Why Retire in the Philippines/Marinduque Vacations: First Filipino-American Highway in Southern California

Planning to Retire Soon!

If you are planning to retire in the Philippines soon, I suggest you visit several excellent websites on pro's and cons of retiring in the Philippines. However if you want to retire in the provinces, where life is simple, standard of living cheaper, less traffic congestion and pollution, availability of fresh seafood and vegetables compared to the big cities, my island province is the place for you! If this is your first time in my site, welcome. Some of the photos and videos on this site, I do not own. However, I have no intention on the infringement of your copyrights. The photo above is the front yard of Chateau Du Mer- Our Retirement Home in Boac, Marinduque, Philippines

Friday, August 5, 2011

First Filipino-American Highway in Southern California

I found this press release last week from www.benzinga.com It interesting to note that there is now a highway honoring Filipino-Americans. It is a 7 mile stretch along Highway 54. State Route 54 (SR 54) is a California State Highway in San Diego that connects Interstate 5 to the city of El Cajon. The first section was built circa 1961and the final section of freeway (which was upgraded from an expressway) opened in 2007.

This route is part of the California Freeway and Expressway System. Route 54 has the three different names given by various state laws. These names include Jamacha Road (from Campo Road to East Main Street in El Cajon), South Bay Freeway (from I-805 to Route 94) and Filipino-American Highway (from its western terminus to Route 125). The freeway portion of Route 54 is commonly referred to as the South Bay Freeway, and the roadway segments are commonly referred to by their respective names (Jamacha Boulevard, Campo Road, and Jamacha Road).

Here's the Press Release:

State Senator Juan Vargas from the 40th District had a 'Grand Opening' located on 333H Street on Suite 2030 - by SCCPress.com San Diego, CA (PRWEB) July 31, 2011

"Many walks of life went to see Senator Juan Vargas on the afternoon of 4 p.m. up to 7 p.m., July 27, 2011 on Wednesday. He stood at his office door and greeted individuals with a smile and full of enthusiasm to all that attended. Each guests and constituents had an opportunity to speak and connect with him about what mattered most regarding their concern within the boundaries where the 40th District covers. The staff's who are his liaisons were available at the open house as well. They tried to connect with the constituents too.

Senator Vargas now has a total of three offices which is located in Sacramento, El Centro and Chula Vista. He recently relocated his San Diego County district office to Downtown-Chula Vista. A SCCPress.com Reporter spoke to Hector Rivera a District Liaison aide and said, "This office was made available due to the affordability of the office space versus the other office which cost more. It is more favorable and reaches out to other constituents who may need the Senator to be more accessible." State Senator Juan Vargas encourages his constituents to drop by whenever they are in need of assistance.

SCCPress.com Reporter spoke to former aide George Balgos, the only mestizo Filipino American and Latino descent who served under Honorable Vargas said, "After working for Juan for the San Diego City Council, District 8, and the State Assemblyman, for the 79th District...the political assistance of being with him was over."

State Senator Juan Vargas served as a two terms San Diego City Council member for 8 years. He then served as a three terms State Assemblyman for 6 years. During his tenure in leadership as a former Assemblyman, he had the opportunity to change the name of a portion of the California State Route 54 Freeway to the first Filipino American Highway in United States which stretches for 7 miles. It is the only one in the United States that honors the Filipino Americans in that vast of a magnitude.

Last year in 2010, he was selected for one of the 5 "Outstanding Leaderships Awardees in San Diego County" at the Los Angeles Convention Center from one of the largest Phil-Am Expo in California and a Project of First Tri-Media Group of Companies: Philippine Media Los Angeles; Radio Manila Worldwide; Philippine Media San Diego; Nevada Examiner; Philippine American Expo: Philippine Village.

Others who were awarded were Oscar Sa. Garcia, President, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Branch 84 and the co-founder Oscar Sa. Garcia Foundation; Co-founder of PTE-HOPE, Inc. (Pagasa-Tumainisha-Esperanza-Hope Inc.), FACE (Filipino American Community Empowerment) and CFAC (Concerned Filipino American Club) Eddie Enriquez; and Maxine Sherard, Ph.D., co-founder and Vice President of PTE-HOPE, Inc. and co-founder and former President of the San Diego Dr. Martin Luther King Club of San Diego County.

Several Who's Who in San Diego County were in attendance such as Chula Vista City Council member Steve Castaneda; George Balgos; Dr. Maxine Sherard; Regina Ong-Garcia, Rolling Hills/Eastlake resident; E. Enriquez and many others.

The State Senate for the 40th District encompasses: San Ysidro, Imperial Beach, Coronado, National City, Chula Vista, Paradise Hills, City of SD (Golden Hills, South Park, City Heights, Barrio Logan, Logan Heights, Sherman Heights, Southcrest)-South of San Diego, Imperial County and Riverside.

Source: http://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/11/07/p1819730/state-senator-juan-vargas-first-meet-and-greet-2011-in-the-chula-vista-

No comments:

Fruit Trees in the Gardens of Chateau Du Mer

The Mango Tree-I have three varieties in my Garden-The Indian, Guimaras and Carabao Mangoes My caretaker/gardener informed me last month that due to the El Nino drought in Marinduque, two of my Durian trees died in spite of his vigilant watering. One of the tree was attacked by insects that looks like a big fly but yellowish in color that sucks the sap of the seedling. The roots of the other tree was attacked by ants residing in the soil. However, my other fruit trees, the rambutans( 2), the lanzones(2) and the jack fruits ( 2) trees are doing well. The above eight fruit trees were given to me by Retired General Recaredo Sarmiento of Boac and Lucena., about three years ago. General Sarmiento is the “atid” of my wife. “Atid” is the colloquial term for brother. Evidently, Macrine's father, the late Bernardo Jambalos was the Godfather of General Sarmiento during his baptism and comfirmation. Gen Sarmiento's hobby is orchard planting, reforestation and farming. The other fruit trees in my garden are guayabanos, cashew, avocados, starapples, duhats, ates, guavas, mangoes( 3 varieties) and papayas as well as several varieties of bananas . Of the above fruit trees, my favorite is the guayabanos, also known as soursop tree known for its anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties . The following are photos of the fruit trees. The Durian photo is from the web. Note that it almost look like a jack fruit tree, except that the leaves are bigger and shiny. My desire is to have a passion fruit tree in the near future. You are welcome to visit my orchard and flower gardens any time, if perchance you are in the vicinity of The Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort and Conference Center.

The Rambutan Tree and Fruits

The Lanzone Tree and Fruits

The Jack Fruit Tree

The Durian Fruit Tree