Life’s quintessence

SAT, APRIL 23, 2016 BY THE MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR LEAVE A COMMENT

Almost 16 years ago, a good friend of mine gave me a book written by the establisher and founder of the Scotish Free Church, Thomas Chalmers, who lived from 1780-1847. During this time, I resided already in the Philippines for good and did some marketing work in the former Bishop Thibault Media Center near the San Pablo Church in Juna Subdivision in Davao City, while writing a column for the Catholic Herald and hosting radio shows for the former DXGN 89.9 FM “Good News Radio”.

Chalmers treated life’s quintessence with plenty  flowering words. Yes, don’t be afraid and do live for something… !

Human beings live, move and have to pass away – free from worries, but unknown and un-noticed. They live such an irreproachable life -reputable, but so incomprehensible and inscrutable. Chalmers was very right….

Why do people live like that even knowing they have to leave the platform of life one day? Why are people sometimes afraid to live and allow something or someone to block them-selves? Still in my mind is one statement of Brother Francis Castro from the Little Brothers of Jesus. I quoted it several times already and it really became my life’s motto: “I feel the burning flame inside me that makes me jump out of the bed … and hurry to work!”

Life’s quintessence can be also this: Kindness, by helping the blind man crossing a street; hospitality, by practicing generous reception of strangers and guests (my very first impression, when I step on Philippine soil in June 1976!); helpfulness, by taking care of some-body, who is weak and dependent….

Believe me: your moment of virtue will never be destroyed by time’s storm. Henri Nouwen, a devotional writer and speaker, whom I also admire very much, spent two hours daily bathing, shaving, dressing, and feeding a man, who was so profoundly  could not speak or walk. Very clear, in that daily act of loving, Nouwen exemplified the compassion and sacrifice of Christ.

Love and mercifulness shared with people, who cross our path – and nobody will forget us. In our daily life, we do have plenty of situations, where we could show our real calling. Good deeds are shining like stars from heaven. Deeds of love and service may not seem to be an efficient use of time and energy, but they are never wasted. Our life doesn’t run clock-counter-wise. The clock’s hands are the time dictators of everyone. So: do live for something!

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Email: doringklaus@ gmail.com, or follow me in Facebook or Twitter or visit wwwgermanex patinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic. blogspot.com .

University in Bohol Goes Solar to Cut Power Costs

By: Leo Udtohan, Philippine daily Inquirer

AN EMPLOYEE of Holy Name University in Tagbilaran City checks the 1,100 solar thin-film panels installed on the school’s rooftop. HNU is the first academic institution to fully integrate solar-power energy system in Bohol province and the Visayas. LEO UDTOHAN/INQUIRER VISAYAS

TAGBILARAN CITY—Officials of Holy Name University (HNU) gathered on the rooftop of the school’s Scanlon Building on Friday to inaugurate solar photovoltaic power plant.

“We are not only saving electric bill, but HNU is helping conserving the environment. It is equivalent to planting more than 2,000 trees,” said Fr. Vicente L. Uy, the school’s vice president for administration.

Uy said the plant would reduce HNU’s monthly bill of P700,000 by at least P100,000.

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“We believe there are other (sources of) energy in the environment we could tap. Solar energy is safer and cheaper. We really contribute to the cooling of the earth,” said Fr. Francisco Estepa, HNU president.

Formerly known as Holy Name College and Divine Word College of Tagbilaran, HNU is a Catholic, private, coeducational school run by Society of the Divine Word (SVD). It offers programs in elementary, secondary, undergraduate and graduate levels and has a student population of 7,200.

The solar plant, composed of 1,100 solar thin film panels, can produce 100 kilowatts of electricity, said Rynor Jamandre, president of Orion Group International Inc.

He said concerns about pollution, environmental degradation and resource depletion had led to an increasing awareness of the importance of developing solar energy.

Founded in 1947, HNU is the first academic institution to fully integrate solar-power energy system in Bohol and the Visayas. Other universities in Manila have tapped solar energy—La Consolacion College, Manuel L. Quezon University, St. Scholastica’s College and Mapua Institute of Technology.

HNU’s solar power plant is the largest thin-film solar installation in the country, Jamandre said. Most projects, he noted, were using crystalline solar panel.

The power production can be remotely monitored from Android or iPhone devices.

Jamandre cited the many advantages of solar power.

“You save your energy bill every month; the roof will always be cooler because you have a cover of solar panels. And the most important is we save on carbon emission. It’s very important because global warming is a reality. We are doing our part to make it happen one project at a time,” he said.

Philippine Folk Dance Kappa Malong Malong

Die Deutsche Botschaft Manila gibt bekannt:

Sicherheitshinweis für deutsche Staatsbürger auf den Philippinen:

Die deutsche Botschaft weist darauf hin, dass am 09. Mai 2016  in den Philippinen nationale, regionale und lokale Wahlen durchgeführt werden. Seitens der philippinischen Behörden sind bereits Maßnahmen ergriffen worden, damit die Wahl ohne Störungen durchgeführt werden  kann. Zu diesem Maßnahmen gehören unter anderem die Einrichtung von Check-points in der Nähe von Wahllokalen und das Verbot des Tragens von Waffen im öffentlichen Raum, welches für die Zeit vom 10. Januar 2016 bis 8. Juni 2016 angeordnet wurde. Verstöße gegen das Waffenverbot können mit Haftstrafen bis zu 6 Jahren geahndet warden, Ausländern droht zusätzlich noch die Deportation nach Verbüßung der Haftstrafe.

Bei früheren Präsidentschaftswahlen kam es im Kontext von Wahlkampf und Wahlen immer wieder zu Anschlägen und Ausschreitungen. Die Botschaft rät daher allen deutschen Staatsangehörigen,  während des jetzigen Wahlkampfes, am Wahltag und an den nächsten Tagen nach der Wahl  Menschenansammlungen und politische Versammlungen zu meiden und sich in den Medien aktuell über jeweiligen Entwicklungen vor Ort, inclusive zusätzlicher Sicherheitsmaßnahmen zu informieren.“

Pulse Survey: Duterte Takes Clear Lead, Cayetano Picks up Pace

PRESS RELEASE

19 April 2016

Duterte takes clear lead in latest Pulse survey, Cayetano picks up pace, increases lead in Mindanao

Presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo "Rody" Duterte once again topped Pulse Asia's latest voters' preference survey, surging ahead of Senator Grace Poe by a whopping seven percentage points. 

The survey was commissioned by ABS-CBN and was conducted from April 5 to 10. It covered 4,000 registered voters nationwide, with an error margin of plus minus 1.5 percent. Duterte established a clear lead with 32 percent, which is a 2-point increase from his previous ratings in the March 29-April 3 survey.

Poe, meanwhile, trailed behind with only 25 percent. She was followed by Vice President Jejomar Binay with 20 percent and Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas, who got 18 percent. 

The tough-talking mayor was the top choice among all voting classes and remains to be the number one candidate in Mindanao, where he got 58 percent or more than half of the respondents’ total votes.

Duterte’s campaign team said while it is humbled by the latest survey results, it will continue to reach out to more voters. “We need to convert and convince others that the path to real change is through the unparalleled and decisive leadership that Mayor Duterte has been providing us," said Duterte's national campaign manager Leoncio Evasco Jr. 

Cayetano gains momentum

Meanwhile, Duterte’s running mate, Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, also enjoyed an increased rating compared to the previous Pulse Asia survey. 

The senator’s numbers increased by 2 percentage points, from 15 percent in the March 29-April 3 survey to 17 percent in the April 5-10 survey. He also topped the survey in Mindanao, increasing his lead with 32 percent of respondents choosing him as their vice presidential bet.  

Political analysts weighing in on the May polls claim that Cayetano’s numbers could still improve, especially following his outstanding performance during the first vice presidential debate organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) held last April 10. #

Statement of Mayor Duterte Regarding His Recent Remarks

PRESS RELEASE

19 April 2016

Statement of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo "Rody" Duterte regarding his recent remarks 

19 April 2016

I apologize to the Filipino people for my recent remarks in a rally. There was no intention of disrespecting our women and those who have been victims of this horrible crime. Sometimes my mouth can get the better of me.

However, I will not apologize for the things I've done to protect our people, especially the weak and defenseless, from crime. I know what it can do to the victims and their families. The anguish and pain they cause. The trauma that can't be erased. I have witnessed these myself numerous times.

This is why I am angry. I am angry because horrendous things like this continue to happen to our women and children all over our land. And sadly, government has failed to protect them.

If you will give me the chance to lead this country, I promise to all of you that I will protect our women, children and families from the horrors and disorder of crime. I will do this even if I lose my life, my honor and even the presidency.

My life is an open book. I am a man of many flaws and contradictions. But when it comes to securing the lives and future of our countrymen and women, you can trust me to do the right thing. I will fight for the people until my last breath. ###