Home-Cooked Filipino Dinner- The Comet Room in Newton's

Last Friday's night( September 6), John and Carol Larimore invited me to join them for filipino dinner at the residence of their bible class friends in Concord.  Ruby and Greg Atienza were our host. Ruby's is in the Filipino Food Catering Service ( see Menu above)- House of Casey.  She cooked a simple 3-menu Filipino dishes with steamed rice and sticky rice soup( congee).

The dishes were delicious. It included a grilled deboned milk fish( Inihaw na Bangus), pork adobo, sauteed (ginisang) mongo in smoked fish( Tinapa) and the sticky rice soup ( with ginger). She also send me home ( padala) the mongo dish which I plan on devouring with gusto next week.   I took some photos as follows:

The grilled milk fish was provided with lemon-soy sauce dip as well as a pickled green Papaya (Atchara) which was a gastronomic delight.

Again Thank You, John and Carol for inviting me. Please extend again my thanks to Ruby and Greg during your next Bible Class.  I plan on ordering Dishes from the Menu above for my Personal Enjoyment in the very near future.   Meanwhile here is the list of 10 traditional filipino dishes💚 you may want to taste and brag about. 

Filipino food tends to be overlooked for other Southeast Asian cuisines, like Thai and Vietnamese. But you’d be mistaken to neglect it. Pinoy cuisine has been delighting taste buds for centuries with phenomenal flavors that reflect the country’s multi-cultural influence. From deep-fried lumpia rolls to sweet leche flan, you can find Chinese, Spanish, or Native influence in almost every dish. 💚https://www.westernunion.com/blog/en/traditional-filipino-dishes/

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The Comet Room -A Newton's Restaurant Expansion

Photo Credit: Jenny Shively: Dinner at the Comet Room last Night-September 11, 2024  

Last Night I had Dinner at the Comet Room-Expansion of Newton's. The Dining Room in the Comet Room ( circular table for 6) was not only very pleasant because you could hear each other conversations( noise level perfect), but also the temperature was just perfect compared to the arctic conditions ( need a sweater or light jacket) in the main Dining Room of Newton.  

So sometime again this week or next week, if you see me alone in the circular table for 6 in the Comet Room, please do not hesitate to join me for dinner.  I promise I will not monopolize the conversation and I will not talk about my blogs. I hope you can join me next time, when you see me eating alone in the Comet Room ( the Expansion of Newton's-across the Kitchen Area-see photo below).  

Good Day to ALL! Another Good Move by THD Management!

However, I am eagerly waiting for the sound boards (acoustic panels) to be installed in the Newton's main dining Area. 

 

Nineteen Interesting Facts About the Philippnes

19 Facts You May Not Know About the Philippines:

1. The Philippines is an archipelago comprising 7,641 islands, with only about 2,000 islands inhabited.

2. Filipino (Tagalog) and English are the official languages of the Philippines, with Filipino being based on Tagalog.

3. Manila, the capital city, is one of the most densely populated cities in the world and the center of government, commerce, and culture.

4. The Philippines has a population of over 110 million people, making it the 13th most populous country in the world.

5. The country has a rich cultural heritage influenced by Malay, Spanish, American, and Chinese cultures, among others.

6. The Philippines is known for its hospitality and strong family ties, with extended families often living together in one household.

7. The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, located in the Sulu Sea, is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its marine biodiversity.

8. Filipinos celebrate the longest Christmas season in the world, starting as early as September and lasting until January.

9. The Chocolate Hills in Bohol are a geological formation of over 1,200 hills that turn brown during the dry season, resembling chocolate kisses.

10. The country is prone to natural disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire.

11. The Philippine eagle, also known as the monkey-eating eagle, is one of the largest and rarest eagles in the world and is endemic to the Philippines.

12. The Ifugao Rice Terraces, located in the northern part of Luzon, are ancient terraces carved into the mountainside by the Ifugao people over 2,000 years ago.

13. The jeepney, a modified form of transportation from surplus military jeeps left by American troops after World War II, is a popular mode of public transportation in the Philippines.

14. Filipino cuisine is diverse and includes dishes like adobo (meat stewed in vinegar and soy sauce), sinigang (sour soup), and lechon (roast pig).

15. The Philippines is predominantly Roman Catholic, a legacy of over 300 years of Spanish colonization.

16. Mount Apo, located on the island of Mindanao, is the highest peak in the Philippines, standing at 2,954 meters (9,692 feet) above sea level.

17. The Hinulugang Taktak National Park in Rizal province features a waterfall that was once a popular resort during the Spanish era.

18. Filipinos have a strong sense of nationalism and pride, often displaying the Philippine flag, and celebrating Independence Day on June 12th.

19. Filipino martial arts, such as Arnis and Eskrima, are traditional martial arts that emphasize weapon-based fighting techniques and self-defense.

Personal:

Place of Birth: Jaro, Iloilo City, 1934

Teenage Years: High School: Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, 1947-1951

Undergraduate College Years : University of the Philippines, Iloilo City-1951-1953

University of the Philippines. Diliman. Quezon City, 1953-1955

First Teaching Job- Assistant Instructor in Chemistry, UP, Diliman 1955-1959

Graduate School Years: University of Illinois, Chicago.Ph.D in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, 1959-1964

Professional Years: Kansas City, Missouri (Chemagro Corp); Modesto, California ( Shell Development Co); Pinole, California ( Stauffer and Chevron Chemical Companies) and Silver Spring, Md ( FDA), 1964-2002

Retirement Years: Fair Oaks, CA, and Boac, Marinduque, 2002-2023

Active Senior Living: THD, Walnut Creek, CA 2023 - present

Meanwhile here's a short video about the Philippines you should watch!

https://fb.watch/uygEIT5PCi/

Lastly, Did You Know that the word "Filipinas" first appeared on coins during the Spanish colonial period. These coins, minted in the late 1800s, bore the name "Islas Filipinas", derived from King Philip II of Spain, after whom the country was named. One of the most notable coins was the Peso Fuertes, the first official currency of the Philippines in 1852.

These early coins were significant not only for their monetary value but also as symbols of the country’s colonial history. The use of Filipinas on currency helped shape the national identity during a time when the Philippines was under Spanish rule.

#Filipinas #PhilippineCoins #PesoFuertes #SpanishColonialPeriod #PhilippineHistory #Numismatics #IslasFilipinas #DidYouKnow #PhilippineTrivia #KingPhilipII #ColonialCurrency

Remembering September 11, 2001- WTC Bombing 23rd Anniversary

The Burning Twin Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City, September 11, 2001

Do you remember what were you doing on September 11, 2001- twenty-three years ago? Today is the 23rd  anniversary of the most heinous and perverted crime in 21st century in the US- The terrorist bombing of the World Trade Center In New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

Exactly 23 years ago, I was still working for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). I remember clearly what I was doing and how I felt afterward that day. Depressed and frustrated that I can not do much of what happened that historic day.

That morning in September 11, 2001, The Office of New Drug Chemistry, Center of New Drugs 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 World Trade Center 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 October, 2001, the four members of my review team received a special cash award($500 each) 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 from FDA I had, this one was 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. My job with the FDA was the most challenging and rewarding work of my professional career. 

The next year, October 1, 2002, I retired from the FDA after 12 years of public service with pride and humility by insuring that only safe, effective, and high quality Anti-Infective drugs are marketed in the United States. 

The photo above was the first picture I saw on television the morning of September 11, 2001. I will never forget that day as long as I live.

There were domestic long-term effects of 9/11 as well. Thousands of people struggle with cancer and lasting chronic health problems relating to the toxicity from Ground Zero, the site where the Twin Towers used to stand. The September 11 attacks also changed American air travel as airlines began to require stringent security checks designed to prevent the types of weapons the hijackers used from slipping through.

Finally, the 9/11 attacks resulted in changes to the federal government and an expansion of executive power. A new cabinet department, the Department of Homeland Security, was created, and the intelligence community was consolidated under the Director of National Intelligence to improve coordination between various agencies and departments. New legislation such as the USA Patriot Act expanded domestic security and surveillance, disrupted terrorist funding by cracking down on activities such as money laundering, and increased efficiency within the U.S. intelligence community.

The tragedy of September 11, 2001 will never be forgotten, and the aftermath is still continuing to unfold. The 9/11 Memorial and Museum opened on the site of the former World Trade Center on September 11, 2011, and features reflecting pools in the footprints of where the Twin Towers once stood.

Do you remember exactly what you were doing that day when the world trembled and changed how we travel all over the world? I would like to hear from you!!! 

For Details visit: 

https://millercenter.org/remembering-september-11/september-11-terrorist-attacks

Newton's Renovation, Redecoration and Expansion

Last Sunday we were officially back to Newton's for our meals. The place look different and spacious without the Plastic tree in the Center. In addition, the Comet Room across the Kitchen Area was converted into another dining area wit 3 circular table of 6. This room is less noisy and offer more privacy and amenable to more meaningful conversations because the noise level is tolerable.   

I took some photos of the Newton's Dining Areas ( In and Out) as well as the Comet Room across the Kitchen Area. The huge, ugly and dusty plastic tree in the Center of Newtons was gone. It was replaced by potted pinkish-yellow chrysanthemums- looks good. The removal of the plastic tree gave Newton's a spacious and more welcoming look.  

The Main Decor in the Center of Newton's Main DINING Area

The Former Comet Room converted into an Additional Dining Area to Provide the Overflow of Diners from the Main Dining Room.  

Another rearrangement was the conversion of the Comet Room to another private Dining Area provided with three circular Tables of Six. This is an excellent rearrangement because it can provide the overflow of Diners from the Main Dining Area. This will also provide a more private Dinner Seating if Residents have guests up to 18 persons.  The three circular table was transferred from the Activity Room. I am hoping that the Activity Room be provided at least two square tables for 4 for card and mahjong games. 

Here are the photos I took last Sunday's Brunch both inside and outside Newton's Restaurant.

Again, thank You, THD management for a successful and painless renovation of Newton's  Kitchen and Dining Areas. With more Residents coming the last 3 months, an additional dining area is a must to avoid overcrowding during meal times. Hopefully the installation of the sound boards will be effective in reducing the noise level to a more tolerable and healthy levels.   

My First Song Parody- Happy Birthday, Dean

I wrote My first song parody in 2013. It is a song that Macrine's (RIP) and I loved very much. It is song about the city we loved (San Francisco, Ca)- I Left My Heart in San Francisco. 

 "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" is a popular song, best known as the signature song of Tony Bennett. It was written in late-1953 in Brooklyn, New York, with music by George Cory (1920–1978) and lyrics by Douglass Cross (1920–1975).

In 1962, the song was released as a single by Bennett on Columbia Records as the b-side to "Once Upon a Time", which peaked at No. 19 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The song was also included on the album  I Left My Heart in San Francisco. It reached number seven on the Easy Listening chart. The song is one of the official anthems for the city of San Francisco. In 2018, it was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

In 2009, when I first started blogging, I titled one of my blogs, I Left My Heart In Marinduque  (Not San Francisco).  Marinduque ( Philippines) was our second retirement home.  Our other second residence in Fair Oaks, California was our first retirement home in the US.

 My family moved from the Washington DC area after my retirement from the FDA in 2002 to Fair Oaks, California 💥( Eastern suburb of Sacramento), so we could help baby sit our youngest grand daughter, Carenna Katague Thompson (CKT).  At that time, Ditas our youngest daughter, mother of Carenna was still working for the Office of the Governor, Arnold Schwarzenneger in Sacramento.

Here's my music parody, I left My Heart in Marinduque.  I wrote this in 2013. This was first song parody and I have a feeling it will be the last. Sing it to the tune of Bennett's signature song, I left My Heart In San Francisco.

"The loveliness of Fair Oaks💥

Seems somehow sadly gay

the glory that was Boac💜

Is another day!

Ive been terribly alone

and forgotten in Sacramento

I'm going home to my town by the sea.

I left my heart in Marinduque💜

Near by the beach it beckons me

To be where the Moriones💚 are

Come, visit where ever you are

The morning sun rise by the sea

I don't care!

My love waits at Chateau Du Mer💙

Near the blue and calmy sea

When I come home to you, Marinduque

Chateau Du Mer will welcome me!"

💚The Moriones Festival is a lenten and religious festival held annually on Holy Week on the island of Marinduque, Philippines. The "Moriones" are men and women in costumes and masks replicating the garb of biblical Imperial Romansoldiers as interpreted by locals. The Moriones tradition has inspired the creation of other festivals in the Philippines where cultural practices is turned into street festivals.

💙This is a two-bedroom, two-bath beach house with 180 degree balcony with a panoramic view of the western coast of Marinduque. Maximum occupancy is 4 adults and 2 children. Snorkeling/Diving, Bathing, caves exploration and mountain climbing are the many activities enjoyed by visitors. It is the retirement home of David and Macrine Katague from Fair Oaks, California and was converted into a Bed & Breakfast in 2009. It was closed to the public in 2020. 

💜Boac, officially the Municipality of Boac (Tagalog: Bayan ng Boac), is a 1st class municipality and capital of the province of Marinduque, Philippines.  Marinduque is an island province in the Philippines located in Southwestern Tagalog Region or Mimaropa, formerly designated as Region IV-B. 

Lastly, last Saturday Afternoon Encore Performance of Uma Dobia, Dean Elias youngest daughter is another musical event THD residents will always remember. Happy 90th Birthday, Dean!  Welcome to My Nonagenarian Club!! Dean is one of my loyal readers and commentator of my blogs.

💚💚- The Encore Concert by your daughter Uma Dobia was another musical event that will we always remember. Her last song, I Could Have Dance All Night triggered pleasant memories of her stellar display of musical talent last year💓. Her rendition of I Left My heart in San Francisco reminded me my first attempt to compose my first song parody. 

💓https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2023/10/a-most-special-musical-treat-saturday.html

💚💚Here's the LinkedIn page of Dean: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-elias-1461243/

💚💚https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2023/07/know-your-fellow-residents-here-at-thd.html