The Philippines now has the fastest-growing number of HIV cases in the Asia-Pacific

 The Philippines now has the fastest-growing number of HIV cases in the Asia-Pacific, with at least 57 new diagnoses every day.

From 4,400 in 2010 to 29,600 in 2024, cases have surged by over 550%. By 2025, around 252,800 Filipinos are expected to be living with HIV.

These numbers are alarming, but they must be understood in context

The rise in HIV cases does not mean the virus is spreading faster. It reflects progress in testing, awareness, and reducing stigma. Earlier data came from a time when services were limited and public understanding was low.

This is not the time to fuel fear or allow harmful narratives to resurface. And this is certainly not a call to spread homophobic dogma.

HIV is not a “gay disease.”

It affects everyone. It affects people of all genders, orientations, and backgrounds. Stigma and shame only push people away from the care they need.

Now is the time to act with compassion, urgency, and unity.

Here’s how we move forward:

Expand free and confidential HIV testing in all communities, especially for those most at risk.

Integrate HIV education in schools, workplaces, and barangays.

Strengthen healthcare systems to ensure accessible and stigma-free treatment.

Train health workers to provide inclusive, respectful care for everyone, including the LGBTQ+ community.

We must rise to this challenge with compassion and courage as we all build a society that does not punish people for seeking help, but instead empowers them to live healthy, dignified lives

#GeraldineRoman

#PambansangCongresswoman

#SerbisyongMayPuso

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Campuses, diversity, stories, lives

 

Campuses, diversity, stories, lives Diversity, perhaps, is one of the greatest strengths of any institution, academic or otherwise. It shows that the doors of knowledge have been flung open for all to partake, where all involved have the chance to witness the lives and learn from the stories of those who are unlike them.

Steuererklärung nötig durch Rentenerhöhung?

 Stand:

24.06.2025, 06:31 Uhr

Rentnerinnen und Rentner sollten wissen, dass schon allein die Nichtabgabe der Steuererklärung eine Straftat darstellen kann. © Marijan Murat/dpa/dpa-tmn

Anfang Juli steigen die Renten. Das heißt für einige Menschen im Ruhestand, dass sie nun womöglich eine Steuererklärung abgeben müssen. Sind damit automatisch auch Steuern zu zahlen?

Neustadt - Auf einmal wird eine Steuerklärung fällig - und damit doch bestimmt auch Steuern? Diese Sorgen von Rentnerinnen und Rentnern ist in vielen Fällen unbegründet, heißt es von der Vereinigten Lohnsteuerhilfe (VLH). Und selbst wenn durch eine Rentenerhöhung Abgaben gezahlt werden müssten, seien diese zunächst eher gering.  

Ab wann Steuererklärung?

Wer muss in Rente überhaupt eine Steuererklärung abgeben? Das sind diejenigen, deren gesamte Einkünfte den Grundfreibetrag überschreiten. Dieser liegt für das Jahr 2025 bei 12.096 Euro. Zwar ist ein Teil der Altersrente steuerfrei, allerdings zählen zu dem Gesamtbetrag auch noch Einkünfte wie Mieteinnahmen, Witwenrente oder betriebliche Altersversorgung.  

Wer mit allem zusammen also auf zum Beispiel 13.000 Euro kommt, liegt über dem Grundfreibetrag und muss eine Steuererklärung abgeben. Wer sich nicht sicher ist, kann sich das online mit dem Rentenbesteuerungsrechner der VLH ausrechnen lassen.

Wann werden Steuern fällig?

Das heißt laut VLH aber nicht automatisch, dass er oder sie dann auch Steuern zahlen muss. Denn auch Rentnerinnen und Rentner können in ihrer Steuererklärung Ausgaben geltend machen, die die Steuerlast drücken. Liegt das steuerpflichtige Einkommen nach diesen Abzügen dann wieder unter dem Grundfreibetrag, fallen trotz Steuererklärung keine Steuern an.  

Absetzen können Menschen in Rente Beiträge zur gesetzlichen Kranken- und Pflegeversicherung, ebenso haushaltsnahe Dienstleistungen oder Handwerkerkosten bis zur entsprechenden Höchstgrenze. Auch Werbungskosten können sie ansetzen - wer keine benennt, für den zieht das Finanzamt 102 Euro pauschal ab. Anführen können Rentnerinnen und Rentner zudem außergewöhnliche Belastungen, hier wird eine individuelle zumutbare Eigenbelastung errechnet.

Steuererklärung einfach gemacht

Das Online-Portal Elster bietet mit „einfachELSTER“ einen Service speziell für Rentnerinnen und Rentner sowie für Pensionärinnen und Pensionäre an. Diese können darüber ihre Einkommensteuererklärung vereinfacht und schneller abgeben.  

Allerdings: Die vereinfachte Steuerklärung kann nicht nutzen, wer Kapitaleinkünfte oberhalb des Sparerpauschbetrags oder mehr Einkünfte als aus einem Minijob hat. Auch bei zusätzlichen Einkünften zum Beispiel aus Vermietung oder einem Gewerbe ist die einfache Variante nicht möglich. dpa

A view of Switerzland's Aletsch Glacier, the Alps' largest glacier

 

Kristofer Purnell - Philstar.com

June 21, 2025 | 4:53pm

MANILA, Philippines — Between the Bern and Valais cantons in Switzerland, one can find the largest glacier in western Eurasia and among the biggest in the world.

The Aletsch Glacier (Aletschgletscher in German) is about 23 kilometers long and covers over 81 square kilometers of the Bernese Alps, making it also the largest glacier in the famous mountain range.

The entire glacier and other portions of the Jungfrau-Aletsch Protected Area were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site over twenty years ago, but it continues to lose some of its ice due to global warming.

The upper part of the Aletsch Glacier can be directly accessed through the Jungfrauoch railway station, the highest station in all of Europe at 3,454 meters earning it the title "Top of Europe."

Better views however can be seen in the lower part of the glacier near the mountain village of Bettmeralp.

From there, individuals can also have a glimpse of other peaks like the Dom, the iconic Matterhorn, and Europe's highest mountain the Mont Blanc.

The Mont Blanc however is not in Switzerland but situated along the Franco-Italian border.

There are 48 mountains in Switzerland higher than 4,000 meters — and 40 of them can be seen from the Bettmerhorn viewing point of the Aletsch Glacier.

Advanced hikers are able treak on and around the glacier, even spend the night in one of the huts found along it, but must be wary of the crevasses which can go as deep as 900 meters.

Editor's note: The trip to Switzerland was hosted by Switzerland Tourism. At no stage does the host organization has a say on the stories generated from the coverage, interviews conducted, publication date, and story treatment. Content is produced solely by Philstar.com following editorial guidelines.

Fyang Smith releases debut EP, caps off album launch with PBB batchmates

 

Jan Milo Severo - Philstar.com

June 24, 2025 | 9:34am

MANILA, Philippines — "Pinoy Big Brother: Gen 11" winner Sofia "Fyang" Smith opens a new chapter in her career after launching her five-track debut extended play "Forever Fyang." 

The EP include the singles "Mishu (Nasaan Si Fyang?)" and "Tayo Hanggang Dulo" which recently claimed the top two spots of iTunes Philippines' songs chart.

The lyric videos for both songs featuring her fellow "PBB Gen 11" housemate JM Ibarra have each accumulated over 100,000 views. 

"Mishu" was composed by Trisha Denise and Dennis Campaner, while "Tayo Hanggang Dulo" was written by ABS-CBN Music creatives, content, and operations head Jonathan Manalo and Perry Lansigan.

"Forever Fyang" produced by StarPop label head Roque "Rox" Santos brings feel-good vibes as it celebrates different forms of love from playful flirtation to long-lasting connections. 

Completing the extended play are the tracks "Clingy AF" composed by Gabriel Tagadtad, "Kaya Mo Ba" by Jeremy G and Jarea, and "Para Shoot" by award-winning songwriter Jungee Marcelo.

Last Sunday Fyang delivered exciting performances during the extended play's launch held in the New Frontier Theater.

Joining her onstage were Ibarra, other "PBB Gen 11" housemates Kai Montinola, Kolette Madelo, Rain Celmar, and "Asia's Songbird" Regine Velasquez-Alcasid.

MY PRAYERS AND ME

 

Prayer is how we as Christians draw close to God as well as a necessary condition for us to be moved by the Holy Spirit, and enlightened and illuminated by God. If we genuinely pray to God, and understand the principles and practices of prayer, when we encounter difficulties or dilemmas in our life, we’ll be able to face them in a relaxed way.

"The Power of Prayer" is a 2020 song by Bruce Springsteen from his album Letter to You. It was only released as a radio single, and a promotional video was released on November 23, a month after the release of the album.

The song has a spiritual language. Springsteen was born in a Roman Catholic household, and that turned him off religion, but he didn't lose his faith. The video features archival footage from his youth and clips of Springsteen and the E Street Band working on the song in the studio. The message of the video is about old friends he’s lost and the optimism of that era, reflected in the footage of Jersey Shore in the summertime during Springsteen’s youth. 

When tragedy strikes, it's easy to harden our hearts and cry out, "God, why did you let this happen?" Maybe then, we started praying. Before, when everything went smoothly, we would not even think a minute about praying... .

"To be a Christian without prayer, "said Martin Luther, "is no more possible than to be alive without breathing." Prayer is the only way of becoming what God wants us to be. This is the reason why Jesus spent many hours praying.

Unquestionable, our needs bring us to a place of prayer. Confronted with danger or tragedies, as I mentioned earlier, we look for God's help. Difficult times always cause the hearts of men to turn to God into prayer.

Let me ask you: How long has it been since you've brought your burdens to God? Since you asked His forgiveness for your shortcomings?

In his very interesting book "People in Prayer", Dr. John White reminds us that prayer is a divine-human interaction and it is always God who takes the initiative. White writes: "God speaks and we respond. God is always speaking. To hear his voice is not usually a mystical experience. It consists merely of a willingness to pay heed to God who lays a claim to our lives."

Yes, God always speaks. It is up to us whether we will listen and respond to Him. Many think we are the ones who initiate prayer. But prayers begin and end with God.

There was a time, I wasn't in the mood to pray any more. It seemed that God didn't listen to my prayer any more. I didn't get what I prayed for. Of course, not... ! That's not the meaning of praying to God. Will all my wishes be granted? Heaven forbid!

Sometimes, after we have prayed, God's answers may puzzle us. But as time goes by and as events unfold we see God's purpose in His answers. We might get a larger vision, what HE likes. Not what WE like... .

Think about it for a moment: How does the idea that prayer begins and ends with God affect me now? Do I have the habit of listening to God? How do I respond to Him? How do I usually pray?

I confess that a long time ago I have been trying to persuade God to change other people in my surroundings or circumstances. Nothing changed. Of course not, what a fatal attraction? I got confused because God never granted my requests. Meanwhile I got God's answers to my prayers. Maybe very simple: I was willing to let God change me... .This is how each one of us should start. Happy endings. Because I prayed according to His will... .

Nowadays, I live a wonderful life in my second and last home, the Philippines. I never regretted moving here for good. I have everything I could ask for. I can do everything I wish to do. Thank you Lord for all the blessings.

CLAIMS TO LEADERSHIP

I am 72 now and have retired in the Philippines for good since 1999. I traveled all around the world. I met innumerable leaders in different companies and institutions. I experienced "good" and "bad" leaders.  My "good" leaders, just a handful - maybe, became my mentors. Each one in his or her own very special way. The others I sorted out. Forgot them... . 

Quitters never win and winners never quit! Basta! That was my first leader's motive -  a publishing house director, whom I met during my college time. This saying has been imprinted in my mind and heart till today. As a result, when I started teaching German language in the Institute of Languages and Creative Arts at University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao City almost 19i years ago, I used this and other sayings helping my students to remember these key points.

As I said before: just a handful of awesome leaders crossed my path. In Germany, in the U.S. and lately also here in the Philippines. I learned a lot from them and their behavior. I also learned from negative leaders, those catching people doing things wrong. Why don't leaders spend at least an hour a week wandering around their operation catching people doing things right AND wrong? My first boss, a publisher in Germany, really did it this way. One could talk to him.  Well, nowadays situations have changed our business lives. 

Many leaders wait to praise their people until they do things exactly right. Problem: mostly, one waits forever. 

Up to now, I see a lot of unmotivated people at work or students at school, but I have never seen them after work or school! When office is done and school is over, people race to do such things that provide them with positive feedback on results.

My former students were getting tired many times. I tried to tell them that learning is more important today than ever before. Especially in pandemic times. Especially during online classes. 

In the past, if a person was loyal and worked hard,his or her job was secure. Also during my time in the 1960's and 1970's or even early 1980's. Today, the skills you bring to the party constitute the only available form of job security. When you stop learning, you stop growing. Albert Einstein once said: Never stop learning and ask questions. A perfect leader should be included. It really depends on how you talk to the people!

In one of my previous write-ups, I mentioned: Dream hard but work harder. I have to rethink this. How about this: Don't work hard - work smarter. This saying is common sense but not common practice as America's best-selling business author Ken Blanchard voiced it out. If you don't take time out to think, strategize, and prioritize, you'll work a whole lot harder, without enjoying the benefits of a job smartly done. As an ordinary worker or as the Big Boss.

Leadership and communication are two areas in  which we can continue to develop virtually forever.