Do YOU pay YOUR taxes ON TIME?

As an expat living in the Philippines and doing several businesses and having certain incomes I do pay my taxes on time.

Other people don't care!

It was really interesting to learn, that the Philippine Bureau of internal Revenue's campaign against tax evaders and tax cheats is slowly (but surely) paying off after a popular Philippine television and movie personality paid 17 million Pesos in tax obligations after learning that she is the subject of the next tax evasion case to be filed supposedly by the BIR.

No names have been mentioned, but according to well-placed sources at the Bureau, a female television and movie personality of the Philippines, a daughter also of a well known actor and actress (separated for many years now!) has paid the 17 million last week. Good. Congrats! Why not?

Last October 21, the BIR has filed charges against controversial film and television director Carlo J. Caparas for his failure to pay the right amount of taxes. The case against him marks the Aquino's administration's first tax case against a high-profile television and movie personality. I hope, more cases are on the road.

The Philippine Box Icon: Manny Pacquiao

I must confess: I have never been a friend of boxing sport. I changed my mind since last year or so (I don't remember the exact date or incident!). I met Manny Pacquiao's mother during a Rotary convention in General Santos City. I didn't understand, why so many Filipinos admired (and are still admiring!) Manny even as a National hero. Maybe I go the point now... .

Let's face it: when it comes to international sport events: where are the Philippines? When it comes to international sport events, Manny appears more and more in media's headlines.

Looking forward to his next match: it should be the last time Manny will fight at a catch weight. It will be as a welter weight at 147 lb, where he is reigning WBO champaign. No more, no less.

When I browsed www.maxboxing.com I got surprised, learning about trainer Freddie Roach, telling the world, "that he hates catch weight fights"!

Manny Pacquiao is the only fighter in history to win seven world titles in seven different weight classes and will face Antonio Margarito for the vacant WBC super-welter weight  title on November 14, 2010 in Arlington/Texas.

If I ask my fellow Filipino friends and neighbors, if they are confident of a win by the Philippine's champ Manny over Antonio, one might not surprised to learn:

- I am always confident that he will win, and we all should be!

- I am confident with his God-given talent, because he is a world-class boxer.

- I am NOT confident, because Antonio is too tall, heavier and used to the welter weight division and had defeated top-ranking welter weights with flourish!

Mmmh - anyway, good luck Manny!

Tropical Garden - my secret hiding place...

 

I love it here...

 

Christmas Party German Community and International Friends Davao City/Mindanao - Weihnachtsfeier Deutsche Gemeinschaft und Internationale Freunde in Davao City/Mindanao

The Christmas Party of the "German Community Davao City/Mindanao and International Friends" is being scheduled for

Saturday, December 11, 2010

from 12:00 noon till ? (open end!)

in

Casino Filipino Davao City, Pantawan Hall, Grand Regal Hotel, Lanang, Davao City.

International (European) and Filipino Food, drinks, coffee, cake, raffle (sponsor i.e. is  Casino Filipino Davao City), exchange gifts, live band (dance?), program, Christmas spirit and several surprises are waiting for you.

For further information and ticket reservations you might call 082 - 227 1761 (Davao City) and ask for Rossana Balcom-Doring or email me: doringklaus@gmail.com.

Don't miss this event!

+++

Die Weihnachtsfeier der Deutschen Gemeinschaft und Internationale Freunde wird stattfinden am

Samstag, 11. Dezember 2010

von 12:00 mittags bis ? (Ende offen!) im

Casino Filipino Davao City, Pantawan Hall, Grand Regal Hotel, Lanang, Davao City. 

Internationale (Europaeische) und Philippinische Gerichte, Getraenke, Kaffee, Kuchen, Verlosung (Sponsor ist u.a. das Casino Filipino Davao City), eine Liveband (Tanz?), Unterhaltungsprogram, das Gefuehl von Weihnachten und viele Ueberraschungen warten auf Sie! 

Fuer weitere Informationen und Ticketreservierungen sollten Sie bald anrufen: 082- 227 1761 (Davao City) und sprechen Sie mit Rossana Balcom-Doring oder senden Sie mir eine Email: doringklaus@gmail.com.

Versaeumen Sie nicht dieses grossartige Ereignis!!!

Rueckblick: Weihnachtsfeier 2010/Christparty 2010   

                                                                                                             

Why Do I Live in The Philippines? Warum lebe ich auf den Philippinen?

 

That's why! Try to get an idea of it!

Darum! Bilder sagen mehr als Worte!

Filipino Cuisine and Tuna

Filipino cuisine is indeed a uniquely delicious smorgasbord of flavours resulting from an adventurous mix of indigenous ingredients and liberal sprinklings of culinary influences of contact with East and West. 

Food plays really a major role in promoting the Philippines' national identity and culture. Filipino food is so very varied and in some cases, unique , such as "adobo, batchoy, sisig, kalamay, and many others. Believe, I love Philippine cuisine. And, I also love Tuna, or Sashimi.

During my last stay in General Santos City a few days ago I learned that the tuna supply in Mindanao has reached a critical level and a further study is needed on how to make the supply sustainable. A two-year fishing ban has been declared starting this year, on fishing boats like tuna purse seiners to allow the dwindling tuna stocks to regenerate. I am pretty sure we have to believe, that the tuna resources are in a critical stage now. 

By the way: Region XII of Mindanao has exported 34 million kilograms of frozen whole round tuna, pouched and canned tuna products to the European Union markets from January to June 2010 alone... .

Hunger in The Philippines

Actually I am always very careful when it comes to surveys. Not only in the Philippines - everywhere! After being back from several trips to Cebu, Manila and some parts in Mindanao I came across the Social Weather Stations (SWS) - BusinessWorld nationwide survey conducted last September among 1,200 respondents.

Fewer families claiming to suffer hunger!  So far so good. The latest hunger figure is lower than the 21.1 percent of families (4 million households) then in the survey conducted last June. 

Survey questions about household hunger are always directed to the household head, using the phrase 'experienced hunger; and did not have anything to eat'! The measure of hunger refers to involuntary suffering because the respondents answer a survey question that specifies hunger due to lack of anything to eat. 

Three times daily a meal? 

Overall hunger declined in all geographical areas: Mindanao, 16.3 percent (which SWS translates to 700,000 families); Visayas, 15.3 percent (580,000); Balance of Luzon, 14.7 percent (1.2 million); and Metro Manila, 20.3 percent (507,000 families). Likewise, the survey also showed, that there were about nine million families or 48 percent who claimed they are poor.

Again: it is just a slight improvement: fewer Philippino families claiming to suffer hunger.

Uplifting the Pinoy Brand... .

With recent events having shed the Philippines in a rather awful light, Filipinos are posed with an even greater challenge to rise above the situation and show the international realm that there are still many reasons why Filipinos can be (and are still!) proud to be Pinoy. As an expat living here since 1999 you can believe me. It's really true! Let's talk about the optimism of Filipinos!

Nick Fontanilla, president of the Philippine Marketing Association (PMA) said, that trying times remind Filipinos of their most interesting trait - the optimism.  Fontanilla said something very interesting else: "Now, that the Philippines is going through another kind of 'storm' we encourage Filipinos to remain patriotic - to be reminded of many other individuals who have made our country proud and follow their footsteps". Very well said, Sir.

PMA, the Philippines' premiere organization of marketing professionals goes nationwide in its commitment to educate marketing, business and entrepreneurship  as it will be conducting a caravan themed as "Pinoy as Global Brand" until November 2010.

I found www.philippinemarketing.net.ph and www.pinoybrandkaba.com . Here you can also check out the caravan schedules.

Uplifting the Pinoy brand - in the global arena! YES!

Blue Skies For Our Children

You might be surprised, but even as an expatriat living in the Philippines, I appreciate every single step of several people and institutions around me when it comes to the most important topic to take of our environment - to help our Mother Earth to survive.

One great example (among many others!) is the Blue Skies Alliance (Clean Air Initiative for Asian citizen). Carrying on the dream Soichiro Honda, Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. announces in several advertisements and press releases, that they raise the bar even higher in preserving the environment. Honda Cars Philippines is proud to announce the A Blue Skies Alliance, a collaborative effort with the Philippine Climate Imperative, Clean Air Initiative-Asian Cities, Philippine Business for Environment, Department of Energy, Haribon Foundation, corporate fleet partners and over 14,000 Facebook supporters. 

Don't get me wrong: I am not doing promotion for HONDA. I am promoting people, who are intensifying efforts to signifiantly decrease harmful pollutans in the air.

Visit facebook.com/hondaphil and make a pledge to leave blue skies for our next generations.

SMART warns: Don't Be Duped By Scammers

I am glad. I received a press release from Reena J. Villamar, SMART Public Affairs. Very important. I like to share it with you:

Scammers usually target families or relatives of overseas Filipino workers (OFW's), or those who receive regular remittances from abroad. Senders of hoax texts usually claim to be family members, relatives and friends.

"They would pretend to be a family member or a relative, and ask victims to deposit a certain amount of money to various bank or e-money accounts, The money is supposed to help them during an emergency situation, such as escaping from a cruel emplyer by buying a ticket, or money for a medical treatment", said SMART Public Affairs Group Head Ramon R. Isberto.

"Since the initial reaction is almost always to help fraud victims send money as soon as possible, without confirming the facts with their family members first. When they relaize everything, it's too late", he added.

To avoid falling victim to scammers and losing hard-earned money, text messages or calls (and even emails) from unknown people should be double-checked and confirmed - or just ignored. 

Thanks a lot for reminding Reena J. Villamor, SMART Public Affairs.