The last word

 

By Klaus Döring

The last word is the best news of all. A happy ending after all? Really?

We sense it at rare moments. We see the good, the beauty in new crops, in flowers, in sunshine, and even in rain. The last thunderstorm in Davao City scarred me a lot. Lightning, flood… wow.

This world may be full of pollution, war, crime, and hate. But inside us, all of us, linger remnants that remind us of what the world could be like – of what we could be like.

The Old Testament prophets dreamed of “that day”, when creation would be made new. And those sensations, following a dismal monotone of predicted catastrophes, burst out of the last few chapters of Revelation. That perfect world is not merely a dream. Yes, I am pretty sure, it will come true.

I really enjoy reading Revelation again and again. Revelation shows us a new world at last. There will be no more tears then nor pain.

Revelation ends on a note of great triumph. Somehow, out of all the bad news augured here, good news emerges-spectacular Good News. I remember my radio show hosting on a Good News Radio FM-station in Davao City more than 20 years ago. Yes, good news.

To those who believe, Revelation becomes a book not of fear, but of hope. God will prevail. All will be made new.

The Bible began, remember, back in Genesis, with a tragic defeat, when humanity, made in the image of God, rebelled. It ends with a reunion – a marriage, Revelation calls it. A happy ending after all…

A perfect world? How could you design it? What would it look like? I am really waiting for your comments and suggestions.

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

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The Power and Impact of Good Listening

By Klaus Döring

“Listening is not the act of hearing the words spoken; it is the art of understanding the meaning behind those words.” –Simon Sinek

Speaking is a critical life skill that we’re taught from birth. In fact, effective speaking and communication skills are so highly valued in our society that there are thousands of courses on the topic as well as myriad opportunities to earn degrees in communications, all the way up to a Ph.D., with a focus on critical thinking, public speaking, media, and writing skills to prepare students for careers in influential industries such as journalism, law, public relations, speechwriting, and all forms of administration (Bouchrika, 2024; Hamilton, 2023).

Do you sometimes feel like this, my dear readers, that you want to discuss something, but the people opposite to you simply cannot listen to you? Sometimes, I would love to tell them, "first, learn to listen"!

Sherrie Bourg Carter Psy.D., High Octane Women said: "Listening is an acquired skill that requires focus, patience, and daily practice. Good listening skills can be more valuable, effective, and productive than good communication skills. Good listeners provide a safe space for speakers to fully share their message without judgment or critique".

So what about the skill of listening? Where and when is that taught? The unfortunate answer is that listening, although arguably even more critical to effective and productive interpersonal, organizational, political, and global communication, is rarely taught. Absent possibly a few therapy-related graduate courses, you’ll be hard-pressed to find courses on the topic of listening, nor is it a skill that most parents or educators encourage children to practice as they’re learning to navigate the nuances of communication and relationships. Yet, how can we expect to think critically and make the best-informed decisions if we don't really know how to listen?

Listening is indeed the key in effective communication. A person does not have to speak all the time to be the smartest person in the room. Lack of listening may result in frustration, disappointment, and resentment in our relationships. When we listen, we are able to create stronger emotional connections with people.

Many times during my teaching, I was happy when my students had one or more questions for me - so, I can listen to them first. Active listening promotes mindful thinking, which can reduce anxiety and depression in students. It can also help students build relationships because as they engage themselves in conversation, their peers are more likely to view them as open and interested.

However, every time you use active listening, it gets a little easier. It can help you to navigate through difficult conversations. More than that, it helps improve overall communication, builds a better understanding and ultimately leads to better relationships with family, friends and co-workers too.

Listening is an active process by which we make sense of, assess, and respond to what we hear. The listening process involves five stages: receiving, understanding, evaluating, remembering, and responding. Not only in school or at the workplace. But especially talking about the workplace: Listening helps managers to solicit feedback and proactively find out about problems before they escalate. It's also the only way for management to get to know people as individuals and ensure that they feel genuinely valued.

Listening and the supreme gift of wisdom belongs together. You can only become a wise person, if you know how to listen. Do you still remember the university lectures in your old student days once upon a time? Anybody can become wise, Proverbs says. Wisdom is not reserved for a brainy elite. Becoming wise requires self-discipline to study and humbly seek wisdom at every opportunity. And allow me to repeat: and, first, learn to listen.     

Davao City dad seeks lower power taxes, solar shift amid high electricity costs

 

Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang. (Photo via Ivy Tejano / MB)

By Ivy Tejano

Published Aug 27, 2026 03:22 pm

DAVAO CITY – Amid soaring electricity rates, Davao City Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang has proposed cutting unnecessary power taxes and adopting solar energy in government facilities to reduce costs.

Dayanghirang, chairman of the Committees on Finance, Ways and Means, Appropriations, and on Games and Amusement, renewed his call during the Pulong-Pulong sa Dabawenyos on Aug. 25.

Public concern over rising electricity bills prompted the councilor to push for measures that would lower rates and protect consumers in Davao and Mindanao.

“We have raised the matter with national government officials, and they are already looking into it,” Dayanghirang said, adding that power problems require national-level action.

He stressed that electricity is vital to development, noting that areas with tourism potential may struggle to attract businesses when supply is unreliable.

Dayanghirang pointed out that many businesses forced to rely on generators during outages face higher operating costs, discouraging investment.

To ease the burden on consumers, he proposed reviewing electricity taxes and removing unnecessary charges.

He also urged a review of system and transmission losses, saying consumers should not shoulder the cost of electricity lost before reaching them.

Dayanghirang further suggested reviving a fuel price-stabilization mechanism similar to the former Oil Price Stabilization Fund (OPSF), which cushioned consumers from sudden petroleum price hikes.

Earlier, he filed a resolution urging Congress to restore the OPSF or create a similar mechanism to protect public transport, agriculture, and the economy from volatile fuel prices.

The measure cited global oil price shifts and foreign exchange fluctuations that have driven unpredictable fuel costs, adding pressure on families, workers, and businesses.

Dayanghirang said fuel is essential to nearly every sector -- transportation, electricity, food production, manufacturing, and logistics -- and rising prices increase the cost of basic goods, fueling inflation and eroding purchasing power.

He argued that a properly funded and managed stabilization mechanism could help soften the impact of global fuel spikes.

The councilor also urged the city to study solar power use in government facilities and street lighting to cut long-term electricity expenses.

According to him, the Davao City Government is a major electricity consumer, with costs covering government buildings and street lighting.

He noted that the city is among Davao Light and Power Company’s largest customers, making it vulnerable to rate increases.

Dayanghirang clarified that while many streetlights already use LED technology, LED lighting differs from solar-powered systems.

“LED refers to how light is produced, while solar refers to how electricity is generated,” he explained. “We should study a pilot project where selected streets or facilities use true solar systems with panels, batteries, and inverters.”

Councilor Ralph Abella, chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Aquaculture, Food, and Animals, backed the proposal, citing his own experience with solar systems lowering electricity costs.

Dayanghirang acknowledged that solar power requires significant upfront investment but said it could yield substantial long-term savings.

He added that the city government could gradually adopt the technology in practical areas.

Foreign Exchange Rates | August 29, 2026

 Foreign Exchange Rates | August 28, 2026…

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Memorial of Saint Augustine of Hippo!

“FAITH IS TO BELIEVE WHAT YOU DO NOT SEE; THE REWARD OF THIS FAITH IS TO SEE WHAT YOU BELIEVE.”

- Saint Augustine of Hippo

Saint Augustine reminds us that true faith means trusting God even when we cannot see the outcome. Faith is choosing to believe in His promises, knowing that His plans are always greater than our understanding. When we remain faithful, God reveals His goodness in ways we never imagined.

Saint Augustine of Hippo,

Pray for us