Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort and Conference Center

These are the reviews from from two of our guests published at the Trip Adviser web site. Visit the Trip Adviser website for additional details.

1.What a peaceful place to spend relaxing time in Marinduque! The cottage is very comfortable, and right on the beach, with a large deck for watching the sunset. The location in Boac (and not too far from Gasan) is well placed for a home base for day trips around Marinduque. But the best part of our stay here was the graciousness of the hosts, David and Macrine. They are warm-hearted, know the island well, and truly made us feel at home. Although we were there to explore the island and relax, the property has a great conference/meeting facility as well. Highly recommended.

2. Nestled against the beach, this cottage on stilts was a great place to spend a week away from all the insanity of urban life. With a spacious deck, two bedrooms, a living room and a full kitchen, my entire family truly enjoyed their stay. The hosts, Dave and Macrine do everything possible to make you feel like family, while still giving you space and privacy. The beach is all of 25 feet away and early morning walks on the beach are what I remember most. My kids were fascinated with the bamboo flooring. A reef is just off shore and filled with beautiful fish to enjoy while snorkeling. I would go back in a minute if I could.

Imelda Marcos of the Philippines

Imelda Marcos was in the news this week. She suffered a minor injury after slipping and falling to the floor at the Batasang Pambansa a few hours before the President’s State of the Nation Address on Monday, which she had to miss because of the accident. In a statement, Marcos’ chief if staff Filadelfo Diaz III said Marcos only suffered a “minor injury.” “The Office of Hon. Congresswoman Imelda Romualdez-Marcos would like to assure the public that the lady solon is in stable condition now after she met a small accident at the House of Representatives.”

Imelda R. Marcos was born on July 2, 1929. She is a Filipino politician and widow of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. Upon the ascension of her husband to political power, she held various positions to the government until 1986. She is the first politician elected as member of the Philippine legislature in three geographical locations (Manila, Leyte, Ilocos Norte). In 2010, she was elected to become a member of the House of Representatives to represent Ilocos Norte's second district. She is sometimes referred to as the Steel Butterfly or the Iron Butterfly. She is often remembered for symbols of the extravagance of her husband's political reign, including her collection of 2,700 pairs of shoes. In 2011, Imelda Marcos has declared her net worth to be 932.8 million pesos (US$22 million), parliamentary records show, as she continues to fight the government over her assets more than two decades after her husband’s reign ended. Imelda is the second-richest Philippine politician behind boxing hero and congressman Manny Pacquiao.

Assassination of Benigno Aquino Movie

A Dangerous Life is a 1988 English-language Australian film about the final years of the Philippines under Ferdinand Marcos' rule, from the assassination of Benigno Aquino, Jr. in 1983 to the People Power EDSA Revolution in 1986 that ousted Marcos. The film focuses on American TV journalist (Gary Busey), who finds himself in the middle of key events that lead to the downfall of the Marcos regime. Originally airing on television as a mini-series that ran for a total of six hours, the film was edited to 162 minutes for the home video release.

The film was shot on location in Sri Lanka, mostly due to hostilities the producers experienced in Manila while filming The Year of Living Dangerously in 1982.

Filipino-American Musical in New York City

Here Lies Love-A Disco Musical

I like to share with you a very interesting post about the Asian-American Musical, Here Lies Love in New York City. The musical is based on the life of Imelda Marcos. Fourteen out of the seventeen cast members are Filipino-American actors and actresses. The new musical is taking New York by storm. The Asian American casts are singing and dancing to the electric music of David Byrne and Fatboy Slim.

It tells the story of Filipina First Lady Imelda Marcos and her rise to political stature. It is directed by Alex Timbers. The show has already won an accolade of awards including the Outer Critics Circle for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical. APA actor Jose Llana plays Ferdinand Marcos. He describes the musical as "Fun, Fabulous and Filipino!"

Angry Asian man: Here Lies Love - A New American Musical Experience...: Guest Post by Raymond J. Lee Hey, folks! I'm on vacation, taking a much-needed blog break. Some batteries need recharging. But do not worry.....

Theme Melodies from Eighteen Most Romantic Music

My favorites are numbers #3,4,8 and 18.. Enjoy and here's the list for your reference.
1. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky - Romeo and Juliet (Fantasy Overture: Love Theme)
2. George Gershwin - Rhapsody In Blue 0:20
3. Sergei Rachmaninoff - Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Var. 18. Tempo di menuetto 1:03
4. Dmitri Shostakovich - Romance from The Gadfly 1:29
5. Edward Elgar - Salut d'Amour 1:59
6. Aram Khachaturian - Spartacus: Adagio of Spartacus & Phrygia 2:27
7. Pietro Mascagni - Cavalleria Rusticana - Intermezzo 3:01
8. Joaquín Rodrigo - Concierto de Aranjuez 3:30
9. Gabriel Fauré - Pavane 3:58
10. Franz Schubert - Ave Maria 4:27
11. Jean-Claude Petit - Jean De Florette 4:54
12. Clément Philibert Léo Delibes - Flower Duet 5:38
13. Jacques Offenbach - Les Contes D'Hoffmann: Barcarolle 6:20
14. Claude Debussy - Clair De Lune 6:58
15. Giuseppe Verdi - La Traviata: Overture 7:25
16. Johann Sebastian Bach - Air on the G string 8:02
17. Giacomo Puccini - O mio babbino caro 8:27
18. Franz Schubert - Serenade 8:54

Philippines Fashion Parade of Extravagance and Decadence

Photo Credit: Jonathan Asuncion ( Philstar.com). Who are these politicians? I recognized the Reyeses of the Marinduque Dynasty Clan-(bottom left photo) mother and daughter political duo.

Senator Mirriam Santiago is again on the news this Week. This was in connection with the President Aquino's State of the Nation Address(SONA). I agree 100% with Santiago's point of view. There is no need to have a fashion parade of decadence and ostentation. She announced that she will file a resolution prescribing an official uniform for lawmakers attending the President's annual State of the Nation Address.

Santiago, who was not present during the SONA, said her proposal seeks to prevent a repeat of Monday's event where lawmakers "took turns displaying 'bling' clothes and jewelry."

"Our law frowns on conspicuous consumption, which I call 'the obsession to bling,' especially in the midst of acute public want," she tweeted.

The senator cited the Civil Code, Article 25: “Thoughtless extravagance in expenses for pleasure or display during a period of acute public want or emergency may be stopped by order of the courts at the instance of any government or private charitable institution.”

Santiago said that the country is suffering from “acute public want, because of a high unemployment rate of 7.5% and a high underemployment rate of 19.2%.” She added that the country also faces an emergency, because of our territorial disputes with China and Taiwan.

"The highlight of the SONA is the President. It is not like an Oscar event in Hollywood," Santiago added.

The senator failed to attend the SONA, after continuing to suffer from acute chronic fatigue. She is on medical leave from the Senate.

“I watched TV and could not stand it. The SONA event should be a serious time for the Congress to pick up policy directions indicated by the President. It should not be treated as Oscar night in Hollywood, with a red carpet, where peacocks spread their tails and turn around and around, as coached by media in a feeding frenzy,” she said in a statement.

“I was once a clueless participant in those mindless events. Don’t get me wrong. I am very proud of our local fabrics and our local designers, some of whom are world-class. But the SONA event is not the proper venue for their talents,” she added.

Santiago said clothes should merely indicate membership in Congress to separate them from those who are not members.

“The highlight of the SONA is the President. It is not the flashy women. Now the flaky men are even getting into the act. They also parade, sometimes with photogenic arm candy, into the session hall and preen like their female counterparts. Enough!” she said.

Go for it Mirriam! I am with you and I hope majority of the Filipinos will support you!