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!


Visitors of germanexpatinthephilippines/Besucher dieser Webseite.Ich liebe meine Flaggensammlung!

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Thursday, March 25, 2010

Lazy Summerdays - but Walking Around is also Good for YOU!

The lazy summer days have started in the Philippines. School vacations mean the start of the Philippine summer. The heat is on. More heat is on - and we're all getting lazier and lazier. 

Of course, office life is indeed comfortable.Eight hours daily - or even more - we sit in cool surroundings, often times cold enough to wear sweaters and jackets while the rest of the entire outside world endures the scorching heat of the tropical sun.

But the cool comfort of office jobs entails a sedentary lifestyle, the outcome of which may not be very comforting to think about. Sitting too much could be deadly. Ooopss!!!  How can we rethink how to define physical activity to highlight the danger of sitting? Yes, even whikle writing this piece, I am trying to think about this question. 

After four hours or more of sitting the body stars sending harmful signals. I am sitting already since almost six hours. I didn't feel anything... .

Sure, we people should keep exercising because that has a lot of benefits. Even the heat is on now - and even the lazy summer days in the Philippines have started now.

Take mini-walks.
Climb stairs.
Park and walk.
Walk on your lunch break.
Move while on the phone.
Swing your arms, turn your neck.
Eat less and drink more water.
Interact with people in person.
Join a sport team.
Adopt a fidgety habit to deal with stress!

Enjoy your summer days!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Earth Hour! You Wanna Join?

The Philippine Department of Energy (DOE) has marked Earth Hour 2010 on March 27, 2010 at 8:30 p.m., calling for the participation of 15 million Filipinos in more then 1,000 towns, cities and municipalities to take a symbolic stand against climate change.


Aside from the DOE, this year's Earth Hour will be jointly organized by WWF-Philippines, Green Army Network Foundation and SWITCH Movement.

"Earth Hour delivers a simple message, but a powerful one - the time to take action against the climate crisis is now. Individual actions, when put together can create impacts far greater than the action of any single government. Earth Hour shows that we can produce far greater results if we rally on causes that unite, rather than dwell on issues that divide," Philippine Energy Seceretary Aneglo Reyes said.

By the way, the Philippines accounts for only 0.29 percent of the world's energy-related CO2 emission - one of the lowest in South-East Asia.

Anyway - I wish and pray you, my dear readers, gonna join us on March 27, 2010 on 8.30 pm - for the sake of all following generations worldwide.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Rotary Club of East Davao: District Convention in GenSan



Several members of the Rotary Club of East Davao (including this writer) joined the District Convention in General Santos City. Yes, it was indeed a homely and enjoyable trip having so many familiar faces around. As club president and friend Ronald "Ronnie" Go voiced out: "I like to congratulate all those who contributed to the Rotary Foundation  and helped us to exceed our targets for the year!"


The list of those who joined are:

PDG Totoy Cabarroguis, PDG Hermie Villano (Davao Doctor's Hospital), PDG Boy Reyes, PDG Monet Tirol (former Philippine Ambassador in Germany), and President elect 2010/2011 Antonio "Tony" Ajero, former SUNSTAR publisher and now EDGE DAVAO publisher and chief editor - just to mentioned some among others.




Dionesia Pacquiao, mother of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao graced the evening with a special performance.


Salute, cheers, prost...


A big thanks and hand shake (friend and President Mr. Ronald Go)


Mabel Acosta - Outstanding Councilor of the Philippines?



Yes, it's campaigning time in the Philippines. Don't get me wrong, I am not campaigning for anybody. I am sure, everybody understand that I am still entitled to have my own opinion as an expat living in the Philippines, although I am not being able to vote.

Maria Belen "Mabel" Sunga-Acosta, Davao City's councilor and good friend of mine, voiced it out in an interview several days ago: "Yes, I like to serve my people as a politician - now also in and from Manila!"

A national organization recently named Mabel Acosta as the Davao's region's contender for the "Ten Outstanding Councilors of the Philippines" (TOCP) Awards for 2009.

This prestigious annual award is organized by the Junior Chamber Chamber International Philippines. an affiliate of the Worldwide Federation of Young Leaders and Entrepreneurs, and is involved with the Philippine Councilors, JCI Philippines and Office of senator Edgardo Angara.

Good luck Mabel!






Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Laughter - the best medicine!

... "If only I knew how!" An expat friend told me a couple of days ago. Another said: "This is real a hard time for me to stay in the Philippines!" It seems we have no time and no reason for laughter. This can wait until tomorrow - or even till next week. Anticipation is better... .

Our enemies laugh up their sleeves, and we miss to recognize the fortune still smiling at us. but hold on: he who laughs last laughs longest1

American neurologist Henri Rubenstein says, laughter lowers high blood pressure while aiding digestion and fostering sleep. Give me even a simple smile and believe in what experts say: Good humour can help the gravely or terminally ill to bear their ordeal.

Of course, if we look around us these days, we really might not roar with laughter or split our sides laughing. Well, even if we think we don't have enough reasons to laugh, we should try to express mirth spontaneously. We still have reasons to start with the softest form of audible laughter - the vocalized smile. I learned this while staying in the Philippines. And guys, it works!

And, if we might think, we really have nothing to laugh about and our life seems utterly meaningless, we should try discovering Ecclesiastes, the "bible book of our time" : In 3:1-4 it says

There is a time for everything ... a time to be born and a time to die ... a time to tear down and a time to build ... a time to weep and a time to laugh!

Philippinische Immigration erhoeht die Preise?Immigration Big Price Hike

Ja, es wird wieder teurer, auf den Philippinen zu verweilen - als Tourist! Andererseits: ist man "noch" Tourist, wenn man jahrelang alle zwei Monate sein Aufenthaltsvisum erneuert bzw. verlaengert?

Inzwischen werden fuer eine Visumsverlaengerung nach 59 Tagen fuer weitere 59 die Gebuehr von 5.970 Pesos erhoben. Die Expressgebuehr betraegt 1.500 Pesos. Ausserdem wird man zusaetzlich zur Kasse gebeten, weil man neuerdings eine ACR I-Card benoetigt, also eine Alien Certification Registration Identification Card - AUCH als Tourist, wenn man laenger als 59 Tage in diesem schoenen Land verweilen moechte.

===

And here we are; it's indeed another increase in the cost of staying in the Philippines. If you extend your visa for a further 59 days you'll be charged with 5,970 PHP. And there will be an additional charge for an ACR I-Card, means to say an Alien Certification Registration Identification Card - also for tourists, who p[lan to stay longer then 59 days in this beautiful country. And, the "fast lane charges" in the immigration will add another 1,500 PHP to your bill.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Philippinische Wunderheiler/Philippine Faithhealer

Philippinische Wunderheiler - vollbringen Sie wirklich Wunder, oder sind es einfach nur Scharlatane? Nun, seit ueber 30 Jahren bemuehen sich die Medien und auch grosser Teile der Aerzteschaft  die philippinischen Naturheiler als Betrueger abzustempeln. Patienten sehen das anders - ja, und auch war schon einige Male eine "derartiger Patient"!

Kann die westliche Wissenschaft eine physikalische Erklaerung fuer die auf den Philippinen zu beobachtenden Phaenomene von Besserung beibringen oder nicht? Was ist dran an den berichten, in denen von Besserung oder Heilung auch organischer Krankheiten die Rede ist?

Fairerweise muss man aber auch berichten, dass die Behandlung in vielen Faellen ohne Erfolg blieb. Gewarnt haben mich auch meine eigenen philippinischen Aerzte vor einer Unterlassung oder Verzoegerung verordneter Behandlungsmassnahmen.

In einer Reihe von vielen anderen Faellen erzielten die Philipinos allerdings unglaubliche Erfolge, fuer die es keine Erklaerung zu geben scheint. Heilung durch Handauflegen? Beschwoerungen und Gebete statt Chemotherapie? Eingriffe mit blossen Haenden in den Koerper statt Operation mit dem Skalpell?

Auch ich wurde vor vielen Jahren als Narr bezeichnet und aus der Praxis eines meiner Aerzte gebeten, als ich eine Bandscheibenoperation ablehnte und nach sechs Wochen auf den Philippinen (und in den Haenden eines "Wunder"heilers mit einer deutlichen Besserung des Krankenbildes nach Deutschland zurueckkehrte. War ich ein Naivling oder gar Simulant? Die Roentgenaufnahmen (VORHER/NACHHER) konnten von den Aerzten nicht erklaert werden... .

Es ist schwierig, Antworten zu finden. Fakt ist jedoch, dass ein Grossteil dieser Heiler Urchristen sind, die dem Heilgebot der Bibel folgen - und, dass wahrscheinlich viele Heilungen ganz einfach mit dem Placebo-Effekt zu erklaeren sind. 

Toni Gonzaga, Philippine actress and TV host, said... .

EDSA I and EDSA II: triumph and defeat?

Actually I try to avoid political statements on this site. If it comes to EDSA I and II, I try to find an exemption, especially if I just quote Filipinas and Filipinos - like in this case.

"Ituwid Natin," an in-depth look at the gains, failures and lessons learned from EDSA I, where we to go. (Quotation from MANILA BULLETIN, February 21, 2010). It has been launched last February 2010 over ANC-Television.

A look at where we were at EDSA I, where we go to. Why we needed EDSA II and what we learned from it. A span of 24 years. Do you think we should have learned from these phenomenal events already? Are you informed enough to appreciate the sacrifices we made to make a better future for all of us? Questions from TV personality Toni Gonzaga... .

And, "Ituwid Natin" answers all these questions in this month-long series sponsored by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), San Miguel  Corporation, Development Bank of the Philippines, Petron, Strategic Alliance Holdings, Stradcom, Philippine Film Studios, Funtasia Entertainment Studios and led by the "Pangarap ng Pilipino Movement.

During the launching episode, it was really noted that Filipinos were caught in a 'vicious cycle of euphoria, disappointment, discontent and rejection that has held the country down in the years between EDSA I and II until now. Ateneo Law School Dean Cesar Villaneuva co-hosted the show with TV personality Toni Gonzaga.

Tune in to ANC and take a look!

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Hier kann man Deutsch lernen!/German Language Course in Davao City

 

Since almost two years the University of Southeastern Philippines in Obrero, Davao City offers German language courses for Filipinas and Filipinos. Six months ago I became faculty member for German language (Institute of Languages) with its Executive Director Dr. Patricia Elbanbuena. After teacher trainings (Goethe Institut Manila) I am not only using its study material. My course helps preparing my students to be ready for the G.I. exam.


Normally not more then 15 students attend classes.

 

   

Seit fast zwei Jahren bietet die University of Southeastern Philippines in Obrero, Davao City, Deutschkurse fuer philippinische Staatsbuerger an, die ich seitdem veranstalte. Vor ca. sechs Monaten wurde ich zum Fakultaetsmitglied (fuer deutsche Sprache) am Institute of Languages mit Direktorin Dr. Patricia Elbanbuena ernannt. Das Institut untersteht direkt dem Universitaets-Praesidenten Dr. Perfecto Alibin. 
Seit dem letzten Lehrertraining im Goethe Institut Manila verwende ich nicht nur das entsprechende G.I. Unterrichtsmaterial, sondern bereite meine Studenten entsprechend auf das G.I. Examen vor.



 
Man kann in Davao Deutsch lernen - und Spass haben!

Learn German in Davao - and have fun!


 Contact faculty assistant Miss Shella Lariosa (++ 0909-2220986) or landline (++ 63 +82 - 2254696, loc. 209/241) or visit www.usep.edu.ph (and go to Centers and then Institute of Languages)

or drop me an email... .

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Visit Father Franco in Bukidnon/Besuch bei Vater Franco in Bukidnon

 

(With very good friends Helen and another Klaus)
(Mit sehr guten Freunden Helen und einem anderen Klaus)

  

(Waiting for the first delicacies - Father Franco's secret receipt...)
(Warten auf die ersten Delikatessen nach Vater Franco's Geheimrezept...)

(Klaus, my mother, your's truly, Fr. Franco and Helen)


  

(Father Franco, a very well known icon in Mindanao)


  

It has been a wonderful trip to Bukidnon - to my friend, the Italian priest, Father Franco. Only through an incident, we met again in the Marco Polo Hotel during a press conference of the Club 888.

My wife Rossana, my mother Hildegard and myself enjoyed our stay with thim together with our very good friends Klaus and Helen.

Ja, es war schon eine wundervolle Fahrt nach Bukidnon, genauer gesagt nach Buda - ca. 1 Stunde Fahrtzeit von Davao entfernt. Nur durch Zufall traf ich Vater Franco bei einer Pressekonferenz des Clubs 888 im Marco Polo Hotel Davao City.

Meine Frau Rossana, meine Mutter Hildegard und ich hatten viel Freunde und Spass bei unserem Aufenthalt dort - zusammen mit unseren sehr guten Freunden Klaus und Helen.



Enjoy your meal: 10 different kinds of very special Pizza, red wine and a wonderful fruit liquor)

Na, dann guten Appetit: 10 verschiedene Spezialpizzen, Rotwein und ein wundervoller Obstler hinterher)



  

PROST! CHEERS! SALUTE!!!


  
German hospital in Buda

Das deutsche Krankenhaus in Buda


  
  

Parts of the 30ha lot surroundings Father Franco's sphere of acitivity

Teile des 30 Hektar grossen Gebietes in der Umgebung von Vater Franco's Wirkungskreis


  

It's done: Helen and Rossana reached the peak and summit cross!

Geschafft: Helen und Rossana am Gipfelkreuz!


  
Father Franco's place with vegetable plantage, orchid and other plants cultivation and
 rabbit breeding :
Vater Franco's Platz mit Gemueseplantage, Orchideen- und andere Pflanzenzucht und
Kaninchenzucht