This might not be the typical expat blog, written by a German expat, living in the Philippines since 1999. It's different. In English and in German. Check it out! Enjoy reading! Dies mag' nun wirklich nicht der typische Auswandererblog eines Deutschen auf den Philippinen sein. Er soll etwas anders sein. In Englisch und in Deutsch! Viel Spass beim Lesen!
You plan to move to the Philippines? Wollen Sie auf den Philippinen leben?
Ja, es gibt tonnenweise Webseiten, die Ihnen sagen wie, warum, vielleicht warum nicht und wann Sie am besten auf die Philippinen auswandern könnten. Ich möchte Ihnen in Zukunft "zwischen den Zeilen" einige zusätzlichen Dinge berichten und erzählen. Viel Spass beim Lesen und Gute Unterhaltung!
Thursday, August 24, 2023
WE RENTED PRIVATE ISLAND FOR 160$ - (Best island in Palawan)
PAGASA: LPA east of Cagayan develops into tropical depression Goring | ANC
Gov Gonzaga leads the Inaugural Oath-Taking Event of Junior Youth Public Officials in DdO
Nabunturan, Davao de Oro --- In a momentous event that embodies the spirit of civic engagement and empowerment among young individuals, thirty-seven (37) youths in various municipalities of the province set the stage for a new era of leadership and community involvement as they affirm as Junior Youth Public Officials (JYPOs) during the Oath-Taking Ceremony, today, August 22.
Governor Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga administered the oath-taking event at the Provincial Capitol Grounds, Nabunturan, during the Convocation program of the employees and officials.
"This is also our surest way for you to be inspired to soon be involved in government service, pinaagi sa pag apil sa mga programa ug labaw mas maayu kung kamo gyud mismo maoy mamahimo na mag hupot sa mga posisyon in the near future", expressed Governor Gonzaga in her weekly message.
Governor Gonzaga added that "this activity is really gearing toward their genuine appreciation of the tasks and functions sa tagsa-tagsa ka mga department heads, appointive officials, ug mas labaw na sa atong elective officials".
Meanwhile, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Charlemagne B. Bautista said in his address that today marked the third day of their journey as delegates representing various departments and officials within the provincial government.
These young individuals displayed exceptional performance during the thorough screening and examination, leading in their selection as JYPOs based on the result released by the Sangguniang Kabataan - Davao de Oro FB page on August 17.
"We would like to encourage our officials and different heads of offices to warmly welcome and guide your equivalent Junior Youth Official as they engage themselves in quality public service and bureaucratic leadership," said SKFP Bautista.
Additionally, the JYPOs 9-day emergence in the provincial government started last Sunday, August 20, during the convergence and orientation at the Activity Hall, Provincial Capitol. Their engagement is set to wrap up on Monday, August 28.
The election, appointment, and installation of these young officials were part of the International Youth Day and Linggo ng Kabataan 2023 celebration with the theme "Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable Youth," as this was also supported by Section 8 of Provincial Ordinance No. 94-2022 that specifies the annual election of young officials on the first day of the Linggo ng Kabataan Celebration.
With the efforts of the Panlalawigang Pederasyon ng Sangguniang Kabataan with the support from the Governor, Department of the Interior and Local Government, PSWDO-Youth Development Division, and SK-Davao de Oro, the undertaking stands as the province's commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders which not only highlighted the importance of active youth participation in governance but also exemplified the passing of the torch to a generation poised to shape the future of the province. (Jaynus Fernandez)
Vina Morales waited 10 years before finally being accepted on Broadway's 'Here Lies Love'
AT A GLANCE
Vina will play the role of Aurora Aquino as she replaced Filipino Broadway star Lea Salonga in the first all-Filipino production of "Here Lies Love" on Broadway from Sept. 22 to Oct. 22.
Vina Morales has revealed that she waited 10 years before she was finally accepted on Broadway's 'Here Lies Love'.
"For those who don't know, I auditioned for Here Lies Love more than 10 years ago, and that's why our directors Alex Timbers and David Byrne are familiar with me," wrote Vina on Instagram on Aug. 22.
Vina will play the role of Aurora Aquino as she replaced Filipino Broadway star Lea Salonga in the first all-Filipino production of "Here Lies Love" on Broadway from Sept. 22 to Oct. 22.
Her full post:
“For I know the plans I have for you”- this is a phrase that is carved in my heart and mind. I am still overwhelmed with how God works and for the warm welcome about my Broadway debut.
"For those who don't know, I auditioned for Here Lies Love more than 10 years ago, and that's why our directors Alex Timbers and David Byrne are familiar with me.
"When I joined the theater portraying the role of Sherrie in "Rock of Ages" by Atlantis production, a part of my dream was to be able to perform on Broadway.
"10 years later, while I was doing my Australian concert tour, I got a call from dear friends @msleasalonga and Direk @thebobbygarciaco to do a self-shoot video audition for the part of Aurora Aquino. My “coach” Lea was very kind and supportive along the process until I got accepted.
"Can you imagine more than 10 years of waiting?!? Ika nga ni Tito Boy Abunda, “Good things happen to those who wait”. This is another check off my bucket list . A dream come true indeed . I am grateful and thankful to all of you who are cheering and praying for me.
"Thank you to my family esp my baby girl @ceanaml and my @starmagicphils family for their full support and love. I promise to give my best in every show in @herelieslovebway . To God be the Glory.
"Still vivid in my mind when Coach Lea asked me, “Are you ready for your Broadway debut”? I am ready. See you soon mga Kababayan on Broadway. I’ll be playing from Sept 22-Oct 22 Maraming Salamat po."
The Nathanael in us
By Fr. Roy Cimagala
Chaplain
Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)
Talamban, Cebu City
Email: roycimagala@gmail.com
THE Feast of St. Bartholomew, Apostle, originally known as Nathanael, offers us hope of also becoming closely related to Christ despite all the defects and weaknesses that we have.
The story of his calling as an apostle (cfr. Jn 1,45-51) is both amusing and uplifting since it clearly tells us that we too can be called to be an apostle and to be intimately involved in Christ’s continuing work of redemption in spite of all the warts we all have.
Christ described Nathanael as a “man with no guile” because he was quite spontaneous in his raw reaction to the news that a friend of his, Philip, told him. But it was also this being a “man with no guile” that made him to immediately rectify himself when Christ told him something that must have been in his mind for a while.
Nathanael embodies the ordinary person who, in spite of warts and all, still has that basic, irreducible trait of exposing his heart, no matter how defective, to the truth. He does not run away nor hide from it.
He is truly a man with no guile, no pretensions, no need for covering. Except for the normal need for discretion and modesty, he is completely transparent. What you see is what you get.
That’s why you immediately feel good every time you meet such persons. They always exude such a welcome and wholesome aura about themselves in spite of their imperfections. They contribute in making society more at peace and in harmony.
Children are such persons, though their being guileless is due to their innocence and lack of exposure to the world. But when you see such quality in a person who is already exposed to the world, then you really feel good.
Let’s remember and imitate St. Bartholomew in his simplicity of heart and sincerity. His story shows that before we look for the truth, it is God first, Truth himself, who looks for us.
Once we find it, let’s earnestly engage ourselves to it, never playing around with it to serve our self-interest, but rather conforming ourselves steadily to its requirements.
This is when we can see more things, just as our Lord said: “Blessed are your eyes because they see…. For amen I say to you, many prophets and just men have desired to see the things you see, and have not seen them…” (Mt 13,16-17)
Otherwise, we will get our just deserts. Let’s remember St. Paul’s warning: “Because they receive not the love of the truth that they might be saved, God therefore shall send them the operation of error, to believe lying.” (2 Thes 2,10)
Let’s try our best to be always simple, yet shrewd but not complicated. Let’s not be daunted by this undeniably difficult combination of qualities we all ought to have. There's God's grace to help us. As long as we also do our part, things would just jell.
The fact is that Christ tells it to us very clearly. “Look, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves.” (Mt 10,16)
Indeed, we cannot deny that we are in an increasingly complicated world. There are now many smart people around, quick to rationalize their actions. This is especially true among our political leaders, who in their quest for power, will do everything—mostly unfair means and reasonings—to gain or keep that power.
AURELIO “BOY” PENA
Although his first passion was painting in the early 60’s, Aurelio “Boy” Pena spent almost his entire professional life as editor and freelance writer, writing features and fiction for various national and international magazines.
After working for Dole Stanfilco as editor for six years, he took a course in Magazine Writing at the Writers Institute of America based in New York. Seeing his output in writing and photography, the Paris-based Sipa Press, a global news photo agency took him in as their Philippine photojournalist, covering world events. This was followed by Asiaweek magazine which took him as its Philippine correspondent.
Between those years as news editor, photojournalist and fiction writer in the 1980s, 1990s to 2000, Pena operated and managed a few small businesses that were outside his passion for writing and painting. These were a publishing outfit producing trade directories, manuals, road maps and guidebooks for ten years before opening his own import export agency office that looks for buyers and sellers in the global markets and help arrange shipments for both imports and exports for another ten years.
Aurelio "Boy" is always with me in my office!
Despite dropping from college after six years at the University of Mindanao, Pena earned his masters in modern business management from the New York based Alexander Hamilton Institute. This opened new opportunities for him at the USAID project Private Investments and Trade as consultant, later at the German project GETZ and finally at the Japan International Cooperation Agency or JICA as chief editor of their industry cluster program in the Philippines. His links with these foreign aid agencies gave him opportunities for travels to Germany, France, Japan, and Indonesia in the 1990s.
Pena’s return to his original passion, painting, was started when someone who just came from a European tour and visited the art museums and was so enamored by the masterpieces that she begged him to copy some of famous pieces from a book bought in Paris. He was forced to make replicas of masterpieces by Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Matisse, Picasso, etc. That started his journey back to his old passion, painting. Although, he also did some original abstracts, Pena likes to do replicas of both Fernando Amorsolo and Juan Luna--- as his personal tributes to these two great Filipino artists…..
Filipino art shines at prestigious international art fair
The annual international art fair featured 25 galleries from eight countries for this year’s edition
DF Art Agency was the sole exhibitor from the Philippines at this year's Art Moments Jakarta, one of the most important art events in Southeast Asia. The event was held from August 18 to 20 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The annual international art fair featured 25 galleries from eight countries for this year’s edition. DF Art Agency's inclusion in this prestigious event underscored its commitment to promoting and celebrating the unique artistic vision of the Philippines on a global stage.
DF Art Agency showcased a collection of works by Filipino contemporary visual artists including Anna Bautista, Cedrick Dela Paz, Demi Padua, Ian Anderson, Liliana Manahan, Marrie Saplad, Pongbayog, Sean Go, Yanna Guillermo and Taichi Kondo. Each artist brings their distinctive voice and perspective to the forefront, contributing to the rich cultural mosaic of Philippine contemporary art.
“I’m excited to be a part of Art Moments Jakarta,” says Filipino pop artist Sean Go. “By participating in global platforms, we are able to foster cross-cultural exchange and enhance the appreciation of Philippine creativity.”
Sean Go is known for his cheeky pop art style that takes inspiration from childhood icons and playfully infuses them with modern pop culture.
"Our exhibit serves as a testament to the burgeoning creativity within the Philippines and the dynamic role that DF Art Agency plays in nurturing and showcasing these talents,” said Derek Flores, founder of DF Art Agency.
Cayetano honors Secretary Ople for life-long public service, championing OFW welfare
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday expressed “profound sorrow” on the demise of Migrant Workers Secretary Maria Susana “Toots” Vasquez Ople, honoring his close friend as a life-long champion of the rights of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
In a Facebook post, Cayetano’s office said Ople’s life was “dedicated to improving the welfare and protecting the rights of our OFWs, and her passing is a great loss to our nation.”
“As partners in the fight for OFW rights — long before she even joined government — she fearlessly fought against labor exploitation and human trafficking. Her work transcended borders and made a profound impact on the lives of countless OFWs and their families,” the post added.
Cayetano also relayed his condolences through Senate Resolution No. 755 which he filed on August 23, 2023, a day after Ople passed away at the age of 61.
“Despite suffering from an illness, she [Ople] did not hesitate to heed the call of public service, putting fellow Filipinos before herself – the true embodiment of kapwa bago sarili,” he said.
He also shared Ople's roles in various official capacities for more than 16 years.
“Secretary Ople served the Filipino people as Undersecretary of the Department of Labor and Employment, Head of Presidential Speechwriting Group at the Office of the President, and Chief of Staff to then-Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary and Senator Blas F. Ople,” he said.
“Reflecting her passion and commitment to the cause of OFWs, she founded and served as President of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center, a non-profit organization advocating for migrant workers' rights and welfare, for 18 years,” he added.
Cayetano likewise recounted the many hats Ople wore as a media practitioner, columnist to media entities, and as an anti-human trafficking advocate. “She [Ople] was the first Filipino to have been appointed to the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund to Assist Victims of Human Trafficking's Board of Trustees,” he said.
Cayetano said because of her work ethic and compassion, Ople was conferred by the United States government with the “Global Trafficking in Persons Hero Award for 2013” for her persistent and unyielding effort to curb human trafficking. A Senate Resolution also recognized her efforts against human trafficking.
In Ople’s crucial role as the first-ever Migrant Workers Department Secretary, Cayetano said she was credited for rekindling the friendship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) when the Philippines then banned the deployment of Filipino workers there.
“Secretary Ople was a dedicated public servant who tirelessly championed for the welfare of laborers, made a career in protecting and promoting the rights of OFWs, and fearlessly fought against human trafficking,” he said.
Mourning her demise, Cayetano said Ople’s unwavering dedication and commitment won the trust and love of fellow public servants, countless laborers, and multitudes of OFWs and their families.
“As we bid farewell, we honor Secretary Ople's unwavering dedication and commitment to our modern-day heroes. Her legacy will inspire generations to come, reminding us of the importance of justice, compassion, and relentless service to our migrant workers,” the Facebook post said.
“Rest in peace, Secretary Toots, knowing that your work lives on in the hearts and actions of those you inspired,” it added. ###
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Chef Vince Garcia: The Secret Paella Maestro
How a self-taught culinary maestro mastered the intricate dance of flavors, textures, and techniques to master the paella dish.
AT A GLANCE
La Socarrat Paella Grill and Bar, a culinary haven nestled in the heart of Quezon City's Acropolis Greens, is the embodiment of Chef Vince Garcia's culinary passion and artistry.
By Edgar Hilario
In the realm of culinary virtuosos, where prestigious culinary schools reign supreme, Chef Vince Garcia stands as a remarkable exception – a self-taught culinary maestro whose gastronomic journey has been paved with a passion that transcends formal education. His journey began not within the hallowed halls of culinary institutions, but at the heart of his home, where the seeds of a lifelong culinary love affair were sown.
His earliest triumph? The iconic paella – a dish that would become the embodiment of his culinary prowess. Through trial and error, Chef Vince mastered the intricate dance of flavors, textures, and techniques that elevate a simple dish to a masterpiece. But it wasn't just about the end result; it was about the journey of creating something remarkable from scratch – a sentiment that would later define his unique approach to cooking.
What sets Chef Vince apart is not just his culinary expertise, but the fervor with which he approaches each dish. His passion for cooking isn't a mere obligation; it's a deeply ingrained part of his identity. It's evident in the time he invests in understanding the intricacies of each ingredient, in the patience he exudes while slow-cooking a dish, and in the pride he takes in presenting a plate that is a true labor of love.
La Socarrat Paella Grill and Bar, a culinary haven nestled in the heart of Quezon City's Acropolis Greens, is the embodiment of Chef Vince Garcia's culinary passion and artistry. From its inception as a post-training hangout for swimming trainees and friends to its status as a beloved dining destination for his village mates, La Socarrat's journey parallels Chef Vince's evolution as a culinary virtuoso.
At the heart of La Socarrat's fame lies its paella – a dish that has become a canvas for Chef Vince's passion and expertise. The secret ingredient behind his paella perfection? Bomba rice, a premium short-grain variety revered for its exceptional qualities. Its unique ability to absorb flavorful liquids while maintaining its structure creates a symphony of flavors that dance upon the palate with every bite. Chef Vince's meticulous choice of ingredients, combined with the prowess of Bomba rice, elevates his paella to a realm of culinary artistry that you definitely have to taste to appreciate.
But La Socarrat's offerings extend beyond paella, offering a tantalizing array of dishes that reflect Chef Vince's commitment to excellence. From the succulent Dino Ribs, smoked to perfection, to the irresistible pizzas that have become a surprise favorite among diners, every item on the menu carries Chef Vince's signature touch – a touch that marries passion with flavor, technique with innovation.