Photo Essay of Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort and Confernece Center

Amoingon Beach just outside the Beach House abound with coral reefs ideal for snorkeling
The following selected photographs were taken at Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort and Conference Center(CDM) last January to March, 2013. It is arranged from the time guests arrived up to their departure.

Here is my modus operandi if we have guests from US or Europe. If pre-arranged the guests are pick up from the Masiga, Marinduque Airport. On arrival at the resort, they are given refreshments ( buko or mango juices). A ten minute orientation is given after their registration. Orientation includes amenities of the resort, food and transportation, attractions in the island and other questions the guests might want to know about the resort and Marinduque.

A map of Marinduque is given to the guests, but they have to return it on departure. IF BREAKFAST is included during their stay, a menu is shown for their perusal and comments. The guests have a choice of either a typical Filipino or continental breakfasts.
Entrance to the Resort
The Main House for Registration and Orientation
The backyard leading to the beach house
The Conference Hall on the Way to the Beach House
The Beach House
The Beach Outside
Pathway Leading to the Beach
Sunset as Viewed from the Balcony of the Beach House
Snorkeling or Bathing are popular activities at the resort
Banca Sailing Can be Arranged
Island Hopping Can be Arranged
Butterfly Tour or Bird Watching Can be Arranged
Table Tennis Complimentary
Two Picnic Tables Nearby
Last but Not Least is the Moriones Festival during Holy Week.

A Video from My Nephew, Dave Katague

I like to share with you, the following video taken by my nephew from Australia who happens to have the same name as myself. Enjoy!

Visiting The Aquarium | "Turtle!" from Dave Katague on Vimeo.

Dave Katague, the only son of my younger brother is a Sydney( Australia) based Motion Designer. He has the passion for anything related to 3d / motionography, cinematography, photography, motion control time lapse, film, illustration /animation, typography, branding and special effects. You could see other samples of his work on his website, davekatague.com

My Love and Hate for Marinduque, 2013

Macrine, Miko and the Sunset

This year my wife and I spent only three months for our winter sojourn in Marinduque, Philippines instead of our normal 4 to 5 months of winter escapade for personal reasons.

The following are ten items I like about Marinduque followed by my dislike of life in this island, known as the Heart of the Philippines and Land of the Morions. But in spite of my dislikes, I still consider Marinduque, my winter haven.

1. I love the Moriones Festival and the tourists it attract, but I hate the crowds, traffic congestion and pollution it brings during the Easter Holy Week Season

2. I love downtown Boac, because of its quaint restaurants and convenient computer cafe's, but I hate the lack of parking spaces and inadequate potable water supply.

3. I love the Marinduque cuisine, availability to pre-order cakes and special dishes, but I hate the wait and delivery time in spite of an advance notice for pick-up.

4. I love the chirping of the birds almost all day and the sound of the waves, but I hate the barking of the dogs and crowing of the cocks during the early morning hours.

5. I love the magnificent sunsets and glimmering moon lights, but I hate the scattered plastic wastes by the seashore.

6. I love our honest government officials, but I hate politicians who are liars and goon happy.

7. I love the sound of the BALUT vendors but I hate the loud voices of the FISH vendors ( I--s---d--a)

8. I love my beautiful gardens and prolific fruit trees, but I hate the weeding, mowing and watering chores

9. I love the Flea and Open Markets, but I hate the public market in downtown Boac

10. Last but not least, I love the peace,and solitude of Chateau Du Mer, the mild and cool weather from December to February, but I hate the hot and humid weather during the months of March, April and May.

If you have visited Marinduque, I will appreciate if you share with my readers what you like and dislike about this beautiful island in the Philippines. Happy spring time to All!

Selected Photos from Our Two Abodes

If you have been following my blogs, you probably know we called ourselves snowbirds. We have a retirement home in the Philippines, but our primary residence is in Northern California. The following are some photos showing the differences between our two lifestyles. Since pictures are worth more than a thousand words, all you will read are labels of the photos; Enjoy my photos:

The first photo is our ranch style home in the Philippines and the second is our home in Northern California


Our backyard in Marinduque versus our backyard in Northern California

The first photo is our side yard in the Philippines versus our side yard in Northern California


The first photo is the twin orchids in my front yard in the Philippines versus the yellow orchid in my yard in Northern California

My jack fruit tree in the Philippines versus my lemon tree in Northern California


My PC in the Philippines versus my PC in Northern California
Last but not least is Party time:

The first photo is in northern California with salad and Dungeness crab, versus filipino cuisine of Marinduque.

Our friends often asked us which abode do we prefer. Our answer is always, both places. Marinduque is excellent place during winter time and Northern California is an excellent abode during Spring, Summer and Fall.

Death, Family and Taxes

Four days prior to our departure to the Philippines, last January, my brother-in-law, my wife's younger brother died. We tried to change our ticket for an earlier departure. We found out we have to purchase a new ticket at a ridiculously high price. Since we are not rich, we decided not to attend my brother-in-law funeral services. One of my sister-in-law residing here in Northern California was able to fly to the Philippines representing all of us residing abroad for the burial ceremonies and wake.

When we arrived four days after the burial, one of my wife's nephew invited us for dinner at his house in Quezon City. Their residence was our first home, a wedding gift from both of our parents. When we immigrated to US, the house was sold to my brother-n-law who in turned gave it to his son. His son was the one who invited us for dinner (see photo above). Here's a caption of the photo above as published in his FaceBook page”.

" I believe tracing roots help the current generation in understanding themselves focus on strengths to better themselves. Family is the base of a person’s stability and values. If we could present the uprising generation the heritage we all strive for, we could pass on a proud legacy of continuance & betterment”.

I could not agree more. Perfectly stated indeed!

The above statement reminded me of a Filipino saying “ You have to know your past in order to see your future”

The death of my brother-in-law also reminded me, that there are only two things that you can not avoid: Death and Taxes. Regarding taxes, today I mailed my Federal and State Income Taxes. Luckily as a retiree and earning very little, I did not pay any taxes. But submitting my annual income tax returns, is a must.

So my dear readers, do you agree that in order to see your future you must look at your past. Your comments will be highly appreciated. Happy tax time to All!

Have You Heard of the Sisters of the Cenacle?

St Therese Couderc-Founder of the Sisters of the Cenacle

Last month my wife and I attended the Golden Jubilee of Sisters Guia, Emma and Joyce of the Order of the Cenacle.

Sister Guia is my wife's younger sister. It was a very momentous and memorable event, reminding me of our own golden wedding anniversary celebration six years earlier. It was held at the Cenacle Convent in Loyola Heights, Quezon City, Philippines. The event included a mass, renewal of vows and followed by a sumptuous reception attended by more than 400 guests. My wife and I were so proud to witness Sister Guia's golden jubilee as a nun for the Cenacle Sisters.

I am sure, that not too many of you reading this post know who are the Cenacle sisters, and their mission. The following information, I found in their website.

The Sisters of the Cenacle (full title: Congregation of Our Lady of the Retreat in the Cenacle) is a Roman Catholic Congregation founded in 1826 in the village of Lalouvesc (Ardèche), France. Their mission is threefold: prayer, community, and ministry. Their ministry is always focused on faith, whether it is retreats, spiritual direction, adult faith formation, or another form of spiritual ministry. It was founded in 1826 by Saint Therese Couderc and Father Stephen Terme. There are now congregations in 16 countries. There is a branch in the Philippines with convents in Quezon City and Davao. Their Generalate is in Rome and the North American provincialate is in Chicago. The North American novitiate is in Houston, while the pre-novitiate takes place in a local community.

The sixteen countries are: Australia ,Belgium ,Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, England, France,Ireland, Italy Madagascar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Togo and the United States.

Most of the nuns in the Philippines I know personally and six of them were my former colleagues at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Q.C in the mid 1950's. I hope you support the congregation mission and its ministry.