Music With Ease: Claudio Monteverdi

Music with ease: really... .

Claudio Monteverdi is really one of the greatest Italian composers.

Check out more here:
http://www.klausdoringclassicalmusic.webs.com

Or tune in to my Sunday's radio program "Classics with Klaus Doring" from 2 to 4 PM (Philippine Standard Time) on 104.3 FM "The Edge Radio Davao" or via live stream 

http://www.livestream.com/theedgeradiodavao

Jessica Could Go Home on "American Idol"

On Wednesday's night's American Idol (in the Philippines last night!) the finalists perormed three songs each, fighting for their spot in the final two.

Joshua Ledet, 20, was the first performer, and he got all three judges up on their feet following his strong rendition of Etta James' "I'd Rather be Blind".

Though the evening seemed like ti was Ledet's, Phillip Phillips' final performance gave Ledet a run for his money.

Jessica Sanchez, 16, was by no means lost in the crowd. Sad to say! She made herself prominent by boldly performing Aero Smith's "I don't want to miss a thing". Steven Tyler gave her a standing ovation, though he was the only one of the judges to do so.

Her other songs were both powerful and memorable.

But, who goes home? And who made the difference? We will see tonight.

Sulu As a Tourist Spot?

 

I was really surprised, when I received the press release through "MindaNews"...

Sula as a tourist spot?

Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan said has approved the formulation of a Provincial Tourism Plan to establish a clear direction and provide the necessary information and strategies to develop a viable tourism industry in the province.

In this press statement, Tan said Sulu's natural beauty, unique environment structure and refined white sand beach fronts are a come-on to local and foreign travellers.

A tourism multi-stakeholders forum was held several days ago at the provincial capitol to gather insights into the development and identification of potential tourist destinations in the province.

"The people of Sulu are losing so much for years of neglect of these untapped resources. The development of tourism in Sulu can be the biggest source of income and revenue for the province and its people," Tan stressed.

But in his interviews with the Zamboanga media, Tan would usually say, he doesn't want to talk about the security situation. I guess, that's the main problem and biggest of all questions.

Of course, one could enjoy wonderful places, such as the one-kilometer long white sand Maubo Beach in Patikul, the town next to Jolo, the capital of the province, or the 33,200 hectare Tubbataha Reef... .

Sulu, still one of my dream destinations... .

 

SMART Gains International Recognition for Green Initiatives

SMART Telecommunications Philippines recently received two prestigious awards in 2011 for programs that support the preservation of the environment - one from the Asia Communication Awards and other from the World Communications Awards.

The Asia Communications Awards bestowed upon SMART the Green Technology Award while the World Communications Awards gave the Philippine company the Green Award, both for its "Alternative Power for Cell Sites" program. This brings to five, SMART's awards for the said program which enforces the use of renewable engery to power cell-sites in off-grid areas nationwide.

SMART's mangroves continue to flourish along the shoreline of Cagsao in Camarines Sur (see photo above).

"We are proud and fulfilled that our environmental initiatives are being recognized as one of the world's best practices when it comes to protecting the environment", said Darwin Flores, SMART Public Affairs' Senior Manager for Community Partnerships.

I strongly agree with you, Sir. Kudos!

Two More Classical Music Masters: Respighi and Rachmaninoff

Here is more about them:

www.klausdoringclassicalmusic.webs.com 

Or tune in to my Sunday's radio program "Classics with Klaus Doring" from 2 to 4 PM (Philippine Standard Time) on 104.3 FM "The Edge Radio Davao" or via live stream:

www.livestream.com/theedgeradiodavao

More From a Blessed Davao City's Fashion Designer: Silverio Anglacer

Gown for Dr. Vina Lim

(Photos taken by Cookie Tan Photography)

"If you design like this and you come to Pakistan - everyone will treat you like a real king in our fashion industry." (Joverea Batool)

"That's I call a piquantly zestful whiff of an English meadow in spring time!" (Mae Madelette Chua).

Silverio Anglacer - a really blessed fashion designer from Davao City... .

Plastic Bags and Styrofoam Ban in Davao City

It took so long. Finally it's done!

Starting June, Davao City joins over a quarter of the world's countries that ban the use of non-biodegradable plastics or polythene bags used for grocery and shopping, including materials made of polystyrene foam.

The ban of the use of plastics and Styrofoam takes effect on June 28, 2012 - two years after the Davao City Ecological Solid Waste Management Ordinance was approved in June 2010.

Acting City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) chief Jospeh Dominic Felizarta said CENRO's advocacy team has been doing the rounds of business establishments, including the big malls, informing and educating owners on the implementation of the law. 

Davao City is not focusing on sanctions against violators but wants to install discipline in following the law, which in the case of the ban on plastics is indeed a big help in preserving and protecting the environment.

There are about 29,000 business establishments in Davao City based on the number of Solid Waste Management Certificates issued by CENRO after underdoing a mandated seminar. 

However, wrappers of candy, snack foods, and other such items will be treated by CENRO as residual wasters that are disposed at the city's sanitary landfill.

As we all know: discarded plastic shopping bags are the most common items that clog the drainage system and contribute to flooding.

More Support for the Ifugao Rice Terraces

As one could learn from news reports from the Philippine News Agency, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has committed 5 million PHP for the restoration of the world-renowned Rice Terraces of the Philippines in Ifugao province. 

DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje said that the amount was included in a Memorandum of Agreement signed among the DENR, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization  (UNESCO), National Commission of the Philippines (NatCom) represented by its Secretary General Dr. Virgina Miralao; and the provincial government of Ifugao, represented by its Governor Eugene Balitang.

Paje said the DENR's commitment was to provide assistance to the local government of Ifugao in rehabilitating the terraces, especially in Batad which has been assessed by experts as the "most damaged".

The DENR appreciates the natural and cultural heritage that the rice terraces bear, and the Filipino people are one with the provincial government in recognizing the need to reserve the deterioration of this heritage site, especially those areas that were damaged by typhoons.

Davao Music Nation Launches Website

To celebrate Davao's widely music culture and showcase the inherent talent of its home grown musicians, the Davao music community is launching a a website to increase awarness and support for Davao music culture and Davao musicians.

Davao Music Nation (DMN) is an internet magazine created bu the Davao Music community for the fans and for anyone looking for good music.

"We have all this talent in Davao City and most of us who live here aren't even aware that they exist," says entrepreneur and website co-founder, Jessica Madrazo."There  is actually more to Davao than just show bands and ethnic music. We have reggae, hip hop, metal, folk, acoustic, jazz and many more. We have tons of great original music just waiting for an audience. And we have lots of great music places that could rival any bar or club in the country!"

In addition to being an online resource for Davao music talents, Jessica Madrazo sees the website as a means to a bigger goal. 

Jessica says: "By showing fellow Filipinos and the world how great Davao music is, we're giving them more reasons to come and stay in Davao. We see this website as the first big step in strengthening the Davao music community so it can eventually a mark in the local and music market. DMN is simply the avenue to help musicians make their music more accessible to the public without changing their identity."

I really wish to support this great idea too.

Check out more here: http://www.DavaoMusicNation.com

The Durian Legend

A long time ago there lived an ugly, old but powerful king named Barom-Mai in Calinan near Davao City. He married the young and beautiful Madayaw-Bayho, a daughter of Tageb, king of the sea pirates who ruled the islands of Ligid, Talicud and Samal. But Madayaw-Bayho did not love the king: so she often ran away from his kingdom. But her father always returned her to the king. One day, she ran away, and vowed never to return to the king. Because of this King Barom-Mai told his advisers, headed by Matigam, to find a way to make his wife love him.

When the king met the hermit, the hermit said to him to get three things: the egg of the black tabon, twelve ladies of white carabao's milk, and the nectar from the flower of the tree-of-make believe, because the egg would soften the heart of the princess, the milk would make her kind and the nectar would make her see the king as young and handsome. 

Pawikan, king of the sea turtles, helped him secure the tabon's egg. The king also easily got the milk. He procured the flower with the help of Hangin-Bai, a wood nymph. He gave the three things to the hermit who mixed the nectar, the milk and the egg together and told him to plant it. It grew into a durian tree!

He brought the fruit to his wife who ate it. After eating, she fell in love with the king who looked young and handsome. They returned to their kingdom and feasted. they forgot to invite the hermit who said angrily that the delicious fruit with offensive odor be covered with thorns. Since then the durian fruit is thorny but delicious.

Davao first to Receive Fishery Patrol Boats

Among the regions in Mindanao, the Davao Region is the first to receive their share of patrol boats given by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic (BFAR) to municipal governments.

BFAR Regional Director Fatma Idris gladly notes that Region XI is one of the five regions nationwide, and the only one in Mindanao given such facility to strengthen community-based coastal resources management.

Region XI gets six of such patrol boats which cost 1.2 million PHP each. These are given to the municipalities of Tarragona and Lupon in Davao Oriental, Maco and Pantukan in Compostela Valley, Tagum City in Davao del Norte, and in Digos City, Davao del Sur.

Each patrol boat has -not only - a boat cradle through which it can be tugged inland and be kept in a safehouse. It is also equipped with global positioning system, telescope, compass, life jackets, enabling Bantay-Dagat volunteers to go after illegal marine resource poachers.

 

Building "Noah's Ark"

It was February, still months away from the rainy-season downpurs that can blanket Metro Manila with deadly floods, but in Barangay Tumana, Marikina City, the townfolk were busy evacuating their riverside homes as if their lives depended on it.

Carrying some clothes, beddings and important documents, about 350 people - including men, women and children - left their homes in an orderly fashion, boarded trucks and moved to the H. Bautista Elementary School in nearby Barangay Concepcion which had been identified as a safe haven in times of floods.

While there, the "evacuees" were brought to pre-assigned rooms and attended to by various barangay committees. For example, nursing mothers and pregnant women were brought to "lactating rooms" while the others were served piping-hot "lugaw".

All this was just a drill, but barangay officials and the residents took it seriously.

"People here remember Ondoy. They had a terrible time then and they want to be better prepared the next time around," said Hilda Tabar-Cleofe, executive director of the Corporate Network for Disaster Response (CNDR), which is helping the flood-prone barangays ofmarikina prepare for future calamities under a program appropriately named "Noah's Ark".

"We are focusing on community preparedness, particulary for those areas that are frequently hit by calamities like floods," said Mon Isberto, public affairs head of Smart Communications which funded the drill.

"The idea is to develop a model that can be replicated in other communities with local governments and private companies working together,"added Isberto, who is also president of CNDR.

This model for community preparedness has already been tested in real emergencies. 

In 2010, Noah's Ark was piloted in Barangay Malanday, Marikina City with funding from Ayala Foundation. The effectiveness of the Malanday contingency plan in achieving "zero casualty" was tested - and proven! - during typhoons Falcon and Pedring in October 2011. 

For 2012, the plan is to bring Noah's Ark to four other high-risk communities, namely  Baranagay Bayanan in Muntinlupa City, Barangay Macasandig in Cagayan de oro, Barangay Banago or Mandalaganin Bacolod City, and another barangay in Iligan City.

These efforts are being supported by various corporate partners. Habitat for Humanity Philippines joined Ayala Foundation in supporting the program for example... .

CNN's Eye on The Philippines

 

Since yesterday till May 4, 2012  "Eye on The Philippines" features daily reports with Anna Coren from Manila, Batangas and Lake Taal and in-depth reportage from Kyung Lah, providing insight into this tropical country's people, politics, business and culture.

The special week of coverage culminates with a half-hour program featuring highlights from the week, airing from May 4 to May 6, 2012.

As an expatriate and journalist living in the Philippines, I am hoping that this will turn into positive things that the world has been creating negative look to the Philippines.

Ara Mina, Christine Reyes and Heidi Gatmaytan

(Ara Mina and Christine Reyes)

 A relative of celebrities Ara Mina and Christine Reyes is appealing to the public to give them time to settle their differences following their much-publicized rift. 

In an official statement Heidi Gatmaytan, sister of Reyes and Mina, said their family is deeply saddened by the turn of events. 

"This has gained so much publicity to the damage of the family. Let us give them time to talk and settle their differences. We understand that both of them are hurting right now. We appeal to everyone to give them space so these matters can be cleared up and let the family patch things up. They are both generous and supportive to the whole family contrary to what is being reported by some sectors. We just hope that people would be fair."

China and Philippines Ended Standoff

China and the Philippines have4 reportedly ended their week-long standoff in area in the South China Sea to which both countries lay claim.

The standoff last Sunday, when Filipino authorities reportedly intercepted eight Chinese poacher boats and demanded they hand over their catch.

Chinese officials saw the encounter as harassment to its nationals and responded by dispatching three larger surveillance vessels to Scarborough Shoal - located 230 kilometres from the Filipino Zambales Province, which the Philippines claims as its territory.

Manila, in turn deployed its largest navy ship.

There is concern over clashes in the region prompted by what may consider to China's growing assertiveness in its claims to territories. The last major standoff happened between China and Vietnam and claimed the lives of 70 Vietnamese sailors in 1988.

Climate Change in Mindanao

It's summer again in the Philippines. It's hot - also here in Mindanao. It rains. Sometimes it pours cats and dogs. Yes, we can feel the climate change also here. Especially Region XII is highly at risk in a changing climate condition with increased rainfall and rising sea levels.

Herlita G. Caraan, National Statistical coordinator Board Region XII chief, said that more rainfall, an increase in temperature and rising sea levels would hit the area in the medium term 2020 - 2050.

In a fact sheet, NSCB Region XII warned of worse flooding, landslide and storm surges affecting hundreds of villages in the region as a result of climate change. Based on a mid-range scenario simulations by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), rainfall in Region XII was predicted to increase in 2020 by as much as 14.8 percent and 15.6 percent by 2050.

The increased rainfall was projected to happen during the north-east monsoon season (December to February) and during transition of seasons from September to November. These period will be wetter and with potential for increased flooding.

Temperatures are also expected to increase across the whole year. This is what people experience right now - and not only in Mindanao. Warmer temperatures would also result to increase risks to infectious diseases like malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever and encephalitis. 

The NCSB XII report says, that areas mostly likely to be affected are coastal areas  in Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, General Santos City and especially Cotabato City as 70 percent of the city's total land area is below sea level. 

Philippine Press Institute Goes Live Streaming

For the first time since 1997 when the first press forum was organized, the Philippine Press Institute will cover live its 16th National Press forum on Media Accountability and Public engagement via video streaming on April 23 and 24 at Traders Hotel manila.

This is made possible by the Information Technology Ventures (ICTV) which offered its services and technical resources for free. Considered as one of the most anticipated annual gathering of publishers and editors from the 71-member newspaper of the institute, the Press forum will be accessed via Internet TV, to specifically cater to audiences who will not be able to attend the conference.

This year's exclusive broadcast partner TV 5, will also cover the vent from start to finish. Speeches from the main forum and industry forum will be made available in the PPI website www.philpressinstitute.com .

President Benigno Aquino is keynote speaker in the opening ceremonies. He is the first head of state to grace the annual event. Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales is guest of honour in the Civic Journalism Community Press Awards which will honour outstanding community newspapers for excellence in various categories.

The PPI is celebrating its 48th founding year and 25th year since reactivation in 1987. Dubbed as "PPI: Legacy of a Free Press', the celebration recognizes the restoration of democracy in the country through the historic People power that eventually reinstated social institutions, the media included.

Hans Pfitzner and Siegfried Ochs - Classical Music Masters... .

(Hans Pfitzner)

(Siegfried Ochs)

Check out more about these two fantastic classical composers here:

http://www.klausdoringclassicalmusic.webs.com

And don't miss listening my radio show "Classics with Klaus Doring", Sundays from 2 to 4 pm on 104.3 FM "The Edge Radio Davao" (Philippine Standard Time) or via live stream:

http://www.livestream.com/theedgeradiodavao

DOST to Strengthen Teachers on Disaster Management

As we are experiencing climate change, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) deemed it necessary to increase awareness and strengthen the capability of Science and Mathematics teachers on disaster risk reduction and management. Although one seldom experience strong earthquakes in Southern Mindanao, the disaster risk reduction and management awareness will guide teachers as well as students on how to effectively respond when such phenomenon occurs.

Fifty Science and Mathematics teachers from elementary and secondary schools as well as State Universities and Colleges in the region will gather on April 24-27, 2012 for the seminar workshop on "Strengthen the Capacity of Science and Mathematics Teachers on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management". The Science Education Insitute (SEI) of DOST recognizes that it is one of the fundamental functions of teachers to take part in educating students spend more hours in school, it is crucial for the teachers to understand the concepts on disasters and climate change to effectively and accurately transfer information to students. Students can then transfer the information to their family members causing a multiplier effect.

Experts from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geogrpahical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOLCS), Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-MGB), and the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) will be invited as resource speakers during the said seminar workshop.

Participants, aside from being trained and capacitated to teach disaster risk reduction and management to students, are expected to come up with a disaster risk reduction and management plan for their respective schools.

 

Why The Sun Shines More Brightly Than The Moon...

A Philippine Fairytale...

Long, long ago there lived a fairy with two beautiful daughters. Araw, the elder daughter, was very amiable and had a kindly disposition; but Buwan, unlike her sister, was disobedient, cruel and harsh. She was always finding fault with Araw. One night, when the fairy came home from her nocturnal rambles and saw Buwan badly mistreating her elder sister, she asked God for help against her unruly daughter.

Before this time, God had prepared very valuable gifts for the two sisters. These gifts were two enormous diamonds that could light the whole universe. When God heard the prayer of the fairy, he descended to earth disguised as a beggar. On learning for himself how bad-tempered Buwan was, and how sweet and kind-hearted Araw, God gave the older sister her diamond as an reward. Buwan was greatly angered by this favoritism of the Almighty, so she went to the heavenly kingdom  and stole one of God's diamonds. Then she returned to the earth with the precious stone, but there she found that her jewel was not so brilliant as Araw's.

When God went back to Heaven and learned what Buwan had done, he sent two angels to punish her. But the angels abused their commission: they seized both sisters and hurled them into the sea. Then they threw the two stones upward into the sky, and there they stuck. But Araw's diamond was bigger and brighter than the one Buwan stole. Thereafter the bigger jewel was called Araw ('day' or 'sun'), and the smaller one Buwan ('moon').

Power Crisis in Mindanao - And No Ending?

It's summer again. Temperatures are still rising. Rain is seldom. Especially in Mindanao we have to live with several power interruptions - or, as it is called here "brownouts" (blackouts)! This is not new. I am living in Davao City since 1999...

Now we all have been informed, that the Mindanao Development Authority said that President Benigo Aquino has taken decisive action on the Mindanao power problem.

The first step was that President Aquino was set to meet with power industry stakeholders in Mindanao, including key local leaders in the island, to firm up parallel tracks of immediate and medium to long term solutions to the Mindanao power problem. The President wanted to personally convey specific measures taken by the government and the proposed steps needed to secure a reliable and sustainable Mindanao power generation. 

Also Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III is calling on his fellow legislators from Mindanao to gather and act as one in coming up with solutions to the ongoing power crisis. The worsening power outages in Mindanao could lead to eight-hours  power interruptions for a year or two.. Of course, it is leading already to a sharp decline in economy activities that might lead to losses of jobs and livelihood. And, this will heighten poverty in some Mindanao provinces and may create indeed pressures that may spark disruptions in Mindanao's peace and order. 

The Mindanao power problem is very known since long time. We need to see deeds. But I am afraid, that the daily rotation brownouts like those we experienced from February to June in 2010 and also 2011 are expected to be implemented any time next month.

It's Vacation Time - Es ist Ferienzeit!

YONNEX TRANSLATION AND DOCUMENTATION SERVICE, Davao:

CLOSED UNTIL APRIL 10, 2012.

WE ARE BACK ON SERVICE ON APRIL 11, 2012.

GESCHLOSSEN BIS 10. APRIL 2012.

WIR SIND WIEDER DA FUER SIE AM 11. APRIL 2012.

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NO GERMAN COURSE AT UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHEASTERN PHILIPPINES UNTIL APRIL 10, 2012. NEW COURSE STARTS ON APRIL 11, 2012 9 AM. ENROLMENTS ARE STILL ONGOING! SCHEDULE M-W-SAT 9 TO 11 AM AND FRIDAYS 8 TO 10 AM.

KEIN DEUTSCHKURS AN DER UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHEASTERN PHILIPPINES BIS 10. APRIL 2012. DER NEUE KURS STARTET AM 11. APRIL 2012 UM 9 UHR. EINSCHREIBUNGEN SIND NOCH MOEGLICH! KURSZEITEN WIE BISHER: MONTAGS, MITTWOCHS UND SAMSTAGS VON 9 BIS 11 UHR UND FREITAGS VON 8 BIS 10 UHR!

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NO CONSULTATION HOURS IN DOST DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY REGIONAL OFFICE XI IN BAJADA, DAVAO CITY IN COOPERATION WITH DAAD GERMAN ACADEMIC EXCHANGE SERVICE DEUTSCHER AKADEMISCHER AUSTAUSCHDIENST UNTIL APRIL 10, 2012. NEW OFFICE HOURS TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS 9:30 UNTIL 11 AM STARTING TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2012.

KEINE BERATUNGSSTUNDEN IN DOST DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY REGIONAL OFFICE XI IN BAJADA, DAVAO CITY IN ZUSAMMENARBEIT MIT DEM DAAD DEUTSCHER AKADEMISCHER AUSTAUSCHDIENST GERMAN ACADEMIC EXCHANGE SERVICE UNTIL APRIL 10, 2012. NEUE BERATUNGSZEITEN DIENSTAGS UND DONNERSTAGS VON 9:30 BIS 11 UHR AB DIENSTAG, 10. APRIL 2012.

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A BLESSED LENTEN SEASON AND A HAPPY HAPPY EASTER!

EINE GESEGNETE KARWOCHE UND FROHE OSTERN FUER SIE ALL!