Typical Filipino (XX) - Typisch Philippinisch (XX): "Mukha" - das Gesicht

 

The mukha (face) is targeted by the trillion-dollar cosmetics industry. They pour a big percentage of their marketing strategies into selling facial formula to men and women who desire smoother, finer, fairer skin, and wish for well-arched eyebrows, inviting eyes, taller nose, younger lips and glossy, healthy hair.

In Filipino culture pagmumukha, or the "impact of the face" demands more than cosmetic application. Such impact may be light and pleasant (magaan), refreshing (maaliwalas), and smiling or happy (masaya) which more than compensate for the lack of beauty with or without cosmetics. The opposite impact of course, even in a beautiful face, may be heavy (mabigat), sour (maasim), and problematic (problemado).

Filipinos legen großen Wert auf ihre Fassade. Die äußere Fassade ist von höchster Bedeutung. Sie unterscheiden klar zwischen äußerlichem Anschein und innerem Selbst. Ehemänner werden niemals mit anderen über Auseinandersetzungen mit der Ehefrau sprechen, denn dies würde auch ihre Schwächen beleuchten. Viele unglückliche Ehen bestehen, "bis der Tod sie scheidet", so sehr beide darunter leiden mögen - nur um in der Öffentlichkeit den Schein zu wahren.

Für manche Filipinos zählen gar ausschließlich Äusserlichkeiten, so daß sie versuchen, ihre Illusionen anderen zu verkaufen. Filipinos haben ein besonders feinsinniges Gespür für derartige Oberflächlichkeiten. Sie bezeichnen solches Gaukelwerk als BALATKAYO (Heuchlerei) oder PAKITANGTAO (öffentliche Show). Konsequenterweise beurteilen Filipinos eine Person nach ihrem inneren Selbst (LOOB), das den Charakter bestimmt.

Filipinos attach great importance to their facade. The outer facade is of paramount importance. They make a clear distinction between outward appearances and inner self. Husbands would never speak to others about arguments with their wives, as this would highlight their weaknesses.The aim of unhappy marriages is to persist "until death dies them part" - as much as both may suffer - just to keep up appearances in public.

For some Filipinos only appearances count, so they try to sell their illusions to others. But they have a particularly fine feel for such superficialities. They call such jugglery work hypocrisy or public show. Consequently, Filipinos judge a person according to their inner self, which determines their character. 

WAS THAT REALLY A GOOD IDEA?

I remember my childhood. I heard this question many times, when I refused to be a "good boy". Growing up, we're all taught to follow the rules. Wait your turn in line. Fill in the bubble of the right answer. Eat your dessert last. Tie your shoes and tuck your shirt in. Don't ask stupid questions. But adults are allowed to ask this question. We're rewarded for caution and deliberation, punished for coloring outside the lines.

Over time, we're shuffled into groups based on test results and pursue careers based on our credentials and degrees. I found myself again in a publishing house.  We eventually file into offices where we are required to dress a certain way, talk a certain way; behave a certain way. At some point along this journey, the world designates you as "creative" or "non-creative" with most people falling into the latter category. Actually, I always found myself creative. Well... . Yes, I have always known that creative thinking is necessary for success.

Good ideas - bad ideas! The EXAGO blog based in Lisboa/Portugal and  Curitiba/Brazil shows us some examples of how bad ideas can lead to good ideas.

Most people will have heard the basic mantra of brainstorming: there is no such thing as a bad idea. With this premise in mind, people are encouraged to share any idea they have without fear of ridicule or judgement. While some concepts may not be achievable, these so-called ‘bad ideas’ can often be necessary stepping stones to good ones.

Bad ideas can sometimes have great potential, they just need to be picked apart and refined. That’s where collaboration comes in: by bringing in your community to provide valuable inputs, ideas can be improved upon collectively to ultimately lead to business success.

It can also happen that ideas may seem outlandish but which hold real value. The key is to identify the assets of a ‘crazy’ idea and invest in developing it to bear fruits. It can however be difficult to spot such an idea, particularly for larger companies. The following  three steps could prove useful so that companies do not miss out on the good of ‘bad’ ideas:

Re-framing seemingly problematic ideas may just need re-framing. Rather than discarding it completely, look at the problem and the solution, and explore other paths that could lead to possible breakthroughs.

Listen to all stakeholders regularly – their insights can help move towards a better version of an idea. The individual expertise and experience of each employee can help mold an idea to add value.

You should want to get more ideas fast, but you should also make sure that idea generation is effective to help you make your way through the fog and achieve real, measurable success.

Embracing bad ideas is part of the idea generation process, which has proven to be more effective in companies that nurture a culture of innovation and encourage creativity and innovation across the board.

Mark Twain expressed once: “There is no such thing as a new idea. It is impossible. We simply take a lot of old ideas and put them into a sort of mental kaleidoscope. We give them a turn and they make new and curious combinations. We keep on turning and making new combinations indefinitely; but they are the same old pieces of colored glass that have been in use through all the ages.”

I strongly agree with him.

Philippine native tree that resembles Japan’s cherry blossoms grows in Rizal

 A closer look at the flowers of the Salinggogon tree. (Photo from Masungi Georeserve)

by Vina Medenilla, Manila Bulletin

Many Pinoys are fascinated by the famous cherry blossoms of Japan. Now, there is no need to travel far because there are native trees in the Philippines that are just as beautiful as the Sakura. 

Among thousands of native flowering trees in the country is Salinggogon (Cratoxylum formosum). It is one of the tree species with pink blooms that are likened to cherry blossoms. 

Salinggogon trees can grow up to 35 meters tall. It thrives in various forests around the country, specifically in Rizal, Bulacan, Polilio, Mindoro, Guimaras, Negros, and Mindanao. 

Masungi Georeserve, a privately-led conservation area in Baras, Rizal, is home to numerous endemic and indigenous flora and fauna, including 50 Salinggogon trees. 

Salinggogon trees are said to grow on hill slopes with clay soil. Since Masungi is found in the uplands of Rizal, this species naturally grows well in the area. They say that it is highly possible that there are more Salinggogon inside Masungi, too.

Salinggogon flowers usually last for two to three weeks during the dry season. It blooms before new leaves start to regrow. The tree flourishes in full sun and requires at least six hours of sunlight every day.

A Salinggogon tree stands out in the middle of the forest.

Masungi preserves this species through manual weed control, which allows the tree to acquire all the nutrients and other resources it needs. 

“We implement enhanced and constant forest enforcement on the ground. This includes the patrolling and monitoring performed by our forest rangers in our reforestation site,” said Masungi Georeserve. 

They also share photos and details about Salinggogon trees through social media in hopes of raising awareness on the importance of forests and encouraging the public to protect and act on them. 

Salinggogon trees are at risk from activities like illegal logging, charcoal making, and timber poaching. This is why it is vital to promote and educate more individuals about native trees like Salinggogon.  

“Our team is also in close contact with scientists and botanists, such as those from the UPLB Museum of Natural History, who provide research and technical support to our team.” Masungi plans to continue consulting the experts in terms of the propagation of trees growing on their premises, including the Salinggogon.

Salinggogon trees can be found on the Discovery and Legacy trails of Masungi Georeserve, but those in the latter are yet to mature. 

Photos from Masungi Georeserve Foundation Inc.

For more information, visit Masungi Georeserve’s website.

This litsong baka is Filipino netizen's latest food craze

 

by John Legaspi, Manila Bulletin

When you ask Pinoys about lechong manok (roasted chicken), Andok’s is among the brands to come up in the conversation. Since its establishment, the homegrown restaurant has been the go-to place of many Filipinos thanks to its sumptuous food offerings, from dokito to its juicy liempo, which are best paired with a cold bottle of beer. 

This time, the beloved rotisserie introduces a new product, the litsong baka, and netizens are going crazy about it. Among many foodies online groups, the roasted beef earns top recommendation from Facebook users. But is it really worth the hype? Here’s what people have been saying about it.

Tender and savory

Many laud the litsong baka for being soft and juicy, far from the gummy texture they are expecting. The meat is cut into slivers making it easy to eat. Topping the critics is its smoky flavor that, according to netizen Edward Vange Arriba, is a hallmark flavor of the brand as it is the same taste you get from the roasted chicken and liempo. 

Facebook page Tasteful Adventures describes it as the “perfect substitute to the usual roasted chicken,” and says that the beef is tender, savory, and overall satisfying. 

Perfect dipping sauce

An order of the listong lechon comes with a vinegar dip. While the acidity from the sauce compliments the barbecue notes of the beef, many diners recommend trying it with gravy for a different experience. Toyomansi with chili also gives it a more Filipino touch. 

Versatile meat

While the roasted beef is good on its own, many praise it for its culinary flexibility, and netizens attest that it still tastes good even a day after. Some advise to include it in a bowl of ramen, perfect for the gloomy weather we are having. Others recommend using it to make quesadilla or a sandwich. Korean culture fans would definitely love to eat it samgyupsal style with lettuce and a few Korean sides. Now, you don’t need a griller at home to make that happen.

It’s affordable

The listong baka gets a 10 out of 10 when it comes to its price. A 500 grams order costs P320, and it’s not too bad. As netizen Raymond Pasiliao said, “where else can you buy cooked beef in this quantity at this price?”

DENR video captures rare visit of killer whales in Antique

RARE SIGHTING. A screenshot of one of the Orcas spotted by tourists and environment officers on May 31 in Libertad, Antique. (DENR-CENRO Boracay/MANILA BULLETIN)

By Dennis Principe

Manila Bulletin

A pod of killer whales was seen gallivanting off the coast of Libertad in Antique that created a rush of excitement among divers who witnessed the rare sighting.

A post by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Western Visayas stated that there where at least six orcas spotted in the area where a calf was also seen swimming next to its mother. The rare sighting happened May 31 and was posted by the DENR’s regional agency on June 8.

“This is the first time we encountered orcas in our lifetime,” posted Mylene Arboleda, manager of Dive Gurus Boracay.

Orcas are the largest member of the Delphinidae family or the dolphins. It’s the same family where the long-finned pilot whales and short-finned pilot whales belong.

Orcas are known for their distinct black and white patterns and intelligence, thus, regarded as the smartest animal on the planet. They are the top or apex predators in the ocean.

RARE SIGHTING. A screenshot of one of the Orcas spotted by tourists and environment officers on May 31 in Libertad, Antique. (DENR-CENRO Boracay/MANILA BULLETIN)

LOOK: Miss Trans Global Philippines 2021 is from Iloilo City

by Jane Kingsu-Cheng, Manila Bulletin

It’s definitely a great way to start Pride month with the announcement of the winner for Miss Trans Global Philippines 2021.

Posted on the official facebook page, “Congratulations to our Miss Trans Global Philippines 2021 Albiean Revalde of Iloilo City! A woman of the globe transcends beauty of all forms. At the young age of 19, our Miss Trans Global Philippines 2021, shows that our future is in the youth. Together, let us change the patriarchal narrative of what pageants ar —where beauty is diverse, inclusive and purposive.”

Congratulations!

Cebu City’s supply of vaccines to run out after Tuesday, June 8

THE supply of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Cebu City is expected to last only until Tuesday, June 8, 2021.  Dr. Jeffrey Ibones, City Health Department officer-in-charge, said they only have 3,800 doses available and these are all intended for the first dose.

Ibones, in an interview on Sunday, June 6, said they are still waiting for the next delivery of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines from the Department of Health 7.

“We are just relying on the supply coming from the national government,” he said. He hopes it will arrive soon so the City’s vaccine rollout will not be disrupted again. Ibones said the City will resume vaccination on Monday, June 7.

He said all the four vaccination sites in the city – University of Cebu (UC) Banilad campus, Robinsons Galleria, SM Seaside City and UC Senior High School campus – are administering the first dose.

The City has inoculated more than 47,000 individuals, while more than 11,000 have completed their vaccination. The number does not include individuals inoculated under the Project Balik Buhay Vaccination Initiative and workers in hospitals. More than 150,000 individuals have registered for the City’s vaccination program through pabakunata.com.

Meanwhile, data provided by the Cebu City Emergency Operations Center show that there are 455 beds available in the city’s isolation facilities.

At the Cebu City Quarantine Center, which can accommodate patients with severe conditions, only 39 are occupied. The other 121 beds are empty.bThe three remaining operational barangay isolation centers have a total of 247 beds available with only 156 beds occupied, while isolation hotels still have 87 rooms with only 39 beds occupied.

The EOC data also show that the hospitals in the city have a safe occupancy rate of 20.5 percent, as of Friday, June 4. The World Health Organization considers the critical care occupancy alarming if it breaches 60 percent.bAs of Saturday, June 5, Cebu City logged 419 active cases.

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in March last year, Cebu City, which has a population of nearly a million residents, has recorded a total of 24,454 cases with 23,171 recoveries and 864 mortalities. (JJL)

WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (XVIII): The Year of a Serious Decision

Chapter XVIII: The Year of a Serious Decision

It was on a wonderful Sunday morning during breakfast. My mother opposed all the advice of her friends and decided to move to Berlin to live with Rossana and me in another cute apartment. "Then you don't always have to drive almost 1,000 km back and forth to visit me on a free weekend", she said. She moved into a wonderful one person apartment in Berlin near to us.

"You have probably booked your next vacation in the Philippines? What do you think if you just take me with you this time?" The question didn't shock Rossana and me. It was our dearest wish for some time. As always said, done. The flights were booked. Berlin - Frankfurt. Frankfurt - Manila, a nonstop flight with Lufthansa. Manila - Davao by Philippine Airlines. 

We arrived safe and sound  in March 1993. The big Hallo and the incredible warm welcome from the family in the Philippines shocked my mother and she burst into tears. "Why have so many in Germany warned me against going to the Philippines?" my mother asked. Rossana and I couldn't answer her questions.

All so-called good hard blows from her German friends were lost in the flight. Even her family doctor had urgently advised her never ever  to travel to the tropics, in this case to the Philippines, because of her instable, cancerous health.When my mother sent him a picture card and told that she was fine and enjoying her stay in the Philippines her doctor no longer replied even after she returned to his clinic in Berlin.

During our vacation, we got  very distinguished visitors in our house: Davao Archbishop Fernando Robles Capalla together with parish priest Father Allan. Capalla was born on Nov. 1, 1934 in Leon town, Iloilo province. He was ordained priest on March 18, 1961, and was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Davao by Pope Paul VI on April 8, 1975 . His episcopal ordination and installation was on June 18, 1975. The same pope appointed him as Prelate of Iligan on April 25, 1977 and he was installed on May 26, 1977. He became Bishop of Iligan when it was elevated to a diocese by Pope John Paul II on Nov 15, 1982 . He served as Apostolic Administrator of Marawi from Oct. 17, 1987 until 1991. On June 28, 1994 he was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Davao , and on November 6, 1996 , was appointed Archbishop of Davao. He was installed as third Davao archbishop on November 28, 1996.

Meeting the bishop gave me an incredible opportunity to become a columnist as well as a  radio host in the Philippines. I met Father Dexter Veloso, the station manager of DXGX 89.9 The Good News Radio, a member of the Catholic Media Network as well as the chief editor of the Davao Catholic Herald.

(To be continued!)

DO WE REALLY NEED LAWS?

 

US-President Theodore Roosevelt once said, "Ours is a government of liberty, by, through and under the law. No man is above it, and no man is below it."

Since we are back in MECQ, we do have to obey the old (new) quarantine laws - whether we like it or not. But there are many more laws without thinking about the pandemic.

“Do not steal your neighbor’s property!” “Don’t drive your car on the sidewalk!” And all the rest of it. How many times a day does someone tell you what to do? How often do you have to stop yourself from doing what you want, because you know that this action is prohibited or wrong?

It seems like we have laws, rules, and regulations to oversee just about everything. We don’t always like these rules. Yes, you can count me in! Yet to live in a civil society, we must have some rules to follow.

Laws are rules that bind all people living in a community. Laws protect our general safety, and ensure our rights as citizens against abuses by other people, by organizations, and by the government itself.  We have laws to help provide for our general safety.  These exist at the local, national and international levels.

Our bible answers my question i.e. in Deuteronomy: Be careful to obey all these regulations I am giving you, so that it may always go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord (12:28). Deuteronomy repeats verbatim many of the laws given in Exodus or Leviticus as well in Numbers. Yet it is far from a rule book.It focuses on motives, why people should obey laws.

Since senior citizens at the age of 65 are not allowed to leave the house at the moment, I obey the law and enjoy my home office by writing, doing translation work and online teaching. 

Filipina connects with her roots through farming with her family in the Netherlands

 

by Patricia Bianca Taculao, Manila Bulletin

There’s more to farming than providing people with food and other necessities. To some, it’s an efficient way to connect with their roots, especially if farming has been an integral part of their childhood.

Joy Tenizo, a former OFW turned housewife, found herself connecting with her Filipino roots despite being in a foreign country through farming. 

“My husband had no idea how to grow plants, but because I am from the Philippines, specifically in the province of Iloilo, I grew up seeing my parents do farming, and we have lots of flowers at home,” she said.

Using her experience in farming, Tenizo taught her husband how to grow flowers and crops.

Tenizo is married to Wessel Weijenberg, a project engineering manager of Thales, an electronics manufacturer in Hengelo, Netherlands.

The couple has a six-year-old daughter named Avery and a three-month-old son named Dylan. The family lives in the east of the Netherlands, close to the German border. 

Starting their farming journey 

According to Tenizo, their family started gardening in 2019, just before the pandemic started. They rented 200 square meters of land from the government and paid €30 per 100 square meters. 

She added that they were inspired by their travels since they encountered many naturally grown vegetables and flowers.

The family grows crops and flowers on a 200 square meter land that they rented from the government.

Farming has also served as a way for their family to bond. Tenizo channeled her Filipino roots and experience to teach her family how to grow food and flowers as she did back in Iloilo. Presently, the family grows flowers like tulips, roses, hydrangea, sunflower, dahlia, lavender, chrysanthemum, zinnia.

Tenizo said that tulips grow in abundance on their rented land even though it requires little maintenance from them. And not only do these look nice, but they can also be sold for extra income since the Dutch are fond of this particular flower.

One of the most prolific flowers in their garden are tulips.

Farming for their personal consumption 

Aside from the flowers, Tenizo and her family also grow fruits like grapes, apple, pear, strawberry, blueberry, blackberry, and raspberry, along with vegetables like beans, potato, cucumber, tomato, garlic, onion, leeks, celery, eggplant, zucchini, spinach, okra, and ampalaya.

Tenizo and her family also grows fruits like grapes.

Tenizo shares that all their flowers and crops grow abundantly from spring until late autumn. 

“During autumn and winter, it is not possible to grow plants and vegetables except in greenhouses, which are mainly located in the west of the Netherlands,” Tenizo said. 

But even though the family managed to grow a variety of crops and flowers even with little maintenance, it wasn’t exactly a walk in the park as they had to deal with some challenges along the way. 

“One of the challenges is how to remove aphids,  snails, and weeds because we don’t use pesticides,” Tenizo said. 

They wanted to keep growing their crops as naturally as possible since they consume the produce themselves and the couple wants to keep their young kids from being exposed to harmful chemicals. 

Another challenge that Tenizo faced when growing their vegetables is the unideal conditions to grow some varieties that are a staple in the Filipino culture. 

“My husband loves okra and ampalaya, so I decided to try but because of the climate here, it was not successful,” she shared.

According to Tenizo, her husband loves okra and ampalaya. But due to the conditions in Netherlands, they weren’t successful in growing them.

But this didn’t discourage Tenizo as she decided to grow other varieties like beets (Beta vulgaris), cauliflower, and broccoli that are well-accustomed to the climate and environmental conditions in the Netherlands. 

Former OFW turned housewife Joy Tenizo may not have been completely successful in growing Filipino varieties of vegetables, but she still managed to connect to her native roots by teaching her family how to farm and sharing the fulfilling experience with them. 

She now enjoys seeing her family bond over planting and harvesting their crops or basking in the beauty of their flower garden. And since the family grows their plants as naturally as possible, they get to contribute to the preservation of the environment, something that the couple hopes to instill in their two, young kids.

Tenizo’s farming venture shows that growing food does more than just feed people. It also helps people connect to their roots and form bonds that transcend time, space, and even cultures.