WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (XVI): Terrible homesickness

 

WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (XVI)

Chapter VXI: Terrible homesickness

Ludwig van Beethoven and all my classical masters seemed to be thousands of miles away. Rossana and I reached the Philippines together with our four best friends from Berlin in March 1989 for another six weeks long vacation. Of course, we wanted to show our friends the most beautiful and best sides of Davao City and Mindanao. The known political situation gave us limits. But, we tried it.

Relatives and good connections arranged an appointment with then Cotabato City Mayor Ludovico Badoy, . While writing this chapter, I learned that Vic Badoy passed away in April 2021. As the national executive director of the NHC, Badoy was credited for the renovation of the historic “Bahay Kalakal” (Ker and Co.) building in Iloilo City in 2018. Agriculture Undersecretary Zamzamin Ampatuan remembered the late mayor as a leader who made Cotabato City peaceful, orderly, clean and a vibrant city. And even in 1989, we had nothing to worry about. Roaming around, but with a group of six bodyguards, we enjoyed the two wonderful days stay in Cotabato City. And I got my interview with the mayor for my ANG MABUHAY magazine in Berlin. On the way back to Davao, some bombs and grenades exploded. Nothing happened to us.

Our thirst for adventure didn't seem to slow. Of course, our four friends wanted to experience something, but it was clear to Rossana and me, that we should not overdo it. After all, we were responsible for their security.

But, again with several bodyguards our next destination was within reach several days later: Mount Diwata, also locally unofficially nicknamed Diwalwal, is a remote 1,261-metre (4,137 ft) high range of volcanic mountain and biodiversity area in Davao Region on eastern part of Mindanao island of Philippines. Rich in gold and copper ores and mines, it is spread across the 3 municipalities: (a) Monkayo in the province of Compostela Valley; as well as (b) Cateel and (c) Boston in the province of Davao Oriental. Laguna Copperplate Inscription, the oldest written document in the Philippines dated to 900 CE, refers to Mount Diwata.

A dizzying hanging bridge brought us to the Bagobos. Along the desolate eastern coast of the Davao Gulf, centuries ago, new migrants mixed with the native population, forming a new community that was given the name Bagobo. This tribe traces its origin from the people who brought Hinduism to Mindanao, its name was derived from the words bago meaning new and obo meaning growth. Throughout centuries a strong social structure has enabled these native groups to blend well with the original population, retaining their indigenous customs, beliefs and values.

The mountainous region between the upper Pulangi and Davao rivers is the homeland of the Upland Bagobo, the coastal Bagobo once lived in the hills south and east of Mount Apo, where according a legend, their supreme god and common ancestor Apo Sandawa ruled as God. Mount Apo is the Bogobo ancestral domain and their sacred place of worship.

The weeks flew by. Rossana developed a certain sentimentality during the last few days. She called it homesickness. Me too. And we found out that both of us got the same feelings: one home - two countries. A very tearful goodbye party is still in my memories.

A particularly historic event awaits us in Berlin a couple of months later: the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989. Rossana and I joined the peaceful revolutions and helped tear down the Berlin Wall. A piece of the wall that we broke out then is still in a special place in our house in the Philippines. 

And then? When I got back from the office, Rossana had a very important message from Los Angeles for me ... .

(To be continued!)

Typical Filipino (XVI) - Typisch Philippinisch (XVI): "Pakikisama" - "Paghiusa" - Die Kunst des Zusammenlebens

 

Pakikisama (or in Bisaya Paghiusa) is a typical trait of a Filipino, in its simplest sense meaning “getting along with others”. Pakikisama entails a genuine intrinsic appreciation of togetherness, which in general means  camaraderie or what sociologists call the need for people in the Philippines to maintain smooth interpersonal relations. The prevalence of pakikisama is one of the reasons that the Philippines is seen as such a friendly country.

Der philippinische Audruck beschreibt glatte zwischenmenschliche Beziehungen. Grob übersetzt bedeutet dies die Fähigkeit, miteinander auszukommen und das Gefühl von Kameradschaft und Zusammengehörigkeit zu entwickeln. Diese erstrebenswerte Fähigkeit erlernen die Filipinos schon von klein auf. Ich habe dies in mehr als 22 Jahren meines Permanentaufenthalts mit einem großen Teil der Familie meiner deutsch-philippinischen Frau auf demselben Grundstück lernen, lieben und schätzen gelernt.

The Filipino term describes smooth interpersonal relationships. Roughly translated, this means the ability to get along with one another and develop a felling of camaraderie and togetherness. Filipinos learn this desirable skill from an early age. I have learned to love and appreciate this in more than 22 years of my permanent stay with a large part of the family of my Filipino-German wife on the same property.

(To be continued: "Utang na loob" - Der Schuldenzyklus. Don't miss it out!)

When bad things happened...

... to a good person. A simple statement or answer could be: bad things happen for the same reason anything happens. “We could bear nearly any pain or disappointment if we thought there was a reason behind it, a purpose, to it.”  - a quotation by Rabbi Harold Kushner from his book " When Bad Things Happen to Good People".

In times of pandemic, wars and natural disasters many bad things happened - and yes, to good people too. It would make sense for “bad things” to happen to “bad people” wouldn’t it?  But a “good person” like me and you?

Dr. Ralph Lewis, U.S.  psychiatrist, stressed it as follows: "As a meaning-seeking species, we tend to process events in terms of what they mean to us: is it good or bad for us? And it is a human habit to infer deliberate intention to events in self-referential ways. “Why did this happen?” and “Why me?” are therefore natural and common questions asked by many people when faced with a sudden adverse event, such as a diagnosis of cancer. “What did I do to deserve this? Did I do something to cause it?” Many people are inclined to wonder if they are being punished by God for some past transgressions, or to ponder if there is some intended mysterious plan or higher reason for their misfortune, perhaps some intended lesson in their suffering."

Back to Harold S. Kushner being a rabbi, with a spiritual perspective that's both simple and enlightening. Still, it's his personal experience of tragedy that makes him a comforting fellow traveler for anyone holding deep hurt. Rabbi Harold S. Kushner's son, died of progeria at 14 years of age. Progeria is a very rare genetic disorder that quickly leads a child to age, leading to death by late childhood or early teens. Kushner's experience as a rabbi, means that he has a deep understanding of theology; however, he was somewhat at a loss in the face of tragedy.

II always like to use the bible to help. Sure is, that nobody suffered more and nobody deserved it less. The Book of Job reads like a detective story in which the readers know far more than the central characters. It helps to think of this book as courtroom drama, full of long, eloquent speeches.  Like all grieving persons, Job went through emotional crises. He whined, exploded, cajoled and collapsed in self-pity. 

Sooner or later, we all find ourselves in a position somewhat like Job's. Our world seems to crumble apart. Nothing makes sense any more. God seems distant and silent. At such moments of great crisis, each one of us ist put on trial. In a sense we become actors in a contest like the one Job went through. 

Keep in mind, my dear readers: Nobody suffered more; nobody deserved it less.

DTI conducts skills training to farmers association in Montevista town

Davao de Oro --- The Department of Trade and Industry Davao de Oro provincial office conducted skills training on Product Enhancement cum Packaging and Labelling on Mushroom-Based Products to the members of Tapia Unified Farmers Association (TUFA) yesterday May 18, 2021.

 

The said training is one of the DTI’s interventions that aim to create livelihood opportunities and enable them to participate in local economic development activities. Each member was taught on how to make various recipes for mushrooms. They have also given lectures regarding the product cost and pricing to make their products competitive in the market.

“Monte Taps” or Montevista Tapia is the name of their product with the variety of Mushroom Binagoongan and Mushroom Chili Garlic Sauce which will be sold to the different marketplace in the province and ensures sustainability and income for the association.

Present during the activity were DTI Division Chief of Davao de Oro Mr. Patrick Kim Evangelio, Senior Trade Development Specialist and Negosyo Center of Montevista Mr. Faustino Diabordo, and other AFP Personnel.

With the help of the Community Development Teams of the 25th Infantry FIREBALL Battalion, the TUFA is DOLE’s registered and organized Peoples Organization in Barangay Tapia, Montevista, Davao de Oro. (Rheafe Hortizano – Provincial Information Office of DdO, Photos by DTI-DdO)

Release of Fertilizer and Seed subsidy to Rice farmers in DdO continues

To fully support its local farmers, PLGU Davao de Oro through the Provincial Agriculturist’s Office (PAGRO) rolls out the release of fertilizers and seed subsidy to rice farmers province-wide.

The initiative of the provincial government is armed by the Rice Resiliency Project II (RRPII) and Rice Enhancement Competitive Fund (RECF).

 RRP is one of the component projects under the “Plant, Plant, Plant Program” or the “Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat” (ALPAS) Kontra Covid-19 Program of the Department of Agriculture and is also implemented to increase farmer’s productivity and ensure food security amid Covid-19 through the provision of fertilizer subsidy, while RECF aims to improve rice farmers’ competitiveness and increase their income.

RECF will directly help farmers through the provision of certified inbred rice seeds and through integrating crop management to the farmers increasing access, utilization, and adoption to high quality and high-yielding inbred rice seeds.

On May 5, 2021, the release of the subsidy started in the municipality of Nabunturan and continues to other municipalities at a later date. New Bataan, Mawab, Monkayo, Montevista, Compostela, and Laak already received the subsidy and will be followed by Maragusan this Friday.

Overall, 3, 164 rice farmers from eight municipalities of Davao de Oro will benefit from the program. For the RRP II, a total of 11.6 Million Pesos worth of fertilizers were allotted for the farmers while the RECF allotted a total of 18.6 Million Pesos for the certified inbred rice seeds amounting to 21,180 bags.

PLGU-Davao de Oro sees to it that farmers in the province will lessen their production cost and improve the quality of their products leading to a better state in farming. 

(Jasteen Abella, Information Division Davao de Oro, photos by Reynaldo Renoblas)

Typical Filipino (XV) - Typisch Philippinisch (XV) - "Bahala Na" - Fatalismus oder Resignation

 

“Bahala na” is a philosophical expression Filipinos used when they are confronted with problems. They will say “Bahala Na”, meaning “come what may,” “whatever will be, will be,” 'leave it to God', like the Spanish word “que sera, sera”. ... So it can literally be translated as God already or God will take care already.

Is it correct to say "Bahala na" is a Filipino negative trait?  Yes, it is tantamount to leaving one's fate to another.

Manche halten diesen Wesenszug für Fatalismus. Wörtlich bedeutet der Ausdruck, die Dinge (Bathala) Gott anzuvertrauen oder einfach sich selbst zu überlassen. Da Filipinos auf das Wohlwollen anderer Leute bauen, zum Beispiel ihrer Vorgesetzten und ihnen möglichst alles recht machen wollen, kann man BAHALA NA  gut verstehen. Man will einfach hoffnungslos langwierige und verstrickte Entscheidungsprozesse vermeiden. BAHALA NA ist die Schublade, in der alles verschwindet, was "zu schwierig" ist, weil letztendlich alles doch von vielen anderen Menschen, ihren Wünschen, Meinungen und Launen abhängt.

Some consider this trait to be fatalism. The expression literally means to entrust things to God or simply to leave them to themselves. Since Filipinos rely on the goodwill of other people, BAHALA NA can be understood very well e.g. with their superiors trying to please them as much as possible. One just want to avoid hopeless drawn out and entangled decision-making processes. BAHALA NA is the drawer, in which everything disappears, which is "too difficult", because ultimately everything depends on many other people's opinions and moods.

WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (XV)

Chapter XV: My home - two countries

Meanwhile, Rossana and I had been married for over six years. We commuted back and forth between a lot of work for various publishing houses and several trips within Germany. Our flights for the next stop in the Philippines were also already booked. 

"Can't we go to the theatre or a concert again?" Rossana asked. "I already miss Ludwig van Beethoven and all the others", she added. Said and done. Although we were both piano lovers, this time a violin concerto awaited us. The one in d-major, opus 61 - Beethoven's only completed concert in this genre. Rossana was particularly fond of the third movement Rondo-Allegro. With its 6/8 theme, it is reminiscent of a hunting theme, which is later processed in a virtuoso cadence.

From Beethoven to Imelda Papin - from Germany to the Philippines. The difference couldn't be greater. But Imelda Papin was on a European tour and also paid a visit to Berlin for a performance in our Philippine Community.

Imelda Arcilla Papin (born January 26, 1956) is a Filipino singer and one of the bigger names in the Philippine music industry. Dubbed the "Sentimental Songstress", Imelda Papin is responsible for songs such as "Bakit (Kung Liligaya Ka Sa Piling Ng Iba)" and "Isang Linggong Pag-ibig". 

Our life became once again a roller coaster. "She" really came to Berlin. Maria Corazon Cojuangco Aquino, born Maria Corazon Sumulong Cojuangco; January 25, 1933 – August 1, 2009), popularly known as Cory Aquino, was a Filipino politician who served as the 11th President of the Philippines from 1986 - 1992 as the first woman to hold that office. It was an official state visit. 

Once again, I developed feelings of wanting to live in the Philippines forever, although Rossana and I were really not doing badly in Germany especially in Berlin.

In March 1989, we flew again to Rossana's (and meanwhile my second) home - this time for another six weeks and with our best friends from Berlin: Christa, who worked then at the American Embassy, Barbara and Ronald as well as Jochen. 

First travel destination: Cotabato City. At that time, it wasn't exactly a safe plan... !

(To be continued!)

Uncommon Sense

As I ponder the back and forth and up and down in my surroundings and the whole world, a book from my library falls into my hand: Peter Cochrane's Uncommon Sense with the subtitle Out of the box thinking for an in the box world.

"Peter Cochrane is one of our most far-sighted visionaries, and brings brilliant clarity and focus to our understanding of ourselves and our technologies, and of how profoundly each is transforming the other." describes Douglas Adams, author of  The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

In Uncommon Sense, Peter Cochrane's follow up to the radical 108 Tips for Time Traveller.  Peter explains how very simple analysis allows the prediction of such debacles as the 3G auction and the subsequent collapse of an industry, whilst simple-minded thinking is dangerous in the context of a world that is predominantly chaotic and out of control.

People balked when Peter suggested a wholesale move to eWorking, the rise of email and text messaging, and the dotcom regime mirroring the boom and bust cycle of the industrial revolution. His predictions of the use and growth of mobile devices and communication, or use of chip implants for humans to replace ID cards, passports, and medical records, or iris scanners and fingerprint readers - were all seen as unlikely. Today they are a reality.

I don't know how you feel nowadays, my dear readers. As christian the bible -and here especially Proverbs help me a lot. As I mentioned in one of my previous write ups, Proverbs is probably the most down-to-earth book in the bible. Its education prepares you for the street and the market place - somehow out of the box thinking for an in the box world, too.

Proverbs offers the warm advice you get by growing up in a good family and for successfully making your way in the world. It covers small questions as well as large: talking too much, visiting friends and neighbors too often or being unbearably cheerful too early  in the morning. Proverbs simply tells how life works most of the time.

People, and count me in, love to quote Proverbs, which often express truth about life in an elegant, witty kernel. You'll find more humor in Proverbs than anywhere else in the bible. And humor often seems to have passed in these days and age.

Typical Filipino (XIV) - Typisch Philippinisch (IV): Numbers - Zahlen

 

Einige Filipinos gehen vorsichtig mit der Zahl 13 um und werden bei Einladungen darauf achten, daß nicht 13 Personen am Tisch versammelt sind, da dies wahrscheinlich Unglück bringen würde. Die Anzahl der Stufen zum Haupteingang des Hauses sollte nicht durch drei teilbar sein. Zählen Sie ORO, PLATA, MATA (Gold, Silber, Tod), während Sie die Stufen hinabgehen, Ihr letzter Schritt sollte nicht MATA enden.

Some Filipinos are careful with the numbers 13 and will make sure when invitations are not 13 people around the table, as this would likely bring bad luck. The number of steps to the main entrance of the house should not be divisible by three. Just count ORO, PLATA, MATA = gold, silver, death, while your are going down. Your last step should not end up with DEATH.

WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (XIV)

 

Chapter XIV: Many unbelievable surprises but also a sad one 

"Immediately leave the territory of the German Democratic Republic!" The tone of the border guards was very perched. We had spread our picnic basket and blanket on a meadow and were just about to start eating. "Don't see that our state border is meters away from the wall?" The voices were getting louder and louder. We quickly packed up our things and were allowed to leave. 

From now on we always had big problems when we were on the transit highways from West Berlin to West Germany. There were hours of waiting for us at the East German  checkpoints. There was no other choice for us, after all, we wanted to visit my mother in West Germany - ca. 500 km away from Berlin.

Another very well known visitor arrived in the Philippine Community in Berlin: Cardinal Jaime Sin -  instrumental in the People’s Revolution. Jaime L. Sin (born 1928) was a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served in the Philippines. He was instrumental in the defeat of the Marcos regime in 1986 (during the EDSA Revolution, aka People Power Revolution).  Jaime L. Sin, was born in the town of New Washington, Aklan, in the Visayan Islands of the Philippines on August 21, 1928. 

Rossana had meanwhile passed her C2-German Language Test. We decided that she should apply for German citizenship. We loved to travel. But it meant that she had to apply for a visa for every country we wanted to travel for. So we found ourselves again at the Spanish Embassy for our vacation trip to our favorite island: Gran Canaria.

We were astonished how many Filipinas and Filipinos lived on this wonderful Spanish island in front of the West African coast. We got to know Luzviminda - star dancer in a Filipino ethnic dance group. There were indescribable moments. Luzviminda and Rossana knew only one topic that they talked: dancing. 

In the meantime we were able to build up our own dance group: the New Manisan Dancegroup Berlin. 

Countless stage appearances followed - including our first TV show "Mabuhay" with me as a somewhat stuttering and bumby host. Thank goodness it wasn't a live broadcast.

Then came the very sad event: Rossana, three months pregnant, lost our first child. "If I'm not allowed to dance at the moment, I'll help you with your work", she replied with a few tears in her eyes. Said and done: layouting and proofreading - she really was a tremendous help.

Ant then, the next Filipino statesman and later president Fidel V. Ramos and his wife came and visited the Philippine Community Berlin. Rossana and I met him six times - especially later during our numerous stays in Manila.

 During Ramos' stay in Berlin, we heard another awesome piece of news. President Cory Aquino had been invited by our chaplain Father Gene Bacareza to visit Berlin - and?

(To be continued!)