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?
There are REALLY TONS of websites telling us how, why, maybe why not and when you'll be able to move to the Philippines. I only love to tell and explain some things "between the lines". Enjoy reading, be informed, have fun and be entertained too!
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!
Visitors of germanexpatinthephilippines/Besucher dieser Webseite.Ich liebe meine Flaggensammlung!
Thus you may understand that love alone is the true seed of every merit in you, and of all acts for which you must atone. — Dante Alighieri, Purgatorio
Each year on Nov. 2, Catholics flock to cemeteries and columbariums to pray over their loved ones who have passed on in celebration of All Souls’ Day. It’s a solemn period, where families gather together to remember the deceased and talk about the memories they have left behind. But it leaves the question, how did All Souls’ Day and the traditions we follow with it come to be?
THE MAN WHO STARTED IT ALL Odilo of Cluny is credited as the man who came up with All Souls’ Day
All Souls’ Day can be traced back to the 11th century. While there is no exact date as to when it started, the celebration was thought of by Odilo of Cluny, who served as the head of the influential monastery of the Abbey of Cluny in medieval France. According to legend, Odilo came up with All Souls’ Day after a pilgrim approached him to share the visions he had while being stranded on an island. These visions were of purgatory, a place where the departed must endure purification and atone for their sins before entering heaven. Intrigued by the visions, Odilo assigned Nov. 2 as a special day of prayer for all the departed, placed just one day after All Saints’ Day when saints are honored.
A BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE Jorge R. Gutiérrez’s The Book of Life is an animated film that beautifully depicts the traditions observed during Dia de los Muertos
So how does one celebrate All Souls’ Day? It varies worldwide. For instance, anyone who has seen Disney’s Coco or Jorge R. Gutiérrez’s The Book of Life might know that Mexicans observe what is known as Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). During this special holiday, families build private altars containing the favorite food and beverages of their dearly departed. Sometimes they also include memorabilia such as pictures, letters, and other possessions from family members who have passed. Graves are also decorated with colorful flowers. Often the Mexican marigold is used for its vibrant orange color.
Meanwhile in the Philippines, the season of Undas has families driving in droves to cemeteries with food, flowers, and candles. Usually, the food is used for a mini picnic for the family to share and eat at the gravesite since it serves as a mini-reunion for those coming from far-off places. Flowers, often the sampaguita, are then placed by the grave as a sign of respect. Candles are lit in hopes of giving peace to our departed loved ones. It’s also a common practice for everyone to recite the rosary during this gathering as it is believed to help lead souls into heaven.
IN THEIR MEMORY Candles are often lit during Undas season as it is believed it will give peace to our dearly departed
Whatever way we might celebrate All Souls’ Day, it’s important to remember that this is a time to gather with your loved ones and cherish their presence. It’s also a great moment to look back at all the fun memories left behind by friends and family who have moved on to the next life.
Belinda, Organic Intelligence With Human Experience
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What is this German phrase? My grandma used to say it, and it sounded like "ach hed-a-yay". We think it meant “oh for goodness sake” or “oh I can't believe it”. Are there any ideas what it might be in German?
is a multi-purpose exclamation (a bit like English oh or Yiddish oy) that can express just about everything from surprise to approval to disapproval to awe to sorrow to longing.
Herrje is a shortened way to get away with saying Herr Jesu (Lord Jesus) - much like oh for goodness’ sake! is a way to get away with saying oh for God’s sake!
Many times we are really in too much of a hurry while feeling uncomfortable if we notice how time flies. We have no time for someone or something, or even for ourselves.
The quote "Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning." was said by Albert Einstein . Albert Einstein was a German physicist and Nobel Prize winner who is widely regarded as one of the most influential scientists in history.
One reason we are so harried and hurried is that we make yesterday and tomorrow our business, when all that legitimately concerns us is today. If we really have too much to do, there are some items on the agenda which God did not put there. Let us submit the list to Him and ask Him to indicate which items we must delete. There is always time to do the will of God. If we are too busy to do that, we are too busy. I love the thoughts of author Elisabeth Elliot (1926-2015).
When I was still a teenager, I was longing for the time to be a grown up already. Later, I enjoyed listening to my grandmother's stories such as "Once Upon A Time" or ``When I Was Young" from her "yesterday's life".
After a couple of years, especially while observing that time really flies like a rocket to the moon, I always have the same question in my mind: Are the present hours and days less valuable?
Learning from yesterday means correcting your mistakes you did yesterday and doing it again. Live from today means don't make those mistakes today. Hope for tomorrow means if you learn from the past your future will be bright.
Is life in the future easier, nicer, more charming and more fulfilling compared to the present? Many of us retreat into the past and forget their present existence. A possible topsy-turvy world of a golden youth tries to let us forget that also the past have had its share of disappointments, pains, tears, darkness, as well as desperate days. Dreamy and sleepy days - yes, lost days, irretrievable time... .
I am glad and happy being able to live a wonderful life as an expatriate here in the Philippines since 1999 - together with my family and some very good friends. It hasn't been easy during the first years. Now we stand on our own feet, because we worked hard and adjusted very well.
WE are reminded of our laws’ constant need for the proper spirit in that gospel episode where Christ was accused by the leader of a synagogue of violating the Sabbath law because he cured a woman of her crippled condition on a Sabbath. (cfr. Lk 13,10-17)
“There are six days when work should be done. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day,” the synagogue leader said. But Christ immediately corrected him by saying, “Hypocrites! Does not each one of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger and lead it out for watering? This daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound for eighteen years now, ought she not to have been set free on the sabbath day from this bondage?”
We obviously have to be governed by the rule of law. Without the law, we can only expect disorder and chaos, and all the forms of injustice. But we need to distinguish between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law, and know how to understand and apply the law properly.
Ideally, both the letter and the spirit of a certain law should be in perfect harmony. But that is hardly the case in real life. The problem, of course, is that the articulation of the law is conditioned and limited by our human powers that cannot fully capture the richness of human life, considering its spiritual and supernatural character that will always involve the intangibles and mysteries and the like.
That is the reason why we can go beyond but not against a particular law, when such law cannot fully express the concrete conditions of a particular case.
But, first of all, we have to understand that all our laws should be based on what is known as the natural law that in the end is a participation in the divine eternal law of God, our Creator and the first and ultimate lawgiver. And that part of natural law that is specific to man is called the natural moral law that would recognize, as its first principle, God as our Creator and source and end of all laws.
A legal system not clearly based on this fundamental principle about laws would already be a system that is defective ab initio. A legal system that is based only on some human consensus would put the spirit of the law in full subservience to the letter of that law.
That's why any human law should always be a dynamic one, always in the process of refining, polishing and enriching itself. It should never be considered as static, irreformable, or unenriched.
That's simply because charity, truth, justice, and mercy, which our laws should embody, have aspects that can be mysterious and that will always demand new requirements from us.
Let's hope that the proper structures are made available to address this ongoing need with respect to continually polishing our laws. The task is definitely daunting. But rather than be daunted, it should challenge us to do it whatever it costs. We actually have the means. God, for his part, will always give us the grace for it. We just have to have the necessary attitude, will, and skills to do it.
We have to understand that for this task to be properly undertaken, those involved should be vitally in contact with God, the source of all good things, of all truth, charity, and justice. Being the creator, he is the foundation of reality and the supreme lawmaker and lawgiver.
DAVAO CITY – Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao Leo Tereso Magno vowed to support the endeavors of the durian industry here.
PRESIDENTIAL Assistant for Eastern Mindanao Leo Tereso Magno checks out durian products at the Philippine Asia Durian Summit in Davao City. (FB)
Magno expressed his full support for the durian industry, particularly during its current growth phase, at the first-ever Philippine Asia Durian Summit at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang here on October 26.
“During my discussion with Mr. (Emmanuel) Belviz, I advised him to compile a list of the items or resources required by his group,” Magno said, adding that the help the government would extend should come from them as they possess first-hand knowledge of their specific needs.
Emmanuel S. Belviz, president of the Durian Industry Association in Davao City (DIADC), said the sector intends to establish durable internal connections within the industry and government and private organizations.
Magno said that one of the things that the durian industry needs is irrigation. He added that with all the private sector’s efforts, the government will always do its part to help them.
Belviz said that with increased executive support and collaborative efforts among stakeholders, the country has the potential to establish itself as a prominent participant in the worldwide durian industry.
Department of Agriculture (DAs) High-Value Crops Development Program Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban said the summit intends to enhance durian production by providing superior planting materials and expanding fruit cultivation by 2023.
Belviz presented an outline of the industry’s status in the country, stressing the significance of the initial shipment of Philippine durian to China in April this year as a pivotal moment for the regional durian sector.
From 2014 to 2022, the Philippines maintained its position in the international market’s upper decile of fresh durian exporters. In this city, four farmers have started exporting durians to other parts of the world.
The three-day summit featured at least 100 exhibitors, six representing Malaysia and China. Thailand and Malaysia provides insights on cultivation and market trends for durian.
Long holiday-propped driving will have mixed price adjustments at domestic pumps this week.
Diesel will have a substantial rollback of P1.25 per liter.
Gasoline will have an increase of P0.45 per liter.
Kerosene will be reduced by P1.20 per liter.
Shell Pilipinas Corp., Seaoil and Cleanfuel have already announced their price adjustments. Competitor firms are expected to match the new price trends.
Prices for gasoline, diesel, and kerosene have increased since the start of the year.
Price swings in the world market have been affecting market sentiments.
Long holiday-propped driving will bring forth both cheers and misery to the consumers given the mixed price adjustments that will be implemented at the domestic pumps this week.
Based on the announcements of the oil companies, the price of diesel will have a substantial rollback of P1.25 per liter; but gasoline users are not as lucky, because that commodity will have an increase of P0.45 per liter.
For kerosene products, this will also be reduced by P1.20 per liter in this week’s round of cost movements, according to the pricing advisories of the industry players.
As of press time, the oil firms that already sent notices on their price adjustments effective Tuesday (Oct. 31) had been Shell Pilipinas Corp., Seaoil and Cleanfuel; while their competitor-firms are anticipated to match the new price trends.
Prior to this round of cost movements, a monitoring report of the Department of Energy (DOE) has shown that prices since the start of the year still logged net increases of P13.75 per liter for gasoline, P11.70 per liter diesel and P6.24 per liter for kerosene.
Price swings in the world market had been on constant seesaw last week due to confluence of factors affecting market sentiments, hence, the mixed adjustments manifesting at Philippine petroleum pumps this week.
The major circumstances that swayed outcome of commodities trading last week centered on intensifying geopolitical risks in conflict-ridden countries; as well as renewed concerns on probable slower economic rebound globally.
In particular, international industry players have been keeping closer watch on possible market impact of the lingering Israel-Palestine war; and any possible turn of events that oil-producing countries like Iran would be joining the fray.
As of Friday (Oct. 27) trading, the price of international benchmark Brent crude had climbed anew above $90 per barrel, which has been higher by more than $2.00 per barrel from $88 per barrel average price for most of trading days last week.
For an import-dependent economy like the Philippines, it will always need to fervently assess the inflationary impact of high oil prices – primarily on the costs of basic commodities and services; that in the process will not just be squeezing consumers’ pockets, but will also strain the operating processes of businesses.
"To all of our family and friends, we are saddened to announce that our Tito Joey Paras passed away and joined our Creator this afternoon, October 29, 2023, at 5:40 pm. Unfortunately, his heart wasn't able to recover anymore.
Joey 'Bekikang' Paras (Images courtesy of Facebook)
Filipino actor-director Joey "Bekikang" Paras passed away on Oct. 29. He was 45.
Joey's demise was announced by his loved ones on social media. The full announcement:
"To all of our family and friends, we are saddened to announce that our Tito Joey Paras passed away and joined our Creator this afternoon, October 29, 2023, at 5:40 pm. Unfortunately, his heart wasn't able to recover anymore.
"Currently, his remains are still at the hospital's morgue. We need to settle his hospital bills for us to take him home. Our family is knocking at your kind and generous heart to help us raise a fund to cover his hospital bills.
"Kindly PM us immediate family for the bank details. Funeral arrangements will be announced further."
Joey appeared in several Kapuso shows, such as Sunday PinaSaya, Mulawin vs Ravena, The Last Prince, Princess in the Palace, etc. His film credits include Ayuda Babes, Working Beks, Maria Leonora Teresa, Sisterakas, Working Girls, Bromance: My Brother's Romance, Bekikang: Ang Nanay Kong Beki, among others.
In June 2020, Joey sought help for his heart operation, according to a report by GMA Network.
At that time, the actor needed PhP750,000 for his angioplasty operation.
The mayoclinic.org defined angioplasty as "a procedure used to open clogged heart arteries" to improve blood flow to your heart.
Actress Kris Bernal was one of the stars who heeded his call.
Tourist at Kawasan Falls, Badian Cebu (Photo from Tourism Promotions Board PH)
There are a lot of places to travel and enjoy in the Philippines both for locals and tourists, and when one visits the country, exploring the Visayas region will never be off the list because of its vibrant culture, pristine beaches, and divine destinations. It’s where most of the exciting outdoor adventures take place.
Cebu, in particular, is named as the most-visited province in the Philippines for numerous reasons. One of which is its abundance in places ideal for adrenaline-packed activities which exhilarate one’s mind and body, like what the town of Badian offers to every visitor’s adventure trip.
A must-visit town in Cebu, Badian has been known for its canyoneering spots and activities such as river trekking, falls jumping, and beach destinations that have breath-taking panorama and white sands. Here’s a travel guide on how to indulge in this town’s enchanting landscape, away from the jam-packed resorts, this coming holiday season.
A trip to the stunning natural landscapes of Badian, Cebu
Badian is located in the southern part of Cebu Province. Going there from Manila is quite a long trip, but what’s at the end of the line will make it worth it. Here’s how to travel to Badian, Cebu from Metro Manila.
1. Going to Cebu province: Take a plane from Metro Manila to Mactan-Cebu Airport. Travel time is around one hour and 32 mins. Allot a P2,000 to P3,000 budget for airfare.
2. Going to South Bus Terminal: Ride a taxi to get to Cebu South Bus Terminal. It will be less than an hour ride with a fare ranging from P200 to P300.
3. Going to Badian town: Ride a bus with the signboard Bato via Barili and alight at the town of Badian within 30 mins. Bus fare ranges from P120 to P230.
Eating your way through Badian
Prepare your taste buds for a whirlwind romance with local flavors and don’t miss these local delicacies.
The Badian town is famous for its fresh seafood, whether they are grilled or barbecued. From fresh fish to squid and shrimp, they have a wide selection of grilled seafood dishes at local restaurants, even in their eateries. Never miss their grilled tuna belly and squid stuffed with vegetables.
Kawasan donut (Photo from Badian Municipal Tourism Office)
For those who have a sweet tooth, Kawasan donut or as some may know as Choco Lanay donut is a must-try energizing treat. These local choco donuts only cost P20 per serving. For an affordable price, one can devour that melted chocolate-filled dough goodness sprinkled with cocoa powder as a snack through the long day adventure or a simple sweet finish to a meal. This treat is an ideal travel companion.
No one will be left out in the feast as the place offers a variety of food to cater different cravings and preferences. For savory preparations, home-made grilled chorizo and local Badian lechon will indulge your senses with their irresistible smell and distinctive taste. These grilled chorizo pork sausages seasoned with garlic and other spices are best enjoyed with rice and a zesty dipping sauce. You can find chorizo being sold at the local market, or you can try it at one of the local restaurants. It’s one of the stars of the street food scene in Badian.
Badian local lechon (Photo from Tourism Promotions Board PH)
Badian local lechon, on the other hand, is also a popular dish in town. This dish is usually served during special occasions and celebrations, but one can also find it at some of the local eateries in the area. Cebu is famous for it, and Badian serves up its own crispy-skinned, succulent masterpiece. These are just some of the delectables one can enjoy in the town while skipping from one adventure to another.
Discover and experience breath-taking activities
Badian brings a treasure trove of experiences for their unique and colorful festivities and recreational activities and spots.
Banig Festival (Photo from Badian Municipal Tourism Office)
Every year, the town celebrates the vibrant Banig Festival in July, which usually starts off with a colorful parade of various competing groups/teams with unique themes. This celebration is aligned with the feast day of its local patron saint - James the Apostle - as the town’s way of expressing devoutness and gratitude for their source of livelihood. It's an exciting and bright honoring of traditional woven mats (banig) featuring parades, street dances, and the chance to snag some handcrafted souvenirs. Some tourists are lucky enough to catch such an event in a year.
Kawasan Falls (Photo from Tourism Promotions Board PH)
Besides the festivities, there are a lot of stimulating activities that visitors can revel in. In Badian, there are pristine sites ideal for canyoneering and hiking like Kawasan falls and Matutinao River, which has been awarded multiple times as one of the clearest rivers in the country.
Badian canyoneering (Photo from Tourism Promotions Board PH)
With the breath-taking landscapes, turquoise waters, peaceful spots, these beckons for a refreshing dip aside from adrenaline-pumping adventure. One can dive-off cliffs, navigate narrow canyons, and soak in the untamed beauty of Cebu’s rugged terrain. Don't forget to bring cameras – being in such paradise is an experience to be immortalized.
Before embarking on a Badian journey, make sure to download this Tourism Promotions Board PH travel app for Android and IOS. It’s a trusty sidekick, complete with interactive maps, insider tips, and exclusive discounts – the key to discovering more Badian magic.
Badian, Cebu, isn't just a destination; it's a heaven full of experiences waiting to sweep you off your feet. Bring out your inner explorer
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