Live your life by a compass not a clock. —Stephen Covey

BY AA PATAWARAN

Jan 23, 2024 08:09 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Live your life by a compass not a clock. —Stephen Covey

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Full steam ahead, that’s how 2024 is going, but where are we headed this year? Better yet, where are we aching to go?
The Philippine Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) of the Department of Tourism (DOT), along with Tatler Philippines, threw an intimate cocktail party at the Samba Restaurant at Shangri-La The Fort.
There were no more than 50 guests, each handpicked by Tatler Philippines managing director Irene Martel-Francisco because they, as she told me, “love to travel and explore, all of them very much attracted to wandering in places both new and favored.”

Marga Nograles, Rocio Olbes, Kelly Misa Fernandez, Irene Martel Francisco, Vicki Belo, and Ching Cruz

TPB chief operating officer Marga Nograles was, of course, the life of the party, whose raison d’etre, after all, was the Travel Philippines app, now enhanced with more features. We were all there to see how it could help us make 2024 the year we would see more of the country. “It seemed fitting to gather the people I chose around the COO as she shared the latest insights on the enhanced Travel Philippines app,” said Irene.
Incidentally, Ana Lorenzana de Ocampo, Stephanie Zubiri, and I have been asked by Irene to highlight why the Travel Philippines app is essential to our travel plans across the country. We all agreed that among its most appreciated features is that it’s easy to download and use. It’s a credible source of information on destinations, activities, what to do, where to stay, what to eat across all the regions of the Philippines. The app is designed to be your pocket assistant, where you can store, manage, and easily access e-copies of your travel documents, such as passport, boarding pass, hotel and restaurant reservations, and more. Plus, with the app in hand, it’s so much easier to avail of the latest, hottest deals and promos from accredited and trusted partners of both TPB and DOT.
It was a night bubblies, cocktails, and other heady drinks, delectable pica-pica with a clever Pinoy twist, not to mention a kilawin bar! But, champagne in hand, I made myself busy asking everyone about the pleasures and treasures they are aching to discover in the Philippines. Here are some of the answers. 

Irene Martel Francisco

I have always been fascinated with Batanes! It seems far removed from our amazing beaches. There is something raw, authentic in the photos I see of it—the scenic waters, terrain, and clean environment. I will find the time to visit and yes, I will make use of the TravelPH app in planning our trip. —Irene Martel Francisco

Ching Cruz

Tawi-Tawi is in my bucket list for its breathtakingly beautiful islands with almost untouched beaches and forests of corals and reefs, and lots of underwater life. They say it has the most beautiful seas on earth. But I find the sea nomads, the Bajaus, so intriguing, their way of life is so unique. I don’t know yet how to get there, but if I could, I would at the first opportunity. —Ching Cruz

Stephanie Zubiri

Mt. Banahaw! I would love to explore our deeply mystical and spiritual ancestral heritage. I believe there is so much wisdom we can learn from our indigenous ancestors and how they connected to Mother Earth and the elements and saw the divine everywhere. I’m also fascinated by the marriage between the Catholic faith and our ancient beliefs. These are sacred places where these practices are very much alive! —Stephanie Zubiri

Monique Madsen

It’s only in the last few years that I got to see more of the Philippines and I get filled with so much pride each time. We really have beautiful beaches! I’m not much of a beach person so I think my top destinations would be more of the north. Growing up we drove up to Baguio every summer, riding horses and enjoying the cooler weather. I still remember my trip to Banaue, Sagada, and Vigan a decade ago, which really stuck with me. So much history, so many heritage sites, which I love, also the culture, the people, the food—the coffee!—the views up there, and the way of life. La Union, Laoag, Pagudpud, and Batanes are on my bucket list. —Monique Madsen       

Kelly Misa Fernandez

Last year, my destination of choice was Siquijor, so I made it a point to go and I did! I was there for almost a week. It was such a fun trip! The place is gorgeous, I was pleasantly surprised. And the food was really good. I had such a good time I made it a point to explore a new place every year. This year, a part of the Philippines I want to go is Tawi-Tawi. I’ve heard a lot of wonderful things about it, from its pristine beaches to its beautiful underwater life, food, and culture. —Kelly Misa Fernandez

Rocio Olbes

I am very intrigued by Iloilo in the southeast portion of the Visayan island of Panay. It’s rich in historical beauty. I have deep family ties in Iloilo on my grandfather’s side and I hope one day to explore not only my own family history but the picturesque surroundings as well. —Rocio Olbes

Ana Lorenzana de Ocampo

Batanes has always intrigued me, not just because I have never been, but because of what I’ve seen and heard from others. It feels entirely different from any other part of the Philippines. Its location on the northernmost islands of the country, its unique weather and topography (and architecture), the different culture, flora, and fauna have always piqued my interest. I hope to experience them myself in the future. —Ana Lorenzana de Ocampo

Chinkee Koppe

Because I have always enjoyed our beaches more, now I am more curious about the mountains. I would love to go up north to Sagada and to the seaside cliffs of Batanes. Or maybe farther south to Bukidnon and Davao. —Chinkee Koppe

Nicole Ortega

I’ve never been to Cebu, can you believe it? I am dying to explore its food scene, which I know and hear is excellent. I also want to go to Sagada for the weather, the small cafés, and the solace. —Nicole Ortega

Farbricio Sordoni

I would love to explore more of Mindanao. In terms of landscapes, people, food, colors, and fashion, it looks quite unique and different from the rest of the Philippines. But I don’t know where I would start. Maybe Siargao, definitely for the vibe everyone talks about. I’d also like to go to Siquijor and Camiguin for the landscapes and the stories of friends who have gone and loved them. —Farbricio Sordoni

Ella Pangilinan Miranda

I have always wanted to visit Batanes, especially because apart from the scenic views I’ve heard it’s one of the places that have been able to really preserve traditions and keep its rich Ivatan culture! —Ella Pangilinan Miranda

Issa Litton

I’d like to go to Siargao. I’m a creature of habit so we usually go to our favorite spots in Coron, like Club Paradise, and Boracay. I look forward to exploring new beaches around the Philippines. —Issa Litton

Flood-hit Davao de Oro now in a state of calamity

STILL UNDER WATER Some agricultural fields in Davao de Oro are still under water on Monday, days after being flooded from heavy rains brought by a shear line last week. PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF DAVAO DE ORO PHOTO

By: Germelina Lacorte, Ryan Rosauro - @inquirerdotnet

Philippine Daily Inquirer / 04:35 AM January 24, 2024

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Philippines — The province of Davao de Oro has been placed under a state of calamity due to the massive destruction wrought on its communities by heavy rains brought about by the shear line last week.

Nearly 200,000 people in the province were affected by floods and landslides in four days of continuous rains, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said.

At least 600,000 people had been affected by the floods that also inundated communities and farms, and damaged numerous roads and bridges in the Davao region.

The region is composed of the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental and Davao Occidental; and the independent highly urbanized Davao City.

The neighboring Davao de Oro and Davao Oriental are bearing the heavy brunt of the shear line that dumped heavy rains on Mindanao’s eastern seaboard last week.

Davao de Oro’s calamity declaration was approved last Saturday by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan led by Vice Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy, upon recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) chaired by Gov. Dorothy Gonzaga.

Rapid assessment

The PDRRMC noted that a rapid damage assessment counted 51,140 families, or 182,653 persons, were affected throughout the province. More than P130 million in agricultural production of about 3,700 crop and fish farmers were lost to floods and landslides that damaged 5,000 hectares of fields.

Gonzaga said the estimate of damage could go up as reports from the municipalities flow in.

Davao de Oro province recorded 12 dead, 11 of them from the landslide that occurred in Mt. Diwata, Monkayo town, and another one in Maragusan town.

Joseph Randy Loy, the provincial disaster risk reduction and management officer, said the calamity declaration paves the way for the release of funds needed to assist those who were affected.

In Davao Oriental, the PDRRMC on Tuesday recommended a calamity declaration throughout the province to also free up its quick response funds to attend to the havoc wrought by heavy rains in its communities and allow the imposition of price control on basic commodities.

Some 63,377 families in Davao Oriental were affected by the floods and landslides that damaged many roads and bridges, as well as flood control dikes.

Power still out

A rapid assessment estimated that some P112.21 million in agricultural production was lost; about P160,000 in livestock, P106.44 million in crops and P5.61 million in fisheries.

As of Tuesday, several communities are still cut off from the local power distribution system as the lines are still being repaired in portions of Governor Generoso, San Isidro, Lupon, Tarragona, Caraga, Manay and Cateel towns, and in Mati City.

Gov. Niño Sotero Uy said he expects approval of the calamity declaration by provincial legislators who will meet on Wednesday.

A state of calamity had already been declared by the municipal governments of Caraga, Tarragona, Cateel, Governor Generoso and Lupon.

Regional figures

The death toll from the recent landslides and flooding in the Davao region rose to 16 as two more persons were reported to have died in Mati City, Davao Oriental, and another one in Don Marcelino town of Davao Occidental.

According to the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), the number of people affected by floods and landslides in the Davao region rose further to 606,483 (or 134,879 families), as local government units continued their assessment, taking into account those areas that were difficult to reach.

Of those affected, a total of 3,495 families, or 12,725 persons, are still staying in evacuation centers.

Initially, the OCD placed at P68.09 million the estimated damage to agriculture in the region and at P26.87 million the damage to infrastructure. 

Typical Filipino (XXXVIII) - Typisch Philippinisch (XXXVIII): "Matandang dataga": Die alte Jungfer - The old maid

 Matandang dataga": Die alte Jungfer -The Old Maid

Eine unverheiratete Frau auf den Philippinen ist keineswegs frei von Abhängigkeiten und Verantwortung. Zwar hat sie weder Ehemann noch Kinder aber die Bindung an ihre Familie, Eltern, Geschwister, Onkel, Tante, usw. besteht fort. Sie hat diesen gegenüber Aufgaben und Pflichten zu erfüllen. Oft lebt sie bei einem Bruder oder eine Schwester und unterstützt sie im Haushalt oder wohnt bei den Eltern und versorgt sie bis ins hohe Alter.

Ihre Familie sorgt dafür, dass sie sich niemals einsam fühlt.

Oftmals spielt die Filipina mehrere der beschriebenen Rollen gleichzeitig, und man kann die Leichtigkeit, mit der sie von eine in die andere Rolle schlüpft, nur bewundern. Der Schlüssel dazu ist der immerwährende Gedanke "die Familie kommt zuerst". 

Eine weitere Rolle ist die Wahrerin der Familienehre - die Filipinas sehen es als ihre Pflicht an, den guten Ruf der Familie zu erhalten. Sie kontrollieren und maßregeln abweichendes Verhalten durch direkte Konfrontationen und/oder Vermittler. 

Filipinas ziehen geschickt und erfolgreich die Fäden hinter den Kulissen und bestätigen so das Sprichwort "Hinter jedem erfolgreichen Mann steht eine Frau!"

Wer in der Geschäftswelt vorankommen will, muss auch gesellig und umgänglich sein. Genau auf diesem Gebiet erweist sich die philippinische Ehefrau und/oder Mutter als überaus hilfreich und effektiv.

Nach 41 Jahren Ehe mit einer philippinischen Frau kann ich dem nur 100% zustimmen.

(Fortsetzung folgt!)

+++

An unmarried woman in the Philippines is by no means free of dependencies and responsibilities. Although she has neither a husband nor children, the bond with her family, parents, siblings, uncles, aunts, etc. continues. It has tasks and obligations to fulfill towards them. She often lives with a brother or sister and supports them in the household or lives with her parents and looks after them into old age.

Her family ensures that she never feels lonely.

The Filipina often plays several of the roles described at the same time, and one can only admire the ease with which she slips from one role to the other. The key to this is the everlasting thought that “family comes first.”

Another role is that of guardian of family honor - Filipinas see it as their duty to maintain the family's good reputation. They control and discipline deviant behavior through direct confrontation and/or mediators.

Filipinas skillfully and successfully pull the strings behind the scenes, confirming the saying "Behind every successful man there is a woman!"

If you want to get ahead in the business world, you also have to be sociable and sociable. It is precisely in this area that the Filipino wife and/or mother proves to be extremely helpful and effective.

After 41 years of marriage to a Filipino woman, I can only agree 100%.

(To be continued!)

OUTSIDE THE BUSIEST BUS TERMINAL IN MINDANAO | Davao City Ecoland Terminal

12 Golden things you learned with age

 

1. Your friends no matter how close, will disappear with time.
2. The most important relationship in this entire world is the one you have with yourself.
3. Nobody cares about your hard work, they just look at the result.
4. Heart break and failures are part of life.
5. There's no place like home.
6. Family and money matters the most.
7. Book is indeed a person’s best friend.
8. Physical activity reduces stress.
9. Wasting time in regretting and crying won't fetch you results.
10. Whatever you want today won't matter to you tomorrow.
11. Your decisions define your life, not fate.
12. Childhood is the golden time.

Edit: Try to appreciate other's work. So up-vote.

Fil-Am Hoffman breaks 600m PH record

BY MARK REY MONTEJO

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Fil-American Lauren Hoffman opened her competition season with a bang after breaking the Philippine record in the women’s 600 meters at the Hokie Invitational in Blacksburg, Virginia over the weekend.

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Fil-American Lauren Hoffman opened her competition season with a bang after breaking the Philippine record in the women’s 600 meters at the Hokie Invitational in Blacksburg, Virginia over the weekend.

Lauren Hoffman (Lauren Hoffman's Facebook post)

The 24-year-old Hoffman clocked 1 minute and 30.33 seconds for the silver medal, but eclipsed the old mark of 1:36.93 set by Daniel Quintero last 2020 at a race in Santa Barbara, United States.

“Season opener! Definitely could have executed my races better but had so much fun competing again,” Hoffman wrote on social media hours after the race.

Hoffman was just a hairline behind fellow Duke Lauren Tolbert, who eventually copped the gold medal with 1:30.29.

Madison Mulder of the Netherlands bagged the bronze in 1:30.36.

Hoffman, a native of Virginia, competed at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China last year where she finished fifth in the 400m hurdles.

She also teamed up with Robyn Brown, Angel Frank and Maureen Schrijvers in finishing fifth in the women’s 4x400m relay in the Asiad.

The need to unite our will with God’s will

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

THAT need is clearly seen when Christ himself said: “Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mk 3,35) If we always abide by our Christian faith that we have been created in God’s image and likeness, meant to share in his divine life and nature, then the only conclusion we can make is to unite our will with God’s will.

Our will, which is where we find our true selves, should not just be floating around on its own, thinking that it is how it enjoys its freedom. We need to acknowledge that our will is a creation of God and is meant to be united with God’s will. We need to acknowledge the truth that our real freedom is when our will is united with the will of God.

This, definitely, is not an easy task to do, given the fact that it is precisely in our will where we choose whether we would like to be with God, to be part of his family, or to be simply on our own. And given how we handle this issue, starting with our first parents all the way to the present, we always have the strong tendency to think that our will is simply our own.

We therefore have to be strongly wary of this danger and do everything we can to avoid it. I suppose it goes without saying that we need to be frequently reminded that our will needs to be anchored on the will of God. That’s how our will acquires its proper status.

Especially nowadays when there are just so many things that can grab our will to be on its own, we really need to train ourselves to develop a strong regimen of self-discipline and constant rectification.

It would be good if we frequently make pauses during the day to see where our will is anchored. That’s because even in those areas where we can exercise a certain autonomy or where we are encouraged to make initiatives, etc., we should be clear that all these things should be done in accord with God’s will. Everything should be referred to God’s will.

We need to always remember that our true humanity or the perfection of our humanity can only be properly pursued if our will is united with God’s will. Christ, the pattern of our humanity, shows us the way when he himself said, “Truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing.” (Jn 5,19)

This constant need to refer everything to God’s will will obviously require tremendous humility on our part, given our strong tendency to do our own will alone. That’s why Christ himself said that if we have to follow him, we need to deny ourselves and carry the cross. (cfr. Mt 16,24) There is no other formula for us to discipline our will to be united with God’s will. 

We need to convince ourselves strongly and frequently that it is when our will is united with God’s will that we can achieve the condition proper to us. Yes, it may involve a lot of sacrifice, but the joy and fulfillment such sacrifice would yield us is so much greater, infinitely greater than any sacrifice we may have to go through.

It’s important that we be always aware that our will is always united with God’s will! That’s where we can be in our best condition in life.

NOTHING COMES FROM ANYTHING

The concept of "strangeness" in particle physics was introduced to explain the unusually long lifetimes of certain particles. The strange quark was named "strange" because it was associated with this property. When a particle contains a strange quark, it is assigned a strangeness value of -1.

The strangeness of an interaction comes from the number of strange quarks and strange antiquarks involved. The rule for determining strangeness is, for every strange quark involved, a strangeness of negative one is contributed. And then every strange antiquark has a strangeness of positive one.

Our globe and its population bear innumerable strange facts. Following many people's opinion, this world shows mostly worried characteristics and symptoms nowadays. No wonder. Just try to consume and digest today's

headlines and news from all around the globe.

It is a world with quickly bridged distances -  our Mother earth is becoming smaller and smaller. Any tourist, even with little time and with only a small budget, can travel to other faraway cultures. But joining them as well as different races and religious communities requires first of all, great care, tact, instinctive feelings, empathy, and logical ideas.

The stranger whom we meet for the first time during a business meeting, for example, maybe an uncommon, odd and extraordinary guy. He may be someone from a foreign country, who speaks another language and whose skin is of another color. He may be a migrant, a restless hiker or the expatriate in our neighbourhood.

The foreigner beside you and me can become a provocation or a challenge. Strangeness can become exoticism. Maybe that's why my family and I decided to move to the Philippines. On the other hand - going abroad can open other and even better horizons. We must not feel as "a stranger in paradise". By the way, I never did!

However, a migrant bears a juxtaposition of optimism (even calculated optimism!), confused feelings, nostalgia, and homesickness. Yes guys, during the first two years of my life as an expat's life, the round trip ticket was always in my mind, because no one among us can escape his native roots.

But, I am really a lucky guy. I experienced an amazing tolerance in the Philippines. A real practicing tolerance. Already, during my first business meetings, I met supportive, forbearing and  broad minded people. A wonderful mix of different cultures without giving up on their own identities... . "I have nothing to offer but blood, sweat and tears!" - The British statesman and former Prime Minister Sir Winston L. Churchill (1874-1965) said in 1940 - certainly, in a sad interrelation during World War II. Anyway, I like that remark. Blood, sweat and tears.Because of new

challenges AND changes - also as an expatriate in the Philippines doing business here.

Every new challenge in a strange country means a change. Changes in life are necessary and important. Let's alter or make a difference; let's put one thing for another; let's shift; let's quit one state for another; let's take fresh clothing. Let's burn the "lock fat" away. Blood, sweat and tears - and remember: nothing comes from anything.

PRC sets in-person oathtaking of new nurses on Feb. 13

BY SONNY DAANOY

Jan 22, 2024 12:19 PM

  

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The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced on Monday, Jan. 22, the date and venue for the in-person mass oathtaking ceremony for new nurses.

PRC

The commission said that the oathtaking ceremony will take place on Feb. 13 at noon in Camarines Sur.

Participants are required to complete the pre-registration process on its website at http://online.prc.gov.ph before noon on the oathtaking day. 

Those who are unable to attend the in-person ceremony can either make arrangements for a special appointment or opt for an online ceremony. 

What are some traditional German desserts? Are they similar to American desserts or different?

Volker Eichener

We have several types of desserts.

First, we love to eat cakes and pies, but usually not as desserts, but rather as a seperate meal in the afternoon (comparable to British Afternoon Tea, however mostly served together with coffee). Often, cakes and pies are homemade, but we also buy them at bakeries, cafés or even frozen.

Second, we have traditional desserts which are considered as simple. Most typical are simple puddings, including rice and semolina pudding.

This would be a rice pudding with cinnamon:

Even simpler a desserts based on yoghurt or curd (Quark), beaten, sweetened and flavoured with fruit.

This is what we call “Rote Grütze” (actually red grout), cooked berries, served with vanilla sauce:

Children like to eat Wackelpudding, here with woodruff flavour. American friends, does it look familiar?

Fruit salad is also a popular, simple dessert:

Sometimes, we eat desserts which are more filling, often after a smallish lunch or dinner (like a soup), e.g. pancakes, which are made with eggs in Germany, so they are richer than American breakfast pancakes.

Or, we eat just ice cream.

The third type of desserts are the more fancy ones, reserved for festive meals. Here, we eat everything you would find on international menus, like

• Bavarian cream
• Italian panna cotta
• French mousse aux chocolat
• French crème brulée
• Charlotte russe
• Salzburger Nockerln
• etc.