Philippinen

Long before colonial times, the islands of the Philippines were home to Austronesian communities organised in barangays, small polities led by datus. Trade connected them with China and Southeast Asia, and from the 14th…

A street party brings together people who otherwise just walk past each other. Check early with the council whether you need permission, share out tasks like tables, music and activities for kids, and everyone brings so…

A wobbly chair, a toaster that's given up, trousers with a hole: plenty can be saved with a little skill. At a repair meetup people bring their broken things and work out a fix together with handy neighbours. Can you re…

Strong, unique passwords and two-factor login protect your accounts better than anything else. Before you post, ask yourself if you'd still be fine with it in five years, and never share addresses or locations with stra…

Helping out, for example coaching kids' sports, at an animal shelter or at local events, brings new friendships and looks great on your CV. Often just a few hours a month are enough. Simply ask clubs and organisations i…

Festivals, customs and small rituals connect people across decades. Which tradition in Batan Island means the most to you, and do you take part yourself? Tell us about it in the comments!

So many nice things happen that never make the papers: a lost wallet returned, a new shop opening, a lovely celebration. What good news from Batan Island would you like to share this week? We look forward to your posts!

A sunrise over the rooftops, a front garden in bloom or a funny sign: home is full of great pictures. Show us your best photo of the week from Batan Island and tell us briefly where you took it!

=== Japanese invasion === The Japanese invasion of the Philippines began with the invasion of Batan Island by a 490-man naval combat unit and a number of air corps troops aboard two transports escorted by one destroyer …

Batan Island ( bah-TAHN) is the main island of Batanes, an archipelagic province in the Philippines. It is the second largest of the Batanes Islands, the northernmost group of islands in the Philippines.

A street party brings together people who otherwise just walk past each other. Check early with the council whether you need permission, share out tasks like tables, music and activities for kids, and everyone brings so…

A wobbly chair, a toaster that's given up, trousers with a hole: plenty can be saved with a little skill. At a repair meetup people bring their broken things and work out a fix together with handy neighbours. Can you re…

Strong, unique passwords and two-factor login protect your accounts better than anything else. Before you post, ask yourself if you'd still be fine with it in five years, and never share addresses or locations with stra…

Helping out, for example coaching kids' sports, at an animal shelter or at local events, brings new friendships and looks great on your CV. Often just a few hours a month are enough. Simply ask clubs and organisations i…

The weekend is coming and the question is the same as always: what shall we do? Got an idea for a day trip, a concert or simply a lovely afternoon in NCR? Drop your tips in the comments!

A good walk clears the head and shows your home from a new angle. Which route do you love most in NCR, and roughly how long does it take? Share your favourite loop with us!

Lots of things in town only work because people give their time for free. Where do you volunteer in NCR, and where could more helping hands be useful? Tell us about it and inspire others to join in!

When you go on holiday or fall ill, someone needs to look after the cat, dog or rabbit. Neighbours are ideal: short distances and a familiar face for the animal. It's best to meet beforehand for a quick visit. Are you l…

For some older people the trip to the supermarket is hard work, especially when it's icy or very hot. If you're going shopping anyway, it's often easy to pick something up for someone else. A note in the hallway or a qu…

Guitar, drums, singing or beats on your laptop: music brings people together. Many towns have rehearsal rooms, music schools or open-mic nights where you can try things out. And bands are often looking for exactly the i…