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!
The former volleyball setter of Iriga City in the Palarong Pambansa must come up with something special in the repechage for a better position in the next phase on the way to the quarterfinals.
PARIS – Up against rivals noticeably taller by several inches, Filipina rower Joanie Delgaco struggled and finished fourth in the second heat of the women’s single sculls at the National Olympic Nautical Stadium of Île-de-France in Vaires-sur-Marne on Saturday, July 27, here.
Joanie Delgaco finishes fourth in the second heat
The 5-foot-5 Degaco mustered only a time of 7 minutes and 56.26 seconds in completing the 2,000-meter voyage in the six-player 2nd heat of the competition and was relegated to repechage on Sunday, July 28.
Expectedly, 2022 World Cup winner Karolien Florijn of the Netherlands topped the heat in 7:36.90 followed by Swiss Aurelia-Maxima Janzen (7:41.15) and Nina Konstanjsek of Slovenia (7;46.30)
The former volleyball setter of Iriga City in the Palarong Pambansa must come up with something special in the repechage for a better position in the next phase on the way to the quarterfinals.
Only the top three finishers in each heat will advance to the quarterfinals.
In the Tokyo Games, Cris Nievarez managed to reach the quarters but subsequently finished 23rdoverall in the 31-man field.
Kean will join singer-composer and pop-rock artist par excellence, Yeng Constantino, exceptional music producer and songwriter Paulo Zarate, and singer-songwriter, actor, and director Ice Seguerra.
It's been three slam-bang seasons already for the musical competition “Your Song of Excellence.” Still, this year’s edition, co-presented by premier partner Derma Angel Philippines, will be “twice” in size and grandeur and aptly called “Your Song of Excellence: Duo Legacy!”
This year’s version is perfectly titled since “Your Song of Excellence: Duo Legacy” will present twice the power of vocal quality and innovative musicality of Filipino musicians, from singer-songwriter partners, instrumentalists, and singer-couples to passionate pairs of singers and songwriters who aspire to leave their legacy and raise the bar of excellence in the local music scene.
Just like before, “Your Song of Excellence: Duo Legacy” will be brimming with an array of exceptional musical talent. Once again, the Filipino brand of music that’s renowned globally will take center stage, coupled with exciting prizes and extraordinary products from the show’s sponsors that await the winners.
Tasked to do hosting chores for this year’s “Your Song of Excellence” will again be Nicole Laurel Asensio. She is also an accomplished singer-songwriter with an established musical foundation honed to perfection. She is part of a family that has made a name in the world of music and theater in the Philippines.
For this year, a new face will grace the roster of familiar names in the local music world who will act as judges and mentors for this year’s competition. Singer-songwriter Kean Cipriano, the former premier vocalist of pop-rock band Callalily and now a solo artist with his own music label, will also have the unenviable task of choosing the next big singing-songwriting duo in the local music scene.
Kean will join singer-composer and pop-rock artist par excellence, Yeng Constantino, exceptional music producer and songwriter Paulo Zarate, and singer-songwriter, actor, and director Ice Seguerra. Their task of choosing from the roster of singing-songwriting aspirants will be twice as difficult, but winning this year’s competition will
“We have been holding ‘Your Song of Excellence’ for the past three seasons already, twice of it held online, but the response in terms of musicians auditioning and the level of competition has remained overwhelming. This year will not be different and will be twice as exciting in the display of Filipino ingenuity, musical creativity, and world-class talent, which are values that we share in terms of espousing a world filled with innovation through Taiwan Excellence. This season will be breathtaking to watch,” explains Alex Lai, Director of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA).
Other major brand partners for “Your Song of Excellence: Duo Legacy” include D-Link, MSI, Gigabyte, Acer, Aorus, Zyxel, ROG, Tatung, Asus, and AOPEN.
Twice the fun. Twice the excitement. Twice the grand display of musical talent. All these happen in this year’s “Your Song of Excellence: Duo Legacy.”
Der Flughafen von Frankfurt ist aktuell lahmgelegt: Zwei Klima-Kriminelle sitzen auf dem Flugfeld
Foto: Jürgen Mahnke
Frankfurt/Main – Schon wieder! Kriminelle Klima-Kleber haben am Donnerstagmorgen den Frankfurter Flughafen (Hessen) lahmgelegt. Alle Starts und Landungen waren bis 7 Uhr gecancelt. Jetzt wurde der Flugverkehr an Deutschlands größtem Airport wieder aufgenommen!
Nach der Blockade sind acht Klima-Kriminelle festgenommen worden. Sieben hatten es nach Angaben der Bundespolizei auf eine Rollbahn geschafft und sich dort festgeklebt. Ein weiterer Chaot sei am Zaun des Flughafengeländes hängen geblieben.
200 Flüge annulliert, mehr als 70 umgeleitet
Von 1340 geplanten Flügen mussten allein bis Mittag über 200 annulliert werden. Mehr als 70 weitere Maschinen wurden wegen der Blockade umgeleitet. Fraport-Sprecher Christian Engel zu BILD: „Der Flugverkehr wird langsam wieder hochgefahren. Wir behalten uns rechtliche Schritte vor. Den Tätern drohen empfindliche Strafen. Durch solche Aktionen gefährden sie nicht nur den Flugverkehr, sondern auch Menschenleben.“
Mehr als 10 000 Passagiere sind laut Fraport-Sprecher Christian Engel betroffen.
Wie es jetzt weitergeht, erfahren Reisende auf der Internet-Seite des Flughafens. Dort müssen sie die Airline/Flugnummer in ein Suchfeld eingeben und bekomme alle aktuellen Entwicklungen angezeigt.
Die „Letzte Generation“ schreibt bei X (früher Twitter), dass sich sechs Aktivisten auf die Rollbahnen geklebt haben. Die Polizei geht nach BILD-Informationen von einer zweistelligen Zahl von Chaoten auf dem Gelände aus. Mehrere Klima-Kriminelle blockierten das Vorfeld.
Polizeieinsatz am Donnerstagmorgen: Zwei Klima-Kriminelle haben sich auf dem Rollfeld festgeklebt, die Polizei geht insgesamt von einer zweistelligen Zahl aus
Foto: Jürgen Mahnke
So gingen die Klima-Kriminellen vor
Nach BILD-Informationen drangen die Chaoten um 5 Uhr am Airport-Ring ein, indem sie mit Bolzenschneidern Löcher in einen Maschendrahtzaun schnitten. „Es ist ein Unding, was hier passiert! Gestern in Köln/Bonn, heute in Frankfurt am Main. Die Zäune an den Flughäfen sind kilometerlang. Daher ist es natürlich nicht einfach, hier lückenlos und konsequent zu überwachen“, so Andreas Roßkopf von der Gewerkschaft der Polizei (GdP) zu BILD. „Die Flughafenbetreiber müssen per Gesetz dazu verpflichtet werden, ihre Sicherheitsstandards auf den heutigen Stand zu bringen.“
Alle Flughäfen müssten einen einheitlichen und an die Zeit angepassten Sicherheitsstandard haben: „Kameratechnik, Bewegungsmelder, Zäune, welche nur schwer zu überwinden oder zu durchdringen sind. Wir appellieren hier an die verantwortlichen Politiker, unmittelbar eine Verschärfung des Luftsicherheitsgesetzes vorzunehmen. Wir reden hier von kritischer Infrastruktur.“
Hier drangen die Klima-Kriminellen ein: Mit Bolzenschneidern haben die Blockierer Löcher in den Maschendrahtzaun geschnitten. Das Werkzeug und eine Warnweste ließen sie zurück
Foto: Jürgen Mahnke
Die Werkzeuge ließen die Chaoten am Airport-Ring zurück
Foto: Jürgen Mahnke
Die Chaoten hatten sich an zwei Stellen auf den Rollbahnen des Flughafens festgeklebt. „Wir haben um 5.20 Uhr die erste Meldung erhalten“, so Jörg Martienßen, Sprecher der zuständigen Bundespolizei am Frankfurter Flughafen auf Anfrage.
Seit dem frühen Morgen ging bis 7 Uhr am Flughafen nichts mehr – und das in den Sommerferien: „Viele Passagiere werden heute bestimmt hocherfreut sein.“
Ein Klima-Krimineller posiert auf dem Rollfeld. Das Foto hat die „Letzte Generation“ bei X veröffentlicht
Foto: xpb.cc limited
Die Chaotin sitzt mit einer Warnweste auf dem Rollfeld. Auf ihrer Weste steht: „Unterzeichne den Vertrag“
Foto: xpb.cc limited
„Offenbar geht es den Klimaaktivisten darum, maximalen Schaden anzurichten“, so Bundesverkehrsminister Volker Wissing (54, FDP) zu BILD. „Darauf muss der Gesetzgeber mit maximaler Härte reagieren. Wir haben die Verschärfung der Strafen für solche kriminellen Machenschaften bereits auf den Weg gebracht.“
MANILA, Philippines — State weather bureau PAGASA has spotted a new low pressure area east of Mindanao, a day after Typhoon Carina (international name: Gaemi) left the Philippine area of responsibility.
According to PAGASA's 24-hour public weather forecast issued at 4 a.m. Friday, the LPA was last seen 1,035 kilometers east of southeastern Mindanao at 3 a.m.
While it's unlikely, PAGASA has not ruled out the possibility that the LPA will develop into a tropical cyclone by Sunday, Obet Badrina, PAGASA weather specialist, told Super Radyo DZBB on Friday.
The LPA is expected to bring cloudy skies to the eastern portion of Visayas and Mindanao over the weekend, according to PAGASA.
Rainfall outlook
Meanwhile, the western portion of Luzon that was pummeled with heavy rains in the past few days may see improved weather conditions, though PAGASA said heavy rains can be expected in some areas due to the continued effects of the southwest monsoon.
PAGASA said Ilocos Region, Batanes and Babuyan Islands are expected to continue experiencing monsoon rains caused by the southwest monsoon, with possible flooding or landslides due to heavy or intense rains with at times torrential rains.
Meanwhile, Zambales, Pampanga and Benguet will experience occasional rains caused by the southwest monsoon, with possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to heavy rains with at times intense rains.
Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon can expect cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms. Rain caused by the southwest monsoon could still lead to flash floods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains.
Social media has enabled people to connect across different worlds, communicate globally, share information and ideas, express opinions, and engage in diverse discussions. Additionally, it has made news, entertainment, and other resources more accessible.
One of today's most popular social apps is TikTok. Although it might seem like a platform solely for entertainment, it has significantly transformed the social media landscape. “TikTok is really about being authentic. And that's the first and foremost thing that makes us different from other social media platform. It is a window that allows users to see what’s happening around the world,” said a representive from the TikTok Singapore transparency and accountability team.
Members of Philippine media visiting TikTok Singapore’s office
A media tour on July 5 at the TikTok office in One Raffles Quay, Singapore, provided an in-depth look at its various functions, how it differs from other social media apps, the behind-the-scenes processes to keep users safe, and how TikTok addresses concerns about inappropriate content, misinformation, privacy, and security.
Showcasing Filipino creators
The tour began by highlighting Filipino TikTok content creators who have had a significant impact on many lives through a gallery-style exhibit. From arts to sports, current events, and culture, TikTok has paved the way for the rise of influencers. People who once had no platform can now share their stories and provide content for various purposes.
It's no surprise that the Philippines is among the nations with the highest TikTok audience. According to datareportal.com, the Philippines had an estimated 49.09 million TikTok users aged 18 and above in early 2024.
Many Filipino content creators have found great success with their impressive creative content. Inka Magnaye, for example, discusses body positivity, mental health awareness, and other topics that are difficult to address, especially in the Philippine setting.
Other notable creators include food content creator “Lumpia Queen” Abi Marquez, best known for her lumpia-wrapped dishes, and Arshie Larga, the “friendly neighborhood pharmacist.” These accomplished creators are familiar names to most Filipinos.
Beyond providing entertainment and information, TikTok is also an excellent platform for creators to earn money, expand their portfolios, connect with stakeholders, and support their businesses. It serves as a valuable platform for informing and educating people.
Protecting the community
With its mission to inspire creativity and bring joy, TikTok demonstrated how they ensure users’ safety and protection. “We use technology and human interface to moderate content and promote a positive environment,” said TikTok Outreach and Partnerships Manager KahnJi Weerachaising.
The team walked us through TikTok’s community guidelines, policies, and content moderation process. We participated in interactive demonstrations at their moderation workstation, gaining a deeper understanding of TikTok’s safety systems.
Using AI, TikTok detects harmful objects, dangerous acts, and unsafe videos that could be restricted under their policies and guidelines. The machines used for moderation are trained to recognize harmful objects and dangerous postures.
Content moderation involves a two-part process. The first part is auto-moderation by a machine, and the second part involves staff members reviewing videos to filter out dangerous content. Actual people ensure that every piece of content meets community guidelines. This secondary process examines the context of videos to determine if they contain harmful content.
Safety control features
The third part of the tour focused on safety controls, particularly for teens and families. To further protect its users, especially younger ones, TikTok has set a 12+ rating in app stores, allowing parents to block or limit specific apps on their child's phone using device-based controls. Only users aged 16 and above can send or receive direct messages.
Another feature is “Family Pairing,” which lets a parent or guardian link their TikTok account to their child’s, enabling them to manage various content and privacy settings. Accounts for users under 18 are automatically set to a 60-minute daily screen time limit.
“By protecting the safety of our users, we create a positive environment for our communities, and we remain committed to protecting users on TikTok,” said Weerachaising.
Cayetano: Emergency Response Department needed amid growing extreme weather events
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano is urging the government to establish an Emergency Response Department (ERD) as a decisive action to bolster the nation’s resilience against the growing threat of extreme weather events due to climate change.
The senator’s call comes after typhoon Carina brought incessant rains on July 24 that wreaked havoc across Luzon, causing widespread flooding in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
“We have to seriously address this ‘new normal’ of extreme weather in the country. Consider ‘Carina’ which is like a repeat of ‘Ondoy’ from 15 years ago -– the damage wrought has been so severe that the National Capital Region and neighboring provinces have had to declare a state of calamity,” Cayetano said on July 25, 2024.
"We have to seriously consider establishing an Emergency Response Department or we'll leave our kababayan defenseless in the face of climate change," he added.
Cayetano also cited other calamities such as the sudden phreatic eruptions occurring from Mayon Volcano since July 18. The volcano remains at Alert level 1.
He has previously underscored the need for government action to enhance disaster resilience, citing the Philippines’ high vulnerability to natural calamities and climate change impacts.
In filing Senate Bill No. 66 or the ERD Act, Cayetano cited the 2021 World Risk Report which showed the Philippines ranking eighth out of 181 countries in terms of disaster risk.
“Manila has also been ranked by the Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI) as the most vulnerable of the world's 20 'high growth cities' to the effects of climate change,” he wrote in the bill’s explanatory note.
He noted that while there are many good people working at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), “it is high time that the government provides for a focused, single-minded, specialized department to upgrade the government’s capacity to respond to disasters in an effective and speedy manner.”
Once enacted, the ERD Act proposes the creation of a Humanitarian Emergency Assistance and Disaster Funding amounting to P25 billion annually, aimed at swiftly addressing unforeseen expenditures arising from natural calamities.
The ERD is also envisioned to encompass specialized bureaus such as Hazard Education and Risk Mitigation, Disaster Preparedness, Humanitarian Emergency Relief Operations, and Administration and Finance.
“We may not be able to stop disasters but we can empower ourselves with knowledge, training, education, equipment, tools, and the right infrastructure to cope with disasters so many lives would not be lost and there would be less devastation,” Cayetano said.
“A window of opportunity exists to sow seeds of preparedness in order to reap resilience to disasters,” he added. ###
35 years old and use quora as a procrastination tool
908 followers
703 following
Enjoy Quora as a general distraction to real life, and follow a wide range of topics, particularly about languages and language learning, the culture of European Countries, Politics, Economics, Social Studies, Science & Technology and Sport - and then whatever takes my fancy.
35 year old dude with dual Irish / British nationality, based in the North East of England these days; lived in North Wales, Ireland, London, Galicia (Spain), and Thüringen (Germany) in the past.
What is the closest language to German, which is not English or Dutch, and is a bit mutually intelligible with German?
The five other extant and officially accepted West Germanic languages[nb1] would be a good start.
Yiddish - I can understand mostly a conversation in Yiddish, especially if they speak with me slowly or give an explanation on any particular words that are cultural. The few grammatical differences like the double negatives also easy to grasp. A German who has never learned any other language would understand Yiddish more than anything else, including Dutch or English.
Of course that's not including written intelligibility, it being the only Germanic language not to use Latin Script.
LowGerman - the traditional language of what is nowadays Northern Germany, still spoken in rural pockets to certain degrees. Admittedly never something I've studied, but to most Germans wherever they're from, I'd imagine it still to be more intelligible than Dutch is, though for most probably slightly less than Yiddish is.
Frisian - both West Frisian and North Frisian dialects. At least as intelligible as Dutch is for German speakers.
Lëtzebuergisch / Luxembourgish - Effectively is the same dialect as that spoken over the border in the Trier area, only more formalised due to it having become an official language of a country (Luxembourg is sort considered a special case as to whether it's a German-speaking country or not. It is in practice, but the dialect takes precedence over standard German, though standard German is still strong in education and print media, plus television).
Afrikaans - I'd guess intelligibility to be only slightly less than Dutch, and still a bit more than English.
Others - To my own perception as well, although not coming from the pov of an L1 German speaker, and maybe they'd disagree, some of the North Germanic languages even though they are in a separate branch, seem to whilst having less intelligibility to German than Dutch has, have at least as much intelligibility to German than English does, especially Danish and Swedish, and perhaps Norwegian only very marginally less compared to English.
[1] Dialects which are considered ‘German’ but their intelligibility isn't always fully mutual with Hochdeutsch I'm not including, but if someone else said that a strong enough dialect within the DACH countries also counts here, I wouldn't disagree with them. Indeed Lëtzebuergisch especially and Low German is very close to being just that anyhow, only more official than say how Sächsisch, Schwäbisch, Bairisch or many of the Schweizerdeutsch dialects are categorised.
.jpg)
