Take Good Care!

I am an expatriate living in the Philippines for good since 12 years. I have never been back in Germany, my home country. I visited the Philippines since 1976 - since 1982 on a regular basis. I always remember the phrase: "Take good care of yourself!" Sure, I did! I always did good care of myself - also whiule staying in more then 60 other countries worldwide. 

Although one takes good care, anything can happen: an accident, an illness. Also YOU, just reading this, may be at risk.

Did you experience any chest pains or heaviness? Come on, stop smiling. Have you had a weakness or numbness on one side of your body which resolves completely at the end of the day? Come on, yes I DID BEFORE! I experienced it twice - mild strokes. Nearly 26 million people worldwide die (!) every year of diseases associated with "atherothrombosis". 

Now, hy am I so concerned about this topic? Sure, everybody can get sick or ill. Filipinos and expats living herein the Philippines. Fact is, the Philippine health infrastructure is deadly! I really hold my breath reading alot of news while researching for this post. No, no good news! Sorry, really bad news!

It happened several months ago, but it's still up to date: Philippine "STAR"-columnist Boo Chanco, whom I really admire, has been talking to a number of doctors and always got the same message: "If you should have a heart attack or stroke, pray that neither happens outside of Metro Manila nor Metro Cebu!" Boom-bang! How about all the other places in the Philippines? Mindanao, Davao City - has not breath a word. 

It means to say: Proper emergency care is not available outside Manila and Ceby. Which hospitals, I am referring to Mindanao, in my case especially Davao City - can provide proper emergency care and treatment for these two medical emergencies?

Let's mention again basic tourism programs, retirement programs or the development of luxury second homes away from the metro areas, as Boo Chanco stressed. I am pretty sure we can't wait for the government again to provide us. The private  sector developers indeed will have to include adequate mdeical facilities in their plans.

PhilHealth is not bankrupt. Even being an expat I am a member of. And, by the way, the "Generic Pharmacy" (Mabisa na - Matipid pa!!!) is still extending nationwide. 

Take good care of yourselves, guys! Stay safe and healthy in the Philippines.

Remembering the history of classical composers - Klaus Doring's Classical Music

Since I live in the Philippines for good I do appreciate more and more classical music.


No, it's not because of a certain culture shock. Classical music  helps me to rewind and relax.


One of my most famous classical composers is Edvard Grieg.


Check out more on my music website... .

Valentine Afternoon Delight in Paradise

Sun, sand and blue water! My favourite resort on Samal Island, the one and only and original Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort presents a very special event: The Valentine Afternoon Delight in Paradise. Olivia Dabawenya takes you to the time you fell in love for the first time with her carefully lined up songs for this special day. Featuring also Mr.  Bob Puyat on saxophone.

Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort also featured a 12:00 Valentine Sunday Fling, a pre-Valentine Show, featuring one of Davao's Pop Bands, reminiscing how falling in love can bring so many cherished memories through songs. And one thing more: the couple with the best valentine attire wins a fabulous prize. 

For further information you might call 082 - 233-0251 or visit
www.paradiseislanddavao.com.

Blog - Klaus Doring's Classical Music

Blog - Klaus Doring's Classical Music

Ludwig van Beethoven

Church groups praised for anti-logging drive

Church groups praised for anti-logging drive

I like to share this post with you.

Pope offers prayers for flood victims in Philippines

Pope offers prayers for flood victims in Philippines

Read the post here.

What Do Filipinos Value Most?

When I read one of a national papers' poll, I could only strongly agree. Yes, that's what I experienced since the first moment I stepped on Philippine soil.

Allow me to share it with you:

Family comes first: Filipinos value most their families. Filipinos are very much family-oriented that they will sacrifice everything just to be able to give their children the best of life. It is indeed the family that matters most to all Filipinos. Close family ties characterize the typical Filipino clan. No other values could displace it in the hearts of true-blooded Filipinos. 

I also agree with several poll joiners, that Pinoys indeed give prime concern  to bonding with relatives AND FRIENDS., ready to spent the last penny to impress their unlimited hospitality. 

Time changes everything. Not only I observed it - also a lot of Filipinos joining this poll. Yes, it's true: there has been a paradigm shift in what Filipinos value. These values have eroded slowly. 

A good education still seems to be a status symbol in many Filipino families. Many Filipinos are keep on dreaming (and trying their best!) for the children to have a good education and a better future. And, Filipinos value loyality and honesty at work. 

"Crab mentality" is and will remain as a bane. 

Although, after 12 years living in the Philippines for good as an expat, I also value many things here: especially the hospitality, gratefulness and credibility, I can experience every single day. And, I feel save and happy and so very much secure in this family-oriented society. 

The Four Seasons/Die Vier Jahreszeiten

Enjoy reading.
Viel Spass beim Lesen!

Wellness and Medical Tourism in The Philippines

Since living in the Philippines for good, I have always observed the country's world-class physicians, very often a modern technology and the so very true brand of caring and compassion of Filipinos. no wonder that wellness and medical tourism in the Philippines is becoming more and more important as the country positions itself as a premier gloabl destination.

One thing is very clear: the pool of foreign tourist patients and health buffs in the Philippines is increasing dramatically. The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) is doing well, pushing tour operators to develop more medical and wellness tourism packages. that will cater to the growing number of foreign patients visiting this country nowadays and in the future. 

I am not sure if this will materialize: The DOT honestly expects the Philippines  to corner a total of three billion US$ (!?) from the global medical tourism industry by 20154, if more or less 200,000 foreign patients arrive here annually. I wish these will figures really become true - for the sake of the Philippines. 

Of course, the innate hospitality of the Filipinos is very well-known, but health care providers should also constantly upgrade their facilities to be at par with world-class standards. 

Mabuhay , and welcome to the Philippines!

Deutscher Konsularsprechtag in Davao/German Consular Day in Davao

Die Botschaft der Bundesrepublik Deutschland in Manila gibt bekannt, dass am

Mittwoch, den 16. Februar 2011 von 9.00 - 12.30 Uhr und 14.00 - 16.00 Uhr 

ein Konsularsprechtag stattfinden wird in der

University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP), Board Room, Office of the President, Inigo Street, Haupteingang (in der Naehe der N. Torres, Cervantes and Porras Streets0, Barangay Obrero, Davao City (hinter Victoria Plaza Mall) mit Telefon-/Faxnummern 082 - 221 7737 und 082 - 225 4696.

Ansprechpartner ist der Leiter der Rechts- und Konsularabteilung der Botschaft, Herr Konsul Klaus Mueller.

Bitte beachten Sie, dass wegen der biometrischen Daten (u.a. Fingerabdruecke) nur noch vollstaendige Antraege auf Ausstellung vorlaeufiger Reisepaesse und Kinderreisepaesse - NICHT JEDOCH Antrage auf EUROPAPAESSE entgegengenommen werden koennen.

Visaantraege koennen NICHT gestellt werden. Fragen zu Visa werden NICHT beantwortet.

Fuer eine erfolgreiche Bearbeitung Ihres Anliegens (z.B. Beurkundungen/Beglaubigungen etc.) setzen Sie sich bitte rechtzeitig zwecks Vorbereitung der Urkunde mit der Botschaft in Verbindung.

Informationen und Formulare finden Sie auf der Webseite www.manila.diplo.de.


The Embassy of the Federal Republic of  Germany in Manila would like to inform you that the Head of the Legal and Consular Section, First Secretary (and Consul) Mr. Klaus Mueller, will hold office

Wednesday, 16th February 2011 from 9.00 am - 12.30 pm and from 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP), Board Room, Office of the President, Inigo Street, main gate (near N. Torres/Cervantes and Porras Streets), Barangay Obrero, Davao City, back of the Victoria Plaza Mall, Telephone/Fax: 082 - 221 7737 and 082 - 225 4696.

Please note that due to the biometric specifications only complete applications for the German Temporary Passports and children's passports can be accepted. Visa applications CANNOT be accepted as well. Inquiries regarding visa well not be answered and should be directed to the Visa Section of the Embassy. 

Kindly contact  the embassy well in advance in case  legal documents have to be prepared. 

You may also visit the embassy's website.