WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (XXVI): "Who dares wins" and Philippine Family Life

Tom Anthony and I met again and again. For lunch, for dinner, just for a talk between very close friends. He really had written this great story entitled "Sabine". I was amazed being with him and with the script writer of a movie,  shot in the Philippines especially in Davao City. Who dares wins! Yes, and everyone was ready. At the moment, his book has been published. During that time, as columnist of Mindanao Daily Mirror, I wrote: "Emotional and breathtaking. Heartily told and with unlimited elbow room. A novel about misery, poverty, distress, love and forgiveness".

The premiere night was getting closer and closer. Something was clear. It was originally planned that I would appear in this movie as well. It was eliminated by a sore throat infection. Well ... .

Rossana was thrilled being in another world while meeting actor James Monson from the U.S.

SABINE - as a movie and as a book became an awesome success. I was overwhelmed being a closed friend of Tom and being introduced to the international film economy.

It was time for me to learn that a life in the movie world is different from a real original family world. My radio fans kept on waiting for me every time I left the studio after my show.

"Sabine" became an awesome success. Even without me. But with an outstanding cast - especially with Davao Celebrity Bangs Garcia  in her main role "Sabine". And well, yes with Felix Roco, James Monson, VIVA hot babe Gwen Garci and many more. The unique and awesome movie director was friend Ian del Carmen. 

Did I forget my own family? No.

I learned within the following years that happiness in Filipino culture is habitual and a trait most of them possess. If you have visited the Philippines, whether it’s for travel or business, you can tell that Filipinos are amazing people. The way they politely greet, smile, and interact with others shows the lightheartedness in them despite the chaos and difficulty of life.

Over the years, the Philippines ranked as one of the top happiest countries in the world, making the Filipinos become a trademark in fulfilling happiness. While they are naturally drawn happy, some say the vitamins from the sun brings them more joy every day. Wonder why? Because sunlight triggers the release of a hormone in the brain called serotonin that boosts people’s mood and promotes happiness.

Happiness in Filipino culture is habitual and a trait most of them possess. If you have visited the Philippines, whether it’s for travel or business, you can tell that Filipinos are amazing people. The way they politely greet, smile, and interact with others shows the lightheartedness in them despite the chaos and difficulty of life. Being from a country with being more sad and lonely or self-reliant people, the Filipinos surprised me. 

Many beliefs and studies on why Filipinos are naturally happy but listed below are the main reasons for it. Number 1 is  love of food and eating. Oh yes, I strongly agree.

Close family ties are another very important reason. As a German expat in the Philippines, I do experience it really daily. Despite the differences in religions and beliefs in the Philippines, the Filipino people are truly religious and spiritual. You can see it by how they value Sunday as a day of praising the Lord and going to church. One of the most significant religious traditions in the Philippines is the parade of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo church, where many Filipinos devoted their vows every year. This tradition showcases the high place of religion for most Filipinos, and they believe that spirituality develops positive emotions and feelings to make them happier in life.

Of course, I felt much at home as member of a Philippine family. I forgot more and more Germany. Really sad to say.

(To be continued!)

HURRAY, WE ARE STILL ALIVE!

 

I think so almost every day. Every day, when I wake up in the morning. Yes, what a miracle, we are still alive although the negative news is pouring down on us like the unexpected hailstorm somewhere in the desert.

Hurray, we are still alive! In the ears of many, those struggling with illness, death, business failure, natural disasters, and personal financial ruin have to fight, a not a very encouraging exclamation. Yes, I can feel it.

How strong are we? How much anxiety,  how much pressure can you and I bear? What did we not have to overcome? After low tight comes high tide. 

What the future might bring us? Human-powered wearables? Airports for drones and flying taxis? Smart sutures that detect infections? Self-healing ‘living concrete'? Crowd-sourced antibiotics? Self-driving trucks? Floating farms?

Every day, people around the world come up with new ways to make the future brighter.  A list of some of the most exciting advances in future technology that will change our world. Somehow it scares me. And you my dear reader?

Also this: The world population is expected to reach 8.5 billion people by 2030. India will overtake China as the most populated country on Earth. Nigeria will overtake the US as the third most populous country in the world. The fastest-growing demographic will be the elderly: 65+ people will hit one billion by 2030. 

Bernard Marr is a world-renowned futurist, influencer and thought leader in the fields of business and technology, with a passion for using technology for the good of humanity. Among other things, he provides that as the ripple of COVID-19 careens around the globe, it’s forcing humankind to innovate and change the way we work and live. The upside of where we find ourselves right now is that individuals and corporations will be more resilient in a post-COVID-19 world.

We have to deal with more contact less interfaces and interactions, strengthened digital infrastructure, tele medicine, more digital events - just to mention some. 

Yes, we are still alive now. Let's see what the future will bring.

EVERYTHING IS MEANINGLESS!

My column in Mindanao Daily News and Businessweek Mindanao 

OPINION

By KLAUS DORING

 August 1, 2021

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Especially nowadays we hear this expression more and more often. In a world with more and more natural disasters and never-ending pandemic, it's no wonder. I am sure, my dear readers, that you experience it in your surroundings too. 

 

The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophia, is a peer-reviewed academic resource, where I often find answers to my questions.  I quote: "Nihilism is the belief that all values are baseless and that nothing can be known or communicated. It is often associated with extreme pessimism and a radical skepticism that condemns existence. A true nihilist would believe in nothing, have no loyalties, and no purpose other than, perhaps, an impulse to destroy". 

 

Nihilism is most often associated with Friedrich Nietzsche, who lived from 1844 until 1900. Nietzsche was a German philosopher, essayist, and cultural critic. His writings on truth, morality, language, aesthetics, cultural theory, history, nihilism, power, consciousness, and the meaning of existence have exerted an enormous influence on Western philosophy and intellectual history. Nietzsche argued that its corrosive effects would eventually destroy all moral, religious, and metaphysical convictions and precipitate the greatest crisis in human history. 

 

Interestingly, Nietzsche himself, a radical skeptic preoccupied with language, knowledge, and truth, anticipated many of the themes of postmodernity. It’s helpful to note, then, that he believed we could–at a terrible price–eventually work through nihilism. If we survived the process of destroying all interpretations of the world, we could then perhaps discover the correct course for humankind.

 

When I discover traveling around on social networks, the word boredom is being used more and more - especially by the young generation.  "Boredom occurs when our engagement with the framework is suspended, and we notice the change to our experience brought about by our newfound inability to provide different times with different ignificances according to their relevance to a future goal" - so described by  German philosopher Martin Heidegger (1889–1976).

 

Guys, we cannot really  “make” our lives meaningful by just ignoring the fact that everything sooner or later vanishes into a deep and dark hole of time? I can't believe it.  I’m really a huge fan of existing. I love Woody Allen and his comment: “Cloquet hated reality but realized it was still the only place to get a good steak.” 

 

I think there’s plenty of fun to be had – at least for those of us not in tragically dire circumstances. Think about yourself. Moreover, siding with thinkers like David Hume, I think there's great contentment in seeing other people being helped, and great joy in behaving like a decent human being. Generally regarded as one of the most important philosophers to write in English, David Hume (1711–1776) was also well known in his own time as an historian and essayist.

 

I would even call myself an optimist. If you take time and check my previous columns at this corner, you will agree with me.

Main Reasons Why Filipinos Are One of The Happiest People on Earth

by barokandtakya 

Happiness in Filipino culture is habitual and a trait most of them possess. If you have visited the Philippines, whether it’s for travel or business, you can tell that Filipinos are amazing people. The way they politely greet, smile, and interact with others shows the lightheartedness in them despite the chaos and difficulty of life.

Over the years, the Philippines ranked as one of the top happiest countries in the world, making the Filipinos become a trademark in fulfilling happiness. While they are naturally drawn happy, some say the vitamins from the sun brings them more joy every day. Wonder why? Because sunlight triggers the release of a hormone in the brain called serotonin that boosts people’s mood and promotes happiness.

Many beliefs and studies on why Filipinos are naturally happy but listed below are the main reasons for it.

1.   Love of food and eating

Most Filipino households eat three times a day to make sure health intake, and they attain happiness from satisfying their hunger. They love to eat using their hands, and it becomes a trademark of being a Filipino. Rice and fish are common foods present in every Filipino family’s menu. The proteins and carbohydrates found in rice and fish also contain serotonin that improves the mood and balance their well-being to boost happiness. Besides, the Philippines is located in the Pacific-waters and known for its outstanding fisheries, which are the primary source of other fresh kinds of seafood for the Filipinos.

2.   Close family ties

During summer, Filipino families love to go to pools and enjoy quality time.

Filipinos consider their families as their strength. They are known for having close family ties, and they value and prioritize it. They go to church, gathered at least once a year to have a family reunion, and celebrate special occasions. They support and help each other financially, emotionally, and physically. Filipinos are happy because their families loved and cared for them.

3.   Religion and Spirituality

Despite the differences in religions and beliefs in the Philippines, the Filipino people are truly religious and spiritual. You can see it by how they value Sunday as a day of praising the Lord and going to church. One of the most significant religious traditions in the Philippines is the parade of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo church, where many Filipinos devoted their vows every year. This tradition showcases the high place of religion for most Filipinos, and they believe that spirituality develops positive emotions and feelings to make them happier in life.

4.   Traditions and special occasions

Barok and his family love to clown around with this incredible shot.

Being a religious nation, the unique occasions by the Filipinos like Panagbenga Festival, Sinulog Festival, and Pahiyas Festival, where they celebrate every year in the Visayas region to express gratitude for their town’s patron saint. Also, they have barangay fiestas celebrated in every city of the Philippines for thanksgiving upon the people and the area. These occasions were prepared by colorful “banderitas” across the streets, dance numbers, games, and prizes for the people. Filipinos are also known for family gatherings during special occasions like Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day. Through these occasions, most of them are happy and genuinely grateful for being a Filipino.

For similar content of this type, listen to Barok and Takya Bisaya Podcast Episode: We are Happinoys on your favourite podcast apps players like Podbean, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Or you could also check out Barok and Takya’s Youtube Channel – BISAYA PODCAST for more of their content.

WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (XXV): Movie Shooting, parties and new dishes

After many years living in the Philippines, I also got used to new flavors when it comes to eating and drinking. "Balut" for example. A balut is a fertilized bird egg (usually a duck) which is incubated for a period of 14 to 21 days, depending on the local culture, and then steamed. Balut is common street food in the Philippines and other localities, and is also sold in stores and malls. It is a relatively cheap source of protein and calcium. Well, it took some effort to try it first. 

The Durian fruit was no challenge for me from the start. Maybe because my wife Rossana comes from here - from "Durianburg". Durian is a tropical fruit distinguished by its large size and spiky, hard outer shell. It has a smelly, custard-like flesh with large seeds. There are several varieties, but the most common one is Durio zibethinus. The fruit's flesh can range in color.

Lechon, derived from a Spanish word for roasted suckling pig, is one of the most popular dishes in the Philippines. The slowly-roasted suckling pig is usually stuffed with lemongrass, tamarind, garlic, onions, and chives, and is then roasted on a large bamboo spit over an open fire. I loved it - as many other typical Filipino dishes. I am a lucky guy, because Rossana learned how to cook typical German dishes - as well as French and Italian. So I don't have to go without roast beef in red wine sauce with red cabbage and potatoes. And barbecues are at least as popular in Germany as they are in the Philippines.

Yes, Tuba. I like it. Some of Rossana's (and my) relatives lived on Samal Island in the Gulf of Davao. They let me try Tuba a long time ago. Tubâ  is a Filipino alcoholic beverage created from the sap of various species of palm trees. My relatives told me, Palm wine contains potassium which has been proven by research to improve heart health and bring down hypertension. However drinking it in excess has adverse effects like destroying the liver. 3 Palm Wine can help Fight against Cancer: Palm wine contains vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin.

Eating, drinking - and yes parties. In Germany as well as in the Philippines. Our circle of friends with Filipinos and Germans and other foreigners grew.

One day during my classical music radio shows , I received a text message from a certain Tom Anthony. An U.S.-American, who could speak German fluently. At that time, Beethoven's  Eroica Symphony, byname of Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major, Op. 55, known as the Eroica Symphony for its supposed heroic nature was on air. The work premiered in Vienna on April 7, 1805, and was grander and more dramatic than customary for symphonies at the time. It was Beethoven’s largest solely instrumental work.

Tom and I met after the show. We became great friends. I learned that he was an amazing writer. And, movie shooting in Davao with Gwen Garci, China Roces, Bonz Militar, and James Monson was planned.

(To be continued!)

Coronavirus: Germany plans new COVID-19 testing rules for travelers

The Health Ministry is reportedly planning to expand obligatory testing to all travelers, even from low-risk areas. The move has been criticized for going too far, as well as for not going far enough.

The new proposal will likely not include those who have been fully vaccinated or who can show proof of having recovered from coronavirus.

German Health Minister Jens Spahn is planning compulsory coronavirus tests for travelers entering the country, regardless of where they travel from, Funke Media Group reported on Tuesday.

The ministry is aiming for "an expansion of test requirements upon entry as quickly as possible," according to a document seen by the media group. The goal is to curb the recent rapid rise in infections, especially with the highly contagious delta variant.

Currently, air passengers and people entering from high-risk areas are obliged to provide a negative test or proof that they have been fully vaccinated or have recovered from an infection.

The new rule would set a blanket requirement, not just limited to high-risk areas or certain types of transport, the report said. But it is unclear whether the change would apply to fully vaccinated people.

"The coordination in the government on this is underway," a Health Ministry spokesperson told Reuters.

Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht opposed the plan, considering blanket testing disproportionate, according to the Funke report.

The news of the plan comes shortly after German lawmakers and officials clashed over proposals to extend freedoms only for those people who have been fully vaccinated.

According to the Robert Koch Institute, the rate of infection across Germany on Tuesday averaged 14.5 new cases per 100,000 people over the past seven days. While this is still relatively low, that rate was just 4.9 on July 6. Nearly 50% of the population has been fully vaccinated.

Can testing stop a fourth wave?

Virologist Martin Stürmer welcomed the possibility of expanding of compulsory testing, saying: "We're actually already seeing that return travelers are contributing in a heightened way to bringing infections into Germany."

He told public broadcaster ZDF that vaccinated and recovered people would likely be exempt, but said such an approach would be "negligent" because even those who have been fully vaccinated can still contract the delta variant.

The virologist was skeptical about the chances of avoiding a fourth wave of infections in Germany. While the connection between infections and hospitalizations would become weaker over time, he said, there are still unknowns regarding the long-term effects of COVID-19.

"We have a virus where we still don't know exactly what consequential damage will ultimately be done," Stürmer said.

In Filipino / Tagalog is pogi or guapo more correct for the word "handsome"?

By: Dayang C Marikit

I’m a Philippine history professor and my Quora account is mainly focused on promoting and educating people about the pre-colonial period. Below are some of my articles and as well as some informative videos.

I would like to inform people that “nothing is set in stone” because we are constantly gathering information and learning about our history, somethings may change in the future, but for now the things that I publish are the things that we currently perceive to “know about.”

Guapo - is a Spanish loanword.

Pogi - is a modern slang based on Guapo.

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Below are some purely tagalog terms.

• Makisig - Handsome, (this term is very formal and is rarely used in daily conversation).
• May itsura [ichura] - This means that a person is attractive and this term is also gender neutral.
• Magandang Lalaki - This literally translates to (Beautiful Boy/Lad/Guy/Man/ETC)… I hear this often used by elderly people, my grandmother actually uses this term on my male cousins… (Somehow, I wish that this term doesn’t die out).

Which place has such a nice climate that you would like to spend your whole life there?

 By:

Bisaya

Barok and Takya Blog | Bisaya Podcast

The tropics have such an excellent climate that you would like to spend your whole life there. There are millions of people who have migrated to tropical regions to be near the ocean and enjoy the friendly southern airflow, as well as bask in that beautiful tropical sun. The orange sky, green foliage, the sound of palm leaves, and waves always rushing ashore make the tropics an inviting oasis.

Many people migrate for their health or employment opportunities; unfortunately, they often find themselves with too many worries and not enough time off work to enjoy all the things they sought out when they started this new journey. However, after a few weeks or months in paradise, one begins to feel much less stressed than before and truly understand what life was meant to be.

In this post, I will highlight one of the most popular places in the tropics: the Philippines. The combination of lush tropical forest, white-sand beaches, and crystal-clear water make the Philippines a great place for vacations at any time of year. It has also been ranked among the happiest[1] countries on Earth with an enviable level of environmental protection that makes it easy for visitors to feel good about not only themselves but their contribution towards preserving such beauty as well. In addition, Filipinos are very welcoming people who love having guests come from all over so that they can show off their country's natural wonders! Whether you're looking for a vacation spot or wanting to build your own home, there is no better place to be than in the Philippines.

Footnotes

[1] 4 Main Reasons Why Filipinos Are One of The Happiest People on Earth

Healthier, Wealthier, Wiser?

 

The title takes its name from the proverb, "Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." This quote is often attributed to Benjamin Franklin since it appeared in his Poor Richard's Almanack; however, it was first used in print by John Clarke in a 1639 book of English and Latin proverbs.

It's not only my idea and headline too. Healthier, Wealthier, Wiser? was a co-production of the Canadian Association for Adult Education, the Canadian Institute on Public Affairs and the CBC. Denny Spence produced the series with assistance from Christina McDougall and researcher Joan Hollobon.

Why do I ask this question? It is known that greater health throughout life, greater wealth, greater social status, and greater intelligence are all associated with greater life expectancy. Untangling the nature of these linked correlations is ever a challenge, however, since they all associate with one another as well. There are any number of plausible explanations as to why the wealthy or the more intelligent live longer, and some interesting speculation besides, such as the association of intelligence with physical robustness, but rarely is there any way to prove these explanations true in the data obtained from population studies. Correlations are what is obtained, and it is then usually a matter of retreating to animal studies where it is possible to structure the work to prove causation - but of course this is somewhere between hard and impossible to achieve for intelligence and social status.

At my age of almost 68, I might be allowed to share some things, such as how I struggled successfully through my past life. Most important: Focus on positive goals in your life. Many times, I forgot about this topic. But sooner or later, I learned to manage my environment. Yes, I connected  with other happy people. Open your eyes, they are here.

See the ones that you love more often. Maybe it's your family. It is mine. I have been sure about it for a long time. An expat living in the Philippines. 

Learn to say no to things that you do not want to do. Well, since the pandemic started March 2020, I kept on thinking about it, And, yes well, it became a good decision. Learn to say NO.

Healthier, Wealthier, Wiser? Maybe you and I are on the same road. Good luck. Keep on running. See you!

Typical Filipino (XXVIII) - Typisch Philippinisch (XXVIII): Ninong and Ninang /

 

A ninong is a godfather or sponsor of baptism or wedding. A ninang is a godmother.  A godmother  is a woman who sponsors a child's Catholic christening too and is expected to be like a second mother.

How do you choose ninong and ninang?

Make sure they can provide you with good advice. As much as possible, your ninong and ninang should be married and much older.

See if they're available on your wedding day.

BY JUSTINE LUBAG

One question I often see in bridal websites and bridal forums is how many ninangs and ninongs need to be present in your wedding. As we’ve tackled in our wedding entourage article, you legally only need two to stand in as your principal sponsors. However, if you’ve ever attended a Filipino wedding in the past, you might have noticed that some wedding parties have more than that. Here’s a run-down on how having principal sponsors in weddings work and how to choose the ninongs and ninangs on both sides of the family to become part of this entourage.

What Are Principal Sponsors?

Principal sponsors are members of your wedding entourage. While principal sponsors may not exist in western wedding entourages, principal sponsors are a must in Filipino weddings, regardless if you’re having a church or civil wedding. This is because a valid marriage must have at least two witnesses of legal age to sign the marriage contract. You can forget the best man, maid of honor, bridemaids, and other members of the entourage, and your wedding will still be valid in the eyes of the law. But if you don’t have at least two people to stand as witnesses, your wedding is considered invalid even if you have all the other wedding requirements present.

So, while the bride and groom could choose someone closer to their age to stand in as principal sponsors, they could legally do so. However, choosing their ninongs and ninangs to stand in as their principal sponsor is the tradition in church weddings because it has an emotional and social meaning behind it. Here’s why.

Why Should I Choose My Godparents As My Principal Sponsors?

First reason is the emotional and symbolic meaning of your principal sponsors. Aside from being the ones to legally sign as witness to your marriage contract, both you and your future spouse’s godparents are expected to serve as your second set of parents, especially when both your parents are no longer with you. Also, following tradition, your principal sponsors should be much older than you and married because they should provide you with guidance and advice in your married life. So, aside from being around your parents’ age, they should ideally be in a marriage you can look up to for guidance.

A second unspoken reason is how the line-up of principal sponsors can say a lot about the wedding’s social status. According to Bride’s Maids and Co., a line-up of sponsors filled with prominent names can be a status symbol for a couple to show how well-connected their families are to celebrities and other popular names.

Choosing Your Principal Sponsors

Remember, the reason for choosing your godparents as your principal sponsors is purely symbolic and sentimental. If you don’t want to go that route, you can still legally pick at least two people over the age of 18. Other than age, there’s no hard requirement in terms of sex, gender, relation (or non-relation) to the bride and groom, and marital status. If one person you pick as your sponsor is married, it’s not necessary to make their spouse a sponsor as well.

But if you’re going for the traditional and sentimental route, here’s what you have to know.

Criteria in Choosing a Ninong and Ninang to be Your Sponsor

Make sure they can provide you with good advice. As much as possible, your ninong and ninang should be married and much older. This is because you’ll want godparents you respect and admire. Ideally, they should be in marriages you and your partner can look up to. And if you have multiple godparents standing in as principal sponsors, they can give you advice on the different aspects of marriage. Maybe you chose one ninong because of how he and his partner raised well-behaved children and want advice in child-rearing. Or, you chose a ninang because you know how she and her husband make financially smart decisions. Whatever the reason for choosing them, you and your partner should be close enough to them so you can come to them for advice any time later in the marriage.

See if they’re available on your wedding day. As much as you want your godparents to be present on your big day, sometimes they may have commitments on their own that prevent them from attending your wedding. As soon as you start planning your wedding, one of the things you should do by the 12-month mark (check out our wedding checklist and timeline!) is choose your bridal party. This is enough time to give them a heads up so they can keep their schedules free during your planned wedding date.

Ask Them Respectfully. While social media has allowed everyone the relative ease of reaching out, some older and traditional godparents might take offense if you ask them to be your sponsor with a simple Messenger message. To be safe, try scheduling lunch or dinner with your chosen sponsor. Ask them during that meeting if they would be willing to stand as one of your principal sponsors and why you want them in your wedding party.

Is There a Limit to the Number of Sponsors I Can Have?

Whether it’s in a courthouse, church, or any other wedding ceremony venue, your wedding won’t be legal unless you have at least two people to stand as witnesses. While couples only need two principal sponsors, small weddings usually have up to 8 sponsors while larger weddings can have as much as 16 sponsors. Technically, there is no hard limit, but some churches may impose a limit on the number of principal sponsors. If there are more, the church might either ask you and your partner to trim down your list or pay extra.