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!
Since in Israel actions are measured by the standard of the Law of Moses, a “righteous” person is one whose conduct is in accordance with the Law. When Jesus speaks of surpassing the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees, he does not mean that the disciples must be more zealous than the Pharisees, outdoing them in observing the laws and the commandments.
What Jesus teaches is to view the Law with a new heart, with a new righteousness that does not start with human beings but with God. In fact, before a person can speak of any righteous act, he must speak of God’s righteousness.
God’s righteousness is Jesus himself, who is the fulfillment of the Law. The righteousness of the disciples will surpass that of the scribes and the Pharisees because they are given a new heart that makes it possible for them to do God’s will, learning by Jesus’ example.
Gospel • Matthew 5:20-26
Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.
“But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.
“Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
“Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2026,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
Are you still in love? Or has a new love found its way into your heart?
As the song goes, each day is Valentine’s Day. And because love deserves more than just one night, we are celebrating it once again, with part two of the successful Valentine show “Ikaw” by Kuh Ledesma, with guests Bo Cerrudo and Jack Salud, plus a new breed of young singers, set at the new theater ARTE in Hacienda Isabella.
The first run left audiences wanting more. There are so many beautiful songs still waiting to be sung, so by popular demand, there’s part two.
But this second chapter is more than just a repeat or extended performance. It is a celebration. A reminder that love is not seasonal. It is a day-to-day commitment.
This show is extra special because it is staged at ARTE, a newly created venue born out of Kuh’s steadfast commitment to the arts. Known for her staunch and unwavering support of Filipino artistry, Kuh envisioned ARTE not merely as a performance space but as a nurturing ground for talents.
Just as she once founded the iconic Music Museum, a venue that became a landmark for live performances, Kuh now opens a new venue, ARTE. A place where seasoned artists can continue to shine and a new home where young artists can hone their talent.
For Kuh, producing shows is never just about mounting a production. It is about mentorship. It is about sustaining the arts. It is about providing the next generation of performers with another venue to grow, experiment, and try out different expressions. So are you still in love? Or have you found a new love?
Maybe both. It’s okay because in ARTE, each day is Valentine’s Day and always “Ikaw pa rin." Catch "Ikaw pa rin" will be held at the ARTE of Hacienda Isabella (0960-8850288/0920-2868895) on Feb. 28, 2026. (Robert Requintina)
Published Feb 26, 2026 12:01 am | Updated Feb 25, 2026 04:12 pm
There was a time when gambling required effort. One had to travel to a casino, a cockpit arena, or a betting station. Today, it takes only a smartphone and a few taps on a mobile phone or gadget screen. In the Philippines, online gambling has moved from the margins to the mainstream, embedding itself in daily life with unprecedented speed and reach.
Recent estimates suggest that about 32 million Filipino adults are now participating in some form of online betting—nearly half of the country’s adult population. Just a few years ago, that number was closer to eight million. This dramatic surge reflects more than shifting tastes; it signals a structural change in how gambling is accessed and consumed. The casino is no longer a destination. It is in every pocket.
The Covid pandemic accelerated this transformation. With people confined to their homes, digital entertainment flourished. Online betting platforms seized the moment. Boredom, isolation, and financial anxiety created fertile ground for apps promising excitement—and quick money. Then came technology that made it seamless to transfer money, and hide one’s losses from family and friends.
Aggressive marketing has further normalized online betting. Regulators such as the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) have responded with tighter know-your-customer rules, bans on primetime broadcast ads, restrictions on credit card and cryptocurrency payments, and the rollout of responsible gaming tools. Lawmakers have called for stronger enforcement against illegal operators. Many operate offshore and quickly resurface even after being blocked.
Yet regulation alone cannot offset the scale and accessibility of the problem.
Online gambling now comes in many forms: digital slots and card games, e-Bingo, sports betting, live dealer platforms, remote cockfighting streams, and app-based betting embedded in games. Each format targets a different demographic.
Addiction is alarmingly easy. Platforms operate 24/7. Deposits are instant. Push notifications encourage repeat play. “Near-miss” designs and promotional bonuses keep users engaged. Wins trigger dopamine surges; losses push the urge to chase luck in the next game. Because gambling happens privately on a personal device, escalation often goes unnoticed until debts mount and relationships fracture.
The social costs are profound. Families see savings meant for food, rent, or tuition vanish. Workplaces suffer as employees borrow money or struggle with mounting obligations. Mental health deteriorates under the weight of shame and financial stress. For low-income households, the illusion of a life-changing win can entrench cycles of poverty rather than break them.
The debate over legalization remains contentious. Proponents argue that regulation allows oversight, taxation, and consumer protection. A total ban, they warn, would simply drive gambling underground, where there are no safeguards and no accountability. Critics counter that legalization legitimizes a highly addictive activity and that tax revenues cannot compensate for social harm.
Both sides raise valid points. But regardless of where one stands on prohibition, one conclusion is unavoidable: public awareness has not kept pace with technological change.
Filipinos must understand that online gambling apps are not harmless games. They are designed to maximize engagement and spending. Responsible gaming slogans are not enough in an environment engineered for impulse.
A stronger, sustained public awareness campaign is urgently needed—one that meets citizens where the risk resides: on their smartphones, on social media, in schools, and in workplaces. Digital literacy must now include gambling literacy.
The smartphone is one of the most transformative tools of our era. It connects families, fuels businesses, and democratizes information. But without vigilance, it can also become a 24-hour casino—private, portable, and perilous.
The country must decide whether convenience will continue to outpace caution. The stakes are no longer confined to gaming tables. They are embedded in everyday life.
Members of the P-pop girl group FINA (from left) Nala, Cia, Anika, Heaven and Chill (Facebook)
With the growing community of P-pop groups, each act brings a distinct sound and concept that reflects their unique identity.
Under the helm of CreaZion Studios Artists, GLXY Talent Management, and Universal Records Philippines, FINA takes on the center stage.
During their official media launch last Feb 19, held at Noctos Music Bar in Quezon City. The group, composed of Anika, Nala, Chill, Cia, and Heaven, energized the event with a live performance of their debut single, Paramdam.
Aside from the performance, the girls also got to watch the music video for the first time, which features the group presenting various Filipino mythical creatures.
According to Chill, making the mythical creature the main concept of their music video was to highlight and pay tribute to Filipino culture.
"I think we connect that to the modern theme and to our mythical creatures because modern Filipinas often give back to history. They take from history, we learn from our past, then try to recreate it and own it. And that’s what we do, we try to pay tribute to Philippine folklore and mythology and make it our own through performance and dance," Chill said.
Meanwhile, Heaven added that aside from highlighting Filipino culture, their group also aims to share how talented Filipinos are on the international stage.
"We want to represent through our music our Filipino culture, traditions, values, and instruments, to show the international stage how beautiful Filipino culture is,'' Heaven said during the interview.
Despite the different sounds of P-pop groups, FINA mentioned that it doesn't have to be a competition between the community because at the end of the day, each of these groups have their own way of presenting Filipino music.
"P-pop is versatile. There’s not just one style of P-pop. You can be different. In the end, as Filipinos, we have different sides of ourselves, and that’s what we want to showcase in the international scene," Anika said.
Set on a remote island in the Visayas, “Bangaw” begins with a plane crash that leaves a group of high school students from different schools stranded without any adult supervision, government, or rules.
This local production presents a reimagination of 'Lord of the Flies'
As the world confronts climate change and biodiversity loss, there is growing recognition that economies must invest in green and sustainable finance. Investment remains vital for development, but it must now serve a dual purpose: to “finance the green” by supporting environmentally friendly solutions, and to “green the finance” by reshaping the financial system to prioritize sustainability.
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific broadly defines “green finance” as funding that supports environment-oriented technologies, projects, industries, or businesses. More specifically, it includes environment-oriented financial products or services, such as loans, credit cards, insurances, or bonds. It is also closely linked to concepts such as climate finance and sustainable finance.
Intensified headwinds
Equity and debt are key instruments in green finance. Equity is often used in early stages of projects, while debt—such as loans and bonds—are typically utilized in later stages alongside equity.
In 2024, the sustainable finance market grew to more than $8.2 trillion, up 17 percent from 2023—even so, it faced intensified headwinds as well as growing investor caution.
According to the World Investment Report 2025 released by the United Nations, accelerating growth in the sustainable bond market saw “record issuance of over $1 trillion.” The value of the sustainable fund market also reached a record high at $3.2 trillion.
However, the number of new funds stalled and new inflows to the market fell to their lowest since 2015.
The report found that annual issuance grew at an average rate of 19 percent since 2019, as the market continued to mature and investors aligned their strategies with more sustainable outcomes.
The annual issuance of sustainable bonds as a share of the global bond market remained above 10 percent since 2021, and represented 11 percent of the market in 2024. Green bonds even accounted for 64 percent of total issuance, growing 14 percent from 2023 to 2024.
Complementary action
Advancing green finance requires complementary action from both the public and private sectors. By providing grants for policy reform, the public sector can act as a catalyst to leverage private finance at scale. Meanwhile, the private sector represents a major potential source of financing, seeking opportunities that generate market-rate financial returns and an environmental impact.
Governments can also directly support green growth through sustainable public procurement and eco-efficient investment in public buildings and enterprises.
In the Philippines, institutional investors and underwriters have shown interest in investing in and underwriting green bonds, but most have limited awareness and resources, according to a 2022 survey by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Global Green Growth Institute.
The study also found that investors have strong preference for small green projects (less than $10 million,) while underwriters prefer larger deals (more than $100 million). Renewable energy, green buildings, sustainable agriculture, and water management were identified as the most promising sectors.
According to the Global Climate Risk Index, the Philippines ranked fourth most affected by extreme weather globally between 2000 and 2019. As one of the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, green finance is growing in the Philippines.
First in Asean
In 2016, the Philippines became the first Asean country to issue green corporate bonds. Between 2017 and 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted Asean green, social, and sustainability bond standards. In 2019, the Philippines joined the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action and its Helsinki Principles, which promotes national climate action through fiscal policy and the use of public finance.
In 2023, the ADB programmed $10 billion in climate finance for the Philippines between 2024 and 2029 to support low-carbon transport, renewable energy, the development of carbon markets, flood management, resilient coastal development, food security, and adaptive health and social protection.
In 2024, the Philippines ranked as the second top issuer of Asean-labeled green, social, and sustainability bonds, with a total issuance of $15.30 billion. By 2025, the Philippines had already exceeded $10 billion in sustainable finance for renewable energy, according to a report by global bank ING.
The capital invested today will have a lasting impact on tomorrow’s ecosystems and production and consumption patterns. With these green finance initiatives, the Philippines is heading for a sustainable future, creating long-term environmental and economic benefits for both the planet and generations to come. —Dana Quirante and Erin Alcala, Inquirer Research
Private Anbieter imitieren offizielle Webseiten, um für Rentenauskünfte satte Gebühren zu kassieren. Wer genau hinsieht, schützt sich vor teuren Fehlern.
Kassel – Die gesetzliche Rentenversicherung ist für Millionen Deutsche ein zentraler Bestandteil der Altersvorsorge. Sie informiert über Rentenansprüche, rechnet Beitragszeiten an und sorgt dafür, dass niemand wichtige Ansprüche übersieht. Wer jedoch nicht aufpasst, gerät im Netz schnell an kostenpflichtige Drittanbieter anstatt an offizielle Stellen.
Und während die offiziellen Angebote zuverlässig und transparent sind, nutzen Betrüger die wachsenden Online-Angebote der Deutschen Rentenversicherung (DRV) und anderer staatlicher Stellen aus, indem sie dieselben Services gegen Gebühr anbieten. Künstliche Intelligenz macht diese Maschen zunehmend raffinierter. Fake-Portale lassen sich durch KI immer professioneller gestalten und sind oftkaum noch von echten Behördenseiten zu unterscheiden. Ein häufiger Fehler in der Altersvorsorge kann indes viele Deutsche Tausende Euro kosten.
Fake-Webseiten, die Rentenauskunft gegen Geld anbieten, durch KI kaum noch von DRV-Seiten unterscheidbar
Millionen Bürger wollen wissen, wie hoch ihre spätere Rente ausfällt, welche Arbeitszeiten berücksichtigt wurden und ob ihr Versicherungsverlauf vollständig ist. Wer nach entsprechenden Keywords im Netz sucht, läuft Gefahr, auf einer Fake-Website zu landen. Diese sehen aus wie die offizielle Webseite der Deutschen Rentenversicherung (DRV), führen durch scheinbar vertraute Formulare – doch dahinter stecken clevere Kriminelle. Private Anbieter kassieren mit diesen täuschend echten Internetseiten ab, warnt das Europäische Verbraucherzentrum Deutschland (EVZ).
„Diese Angebote haben wirklich eine neue Qualität erreicht – und die Verwechslungsgefahr wird weiter zunehmen“, betont Karolina Wojtal, Juristin und Co-Leiterin des Europäischen Verbraucherzentrums Deutschland (EVZ). Künstliche Intelligenz ermögliche es, Layouts und Texte schnell und präzise an offizielle Webseiten anzupassen. „Für Verbraucher wird es dadurch immer schwieriger, private Dienste von staatlichen Angeboten zu unterscheiden.“
