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 Klaus Döring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Klaus Döring. Show all posts

Monday, July 14, 2025

K-pop girl group IVE performs at Lollapalooza Berlin

 



By Jonathan Hicap

Published Jul 13, 2025 01:50 pm


An Yu-jin, Gaeul, Rei, Jang Won-young, Liz, and Leeseo performed for about 55 minutes at Lollapalooza Berlin held at Olympic Stadium and Olympic Park in Germany.


Through their agency Starship Entertainment, IVE said, "It was a truly happy and overwhelming time thanks to the strong support and cheers from Dive [official fan club] and the audience who stayed with us through the rain before the concert.”

"We sincerely thank the audience who were present at the concert, as well as the global Dive who watched and cheered us on through the live broadcast. The staff and band who prepared for IVE to once again gloriously present 'Lollapalooza' worked hard, and let's all cheer for 'Lollapalooza Paris' next week!" they added.

After Berlin, IVE will be performing at Lollapalooza Paris to be held at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, France.

No showing off if love is pure


 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com


THAT’S what we can get from the gospel story about the two sisters, Martha and Mary. (cfr. Lk 10,38-42) If love is pure, we would not show off the things we do, baiting for praises; we would not compare ourselves with others to see if we are better lovers; we would just give and give without counting the cost; we would give our whole heart unconditionally to our beloved who in the end is God!


The problem with Martha was precisely that of comparing her love with what she saw was the inferior kind of love her sister, Mary, showed to Christ. It’s a phenomenon that, sad to say, is very common since time immemorial, and especially these days when the hunger for recognition seems to be sharper among many people in general.


Many people today like to flaunt the good things they do. They like to compare themselves with others. They even go to the extent of indulging in virtue signalling their own deeds while gaslighting those whom they consider to be not as good as they are.


To have pure love, we have to start with the purity of our intentions, since they express who and where in the end we want to be. Do we choose to be with God completely, or do we play games trying to do things for others when in fact things are done more for ourselves?

             

             We need to realize then that we have to take utmost care of our intention, making it as explicit as possible, and honing it to get engaged with its proper and ultimate object, who is God. 


We should try our best to shun being simply casual or cavalier about this responsibility. We can easily play around with it, since intentions are almost invariably hidden from public knowledge. We are urged to be most sincere in directing our intentions properly.


We can easily fall into hypocrisy and deception, doing what can appear good externally but is not internally, since we could refuse giving glory to God, which is the proper intention to have, and instead feed and stir our vanity, pride, greed, lust, etc.


If our love is pure, we would do a lot of good while passing unnoticed. All the glory should belong to God. We have to rid ourselves of any signs that would show that we want to divert the glory, even if only partially, to ourselves.



We are reminded of this danger when Christ said, “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.” (Mt 6,1)

And he continued by saying, “When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.” (6,2)


As we can see, the intention of our human acts plays a crucial role. With it, we can determine whether we are truly good and moral, or are simply playing around, playing the game of hypocrisy, appearing righteous when we truly are not.


We know that with our intention, we can direct our acts to God, following what was once indicated by St. Paul, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever else you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor 10,31) That’s how our acts become good, or moral, an expression of pure love. Otherwise, they are bad, or at least dangerous.


Sunday, July 13, 2025

Our tendency to be impenitent

 



By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com


“THEN began he to upbraid the cities wherein were done the most of his miracles, for they had not done penance. ‘Woe to thee, Corozain, woe to thee, Bethsaida: for if in Tyre and Sidon had been wrought the miracles that have been wrought in you, they had long ago done penance in sackcloth and ashes.’” (Mt 11,20-21)


Thus lamented Christ over the people he had been giving a lot of favors. It’s a lament that continues to take place up to now, since we cannot deny that despite all the good things we have been having over the years, we still continue to be impenitent over our weaknesses, mistakes and sins.


While it’s a given that we cannot avoid sin, considering our wounded condition, it should also be given that we need to also have an abiding need for penance. Nowadays, it would look like while our sinfulness has become worse, our duty to do penance is practically neglected. 


The sense of sin is being aggressively undermined. And that’s simply because we are not anymore referring things to God. We are simply referring them to our own ideas. The clear distinction between good and evil is practically erased.


Our sense of penance is in crisis because our idea of what is good and evil is now reduced to our personal preferences, or at best to what can be termed as our social, political, cultural or even ideological consensus. Our legal system is often regarded as explicitly atheistic or agnostic, to free it from the so-called religious bias.


We need to make an effort, even a worldwide campaign, to boost our spirit of penance, explaining our dire necessity for it and the ineffable benefits we can derive from it.


The spirit of penance is not actually something that is dark, negative, painful, etc. It’s not something we should run away from. In fact, it’s not something that we should just bear and tolerate since we cannot avoid it. 


We need to embrace it, to love it, and thus, we have to develop that spirit as best that we can. It is actually something beautiful, since it is purifying and liberating. It recovers us from our wounded condition and reinforces our dignity as persons and children of God.


We need to develop and live this spirit of penance because it is clear that sin continues to dominate us in this life. In fact, it is quite clear that things are getting worse. There are now powerful and well-established structures of sin in our midst before which we are simply an easy prey.


The networks of corruption, pornography, godless and worldly ideologies, etc. are proliferating, taking advantage of the powerful technologies and the relative vulnerability of many people, especially the young ones, who are not yet prepared to properly handle these networks.


The virtue of penance should include the desire and practice of regular and frequent recourse to the sacrament of penance, where through the ministry of priests, Christ comes to us as father, friend, judge and doctor. This sacrament not only reconciles us with God, but also repairs whatever damage our sin would cause on others and the Church in general.


This virtue of penance also includes the desire and practice of continuing atonement and reparation. This can be done in many ways—exerting greater effort to pray, being more generous with our sacrifices and daily self-denials, especially in food, drink, and comfort. It can be done also by doing many corporal and spiritual works of mercy, etc.


How Thinking About the Future Makes Life More Meaningful


 

During these awful and negative minded times all over the world, thinking about the future keeps me not really positive.


Well, mindfulness is all the rage these days, and for good reason. Focusing on the moment can improve our well-being, foster compassion, and help our relationships. What about going beyond the present moment? Yes, thinking about the future can trigger anxiety—but a growing body of research suggests that it can also make our lives more meaningful.


Humans aren’t alone in having some ability to consider the future, a process that scientists call “prospection.” After all, your dog gets excited when they see you holding a leash because they anticipate a walk is imminent; your cat may show similar excitement at the sound of a can being opened. There’s even evidence that some animals—like bonobos and ravens—can choose and save tools that they plan to use in the future.


But prospector's unique benefits to humans extend beyond that of other animals. Not only do we fantasize about our next vacation or decide whether it would be better to take the stairs or the elevator, but our perspective can cast far into the future: We might save for our children’s education or plan for our retirement decades from now. We can make predictions about our own futures based on what we’ve learned about other people’s experiences and even from characters in books and movies. And we can consider multiple directions our futures might take.


It is this remarkable ability to simulate our possible futures that makes prospection special. Just like gold prospecting may literally make you rich, studies suggest that prospecting about your future can enrich your life in at least four ways.


Perhaps one of the most fundamental and important functions of prospection is that it helps us decide how to act: Thinking about what the future likely holds helps us decide what course to take in the here-and-now. Several studies have examined how thinking about the future shapes our decision-making.


Researchers have been particularly interested in the psychology that drives our process of deciding between receiving something now versus receiving something of greater value later. In general, people tend to choose smaller but more immediate rewards over larger rewards that they have to wait for, a phenomenon known as “delay discounting.”


But they don’t always choose short-term rewards over long-run gains. For instance, studies have shown that present-day connection to a possible future event can counteract delay discounting. 


Another study showed that participants who felt closer to their future selves were more willing to wait for a larger reward than those who anticipated changing; the same was true when they were asked to make decisions on behalf of a fictional character who they knew would go through a life-changing event (like a religious conversion or returning home from war).


While interesting in its own right, this research could have important personal ramifications. If people could be made to feel a more immediate connection to their eventual retirement (and consequent drop in income), they may be more motivated to make prudent decisions.


In fact, one experiment found that manipulating how people think about the time until their retirement—in days rather than years—caused them to plan to start saving for retirement sooner, because the shift in time perspective made the participants feel more connected to their future selves. A 2014 study found that viewing realistic computer-generated images of what they may look like in the future decreased their discounting of future rewards and led them to contribute more to a hypothetical retirement account.


Prospection has another important application: It motivates us to achieve our goals. But the relationship here is not a simple one. Work by psychologist Gabriele Oettingen and colleagues shows that whether thinking about the future helps us actually reach our goals depends on how we think about the future.


In fact, research has found that positive thinking about our future can backfire. The more people positively fantasize about successfully reaching their goals, the less effort they actually put into realizing them. For example, in one study, the people who fantasize more about successfully losing weight actually lost less weight. Another study found that students who fantasized about their transition into a professional career were less successful in their job search and students who dreamed more about their crush were less likely to start a relationship with their crush.


Importantly, both of these studies found the opposite effect for having positive expectations (“judging a desired future as likely”). People who expected to lose weight were more likely to actually lose weight; students who expected they would find a job were more likely to actually land one; and students who expected to enter a relationship with their crush were more likely to actually do so.


It makes sense that having positive expectations—optimism, essentially—could increase our ability to achieve our goals, but why might fantasizing about the future actually decrease the chance of achieving what we want? Because, write Oettingen and Klaus Michel Reininger, positive fantasies “lead people to mentally enjoy the desired future in the here and now, and thus curb investment and future success.”


But often our goals come from our fantasies. We want to excel at work, find Mr. or Mrs. Right, or run a marathon. How do we turn these fantasies into behaviors that can help us reach our goals? Research suggests that while optimism is important, it is also helpful to draw a contrast between our fantasies and our current reality, which allows us to see barriers that must be overcome.


For example, one study asked students to mentally contrast their positive fantasies about benefiting from a vocational training program with aspects of the program that could impede their progress. This reflection caused students who expected to do well in the program to commit themselves more, and those who expected to do poorly to commit themselves less—again pointing to the importance of optimistic expectations to success. But the mental contrast was also key: Positive expectations did not increase commitment in participants who were not assigned to compare their present situation with their future desires.


Results from a later study suggest that the effectiveness of mental contrasting is due to “energization”—meaning that, when people have high expectations for succeeding at something, considering what might impede their goals gives them energy to try to overcome those barriers. In other words, it helps to stress yourself out a little bit.


Mental contrasting, particularly when used in conjunction with “implementation intentions”—making plans to help move past potential barriers—has been shown to help people reach their goals. To describe this process, Oettingen and colleagues use the acronym WOOP : Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan. In studies, WOOP-type interventions have helped people break a bad snacking habit, get more exercise, and improve academic performance.


Thus, research suggests that thinking about the future can motivate us to take the steps necessary to reach our goals—but only if we take obstacles into account.


Discover the four stages of change. Find out how to set up the right environment for changing your habits.


How to choose goals that make you come alive.


Besides helping us make decisions and reach our goals, there is evidence that prospection may improve psychological health more generally. It might even help people who are struggling with depression and those recovering from trauma.


Indeed, some researchers pose a link between poor prospection and certain psychological disorders such as depression.


“We see faulty prospection as a core underlying process that drives depression,” write psychologists Martin Seligman and Anne Marie Roepke in the book Homo Prospectus. In particular, they note that people with depression imagine possible futures that are more negative than people without depression. Moreover, people with depression tend to overestimate risk and to have more pessimistic beliefs about the future.


One way to engage in anticipatory savoring, suggested by Roepke and Seligman in a recent review article, is to modify the “three good things” gratitude exercise. Instead of writing three good things that happened today, you can write three good things you anticipate happening tomorrow and what you can do to make it more likely that those things actually happen. For people who are struggling, they suggest also writing down three methods that could be used to mitigate disappointment if the good things do not actually happen. These could include coping strategies (exercise, reaching out to a friend, etc.) or alternative strategies to making the good thing happen (e.g., if a friend canceled lunch, you could suggest lunch next week).


While there’s a lot left for researchers to discover about prospection, you don’t need to wait for their published studies. You can try your own experiments right now, to see if prospection helps you to live a more generous, happier, and more meaningful life.

Gilas Women face daunting task vs Aussies

 


Gilas Pilipinas' seemingly impossible mission in the FIBA Women's Asia Cup begins Sunday, July 13, when it collides with No. 2 Australia at the Shenzhen Sports Center in China.



By Mark Rey Montejo

Published Jul 12, 2025 02:49 pm


Up against taller and heftier Aussies, the Nationals need more than breaks of the game if they are to pull off an upset in their 4:30 p.m. clash in the event serving as a qualifier for the World Cup.

The Nationals are bracketed in Group B, which many branded as Group of Death as they take on the hot-shooting No. 9 Japanese squad on Monday and No. 54 Lebanon on Tuesday.

Before heading to the ultra-modern metropolis that links Hong Kong to China’s mainland, the Nationals saw action in Taiwan’s Jones Cup but had little success.

They finished a dismal fifth place with a 1-4 record.

Meanwhile, Group A features No. 4 China, No. 26 New Zealand, No. 14 South Korea and No. 57 Indonesia.

Veterans Jack Animam and Vanessa De Jesus should be extra sharp along with Naomi Panganiban, Sumayah Sugapong, Ella Fajardo, Angel Surada and Khate Castillo.

Other members of the team are the country’s emerging stars in Kacey Dela Rosa, Kent Pastrana, Louna Ozar, Yvette Villanueva, and Cielo Pagdulagan, who all played key roles in their respective schools in the collegiate ranks.

FASHION PULIS: Controversial couple


 

By Mike Lim

Published Jul 12, 2025 11:37 am


At A Glance

Given the lack of posts of them together on social media, netizens assumed they're done.

Audacious Man (AM) is more public than Pretty Woman (PW). But PW was thrown in the limelight when netizens realized she was with AM.

AM is controversial as he was involved in a quiet scandal. He was not directly involved in the issue, but his agreement with his parent organization was suddenly cut.

The move was costly for the organization but principle prevailed as rumors were bound to create doubt on AM and the others involved.

However, AM rose above the issue and moved on.

AM subsequently fell for Entrepreneur Lady (EL). As a result, their moves were watched and the attention was overwhelming.

AM was able to explore his other strengths during this relationship. Fans thought they were bound for the altar. That was not the case though as the young couple eventually moved on and stayed away from each other for good.

The aftermath was challenging for AM. The public sympathy was with EL and AM couldn’t do anything about it except rise above the controversy.

PW subsequently faced the same wrath when she and AM were seen together in public. Her quiet world was rocked and love sought payment with the hate for AM directed at her.

Time passed and soon they were no longer being linked to EL.

Sadly, a new issue is in the grapevine. Given the lack of posts of them together on social media, netizens assumed they’re done.

‘I'm kind of ashamed to be a celebrity. I don't understand wanting to read about other people's dirty laundry. I think celebrity is the biggest red herring society has ever pulled on itself.’ — Jude Law

Moving on

After Dashing Personality (DP) was involved in a high-profile relationship with Model Actress (MA), he did not take much time to find someone new.

Over many years, DP and MA were perceived as a novelty. The two came from diverse worlds.

DP was a private person who minded his own responsibilities and constituents. MA was a public personality as her face has graced many functions as well as various forms of media. MA was reliable in her roles, whether she’s the good girl or the scheming villain.

The years passed and seeing either in their respective events thrilled followers. Their presence sent the message that they had a solid relationship as they painted each other’s world. Seeing their worlds merge increased hopes they were bound for forever. No one loudly disagreed. Fans rooted for them. Time was not kind, as events exposed certain issues.

While MA was caught in controversy that she subsequently denied, DP stood by her. Risking his name and privacy, DP protected MA.

MA felt she was secure and perhaps hoped DP was the one for her. Then, followers noticed the absence of DP in significant events and trips of MA.

Followers dismissed his absence to his busy schedule. The absence went on and the logical conclusion was that DP was no longer interested in pursuing anything long-term with MA.

The grapevine was then abuzz with MA pursuing a businessman but nothing seemed serious. Corollary to this gossip is that DP has also moved on. He allegedly is with a new non-showbiz woman. Perhaps, DP already wanted a quieter and more private relationship this time.

‘Once you've lost your privacy, you realize you've lost an extremely valuable thing.’ — Billy Graham

Follow @FashionPulis on Twitter and @fashionpulis on Instagram. Please continue to send your comments and juicy stories to fashionpulis2023@gmail.com. Thank you very much for loving www.fashionpulis.com. Till next Sunday...

Saturday, July 12, 2025

Why am I always tired?


 

Know what it takes to fix chronic fatigue


By Cheshire Que

Published Jul 7, 2025 01:34 pm


At A Glance

With the inhalation of oxygen and blood circulation, cells will be well oxygenated. This will make us more alert and energetic.

Do you wake up feeling refreshed, or are you more tired? Are you sluggish throughout the day? Do you feel like you’re always running on low battery? Perhaps you get things done, but end up so exhausted after each task is completed. Reflect on the last time you felt energetic like you could conquer the world without relying on caffeine or a chocolate bar. If you still feel easily fatigued even after getting eight hours of sleep, then you must look into the other factors that may make or break your energy reserves.

Have your hemoglobin checked

Hemoglobin is the red blood cell that carries oxygen throughout the body. Iron deficiency can lead to low hemoglobin levels, a condition known as iron deficiency anemia. Poor oxygenation compromises health. After all, we breathe to keep on living. Don’t just rely on iron supplementation. While elemental iron may be needed as supplementation to correct iron deficiency anemia, we must ensure that we consume iron from our daily food intake. Animal meat, like pork, beef, lamb, and liver, is a high source of heme iron. Unfortunately, they are also high in unwanted saturated fat and cholesterol. Furthermore, studies have shown that consumption of animal protein sources is related to pro-inflammatory reactions in the body that are related to many illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, cancer, and more. Too much iron from animal sources can cause iron overload, unlike the iron obtained from plant food. Therefore, the best choice is to eat plant sources of non-heme iron like mushrooms, dark green vegetables, soybeans and legumes, quinoa, string beans, potatoes, and broccoli. These plant sources of iron must be paired with vitamin C-rich food like citrus fruits, papaya, guava, tomatoes, cantaloupe melon, bell peppers, kiwi, and berries to enhance the absorption. Iron supplementation must not be taken as a maintenance because it is highly oxidative and linked to an increased risk of cancer development. Only take it when prescribed by a physician or registered nutritionist dietitian to correct nutrient imbalance.

Take care of your liver health

The liver is in charge of energy production in the body as a result of breaking down fat, protein, and carbohydrates through digestion in the gut from the food that we eat. If the liver is malfunctioning, energy levels will wane. The liver stores up glucose or sugar in the form of glycogen. It is also responsible for producing the powerful antioxidant glutathione, which combats oxidative stress in the body. High oxidative stress from unhealthy diet, exposure to stress, pollutants, inadequate sleep, exposure to toxic substances like smoking, alcohol, and recreational drugs are related to fatigue. If the liver is faulty, it cannot produce energy efficiently, as well as produce glutathione to neutralize free radicals from oxidative stress. Ensuring that we have a healthy liver means getting good quality sleep because the liver repairs itself at night. Individuals who eat late at night and sleep late tend to have a higher risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Alcohol consumption damages liver cells. The same goes for smoking and drug abuse. Consumption of fried and fatty food, including refined sugars like pastries, ice cream, sweets, chips, fast food, and the like, can be harmful to liver health. Cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, watercress, radish, arugula, bokchoy, turnips, and Brussels sprouts are abundant in sulforaphane, which promotes a healthy liver. It is important to chop and chew these vegetables properly for the bioactive compounds to be activated.

Have your thyroid gland checked by an endocrinologist

The tiny butterfly-shaped gland located in the front part of the neck is responsible for regulating metabolism. It is a process by which the body converts food into energy. An underactive thyroid, a condition known as hypothyroidism, will slow down metabolism. Resulting in less energy production and feelings of weakness and fatigue. On the other hand, an overactive thyroid gland, a condition known as hyperthyroidism, can lead to increased metabolism. One may initially feel energetic from the oversupply of energy. Sustained excess energy production and expenditure, however, will lead to exhaustion. Whether a person has an underactive or overactive thyroid gland, medical intervention is needed to correct the hormonal imbalance. A blood chemistry analysis will be requested by the physician to determine If there is an imbalance that needs to be corrected.

Watch your caffeine and sugar intake

Coffee and sugar, a great combination to perk up one’s senses when sluggish. Unfortunately, that sudden burst of energy will wane faster than it surged. The effect of caffeine, which is a stimulant, differs for each individual. Some may be more sensitive to it and may not need much to feel the effects, while others may be more immune to it. Needing a higher amount. Caffeine found in coffee, black tea, and cocoa blocks a brain chemical or neurotransmitter known as adenosine. This promotes sleep. Caffeine is absorbed rapidly in the gut lining. This is the reason why we immediately feel awake within minutes of taking a few sips of coffee in the morning. Once the effect of caffeine wanes, the adenosine attaches to receptors that make us more tired or sleepy. This pattern of crashing is similar to having a sugar rush and a sugar crash, the sudden rise and subsequent decrease in blood glucose in the blood. It’s not bad to have a cup of coffee or two a day or have some sweet treats once in a while. One must not rely on coffee and sugar to boost energy levels on a daily basis. It is important to be nourished with wholesome and minimally processed plant food sources to increase antioxidants in the body that will combat fatigue.

Be physically active

It may be counterintuitive to move around or exercise when one is tired. However, exercising or simply getting some movement done will help the body regain a lot of energy. As we exercise, we promote efficient blood circulation. We also tend to breathe in more oxygen. With the inhalation of oxygen and blood circulation, cells will be well oxygenated. This will make us more alert and energetic. Moreover, exercise helps the body produce the mood-regulating hormone serotonin, which is a precursor of the sleep hormone melatonin. When one has sufficient melatonin, good sleep is guaranteed. A good night’s sleep will always help the body repair, and you will wake up feeling refreshed. This, in turn, will relieve you of sluggishness, sleepiness, and fatigue the whole day.

Don’t just accept and make excuses for your fatigue. It is best to get down to the root cause of why you’re tired and address it.

cheshireque@gmail.com

Using technology vs. traffic violations


 

By Manila Bulletin

Published Jul 12, 2025 12:05 am


Motorists in Metro Manila can now expect to receive an SMS or an email after a traffic violation that’s committed in places monitored by AI-enabled cameras. Early this week, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) launched this significant update to its No-Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) – an SMS and email notification system that alerts violators in near real time.

Road safety will now be strengthened by sensors, smart systems, and swift enforcement. Through the use of artificial intelligence-capable cameras installed along Metro Manila’s busiest roads, the system captures traffic violations and transmits the data to the MMDA’s operations center. There, a team of trained personnel manually verifies each incident before a notification is sent to the registered owner of the vehicle. Within minutes, motorists receive a text message and an email with the unmistakable subject: “May Huli Ka!”

This update is more than just a technological tweak. It reflects a larger vision: to make road safety enforcement more efficient, transparent, and timely. MMDA Chairperson Don Artes committed to come up with more technological enhancements for NCAP such as providing a digital platform to contest the violation and to view the evidence.

This system—developed in partnership with telecommunications providers— will also offer convenience to motorists. Even without mobile data, violators will be informed, thanks to SMS alerts.

However, there are limits. Only violations captured by AI-equipped cameras are covered. Incidents recorded through manual enforcement or older equipment will not trigger notifications. With the expected reduction of traffic violations, this system should be adopted across the country, especially in the urban areas.

This shift toward digitized, AI-powered enforcement is part of a broader transformation in traffic management across the capital. The MMDA recently began replacing traditional countdown signal lights with sensor-based and adaptive signaling systems that respond to real-time traffic volume. In 96 intersections across the city, countdown timers have been removed, and AI-driven systems are gradually taking their place. These smart traffic lights adjust their timing based on actual road conditions, especially at night, reducing driver confusion and risky last-minute decisions.

Looking ahead, the MMDA aims to deploy AI-powered video detectors capable of reading vehicle speed, direction, and license plate numbers—tools that can drastically reduce crash risks, particularly at intersections.

These technological upgrades are not isolated innovations. They align with the Metro Manila Road Safety Action Plan (MMRSAP) 2024–2028, a multi-agency initiative launched to address the alarming frequency of road crashes in the region. With nearly 93,000 traffic incidents annually and hundreds of lives lost each year, the MMRSAP sets a bold target: a 35 percent reduction in road fatalities by 2028. It focuses on five pillars—safer roads, safer vehicles, safer road users, better post-crash responses, and stronger road safety governance.

As traffic systems modernize, so must the culture of road use. Reckless driving, distracted behavior, and “kamote” mindsets are not easily fixed by machines alone. Technology must be paired with education and enforcement—and most of all, accountability. Each violation avoided, each life saved, is a step toward a safer future.

The use of AI to enforce road rules is a reminder that road safety is not just the job of the government, but a shared responsibility.

Friday, July 11, 2025

MMFF 2025’s first 4 films promise horror, laughter and star power

 


Headlining the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival’s initial line-up of entries are major and fast-rising stars, including (clockwise, from top left) Vice Ganda, Nadine Lustre, Gerald Anderson, Piolo Pascual, FranSeth, Fyang Smith, Ivana Alawi and Dustin Yu.


Lyka Nicart - The Philippine Star 

July 10, 2025 | 12:00am

The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2025 has officially kicked off with the announcement of its first four official entries during the grand launch of the filmfest’s 51st edition with the theme, “A New Era for Philippine Cinema.”

According to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and MMFF concurrent chairman, lawyer Don Artes, the strong public support during the MMFF’s golden jubilee last year set a high standard for this year’s edition. The MMFF executive committee now hopes to keep that momentum going.

“We promise an even more exciting and engaging experience for the filmmakers and moviegoers alike for the 51st edition of the MMFF. With the first batch of entries revealed, get ready for an exciting cinematic journey in December,” said Artes during the event held at the Glorietta Palm Drive Activity Center, Makati City, on Tuesday afternoon.

For the MMFF’s 51st year, a total of 23 submissions were received, resulting in a competitive and challenging selection process.

“The MMFF’s call for entries, which yielded a large number of submissions, was overwhelming. The MMFF is committed to providing a platform for local filmmakers to connect with the audience. MMFF 51 is a new era for Philippine cinema,” said Artes.

The MMFF’s selection committee, headed by Boots Anson-Rodrigo, selected the first batch of entries from the script submissions, according to the following criteria: artistic excellence, commercial appeal, Filipino cultural sensibility and global appeal. Headlining the initial lineup are major stars, fueling excitement for what’s to come this year.

This includes “Call Me Mother,” set to be topbilled by Vice Ganda and Nadine Lustre, and produced by ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc., The IdeaFirst Company and Viva Communications, Inc. Director is Jun Robles Lana, who also wrote the script with Daisy Cayanan and Daniel Saniana.

Another entry is “Rekonek,” a production by Reality MM Studios under the direction of Jade Castro. Scriptwriters are Jericho Aguado, Leovic Arceta and Kat Naval.

The film’s cast is led by Carmina Villaroel, Gloria Diaz, Alexa Miro, Gerald Anderson and Zoren Legaspi.

“Manila’s Finest,” headlined by MMFF regular Piolo Pascual, is Cignal TV, Inc.’s entry for this year with Rae Red serving as a director. The script is written by Michiko Yamamoto, Moira Lang, Sherad Anthony Sanchez

Rounding up the list is the latest installment in the enduring horror franchise of Regal Entertainment, “Shake, Rattle and Roll: Evil Origins.” As the tradition, the film features three directors for the anthology film, namely Shugo Praico, Joey de Guzman and Ian Loreños.

Scriptwriters are Alex Castor, Onay Sales and Gina Marissa Tagasa. Lead actors are Ivana Alawi, Fyang Smith, Loisa Andalio, Ashley Ortega, Ysabel Ortega, Elijah Alejo, Carla Abellana, Marilyn Reynes, Janice de Belen, Kaila Estrada, Richard Gutierrez, Ryan Bang, JM Ibarra, Dustin Yu and the FranSeth loveteam (Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin).

These first four entries will form part of the official eight entries to the 51st MMFF to be shown in cinemas nationwide beginning on Dec. 25, Christmas Day.

The annual MMFF is organized by the MMDA and held during the Christmas season to support and celebrate Filipino films.

Proceeds from the MMFF go to a number of beneficiaries in the film industry, such as the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund), the Film Academy of the Philippines, the Motion Picture Anti-Film Piracy Council, the Optical Media Board, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).

Meanwhile, the grand launch was graced by Kapamilya Big 4 housemates Brent Manalo, River Joseph, Esnyr Ranollo and Ralph De Leon from the “Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition.”

The remaining four entries will be selected from finished film submissions with a deadline of Sept. 15. These will be unveiled on Sept. 30.

Other MMFF 2025 activities to watch out for are the MMFF 2025 media conference, Oct. 30; celebrity golf tournament, Nov. 12; Parade of the Stars, Dec. 19; nationwide showing of official entries, Dec. 25; and Gabi ng Parangal on Dec. 27.

PSEi dips as Washington hikes tariffs on Philippine goods

 


By James A. Loyola

Published Jul 10, 2025 04:58 pm



The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) closed lower on Thursday, July 10, after the United States (US) increased tariffs on goods from Manila.

The main index shed 41.14 points, or 0.63 percent, to settle at 6,463.20. Banks led the decline, while Services and Mining sectors saw strong gains.


Volume increased to 1.4 billion shares valued at P9.45 billion. Advancers still outnumbered decliners 107 to 85, with 55 issues unchanged.

“Philippine shares fell as investors remained on the sidelines due to renewed tariff threats, with markets declining further towards the close on Trump’s latest round of imposing new duties on imports,” said Luis Limlingan, Managing Director of Regina Capital Development Corporation.

The Philippines was among several countries impacted by the US' plan to impose a 20 percent tariff on exports, a notable increase from the 17 percent reciprocal rate announced in April.

Philstocks Financial Research Manager Japhet Tantiangco noted, “The PSEi closed down as investors took profits following a three-day rally.”

He added, “The local market’s sideways movement ended in negative territory, reflecting investors’ reaction to the US’ upward revision of its tariffs on Philippine exports.”

Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort stated that the PSEi corrected slightly lower after the higher tariff rates set by Trump. This could lead to slower demand for Philippine exports to the US, which accounted for 17 percent of the country's total exports in 2024.

Ricafort further commented, “The markets are still in a wait-and-see mode, anticipating whether Trump would be willing to compromise and settle for lower negotiated tariffs during the trade talks, given the TACO track record in recent months.”

He explained that “TACO” stands for “Trump Always Chickens Out,” referencing a pattern where Trump typically initiates with much higher tariffs as a negotiating tactic, then eventually settles for a significantly lower rate.

“Thus, there could be some volatility in the markets, but this is already partly priced in/expected, so it's not really as surprising anymore,” he noted.

Philippines, Brazil, 6 other nations slapped with higher US tariffs


 

President Donald Trump speaks to the media, Friday, June 27, 2025, in the briefing room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)


By The Associated Press

Published Jul 10, 2025 05:41 am


WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump singled out Brazil for import taxes of 50% on Wednesday for its treatment of its former president, Jair Bolsonaro, showing that personal grudges rather than simple economics are a driving force in the U.S. leader’s use of tariffs.

Trump avoided his standard form letter with Brazil, specifically tying his tariffs to the trial of Bolsonaro, who is charged with trying to overturn his 2022 election loss. Trump has described Bolsonaro as a friend and hosted the former Brazilian president at his Mar-a-Lago resort when both were in power in 2020.


“This Trial should not be taking place,” Trump wrote in the letter posted on Truth Social. “It is a Witch Hunt that should end IMMEDIATELY!”

There is a sense of kinship as Trump was indicted in 2023 for his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election. The U.S. president addressed his tariff letter to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who bested Bolsonaro in 2022.

Bolsonaro testified before the country’s Supreme Court in June over the alleged plot to remain in power after his 2022 election loss. Judges will hear from 26 other defendants in coming months. A decision could come as early as September, legal analysts say. Bolsonaro has already been ruled ineligible until 2030 by the country’s electoral authorities.

Brazil’s vice president, Geraldo Alckmin, said he sees “no reason” for the U.S. to hike tariffs on the South American nation.

“I think he has been misinformed,” he said. “President Lula was jailed for almost two years. No one questioned the judiciary. No one questioned what the country had done. This is a matter for our judiciary branch.”

For Trump, the tariffs are personal

Trump also objected to Brazil’s Supreme Court fining of social media companies such as X, saying the temporary blocking last year amounted to “SECRET and UNLAWFUL Censorship Orders.” Trump said he is launching an investigation as a result under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which applies to companies with trade practices that are deemed unfair to U.S. companies.

Unmentioned in the letter was that X is owned by Elon Musk, Trump’s multibillionaire backer in the 2024 election whose time leading Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency recently ended and led to a public feud over the U.S. president’s deficit-increasing budget plan. Trump also owns a social media company, Truth Social.

The Brazil letter was a reminder that politics and personal relations with Trump matter just as much as any economic fundamentals. And while Trump has said the high tariff rates he’s setting are based on trade imbalances, it was unclear by his Wednesday actions how the countries being targeted would help to reindustrialize America.

The tariffs starting Aug. 1 would be a dramatic increase from the 10% rate that Trump levied on Brazil as part of his April 2 “Liberation Day” announcement. In addition to oil, Brazil sells orange juice, coffee, iron and steel to the U.S., among other products. The U.S. ran a $6.8 billion trade surplus with Brazil last year, according to the Census Bureau.

Trump initially announced his broad tariffs by declaring an economic emergency, arguing under a 1977 law that the U.S. was at risk because of persistent trade imbalances. But that rationale becomes problematic in this particular case, as Trump is linking his tariffs to the Bolsonaro trial and the U.S. exports more to Brazil than it imports.

Trump also targeted smaller trade partners

Trump also sent letters Wednesday to the leaders of seven other nations. None of them — the Philippines, Brunei, Moldova, Algeria, Libya, Iraq and Sri Lanka — is a major industrial rival to the United States.

Most economic analyses say the tariffs will worsen inflationary pressures and subtract from economic growth, but Trump has used the taxes as a way to assert the diplomatic and financial power of the U.S. on both rivals and allies. His administration is promising that the taxes on imports will lower trade imbalances, offset some of the cost of the tax cuts he signed into law on Friday and cause factory jobs to return to the United States.

Trump, during a White House meeting with African leaders, talked up trade as a diplomatic tool. Trade, he said, “seems to be a foundation” for him to settle disputes between India and Pakistan, as well as Kosovo and Serbia.

“You guys are going to fight, we’re not going to trade,” Trump said. “And we seem to be quite successful in doing that.”

On Monday, Trump placed a 35% tariff on Serbia, one of the countries he was using as an example of how fostering trade can lead to peace.

Trump said the tariff rates in his letters were based on “common sense” and trade imbalances, even though the Brazil letter indicated otherwise. Trump suggested he had not thought of penalizing the countries whose leaders were meeting with him in the Oval Office — Liberia, Senegal, Gabon, Mauritania and Guinea-Bissau — as “these are friends of mine now.”

Countries are not complaining about the rates outlined in his letters, he said, even though those tariffs have been generally close to the ones announced April 2 that rattled financial markets. The S&P 500 stock index rose Wednesday.

“We really haven’t had too many complaints because I’m keeping them at a very low number, very conservative as you would say,” Trump said.

Tariff uncertainty returns with Trump’s letters

Officials for the European Union, a major trade partner and source of Trump’s ire on trade, said Tuesday that they are not expecting to receive a letter from Trump listing tariff rates. The Republican president started the process of announcing tariff rates on Monday by hitting two major U.S. trading partners, Japan and South Korea, with import taxes of 25%.

According to Trump’s Wednesday letters, imports from Libya, Iraq, Algeria and Sri Lanka would be taxed at 30%, those from Moldova and Brunei at 25% and those from the Philippines at 20%. The tariffs would start Aug. 1.

The Census Bureau reported that last year that the U.S. ran a trade imbalance on goods of $1.4 billion with Algeria, $5.9 billion with Iraq, $900 million with Libya, $4.9 billion with the Philippines, $2.6 billion with Sri Lanka, $111 million with Brunei and $85 million with Moldova. The imbalance represents the difference between what the U.S. exported to those countries and what it imported.

Taken together, the trade imbalances with those seven countries are essentially a rounding error in a U.S. economy with a gross domestic product of $30 trillion.

The letters were posted on Truth Social after the expiration of a 90-day negotiating period with a baseline levy of 10%. Trump is giving countries more time to negotiate with his Aug. 1 deadline, but he has insisted there will be no extensions for the countries that receive letters.

The tariff letters are worded aggressively in Trump’s style of writing. He frames the tariffs as an invitation to “participate in the extraordinary Economy of the United States,” adding that the trade imbalances are a “major threat” to America’s economy and national security.

The president threatened additional tariffs on any country that attempts to retaliate. He said he chose to send the letters because it was too complicated for U.S. officials to negotiate with their counterparts in the countries with new tariffs. It can take years to broker trade accords.

The war for peace



By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com


IT’S, of course, intriguing that while Christ is known to often greet his disciples with peace, as in “Peace be with you” (cfr. Jn 20,19; Jn 20,21), he also said at one time: “Do not think that I came to send peace upon earth; I came not to send peace, but the sword.” (Mt 10,34)


Christ is supposed to be the Prince of Peace. (cfr Is 9,6) At his birth, a host of angels sang praises to him: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!” (Lk 2,13) Then why did he say he has not come to establish peace on the earth?


We have to understand that the sword Christ mentioned here does not mean to be destructive but rather constructive, driven by love and the desire to be united with God and with the others in a way proper to us as children of God and brothers and sisters among ourselves.


Our life here on earth cannot but be in some form of struggle. Aside from our innate urge to grow and develop that requires some effort, we also have to contend with the enemies of God and of our soul, whose sole intent is precisely to bring us down, to divert us from our proper path toward holiness.


We are not simply ranged against natural difficulties, challenges and trials in life, but also against very powerful and subtle nemeses. The natural enemies alone are already formidable.


But we still have enemies tougher than these. As St. Paul said, “Our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and power, against the rulers of the world of darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places.” (Eph 6,12)


Truth is many people—in fact, I would say all of us one way or another—are looking for effective ways to develop our spiritual life and to be skillful in the unavoidable spiritual warfare in this life.


People, including the young ones whose stirring for the spiritual can be sharp and intense if hidden, want to know, for example, how to pray, or how to keep it going amid the many concerns in life. Getting engaged with God all throughout the day eludes them.


The answer could very well be that war and peace somehow go together. To have peace, some war has to be waged. It cannot be any other way. A peace without a war, given our wounded condition, is a false peace.


And that’s simply because our life here on earth necessarily involves some warfare. The forces of good and evil do their battle all over the place, first in the hearts of men and then in many other arenas—practically in all the fields where human freedom is involved.


It’s true that peace is part of the ultimate goal all of us are seeking. It’s part of that inmost longing for joy that every human heart possesses. But to have that peace, we need to wage war precisely against those forces and elements that would undermine our pristine desire for endless peace.


That is how we have to understand those words of Christ cited above. He wants us to make war against the enemies of God and of men. And this war can take very subtle forms as when we have to contend with the so-called sweet poisons. We should always be on guard, and prepared to do battle against anything that goes against our own true good.


OUR INTERNAL CONFLICTS


 

Internal conflict refers to the struggle within a person's mind, a battle between opposing desires, values, or needs. It can manifest as a clash between what one wants to do and what one believes is right, or between different aspects of one's personality or values. These conflicts can be a source of stress and can impact various aspects of life, including work, relationships, and personal well-being. 


With individual internal conflict, we find ourselves at war with, well, ourselves. We have a strong desire to do something that's in conflict with our beliefs, values, or self-image. An example might be wanting to eat healthy foods, but stopping for fast food when tired.


We are in conflict with ourselves many times during life. Our future gives cause for concern; the past is captured, therefore we miss the future.


The grief and sorrow asked the hope, "How are you?" The hope answered, " I am a little bit low and sad today!" The sorrow replied sarcastically, "I hope so!"


When conflict is mismanaged, it can cause great harm to a relationship, but when handled in a respectful, positive way, conflict provides an opportunity to strengthen the bond between two people. Whether you’re experiencing conflict at home, work, or school, learning these skills can help you resolve differences in a healthy way and build stronger, more rewarding relationships.


When people get angry with each other, they often say or do things without realizing the cause of their feelings. Understanding the dynamics behind a conflict can make it easier to resolve issues. This insight also can help you mediate a conflict between friends and relatives. Many experts break personal and professional conflicts down into basic types, based on the underlying causes of disagreements and the dynamics.


Nobody really knows what might happen after reaching the retirement age. Sure, if we can observe our neighbors and all other people in our surroundings, we really don't like to know it. If we treat ourselves with care, our real age will not be shown. I won't make any secret about celebrating my 70th birthday sometime next year. I enjoy it. I am proud to reach this age with God's help.


It seems that the respectable treatment of our beloved seniors around us are disappearing into the past and are forgotten by the younger generation. Praising the elderly nowadays means to attest to their impudent and imperishable youthfulness.  I am sure, with His help many seniors are still strong, still indefatigable, still a phenomenon, still intellectual and still spiritual on top!


Let's not forget our respect, when sometimes just being artificial or  affected by stammering, that "our old lady" or "our old gentleman" hasn't become senile yet.


On our way to an honorable and respectful age we should try to fulfill some of our greatest longings in life.


During the last decades, I met many people around the whole globe. Unbelievable, I found out, no matter where in this world, the conflicting attitude is everywhere. "It's an absolute certainty, those doubts are the main certainty!" stressed already the German author, philosopher and dramatist Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956).


Please allow me, once in a while, to be able to say NO. Please allow me to delete inferior and defeatist feelings. Please allow me to admit that I can't do everything during a single day. Please allow me to no longer be afraid about other people and their spiteful comments about me.  


People love a good story. But what makes great literature so compelling? Is it the setting, the plot, the characters — or the rich inner world created by all of these things together?


The stories that rise to the status of “classics” are the ones that paint a character’s internal struggles against a larger, external conflict. Katniss wants to save her sister, at the risk of her own life. Frodo wants to return to the Shire, but the fate of Middle-earth depends on him.


It’s good reading, for sure, and all of us hope that we’d be as noble and heroic when the time comes. But as the main character in our own great dramas, we’re painfully aware of the choices (big or small) in our own lives — and the answers don’t always seem as clear as they do on the page.


Unlike external conflicts, which are forces that feel like they’re acting “on” us, internal conflicts are contradictions between a closely-held value and a course of action. If you find yourself pondering a decision, chances are, there’s some type of internal conflict at play.  


Conflict in literature tends to be clear because we only know what the author tells us about a character. In fantasy literature (my favorite kind) there’s often tension between what a character wants and what the world needs them to be. The plot of the book hinges on a few, pivotal decisions that often have the ability to decide the fate of the world.


If we take fantasy novels as a metaphor for our own inner lives, we can see how seemingly-small choices feel like they have earth-shattering consequences. This inner turmoil is known as cognitive dissonance. Because the psychological discomfort of cognitive dissonance is so painful, we’ll go through some pretty impressive hoops to overcome it. We might think of it as our very own Mount Doom.


Please allow me to accept my silence. Please accept me being terribly tired from time to time. Please allow me to be excused even without having an intelligent reply. Please allow me to be carried by salvation and bliss.


Hopefully, we may have enough understanding people with us to accompany us during the voyage of our sometimes very conflicting life.

NOBLE HEARTS AND MINDS


 

A Leader with a noble heart gives us a noble sense of moral support. Noble leadership is not about the self, but about caring for others, supporting others, guiding others, knowing that the needs of others are met and bringing out their best. A Leader with a noble heart gives us a noble sense of honor.


In times of natural disasters and again quickly dwindling hopes of many people around me (expats AND Filipinos), I still feel inspired to put the cart before the horse.


Maybe at the end of this piece I'll tread the footsteps of other columnists and commentators. So be it!


Pride comes before a fall - but never magnanimity. The dictionary defines magnanimity as in greatness of mind and generosity of heart especially in forgiveness. Filipinos oftentimes are really magnanimous people. Especially nowadays, Filipinos seem to have the quality of being high souled, rising above pettiness or meanness and the generosity in overlooking injury or insult.


The late Harry Emerson Fosdick, a famous Protestant teacher wrote: "No man ever saved anybody, or served any great or left any enduring impression, who was not willing to forget indignities, bear no grudges. The world's saviours have all, in one way and another, loved their enemies and done them good!"


Magnanimity, applied to relations between nations and/or people, transforms hostility into helpfulness. Consider the massive assistance the U.S. provided to its former enemies following World War II, enabling them to rebuild their blasted cities and shattered economies.


No 'West Berlin inhabitant' (and count me in!) will forget the U.S. airlift during the East German-Russian blockade, when the so-called "raisin bomber planes" kept West-Berlin and its people alive. Especially now, because of the 20th anniversary of the Berlin wall falling on November 9, 2009, such remembrances are coming back and let me write this piece.


The Philippine nation again faces a  lot of trials. These trials will prove the strengths of the Filipino people. But, not every tragedy unites a nation.


What quality in human character do you consider the most admirable of all? How about tolerance toward another's viewpoint without smugness? How about refusal to judge another's actions or motives without first knowing what lies behind them?


U.S. writer Clarence W. Hall said: "Magnanimity must be developed and habitual by practice, but it's a virtue that sweetens and glorifies life." Very well said.


People with a noble heart and mind are fond of daydreams. Of course fantasies don't have to be a flight away from reality. In fact, psychologists are discovering more and more that they can play a creative role in  self-development and a better mutual understanding. It's also one of the best things for the well being of a nation.


"Noble hearts and minds" refers to individuals who possess both strong moral character and intellectual depth. It signifies a person who is not only kind, compassionate, and virtuous (a "noble heart") but also possesses wisdom, insight, and a capacity for thoughtful consideration (a "noble mind").


Compassion and Empathy: A noble heart is characterized by genuine care and concern for others, showing empathy and a willingness to help.


The phrase "noble hearts and minds" suggests a holistic ideal of human excellence, combining ethical conduct with intellectual depth. It is a concept that has been revered throughout history and across cultures, inspiring individuals to strive for both moral virtue and intellectual growth. 

Thursday, July 10, 2025

Philippine Pre colonial, Heritage & Trivia

The kutyapi (Boat lute) is a traditional Filipino string instrument with distinct cultural and musical significance.
In various Philippine languages, the instrument is also called: kutyapi, kutiapi (Maguindanaon), kotyapi (Maranao), kotapi (Subanon), fegereng (Tiruray), faglong, fuglung (B'laan), kudyapi (Bukidnon and Tagbanwa), hegelong (T’boli), kuglong, kadlong, kudlong or kudlung (Manobo, Mansaka, Mandaya, Bagobo and Central Mindanao), and kusyapi (Palawan).
Here are some key facts about it:
1. Type of Instrument: The kudyapi (also called kutyapi) is a two-stringed lute, traditionally played in Mindanao and Palawan regions of the Philippines.
2. Materials Used: It is typically made from solid wood, with the body carved into a boat-like shape. The strings are usually made of natural fibers, nylon, or metal.
3. Number of Strings: It has two strings—one used for playing the melody and the other as a drone.
4. Cultural Significance: The kudyapi is commonly associated with the indigenous groups in Mindanao, such as the Maguindanao, Maranao, and Manobo peoples. It is an integral part of their rituals, courtship, and storytelling.
5. Tuning and Play Style: The strings are tuned to different pitches, often in pentatonic scales. It is played by plucking, sometimes with a plectrum or by fingerpicking.
6. Decoration: The kudyapi is often decorated with intricate carvings and designs, reflecting the culture and artistry of the community it belongs to.
7. Traditional Use: It is used to accompany chants, poetry, and traditional dances. The music often carries themes of love, heroism, or social commentary.
8. Contemporary Use: Today, the kudyapi is also used in modern Filipino music and performances as a way to preserve and promote Filipino cultural heritage.
May be an image of text that says 'Tboli Mandaya Pala'wan Pala' wan BagoboMranao Bagobo Mranao Tboli Maguindanaon dan naon Magui'
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