Chateau Du Mer Memories -An Update

Dr. David B. Katague’s memories of Chateau Du Mer represent the realization of his ultimate retirement dream. Located in Boac, Marinduque, Philippines, he built this oceanfront beach house and conference resort to serve as both a personal sanctuary and a vibrant community gathering hub. 

His extensive online chronicles outline a beautiful collection of memories, split between peaceful seaside living, family celebrations, and local philanthropy:

🌴 Building a Tropical Retirement Oasis

After a demanding 30-year career as a pharmaceutical chemist and FDA team leader in the United States, Dr. Katague and his wife, Macrine, purchased beachfront land in Marinduque.

• The Vision: He designed Chateau Du Mer to capture the perfect, relaxing island vibe. His posts frequently paint pictures of a wooden deck overlooking towering palm trees, white sand, and unobstructed views of the sea.
• A Gateway for Nature: For Dr. Katague, the resort was a place to reconnect with the simple coastal rhythms of his childhood, waking up to the sound of breaking waves and warm tropical breezes.

🏥 A Hub for "Medical Missions of Love"

One of Dr. Katague's proudest and most recurring memories at Chateau Du Mer was using the resort as a complimentary base camp for traveling humanitarian groups

• Hosting Surgeons: He opened his resort doors to international doctors and volunteers arriving for the annual Medical Mission of Love to Marinduque. 
• Advocating for Health: He cherished the late-night dinners on the property where he would talk with surgeons about local provincial healthcare. These experiences often fueled his blog posts advocating for better hospital instruments and health priority funding for the citizens of Marinduque.

🥳 A Sanctuary for Family and Global Travelers

Chateau Du Mer was never just a commercial hotel; it was a deeply personal extension of the Katague household.

• Memorable Milestones: The resort served as the backdrop for massive, multi-generational family reunions, wedding anniversaries, and holidays when his children and grandchildren would visit from California.
• Bridging Worlds: Dr. Katague used his blog, Chateau Du Mer Beach etc., to share these resort milestones alongside general travel entries-documenting everything from high-end Philippine eco-resorts like El Nido, Palawan, to his eventual transition to a retirement community in Walnut Creek, California.

Through Chateau Du Mer, Dr. Katague successfully created a place where his scientific precision met traditional Filipino hospitality, leaving behind decades of warm memories of sand, sea, and service.

MY Photo of the Day: University of Santo Tomas

A university in Manila has been teaching students since before Harvard existed.

The University of Santo Tomas was founded on April 28, 1611, by Fr. Miguel de Benavides, who donated his personal library and 1,500 pesos to start it as a seminary college. In 1645, Pope Innocent X elevated it to full university status, a title that makes it the oldest existing university in Asia.

Four centuries later, it is still standing in Manila.