Merry Christmas! Frohe und Gesegnete Weihnachten!

Merry Christmas my dear readers and visitors of my expat blog here.

Frohe Weihnachten meine lieben Leserinnen und Leser und Besucherinnen und Besucher dieses Blogs.

Our conflicting life

We are in conflict with ourselves many times during life. Our future gives cause for concern; the past hold up captured, therefore we miss the future.

The grief and sorrow asked the hope, "How are you?" The hope answered, " I am a little bit low and sad today!" The sorrow  replied sarcastic, "I hope so!"

Nobody wants  to really know what might happen after reaching the retirement age. Sure, if we can observe our neighbors and all other people in our surroundings, we really don't like to know it. If we treat ourselves with care, our real age will not be shown. I don't make any secret celebrating my 65th birthday  this year. I enjoyed. I was proud to reach this age with God's help.

I am retiree now - but I love to continue my teaching at the University of Southeastern Philippines and offer my services as German Honorary Consul for the Mindanao people.

If I look around from to time, it seems that the respectable treatment of our beloved seniors around us are disappearing into the past and are forgotten by the younger generation. Praising the elderly nowadays means to attest them impudent and imperishable youth-fullness.

I must confess, I was not much better while talking to my parents and grandparents, who reached the 92th and 93rd birthdays with the help of our Almighty God. Especially my mother was  strong,  indefatigable,  a phenomenon,  intellectual and  spiritual on top until her last breath.

Let's forget our respect, sometimes just being artificial or an affected stammering, that "our old lady" or "our old gentleman" hasn't become senile yet.

On our way to an honorable and respectful age, we should try to fulfill some of our greatest longings in life.

During the last decades I met many people around the whole globe. Unbelievable, I found out, no matter where in this world, the conflicting attitude is everywhere. "It's an absolute certainty, that's doubts are the main certainty!" stressed already the German Author, philosopher and dramatist Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956).

Please allow me, once in a while being able to say NO. Please allow me deleting inferior and defeatist feelings. Please allow me admitting, that I can't do everything during a single day. Please allow me being no longer afraid about other people and their spiteful comments about me.  

Please allow me accepting my silence. Please accept me being terrible tired from time to time. Please allow me being excused even without having an intelligent reply. Please allow me being carried by salvation and bliss.

Hopefully, we may have enough understanding people with us to accompany us during the voyage of our sometimes very conflicting life. Thoughts to guide us by. Especially today on Christmas Day.

PNP warns public on social media posts

By: Romina Cabrera (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday urged the public to be careful with social media posts that may be used by criminals this holiday season.

PNP deputy spokesperson Supt. Kim Molitas said social media users should exercise restraint when posting their whereabouts or their itineraries for the holiday season on the site as this may be used by criminals. 

“Netizens should take precautions and be aware of the consequences of anything that they post on social media in real time,” she said.

The PNP did not want to cause alarm, but urged the public to limit the information that they post online and make sure their posts are restricted to family and friends.

The PNP said there has been no increase in petty crimes even with the coming holidays. 

“Our efforts did not go to waste because we sustained the campaign against crimes even before the holidays,” Molitas said.

She said it is the first time that there has been no reported increase in the number of petty crimes before the holidays.

Molitas said the PNP hopes to continue this trend even after the holiday. 

Duterte home for the holidays

By: Edith Regalado (The Philippine Star)

DAVAO CITY

President Duterte, as he usually does, is expected to follow his tradition of spending Christmas with his family, especially with his children and grandchildren, here in Davao City.

The President has 10 grandchildren with his children – Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and sons Paolo and Sebastian – with his first wife Elizabeth Zimmerman.


Duterte also has a child, named Veronica or Kitty, with his partner Cielito Avanceña, who is also based in Davao City.

The President arrived here last night for the Christmas weekend. He is also scheduled to bring holiday cheer to government troops as well as the sick children in a hospital in Davao City.


Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said yesterday that indeed the President will spend the holidays with his family.

The President usually hosts a Christmas party for the residents at his old house in Barangay Bangkal when he was still mayor of Davao City.

But when he became President in 2016, Duterte could no longer attend the event for security reasons, although the annual gift-giving still continues.

But what the President also wants to do is make sure he has the time to visit the sick children, especially those afflicted with cancer and are confined at the Southern Philippines Medical Centre (SPMC).

“Doon mo makikita ang kanyang (There you can see his) compassion. He sheds tears every time,” Panelo said of the President’s visit to sick children.

The  President also spent Christmas here last year comforting the families of the victims who perished in the fire that gutted a mall in Davao.

Duterte stayed with the families of the victims as he was also the one who announced the predicament of the 38 call center agents who died in the fire that razed the NCCC Mall along Maa Road here on Christmas last year.

Cinematheque Centre in Nabunturan now open

Finally, Comvalenyo moviegoers can now enjoy watching films and documentaries as Cinematheque Centre Nabunturan formally opens its doors to the public on December 10, 2018.

Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chair and CEO, Liza Diño and Nabunturan Mayor Hon. Chelita Amatong spearheaded the ceremonial unveiling of the plaque, blessing of the Cinematheque Centre and ribbon cutting.

Inspired by the community of filmmakers in Nabunturan, Diño said that working together to put up a cinema in the municipality is the most natural thing to do.

“I was really encouraged when I saw the outdoor cinema during the Nabifilmex, here, in Nabunturan by the Municipal Hall. So, parang what if ngayon palang talagang nakikita na natin nagsasama sama ang lahat para ma experience, ma appreciate ang mga cinema na walang physical structure. Pano pa kaya kung magkaroon na?” Diño added.

The opening of the cinematheque also gives the audience more opportunities to watch independent and low-budget films that are not shown in bigger cinemas. As well as, giving the filmmakers another avenue to showcase their works.

The cinematheque is a joint project of the FDCP and local government unit of Nabunturan, with the purpose of bringing films and documentaries that are relevant, educational and enriching. This aims to make the viewing public appreciate and be involved in the promotion of arts and culture.

“This cinematheque center supports all the filmmakers in town. It gives an avenue to showcase their films and being able to let the people appreciate what they could offer in the field of filmmaking,” Mayor Amatong said.

She also assured the full support of the local government to all filmmaking endeavors to the coming years ahead. (Sheldane Mahinay // ID Comval)

Coding lifted for Christmas and New Year holidays

By: Robertzon Ramirez (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) lifted yesterday the number coding scheme for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The MMDA suspended the traffic reduction scheme starting today until Jan. 2 next year for provincial buses.

The agency also lifted the number coding for private cars beginning Dec. 24 to Jan. 2.

The announcement brought confusion to the public after MMDA general manager Jojo Garcia said the agency only suspended the number coding scheme for provincial buses.

Garcia said they would still decide whether or not to lift the traffic scheme for private vehicles on Dec. 26 to 28.

The cities of Makati and Las Piñas have not yet issued announcements on the suspension of their own number coding schemes for the holidays.

EDSA traffic slows down to 14 kph.

The MMDA warned motorists that travel speed on EDSA is expected to slow down due to the surge of travelers during the holidays.

The MMDA said the average travel speed for both lanes of EDSA as of Dec. 13 was at 14.80 kilometers per hour, or 1.34 kph slower than the 16.14 kph in November.

Garcia said the travel speed along the busiest highway in the metropolis is expected to slow down to 12 kph today.

“This is because of the Christmas rush and the high volume of vehicles,” he said.

Based on the MMDA’s record, vehicles passing through EDSA increased to 402,000 on Wednesday, higher than its carrying capacity of 288,000 vehicles per day.

The MMDA said the average volume of vehicles on EDSA per day is only 367,000.

Garcia appealed for public understanding and asked motorists to strictly follow traffic rules to decongest traffic in Metro Manila during the holidays.

Bong Nebrija, traffic czar for EDSA, advised motorists to brace for monstrous traffic jams.

“But we are banking on the discipline of the motorists to address the traffic problem,” he said.

Nebrija said motorists can experience relief when they start implementing traffic reduction measures early next year.

Miss Universe 2018 -from the Philippines

Christmas and Vacation

During the Christmas holidays, we tend to be caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season, so that we sometimes forget the essence of Christmas. We even remove Christ from the word Christmas reducing it to X'mas or substituting it with a name of a product or a shopping center. Yes, guys, honestly, that's it... I really don't enjoy received "XMAS GREETINGS"... .

I am glad looking forward to a two weeks vacation "between the years" - meaning to say between December 21 and January 6. No teaching at University of Southeastern Philippines, although most students wish to be prepared for their January exam in Manila; no office hours in my German Honorary Consulate office and agency... 

A rest from some occupation, business and other stressful activities is waiting for me. Strictly speaking, vacation concerns those who are in school or studying in colleges and universities. "Furlough" would be the appropriate term... .

Christmas and vacation: Speaking about myself - I want to bring back Christ to the holiday season and indeed wish to share my blessings with the less fortunate. One of the best-known religious poems is "The Hound of Heaven" written by Francis Thompson, who tried to run away from God. He wanted to have a vacation from God. In reality it is Thompson's own life. His poem shows clearly the fact in this world that we can have a vacation from physical and mental activities, but never from God.

As I stated before: according to the book of Genesis, after God created the universe in six days, he rested on the seventh day. In other words, he took a vacation. So if God rested after working for some period of time, there is no reason why man, who is finite and limited in his physical strength, should not take a vacation.

Vacation is freedom or release from tension or pressure of work. And, believe me, I learned already from my students, that they will enjoy Christmas and vacation. Many of us feel tired and weak. We are stressed, overwhelmed, depressed,  worried about the future. The enumeration, in any order whatever, could be incessant.

Relaxation, meditation, and re-invigoration are badly needed for most of us nowadays. Life, affected by the "burnout syndrome" needs to be animated with energy and strengths. 

Yes, Christmas has always been equated with all these worldly ways. Sure, there is indeed nothing wrong with this. Let's don't only focus on non-stop merrymaking and countless gifts. Let's take a break, and let's try to imagine and enjoy the real meaning of Christmas. Merry Christmas again to everyone - also from this corner... .

EU awards 7 contracts providing clean energy to 40,000 Philippine households

(philstar.com)

MANILA, Philippines — The European Union signed Thursday seven new contracts with civil society groups and other organizations for the implementation of projects helping provide clean energy to 40,000 households in the Philippines.

In a press statement, the EU said the projects will “contribute to electrify remote places and provide income-generating activities to the beneficiary communities.”

The EU’s contribution to these projects amounts to €21 million, which was drawn from the bloc’s Access to Sustainable Energy Programme, or ASEP, that aims to support the electrification of 100,000 households in the Philippines.

EU Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen said ASEP, which will last until 2021, will increase the share of renewables in the country’s energy mix and, in turn, expand access to clean electricity by remote populations.

“These projects will contribute to the implementation of the Department of Energy's objective to reach 100 percent of electrification in 2020 in the country,” the EU said.

The seven projects awarded are:

Strengthening Off-grid Lighting with Appropriate Renewable Energy Solutions (SOLARES): €5 million grant to MAHINTANA - Solar Home Systems (SHS) coupled with livelihood activities will be provided to 5,000 households of poor areas of North Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao.

Improving the Lives of People in Off-Grid Communities in Mindanao through the Provision of Sustainable Energy: €4.5 million grant to YAMOG – A total of 5,000 households are targeted in North and South Cohabit as well as in Davao Oriental. 3,800 households will be provided Solar Home Systems while 1,200 will gain access to energy through pico-hydropower.

SolarBnB Microhotel & Island Livelihood Energizer Platform (SMILE): €3.9 million grant to KABANG KALIKASAN (WWF) – This action brings 24-hour energy access to 4 poor, remote island communities by integrating proven components of successful electrification and livelihood projects into a comprehensive small island electrification model while serving growing demand for eco-tourism & adventure travel. Local stakeholders include island communities, EC’s Siargao Electric Cooperative (SIARELCO) and Dinagat Electric Cooperative (DIELCO), the Dinagat and Siargao Tourism Councils, and the Municipality of Carmen.

Renewable energy technology for seaweed value added in Tawi-Tawi (RETS): €4.2 million grant to UNIDO – This action aims to increase electricity access in the island of Tawi-Tawi, particularly in seaweed producing municipalities; improvement of the delivery of community services such as health and nutrition, education, sanitation through the availability of electricity services in off-grid and rural seaweed farming communities and increase the value added of seaweed farming its income generation potential.

Renewable Energy Access for off-grid Communities and Households (REACH): €3.7 million grant to CLOVEK (PEOPLE IN NEED) -  The action aims to enhance social welfare, disaster-resilience and economic growth of vulnerable off-grid communities in remote areas of Northern Samar through innovative, scalable, and sustainable renewable energy technologies and systems.

Renewable Energy for Livelihood and Youth (RELY): €2.2 million grant to SEQUA - The action promotes the use of renewable energy to improve livelihoods and climate resilience in off-grid, poor and remote communities in the Philippines, specifically in Region VII and IV-B.

Clean Energy Living Laboratories (CELLs): The development of centres of excellence on energy access, renewable energy, and energy efficiency €3.8 million grant to Ateneo de Manila University - A Centre of Excellence, based in a University with regional antennas in Davao and Cebu, will be the national reference for renewable energy and correspondent of Energy4ALL initiative.

Miss Universe 2018 names two Filipinas on judges' panel

By: Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo (philstar.com)

MANILA, Philippines — The Miss Universe Organization has revealed during the Preliminary Competition on December 13 the all-woman selection committee that will choose who among the 93 candidates will advance to the competition’s top 20 to be announced during the coronation night on December 17.

At least two of the judges in the committee are Filipinas: Richelle Singson-Michael and Monique Lhuillier.

Screenshot of Singson-Michael being introduced as judge during the livestream telecast.

Richelle, daughter of former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, has been described at the pageant as “an Architect by profession, but an aggressive businesswoman by training.” 

“She is CEO (chief executive officer) of both Platinum Skies Aviation and FinTech - Casha.me. Markedly, she as Vice Chairwoman of the LCS Group of Companies, led one of the most successful hosting of the Miss Universe Competition held 2 years ago in the Philippines,” her profile at the Miss Universe website read.

Her photo in the website’s selection committee comes first, followed by that of Lhuillier, an internationally-renowned designer born to Filipino parents and who grew up in Cebu City, Philippines.

“Monique has dressed celebrities and important political figures such as Emma stone, Blake Lively, Sandra Bullock, Anna Kendrick, Taylor Swift, Reese Witherspoon, Drew Barrymore, Jessica Alba, Kristen Bell and first ladies Michelle Obama and Melania Trump, among others,” her biography was described as such at the pageant’s site.

Monique and Richelle are joined by other selection committee members Bui Simon, American Miss Universe winner now based in Thailand; Moroccan-American self-made entrepreneur Iman Oubou; Janaye Ingram, Director of National Partnerships for Airbnb; business commentator and entrepreneur Liliana Gil Valletta; and Miss Universe 1992 and entrepreneur from Namibia Michelle McLean.

Pageant critic Sashes & Scripts likened Miss Universe Philippines Catriona Gray to McLean due to their tall height, similar background as a model, and same advocacies for children and education.