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!
Former Top Writer (2015-18) & Top Question Writer (2016-18)
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Yes I do but preferably only with people who are actual German speakers.
Once you learn a language, you often get in situations where other English native-speakers who have learned some German want to “test you out” by throwing a German question your way. I always answer their German question in English.
I speak German imperfectly but fairly fluently. I have done speeches and a press conference in German and have done two-way translations in a number of business meetings. For me, learning German was a way to have another way to communicate with people who didn’t wish to speak English.
I have stated often on Quora that many German speakers whose English is excellent often choose speak German with someone like me for a complex of reasons: 1)they are perfectionists who do not want to make mistakes speaking English 2)they prefer not to speak American English as they learned English English 3)I am in their country, so why not have me speak their language.
Learning German was one of the more challenging and rewarding things I have ever done.
xxx
Ja, das tue ich, aber am liebsten nur mit Leuten, die tatsächlich Deutsch sprechen.
Sobald Sie eine Sprache gelernt haben, geraten Sie oft in Situationen, in denen andere englische Muttersprachler, die etwas Deutsch gelernt haben, Sie „auf die Probe stellen“ wollen, indem sie Ihnen eine deutsche Frage stellen. Ich beantworte ihre deutschen Fragen immer auf Englisch.
Ich spreche unvollkommen, aber ziemlich fließend Deutsch. Ich habe Reden und eine Pressekonferenz auf Deutsch gehalten und bei einer Reihe von Geschäftstreffen bidirektionale Übersetzungen angefertigt. Für mich war das Erlernen der deutschen Sprache eine Möglichkeit, auf andere Weise mit Menschen zu kommunizieren, die kein Englisch sprechen wollten.
Ich habe auf Quora oft erklärt, dass viele Deutschsprecher, deren Englisch ausgezeichnet ist, sich aus mehreren Gründen dafür entscheiden, mit jemandem wie mir Deutsch zu sprechen: 1) Sie sind Perfektionisten, die beim Englischsprechen keine Fehler machen wollen 2) Sie sprechen lieber kein Amerikanisch Englisch, während sie Englisch gelernt haben. Englisch 3) Ich bin in ihrem Land, warum also nicht, dass ich ihre Sprache spreche?
Deutsch zu lernen war eines der herausforderndsten und lohnendsten Dinge, die ich je gemacht habe.
Es war einmal in einem Bergdorf ein junger Mann. Er hiess Bagetuling. Er war ein guter Jäger, aber ein grosser Prahlhans. Er liebte es, stets von sich, von seiner Familie und von seinen Heldentaten zu sprechen.
Bagetuling erhielt seine Familie von der Jagd. Tag fär Tag ging er in die Berge auf Jagd.
Eines Tages gelang es ihm, ein Wildschwein mit dem Speer zu erstechen. Er trug es zu dem nahen Bach und wusch seine Eingeweide aus. Da kam ein Greis vorbei.
Bagetuling hörte auf zu arbeiten und erzählte dem Alten, wie er das Wildschwein erledigt hatte. Er prahlte damit, was für ein geschickter Jäger er war.
Der Greis hörte ihn an, und nach einer Weile sprach er: "Würdest du mir ein Stückchen Fleisch geben? Ich bin sehr hungrig."
Bagetuling lachte hähnisch auf.
"Ich habe mich den ganzen Vormittag gemüht, dieses Schwein zu erledigen, und du möchtest davon haben, nur so - ohne Arbeit. Geh' nur deine Wege, dies hier reicht gerade für meine Familie!"
Und wieder begann er von seiner Familie zu sprechen - von seiner Frau und seinen Kindern.
Der Alte ärgerte sich darüber. Er wandte sich dem Jäger zu und sprach schreckliche Worte: "Mögen dich die Waldgeister bestrafen! Mögen sie dich in ein heulendes Tier verwandeln."
Die Waldgeister schenkten dem Fluch des Alten Gehör.
Bagetuling verwandelte sich in einen Vierfüssler. Er verlor die Sprache, und wenn er sprechen versuchte, kamen aus seinem Mund bellende Töne.
Die Menschen nannen ihn ANO, das bedeutet HUND...!
Once upon a time there lived a young man in a mountain village. His name was Bagetuling. He was a good hunter, but a big braggart. He loved to always talk about himself, his family and his heroic deeds.
Bagetuling sustained his family from hunting. Day after day he went hunting in the mountains.
One day he managed to stab a wild boar with a spear. He carried it to the nearby stream and washed out its entrails. An old man came by.
Bagetuling stopped working and told the old man how he had killed the wild boar. He bragged about what a skilled hunter he was.
The old man listened to him and after a while he said: "Would you give me a piece of meat? I am very hungry."
Bagetuling laughed scornfully.
"I've been trying hard all morning to take care of this pig, and you want to have some of it, just like that - without work. Just go your own way, this is just enough for my family!"
And again he began to talk about his family - his wife and children.
The old man was annoyed by this. He turned to the hunter and spoke terrible words: "May the forest spirits punish you! May they turn you into a howling animal."
The forest spirits listened to the curse of the old man.
Bagetuling transformed into a quadruped. He lost his speech, and when he tried to speak, barking sounds came out of his mouth.
People call him ANO, which means DOG...!
(Nacherzählt von Jozef Genzor, aus dem Slowakischen übersetzt von Dr. Anna Fialova und herausgegeben in der CSSR, deutsche Ausgabe: Verlag Werner Dausien, Hanau/Main, 1978).
(Retold by Jozef Genzor, translated from Slovak by Dr. Anna Fialova and published in the CSSR, German edition: Verlag Werner Dausien, Hanau/Main, 1978).
IN our liturgical celebrations, we can either be lavish or austere depending on the circumstances. What is important is what is in our heart—whether there is real love or not, whether there is a sincere effort to worship and please God or we are just making a show, whether we are making present the redemptive action of Christ or just playing games.
We are somehow reminded of this consideration in that gospel episode where Christ observed some wealthy men putting their offerings into the treasury while a poor widow just put in two small coins, and praised the widow more than the wealthy people since the widow put in all that she had while the wealthy men put what was an extra thing for them. (cfr. Lk 21,1-4)
Obviously, if our motives are sincere and our understanding about the liturgy is clear, we would really give the best that our capabilities can give. If we can give diamonds instead of just gold, then we would do it. We can never give enough to God. We can never be too extravagant in this regard.
But if all we can afford are just stones and pebbles picked up from the road, no problem. God looks at the heart more than the things we give him. And to God, there is no more precious thing than our heart if it is fully given to him. One good heart, faithful and full of love for God and others, is worth much more, infinitely more, than a world of precious gems.
What we have to avoid at all costs is hypocrisy in our liturgical celebrations. If we are really sincere in our liturgical celebrations, we will do and give our best. Even those little details of kneeling, genuflecting, singing and praying should be done in such a way that genuine piety can readily be seen. Such behavior not only would draw more graces from God but also would inspire others in their own piety.
I am happy to note that there is a marked improvement in the way our churches are built and furnished these days. The altars, the reredos, the ambos and the general interior decoration are being done in a splendid manner. The sacred vessels and vestments, the linens have, in general, improved in quality.
They somehow show the kind of faith and piety of the people in general, even if we also know that we still have a lot of economic difficulty around. They somehow show people’s knowledge of what truly matters in this life, what truly gives them eternal joy and not just a transient one. Their sense of beauty transcends the economic costs and all other sacrifices involved.
We just have to make sure that our liturgical celebrations are done with the proper dispositions. This is something that has to be studied and put into practice, since it is no joke to be involved in the liturgy properly either as a celebrant or a participant.
To be sure, the liturgy is not just some kind of dramatization. It is nothing less than the making present and effectiveness of Christ’s sacrifice and his entire redemptive action. Both the celebrants and those who attend the celebrations should never miss this reality and should act accordingly. In the liturgy, everyone steps into the spiritual and supernatural world where Christ works out our redemption.
Again, this requires us to have a deeply theological mind, where faith more than anything else rules all our human faculties.
In December 2019, Atty. Edwaldo L. Legaspina – more popularly known as Basti among friends – already bought four-and-half hectares of land in Lorega, a barangay of Kitaotao, Bukidnon.
This lawyer loves to farm. (Henrylito Tacio)
The pandemic happened just a few months later. He was concerned for the safety of his wife and two children. As their movement in Davao City was limited, he brought his whole family to the newly-bought land.
Farm development
In February 2020, Basti started developing his farm. “Initially, we just wanted to plant vegetables and strawberries,” he recalled. “But when the pandemic struck, we decided to build a home where the kids can roam around, free from any fear of virus transmission."
The house, which serves as the rest house of the family, is located at the upper portion of the farm. (Henrylito Tacio)
Aside from building a home for his family, he also started developing the farm. “Farming takes away your stress,” he said. “We also want our kids to engage so they may know the value in growing your own food.”
As the farm was being developed, an idea came into fruition. He talked with his wife, Destreza C. Luzon, about it. When she learned about the plan, she fully supported him. “We wanted to share (our farm) with friends and family members so that they and their kids can also enjoy the cold breeze and picturesque view of the place,” he said.
Most people really give a lot of time thinking about what they would call their farm – something that will stick to people when they hear the name. Basti had no problem creating such a name, thanks to his two children.
Happy Farm
“Our kids chose the name,” he said. “When we asked why, they answered that they are so happy whenever they stay on the farm.”
Two years later, The Happy Farm at Lorega has already been transformed into a new haven. But it was easier said than done. “When we started, the road couldn’t accommodate trucks for the construction,” he recalled. “The pandemic also limited our mobility. Luckily, we were able to hurdle these obstacles.”
Happy Farm is located at barangay Lorega in Kitaotao, Bukidnon. (Henrylito Tacio)
It was his brother-in-law who helped build the cottages. All these cottages have their own kitchen, so that occupants can cook their own meals. Kitchen utensils are provided, including stoves.
“My brother-in law-helped us (in making these cottages),” he said. “We pooled-in ideas and since the family are in the construction field, they realized it. My father-in-law, Juanito, took charge of our water system.”
The good thing about The Happy Farm is that families who stay in one of the cottages can harvest some of the crops being planted. Among the vegetables grown in the farm include tomatoes, eggplants, lettuce, bokchoy, alugbati, tinangkong, and sweet pepper.
This is one of the crops grown in Happy Farm. (Henrylito Tacio)
“Right now, we have various crops so guests can do vegetable picking with their kids and bring it home,” he said. Of course, they have to pay for what they harvested but it’s the bonding while harvesting that matters the most.
Guests who may opt not to cook their meals can always order food from Hungry Huntley’s Restaurant, which is just below the House in the Hill. The name came from the names of the two children: Edwald Hunter and Elda Huntley.
“As you have observed, our paintings are aimed to please the kids,” Basti said.
On the far end, there is a coffee shop-cum-bar, where parents can hang out and have some coffee or drink some wine and beers.
Basti said he wants to add 5 more cottages to the 4.5-hectare area. “We want to promote what Lorega can offer to people who come to this place,” he said. “We also want to promote tourism in the place because we have grown to love it.”
The farmer is a lawyer
To think, Basti is not a farmer but rather a lawyer. After graduating from high school at the Assumption School of Davao, he went to Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) and took philosophy.
After graduation, he decided to take up law. “Back then,” he said, “all I wanted was to help my family’s business but as it turned out, there are so many laws that you have to follow and comply with. That made me interested in hopefully becoming a lawyer someday.”
Another reason why he decided to become a lawyer was his “own curiosity in the intricacies and beauty of the profession.”
From his first to third year, he studied at his alma mater, the ADDU. In his fourth year, he transferred to Cor Jesu College in Digos City. He graduated in 2005, took the bar in the same year – and passed!
When asked for his advice to those who want to pursue the law profession, he replied: “Study the law by heart but most importantly, make it a fun and enjoyable one.”
He loves farming
Most lawyers turn into farming when they get old. But Basti is different; even at a young age now, he already starts farming. Thanks to his father, Dodie, who educated him about farming when he was still a little boy.
The lawyer does his own harvesting. (Henrylito Tacio)
The Legaspina family has a farm in Bantol, Marilog District in Calinan, Davao City. He remembered that whenever his father went to the farm, he usually accompanied him. He had to walk for about two hours just to reach the destination. He was then eight years old.
Even if he had to wake up early in the morning, he didn’t mind it as long as he was able to go to the farm. “I was always excited to go to the farm,” he said. He remembered liking the smell of the burning leaves.
The farm was planted to mango, banana, guyabano, lanzones – mostly fruit trees. When he was in high school, he invited some of his friends to accompany him to the farm. There, they sort of camped at the farm. When his friends went home, they brought with them some fruits harvested from the farm.
Values from farming
During his college days, he still went to the farm to oversee the harvesting of fruits. Some areas of the farm were also planted with vegetables, which his father brought home. “We usually have some fresh vegetables on our table,” he said.
“My father didn’t push me to become a farmer. I was in love with farming,” he pointed out. He cited the case of bananas as a case in point. He said he loved watching it bearing flowers, which later developed into banana hands. He was equally excited when the bunch was cut, and the fruits were taken.
When his father decided to retire from farming and returned to his birthplace in Escalante City in Negros Occidental, Basti decided to buy the farm. His two sisters didn’t object; after all, they were not interested in farming.
“I love farming because I love to touch soil,” Basti admitted. “I love how a plant grows. I am amazed with those.”
He added, “I found out that there are some values in farming that we can apply in real life. I also wish to impart those values to my kids.”
Photos by Henrylito D. Tacio
PRESS RELEASE
November 24, 2023
Championing the Cause of Overseas Filipino Workers: Enhancing Protections and Support
The recent Red Sea hostage-taking incident involving 17 Filipino seafarers once again sheds light on the risks faced by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Driven by a desire to support their families and contribute to the Philippine economy, they often encounter unforeseen dangers as they brave global challenges.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano consistently champions their cause by emphasizing the need for stronger diplomatic protection, thorough pre-departure orientation, and a robust reintegration program.
In a 2016 speech, Cayetano said, "Our overseas Filipino workers are our modern-day heroes. They sacrifice so much to provide for their families and contribute to our national economy. We owe it to them to ensure that they are protected and well-cared for."
He has also made proposals for a 24/7 hotline and increased labor attaches — steps that have taken greater significance in the backdrop of the hostage-taking incident.
Educating OFWs about potential risks is also crucial. Senator Cayetano's push for orientation seminars and the creation of a blacklist database of employers are aimed at empowering overseas workers to make informed decisions to protect themselves against exploitation. A comprehensive reintegration program is also vital, as highlighted by Cayetano's advocacy for financial assistance, job placement, and psychological counseling for returning OFWs.
Often called the "unsung heroes" of the Philippine economy, OFWs often find themselves on the frontlines of global conflicts. Senator Cayetano's unwavering support signifies a commitment to their well-being, recognizing their sacrifices as integral to the nation's growth. In the aftermath of this recent incident, the nation must address broader challenges faced by OFWs, with Cayetano's leadership serving as a reminder of our collective responsibility to honor their sacrifices.###
To address a common mistake of Americans learning German: You cannot address someone in German with Herr or Frau on their own as you can use Mister or Madam in English.
(Addition since many comments point out that it is impolite to do that in English, in English it may be bad form but it still is linguistically correct, in German it is already wrong linguistically.)
Neither in the past nor in the present. You could say „mein Herr“ or „meine Dame“ but that indeed is a bit old fashioned and depending on context people may suspect that it is said in irony. What you can do is use it in third person: „Die Dame ist vor mir dran!“ (The lady is ahead of me (in the queue))
Using Herr and Frau in combination with the surname, as calling someone „Herr Meier“ or „Frau Schmidt“ is, however, perfectly normal.
In alten Zeiten gab es genügend Nahrung, und die Menschen mussten nicht auf dem Felde arbeiten. Wenn sie hungrig waren, sammelten sie essbare Wurzeln und pflückten Obst von den Bäumen. Die Flüsse waren voll von Krebsen, Schnecken und Fischen.
Im westlichen Teil der Visayas-Gruppe lebte damals ein Mann, Siginhon, mit seiner Frau Tiginlan. Viele Jahre hatten sie keine Kinder, so zogen sie umher über Huegel und über Berge.
Schliesslich erwartete Tiginlan ein Kind, was sie hinderte, weiter zu wandern. Siginhon fasste den Entschluss, sich an einem geeigneten Ort für immer niederzulassen.
Die Dürre hielt einige Monate an. Die Flüsse verwandelten sich in seichte Bäche und die Quellen versiegten. Viele Pflanzen starben aus. Es gab immer weniger essbare Wurzeln und Früchte.
Als Tinginlan ihr Kind zur Welt brachte, war es sehr schwer, Nahrung zu finden. Und eine stillende Mutter benötigt mehr Nahrung, denn sie nährt nicht nur sich, sondern auch ihr Kind. Siginhon ging daher auf Nahrungssuche. Er erklomm Berge, durchsuchte Wälder und Flusstäler. doch er konnte keine Nahrung finden.
Schliesslich gelangte er auf den höchsten Berggipfel und dort erblickte er hohe Gräser. Er kannte sie nicht, nie hatte er sie bisher gesehen. Und als er in ihre Nähe kam, stellte er fest, dass sie viele Ähren trugen. Er berührte die Ähren mit den Fingern, da sprach die Pflanze zu ihm:
"Nimm uns mit nach Hause. Entferne die Hülsen, koche die Körner und iss diese!"
Der junge Mann tat, was ihm die Pflanze gesagt hatte.
Als er heimkam, erzählte er Tiginlan alles. Gemeinsam lasen sie die Ähren von den Hülsen. Auf einem Stein zerstiessen sie die Ähren um die Hülsen zu entfernen. Dann kochten sie die gereinigten Körner. Es war eine schmackhafte und sättigende Speise. Als sie nach dem Mahl ruhten, sprach Siginhon zu seiner Frau: "Vielleicht wäre es besser, wenn wir mehr Körner sammeln und sie hier aussähen würden!"
Seine Frau hielt das für eine gute Idee. So rüsteten sich beide zur Reise. Sie wollten eben aufbrechen, als die Körner zu ihnen sprachen:
"Sobald ihr unser viele habt, rodet einen Berghang vor der Saat!"
Siginhon und Tiginlan versprachen, einen Berghang zu roden, und den Lauf eines Gewässers abzuleiten. Dann gingen sie, um möglichst viele Ähren einzusammeln, die sie droschen. Sie rodeten einen Berghang und säten die Körner aus.
Ihr Kind konnte damals schon laufen, es lernte sprechen. Eines Tages, als Tiginlan und Siginhon das Mittagessen bereiteten, kam das Kind in die Küche und plapperte:
"Pa-ay, pa-ay!"
Bis dahin hatten Tiginlan und Siginhon den Koernern keinen Namen gegeben. Sie nannten sie jetzt "Paray" - nach den plapperden Worten ihres Kindes.
So wird bis zum heutigen Tag der Reis in dieser Gegend der Visayas Gruppe bezeichnet.
(Nacherzaehlt von Jozef Genzor, aus dem Slowakischen uebersetzt von Dr. Anna Fialova und herausgegeben in der CSSR, deutsche Ausgabe: Verlag Werner Dausien, Hanau/Main, 1978).
In ancient times there was enough food and people did not have to work in the fields. When they were hungry, they gathered edible roots and picked fruit from the trees. The rivers were full of crabs, snails and fish.
In the western part of the Visayas group at that time lived a man, Siginhon, with his wife Tiginlan. They had no children for many years, so they wandered over hills and mountains.
Finally, Tiginlan was expecting a child, which prevented them from traveling further. Siginhon made the decision to settle permanently in a suitable place.
A drought lasted a few months. The rivers turned into shallow streams and the springs dried up. Many plants died out. There were fewer and fewer edible roots and fruits.
When Tinginlan gave birth to her child, it was very difficult to find food. And a nursing mother needs more food, because she feeds not only herself, but also her child. Siginhon therefore went in search of food. He climbed mountains, searched forests and river valleys. but he couldn't find food.
Finally he reached the highest mountain peak and there he saw tall grasses. He didn't know her, he had never seen her before. And when he came near them, he found that they were bearing many ears of grain. He touched the ears of grain with his fingers, and the plant said to him:
"Take us home. Remove the husks, cook the seeds and eat them!"
The young man did what the plant told him.
When he got home, he told Tiginlan everything. Together they picked the ears from the husks. They crushed the ears on a stone to remove the husks. Then they boiled the cleaned grains. It was a tasty and filling dish. As they rested after the meal, Siginhon said to his wife: "Perhaps it would be better if we collected more grain and sowed it here!"
His wife thought it was a good idea. So they both prepared for the journey. They were just about to set off when the Kornians said to them:
"As soon as you have our many, clear a mountainside before the seed!"
Siginhon and Tiginlan promised to clear a mountainside and divert the course of a stream. Then they went to collect as many ears of grain as possible, which they threshed. They cleared a mountainside and sowed the seeds.
Back then, your child could already walk and learned to speak. One day, while Tiginlan and Siginhon were preparing dinner, the child came into the kitchen and babbled:
"Pa-ay, pa-ay!"
Until then, Tiginlan and Siginhon had not given the Kornians a name. They now called her "Paray" - after the babbling words of their child.
This is how rice is called to this day in this area of the Visayas group.
During the launchof ABS-CBN Music's new record label at the Academy of Rock in Quezon City recently, Jamie unveiled uplifting, fresh tunes fromKapamilya artists Jamie Rivera, Angela Ken, Fabio Santos, Fana, Francine Diaz, Imogen, KD Estrada, and Jed Madela.
Jamie Rivera (Instagram)
Inspirational Diva Jamie Rivera wears many hats: a singer, actress, producer, songwriter, executive of a company, and now label head of Inspire Music.
During the launch of ABS-CBN Music's new record label at the Academy of Rock in Quezon City recently, Jamie unveiled uplifting, fresh tunes from Kapamilya artists Jamie Rivera, Angela Ken, Fabio Santos, Fana, Francine Diaz, Imogen, KD Estrada, and Jed Madela.
"We want to generate faith para mas maraming tao ang maniwala sa Panginoon at magkaroon ng hope pati na rin pagmamahal sa kapwa. Iyon ang ultimate goal ng Inspire Music," Jamie shared.
Jamie takes part in a collaboration with Jed, Francine, and KD for the track "Faith, Hope, and Love,” which seeks to promote world peace amid today’s conflict arising in various parts of the world.
She also offers an exciting revamped remix of the label's first single "3-in-1” which talks about the joys of believing in God and features "It's Showtime" child star Imogen and "The Voice Kids" season 5 contestant Fabio Santos.
Folk-pop artist Angela shows off her sweet side in her upcoming single "Pansinin Mo Naman Ako,” her first release under Inspire Music.
Up-and-coming singer Fana meanwhile puts a modern twist to Gloc-9’s hit song "Love Story Ko," which highlights the joys of falling in love. Composed by A. Polisco and Christian Martinez, the reimagined version released last Nov. 10 was produced by Jamie.
New role
Jamie revealed that she had never aspired to become a record executive.
"Hindi ko talaga pinangarap na maging label head. Nagulat na lamang ako. But I was told i-mentor ko raw yung mga bata. So sabi nila, 'let's have a new label na bagay sa'yo.' So we called in Inspire Music," she said. "Nakakatuwa ako kasi may mga bata na ako ang una nilang producer. Imogen and Fabio. Sila yung unang-una kong recording artists sa Inspire label."
(I never really dreamed of being a label head. I was just surprised. But I was told that I would mentor the kids. So they said, 'Let's have a new label that suits you.' So we called it Inspire Music. It makes me happy because I am the first producer of some kids like Imogen and Fabio. They are my first recording artists under the Inspire label.)
Jamie enjoys teaching young artists to sing and has no issues with them.
"Meron din naman challenges pero hindi mahirap dahil magagaling sila. Even si Francine. Sinabi niya hindi siya nakakakanta pero nakakakanta naman siya. First time niya mag recording. Ang challenge lang naman nito is pagna-release na. Kung maghi-hit ba siya sa Spotify, sa ITunes. Other than that, hindi naman kami nahirapan."
(There are also challenges, but they are not difficult because they are good. Even Francine. She said she couldn't sing, but she could sing. It's her first time recording. The only challenge is getting it released. If she's going to be a hit on Spotify, on iTunes. Other than that, we didn't have any problems.)
She explained that their first batch of artists under Inspire Music happened to be young.
"Noong una ako lang mag-isa. Then sabi ni Roxy Liquigan, pasukan natin ng dalawang bata. Si Imogen and Fabio. Nagkataon lang na young artists ang nauna naming kinuha. Pero meron din naman kaming veteran like Jed Madela. Depende sa song na napili ko, doon pa lamang ako maghahanap ng artists.
(At first, I was alone. Then Roxy Liquigan said, 'Let's bring in two kids.' Imogen and Fabio. It just happened that we hired young artists first. But we also have a veteran like Jed Madela. The choice of artist will depend on the type of song.)
"Pinipili din namin yung mga bata na maraming followers. Kailangan din naman kumita ng Star at Inspire because this is business.
(We also choose the kids who have a lot of followers. Star and Inspire need to earn money because this is business.)
"Tulad nga ng sinabi ko kanina, ang pinipili ko yung madaling katrabaho. Hindi yung papahirapan ka sa schedule, sa recording. Ayoko ng ganun," Jaimie said.
(As I said earlier, I chose the easy one to work with. Not the one who will make you suffer in the schedule, in the recording. I don't want that.)
Jamie Rivera (center) and the young artists of Inspire Music
Secrets to showbiz longevity
According to Jamie, having a good attitude is more important than talent in the entertainment industry. She said that's one of the secrets to showbiz longevity.
"Ang talent secondary lang yun eh. Sa totoo lang yung attitude ang number one. Importante sa akin yung attitude. Ang singing natututunan yan, naaayos sa recording, puwedeng ayusin yan eh. Pero yung pinahihirapan ka, yun ang mahirap. Sa edad kong ito, ayoko na ma-stress," she said.
(Talent is only secondary. Honestly, attitude is number one. Attitude is important to me. You can learn how to sing, which can be fixed in the recording. But if the artist will make you suffer, that isn't easy. At my age, I don't want to be stressed.)
Jamie also encouraged young artists to reinvent themselves to sustain their careers.
"Reinvent yourself all the time. After recording nag-uusap usap kami, sinasabi ko sa kanila na you have to be able to sustain your career. So you need to reinvent. For example ako, una pop music ako eh under Octoarts. I sang 'I've Fallen for You,' 'Mahal Naman Kita,' 'Hey, It's Me,' mga ganyan. After that nag-Miss Saigon ako. So napunta naman ako sa Broadway songs. Then inspirational naman. Eto na yung mga Heal Our Land. Now label head na ako. Lahat yun nagre-reinvent. Kailangan mong ma-sustain. Kailangan mong makisabay sa panahon."
(Reinvent yourself all the time. After recording, we talk, and I tell them that they have to be able to sustain their career. So you need to reinvent. For example, I did pop music first under Octoarts. I sang 'I've Fallen for You,' 'Mahal Naman Kita,' 'Hey, It's Me,' and things like that. After that, I did Miss Saigon. So I went to Broadway songs. Then it was inspirational. Now I'm the label head. Everything is reinventing. You have to be sustained. You have to keep up with the times.)
Jamie found it easy to shift from pop to inspirational music because she's a religious person. Many people hold the misconception that her concerts or shows are preachy. However, this is not the case.
"Hindi naman ako nahirapan kasi noong pop singer ako and naging Broadway singer ako, yung attitude ko naman maka-Diyos talaga ako from the start. So noong pinakanta ako ng mga inspirational songs, lahat ng mga yan hindi ako natakot kasi it's all about God yan eh. Right from the start, religious naman ako at maka-Diyos. It became my niche. Mas natuwa nga ako eh kasi ngayon may kakapitan na ako si Lord. Siya na yung niche ko. If God is with you, who can be against you?" she said.
(I didn't have a hard time because when I was a pop singer and I became a Broadway singer, my attitude was really for God from the start. So when I sang inspirational songs, all of them did not scare me because it's all about God. Right from the start, I was religious and godly. It became my niche. I was even happier because now I have the Lord to cling to. He is my niche. If God is with you, who can be against you?)
"When I do concerts, or shows, I incorporate everything. Mag-uumpisa muna ako ng Broadway, tapos pop songs tapos inspirational. Pero may mga fast songs kami. Baka magulat kayo kapag nagconcert ako, it's a happy concert. May dance rin ako. Akala nga nila preachy ang mga shows ko. Paglabas nila, hindi pala preachy. Tuwang-tuwa naman sila."
Writing songs
Jamie said she still finds time to compose songs despite the busy schedule. She's writing a new song for Regine Velasquez-Alcasid and aspires to collaborate with younger group artists.
"I find time to compose kahit na may trabaho ako sa office namin eh. CEO rin ako ng mga business namin. Nagagawa ko pa rin mag compose ng songs. On weekends, kapag patulog na ako, kapag nag slow down na ako, nagsusulat pa rin ako. Last night, I was trying to finish a song for Regine Velasquez. Depende sa mood ko eh. Kung meron akong naiisip, sinusulat ko agad.
(I find time to compose even though I have work in our office. I am also the CEO of our businesses. I still manage to compose songs. On weekends, when I go to sleep, when I slow down, I still write Me too. Last night, I was trying to finish a song for Regine Velasquez. It depends on my mood. If I think of something, I write it right away.)
"Gusto ko makatrabaho ang groups like BGYO and BINI because gusto ko ng group singing eh. Yun ang challenge sa akin ngayon, kung kaya ko gumawa ng songs for a group. Isa yan sa mga goals ko ngayon," she also said.
(I want to work with groups like BGYO and BINI because I want group singing. That's the challenge for me now if I can make songs for a group. That's one of my goals now.)
Asked about her Christmas wish, Jamie said: "Sana hindi ako magkasakit. Aalis kasi ako papunta ng US dahil ikakasal yung pamangkin ko. At pupuntahan ko rin yung anak ko. I'll come back in January. Hindi ko na pinauwi yung anak ko at ako na lang ang pupunta roon. My only child works in New York. And then minana ko sa husband ko yung kanyang mga trabaho. Nagretire na siya so ako ngayon ang nagpapatakbo ng business niya. We are into chemicals and real estate. We're into leasing also. So we have properties being leased by other companies."
(I hope I don't get sick. I'm leaving for the US because my niece is getting married. And I'm also going to visit my daughter. I'll come back in January. My daughter works in New York. And then I inherited the businesses from my husband. He has retired so now I run his businesses. We are into chemicals and real estate. We're into leasing also. So we have properties being leased by other companies.)
When it comes to music, Jamie is unstoppable. She is thrilled about the future prospects with Inspire Music. "More music from Inspire in 2024."
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