Why Retire in the Philippines/Marinduque Vacations: Another Stage in Our Aging Years

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

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Another Stage in Our Aging Years

Dodie and Family with Us ( without Philip)

The other day, Macrine and I had a visit from our oldest son (Dodie) and his wife(Ruth). He officially informed us, he will early retire next month (last month was his 61st birthday) on December 20 ( my 85th birthday). After one year, he has an option to go back for part time work. Dodie said he will work part time next year if he needs tuition money for Marina's( his youngest daughter) post graduate studies. During his retirement, he plans on finishing his second novel as well as continue his and Ruth's world-wide travel activities.

Macrine and I were so happy of their visit ( not too often). Dodie has a successful career as a Prosecuting Attorney for Contra Costa County for more than 25 years. A few of his cases are well publicized in the local newspapers.

Here's Dodie Linkedin Page.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dodie-katague-83ab6a18

Here's what I wrote last year on Dodie's 60th Birthday.

https://davidbkatague.blogspot.com/2018/10/i-am-getting-old-my-oldest-son-will-be.html

Meanwhile enjoy this photo from my Garden:

My trumpet vine first bloom

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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