Why Retire in the Philippines/Marinduque Vacations: Photo Memories of My College Years as an UPSCAN

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, November 2, 2012

Photo Memories of My College Years as an UPSCAN

University of the Philippines Chapel of the Holy Sacrifice in Diliman, Q.C.. My name is one of the 1,000 names buried in the foundation of this church before the start of construction in the 1950's. The chapel is now a historical landmark in the Philippines, being the first circular architectural structure built in the Philippines. A 1:5000 miniature model of the chapel was the decoration at the top of our wedding cake on May 8,1957.

The following are some of the photos during my college years at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines from 1952-1956. My involvement with the activities of UP Student Catholic Action (UPSCA) were the highlights of my college life experiences. At that time I was studying on my Bachelor Science degree in Chemistry. I graduated in October, 1955 then went to US to pursue my Ph.D degree in 1959. The rest is history and for details of my life after my college years please visit my site at, http://davidbkatague.blogspot.com

Macrine( my spouse of 55 years) and my Bachelor Degree Graduation Photos

UPSCANS In front of the Old Chapel after Mass with Fr. John Delaney. Fr John was my inspiration and hero at that time. His words and action still reverberates in my mind today!

During two of our regular monthly meetings

UPSCA Choir, 1953 with Prof Antonio Molina

During one of the many monthly socials during my college years. Dancing with Macrine

UP Men's South Dorm Officers and Residents, 1954. I was one of the officers of Mens South Dorm Association. I am in the front row kneeling first in the far Left.

Macrine and friends, 1953

UPSCANS, College of Liberal Arts

UPSCANS-After the General Meeting

After UPSCAN Board Meeting with Fr. John Delaney. Do you recognize yourself in this photo?

Dave and Macrine at the UPSCA Monthly Social

Note: If you are in any of the above photos, I would like to get in touch with you. I could be reached in my website above and also at http://theintellectualmigrant.bogspot.com I hope you are also aging gracefully.

Here's a short history of UPSCA from www.reocities.com UPSCA can be traced as far back as 1939 when Fr. James McCarthy, a Colombian priest, organized a Student Catholic Action (SCA) in UP as an offshoot from the Scholastic Philosophy Club (SPC) said to have been formed at 1936. SPC was an organization of Catholic UP students who held discussions on theological themes such as Catholic Philosophy and the works of St. Thomas Aquinas.

In 1941-45, UPSCA, like all university organizations, hushed as World War II took over the entire country. But in 1946, UPSCA was the first SCA chapter to reorganize. It was at this time that Fr. John Patrick Delaney stroked the fire that burned in UPSCA. Then, in 1950, the UP flagship was moved from Padre Faura, Manila to Diliman, Q.C. In the new Campus UPSCA spearheaded the construction of the Chapel of the Holy Sacrifice(see photo above).

As its history manifests, UPSCA was formed by the people who cared about something a lot bigger than themselves—other people. As they struggled to bring about change in the country, campus and in the hearts of students and others in the UP community, they carved a niche for a different way of living one’s life in and out of UP. The spirit and mission of UPSCA has been my inspiration and goals in life. I thank the late Fr. John Delaney for his guidance and inspiration during my student years in the 1950's in UP, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.

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.