Why Retire in the Philippines/Marinduque Vacations: Turning Eighty Five in Twelve Days

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, December 8, 2019

Turning Eighty Five in Twelve Days

Latest Photo of the Katague-Jambalos Clan, 2019

In the next 12 days, I will turn 85 years young. Some of my relatives and friends asked me what I have done and what have I done that makes me proud of myself. I thought for a moment and an item that flashed into my memory is the article I wrote in my Hubpages.com account as follows:

https://letterpile.com/inspirational/my-bucket-list-101-things-to-do-before-i-die

Of the 101 items, I have done 98 items. The only 3 items I have not done and will not be able to do in my current situation are #32, #33 and #34.

The other article that I am proud of is my personal participation to help alleviate the sufferings of the burnt victims of the bombing of the World Trade Center and Pentagon on September 11, 2001.

https://hubpages.com/education/the-day-the-world-trembled

The next item that I will also remember is Macrine's ( my spouse of 62 years) and my involvement with the Medical and Dental Mission in Marinduque-Philippines. Marinduque is our second home- we have a retirement home and beach house in this beautiful island south of Manila.

Medical Mission of Love to Marinduque, 2004

https://hubpages.com/politics/medical-mission-of-love-to-marinduque

Last but not least is my writing activities( Hubpages and Personal blogs) after my retirement from the Food and Drug Administration in 2002.

1. https://hubpages.com/my/hubs/stats

2. https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2322822668769076508#allposts/src=sidebar

Allow me to quote my favorite saying: You have only lived if you have touched the life of others. Thank you Lord for giving me this opportunity to celebrate my 85th birthday! For a summary of my autobiography read:

Golden Wedding Anniversary Photo, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines, 2007

https://davidbkatague.blogspot.com/2011/12/trail-blazer-in-hemistry.html

One of the highlights of my work as a Chemistry Reviewer and Team Leader for the FDA was this letter of appreciation from Sion A. Boney, President of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.

This is a Letter of Appreciation from the President of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company thanking me of my work as Chemistry Reviewer, 1997

For my other awards and accomplishments read:

1. https://davidbkatague.blogspot.com/2019/11/my-involvement-with-united-states.html

2. https://davidbkatague.blogspot.com/2014/05/my-self-destruct-selfie-and-other-non_17.html

Of course my most important achievements in life is producing 4 professional children who are successful in their chosen fields of livelihood: Their bios are listed in their linkedin page as follows:

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

2. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinah-katague-832ab67

3. https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-katague-b1a9037

4. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ditas-katague-7a155a5

Meanwhile, enjoy to one of my favorites- Serenade by Franz Schubert

https://youtu.be/wj2GDmaEDSs

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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