Isabela- The Largest Province in the Philippines by Land Area

Isabela is the largest province in Luzon by land area, but over 50% of it is covered by the Sierra Madre forest!

This makes it one of the most forested provinces in the Philippines.

Home to the country’s biggest protected area. The Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park is the largest in the Philippines, preserving rare wildlife.

A crucial typhoon shield. The province’s dense forests help weaken typhoons before they reach the rest of Luzon.

It’s also an agricultural giant. Despite its forests, Isabela is a top producer of rice and corn in the country. Isabela proves that nature and agriculture can thrive side by side! Here's info from Wikipedia:

Isabela, officially the Province of Isabela (Ilocano: Probinsia ti Isabela; Ibanag: Provinsia na Isabela; Tagalog: Lalawigan ng Isabela), is the second largest province in the Philippines by land area located in the Cagayan Valley. Its capital and the largest local government unit is the city of Ilagan. It is bordered by the provinces of Cagayan to the north, Kalinga to the northwest, Mountain Province to the central-west, Ifugao and Nueva Vizcaya to the southwest, Quirino, Aurora and the independent city of Santiago to the south, and the Philippine Sea to the east.

This primarily agricultural province is the rice and corn granary of Luzon due to its plain and rolling terrain. In 2012, the province was declared as the country's top producer of corn with 1,209,524 metric tons. Isabela was also declared the second-largest rice producer in the Philippines and the Queen Province of the North.

The province has four trade centers in the cities of Ilagan, Cauayan, Santiago and the municipality of Roxas. Santiago is considered to have the fastest-growing local economy in the entire Philippines.

The province was named during the time that the Philippines was under Spanish control, and named after Isabella II, who was queen regnant of Spain from September 29, 1833, until September 30, 1868, when she was deposed in the Glorious Revolution, and her formal abdication two years later. There have been proposals to change the name to something more indigenous, but these were rejected by the people of Isabela.

https://youtu.be/wou9jF8T61g?si=6w0oDBqAovYRlV0P

The Movie- The Apprentice- Young Trump Biopic

I saw about 90 minutes of 120 minutes of this movie last night at our Cinema. After about 90 minutes the Projector in Our Cinema conked out. I continued the movie in my Amazon Prime Account in my Apartment. I  enjoyed the movie very much! The rape scene ( Trump raping Ivana) was edited out.

Actor Sebastian Stan- as a young Donald Trump was Oscar nominated for the Best Actor, 2025. 

Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong Say Their Trump Movie Is a Tragedy, Not a Mockery

The “Apprentice” stars and the director Ali Abbasi say their film is a “humanistic” treatment of the former president and his mentor, Roy Cohn.

The Apprentice received rave reviews and an 8-minute standing ovation after its Cannes Film Festival premiere in May. Simultaneously, though, reports emerged that the film’s principal financier, Kinematics — founded by producer Mark Rapaport, son-in-law of the billionaire and known Trump donor Dan Snyder — had objections to a pivotal scene in the movie where a young Donald rapes his then-wife Ivana Trump. Days later, Trump’s real-life lawyers filed a cease and desist letter threatening to sue the producers and any future distributors of The Apprentice. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/10/movies/the-apprentice-sebastian-stan-jeremy-strong-interview.html

The Apprentice is a 2024 biographical film that examines Donald Trump's career as a real estate businessman in New York City in the 1970s and 1980s, including his relationship with attorney Roy Cohn. Directed by Ali Abbasi and written by Gabriel Sherman, the film stars Sebastian Stan as Trump, Jeremy Strong as Cohn, Martin Donovanas Trump's father Fred, and Maria Bakalova as Trump's first wife, Ivana.

An international co-production between Canada, Denmark, Ireland, and the United States, the film was announced in May 2018, but languished until Abbasi, Stan, and Strong joined in 2023. After premiering at the 77th Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2024, and despite impressing the critics, sparking an eight-minute standing ovation at Cannes, "strong reviews, [and] feverish media attention" the film struggled to find American distribution due to its subject matter and an attempt by Trump's legal team to block its release. Briarcliff Entertainment eventually bought the rights, and theatrically released it on October 11, 2024. The film received generally positive reviews from critics for its acting, directing, and editing; Trump, meanwhile, described it as a "defamatory, politically disgusting hatchet job" intended to harm his 2024 presidential campaign.

For their performances, Stan and Strong each received an Academy Award, Golden Globe and BAFTA acting nomination, with Strong also earning a SAG Award nomination. The film grossed $17 million on a $16 million budget.

Legal issues

Trump described the film as "a cheap, defamatory, and politically disgusting hatchet job" and described those involved in it as "human scum".

Billionaire Dan Snyder, formerly the owner of the Washington Commanders NFL team, invested money in the production of The Apprentice with the impression that the film would be a positive portrayal of Trump. Snyder is a close friend of Trump who donated $1.1 million to his inaugural committee and Trump Victory Committee in 2016 and $100,000 to his 2020 presidential campaign. After seeing a cut of the film in February 2024, Snyder was said to be furious, and lawyers for the Snyder-backed Kinematics production company sought to stop the release of the film.

The film includes controversial scenes, including those that depict Trump violently raping his first wife, Ivana, abusing amphetamines to lose weight, and undergoing liposuction and plastic surgery to remove a bald spot. The rape scene was based on divorce records. In a deposition under oath, rendered during their divorce proceedings, Ivana accused Donald of rape and of pulling out her hair by the handful when his plastic surgery to alter his hairline failed. In 2015 Ivana Trump issued a statement clarifying earlier allegations made during her 1989 divorce proceedings. 

She claimed that her use of the term "rape" was not meant in a literal or criminal sense and was made during a time of high emotion, stating "Donald and I are the best of friends, and together we have raised three children that we love and are very proud of. I have nothing but fondness for Donald, and I wish him the best of luck on his campaign. I have recently read some comments attributed to me from nearly 30 years ago at a time of very high tension during my divorce from Donald. The story is totally without merit. Donald and I are the best of friends and he would never rape me."

 Sherman cited the Trump biography Lost Tycoon: The Many Lives of Donald J. Trump, by Harry Hurt, as the main source for Trump's use of amphetamines and said, "There’s been other reporting over the years that Trump, in the ’80s, took these pills that essentially are amphetamines, and they kind of give you manic energy...It’s always been one of the explanations for why he went on this deal-making binge...I felt it was one of the themes of the film—as Trump gains more power, he loses touch with his own humanity. I thought of the diet pills as him trying to develop this superpower of never needing to sleep."

On May 20, 2024, Variety reported that Steven Cheung, the communications director of Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, threatened legal action over the film. On May 24, Variety reported that Trump's attorneys sent a cease-and-desist letter to the filmmakers, seeking to block "all marketing, distribution, and publication of the Movie." The film's producers responded to the letter by issuing a statement saying, "The film is a fair and balanced portrait of the former president. We want everyone to see it and then decide."

Subsequent to this, Abbasi offered to screen the film for Trump, believing that he might approve of its depiction of him. He also said that realistic films need to be produced about the threat of fascism.

In September 2024, Dan Snyder and his production company Kinematics sold its stake in the film, citing creative differences. Snyder was reportedly motivated to depart because of the film's unflattering and controversial portrayal of the central figure. The stake was acquired by James Shani and his production company Rich Spirit, which was already involved in the film with an original investment of $500,000.

Here's one of theNumerous Reviews that I can identify with

In the recent cinematic endeavor "The Apprentice," an intricate tapestry is woven—a narrative that seeks to dissect the evolution of Donald Trump from a seemingly inexperienced grifter into a formidable and mercurial figure of power. This journey is marked by his fateful meeting with Roy Cohn, depicted as a mentor skilled in the dark arts of manipulation and persuasion, a figure who lives by the credo that the truth is pliable, resilience means never admitting defeat, and morality is optional when success is the prize. The film captures the transformation of Trump with stark clarity, illustrating a metamorphosis driven by relentless ambition. Roy Cohn, with his storied career shadowed by a ruthless reputation, offers Trump the blueprint of power without conscience. Cohn emphasizes that perception outweighs reality, an ethos that Trump absorbs and revises into an art form. The narrative implies that through Cohn’s mentorship, Trump learns to manufacture his own truths and override conventional ethics. As the years pass, the film tracks a shift in Trump's allegiance and demeanor. Despite Roy Cohn's influence in his ascent, Trump begins to distance himself, a calculated maneuver that coincides with Cohn's descending health and dwindling political clout. This act of cold pragmatism is embodied in a poignant scene where Trump evicts Cohn’s son from his hotels and later dismissively overlooks Cohn himself during his illness. The personal dynamics portrayed, particularly with Marla, add layers to Trump's persona as someone who compartmentalizes relationships and sees them as transactions. His actions toward Marla—caring little for deep emotional connections—are illustrative of a man driven more by self-interest than sentiment. Roger Stone emerges as another intricate node in this network of influence, highlighting the political ecosystem that Trump navigates with deft cunning. The film suggests a continuous interplay of these powerful figures, each contributing to a narrative where betrayal seems endemic, and loyalty is contingent on utility. "The Apprentice" insists it is based on actual events, a claim that invites skepticism and introspection, not just about its subject but about the portrayal itself. It raises questions about the accuracy of these depictions and the implications of presenting conjecture as history. The film leaves the audience to ponder the ethical balance between depicting historical figures with dramatic embellishment and remaining tethered to reported reality. Ultimately, "The Apprentice" offers a critical reflection on power's seductive and corruptive nature, framing Trump as both a product and perpetuator of this cycle—a nuanced and entrenched narrative that provokes both fascination and unease.

Meanwhile, enjoy this photo of the Camelia Blooms in Our Courtyard;

Lastly, here's some THD News in case you have Not Heard.

THD had hired two women drivers replacing Joseph Woo. I met Liza the other day. Liza said she will be working part-time. Joseph is not coming back. He'd had some personal problems, I heard. He was an excellent driver, even if he does not smile at all! Good Luck Joseph in your future endeavors.  Your service to the THD community is much appreciated. 

I am looking for ward to meet the other driver- another experienced lady from what I heard. Nancy will be training both of them, I heard through the grapevine.  Our local transportation services is one of the Amenities why I decided to rent here at THD. 
 

Travel with me to the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador via Dodie's Photos

From Machu Picchu, Dodie and Ruth went to the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador.   Last month they came back and posted photos of strange creatures (fauna) in the islands. 

Here are some photos Dodie posted on his FaceBook page.

"Just back from the Galápagos Islands. We did a boat tour of four islands: Floreana, Espanola, Santa Fe and Santa Cruz". The Galapagos Islands are a volcanic archipelago located in the Pacific ocean 600 miles (1000 kms) off the coast of Ecuador in the northern trip of South America. This island cluster is made of 13 main islands, about 9 minor islands, 39 islets and some 600 ocean rocks is home to a strange and fascinating collection of creatures, many of which cannot be found anywhere else on earth.  A marvel in terms of geology, about 3-5 million years ago, a huge volcanic eruption shook the earth breaking its crust creating  and under sea mountain range. The molten lava formed a chain of islands, most of them the peak of an underwater volcano, which remained untouched for millions of years. A diverse array of animals and plants found their way there – and thrived. It’s hard to believe that such a harsh jumble of saltwater soaked lava fields has become so rich with life.

Here are the Photos.

The Galápagos Islands (Spanish: Islas Galápagos) are an archipelago of volcanic islands in the Eastern Pacific, located around the equator, 900 km (560 mi) west of the mainland of South America. They form the Galápagos Province of the Republic of Ecuador, with a population of slightly over 33,000 (2020). The province is divided into the cantons of San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, and Isabela, the three most populated islands in the chain. The Galápagos are famous for their large number of endemic species, which were studied by Charles Darwin in the 1830s and inspired his theory of evolution by means of natural selection. All of these islands are protected as part of Ecuador's Galápagos National Park and Marine Reserve.

Thus far, there is no firm evidence that Polynesians or the Indigenous peoples of South America reached the islands before their accidental discovery by Bishop Tomás de Berlanga in 1535. If some visitors did arrive, poor access to fresh water on the islands seems to have limited settlement. The Spanish Empire similarly ignored the islands, although during the Golden Age of Piracy various pirates used the Galápagos as a base for raiding Spanish shipping along the Peruviancoast. The goats and black and brown rats introduced during this period greatly damaged the existing ecosystems of several islands. British sailors were chiefly responsible for exploring and mapping the area. Darwin's voyage on HMS Beagle was part of an extensive British survey of the coasts of South America. Ecuador, which won its independence from Spain in 1822 and left Gran Colombia in 1830, formally occupied and claimed the islands on 12 February 1832 while the voyage was ongoing. José de Villamil, the founder of the Ecuadorian Navy, led the push to colonize and settle the islands, gradually supplanting the English names of the major islands with Spanish ones. The United States built the islands' first airport as a base to protect the western approaches of the Panama Canal in the 1930s. After World War II, its facilities were transferred to Ecuador. With the growing importance of ecotourism to the local economy, the airport modernized in the 2010s, using recycled materials for any expansion and shifting entirely to renewable energy sources to handle its roughly 300,000 visitors each year. From Wikipedia

Meanwhile, here are the five most famous laws in the World

Lastly Did You Know That?

Despite appearing on ancient maps, Antarctica wasn’t officially discovered until 1820 by Russian explorers—making it the last continent found! This icy landmass remained a mystery for centuries, tantalizing explorers and mapmakers with its elusive presence.

The confirmation of Antarctica's existence marked a significant milestone in the age of exploration, opening up new frontiers for scientific research and discovery.

A Confirmed Relative- Teofisto Guingona, Jr- THD News

From My readings This Morning. My father mentioned that Teofisto Guingona, Jr is our relative during my teenager years in the Philippines. Our exact relationship, I was not sure.  Today it was confirmed by Geni.

Geni's Relationship Finder just found a path between you and Teofisto Guingona Jr.in the World Family Tree. It turns out that Teofisto Guingona Jr. is your third cousin.

Teofisto Guingona Jr. (b. 1928) is a prominent Filipino politician and statesman known for his significant contributions to Philippine governance and democracy. Born in San Juan, Rizal, he was raised in a politically active family, which influenced his early interest in public service. Guingona pursued law at Ateneo de Manila University, laying the foundation for his legal and political career. In the 1970s, during the martial law era under Ferdinand Marcos, Guingona emerged as a vocal critic of the regime, advocating for human rights and democratic reforms. His political career gained momentum in the post-Marcos era, serving as a senator from 1987 to 1993 and again from 1998 to 2001.

 As a senator, he was instrumental in crafting legislation that promoted transparency and accountability in government. In 2001, Guingona was appointed Vice President of the Philippines under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. His tenure was marked by his steadfast commitment to anti-corruption initiatives. Guingona's legacy is defined by his unwavering dedication to democratic principles and his role in shaping modern Philippine politics.

Meanwhile, Did You Know That....

Sinangag (garlic fried rice) wasn’t originally a breakfast favorite—it was a practical way to avoid food waste! Farmers and fishermen fried leftover rice with garlic to prevent spoilage and make their meals last longer.

Over time, this survival food turned into a breakfast icon, now paired with longganisa, tapa, or tuyo in the famous Filipino "silog" combo. But at its core, Sinangag was born out of necessity and resilience!

Lastly, Good News from THD

THD has now 100% occupancy. Congratulations Jenny and Ted of Our Leasing Department.  With it are growing pains! The last 10 days, we have no local transportation services. There is some complaints about the 2-seating Scheduling. It has solved the problem of excessive noise and overcrowding at Newton's. I have heard of complaints from several residents about being hurried during the first seating schedule.  Others complain that there is now no flexibility of dining partners as in the previous dining schedule. 

Yesterday, I have been officially designated as the Greeter for New Resident Bill Obenchain, my neighbor in the Fairmont Building. Please join me in welcoming Bill to our community. Bill is now listed in the March phone book ( No Picture yet). THD now has a total of 145 residents.