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!

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Friday, May 26, 2023

PH tourism promotion efforts generate P3-B business leads — DOT



The Philippine tourism has generated P3.33-billion business leads as a result of the Department of Tourism's (DOT) promotion and post-pandemic efforts, Tourism Secretary Christina G. Frasco disclosed.

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(Department of Tourism)

In a media briefing, Frasco discussed the tourism roadmap for the country under the post-pandemic economy and the efforts of the DOT to transform the Philippines into a "tourism powerhouse in Asia."

“Through the efforts of the DOT and our attached agency, the Tourism Promotions Board, we have ushered in no less than P3.33 billion in estimated sales leads generated out of the various international expos that we have participated in across all hemispheres in the world – in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, the Americas and the like," she bared.

"Domestically, we have also tried to connect our regions to each other in terms of promotions and access to connectivity and travel opportunities such as our North Luzon Travel Expo, our Mindanao Travel Expo, and soon — our Central Philippines Travel Expo, because admittedly, siguro meron pa tayong mga kababayan na living in Luzon for example, that have never been to Mindanao, living in Central Visayas, that have never been to the hinterlands of northern Luzon,” the tourism chief added.

Frasco also talked about the launch of the "enhanced tourism slogan", noting that while the agency will continue to market the country as a “fun destination”, it would also highlight that the Philippines is "a destination with a rich and diverse Filipino culture that can offer substantial, immersive, and purposeful experiences, perfectly matched with the love and warm hospitality of the Filipino people."

“We are enhancing the tourism slogan and we'll definitely take into consideration the opinion of our various stakeholders. May I just highlight that global trends, supported by data from various reliable and reputable tourism-related publications, have indicated that post-pandemic, people's reasons for travel have also changed, chief of which is that people now wish to have some sense of substantive, immersive, and cultural authentic experiences where they have opportunities to get to know the culture of the place that they're visiting. People also value the opportunity to get to know communities," she noted.

"These trends correspond very well to the assets of Philippines tourism that have yet to be fully maximized – our culture, our people, our communities. And that is why the enhanced tourism slogan will give our country an opportunity to market itself not just as a fun destination, which it will continue to be, but also a destination for everything else that includes highlighting our culture and our people.”

Meanwhile, Frasco also highlighted the salience of prioritizing infrastructure, connectivity, and digitalization.

“May I also qualify that the promotion of the Philippines tourism does not hinge on a branding campaign alone. More importantly, it highly depends on product development, improving aspects of the Philippine tourism industry that situates our country lower than our ASEAN neighbors,” she said.

She also stressed the need for tourism infrastructure, discussing the existing flagship tourism enterprise zones (TEZ) that are ready for investment which include San Vicente, Palawan; Panglao Island in Bohol, Corregidor Island in Cavite; Mt. Samat in Bataan; Clark, Pampanga; the vicinity of Rizal Park where the Manila Ocean Park is presently located; and 15 other registered TEZs.

Go vows to monitor Nordeco’s promise to end Samal’s power woes this month

BY HANNAH TORREGOZA 


  
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has vowed to keep track of Northern Davao Electric Cooperative, Inc.’s (Nordeco) promise to end the power crisis gripping the Island Garden of Samal City residents by the end of May.
 

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                           Senator Christopher "Bong" Go (Photo from O/S Bong Go)



Go made the assurance in an interview in Maco, Davao de Oro even as he urged officials of Nordeco to keep their word and fast track the installation of additional generator sets in the area.
 
“I understand the problems hounding Nordeco, that’s why I urge you to hurry up, because sometimes the people cannot understand the technical issues,” Go said in Filipino during the interview.
 
The electricity woes hounding Samal Island was also tackled by Sen. Rafael “Raffy” Tulfo during the Senate Committee on Energy hearing last Wednesday, May 24.
 
Marilou Impuesto, Manager of Nordeco’s Institutional Service Department, said the company is targeting to fix the problems and provide stable power supply on Samal “within this month” of May.
 
According to the National Electrification Administration (NEA), Samal island has a power demand of 9 megawatts but the current available power in the area is only at 6.1 megawatts (MW) after three generator sets malfunctioned.
 
Two of these generator sets are under Nordeco. According to the company, Nordeco has securred additional 2MW generator sets which will arrive by Friday.
 
Go said he hopes the plans and the timeline will push through to ensure that electricity in Samal island would be fully operational.
 
“If this doesn’t get resolve, we will have an economic crisis in the area or in the island itself,” the senator said of the famous local tourist spot.
 
“It’s very difficult to have brownouts, because tourism is affected. The residents there are affected as well…When there is no electricity, everyone is affected,”
 
“The water source is affected, even the people’s mobility; transportation and communication lines are also affected. Tourism is affected, and many people will lose jobs and livelihood if there is a power crisis,” the senator stressed.
 

Alex Eala crushes German foe, advances to second round of W25 Monastir


AT A GLANCE

  • Alex Eala crushed German qualifier Anja Wildgruber, 6-1, 6-1, at the start of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) W25 Monastir in Tunisia Wednesday.


Alex Eala crushed German qualifier Anja Wildgruber, 6-1, 6-1, at the start of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) W25 Monastir in Tunisia Wednesday.

The top-seeded Eala, who turned 18 the day before, hardly broke a sweat and held her serve throughout to destroy her opponent in 55 minutes.

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Alex Eala. (Alex Eala on Facebook)

Wildgruber looked poise in the opening set after putting Eala in a deuce, which the Filipina overcame to hold serve and raced to an early 3-0 lead.

The German had her moments in the next sequence after scoring four straight points to hold serve for the first time, but Eala went on another three-game run to take the first set.

The second set was no different as Eala, the 2022 US Open Girls’ singles champion, refused to give Wildgruber any chance of a comeback to seal her first victory in the tournament.

The win set up Eala a second round meeting with 23-year-old Swiss Nadine Keller, a 6-3, 6-3 winner over wildcard bet Victoria Mikhaylova.

Maricar Reyes: 'Your grades in school will not determine your success in life'


AT A GLANCE

  • Maricar reminded her followers that she's not romanticizing failure.


Doctor-actress Maricar Reyes gave some inspiring words to struggling students.

On Facebook, she posted: Your grades in school will not determine your success in life."

She added in jest how then she failed her "neuro" in medical school.

The 41-year-old star reiterated that what matters is how one "bounces back" from failure.

In the comment section, she continued: "Sa mga bumagsak at wasak dyan, it’s not the end of the world!!! Its just the tough beginning of your success story!!!"

Though, Maricar reminded her followers that she's not romanticizing failure.

"Im encouraging people TO GET BACK UP when they do," she stressed.

"This post was inspired by a teacher we spoke to recently who told us about the increasing number of self harm in students who get failing grades. Parang end of the world na pag bumagsak. This post will hopefully remind them that its NOT the end of the world…"

Maricar quipped: "Ang boring ng pelikula kung puro happy-happy noh. Dapat may kontrabida at malaking problema. How the lead character OVERCOMES CONFLICT, makes it interesting."

Meanwhile, many netizens agreed to Maricar's two cents.

In fact, online content creator licensed physician Dr. Winston Creones Tiwaquen, commonly known as Dr. Kilimanguru, reacted, writing: "True!"

TV personality Kim Atienza, on the other hand, commented: "Ako din."



𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐨 𝐝𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐑𝐃𝐏 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑-𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟖 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠


𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚, 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐨 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 - "I would like to commend the Regional Development Council XI for their work in creating the Davao Regional Development Plan for CY 2023-2028. With the creation of this Plan, the path towards authentic and all-inclusive development has only just begun" said Governor Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga in support to the launching and unveiling of the Davao Regional Development Plan (DRDP) 2023-2028.

On May 23, 2023, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) XI thru Regional Development Council (RDC) XI officially launched the DRDP 2023–2028 at Mapua MCM Auditorium, Matina, Davao City. This is a blueprint that contains the Davao Region's priority development agendas for the next six years. 



Meanwhile, RDC XI Chairperson Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon of Davao Oriental, in her message, expressed appreciation to the stakeholders for pledging their all-out support of the plan and reiterated their significant roles to champion what was embodied in the plan.

“We are here to affirm our respective roles in the implementation of this comprehensive and inclusive socio-economic plan for Davao region. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts 

… we need to work in synergy for us to deliver meaningful public service for all Dabawenyos” Gov. Malanyaon said.

Moreover, Governor Gonzaga underpinned that the undertaking was a result of how government works hand-in-hand with its partners in pursuit of the one goal of accelerating the Davao region’s socio-economic status despite the hurdles brought by the pandemic.

“I am elated that this plan has the support of our people because it reflects the aspirations, needs, and goals of our community as a whole. May this serve as an inspiration for us to keep ramping up our efforts, staying steadfast and unrelenting as we work together to improve the lives of every citizen in Davao Region” Gov. Gonzaga added.

Right before the launch, NEDA XI Regional Director Maria Lourdes D. Lim said in a press conference that NEDA together with its partners assures to exceed Davao region’s position as among the top three fastest-growing regional economies in the country.

“We are targeting to sustain high levels of economic growth, create more, quality and green jobs, keep prices of commodities stable, improve the welfare of individuals and families, and build resilient and livable communities,” RD Lim said. 

According to RD Lim, the goal of the plan was to drive positive and significant changes in the quality of life in the region by increasing the economic growth rate from 7.8 to 9.3%, decreasing the unemployment rate between 3.6 to 3.9%, decreasing overall inflation between 2.0 to 4.0%, decreasing poverty incidence between 9.5 to 9.9% and constructed 12,970 housing units by the year 2028.

Through the whole-of-nation approach, DRDP 2023-2028 was successfully crafted and launched by the collective efforts of various development partners from the national government agencies, local government units, state universities and colleges, government-owned and controlled corporations, business and basic sectors, and civil society organizations in Davao Region. (Jaynus Fernandez)


Wednesday, May 24, 2023

The forgotten epidemic

BY DR. JUN YNARES


THE VIEW FROM RIZAL

What the numbers say

A few days ago, Antipolo City hosted a relatively small gathering of highly-committed organizations helping people cope with the scourge of HIV/AIDS.

The event was called the QUILTS Awards 2023. QUILTS stands for “Quality Uptakes and Improvements in Lifesaving Treatment Services.” The awards recognized the people and organizations who have provided outstanding care and treatment to people living with what used to be the world’s most dreaded virus.

At the helm of the event was EPIC Philippines, the local arm of the international project called HIV Epidemic Control (EPIC). The project is a collaboration of three United States-based agencies: USAID, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and Family Health International (FHI) 360, a non-profit organization focused on family planning and reproductive health.

The event was in line with the global observation of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial which took place last Sunday. The occasion was a reminder to us that the Human Immunodeficiency Virus is still in our midst, that people are still getting infected by it, and that people are still dying from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

The reminder is crucial. Just like what is happening to our Covid-19 situation, we see the world sliding into a state of indifference and complacency regarding HIV/AIDS. As we have mentioned several times in past articles, complacency is a “health risk.” When we start to adopt the “I do not care anymore” mindset, we expose ourselves to danger, we let our guards down and we forget the established health protocols that helped us survive the peak of the pandemic.

Just like the Covid-19 virus, HIV is still here, stalking us and posing a serious danger to people’s lives. In the first three months of this year, the Department of Health logged a total of nearly 5,000 cases of HIV infection. During that period, more than 149 persons died of AIDS. That is more than the number of people who died from Covid-19 during the same period.

The situation in our country must be taken seriously. A recent article published by the Switzerland-based Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) and which was written by two Filipino researchers said that the Philippines has “gained notoriety as the country with the fastest growing HIV epidemic in the Western Pacific region.”

The article pointed out that, before 2010, the growth of the epidemic in the country was described as “low and slow.”

That is no longer true. According to the research of the authors Louiemar A. Gangcuangco and Patrick C. Eustaquio, there has been a 114 percent increase in the daily incidence of HIV infection from 2012 to 2023. More, while the global trend is downward, the trend in our country is upward.

The Department of Health (DOH) has sounded the alarm. According to the agency, the number of HIV/AIDS cases in the country could reach a total of 364,000 by the year 2030. What is even more worrisome is that the number in the Philippines “is not showing decline” despite the 30 percent average decrease worldwide. Based on the projection, nearly half of the 364,000 who could be infected could be young people, ages 15 to 24.

The good news is that community-based efforts to combat the disease and help the victims continue to flourish. Collaboration is stronger than ever among international and local agencies, non-governmental organizations like EPIC Philippines, and its partners.

Local governments are doing their part. Republic Act 8504 mandates them to take strong measures to curb the spread of the disease in their respective jurisdictions. They set aside budgets and implement programs to prevent which addresses some of the root causes of this scourge, like poverty, prostitution, ignorance, and drug abuse.

Also, part of the effort are corporations that set aside funds from their corporate social responsibility programs for public education and testing for HIV.

At the QUILTS Awards ceremony, we underscored that the battle against HIV/AIDS requires the involvement of the entire community. It requires the same from individuals. We can all help.

Here are some of the ways we can. The website HIV.gov offers some tips on what we can do when a friend confides to us that he or she is infected with the virus,

First, is to “acknowledge.” Thank them for trusting you with very private health information.

Then, “ask.” The first question is “What can I do to help you.” The Third is, “reassure.” Show them with actions and words that the HIV status does not change anything in your friendship.

Lastly, “learn.” We must all continue to educate ourselves about HIV/AIDS. The article points out that today, people with HIV who take HIV medicine as prescribed can get and keep an undetectable viral load, stay healthy, and will not transmit HIV to their sexual partners. Don’t make assumptions and look to your friend for guidance.

HIV/AIDS epidemic and the more recent Covid-19 pandemic show that surviving in this world is something we cannot do alone. We are part of the human race which constantly faces risks.

We have to do our share to help this race survive and save itself from extinction.

(For feedback, please email it to antipolocitygov@gmail.com or send it to Block 6 Lot 10 Sta. Barbara 1 cor. Bradley St., Mission Hills Subd., Brgy. San Roque, Antipolo City, Rizal.) 

Magnitude-4.9 quake jolts Sarangani

PROVINCIALNEWSMINDANAO

Magnitude-4.9 quake jolts Sarangani


BUTUAN CITY – A magnitude-4.9 earthquake jolted Sarangani before dawn on Wednesday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Phivolcs said the earthquake was recorded at 1:03 a.m. and its epicenter was plotted 40 kilometers west of Kiamba, Sarangani.

The tremor had a shallow depth of three kms, Phivolcs added.

It was felt at Intensity IV in T'boli, South Cotabato; Intensity III in Maitum and Malapatan, Sarangani, and Tupi, South Cotabato;  Intensity II in Lake Sebu and Tampakan, South Cotabato, and General Santos City, and Intensity I in Maasim, Sarangani.

Phivolcs instruments detected the quake at Intensity IV in Kiamba and T'boli; Intensity III in Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental; Maitum, Banga, South Cotabato; Koronadal City, Lake Sebu, Surallah, South Cotabato; Tupi, and Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat;  Intensity II in Alamada, Cotabato; Norala and Tampakan, South Cotabato, General Santos City, Isulan and President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat; and Intensity I in Glan, Sarangani, Maasim, Tantangan, South Cotabato; and Bagumbayan and Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat.

Phivolcs does not expect any damage but sees aftershocks from this tectonic earthquake.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Southern Mindanao and Sarangani Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported no damage or injuries.

More than an hour later at 2:22 a.m., a magnitude-4.5 earthquake occurred and its epicenter was located 55 kms southwest of Kiamba with a depth of 15 kms.

It was also tectonic in origin, caused by the movement of an active fault in the area.

ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo to cease operations effective June 30

 BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT


AT A GLANCE

  • TeleRadyo has been incurring financial losses since 2020.  Since ABS-CBN can no longer sustain TeleRadyo’s operations, ABS-CBN is left with no choice but to cease the operations of TeleRadyo effective 30 June 2023 to prevent further business losses.


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ABS-CBN announced today, May 23, important developments regarding TeleRadyo, one of its news channels.

The full statement:

"TeleRadyo has been incurring financial losses since 2020.  Since ABS-CBN can no longer sustain TeleRadyo’s operations, ABS-CBN is left with no choice but to cease the operations of TeleRadyo effective 30 June 2023 to prevent further business losses.

"The company is deeply saddened by this closure and having to part ways with the many passionate and committed people who have made Teleradyo an important source of news and information for many Filipinos.

"However, intending to find ways to continue providing news to the public, ABS-CBN is entering into a joint venture with Prime Media Holdings Inc.  The new company will produce various programs, which will be supplied to broadcasters and other 3rd party platforms including Philippine Collectivemedia Corporation.

"Under the agreement, ABS-CBN will have a minority stake in the joint venture, and Prime Media Inc. will be the majority stakeholder.

"This gives some of our former personnel a chance to find job opportunities.  It is also a way to continue providing accurate and balanced news and information to the country."

‘Mawar’ intensifies into super typhoon


Philstar.com


MANILA, Philippines — The tropical cyclone outside of the Philippine area of responsibility has intensified into a super typhoon, state weather service PAGASA said Tuesday afternoon.


PAGASA said the cyclone, with international name “Mawar,” is packing 185 kph winds near the center and gusts of up to 230 kph. It is moving northward at 15 kph.


Mawar, which will be named “Betty” once it enters the PAR, was last spotted 2,285 kilometers east of Visayas, PAGASA said.


The cyclone is still not directly affecting any part of the country, parts of which are currently experiencing cloudy skies with rains due to the southwesterly wind flow, state weather forecasters said.


Mawar is bearing down on the US territory of Guam in the Pacific packing ferocious winds and could hit the island on Wednesday, forecasters added. 


"Heavy rainfall is likely to develop tonight through the next few days. Rainfall amounts of 8 to 15 inches are possible with locally higher amounts. A slowing forward speed could lead to much higher rainfall totals," Guam's Joint Information Center said. — Xave Gregorio with AFP

WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT?!


 

"Would You Believe It!"  is a 1929 British silent comedy film directed by Walter Forde and starring Forde, Pauline Johnson and Arthur Stratton. It was made at the Nettlefold Studios in Walton-on-Thames and released as a supporting feature. It was later re-released with added sound effects and music. A British inventor develops a new high-tech tank and is pursued by foreign agents who wish to capture the design.

In a world as vast as ours, anything that can happen will likely happen. The only thing that can limit these possibilities is your own imagination. Experience the oddest, the fantastic, the downright impossible parts of history that the textbooks left out. Be prepared -- it will expand the limits of your wildest imagination!

It is almost a ridiculous fact that man wants to know certain truths about mundane things. But really he seems least interested in even mundane truths as can be read many times in newspapers for example. There seem to be too many rash judgments, and the readers absorb these and make these their own. A fatal attraction!

This is sometimes referred to as journalistic mentality and social media comments wherein accusations are generously made without proof. Evolution started this trend, when scientists stated for example that man evolved from the apes, without proof. The only proof they had was the missing link, and if I am not mistaken, it's still a missing proof until now.

To look for proofs is a mental activity, which is no longer a common thing nowadays, because it takes really time, effort and is too serious to think about. Yet, in Christian education, thinking right is very important.That's why Philosophy is important in Christian life. To avoid error in thinking, the rules of right reasoning must be studied and mastered. Is it really totally neglected in today's modern education?

Thinking is actually an enjoyable activity but when one is pressured to get a good job for one's sustenance, then the other more mundane becomes attractive. After all, great thinkers often do not get (good?) jobs... .

Spiritual writers like the British Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) noticed that mankind had stopped thinking even two centuries ago. That was during his age. Man probably stopped thinking even earlier. He has ceased many times to search for the truth. It's easier to listen to gossip and believe in it. What a sign of weak minds!
 
Too often are we blind to the truth and as a consequence we easily believe in lies we only have to like it. Too bad, if people always like to close their eyes and ears especially while experiencing the delusion of error.