A German Expat in The Philippines - Ein deutscher Auswanderer auf den Philippinen

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!

Thursday, May 7, 2026

Two to tango

By Jullie Y. Daza

MEDIUM RARE

As the saying goes, it takes two to tango. Thus Mariel Ilusorio, pianist, and Joshua Cerafica, young flutist, teamed up to celebrate the music of Astor Piazzolla, who in 1986 composed a four-movement suite in honor of a dance that was once banned, like the novel Lady Chatterley’s Lover, by the Roman Catholic Church.

Tango is, as far as my two left feet are concerned, an art form in itself. Tango!, condemned during the last century for its sensuousness, is today celebrated for its drama and romance. You have to see how they dance the tango in Argentina, where it was popularized after being imported from its neighbor, Uruguay, to understand why fuddy-duddies would see “sin” written all over it – from the choreography to body movements, even the dramatic pauses here and there.

In Buenos Aires, the bars and nightclubs are better described as tanguerias, which should be self-explanatory. The female dancers are garbed in red or black, red and black, in longish, ruffled skirts stopping inches above the ankles for their audience to appreciate the choreography and footwork. Invariably, the senoritas wear their hair long and black, like a waterfall at night. No, their theme song is not “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina.” (You could cry from the cigarette smoke, though.)

A plane ride from Manila, which is practically on the equator, to Buenos Aires, Argentina in South America, is no joke. When I went to Argentina decades ago, the trip took 37 hours, with a stopover in Cairo. Jet planes may fly faster these days but the Far East, where we are, is still a long away from down South.

Mariel Ilusorio announced she is now her own producer, and to show their support, her mom Sylvia and aunt Lin were present at last Saturday’s performance at Sunshine Place in Makati; as were a group of diplomats, whom I overheard speaking in Spanish – were they from Argentina or Spain?

Mariel has previously teamed up with a harpist, a soprano with her tenor husband, and several other soloists and vocalists. If a pianist is not heard, where is the music? Can we compare such music to the sound of a tree falling in the forest where there is no one to hear the crash?

Cacao to boost Davao City tourism, identity

CACAO producers and entrepreneurs showcase local cacao-infused dishes in celebration of Cinco de Mayo at Azuela High Street in Lanang, Davao City, on Wednesday, May 5. (Photo via Ivy Tejano)

By Ivy Tejano

Published May 6, 2026 11:35 pm

Davao City cacao producers and entrepreneurs have expressed confidence that locally grown cacao will boost the city's identity, tourism potential, and export competitiveness.

Cacao de Davao and Siempre Taqueria and Bar have joined hands during the Cinco de Mayo to show that cacao can be used beyond chocolate and confectionery.

"With this collaboration, we are pushing the idea that cacao is not just simply cacao. There are still so many things that can be done with it, and there are many more possible collaborations not only here but even with other countries," Ethan Kyle Lim, chief operating officer of Cacao de Davao, said.

Lim said Davao cacao's quality is now being recognized in high-end dining spaces, opening the door to wider applications such as skincare, soap, and butter-based products, as well as other emerging value-added industries.

He emphasized the broader economic and tourism impacts of showcasing local products through culinary events and collaborations, saying these initiatives help position Davao City as an open, innovation-driven city for investors.

The cacao producer noted that Davao is expanding its identity beyond its traditional association with fruits. "Davao is already known as the cacao capital of the Philippines, not only durian and mangosteen and other fruits here," he added.

Lim emphasized that collaborations with local restaurants have become key to sustaining cacao's visibility in the city, citing partnerships with establishments such as Lamano, Ikao, and Siempre.

"The growing collaboration among local businesses and farmers is helping establish a unified cacao movement in Davao City," he said. "If we unite and work together, we can showcase the best of our products and help tourism thrive even more."

Lim added that the initiative aims to encourage more farmers and businesses to participate in strengthening Davao's cacao industry, positioning it as a key driver of economic and tourism growth.

For Gastro Club Corp. and Siempre owner Jaru Chua, the initiative underscores the importance of working directly with local farmers and producers to strengthen supply chains and support local livelihoods.

Chua said their Filipino-Mexican cuisine concept is rooted in showcasing Davao's agricultural strength. He added that Davao City and the Davao region remain major hubs for fresh produce in Mindanao.

The local entrepreneur described the collaboration with Cacao de Davao as a continuation of earlier partnerships, noting that such efforts prove local businesses can scale impact when working together.

"I don't know if everybody is familiar with authentic Mexican food, but many of its dishes, desserts, and drinks truly use cacao. This time, localized using cacao from Davao City," Eric Patrick Dulay, entrepreneur and co-owner of Siempre.

Chua also said such initiatives have the potential to attract both domestic and international tourists to visit Davao City, as it always has something to offer, especially with cacao tourism in Davao continuing to grow and gain wider recognition.

Chef Mark Delumban explained that integrating cacao into savory and fusion dishes helps broaden Davao's culinary identity. He added that their approach combines familiarity with innovation.

Delumban said cacao naturally fits into Filipino-Mexican fusion cuisine due to shared culinary influences, citing dishes like mole in Mexican cuisine and traditional Davao tablea-based recipes. "We do not want the flavors to be too far from the local palate."

Lim shared insights from his benchmarking trips to Vietnam and Thailand last year, which he said helped identify opportunities to improve local cacao production systems and packaging.

He confirmed that Cacao de Davao products are already exported to markets including China, Europe, Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan, with plans to expand further through airport kiosks and additional Asian markets.

Lim noted that Southeast Asian countries have advanced chocolate industries with strong export presence. Despite this, he emphasized that Davao's competitive advantage lies in taste and quality.

Sandara Park bonds with 2NE1 sans Park Bom

By Carissa Alcantara

2NE1 members Minzy, Sandara and CL (Instagram)

Sandara recently uploaded on social media two selfies featuring fellow members CL and Minzy.

She captioned it, "I ♥ 2NE1."

The trio posed closely together, showcasing coordinated black-and-white ensembles accented by bold silver accessories, a style long associated with the group’s signature image

While the photos seemed warm, friendly, fans couldn't help but notice the absence of fellow 2NE1 member, Park Bom.

"I’m happy to see you, my girls, but I want to see you with all members,” one netizen said.

“As much as I love Bommie, I will support a trio 2ne1 comeback too if Bom would not be able to give her 100% and join promotions,” another Instagram user commented.

Prior, Park Bom made headlines accusing Sandara Park of drug use, which she strongly denied.

More than a month after making the allegations, Park Bom issued an apology, praising CL, Minzy, and Sandara Park and expressing hope that the controversy could be put behind them.

Rentenalter muss steigen: Wer künftig nicht vor 70 aufhören darf

Stand:06.05.2026, 09:30 Uhr

Von: Martin Wald

Der demografische Wandel zwingt Deutschland zu radikalen Rentenreformen. Während Nachbarländer längst die Lebenserwartung als Rentenfaktor nutzen, experimentiert die Bundesregierung mit Konzepten.

München – Die deutsche Rentenpolitik steckt in der Sackgasse. Während das Renteneintrittsalter bis 2031 schrittweise auf 67 Jahre steigt, reicht diese Maßnahme längst nicht aus, um das System zukunftsfähig zu machen. Die viel beschworene „Rente mit 63“ entpuppt sich bei genauerer Betrachtung als Privileg für wenige – mit hohen Hürden und empfindlichen finanziellen Einbußen für die meisten.

Wen trifft die Rente mit 70 — Der demografische Wandel zwingt Deutschland zu radikalen Rentenreformen. © IMAGO/Michael Bihlmayer

Hinzukommt, dass laut einer aktuellen Studie nur ein geringer Bruchteil der Rentenempfänger überhaupt eine Rente über 3.000 Euro erreicht. Diese Statistik bezieht allerdings ausdrücklich Beamte nicht mit ein, die oftmals als Staatsdiener von höheren Renten profitieren.

Das niederländische Modell als Vorbild

Europäische Nachbarn haben längst radikalere Lösungen implementiert. Dänemark hat sich eben für die Rente ab 70 entschieden. In den Niederlanden, Schweden und Finnland gilt ein simples, aber effektives Prinzip: Die Lebenserwartung bestimmt das Renteneintrittsalter.

Das Ifo‑Institut Dresden beschreibt die niederländische Formel prägnant: „Wenn die Menschen drei Jahre länger leben, müssen sie zwei Jahre länger arbeiten und bekommen ein Jahr länger Rente.“ Diese Kopplung würde den Anteil der Rentner an der Erwerbsbevölkerung bei etwa 40 Prozent stabilisieren – statt der prognostizierten 50 Prozent.

Wen trifft es zuerst?

Nach dieser Rechnung wäre ein Renteneintrittsalter von 70 Jahren gerechtfertigt, sobald die Lebenserwartung um 4,5 Jahre steigt. Prognosen zufolge könnte dies bereits 2070 der Fall sein – betroffen wären dann alle ab 2003 Geborenen. Während die „Generation Z“ noch studiert oder ins Berufsleben startet, zeichnet sich für sie bereits ein deutlich längeres Arbeitsleben ab.

Die Aktiv-Rente als Testballon

Als Vorbote einer generellen Rentenerhöhung könnte die aktuell diskutierte „Aktiv-Rente“ dienen. Das von Union und SPD favorisierte Modell würde Rentnern ermöglichen, steuerbegünstigt weiterzuarbeiten. Tatsächlich sind bereits heute 13 Prozent der 65- bis 74-jährigen Rentner erwerbstätig – teils aus finanzieller Not, teils aus persönlicher Motivation.

Der Elefant im Raum: Generationengerechtigkeit

Die demografische Entwicklung zwingt zu unbequemen Entscheidungen. Während die Politik um kurzfristige Lösungen ringt, bleibt die grundsätzliche Frage unbeantwortet: Wie kann ein Rentensystem nachhaltig funktionieren, wenn immer weniger Beitragszahler immer mehr Rentenempfänger finanzieren müssen? Die Kopplung an die Lebenserwartung erscheint als logische Konsequenz – auch wenn sie für jüngere Generationen bitter schmeckt.

Content-Partnerschaft

Dieser Artikel entstand in einer Content-Partnerschaft mit Partner Business Punk

Die Rente mit 70 ist keine Frage des Ob, sondern des Wann. Während die Politik noch zögert, diesen unpopulären Schritt offiziell anzukündigen, sprechen die demografischen Fakten eine klare Sprache. Zukunftsfähige Konzepte müssen über bloße Anpassungen des Renteneintrittsalters hinausgehen.

Eine echte Reform würde flexible Übergänge, branchenspezifische Lösungen und die Integration privater Vorsorgemodelle beinhalten. Die Alternative – ein kollabierendes Rentensystem – kann sich keine Gesellschaft leisten. Die Generation Z sollte sich darauf einstellen: Die Arbeitswelt wird sie deutlich länger begleiten als ihre Eltern und Großeltern.

With electricity bills rising, DOE signals support for VAT relief

Philstar.com

May 7, 2026 | 8:10am

Electricity bills are surging for Filipino households as global energy prices climb, even as dozens of countries cut energy taxes amid uncertainties around the Middle East conflict.

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy backed proposals to suspend, reduce or remove value-added tax on electricity, as rising power bills and a fresh inflation spike intensify calls for consumer relief.

In a statement on Tuesday, May 5, the DOE said it is ready to provide technical input on the energy-sector impact of any tax measure.

"Consistent with its mandate to ensure secure, reliable, and affordable electricity, the DOE supports measures that can ease the burden on Filipino households and businesses," the agency said.

While it respects that tax policy falls under the Department of Finance and Congress, the department said it is ready to provide technical input on the energy-sector impact of any proposed measure.

“At the same time, any tax measure must be carefully evaluated by the country’s economic managers, particularly the Department of Finance, and Congress,” the agency said.

The statement came as inflation surged to 7.2% in April, the fastest pace since March 2023, from 4.1% in March and 1.4% in April 2025.

The government's data agency attributed the spike to higher food, transport and household costs, with core inflation rising to 3.9%.

The pressure was worse for the poorest Filipino households. Inflation for the bottom 30% income group climbed to 8.5% in April from 4.2% in March, driven by food, transport and utility costs.

Power bills under scrutiny

Electricity bills have also become a focus of consumer frustration. Households and consumers had reported higher and even doubled power bills from March to April, with monthly charges reflecting generation and transmission costs, taxes and policy charges.

The rise in power costs for families and businesses stood in contrast to newly subsidized, reduced or suspended levies globally as supply is disrupted by the conflict between Iran and the United States.

The DOE said electricity affordability should also be pursued through longer-term energy-sector reforms. This would include "efficient generation, improved grid reliability, stronger competition and responsible energy use."

“Proposals must be weighed alongside long-term measures that ensure stable, sustainable, and affordable power for consumers,” the agency said in the same statement.

Lopez feud deepens over ‘third poison pill’; First Gen profit slides

LOPEZ VS LOPEZ Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III and Federico “Piki” Lopez —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Why is corned beef such a big deal in the Philippines?

Ghemma Marie

SouthEast Asian

Very affordable, a Filipino kitchen staple, a tasty sandwich filling, ready-to-eat food (next to sardines) as favourite of most madlang Pinoy.

A 150 g of canned corned beef cost only less than US$1 while a kilogram of beef cost approx. US$10. A cheap alternative for fresh beef as it is a good source of protein. Plus, available almost everywhere, nationwide, in the very remote sari-sari stores.

The brand shown below is one of the most common local brand sold at many groceries and sari-sari stores nationwide.

Cornsilog, a traditional dish originating from the Philippines, consisting of garlic fried rice, fried eggs, and corned beef arrange in one plate ala value meal.

Philippines heavily imports beef to meet local demand, although in all honesty, imported beef and premium cut meat, which are priced high, is not affordable to many due to income disparity. There are wet market where they buy fresh meat and the price is lower compare to meat sold at meat shops.

The high cost of beef is also due to limited pasture land resulting to low livestock production, and middle men add inconsistent cost leading to retailer mark ups. And so many households prioritize lower-cost meats such as pork and chicken, after all, they’re all meat.