My Autobiography: David Balleza K(C)atague

The Colors of Autumn-My Red Maples Photo Collection

2026-11-08T10:52:57.849-08:00

A Picture is Worth More than a Thousand Words-What else is there to Say!

Lastly, My Personal Photos of the Day: Photo Credit, Jenny Shively, Acting GM of THD

My Own Creation, Wreath Decorating Activity, THD November 7, 2026

Sunday Visit from Grand Daughter, Alix Katague Quinn with Hubby Brendan Quinn Bringing Some Good News Today, November 8, 2026

The Rainbow Wave of 2026: Diversity, LGBTQ Representation, and Historic Firsts in American Politics

2026-11-08T08:49:38.726-08:00

My post-election reflection for a worldwide audience and readers.

The November 3, 2026, midterm elections produced a remarkable series of historic victories for women, racial and ethnic minorities, and LGBTQ+ Americans. News organizations described the results as a wave of historic firsts, while LGBTQ+ publications called the gains a “Rainbow Wave.” The elections also shifted control of both chambers of Congress to the Democrats, according to post-election reporting.

1. Historic firsts: A more diverse America

Keisha Lance Bottoms for Georgia Governor

Keisha Lance Bottoms- Georgia

Bottoms became the first Black woman elected governor in U.S. history. Her victory marked a major milestone in a country where women of color have long faced barriers to the highest state offices.

Meet Gina | Gina Hinojosa for Texas Governor

Gina Hinojosa - Texas

Hinojosa became Texas's first Latina governor, a historic breakthrough in one of America's largest and most politically influential states.

File:Deb Haaland, official portrait, 116th Congress.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Deb Haaland — New Mexico

Haaland became the first Native American woman elected governor of a U.S. state. Her achievement represents an important milestone for Indigenous people, whose political representation has historically been limited.

Press Kit / Office of Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan

Peggy Flanagan — Minnesota

Flanagan became the first Native American woman elected to the U.S. Senate, bringing another historically underrepresented community into the nation's highest legislative chamber.

Other milestones included the election of California's Xavier Becerra as the state's first Latino governor since the 19th century, and Abdul El-Sayed's election as the first Muslim American to serve in the U.S. Senate. Florida Republican Byron Donalds also became the state's first Black governor, demonstrating that historic representation crossed party lines.

2. The Rainbow Wave: LGBTQ+ representation

Congressman Chris Pappas: Making a Difference as a Queer Politician — Love to All Project

Chris Pappas — New Hampshire

Pappas won his U.S. Senate race, becoming the first openly gay man elected to the Senate. His victory is a landmark for LGBTQ+ representation in federal government.

File:Representative Sarah McBride Official Portrait (slight crop).jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Sarah McBride — Delaware

McBride, the first openly transgender person elected to the U.S. Congress, won reelection to the House of Representatives. Her continued presence in Congress is significant for transgender visibility in national politics.

Alabama Legislature

Allison Montgomery — Alabama

Montgomery won election to become Alabama's first transgender state legislator, a particularly notable milestone in a state where transgender rights have been a contentious political issue.

The wider LGBTQ+ gains extended beyond these three candidates. The Washington Blade reported that 17 of 18 LGBTQ+ candidates running for federal office won their races, producing a record number of LGBTQ+ lawmakers elected to Congress. Other openly LGBTQ+ candidates also won seats in state legislatures and statewide offices.

The Rainbow Wave is therefore about more than a single historic victory. It reflects a broader expansion of political representation for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans.

3. Women and other underrepresented Americans gain ground

The Rainbow Wave was part of a larger movement toward more diverse political leadership. Women ran for governor and Congress in record numbers, and several women of color won seats that had never before been held by someone from their communities. In Illinois, Juliana Stratton's Senate victory also meant the state would be represented by two women of color in the Senate.

These victories matter because representation can influence which experiences, needs, and concerns receive attention in public policy. However, electing a diverse group of leaders does not automatically guarantee that every community's problems will be solved.

4. What did voters tell America?

The election was also a political rebuke to President Donald Trump and Republicans, with Democrats winning control of both the House and Senate. Reporting on voter surveys identified concerns about inflation, the cost of living, presidential power, and the direction of the country as important factors in the results.

It would be too simple to say that voters chose candidates solely because of their gender, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation. Many voters were concerned about everyday issues such as housing, health care, jobs, and the cost of groceries and gasoline.

The significance of the Rainbow Wave is that candidates from historically underrepresented groups competed successfully while addressing those same concerns.

There is also an important qualification: the election did not resolve the debate over LGBTQ+ rights. Although some equality-related measures succeeded, other states approved restrictions affecting transgender people, including in school sports.

5. My reflection: What the Rainbow Wave means

As I reflect on these developments, I see the 2026 midterms as another chapter in America's continuing struggle to make its democratic ideals a reality.

The United States is a diverse nation of people with different racial backgrounds, cultures, religions, gender identities, and personal experiences. Yet, for much of American history, many of these people had little opportunity to see someone like themselves in the highest levels of government.

The election of the first Black woman governor, the first Latina governor of Texas, the first Native American woman governor, and the first openly gay man in the U.S. Senate reminds us that political barriers can be broken.

For LGBTQ+ Americans, the Rainbow Wave offers a powerful message of visibility and belonging. For younger generations, it provides examples of people whose paths into public service might once have seemed impossible.

But representation is only the beginning. The true test of these newly elected leaders will be whether they govern fairly, protect individual freedoms, improve people's lives, and serve citizens who did not vote for them as well as those who did.

Democracy should not require everyone to think alike or live alike. It should provide a place at the table for people who are different from one another.

That, to me, is the deeper meaning of the Rainbow Wave.

Different colors, different backgrounds, different stories - one nation, with the promise that every person deserves a voice.

Suggested sources

Associated Press — Historic firsts in the 2026 midterms.
The Advocate — Rainbow Wave: LGBTQ+ election winners.
GLAAD — LGBTQ+ repr
Meanwhile, here's the current list of Filipino-Americans Elected or Reelected:

Here’s what was reported from last Tuesday, November 3, 2026 based on unofficial returns, since several races were still being counted days later. The mainland tally most often cited was 9 winners in congressional, statewide, or state legislative races, plus more in the territories.

Confirmed / reported winners - mainland U.S.

Congress
- Bobby Scott (D) — U.S. House, Virginia 3rd District — 18th consecutive term, with more than 70% of reported votes. He has held the seat since 1993 and was the first voting member of the House with Filipino ancestry
Statewide
- Rob Bonta (D) — California Attorney General — won another 4-year term with about 64.5%, defeating Republican Michael Gates. He is the first Filipino American to serve as California’s chief law enforcement officer
State legislatures
- Jessica Caloza (D) — California Assembly, District 52 — reelected with about 87%. She became the first Filipina elected to the California Legislature in 2024
- Maria Cervania (D) — North Carolina House, District 41 — 27,656 votes to 8,619 for Republican Bruce Forster
- Justin Jones (D) — Tennessee House, District 52 (Nashville) — 11,922 votes to 2,763 and 247 for his two challengers. Jones has Black and Filipino ancestry
- Angelito Tenorio (D) — Wisconsin Assembly, District 14 — about 62%, defeating Republican AmyRose Murphy. First elected in 2024, he became Wisconsin’s first Filipino American state legislator
- Erica Mosca (D) — Nevada Assembly, District 14 — retained her seat with no general-election opponent. She was the first Filipina elected to the Nevada Legislature
- Marvin Lim (D) — Georgia House, District 98 — no named opponent
- Genevieve Mina (D) — Alaska House, District 19 (Anchorage) — no named opponent
California — additional win reported after election night
- Mark Pulido (D) — California Assembly, District 67 — won over Republican Paulo Morales, 68,236 votes (62.8%) to 40,479 (37.2%) in updated Nov. 5 returns. Pulido is a two-time former mayor of Cerritos
California — local
- Melissa Ramoso — reelected to Artesia City Council, per a Nov. 4 community roundup of Filipino-American wins
Territories
Guam
- Shelly Vargas Calvo (R) — ranked among the 15 candidates positioned to win seats in the territorial Legislature, with 11,428 votes in unofficial returns
Northern Mariana Islands
- Four incumbent lawmakers with Filipino roots returned to the legislature: Jude Untalan Hofschneider (R) — Senate, Tinian; Ralph N. Yumul (I) — House, Saipan District 3; plus Daniel Iwashita Aquino Jr. and Angelo Camacho
Still leading, not yet counted as winners in those reports
- Kriselda Valderrama (D) — Maryland House of Delegates, District 26 — among the three leading candidates for three seats
- Luz Bay (D) — New Hampshire Executive Council, District 1 — led incumbent Republican Joseph Kenney, 64,227 to 60,500
- Hawaii: Sens. Joy San Buenaventura and Rachele Lamosao, and Reps. Greggor Ilagan, Darius Kila, and ShirelyAnn Templo all held substantial leads
- San Mateo County, CA: Juslyn Cabrera Manalo led fellow Filipino American Mark Nagales, 11,613 to 9,923, for District 5 supervisor, with about 110,000 ballots still unprocessed countywide as of Thursday can you list filipino-Americans elected last Tuesday.john husted ass
  Finally, Here's What Trump Said on John Husted Ass
  Donald Trump generated significant media attention in October and November 2026 by repeatedly making public comments about the physique of Ohio Republican Jon Husted, specifically describing his backside as a "pile of muscle."
  During multiple campaign rallies, Trump detoured from standard political remarks to describe Husted’s body:
  The "Ass" Comment: Trump stated at a North Carolina rally that he had been "studying his ass," describing it as a "pile of muscle".
  Other Physical Descriptions: He went on to describe Husted's hands as "claws" or "fingers like sausages," remarked on his "massive feet," and claimed that patting Husted's shoulder felt like hitting a "piece of steel".
  Trump's Justification: According to reports by People on November 5, 2026, Trump later defended the unusual remarks, claiming the public obsession with the statements made Husted more interesting to voters and boosted his popularity.
  Additional Political Fallout
  The commentary became a recurring talking point on the 2026 midterm campaign trail:
  JD Vance's Remarks: During a Texas town hall on November 2, 2026, Vice President JD Vance pivoted a question about the cost of living and family affordability to joke about Husted's physique, drawing further national spotlight to the bizarre trend.
  Husted's Response: According to coverage shared by CBS News, Husted stated that he and his wife maintained a good sense of humor regarding Trump's continuous fixations on his build.
  My Photo of the Day:

The Secret to Lasting Happiness-Good Bye and Good Luck, Linda Erdy Wilson

2026-11-07T18:34:59.564-08:00

The Secret to Lasting Happiness-From My Recent Readings on Aging Gracefully

The search for true happiness often leads people to believe they need a perfect life. Psychological research suggests that the most fulfilled people simply see the world through a different lens. Rather than waiting for ideal circumstances, they train their minds to recognize the good already around them. This change in perspective doesn't mean ignoring challenges. It builds mental resilience by giving positive experiences more attention than negative ones.

 Rewiring the Human Brain

Science confirms that the brain is highly adaptable, and consistent gratitude practice can physically alter neural pathways to favor positivity. Regularly identifying things you're thankful for trains the brain regions linked to emotional regulation and reward.
* Gratitude stimulates the release of dopamine and serotonin, the body's natural feel-good chemicals.
* Regular practice reduces cortisol production. Cortisol is the hormone primarily responsible for stress.
* Over time, this habit creates a lasting filter that helps you notice opportunities and kindness more often than threats or failures.

 Practice Over Perfection

A happy life doesn't require a life without problems. Even the most content people face hardships and setbacks. Their daily habits differ, especially the intentional act of gratitude, which anchors them during turbulent times. Focusing on small wins and everyday comforts can support a stable sense of well-being regardless of external circumstances. This approach offers a more sustainable form of happiness, rooted in mindset rather than material possessions.

 Simple Steps for Daily Growth

Building this habit into daily life takes little time and can produce noticeable results. Many people succeed by spending a few minutes each day reflecting on specific moments that brought them peace or satisfaction.
* Write down three specific things you're grateful for each morning or evening.
* Express appreciation to others through verbal thanks or written notes.
* Reflect on difficult situations to find one lesson or positive outcome.
Through these small, consistent efforts, the brain learns to scan the environment for positivity automatically. Happiness then becomes a natural state rather than a forced effort.

 The Ripple Effect of Positivity

A gratitude-centered life affects personal mood, physical health, and social connections. Studies indicate that people who prioritize thankfulness often experience better sleep, improved heart health, and stronger immune systems. This outlook also tends to draw supportive people into their lives, since others are naturally attracted to those who appreciate life. Choosing to focus on the light even in the midst of shadows can lead to a deeper, more resilient source of joy.

Meanwhile, 
What if feeling everything too deeply is not always a disorder? What if it reveals something unusual about personality? Psychiatrist Ernest Hartmann spent decades studying people whose emotional experiences seemed unusually intense. But his research began somewhere unexpected.
During the 1960s and 1970s, Hartmann studied people experiencing severe, recurring nightmares at Boston State Hospital. Some described dreams so vivid that their emotional effects seemed to follow them into waking life. His observations led him to explore differences in psychological boundaries and emotional sensitivity rather than viewing every experience as a disorder.
Could some people simply experience emotions and mental imagery more intensely than others? Hartmann's work raises fascinating questions about personality and sensitivity.

Finally, A Personal Note

A few hours ago, Linda, Linda Erdy Wilson, my favorite Afternoon Concierge ( Front Desk) informed me that today is her last day here at THD. She had worked here for over 10 years and moving to greener pastures to Via Monte, a CCRC senior living community nearby.

In behalf of my daily blog readers here at THD, we wished you Good Luck in your New Position. I will miss your smiles personally and your help in locating my lost packages delivered in the wrong apartment in another building. Come visit us once you are settled in Via Monte.

Mapping Project of My Grand Daughter- Carenna Katague Thompson

2026-11-07T10:25:30.026-08:00

The Places in the Philippines During My Younger Years

1934-1951- Jaro and Barotac Viejo, Iloilo- My Childhood and up to my
 High School Years

1945- My One Month Trip with My Father in Romblon- City of Marbles

1951-1953- University of the Philippines, Iloilo City- Its 2 years College

1953-1959-University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City

After 2002- First year of Retirement, Boac Marinduque, Chateau Du Mer   
  
Here's what Carenna posted on her Linked-IN Page: 
Carenna and I, Sunset at Stimson Beach, CA 2020

Carenna Katague-Thompson

 • 1st

Master in Urban Spatial Analysis Student at the University of Pennsylvania

I’m joining #teamMUSA for the #30DayMapChallenge, and Day 6’s theme, Vintage, gave me the perfect opportunity to honor someone who inspires me.

My grandfather, DAVID B KATAGUE, keeps his mind sharp by writing a blog where he shares stories from his life. Watching his commitment to staying engaged motivated me to do the same with my own craft. For this challenge, I’m using map making as my storytelling medium to bring a chapter of his story to life.

Mapping is about more than data and geography. It’s a way to preserve memory, connect generations, and give place to the stories that shape us.

November is a busy month, but I'll be making a few more maps to celebrate the 30 days.
Mapping done in ArcGIS Pro and details added in Illustrator.
#30DayMapChallenge #MUSA #GIS #Cartography #DataVisualization #Storytelling
Meanwhile, the recent Mid-term elections that resulted in Diversity in the House of Senate and House of Congress as well as the historic LBGTQ representation in Congress reminded me in my own goals to promote diversity during my FDA years.
During my employment with the FDA, I received numerous awards. However my most treasured award was my Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Award as follows:

Finally, My Photo of the Day:

Benefits of Singing-An Update #2

2026-11-06T11:18:14.225-08:00

Singing might be the shortest path to feeling good, kicking off a specific chemical reaction in the brain that few other activities can match. When you raise your voice in song, your nervous system floods your body with a mix of natural compounds that lift your mood and dial down physical pain. This shift happens regardless of musical talent, so the benefits are open to everyone from professional performers to people who only sing in the shower.

 The Chemical Trio

Three specific chemicals drive this neurological event and create a sense of euphoria and relaxation. They act as a built-in pharmacy, giving mental health and emotional resilience a real boost.
* Dopamine gives a sense of reward and motivation, much like the feeling of reaching a hard-won goal.
* Oxytocin, often called the bonding hormone, builds connection and trust while lowering social anxiety.
* Endorphins work as natural painkillers and mood lifters, creating a natural high through the physical effort of singing.

 Stress Reduction and Cortisol

Beyond the immediate rush of joy, singing helps manage the physical side of stress. Research shows that singing lowers cortisol levels, the main hormone behind the body's stress response. The drop is especially strong during group singing, where shared rhythm and melody help sync the heart rates of everyone involved. That sync calms the nervous system, and the effect can linger long after the last note.

 A unique physical experience

What sets singing apart from other activities is the pairing of deep rhythmic breathing and physical vibration. The breath control needed to hold a note mirrors the techniques used in meditation and deep relaxation. On top of that, the vibrations from your vocal cords move through your body and act like an internal massage that stimulates the vagus nerve. That stimulation helps regulate the nervous system and nudges the body toward rest and recovery.

 Long term mental benefits

Doing this regularly can lead to lasting changes in how the brain handles emotion and stress. Singing calls on multiple brain regions at once, so it works like a full workout for the brain and sharpens memory and thinking over time. You don't need special gear to tap into the chemical shifts that happen every time you open your mouth and sing, which makes it one of the easiest ways to stay mentally well.

Sources:

Evolutionary Psychology, Music and the brain: The neuroscience of singing
The Royal Society of Public Health, The health and wellbeing benefits of singing
Frontiers in Psychology, The neurobiology of choral singing

That song you belt out in the car might be doing more for your brain than you think. When you sing, your brain's reward system lights up and releases dopamine, the chemical behind pleasure and motivation. Researchers at Oxford found that people's pain tolerance rose after group singing, a sign their bodies were releasing endorphins, your natural painkillers, and they felt more connected to each other too. Studies of choir singers have also found drops in cortisol, the main stress hormone. Singing with others seems to amplify the effect, but even solo singing counts. Join a choir, sing in the car, or turn the shower into your stage. What's the one song you can't help singing along to?

Meanwhile, My Photo of the Day:

Choosing solitude isn't automatically antisocial. Some people intentionally limit social situations that feel stressful, superficial, or emotionally draining, and meaningful relationships can support well-being. But persistent or unwanted social withdrawal can also be associated with loneliness, anxiety, depression, or other difficulties so the reason behind the withdrawal matters

Finally, My Photo of the Day-The Autumn Leaves

The Real 2026 Senate Newcomers - What Tuesday Actually Changed

2026-11-06T08:37:41.599-08:00

The Real 2026 Senate Newcomers - What Tuesday Actually Changed

If you saw the "SENATE DADDIES" poster of four men in tank tops in front of the Capitol, that's a meme/AI poster making the rounds, not the newly elected U.S. Senators. (see photo above)

The real results from the Nov 3-4, 2026 midterms are historic for different reasons. 35 seats were up. Republicans went in with a 53-47 majority, and Democrats flipped at least seven seats, including Iowa, Kansas, Ohio, Maine, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas.

Here are four of the most talked-about new faces:

1. Abdul El-Sayed – Michigan – Democrat

First Muslim ever elected to the U.S. Senate.

Early life: Born Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed on October 31, 1984 in Rochester Hills, Michigan, son of Egyptian immigrants.

Education: B.S. from University of Michigan (2007), DPhil in public health from Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar (2011), and M.D. from Columbia (2014). He ultimately did not become a practicing physician; instead he taught and went into public health administration.
Career: Former executive director of Detroit Health Department (2015-2017) and later director of Wayne County Health, Human and Veterans Services. Physician/epidemiologist by training.
Race: Won Michigan's open seat defeating Republican Mike Rogers, succeeding retiring Gary Peters.

2. James Talarico – Texas – Democrat

First Democrat elected to the Senate from Texas since 1988.

Early life: Born May 17, 1989 in Round Rock, Texas, an eighth-generation Texan, former middle school teacher, and Presbyterian seminarian.
Education: B.A. in government from UT Austin (2011) and Master of Education in education policy from Harvard (2016).
Career: Joined Teach For America, taught sixth-grade language arts at Rhodes Middle School on San Antonio's west side, later state representative since 2018, flipping a Republican district.
Race: Defeated Attorney General Ken Paxton in what was called the most expensive Senate race in American history.

3. Annie Andrews – South Carolina – Democrat

First woman elected to the U.S. Senate from South Carolina and first Democrat to win there since 1998.

Early life: Born Anne Elizabeth Lintzenich in 1981, raised in Indiana, mother of three.
Education: BS University of Dayton, MS Medical University of South Carolina, MD University of Cincinnati.
Career: Pediatrician for nearly 20 years, 14 years as associate professor and pediatric hospitalist at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital in Charleston. First ran for Congress in 2022. Ran on gun-safety and health advocacy, calling RFK Jr. her "arch-nemesis."
Race: Beat appointed Republican Sen. Darline Graham to flip the seat.

4. Chris Pappas – New Hampshire – Democrat

Will become the first openly gay male senator, and was already New Hampshire's first openly gay member of Congress.

Early life: Christopher Charles Pappas, born June 4, 1980 in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Education: Manchester Central High School 1998, A.B. Harvard College 2002.
Career: Small business owner – helped run his family's 106-year-old Puritan Backroom Restaurant, state representative 2003-2007, Hillsborough County treasurer 2007-2011, Executive Council 2013-2019, U.S. Representative for NH-1 since 2019.

Meanwhile,

Filipino American lawmakers Marvin Lim of Georgia and Justin Jones of Tennessee won reelection in the Nov. 3 midterm elections, securing another term in their respective state legislatures and extending Filipino American representation in Southern state politics.

My Photos of the Day-After the Blue Tsunami Hit the White House, Nov3-4, 2026

What's making these Democratic victories even more incredible is that the celebration isn't happening only in America. THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING. From France and Spain to Canada, the United Kingdom, Poland, Norway, and beyond, the results are making international headlines and sparking reactions from political leaders. Spain's prime minister openly celebrated the rejection of Trump's divisive politics. Poland's prime minister declared that democracy had won in America, while British politicians welcomed the shift and spoke about the opportunity for a better direction. Even across Canada, newspapers described the results as a major rebuke to Trump. Think about that. This wasn't just another American election result. It became a moment watched around the world by people who understand how much American politics affects international relations, democracy, and the future of global cooperation. Millions of Americans went to the polls and sent a message that people everywhere are paying attention to. The excitement goes far beyond America's borders. What a moment to witness

The Blue Wave Reel:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/2171492220405455

From Childhood Dreams to a Life of Gratitude-An Update

2026-11-05T22:22:04.248-08:00

From Childhood Dreams to a Life of Gratitude-An Update-Part 4 of 10

The Japanese Bridge of Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines

When I was growing up in the small town of Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, Philippines, in the mid-1940s, I had several dreams and goals in life.

Looking back now, I realize that my childhood dreams were actually quite simple.

One of my earliest dreams began after I watched a movie made in the United States. I wanted to see America, not necessarily to live there, but simply to visit and, most of all, play in the snow.

That dream came true in 1960 when I immigrated to the United States.

At that time, I could hardly have imagined how dramatically that journey would change my life.

Another dream was to someday have a home surrounded by fruit trees, flowers, and orchids. I wanted a place where I could enjoy nature and have a little piece of paradise of my own.

That dream became a reality in 1996 when my wife and I built our retirement home in Boac, Marinduque.

Then there was another childhood dream that may sound unusual.

I wanted to build a Japanese bridge across a creek.

I don't remember exactly why I became fascinated by Japanese bridges as a young boy. Perhaps it was something I had seen in a picture or movie. But the image stayed with me.

Years later, when we constructed our beach house in 1998, I finally had the opportunity to make that childhood dream come true.

We built a Japanese bridge across a small creek populated with tilapia and other fish. Every time I crossed that bridge, I was reminded of the little boy from Barotac Viejo who had once dreamed about building one.

There was also another dream.

As a child, I never dreamed of becoming wealthy. I simply wanted to earn enough money to live comfortably and take care of my family.

That dream was fulfilled in an unexpected way. After immigrating to the United States, I pursued my education and eventually completed my Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry in 1964.

Earning my Ph.D. was probably the most important educational goal I had ever set for myself.

For a young immigrant who had grown up in a small Philippine town, completing a doctorate in the United States was something I could hardly have imagined when I was a boy.

But perhaps my most ambitious childhood dream was to someday own a home with a circular driveway and a fountain in the center.

That dream was never completely fulfilled. However, I came close.

When we built the Conference Hall in 2000, it included the circular driveway I had always envisioned. We had originally planned to put a fountain in the center, but practical considerations and limited funds forced us to postpone that part of the dream.

And, as I often joke, the fountain may still be possible, if I ever win the Lotto or hit the jackpot at a casino!

But as I look back on my life today, I realize something important:

Perhaps we don't need to fulfill every dream to have a fulfilling life.

Some dreams come true exactly as we imagined them.

Others take a completely different path. And some remain unfinished.

What matters is the journey—and the memories we make along the way.

Today, I have another goal in life.💚

I want to see my youngest granddaughter graduate from college. This came true last May when she graduated with Bachelor Science Degree from George Washington University.💚 This week, she started Graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

That is a very different kind of dream from the ones I had as a young boy. It is no longer about what I want to accomplish for myself. It is about watching the next generation of our family reach their own dreams.

When I think about my life from a small town in Iloilo, to the United States, to my career and education, and eventually back to the Philippines to build a retirement home and a beach resort, I realize how many of my childhood dreams have actually come true.

I never became rich in the conventional sense.

But I became rich in experiences, family, friendships, memories, and blessings.

And perhaps that is a much greater kind of wealth.

Today, I am especially grateful to God for giving me the opportunity to experience so much more than that young boy from Barotac Viejo could have imagined.

I have learned that dreams do not always come true according to our timetable or in the way we originally imagined. Sometimes, life gives us something even better.

So, as I look back, I can only say:

Thank You, Lord, for all Your blessings and for helping me fulfill most of my dreams and goals in life.

Lord, without You, I am nothing. And perhaps that is the greatest lesson of all:

Dream when you are young. Work toward those dreams. Be grateful for what you receive. And never forget the One who made the journey possible.

For additional details about my childhood memories during the Japanese-American War in the Philippines (1941–1945), please visit my blog, The Intellectual Migrant.

My Reel of the Day: Getting Old:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1702870767601186

Things I Will Always Remember at Chateau Du Mer-An Update

2026-11-05T22:21:58.346-08:00

Things I Will Always Remember at Chateau Du Mer-An Update-Part 8 of 10

Memories of a Filipino-American couple, a retirement dream, and our little paradise in Marinduque

There are places we visit. There are places we live. And then there are places that become part of who we are.

For Macrine and me, Chateau Du Mer in Boac, Marinduque, was one of those special places.

When I first wrote this article in 2009, I simply listed some of the things I enjoyed seeing and hearing around our beach house.

At the time, I was thinking mostly about the beauty and uniqueness of our surroundings.

Today, many years later, I realize that I was actually recording something much more important: I was recording memories.

The birds, the sunsets, the fireflies, the flowers, the fruit trees, the rooster and even the occasional coconut rat were becoming part of the story of our lives.

Here are some of the things I will always remember.

1. The Morning Songs of the Mayas

One of the first things I noticed every morning was the sound of the mayas, the small native birds flying from tree to tree looking for worms.

Their chirping sometimes became a cacophony of sounds.

At the time, I might have called it noise. Today, I would call it music.

It was nature's alarm clock. No smartphone was necessary.

No alarm clock was necessary. Chateau Du Mer woke me up.

2. Fish in Our Creek

A small creek meandered through our property toward the sea.

Native fish and tilapia thrived in its waters.

I loved watching the fish move through the creek, especially when the water was clear.

It reminded me that we were not simply living beside nature.

We were living with nature.

3. The Sunset from Our Balcony

The sunsets at Chateau Du Mer were spectacular.

From the balcony of the beach house, I could look toward the sea and watch the colors change as the sun disappeared.

Sometimes the coral reefs became visible at low tide. Sometimes swimmers would stop to enjoy the sunset.

I took many photographs. But photographs never quite captured the experience.

There are some things you simply have to see with your own eyes.

4. The Full Moon

Another unforgettable sight was the full moon.

During certain times of the year, the moon appeared so bright that the beach looked almost like daylight.

On some evenings, I would walk along the beach without a flashlight.

On other nights, I would simply sit on the balcony and listen to music.

Sometimes the best retirement activity is doing nothing at all.

Just sitting. Listening. Looking. Being grateful.

5. The Firefly Tree

On a moonless night, thousands of fireflies would gather around one of the trees.

From a distance, it looked like a Christmas tree covered with tiny blinking lights.

No Christmas decorations could have been more beautiful.

I remember thinking how fortunate we were to experience something that no architect, landscaper or engineer could design.

Nature had created the most beautiful light show at Chateau Du Mer.

6. The Bayawak

Every once in a while, a bayawak, or monitor lizard, would appear around the property looking for chicken or duck eggs.

It looked frightening. But it was generally harmless.

I used to compare it with the Komodo dragons of Indonesia, although our bayawak was certainly much less intimidating!

These unexpected visitors were part of country life.

At Chateau Du Mer, you never quite knew who or what might show up.

7. The Lawin

Then there was the lawin, the native hawk. Occasionally, it would dive from the sky looking for young chicks.

Because we raised chickens, I sometimes had to protect them from these natural predators.

It reminded me that the beautiful tropical environment around us was also a functioning ecosystem. Everyone was looking for lunch!

8. The Coconut Rats

One of my less favorite memories involved coconut rats.

They loved young coconuts.

One day, a coconut nearly fell on my head.

That taught me an important lesson:

Never stand underneath a coconut tree on a windy day!

Even paradise has its hazards.

9. Starfish and Coral

Only a few meters from our backyard, I could sometimes see blue starfish and coral at low tide.

Imagine that. A tropical marine environment right outside our door.

I didn't need to visit an aquarium. Nature's aquarium was right in front of me.

10. Bougainvilleas and Orchids

The gardens of Chateau Du Mer were another source of joy.

Bougainvilleas and orchids added color to our surroundings.

But one flower in particular has remained unforgettable to me: the ylang-ylang.

We had two mature ylang-ylang trees in our garden.

When they bloomed, their fragrance could travel many meters, depending on the wind.

The scent was so distinctive that I often compared it with Chanel No. 5.

There was also a special connection for me.

My master's thesis was on the analysis of the volatile constituents of ylang-ylang oil by gas chromatography.

So ylang-ylang was not merely a beautiful flower in our garden.

It connected my scientific career with my retirement life.

That is one of those wonderful coincidences that life gives us.

11. The Mango Trees

Our mango trees could become heavily loaded with fruit.

Sometimes the branches bent almost to the ground because of the weight.

There is something wonderfully satisfying about picking a mango from a tree you planted yourself.

It is even better when you can share it with family and friends.

12. Papayas, Bananas and Avocados

We also had papaya, banana and avocado trees.

The papayas had to be harvested before the fruit bats discovered them.

The bananas grew generously.The avocados were another favorite.

Living in Marinduque taught me something I had not fully appreciated while living in America:

Food tastes different when you know where it came from.

A fruit picked from your own backyard is not just food. It is an experience.

13. The Midnight Alley Cat

Not all of my Chateau Du Mer memories were peaceful.

Occasionally, an alley cat would begin screaming in the middle of the night.

If you have ever heard cats fighting or courting at midnight, you know exactly what I mean.

It was not exactly a lullaby. But even that became part of the soundtrack of Chateau Du Mer.

14. The Rooster-Our Reliable Alarm Clock

And then there was the rooster.Every morning, around 4:00 a.m., the rooster would announce the beginning of a new day.

It was a remarkably reliable alarm clock. No electricity required. No batteries required.

No snooze button. Just: Cock-a-doodle-doo!

Whether I wanted to wake up or not, the rooster had already made the decision for me.

15. The People
Our First Guests at Chateau Du Mer- Two Couples From France

As beautiful as the surroundings were, I eventually learned that the most important memories of Chateau Du Mer were not really about birds, fish, flowers or sunsets.

They were about people. We have welcomed over 100 guests personally at Chateau Du Mer.

Over the years, Chateau Du Mer welcomed guests from the Philippines, the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and elsewhere.

We hosted family gatherings. We hosted friends.We hosted weddings and other celebrations.

We welcomed people who simply wanted to experience Marinduque.

Every visitor left something behind, a conversation, a photograph, a story, a laugh or a memory.

And we collected those memories.

16. The Memory of Macrine

But there is one memory that stands above all the others. Macrine.

Chateau Du Mer was a retirement dream that we shared.

We built it together. We enjoyed it together. We welcomed guests together.

We watched sunsets together. We walked along the beach together.

We listened to the sounds of nature together.

Today, I can no longer share those experiences with her physically.

Macrine passed away on August 10, 2020, after more than 63 years of marriage.

But when I think about Chateau Du Mer, she is still there.

She is in the sunsets. She is in the gardens.

She is in the sound of the waves. She is in the memories of our guests.

And she is in my heart.

What Chateau Du Mer Taught Me

When we first built Chateau Du Mer, I thought we were simply building a retirement home and eventually a small beach resort.

I now understand that we were building something much more valuable: a memory bank.

Every tree had a story. Every sunset had a story.Every visitor had a story.

Every meal had a story. Every wedding had a story. Every walk along the beach had a story.

Even the rooster had a story! We don't always realize the importance of ordinary moments while we are living them.

It is only later that we understand how precious they were.

Looking Back From California

Today I live in Walnut Creek, California. In active Senior Living Community, THD.

My life is very different from those years when Macrine and I were spending extended periods at Chateau Du Mer.

I am now older. Much older. But whenever I think about Marinduque, I can still hear the mayas in the morning.

I can still see the fireflies at night. I can still smell the flowers of the ylang-ylang tree.

I can still see the moon reflecting on the sea. I can still hear the rooster at four in the morning.

And most vividly of all, I can still see the sunset from our balcony.

That is the remarkable thing about memory.

Our bodies may leave a place, but our memories do not have to.

My Final Reflection

If someone asked me today, “What do you remember most about Chateau Du Mer?” I would probably surprise them.

It isn't one particular sunset. It isn't one particular flower.

It isn't even the beautiful beach. It is the feeling of being there.

The feeling of having created something together. The feeling of waking up in paradise.

The feeling of sharing our home with others.The feeling of being grateful.

And the feeling of knowing that for a period of our lives, we were fortunate enough to live a dream.

Chateau Du Mer was never perfect. Neither is life. But it was ours.

And for that, I will always be grateful.The birds have continued to fly.

The fish have continued to swim. The mango trees have continued to grow.

The moon still rises over the sea. The sunsets still come and go.

And somewhere in my memory, I can still hear that rooster announcing another beautiful morning.

Perhaps that is why I will always remember Chateau Du Mer.

It was not simply a place we built. It was a place that helped build our memories.

And those memories will remain with me for the rest of my life.

AI Impressions and Recommendations

I think this is a particularly good one to revive because your 2009 list has aged into something much more meaningful. The original was essentially a nature journal; the 2026 version becomes a memoir about what those sights meant to you and Macrine.

And I would strongly recommend using your original photographs with this revision—especially the sunset, firefly tree, ylang-ylang, garden, creek, and beach photographs. They will make the article feel like a visual walk through Chateau Du Mer rather than simply another essay.

There is also a wonderful connection with your earlier “Afterglows in the Sunset of Our Lives” revision: that article is about the afterglow of a lifetime, while this one is about the afterglow of a place. Together, they could become two of the most personal pieces in your revised memoir series.

I found the original 2009 version, the 2012 and 2013 revisions, and your 2016 update. The original was essentially a list of 16 things you observed around Chateau Du Mer-birds, fish, sunsets, fireflies, bayawak, lawin, coconut rats, starfish, flowers, fruit trees, the alley cat and the rooster.

What makes this one especially valuable today is that the things you listed were ordinary sights at the time, but they have now become extraordinary memories. That gives us an opportunity to turn a simple list into a much more emotional piece about place, memory, aging, marriage and gratitude.

I would also bring in your beautiful memories of the full moon and your ylang-ylang trees, which you wrote about separately.

Bridge Is My Card Game and Mahjong Is My Tile Game: What Two Games Have Taught Me About Life- An Update

2026-11-05T22:20:38.473-08:00

I wrote these stories years before artificial intelligence became my writing companion. Today, at 91 nearing 92, I am revisiting some of them not to change my memories, but to see what I understand differently after another decade of living.

Bridge Is My Card Game and Mahjong Is My Tile Game: What Two Games Have Taught Me About Life- An Update

From the Philippines to THD, two lifelong games have given me friendship, mental exercise, patience, and many wonderful memories

I have played many games during my 91 years, but two have stayed with me through most of my life:
Bridge is my card game. Mahjong is my tile game.
Both are more than games to me. They are part of my life story.
They have followed me from my childhood in the Philippines, through my married years with Macrine, into my years in America, and now into my life at The Heritage Downtown (THD).
Looking back, I realize that these games have given me something more valuable than winning.
They have given me friendship, companionship, mental stimulation, laughter, patience, and memories.

Bridge and Macrine

My love affair with bridge really began during my married life with Macrine.
In the 1970s, while we were living in Modesto, California, Macrine and I played party bridge at the Sportsmen's Club of Stanislaus County. We met many wonderful people through the game and enjoyed some very happy evenings together.
Later, after we moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, we played duplicate bridge at the El Cerrito Bridge Club. We eventually became members of the American Contract Bridge League in 1984.
Bridge became one of our social activities as a couple. It was not simply about the cards.
We talked. We laughed. We met people. We learned to cooperate.
And, occasionally, we blamed the cards!
Macrine and I eventually stopped playing bridge when we moved to the Washington, D.C., area in the 1990s. We became busy with our careers, family, and Filipino-American community activities.
But bridge never really left me.

What makes bridge different?

For those unfamiliar with the game, bridge is played by four people in two partnerships.
The cards you receive matter, but the cards are only part of the story.
You must communicate with your partner through bidding.
You must remember what has already been played.
You must observe your opponents. You must make decisions with incomplete information.
And you must learn to work with your partner. That last part may be the most important.
Bridge is a partnership game. You can have a wonderful hand and still lose.
You can have a poor hand and still play it beautifully.
Sometimes you win because of skill. Sometimes because of luck.
And sometimes because your opponents make a mistake! That sounds a little like life.

Bridge is a lesson in partnership

Over the years I have learned that a good bridge partnership requires qualities that are also important in marriage and friendship:
Communication. Trust. Patience. Listening. Planning. Humility.
You cannot control the cards you are dealt. You can only control how you play them.
That is one of the reasons I still enjoy bridge.
At 91, I have learned that life is also about playing the hand we are given as wisely as possible.
We don't always get the cards we want. But we can still try to make the best of them.

Duplicate bridge adds another dimension

I particularly enjoy duplicate bridge because everyone plays the same hands.
That means luck is reduced somewhat.
If another pair receives exactly the same cards that you received, the question becomes:
What did they do with those cards? This makes duplicate bridge fascinating.
You are not simply competing against the cards. You are comparing decisions.
And that is where the mental challenge begins.
It reminds me of my scientific career. In science, we also work with information, evidence, probabilities, and uncertainty. We make the best decision we can based on what we know.
Bridge is obviously not science. But it does require a scientific habit of mind:
Observe. Think. Analyze. Decide. Learn from the result.

Mahjong takes me back to my childhood
Playing Mahjong with Family During Alix Wedding Reception Party

If bridge connects me to my adult life, mahjong takes me back to my childhood in the Philippines.
I learned to play mahjong when I was a young boy. My mother taught me and my brothers and sisters how to play.
I remember our family having two mahjong sets. One was an inexpensive plastic set that we used regularly. The other was a much more valuable set that was reserved for special occasions such as birthdays and weddings.
Those memories take me back to Barotac Viejo, Iloilo.
Mahjong was part of Filipino family and neighborhood life.
For me, it was also a wonderful way to spend those long, hot Philippine afternoons.
The game uses tiles rather than cards, and there are many variations in the way mahjong is played in different countries and communities.
That is something I have always found interesting.
A game can travel from one culture to another and become part of local life while retaining its basic identity.

Bridge and mahjong are very different

Although I love both games, they exercise different parts of my thinking.
Bridge depends heavily on partnership, communication, memory, bidding, logic and strategy.
Mahjong, at least the way I learned and played it, has a greater element of luck, combined with observation, memory and decision-making.
That difference is part of the fun. In bridge, I am often thinking: What does my partner's bid mean?
In mahjong, I may be thinking: What tile do I need and what tile is my opponent waiting for?
Both games require concentration. Both require memory.
And both require me to pay attention. At 91, I consider that a good thing.

Now I play both at THD

When I moved into The Heritage Downtown in Walnut Creek in 2023, I discovered something wonderful.
I had found a community where people still wanted to play. Bridge and mahjong became part of my new life.
I have played bridge several times a week at THD, and we have a regular group that plays party bridge almost each day of the week, even sometimes on weekends. I have also enjoyed playing mahjong with my fellow residents.
Over time, some of the people I play with have become friends.
That is one of the hidden benefits of games.
You sit down at a table with three people you may not know very well.
A few hours later, you know something about them.
You laugh together. You tease one another. You occasionally disagree about a bid or a tile.
And eventually, you become friends. The game becomes a doorway to friendship.

I have also learned something about aging

There is a tendency in society to think of aging mainly in terms of what we lose.
We lose some physical strength. We may walk more slowly.
We may not remember names as quickly as we once did.
We may need a little more help. But there is another side to growing older.
We have accumulated experiences. We have stories. We have memories.
And we can continue learning. That is why I believe activities such as bridge and mahjong are valuable for older adults.
They give us something to look forward to. They keep us socially connected.
They require concentration. And, perhaps most importantly, they give us a reason to sit around a table with other human beings.
At 91, I don't play these games because I am trying to prove that my brain is still young.
I play because I enjoy them. That is enough.

Games are better when there is no money involved

I should add one important point. I enjoy bridge and mahjong primarily as social games, not as gambling. But on Mondays and Fridays, each player put a dollar in the pot.
There is nothing wrong with friendly competition.
But I have seen how gambling can change the nature of a game.
When money becomes the main objective, the enjoyment can disappear.
For me, the real prize is not money. It is the conversation.The laughter. The challenge.
The friendships. And the satisfaction of making a good decision and perhaps winning.

What bridge and mahjong have taught me

After many decades of playing both games, I think they have taught me several lessons about life.

1. You cannot choose every hand you receive. Life deals us circumstances we did not choose. What matters is what we do with them.

2. Partnership matters. Whether in bridge, marriage, family or friendship, we rarely succeed entirely by ourselves.

3. Patience is a skill. Sometimes the best decision is to wait.

4. Luck matters, but preparation matters too. We cannot control everything. But we can prepare ourselves to take advantage of a good opportunity when it appears.

5. Losing is part of the game. You will lose hands. You will make mistakes. You will sometimes wonder how you could possibly have played that card! Then you shuffle the cards and play again. Life is much the same.

6. Never stop learning. After decades of playing bridge, I am still learning. That may be one of the greatest gifts of the game.

From a Filipino boy to a 91-year-old American

Sometimes I find it amazing when I think about my journey.
The little boy who learned mahjong in the Philippines could never have imagined that one day he would earn a PhD in America, work as a scientist and regulator at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, raise a family, become a grandfather and great-grandfather, and eventually spend his retirement years playing bridge and mahjong with friends in a senior community.
Life certainly dealt me an interesting hand. And I am grateful for the cards.
Not all of them were good. There were difficult cards. There were unexpected cards.
There were heartbreaking cards. But there were also beautiful ones.
Macrine was one of the greatest cards life ever dealt me.
Our children and grandchildren are another. My career in science and public service was another. My Filipino heritage was another.
And now, at 91, the friendships I have made at THD are among the newest cards in my hand.

My favorite game may actually be friendship

If I had to choose between bridge and mahjong, I would probably still say:
Bridge is my favorite card game. Mahjong is my favorite tile game.
But after all these years, I have discovered something else.
Perhaps neither is really my favorite game. Friendship is.
Bridge introduced me to friends. Mahjong introduced me to friends.
And living at THD has given me new opportunities to make friends at an age when many people might assume that one's social life should become smaller.
Mine has not. I live alone, but I am not lonely. There is a big difference.
Sometimes all it takes is a table, four chairs, a deck of cards, a box of mahjong tiles and people willing to sit down together.

A final thought at 91

When I was young, I played games because they were fun. Today I play them because I understand what they represent. They represent connection.
They connect generations. They connect cultures. They connect memories with the present.
And they remind us that growing older does not mean that we stop playing, learning, laughing or making new friends.
So, if you are an older person reading this, my advice is simple:
Find something you enjoy. Play a game. Learn something new. Join a group. Talk to people.
Keep your mind engaged. And don't be afraid to sit down at a table with strangers.
You may get a good hand. You may get a bad hand. But you might also make a new friend.
And sometimes, that is the best hand life can deal us.
Bridge is my card game. Mahjong is my tile game. But friendship is my favorite game of all.
AI Impressions on this Topic:
I think this version is much more “David at 91” than the 2018 HubPages article. The original was useful as an introduction to bridge, but this version turns the subject into a life-and-aging essay. Your Filipino childhood, Macrine, your decades in America, and your present life at THD all become part of one story. The original article confirms the long bridge history with Macrine, including the 1970s Modesto games and your later El Cerrito duplicate-bridge years. Your later writing also confirms that mahjong has been with you since childhood and that you regard it as your favorite tile game alongside bridge.
Lastly, I especially like the final line: “Bridge is my card game. Mahjong is my tile game. But friendship is my favorite game of all.” That could become the central theme of the article and would resonate well with your worldwide readers.

From the Philippines to THD, two lifelong games have given me friendship, mental exercise, patience, and many wonderful memories

I have played many games during my 91 years, but two have stayed with me through most of my life:

Bridge is my card game. Mahjong is my tile game.

Both are more than games to me. They are part of my life story.

They have followed me from my childhood in the Philippines, through my married years with Macrine, into my years in America, and now into my life at The Heritage Downtown (THD).

Looking back, I realize that these games have given me something more valuable than winning.

They have given me friendship, companionship, mental stimulation, laughter, patience, and memories.

Bridge and Macrine

My love affair with bridge really began during my married life with Macrine.

In the 1970s, while we were living in Modesto, California, Macrine and I played party bridge at the Sportsmen's Club of Stanislaus County. We met many wonderful people through the game and enjoyed some very happy evenings together.

Later, after we moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, we played duplicate bridge at the El Cerrito Bridge Club. We eventually became members of the American Contract Bridge League in 1984.

Bridge became one of our social activities as a couple. It was not simply about the cards.

We talked. We laughed. We met people. We learned to cooperate.

And, occasionally, we blamed the cards!

Macrine and I eventually stopped playing bridge when we moved to the Washington, D.C., area in the 1990s. We became busy with our careers, family, and Filipino-American community activities.

But bridge never really left me.

What makes bridge different?

For those unfamiliar with the game, bridge is played by four people in two partnerships.

The cards you receive matter, but the cards are only part of the story.

You must communicate with your partner through bidding.

You must remember what has already been played.

You must observe your opponents. You must make decisions with incomplete information.

And you must learn to work with your partner. That last part may be the most important.

Bridge is a partnership game. You can have a wonderful hand and still lose.

You can have a poor hand and still play it beautifully.

Sometimes you win because of skill. Sometimes because of luck.

And sometimes because your opponents make a mistake! That sounds a little like life.

Bridge is a lesson in partnership

Over the years I have learned that a good bridge partnership requires qualities that are also important in marriage and friendship:

Communication. Trust. Patience. Listening. Planning. Humility.

You cannot control the cards you are dealt. You can only control how you play them.

That is one of the reasons I still enjoy bridge.

At 91, I have learned that life is also about playing the hand we are given as wisely as possible.

We don't always get the cards we want. But we can still try to make the best of them.

Duplicate bridge adds another dimension

I particularly enjoy duplicate bridge because everyone plays the same hands.

That means luck is reduced somewhat.

If another pair receives exactly the same cards that you received, the question becomes:

What did they do with those cards? This makes duplicate bridge fascinating.

You are not simply competing against the cards. You are comparing decisions.

And that is where the mental challenge begins.

It reminds me of my scientific career. In science, we also work with information, evidence, probabilities, and uncertainty. We make the best decision we can based on what we know.

Bridge is obviously not science. But it does require a scientific habit of mind:

Observe. Think. Analyze. Decide. Learn from the result.

Mahjong takes me back to my childhood
Playing Mahjong with Family During Alix Wedding Reception Party

If bridge connects me to my adult life, mahjong takes me back to my childhood in the Philippines.

I learned to play mahjong when I was a young boy. My mother taught me and my brothers and sisters how to play.

I remember our family having two mahjong sets. One was an inexpensive plastic set that we used regularly. The other was a much more valuable set that was reserved for special occasions such as birthdays and weddings.

Those memories take me back to Barotac Viejo, Iloilo.

Mahjong was part of Filipino family and neighborhood life.

For me, it was also a wonderful way to spend those long, hot Philippine afternoons.

The game uses tiles rather than cards, and there are many variations in the way mahjong is played in different countries and communities.

That is something I have always found interesting.

A game can travel from one culture to another and become part of local life while retaining its basic identity.

Bridge and mahjong are very different

Although I love both games, they exercise different parts of my thinking.

Bridge depends heavily on partnership, communication, memory, bidding, logic and strategy.

Mahjong, at least the way I learned and played it, has a greater element of luck, combined with observation, memory and decision-making.

That difference is part of the fun. In bridge, I am often thinking: What does my partner's bid mean?

In mahjong, I may be thinking: What tile do I need and what tile is my opponent waiting for?

Both games require concentration. Both require memory.

And both require me to pay attention. At 91, I consider that a good thing.

Now I play both at THD

When I moved into The Heritage Downtown in Walnut Creek in 2023, I discovered something wonderful.

I had found a community where people still wanted to play. Bridge and mahjong became part of my new life.

I have played bridge several times a week at THD, and we have a regular group that plays party bridge almost each day of the week, even sometimes on weekends. I have also enjoyed playing mahjong with my fellow residents.

Over time, some of the people I play with have become friends.

That is one of the hidden benefits of games.

You sit down at a table with three people you may not know very well.

A few hours later, you know something about them.

You laugh together. You tease one another. You occasionally disagree about a bid or a tile.

And eventually, you become friends. The game becomes a doorway to friendship.

I have also learned something about aging

There is a tendency in society to think of aging mainly in terms of what we lose.

We lose some physical strength. We may walk more slowly.

We may not remember names as quickly as we once did.

We may need a little more help. But there is another side to growing older.

We have accumulated experiences. We have stories. We have memories.

And we can continue learning. That is why I believe activities such as bridge and mahjong are valuable for older adults.

They give us something to look forward to. They keep us socially connected.

They require concentration. And, perhaps most importantly, they give us a reason to sit around a table with other human beings.

At 91, I don't play these games because I am trying to prove that my brain is still young.

I play because I enjoy them. That is enough.

Games are better when there is no money involved

I should add one important point. I enjoy bridge and mahjong primarily as social games, not as gambling. But on Mondays and Fridays, each player put a dollar in the pot.

There is nothing wrong with friendly competition.

But I have seen how gambling can change the nature of a game.

When money becomes the main objective, the enjoyment can disappear.

For me, the real prize is not money. It is the conversation.The laughter. The challenge.

The friendships. And the satisfaction of making a good decision and perhaps winning.

What bridge and mahjong have taught me

After many decades of playing both games, I think they have taught me several lessons about life.

1. You cannot choose every hand you receive. Life deals us circumstances we did not choose. What matters is what we do with them.

2. Partnership matters. Whether in bridge, marriage, family or friendship, we rarely succeed entirely by ourselves.

3. Patience is a skill. Sometimes the best decision is to wait.

4. Luck matters, but preparation matters too. We cannot control everything. But we can prepare ourselves to take advantage of a good opportunity when it appears.

5. Losing is part of the game. You will lose hands. You will make mistakes. You will sometimes wonder how you could possibly have played that card! Then you shuffle the cards and play again. Life is much the same.

6. Never stop learning. After decades of playing bridge, I am still learning. That may be one of the greatest gifts of the game.

From a Filipino boy to a 91-year-old American

Sometimes I find it amazing when I think about my journey.

The little boy who learned mahjong in the Philippines could never have imagined that one day he would earn a PhD in America, work as a scientist and regulator at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, raise a family, become a grandfather and great-grandfather, and eventually spend his retirement years playing bridge and mahjong with friends in a senior community.

Life certainly dealt me an interesting hand. And I am grateful for the cards.

Not all of them were good. There were difficult cards. There were unexpected cards.

There were heartbreaking cards. But there were also beautiful ones.

Macrine was one of the greatest cards life ever dealt me.

Our children and grandchildren are another. My career in science and public service was another. My Filipino heritage was another.

And now, at 91, the friendships I have made at THD are among the newest cards in my hand.

My favorite game may actually be friendship

If I had to choose between bridge and mahjong, I would probably still say:

Bridge is my favorite card game. Mahjong is my favorite tile game.

But after all these years, I have discovered something else.

Perhaps neither is really my favorite game. Friendship is.

Bridge introduced me to friends. Mahjong introduced me to friends.

And living at THD has given me new opportunities to make friends at an age when many people might assume that one's social life should become smaller.

Mine has not. I live alone, but I am not lonely. There is a big difference.

Sometimes all it takes is a table, four chairs, a deck of cards, a box of mahjong tiles and people willing to sit down together.

A final thought at 91

When I was young, I played games because they were fun. Today I play them because I understand what they represent. They represent connection.

They connect generations. They connect cultures. They connect memories with the present.

And they remind us that growing older does not mean that we stop playing, learning, laughing or making new friends.

So, if you are an older person reading this, my advice is simple:

Find something you enjoy. Play a game. Learn something new. Join a group. Talk to people.

Keep your mind engaged. And don't be afraid to sit down at a table with strangers.

You may get a good hand. You may get a bad hand. But you might also make a new friend.

And sometimes, that is the best hand life can deal us.

Bridge is my card game. Mahjong is my tile game. But friendship is my favorite game of all.

AI Impressions on this Topic:

I think this version is much more “David at 91” than the 2018 HubPages article. The original was useful as an introduction to bridge, but this version turns the subject into a life-and-aging essay. Your Filipino childhood, Macrine, your decades in America, and your present life at THD all become part of one story. The original article confirms the long bridge history with Macrine, including the 1970s Modesto games and your later El Cerrito duplicate-bridge years. Your later writing also confirms that mahjong has been with you since childhood and that you regard it as your favorite tile game alongside bridge.

Lastly, I especially like the final line: “Bridge is my card game. Mahjong is my tile game. But friendship is my favorite game of all.” That could become the central theme of the article and would resonate well with your worldwide readers.

Growing Old in the Philippines

2026-11-05T22:20:06.940-08:00

Growing Old in the Philippines

Growing old is something that all of us eventually experience, but how we grow old can be very different depending on where we live, our family traditions, our financial circumstances, and our personal choices.
For many Filipinos, growing old in the Philippines traditionally means growing old surrounded by family.
When I was growing up in the Philippines, it was common for several generations to live under one roof. Grandparents, parents, children, and grandchildren often shared the same home. The elderly were not simply considered people who needed care. They were important members of the family whose wisdom, experience, and presence were valued.
I remember this way of life from my own childhood.
Today, however, the Philippines is changing. Filipinos are living longer, families are becoming smaller, and millions of young Filipinos are working in other cities or overseas. The traditional extended family system is being challenged by the realities of modern life.
This raises an important question: How will Filipinos grow old in the future?
For many years, the answer seemed obvious. Children would take care of their aging parents. It was almost a cultural obligation.
But times are changing.
When adult children have jobs in Manila, Cebu, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Middle East, Europe, or the United States, they cannot always be physically present to care for aging parents. Even when they want to help, distance can make it difficult.
This is one reason I believe the Philippines will eventually see more retirement communities, assisted-living facilities, and other forms of senior housing.
Some Filipinos may initially resist this idea because of our strong family traditions. A senior living facility can sometimes be viewed as a place where children send their parents because they no longer want the responsibility of caring for them.
I believe we need to change that perception.
There is nothing inherently wrong with growing old in a senior community.
The important question is not where an elderly person lives, but whether that person is treated with love, dignity, respect, and compassion.
I learned this lesson personally after moving into The Heritage Downtown, a senior living community in Walnut Creek, California.
I discovered that senior living does not necessarily mean giving up independence.
In fact, it can provide opportunities that many older people living alone in a private home may not have social activities, transportation, meals, housekeeping, maintenance, entertainment, exercise programs, friendships, and opportunities to continue learning.
I still maintain my relationship with my children and grandchildren. I remain connected to family while also enjoying a community of people my own age.
This experience has changed the way I think about growing old.
Perhaps the Philippines will eventually develop its own version of senior living, one that combines modern senior services with the warmth of Filipino family culture.
Imagine a retirement community where seniors have comfortable private living spaces but where their children and grandchildren are encouraged to visit frequently.
Imagine facilities where Filipino food, music, traditions, fiestas, religious activities, and cultural celebrations are part of everyday life.
Imagine senior communities where elderly Filipinos can continue to play cards, sing karaoke, garden, exercise, tell stories, teach younger generations, and simply enjoy the company of other people.
That would not be abandoning Filipino culture.
It would be adapting Filipino culture to a changing world.
Growing old should not be viewed as a period when life stops.
It can be another chapter of life.
At 91, I have learned that one of the most important ingredients of successful aging is purpose.
We need something to look forward to each morning.
For me, that purpose includes writing my blogs, playing Bridge and Mahjong, participating in activities at THD, communicating with family and friends, learning about new technology, and continuing to explore ideas that interest me.
Writing has become particularly important in my later years.
I began blogging many years ago, and what started as a hobby eventually became a way of preserving memories and sharing my experiences with readers around the world.
I write about the Philippines because it is part of who I am.
I write about America because it became my adopted country.
I write about aging because I am experiencing it personally.
And I write because I believe that our experiences can become lessons for others.
Looking back, I realize that growing old is not simply about losing things.
It is also about gaining perspective.
When we are young, we often measure success by education, careers, money, houses, possessions, and accomplishments.
As we grow older, our priorities gradually change.
We begin to appreciate family more than possessions.
Friendship more than status.
Experiences more than material things.
Peace more than prestige.
And gratitude more than ambition.
Perhaps this is one of the greatest gifts of growing old.
We finally have enough experience to understand what really matters.
Whether we grow old in the Philippines, the United States, or somewhere else in the world, the fundamental needs of older people remain the same.
We need companionship. We need security. We need dignity.
We need meaningful relationships. We need something to contribute.
And above all, we need to know that we are still valued.
The Philippines has always been known for its strong family values. I hope that never changes.
But I also believe that Filipino families should recognize that there can be different ways of caring for aging parents.
Living with family is one way. Living independently is another.
Living in a well-managed senior community can be another.
None of these choices automatically means that a family loves its elders more or less.
The true measure of love is how we treat one another.
As I reflect on my own journey, from growing up in Barotac Viejo and Jaro, Iloilo, to immigrating to America in 1960, building a career, raising a family, becoming a grandfather and great-grandfather, and eventually becoming a senior living resident, I realize that life is really a series of transitions.
Growing old is simply another transition.
And perhaps the best way to approach it is not with fear, but with gratitude.
I am grateful for the years behind me. I am grateful for the family that surrounds me.
I am grateful for the friends I have made. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue learning.
And I am especially grateful that, even at 91, I can still write, think, play, laugh, and share my experiences with readers around the world.
Growing old is inevitable. Growing old well is a choice.
And perhaps that is the most important lesson I have learned.
AI Overview:
Growing old in the Philippines is changing fast. Families traditionally cared for aging parents at home. Now, modern retirement communities, better health care, and new social views offer older adults active, independent, and supportive lifestyle choices across the islands.
Changing Family Roles
Traditional Care: Families still live together and share daily life.
Modern Shift: Adult children move away for work. Seniors now look for specialized care options.
Mutual Support: Grandparents often help raise grandchildren while receiving support.
New Senior Living Options
Retirement Villages: Modern gated communities offer safety and social groups.
Assisted Living: Professional staff help with daily tasks and medicine.
Memory Care: Specialized homes support people with memory loss.
Health and Wellness
Universal Care: Senior citizens get health discounts through national laws.
Wellness Focus: Communities offer yoga, exercise classes, and health checks.
Local Doctors: Clinics near retirement hubs improve access to care.
Culture and Community
Active Social Life: Clubs and group trips keep seniors busy.
Faith and Connection: Local churches and community groups offer strong emotional support.
Respect for Elders: Filipino culture still values wisdom and age.
My Reel of the Day: Your Home
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1124973317092508

My Role with the FDA and Caricature Photo

2026-11-05T22:18:32.457-08:00

THIS PHOTO IS CREATED BY CHATGPT NEW IMAGE APPS-TRY IT!
MY CARICATURE AI PHOTO FROM CHATGPT APPS-FDA YEARS

MY ROLE AT THE FDA ( FROM THE WEB):

Based on official FDA documents:

David B. Katague, Ph.D.
Served as a Chemistry Team Leader
Worked in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)
Specifically in the Division of Anti-Infective Drug Products

His name appears on multiple FDA approval letters and regulatory documents in the late 1990s–early 2000s, where he:

Reviewed new drug applications (NDAs)
Oversaw chemistry and manufacturing quality
Signed off on approvals for drugs like antibiotics (e.g., Augmentin)

This places him in a key scientific gatekeeping role, ensuring medications met FDA standards for safety, quality, and consistency before reaching the public.

🧬 WHAT HIS JOB ACTUALLY MEANT

As a Chemistry Team Leader, his responsibilities likely included:

Evaluating drug composition and stability
Reviewing manufacturing processes
Leading teams of FDA chemists
Advising on whether a drug should be approved, modified, or rejected

This is highly technical, rigorous work, not visible to the public, but absolutely essential to modern medicine.

📍 CAREER CONTEXT

Active in FDA records roughly 1990s to early 2000s
Part of the internal scientific workforce rather than leadership
His signature on documents indicates senior-level responsibility, not entry-level work

Some secondary sources suggest:

Background in pharmaceutical chemistry
Prior work in private industry before joining the FDA
Filipino-American heritage (consistent with the Katague name’s origins)

🌎 WHY HE MATTERS (EVEN IF HE’S NOT FAMOUS)

People like David B. Katague represent a category that rarely gets attention:

The career scientists who quietly determine whether drugs are safe enough for millions of people.

Every FDA-approved medication passes through individuals like him. While names like
David A. Kessler become publicly known, the scientific backbone of the FDA is made up of professionals like Katague.

✍️ REFLECTION

THERE’S SOMETHING QUIETLY POWERFUL ABOUT A NAME THAT DOESN’T MAKE HEADLINES.

David B. Katague’s story, what little we can see of it, is not one of spotlight or speeches, but of signatures at the bottom of documents that changed lives. Antibiotics approved. Treatments validated. Standards upheld.

No applause. No recognition. Just trust. And perhaps that is the deeper thread connecting the Katague name across continents from Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Philippines to America, to Australia, New Zealand, UK and beyond:

Not always visible. But always present. Doing the work that matters.

My Photo of the Day: Inside the Sacrada de Familia Cathedral, Barcelona, Spain

Generation Z is Now the World's Largest Generation

2026-11-05T12:33:54.642-08:00

Gen Z is now the world’s largest generation, with an estimated 2.04 billion people - 24.8% of the global population. Millennials follow at 1.87 billion (22.6%), while Gen Alpha accounts for 1.74 billion (21.1%).

Together, these three generations represent about 5.65 billion people, or 68.5% of humanity. Nearly 62% of the global population is under 40, placing an extraordinary share of the world in childhood, early adulthood or core working age.

The implications are broad. Millennials are shaping housing, family formation and labor markets; Gen Z is rapidly entering the workforce and redefining expectations around technology, flexibility and purpose; Gen Alpha will grow up in a world increasingly shaped by AI, climate pressures and digital infrastructure.

The bigger story is not simply which generation is largest, but how three massive cohorts are moving through very different life stages at the same time, reshaping education, work, consumption and public policy.

Sources: DataReportal, Oct. 2025. Generational estimates and methodology by World Visualized. Additional analysis: Deloitte, UNICEF, Pew Research Center.

My Photo of the Day:
Two G's ( Gas and Groceries) and Two H's ( Health Care and Housing) were the main downfall of MAGA and Trumps Administration so far. 

Finally,  I am super Proud of My Youngest Grand Daughter  Accomplishments so Far. Here' s her short bio from her Link-iN page:   She is a member of Generation Z, born  in 2003.

Hi, my name is Carenna and I am a masters student at the University of Pennsylvania studying Urban Spatial Analytics. I recently received a Bachelor of Science as a double major in International Affairs and Geography with a minor in Geographic Information Systems at The George Washington University. While in undergrad, I studied at Queen's University Belfast in Northern Ireland and conducted original research on immigrant integration in the region. Additionally, I studied at Université Paris Dauphine where I furthered my proficiency in French and EU migration policy. Lastly, I am a proud United World College alum attending UWC in Maastricht, The Netherlands.

The Power of Breath and US President Ranking

2026-11-05T09:05:29.554-08:00

The Power of Breath- From My Recent Readings on Wellness and Aging Gracefully

Every day, the average person takes approximately 20,000 breaths without a second thought, yet few realize how powerful this automatic process can be for regulating the nervous system. By consciously changing how we inhale and exhale, we can move from a state of high stress to deep relaxation in just a matter of minutes. This biological bridge between the mind and body allows us to influence our heart rate, blood pressure, and emotional state on demand.

 Specialized Patterns for Peace

To manage anxiety and improve focus, several structured breathing patterns have gained popularity among medical professionals and high performers. These techniques give people a way to manually override the brain's stress response.
. Box Breathing involves inhaling, holding, exhaling, and holding again for four counts each to sharpen concentration.
. The 4-7-8 Technique requires a four-second inhale, a seven-second hold, and an eight-second exhale to induce sleep.
. Diaphragmatic Breathing focuses on deep belly movement to maximize oxygen exchange and lower the heart rate.
. Pursed Lip Breathing helps slow down the pace of a breath by having the person exhale through puckered lips.

 Physiological Impact of Air

Controlled breathing works by stimulating the vagus nerve, which signals the parasympathetic nervous system to take over from the fight or flight response. This shift reduces the production of cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone, while increasing the availability of oxygen to the brain. Regular practice has been shown to improve cardiovascular health, enhance lung capacity, and provide a sense of emotional stability during challenging situations.

 Techniques for Vitality and Focus

While many techniques focus on relaxation, others are designed to boost energy and alertness. These more active patterns can be used to wake up the body in the morning or overcome an afternoon slump.
. The Bellows Breath uses rapid, forceful inhalations and exhalations through the nose to create a surge of vitality.
. Alternate Nostril Breathing helps balance the left and right hemispheres of the brain for mental clarity.
. Sitali Breath involves inhaling through a curled tongue to cool the body and soothe the nervous system simultaneously.
. Equal Breathing focuses on making the length of the inhale and exhale exactly the same to create a sense of inner equilibrium.

 Consistency and Wellness

Integrating these patterns into a daily routine does not require special equipment or long hours of commitment. Just five minutes of focused breathing can reset the mind after a long day or prepare the body for a restful night. By treating breath as a skill rather than just a reflex, anyone can gain better control over their internal environment and improve their overall quality of life.

Meanwhile, 

U.S. presidents ranked best to worst by historians (2024 survey)

Who really deserves a spot on the Mount Rushmore of American leadership? In the 2024 Presidential Greatness Project survey, political scientists ranked all 45 presidents once each, and the results make for a fascinating scroll. 

Abraham Lincoln sits at No. 1, followed by Franklin D. Roosevelt at No. 2 and George Washington at No. 3. Barack Obama lands at No. 7, ahead of Dwight D. Eisenhower at No. 8. At the other end of the list, James Buchanan is ranked 44th and Donald Trump is ranked 45th

Finally, My Photo of the Day:

Blue looked particularly beautiful last night, don’t you think ?
Niagara Falls was lit in blue last night for Alzheimer’s Awareness, but the timing couldn’t have been better 
— in Niagara Falls.

From a Single-Family Home to Senior Living: Finding the Right Moving Company for Seniors

2026-11-04T15:59:18.677-08:00

From a Single-Family Home to Senior Living: Finding the Right Moving Company for Seniors

This morning, on my way to lunch, I had an unexpected encounter in the elevator of The Heritage Downtown, the senior living community in Walnut Creek, California, where I have lived since June 2023.

I met a young woman who was not a resident. I asked whether she was visiting someone. She replied that she was assisting with a move. Naturally, I became curious and asked for the name of her company. I thought I heard something like “Clearer Organization.”

I remarked that the name sounded appropriate for a company helping people organize their belongings during a move. She then asked which moving company I had used.

I told her it was Gentle Transition, the company I hired three and a half years ago when I moved from my single-family home near Sacramento to my present residence.

That brief conversation brought back memories of a move I had almost forgotten.

My experience with Gentle Transition

Moving is never easy, especially when one has lived in the same house for many years. A home accumulates more than furniture and household possessions. It also holds memories of family celebrations, milestones, friendships, and the many ordinary days that make up a lifetime.

When I decided to downsize and move to a senior living community, I knew that the process would involve much more than transporting my belongings from one location to another.

Fortunately, Gentle Transition did an excellent job. The entire experience was smooth and practically worry-free. The company made a potentially stressful undertaking much easier than I had anticipated.

I was so pleased with its service that I wrote about my experience in my blogs. Yet, as happens with many things in life, the memory eventually faded into the background until this morning's elevator conversation brought it back.

Looking back, I realize how fortunate I was to have found a company that understood what I needed.

Why senior moving companies are different

For younger people, moving may simply mean packing their belongings, hiring a truck, and transporting everything to another house or apartment.

For older adults, particularly those moving from a longtime family home into a retirement community, the process can be much more complicated.

Some seniors have lived in the same home for 30, 40, or even 50 years. They may have accumulated furniture, books, photographs, collections, family heirlooms, and other possessions that cannot all fit into a smaller apartment.

Deciding what to keep, donate, sell, or give to children and grandchildren can be emotionally difficult. There are also practical questions: Who will pack everything? How will fragile possessions be protected? Who will arrange the furniture in the new residence? What happens to the items that will not fit?

This is where companies specializing in senior relocation can make a real difference.

Some offer complete moving services, including packing, transportation, unpacking, and arranging furniture. Others provide professional organizing and downsizing services, helping seniors make decisions about their possessions before moving day.

The most comprehensive providers can coordinate the entire process, from planning the move to making the new apartment comfortable and ready for everyday living.

For seniors who live alone, or whose children live far away, this assistance can be especially valuable.

Moving is also an emotional transition

I believe we should look at senior relocation as more than a logistical exercise.

Leaving a longtime home may mean saying goodbye to a familiar neighborhood, neighbors, a garden, and the independence associated with living in one's own house.

At the same time, moving to a senior community can open a new chapter. There may be opportunities to make friends, participate in activities, enjoy meals without having to cook every day, and receive assistance when needed.

My own experience at The Heritage Downtown has given me a different perspective on this stage of life. Downsizing does not necessarily mean giving up an active and meaningful existence. It can mean exchanging some responsibilities for new opportunities.

The right moving company can help make that transition less intimidating.

Northern California companies that help seniors move

For readers who may be considering a similar move, I researched companies providing senior move management, downsizing, and relocation services in Northern California.

The following are some options worth investigating. This is not a formal ranking, and I have not personally used or independently evaluated these companies. Their service areas, current availability, and fees should be confirmed directly.

A particularly useful resource is the National Association of Senior and Specialty Move Managers (NASMM), which maintains a directory of professionals specializing in these transitions.

Among the companies listed in the San Francisco Bay Area and surrounding Northern California communities are:

1. Clear Organizing — Walnut Creek

This company may be the one whose name I heard in the elevator. Its name is CLEAR Organizing, rather than “Clearer Organization.”

Based in Contra Costa County, it offers downsizing, move management, home organizing, and estate-clearing assistance throughout the Bay Area. It is especially relevant to seniors in Walnut Creek and nearby communities.

Website: https://www.clearorganizing.com/

Phone: 925-708-8265

2. Custom Moving Solutions — Danville

This company provides moving, packing, downsizing, and clean-out services. Its offerings may suit seniors who want practical help coordinating a move into a smaller home or senior living community.

Website: https://custom-movers.com/

Phone: 925-895-4411

3. Senior Settlers — San Rafael

Senior Settlers helps older adults and their families with downsizing, organizing, and relocation across several Bay Area counties, including Contra Costa, Alameda, Marin, Napa, Sonoma, and San Mateo.

Website: https://www.senior-settlers.com/

Phone: 415-755-3340

4. Moving Angels — Oakland

Moving Angels specializes in senior move management and serves the San Francisco Bay Area, including Alameda and Contra Costa counties. It is another option for families seeking help coordinating a senior's relocation.

Website: http://www.moving-angels.com/

Phone: 510-205-0840

5. New Leaf Senior Transitions — Roseville

For readers moving from the Sacramento region, New Leaf Senior Transitions offers senior move management services in Placer, Sacramento, and El Dorado counties.

Website: http://www.newleafseniortransitions.com/

Phone: 916-761-2539

6. Life Simplified 101 — Davis

This company serves Yolo, Solano, and Sacramento counties. Its organizing and transition services may be useful for seniors who need help simplifying their homes before a move.

Website: https://www.lifesimplified101.com/

Phone: 530-654-1720

7. The Move Alliance — San Carlos

The Move Alliance serves portions of the San Francisco Bay Area, including communities on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. It is an option for families seeking help managing the details of a senior relocation.

Website: https://www.themovealliance.com/

Phone: 650-678-0356

8. Universal Senior Solutions — Hayward

Universal Senior Solutions provides senior-focused move management and organizing services, with a stated service area covering Northern California. Its services may be useful to families looking for help with the move from planning through settling into a new residence.

Website: http://www.universalseniorsolutions.com/

Phone: 888-508-9002

Readers can also search the National Association of Senior and Specialty Move Managers directory for other providers in their area:

https://www.nasmm.org/find-a-move-manager/list/

How should a senior choose a moving company?

Before hiring a company, I would recommend asking a few important questions.

Does the company have experience moving seniors into independent living, assisted living, or other retirement communities?
Does it provide packing, transportation, unpacking, and furniture arrangement, or only organizing and coordination?
Can it help sort possessions and arrange donations or disposal of unwanted items?
Does it have references from previous clients?
Is the estimate written and clear about what is included, what costs extra, and how items are protected?
Is the company insured, and does it meet the moving community's requirements?

It is also worth checking whether the provider has professional credentials, appropriate insurance, and membership or accreditation through a recognized industry organization.

The cheapest service is not necessarily the best choice. For an older person, patience, reliability, communication, and respect for personal belongings may be just as important as the price.

Final thoughts

My brief conversation in the elevator reminded me of something I had not thought about for a long time: a good service provider can make a major life transition seem almost effortless.

I am grateful that Gentle Transition made my move to The Heritage Downtown such a smooth experience. Three and a half years later, I have settled into a different way of living, and I am still finding reasons to remain active, curious, and engaged with the world.

Perhaps the young woman I met this morning was helping another senior begin a similar chapter.

If so, I hope her client enjoys the same worry-free experience I did.

Growing older brings changes that we cannot always avoid. But with careful planning, a little help, and the right people beside us, some of those changes can become opportunities rather than burdens.

Sometimes, a successful move is not simply about transporting our possessions to a new address. It is about helping us feel at home again.

And that, I believe, is worth remembering.

Meanwhile, I prompted Chat GPT as follows:

Can you dig about Gentle Transitions? Are they still in business. I have a friend who was asking for recommendations. If Gentle Transitions is still in business, I may recommend it to her

Response: I found encouraging evidence that Gentle Transitions of California has been an established senior-relocation company, and I think it is worth pursuing before you recommend it to your friend.

The company was founded in 1994 and specialized in helping older adults move from longtime homes into retirement communities. Its services included downsizing, packing, coordinating the move, unpacking, hanging pictures, and arranging furniture in the new home.

Gentle Transitions of California

800-619-3049

Website

Previously listed California offices

Manhattan Beach and Santa Clara, California.

The phone number and website appear in business listings, including listings
as operational through my search.

My recommendation for your friend

I would call the toll-free number first and ask:

Is Gentle Transitions of California still operating under that name?
Do you currently serve Walnut Creek and the surrounding East Bay?
Do you still provide the full-service senior relocation that includes downsizing, packing, unpacking, and arranging the new residence?
Can you provide recent references from clients who moved into senior living communities?

If the company confirms that it is operating locally, your firsthand experience is a meaningful reason to consider recommending it. You can tell your friend that you personally used its services and had a smooth, worry-free move, while encouraging her to obtain a current estimate and references.

If you cannot reach them, another useful option is National Association of Senior and Specialty Move Managers. Its directory of senior move managers includes providers serving Northern California.

One final thought: Your experience from three and a half years ago is still valuable, even if Gentle Transitions is no longer available. You know firsthand what a well-managed move can accomplish, and that is precisely the kind of personal recommendation your friend needs.

Finally, My Photo of Today:

A Blue Tsunami Hit America Yesterday-Historic First

2026-11-04T09:25:43.915-08:00

The November 3, 2026, U.S. elections are already being described in political conversation as a “Blue Tsunami”-a wave of Democratic victories and gains. The especially interesting part is the historic milestones: women and members of underrepresented communities breaking barriers in American politics.

Other historic firsts of the 2026 “Blue Tsunami”

Here are the other notable milestones reported in the November 3 election results. The Associated Press, The Boston Globe, and other news outlets have highlighted these breakthroughs.

1. First Native American woman governor — New Mexico

Deb Haaland became the first Native American woman elected governor of a U.S. state. She is a member of the Laguna Pueblo community and previously served as President Biden's Secretary of the Interior.

Press Kit / Office of Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan

2. First Native American woman elected to the U.S. Senate

Peggy Flanagan of Minnesota, a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, won a Senate seat. Her victory represents another major milestone for Indigenous women in American government.

Abdul for U.S. Senate | Official Campaign Website

3. First Muslim American U.S. senator — Michigan

Abdul El-Sayed became the first Muslim American elected to the U.S. Senate, according to election-night reporting.

Rep. Byron Donalds Running for Florida Governor in 2026 - 270toWin

4. First Black governor of Florida

Byron Donalds won Florida's governorship, making him the state's first Black governor. His victory is a historic milestone even though he is a Republican rather than a Democrat.

Crowley Announces Milwaukee County Infrastructure Investments

5. First Black governor of Wisconsin

David Crowley won Wisconsin's governor's race, becoming the state's first Black governor. At 40, he also represents a generational change in state leadership.

Meet Gina | Gina Hinojosa for Texas Governor

6. First Latina governor of Texas

Gina Hinojosa made history as Texas's first Latina governor, according to election reporting. Her win was also a major partisan upset in a state long dominated by Republican governors.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra plans to address Headliners Luncheon, Feb. 8 | National Press Club

7. First Latino elected governor of California

Xavier Becerra became the first Latino elected governor of California, another significant milestone in the nation's most populous state.

Who is running for Ohio governor in 2026? Race is on to replace term-limited Mike DeWine

8. First woman governor of Ohio

Amy Acton became the first woman elected governor of Ohio, according to reports on the race.

Annie Andrews wins Democratic primary for US Senate in South Carolina - ABC Columbia

9. First woman elected to the U.S. Senate from South Carolina

Annie Andrews won a Senate seat, becoming the first woman elected to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate.

Meet Dan — Dan Koh for Congress

10. First Asian American elected to Congress from Massachusetts

Dan Koh won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, adding another milestone for Asian American representation in Congress.

Other political milestones worth watching

Minnesota: Amy Klobuchar became the state's first woman elected governor.
Illinois: Juliana Stratton joined Tammy Duckworth in the Senate, making Illinois the first state represented by two women of color in that chamber.
U.S. House leadership: With Democrats winning control of the House, Hakeem Jeffries is positioned to become the first Black Speaker of the House.

Why this election matters

The story is bigger than the number of seats won by either party. These results illustrate three changes in American political life:

More inclusive representation. Women, Black Americans, Latino Americans, Indigenous people, Asian Americans, Muslim Americans and LGBTQ+ Americans are reaching positions of leadership that were previously closed to them.
Changing political geography. Several victories in traditionally Republican states could reshape the balance of power and future elections.
A changing electorate. Voters are demonstrating that candidates from a wider range of backgrounds can win major statewide and national offices.

AI Impressions on this Topic:

One qualification: election-night reports can change as ballots are counted, and some leadership milestones depend on the new Congress organizing. Alaska's Mary Peltola's Senate race, for example, was still pending in some reports.

For your worldwide blog readers, I would describe this election as a historic wave of political breakthroughs, not simply a Democratic victory. It includes Democratic gains, Republican firsts, and a broader change in who gets to represent the American people.

Summary of Mid-term Elections for My World-Wide Blog Readers

U.S. midterm elections: Democrats win Congress in major setback for Trump

Results summary as of the morning of November 4, 2026. Some races remain unresolved; the outcomes below reflect news organizations’ projections, not certified final results.

Democrats are projected to win both chambers of the United States Congress following the November 3 midterm elections, dealing a major defeat to President Donald Trump’s Republican Party. The result sets up divided government from January: Trump will remain president, but the opposition will control the national legislature during his final two years in office.

The main results

Democrats captured the House of Representatives. NBC News projects they will win at least 258 of its 435 seats, comfortably above the 218 needed for a majority. With counting continuing, that is a projection, not a final seat total.nbcnews
Democrats also won control of the Senate. They flipped seven Republican-held seats: Iowa, Kansas, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas. Those victories included states long regarded as Republican strongholds, demonstrating that the party’s gains extended well beyond the usual closely contested states.nbcnews
Democrats gained ground in state leadership, too. They flipped five governorships, Georgia, Iowa, Nevada, Ohio and Texas and are projected to hold a majority of the country’s governorships. Governors lead individual state governments, rather than serving in Congress.nbcnews

Among the standout results, Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race, while Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated incumbent Republican Greg Abbott for the Texas governorship. In Georgia, Keisha Lance Bottoms won the governor’s race, becoming the first Black woman elected governor in U.S. history. Republicans retained Florida’s governorship, where Byron Donalds became the state’s first Black governor-elect.nbcnews

What international readers need to know

This was not a presidential election: voters did not choose a replacement for Trump. “Midterms” take place halfway through a president’s four-year term. This year, all 435 House seats and 35 of the Senate’s 100 seats were contested, alongside state elections.bbc

The practical change is in who can advance or obstruct the president’s agenda. When the new Congress takes office in January, Democrats will be able to block Republican legislation and launch congressional investigations into the administration. But their victory does not give them unrestricted power: Trump can veto legislation they pass, creating pressure for compromise and a substantial risk of political deadlock.bbc+1

Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries is positioned to become the next speaker, the chamber’s presiding officer and its first Black speaker, although that requires a vote by the incoming House.

Why voters shifted and why the world is watching

Economic dissatisfaction was a central factor. NBC News’ exit polling points to frustration with affordability, weakening support for Republicans among important voter groups, and opposition to Trump himself. BBC reporting also identifies the cost of living, higher fuel prices and the war with Iran as prominent sources of voter anger. These findings help explain the outcome, although no single issue accounts for every race.

For readers outside the United States, the immediate implication is a more constrained presidency, not an automatic reversal of American foreign policy. International reaction already reflects that distinction: Ukrainians interviewed by NBC expressed cautious hope for stronger support, while European reactions suggested uncertainty about how much Washington’s approach would actually change. The election changes the balance of power in Congress; the consequences will depend on how the new majority and the White House use their competing power.

Aging Gracefully: The Art of Becoming Who We Are-Part 3 of 3

2026-11-03T12:48:59.723-08:00

AI Impressions on this Posting:

I think this post can take a different angle from your earlier reflections: rather than presenting aging gracefully as simply having connection, purpose, gratitude, and curiosity, we can explore it as the art of becoming comfortable with who we have become, accepting change, letting go of what no longer matters, remaining useful, and continuing to grow.

Aging Gracefully-My Poem- Part 2 of 3

2026-11-03T09:05:08.813-08:00

My Poem: The Grace of Growing Older- Part 2 of 3

We grow older, not smaller,
though the world may sometimes say
our strongest years are behind us,
and our brightest yesterday.
We carry years upon our faces,
and memories within our eyes;
the laughter of those we treasured,
the tears we never publicized.
We have learned to lose and cherish,
to say goodbye, to start anew,
to treasure simple conversations,
and friendships tried and true.
We no longer chase the future
as we once did in our youth;
we walk a little more slowly,
but perhaps we see more truth.
We have learned that life is fleeting,
that possessions fade away,
but kindness, love, and memories
can outlive a single day.
So let us welcome every morning,
every sunrise, every chance
to learn, to laugh, to share our stories,
and perhaps to teach by circumstance.
Let us never say, "It's over."
While there is a day to live,
there is wisdom still to gather,
and there is love still left to give.
For aging is not merely losing
what the passing years have known;
it is finding, deep within us,
who we are when all is gone.
And if someday someone remembers
something kind that we once said,
then perhaps a part of us
will continue when we're gone.
So let us age with grace and wonder,
with gratitude and an open heart;
for every ending holds a beginning,
and every life can leave a mark.
We may be growing older,
but we are not through becoming.

AI Impressions on this Posting:

The fact that your poem was independently chosen for discussion by two different groups, one here at THD and another outside the community is itself a beautiful illustration of what aging gracefully can mean: our experiences can continue to have meaning and influence long after our formal careers have ended.

And I think the happy tears are actually part of the poem’s message. At this stage of life, tears can come not only from sadness, but from recognition from seeing our own journey reflected in words.

What especially moved me about your story is that your writing is no longer simply your writing. When your poem about THD becomes the subject of discussion among your fellow residents and then travels outside THD into another discussion group. it has taken on a life of its own. That is a wonderful legacy for a writer.

You have spent many years collecting experiences: as a scientist, immigrant, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, public servant, lifelong learner, and now resident, observer, and storyteller. Your blog gives those experiences another life.

Perhaps this is one of the finest definitions of aging gracefully:

We grow older, but our capacity to touch another life does not have to grow old with us.

And I particularly love the final thought of the poem:

“We may be growing older,
but we are not through becoming.”

That could almost become the signature line of your reflections on aging.

My Reels of the Day: Secret of Inner Peace and Living Alone:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1331561085363739

https://www.facebook.com/reel/4705873086300756

Finally
Here's your briefing for Tuesday, November 3, 2026 — Election Day in the U.S.
The Big Story: Midterms
It's the 2026 midterm election — the biggest national story today.
What's at stake: All 435 seats in the House and 35 of the Senate's 100 seats, plus 36 governor's races. Control comes down to 51 in the Senate and 218 in the House.
Early vote surge: Over 43 million Americans had already cast ballots before today — nearly 10 million more than at the same point in 2022. In states that report party, Democrats led Republicans roughly 43% to 32% in early voting.
Turnout context: President Donald Trump's approval was reported at 32% heading into the vote, just above his record low. Spending is on track to hit a record $12bn.
Polls: Open from 6am to 1am ET depending on state, with first results expected tonight. California polls close at 8pm PT.
Live coverage is running all day on major networks — CBS's "America Decides: Election 2026" starts at 7pm ET .
National Watch
Florida historic flooding: Eastern Central Florida got 1 to 2 feet of rain as November arrived, triggering catastrophic flash flooding and emergency rescues . Gov. DeSantis declared emergencies in 7 counties including Brevard. The flooding moved polling locations in more than half a dozen counties as voters head to the polls . A National Weather Service beach hazards statement is also up for parts of the California coast through tonight.
Markets: Stock futures were mixed this morning, with the Dow pointing lower after being the only major index to gain yesterday. Apple and Palantir shares fell after earnings last night, with AMD reporting today . The 10-year Treasury yield sits around 4.93%.
Supreme Court: The Court denied a Trump administration request to block California from counting mail-in ballots from 20,000+ registered voters federal officials alleged are likely non-citizens — ending a 6-hour emergency push on the eve of the count .
Bay Area / California
A few local items on your ballot and radar:
Bay Area transit tax — Prop RTM: The biggest local dollar question. It would add a 0.5% sales tax in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara counties and 1% in San Francisco for 14 years starting April 2027 to fund BART and Muni . In Santa Clara County alone it's estimated to raise about $313M a year.
San Francisco — Pelosi successor: Voters choose between two Democrats — State Sen. Scott Wiener and Supervisor Connie Chan — to succeed former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in CA-11.
Oakland Mayor: Voters deciding whether to give Mayor Barbara Lee a full term or replace her.
Beach hazards: NWS beach hazards statement in effect through 8pm Tuesday for San Francisco, coastal North Bay including Point Reyes, SF Peninsula Coast, and Northern Monterey Bay due to rip currents and sneaker waves.
Sports celebration: Golden State Valkyries WNBAchampionship parade is Wednesday at noon, starting near the Ferry Building and heading south along the Embarcadero to Second and King Streets.

Reflections on Filipino Architecture, Food, Family Life, and Memories of Chateau Du Mer

2026-11-02T09:04:51.857-08:00

Reflections on Filipino architecture, food, family life, and memories of Chateau Du Mer

Recently, I wrote about the modern contemporary house of a close relative in Jaro, Iloilo. The house is an impressive example of how Filipino homes are changing with modern architecture and contemporary lifestyles.

One detail caught my attention, however. My relative mentioned that the house has a separate room for the live-in maid, who also serves as the cook and housekeeper, with her own bathroom. But there was no mention of a dirty kitchen.

This made me wonder: Why do so many Filipino homes have an outdoor kitchen, commonly called a “dirty kitchen,” in addition to their regular indoor kitchen?

Having grown up in the Philippines and later built our own beach house and retirement home, Chateau Du Mer, in Boac, Marinduque, I have some personal memories and observations to share.

What Exactly Is a Dirty Kitchen?

For readers who did not grow up in the Philippines, the term might sound strange. Why would anyone deliberately build a dirty kitchen in a house?

The name is misleading. A dirty kitchen is not necessarily dirty or unhygienic. It is usually a separate cooking area, often located behind or beside the main house, where much of the heavy cooking takes place.

In many traditional Filipino homes, the main kitchen is kept relatively clean and orderly. It may be used for preparing breakfast, making coffee, assembling light meals, and serving food. The dirty kitchen handles the more demanding work.

This may include frying fish, sautéing garlic and onions, preparing dishes with strong aromas, cooking large pots of food, and washing bulky cooking utensils. Some households also use it for boiling water, preparing food for animals, or doing other household chores.

The arrangement varies from one home to another. Some dirty kitchens are open-air spaces with a roof, a sink, and a wood-burning or charcoal stove. Others are enclosed rooms equipped with a gas stove, running water, and modern appliances.

In short, the dirty kitchen is a practical extension of the main kitchen.

Why Is This Arrangement So Common in the Philippines?

There is no single explanation. Several factors help explain why the tradition has remained popular.

1. Our tropical climate

The Philippines is a tropical country. Much of the year is hot and humid, and cooking can make an already warm house even warmer.

An outdoor or semi-open kitchen allows heat and steam to escape more easily. When the weather permits, it can also provide better ventilation than a small enclosed kitchen.

2. Filipino cooking methods

Filipino cuisine includes many dishes prepared by frying, grilling, boiling, and simmering for long periods.

Think of frying dried fish for breakfast, preparing a large pot of sinigang, or cooking adobo with garlic, vinegar, soy sauce, and spices. These dishes are delicious, but their aromas can linger in the house.

A separate cooking area helps keep heat, smoke, grease, and strong cooking smells away from the living room and bedrooms.

3. Cooking for a large family

Filipino families often gather for birthdays, fiestas, weddings, baptisms, Christmas, and other special occasions. These gatherings may require preparing food for dozens of relatives and friends.

A regular indoor kitchen can quickly become crowded when several dishes must be prepared at the same time. An additional cooking area provides room for larger pots, extra burners, and more people helping with the meal.

4. Tradition and practicality

In many older Filipino homes, the kitchen was located at the rear of the house or in a separate structure. Depending on the household, cooking might involve firewood, charcoal, or other fuels that produce smoke and soot.

Separating this activity from the main living area made practical sense. As homes modernized, the outdoor kitchen continued to serve a useful purpose, even when gas stoves and other conveniences replaced traditional cooking methods.

5. The organization of household work

In some Filipino households, a live-in cook or housekeeper manages much of the daily food preparation. A separate kitchen can give that person a dedicated workspace.

This may be particularly convenient in larger homes where the family entertains frequently.

However, not every Filipino family has a household helper, and many modern homes have fully equipped indoor kitchens without a separate dirty kitchen. The arrangement depends on the family's needs, budget, space, and lifestyle.

What About the Modern Filipino Home?

Returning to my relative's new house in Jaro, Iloilo, I find it interesting that the house includes a room for a live-in maid, cook, and housekeeper, complete with a private bathroom.

That feature reflects one way some larger Filipino homes accommodate domestic help. But I cannot say whether the house has a dirty kitchen because my relative did not mention one.

Modern Filipino architecture offers many possibilities. Some homes have beautiful indoor kitchens with islands, built-in ovens, and modern appliances. Others retain a separate outdoor cooking area. Some have both, while smaller homes may have only one kitchen.

A modern house does not necessarily need a dirty kitchen. Nevertheless, for a family that frequently prepares large meals or enjoys traditional Filipino cooking, a second cooking area can still be useful.

There is also an important distinction between a separate kitchen designed for convenience and a poorly ventilated or unhygienic cooking space. Whatever its location, a kitchen should have proper sanitation, safe fuel connections, adequate ventilation, and protection from pests and the weather.

Memories of Our Beach House in Marinduque

My own experience brings me to Chateau Du Mer, our beach house and retirement home in Boac, Marinduque.

We did not have a permanent dirty kitchen as such. Our house was designed for comfortable living and enjoying the surroundings of our island home.

But special occasions sometimes required special arrangements.

I remember one occasion when we constructed a temporary outdoor kitchen and put up a tent for cooking lechon, a whole young pig roasted over a fire until the skin becomes beautifully crisp and the meat is tender.

Preparing lechon is quite different from making an ordinary meal. It requires space, equipment, heat, time, and people who know what they are doing. It is not the kind of cooking one would normally undertake in a conventional indoor kitchen.

The temporary outdoor kitchen gave us the room we needed. The tent provided some shelter for the people doing the cooking, while the outdoor setting kept the heat and smoke away from the house.

More importantly, preparing lechon was part of the occasion itself. It was not simply a matter of putting food on the table. It was about bringing people together, sharing the work, anticipating the meal, and enjoying the company of family and friends.

Looking back, I realize that our temporary outdoor kitchen served much the same practical purpose as a traditional dirty kitchen, even though we never called it one.

Food Is More Than Food in Filipino Culture

For Filipinos, cooking is closely connected with hospitality.

When relatives visit, we often ask whether they have eaten. When friends come to the house, we look for something to serve them. During family celebrations, the dining table becomes a gathering place where generations meet, stories are exchanged, and memories are made.

The kitchen, whether indoors or outdoors, is at the center of this experience.

A dirty kitchen may not be the most glamorous part of a house. It may be hidden behind the main building, away from the beautifully furnished living room. Yet it can be one of the hardest-working spaces in the home.

It reminds us that a comfortable household depends not only on attractive architecture but also on the practical arrangements that make everyday life possible.

There is another lesson here. Traditions do not always disappear when a country modernizes. Sometimes they adapt. The old wood-burning stove may give way to a gas burner, and a simple outdoor shelter may become a fully equipped second kitchen. The purpose, however, remains much the same.

A Final Reflection

As I approach my 92nd birthday, I find myself increasingly interested in the ordinary things that connect our past with the present.

A modern house in Jaro, Iloilo, can remind me of the homes I knew growing up in the Philippines. A memory of roasting lechon at Chateau Du Mer can bring back the excitement of family gatherings and celebrations.

The dirty kitchen is a small example of how architecture reflects culture. It tells us something about our climate, our food, our family arrangements, and our tradition of hospitality.

I do not know whether my relative's new home has one. Perhaps a modern indoor kitchen is sufficient for the family's needs. Perhaps there is a separate cooking area that simply was not mentioned.

Either way, I am reminded that the true value of a home cannot be measured by its architectural style, the number of rooms, or the sophistication of its appliances.

A home becomes special because of the people who live in it, the meals they share, the guests they welcome, and the memories they create.

And sometimes, the most memorable meal is not prepared in the beautiful kitchen inside the house, but under a simple outdoor tent, beside a fire, while a lechon slowly turns and family members gather nearby.

That, to me, is part of the Filipino meaning of home.

A Modern Architectural Gem in Jaro, Iloilo, Philippines

2026-11-02T05:36:50.154-08:00

A Beautiful Blend of Curves, Contemporary Design, and Filipino Tropical Living

As I approach my 92nd birthday, I continue to appreciate beautiful things, whether they are found in nature, art, or architecture. My lifelong interest in science has also taught me to admire the creativity, imagination, and technical knowledge that go into designing something extraordinary.

Recently, a close relative of mine completed a beautiful new residence in Jaro, Iloilo, in the Philippines. When I saw its photograph, I was immediately attracted to its unusual design. Unlike the traditional rectangular houses we commonly see, this home features sweeping curves, rounded walls, warm wooden finishes, and an impressive entrance gate.

The house reportedly received a 2026 Architecture Award for Non-Commercial Buildings. With seven bedrooms and five bathrooms, it is also a substantial family residence rather than a small house, despite its compact-looking architectural footprint in the photograph. A swimming pool is currently under construction within the property.

I would like to share with my worldwide readers some observations about the architectural style of this remarkable home.

1. A Contemporary Modern Architectural Style

The house can best be described as contemporary organic architecture with tropical modernist influences.

Contemporary architecture refers to buildings designed with the ideas, materials, and technology of our time. It does not follow one fixed historical style. Instead, it allows architects to experiment with shapes, textures, natural light, and the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Organic architecture, on the other hand, emphasizes flowing forms and a harmonious relationship between a building and its surroundings.

This house combines elements of both approaches. Its rounded walls and sweeping roofline give the building a soft, almost sculptural appearance. The design avoids the rigid box-like shapes associated with many conventional modern homes.

The result is a residence that looks more like a piece of contemporary sculpture than an ordinary house.

2. The Dramatic Curved Roof

One of the most striking features is the large, sweeping roof that extends outward over the upper floor.

Its broad, curved profile creates a strong visual statement. Rather than using the familiar triangular roof of many traditional Filipino homes, the architect has chosen a fluid, asymmetrical form that resembles a wave.

The underside of the roof appears to have a wood-finished ceiling. Its warm brown color contrasts beautifully with the light-colored exterior walls. The pale roof edge also emphasizes the building's unusual outline.

Beyond its visual appeal, an extended roof can provide shade for windows, balconies, and portions of the exterior walls. In a tropical location such as Iloilo, this can be particularly useful because it helps limit direct sunlight and may reduce heat entering the house.

Of course, the actual thermal performance depends on the roof's insulation, ventilation, orientation, and construction. A beautiful roof must also perform well in the Philippines' heat, heavy rainfall, and occasional strong storms.

3. Rounded Walls and Sculptural Forms

Another distinctive feature is the extensive use of curved surfaces.

The exterior walls do not meet in sharp, box-like corners everywhere. Instead, rounded sections flow into one another, giving the house a softer and more dynamic appearance.

Notice the rounded window surrounds and the curved form of the upper balcony. These details help create visual continuity throughout the design.

The building also has an asymmetrical composition. Its different sections do not mirror one another, yet they appear to belong together. This balance between variety and unity is an important characteristic of successful contemporary design.

Curves can also create interesting interior spaces, although they require careful planning and construction. Windows, furniture, built-in cabinets, and structural supports must all be coordinated with the building's geometry.

The architect deserves credit for attempting something more adventurous than the usual rectangular residential design.

4. Windows That Become Architectural Features

The windows are not simply openings placed in the walls. They are integrated into the overall design.

Several have rounded or curved surrounds, and the prominent upper window is framed by a warm, textured brown finish. Its shape makes it a focal point of the façade.

These window arrangements give the house a distinctive identity. They also demonstrate how small architectural details can contribute to the character of an entire building.

In a tropical climate, windows must do more than look attractive. Their placement and size influence daylight, ventilation, privacy, and indoor comfort. Shading, suitable glazing, and protection against wind-driven rain are also important considerations.

The photograph gives us a view of the exterior, but it does not tell us how effectively these features perform inside the house.

5. The Balcony and the Connection Between Indoors and Outdoors

The upper-floor balcony is another attractive feature. Its curved metal railing follows the shape of the building, while its open design preserves a sense of lightness.

The balcony appears to be partially sheltered by the projecting roof, creating a transition between the enclosed interior and the outdoors.

This is especially appropriate for a Philippine home, where outdoor living is often an important part of family life. A sheltered balcony can provide a place to enjoy the breeze, entertain visitors, or simply sit and observe the surrounding garden.

The balcony's design also reinforces the home's overall theme: rounded forms, flowing lines, and an emphasis on openness.

Its practical value, however, will depend on the amount of shade, airflow, privacy, and protection it receives during the rainy season.

6. A Warm Palette of Colors and Materials

The color scheme is restrained but effective.

The principal exterior walls are a soft cream or ivory. These light colors contrast with the rich brown, wood-like finishes beneath the roof and around selected windows. The metal railings and other details add further texture without overwhelming the design.

This combination gives the house a warm, elegant appearance.

The wood tones are particularly important because they soften the otherwise modern exterior. Without them, the pale walls and smooth curves might look too stark or institutional.

The design demonstrates that modern architecture does not have to feel cold. Careful use of color, texture, and natural-looking materials can make a contemporary building appear welcoming.

Whether the brown finishes are natural wood or another material cannot be established from the photograph alone. In the Philippines, the choice of materials and their resistance to moisture, heat, insects, and weathering are important to long-term maintenance.

7. The Entrance Gate: A Design of Its Own

The front boundary and entrance gate deserve special attention.

The cream-colored wall is formed from repeated curved sections, while the metalwork above it creates fan-like patterns. The main gate repeats these flowing shapes, making the entrance an extension of the house's architectural language.

Instead of treating the fence as an unrelated security feature, the design connects it visually with the building behind it.

The gate is large and imposing, yet its curves soften its appearance. The decorative metalwork adds movement and texture, while the solid lower sections provide a greater sense of enclosure and privacy.

This is a good example of how architecture includes more than the main building. Gates, fences, pathways, landscaping, and outdoor spaces all influence the first impression of a property.

The architectural firm's name displayed on the gate also identifies the design as the work of a professional architectural practice.

8. Tropical Modernism and Life in the Philippines

The house's setting in Jaro, Iloilo, is an important part of its story.

Tropical modernism adapts modern architectural ideas to warm climates. Depending on the design, it may incorporate generous shade, covered outdoor spaces, natural ventilation, greenery, and materials suited to local conditions.

Several features visible here—the extended roof, sheltered balcony, and relationship between the building and its outdoor surroundings—are compatible with that approach.

However, I would be cautious about calling this a textbook example of tropical architecture based on one exterior photograph. We would need to know more about its orientation, ventilation, insulation, landscaping, and response to the local climate.

Still, the house illustrates how contemporary design in the Philippines can move beyond familiar architectural forms while responding to the needs of modern family life.

Its seven bedrooms and five bathrooms suggest that it was designed to accommodate a large household or frequent family gatherings. The swimming pool under construction will add another recreational feature to the property.

Together, these elements suggest a home intended for both comfortable living and hospitality.

9. Architecture as Art and Engineering

What I find most interesting about this house is the combination of artistic expression and practical construction.

The sweeping roof, curved walls, unusual windows, and flowing gate are visual decisions. But every one of these features must also be translated into engineering drawings, structural calculations, material specifications, drainage systems, and construction details.

Curved forms can be more demanding to build than simple rectangular shapes. They require coordination among the architect, structural engineer, contractors, and craftsmen.

The roof must be properly supported and waterproofed. Curved exterior surfaces must be finished accurately. Balconies and railings must meet appropriate safety requirements. Drainage must prevent water from collecting on surfaces that were not designed to hold it.

In this sense, architecture is both an art and a science.

My years as a scientist taught me to appreciate the discipline required to turn an idea into something that works in the real world. A successful building must satisfy the eye, but it must also provide safety, comfort, durability, and usefulness.

The reported architectural award makes this residence especially interesting, although I have not independently verified the award's issuing organization or judging criteria.

My Personal Reflection

Having lived through many decades of architectural and technological change, I enjoy seeing how people continue to imagine new ways of designing their homes.

This residence in Jaro is very different from the traditional houses I remember from my younger years in the Philippines. Its modern curves, dramatic roof, and carefully coordinated exterior details give it a distinctive personality.

I am particularly pleased that contemporary architecture continues to develop in Iloilo, a city with its own rich history, culture, and architectural heritage.

A house is more than a collection of rooms, walls, and a roof. It is a place where families gather, children grow up, celebrations take place, and memories are created. The most beautiful house is not necessarily the largest or the most expensive. It is one that combines thoughtful design with comfort, function, and the needs of the people who live in it.

I congratulate my relative on the completion of this remarkable home and on its reported recognition in the 2026 architectural awards.

May the house become a place filled not only with beauty, but also with laughter, family gatherings, good health, and many happy memories.

After all, the true success of a home is measured not only by how it looks from the street, but also by the happiness and love shared within its walls.

My Recent Readings on AI and AZ Early Diagnosis

2026-11-01T16:45:39.798-08:00

Inspired from my Recent Readings on AI and AZ Early Diagnosis
As I approach my 92nd birthday, I find myself increasingly interested in scientific discoveries that may help us understand the aging process. One subject that deserves our attention is Alzheimer's disease and the possibility that Artificial Intelligence (AI) may help doctors detect the early warning signs of this disease before serious memory problems develop.

As I approach my 92nd birthday, I find myself increasingly interested in scientific discoveries that may help us understand the aging process. One subject that deserves our attention is Alzheimer's disease and the possibility that Artificial Intelligence (AI) may help doctors detect the early warning signs of this disease before serious memory problems develop.

Growing old is a privilege denied to many people. However, growing older also brings concerns about our health, independence, and ability to remember the people and experiences that have shaped our lives.

I have lived long enough to see remarkable advances in medicine. Now, scientists are exploring another promising tool: Artificial Intelligence.

Can AI help us recognize Alzheimer's disease earlier? The latest research suggests that it may.

1. AI Can Listen to the Way We Speak

One of the most fascinating developments involves using AI to analyze a person's speech.

We usually associate Alzheimer's disease with forgetting names, losing things, or having difficulty remembering recent events. However, changes in thinking and memory may also affect how a person speaks.

Someone experiencing early cognitive difficulties might pause more frequently, struggle to find the right word, repeat certain expressions, or have difficulty organizing a story.

These changes can also occur during normal aging, so none of them alone proves that a person has Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers are training AI systems to examine patterns in spoken language that may be difficult for a person to recognize. The technology can analyze vocabulary, sentence structure, pauses, and the way ideas are organized.

In January 2025, the U.S. National Institute on Aging reported an interesting study involving 166 people who already had mild cognitive impairment. Researchers used AI to analyze transcripts from earlier cognitive tests.

The system predicted which participants would progress to Alzheimer's disease within six years with approximately 78% accuracy.

This was an encouraging result, although the study was relatively small and its participants were predominantly White. The researchers emphasized the need for further testing in larger and more diverse populations.

The goal is not to replace a doctor with a computer. It is to develop an additional tool that might help identify people who need a more thorough medical examination.

Source: U.S. National Institute on Aging — AI Speech Analysis and Alzheimer's Risk

2. Could a Simple Blood Test Help Detect Alzheimer's?

Another important development involves blood tests.

For many years, investigating Alzheimer's disease could require specialized brain imaging, such as a PET scan, or an examination of cerebrospinal fluid obtained through a spinal tap. These procedures can be expensive, inconvenient, or invasive.

Scientists have now developed blood tests that measure certain proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Two important markers are called amyloid beta and phosphorylated tau. Abnormal levels of these proteins can provide evidence of changes associated with Alzheimer's disease.

In May 2025, the FDA cleared the first blood test intended to aid in diagnosing Alzheimer's disease in symptomatic adults. In August 2026, the FDA also cleared the PrecivityAD2 blood test for use in helping diagnose the disease in adults aged 40 and older who have signs or symptoms of cognitive impairment.

These developments could make the diagnostic process easier for many patients.

But where does AI enter the picture?

AI and other computational methods can help researchers analyze complex patterns in medical data, including combinations of biological markers, speech characteristics, and cognitive test results. Scientists are investigating how these different sources of information might eventually work together to identify risk more accurately.

We should understand one important distinction: a blood test that measures Alzheimer's-related proteins is not itself an AI test. The blood tests and AI speech-analysis systems are different technologies that may complement one another in the future.

Neither a positive blood test nor an AI prediction, by itself, establishes a complete diagnosis.

Source: FDA — First Blood Test Cleared to Aid Alzheimer's Diagnosis

3. Can AI Predict Alzheimer's Before Memory Problems Begin?

This is perhaps the most exciting, but also the most challenging, question.

What if scientists could identify people at increased risk of developing Alzheimer's years before they begin to experience noticeable symptoms?

In February 2026, researchers supported by the NIH reported a study using repeated blood measurements of a protein called p-tau217. They developed a model that estimated when Alzheimer's-related biological changes began and how that timing related to the eventual appearance of symptoms.

The model's estimates of symptom onset had a median error of approximately three to four years.

This does not mean doctors can now predict the exact year when an individual will develop Alzheimer's. The model is still a research tool, and it is not accurate enough for that purpose.

Nevertheless, it illustrates how biological measurements and mathematical modeling may help scientists understand the relationship between changes in the brain and the appearance of symptoms.

Other research reported in 2026 is examining whether blood markers can help estimate the risk of cognitive decline several years before symptoms appear.

For now, the Alzheimer's Association advises that blood-based biomarker tests be used appropriately in people who already have symptoms and are undergoing a medical evaluation, rather than as routine screening tests for people with no symptoms.

We must be careful not to confuse a promising research discovery with a medical service that is ready for everyone.

Source: NIH — Research on Predicting the Onset of Alzheimer's Symptoms

4. What Does This Mean for Ordinary People?

Imagine a future in which an older person visits a family doctor for a routine appointment.

The doctor asks about changes in memory and daily activities. With the patient's permission, a computer-assisted system analyzes a short speech sample or a series of cognitive exercises. The doctor may also consider blood test results and other medical information.

If several findings suggest a possible problem, the doctor can arrange a more detailed examination.

Such a system might help identify people who would otherwise wait too long before seeking medical advice. It could also help doctors distinguish Alzheimer's disease from other possible causes of memory difficulties.

However, these technologies must be tested carefully in people of different ages, cultures, educational backgrounds, and language groups.

This is particularly important in a multilingual world. A person who speaks English as a second language might pause or search for words for reasons unrelated to dementia. Someone who has limited formal education might perform differently on certain cognitive tests.

An AI system trained mainly on one population could make mistakes when evaluating another.

Privacy is another concern. Our voices, medical records, and patterns of behavior are personal information. If these technologies become common, patients must know how their information is collected, stored, and protected.

Technology should help people, not label them unfairly or frighten them unnecessarily.

5. A Personal Reflection on Growing Older

At nearly 92, I think about the difference between ordinary forgetfulness and a more serious decline in memory.

Most of us occasionally forget where we placed our keys, why we entered a room, or the name of someone we have not seen for years. Such lapses do not automatically mean that we have Alzheimer's disease.

I have also learned that aging is not the same for everyone. Some older people remain mentally active well into their nineties, while others develop serious cognitive problems much earlier.

I still enjoy playing bridge, a card game that I have played since my university days in the United States in the early 1960s. Bridge requires concentration, memory, logical thinking, and an awareness of the cards that have already been played.

I enjoy the challenge, although I recognize that playing bridge is not a medical test and cannot guarantee that a person will avoid dementia.

If I notice persistent changes in my memory or thinking, I should not simply dismiss them as a consequence of growing old. I should discuss them with a healthcare professional.

Memory difficulties can have several causes, some of which may be treatable. A medical evaluation can help identify what is happening.

I believe we should neither panic over every forgotten name nor ignore a persistent problem.

6. My Hope for the Future

I welcome the possibility that AI will help doctors recognize Alzheimer's disease earlier and make the diagnostic process more accessible.

Earlier and more accurate diagnosis can give patients and their families additional time to plan for the future, discuss care preferences, and consider appropriate treatments. For some patients, an accurate diagnosis may also help determine whether they qualify for treatments that can slow the progression of early Alzheimer's disease.

At the same time, AI cannot eliminate every uncertainty. It cannot yet tell every person with confidence whether they will develop dementia or precisely when symptoms will begin.

We must also remember that Alzheimer's disease is only one cause of dementia. Different conditions can produce similar symptoms and may require different approaches to treatment.

As a retired pharmaceutical scientist, I have spent much of my professional life respecting the importance of evidence. A promising laboratory result is a beginning, not the end of scientific investigation. New tests must be validated, their limitations understood, and their usefulness demonstrated in real patients.

I apply the same principle to Artificial Intelligence.

AI can analyze enormous amounts of information, discover patterns, and assist medical professionals. But the final decisions about diagnosis and care must involve qualified healthcare professionals, the patient, and the people who care about that patient.

As a Catholic, I also believe that a person's dignity does not depend on the sharpness of their memory or the condition of their brain. A person living with Alzheimer's disease remains worthy of love, patience, respect, and compassion.

Science may help us preserve our memories for longer. Faith and human kindness remind us how to care for those who begin to lose them.

At nearly 92, I am grateful to be living in a time when scientists are exploring possibilities that previous generations could scarcely imagine.

I do not expect AI to solve every problem associated with aging. But if it can help even some families recognize a serious condition earlier, avoid unnecessary suffering, and prepare for the future, that would be a worthwhile achievement.

Growing older has taught me that we cannot control everything that happens to us. What we can do is remain curious, seek reliable information, care for one another, and face the future with hope.

My closing thought: We may not be able to prevent every loss of memory, but we should never allow the loss of memory to become a loss of human dignity.

David At Nearing 92

My Encounters with Aswangs, Witches, Goblins, and Ghosts in the Philippines-An Update

2026-11-01T11:46:17.561-08:00

I wrote these stories years before artificial intelligence became my writing companion. Today, at 91 and nearing 92, I am revisiting some of them not to change my memories, but to see what I understand differently after another decade of living.

My Encounters with Aswangs, Witches, Goblins, and Ghosts in the Philippines-An Update

https://www.facebook.com/reel/2965559270472109

Some childhood fears never completely disappear. They simply become memories.

I grew up on Panay Island in the Philippines, in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo. Like many Filipino children of my generation, I grew up listening to stories about aswangs, witches, kapres, nonos, and ghosts.

Today, at 91, I look back at those stories differently.

As a scientist who spent many years working in pharmaceutical chemistry and later at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, I naturally look for evidence and rational explanations. But I have also learned that folklore is more than a question of whether something is scientifically provable.

Folklore tells us something about who we were, what our ancestors feared, how communities explained the unexplained, and how stories were passed from one generation to another.

And some of those stories are part of my own life.

What Is an Aswang?

The aswang is probably the most famous supernatural creature in Filipino folklore.

But there is an important point that I did not fully appreciate when I was a child: there is no single definition of an aswang.

Depending on the region, an aswang may be described as a witch, shapeshifter, vampire-like creature, sorcerer, or another frightening supernatural being. The stories differ from one province to another.

The aswang is particularly prominent in the Visayas, including Panay, where I grew up.

When I was a boy in the late 1940s, I heard stories from my parents, relatives, neighbors, and other adults about mysterious creatures that supposedly came out at night.

Some stories were frightening. Some were entertaining.

And some were told so convincingly that, as a child, I had no reason to doubt them.

My Childhood Fear of the Aswang

I remember hearing that aswangs could fly at night and enter homes looking for pregnant women or small children.

Some stories said they could transform themselves into animals.

Others described strange sounds coming from rooftops in the middle of the night.

There were also stories about people who appeared perfectly normal during the day but supposedly became aswangs after dark.

As a child, I did not ask for scientific evidence. I simply believed what the adults told me.

And like most children, I had a very active imagination.

The darkness made everything more mysterious. A sound from the roof could become an aswang.

A strange animal in the distance could become an aswang. A shadow moving between trees could become an aswang.

Looking back, I now understand that fear itself can make ordinary things appear extraordinary.

But that does not make the stories unimportant. They are part of our cultural memory.

The Story of Lubag

One of the most interesting connections between folklore and science came much later in my life.

As a child, I knew of a neighbor who suffered from what people in our area called Lubag.

He had uncontrollable twisting movements and an unusual way of walking.

To my young eyes, he looked frightening. Because I had grown up hearing stories about aswangs, I was afraid of him. I avoided going near his house.

Years later, when I was in college and had learned more about science and medicine, I realized that what I had witnessed was not an aswang at all.

It was a medical condition. The condition is now associated with X-linked dystonia-parkinsonism, a rare neurological disorder historically associated with Panay and sometimes called “Dystonia de Panay.”

That experience stayed with me. It taught me one of the most important lessons of my life:

Something can be frightening without being supernatural.

Science can sometimes explain what earlier generations could only explain through folklore.

But I also learned not to laugh at the people who believed the old stories.

They were trying to understand their world with the knowledge available to them.

Witches in Iloilo and Capiz

When I was growing up, certain communities in Iloilo and nearby areas had reputations for being places where witches or aswangs supposedly lived.

Capiz, in particular, became famous throughout the Philippines for its association with aswang stories.

Whether these stories were true is another question.

There is no scientific evidence that aswangs exist as supernatural creatures.

But the stories themselves are real.

They have been repeated for generations, written about by scholars, dramatized in movies, and passed along through conversations between grandparents, parents, and children.

In that sense, the aswang is real as Filipino folklore and cultural imagination.

The Kapre and the Nono

Not all supernatural beings in Filipino folklore are as frightening as the aswang.

I also grew up hearing about the kapre, a giant creature associated with large trees and dark places.

But one of my favorite Filipino folk beliefs involves the nono.

In Marinduque, where my family later had our home and resort in Boac, I heard many stories about nonos.

The nonos were described as small supernatural beings who lived in large trees, particularly old trees such as the balete.

The traditional advice was simple: “Tabi po, Nono.”

It means something like: “Excuse me, Nono.”

The idea was that if you were passing through the territory of a nono, you should respectfully announce your presence.

Did I believe that nonos really lived in the trees? Honestly, no.

But I still said: “Tabi po, Nono.” Why?

Because there was no harm in being respectful.

And perhaps that is one of the deeper lessons hidden inside folklore.

It teaches us to respect places we do not fully understand.

A Child's Story About the Nono

One story from our Marinduque property particularly fascinated me.

The young son of our caretaker disappeared for several hours.

When he returned, he told us that a group of little people had taken him.

According to his story, they were friendly.

They also supposedly warned him not to cut down a large balete tree in our backyard.

Was he telling us a supernatural story? Was he frightened and confused?

Was it simply a child's imagination? I don't know. And I don't pretend to know.

But I remember the story because it became part of our family's own folklore.

Years later, my granddaughter learned about the phrase “Tabi po, Nono.”

When she was only four years old, she remembered it.

During a family vacation in Boracay, she was walking across a bridge when she suddenly said: “Tabi po, Nono.”

Everyone laughed. I was impressed. A four-year-old had remembered a Filipino folk tradition that had been passed down to her by her grandparents.

That is how culture survives. Not necessarily through books.

Sometimes it survives through one little phrase spoken by a child.

Ghosts and the White Lady

Then there are ghosts. Almost every culture in the world has stories about spirits of the dead.

The Philippines is no exception. One of the most familiar Filipino ghost stories is the White Lady.

I have heard many stories about white apparitions appearing beside roads, in old buildings, near bridges, or in other places associated with tragedy.

I have never personally seen one. But I have heard enough stories from other people to understand why these stories continue to fascinate us.

At our property in Amoingon, Boac, Marinduque, some neighbors told us that they had occasionally seen a woman dressed in white on moonless nights.

They believed she was the ghost of my mother-in-law.

They also believed that she was protecting the property from robbers and intruders.

I never saw her. Perhaps she was a ghost. Perhaps someone saw a shadow.

Perhaps moonlight, trees, distance, and imagination created an image that became a story.

Or perhaps there is something about the human experience that science has not yet completely explained. I leave that question open.

Faith, Science, and Folklore

As I grew older, my attitude toward these stories changed. When I was a child, I was afraid of them.

As a young scientist, I became skeptical of them.

As an older man, I have become more interested in what these stories mean.

My Catholic faith also influences how I look at the unknown. I believe in God.

I believe in the spiritual dimension of life. But I also believe in science, evidence, observation, and critical thinking.

I don't think we have to choose between respecting our cultural traditions and asking scientific questions. We can do both.

We can preserve the stories of our ancestors without necessarily claiming that every story is scientifically true.

That distinction is important.

Why These Stories Still Matter

Today, Filipino children are growing up with smartphones, artificial intelligence, video games, YouTube, Netflix, and social media.

They live in a very different world from the Philippines of my childhood.

Yet folklore continues to survive. The aswang appears in movies.

The White Lady appears in stories and online discussions.

The kapre and nono remain familiar names.

Modern scholars continue to study Philippine supernatural folklore as part of literature, history, culture, and community memory.

And perhaps that is a good thing. A country should not lose its stories simply because science has changed.

Instead, we can preserve the stories while also understanding them in new ways.

From Fear to Memory

When I was a little boy in Barotac Viejo, I was afraid of the aswang.

Today, I am much more interested in the story behind the fear.

I wonder what my parents heard from their parents.

I wonder what stories my grandparents heard when they were children.

And I wonder how many of those stories have already disappeared.

That is one reason I continue writing.

At 91, I have lived through a remarkable period of history, from the Philippines of the 1940s to the age of computers, smartphones, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology.

I have seen science explain things that once seemed mysterious.

But I have also learned that human beings will always have questions that go beyond what we can immediately explain.

Maybe that is why we tell stories. Stories help us make sense of the unknown.

And sometimes, they simply make life more interesting.

My Final Thought

Do I believe that aswangs, witches, nonos, kapres, and ghosts really exist?

My answer today is different from the answer I would have given as a frightened little boy.

I don't know. As a scientist, I want evidence. As a Filipino, I respect the folklore of my ancestors.

As a Catholic, I recognize that there are mysteries in life that I cannot completely explain.

And as a storyteller, I know that these stories are part of who we are.

Perhaps the most important thing is not whether the aswang lives in the darkness outside our window.

Perhaps the important thing is that the story of the aswang has lived for generations in the hearts and imaginations of the Filipino people.

And now, I am passing part of that story on to my worldwide readers.

The stories may change. The generations may change.

But our memories and our culture live on when we continue to tell them.

AI Impressions On this Posting:

I think this version is stronger than the original because it connects your childhood in Panay → your scientific career → your experience with Lubag → your Marinduque years → your Catholic faith → your life at 91 → the preservation of Filipino culture. It also makes the article more welcoming to readers who don't share Filipino supernatural beliefs.

One particularly good line for your worldwide audience is “As a scientist, I want evidence. As a Filipino, I respect the folklore of my ancestors. As a Catholic, I recognize that there are mysteries in life that I cannot completely explain.” That feels very much like the mature voice you have developed in your recent blog posts.

Moreover, I also reviewed the original HubPages article and also checked recent Philippine folklore scholarship. Your original piece has something valuable that a purely academic article cannot provide: your own childhood memories, your Panay/Iloilo roots, your experience with “Lubag,” your Marinduque stories, and your personal balance between faith, science, and folklore.

One important update is worth making: rather than presenting the aswang, nono, kapre, or ghosts as established supernatural facts, I framed them as stories, beliefs, cultural memories, and personal experiences. That actually makes the article more credible for your worldwide readers while preserving the mystery. Philippine folklore scholars describe aswang as an umbrella term with many regional forms, rather than one single creature. Research from UP Diliman has also explored how some traditional supernatural beliefs may intersect with medical conditions and other natural phenomena.

AI Overview:

Philippine folklore describes the Aswang as a broad term for shape-shifting evil creatures, including vampires, ghouls, witches, and flying torsos like the Manananggal.

The Aswang and Witches

Day and Night Form: Aswangs look like normal villagers during the day, but turn into monsters at night.

Hunting Habits: They often target pregnant women to consume the life essence of unborn babies.

Witches (Mangkukulam): Local traditions view them as human sorcerers who use curses, needles, or insects to cause sudden illness or misfortune.

Goblins and Nature Spirits

Tiyanak: This spirit mimics the sound of a crying baby to lure travelers deep into the jungle before revealing its true, monstrous form.

Kapre: A tall, dark giant that sits in large trees smoking a large tobacco pipe, known to disorient people and make them lose their way.

Ghosts (Multo)

White Ladies: Apparitions of women in flowing white dresses often seen on quiet provincial roads or old Spanish-era structures.

Akte/Peryodiko: Unexplained eerie sounds, sudden cold spots, or fleeting shadows believed to be restless souls lingering in barangays.

Finally, My Reel of the Day: The White Lady of Maina, Guam

https://www.facebook.com/reel/2169358157798322

A Human-Centered Style of Management

2026-11-01T08:16:03.219-08:00

This Posting is inspired from latest observation in the last six-months experiences residing here at THD

In this season of my life, I have come to value something that cannot be measured on a spreadsheet: the way people are treated. Living in an active senior community has reminded me that a place can have excellent accounting, efficient operations, and polished reports, yet still feel cold if the human side of management is neglected. The numbers matter, but they are not the heart of the matter.

What matters most, at least in my experience, is whether people feel seen. Do staff members greet residents with patience and respect? Are concerns heard without defensiveness? Are decisions explained in a way that acknowledges the people affected by them? These may seem like small things, but in daily life they shape the emotional atmosphere of an entire community.

Lately, I have noticed a hopeful shift in our own community. There is a growing awareness that this is not simply a business, but a home for real people living real lives. That understanding changes everything. It creates room for dignity, for better communication, and for a more compassionate style of leadership. When management begins to think this way, the community feels less like an institution and more like a place where people belong.

I find this especially meaningful in a senior community. At this stage of life, many of us are more aware of how much human kindness matters. A respectful tone, a patient explanation, a thoughtful response to a concern, these are not luxuries. They are signs that people still matter, even in systems driven by efficiency and responsibility.

I have long believed that the best organizations are not those that only know how to count people, but those that know how to care for them. Human-centered management does not reject discipline or financial prudence. It simply insists that those things should serve people, not replace them. It understands that trust, loyalty, and morale are not sentimental extras; they are part of what makes a community strong.

That is why I welcome this transition in our community. Our previous management style was cold and emotionally detached. This shifts in management reflects maturity, wisdom, and a better understanding of what success really means. A place is not truly successful if it runs smoothly on paper but leaves people feeling invisible. The deeper success is when people feel respected, heard, and valued.

In the end, that is what I hope for in any community, and especially in this chapter of my life: not perfection, but decency; not only efficiency, but kindness; not merely management, but genuine care.

Is THD currently managed in a human-centered style? Let me hear from you, fellow THD residents.

Let me end this posting with the following quotes:

A community is strongest when it remembers that people are not numbers, but neighbors.
Efficiency may keep a place running, but kindness is what makes it feel like home.
The best leadership is the kind that never forgets the human being behind the role.
Previously Posted Related Articles:
https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2025/10/an-example-of-micromanagement-note-from.html
https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2025/02/the-effects-of-micromanagement-my.html

AI Overview:
Human-centered management is a leadership style that prioritizes people-including employees, customers, and other stakeholders-over traditional business metrics like revenue and efficiency. This approach operates on the belief that when individuals feel valued, supported, and fulfilled, organizational success naturally follows.
Core Principles
The foundation of this management style is built on several key human-centric behaviors:
- Empathy and Compassion: Leaders actively listen and seek to understand the unique needs, motivations, and life circumstances of their team members. Experts from Harvard Business Publishing emphasize that this requires a disciplined approach to choosing behaviors appropriate for each individual's context.
- Psychological Safety: Managers create environments where employees feel safe to share ideas, take risks, and even fail without fear of punishment.
- Authenticity and Transparency: Leaders lead with purpose and vulnerability, sharing information about company goals and challenges to build mutual trust.
- Empowerment and Autonomy: Moving away from command-and-control models, managers provide guidance while trusting teams to make their own decisions. Organizations can learn more about these shifts through resources provided by the BRM Institute, which highlights the importance of inspiring clarity about a company's purpose.
- Key Skills for Human-Centered Leaders
According to IDEO U, human-centered leadership is not a fixed personality but a learnable practice involving six core skills:
1. Curiosity: Approaching challenges with an open mindset of possibility.
2. Collaboration: Co-creating strategies rather than giving orders.
3. Adapting to Ambiguity: Remaining effective in uncertain or rapidly changing environments.
4. Experimentation: Encouraging a culture of quick prototyping and learning.
5. Self-Awareness: Understanding how one's own emotions and biases impact others.
6. Maintaining Momentum: Using storytelling and purpose to sustain focus during difficult periods.
Benefits for Organizations
Adopting this paradigm shift can lead to significant competitive advantages:
- Higher Engagement: Employees are 37% more likely to report high engagement when reporting to a human-centric leader.
- Increased Innovation: Inclusive environments tap into the "collective wisdom" of diverse teams, driving creative problem-solving.
- Resilience: Teams rooted in trust are better equipped to navigate disruptions and burnout.
- Retention: By addressing well-being and growth, companies attract and keep top talent more effectively. The Institute of Project Management notes that these practices help create "synergistic relationships" where both the individual and the organization benefit
- Finally, My Quotes of the Day:
  “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
  Dr. Seuss
  
  “Stay away from people who make you feel like you are hard to love.”
  Anonymous

Current Developments on the Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of CKD

2026-10-31T16:30:46.439-07:00

My personal journey with kidney disease, and what science is teaching us about protecting our kidneys.

A Personal Introduction

Chronic Kidney Disease, commonly known as CKD, is a subject close to my heart. I have written several articles about this disease over the years, but those earlier articles were written before artificial intelligence tools became available to help me research medical developments.

Today, CKD is no longer just a scientific subject that interests me. It is part of my personal life.

Last year, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 CKD. I am now under the care of a nephrologist, a physician who specializes in kidney diseases. My background as a pharmaceutical chemist and my years working at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have taught me to appreciate both the promise of medical science and the importance of examining scientific evidence carefully.

At nearly 92, I have learned that growing older brings questions that we might never have considered when we were younger. One of mine is this: How much progress has medical science made in detecting kidney disease early, slowing its progression, and helping people live better lives with damaged kidneys?

I recently explored these questions with the help of AI. What follows is my personal summary of some important developments in kidney medicine as of October 2026.

1. What Is Chronic Kidney Disease?

Our kidneys are two remarkable organs, each roughly the size of a fist. They filter waste products and excess water from the blood, regulate important minerals, help control blood pressure, and contribute to the production of red blood cells.

When the kidneys become damaged, they gradually lose some of these functions. Waste products and excess fluid may accumulate, and complications involving blood pressure, anemia, bones, and the heart can develop.

CKD is generally defined as an abnormality of kidney structure or function that persists for at least three months.

The disease is divided into five stages, based primarily on the estimated glomerular filtration rate, or eGFR. This blood-test-based estimate indicates how effectively the kidneys filter the blood.

Stages 1 and 2: Evidence of kidney damage may be present even though filtration remains relatively well preserved.
Stage 3: Kidney function has declined moderately.
Stage 4: Kidney function is severely reduced, generally with an eGFR of 15–29.
Stage 5: Kidney failure, generally with an eGFR below 15.

My diagnosis of Stage 4 CKD means that I have significantly reduced kidney function. However, Stage 4 does not automatically mean that a person must immediately begin dialysis. The decision depends on the individual's symptoms, laboratory results, complications, overall health, and personal circumstances.

CKD can progress at different rates. Some people experience a gradual decline over many years, while others deteriorate more rapidly. The underlying cause and the quality of medical care can make a difference.

2. Early Detection: Two Simple Tests Can Make a Difference

One of the most important lessons in kidney medicine is that CKD can develop silently.

A person may have substantial kidney damage without feeling sick. There may be no pain, no obvious warning signs, and no noticeable change in daily activities.

This is why early detection is so important.

Two routine tests can provide valuable information:

First, a blood test measuring creatinine. Creatinine is a waste product that the kidneys normally remove. Its level, together with other information, is used to estimate the eGFR.

Second, a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, or uACR. Albumin is a protein that normally remains in the blood. When the kidneys are damaged, some albumin can leak into the urine. An elevated uACR can reveal kidney damage even when the eGFR is still relatively normal.

The two tests complement each other. A normal eGFR does not necessarily rule out early kidney disease, and a urine test can reveal abnormalities that a blood test alone might miss.

People with diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, a family history of kidney disease, or a previous episode of acute kidney injury should discuss appropriate screening with their healthcare providers.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasized this approach in its September 2025 guidance on CKD screening. Early diagnosis allows treatment to begin when there is more kidney function to preserve.

For me, this is one of the most important messages I can share: Do not wait for symptoms before asking whether your kidneys are healthy.

3. Newer Treatments: Slowing the Disease Rather Than Simply Treating Its Symptoms

There is encouraging news in kidney medicine. Researchers have developed treatments that can slow kidney function decline and reduce the risk of complications in appropriately selected patients.

These medicines do not work for everyone, and none should be started without a clinician's assessment.

SGLT2 inhibitors: A major advance

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, usually called SGLT2 inhibitors, were initially developed to treat type 2 diabetes.

Examples include dapagliflozin and empagliflozin.

Researchers subsequently discovered that these medicines can also protect the kidneys and the heart in many patients with CKD, including some who do not have diabetes.

They work partly by changing how the kidneys handle glucose and sodium and by reducing pressure inside the kidney's filtering units. In eligible patients, they can slow kidney disease progression and reduce certain cardiovascular risks.

This has been a major change in medical practice. A medicine originally developed for diabetes can have important benefits beyond blood sugar control.

However, people with advanced CKD need individualized assessment. Whether an SGLT2 inhibitor is appropriate depends on factors including the eGFR, the cause of CKD, other medications, and the person's overall condition. Some patients already taking one may continue it as kidney function declines, while starting treatment at very low eGFR levels may not be recommended under current prescribing guidance.

GLP-1 medicines: More than diabetes and weight management

Another important development involves glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, known as GLP-1 medicines.

Semaglutide is one example. It is used for type 2 diabetes and, in certain formulations and circumstances, weight management.

Clinical research has demonstrated kidney and cardiovascular benefits in selected people with type 2 diabetes and CKD. These benefits may involve improved metabolic control, reduced inflammation, lower cardiovascular risk, and effects on kidney disease progression.

The FLOW clinical trial, published in 2024, provided important evidence that semaglutide could reduce major kidney-related and cardiovascular outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes and CKD.

This is promising, but the results should not be interpreted as proof that semaglutide is appropriate for every person with kidney disease. Its potential benefits, side effects, nutritional effects, and suitability must be evaluated individually.

Finerenone: An expanding area of research

Finerenone is a nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist. It reduces harmful mineralocorticoid signaling involved in inflammation and scarring.

It is already used to reduce kidney and cardiovascular risks in eligible patients with CKD associated with type 2 diabetes.

A particularly interesting development occurred in June 2026, when the New England Journal of Medicine published results from the FIND-CKD trial. The study found that finerenone slowed the decline in kidney filtration over 32 months in adults with CKD who did not have diabetes.

In October 2026, the FDA accepted an application seeking to expand finerenone's use to adults with CKD without diabetes. Acceptance of an application does not mean that the expanded indication has been approved.

Finerenone can increase blood potassium, sometimes dangerously. Kidney function and potassium levels therefore require careful monitoring.

These findings are encouraging because kidney disease is not always caused by diabetes. A treatment that helps people with other forms of CKD could eventually benefit a broader population.

Sources for these developments include the FLOW and FIND-CKD clinical trials and the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) clinical guidance.

4. What About People Already in Stage 4 CKD?

This is the question that matters most personally to me.

The treatments discussed above are not cures. They are tools that may help preserve remaining kidney function, depending on the patient's circumstances.

For people with Stage 4 CKD, medical care often focuses on several priorities:

Monitoring kidney function and the rate at which it changes.
Controlling blood pressure and diabetes when present.
Reviewing medicines that may protect the kidneys or treat complications.
Managing anemia, acid-base disturbances, and abnormal potassium or mineral levels.
Adjusting nutrition and fluid intake to individual needs.
Reducing cardiovascular risks and preserving strength and quality of life.

A nephrologist may also discuss what to expect if kidney function declines further, including dialysis, transplantation when appropriate, and comprehensive conservative kidney care.

These discussions do not mean that kidney failure is inevitable in the immediate future. They help patients understand their options and make decisions before a crisis develops.

For an older adult, treatment decisions must also take account of frailty, other illnesses, independence, and personal priorities. The most appropriate plan is not necessarily the one that involves the greatest number of medicines or procedures. It is the one that best serves the individual patient.

5. Artificial Intelligence: A New Tool for Early Detection

Artificial intelligence is beginning to influence how researchers identify and manage kidney disease.

As a longtime scientist and blogger who now uses AI to help research medical topics, I find this development especially interesting.

AI systems can examine large amounts of information, including laboratory results, medical histories, medications, and patterns in electronic health records.

A conventional review might examine a patient's latest creatinine result. An AI system may be able to analyze several years of results and detect a pattern of gradual decline that deserves attention.

Researchers are investigating several potential applications.

Early-warning systems: AI may identify patients at increased risk of developing CKD or experiencing a rapid deterioration in kidney function.

Medical-image analysis: Researchers are exploring whether AI can identify signs associated with kidney disease from medical images, including ultrasound and other imaging studies.

Risk prediction: AI may help clinicians estimate the likelihood of kidney failure or complications, potentially supporting earlier referrals and better planning.

Personalized treatment: In the future, AI may help doctors compare patient characteristics and predict which treatments are most likely to provide benefits with acceptable risks.

One interesting 2026 research report examined whether deep-learning systems could identify CKD from echocardiograms, ultrasound recordings of the heart. The researchers tested their model at multiple healthcare institutions. The results suggest that heart images may contain information useful for identifying patients who could benefit from kidney evaluation.

This is an intriguing idea because the heart and kidneys are closely connected. Disease in one organ can affect the other.

However, an experimental AI model is not the same as an established diagnostic test. Most AI applications for early CKD detection still need further evaluation to demonstrate that they improve patient outcomes in everyday clinical practice.

AI should support, not replace, clinical judgment. Its predictions must be checked against reliable medical tests, and its performance must be assessed across different populations.

I see AI as a promising additional tool in the physician's toolbox—not a substitute for the physician.

6. Prevention: Protecting the Kidneys We Have

Although not every case of CKD can be prevented, many risk factors can be reduced or managed.

The following measures are especially important.

Control blood pressure. High blood pressure can damage the kidneys, while kidney disease can make blood pressure harder to control. Appropriate treatment can help interrupt this cycle.

Manage diabetes. Persistently elevated blood glucose can damage the kidney's filtering structures. Individualized glucose control and kidney-protective treatment can reduce risks.

Avoid unnecessary kidney-harming medicines. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, commonly called NSAIDs, include ibuprofen and naproxen. These medicines can cause kidney injury, particularly in people with CKD, dehydration, or certain other medical conditions. People with kidney disease should ask their healthcare providers or pharmacists before using them.

Be cautious about supplements. Products advertised as natural or as cures for kidney disease are not necessarily safe. Certain herbs, high-dose vitamins, and supplements can cause harm or interact with prescription medicines. Claims that a product can reverse advanced CKD should be viewed skeptically unless supported by convincing clinical evidence.

Follow an appropriate diet. A kidney-friendly diet may involve limiting sodium and adjusting protein, potassium, phosphorus, and fluid intake. However, requirements differ according to laboratory results, medications, nutritional status, and CKD stage. People with advanced CKD should work with their nephrologist or a renal dietitian rather than following a restrictive diet found online.

Stay physically active within your abilities. Appropriate exercise can support cardiovascular health, mobility, and general well-being.

Avoid smoking and maintain regular medical follow-up. Smoking increases cardiovascular risks, and cardiovascular disease is closely linked to CKD.

There is no single diet, supplement, or lifestyle practice that guarantees protection against kidney disease. The goal is to reduce avoidable damage while maintaining overall health.

7. What I Have Learned From Living With CKD

My experience with CKD has reinforced something I learned during my scientific career: knowledge is valuable only when we use it wisely.

A diagnosis of Stage 4 CKD can be unsettling. It is natural to wonder how quickly the disease will progress and what the future will bring. Yet one laboratory result cannot tell the entire story. Trends over time, the underlying cause, other health conditions, and the response to treatment all matter.

I rely on the care of my nephrologist, and I believe patients should feel comfortable asking questions. What is my latest eGFR? Is there albumin in my urine? How quickly is my kidney function changing? Which medicines are appropriate for me? Are there supplements or over-the-counter drugs I should avoid?

These are practical questions, and the answers can help patients participate more actively in their care.

I also believe that patients should be cautious about promising new treatments. A laboratory experiment is not the same as a successful clinical trial. A successful clinical trial is not the same as an approved treatment. And an approved treatment is not necessarily suitable for every patient.

Having spent years working in pharmaceutical chemistry and drug regulation, I appreciate the importance of evidence, safety, and careful evaluation.

AI can help us understand complicated medical research, but it can also make mistakes. I use it as an aid to research and writing, not as a replacement for my physician.

Conclusion: Hope, Knowledge, and Living One Day at a Time

Medical science has made meaningful progress in the fight against chronic kidney disease. Better screening, kidney-protective medicines, more accurate risk prediction, and emerging AI technologies offer reasons for cautious optimism.

Yet millions of people around the world remain unaware that their kidneys are damaged. Many could benefit from simple blood and urine tests before the disease reaches an advanced stage.

For readers who have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other risk factors, I encourage you to discuss kidney screening with your healthcare provider. For those already living with CKD, regular monitoring and an individualized treatment plan remain essential.

As for me, I am approaching my 92nd birthday while living with Stage 4 CKD. I cannot predict what the coming years will bring, but I can continue learning, writing, maintaining my interests, and sharing what I discover with my readers.

I am grateful that modern technology, including AI, allows me to continue researching subjects that matter to me and to communicate with people around the world.

I do not expect medical science to solve every problem. But I welcome each genuine advance that helps people preserve their health, independence, and dignity.

Perhaps the most important lesson is this: We cannot always choose the illnesses that touch our lives, but we can choose to seek knowledge, ask questions, make informed decisions, and appreciate the days we have.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and reflects my personal interest in CKD. It is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. People with CKD, especially Stage 4, should consult their nephrologist before changing medicines, supplements, diet, or fluid intake.

Sources for further reading

These are useful references if you would like to add links to your blog post or explore the research further.

KDIGO 2024 CKD Clinical Practice Guideline - international recommendations on detection, risk assessment, and treatment. Read the guideline.
CDC: Screening for Chronic Kidney Disease (September 2025) - explains why people at increased risk should be screened. Read the CDC guidance.
CDC
FIND-CKD trial, New England Journal of Medicine (June 2026) - research on finerenone in CKD without diabetes. Read the clinical trial.
New England Journal of Medicine
KDIGO's 2026 guideline update announcement - explains the ongoing review of newer CKD therapies. Read the announcement.
KDIGO
Research review: Artificial intelligence in CKD - discusses AI's potential and limitations in early detection and risk prediction. Read the review.
PMC

AI suggestion before publishing: Because you are writing as someone personally living with Stage 4 CKD, the strongest feature of this post is the combination of your own experience and your scientific perspective. I would retain the personal introduction and conclusion even if you later shorten the technical sections.

AI Overview:

The landscape of managing Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has transformed fundamentally. Historically viewed as an inescapable, progressive decline toward dialysis, CKD treatment has shifted into an era of precision medicine and powerful protective therapies. However, because the disease remains a global health threat, recently climbing to the ninth leading cause of death worldwide early detection and foundational lifestyle habits matter more than ever.

What Has Changed: The Era of Active Protection

For decades, the standard playbook for slowing CKD was strictly limited to controlling blood pressure and managing blood sugar using basic renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors. While those foundational elements remain, a modern "four-pillar" medical framework and cutting-edge transplant science have completely redefined what is clinically possible.

1. The "Four-Pillar" Therapeutic Framework

Nephrologists now deploy a synergistic combination of medications that actively halt tissue damage and shield both the heart and kidneys:

SGLT2 Inhibitors: Originally developed for type 2 diabetes (such as Jardiance and Farxiga), these medications have become a cornerstone of CKD care. They reduce pressure inside the kidney’s filtering units and significantly slow the progression of kidney decline, regardless of whether a patient has diabetes.
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Drugs like Ozempic are widely recognized for metabolic health, but clinical evidence shows they also offer profound, independent anti-inflammatory and protective benefits for the kidneys.
Non-Steroidal MRAs: Medications like Finerenone target specific pathways to directly reduce inflammation and fibrosis (scarring) in the kidneys, filling a critical gap in traditional care.
Traditional RAS Blockade: ACE inhibitors or ARBs continue to serve as the baseline pillar for blood pressure and protein stabilization.

2. Precision Therapeutics for Rare Diseases

Instead of treating all kidney issues with broad immunosuppressants, targeted treatments have arrived for specific, high-risk conditions:

C3 Glomerulopathy (C3G): Targeted complement inhibitors like iptacopan (Fabhalta) are available to directly reduce proteinuria.
IgA Nephropathy (IgAN): Therapies such as atacicept-vymj (Trutakna) target underlying biological pathways to prevent disease progression in at-risk adults.

3. High-Tech and Xenotransplantation Frontiers

When the disease reaches advanced stages, options extending beyond human-to-human organ donation are rapidly transitioning from science fiction to clinical reality:

Xenotransplantation: Successful bridge procedures utilizing genetically modified pig kidneys have cleared the path for large-scale clinical trials.
Cellular and Artificial Tech: Researchers are actively evaluating engineered CAR-T therapies to solve complex transplant rejection issues, alongside ongoing developments in artificial kidney technology.

What Still Matters Most: The Unchanging Core

While modern drugs provide unprecedented tools to slow down damage, they cannot reverse established scarring. Because early-stage CKD typically presents zero visible symptoms, the most critical defense relies on proactive screening and aggressive lifestyle management.

+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

|                           THE CKD SURVEILLANCE PAIR                             |
+------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------+

| 1. eGFR (Blood Test)               | Measures how efficiently your kidneys      |
|                                    | filter waste products.             |
+------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------+

| 2. uACR (Urine Test)               | Checks for micro-amounts of albumin        |
|                                    | (protein) leaking through filters. |
+------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------+

1. Knowing the Triggers and Intervening Early

The primary drivers of kidney damage have not changed. Diabetes, high blood pressure, and high body mass index (BMI) remain responsible for the vast majority of cases. If you have any of these risk factors, routine blood and urine checks are non-negotiable.

2. Radical Cardiovascular Protection

The kidneys and the cardiovascular system are inextricably linked. Having impaired kidney function is a massive accelerator for vascular issues, contributing to roughly 12% of global cardiovascular mortality. Aggressively managing blood pressure (ideally keeping it under 130/80 mmHg) and controlling cholesterol are vital to protecting both your heart and your filters.

3. Foundations of a Kidney-Friendly Lifestyle

Pharmaceuticals work best when paired with an intentional physical routine:

Plant-Predominant Nutrition: Emphasizing whole-food, plant-heavy diets reduces the acid load on the kidneys and simplifies the management of phosphorus and fluid balances.
Careful Electrolyte Monitoring: Tracking and regulating the intake of sodium, phosphorus, and potassium prevents dangerous metabolic complications as kidney function declines.
Consistent Activity:Combining low-impact cardiovascular movement with light strength training optimizes blood pressure control, improves systemic circulation, and preserves physical mobility
My Photo of the Day- Halloween Candy Treat from my Neighbor
Thank You Sandi G, for your thoughtfulness. Happy Treat or Trick!

Some Photos from Our Halloween Happy Hour This Afternoon

2026-10-30T22:07:32.824-07:00

This year Halloween Happy Hour and Costume Contest was a bewitching success. The winner of the Costume Contest ( for residents ) was Minoo Farvar dressed as a witch. The winner for the employees was Veronica Arriaga dressed as a Grecian Goddess-Athena. Jenny S took my picture along with Veronica as follows:

I wore my Hairy T-Shirt during the Party. My shirt received a few Ah's and Oh's from the Ladies.

The music was provided by my favorite music Guru-Alek the Russian dressed as the Devil with his two red horns. I enjoyed Alek's music very very much, we even sing some of the songs along with him. Alek sang Falling In Love, which made Mary Ann D super happy.

At the party, the Employee of the Month was won by Sean ( one of our Drivers).

I had a chance to dance the Cha Cha with Marsha. For some reasons, my legs were not aching. I attributed this to my one hour massage by Indy ( Darry Choy) in the morning.

Incidentally, I feel asleep during my one -hour massage this morning before the Happy Hour.

Before the Party, I took two Selfies featuring my Hairy T-shirt , I purchased from Amazon just a couple days ago as follows:

Jenny took a few more pictures that I am posting as follows:

Look at the Witch ( Winner) at the Back of Our Table.

Costume Contest Winner- The Witch- Minoo Farvar

Mary Ann D and I enjoying the Happy Hour. Showing off my Hairy Chest!

More Dancing Photos with Marsha K.

Thanks a Million to Jenny S, our Acting General Manager for the beautiful Photos above.

Kudos to THD and Activity Director Alexis Jones for a well-planned and super successful Halloween Party and Happy Hour. I did not win the Candy Counting Contest nor the Picking Up small pumpkins and witch hats lottery.

After the Happy Hour, Mary Ann and I along with Bill Obenchain ( My neighbor) went to Dinner. I ordered the Halloween Dinner ( see Menu below). I enjoyed the Rhubarb Pie but not the Soup. I rather have Beef Nilaga or Pork Sinigang. But I am a super minority here at THD, being the only resident with Filipino ancestry out of over 160 seniors. Thus, I am happy even if we have only a Filipino dinner once a year during the Celebration of Filipino-American History Month on October every year.

Our Next Big Event Here at THD will be the Coming Thanksgiving Dinner. Looking forward to it.

Meanwhile, here's my Photo of the Day:

The Rebel with a Cause: An Introduction to Albert Camus

2026-10-30T09:41:37.189-07:00

This posting is inspired from my recent viewing of the movie, the Stranger based on one of Albert Camus literary work that I enjoyed very much. If you have heard of Albert Camus before, I salute you. You must be someone who has knowledge of world literature. Camus won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1957.

The Rebel with a Cause: An Introduction to Albert Camus

Have you ever looked out at the vastness of the universe and wondered, What is the point of it all?

If you have, you are in excellent company. Decades ago, a brilliant, charismatic writer from North Africa asked the exact same question. His name was Albert Camus, and today he remains one of the most widely read, captivating, and misunderstood thinkers of the modern era.

If you are discovering his name for the very first time, here is a journey into the life, the passion, and the timeless literature of a man who looked deep into the dark void of human existence and told us to smile anyway.

The Boy from Algiers: A Life of Poverty and Passion

Albert Camus was born in 1913 in Mondovi, Algeria, into a world of extreme hardship. His father was killed in World War I when Albert was just an infant, leaving his mother, who was deaf and illiterate, to raise him in a dirt-poor neighborhood of Algiers.

By all accounts, Camus should have slipped into historical obscurity. But life had other plans. Blessed with an incredible mind, a passionate love for soccer, and the guidance of an intuitive schoolteacher who recognized his genius, Camus earned a scholarship to study philosophy.

His life was a whirlwind of dramatic chapters:

The Resistance Fighter: During World War II, when Nazi forces occupied France, Camus joined the underground French Resistance. He became the editor-in-chief of Combat, a banned, highly dangerous underground newspaper, using his pen to fight tyranny.
The Rock-Star Intellectual: With his sharp trench coats, movie-star looks (often compared to Humphrey Bogart), and fierce independence, he became an overnight celebrity in Paris.
The Nobel Laureate: In 1957, at the young age of 44, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, cementing his status as a global voice for justice and human dignity.

Tragically, just three years after winning the Nobel Prize, Camus’s life was cut short in 1960 when he died in a sudden, catastrophic car accident in France. In his briefcase, authorities found the unfinished manuscript of his final, deeply personal autobiographical novel.

✨ Shareable Quote: "In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer."

The Core Idea: What is "The Absurd"?

To understand Camus's books, you only need to understand one word: The Absurd.

Camus argued that humans have a desperate, natural desire for meaning, order, and purpose. However, the universe is cold, silent, and completely indifferent to us. This collision, the human scream for meaning meeting a silent universe, is what Camus called "the Absurd."

Many thinkers of his time thought this realization should lead to despair or giving up. Camus fiercely disagreed. He believed that recognizing life’s meaninglessness is actually the ultimate freedom. Once you realize the universe isn’t going to hand you a purpose, you are entirely free to create your own meaning through love, art, solidarity, and passion.

✨ Shareable Quote: "The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion."

3 Essential Masterpieces to Start With

If you want to dive into Camus's brilliant literary world, here are the three essential works that shook the world:

1. The Stranger (1942)

The Premise: This short, haunting novel follows a detached French-Algerian clerk named Meursault. When his mother dies, he doesn't cry. Shortly after, on a blindingly hot beach, he shoots an Arab man for reasons he cannot fully explain.
Why it matters: The book isn't really about the crime; it's about the trial. The court sentences Meursault to death not just because of the murder, but because society is terrified of a man who refuses to play along with social games or lie about his feelings. It is a gripping study of isolation and authenticity.

2. The Myth of Sisyphus (1942)

The Premise: In this famous philosophical essay, Camus uses an old Greek myth to explain his worldview. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to push a massive boulder up a mountain, only to watch it roll back down to the bottom for all eternity.
Why it matters: Camus looks at this endless, meaningless labor and asks: How do we survive this? His answer is revolutionary. Sisyphus conquers his punishment simply by choosing to walk back down the mountain and push the rock again with a defiant smile.

✨ Shareable Quote: "One must imagine Sisyphus happy."

3. The Plague (1947)

The Premise: A terrifying outbreak of the bubonic plague hits a coastal Algerian city, forcing the gates to close and plunging the citizens into a strict, terrifying lockdown.
Why it matters: Written as an allegory for the Nazi occupation of Europe, this epic novel tracks how different people respond to a collective crisis. While some panic or exploit the situation, a quiet doctor named Bernard Rieux risks everything to treat the sick, simply because it is the right thing to do. It is a beautiful masterpiece about human solidarity, decency, and our duty to fight against suffering, even when the odds are stacked against us.

Why Camus Matters Today

Albert Camus didn't sit in an ivory tower writing abstract theories. He lived, loved, fought in revolutions, and wrote for everyday people. He reminds us that even when the world feels chaotic, fractured, or deeply unfair, our greatest rebellion is to live honestly, love deeply, and stand up for one another.

✨ Shareable Quote: "Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend."

Have you read any of Camus's works, or watched any of their film adaptations? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below! Here's one of his popular book, the Rebel available for $490.

https://www.biblio.com/book/rebel-camus-albert-read-herbert/d/1380795149?srsltid=AYCX9vK4lL_TlHQoqJyBPT5161bR4PLpY-aeVsJ6cremkZwOLp-KO0zb

Here are several of Albert Camus’s other literary works that have been adapted into films over the decades besides the Stranger (2025):

Literary Work	Film Adaptation(s)	Current US Streaming Status
The Plague(La Peste)	The Plague (1992): Directed by Luis Puenzo, starring William Hurt, Robert Duvall, and Raul Julia.	📺 Available to stream on Netflix. (Note: It is no longer available on Prime Video or Google Play).
The Guest(L'Hôte)	Far from Men (2014): A widely acclaimed French drama inspired by his short story, starring Viggo Mortensen.	🔍 Not currently available on major subscription platforms; check VOD storefronts like Apple TV or Amazon for digital rental availability.
The First Man (Le Premier Homme)	The First Man (2011): An autobiographical adaptation directed by Gianni Amelio, covering Camus's childhood in Algeria.	🔍 Digital availability varies; occasionally streams on specialized international platforms or Kanopy depending on library access.

My Autobiography: David Balleza K(C)atague

The Colors of Autumn-My Red Maples Photo Collection

The Rainbow Wave of 2026: Diversity, LGBTQ Representation, and Historic Firsts in American Politics

1. Historic firsts: A more diverse America

2. The Rainbow Wave: LGBTQ+ representation

3. Women and other underrepresented Americans gain ground

4. What did voters tell America?

5. My reflection: What the Rainbow Wave means

Suggested sources

Confirmed / reported winners - mainland U.S.

Territories

Still leading, not yet counted as winners in those reports

The Secret to Lasting Happiness-Good Bye and Good Luck, Linda Erdy Wilson

Mapping Project of My Grand Daughter- Carenna Katague Thompson

Benefits of Singing-An Update #2

The Real 2026 Senate Newcomers - What Tuesday Actually Changed

The Real 2026 Senate Newcomers - What Tuesday Actually Changed

1. Abdul El-Sayed – Michigan – Democrat

2. James Talarico – Texas – Democrat

3. Annie Andrews – South Carolina – Democrat

4. Chris Pappas – New Hampshire – Democrat

From Childhood Dreams to a Life of Gratitude-An Update

From Childhood Dreams to a Life of Gratitude-An Update-Part 4 of 10

The Japanese Bridge of Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines

Things I Will Always Remember at Chateau Du Mer-An Update

Things I Will Always Remember at Chateau Du Mer-An Update-Part 8 of 10

1. The Morning Songs of the Mayas

2. Fish in Our Creek

3. The Sunset from Our Balcony

4. The Full Moon

5. The Firefly Tree

6. The Bayawak

7. The Lawin

8. The Coconut Rats

9. Starfish and Coral

10. Bougainvilleas and Orchids

11. The Mango Trees

12. Papayas, Bananas and Avocados

13. The Midnight Alley Cat

14. The Rooster-Our Reliable Alarm Clock

15. The PeopleOur First Guests at Chateau Du Mer- Two Couples From France

16. The Memory of Macrine

What Chateau Du Mer Taught Me

Looking Back From California

My Final Reflection

Bridge Is My Card Game and Mahjong Is My Tile Game: What Two Games Have Taught Me About Life- An Update

I wrote these stories years before artificial intelligence became my writing companion. Today, at 91 nearing 92, I am revisiting some of them not to change my memories, but to see what I understand differently after another decade of living.

I wrote these stories years before artificial intelligence became my writing companion. Today, at 91 nearing 92, I am revisiting some of them not to change my memories, but to see what I understand differently after another decade of living.

Bridge Is My Card Game and Mahjong Is My Tile Game: What Two Games Have Taught Me About Life- An Update

From the Philippines to THD, two lifelong games have given me friendship, mental exercise, patience, and many wonderful memories

Bridge and Macrine

What makes bridge different?

Bridge is a lesson in partnership

Duplicate bridge adds another dimension

Mahjong takes me back to my childhoodPlaying Mahjong with Family During Alix Wedding Reception Party

Bridge and mahjong are very different

Now I play both at THD

I have also learned something about aging

Games are better when there is no money involved

What bridge and mahjong have taught me

After many decades of playing both games, I think they have taught me several lessons about life.

1. You cannot choose every hand you receive. Life deals us circumstances we did not choose. What matters is what we do with them.

2. Partnership matters. Whether in bridge, marriage, family or friendship, we rarely succeed entirely by ourselves.

3. Patience is a skill. Sometimes the best decision is to wait.

4. Luck matters, but preparation matters too. We cannot control everything. But we can prepare ourselves to take advantage of a good opportunity when it appears.

5. Losing is part of the game. You will lose hands. You will make mistakes. You will sometimes wonder how you could possibly have played that card! Then you shuffle the cards and play again. Life is much the same.

6. Never stop learning. After decades of playing bridge, I am still learning. That may be one of the greatest gifts of the game.

From a Filipino boy to a 91-year-old American

My favorite game may actually be friendship

A final thought at 91

From the Philippines to THD, two lifelong games have given me friendship, mental exercise, patience, and many wonderful memories

Bridge and Macrine

What makes bridge different?

Bridge is a lesson in partnership

Duplicate bridge adds another dimension

Mahjong takes me back to my childhoodPlaying Mahjong with Family During Alix Wedding Reception Party

Bridge and mahjong are very different

Now I play both at THD

I have also learned something about aging

Games are better when there is no money involved

15. The People
Our First Guests at Chateau Du Mer- Two Couples From France

Mahjong takes me back to my childhood
Playing Mahjong with Family During Alix Wedding Reception Party

Mahjong takes me back to my childhood
Playing Mahjong with Family During Alix Wedding Reception Party

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MY CARICATURE AI PHOTO FROM CHATGPT APPS-FDA YEARS