This might not be the typical expat blog, written by a German expat, living in the Philippines since 1999. It's different. In English and in German. Check it out! Enjoy reading!
Dies mag' nun wirklich nicht der typische Auswandererblog eines Deutschen auf den Philippinen sein. Er soll etwas anders sein. In Englisch und in Deutsch! Viel Spass beim Lesen!
You plan to move to the Philippines? Wollen Sie auf den Philippinen leben?
There are REALLY TONS of websites telling us how, why, maybe why not and when you'll be able to move to the Philippines. I only love to tell and explain some things "between the lines". Enjoy reading, be informed, have fun and be entertained too!
Ja, es gibt tonnenweise Webseiten, die Ihnen sagen wie, warum, vielleicht warum nicht und wann Sie am besten auf die Philippinen auswandern könnten. Ich möchte Ihnen in Zukunft "zwischen den Zeilen" einige zusätzlichen Dinge berichten und erzählen. Viel Spass beim Lesen und Gute Unterhaltung!
Visitors of germanexpatinthephilippines/Besucher dieser Webseite.Ich liebe meine Flaggensammlung!
Davao de Oro --- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Davao de Oro Provincial Office distributed livelihood kits to some twenty (20) micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) in Barangay Sto. Niño, Nabunturan to help provide assistance affected by the economic crisis thru its Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay-Livelihood Seeding Program (NSB-LSP) today (September 28, 2020).
MSME beneficiaries under this program will each received P5,000 worth of livelihood starter kits for the sari-sari store, food vendor, carpentry, welding, hollow blocks making, and black smith. Of the 20 identified barangays in the province, seven have been already rolled out including Barangays Bawani, Manipongol, Andap, San Isidro, Diwata, Panansalan, and Sto. Niño.
Under the guidelines in managing the livelihood kits are the following; monitoring system thru the Barangay Development Council, reporting system as to the sales and income, and success stories on how the augmentation kit helps their way of living.
The ceremonial turn-over was attended by DTI Regional Director, Maria Belenda Q. Ambi, DTI-DdO Provincial Director Atty. Lucky Siegfred M. Balleque, DTI-Division Chief, Patrick Kim B. Evangelio, Municipal Mayor, Chelita C. Amatong, and other barangay officials.
(Rheafe Hortizano, Provincial Information Division, Photo courtesy of DTI-DdO)
My column in Mindanao Daily, BusinessWeek Mindanao and Metro Cagayan de Oro Times
Sometimes, I feel paralyzed with anger. Strong words. Yes, sometimes there is no sense in crying or being mad, but we feel paralyzed. A good friend of mine told me that a couple of days ago. Words cannot describe it and words fail me, but I wouldn't be a writer, if I couldn't express the right words at the right moment.
After the long talk with my friend, I must confess that, many times, I also felt speechless and paralyzed.
In difficult times like right now, follow ups seem to become the new national and international character. Indifferent people in our surroundings let us feel like that every day. Indifference seems to become one of the varagies in today's new society.
We try to get an appointment, but the other side seems to be very busy - every day of the week! Of course, we don't want to encroach in other people's time. Let's try again tomorrow! How do you feel, if you observe certain employees, who should be in service of the people, instead of reading a magazine, doing private telephone calls, doing (important!) text messages and getting down-right cheeky, if we started uncounted follow ups. Then, suddenly, we have to learn that "the boss is out of town" or so... . Grabe.
Yes, I might fall out of favor with some readers with today's column, but guys, what's the difference between being busy, making a good deal of money out of something and just being indifferent or "not in the mood" to entertain people.
I can tell you frankly: Many people feel paralyzed and experience a terrible loss of power of movement or sensation while dealing with uselessness, if indifference, arrogance and ignorance determine the different situations in our daily life.
If the promise has been given to help or support someone, it shouldn't be broken by endless excuses and terrible stalling tactics. A "YES" is a "YES" and a "NO" should be a "NO" and not "MAYBE", if a promise can't be held understandable and comprehensive.
I don't like to let somebody wait for an answer or during an appointment. I try to look after it or take care of it. If I have been informed that somebody tried to contact me, but missed me, I really do everything to find him or her. What's bad about it? Sorry, I really don't like being late or "remain silent"... .
How many good ideas and highly appreciated business deals had gone with the wind because of uncomprehending, unsympathetic and unappreciated everyday deals between fellow creatures? Can you get the hang of it? Especially in times of "new normality" we should try our very best to stay in contact with our environment people.
Yes, sometimes I also feel uncomfortable while observing lost chances. The present is bad enough! Remember: we don't get anything for nothing in the whole word - sure! But first, we should learn how to keep promises, to help each other, to be honest and to be one of the leaders of national stabilization and consolidation.
Davao de Oro Province---With much potential seen on its land area, the United IPs Irrigators Association (UIIA) of Barangay Bahi in Maragusan, Davao de Oro committed more or less 20 hectares of land area to be developed into rice fields.
The conversion of the 20 hectare-land as an initial production area will also pave a way to interest other land owners in pursuing and replicating rice production initiatives using modern technology as way of adding income generating farm endeavors.
Bahi has a total of 106 hectares of land feasible to rice field conversion according to survey and for the time being only 20 hectares were utilized.
Barangay Bahi also has an irrigation facility unutilized to its full potential that compliments the conceptualization and implementation of the project and will greatly add assurance to food security in the province when fully functional.
“Sa ginagmay nato nga mga resources ug pagtinabangay, ma-achieve nato atung gipangandoy nga nindot nga basakan.” said Minda Agarano, Head of the Provincial Agriculturist’s Office of the province.
he groundbreaking ceremony was held on the 23rd of September 2020 and attended by partner agencies of PLGU Davao de Oro specifically the Department of Agriculture RFO XI, Department of Agrarian Reform, National Irrigation Administration Davao de Oro, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Davao de Oro, MAGRO Maragusan, BLGU Bahi, United IP Irrigator’s Association of Bahi, 66th Infantry Battalion and Philippine National Police – RPSB.
The involvement of the AFP and the PNP through ELCAC (End Local Communist Armed Conflict) strategy is relevant to the project as this will precede to attain lasting peace, transformation and alleviate poverty in Barangay Bahi as the place was once deeply infiltrated by communist movement years ago.
(Jasteen P. Abella, Information Division, Davao de Oro)
Davao de Oro ---Some 67 indigenous peoples (IPs) from Barangay Panangan, Maco and Barangay Awao, Monkayo in this province have graduated and received certificates for completing Training Cum Production on Toddy Tapping under Community -Based Training Program given by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) last week.
The implementation of community-based skills training program is dubbed in Executive Order No. 70 under Poverty Reduction, Livelihood, and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) which aims to capacitate trainees economically in their own ancestral domain and geared into a competitive and productive individual.
Jasmin J. Neri, Provincial Director of TESDA-Davao de Oro, congratulated the graduates and thanked them for finishing the courses. "Ang gobyerno naningkamot nga mahatagan ug serbisyong dikalidad dili lang kay sa dug-ol nga dapit apan lakip usab sa pinakalayo nga area dria sa probinsya. Malipayon ako nga nakitang naka graduate mo niining toddy tapping nga programa ug nanghinaot ko nga daghan kamug production nga mabuhat aron madala natu kini sa market arun moangat kanunay ug mulambo ang inyung sitwasyon sa kinabuhi," Neri said.
Ruel O. Cayao, Toddy Tapping Trainee and Purok Chairman expressed gratitude for granting his as one of the beneficiaries of the said program.
"Mapasalamaton kami diin nadungagan amuang kahibalo nga magamit namu sa amuang panginabuhian. Sa akung mga kauban maningkamot ta nga maka produce ta sa atuang nakat-onan karun kay mao nani siya ang atuang gitawag nga paglaom nga makatabang sa atuang matag-usa ka pamilya," Cayao added.
The program was initiated by TESDA-Davao de Oro in partnership and coordination with Davao National Agricultural School (DNAS), national government, and local government units.
Meanwhile, TESDA-DdO turnover 92 container gallons, 50 washable face masks, 1PH meter, 1 wall clock, and 10 Mahogany seedlings donated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). (Rheafe Hortizano-PAO ID, Photo courtesy of TESDA-DdO)
COMPUTERS and phones have become the go-to note-taking method for many. But your brain benefits from an old-fashioned pen and paper, says Hetty Roessingh, a professor of education at the University of Calgary.
Are you old-fashioned? I am. Check out my office, and you might be shocked when you see my mess of papers all over the place. Phone notes, new ideas for columns, conference notes, details from online meetings and so on and so on .
How about you my dear reader: do you pick up any old notebook and pen when you need them, or do you have a thing for Moleskines or Montblancs?
Let me quote Professor Roessingh again: "Whether or not you’re picky, know that tools for the hands are tools for the brain. Handwritten notes are a powerful tool for encrypting embodied cognition and in turn supporting the brain’s capacity for retrieval of information. And secondly, when you take notes by hand, your hands create a robust external memory storage: your notebook". Roessingh really speaks to me from the soul.
Taking notes by hand is a win-win, and belongs in every student’s cognitive tool kit. Learning how to take notes by hand effectively, and how to ingrain note-taking as a key learning and study tool, can begin as early as grades 3 or 4, but it’s never too late to begin. Yes Professor, I strongly agree, and I am no more ashamed about my messy office.
Of course, we live in a digital age where daily functioning involves digital communication. Automaticity in keyboarding is an important skill too, and the tools and applications for digital communication will continue to evolve and have their place. But keyboarding does not provide the tactile feedback to the brain that contact between pencil or pen and paper does — the key to creating the neurocircuitry in the hand-brain complex.
I am not sure if our laptops might seem faster and more efficient, but there are good reasons for having a paper-bound notebook and pen — any kind you prefer — at the ready. Or lots of notes somewhere placed at the office. And only I know where the notes are stuck.
Researchers have found that note-taking associated with keyboarding involves taking notes verbatim in a way that does not involve processing information, and so have called this “non-generative” note-taking. By contrast, taking notes by hand involves cognitive engagement in summarising, paraphrasing, organising, concept and vocabulary mapping — in short, manipulating and transforming information that leads to deeper understanding.
Experts say taking notes by hand engages your brain in different ways, makes you interact with the material in different ways, and overall, deepens understanding.
An interesting quotation comes from Leonardo da Vinci, who wrote: “…the more minutely you describe, the more you will confuse the mind of the reader and the more you will remove him from knowledge of the thing described. Therefore it is necessary to make a drawing … as well as to describe …”
If writing is a requirement of your profession whether in journalism, teaching, architecture, engineering, fashion and more, you already know the benefits and importance of note-taking and sketching. Worth to think about it.
A drilling rig conducts geotechnology survey for the Davao-Samal connector between Paradise Island Beach Resort and Lanang Beach Club. The Rodriguez family, who’s property will be affected by the bridge, reiterated that the family is not opposing the project but only wanted that another location in Samal Island be considered. Edge Davao
The Rodriguez family has finally spoken and asserted they are not opposing for the construction of the Samal Island-Davao City (SIDC) Bridge, however, appeals to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Hong Kong-based consultant Ove Arup and Partners Hong Kong Ltd. for the realignment of bridge’s landing site in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) to protect the marine environment that they are preserving for a long time.
“We do not oppose the bridge project but for the choice and for selection of the alignment of the said bridge, we were not informed of this proposed alignment prior to August 2019. Despite our meetings with DPWH and Arup to make our concerns clear only Arup decided that this proposed alignment is final with little regard to the ill effects on the white sand beach, rich sea life, and undersea flora and fauna,” said Atty. Ramon Rodriguez Lucas, corporate secretary of Paradise Beach and Island Resort (PIBR), in a Zoom conference on Thursday.
The family has commissioned scientists Dr. Filipina Sotto, Dr. Cleto Nañola, and Joey Gatus to do a study of the ecosystem and biodiversity around the area of Paradise Reef, an area that will be hit by the bridge. Based on the study, there are three sites (stations) considered feasible for the landing site of the bridge: Lomos (station 1), Bridgeport (station 2), and the Paradise Island Beach Resort (PIBR, station 3).
The study also recommended that in the event station 2, the old shipyard now Bridgeport is not feasible, station 1, which is actually a portion of El Paril Beach Resort known now as Lomos beach, is offered for donation by the Rodriguez family, owners of PIBR, to be used as a compromise for the final landing site of the bridge.
Lucas said the donation is their family’s way of supporting the construction of the bridge and not to delay it.
“We recommend the landing sites and why not even consider that? Why would Arup not want that? Until now we don’t know why. They always tell us ‘we are looking at so many criteria and environment is just one of the factors’. I mean you cannot make environment as one of the factors it is the main factor because you can build the bridge in four or five years but you cannot rebuild a coral reef even in 100 years,” Lucas said.
Lucas added that by simply realigning it a kilometer away from the Paradise Reef would not have same environmental catastrophe.
“Why wouldn’t you consider that? Is there any political reason why you have chosen this and not that? Unsa ba gyud? I think the public can demand those answers from DPWH and Arup. They (DPWH, Arup) maintain until recently, that their study indicated the damage will be minimal and easily be mitigated. We were disappointed as our concerns are not properly addressed. As a result our family was compelled to seek the help of a marine and environmental scientists to make a comprehensive study on the impact and to enable us to make an informed decision and assessed the situation and not based on speculations,” Lucas said.
The study entitled Biophysical Assessment on the Affected Reefs of the Proposed SIDC connector Bridge off the North-Western part of the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) provides comprehensive information on the status of the marine resources in the said three assessed stations to recommend to the DPWH, DENR, and LGUs the best option for the proposed SIDC connector landing site with paramount consideration on environmental impact. It also concluded that in constructing the bridge’s landing site where the main bridge and its approach viaduct will be constructed must be given utmost consideration as it is inevitable that during construction of the bridge, the benthic communities will be irreversibly and irreparably destroyed.
“All the family’s want is to protect and preserve Paradise Reef for the sake of public interest and the common good for the present and future generation of Samaleños, Dabawenyos and for humanity itself. They are doing it against all odds, against powerful vested political interests, and even personal attacks against their family,” said Atty. Julito “Sarge” Sarmiento, CEO and Founder, Enya, Climate Change Adaptation Resettlement Earth (CARE).
Scientific findings
Based on these scientific findings and comparing them with both the Arup 2019 and JICA 2016 studies, Dr. Sotto’s team concluded that station 3’s Paradise Reef is home to rich marine life and corals preserved by the Rodriguez family as a de facto marine life sanctuary for almost 100 years.
No Writ of Kalikasan filed
Sarmiento affirmed the Rodriguez family has not filed any legal case not even a Writ of Kalikasan despite all the pronouncements of DPWH and Arup that the landing site proposal is final.
“The family has reached out to DPWH and Arup. It reached 13 months of lobbying to DPWH and Arup. It reached 13 months of lobbying to DPWH and Arup that we now come and partner with the media for the truth, facts, and the science to come out. For the family, the Writ of Kalikasan will delay substantially the construction of the bridge, but they don’t want to delay it,” he said.
According to him, the family was appealing to DPWH and Arup even before they made the final design and the detail for them to consider the second best alignment in their own Feasibility Study and make their own environmental study of that second best alignment.
“Despite this persistent effort to talk with DPWH, to engage them and let them know the truth and get the public support, through all fora. And yet the DPWH would really not do its part in terms of realigning the bridge.
And they are themselves asking for the delay of the bridge and no matter how difficult it is for the family that there will be a delay because a Writ of Kalikasan will certainly delay it, if there is no other option, the last resort of the family is to file a Writ of Kalikasan that would delay substantially the construction of the bridge, which the family of course does not want to happen,” he said.
Short documentary film
A short documentary titled “Alang KaNemo” was also launched during the Zoom conference. It follows a group of marine biologists and environmental advocates as they conduct an environmental assessment of the potential landing sites of the Samal Island – Davao City Connector Bridge, primarily on the side of Samal Island. Their report aims to provide a scientific basis for recommending the best location for the bridge, a recommendation that goes against the findings of a multi-million dollar consultant.
“The campaign will compel for the realignment of the bridge from Paradise Reef,” Sarmiento said.
ECC hearing
A geo investigation survey in the Davao City side for the construction of the Davao-Samal connector project by Arup is ongoing.
Lucas said they already received notice from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Manila about the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) application hearing of the Arup on September 28, 2020.
“There will be a hearing and all the issues of the environment including the pre-construction services should be threshed out,” Lucas said.
Sarmiento said the DPWH and Arup and local contractor have been trying to ask permission to enter the property for geo technical services and survey but the Rodriguez family has been asking questions as the family is concern about the impact on the environment.
“We are waiting for the reply of DPWH and Arup with respect to the impact on that and what are the compliances that they have done environmentally to allow them to conduct these kinds of services especially within the family’s property and outside,” Sarmiento said.
To help Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in cushioning the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Davao de Oro Provincial Office thru the Negosyo Center Montevista launched the Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay- Livelihood Seeding Program - Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (NSB-LSP PBG) in Brgy. Linoan on September 9, 2020.
LSP is a program of DTI that allows a wider reach of business development assistance by bringing government services closer to the people through partnerships between relevant local government units and DTI officials.
Meanwhile, about twenty (20) Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Barangay Panansalan, Compostela were given livelihood kits amounting to PHP 5,000. Skills training on Kakanin Making was also conducted to broaden the knowledge and capabilities of the beneficiaries. (Rheafe Hortizano, Provincial Information Division)
After years of promoting the cacao industry, Davao City finally grabs the recognition as the Cacao Capital of the Philippines given by the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday.
Not only that, Davao City is also the regional winner for Organic Program under the local government unit (LGU) category.The two recognition were received by Mayor Inday Sara Duterte from DA Secretary William Dar in a virtual event on Monday afternoon.
“For the past few years now, Davao cacao has been recognized as among the world’s best, with our local brands making waves in international chocolate competitions, and a growing number of Filipino and foreign chocolate makers sourcing their beans here,” Mayor Sara said in her acceptance message.
Mayor Sara noted that from the year 2015 to 2019, the city has produced 2,289 metric tons of cacao, making Davao the biggest cacao producing area in the entire country. “While it is one thing for our cacao and chocolates to be renowned internationally, to be recognized by the national government is just as important for us, for this is an affirmation and a celebration of the efforts of our cacao farmers and processors, and everyone in the cacao industry,” she said.
Mayor Sara also highlighted the contribution of the city’s cacao industry players and organic agriculture partners for Davao City to get the latest recognition.
“I thank all of our cacao industry players and organic agriculture partners because all of your efforts have brought Davao City these accolades.”
The mayor said that the goal of local agriculture is not just to ensure that there is food on the table for each Dabawenyo, but to make it a viable and sustainable industry for our farmers and all stakeholders.Mayor Sara sees the agri awards as an inspiration for the city to continue to work harder for a more flourishing agricultural industry. CIO
Davao de Oro Province--- This year’s Philippine Civil Service Commission celebrates its 120th anniversary with the theme, Philippine Civil Service @120: Public Sector in the Age of Digital Transformation.
In the course of the pandemic, public service remains responsive in serving the general public through the use of emerging technologies, delivering efficient and effective services especially in times of emergencies as reflected with its anniversary theme.
In line with the celebration, PLGU Davao de Oro honors 21 retiring employees with years of service ranging from 8 to 41 years. Among the retirees were two (2) Provincial Government Department Heads, Nora F. Cagas from the Provincial Treasurer’s Office (PTO) and Eugene Alaba of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO). The provincial government is grateful for their rendered service for years with dedication and hard-work.
“I am very proud of you, kay mi-abot gyud ta sa ani nga panahon ug nakita nato ang developments nga kabahin kita and we recognize that as kaming mga bag-o sa serbisyo. Kami magpadayung inspirado sama kaninyo ug dili namo malimtan inyuhang mga efforts, mga natabang sa atuang probinsya nga nahimugso, gikinahanglan nga kami magpadayun para ang inyuhang paghago kaniadto ug sa karun magpadayun ug mas daghan pang matabangan ug mulambo pa atung probinsya,” said Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) donated 4 (four) Patient Transport Vehicles to PLGU Davao de Oro which was formally blessed and turned-over on September 7, 2020 at the Provincial Capitol Grounds.
These patient transport vehicles will be given to the four (4) provincial hospitals of the province; DDOPH Montevista, DDOPH Patukan, DDOPH Laak and DDOPH Maragusan. The transport vehicles will be of great assistance in the Covid-19 Operations and other hospital related emergencies. (Jasteen P. Abella, Information Division Davao de Oro)
Social anxiety is the single most common psychological problem according to innumerable survey results worldwide. The magnificent, gorgeous, and excellent isolation, resulting from being nervous when meeting people is really the opposite. The state of being isolated reminds me of being in a hospital with an infectious disease. Especially nowadays in times of Covid-19 ... .
Does the project of giving a speech or going to a social gathering give you the willies?
Relax, there are always ways and solutions to help you by teaching you "never to be nervous again".
I have always been the most silent pupil in elementary and high school. I was ashamed even to talk to or with my teachers. Several not really satisfactory (?) school records have been the result. But, I wanted to become a journalist. I am still one. And, I taught at a state university for more than 12 years.
During college times and while writing the first articles I learned from my first boss, a daily news publisher, to avoid being nervous while meeting people. I was always prepared. Preparation for any communicating situation is a must. I have been invited to many parties and gatherings. I always asked for the guest list. I scanned all newspapers and browsed them on the net.
"In your opinion, who..." or "What do you think of....?" kept the momentum going. That was sometime during the 1960s. Since that time, I was just very lucky to always meet the right people at the right time and place, which kept on teaching me how to avoid splendid isolation. Whether you're delivering a speech, approaching your boss, or joining an important social occasion, do at first your homework.
The most polished, smoothly delivered and spontaneous soundings talks are the result of many hours of work and years-long experiences. The memorable one-liners and moving phrases that went down in history didn't come from the last-minute bursts of inspiration.
I also learned from Harvard University historian Richard Marius, "that good writing is a kind of wrestling with the thought". Or, as New York Times columnist William Safire expressed before: "To communicate, put your thoughts in order, give them a purpose, use them to persuade, to instruct, to discover, to seduce!"
Let's don't forget, that every one of us has something to be proud of and that everyone enjoys talking about it. But, you have to make it happen!
