Flowers, sweets, lunches, hotel overnight stays

While I was leaving through my calendar, I noticed that the month of January will soon be over. In the new normal abnormality, one day reappears like every year: it's time again for Valentine's Day. 

Do you know something about the legend of St. Valentine? The history of Valentine's Day – and the story of its patron saint – is indeed shrouded in mystery. We do know that February has long been celebrated as a month of romance, and that St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition.

From February 13 to 15, the Romans celebrated the feast of Lupercalia. ... Emperor Claudius II executed two men — both named Valentine — on Feb. 14 of different years in the 3rd century A.D. Their martyrdom was honored by the Catholic Church with the celebration of St. Valentine's Day.

Being married with a Filipina for almost 38 years now, Valentine's Day lets me always recall lovely moments from the past.

In a very old issue of PHILADELPHIA NEWS, which is still on my desk, columnist Larry Fields confessed: "I lead a life of wine, women and song (by the way, a wonderful waltz by the Austrian king of waltz Johann Strauss!) - it's cheaper than petrol, food and rent!"

Well, some marriages are made in heaven. You know some? I do. The best of the rest are down-to-earth. Maybe also yours? I am blessed and happy celebrating my  wedding anniversary in March.

Maybe you remember this: "Then the prince swept the lovely young maiden into his arms and carried her home to his castle. And they live happily ever after!" Indeed, they did.

What I would like to see is an autonomous in home affairs study of all these titles of nobility bearers seven years after their happily-ever-after marriages. or even earlier, because the so-called darned and tricky seventh marriage year could be even the first one already.

The truth is that life isn't made up of the continual highs found in the initial stages of courtship. Of course, flirting is fun and a wide groove exists. But after a while our system needs a rest. Unanimously we're in the second stage sooner or later and our marriage life needs badly a new outside coating.

All of a sudden, the partner prefers day and night watching all the sports channels, falls asleep while you're revealing your innermost secrets and even forgets the anniversary for the first or even second time . Just bear in mind: You've won each other's acceptance  and sometimes even feelings terribly gloomy. This acceptance shouldn't be undervalued.

Even when we see a house that has to be cleaned, many other things have to be organized, and the partner, who looks as fatigued and bored as you feel. Logical question: "That's it? That WAS it?"

And suddenly, we experienced the third stage and learned why it's worth the ups and downs. Maybe we men don't mention any more, how incredible she looks, but we enjoy bleating and grousing at her spending innumerable hours putting her together. But then, suddenly, we men are to unload the garbage without being asked for.

Although no marriage is continually blissful - it can be pretty good most of the time. When we last through arguments, money worries, and kid's problems or slowly but surely coming up mid-life crises, we should face reality that our relationship is not always a big day celebration.

It's because the fundamental  reason for a marriage has outlasted the craziness of day-to-day living: we love each other. That's MY idea of "Happily ever after, indeed!" And one thing more: in my opinion, Valentine's Day shouldn't be only on February 14. It doesn't matter if one is married or not.

THE DARK SIDE OF CELEBRITY:

How technology is raping PH entertainment

by Neil Ramos , Manila Bulletin

Pop quiz, hot shot: What do Ivana Alawi, Anne Curtis, Liza Soberano, Kathryn Bernardo and Maine Mendoza have in common?

While most of us would answer simply they’re all celebrities, a growing segment of the population will mention them being among stars who have been embroiled in the now notorious “deepfakes” phenomenon.

If it sounds sinister, it’s because, well, it is.

Deepfakes are videos that use artificial intelligence called deep learning to swap images of people, usually celebs, with another.

Sounds far out? Well, Virginia…

Anyway, a lot of these videos are actually pornographic too and as such many women’s group are crying foul deeming it another “weapon” against them.

They have a point.

Imagine having your face super-imposed on someone doing some unholy act and displaying it to the world.

Embarrassing?

Degrading?

Bloodcurdling?

All of the above?

The most infuriating thing about it is we seemingly can’t do anything about it.

At least for now.

Sadly, in a world that has become more and more digitally-entrenched, the technology, as harmful as it is, looks very much like it is here to stay.

It might even be tweaked to the point that it will make reel vs. real more confusing than ever.

Believe it.

Deepfakes already made headlines around these parts several weeks back when Mendoza, her mom, as with her manager, trooped to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to complain about her image being used in these videos.

The NBI promised to look into the complaint.

The agency said the person or persons responsible for said videos could be hauled to court in violation of the Anti-Voyeurism Act, the Safe Spaces Act, as well as for cyber libel, unjust vexation, and identity theft.

So far, no suspects.

Indeed, as popular as Mendoza is, it seems that her complaint is not enough for the powers that be to actually crack the whip on the matter.

Abroad, there are already tech firms working on systems that would help detect and flag deepfakes.

When will we work on something similar?

Meanwhile, in related developments, Sue Ramirez and Maris Racal were “disrobed” recently by some no-good individuals, posting their handiwork on social media, to the chagrin of the two stars as with their home network, ABS-CBN.

The rape of local entertainment continues.

Government services bring hope to Mandaya Tribe in far-flung Sitio Uduan

 

Davao de Oro Province--- “Naibot gyud ang mga tunok nga among gidala-dala nga mura nag tag upat ka dangaw” said Rubelyn Kilam, a 38 year-old housewife when asked how she felt when government services started to reach her remote village, wherein for years, she was hopeless as their community resides in the farthest spot of New Bataan.

Rubelyn is among the estimated 316 individuals who resides in Uduan, Manurigao of New Bataan. The said sitio holds 43 households with 63 families in total who relies mainly on farming corn, kamote, and abaca for living. With Manurigao identified as one of the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) in the province, reaching the place is not an easy exploit.

With elevated grounds blessed with fertile soil and a good climate for crops, Uduan always has a good harvest. But way back then, they always have trouble exporting their local products in town due to the road situation. Even the residents before cannot easily access proper education, health-care services and other emergencies as the path to the capital deprives them. “Lisod kaayo ang dalan sauna, ang amung agi-an kanang mga gamot sa kahoy ug daghan pa gyud kaayog mga mananap. Masayang lang ang amuang mga produkto ug mahimomg walay bili. Usahay naay mga aksidente ug mangamatay nalang sa dalan tungod kay dili madali ug dala sa hospital.” said Rubelyn.

Now that the national and the provincial government of Davao de Oro continue to roll out its programs under the “Bayanihan 4Ps+” blueprint of governance headed by Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy, Sitio Uduan of Manurigao already have an easy access to the capital of New Bataan due to the continuing road infrastructure projects of the PLGU that targets the uplands.

Road infrastructures open a variety of opportunities and brings out the best qualities and potentials of a certain place. This opens an avenue towards progress in tourism, commerce and strengthen one of the golden pillars of the province, its agriculture. It also brings government services and programs closer to the people.

As one of the partners of PLGU-Davao de Oro in promoting sustainability and upholding lives of its constituents especially in GIDA areas, TESDA-Davao de Oro thru the Davao National Agricultural School and Regional Training Center will upskill a total of 135 Mandaya Scholars in Uduan Manurigao through various trainings that will help to them to acquire livelihood skills that fits their community. Being the lead agency of Poverty Reduction, Livelihood, and Employment Cluster (PRLEC), TESDA Secretary Isidro S. Lapeña, also visited Uduan, Manurigao last January 27, 2021 during the launch of the Capability Building cum PICO Hydro Power Project Groundbreaking. Together with Sec. Lapeña are heads of the National Government Agencies such as DSWD, DOST, DAR, DTI, DA, DOLE, DepEd, DENR, NCIP, LBP, AFP, PNP, NORDECO, Mayor Geraldford Balbin of New Bataan and Vice Governor Maricar Zamora who represented Governor Uy. The Department of Agriculture also donated corn seeds to the residents, while Vice Governor Maricar Zamora handed out hygiene kits.

“Nalipay mi nga niabot and programa dire sa TESDA ug sa gobyerno, kay wala gyud mi niasa nga maabtan mi ug serbisyo tungod sa kalayo sa amung lugar, imposible kaayo nga makita mi dire. Karun nagpasalamat mi nga nay training diri nga haum ug magamit namo sa amuang lugar.”said Rubelyn.

The daylight starts to unfold the greatness of Manurigao. Once a remote-area that has no access to government services now benefits and begins to develop the community. With the help of the provincial government in partnership with National Government Agencies, sooner, remote-areas will unleash their dormant treasures. (Jasteen P. Abella, Information Division, Davao de Oro, photos by Ronel Renz Alvarez)

Germany considers stopping all air travel due to corona virus mutations

 

By Deutsche Welle DW

Interior Minister Seehofer said Germany is considering a stop to international air travel, citing a similar approach by Israel. He added border closures to regions where new mutations are prevalent are also being mulled.

More infectious variants of the corona virus have prompted consideration of new restrictions.

German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer announced on Tuesday that the German government is considering a ban on almost all international air travel in an effort to stop the spread of new, more virulent strains of the corona virus.

"The danger posed by numerous virus mutations forces us to consider drastic measures. That includes significantly stricter border checks, especially at borders with high-risk areas, but also reducing air travel to Germany to almost zero, as Israel is currently doing," Seehofer told the German tabloid Bild. 

The paper reports that German Chancellor Angela Merkel requested that Seehofer look into ways the country could defend itself against the spread of mutations on Sunday.

On Tuesday, Merkel told lawmakers she was opposed to an all-out travel ban, while at the same time calling for a halt to tourism as the pandemic continues to spread.

The German Tourism industry braces for $1.2 trillion coronavirus blow.

The German Travel Association criticized the move noting the grave damage the corona virus has already done to the tourism and business travel sectors: "The government should take this into account. It should not concentrate on further tightening our already tightly restricted freedom of movement."

The association said the government would be better served by concentrating on the country's "drastic deficits" regarding vaccinations, adding: "Moreover, the federal government should reflect upon the fact that freedom of movement is a basic right — not a politically granted privilege."

DFA protests China’s coast guard law

 

SOUTH CHINA SEA. In this photo provided by US Navy, the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Carrier Strike Groups steam in formation, in the South China Sea, on July 6, 2020. (File)

January 27, 2021

A DAY after saying China’s new coast guard law is “none of our business”, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said Wednesday, January 27, 2021, that he has filed a diplomatic protest.

“While enacting law is a sovereign prerogative, this one—given the area involved or, for that matter, the open South China Sea—is a verbal threat of war to any country that defies the law; which, if unchallenged, is submission to it,” Locsin posted on Twitter.

He said he filed the diplomatic protest “after reflection” on this development.

After reflection I fired a diplomatic protest. While enacting law is a sovereign prerogative, this one—given the area involved or for that matter the open South China Sea—is a verbal threat of war to any country that defies the law; which, if unchallenged, is submission to it. https://t.co/h2wHNPPH8n— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) January 27, 2021

A day earlier, he said “it is China's business what laws it passes” and asked those who were quick to criticize the new policy to exercise a little self-restraint.

China’s state media reported that the National People’s Congress passed a law on January 22, authorizing its coast guard to fire on foreign vessels.

The Philippines is among the Southeast Asian countries embroiled in maritime disputes with China over the South China Sea, or the West Philippine Sea. (SunStar Philippines)

Streit um Doppelbesteuerung der Renten

  Experten erwarten wegweisendes Urteil

• 

  vonAnne Hund

Vom Bundesfinanzhof wird ein wegweisendes Urteil zur Doppelbesteuerung der Renten erwartet. Noch in diesem Jahr soll es fallen. 

Das Jahr 2021 könnte für Steuerzahler ein wichtiges werden. So wird zur Doppelbesteuerung der Renten* in diesem Jahr ein wegweisendes Urteil vom Bundesfinanzhof erwartet. Der Streit dreht sich, wie das Portal wiwo.de bereits vor einigen Monaten berichtete, darum, dass die Regeln für die Besteuerung der Rente möglicherweise verfassungswidrig seien. Denn sie könnten, je nachdem wie gerechnet werde, zu einer Doppelbesteuerung führen, so das Portal. Die aber dürfe es laut Bundesverfassungsgericht nicht geben. Nun also soll der Bundesfinanzhof (BFH) bei der Streitfrage entscheiden.

Lesen Sie zudem: Immer mehr Rentner müssen eine Steuererklärung abgeben

Durch den Bundesfinanzhof erwarten Experten in diesem Jahr folglich ein wegweisendes Urteil. Die mündliche Verhandlung vor dem Gerichtshof in München über eine mögliche Doppelbesteuerung von Renten war dem Evangelischen Pressedienst (epd) zufolge ursprünglich für Herbst 2020 erwartet worden. Wegen der Corona-Pandemie sei der Termin allerdings mehrmals verschoben worden. Eine Entscheidung steht nun also 2021 aus. Die mündliche Verhandlung sei erst auf Januar verschoben worden, berichtet das Portal waz.de (Stand: 25.01.2021), nun sei das zweite Quartal 2021 angepeilt. Der Bundesfinanzhof wolle im Frühjahr über die viel diskutierte Besteuerung von Renten entscheiden, schreibt das Portal. Im Kern gehe es um die Frage, ob es derzeit zumindest für einen Teil der rund 21 Millionen Rentnerinnen und Rentner zu einer verfassungswidrigen Doppelbesteuerung komme, schreibt das Portal. Ausgangspunkt sei die entsprechende Klage eines Ruheständlers. 

Lesen Sie zudem: Rente: Steuererklärung nicht vergessen – was Betroffene wissen sollten

Die sogenannte Doppelsteuerung stellt, wie das Portal finanzen.de.de (Stand: 25.01.2021) anlässlich des in diesem Jahr zu erwartenden Urteils berichtet, für viele Rentner und künftige Senioren „ein großes und teures Ärgernis dar“. Je nach individueller Situation entgehen dem Bericht zufolge Betroffenen mehrere tausend Euro, die das Finanzamt aus ihrer Sicht zu Unrecht kassiere. Dazu komme es, weil der Fiskus Steuern auf die gesetzliche Rente erhebe, obwohl Steuerzahler die Beiträge dazu bereits aus ihrem versteuerten Einkommen gezahlt hätten, schreibt das Portal zu der Kritik.

Noch ist die Streitfrage allerdings nicht endgültig geklärt. Viele Rentner dürften umso gespannter sein, wie das Urteil des Bundesfinanzhofs in diesem Jahr wohl ausfällt.

Quellen: wiwo.de; finanzen.de; epd; waz.de

Twitter pilot to let users flag 'false' content

 

By James Clayton

North America technology reporter

Twitter is asking its users for help in combating fake news.

It has announced a pilot that allows people to submit notes on tweets that may be false or misleading.

The initiative, named 'Birdwatch', is being trialled among a small group in the US initially. The firm acknowledged the new system would have to be "resistant to manipulation attempts".

Companies like Twitter are looking at how they can better moderate their platforms.

Twitter said on Monday: "We know this might be messy and have problems at times, but we believe this is a model worth trying."

Twitter, along with other large social media companies, has struggled to deal with disinformation on its platform.

The pilot will allow users to flag tweets they believe to be "misleading or false", provide evidence to the contrary and discuss them with other - on a separate 'Birdwatch' site.

Additional notes and flags would then be placed on to content.

Twitter says this new approach could help it respond more quickly when misleading information spreads.

"Eventually we aim to make notes visible directly on Tweets for the global Twitter audience, when there is consensus from a broad and diverse set of contributors," Twitter said.

Twitter already adds labels to some misleading news. For example, many of Donald Trump's false claims of voter fraud were labelled by the company.

Twitter also reserves the right to remove tweets - and in extreme circumstances ban users - which it did with the US president after the riots in Washington earlier this month.

Twitter, though, wants to go further: "We don't want to limit efforts to circumstances where something breaks our rules or receives widespread public attention," said Twitter's Vice-President Keith Coleman.

Participants will have to provide a verified phone number and email to take part, in a bid to keep bots and bad actors away, as well as having no recent rule violations against their Twitter account.

President Biden said in his inauguration speech that: "We must reject a culture where facts are manipulated, or even manufactured."

WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS

 My biography as German expatriate in the Philippines 

Chapter I: How it all started

So I was sitting with my best friend Jürgen 1976 on packed suitcases at Cairo International Airport. We just had a bad night at the hotel. "Are you finally looking forward to Asia?" he asked me. "Yes, of course", I mumbled. We waited for boarding of our flight to Manila. Manila would be only a short stopover. Our main reason was travelling to Japan for a three-months-family stay in different cities organized by the International YMCA.

I have had several breathtaking journeys before. 1974 Norway, 1975 Canada and the United States. I was still uncomfortably overwhelmed by the poor hotel room and the even worst service in our hotel. At that moment, I didn't know what would happen to me, when we got to Manila... .

I came from a well-sheltered family in the German province. Farms, animals, and an intact nature. A huge forest with a little river bordered my parent's small house. I was lucky, my kindergarten was just 200 meters away. Sister Lieschen  looked after me touchingly. I can still remember that particular melody that she often played for me: "Für Elise" by Ludwig van Beethoven. At the age of 4, I started practicing on my own. Other compositions followed. This was the time, music entered my life.

And music should become my major and favorite subject in elementary school. Of course reading and writing too - calculating not so! Geography was limited to Germany. Suddenly my music teacher, an awesome violin player, asked me if I would like to join the school orchestra. Sure, I would love too - but with which instrument? The following Christmas, I knew. A student 40 accordion lay under the Christmas tree. And it's still with me here in the Philippines. 60 years old - with an original sound from Germany.

 

Our flight to Manila was delayed again. While waiting for our boarding, I kept thinking back to the past. After several performances, my music teacher presented his arrangement for Beethoven's Elise. I was happy to be one of the orchestra members. But, I always flirted with the piano... .

Besides Beethoven, I fell in love with Frederic Chopin too. My teacher told me: "You're still too young for him!" I still feel how disappointed I was then today.

The sudden announcement that our flight to Manila is ready for boarding stopped my day dreaming. My buddy Jürgen was really eager to arrive in the Philippines soon. He was dreaming about a nice beach, warm water, and a long drink. In my dreams, I saw a lonely island... .

We noticed that these dreams were not coming true when we got off the plane in Manila.

(To be continued!)

Nissan announces closure of PH plant

 Photo credit: https://www.nissan.ph/vehicles/new/almera.html

by Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat, Manila Bulletin

Nissan today announced it will stop production in the Philippines effective March 2021, putting an end to its lone completely knocked down assembly for passenger car model Almera to ensure efficient business operations in the ASEAN region

“Nissan in the Philippines, together with its vehicle assembly partner, Univation Motor Philippines, Inc. (UMPI), have made the decision to cease production operations for the Nissan Almera in the Santa Rosa plant in the Philippines, effective March 2021,” said the company statement.

The decision has been made following the expiration of the assembly contract between Nissan Philippines, Inc. (NPI) and UMPI. An estimated 133 employees, who will be affected by the plant closure, will be provided their benefits and assistance during the transition period.

The decision is aligned with Nissan’s plan towards optimized production and efficient business operations in the ASEAN region, as part of the Nissan NEXT transformation plan.

“Nissan remains committed to its investments in the Philippines. The company will continue to contribute to the growth of the Philippine automotive industry through its innovative products and excellent services, as well as its dealer expansion nationwide,” said NPI.

According to the company, Nissan’s strategy in the Philippines is to keep the customer at the heart of our business, and focus on strengthening the fundamentals of Product, Service, Customer Experience, and People. Our customer-centric approach guides our product and service offerings, as well as network expansion.

Nonetheless, UMPI will remain active in the Philippines and continue its other business operations in the country. The well-being of employees is the highest priority. Nissan is coordinating with UMPI to ensure a smooth transition. The UMPI plant has total capacity of 18,000 units annually.

NPI spokesperson Dax Avenido said Almera has been produced in the Philippines since 2013. Last year, it sold 3,238 units from 4,866 units the previous year. NPI said it is still has enough inventory units to serve orders.

NPI offers 9 imported completely built up models in the Philippines, with Almera as its lone CKD model.

Trade and Industry Secretary, who was informed of the decision a day before the announcement, emphasized the need for auto safeguard measures amid the closure of the Nissan assembly plant.

“The announcement of Nissan to close their assembly operations in the country is regrettable, as these developments all the more demonstrate the critical situation of the local motor vehicle industry. Thus, the provisional safeguard measures need to be immediately put in place to protect the domestic industry from further serious injury,” Lopez said.

Lopez also cited reports that prior to the Philippine plant closure, Nissan since 2019, Nissan had already closed plants across Europe, US and developing countries and have laid-off  approximately 42,500  workers globally. Moving forward, it plans to further cut its global production capacity by 20% as well as its number of models offered to the market.

In the Philippines, Nissan Almera’s sales of around 4,500 represents just 1 percent of the total vehicle market and its assembly activity employs 133 workers. Introduced in the country in 2011, the current 3rd generation Almera had likewise over-extended its model life cycle.

According to Lopez, NPI already contemplated on closing last year given weaker volume sales and low market share of the Almera. They have in effect extended their stay.

Their major sales come from imported pick-ups and sport utility vehicles (SUVs).

Nissan, however, reassured DTI that the 133 workers will be provided reasonable compensation packages and that only assembly workers are affected, as operations of their marketing and distribution network will continue – selling units imported mainly from Thailand and Japan.

Moreover, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the DTI regional offices will collaborate in providing affected workers with manufacturing jobs.

Sec. Lopez also stated that “The stoppage of Almera’s assembly operations, following closely that of Honda and Isuzu, only highlights that the local auto assembly industry is critically impacted by the surge in imports and will thus benefit from the time-bound safeguard duty.”

“Alongside the modernized incentives being made available under the CREATE Bill, the DTI is undertaking a comprehensive approach to revive the auto industry – employing coherent policy measures while still maintaining fair trade and the contestability of the market for imports. This, together with the major reforms we are doing—such as the Public Service Act, the Rice Tariffication Law and the Build, Build, Build program, and many more—will bring about a more attractive investment climate moving forward,” the trade chief added.

He stressed that the Philippine auto market is one of the most open among the larger ASEAN member countries. For instance, Thailand imposes an 80% Most Favored Nation (MFN) tariff rate on completely built-up units (CBU) originating outside ASEAN.

Meanwhile, with various non-tariff measures on motor vehicles in place, Indonesia has effectively discouraged imports and, as a result, imports account for only 7% of

Indonesia’s domestic market. This is in stark contrast to the Philippines, where locally assembled light commercial vehicles account for only 7% of the market.

Nissan is currently leasing the manufacturing facility owned by the Taiwanese company, Yulon Group. Accordingly, the plant itself will be kept, similar to how the Honda’s facility, remained intact.

The Secretary expressed hope that the plant can be used for the next entrant to local assembly of cars when the business climate improves after the pandemic.

Which is the fake P1,000 bill?

 

by Jane Kingsu-Cheng, Manila Bulletin

Makeup artist, microblading guru, and now i’Milky milk tea shop owner Barbi Chan recently shared a photo of two P1,000 bills. In her Facebook post, she asked her friends to figure out which of the two bills that she posted is fake.

“We got scammed again with a fake P1,000 bill. Guys, be careful kasi super galing na nila mameke. We even have a UV scanner and mayroon na din ang pekeng bill . We only found out in the bank,” she posted.

In an interview with Barbi, she shared with us that her staff goes to the bank on a daily basis to deposit the sales from i’Milky Eastwood branch for the day. The staff called Barbi to update her regarding one of the peso bills.

Confiscated

They couldn’t believe that these fake peso bills are getting better every time. It passed their UV scanners. “even the fake ones have the UV reflective fibers already.” says Barbi who added that they bank took the fake bill and made them sign a currency confiscation receipt. So, in the end, they lost P1,000 worth of sales, because the bank didn’t accept the fake bill and confiscated it as well.

How to spot

“We noticed that the color of the seal of the real one is greener compared to the fake one. The fake one is more blue in color,” shares Barbi. “A friend who works at the anti fraud division of a bank told me that to check the authenticity of the bill, you can rub it against white sheet of paper and some pigment should come off. I tried it and it is really true. The fake one has no pigment at all.

Another rule she relayed to her staff, “Avoid accepting P1,000 peso-bills. Just tell them you don’t have change for it.”