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!
P-pop girl group BINI donning Noche Buena treats at the Star Magical Christmas Ball held in Solaire North in Quezon City on November 24, 2024. Philstar.com / Marco Beech
Kathleen A. Llemit - Philstar.com
November 25, 2024 | 8:41am
MANILA, Philippines — BINI knows how to have fun with the eight-member P-pop group donning favorite Noche Buena treats, such as Lechon, Lumpia, and Fruit Salad, as they strutted the white carpet at Sunday night’s Star Magical Christmas Ball in Solaire North, Quezon City.
BINI was among the Star Magic artists who came with quirky outfits as opposed to the usual Western-inspired Christmas outfits of elves, reindeer and Santa Clauses.
Leader Jhoanna came as the Palihi 12 fruits for Noche Buena. Similarly, Stacey’s outfit has any of the 12 fruits as inspiration for her Fruit Salad ensemble.
Maloi came as the favorite pika-pika or appetizer Lumpia, while Mika is another pika-pika food that can perfectly pair with cured meats, crackers, or as part of the salad as Queso de Bola.
Colet and Aiah came as the meats, with former looking like a Christmas ham, while the latter is aptly donned in a Lechon, an obvious homage to her native Cebu, which is famous for its Cebu Lechon.
Sheena is the refreshment soda that Filipinos opt to wash down their greasy meats and stews, while Gwen is the candelabra that gives light to the Christmas spread.
Blooms, who are BINI’s fans, immediately made memes out of their favorite P-pop group.
The Kanlaon Volcano released a total of 7,594 tonnes of sulfur dioxide flux on Saturday, November 23, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said on Sunday.
Kanlaon Volcano also emitted a “moderate” 50-meter tall plume, which drifted southwest.
PHIVOLCS earlier warned people against prolonged exposure to sulfur dioxide as the fumes can cause irritation of the eyes, throat, and respiratory tract.
Offerings at Mass are opportunities to share in the realization of programs and projects of the parish/diocese. There is no pressure or obligation to do it, but certainly they are necessary for the growth of our Christian communities.
God continually endows us with his blessings, and so sharing these is an expression of our gratitude for his constant generosity. But God does not evaluate our offering by the amount we give.
As is often said that in giving, it is the heart or the degree of loving that counts. This is evidenced by the Lord’s approval of the poor widow’s mite which may be small in the eyes of human beings but, in the eyes of God, is extraordinary, as it represents, according to the evangelist, all that she has to live on. Yet, she does not worry what would happen next. She simply follows her inner desire to give all that she has to the temple.
Many of us do realize that the more we have, the more difficult it is to give or give generously. In contrast, those who have little have no second thoughts about how much to give, as they are convinced that God will look after their needs as he is the Creator and owner of everything. May we be convinced that if we are generous with God, he will never leave us without.
First Reading • Rv 14:1-3, 4b-5 I, John, looked and there was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. I heard a sound from heaven like the sound of rushing water or a loud peal of thunder.
The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. They were singing what seemed to be a new hymn before the throne, before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn this hymn except the 144,000 who had been ransomed from the earth.
These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been ransomed as the first fruits of the human race for God and the Lamb. On their lips no deceit has been found; they are unblemished.
Gospel • Luke 21:1-4 When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.
Farwiza Farhan (Photo courtesy: Earth Island Institute)
Standing up for the environment can often feel like a lonely battle. Yet, moments of connection with fellow conservationists remind us that we are not alone.
When Farwiza Farhan’s team reached out, excited to visit the Masungi Georeserve during her trip to the Philippines for a lecture organized by the Ramon Magsaysay Awards Foundation, we seized the chance to exchange ideas and experiences.
Farwiza Farhan is one of the five recipients of the 2024 Ramon Magsaysay Award. Often referred to as the “Nobel Peace Prize of Asia,” the award honors individuals and organizations exemplifying great spirit and service in the continent.
This year’s honorees include Japanese animation legend Miyazaki Hayao, Bhutanese scholar and social entrepreneur Karma Phuntsho, Vietnamese advocate Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong, and Thailand’s Rural Doctor’s Movement.
Farwiza Farhan enjoys swings at the Masungi Georeserve.
Born in Aceh, Indonesia in 1986, Farwiza’s love for her homeland’s natural beauty shaped her dreams of becoming a marine biologist. After pursuing her education abroad, she returned with a master’s degree in environmental management, only to find her beloved forests devastated by deforestation and commercial exploitation.
This heartbreak became her call to action.
Farwiza now focuses on protecting the Leuser Ecosystem in Sumatra, a critical habitat for endangered species. Despite its UNESCO World Heritage status, the ecosystem faces severe threats from deforestation, weak law enforcement, and harmful infrastructure projects.
These challenges intensified in 2013 when the Aceh government dissolved the Leuser Ecosystem Management Authority.
To counter these threats, Farwiza founded HAkA (Forest, Nature, and Environment of Aceh Foundation), which empowers local communities, especially women, to protect the ecosystem through advocacy, monitoring, and grassroots engagement.
Among HAkA’s successes are a court victory imposing $26 million in fines on a palm oil company for forest fires and stopping a dam project that endangered elephant habitats.
Her advocacy resonates deeply with our own struggles at Masungi. One particularly urgent challenge we face is the threat of a multi-billion-peso wind farm being planned within our sensitive karst and limestone ecosystem in Rizal.
While renewable energy is critical in addressing the climate crisis, its development must not come at the expense of highly fragile environments. Limestone ecosystems, like those at Masungi, are biodiversity hotspots that play a crucial role in carbon sequestration and water regulation.
The proposed project disregards these ecological realities, posing significant risks to the forest and surrounding communities.
One of our trustees at the Masungi Georeserve Foundation, Ann Dumaliang, was fortunate to be invited as a panelist to Farwiza’s lecture, “From passion to action: Leading conservation efforts by empowering women, youth, and communities."
The lecture highlighted all conservationists' dream: For our leaders to choose conservation as an integral part of economic development because "it makes sense to protect wildlife and biodiversity, life and livelihood, and to lift communities by reclaiming their seat at the table."
Farwiza recounted a formative early experience when, less than a month into her job, she was sent to a government meeting to argue against a pulp and paper company’s proposal to destroy vast tracts of forest.
Armed with maps and legal arguments, she was instead met with dismissive comments about her appearance. A company director remarked, "I worry about your hair, why aren’t you wearing a proper headscarf?"
Environmental leaders from Southeast Asia attend Farwiza's Philippine lecture.
This gender-based dismissal reflects broader challenges faced by women in conservation, where serious concerns are often trivialized or ignored. It struck a chord with me, as women in conservation in the Philippines often face similar dismissals, such as being asked personal questions like, “May boyfriend ka na ba? (Do you already have a boyfriend?)” when raising critical issues such as illegal watershed activities.
Farwiza also addressed the misconception that local communities are the primary drivers of environmental destruction. She emphasized that large corporations, often backed by political power, are the true culprits.
This resonates with our experience at Masungi, where indigenous communities and farmers are wrongfully blamed for forest degradation while quarrying companies and land grabbers wreak havoc with impunity.
Another key insight from Farwiza’s talk was the systemic barriers that prevent communities from participating in environmental decision-making. She described how environmental impact assessments—essential for large-scale projects—are often inaccessible to local stakeholders.
The documents are dense with jargon, given to communities at the last minute, and presented in ways that prevent meaningful participation. This mirrors the situation in the Philippines, where projects are often railroaded, and communities find themselves blindsided and powerless to act once construction begins.
Farwiza’s visit to Masungi Georeserve in Rizal, threatened by quarrying interests, political intimidation, and destructive wind energy projects, was a poignant reminder of the shared challenges conservationists face across Asia.
Her fight for the Leuser Ecosystem inspires us to continue defending our forests, limestone karsts, and watersheds. Together, we can ensure that conservation makes sense—not just for nature, but for our collective future.
Now on its second week in cinemas worldwide, “Hello, Love, Again” has also started screening in Hong Kong and Macau.
The record-breaking “Hello, Love, Again” movie led by Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards has earned P1.06 billion as of Nov. 23, becoming the first Filipino film to surpass the P1 billion mark at worldwide box office.
This latest milestone follows the film’s series of box office achievements, earning the biggest first-day ticket sales of P85 million last Nov. 13, achieving the highest single-day gross of P131 million last Nov. 16, breaking into the US Top 10 box office at no. 8, and becoming the highest-grossing Filipino movie of all time as of Nov. 22.
Apart from its box office feats, the movie directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana and produced by ABS-CBN’s Star Cinema and GMA Pictures also served as the closing film at the recently concluded Asian World Film Festival held in Los Angeles, California.
Now on its second week in cinemas worldwide, “Hello, Love, Again” has also started screening in Hong Kong and Macau.
It also has ongoing screenings in more European territories, including Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Spain, The Netherlands, and the UK.
Ate Vi, as she is fondly called, did not intend to finish another entry for the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). She had different thoughts when she accepted the movie "Uninvited."
Star For All Seasons Vilma Santos-Recto couldn't contain her excitement as she embarked on a long-awaited dream project.
After years of hard work and dedication in the entertainment industry, she is finally able to bring her creative vision to life.
This project holds a special place in her heart, and she can't wait to share it with her fans and the world.
At the recent grand launch of the upcoming movie "Uninvited" at Solaire North, Vilma stated that director Dan Villegas and Mentorque Productions helped her fulfill her dream project.
"Dream project ko ang 'Uninvited.' Matagal ko ng gustong gumawa ng pelikula na nangyari lang in 24 hours. Mag-uumpisa siyang maganda at matatapos siyang dilapidated na s'ya. Yun ang gusto ko.
"Hindi ko alam yung gitna. Paano mangyayari yun? Sila direk ang naglagay ng storya sa gitna hanggang sa nabuo yung Uninvited," she said.
Ate Vi, as she is fondly called, did not intend to finish another entry for the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). She had different thoughts when she accepted the movie "Uninvited."
"At this point of my career, mahirap na akong makahanap ng role na babagay sa edad ko at yung role that will challenge me.
"In more than 62 years in the industry, ang pakiramdam ko ay ang dami ko ng nagawang iba't ibang klaseng character. Yung iba paulit ulit na.
"Kung may gagawin man akong pelikula, I will make sure I will do a movie that will challenge me. Sa Uninvited, na-challenge ang role ko.
"I'm not thinking about winning another best actress. Ang gusto ko lang ay makagawa kami ng isang magandang pelikula na pwede naming ipagmalaki. Yun ang nasa isip namin," Vilma said.
The cast of 'Uninvited'
Last year, Vilma won Best Actress for the MMFF entry "When I Met You In Tokyo." Then, she won again at the Manila International Film Festival Awards Night in the US.
"When we conceptualized the movie, wala itong plano na isali sa MMFF. Ang usapan lang talaga is to make a good film that we can be proud of.
"Pero sinuwerte naman at nakapasok sa MMFF. Nagkataon lang na magkasunod sa MMFF," Vilma said.
Aga Muhlach admitted he enjoyed working on the set of the movie.
"Hindi siya mahirap gawin kung ang mga kasama mo ay magagaling. It was an experience because I was having fun on the set.
"It was the first time I worked with Director Dan Villegas. Very open siya kung ano ang gusto naming gawin.
"I've worked with Vilma (Santos) twice. Mabibigat yung ginawa naming pelikula. First time ko naman nakasama si Nadine (Lustre) rito.
"Wala kaming mga warm-up. Basta nagkita kami sa set then nagshoot kami at mabigat kaagad yung eksena namin. Pero nag-enjoy kami. Masaya," said Aga.
Award-winning actress Nadine Lustre expressed her excitement about the incredible opportunity to work alongside acclaimed actors Vilma and Aga.
She highlighted how collaborating with such esteemed figures in the industry was a dream come true, which ultimately influenced her decision to accept the project.
Bryan Dy of Mentorque Productions
Nadine emphasized the value of learning from their experiences and contributions to the film industry, making this project particularly special for her.
She confessed that she felt nervous on the first day of shooting for "Uninvited."
"This is an opportunity of a lifetime. Kelan ko ba uli makakatrabaho sila? Agad-agad tinanggap ko siya. On the first day, dumating ako sa set na kabado kasi nga bigatin ang mga kasamo ko but then everyone was welcoming, everyone was nice so mawawala na rin yung kaba mo," Nadine also said.
Nadine also highlighted the thoughtful steps she took to prepare for the role, showcasing her dedication and talent.
"Ever since, inaaral ko talaga yung script. I try put myself in the shoes of my character pero yung mga intense scenes naman namin, mahaba-habang rehearsals din especially yung mga shots na hindi puwedeng paulit ulit.
"Inaaral ko talaga ang role ko. Mahilig kasi talaga akong mag-imagine. So kahit hindi ko napag-daanan or na-experience ang isang bagay, parang nararamdaman ko rin siya," Nadine said.
Director Dan shared that the project went really well, and he couldn’t have done it without the actor’s awesome cooperation. "What's important is that you work closely with your actors para nagkakaintindihan kayo."
In celebration of MMFF’s 50th anniversary, Uninvited stands as a testament to the unparalleled excellence of Filipino filmmaking.
Mentorque Productions, following the massive success of the MMFF 2023 entry Mallari, teams up with Project 8 Projects to craft a movie that guarantees a meaningful and unforgettable experience for viewers.
“We understand the challenges Filipinos face today,” shares Mentorque CEO John Bryan Diamante. “Watching a movie in theaters is a luxury, so we made sure this is worth every peso.”
THAT gospel episode where Christ praised a poor widow for giving all that she had to live on to the treasury of the temple (cfr. Lk 21,1-4) graphically reminds us that Christian poverty, which is what is required for true Christian love to reign in our hearts, is not so much a matter of how much, in terms of money and quantity, we are willing to be detached from as detaching ourselves from our very own selves, giving everything to God.
It’s actually the best deal that we can have, since as Christ said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to have his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” (Mt 16,24-25)
This is divine wisdom which we have to learn to live by. Moreover, it is something which we have to learn how to convince others, especially the young ones who are exposed today to so much materialism and egotistic ways, to believe in it.
This will, indeed, take a lot of time and effort, especially in the area of how to make this divine wisdom attractive and doable. In this regard, we have to learn to present Christ the way Christ presented himself to the people of his time.
He adapted himself to how the people were. He, of course, as St. Paul said, emptied himself by becoming man and went to the extent of offering his life on the cross, just to identify himself completely with us. (cfr. Phil 2,6-8)
In this preaching, he used literary devices, like the parables, so as to elicit interest and eventual understanding and appreciation of the redemptive messages and lessons he wanted to impart to the people.
This is something that we, in our own time with our distinctive cultures and mindsets, should also learn to do. We can only show and give Christ to others, we can only make Christ’s redemptive messages and lessons appreciated by us, if we learn how to connect the real Christ, both in spirit and in the flesh, and not a disembodied Christ, to the people of today.
The effort required here involves emptying ourselves so as to embody the real Christ in ourselves in the context of today’s world with all the good and the bad that it now has. That is why we always need to detach ourselves not only from things but also, and more importantly, from our own selves, so we can be filled with Christ’s spirit and enabled to show Christ in the flesh.
But given our human condition which allows us to learn things in stages, we have to understand that everyday we have to conquer our tendency to fall into some earthly attachments so that we can say we are giving ourselves more and more to God until we give ourselves completely to him.
This will require a constant reminder and self-reassurance that it is all worthwhile to give and to lose everything for God because we will in fact gain a lot more than what we give. Let’s always remember Christ telling us “to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” (Mt 6,33)
We have to learn to let go of our possessions, our preferences, our opinions, etc., until we can say that we are letting go of our whole selves so as to give everything to God, and with God we are assured that we can have everything that is truly important to us!
The commemoration of the 17th Climate Change Consciousness Week from Nov. 19 to 25 comes at a time when the effects of climate change are very apparent around us.
We do not only read about massive floods, heavy rains and strong winds in Europe and the United States, we have experienced that many times in the recent past. Several cities and towns have experienced a month’s rain being dumped in a day. Flood waters have stayed for days. And most recently, six strong cyclones came one after the other in a month, battering many parts of the country, claiming many lives, and causing huge amounts of damage to our food supply and infrastructure.
We have also read about many initiatives to mitigate the effects of climate change. One of these is the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference, or Conference of the Parties, commonly known as COP 29, held in Azerbaijan, from Nov, 11 to 22, where the world united around climate action.
In the Philippines, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) is “mandated to ensure the mainstreaming of climate change in national, sectoral and local development plans and programs,” according to Republic Act No. 9729. Proclamation No 1667 signed in 2008, has designated “Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week” to raise awareness and develop solutions to the climate crisis.
This year’s theme is “Aksyon at Adaptasyon ng Makabagong Henerasyon” (Action and adaptation of the new generation). The CCC activities focus on “action” to emphasize the importance of implementing concrete measures to mitigate climate risks; and “adaptation” to build resilience.
The activities will highlight the Commission’s ongoing projects, among them the Net Zero Challenge, and a comprehensive climate discussion on the National Adaptation Plan (NAP), and on “Intersections between the Law of the Sea and International Environmental Law” in collaboration with the University of the Philippines.
“This year’s observance urges all Filipinos to embrace bold, adaptive strategies that prioritize community engagement, resilience, and sustainability in addressing the climate crisis,” the CCC said.
Initiatives to mitigate the effects of climate change need the collaboration of government and the private sector. This collaboration was shown during the opening ceremonies of the Climate Change Consciousness Week with representatives from government agencies and private organizations in attendance.
Sec. Robert Borje, CCC vice chairman and executive director, said: “The work ahead of us remains challenging, but together, multiple stakeholders can make a difference. This week will pave a path toward a stronger and transformative climate action and adaptation.”
At the local government level, the Commission’s work includes training local government units (LGUs) to fast-track the development and implementation of Local Climate Change Action Plans (LCCAPs) to achieve the objectives of the National Adaptation Plan and the Nationally Determined Contributions Investment Plan (NDCIP). At a workshop conducted last month, about 800 participants were given guidance on how to integrate climate adaptation and mitigation strategies into local development plans, strengthening their capacity to respond to climate-related risks.
At the household level, it is the responsibility of heads of families to initiate and implement action to contribute to global efforts to mitigate climate change. They should keep themselves and their families informed of how daily personal choices can contribute to these initiatives – like avoiding the use of single-use plastics, or leaving our cars home once a week, or proper disposal of solid waste. We must do our part now.
In a statement, the MUPh said the video commentary of Adam was "unfair, insensitive, hurtfuland dismissive of her accomplishments."
The Miss Universe Philippines Organization has condemned the video commentary of pageant enthusiast and vlogger Adam Genato on Miss Universe Philippines Chelsea Manalo.
In a statement, the MUPh said the video commentary of Adam was "unfair, insensitive, hurtful and dismissive of her accomplishments."
"We do not tolerate bullying and irresponsible vlogging, especially when an accredited MUPh media partner whom we have welcomed in our events," the MUPh statement also said.
It added: "We believe that content creators, bloggers, and vloggers must be guided by respect, responsibility, and decency."
The MUPh encouraged other creators, bloggers, and vloggers to exercise care in expressing opinions about Philippine delegates.
The same statement said that Chelsea does not deserve to be compared to other beauty queens.
Chelsea made it to the Top 30 semifinals of the Miss Universe Competition 2024 in Mexico, although she was also awarded Miss Universe Asia.
In Adam's video commentary, he said that the Philippines would have a bigger chance of winning the 2024 Miss Universe pageant if the delegates were either Athisa Manalo or Christi McGarry.
This developed as Adam tearfully apologized for his comments about Chelsea.
"I am coming out with this video not to gain sympathy, but I think this is the most Christian thing to do. The past 24 hours have left me bewildered about my actions towards our candidate, Chelsea Manalo, and it pains me to have come to this.
"Chelsea, I am sorry about what I said about you. It was never really my intention to hurt your feelings or your teams. You've worked so hard to be where you are right now.
"I realized now that I should have been diplomatic and tactful with my words. It is only now that I realize the impact of my words on you, your team, and everyone else.
"There's no excuse for what I did. It pains me when people say I am plastic to you. I want to apologize to you and everyone in MUPh. You guys have shown nothing but kindness to me ever since Day One.
I feel bad, and this is how I repay you all. Hindi ko talaga alam how I would still make up for this. I have no more excuses. All I want is to say I am sorry. I want to seek all your forgiveness."
Schneelandschaft auf der A7 bei Brekendorf: Für viele Autofahrer kam der Wintereinbruch überraschend
Foto: Friedrichs Daniel / Danfoto
Schleswig-Flensburg – Achtung Schnee und Glätte! Im Kreis Schleswig-Flensburg gibt es einen massiven Wintereinbruch mit viel Neuschnee. Die A7 ist sogar teilweise vereist.
Der Verkehr in Richtung Norden kommt daher immer wieder zum Stillstand. Es staut sich kilometerweit. Räumdienste sind auf der A7 pausenlos im Einsatz.
Probleme gibt es für die Autofahrer ebenfalls auf den Landstraßen in Schleswig-Holstein. Auch hier sind Straßen vereist und es geht nur mühsam vorwärts.
An der B77 bei dem Naturschutzgebiet Sorgwohld sieht die Landschaft aus wie im „Winter-Wonderland“. Schneeflocken fallen vom Himmel. Bäume sind schneebedeckt.
Erste Verkehrsunfälle
Unterdessen haben die ersten Schneefälle und Glätte zu mehreren Verkehrsunfällen auf den Straßen Norddeutschlands geführt. Dabei gab es laut Polizei im Laufe des Tages bereits vier Vorfälle – querstehende Laster und Busse in den Landkreisen Segeberg, Ostholstein und Schleswig-Flensburg.
Nach kurzzeitigen Sperrungen wurden die Straßen aber schnell wieder freigegeben. Verletzte gab es nicht.
Nach Polizeiangaben liefen die Streuarbeiten auf den Autobahnen zudem nach Plan und alle Winterdienstfahrzeuge standen je nach Wetterlage jederzeit in Bereitschaft. Auch wenn die Temperaturen am Sonntag dem Deutschen Wetterdienst (DWD) zufolge wieder in den zweistelligen Bereich steigen werden, warnte die Polizei bis dahin vor glatten Straßen.
Bis zu zwei Meter Schnee
Blitz-Winter und Bodenfrost in den Alpen
Von 30 Grad auf Bodenfrost! Das Wetter saust in diesen Tagen in Richtung Kühlschrank.
Trotz der erfolgreichen Streuarbeiten bleibe die Situation kritisch und Autofahrer sollten weiterhin vorsichtig fahren.
Auch die Pressestelle der Verkehrszentrale Nord mahnte Autofahrer im Norden zur vorsichtigen Fahrweise. Vor allem die Streufahrzeuge sollten nicht überholt werden, da die voraus liegenden Straßen dementsprechend glatt seien.
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