This is my response to the query describing our Maryland and FDA
years for StoryWorth Book of Memories. The following is an excerpt from
Chapter 11 of my autobiography titled FDA Years and Maryland-1990 to
2002
Macrine(RIP) and I in front of our Colesville, MD residence on our way to
the Grand Ball of the Philippine-American Foundation of Charities,1999
By Fall of 1990, our four children had all completed their Bachelor degrees. Our oldest son(Dodie) had graduated from UC Davis law school and married a classmate. Our oldest daughter(Dinah)
also has finished her Bachelors degree and also has married a former
classmate in high school who had also finished his Bachelor degree. Our
two younger children(David E and Ditas M)
were pursuing graduate studies. Our younger son was pursuing a master
degree at Carnegie Mellon University and our youngest daughter was also
studying for her Master's degree at University of Southern California
after graduating from UC, Berkeley with honors.
When I received a
job offer from FDA, I accepted the position even though I will be
receiving about $10K less in salary. We really do not need a high income
at the stage of our life since our four children had already finished
their bachelors degrees. Our two youngest children have scholarship
money for their graduate degrees. In addition, I have learned a lesson, (
after working for four employers in the private industry) that if you
want job stability and security, worked for the Federal Government.
So
with high hopes and a sense of adventure, Macrine(RIP) and I moved to the
Washington, D.C area in the Fall of 1990. Our moving expenses were all
paid by the Federal Government. We settled in our newly purchased home
in Colesville, MD without touching any of our household goods. Both the
packing, shipping and unpacking of our goods were paid by the government.
The Parklawn Building,
FDA, Center of Drugs, Rockville, MD. This was the location of my first
office. The building is a scene of numerous demonstrations against FDA
during my first five years in this office.
I started as a Review Chemist in the Office of new Drug Chemistry, Division of Anti-Infective Drug Products. After three years( 1993), I was promoted to Expert GS-14 with
expertise in anti-malarial, anti-parasitic and systemic anti-fungal
drug products. My promotion was published in the Philippines News dated
March 31-April 6, 1993. It was written by Ernesto C. Parial, NY/NJ
Bureau Editor. An excerpt of the article reads:
KATAGUE VOTED BY FDA UNIT TO GS-14
My election to the United States Pharmacopeia Council of Experts is one of the highlights of my career with FDA along with my GS-14 Expert Promotion
Colesville, MD- Dr David B Katague has been voted by the FDA Expert Regulatory Scientist Peer Review for promotion to GS-14. Katague's
expertise is anti-malaria, anti-parasitic and topical anti-fungal drug
products. The promotion is a high honor, for out of more that 90 review
chemists at the Center of Drug and Evaluation Research, only seven
review chemists have passed the screening and approval of the Peer
Review Committee, to the GS-14 status.
Dr Katague has served as a
Review Chemist at FDA for almost three years. He has also more than 20
years of academic and industrial experience in the field of pesticide
research and regulations. Prior to joining FDA, Dr. Katague worked as a
research chemist for Stauffer Chemicals and Chevron Company at Richmond,
California for several years. He and his family have been active with
the Filipino-American Community from 1974 to 1990 in the San Francisco
Bay Area. Dr. Katague was president of the University of the Philippines
Alumni Association, Berkeley Chapter, 1988-1990.
At present, Dr.
Katague and his wife, the former Macrine Nieva Jambalos of Boac,
Marinduque reside in Colesville, MD ( a suburb of Washington, DC). The
Katagues have four children, all professionals, residing in the East
Bay.
Dr. Katague was born in Iloilo City, Philippines and was
naturalized US citizen in 1972. He obtained his B.S. in Chemistry degree
from the University of the Philppines and M.S. And Ph.D. degrees in
Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of Illinois, Chicago.
In 1997, I was again promoted to Chemistry Team Leader,
supervising the work of six reviewers ( five with doctorate degrees).
As far as I know, I was the first Filipino-American who has achieved
this position in FDA. As team leader, I was responsible for
prioritizing, assigning, and assuring the technical accuracy of all
chemistry, manufacturing and control issues for all new drug
applications submitted to the Division of Anti-Infective Drug Products.
As team leader, I also give advice, instruct and promote high morale and
teamwork in my group. In 1998, I won the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
Award. The citation reads, “For outstanding accomplishments in
fostering the objectives of the EEO Program by hiring minorities and
encouraging their professional growth while providing excellent
leadership.”
I have received numerous certificates of
appreciation, awards in leadership and communications, commendation for
teamwork and excellence in the accomplishment of the FDA mission. I have
also received several letters of appreciation from private industry for
my review work.
In 1995, I was elected to the United States Pharmacopeia,
(USP), Committee of Revision(CR), Standards Division. As an elected
member, I was responsible for establishing standards of identity,
safety, quality, purity of drug substances and drug products as well as
in-vitro and diagnostics products, dietary supplements and related
articles used in health care. Election to this body is a very selected
process. It is held every five years. In 1995, there were more than 700
scientists nation-wide from academia, government, and industry who
volunteered to serve. USP narrowed it down to 256 final nominees. Of
the 256, only 128 were elected. Election to the USP Committee of
Revision confirms that the person is both the national and international
expert in the field of election. In my case, it was in the field of antibiotics, natural products and botanicals.
The University of the Philippines Alumni
Newsletter congratulated me with this statement, “ We join with your
colleagues and your family in congratulating you for this singular
honor, which brings prestige to the Philippines as well”. In March, 2000
I was reelected for another 5 year term.
My career in FDA would not be complete if I do not mentioned the terrorist bombing of the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon
in Washington, D.C. I remember clearly what I was doing and how I felt
afterward, that morning in September 11, 2001.
The office of New Drug
Chemistry had a joint meeting with representatives of Pharmaceutical
Manufacturers Association (PHARMA)
at the Hilton Hotel in Gaithersburg, MD. At about 9:20AM, we received
an announcement that the meeting is canceled and we can go home, since
the World Trade Center in New York was burning. All of the attendees
went to the hotel lobby and the TV was announcing the news. I felt sick,
depressed but helpless to see the burning WTC building((see photo
above). Later, I learned that the Pentagon in Washington DC was also
bombed and another plane crashed in the field somewhere in Southern
Pennsylvania. Later I also found out that this United Airline plane was
intended for the White House. Had it not been for the courageous heroics
of several passengers, the White House would have suffered the same
fate as the WTC and the Pentagon.
The most heinous crime of the
century produced thousands of burnt victims. Two drugs in my Division,
Sulfamylon and Silvadene, approved for the treatment of burns were out
of supply. A chemistry manufacturing supplement has to be approved to
manufacture more of these ointments in a new facility. This required a
review by the chemist, an inspection of the facility by a field
inspector, my approval as the chemistry team leader plus the paper work
by the project manager. The drugs are needed immediately, so we have to
do an expedited review of the manufacturing supplement. It took us only
12 hours to approve the new facility and the review of the chemistry,
manufacturing and control submission. This review normally will take at
least one month to three months depending on the availability of the
field inspector and the schedule of the review chemist.
In
December, 2001, the four members of my review team received a special
cash award and recognition award from FDA management for our work on
expediting review of two drugs, Sulfamylon and Silvadene..
Of my more than a dozen awards I had, this one is the most
appreciated. I felt that I have done my job as a public servant and had
helped the victims of the terrorist attack in a timely manner. The photo
above, the first picture I saw on television the morning of September
11, 2001, I will never forget as long as I live.
In January, 2002 I received another award for my work on Doxycycline, an antibiotic needed to treat anthrax victims due to bio terrorism activities from unknown terrorists.
Letters sent to Tom Brokaw of NBC and others containing anthrax spores as part of bio terrorism activities in 2002-Photo from pbs.org
Macrine
and I were also actively involved with Filipino-American community in
the tri-state area of Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC. We were
also active with the Marinduquenos of the Capital Area (MACA).
Some of MACA's projects were giving scholarships to needy students in
PI. We also collaborated with the humanitarian projects of “ Feed the
Hungry, Inc”in Marinduque. In 1998, we participated in the medical
mission to Marinduque. We donated 100 used eyeglasses, medical supplies
and equipments to the local hospital. In May, 2001 we again participated
in the medical mission sponsored by Marinduque International,Inc.. I
helped in the distribution of drugs and served as acting treasurer
during the mission week, while Macrine was Executive Director of the
organization.
Macrine short biography was published in MI, Inc
Newsletter when she was elected President in 2003 as follows. "Macrine
was born in Boac and a product of the Immaculate Conception Academy High
School. She obtained her Bachelor in Business Administration degree in
1957 from the University of Santo Tomas. Two month after graduation she
married her college sweetheart, David Katague from Iloilo, who was then
teaching chemistry at UP Diliman. They immigrated to the US in 1960.
Macrine
stayed home for 18 years raising her four children but decided to go
back to nursing school in California. In 1979, she received her Bachelor
of Science degree from Holy Name College in Oakland, CA. as well as a
Certificate in Public Health Nursing specializing with Spanish speaking
patients.
In 1990, Macrine and David moved to Maryland where
she worked for nine years as Quality Improvement Nurse for several home
health organizations in the Washington, DC area. It was then, when she
joined the Marinduqueno Association of the Capital Area (MACA) and
became an active member of the association. She retired in 1998 and got
involved with the Filipino-American organizations in the DC
metropolitan area".
In June, 1999, Macrine was elected overall Chairperson of the Festival Committee that was in charge of the
celebration of Philippines Independence for the whole month of June. An
article was published by the Manila Mail, dated June 15, 1999. An
excerpt of the news article written by Bing C. Branigin reads:
RP TAKES CENTER STAGE-45 GROUPS JOIN PARADE IN D.C.
“A
big crowd watched the Philippines took center stage when
Filipino-Americans stage a colorful parade, fair and cultural show along
historic Pennsylvania Avenue on June 6.
Filipino Americans
display their pride in their culture and heritage to mark the 101st
anniversary of independence from Spain and more than a century of
Philippines- American relations.
More
than 45 Filipino- American organizations participated in the parade and
whole day fair and cultural shows. They are groups from Washington,
D.C., Maryland, Northern Virginia, South Carolina and the 40 strong
Ati-atihan group from Virginia Beach.
The Marinduquenos who are this year hosts, showed their Moriones, clad in colorful costumes and mask.
Macrine
Katague, Philippine Festival chairperson, said she was really impressed
by the number of groups who participated. For the last six months, the
Philippine Committee had been meeting regularly to make this year's
event better.
A group of twenty food vendors sold favorite
Philippine dishes, like lechon, pancit etc...For drinks, there was San
Miguel beer, sago at gulaman, coconut juice and halo-halo. There were
also twenty tents filled with dry goods, like T-shirts, jewelry, gift
items, travel agencies and phone cards. One of the highlights of the
fair was on-the-spot painting contest for the kids. The Philippine
Embassy displayed stamp collection, fabrics and handicraft from the
Philippines
Macrine with Ambassador Rabe Opening the Fair and Parade
Ambassador and Mrs Raul Rabe,
patiently stayed at the Fair from 9:00AM to 6:00PM, enjoying all the
activities. Rabe will end his term the end of this month. He will be
replaced by Ambassador Ernesto Maceda.
Mr.
Rabe told Manila Mail “ This is a great thing that we are celebrating
our independence here in Pennsylvania Avenue. I noticed that every year
we are getting better and bigger,. Hopefully we will keep the momentum
going”..
To show their support to their “kababayans”,
Marinduquenos from New Jersey came to town. Al Molato who represented
the Eastern Seaboard Marinduqueno said, “ This is fantastic, imagine our
small island is so small and taking a big role in the capital to host a
big endeavor like this. I would like to salute my co-marinduquenos and
Macrine Katague the chairperson, for a wonderful job.”
Our life
in Maryland would not be complete, if I do not write about our time
exchange vacation activities through Interval International. In 1994, we
purchased a time share at Lake Tahoe, Nevada at the 5 star resort, "The
Ridge". Since then we have exchanged one week of vacation time at
Cancun, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Aruba, Malaga Spain, Morocco, Kawaii, Maui,
Hawaii and our favorite city, Las Vegas Nevada. We have also been to
Rome, Italy and London, England. We have been Ontario and Vancouver,
Canada and almost all the big cities in the US. We also had taken a
cruise at the Bahamas. Macrine had also visited Turquiose Island. Today,
we have a hard time traveling and our dreams of going to the Holy Land
will now be on hold. It is sad to say that we have traveled more places
outside the Philippines than in the Philippines except in Boracay,
Iloilo, Tagaytay and Baguio. Macrine had been to Cebu and I had been to
Naga to see Mt. Mayon. We hope we can visit Davao and the Ilocos Region,
but at present traveling in the Philippines is quite inconvenient if
not dangerous specially in Southern Mindanao and also of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In July, 1998 I received an outstanding Senior-Citizen Award in Chemistry, Science and Research.
I was awarded a medal and plaque. The award was presented by
Philippine Centennial Committee of the Philippine American Foundation of
Charities.
Prior to my retirement on October, 31, 2002, I was nominated by The Philippine Embassy for the Presidential Award, for Filipino Individuals Overseas,called PAMANA NG PILIPINO Award in Chemistry..
My
twelve years in FDA was the happiest and most productive years of my
professional life. Our involvement with the Filipino-American community
will be memories that we will never forget. The next entry to this blog
will be life after retirement.
The highlight of our stay in the Washington DC area is my employment with the Food and Drug Administration as Chemistry Team Leader for the Center Of New Drugs in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Winter Scene in Front of Our Residence at Hammonton Road, Colesville, MD
This was the place where Macrine and I were the happiest because of our active involvement with the Filipino-American community.
Cherry Blossoms at the Tidal Basin
My favorite time of the year in the DC area is spring time. The city is
famous for it annual Cherry Blossom Festival. The National Cherry
Blossom Festival is a spring celebration in Washington, D.C.
commemorating the March 27, 1912, gift of Japanese cherry trees from
Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city of Washington. Mayor Ozaki
donated the trees in an effort to enhance the growing friendship between
the United States and Japan and also celebrate the continued close
relationship between the two nations.
We have sponsored and
attended several cultural activities sponsored by the Filipino-American
Association during our 12 years in the DC area. One that I remember is
the Wings of Song Concert in 2000. I am reposting this excerpt from my
blogs.
Photo Memories of the On Wings of Song Concert, 2000
On November 17, 2000, my wife and I hosted two singers from the On Wings of Song concert held in Washington DC. I have almost forgotten this memorable event in our social life in the Washington DC area. But last week, after I was befriended by Jonathan Badon in FaceBook, pleasant memories of this concert inspired me to post the following pictures in this blog.
For those of you who have not heard of the "On Wings of Song 2000": It was a tour of the Music Theater Foundation of the Philippines(MTFP). It aimed to foster Filipino cultural awareness with a scripted concert tracing the history of the Philippines through choreographed songs. This concert showcased six of Philippines finest musical talents, singing excerpts from classical opera, Broadway, Kundiman, folk songs and Pop Music. It was headed by Fides Cuyugan Asensio. The singers were Jonathan Badon(tenor), Lorna Llames(soprano), Bituin Domicel (soprano), Nova Ramirez( mezzo Soprano, and Marvin Gayramon ( baritone). The show was directed by Paul Morales.
Members of the Committee and Host Families
Pre- Concert Reception/Welcome at the residence of the Katagues in Colesville, MD Welcome Dinner at our Residence in Silver Spring, Maryland-This was in the Basement in our House at Hammonton Road.
Dinner Reception at Ambassador Maceda Residence after the concert
At the Ambassador Residence after the Dinner Reception
Pleasant Memories, Indeed!!!
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