Macrine's Birthday at the Don Emilio's Restaurant in Boac

Macrine and I in front of the Balanacan Cove Convention Center, March, 2011

Yesterday was Macrine's 75th birthday. She did not want a big party, so I just treated her to lunch at Barbarosa in Gasan. She did received a gift from Dr. Cely Roque and Mrs. Auring Pitero. Auring is the founder and co-owner of Kusina Sa Plaza Restaurant. Auring and Macrine were classmates during their elementary school days.

In the evening a birthday dinner was hosted by Mrs. Pitero in her new fine dining restaurant, Don Emilio's Place. It was also attended by Mrs. Lita Hidalgo and her two sons. The Hidalgo's were in Boac to observe 9th day prayers and mass for the late Ton Hidalgo. Again, our sincere and deepest sympathy for the Hidalgo's loss.

The Don Emilio Restaurant is located on the second floor of the Kusina sa Plaza Building. This building is one of the many antique houses in downtown Boac and was the ancestral home of Don Emilio Lardizabal and family. The house has been renovated and refurnished with antique light fixtures and furnishings. This restaurant reminded me of a restaurant in an antique house located in Old Sacramento, California.

Again, thank you Auring for the delicious dinner. It consisted of corn soup, beef steak, tiger prawns and sweet and sour lapu-lapu. It was served with steamed rice and potato salad with fresh mangoes for dessert.

Don Emilio's fine dining restaurant will served authentic Marinduque dishes such as kare-kare, ulang-ulang, fresh fish and other Filipino traditional dishes. Watch out for the Grand opening next month.

Finally, Macrine also received birthday greetings from Dinah, Ditas and Carenna. We received a video message with Carenna singing Happy Birthday via FaceBook. Dinah and Ditas are our two daughters residing in US. Carenna is our youngest grand daughter- the only child of Ditas.

Dreams and Goals of Childhood-Fulfilled and Unfulfilled

The Japanese Bridge of Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort on Sunset, Boac, Marinduque, PHL
When I was growing up in the small town of Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, Philippines in the mid 1940's, I had several dreams and goals in life. One of my first dream after seeing a movie made in US was to see and visit( not reside) US and play in the snow. This dream was attained in 1960. My other dream was to live in a house surrounded by fruit trees, flowers and orchids. This dream was realized in 1996 when we built our retirement home in Boac, Marinduque. Another dream I had was to build a Japanese bridge across a creek( see photo above) populated by tilapias and other fishes. This was attained when we constructed the beach house in 1998.

As a child I never dreamed to be rich in money, but just earned enough to live comfortably. This was fulfilled when we immigrated to US and after I completed my Ph.D degree in 1964. Completion of this graduate degree was the most important goal in my life.

My last dream in my childhood years was to have a residence with a circular driveway with a fountain in the center. This dream was never attained completely. However, this dream, was partially fulfilled when we built the conference Hall in 2000. The Hall had a circular driveway but no fountain. Building a fountain in the center was planned before construction. However, for practical reasons and lack of funds, this dream will probably not be realized unless I win a lot of $$ in the Lotto or in the Casinos.

Today, my goal in life is see my youngest grand daughter graduate in college.

Finally, I thank God for all his blessings for helping me attained most of my dreams and goals in life. Lord with out YOU, I am nothing.

For additional details of my childhood memories during the Japanese-American War in the Philippines (1941-1945), visit http://theintellectualmigrant.blogspot.com `

Diabetes, High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol

Coconut lobster, Cucumber and Tomatoes are Good For You

The above three ailments are the most common age-related diseases all over the world particularly in the US. A person who is now 70 years old and is not suffering from one of the above ailments should feel lucky. He or she must have lived a healthy lifestyle including good diet, exercise and an outlook in life.

In my case, I was diagnosed with HBP when I turned 40. My adult-on-set Diabetes and High Cholesterol were diagnosed when I turned 65. I feel lucky that under routine medications, the above three ailments are currently under control.

The lessons I want to impart to the younger generation as well as senior citizens like me is to watch out your diet and keep busy in both mind and body. Sometimes, we are so busy with earning a living, we neglect our bodies and spirit. Even after your retirement, you must have goals that are attainable. You must maintain family relationships and get involved with humanitarian projects if at all possible. In this way, it will keep you young in spirit if not in body.

For a list of diabetic, anti hypertensive and cholesterol lowering drugs, read my articles in my blog http://marinduqueawaitsyou.blogspot.com dated August 20, 2010.

Latest Photos of Orchids and Flowers in the Gardens of Chateau Du Mer

I hope you enjoy the above pictures! I had fun taking them! Good Day to All!

Philippines Has Highest Electrical Rates

Photo by Daisy Catague Cababasay
In the February 23 issue of the Philippine Star, an article written by Jess Diaz reported that our country besides being ranked as among the most corrupt countries, also holds the unenviable record of having the highest residential power rates not only in Asia but also in the entire world.

Reading this article reminded me of my previous article in this blog about the PRO's and CONS' of Living in the Philippines versus the US.

One harmful consequence to the economy of the Philippines due to this high power rates is the discouragement of foreign investors. The article also indicated that the Energy Regulatory Commission(ERC) as well as Congress should both share the blame for this high cost of electricity( residential and commercial). Congress added a 12% value added tax(VAT) on electricity just recently.

So, as ordinary citizens, what can you do to save electrical cost? Your ideas are welcome. In my case here at Chateau Du Mer, every room has a sign to shut off lights, fans and air conditioners if the occupants plan on leaving their rooms for 15 minutes or longer. Most of my clients from abroad follow this sign. However, my relatives from US ignored the sign. My relatives from US are so spoiled and used to the fact that electrical power in US is cheap.

My solution is to check the rooms once it is vacated. They call me SCROOGE or KURIPOT when I shut off the lights, fans and air conditioners. I do not mind being called names to save electrical costs. Again, your ideas are welcome about saving electrical costs in your residences and offices.

Reserve Now for the Moriones Festival

For the last week, Boac and its vicinity had no power brown or black outs. If you compare this with the power brown outs last month, one can not believed that MARELCO and its obligation to provide the electrical needs of the people in MDQ had been exemplary this last week. I hope this will continue until this coming Holy Week Season if not longer. Easter Week is the busiest season here in Marinduque as far as tourism because of the Moriones Festival. Here at Chateau Du Mer, we are already partially booked for the coming Holy Week. We however have still space for six. The room is air conditioned and with hot water shower. It is available for $70 to $100 per night depending on the number of persons in your party. If you plan on attending this year Moriones Festival, it is now the right time to arrange your accommodation and travel needs to Marinduque. Hopefully, I will see you in Marinduque this Holy Week!

Balanacan Cove Convention Center, Mogpog

A new resort and convention center is now open in Balanacan, Mogpog. It is located 1 KM east of downtown Balanacan. It is owned and operated by Frank and Flor Irlandez. The Irlandezes were my classmates in college and graduate school. Both Frank and Flor are from Batangas, but Frank fell in love with Marinduque ( particularly the Balanacan Cove area) when he visited the province about 4 years ago.

Construction of this convention center started about two years ago. It has magnificent and mesmerizing views of the cove. It has limited rooms for overnight stay or longer. There is dancing with a live band on Wednesday and Friday nights from 8 to 11PM. The entrance fee is 100 pesos per person. For additional information, call 0920 268 8953.

Thank you Frank and Joy for the lunch yesterday and showing us your beautiful resort.

Hot Spring, Curva Grill and Marinduque Cuisine

Macrine, David E and I pampered ourselves with a one day R & R after our one week of hectic and sometime chaotic schedule during our participation to MI, Inc Medical Mission Of Love. We started our day at 10AM and arrived at the Marinduque Hot Springs in Buenavista after an hour. The hot spring has been modernized and renovated. There are now several buildings and two pools. The landscaping looks fabulous. The water temperature was just right for me, but Macrine wanted it warmer. David E just did care about the water temperature. He soaked his aching body for an hour. I stayed only for 30 minutes and it was time for our sandwiches, candies and bottled water. David E brought himself, a bottle of San Miquel beer. We were the only patrons of the Hot spring since it was midweek. This experience was worth more than the 300 pesos, I paid for the entrance fee.

At 1:30PM we decided to drive back to Amoingon. On our way back we passed by the Curva Grill-a restaurant at the outskirt of downtown Buenavista. The restaurant is on the second floor of a house overlooking the rice fields. We were the only patrons of the restaurant. We ordered Calamari, french fries, hamburgers, pancit bijon and mushroom soup. The calamari was excellent and I recommend this restaurant to all visitors to Marinduque.

We ended our day at 3:30PM. After 3 hours of sleep, it was time for Dinner. Our cook, Cecille, prepared PINAKBET. It is dish of mixed vegetables( okra, eggplant, green beans, squash and bitter melon ) sauteed in shrimps and pork. Besides Pinakbet we had coconut lobster (IGOD). This dish was a gift from Mr.Senecio Saguid of Gasan. The coconut lobster is very rare and thus expensive. It taste better than Dungenness or Maryland Crabs or for that matter the Maine Lobster. Eating this dish made me feel I am dining in Paradise. Thank You for your gift.

Thank you God for this wonderful day in my island Paradise in Marinduque-also our second home.