Philippine German Relations

I am back from a three days visit in Manila full of meetings, especially with Deputy Head of Mission (German Embassy) Mr. Michael Hasper.

Soon, I will be meeting the new appointed German Ambassador to the Philippines, Mr. Thomas Ossowski.

While staying in Manila, "Europe Day" had been celebrated. Europe Day was formally recognize by the European Parliament in 2008. Also known as Schumann Day, Europe Day commemorates the historical declaration by French Foreign Minister Robert Schumann proposing the creation of a European Coal and Stell Community which ultimately became the European Union (EU). The event is an annual celebration of peace and unity in Europe.

Various forms of activities such as parades, exhibitions, seminars, and parties have been held during Europe Day in member states of the European Union. The holiday is an opportunity to educate people on history of the EU and promote support for the region's integration.

Important institutions of EU are the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, the Court of Justice of the EU  and the European Central Bank. The European Parliament is elected every five years by member states' citizens - in 2014 on May 25.

Later this is year, in October,another great event is coming up. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is expected to visit the Philippines to cap the 60th year of di0plomatic relations between the Philippines and Germany. A diplomatic source said Merkel already agreed to accept President Aquino's invitation to visit Manila.

So, the Philippines and Germany will celebrate the 60th anniversary of establishment of their diplomatic relations.

Philippine German relations are excisting since long time, although the existence of a German Community in the Philippines during the years before 1836 was impossible. The Royal Decree of February 2, 1800 prohibited foreigners to reside in the Philippines. In 1844, another royal decree prohibited foreigners even to travel to the Philippines under any pretext wathsoever. It was evident that Spain wanted to keep foreigners out of Philippine soil, believing in some way, that the Philippines a dollar gained by a foreigner was one taken from the pocket of a Spaniard.

Once upon a time... . Time had changed.

(Pre-published in my column "IN MY OPINION" in Mindanao Daily Mirror from 16th May 2014!)

Foreigners' Questions about The Philippines

I am living permanently in the Philippines since January 1999. Meanwhile I got great opportunities: writing for several print papers and hosting radio shows in the Philippines, which are also to be recognized via live stream.

Meanwhile I receive a lot mails daily - mostly from concerned foreigners, who plan to put a business here or to get married to Filipina/Filipino national. Or, they are in need to get help and professional assistance in dealing with several Philippine authorities.

I always like people asking a lot of questions before moving to the Philippines for good. I appreciate that. Anyway, some questions are still hurting me, although I am not a Filipino. Sometimes, I really don't know whether I should laugh or cry.

A doctor from a Western country sent me an email (already many years ago, but it's really a fantasic example!), asking if Filipinos are wearing shoes, because he only and always saw them in slippers. NO COMMENT.

A businessman asked why Filipinos try to avoid to speak (and/or learn) the Spanish language.I suggested to him, to research Philippine History.

Someone mailed and asked, if the Philippines are really such poor, and if we would have hunger here?

Another doctor planned to open up a clinic in the "capital of the Philippines", asking me, if I would enjoy living and working in this capital "Jakarta". I really thought, he was kidding. When I mailed him, that Jakarta is not the capital of the Philippines,he stopped mailing me.

Sometimes, I am wondering myself, why foreigners don't know more about this beautiful country - especially if they are planning to move here for good.

"Do you have tomatoes there?" - An email - just a couple of days ago... .

Maybe those million Philippine Oversea Workers could help to establish a better image of the Philippines. Before Philippine Star columnist Jessica Zafra stated: "It's an entire country outside our national borders. All those Filipinos have friends, former classmates, colleagues and family members living abroad!"

Lumad yes; Foreigners NO!

Lumad yes; foreigners no!

HAVE MY SAY

By Klaus Doring

I AM BACK. 11 days time out. Relax, unwind. I stay on my veranda, just had a glass of wine, check all old newspapers. And suddenly this headline caught my attention: Lumad yes; foreigners, no! Foreigners?

I am an expatriate living in the Philippines since 1999 for good. Foreigner’s, no?

But after checking the first paragraphs, I got happy. Mining is the topic. And our good vice Paolo Duterte voiced out: “Never!” Never on the applications of foreign groups to mine in the hinterland of Paquibato. Paquibato is one of Davao’s remote mountainous districts. From the nearby Panabo City, one can reach Barangay Mapula after a little less than two hours.

Vice Paolo made it very clear, and I must confess, I strongly agree with him. Don’t allow any foreign mining in Paquibato. The land rightfully belongs to the Lumad. And they will say they will themselves undertake mining there – fine! Yes, Vice Palo is so very right in saying, that he doesn’t want the landlords, the rich AND the foreigners to dip their fingers in the ancestral lands and make the people their laborers, ostensibly provide them houses to pretend that they are people and supportive of the people.

Kudos Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte. And, it’s known: Mayor Rody Duterte, his father also has been consistent about his anti-mining stance for the city.

*****

Email: doringklaus@gmail.com. The author is Professor for German Language at the University of Southeastern Philippines.

Also published today in  Mindanao Daily News/Mindanao Business Week.