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!
Several residents, including children, in parts of Matina and Bugac, Maa in Davao City, were kept awake as flooding hit the area due to heavy rainfall on Thursday, September 19, 2024.Contributed photos via Ry Llanes/Facebook
Rojean Grace G. Patumbon
Published on:
THE Office of Civil Defense-Davao Region (OCD-Davao) reported that some 100 families were affected by heavy rains caused by the Southwest Monsoon as of September 19, 2024.
According to OCD-Davao, approximately 139 families were impacted across the region, including 76 in Davao City, 56 in Davao Oriental, four in Davao Occidental, and three in Davao del Sur.
A total of 10 houses were damaged—six partially and four completely destroyed. These were located in Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental. OCD-Davao noted that Davao Oriental and Davao Occidental experienced tornadoes and destructive winds, while Davao City and Davao del Sur faced flooding.
The heavy downpour also damaged a flood control seawall in Lupon, Davao Oriental.
Though largely forgotten because of how ubiquitous GPS and navigation maps have now become, before these technologies, there was a much simpler way to know where you were: kilometer markers.
Kilometer markers are little obelisks placed on the sides of roads with letters and numbers written on them to help drivers navigate to their destination. In the Philippines, they are colored bright yellow and can still be seen on some national roads. They’re a critical part of the Pan-Philippine Highway system and if you enjoy posting your travels, they’re a great way to show just how far you are from civilization.
Kilometer markers trace their origin all the way back to the Roman Empire. Known for the maxim, “all roads lead to Rome,” the Romans put up markers along roads for travelers to know if they were on the right path and how far they were from Rome.
Reading the kilometer marker
Since then, many countries have adapted the kilometer marker to their own roads, recognizing its value as an early navigation tool.
These kilometer markers are used to measure the distance from one point to another, as well as indicate to the traveler how far they are from the next town: useful information particularly during horse and carriage times and for travelers looking for an inn.
Kilometer 0 at Luneta Park (Photo by Patrick Roque, Wikimedia Commons)
The modern kilometer marker will first indicate the units its numbers are in (in our case, KM, for kilometer). The number directly below the topmost letter is the distance from KM-0, usually located in the country’s capital city.
The next set of letters are the initials of the next town. SJ, for instance, could stand for San Juan. A number under it, say 45, means 45 kilometers until San Juan. Look at the kilometer marker from the other side and you’ll see a different set of lower letters and numbers, as it’s assumed you’re heading in the opposite direction. The top set of numbers will always reference KM-0 while the lower set of numbers will always reference the nearest town.
These markers were designed this way so that travelers could easily determine where they are when reading a map. Early guidebooks in the early days of the automobile were also set help one find certain locations by reading kilometer markers. In fact, even today, drivers can set their odometers to these numbers. While not as accurate as a GPS system, one will definitely arrive at the town within a one-kilometer margin of error as indicated by the sign.
The source
Go venture from the capital city of any country in the world and you’re likely to still see these little obelisks, though in varying shapes and colors, depending on the country. Yet where would they actually lead to if you were to follow them back to their source? Chances are, it’s the main administrative building of the country or a very significant landmark. In the US, KM-0 is the Captiol Building in Washington D.C. In France, it’s the city square of Parvis Notre-Dame – Place Jean-Paul II of Paris facing the main entrance of Notre-Dame. In the Philippines, it’s a small marker directly across the Rizal Monument in Luneta Park.
A kilometer marker along a National Road (Photo courtesy of Google)
Granted, this is quite some distance from our seat of power, Malacañang Palace. Nonetheless, it can be argued that it’s certainly more scenic, and more importantly, accessible to vehicles.
KM-0 wasn’t always at this location. In fact, for quite some time, KM-0 was actually right in front of the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros. After all, before the 20th century, when one said Manila, it was likely in reference to Intramuros. Not surprisingly, this site was chosen by our colonizers, the Spanish, who conquered the country under the banner of Catholicism.
It was relocated to its present site sometime in the 20th century. This change was conceived to reflect the new Philippine Republic’s efforts to distance itself from the influence of the church on governance.
Since the shift, KM-0 has been marked by a small concrete podium with a metal sphere atop. It has since been replaced by a small obelisk sometime in the 2010s, more closely resembling the typical kilometer markers.
On our license plates
One may ask, what’s its relationship to our license plates? Some may remember that back in 2003, a uniform license plate design was proposed. This was to make them more easily recognizable and readable as opposed to prior designs.
The license plates were completely redesigned, with the background being a blue/white/green gradient with a picture of the Rizal Monument in the center. At the bottom were the words, "Matatag na Republika” (Strong Republic). It became the default plate design for new vehicles up until 2014.
A Plate number with the Rizal Monument on it
The Rizal Monument, in particular, was chosen as the backdrop of the license plate because it sits parallel to the original KM-0 marker. At the time, the original KM-0 marker did not resemble a kilometer marker at all. The Rizal Monument, however, because of the obelisk integrated into the monument, does. It’s also a far more recognizable landmark — something practically every Filipino is familiar with and where to find it. Finally, what more appropriate figure to have on each and every vehicle plate number than the national hero himself?
It's a shame that the idea behind its selection was not as widely promoted as the plate itself. By putting the Rizal Monument on our license plates, every Filipino driver would instantly know where the figures on each kilometer marker are based on. Having this monument on our plates is a subtle way of saying we take Rizal’s teachings to heart, and bring his values, particularly his love of country, everywhere we go. And if we are ever lost, we have a constant reminder (right on our plate) of where to look to find our way again: the obelisks found on the side of every road.
StartingSept. 28, mamimili and sari-sari store owners nationwide can join the second season of Kapuso Bigtime Panalo.
This Yuletide season, GMA Network’s Kapuso Bigtime Panalo Season 2 is giving away over ten million pesos worth of cash prizes, including the chance to win as much as the bigtime cash prize of one million pesos!
Starting Sept. 28, mamimili and sari-sari store owners nationwide can join the second season of Kapuso Bigtime Panalo. With bigger prizes this time around, the promo will give participants a chance to win the Php 1 million grand prize (Php1 Million each for mamimili and store owner), along with other cash prizes. Christmas will definitely come early for 70 lucky winners of Php 70,000, 70 winners of Php 7,000, and 980 winners of Php 1,000!
To join Kapuso Bigtime Panalo Season 2, mamimili and store owners only need to follow these easy-to-join mechanics:
BUMILI (BUY)
Buy any of the seven (7) participating products: Colgate Maximum Cavity Protection, Bear Brand® Fortified Powdered Milk, Lady’s Choice, Surf, AJI-No-Moto® Umami Seasoning, Palmolive Naturals Shampoo, and Nescafé Mixes.
IPADALA (SUBMIT)
Participants must then submit their entries to “Kapuso Bigtime Panalo Season 2” through designated dropboxes in participating Mercury Drug Branches, select outlets of Puregold, and GMA TV and radio stations nationwide!
With more participating products and designated dropboxes, mamimili and sari-sari store owners can increase their chances of winning bigtime prizes every week!
MANALO (CHANCE TO WIN)
Winners of Kapuso Bigtime Panalo Season 2 will be announced weekly through Facebook Live on the official GMA Promos Facebook Page.
Besides bigger prizes and more chances of winning for loyal Kapuso viewers, Kapuso Bigtime Panalo Season 2 also features energetic NCAA athletes from different sports, plus the content jingle sung by Kapuso Soul Balladeer Garrett Bolden!
Kapuso Bigtime Panalo Season 2 runs from Sept. 28 to Dec. 6, 2024.
Kawayan de Guia and Nona Garcia with some of their fur babies --PHOTOS BY ANDREO BONGCO
First of a series
Look for Two Trees in Google Maps” was the instruction given to me on my second visit to the De Guia compound in Kitma Village, Baguio. Having no map and relying on the geographical knowledge of a cabbie, I took mostly wrong turns before deciding to alight from the taxi and ask for instructions from pedestrians.
As is the wont in Baguio, the streets are steep. It was downward all throughout until I happened on a kasambahay sweeping a front yard with a walis tingting. I had hit the jackpot—it was the De Guia compound indeed. She pointed sidewards to indicate that there was Kawayan de Guia’s house and garden.
A competent, capable and dedicated civil service corps is a vital element in effective governance, that is, in turn, the key driver in the growth and prosperity of a nation.
This September marks the observance of the 124th anniversary of the Philippine civil service with the theme, Transforming Public Service in the Next Decade: Honing Agile and Future Ready Servant-Heroes. Evidently, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) aspires to eventually join the elite ranks of countries that, by dint of exemplary governance, have attained preeminent prosperity. This year’s theme beams the spotlight on capacity building that starts with individual talent development.
For such individuals to thrive, an environment that fosters excellence is a vital prerequisite. Several national agencies and local government units levelled up their organizational capabilities by installing rigorous processes of quality management. This is pursuant to the Republic Act 9013, the Philippine Quality Award Act which is aligned with world-class programs such as the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award established by the US Congress in 1987.
Among those that have received recognition for Commitment to Quality Management are the National Statistics Office, presently known as the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Technical Education and Skills Development Administration (TESDA), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region XI and Region IV-A offices, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region XII, and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). Among local government units, the City Government of Marikina has been cited for Proficiency in Quality Management. Cited for Commitment to Quality Management were the City Government of Makati and the City Government of Tanauan.
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has institutionalized an annual Honor Awards Program comprising of the Presidential Lingkod ng Bayan (Servant of the Nation), the Outstanding Public Officials and Employees Award or Dangal ng Bayan, and the Pag-asa ng Bayan, or Hope of the Nation.
The Presidential Lingkod ng Bayan recognizes “exceptional contributions through innovative ideas or impactful actions of national significance, particularly in the areas of public interest, security and patrimony.” The Dangal ng Bayan Award is given to those who have exemplified adherence to the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. The Pag-asa ng Bayan Award is given to those who have contributed to beneficial programs in specific government agencies.
As it aspires toward attaining greater heights, the CSC may also wish to benchmark itself with global excellence standards such as the International Civil Service Effectiveness Index (InCISE) established by the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government in 2019. The InCISE rated 38 countries on “(c)ore executive functions including policy-making and fiscal and financial management services” and “mission support facilities including human resource management (HR) and information technology.”
The top 10 countries in its honor roll were: England, New Zealand, Canada, Finland, Australia, Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, South Korea and Sweden. Particularly instructive is the example set by South Korea which “takes the top spot in transparency of public spending and budget practices.” It also excelled in human resource management. Such excellence in governance manifests the existence of a vibrant meritocracy.
Truly, the CSC can achieve much by aligning itself with best practices in talent development and management that enables the country’s civil servants to attain world-class competencies.
The Philippines blanked Brazil, 4-0, and achieved so many breakthroughs in the women’s division of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad that just came to a close Sunday, Sept. 22, at the BOK Sports Hall here.
BUDAPEST—The Philippines blanked Brazil, 4-0, and achieved so many breakthroughs in the women’s division of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad that just came to a close Sunday, Sept. 22, at the BOK Sports Hall here.
GM Eugene Torre, far left, along with Filipina chessers who bag gold in Group B gold in Chess Olympiad
Shania Mae Mendoza, Janelle Mae Frayna, Jan Jodilyn Fronda and Ruelle Canino pulled off victories across all boards as the Filipinas finished tied for 22nd place with 14 match points with 14 others and 24th overall after tiebreaks were applied.
That sealed the country, which was bankrolled by the Philippine Sports Commission and backed by NCFP chief Butch Pichay, the gold medal in Group B, confined to the 35th to the 70th ranked countries in the 181-country field, ahead of Montenegro and Latvia.
It was the first mint for the country since the women’s squad of Sheerie Joey Lomibao, Catherine Pereña, Sherily Cua and Beverly Mendoza struck gold in Group C in the 2006 Turin edition.
It was also the Filipinas’ best finish since the squad of Girme Fontanilla, Mila Emperado and Cristina Santos-Fidaer’s 22nd-place effort in 1988 in Thessaloniki, Greece.
“This is a milestone in Philippine chess history, a legacy that will not be forgotten for the generations to come,” said national women’s coach Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales, who also thanked delegation head Atty. Ruel Canobas, women’s team manager Atty. Nikki de Vega and Far Eastern University chair Aurelio Montinolam III for their support. The Filipinas also surpassed their 36th-place performance two years ago in Chennai, India.
Apart from these feats, all five players earned plus rating points with Canino, the 16-year-old wonder girl from Cagayan de Oro and FEU, raking in 102 whopping rating points after scoring six points in eight games at board four.
Canino will rise to 2260, which will include rating points she accumulated in several tournaments in Europe months before.
She barely missed sealing her first Woman International Master norm by just one game.
Frayna was the best scorer with eight points out of 11 with plus 27 rating points, while Mendoza, from Sta. Rosa, Laguna, had 5.5 out of 10 with 36.2 rating points while manning the top board.
Fronda, who is from Muntinlupa, had 6.5 out of 10 and was a plus 0.60 while Bernadette Galas three of five with plus 8.8.
The Filipinas’ effort somehow soothed the pain of the 59th place finish by the men’s team of Julio Catalino Sadorra, Daniel Quizon, Paulo Bersamina, John Paul Gomez and Jan Emmanuel Garcia and mentored by Eugene Torre with 12 points.
The country was actually tied for 15th spot with Sadorra running third and in medal contention in the individual board one race after the ninth round of this 11-round tilt but dropped their last two outings to Georgia, 2.5-1.5, and Hungary B, 3-1.
Sadorra eventually ended up 13th at board one but still had a strong performance rating of 2715 after scoring 6.5 points out of nine.
India topped both open and women’s events as well as the Gaprindashvili Cup, a plum for a country with the highest combined score of both its men’s and women’s teams.
Aside from the main title, the country's representative to the Universal Woman 2025 pageant will also be chosen on Sept. 29.
Miss Grand Philippines 2024 candidates are presented to the media in Makati City a week before the coronation night (Ezel John/Pageantry Fanatics)
Nineteen lovely women from all over the country were presented to the media yesterday as the official candidates for Miss Grand Philippines 2024, which will have its coronation night on Sunday, Sept. 29, at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City.
The winner, who will be proclaimed that night, will then fly to Bangkok, Thailand, on Oct. 3 for the start of the competition for Miss Grand International 2024, with the finals set for Oct. 25. The MGI crown has so far eluded the Philippines since its participation, with Filipina queens Nicole Cordoves (2016) and Samantha Bernardo (2020) getting as far as placing first runner-up.
Aside from the main title, the country's representative to the Universal Woman 2025 pageant will also be chosen on Sept. 29. The reigning queen is the Philippines' Maria Gigante who bested 47 other contestants from all over the world in the Universal Woman 2024 pageant held in Cambodia last March.
Present during the presentation of candidates were (from left): Miss Eco Teen Philippines 2023 Francine Reyes, Miss Grand Philippines National Director Arnold Vegafria, Miss Grand Philippines 2023 Nikki De Moura and Universal Woman 2024 Maria Gigante (Annalyn Jusay)
The complete list of Miss Grand Philippines 2024 contestants are as follows:
7. Geralyn Basto de Klerke (Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental)
8. Carrhyll Manicad (Malabon)
9. Jubilee Therese Acosta (Manila)
10. Mikaela Jane Fajardo (Marilao, Bulacan)
11. Alyssa Marie Geronimo (Nueva Ecija)
12 . Sophia Bianca Santos (Pampanga)
13. Jenesse Viktoria Mejia (Pangasinan)
14. Selena Antonio-Reyes (Pasig City)
15. Angel Bianca Agustin (Quezon City)
16. Anna Margaret Mercado (Quirino)
17. Samantha Margaret Babila (Rizal)
18. Diana Mariel Valendia (Sta. Mesa, Manila)
19. Patricia Mcgee (Zambales)
Of the 19 in the list, most are joining a national beauty contest for the first time while four have either placed or won in other prominent competitions. These include Candidate No. 5, CJ Opiaza, Miss Universe Philippines 2023 first runner-up; Candidate No. 9, Jubilee Therese Acosta, Miss Manila 2024 first runner-up; Candidate No. 12, Sophia Bianca Santos, Miss World Philippines 2024 2nd Princess; and Candidate No. 14, Selena Antonio-Reyes, Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Top 20.
Opiaza believed that winning the elusive MGI crown was just a matter of timing. "I want to credit all the past queens who tried their best to get the crown. However, it's just like the perfect timing for all of us. It would not hinder us, even if it's just a week of preparation or just a few days before the international (pageant), because Filipinas are always ready. And we are always ready to brave whatever challenge will come our way."
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