Why Retire in the Philippines/Marinduque Vacations: A Book Review-A Good Provider is One Who Leaves

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

Sunday, February 23, 2020

A Book Review-A Good Provider is One Who Leaves

I just finished reading Jason DeParle 2nd book on Migration. The central character of this non-fiction book is Rosalie, a nurse from the Philippines who immigrated to the US after decades of waiting.

I enjoyed the book so much, I finished reading it in one day. The story is one that I have read in the Philippine newspapers and stories from friends and relatives in the Philippines. I have relatives and acquaintances who had similar experiences, therefore I really identified with the book.

I have relatives that worked in the cruise ships, maids, nannies, and nurses aides. I know of Filipinos MD's who worked as nursing aides in the US, because they have no medical license. The author has captured the power, perils, and sacrifices of immigrants specifically a filipino family working away from home in foreign hospitals, hotels, cruise ships and as maids. Loneliness, and broken marriages results. Here's one of the reviews of this beautifully written non-fiction book. Enjoy!

http://www.startribune.com/review-a-good-provider-is-one-who-leaves-by-jason-deparle/545222962/

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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