Philippine US Ambassador Apologizes

United States Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. has extended his apology to department of justice Secretary Leila de Lima for his recent declaration that 40 percent or four out of every 10 foreign male tourists visiting the Philippines come here for 'sex-tourism'.

In a one-page letter to De Lima dated October 11, 2011, Thomas said he regrets issuing the statement without any factual basis during his speech at a recent roundtable discussion on "Combating Human Trafficking in the Philippines" with the Philippine Judicial Academy, Court of Appeals, and the U.S. DOJ Crimina Division.

"I deeply regret that my comments regarding human trafficking and sexual tourism in the Philippines have caused angst and misunderstanding. Clearly it was not my intent to insult Filipinos, a people who I have to come to admire and respect. I should not have said 'that 40 percent of American (?) males come to the Philippines for sexual tourism' without ability to confirm those statistics. I want to assure you that the U.S. Embassy Manila will continue to work with your government to combat this modern day form of slavery... . Working together with honest and dedicated officials, our two governments can end this global scourge... ." Thomas said.

Weekend With More Beautiful Classical Music

It's weekend again - and, time for relaxing after a very stressful week... I can relax very well with Classical music. Before I disappear, I still like to share some more stories about three classical composers with you...

And, don't forget to tune in to 104.3 FM "The Edge Radio Davao" and enjoy listening my show "Classics with Klaus Doring" on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. or via live stream http://davao.theedge.ph

 CHRISTIAN SINDING

GAETANO DONEZETTI

 WILHELM FURTWAENGLER

Check out  more here:

http://www.klausdoringclassicalmusic.webs.com

Produce Enough Rice in The Philippines!

Dr. Gelia T. Castillo, national scientist and member o the Philippine Rice Search Institute (PhilRice) Board of Trustees, challenged Mindanao farmers to improve their yield during the recent Farmer's Field Day and Forum in PhilRice Agusan in Basilsia, Remedios T. Romualdez, Agusan del Norte.

Close to 1,000 farmers, students, representatives of local government units, and members of the press from Regions 10, 11, and 13, attented the activity,

Recognizing the issues on food production, Castillo said "farmers have a huge role to play" in producing more rice to feed the ballooning population. "The Caraga region has slightly higher per capita rice availability average (129 kg) than the national average (119 kg)... .The challenge now is how to increase rice productivity so the region can contribute to Philippine rice self-sufficiency," Castillo said. 

For more information you may visit their website http://www.philrice.gov.ph or text your questions to 0920-911-1398.

Octoberfest at Swiss Deli

With friendly permission taken from Mindanao Daily Mirror (today's issue!).

Undiplomatic Diplomat

An ambassador's job is to strengthen goodwill with the nation he is assigned to and win friends among the people therein for his country. The ambassadorial post serves as a country's first link of good elations with another. Doing something that could antagonize citizens and officials in his country of assignment is farthest from actions expected of a foreign envoy.

The presence of a foreign ambassador is a strong indication of friendship between the nation he is assigned to and his home country. So, it was not surprising that US Ambassador Harry Thomas' statement that 40 percent of male tourists to the Philippines are only after sex with local women drew flak from politicians. The most vocal in censuring the US envoy's undiplomatic comments were Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Panfilo Lacson.

Standing part on his comment by three legislators to make an apology to Filipinos, saying that he had bases his assertion with records on sex trade gathered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation agents working with the National Bureau of Investigation,

It cannot be denied that some nationals from other countries come to the Philippines or sexual pleasure with our women who are mostly attractive. But without doubt the great majority of male foreigners come to the country for short visits because there are many things to see in this tropical paradise. ...

Another thing that draws foreign tourists to the country is the low cost of food, services,transportation and hotel accommodations here compared with tose of most other countries. And, because we have sunshine the whole year around, foreign tourists can come to the Philippines at any time of the year.

With his undiplomatic statement that earned the ire of MANY Filipinos, the Ambassador Thomas should heed Senator Lacson's call that he 'pack his bag and go home" for being "tactless, offensive and undiplomatic".

(With friendly permission: Editorial of Mindanao Daily Mirror, October 7, 2011, by publisher Marietta F. Siongco and Ana Theresa F. Basilio, General Manager).

Comment:

I strongly agree, although today the Ambassador expressed his apologizes... .

Zamboanga City moves To Protect Tarsiers

Following the discovery of tarsiers in some places here in Zamboanga City, the city council has adopted two resolutions calling for the protection of tarsiers and their natural habitats.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has disclosed that tarsiers, locally known as "Chonggo Magu", can be found in Baluno, Bungiao, Dulian, La Paz, Lumayang, Pasonaca, and Tolosa.

Two tarsiers, one of them wounded, were found several weeks ago at a populated area in La Paz. The DENR has said that the tarsiers are coming down to populated areas because of the rampant cutting of trees up in the mountains. 

The resolutions sponsored by Councilor Rogelio Valesco (Kudos to your, Sir!), were unanimously approved during the regular Tuesday's session. Valesco is also chair of the city's council's committee on tourism.

The first resolution prohibits people to hunt, kill and capture tarsiers for private keeping and the second is for the DENR, as well as the stakeholders in the barangays, to protect the tarsiers and their natural habitats.

Valesco said, he authored the two resolutions citing that tarsiers are endangered species and that Zamboanguenos should feel fortunate that the little primates exist in this city.

Very well said, Sir! Salamat po!

Philippines' Vanishing Flora and Fauna!?

Being a permanent resident in the Philippines since 1999, I observed several examples regarding vanishing Philippines's flora and fauna.

The Philippine brown deer hobbles on three legs in a tiny mud of a pen at a government-run wildlife rescue centre, a grim symbol of the Philippines' rapidly vanishing flora and fauna. PEOPLE AWAKE!!!

The deer was a victim of a snare set by villagers hunting it for food that claimed its front right foot six years ago, forcing the old male to live out the rest of its days a long way from home at the animal shelter in Manila. Heaven forbid!

The deer is just one of hundreds of local species that are being hunted close to local species that are being hunted close to extinction mainly by the rural poor who want them for food or to sell to dealers as part of an increasingly lucrative global pet trade,

Living in the Philippines... !

Three More Classical Music Composers In A Row

(Ferruccio Busoni)

(Manuel de Falla)

 (Ruggiero Leoncavallo)

 I love them and their music.

Check out more on my website or enjoy listening my radio show "Classics with Klaus Doring", every Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. on 104.3 FM, The Edge Radio Davao and via live stream:

http://www.davao.theedge.ph

http://www.klausdoringclassicalmusic.webs.com

Hope For Mountain People Ata-Manobos

The news are from Talaingod in Davao del Norte. A seemingly endless array of mountain slopes transforms into unusual shades of green that engulf the municipality of Talaingod. Though it ised to be the center of massive logging until the early 1990s, rivers still abound with life and tall trees crown its mountains.

But Talaingod is more than just a spectacular display of nature. Located at the border of Bukidnon and Davao City, it cradles a unique and colorful culture. It is home to the proud Ata-Manabos.

The Ata-Manobos dominate Talaingod with about 80% of the municipality's population. They most live in small sitios that are scattered over a wide 45,496 hectares of forest and dangerous terrain, isolating them from civilization and hindering access to their basic needs.

These proud people in the uplands never really dreamed of ever getting out from the black hole of poverty. For many, it is simply their fate. But what was more disturbing was the people's idea of the government. In all their life they have never seen a government worker. 

The entry of KALAHI-CIDSS (Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services) in 2004 at least let the tribal people started to become aware of the services of the government. Despite being among the remotest areas of the Davao Region, Talaingod started to implement the 2--4 program and the people started to appreciate the efforts of the government.

(Many thanks to Leslie Lao-Francisco, DSWD, for sharing these thoughts with us.)

Four in Ten Male Tourists ‘visit Philippines for sex’

40 percent of foreign men visiting the Philippines are sex tourists, the US-ambassador in the Philippines, Harry Thomas, said... . 

Check out the SUN HERALD story here: 

4 in 10 male tourists ‘visit PH for sex’