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!
Saturday, September 23, 2023
Flood due to heavy rain snarls traffic on Edsa Northbound
Sam Coloso proud of her new title
BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT
AT A GLANCE
Now she has a new title, Spingorgeous Sam. She is John Arcilla's co-host in TV5's newest and biggest interactive game show, Spingo, with prizes of up to P1.5 million to studio contestants and up to P100,000 to home viewers. As Spingorgeous Sam, she will bring luck to players Mondays to Fridays from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Sam Coloso was proclaimed the grand winner during the It's Showtime Sexybabe contest in 2022.
Aside from Its Showtime Sexybabe, she also became Miss Face of Beauty Philippines 2019, representing the Philippines in the Face of Beauty International 2019 held in the country. She also became Miss Mapua Cardinals in 2018.
Now she has a new title, Spingorgeous Sam. She is John Arcilla's co-host in TV5's newest and biggest interactive game show, Spingo, with prizes of up to P1.5 million to studio contestants and up to P100,000 to home viewers. As Spingorgeous Sam, she will bring luck to players Mondays to Fridays from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Here's your chance to win! After downloading the Spingo app from the Spingo Play Store, register, wait for the text, enter the e-pin that TV5 SPingo will text, and you can play from Monday to Friday.
This is an excellent opportunity for Sam to be with John Arcilla in giving prizes. Sam will also sing, dance, and act with John while hosting the show.
Sam is also the host of "Showtime Online U" and guest host of Pie Channel's "Sinong Manok Mo?"
Sara enjoys ‘high’ trust ratings as VP, DepEd chief — Tangere survey
Despite looming concerns about the use of confidential funds, Sara Duterte received high trust ratings as Vice President and secretary of the Department of Education, Tangere’s September 2023 survey showed.
According to the survey results released on Friday, Sept. 22, 70 percent of Filipinos trust Duterte as vice president.
“The trust on the vice president is mainly driven by Mindanao dwellers, and distrust or doubt is heavily prevalent among the younger (18 to 25-year-olds) and senior (51 years old and above) age groups, as well as Southern Luzon/Bicol Region dwellers,” Tangere said.
“Mirroring the result of the trust for VP Sara. The trust for VP Sara as the DepEd secretary remains the same at a 70 percent score. However, like the previous trust question, distrust is among the young and senior age group, as well as Southern Luzon/Bicol Region dwellers,” it pointed out.
During the same survey period, 56 percent of respondents were aware of Vice President Duterte’s proposed confidential funds.
“The knowledge or awareness is being propelled more by the younger age group (18 to 25-year-olds) and the upper income class,” Tangere said.
Meanwhile, six out of 10 Filipinos are concerned that the confidential fund may be larger than the funds of the Department of National Defense—a concern that is particularly strong among the younger age group.
Tangere’s survey, which was administered from Sept. 13 to 15 using a mobile-based respondent application, has a sample size of 2,400 participants.
The percentage of respondents was evenly distributed throughout the country, with 12 percent coming from Metro Manila, 23 percent from Northern Luzon, 22 percent from Southern Luzon, 20 percent from Visayas, and 23 percent from Mindanao.
DepEd tells students, personnel to ‘stay safe’ as smog prompts class suspension
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday, Sept. 22, reiterated the importance of staying healthy and safe amid the presence of volcanic smog or “vog” in Metro Manila cities and other nearby provinces.
“Stay safe, Ka-DepEd!,” the agency said in a Facebook post and shared important information from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST) on “vog.”
DepEd shared this important information from the PHIVOLCS-DOST regarding volcanic smog to serve as a guide in protecting the health and safety of learners, teaching and non-teaching personnel as well as their families.
#WalangPasok
Due to the volcanic smog from Taal Volcano, many areas have suspended classes.
In Batangas province, classes at all levels both in public and private schools were suspended in Alitagtag, Balayan, Calatagan, Lian, Lemery, Nasugbu, Mataasnakahoy, San Luis, Sta. Teresita, Taal, and Tanauan were suspended. In Tuy, classes in elementary, junior, and senior high schools in public and private schools were also suspended.
Classes at all levels, both public and private schools, in some areas in Cavite province were also suspended including Alfonso, Amadeo, Bacoor City, Cavite City, Carmona, Dasmariñas City, GEA (Bailen), GMA, Gen. Trias City, Imus City, Indang, Kawit, Magallanes, Maragondon, Mendez, Naic, Noveleta, Rosario, Silang, Tagaytay City, Tanza, Ternate, and Trece Martires City.
In Laguna, classes at all levels, both public and private schools, were also suspended in Biñan, Cabuyao, Los Baños, and San Pedro,
Local governments in several Metro Manila cities also declared suspension of classes at all levels, both public and private schools, including Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Pasay, and San Juan.
Afternoon classes were also suspended in Caloocan, Marikina, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, Manila, Quezon City, Taguig, Pateros, and Makati.
As stated in DepEd Order No. 037 s. of 2022 or the “Guidelines on the Cancellation or Suspension of Classes and Work in Schools in the Event of Natural Disasters, Power Outages/Power Interruptions, and Other Calamities,” schools may implement modular distance learning “in the event of canceled or suspended classes due to natural disasters, calamities, and human-induced hazards to ensure learning continuity and that learning competencies and objectives are met.”
Some universities and colleges also suspended classes due to poor air quality in Metro Manila and other nearby provinces.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/22/some-he-is-suspend-classes-due-to-unhealthy-air-condition
In a statement, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that the formation of haze or smog was due to “thermal inversion.”
Phivolcs also clarified the smog is not related to Taal Volcano's activity.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/22/metro-manila-smog-not-related-to-taal-volcano-s-activity
Related to this, the Department of Health (DOH) also issued a health advisory amid the presence of “vog” in the affected areas.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/21/stay-indoors-and-wear-masks-doh-issues-vog-safety-guidelines
Folklore: A Halloween Festival at the Mall of Asia Arena on Oct. 28
BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT
AT A GLANCE
Folklore: A Halloween Festival will transport attendees to mystique and wonder with enchanting Halloween-themed photo booths and activations. As Folklore: A Halloween Festival aims to establish itself as Manila 39's annual must-attend Halloween event, it promises to set a new tradition for many years to come.
Mark your calendars for an extraordinary Halloween celebration! On Oct 28, the Mall of Asia Arena will come alive with Folklore: A Halloween Festival that promises unparalleled entertainment and debauchery.
Headlining the Halloween festivities are two international music stars: Bebe Rexha and T.I. Bebe Rexha is a chart-topping, multi-platinum superstar who has delivered electrifying performances globally. Her single “I’m Good (Blue)” with David Guetta has been lauded with various award nominations and has been streamed and viewed billions of times worldwide. Bebe Rexha and Guetta followed up their smash hit with their new single “One In A Million”.
Sharing the spotlight is T.I., a name synonymous with hip-hop royalty. Known for his iconic lyrics and impactful storytelling, T.I. has dominated the charts and earned numerous awards throughout his career. With hits like “Whatever You Like”, “Bring Em Out,” and “Live Your Life”, attendees can expect an unforgettable night of hip-hop hits, bringing his signature style and charisma to Folklore: A Halloween Festival.
Adding to the excitement is the country's largest Halloween costume contest, where participants can compete for a jaw-dropping PHP 1,000,000 in cash and prizes. Individual and group costumes will vie for the coveted title of Halloween's best-dressed, making this contest a thrilling spectacle of creativity and imagination.
Folklore: A Halloween Festival will transport attendees to mystique and wonder with enchanting Halloween-themed photo booths and activations. As Folklore: A Halloween Festival aims to establish itself as Manila 39's annual must-attend Halloween event, it promises to set a new tradition for many years to come.
Get those costumes ready, and don't miss this extraordinary Halloween celebration!
Tickets range from PHP 2,500 to PHP 6,500 and will go on sale on Saturday, Sept. 23 at www.InsigniaPresents.com or at any SM Tickets outlet nationwide. For more info, please visit www.InsigniaPresents.com or follow our social media accounts @FolkloreMNL or @InsigniaPresents.
Friday, September 22, 2023
Southern Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao affected by ITCZ — Pagasa
High sulfur dioxide emissions cause volcanic smog over Taal
The ongoing unrest at Taal Volcano, which is characterized by high sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions, is causing volcanic smog, or “vog,” the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Friday, Sept. 22.
Phivolcs detected 4,569 tons of sulfur dioxide emissions during a 24-hour observation of the active volcano in Batangas, which produced significant volcanic smog.
This is slightly higher than the 4,322 tons recorded on Thursday, Sept. 21.
In an advisory on Thursday, Phivolcs said it has observed a “large cloud of SO2 over and stretching west of Taal Lake.”
“Vog has been affecting the Taal Region since the first week of September 2023 as an average of 3,402 tons per day of SO2 has been degassed from Taal Volcano for the month,” it said.
‘Vog’ threats
“As a reminder, vog consists of fine droplets containing volcanic gas such as SO2, which is acidic and can cause irritation of the eyes, throat and respiratory tract with severities depending on the gas concentrations and durations of exposure,” Phivolcs explained.
“People who may be particularly sensitive to vog are those with health conditions such as asthma, lung disease and heart disease, the elderly, pregnant women and children,” it added.
Phivolcs advised those vulnerable to vog to limit their exposure by avoiding outdoor activities, staying indoors, and closing doors and windows to block out vog.
Residents were also advised to cover their noses, “ideally with an N95 facemask.”
“Drink plenty of water to reduce any throat irritation or constriction. If belonging to the particularly sensitive group of people above, watch over yourself and seek help from a doctor or the barangay health unit if needed, especially if serious effects are experienced,” Phivolcs said.
It also warned that acid rain could be produced during periods of rainfall and volcanic gas emission over areas where the plume disperses, causing crop damage and corroding metal roofs on houses and buildings.
Alert Level 1 remains
Taal Volcano remains on Alert Level 1, which means it is still experiencing a "low-level unrest," Phivolcs said.
Under Alert Level 1, sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas are possible and could endanger areas on Taal Volcano Island (TVI).
Phivolcs emphasized that entry into TVI, Taal's permanent danger zone, must be strictly prohibited, particularly in the vicinity of the main crater and the Daang Kastila fissure.
We need to preserve our coral reefs
How important are coral reefs?
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, “coral reefs are some of the most diverse and valuable ecosystems on Earth. Coral reefs support more species per unit area than any other marine environment, including about 4,000 species of fish, 800 species of hard corals and hundreds of other species. Scientists estimate that there may be millions of undiscovered species of organisms living in and around reefs. This biodiversity is considered key to finding new medicines for the 21st century. Many drugs are now being developed from coral reef animals and plants as possible cures for cancer, arthritis, human bacterial infections, viruses, and other diseases.”
That is how valuable coral reefs are to mankind. Therefore, it is incumbent upon everyone — Filipino or otherwise — to preserve them for our existence.
The subject is brought to the fore in the wake of the destruction of corals and coral reefs at Rozul (Iroquios) Reef and Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, both located in the West Philippine Sea and within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines.
Rozul Reef, located at the southern end of Recto (Reed) Bank in the northeastern portion of Kalayaan Island Group (Spratly Islands) in Palawan, is known as a haven for different species of fish and other marine life because of the natural coral reef growing around it which serves as their shelter.
Based on a recent survey conducted by the Palawan-based Western Command (WesCom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), there was nothing left of the corals at Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal.
“There’s nothing left, they are destroyed and only debris was there,” Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, WesCom commander, said in a recent news forum.
The WesCom said the destruction of corals and coral reefs were discovered after Chinese vessels swarmed the areas.
In view of this, the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) has begun studying the best legal course of action to take.
“The OSG is in the fact-finding and data gathering stage of its study on legal options regarding WPS issues,” Solicitor General Menardo I. Guevarra said on Wednesday, Sept. 20. “These matters require a lot of prudence and circumspection in view of their potential long-term impact on our national interests.”
Japan and the United States have joined the Philippines in deploring the massive destruction of corals and coral reefs in areas within the Philippines’ EEZ.
We call on all responsible nations to join the Philippines in denouncing this deplorable act as this impacts global food security considering that millions of people depend on the vast South China Sea, where the West Philippine Sea is located, for their food and livelihood. They should also help in the preservation of marine habitats to ensure that we have food on the table everyday.
This is not a matter of territorial dispute, this concerns food security for all.
We should all act now before it’s too late.