This is Davao History: Indelible German traces

 

This is Davao History: Indelible German traces

 by Antonio V. Figueroa

Although the Europeans, particularly the Spaniards, first set foot in Davao in 1521, German imprints did not find space in local historical accounts until the 1880s, chiefly in scientific explorations that placed the region in world map. The legacy the Germans have left behind has only been sparingly mentioned in Davao’s study of historical writings.

In the region’s floral past, several German names stand out as indelible milestones given their names have been immortalized in two significant flower discoveries in Davao.

The Rafflesia schadenbergiana, called by the Bagobo as ‘bo-o,’ is named after naturalist Alexander Schadenberg, a native of Breslau, Germany, who braved the forest fastnesses of Sibulan, Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur. The burrowing skink (Brachymeles schadenbergi Fischer), discovered in 1885 in Davao, was also named in his memory. He was, in personal life, a pen pal of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the Filipino national hero.

On the other hand, Vanda sanderiana, the waling-waling discovered in 1882 in Mount Apo, was named after Heinrich Friedrich Conrad Sander, a German orchidologist, while Rafflesia apoanum Stein was in honor of Stuttgart, Germany-born Berthold Stein, a German botanist (orchid specialist), lichenologist (lichen expert), and mycologist (a scientist who studies fungus and its genetic and biochemical properties) known for his contributions in the field of taxonomy.

Dr. Otto Koch, a German naturalist then living in Cebu, collaborated with Schadenberg in the discovery of the rafflesia, the world’s largest parasitic flowering plant. Together, they made two successful ascensions of Mount Apo.

German legacy was further magnified during American occupation, this time in public governance with the appointment of Henry Gilsheuser who, during and after war, also went to serve the Philippine government in different capacities.

Born in Hessen, Germany, in 1881, he became the penultimate American governor of Davao before a Filipino administrator governor was appointed in 1915. He took up public education in Germany but continued his studies in New York when his parents migrated to the U.S.

Gilsheuser fought in the Spanish-American War, appointed third lieutenant in the Philippine Constabulary in 1903 and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He served as district secretary of Cotabato, governor of the Lanao province, and later appointed by Gen. John J. Pershing, commander of the Military Department for Mindanao and Sulu, as Davao governor in 1910.

Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon, when war broke out, appointed him fuel and transportation administrator of the Civilian Emergency Administration and was in-charge of the Emergency Control Commission during President Sergio Osmeña’s watch. During the presidency of Manuel A. Roxas, he was a member of the US-Philippines War Damage Commission.

For his efforts, he was awarded by the Philippine government the Philippine Legion of Honor. A dyed-in-the-wool Mason, he died in Manila at the Lourdes Hospital in Manila on Feb. 27, 1964 at age 83.

Germany, a country with a third of its population affiliated with Roman Catholicism, shares religious affinity with Davao. In fact, three of the religious orders founded by St. Arnold Jannsen, born in Goch, Germany, have provinces (branches) in Davao City, namely the Societas Verbi Divini (SVD, 1875) the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSps, 1889), and the Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration (SSpSAP, Sept. 8, 1896).

The SVD priests took over the management of the Saint Francis Xavier Regional Major Seminary at Catalunan Grande, Davao City, in the 1980’s from the Foreign Mission Society of Quebec (PME Fathers), while the SSpSAp, also known as the Pink Sisters, holds court at the Holy Spirit Adoration Convent, along Seminary Road, Catalunan Grande, Davao City.

To underpin Germany-Davao alliance, the University of Southeastern Philippines, a state learning institution, introduced years ago under its Institute of Language and Creative Acts the study of German language, which was initially headed by journalist-professor Klaus Döring, a native of Spenge, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and Davao resident since 1999.

Adding another feather to the partnership was the opening of the consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany in Davao with Döring, a long-time German court interpreter, language teacher and married to a Davaoeña, was installed as honorary consul in southern Mindanao.

An indication that German descent is here to stay, Davao City mayor, Sara Zimmerman Duterte-Carpio is a scion of German-born migrant who became naturalized American.

LEAVE ME ALONE!

 

"Leave Me Alone" is a song by American recording artist Michael Jackson from his seventh studio album, Bad (1987). It was released as the eighth single outside of North America on February 13, 1989 and appears only on the CD and 2001 cassette editions of Bad. It was written and composed by Jackson and produced by Jackson and Quincy Jones.

When you want someone to leave you alone, be clear and direct. Use firm but polite language like “Please leave me alone” or “I'd like to be on my own right now.” Try not to make excuses—it's okay to be assertive!

"Leave Me Alone" topped the charts in Greece, the Republic of Ireland, and Spain (in 2006), and peaked within the top ten of the charts in Belgium, New Zealand, Spain (upon its original release), and the United Kingdom. "Leave Me Alone" was generally well received by critics. In the music video, Jackson pokes fun at the rumors about him. The video was the recipient of a Grammy Award in 1990 for Best Music Video. The song was never performed on any of Jackson's tours.

Leave me alone! Give me a break! I can be a reluctant socialiser. Or should I better say I could. I got restless a few hours into a hangout. Maybe, I would not be invited any more. Or not so often... . I even once went on a free 10-day silent meditation retreat – not for the meditation, but for the silence. No matter if staying in the Philippines, in Germany or somewhere else.

So I can relate to author Anneli Rufus, who recounted in Party of One: The Loners’ Manifesto: “When parents on TV shows punished their kids by ordering them to go to their rooms, I was confused. I loved my room. Being there behind a locked door was a treat. To me a punishment was being ordered to play Yahtzee with my cousin Louis.” Being a little boy, "my room" was really my castle.

Wanting to be alone: social tendencies like these are often far from ideal. Abundant research shows the harms of social isolation, considered a serious public health problem in countries that have rapidly ageing populations (though talk of a ‘loneliness epidemic’ may be overblown). In the UK, the Royal College of General Practitioners says that loneliness has the same risk level for premature death as diabetes. Strong social connections are important for cognitive functioning, motor function and a smoothly running immune system.

This is especially clear from cases of extreme social isolation. Examples of people kept in captivity, children kept isolated in abusive orphanages, and prisoners kept in solitary confinement all show how prolonged solitude can lead to hallucinations and other forms of mental instability.

But these are severe and involuntary cases of aloneness. For those of us who just prefer plenty of alone time, emerging research suggests some good news: there are upsides to being reclusive – for both our work lives and our emotional well-being.

Social anxiety (please check out my previous columns here!) is the single most common psychological problem according to innumerable survey results worldwide. The magnificent, gorgeous and excellent isolation, resulting from being nervous when meeting people is really the opposite. The state of being isolated reminds me of being in a hospital with an infectious disease. Easy to say nowadays ... .

A recent vindication of these ideas came from University at Buffalo psychologist Julie Bowker, who researches social withdrawal. Social withdrawal usually is categorised into three types: shyness caused by fear or anxiety; avoidance, from a dislike of socialising; and unsociability, from a preference for solitude.

There is gender and cultural variation, of course. For instance, some research suggests that unsociable children in China have more interpersonal and academic problems than unsociable kids in the West. Bowker says that these differences are narrowing as the world becomes more globalized.

Still, it turns out that solitude is important for more than creativity. Since ancient times, meanwhile, people have been aware of a link between isolation and mental focus. After all, cultures with traditions of religious hermits believe that solitude is important for enlightenment.

Recent research has given us a better understanding of why. One benefit of unsociability is the brain’s state of active mental rest, which goes hand-in-hand with the stillness of being alone. When another person is present, your brain can’t help but pay some attention. This can be a positive distraction. But it’s still a distraction.

Daydreaming in the absence of such distractions activates the brain’s default-mode network. Among other functions, this network helps to consolidate memory and understand others’ emotions. Giving free rein to a wandering mind not only helps with focus in the long term but strengthens your sense of both yourself and others. Paradoxically, therefore, periods of solitude actually help when it comes time to socialise once more. And the occasional absence of focus ultimately helps concentration in the long run.

I learned, if your personality tends toward un-sociability, you shouldn’t feel the need to change. Of course, that comes with caveats. But as long as you have regular social contact, you are choosing solitude rather than being forced into it, you have at least a few good friends and your solitude is good for your well-being or productivity, there’s no point agonizing over how to fit a square personality into a round hole.

So feel free to de-clutter your social calendar. 

Alone in the dark

 

One impact of being in complete darkness is that it can wreck your sleep cycle. Two of the key mechanisms for sleep cycle regulation, the hormone melatonin and the brain’s suprachiasmatic nucleus, both rely on light to function. Daylight reduces our levels of melatonin, helping us feel awake.

When I was still hosting my radio shows with classical music  on different Philippine radio stations, I really got surprised how many people tried to come in touch with me after listening to not only the (wonderful?) classical music as well as my inspirational thoughts in between. Yes, I really felt glad and honored to be on air and getting the chance to share my passion for classical music with a really great listener ship. Once upon a time –  already many years ago.

In total darkness there are many people right now because of the number of cases increasing to astronomical heights all over the world. Strategies against darkness?  “Why am I so sad? What am I so troubled about?” (Psalm 42,11).

If it’s becoming dark, we usually turn on our lights. But, it’s still daylight. It’s a magnificent and wonderful day! The sun shines with might in the sky. The flowers are ablaze with amazing colors; the birds are chirping cheerfully. – “Yet, why am I so sad? Why am I so troubled?”

We experience feelings, as if darkness lies onto our souls, and light cannot get through any more. Yes, we make head or tail of it, because some really bad things happened since a couple of  months in many of our life and surroundings:

Several good friends passed away unforeseen; a wish, carried with us in our hearts never became true; all doors seem to be locked forever; financial problems bother us and don’t allow the chance for three daily meals; and arduous illness seems to become incurable.

Why are we so sad? Why are we so troubled? The psalm’s poet voices out innermost feelings and emotions during those times. 

A very good friend ( a really very good one!) asked the following question: “How can you praise and worship this God, who allowed me always to get into a never-ending darkness?” Is my friend a dyed-in-the-wool-atheist”, who underpinned his opinion with even the Psalm: “Day and night I cry and tears are my only food; all the time my enemies ask me, “Where is YOUR “God”?””

I was trained how to survive such periods of life. Even in this pandemic situation. Be patient and pray. Yes, pray! Or: “Quarrel with your soul!” No, it’s not nonsense, it really works. 

“Don’t make such a fuss; get out of your dump and be happy!”

Or, read Psalm 103: “The Love of God”.

Pride March and LoveLaban Pride Festival

 As of 7 p.m., attendees at this year’s Pride March and LoveLaban Pride Festival in UP Diliman have reached more than 230,000, based on figures provided by the Quezon Police District.

This does not cover those who went to Maginhawa Street and Araneta, Cubao which are satellite venues of the Pride event.

The Quezon City LGU expect the number to further go up as the night wears on. | : Quezon City Government/Facebook via Gigi Valderrama, INQUIRER.net

Follow our live updates here: https://inqnews.net/Pride2026Live

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Celeste Cortesi, Jonathan Sterling answer breakup buzz with romantic posts

By Neil Ramos

Published Jun 28, 2026 01:36 pm

At A Glance

• Celeste Cortesi and Jonathan Sterling dismiss breakup rumors through sweet Instagram posts after third-party allegations involving Bianca Manalo were denied.

Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi and her partner, British tech millionaire and philanthropist Jonathan Sterling, put an end to persistent breakup rumors by sharing affectionate posts that leave little doubt about the status of their relationship. 

Maps

After weeks of malicious speculation alleging that the couple had split because of a supposed third party, Celeste and Jonathan took to Instagram to remind followers that they remain happily together.

On Thursday, June 26, Celeste uploaded an Instagram Story featuring a collage of sweet moments with Jonathan. Although she did not include a caption, the cozy snapshots spoke volumes, showing the couple enjoying each other's company despite the controversy surrounding them.   

Jonathan later reposted Celeste's Story and accompanied it with a heartfelt declaration that immediately caught the attention of fans.

"The love of my life. Don't let her know, it'll go to her head."

The caption, as with the collage, quickly circulated online, with many netizens interpreting it as the couple's clearest response yet to rumors questioning the stability of their relationship.

The controversy began after an online report claimed that Celeste and Jonathan had allegedly gone their separate ways because of an unnamed third party.

Beauty queen-actress Bianca Manalo was later dragged into the issue after being identified in circulating reports as the supposed reason behind the alleged split. 

However, Bianca's management team at Sparkle immediately denied the allegations.

In an official statement released on June 12, Sparkle GMA Artist Center categorically rejected claims linking Bianca to the rumored breakup, stressing that the accusations had no factual basis.

This is not the first time Celeste has addressed the issue.

As early as June 13, the beauty queen assured the public that everything was fine between her and Jonathan. She also appealed for people to stop spreading baseless rumors, especially since she is currently pregnant with their first child.

She accompanied that statement with a photo of herself and Jonathan smiling and giving a thumbs-up to the camera.

After fruitful Japan stint, Jaja Santiago brings talent to US

By Mark Rey Montejo

Published Jun 25, 2026 02:36 pm

At A Glance

• Following her long stay in Japan, Jaja Santiago, also known as Sachi Minowa, embarked on her new journey as she inked a deal to play in the League One Volleyball (LOVB) in the United States.

Jaja Santiago (Japan SV.League)

Following her long stay in Japan, Jaja Santiago, also known as Sachi Minowa, embarked on her new journey as she inked a deal to play in the League One Volleyball (LOVB) in the United States.

Santiago, 30, was officially welcomed by the league on its Instagram post on Thursday, June 25, with the 6-foot-5 middle blocker being added in the elite players competing in the US-based tournament.

“Adding a new country to our list: the Philippines! Welcome, Sachi “Jaja” Minowa!!,” LOVB wrote. “Jaja is a talented middle blocker who is a Japanese SV.League Champion with multiple Best spiker and Best blocker awards! Welcome, Jaja!”

Prior to the LOVB announcement, Santiago, one of the country’s top blockers, revealed the development less than a week ago.

The former National University standout was then assigned to a team after her signing was made directly with the league.

Before her move to the United States, Santiago started her professional career when she bannered the Foton Tornadoes in the Philippine Super Liga (PSL) from 2015 to 2018.

Santiago then played in Japan’s SV.League with the Ageo Medics. She later returned to the country for a brief stint in the PSL before rejoining the same Japanese club where she played two seasons.

Santiago went back to the PSL to play for the Chery Tiggo Crossovers when they moved from PSL to the Premier Volleyball League.

She re-signed with Ageo in Japan, followed by her stints with the Osaka Marvelous (2023-25), and Denso Airybees (2025-26)

She won an SV. League title with the Marvelous in the 2024-25 season.

Santiago, now a Japanese citizen, is married to coach Taka Minowa since 2022.