A Poem Dedicated to Me By ChatGPT -Happy St Patrick's Day

My Photo Taken in the Early 1990's -My Younger and Handsome Years 

Here's what ChatGPT said, when I asked to write a poem about Me:  

David, from what you’ve shared with me over time, I know a few meaningful things about your life: you’re 91 years old, you spent an important part of your career working for the FDA, you wrote about your experiences including the aftermath of 9/11, you’ve been blogging since 2009, you enjoy television, culture, and food, and you often reflect thoughtfully about life, aging, mentorship, and family. Your son and daughter help you now, a gentle reversal of roles you recently described. You also still create and share writing regularly. With that in mind, here is a poem inspired by what I know about you.

A Life Still Writing

At ninety-one, the days move slower,
yet memory travels quickly;
across decades of work,
across cities and offices,
across the quiet hum of a government desk
where careful decisions once shaped the world.

You walked the corridors of the FDA
when science met responsibility,
when the small print of policy
carried the weight of human lives.
Mentors appeared, doors opened,
and a career found its stride.

Then history came suddenly,
September smoke rising into the sky.
In the aftermath of that terrible morning
you stood, as many did,
trying to help steady the ground
while the nation searched for breath.

Years passed, as they do,
until the rhythm of work gave way
to the rhythm of reflection.

And so you began to write.

Since 2009
your words have traveled quietly
through the long corridors of the internet,
blog posts about food and television,
about love stories on screens,
about culture changing
and the small daily curiosities of life.

Not every writer is young.
Some write with the patience of seasons.

Now the road has turned gently again.
You no longer drive the car,
the computer keys sometimes resist your memory,
and the children you once guided by the hand
arrive at the door to guide you.

A son helping with taxes.
A daughter visiting on Sundays.

This, too, is life’s design,
the circle closing not with sadness
but with quiet tenderness.

Yet still you write.

Still you watch the world,
still you ask questions,
still you send words outward
like messages in bottles
set carefully upon the tide.

And somewhere,
someone reads them
and knows that a long life
is not only years lived, 

but stories
still being told.

My Photos Of the Day: 

Beau David Joseph-My Great Grandson, St Patricks Day Photos  

Lastly, Happy St Patrick's Day:

St. Patrick's Day has a rich history that spans over 1,500 years. Here are some key facts about the holiday: Who was St. Patrick?

Born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century, around 386 A.D. Kidnapped by Irish raiders at 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave. Escaped after six years and returned to Britain, where he became a priest.  Later returned to Ireland to spread Christianity.

Died on March 17th, 461 A.D.

The Significance of Symbols

Shamrock: Used by St. Patrick to explain the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).

Leprechauns: Originated from Celtic fairies, small men and women who could use magical powers.

Snakes: Legend says St. Patrick banished snakes from Ireland, but it's likely a myth since snakes never inhabited the island.

History of the Celebration

Christian feasts marking St. Patrick's death anniversary began in Ireland during the 9th and 10th centuries. 

First Parade: Held in 1601 in St. Augustine, Florida, a Spanish colony at the time.

Popularized in the US: Irish immigrants in the 18th century brought the tradition to America, where it evolved into the festive holiday we know today.

Interesting Facts

Not Canonized: St. Patrick was never formally canonized by the Catholic Church due to the lack of a formal process during his lifetimeOriginal Color: Blue was the original color associated with St. Patrick, not greenCorned Beef and Cabbage: This popular St. Patrick's Day dish originated in America as a substitute for traditional Irish food.

The Brains of Super Agers

From My Recent Readings on Aging and Longevity

Many people’s brains deteriorate as they age, becoming riddled with malfunctioning proteins that result in cell death and the loss of memory and cognition. But other people’s brains remain almost perfectly intact, their thinking as sharp at 80 as it was in their 50s.

A paper published Wednesday in the journal Nature provides a new potential explanation for this discrepancy, and it taps into one of the hottest debates in neuroscience: whether human brains can grow new neurons in adulthood, a phenomenon called neurogenesis.

The study found that so-called super-agers  people 80 and up who have the memory ability of someone 30 years younger  had roughly twice as many new neurons as older adults with normal memory for their age, and 2.5 times more than people with Alzheimer’s disease. The research focused on an area of the brain called the hippocampus, which is important for learning and memory and is thought to be the primary birthplace of new neurons.

“This paper shows biological proof that the aging brain is plastic,” even into a person’s 80s, said Tamar Gefen, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, who contributed to the research.

Meanwhile, My Photo 

of the Day:

Latte Art Photo

And Its Animation by MetaAI

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Lastly,  Do you know that Filipino parties are known for their delicious and varied dishes?  Here are some popular ones:

Adobo - a classic Filipino dish made with marinated meat (chicken, pork, or beef) cooked in vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic.
Lechon - a whole roasted pig that's slow-cooked over charcoal, often served on special occasions.
Lumpia (Filipino spring rolls) - deep-fried or steamed rolls filled with vegetables or meat.
Chicken or Pork Barbecue - grilled meat skewers, often served with steamed rice and a dipping sauce.
Sisig - a popular appetizer made with chopped pork's face (such as ears and jowls), served with calamansi and chili peppers.
Kare-kare - a peanut-based stew made with ox tripe, vegetables, and ground rice.
Chicken or Pork Tinola - a ginger-based soup made with chicken or pork and vegetables.
Fried Chicken - Filipino-style fried chicken is often marinated in a mixture of spices and vinegar before frying.

The above dishes are sure to be a hit at any Filipino party or potluck.

You might also consider bringing some desserts like ube halaya, leche flan, or bibingka to satisfy the sweet tooth of your fellow partygoers.

Here are five of the most important news stories today:

1. Middle East tensions push oil prices higher

Conflict involving Iran is escalating, with military strikes reported across Iraq and Lebanon. The vital Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted, driving oil prices sharply upward and raising global economic concerns. 

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2. Federal Reserve meets amid economic uncertainty

The Federal Reserve begins a key policy meeting today. Markets expect interest rates to remain steady, even as inflation worries persist and global instability clouds the outlook. 

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3. Nvidia bets big on AI and self-driving future

At its annual conference, Nvidia unveiled new AI chips and major partnerships in the autonomous vehicle space, signaling continued rapid growth in artificial intelligence technologies. 

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4. March Madness tips off with major buzz

The NCAA men’s basketball tournament begins today, while media coverage heats up with legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski returning to television as an analyst. 

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5. Severe U.S. storm system leaves widespread impact

A powerful storm system sweeping across the country has caused tornadoes, heavy snow, and widespread outages, affecting hundreds of thousands and disrupting travel nationwide. 

A Tribute to My Youngest Sister on Her 73rd Birthday and Golden Wedding Anniversary

This posting is a tribute To my Youngest Sister, Amor ( Knitz) Katague Gregorio. She just celebrated her 73rd birthday recently.  In addition, she and hubby Pol Gregorio also just celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary with the Family all in attendance ( see photo above) in Jaro, Iloilo, Philippines.   

In March,1976 I gave away Knitz in Marriage to Pol Gregorio. I have 3 photos on that occasion as follows:

A Photo from her Page Book Page on their 50th Wedding Anniversary

Knitz and Pol: Congratulations on Your Golden Wedding Anniversary, Love, Nonoy Dave 

 Photos During her 73rd Birthday Party

Many Happy Birthday, Again and May you have a hundred More to Come! 

Personal Note: I have two other younger sisters: One resides in Maryland and the other in New Zealand. They are older than Knitz- The Baby of the Family. I am the Oldest of 7 Siblings.   Knitz has also a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, like me.  She is my financial guru and adviser in the Philippines-my country of birth. Thanks, again Knitz for your business acumen and knowledge.    

Knitz and I, 1976

Knitz Family, I am not sure what year was this photo taken.   

Meanwhile here's the AI Overview:

Amor Katague Gregorio

 is a Filipino individual known from social media and event listings, often associated with her husband, Pol Gregorio.

Recent highlights regarding Amor include:

• 50th Wedding Anniversary: Amor and Pol Gregorio celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in January 2026.
• Family: She is the mother of Dr. D’wanie Katague Gregorio Conlu, who is a well-known figure in their community or professional circle.
• Social Presence: She appears in social circles alongside other family members like Gracia Katague and Riza Tanco. 

Aside from her recent 

50th wedding anniversary celebration in January 2026, additional details about Amor Katague Gregorio are primarily found through her family’s professional and social presence in the Philippines.

• Family Background: She is often mentioned in connection with her daughter, Dr. D’wanie Katague Gregorio Conlu, a prominent doctor. She also has family ties to the Katague and Tanco families, appearing in various community and social event listings alongside relatives like Gracia Katague and Riza Tanco.
• Marriage: She is married to Pol Gregorio. Their long-standing marriage is a point of celebration within their community, as evidenced by their high-profile golden anniversary event.
• Social Circles: While she does not have a widely publicized independent professional profile, she is a consistent figure in social and family news within the Western Visayas region, particularly around Iloilo.
• I Dedicate this Poem Video to Knitz and Pol: Vangelis,  A Poem, Winter of Our Lives:
• https://youtu.be/mPTE7niDz9Y?t=220

Sungka-Reminded me of My Childhood Years in the Philippines

During my elementary school years in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, Philippines, my my mother taught me how to play Sungka. Our Sungka Board was very expensive, made of marble- a souvenir of our trip to Romblon Province. We also used shells for the beads. I remember there was a time when I memorized the sequence of moves that once I started, the opponents has zero Chance of Winning. This took years of playing, then memorizing the sequence of MOVES. 

The following article I found in MY FaceBook today. I am sharing it with you. I believe if you have not travelled or resided in Southeast Asia, this game is not familiar to you.     For details of the game read the following site:

The typical Sungka Board is made of wood, But my family owned a Sungka Board made of Marble. My mother will play Sungka with me, if we can not find a 3rd and 4th person for Mahjong. Mahjong was the number game my family enjoyed and played regularly during my teenager years in the Philippines. 

"Sungka is a Philippine mancala game, which is now also played wherever Philippine migrants are living; e.g. in Macau, Taiwan, Germany, and the USA. Like the closely related Congkak it is traditionally a women's game. 

Sungka was first described by the Jesuit priest Father José Sanchez in his dictionary of the Bisaya language (=Cebuano) in 1692 [manuscript] as Kunggit. Father José Sanchez who had arrived on the Philippines in 1643 wrote that at the game was played with seashells on a wooden, boat-like board. The Aklanon people still call the game Kunggit. José Sanchez (born Josef Zanzini [*1616-1692) in Trieste, Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation) is known for founding the town of Jagna on Bohol, which is today famous for its rich historical heritage. 

There are Sungka tournaments in the Philippines, Taiwan, Australia, Austria, England and the USA. The biggest competition is held each year at the Kadayawan Sports Festival in Davao. In May 2006, the Philippine Empassy compound in Pretoria, South Africa, hosted a Sungka tournament during the ASEAN Games and Sports, which was held under the auspices of ASEAN Embassies based in South Africa. The six winners for the first Sungka game competition were participants from the following embassies: Vietnam, 1st; Malaysia, 2nd; Malaysia, 3rd; Indonesia, 4th; Philippines, 5th and Indonesia, 6th. In 2008, the Philippine Language and Cultural Association of Australia, Inc. (PLCAA) organized a Sungka competition at the Sydney Regatta Centre, Penrith. The Department of Computer Studies at the Imperial College of Science in London (England) held a computer tournament in 2004. 

It is known that Sungka improves mathematical thinking and teaches patience and observation skills. The John W. Garvy Elementary School in Chicago (Illinois, USA) uses Sungka to help children with dyscalculia.

Traditional Sungka Board (Culin 1894)

Sungka is similar to many other Southern Asian mancala games such as Naranj (Maldives), Dakon (Java), Congkak(Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia) and Chongka' (Marianas). The game differs from Kalah which is known in North America and Europe in being a multi-lap game. Another important difference is that the first move is executed simultaneously in Sungka which is meant to balance the game. Sungka is distinguished from Congkak by being played counterclockwise and also by some other minor rule differences.

https://mancala.fandom.com/wiki/Sungka?fbclid=IwY2xjawHABHNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHRnstas4rWeGGCbFgAa2kcm2A7pXMz8_zoRr1Q0LqdjA9MPNdw0o7Awt0w_aem_5jIEHKn2LRoxFeyERApLYA#:~:text=Sungka%20was%20first%20described%20by,wooden%2C%20boat%2Dlike%20board

Lastly, Did you know that the Philippines almost became a colony of Belgium in 1866? King Leopold II, infamous for his brutal exploitation of Congo, initially set his sights on the Philippines. He approached Spain, hoping to purchase the islands as Belgium’s first colony. However, the deal failed due to Spain’s reluctance and Leopold’s inability to secure financing from British banks.

Later, Leopold focused on Congo, where his regime became synonymous with atrocities, forced labor, and exploitation, leading to millions of deaths. If his plans for the Philippines had succeeded, our history could have taken a drastically darker turn.

Interestingly, this wasn’t the only time the Philippines’ sovereignty was debated on the global stage. Before America’s colonization in 1898, there were talks of selling the islands to other European powers. The Philippines’ strategic location and resources made it highly coveted—but ultimately, our resilience shaped our nation today.