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!
Geraldine mentioned that the movie is still in progress, but she enjoys being on the set. Her passion for filmmaking is admirable - she even enjoys being on set when the movie is still in progress.
Geraldine Jennings
Geraldine Jennings - a talented artist from a diverse Irish-British-Filipino background - is all set to take Philippine showbiz by storm with her debut performance.
Get ready to witness a fresh and captivating presence on the screen as Geraldine brings her unique cultural blend and artistic flair to the forefront.
During a recent media conference in Quezon City, Geraldine expressed excitement for her upcoming showbiz career, which is set to appear in the Solid Gold Entertainment Production movie "Isla Babuyan."
"At a young age, I loved singing. My mom enrolled me in singing and guitar classes. I just loved it. I studied it in Los Angeles. And I grew to love the craft. Tito Leo (Dominguez) has been asking to do this for a while now. It's been in the works for two years. Finally, I got the chance to do it. It's my passion. I love the arts," said Geraldine when asked about her venture into local showbiz.
Geraldine's passion for filmmaking is admirable - she even enjoys being on set when the movie is still in progress.
Her dedication to the craft is inspiring, and it's evident that she puts her heart and soul into every project she works on.
"It was an amazing experience. It's still ongoing. We haven't finished yet. It was challenging initially because it was different from studying it. But everyone was so helpful, so friendly. It was normal, and I felt great. I love it," she said. O
On her showbiz influences, Geraldine said: "While I was growing up, it was Miley Cyrus. I love her music. 'Party In The USA' was my favorite. I still love her now. Her new album 'Flowers.' She's my inspiration musical-wise. Right now, Dua Lipa. I love her style. I love how she sings and how she performs. Acting-wise, I will have to say Gal Gadot. She's my favorite in 'Wonder Woman,' 'Red Notice.' Also, Margot Robbie. She is amazing in 'Barbie,' very versatile. Those are my influences."
Geraldine also shared her thoughts about the love team culture in the country.
"I'm really flexible. I am willing. I am easy naman to do what is needed in the movies. I think I would be willing if needed," she said.
This beauty also shared how she prepared for her venture into showbiz.
"I started my training in LA. I went to Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. And it was about the theory of acting, reading about it. I also took acting classes in West Hollywood, specifically for TV and movies. I learned a lot. When I came back in September, I did an acting workshop with Joe Macasa, who is amazing, and he taught me a lot about how to feel the vibes. So you're not acting, but you are the character. But I learned a lot from being on set. Being there, I learned a lot from my co-stars, which is great," she said.
Geraldine also loves equestrian, polo, clay pigeon shooting, fitness and exercise. "I love pilates, indoor cycling, spinning, and running."
When she moved to the United Kingdom in 2009, she returned to the Philippines thrice a year during vacation. She has a second home in Manila.
Geraldine's mom is Gina Cariaga, a Filipino housewife and businesswoman from Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, and her father is Frank Jennings, a Northern Irish international businessman.
Her mom's side comes from politics and teaching. Her mom's grandfather, Nicasio Cariaga, was the police chief and a teacher who graduated from the Philippine Normal University.
Geraldine is the second child among three equally talented sisters.
"Isla Babuyan," tells the story of Anastassia (Geraldine), a young half-Filipina and half-European girl who comes to the Philippines to be with her Filipino mother, Rose (Lotlot De Leon). Anastasia meets and falls in love with the handsome Jordan (Jameson Blake), who is the scion and heir of a wealthy family. But the conflict begins when Jordan's stepmother (Nathalie Hart) cannot accept Anastassia and will do everything to keep them apart.
Jessie Vilabrille wrote the screenplay from a story he conceptualized with Leo Dominguez and Bam Salvani. It is line-produced by Dennis Evangelista and directed by Abdel Langit.
The Filipinos share various beliefs in the supernatural. Even in such modern times, many still believe that mythical creatures live among us. This may be attributed to the old folktales they were told in their childhood or to the creative minds and storytelling abilities of Filipinos.
Some creatures are thought to be like gods and goddesses, acting as divine providers and guardians to the townspeople. On the other hand, some viewed as villainous, causing misfortune and troubles. Get to know some of them as we list down some of the well known Filipino mythical creatures!
A mural featuring some of the Filipino mythical creatures you might encounter.
Aswang
One of the most known local mythical creatures is the aswang. They are believed to be evil beings who feed on the blood and flesh of their victims. They appear as ordinary humans, transforming at night into an animal, usually a dog, while possessing superhuman strength and speed.
To ward the pesky Aswangs, salt should be sprinkled around the house and garlic must be hung by the windows and doorways.
Learn more about the aswang through the 2012 film, Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles, starring famous Filipino actor Dingdong Dantes.
Diwata
Venerated as gods and guardians of nature, the diwata is a type of fairy who aid those who are deserving and severely punish those who exploit them or cause destruction of their land.
The most popular diwata would be Maria Makiling, guardian of Mt. Makiling in Laguna. Even now, many locals believe in her presence that hikers are advised to always be respectful so as not to anger the diwata.
The independent film Liway (2018) delves on the topic of diwata as well as other Philippine mythical creatures.
Tiyanak
Don’t be lured by the tiyanak, a creature who disguises as an infant crying. When picked up, it transforms into a small hideous creature with sharp teeth and incredible strength who mauls and eats its victim.
There are a handful of Filipino films on the subject of tiyanak, some dating back to the 80s. The most recent one is the 2014 film T’yanak.
Tambal
The Filipino version of the doppelganger is the tambal, a creature able to change their appearance to their human victims. They cause their victims to get lost for days and take their place in their home mingling with family and acquaintances.
There are stories of the tambal killing their victims before taking their place. The tambal later fakes its death but the “corpse” it leaves would be a small tree trunk.
A 2016 Filipino film entitled Elemento tackles the story of tambal possessing a child and how it strained the life of his family, especially his mother.
Kapre
Kapre is a mythical creature characterized as a tree giant because of it’s huge, black, and hairy built that usually stays at a branch of a tree smoking.
The elders said that a kapre may make contact with people to offer friendship and can be attracted to a beautiful woman. They are not considered as evil creatures but can be vengeful to those who try to cut down the tree it is inhabiting.
The Aswang Project, an online educational resource on Philippine folklore and mythology, produced a documentary that delved deeper into the topic of kapre.
Tikbalang
There is also the tikbalang, a giant creature with the head of a horse and body of a man. The mythical creature is often playful and would cause travelers to get lost in the wild. Some pranks, however, turn severe and cause people to lose their minds.
The stories of this creature are used by parents to frighten children from going out at night. It is said that, when you feel disoriented or off-track when hiking, you are getting pranked by a tikbalang and you have to turn your shirt inside out to ward it off.
Ulan (2019) is a multi-awarded film that intertwines a love story with tales of mythical elements. It puts the spotlight on the half-man-half-horse creature.
Duwende
Another playful Filipino mythical creature is the duwende. They appear as little old men who only show themselves to people they like. It is said that if a friendly duwende lives in your home, you will enjoy a good and prosperous life.
The duwende, however, is easy to offend and would often curse people with illnesses or misfortune. To avoid this, Filipinos would often say “tabi-tabi po,” (Excuse me) to ask for permission before doing anything, which may anger a duwende. Tabi-tabi po is also a very common expression used by hikers to express respect to any supernatural beings lingering in the forests and mountains.
The Duwende (2016) is a short film where you can know more about this fascinating creature and its connection to the disappearance of a child in the rural Philippines. The film has been shown at the 2018 Los Angeles Asia Pacific Film Festival.
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Leitfaden zu philippinischen Fabelwesen
Geschrieben von Heloise Diamante
Die Filipinos teilen unterschiedliche Vorstellungen vom Übernatürlichen. Selbst in dieser modernen Zeit glauben viele immer noch, dass Fabelwesen unter uns leben. Dies kann auf die alten Volksmärchen zurückgeführt werden, die ihnen in ihrer Kindheit erzählt wurden, oder auf den kreativen Geist und die Fähigkeiten der Filipinos, Geschichten zu erzählen.
Manche Kreaturen gelten als Götter und Göttinnen und fungieren als göttliche Versorger und Beschützer der Stadtbewohner. Auf der anderen Seite betrachteten einige sie als schurkisch, weil sie Unglück und Ärger verursachten. Lernen Sie einige von ihnen kennen, während wir einige der bekanntesten philippinischen Fabelwesen auflisten!
Ein Wandgemälde mit einigen der philippinischen Fabelwesen, denen Sie begegnen könnten.
Aswang
Eines der bekanntesten lokalen Fabelwesen ist der Aswang. Es wird angenommen, dass es sich bei ihnen um böse Wesen handelt, die sich vom Blut und Fleisch ihrer Opfer ernähren. Sie erscheinen als gewöhnliche Menschen, verwandeln sich nachts in ein Tier, normalerweise einen Hund, und besitzen dabei übermenschliche Kraft und Geschwindigkeit.
Um die lästigen Aswangs abzuwehren, sollte Salz im ganzen Haus gestreut und Knoblauch an Fenstern und Türen aufgehängt werden.
Erfahren Sie mehr über die Aswang im Film Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles aus dem Jahr 2012 mit dem berühmten philippinischen Schauspieler Dingdong Dantes.
Diwata
Die Diwata werden als Götter und Hüter der Natur verehrt und sind eine Art Fee, die denen hilft, die es verdienen, und diejenigen hart bestraft, die sie ausbeuten oder ihr Land zerstören.
Das beliebteste Diwata wäre Maria Makiling, die Hüterin des Berges Makiling in Laguna. Noch heute glauben viele Einheimische durch ihre Anwesenheit, dass Wanderern geraten wird, immer respektvoll zu sein, um die Diwata nicht zu verärgern.
Der Independentfilm Liway (2018) beschäftigt sich intensiv mit dem Thema Diwata und anderen philippinischen Fabelwesen.
Tiyanak
Lassen Sie sich nicht vom Tiyanak anlocken, einer Kreatur, die sich als weinendes Kleinkind verkleidet. Wenn es hochgehoben wird, verwandelt es sich in eine kleine, abscheuliche Kreatur mit scharfen Zähnen und unglaublicher Kraft, die ihr Opfer zerfleischt und frisst.
Es gibt eine Handvoll philippinischer Filme zum Thema Tiyanak, einige davon stammen aus den 80er Jahren. Der jüngste ist der Film T’yanak aus dem Jahr 2014.
Tambal
Die philippinische Version des Doppelgängers ist der Tambal, eine Kreatur, die ihr Aussehen gegenüber ihren menschlichen Opfern verändern kann. Sie führen dazu, dass sich ihre Opfer tagelang verlaufen und ihren Platz in ihrem Zuhause einnehmen, wo sie sich unter Familie und Bekannte mischen.
Es gibt Geschichten darüber, dass die Tambal ihre Opfer töteten, bevor sie deren Platz einnahmen. Der Tambal täuscht später seinen Tod vor, aber die „Leiche“, die er hinterlässt, wäre ein kleiner Baumstamm.
Ein philippinischer Film aus dem Jahr 2016 mit dem Titel Elemento befasst sich mit der Geschichte, wie Tambal ein Kind besitzt und wie es das Leben seiner Familie, insbesondere seiner Mutter, belastet.
Kapre
Kapre ist ein Fabelwesen, das aufgrund seines riesigen, schwarzen und haarigen Körperbaus als Baumriese bezeichnet wird und sich normalerweise rauchend an einem Ast eines Baumes aufhält.
Die Ältesten sagten, dass ein Kapre Kontakt zu Menschen aufnehmen kann, um ihnen Freundschaft anzubieten, und dass er sich zu einer schönen Frau hingezogen fühlen kann. Sie gelten nicht als böse Kreaturen, können aber rachsüchtig gegenüber denen sein, die versuchen, den Baum, in dem sie leben, zu fällen.
Das Aswang-Projekt, eine Online-Bildungsressource zur philippinischen Folklore und Mythologie, produzierte einen Dokumentarfilm, der sich eingehender mit dem Thema Kapre befasste.
Tikbalang
Es gibt auch den Tikbalang, ein riesiges Wesen mit dem Kopf eines Pferdes und dem Körper eines Menschen. Das Fabelwesen ist oft verspielt und führt dazu, dass Reisende sich in der Wildnis verirren. Manche Streiche nehmen jedoch schwerwiegende Ausmaße an und führen dazu, dass Menschen den Verstand verlieren.
Die Geschichten über diese Kreatur werden von Eltern genutzt, um Kinder davon abzuhalten, nachts auszugehen. Man sagt, wenn man sich beim Wandern desorientiert oder vom Weg abgekommen fühlt, wird einem ein Tikbalang einen Streich spielen und man muss sein Hemd umstülpen, um das zu verhindern.
Ulan (2019) ist ein mehrfach preisgekrönter Film, der eine Liebesgeschichte mit Geschichten über mythische Elemente verknüpft. Es rückt das Wesen, halb Mensch, halb Pferd, ins Rampenlicht.
Duwende
Ein weiteres verspieltes philippinisches Fabelwesen ist die Duwende. Sie erscheinen als kleine alte Männer, die sich nur Menschen zeigen, die sie mögen. Es heißt, wenn ein freundlicher Duwende in Ihrem Zuhause lebt, werden Sie ein gutes und erfolgreiches Leben genießen.
Der Duwende ist jedoch leicht zu beleidigen und verflucht oft Menschen mit Krankheiten oder Unglück. Um dies zu vermeiden, sagen Filipinos oft „tabi-tabi po“ (Entschuldigung), um um Erlaubnis zu bitten, bevor sie etwas tun, was einen Duwende verärgern könnte. Tabi-tabi po ist auch ein sehr gebräuchlicher Ausdruck, den Wanderer verwenden, um ihren Respekt vor allen übernatürlichen Wesen auszudrücken, die sich in den Wäldern und Bergen aufhalten.
„The Duwende“ (2016) ist ein Kurzfilm, in dem Sie mehr über diese faszinierende Kreatur und ihren Zusammenhang mit dem Verschwinden eines Kindes auf den ländlichen Philippinen erfahren können. Der Film wurde auf dem Los Angeles Asia Pacific Film Festival 2018 gezeigt.
A mother and child cool off under a fountain in Coney Island on a hot afternoon on July 06, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.
Rochelle Gluzman - Agence France-Presse
PARIS, France — The year of 2023 was the hottest on record, with the increase in Earth's surface temperature nearly crossing the critical threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius, EU climate monitors said Tuesday.
Climate change intensified heatwaves, droughts and wildfires across the planet, and pushed the global thermometer 1.48 C above the preindustrial benchmark, the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) reported.
"It is also the first year with all days over one degree warmer than the pre-industrial period," said Samantha Burgess, deputy head of the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S).
"Temperatures during 2023 likely exceed those of any period in at least the last 100,000 years."
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the year was a mere preview of the "catastrophic future that awaits us if we don't act now", according to his spokesman.
Nearly half the year exceeded the 1.5C limit, beyond which climate impacts are more likely to become self-reinforcing and catastrophic, according to scientists.
But even if Earth's average surface temperature breaches 1.5C in 2024, as some scientists predict, it does not mean the world has failed to meet the Paris Agreement target of capping global warming under that threshold.
That would occur only after several successive years above the 1.5C benchmark, and even then the 2015 treaty allows for the possibility of reducing Earth's temperature after a period of "overshoot".
2023 saw massive fires in Canada, extreme droughts in the Horn of Africa or the Middle East, unprecedented summer heatwaves in Europe, the United States and China, along with record winter warmth in Australia and South America.
"Such events will continue to get worse until we transition away from fossil fuels and reach net-zero emissions," said University of Reading climate change professor Ed Hawkins, who did not contribute to the report.
"We will continue to suffer the consequences of our inactions today for generations."
The Copernicus findings come one month after a climate agreement was reached at COP28 in Dubai calling for the gradual transition away from fossil fuels, the main cause of climate warming.
"We desperately need to rapidly cut fossil fuel use and reach net-zero to preserve the liveable climate that we all depend on," said John Marsham, atmospheric science professor at the University of Leeds.
The year saw another ominous record: two days in November 2023 exceeded the preindustrial benchmark by more than two degrees Celsius.
Copernicus predicted that the 12-month period ending in January or February 2024 would "exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial level".
Oceans in overdrive
is also the first year with all days over one degree warmer than the pre-industrial period," said Samantha Burgess, deputy head of the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S).
Reliable weather records date back to 1850, but older proxy data for climate change—from tree rings, ice cores and sediment—show that 2023 temperatures "exceed those of any period in at least the last 100,000 years", Burgess said.
Records were broken on every continent. In Europe, 2023 was the second-warmest year on record, at 0.17C cooler than in 2020.
2023 saw the beginning of a naturally occurring El Nino weather phenomenon, which warms waters in the southern Pacific and stokes hotter weather beyond.
The phenomenon is expected to reach its peak in 2024, and is linked to the eight consecutive months of record heat from June to December.
Ocean temperatures globally were also "persistently and unusually high", with many seasonal records broken since April.
Soaring CO2 and methane
These unprecedented ocean temperatures caused marine heatwaves devastating to aquatic life and boosted the intensity of storms.
Oceans absorb more than 90 percent of excess heat caused by human activity, and play a major role in regulating Earth's climate.
Rising temperatures have also accelerated the melting of ice shelves—frozen ridges that help prevent massive glaciers in Greenland and West Antarctica from slipping into the ocean and raising sea levels.
Antarctic sea ice hit record-low levels in 2023.
"The extremes we have observed over the last few months provide a dramatic testimony of how far we now are from the climate in which our civilisation developed," said Carlo Buontempo, C3S director.
In 2023, carbon dioxide and methane concentrations reached record levels of 419 parts per million and 1,902 parts per billion, respectively.
Methane is the second-largest contributor to global warming after CO2, and is responsible for around 30 percent of the rise in global temperatures since the industrial revolution, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The DOT disclosed that the international visitor receipts for 2023 totaled an impressive P482.54 billion, a figure that not only surpassed the previous year but also reached pre-pandemic revenue levels of 2019.
With an eye on the future, the DOT is setting ambitious targets for 2024, aiming for a step closer to pre-pandemic arrival numbers with a goal of 7.7 million arrivals. Secretary Frasco assured, "What I can assure you is that we will push as hard as we can and fully activate our convergences with other government agencies in order to breach this target and bring us closer to pre-pandemic numbers even as we grapple with many forces beyond our control, globally, and locally."
Expressing gratitude, Frasco acknowledged the global appreciation for the Philippines in 2023, highlighting the country's recognition as the World's Leading Beach and Dive Destination, Asia's Best Cruise Destination, and one of the few countries worldwide honored as a Global Tourism Resilience awardee. The acknowledgment reflects the collective efforts and global appeal that continue to position the Philippines as a premier travel destination.
K-pop girl group ITZY’s new mini-album “Born To Be” sold more than 123,000 copies on the first day of release.
“Born To Be” was released on Jan. 8 under JYP Entertainment, Imperial and Republic Records, featuring 10 new tracks including solo songs from each member, the first time since their debut. Each ITZY member contributed to the composition of each solo track.
ITZY (JYP Entertainment)
According to Korea’s Hanteo Chart, “Born To Be” sold a total of 123,489 copies on the first day of release on Jan. 8. With this, ITZY topped Hanteo’s daily physical album chart.
ITZY also released a music video for the lead single “Untouchable,” which garnered 2.83 million views on YouTube as of this writing.
Meanwhile, ITZY will hold concerts at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul on Feb. 24 and 25, marking the start of their second world tour “ITZY 2nd World Tour: Born To Be.”
Their first world tour, “Checkmate,” included an eight-city US leg, as well as an Asian leg with performances in seven regions; Manila in the Philippines, Singapore, Jakarta in Indonesia, Chiba in Japan, Taipei in Taiwan..
Your mental health is everything— prioritize it. Make the time like your life depends on it, because it does.
— Mel Robbins
Often when things get so busy, we tend to neglect our own needs. This leads to a burnout of sorts or, worse, a melancholic feeling of not wanting to do anything. To ensure that our lives never get to that level, we need to focus on our mental wellness. Here are some self-care tips to make sure you treat yourself right.
Prioritize your needs Self-care makes or breaks our mental wellness. Always make sure you find time to take a break from things to dedicate time to activities that spark joy, relaxation, and rejuvenation. Perhaps choose to sleep in on a free day or engage in a physical activity to keep the blood pumping. Finding a hobby will also help in reducing stress and enhancing your well-being.
Find time to socialize Even introverts have a need to interact with their closest friends! Keeping to yourself for long periods can be damaging to your mental health as we are wired to be around others. Hit up a friend you haven’t talked to in a while and reconnect. As they say online, go outside to touch the grass and crack open a cold one with your pals!
Meditation is key Mindfulness and meditation are powerful tools for nurturing mental wellness. These practices encourage being present in the moment, calming the mind, and reducing stress. Exercises like yoga and Pilates are a great way of clearing your mind and keeping your body active.
Time for a digital detox
Keeping our eyes glued to the screen might be appealing to pass the time but it can also be harmful if done too long. Social media often has us viewing the best parts of other people’s lives. This might lead us to think we aren’t doing things right if others appear to be enjoying more than we are. When you start to feel like this, it’s best to take some time off social media. Engage in activities that do not involve screens, allowing your mind to rest and recharge.
Seek professional help Therapy goes a long way. Sometimes there are problems within us that need professional help, and there’s no shame in that! Seeing a therapist or a counselor allows us to get a different view of our life. Often they’ll give us ways to cope, tools for managing stress, and most importantly a safe space to vent about our troubles.
Think positive To be healthy in the mind, one must be free of problems. But to be free from problems, you need to look at the brighter side of life. Mucking about on the downside of things will only discourage you from being your best self. If life kicks you down, remember to kick back harder!
In einem westlichen Haus ist die Küche ein zentraler Ort, da in der Regel die Frau des Hauses selbst kocht. Viele westlichen Küchen sind mit einer Essecke, dem Esszimmer oder sogar ganz offen mit dem Wohnzimmer verbunden.
Da aber Filipinos mittlerer oder höherer Einkommensgruppen einen Koch oder eine Köchin im Haus beschäftigen, ist die Küche lediglich Arbeitsplatz eines Hausangestellten. Diese Küchen sind keine hellen mit karierten Vorhänge verzierte und mit Elektrogeräten ausgestatteten Räume , die vom persönlichen Geschmack der Dame des Hauses zeugen.
Wenn Sie selbst kochen wollen, dann begutachten Sie auch die Küche, ihre Lage im Haus, ihre Größe und die Einrichtung.
Viele philippinische Häuser leisten sich zwei Küchen: eine für die Dame des Hauses und einen unscheinbaren Raum in hinteren Teil des Hauses, wo der Koch an einem mit Gaskocher ausgestatteten Arbeitsplatz die täglichen Mahlzeiten zubereitet. Die Energieversorgung mittels Gasflaschen ist zudem überaus sinnvoll, da während der "Brownouts" Ihr hochmoderner elektrischer Superherd schlichtweg nutzlos wird.
Als zweckmäßige Anpassung verläßt sich die "schmutzige Küche" auf weniger ausgeklügelte Technik.
(Fortsetzung folgt!)
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In a Western home, the kitchen is a central place because the woman of the house usually does the cooking. Many western kitchens are connected to a dining area, the dining room or even the living room.
However, since Filipinos in middle or higher income groups employ a cook in the house, the kitchen is only the workplace of a domestic worker. These kitchens are not bright rooms decorated with checkered curtains and equipped with electrical appliances that reflect the personal taste of the lady of the house.
If you want to cook yourself, then also examine the kitchen, its location in the house, its size and the furnishings.
Many Filipino houses afford two kitchens: one for the lady of the house and an inconspicuous room in the back of the house where the cook prepares daily meals at a workstation equipped with a gas stove. Supplying energy using gas bottles is also extremely useful, as during the “brownouts” your ultra-modern electric super stove simply becomes useless.
As a convenient adaptation, the "dirty kitchen" relies on less sophisticated technology.
I have learned this in almost 26 years of permanent residence in the Philippines.
In a highly people-oriented society, business matters are always best handled personally and in a pleasant atmosphere. Where the Western businessman thinks that time is money, the Filipino loves to sneak around like a cat and talk about mutual friends and family, exchanging pleasantries and jokes. Only when the appropriate climate has been established can negotiations be considered. Regardless of the outcome, discussions should always end on a friendly note. You may feel like you're wasting time chatting about other people and all sorts of unimportant things. For a Filipino, however, maintaining friendships, building valuable contacts and developing personal relationships are the crucial developments that keep business running.
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Das habe ich in fast 26 Jahren permanenten Aufenthalten auf den Philippinen gelernt.
In einer stark personen-orientierten Gesellschaft werden geschäftliche Angelegenheiten am besten immer persönlich und in einer angenehmen Atmosphäre geregelt. Wo der westliche Geschäftsmann denkt, dass Zeit Geld ist, liebt es der Filipino wie die Katze um den heißen Blei herumzuschleichen und um über gemeinsame Freunde und die Familie zu reden, Höflichkeiten und Scherze auszutauschen. Erst wenn das angemessene Klima hergestellt ist, können Verhandlungen ins Auge gefasst werden. Unabhängig vom Ergebnis sollten Diskussionen stets freundlich enden. Sie werden vielleicht das Gefühl haben, Zeit zu verschwenden, wenn Sie über andere Leute und allerlei Unwichtigkeiten plaudern. Für einen Filipino jedoch sind die Pflege von Freundschaften, der Aufbau wertvoller Kontakte und die Entwicklung persönlicher Beziehungen die entscheidenden Entwicklungen, die die Geschäfte am Laufen handeln.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said the long weekends and extended holiday breaks have the potential to significantly benefit the domestic tourism landscape.
In a statement released on Friday, Jan. 5, Frasco said the agency “sees these upcoming extended weekends as a timely opportunity, specifically advantageous in propelling our domestic tourism forward.”
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco
The country’s post-pandemic recovery has resulted in 5.45 million international visitor arrivals in 2023, noted Frasco.
According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), 102 million domestic trips were recorded from 2022 to mid-2023, with domestic tourism expenditure amounting to P1.5 trillion.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) also said it recorded P1.87 trillion in internal tourism expenditure, inclusive of spending by foreign visitors and Filipinos residing abroad.
Out of P1.87 trillion, P1.5 trillion was attributed to domestic tourism spending. This includes expenses by local visitors for domestic trips and international travel docked at the country’s borders.
“There's an overwhelming sense of enthusiasm among travelers eager to make up for lost time, engaging in what has come to be known as 'revenge travel,’” she said.
Frasco remarked that the long breaks can fuel its strategies to pursue and accomplish the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023 to 2028.
She underscored the DOT’s “optimism for a tourism resurgence underpinned by an unwavering belief in the Filipino spirit and the country's inexhaustible selection of enchanting destinations.”
“The invitation extended to all Filipinos is not merely to travel but to immerse themselves in the rich mosaic of experiences that the Philippines proudly offers. As the nation embraces these extended weekends with open arms, the hope remains high for a vibrant transformation of the tourism sector and a profound appreciation for the manifold wonders encapsulated within the Philippines' diverse landscape,” Frasco added.
Through his ‘The Hands of the Dreamweaver’ collection, Dante Mana weaves his love letter for his hometown and the women who continue to keep its indigenous crafts alive.
In the past years, we’ve seen the resurgence of Filipino textiles and fabrics in the local fashion scene. These handwoven materials aren’t just beautiful, they hold stories of the Philippines’ rich heritage and are testaments to Filipino indigenous tribes’ dedication to their work and sustainable practices. The return of these handwoven tapestries also helped put the spotlight on emerging fashion designers from different parts of the country. The latest addition to that list is Dante Mana, a recent graduate from the Fashion Institute of the Philippines (FIP).
For the graduation show, Dante chose to create a capsule collection titled “The Hands of the Dreamweaver,” celebrating the culture and heritage of South Cotabato’s T’boli tribe. The result was a vibrant fashion presentation—his love letter—that paid homage to his hometown and the women who continue to keep its indigenous crafts alive. Taking inspiration from the works of the indigenous group was a natural step for the young fashion designer.
“I was fortunate to be exposed to their captivating culture from an early age. My connection to the world of T’boli performing arts, fostered by my mother, allowed me to witness the profound beauty and artistic expression that are integral to our heritage,” Dante told Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. “Additionally, the influence of my grandmother, a talented seamstress, revealed the enchanting process of transforming fabrics into remarkable creations.”
To make his vision come to life, Dante worked with various female artisans from the community. Among them were Ye Dina, who has been beading for more than 30 years, and Ye Mina, a master t’nalak weaver. On the runway, he presented pieces that explored many silhouettes, all providing the perfect canvas for the unique patterns of the T’boli community's works. His muse wore massive headwraps with gold accessories and baskets to complete their looks. His collection was so spectacular that he took home the FIP’s Designer of the Year award.
“This collection is a heartfelt homage to my origins in South Cotabato, a place that played a pivotal role in nurturing my passion for arts and fashion,” the designer said. “I poured my heart and soul into every design. It’s not just a job for me; it’s my passion. I’m devoted to making things that resonate with people, designs that will make them stop and think, ‘Wow, this is special.’”
