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?
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!
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Sunday, March 30, 2025
The Davao Region Queens
‘Toward zero waste in fashion and textiles’
There is a global waste crisis that is driving the planet toward destruction. It is fueled by man’s unsustainable production and consumption practices which waste management facilities are ill-equipped to handle.
We are familiar with how we consume and dispose things, lured by constant advertising that touches the emotion, and presents every new product as a necessary item. That emotion to buy — and eventually dispose — products generate from 2.1 billion to 2.3 billion tons of municipal solid waste annually. Every year the figure increases and the annual waste generation will hit 3.8 billion tons by 2050 if no urgent action is done now.
Today, March 30, is International Day of Zero Waste, declared by the United Nations General Assembly on Dec. 14, 2022, with a resolution following other high-level decisions focused on pollution, such as the UN Environment Assembly resolution “End plastic pollution: towards an internationally legally binding instrument.”
This year, the theme focuses on “Toward zero waste in fashion and textiles.” According to the UN statement, clothing production doubled from 2000 to 2015, producing 92 million tons of textile waste globally which produces two to eight percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
“This equates to a garbage truck full of clothing incinerated or sent to landfills every second.”
This problem is clearly a waste pollution crisis and requires systemic change through sustainable production and consumption, and circular solutions. A zero-waste approach is key to this transition.
Again, consumers are reminded to reuse, repair, and recycle. “Shifting away from fast fashion and investing in durable, high-quality clothing not only conserves resources but also honors traditional sustainability approaches,” the UN advised.
Government and private sector cooperation is needed to manage the global waste pollution problem through a zero-waste approach.
Designing products that are durable, repairable, and recyclable is a responsibility that the private sector should take on. The producers should embrace “circular business models that curb chemical pollution, reduce production volumes, use sustainable materials, and help rebuild biodiversity. Innovation and accountability should guide business strategies.”
Most of all, governments play a critical role by enforcing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, regulating harmful chemicals, investing in recycling infrastructure, and incentivizing sustainable business models to drive the transition to a circular economy.
Each citizen needs to contribute to the goal of achieving zero-waste. Start by doubling the number of times a garment is worn. That would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 44 percent!
The UN has made a strong statement to make people realize that their decisions on consumption habits contribute to the solution of waste pollution which threatens the health of mankind. Waste pollution costs the global economy hundreds of billions of dollars every year. And it aggravates the triple planetary crisis: the crisis of climate change, the crisis of nature, land and biodiversity loss, and the crisis of pollution and waste.
Discover rare and exotic blooms at the Philippine Orchid Society’s exhibit and bazaar
‘An Orchid Extravaganza at Robinsons Magnolia’ runs until tomorrow, March 30, 2025!
The orchid family is the largest group of flowering plants and boasts some of the most spectacular and showy blooms in the world. Their beauty has captivated people since prehistoric times. There is a certain je ne sais quoi—a French phrase for something indescribable—about these plants that has “lured” them to their demise. Oh wait, not people, silly—the orchids.

Orchids evoke a sense of rarity and exoticism. Known to originate from faraway tropical jungles and misty forests, they often carry mesmerizing stories, making them truly special. Fortunately, thanks to the efforts of orchid breeders, they have been extensively propagated and are now widely available for us to enjoy.
They come in a dazzling array of colors and sizes. You may acquire the show-stopping Cattleya or the elegantly flowering Phalaenopsis—both breathtaking blooms that make a lasting impression. A truly special gift, an orchid is something your loved one will remember for years. They are also easy to care for and can rebloom with proper maintenance.
Unfortunately, many people are lured into buying orchids, only to unintentionally kill them—repeating the cycle again and again. Countless orchid plants have perished simply because their owners don’t know how to properly care for them.
To break this deadly cycle, the Philippine Orchid Society is hosting An Orchid Extravaganza at Robinsons Magnolia—a 10-day orchid show running until March 30, 2025. The event showcases various orchid hybrids and species and features a series of lectures on orchid care. These talks aim to “rehabilitate” serial orchid killers (and prevent future ones) by improving their understanding of orchid cultivation and reducing the chances of their next orchid meeting an untimely end.
This is a much better alternative than sending orchid killers to jail.
The event also includes several commercial booths offering orchids, ornamental plants, and gardening supplies.
For more details, follow the Philippine Orchid Society's official Facebook page.
A German Expat in the Philippines (XXIX): Back on air and first diplomatic impressions
Saturday, March 29, 2025
International Dance Day Fest sets 2nd edition
After a successful debut in 2024, the International Dance Day Fest returns this year with the theme "Dance For All" and a bigger line-up of artists, over 1,200 performers.
Kristofer Purnell - Philstar.com
March 29, 2025 | 9:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The Samsung Performing Arts Theater (S-PAT) will once again host performances spanning different genres in celebration of International Dance Day this April.
After a successful debut in 2024, the International Dance Day Fest returns this year with the theme "Dance For All" and a bigger line-up of artists, over 1,200 performers.
International Dance Day was conceptualized by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute back in 1982 and is now celebrated annually every April 29 as a tribute to the "father of modern ballet" Jean-Georges Noverre.
This year's celebration in the Philippines will kick off with an opening gala on April 23 featuring a special performance of "Autobiography (v 105)" by the United Kingdom's Company Wayne McGregor.
Chris Mohnani, S-PAT's Managing Director, shared in a media conference that the inaugural edition was supposed to have an opening gala but it wasn't put together on time.
But now with the assistance of the British Council, plans can now push through and funds from the opening gala will be for the benefit of the Artists Welfare Project, an initiative offering healthcare to a number of dancers.
"International Dance Day isn't just a celebration of inclusivity, it's a reminder that dance is for everyone," Mohnani added.
Company Wayne McGregor will also conduct a special workshop and masterclass on the festival's second day, April 24, which will be highlighted by the Folk and Traditional Dance Gala at S-PAT.
Participating groups for Day 2 include Bayanihan, The National Folk Dance Company, the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, and the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe.
Day 3 (April 25) will be dedicated to the Street Dance Gala, last year's most exciting portion, with performances by tropy-winning groups UPeepz, A-Team, Power Impact Dancers, and many more.
The following day, April 26, is a Ballet Gala featuring leading companies Ballet Philippines, Ballet Manila, and the Philippine Ballet Theater, plus the participation of the American Ballet Theatre and Hong Kong Ballet, among others.
Wrapping up the celebrations on April 27 is the Contemporary Gala which will this year focus on artists from outside Metro Manila.
Also the point of special focus on the closing day is paradance led by the decorated Philippine Para Dancesport Team.
Outside of the performances, multidisciplinary movement group Fifth Wall Fest will showcase site-specific works, while a dance market and bazaar will open throughout the festival.