If ifs and ans were pots and pans…

TUE, MARCH 7, 2017 BY THE MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR LEAVE A COMMENT

IN MY OPINIONKlaus Doring 

…there would be no need for tinkers! An old proverbs, which hits the nail on its head.

Life doesn’t only consists of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Life has ups and downs and everyone tries to survive in his own clock-shell surrounded by a dangerous  ocean. Life is stuffed with plenty of excuses, and we are sometimes unable to apologize and say a meaningful “sorry” at the right moment.

Excuses don’t know the question of age. I still have two significant examples to share:

The church was crowded. Confirmation. A woman came too late. Traffic jam. In need of help, the woman looked to the left and then to the right. It looked like a young man liked to help her. He murmured, “Show up a bit, the LOLA likes to sit down”. The situation looked problem-free at that moment. But after taking first a deep breath, the LOLA realized the young man’s comment. She was just only 38 years “young”! With uneasiness she looked at the youngster, who started smiling at her. How old could he be? 14 or 15? A very big difference already to her age. Then suddenly, the young man realized his inappropriate remark and stuttered, “Sorry Madam, please excuse me! If I would have only known…!”

Choked with emotions, I also listened the story of my former editor colleague in Germany several years ago. Her mother had expelled her from life. Only while laying on her deathbed, she  did offer a plea in extenuation because of her lifelong fault.

Excuses because one is embarrassed or with a simple alibi can be  found at every corner. Did you, my dear reader, count already, how many times you used the term “IF”?

Just to mention this example, which I noticed several times from my students. ” If I could pass my German language exam, my partner would be very proud of me!” Sure, not only he, also me, as your German language professor at the University of Southeastern Philippines, Institute of Languages, Davao City.

“If there would be a God, there wouldn’t be so much misery, poverty, and war on earth!”

Well, if that’s the way it’s got to be…? If there is no other way?

Maybe, you still remember Elton John’s song from 1976: “Sorry (in the right moments!) seems to be the hardest word…”

That depends!

Big Vessels under new Cebu bridge

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President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday afternoon led the groundbreaking ceremony of the PHP27.9-billion Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX), the third link between the Cebu mainland and Mactan Island. The ceremony was held in Sitio Dapitan, Pilipog in Cordova town on Mactan Island.

Among those who attended the ceremony were Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena, Cordova Mayor Therese Sitoy-Cho, Secretary Adelino Sitoy, Presidential Adviser on Legislative Affairs and Manuel V. Pangilinan, chairman of the Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corporation (MPDTC).

MPDTC officials told PNA the bridge will be at least 40 meters above sea level, double the height of the two existing Mandaue-Mactan bridges, to accommodate big vessels entering the southern entrance of the Mactan Channel towards the Cebu City port.

MPDTC, the project proponent, entered into a joint venture agreement with the Cebu City Government and the Cordova Municipal Government, to undertake the third bridge that will connect Cebu City to Mactan Island.

The actual construction of the CCLEX, a toll bridge, is set to start in the second quarter of the year.

The Cordova side of the CCLEX will be in Barangay Pilipog, Cordova, while the Cebu City side will be at the South Road Properties (SRP).

The 8.25-kilometer toll-bridge will be constructed 7.5 kilometers south of the old Mandaue Bridge.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena said no house will be demolished on the Cebu City side because it will be at the unoccupied portion of the SRP.

The SRP now hosts the SM Seaside City and a mixed-use development of Filinvest Land Inc.

Peter Lavina has resigned

Malacañang: Laviña has resigned

    

Posted on March 02, 2017

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte’s 2016 campaign spokesperson Peter Tiu Laviña on Wednesday announced his resignation as head of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to spare the President from “embarrassing” corruption accusations.

However, a labor group leader, who met with Mr. Duterte at Malacañang last Monday, bared a different story, saying that Mr. Laviña was fired by the President two days ago due to corruption.

“Paalam (Good bye)! I have been vilified in the past; my name used, abused and maligned. Recently, there had been efforts to discredit me again. There are rumors circulating that I have asked money from NIA contractors. These are not true,” Mr. Laviña said in a Facebook post yesterday.

“To spare the President from these embarrassing stories, particularly in these times of intensified attacks on him, I have quietly left government,” he added.

Cabinet Secretary Leoncio B. Evasco, Jr. confirmed Mr. Laviña’s resignation saying in a text message to reporters: “It is with deep regret that our office receives this news and wishes him well in his next endeavors.”

For her part, NIA spokesperson Pilipina Bermudez confirmed that Mr. Laviña had tendered his “irrevocable resignation” last week and that it took effect Tuesday.

However, she said she believed he resigned because of “health reasons.”

While denying Mr. Laviña was engaged in corruption, Ms. Bermudez confirmed that there were people using the name of the former NIA chief who had been “asking for cash” and favors, forcing the agency to issue a memorandum warning regional directors about the matter.

Ms. Bermudez said Estrella Icasiano will be NIA officer-in-charge but clarified that she would not be allowed to sign important documents.

Sought for details, Federation of Free Workers (FFW) President Jose Sonny Matula, who met with Mr. Duterte early this week, claimed that Mr. Duterte disclosed in a meeting with labor groups that he had sacked Mr. Laviña “to show that he mean business in the fight against corruption.”

“Wala rin siya sasantuhin sa war against crimes and illegal drugs at pagsugpo sa kontraktwalisasyon (The president also said that there will be no sacred cows in his war against crimes and illegal drugs and contractualization),” Mr. Matula said.

In his speech during the launching of the new Bangsamoro Transition Commission on Feb. 24, Mr. Duterte reiterated his promise to weed out corruption, adding that he recently fired an official from Davao City.

“As a matter of fact, I fired last night one [official from] taga-Davao na... for simply making a remark about -- sabi ko he’s out and I told him, even a whiff of corruption, talagang tatanggalin kita,” the President said.

Known as “water boy” during his stint as NIA head, Mr. Laviña is from Mr. Duterte’s hometown of Davao City and served as his election campaign spokesman last year. -- Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral, with a report from interaksyon.com

The point of prayer

THU, MARCH 2, 2017 BY THE MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR LEAVE A COMMENT

IN MY OPINIONKlaus Doring

When tragedy strikes, it’s easy to harden our hearts and cry out, “God, why did you let this happen?” Maybe then, we started praying. Before, when everything goes smooth, we would not even think a minute about praying….

“To be a Christian without prayer, “said Martin Luther, “is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” Prayer is the only way of becoming what God wants us to be. This is the reason, why Jesus spent many hours in praying.

Unquestionable, our needs bring us to a place of prayer. Confronted with danger or tragedies, as I mentioned earlier, we look for God’s help. Difficult times always cause the hearts of men to turn to God into prayer.

Let me ask you: How long has it been since you’ve brought your burdens to God? Since you asked His forgiveness for your shortcomings?

In his very interesting book “People in Prayer”, Dr. John White reminds us that prayer is a divine-human interaction and it is always God who takes the initiative. White write: “God speaks and we respond. God is always speaking. To hear his voice is not usually a mystical experience. It consists merely of a willingness to pay heed to God who lays a claim to our lives.”

Yes, God always speaks. It is up to us whether we will listen and respond to Him. Many think we are the ones who initiate prayer. But prayers begin and end with God.

There was a time, I wasn’t in the mood to pray any more. It seemed that God didn’t listen my prayer any more. I didn’t get what I prayed for. Of course, not… ! That’s not the meaning of praying to God. All my wishes will be granted? Heaven forbid!

Sometimes, after we have prayed, God’s answers may puzzle us. But as time times go by and as events unfold we see God’s purpose in his answers. We might get a larger vision, what HE likes. Not what WE like….

Think about it for a moment” How does the idea that prayer begins and ends with God affect me now? Do I have the habit of listening to God? How do I respond to Him? How do I usually pray?

I confess that long time ago I have been trying to persuade God to change other people in my surroundings or circumstances. Nothing changed. Of course not, what a fatal attraction? I got confused because God never granted my requests. Meanwhile I got God’s answers to my prayers. Maybe very simple: I was willing to let God change me… .This is how each one of us should start. Happy endings. Because I prayed according to His will….

Nowadays, I live a wonderful life in my second and last home, the Philippines. I never regretted to move here for good. I have everything I could ask for. I can do everything I wish to do. Thank you Lord.

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Email: doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me in Facebook, Linkedin or Twitter or visit my www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot. com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic. blogspot.com.

Just in time?

SAT, FEBRUARY 25, 2017 BY THE MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR LEAVE A COMMENT

IN MY OPINIONKlaus Doring

At least when it comes to policy towards Asia, US President Donald Trump is becoming a little bit more dependable it seems, says German TV- commentator Frank Sieren.

It’s rare, that I agree with my fellow German media friends. Yeah, sometimes, we also meet on a different level. Yes, this time: it was a close call, but US President Donald Trump seems.

Donald Trump  has come to his senses just in time. He had already spoken to over 20 heads of state before deciding to put a telephone call through to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping last week. This was too late considering China’s economy is already stronger than the US’ in terms of purchasing power, China contributes four times more than the US to the global economy, China has the largest global population and is the fourth-largest country in terms of area after Russia, Canada and the USA. The Chinese government had every right to take offense but it stayed calm, even as it made clear behind the scenes that there were certain limits that should not be overstepped.

These limits would have been overstepped if Donald Trump had not called Xi before receiving Japanese President Shinzo Abe and certainly if he had not confirmed officially that he would honor the “One China” policy after hints that he would not in the past. He also, in a press conference, said that the phone call had been “very warm.” His willingness to back down is perhaps surprising, but it seems that Trump is going to play it cool from now on. It was also clever to not say a word about thorny issues such as the South China Sea territorial dispute, or the trade surplus.

Before the phone call, the US president involved his relatives to lessen the blow to China. In a first for the White House, he sent his daughter and her five-year-old Arabella to a New Year’s reception at the Chinese embassy. Moreover, a video of his granddaughter singing “Happy New Year” in Chinese went viral. The New York Times said this was a “diplomatic coup” on the part of Arabella, even if it did come two weeks too late.

It seems as if Trump is dealing with foreign policy in the same way as he does business: He sees how far he can go before having to backtrack, as he has done now with regard to China, NATO and Canada. He has also been reasonable with regard to North Korea, barely reacting to Kim Jong Un’s attempt to attract attention through missile tests. Internationally, there has been some relief that his non-reaction was as balanced as it would have been before him. In any case, his unusual behavior – tweeting, blustering, playing golf with Abe, let alone having his granddaughter play the diplomat – is keeping his opponents on their toes.

Beijing understood Trump’s game and remained remarkably calm during the time of the provocation; it can afford to stay calm: The world is well behind China when it comes to trade. But Trump is under pressure – he has to deliver on promises regarding economic growth and jobs in the US. He will have to show his hand soon; there can be no bluffing with regard to China. The economies of the US and China are simply too interdependent now.

Games? We should take a watch.

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Email: doringklaus@g mal.com or just follow me in Linkedin, Twitter ot Facebook or visit www. germanexpatinthe philippines.blogspot.com.

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What is this mysterious giant blob creature?

Locals baffled after hairy-looking beast washes up in the Philippines 

• Stunned locals have flocked to the beach in Cagdainao, Dinagat Islands to gawp 
• The huge white hairy beast came ashore following a recent earthquake
• Pictures have since gone viral online with people trying to solve the mystery.
• 
  

By Hannah Al-Othman For MailOline

 
 
 
 
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A huge, hairy mysterious sea creature has washed up on a beach in the Philippines.

Stunned locals have flocked to the beach in Cagdainao, Dinagat Islands to gawp at the monster-like beast and take selfies with it.

The huge white hairy beast is thought to have come ashore following a recent earthquake.

Several unusual sea creatures have been washing up on the shores of the tropical islands following the deadly quake on Sunday. 

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A huge, hairy mysterious sea creature has washed up on a beach in the Philippines

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Shocked locals have flocked to the beach in Cagdainao, Dinagat Islands to gawp at the monster-like beast

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The huge white hairy beast is thought to have come ashore following a recent earthquake

Images of the creature have since gone viral online, with several people offering up their suggestions as to what the monster could be.

Several suggested that the beast could be Appa, a fictional character from the Nickelodeon animated television series Avatar: The Last Airbender. 

Austin Blanch‏@austinblanch tweeted saying: 'Yhink it's appa. Or a big Shitzu. I could be wrong.'

While another Twitter user, J Flow, said: 'It's that creature from The Neverending Story.'

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Images of the creature have since gone viral online, with several people offering up suggestions as to what it may be

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The beast is actually a 20 foot long whale carcass, local scientists have said

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John Paul Garcia suggested the beast may be similar to a supposed half-whale half-polar bear creature that washed up in Margate, South Africa, on 25 October 1924, which was nicknamed Trunko.

'Globster/Trunko right? Half whale half polar bear?' he said.

Globster is the name given to an unidentified organic mass that washes up on the shoreline of an ocean or other body of water.  

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A supposed half-whale half-polar bear creature washed up in Margate, South Africa, on 25 October 1924, and was nicknamed Trunko

However, the beast is actually a 20 foot long whale carcass, local scientists have said.

The body of the whale, which weighs approximately 2,000 kilograms, is believed to have turned white due to an advanced stage of decomposition.

The animal is thought to have died approximately two weeks ago, possibly after being hit by a ship.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4253402/Locals-baffled-hairy-beast-washes-Philippines.html#ixzz4Za5Evvql
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Boracay Newcoast Project Entices New Investors

 (philstar.com) 

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It seems that the island is already perfect as it is. But Megaworld's Global-Estate Resorts Inc. brings the island to a whole new level.

There's more to look forward to in Boracay with the development of an integrated tourism property inspired by the world's best beach neighborhoods.

Every city dweller in the country will likely agree that when you want a vacation that makes a balance between partying hard and relaxing rigorously, the island of Boracay is still the top choice.

It seems that the island is already perfect as it is. But Megaworld's Global-Estate Resorts Inc. brings the island to a whole new level as it develops Boracay Newcoast, a 150-hectare integrated tourism estate that melds the best beach neighbourhoods in the world.

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With Boracay's natural beauty coupled with state-of-the-art structures, your future visits to the island will truly be unlike anything you've ever experienced before. But more than that, Boracay Newcoast is a booming tourism estate where you can also be a stakeholder of the expansion—own a part of the township's residential spaces, shophouses, condominium hotels, and other real estate structures, and be a part of a vision to make Boracay an even more popular island, perfectly competitive globally.

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Boracay Newcoast boasts of districts that offer titled lots ideal for the investing community. First is the Town Center North, consisting of the Shophouse District and the Boutique Hotel District.

The Shophouse District, inspired by communities like Key West in Florida and Old Town in Ibiza, mixes residential and commercial components, where owners can put up shops at the lower floor and have their home at the top floors.

Meanwhile, the Boutique Hotel District allows buyers to build their own hotel brands or tie up with foreign institutional hotels. This district is particularly enticing because their guests will have access to three private beach coves with one kilometer of pristine white sand.

Second is Boracay Newcoast's Newcoast Village, which offers lots ranging from 250 square meters to 375 square meters in an exclusive vacation-inspired subdivision setting. It will have exclusive amenities such as parks, pocket gardens and grill areas.

The community will also be brimmed with condominium clusters. The first one is Oceanway Residences, which now offers ready-for-occupancy units with views encompassing the beauty of the Fairways and Bluewater Golf Club and the Sibuyan Sea—an astonishing blend of blues and greens. For this reason, Oceanway Residences was awarded as the "Best Luxury Development (for a resort)" in the 2015 Philippines Property Awards.

For more information, contact via email boracaynewcoast@global-estate.ph, landline 553-0926 or mobile 0917-728-2284. Visit boracaynewcoast.ph and its Facebook account.

'Double Honor' for President Duterte at PMA

By Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star) 

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President Duterte wears Class 1967 hat during the Philippine Military Academy alumni homecoming at Fort Del Pilar in Baguio City yesterday. KRIZJOHN ROSALES

MANILA, Philippines - President Duterte said he is “doubly honored” to be adopted by the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Inc. more than two decades after he became an honorary member of PMA Class of 1967.

“I am an adopted ‘Dimasupil’ Class of 1967, that is already honor enough but to be formally adopted by the Philippine Military Academy Alumni is a double honor,” Duterte said in his speech before PMA alumni at the PMA Grandstand in Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City yesterday.

He said the latest honor was “because of my long and harmonious relationship with PMA alumni (and) not about political consideration.” He thanked the alumni association “for clarifying that.” 

Duterte said he is just as happy doing his work as public servant.

“The work I do, I do in the service of the people,” he said. “And somehow, I also feel at home here at PMA because of its mission to train and develop graduates with character and skill.”

Although he is not a soldier, Duterte said he is aware of the demands of being one. It requires inner strength, a choice to live by courage and principle, he pointed out.

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He said, “My own life has been molded by the principle of love of country, compassion for the poor and needy and pride in being a Filipino.”

On Friday at the Baguio Country Club, Duterte extolled cadets and alumni for their deep commitment to serve.

“I am confident therefore that our mistahs who are holding key positions in the public and private sectors will deliver what is expected of them and more,” Duterte said.

“We are now in the process of modernizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police so that they may perform their mandates effectively,” he added.

In the same event, Duterte said he has directed law enforcement agencies “to be relentlessly pursuing those who would do harm to our people and the country, including criminal organizations, drug syndicates and terrorists.”

“So, no matter where our journey in life led us the last 50 years, our shared love and sacred duty to serve our motherland will always bond us together as members of the ‘Dimasupil’ Class of 1967,” Duterte said.