Klaus Doring

It’s amazing, how many people browse in the Internet. I received an email from Inneke, a member of a Canadian Missionary congregation, who stayed in Davao until last year. If I am not mistaken, we met before in the Bureau of Immigration here in Davao City.

Anyway, Inneke emailed me, that she will be back in Davao at the month of June. She, and not only she, is looking for any “Gymnastic courses” in Davao City. As of now, I don’t have any idea where, when,  and how often. Well, I just love to help these guys and publish the question here and also on my other blogs. It would be very helpful, if anybody could give information by just leaving a comment here… Thank you very much…!

See you then Inneke in June!

One of my regular readers is I. M. Schneider, married to a German national. She left a comment before and suggested I should write more practical things on “how”  to ’survive’ more or less as an ex pat in the Philippines. Of course, where ever you live, in Europe, in Africa, in the States, in Australia or here in the Philippines - you will always find advantages and disadvantages. To be honest, I am not looking so much on these things, because I have decided to live here in the Philippines together with my family. One of MY biggest advantages could be described as follows:

Already in Germany I got a lot of hobbies… . These favourite pursuits or pastimes have been i.e. collecting stamps, playing cards with friends, reading good books, oil painting, writing/writing/writing - and music.

Music from the Greek “mousikos” and pertaining to one of the nine muses in the Greece mythology - is the art of combining sounds or sequences of notes into harmonious patterns hopefully pleasing to ears and satisfying to our emotions. Emotions - here we are?

I experienced a lot of ex pats, ’sitting under a palm tree’, grumbling and complaining, that they have nothing to do. Guys, why didn’t you bring your hobbies with you? I can do all my favourite things also here in the Philippines! Every sand beach, every sunny day, every bar hang out, every first class dining, every “nothing doing” is becoming boring one day. And then???

One thing eases my nerves very successfully: music! As I mentioned before: I took my whole record collection from Germany with me moving to the Philippines. It’s a part of my home country, of my former life and my present situation now here. I also brought with me my three keyboards. It’s wonderful diversion from daily life struggles. It worked before in Germany, why it shouldn’t work here?

The church reformator Martin Luther (1483-1546) explained it as follows: “Many times, when I was in terrible darkness, especially when people ‘left me without reason”, I prayed - and I listen to music, which delivered me and refreshed me!”

The great German composer and poet E.T.A. Hoffmann said 1801: “If you start to be simple speechless, music can take over!” And Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), without doubt one of the true and great and just awesome Western composers narrated: “Music is utmost revelation then all the wisdom and philosophy!”

“I feel like flying after entering a church, praying, and listening the music of heaven!” the German poet Friedrich Schiller (1759-1809) philosophized about music in his drama “Maria Stuart”.

As I stressed in one of my former posts: A simple melody can make us feel happy, sentimental, smiling or crying or relaxed. A form of light entertainment in which songs, dialogue, dance, and humour are combined with a not too serious plot is a much as important then a dramatic Italian opera or the single musician or street singer, not being a man of culture
, but enjoying us people.

More on “how to survive as an ex pat” next time… . I am busy travelling again and taking care my stamps collection, before relax again on a white sand beach … .

It’s no wonder, that the quality of Rizal’s German was very high, despite his short stay in Germany. This was at least tested when he delivered an address in German in February 1887 before the Berlin Anthropological Society on the scientific analysis of Tagalog verse. Also in his visit to Leitmeritz Rizal delivered an unique speech in German before the Tourist Club. Blumentritt as the secretary of this club. Of this Blumentritt wrote: “This speech aroused the greatest enthusiasm of the audience and was rewarded with an applause very rare among my very old countrymen.” (H.E. Bacareza, The German Connection: A Modern History, Manila: Ramar Management Corp., 2003, page 67).

Writing to his close Jesuit friend, Father Pastells, Rizal said, that “the Germans are free, hard working, studious, well-governed, full of confidence in their future and master of their destinies.” (Ibid, page 68).

Let me also add these quotations: Father Adolf Spreti, SVD, Provincial Superior North German Province, however, was of the opinion that Germans are hard-boiled and bureaucratic people.

One thing that struck Rizal was the Germans’ profound respect for any idea conceived in sincerity. “They are a people having religious tolerance”, he stressed. Rizal actually saw in Wilhelmsfeld/Germany how the Portestant Poastor would talk and discuss freely with the Catholic parish priest. (Epistolario Rizalino, IV, Page 64. See Leon Ma. Guerreo, “The First Filipino”, 1971, page 127.

(To be continued!)

German language courses seem being in great demand because of several reasons. Regular German courses have been a rareness in Davao City and its surroundings. I have been giving several private tutorials in the past - but more or less “for fun”.

Last Friday I was introduced to Miss Dr. Patti Elbanbuena. Ed.D. She is the Executive Director and Chairperson of the Institute of Languages,University of Southeastern Philippines. Miss Patti Elbanbuena asked me about a possible German Language Course at USEP. I was really filled with enthusiasm about the idea.

Another meeting last Wednesday with the USEP President Dr. Perfecto A. Alibin, Ed.D., has been very successful. He gave us the go-ahead. Thank you very much, Sir!

For those, who are interested to start learning German, might call Davao (082) 225-4696 loc 209, Institute of Languages (office fronting the guardhouse) of the University of Southeastern Philippines, Inigo Street, Obrero, Davao City. Look for Sheila or Hydee for details and further inquiries! - Enrolment started already!

Important: after a successful course exam, USP will issue a certificate, which might be very necessary to submit, if German authorities require so.

It’s an honour and privilege for me to teach German language at USEP. See you there!

A couple of incidents as well as co-incidents didn’t allow me being so busy on this site, as I was on the past. Anyway, I am back with this short post to show my deepest gratitude to all readers of my blog. I got a lot of e-mails during the last ten days by contacting me through this blog. I was on leave also from time to time and I will be again soon. But, you can be sure, that I will reply each single mail. Sometimes I have been asked advice regarding very difficult and complicated cases or matters, i.e. immigration law, “how to get married in the Philippines“, health care, cost of living, translations etc.

I have been also asked by the University of the Southern Philippines to teach German Language. This afternoon I have to make a decision after a meeting with the president and the dean… .

I also received an email from the Classic Radio Music Station Manila. Thank you very much. Yes, I learned many times, that there is still a demand for classic music show here in Davao City/Mindanao. We don’t know, what future will show us… .

That’s it for the moment… Keep on reading my blog also in future. Thank you guys…

Many of us have different dreams how to spend lazy summer days. For some, a memorable vacation is to go and spend it with the whole family at the beach for a day or even longer. The bonding and sharing can make any place beautiful and memorable. Many of my ex pat friends want to be alone… - even, and that’s my experience, this period of time for laughter and merriment strengthens relationship with one another… :neutral:

Others say: “When you are in business you tend to overwork yourself, especially if you are alone and you have to do everything alone or you have to try everything alone. Closing shop or leaving your business with trusted friends and people will make your vacation memorable.

Wow - no distractions! Can you imagine to leave radio, TV, internet (!) and everything and stay somewhere in a forested mountain resort in Palawan where one can commune with God and nature? Where are your hidden paradises? Who are the people, you would like to be with you?

You don’t get anything for nothing in life. This is the main motto of our life. This is the epigraph of our biography - whether we like it or not.

Allow me to quote the bible again: According to the book of Genesis, after God created the universe in six days, he rested on the seventh day. in other words,He took a vacation. Si if God rested after working for the some period of time, there is no reason, why man, who is finite and limited in his physical strength, should not take a vacation.

Hurray, doing nothing is really something. I hear already many of my ex pat mates saying: We have vacation all day long, since we are living in the Philippines. Congrats guys!!! But that’s not what I am talking about. I mean, doing nothing is really something after a period of hard work. It doesn’t mean, if it regards our children or us. None of us need all our time. i met innumerable kids, who don’t go to dances, gymnastics, piano or trampoline lessons, They don’t want to, and that’s fine with their parents. When the kids are ready, they will surely join a sport or ask to take lessons in something that interests them.

For now, especially during school vacation time off is just time off. Lazy summer days - if we’re not on duty - how cool such days could be; stay outside and so absolutely nothing structured. Go for walks, ride bikes, go to the beach, a park on a picnic. Or stay home drawing (I myself forgot it since years living in the Philippines), playing games, reading books  - and writing, but just for fun.  When a child at the age of 4 or 5, I started writing my first articles and started “composing’ my first  pieces on a piano.  I  still remember, even now those lazy summer days, sitting in the blazing sun (shouldn’t be any more nowadays!), eating a popsicle, getting all sticky, and running away from the bees. Those (old) lazy summer days even turned into lazy winter days in my old Germany home country, and shaped and characterized my whole (especially professional) life.

So guys, enjoy some lazy summer days right now and right here in the Philippines, especially if you’re stressed, overwhelmed or depressed. You really deserved it! It’s rest from occupation, business or activity. Strictly speaking, vacation concerns those, who are in school or studying in colleges or universities. For them vacation is a break from studies. for professionals, however, furlough would be the appropriate term. Anyway: relaxation, meditation, and reinvigoration are badly needed. Life, affected by the “burn-out syndrome” needs to reanimate with energy.

I never thought about it when I became an ex pat living in the Philippines. After a couple of years I learned to take care of my body, spirit and soul… .

Why do some people seem to “get all the breaks”, and, why do some people drudge without getting the slightest gleam of hope? It is really only a stupid or unresponsive accidental fortune?

Fact is, lucky people take calculated risks to enter some business or enterprise. Lucky people keep on working on themselves for a new or another career, changing jobs or just trying to improve themselves. Then they are really prepared for their breaks and capitalization on a good future. Also as ex pat living in the Philippines… .

Calculated risks? Yes, because lucky people know the difference between risky and rash, between an informed hunch and a vain hope. The US-lyricist Robert Frost (1875-1963) noted, “All the best things a poet ever use are things he didn’t know he was getting, when he was getting them!”

If we want to get all the breaks, of even some only in between, we must realize first, that it is not only a matter of chance, how lucky people get that way. We can learn to turn problems into a fit or convenient time by taking second looks at things others see at first time. We can learn how to break off. Being stubborn, out of ego, ignorant, not knowing when to cut losses or change course are all things, which didn’t allow us to get all these breaks.

We can learn how to butt our heads against a wall or to realize that this more important to look at the wall for or of broken stones, cracks - or maybe a hidden gate. Maybe there is the luck at the door… - And, you might start reading this column again from the beginning… .

Of course, we also should learn to spell ‘luck’ as W-O-R-K. Nothing doing is really one of the hardest lessons to grasp. Think about it, if you stay here as an ex pat or if you plan to do so. Some people only enjoy the fruits and have unfortunately no idea what it takes to plant and water the trees.

“The secrets of success are neither deep nor dar.” as British poet Arnold Bennett (1867-1931) stressed. Giving everything in every note we sing might allow us to get and enjoy all the breaks one day soon in future.

What was your idea of a memorable vacation last Holy Week? No question: last week the Philippine nation slowed down. It was, once more, for me, the time to recollect, to relax and to rethink many things. Being in a not satisfied health condition, I enjoyed taking all the breaks and the time with families and loved ones and those, who even sent me a simple and meaningful text message that strengthens relationships with one and another. I saluted to those people, who were not able to rest and relax during the past days because of their jobs and business.

Today we are celebrating the festival commemorating Christ’s resurrection. In “Old English” the “Eastern” (not Easter!) has been marked by a ceremony as spring festival of the goddess of dawn.

Especially in other parts of the world (like in my home country Germany), where deep winter makes all the plants and trees “sleep” for a couple of months,people enjoy the new shots coming out of the trees’ big trunks.

People enjoy the seedlings that protrude from the ground in spring, the colourful little flowers that emerge from the soil. I still remember one of my most favourite spring and Easter flowers, the daffodil.

A Blessed Easter to all of you!

As Oprah Winfrey said: “People think that spirituality is about church or religion, but it’s about you, about life!”

Since early childhood I enjoy reading fairy-tales. That’s why I even add some Philippine literature to my library such as Maximo Ramos: Philippine Myts and Tales (for young readers, published in Manila, Bookman, Inc. 1957) OR Gaudenico V. Aquino/Bonifacio N. Cristobal/Delfin Fresnosa: Philippine Folktales (published in Quezon City, Phoenix Press, Inc. 1969) as well as a lot of Philippine fairy-tales, which have been published in the Philippine International Magazine, the Philippine Magazine or the Sunday Times Magazine (all Manila).

In 1978 in the former Czechoslovakia a book has been printed, entitled “Philippine Fairy-tales”, retold and adapted from the English by Jozef Genzor and translated by dr. Anna Fialova. It contents 69 Philippine fairy-tales, such as

-  How the sun, the moon and the stars came into being

- Why does the sun shines brighter then the moon?

- Something about the volcano Kanlaon

- How sea horses came into being?

- Why does the fish Baka-bakahan has feeler and scales?

- Why dogs bark?

- Something about the good smelling flower Ylang-Ylang

- How people invent the rice

- Baldog and the giant

- The monkey prince

- Punished pride

- The broken promise

and many many more.

Reading Philippine fairy-tales let me love and admire this country and its people more and more. Have you try it already?