Music That Really Soothe

Another inspirational album is bound to bring serenity and enlightenment to one's soul - yes also to mine. Star Records launched its Sa 'Yo Lamang Album'! Gosh, what a music!

Produced by Jamie Rivera, this album is a collection of really heavenly voices interpreting 12 of the most loved and indeed timeless heart warming songs in a wonderful glow-in-the-dark packaging. 

A choir singing competition titled "Sa'Yo Lamang Choral Fest" was held last February where the winners of the said competition had the chance to participate in the album. 

Songs can also be down-loaded from  www.facebook.com/sayolamangost.

I love it. Try it! You'll love it too. 

One EARTH - our EARTH

As Philippine writer Ida Anita Q. del Mundo confessed: "With the formation of Earth Day Networks, people around the world have recognized the importance of taking care of the Earth. Now on its 40th year, countries all over the world will be clebrating Earth Day on April 22!"

Earth Day is indeed an example of the power of one - as Bebet Gozun, chairman of Earth Day Network Philippines and 2007 Champion of the Earth awardee of the United Nations Environment Program voiced it out several days ago.

In 1990, Earth Day went global, with the Philippines becoming one of 144 countries that joined the celebration. Since then, the Philippine branch of Earth Day Network has established itself as an active supporter of the cause. I really love to publish this also here on my website. During the last two years the Philippines placed first in the world when it comes to Earth Hour participation. 

This is the way for people how to show they care!

And, how DO YOU care?

Step up Drive versus Human Smuggling

As one can read in several Philippine dailies: the Bureau of Immigration's capability to fight human smugglings at the airports will be further bolstered as six of its immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport were tapped to undergo a special training program administered by the Interpol.

In a report to -in my opinion outstanding - Commissioner Marcelino Libanan, BI-Interpol unit chief Floro Balato Jr. said six members of the bureau's migration compliance and monitoring group  at the NAIA are taking part in the training program that started already April 12, 2010 in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Dubbed as the Dismantling Smuggling Networks, the scheme aims to improve the knowledge and capability of immigration officers and other Philippine law enforces in combating and crippling the syndicates involved in human smuggling, human trafficking and other national crimes.

Libanan welcomed the Interpol project as a giant leap in the global campaign to stop people smuggling and illegal migration. Well said, Sir. I strongy agree with you!

Bureau of Immigration Operation Division Chief Ferdinand Sampol, whom I was able to meet before, also stressed, that this will bring to test the people on how deal with the smugglers and put them to an end.

Pinoy Travelers Urged to Declare Money

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has reminded travellers again to declare money in excess of US$ 10.000 or its equivalent in other foreign currencies after some Filipinos were reportedly taken in for investigation at several international airports for carrying excess amounts of currencies.

Citing, for example, a report of the Philippine Embassy in the Netherlands/Europe, the DFA said Filipinos had been investigated by foreign authorities and detained for several days for carrying over US$ 10.000, although the money was later proven to be their own.

Foreign authorities have the right even to confiscate the money.

All travellers should really declare if they have more than US$ 10.000 as mandated by the Anti-Money-Laundering Act of 2002 and several international regulations.

Happy trip!!!

Christian Filipino Dating For The Philippines and Asia

KChristian Filipino Dating For The Philippines and Asia

The Culture Shock - Der Kulturschock (III)

Weil die Filipinos gesellig sind, lebensfroh und lebenslustig, ist es wirklich nicht so sehr schwierig, wie es oft scheint, ihre Freundschaft und ihr Wohlwollen zu gewinnen, nachdem der Schock dem Fremden bewusst gemacht hat, dass das, was ihm zunaechst vertraut erschien, in der Tat doch etwas ganz anders ist. Es ist wirklich alles eine Frage des bedachten Verfolgens des gesellschaftlichen Erreichbaren, weniger der Erwartung westlichen Effektivitaet.

Schon viele Autoren haben es so beschrieben: der Europaer legt mit Sicherheit die Stirn in Falten und schlaegt vielleicht sogar einen aergerlichen Ton an, wenn er einen fuer ihn wichtigen Ton nicht mehr hoeren moechte und herausstreichen will. Und, was geschieht auf der anderen Seite: der Filipino ist entspannt - und laechelt! Warum laechelt er oder bricht sogar in lautes Lachen aus? Er will eine entscheidende Botschaft uebermitteln oder vermitteln... .

Philippinische Aerzte, und ich habe einige sehr gute Freunde unter ihnen, sind ein sehr gutes Beispiel fuer mein heutiges Thema. Am Anfang war ich entsetzt. Bekommt man die Nachricht, man sei ernsthaft krank, wird der, oftmals ueber das ganze Gesicht laecheln, aussehen, als genoesse er das Ueberbringen dieser Schreckensnachricht. Das ist nun wirklich nicht Gefuehlslosigkeit, sondern ganz einfach anerkennendes Verhalten Kranken gegenueber, um sie zu beruhigen und den mit Sicherheit harten Schlag zu mildern.

Was ich in den letzten 12 Jahren als expat auf den Philippinen gelernt habe: Filipinos lachen, im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes ueber ihre Sorgen. Das bedeutet aber nicht, dass sie sich ueber ihre Sorgen freuen... .

(Fortsetzung folgt!)

The Aging Filipino Population

The Philippine population is considered always to be a young one - with people aged below 30 years "young" comprising about 70 percent (!) of the total. In contrast, people who are 65 years old and up are estimated to make up only 4,1 percent.

If one could learn from different media reports, at the recent the Philippine Medical Women's Association diamond anniversary and 60th annual convention at the Manila hotel, a couple of days ago. a symposium was held to discuss also and especially dementia, a serious cognitive disorder and a problem faced by a certain number of people of old age. 

Several resource speakers tackled issues related to dementia, such as its social and economic impact, what can be done for the patient in the different stages of disorder, and what is needed in the Philippine setting.

Of course, cases of dementia will also increase in the Philippines. Life has changed also in the Philippines: with the stresses of modern-day living, people have been moving away from taking care of the extended family. Thus, the attenion given to elderly people has dwindled. 

What do you think? Are you an expat or a Filipino? 

Ninoy Aquino - my National Hero after Jose Rizal

Yes, being an expat living in the Philippines, I "met" already two (Philippine national heroes). After Jose Rizal, THE Philippine national hero I "met" another one: former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., who, in the 1967 elections catapulted into the greatest adventure of his life, and taught the entire nation what it takes to be a real hero - and a true legend!

Ninoy Aquino taught us a lot of things:

  -  1. Build a good reputation: Indeed Ninoy's track record speaks for itself.
 - 2. Be a visionary: Ninoy was a public speaker in global history with the incredible gift of holding an audience spellbound for hours.
 - 3. Don't take anything for granted: A mistake taken by many of us. Ninoy's campaign strategy has been really amazing.
 - 4. Defend human rights.

And, for me, the most important:

 - 5. Reach (really!) out to the people! Ninoy really knew he must get his message across clearly and direct to the people.

I was blessed to meet his wife Cory during a state visit in Germany (during that time I was the Legal Head of the Philippine Community in Berlin!). Ninoy's wife Cory touched already (not only!) my heart.

Ninoy Aquino was being attacked relentlessly. His comment: Defend your honor!

Tuna Fish Ban Affects Local Industry

The tuna fish fishing ban in the Pacific Ocean will indeed directly affect some 500 workers in the country's local fishing industry, as one could learn from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

The fishing ban will also affect more then 50 fishing companies in Sarangani and General Santos City. 13 of which have licenses to fish in the high seas covered by the ourse seine ban. The two year ban on fishing in the Pacific ocean will of course an impact on the workers in the fishing industry. Measures have to set in to mitigate the impact of the ban.

I love tuna. How about you? Is the fishing ban a boon?

A Blessed easter to all!

After the waving of the tree branches by the Jewish  crowd and hosannas of Palm Sunday , the arrest of Jesus betrayed by Judas in the Garden of Olives, the imprisonment and humiliation of Holy Thursday night, the carrying of the Cross, crucifixion, and death at noon of Good Friday - Jesus Christ, the son of god rose from the tomb on Easter sunday, glorious and will never suffer and die again!

We celebrate the festival commemorating Christ's resurrection. In "Old english" the "Eastern" (NOT Easter!) has been marked by a ceremony as spring festival of the goddess of dawn.

Symbolically we see that Easter Resurrection depicted in various ways, which always point to life after death. Especially in other parts of the world (including my home country Germany), where deep winter makes all plants and trees 'SLEEP' for a couple of months, people enjoy the new shoots coming out of the trees' big trunks.

People enjoy the seedlings that protrude from the ground in spring, tyhe colorful little flowers that emerge from the soil. I still remember one of my most favorite spring and Easter flowers, the daffodil.

Nowadays, and also here in the Philippines, we enjoy the well-known Easter egg, out of which also the new life germinates.I am also pretty sure, you and I really enjoy the egg hunting with our beloveds.

A blessed Easter to all of you! Walk this day with great confidence in your heart, mind and soul. A lot of people await goodness and love, which you carry within. As Oprah Winfrey said: "People think that spirituality is about church or religion, but it's about you, about life!"

Ich wuensche Ihnen allen, meine lieben Leser, ein gesegnetes und froehliches Osterfest!