This might not be the typical expat blog, written by a German expat, living in the Philippines since 1999. It's different. In English and in German. Check it out! Enjoy reading!
Dies mag' nun wirklich nicht der typische Auswandererblog eines Deutschen auf den Philippinen sein. Er soll etwas anders sein. In Englisch und in Deutsch! Viel Spass beim Lesen!
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 Manila Bulletin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Manila Bulletin. Show all posts
The former members of K-pop girl group 2NE1 celebrated their 15th anniversary by releasing group photos and greeting their fans.
2NE1 debuted in May 2009 under YG Entertainment with Sandara Park, CL, Minzy and Park Bom. In November 2016, the agency announced the group’s disbandment.
(From left) 2NE1's Sandara Park, CL, Minzy and Park Bom pose for a photo to mark their 15th anniversary (Instagram)
On May 17 KST, Sandara, CL, Minzy and Park Bom uploaded photos on their Instagram accounts showing them in group photos and greeted their fans.
It was on May 17, 2009 when 2NE1 made their debut performance on a TV music show following the release of their song “Fire.”
Along with the photos, each member greeted fans.
“2NE1 has always been my house that made me feel the freedom to love, to play, to express , to create , to shine , to mix, to connect and share with people. Hope today 2NE1 reminds you to feel your light ::) Thank you alwayz NOLZA,” CL wrote.
“Happy 15th anniversary. Love you, BlackJack,” Minzy posted on Instagram.
Park Bom wrote, “#214L Happy 15th anniversary 2NE1.”
In April 2022, 2NE1 had a reunion performance at Coachella in the US, performing “I’m The Best” at Coachella’s main stage as part of 88rising’s Head in the Clouds Forever.
Just in time for the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Gold House, the nonprofit organization that amplifies Asian Pacific Americans (AAPI) voices, laid out its red carpet for its annual Gold Gala. Now in its third year, the event aims to put the spotlight on Asian Pacific changemakers through its A100 list.
This year, the gala took place at the Music Center in downtown Los Angeles on May 11. On the red carpet, major style moments were served by its attendees, which include noted Filipino personalities. Check out what they wore below:
Geena Rocero (Photo by Sthanlee Mirador)
Geena Rocero
Transgender advocate and “Horse Barbie” author Geena Rocero donned a black strapless gown from Rick Owens’ spring-summer 2024 collection and adorned it with her #Artists4Ceasefire pin.
R’Bonney Gabriel (Photo from @rbonneynola/Instagram)
R’Bonney Gabriel
Filipino designer Ehrran Montoya crafted an ultramarine blue gown, an ode to the classic Maria Clara, for Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel.
Bella Poarch (Photos from @bellapoarch/Instagram)
Bella Poarch
Social media star Bella Poarch was simply enchanting in her two-piece coquette style Filipiniana ensemble by Filipino designer Vania Romoff. She also served another Filipiniana look, only more dramatic, by Filipino designer Abdul Gaffar.
Gordon Cormier (Photo from @gordoncormier_official/Instagram)
Gordon Cormier
“Avatar: The Last Airbender” star Gordon Cormier charmed everyone on the red carpet with his custom ivory look by New York-based brand Saaf Garments.
Bianca Bustamante (Photo from @racerbia/Instgaram)
Bianca Bustamante
Filipina racing driver Bianca Bustamante was a vision of elegance in a pale blue creation by Filipino designer Monique Lhuillier.
Manny Jacinto (Photo from @ilariaurbinati/Instagram)
Manny Jacinto
“The Acolyte” star Manny Jacinto looked dashing in his Eleventy Milano ensemble.
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on Tuesday, May 14, announced that 7,749 out of 11,116 examinees passed the Philippine Nurses Licensure Examination.
(Photo from PRC)
PRC said the top scorer in the said exam is Abigail Escueta Cayanan of St. Jude College-Dasmariñas, Cavite, Inc., garnering a 92.60 percent rating.
Jim Jerico Cedric Garo Uy of Saint Paul University-Tuguegarao followed with an average of 91.80 percent, and Mary Vhinne Anne Verzo Colandog of Southern Luzon State University-Lucban with an average of 91.60.
(Photo from PRC)
The examination held on May 6 and 7 was facilitated by the Board of Nursing in testing centers in Metro Manila, Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Koronadal, Legazpi, Lucena, Pagadian, Pampanga, Rosales, Tacloban, Tuguegarao, Zamboanga and Puerto Princesa.
Despite key risks, German firms operating in the country are more bullish on their outlook of the local economy in the next 12 months, with both investment and employment figures showing optimism, according the latest survey conducted by the German–Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI – AHK Philippinen).
The Spring 2024 AHK World Business Outlook Survey released Monday, May 13, by the GPCCI also identified key risks that could impact future economic growth, which include economic policy conditions, high energy prices, and challenges related to supply chain disruptions and infrastructure.
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The Spring 2024 survey reports that half (50%) of the German-Philippine businesses are still optimistic in their business situation. The same trend is reported on company expectations, which showed positive results, with a majority (61%) of the responding firms forecasting confidence in business development for the next 12 months. Notably, the local economic projections in the next 12 months significantly increased by 17 points at 55 percent. Investments and employment also followed this trend with increased projections at 44 percent and 61 percent, respectively (from 39% and 54% in Fall 2023).
“It's encouraging to see such confidence from businesses involved in German-Philippine relations, forecasting a bullish local economy. This optimism surely points to a thriving environment in the Philippines for both investment and job creation over the next 12 months," said GPCCI President Marie Antoniette Mariano.
The GPCCI statement attributed the optimism to the series of events in the first quarter of 2024 that have evidently bolstered bilateral relations between the Philippines and Germany. These events include German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock's visit in January, President Marcos' subsequent visit to Germany in early March, and the convening the 2nd Joint Economic Commission in mid-March.
In terms of top risks for German businesses, the survey showed that economic policy conditions topped the list due to complex regulations, frequent policy changes, and extensive bureaucracy creating an unpredictable environment. High energy prices also pose a significant concern, impacting profit margins and operational costs, particularly for energy-intensive sectors like manufacturing.
Additionally, challenges such as supply chain disruptions and infrastructure are tied for third, with both factors contributing to operational inefficiencies.
“To capitalize on the current economic optimism, it's imperative that the Philippine government work closely with businesses to resolve these identified challenges,” said GPCCI Board Director and Policy and Advocacy Chairperson Dr. Marian Norbert Majer.
“Addressing these issues can help create a more predictable and favorable business environment and ensure that this bullish momentum translates into substantial outcomes that will help the Philippines attain its sustained economic growth,” Majer added.
GPCCI also said that survey respondents have taken proactive steps towards enhancing the resilience of their business operations. As part of their diversification strategies, they have reported expanding their supplier networks and exploring new sales markets to mitigate the risks of future disruptions.
Efforts at diversification are likewise facing challenges with increased legal and regulatory issues ranked as their top concern, followed by difficulties in finding suitable suppliers or business partners, and the high costs associated with expanding business operations.
Notably, more than half (55%) of respondents said they are only averagely prepared to handle international crises and geopolitical risks. GPCCI pointed to a moderate level of resilience among the survey respondents with only 34 percent consider their readiness as good. “Our network continuously assesses the resilience of German companies' supply chains at their international locations, aiming to significantly mitigate the risk of future disruptions, such as transport interruptions or the sudden loss of production facilities.” said GPCCI Executive Director Christopher Zimmer. “We see that our respondents in the Philippines are actively enhancing the resilience of their operations by expanding supplier networks and venturing into new markets.”
Almost 70 companies related to German-Philippines business relations participated in the spring edition survey coming from the services (59%), trade (14%), and the manufacturing or construction sectors (27%). 58% of the respondents have less than 100 employees, 25% have 100 to 1,000 employees, and 17% have more than 1,000 employees. In terms of company type, 48% of the respondents are local companies without a branch in Germany, 28% are subsidiary/branch/representations of a German company, 9% are international companies without a branch in Germany, 8% are international companies with a branch in Germany, and 6% are local companies with a branch in Germany.
GPCCI / AHK Philippinen belongs to the international network of German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHKs) which is represented by 150 offices in 93 countries.
It took a few years but in 1914, then US President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day a national holiday and by virtue of us being an American colony, the tradition of celebrating Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of May has been kept.
Mother’s Day in the Philippines is tomorrow. If you haven’t yet found a gift or want a more novel and meaningful token of your appreciation for your mom, I will talk you through a few quick and easy DIY Mother’s Day gift projects but before that let us remind ourselves how this annual celebration came to be.
MOTHER KNOWS BEST Ana Reeves Jarvis was a Sunday school teacher and social worker who taught poor families in the US how to take care of themselves
The modern-day tradition of setting aside one Sunday to honor mothers was started by a spinster from Philadelphia, US named Anna Jarvis. Ana was the daughter of Ana Reeves Jarvis more popularly known as “Mother Jarvis,” a social activist, Sunday School teacher in Virginia, and founder of the Mother’s Day Work Clubs in 1858. These Mother’s Day Work Clubs (later known as the Mother’s Friendship Clubs) wanted to “educate poor families to combat poor health and unsanitary living conditions.” You see Mother Jarvis had 13 children but only four survived into adulthood. It was said that this was not unusual in West Virginia where the Jarvis lived as infant mortality rates were high on account of “poor sanitary conditions and hygiene practices and the very limited availability of professional physicians.”
FOUNDER OF MOTHER’S DAY Ana Jarvis, daughter of Mother Jarvis
During the American Civil War (1861-1865) the Mother’s Day Work Clubs, despite being predominantly located in the state of Virginia, remained neutral and tended to the injured, sick, and dying Union (North) and Confederate (South) soldiers. The Civil War centered on the moral issue of slavery. The North led by President Abraham Lincoln comprised of the following states: Maine, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, California, Nevada, and Oregon. While the Confederacy included Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. The North fought for the abolition of slavery. It won the war in 1865. When Mother Jarvis’ daughter Ana was 12 years old, the young Ana heard her mother offering a prayer, “ I hope and pray that someone, sometime, will found a memorial Mother’s Day commemorating her for the matchless service she renders humanity in every field of life. She is entitled to it.” Upon Mother Jarvis’ death in 1905, Ana worked to make her mother’s prayer come true. It took a few years but in 1914, then US President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day a national holiday and by virtue of us being an American colony, the tradition of celebrating Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of May has been kept.
Ironically, not 10 years after Mother’s Day was declared as an annual national holiday, Ana turned from advocate to critic, What she fought against its commercialization. On the same line of veering away from the commercialization of this annual celebration of Mothers’ love and hard work, here is a simple yet meaningful and easy DIY piece for Mother’s Day.
Materials: Asst colored or scratch paper Scissors Paper (for flowers and leaves) Old manila folder or cardboard box (for stems) Glue gun Spray paint/poster paint/colored markers/colored pencils/crayons* Clean glass jar (cleaned out mayo, sardinas, pickle glass jar) Image of one’s mother, you, or your family members
On a piece of paper (new/scratch/colored), draw the shape of a leaf. You can also Google “leaf template” and pick the desired shape and print. Do this for the flowers as well. For the stems cut out strips ½ inch by two inches strops for trunk and ¼ inch by two inches branches. I normally create a set of three flowers big and two small flowers then add another set until you have the desired volume. Attach leaves and flowers with the glue gun and when you have decided on volume, you can start attacking the bottom of the stems to the inside of the bottle cap. When all stems are secured by a glue gun, insert paper floral arrangements into a glass jar. You can add photos of you or your family and perhaps a Mother’s Day greeting with the year. Who knows this project can be a family tradition for many years to come. I have been a fan of the tradition of Globe de Mariee Display pieces. Well, the tradition of capturing a moment whether it be through memorabilia, pieces of art, or even of everyday things because it’s one way of storing things that you can find right away – especially nowadays when you tend to forget where you put things – in glass domes or bottles. Perhaps it’s associated with happy memories of my childhood experiences when I’d look around in wonder at imagine eating those deliciously sweet things contained in the glass jars of our local sari-sari store.
The decorative art of the French Globe De Mariee became fashionable in the 19th century. These glass domes were started on the day of marriage and added to with other objects from various milestones in their married life. It’s like a living time capsule. I really like that. I suppose not only is it aesthetically and symbolically beautiful but almost impossible for me who can’t throw things away. To be able to store all that I thought important in that jar spanning a lifetime would be as possible as one colleague of mine put it, “like going to the moon on slingshot and back!” This artform is truly the height of aspiration for me, but beautiful nonetheless.
For Catholics, we often associate these glass globes containing relics and statues of saints and the Virgin Mary. The use of glass domes to contain religious objects also appeared in the 1800s when glass-blowing technology advanced enough to “create large and clear glass pieces” that could be used to contain and preserve valuable and delicate objects. Using domes also made it easier to transport religious icons and securing objects when displayed. In addition, being contained in a glass dome added to the aesthetic appeal. Through the clear glass, the item renders a striking visual display of craftsmanship, religious dedication, and faith.
The Philippines placed first out of 193 countries on the 2023 World Risk Index list, which ranks countries based on susceptibility to natural disasters including typhoons, floods, earthquakes, and drought.
Since its launch in 2011, the annual report, published by the Bündnis Entwicklung Hilft and the Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict at Ruhr University Bochum, has ranked the Philippines with a "very high" risk index, which describes index score of 12.89 to 100, the highest classification among five.
Notably, the country’s WRI score skyrocketed from 21.39 in 2021 to 46.82 in 2022, when it topped the list first time. PH marked a 46.86 index score in 2023, nearly quadruple the “very high” index baseline, followed by Indonesia at 43.50 and India at 41.52.
“Diversity plays a significant role in how disaster risk is distributed within a society,” the report stated. “While it is true that disasters, extreme natural events, and crises affect everyone in the immediate surroundings, the impact of the negative consequences tends to be more severe for marginalized groups.”
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Sixth Assessment Report, low-income countries suffer the harshest climate impacts despite low contribution to global emissions.
From COP’s all-talk-low-action stance to unmet reparation vows for climate adaptation, it may not take a genius to know why the Philippines, a developing nation, is inadvertently the country most prone to disasters.
Sunshine confidently asserts that she is presently thriving in a life full of happiness and contentment.
Sunshine Cruz (2nd from right) with daughters Angelina, Sam, and Chesca (Facebook)
Actress Sunshine Cruz has announced that she is slowing down her showbiz career to focus on her three daughters.
"I want to focus on my kids muna kasi malalaki na sila. And they need guidance," said Sunshine. Her three lovely daughters are Angelina, Chesca and Sam.
She added: "Kasi si Angelina last year na niya sa college. So, Dean's List with honors. Sam, first-year college, Dean's Lister's din. Second honor naman si Sam. Cheska just finished her senior high.
(Angelina is in her last year in college. She is on the dean's list with honors. Sam, a first-year college student, is also on the dean's list. Sam is second honor. Cheska just finished her senior high.)
"First choice niya sa school is Ateneo. Nakuha naman niya. So meron na akong Atenista at dalawang Lasallian. Kaya ko pa naman mag provide. Andyan din naman yung tatay nila so co-parenting kami.
(Her first choice in school is Ateneo, which she got. So, I already have Atenean and two Lasallian. I can still provide them. Their father (Cesar Montano) is also there, so we are co-parenting.)
"All of them sing, but the ones who have a contract with Universal Records are Sam and Angelina. Pero focus pa rin talaga sila sa studies. Ang pagtatrabaho kapag maganda ang natapos niyo, mag uunahan pa sa inyo ang trabaho," she said.
(All of them sing, but the ones with a contract with Universal Records are Sam and Angelina. But they are still really focused on their studies. They should study hard so that they can have a good job.)
Aside from taking care of her children, Sunshine said she wants to rest for a while, considering she has been working non-stop since 2013.
"I want to rest because I've been working on overlapping projects since 2013. So I think this time mas maganda na magfocus muna ako sa mga bata," said Sunshine during the launch of her latest endorsement for Thiocell Glutathione Lozenge, which was held in Quezon City recently. Thiocell is the first and only Glutathione in lozenge form that allows glutathione to be absorbed by the body quickly, safely, and effectively, as reported in the International Journal of Dermatology.
Sunshine confidently asserts that she is presently thriving in a life full of happiness and contentment.
"My life is very happy. I am happy and content. I have endorsements. God is good. Bihira sa age ko na 46 at pinagkakatiwalaan pa rin ng mga brands. So that alone, I am very blessed.
(My life is happy. I am happy and content. I have endorsements. God is good. It's rare at my age of 46, and brands still trust me. So that alone, I am very blessed.)
"And I have three beautiful and intelligent kids. So wala na akong mahihiling pa. Kung ano man ang dumating sa akin at kung ano man ang hindi dumating sa akin, I am still blessed.
(And I have three beautiful and intelligent kids. So I can't ask for anything more. Whatever comes to me and whatever doesn't come to me, I am still blessed.)
"I have to guide them and self-love muna. We have to love ourselves first. Alagaan natin ang sarili natin dahil isa lang ang katawan natin. We cannot expect a person to love us kung hindi natin muna mamahalin ang sarili natin," she added.
(I have to guide them and self-love first. We have to love ourselves first. Let's take care of ourselves because we only have one body. We cannot expect someone to love us if we don't love ourselves first.)
Sunshine Cruz
Advice for her girls
Sunshine allowed her daughters to date now that they are no longer minors.
"Meron ng nanliligaw matagal na. Very open ang communication ko sa kanila tungkol dyan. Alangan naman magtago or tumakas yung bata.
(I have an open communication with them about being courted. At least they are not hiding or running away.)
"So mas maganda alam ng nanay. Kasi ang nanay naman ang makakapag advice ng maganda at maayos para sa mga bata.
(So the mother knows better. The mother can give proper advice to the children.)
Sunshine reminds her children to be cautious and avoid acting foolishly.
"Don't be stupid. Be careful. Kasi sayang naman ang galing nila sa school. Isang pagkakamali lang magbabago na ang buhay mo. So hinahayaan ko naman na enjoy nila ang kanilang kabataan kung gusto nilang lumabas with friends.
(Don't be stupid. Be careful. It's a shame, considering they are educated. Just one mistake and your life will change. So I let them enjoy their youth if they want to go out with friends.)
"Hindi na sila menor de edad so pwede na silang makipag date. So the only thing that I can do is mag advice sa kanila at kausapin sila. It's up to them kung papakinggan nila ako but of course nandoon ang prayers na sana pakinggan nila ako.
(They are no longer minors, so they can start dating. So the only thing that I can do is give them advice and talk to them. It's up to them if they listen to me, but I pray they do.)
Sunshine's three girls understand her and allow her to do things that make her happy.
"You do what makes you happy. You deserve to be happy, Yun ang lagi nilang sinasabi sa akin. Kait ano ang decision ko, nirerespeto naman nila. Alam nila whoever makes me happy. Kung bumili man ako ng aso, masaya sila para sa akin," said the actress when asked if her children limit her from doing things that bring her joy.
Sunshine Cruz (center, seated) poses at the launch of her latest endorsement for Thioell
Staying healthy
As she turns 47, Sunshine reveals she maintains a healthy lifestyle and gets plenty of sleep.
"47 years na ako in July. I sleep a lot. I drink lots of water. Mahilig talaga akong matulog. Lead a positive life. Umiiwas lang ako sa mga negativity. Minsan may anxiety rin tayo. I say with my kids. Kapag kausap ko sila ang saya-saya. Ang kukulit.
(I will be 47 in July. I sleep a lot, drink lots of water, and like to sleep. I lead a positive life. I avoid negativity. Sometimes, we also have anxiety. I stay with my kids. It's fun when we are together.)
"We love dogs. Therapeutic sa amin ang dogs. I also work out three to four times a week. Now, I have a personal trainer, not just tone and firm. I'm building some muscles, she added.
(We love dogs. Dogs are therapeutic for us. I also work out three to four times a week. Now, I have a personal trainer, not just tone and firm. I'm building some muscles.)
