Written By Loy Palapos
Columnist
Bohol Sunday Post
It was a scorching afternoon at the CPG Sports Complex last July 22, when 30 Sandugo street dancing contingents took turns in making a five-minute performance to a jampacked grandstand and adjoining bleachers, when Hans Schoof was requested to greet the audience by the emcee. Unrehearsed and visibly unexpecting of the turn of events, for he was there to see the highlight of the celebration, he calmly stood up, was given the microphone, and essayed some impromptu lines (in his impeccable English that unveiled the land of his birth) which summed up with the unmistakably sincere "I am German by birth, Boholano by heart."
The applause that followed sincerely came from the hearts of the Boholanos present. Prodded by the emcee, who knew that Hans would be celebrating his 60th natal day on July 31, the grandstand audience sang the immortal "Birthday Song." Obviously, it was a gesture appreciated by the celebrator, as evidenced by his impish smile after being given the distinct accolade.
Eager to be an instrument for Hans to be closer to the people, I took time to meet him at Bo's Coffee Shop last Friday afternoon for an interview. Hans Schoof is a precious gem of a friend any Boholano can call a brother. Unassuming and devoid of any hint of arrogance, he is a generous individual who loves peace to reign globally. With me in the candid interview were Boy Guingging (BG) and Chito Fuentes (CF), two of the best journalists of Bohol.
BG: You have chosen the Botika sa Barangay Foundation as one of the recipients of your philanthropy especially during the celebration of your birthday. We would like to know why, of all the foundations in Tagbilaran, this is the one which you have chosen?
HS: Because I am aware of the need for medicine, and I think it is the most important thing that can be done.
BG: Is it true that whatever you will raise out of the fund-raising campaign in your birthday, you will also give a counterpart amount?
HS: I will add.
LMP: I believe that the invitation stipulates that instead of gifts in kind it will be monetary contribution for the Botika sa Barangay.
HS : Whatever amount they can spare.
LMP: You will make an announcement of your contribution that same night?
HS : Yes.
LMP: Would you like to consider that as a celebration of gratitude to what is happening to your life?
HS : Yes.
BG: So, you will be inviting a lot of people during your birthday including the relatives of your wife?
HS : It is not just to invite all my neighbors from Baclayon, Albur and Guindulman, because these people protected me when I came to Bohol, and nobody knew who I was. These people showed hospitality and friendship to me.
BG: I understand that this particular birthday that you have is a big party. I heard that you are even importing waiters from Shangri-La. Is it true?
HS : I cannot tell you. It's a surprise party by my wife.
BG: So, it's your wife who is in charge of the invitation?
HS : Yeah.
BG: Is it true it is a 5-year preparation?
HS : Yes.
BG: Now that you are 60 years old, what is your birthday wish?
HS : I would like to say I am 60 years young. My wish is a healthy family. For me, I know we all live in a destiny. Even while in my bed I can contemplate that you will never know what part of the day comes for you to go. We should love each other, we should respect each other.
BG: You are familiar with the adage "peace not war" in the 80's?
HS: Yes.
BG: You are also familiar with the flower power. It's a language of the 80's also.
HS : Yes. It's the reason I am an environmentalist.
LMP: With this case in Iraq, you are against this war initiated by the Americans?
HS: Because it is wrong. War is wrong.
LMP: Where did you learn this kind of attitude about war, was it from youth or you realized it only in later part of your life?
HS: No. I think it was actually during my childhood, about Germany when I was young.
LMP: When you sum up your experience as a boy, were you greatly affected by the war, and that is something that is so negative you so you would like not to experience that again?
HS: No it's not only that I don't like to experience it again. The goal should be to live in peace and understanding.
LMP: Is that also your philosophy in life right now, to live in peace?
HS: To live in peace and to live in your own and you have to find your own point. You should not be bound to anything, nor anybody. You should be free.
LMP: Everybody talks about your generosity. Is this kind of attitude you have now also a result of that experience?
HS: For sure.
LMP: Do you have a project on sending students as scholars on your own?
HS: We do a lot along that line.
LMP: How long have you been doing this?
HS: 10 years.
LMP: Those people that you have helped were they able to express their gratitude to you or they just left?
HS: They were grateful.
LMP: You mentioned a while ago about coming over because you feel that the people here accepted you. Does it mean that this thing does not exist in your homeland?
HS: I don't think this exists today anymore. When I was a young child Germany stayed very close together.
LMP: You went back during the death of your mother.
HS: Yes, sure. Before, I went 2 or 3 times a year to visit my mother.
LMP: How about your other relatives?
HS: My younger sister comes here several times in a year
LMP: Which part of Germany did you really grow up?
HS: Wiesbaden.
LMP: Is this far from Berlin?
HS: Yeah.
LMP: For sure you must not like also the Wall in Berlin?
HS: Yeah.
LMP: What was your feeling when it was torn down?
HS: It was a great feeling because nobody expected it in our generation. The people really wanted it down.
LMP: When this took place were you already in the Philippines?
HS: Yeah.
BG: When did you start experiencing a good life?
HS: Right after I come to the Philippines.
BG: 20 years ago?
HS: No, 17 years ago. I worked hard for what I am now.
BG: You came to the Philippines in 1995?
HS: No, 1986.
BG: So it was a good 21 years. The moment you came to the Philippines, were you enjoying this kind of life already?
HS: I would not say this kind of life.
BG: What made you decide to come to the Philippines?
HS: I went on a world trip, and came here, and loved the place.
BG: Was it the first time you made a world trip?
HS: No, many times already.
BG: In 1986, that was the first time you came in the Philippines?
HS: Yes.
LMP: Before you came to the Philippines, was this the time when you built your business? Would that be hotel business?
HS: Yeah. Before I was in Germany, I was in Thailand for 7 years.
BG: Your business now in Baclayon, where you set up a resort, so it is not new to you?
HS: Yes.
BG: Is it really for business or is it really for fun?
HS: It is for business.
BG: What's the name of the place?
HS: Peacock Garden Hotel
BG: Why did you name it peacock?
HS: Because peacock is a symbol of royal service
LMP: You mentioned about Jose Rizal in Heidelberg. Is this the reason why you keep coming to Bohol because you have this admiration of Rizal? Is there any connection here? You admire the guy so much.
HS: Yes because he is a multi-genius because Rizal was not only a nationalist, he was internationalist.
LMP: Is your resort expected to be the best resort and spa in Bohol?
HS: It will be different.
LMP: So this will turn out to be not the same as the others already operating?
HS: No, it's up to you to come and judge.
BG: When is the inauguration?
HS: End of September soft opening
LMP: How big is the area?
HS: 10 hectares.
LMP: But it is an observation that if tourism comes to a place some other changes which are negative also come with it?
HS: Not necessarily. Bohol should retain its traditions.
LMP: And that would of course include culture. You would like the culture to stay as is?
HS: Sure. Certainly
LMP: Would you like to consider this influence from the West bad for the Boholanos?
HS: I think this influence comes from the Americans.
BG: If you were to live your life all over again, what would you like to be?
HS: The same I am today.
BG: If there are things that you miss about Germany while you are here, what are they?
HS: After my mother's death. My home is here.
BG: What do you think of Bohol apart from other places that you have been?
HS: The Boholanos for me are very friendly. Bohol is a peaceful place.
LMP: I noticed something even if there is no organization it seems the Germans here in Bohol look up to you as their leader.
HS: Yeah. Because maybe I'm a very kind-hearted person.
BG: I understand you are the only German who has cultivated relationship with the top political figures in Bohol from the Governor to the City Mayor.
HS: I don't know if I'm the only one.
BG: The way I look at it, I think you are the only German who is friendly with officials.
HS: I want to work with them, for progress.
BG: Are you also involved in civic activities in Germany?
HS: No.
LMP: There was a foundation that you made, what's the name again?
HS: Boholano Foreign Friendship Foundation
BG: What brings satisfaction to your life?
HS: Satisfaction is to look in the world to meet other people.
LMP: What makes you close to the Mayor?
HS: We were friends even if he was not yet a Mayor and we have very much in common. We are working together for development. We love peace and freedom.
Nobody transcends his perceptual field. A person is a product of his environment. As a young boy after the Second World War, Hans'family, like the others in war-torn Germany, experienced hardships. These personal experiences until today are very much a part of his life. Thus, his hatred for war, and anything that connotes violence. Hans Schoof believes every man can attain freedom if he wants to. He can live in peace and prosperity through is own efforts.
There's no doubt, he loves Bohol. He does not feel homesick anymore. The Germany today is not the same Germany before. He has found love, peace, and security in the island province. There is no turning back.
But he wishes that Bohol would not succumb to American influences that would corrode its value system. Boholanos should hold on to its unique culture. "Bring back the old songs and dances, bring back the rondallas." Heritage that distinguishes Bohol from the right of the world.
There are now many foreigners who have found home in Bohol. But he is unique in his expressed desire to preserve local culture. Even his Peacock Garden Hotel, which will have a soft opening last part of September, would be an expression of his personality. "I want to be different," he said. His great success as an international restaurant and hotel connoisseur finds full expression in his resort in Baclayon, which will bear the emblem "A different world awaits."
For indeed, this peace-loving individual who is German by birth, but Boholano by heart, has found his home here.
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Topic: A German Heart in Bohol (Read 1486 times)