trade, Investments and Tourism–Basilan to expand Shari’ah-compliant financing for MSMEs in Sumisip. Twenty local businesses went through training in marketing, costing, and bookkeeping, preparing them for financing between ₱20,000 and ₱500,000 through Qard Al-Hasan and Wakala facilities.

What moves me about these initiatives is what they show: peace, once the signing ceremonies are done, can look like a farmer finally able to access capital, a fisherfolk cooperative growing its livelihood, a small business owner in Basilan gaining the confidence and the resources to grow.

There's still so much work ahead. The peace process has never moved in a straight line, and no single institution can carry it alone. But I believe we strengthen it every time we make economic opportunity part of the peace dividend.

Beyond budget, I've come to understand that public service is really about giving people the means to shape their own future. A national budget lays the foundation; a financial institution helps people build on it. My mission now is bringing Shari'ah-compliant finance closer to the communities that need it most, and helping build a Bangsamoro economy that is resilient, inclusive, and full of opportunity.

As CCEO Mina, I carry one hope: that the agreements we remember every Sept. 2 keep finding their way into the lives of our people — not just through peace and security, but through decent livelihoods, thriving enterprises, empowered communities, and a future our children will be proud to inherit.

(Amenah F. Pangandaman is the former Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management.)

Naia sets new operating standards for airlines

BY LOGAN KAL-EL M. ZAPANTA

AUGUST 26, 2026

Tycoon Ramon Ang’s New Naia Infra Corp. (NNIC) is seting new, clear-cut performance standards for airlines operating at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), starting with the country’s flag carrier, Philippine Airlines (PAL).

NNIC, which took over the country’s primary gateway in 2024, said the new operating framework will spell out how airlines use Naia facilities and infrastructure, as well as define the respective responsibilities of carriers and the airport operator.

There will also be key performance indicators meant to improve operational efficiency at the congested Naia.

In a statement on Tuesday, the San Miguel Corp.-backed NNIC described the move as part of Naia’s overall refresh, which it is now extending beyond terminals, facilities and airport systems to how operations across the gateway are managed.

“This agreement gives us a clearer framework for setting expectations, measuring performance and working together to maintain consistent service standards,” NNIC president and CEO Ang said. “That is important to making airport operations more efficient and dependable.”

As part of this push, the Lucio Tan-led PAL signed the first standardized Airport Use Agreement with NNIC, a framework that the Naia operator intends to use as a blueprint for future agreements with other airlines using the gateway.

While it described the deal only in broad strokes, NNIC said the agreement was meant to make airline operations more consistent and improve coordination among the different parties involved in moving passengers, baggage and aircraft through Naia.

Under the framework, the agreed service levels will be part of PAL’s contractual obligations and will include mechanisms for addressing persistent failures to meet the standards.

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“This is a positive development for both PAL and NNIC, and ultimately for our passengers. It supports the continuing modernization of Naia and our collective goal of delivering a better airport experience,” Lucio Tan III, president and COO of the airline’s parent company PAL Holdings Inc.

NNIC said it was taking a similar approach with ground handlers and other service providers at Naia.

Since taking over the airport, NNIC has been upgrading its terminals, airport systems, airfield infrastructure and passenger amenities while seeking to address long-standing capacity and operational constraints.

In 2025, Naia recorded its highest annual passenger count, with 52.02 million travelers passing through the country’s main gateway.

Prayer for Strength

 

The line between two lives

by Aly Acosta

August 26, 2026

We’re familiar with the stories of queer people who are closeted and those who are out, those with little to no support and those with an abundance of it. We don’t always hear from those living in the middle. For example—I am queer and I am out to literally everyone except my family.

Lately, my family keeps talking about the queer community at dinner. As in most Filipino households, any “bakla” can be a point of discussion at any given moment. I’m just glad it hasn’t been me this past 24 years.

I remember my mother saying, “There’s no problem with being gay, but I might not be able to take it if it were my child.” She said this, triggered when she saw a sapphic couple in line at Gateway Food Express, as I sat across from her at the dinner table—her daughter in high school, who was closeted only to them and who actually had a girlfriend at the time. Honestly, 10/10 experience, very relatable.   

Despite this, I have no reason to resent my family about my being gay, aside from the casual homophobia Gen Xers tend to have. They’re not really the type of Catholics to spread hate speech or condone hate crimes on Facebook, just the type to say,

“Handsome, but too bad he’s gay.” It’s actually a privilege to behave the way I do (very obviously gay) and only have my parents think I’m quirky and creative instead of throwing me out on the streets or verbally abusing me until I’m scared straight. It’s a privilege to have siblings who have my back, who knew from the get-go, and chose to laugh at my predicament with me instead of at me.

I remember when I tried to casually mention to my sister that I was queer. We went to the very first Harry Styles concert here in Manila, and I told her, “You know, Ate, I am supposed to ‘come out’ to you today.” She only said, “I’ve known for a long time,” and we laughed it off as we sang our hearts out to Harry’s “Sign of the Times.”

Coming out to my friends went a little differently. The very second I stepped into high school, I made it known to my classmates that I am, in fact, bisexual. It was the first and only time I “formally” came out to anyone. Now, I just let my whole me speak for itself. With my collection of Converse shoes, the obligatory emo phase, and being a Top 1-percent listener of Chappell Roan—it doesn’t exactly take an advanced “gaydar” to clock me.

I was less conspicuous back then, but that didn’t matter. I actually like to think that I was a pioneer of the LGBTQ+ community in my high school, encouraging my other gay classmates to embrace their gayness and become a beacon of the gay agenda in our hallways. We decorated our rooms inside and out with rainbows, featured the queer members of the class on the walls (some of whom I personally guided out of their shells), and screamed about pride and gay rights as we slowly radicalized ourselves into the socially-aware young queer adults that we are now.

Despite this, and many years from then, I am still not out to my family. That’s the kicker, isn’t it? It’s so easy to shout to the rest of the world “I’m queer!” but it’s the hardest thing to even whisper it to the ones closest to me.

In a perfect world, my family wouldn’t bat an eye if I were to ever bring a girlfriend home. Perhaps they would even celebrate knowing their kid isn’t going to end up a “matandang dalaga” (old maid) after all. In reality, I remember the time my grandmother rejoiced when her daughter “finally” broke off her 10-year relationship with a woman because she wouldn’t be a lesbian anymore. I remember that and forgive myself a little for fumbling my own romantic relationships.

So, to anyone struggling with being in the middle—my semi-closeted friends, here’s my sage advice: have support where you need it from people willing to give it. Your family will support you any way they can, your friends can be there for everything else. To my family, I am a good Catholic daughter who’s just a bit quirky. To my friends, I am the equivalent of whoever threw the first rock at Stonewall.

This essay is not me coming out, and it’s certainly not me encouraging anyone to come out before they’re ready. It’s a tough line to walk down, being in between two lives at all times. But if that’s the price to pay for safety, it’s one worth paying. Not everyone would understand this choice, but for those who do, I hope you find comfort knowing you’re not alone. I’m with you.

Besides, it’s not like I’m hiding anything anyway! My family knows half the truth, while my friends know the other. Together, they know the whole, authentic me. Having a community to share my life with is a triumph enough; having two is a blessing.

Why do so many relationships break down?

 Why do so many relationships break down?

ByBusiness Week National Editor

August 17, 2026

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Not considering radical personality change, abuse, or addiction, I think it’s a combination of three things in my painfully vivid experience.
First, some people fall in love with the potential of a person and imagine life with them opposed to them as a person. Reality can never really live up to a fantasy. People are real, and faulted, and some bits aren’t pretty. 

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Second (and closely related to the first), is that some people have a grass greener attitude. When the shit hits the fan (and it will), they leave. Its their FIRST instinct. Their partner is just not worth the fight for them because they were never really committed to THEM in the first place. Avoid “runners” or people who threaten that as an option when things get tough at all costs.

Third, some people don’t communicate their unhappiness in an effort to keep the peace. You have to fight, disagree, and talk – and do all three respectfully and with love. Issues don’t disappear. They just simmer and concentrate until they turn you bitter with resentment.
I’m a firm believer that a relationship with someone can be lifelong, passionate, and novel if you’re BOTH committed to the work – I just think it’s getting rarer and rarer.

“Relationship” comes from the Latin “referre” or “relatum”, which means “to bring back”. Some might say: That’s of no importance to me. That doesn’t worry me at all. There is even no need to worry about it. Yes, sometimes, we wish people around us weren’t so thoughtless.
In one of my penultimate columns I tried to explain, “when to keep our mouth shut”! Silence is also an answer – sure! But some of my readers posed the question, if also broken relationships can be only restored by silence or waiting. My answer is YES and/or NO! 

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Sometimes it’s a wonder, what a small dose of determined silence can do. Relationships are ALWAYS worth restoring, because life is all about learning how to love and how to value relationships and make the effort to maintain them instead of discarding them whenever there is a rift, a hurt, or a conflict. The bible told us that all of us have been given the ministry of restoring broken relationships.

Broken or cooled down relationships can be noticed at any corner. Restoring them is equal to peacemaking or peacekeeping but also not avoiding facing conflicts. Running away from a problem (and then keeping the mouth shut!), pretending that the problem doesn’t exist or being too afraid to talk about it, that’s how the hypocritical coward acts. Some people love to downplay everything: Things aren’t too bad – they could be worse!

I always love to talk to God before I talk to a person. Later, I can find the right moment and take the initiative to restore broken relationships or face the problem. I can even look out for others’ interests first. I can use “my telescope of life” (from the Greek word “skopos”) and play close attention. I can start with sympathy but not with great solutions right away. I can confess my part of a possible conflict. 

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Paul said in Romans 12:18: “Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody!” In resolving conflicts, a word not to be spoken may be the choicest word of all, or IF WE TALK, HOW we say it, is important.

The US-author Rick Warren confessed in one of his books; “We can establish a relationship even when we are unable to resolve our differences. Christians often have legitimate, honest disagreements and differing opinions. But, we can disagree without being disagreeable. The same diamond looks different from different angles. God expects unity, not uniformity, and we can walk arm-in-arm without seeing eye-to-eye on every issue!”