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!

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

WTFu by MR. FU: Ang 'Himala' at ang 'Espantaho'

BY MR. FU

Dec 18, 2024 07:15 AM

AT A GLANCE

Producing a horror film can also be challenging. (lalo na kung puro lang sigaw pero wa naman nakakatakot!) It has to really scare the viewers (or else comedy na labas nyan!)

One of the most challenging films to produce is a musical. (lalo na kung out of tune ka teh!) The music, story, and direction should be in one creative package. (Wow, I'm feeling like a film critic, ha!) For the upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), “Isang Himala” is the only movie musical. It stars theatre actress Aicelle Santos (na nakailang plays na local at international ha!) with the music of Vince De Jesus (go ate ZsaZsa Zaturnah!) and direction of Pepe Diokno (na Best MMFF director for Gomburza!)

This was based on the 1982 film Himala of National Artists Ishmael Bernal and Ricky Lee, topbilled by another National Artist and Superstar Nora Aunor. (walang himala!) It also became an inspiration for different stage plays in the decade of 2000s. (umariba nang bongga si ate mo Elsa!)

Comedy, fantasy, and love stories usually get the highest box office results at the MMFF, but the cast members hope moviegoers will support their masterpieces. One of the film’s actresses, Bituin Escalante, says: “Let’s not underestimate the audience. Ang importante maipakita ang isang obra tulad nito.” (or else lamunin kayo ni bituin sa pag-awit nya!)

Aicelle adds: “Nangangarap kami. We hope moviegoers will come and watch this film musical with their family.” (ipatawag na rin ang buong barangay teh!)

Producing a horror film can also be challenging. (lalo na kung puro lang sigaw pero wa naman nakakatakot!) It has to really scare the viewers (or else comedy na labas nyan!) Two of my favorite Pinoy horror films are the remake of Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara (remake na naabutan ko!) and Feng Shui 1 (yung 1 lang ha!) Award-winning filmmaker Chito Rono directed both films. (direk pwede po ba ako sa horror?!) That’s why I got excited when I learned that he has another horror film for the MMFF titled Espantaho starring Judy Ann Santos, Janice De Belen, Chanda Romero and Lorna Tolentino. (walang Senator Lapid ha!)

“Sina Atty Joji Alonso, our producer, Chris Martinez, our writer and of course Direk Chito Roño ay ang pinaka-anchor ng pelikulang ito. Kami mga artista, kami lang yung pagsasabuhay ng karakter na binuo nila. Kaya we are very lucky na nagkasama sama kami sa isang napakagandang pelikula. It does not always happen. Itong ensemble na ito, ilalaban ko it," Juday says. (ang batang may laban! Go!)

“Before terror si Direk Chito, may nerbiyos ka. May terror exercise. Pero ngayon, kalmado na. Siguro di na sya pwede masyado nagagalit, kaya nagtitimpi na sya. Mas mahaba na ang pasensya sa mga panahon ngayon. Pero nandun parin yung passion, yung fire, yung hunger for doing a great film," Ms LT shares. (ayaw nung scarecrow aka espantaho!)

(Youtube/FB: WTFu. Twitter/IG/Tiktok: @mrfu_mayganon. FB: mr.fu tagabulabog ng buong universe. Patreon: www.patreon.com/wtfu website: www.channelfu.com )

Year-ender: ‘Sining,’ ‘Queen of Tears,’ Carlos Yulo, BINI top Google’s trending searches in PH in 2024

BY JONATHAN HICAP

As 2024 comes to a close, Google released its annual Year in Search to celebrate the people, events, contributions, and trending topics that defined the year in the Philippines.

The overall top trending results showed six of 10 were news, proving that Filipinos continue to rely on Google Search about latest events.

From current events to breaking developments, people trust Google Search to show them deeper information and insights about anything that grips the population’s attention at any given time.

Three of the top 10 searches relating to AI also showed that the Philippines is a tech-savvy country willing to learn more about the latest innovations, as found in this year’s e-Conomy SEA Report.

“Heat wave” is the No. 1 overall and news search term with “climate change” at No. 6 overall and No. 5 in news.

Filipino Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo made it to four lists—overall top trending, news, sports, and male personalities.

Among trending shows or series, the hit Korean drama “Queen of Tears” is No. 1 followed by “Marry My Husband,” “Lovely Runner,” “Hierarchy” and “Young Sheldon.”

Girl group BINI is the No. 1 top search among female personalities and Dionela’s “Sining” is No. 1 in songs or lyrics.

Here is the full list of the top search trends in the Philippines:

Overall Top Trending

1. heat wave

2. Jaclyn Jose

3. Olympics

4. Carlos Yulo

5. Inside Out 2

6. climate change

7. Character AI

8. Liam Payne

9. AI detector

10. Gemini

Liam Payne (Instagram)

Overall Top Trending Searches.jpg

News

1. heat wave

2. Jaclyn Jose

3. Olympics

4. Carlos Yulo

5. climate change

6. National ID

7. Labubu

8. pertussis

9. Mpox

10. demure

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Trevor Magallanes confirms divorce with Rufa Mae Quinto

Jan Milo Severo - Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — Actress Rufa Mae Quinto's husband Trevor Magallanes revealed that they are in the process of getting divorced.

In his Instagram story, Trevor said that he needs to explain the status of his marriage with Rufa.

"Hey guys, I felt like I need to explain myself based on social media and all that. I want to make myself clear that Rufa Mae and I are in the process of a divorce," he said.

"You may be aware that divorce can be very devastating to the children but also to the parents. That said, my marriage has been a s*** show and I am sorry for that,"

Trevor said that he wanted to spend more time with their daughter Athena after the divorce.

"All that matters to me at this time is getting through the divorce as best as I can and spending time with Athena. Happy holidays!" he wrote.

Kim Chiu takes on the role of empowered calendar girl

Jerry Donato - The Philippine Star

December 17, 2024 | 12:00am

Kim Chiu has accepted another role, which is the Tanduay Calendar Girl for 2025. She represents a woman who is confident, empowered, resilient and strong. ‘I feel like this is just a powerful moment for me and this is a milestone I never thought of early in my career days,’ says the actress and TV host. ‘This is a testament to how much I’ve grown and how far I’ve come, not only as an artist and as an individual, but especially as a woman.’

MANILA, Philippines — Kim Chiu has taken on varied roles on the small and big screens.

Recently, however, the Kapamilya star has accepted another role, which is the Tanduay Calendar Girl for 2025, and never passed up the chance to be one.

As the face of the brand, Kim represents a woman who is confident, empowered, resilient and strong.

Looking back on the time she won the hearts of everyone as a teen aspiring star to moments she learned the ropes of acting and performing, and proving herself in challenging and mature projects, Kim has come a long way as an actress and as a celebrity.

“I was shocked and I asked myself (then) if I was ready to do this,” recalled the actress-TV host when first she got wind of being tapped as the Tanduay Calendar Girl 2025 in a recent event-cum-press conference for this development in her career. “A lot of people have known me since (my) ‘Pinoy Big Brother’ stint and I grew up in front of everyone’s eyes, not everyone, but maybe most of the people. They’ve known me. And I think it’s about time also for me to do this.”

She added that she feels “empowered” with this project and “grateful.”

“I feel like this is just a powerful moment for me and this is a milestone I never thought of early in my career days. But I believe this is a testament to how much I’ve grown and how far I’ve come, not only as an artist and as an individual, but especially as a woman.”

The event’s theme was “aura” and complemented what a Tanduay Calendar Girl has been symbolizing, such as beauty, confidence, strength and inspiration, according to a piece of information given to this paper.

For Kim, the word “aura” is a celebration of authenticity and individuality.

“I think kasi we all have different types of beauty, we all have different types of confidence, and lahat naman tayo, we all have our own struggles that we hide and it exudes sa confidence natin (aura is shown in our confidence),” said she, adding that being resilient is part of it.

“No matter what life throws at you and you end up standing up, so, I’m here despite all the challenges that I’ve faced, I’m here in front of everyone, smiling, standing as your Tanduay Calendar Girl,” shared she. “So, it was one of those things that I never thought I would be doing in my career, that’s why this is such a big step for me and I’m proud to be here in front of you. That’s my aura, strong aura.”

Asked how she prepared for being the Tanduay Calendar Girl 2025 and the photo shoots that came with it, Kim answered, “Paano naghanda (how did I prepare for it)? Actually, if you follow me on my Instagram account, (you’ll see that) I always work out, parang physically endorphin siya (somehow, I consider working out like endorphins, as mood boosters). It makes me happy and it pumps up my day.”

Aside from the physical preparation to look fit and healthy, Kim said she had to be mentally ready, to represent a woman’s confidence, as one may add, in the outfits she wore as a calendar girl.

“Lalo na yung pictorial namin, yung first suot ko nung damit na yung blue (especially in the pictorial like the blue outfit), oh my god, ‘Am I really doing this?’ ‘Am I a woman now?’” said she. “So, more than physical, I really prepared (my mind and did) mental readiness if I (was) really ready to do (it), but I was very much ready, and here I am now, with all these pictures and all.”

She added that she was very happy “with the outcome, and how it went,” and Kim was simply thankful for the trust that has been given to her.

PAGASA monitors LPA near Mindanao

3 more weather systems to bring cloudy skies with rains over parts of the country

BY MERLINA HERNANDO-MALIPOT

Dec 17, 2024 10:23 AM

A low pressure area (LPA) near Mindanao and three other weather systems are expected to bring cloudy skies with scattered rains to many parts of the country on Tuesday, Dec. 17.

weather update.jpg — (MB Visual Content Group)

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the four weather systems may bring cloudy and rainy weather to parts of the country within the next 24 hours.

In its latest weather forecast, PAGASA said the LPA was estimated to be 155 kilometers east-southeast of Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

The LPA, it added, is “embedded” along the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting the Visayas and Mindanao.

Due to the LPA, cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms are expected in Eastern Visayas, Caraga, and the Davao Region.

The shear line, on the other hand, will affect the Bicol Region and Quezon, bringing cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms.

The rest of the Visayas and Mindanao may also experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms due to the ITCZ.

Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon or “amihan” may bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains to the Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Aurora, Metro Manila, and the rest of Luzon.

PAGASA warned that flash floods or landslides due to moderate to heavy rains remain possible.

Ensuring ample, affordable rice supply for all Filipinos

BY MANILA BULLETIN

Dec 17, 2024 05:34 AM

E CARTOON DEC 17, 2024.jpg

Determined to ensure the stability of the price of rice at the retail level, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel has been doing the rounds of Kadiwa ng Pangulo kiosks where the staple is selling at ₱40 per kilo.

This comes on the heels of latest projections made by the US Department of Agriculture. The USDA eyes a looming increase in rice imports, spurred by production declines caused by La Niña and a series of natural disasters that have hit the country’s rice-producing areas, drastically reducing yields at a time when demand is on the rise. This confluence of factors presents not only economic but also social ramifications, particularly for the lowest income classes, who are most vulnerable to price hikes and food insecurity.

According to the USDA, the Philippines is set to become the world’s largest rice importer for three consecutive marketing years. This marks a troubling shift, as the country moves from a self-sufficient producer to a net importer, relying increasingly on foreign rice to meet domestic demand. While rice imports have historically played a role in balancing supply shortages, the sheer scale of expected imports — projected at around 5.4 million metric tons in 2024-2025 — highlights the growing gap between production and consumption.
This gap is widening due to a surge in rice consumption. Rice is a staple in the Filipino diet, and for many, it is the primary source of sustenance. From 14.8 million metric tons (MT) in 2020-2021, rice consumption in the Philippines is expected to rise to 17.4 million MT in the 2024-2025 marketing year. This increase is driven by several factors, including population growth, changing dietary habits, and the socio-economic realities faced by millions of Filipinos. As consumption continues to climb, the supply side struggles to keep pace, further exacerbating the need for imports.

Rice is not just a food item. It’s a cornerstone of economic stability for many Filipino families. The lowest-income classes, particularly those living in rural areas where rice is grown, are most exposed to the fluctuating prices and availability of the commodity. Typhoons and extreme weather events have already driven up production costs, and now the anticipated increase in imports will likely push domestic rice prices higher due to a combination of market dynamics and logistical challenges.

The impact on low-income families could be devastating. With rising rice prices, these households will spend an even larger proportion of their income on food. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, food accounts for more than 40 percent of household expenditure among the lowest 30 percent of income earners. A rise in rice prices would, therefore, have an out sized effect on their purchasing power, further entrenching poverty and inequality. With cheaper imports flooding the market, many small-scale rice farmers are likely to be pushed into even deeper poverty.

To mitigate the impact of these changes, the government must adopt more comprehensive measures. First, improving domestic rice production through investments in irrigation, farming technology, and disaster-resilient crops could help reduce the need for imports in the future. Second, addressing the rising cost of rice through targeted subsidies or price controls can help protect the most vulnerable populations from the worst effects of inflation. Lastly, creating more robust social safety nets for farmers, including income support and disaster relief, would provide a cushion against market volatility.

A German Expat in The Philippines - Ein deutscher Auswanderer auf den Philippinen