DEUTSCHE WELLE ASIEN wieder im Kabel/DEUTSCHE WELLE ASIEN back in Skycable

Einige Wochen herrschte doch eine gewisse Aufregung. Warum sendet die Deutsche Welle nur das ueberwiegend englischsprachige Programm ASIA+ ueber SKYCABLE? Mehrere Anfragen bei lokalen SKYCABLE-Bueros blieben ohne befriedigende Antworten - oftmals erhielt man nur die Antwort: Wir wissen auch nicht!

Ich schickte mehrere emails an die Deutsche Welle in Berlin und bekam sofort Antworten von Frau Julia Becker, DW-TV Fernsehdirektorin in Berlin, und Herrn Manuel Burkhardt von der Fernsehdirektion-Zuschauerdirektion in Berlin. Schliesslich rief mich Herr Manfred Kritsch, den ich schon seit einigen Jahren kenne,  vom Vertrieb/Asien (und auch zustaendig fuer die Philippinen) aus Bonn an.

Herzlichen Dank an Herrn Kritsch, der, nach mehreren Gespraechen mit SKYCABLE Manila, erreichte, dass wir nun alle wieder das ueberwiegend in deutscher Sprache ausgestrahlte Programm DW-TV ASIEN sehen duerfen.

+++

A big thanks to Mrs. Julia Becker, DEUTSCHE WELLE TV Director and Mr. Manuel Burkhardt, and especially to Mr. Manfred Kritsch, Asia Distribution, who called me several days ago and talked with SKYCABLE Manila. DW-TV ASIEN, mostly broadcasting in German language, is again back in SKYCABLE.

Die Heilige Nacht im Wandel der Zeit

Als ich ein Kind gewesen,
das ist schon lange her,
da war Weihnachten noch ein Erlebnis,
ein Maerchen und noch viel mehr.
Es gab nur keine Geschenke,
denn wir waren ja nicht reich,
doch diese bescheidenen Gaben
kamen dem Paradiese gleich.
Da gab es Aepfel und Nuesse,
mitunter auch ein paar Schuh',
und wenn es die Kasse erlaubte
ein kleines Pueppchen dazu.
Wie war doch das Kinderherz selig
ob all der herrlichen Pracht,
und es war ein herrliches Raunen
um die Stille Heilige Nacht.

Dann wurde ich aelter und groesser
und wuenschte mir das und dies
und hoerte auf, an das Christkind zu glauben
und verlor dabei das Paradies.
Dann kam der Krieg mit all' seinen Leiden
mit Hunger und mit Not,
da wurde ich wieder bescheiden
und war dankbar fuer ein stueck Brot.

Wir alle wurden da kleiner
und nur ein Wunsch hatte die Nacht,
wir wollten vereint sein mit unseren lieben
in der Stillen Heiligen Nacht.
Doch der Wunsch erfuellte sich selten,
denn die lagen da draussen und hielten die Wacht,
und wir waren einsam und weinten
in der Stillen Heiligen Nacht.

Und als der Krieg dann endlich zu Ende
wuchs eine neue Jugend heran,
und die hatte dann auch ihre Wuensche
an den lieben Weihnachtsmann.
Nur die waren nicht klein und bescheiden,
denn der Wohlstand kam in das Land,
die Wunsche wurden groesser und groesser,
und das Schenken nahm ueberhand.
Nun wir gewuenscht und gegeben,
und keiner fragt nach dem Wert,
vergessen sind Krieg und Armut
und die Stunden am einsamen Herd.
Aus dem schoensten der christlichen Feste
hat der Mensch einen Jahrmarkt gemacht,
er wuenscht sich vom Besten das Beste
und vergisst den Sinn der Heiligen Nacht.

Where do I belong?! Thoughts on reverse culture shock

Where do I belong?! Thoughts on reverse culture shock

A very interesting article by SHELLY D. LANE, Ph.D. Thanks a lot for sharing it with us...
Eine wirklich interessanter Artikel von Dr. SHELLY D. LANE. Vielen Dank... .

Poll says 9 of 10 Filipinos hopeful about 2011

Poll says 9 of 10 Filipinos hopeful about 2011

As always, the optimistic Philippinos! Check out this post.
Merry Christmas!

Wie immer - die optimistischen Philippinos! Lesen Sie diesen Artikel!
Froehliche Weihnachten!

Christmas Party German Community Davao/Mindanao and International Friends

Four Filipina beautiful spouses - and many more have been there!

Vier huebsche philippinische Ehefrauen - und da waren noch viel mehr!

More and more guests arrived - not only from Germany and the Philippines, but also from France, Japan, UK, Finland and other countries.

Mehr und mehr Gaeste treffen ein - nicht nur von Deutschland und den Philippinen, aber auch aus Frankreich, Japan, England, Finnland und anderen Laendern.

A Christmas celebration, which united not only Germans and Filipinos but also other nationalities.

Eine Weihnachtsfeier, die nicht nur Deutsche und Filipinos aber auch andere Nationalitaten vereinte.

Susie Rexrodt, GMA - TV reporter, Fernsehreporterin und Rossana Balcom-Doring, my wife, meine Ehefrau, MC's, Moderatoren der Veranstaltung.

The Manisan Dancers and Singers performed a German-Philippine Christmas Music medley. 

Die Manisan Dancers and Singers erfreuten mit einem deutsch-philippinischen Weihnachtslieder - Medley.

Parlor Games,prizes and fun!

Gesellschaftsspiele, Preise und viel Spass!

Among others, also three of my German class students from USEP University of Southeastern Philippines joined and enjoyed the event.

Auch drei meiner Studentinnen vom Deutschkurs an der USEP University of Southeastern Philippines waren dabei und hatten viel Spass.

Merry Christmas! Froehliche Weihnachten!

Und ein grosses Dankeschoen an die Sponsoren / a big thank you to our sponsors PAGCOR Casino Filipino Davao City (Generalmanager Arthur Malatag und Marketing Direktorin Dara Abanilla), Grand Regal Hotel (raffle: 1st prize one overnight stay with breakfast) and Swiss Deli Davao City (Markus and Romano). 

Secure your home for the holidays - News and Information | MyProperty.ph

Secure your home for the holidays - News and Information | MyProperty.ph

A very informative and important post. Check it out!

The Noble Mind and Heart

In times of WikiLeaks releases, truth commission, natural disasters (Cancun?), global  economical problems and (again) dwindling hopes of several people around me, dreaming (not only) of a White Christmas but a better future, I do feel inspire to put the cart before the horse.

Maybe at the end of this piece I'll tread the footsteps of other bloggers, columnists or commentators. So be it!

Pride comes before a fall - but never magnanimity, The dictionary defines magnanimity as in greatness of mind and generosity of heart especially in forgiveness. Often times Filipinos are really a magnanimous people having the quality of being high souled, rising above pettiness or meanness and the generosity in overlooking injury or insult.

The late Harry Emerson Fosdick, a famous Protestant teacher wrote: "No man ever saved anybody, or served any great of left any enduring impress, who was not willing to forget indignities, bear no grudges. The world's saviors have all, in one way and another, loved their enemies and done them good!"

Magnanimity, applied to relations between nations and people, transforms hostility into helpfulness. No "West Berlin inhabitant" (and count me in!) will forget the U.S. airlift during the East German-Russian blockade, when the so-called "raisin bomber planes" kept West-Berlin and its people alive. 

What quality in human character do you consider the most admirable of all? How about the tolerance toward another's viewpoint without smugness? How about refusal to judge another's action or motives without first knowing what lies behind them?

U.S. writer Clarence W. Hall said before: "Magnanimity must be developed and habitual by practice, but it's a virtue that sweetens and glorifies life."

People with a noble mind and heart are fond of day dreams. Of course, fantasies don't have to be a flight away from reality. In fact, psychologists are discovering since long time, that day dreams can play a creative role in self-development and a better mutual understanding. They are also one of the best things for the well being of a family - and a whole nation.

The Jolliest Season in The Philippines

Many times I have been asked, if I am a preacher or pastor. I am not any of them. I was born and grew up in a parish house. While treading on different paths around the globe, through life, God has been more or less my permanent compadre. This might explain the "religious touch" in many write ups from time to time.

When the Christmas spirit sweeps through the Philippines, i learned how this spirit infects residents, tourists and a lot of expats alike with its gaiety.

The "official" Christmas season in the Philippines stretches from December 16 to January 6, but Christmas carols began already in October, and the season decorations stay up until the end of January. I remember my time as radio host in the Philippines: requests for Christmas tracks started already in September (!). They didn't surprise me while being on air for almost five years... .

Spanish missionaries introduced Christianity in the Philippines in the early 16th century. Many Christmas customs are derived from European roots. A creche is commonly found in church yards and on store facades, but often the carabao and the chicken have replaced the ox and ass. Humble farmers and fishermen bring offerings of fruits and fish to the babe in the manger. Real evergreen trees or the real Christmas tree, which can be found in Europe or other parts of the globe are rare in the Philippines. Filipinos have devised imaginative rattan representations, or "silver trees' fashioned with aluminium foil.

No dwelling or business address however, is too humble to display a "parol", the traditional star shaped Japanese paper and bamboo lantern that is a unique Christmas symbol in the Philippines. There are plenty of examples nationwide which show us how to celebrate the jolliest season of the year. 

Las Pinas (near Manila!) is very well known for its lantern makers. Have you seen already the marketplace overflowing with fanciful designed lanterns? San Fernando, Pampanga is famous for its spectacular lantern parade on Christmas Eve.

Yes, the Philippines celebrates the longest Christmas season worldwide infecting every one with gaiety. Count me in...!

I feel very touched when the "Gloria in excelsis Deo' rings triumphantly. After midnight families gather together around a table of traditional fare: foods and gifts. Towns are filled with wonderful and biosterous parties, noisemakers, and fire workers (NOT in Davao City!).

For me as a foreigner, who experienced the jolliest season of the year many times already, it is always an unforgettable event. 

Merry Christmas and Maligayang Pasko!

Cute - But Please Don't Wait For the Bite!

I love dogs since my childhood. I still have seven dogs here in the Philippines. Here are some puppies. Aren't they cute???

Without timely treatment, rabies infection is 100 percent fatal. Rabies is the best example of an illness in which prevention is better than cure, as it is a vaccine-preventable disease. 

According to the WHO (World Health Organization), more than 55,00 people die of rabies every year, with dog bites as the cause of 99 percent of rabies deaths. Every year, more than  15 million people worldwide (!) receive post-exposure prophylaxis, preventing an estimated 327,000 rabies deaths annually.

Following the official announcements rabies remains a significant public heath concern in the Philippines where only 25 percent of dogs are vaccinated against the viral infection and only 17 (!) rabies diagnostic laboratories are currently in operation. 

Come and visit me and my dogs. Yes, they are very cute - not only as puppies. And, if they might bite you, youhave nothing to worry!

Mr. Eric van Oppens, president and CEO of Novartis Healthcare Philippines voiced it out very clearly: 

"Our commitment to increase public awareness on rabies begins within the company and among our employees. Rest assured that we will expand our rabies awareness campaign to include the general public. This is our humble contribution to preventing and controlling rabies in the Philippines!"

Unsung Philippino Heroes

While staying in Manila again last week, I came across a wonderful write up of Pablo A. Tariman in the 'Philippine Daily Inquirer' about unsung heroes in the performing arts. I strongly agree with him. Of course, Manny Pacquiao, with a reputation as one of the greatest boxers ever, without difficulties named with the same breath nowadays with Dr. Jose Rizal seem to be Philippine national heroes. 

Pablo A. Tariman mentioned also Efren Penaflorida, who made the pushcart his classroom to help children get basic education. For his selfless dedication he was named the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year. Congratulations again!

I love classical music. I was blessed being able to host a classical music radio show for several years in the Philippines. During that time I always tried to add classical music elements performed by Philippine artists in my show. Not easy sometimes - but with the help of several record companies I got successful.

During that time I also learned a lot about these unsung heroes, Tariman also mentioned in his article.

Iloilo-born Filipino tenor Otoniel Gonzaga, i.e., who has reaped audience adulation in Vienna as Calaf in Guiseppe Verdi's "Turandot" or as Bacchus in Richard Strauss' opera "Ariadne auf (on) Naxos". Imagine, he remains the only Filipino tenor who has sung the Verdi opera "Otello".

Another Filipino opera singer, Arthur Espiritu, made history by becoming the first Filipino tenor to make it to "La Scala di Milan" (the Mandalay Stadium of Opera). 

Recently, as one could learn from Tariman, Lea Salonga was again the toast of england and millions of TV viewers when she sang in the 25th-anniversary concert of "Les Miserables" in London, where she was the first Filipina to sing the lead part of that musical, by the way, one of my favourites and requested in almost all radio shows of mine. 

Or, let me mention Cecile Licad. After her triumphs in several continents, she again made waves in Michigan and Germany with her 'Chopin No. 1'. Again, imagine my dear readers, she's now heading for Russia where she will become the first soloist of the Russian state orchestra. New York Times critic Harris Goldsmith says she's among the world's greatest pianists. Wow, wow, wow...!

It's really a never ending list. Allow me to quote Pablo Tariman again, because he so very, very well right in his article:

"This is good an occasion for us to refelct on the plight of artists who have no millions in pre-formance contract and who have to make do with modest fees compared to the million of dollars earned by champs and other athletes. So, while basking in the glory of Pacquiao, Filipinos should remember that the world also needs performing arts heroes and heroines who can provide truly inspiring anthems of the spirit."