Klaus Doring

Yesterday tears - today smile. After rain follows the sunshine. I experienced Filipinos as people, who could laugh and smile, could joke even while being in a worst situation.

How comes? Is is this gallows humour? I guess, Filipinos a great  masters with a quality of imagination quick to perceive  the ludicrous or to express itself  in an amusing way, fun or  caprice.

The Humoresque, the musical composition of fanciful character is missing in our daily life many times.

Is there something like “British Humor” also in the Philippines? Are there special jokes? Maybe there are some readers out there, who can teach us to make our days more brighter and smilier… Stop, I don’t think about “bastos jokes” etc. … :lol:

When have you seen latest a man cry? A boy, a teenager, an adult? Do Filipinos cry? When?

Since I was a small boy my parents and even friends and neighbours liked to hammer into my mind and heart the slogan “Boys (Men) don’t cry!” Many incidents happened in my life as young boy, but also later and up to now after reaching the second half of my life. Incidents with oppressed and held back tears and emotions because of only one reason: “Men don’t cry!”

I made a complete fool, when I tried to satisfy my unquotable thirst and insatiable hunger as a young boy by penetrating the closed kitchen of our neighbour. A terrible good hiding followed together with the comment, “Don’t cry or you’ll never become a real man.” Bursting into tears I didn’t understand, why a boy should bear the pain of trashing but knowing during the same time that he might never become a real man. What an untenable mug’s game!

I never became a whipping boy or fan of brawl and fight because I always tried to find ways not to cry.

“You’ll never become a real man, because a real man knows how to fight!” Here we are… .Longing did I watch the girls in our neighbourhood, who had been allowed to cry because of any non-important thing or trifling matter.

My thirst of knowledge let me start travelling around the world, when I became 18. I learned that this silly custom (Men don’t cry) seemed to exist more or less worldwide. After my stay in Japan in 1976, the father of one of my “home stay families” in Kyoto couldn’t hold his tears anymore, when it was time to say Goodbye (Sayonara). Of course, why shouldn’t he cry? Sure, I learned before Japanese men don’t cry.

In South Africa in 1980 I became a sudden witness of a burial, because an original inhabitant family lost a child because of starving to death. Both parents, in other words, also the father cried. Sure, why not…

Step by step I experienced myself many examples and incidents where I didn’t care anymore fortunately about my tears and emotions. A special place with a good or even a bad remembrance can make me cry. Salt dissolves in water like emotions in tears: an unjustified treatment, arrogance and ignorance from people around me, a heartfelt condolence, a very special song, a very touching situation or speech, being choked with emotions - but ALSO crying because of being happy or a never expected gratitude… Are all these privileges only allowed for females? Are males only robots with stones? Objection my dear fellow creatures.

Let me cry today, even the reason is just because I help cutting onions and garlic in the kitchen for lunch :roll:  :lol: …!

I am doing German-English translations (and English-German as well) since a couple of years. I was also invited as interpretor in court. Last week I had to translate the whole wedding ceremony in court, because the German groom was not so fluently in English. Actually this is one of the requirements, if a foreigner wants to marry in the Philippines. Good thing, if your mother language IS ENGLISH.

Yesterday I was really happy and proud after receiving a certification from the Regional Trial Court, 11th Judicial Region, Davao City, signed by the Executive Judge Isaac G. Robillo Jr.

The certification states:

“To whom it may concern: I hereby certify that KLAUS DORING had on several occasions assisted this court in interpreting proceedings from English to German. The undersigned is very satisfied with his proficiency of both the English and German language, especially in the interpretation of written documents… Davao City, November 27, 2007.”

It’s really a great help for me, especially, because I am working together with some Philippine authorities, i.e. City Government, Bureau of Immigration and Deportation, and as mentioned, from time to time with the court.

If you are in need of a translator (German-English, English-German) please don’t hesitate to contact my office or me through this blog.

July 4, 1946 is a very remarkable day: The Third Philippine Republic was proclaimed, after the United States granted independence to the Filipinos. Three years later the “Federal Republic of Germany” (former West Germany, because the “GDR” German Democratic Republic came into being 1949 as “East Germany”). Konrad Adenauer was the first chancellor of West Germany.

1954 the famous “Laurel-Langley Agreement” was signed and stated the end of State of War between the Philippines and Germany.

1955 followed the signing of the Philippine-German Trade Protocol, the basis of future trade agreements.

In 1956 real diplomatic relations between the Philippines and (the Federal Republic of) Germany have been established with Friedrich von Fuerstenberg as first German Ambassador to the Philippines and Jose Ingles as Philippine Ambassador to (West) Germany.

A very remarkable year also has been 1958, when 21 Filipino students started studying in different German universities for the first time.

(To be continued!)

Sie haben gluecklich und legal eine Ehe auf den Philippinen geschlossen? Herzlichen Glueckwunsch! Dies sind einige Hinweise betreffend des ehelichen Gueterrechts auf den Philippinen.

Nach deutschem Recht (Art. 14, 15 EGBGB, das ist das Einfuehrungsgesetz zum Buergerlichen Gesetzbuch) findet bei unterschiedlicher Staatsangehoerigkeit der Ehepartner zuerst das Eherecht am jeweiligen Aufenthaltsort der Ehepartner zum Zeitpunkt der Heirat Anwendung. Nach Art. 80 Family Code (also nach philippinischem Recht) wird philippinisches Ehegueterrecht fuer Besitz auf den Philippinen angewendet. Ausnahme: Es besteht ein Ehevertrag, in dem andere Bestimmungen getroffen wurden bzw. BEIDE Ehegatten Auslaender sind. Bei ehelichem Wohnsitz auf den Philippinen wuerde also nach beiden Heimratrechten fuer das auf den Philippinen belegene Vermoegen philippinisches Recht gelten, welches sich z.B. bei einer Scheidung (!) auswirken koennte.

Gesetzlicher Gueterstand ist im philippinschen Recht die Guetergemeinschaft, also die Vermoegensbestandteile beider Ehegatten werden gemeinsames Eigentum (”absolute community”). Nach philippinischem Recht muss ein anderer Gueterstand also VOR einer Eheschliessung vereinbart werden, was auch nach deutschem Recht moeglich ist.

Kann man dies auf den Philippinen (mit Hilfe der Deutschen Botschaft in Manila) in die Wege leiten. Ja. Mehr dazu im naechsten Teil.

(Fortsetzung folgt!)

You better don’t visit me at home, if we didn’t set up an appointment. No, it’s not because of low water pressure and the chance for me to take a shower. Even my dress up might be embarassing for you. No more details, please…

Clothing in the Philippines reflects the good sense of people. Of course, the basic rule is to dress to suit the climate, to be comfortable whether the occasion is a trip to a beach or the mountains or a top-notch function. Some visitors wear lightweight suits resulting, unless they are lucky and hit a relatively cool spell, in considerable discomfort, as we learn froim David Smith and Michael Westlake with Porfirio Castaneda (in conjunction with Philippine Airlines) in their Diver’s Guide to the Philippines.

Shirts and slacks are adequate for most occasions in big cities like Manila, Cebu or Davao. The barong tagalog is also one of my favourites. I also like the short-sleeved variety, which unfortunately is not considered suitable if formal dress is required.

And how about the ladies?

The terno - the full-length ladies gown with distinctive butterfly sleeves - is ot so common nowadays, as most women dress western-style. But, I also experienced a difference from North to South, from Manila to Davao.

Jeans, polos and shirts cane be seen everywhere, as the accent on functional simplicity is pushed to its comfortable conclusion. Whether Filipino or foreigner, however, you should think very well about how to be dressed up, especially if you visit churches or mosques.

How about you, guys. Is this topic important for you while living in the Philippines?

Following, or in other words, completing the chronology of Philippine-German Relations, allow me also to mention June 12, 1898, when the first Philippine Republic was proclaimed with Emilio Aguinaldo as President, after Spanish sovereignty over the islands had ended.

Another remarkable date was October 6, 1896, the death of Jacobo Zobel y Zangroniz, a Filipino of German and Spanish blood, before his departure to Germany.

The Zobels came from Hamburg/Germany. In 1832 Johannes Andreas Zobel, his wife Cornelia Hinsch and their son Jacobo, arrived in Manila to seek their fortune “at a time when Germany had not lost its democracy through emigration” (Quotation Austin Craig, “A Little Known Filipino Worth of Greater Fame”, The Sunday Tribune, no date, P.4).

Jacobo Zobel y Zangroniz (1842-1896) was born in Manila. After the death of his mother in 1848, he was sent to study in Germany. His studied at the private school of Dr. Brandman up to 1852. In the public school “Johanneum” he finished his segunda ensenanza, where he excelled in Greek and Latin.

In 1858, the older Jacobo, who managed the Botica Zobel in Manila, came back to Hamburg and took his son to Madrid.

Professor Austin Craig said of Jacobo: “He didn’t forget his democratic ideas. He gathered about him a circle of kindred ambitious spirits … succeeded in stirring up the educational reforms embodied in the decrees of 1863. Though these reforms were all for Spain, his interests were primarily for the Philippines“.

The year 1898 has been mentioned already several times in my former write ups regarding the six German battleships under the command of Vice Admiral Diedrichs appearing in Manila Bay. Further speculations about this incident are idle and pointless, as many people told me, when I asked them about it.

Up to 1920 many “religious German people” arrived in the Philippines, as I learnt from my mentor Prof. Dr. Hermogenes E. Bacareza:

1906 - Arrival inManila of German Benedict Missionary Sisters from Tutzing/Bavaria/Germany;

1909 - First German SVD Missionaries came to the Philippines and started their first mission work in Abra, Northern Philippines. (Personal note: I was very blessed to be columnist of the SVD owned and mission oriented “Tinig ng Bayan” - “Voice of the Nation” during the 1980s, published in Abra);

1912 - Arrival of the German Missionary Sisters of the Holy Spirit in Manila;

1920 - First German Missionary Sisters Servants (Pink Sisters) established their first convent in Lipa, Batangas at the request of Bishop Alfredo Verzosa, D.D.

The time of fascism came. Between 1936 - 1945 facism gained foothold also in the Philippines, i.e. the establishment of the Falange Exterior of the Philippines in Manila. A state of undeclared war between the Philippines and Germany remained from 1941 till 1954. The end was signed by the famous Laurel-Langley Agreement.

(To be continued!)

Which is one of the most difficult words worldwide? Popocatepetl, the Mexian mountain? Or Chichicastenago, a small town in Guatemela? Or Ouagadougou, the former capital of Upper Volta in Central Africa? Guess please!

“Somebody comes to my place and drinks a lot. I just keep on roaring and flowing and remain happy during my whole life, because I can give and give and share… - even without gratitude!” (Historical fountain saying in Regensburg/Bavaria, South Germany).

“Be in the making means be thankful forever!” What a meaningful quotation in Goethe’s drama “Faustus” (1831), but how very far away from today’s reality. Let me ask you directly, my dear reader: “When did you say THANK YOU recently?” I don’t mean it as a disgracing phrase, no, such as an honest attitude, to which we are all susceptile.

Some years ago a good friend told me, that we all should be very thankful to all leaders in society, politics and clergy, for their mistakes and mismanagement including arrogance and incompetence! Why? So we might be able to struggle through life without being too much naive  while following endless promises without the basic fundamentals.

“The Pharisee stood apart by himself and prayed…God…, I thank you that I am not like that (corrupt?) tax collector over there!” (Luke 18,11). “What’s more transient then gratitude?” asked the German poet Friedrich Schiller (1759-1805) in his drama “Don Carlos”.

Gratitude or thankfulness in our daily surroundings: many times it’s just forgotten because we treat sacrifices. services and even the smallest relief without saying as only natural and take it as a matter of course.

I couldn’t care less if the grumpy taxi driver isn’t able to say a simple “thanks” after I paid my fare including a small tip. But if children i.e. forget to express their gratitude to their parents, who try everything to guarantee a good education while struggling financially through life - yes, then it’s getting painful and embarrassing.

How about saying Thank you to our Filipina wife for spending a wonderful day together at the beach or for spending the last 25 years together?

Try it, it works!

Wenn nun also wirklich alle Dokumente komplett vorliegen, koennen Sie auf den Philippinen heiraten. Bei der Eheschliessung sollten mindestens zwei Trauzeugen anwesend sein. Die Verlobten sollten/muessen ueber ausreichende Englischkenntnisse verfuegen (Dolmetscher!). Nach der Hochzeit wird dringend empfohlen, neben dem Heiratsurkunden-Original mehrere beglaubigte Ausfertigungen durch das oertliche zustaendige Standesamt anfertigen zu lassen.

Fruehstens nach 30 Tagen (momentan dauert es bis 4-6 Monate) sollte man auch die Eintragung beim Hauptstandesamt der Philippinen (NSO, National Statistic Office) erhalten haben. Es ist unbedingt anzuraten, sich dann vom NSO eine oder mehrere beglaubigte Abschriften auf farbigem Sicherheitspapier (security paper) zu beschaffen.

NSO-Zweigstellen gibt es auch in groesseren Staedten wie Cebu City oder Davao City. Die Hauptstelle ist erreichbar unter

National Statistic Office (NSO), Civil Registry Division. Vibal Building. EDSA cor Times Streets, West Triangle, 1104 Quezon City, Metro Manila, Email: e-census.info@mail.census.gov.ph sowie als auch HelplinePlus: 0063 - 2 - 737-1111 bzw. http://www.e-Census.gov.ph. (Angaben Stand November 2007).

Im naechsten Teil erfahren Sie mehr zum ehelichen Gueterrecht auf den Philippinen.

(Fortsetzung folgt!)

It’s time to think back. I do it earlier this year.

Do you, as Filipino, count the days up to the next holiday without being on duty? Or do you really start as early as September longing for Christmas?

Many times we are really too much in a hurry while feeling uncomfortable if we noticed how time flies. We have no time for someone or something, or even for ourselves. We don’t make time for someone or something, or even for ourselves.

When I was still a teenager, I was longing for the time to be a grown up already. Later, In enjoyed listening to my grandma’s stories such as “Once upon a time” or “When we were young” from her yesterday’s life.

After a couple of years, especially while observing that time really flies like a rocket to the moon, I always had the same question in mind: Are the present hours and days less valuable>

Of course, each day has its own set of happiness and trials. But it also holds very high possibilities if we take the initiative to do or to move something, IF….!

The luring term “if” let us look into the future with a over glistening eye: if I will finish my studies, if my Kids become grown ups, if I might become rich some day, yes IF! And then?

The next year’s turn is coming soon. For most of us it’s the time to come to our senses, The future prospects smile at us already. What might the New Year bring us?

Is life in the future easier, nicer, more charming and being more fulfilled compared to the present? The thoughts fill me with horror, because tragicomic future visions can easily blur away our present day.

Many of us retreat into the past and forget their present existence. A possible topsy-turvy world of a golden youth tries to let us forget that also the past have had its shares of disappointments, pains, tears, darkness, tricky as well as desperate days. Dreamy and sleepy days - yes, lost days, irretrievable time…

Too early for these thoughts??? Maybe, maybe not. :lol: