Right in the Middle of Full Life

 

WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (XXIII): Right in the Middle of Full Life

Chapter XXIII:  Right in the Middle of Full Life

A big hello sounded. GMA-TV director Bam Salavani recognized Rossana immediately. Then schoolmate and host Onnie Alfaro. "What are you doing here in Davao? Are you on vacation?" Questions about questions from all sides stormed us. "After the short commercial break, you are part of the show", called Bam Salvani. And so we were German guests on this TV show for the first time. During the following years we became an integral part of the show.

 "Testigo" and "Singgit Davao" were re-launched and were taken under the wing of GMA News & Public Affairs and GMA Entertainment TV Group respectively. In August of the same year, "Singgit Davao" was relaunched as "Kuyaw!" in time for the Kadayawan Festival.  Just to mention some: other hosts were Eureka, Emily Urgino and Al Ryan Alejandre - later City Councilor of Davao City.

I felt very much at home with the radio, newspapers and television. Mindanao Times Lifestyle writer Josie San Pedro had mentioned my mother, Rossana and me in her column "passages" during the great event "Singgit Davao at two"  - the stepping stone for our future. I must confess, not all expats in the Philippines went the same or similar path as me.

For the first years I liked to take a jeepney. I found it interesting to get to know a lot of people while driving. And, step by step, I learned Bisaya. Nevertheless, one day a VW-beetle from the Archdiocese parked in our garden. A little old but he drove. We called him affectionalle "Knatterton". But it really never cracked.

I started writing lifestyle columns. The International Harvardian University (IHU) Grand Alumni Homecoming was a special event. It was at the same time the rebirth of the IHU - Manisan Dancegroup. The dream of the old and new lead dancer Rossana had come true. It was at the event that I met Rodrigo Duterte for the first time - then Vice Mayor of Davao City.

The month of October approached. It was the time when Rossana and I stayed regularly in Manila: October 3 - the German National Day - or the Day of Unity, and -of course- Oktoberfest. This time everything was different. The then General Manager of the Apo View Hotel, my friend Wolfgang and I did it: the Bavarian Sound Express from Germany was on stage in Davao City too. Unfortunately only once and never again. 

Oktoberfest, an annual festival in Munich, Germany, held over a two-week period and ending on the first Sunday in October. The festival originated on October 12, 1810, in celebration of the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria, who later became King Louis I, to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The festival concluded five days later with a horse race held in an open area that came to be called Theresienwiese (“Therese’s green”). The following year the race was combined with a state agricultural fair, and in 1818 booths serving food and drink were introduced. By the late 20th century the booths had developed into large beer halls made of plywood, with interior balconies and bandstands. Each of the Munich brewers erects one of the temporary structures, with seating capacities of some 6,000. The mayor of Munich taps the first keg to open the festival. Total beer consumption during Oktoberfest is upwards of 75,800 hectolitres (about 2 million gallons). The breweries are also represented in parades that feature beer wagons and floats along with people in folk costumes. Other entertainment includes games, amusement rides, music, and dancing. Oktoberfest draws more than six million people each year, many of them tourists.

Rossana  was meanwhile working as supervisor at  Merco-Mercantile Corporation Of Davao, with different branches all over Davao City. Merco has become a household name, Since 1946, it has continued to serve the growing city of Davao. At the helm of running things is Johnny Ferrazzini, president of the Mercantile Corp.of Davao or Merco. During that time he ran the family-owned business with his son Anton, who was the general manager, and heir apparent. One day, Johnny asked me, "Klaus, do you want to do your radio show at a bigger radio station? I can introduce you to Mr. Willie Torres, the president and top gun of UMBN - University of Mindanao Broadcasting Network!"

Well, I jumped into the deep end, after all, I had brought my large CD collection from Germany with me. My first time slot was Sundays from 10 pm - midnight. "Let's find out the feedback of our listeners", Willie Torres told me. "Classics at Night with Klaus Döring"  has started.

And then came the big surprise that really nobody had expected, least of all me.

YES!

 Yes!

Jeff WritesRespect should not depend on someone’s title, salary, or status in life.

Sometimes people only show respect to those with power, money, or high positions. But true character shows in how you treat everyone, especially those the world often overlooks.

Whether they are security guards, farmers, sweepers, drivers, or professionals in an office, their work does not define their worth as a person.

They are not “less than.” They are people working hard, providing for their families, and doing honest work.

A simple “Sir” or “Ma’am” may seem small, but it can mean a lot. It shows that you see them, that you value them, and that you respect them as a person.

Respect should not be reserved for the powerful.

It should be given to everyone. Because at the end of the day, dignity is something every human being deserves.

: Photos belong to their rightful owners

#respect #workers #marangalnatrabaho #saludoSaMagsasaka #fblifestyle #realizations #adulting #citizens #WednesdayWisdom #quoteoftheday

Retirement

 

By Pinky Concha-Colmenares

Published Mar 12, 2026 12:03 am | Updated Mar 11, 2026 04:25 pm

DRIVING THOUGHTS

Retirement is a strange word for me. I’ve been working even before I finished college. After graduation, I dove into journalism. For about half a century — 44 years with Manila Bulletin and many years as editor of a provincial daily— journalism was not just my profession, it was my clock, my compass, my daily contact with the world. Deadlines measured my days. Everything else– my children’s birthday celebrations, vacations, school events – revolved around these.

And now, I am stepping away.

In truth, I feel like separating from an identity. I have spent more waking hours in the Manila Bulletin newsroom than in my own house. I know the rhythm of editorial meetings better than the rhythm of my neighborhood. I remember special days commemorating a health, political or education issue, yet forget my children’s Parents’ Day, Holy Retreat, or School Fair.

And so there is anxiety. Not over the contents of my pages, but over my relevance. Journalism is a profession that feeds on relevance. Every day asks: What matters now? Who needs to know? Why should anyone care? For decades, I lived inside those questions. My byline was proof of presence. The sections I edited, the latest was the opinion-editorial section, documented how people were absorbing and reacting to the news.

Retirement, by contrast, threatens my days with silence. No more daily deadline. No more expectation that my take will appear in print or online. The world will spin without waiting for my story, the edited versions of stories, or the decision on what’s ethical or prudent.

I now feel a different form of anxiety. It is not about deadlines or accuracy, it is about becoming a spectator in a society I once helped interpret. It is about going to sleep with the thought that I had not done something that documented history.

I also feel a personal kind of quiet. My children — who did not question my excuses on why I have to cut short a conversation or celebration — now have full lives of their own. They now have their own deadlines. The house that once felt like a terminal between assignments has been quiet for a long time now. Now that quiet will also come from my phone where my email inbox and Viber messages will stop its once constant beeps.

Thankfully, my long years in journalism gave me a wake-up call. It reminded me that every ending is also a beginning; and a story always has another angle. For 50 years, I chased success as scoops, well-written stories, and page view numbers – all these giving the subtle pride of influence. With retirement, I will now seek my identity through relevance.

There will be many venues for that. Relevance can mean mentoring students or young reporters who enter a media landscape far more challenging than the one I joined. It can mean volunteering in community organizations that need experienced voices. It can mean writing not for headlines, but for depth — columns, essays, memoir, even that book friends have encouraged me to attempt.

I have spent decades telling the stories of other people. Perhaps it is time to tell my own –the stories behind the stories, the decisions before giving the final order to “down” a page, the people I’ve met.

The newsroom taught me urgency. Retirement will teach me patience. I will learn that importance is not synonymous with being busy. And I will hope that the relationships built over decades do not evaporate. But if it will fade because of my lack of influence, I will be on another path where I will be judged according to relevance – not influence.

So I step away with mixed emotions — gratitude, pride and apprehension. I am very grateful to Manila Bulletin Chairman Basilio Yap and President Emil C. Yap III who believed in me. I carry much pride that I had been part of the 126-year history of Manila Bulletin, and have trained most of its senior reporters. I am grateful for having experienced being a reporter covering various beats — from the police to arts and culture, motoring, agriculture, education, science, health, travel, housing and real estate, and special assignments—and then being assigned editor of various sections.

But I also feel some apprehension on entering a new chapter which I have yet to structure. I will miss the noise and the news leads. I will miss the stressful minutes before the decision to send a page down. And I will miss the steady presence of Business Development Head Jordan Tan who carries the idealism of youth, and the openness to new experiences.

For 50 years, I belonged to the story of a newsroom — from the days when a reporter dictated a story by phone to a deskman, to sending it through fax, then through email, and today, posting it online almost in real time.

Now, I have the chance to write a different chapter — one that comes from reflection and quiet relevance as a volunteer, teacher, and still a journalist writing bits of history at my own pace.

I hope that will matter just as much as being executive editor of Manila Bulletin. (Email: pinkycolmenares@yahoo.com)

Davao City dad proposes measures to ease impact of sky-high prices

By Ivy Tejano

Published Mar 11, 2026 11:04 pm

A Davao City councilor proposed on Tuesday, March 10, a combination of national and local legislative actions to cushion consumers and key sectors from rising fuel and commodity costs.

Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, chairman of the Committee on Finance, Ways and Means, made the call during the regular session of the 21st Davao City Council at the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

Dayanghirang said a fuel price increase leads to higher costs in transportation, agriculture, manufacturing, and food distribution, affecting households, transport operators, farmers, and small businesses.

He attributed current inflationary pressures to global fuel price volatility, geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and the existing tax regime under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

Dayanghirang said that these inflationary pressures impose excise taxes of around P10 per liter on gasoline, P6 on diesel, and P5 on kerosene, in addition to a 12 percent Value-Added Tax on petroleum products.

In his policy paper titled “Legislative Mitigating Measures to Address the Economic Impact of Rising Fuel and Commodity Prices in the Philippines,” he proposed temporarily reducing fuel excise taxes when prices rise high.

Dayanghirang suggested mechanisms such as progressive taxation tied to fuel price thresholds, which could lower pump prices by P3 to P10 per liter, easing transportation and logistics costs.

The proposal recommended targeted fuel subsidies for vulnerable sectors, including Public Utility Vehicle drivers, farmers, fishermen, and logistics operators.

He proposed a strategic fuel rationing program during emergencies, prioritizing public transport, food supply, and government fleets to prevent hoarding and price spikes.

Dayanghirang highlighted stricter price monitoring and anti-profiteering efforts, including regular inspection of fuel stations and coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Energy.

On the local level, Dayanghirang suggested programs to stabilize public transport, such as fuel vouchers for jeepney drivers, fare stabilization initiatives, and support for transport cooperatives.

The councilor cited Davao City’s past measures during fuel spikes, including consultations with transport groups and support programs for farmers and fisherfolk, as best practices.

He encouraged local renewable energy projects, urban agriculture and food security initiatives, and improvements to logistics and supply chain efficiency, including farm-to-market roads and cold storage facilities.

“The rising cost of fuel and commodities requires coordinated action,” Dayanghirang said, urging proactive legislative measures to protect consumers and stabilize local economies.

Speaking at the Pulong-Pulong sa Dabawenyos on Tuesday, Councilor J. Melchor Quitain Jr., chairman of the Committee on City-Owned Real Properties, noted that the city is feeling the impact of rising global prices.

“The situation will likely continue while the conflict between the US and Iran persists,” Quitain said. “I’m just hoping that the situation will soon be under control and that there will be no escalation of the conflict.”

While the national and local governments are closely monitoring the situation, the councilor encouraged everyone to keep the faith, trust in the Lord, and pray that everything goes well.

Quitain assured that the city is implementing programs and preparing measures to ensure supply, prevent hoarding, and conserve energy, including evaluating reduced work schedules to offset fuel consumption.

Councilor Radge Ibuyan, chairman of the Committee on Government Enterprises and Privatization, added that the city is tracking the availability of basic goods in public markets.

Ibuyan said he has received information on recent prices at the city’s public markets, noting that the price of chicken might reach nearly P180 per kilo from P165 per kilo.

He said the city could strengthen its collaboration with vendors and market administrators to help manage any possible price increases, expressing hope that prices would remain stable.

“If necessary, we will coordinate with the City Economic Enterprises Office, and if they suggest any relevant resolution, we will study it carefully and take the appropriate action,” Ibuyan said.

Davao City Information Officer Harvey Lanticse said that gasoline stations are under strict supervision to prevent premature price hikes, hoarding, and overpricing.

Lanticse said the Business Bureau has been tasked with regular inspections, while residents are encouraged to report irregularities through the Davao City Reports platform.

City officials assured that the city government remains committed to protecting consumers, maintaining service delivery, and ensuring transparency in pricing amid ongoing global volatility.

PLDT drubs Galeries Tower, wrests solo lead

 

By Kristel Satumbaga-Villar

Published Mar 10, 2026 06:27 pm

At A Glance

• The victory extended PLDT's winning streak to three games, improving its record to 6-1 to wrest the solo lead.

PLDT scores its sixth win at the expense of Galeries Tower. (PVL Images)

PLDT flexed its might and dominated Galeries Tower, 25-18, 25-22, 25-17, to zero in for a spot in the qualifying round in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Filoil Centre in San Juan City on Wednesday, March 11.

The High Speed Hitters were in full control of the 73-minute match, with veteran setter Kim Fajardo anchoring the team’s balanced offense. She tallied 15 excellent sets and added three points.

The victory extended PLDT’s winning streak to three games, improving its record  to 6-1 to wrest the solo lead.

PLDT coach Rald Ricafort said he is not expecting spectacular performances from his stalwarts, but simply wants them to stick to the team’s system.

“It’s all about discipline. Yun ang gusto naming i-impose sa game na ito at natupad naman,” he said.

“Sabi ko hindi kailangang maglaro ng extra special; basta laruin lang nila yung sistema namin,” he added.

Savi Davison unleashed another impressive game, pumping in 21 points including 18 attacks, while Alleiah Malaluan added 10 points highlighted by seven kills.

The High Speed Hitters dominated in all departments, unleashing 43 kills while adding nine blocks and six aces. In contrast, the Highrisers managed 37 attacks, four blocks, and a single ace.

Galeries Tower skidded to its fifth loss in seven outings, with no player scoring in double figures.

Gayle Pascual was limited to nine points, even as Aiza Pontillas and Erika Deloria were held to seven points apiece.