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 Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Monday, April 28 said Mindanao and Palawan may experience scattered rains and thunderstorms due to the combined effects of the low pressure area (LPA) and Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).
PAGASA weather specialist Daniel James Villamil said that while the LPA has a low chance of becoming a tropical cyclone within the next 24 hours, the possibility of it developing into a tropical depression in the coming days is not ruled out.
The first cyclone of 2025 will be named “Auring,” based on PAGASA’s list of tropical cyclone names.
As of 3 a.m., the LPA was located 695 kilometers east of General Santos City, embedded within the ITCZ.
Within 24 hours, the LPA is expected to bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms to Davao Region and Soccksargen, and other parts of Mindanao and Palawan due to the ITCZ.
The ITCZ is a weather system where winds from the northern and southern hemispheres converge and form rain-bearing clouds.
Meanwhile, the rest of the country will continue to experience hot and humid conditions due to the easterlies, which are warm winds from the Pacific Ocean.
From Tuesday to Wednesday, April 29 to 30, Villamil said scattered rains and thunderstorms may persist over parts of Mindanao and Palawan due to the ITCZ.
Hot conditions, along with isolated showers or thunderstorms, may prevail over the rest of the country.
From Thursday to Friday, May 1 to 2, Villamil said the combined effects of the LPA and ITCZ will bring rainy conditions to parts of Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Visayas, and Mindanao, while the easterlies will continue to bring hot weather with isolated showers or thunderstorms over the rest of Luzon.
Last Monday’s column (see “Let us celebrate Women Suffrage Day,” 4/21/2025) elicited a lot of responses saying I should not limit myself only to those directly responsible for the grant of suffrage to Filipino women but should hail others who excelled in many private endeavors, achieving equality if not superiority with the other gender. Let’s call them the power women of the Philippines in the private professions whom I have met or know about.
BERNADINE SIY IMMEDIATELY CAME TO MY MIND. She is the first woman chairperson of Ateneo de Manila University and of the Manila Golf Club (MGC). Several times, I have teased Fr. Bobby Yap, president of Ateneo, that though women cannot be priests, still the Jesuits installed a lady as their “boss” in their board of trustees. And he would always smile in agreement.
Since its founding in 1901, MGC had been a bastion of masculine pride, until the proverbial glass ceiling was broken in 1987. And in 2008, Bern, as she is affectionately called, was elected the first and thus far its only lady president and queen. In the board rooms of PLDT and JG Summit, Bern is listened to with respect and awe because she studies the agenda and speaks with distinct eloquence. I know because I happen to be her fellow independent director (ID) in both companies. She is happily married to my compañero, celebrated corporate lawyer Eric Quiazon.
The first lady president of the prestigious Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) is Marife Zamora, former chairperson of Convergys (now Concentrix), the biggest business process outsourcing company here, with about 120,000 employees. She founded the Filipina CEO Circle composed of the country’s top women chief executives. She sits as an ID of PLDT, Cemex, SM Investments Corp., and other big companies.
DR. LYDIA B. ECHAUZ, AN OUTSTANDING POWER LADY, is an ID of Meralco (where, as her fellow ID, I witness her wit and wisdom), SPNEC, Shell Philippines, D&L Industries, and other big entities and foundations. She was past president of Far Eastern University, former dean of the De La Salle University Graduate School, and currently executive director of the Henry Sy Foundation.
Equally noteworthy are the versatile Chaye Cabal-Revilla (executive vice president and chief operating officer of Metro Pacific Investments Corp.), Martha Sazon (president/CEO of GCash), Meean Dy (president/CEO, Ayala Land Inc.), Lynette Ortiz (president/CEO, Land Bank of the Philippines), Rhoda Huang (president/CEO, Filinvest Development Corp.), Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso (president, Megaworld Corp.), Hannah Yulo-Luccini, (CEO, Hotel101 Global Pte Ltd.), Lorelie Quiambao-Osial (president/CEO, Shell Philippines), Riena Pama (president, Sun Life Prosperity Fund), and Sandy Prieto-Romualdez (president/CEO, Inquirer Group).
Lilia de Lima broke the MAP record of awarding only males in the much-acclaimed Management Man of the Year by being the first female to be given the award in 2010. She was also granted the coveted Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2017. She suggested I should also recognize some of her fellow members of the Ten Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service which celebrated its 50th Anniversary on March 25 with a dinner/dance/musical, which I attended.
The broadcast industry is powered by (alphabetically) Pia Arcangel, Karmina Constantino, Cheryl Cosim, Luchi Cruz-Valdes, Karen Davila, Ces Drilon, Christine Jacob-Sandejas, Cheche Lazaro, Vicky Morales-Reyno, Maria Ressa, Korina Sanchez-Roxas (whose initial Bilyonaryo podcast with Mike Toledo and Pinky Webb, I was told, has 500,000 views), Bernadette Sembrano, Jessica Soho, and Mel Tiangco.
Lea Salonga leads the performing arts followed by (alphabetically) Yeng Constantino, Sharon Cuneta, Moira Dela Torre, Rachelle Gerodias, Sarah Geronimo-Guidicelli, Rachelle Ann Go, Kuh Ledesma, Celeste Legaspi-Gallardo, Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, Lani Misalucha, Julie Anne San Jose, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, and Sofia Zobel-Elizalde.
NOT TO BE OUTDONE, JOJI ALONSO—an independent film producer and well-known labor lawyer—submitted these outstanding living legends in the movie industry (alphabetically): Laurice Guillen, Rosemarie Gil, Hilda Koronel, Gina Pareño, Boots Anson Roa Rodrigo, Celia Rodriguez, Caridad Sanchez, Charo Santos, Vilma Santos, and Nova Villa.
I know that Charo was a beauty queen before making her first movie, “Itim,” that won the best picture award in the 1978 Asean Film Festival, and she as the best actress for her role in the movie. And from there, she starred in many more blockbusters. Recently, she and Laurice were given the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Film Development Council of the Philippines.
What is even more admirable about her, in my humble opinion, is her being the first lady president/CEO (2008-2015) of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp., which she magnificently brought to its peak in both revenues and reach, thereby also earning a place among the power lady executives.
And Vilma, while keeping her movie allure, reinvented herself successfully as Lipa City mayor, Batangas governor and Batangas congressional representative. Gina won best actress awards in Belgium, India and France for her leading role in “Kubrador” that Joji produced.
When I began my master’s degree in clinical psychology two years ago, I did not expect that one of the most profound outcomes would be developing a deeper appreciation of my faith and its role in my life. Over the past decade, spirituality and religiosity have gained growing recognition for their contribution to a person’s enhanced well-being. Spirituality—often characterized by a sense of deeper purpose and connection to something greater than oneself—has been consistently linked to higher subjective well-being, both among religious individuals and nonbelievers. Practices like meditation and mindfulness cultivate self-transcendent emotions like awe, gratitude, and hope, which strengthen a person’s emotional regulation.
For those who adhere to a particular faith tradition, the benefits can be even more pronounced. Studies have found that regular religious attendance and prayer correlate with lower rates of depression and substance abuse. This is largely due to strong social support systems found in religious communities. Surprisingly, however, these supposed benefits may not be as deeply felt or valued in the Philippines. A 2020 Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey found that the number of Filipinos who believe religion is important dropped from 83 percent to 73 percent. In another SWS survey, where 79 percent of respondents were Filipino Catholics, only 38 percent said that they attend religious services at least once a week.
A possible reason for this decline is that while many of us inherited a certain faith tradition, not everyone has access to the necessary formation to meaningfully contextualize or internalize its teachings. This insight came about last Saturday when we tackled the concept of faith during my class on development of psychological thought. My classmates complained about how religion was taught to them largely through rote memorization of prayers and doctrine, despite all of us attending well-known private Catholic schools.
American theologian James Fowler emphasized that a person’s faith development grows in parallel to their emotional and mental maturity. In the early stages, children learn about the faith through stories and the rituals practiced. As they enter their teens, they transition into what Fowler calls the synthetic-conventional stage. At this point, they are able to think more deeply about the meaning of their faith and start connecting it to broader questions of values and morals, though their understanding remains largely shaped by authority figures like their parents, teachers, and other religious leaders. Fowler says that true spiritual maturity emerges in later stages—where individuals are able to critically reflect, confront doubts, and ultimately reconstruct belief in a way that is deeply personal and embodied.
Perhaps the way the Catholic faith is largely taught here remains confined to the early stages that Fowler described, rather than showing how it connects to a person’s lived experiences and encouraging them to explore the mysteries and meaning of the sacraments and scripture. Even rarer are religion teachers who encourage students to articulate their questions and doubts without shame. If encouraging “blind acceptance” did not work for former generations, it would certainly not work now for young people who have access to diverse sources of information and worldviews. If the emphasis is continually placed on compliance versus genuine understanding, it is difficult to foster personal conviction. This could leave individuals with a flimsy relationship with their religion that could easily be shaken by moral dilemmas and personal hardship.
Part of Pope Francis’ legacy is how he consistently modeled for us the kind of faith that welcomed questions not as a threat, but as part of the path toward profound trust and understanding. Throughout his leadership, he challenged Catholics to move beyond rigid legalism and into spaces of authentic encounter, dialogue, and discernment. His example is something more Catholic schools here urgently need to take to heart.
One of the major challenges confronting Catholic schools, including the one I run, is finding teachers who can guide students toward a mature and living faith. This difficulty is, in many ways, the product of generations of underdeveloped religious formation. Our school is fortunate that despite limited resources, we have a passionate chaplain deeply committed to forming not only our students but also our teachers and staff. While there remains significant room for growth, it is profoundly encouraging to hear our students speak of God as someone they can turn to, which is so different from the “distant/judgmental God” many of us grew up with.
If the Catholic faith is only taught as rules to follow, we risk setting up young believers for disillusionment and apathy. But if we teach faith as a living relationship that continues to deepen—through prayer and service, healthy doubting, and reflection—then hopefully we will effectively guide them toward a faith that matures, a faith that endures, a faith that is relevant and lived.
In the Philippines, love is often seen as an all-consuming, all-sacrificing force—a value woven tightly into our c
While the spirit of generosity behind these traits is beautiful, they can sometimes be distorted. When love requires the erasure of self, patience becomes permission for neglect, and endurance becomes a badge of honor for suffering, it ceases to be love and instead becomes martyrdom.
We must not overlook the latter half of the second great commandment: "as you love yourself."
Self-love is not a betrayal of our Filipino values or Christian faith—it is, in fact, their true fulfillment. We cannot pour from an empty cup. A heart that loves wisely, including itself, is a heart that gives more abundantly, more sustainably.
Studies have shown that mental health challenges among Filipino women are often linked to emotional strain within personal relationships, especially when coupled with psychological and economic burdens. For example, a population-based study published in BMC Public Health found that Filipino women who experience psychological or economic abuse report significantly higher levels of psychological distress and suicidal ideation.
In other words, women are often weighed down by the silent burdens they carry, emotional labor, and the unseen sacrifices and endurance. When love demands women’s suffering instead of supporting their growth, it becomes a chain, not a refuge. Love is not meant to strip you bare.
It is a radical act of courage to say that "I deserve a love that nourishes me, not drains me." Do not mistake surviving from loving. It is self-respect to prioritize yourself, especially in a world that so often romanticizes women's self-sacrifice.
There’s an essential truth often overshadowed by the ideal of undying love: some relationships serve as lessons rather than lifelong commitments, akin to the changing seasons that bring both beauty and decay. They are transformative experiences meant to teach us about ourselves and our limits. It is important to recognize that a heart is not an inexhaustible resource to be mined, nor is patience a metric of one’s value.
There is a love that waits for you—one that does not ask you to shrink or shatter, but to stand. One where you are seen without translation. One where you bloom without apology. It's time we normalize a healthier kind of love where setting boundaries is not selfishness, but wisdom; staying is a choice, not an obligation; and women are celebrated not just for how much they can endure, but for how bravely they can protect their joy, dignity, and dreams.
It’s true, love is often pictured as a sanctuary, a place where our souls are nourished, our laughter rings out without fear, and even our sorrows find tender hands to cradle them. We envision it as a boundless field where the sun never sets and wildflowers bloom in endless celebration. And indeed, it can be, when we allow love to flourish in its truest, most nurturing form.
Perhaps, it’s long overdue to choose yourself. The garden you forgot to tend is calling you home.
Early this week, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) suspended the driver’s license of each of the 671 erring motorists and summoned over 1,100 motor vehicle owners who failed to properly maintain their vehicles during the random roadworthiness inspections across the country.
LTO chief, Assistant Secretary Vigor D. Mendoza II called the move “unprecedented” and said that the agency has “never really reached this level before” but it needs to be done to keep our roads safe.
This move should be the beginning of a long-overdue and necessary action. This sweeping crackdown should be a bold declaration that the era of tolerating reckless, entitled, and often dangerous motorists will finally come to an end, hopefully, soon.
These numbers were apprehensions done only during Holy Week, a time when roads out of the cities were clogged by the exodus of people going to the provinces. Yet in one week – 574 of the suspended licenses were linked to road accidents, while 97 public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers tested positive for illegal drugs.
These are not minor infractions; they are indicators of a culture of disregard for road safety. The fact that these violations occurred in just one week makes the crackdown all the more urgent and justified.
For too long, motorists who treat traffic rules as mere suggestions have turned our roads into deadly battlegrounds. Road rage incidents have claimed lives, such as the high-profile cases of aggressive drivers attacking fellow motorists, often with tragic consequences. Meanwhile, poorly maintained vehicles frequently lead to breakdowns and accidents that endanger everyone on the road, from pedestrians to passengers. Add to that the presence of many motorcycle riders weaving in and out of traffic simply because the size of their vehicles make it possible to do so.
The government’s decisive action, spearheaded by Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon and LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Mendoza, is a commendable step toward implementing order and imposing accountability. By suspending licenses and issuing show cause orders (SCOs), authorities are not only enforcing the law but also sending a clear message: road safety is a non-negotiable priority.
Dizon has vowed that the government will continue the campaign in the coming weeks to make the roads safer for all. His message to the public, that reckless and abusive drivers will lose their licenses, is the kind of no-nonsense stance that road safety advocates and ordinary commuters alike have long waited to hear.
Let’s not forget the viral case in La Union, where a bus driver ignored the pleas of his passengers to slow down. That the government revoked his license shows a zero-tolerance policy toward such arrogance and negligence. These acts of enforcement must be followed through consistently—not just for headlines but for real, lasting change.
The problem of reckless driving is not limited to blatant traffic violations. It is a symptom of a broader societal illness—an indifference to rules, a resistance to discipline, and a disregard for others. Discipline, after all, is not merely about punishment; it is about cultivating responsibility.
There is still a long way to go. Enforcement alone will not solve everything. Driver education, road infrastructure, and proper vehicle inspections must all be part of the equation. But this latest action is a strong, confident first step—and it deserves praise.
The crackdown on undisciplined drivers is not just about punishing bad behavior. It’s about saving lives. And in that mission, there is no room for compromise.
Filipinos are deeply mourning the death of Pope Francis, More than a spiritual leader, he was a shepherd who embraced the margins, a reformer who challenged convention, and a father figure who taught the world the power of Mercy and Compassion—the very theme of his apostolic visit to the Philippines in January 2015.
His visit to the Philippines evoked reverence and affection; it served as an occasion for national reflection, renewal, and collective grace. Pope Francis comforted a nation still reeling from the devastation of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). In the rain-soaked Mass in Tacloban, he stood in silent solidarity with survivors, his words and tears blending with those of the people.
We were reminded that in March 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic swept the world, he stood alone in a tent on St. Peter’s square and delivered a reassuring message. As cited in St. Matthew’s gospel, Jesus asked his disciples, "Why are you so afraid?" after they woke him up in the middle of a storm, fearing they were going to drown. He then rebuked the wind and waves, and they became calm.
His Mass at Luneta drew an estimated six million faithful—perhaps the largest papal gathering in history. Amid a sea of humanity, Pope Francis called on us to “learn how to weep” for the suffering of others, to rediscover simplicity, and to protect our children, our poor, and our environment. In Malacañang, he urged our leaders to reject corruption and serve with integrity. At the Mall of Asia Arena and the University of Santo Tomas, he addressed the youth, reminding them to keep their dreams alive, and to find joy in service. And at Manila Cathedral, he called on the clergy and consecrated persons to be humble and poor, faithful stewards of God’s mercy.
After his wake and burial, the world looks to the Sistine Chapel, where the College of Cardinals will soon gather in conclave to elect the 267th successor of Saint Peter. Among the electors are three Filipino cardinals—Jose F. Advincula, Pablo Virgilio David, and Luis Antonio G. Tagle, currently pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization and a figure often mentioned as papabile—a potential pope.
For many Filipinos, the prospect of Cardinal Tagle ascending to the papacy involves more than national pride. It is a testament to the universal Church’s recognition of Asia’s growing spiritual energy and the enduring faith of the Filipino people, now the third-largest Catholic population in the world. Cardinal Tagle, known for his humility, pastoral sensibility, and theological depth, shares many traits with Pope Francis. Whether or not he is chosen, his presence among the frontrunners affirms the unique contribution of the Filipino Church to global Catholicism.
As the conclave convenes, the world yearns for continuity in compassion, moral courage, and joyful simplicity. Pope Francis set a tone of inclusivity, emphasizing mercy over judgment, engagement over exclusion. He championed the poor, listened to the youth, welcomed those on the periphery, and challenged the Church to be more Christ-like.
The next pope must walk in this same light—accessible, grounded, and prophetic—a shepherd who smells like the sheep, as Pope Francis once said. The Filipino nation, deeply grateful for the gift of his life and leadership, now joins the rest of the Catholic world in prayerful hope that the next Vicar of Christ will continue to be a bridge-builder, a healer, and a voice for those who suffer.
