WELCOME TO MY SITE AND HAVE A GOOD DAY

Welcome to Las Vegas, Nevada- the Gambling Capital of US and the City that never sleeps! So, what has this city have to do with this site. The answer is none. I just love the photo, I took during our vacation to this city a couple of years ago. In this site, you will find articles from my autobiography, global warming, senior citizens issues, tourism, politics in PI, music appreciation and articles about our current experiences as retirees enjoying the "snow bird" lifestyle between US and the Philippines. Your comments will be highly appreciated. Some of the photos and videos on this site, I do not own. However, I have no intention on infringement of your copyrights. Cheers!

Saturday, December 29, 2018

Children Christmas Party at Chateau Du Mer in Amoingon

Party Helpers and Organizer with Sister Guia-The Boss of the Party










From Sister's Guia FB page:These pictures will give you an idea of how the Day of Hope went along.. I was busy coordinating and could not take the photos myself. Thanks to my niece Chiqui for capturing the Big Day of the Children. It started from our prayer room where Benedict carried the Baby Jesus to the function Hall where all the children were waiting for Jesus in their hearts. A big warm applause from them welcome Jesus when Benedict arrived. Then James started the celebration by reading the Gospel of Luke to share with them a little bit of what they were about to celebrate. The Big Bang fun and singing, dancing followed... till the ending of lighting the Tea Candles they were holding in their hands, giving Jesus each their birthday kiss and singing Happy Birthday and Joy to the World and blew the candles singing Ang Pasko ay Sumapit. We thank You and a song is dedicated to all you who supported this Day of Hope that made Christmas meaningful for them this year.

Of course, there was food and gifts for all the children in attendance(closed to 100).

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

A Simple Christmas Dinner This Year

I forgot to take the picture of this roasted duck before I tasted it. It was yummy. It was a Christmas gift from our Italian-American neighbor. The duck and pasta was our lunch.

For our dinner menu:

Honey baked Ham, Pancit, Eggrolls ( both Pinoy and Chinese), Cheese and macaroni casserole, puto ( both white and Brown( kutsinta), German chocolate cake, Fruit Tart, Goat cheese and Crackers and Hawaiian sweet rolls. For drinks we have Champagne, apple cider, wine and beer. No letson or Dinuguan or calderetta this year.

What was left of the German Chocolate Cake, Fruit Tart, Puto and Goat Cheese Appetizer

The highlights of the day: Playing Katague-Jambalos Family Jeopardy and Mahjong( David III prepared the Questions). It was fun and Informative.

Alix received as her Christmas gift this year an expensive Mahjong set from her DAD and Mom. Alix was inspired to learn how to play the game after she saw the movie- Crazy Rich Asians.

After dinner, David III, Macrine and I watched the movie ( Crazy Rich Asians) in Comcast Infinity TV for free. It is an entertaining movie and it reminds me about Filipinos vs Filipino-Americans also. I highly recommend the movie if you are an Asian-American.

For more information about mahjong read my posting on the subject:https://davidbkatague.blogspot.com/search?q=mahjong

Monday, December 24, 2018

Events at the Chateau Du Mer Hall and Grounds Last Week

Congressman Allan Velasco Christmas Party was held at the Chateau Du Mer Hall and Grounds last week. The following photos were taken from the FB page of Fe Jambalos and Cel Monterey.The other event was Sister Guia's Children Christmas Party( more pictures will follow).

Christmas Belen in Amoingon, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines





https://www.facebook.com/fe.jambalos/videos/2453545384661458/
https://www.facebook.com/marylyn.villavicencio/videos/2027699610609894/


The above photos were taken from the FaceBook page of Fe Jambalos and Cel Monterey. Congressman Velasco Christmas Party held at the Chateau Du Mer Conference Hall to his constituents. Macrine and I felt a lot of nostalgia just looking at the photos above.

For the latest news on Velasco read the following: https://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2019/215934-dutertes-call-lord-allan-velasco-next-house-speaker

Thursday, December 20, 2018

Thank You All for Your Birthday Greetings


To all my Face Book friends and relatives who send their birthday greetings today on my 84th birthday, thanks a million! Today reminded me of the above ( Friends are Irreplaceable) send to Macrine and myself from a friend in the East Coast- our former neighbor in Silver Spring ( Colesville), Maryland in the 1990's. The above photo is hard to read, so allow me to quote four of my favorites.


After 84 (60) years of my life, here is what I(he) learned:

1. Children cease to be children and become independent
2. Jobs come and go
3. Illusions, desires, attraction, sex... weaken
4. But true friends are always there, no matter long or how many miles away they are


Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Wild Turkeys in My Yard this Year

This is the time of the year when wild turkeys roam in residential neighborhoods here in Northern California. We have six of them the other day. They are almost tame and not wild. The six of them were eating my pyrancatha berries in my side yard. In some neighborhoods they could be a nuisance or trouble since they can become very aggressive and territorial.




Sunday, December 16, 2018

I will be 84 Years Old in Four Days

Kona, Hawaii Vacation, 1979

In four days, December 20, I will be 84 years old. I thank the Lord that He made this day Possible. Yesterday, Ditas and Carenna treated me with delicious lunch at Zocalo here in Roseville. I ordered the Chille Relleneo with Pork and had a Mango Margarita. Afterwards we went shopping in COSTCO. It was a FUN afternon with my two Panggas. Thanks again Ditas and Carenna for my birthday treat. On the 20th, David, Macrine and I will just order three lobster dinner from Red Lobster via Postmates-a food delivery service.

On my birthdays, I usually reminisce about my life. This year, I will just repost five ( out of 17) Chapters of my autobiography as follows:

Chapter 1: https://davidbkatague.blogspot.com/2011/12/chapter-1-childhood-memories-of.html

Chapter 4: https://davidbkatague.blogspot.com/2011/12/chapter-4-my-college-years-1951-1955.html

Chapter 8: https://davidbkatague.blogspot.com/2011/12/chapter-8-social-life-in-kansas-city.html

Chapter 11: https://davidbkatague.blogspot.com/2011/12/fda-years-and-maryland-1990-2002.html

Chapter 17: https://davidbkatague.blogspot.com/2011/12/trail-blazer-in-chemistry.html

If you are reading this post, I thank you. I hope you continue reading my blogs. Again Merry Christmas ( 2018) and a Safe New Year (2019).

Friday, December 14, 2018

Our Night Time Christmas Decor-Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Our Capiz Christmas Parol at Night Time with our Marble Table Lamp from Romblon, Philippines

Two days ago, I posted our simple day Christmas décor featuring a Parol ( made in the Philippines) and two artificial trees with nativity scenes( Belen). Today I am posting five pictures taken at night time featuring my new electric fireplace log set insert, a Christmas present to myself and Macrine. I purchased the fire log insert décor from Pleasant Heart on line. I am very satisfied with this purchase.

During the last four decades we had fireplaces that use burning wood in several of our previous residences in Kansas City, Colesville, Maryland and Pinole, California. Our current residence has also a nice fireplace, but we used it only once with real firewood. Real burning firewood fireplace is great, but messy and takes a lot of time and patience in cleaning the ashes afterwards. So currently I am very delighted with my newly purchased electric fire log with crackling sound of burning firewood but no heat. There is a version of the above electric fire log with heat but is more expensive and an energy wasting decoration.


Closed Up of electric Fire Log( from Pleasant Hearth)

The following two photos were taken outside the front of our house the other night.



Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year (2018-2019) to All My Relatives and Friends All Over the World. I hope you continue reading and following my blogs!

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Another Simple Chritmas Decor for Our House this Year

Our Capiz Parol in our Living Room Picture Window-The Focus of our simple Season Decor

Every year for the last three decades when all the kids were gone, Macrine and I decided to have the Christmas decorations in and out of the house be simple and easy to install and remove and would not require more than 3 hours to install. WE USED TO buy real Christmas trees( from 10ft to 15ft) when the 4 D's were still residing with us. The tree was for them, but now that they have their own families, Macrine and I are happy with our 6-foot pre-lit artificial tree with just our White House Ornaments collection and other small photo ornaments. We have also a small Christmas tree made of candies ( see photo).

Tree with Lanzones Wood Carving of Belen from the Philippines

Close-Up of tree with White House Ornaments and Children Photo Decor

Candy tree with Porcelain Nativity Scene from Germany

Close Up of Carved Lanzones Wood of the Nativity Scene

Christmas Toys Collection (1960's)

Hello Santa Claus, and my two Chihuahuas( Squeezed them hard-and they will say, I love You)

Christmas Wreath in our Front Porch

The Christmas season always reminds me of the following article in my Hubpages.com account:
https://hubpages.com/travel/the-philippines-nation-of-fiestas-and-festivals

Saturday, December 8, 2018

Recent and Old Photographs from My Album

My apple I-pod finally got updated, so I can take pictures and have it uploaded in my PC. Here are two photos that I took recently.

My pineapple plant in the Planter still green, but will probably die soon when the winter chills arrive. It is just too big to put it inside the house

Still have some summer blooms in the front entrance of our house.

Christmas Lights of Ditas House, 2018

Here are some old but memorable photos from my album:

Macrine and I dancing the Tango, 1999

Macrine on her BS Nursing Graduation, 1981, Pinole, California


Clouds over Amoingon Bay, Boac, Marinduque, 2013


Chateau Du Mer-Our Second Home, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines, 2015

The Katague Clan during our 60th Wedding Anniversary, 2017

Thursday, December 6, 2018

Burning Hell in Paradise

Paradise is a town in Butte County, California, United States in the Sierra Nevada foothills above the northeastern Sacramento Valley.

As of the 2010 census, the town population was 26,218. On November 8, 2018, a major wildfire, the Camp Fire, destroyed most of Paradise and the adjacent Concow communities.

Macrine first cousin and husband resides in Paradise, California. Luckily their home was spared from the latest fire, the worst in the history of Wildfires in California. In case you have been sleeping and not watching television, here's a brief summary from the news( videos) as well as comments from the FaceBook page of Macrine's first cousin. Macrine's first cousin grow up in Laylay, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines.

November 8, 2018 Posting: Family and Friends❤️ Thank you for all your phone calls, text, messages and concern. We made it safely to Sacramento despite of the heavy traffic and staying with our good friend. We hope and pray that our home is still standing and for everyone’s safety 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

November 25, 2018 Posting: Just read from a friend’s posting in FB ... she STATED.... “our neighborhood of 54 houses in the lower part of Paradise is the ONLY COMMUNITY that survived the CAMP FIRE completely intact. She learned from local TV station. Our neighborhood has its own water and sewage system.. all our services up now. Defensible space around the entire neighborhood is what saved our houses”..

AGAIN.... Jim and I, as well as Tom and Jerry appreciate all your prayers and concern ❤️❤️❤️. NO WORDS CAN EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE TO ALL FIREFIGHTERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS.... PLEASE, LET’S CONTINUE OUR PRAYERS FOR ALL THE VICTIMS WHO LOST EVERYTHING and THEIR LOVED ONES AND STILL MISSING.🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 PARADISE WILL RISE AGAIN! GOD BLESS US ALL❤️.

November 26, 2018 Posting: CAMP FIRE 100% contained 🙏🏻 FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEART ..THANK YOU FIREFIGHTERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS..
Sharing our green lawn with God’s Creature ❤️so happy to see them back in the neighborhood and know they made it❤️time not to be selfish because they lost their foods in the fire😪



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ABOUT ME

I am a retired (Chemistry Team Leader from USFDA) Filipino-American who loves writing, gardening and photography. My wife ( of 59 years) and I enjoy the snowbird lifestyle between the US and the Philippines. We have a small but very private beach resort in the beautiful island of Marinduque, Philippines. I have several blog sites (ten), a personal blog, blogs about Marinduque and about our beach resort and conference center-CHATEAU DU MER. I have also a writing account for Hubpages.com. I will appreciate very much any comments on my postings.



Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort

Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort
Beach House, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines

Genealogy of the Balleza and Katague Surnames

Several years ago, I started a genealogy of my mother's last name- “Balleza”. I was able to trace it back to the 15th century. The name originated from Bilbao, Spain. I then traced it to Mexico, then to US in Texas and then to the Philippines. I was able to locate a town in Mexico named Balleza, in the state of Chihuahua. The town was founded in 1640 and named after Fr. Mariano Balleza ,a Spanish friar.. I was able also to communicate with a radio announcer in Houston, Texas whose family name is also Balleza. I also found several Balleza families in Googles and recently in Face Book. Note that the name is similar to another name in the Philippines “ Belleza”, a Spanish word which means beautiful. But “Balleza” and “Belleza” are two different names in the Philippines. I am happy and satisfied with the origin of my mother's last name. When my mother was still alive, she told me that her grandfather was a Spanish soldier that participated in the Spanish colonization of the Philippines (1565 -1898). Today, I am curious on the genealogy of my father's last name. When my father was still alive, his last named was spelled with a “C” instead of the “K”. He changed it with the “K” when he was in high school. My father has two brothers who also changed it to start with a “ K”. But all of my father other relatives as far as I know has not change it. So there are a lot of “Catague's” in the Philippines, that are my relatives. The famous Catague is a painter named Fernando. His paintings are exhibited in the museum of Iloilo and Manila. My father has informed me that Fernando is a relative and originally was from Antique. . In the Philippines, I know there are Katagues in Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Antique, Cavite and in Mindanao. I also found there is a Katague in Brazil from Googles. I just recently meet a niece in Face Book from Vancouver, B.C. She is the daughter of my first cousin from Bacolod, Negros Occidental. There are several Katagues in Face Book, and one in Twitter, but I do not know if we are related. Incidentally, there is a town in Bohol, named “Catague”. I am curious, how the town got its name, but I do not have the time to do research on it. If you know, please let me know. It will be highly appreciated. There are several variations of the Katague name. These are: Catague, Catage, Catagi, Katagi, Katage, Kataque and Kata Gue ( from Indonesia). I know of a Japanese chemist with surname of Katagi. It may be true that Katague originated from Japan from the surname Katagi as my father once mentioned. So if your last name is any of the above or if you are married to someone with any of the names above, we may be related. I will appreciate if you contact me in Face Book or in this site. I will be delighted to meet you on line or in person.

Front Yard of Retirement House

Front Yard of Retirement House
Orchid and Bougainvillas, Chateau Du Mer, Marinduque

Genealogy of the Nieva Clan-Macrine's Maternal Side of the Family

It is summer time and time for family reunions. The Nievas of the World will probably be have a reunion in the Philppines or here in US sometime this year or next year. Hopefully, Macrine and I could attend this time. Macrine Nieva Jambalos and husband, David Balleza Katague of Marinduque and Northern California toasting champagne during their Golden Wedding Anniversary, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines,2007 In 2003, there was a reunion of the Nieva clan in the Philippines organized by Rene Elizalde Nieva, Macrine's first cousin. We were invited but not able to attend. Rene wrote in his invitation that he is in the process of writing a book about the Nieva clan. He said the book will be privately published with limited printing which will include a general history starting on the possible roots of the Nieva family as well as the achievements of various members of the clan and their contribution to the betterment of Marinduque and of the Philippines. As of this writing date, I have not heard on the status of Rene's book. In his invitation he invited all the direct and indirect descendants of the children and spouses of Calixto Nieva and Epifania Morente. Note that Rene is the great-grandson of Calixto Nieva and Macrine is also the great-granddaughter of Calixto Nieva , thus Rene and Macrine are first cousins. I just can not believe that my six grand children are now the great-great-great grand children of Calixto Nieva and Epifania Morente. Calixto and Epifania Morente had six children, four boys and two girls as follows (from oldest to youngest) along with their spouses. 1.Juan Nieva had two wives. The first wife was Isabel Decena. When Isabel died Juan remarried Elvira Sarmiento. Juan Nieva is both Macrine's and Rene's grandfather. He was the first governor of Marinduque and also the grandfather of the outgoing Governor. Rene and Macrine are first cousin of Jose Antonio (Bong) Nieva Carrion, the outgoing Governor of Marinduque. 2.Victoria Nieva married Doroteo Mercader 3.Dionisio Nieva married Salud de la Santa 4.Gregorio Nieva married Maria Arevalo 5.Jose Nieva married Trinidad Carmona 6.Rosita Nieva married Dr Angel Mayuga Rene's invitation also included the descendants of the brothers of Calixto, namely Pedro and Francisco Nieva. It also included the brothers and sisters of Epifania Morente, which included not just the Morentes but also the Roceses, Abadas, Trinidads and the Kasilags. Incidentally, the Reyeses are second cousins of Macrine and the other Nievas of Marinduque. This article will concentrate on the descendants of Juan Nieva and his two wives, Isabel Decena from Santa Cruz and Elvira Sarmiento from Buenavista.. Children of Juan Nieva and Isabel Decena ( from Oldest to Youngest) 1.Calixto Nieva married Juanita Jambalos 2.Blanca Nieva- single was killed by the Japanese during World War II 3.Elena Nieva married Bernardo Jambalos, Jr ( brother of Juanita) Children of Juan Nieva and Elvira Sarmiento(from Oldest to Youngest) 1.Guillermo ( Willie) Nieva married Dr Celina Elizalde 2.Rosario Nieva married Ramon Carrion 3.Ester Nieva married Rafael Seno 4.Monica Nieva married Conrado Luarca 5.Elizabeth Nieva married Romulo Santo Domingo 6.Asuncion Nieva married Dr. Rafael Ocampo 7.Fr Constantino Nieva- single For the purpose of this article, I will discuss only the descendants of Elena Nieva and Bernardo Jambalos, Jr. They have seven children as follows: ( From Oldest to Youngest) 1.Macrine Nieva Jambalos- married David B Katague from Iloilo ( that's me) 2.Sister Guia Jambalos- Order of the Cenacle-single 3.Bernardo Jambalos III married Loreta Mercader 4.Fe Jambalos married Edgardo Lazarte 5.Edgar Jambalos ( deceased) married Asuncion Pagalunan 6.Jean Jambalos married Mitch Maeda 7.Rosario Jambalos married Michael Levin Note that Rene Nieva is the oldest son of Guillermo Nieva and Dr. Celina Elizalde. The younger brother of Rene, Yong is my partner in our literary project, I left my Heart in Marinduque ( not San Francisco). http://marinduqueonmymind.blogspot.com Macrine's telephone buddy and first cousin from Vancouver, BC, Canada Olga Luarca Quiazon is the oldest daughter of Monica and Conrado Luarca The outgoing governor of Marinduque is the second son of Rosario Nieva and Ramon Carrion This posting continues with the offspring of Macrine Jambalos and David B. Katague. They have 4 children and six grandchildren as follows: 1.Dodie( Diosdado) Katague married Ruth Carver- They have 3 children, Philip Winchester, Alexandra and Marina Katague 2.Dinah E Katague married David E King- They have 2 children, Ian and Elaine King 3.David E III-single 4.Ditas Macrine Katague married Nick Thompson- They have one child, Carenna Nicole Thompson Fe Jambalos has two daughters, Lanie and Ella Jean Jambalos has two daughters, Yuri and Yuka Rosario has two children, Carlos and Zehara Asuncion and Edgar( deceased) Jambalos has three sons, Edmund, Nonoy and Jhun-Jhun and a daughter, Marilyn Bernardo Jambalos III has five children and three grandchildren as of this writing date. Accomplishments of the children of David B and Macrine J. Katague are discussed in detail at http://theintellectualmigrant.blogspot.com Some Interesting Vignettes: The marriage of Calixto and Juanita Jambalos was not approved by their father Don Juan Nieva. Juanita was the daughter of a barrio businessman from Laylay. During those time, if you are from the barrios, you are not welcome or accepted to the social group of the main town of Boac. The Jambalos family although well off were considered TAGABUKID ( from the bonies). Don Juan Nieva wanted his lawyer son to marry Enriqueta Nepomuceno, one of the popular socialites in Boac. When Juanita died, Calixto did not marry again. Soon Calixto also died and every one in town claimed he died with a broken heart. Enriqueta in the meantime was waiting for Calixto. Enriqueta never married and died as a spinster. Blanca Nieva graduated from Nursing School at Philippine General Hospital and was earning well. When their father died, she helped in sending her half-sister Rosario to College. She supported her sister and spoiled her by dressing her up to maintain her place in the high society of Boac at that time. Elena, is the third child of Isabel Decena from Santa Cruz. Isabel died giving birth to Elena. Elena was therefore nursed by the sister of Isabel, Regina Decena Reforma. Elena and Policarpio Reforma ( son of Regina) shared the same breast milk of Tia Regina. When Elena was five years old, she and sister Blanca as well as brother Calixto, were brought to Boac where their father Juan Nieva remarried Elvira Sarmiento from Buenavista. Elena grew up under the care of Lola Victoria ( sister of Juan Nieva). They lived in the old Nieva Building at the foot of the hill leading to Mataas Na Bayan. Elena later went to college at the University of the Philippines and finished her Bachelor Degree in Education. When Juanita Jambalos-Nieva( wife of Calixto) died during childbirth, Elena and Bernardo Jambalos II ( brother of Juanita) were made in-charged of bringing the corpse from Manila back to Marinduque. During the trip, people mistook them as husband and wife. Their romance started then and later were married at the Boac Catholic Church. Today, if I had to guess, there should be more than seven hundred members of the Nieva clan, just based on the six children of Calixto Nieva and Epifania Morente all over the world. If you include the descendants of Pedro and Francisco Nieva, the two brothers of Calixto, it could reached to more than a thousand Nievas all over the universe. If you are a member of this clan, please let me know. Someday, I may be able to trace the Nieva genealogy all the way to Spain, as I did with my mothers name "Balleza", several years ago. My e-mail is in this site and I am also in Face Book.

Citizenship Party, Modesto, California,1972

Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort and Conference Center

Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort and Conference Center
Beach House, Boac, Marinduque

Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort and Conference Center

Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort and Conference Center
Conference and Multi-Purpose Hall

Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort and Conference Center

Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort and Conference Center
Beach House Balcony at Night

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Dave and Macrine Katague

Dave and Macrine Katague
Golden Wedding Anniversary, May 8, 2007

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