The Last Tango and Memories of My Father

Today is Bonifacio day in the Philippines and also the 46th anniversary of the death of my Father. The following video( The Last Tango) I am dedicating to his memory.


The following is a repost of an article about the Tango and the pleasant memories of My father, Dr David Jamili Javellana K(C)atague.



"Today, I just like to hear some tango music to cheer me up because it had been raining here in Northern California. So here's a reprint of my blog about the Tango and my Father.

Last November 30, 2015 was the 45th anniversary of the death of my father, Dr David Javellana Jamili K(C)atague. The tango reminds me of him since the tango was his favorite dance. The following article is an excerpt from my blogs that I wrote three years ago.

When I was a teenager growing up in the 3rd class town of Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, Philippines, My father used to teach us (me and my cousins) how to dance the Tango, Paso Doble, the Rumba and the Waltz. This music does reminds me of my teenager days. This is one of the many reasons, why my favorite TV shows today are Dancing with the Stars(DWTS) and So You Think You Can Dance(SYTYCD).

I hope you enjoy the following video(s) and related music as much as I do. Have a Great Day!"


Do not forget to view the related videos in this set. I recommend the Tango with the La Cumparsita music. This music was the first tango music my father used to teach us. Pleasant memories indeed!

Have You Heard of Pantsuit Nation?

I was reading my FB page the other day and I heard for the first time a group calling themselves Pantsuit Nation. I was very curious so I googled it and here's what I learned about the group.

Who We Are:
Stories spark change. Taken individually, a story can create a tiny opening in a once-closed space. It is a glimmer. It can shine as something that is true and raw and beautiful. But one story - a single voice telling a single story - is often all too easy to ignore, to shout over or drown out. A single voice can be targeted or silenced.

Pantsuit Nation exists to harness the power of collective storytelling. Millions of voices telling millions of stories. We amplify the voices of those who have historically been underrepresented or excluded. We listen. We empower our members to speak with honesty and without fear of attack. We are strong in our diversity. We invite conversation - true conversation - about the issues that are most fundamental to us and our identities.

We believe that feminism is intersectional. We believe that “women’s rights are human rights.” We believe that progress around racial justice, LGBTQ* rights, rights for people with disabilities, religious freedom, and the fight to combat hatred and bigotry in all forms is most effective when emboldened and humanized through first-person narrative. We believe that politics is personal, and that progressive movement occurs when the empathetic potential of a story is unleashed. Collective storytelling amplifies the voices of those who have been marginalized. We empower our members to speak with honesty and without fear of attack. ​Stories give meaning to action and meaningful action leads to long-term, sustainable change.

What We Do:
Pantsuit Nation is a lens through which we learn about the lives of others, often in a deeply personal way. Our members actively create and promote a culture of interest, respect, and empathy that directly translates into a better understanding of how policy impacts marginalized people in our country. If we can be driven to care about the stories of others, we can be driven to care about the policies that affect them. Take action. Pantsuit Nation members are committed to carrying out thoughtful, forward-thinking actions, whether it’s confronting a bully, volunteering at a local nonprofit, donating money to an important cause, or extending a simple kindness to another person. Through partnerships with national and local organizations, the collective impact of our stories and the actions they inspire has the potential to change the world.

What’s Next:
Pantsuit Nation, after one month, has expanded from a small group of friends to include over 3.7 million individuals all around the world. To say that this movement has potential is, we think, an understatement. We have so many ideas, and we’ll be sharing some of our next steps with you in another blog post later this week. In the meantime, share a story, listen to a story, and join us in being thankful for all that Pantsuit Nation has represented and offered to us over the past several weeks. There’s so much more to come! Source: http//:pantsuitnation.org

A Relative Story:
The following story is from the FaceBook Page of my wife's closed relative. You probably know the identity of the Mom described in this story. I did have permission from the author to re post the following story.

I just discovered "Pantsuit Nation", a FB group with millions of members functioning as sort-of online-therapy through personal stories in the aftermath of the election. I encourage you all to join, but for those of you not on it, they just approved my post. I thought I'd share:

I’m a Filipino-American guy who was raised as a kid single-mother/single-child. My mom is a nurse who worked night-shifts in San Francisco and I often slept in an empty hospital room to save on babysitters. She later remarried but for my entire lifetime, she was always the bread-winner of the family. She and I are largely the same in nature: she’s a tough woman and I became the “tough-guy”.

It’s not common in our family to say “I love you” the way it might be in a more nuclear family and both she and I rarely cry. I guess I’m posting here because I was devastated by this election and I’ve spent hours reading all your stories and it makes me feel better. My mom worked as a nurse in Cambodia during the Vietnam War. Later she took a particularly active political stand in the takedown of the terrible dictator Ferdinand Marcos during the “People’s Power” revolution in the Philippines back in the early 80s. So with all due respect to everyone in Pantsuit Nation, to me Hillary is only the second most powerful woman in the world, after my mother.

So here I am, a tough guy raised by his tough mother, crying with you all in Pantsuit Nation in the fight against hate. Thank you for all your stories.

Note: The author of the above story told me his mother called him after Trump was announced the PEOTUS and cried. His mother rarely cry but the defeat of Hillary was such a devastation and disappointment it made her cry.

Hillary's defeat made me sad and disappointed but I did not cry. How about you? If you are a Hillary Fan, I like to hear from you!

A Belated Thanksgiving Dinner Yesterday

Last Thursday, we were planning to attend the Thanksgiving Dinner for the Katague and Jambalos Clan at my sister-in-law residence in Palo Alto, California. Macrine had been excited to attend this Gathering for the previous two days. However, on the morning of November 24, she got sick and was too weak to travel so we had to cancel.

Yesterday, Sunday, November 27, we had a belated Early Thanksgiving Dinner(2PM). Our guest is my nephew and name sake from Australia. My youngest daughter Ditas ( Carenna stayed home to do her school homework) was also able to attend. This was also a special dinner for David III 54th birthday.

For the dinner menu, I purchase 4lbs of Honey-baked ham and 1 lb of honey-glazed turkey breast from our neighborhood Honey-Baked Ham store. In addition Macrine and I prepared our favorite recipe of Dungeness Crab Omelet. For Carbohydrates we have sweet potato, steam rice, sweet Hawaiian rolls, mini pandesal, and potato salad. For vegetable, we have Garden Salad with Mandarin orange, seedless white grapes, artichokes heart, cucumber and tomatoes. We have also green beans and cucumber salad with pepperoni. As a side dish we have cranberry sauce. For dessert we have pecan pie, banana cream pie and buko-pandan ice cream and fresh fruits( persimmons, bananas and oranges). For drinks we have Martinelli's Sparkling Cider, Gallo Pink Muscato Wine and Cooks Brut Champagne.

This is one Thanksgiving Dinner that I will always remember since I did most of the preparation and purchased of our food. Again Macrine and I thanks the Lord for all His blessings this Thanksgiving Season, 2016

Oh yes, I almost forgot that Ditas brought with her Chicken Adobo sa Gata( Pinoy Curried Chicken in Coconut milk) and a several other goodies from the Palo Alto Party. We had a feast and I need to walk outside to loss some of the calories I had consumed in this meal. Thank you Charro and Merlet for the Pinoy goodies. Needless to say the premier dish of this special dinner was my Dungeness crab omelet.

For my favorite recipe for crab omelet visit:
http://myfavoritepinoydishes.blogspot.com/2016/11/new-dungeness-crab-omelet-recipe.html

Thailand and the Philippines

The following letter was sent by Dr.Joel L. Cuello, Ph.D, our newly elected President of Philippine American Academy of Science and Engineering(PAASE) to all its members. I am now a retired member, but I am still in the mailing list for active members. I enjoyed his photographs showing the majesty and grandeur of the design and arts of the Thai Palaces taken during his recent trip to Thailand. I asked his permission to repost, some of his photos and he agreed. I am posting only six (out of 36) of his beautiful photographs. Here's Dr. Cuello's letter.

"My recent trip to Thailand once again reminded me of the breathtaking cultural diversity of the Philippines's Asian neighbors.
What most amazed me was thinking that both Bangkok and Manila lie almost exactly on the same latitude -- and thus share very similar topography, hot sun, humid air and tropical flora -- and yet their cultural achievements and legacies are so patently different.

The Philippines, of course, was under Spanish rule for over 300 years, while Thailand was spared to become the only Southeast Asian state to avoid European colonial rule because the French and the British agreed to maintain it as a neutral territory to avoid conflicts between their colonies.

Thus, visiting Thailand afforded observing a close geographical sibling of the Philippines that challenged me to dare imagine what the Philippines would have been like had history not conspired to relegate it under European colonization.

It is difficult, and perhaps excruciating, to go down that path. The fact, however, is that through colonization the Philippines has lost a lot, but it has also gained a lot. And in this age of globalization, what the Philippines has gained has in no small measure arguably given it some decidedly competitive advantage.

Going forward, the Philippines simply plays the historical hand it was dealt.

The attached photos show the majesty and grandeur of the arts and designs of the Thai Royal Palaces -- which are proudly realized as quintessentially Southeast Asian in both their innate character and lofty aspirations.

Have an enjoyable weekend ".

Joel L. Cuello, Ph.D.
Professor of Biosystems Engineering
Director, Global Institute for Strategic Agriculture in Drylands (GISAD)
Department of Agricultural and
Biosystems Engineering
507 Shantz Building
The University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ 85721
U.S.A.

Thanks a million, Joel for sharing your photos and letter about Thailand and the Philippines.

My Twenty-Five Favorite Quotes on Happiness

Are You Happy? I hope you are! Happiness is not the same for every one. To me happiness is waking up in the morning with no aches and pains in my more than eight decades aging body, earning a few cents per day on my blogs and writings, reading comments from readers that they enjoyed and are inspired by my blogs. Double Happiness is our once a week escapade for dinner and slot machines gambling in our local Indian Casino. Triple Happiness is when my wife and I get a call from relatives and friends just to say Hello! Quadruple Happiness is when you see your youngest grand daughter visits and you see her growing fast.

Carenna and Macrine during her Mom's and Kimberly Williams Lamarre visit, Fair Oaks, California, November 20, 2016. Carenna is getting taller everyday. Can you believe she is only 13 years old! Photo courtesy of Kimberly Jambalos Williams Lamarre

So, my dear readers, what makes you happy? I love to hear from you. In the meantime enjoy the following 25 plus 1 quote.

1.“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”
Buddha

2.“Happiness is the art of never holding in your mind the memory of any unpleasant thing that has passed.”
Unknown

3. “To be happy, we must not be too concerned with others.”
Albert Camus

4.“If you want happiness for an hour — take a nap.’
If you want happiness for a day — go fishing.
If you want happiness for a year — inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime — help someone else.”
Chinese Proverb

5.“The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise. It is not that we seize them, but that they seize us.”
Ashley Montagu

6.“Don’t rely on someone else for your happiness and self-worth. Only you can be responsible for that. If you can’t love and respect yourself – no one else will be able to make that happen. Accept who you are – completely; the good and the bad – and make changes as YOU see fit – not because you think someone else wants you to be different.”
Stacey Charter

7.“It isn’t what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about.”
Dale Carnegie

8.“It’s a helluva start, being able to recognize what makes you happy.”
Lucille Ball

9.“Don’t underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.”
Winnie the Pooh

10.“There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.”
Epictetus

11.“We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.”
Frederick Keonig

12.“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”
Thich Nhat Hanh

13.“Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.”
Eskimo Proverb

14.“To be kind to all, to like many and love a few, to be needed and wanted by those we love, is certainly the nearest we can come to happiness.”
Mary Stuart

15.“There are more things to alarm us than to harm us, and we suffer more often in apprehension than reality.”
Seneca

16.“Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.”
Robert A. Heinlein

17.“Happy people plan actions, they don’t plan results.”
Dennis Waitley

18.“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”
Mahatma Gandhi

19.“The only joy in the world is to begin.”
Cesare Pavese

20.“Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go”
Oscar Wilde

21.“Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.”
Marthe Troly-Curtin

22.“Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon”
Winnie the Pooh

23.“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”
Herman Cain

24.“What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.”
Confucius

25.“There is only one cause of unhappiness: the false beliefs you have in your head, beliefs so widespread, so commonly held, that it never occurs to you to question them.”
Anthony de Mello

Last but not least: Happiness must come from doing your life's work (be in teaching, building homes, designing, trading, winning tournaments etc.) and the money that comes is only a by-product. If you hate what you are doing and rely on the money you earn to make you happy by buying stuff, then I think that you are living a life of meaninglessness…Forgot the author but just shared by a friend in my FB book last week.

For more quotes read the source: http://www.positivityblog.com/index.php/2013/08/20/happiness-quotes/

Things I am thanking the Lord this Thanksgiving Day

My Miniature Orchid in Bloom Again-Happy Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving Day here in the US. This year we will celebrate it at my sister-in-law residence ( Charro Jambalos Levin) in Palo Alto. The whole Jambalos and Katague Clan have been invited for dinner tonight. My nephew and namesake from Australia happens to be in San Francisco travelling for business this week, so I invited him for our Thanksgiving Dinner. He promised he will attend and bring his video equipments.

Dave Katague, my nephew, son of my younger brother Efren is a professional videographer. I am looking forward for his video activity during this party tonight(http://www.davekatague.com/).

There are three things I am thanking the Lord this year. First, to all my friends and relatives who have encouraged me to continue my writing and blogging activities based on their comments on my FB page and blogs. There are days when I feel its time to quit, but thanks to your comments I have been posting articles almost every other day since 2008.

Second, I thank the Lord for my Health and for my spouse(for for 59 years)-Macrine. Macrine was diagnosed with Parkinson Disease in 2013. Thanks to medications, diet and exercise her PD is progressing very slowly. The support and understanding of friends and relatives alleviate her loneliness and sense of isolation -a side effect of the medications she is taking to control her movement disorder. In my case, I will be 82 years old next month. So far my high blood pressure and adult on-set diabetes are under control. I watch my diet ( lots of fruits and vegetables), read and write, play duplicate bridge ( exercise my mind) and do some light gardening and housework for my physical exercise.
The 4 D's-Dodie, Dinah, David III and Ditas, Mountain View, CA

Last, but not least, Macrine and I are thanking our four Children and six Grandchildren for their love and support. Special thanks and Happy Birthday again to David III who helps me in taking care of his Mom on his days off from work. His help makes my life as a primary care giver more pleasant and bearable. Your Mom and I love you very much and hope you have many more birthdays to come.

My six grand children, Ian, Elaine, Philip, Alix, Marina and Carenna

Thanksgiving day always reminds me of our First Thanksgiving Day here in the US as follows: http://hubpages.com/holidays/my-first-thanksgiving-day-in-the-united-states. Again Happy Holidays!

Today is David III Birthday-Update on the David Katagues

Today is David III 54th Birthday. May you have many more to come! Love You, Dad and Mom!

Papa David-Dr David Jamili Javellana K(C)atague, DDS- the great grandson of Don Manuel Javellana and Gertrudiz Lopez of Jaro, Iloilo, Philippines- my father( deceased)

The Three Davids with Macrine, 2016, Today is David III ( first from the right)54th Birthday. We will treat him for a lobster/Dungeness crab dinner tonight at our local Casino.

DavidIII, Me and Elaine( my grand daughter)- Do you think David III has a striking resemblance to his grand father David Jamili Javellana in the first picture above?

My nephew from Sydney, Australia-professional videographer

My nephew from Bacolod, Philippines-Kirk David Katague-professional chef

Zion David Katague-son of Kirk David Katague

Original article read: http://marinduqueonmymind.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-5th-living-david-katague-on-planet.html

Some of My Treasured Photographs

Pictures is worth more than a thousand words- Nine photos in my files that I will always treasured.
Mama Pacing with Toto Efren in front of our Residence, Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, 1949

My first visit to New York City in the winter of 1959-1960

Taken during our 1971 trip vacation to the Philippines in Manila with Tita Charing Nieva Carreon and the Kids yaya from Iloilo.

Me and Macrine during the Ati-Atihan Dinner and Dance, Richmond, Ca, 1982

Our first guests at Chateau Du Mer from France toured Paradise Valley in Gasan in 2008

Baby Ian with Mom Dinah, 1992

Snowing in the front yard of our Residence at Hammonton Rd in Colesville, Maryland, 1997

Front Yard of My Childhood Home in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, 1995

Laylay Pier and Sunset, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines, 2015

Our First Taste of Dungeness Crabs this Year

Purchase 4 Dungeness Crabs in Safeway Today

My mouth is salivating now just thinking of the Dungeness Crabs I purchase from Safeway today. It cost me $6.99 per pound. Each of the four are at least 1.5 lbs. The season opened last week. When I opened my FaceBook today, I saw from a friend status of the availability of the crabs in Safeway. I immediately called our local Safety store if they have it. It was a resounding yes. In two minutes I was driving to the store. Last year the season was a bust due to the demonic levels of domoic acid in the waters of the Bay-a toxic substance.

Crab has been showing up on some Bay Area menus and in grocery stores since the season started in Oregon and Washington, and now supplies have been supplemented with freshly caught crab from Northern California, where the season started last November 15.

In case you are not familiar with the Dungeness Crab Season here in Northern California, here's an article that I wrote in 2014 describing the Crabbing season in Northern California. http://theintellectualmigrant.blogspot.com/2014/11/dungeness-crab-season-opens-today.html

My Senior Citizen Neighbor Lives Alone and the AOA

Our beloved 84-year old and Italian-American neighbor has been living alone after her husband died about 5 years ago. According to the 2010 Census, there are more than 11 million Senior Citizens in the US who lives alone majority of them are women. These senior citizens living alone are lonely and we should not forget their needs. The Administration on Aging (AOA) should not forget these senior citizens living alone.

Macrine and I feel sorry for her so Macrine nags me to check on her twice a week just to be sure she is Ok. Since she no longer drives we invite her every week for an afternoon of relaxation at our local Indian Casino. Every now and then I drive her to our nearby grocery and pharmacy stores. Her other friends and neighbors drive her regularly to the grocery store, doctors and dental appointments and to church every Sunday.

Going to the Casino is her only relaxation besides her gardening hobby, she informed us. She is very grateful that we take her to Casino with us. As a return, she cooks us some of her favorite Italian dishes and gave us fruits from her home orchard. Yesterday, she harvested a few oranges and shares a couple fruit with us. This morning she cooked me my favorite soup- a tripe soup with garbanzo beans, cubed potatoes and spiced with parsley in tomato sauce.

For the last couple of years she had vented her loneliness on living alone to both Macrine and I. We suggested she hired a companion and maid to help her with the house hold work and the cleaning of her 4-bedroom and 2-bath home with a big yard planted with more than a dozen fruit trees. She said for the moment she is strong enough and do not need assistance. We also suggested she sells her big house and moved to a 5 star assisted-living residence so she will have the company of other seniors. She did not like this suggestion. She said if the time comes when she is no longer healthy she will rather go back to Italy instead of living in a senior home.

Her situation of living alone inspired me to do some internet search on the disadvantages of senior citizens living alone. Here's an excerpt from my web search.

Physical Safety: Elderly people are often subject to falls. Medical conditions common in elderly people, such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease, may affect balance and physical strength. Also, chores requiring the use of a stool or a ladder are best left to non-seniors; however, elderly people living alone often attempt these tasks alone instead of waiting for a friend or family member who can help. In addition, while living with someone may not prevent a fall, it usually means that the victim of a fall gets immediate attention.

Financial Security: Seniors living alone are subject to financial fraud and a variety of scams. Offers that are clearly too good to be true come in the mail. Phone callers fish for personal information and administer a variety of con games that may deprive seniors of their life savings in one fell swoop. Even the Internet, which can connect a lonely senior with the outside world, can be the source of e-mail messages that "phish" for personal information and make fraudulent offers. A companion can help monitor these scams. In addition, a senior living alone may find it costly to live alone.

Nutrition: People who live alone are less likely to prepare nutritious meals than those who share meals with others. They may opt for quick snacks and empty calories, especially if they have a health condition that makes meal preparation tiring or difficult. Social interaction with other people makes it more appealing to sit down for a complete meal. For details visit: http://seniors.lovetoknow.com/disadvantages-elderly-people-living-alone. For more information about senior citizens read: http://www.ioaging.org/aging-in-america

Finally I urged the Trump transition team to appoint a Filipino-American as Director of the Administration of Aging (AOA). I can suggest names of qualified individuals for the job. For more information on AOA read: http://www.aoa.gov/

I learned Something Today-Asexuality

The other day, I posted an article about the initials LGBTQ. In that article I learned there are three other initials often used to described an individual sexual orientation. In that article it mentioned the so called alphabet soup, listing 3 letters( two A's and and one I). One of the A letter meant Asexuality. I was curious, so I did some Web search and here's some information about asexuality that I did not know. So, today I learned something and I am sharing it with you.

Asexuality is a sexual orientation characterized by a persistent lack of sexual attraction toward any gender. At least 1% of people are believed to be asexual. An asexual person (“ace”, for short) is simply someone who does not experience sexual attraction. That’s all there is to it. Aces can be any sex or gender or age or ethnic background or body type, can be rich or poor, can wear any clothing style, and can be any religion or political affiliation.

There is no asexual "type". Many people hear the word “asexual” and make assumptions about what it means. They think of single-celled organisms in a petri dish. They think of a celibate monk on far off mountaintop. They think of a genderless robot from outer space. Asexuality isn’t any of those things.

In particular:

Asexuality is not an abstinence pledge. (Although there may be abstinent aces.)
Asexuality is not a synonym for celibacy. (There are celibate aces and promiscuous aces and aces everywhere in between.)
Asexuality is not a gender identity. (Although there may be trans, non-binary, or genderqueer aces.)
Asexuality is not a disorder. (Although there may be aces with physical or mental conditions.)
Asexuality is not a choice. (Although not every ace is "born that way".)
Asexuality is not a hormone imbalance. (Although there may be aces with hormone issues.)
Asexuality is not a fear of sex or relationships. (Although there may be aces who are afraid of or otherwise dislike sex or relationships.)

Source: www.asexuality.com

Side Note( From Washington Post): Based on the 2013 NHIS data [collected in 2013 from 34,557 adults aged 18 and over], 96.6% of adults identified as straight, 1.6% identified as gay or lesbian, and 0.7% identified as bisexual. The remaining 1.1% of adults identified as “something else" [0.2%,] stated “I don’t know the answer" [0.4%] or refused to provide an answer [0.6%].

More specifically, 1.8 percent of men self-identify as gay and 0.4 percent as bisexual, and 1.5 percent of women self-identify as lesbian and 0.9 percent as bisexual. This is much less than the 10% previously posted in the Web in the previous years!

More Information: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/magnetic-partners/201406/asexuality
https://www.facebook.com/AVENOfficial/Asexuality, Visibility, Education Network

Note: Have you met or know of an asexual person? I believe I met an ace female in graduate school in the early 1960's in Chicago based on the article above. She was very pretty and intelligent but not friendly.

My Cap Collection

A couple of weeks ago, I posted an article about my tie collections from 1964 to 2002. Today, I am getting tired of the political news here in US as well as in the Philippines. Thus I am posting something about my hat collection for a much needed change and respite from the news.

I have more than 250 caps in my collection. I stopped collecting them after my retirement from FDA in 2002. Most of the caps are kept in several boxes in my closet and not displayed. Most of the caps are souvenir caps from places that Macrine and I have traveled here in US as well as from 16 countries before my retirement. A few of the caps I hanged as decor in my son's room ( see photo) who also collected caps mostly sports team caps for baseball and football.

Parts of my hat collection

I need to rotate this photo, but I am just too lazy right now.

Have a Great Day wherever you Are!

Watch for the Supermoon Tonight

Millions of star gazers will enjoy the moon at its biggest and brightest in almost 70 years tonight. The so-called 'supermoon' means the planet will be closer to Earth than it has been since 1948. This will be a 'once-in-a-lifetime' sight. The moon will appear 14 per cent larger and 30 per cent brighter than normal.
Photo by Albert Dros

Photo by Yong Nieva

For more photos and details read:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/science/supermoon-2016-once-lifetime-sight-9254853

Its Used to be a Four Letter Initial-Now its Five

Last week, was the first time I heard the five letter initial, LGBTQ from President-elect Trump. It used to be just a four letter initial but Q was just added recently. Do you know the reason why the Q was added? Do you know the full meaning for Q and what it stands for?

At first I was not sure but I was guessing it could stand for Queer. So I Googled it and I was right. However, another meaning for Q is Questioning. Questioning would make sense, because I know that the word queer is still offensive to some gay and lesbian friends and relatives of mine. Here's an excerpt from USA today on what LGBTQ stand for. The article was written by Lori Grisham of USA TODAY Network, last July 22, 2016

LGBT -- meaning lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender -- is a widely accepted initialism. However, a fifth letter is increasingly making its way into the line-up: Q. Q can mean either 'questioning' or 'queer,' Fred Sainz, a spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign, an organization that lobbies for LGBT rights, told USA TODAY Network. Either interpretation is accepted, he said.

Queer means many things. People use the term queer because it's not specific to sexual orientation or to gender identity but is more of an umbrella term that can encompass a lot of people, according to Sainz.

Queer means that you are one of those letters (LGBT), but you could be all of those letters and not knowing is OK," she said.
Minorities seem to identify with the term in particular because it also can be used to convey the nuances of race and culture and how that intersects with an individual's gender identity and sexual orientation, she said, still, others identify with queer not because it's an umbrella term, but because of its connection to the rise of Queer Nation in the 1990s. Queer Nation is an activist group that first emerged in New York and used militant action to oppose discrimination to LGBT people and reject heteronomative ideals.

Those who use the Q to mean 'questioning' refer to people who are in the process of exploring their identity, Ross Murray, the director of programs at GLAAD, told USA TODAY Network.

"Questioning means someone who is figuring out their gender identity and figuring out how they want to identify their sexual orientation," he said.

Because queer is still considered offensive by some people in the LGBT community, it's generally recommended that people avoid using it other than in situations where a person self-identifies as queer.

"Use the same term to identify them that they would use to identify themselves," Murray said. "We want to focus on the person. If we're telling a story, it's not about just 'Jane is a queer.' It's 'Jane identifies as queer.'"

LGBTQ is just one set of initials being used. There are other letters and combinations -- so many that some call it "alphabet soup."
Here are some of the other letters used:

A -- Representing asexuals, or individuals who do not experience sexual attraction.

A -- Representing allies, or people who are straight but support those in the LGBT community.

I -- Representing individuals who are intersex, or people who are born with anatomy that does not necessarily fit the "typical definitions of female or male," according to the Intersex Society of North America. "For example, a person might be born appearing to be female on the outside, but having mostly male-typical anatomy on the inside," according to the ISNA's definition.

Still Angry from the Election Results? Clean Up your Closet!

Samples of 1950 ties and cravat from the Cutter collection

I have done constructive work today-getting rid of my residual anger from the election results by partially cleaning my closet. I have finally donated 250 ties from my 300 ties collection that I started in 1964. Parting it was just like losing part of my life. My son and wife had been urging me to give it away to Good Will or Salvation Army for the last couple of years, since I had not used a tie since my retirement from FDA in 2002. The collection is just occupying needed space in my closet. So today, I unwillingly donated 250 ties, but I kept 50 most colorful ties in my closet.

One of the 50 remaining ties has a painting of nude woman, several others have art and embroidered flower designs, and another has the face of Marilyn Monroe. Looking at them reminded me of my professional career from 1964 to 2002. Nostalgic memories, Indeed!
Eight of the remaining 50 ties in my collection

Samples of 1970 ties that I donated to Goodwill today

For more information on men's ties from the 1920 to 1970 read: http://vintagedancer.com/vintage/mens-tie-history-1920s-to-1970s/

Time for Some Laughs after the Election

Trump is President Elect. But I will never forget his statement that if you are a star you can do anything, even grab a woman's p---sy. Today, I like to forget about this election and have a good day. I am reposting the following joke from my blog about 5 years ago. I hope it will put a smile in your Face and brightens your day.



"It is time to have some politically correct jokes for this week in this site. The following is from Sandee's Comedy Plus blog. Enjoy

Due to the climate of political correctness now pervading America , all Kentuckians, Tennesseans, and West Virginians will no longer be referred to as "HILLBILLIES." You must now refer to them as "APPALACHIAN-AMERICANS".

And furthermore, HOW TO SPEAK ABOUT WOMEN AND BE POLITICALLY CORRECT:

1. She is not a "BABE" or a "CHICK" - She is a "BREASTED AMERICAN."
2. She is not "EASY" - She is "HORIZONTALLY ACCESSIBLE."
3. She is not a "DUMB BLONDE" - She is a "LIGHT-HAIRED DETOUR OFF THE INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY."
4. She has not "BEEN AROUND" - She is a "PREVIOUSLY-ENJOYED COMPANION."
5. She does not "NAG" you - She becomes "VERBALLY REPETITIVE."
6. She is not a "TWO-BIT HOOKER" - She is a "LOW COST PROVIDER."

And, not to discriminate.... HOW TO SPEAK ABOUT MEN AND BE POLITICALLY
CORRECT:

1. He does not have a "BEER GUT" - He has developed a "LIQUID STORAGE FACILITY."
2. He is not a " BAD DANCER" - He is "OVERLY CAUCASIAN."
3. He does not "GET LOST ALL THE TIME" - He "INVESTIGATES ALTERNATIVE DESTINATIONS."
4. He is not "BALDING" - He has "FOLLICLE IMPAIRMENT."
5. He does not act like a "TOTAL ASS" - He develops a case of RECTAL-CRANIAL INVERSION."
6. It's not his "CRACK" you see hanging out of his pants - It's "REAR CLEAVAGE."

Stolen from: Jonas of With a Smile

Post Election Comments from My Face Book Friends

Trump and Putin Portrait

Friend from the UK: America, what have you done? Donald in the Oval Office and Melania as First Lady. Wake me up when it's over.

Friend from Maryland: CRASH. RESET😳. Whitelash. Malelash. Classlash.

From a Fil-American Friend in New Jersey: It's not the end of the world. Americans are resilient people. We'll see kon sin-o mas buang. Duterte or Trump. 😄😄😄. Watch out Philippines! Buang is an Ilonggo words for crazy.

I thought about that this morning. Right now, every time I read the phrase “President Trump,” I instinctively flinch and get frightened. But what really frightens me is the day that I get so used to the phrase “President Trump” that I don’t instinctively flinch.

I awoke to a sense of repressed fear, the morning air still, the light (the light that I knew) subdued. Like in the creepy fairy tales of our childhood, America has entered into a deep, ominously silent and nightmarish sleep from which I want to escape.

Terrified. Incredulous. Depressed. What country am I living in? Is this a nightmare?

“I don't imagine you will dispute the fact that at present the stupid people are in an absolutely overwhelming majority all the world over.”
― Henrik Ibsen

There is going to be a lot of people fired, and going to prison.

Goodbye, Social Security and Medicare. Welcome, Ivanka Trump Annuity and Health Insurance Company! Eric Trump Bread and Soup Kitchen Company! Donald Trump Jr. Funeral Homes!

Donald Trump’s victory will loom large over the UN climate talks underway in Marrakech this week.

The president elect has previously said he does not believe in climate change science, and has promised to pull the US out of the Paris climate change agreement, which came into force last Friday.

Last but not least: Take today to cry and grieve, because last night was an awful and terrible tragedy. And tomorrow, let's get back up and continue fighting, shouting, loving, caring and coming together because once upon a time the world was going to end but it didn't -from the FB page of a young relative, -C.A.

Topics for my Last Blog on Election Day

Today is Election day in the US. I am getting tired of all the political news, but I hope my candidate wins. Today also reminded me of my own mortality after reading deaths of two relatives and a close friend. The following post was inspired by a photo of my youngest grand daughter on her first day of school for her 8th grade class last September.

Last September, I saw Carenna KT photo ( above) on her first day of school for her 8th grade class. I kept pondering that in eight years she may out of College if she takes a four-year college degree. Will I still be alive and kicking for another 8 years? I really hope so. However, if I conked out earlier, I will have no regrets. I believe as of today I have lived a good and productive life. I have attained all my goals and raised a family who are not a burden to society. I am happy and thanks the Lord for all his blessings.

Today, I am also thinking of the subject topics of my last blog. It will not be lecture although, I used to be a teacher, Instructor, UP Chemistry(1956-1959)in the Philippines. What would be the subject of my last blog ? For sure it will not be an article filled with high sounding words. It would be a simple and a direct post that comes from the heart. It will probably be a summary of what I have done both professionally and personally. I hope that my last blog will continue to inspire the younger generation as they read the ups and down of my autobiography.

Here's a summary from my Pamana Award in Chemistry Nomination Package, perhaps my future epitaph with the addition that I was also a loving and caring husband, father and grand father and maybe a loving great grand father.

"Dr Katague is a trailblazer in the field of Chemistry and Drug Regulation. He is the first Filipino American to attain the position of Team Leader and Expert in the Center of New Drugs, Food and Drug Administration. He is also the first Filipino-American to be elected for two 5 year terms( 1995-2005) to the United States Pharmacopeia Council of Experts since its inception in 1820. Dr Katague's drive and energy to succeed is a representation of the Filipino people's talent and passion for excellence. He has shown that Filipinos can contribute significantly to the advancement of science, therefore help the world a better and safer place by insuring that only safe and better quality drugs are approved and marketed".


The lights that shines when my Spirit is Gone- Carenna's Iluminati

Finally, the following note I received the other day makes me very happy and feel very successful: Thanks Sir. I've been an avid reader of your blog. Keep on writing Sir. Your stories about your life's journey really makes everyone inspired. God bless Po to you and your family.

This note is definitely from a young Filipino who shows respect with words Po for his elders. I am glad to hear you consider me as your role model. Maraming Salamat! Thank You, Madamo guid nga Salamat and Gracias Mi Amigo!

My BBC Radio Interview-Re Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez

Below is my post on my BBC Radio Interview by Melvin Ricarby of Radio 4, BBC, Bristol, UK on July of 2013. My portion of the tape start 12:16 and ends at 16:02 of the 30 minutes tape. I am also reposting my post on this subject written on September 27, 2013.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b036k8v8 ( My portion start at 12:16 and ends at 16:02-It explained how the above music have touched my life.

Last July, Mr Melvin Rickarby of Radio 4, BBC, Bristol, UK interviewed me on how and why Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez touched my heart. The summary of the interview along with other fans of Rodrigo were taped and you could download it in the website as follows:

SoulMusic: Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez for Guitar, Tuesday, July 09, 2013 4:00 AM

My three minute interview start at around 12 minutes and ends at 16 minutes of the 30 minutes tape. I felt weird hearing my own voice with my distinguishable Ilonggo-American accent. However, I am proud to be chosen by BBC as one of the fans of Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez.

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/radio4/soulmusic/rss.xml

A brief summary of the recording which was broadcasted live on July 9, 2013 at 4:00AM is as follows:

Written by Joaquin Rodrigo in 1939, the Concierto de Aranjuez is a guitar classic. It was written amid the chaos of the Spanish Civil War, and in circumstances of poverty and personal tragedy. This progamme explores how the piece touches and changes people's lives.

The composer's daughter Cecilia Rodrigo explains how the blind composer was inspired by the fountains and gardens of the palace of Aranjuez. Nelício Faria de Sales recounts an unforgettable performance deep inside one of Brazil's largest caves, while David B Katague remembers how the piece got him through a difficult period of separation from his family in the Philippines.

Guitarist Craig Ogden explains the magic of the piece for a performer, and actor Simon Callow recalls how hearing the piece was a formative experience for him during his schooldays, when it turned rural Berkshire into a piece of Spain.

Producer: Melvin Rickarby

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/radio4/soulmusic/rss.xml
Media files: soul music_20130709-1200a.mp3 (MP3 Format Sound, 12.7 MB)

The Alhambra Gardens, Granada, Spain

A couple of weeks ago, while I was reading my FaceBook(FB) page, one of my FB friends from Spain shared a video of the Alhambra Gardens in Granada, Spain. This reminded me of our trip to Southern Spain and vicinity in 2000. The following are some photos of our trip.

http://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2014/07/2000-photo-trip-down-memory-lane-trip.html

In case you have not been to the Alhambra Gardens, here's a video for your enjoyment.



Macrine and I as well as Ditas enjoyed this Southern Spain trip in 2000.



Note: The visit to Alhambra Gardens in 2000 is one of my childhood dreams that had been fulfilled.