My Sudden Reality Check as a Senior Citizen in the Philippines

The following is a repost of the article in FB by Adolfo Aquino*-a Face Book friend and a fellow Filipino-American also residing in California. He went home to the Philippines on July 15 to help in the burial ceremonies of his eldest sister. He described his personal experiences during this trip a sudden reality check as a Senior Citizen in the Philippines. Here is his interesting story for your reading pleasure.

" Before I delve into the crux of my story, let me tell you first about the events that led me to a reality check of myself. I came home to bury my eldest sister in the Philippines on July 15, 2016. The experience was so stressing and at the same time very nostalgic of my childhood in Barangay Malinis of Lemery, Batangas where I grew up under the strict but doting guidance of my sister whom I fondly called Ate Ciana.

We were 18 years apart in age and she was already a teacher when I began my recognition of things and events surrounding my infancy. It was she who brought me first to the city of Manila when I was about 5 years old. It was the time when the provincial bus would fetch you from your homes before the crack of dawn and wait for you until you finish your shower and get your travel things ready. My thought of going to the big city was more exciting than my first travel to the US or to any of my travels in Europe. What could be more fascinating to a child’s eye than to see the neon lights of the Jai Alai across the old Luneta Park? It was then and so many more enthralling sites other than the hundred camachile trees and corn fields that abound our Barangay Malinis. As I was looking at the lifeless face of my Ate Ciana, I was overwhelmed by emotions and memories of my childhood days when she was always part of my daily life as my protector, my counselor, my second mother.

Once again, I felt the infantile sensation within me, having been pampered as the baby of the family and now confronted by the frozen and helpless body of my guardian. As I turned around from the white casket after a few minutes of prayer and recollections, I was met by a few couple of children who grabbed my right hand to say, “Mano po, Lolo Addie”. “Mano po, Lolo Addie”, yes it was me because that’s my name and that’s what my family and friends always call me, but hearing the word “lolo” jolted me like a lightning bolt. One second ago, I was crying inside me like a child who lost my sister like I lost my mother, and the thought that I was old, a grandpa, a senior citizen was not so uplifting. The un-invigorating thought of being called a “lolo” came to pass and the consoling notion that they were just little children was understandable and made it easier for me to ignore.

The day after the burial of Ate Ciana, I went to the BPI bank of Lemery to withdraw some cash. It was a busy day in the bank and I found myself at the end of one of the three queues when the security guard approached me and directed me to an empty line where a teller was waiting. Trying to be respectfully gracious to the people on the queue, I asked the guard why. He said, “Sir, you are a senior citizen and we have a special line reserved for you”. I was so flabbergasted but elated at the same time. There were three long lines of people, some of whom seems to be older than me, and yet the guard picked me up and addressed me as a senior citizen. Again, it was not a very stimulating idea but I felt relieved from the thought of standing in the queue for the next ten minutes or more.

On Saturday morning, my elder sister, Ate Emma and I went to Manila and took an air-conditioned bus to save our dole-out money for some of our friends and kin who need and expect financial help from us. The bus conductor issued us our tickets with discounted fares for two senior citizens worth around P40.00 pesos. Now, I am getting to like my status as a senior citizen.

After a day’s shopping for some cheap electronic gadgets (of course we know they’re made in China, where else) and some gift items around Carriedo and Echague streets (Ang bakya naman!), we took a UV Express (mas class naman kesa jeep) to the provincial bus terminal of DLTB Co. plying Manila-Lemery-Batangas. A 30-meter queue for the Lemery bound bus confronted us at the terminal but as soon as we got off from the UV Express on Taft Ave., two bus conductors/staff helped and directed us to go to the very front of the line saying, “Sir, Mam, Seniors po kayo, dito po kayo sa pinaka-una ng linya”. This time, I knew I was a “Senior citizen” but for God’s sake, how did I became the oldest out of the hundred people on the line? I thought I belong to the baby-boomer age? Whatever happened after 1947 in the Philippines? Was it another baby-boomer more explosive than the atomic bomb of WW-II.

Three days later, my two elder sisters went to Xntro Mall in our Barangay Malinis to see a Filipino movie. I refused to go with them ……………..it was Tuesday, a “free movie day” for Senior Citizens!

For the veracity and authenticity of my story and social status, my Senior Citizen Control No. is 2016-0738, issued by the Republic of the Philippines, Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), Municipality of Lemery on July 28, 2016 signed by the Hon. Mayor, Eulalio M. Alilio ".

My Comment: Heart felt condolence from the David B Katague Clan. Not mention in your interesting story is that Senior Citizens also get discounts on groceries, medicines, and airline tickets. Senior citizens are granted several benefits and privileges under Republic Act No. 9994 and Republic Act No. 10645.

*Adolfo Aquino ( Addie or Adel)was born in Malinis, Lemery, Batangas, 69 years ago. He is the youngest of 9 siblings. He finished elementary at Our Lady of Caysasay, Taal, Batangas and high school at Our Lady of Fatima in Tanauan City, Batangas. He majored in Management and studied law until his 4th year in various universities in the Philippines. He worked at Filinvest group of companies as Manager of Credit Dept. & Bus. Development Dept. He later was engaged in retail business at Cartimar Pasay & Central Shopping at Shaw, Mandaluyong. He and his wife from Marinduque immigrated to US several decades ago. He retired from the California Highway Patrol in 2013. Welcome to the club, Lolo Addie!

Death in the Family-Erico Balleza Katague

Me and Erico, 1945
It is with great sadness to announce that my younger brother Erico Balleza Katague passed away August 15. He was 80 years old and survived by wife Helen Esparagoza Katague, daughter Jemma and son, Erico Jr.

Nening Erico and Me ( Nonoy), Arguelles Street, Jaro, Iloilo, 1937
Erico ( nickname Neneng) was a year and a half younger than me. He finished Law from Lyceum of the Philippines. He worked for a number of years at COMELEC ( Commission of Elections) in the province of Iloilo. Besides his immediate family above he is survived by three brothers, David( me), Efren ( Australia) and Ruben ( Bacolod). His sisters are Myrla Hilaga( Canada), Agnes Galvin( Maryland) and Amor Gregorio ( Jaro, Iloilo). Neneng Erico with wife Helen had been a resident for a number of decades in their home in Arguelles Street, Jaro, Iloilo, Philippines.

I will miss you, but I know you are happy now and much relieve from the pains that you have suffered for the last couple of years. Rest in Peace, my Dear Brother. Your brothers and sisters love you very much.

Clarification of My Ancestry to the Lopezes of Jaro, Iloilo

In my search for my ancestral roots on my father side of the family, I had the following FaceBook conversation with Nereo Cajilig Lujan, author of the blog www.Javellana.wordpress.com

I specifically asked him if he has information where my great grandparents, Victoriano Catague and Marcelina Javellana settled. In addition, I wanted to know my ancestral link to the Lopezes and Confessors of Jaro. The following is our FB conversation that clarified and answered my questions. Thanks a million, Primo Nereo!

Nereo Cajilig Luján: David B Katague, primo, the grandfather of Benito Lopez was Basilio, a Chino Cristiano who was adopted by the Lopez family thus no blood relation to our ancestors.

On the other hand, the land where the Navalas church was built was donated by Don Miguel Jayme and his wife Carmen Lopez Javellana, sister of our Lolo Tinong (Don Cristino Lopez Javellana). The couple also financed the construction of the church.

Don Vicente Guingona, Municipal Treasurer of Navalas from 1899 to 1901, married Francisca Javellana Jamora (niece of Lolo Tinong, daughter of his sister Inocencia who married Juancho Jamora). They were the grandparents of former Vice President Tito Guingona.

Petra Lopez Javellana, another sister of Lolo Tinong, married Sixto Hofileña Golez, a cousin of Presentacion and Elena Hofileña. They were the ancestors of the Golezes in Buenavista and Jaro.

Melquiades Ledesma Javellana, the fourth child of Lolo Tinong, became Municipal President of Navalas/Buenavista in 1918. His son Abelardo Darroca Javellana also became mayor of Buenavista and later governor of Guimaras.

Your grandparents Victoriano Catague and Marcelina Lopez Javellana (sister of Lolo Tinong) also settled in Navalas.

David B Katague: Thank you so much for this information. This explained why we have a lot of relatives in Guimaras. Victoriano Catague was my great grand father. He was my DAD grand father. So we have no blood relation to the famous Lopezes? My grand mother was Consolacion Golez Jamili. I wonder what is her ancestral link to the Golezes mentioned in your blog? What is the ancestral link of the Javellanas to Tomas Confessor?

Nereo Cajilig Luján: Senator Tomas Confesor, governor of the Free Panay and Romblon Civil Government during WWII, was married to Rosalina Javellana Grecia, daughter of Juana Ledesma Javellana and Celerino Grecia, former gobernadorcillo of Jaro. Juana was the eldest child of Lolo Tinong (who was also once gobernadorcillo of Jaro) and Lola Baldomera Ledesma. Juana was the elder sister of Melquiades whom I mentioned in an earlier post.

Our relation with the Lopezes is only through Mariquit Javellana, wife of Vice President Fernando Lopez. Mariquit was the daughter of Ramon Joseliva Javellana and Leonor Virto. Ramon was the son of Julio Quimbiong Javellana whose father Ygnacio Javellana (married to Juliana Quimbiong) was the brother of Manuel Javellana (married to Gertrudis Lopez), our ancestor (father of my Lolo Tinong and your Lola Marcelina).

Note: My search for my Catague ancestral link to Bohol and Antique have not been answered. Again, if you are reading this blog and know of residents from Catague, Bohol, Philippines, I like to hear from you!

My Eight Years of Blogging Activities

Last month was my 8th year anniversary of blogging. My first posting was on July 7, 2008 advertising my beach house in Boac, Marinduque, Chateau Du Mer and the island of Marinduque as a tourist spot in the Philippines (see attached).

Today, I have written more than 1,700 postings and had over 3 million viewers all over the world. If you are my blog followers(30) you know that I write mostly from personal experiences. I have written on a variety of topics except politics and religion. I blog because I love writing as well as exercise my aging brain and also to inform. I have attempted quitting twice during this eight year of writing. However, because of a number of comments from readers that they enjoyed reading my blogs ( simple writing and direct to a point), I decided to continue blogging. I try to write at least three posts every week. Incidentally, besides my ten blogs, I have also a writing account on HubPages.com.

Currently, I am averaging about 200 readers per day. Please continue reading my blogs and will appreciate any comments, positive or negative.
http://marinduqueawaitsyou.blogspot.com/2008/07/tired-of-city-living-visit-marinduque.html#comments

Victoriano Catague and Marcelina Javellana were my Great Grand Parents

My Father Dr. David Jamili Javellana K(C)atague,(DDS)-son of Roberto Catague, grandson of Victoriano Catague and great grandson of Don Manuel Javellana and Gertrudis Lopez of Jaro, Iloilo, Philippines. My father changed the first letter of his surname from C to K when he was in elementary school.

Marcelina Lopez Javellana, my great grand mother was the youngest daughter of Don Manuel Javellana and Dona Gertrudis Lopez from Jaro, Iloilo as listed in Nereo Lujan blog, www. javellana.wordpress.com. However, until now I have no definite information on the the parents of my great grand father, Victoriano Catague.

However, when I was a child I overheard from my father, Dr. David Jamili K(C)atague, that his grand father was from Antique( Barbaza or Culasi?). If this is true it will explain why there are several families with the surname Catague in the province of Antique. In my search for information on the parents, brothers and relatives of Victoriano, I have initiated contacts with several Catague relatives from the Philippines. One of these relatives is my aunt Daisy Catague Cababasay. Incidentally, there is a town in the province of Bohol, named Catague. I am curious if there is link of the Catagues from Bohol to that in Iloilo, Antique, Guimaras or Negros Occidental!

Map of Catague, Bohol, Philippines, Catague is a 4th class municipality located in Central Bohol. It has a population of about 20,000 and near the Chocolate Hills- a popular tourist attraction of the province.

Daisy is my Dad first cousin. Her Dad and my grandfather were brothers. Daisy calls me Nong David because I am older, although she is my aunt. Daisy and I had enjoyable and nostalgic conversations about relatives during the time when I was gathering confirmation regarding my great, great grand parents: Don Manuel Javellana and Dona Gertrudis Lopez from Iloilo, Philippines (www.javellana.wordpress.com). Here are excerpts of our conversations via FaceBook .

Aunt Daisy: Good morning Nong David according to my Papa, Victoriano Catague and Marcelina Javellana are my father's parents so they are my grand parents.

My Father's name is MANUEL JAVELLANA CATAGUE the youngest of 7 siblings namely Roberto, your grand father, his son David Sr is your father. His siblings were RUPERTO CATAGUE, Nanay ESPERANZA (nay Pansay)who married a Benedicto they settle in Guimaras, Nanay JULIETA (nay julet), Nanay ROSARIO CATAGUE CAVANAS( Nanay Chayong). Naabutan ko pa ni sya( she was still alive and remember her) because we Mama and Papa used to visit her in Delgado street in Iloilo City.

Her children were Nang Carol Cavanas Piccio(d), Nang Virginia(d), Nang Angie(d),and Nong Vicente (d). Naabutan ko pa ni sila tanan because I used to live in Delgado when I studied Cosmetology because they have a beauty parlor and the last one that I can recall is Nanay INCARNACION. When I was connected with the Department of Finance I traveled a lot to Guimaras, Binalbagan, Magallion, Bacolod, San Carlos and Antique in search for my roots.

Me: Daisy, these are very informative vignettes and I appreciate it. Yes, I remember very well our visit in Delgado. Thank you, I did not know that the name of my grand father was Roberto. So is Victoriano also the grandfather of my Dad? The reason for my query was a question for Nereo Lujan author of the blog www. Javellana, wordpress.com. Please read the blog, there is a lot of information about the Javellana ancestry.

Daisy let me know if I am correct: My grand father's name was Roberto and my grand mothers name was Consolacion Golez Jamili. They have three boys ( Guillermo, David( my Dad) and Julio). When Roberto died, Consolacion married Ruperto, the younger brother. They have seven or nine? Children, the youngest is Adela. They were raised in Binalbagan, Neg Occidental.

Adela has a son ( Roberto)who was a retired major residing in Oton, Iloilo. They have a stall in the public market in Oton. I do remember my visit in Binalbagan when I was a boy as well as our visit in the public market stall with Manang Adela. Have you read Nereo's wordpress blog ? Nereo's knows one of your daughter?

Daisy: Hello and good morning Nong David......yes you are right your grand father is Tay Berto and when he died his younger brother RUPERTO or Tay Perto married Consolacion. I didnt know their other children except for Nang Adela kay naabutan ko pa siya before she looked like Amor Katague Gregorio, your youngest sister.

When we were residing in San Carlos City Negros Occidental the Catague Clans from Magalion and Binalbagan used to visit us but I was very small then......anyway...when we came back here in Iloilo and when I was in college I spent my On the Job Training (OJT) at camp Delgado where Major Roberto Katague Guillergan , son of Nang Adela was the head of the Finance Department in Camp Delgado.

My brother Jose Catague who just passed away last Nov 20, 2015 introduced me to him in the 80's.....so when Nang Adela died we went to Oton for her wake. I was already married then...and attended her funeral......my Papa Manuel also told us before that during the war...Nang Adelas family were assassinated by the Japanese imperial army.....all were dead except for some few people including Nang Adela because they lay still bathe with blood and play dead that according to my father's story.

When I was at my Aunt's Nanay Chayong's house in Delgado, I meet one of my cousins Nang Alma Velez Alger. She is the daughter of Aunt Nanay Incar (Incarnation ). Nang alma's family is at Molo, iloilo City and we became close with one of her sons Rene Alger because Rene and my husband were office mates in SEAFDEC before. When he knew I was a CATAGUE he made an effort to connect with us. It just saddened me nong David that everyone who know best about our family is passing away. I just lost my last brother JOSE CATAGUE, now there's only 6 of us all girls left.

Nereo Cajilig Lujan has already contacted me we became friends in Facebook and yes she know my daughter Pam because there were together in some events about tourism. My daughter Pam is connected with the department of tourism regional office here in Iloilo. I have not read Nereo's blog at the moment but I will try later thank you Nong David......my dear nephew right ? hahahahah God bless you and your family always keep safe ❤ and oh...my husband and I will be in Houston, Texas this March. I hope we get a chance to meet each other soon..........❤

Me: I enjoyed reading all the above vignettes of our relatives and our ancestry. Another question, do you know our exact relation to Fernando Catague, the famous painter who hails from Antique? Fernando's father was Andres Catague from Antique. The story of Nang Adela's family blood bath during the Japanese occupation interests me. It should be documented.

The Japanese bloodbath of my aunts family above was similar to the bloodbath the Noel Balleza clan ( relatives of my mother Paz Barrido Balleza)of Barotac Viejo, Iloilo had suffered during the Japanese-American War in the Philippines. These events should be documented, so we can learn a lesson from the above atrocities.

Note: If you read this blog and have friends and relatives who hailed from Catague, Bohol, please contact me via FaceBook or comment in this blog.

Beethoven's Symphony #5 and Prado's Mambo #5

This piece by Miyagawa's just made my day. I can not stop smiling as I listened to this very creative masterpiece. I hope you enjoy this music as much as I did.

Grilled Pompano Fish from Sea Food City

Yesterday, my sister-in-law (JM) from the East Bay visited us since it was her day of. As usual, she always bring us Pinoy delicacy and goodies that she purchased on her way to our residence. Her favorite store is the Grill City Restaurant in Seafood City in Concord. Yesterday, she brought us barbecued pork and chicken, tinola and her favorite dish grilled whole pompano fish. The fish was stuffed with onions and tomatoes and cooked to perfection. Macrine and I enjoyed the fish with my favorite vinegar sauce. Again, JM thanks a million for the food and your visit. Because of the this visit, I searched for recipes on grilled pompano. The following is a video of grilled fillet pompano for your viewing pleasure.

Causes for Lung Cancer of Non Smokers

Last week, I received a call from my wife's closed relative and phone pal, that she was just diagnosed with lung cancer. The extent of cancer (stage) has not been verified. Pet Scan and Imaging test is scheduled for next week.

Macrine's closed relative is a non-smoker. Her call reminded me that Macrine's mother also died of lung cancer. Macrine's Mom was a non smoker. These two incidents prompted me to do some Internet search on causes of lung cancer not due to smoking. According to the American Cancer Society, 20% of lung cancer deaths are people who have never smoked. The following is a summary of information from www.cancer.org on factors that may cause lung cancer for non-smokers.

1. Radon gas- The leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers is exposure to radon gas, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It accounts for about 21,000 deaths from lung cancer each year. Radon occurs naturally outdoors in harmless amounts, but sometimes becomes concentrated in homes built on soil with natural uranium deposits. Studies have found that the risk of lung cancer is higher in those who have lived for many years in a radon-contaminated house. Because radon gas can’t be seen or smelled, the only way to know whether it’s a problem in your home is to test for it. A Citizen’s Guide to Radon, produced by the EPA, explains how to test your home for radon easily and inexpensively, as well as what to do if your levels are too high.

2. Secondhand smoke- Each year, an estimated 7,000 adults die of lung cancer as a result of breathing secondhand smoke. Laws that ban smoking in public places have helped to reduce this danger. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action NetworkSM (ACS CAN), the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, is working to expand and strengthen these laws to further protect both smokers and non-smokers from the dangers of secondhand smoke.

3.Cancer-causing agents at work- For some people, the workplace is a source of exposure to carcinogens like asbestos and diesel exhaust. Work-related exposure to such cancer-causing materials has decreased in recent years, as the government and industry have taken steps to help protect workers. But the dangers are still present, and if you work around these agents, you should be careful to limit your exposure whenever possible.

4. Air pollution- It’s long been known that both indoor and outdoor air pollution contribute to lung cancer. In 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified outdoor air pollution as a cancer causing agent (carcinogen). According to Elizabeth Ward, PhD, American Cancer Society National Vice President, Intramural Research, the risk of lung cancer associated with air pollution is lower in the US than in many other countries because of policies that have helped to lower the levels of exposure.

5. Gene mutations- Researchers are learning more and more about what causes cells to become cancerous, and how lung cancer cells differ between non-smokers and smokers. For example, an article published in Clinical Cancer Research explains that a particular kind of gene mutation is much more common in lung cancer in non-smokers than smokers. This mutation activates a gene that normally helps cells grow and divide. The mutation causes the gene to be turned on constantly, so the lung cancer cells grow faster. Knowing which gene changes cause the cells to grow has helped researchers develop targeted therapies, drugs that specifically target these mutations.

There are two major types of lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Staging lung cancer is based on whether the cancer is local or has spread from the lungs to the lymph nodes or other organs. Because the lungs are large, tumors can grow in them for a long time before they are found. Even when symptoms—such as coughing and fatigue—do occur, people think they are due to other causes. For this reason, early-stage lung cancer (stages I and II) is difficult to detect.

Small cell lung cancer grow faster compared to the non-small cell type, but is more responsive to therapy. Macrine's relative did not informed me what type of lung cancer she had, However, I hope it is still in the early stages. Friends and Relatives please pray for Macrine's relative!