Waiting For the Promise

The most awaited season of the year has finally come. Again. The most joyous month is here at last. At times it makes me wonder how life would be without the month of December. Something is indeed very special on this season that brings about changes not only in the atmosphere but also in our zest for living and life.

In this beloved country Philippines, the air becomes coller especially during mornings when fields and forests embrace and kiss the morning fog.

The first streak of light that pierces the darkness from the earth is the sign of life. The stillness of the dawn which has long awakened by the crowning of the rooster and singing of the birds add color and harmony to the fabric of God's creation. This is the beauty of life and the joy of mankind.

December is the "well of life" where you draw a renewed commitment. Christmas is a testimony that the whole creation and its people are worth living and dying for as did the Messiah. For many of us, December is a glow that blossoms across the Eastern horizon bringing the promise of a new day.

Yes Christmas is just around the corner...

I always become very thoughtful and melancholy during this very special season. I am sure, that's okay. For me, and for each one of you, my dear readers. During this time, I try to delete topics such as war, corruption, killing, natural disasters et cetera.

Let's consider it like this: Christmas should be the song that awakens our hardened hearts; to move us up to create a better world, a new earth and new people at least. Yes, I know, I am very much blue-eyed!

May this holy season bring us all the peace and joy that we are always waiting for. Merry Christmas to all of you!

Go Ahead for Philippine Solar Projects

Many people, Filipinos and especially expatriates like to learn about it. Check out this  article:

Go ahead for Philippine solar projects: pv-magazine

Crying Pacquiao ‘let Philippine fans down’

Crying Pacquiao ‘let Philippine fans down’

Philippine typhoon toll continues to climb - Asia-Pacific - Al Jazeera English

The national government is currently facing an enormous problem on how to raise tens of billions of Pesos in rehabilitation funds in the destructive wake of Typhoon "Pablo:. These are in the sectors of agriculture/fisheries and infrastructure, especially in the hardest hit areas of Compostela Valley Province and Davao Oriental.

Philippine typhoon toll continues to climb - Asia-Pacific - Al Jazeera English

Deadly Taifun - Toedlicher Taifun

More than 200 dead victims ...
Mehr als 200 Todesopfer...

Fastest Growth in Asean?

I was really surprised receiving the news, that the Philippine economy moved to the fastest in Southeast Asia in the third quarter at 7.1 percent from a year earlier, coming just a little behind China's growth and surpassing projections.

I received these news while waiting at the airport in Manila for my flight back to Davao City.

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda commented it like this: "This was possible due to sustained confidence in the leadership of President Aquino and his administration, which has consistently equated good governance with good economics. The government has pushed to ensure this economic growth is felt by the broadest number of people!"

The German Ambassador for the Philippines, Dr. Joachim Heidorn, whom I interviewed just a little while ago, had the same opinion. By the way, the interview shall be published here soon.

Philippines - the fastest growth in Asean? I pray and I wish, it might not become a nine days fly... .

PhilPop Enriches Filipino Music

Filipino music is indeed a genuine expression of Filipinos not only as a unified group, but also as unique individuals. The PhilPOP MusicFest Foundation, Inc. is an advocate of this notion, which is it established the Philippine Popular Music Festival (PhilPOP) early this year. Now, it is already setting the stage for 2013.

PhilPOP is a search for Filipino musical composers, whether residing here or abroad, who can showcase musical ingenuity and passion. Songwriters can start sending their entries by January 1, 2013 till the end of February through www.philpop.com.ph .

The PhilPOP competition has generated excitement since it kicked off earlier this year because of Filipinos' love for music. The spotlight being given to singwriters now is an undertaking of national identity.

The PhilPOP Foundation sees Filipino music as a cultural treasure and an indication of national identity. The foundation is again giving Filipinos the opportunity to become their own inspiration. Then, it cam be cascaded to future generations, which in turn can make their own music.

By the way, PhilPOP is also presented by Maynilad, Smart, Meralco, PLDT, Resorts Word Manila, TV 5, Metro Pacific Investment Corp., NLEX, PICC, Sun Cellular, KBP and Philex.

The foundation also preserves the vanishing musical germs and empowers Filipino songwriters whose music can inspire and motivate a nation. Kudos to PhilPOP.

Try Mindanao!

 

Mount Apo is the highest mountain in the Philippines located between Davao City in Davao del Sur Province and Cotabato Province. This majestic peak is one of the country's most popular climbing destinations.

It's the centre of wonders  in Mindanao and one of the highest land-based biological diversity in terms of flora and fauna per unit area.  

It's also home to one of the world's largest eagles, the critically endangered Philippine Eagle, which is the country's national bird.

Try Mindanao!

(Photo taken by TravelPhilippinesNow.com)

It's coming - and it's BIG....

Holiday Hazards

Re-posted Editorial from MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR with friendly permission of the publisher Marietta Siongco:

This the season to be careful. As the Christian season approaches and homes and establishments get festooned with various lighting fixtures, it would be well for all of us to be mindful of the actual materials we use for such decorations. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has given out a list of approved Christmas lights brands, and of the scores that are being sold in he market, only 20 have actually passed muster. Most of us do not think twice about our purchases and rarely even look at what brand of lights we buy, but our choices can literally be a matter of life and death, We look back to 2004 and remember that even then-house speaker Jose de Venecia lost a daughter to a fire in their home that originated from faulty Christmas lights. Dozens of other such fires have occurred over the years, adding a bitter note to virtually every holiday celebration.

...

However, it is goverment's failure to prevent such brands from being sold in the first place. The DTI has approved only 20 branches - but what does government intend to do with the rest? How do the faulty brands get into the country in the first place? There is an obvious failure here on the part of the government agencies tasked to guard against such faulty and dangerous merchandise.

...