This might not be the typical expat blog, written by a German expat, living in the Philippines since 1999. It's different. In English and in German. Check it out! Enjoy reading!
Dies mag' nun wirklich nicht der typische Auswandererblog eines Deutschen auf den Philippinen sein. Er soll etwas anders sein. In Englisch und in Deutsch! Viel Spass beim Lesen!
You plan to move to the Philippines? Wollen Sie auf den Philippinen leben?
There are REALLY TONS of websites telling us how, why, maybe why not and when you'll be able to move to the Philippines. I only love to tell and explain some things "between the lines". Enjoy reading, be informed, have fun and be entertained too!
Ja, es gibt tonnenweise Webseiten, die Ihnen sagen wie, warum, vielleicht warum nicht und wann Sie am besten auf die Philippinen auswandern könnten. Ich möchte Ihnen in Zukunft "zwischen den Zeilen" einige zusätzlichen Dinge berichten und erzählen. Viel Spass beim Lesen und Gute Unterhaltung!
Visitors of germanexpatinthephilippines/Besucher dieser Webseite.Ich liebe meine Flaggensammlung!
BERLIN, Germany — The websites of German airports, public administration bodies and financial sector organisations have been hit by cyberattacks instigated by a Russian “hacker group”, authorities said Thursday.
The Federal Cyber Security Authority (BSI) had “knowledge of DDoS attacks against targets in Germany”, a spokesman told AFP.
A distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack is designed to overwhelm the target with a flood of internet traffic, preventing the system from functioning normally.
The attacks were aimed “in particular at the websites of airports”, as well as some “targets in the financial sector” and “the websites of federal and state administrations”, the spokesman said.
The attack had been “announced by the Russian hacker group Killnet”, the BSI spokesman said.
The group’s call to arms was in response to Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s announcement Wednesday that Germany would send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine to help repel the Russian invasion, according to financial daily Handelsblatt.
Attributing Thursday’s attacks directly to the hacker group, however, was “particularly hard”, the BSI spokesman said.
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“They call for action and then a lot of people take part,” he said.
The attacks made “some websites unavailable”, the BSI said, without there being “any indication of direct impacts on (the organisations’) services”.
Attacks on public administrations were “largely repelled with no serious impacts”, the BSI said.
The interior ministry for southwestern Baden-Wuerttemberg state acknowledged “nationwide” DDoS attacks since Wednesday evening against websites, including those of public administration and the regional police.
Germany is on high alert for cyberattacks in the wake of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The Federal Office for Information Security said in October that the threat level for hacking attacks and other cybercrime activities was higher “than ever”.
Compared to other countries or nationalities, Filipinos generally enjoy a sense of freedom when it comes to their choice of religion. As a predominantly Catholic country (more than 80 percent of Filipinos are Catholics), there are other thriving religious sects such as Islam, Buddhism, Adventist, etc. Each Filipino, therefore, can exercise, announce, or propagate his or her faith without fear of discrimination or reproach.
Even with this scenario, there are still reports of discrimination rooted in religion. An employee is bypassed for promotion because he or she may not share the same religion with the employer; a person is shamed online for demonstrating his religious rituals; or a school is forcing a policy that favors one religion over the other. Though isolated in some cases, these are sources of tension and disagreements that may disturb societal peace and harmony.
To address this situation — and more importantly, to protect the right of people to freedom of religion — the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved on the third and final reading House Bill 6492, or the proposed “Magna Carta on Religious Freedom Act” last Monday, Jan. 23, 2023.
Generally, the proposed Magna Carta seeks to “prohibit the government or any person to burden, curtail, impinge, or encroach on a person’s right to exercise his or her religious belief, freedom, and liberty of conscience.”
Congressman Bienvenido Abante Jr. of the sixth district of Manila, author of the measure, said that “right to freedom of religion or belief is enshrined in the Constitution, which states that free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed.” The House bill strengthens this Constitutional provision, with the proposed Magna Carta also ensuring that “the government must also prohibit any act by a person, natural or juridical, or any group of persons that burdens or encroaches on the said right.”
“The free exercise of religious freedom would only be denied, regulated, or curtailed if it results in violence or inflicts direct or indirect physical harm or danger on other people, or infringes on their own freedom of religion or conscience; and if it is necessary to protect public safety, public order, health, property and good morals,” the bill stated.
Other notable features of this Magna Carta is how it also includes educational institutions and businesses. In fact, House Bill 6492 protects 12 rights, which includes “the right to freedom against discrimination in educational institutions, the right against discrimination in employment; the right to religious worship and ceremonies; the right of companies or businesses to be founded on religious belief; the right of parents or legal guardians to rear children; the right to tax exemption, etc.” To put it simply, no one can be denied employment (or be terminated) solely on the basis of religion or adherence to religious beliefs.
While we welcome this proposed bill, there are underlying issues when it comes to discrimination and persecution. Choice of religion may be one of them but there are also economic causes, as poverty breeds inequality, ignorance, and insensitivity. A nation must raise citizens that are tolerant and understanding since, after all, the Philippines is made up of a diverse group of people with different beliefs and values. Tolerance is key and to cultivate it starts with providing everyone access to universal human rights.
In this video we are going to show you 10 Must Visit Tourist Attractions in Davao City Philippines in 2023. The City of Davao is a world-class, highly urbanized city.
With spectacular natural beauty, including forests, the Philippines' highest mountain, and beautiful coral islands, Davao is home to a diverse population of indigenous, migrant, and ex-pat communities.
So let's spend some time together exploring Davao.
Foreign ambassadors trooped to Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte’s main office in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday, Jan. 25, to discuss various programs and projects that aim to help the country’s development in education, peace and security, labor force, renewable energy, and other shared interests.
Vice President Sara Duterte (left) shakes hands with Danish Ambassador Franz Michael Skjold Mellbin (right) during a meeting at her office in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023. (OVP photo)
The Vice President’s official Facebook page made several posts to show her meetings with Ambassadors Christian Halaas Lyster of Norway, Dr. Titanilla Tóth of Hungary, Franz Michael Skjold Mellbin of Denmark, Laure Beaufils of the United Kingdom, Marat Ignatyevich Pavlov of Russia, and Miguel Utray Delgado of Spain.
Aside from thanking the foreign envoys for visiting her office, Duterte also shared the topics discussed during their meetings.
Lyster, she said, recognized the “quality” of the Filipino labor force.
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“Ipinaabot niya ang paghanga sa mga manggagawang Pinoy lalo na sa mga seafarers na bumubuo ng malaking bilang sa (He extended his recognition of the Filipino workers especially seafarers who make up a large part of the) maritime industry ng (of) Norway,” Duterte wrote.
Ambassador Christian Halaas Lyster of Norway (right) during a courtesy call to Vice President Sara Duterte (Photo from Inday Sara Duterte/Facebook)
The official added that she and the envoy also discussed their countries’ development agenda, such as renewable energy, peace and security, and education.
The Philippines and Norway will celebrate the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this March.
The Vice President also wrote about Tóth’s visit to her office as this year also marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Hungary and the Philippines.
The envoy introduced her country’s The Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Program, which aims to provide free support for Filipino students.
“Dagdag pa niya, ang programang ito ay nakatutok sa (She added that this program is focused on) undergraduate, masters at (and) doctorate studies sa larangan ng agrikultura (in the fields of agriculture), sustainable development, water management engineering and hydrology, architecture and protection of cultural heritage, natural sciences, environmental studies, at iba pang larangan ng interes sa Pilipinas (and other interests of the Philippines),” Duterte, who sits as Education chief in a concurrent capacity, said in a post.
Hungarian Ambassador to the Philippines Dr. Titanilla Toth (left) and Vice President Sara Duterte (right) (OVP photo)
The Danish envoy also visited the official to talk about his government’s interest in investments, education, and peace-building.
Mellbin also plans to visit Davao City for their project in agriculture and other investment opportunities, Duterte said.
She also took the opportunity to invite the ambassador to attend the Basic Education Report 2023 by the Department of Education (DepEd) on Jan. 30.
Meanwhile, the British ambassador shared in a tweet her visit to the Vice President’s office.
Sharing two photos, Beaufils said in her post that she visited Duterte to discuss about education.
Vice President Sara Duterte (left) and British Ambassador Laure Beaufils (right) (Photo from Amb. Beaufils via Twitter)
“Great meeting with @indaysara @VPPilipinas. We spoke about @DepEd_PH’s determination to make quality, inclusive, and relevant education available to all Filipino learners and UK’s contribution to this vision. #EducationDay,” she wrote.
CULTURAL RE-DEBUT The Pasinaya Open House Festival 2019 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines
Attracting more than 27,000 people with approximately 75,000 audience viewership pre-pandemic, Pasinaya is undoubtedly the biggest multi-arts festival in the country.
After three years of cancellation and online editions, the CCP Pasinaya Open House Festival, the largest multi-arts festival in the country organized by the Cultural Center of the Philippines, returns this year from Feb. 3 to 5 in various venues inside the CCP Complex, located along Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.
The festival highlights the different outdoor venues such as the CCP Front Lawn, Liwasang Kalikasan, Tanghalang Ignacio B. Gimenez and its surroundings, and parade ground of Vicente Sotto Street, among others.
“This year, Pasinaya follows the theme ‘Piglas Sining.’ We are breaking away from the notion that the CCP is just the building. We are emphasizing that CCP can be anywhere,” said CCP artistic director Dennis N. Marasigan.
Pasinaya continues its experience-all-you-can, pay-what-you-can scheme. For a suggested donation price of ₱50, participants may go in and out of the different CCP venues to attend the 30-minute workshops in various art disciplines conducted by leading artists, resource persons and teachers, or watch as many shows, screenings, and activities as they can.
Registration starts at 6:30 a.m., at the Bukaneg side of the Front Lawn and at Vicente Sotto Street.
On Feb. 3, there will be a Pagtitipon, an invitational gathering of the Kaisa sa Sining (KSS) regional partners. There are 59 regional partners from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao in the KSS network, with three new partners joining. A program of the Cultural Exchange Department, the KSS aims to further strengthen the CCP linkages and cooperations with local organizations in the different regions of the country.
Palihan and Palabas happen on Feb. 4 and 5, with the opening salvo kicking off at the CCP Front Lawn with a parade and special program. In Palihan, audiences can join the different workshops while they watching unlimited shows, featuring more than 3,000 artists from different art fields, in Palabas.
Festival programmers and art groups will meet in Palitan on Feb. 4 and 5, on-site at Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater) and online via Zoom.
The open house festival partners with various galleries, museums, and art spaces around the metro to put the spotlight on communal artistic spirit and collaborations. For this segment, the Paseo Museo, there will be hop-on, hop-off shuttle vans that will go around the participating arts spaces for free on Feb. 4 and 5.
Through the Pasinaya, the CCP aims to provide a platform for the artists and cultural groups to showcase their talents while nurturing the broadest public and creating new audiences through interactions and performances. Attracting more than 27,000 people with approximately 75,000 audience viewership pre-pandemic, Pasinaya is undoubtedly the biggest multi-arts festival in the country, and still getting bigger and better on its 18th year.
SM Group throws massive support behind Dinagyang, the mother of Philippine festivals
MERRYMAKING ON CALLE REAL Contingents from different tribes of various barangays in Iloilo City presenting their dance in the Dinagyang Festival 2023 celebration at the Freedom Grandstand (Juan Carlo de Vela)
Over the weekend, cheers of “Hala Bira!” and “Viva Pit Señor” filled the streets of Iloilo City and, more
than expressions of deep devotion to the Sto. Niño, the Infant Jesus, these cheers have also been about rah-rah-ing the Ilonggos and their visitors to shout for joy about all that is worth shouting about in Iloilo.
There was more to shout about this year, the return of Dinagyang to the streets after two years of pandemic restrictions, for one, but more because with Joe Mari Layson chairing the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI), no stone had been left unturned in making the comeback a roaring success.
No less than the SM Group, well-represented by the sprawling, 170,000-square-meter SM City Iloilo, the eighth of the chain’s supermalls, on Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue in Mandurriao, threw massive support behind what is generally considered the “mother of Philippine festivals,” donating a hefty amount to the cause. SM Supermalls president Steven Tan flew in to hand over ₱10 million in cash to the IFFI in simple ceremonies over lunch at Breakthrough in Villa Arevalo, with Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas as witness.
BIG BENEFACTOR As support to the Dinagyang Festival, SM Supermalls president Steven Tan (second from right) entrusts a ₱10 million check to Iloilo Festivals Foundation Incorporated president Joe Mari Layson (center) as witnessed by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas
The donation, topped by ₱7 million more in kind from SM City Iloilo, would go a long way now that the IFFI had introduced the latest of Dinagyang innovation, the Ilomination, held the night before Dinagyang, on Saturday night, with seven tribes representing the seven districts of Iloilo City—City Proper, Jaro, La Paz, Lapuz, Mandurriao, Molo, and Villa Arevalo—competing against each other with dazzling performances in their uniquely illuminated costumes and props.
Although the stage where the performances were held spanned the whole stretch of Iloilo Diversion Road in Mandurriao, from Atria Park to the Iloilo Business Park, the main judging area was right at the entrance of SM City Iloilo. It was also where the VIPs congregated, led by Mayor Treñas, Senator Franklin Drilon, and Senator Pia Hontiveros. Present were ambassadors like Tull Traisorat of Thailand, Xiomara Perez Rodriguez of Panama, Agus Widjojo of Indonesia, Borhan Uddin of Bangladesh, Folakemi Ibidunni Akinleye of Nigeria, Christian Halaas Lyster of Norway, and Raduta Dana Matache of Romania. Also spotted were sensational blogger Small Laude, and media darlings Tim Yap, Tessa Prieto, and Karen Davila.
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT A new component to this year’s Dinagyang Festival is the Ilomination, an evening competition where representatives of the seven districts of Iloilo City perform with illuminated costumes and props (Jade Dequiña)
Emerging as champion for the first-ever Dinagyang Ilomination competition was Tribu La Paz, which, also cited as best in music and best in musical direction, received the grand prize of ₱1 million in cash. Tribu Molo came in second, also bagging the awards for best in light and best light designer while Tribu Mandurriao came in as third, also winning awards for best in costume design and headdress and best costume designer.
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As for Dinagyang proper, held the following day at the New Iloilo Freedom Grandstand on Muelle Loney Street in Iloilo City Proper, the grand winner of Dagyang sa Barangay, the main event of the annual festival held every year on the fourth Sunday of January, in which eight barangay clans competed, was Tribu Parianon of the Molo district, bagging the ₱1 million cash prize, along with the awards for best in music, best in choreography, and best in performance. Tribu Molave kang Salog, previously called Tribu Barangayan, was first runner-up, also cited as the people’s choice, best in costume design and headdress, and best in production design. Tribu Familia Sagasa was second runner-up.
BATCHOY CONVERSATION Enjoying each other’s company over the Ilonggo staple La Paz batchoy are (from left) the author, Tim Yap, Tessa Prieto, Steven Tan, Mayor Jerry Treñas, Karen Davila, and Tibong Jardeleza
It was a crazy weekend with simultaneous events and parties going on, including the Batchoy Festival at SM Southpoint, the AweSM PCCI-ILOBEX Dinagyang trade fair, the Viva Music Festival at the SM South Point Parking, and the AweSM Iloilo musical fireworks and drone show.
SM Supermalls president Steven Tan flew in to hand over ₱10 million in cash to the IFFI in simple ceremonies over lunch at Breakthrough in Villa Arevalo, with Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas as witness.
Mayor Treñas hosted a VVIP dinner at the grand ballroom of the Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo in honor of Steven Tan, from which we all proceeded to the pool deck to watch the fireworks and dance the night away with Bacolod band Mojo Nova. But we still had enough energy to go to an afterparty at the Azul Latin Bistro, where all of Manila showed up, including fashion maverick Chris Nick de los Reyes, hair stylist Jing Monis, chef Francis Tolentino, Globe Telecom’s Mic Coson, and H&M Philippines’ Dan Mejia. From there, with Iloilo cuisine and culture advocate, chef Tibong Jardeleza, Tessa, Tim, and I, joined later by publicist Keren Pascual, proceeded to Luna’s to cap the night with arroz caldo.
ILOILO GLOW The staging of the Dinagyang Ilomination tribes competition on the evening of Jan. 21, 2023 was a showcase the major growth areas of Iloilo City
As if it wasn’t busy enough, on Sunday afternoon, we joined First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and Mayor Treñas, as Steven Tan representing SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI), with SMFI health and medical programs director Connie Angeles, turned over the newly upgraded pediatric ward of the Western Visayas Sate University Medical Center (WVSUMC) to WVSUMC president Dr. Joselito Villaruz and WVSU hospital director Dr. Dave Endel R. Gelito III.
While the pediatric ward, which offers procedures such as IV insertion, chemotherapy, and lumbar puncture, treating a whole range of illnesses and diseases, from pneumonia, gastroenteritis, and malnutrition to epilepsy, seizures, brain tumors, and cancer, is designed principally to serve patients from Iloilo City’s underserved communities, it also serves other cities and municipalities in the region, including Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Guimaras, and even Palawan and Negros Occidental.
IN HONOR OF THE STO. NIÑO Joining the turnover of the refurbished Western Visayas State University Medical Center pediatric ward are (from left) SM Supermalls president Steven Tan, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, WVSU Hospital director Dr. Dave Endel R. Gelito III, and executive director for health and medical programs Connie Angeles
SMFI has refurbished the ward’s step-down NICU, pediatric ward for non-infectious cases, and treatment room and equipped it with specialized medical appliances and devices, such as pediatric cribs, bassinets, treatment beds, nebulizers, gun thermometers, and a mini refrigerator for vaccines. The center also received breastfeeding chairs, divan chairs, office tables and chairs, beddings, pillows, TV, water dispenser, and ceiling fans. Moreover, the SMFI upgraded the hallway, toilet, and hand washing area. To date, SMFI has renovated more than 170 health and wellness centers and served more than one million patients on its medical missions.
Iloilo City is such a happening place. There really are many reasons to scream “Hala Bira!” if what we mean is “Keep going, Iloilo! Go! Go! Go!” There really are many things to thank the Sto. Niño for.
Compared to other countries or nationalities, Filipinos generally enjoy a sense of freedom when it comes to their choice of religion. As a predominantly Catholic country (more than 80 percent of Filipinos are Catholics), there are other thriving religious sects such as Islam, Buddhism, Adventist, etc. Each Filipino, therefore, can exercise, announce, or propagate his or her faith without fear of discrimination or reproach. 
