Magno, netizens mourn death of Capalla

BY IVY TEJANO

  

---

DAVAO CITY – Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao Leo Tereso Magno said the death of Archbishop Fernando Capalla is heartbreaking for the people of Davao whom he served as prelate for most of his life.

Magno said he is one with the people of Davao in mourning the death of a selfless and most loved man of God. He added that everyone in public service hopes to emulate Capalla’s outstanding service to the people.

MASSES have been scheduled during the wake of Archbishop Fernando Capalla. (FB)

“Thank you, Archbishop ‘Nanding,’ for your love and dedication not just to the people of Davao but to all whose lives you touched throughout your life. Rest in peace. May you continue to be a shining beacon to all who choose to serve in the name of God and the republic,” Magno said.

Archbishop Jose Romeo Lazo, the clergy, and faithful of the Archdiocese of Jaro, Iloilo also condoled with the family of Capalla who was ordained clergy of the Archdiocese of Jaro.

Lazo said Capalla was a native of Leon, Iloilo and received his education from the Colegio de San Agustin, now the University of San Agustin, and Saint Vincent Ferrer Seminary. 

Capalla was ordained priest at Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral on March 18, 1961. He became rector of the Saint Joseph Junior Seminary, now Saint Joseph Regional Seminary, and was a formator of numerous bishops and priests from the archdiocese.

He was ordained and appointed as auxiliary bishop of Davao on April 2, 1972, and became prelate of the Diocese of Iligan in 1977, apostolic administrator of the Prelature of Marawi in 1987, and appointed archbishop of Davao in 2012.

The former president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines from 2003 to 2005 passed away at 89 on Saturday morning, January 6. Capalla is a prominent figure in Mindanao. He gained recognition as a significant religious leader.

Netizens also mourned the demise of Capalla.

“Rest well, Archbishop Emeritus Fernando Capalla. An advocate of peace in Mindanao and CBCP president. A staunch supporter of then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo,” netizen Lyndon Origenes Macarayan said in his Facebook post.

“You have been God’s instrument for me so that I could participate in the priesthood of Jesus! I thank God for you, Abp. Nanding! Thank you very much for being my spiritual father since 2005! May you rest happily with all the angels and saints,” said Fr. Russell Bantiles, a former editor-in-chief of the Davao Catholic Herald, in a Facebook post.

“Your weekly presence always brought the youth together just to see you, and you always taught us how to stay close to Jesus through Mama Mary and Saint Ana. Pray for us in heaven, bishop. May you rest in the Father's loving arms,” netizen Francis Tupad said in his Facebook post.

Capalla will be laid to rest on Monday, January 15, during a funeral Mass at the San Pedro Cathedral. Interment follows at the Dormitium de San Pedro, the Archdiocese of Davao announced.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday visited the wake and mourned the passing away of Capalla.

Prominent Davao businessman Philip Dizon dies in road crash

 PROVINCIALMINDANAONEWS

BY IVY TEJANO

Jan 8, 2024 10:50 AM 

DAVAO CITY – Prominent businessman Philip “Sonny” Dizon, owner of the Crocodile Park here and food producer Dizon Farms, passed away on Sunday morning, January 7, in a road crash on the Bansalan-Balutakay Road in Davao del Sur.

DIZON (Councilor Danilo C. Dayanghirang FB) 

The Bansalan Police Station said the 64-year-old businessman was driving a black three-wheel Can-Am vehicle to Barangay Managa in Bansalan, Davao del Sur from Davao City when he lost control of the vehicle.

Dizon’s vehicle overturned and smashed into the concrete lane and sustained severe injuries in different parts of the body. His vehicle incurred an undetermined cost of damage.

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) rushed the victim to Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital in Digos City but succumbed to severe trauma.

Councilor Danilo C. Dayanghirang here and the Philippine Zoos and Aquariums Association mourned the passing of the businessman in separate Facebook posts and condoled with the family of the victim. 

“A sad Sunday over the loss of a well-loved businessman in Davao City, Philip ‘Sonny’ Dizon. Always a kind-hearted person and an advocate of good governance... I can always vouch for his unselfish ways,” Dayanghirang said.

“PhilZoos mourns the passing of our dear friend and Davao Crocodile Park and Zoo Founder and CEO, Philip ‘Sonny’ Dizon. Our hearts go out to the Dizon Family and our friends at Davao Crocodile Park & Zoo,” the Philippine Zoos and Aquariums Association said.

“Our good friend, fishing, and dive buddy Sonny Dizon of Crocodile Park passed away. We will miss your unexpected calls and invitations to adventure,” said the MindaVote, a socio-political group that fights for the common dream of the people of Mindanao to have peace.

Dizon also owns the Mount Apo Highland Resort in Barangay Kapatagan in Digos City and Dizon Farms. He was a president of the American Chamber of Commerce-Davao City Chapter.

Philippine-German Relations (IV) - Philippinisch-deutsche Beziehungen (IV)

 

The Philippines and Germany have been faithful partners for progress. This chapter doesn't really pretend to be a detailed systematic treatise on the history of the Philippines and Germany. Here are just some little details, I learned from my mentor and former chaplain of the Philippine Community in Berlin, Monsignor Professor Dr. Dr. Hermogenes E. Bacareza.

This chapter merely confines itself to the general discussion of the country's name, the influences on the Philippines even before the coming of the Spaniards, Ferdinand Magellan's arrival on the islands in 1521, the commercial activity in Manila and other cities of the country after the opening of the city to world trade in 1836, Filipino nationalism at the beginning of the 20th century, religious and missionary activity and the political and economic conditions of the Philippine economy before and after the country became an independent nation.

Let's start with the general setting in the Philippines: On the German side, the books of Albert Kolb, 'Die Philippinen' and G.I. Levinson's "Die Philippinen: gestern  und heute", 1966, Akademie Verlag Berlin, serve as really valuable references. I am glad to have both books in my library. 

According to Hermogenes Bacareza, there is probably no other country in the world which had received so many names in the past NOT given  by the natives themselves, but by foreigners than the present-day Philippines. Isla del Poniente, Islas Manila and sometimes Islas del Oriente...

(To be continued)

Die Philippinen und Deutschland waren treue Partner für den Fortschritt. Dieses Kapitel erhebt nicht wirklich den Anspruch, eine detaillierte systematische Abhandlung über die Geschichte der Philippinen und Deutschlands zu sein. Hier sind nur einige kleine Details, die ich von meinem Mentor und ehemaligen Kaplan der Philippinischen Gemeinschaft in Berlin, Monsignore Professor Dr. Dr. Hermogenes E. Bacareza, erfahren habe.

Dieses Kapitel beschränkt sich lediglich auf die allgemeine Diskussion des Namens des Landes, der Einflüsse auf die Philippinen bereits vor der Ankunft der Spanier, der Ankunft von Ferdinand Magellan auf den Inseln im Jahr 1521 und der Handelstätigkeit in Manila und anderen Städten des Landes nach der Öffnung der Stadt auf den Welthandel im Jahr 1836, den philippinischen Nationalismus zu Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts, religiöse und missionarische Aktivitäten sowie die politischen und wirtschaftlichen Bedingungen der philippinischen Wirtschaft vor und nach der Unabhängigkeit des Landes.

Beginnen wir mit dem allgemeinen Setting auf den Philippinen: Auf deutscher Seite sind die Bücher von Albert Kolb, „Die Philippinen“ und G.I. Als wirklich wertvolle Referenz dienen Levinsons „Die Philippinen: gestern und heute“, 1966, Akademie Verlag Berlin. Ich bin froh, beide Bücher in meiner Bibliothek zu haben.

Laut Hermogenes Bacareza gibt es wahrscheinlich kein anderes Land auf der Welt, das in der Vergangenheit so viele Namen erhalten hat, die NICHT von den Einheimischen selbst, sondern von Ausländern stammen, als die heutigen Philippinen. Isla del Poniente, Islas Manila und manchmal Islas del Oriente...

(Fortsetzung folgt!)

Philippine Fairy Tales (XIII) - Philippinische Märchen (XIII): Vom Tamarindensee

 

The Tamarind Lake (Lawa ng Sampaloc): A Filipino Legend

The Tamarind Lake Can Be Found in San Pablo, Laguna

Creative Commons

The Story

Long ago, before the Spaniards arrived in the Philippines, there was a very wealthy couple who lived in a city presently known as San Pablo in Laguna. They have a farm with cows, and fruit-bearing and flower-bearing trees. In the middle of those trees is the tamarind tree.

The fruits of that tamarind tree is rumored to be very tasty and sweet, so many people buy their tamarinds and that is where the couple found their wealth.

They were known for their wealth and greed, of course! No one can ask them for anything without cash in return.

Many neighbors didn't like this couple, but the couple just ignore them thinking that they did no harm to anyone, and their dislike of them was just pure envy.

They lived like this all the time. As their neighbors avoid them more, they just shrugged their shoulders because they're too proud of their wealth. One day, there was an old man who stopped by the fence of their beautiful garden. That time, the couple was busy picking up tamarind fruits to sell. After greeting the couple, the old man who was wearing dirty clothes, a very long beard and hair, begged for food.

"Have pity on me, a beggar," said the old man, "kindly give me a little food, I haven't eaten for two days."

As the couple saw the elderly, they were disgusted by him. The wife angrily replied, "Forgive us, we have a big house, but the truth is we are poor and short of food."

The old man who was shaking with hunger, looked up and begged again.

"You are known for being fortunate", he said sadly. "Have mercy on me for I will die of hunger. Give me a piece of tamarind. It has come to our town that your tamarinds are very sweet and delicious."

"Don't you believe us?" annoyed, the wife replied. "Get out of here for you are bothering us!" she shouted.

"It is also known in our town that you are the greediest that's why your neighbors avoid you. Since you are so wicked, fate will cruelly punish you so others will not imitate your deeds." added the old man. The couple blushed from what they heard. They were left speechless and dumbfounded as the face of the old man shines in front of them. They wanted to shout but they can't.

"Now, all of your fortunes will vanish, together with your lives!" As he uttered those words, he hit the tamarind tree with his cane.

Shortly, the tamarind was surrounded with water, and slowly shrunk underneath. The entire farm, together with their house slowly vanished as the couple drowned. That town became a lake and is now called the Tamarind Lake.

+++

Vor langer Zeit, bevor die Spanier auf den Philippinen ankamen, lebte ein sehr wohlhabendes Paar in einer Stadt, die heute als San Pablo in Laguna bekannt ist. Sie haben einen Bauernhof mit Kühen und Obst- und Blumenbäumen. In der Mitte dieser Bäume steht der Tamarindenbaum.

Die Früchte dieses Tamarindenbaums sollen angeblich sehr lecker und süß sein, daher kaufen viele Menschen ihre Tamarinden, und dort fand das Paar seinen Reichtum.

Sie waren natürlich für ihren Reichtum und ihre Gier bekannt! Niemand kann von ihnen etwas verlangen, ohne dafür eine Gegenleistung zu erhalten.

Viele Nachbarn mochten dieses Paar nicht, aber das Paar ignorierte sie einfach, weil sie dachten, sie hätten niemandem Schaden zugefügt, und ihre Abneigung gegen sie sei nur purer Neid.

Sie lebten die ganze Zeit so. Da ihre Nachbarn sie mehr meiden, zucken sie nur mit den Schultern, weil sie zu stolz auf ihren Reichtum sind. Eines Tages kam ein alter Mann am Zaun ihres wunderschönen Gartens vorbei. Damals war das Paar damit beschäftigt, Tamarindenfrüchte einzusammeln, um sie zu verkaufen. Nachdem er das Paar begrüßt hatte, bettelte der alte Mann, der schmutzige Kleidung trug und einen sehr langen Bart und Haare hatte, um Essen.

„Habe Mitleid mit mir, Bettler“, sagte der alte Mann, „gib mir bitte etwas zu essen, ich habe seit zwei Tagen nichts gegessen.“

Als das Paar die älteren Menschen sah, waren sie von ihm angewidert. Die Frau antwortete wütend: „Verzeihen Sie uns, wir haben ein großes Haus, aber die Wahrheit ist, dass wir arm sind und es uns an Nahrung mangelt.“

Der alte Mann, der vor Hunger zitterte, blickte auf und bettelte erneut.

„Sie sind dafür bekannt, dass Sie Glück haben“, sagte er traurig. „Habe Erbarmen mit mir, denn ich werde vor Hunger sterben. Gib mir ein Stück Tamarinde. In unserer Stadt ist es angekommen, dass deine Tamarinden sehr süß und köstlich sind.“

„Glauben Sie uns nicht?“ genervt, antwortete die Frau. „Verschwinden Sie von hier, denn Sie belästigen uns!“ Sie rief.

„In unserer Stadt ist es auch bekannt, dass du der Gierigste bist, deshalb meiden dich deine Nachbarn. Da du so böse bist, wird dich das Schicksal grausam bestrafen, damit andere deine Taten nicht nachahmen.“ fügte der alte Mann hinzu. Das Paar errötete von dem, was sie hörten. Sie waren sprachlos und verblüfft, als das Gesicht des alten Mannes vor ihnen leuchtete. Sie wollten schreien, aber sie können nicht.

„Jetzt wird all Ihr Vermögen verschwinden, zusammen mit Ihrem Leben!“ Als er diese Worte aussprach, schlug er mit seinem Stock auf den Tamarindenbaum.

Kurz darauf war die Tamarinde von Wasser umgeben und schrumpfte langsam darunter. Die gesamte Farm und ihr Haus verschwanden langsam, als das Paar ertrank. Diese Stadt wurde zu einem See und heißt heute Tamarind Lake.

Tamarind is Sampalok in the Filipino language.

Typical Filipino (XXXIII) - Typisch Philippinisch (XXXIII): The Benefits of Domestic Workers

The Benefits of Domestic Workers

Die Vorteile von Hausangestellten

Once you are familiar with the downsides, you will also discover the advantages of house helps and understand why the middle and upper classes in the Philippines do not accept them willy-nilly, but no longer want to get along without them. House helps provide an unexpected amount of free time. After a while, you may not even find yourself grabbing a glass of water from the fridge or searching for the newspaper. Everything in the household runs like clockwork without you even lifting a little finger.

In your second phase of cultural adjustment, you will feel like you are no longer needed. Since few foreign wives in the Philippines pursue a career, they must seek other fulfillment outside the home. Women are particularly active in social and cultural areas here. There are public projects and a wide variety of women's organizations, as well as art groups, theater troupes, garden clubs, evening parties and other countless activity options.

In my household, all the helpers are part of our family.

+++

Wenn Ihnen die Schattenseiten einmal bekannt sind, werden Sie auch die Vorteile der Haushilfen entdecken und verstehen, weshalb Mittel- und Oberschicht auf den Philippinen sie nicht wohl oder übel hinnehmen, sondern ohne sie gar nicht mehr auskommen wollen. Haushilfen verschaffen ungeahnt viel Freizeit. Nach einiger Zeit werden Sie sich womöglich nicht einmal mehr ein Glas Wasser selbst aus dem Kühlschrank holen oder nach der Zeitung suchen. Im Haushalt läuft alles wie am Schnürchen, ohne daß Sie auch nur den kleinen Finger krümmen.

In Ihrer zweiten Phase der kulturellen Anpassung wird Sie das Gefühl beschleichen, nicht mehr gebraucht zu werden. Da nur wenige ausländische Ehefrauen auf den Philippinen einem Beruf nachgehen, müssen sie auf andere Erfüllung außerhalb des Hauses suchen. Frauen sind hier im gesellschaftlichen und kulturellen Bereich besonders aktiv. Es gibt öffentliche Projekte und die verschiedensten Frauenorganisationen , außerdem Kunstgruppen, Theatertruppen, Gartenclubs, Abendgesellschaften und weitere zahllose Aktivitätsmöglichkeiten.

In meinem Haushalt gehören alle Helfer und Helferinnen zu unserer Familie.

Philippine-German Relations (III) Philippinisch-Deutsche Beziehungen (III)

 

During his second administration  the former President Marcos said, "No redemption is possible without the solid foundation of virtue." In EL FILIBUSTERISMO Jose Rizal said, 'Redemption presupposes virtue; virtue means sacrifice, sacrifice means love ... it means existing reason and the dignity of the individual, loving whatever is just, good and noble."

Dr. Jose Rizal is indeed the initiator of Philippine-German Cultural Relations. He was one of the first Filipinos who admired the Germans in the Philippines and abroad. More than anybody else, it was he, "initiated the cultural relations between Germany and the Philippines and German speaking scholars. Dr. Cecilio Lopez, Professor Emeritus of Linguistics and Oriental Studies at the University of the Philippines, wrote in his article "Rizal and the Beginning of German-Philippine Cultural relations," that: "With his inquisitive nature and thirst for knowledge, particularly in what concerned his country, Dr. Rizal sought out these scholars, exchanged ideas with them, and nurtured friendship to the end." (Quotation from "The Joint Enterprise", Manila: Rizal Publishing House Co, page 33).

In "One Hundred Letters of Rizal", page 24, one can read what he wrote to his parents:

"With respect to my studies about diseases of the eye, they are progressing well. I know how to perform the operations. I shall have to train in studying the ocular fundus which needs much practice. In Germany, I am told that they teach this well. I am going to Germany with nearly $100 which will be reduced to $75 after deducting the transportation fare. If I find that the cost of living is cheap I shall matriculate and it may not be necessary to help me in two or three months. In six months, I hope to speak german, study and follow my specialty... ."

I also learned from my mentor Professor Dr. Monsignor Hermogenes 'Gene' E. Bacareza, that Rizal even translated Friedrich Schiller's "Wilhelm Tell" (William Tell), which his compatriots in Spain asked him to do. In his letter to Blumentritt dated October 2, 1886 Rizal wrote:

"Meine Landsleute haben mir tagalische Übersetzungen von Schiller's Werken verlangt. Wie schwer muss diese Arbeit für mich sein, dass können Sie sich leicht einbilden, welche einer sehr verschiedene Ausdrucksart als die deutsche hat. Ich muss erst eine Phrase lange besinnen und betrachten, und dann suche ich den entsprechenden Ausdruck in Tagalisch, die Umschreibungen und die germanismus sorgfältig vermeidend. Ich tröste mich mit dem Gedanken, dass ich die Ehre haben werde, der grossen Schiller die Philippinen in Tagalisch vorzustellen.

My countrymen asked me for a Tagalog translation of Schiller's work. You can easily imagine how difficult I shall find this task, as the modes of expression are very different in German. First, I have to study and examine a phrase for a long time, then I try to find a corresponding expression in Tagalog, carefully avoiding paraphrases and Germanism. I console myself with the thought that I have the honor of presenting the great Friedrich Schiller to the Philippines in Tagalog". 

Sometimes we want to see in every Filipino "another Rizal". I agree with Father Gene, that, surely not every Filipino can equal Rizal in intellectual endowments and in heroic grandeur. But in the facts of his or her personality, every Filipino has within him- or herself the capacity to be "another Rizal". With a citizenry such as that being developed in the new  Society and in accordance with the mandate of the new Constitution of the Republic, the Filipino people could move on without trepidation and face with courage and confidence the hazards and challenges of the future.

(To be continued!)

Is it true that Germans greet each other using only their first names...

 

Volker Eichener

Professor at Hochschule Düsseldorf

Studied Political Science & Sociology at Ruhr University BochumGraduated 1999

... and do not use honorifics like Mr. or Mrs.?

Volker Eichener

Professor at Hochschule Düsseldorf

Absolutely untrue.

Strangers usually adress each other as “Herr [last name]” (male) or “Frau [last name]” (female). Also, you mention academic titles like “Herr Professor XY” or “Frau Doktor XZ”. If you omit the honorific you are considered very rude. You also use a special grammatical form to adress each other, the “Sie” (instead of the familiar “Du”).

If you are becoming friends, you agree to change to the first name and “Du”, often in form of a brief ceremony that involves interlocking arms and having a drink together.

Exceptions apply for special communities:

• In the Social Democratic Party and in Trade Unions members use “Genosse [last name]” (= comrade) + Du or “Kollege [last name]” + Du.
• In sports, people use first names + Du.
• Students use first names + du (used to be different some 100 years ago).
• In colloquial situations (like in an informal bar, in a rock concert) people use Du.
• At workplaces, colleagues who are on the same hierarchical level often use first name + Du. For adressing higher ranking officers, formalities are even more important, however. In business environments, this is a highly sensible matter. Better start with “Herr” and “Frau” and see, how things evolve.

Aside from English, is German the most important and useful language to learn...

 

Tomaž Vargazon

 ... in Europe? Does it boost your opportunities with jobs if you can speak it fluently, or is it French?

On a completely utilitarian basis, if you already know English, I’d literarily recommend any other major European languauge than German.

Germany ranks very high in English proficiency

There are very few countries in Europe that speak English better and more widespread than Germans do. If you know English, you can make do with that in Germany and most texts you might be interested in German are often available in English too. If you aren’t planning to move there to work you’ll hardly need it.

French is the better option, although the French generally do have passable knowledge of English - they just aren’t keen on using it. Italian and Spanish are even better choices, because for some reason their knowledge of English is lacking, if we’re polite. Portugese is a surprisingly good option too, because Brazil is popolous - although I’d recommend Spanish well before Portugese.

In the east, Polish is an obvious option, but so is Russian. East of Germany, you will often be able to make do with Russian with people who don’t know English. This is fading though, especially after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine Russian will likely be on the way out, so it’s low on my list of recommended languagues (but still above Czech or Slovak or Slovene for their limited utility). Nonetheless, for use in Europe, Russian may well have more utility than German, in no small part because Slavic languagues are surprisingly close to one another and knowing one gives you a limited ability to communicate all across the east. This also works with Latin languagues (Italian, Spanish, French, Portugese) in the west.

If you’re moving to Germany (or Austria, or Switzerland), you should study German langague, there is no question about that. However if you just want a European languague for purpose of travel or tourism or just are looking for a useful languague as a part of general education, opt for something else instead.

The Baptism of the Lord

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

IT’S one of the intriguing episodes in the gospel. Why did Christ ask to be baptized by John the Baptist? In fact, John was hesitant to do so. “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” he said. (Mt 3,13) But Christ insisted. “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness,” Christ told John. And so, Christ was baptized.

This “to fulfill all righteousness” must mean that Christ wanted to establish the sacrament of baptism through which all of us can become members of his mystical body, the Church, and sharers of the merits Christ earned for us through his redemptive mission. With this sacrament we are given the chance to earn the “all righteousness” that is meant for us.

This episode of Christ’s baptism also highlights the interesting fact that Christ was clearly confirmed as the Son of the Father. That’s when suddenly a voice was heard while Christ was still immersed in water, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

We should therefore have no doubt as to the importance and indispensability of the sacrament of baptism and as to the identity of Christ in whom we should give total belief and love. 

Our belief in Jesus as the Christ, as the First Letter of St. John says, proves that one is born of God. This is how one becomes a child of God. More than that—by believing in Jesus as the Christ, one shows his love for God by keeping God’s commandments. (cfr. 5,1-3)

Again, the question may be asked: why do we still need to be baptized if in the first place, man has already been created in God’s image and likeness? The answer, of course, is that the original image and likeness man had at the beginning was deformed because of the sin of our first parents that led all of us to be born with original sin. We need to recover our dignity as children of God.

This was done when God became man in Christ who offers us “the way, the truth and the life” that is proper to us. We need to be conformed to this God-made-man. And this conformity of ours to Christ starts to take place in our baptism.

This time, our continuing creation and testing would need us to conform to the sacrament of baptism which was instituted by Christ himself through his own baptism in the River Jordan.

With baptism, we have Christ as the pattern of our salvation, embedded, so to speak, in our life. That is why we need to be baptized. It is to recover our original dignity as true children of God, his image and likeness, meant to participate in the very life and nature of God. 

With Christ, we can receive the supernatural grace that would enable us to attain our ideal state. It would not be enough for us to know God with our intelligence and to love him with our will, without God’s grace through Christ.

We need to clarify and emphasize the importance and necessity of baptism since there is now a trend to downplay this sacrament in our life. But even before that problem came to be, the usual issue is that many people do not realize the implications of the sacrament—that we need to duly correspond to the abiding redemptive action of Christ all throughout our life.

We have to be aware that once baptized we commit ourselves to vitally identify ourselves with Christ, which is going to be a lifelong process!

Philippine-German Relations (II) - Philippinische - Deutsche Beziehungen (II)

One of my real heroes is also the Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, who stayed in Germany from 1886 to 1887. It was in Berlin, where he published his novel NOLI ME TANGERE, which inspired the Philippine revolution of 1896. I am glad to have NOLI ME TANGERE in English, Spanish and German in my library.

Since then in 1896 the Philippines has enjoyed long and close relations with Germany. Of course, Germany has become one of the Philippines' major trading partners and biggest sources of foreign investment and development aid.

"The dawn is not far. Spain opens the east for her beloved Philippines, and times are changing and I am positive that more are being done than we imagine." (Jose Rizal).

The existence of a German community in the Philippines during the years before 1836 was impossible, as my mentor Professor Dr. Hermogenes E. Bacareza wrote in his book about Philippine-German Relations, published 2007 in Manila (UST Publishinghouse). The Royal Decree of February 2, 1800 prohibited foreigners to reside in the Philippines. Other similar decrees were issued in 1807 and 1816. In 1844, another royal decree prohibited foreigners to travel to the Philippines under any pretext wath so ever. It was evident that Spain wanted to keep foreigners out of the Philippines soil, believing in some way that the Philippines a dollar gained by a foreigner was one taken from the Spaniards. 

During his second administration  the former President Marcos said, "No redemption is possible without the solid foundation of virtue." In EL FILIBUSTERISMO Jose Rizal said, 'Redemption presupposes virtue; virtue means sacrifice, sacrifice means love ... it means existing reason and the dignity of the individual, loving whatever is just, good and noble."

Dr. Jose Rizal is indeed the initiator of Philippine-German Cultural Relations. He was one of the first Filipinos who admired the Germans in the Philippines and abroad. More than anybody else, it was he, "initiated the cultural relations between Germany and the Philippines and German speaking scholars. Dr. Cecilio Lopez, Professor Emeritus of Linguistics and Oriental Studies at the University of the Philippines, wrote in his article "Rizal and the Beginning of German-Philippine Cultural relations," that: "With his inquisitive nature and thirst for knowledge, particularly in what concerned his country, Dr. Rizal sought out these scholars, exchanged ideas with them, and nurtured friendship to the end." (Quotation from "The Joint Enterprise", Manila: Rizal Publishing House Co, page 33).

In "One Hundred Letters of Rizal", page 24, one can read what he wrote to his parents:

"With respect to my studies about diseases of the eye, they are progressing well. I know how to perform the operations. I shall have to train in studying the ocular fundus which needs much practice. In Germany, I am told that they teach this well. I am going to Germany with nearly $100 which will be reduced to $75 after deducting the transportation fare. If I find that the cost of living is cheap I shall matriculate and it may not be necessary to help me in two or three months. In six months, I hope to speak german, study and follow my specialty... ."

I also learned from my mentor Professor Dr. Monsignor Hermogenes 'Gene' E. Bacareza, that Rizal even translated Friedrich Schiller's "Wilhelm Tell" (William Tell), which his compatriots in Spain asked him to do. In his letter to Blumentritt dated October 2, 1886 Rizal wrote:

"Meine Landsleute haben mir tagalische Übersetzungen von Schiller's Werken verlangt. Wie schwer muss diese Arbeit für mich sein, dass können Sie sich leicht einbilden, welche einer sehr verschiedene Ausdrucksart als die die Deutsche hat. Ich muss erst eine Phrase lange besinnen und betrachten, und dann suche ich den entsprechenden Ausdruck in Tagalisch, die Umschreibungen und die Germanismus sorgfältig vermeidend. Ich tröste mich mit dem Gedanken, dass ich die Ehre haben werde, den grossen Schiller die Philippinen in Tagalisch vorzustellen.

My countrymen asked me for a Tagalog translation of Schiller's work. You can easily imagine how difficult I shall find this task, as the modes of expression are very different in German. First, I have to study and examine a phrase for a long time, then I try to find a corresponding expression in Tagalog, carefully avoiding paraphrases and Germanism. I console myself with the thought that I have the honor of presenting the great Friedrich Schiller to the Philippines in Tagalog". 

Sometimes we want to see in every Filipino "another Rizal". I agree with Father Gene, that, surely not every Filipino can equal Rizal in intellectual endowments and in heroic grandeur. But in the facts of his or her personality, every Filipino has within him- or herself the capacity to be "another Rizal". With a citizenry such as that being developed in the new  Society and in accordance with the mandate of the new Constitution of the Republic, the Filipino people could move on without trepidation and face with courage and confidence the hazards and challenges of the future.