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It might be common knowledge and not new, but I found out only today.
If/when your Filipina GF/Asawa/other family members wish to apply for a Schengen visa, they do not need to show up in person at VFS (the visa service organisation) in person IF they applied for a Schengen visa in person less than 59 months ago already and had their fingerprints and picture taken at that occasion.
In that situation, you can then use the services of an agent to apply.
Saves a lot of money and hassle I would assume, not having to fly to Manila, stay at hotel etc.
So next time I'll bring the family to Europe (hopefully next year) the visa application should hopefully be a lot smoother.

 

https://www.express.co.uk/life-styl...e-headache-sneezing-sore-throat-loss-of-smell

"According to data from the ZOE COVID Study, fully vaccinated people now make up nearly 30 percent of positive cases and so it’s critical to be aware of the symptoms of Covid after vaccination," said Professor Tim Spector, lead scientist on the ZOE COVID Study app.

He continued: "Our data shows post-vaccination infections are much more like a cold than the flu, with the top symptoms being runny nose, headache, sneezing, sore throat and loss of smell.

It’s estimated there are currently 15,309 new daily symptomatic cases in fully vaccinated people in the UK, cases in this group have been rising steadily for the last week and now make up 29.4 percent of the total new daily cases.

 

Knowing that some members enjoy science (whilst a few would shove it up my arse given the chance ) here are two items of interest I came across today:

Astronomers see galaxies in ultra-high definition

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-57998940

"Astronomers have captured some of the most detailed images ever seen of galaxies in deep space. They are in much higher definition than normal and reveal the inner workings of galaxies in unprecedented detail.

The images are of the radio waves emitted by the galaxies. Researchers often study the radio waves from astronomical objects rather than the visible light they give off because it enables them to see things that would otherwise be blocked by the Earth's atmosphere or dust and gas in faraway galaxies. Many regions of space that are dark to our eyes, actually burn brightly in the radio waves they give off. This allows astronomers to peer into star-forming regions or into the heart of galaxies.

What is new is that the team has dramatically improved the resolution of radio images by linking together more than 70,000 small antennae spread across nine European counties."



The picture below shows two galaxies colliding. the bright spot on the one on the left is caused by exploding stars - creating what is effectively a galactic wind - blowing dust and gas away from it.



US lab stands on threshold of key nuclear fusion goal:

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-58252784

A US science institute is on the verge of achieving a longstanding goal in nuclear fusion research. The National Ignition Facility uses a powerful laser to heat and compress hydrogen fuel, initiating fusion.

An experiment suggests the goal of "ignition", where the energy released by fusion exceeds that delivered by the laser, is now within touching distance.

Harnessing fusion, the process that powers the Sun, could provide a limitless, clean energy source.

As a measure of progress, the yield from this month's experiment is eight times NIF's previous record, established in Spring 2021, and 25 times the yield from experiments carried out in 2018.

"The pace of improvement in energy output has been rapid, suggesting we may soon reach more energy milestones, such as exceeding the energy input from the lasers used to kick-start the process," said Prof Jeremy Chittenden, co-director of the Centre for Inertial Fusion Studies at Imperial College London.

[But still a long way to go].

 

Canceled so Pfizer vaccinations can continue tomorrow at the Dgte Sports Complex

 

This is a heads up for newcomers to the Philippines as expats who have been here a while would or should already know this.
How to lose friends in the Philippines is simple LEND THEM MONEY because they will not pay it back and if you ask them to pay it back that's when YOU are becoming unreasonable, a strict foreigner, rich when they are poor and all the other things that are said.
Its happened to me twice both times with relations of my wife who were actually friends.
1st time was a female cousin, a hard working woman in her 50s no husband and one married daughter with a husband and they both have good jobs, the cousin had a motorbike crash and was in hospital about to get an operation, when the daughter found out the cost she instructed the mother be moved (with a broken leg) to a cheaper hospital, i said to my wife just lend her the money to get it done, all good the daughter thanked us and even asked for more money for another operation for her mother, i said ok, that was well over a year ago and only 30% of what we lent has been paid back and we don't seem to be so friendly anymore.
2nd time, you might think once bitten twice shy but this time was a completely different situation although it was again a female cousin (seems to be a trend here) this woman was married to an American and flew in from the US without him to throw her family here a lifeline by starting a business for them to run , at the time we had a car to sell and she wanted to buy it, i gave her a good price and she wanted to pay it over 12 months, 1st payment no problem then the trouble starts, when asked why the second payment is missing she reveals that the purchase is between her and 6 siblings and now their turn to pay, to cut a long story short the most of the money was paid with maybe a few thousand short after lots of phone calls and unfriending on facebook.
By the way when the woman went back to US the business failed and the car was broken.
But lesson learned and no matter what the sob story the ATM is permanently closed to everyone.

 

Imagine trying to learn English and it's expressions how hard it must be for foreigners.
Here's a few expressions.......
Ever wondered why Funerals starts with Fun!
If money doesn't grow on trees why call banks branches?
If a Vegetarians eat vegetables, what do Humanitrians eat?
How do you get off a Non-Stop flight!
Why are goods sent by ships called Cargo and those sent by truck called Shipment ?
How come Noses run and Feet smell?
A 100 years ago everyone travelled by horses 0nly the rich had cars,
today everyone has cars and only the rich own horses!.......Just a thought

 

Just had take out Supreme Pizza. Delicious but so big I could only eat 2 pieces. Added my own jalapeños

 

Obviously this is an opening!

Maayo Shipping resumed their trips between Cebu and Dumaguete by 8 March. Maayo Shipping reminded the passengers for Cebu bound from Negros Oriental, there will be no documents needed before boarding.
However, passengers/cargoes bound for for Negros, necessary documents are needed and must be presented to the Coast Guard Office in Liloan, Cebu.
First trips will start at 6am daily. Minimum health protocol is still a must. Source is (RoyBuzz/HEADZ UP! NegOr News)

 

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/02...ng-swab-testing-as-travel-requirement/844650/

Although these changes are not certain at the moment (and the article says would have to be approved by the IATF-MEID), the discussions around it by the DILG are a cause for concern IMO. These changes would involve scrapping tests for Covid-19 as a travel requirement around the country. This, the article says, has already happened in Cebu province - I am unclear if that had any approval from IATF-MEID but I know that Cebu has a rising number of cases and two mutations detected. It was stated that "the DoH said last year that testing should only be mandatory for persons exposed to or showing symptoms of Covid-19" - how they know either of these things for certain is beyond me.

It is also stated that "As long as the person is following the minimum health standards such as wearing face masks and face shield, maintaining physical distancing, and regular washing of hands, these would be enough compliance (they would have at least 95 percent less risk of transmission)".

Apart from Covid-19 tests, they were also looking at lifting other travel requirements such as a travel order and local health certificates.

Again, IMO and as I read it, people need even more to look at the personal protection of themselves and of their loved ones at a time when it seems there may be a big reduction in safety measures (if I read it correctly that wearing facemasks/shields AT THE TIME will be enough evidence for travel and takes no account of the fact that the person wearing that protection may be infected and not continue to wear the PPE at the destination), a very long time before substantial vaccinations and a strong (but understandable) desire to get the economy back to nearer normal. IMO this would lead to an explosion of the virus to every island and move the Philippines way up to the top region of world rankings for cases and deaths.