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!
From making waves on their weekly performances on GMA’s musical variety show, ‘All-Out Sundays,’ the quintessential queens are all set to captivate the live audience together for the very first time on one concert stage. “Queendom: Live” is set to showcase each diva’s individual style and presence while also allowing collaborative performances that will truly wow and entertain the audience.
A royal and majestic night awaits fans and concert enthusiasts as GMA Synergy, in partnership with GMA Entertainment Group, brings together the highly-acclaimed vocal queens of ‘All-Out Sundays (AOS)’ – Rita Daniela, Jessica Villarubin, Thea Astley, Mariane Osabel, Hannah Precillas, and Asia’s Limitless Star Julie Anne San Jose – in an epic concert dubbed “Queendom: Live,” this Dec. 2 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.
The ticket selling to this much-awaited event begins this Aug. 14 exclusively at Ticket2Me via www.gmanetwork.com/synergy and Ticket World via www.ticketworld.com.ph. Tickets are priced at P5,000 (Queen); P4,000 (Princess); and P1,000 (Duchess). Queen ticket holders can exclusively avail of the add-on VIP pass for an additional P1,500.
From making waves on their weekly performances on GMA’s musical variety show, ‘All-Out Sundays,’ the quintessential queens are all set to captivate the live audience together for the very first time on one concert stage. “Queendom: Live” is set to showcase each diva’s individual style and presence while also allowing collaborative performances that will truly wow and entertain the audience.
“Queendom: Live” promises to showcase the exemplary vocal prowess of Rita, Jessica, Thea, Mariane, Hannah, and Julie Anne as they perform ovation-worthy solos, power duets, trio renditions, and ensemble acts.
The night of Dec. 2 will be set ablaze with a string of popular songs that celebrate womanhood, individuality, and empowerment. Fans should also definitely not miss out each queen’s breathtaking signature birit pieces performed in full diva rendition.
More surprises are lined up for the night as powerful duets, grand vocal collaborations, and showdowns are set to happen on one stage. There will also be special guests who will surely excite and captivate the hearts of concertgoers.
“Queendom: Live” is made possible through GMA Synergy, the team behind the New York Festivals TV & Film Awards 2022 Silver Medallist “Limitless: A Musical Trilogy,” Julie Anne San Jose-Rayver Cruz headliner concert “JulieVerse,” and the Philippines’ first-ever virtual reality concert and 2021 New York Festivals finalist “Alden’s Reality: The Virtual Reality Concert.”
Coming off its well-attended run in Manila from June 2 to 4, the National Book Development Board’s (NBDB) Philippine Book Festival (PBF) is back—this time in Davao, where it’s part of the 38th Kadayawan Festival. The latest edition of the all Filipino book experience will be held at the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang from Aug. 18 to 20, 2023. As with its last run, the PBF promises a slew of festivities, including author meet-and-greets, book launches, and musical performances. We’ve prepared another cheat sheet to help you make the most of your PBF Davao experience.
1. Learn the craft of writing historical fiction with award-winning author Candy Gourlay
The Davao-born, London-based author Candy Gourlay is known for her young adult novels about the pains and joys of coming of age. Her novel, "Bone Talk," follows the life of a young boy at the onset of the Philippine-American war. Learn how to effectively craft compelling narratives set in the past with Candy herself, who will be holding short one-on-one consultations with those who are already working on a project. If you’re already a fan of Candy’s work, you can also join her book launch for a one-of-a-kind meet-and-greet session on the festival’s main stage.
Unforgetting: The Art of Crafting Historical Fiction with Candy Gourlay - Aug. 19, 9:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m, SMX Davao Meeting Room 1, and Book Launch by Candy Gourlay - Aug. 20, 12:00 p.m to 1:00 p.m., SMX Davao Main Stage
2. Get to know the Davao literary scene by listening to young Davao writers in conversation
Davao has its diverse population and indigenous communities to thank for its vibrant literary scene. In an attempt to better understand the role of literature in the region, writers Elizabeth Serrano-Quijano, John Bengan, and Jade Capiñanes, in a panel moderated by Jhoanna Cruz, talk about what it means to be working as writers living in Davao. They ask, how do writers contribute to building a creative ecosystem that celebrates the many facets of a city? Join these writers for an afternoon of reflections on creative life and its role in building a city.
Out-of-the-Box: Writing in Davao - Aug. 18, 1:00 p.m to 2:00 p.m, SMX Davao Main Stage
3. Have your copy of Trese signed by its co-creator, Kajo Baldisimo
Part of the festival’s lineup of authors is Kajo Baldisimo, the acclaimed artist and co-creator of the widely popular komiks series, Trese. He will be signing copies of "Trese" from 1:00 p.m onwards at his booth. The talented artist is one of the many creatives who will be signing their books at the PBF, so make sure to bring copies of your favorite books by your favorite authors.
Book Signing: TRESE comics - Aug. 18 to 20, 1 p.m., Kajo Baldisimo’s Booth
4. Jam with the Kaliwat Performing Arts Collective as they pay tribute to one of Davao’s foremost writers
The PBF wouldn’t be the book experience it promises to be without immersive musical numbers that celebrate the love for words and sounds with dance! Celebrate community and culture with the Kaliwat Performing Arts Collective as they pay tribute to Aida Rivera Ford, one of the country’s leading fictionists, and Don Pagusara, the founder of the Davao Writers Guild. This event at the festival’s main stage will also include the launch of poet and scholar Ricky De Ungria’s Kalandrakas, a monumental two-volume anthology on Mindanao.
Lunas-Banwa: Healing, Community, and Performance - Aug. 19, 8:00 p.m to 9:00 p.m., SMX Davao Main Stage
5. Perform your poems on stage
The Book Development Association of the Philippines, one of the NBDB’s partners who made the PBF possible, is hosting a poetry slam on the festival’s main stage. If you want to share your passion for poetry onstage, don’t miss this opportunity. Cash prizes will be given to performers who can impress the panel of judges.
BDAP Poetry Slam - Aug. 19, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., SMX Davao Main Stage
Register for free now at official website. Walk-ins are also welcome. For more updates, follow the National Book Development Board on Facebook and @bookfestph on Instagram and TikTok.
The view of the north-northeastern sky during the peak of Perseids on Aug. 13, 2023 at 4 a.m. using the Stellarium software. (PAGASA)
The annual Perseids meteor shower will reach its peak activity on Sunday, Aug. 13, with as many as 150 meteors an hour under clear skies, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its August astronomical diary.
PAGASA said the Perseids, which is known as “one of the most anticipated annual meteor showers,” is active from July 17 to Aug. 24.
“The shower will be visible once Perseus, the shower radiant, rises in the northeastern sky around midnight until just before sunrise. The number of visible meteors increases as the radiant reaches the highest point in the sky, right after dawn, and will be best observed just before sunrise,” it pointed out.
The waning crescent moon's minimal interference could make the astronomical event remarkable.
According to PAGASA, meteor showers can be seen with the naked eye and do not require any special equipment such as telescopes or binoculars.
However, it recommended a dark location away from city lights with a clear sky and no moon to maximize the viewing experience.
κ-Cygnids meteor shower
Another meteor shower observable this month is the κ-Cygnids.
PAGASA said the meteor shower is active from Aug. 3 to 25, with peak activity on Aug. 18.
“During its peak, κ-Cygnids is expected to produce three meteors per hour. The shower’s radiant, Draco, is already observable after sunset until it sets on the horizon at around 5 a.m.,” PAGASA said.
“It will be best observed around 9 p.m., when the radiant is at its highest position in the sky. The shower will peak close to the new moon, presenting minimal interference from the moonlight,” it added.
Jordan Clarkson is now in the Philippines to join the national team's preparations for the Fiba World Cup. (Marlo Cueto)
Hey there sports fan,
One World Cup stint for the country done. Another one looms in the horizon.
After all the problems Gilas Pilipinas encountered over the past months—even years—leading to the Fiba World Cup, things are starting to have a little clarity now.
And he's ready to spearhead the country's participation in basketball's global showcase.
The Philippines is looking to score a different kind of win in the World Cup. Aftern all, it wouldn't be realistic to think that Gilas Pilipinas can go all the way to the title match. But if the team becomes the highest ranking Asian squad at the end of the tournament, the Philippines qualifies for the Paris Olympics next year.
Meanwhile, in a tournament devoid of stars, let's all be thankful Luka Doncic is still raring to play in the World Cup, and he's showing glimpses of what he will put on display when Slovenia opens its bid.
And as Doncic and his teammates continue preparing, the United States continues to show why it remains the team to beat in the tournament.
Fans welcome Reina Bonta to . (AFP)
Meanwhile...
Still yearning for more Filipinas content? We've got a couple for you, on homecomings and "aww" moments with coach Alen Stajcic.
If you need a football fix, though, the Women's World Cup is still ongoing, which gives us time to throw this trivia question at you: Of the quarterfinalists in the Women’s World Cup, which country is the only one with a female coach?
Also, Ateneo is in Japan now, getting ready to defend its UAAP crown by defending another collegiate title in the Land of the Rising Sun. The team will get to test its new core while battling some of the best school basketball programs from different countries.
What we're up to next:
Watch out for our subscriber-only side feature on the Women's World Cup, which is being prepared by Mr. Jonas Terrado, our intrepid football journalist who covered history in New Zealand. We will also begin stories on the Asian Games in China, which will serve as Olympic qualifiers for some sports, like boxing. We will also begin PBA updates. All these, while we provide stories and updates on Gilas Pilipinas' preparations for the Fiba World Cup.
Number of the Week: 5
Number of goals scored by Japan's Hinata Miyazawa so far in the Women's World Cup, a tournament-best.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“We didn’t have long enough, really. But all the superlatives, I’ve used them all up. It was memorable, magical and unforgettable to feel and see that many Filipinos connected and engaged with the team.”
—Alen Stajcic, Filipinas coach, on his stint with the national women's football team.
If you answered England to the question above, you are right. And you have a shot at going 7-for-7 on our weekly sports quiz. Go check out the rest of the questions by joining our Viber community, which also features the freshest sports updates.
Buy the Inquirer at newsstands, subscribe to our digital edition, Inquirer Plus, visit our online site and follow us on socials (Twitter: @inquirersports; FB: facebook.com/inquirersports) for more stories and updates—or to send us questions or suggestions of stories you'd want to read.
Have a great and safe weekend! See you next Friday.
Francis
Francis T. J. Ochoa is the Sports Editor of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. For comments, suggestions and questions, hit him up on Twitter (@ftjochoaINQ).
Wild and natural form of the waling-waling orchid flower. (Manila Bulletin Agriculture)
The waling-waling orchid, scientifically known as Vanda sanderiana, is a stunning and highly prized orchid species native to the Philippines. Also referred to as the "Queen of Philippine Flowers," the waling-waling orchid is renowned for its exceptional beauty and unique characteristics.
The waling-waling orchid typically blooms during the months of June to August, although there may be some variations in blooming periods depending on specific growing conditions and environmental factors. This period is considered the peak flowering season for the waling-waling orchid.
Waling-waling orchid flowers with yellow, green, and white is the alba form which came about with intense breeding efforts in Hawaii in the 1950s. (Manila Bulletin Agriculture)
The waling-waling orchid exhibits various forms, each with its unique charm. The froebeliana variety showcases a dark coloration while the albata exhibit lighter hues with purplish markings. Additionally, there is the alba, which was artificially induced through intensive inbreeding in Hawaii, resulting in green and yellow forms. The diversity of waling-waling varieties contributes to its immense popularity among orchid enthusiasts.
This orchid species has a monopodial growth habit, meaning it grows vertically, with a single stem that produces leaves and flowers along its length. The leaves are long, narrow, and leathery, providing an elegant backdrop to the remarkable blooms.
Due to its beauty, the waling-waling orchid has become a foundation for breeding programs. Its bloodline has been utilized to develop other vanda orchids with desirable traits such as vigorous growth and large, round flowers. While the waling-waling's own flower characteristics may not be strongly inherited by its progenies, its robust vegetative properties are often passed down.
Papilionanda Antonio Puyat orchid is an example of the heavy influence of waling waling in orchid breeding. (Manila Bulletin Agriculture)
The waling-waling orchid is indigenous to the foothills of Mount Apo in the province of Davao, located on the island of Mindanao. While the waling-waling orchid's natural range is predominantly in Davao, it can also be found in other regions of Mindanao such as Maguindanao, South Cotabato, and possibly Basilan.
Cultivation and care
As a tropical flower, the waling-waling orchid flourishes in warm environments and does not thrive in cool climates. It has been extensively propagated, leading to a significant global population. However, its rarity is still recognized due to the challenges of finding it in its natural habitat, mainly due to intensive collection and poaching. To cultivate waling-waling successfully, understanding its specific requirements is crucial.
Waling-waling orchids prefer bright, indirect sunlight, mimicking their natural habitat under the shade of trees. Care should be taken to prevent direct exposure to sunlight during the summer months, which can lead to leaf burning. Adequate watering is vital, considering its tropical origins. Daily watering is recommended, especially in regions with high humidity. The root tips should appear fleshy, green, or purple, indicating sufficient hydration. Watering should be done before 4 PM to allow excess water to evaporate, reducing the risk of diseases and root rot.
Waling-waling orchids with superior forms and colors. (Manila Bulletin Agriculture)
Providing the waling-waling orchid with proper nutrition is essential for its healthy growth. Regular fertilizer application during watering, once a week, helps supply essential nutrients. Additionally, ensuring adequate air circulation is crucial. Spacing individual waling-waling plants apart prevents the spread of diseases, and the leaves should not touch each other, allowing free airflow.
Waling-waling orchids naturally grow on tree trunks, making it beneficial to provide a potting medium for them to cling onto, such as wood or bark. While they can survive without a medium, their survival is more reliant on careful watering and regular fertilizer application, as they have no alternative moisture source. Utilizing potting media can encourage keiki production and reduce maintenance efforts. Keiki is an offshoot plant that develops on the stem or base of the parent orchid. However, for those with limited resources and space, hanging the orchid using wire or vanda baskets with charcoal or wood can also be suitable as long as the growth remains upright.
Wild and natural form of the waling-waling orchid flower. (Manila Bulletin Agriculture)
One intriguing characteristic of the waling-waling orchid is its propensity to produce keikis, which are offshoots that sap nutrients from the mother plant. To prevent the decline of the mother plant, it is recommended to separate the keikis individually before they start affecting the parent's vitality. The waling-waling orchid is widely propagated commercially and readily available in the market, making it accessible to enthusiasts and collectors.
The waling-waling orchid, with its noble beauty and intriguing characteristics, holds a special place in the hearts of Filipinos. There have been movements and discussions advocating for the Waling-waling to be recognized as the national flower of the Philippines. Despite challenges in establishing it as the national flower, its cultural significance remains undeniable. With proper care and understanding of its tropical requirements, enthusiasts can cultivate and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the waling-waling orchid. Its varied forms, captivating blooms, and rich history continue to inspire awe and admiration, making it a treasured gem of the Philippines.
