TANZ IN DEN MAI

 

May 1st in Germany is a day to celebrate the advent of spring – and to protest for workers' rights.

In Berlin trade unions and far-left protesters traditionally take to the streets to mark International Workers' Day. This has regularly led to severe rioting in the districts of Neukölln and Kreuzberg and police are preparing for this year's demonstrations to also be attended by protesters against Israel's war in Gaza.

The night before May 1st is also known as Walpurgisnacht (Walpurgis Night), named after the 8th-century abbess who battled witchcraft, and is celebrated with dance, witch costumes and bonfires.

And the Tanz in den Mai (dance into May) tradition is widespread across the country. Especially in the Catholic regions in the west and south of the country, iconic maypoles are set up in a central square, decorated with garlands or ribbons, for people to dance around.

PH allows entry of foreign nationals beginning May 1

MANILA. An almost empty Welcome Rotonda roundabout is seen as the government implements a strict lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus on Good Friday, April 2, 2021 in Manila, Philippines. (AP)

FOREIGN nationals, except those coming from India, are again allowed entry to the Philippines beginning May 1, 2021, Malacañang said Friday, April 30.

The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) approved the entry of foreign nationals in a meeting Thursday, April 29, but subject to the following conditions.

* They have valid and existing visa at the time of entry, except for those qualified under the Balikbayan program under Republic Act 6768, or the Act Instituting the Balikbayan Program.

* With pre-booked accommodation for at least seven nights in an accredited quarantine hotel/facility.

* ubject to Covid-19 testing at the quarantine hotel/facility on the sixth day from date of arrival.

* Subject to maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry.

The IATF clarified, however, that travel restrictions imposed under Resolution 112, which was issued on April 27, 2021, will continue to be in force.

"Travel restrictions, however, shall continue to be in effect for those coming from India or those with travel history to India," said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque in a statement.

The Philippine government banned the entry of travelers from India and those with travel history to India within the last 14 days preceding arrival for two weeks, from April 29 to May 14, 2021.

The ban was issued due to the increasing number of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases in India, Malacañang said.

The restriction also applies to Filipino travelers.

"The foregoing is without prejudice to immigration laws, rules and regulations such that the Commissioner of Immigration shall have the exclusive prerogative to decide on waiver or recall of exclusion order for foreign nationals, including other foreign nationals who have entered the Philippines by virtue of IATF resolutions, subject to regular reporting to the IATF Secretariat at the end of each calendar month," said the IATF.

The task force has ordered the Bureau of Immigration to formulate the necessary guidelines to ensure the smooth implementation of the resolution.

Resolution 113 was released Friday, April 30. (LMY/SunStar Philippines)

Newly Graduates in The Philippines

Congratulations and Salute to all new gratitudes in the Philippines!

(Personal: on this photo at the right is my niece Neneng Balcom, now being a civil engineer and having a job already...!)

But reality looks very different:

PNA Manila reports, that the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz commented its tripartite partners - including labors and employers - for joining hands to provide over 30,000 job opportunities during the job and livelihood fairs that will be conducted in the National Capital Region and in 15 other regions in celebration of Labor Day on May 1.

The labor and employment chief said that Labor Day, in honor of the nation's workers, will be celebrated on May 1 on the theme "Matuwid na Daan Tungo sa Kaunlaran Para sa Lahat"!

"The job and livelihood fairs show our renewed national commitment to the righteous governance,anti-corruption, and anti-poverty focus of the Aquino III administration!" Baldoz said.

A lot of DOLE jobs fairs will provide many more opportunities to graduates and job seekers, i.e. in Cordillera Administration Region - SM Baguio, SM Naga City Region 6 (Western Visayas), and SM Davao, Gaisano Mall for Region XI, such to mention a few. Get more information from your local DOLE office.