Problems make me always grow

My column in Mindanao Daily News, Businessweek Mindanao and Cagayan de Oro Times.

Got problems? Feel hurt? Are you discouraged? Do you think, the whole world is against you?

I suppose everyone of us would have answered "yes" to at least one of the above questions at some times in our lives. At least once ... !

Nobody needs a smooth road all life through. There are just some potholes once in a while. That's what life is all about.

I often met people telling me that God does not love them any more. I would ask them then what makes them say that. Most of the time the answer comes back to me sounds something like that: I"ve got so many problems. Not only one.

W believe that God love us. He will spare us from the sufferings, the trials and tribulations of life. Really? How childish! What an immature thinking, that if our parents love us, they won't scold us!

Somebody in my surroundings once said, "Only those who have already experienced a resolution within themselves can each out and help other". In other words, unless you have learned to deal with your own inner crisis and problems, you will never learn the meaning of real maturity.

He who has no problems does never grow. It's as simple as that. You have to experience an inner turmoil and deal with it effectively before you can grown strong enough to help others.

As long as you never have a problem, you might remain child emotionally. The hardship of basic training are what make a soldier ready to stand his ground and fight bravely. Problems - and allow me to say ALL sorts of problems - cause us to be and become mature people who are capable of handling the tension and stress that male up the everyday fabric of life.

My dear reader, I really don't know about you, but I never ask God to take away my problems. I asked and still asking Him, rather, to help me work them out. In other words, I don't ask WHY, when I have to face a problem. I ask WHAT. What is it Lord, that you want to teach me? What is it that you want me to learn from this cross you are sending me right now? What are the new directions in life do you want me to take? I know that if I can work it all, I will be a more solid individual, capable of handling future crisis more readily.

I learned this only now - or maybe several years ago. I am 65 now.

So, the next time a problem arises in your life, don't gripe and complain. Look at it in an adut manner and see it an as opportunity to grow.

May this beautiful prayer help you to grow:

"Lord, please give me the serenity to accept the things that cannot be changed; the courage to change what can be changed; and the wisdom to know the difference! Amen."

Nothing comes from anything

My column in Mindanao Daily News, Cagayan de Oro Times and Businessweek Mindanao

Our globe and its population bear innumerable strange facts. Following many people's opinion, this world shows mostly worried characteristics and symptoms nowadays. No wonder. Just try to consume and digest today's headlines and news from all around the globe.

It is a world with quickly bridged distances -  our Mother Earth is becoming smaller and smaller. Any tourist, even with little time and with only a small budget, can travel to other faraway cultures. But joining them as well as different races and religious communities requires first of all, great care, tact, instinctive feelings, empathy, and logical ideas.

The stranger whom we meet for the first time during a business meeting, for example, maybe an uncommon, odd and extraordinary guy. He may be someone from a foreign country, who speaks another language and whose skin is of another color. He may be a migrant, a restless hiker or the expatriate in our neighborhood.

The foreigner beside you and me can become a provocation or a challenge. Strangeness can become exoticism. Maybe, that's why my family and I decided to move to the Philippines already in 1998. On the other hand - going abroad can open other and even better horizons. We must not feel as "a stranger in paradise". By the way, I never did since touring around the globe many times. On the other hand, I am not putting my country of birth into the trash. Heaven forbid, no!

However, a migrant bears a juxtaposition of optimism (even calculated optimism!), confused feelings, nostalgia, and homesickness. Yes guys, during the first years of my expat's life in the Philippines, the round trip ticket was always in my mind, because no one among us can escape his native roots.

But, I am really a lucky guy. I experienced an amazing tolerance in the Philippines. A real practicing tolerance. I am blessed living in and with a wonderful Philippine family. If you check my Facebook accounts, you might believe me. Already, during my first business meetings, I also met supportive, forbearing and  broad minded people. A wonderful mix of different cultures without giving up the own identity... .

Every new challenge in a strange country means a change. Changes in life are necessary and important. Let's alter or make a difference; let's put one thing for another; let's shift; let's quit one state for another; let's take fresh clothing. Let's burn the "lock fat" away. And remember: nothing comes from anything.

Respectfully yours ...

RESPECTFULLY YOURS

When letters were the only form of written correspondence, signing off was obvious. Actually I am still  adopting that old tradition. No matter, if it comes to letters or emails. It's just a matter of respect and education. Actually, I tackled this topic already at this corner several times ago. But it seems to be good to refresh it somehow here.

If addressing a sir or madam, it was unambiguous. You concluded with "yours faithfully". When writing to a specific person – for example, a Mr or Mrs. (hey, ladies first!) – it was simple, your letter would always be signed off "yours sincerely". Only missives to family or close friends would ever finish with a "love from" or "with much love, yours".

For many people, there's a weird status thing when it comes to the more blunt you are in emails. I'm asking myself, why? An email is just a letter - an online one ... .

Sad to say,  the arrival of email has disrupted this etiquette, making the rules far less obvious. Indeed, for many of us there are no rules. A whole subculture of personalized email sign-offs has emerged everything from "TTFN" to "peace out". And of course, it’s not just what we say but why we say it. Neither in English nor in any other language. I get the same stuff in German written emails and even letters or text messages.

"Emails have become the medium of business, leisure, family, love and everything,” says children’s author Michael Rosen. When we sign off emails, we try to give off the "right vibe", he adds. He says it’s all about how we want to come across to the recipient. "Thoughtful, grateful or just very, very busy?" Oh sure, we are all so very, very busy... .

Some of the most successful business people are notoriously blunt in email communication – if they even bother with a sign-off at all.

"There's a weird status thing when it comes to the more blunt you are in emails, the more you can be (blunt) because you're senior in the company," says author Emma Gannon, recalling the editor of a famous newspaper whose response to pitches was often just a curt "yep" or "nope".

Although being succinct can convey a certain authority and status, it also communicates a dose of self-importance or arrogance. And we’ve all dealt with bosses who fire off email edicts of "is this done?" or "update me on that".

Even if they are not so direct, many email senders like to convey a sense of being busy by using or adapting abbreviations. So "kind regards" becomes "KR", or "yours" may do away with pesky vowels to leave "yrs". Heaven forbid!

"When someone signed off 'BR' for 'best regards', I just thought they were cold, brrr," says Gannon. And, in my opinion, sorry to say, I even don't reply anymore after receiving such correspondence. Oh sure, we are all busy, but there should be just a minimum of respect, if I communicate with someone. In business or personal. By letter, email or text message. 

Many times, there are those who pare it down to the absolute minimum, signing off with simply their name or even just the initial letter of their forename. Others might omit a sign off altogether. While this may come across as peremptory or rude, at least it avoids misinterpretation.

Nearly formal but not totally formal, but they're not as informal as 'CU in a MNT on bus OMW'. 

Some people swing the other way and end their emails with an altogether friendlier tone. While most would consider that kisses have no place in a business environment, they often creep into emails – and sometimes from people the recipient has never even met. For some, an "x" at the end of an email is a friendly endnote; for others it is totally inappropriate.

Even just calling someone by first name, is not the way how it should be in business if you haven't meet each other personally.

What’s clear is that some British terms used to end emails just do not translate well. A casual "cheers" is frequently used as a sign off on UK emails, but can be utterly perplexing for other nationalities. Not surprising when a hearty "cheers" also can be used for clinking glasses at the pub, or to thank a checkout person at the supermarket. Here we have to deal with British and American English.

For author Michael Rosen, emails now occupy a halfway house between texts and letters.

"The key thing is that emails aren't the same as letters. I position them in my mind as a sort of halfway place between texts and hard copy letters: nearly formal but not totally formal, but they're not as informal as 'CU in a MNT on bus OMW'," says Rosen. I strongly agree with him.

And, he adds given their place in this ambiguous no-man’s land of communication, it follows that there will continue to be a whole raft of ways to say "goodbye".

Best wishes and goodbye. Respectfully, yours ... .

Massive 6.6 magnitude earthquake strikes Philippines ...

...days after tremor killed 11

ANOTHER massive earthquake as struck the Philippines days after a fatal tremor killed 11 in the island nation.

By Henry Holloway 

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The Philippines was hit by the latest quake at a depth of 10km close to the island of Samar, the third largest in the archipelago, at around 1.30pm local time.

Pictures show roads have cracked and there some damage to building following the tremor.

Witnesses have reported feeling “violent shaking” and suffering power outages in the quake.

It comes little over 24 hours after a 6.1 tremor struck the main Philippines island of Luzon.

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At least 11 people were killed and dozens remain missing as the tremor collapsed buildings.

CRACKED: Roads have been broken in the latest quake in the Samar (Pic: TWITTER/@PhresEvardone)

COLLAPSED: Rubble tumbles from buildings in the Philippines (Pic: TWITTER/THE ROYAL FAMILY)

“We suddenly felt a strong shake almost making us dizzy”

Witness

Pictures shared on social media shows sprawling cracks going across roads on Samar.

And videos reveal people fleeing buildings in panic following the quake.

Other pictures show rubble tumbled from the top buildings, and ceramics in people’s homes shattered. 

There is no tsunami warning in place, with the epicentre of the quake being inland. 

EARTHQUAKE: It is the second quake to strike the Philippines (Pic: USGS)

Other pictures show the windows have exploded on a McDonalds and tiling has fallen off walls in an apartment block.

One witness said: "I just got inside our car in the parking area of the university when it started shaking. I thought somebody was making fun of me by shaking my car."

Another added: "Me and my boyfriend were standing inside the mall grounds when we suddenly felt a strong shake almost making us dizzy."

Others went on "woke up as whole of building bending, I ran outside and everyone was already out" and "it was so scary, we thought this is the big one". 

SHATTERED: Windows exploded on a McDonalds in the Philippines (Pic: TWITTER)

SMASHED: Tiles fall off the wall following the earthquake in the Philippines (Pic: TWITTER)

Philippine rescuers are continuing to search of survivors in the wreckages of buildings which collapsed during the previous quake near Manila. 

The worst of the damage was in the province of Pampanga, where most the 11 deaths happened.

Emergency services are now working to contact isolated villages which have been cut-off from contact due to power outages.

Over 400 aftershocks have been registered since the initial quake.

Bela Padilla stuns in Maldives

‘Haven’t been more at peace with myself’

ABS-CBN News

After shooting down the crazy fan speculation that she looked like the alleged naked woman in Cesar Montano's viral video, Bela Padilla was free to enjoy the rest of her dream Maldives vacation without worry. 

And she did, as seen in the photos she shared on Instagram of her frolicking around the island. 

The actress arrived in the Maldives last Thursday solo, but was soon met by one of her friends from Paris. 

Bela Padilla bela@instagram

Bela Padilla bela@instagram

Bela Padilla bela@instagram

Bela Padilla bela@instagram

Bela Padilla bela@instagram

Bela Padilla bela@instagram

Bela Padilla bela@instagram

She took full advantage of the break she had, and she looked refreshed when she returned to work this Tuesday, hosting an event with Donny Pangilinan, her Instagram Stories showed. 

Frantic hunt for survivors after deadly Philippine quake

Agence France-Presse

PORAC, Pampanga - Philippine rescuers were scrambling Tuesday to reach dozens of people feared buried under a building near Manila that collapsed a day earlier in a powerful earthquake, as the death toll climbed to 11.

The 6.1 magnitude quake struck northwest of the capital on Monday, scientists from the US Geological Survey said, heavily damaging an airport and sending terrified locals fleeing swaying high-rises.

The worst of the damage was in the province of Pampanga, which was the site of most of the 11 fatalities, disaster officials said. Dozens of others were injured by falling rubble, including in Manila. 

The toll could rise as crews fanned out across the region to assess damage in isolated hamlets that lost power and communications in one of the area's strongest tremors in years.

Over 400 aftershocks have been registered since the initial quake, with some as strong as 3.4 magnitude, Philippine seismologists said. 

• Over 400 aftershocks recorded after Luzon quake

Scores of rescuers in the town of Porac were wielding cranes and jackhammers to peel back the pancaked concrete structure of a four-story market building where up to 30 people were unaccounted for. 

"They (rescuers) still hear at least one person who is still alive," Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda told journalists. "This person is buried under concrete slabs."

The quake also damaged several centuries-old churches which were crowded with worshippers in recent days as the majority-Catholic Philippines marked the Easter holiday.

'REALLY SWAYING'

Father Roland Moraleja, who is based in Porac, said the 18th century belfry of Saint Catherine of Alexandria church collapsed in the quake. 

"It was the only part left from the old church," he told AFP. "The historical value is now gone, but we are hopeful that it will rise again."

High-rise buildings in the capital swayed after the tremor struck Monday evening, leaving some with large cracks in their walls.

Thousands of travelers were stranded after aviation authorities shut down the secondary Clark Airport, which is located on the site of the former US military installation that lies about an hour's drive north of the capital.

It was still closed on Tuesday as officials assessed the heavy damage to the terminal building and some cracking on the air traffic control tower. 

The quake was centered on the town of Castillejos, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) northwest of Manila, local geologists said.

Dani Justo, a martial arts instructor, told AFP she was at her southern Manila home when the quake struck.

"The clothes hanging on our line were really swaying. My shih tzu (dog) dropped flat on the ground," she added.

The Philippines is part of the Pacific "Ring of Fire", an arc of intense seismic activity that stretches from quake-prone Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.

A Holy and Dangerous Day

Everyone is different. For some, Sunday is a day to relax, to unwind, to steam off, to belch out the heavy burdens of the mind and the heart -  breathing space in between weeks and weeks of hard work. That is why people fill up the streets, crowd the parks, and the beaches on Sundays. The disco and the pub houses, the eateries and -mostly- the shopping malls make good money on this day. It's a day of Gold. The loss of some is the gain of others.

Though most enjoyable, Sunday at the same time is a dangerous day. Since it is here where people come together, and it comes only once in seven days, a certain spirit of freedom and merriment pervades during that day. That is why in our 'celebration', we can't avoid jostling one another, rubbing our shoulders against other's shoulders and in the process, friction is produced that can destroy the gaiety of this most blessed day. Sayang kaayo!

Taking advantage of this short day of 'freedom', we sometimes lose control of ourselves, our senses especially out tongue, the most dangerous part of our body. I wrote already about it in previous columns at this corner. Yes, the tongue can incite, divide and hurt. The tongue is oftentimes the author of distrust, and suspicion leading to isolation and non-communication. Now is the end of friendship. While the tongue can praise, worship and give honor, it is amazing how much harm it does in just one day. Sunday - the day of the jackal?

Sunday is a day first for others; secondly, only for 'me'! Yes, there are zealous people out there, who want to put their free day into good use with a noble purpose. It is a day to visit and cheer up the patients in the hospitals; the prisoners in jail; a day to learn more - another language, bible, piano-playing, cooking lessons. And at the end of the Sunday, these lowly lives sigh, "Day-off nga, lalo namang pagod". Yes, some don't feel well, but the desire being on service is enough reservoir of strength. Others almost find no time taking some food but the satisfaction and the fulfillment is beyond measure. I learned this many times especially from my nurse-students: Learning the German language while still being on duty in several hospitals in Mindanao.

Sunday is actually the Lord's day - but only "if and when I have some time left over". There are many who do not go to church because they say, "Lalo lang akong magkasala." They claim seeing in the church the 'chismosas', the "pintaseras', the 'mayabang', the 'supladas' and the 'mapagkunwari'. But they should not fail to see the good people in the church - and there are still a lot of them in there. And besides, why go and look for the bad instead of seeking the good?

But granting that you and I are the cause of scandal, we ought to reflect very, very seriously and be ready to accept reality even if it is hurting our pride and self esteem. No one can search and arrive at the truth of our hearts but us. No one can change us without our humble consent and total submission.

Everyday is the Lord's day in the hearts of the lowly, the simple and the humble.

A Blessed Easter to all!

To die is to live! We are always shocked when in the middle of our surroundings, somebody passed away. Since last week, I was informed, that three countrymen of mine passed away. Our usual questions are: "Why die so young? Why he, why she?"  A natural reaction, indeed.

Also this year, I keep in mind: when Jesus finally gave up His spirit on the cross after three hours of bitter agony, the Pharisees said: "Finally, that impostor has gone. He deserved to die that kind of death!"

Let's remember: After the waving of the tree branches by the Jewish crowd and Hosannas of Palm Sunday, the arrest of Jesus betrayed by Judas in the Garden of Olives, the imprisonment and humiliation of Holy Thursday night, the carrying of the cross, crucifixion, and death at Good Friday, - Jesus Christ rose from the tomb on Easter Sunday - glorious and will never and die again!

For Jesus, dying was not the end of everything. It was the beginning of new life. Symbolically,  we see that Easter Resurrection of our Lord depicted in various ways, which always point to life after death. Especially in parts of the world, i.e. in my home country Germany, where deep winter let all plants and trees "sleep" for a couple of months, people enjoy the spirit of the new shoots that come out of a big trunk of a tree.

Eggs were usually symbols used in spring time long before Christianity came into existence. The eggs symbolize life, which its causing to grow. Since Easter usually occurs at spring time (March or April), which is already summer in the Philippines, this egg-symbol was still in the use among the pagans of early times when Christian were celebrating Easter.

This year 2019, especially during Holy Week, I'll be taking a rest while hiding myself at my favorite beach resort. Somewhere out there... .

Before I go: a blessed Easter to all of you, my dear readers. Walk this time with great confidence in your heart, mind and soul. God bless each and everyone of you.

And, yes, enjoy your egg hunting with your loved ones...!

Are Filipinos Asian?

The Philippines is part of South-east Asia geographically. But many Filipinos feel a closer attachment to the West.

By Mong Palatino

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are Filipinos Asians or Pacific Islanders? Is the Philippines part of South-east Asia, Oceania or the Pacific Islands?

Officially, of course, Filipinos are categorized as Asians and the Philippines as part of South-east Asia. But describing Filipinos as Pacific Islanders isn’t necessarily wrong either. In fact, for a long time, Filipinos were known as Pacific Islanders.

The Philippines used to be called the Philippine Islands of the Pacific, and when the Americans first arrived more than a century ago, they described the Philippine Islands as ‘orphans of the Pacific.’

What would have happened if the country hadn’t been united? Luzon, the largest island in the north of the Philippines, could have become a territory of China or Taiwan, while Mindanao in the south could have become a province of Malaysia or Indonesia. The formation of a bigger nation state composed of the Philippine Islands, Taiwan and parts of Malaysia and Indonesia could have been another possibility.They might well have been referring to the geographical distance of the country from mainland Asia. Composed of more than 7000 islands, the Philippine archipelagic state was a political creation of Western colonizers. It was Spain during the 16th century that united the major islands of the Philippines—if it hadn’t occupied the islands, the Philippine nation state wouldn’t have existed.

Philippine society evolved differently from other Asian nations. For example, the Philippines (aside from Timor Leste) is the only Christian-dominated nation in Asia. The blending of Western and native cultures created a unique society that’s neither Western nor Asian.

Many Filipinos are unsure about their identity and although they believe they’re Asians, many also feel closer to the West, especially the United States. Indeed, they seem to be prouder of their Western upbringing than their Asian identity. This colonial mentality has been identified as one of the negative traits of many Filipinos.

South-east Asia is defined as a purely geographical concept in the Philippines and Filipinos often don’t appreciate nor understand the cultural and religious practices of their neighbours. They’re also unaware of Indochina politics.

The Philippines was used as a launch pad by the United States during the Vietnam War. But while panic swept the rest of the region when Cambodia and Thailand almost went to war over a border dispute, the Philippines didn’t express any sense of alarm over the situation.

To Filipinos, their place in South-east Asia is just an accident of geography. This is unfortunate, because the Philippines’ detachment from mainland South-east Asia could have been maximized to exert political leadership in the region. By not being involved with the numerous squabbles in Indochina, the Philippines could have played the role of objective arbiter in the various regional conflicts and disagreements.

But Filipinos seem to be more interested in political events in the West. Instead of ignoring their neighbours, Filipinos should embrace their connection with South-east Asia.