Why Retire in the Philippines/Marinduque Vacations: A Visual Journey Through Nine Decades-MetaAI Format

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, September 24, 2026

A Visual Journey Through Nine Decades-MetaAI Format

NINE DECADES • 1934 — 2026

A Visual Journey Through Nine Decades

David B. Katague-Original Photo

CHEMIST * TRAILBLAZER* PATRIARCH*

LEADER* WRITER* ON-LINE CULTURAL BLOGGER

1934-1950

Barotac Viejo Roots

BAROTAC VIEJO, ILOILO, PHILIPPINES

Born oldest of 7 children
Father: Dr. David Jamili Katague Sr., Dentist & WWII hero
Foundation of faith, family, and resilience

1951🎓

Valedictorian

HIGH SCHOOL • HIGHEST HONORS

Class Valedictorian — early mark of excellence and discipline that would define nine decades

1950-1956

Scholar & Scientist

UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

UP Iloilo Scholar → BS Chemistry UP Diliman
Top 1% of class • 3rd Place, Chemist Board Exam
Brilliance rooted in service

1957

A 63-Year Partnership

MARRIAGE TO MACRINE NIEVA JAMBALOS

A love that built a family, bridged continents, and endured across generations

1960'S

Doctor of Science

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

MS & PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry
From Iloilo scholar to American scientist - the American Dream through education

1964-196969

Kansas City Pioneer

CHEMAGRO CORPORATION

Research chemist • Published scientist
Church leadership & voice for racial justice
Science with conscience

1969-74

Modesto Builder

SHELL DEVELOPMENT COMPANY

Founded the Mabuhay Club
Preserved Filipino heritage for the next generation
Community as legacy

1974-90

Peak & Purpose

PINOLE • BAY AREA

Peak industrial research • UC Berkeley business education
UN TOKTEN Program expert
UP Alumni leadership - giving back to alma mater and medical missions to Marinduque

FDA YEARS-1990-2002

Trailblazer

U.S. FOOD & DRUG ADMINISTRATION

First Filipino-American FDA Chemistry Team Leader, CDER
First FDA Expert Chemist • First Filipino-American elected to USP Council of Experts
EEO Award • Outstanding Filipino-American Senior • Pamana ng Pilipino Nominee

FAMILY

Legacy of Love

4 CHILDREN • 6 GRANDCHILDREN • 2 GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN

Honoring Macrine & David Ernst III
UP Visayas Library Fund - education as eternal gift
Roots and wings, forever

2023

Continuity

WILLAMETTE FALLS • PORTLAND, OREGON • JUNE 24, 2023

Portrait at the falls - water, time, and strength flowing across generations

2026 •PRESENT 91✨

The Heritage

DOWNTOWN WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA

Bridge, Mahjong, whole body massage, Morning Walks
Blogging worldwide • Learning AI • Mentoring
Cats Batman & Robin • Joy as daily practice

“A Life of Excellence. A Heart of Service.
A Legacy That Inspires Generations.”

DAVID B. KATAGUE • 91 YEARS1934 — 2026

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About Me

David B. Katague is an online memoirist and cultural essayist whose writing has appeared on HubPages and Blogger since 2007. His work reflects a sustained interest in Filipino heritage, family history, senior living, art, community life, and the cultural meaning found in everyday experience. Through memoir, reflection, and essay, he explores the personal and historical dimensions of identity, memory, and belonging. His writing seeks to preserve lived experience while offering thoughtful commentary on the traditions, values, and social realities that shape individual and collective life. As a Filipino-American writer, he brings a distinctive cultural perspective to his work, drawing on personal experience and careful observation to create writing that is both reflective and engaging. His online essays and memoir pieces continue to document a lifelong commitment to storytelling, cultural understanding, and the written record of experience.

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