Why Retire in the Philippines/Marinduque Vacations: Ongoing Activities Led By Residents and the THD Library

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

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Ongoing Activities Led By Residents and the THD Library

THD is the community for you if you want to get involved with numerous activities for seniors both coordinated by THD management as well as its senior residents. One of the many reasons, why I chose THD is because I wanted to play bridge again after a hiatus of 2 decades. The above photo listed all the activities led by residents with THD management blessings and encouragement.

Patty Healy and I bid and made 6NT during one of our Wednesday Afternoon Games at Churchill's Pub

I am involved with four bridge groups and one of the Mahjong led group. There is bridge here at THD every day. The Monday and Friday Group with 2 tables is coordinated by Lee Cruise. The other day, Lee asked me if I will coordinate the Monday Group beginning February and I send yes.

On Tuesaday afternoon, there are 2 bridge group (one table each). One is coordinated by Linda Bottom and the other by Jane Williams. On Wednesday there is one table coordinated by Phil Paris.

On Thursday AM, there is one table for beginners coordinated by Lee Cruise.

Regarding mahjong, there two groups playing American Mahjong. On Thursday Afternoon, I lead a table of four playing Hongkong Style Mahjong. On occasion, I play Philippine style mahjong with Daughter Dinah and Susie Bramson.

The other activities led and run by THD Activity Directors are: Aqua Fitness Exercises, Strength, Balance and Stretch Exercises, Zumba, Chair Volleyball, corn hole, ladder ball, movies, happy hour every Friday Afternoon, Trivia Party, shopping and lunch excursions, musical and art programs and Residents Talks and special education program on Television.

We have a decent book collection in our Library. If you have questions about the library, our resident librarian, Georgia White( 760-408-7979) may be able to help you. I took some photos of our library as well as the Bulletin Board with flyers of our current and coming activities.

The library has a Mystery Book, Fiction and Non-Fiction, and Biographies Sections. There are several coffee table books on art, photography, history, national parks, geography, and sports. Your book donation is welcome. When I moved here at THD, I donated hundreds of books as well as more 24 coffee table books on art, photography, gardening, cooking, history, and sports. I was not aware THD has a library that may able to use books donated by its residents. I kept one coffee Table book, my son's book and of course my own two books( see photos below).

My Newly Printed Blog Book-Chateau Du Mer Beach House and Conference Center, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines covering period from October, 2023 to January 4, 2024

THD management had a meeting with Residents a couple of weeks ago, revitalizing and planning a new February issue of The Heritage Herald- Resident's Newsletter. Gaylen Carson had the first meeting recently of a new activity here at THD-the Creative Writing Workshop.. There are several good resident writers and a retired journalist here at THD. I see no reason why we can't have an active monthly newsletter and Writing Workshop.

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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