Philippine-German Relations (VIII) - Deutsch-philippinische Beziehungen (VIII): Embassies and Consulates in the Philippines

 

Of Consuls and Consulats

By Antonio V. Figueroa

The importance of Davao region just seven-two years after its conquest by a Spanish-led expedition in 1848 was highlighted with the opening of a Japanese consular office in March 1920. Though it was originally an annex of the Manila Consulate, the growing economic influence of Japanese investment and labor in the region promoted it to an embassy on February 6, 1932.

At the time the consulate was opened, Davao was already home to a huge Japanese population, roughly a sixth of region’s inhabitants. Most Okinawans, the migrant workers and the expanding Japanese control of the hemp economy contributed greatly to the progress of the area.

The confluence of growth and demographic expansion eventually inspired the national government to promote Davao into a city, the second the Mindanao after Zamboanga, which was the administrative center of the Americans in the south.

Years after the Japanese consular annex opened in Davao, the Republic of China (Taiwan) under Dr. Sun Yat-sen and by now had established a consulate in Manila. To attend to the sizable Chinese population in Davao, Te Chiu Im, a local Chinese resident who was into beer distribution and involved in the founding of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Davao, was appointed as its first honorary consul of Davao (1923-28). 

Sun’s death in 1925 led to the rise of Chiang Kai-shek, a former commandant of the Koumintang’s Whampoa Military Academy, and the coup of Canton in 1928. Taiwan’s post-war consul in Davao was S.T. Mih when the office reopened in November 1947. He was assisted in the post by M.C. Chen, as deputy consul, and Johnny Huang, as secretary.

With the rise of the People’s Republic of China as member of the United Nations on November 25, 1971, Taiwan, an original UN member, was forced to close its consulate in the city. During the UN’s founding, the Philippines was still a commonwealth of the United States.

Extant historical records, on the other hand, show that even Britain, during the prewar period, had also appointed a foreign affairs liaison in honorary capacity. War accounts identify the honorary British consul in Davao City as Alex Brown, who was among those rounded up by the Imperial Army in December 1941.

In August 1945, eight years after getting independence from the Dutch, Republic of Indonesia opened its consular mission in Davao City on December 17, 1953. Given its impact in trade and economy decades later, the office became a consulate general on September 23, 1974 by virtue of an edict signed by Indonesian envoy to the Philippines Marsekal Sri bima Ariotedjo.

On December 11, 1995, Malaysia became the second member of Association of Southeast Asian Nations to open a chancery in Davao City. The opening was part of the growing role Malaysia would play in two key historical events involving Muslims of Southern Philippines: (a) the signing on September 2, 1996 of a peace accord between the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front and (b) a similar event on October 15, 2012, between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. 

Although the US established its embassy in Manila on July 4, 1946 after Washington “granted” the Philippines its independence, it was not until July 2007 when the Americans opened a virtual consulate, known as the “American Presence Post” (APP), in the city. Initially, it catered to the issuance of visas through the internet, which was manned by a Digital Outreach Team.

Over the next seven decades (1945-2015) other friendly countries opened their own diplomatic missions in the city, managed by honorary consuls, all prominent socio-civic Davao icons. 

The first honorary consul of the Czech Republic was Gilbert C. Go, a well-known trader. Republic of Palau appointed Miguel Iñigo, a businessman, as its honorary consul for life in Davao. Antonio Brias, spouse of Maricris Floirendo, daughter of late banana king Don Antonio, became the first honorary consul of Spain in Davao; he was succeeded by Genaro Lon y Ozami.

Ma. Lourdes G. Monteverde was appointed honorary consul of Mexico while Rowena Vida-Lisbona, the Davao-based assistant general manager of Maersk Filipinas, a shipping firm, was anointed as honorary consul of Denmark. 

Dennis Uy, founder of the Davao-based oil firm Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. (PPPI) and 2013 Datu Bago awardee, was installed honorary consul of Kazakhstan to the Philippines. His Udenna Holdings recently bought Enderun Colleges and FamilyMart.

Meanwhile, Joaquin C. Rodriguez, a Davao resident who was past president of Benguet Mines and wife of Sonja Habana (daughter of former city councilor Antonio Habana) is Republic of Serbia consul ad honorem to the country. Two new consulates under an honorary officer were also opened later in Davao City. 

On June 17, 2017, Davao resident Austrian Dr. Peter Faistauer was officially designated honorary consul of Austria. Five months thereafter, business man Edgar N. Ang, a Davao native, was invested the honorary consul position by the Republic of Korea on November 24, 2016.

On June 20, 2017, German Klaus Doring, a long-time Davao resident, journalist, and educator, was installed as honorary consul of Germany of Mindanao. He is best known for introducing German language.

In 1852 the Bremen Senate established a Consulate in Manila with Peter Jenny as its first Consul. It lasted until 1868. The establishment of this Consulate improved the trade relations between the Philippines and the Bremen state. 

The German state of Hamburg also established its own Consulate in Manila with a German known only as Peters as its First Consul. Peters had been in Manila since 1835. At the time of the establishment of the Hamburg consulate in 1849, there were only 17 Germans in Manila.

In 1849, there two others consulates in Iloilo and Cebu, founded in 1886. 

 Antonio V. Figueroa, my first Journalism friend in Davao wrote in October 2022: 

"Although the Europeans, particularly the Spaniards, first set foot in Davao in 1521, German imprints did not find space in local historical accounts until the 1880s, chiefly in scientific explorations that placed the region in world map. The legacy the Germans have left behind has only been sparingly mentioned in Davao’s study of historical writings.

In the region’s floral past, several German names stand out as indelible milestones given their names have been immortalized in two significant flower discoveries in Davao.

The Rafflesia schadenbergiana, called by the Bagobo as ‘bo-o,’ is named after naturalist Alexander Schadenberg, a native of Breslau, Germany, who braved the forest fastnesses of Sibulan, Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur. The burrowing skink (Brachymeles schadenbergi Fischer), discovered in 1885 in Davao, was also named in his memory. He was, in personal life, a pen pal of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the Filipino national hero.

On the other hand, Vanda sanderiana, the waling-waling discovered in 1882 in Mount Apo, was named after Heinrich Friedrich Conrad Sander, a German orchidologist, while Rafflesia apoanum Stein was in honor of Stuttgart, Germany-born Berthold Stein, a German botanist (orchid specialist), lichenologist (lichen expert), and mycologist (a scientist who studies fungus and its genetic and biochemical properties) known for his contributions in the field of taxonomy.

Dr. Otto Koch, a German naturalist then living in Cebu, collaborated with Schadenberg in the discovery of the rafflesia, the world’s largest parasitic flowering plant. Together, they made two successful ascensions of Mount Apo.

German legacy was further magnified during American occupation, this time in public governance with the appointment of Henry Gilsheuser who, during and after war, also went to serve the Philippine government in different capacities.

Born in Hessen, Germany, in 1881, he became the penultimate American governor of Davao before a Filipino administrator governor was appointed in 1915. He took up public education in Germany but continued his studies in New York when his parents migrated to the U.S.

Gilsheuser fought in the Spanish-American War, appointed third lieutenant in the Philippine Constabulary in 1903 and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He served as district secretary of Cotabato, governor of the Lanao province, and later appointed by Gen. John J. Pershing, commander of the Military Department for Mindanao and Sulu, as Davao governor in 1910.

Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon, when war broke out, appointed him fuel and transportation administrator of the Civilian Emergency Administration and was in-charge of the Emergency Control Commission during President Sergio Osmeña’s watch. During the presidency of Manuel A. Roxas, he was a member of the US-Philippines War Damage Commission.

For his efforts, he was awarded by the Philippine government the Philippine Legion of Honor. A dyed-in-the-wool Mason, he died in Manila at the Lourdes Hospital in Manila on Feb. 27, 1964 at age 83.

Germany, a country with a third of its population affiliated with Roman Catholicism, shares religious affinity with Davao. In fact, three of the religious orders founded by St. Arnold Jannsen, born in Goch, Germany, have provinces (branches) in Davao City, namely the Societas Verbi Divini (SVD, 1875) the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSps, 1889), and the Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration (SSpSAP, Sept. 8, 1896).

The SVD priests took over the management of the Saint Francis Xavier Regional Major Seminary at Catalunan Grande, Davao City, in the 1980’s from the Foreign Mission Society of Quebec (PME Fathers), while the SSpSAp, also known as the Pink Sisters, holds court at the Holy Spirit Adoration Convent, along Seminary Road, Catalunan Grande, Davao City.

To underpin Germany-Davao alliance, the University of Southeastern Philippines, a state learning institution, introduced years ago under its Institute of Language and Creative Acts the study of German language, which was initially headed by journalist-professor Klaus Döring, a native of Spenge, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and Davao resident since 1999.

Adding another feather to the partnership was the opening of the consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany in Davao with Döring, a long-time German court interpreter, language teacher and married to a Davaoeña, was installed as honorary consul in southern Mindanao.

(To be continued!)

Typical Filipino (XXXVII) - Typisch Philippinisch (XXXVII): "Prioritäten - Priorities"

 

Wenn Sie mit Filipinos umgehen, mit ihnen zusammenleben oder zusammenarbeite, so wie ich es seit fast 26 Jahren täglich erlebe, ist es wichtig, Prioritäten zu kennen und zu berücksichtigen. Sie sollte nicht westliche, sondern philippinische Werte in den Vordergrund stellen. Ordnen Sie aus der folgende Liste zehn Tugenden der philippinischen und fünf der westlichen Kultur zu;

1. Offenheit, verbal und von Angesicht zu Angesicht zu Angesicht

2. Ausgeprägter Individualismus

3. Familienbindung

4. Ein guter Sohn sein

5. Schönheit und Eleganz

6. Konsens und Gruppeneinklang

7. Öffentliches Ansehen und die Meinung der anderen

8. Dankbarkeit für einen Gefallen, seine Vergeltung ist Ehrensache

9. Schnelles, sachlich begründetes Handeln, unabhängig von beteiligten Personen

10. Persönlicher Standpunkt

11. Freundlichkeit und Gemeinschaftssinn

12. Diplomatie

13. Ehre

14. Effizienz

15. Galante Manieren

Philippinisch: 3,4,5,6,7,8,11,12,13,15

Westlich: 1,2,9,10,14

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When dealing with, living with or working with Filipinos, as I have experienced daily for almost 26 years, it is important to know and consider priorities. It should not emphasize Western but Filipino values. From the following list, classify ten virtues of Filipino culture and five of Western culture;



1. Openness, verbal and face to face to face
2. Strong individualism
3. Family bonding
4. Be a good son
5. Beauty and elegance
6. Consensus and group harmony
7. Public reputation and the opinions of others
8. Gratitude for a favor, its retribution is a matter of honor
9. Fast, factually justified action, independent of the people involved
10. Personal point of view
11. Friendliness and community spirit
12. Diplomacy
13. Honor
14. Efficiency
15. Gallant manners

Filipino: 3,4,5,6,7,8,11,12,13,15
West: 1,2,9,10,14

BY NEIL RAMOS

Jan 20, 2024 12:21 PM

  

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A 22-year-old vendor-turned-athlete was crowned Miss Iloilo 2024.

Alexie Mae Caimoso Brooks, an American-Filipino born in Lebanon but raised in Leon, Iloilo, dedicated her win to her grandma.

“Kasi everything that I do right now or everything that I have ever done is all for her,” she told ABS-CBN News. 

She added, “My grandma is my life. Without her, I don’t have this dream, or I don’t think that I will even be able to achieve the achievements that I have right now.”

Alexie is blessed with short curly hair, dark skin.

Observers believe her “exotic” looks could be a huge boon as she enters this year’s Miss Universe Philippines pageant. 

But Alexie admitted the same caused her much anguish prior. 

“I often get bullied for being black,” she related. 

That they are also poor added to the seeming torment. 

“Going to school, I remember that we don’t have money to buy rice. And the kids would always eat sa table, and I would go to the rest room and eat there. “Because I don’t want them kasi to see what I’m eating kasi they’re gonna bully you for that, e.”

She became an athlete while in college, competing in the high jump, among others, going on to win tons of medals.

She also competed at the Southeast Asian Games. 

Made strong, resilient by adversity, Alexie is also smart, witty.

She is pushing for women empowerment, as made obvious in the words she shared during the tilt.

She said, “I want women to move forward. Abante, babae. This is something that comes from my heart...I want to empower women...women can be so much more, women are capable of so much more. Abante, babae...”

End of January LPA and flood and cold surge update in the Philippines

'Ganda niyong lahat!': Coldplay takes the Philippines on a cosmic journey

Kristofer Purnell - Philstar.com

January 20, 2024 | 9:37am

MANILA, Philippines — British pop-rock band Coldplay made a grand return to the Philippines, taking audiences on a journey through the cosmos while reminding everyone that a beautiful future lies ahead if we make better decisions for the environment and for each other.

It's been seven years since the band was last in the country for its "A Head Full of Dreams" tour, and this time, the "Music of the Spheres" tour had an even bigger reception as tickets at the Philippine Arena were sold out.

The current tour is not only Coldplay's return to live performances but also one with an environmental approach. The band has been actively seeking to reduce carbon emissions by 50% compared to its past concerts and has been looking for other sustainable efforts that would still guarantee an enjoyable time for audiences.

Opening for the band's long-awaited Philippine return was local R&B singer Jikamarie, who performed seven of her original songs like "Hinahanap-hanap," "Balang Araw" and "Lutang."

Half an hour after Jikamarie's set, a short film played to show the tour's sustainable efforts, which include being charged by solar and wind energy, electric bikes and a kinetic floor situated in the venue and the use of lit-up wristbands made from plant-based material.

Proceeds from the tour will go to reforestation, ocean clean-ups, animal conservation, carbon capture, green technology, environmental law, advocacies and re-wilding and soil restoration.

The time finally came: John Williams' "Flying Theme" from "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" played over a video of Coldplay navigating their way below the stage, and one by one, the members stepped out to greet the Philippines once more.

Coldplay began the night with "Higher Power" and "Adventure of a Lifetime," releasing large balloons during the latter for the crowd to pass around. Lead vocalist Chris Martin had some fun with the crowd for the chorus and ending of "Paradise."

The lights from the wristbands were momentarily turned off by this time as the band performed "The Scientist."

"Maraming, maraming salamat. Magandang gabi po sa inyong lahat. Masayang kaming [bumalik] sa Pilipinas," Chris said. "So happy and grateful, and ang ganda niyong lahat! Okay that's enough Taglish. We're gonna give you the best show!"

The band then moved down a runway to an extended stage to sing "Viva La Vida" and "Hymn for the Weekend," with Chris going around the different areas of the stage.

He remained on the extended stage with a keyboard to read out some signs audience members brought with them.

Some shouted out Coldplay's former collaborator BTS, while another came all the way from Boston. A fan caught Chris' eye and was invited onstage. The fan requested the band perform "Everglow," to which Chris happily obliged, treating it as a tribute to the band's friends who recently passed on. 

After the touching number, Chris joined his colleagues on the main stage just as the wristbands lit up again for "Charlie Brown" and "Yellow," blanketing the Philippine Arena in yellow lights.

Coldplay's performance of "Human Heart" had a few stumbles, as Chris asked to restart the song and still laughed on the second go; additionally, the puppet Angel Moon came out to sing the portions of R&B act We Are King.

The fun times continued when Chris pulled out a pride flag for "People of the Pride," green lights poured into the venue for "Clocks," and each member donned alien headgear for "Something Just Like This," which ended with a video akin to a retro Stargate sequence from "2001: A Space Odyssey."

BTS fans were surely in tears when Coldplay performed "My Universe," the song both groups collaborated on, and each member of the K-pop boyband appeared onscreen.

Early through "A Sky Full of Stars" before the first drop, Chris asked the audience for one song without any cameras or phones.

Most fans obliged with Chris' request and it was a touching moment as blue and white lights flickered throughout the song, which ended in yet another round of confetti.

Coldplay seemingly ended its set, which had fans typically shouting "Isa pa!," and sure enough, red and orange lights lit the Arena again as the band made its way to a makeshift stage in the middle of the crowd.

After a performance of "Sparks," the band offered its thanks to Jikamarie, the concert crew especially stadium workers, and to everyone in attendance for braving the heavy traffic.

"You have the number one [heaviest traffic] in the world. Thank you for going through all that bulls**t to be here!" Chris exclaimed.

Chris stayed on the makeshift stage as he enlisted the crowd's help to record a song for the band's upcoming album, and he had everyone singing "Love Who You Love."

The singer then teased the gloomy Manila weather, which had him thinking of a song on loop, and to the surprise of everyone, Chris sang the chorus of Lola Amour's "Raining In Manila."

Right after, Chris was joined by several members of the Filipino rock band, including vocalist Pio Dumayas, who finished off an acoustic version of their hit song.

Chris returned to the main stage as bigger balloons were brought out for the tearjerker "Fix You," and for the last song "Biutyful," Angel Moon appeared onstage once again.

"Thank you for a beautiful night. You made us feel on top of the world," Chris said, stringing in the song's lyrics.

Coldplay then took its final bow, and the last remaining streamers were scattered, just as the words "believe in love" were flashed onscreen to forever remind everyone in attendance of the beautiful night they shared together. 

Let’s be like little children

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

“LET the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Mt 19,14) With these words, Christ is giving us a clear idea of how it is to be in heaven. We should be like little children, a bit messy perhaps but definitely with a pure heart devoid of any malice. We should strive to be like them in spite of our advanced age and exposure to the things of this world.

To be sure, it’s not a call to be childish, as in being whimsy, capricious, thoughtless. Rather we are asked to be always humble and simple, full of trust in the authorities and especially in the providence of God, and eager to believe in what is good, precisely like a child whose worries are few and not deep and lasting.

We have to remember that Christ also said that even while we have to be simple and innocent like doves, we should also be shrewd and clever like serpents. (cfr Mt 10,16) We have to find ways of how to blend these two apparently contrasting qualities together.

To be child-like is to have a lot of faith in God. It is to be led more by that faith than by our merely human estimation of things. It is to accept whatever happens in our life but always be confident that God never abandons us and is leading us to him through the ups and downs of our life.

To be child-like is to have a pure and innocent heart, incapable of malice, ambition, pride and arrogance. It is to have the confidence that even our defects and mistakes, if immediately referred to God, do not really matter much.

To be child-like is to be transparent, simple and sincere, unafraid to be known as they really are, warts and all. The knowledge and vast experience they gain in life do not alter their simplicity which neither negates prudence and discretion.

To be child-like is to be welcoming to suggestions and corrections made on them. These do not make them feel humiliated, but rather thankful. To be child-like is to be teachable, flexible and docile. When one is child-like, he can be told anything and he tends to believe and obey. Attainments, achievements and successes do not spoil him. Neither do difficulties, temptations and failures crush them and plunge them to sadness or bitterness.

To be child-like is to be easy to be motivated and consoled. It is to be optimistic despite problems and difficulties. Falls and mistakes are easily forgotten. To be child-like is to be disposed to see things as they are, whether they are self-evident natural truths or highly mysterious supernatural realities. What is not understood is simply accepted and believed, relying simply on the recommendation of parents and elders.

To be child-like is to capture the spirit of the beatitudes, where being poor in spirit, being meek or in a state of mourning, being pure of heart and being persecuted, insulted and the like are no big problem. They are good occasions to go closer to God.

And more directly, St. Paul said: “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child. But when I became a man, I put away childish things.” (1 Cor 13,11)

How is the Philippines as a brand?

Harnessing our assets for soft power

BY CAROL RH MALASIG

Jan 20, 2024 09:28 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Considering the level of hospitality and care our people provide, why is our brand of service treated differently? Why do people who come to our shores feel appalled when we raise prices for services, for which many would willingly pay five times more in Europe?

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Photos MANILA BULLETIN, SHUTTERSTOCK

Every year, we get a good number of publications talking about the best practices of different countries when it comes to soft power. This, as kids say on Tiktok, is my Roman Empire—a topic that lives rent free in my head and something that I tend to judge countries on. Who’s doing well, who’s failing miserably, and who’s missing out on certain opportunities? It’s also the diplomacy journalist in me that tends to raise an eyebrow at people who look down at soft power and want to prove how wrong they can be about it.
While diplomacy has its harder, tougher side—and that’s definitely important—it’s soft power that truly makes a mark on a greater number of the population. Not everyone can be a major geopolitical player but it’s soft power that can somehow level the playing field a bit. How do the Japanese see Filipinos? What comes to an American’s mind when they think of the Philippines? What do Germans know and read about the Philippines?

For the longest time, we’ve suffered from an image problem. Someone has to say it. A huge part of this is undeniably being dealt the most unreasonable of cards. Being in the typhoon belt meant we were often visited by the strongest storms. Being in the ring of fire meant we have beautiful volcanoes that have the tendency to throw catastrophic tantrums. We also have earthquakes and climate change. We had a tumultuous history and quite a list of “missed opportunities,” as politely described to me by an ambassador still posted in Manila during a private conversation.

All these make branding the country and letting people see all the good it has to offer quite the daunting task. 
Selling the Philippines is a tough gig, which is why I have such high regard for people in our foreign affairs and tourism departments. As a journalist, I get frustrated that some of these efforts are not picked up abroad. Recognition often favors the established players. The big countries that have always had a good reputation despite whatever political turmoil they go through. And that’s the opposite end of the spectrum, right? Some countries have it easier. France managed to maintain stable tourist arrival numbers despite societal unrest last summer. Despite violent footage in the news, people still see Paris as the city of romance and the French way of life aspirational. To be clear: This isn’t a dig on the French. It’s just me lamenting how certain countries will always survive such events while we in developing nations don’t have the same luxury. That’s the beauty of well-established and enduring soft power. 

It’s not all doom-and-gloom
Not all hope is lost as we do have a lot going for us as well, but to harness them, we must show our beautiful beaches, warm hospitality, such colorful indigenous culture and traditions, and a widespread diaspora. 
I enjoy reading about what’s being done in the soft power scene as of late. Not to be biased but the Philippines does have some of the most creative minds now working on this and putting plans to action. I had the chance to see the Philippine Tourism Promotions Board’s community-based tourism program first hand in Kalinga, putting our indigenous culture on the forefront and taking a step back from what’s mostly of our colonizers. One of the items in the Department of Tourism’s agenda is the equal promotion of all destinations with no destination or aspect of the culture left behind. 

That’s just one of the many examples of what’s being done. But one thing I want to touch on is how we as a people are seen abroad. The Irish remain my favorite example of how a diaspora can help elevate the status of a nation. Our own diaspora has played instrumental roles in various societies, saving lives during and beyond the pandemic, caring for children, keeping households running, contributing immensely to multinational companies, and even providing representation for fellow people-of-color in Hollywood. And yet, one is left wanting when it comes to respect and validation given to our people. It always feels like everything comes with a tinge of pity when what people need the most is dignity.

One such country that often does well in soft power surveys is Switzerland. The survey often cite the quality of service one gets on a visit that truly sticks to one’s mind. Considering the level of hospitality and care our people provide, why is our brand of service treated differently? Why do people who come to our shores feel appalled when we raise prices for services, for which many would willingly pay five times more in Europe?

And then it hit me. Service and hospitality can be heartfelt without being subservient. Maybe it’s something we need to start telling our diaspora. That there is dignity in work and no one is “just a helper” or “just a cleaner.” If we want respect from the international community, then respecting ourselves should come first. While our people need these jobs, these countries need our people equally, maybe even more. So maybe it’s time we start owning that and behaving the way we should—a people that deserves much respect.
Don’t even get me started on our geopolitical importance starting with our location. Small country? Think again.

What’s next?

Next-gen fashion innovators explore identity, diversity, and sustainability in debut collections

BY AARON CABEZA

Jan 18, 2024 07:56 PM 

AT A GLANCE

• This year’s edition presents a retrospective of distinct organic visions, creative processes, and design possibilities that promise to take spectators on a temporal and spatial journey in the multiverse of fashion.

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Sixty-two promising fashion innovators are set to demonstrate a fusion of artistry and imagination, as they explore the infinite diversity of identity and existence in their sustainable debut collections in "Sinulid 2024: Beyond Boundaries." 
The affair is the highly successful annual culminating event that showcases the knowledge, craftsmanship, and skills of the graduating Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM) students of the School of Environment and Design (SED) at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB). 

Look from Bida Collection by Andrei Valera

This year’s edition presents a retrospective of distinct organic visions, creative processes, and design possibilities that promise to take spectators on a temporal and spatial journey in the multiverse of fashion. 

Look from Sa Amoa - Garbo sa Gitago Collection by Joshua Mario Daryll Chiong

Meticulously conceptualized and handcrafted, each ensemble encapsulates the varied narratives and experiences of the budding changemakers. It likewise channels their advocacy to break expectations and addresses prejudices on being a designer in the modern era. 
 

Look from the Hunyango Collection by Kristine Mae Tayo

The show will include a range of ready-to-wear collections with pieces that weave human emotions and sensibilities and champion freedom and eco-feminism. It will even seamlessly blend the comfort and style of athleisure. 
Couture will likewise take center stage with scene-stealing looks that pay homage to tradition and capture the wonders of childhood memories. 

Look from The Unveiling Scene Collection by Janine Zabala

The series will also feature a cocoon-inspired maternity line that dares to challenge the stereotypical clothing options available to expecting mothers.
It will also feature childrenswear that transports wearers into the vintage glam of the ’50s. 
Also included are creations that delve into the idea of escapism and embody a sense of healing.
Menswear that captures the Filipino spirit and the art of music will be given importance.

Look from Unveiling the Mask Collection by Denise Adrianne De Leon

"Sinulid 2024: Beyond Boundaries" will open at The Atrium at The Podium on Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. The runway show, strictly by invitation, will commence at 5 p.m. at The Podium Hall. 
The gallery will run until Jan. 28.

Chaos: Choice and chance for change?

 

By Dr. Carl E. Balita

THERE is just so much chaos in the global and in Philippine politics with so many moving parts that exhaust many of us. Polarized politicians have become more interesting than any showbiz break-up stories. The twists are becoming more mind-boggling and sometimes unbelievable. The characters in these dramatic exercises seem to be good actors with multiple directors and scriptwriters. But its horrors are frightening because its effects are felt and real.

Where is all this chaos taking us? With what prism should we see this chaos?

The chaos theory provides a lens to understand the volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity that often define the political dynamics. This article explores intriguing nonlinear dynamics and unforeseen consequences that govern various disciplines, including politics.

Theories are simply organized concepts and constructs that describe and explain (and some, predict) a phenomenon. Theoretical development and applications are interesting cognitive activities in science as it asserts that practice without theory is blind and that theory without practice is empty.

Chaos theory

In the 1960s, Edward Lorenz, a meteorologist at MIT, while studying long-term weather patterns, had a breakthrough discovery that tiny differences in initial conditions could lead to drastically different outcomes in weather simulations. This was termed "the butterfly effect" that highlighted the inherent sensitivity of complex systems to seemingly insignificant triggers. This sowed the seeds of chaos theory that sparked the theory development and practical applications.

The understanding of the universality of chaotic systems expanded with scientists Mitchell Feigenbaum, David Ruelleand and author James Gleick.

Chaos theory challenges the traditional Newtonian view of a deterministic universe governed by predictable laws as it reveals that intricate, nonlinear systems like the weather exhibit sensitive dependence on initial conditions. It asserts that even the tiniest shift in starting points can have drastically different outcomes, making long-term forecasts practically impossible.

Chaos theory has found intriguing applications in the arena of politics with Suay Nilhan Açıkali, William Henderson and Rafael Reyes — political scientists who explored and highlighted its potential for understanding political instability, volatile social movements, unpredictable dynamics, and even toward more informed and adaptable strategies.

Chaos theory seems to make sense of seemingly unpredictable phenomena in both the natural world and politics. It makes us move beyond the simplistic narratives and perspectives, and linear interpretations and inferences, especially in politics that we watch and engage in our own ways, as we are characters as well in this drama series.

Chaos through philosophical lens

Given the historical and contextual gaps, the classical philosophies of Aristotle and Plato recognize such chaos. With caution not to risk anachronism (a chronological inconsistency in some arrangement in a time period to which it does not belong), this part is just to appreciate the wisdom of these wise philosophers whose classic thoughts are seldom out of time.

The intention is not to force-fit a modern scientific theory onto ancient thought but to explore potential alignments. This may trigger deeper reflection on both and then gain a richer introspection and circumspection of the complexities in understanding the universe, randomness, order and unforeseen consequences.

Plato's allegory of the cave emphasized on the limited perceptions and the potential for unexpected enlightenment, which in the chaos theory is the notion of sensitive dependence on initial conditions. The journey out of the cave, a seemingly insignificant shift in perspective, can dramatically alter one's understanding of reality. There is also the theory of forms which emphasizes on unchanging ideal forms behind the ever-changing world of appearances.

The chaos theory's randomness and unpredictability seem to be at odds with Aristotle's concept of teleology, where all things strive toward a predetermined goal. However, Aristotle also acknowledged the existence of contingency, where certain events occur by chance without being predetermined which is parallel with the idea of attractors in chaos theory, where systems tend to gravitate toward certain stable states despite unpredictable fluctuations.

There is resonance with chaos theory's holistic approach and Aristotle's emphasis on studying nature in its complex entirety, rather than breaking it down into isolated parts. The understanding that complex systems exhibit unpredictable behavior not readily deducible from individual components is anchored on Aristotle's concept of emergence, where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

We may still look into other classical philosophers like Heraclitus, who emphasized flux and change, and Zeno of Elea, who explored paradoxes related to infinity and motion. But suffice it to say that times may have changed but there are available frameworks to view the choreography of human affairs and the intricate dance of humanity in the harmony of the universe across time.

Critics of chaos theory

Chaos theory, as any theory, is not immune to criticism. Its oversimplification of complex systems and its limited empirical applications make it a target of criticisms. Of course, the chaos theory's mathematical models struggle to capture the nuances of human behavior, cultural dynamics and specific historical contexts.

Political psychologist Sarah Khan claims that chaos theory is "a seductive intellectual trap, offering the illusion of scientific rigor while obfuscating the real sources of political instability." This makes its application to the complex realities like political systems similar to predicting the weather with a coin toss, in the words of political theorist Mark Robinson. The interesting metaphors ultimately fail to provide concrete tools for understanding or influencing political events, as international relations expert David Stern puts it.

Sociologist Anna Martinez good-humoredly says that focusing on butterflies flapping their wings distracts us from the real drivers of political change, such as economic inequality and social movements. Political activist Thomas Lee warns that overreliance on chaos theory can lead to fatalistic attitudes, discouraging engagement in political action and reinforcing the status quo.

Nascent as it may be, chaos theory, however, offers a valuable framework for appreciating the inherent unpredictability of political landscapes and encourages a more open-minded approach to understanding political dynamics.

Chaos, so what?

The iconic metaphor of chaos theory translates to a butterfly flapping its wings in Malacañang potentially causing a hurricane in Batanes and Jolo, or even the lives of the overseas Filipinos.

Political analyses are not futile. As chaos theory doesn't eliminate order; it unveils hidden patterns within apparent randomness. Despite unpredictable variations, we can still identify areas in the political landscape where systems tend to gravitate, which key factors may influence informed policy decisions and strategic planning.

We may analyze the rise and fall of revolutions to be able to predict the tipping points for significant change or identifying vulnerabilities within seemingly stable regimes, as we have seen in our history. We may learn caution and nuanced diplomatic approaches when we recognize the sensitive dependence of international alliances and conflicts, similar to what we are experiencing these days. Understanding the influence of small events, like a viral social media video, and individual decision, like change of political party, within a broader sociopolitical context may enable us to analyze electoral behaviors.

By demystifying the inherent unpredictability and recognizing the interconnectedness of the invisible threads that bind seemingly disparate events, we can gain a deeper understanding of the fascinating, chaotic dance that is politics. Chaos theory is not a crystal ball that captures even the snapshots of Philippine politics. In the words of the 77-year-old social scientist professor Clarita Carlos, chaos theory is only one of the structures of explanation in social science. It is another prism for viewing political life. After all, the chaos noted is really the unknowns' unknown in our political life.

Has chaos theory provided powerful explanations for many aspects of our political lives? Amid chaos, do we stand a chance for change? The choice is ours. Let us flap our wings. Together.

The Philippines Registered the Highest International Tourism Receipts

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After a thorough examination of tourism-related data among the so-called, ASEAN 6 (which comprises the 6 biggest economies in the ASEAN: Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, The Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam), a surprising revelation emerged. Contrary to popular belief, the Philippines stands out once again, claiming the top spot in Tourism Receipt. Yes, you heard it correctly! It's not Malaysia, it's not Singapore, and it's certainly not Thailand. The Philippines, against all odds, secures the top position in ASEAN, for Tourism Receipt on a per capita basis. This means, we continue to attract the best tourists, and sustain the pleasant services, and hospitable reception, that foreign tourists generally look for when traveling outside of the country. The numerous awards the Philippines has garnered, are testaments to its status, as a top tourist destination globally, providing top-notch quality service, across all levels of accommodation, whether 5-star, 3-star, or budget travelers' inn, accommodation.