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!
... but I know "Samstag" is also used. When is the one used and when is the other?
It is not “when”, but rather “where”. E. g. I live in the Northwest (Lower Saxony, near Bremen) and use “Samstag” all the time, albeit — according to studies — “Sonnabend” is prevalently used in Northern and Central Germany. I don’t hear it a lot, though, but I think I remember that our first landlady in Germany (born in the 20ies in Eastern Pomerania, today Polish territory) did use it quite often.
If you read newspapers or watch news on TV, you’ll see that the prevalence of the shorter “Samstag” is 100 % or close to that. In more relaxed contexts, you may hear and read Sonnabend, but I think it is slowly disappearing.
As Milan Fashion Week continues to present its brands’ and designers’ vision for spring-summer 2024 dressing, fashion savants from all over the world turn the fashion capital’s streets into their very own runway. And that includes many Filipino stars.
One of the many Filipino celebrities present at the fashion fest is actress Andrea Brillantes. The 20-year-old actress graced Versace’s spring-summer 2024 show. For the event, she donned the brand’s leather bustier top and skirt, both adorned with Medusa ’95 hardware.
Versace’s spring-summer 2024 collection is a nod to late designer Gianni Versace’s 1995 collection. The latest line featured shift dresses, pieces in checkerboard print, tailored jackets, as well as accessories and footwear imbued with its Medusa emblem, all in sorbet colors. One of the major highlights of the runway presentation was the presence of the supermodel Claudia Schiffer.
Check out more of Andrea’s ’fits in Milan below:
Photo from @blythe/InstagramStill from @ibaydrake/Instagram
Hello, readers! Do you have a story you want us to feature? Send us a message on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and X and let’s talk about it.
Rodriguez and Eslapor needed 32 minutes in besting Leong Ong Leng and Law Weng Sam of Macau, 21-15, 21-15, to inch closer to the medal round at the Ningbo Banbianshan Beach Volleyball Centre.
Floremel Rodriguez and Genesa Eslapor kept their medal hopes alive after barging into the women’s quarterfinals in beach volleyball at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China on Sunday, Sept. 24.
Floremel Rodriguez and Genesa Eslapor inch closer to the medal round after barging into the quarterfinals of the women's beach volleyball tournament at the 19th Asian Games. (File Photo/AVC)
Rodriguez and Eslapor needed 32 minutes in besting Leong Ong Leng and Law Weng Sam of Macau, 21-15, 21-15, to inch closer to the medal round at the Ningbo Banbianshan Beach Volleyball Centre.
The Filipina duo, however, will have their hands full as they arrange a date with Japan’s Miki Ishii and Sayaka Malki, who clobbered Kazakhstan’s Alina Rachenko and Anastassiya Ukolova, 21-8, 21-7.
The men’s crew of James Buytrago and Jude Garcia, however, fell short in their bid after absorbing a stinging 21-17, 16-21, 15-6 defeat at the hands of Indonesians Mohammad Ashfiya and Bintang Akbar in their Round of 16 duel.
A triumph could have earned Buytrago and Garcia a quarters meeting with Iran’s Abbas Pourasgari and Alireza Aghajanighasab, who advanced via a 21-15 21-15 win over Thais Surin Jongklang and Dunwinit Kaewsai.
Meanwhile, Khylem Progella and Grydelle Matibag try to join Rodriguez and Eslapor into the next round as they battle Woranatchayakorn Phirachayakrailert and Charanrutwad Patcharamainaruebhorn of Thailand at press time.
After winning the title of Mrs. Universe Philippines 2023 last June 18, Arlene Cruz Damot, mother of two kids, is a remarkable woman of many talents and titles.
During her media conference at the Seda Hotel Vertis in Quezon City last Sept. 21, Arlene stated what encouraged her to join pageant.
"When I was young I was bullied because of my appearance, I was chubby and my skin tone was morena, so I just wanna show to everyone that if you set your heart and mind to it, you can be anything that you want to be," Arlene said.
(When I was young I was bullied because of my appearance, I was chubby and my skin tone was morena, so I just wanna show to everyone that if you set your heart and mind to it, you can be anything that you want to be)
She also believed that another reason she joined the pageant was because she shared the same values with the competition.
"I think kaya ko napili sumali dito sa Mrs. Universe, kasi I think that we share the same values and I love being a mom. Mrs. Universe the requirements are actually like if you're married or widowed," Arlene added.
(I think that's why I chose to join Mrs. Universe because I think that we share the same values and I love being a mom. Mrs. Universe, the requirements are actually like if you're married or widowed)
Despite being the CEO of an aesthetic clinic, training in pageant, and becoming a mom, Arlene added that it's all about time management to make her work easier.
"Time management talaga, of course, family first muna, that's my priority and then for being an entrepreneur, and then a mom, and then a beauty queen as well, time management talaga is very important," she added.
(Time management really, of course, family first, that's my priority and then for being an entrepreneur, and then a mom, and then a beauty queen as well, time management is really very important)
Embarking on her first pageant, Arlene made sure to prepare her well-being from physical to mental health and the other pageant matters.
"For the preparations, of course, you need to be healthy and fit, so I go to the gym, and I also go to the spa. So I will be mentally and physically healthy. Secondly for Pasarela naman, I am being trained by Ian Mendajar, and for the gowns naman we have collaborated with different designers," Arlene said.
(For the preparations, of course, you need to be healthy and fit, so I go to the gym, and I also go to the spa. So I will be mentally and physically healthy. Secondly for Pasarela, I am being trained by Ian Mendajar, and for the gowns, we have collaborated with different designers)
Competing against a hundred candidates from different countries. Arlene mentioned that she may not be Catriona Grey or Pia Wurtzbach, but she will do her best to get the title.
"Well I really cannot promise, kasi I'm no Pia naman and Catriona, but I am Arlene, so I will do my best and I believe I'm unique naman," she said.
(Well I really cannot promise, because I'm no Pia and Catriona, but I am Arlene, so I will do my best and I believe I'm unique)
Witness the beauty and elegance as the candidates of the 46th Mrs. Universe 2023 compete for the crown on Oct. 8, at 6PM in Newport Performing Arts Theater, Newport Resorts World in Pasay City.
Metro Manilans and those in the Calabarzon region received a generous dose of science education last Friday, Sept. 22, when the hazy atmosphere prompted the suspension of classes. Alerts were also given to those proximately affected by Taal Volcano’s continuing activity.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) retracted its initial declaration that volcanic smog, or vog, was the cause of the haze, noting the west-southwest direction of the emissions from Taal Volcano toward other Batangas towns, and not toward Metro Manila.
Another agency, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) stated that “hazy skies in Metro Manila…may be attributed to ground-level and suspended Particulate Matter (PM) concentration. Then, another term — thermal inversion — was injected into the briefing. Thermal inversion occurs when the layers of the atmosphere do not mix, causing aerosols to get trapped.
DENR-EMB explained further: “Normally, air temperature decreases with increasing altitude, but during an inversion, warmer air is held below the cooler air. An inversion can also suppress convection which is the ability of pollutant(s) to move vertically, causing visibly trapped particulate matter closer to the ground.”
The main cause of the phenomenon, therefore, was the presence of significant amounts of Particulate Matter — in simple terms, air pollution — that hovered closer to the ground, instead of drifting into the skies.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA), our good old weather bureau, chimed in to explain the rather unusual “meteorological conditions” last Friday in Metro Manila, Calabarzon and some Central Luzon provinces. It cited “the presence of very small particles…trapped close to the surface (or nearer ground level) due to the presence of a thermal inversion, high humidity, and calm wind conditions.” Usually “the inversion disappears later in the day as heat from the sun allows the mixing of the air, allowing the aerosols to disappear.” But the haze persists when cloudy conditions prevail.
Meanwhile, residents in the immediate vicinity of Taal Volcano, have been warned of the persistent and rising amount of vog whose chemical component is sulfur dioxide, which can irritate the eyes, throat, and respiratory system.
To recap, the smog that blanketed Metro Manila last Friday and through Saturday, was caused by heavy traffic emissions and thermal inversion, not by Taal Volcano’s continuing smoke emission.
This drives home anew the imperative need to curb air pollution to ensure that the air we breathe does not endanger our health.
Law enforcement agencies must intensify and sustain their campaign against smoke belching vehicles. More effective public transport systems such as the EDSA Bus Carousel system should be sustained and further enhanced. The use of hybrid or electric vehicles could also contribute significantly to the mitigation of air pollution. Meantime, if air pollution persists or worsens, commuters will be constrained to wear anew face masks for health protection.
Concerned government agencies must do what is needed to give accurate and reliable public information for the citizenry’s guidance.
By: Marinel Cruz Philippine Daily Inquirer / 12:20 AM September 25, 2023
For singer-actress Bituin Escalante, an artist has to take risks in order to promote his art.
“We can go on and on about supporting our craft and our cinema, but if you’re not part of that animal, you have no right to talk about enriching the art form,” said Bituin, who was last seen in Dustin Celestino’s political drama “Duyan ng Magiting.”
“If we can empower filmmakers by joining [especially films made for festivals], then let’s do it. Let’s use our platforms. For example, the mere fact that I saw Dolly de Leon’s name on the cast list made me agree to do the project. I also said ‘yes’ because of Dustin and his pedigree. I wasn’t going to pass up a chance to work with them,” said Bituin, who plays a disillusioned lawyer in the movie. “More than the opportunity to promote film and filmmaking, it’s a chance to work with the best. Selfishly, I was so happy to do the project.
”Since “Duyan ng Magiting” is a collection of stories divided into different acts, Butuin said the only time all the cast members were together in one place was during their script reading. “This was the first time we all read the script together. What I noticed with the cast was how normal they are when you talk to them about their craft, as well as how self-effacing. I consider them giants in their fields, but they are the warmest and most supportive,” she began. “Dustin was almost shy and apologetic when he was giving us copies of the script—to think he has won a Palanca award and so many writing awards. But he said, ‘I hope you like it.’”
‘A great piece of work’
Bituin then recalled an incident that happened to her after the movie’s premiere screening. “I had to run from the theater to a meeting. In our industry, running away from a premiere is code for not liking your own project. It means you don’t want to see people fake congratulations,” she explained. “After the meeting, I said I had to go to the film’s minicast party in Gener (Cafe, in Quezon City) because I had to look Dustin in the eye and tell him I loved the work that he did. When I finally told him, I saw relief in his face. It’s so humbling to see Dustin sit there and witness how people react, but not wholly embrace the idea that, ‘Yes, what I made is a great piece of work.’ The best ones are always the nicest ones.” INQ
By: Jordeene B. Lagare - @inquirerdotnetPhilippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines — The country’s meat imports fell by 4 percent in the first eight months of the year as Filipinos consumed less pork and beef amid rising global market prices.
The volume of imported meat decreased to 817.35 million kilograms from January to August this year from 851.84 million kg in the same period a year ago, based on the latest data from the Bureau of Animal Industry.
“Importers are now feeling the effects of the low consumption coupled with high prices abroad,” Meat Importers and Traders Association president emeritus Jesus Cham said in a message.
“Market has been very tough and [we] hear [that] many importers are lying low. It would not be surprising for importers to be more conservative,” Cham said.
In August alone, the Philippines imported 115.11 million kg of meat, down 1.5 percent from the past year. But last month’s volume of imported meat and meat products improved from the volume in July, ending a three-month downtrend.
For the eight-month period, pork imports made up nearly 50 percent of total volume, down 12.7 percent. Chicken came next with 35.4 percent, up 18.3 percent. The Philippines procured 91.68 million kg of beef, down 16.7 percent.
Buffalo totaled 29.31 million kg. Likewise, the country purchased 563,298 kg of lamb, 229,302 kg of duck and 168,697 kg of turkey.
BAI data revealed that Brazil was still the country’s leading source of imported meat with a share of 32.2 percent. It exported mostly chicken with 166.15 million kg.
The United States followed with 142.25 million kg, primarily chicken and Spain with 102.41 million kg of mostly pork.
The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) earlier projected that the country would likely import less pig and more poultry meat this year on the back of growing internal demand amid tight domestic supplies, high prices, more active food services sales, and relative affordability.
However, the rising availability of local supply and declining consumer purchasing power amid high food prices and economic downturns are seen to reduce demand from most meat-importing countries, partially offsetting price increases, the FAO said.
Lower tariffs on certain food items have been extended until December this year. The “most favored nation” rates on fresh, chilled or frozen meat remained at 15 percent (in-quota) and 25 percent (out-quota).
“The Beauty of Bukidnon”
It is about time to put BUKIDNON into your visit list or bucket list or whatever you call it. This place goes unmentioned in most mainstream travel guides because the province is all bundled together with the stigma that the word Mindanao carries. But this makes Bukidnon even more appealing to travelers like us who wants to get off the main tourist destinations and take in a whole new experience – adventure, ancient cultures and nature.
Terrorism is a real threat all over the world and not just in Mindanao. The fact that the world has been brainwashed that Mindanao is a warzone is unfair and untrue.
Contrary to what most travel advisories say about Mindanao, Bukidnon is a very safe place for travelers. Make sure to check with the local tourism office or your travel operator first before venturing out to hike.
A collaboration project by The Island Nomad and The Lost Boys PH.
🔥🎥: Aligato John Ray
Singer-actress Maris Racal does a sultry shoot for her 26th birthday.
Maris Racal, Gee Plamenco Jr. via Instagram
MANILA, Philippines — Actress-singer Maris Racal celebrated her 26th birthday by having another sultry photoshoot.
Maris shared several pictures from a shoot she did with photographer Gee Plamenco Jr. on her Instagram last September 22, her birthday.
Aiding in her looks were makeup artist Jay Salcedo and hairstylist Aries Manal, with styling by Adrianne Concepcion and Via Abbra.
In one set of photos, Maris wore a black tube top over denim jeans and a denim top over black leather pants.
Another set shows the "Pinoy Big Brother" alum in a brown-gray tube top over brown leather pants, her hands raised as two hidden individuals embrace her from behind.
"Thank you guys for making me feel PAKAK on my birthday," Maris wrote in one post's caption, also sharing her astrology sign — Virgo sun, Gemini moon, Scorpio rising (even saying in the other post her birthday was a "Virgo season ender").
Her fellow celebrities greeted her in the comments section, including Aga Muhlach, Chie Filomeno, Agot Isidro, KaladKaren, Marina Summers, Esnyr Ranollo, Vance Larena and director Dan Villegas.
Not to be outdone was Maris' boyfriend and fellow artist, Rico Blanco, who posted on his own Instagram account a series of photos, including the couple's recent trip to Italy.
"More adventures, more dates, more memories with you. Happy birthday, my sunshine, my star," Rico wrote in the caption.
Maris quipped in the comments that Rico even included one photo where they appeared to be fighting, though the singer clarified, "'Di tayo away nyan, love, muntik lang tayo maiwan ng train."
The birthday girl still expressed her gratitude in another comment by saying, "I love you so much bums."
Maris had a similar sexy birthday photoshoot last year when she wore clothes from Calvin Klein, and the year before when she wore different garments while being splashed with water.
In the Philippine oil market, consumers’ uproar has been escalating due to relentless price hikes at the pumps – not just on the public transport drivers’ bid for fare hikes, but also on demand for subsidy as well as scrapping of value added taxes (VAT) for oil commodities.
After 11 weeks of financial torment at the gasoline stations, consumers can finally heave a sigh of slight relief as oil prices will be on rollback at the pumps by Tuesday (September 26), based on the calculation of the oil companies.
According to the industry players, the price of diesel products will be trimmed by P0.30 to P0.70 per liter; while gasoline prices will be reduced by P0.20 to P0.60 per liter.
The oil firms similarly calculated that the price of kerosene, which is an essential base for aviation fuel and also a necessity for many Filipino households, would be down by P0.45 to P0.85 per liter.
The actual estimates on price cuts as indexed on the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) had been P0.41 per liter for gasoline; P0.50 per liter for diesel and P0.659 per liter for kerosene, but the final adjustments at Philippine pumps may vary because of other factors, such as market premium, foreign exchange rate as well as biofuel mix to diesel and gasoline products.
Prior to the forthcoming round of cost movements, a monitoring report of the Department of Energy (DOE) has shown that prices since the start of the year still logged net increases of P17.50 per liter for gasoline; P13.60 per liter for diesel; and P9.94 per liter for kerosene.
Prices in the global market last week had been on seesaw, but it was the decision of the US Federal Reserve on extended interest rate hikes policy that eventually tamed oil prices, according to industry experts.
The counterbalance to that market development had been the decision of Russia to restrict its diesel and gasoline exports, hence, the anticipated price rollbacks had been partly squeezed toward end-week trading.
The Russian government, in particular, has temporarily banned gasoline and diesel exports to all countries, except those of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyztan, and that exerted fresh round of price pressure on the fuel commodities.
International benchmark Brent crude was still wobbling at $93 to $94 per barrel most of trading days last week, and there’s no certainty at this point that it will be heading downtrend in the days ahead.
And as oil prices are not leveling off on stable ground yet, global investment bank Goldman Sachs has been projecting the recurrence of $100 per barrel oil, especially so since many energy markets in the world have been fumbling on their energy transition agendas that are anchored on renewables.
In the Philippine oil market, consumers’ uproar has been escalating due to relentless price hikes at the pumps – not just on the public transport drivers’ bid for fare hikes, but also on demand for subsidy as well as scrapping of value added taxes (VAT) for oil commodities.
