How to host Christmas eve à la Jose Mari Chan

Ever wondered how the Filipinos’ ‘Christmas icon’ spends his own Christmas Eve?

In the Philippines, the name Jose Mari Chan is synonymous to Christmas as he takes over radios, shows, and our hearts during the holiday season.

But ever wondered how the Filipinos Christmas icon spends his own Christmas Eve? Here's how Shopee's Christmas Ambassador Jose Mari Chan would host a pleasant Noche Buena with family and friends.

Picture this — You're surrounded by your loved ones, sharing stories with one another. Classic Christmas songs are playing from a Vintage Record Player, blending nicely with the laughter of your friends and family. Because "Tito Joe" goes the extra mile to keep everyone comfortable, Knitted Blankets are placed on the sofas, so you can snuggle and get cozy while waiting for dinner to be served.

Now it's time for dinner as Tito Joe invites everyone to join him in the dining area. The holiday spirit fills the room, with cute Snowman Home Decor adorning the shelves. The dining table looks festive, with reindeer-inspired Christmas Chair Covers making you feel even more cheerful.

Delicious food is served on the dining table, with hearty Christmas staples like roast chicken, lechon, pancit and more. You start off by helping yourself to some cold cuts, delectable choices of cheese, and fresh fruits that are beautifully placed on an elegant Engraved Charcuterie Board. For drinks, a citrusy blend made with a Juicer compliments your hearty meal, and helps cleanse your palate for dessert.

After the lovely dinner, you gather once again at the living room but this time, Tito Joe surprises everyone with an impromptu performance. Ready as always, he starts to belt out his iconic "Christmas in our Hearts" song.

While Tito Joe is singing, a Portable Microphone is passed around the room, giving others a chance to sing along with him. As everyone joins in, your heart feels a sense of warmth and joy, as the room gets filled with song and laughter.

Finally, you're back at the spot you were earlier, snuggled by the warm knitted blanket. To finish the night and while waiting for midnight to strike, a hot batch of coffee made from a French Press is served to everyone. To complete the Christmas experience, the coffee is in a cute Christmas-themed Coffee Mug, capping the night of holiday glee and fun.

VP Duterte explains why it’s not hard to love PH

Published November 5, 2022, 9:05 AM

by Raymund Antonio

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte believes Filipinos must focus on what each of them can do for the Philippines so the country can move forward to achieve progress faster.

Vice President Sara Duterte during the Naval Special Operations Command’s 66th anniversary celebration on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022. (Photo from Inday Sara Duterte via Facebook)

In her message during the Naval Special Operations Command’s 66th founding year celebration on Friday, Nov. 4, Duterte said she doesn’t think it’s difficult for every citizen to show love for the country.

“Minsan, may nabasa ako. Ang sabi niya mahirap daw pong mahalin ang Pilipinas. Ang sabi ko (I once read something. He said it’s hard to love the Philippines. I said) that’s not true. At isa kayo…ang makakapagpatotoo, (And you’re one of those who can testify it’s not true),” she said in her speech, a copy of which was sent to the media.

The Vice President explained that if every Filipino will love the Philippines, the country can achieve greater heights.

“Naniniwala po kasi ako na kapag napag-alab natin sa puso ng bawat Pilipino ang pagmamahal sa bayan — ang pagiging tunay na makabansa, ang pagiging tunay na makabayan — maitatawid natin ang Pilipinas. Makakaraos tayo. Uunlad tayo (I believe that if every Filipino will be passionate about loving our country—being a true patriot—we can improve the Philippines. We will survive. We will progress),” she said.

Members of the Philippine Navy, particularly those from the Naval Special Operations Command, received praises from Duterte for their patriotism and heroism.

In previous years, she noted how they were instrumental in several of the government’s counter-terrorism operations, among which was against the Abu Sayyaf Group.

(Inday Sara Duterte/Facebook)

“The Philippines and the Filipino people are lucky to experience your patriotism, your love — one that is without condition, one that expects nothing in return, and one that is saddled with so many sacrifices,” she said.

The lady official also said she wished many more Filipino youth would join any branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and other allied security forces.

“Alam ninyo, ang isa sa mga pangarap ko ay sana mas maraming kabataang Pilipino ang pumasok sa (You know, one of my dreams is that more young Filipinos join the) Philippine Navy o anumang sangay ng (or any branch of the) Armed Forces of the Philippines o maging sa (or in the) Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP),” she said.

Duterte stressed her respect for the members of the country’s security front stemmed from their courage and love of country.

“Isa itong uri ng pagmamahal na hindi namamatay sa panahon na nahaharap tayo sa pagsubok (This is a kind of love that will not die in a time we are facing trials),” she said.

“Isa itong pagmamahal na mas nag-aalab at mas umiinit sa tuwing tayo ay nakakaranas ng kahirapan (This love becomes more intense every time we experience hardships),” she added.

The Vice President also emphasized the need to provide necessary support and training to the soldiers of the Naval Special Operations Command that would improve their skills and capacities in responding to security threats.

“We hope to continue to foster greater cooperation and strengthen security ties with other nations as we maintain that the Philippines is a friend to everyone,” she said.

Sarah Brightman brings first-ever Christmas concert tour to the Big Dome

Published November 5, 2022, 7:14 AM

by Manila Bulletin Entertainment

Sarah Brightman

International superstar and famed Broadway and West End actress Sarah Brightman is set to
bring the critically acclaimed holiday special-turned concert series entitled “A Christmas
Symphony” to the Big Dome on Dec. 7.

Make the Holidays more magical with the Angel of Music as she serenades the Filipino
audience with some of the most beloved Christmas carols at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. To
further heighten the festive mood in this once in a lifetime music experience, Brightman will be
accompanied by an orchestra and choir.

She is expected to sing Christmas standards like “Silent Night,” “I believe in Father Christmas,”
and “Happy Xmas (War is Over).” But aside from those masterpieces, she will also sing some
marvelous Andrew Lloyd Webber creations and covers such as “Pie Jesu” and “A Christmas
Dream.” 

“Sarah Brightman is the world’s biggest-selling soprano. That’s why we know that this concert is
a holiday treat for her Filipino fans. This is one of the most anticipated shows this Holiday
season, so we hope that Filipino music lovers will book their tickets early,” Irene L. Jose, COO
of Uniprom said.

Brightman is widely credited as a pioneering force in the classical crossover music movement
and is globally renowned for her vocal range of over three octaves. She has the distinct record
of being the only artist to have simultaneously topped the Billboard Dance and Classical Music
charts.

She has sold over 30 million units and has received 180 gold and platinum awards in over 40
countries. One of her most iconic works is “Time to Say Goodbye” which she sang with Italian
tenor Andrea Bocelli. But aside from her stellar music record, the Grammy Award-nominated
artist also made a name for herself in musical theater, as she originated the iconic role of
Christine Daaé in the smash hit Phantom of the Opera.

Meanwhile, Sarah Brightman’s “A Christmas Symphony” has had many iterations in the past
years. In 2020, A Christmas Symphony was a livestream event which was seen all over the
world. Last year, the American public broadcaster PBS aired A Christmas Symphony throughout
November and December. The latter was shot at the historic Christ Church Spitalfields in
London and the venue was transformed into a winter wonderland to evoke the magnificence of
this musical extravaganza. Now, the special is Brightman’s first-ever Christmas tour that is
being brought to many countries around the globe and enchanting audiences the world over. 

“Christmas is a special event for us Pinoys,” Jose said. “This special music event promises to
make our Holidays more remarkable through the power of music. So, make sure that you don’t
miss out!”

To purchase your tickets for Sarah Brightman’s “A Christmas Symphony,” please visit this link.
For more information about Smart Araneta Coliseum, please visit
https://smartaranetacoliseum.com/. To inquire about how you can book an event, click this link
for Smart Araneta Coliseum.

You may also visit https://ticketnet.com.ph/ to see all the upcoming events at the Smart Araneta
Coliseum and the New Frontier Theater and book tickets for these events. You may also like
and follow them on https://www.facebook.com/TicketNetPH/.

Christmas blues: 1 million individuals still in temporary shelters one week since ‘Paeng’

by Martin Sadongdong, MB

A week since Severe Tropical Storm “Paeng” hit the country, the Christmas season would be a little lonelier for more than one million individuals who are still yet to return to their homes and relying on relief assistance being offered by the national and local government.

Teachers of Oquendo Elementary School in Balete town, Aklan traverse floodwater during the height of tropical storm Paeng last Oct. 27, 2022.  (Bufv Billones/Facebook)

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said that out of 4,124,267 Paeng-affected individuals nationwide, a total of 1,034,250 individuals were still staying in and outside evacuation centers as of Friday, Nov. 4. 

Of this, 123,024 individuals were in 1,186 evacuation centers across 17 regions while 911,226 individuals were staying outside evacuation centers, which means that they were living with their relatives or friends for the meantime.

The death toll increased to 154 as four new fatalities were reported to the NDRRMC. Out of the number, 101 deaths have been confirmed while 53 others are still being validated.

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) had the most number of fatalities with 63; followed by Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon or Region 4A) and Western Visayas (Region 6) with 33 each; Eastern Visayas (Region 8) with five; Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9) and SOCCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, General Santos City or Region 12) with four apiece;

MIMAROPA (Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan or Region 4B) with three; Cagayan Valley (Region 2), Central Luzon (Region 3), Bicol Region (Region 5), and Central Visayas (Region 7) with two each; and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) with one death. 

In BARMM, the Bangsamoro government said the Office of the Chief Minister distributed 3,500 sacks of 10-kilo rice to storm-affected residents in the towns of General Salipada K. Pendatun (GSKP) and Talayan in Maguindanao del Sur last Nov. 2.

“We thank our leaders for the swift and immediate response. This will be a big help for us who are affected by the storm,” 34-year-old Bilma Mala, a resident of GSKP, was quoted as saying by the Bangsamoro government.

Courtesy of BARMM Government / Facebook

Sacks of rice were also distributed to residents in Basilan, Sultan Kudarat, and Maguindanao del Norte.

Agri, infra damage

The damage to agriculture and infrastructure wrought by Paeng has already reached P5.6 billion, the NDRRMC said. 

In agriculture, damage was pegged at P2.7 billion which resulted in a production loss of 116,673.9 metric tons and affecting over 77,000 hectares of crops.

The agriculture industry in Bicol Region remains as the most affected with damage placed at P859 million; followed by CALABARZON at P726 million; Central Luzon at P443 million; Central Visayas at P376 million; and MIMAROPA at P278 million.

Meanwhile, the estimated cost of damage to infrastructure amounted to P2.9 billion after it was reported that 391 infrastructure projects such as seawalls, roads, bridges, and flood-control structures were damaged.

CALABARZON incurred the biggest infrastructure loss at P1.1 billion; followed by Bicol Region at P708 million; Central Visayas at P277 million; MIMAROPA at P160 million; Davao Region (Region 10) at P110 million; and Cagayan Valley at P101 million.

There were 25,109 houses that were also damaged in the affected regions.

Power supply

Until now, many residents in more than 100 cities and municipalities were living in the dark as power supply is yet to be restored in their localities.

The NDRRMC said a total of 359 areas experienced power interruption during the onslaught of Paeng. As of Friday, power supply was restored in 234 areas while 125 areas have no electricity yet.

Those who have yet to restore their power supply were some areas in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan in Region 1; Nueva Vizcaya, Cagayan, Isabela in Region 2; Bulacan in Region 3; Quezon Province, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal in Region 4A; Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Masbate in Region 5;

Negros Occidental, Antique, Capiz in Region 6; Cebu and Bohol in Region 7; Southern Leyte and Samar in Region 8; Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat in Region 12; and Maguindanao in BARMM.

Can you describe a typical Filipino to someone who is not from the Philippines?

 By:

Ronna Lou

Philippine-Women.com Dating Coach and Matchmaking Consultant

If I’m not out there doing Cupid’s work, I’m here on Quora answering questions about love, marriage, relationships, and everything in between.

Filipinos are some of the most positive, generous, loyal, resilient, and family oriented people in the world.

As a Filipino, I can attest to this. We don’t run out of problems, but we try to remain happy and hopeful because we love life.

But, we aren’t all sunshines and rainbows. Humans as we are, we also experience sadness and negativity, especially when life gets too overwhelming.

Despite this, we continue to rise because of our strong family ties. Our families are one of our most important sources of strength in dealing with life’s challenges.

We Filipinos may not be as wealthy as other races, but we are admired by many foreign cultures because we live by our values – values that inspire the world to be better.

If you want to know more about the qualities of a Filipino, you can check out this article: Things You Should Know about Filipinos

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow

Do you always count the days up to the next legal holiday without being on duty? Or do you start as early as September longing for Christmas? And do you wish the weeks or months to hopefully pass by like an assault up to the next possible salary increase?

Many times we are really in too much of a hurry while feeling uncomfortable if we notice how time flies. We have no time for someone or something, or even for ourselves. 

One reason we are so harried and hurried is that we make yesterday and tomorrow our business, when all that legitimately concerns us is today. If we really have too much to do, there are some items on the agenda which God did not put there. Let us submit the list to Him and ask Him to indicate which items we must delete. There is always time to do the will of God. If we are too busy to do that, we are too busy. I love the thoughts of author Elisabeth Elliot (1926-2015).

When I was still a teenager, I was longing for the time to be a grown up already. Later, I enjoyed listening to my grandmother's stories such as "Once Upon A Time" or ``When I Was Young" from her "yesterday's life".

After a couple of years, especially while observing that time really flies like a rocket to the moon, I always have the same question in my mind: Are the present hours and days less valuable? 

These days between Christmas and New Year, between yesterday and tomorrow, I used to slow down and to relax. I even ignore my cellphone most of the time. I hide at a secret place to unwind. 

The next turn of the year is soon around the corner. For most of us it's the time  to come to our senses. The future prospects smile at us already. What might the New Year 2023 bring us? Another hectic schedule of course! But hopefully also happiness, joy and health. Hopefully more peace.

Is life in the future easier, nicer, more charming and more fulfilling compared to the present? Many of us retreat into the past and forget their present existence. A possible topsy-turvy world of a golden youth tries to let us forget that also the past have had its share of disappointments, pains, tears, darkness, as well as desperate days. Dreamy and sleepy days - yes, lost days, irretrievable time... .

I am glad and happy being able to live a wonderful life as an expatriate here in the Philippines since 1999 - together with my family and some very good friends. It hasn't been easy during the first years. Now we stand on our own feet, because we worked hard and adjusted very well. 

Böllerverbot zu Silvester?

 

Eine Mehrheit der Deutschen hat sich in einer Umfrage für ein Böllerverbot zu Silvester ausgesprochen. In der repräsentativen Umfrage des Instituts Insa Consulere im Auftrag der Verbraucherzentrale Brandenburg stimmten 53 Prozent der Befragten für ein Verbot, nur 39 Prozent waren dagegen.

„Wichtig ist jetzt, dass die Politik frühzeitig darüber entscheidet, ob das Zünden oder der Verkauf von Feuerwerkskörpern für das private Böllern zu Silvester in diesem Jahr verboten wird“, sagte der Chef der Brandenburger Verbraucherzentrale, Christian A. Rumpke.

'No EU ban on Filipino seafarers'

By Franco Jose C. Baroña November 4, 2022 

THE Philippines did not fail in the recent audit conducted by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) on the country's training program and accreditation system for seafarers, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista clarified on Thursday.

He said Filipino seafarers continue to be hired by international shipping agencies including those based in EU member states.

Bautista said the audit for the country's compliance with the 1978 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) was done in 2020 by EMSA, the agency charged with reducing the risk of maritime accidents, marine pollution from ships and the loss of human lives at sea by helping to enforce the pertinent European Union legislation.

Failure to comply with EMSA's requirements could jeopardize the jobs of an estimated 50,000 Filipino seafarers employed by European shipping companies.

There are more than 600,000 Filipino seamen working worldwide.

Bautista said the EMSA raised 23 grievances, including the failure of certain maritime schools to comply with standards for certification, training and watchlisting.

He said the government replied to the EMSA last March.

"We are now just waiting for their reply," Bautista said during a virtual press briefing.

Since then, the government has been continuously coordinating with the EMSA by providing the agency additional information "on the way forward," he said.

"It is important to tell you that we should not be alarmed by this because the Philippines did not fail the EMSA audit. There were findings, there were observations but the government, through the Department of Transportation (DoTr), Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) and the Philippine Coast Guard, are working together to address all these issues," Bautista said.

The EMSA regularly conducts audits on all countries that send seafarers to European states. "The directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is to specifically address the EMSA findings so we will be compliant and prevent the blacklisting of Filipino seafarers," he said.

Bautista said the government, through CHEd, has started to review the curriculum of maritime schools.

"There were also instances when certain schools that failed to meet the standards set by the government were ordered closed," Bautista added.

He recently met with shipping and manning companies, and they informed him that Filipino seafarers continue to be employed by different foreign shipping companies.

He said he was also told by different EU ambassadors to the Philippines that European shipping companies still prefer to hire Filipinos.

"I gave them the assurance that we will maintain our membership with the International Maritime Organization (IMO)," Bautista said.

The IMO also audits the training programs and accreditation system for seafarers that different countries implement.

The last time the IMO did an audit on the Philippines was April.

Bautista said the Marina has answered the questions raised by the IMO during its assessment.

The IMO is scheduled to meet with the Philippine government again before the end of the year.

Bautista denied reports that the President has removed from the Marina the task of overseeing maritime training and accreditation.

LPA continues to bring rain over Caraga, Davao but fair weather forecast in most of PH

By Arlie O. Calalo November 4, 2022 

THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Friday that the low pressure area (LPA), formerly Tropical Storm "Queenie" continues to bring rain and thunderstorms over the Caraga and Davao Regions over the last 24 hours.

Weather forecaster Daniel James Villamil said the LPA was last spotted some 140 kilometers southeast of Davao City.

The weather disturbance is bringing rain and thunderstorms over Caraga and Davao.

Meanwhile, generally fair weather can be experienced over the next 24 hours in most parts of the country, the Pagasa forecaster said.

He said Pagasa has not monitored any other weather disturbances that may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) until the weekend.

The state-run weather agency said localized thunderstorms are affecting Metro Manila and the rest of the country where partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms may be experienced

Total lunar eclipse to grace PH skies on Nov. 8

by Charie Mae F. Abarca

Sky watchers, are you ready?

A total lunar eclipse will be visible in the Philippines on Tuesday, Nov. 8, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The state weather bureau, in its Astronomical Diary, said the eclipse will begin at 5:19 p.m., with the totality of the eclipse occuring at 6:16 p.m. The “greatest eclipse” or the peak stage of the phenomenon will be observed at 6:59 p.m.

“The moon will remain in totality until 7:42 p.m. It will then go into a partial eclipse until 8:49 p.m. and [will] come to an end at 9:58 p.m.,” said PAGASA.

Predicted time of occurrence of the major phases of the eclipse (Photo courtesy of PAGASA)

Lunar eclipses in general, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), occur at the full moon phase “[with] the Earth positioned between the Moon and the Sun, and [its] shadow [falling] upon the surface of the Moon.”

However, as NASA explained, this particular moon spectacle – total lunar eclipse – happens when the “Moon moves into the inner part of the Earth’s shadow.” With this, some of the sunlight passing through the Earth’s atmosphere “reaches the Moon’s surface, lighting it dimly.”

During this sky show, viewers may see the moon turn red once the eclipse reaches its peak.

Total lunar eclipses, unlike solar eclipses, are safe to watch and observers need not use any kind of protective filters for the eyes.

Apart from the Philippines, the eclipse will also be visible in various parts of the world “where the moon is above the horizon,” including Australia, parts of northern and eastern Europe, North America, as well as most of South Africa.