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!
Scene from "Isang Himala" —CREAZION STUDIOS/YOUTUBE
Just like in the American musical fantasy film “Wicked,” the actors performing in Pepe Diokno’s musical “Isang Himala,” led by Aicelle Santos, each wore in-ear monitors (IEMs), where they all received the music they would be singing to.
This also meant that no music was played on the set while the live vocals were recorded. “We wore lapels, too, so the set had to be really quiet. We would hear the music from the IEMs and what people on the set heard were just our voices,” Santos explained in a recent interview with Lifestyle.
The movie “Himala,” released in 1982, was a collaboration of three National Artists for Film: director Ishmael Bernal, writer Ricky Lee, and actor Nora Aunor. Some years later, Lee turned it into a stage musical with the music of Vince de Jesus. “Himala, Isang Musikal” has been staged at the Cultural Center of the Philippines once, and twice in Makati City, featuring Santos and Bituin Escalante. This is the version that Diokno brought to film.
Rita Avila's first book, "8 Ways to Comfort with Grace" —MARINEL CRUZ
Actress Rita Avila wrote her first book, “8 Ways to Comfort with Grace,” in 2006 as a guide to consoling people who have lost a loved one.
This was after she lost her 3-week-old son, Elia Jesu. “When the tragedy happened, I realized that I share the same sentiments with people who experienced death in the family. So, I thought, ‘Why don’t I write a book on it?’
“The first thing I did was to research whether we already have an existing book on the topic. I found one but from an American perspective. Iba rin naman ang pang-Pinoy,” the actress told Lifestyle.
Rita Avila’s “8 Ways to Comfort with Grace”
Avila said the book received lots of feedback from readers, mostly thanking her for her effort. Some said the eight rules in her book are very useful.
“We are hoping to continue the legacy she has built,” said Anton T. Huang of his mother, Zenaida “Nedy” Tantoco, who led the luxury retailer Rustan’s until her death in February. The company formally launched its holiday collection with an unveiling ceremony of its Christmas-themed window display on Oct. 18.
It’s a poignant time as the Tantoco heirs continue a longtime Rustan’s holiday tradition.
“It’s true that we’re no longer as complete as we were last year,” said Huang, president and CEO of Rustan Commercial Corp., SSI group of companies, and Rustan Marketing. “We’re doing what we can to continue the legacy that [our late chair and CEO] built, and also that of her parents—our grandparents.”
Rustan’s Christmas shop
The unveiling of the Christmas-themed display, which dates back to the 1980s, has become a tradition. The building façade of the flgaship store in Makati not only creatively brings many of its featured brands to the forefront, but also spreads the holiday spirit to every passerby.
“As I told the Rustan’s team earlier, I’m proud of what they’ve done. I really feel, as I entered the building today, that there’s some strong sense of emotion that brings us back to the magic that we felt during Christmas while we were growing up,” Huang told Lifestyle shortly after the unveiling held at the five-story branch in Makati City.
Celebratory moment
This year, the window display depicts Santa’s journey, showcasing his preparations in the workshop, and culminating in the delivery of gifts to children in the community. What makes this year’s concept unique is its modern interpretation of the folkloric tale, Rustan’s explained in a statement. For instance, instead of a sleigh, Santa is seen driving a beautiful vintage car loaded with gifts, as Mrs. Claus zips through town on a Vespa.
Anton Huang, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, Lizzie Zobel, Marga Nograles and Donnie Tantoco
Meaningful cause
“We’ve always thought of Christmas as a celebratory moment or period of the year,” Huang said. “I want to make sure that this year, like in the previous years at Rustan’s, Christmas will be for all ages and not only for the children themselves. It should be for the child in all of us. That’s what we are really trying to achieve today. I think we did an incredible job of creating a magical place for our shoppers and loyal customers, for them to really enjoy themselves this holiday season.”
Rustan’s goes full-on with its lavish decorations. On launch day, the doorman welcomed visitors with a holiday tune. Inside, Santa’s elves ushered guests to the courtyard for refreshments. The Head Elf arrived shortly, signaling the start of the festivities by asking: “Do you believe in the magic of Christmas?”
Pundaquit Virtuosi Orchestra
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, Tourism Promotions Board head Marga Nograles, Lizzie Zobel, Dr. Hayden Kho Jr., and Happy Ongpauco-Tiu were among the guests .
Each floor hosted a variety of activities. At the Beauty section on the ground floor was Santa’s Chocolate Corner, where guests were offered cacao samples. Meanwhile, the Men’s section featured a cocktail-tasting booth.
Rustan’s and SSI Group chair Donnie Tantoco, Happy Ongpauco-Tiu. Marga Nograles, Dr. Hayden Kho. Dr. Vicki Belo, Lizzie Zobel and Anton Huang
The second floor (Women’s) featured a Christmas tram where guests took souvenir photos. They also had the chance to interact with fashion designers such as Rosbert Villar, Yoya, Joyce Makitalo, Jim Weaver, and Puey Quinones.
Dancer-choreographer Georcelle Dapat-Sy said quite a number of women enroll at her G-Force Dance Center because they either want to have a boyfriend or get pregnant.
“Believe me! We have a lot of success stories related to this,” she told Lifestyle in a recent interview. She then cited as an example the story of a celebrity (“someone you would never expect to see in a dance class”) who enlisted in her #whiteshirtlove program and eventually transformed from “super shy and self-conscious” to “extremely confident.”
#whiteshirtlove is a specialized dance class that Teacher Georcelle created in 2014 to cope with the postpartum depression she experienced after the birth of her third child. She admitted to having had a hard time getting back into shape.
While reading up on the art of drag and the club called Rampa, it’s possible that you will encounter new terms or words like “AFAB” and “AMAB,” “bear,” “watermelon” and “hyperfeminine.”
This article will not only attempt to best explain them to you but also make you realize that there’s more to drag than dressing up and performing in highly stylized ways.
Club owner RS Francisco
Rampa started because club owner RS Francisco said he wanted to build “a safe place” for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. His friends suggested that he invite the Divine Divas, one of the most celebrated drag trios in the country, to be coowners of this establishment located on Eugenio Lopez Drive in Quezon City.
Francisco, who had never been to a drag show before, said: “I thought they were talking about Zsa Zsa Padilla (who is also tagged as the ‘Divine Diva’). I really had no idea! I googled them and was surprised to discover how popular these three already are,” added Francisco, who is also an award-winning actor and film producer. He was referring to the drag trio Precious Paula Nicole, Viñas DeLuxe and Brigiding.
Zsa Zsa Padilla (center) with drag trio Brigiding, Precious Paula Nicole and Viñas DeLuxe
For the “lesbian market,” Francisco said he reached out to singer-actor Ice Seguerra and his partner Liza Dino, and convinced them to join the group. He then tapped Paulo Castro and Darryl Reciña as creative directors.
When Rampa opened to the public on Feb. 17, it became the first-ever drag club in Quezon City “that is inclusive and safe,” said Francisco.
Zsa Zsa Padilla
“I wasn’t a fan of drag, but I’ve learned to embrace it. If you visit Rampa, you’ll see that it’s like a Christmas party where people know everyone. It’s so unlike other places where people try to outshine each other—nagpapagandahan, nagpapataasan ng ihi. We actually encourage you to toast with people you’ve never met before. Also, females are frowned upon in other clubs. In Rampa, we welcome girls, straight people—even my mortal enemies are welcome—as long as they’re 18, they order and pay,” Francisco said, laughing.
Brigiding
Taking care of the community
Castro added that Rampa has partnered with the volunteer group LoveYourself Inc., “so that every party that we do is advocacy-based.” Inside Rampa is a LoveYourself booth for HIV testing. There are also booths for Flourish, the group’s mental health arm, and for Transcend, its transgender help arm. “We make sure Rampa being a safe space is not merely lip service. It’s really taking care of the entire community,” said Castro.
This month, Rampa organized a party called “Sampa,” which is also an open-mic event but for drag. “If you want to experience everything on stage—including the lights and visuals—just bring a USB,” said Castro. You have to preregister because only five can perform each night.
Club owner RS Francisco and Zsa Zsa Padilla
The team takes their much needed break Mondays and Tuesdays. They resume on Wednesday with “Spank,” which promotes good health, and safe and responsible sex. Thursdays are reserved for special events, such as “People Like Us,” which features lesbians and transmen, or “Spectacular! Spectacular!” which celebrates “plus size men and bears,” said Castro. In gay culture, “bears” refer to men who are noticeably hairy, and are muscular and bearded.
“Divine Saturday” parties are “drag heavy” and “fantastic,” said Castro. They are shows produced by the Divine Divas, no less.
Viñas DeLuxe
Art form
“Watermelon” parties on Friday nights are arguably the most interesting. For example, during Buwan ng Wika last August, the entire Watermelon cast was required to perform original Pilipino music (OPM). “’Watermelon’ is like an eternal summer party,” added Castro. “Also, while ‘watermelon’ sounds fresh, it’s also the symbol of Palestine. Mz. Chronicles did a performance carrying the theme, ‘Free Palestine,’ and it brought people to tears.”
Drag trio Divine Divas: Brigiding, Precious Paula Nicole and Viñas DeLuxe
“Drag is a powerful tool for storytelling, especially for the young generation. They have a lot to say and they are able to express these through drag as an art form,” Castro pointed out. “That’s what’s amazing about these kids. They’ve all turned into well-rounded artists. Not only can they lip sync, they can also do super dance, theater productions and even spoken word.”
Zymba Ding
Rampa’s home-grown artists are Kiari, Katana, Zymba Ding, Felicia Ding and Bomba Ding; as well as Neenja and Kieffy Nicole, who are tagged as “AFAB Queens,” and Eeygatha, who is a transgender woman.
AFAB means assigned female at birth (as opposed to AMAB, or assigned male at birth), said Castro.
Drag kings
“As drag became more mainstream, people’s minds became more open to the idea that drag can be for anyone. You can be born female and still do drag. As of now, our AFAB Queens are still doing ‘hyperfeminine’ drag, meaning, they put on makeup and hair to look hyper feminine. But for our lesbian party on Sept. 19, they debuted as ‘drag kings’ and presented a more masculine type of drag.”
Drag trio Divine Divas: Brigiding, Precious Paula Nicole and Viñas DeLuxe
Rampa was the first to hire AFAB performers, added Castro. “We will feature AMAB artists, too. They’re already in training. I still don’t know yet what type of drag they will be producing, but it’s safe to call everyone now as drag artists—not queens or kings. Your body is your canvas. It’s up to you what you want to do with it as you perform.”
As for Francisco, he said he is still discovering so much about the drag scene because of Rampa. “I grew up during the era of ‘girl, boy, bakla, tomboy’ and the term ‘ACDC.’ Also, I realized that there’s a lot more to learn about the Sogie (sexual orientation, gender identity and expression) bill and the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. I admit to not knowing a lot of things, even though I’m already a part of the community, what more for those who aren’t? That’s why we are welcoming everyone to Rampa. Here, you will learn a thing or two about respect, kindness and compassion.”
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