CONFUSED

(Today's Editorial of Mindanao Daily Mirror - with friendly permission of my publisher and editor-in-chief 'Tita" Marietta Siongco.)

What is with us?

We pretend to defend decency in public office, yet we condone abominations like a midnight appointment. We mouth motherhood statements about the blight of corruption, yet we whine about bold measures aimed at weeding out the crooks. We purport allegiance to the Constitution, yet we use, nay misuse, the same sacred instrument to compromise earnest efforts to better our society. We say one thing, yet mean another.

This sums up our pathetic national discourse over the last months. For how explain the rank inanities favoring such a widely discredited figure aas Chief Justice Renato Corona? What must we make for the throng that lapped up his street language late last week, clinging to his post as if he were the High Court itself, and taking the President, no less, to task as a -take note- dictator?

How else explain the public statements of such bodies and individuals like the IBP (which cavalierly invoked the constitutional principle of separation of powers, as if any of those institutional powers were beyond criticism), Sen. Joker Arroyo (who, not unlike, of all people, Sen. Bongbong Marcos, critized the Chief's Justice's impeachment at the House), former Sen. Nene Pimentel (who said he wasn't happy with the swift impeachment process), and confessed GMA friend Fr. Eliseo Mercado (Mindanao's very own peace advocate who painfully noted that Gloria Arroyo was being "demonized as if she were the personification of evil.")

Are we missing something?

... .

We're a confused people - unworthy of, or desperate for, principled, modern leadership.

Natural Disaster in Mindanao

 The tropical storm Washi (Sendong) struck the northern coast of Mindanao with very heavy rain in a region not accustomed to typhoons, causing rivers to burst their banks, sweeping many residents out to the sea.

The cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro were transformed into mud-filled waterways choked with vehicles and downed trees.

Also Davao City, where I am residing was placed under unusual Storm Signal One. Heavy down pours followed. Storms are indeed rare this far south of the country, and Davaoenos have always boasted that the city is free of storms and typhoons...

Climate changes?!

German Christmas Party 2011 in Davao City/Deutsche Weihnachtsfeier 2011 in Davao City

Ein Bild sagt mehr als Worte. A pixture says more then words...

Trotzdem sind hier einige Worte: Ein grosser Teil der Deutschen Gemeinde in Davao traf sich zu einer wunderbaren Weihnachtsfeier mit Besinnlichkeit, Spass und einem excellenten europaeischen Buffet (kreiert von Freund und General Manager Wolfgang Pfuner) im Apo View Hotel, Davao City.

Members of the German Community gathered together during a wonderful Christmas Party with joy and fun and a wonderful European Buffet (a creation of friend and General Manager Wolfgang Pfuner) in Apo View Hotel in Davao City.

Wann geht's denn endlich los? When shall we start? 

 Spiele und Spass - hier mit den beiden MC's Susie Rexrodt und Rossana Balcom-Doring und einigen weiblichen Kandidaten... 

Games and fun - here with MC's Susie Rexrodt and Rossana Balcom-Doring and some female candidates...

 

 Merry Christmas to all of you. Ein Frohes und Gesegnetes Weihnachtsfest   Ihnen allen!

Season of Homesickness

(A repost of my column "IN MY OPINION" from MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR - December 16, 2011).

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Much could be written or told about all the wonderful places worldwide. A lifetime would not be enough to discover the whole world. Millions of Filipinos migrants are still working and living in many countries all over the world. But those Filipinos are so occupied and tired with work, that in a half-day of not working, they don't even have the energy to go out anymore.

They prefer to rest instead. they work until dawn. There's even no more time for letters or send emails anymore. They get up early next day to do the same activities. Again and again... . They fail to appear on dates or appointments even schedules were already set. On the last minute going out on a free half-day, but suddenly guests arrive who need to be served for example. All these and more make it very diffcult for the OFWs to find time even for themselves.

Christmas time should let uns remember and remind us of our beloved ones somewhere out there. Being "there" is something like being in a garden of roses. Everybody is free to pick up flowers, but surely everybody will not find that easy because the roses are on top of the thorns. being abroad is even more complicated then that.

Indeed, much has been written and talked about homesickness of mind and heart - especially during Christmas season and the time between yesterday and tomorrow.

Many Filipinos stay in countries, where deep winter is reigning right now. Wearing three jackets a day, warm winter clothes and, from the start one must be always on top form, but not only lively but also egantly.

Homesickness usually attacks, when 'your people abroad" receive unpleasant notes from home, as I heard many saying before: "Problema at magpadala ka ng pera!"

The loved ones overseas even try to save  a little amount for airfares just in case they need to  come immediately to their families in the Philippines. many times they consider the difficulty and complication in sending money home. Many imes they even can't afford to visit the Philippines for a long time... .

Homesickness comes, when we hear that one of the boys at home doesn't want to go to school anymore. Homesickness comes when misunderstandings between husband and wife or closed friends arise... .

How about me? Sure, homesickness comes along also for me, especially during this time. Even living in the Philippines as an expatriate for good since 1999, I still do miss my home country Germany and many people there. Season of homesickness... .

Mr. and Miss Photogenitic Grand Finals in Davao City

Deutscher Konsularsprechtag/German Consular Day in Davao City

Die Botschaft der Bundesrepublik Deutschland gibt bekannt, dass am

Donnerstag, den 20. August 2015

von 8.30 bis 12.30 Uhr und von 14.00 bis 17.00 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 und Porras Streets), Barangay Obrero, Davao City (hinter dem Victoria Plaza Mall), Tel./Fax 082-227 1761und 0915-219 9002. Ansprechpartner ist der Leiter der Rechts- und Konsularabteilung der Botschaft, Herr Ulrich Koehler!

Bitte beachten Sie, dass wegen biometrischer Daten (u.a. Fingerabdruecke) nur noch vollstaendige Antraege auf Ausstellung vorlaeufiger Reisepaesse und Kinderreisepaesse  - NICHT jedoch Antraege fuer Europapaesse - entgegengenommen werden koennen.

Leider koennen Visaantraege in Davao City NICHT gestellt werden. Die Visaabteilung in Manila ist nicht mit der University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) in Davao City vernetzt. Bitte haben Sie Verstaendnis, dass aus diesem Grund auch Fragen zu einzelnen Visaantraegen NICHT beantwortet werden koennen!

Fuer eine erforlgreiche Bearbeitung Ihres Anliegens (z.B. Beurkundungen, Beglaubigungen etc.) setzen Sie sich bitte rechtzeitig zwecks Vorbereitung der Urkunde(n) mit der BGotschaft in Verbindung.

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

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The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany would like to inform you that the Head of the Legal and Consular Section, the First Secretary, Mr. Ulrich Koehler, will hold office on

Thursday, August 20, 2015

from 8:30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.  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 (at the back of Victoria Plaza Mall).

Please note that due to biometric specifications only complete applications for German Temporary Passports and Children's Passports can be accepted. Applications for Regular Passports with biometric specifications (e.g. fingerprints) CANNOT be accepted.

Unfortunately, visa applications CANNOT be accepted as well. Inquiries regarding visa applications will 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 prepared.

You may also visit our website www.manila.diplo.de 

A Hot Chocolate, Rain and More Classical Music - RELAX KO

After writing the whole day,  I  enjoy now,  as I said, a hot chocolate, more rain, and especially more classical music of  Alexander Glasunoff and  Karl Goldmark.

Stamp Out Corruption at Its Root

While the brouhaha brought on by the Arroyo arrest drama continues, it will be well for us if we stopped for a while and pulled back a little to see the big picture in all this. While it is true that Malacanang is currently focused on former President Gloria Arroyo who has been charged with electoral sabotage, she is but a part of the grand whole, that is, an entire system of corruption that has allowed her and her ilk to take the entire country down the road of decay and disarray. After all, Arroyo did not invent cheating at the polls - it was there long before she came to power, and if we are not careful, it can be still part of our collective lives long after she is gone.

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One of the biggest mistakes our people have made in the years after the 1986 People Power uprising was the continued dependence on personalities to lead us instead of putting up a cohesive system that would guide us no matter who is at the helm. Each president that has arisen since martial law has made a sort of cult around himself and herself, such that their respective administrations had risen or fallen on their strenghts alone. This has been especially true of Presidents Joseph Estrada and Gloria Arroyo, who ruled with own brand of iron fists that ultimately led to heir downfall. With personalities playing too strong a role in politics , it was inevitable that the democratic system itself would become weakened - too weakened to respond when it is abused.

It is thus incumbent upon the current president to disabuse the minds of the people that he and he alone holds the answer to every problem we are facing. To his credit he has done that, but he must be careful also to see to it that the system is strenghened and not just used to prosecute past sins. We understand President Aquino's fervor in running after Mrs. Arroyo; after all, that is a campaign promise that he intends to keep. But if all he does is drive his predecessor to prison, then he shall have missed out on the chance, to institute real change in Filipino politics and society. Corruption is not a one-man or one-woman operation, and singling out specific individuals can only go so far. What government must do is run after the core of problem and stamp it out at the very root. Otherwise we will be doomed to live the same spectacle we are currently experiencing over and over again.

 

(Today's - December 8, 2011 Editorial "Mindanao Daily Mirror" published also here with friendly permission of my publisher and Editor-in-Chief "Tita" Marietta Siongco).

Human Rights Day in The Philippines

The observance of the Human Rights Day on December 10, 2011 centers on calling a stop to impunity in the Philippines. The government will join the global celebration of the International Human Rights Day that anchors on the theme: "End Impunity! Make Human Rights our Way of Life!"

Commission on Human Rights Regional Director Attorney Alberto Sipaco, Jr. explained on the meaning of the theme as to put "an end to crimes" and making the law enforcement "stronger with much political will".

Sipaco defined impunity as to "the state where people can just commit crimes without being apprehended." He said also: "If there's impunity, we might develop the culture of violence, and people might accept this state. If this happens, what kind of future can we give to the generations to come?" he told the Philippine Information Agency.

Very well said, Sir!

DOST brought STARBOOKS to Davao City

A humble contribution of the Department of Science and Technology to the world of education was introduced by its Davao Regional Office on November 17, 2011 at NCCC Mall, Davao City called STARBOOKS.

STARBOOKS or the S&T Academic and Research=Based Openly-Operated Kiosk Station is a new academic resource for students and researchers. STARBOOKS contains thousands of digitized science and technology resources in various formats (text and video/audio). STARBOOKS aims to create interest of students to enroll in the field of Science and Technology; encourage great and curious minds to develop new ideas, such as inventions and innovations; and inspire one's capacity for entrepreneurship and research.

DOST XI Regional Director, Dr. Anthony Sales, said that the STARBOOKS will support the students and teachers alike while undertaking research. Dr. Sales added that STARBOOKS complements the scholarship program of the DOST as it enhances the science capabilities of students from all levels in the region.

Likewise, STARBOOKS is helpful to our entrepreneuring kababayans in the countryside as it provides technology videos ranging from food processing to laundry soap making and other livlehood materials.

DOST is looking forward to the availment of the STARBOOKS by Local Government Units (LGUs), Non-Government Organizations, Educational Institutions and Private Institutions to make Science and Technology Information accessible to every Filipino. In fact, Councilor Jose Louie Villafuerte representing Mayor Sara Duterte during the RICE 2011, is optimistic of getting one for the City of Davao.

DOST XI welcomes stakeholders who are interesting in putting up a STARBOOKS in their area. All that is required are computer, pod, space measuring 3m x 4m (with specifications for physical set up of the kiosk), mandatory training, and a focal person. 

For more information please contact Mr. Eric C. Colmenares at telephone 082 - 22154 28.