Philippines Had Divorce Already During US, Japan Occupations

The Philippines and the Vatican are the only states that do not have a divorce law. There are efforts to legalize divorce in the Philippines, but they met strong opposition from the Catholic Church. Filipinos are also divided on the issue.

There is a misconception that, if passed, it would be the first time that Filipinos would have divorce.

Check out more from the abs-cbn news report here:

PH had divorce during US, Japan occupations

At least 40 Filipinos ‘missing in Libya’

Read more here:

Priest: At least 40 Filipinos ‘missing in Libya’

What Do Filipinos Value Most?

When I read one of a national papers' poll, I could only strongly agree. Yes, that's what I experienced since the first moment I stepped on Philippine soil.

Allow me to share it with you:

Family comes first: Filipinos value most their families. Filipinos are very much family-oriented that they will sacrifice everything just to be able to give their children the best of life. It is indeed the family that matters most to all Filipinos. Close family ties characterize the typical Filipino clan. No other values could displace it in the hearts of true-blooded Filipinos. 

I also agree with several poll joiners, that Pinoys indeed give prime concern  to bonding with relatives AND FRIENDS., ready to spent the last penny to impress their unlimited hospitality. 

Time changes everything. Not only I observed it - also a lot of Filipinos joining this poll. Yes, it's true: there has been a paradigm shift in what Filipinos value. These values have eroded slowly. 

A good education still seems to be a status symbol in many Filipino families. Many Filipinos are keep on dreaming (and trying their best!) for the children to have a good education and a better future. And, Filipinos value loyality and honesty at work. 

"Crab mentality" is and will remain as a bane. 

Although, after 12 years living in the Philippines for good as an expat, I also value many things here: especially the hospitality, gratefulness and credibility, I can experience every single day. And, I feel save and happy and so very much secure in this family-oriented society. 

Poll says 9 of 10 Filipinos hopeful about 2011

Poll says 9 of 10 Filipinos hopeful about 2011

As always, the optimistic Philippinos! Check out this post.
Merry Christmas!

Wie immer - die optimistischen Philippinos! Lesen Sie diesen Artikel!
Froehliche Weihnachten!

Uplifting the Pinoy Brand... .

With recent events having shed the Philippines in a rather awful light, Filipinos are posed with an even greater challenge to rise above the situation and show the international realm that there are still many reasons why Filipinos can be (and are still!) proud to be Pinoy. As an expat living here since 1999 you can believe me. It's really true! Let's talk about the optimism of Filipinos!

Nick Fontanilla, president of the Philippine Marketing Association (PMA) said, that trying times remind Filipinos of their most interesting trait - the optimism.  Fontanilla said something very interesting else: "Now, that the Philippines is going through another kind of 'storm' we encourage Filipinos to remain patriotic - to be reminded of many other individuals who have made our country proud and follow their footsteps". Very well said, Sir.

PMA, the Philippines' premiere organization of marketing professionals goes nationwide in its commitment to educate marketing, business and entrepreneurship  as it will be conducting a caravan themed as "Pinoy as Global Brand" until November 2010.

I found www.philippinemarketing.net.ph and www.pinoybrandkaba.com . Here you can also check out the caravan schedules.

Uplifting the Pinoy brand - in the global arena! YES!

Does The Today's Filipino Still Care Or Not?

The August 23, 2010 hostage drama is still in our minds. Since that day innumerable TV shows and newspaper articles asking many questions about the today's Filipino and a possible (new) generation that does not care any more.

One thing is for sure: after the hostage drama, there is indeed just too much negativity about and against the Filipino people and the nation Philippines! It is ashamed to read a lot of comments while browsing in the WorldWideWeb, i.e. from a foreigner (I'll not mention the nationality!), married to a Filipina, making a litany of the supposed stupidity or idiocy of Filipinos in general. Heaven forbid!

Also the Manila Bulletin reported about it several days ago. Allow me to quote this daily:

"Then there is an article of a certain Daniel Wagner of Huffington Post, wherein he said he sees nothing good in the Philippines' future".

How does that man know it? Is he a clairvoyant or just one of these notorious know-it-all-betters, who enjoy complaining about the lamentable and pathetic life in the Philippines?

Of course, there is no place like paradise on our whole globe. I say this as an expatriat living in the Philippines since 1999 for good, who stepped on Philippine soil in 1976 for the first time. Yes, it's true the hostage fiasco is being part now of the Philippine history, even Filipinos in general accepted the failure on their part. But, it should not allow other people to insult and offend the Philippines and its people.

Yes, the Filipino heart is one of history's biggest, as writer Alex Lacson published in the Manila Bulletin on September 5, 2010. The Filipino heart is one of the world's rare jewels and one of humanity's greatest treasures. Believe me, I experience this since many, many years in my surroundings and during my daily as an expat.

Alex Lacson is a Filipino lawyer, author, lecturer, philanthropist and politician who ran in the 2010 Philippine senatorial elections. He is best known as the author of "12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country".

Lacson says:

"First, defend and protect the Filipino whenever you can, especially among your children. Fight all this negativity about the Filipino that is circulating in many parts of the world. Let us not allow this single incident define who the Filipino is, and who we are as people. Demand for good leadership and good government from our leaders. Question both, their actions and inaction; expose their follies of their policies and decisions."

Very, very well said Alex Lacson!