Filipinos buffeted by winds of change in Germany

Filipinos work to change with the times in Berlin

In this story: Filipino children risk life and limb for survival  Animal organs may help shorten transplant wait Joint corps signals new era for Europe's militaries Bahrain celebrates pearl diving tradition Romania touts new cars with a French accent Rembrandt is talk of town in Amsterdam Cuban athlete keeps on kicking, sets new record About CNN World Report RELATED STORIES, SITES

By Kevin Grieves
CNN World Report

Ten years ago, Berliners from East and West embraced each other as the wall separating them came down. But the euphoria of that moment has dissipated as the strains between East and West have grown more pronounced.

A recent poll shows that Germany still has a long way to go as it tries to grow back together: Only one in ten Germans feel that they are now one people. In fact, the poll revealed that more than 10 percent of both eastern and western Germans surveyed wished the country were once again divided by a wall.

But Germans aren't the only ones experiencing the challenges of reunification. It's estimated that some 5,000 Filipinos live in Berlin, and those residents are facing many of the same ups and downs as their German neighbors. Philippine broadcaster ABS-CBN recently traveled to Berlin, and spoke with some of the Filipinos living in the German capital.

As many Germans are struggling with factors such as unemployment, so are many Filipinos living in Germany. ABS-CBN reporter Cathy Yang spoke with several Filipinos in Berlin, one of whom, Gloria Lange Mahinay, was forced to deal with the loss of her job. "As a Filipino who is looking for a job, that is kind of hard," she remembered.

Fortunately for Mahinay, she was able to start anew and now runs her own business in Berlin. Other Filipino immigrants were able to retain their jobs, but are feeling the effects of reunification's financial strains nonetheless. For example, Filipino workers living in Germany are helping subsidize projects in eastern Germany through the so-called "solidarity tax."

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Philippines' GMA-7 News Bernadette Sembrano looks at the plight of these children Windows Media 28K 80K

Filipino children risk life and limb for survival

Back in the Philippines, some children are resorting to desperate measures in order to fight the poverty gripping large parts of the population. The Philippines' GMA-7 News showed CNN World Report viewers how children put their lives at risk as they gather cement leftovers to resell for a few dollars a day. Authorities say they tend to look the other way, since the children need the money to buy food.

Animal organs may help shorten transplant wait

Thousands of seriously ill people all over the world wait for life-saving organs to be transplanted into their bodies to replace their own defective organs. But such waits are extending to months and sometimes years, as the number of people in need of organs outnumbers the availability of healthy donor organs. Out of desperation, transplant doctors are turning to a new source for transplant organs: animals. Pigs in particular have certain organs which are similar to those of humans.

Xenotransplantation, or transplantation from animals to humans, remains in the experimental stages. As it is still an unproven procedure, many questions remain about the potential risks. TCS of Singapore examined the issue of xenotransplantation, and visited a recent meeting of transplant surgeons.

TCS explained that there are significant ethical considerations that must be dealt with before xenotransplantation can become a commonly accepted procedure. But beyond that, physicians have immunological worries, too. Scientists have not yet ruled out the possibility that viruses can be passed from the animal organs to the human body. Dr. A. Vathsala, a member of the Asian Society of Transplantation, says this viral danger remains a major hurdle.

"There's the issue of acquiring retroviral infections from pig donors and these issues do need to be resolved, but if you can overcome these, then yes, you have a huge supply of donor organs from pig donors for transplantation," Vathsala told TCS.

New army corps aims for European cooperation

Joint corps signals new era for Europe's militaries

The recent war over Kosovo exposed some serious problems for Europe's military leaders. European NATO partners found they were lagging behind the United States in a number of areas that are increasingly becoming critical to a modern military. For example, high tech weaponry is playing a greater role in operations such as that against Yugoslavia.

Rapid deployment is also taking on more importance: responding to regional crises requires greater mobility on the part of troops, something European NATO members found they struggled with in the Kosovo conflict.

CNN World Report contributor TVP of Poland reported on a move by three European nations to prepare militarily for the challenges of the 21st century. Denmark, Germany and Poland have formed a joint military corps; a corps which is designed to take part in NATO peacekeeping, humanitarian and rescue operations.

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TVP reporter Jolanta Wolowska says the foundation for the new corps was laid by Poland's entry into NATO this past March, and was cemented by the current strong relations between Poland and Germany. TVP took viewers to the Polish city of Szczecin for the symbolic presentation of the unit's banner to the corps' first commander, a Danish general.

Bahrain celebrates pearl diving tradition

Most of the world's supply of pearls are now cultured pearls from Japan, but this was not always the case. The oyster beds in the Persian Gulf, formerly a major pearl-producing region, once supported thousands of families in the Gulf nation of Bahrain.

Those Gulf waters now mainly welcome adventurous tourists rather than vocational pearl-seekers. But Bahrain is proud of its pearl-diving heritage, and recently had a chance to show off the tradition of pearl diving in a 10-day-long pearl diving festival.

Bahrain Television showed viewers the rare pearls on display at the Bahrain National Museum, accompanied by photographs and artifacts of the pearl diving trade. Another part of the pearl festival featured traditional craftsmen showing their skills at piercing and stringing natural pearls, as well as rope-making and oyster-bag weaving.

Dacia shows off its newest models in Bucharest

Romania touts new cars with a French accent

Romania's formerly state-owned auto manufacturer, Dacia, is now making a go of it as a privately-owned company. Dacia began building cars in the late 1960s under license from Renault of France. But now that Romania has emerged into a market economy, Dacia has been privatized. The car manufacturer is returning to its roots, with the largest stake in the company going to France's Renault.

Along with more than 200 other car makers, Dacia showed off its latest models at the recent Bucharest International Motor Show, and Romanian Television took a look at some of the new automotive offerings. Dacia's newest cars will take advantage of Renault technology and know-how, particularly in the area of emissions controls.

Dacia models are more affordable for the average Romanian car buyer than many other imports, and Romanian Television reporter Nicolae Melinescu says value for money is a top consideration for local consumers. But even at an average price of around U.S. $3,000, he says the vehicles on display at the Motor Show remain a major investment for most Romanians. "People come and watch, and few can afford to buy. The problem is selling these cars," he explains.

Rembrandt's image beckons from exhibits, museum, film

Rembrandt is talk of town in Amsterdam

He's considered by many in the art world to be the greatest artist of the so-called "Dutch school." Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn lived from 1606 to 1669, and his legacy soon reached far beyond the borders of the Netherlands.

Rembrandt's paintings feature many different subjects, but when no models were available to paint for portraits, he painted himself. In fact, it's estimated that there are between 50 and 60 Rembrandt self-portraits. Now the Dutch painter's image is once again appearing all over the Netherlands, and Dutch broadcaster RNTV provided a look at the "Rembrandt-mania" that seems to be gripping the country.

The Amsterdam house where Rembrandt produced many of his works is being converted into a museum dedicated to him, and museum curators are attempting to recreate the house's 17th century appearance. The Hague is hosting an exhibition called "Rembrandt Self," featuring many of the self-portraits for which the artist is famous. And the renowned artist is even making an appearance of sorts on the silver screen: a French-made movie about Rembrandt's life is currently being shown in Dutch cinemas.

Luis Sanchez attempts to kick his way into the record books

Cuban athlete keeps on kicking, sets new record

Twelve hours of non-stop soccer ball kicking, without so much as a bathroom break. Even for a die-hard fan of the sport, that would likely seem a bit much. But for Luis Eubufalito Sanchez, a 20-year-old Cuban soccer player, it means having his name appear in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Cubavision's cameras captured some of Sanchez' grueling test of endurance, during which the athlete had to keep the soccer ball in the air by continuously kicking it. An exhausted Sanchez kept kicking for twelve hours, breaking the previous record, accompanied by the cheers and encouragement of friends and well-wishers. By attaining the magic mark, Sanchez becomes the only Guinness record-holder in Cuba.

Cubavision reporter Carlos Alberto Lujan says the record achievement did not come easily for Sanchez. "He endured hours and days of training, and a special diet," Lujan says. But as he looks back, Sanchez clearly has no regrets, and he can rest his legs secure in the knowledge that he has achieved a place in Guinness history -- until the next challenger tops his foot-feat, that is.