Klaus Doring

I lived in Berlin almost 25 years. Together with my wife we did join also the Philippine Community. During that time I “met” Jose Rizal for the first time.

Rizal went to Berlin on October 30, 1886. He stayed at the first class Central Hotel, Room 294. In his “Reminiscences and Travels”, Rizal wrote:

“The hotel is beautiful and first class. It is the hotel which has the largest numbers of rooms. I occupied number 294. The heating system is by steam. The bed is good but I think it is meant that the rug should be covered with cloth to prevent its being worn out and it is crafty to require the guests to take breakfast at the hotel, otherwise one mark is well regulated; the dining room is large… .” (page 125).

Realizing that his stay in this hotel would drain his pocket (as Hermogenes E. Bacareza writes, p. 70), he looked for a cheaper one. At Jaegerstrasse 71 Rizal found a pension for 30 marks a day without breakfast. He occupied one of the rooms at the fourth floor, which became the historically significant place, for in this house Rizal wrote the final portion of his novel “Noli me Tangere”. Since long time I am happy to get the English and german version of it.

(To be continued!)

A couple of days ago I got a call from Evelyn Magno, one of the  incredible Four Pianists on Four Pianos. During my time as radio host with my show “Classics at Night” they have been FIVE. Nevertheless, Evelyn Abellera Magno, Inday Montero as well as Mila Jocson and daughter Daphne will be back on stage here in Davao City on March 8, 2008 at the CAP Auditorium at 6 p.m.

Not only Davaoenos are great fans of classical music, as I could experience during my radio shows AND wonderful and unique performances i.e. with these blessed pianist ladies.

What can we expect on March 8? Of course, again a great mixture of Mozart’s “Sonata in C major”, Milhaud’s “Scaramouche” (taken from the movie of the same title from the 1960s with Stewart Granger), Frimal’s “Donkey Serenade”, Lecuona’s “El Ante Escorial” and de Falla’s incredible “Ritual Firedance”. No piano concert of these ladies without Pinoy Classics: Belda’s “Prelude”, Estrella’s “Ang Maya” or de Guzmann’s/Canesco’s “Pilipinas Medley” - just to mention a few.

Yes, you will love it. As I know from Evelyn Magno: there are still tickets available. Check it out and call any member of the Ladies of Charity Davao or even Evelyn Magno (Davao City 082 - 227 3667)!

SEE YOU THERE!!!

This topic seems never to be off-topic!!! I wrote about it already years ago, other LiP columnists do it also from time to time here.

Anyway, without further ado and on the spot I am always connected to the Big Boss after innumerable complaints and follow ups without success.

Two weeks ago I went to a very known pharmacy top get some important medical stuff subscribed by a doctor. After several explanations (and waiting ten minutes) I was informed, that the branch is not available this time. When? No answer. “But we will give you a ring, if it’s available”. My calling card let two staff member smile: “We know you from your LiP-blog”. Great. Thanks. The end of the story: no call after two weeks. Friday I called “the boss” first - and after a big bunch of sorries she told me, that the tablets are available.

Almost four weeks ago I went to “National Bookstore” and asked for some books, I wanted to buy. Of course, the books I was looking for, have been “out of stock”. But a nice lady (I guess it was the supervisor) promised me to order the books in Manila “and would give me an immediately ring, if the books are there”.  :roll:  Guess, what? Meanwhile I got my books direct from the author and by LBC and “for free”… .

These are two out of many more examples - happening almost every day here in Davao City and I guess not only here.

Is a customer still a king? I am sorry to say, that many times I lost this feelings. Many times we are not even the king’s lackeys anymore.

“After sales service” of “friendly and polite (customer) services seem to become foreign words. The clientele and even regular customers disappear more and more while expecting a supposedly better service from the competitors. Competition is good and important, but the customer seldom remains as king (or queen - sorry ladies!).

If a reception/telephone operator of a well-known hotel here in Davao City doesn’t use her training, experience or even common sense on how to approach a caller/a customer, she is out of place. The telephone switchboard of every company is its calling card and sign. I could really get mad, if I still only hear “Hallo” - and I must ask first, if this is the ???-Hotel or which company ever.

If a secretary insists steadfast on her opinion that I should send my fax tomorrow, because she cannot load the fax machine with a new paper roll - okay Miss, don’t be surprised if your boss will know about it today. It’s Monday, and when we got the discussion was it Friday 4.55 pm. Guess what… :roll:  :roll:

If the sales staff of a big shopping mall act like an incompetent dope or sleepyhead - okay guys, why should I buy something here. Do you think, your boss is always happy to hear about my complaints?

If I decide to have lunch or dinner in a gourmet or connoisseur establishment as well as in a middle class restaurant, I do expect a professional service and customer friendliness. How comes that the wine bottle has been opened in the restaurant’s kitchen??? And then, when I would like to pay, am I not in the mood to wait the moment the waiter might be finish muttering and messing about with his colleagues.

We are all servants to each other in our daily life. Service is a work done for and benefit conferred on another. Service is an act of kindness as I experienced it also here in the Philippines long time ago. Serviceable people are useful, helpful, convenient, in fair working order and fundamental in a healthy economy… :roll:

Falling in love is very easy. But is it really love or just an inexplicable enthusiasm, which ends in all sorts of problems?

Love and marriage: how correct and applicable is the lyric of Frank Sinatra’s song. “Go together like a horse and carriage… you can’t have one without another… it’s an institute you can’t disparage… try to seperate them, it’s an illusion…!”

Really???

Suppose there was no love in this world today and before: would be people happy? Would they be having families and children? Certainly not. And by the way, I am so sad to see what happens with our children in the whole world. Do we love them?

Back to the topic: love is something that affects everyone deeply. For me it’s one of the greatest power on earth. It’s hard to explain, perhaps we can start defining love as an emotion. Usually we are attracted by the way a person acts, looks or speaks. Sometimes we say; “That’s my type!” Here, we are concerned with romantic love, a love between two people…

Sometimes “love is blind and lovers cannot see”… .There can be instances when we fail to see the bad points in the beloved. It’s normal to look always at his/her positive side.

Many years ago while staying in Quezon City i remember a billboard along E. Rodriquez Boulevard proclaiming: “Think positive and you’ll never have ulcers!” I like that.

Actually, love is not blind. Maybe only at the beginning. Love can truly see all the wonderful qualities in a human being - also the negative sides. If we know how to open our eyes and cure our blindness, even being so much in love, then we might be able to see the positive and negative in a wonderful and radiant light.

Love usually ends in marriage. Can there be marriage without love? Certainly, if one takes the partner for the sake of money, fame or power. Marriage without love could also be achieved by pressure, force or deception.

However, at this writing, I also observed changes in societies worldwide, and sad to say, also in the Philippines. Watch out for American Lola’s great article about foreigners in the Philippines and money.

And then? Can you count how many articles have been published worldwide about divorce?Divorce or separating appear just like a privilege or a new beginning. But mostly all the old mistakes have been repeated and the acts of adultery are simply superficial. Don’t misinterpret me: I’m not talking about important marriage annulments, which had been always discussed also in the Philippines by the Canon Law Society of the Philippines or in mentor’s book “Judicial procedures on Psychological Incapacity” (Hermogenes E. Bacareza, Manila) or Tulabing’s “A comparative Study on Legal Separation Under the 1983 Code of Canon Law and the Family Code of the Philippines”.

One partner says to his beloved, “I can never live without you in this world and I will pluck all the stars in heaven to make a agarland for you!” A dream???

I am glad and happy to celebrate my 25th Silver Wedding Anniversary next month.

Everybody is talking about Karaoke these days. Watch out also Migs’ blog. How about Philippine music? What I mean - not (only) in the Karaoke Bar. There are a lot of great Philippino singers - and to be honest: a lot of Philippino music touches my heart.

When I was radio host I used to play a lot of Pinoy music requests. Step by step I add also more CD’s to my private collection. The great guitar player Cesar Manalili belongs to them as well as Pinoy Classic composed by the unique Buencamino.

How about you? Are you ex pat and did you start liking (or even loving) Pinoy Music? Who are you favourites? Or do you still prefer your home country music?

Are you an ex pat living in the Philippines? Are you Filipino/Filipina? Do you ever feel low? You don’t feel depressed, but a bit lack luster? You feel so especially on Sunday’s or even during vacation? if you can change your lifestyle, you can also change your mind - your mood. I don’t want to give suggestions about “what to eat and drink” - or better NOT to eat and drink. However, there are some simple advices which worked. I experienced it by myself.

-Distract yourself: The last thing you should do is stay in bed wallowing in self-pity. Distract yourself with a a dos of normality. Watching a movie (hopefully NOT a drama!) or even cleaning the kitchen on a Sunday can help. Important is that you move away from where you were when you felt bad. You are the one alone who is taking responsibility of your mood restrictive your feelings. A simple walk around (into nature places) does miracles.

-Forgive someone: When you forgive someone or even yourself, you release anger and resentment that’s bogging you down. If you stay angry, you’re the person carrying all the negative of the day and maybe the whole world. That keeps you in the past, and linked with the person or thing, you’re unhappy about.Instead, you should try to forgive, forget or move on. It’s very much important to resolve issues from the past if you want a future with real possibilities, joy and happiness.

-Switch to realistic thinking: I always meet ex pats, living here for even only a couple of months (or weeks!) complaining “God and the whole world”. The happy medium between rose-tined positive thinking and beat-yourself-up negativity is when you can say: “Okay, I’m having a bad day, but it doesn’t make me a failure” instead of: “I feel awful and/or my life here in the Philippines is so awful!” By the way, how was your life in your home country??? Anyway, if adopt this attitude, you are not pretending that everything is fine. You are now acknowledging your feelings, and giving yourself permission to feel less than perfect, which in turns makes it easier to emerge from the fog.

-Develop a positive attitude: Examine your thoughts and perceptions, and replace unhelpful thoughts patterns with a more positive approach. The difference between a happy person and someone, who is depressed isn’t that one has all the luck of the world. But that they perceive what’s happening to them differently. If you are a little bit low today, even it’s actually a beautiful day, rather than chronically depressed, you can make changes yourself. Consider the cause of happiness and try to look at it objectively. Would an outsider see it as you do?

-Go swimming: Wow, have you noticed as an ex pat, that we are so blessed in the Philippines having wonderful beaches and chances to enjoy swimming in the sea? Besides walking in the nature, the best all-around exercise swimming is also an excellent mood-booster, as water supports your body and allowing it to relax completely. Many people find they feel like a total free spirit in water - and so I do also. It’s also a low risk sport - ideal when you are feeling low, as that’s when you are most accident-prone.

Last- but not least: Do a life audit: yes, DO IT, even being an ex pat pensioner. Living and waiting for the next pension remittance will make you bored as never before. Some people stuck in a rut because they don’t take time to work out where they are heading. Consider your family, friends and your Filipina wife and ask yourself, what you want to be in five years and whether you are heading in the right direction. Try to make decisions to change your life and ask yourself what is getting in your way and what can you do about it. It is the same principle as going through your cupboards and tossing out the clothes that don’t fit you anymore. If there are no uses, they are just cluttering your life. And remember, you will laugh about it later.

Stop trying to “cope” (making sure everything goes smoothly) and deal with life more simply. One of the keys enjoying life is having the ability to laugh at yourself, even it seems to be impossible for you right at this moment. We tend to exaggerate our problems. Getting extremely upset about a broken plate is losing perspective. When you can catch yourself doing this - and can laugh about it - you have a valuable tool for keeping the blues at bay.

:roll:  :wink:  :lol:

… also in the Philippines. Many peoples nowadays tend to retreat from worldly cares in their homes, ranches or villages. They don’t want to encounter other human beings - such attitude is inhospitable. For their distrust of other people they find solace in oets… a dog, a cat, a cockatoo, a canary, name it - someone has it. In Western countries I observed this long time ago.

Before I had plenty of canaries in Germany. One was silent for more than year - I didn’t like him. One day he suddenly landed on my shoulder and tried to give me peck on the cheek. Then the canary whistled a happy tune - enough to lighten my heart. A cat was curled in my arms, contentedly purring.

Step by step after moving to the Philippines i started watching animals in a very different view. I see a dog crossing a street and guiding a blind man… . And, one more thing, since we are living here, we got the chance to keep a lot of dogs, several aquariums, a small fish farm (with Lapu-Lapu), many different canaries and many more. Come, and think about it. We must admit they are good company. All they also need is “Tender-Love-Care” and in return they will offer us their own “Tender-Love-Care”.

So if you have a pet, keep looking after it. But don’t forget your real human friends in the meantime.

One of the most important experiences of Philippine national hero Jose Rizal in Leipzig (East Germany) was a meeting with Dr. Hans Meyer, who was the Director of the Bibliographic Institute. Meyer had travelled many times to the Philippines and was able to show Rizal a copy of his book on the Igorots.

Rizal also met Professor Friedrich Ratzel, an geographer and historian. With Meyer and Ratzel Rizal visited the Leipzig Museum, the historical places and industrial establishments (Quotation from Hermogenes E. Bacareza, “Jose Rizal in Germany - Southeast Asia and the Germans”, published in 1977, page 142).

I was surprised to learn, that Rizal even translated Friedrich Schiller’s William Tell. In his letter to Blumentritt dated October 2, 1886, Rizal wrote,

“My countrymnen asked for a Tagalog translation of Schiller’s work. You can easily imagine how difficult I shall find the task, as the modes of expression are very different in German. First, I have to study and examine a phrase for along time, then I try to find a corresponding expression in Tagalog, carefully avoiding paraphrases and Germanisms. I console myself with the thought that I have the honour of presenting the great Friedrich Schiller to the Philippines in Tagalog”. (Quotation from “The Rizal-Blumentritt Correspondence”, centennial edition, Vol. II, Part I, published 1961 in Manila, page 14).

(To be continued!)

Christmas is over since long time - more or less. Every time I go out I recognize hearts and the colour red everywhere. Ah yes, Valentines Day. Love is in the air… . This inspires me to some questions:

- Do you celebrate Valentines Day with your loved one?

- Do you surprise her with a bunch of red roses or confect?

- Do you tell her/him ” I love you ” many more times then on “ordinary days”?

- Do you spend her/him i.e. a romantic getaway, such as promoted by some hotels and beach resorts?

- Do you feel the romance on Valentines Day with sumptuous buffet and live entertainment by the poolside?

- Or is Valentines Day just a day like all the others for you???

The Consular Officer issues a student visa upon receipt of the authority from the Department of Foreign Affairs Manila and after evaluation of the applicant’s identity and admissibility based on the submission of the following requirements:

a) Three copies of completed FA Form No. 2;

b) Medical Certificate (FA Form No. 11), together with the life size chest x-ray film and original laboratory reports;

c) Certificate of Good Moral Character from the School Head of the institution where he or she last attended;

d) Copies of Notice of Acceptance and pertinent documents submitted by the student to the school and forwarded to the CHED in connection with his/her 9f visa application.

As soon as the foreign student arrives in the Philippines with a student visa (9f) marked in his/her passport, the school secures for its foreign student’s Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) and Certificate of Residence for Temporary Students (CRTS) at the Bureau of Immigration, Manila.

Very important notes: Foreign student-applicants are advised to apply only at colleges and institutions with accredited programs. - Submission of application for student visa for the 1st semester of each school year starts from January to March; the 2nd semester from June to August.

Foreign students who came to the Philippines as tourist may try to convert their stay permit to “student” upon submission of necessary documents and payment of corresponding fees.