An Evening of Classical Music in Davao

It’s never to early to promote it: All music lovers will have the chance again to enjoy a wonderful evening of classical music in Davao City at the 5th of December 2009 in the CAP Auditorium. I wrote already a little bit about it in my last post ‘This and That’.

Meanwhile I am getting so many emails, text messages and phone calls, which let me decide to add some more details in this post regarding this very special event.

Sometimes I meet people, who “don’t like classical music”. But “classical music” is NOT ONLY Beethoven, Chopin, Mozart or Bach. People consider the Beatles, the Bee Gees or even late Michael Jackson as classics. Philippine composers de Guzman and Canesco have collaborated to come up with hauntingly beautiful arrangements of popular nationalistic Philippine songs.

Of course, classical music is also Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, or de Falla’s Fire Dance from the ballet “El Amor Brujio” with mad notes, evil trills and primitive rhythms – actually transcribed for two pianos.

Two pianos? Why not four?

Yes, the Four Davaoena Pianists on Four Pianos will be back on stage on December 5, 2009 in Davao City with a funds raising concert for Polio Philippines, initiated by the Rotary Club of East Davao, which appointed me as Chairman for this event.

An evening of Piano Classical Concert not only fulfills a mission of charity but also provides a venue to lift up aesthetic values among benefactors lending a moment of pleasurable classical experiences.

Members of the city government of Davao have expressed already their readiness to support this event.

The outstanding pianists are:

Evelyn Abellera-Magno, a woman of impeccable credentials, who has proved her competence from the schoolroom to the corporate boardroom and back to her music. Evelyn, my friend and neighbour, past governor of Rotary International, District 3860 has been a grantee at the Havard University School of Education at Cambridge, Massachussetts.

Mila Cabaguio Jocson, an A.B.M. graduate of Fernandez Piano School, taught music in the Ateneo de Davao and others. Together with Celine Dacuado Garcia, Nelly Domingo castro and Inday Fucoy Montero, they formed the original Davao Piano Quartett more then 20 years ago.

Daphne Cabaguio Jocson broadened her musical horizon under Ms. Vera Berskaya and Dr. Hugo Goldenzweig at the Mannes College of Music in New York City. Daphne also performed with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra at the Central Bank Auditorium in Davao City and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Manila.

Maria Luisa “Inday” Fucoy Montero attended the conservatory of music at St. Paul’s College of Manila, where she studied piano initially with Sony Lacson and Carmencita Arambulo earning a Bachelor of Music.

Come and experience, what “classical music” can means. It could be Franz Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 (one of my favourits) as well as Deep Purple’s “Peter de Rose” or “Parish and Carmichael” (Stardust).

Master of Ceremonies will be no other then Michaelangelo Ebro Dakudao, Ph.D., friend and former fellow columnist in Mindanao Times.

Tickets will be available for PHP 1,000, PHP 500, PHP 300 and PHP 100.

See you then and there!

This And That!

This and that? What does it mean? I have no more ideas to write about???

Guys, I have more then enough. My problem is really the time and the importance of some topics.

Imagine, time goes by very fast. I am a columnist in LIP for now more than two years. I was – and I am still writing for several publications. LIP is one of my most precious platforms.  Thank you Bob!

This and that? Yes, sometimes within a week or so, many things cross my pathway or my life as an expat living here in the Philippines.  Many things might be boring for you, my dear reader. Don’t worry, I’ll not bother you.

Some things are really important for me – and might be boring for you too. Anyway, this and that.

I can still live in the Philippines, and, don’t worry: I continue living here.

This is that:

• My German courses in the University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao City are running well. The number of students is still increasing. German language knowledge is still a must and by law required for visa applicants, except one is a tourist.
• Besides many commitments I still do enjoy being a member of Rotary Club of East Davao. In the organizational structure of the rotary year 2009-2010 under my friend and President Ronald Go, you can find me as Vice Chairman for Public Relations and as member for Special Committees with its director Rey Fuentes. -
• Special events? Yes! I am honoured and glad to “convince” the Four Davaoenya Pianists on Four Pianos to be back on a very special concert: Evelyn Abellera Magno (my friend and neighbor), Mila Cabaguio Jocson, Daphne Cabaguio Jocson (her daughter) and Ma. Luisa “Inday” Fucoy Montero. The event is being scheduled for December 5, 2009 at 6.30 pm at the CAP Auditorium in Davao City. “A Night Mood” or “A Classical Musical Evening” is waiting for you. Please bear with me: it will be a refunding raising event – also or especially for Polio Philippines.

This and that… . My life as an expat has its ups and downs. Another “up” has been the invitation of Philippine Retirement Authority”, Manila through its in charge for Davao City and Mindanao, Mr. Jimmy Llames. You plan to stay in the Philippines for good (without getting married to a Filipino national?). Sure, there are a lot f different possibilities. I am really glad to announce that the Philippine Retirement Authority has chosen Davao City, in example, as one of the best locations or destinations for retirement. Don’t get me wrong: it doesn’t mean that that other places in the Philippines are bad or not better… . Allow me to quote guest speaker PDGen. Edgar B. Aglipay, PNP (Ret.): “I am glad to tell you, that increasing millions of retirees from the most developed countries are faced with the spiraling costs of living.”

Are the Philippines a country to live and there for good? Besides all financial reasons, what’s your opinion???

This is that… .

I enjoy living here. And you???

Sige Daw! Let's try it! Let's do it!

Life has ups and downs. Also here in the Philippines.

I met Evelyn sometime in 2001. She worked in the Department of Labor and Employment here in Davao City. We became very good friends. One day she told me about her cancer. I really started admiring her and the way she fought against the big “C”.

In 2003 two important things happened: First Evelyn invited me a Classic Concert of the “Himig Singers Alumni Chorus in the Apo View Hotel. Second: this event has been also the book launching of “Sige Daw”, which is a beautiful little book written by people who have one thing in common – an encounter with cancer. Between the covers we find their stories – stories of healing, stories of inner-struggle, stories of passionate patience and obstinate faith, by those who may have lost their hair but never lost hope. These cancer survivors belong to the “Amuma Cancer Support Group”. “Amuma” means “to care” in Cebuano.

Evelyn was one of the authors of this book. She talked about shock and disbelief, denial, anger, blame and guilt, resentment, withdrawal and isolation – but, also about values she has learned: acceptance, forgiveness, contentment and generosity.

Evelyn wrote: “Most people become overwhelmed when told they have cancer. A number of feelings build up, feelings that are muddled and quickly change. Reactions may differ from one person to another – there is no right or wrong way to feel. These are parts of the process people go through in trying to come to terms with their illness. Partners, family members, and friends frequently need as much support and guidance in coping with their feelings”.

The book published by the Research and Publication Office of the Ateneo de Davao University is still available. The Amuma Cancer Support Group Foundation, Inc. under the new president Dr. Alex Tan, are still meeting in the Imperial Hotel in Davao City. the group need support and appreciate all forms of assistance, which one could provide.

I know there are a lot of similar groups and foundations in the Philippines. Please bear with me, because I only mention this Davao based group.

*****

Two days ago, after a miscall, I received a text message from Evelyn: “I am sick! I am again due to chemotherapy!”

I can't live in the Philippines anymore… .

Since I am running several businesses here in the Philippines, many expats (or those-who-want-to-be) crossed, and are still crossing my paths.

Just let me explain: these are mostly pensioners from all around the globe, married to a Filipina, who planned to stay in the Philippines for good. They are also some business people, who wish to set up any kind of business here. Well, there are a lot of possibilities to settle down in the Philippines, of course without being married to a Philippine national.

Since a couple of months the Philippine government makes it really easier to move in here – and to stay here! That’s why my businesses are really doing very well, because I got a lot of clients after being accredited in several Philippine authorities. A lot of aliens have been entering the Philippines especially this year. And here is the thing. which start bothering me (and some of my good friends) more and more:

A rising number of aliens is keep on complaining about the “very bad situation” in their home countries. Okay guys, we all know very well, how the present (financial?) situation WORLDWIDE looks like nowadays. I can tell you honestly, if the bad situation in one’s home country is the main reason to move to the Philippines, the failure to adjust and live here is automatically predetermined.

As I said, I met a lot of foreigners already. I am also receiving innumerable emails through this website LiP (Live In The Philippines) and because of my articles in the business weekly Edge Davao, for example, which is also on the net (www.edgedavao.net).

I really try my best to reply every single email in a neutral way out of my sight as an expatriate living in the Philippines for almost 11 years now.

I try to avoid expat meetings. Yeah, it’s really sad to say, because mostly I did meet complaining and criticizing fellows. And suddenly after a couple of months or even only a couple of weeks here comes the unseemly utter: “I can’t live in the Philippines any more!” From ‘them’ – not from me… !

Quotations:

It’s too hot here! The awfully sultry weather kills me!

Filipinos are never on time! I really like to give them momentum!

I can’t get my Mercedes fixed properly! This would never happen in my home country!

I really like to swing myself into the saddle, but it makes me feel giddy, if I observe them working in government offices!

Okay, and so on and so on! Hold on, don’t get me wrong. I also have some complaints. Everybody has – not only living in the Philippines as an expat. It has been mentioned already several times in LIP: there is no perfect place on earth!

Sometimes I try to convince such grumpy and sullen contemporaries with kind phrases. But honestly, I am getting dizzy easily since a couple of time.

And then, I always ask the same questions: “What you gonna do now? What are your future plans?”

The answer is mostly: “I don’t know!”

Where I Live? In Davao Of Course…

It was 1982, when I came to Mindanao for the first time in my life. I stepped already on Philippine soil in 1976, before heading to Japan. Being back from Japan it happened that I got several pen pals from the Philippines – one from Manila, one from Cebu City, one from Davao City and one from Zamboanga City.

As I said, in 1982 I visited Mindanao for the very first time – and, I got married here in 1983.

Since 1999, after almost annual visits I settled down in Davao City for good with my family. I am still being very busy with several businesses and tasks. That’s good. Even being an expat, I wouldn’t love to sit under a palm tree and count my days waiting for the next monthly pension.

Why Davao?

Well, I could write several posts, just to answer this simple question. As one could read in a brochure: “If you are smarter than a 5th grader, then you would know most of Davao’s titles – Orchid Capital of the Philippines (yipee – my “waling-waling” is blooming again!), one of the largest cities of the world (when it comes to the total area, IT IS the world’s largest city!), the Fruit Basket of the Philippines (come here and you’ll see, that’s true!)… and so on and so on…

And, as many Filipino writers or actors or others voiced out before: “Aside from all these monikers, the thing I love most about my home town is that you’ll never run out of things to do and to enjoy.”

Where to start? Don’t worry, I’ll also take you through my top destinations where to stay, dine, shop, meet and enjoy.

Please bear with me: I might have to have many ideas where to stay and what to do. One thing is for sure: you need more then one day to experience Davao City and its surroundings.

Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort on Samal Island in the Gulf of Davao, take the boat at Km. 9, Sasa. Sure, there are a lot more: Barcelo Pearl Farm Resort, Costa Marina, Eden Nature Park. You really can’t go to Davao without visiting its beautiful beaches. Soft white sand and clear waters, Samal Island, i.e. is the place to go to spend that relaxing day (or those days) out in the sun.

Why Davao City?

You can have it all here in Davao City and its surroundings: nature tripping, wild water adventures, shopping and dining. Hold on, hold on, guys. Don’t get me wrong, this post isn’t mean to be a commercial for Davao City or Southern Mindanao. Yes, I also like to visit General Santos City, Sarangani or all the beautiful places in Bukidnon or Davao Oriental.

Or:

• Aldevinco Arts and Crafts Center, C.M.Recto Street, near one of my favorite hotels, the Marco Polo Davao City. No one leaves Davao City, without PASALUBONG, and the best place to find native arts and crafts is at the Aldevinco Shopping Center. The center is a one-stop-place for trinkets, cloths, dresses, furniture and pearls jewelry. You can also change your money there.
• Philippine Eagle Research and Nature Center, Malagos, Calinan, Davao City (45 minutes away from downtown).
• If you want to buy orchids, buy them at Puentespina Gardens and Tropical Plants (Bolcan Street in Agdao).
• The Eden Nature Park and Resort, Inc. is a must, if you visit Davao City.
• For the best view of Davao City, eat dinner at Jack’s Ridge.
• Or cap the night by listening to local bands at Matina Town Square.

Where to stay in Davao? I don’t get any commissions, but first on my list is the Marco Polo Davao City. Aside from its luxurious room amenities it has two of the top restaurants in Davao, and a cocktail lounge. You might also enjoy a good stay in Apo View Hotel, Chateau Veronica Apartelle, Grand Regal Hotel (Casino) or the Royal Mandaya Hotel.

Bear with me, but I am a serious food lover. I might be a self-proclaimed connoisseur of restaurants, but I hesitate right now and here to mention my top restaurants. Only this: try to find Picobello Italian Restaurant or the Swiss Deli in Lanang/Davao City.

Oh boy, and what I am missing since years? I miss real cultural events, such as concerts (classical and others), as I mentioned in several articles during the last ten years. I miss special stage plays and the visit of well known artists or other performances, such as TV-live-shows happening in Manila, Cebu City or Boracay. Davao City needs more support!

Anyway, yes, I love my Davao City. I feel secure and safe living here. I would never move to another place.

I was really wondering

Living in this (for me still wonderful) country named “The Philippines” as a journalist (asides some other commitments and businesses) allows me to receive a lot of press releases from different government agencies. I appreciate this very much, although several aliens let me doubting in such information. OK, hold on, I wouldn’t say, I doubt in such press releases, but sometimes I really start wondering myself…

Could this and that really be true???

For example this: the Philippine Tourism Secretary Ace Durano reported, “that the Philippines may once again be officially recognized as the world’s most preferred travel destination. The International Travel Expo in Hong Kong chose the country as a finalist for the ‘New Travel Route Competition’, where finalist countries will be put to popular vote as the most preferred destination for avid travelers.”

Wow, wow! Imagine, joining the Philippines in the list of finalists are Switzerland, Greece, Peru, India, South Korea, Turkey, and Japan. Not even my home country Germany…  Ok lang…

Funny and amazing has been also, that the Philippine Department of Tourism also promoted the country as a wedding destination at the international expo. “Romantic Philippines” is set to captivate Asian couples (and not only them!), featuring unique getaways and exhilarating thrills in the country’s more than 36,000 kilometers of coastline, scenic landscapes and a myriad of natural wonders. No wonder, why I wanted to get married in the Philippines in 1982. On the other side, I am still wondering to read such press releases! Tourism Promotion?

Being a member of Rotary Club of East Davao, I enjoyed the 45th Annual Induction of Officers and Directors and the Turnover Ceremonies for the Rotary Year 2009-2010 last Saturday in the Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City. I was able to share some minutes with Secretary of National Defense Mr. Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr., being the Guest of Honor and Speaker. His speech and talking with him for a short while left my heart beating faster. Yes Sir, the Philippines needs people like you. But I was just wondering myself to hear so many ideas, so many wonderful expressions.  I hope and pray, that all these things become true one day, for the sake of this wonderful country.

Actually I Do Love Crabs…

Yes, actually I love crabs. Since my first days in the Philippines – sometime in the early 1980s, when I did an interview with the former Cotabato City Mayor Mr. Badoy.

During that time a fairy tale, or call it a legend, came across my way. I am sure, most all Filipinos and a lot of tourists and expats know it. For all those, who haven’t read it and don’t know about it please allow me to tell this story:

A Filipino crab story is born. In the beginning, all crabs were good and happy. They spent their day together swimming in the river or sea, feasting in the fields and frolicking on the beaches. When one was hurt and in need, all the neighbors came to the rescue.

Then some crabs thought of leaving the territory. They were getting bored. They have become curious what might be on the other side of the mountains and across the sea.

In their new home, they suddenly found themselves strangers with little sign of welcome. Life had become tough and difficult for them. No more were the times of dancing and swimming and frolicking as one family. Each one had to scratch the ground for his own existence. There was no more time for others since there was not yet enough time to get enough foods. As time and years passed by, they didn’t any more know each other except for their color.

Things turned from bad to worse and the whole was in difficult times and in chaos. Other creatures began to antagonize the alien crabs, hunting them and sometimes wanting to kill them. Now they have learned to hide and run away at the sight of anyone. It was so bad that they could not even trust their fellow crabs. Some were betrayed, others were abandonded.

One day the crabs could no longer hide. Someone delivered them to their captors, who trapped them in a big basket. The instinct of the crabs prompted them to work for survival. There was panic and alarm of doomsday in the basket. Each one tried to get out of the basket by any means possible. There were those who stepped on the others shoulders and head to get out. The small crabs were pushed down. The weak were trampled to death down the ground as the strong tried to reach the top. Those who climbed the wall were pulled down back to the bottom of the basket. No one was able to get out.

When the day was over, the captors came back for the crabs. One captor reprimanded the other: “How could you leave the crabs without putting cover over the basket or at least you could have tied them down?” With confidence the other said: “Don’t worry. Not a single crab could escape. If one gets on top, the others will surely pull it down. These are Filipino crabs!

Filipino crabs???

Since a couple of years,while living in the Philippines for good, I observed several similar incidents. I observed them among other expats. I experienced it for myself. Some of my own countrymen haven’t got a spark of decency in them. There was a time, I voiced out; “Stop pestering me with them!” Credulity and looking permanently “for friends from the same race” let me become near life’s abyss.

Filipino crabs? Expat crabs?

What do you think?

Living in a Rich Country

My dream became true.  After staying in more then 60 countries during the last 45 years I am living now in a rich country. In a very rich country…

It’s named THE PHILIPPINES!

A couple of days ago I received a press release from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. I must confess, I found it very interesting to know more facts of this beautiful country.

Let me share some facts with you:

The Philippines is the 5th in the world in number of plant species; the 8th in the world of endemic plants; the 4th in bird endemism, and the 8th in endemic reptiles. Or, in other words: 52,177 described species of which more than half are found nowhere else in the world; 10,000 – 15,000 species of plants , more than half is found in the Philippines; 9,000 species of flowering plants and 1,137 endemic terrestrial species of which 558 are unique to the Philippines.

If we talk about coastal and marine resources, you should know this: 36,289 kilometers stretch of the Philippines’ coastline – one of the largest in the world. There are 226,000 sq, kilometers of Philippine coastal waters; 600 coral species in the country out of the 800 coral species worldwide; 2,500 species of fish present in the country’s marine waters, and 1,062 of seaweeds and 16 species of sea grasses.

Talking about mineral resources, one shouldn’t forget this: The Philippines is the 5th mineralized country in the world, the 3rd in gold, the 4th in copper and the 5thin nickel. The Philippines have about 20% of the world’s total nickel resources. Nickel is considered “the oil of the Philippines”. Can you imagine, that 9 million hectares or 30% of total land area of potential sites having metallic mineral deposits?

I am really living in one of the richest countries of the world. Hey, I forgot something: how about the human resources? What do you think?

A Bridge of Love

“If I’ll be an expat living in the Philippines I should go to Tacloban City again!” I remember me saying that several times. now I am here since almost eleven years – but I haven’t been there yet.

There are really a lot of wonderful places and sights all over the Philippines. One of them (for me) has been the San Juanico Bridge in Tacloban City, which is considered as one of the longest bridges in the Philippines. It is 2.5 kilometer long and connects the two provinces of Leyte and Samar. If you look at it, you will notice that the bridge is shaped in letter “L” from the side of Leyte and the letter “S” from the middle towards the other end which is Samar.

Indeed, the San Juanico Bridge connects the hearts of all loving people of Leyte and Samar, as I learned during my first and only trip going there in the midst 1980s.

To the WARAY-WARAY speaking natives of Leyte and Samar and to the Filipino people in general, the San Juanico bridge stands and stood as a symbol of progress and foresight, and the bridge itself is a study in poetry, a saga of lofty might and a breath-taking beauty.

Unfortunately the photos I took in 1987 can’t be used for this post. I am sure, some of the LIP readers have been there also. I still plan to go back there one day.

Much has been written about the bridge. However San Juanico is dubbed as the “Bridge of Love” by the former President Ferdinand Marcos, who, during the ground-breaking ceremony, on the birthday of his wife Imelda Marcos of Leyte, told guests that the structure about to rise would be his most important gift to Imelda. Hence the San Juanico Bridge also stands as “the symbol of love of the former first couple of the Philippines”.

What is your favorite place or sight in the Philippines and why? I am really curious to know about it.

Jose Rizal – MY Hero

“The dawn is not far. Spain opens the east for her beloved Philippines, and times are changing and I am positive that more are being done than we can imagine!”
Dr. JOSE RIZAL, Philippine National Hero

I started liking and loving Jose Rizal from that moment I read his book NOLI ME TANGERE. Of course, Rizal was quite subjective in writing it, since his motive was to gain feedback from his people by exposing in beautiful words the evils besetting his own country during that time, thus rallying the people for a peaceful revolution. NOLI ME TANGERE had also drawn ire from indignant censors because of its fearless expose on the colonial evils under the cloak of a literary masterpiece.

Fact is, Rizal has been the initiator of Philippine-German Cultural relations, a topic, which guides me also through the life as a German expat living in the Philippines. One can find a lot of literature regarding this topic.

Why do I mention this? A friend of mine in Manila sent me an email and invited me to fly to Manila. There might be something very interesting for me:

Up to June 28, 2009 is it possible to experience the musical satire “Rizal is My President” (Pilipinas… Marangal at Banal). It is directed by Raffy Tejada, the original songs aare by Noel Cabangon, and the script is by Joshua So, a Palanca Awardee. The musical satire based on the book “Rizal is My President – 40 leadership tips of Jose Rizal”.

Venues will be in Manila and Quezon City. For inquiries or reservations you might call Manila 02 – 631-5923 or 632-7553 or 687-1309.

I am sure, I try my very best to arrange my schedule and fly to Manila and watch the play “and believe in the dream again” – as a saying goes.

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