Hunger in The Philippines

Actually I am always very careful when it comes to surveys. Not only in the Philippines - everywhere! After being back from several trips to Cebu, Manila and some parts in Mindanao I came across the Social Weather Stations (SWS) - BusinessWorld nationwide survey conducted last September among 1,200 respondents.

Fewer families claiming to suffer hunger!  So far so good. The latest hunger figure is lower than the 21.1 percent of families (4 million households) then in the survey conducted last June. 

Survey questions about household hunger are always directed to the household head, using the phrase 'experienced hunger; and did not have anything to eat'! The measure of hunger refers to involuntary suffering because the respondents answer a survey question that specifies hunger due to lack of anything to eat. 

Three times daily a meal? 

Overall hunger declined in all geographical areas: Mindanao, 16.3 percent (which SWS translates to 700,000 families); Visayas, 15.3 percent (580,000); Balance of Luzon, 14.7 percent (1.2 million); and Metro Manila, 20.3 percent (507,000 families). Likewise, the survey also showed, that there were about nine million families or 48 percent who claimed they are poor.

Again: it is just a slight improvement: fewer Philippino families claiming to suffer hunger.

Uplifting the Pinoy Brand... .

With recent events having shed the Philippines in a rather awful light, Filipinos are posed with an even greater challenge to rise above the situation and show the international realm that there are still many reasons why Filipinos can be (and are still!) proud to be Pinoy. As an expat living here since 1999 you can believe me. It's really true! Let's talk about the optimism of Filipinos!

Nick Fontanilla, president of the Philippine Marketing Association (PMA) said, that trying times remind Filipinos of their most interesting trait - the optimism.  Fontanilla said something very interesting else: "Now, that the Philippines is going through another kind of 'storm' we encourage Filipinos to remain patriotic - to be reminded of many other individuals who have made our country proud and follow their footsteps". Very well said, Sir.

PMA, the Philippines' premiere organization of marketing professionals goes nationwide in its commitment to educate marketing, business and entrepreneurship  as it will be conducting a caravan themed as "Pinoy as Global Brand" until November 2010.

I found www.philippinemarketing.net.ph and www.pinoybrandkaba.com . Here you can also check out the caravan schedules.

Uplifting the Pinoy brand - in the global arena! YES!

Blue Skies For Our Children

You might be surprised, but even as an expatriat living in the Philippines, I appreciate every single step of several people and institutions around me when it comes to the most important topic to take of our environment - to help our Mother Earth to survive.

One great example (among many others!) is the Blue Skies Alliance (Clean Air Initiative for Asian citizen). Carrying on the dream Soichiro Honda, Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. announces in several advertisements and press releases, that they raise the bar even higher in preserving the environment. Honda Cars Philippines is proud to announce the A Blue Skies Alliance, a collaborative effort with the Philippine Climate Imperative, Clean Air Initiative-Asian Cities, Philippine Business for Environment, Department of Energy, Haribon Foundation, corporate fleet partners and over 14,000 Facebook supporters. 

Don't get me wrong: I am not doing promotion for HONDA. I am promoting people, who are intensifying efforts to signifiantly decrease harmful pollutans in the air.

Visit facebook.com/hondaphil and make a pledge to leave blue skies for our next generations.

SMART warns: Don't Be Duped By Scammers

I am glad. I received a press release from Reena J. Villamar, SMART Public Affairs. Very important. I like to share it with you:

Scammers usually target families or relatives of overseas Filipino workers (OFW's), or those who receive regular remittances from abroad. Senders of hoax texts usually claim to be family members, relatives and friends.

"They would pretend to be a family member or a relative, and ask victims to deposit a certain amount of money to various bank or e-money accounts, The money is supposed to help them during an emergency situation, such as escaping from a cruel emplyer by buying a ticket, or money for a medical treatment", said SMART Public Affairs Group Head Ramon R. Isberto.

"Since the initial reaction is almost always to help fraud victims send money as soon as possible, without confirming the facts with their family members first. When they relaize everything, it's too late", he added.

To avoid falling victim to scammers and losing hard-earned money, text messages or calls (and even emails) from unknown people should be double-checked and confirmed - or just ignored. 

Thanks a lot for reminding Reena J. Villamor, SMART Public Affairs. 

German Oktoberfest in Davao City at Swiss Deli

It was the second "German" Oktoberfest in Davao City - and it has been really fun. A big thanks to Romano and Markus, proprietors of Swiss Deli for a very delicious buffet and lot of beer! Great taste - and very well trained staff - as always!

Thank you so much to Rolf from Manila (extreme left) - a very blessed accordeon musician with an incredible repertoire, and, of course, to MC Susie Rexrodt (second from right), GMA-TV host and my colleague in University of Southeastern Philippines (Institute of Languages). With us (among many others) have been also Ana "Tess" Bassilio (third from left), Society Editor and columnist of Mindanao Daily Mirror as well as Ana Felicia Dulay (extreme right), Editor of SunStar Davao... .

It has been a German Oktoberfest in Swiss Deli - but guests from several countries dropped by and joined us.

A "sweet" desert storm - when German Oktoberfest ended up in...

(Check out my Facebook Profile for more photos...!)

Oktoberfest and its history: It started with the Royal Wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig, later to become King Ludwig I and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen, on October 12, 1810. The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the festivities held on the fields in front of the city gates to celebrate the happy royal event. The fields have been named "Theresienwiese" (Theresa's Fields) in honor of the Crown Princess eversince, although the locals have since abbreviated the name simply to the 'Wies'n'!

Today the Oktoberfest is the largest festival in the world, with an international flavor characteristic of the 21st century: some 6 million visitors from all around the world converge on the Oktoberfest each year. And since the Oktoberfest is still held on the Theresienwiese, the locals still refer to the event simply as the "Wies'n"!

Welcome to the next Oktoberfest! Here in Davao City or in Munich/Germany! Or in Manila! I just accepted an invitation for Manila.

Beer, chicken, pork sausages, pork knuckles - and a lot of fun!

Another website? Noch 'ne andere Webseite?

Yes, I love writing and expressing myself as an expat living in the Philippines.

My new and additional website shall be different then this. Check it out and (hopefully!) enjoy reading. You'll experience the differences. 

Please leave any comments, suggestions or questions. I would love to react and stay in touch with you, wherever you are residing right now.

MABUHAY. Welcome to the Philippines.

www.germaninthephilippines.tropicalpenpals.com

Ja, ich liebe es zu schreiben und mich als Auswanderer, der nun permanent auf den Philippinen lebt, hier auszudruecken und zu aeussern!

Meine neue und zusaetzliche Webseite soll noch unterschiedlicher werden, als diese hier. Ich hoffe, es gelingt mir. Viel Spass (hoffentlich!) beim Lesen. Sie werden sicherlich die Unterschiede bemerken.

Bitte hinterlassen Sie Ihre Kommentare, Ihre Vorschlaege oder Ihre Fragen.Ich wuerde sehr gern alles beantworten und mit Ihnen, liebe Leserinnen und Leser in Kontakt bleiben. Egal, wo Sie wohnen, und, egal welcher Nationalitaet Sie angehoeren!

MABUHAY! Willkommen auf den Philippinen!

www.germaninthephilippines.tropicalpenpals.com

Need to Stay in Makati, Metro Manila?

Check out the "Greenbelt Makati Condo For Rent" with really affordable rates.

http://www.makatirooms.com.

Makati Rooms provide clean, beautiful, comfortable and affordable condo units for rent for people looking for both short-term and long-term accomodation in Makati, Metro Manila/Philippines.

I need to stay in Makati later in October. Guess, where I'll be staying?

Popularity Contest

Popularity Contest

TAWA-TAWA - In Fight Versus Dengue

A weed known as tawa-tawa has become a serious matter for the Department of Health in the Philippines (DOH), which is now considering the proposalsof herbalist and former health secretary Jaime Galvez Tan to fund a research on the plant as possible panacea to the fatal bleeding among dengue victims.

I experienced already eight dengue victims in my surroundings during the last months. Tawa-tawa and Durian (the fruit which smells hell but tastes heaven!) have been described by all doctors.

The weed Tawa-tawa is said to prevent hemorrhaging by normalizing platelet count in the blood. According to the latest DOT reports, dengue cases in the Philippines already breached the 90,000 mark. 

During a press-conference during a launch here of a two-day Generic Medicine Expo for Luzon, one could learn from Health Assistant Secretary elmer Punzalan about a joint project of the DOH and the National Center for Pharmaceutical Access and Management, in partnership with SM Prime Holdings Inc.

Tawa-tawa, scientifically known as "Euphorbia hirta" has been also experienced with the side effect encouraging frequent urination, that could lead to dehydration. 

Also other natural remedies, such as all red, orange and yellow-colored natural fruit juices, which are rich in antioxidants, and vitamins A and C could boost immunity against the dengue virus. 

Guys - stay safe always!

Bureau of Immigration Adopts New Queue System

The Bureau of Immigration of the Philippines - again in the critics - started implementing a new queuing system, which is called the "snake-line"  or "s-line" for arriving and departing passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in bid to prevent connivance between human smuggling syndicates and unscrupulous BI personnel, as I could learn from officials during my stay in Cebu City some days ago.

BI officer-in-charge Ronaldo Ledesma said by changing the line formation, they hope to stop the Filipinos 'tourist workers' from ending up as illegal workers in other countries. As one could also learn from several press releases: in the previous straight line scheme, the passengers are able to choose which immigration counter to queue. Human smugglers usually instruct victims to line up in front of the counter manned by corrupt BI personnel. But by adopting the s-line, the passengers would be distributed in the different counters. 

I agree strongly with this and hope and pray, that the initial results are really very encouraging and, that the Immigration officers really will be very cooperative in the implementation of the new system. Not only in Manila - but as well as at all arrival and departure counters of the Philippines at the soonest possible time.

For the sake of my second home, the Republic of the Philippines!