Why Retire in the Philippines/Marinduque Vacations: Responses to My Request for Macrine's Pictures for her Memory Album

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

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Responses to My Request for Macrine's Pictures for her Memory Album

Ben (Benjie) and Victoria(Vicky) Abellera with me and Macrine, Colesville, MD 1995( not sure of the year)-Dinner at our residence in Hammonton Road

As part of my series, Celebration of Life on Macrine's memory, I requested that if someone have pictures of Macrine in their possession to share it with me.

Two friends responded. The latest response I received was from Vicky Abellera, from Maryland. Vicky and husband Benjie and I were members of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of the Capital Area ( Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC). I believe this was around the early to mid 1990's.

" The University of the Philippines (UP) Alumni Association of the District of Columbia, State of Maryland and Commonwealth of Virginia Chapter is a nonprofit organization of former students, and friends of UP. The alumni membership is infused with a spirit of loyalty to the alma mater, service to the Nation’s capital area, and commitment to the Motherland. The Association promotes the character, traditions and goals of the University through scholarships, professorial chair, and other educational programs, issues, cultural activities and public service. A common thread of volunteerism and generosity runs through the membership. The Association has offered its excellence and leadership to Community and Country – all traits of which are embodied in the University’s symbol, the Oblation."( http://upaadcmdva.org/our-mission.html)

The Abelleras are currently in contact with me via Face Book. Here are the photos taken during a Dinner that Macrine and I hosted at our residence in Hammonton Rd, Colesville, Maryland.

Steak Dinner with another UP alumnus Nena Soberano. The Painting of the Nipa Hut and the water buffalo by Jesse Santos is still hanging in our formal dining room today here in Fair Oaks, California.

The first response was from Agnes Lardizabal Apeles- former President of MI, Inc. She sent me this photo of Macrine with her older sister Clemen Lardizabal Perez. The photo was taken at our Conference Hall, Chateau Du Mer, Amoingon, Boac, Marinduque,2010. Clemen and Macrine were high school classmates.

Meanwhile, enjoy Benjie Abellera playing Chopin Etude #10-popularly known as "I am always Chasing Rainbows"-This is one of Macrine's Piano favorite piece!
https://www.facebook.com/messenger_media/?thread_id=100048701873452&attachment_id=1000349107148648&message_id=mid.%24cAABa_iRVfQB7EOf7A10341eh47wb

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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