We are Poor in Gold but Rich in Pleasant Memories

Our life is not rich in terms of dollars or pesos, but in pleasant memories and accomplishments.

How was this attained? First, I grew up in the 1940's in the midst of the Japanese-American War in the Philippines. My father at that time was a Dental Officer for the Philippine-American Guerrilla Forces in Panay and Romblon Islands. Thus, I did have a lot of contacts with American GI's from all parts of the US. These contacts initiated and triggered my desire and ambition to someday see and visit the US.
( I had no desire or dream to reside in US at that time)

Second, my elementary and high school years were also filled with accomplishments. I graduated with honors in 6th Grade and valedictorian in my high school class. Except for a bullying incident in my freshman year, I had pleasant memories of my elementary and high school years.

Third, my college years at UP, Iloilo and Diliman were also filled with scholastic achievements. I received the Fernando Lopez Scholarship in Iloilo for attaining the highest grade in the whole university. In Diliman, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry missing 0.02 points to graduate CUM LAUDE(with honors).

Fourth, my graduate school years at the University Of Illinois in Chicago were also filled with pleasant memories. Those years were the hardest and most challenging years of my life. Those years started with seeing my first snow in US, followed by raising three children ( my 4th child was born after my graduate school years) while a graduate and teaching assistant and culminated with my Ph.D graduation in Pharmaceutical Chemistry in 1964.

Fifth, my professional career working as a chemist for 20 years for three private companies and later for the federal government (FDA) for another 12 years ( as team leader) were unforgettable. My years in FDA were the happiest and most productive years in my professional career.

Sixth, Macrine and my involvement with the activities of the Filipino-American Community in the Washington, D.C., Kansas City, Missouri, Modesto and Pinole, California areas were memories that we will treasure and will never forget as long as we live.

Last, but not least were the civic, social and humanitarian projects that Macrine and I had been involved since the early 1960's. Our involvement with the Marinduque International, Inc medical mission projects since 1996 to the present are memories we will never forget. The letters of Appreciation and Thanks that Macrine and I received from the Office of the Governor in Marinduque in 2009 regarding our efforts in promoting tourism in the province, we will always treasure. The publication of my two articles in HULIQ News about Eco tourism in Marinduque in 2010 was indeed memorable and unforgettable.

Indeed, we are not rich in GOLD or SILVER, but in MEMORIES.
The front yard of our Retirement Home in Marinduque-Chateau Du Mer

For details of the above accomplishments and activities, visit my blog sites at
http://theintellectualmigrant.blogspot.com or http://lifeinus1960present.blogspot.com

Recent Photos of Orchids in the Gardens of Chateau Du Mer

A dark Yellow Vanda
A dark pink Vanda
A Small light yellow Phaelonopsis
A reddish Vanda
A pinkish-white Vanda
Another favorite Vanda
My twin blue Princess Mikasa
One of My Favorite Vanda

The above photos are some of the orchids blooming in the gardens of Chateau Du Mer from January to April, 2011. I hope you like them as much as I do! I have a dozen more plants that are blooming, but it will just be too boring to publish them all in this blog. Your comments will be appreciated.

Life in US and Philippines Blog Invites Guest Writers

Do you feel like sharing your experiences of living in the US (and other countries) as well as in the Philippines?. Do you feel that your writing may inspire young Filipino-Americans( Canadians, Europeans) to do their best to succeed in life and serve you as their role model?. I specially invite you if you are an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) or a Filipino-American who has resided or is now residing in the US, Canada or in other parts of the world. Please send your article to tagajaro@comcast.net There is no monetary compensation, but I assure you, your articles and ideas will be read by more than 300 daily visitors of my nine blogs from all over the world.

Note: Original articles are preferred. However, I will be delighted reprinting previously published articles/photographs as long as you cite a reference and acknowledge the original author(s)/photographer(s), so we will not have problems with copy right. All subjects will be considered except religion, politics and sex. I will also require a short paragraph about you for acknowledging purposes. Thank You!

Funeral Mass and 9-Day Post-Mortem Prayers for Our Ninong

The Altar Of the Newly Constructed Gasan Cathedral- A Funeral Mass was Held for Our Ninong Recently
In my previous article about the two 87-yr old close to us in Marinduque, I commented that our ninong died two weeks after my blog was published. Our ninong died in the evening of Good Friday in the presence of his only daughter who came all the way from US, the week before when she learned her DAD was getting weaker everyday. Our last visit with him was on Holy Wednesday. Although he was bedridden his mind was clear and sharp. He even commented that with our visit, everything is now complete. I did not understand his comment, until he continued we can now play mahjong or Piqua, a game we play when he visits us in Amoingon. Mahjong is a tile game similar to Rummy and Piqua is a card game similar Gin.

The funeral service and mass at the Gasan Cathedral, was filled with his friends and relatives. Macrine was requested to give a Eulogy at the end of the mass. She was unprepared but gave a short talk from her heart and a tear or two. With quavering voice, she told the crowd that our Ninong is just like an older brother to her. Our Ninong stayed at my parents-in-law house in Boac when he was in high school. He kept in touch with us even after he immigrated to US after his retirement.

The life of our Ninong is a good example of a poor but intelligent young man, who started as janitor and later become vice president of a commercial bank in Manila. After his retirement, he and his family ( wife and 4 children) immigrated to the US.
During this time, he worked as an International Auditor for one of the biggest private bank in California. His work allowed him to travel all over the world and in the US and Canada. Our Ninong left 4 children and six grandchildren all currently residing in the US.

Macrine and I attended the 9th Day Prayer Service and Lunch before our return to US. It was held in his ancestral home in Daykitin, Buenavista at 11:00AM. I have never attended a 9-day Prayer Service and Party here in Marinduque. It lasted for only 30 minutes. In between the prayers ( all in Tagalog) are songs also in tagalog. I recognized only one song titled Sino Ako ( Who Am I?). This song was also sang during my father's funeral mass a few years ago. After the prayers we had lunch consisting of pancit( rice noodles), adobo(Chicken) and menudo ( pork and beef).
We were given a big portion of the food served to bring home for dinner.

Our Ninong led a good life and gave some of his savings to the construction of the Gasan Cathedral. My only regret is that he had never written his biography even though he was a good writer. For the last six months, I keep on reminding him to write his life story for the benefit of the poor but talented young Filipinos, who have dreams of a successful life. Again, May our Ninong soul rest in Peace, Amen!

Photos from our Recent Stay at the Bellarocca Resort, Marinduque

Above are some of the photos I took during our recent visit and overnight stay at the now world famous 5 star resort in Buenavista, Marinduque, Philippines-The Bellarocca Resort and Spa, last February 13-14, 2011. This visit was in connection of Marinduque International Inc, post medical mission R&R activity. Anne Miles (President of MI, Inc-2010-2011) and I arranged for this visit which included a Catholic Mass by Bishop Rey Evangelista of the Diocese of Boac and a Valentine Dinner Dance. The resort gave us a 50% discount on our accommodation but not on meals and other amenities. It was a visit to remember. The place is beautiful and the view of Mt. Malindig and the Marinduque mainland from our bedroom as well as from all public areas of the resort was mesmerising and breath-taking.

Senior Momentitis

Am I suffering from "senior momentitis" or I am indeed getting senile?. Last month while still snowbirding in the Philippines, I had an attacked of "senior momentitis". A specific case was when I misplaced my reading glasses. I thought I left in the computer cafe or maybe in the bank. So, I called both places and my glasses was not there. So I empty my bag and low and behold, my glasses was hiding at the bottom. Note that I had searched my bag twice before calling the cafe and the bank, but my glasses was not there ( I did not empty my bag though). So is there normal for my age group? I bet it is!

Currently, I have still a clear memory of past events in my life. My mind still get ideas on various subjects, I want to write in my blogs. I just wish though that someone invent a computer or typewritter that can type my thoughts or write an article without me sitting down in front of the computer.( I hate taperecorders) Even perhaps, a machine that can type my dreams while I am asleep. But I know this is asking too much.

Sometimes in my sleep, I get ideas of subjects I want to write, mostly related to my past experiences, childhood memories and professional achievements. Just recently, I vividly remember a "bullying event" during my freshman year in high school. This event I had already described in one of my blogs( my autobiography). I wanted to write about it again, but when I woke up, I felt it was too painful to write about it. But it reminded me, how I felt a couple of years ago, when a number of news articles were published about teenagers committing suicide due to bullying.

Now back to the sublect of senior moments. As one gets old, it is normal to suffer from this aging process. However, to insure that this is not going to an advance stage, one must use his or her memory on a daily basis. In my case, I read and write. I play computer games that require memorizing. As the saying goes, USE it or LOSE it! Good Day to ALL!
Below is a hilarious video about senior moments from Comedy Central.