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!

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Showing posts with label Jesus "Jess" Dureza. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus "Jess" Dureza. Show all posts

Thursday, October 22, 2020

I WALKED WITH PRESIDENTS: A MAN CALLED ”FVR”

By Jesus "Jess" Dureza
 

(An advance excerpt of my coming book I WALKED WITH PRESIDENTS. I wrote this article during the presidency of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino when Fidel V. Ramos was no longer president )



One Monday, I dropped by at the office of former President FVR at Makati . He still holds regular office at his RPDEV (Ramos Peace and Development) enclave and presides over his staff, just like still being head of state – although to a much smaller “constituency”. I have not visited him for sometime. But dropping by, even unannounced, is always a welcome treat. You walk through the corridor and you feel like walking through history and memory lane. His office complex is a veritable museum with all the memorabilia, his books , his file photos and even collections of monogrammed golf balls from all over the world. All lined up on the office walls were autographed pictures with presidents of nations and the world’s VIPs, his collection of the EDSA revolution photos, state visits, memorable golf shots and long putts that show the ball dramatically in the hole — all kinds of events chronicling FVR’s activities in the service of the country. By the way, photos had lampoon captions for kicks.

By the way, those photos of long golf putts on the green with the ball almost about to drop in the hole were “simulated” photos. He would put two (2) tees on the lip of the hole to hold the ball and then took a swing from a far and asked the cameraman to take a shot! “Bingo”!

‘CSW’ --Just like old times when he was president, his still- unending schedules, printed and folded with red markings and scribblings are still tucked in his wallet, held together by a rubber band. His table is still up to one’s neck stacked with all sorts of papers, clippings and correspondence. The whole floor is half occupied by papers and materials, neatly piled and ready to go somewhere. Unknown to many, FVR keeps his being a stickler to documentation. Remember his famous “CSW”? No single decision or directive left his office without thorough study and research unless “complete staff work” (CSW) was done in writing. Every time he travels abroad, even when no longer president, he documents every detail, including media clippings, and blasts them off to almost all concerned, whether in government or in the private sector , complete with policy recommendations and all. He runs a regular Sunday column at the Manila Bulletin where his thoughts continue to free flow for the benefit of those in government and out. You can consider his pieces occasional “sermons on the mount” if you wish.

“I am now ‘kuya’ and will give advice to everyone , solicited or otherwise,” he usually tells visitors with his familiar grin while chewing on his unlit trade mark cigar. He disposes –or consumes -- a cigar that way, faster than by puffing it. And his advice: “cigarette smoking is dangerous to your health.“ ( Translation: “Cigars are ok!”)

WORKAHOLIC— You should see him at work when he was still president. At early dawn and still dark, his aides would already roam the streets and grab copies of the newspapers fresh from the printing press, ink probably still wet. Relevant news items were clipped then pasted on a clipboard that went to him first hour. With his red pen, he jotted down instructions, with arrows and all, “cc”, “attention”, “NLT” (not later than) to all concerned. Then by sunrise, everyone got a copy in his/her fax machine. When FVR was still President, I used to wake up early dawn while still dark outside and already I could hear my home fax machine buzzing . His working style put him on top of everything that moved, anywhere in the country at any given time. His knowledge of the archipelago was extensive and grounded. From years of military service, he would know where one barangay road would lead or where one river emptied and where the next town was – like the palm of his hand.

MINDANAO LEGACY –Unexpected from a military officer who was schooled in the art of warfare and who fought the rebels in the front lines, he led the nation into a “peace paradigm” when he occupied Malacanang. The long-drawn peace negotiations with the Moro National Liberation Front ended with a peace agreement during his watch in 1996. He also forthwith started negotiations with the break-away Moro Islamic Liberation Front when the group decided to stay outside of the MNLF peace accord. Significantly, he “invaded” MILF camps with development projects even when negotiations were still on going. I remember then Mindanao pointman Paul Dominguez, upon FVR’s instructions built a concrete road inside Camp Abubakar leading to Chairman Hashim Salamat’s doorsteps. Everytime I would visit the MILF camp then, a big water tank emblazoned “Philippines 2000” was conspicuously in Kagi Murad’s backyard. I failed to see it again years after when President Joseph “Erap” Estrada launched his all-out “war policy” and attacked MILF’s Camp Abubakar.

On the CPP/NPA/NDF front, on several occasions during FVR’s time , ( while I was Davao Congressman and represented Congress in the government peace panel as spokesman) we were dispatched to the Netherlands to engage Joma Sison and his Utrecht group. At one time, FVR even scolded panel chair Donald Dee, panel member Silvestre “Bebot” Bello and all of us over the speaker phone for allowing the difficult peace talks to “collapse”. He barked:

“Gaddamit! Who authorized you to collapse the talks? I only authorized you to negotiate but not to collapse the talks!” He ordered all of us back to the negotiations table. His book series “Break Not the Peace” is Peace-Making 101.

SOME FVR ADVICES ---I cannot forget FVR’s advice about keeping faith with the peace process. He said that peace talks must be preserved at all cost until the end game of a peace agreement is achieved – however long and tedious it would take. According to him, there are three things a peace negotiator must have: First: patience. Second: more patience. Third: more and more patience. That’s his formula.

Another FVR advice is: one has to properly handle and contain a problem. Otherwise, it’s like picking up a small pile of “shit” and putting it in front of an electric fan. A small pile is spread and thrown with all its stink all around. Reversing it will be in futility. I recall this was exemplified by government’s sensitive handling of the moro rebel problem in the south during his time.

Then he loves to illustrate his idea of good governance and ideal citizenship through the example of a Filipino “bibingka”. You cook it with fire on top (which is government) and the fire below (which is the citizenry). Without that convergence, the “bibingka” is not well cooked. And of course, his usual refrain: “Kaya ba natin ‘to?” with his thumbs up sign. He expects a resounding “kaya”. And if the crowd response is not too loud, he then says: “Lakasin natin para mayugyug natin at marinig tayo sa Malacanang”. That’s classic FVR.!

“SPIKED” COFFEE –In his office today, coffee is immediately served, whether you ask for it or not. And it’s not the usual coffee one gets elsewhere. It is “spiked” coffee. A jigger of brandy in a steaming cup gives a twang – and a sip gives you the warmth until you wish for another cup. And of course later, it was Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) as coffee spiker and him whispering but really intended for all to hear: “VCO enhances one’s virility and sexuality.”

At times “Girl Friday” Mae Gaffud (bless her soul) peeps into the room then pops open a red wine bottle for the succeeding rounds. A steady supply of bottles of ordinary rhum, brandy or gin (I guess from friend Ramon Ang of San Miguel ) enables FVR to hand out some gift bags on your way out with freebie bottles. Nothing classy but “pang sundalo” drinks, he would stress. Then , after some “kodakan” with the customary “kaya ba natin ‘to thumbs up” sign, everyone gets an FVR-autographed photo of the visit as one heads for the exit door.

STILL BURLY AND FIT --You guessed it: FVR has not retired, far from it. He entertains in his 26th floor office at Landbank in Makati, a stream of callers and visitors almost everyday when he is not otherwise travelling somewhere in the world where his inputs and words of advice still attract attention – and generate traction -- from all over. He’s one of the best salesmen of the country, everywhere he goes until now.

Still burly, fit and trim at his age (born March 18, 1928), he still maintains a respectable swing at the golf course – although his handicap must have also grown irreversibly with age. And here’s a fair warning to golfers: If FVR is at a locker room and you are nearby, you better be able to “drop” and do a few push ups when he says “Everybody drop!”. And when he starts counting, you’ve better count with him – to show you’re pumping as well. I’ve seen many friends after reaching the count of “10” continuing the count aloud but no longer pumping while FVR pushes the count to the limit.

Of course, his favorite “hi-tech” eye glasses are still on his desk. He always highlights the great Filipino inventive capacity and then shows off wearing the glasses saying they’re unbreakable, ultra clear, can be worn in the rain, self-adjusting and good for both short and long distances, Made in the Philippines. Then he sticks out his two fingers through the “lenses”. That’s the only time you learn that they are all just frame minus the lenses. So at times, when I see him with glasses on, I cannot always tell whether they’re for real or just for vanity to give him that “intellectual look” – and of course camouflage, although in futility, those eye bags that come with age. (Sorry, sir.)

“COMFORT ROOM TEST” – I recall his unusual way of checking out a place. Whenever he got invited to a newly built building or visit a new golf clubhouse , he would go first check the comfort rooms. I learned of his formula many years ago when I joined him in a visit at the newly refurbished clubhouse of the Apo Golf & Country Club in Davao City. He was given a tour of the spanking clubhouse but then he asked that he’d like to see the comfort rooms first. He then told me aside that the true measure of a place is the condition of its comfort rooms. Come to think of it, indeed, the comfort level one gets in checking into hotel rooms, or restaurants or resorts, even hospitals or any public establishment is usually determined by the condition of comfort rooms. Yes, that’s FVR’s “comfort room test”.

FATHER OF BIMP EAGA – During my visit that week, he immediately asked about the latest on BIMP EAGA (Brunei Indonesia Malaysia East Asian Growth Area). He fathered its formation when he was still president by getting together the other three heads of state to give focus to the sub regional areas, like Mindanao and Palawan for economic development. He said he was in Kota Kinabalu recently to attend a BIMP EAGA event. (He was a bit unhappy though because the Philippine delegation was “sloppy” during that event.)

PRESS SEC RICKY CAME – I was chatting with FVR when Press Secretary Ricky Carandang arrived. He came to consult FVR on some current issues, among which was the on-going public debate on the Marcos burial. Ricky, by the way, was host/anchor of ABS-CBN ANC when I was press secretary of President Gloria Arroyo and I can recall his support in my not-so-easy task then. “Now you can exchange notes,” FVR told both of us when I said that Ricky somehow was a big help to me when I was press secretary and I wished to return the favour.

SEN. RENE SAGUISAG – Former Sen. Rene Saguisag also came and was part of the discussion together with Cris Carreon of the People Power Commission. My good friend, Adventurer Art Valdez of the now famous “Balangai” boat group also joined in. “Ilonggo” Art led Filipino adventurers in scaling Mt. Everest and traced the century-old route of early sea farers on board a replica called “Balangai”. I learned from him that he was plotting his next adventure somewhere. He was “Usec Art” of DOTC during FVR’s time.

“Manong” Rene Saguisag was still as sharp as ever. Although mellowed by age and still nurturing physical and perhaps moral wounds suffered from that car accident where he lost his soul-mate, wife Dulce, “Manong” Rene in the discussions about the Marcos burial issue exuded with institutional memories of the historic past which I found instructive. He was an active player then starting from President Cory until that accident years back.

UNSOLICITED ADVICES — FVR of course was in his usual elements. He volunteered his thoughts on the Spratlys issue, the Marcos burial, the present cabinet and other matters of the day. He emphasized the need for President Noynoy Aquino to consult some more - through more frequent cabinet meetings, the LEDAC (executive, legislative mechanism), the National Security Council where former presidents together with other high officials give their thoughts on issues. His advices, I’m sure, are still valuable to everyone – including, I hope, to Pres Noynoy. Sec. Ricky, hopefully will re-echo to his boss some of the unsolicited advices of this man who saw it all.

Here is one fellow who has stood the test of time – and age. He used to tease us all with: “Who knows, I may run for president again. However, I have a problem. What if I win.”

That’s what I call “trademark FVR”.

***

Published here with friendly permission of the author - a good friend of mine.

Saturday, October 15, 2016

German Lawmakers Supportive of Duterte's Peace and Development Agenda

(PNA) Members of the German Bundestag, Germany's lower house of Parliament, has expressed their full support to peace and development initiatives being espoused by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The German lawmakers expressed this during a courtesy call at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process early last week.

"We wish you all the success, because it could be a very good time, not just for the Philippines, but for the reason to sit together; and this can be a positive sign that could
Dr. Erwin Rueddel, German Bundestag parliament  member, this writer
and wife.

help end conflict, "German parliamentarian Dr. Thomas Gambke said. He also lauded and expressed at Bundestag's support for the Philippine government's transparent and inclusive approach on the peace process.

Gambke, who is the Parliamentary Friendship Group of Relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) states chair, was joined by other German lawmakers Petra Ernstberger, Caren Lay, Elvira Drobinski-Weiss, Erwin Rueddel (photo above), Gordon Kricke, and Deputy Head of Mission (German Embassy), H.E. Michael Hasper.


Deputy Head of Mission (German Embassy) Michael Hasper and this writer

They were received by OPAPP Undersecretary for Peace Accords Nabil A Tan who discussed with them the Duterte administration's Peace and Development Roadmap, focusing on plans to implement massive socio-economic interventions and the continued and full implementation of already signed peace agreements with various rebel groups.

"The President has expressed strong will to honor peace agreements and reduce level of violence so that the poverty-alleviation and development programs can be implemented while talks are there," Tan explained.

While the OPAPP executive expressed high optimism for positive results within the year on the negotiations with the communist groups, he also told the German parliamentarians that there is a need to manage expectations.

"(P)ease process is not a destination as to when we can conclude, but it is a journey," he added.


OPAPP Secretary Jesus "Jess" Dureza and this writer

OPAPP Secretary Jesus G. Dureza was in Oslo, Norway, for another round of formal talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army-National Democratic Front.

Part of the agenda of the second round of peace talks held from October 6-10, involved discussions on the Comprehensive Agreement for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law; the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms; and the Comprehensive Agreement on the End of Hostilities and Disposition of Forces.

Saturday, August 27, 2016

Peace in the Philippines?

DIPLOMACY

Philippines, Maoists reach accord following Norway talks

The Philippine government and Communist guerrillas have agreed to an indefinite ceasefire as talks continue for a final peace deal. The two sides were in Oslo negotiating a truce in the five-decade conflict.
Luis Jalandoni and Philippines' presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza are seen during peace talks between the Philippine government and National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in Oslo, Norway August 22, 2016.
The Philippine government and Maoist insurgents inked an indefinite ceasefire deal Friday to facilitate peace talks aimed at ending one of Asia's longest-running guerilla conflicts.
"This is a historic and unprecedented event ... (but) there is still a lot of work to be done ahead," Manila' peace adviser, Jesus Dureza, said at a signing ceremony in Norway, which is mediating the talks aimed at ending a conflcit that's claimed more than 30,000 live since the late 1960s.
The two sides are slated to meet again in Oslo on October 8-12.
Oslo as interlocutor
Norway has acted as a facilitator for the peace process since 2001. Talks have been held on and off since 1986 to end the conflict.
Recently elected President Rodrigo Duterte says he wants to end guerrilla wars with both communist and Muslim rebels that have been hampering economic development.
The Communist's 3,000-strong New People's Army operates mainly in the east and south of the Philippines. At it peak in the 1980s, it commanded an army of 26,000 fighters during the 20-year dictatorship of the late Ferdinand Marcos.
The Communist guerillas have historically drawn support from those dissatisfied with economic inequality, especially in the countryside, and the Philippines' close alliance with the United States.
jar/rg (AFP, Reuters)

Monday, October 28, 2013

Do you believe in Rody Duterte? (Part II)

By Jesus "Jess" Dureza, President/Chair Philippine Press Institute

MISHANDLING ----Mayor Rody Duterte had a mouthful about recent events, And he was not mincing words. For example, his readout of the Zamboanga incident was quite to the point. In so many words, he was critical at the way "those officials" mishandled the situation, starting mistakenly tagging MNLF's Nur Misuari as a "spent force". Admitting that Nur Misuari was his friend and with whom he could talk any time, he marveled at how the authorities just got it all wrong. For how could armed men, crossing over in several waves from the nearby island provinces with ammunition and combatants be unnoticed by Zamboanga and then to wake up one morning already in deep shit? "Simple! Utter failure of intelligence!" he boomed.

(Photo: "Yours truly" Klaus Doring & Mayor Rody Duterte)

DON'T MESS UP ----  He had his own thoughts on how he dealt with his own in Davao - something Zamboangagenos ought to have learned from. "I am a mayor of all - Muslims, Christians, rebels or criminals. MNLF or MILF or NPA's. I respect them for what they stand for and I hope they respect mine. I talk to them, I even go see them. But they understand me when I say" You don't just mess up with my city or you are dead!"

MNLF IN DAVAO ---- I recall how Nur Misuari also marshalled several months before the Zamboanga incident his forces in Davao City in a peaceful rally at Sonny Dizon's horse tracks at the Crocodile Park area in Matina, all with MNLF flags hoisted and paraded. After Nur Misuari in his usual fiery and kilometric speech anleashed his angst, they peacefully dispersed and went home. Only a massive traffic jam at the diversion road saw the worst of it.

(TO BE CONTINUED!)

Do you believe in Rody Duterte?

BY JESUS "JESS" DUREZA

Lawyer Jesus G. Dureza was Presidential Adviser for Mindanao for former Presidents Fidel V. Ramos and Gloria M. Arroyo. He was also involved in the peace negotitations in the talks with the MILF and the CPP-NPA-NDF and initiated, while Presidential Adviser, the Tripartite Review of the 1996 MNLF Peace Agreement. He is currently President/Chair of the Philippine Press Institute. This piece is from his syndicated column Advocacy MindaNOW.

It's been a long while since I last listened to Mayor Rody Duterte deliver a speech. Until last Friday when I was invited by Businessman Sonny Dizon, bossman of the Davao American Chamber of Commerce to attend the joint foreign chambers meeting at the Abreeza Mall complex at Bajada. For almost two hours, his was not a speech but a conversation of sorts, down to earth, no frills, nothing bombastic, all times bordering on the unorthodox, interspersed with his trademark expletives. But yes, talking from his heart all throughout. And the fullhouse guests all listened in rapt silence.

DIDONG MY FRIEND? -- When I walked in, they were still waiting for the guest of honor to arrive.

Civic leader Nonoy Villa Abrille, the event's organizer conducted me to the head table and told me: "Sit beside the mayor. You are closed friends, right?"

I did not answer. Well, Nonoy's question was addressed by the mayor himself in his talk when at one portion during his recollections, he mentioned how he was expelled from the Ateneo during his high school times, then transferred to other city schools and still not "good". So he had to be brought to Digos, a small municipality then (now a city) 60 kilometers south of Davao City. But that was where I grew up in my teens. I remembered one day (some 50 years ago?) his late father, Gov. Vicente "Tete" Duterte came to the campus of the boys of the Holy Cross of Digos (now Cor Jesu College) in the south. Tagging along was a young teen-aged boy. I was a working scholar then with the Canadian Brothers of The Sacred Heart when Rody was brought to Digos in "exile". He was frail and mestizo looking but had that naughty, mischievous flash in his eyes. We stayed in the same "dorm". That was a beginning of a friendship that lasted up to this day. (But I'll skip recalling those hig school days together, for the meantime, lest I miss up telling you about Friday's event.

RODY'S "DILEMMA" ---- Fast forward to Friday at Seda Hotel. The consular offices were represented by Koichi Ibara of Japan and Consul General Abdullah Zawawi Tahir of Malaysia. Also present from Manila was Martial G. Beck of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines. Several foreigners were also around. And I could tell that they could decipher the mayor's intermittent, usual expletives in the local dialect with the way they squirmed and reacted to the mayor's momentary tirades. (His favorite was of course when he talked about his "dilemma", DOJ Sec. Lilia De Lima, but that's more than I could write about, okay? Shhhhh.....).

TO BE CONTINUED!

Sunday, July 24, 2011

The Cool Advocate: Jesus "Jess" Dureza


"He is a cool guy!" That has been one of the first comments of one of my FACEBOOK friends after posting a photo and mentioning about Jess' visit in my residence a couple of days ago. Yes, he is indeed a cool guy - he's a cool advocate.

That's why I entitled  my today's post like this.


I met him several times before - a couple of months ago in General Santos City during a lunch break in the hotel before my friends and I were leaving for Sarangani and Lake Sebu.

We are "friends" in Facebook. During our dinner in my house he testified, that he has a lot of friends. Friends in its real meaning. No wonder... .


Jesus "Jess" Dureza, an enigmatic character being a great friend and personality at the same time with short but very clear and understandable answers to all my questions.


Davao City's mayor Sara Duterte's punching incident is human, but must not be accepted and tolerated by some people. My "green solidarity sign" has been accepted by him. Democracy and free opinion in the Philippines...?

Jesus "Jess" Dureza, leaving the political stage... . He likes to be "involved in other things" - maybe. Dureza, now publisher of the Davao City based "Mindanao Times" (by the way, my column tabloid before for many years), tells his opinion in many other publications, also in Mindanao Daily Mirror - the daily with my presently weekly Friday column "In my opinion".

Questions regarding the present political situation in the Philippines, Jess has a lot of very understandable answers. Honestly, I agree with them very strongly. Why are people asking to replace the present government in the Philippines? Crossing the line? I quote Jess: "Whether we are happy or unhappy with the present state of affairs under the PNoy presidency is of no moment. Whatever it is, that doesn't justify another "adventurism" to take place."

Jess Dureza "loves to live in Davao City, visit Cebu City from time to time and do business in Manila".

Living abroad? No question. NO!

God and religion is very important for him and his family. Family and its bounds  are to be described as primarily. 

Is Dr. Jose Rizal still his (national) hero? Of course, NOT. Rizal is history. His idol has been his father - a simple bus driver, who feed the whole family with this little income. 

Foreigners in the Philippines are still very welcome... .

And, fears in life? Not at all. Live your life as it is!

Jesus "Jess" Dureza, a "cool guy" with simple but very meaningful answers to all questions. Jesus "Jess" Dureza", Press Secretary during the administration of Gloria Arroyo from 2008-2009... . Not only during that time - a cool advocate.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Live Life as It Is - A Dinner with Jesus Jess Dureza

I was glad and honoured having Jesus "Jess" Dureza, former Presidential Adviser for Peace in Mindanao, Press Secretary and Lawyer, for dinner (and many questions!) in my house. More about my questions and the answers of a unique and incredible personality SOON here on this website... .