Chateau Du Mer Beach House appears to be a small beachfront resort in Barangay
Amoingon, Boac, Marinduque, described as a two-bedroom, two-bath beach house with
a large balcony and panoramic western-coast views. It is also presented as the retirement
home and hospitality project of Filipino-American couple David B. Katague and
Macrine J. Katague, who split their lives between the U.S. and the Philippines.
What it is:
The property is described as a modest but charming beach resort rather than a large hotel.
One source says it has a conference room and has hosted seminars, weddings, anniversaries,
and family gatherings. Another listing describes it as a beach house right by the
shore, with room for up to 4 adults and 2 children.
Who owns it
The resort is associated with David and Macrine Katague, Filipino-American retirees
who moved between the U.S. and the Philippines. A Marinduque profile says they built it in
1996 as part of their dream of spending retirement in both countries. TripAdvisor also
identifies the hosts as Dave and Macrine and says they try to make guests feel like family.
Location and setting
It is in Amoingon, Boac, roughly a short drive from Cawit Port and Marinduque Airport.
The setting is repeatedly described as peaceful and beachside, with reef access, sunset views,
and a good base for exploring Marinduque. The property’s location seems aimed at
travelers who want a quiet, home-like stay rather than a commercial resort atmosphere.
Public impression
Public writeups portray it positively as a simple, scenic, and personal retreat. A 2024 blog
description calls it a “simple yet stunning” beach resort owned by Filipino-American
retirees. Reviews on TripAdvisor emphasize the hosts’ warmth, the beachfront location,
and the relaxing environment.
Background context
Macrine Katague is described in one profile as born in Boac, educated in Manila, and
later working in health-related roles in the U.S. before retirement. The family’s story
is presented as a blend of diaspora life, homecoming, and place-making in Marinduque.
Chateau Du Mer and the Katagues
Chateau Du Mer Beach House in Barangay Amoingon, Boac, Marinduque, is a
small seaside resort and retirement property associated with David B. Katague and
Macrine J. Katague, Filipino-Americans who have lived between California and
Marinduque. It is described as a beachfront house with a garden, conference
room, and a setting used for family gatherings, weddings, seminars, and quiet stays.
The property is presented as a homey, ocean-facing retreat rather than a
large commercial resort. One description notes that it sits less than
10 minutes from both Cawit Port and Marinduque Airport, and that its
appeal comes from the beach house, spacious grounds, and coastal views.
Another account emphasizes sunsets, reefs, fireflies, birds, and the calm
of life by the sea, suggesting that the house is as much a lifestyle project
as a lodging business.
The Katague story
David Katague’s writings show that the beach house fits into a broader retirement
pattern: spending part of the year in the Philippines and part in the United States,
a “snowbird” lifestyle he openly described. His 2012 posts also show that the
family spent extended time in Marinduque and treated the property as their
retirement base and personal island paradise. The resort therefore seems tied
not only to tourism, but also to identity, return, and family memory.
Public image
Public references portray Chateau Du Mer as a modest but distinctive
Marinduque destination with a personal touch. It appears to have been promoted
with a foreign-sounding name partly to attract international guests, especially
Europeans and Canadians, while still serving local events and domestic travelers.
Reviews and blog mentions suggest that its strongest appeal is the warm
hospitality of the hosts and the quiet, scenic environment.
Why it matters
What makes Chateau Du Mer notable is that it reflects a larger Filipino diaspora
story: successful careers abroad, retirement back home, and a desire to build
something lasting in one’s birthplace. In that sense, the beach house is both
a business and a family legacy, rooted in Marinduque and shaped by years in
California. The Katagues’ writings present it as a place where memory, leisure,
and homecoming come together.
ChatGPT AI Overview:
What emerges from the web is that Chateau Du Mer is much more than a simple
beach resort. It appears to be a deeply personal retirement and legacy project
created by David B. Katague and his late wife, Macrine Jambalos Katague,
Filipino-Americans from Fair Oaks, California, who divided their retirement years
between the United States and their home province of Marinduque.
Located in Amoingon, Boac, on the western coast of Marinduque, the property
is described as a beachfront house and conference hall overlooking the Sibuyan
Sea. The official site emphasizes its panoramic ocean views, landscaped gardens,
and tranquil setting designed for rest, reunions, and reflection.
The story behind the property is especially interesting because it reflects the
classic “balikbayan retirement dream” of many Filipino-Americans: returning
home after decades abroad and building something meaningful in their native
province. According to the resort blog, the beach house was constructed
around 1999, several years before David Katague retired from the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration in 2002 as a chemistry team leader.
The blog also reveals that the property evolved into a hybrid of:
- a private retirement home,
- a small beach resort,
- a conference/event venue,
- and a gathering place for balikbayans and tourists.
A recurring theme throughout the writings is nostalgia, hospitality, and reconnection
with Filipino roots. David Katague describes Marinduque as “my island paradise”
and Chateau Du Mer as his “garden of Eden.”
The accommodations themselves appear modest but scenic rather than
luxurious in a modern resort sense. Tripadvisor reviews describe:
- a two-bedroom beach cottage on beach front,
- large ocean-view decks,
- bamboo and Capiz shell interiors,
- snorkeling and beach access,
- and warm, hands-on hosting by David and Macrine.
Several guests specifically praised the couple’s hospitality and personal attention.
The most touching detail comes from a 2025 blog entry written after Macrine
Katague’s passing in 2020. David reflects on their unfulfilled dream of
transforming Chateau Du Mer into a retirement sanctuary for returning
Filipino expatriates. The writing suggests the property became both a memorial
to their marriage and a symbol of aging, homecoming, and legacy.
Personal Note: Chateau Du Mer was closed to the public in 2020 and now primarily, a
private vacation property open only to families and close friends of the Katague and Jambalos
Clan.
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