A Personal Reflection as I Approach My Ninety-First Birthday

Macrine (RIP) and I: Photo Taken in 1982, Pinole, California, USA  

In the next 21 days, I will  be 91 years young. Here is a reflective summary of the highlights from my seventeen-chapter autobiography, celebrating my journey as I approach my 91st birthday this December.

A Life Rich in Memories

As I near my 91st birthday, I look back not with a ledger of riches or worldly possessions, but with gratitude for a life filled with memories, accomplishments, and meaningful relationships. My journey has been shaped by family, education, career, service, and community—a story that bridges continents and decades.

Roots in Wartime Philippines

My childhood began in the 1940s, amid the Japanese-American War in the Philippines. My father served as a Dental Officer for guerrilla forces, and early friendships with American soldiers ignited my interest in the United States, though I never dreamed I would one day live there.

Academic Pursuits and Achievements

School life brought milestones: graduating with honors in grade school and as valedictorian in high school, all despite the challenge of bullying in my early years. University years at UP Iloilo and UP Diliman were marked by scholarships, academic rigor, and a chemistry degree, narrowly missing Cum Laude honors, but gaining experiences that shaped my future.

Graduate Study and Early Career in America

Graduate school at the University of Illinois in Chicago proved to be one of the hardest yet most formative periods of my life. It was there I experienced snow for the first time, balanced the responsibilities of raising a young family, and ultimately earned a doctorate in Pharmaceutical Chemistry in 1964.

Professional Impact and Leadership

For twenty years, I worked as a chemist in three private firms before joining the US Food and Drug Administration. My tenure at the FDA was a capstone, serving as the first Filipino-American Chemistry team leader in the Center for New Drugs, and receiving multiple professional awards that I still cherish.

Family, Community, and Giving Back

Sixty-three years of marriage to Macrine💚 have been filled with partnership and shared commitment to service. Together, we contributed to Filipino-American communities across the US, from Washington, D.C. to California and spearheaded humanitarian projects such as the Marinduque International medical missions, which have touched countless lives since 1996. Together, we raised four professional and successful ( in field of law, banking, computer technology and State and Federal service areas) children and six grandchildren. Unluckily for Macrine, she was not able to witness the birth of our two great grand children this year.     

The True Wealth of Life

My life’s wealth does not reside in gold, pesos, or dollars, but in the love, friendships, and service that have defined these nine decades. These memories and relationships are the real treasures I celebrate as I mark another birthday, thankful for every chapter and every person who has been a part of my story.

Let this reflection inspire not just those who know me, but anyone who reads these words: the richest lives are those spent in service, community, and lifelong learning. Thank you for sharing in my journey.

If you’d like to journey with me through the seventeen chapters of my autobiography, you can find them here: My Life Story – 17 Chapters http://davidbkatague.blogspot.com

Meanwhile, here are photos ( Courtesy of Jenny Shively) on Yesterday THD Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. We had Christmas music, pastry and cookies as well as champagne or Apple Cider. It was hosted by our capable and energetic new Activity Coordinator Elane Johnson. In these photos, I was trying to lead a Sing-Along to Uplift the Christmas Spirit and Mood of the Event. Not in the photo, is me and Elane dancing to the tune of Feliz Navidad.  

Finally, here are the 🌍 Top Five News of the Day

Russian airstrike on Kyiv

• Russia launched a deadly aerial strike against the Ukrainian capital overnight. The attack killed at least one person, injured dozens, and damaged residential buildings in Kyiv. ABC News

Anti‑corruption protests in Manila

• Large-scale anti-corruption protests kicked off today in Metro Manila and other areas, as part of broader public outcry. Philstar+1

Cyclone Ditwah storm and its aftermath

• A powerful storm named Ditwah brought heavy rain across parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry (and earlier impacted Sri Lanka), causing widespread flooding, damage, and humanitarian concerns. www.ndtv.com+1

Venezuela suspending deportation flights after US warning

• Tensions escalated between the U.S. and Venezuela after the U.S.—per reports — closed Venezuelan airspace to certain flights. In response, Venezuela suspended all deportation flights in defiance. The Guardian+1

Request for pardon by Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu

• Israeli Prime Minister submitted an official request for a presidential pardon from the country’s president — a major development amid ongoing political and judicial turmoil. Yeshiva World News+1

Safron and its Potential as a Cure for AZD

New research has found that saffron, the world’s most precious spice, may treat Alzheimer’s disease as effectively as leading pharmaceutical drugs. In a 22-week clinical trial, patients who received daily saffron supplements showed significant improvements in memory, cognition, and daily function compared to those on conventional medication.

The study revealed that saffron’s active compounds, especially crocin and safranal, protect neurons from oxidative stress and inflammation, two major drivers of Alzheimer’s progression. These compounds appear to enhance communication between brain cells, regulate neurotransmitters, and slow the buildup of beta-amyloid plaques, the toxic proteins associated with memory loss.

Unlike synthetic drugs, saffron showed minimal side effects. Participants experienced better mood, sleep quality, and focus, suggesting a broader benefit for overall brain health. Researchers believe saffron’s combination of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties could make it a natural alternative for early-stage cognitive decline.

What makes this discovery remarkable is that saffron is not a lab-made compound; it’s a plant that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. Modern science is now validating what ancient healers long understood: that nature’s compounds can powerfully support the brain’s ability to repair and protect itself.

While more research is needed before saffron becomes a standard treatment, the findings offer hope for safer, more holistic approaches to neurodegenerative disease. Sometimes, the most advanced medicine comes from the simplest sources, straight from the earth itself.

Meanwhile, here's a more detailed write-up on:

Saffron and the Fading Mind: A Golden Hope for Alzheimer’s Disease

In a world where memory defines identity, the gradual erosion of thought and recollection brought by Alzheimer’s disease feels like a quiet tragedy. Families watch loved ones drift into a fog of forgotten names and moments. Scientists, meanwhile, continue their long search for answers,  a cure, or even a gentle slowing of the decline. Amid the laboratories and pharmaceutical trials, one ancient spice has caught modern attention: saffron, the “golden thread” of healing.

Recent studies suggest that saffron may treat symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in a way comparable to some standard pharmaceutical drugs. The finding sounds almost poetic, that a spice once prized by kings and poets could offer relief in one of today’s most feared conditions.

What the studies have found

• A 16-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of saffron extract (30 mg/day) in 46 patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease found that saffron produced significantly better outcomes on cognitive function compared with placebo (measured using ADAS-cog and CDR-Sum of Boxes). BioMed Central+3PubMed+3PMC+3

• A 22-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind controlled trial comparing saffron (30 mg/day) with the drug Donepezil (10 mg/day) in 54 patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease found that saffron was as effective as donepezil, with similar adverse event rates — except vomiting was less frequent with saffron. PubMed+1

• A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (four RCTs) found that saffron significantly improved cognitive function (via ADAS-cog, CDR-Sum of Boxes) versus placebo, and showed no statistically significant difference compared to conventional AD medications in those studies. BioMed Central+1

• More recent reviews describe the mechanism: saffron’s key bioactive compounds (such as Crocin and Safranal) may modulate oxidative stress, reduce aggregation of amyloid-β and tau proteins, regulate glutamate levels in the brain, and influence inflammation. PMC+2Frontiers+2

• A safety-oriented narrative review reports that saffron and crocin have been used in human studies with no serious adverse events reported, reinforcing the possibility of saffron being a relatively safe adjunct. Amegroups+1

Why this matters

What makes this discovery compelling is not just the science, but the symbolism. For centuries, saffron has been associated with vitality and clarity of mind in traditional Persian and Ayurvedic medicine. Now, modern research seems to be catching up with ancient wisdom, merging the herbal and the clinical in one golden thread of hope. The fact that studies show comparable outcomes to donepezil in small populations means it merits further investigation.

But the caveats must be clear

• These studies are limited in size: only a few RCTs, with relatively small sample sizes and shorter durations. PubMed+1

• The populations studied are mostly from one region (Iran) in several trials, raising questions of generalizability. ResearchGate+1

• While “comparable” to standard drugs in those trials, saffron has not been proven to replace standard treatments or to reverse Alzheimer’s disease — only to show potential symptomatic benefit.

• Quality control matters: because saffron’s bioactive compounds (crocin, safranal) are variable in extract formulations, consistent dosing and standardization are issues. Longhua Chinese Medicine+1

• The mechanism remains under investigation, and larger, longer-term, multicenter trials with biomarkers are still needed. PubMed+1

My reflection

As someone who reads and writes daily, I find this story deeply moving. The thought that a simple flower from the earth could help preserve memory, the essence of self feels profoundly human. It reminds me that healing often comes from unexpected places, blending the ancient and the modern, the scientific and the spiritual.

In the end, saffron may or may not become a mainstream therapy for Alzheimer’s, but it already offers something valuable, a reminder that even in decline, there is beauty in discovery, and in every lost memory, a spark of renewal waiting to bloom again.

Meanwhile, Do You know why do Filipinos eat pancit on birthdays?

In Filipino culture, especially influenced by Chinese heritage and local folk beliefs, pancit has come to represent prosperity, health, and longevity. The ritual of eating noodles on your birthday is a symbolic act, one that links the celebrant's life to continuity, abundance, and family tradition.

The New Film-The Captive -Cervantes Five years in Algiers

Cervantes, Captivity, and Queer Possibility: Spain’s Uneasy Conversation After The Captive

What happens when a national hero is seen through a different lens?

The new film The Captive has sparked debate across Spain and beyond by daring to raise a provocative question: during his five years of captivity in Algiers, did Miguel de Cervantes—the celebrated author of Don Quixote—develop an emotional bond with his captor? Was it love, survival, or a performance stretched out over years?

The film doesn’t give a clear answer. But the very act of asking has unsettled audiences, revealing much about how we treat history, identity, and cultural memory.

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Cervantes the Icon

Cervantes is more than a writer in Spain—he is a national symbol. Through Don Quixote, he gave Spain its greatest literary export and arguably the first modern novel. His image has been polished over centuries into one of resilience, patriotism, and genius.

This is why speculation about his sexuality unsettles so many. To some, it feels like a rewriting of heritage. To others, it feels like queerness is being used as a storytelling device rather than a genuine exploration of identity.

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Spain’s Dual Attitude Toward Queerness

Spain today is celebrated for its progressive stance on LGBTQ+ rights. Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2005, and Pride celebrations in Madrid draw global attention. Yet beneath this progress lies a deep cultural ambivalence.

When it comes to national icons, queerness still feels taboo. Cervantes, like other historic figures, is expected to embody the virtues of a traditional Spain: Catholic, masculine, and heterosexual. The Captive pushes against that expectation—and the strong reactions reveal just how much tension remains between Spain’s modern inclusivity and its more conservative cultural memory.

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The Silence of History

The truth is, we cannot know what Cervantes felt during his years of captivity. History leaves gaps, particularly around private matters of love, intimacy, and survival. But acknowledging those gaps is important.

Speculating about queer possibilities is not the same as erasing history—it’s about recognizing that human lives are complex, often hidden, and not always captured by official records. By exploring what might have been, the film invites us to see Cervantes not as a marble monument, but as a man who endured unimaginable hardship and may have navigated intimacy in unexpected ways.

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Why the Film Matters

The controversy around The Captive reveals less about Cervantes than it does about us. It shows how invested societies are in keeping their heroes simple, untouchable, and unambiguous. But life is rarely so clear-cut.

By raising questions without resolving them, the film reminds us that history is as much about uncertainty as certainty. Cervantes may never reveal his secrets, but the discomfort his story generates today tells us something important: that we are still learning how to live with complexity, how to honor icons without stripping away their humanity, and how to accept that queerness has always been part of human history—even when history itself goes silent. 

Perhaps that is the quiet genius of The Captive: like Don Quixote itself, it asks us to question the stories we cling to, to see reality and imagination as intertwined, and to remember that even our greatest icons lived lives far more complicated than the myths we build around them.

Meanwhile, here's my photo of the Day

This beautiful shell-shaped amethyst cup decorated with enamelled gold, rubies and diamond was produced in Milan during the second half of the 16th century. This cup was then bought by the king Louis XIV. That's why it is currently displayed in Paris, in the Louvre Museum.

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Bigfoot Sightings- True or Hoax

Bigfoot sightings continue to captivate the popular imagination, yet science and cultural analysis provide a nuanced perspective on why these reports persist—and why definitive evidence remains elusive.​

The Enduring Legend: Media and Culture

The image circulating on social media and featured in the recent "Discovery Update" is only the latest in a string of alleged Bigfoot appearances. For decades, grainy photographs and sensational headlines have been instrumental in keeping the legend alive. Annual events such as Bigfoot festivals, documentaries, and online forums allow believers and the curious to discuss sightings, share theories, and even market merchandise centered around the creature’s mystique. The cultural narrative surrounding Bigfoot is deeply entwined with themes of mystery, wilderness, and hope for discovering the unknown.​

Scientific Investigations: Evidence and Skepticism

Despite an abundance of anecdotal reports, scientific scrutiny has yielded very little concrete evidence of Bigfoot's existence. The majority of physical evidence, including footprints, hair samples, and scat, is routinely shown to belong to known animals—often black or brown bears, deer, or even humans. DNA analyses conducted on supposed Bigfoot samples have not produced results confirming an unknown primate species; almost all are attributed to ordinary wildlife.​

Researchers have observed a significant statistical correlation between the density of black bear populations and reported Bigfoot sightings. Bears walking upright, especially in poor visibility, are commonly mistaken for large humanoid creatures. Such misidentifications are reinforced by psychological phenomena: pareidolia (seeing shapes or faces in ambiguous visuals), confirmation bias, and social influence can make ambiguous encounters seem extraordinary.​

Why Do People Believe?

The persistence of the Bigfoot legend goes beyond misidentified animals. Human psychology plays a crucial role. Confirmation bias leads enthusiasts to interpret ambiguous evidence—like blurry photographs or bent branches—as proof of Sasquatch. Social contagion and mass media coverage further amplify these beliefs, fueling periodic waves of sightings and new video releases whenever the legend resurfaces in headlines.​

From a scientific viewpoint, experts concur that the evidence for Bigfoot does not meet the standards required for a credible species discovery. As highlighted by zoologists and anthropologists, no fossil record, DNA confirmation, or credible photographic evidence exists to support the being’s existence. Most sightings are attributable to hoaxes, confusion, or the intrinsic human desire for wonder in the world.​

Conclusion: Myth Versus Reality

The attached image, though dramatic and widely shared, reflects broader trends in cryptid lore—where cultural fascination, psychological phenomena, and environmental factors mix to create “sightings” that spark debate but rarely hold up to scientific scrutiny. For now, Bigfoot remains a symbol of the mysteries lurking at the edges of civilization, its legend furthered by every new photograph and late-night discovery “update.” Whether one chooses to believe or seek explanations in nature, Bigfoot will likely remain a staple of American myth and modern folklore for years to come.​

Meanwhile, My Food For Thought for Today: 

https://www.facebook.com/reel/844600051256941