Nothing comes from nothing

 

The Daily Guardian is a renascent Iloilo-based publishing firm and media outfit with bureaus across Western Visayas and beyond. Led by Iloilo's most respected journalists, we pledge to tell the Ilonggo story as seen through the various lenses of society so that every side may be told.

“Nothing comes from nothing” is a famous idea. It means you need a cause to get a result. You must do work to see rewards. However, this idea has two very different meanings. Let us look at them below. “Nothing comes from nothing,” a Latin phrase called ex nihilo nihil fit, is

By Klaus Döring

June 26, 2026

Updated June 25, 2026

4 min read

By Klaus Döring

“Nothing comes from nothing” is a famous idea. It means you need a cause to get a result. You must do work to see rewards. However, this idea has two very different meanings. Let us look at them below.

“Nothing comes from nothing,” a Latin phrase called ex nihilo nihil fit, is a core idea in philosophy. It means something cannot be made out of complete nothingness. Everything that exists must have a cause, a reason, or existing matter to start from. The phrase you mention is a variation on ex nihilo nihil fit, or “from nothing, nothing comes,” attributed to the ancient Greek philosopher Parmenides.

For me, the answer lies in the oddly philosophical line in one of the songs composed by Richard Rodgers, with music, and Oscar Hammerstein II, with lyrics, in the 1965 film musical “The Sound of Music”: “Nothing comes from nothing.”

“Something Good,” sung by Maria and the Captain in “The Sound of Music”

The lyrics go: “Nothing comes from nothing — nothing ever could.”

Our globe and its population bear innumerable strange facts. In many people’s opinion, this world mostly shows worrying characteristics and symptoms nowadays. No wonder. Just try to consume and digest today’s headlines and news from around the globe.

The idea of “nothing comes from everything” is a philosophical concept and a common question explored in various fields. It suggests that existence can emerge from a state of absence or nonbeing. While it might sound paradoxical, this concept has been a topic of debate in philosophy, theology, and even physics. Some perspectives posit that the universe could have arisen from a previous state of nothingness, while others suggest that something always existed, even if it wasn’t in a recognizable form.

The notion of “nothing comes from everything” challenges the fundamental assumption that something cannot come from nothing. It prompts questions about the nature of existence, the potential for creation from nonexistence, and the relationship between being and nonbeing.

Some religious traditions, like Christianity, have a concept of creation from nothing, or ex nihilo, in which a deity created the universe from an empty void. This idea, while seemingly counterintuitive, has been a cornerstone of theological belief.

In physics and cosmology, the concept of “something coming from nothing” is explored in the context of the Big Bang theory and the nature of the quantum vacuum. Some cosmologists propose that the universe could have emerged spontaneously from a state of nothingness, a concept referred to as “quantum fluctuation” or “creation from nothing.”

Re-evaluation of existence: The idea encourages a re-evaluation of what we understand as “nothing,” considering that it might be a state of potential rather than total absence.
Emergence of order: It suggests that complexity and order could arise from an initially simple or chaotic state.
Challenging causality: The notion of something arising from nothing challenges the traditional view of cause and effect, in which an effect must always have a cause.

It is a world with quickly bridged distances — our Mother Earth is becoming smaller and smaller. Any tourist, even with little time and only a small budget, can travel to other faraway cultures. But joining them, as well as different races and religious communities, requires, first of all, great care, tact, instinctive feeling, empathy, and logical ideas.

The stranger whom we meet for the first time during a business meeting, for example, may be an uncommon, odd, and extraordinary guy. He may be someone from a foreign country who speaks another language and whose skin is a different color. He may be a migrant, a restless hiker, or an expatriate in our neighborhood.

The foreigner beside you and me can become a provocation or a challenge. Strangeness can become exoticism. Maybe that’s why my family and I decided to move to the Philippines in 1999. On the other hand — going abroad can open new and even better horizons. We must not feel like “a stranger in paradise.” By the way, I never did, since I have toured around the globe many times. On the other hand, I am not putting my country of birth into the trash. Heaven forbid, no!

However, a migrant carries a juxtaposition of optimism, even calculated optimism, confused feelings, nostalgia, and homesickness. Yes, guys, during the first years of my expat life in the Philippines, the round-trip ticket was always in my mind because no one among us can escape his native roots.

But I am really a lucky guy. I experienced amazing tolerance in the Philippines. Real, practicing

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Email: doringklaus@gmail.com, or follow me on Facebook, X-Twitter, or LinkedIn, or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com.

Translation Office in Davao City

 

Übersetzerdienste - Translation Services

Übersetzerdienste - Translation Services

Even after retiring as German Consul, I am still accredited as a German translator and interpreter for the German, Swiss and Austrian Embassy as well as for Regional Trial Court Davao City and all courts nationwide. Please pm for via doringklaus@gmail.com further information. I'll be answering your messages as soon as possible. Please be patient. Auch nach meiner Pensionierung als deutscher Konsul bin ich weiterhin als deutscher Übersetzer und Dolmetscher für die deutsche, schweizerische und österreichische Botschaft sowie für das Regional Trial Court Davao City landesweit akkreditiert. Für weitere Informationen senden Sie bitte eine PN an doringklaus@gmail.com. Ich werde Ihre Nachrichten so schnell wie möglich beantworten.

The Music and the Bible

 

I grew up with both. I was born in a  parish, and allowed to play the organ there. Pairing music with your Bible reading is a beautiful way to center your mind and deepen your spiritual focus. Many find that ambient instrumentals, scripture-based songs, or curated Praise and Worship Playlists help block out distractions while reading.

The Bible highly values music as a powerful tool for spiritual expression. It is depicted as a way to worship and praise God, express emotions (joy or sorrow), and teach others. The Bible does not restrict the style of music, but warns against music that promotes ungodly behavior. 

Music is intentional — designed by God to move both spirit and mind, as we see in 1 Corinthians 14:15, “What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.”

What is the biblical explanation of music? The principal direction of congregational singing is to the Lord (Ps. 96:1). Music is made first of all to the Lord and only secondarily to each other. Music should communicate and express a sense of awe and wonder in the presence of God; it should lead our thoughts toward God rather than toward ourselves.

Music has a way of piercing into the deep parts of our soul, that assists in our expression and response to God and to the church. Singing helps unites us to the church. The gospel alone unites believers to one another.

The music and the bible. Strategies against darkness. Sure, you are able to listen to the wonderful music I select for my daily music column. But there is something more… .

“Why am I so sad? What am I so troubled about?” (Psalm 42,11).

If it’s becoming dark, we usually turn on our lights. But, it’s still daylight. It’s a magnificent and wonderful  day! The sun shines with might in the sky. The trees are blossoming and the flowers are ablaze with amazing colors; the birds are chirping cheerfully. – “Yet, why am I so sad? Why am I so troubled?”

We experience feelings, as if darkness lies onto our souls, and light cannot get through any more. Yes, we make head or tail o it, because some really bad things happened since a couple of weeks or months in many of our life and surroundings:

A good friend passed away unforeseen; a wish, carried with us in our hearts never became true; all doors seem to be locked forever; financial problems bother us and don’t allow the chance for three daily meals; and arduous illness seems to become incurable.

Why are we so sad? Why are we so troubled? The psalm’s poet voices out innermost feelings and emotions during those times.

Music accomplishes many things. It has practical utility that can be applied to many endeavors, it can be used to communicate information and emotions, it plays a substantial role in culture, it provides entertainment, it gives people an outlet to be creative, it helps us understand beauty, and it has value on its own.

Music unites the congregation so that God is worshipped with one voice. A wide variety of music is used in Christian worship including hymns, psalms, choral music, gospel songs, contemporary music and instrumental music, played for meditation and reflection.

I was trained how to survive such periods of life. Be patient and wait!

Pray!

Or: “Quarrel with your soul!” No, it’s not nonsense, it really works.

“Don’t make such a fuss; get out of your dump and be happy!”

Or, read Psalm 103: “The Love of God”.

Stop violence in schools now

 

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Jun 25, 2026 12:01 am | Updated Jun 24, 2026 03:51 pm

How safe are our schools, and what more must be done to protect our children?

We are raising this in the aftermath of the recent violent incidents involving students in Tacloban City and Negros Occidental.

The fatal shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City and the stabbing incident outside a school in San Carlos City are stark reminders that campus safety requires constant vigilance. While law enforcement agencies and education officials have acted swiftly in the aftermath of these incidents, the challenge before the nation extends far beyond immediate investigations and legal proceedings.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara was right to declare that school safety is a non-negotiable priority. He deserves credit for treating the issue with the urgency it demands. His call for stricter campus security measures and closer coordination among schools, local governments, and law enforcement agencies reflects a growing recognition that student safety must be a central pillar of educational governance. His observation that increased police visibility around school premises and surveillance systems serve as effective deterrent is supported by the feedback of learners themselves. Such measures are necessary, but they address only the symptoms of a deeper problem.

The government must pursue a comprehensive strategy that combines security, prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation. This means investing not only in campus protection but also in mental health services, guidance counseling, anti-bullying programs, and conflict-resolution mechanisms. Schools should be equipped to identify students who may be struggling with emotional distress, social isolation, or behavioral issues before these challenges escalate into violence.

Equally important is the ongoing discussion regarding violent online content and its potential influence on young people. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s openness to proposals that would regulate or even prohibit excessively violent online games has generated debate.

The issue deserves careful examination rather than reflexive conclusions. Research has yet to establish a conclusive direct causal relationship between video games and violent criminal behavior. However, concerns about prolonged exposure to violent content among minors cannot simply be dismissed. The government, educators, parents, psychologists, and technology companies should engage in a serious evidence-based discussion on whether additional safeguards are needed. If legislation is pursued, it must strike the proper balance between child protection, parental responsibility, and constitutional freedoms.

The private sector also has a responsibility that cannot be overlooked. Technology firms, social media platforms, gaming companies, and telecommunications providers are influential participants in the daily lives of young Filipinos. Stronger parental-control tools, more effective age-verification systems, and responsible content moderation should form part of a broader commitment to child welfare. Beyond technology, businesses can support youth development through community programs, sports initiatives, leadership training, and mental health advocacy.

Parents, however, remain the most important stakeholders in preventing youth violence. Schools can educate and governments can regulate, but the values that shape a child's character are first cultivated at home. Parents must remain engaged in their children's academic lives, friendships, online activities, and emotional well-being. Warning signs are often visible long before a violent incident occurs.

Communities likewise have a vital role to play. Local officials, faith-based organizations, civic groups, and neighborhood leaders must work together to create safe spaces where young people can find guidance, mentorship, and a sense of belonging. Preventing violence requires strong social bonds as much as strong security measures.

The incidents in Tacloban and Negros Occidental are warnings that demand a whole-of-nation response. Protecting students requires more than fences, surveillance cameras, and police patrols. It requires a collective commitment to addressing the social, psychological, technological, and cultural factors that contribute to youth violence.

We have to treat school safety as a national responsibility, not purely an education issue. This demands action from the government, families, businesses, and communities alike.

Davao City allocates P108 M for construction of Bahay Pag-asa for girls

By Ivy Tejano

Published Jun 25, 2026 11:03 pm

DAVAO CITY – The Davao City government allocated P108 million for the construction of a dedicated Bahay Pag-asa facility for girls – a safe and specialized rehabilitation center for female Children in Conflict with the Law and Children at Risk.

Funding came from the city's Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. share and was approved through a resolution of Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, head of the Committee on Finance, Ways and Means, and Appropriations, upon the request of Mayor Sebastian Duterte.

Dayanghirang said in his official Facebook page that the project seeks to address a critical gap in the city's social protection system, noting that the existing Bahay Pag-asa facility operated by the City Social Welfare and Development Office currently caters only to male CICL and CAR.

"The existing infrastructure exclusively houses male Children in Conflict with the Law and Children at Risk, leaving a need for a separate environment that addresses the unique rehabilitation, welfare, and security requirements of female minors," Dayanghirang said.

According to the councilor, the proposed facility follows the passage of City Ordinance No. 0273-26, the Bahay Pag-asa for Girls Programs, by the 21st City Council, which provides for a separate facility for female CICL and CAR.

The ordinance, authored by Councilor Richlyn N. Justol-Baguilod and approved in June 2026, seeks to provide girls with a safe place to access rehabilitation services, counseling, education, healthcare, and other support programs while their cases are being processed.

According to city officials, the new building will provide a secure and supportive environment for female minors awaiting court disposition, while offering programs focused on rehabilitation, healing, and personal development.

The initiative is also in line with Section 49 of Republic Act 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, which requires highly urbanized cities to establish, fund, and operate Bahay Pag-asa centers in accordance with national standards.

Duterte said the project reflects the city government's commitment to child welfare and social justice by ensuring that vulnerable young women receive appropriate care, protection, rehabilitation, and support in a safe and nurturing environment.

The Bahay Pag-asa for Girls facility is expected to strengthen Davao City's juvenile justice and welfare system and provide female minors with greater opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

Why is adobo popular in the Philippines?

 

Ghemma Marie

 · 

SouthEast Asian

Adobo refers to a method of slow-braising meat using only this few basic spices - vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and whole black peppercorns with the option of adding coconut cream or cooking cream for a twist.

The desired result should be a melt-in-your mouth tangy, garlicky, savoury meat in a rich mix of soy sauce, spices and rendered fat.

The popularity of this dish stemmed from its versatility and minimal low-effort preparation. Plus you can apply the cooking method to almost everything, if you’re creative enough as the adobo dish is not only limited to meat, you can also adobo some fish, vegetables, and tofu, and bamboo shoot and eggs, whatever you prefer.

This is a pork adobo looks like.

A fish adobo

An egg adobo

To vegetarian style (tofu, eggplant, bamboo shoot).

All images from KawalingPinoy.com

Eine Reform „zusätzlicher Belastung“: Sozialverband kritisiert die 33 Vorschläge zur Rente

Stand:24.06.2026, 11:46 Uhr

Von: Dominik Jahn

Die Vorschläge der Rentenkommission sollen laut Kanzler alle umgesetzt werden. Der Sozialverband SoVD zeigt sich nicht glücklich über viele der Pläne.

Am vergangenen Dienstag, 24. Juni, hat die Bundesregierung die Ergebnisse der Rentenkommission vorgestellt. Was die 33 Vorschläge der Experten für die Rente bedeuten, ist klar: Alle sind betroffen von den Maßnahmen.   

Wirklich glücklich ist man beim Sozialverband Deutschland SoVD nicht mit dem, was Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz, die Bundesministerin für Arbeit und Soziales Bärbel Bas und die Fachleute präsentiert haben. Gegenüber echo24 hat die SoVD-Vorstandsvorsitzende Michaela Engelmeier ihre Kritik und ihre Sorgen geäußert.

33 Vorschläge zur Rente: Sorgen und Kritik vom Sozialverband SoVD

Engelmeier findet bei ihren Ausführungen zunächst aber auch gute Ansätze bei den 33 Vorschlägen. Engelmeier: „Der Bericht der Rentenkommission greift einige wichtige Themen auf, bleibt jedoch in wesentlichen Punkten hinter den notwendigen Reformen zurück. Positiv bewerten wir die vorgesehenen Freibeträge, die geplanten Verbesserungen in der Grundsicherung, die Beendigung der verpflichtenden Frühverrentung sowie die Einführung einer Erwerbstätigenversicherung.“   

Sorgen bereiten der SoVD-Chefin aber „die obligatorische kapitalgedeckte Zusatzvorsorge innerhalb der gesetzlichen Rentenversicherung, die vorgesehenen Einschränkungen bei der Rentendynamik sowie die weitere Anhebung des gesetzlichen Rentenalters“.

Kritik äußert sie gerade im Zusammenhang mit der immer präsenteren Altersarmut in Deutschland. Engelmeier: „Zwar wird das Problem der Altersarmut benannt, die strukturellen Ursachen erhalten jedoch nicht die erforderliche Aufmerksamkeit.“

Was die Politik mit der Reform der Rente eigentlich erreichen sollte

Beim Sozialverband hat man dazu klare Vorstellungen davon, was die Politik unbedingt angehen müsste. Engelmeier: „Notwendig sind existenzsichernde Einkommen, ein Mindestlohn, der wirksam vor Armut schützt, bessere Rahmenbedingungen für die Vereinbarkeit von Familie und Beruf sowie stabile und verlässliche Ansprüche in der Alterssicherung.“   

Die Vorsitzende des SoVD warnt vor immer weiter zunehmenden Belastungen der Menschen und fordert dahingehend mehr Gerechtigkeit in der Rentenpolitik: „Eine nachhaltige und gerechte Rentenpolitik basiert auf gesellschaftlichem Zusammenhalt und Solidarität – nicht auf zusätzlicher Belastung der Versicherten oder einer Verlagerung von Risiken auf den Einzelnen.“

SoVD-Chefin Engelmeier hatte im Vorfeld eine „klare rote Linie“ gezogen

Bereits in den Tagen vor der Vorstellung der 33 Vorschläge der Rentenkommission hatte sich die SoVD-Chefin auf Nachfrage von echo24 geäußert und eine „klare rote Linie“ gezogen für Maßnahmen, die aus Sicht des Sozialverbandes keine Option sein dürfen.

Gerade mit der Anhebung des Renteneintrittsalters hat die Regierung aber einen dieser Punkte stark in den Fokus der Reform gerückt.   

Merkur.de

 

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I AM THE WAY

By: Klaus Döring

That phrase famously echoes a core statement of Jesus in the Gospel of John, where He declared: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me".

In order to understand what “I am the way, the truth, and the life” means, which was said by the Lord Jesus, we must first be clear that only God can express the truth, grant people life, and show people the way. Before the Lord Jesus said He Himself was the truth, no person had said he himself was the truth, and no person could express the truth. Only the incarnate Lord Jesus said that He was the truth and moreover He could express the truth. Just as it is recorded in the Scriptures, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelled among us … full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

Most followers of Jesus are familiar with this verse. It’s commonly read in churches. However we often miss the significance and richness of what Jesus is actually teaching us.

He does not offer a linear route or a series of actions. He offers Himself. In very simple straightforward words, He declares, “I am the way.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life" (John 14:5-6)

Many times we compare our life with a path. We talk about "the way". We describe a determined man as, "He's on the right track". We go about our tracks, but we are reproved if we take a short-cut and not the path across a rice-field. We learn that there are many ways of solving problems.

We also don't want to stand in other people's way. Sometimes we prefer to keep out of someone's way and plan to avoid getting in their way. Often we try to find the golden middle course... .

Many different ways have been offered to us during our whole life. How can we be able to choose the right and correct one? Which signs can be trusted blindly? These are urgent and vital questions for all of us, and, especially during this time, very important like never before.

In the past, traditions and customs are the paths we took. Nowadays, we make decisions and long for the correct path - mostly on our own.

The German atom-physician Werner Heisenberg (1901-1976) described it very impressively. The man of today is like a ship's captain. This ship is made out of iron. The compass needle is no longer able to show the Northern direction, as expected, because of the ship's iron inflexible body. You have one choice only: look up to the stars and study their guiding support!"

We're all happy and proud, when we have every need at our disposal. On the other hand, it only confuses our aims, goals, and objectives in life.

"I am the way" is NOT ONLY a traffic sign - or a shepherd without responsibility - or a religious founder, who thinks, that "only he is the right way, if one follows him"... .

HIS way is the only right way. Only His deeds colored our fates. Let's keep our eyes open for the important signs at our way, such as :

- Unselfish participation in the life of others;

- Courage to uncover prejudice;

- Ready to help the unprotected and defenseless;

- Struggle for freedom and justice;

- Commitment for peace.

Most of all: Love, which does not calculate and count. Love without measurements, boundaries and limits.

If you can share with others, you'll know one day in future, that someone walked this way - earlier than you - and, and, FOR YOU!

A BETTER CALLING IN MY LIFE?

 

A BETTER CALLING IN MY LIFE?  Finding a better calling in life is about aligning your daily actions with your unique passions and strengths. It is a personal journey of trial and error that transitions a career into a meaningful purpose.

What is a calling? Your life’s calling is what makes you feel that life is meaningful. It helps you live a purposeful life. Callings look different for everybody. Some people, for example, want to help others as part of their calling.

It’s important to understand that a calling is not limited to a specific job or career, but it’s a deeper sense of purpose that encompasses all aspects of life. It’s not just about what we do to make a living, but rather it’s about who we are and what we’re meant to do in this world.

God’s calling on your life is a personal, evolving invitation to partner with Him. It generally spans two parts: your primary calling (to know Him and follow Jesus) and your secondary calling (using your unique gifts, passions, and everyday circumstances to love and serve others). 

Have you ever felt a sense of purpose or direction in your life that you couldn’t quite explain? Some people refer to this feeling as a “calling.” It’s a sense that there is something you were meant to do or become, a mission or a destiny that is unique to you.

Career is a rapid motion. A course of action. Sure! A professional conduct in life. Even a progress through life. Here we are! That means, a careerist is one, who rushes widely and makes his own personal advancement as well as his (or her) own aim in life!

What can we do, if “career doubts” won’t go away? First allow me to quote my bible, especially Jude (Watching out! Sounding an alarm!), who writes in the style of a teacher who is watching a freight train bear down on his student’s driver. Yes, bells ring out: “Be merciful to those who doubt.” (Jude 2:22).

What does my calling in life mean? Your calling can be thought of as the urge to share your gifts with the world. When you express your gifts for the sake of others, you often experience the joy of being fully alive.

A true calling is a career or walk of life that a person feels compelled or meant to do. Finding meaning in life is something people often spend a lot of time contemplating. Or some individuals may feel the passion so strong that they know quickly in their heart what they were born to do.

“The way that people pick up careers is incredibly  primitive,” said Nicholas Lore, founder of the Rockport Institute, a career coaching firm, and author of “The Pathfinder”. Strong tobacco, indeed. That’s why so many people are indeed dissatisfied with their jobs.

Believe me, I always thought about a true calling for myself. Sure, people, whose careers aren’t the fight fit, often  feel like impostors, as Professor Robert I. Sutton, an organizational psychologist at Stanford University in Palo Alto, said. Very, very well said, Sir.

Notice dreams and signs. Prioritize creative expression. Think about what you used to love. Notice what feels good. Turn down the distractions.Pay attention to what keeps coming back. Try new things regularly.

How about you, my dear reader of this column? Are you also placing too high a value on the external rewards of a job, like money, prestige and power? Of course, for many of us (most?). These things are indeed important. Hold on, please! The work you do and the skills  your opportunity  requires and the value of your work are really more vital to fulfillment. Paper work, or not… . You think, you find a better career fit? Go ahead – but don’t expect that this is your life’s career!

I waited for my “better calling” (what a terrible term!) experiencing many even better and wonderful moments in life. I also experienced that several professional things I did in the past had not been very much compatible with me. But I stored many valuable experiences.

Today, I am what I am. And, I am proud of it. Almost 73. A retiree with still so many opportunities in the Philippines.