Usapang Pangkababaihan lalong laluna pang Pinay sa English kaya o Pilipino, pagsamahin natin ang mga pangarap, pagtingin, pananaw sa mundong ginagalawan natin.
Let's weave a tapestry of our voices, knowledge and dreams. Let's enrich our lives with these treasures.
Capturing the splendour of a Dutch spring season in some photos taken during my visit to Keukenhof this April. Theme for this year: From Russia with Love
"Art is still not where you think you're going to find it."...from the French artist, Patrick Mimran. I was reading it our local papers Koelner-Stadt-Anzeiger featuring the preparation for this year's Art Cologne. Stealing the limelight from this event is the eruption of Eyjafjallajoekull vulcan in Iceland producing tons and tons of ashes in the atmosphere which caused chaos in all European airports and financial loses reaching more than 200 million dollars or 148 million Euro for airline companies per day. I'm wondering what happens to all those expensive airflown papayas and mangoes?
The weather this Friday is sunny but mostly cloudy. Would like to attribute it to the reported gathering of ash covering Western Europe caused by avulcan eruption in Iceland. I remember one news report mentioning that Pinatubo ashes were reaching as far as Munich when it erupted in 1991. Hmmmm, how many extinct volcanoes are there actually in Germany, I wonder.
Was shortly at the city today and got attracted to these colorfully clad girls munching bread in front of this huge bakery in Cologne. They seemed to be preparing for something and I waited. Soon they were spreading their Isomatten/mats. Screaming and whistling followed. I found out that they were candidates for Abitur, the school-leaving examinations for high school in Germany. To celebrate their graduation or finishing school, they planned to hold a five-day impromptu performances on the shopping streets of Cologne. Today was Fitness for fun. Asking some of them if they have especial message or why they are doing the instant shows, the answer was simply they want to have fun. School is over. University life starts soon.
Ordering pasalubongs is now easier...even the last minute pasalubong order is possible with our access to internet and texting possibilities. As hubby was doing a reportage during the Easter week in Wow Country, I was pestering him this time to bring me Pasalubong, not the big travel souvenirs as dust collectors but just heavenly tasting Ube Halaya, a especialty of my elder sister, and the world famous hopyas from Chinatown. It is my third order for hopyas and no one as of writing has been successful in getting them. I heard during my brief visit in Holland that bags are now rigidly controlled, opened and even contents are thrown away which as you could imagine cause so much heartaches for returning Pin@y travellers. A returning Pinay lost the content of her delayed suitcase which I learned later to be packs of tuyo (dried fish) and maybe other intriguingly smelling goodies from the home country. I wonder what happens to such confiscated goodies? Thrown away, feed to the sniffing dogs or brought home as doggie bags by Customs/airport officials and workers who know by now that such smelling goodies could only enrich their taste buds and culinary experience. When the dear "kabiyak ng puso" returned recently from a reportage travel in the Wow Country, he surprised me with packs of Pasalubongs which I religiously reminded him to bring back: my ube halaya (sweet violet yam jam), mangoes and pandisal. There were small packets of dried, mini-mini anchovies, (dilis) dried kamias, some pieces of Kalamansi (native citrus), small heads of native garlic (hubby's most fav travel souvernir in addition to his books), first home-grown papaya from my elder sister who also did this labour of love in preparing the Yam jam, small packets of sampaloc and other Phlippine spices. What a especial treat from hubby who is learning to capitulate to the texting and emailings of wifey for these treasures from the homeland. Forecast this weekend is sunny and with these precious Pasalubongs to enjoy, I would not care if it rains cats and dogs again. Meanwhile, hubby is still sleeping, recuperating from the heroic act as Pasalubong carrier.
In return for his consideration, I think I would let him indulge in his passion for garlic and just bear the garlicky days ahead in our flat. Nope, he also did not get the world famous hopyas from Chinatown. Nabitin na talaga ang hopyas!
...there's a never ending refrain in the return of nature, once reading it but could not remember the author but I sent the greetings to nice friends and social networking contacts adding that whatever beliefs you have, have a nice Easter. As additional blog post, I'm pasting here a short info on what Easter is all about. I thought the word must be lacking in letter N when I was learning English some light years away. It reminds me all the time of a Manang Ester we had, actually two Manang Ester (Manang-older sister)and thought then they had beautiful, meaningful names, Ester. So here's the brief info I found in another sites It is celebrated as the religious holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Easter is also the time of spring festivals. But the celebrations of Easter have many aspects that are pagan in origin and not associated with Christianity. The name Easter is thought to come from the goddess of mythology "Eastre,". She is associated with spring and fertility. Her festival was celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox. Traditions associated with her festival survive in the Easter Bunny, a symbol of fertility, and in colored easter eggs that were painted with bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring and given as gifts. The Christian celebration of Easter encompasses a number of traditions with emphasis on the relation of Easter to the Jewish Passover. The early Christians, many of whom were of Jewish origin, were brought up in the Hebrew tradition and regarded Easter as a new feature of the Passover festival, a commemoration of the advent of the Savior as foretold by the prophets. Easter is observed on the first Sunday following the full moon that occurs on or following the spring equinox (March 21). So Easter became a feast which can occur as early as March 22 or as late as April 25. Easter is at the end of Lent. The Lent is a period of penitence in preparation for Easter. Lent ends with Easter Sunday, the day of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. http://persiankittens.net/Easter/
My Easter Thoughts Earl J. Prignitz March 31, 2007 The Resurrection is the most important event in the life of the Christian Church! Not the birth of Jesus, nor his ministry, nor his crucifixion are as critical as his Resurrection from the grave. Obviously the Resurrection could not have happened without the previous phenomenons occuring. But without the Resurrection the Church of Jesus Christ would not have survived these many years. That is my conviction and I hold it strongly. I have been convinced of this for many years.
After the crucifixion and burial of their master the disciples were terrified and disconsolate men, hiding fearfully behind barred doors in an upper room in Jerusalem. They trembled at every knock on the door; they feared the same fate that had befallen Him. But after they had been convinced--and they were not easily assured, as the various Resurrection narratives make quite clear-- they were men transformed. Fear was transformed into courage, uncertainty into a strong and radiant faith. Immediatly they were out in the open streets of the city that had dealt so brutally with their master, proclaiming with passion and joy the great salvation that had been wrought through this mighty vindication of His son by the almighty God. The Resurrection has very little to do with spring, except that we celebrate Easter then. There is some symbolism involved in those Easter eggs, in the idea of new life emerging, in the budding of trees and the appearance of flowers, and in the earth's recovering from the death-grip of winter. But the Resurrection is so much more.
The Resurrection is the power of God which raised Jesus Christ from death to life. Ephesians speaks of that power "which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms..." (Eph 1:20, NIV). That is the Resurrection! It transcends season, and it even by-passes revered religious rites and rituals, because it is centered in the dust and trauma, the blood, sweat, tears, hopes, and dreams of all human existence.
Yes, the Resurrection is the Good News that there is life after death and we can look forward to it with great anticipation. HAPPY EASTER! I am a retired Friends pastor - 93 years of age and a dedicated peace lover. I have been a pacifist for well over 70 years. I spent 39 years of my life in one form of ministry or another in 4 different states. I am now living in Friends Fellowship Community and have been for over 9 years after suffering from two strokes just prior to that. I am married for the second time to a lovely woman named Rosalie.My first wife died in 1996 after we were married for over 61 years. From http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/23159 ****************************************************** Happy Easter whatever your beliefs are.
Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 22:07:00 03/28/2010
Filed Under: Government
IT was when Philippine Ambassador to Germany and former foreign secretary Delia Albert received the “Most Outstanding Filipino Woman in Global Diplomacy” award from President Macapagal-Arroyo in ceremonies in Malacañang that she received confirmation, from the President herself, of the swirling rumors. She was being replaced.
The smile-while-I-stick-the-knife-in-your-back announcement was part of a wave of recent presidential appointments, all made despite the election-period ban. Justice Secretary Alberto Agra, himself a new appointee, said there was “nothing irregular” with the latest round of mass hirings and dismissals. In a sense, he was right. Albert’s sudden replacement, together with other secretive appointments such as those involving the National Historical Institute and the National Museum, are in fact characteristic of Ms Arroyo’s management style. The last-minute advice to affected parties, the general lack of transparency (the Senate and House representatives to the board of the National Museum, for instance, were not informed of a key meeting), the strained rationalizations offered after the fact and, above all, the plain lack of courtesy—this recent wave of appointments has the President’s signature down to the last flourish.
The rationalizing of her spokespersons was characteristic too. The Palace had violated the strict protocols that govern diplomatic appointments, in part by skipping certain necessary steps, but all deputy spokesman Gary Olivar could say was: “No, it wasn’t hasty.” And that was that; no elaboration or explanation.
If it wasn’t hasty, why wasn’t Albert told well beforehand, following the usual 60-day recall notice, so that she could prepare for her return and advise the German foreign ministry? If it wasn’t hasty, why did the announcement of her replacement by the 87-year-old taipan Alfonso Yuchengco catch the Department of Foreign Affairs flatfooted? A DFA spokesperson was left to say, awkwardly: “We have learned of Yuchengco’s appointment but we have not received official copy of his appointment. Ambassador Albert stays so far.”
More crucial is the fact of replacement. Why would the Philippines appoint a new ambassador to Germany who can, at most, and assuming all legal obstacles are hurdled, serve for only three months? Yuchengco, the man behind Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. and other business interests, served the country as ambassador, at various times, to Japan, China and the United Nations. But even a diplomat with his experience cannot hope to do anything substantial in a mere three months.
The president of the Union of Foreign Service Officers, Assistant Secretary Vicky Bataclan, expressed her peers’ main concern. “Our beef is that Mr. Alfonso Yuchengco’s appointment is void. There is no Commission on Appointments to confirm his nomination, which is [needed for] the necessary steps, like requesting his agrément from the German government. In any case, all political ambassadors are coterminous with [the President]. This is, thus, a useless nomination to a nonexistent CA, almost void ab initio, if not unconstitutional.”
Like we said, characteristic of the President’s management style.
There is also the matter of the election ban. In the Supreme Court’s most controversial ruling to date, it decided that the President could appoint the Chief Justice even during election season, when the Constitution expressly prohibits appointments except for urgent requirements in the Executive. The President’s latest wave of appointments crashes against the breakwater of this decision (it certainly makes the majority justices even more vulnerable to accusations of being used, whether willfully or naively, by a Machiavellian administration).
Belatedly, administration spokespersons have argued that the latest appointments were all done before March 10, the date the election ban started. But one of those dismissed, Clarence Paul Oaminal, until very recently vice chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board, gave the lie to the Palace’s party line.
When he was informed of his misfortune, he said, he found out that his dismissal was made retroactive to March 5, or before the election ban took effect. Expect the same unkindest cut to be tried with Albert and the rest.
There might not be any sun this weekend but my dear neighbor Ursula S.was a shinning source of joy when she knocked on our door and just handed me this bunch of tulips saying "for simply being a nice neighbor," and she meant me! She declined to be my friend in Facebook as she wouldn't want to have anything to do with any social networking. I also prefer her that way...a friend, a thoughtful neighbor in person and not just per clicking in virtual life. Hmmmm, how do I return such simple gestures of niceness when her husband got threatened when I knock on their door with a plate of fingergoodies to taste. Would you care for a freshly brewed gumamela (hibiscus) tea, dear Mr. S.?
"It's spring again and the birds on the wing again start to sing again the old melody" Frank Sinatra
According to the calendar,it is the official start of Spring, March 20. Time to change the wardrobe, maybe get a new haircut, new hair color,out of the greying zone, get friends for brunch in street cafes, check on the few potted tulips in the terrace. Emma B., a friend who has a green thumb even for cultivating Alugbati* inside their house suggested to loosen the soil a bit so the tulips get out of their wintry hiding. Nothing of that sort happens yet so one buys ready to go tulips from the supermarket and gets out with thick jacket and gloves not forgetting the handy umbrella. *Alugbati...I wrote the usual what is alugbati in English, googled it and got this answer: Malabar Night Shade. Other source said it is a kind of spinach. One more point learned while waiting for spring.
I love drinking coffee even if I am alone. Solo eating, no. In Frankfurt, I found this place recommended by friends who also frequent this cafe. For this set of croissant with cappuccino rather caffe macchiato you pay 4.90Euro. Nice nook to read or just to observe.
For those who are thinking of visiting some cities in Germany, here are some photos I took while visiting Frankfurt. Photos show the area near Dom/Roemer, the magnet for all tourists. Just to give you a rough idea how much fare costs: With ICE train from Cologne to Frankfurt and back, about 112 Euro. Check for cheaper tickets with German trains. Trains could be b....expensive in Germany.
Sunday, March 14 Another rainy and grey Sunday this month of March. Have to fight the addiction to click to my Farm and talk to some avatars in this small network of buddies I have created since I started virtual farming. You really miss them and that's what this game is all about...you have your own mini world of contacts, not just the thrill of getting XP experience points and coins from virtual harvesting, plowing and planting...you get wishes, greetings, small talks, weather checks from countries of your buddies, their work situation. I have one dancing partner every now and then, and one woman who calls me Hun...or ends her sentence with that term. Funny, but endearing somehow.So while waiting for my pineapples to mature and hating the thought that I have to sort papers out again, I'm getting back to blogging...adding spice to my own private conversation. I bumped into Manuel last Saturday while rushing to get my train home. He said he had just returned from Lissabon the other day but mentioned about a visiting Portuguese author who is participating in this yearly LitCol, http://litcolony.de/ said to be the biggest of its kind in Europe, a literary event.
What I have been missing by being a virtual farmer? Read not reap the virtual fruits...the new slogan for me.
So ein Mann, so ein Mann...a long night of showing compassion for
the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.
George Clooney opened the concert with the message that "at the
core of every religion is the belief that we take care of one
another."
Hmmmm, more glamoruous men like him but hopefully less
catastrophies in the world.
The much awaited blue moon on the eve of the new year...this one I saw when woking up early morning of the first day of the new year. Not so bluish but the same moon. Symbols to welcome the new year...olie bollen, grapes, and sticky rice cake "palitaw"...all things round to get luck in the new year. Our first film for the year...It's Complicated...and so with the posting of the photo...pure entertainment...go see it and have a good releasing laugh watching veteran actors Meryl Streep, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin act out complications in human relationships i. e. marriage, family, divorce and falling in love. It's complicated
Still no sign of snow be neighbors' chimneys are all giving out smoke signals. A friend sent message that they have snowflakes this morning somewhere in Bonn. It seems everyone is just waiting for the first snowfall. In Copenhagen, another friend is sending invites to friends to join the big demonstration for climate protection and appeal to the UN Climate Change Conference participants to make Copenhagen conference a big breakthrough in keeping their responsibilities for protecting our planet. First of the 9th day before Christmas...Paul McCartney performs tonight in Cologne. Cross-posting here the most famous song in our planet earth...Yesterday... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WqdAgl2cfM
"Recognition of human dignity of all people is the foundation of justice and peace in the world."
I'm posting a copy of the open letter of the German Federation of Journalists to the Ambassador of the Philippines to Germany on the Ampatuan/Maguindanao massacre on November 23, 2009.
Letter of International Federation of Journalists (Germany) to Philippine Ambassador Share Today at 02:55 9 December 2009
RE: Massacre in the Philippines
Your Excellency,
The German Journalists Union (DJU in ver.di) respectfully requests your cooperation in ensuring the Government of the Philippines is aware of the global outrage about the massacre of a confirmed 59 people in Maguindanao Province, Mindanao, on November 23.
We urge you to use your authority and position to impress upon your Government that the global community is demanding immediate and credible action to ensure that all parties responsible for this atrocity are held accountable to the full limit of the law.
We are informed by the International Federation of Journalists and its affiliate the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines that at least 30 journalists and media workers were among those murdered. At the time of writing, another four media personnel are unaccounted for.
This is the worst mass killing of journalists and media workers ever recorded.
Journalists and the international media community are grieving and distraught at the failure of the Government of the Philippines to uphold its responsibility to protect our colleagues and to end the long-running culture of impunity for the murders of journalists in the Philippines.
During President Arroyo’s tenure, at least 75 journalists have been killed in the Philippines. Almost all have been killed in relation to their professional work. At last count, only four convictions had been secured for these killings. Outside of Iraq, the Philippines has become the most dangerous country for journalists this century.
The Government of the Philippines is obliged under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1738 (2006) to actively protect journalists and media workers reporting in conflict zones within their national borders, in accordance with their status as civilians under international law.
We call on you to ensure your Government and police and security forces act on their responsibility to bring the perpetrators and masterminds of the November 23 atrocity to account, without delay, and to act now to end the culture of impunity that has plagued the Philippines for so long.
Respectfully Yours,
Ulrike Maercks-Franzen General Secretary of German Journalists Union dju in ver.di
Still feeling so empty and sad since this Nov. 23 Ampatuan massacre. I started looking for songs and I found this link with YouTube featuring this Italian song I heard when I was in Italy this summer...domani. Tomorrow. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4B5Yzh84xg
wondering if the site will accept the two posted sites.
Now the lyrics of the Italian song:
Originally Posted by bellacomeilsole
Tra le nuvole e i sassi passano i sogni di tutti Between the clouds and the stones the dreams of everyone pass
passa il sole ogni giorno senza mai tardare. (Tiziano Ferro) the sun passes every day without ever being late
Dove sarò domani? (Enrico Ruggeri) Where will I be tomorrow?
Dove sarò? (Gianni Morandi) Where will I be?
Tra le nuvole e il mare c’è una stazione di posta (Franco Battiato) Between the clouds and the sea there is a coaching inn (la stazione di posta is a place where wayfarers used to stop in order to get some rest)
uno straccio di stella messa lì a consolare (Massimo Ranieri) a tear of a star put there to comfort
sul sentiero infinito (Max Pezzali) on the infinite path
del maestrale (Eugenio Finardi) of the northwest wind
Day by day (Zucchero) Day by day (Cesare Cremonini) hold me shine on me. (Zucchero) shine on me (Cesare Cremonini) Day by day save me shine on me (Zucchero, Carmen Consoli, Mauro Pagani, Cesare Cremonini, Eugenio Finardi)
Ma domani, domani, domani, lo so (Francesco Renga) But tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow, I know
Lo so che si passa il confine, (Roberto Vecchioni) I know that it passes through the confines (lit. I know that the borders will be passed)
E di nuovo la vita (Mauro Pagani) and again life
sembra fatta per te (Giuliano Palma) seems [to be] made for you
e comincia (Elio) and it begins
domani (Elio e Le Storie Tese, Vittorio Cosma ) tomorrow
domani è già qui (Jovanotti) tomorrow is already here
rap 1 Estraggo un foglio nella risma, nascosto scrivo e non riesco forse perché il sisma m’ha scosso (Caparezza) I pull out a piece in the ream, [being] hidden I write and don't succeed maybe because the earthquake shocked me
rap 2 Ogni vita che salvi, ogni pietra che poggi, fa pensare a domani ma puoi farlo solo oggi (Frankie Hi Energy) Every life that you save, every stone that you place, it makes you think about tomorrow but you can only do (it) today
e la vita la vita si fa grande così (Gianluca Grignani) and life, life is made big like this
e comincia domani (Giuliano Sangiorgi) and it begins tomorrow
Tra le nuvole e il mare si può fare e rifare (Claudio Baglioni) Between the clouds and the sea you can make and repair
con un pò di fortuna (Ron) with a little luck
si può dimenticare. (Luca Carboni) you can forget
Dove sarò (Baustelle) Where will I be?
domani? Dove sarò? (Samuele Bersani e Baustelle) tomorrow, where will I be?
rap 3 Dove sarò domani che ne sarà dei miei sogni infranti, dei miei piani Dove sarò domani, tendimi le mani, tendimi le mani (Marracash) Where will I be tomorrow, what will become of my shattered dreams, of my plans. Where will I be tomorrow, stretch out your hands to me, stretch out your hands to me
Tra le nuvole e il mare si può andare e andare (Laura Pausini) Between the clouds and the sea you can go and go
sulla scia delle navi di là del temporale (Carmen Consoli) in the wake of the ships beyond the storm
e qualche volta si vede (Nek) and sometimes you see
domani (Antonello Venditti) tomorrow
una luce di prua (Nek) a light of the prow
e qualcuno grida: Domani (Antonello Venditti) and someone yells: tomorrow
rap 4 Come l’aquila che vola Like an eagle that flies
libera tra il cielo e i sassi, siamo sempre diversi e siamo sempre gli stessi, free among the sky and the stones we are always different and we are always the same
hai fatto il massimo e il massimo non è bastato e non sapevi piangere e adesso you did the maximum (you did your best) and the maximum wasn't enough and you didn't know how to cry and now
che hai imparato non bastano le lacrime ad impastare il calcestruzzo that you learned the tears aren't enough to blend the concrete
eccoci qua cittadini d’Abruzzo here are the citizens of Abruzzo
e aumentano d’intensità le lampadine una frazione di the intensity of the lamps grows a fraction of
secondo prima della finee la tua mamma, of a second before the end your mother
la tua patria da ricostruire, your love of the land to reconstruct
comu le scole, le case e specialmente lu core as well as the schools, the houses but especially the heart e puru nu postu cu facimu l’amore eppure un posto dove facciamo l'amore (guessing)- and a place to make love (Jovanotti, J Ax, Fabri Fibra e in chiusura Sud Sound System)
non siamo così soli (Giuliano Sangiorgi) we are not so alone
a fare castelli in aria (J Ax e Fabri Fibra) in building castles in the sky (air)
non siamo così soli (Giuliano Sangiorgi) we are not alone
sulla stessa barca (J Ax , Fabri Fibra) on the same ship
non siamo così soli (Giorgia) we are not alone
a fare castelli in aria (J Ax e Fabri Fibra) in building castles in the sky
non siamo così soli (Giorgia) we are not alone
a stare bene in Italia (J Ax e Fabri Fibra) in being well in Italy
sulla stessa barca (J Ax) on the same ship
a immaginare un nuovo giorno in Italia (Giorgia, Giusy Ferreri, Dolcenera, Mario Venuti, Jovanotti, J Ax, Fabri Fibra) in imagining a new day in Italy
Tra le nuvole e il mare si può andare, andare Sulla scia delle navi di là dal temporale (Piero Pelù) Qualche volta si vede una luce di prua e qualcuno grida, domani (Morgan) Non siamo così soli (Giorgia, Mario Venuti, Giusy Ferreri, Dolcenera, Giuliano Sangiorgi) (tromba solo di Roy Paci) Domani è già qui Domani è già qui (Jovanotti, Marracash, FabriFibra, J Ax) (Assolo violino Mauro Pagani) Ma domani domani, domani lo so, lo so, che si passa il confine (Gianna Nannini) E di nuovo la vita sembra fatta per te e comincia (Elisa) domani (Sud Sound System) Tra le nuvole e il mare, si può fare e rifare Con un pò di fortuna si può dimenticare (Manuel Agnelli Afterhours) E di nuovo la vita, sembra fatta per te (Mango) E comincia (Niccolò Fabi) (coro finale) domani E domani domani, domani lo so Lo so che si passa il confine E di nuovo la vita sembra fatta per te E comincia domani