Implementing Ban on Plastics is a Challenge

Last week Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte admitted that implementing the ban on non-biodegradable plastic bags and polystyrene foam containers is "challenging" but said it is a challenge the city is willing to take.

"For a city as big as Davao City, the implementation is a challenge, but the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) is determined to implement the law," the mayor said in an interview.

The ban of the use of plastics is contained in the Solid Waster Management Ordinance approved in 2012. The city will start the implementation on June 28, 2012, two years after the ordinance was submitted. 

I agree with mayor saying while the ordinance contains some "grey areas", it will take time so the city has no choice but to work on the current law. 

Some manufactures, vendors' associations, store owners, and other business establishments made an appeal, because they have yet to get rid of their stock of old plastics.  Also wet food products should be exempted from the ban. The ban covers the use of all plastic bags used for grocery and shopping, packaging for meats and fish in wet markets including materials made of polystyrene foam or Styrofoam. 

The ban is aimed at further mitigating the harmful effects of non-biodegradable materials littered in the environment or dumped at the sanitary landfill. 

Dan Hill Comes to Davao: Sometimes When We Touch!

In a karaoke session may it be at home or party, Dan Hill's "Sometimes When we Touch" is the all time favorite and most requested song.

Well, rest that microphone for awhile because the multi-Grammy award singer and song-writer will be in Davao City on July 7 to serenade us live with his hit songs like "Never Thought", "Can't We Try", "In Your Eyes" and a lot more.

The show will be held at the RSM Event Center of the Philippine Women's College. This is for the benefit of the AMUMA Foundation and Davao Watershed Management. The concert is presented tp us by Davao Medical Society, Far East Associates, Verdemonte Realty Corp, Generation YES in cooperation with Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Davao City Government.

For ticket sales and reservations, contact in Davao 082 - 221 7515, 226 4433, 227 6850; 0917 - 974 7804 and 0916 - 324 3985.

University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao: Here you can also learn GERMAN!

The University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao City (Obrero) is not only the TOP 5 among 300 Philippine Universities. USeP also offers foreign language courses. If you wish to like more, visit

http://www.usep.edu.ph

and then click ACADEMICS - DELIVERY SYSTEMS - INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGES.

I am honoured to be one of the faculty members (German Language Professor) since more then four years now.

Become A Guardian of Radio Airwaves

Every hour - an average crowds in your mind - both - positive and negative.

The airwaves - television and radio-transmissions are top influencers .

The EDGE RADIO DAVAO 104.3 FM IS INVITING YOU TO BE A GUARDIAN OF THE AIRWAVES.

Log on to:

http://www.theedgeradiodavao.yolasite.com

 (This writer - minutes before being on air as DJ - Disciple of Jesus, together with station manager Sister Lisa Faye.)

Maybe that's something for YOU???

Call Davao 082 - 2950670

Philippines and China left Disputed Shoal

Is it only because of the bad weather? Anyway, China says, it will pull out his fishing boats from the disputed shoal in the South China Sea following a similar move by the Philippines.

The Philippine President ordered the pullout of the two remaining Government ships, citing bad weather. The Philippines are expected the third heavy tropical storm on Wednesday.

Happy Birth Anniversary Dr. Jose Rizal

 Born on June 19, 1861 and was martyred on December 30, 1896, Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda was a polymath, patriot and the most prominent advocate for reform in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era.

 He was born to a rich family in Calamba, Laguna and was the seventh of eleven children.

He attended the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, earning a Bachelor of Arts, and enrolled in Medicine at the University of Sto. Tomas.

He continued his studies at the Universidad Central de Madrid in Spain, earning the degree of Licentiate in Medicine.

He also attended the University of Paris and earned a second doctorate at the University of Heidelberg. 

Rizal was a polyglot conversant in 22 languages.

He was a prolific poet, essayist, diarist, correspondent, and novelist whose most famous works were his two novels "Noli me Tangere" and 'El Filibusterismo'.

As a political figure, according to historical account, Jose Rizal was the founder of La Liga Filipina, a civic organisation that subsequently gave birth to the Katipunan led by Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Aguinaldo/

He was a proponent of achieving Philippine self-government peacefully through institutional reform rather than through violent revolution, although he would support "violent means" as a last resort. 

History also has it that Rizal had the belief that the only justification for national liberation and self-government is the restoration of the dignity of the people.

He was quoted having said, "Why independence, if the slaves of today will be the tyrants of tomorrow?" The general consensus among Rizal scholars was that his execution by the Spanish helped bring about the Philippine Revolution.

I have been always very much interested in Rizal's works and life since I met my former Philippine mentor, the late Monsignor Professor Dr. Dr. Hermogenes E. Bacareza, who was our chaplain in the Philippine Community in Berlin already during the 1980s. 

Why Do I love to live in The Philippines? Warum liebe ich es, auf den Philippinen zu leben?

The Abel Family - Die Abel Familie

The German Abel family belongs to one of the first classical music forerunners and paved the way for innumerable and - let me subscribe it - as "indirect foundations laying".

CLAMOR HEINRICH ABEL, was born in the German county Westphalia (which is, by the way, also this writer's home!) around 1640.

Clamor Heinrich Abel became a chamber musician in 1665 and published his edition of sonatas during the period 1674-1677. Notes estates are available until nowadays.

CHRISTIAN FERDINAND ABEL, his son, became a cellist under Johann Sebastian Bach during the years 1715-1737. From him Bach composed i.e. the popular "Viola da Gamba". Bach was also the NINONG (godfather) of his third child. Christian Ferdinand Abel's two sons entered his foot-steps.

LEOPOLD AUGUST ABEL (born March 24, 1718, passed away August 25, 1794), scholar of Francois Benda (1709-17860 became Royal Conductor at the Ludwigslust Castle.

CARL FRIEDRICH ABEL (born December 22, 1723 and passed away June 20, 1787 in London), also student of Bach, remained as "last gambist" (Viola da gamba, a 'on the knees put and played violin). Since 1765 Carl Friedrich Abel arranged and organized concert performances with Johann Christian Bach. Unfortunately happened this without success and Carl-Friedrich Abel became a saucy drinker. One of his symphonies has been ascribed to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "KV 18" in e-flat major, but i wasn't Mozart's "18th" composition.

+++

Enjoy knowing more about classical composers and their life and music here:

http://www.klausdoringclassicalmusic.webs.com

or enjoy listening my radio show "Classics with Klaus Doring", every Sunday from 2 to 4 PM on 104.3 FM "The Edge Radio Davao" or via live stream

http://www.livestream.com/theedgeradiodavao

Bahala na! I DON'T CARE!

Republished from MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR (Friday, June 15, 2012)

From the sheer goodness of one's heart - are we really doing even small things for our fellow creatures? Hey, don't you see it/

We are becoming more and more uninterested. We live without concern. We are not making the difference. We even don't think or even don't try to think about it. We have no influence or weight - neither good nor bad. Is that really what we want?

The taxi driver has learned his way and makes a detour without his conscience pricking him in taking my pruse: "Nong, asa ka? Diretso lang!" - "Sorry, Sir!"

On the other hand, while walking a short distance somewhere down town in Davao City, I don't care about the (blind?) beggar, who might really need any single centavo. Many other "business beggars" or swindlers have dulled so much my usually open hand character. BAHALA NA - suddenly, I really don't care!

Several years ago, while riding a jeepney (yes, I always loved to so!), I listened to two passengers. "You know, our neighbour suffers from lung cancer. He asked me a loan because he needs to be hospitalized." - "And, what did you do/" - "WALA, nothing, BAHALA SIYA! Why did he never quit smoking as I have told him already long time ago?"

Well, here we are! Why should I help other people around me, if, on the other side, MY cries of help or urgent appeals have been rejected, as intentionally unanswered? Indifference or egoism? It seems to be a privilege for us to close our eyes, ears, and mouths in such an indifferent and shameful way, that we hurt those who seek our attention.

Somebody tries to become our friend. Sure, why not?

Somebody was hired as a leader and needs the support of his or her staff. Sure, why not?

Somebody is ill and is suffering from from persecution and needs us? Sure, why not?

Somebody needs our advice because he or she is facing a difficult decision or homelessness or living alone or losing his job? Sure, why not?

Somebody suffers overwhelming prejudice, provocation, and loss of reputation and needs badly the involvement of another helping hand. Sure, why not?

Because of indifference, we keep keep on destroying our good nature and the whole globe by unintentional or international contamination of the environment. Indifference allows wars instead looking for peace. Indifference allows man to hide behind stupid excuses... .