What A Small World - Was fuer eine kleine Welt...

My wife and I love to take time out in a very special beach resort on Samal Island. Years passed by, sometimes even a whole decade... suddenly we meet friends here never having seen for quite a long time. What a small world.

Meine Frau und ich lieben es, ab und zu in einem ganz speziellen "beach resort" auf Samal Island auszuspannen. Jahre vergehen, manchmal eine ganze Dekade - und tja, ploetzlich sieht man sich wieder - nach vielen, vielen Jahren. Was fuer eine kleine Welt.

The Cool Advocate: Jesus "Jess" Dureza

"He is a cool guy!" That has been one of the first comments of one of my FACEBOOK friends after posting a photo and mentioning about Jess' visit in my residence a couple of days ago. Yes, he is indeed a cool guy - he's a cool advocate.

That's why I entitled  my today's post like this.

I met him several times before - a couple of months ago in General Santos City during a lunch break in the hotel before my friends and I were leaving for Sarangani and Lake Sebu.

We are "friends" in Facebook. During our dinner in my house he testified, that he has a lot of friends. Friends in its real meaning. No wonder... .

Jesus "Jess" Dureza, an enigmatic character being a great friend and personality at the same time with short but very clear and understandable answers to all my questions.

Davao City's mayor Sara Duterte's punching incident is human, but must not be accepted and tolerated by some people. My "green solidarity sign" has been accepted by him. Democracy and free opinion in the Philippines...?

Jesus "Jess" Dureza, leaving the political stage... . He likes to be "involved in other things" - maybe. Dureza, now publisher of the Davao City based "Mindanao Times" (by the way, my column tabloid before for many years), tells his opinion in many other publications, also in Mindanao Daily Mirror - the daily with my presently weekly Friday column "In my opinion".

Questions regarding the present political situation in the Philippines, Jess has a lot of very understandable answers. Honestly, I agree with them very strongly. Why are people asking to replace the present government in the Philippines? Crossing the line? I quote Jess: "Whether we are happy or unhappy with the present state of affairs under the PNoy presidency is of no moment. Whatever it is, that doesn't justify another "adventurism" to take place."

Jess Dureza "loves to live in Davao City, visit Cebu City from time to time and do business in Manila".

Living abroad? No question. NO!

God and religion is very important for him and his family. Family and its bounds  are to be described as primarily. 

Is Dr. Jose Rizal still his (national) hero? Of course, NOT. Rizal is history. His idol has been his father - a simple bus driver, who feed the whole family with this little income. 

Foreigners in the Philippines are still very welcome... .

And, fears in life? Not at all. Live your life as it is!

Jesus "Jess" Dureza, a "cool guy" with simple but very meaningful answers to all questions. Jesus "Jess" Dureza", Press Secretary during the administration of Gloria Arroyo from 2008-2009... . Not only during that time - a cool advocate.

International Harvardian University Alumni in Davao City

PAGCOR Launches Search for Miss Casino Filipino 2011

Be the first MISS CASINO FILIPINO! It's opened to all single Filipinas, aged 18-25, who poses poise, personality, intelligence,  and charm.

The winner gets 300,000 Pesos plus in-kind donation  to the charity of choice.

You can download application forms at http://www.pagcor.ph or visit Casino Filipino in Davao City (Tel. 082 - 234 3997.

Deadline of submission of entries is July 29, 2011. Hurry up!

You Like To Study in Germany?

Then you should not miss the orientation on German Scholarship and Grant Opportunities at the Social Hall of the University of Southeastern Philippines, Obrero, Davao City on July 25, 2011.

At 9 am Mrs. Natalie Lange, from the DAAD Philippines head office will speak about "The German Academic Exchange Service, the study and research in Germany and the DAAD Scholarship Program".

At 10 am, my friend Mr. Helmut Frielinghaus, from the Goethe Institute Philippines, Manila will speak about "Language Courses and Certificates as well as Teacher Trainings and Cultural Programs".

At 11 am, Roberto Alabadao III, City Planning Officer of Davao City is going to testify about his practical experience as a DAAD Alumnus regarding study and research in Germany.

By the way: I have been suggested and appointed being the Davao/Mindanao DAAD consultant with office in DOST, Bajada, Davao City. More details will follow soon - and, you can contact me any time now already. 

PLDT (Philippine Long Distance Telephone) Best Philippine Managed Company

No wonder. Every time I got a problem with my telephone line or internet connection, all problems have been solved within minutes. 

Don't get me wrong, this is not a promotion post for the PLDT, the Philippine Long Distance Telephone... .

Fact is, PLDT has been named the best managed company in the Philippines, not according to me, but according to the annual poll of Asia's top companies by FinanceAsia, aleading financial publication in Asia.

PLDT led in four out of five categories covering large market capitalization companies based on the results of tallied votes from more then 300 investors and analysts across the region. FinanceAsia announced the winners of its 11th annual poll last week.

PLDT maintained its lead as Most committed to a Strong Dividend Policy for the thrid consecutive year. PLDT also climbed to the top of the list of Philippine companies in the Best Corporate Governance category after placing third in 2010.

PLDT was also recognized as one of the top companies in the Best Corporate Social Responsibility Category.

My Classical Music Masters

(Daniel Francois Esprit Auber)

(Alban Berg)

(Edward Elgar)

Three new stories about three classical music composers. Check them out here:

http://www.klausdoringclassicalmusic.webs.com

Aquino: No Apologies to Bishops

Is it the really right move of the President of the Philippines? Check out more here: 

Aquino: No apologies to bishops

AND, WHAT'S YOUR OPINION?

Amazing Adventures in Awesome Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur (II)

The province of Agusan was named after a Malay word meaning where water flows", probably because o the might river that travellers the whole area. Early migrants from Borneo and  Celebes came to the region in Balanghais or wooden boats. Nine such boats were excavated and carbon-dated to be between the 4th and 13th centuries. The Malay settlers drove the aborigines, called Mamanwas, to the hinterlands.

By the time the Spaniards arrived, the natives were already trading with foreign merchants, as attested by 10th century ceramics unearthed near Butuan. Some historians claim that Magellan held the first mass in the Philippines in Masao at the month of the Agusan River, and not in Limsasawa, Leyte, on Easter Sunday of March 15, in the year 1521.

Must see in Agusan del Norte: "Pur Lady of Assumption Parish/Musuem: Fr. Urious instigated the people of Jabonga to look for a higher ground for a permanent church. Today, it is the oldest surviving Spanish church in the entire of Carage located in Jabonga.

"Lake Mainit", an incredible confluence of 28 rivers, a 17,430 hectare lake situated 80 feet above sea level with a mean depth of 128 meters as the 4th biggest in the country. Endemic fishes are the Gabot and Pidjanga. Native flora include the Pagosi and Tabokali, fauna includes the Giant Purple Heron, among others.  I really appreciate, that ecotourism activities are availabe and here canoeing, bird-watching, and cultual contact.

(Agusan del Sur, TO BE CONTINUED!)

Live Life as It Is - A Dinner with Jesus Jess Dureza

I was glad and honoured having Jesus "Jess" Dureza, former Presidential Adviser for Peace in Mindanao, Press Secretary and Lawyer, for dinner (and many questions!) in my house. More about my questions and the answers of a unique and incredible personality SOON here on this website... .