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!
Experten sehen Ruhestand in Sechzigern als „Traum“ statt „Realität“
Von: Max Schäfer
Die Rente steht unter Druck: Immer mehr Menschen gehen in Rente, immer weniger arbeiten. Laut Experten muss sich das System dem Wandel anpassen.
München – Wer in Deutschland in Rente geht, macht das in der Regel mit Mitte sechzig. Das Problem: Die alternde Gesellschaft setzt das Sozialsystem unter Druck. Nicht umsonst forderten daher verschiedene Ökonomen, Politiker und Verbandsspitzen ein höheres Rentenalter. Deutschland ist mit der Entwicklung keinesfalls alleine: Auch britische Finanzfachleute sind sich laut einem BBC-Bericht einig, dass der Ruhestand in den eigenen Sechzigern eher „Traum als Realität“ sei.
Wenn es um den Ruhestand gehe, „denke ich, dass 75 das neue 65 ist“, sagte etwa Chris Parry von der Cardiff Metropolitan University gegenüber der BBC. Larry Fink, Vorstandsvorsitzender von des Investmentunternehmens Blackrock geht ebenfalls davon aus, dass ein Ruhestand mit 65 Jahren für die meisten Menschen nicht mehr möglich sein wird.
„In 30 Jahren noch schwieriger“: Finanzexperten sehen zunehmende Belastung für die Rente
„Die Rente ist ein viel schwierigeres Unterfangen als noch vor 30 Jahren“, erklärte Fink in einem Brief an Investoren. „Und in 30 Jahren wird es noch schwieriger sein.“ Als Ursachen nennt er den Zerfall der sozialen Sicherungsnetze und steigende Lebenshaltungskosten – und eben die steigende Lebenserwartung.
In Deutschland lag diese 1960 etwa bei 66,9 Jahren für Männer und 72,4 Jahre für Frauen. 2020 waren es laut Statistischem Bundesamt 78,3 bzw. 83,2 Jahre. Weltweit sieht diese Entwicklung nicht anders aus. Jeder sechste Mensch wird 2050 65 Jahre oder älter sein, lautet eine Einschätzung der Vereinten Nationen. Damit erreichen die Gesellschaften auch den Punkt, an dem mehr Menschen in den Ruhestand gehen als ins Erwerbsleben eintreten. Dazu beziehen die Menschen länger Rente.
Rentensysteme haben sich der gesellschaftlichen Entwicklung nicht angepasst – laut Ökonom
Die Rentensysteme hätten sich dem Wandel nicht angepasst, kritisierte Gal Wettstein, leitender Ökonom am Center for Retirement Research am Boston College, gegenüber der BBC. Es sei auch „unklar, warum die Mitte der 60er Jahre zu einem solchen Schwerpunktalter für den Ruhestand wurde“. Er spricht dabei von einem „groben Urteil“, das die Menschen gegen Ende ihres Lebens aus dem Berufsleben drängen solle.
Ganz ähnliche Töne schlug jüngst FDP-Politiker Christian Dürr ein, der ein flexibles Rentenalter forderte. „Es gibt ja viele Menschen, die sagen: Ich habe einen tollen Job oder finde eine neue Aufgabe, zu der ich Lust habe“, sagte der Chef der FDP-Fraktion im Bundestag der Bild. „Warum stelle ich solche Leute aufs Abstellgleis? Das ist geradezu altersdiskriminierend.“ Dürr kann sich ein flexibles Renteneintrittsalter vorstellen. Auch Menschen im Alter von 73 Jahren könnten dann noch arbeiten. Bis zur 75, die Chris Parry ins Spiel brachte, ist es dann nicht mehr weit. (ms)
Your random fan of books, art, kpop, and anime. I’m not that active here anymore, though I now review books on my downtime while making art in between. Still in a book coma, but I answer questions in my niche when I come around here.
Born and raised in The Philippines, here are some things some first time travelers here really need to adjust to.
Traffic is immensely worse as it sounds. If you plan to tour within the capital, or around metro manila, never expect to get anywhere in time if you don’t leave in advance.
We are most likely to be late. Yes, traffic sucks, but don’t expect many filipinos to come on time either. Most of my fellow countryman would give you valid reasons why they are late, from heavy traffic, to not getting onto public transportation sooner, to even having some home chores done first before heading out. When you set the time to meet up with a filipino, we have this term “Filipino Time” which means, set the meet up time an hour or two advance if you don’t want to be end up waiting for a long while.
Yes, we have so many nice natural tourist destinations, but I bet you that not many Filipinos have explored the whole country yet. At most, we only visited 5–10 out of the hundreds of islands and cities you’d google up on our country.
When in Manila, there is literally a 7/Eleven store at every corner street.
There is security bag checks whenever you enter a mall.
Yes, we are world-known for being nice, friendly and hospitable but don’t leave your stuff alone when eating in a restaurant or have your phone out when riding a jeepney or walking down busy sidewalks. Philippines isn’t 100% crime free, there are phone snatchers and thieves in the capital so be street smart.
We don’t actually use the term “Mabuhay” when greeting each other in public. Just say hello or hi like a normal person.
That’s all I remember so far, I will just add more when I remember something.
MANILA, Philippines — Members of the British girl group the Spice Girls came together to celebrate the 50th birthday of singer-designer Victoria Beckham, known in the group as Posh Spice.
Victoria celebrated her milestone birthday at Oswald's in London, United Kingdom by inviting a number of close friends, including Melanie Brown (Mel B), Melanie Chrisholm (Melanie C), Emma Bunton, and Geri Haliwell.
A video captured by Victoria's husband David sees the ladies singing and dancing to Spice Girls' hit song "Stop."
"Best night ever! Happy Birthday to me! I love you all so much!" Victoria wrote in the video's caption along with the hashtag #SpiceUpYourLife.
The last time all five members sang together in public was at the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony.
Also in attendance at the party other than Victoria and David's children were Tom Cruise, Eva Longoria, Gordon Ramsay, Marc Anthony, and Nadia Ferreira.
The Spice Girls debuted in 1994 and released hits like "Wannabe," "Say You'll Be There," "2 Become 1," "Stop," "Spice Up Your Life," "Too Much," "Viva Forever," and "Goodbye," before splitting in 2000.
The group had a reunion tour in 2019, but Victoria did not take part to focus on her family and fashion company.
MANILA, Philippines — Thirty areas in the Philippines are expected to experience scorching temperatures of up to 46 °Celsius (°C) on Wednesday, state weather bureau PAGASA reported.
According to the latest heat index bulletin of the weather agency, 30 areas are forecast to fall under the "danger" heat index classification due to temperatures ranging from 42°C to 46°C.
CBSUA-Pili in Camarines Sur may experience a heat index as high as 46°C.
The following areas are expected to experience a "dangerous" heat index classification on Wednesday:
NAIA, Pasay City, Metro Manila: 44°C
Science Garden, Quezon City: 43°C
Dagupan City, Pangasinan: 45°C
Aparri, Cagayan: 45°C
Tugegarao City, Cagayan: 44°C
ISU Echague, Isabela: 42°C
Iba, Zambales: 42°C
CLSU Munoz, Nueva Ecija: 43°C
Baler (Radar), Aurora: 42°C
Casiguran, Aurora: 42°C
Sangley Point, Cavite: 43°C
Ambulong, Tanauan, Batangas: 42°C
Alabat, Quezon: 42°C
Coron, Palawan: 43°C
San Jose, Occidental Mindoro: 45°C
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan: 45°C
Aborlan, Palawan: 45°C
Daet, Camarines Norte: 42°C
Legazpi City, Albay: 43°C
Virac (Synop), Catanduanes: 43°C
Masbate City, Masbate: 43°C
CBSUA-Pili, Camarines Sur: 46°C
Roxas City, Capiz: 43°C
Iloilo City, Iloilo: 43°C
Dumangas, Iloilo: 42°C
La Granja, La Carlota, Negros Occidental: 42°C
Catarman, Northern Samar: 42°C
Catbalogan, Samar: 42°C
Tacloban City, Leyte: 42°C
Guiuan, Eastern Samar: 44°C
Meanwhile, most parts of the country are under the “extreme caution” classification, with temperatures ranging from 33°C to 41°C.
On Tuesday, PAGASA recorded the highest heat index recorded at 48 °C in Aparri, Cagayan.
Earth Day happens every 22nd of April yearly and this year's theme "Planet vs Plastics" highlights a critical environmental issue. Google reveals that annually, a staggering 380 million tons of plastic are produced, with just nine percent being recycled.
Plastic has infiltrated nearly every aspect of our modern lives, from the gadgets we use, furniture, appliances, cosmetics, toys, and transportation, to the food we consume. Yet, its ubiquitous presence comes at a steep cost to our planet.
The biggest negative impact of plastic pollution? Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to terrestrial and marine ecosystems alike. And it does not end there.
1. Environmental degradation
Plastics take hundreds to thousands of years to break down, causing blockages in landfills and contaminating water bodies. Many of us have experienced floods during our lifetime, witnessing firsthand how trash ends up in our creeks. When heavy rain pours, our waterways rise due to the garbage overflow, persisting indefinitely since it doesn't dissolve when dumped in creeks and rivers. Yet, even now, some people thoughtlessly toss trash into these water sources. Is it truly "out of sight, out of mind"? Because when storms hit and rivers overflow, that trash comes right back to our doorsteps.
2. Wildlife endangerment
Marine animals frequently confuse plastic debris for food, resulting in ingestion and entanglement. This poses grave threats to various marine creatures, including seabirds, turtles, and fish. During our annual shore clean-ups, we're often astonished by the types of trash left behind by people. From sanitary napkins and condoms to clothing, blankets, slippers, cigarette butts, and an array of food packaging, the littering is extensive and diverse.
3. Microplastic contamination
Microplastic contamination occurs when larger plastic items degrade into tiny particles, known as microplastics. These minuscule particles infiltrate various ecosystems, including water bodies, soil, and even the air we breathe. As they disintegrate, microplastics become pervasive, spreading far and wide across the environment.
One of the most concerning consequences of microplastic contamination is its impact on the food chain. These tiny particles are ingested by marine organisms, such as fish and shellfish, which mistakenly perceive them as food. As a result, microplastics gradually accumulate within the tissues of these creatures.
When humans consume seafood contaminated with microplastics, they unwittingly introduce these particles into their own bodies. Microplastics have been detected in various other food sources, including salt, honey, and even beer. This raises serious concerns about the potential health risks associated with microplastic consumption.
Furthermore, microplastics can absorb and concentrate harmful pollutants present in the environment, such as heavy metals and chemical additives. As they make their way up the food chain, these contaminants become increasingly concentrated, posing significant health risks to both wildlife and humans.
4. Carbon footprint
Plastics play a significant role in our daily lives, but their production and disposal have far-reaching consequences. Not only do plastics contribute to pollution, but they also significantly increase greenhouse gas emissions. The process of manufacturing plastics releases large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Additionally, when plastics are disposed of improperly, such as through incineration, they release even more greenhouse gases, further exacerbating climate change.
Moreover, the lifecycle of plastics involves the extraction and processing of fossil fuels, which are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. From drilling for oil to refining it into the raw materials used in plastic production, each step in the process releases carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the air. This reliance on fossil fuels perpetuates our dependence on non-renewable resources and accelerates the pace of climate change.
Addressing the issue of plastics is not just about reducing waste; it's also about mitigating their impact on the environment and climate. By reducing our consumption of single-use plastics, promoting recycling and waste reduction initiatives, and investing in alternative materials and renewable energy sources, we can work towards a more sustainable future with a smaller carbon footprint.
While plastic's pervasiveness presents a formidable challenge, concerted efforts can help mitigate its impact:
1. Promote sustainable alternatives. Encourage the adoption of eco-friendly materials such as biodegradable plastics, paper, glass, bamboo, and metal.
2. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rethink.
Embrace the mantra of reduce, reuse, recycle to minimize plastic consumption and waste generation. Adding "Rethink" emphasizes the importance of critically evaluating our consumption habits and considering alternative, more sustainable options. It encourages individuals and communities to question the status quo and seek innovative solutions to reduce waste and minimize environmental impact.
3. Legislative measures
Enact policies to limit single-use plastics, promote recycling initiatives, and incentivize businesses to adopt eco-friendly practices. Check with LGUs to see if they have solid policies that address environmental concerns. In Santa Rosa, Laguna, even the biggest store franchises have not been using plastic bags since 2008.
4. Consumer education
Raise awareness about the environmental consequences of plastic pollution and empower individuals to make informed choices. Make environmental education part of the curriculum and raise a generation of kids who love to nurture the earth.
5. Feasibility of the 60 percent reduction goal
The pledge made at the Earth Summit to reduce plastic use to 60 percent by 2040 is ambitious but achievable with concerted global action. Success will hinge on the collaboration of governments, businesses, and individuals to implement effective strategies and technologies. While challenges lie ahead, the urgency of the plastic crisis demands bold and decisive action.
Tackling plastic pollution is imperative for safeguarding the health and integrity of our planet. By reducing our reliance on plastic and embracing sustainable alternatives, we can pave the way for a healthier, more resilient Earth for generations to come. As we commemorate Earth Day, let us recommit ourselves to the battle against plastic pollution and strive for a future where our planet thrives in harmony with nature.
This is an awesome idea! Or is it? How many times have you been there? You’ve got it down. You know exactly what you want to do. All the details are worked out and you’re ready to go.
And then, it hits!
You start to question yourself. How do you know it’s a great idea?
The first characteristic of a great idea is that it needs to be desirable, feasible, and viable. Ideas need to spark something in the person hearing about them, namely a sense of new possibilities. Is the proposed idea something that people would want?
Carlos Mendes, Co-Founder at InnovationCast - Innovation Management Software, explained it last September 2023:
"Ideas are a starting point in the innovation process. They are the place from which you begin an innovation journey that has the potential to create impactful opportunities that produce value. Given their role, the quality of an idea is crucial to determining whether you have a good or bad outcome in innovation. But idea development is iterative and incremental. Ideas are not born perfect, requiring sustained investment to get them in the best shape possible."
Sometimes we feel that our thoughts and ideas can't be fulfilled with life. Where the heart is willing, it will find a thousand ways; but where the heart is weak, it will find a thousand excuses. If doubts begin to take roots, we should rouse from pink-tinted idealism or wear down and annihilate nightmares and erase and wipe out such thoughts and ideas.
If our thoughts are good and have the chance to be fulfilled in action, especially if "the other side" is prepared and willing to step on to such a bridge of life, we might get support and words of encouragement.
And, if not? No action? Maybe it is God's will to keep and protect us from a careless, rash, disadvantageous and uneasy action. Every new day gives us new inexhaustible possibilities to survive, to bear trials and to start a new beginning. We overlook and fail to notice many chances to lie through our sluggishness and laziness while thinking and dreaming of unequaled and unfulfilled ideas.
Once you’ve identified areas where you don’t have a positive emotional attachment to a belief, give yourself permission to let it go. It clearly does not serve you and is not something you want to do. Learning to work with the guilt around being “selfish” is important to work on at the same time. It will feel uncomfortable at first but until you release the guilt, you’ll continue to “should”.
