WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (XVIII): The Year of a Serious Decision

Chapter XVIII: The Year of a Serious Decision

It was on a wonderful Sunday morning during breakfast. My mother opposed all the advice of her friends and decided to move to Berlin to live with Rossana and me in another cute apartment. "Then you don't always have to drive almost 1,000 km back and forth to visit me on a free weekend", she said. She moved into a wonderful one person apartment in Berlin near to us.

"You have probably booked your next vacation in the Philippines? What do you think if you just take me with you this time?" The question didn't shock Rossana and me. It was our dearest wish for some time. As always said, done. The flights were booked. Berlin - Frankfurt. Frankfurt - Manila, a nonstop flight with Lufthansa. Manila - Davao by Philippine Airlines. 

We arrived safe and sound  in March 1993. The big Hallo and the incredible warm welcome from the family in the Philippines shocked my mother and she burst into tears. "Why have so many in Germany warned me against going to the Philippines?" my mother asked. Rossana and I couldn't answer her questions.

All so-called good hard blows from her German friends were lost in the flight. Even her family doctor had urgently advised her never ever  to travel to the tropics, in this case to the Philippines, because of her instable, cancerous health.When my mother sent him a picture card and told that she was fine and enjoying her stay in the Philippines her doctor no longer replied even after she returned to his clinic in Berlin.

During our vacation, we got  very distinguished visitors in our house: Davao Archbishop Fernando Robles Capalla together with parish priest Father Allan. Capalla was born on Nov. 1, 1934 in Leon town, Iloilo province. He was ordained priest on March 18, 1961, and was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Davao by Pope Paul VI on April 8, 1975 . His episcopal ordination and installation was on June 18, 1975. The same pope appointed him as Prelate of Iligan on April 25, 1977 and he was installed on May 26, 1977. He became Bishop of Iligan when it was elevated to a diocese by Pope John Paul II on Nov 15, 1982 . He served as Apostolic Administrator of Marawi from Oct. 17, 1987 until 1991. On June 28, 1994 he was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Davao , and on November 6, 1996 , was appointed Archbishop of Davao. He was installed as third Davao archbishop on November 28, 1996.

Meeting the bishop gave me an incredible opportunity to become a columnist as well as a  radio host in the Philippines. I met Father Dexter Veloso, the station manager of DXGX 89.9 The Good News Radio, a member of the Catholic Media Network as well as the chief editor of the Davao Catholic Herald.

(To be continued!)

WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (XVII)

 

Chapter XVII: Off to the New World

Sometimes it takes an outsider to point out what's great about a culture. That's exactly what Czech composer Antonin Dvorak was when he came to the U.S. at the end of the 19th century, an immigrant thrown into a new world and new sounds.

Out of that experience, he wrote a symphony for America: Dvorak's Symphony No. 9, subtitled "From the New World," has become one of the world's most beloved orchestral works. It also produced a melody that is a hymn and an anthem to what American music can be.

In February 1992, Rossana and I reached the New World, the United States of America after two flights with British Airways from Berlin to London and then from London to Los Angeles. It was my second stay in the U.S. In 1975, I visited America and Canada already for a tent tour visiting the complete west coast of both nations up to Alaska.

This time, we visited some members of our family, who emigrated to Los Angeles and San Diego after our wedding in 1983. 

Uncle Boy, Auntie Gigi, our nephews Dustin and Bebeng as well as their partners reside in Santa Monica until now. 

The sprawling beach and consistently sunny weather of Santa Monica is less than 15 miles from downtown Los Angeles, significantly adding to the seven million visitors this seaside city receives each year. The epitome of Southern California coastal appeal, Santa Monica has an energy spurred by the lapping waves of its western border, and a visceral excitement found on the pedestrian-friendly streets, buzzing with activity well into the night.

Rossana and I forgot Germany for several weeks. Uncle Boy asked several times whether we didn't want to emigrate to them. Our heads spun ... . 

"Let's visit Mexico first and then we decide where we are emigrating!" Rossanna said this so seriously that all believed it. But we only reached Tijuana and returned back to the U.S. as soon as possible.

The Universal Studios Hollywood, Griffith Park and Griffith Observatory, Disneyland Resort, Venice Beach, Long Beach, or The Original Farmers Market - really unforgettable, intoxicating weeks. We would meet Uncle Boy and Auntie Gigi again after years in Davao City.

1993 was planned again for the Philippines. My mother, a cancer survivor and then age 70 expressed an amazing wish out of the sudden ... .

(To be continued!)

WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (XVI): Terrible homesickness

 

WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (XVI)

Chapter VXI: Terrible homesickness

Ludwig van Beethoven and all my classical masters seemed to be thousands of miles away. Rossana and I reached the Philippines together with our four best friends from Berlin in March 1989 for another six weeks long vacation. Of course, we wanted to show our friends the most beautiful and best sides of Davao City and Mindanao. The known political situation gave us limits. But, we tried it.

Relatives and good connections arranged an appointment with then Cotabato City Mayor Ludovico Badoy, . While writing this chapter, I learned that Vic Badoy passed away in April 2021. As the national executive director of the NHC, Badoy was credited for the renovation of the historic “Bahay Kalakal” (Ker and Co.) building in Iloilo City in 2018. Agriculture Undersecretary Zamzamin Ampatuan remembered the late mayor as a leader who made Cotabato City peaceful, orderly, clean and a vibrant city. And even in 1989, we had nothing to worry about. Roaming around, but with a group of six bodyguards, we enjoyed the two wonderful days stay in Cotabato City. And I got my interview with the mayor for my ANG MABUHAY magazine in Berlin. On the way back to Davao, some bombs and grenades exploded. Nothing happened to us.

Our thirst for adventure didn't seem to slow. Of course, our four friends wanted to experience something, but it was clear to Rossana and me, that we should not overdo it. After all, we were responsible for their security.

But, again with several bodyguards our next destination was within reach several days later: Mount Diwata, also locally unofficially nicknamed Diwalwal, is a remote 1,261-metre (4,137 ft) high range of volcanic mountain and biodiversity area in Davao Region on eastern part of Mindanao island of Philippines. Rich in gold and copper ores and mines, it is spread across the 3 municipalities: (a) Monkayo in the province of Compostela Valley; as well as (b) Cateel and (c) Boston in the province of Davao Oriental. Laguna Copperplate Inscription, the oldest written document in the Philippines dated to 900 CE, refers to Mount Diwata.

A dizzying hanging bridge brought us to the Bagobos. Along the desolate eastern coast of the Davao Gulf, centuries ago, new migrants mixed with the native population, forming a new community that was given the name Bagobo. This tribe traces its origin from the people who brought Hinduism to Mindanao, its name was derived from the words bago meaning new and obo meaning growth. Throughout centuries a strong social structure has enabled these native groups to blend well with the original population, retaining their indigenous customs, beliefs and values.

The mountainous region between the upper Pulangi and Davao rivers is the homeland of the Upland Bagobo, the coastal Bagobo once lived in the hills south and east of Mount Apo, where according a legend, their supreme god and common ancestor Apo Sandawa ruled as God. Mount Apo is the Bogobo ancestral domain and their sacred place of worship.

The weeks flew by. Rossana developed a certain sentimentality during the last few days. She called it homesickness. Me too. And we found out that both of us got the same feelings: one home - two countries. A very tearful goodbye party is still in my memories.

A particularly historic event awaits us in Berlin a couple of months later: the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989. Rossana and I joined the peaceful revolutions and helped tear down the Berlin Wall. A piece of the wall that we broke out then is still in a special place in our house in the Philippines. 

And then? When I got back from the office, Rossana had a very important message from Los Angeles for me ... .

(To be continued!)

WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (XV)

Chapter XV: My home - two countries

Meanwhile, Rossana and I had been married for over six years. We commuted back and forth between a lot of work for various publishing houses and several trips within Germany. Our flights for the next stop in the Philippines were also already booked. 

"Can't we go to the theatre or a concert again?" Rossana asked. "I already miss Ludwig van Beethoven and all the others", she added. Said and done. Although we were both piano lovers, this time a violin concerto awaited us. The one in d-major, opus 61 - Beethoven's only completed concert in this genre. Rossana was particularly fond of the third movement Rondo-Allegro. With its 6/8 theme, it is reminiscent of a hunting theme, which is later processed in a virtuoso cadence.

From Beethoven to Imelda Papin - from Germany to the Philippines. The difference couldn't be greater. But Imelda Papin was on a European tour and also paid a visit to Berlin for a performance in our Philippine Community.

Imelda Arcilla Papin (born January 26, 1956) is a Filipino singer and one of the bigger names in the Philippine music industry. Dubbed the "Sentimental Songstress", Imelda Papin is responsible for songs such as "Bakit (Kung Liligaya Ka Sa Piling Ng Iba)" and "Isang Linggong Pag-ibig". 

Our life became once again a roller coaster. "She" really came to Berlin. Maria Corazon Cojuangco Aquino, born Maria Corazon Sumulong Cojuangco; January 25, 1933 – August 1, 2009), popularly known as Cory Aquino, was a Filipino politician who served as the 11th President of the Philippines from 1986 - 1992 as the first woman to hold that office. It was an official state visit. 

Once again, I developed feelings of wanting to live in the Philippines forever, although Rossana and I were really not doing badly in Germany especially in Berlin.

In March 1989, we flew again to Rossana's (and meanwhile my second) home - this time for another six weeks and with our best friends from Berlin: Christa, who worked then at the American Embassy, Barbara and Ronald as well as Jochen. 

First travel destination: Cotabato City. At that time, it wasn't exactly a safe plan... !

(To be continued!)

WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (XIV)

 

Chapter XIV: Many unbelievable surprises but also a sad one 

"Immediately leave the territory of the German Democratic Republic!" The tone of the border guards was very perched. We had spread our picnic basket and blanket on a meadow and were just about to start eating. "Don't see that our state border is meters away from the wall?" The voices were getting louder and louder. We quickly packed up our things and were allowed to leave. 

From now on we always had big problems when we were on the transit highways from West Berlin to West Germany. There were hours of waiting for us at the East German  checkpoints. There was no other choice for us, after all, we wanted to visit my mother in West Germany - ca. 500 km away from Berlin.

Another very well known visitor arrived in the Philippine Community in Berlin: Cardinal Jaime Sin -  instrumental in the People’s Revolution. Jaime L. Sin (born 1928) was a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served in the Philippines. He was instrumental in the defeat of the Marcos regime in 1986 (during the EDSA Revolution, aka People Power Revolution).  Jaime L. Sin, was born in the town of New Washington, Aklan, in the Visayan Islands of the Philippines on August 21, 1928. 

Rossana had meanwhile passed her C2-German Language Test. We decided that she should apply for German citizenship. We loved to travel. But it meant that she had to apply for a visa for every country we wanted to travel for. So we found ourselves again at the Spanish Embassy for our vacation trip to our favorite island: Gran Canaria.

We were astonished how many Filipinas and Filipinos lived on this wonderful Spanish island in front of the West African coast. We got to know Luzviminda - star dancer in a Filipino ethnic dance group. There were indescribable moments. Luzviminda and Rossana knew only one topic that they talked: dancing. 

In the meantime we were able to build up our own dance group: the New Manisan Dancegroup Berlin. 

Countless stage appearances followed - including our first TV show "Mabuhay" with me as a somewhat stuttering and bumby host. Thank goodness it wasn't a live broadcast.

Then came the very sad event: Rossana, three months pregnant, lost our first child. "If I'm not allowed to dance at the moment, I'll help you with your work", she replied with a few tears in her eyes. Said and done: layouting and proofreading - she really was a tremendous help.

Ant then, the next Filipino statesman and later president Fidel V. Ramos and his wife came and visited the Philippine Community Berlin. Rossana and I met him six times - especially later during our numerous stays in Manila.

 During Ramos' stay in Berlin, we heard another awesome piece of news. President Cory Aquino had been invited by our chaplain Father Gene Bacareza to visit Berlin - and?

(To be continued!)

WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (XIII): Philippines, we are coming!

 Chapter XIII: Philippines, we are coming!

"Do you actually know that we will be flying in two weeks?" My question to Rossana caused an unbelievable hectic. A little later I was also very nervous. But where are our tickets? An express letter with our tickets reached us two days before our departure. A big stone fell from our hearts ... .

Berlin - Frankfurt, Frankfurt - Singapore, Singapore - Manila with Singapore Airlines, and finally Manila - Davao with Philippine Airlines. Finally, after four weeks, we were on our way to Rossana's home. And it was our fourth wedding anniversary. That had "fatal consequences". A stewardess had noticed that we were toasting each other over a glass of champagne. "Sir, Ma-am, is it okay for you, if you transfer to the First-Class-Section?", she asked. "We would like to prepare you a particularly pleasant flight from Singapore to Manila on your very special occasion!" We felt on cloud 9 again... .

Six wonderful weeks with Rossana's family followed. The negative news from previous letters quickly dissipated. The first time the thought occurred to me what it would be like to be able to live forever in the Philippines. I started to love typical Filipino dishes. Yes, even "balut"!

During that vacation, I met journalist, columnist, and book author Antonio "Tony" Figueroa. An amazing writer. I didn't know then that Toni and I would both be columnists in Mindanao Times starting in 2003.

At the farewell party many tears flowed again. We had to promise our family to come back after two years at the latest. That happened in 1989 together with four of our best German friends.

Back in Berlin I got to know another Filipino tradition: car blessing. Father Hermogenes "Gene" E. Bacareza blessed our new car, our Sunny. 

During that time, Father Gene told me about his plan to publish two magazines for Filipinos - one in English (Ang Mabuhay) and one in German (Deutsch-Philippinischer Informationsspiegel Berlin). I was very excited and loved to work with him. His book about German-Filipino Relations greatly guided me in my work.

Rossana loved the nature of Berlin and its surroundings more and more, even if our excursions by bike often reached their limits. The Berlin Wall, which enclosed the entire city of West Berlin, stopped us several times. 

Often, the exact boundary course between West Berlin and the German Democratic Republic was not identified for us. We were with our bikes on a dark forest path in the north of West Berlin, the so-called "Eiskeller" (Ice Cave). Suddenly uniformed and armed border guards were standing in front of us.

(To be continued!)

WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (XII): Special Visitors

Chapter XII: Special Visitors

The time just flew by. Rossana's culture shock was gone. I wondered why she never talked about homesickness. The first year of her stay in German was over. We spent our first vacation in the Canarian Islands - one of my favorite places before. Sun, sand beaches, the ocean, blue sky, and pleasant temperature. 

The editors' conferences of my law magazines made it possible to travel more and more: by plane or by car. Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich, Bayreuth, and then Cologne. My publisher just let Rossana come with us. "At least that's how she gets to know Germany", he replied when he saw my incredulous looks.

"I feel so insanely small", she was amazed when we visited and inspected the Cologne Cathedral.

Back in Berlin, we visited one of the largest trade fairs in the city - the International Tourism Exchange. "There is sure to be a Filipino stand there too?" Rossana asked me. "I'm pretty sure, there is", I replied. It was the first time she'd speak to Filipino compatriots. Eva was one of the first. She invited us to join the Filipino Community in Berlin.

 

The community became her second home in Berlin. Cultural events as well as Filipino customs like the Santacruzan or Flores de Mayo took place. Santacruzan is a religious-historical beauty pageant held in many cities, towns and even small villages throughout the Philippines during the month of May. Flores de Mayo (or “flowers of May” in Spanish) is a month-long festivity held in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Santacruzan (that's “holy cross” in Spanish), on the other hand, is a colorful procession that recalls Queen Helena's search for the holy cross.  

The regular Filipino Sunday mass with Father Gene Bacareza and happy get-togethers: well, Rossana's homesickness didn't exist anymore. Letters from her family asked more and more often, when we would visit the Philippines again.

And then came the big day of a private visit of vice-president Laurel and family. Salvador Roman Hidalgo Laurel (November 18, 1928 – January 27, 2004), also known as Doy Laurel, was a Filipino lawyer and politician who served as the vice-president of the Philippines from 1986 to 1992 under President Corazon Aquino and briefly served as the last prime minister. Rossana had so many questions for entertainer son Kokoy.

Then finally Rossana and I sat down and discussed how we could book our flight to the Philippines because the news from home wasn't all positive.

(To be continued!)

WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (XI): Dancing in Germany

CHAPTER XI: Dancing in Germany

My story of a German-Filipino mixed marriage life in Germany began. A life especially with elements of dance and music. The Broadway Dancing and Music Show at the Theater des Westens in Berlin was an unforgettable experience for Rossana. Sure, for me too. I love classical music. I love Jazz. Until now. 

The same evening we got home, she looked at me and asked, "Can you imagine that we will start a Filipino Cultural Dance Group here in Berlin? Just like my Manisan Dance Group in the Philippines?" I saw her shining eyes... .

"Sure, I will try and support your plan and idea", I replied. But before that, I would like to introduce more classical music. 'The Merry Wifes of Windsor' followed. An opera by  German composer Otto Nicolai. Rossana got a headache. Beethoven followed. She smiled... .

The weeks passed. I really got very busy in the office. Overtime at home. "If I could help you finish the layout and proof-reading", Rossana asked me. "You have to be able to master the German language very well", I replied. "Where can I learn German?" Rossana asked me. The German Cultural Center, the Goethe Institut had its office in Berlin near our residence. Rossana enrolled as soon as possible and finished her studies with the C2- exam (the highest language level for applying for German citizenship) after 1 1/2 years. 

During this period, she started several jobs as a babysitter in a family of a French soldier. During that time too, West-Berlin was divided in the three western sectors British, French and United States. Later, she would work in the Stars and Stripes Bookstore at the American Airbase at the Military Airport Berlin-Tempelhof. No entry even for me!

In the meantime, Rossana and I were able to set up the "New Manisan Dance Group Berlin". Several performances followed. Several talk shows too. I was very proud that the Berlin Theater Club arranged a performance for us as talk members at the Berlin Intercontinental Hotel.  The Annual International Tourism Fair Berlin allowed Rossana and our dance ensemble to perform as Philippine representatives.

And another aspect helped Rossana delete her loneliness. The Philippine Community Berlin and its chaplain, the legendary Father Gene, Professor Dr. Hermogenes Bacareza, author of the book "German-Philippine Relations", my major mentor in future. In the next few years, he "opened all doors for me", especially for journalistic work in the Philippines, while we were still living in the Philippines. My first column was published in "Tinig ng Bayan" (Voice of the Nation), a global mission-oriented publication based in Abra. Father Gene would visit us already in 2000 and blessed our house and lot in Davao City.

Our honeymoon took us to Switzerland. And then: a big visit from the Philippines had been announced. Vice President Laurel and family. Huge excitement in the Philippine community Berlin.

(To be continued!)

WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (VIII)

 A GERMAN EXPAT IN THE PHILIPPINES

Chapter VIII: Love at first sight?

My publisher informed me that I would be given more responsibility in the future. And a higher salary. More responsibility meant: manuscript editing, proofreading, layout arrangement, coordination with the printing company. I was really shocked. "Can you do this?" my publisher asked me. My answer was very simple, "Of course, Sir. I can"!

From time to time, I visited different stage plays and classical concerts on different occasions and stages as well as concerts halls in West-Berlin. I was fascinated by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of legendary conductor Herbert von Karajan: Ludwig van Beethoven - George Bizet - Frederic Chopin - Evald Grieg. Awesome classical composers, their compositions often bring me to tears. Love at first sight? Yes, with so many classical composers. A joyous Mozart symphony or perhaps a gentle Bach suite that's closest to my heart or a majestic piano concerto by  Ludwig van Beethoven. And since I became a piano player, Chopin kept on fascinating me more and more. 

Although my job became very stressful, I didn't care. I enjoyed it. And I took several time outs while staying in Germany's wonderful nature. Inhale - exhale ... .

And then the big day came. The flight from Berlin to Frankfurt, during that time by Pan America kept me still calm. It was similar to many of my business trips on behalf of my publisher due to several editorial meetings all over Germany.

When "Philippines Airlines boarding" in Frankfurt reached my ears, I really got somehow very nervous. Manila was different during that time in 1982. My pen friend there tried to convince me not to go to Davao City in Mindanao which was shaken by civil war during that time. "Davao City is killing fields!" My pen friend from Manila sounds really serious. I found myself back as a risk taker. 

In Davao City, Evelyn waited for me. She didn't become my love at first sight. It was a certain Rossana Balcom. A  teacher from the International Harvardian University and an ethnic dancer of the legendary Manisan Dancegroup Davao City.

My penfriend in Zamboanga City waited for free. Before I went back to Germany, I and Rossana fianceed each other.

Overjoyed I flew back to Berlin - not knowing that some dramatic news awaited me - positive and negative.

(To be continued!)