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!

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.

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!

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... .

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

  

Being a Rotary Club Member in The Philippines

 

(Guest of Honor and Speaker Miss Mary Ann "Baby" M. Montemayor, Small Hotels Association of Davao's Vice President, Mr. Ronald Go, Rotary Club of East Davao's President and this writer)

I am a member of the Rotary Club of East Davao (Journalism/Foreign Media) since almost two years now. I became the Vice Chairman for Public Relation and I am a member of the Special Committees as well as Director elect for the Rotary Year 2010-2011. 

Why did I join Rotary? Rotary is a global network of community volunteers. Rotary members are business and professional leaders, who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Some 31,000 Rotary clubs in more than 165 countries carry out service projects in their local communities and abroad to address such critical issues as poverty, health, hunger, illiteracy, and the environment.

As an expatriat I found many important things to do in this institution. Service above ourselves... .

Last Tuesday I was honoured and indeed privileged to deliver the introduction speech for Miss Mary Ann "Baby" Montemayor, an incredible woman with awesome eductional-, business- and work backgrounds. She is indeed a very active woman, when it comes to 'hand loomed products from Mindanao", for example. arts, culture, ecology, and of course, tourism.

She received several major awards, for example, the Datu Bago Award, a local award given by the City of Davao. She attended several international conferences abroad. Kudos to her... .

Yes, being a Rotary Club member is indeed a wonderful opportunity to serve my new community - even being an expatriat.

Deutscher Konsul in Davao City/German Consul in Davao City

 

Consul, First Secretary and Head of the Legal Department of the German Embassy Manila, Mr. Klaus Mueller in Davao

Konsul, Erster Sekretaer und Leiter der Juristischen Abteilung der Botschaft der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Manila, Herr Klaus Mueller in Davao

(oben mit SUC Praesident Dr. Perfecto Alibin, University of Southeastern Philippines, Davao City - an der ich Fakultaetsmitglied des Fremdsprachlichen Instituts fuer Deutsch geworden bin.) 

  

Zusammen mit Herrn Eduardo C. Arcilla, Assistant Alien Control Officer and Head Supervisor Davao International Airport.

 

  

 (With Miss Sonia Garcia, Regional Director Region XI of Department of Tourism, heading soon to Germany, International Tourism Fair, promoting Mindanao.

+++++ 

Und hier eine gute Nachricht: das Auswaertige Amt Berlin hat die Finanzierung eines Laptops in Aussicht gestellt, wonach ein Passantrag nach den neuen biometrischen Vorschriften dann auch wieder in Davao City and Cebu City moeglich sein wird. Sobald der Laptop in Manila eingetroffen ist, duerfen wir Herrn Mueller dann erneut in Davao City und Cebu City begruessen. Hoffentlich bald... .

Seit dem 1. November 2007 ist ein neues Passgesetz in Kraft, wonach neben dem biometrietauglichen Foto auch zwei Fingerabdruecke auf einem Chip gespeichert werden muessen. Hiervon sind alle Antragsteller ab vollendetem 6. Lebensjahr betroffen. Wegen der Idenitizierungspflicht, Unterschriftsleistung und Abnahme von Fingerabdruecken ist die persoenliche Vorsprache bei der Antragsstellung bis jetzt immer noch bei der Deutschen  Botschaft in  Manila unumgaenglich.  Hoffentlich nicht mehr lange... .

Good news for German nationals:  Hopefully soon new applications for the issuance of a German passport can be accepted in Cebu City and Davao City. The German government granted the financing of necessary equipment.

Living in The Philippines/Leben auf den Philippinen

Live in style... live in the Philippines! Great locations, facilities entertainment and leisure activities, matched by some of the warmest smiles in the world. You can't get a better deal than that. That's how the PRA brochure for the SRRVisa (Special Resident Retiree's Visa) goes. It's indeed a hassle-free visa, as I could learn (again!) during an interview with Jaime "Jimmy" B. LLames, good friend and OiC of the Davao Satellite Office of the Philippine Retirement Authority.

Its slogan "Smile at Life in the Philippines" indeed encapsulates the spirit behind the vision. Retirees who choose the Philippines can look forward to being treated as a person, not as a statistic. PRA helps provide the good life for retirees - not only for their material comfort, but also for their physiological and emotional well being as well.

My agency YONNEX became already a merchant partner of PRA - an accredited partner. That's why I am pretty sure, that also its programs will work FOR YOU! If you need any assistance, please contact me. I am glad to help you - without any costs!

The Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) is a government owned and controlled corporation created by the Executive Order  No. 1037, which wqas signed by then President Ferdinand Marcos, on July 4, 1985. On August 31, 2001, through E.O. No. 26, the control and supervision of PRA was transferred to the Board of Investments from the Office of the President.

The SRRV is indeed a non-immigrant multiple-entry visa issued by the Bureau of Immigration of the Philippines through the PRA to foreigners and former Filipino citizens.

The benefits are really amazing:

- Options of permanent residency - may live, retire and invest in the Philippines indefinitely;

- Muliple-entry privileges - may come in and go out of the Philippines, anytime;

- Exempted from the Bureau of Immigration Exit Clearance and Re-Entry Permits;

-Exempted from the Bureau of Immigration's Annual Registration requirement;

-Exempted from the Bureau of Immigration's "I-Card";

-Exempted from the Custom's Duties and Taxes for the importation of personal effects and household goods including personal car;

-Exempted from Trave Tax, Special Study Permit;

-Assistance in securing/obtaining documents from other other government authorities;

-Tax free remittance of annuities and pensions -

and many others... .

More about the documentary requirements can be read on the website www.pra.gov.ph, or don't hesitate to contact me as well as Mr. Jaime B. LLames, davao@pra.gov.ph or +63 929-5510954 or +63 82 2258888 loc. 6299.

PLDT (Philippine Long Distance Telephone) is Saving the Environment

The PLDT is not only the nation's leading telephone company, it's also doing a lot things saving the environment. 

For example: PLDT joins PBSP Annual Reforestation Caravan. About 70 PLDT employee-volunteers, together with the partner farmer beneficiaries of Kantipla Ecosystem Enhancement and Protection Foundation (KEEP), planted more than 7,500 indigenous tree species such as Toog or Philippine Rosewood, Almaciga, Narra and Acacia or Rain Tree. The group hopes the trees will trap 33.75 tons of carbon dioxide and store 4,200 cubic meters of water in a year. Narra, for example is noted for its medicinal value. Narra leaves can be applied to heal ripening boils, ulcers, and prickly heat. It can be also used to treat diarrhea or dysentery.

Help for Laguna! The PDRF (Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation) clears Laguna de Bay of water lilies. It is for this reason the the newly-created foundation, which is headed by PLDT and Smart Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, went to Santa Cruz, Laguna, to offer help. One of the mandates of the PDR Foundation is to assist the government, in partnership with local government units and other civic organizations, to rebuild communities severely affected by the typhoons Ondoy, Pepeng and Santi last year 2009. The water lily project at the Laguna Bay is only one one of the many projects the foundation is lining up. More projects will be follow.

Want Your Adventure to Start NOW?

 

It's called "Volun Tourism" and "an adventure to make a difference". First time I visted Davao City has been sometime in 1982. "Once upon a time..." .My former Filipina girlfriend took me to the Philippine Eagle Foundation in Malagos, Baguio District, Davao City. I must confess, I was very much impressed, and I thanked her very much introducing me to this unique institution.

Since that time, I visited this place innumerable times. I love it there. 

How about you? Would you like to go on an adventure with what Charles Lindbergh called "the air's noblest flier"? Yes, I am sure, you will experience immersion.

 

Save the eagle, save the forests, secure our future.  

You know me already as an energetic environment saver and supporter. Also here in the Philippines living for good as an expatriat! I wish, I could convince you as volunteer with the Philippine Eagle Foundation. This foundation is a non-profit, non-government organization dedicated to saving the endangered Philippine Eagle and its habitat.

As an expedition volunteer, you can assist the team by helping collect data, interacting with communities implementing tree-planting programs or by providing camp site support.

Being an expat living in this wonderful country, I really keep myself busy "with such things". 

Contact any travel agent or inquire directly through eaglevoluntourism@yahoo.com or check out www.philippineeagle.org. This foundation is accredited and supported by the Philippine Department of Tourism.

I'm glad being able to provide you with these information. 

Do you have a cellphone? SMART or GLOBE?

Anyway, fact is: the cellphone companies' competition is getting more and more  preheated.

Really, it's an other first in prepaid history: the new SMART BUDDY SIM keep no-expiry reserve load. It's indeed like having a secret pocket in your SIM. Wow, imagine: now, addition to regular load and call & text load, SMART BUDDY gives you no-expiry reserve load that stays safe in your sim's RESERVE LOAD wallet until you're ready to use it. Just draw from your RESERVE LOAD and convert it to regular airtime or any call and text offer. Just visit your favorite retail outlet.

When I browse the Internet, I found another interesting article: Phone a friend with GLOBE Tattoo Broadband! I am sure you agree with me: Have you ever had one of those days when you slept through your alarm and woke up sweetly a half-hour later, only to be enveloped by the icy panic that pushes you to rush in a frenzy to start your hectic day grind? You leave the house in record time, waving down a ride, yet with a sinking feeling you've forgotten something. That's when it hits you: your precious mobile phone is sitting comfortably on your nightstand at home. Yipee, this just happened to me last week. I really started smiling while reading this. 

In a pinch, GLOBE has the lifesaver for us. All we need to do is whip out our laptops, plug in our new GLOBE Tatoo Broadband stick, and we cal call away, straight from our PC. Yes, I also find a website: surf over to www.globe.com.ph/tattoo.

We are really lucky under the SUN... .

Deutschentreffen in Davao City/Germans' Meeting in Davao

Jeden Freitag von 10 bis 14 Uhr in Victoria Plaza Mall in Davao City treffen sich deutsche Auswanderer mit ihren Ehepartnern zu einem zwanglosen Gedankenaustausch.

Bei auftretenden Fragen und Problemen wird gern versucht, weiterzuhelfen.

Oder senden Sie mir einfach eine email... .

Schauen Sie doch einfach mal vorbei!!!!

More Tourists for Region XI Mindanao?/Bald mehr Touristen fuer Mindanao?

Yesterday I got the chance to interview Department of Tourism Regional Director Sonia V. Garcia (Region XI). Actually she asked me to translate several flyers and brochures from English into German. I was really surprised and very happy to know, that Sonia and an additional group will be participating in the International Tourism Fair (Internationale Tourismusboerse - ITB) 2010 to be held on March 10-15 2009 in Berlin/Germany. The ITB is considered the world's leading travel and tourism show and could well be a good opportunity for the accredited tourism industry partners to meet their potential business counterparts in the said event.

This will be  the very first promotion trip for this region. Sonia Garcia will be joined by Philip S. Dizon (Davao Crocodile Park), Camela S. Infiesto (Tribu K' Mindanawan Cultural Village Representative), Jeanne April Kroell (Hof Gorei Beach Resort), Wanda Teo (Mt. Apo Travel @ Tours), Ruben Neri (Surelite Travel & Tours), Ma. Corazon Sanga and Katherine S. Owens (Turismo Davao INTAS), weaver Sonita Manangka, dancer Jelita Lamanilao, and from the DOT XI staff Judy G. Lagura (Cultural Village Coordinator for DOT Region XI).

Please check out  www.discoverdavao.com or www.visitmyphilippines.com - also mentioned in my "important links".

Gestern hatte ich die Gelegenheit mit der Regionaldirektorin des Tourismusdepartments fuer die Region XI (Mindanao), Frau Sonja V. Garcia zu sprechen. Sie bat mich, einige Prospekte von Englisch in Deutsch zu uebersetzen. Ich war wirklich sehr ueberrascht und gluecklich zu hoeren, dass Sonja mit einer Gruppe nach Deutschland reisen wird, um Davao City und die gesamte Region XI von Mindanao waehrend der Internationalen Tourismusboerse in Berlin touristisch mehr bekanntzumachen. In frueheren Jahren habe ich die ITB regelmaessig besucht und war doch reichlich enttaeuscht, kaum - oder besser gar nichts - ueber Mindanao bzw. Davao City vorzufinden. Das wird sich bestimmt bald aendern.  Zwischenzeitlich besuchen Sie doch einfach www.discoverdavao.com oder www.visitmyphilippines.com - auch erwaehnt in meinen "Important Links".

Deutsche Blaskapelle in Mindanao/German Brassband in Mindanao (II)

Das war schon eine Ueberraschung und eine riesengrosse Freude, als der Musikverein Kressbronn waehrend seiner Philippinen-Konzertreise auch nach Mindanao kam und zweimal in Davao City auftrat - einmal im People's Park und am naechsten Tag in meinem Lieblingsresort auf Samal Island, dem "Paradise Island Park and Beachresort".

Dies war die erste deutsche Band oder Kapelle, die jemals nach Mindanao bzw. nach Davao gekommen ist. Wir hatten alle viel Freunde und Spass bei philippinischer, internationaler und natuerlich deutscher Musik.

Vielen herzlichen Dank Musikverein Kressbronn - und kommt bald wieder!

 

Photos taken by Ricardo P. Balcom.

German Brassband in Mindanao/Deutsche Blaskapelle in Mindanao

It has been 20 years ago, when a band from the US performed in Davao City. This has been the first German Brassband from Kressbronn (near the German-Swiss border) being on a concert tour in the Philippines and performing twice in Davao City: at first in the People Park and next day on Samal Island, in my favourite beach resort "Paradise Island Park and Beachresort".

We all had a lot of fun listening Philippine, international and -of course- German music. Enjoy the photos.

 

Fiestas, fiestas, fiestas... .

Filipinos love Fiestas. Meanwhile, and after living in the Philippines more then 11 years, I love such Fiestas too.

Let's start next month. Musikahan sa Tagum is a week-long musical extravaganza featuring the city's best bands, choral groups, rondalla and dances in a musical competition. The Musikahan is the opening salvo of the Mindanao Regional Festival ahead of the the April Caracoles Festival of the Island Garden City of Samal Island and many more other festivities.

Every February, the streets of Tagum City come alive with festival colors, marching music artists, dancing ladies in full regalia, and wild cheering. it's enough to keep both locals and tourists (and of course expats!) singing and dancing to the beat of the music, and more than enough to captivate any music lover's heart. Don't miss it... .

Also in February you should visit Jose Abad Santos, Davao del Sur. Immerse in the culture of Jose Abad Santos through Kapyaan Festival, a celebration of gratitude for a bountiful harvest. The feast beckons (again) BOTH local and foreign tourists as well as expats to participate in activities like street dancing, musical contents, and float parades.

The month March will bring us many more festivities:

The week long Araw ng Tagum (March 1-7) commemorates Tagum's establishment as a city in 1998. As the provincial capital of Davao del Norte, Tagum is one of the fastest-growing cities in Mindanao and has been cited as one of the 20 most viable and most competitive sites in the Philippines in 2005.

In March one can also experienced the IGACOS Festival (Island Garden City of Samal). Accentuated by Samalenos'frenzied revelry in a fluvial parade of boats, banca race, and sand sculpture competitions, Igacos Festival is a celebration that shows Samal Island is more than the usual island sun, sand, and sea.

March 14-16: Araw ng Davao. One way to catch the soul Davao city is indeed to witness the vibrant feast that commemorates this city's charter day. A window to the oneness of this multicultural city, where I really love to live since 1999 for good, is a showcase of festivities that exhibit the culture , passion, and art of Davaoenos. Major events of the festival include an opening ceremony featuring tri-peoples offering and historical vignette performances, trade fair and flea market, and among many other things the search for the "Mutya ng Dabaw", the city's ambassadress of goodwill.

Two more exciting fiestas are waiting for you at the end of March: The Kuradang sa Dalan in Panabo City, Davao del Norte: Release your energy in an estatic street dancing and wriggle your body to the beat of the gongs in Panaboans' way of celebrating a bountiful harvest. Or go to Kapalong, Davao del Sur: In this colorful celebration that features trade fairs and culture shows. The star of the event is the banana, Davao's number one export and the largest contributor in the economy.

Not yet enough? In April there'll be another festival of gratitude for the rich environment, the Pista sa Kinaiyahan in Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur. It is celebrated through tree planting and coastal and mountain clean-up.

Enjoy and have fun!

Expat-Thoughts (II)

I remember the movie "Cinema Paradise" directed by Guiseppe Tornatore: After 30 years absence a man returns to his childhood village. Actually he is terrible afraid, that all impressions might overcome him - but it doesn't happened. Well, of course, he is touched. He remembers himself as the small boy living in this place. But the man is through with the past. The presence is more important for him, even this presence couldn't have become like that without the past time in that small Sicilian village in South Italy.

A lot of expats might experienced in the same way. I did it too. 

To become a real grown up - as a German saying goes - we must learn to forget many things of our childhood. is that really so? I guess, it depends... .

If we have waited long enough, we might be able to return "to earlier places" but WITHOUT melancholy or wistfulness. Good advice. But speaking about myself: I haven't seen my home town in Germany since 11 years. I am pretty sure, that a certain melancholy will touch my heart. Sometimes we'd like to reply with Bob Dylan: "It's alright, Ma, I am only bleeding!"

Yes, I must confess, I mostly got a melancholy heart while visiting places of the past. Maybe that's the reason, why didn't visit my home country since 11 years. Nothing will remain as in yesterday. Nothing can be found again in its origin.

Mabuhay  Filipinas!

Expat Thoughts

Very often - sometimes too often! - the thought is back. If we wake up in the morning (or even many times in the middle of the night) - the thought is back. The "act of thinking", the "reflection", the "opinion" or the "serious consideration", no matter, how we describe it - our memory and conscience is always with us as a permanent companion.

We brood over unsettled problems. Sometimes we bear unfair treatments, arrogance, ignorance, incompetent know-it-all-betters, and unbearable oddballs, who inexorable love to make our life a hell, while living themselves a disorderly life.

We would not like to be distracted, but we're toying with some good ideas how we could throw overboard "all that garbage". What will come next is a matter of conjecture.

Of course, when I started my expat life here in the Philippines, I also got my ideas. But, too many trains of thought made me thoughtless and absent-minded especially in difficult or important daily life situations. Slowing down while experiencing another culture shock... .

Sometimes we feel that our thoughts and ideas can't be fulfilled with life. Where the heart is willing, it will find a thousands ways; but where the heart is weak, it will find a thousand excuses. I experienced this too during my first one or two years as an expat in the Philippines.

Every new day gives us new inexhaustible possibilities to survive - but many times we overlook and fail to notice many chances in life through our sluggishness and laziness while thinking and dreaming too much of unequaled and unfulfilled ideas.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010!