Undiplomatic Diplomat

An ambassador's job is to strengthen goodwill with the nation he is assigned to and win friends among the people therein for his country. The ambassadorial post serves as a country's first link of good elations with another. Doing something that could antagonize citizens and officials in his country of assignment is farthest from actions expected of a foreign envoy.

The presence of a foreign ambassador is a strong indication of friendship between the nation he is assigned to and his home country. So, it was not surprising that US Ambassador Harry Thomas' statement that 40 percent of male tourists to the Philippines are only after sex with local women drew flak from politicians. The most vocal in censuring the US envoy's undiplomatic comments were Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Panfilo Lacson.

Standing part on his comment by three legislators to make an apology to Filipinos, saying that he had bases his assertion with records on sex trade gathered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation agents working with the National Bureau of Investigation,

It cannot be denied that some nationals from other countries come to the Philippines or sexual pleasure with our women who are mostly attractive. But without doubt the great majority of male foreigners come to the country for short visits because there are many things to see in this tropical paradise. ...

Another thing that draws foreign tourists to the country is the low cost of food, services,transportation and hotel accommodations here compared with tose of most other countries. And, because we have sunshine the whole year around, foreign tourists can come to the Philippines at any time of the year.

With his undiplomatic statement that earned the ire of MANY Filipinos, the Ambassador Thomas should heed Senator Lacson's call that he 'pack his bag and go home" for being "tactless, offensive and undiplomatic".

(With friendly permission: Editorial of Mindanao Daily Mirror, October 7, 2011, by publisher Marietta F. Siongco and Ana Theresa F. Basilio, General Manager).

Comment:

I strongly agree, although today the Ambassador expressed his apologizes... .

Zamboanga City moves To Protect Tarsiers

Following the discovery of tarsiers in some places here in Zamboanga City, the city council has adopted two resolutions calling for the protection of tarsiers and their natural habitats.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has disclosed that tarsiers, locally known as "Chonggo Magu", can be found in Baluno, Bungiao, Dulian, La Paz, Lumayang, Pasonaca, and Tolosa.

Two tarsiers, one of them wounded, were found several weeks ago at a populated area in La Paz. The DENR has said that the tarsiers are coming down to populated areas because of the rampant cutting of trees up in the mountains. 

The resolutions sponsored by Councilor Rogelio Valesco (Kudos to your, Sir!), were unanimously approved during the regular Tuesday's session. Valesco is also chair of the city's council's committee on tourism.

The first resolution prohibits people to hunt, kill and capture tarsiers for private keeping and the second is for the DENR, as well as the stakeholders in the barangays, to protect the tarsiers and their natural habitats.

Valesco said, he authored the two resolutions citing that tarsiers are endangered species and that Zamboanguenos should feel fortunate that the little primates exist in this city.

Very well said, Sir! Salamat po!

Philippines' Vanishing Flora and Fauna!?

Being a permanent resident in the Philippines since 1999, I observed several examples regarding vanishing Philippines's flora and fauna.

The Philippine brown deer hobbles on three legs in a tiny mud of a pen at a government-run wildlife rescue centre, a grim symbol of the Philippines' rapidly vanishing flora and fauna. PEOPLE AWAKE!!!

The deer was a victim of a snare set by villagers hunting it for food that claimed its front right foot six years ago, forcing the old male to live out the rest of its days a long way from home at the animal shelter in Manila. Heaven forbid!

The deer is just one of hundreds of local species that are being hunted close to local species that are being hunted close to extinction mainly by the rural poor who want them for food or to sell to dealers as part of an increasingly lucrative global pet trade,

Living in the Philippines... !

Three More Classical Music Composers In A Row

(Ferruccio Busoni)

(Manuel de Falla)

 (Ruggiero Leoncavallo)

 I love them and their music.

Check out more on my website or enjoy listening my radio show "Classics with Klaus Doring", every Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. on 104.3 FM, The Edge Radio Davao and via live stream:

http://www.davao.theedge.ph

http://www.klausdoringclassicalmusic.webs.com

Hope For Mountain People Ata-Manobos

The news are from Talaingod in Davao del Norte. A seemingly endless array of mountain slopes transforms into unusual shades of green that engulf the municipality of Talaingod. Though it ised to be the center of massive logging until the early 1990s, rivers still abound with life and tall trees crown its mountains.

But Talaingod is more than just a spectacular display of nature. Located at the border of Bukidnon and Davao City, it cradles a unique and colorful culture. It is home to the proud Ata-Manabos.

The Ata-Manobos dominate Talaingod with about 80% of the municipality's population. They most live in small sitios that are scattered over a wide 45,496 hectares of forest and dangerous terrain, isolating them from civilization and hindering access to their basic needs.

These proud people in the uplands never really dreamed of ever getting out from the black hole of poverty. For many, it is simply their fate. But what was more disturbing was the people's idea of the government. In all their life they have never seen a government worker. 

The entry of KALAHI-CIDSS (Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services) in 2004 at least let the tribal people started to become aware of the services of the government. Despite being among the remotest areas of the Davao Region, Talaingod started to implement the 2--4 program and the people started to appreciate the efforts of the government.

(Many thanks to Leslie Lao-Francisco, DSWD, for sharing these thoughts with us.)

Four in Ten Male Tourists ‘visit Philippines for sex’

40 percent of foreign men visiting the Philippines are sex tourists, the US-ambassador in the Philippines, Harry Thomas, said... . 

Check out the SUN HERALD story here: 

4 in 10 male tourists ‘visit PH for sex’

Heart Evangelista Is Back

Heart Eveangelista move to be silent for a while, but now she is back after dropping a bomb against Marian Rivera apparently worked to her advantage.

Her new shampoo commercial (with Toni Gonzaga) is more than an endorsement. 

Soon she will be taping a new drama series 'legacy' with Iza Calzado, TJ Trinidad and Geoff Eigenmann. Among other contract stars, her perevious shows fared well in the rating.

Welcome back Heart! 

Anton Bruckner - Another Great Classical Composer

Anton Brucker was born in Ansfelden/Austria on September 4, 1824.

Church music and great symphonies are the fundamentals of his composition works.

More about him is here:

http://www.klausdoringclassicalmusic.webs.com

I Am Back - On Air

Yes - I am back on air again with a Classical Music radio show and some "thoughts regarding our daily life".

"Classics with Klaus Doring" will be on air every Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. on 104.3 FM THE EDGE RADIO DAVAO. Positive music, powerful message!

The Edge Radio Davao is a non-profit organization and broadcasting arm of UCB-IFA (United Christian Broadcasters Initiative for Asia) with several sister stations in the Philippines and all over the world.

Check out:
http://www.davao.theedge.ph 
(live streaming).

And, of course, you can learn more about classical composers (and soon special musicians) on my website

http://www.klausdoringclassicalmusic.webs.com

Solid Waste Disposal in Davao City for Free?

Honestly, I wonder myself many times, how to give my share, if it comes to a solid waste disposal in my surroundings here in Davao City.

Maybe here is the answer: The city government will not spend a single centavo for the construction of the "Ultra-modern solid waste management and disposal plant. This is stipulated in the the draft of the Memorandum of Agreement between the city government and TIG 3 Green Technology Mindanao.

TIG Green Technology Mindanao is a subsidiary of Herhoff/Germany, a company that specializes in converting waste to energy.

On the party of Davao City, it will allow TIG Green Technology Mindanao to use the land where the plant will be built for 50 years, which is renewable for another 50 years. If the city reaches the 1,000-ton garbage generation per day, then the city government will again provide the needed land for the power plant facility that is not more than five kilometers from the MBT plant.

The City of Davao is "gung-ho" about going into an agreement with an agreement with TIG Green Technology Mindanao because the MBT plant will increase the life span of the city's landfill areas in addition to the fact that the city will also generate income from the plant.

Thank you very much Diana Lhyd Suelto for your opinion and thoughts.