THD July 4th Holiday Barbecue Photos, 2025

 The THD July 4th Holiday Barbecue Menu- Baby Back Ribs ( Yummy), 2025 

My July 4, 2025 Outfit- Photo Courtesy of Jenny Shively- with My personalized T-Shirt 

My July 4th Photo, 2024 

Getting Ready for the July 4th, 2025 Barbecue Party with my personalized T-Shirt   

Here are some photos I took at yesterday's July 4th Garden Party and Barbecue

Here are the other two photos Jenny Shively took at the Barbecue

It was a Fun Day- Thank You THD-Now To All Residents -DO NOT Forget to Pay your Rent for this Month this week. 

Lastly, here's a short history of yesterday's Celebration. This posting is intended to my NON_ American Readers from other parts of the World who are not quite sure why the US celebrates July 4th as a Holiday.  I would not be slighted if you do not read this part of my blog today, if you are an American or familiar with the July 4th celebration here in the US.  

🎆 A Short History of the Fourth of July: America’s Independence Day

Every year on July 4th, the skies across the United States light up with fireworks, backyards fill with the smells of barbecue, and small towns to big cities host patriotic parades and concerts. But behind the picnics and festivities lies a powerful historical moment that gave birth to a nation.

🌟 The Birth of a Nation

The story begins in 1776, when the 13 American colonies, tired of British rule and taxation without representation, decided it was time to break free. On July 4th of that year, the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, a document that boldly proclaimed the colonies’ separation from Great Britain.

This historic text, drafted by Thomas Jefferson, wasn’t just a legal document—it was a powerful declaration of the American ideals of freedom, equality, and the right to self-govern. That act of courage and vision marked the beginning of the United States of America.

🎉 Early Celebrations

Even during the Revolutionary War, Americans found ways to celebrate this new chapter. On the first anniversary in 1777, Philadelphia marked the day with fireworks, bonfires, and music. Public readings of the Declaration, military displays, and ringing of church bells became part of the tradition. The celebrations were as much about unity and morale as they were about independence.

🏛 From Tradition to Federal Holiday

Over the decades, July 4th evolved into a cherished national holiday. In 1870, Congress made Independence Day an official federal holiday. Later, in 1941, it became a paid holiday for federal workers, further cementing its place in the American calendar.

🎆 Fourth of July Today

Fast forward to today, and the Fourth of July is a vibrant, festive celebration of American identity. From the quiet corners of small-town America to bustling urban centers, it’s a day of:

• Fireworks displays that dazzle the night sky

• Parades with marching bands and red-white-and-blue floats

• Backyard barbecues, picnics, and family reunions( Here at THD)

• Patriotic music, speeches, and flag-waving

• And, in many places, public readings of the Declaration of Independence, reminding us why we celebrate

More than just a holiday, the Fourth of July is a time to reflect on what it means to be free—and to appreciate the sacrifices and vision of those who fought to make freedom possible.

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Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸
Let us honor the past, celebrate the present, and Hope for a Bright Future! ( hopefully in the next 3.5 years) that is No World War III!

Here are additional Photos from the Face Book page of THD- Jenny Shively

  

Perception versus Reality: Happy July 4th EveryOne

Happy July 4th EveryOne

This posting is inspired by a recent event here at THD. Our active senior community recently hired a new personnel. The position this person was hired for has the history of frequent turnovers both voluntary and involuntarily terminations. When a new employee is hired, all of us residents talk about it during our mealtime conversations as well as during activity sessions during excursions and trips.  I have talked to a number of fellow residents, their impression and perception of the new employee. All of us believe she is unhappy in her current position and we are betting she would not last long and we see another employee turnover very soon. Some of us give her a few months, but majority of us believe she would not last a year. So, my question is " Is our Perception Going to Turn Into Reality. Thus this blog post-A Reflection.      

 

Note: Start of AI Generated Content- If you hate AI content-I would not be slighted if you escape this portion of my blog. I have other readers from other parts of the world that welcomes it.  

Perception vs. Reality: What Do We Truly See?

“We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.” – Anaïs Nin

We go through life guided by our senses, assumptions, beliefs, and experiences. We trust our perceptions as if they are the absolute truths, forgetting that they are often tinted with bias, emotion, and expectation. This gap between perceptionand reality—between what seems and what is—can shape or distort the way we experience the world.

As a Filipino-American who has lived through war, migration, parenthood, retirement, and now reflective writing, I’ve come to realize how often our lives are colored by the lens through which we view the world. And those lenses change over time.

The Illusion of Certainty

Think of the first impressions we form—of a person, a place, or a situation. How many times have we judged something too quickly, only to be proven wrong later? Perhaps someone we thought arrogant was just shy. Perhaps a place we deemed dull was rich in history and spirit. Perception is fast, emotional, and influenced by what we want or fear.

Reality, on the other hand, is slower to reveal itself. It takes patience, openness, and a willingness to see beyond appearances. But how many of us have the time—or courage—to look deeper?

A Personal Glimpse

In my youth, I once believed that success was a straight path: good grades, a solid career, a family, a home. That was my perception. Reality, however, was far more complex and unpredictable—full of detours, pain, joy, loss, and discovery. And it was in those unexpected turns that I found my greatest growth. What I thought were setbacks were actually openings. What seemed like endings were new beginnings.

In Today’s World

We live in an age of digital illusion—filters, curated posts, AI-generated content (partly guilty of this on this posting). Perception is now easily manipulated, and reality is often questioned. Who do we trust? What do we believe? More than ever, we must pause and reflect: Are we reacting to reality—or just our version of it?

Bridging the Gap

So how do we reconcile perception with reality? A few thoughts:

• Ask questions before judging. The more curious you are, the more likely you’ll uncover truth.

• Acknowledge your biases. We all have them. Admitting them is a step toward clarity.

• Practice empathy. Try to see the world through someone else’s eyes.

• Reflect often. Reality reveals itself in stillness.

Final Thoughts

Perception is not the enemy—it’s a natural function of the human mind. But when we confuse it with truth, we risk living in illusion. As I grow older, I strive to live less by assumption and more by awareness. To slow down. To see people, situations, even myself, not just as I perceive—but as they truly are.

And maybe, just maybe, that’s the path to wisdom for all of us.

End of Partially Generated AI Content:

Personal Note: Let me know via comments in my blogs—how have you experienced the tension between perception and reality in your own life? 

We hope our perception of the new THD employee is just an illusion and not the truth and she is happy in her new job and stay for a while.

Incidentally, this THD employee has not forgotten my name. I introduce myself to her on her first day here at THD. However, we believe she is not motivated in knowing the names of most of the other residents here at THD.  

Meanwhile, I prompted ChatGPT for a headshot of Macrine from our photo. Here's what I have. Do you like the original or the AI Generated Image?

💚The original photo was taken in 1996. 

  The AI Generated Head Shot of Macrine (RIP) Only

Chat GPT HeadShot of Me and GrokAI

Original Photo and Below is ChatGPT AI Generated Head Shot of Me 

💚https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2025/05/david-b-katague-according-to-chatgpt-in.html

I like the original Photo. What Do You think?  Meanwhile Here's what's GrokAI says about me. ChatGPT version of who is David B Katague I have already posted previously💚.    

Here's Another Version of My Autobiography from GrokAI. I previously posted my biography from ChatGPT.💚     

David B. Katague is a Filipino-American chemist, blogger, and writer who has documented his life experiences, family history, and cultural observations extensively online. Born in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, Philippines, he traces his ancestry to the Balleza clan on his mother's side, with roots in the Philippines and possible Japanese origins (from the surname Katagi). He earned a chemistry degree from the University of the Philippines and later pursued graduate studies in the United States on a scholarship in 1959. He taught chemistry at the University of the Philippines and has lived a "snowbird" lifestyle, splitting time between the U.S. (Northern California) and the Philippines (Marinduque), where he owns the Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort.

Katague married Macrine Nieva Jambalos in 1957, and they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2017. They have several children, including Dodie, a retired prosecuting attorney and novelist, and Ditas, who served as Associate Director for Communications at the U.S. Census Bureau. Katague is passionate about promoting Marinduque as a tourist destination and has written about Filipino culture, family reunions, and personal milestones, such as his children's accomplishments and his love story with Macrine. He has also blogged about topics like global warming, senior citizen issues, and Filipino recipes on platforms like HubPages and his blog, Marinduque Awaits You.

(Note: There is another individual named Dave Katague, a filmmaker and AI solutions designer, but the primary focus here is on David B. Katague based on the provided context.)

Professional Awards of David B. Katague

Based on available information, David B. Katague received the following professional awards during his career, primarily from his tenure at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from 1990 to 2002:

• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Award, 1998: Awarded by the FDA for outstanding accomplishments in fostering the objectives of the EEO Program by hiring minorities and encouraging their professional growth while providing excellent leadership.
• Award for Work on Doxycycline, 2002: Received for his contributions to the timely provision of Doxycycline, an antibiotic critical for treating anthrax victims during bioterrorism activities.
• Numerous Certificates of Appreciation: Recognized for leadership, communication, teamwork, and excellence in accomplishing the FDA’s mission. Specific details on the number and exact nature of these certificates are not fully documented in the provided sources.

Publications

David B. Katague’s publications are not extensively detailed in academic journals or peer-reviewed formats, as his primary output appears to be through personal blogs and online platforms like HubPages, rather than traditional scholarly publications. Below are the key documented contributions:

• Blogs and Online Articles:
  • Katague maintained blogs such as The Intellectual Migrant and Marinduque Awaits You, where he wrote about his professional experiences, family history, Filipino culture, and personal reflections.
  • Topics included his work at the FDA, life as a Filipino-American, Marinduque tourism, and personal milestones like his children’s achievements and his wife’s family history.
  • Example posts include discussions on his FDA career, the impact of his work on drug approvals, and cultural topics like Filipino recipes and folk dances.
• Confidential FDA Work: As a team leader in the FDA’s Division of Anti-Infective Drug Products, Katague was responsible for overseeing chemistry, manufacturing, and control issues for new drug applications. Some manufacturing supplements he approved are now publicly available online after patent expirations, but specific publications or reports authored by him are not listed in the sources.

💚

Citations and 💚Donations: 

There are no specific academic citations (e.g., in Google Scholar or similar databases) directly attributed to David B. Katague’s work in the provided sources. His professional contributions at the FDA, particularly in drug approvals, may have indirectly influenced public health outcomes (e.g., Doxycycline for anthrax treatment), but these are not quantified as citations in academic literature.

• Note on Scholarly Citations: The search results include references to other individuals (e.g., , Marina Katague) with academic citations, and related to David B. Katague. For example:
  • Marina Katague, a PhD student and David B. Katague’s granddaughter, has 44 citations for her work in sociopolitical epidemiology and violence prevention.

Clarifications and Limitations

• Distinguishing Individuals: The search results include references to other individuals with similar name (e.g., Dave Katague, a filmmaker). The information here is specific to David B. Katague, the Filipino-American chemist and FDA employee.
• Limited Publication Details: Katague’s work at the FDA was confidential during his tenure, and while some drug approval documents may now be public, no specific publications are cited in the sources. His blogging is his primary documented output.
• No Citation Metrics: Unlike academic researchers, Katague’s contributions as an FDA administrator are not typically measured in citations, and no specific citation metrics are available.

The above was generated by GrokAI in less than 2 minutes. Amazing!

Meanwhile, here are 2 photos of the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) in Miagao, Iloilo of the New Library wing( Archives Section) built from the donation💚 of several philanthropist including myself.

The Donor's Plaque on the Entrance of the Archive Section of the UPV Library 

Note the Donor wall on the Left of the Photo- My Name in Posterity as a Donor!

Lastly, here's the Linkedin profile of my youngest grand daughter Carenna K Thompson

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carennakt2025/