A Seaside Paradise owned by Filipino-American Retirees(David Balleza Katague & Macrine Nieva Jambalos)Boac,Marinduque, Philippines
WELCOME TO CHATEAU DU MER BEACH RESORT
If this is your first time in my site, welcome! Chateau Du Mer is a beach house and a Conference Hall. The beach house could now accommodate 10 guests, six in the main floor and four in the first floor( air conditioned room). In addition, you can now reserve your vacation dates ahead and pay the rental fees via PayPal. I hope to see you soon in Marinduque- Home of the Morions and Heart of the Philippines. The photo above was taken during our first Garden Wedding ceremony at The Chateau Du Mer Gardens. I have also posted my favorite Filipino and American dishes and recipes in this site. Some of the photos and videos on this site, I do not own, but I have no intention on the infringement of your copyrights!
Marinduque Mainland from Tres Reyes Islands
View of Marinduque Mainland from Tres Reyes Islands-Click on photo to link to Marinduque Awaits You
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:
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.
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.
If you are Visiting Iloilo- my province of birth, you may be surprise to know that there are several old mansions in the city, that students and lovers of architecture may want to visit. One of the most popular old homes in the suburbs of Iloilo City is the Lacson-Yusay Ancestral House in Molo, Iloilo.
The Yusay - Consing Ancestral House, originally known as the Lacson - Yusay Ancestral House, and now popularly known as the Molo Mansion, is a Neo Classical Art Deco Heritage House located in the District of Molo, Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines. It is located in front of the Molo Plaza and Molo Church. Built in 1926, it has neo classical and subtle art deco features, the property, including the mansion is now owned by the SM group, which now houses several souvenir shops that sell local products and delicacies, namely kultura, sabor ilonggo and plantopia, as well as several coffee shops... A must visit place when in Iloilo City.
The mansion was built in 1926 by the couple Doña Petra Lacson, a matron of the Lacson clan, and Estanislao Yulo Yusay, a prominent lawyer and judge from Molo. They had ten children together. In 1940, Estanislao died, and Rosario Yusay, one of the couple's ten children, inherited the house. Rosario lived with her husband, Timoteo Consing Sr., who served as Iloilo governor from 1934 to 1937.
The property was handed down to the governor's son, Timoteo Consing Jr., and spouse, Nieva Ramirez-Consing, one of the owners of the sugar mill company Passi Sugar Central (acquired by the Universal Robina Corporation in 2007).
Meanwhile here are architectural styles should know if you love architecture.
Maria Beatrice Rosario Arroyo was the first Filipina nun to be declared Venerable by the Vatican, a recognition of her virtuous life dedicated to charity and service. Born in 1894 in Molo, Iloilo, Philippines, she came from a wealthy family but chose a life of religious devotion, joining the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines.
She was known for her humility, deep spirituality, and commitment to helping the poor. Despite suffering from tuberculosis, she continued her mission of educating young women, assisting the sick, and guiding her fellow nuns. Her unwavering faith and selflessness inspired many, leading to her cause for sainthood.
On June 12, 2022, Pope Francis officially declared her Venerable, recognizing her heroic virtues—bringing her one step closer to sainthood. She remains an important figure in Philippine Catholic history, remembered for her compassion and dedication to God’s work.
Meanwhile, Did You That....
Scattered across Nias Island, Indonesia, these massive megalithic stones have baffled researchers for years. Some claim they are over 10,000 years old, yet their intricate carvings and precise shapes seem far beyond the capabilities of early civilizations. Even more intriguing, many of these stones bear a striking resemblance to modern depictions of UFOs—perfectly circular with smooth edges and symmetrical patterns. How did ancient people create and transport such massive slabs with primitive tools? Are these remnants of an unknown civilization, or do they hint at something even more mysterious?
Did you know? Before becoming a dessert, Ube (purple yam) was a sacred offering to nature spirits in pre-colonial Philippines. Its deep purple hue symbolized fertility and a bountiful harvest, making it an important part of spiritual rituals.
Lastly, Did you Know That....
Over time, the sacred meaning faded, and Ube transformed into a beloved ingredient for Halaya, ice cream, and pastries. While we enjoy its sweetness today, its spiritual roots remain a forgotten part of our history!
The town of Marinduque is the home town of Macrine ( RIP). Macrine and I were married for over 62 years. She passed away in 2020. It is the place where we got married ( May 8, 1957) and also the town where we built our retirement home in the Philippines. I am not a Native of Marinduque, since I was born and raised in the Province of Iloilo, but Boac, Marinduque, I consider my second home, Thus this posting,
𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐜, 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐞𝐭𝐲𝐦𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲
Etymology. The toponym Boac is derived from the Cebuano word bu-ak, cognatic to the Tagalog word bi-ak and the southern Tagalog term ba-ak. This is about the town being bisected by the Boac River, which runs from the Central Marinduque and Balagbag Mountain Ranges to the west coast facing the Tayabas Bay.
Church in town: 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡 (𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐢𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐜)
The Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish (Filipino: Parokyang Katedral ng Kalinis-linisang Paglilihi), commonly referred to as Boac Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic church and cathedral in the town center of Boac, Marinduque, in the Mimaropa region of the Philippines.
The seat of the Diocese of Boac, the cathedral today is surrounded by its likewise centuries-old defensive walls and was declared a Philippine Important Cultural Property (ICP) in 2018 by the national museum of the country. At present, the Cathedral houses the Sacred Heart Pastoral Center (Bishop's residence) as well as the Diocesan Shrine of Mahal na Birhen ng Biglang Awa within its compound.
In 2021, the cathedral was designated as a jubilee church of the Diocese of Boac during the celebration of 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines.
A Franciscan missionary, Fray Estevan Ortiz, planted the first cross on Marinduque island in 1579. Monserrat de Marinduque, the first visita (now Boac), was established with Fray Alonzo Banol as its minister a year later in 1580.
The Franciscans ceded the administration of the island in 1618 to the Archbishop of Manila, Miguel García Serrano, who then entrusted the island to the Society of Jesus. In 1621, the Jesuits assumed the spiritual administration of the island. The church was constructed facing east with its rear overlooking the lower town, called labak by the natives, in 1756. It was seen to serve as a refuge of the townspeople against pirate attacks prevalent in the era, in addition to its purpose as a place for worship when it was finally built in 1792.
Local accounts include that once, when the townspeople were being attacked by Moro pirates, while taking refuge within the church's walls, they prayed fervently to their patroness, the Immaculate Conception, for salvation from the attack. Oral tradition also holds that while the natives were being killed, they were all praying when a supposed apparition of Mary with outstretched hands drove away the intruders. This event led to the devotion to Mahal na Birhen ng Biglang Awa (Our Lady of Prompt Succor) as their patroness's new title.
In 1899, the flag for the revolution in the Philippines brought by Canuto Vargas was blessed in the cathedral.[5] in 1958, the venerated image of Mahal na Birhen ng Biglang Awa was canonically crowned and is considered as the patroness of the province. The historical marker installed at the cathedral states that a Boac parish priest named Saturnino Trinidad helped Colonel Maximo Abad surrender to the Americans under H.H. Bandholtz.
Boac, a heritage town in its own right, is known as one of the main venues of the annual Moriones Festival and is the location of a number of historical sites in Marinduque including the Boac Cathedral fortress church, Casa Real and the Liwasan ng Kalayaan, Laylay Port, and the Battle of Paye site.
𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐜:
- Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish
- Marinduque Wildlife Sanctuary
- Duyay Cave
𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐜:
- None in the list
𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐲 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐜:
- Maria Elena Malvar (Beauty queen)
- Ricardo M. Paras, Jr. (8th Chief Justice)
- Zaijian Jaranilla (Pinoy actor and model)
Meanwhile, Did you know that.....
Long before humans arrived, prehistoric elephants called Stegodons roamed the Philippines — especially Mindoro Island. These extinct creatures looked like smaller, stockier cousins of modern elephants, with long, spiral tusks.
Fossil discoveries prove that Philippine Stegodons lived thousands of years ago during the Pleistocene Epoch. Their bones were found in caves and riverbeds, suggesting they once thrived in the country’s ancient forests.
Stegodons are a reminder that the Philippines was once home to megafauna — large animals that disappeared due to climate change or early human hunting.
Lastly, Did you Know that......
In the late 1800s, Spain seriously considered moving the capital of the Philippines from Manila to Iloilo. Why? Because Manila was constantly threatened by British raids and Chinese pirate attacks, making it too risky as a long-term colonial center.
Iloilo, on the other hand, was strategically located, well-defended, and already a thriving trading hub with Spanish churches, schools, and colonial infrastructure. It was even granted the title “La Muy Leal Ciudad” (The Most Loyal City) by the Spanish Crown for its support during uprisings.
Though the capital never moved, the plan shows how volatile colonial Manila really was.
