2 Dead, 12 Hurt in Davao City Accident

My brother-in-law, a taxi driver, told me about. Check out more here:

2 dead, 12 hurt in Davao City accident | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features

Phillipines Going Green - Another Example

The provincial government spearheads a tree planting activity on June 25, 2011 at 6 in the morning at Lamdag Eco-Tourism Complex located in Barangay Pasian, Monkayo, in compliance with Presidential Executive Order No. 36 of His Excellency Benigno C. Aquino III for a "Nationwide Synchronozied Planting during Arbor Day.

Participated as by the Capitol employees and a national line agencies, more than 2,000 forest trees were planted such as Lauan, Mahogany, Narra, Rubber, among others.

Arbor Day in the Philippines is observed every 25th of June. All activities of the Philippine society are encouraged to actively participate in promoting eco-systems. The activity is also part of Governor Arturo T. Uy's "Provinvicial Greening Program" dubbed as "20 Million 15 Trees" (planting 20 million trees till the year 2015!).

My deepest gratitude providing me with such detials is going to GRACE ALMEDILLA.

The Top 10 Call Centre ‘oh no' moments - NOT ONLY in The Philippines

My nephew is working in a call centre here in Davao City since several years. He agreed strongly with these Top Ten 10 Call Centre "Oh No" Moments, written by

Cindy Ybanez Apostol,

one of my connections at the 'Call Center Planet'.

Check it out:



The top 10 call centre ‘oh no’ moments - Call Center Planet

Richard Wagner - One of the Greatest German Classical Composers

He was indeed one of the greatest and blessed German classical composers,being a ninth child of a Leipzig (Germany) police officer.

Check out more here - and, only here:

http://www.klausdoringclassicalmusic.webs.com

NPA Contact CDO Mayor to Deny Extortion Try Against German Doctors - Interaksyon.com

I was really sad and frustrated to get the news, that Germans closed hospital in Cagayan de Oro. - At the medical facility of the Committee of German doctors there, sadness and uncertainty were indeed written on the faces of patients who have been lining up for free medical treatment when, at around 4 pm two days ago staff members started posting signs that there will be no medical consultations.

Of course, health workers at the hospital operated jointly by the Committee of German Doctors for Developing Countries and the Jose P. Rizal College of Medicine of the Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan are still uncertain about their employment. 

Actually the government and the NDF have signed the "Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL). The NPA (New Peoples Army) fully adheres to it.

Read more about this topic here:


NPA contact CDO mayor to deny extortion try against German Doctors - Interaksyon.com

Church Group Accepts Donations for Flood Victims

Since my first stay in Cotabato City and North as well South Cotabato I am honoured and glad to get many friends in these areas.

Filipinos wish to help the devastating fllod victims especially in North Cotabato. 

Check out the GMA-News-report here:


Church group accepts donations for flood victims

Igor Stravinsky - a Russian-French-American Classical Composer

Another amazing classical music composer - check out more here:

http://www.klausdoringclassicalmusic.webs.com

Rebels Not Behind Threats on Hospital Management?

German doctors might leave?


Rebels not behind threats on hospital management | Sun.Star

Archbishop Oscar Cruz for Senator?

If giving the chance, would you vote for retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz for senator? This seems indeed to be intent the Archbishop for Senator Movement page, which went live on the popular social networking site FACEBOOK. Yes, I am also there. I am also on TWITTER. But because of other things. Fact is: social networking sites are important for many things, if, yes IF the privacy settings are really working well.

Regarding Oscar Cruz please check out the abs cbn news report HERE:

 Archbishop Oscar Cruz for senator?

Two More Classical Composers: Pablo de Sarasate and Karl Milloecker

(The "violin devil" Pablo de Sarasate)

(The Austrian operetta composer Karl Milloecker)

You know already, where you can get more information about classical composers?

HERE:

http://www.klausdoringclassicalmusic.webs.com

Philippines Had Divorce Already During US, Japan Occupations

The Philippines and the Vatican are the only states that do not have a divorce law. There are efforts to legalize divorce in the Philippines, but they met strong opposition from the Catholic Church. Filipinos are also divided on the issue.

There is a misconception that, if passed, it would be the first time that Filipinos would have divorce.

Check out more from the abs-cbn news report here:

PH had divorce during US, Japan occupations

Aliens Doing Business in The Philippines

Many global readers of this website are expatriates, who have not yet reached the pensioner's age, or simply want to stay in the Philippines and do business here.

So far so good!

Like me, for instance, I didn't reach my retirement age yet, while running some businesses here in the Philippines. An agency (Translation and Documentation Services for the Philippines and Germany - and other countries) - i.e. I am also teaching German at the University of Southeastern Philippines here in Davao City.

Can a foreigner do business in the Philippines?

The Commercial Law of the Philippines (compiled by the AFA editorial staff and chaired by Aguedo F. Agbayani) says it very clearly in its 1994 edition: Chapter III: Authority to do business: NO ALIEN, AND NO FIRM, association, partnership, corporation or any form of business organisation formed, organized, chartered or existing under any laws other than those of the Philippines, or which is not not a Philippine national, or more than 40% of the outstanding capital of which is owned or controlled by aliens, shall do business or engage in any economic  activity in the Philippines or be registered, licensed, or permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission or by any other bureau, office, agency, political subdivision ... of the government to do business ... without first securing a written certificate from the Board of investments to the effect:

1. That the operation or activity of such alien ... is not inconsistent with the investment priorities plans;

2. That such business ... will contribute to the sound and abalanced development of the national economy ... ;

3. That such business ... by the applicant would not conflict with the Constitution or other laws of the Philippines;

4. That the field of business ... by the applicant is not one that is being adequately exploited by Philippine nationals; and

5. That the entry of application therein will not pose a clear and present danger of promoting monopolies ... in restrain of trade.

Chapter II, Art. 59 says also very clearly, that an alien (a foreigner) has to check at first his immigration status. Of course, a tourist is never allowed to do any business in the Philippines.

Fact is: I am an expatriate with a 'permanent residence stay' in the Philippines as well as my wife, a natural born Filipina, but carrying a German passport the past 20 years. We can do business in the Philippines - but here we are: the permit has been issued to my brother-in-law, a Philippine national.

Don't misinterpret me, please: I am not talking about foreign corporation i.e. For the purpose of this code, a foreign corporation is formed, organized or existing under laws other than those of the Philippines and whose laws allow Filipino citizens and corporations to do business in its own country or state. Philippine law also sets the guidelines for investment requirements for foreign corporations under section 126 of the Philippine Corporation Code.

I am not a lawyer, but I came in touch with Philippine law during my time as coordinating editor of law magazines of a publish house based in Berlin and New York. Now I am working together with lawyers here in the Philippines. So please, ask YOUR lawyer, before you start any kind of business.

Very personal: many expatriates have been asking me (mostly by emails) during the last years: "Can your morals allow you to do that?" My answer is clear again: "Yes, why not? I can!" The problem is only, if you can't trust your Philippine spouse and/or her/his family. This seems to become a very big problem sometimes. Fortunately not for me... .

Philippines Celebrates 113th Independence Day

Philippines Celebrates 113th Independence Day | Vox Bikol

Another Paradise - in The Philippines?

I have been visiting many places in the Philippines during the last years. Palawan only now! And I experienced:

The public school system lacks 143.281 classrooms this yeat 2011. However the money for the construction of new classrooms was affected by he decision of the administration's economic managers to tighten infrastructure spending in the first four months of 2011.

The construction of new classrooms should have been spared rom the new policy on infrastructure in the first months of 2011. 

Being a teacher and faculty member at a Philippine state university in Davao City, I strongly agree, that initial comparisons with fossil specimens suggest it belongs to one of the extinct species of plant-eating sirenia, also known as sea cows.

Journalists Told To Spread God’s Word

 

An interesting post. Check it out here:

 Journalists told to spread God’s word

New Church Museum Opens in Ilocos

I love travelling. The new church museum launching in Ilocos Norte has been an amazing and unforgettable event among so many others. Check out more here: 

New church museum opens in Ilocos

Former Legislator Sues Priest in Mindanao

Amazing. And the only thing I can say is: No comments. But don't hesitate to read this post: 

Former legislator sues priest in Mindanao

Blogs We Love in The Philippines...

I am glad, blessed and honoured. My blog is being mentioned by GO OVERSEAS (Top Blog Philippines) still as No. 4.

Just click the logo of go OVERSEAS and find out more... !

Something New From Fashiondesigner Silverio Anglacer

Fashion Designer and Makeup Artist: Silverio Anglacer

Hairstylist: Boy Koni

Photographer: Rikki Enriquez

Female Model: Ruby S. Bernardo

Male Model: Marco Angeles

Photo session taken at Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao City

ComVal Teachers Enjoy Musical Letter Sound Training

It has been indeed an amazing event in Compostela Valley. 

In time for the upcoming school opening fore the School Year 2011-2012, Governor Arturo T. Uy and Congresswoman Maricar Zamora-Apsay sponsored a Musical Letter Sounds Training program for Pre-School teachers last May 26-28, 2011 for District II at the capitol.

The training has been facilitated by Teacher Rossa Charissa Gavino, Director of the Center for Bright Beginnings.Kudos and a big thank you to Governor Uy and Congresswoman Zamora.

600 Bikers For Peace in Mindanao

I love biking since my childhood. Several health circumstances held me back to such events, I am writing about here and now.

More than 600 bikers pushed their way uphill as the first "Bike for Peace" sponsored by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process outside of Metro Manila.

Participants from local government sectors along with other peace advocats, biking enthusiasts and media guests trekked the mountainous terrain staring from the People Park in Cotabato City (city hall), where I have been staying in 1989 during an interview with during that time acting mayor Mr. Badoy, to North Upi in Maguindanao.

Beyond the physical activity, this event also mirror (hopefully!) the Philippine goverment's goal in reaching a final peace agreement with the MILF, which has been going in for years niow.

"Bike for Peace" is usually held in Manila. Peace for Mindanao! Is it really such a never ending story???

Mindanao Daily Mirror A Finalist in PPI Press Awards

The Mindanao Daily Mirror is among the six newspapers that made it as finalists in the daily category of the 2010 Civic Journalism Community Press Awards to be held by the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) on June 22 and 23, 2011 at the Traders Hotel in Manila.

The awarding night is part of the activities of the 15th National Press Forum and 2011 Annual Membership Meeting, which has the theme "Reporting Governance and Human Rights".

The other daily newspapers vying for the award are Sun Star Cebu, Cebu Daily News, The Freeman, Sun Star Cagayan de Oro and Sun Star Davao.

You can imagine, that I am really blessed and honoured having my regular column in the "Mirror" since February 2011.

Go to ARCHIVES and check it out:
http://www.dailymirror.ph 

Media Must Tell the Truth in The Philippines

Please check out this very important post and a statement, which is also coming from the bottom of my heart being a foreign journalist, living in the wonderful Philippines for good since 1999 and forever... .

Media must tell the truth, says priest

Camiguin Island - an Island of Your Imagination Born On Fire

I never expected having a very hectic schedule as an expatriate living in the Philippines. BUT, I still take my time out, travelling around this beautiful country, especially Mindanao.

Camiguin is a very small island province of the Philippines off the northern coast of Mindanao. Its capital is Mambajao. The island of Camiguin is in the Bohol Sea about 10 km north of Misamis Oriental.

Sagay Church facade  

The name Camiguin is derived from the native word  "Kamagong", a tree of the Ebony family that thrives near Lake Mainit in the province of Surigao del Norte. The original inhabitants of Camiguin were "manobos" who migrated from Surigao. The old native language in Camigiun is called "Kinamiguin", which is similar to the dialcet speaken in Suriago.

(During the volcanic birth of mount Vulcan, some areas in the town of Bonbon subsided, sinking the cemetery of the town below sea level.)

There are a lot of tourist destinations, i.e. the Old Catarman Church Ruins in Bonbon, 16 km's from the center of Catarman. What remains are ruins of adobe walls, belfry and convent that are testimonials to the devastating 1871 earthquake which wiped out the illustrious town of Catarman established earlier as a Spanish settlement in 1967.

(Katibawasan Falls, 5 km South East from Mambajao)

Camiguin Island - this means Tuasan Falls, Sto. Nino Cold Spring, Mount Hibok-Hibok, Old Vulcan, 13 kms west of the capital Mambajao, the "White Island", 3 kms across Agogo and Yumbing, an uninhabited small white sand bar and many other places to be discovered.