Celebration of Life: Macrine J. Katague via her Favorite Music (Choral)-Part 7

This is Part 7 of 14 on the series Celebration of Life of Macrine J. Katague via her favorite music.

Macrine and I loved choral music. Our first activity in UP Diliman during our college years was our participation with the University of the Philippines Student Catholic Action Choir. *( see photo of UPSCA Choir with Macrine and I as participants on bottom of page in 1953)

In this episode I am please to post a UP Concert Chorus rendition of Bayan Ko ( My Country)-a patriotic song. This patriotic song is dedicated to President Elect Joe Biden and VP Elect Kamala Harris. It is Philippine version of My Country 'Tis of Thee'.   

Bayan Ko (English translation)

My Country

My country The Philippines

Land of gold and flowers

Love bestowed to her

Offered beauty and glow

 

Due to her beauty and grace

Foreigners are tempted

My country, they enslaved you

Gave you endless suffering

 

Even bird that fly freely

Will cry once caged

My country, they enslaved you

Gave you endless suffering

 

KORO

Even bird that fly freely

Will cry once caged

My land so fair

Yearns to break free

 

Philippines that I so adore

Nest of tears and poverty

All that I desire

To see you rise and free

 

(Koro)

While searching for the best arrangement of this song, another song that I enjoyed are from the Madrigals- another UP group who had won several International awards in Choral music-May the Lord Bless and Keep You and the UP Singers Ambassadors rendition of Maalaala Mo Kaya ( Can you Remember)

University of the Philippines Student Catholic Action Choir, 1953. Macrine sings soprano and me in the Base section!  We have 300 members from various college chapters of the university.

Macrine and I loved singing in the choir here in Northern California. In the late 1980's, we sang in our church choir on Sunday masses in Pinole, as well as with the UP Alumni, Berkeley Chapter Choir based in El Sobrante, California.

Twelve years ago, we sang in our Church Choir here in Fair Oaks. We even sang a duet of Silent Night in Tagalog at the concert before the Christmas midnight mass.

Macrine and I had also organized the Marinduque Association of the Capital Area( MACA) Christmas Caroling Group in Colesville, Maryland in the late 1990's.

Macrine used to be a soloist. She sang soprano coloratura in her younger days. Today her voice is ruined by her cigarette smoking. Her last singing activity was being paid to sing for a friend's wedding in the Philippines as well as here in US.

Madrigal Singers- Dahil Sa Iyo ( Because of You)

https://davidbkatague.blogspot.com/search?q=upsca+choir 

Meanwhile enjoy this photo of Macrine and her Lemon tree in Our residence in Fair Oaks, CA  2016

 Meanwhile, here's the Transition News of the Day from the New York Times:

Joe Biden during a campaign event last month.Erin Schaff/The New York Times

Biden has said he will undo several Trump administration policies — on climate change, the pandemic, labor unions and more — on his first day in office. European diplomats expressed relief that the next U.S. president would treat them as allies instead of rivals, while Vladimir Putin of Russia seemed to be preparing for a more acrimonious relationship. One White House tradition will return: the presidential pet. The Bidens have two German shepherds, Champ and Major. and the Breaking News

The S&P 500 jumped 3.6% and is on track for a new record after positive news about a coronavirus vaccine developed by Pfizer.

 

My Prayers were Answered- My 7th Presidential Win

My Prayers for the last 4 days have been answered. Joe Biden is officially elected the 46th President of the US. This is my 9th time to participate in a Presidential election in the US and my 7th winning streak. FOR THE RECORD here's a summary of the Presidential election that I have participated since 1974.

1974-1977- Gerald Ford (R) Win

1977-1981-Jimmy Carter (D) Win

1981-1989- Ronald Reagan(R) Win

1989-1993- George H. W. Bush (R) Win

1993-2001-Bill Clinton (D) Win

2001-2009- George W Bush (R) Lost (I voted for Al Gore)

2009-2017- Barack Obama (D) Won

2017-2021- Donald Trump (R) Lost ( I voted for Hilary Clinton)

2021-2025 Joe Biden (D) Win, Win, Win ! ( Tears of Joy streaming on my Face) 

     Here's an excerpt from the New York Times Today:

Biden Wins Presidency, Ending Four Tumultuous Years Under Trump

Joseph R. Biden Jr. achieved victory offering a message of healing and unity. He will return to Washington facing a daunting set of crises.

Joseph R. Biden Jr. offered himself as a safe harbor for a broad array of Americans during his third campaign for the presidency.Credit...Erin Schaff/The New York Times

By Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns Nov. 7, 2020 Updated 12:02 p.m. ET

Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was elected the 46th president of the United States on Saturday, promising to restore political normalcy and a spirit of national unity to confront raging health and economic crises, and making Donald J. Trump a one-term president after four years of tumult in the White House.

Mr. Biden’s victory amounted to a repudiation of Mr. Trump by millions of voters exhausted with his divisive conduct and chaotic administration, and was delivered by an unlikely alliance of women, people of color, old and young voters and a sliver of disaffected Republicans. Mr. Trump is the first incumbent to lose re-election in more than a quarter-century.

The result also provided a history-making moment for Mr. Biden’s running mate, Senator Kamala Harris of California, who will become the first woman to serve as vice president.

With his triumph, Mr. Biden, who turns 78 later this month, fulfilled his decades-long ambition in his third bid for the White House, becoming the oldest person elected president. A pillar of Washington who was first elected amid the Watergate scandal, and who prefers political consensus over combat, Mr. Biden will lead a nation and a Democratic Party that have become far more ideological since his arrival in the capital in 1973.

He offered a mainstream Democratic agenda, yet it was less his policy platform than his biography to which many voters gravitated. Seeking the nation’s highest office a half-century after his first campaign, Mr. Biden — a candidate in the late autumn of his career — presented his life of setback and recovery to voters as a parable for a wounded country.

In a brief statement, Mr. Biden called for healing and unity. “With the campaign over, it’s time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation,’’ he said. “It’s time for America to unite. And to heal. We are the United States of America. And there’s nothing we can’t do, if we do it together.”

Meanwhile, enjoy this photo from my garden:

 My Ripe Ampalaya( Bitter melon)- November, 2020

 

 

My Dependence on Food Delivery Services-Will the Lord Answer My Prayers Today?

This morning both PA and GA turned blue. Biden has been leading AZ and NV since Tuesday. Biden official victory is on the Horizon! Good Bye Serial Liar Trump!   Now let's talk about Food Delivery services in my neighborhood!

The last couple of months I have been using food delivery services from three companies- Postmates, Doordash and Grubhub. Postmates have more free delivery promotions, so I used them often. The other food delivery services, I used when I ordered depend on the kind of food and restaurant they are associated with. For example if I have a craving for grilled lamb, I used Grubhub.

In my area, I could order almost all kinds of ethnic food food except for Filipino dishes. I  have ordered Chinese, Vietnamese, Mexican, Italian, Fast Food, Sandwiches, Fried Chicken and Japanese Dishes using Postmates and Doordash. I have ordered Indian, Persian and Armenian dishes via Grubhub. For details here are the link to the three food delivery companies active in my neighborhood.

1. Postmates is an American company that offers local delivery of restaurant-prepared meals and other goods. As of February 2019, Postmates operates in 2,940 U.S. cities. The service relies on mobile phone applications and their Global Positioning System capabilities to match inventories and consumer demand. 

Headquarters location: San Francisco, CA

Founded: May 1, 2011

CEO: Bastian Lehmann (2011–)

Parent organization: Uber Technologies Inc

Founders: Bastian Lehmann, Sam Street, Sean Plaice  postmates.com

 

2. DoorDash Inc. is an American on-demand prepared food delivery service founded in 2013 by Stanford students Tony Xu, Stanley Tang, Andy Fang and Evan Moore, who departed and is now a partner at Khosla Ventures.

Headquarters location: San Francisco, CA

CEO: Tony Xu (2013–)

Founded: July 2013

Subsidiaries: Caviar, Scotty Labs, Inc.

Founders: Tony Xu, Andy Fang, Evan Moore, Stanley Tang

Customer support number: (855) 973-1040 doordash.com

 

3. Grubhub Inc. is an American online and mobile prepared food ordering and delivery platform that connects diners with local restaurants. The company is based in Chicago, Illinois and was founded in 2004.

Customer service chat: Online Chat

Customer service: 1 (877) 585-1085

CEO: Matt Maloney (2004–)

Headquarters: Chicago, IL

Subsidiaries: Eat24, OrderUp, Foodler, Slick City Media, Inc  grubhub.com

 

These services are convenient but could be expensive. I try to use free delivery promos and ads. But if you have the time and want to save, order line or by phone and just pick up your order curbside.  My favorite dish is Grilled Loin lamb from our nearby Armenian Restaurant.

Meanwhile enjoy this video of a wedding ceremony and reception featuring Chateau Du Mer, ( our beach resort and conference), Boac, Marinduque, Philippines

 

https://www.facebook.com/razastillsandmotions/videos/654125195156022/ 

 

Music for Relaxation-A Post Election Activity

Watching the election results last night and staying up to 3AM was indeed a night full of tension. However, when I woke up this morning, the election results look more favorable to Joe Biden and appeared my prayers had been answered. However, completed and official results are still in the air and all votes must be counted. To help you relax and enjoy your day, enjoy the music-Romance by Chopin.

Another arrangement and more beautiful background photographs for your listening and viewing pleasure.

The above videos is from the Second Movement of Chopin Concerto #1

Notes from Wikipedia "Romanze" – Larghetto — lasts about 10 to 11 minutes

The Romanze, although not strictly in sonata form, has its second theme of the exposition ascribe to the classical model of modulating to the dominant (I-V), and, when it returns, it modulates to the mediant (III). Chopin wrote in the same letter to Tytus, saying, “It is not meant to create a powerful effect; it is rather a Romance, calm and melancholy, giving the impression of someone looking gently towards a spot that calls to mind a thousand happy memories. It is a kind of reverie in the moonlight on a beautiful spring evening.” The second movement has been described as "unashamedly heart-on-your-sleeve stuff."

 Meanwhile here's another piece-for your enjoyment!

Vivaldi- Four Seasons-Autumn-Music of the Season

Meanwhile enjoy this photo of me in 2011 as Indiana Jones

I am continuing my Prayers that Joe Biden will be the next President of the US. 
 

 

Macrine's Favorite Ternos and Evening Dresses and My Barongs-All Souls Day

Today, All Souls Day- A Mass was offered for the soul of Macrine at St Mel's Church, Fair Oaks, CA. One of her favorite hymns on Eagle Wings was sang.

Today, it also reminded me of her Ternos and evening dresses and and also some of my barongs we wore on special occasions in the Philippines as well as here in the US for the last six decades( since 1960). 

Here are some of Macrine's Ternos and some of my Barong Tagalog*.

Our Golden Wedding Anniversary Outfit-Chateau Du Mer, Boac, Marinduque (Shade of Yellow or Gold)

Macrine love to dress up every now and then and had a several ternos (evening dress with the butterfly sleeves) and party dresses in her closet. Here are some of her favorites:

 

Macrine's Pink Terno with matching fan- she wore at her welcome Address as Chair Person of the Philippine-American Festival Committee, Washington DC, 1999

Macrine's White and Beaded Terno during my 74th BD- her most expensive terno tailored by one of Manila famous couturier

The same outfit as above-getting ready for the Gala Ball- Colesville, MD, 1999. I am with my black barong with gold embroidery in front.

Macrine in her red Terno (minus the butterfly sleeves)and me with my black barong dancing the Rigodon Dance, Boac, Marinduque, 2004

Macrine in her dark purple evening dress, Front yard of Residence, Colesville, MD, 1994. I am with my stripe lavender barong.

Macrine in her silver evening dress and mink shawl, Washington, DC

I am with my black formal suit with red cummerbund (sash for the waist) and bow tie

Macrine in her oyster white embroidered and beaded party Dress, 1988

Me with my red shirt and dark blue tie with no jacket.

 

Her Favorite Lavender Evening Dress, 1997

Terno with Light Blue Butterfly Sleeve with First Cousin Puchi , San Francisco, 1974. Me with my standard oyster white barong

Macrine with her flowered light purple party dress and me with my red Hawaiian Shirt, Chateau Du Mer Conference Hall, Boac, Marinduque, 2010

 Macrine in her hand-embroidered Party Dress from the Philippines, 1972

 

Her wedding dress, May 8, 1957 and my barong with a coconut tree design

 

   Her Wedding Dress, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines, 1957 

 

Macrine and I -Partying in 1994 and 1996- Washington DC and Maryland 

*The barong tagalog, more commonly known simply as barong (and occasionally baro), is an embroidered long-sleeved formal shirt for men and a national dress of the Philippines. It is a common formal or semi-formal attire in Filipino culture, and is worn untucked over an undershirt with belted trousers and dress shoes.

Here's the link for the most expensive barong commercially available

https://www.etsy.com/listing/583963616/barong-tagalog-pinya-fiber-cloth-with?gpla=1&gao=1&

 

Celebration of Life: Macrine J. Katague via her Favorite Music (Vocal)- Part 6

This is Part 6 (of 14) in the series Celebration of Life, Macrine J.Katague via her favorite music. This part is devoted to vocal music excluding Julio Iglesias. 

Macrine's enjoy listening to opera and broadway musicals. Her favorite male singers are Pavarotti, Domingo and Carreras( the Three Tenors). She also loves to sing solo or in the Choir.

Here's Jose Carrera's rendition of Chopin Etude #10, Op 3 popularly known as No Other Love in Spanish

No other love can warm my heart

Now that I've known the comfort of your arms
 

No other love.
 

Oh the sweet contentment that I find with you every time
 

Every time.
 

No other lips could want you more
 

For I was born to glory in your kiss.
 

Forever yours
 

I was blessed with love to love you
 

Til the stars burn out above you
 

Til the moon is but a silver shell
 

No other love, let no other love
 

Know the wonder of your spell

Here's another rendition(orchestral) of this piece that I like

Orchestral music reminds me of our voice lessons in Pinole, CA in the mid 1990's as follows:

https://marinduqueawaitsyou.blogspot.com/search?q=voice+lessons

Meanwhile, enjoy Yong Nieva singing to Macrine dated February 26, 2016, Amoingon ( Chateau Du Mer), Boac, Marinduque, Philippines

https://www.facebook.com/david.b.katague/videos/10206320460666763/

The Nieva brothers ( Rene, Oskie and Yong) singing Some Enchanting Evening to Macrine, 2016 

https://www.facebook.com/david.b.katague/videos/10206321560494258/

"I recall one time when we -- Yong, Oskie, Genny and I -- visited Manong Dave and Manang Macrine in their beautiful Chateau du Mer Resort in Marinduque some years back. Manang Macrine was not feeling well at the time and was quiet at first. But when we serenaded her with "Some Enchanted Evening", which happened to be a favorite of hers, she perked up and ended up singing along with us. We were so happy to hear her doing so that we were on the verge of tears. Such was the power of music to drive suffering and loneliness away, and would always be so ". Rene (RIP).

Meanwhile enjoy Carenna's audition at UWC musical IN THE HEIGHTS "Everything I know"

Sharing Carenna KT s audition for Lin Manuel Miranda’s “In the Heights” at UWCM. She was cast as Nina (the lead who sings this song) - “Everything I know”, which was very emotional since her Lola (Abuela) just passed away right before she left for Europe. Makes me tear up when she sings “Abuela if you’re up there, I will make you proud.” 0:09 / 3:45  

https://www.facebook.com/ditas/videos/10157848225531270/

 

Have You Heard of Sous-vide Cooking?

 Cooking via Sous-vide-Photo Credit-Wikipedia

I was communicating with a European friend now residing in the Philippines about the best way to cook exotic and expensive meat like ostrich steaks the other day. I told him I am not comfortable in cooking expensive and exotic meat like ostrich steaks or lamb chops for I might ruin the cooking either under or over cooking.

He suggested I try cooking Sous-vide. This was my first time to hear of the word Sous-vide.  The technique of cooking in a vacuum-sealed bags in a water bath  had been done by Macrine (RIP) in her younger years. I just did not know what the name of the process or technique was at that time.

Sous Vide is a French cooking technique, which translates to “under vacuum." In this technique food is vacuum-sealed in a cooking pouch and heated up at a precise temperature in a water oven. Instead of relying on perfect timing, sous vide relies on precise temperature control. You simply set the machine and can expect the technique to deliver consistent, perfect results. Foods cooked sous vide develop flavors and textures that simply cannot be duplicated using any other traditional cooking method. Here are the advantages of cooking sous-vide.

• Enhanced flavours.
• Healthier result.
• Better textures and tenderness.
• Never overcooked.
• Perfect every time.

Sous vide water bath cooker could vary from $9.99 to $ 4,000 + depending on brand 

The  $9.99 water bath cooker from Amazon

The most expensive sous vide water bath cooker commercially available listed for $4,200.99  

• Here are three links about Sous-vide cooking.

https://sousvidesupreme.com/pages/10-great-reasons-to-get-a-sousvide-supreme

https://anovaculinary.com/what-is-sous-vide/

https://www.seriouseats.com/2010/04/cook-your-meat-in-a-beer-cooler-the-worlds-best-sous-vide-hack.html?fbclid=IwAR1WcsHJTszppMFf1b3D0Q_7VUMKtkvywWtgCKmwnPsd4lgo_s7vVvNuBig 

Meanwhile, enjoy this photo of coconut lobster from Marinduque, Philippines

Live Coconut Lobsters ( Crabs) from Marinduque, Philippines
 

 

Cooking Filipino Dishes Using an Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker

Our old (1980's) Presto Pressure Cooker versus Ditas modern Instant Pot

In the late 1980's Macrine (RIP-my late spouse)) had been using a Presto Pressure Cooking for Lengua( Beef Tongue) Estofado and Pigs Knuckles for her Kare-kare and other Pinoy dishes until 2013 when she was diagnosed with Parkinson. Since then I was the cook in the House but I did not use our old pressure cooker because I was scared it will blow up on me and I hate the noise of the cooker. However the other day, Ditas my youngest daughter showed me her Instant Pot and my fear of cooking using a pressure cooker had vanished.

The other day, Ditas cooked kare-kare (pig knuckles)using her modern Instant Pot. The pigs feet was soft and tender for only 30 minutes versus cooking in a regular oven top which will require from 2 to 3 hours.

Two months ago, I joined a FB  Filipino cooking group and I ask the following question.

What Pinoy Dishes have you cooked using the Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker?

I had 133 comments as of today. I am posting a few of the comments below:

Manny Tamayo

Pinapaitan

Arlyn Reataza

Nilaga

Ashley Clements

Arroz caldo, adobo, sinigang

Myrna Magdangal Ranada

Bulalo

Lynne Viloria Gutierrez

I prefer to use simmer when cooking bulalo, nilaga stew chicken to get the real flavor!!

Emily Pudol Parinas Williams

Sinigang

Joe Aurora Tizon Sobrino

Nilagang mani

Roselyn Angao

sinigang, adobo, afritada, calderitA and menudo

Tess Garcia

Oxtail for kare kare

Kristine Guevarra

Chicken feet

Kristine Guevarra

Bistek, bulalo, kare kare, adobo.

Enriqueta Wilbanks

Humba with banana flower.

Michelle Mirabel-Mendoza

Mechado, adobo and kare kare

Josephine Horii

Nilaga crispy pata and kaldereta

Jocelyn R. Greene

Lechon belly

Nito B. Tan

Paa ng baka

Noel Gavia

https://www.amazon.ca/Filipino-Instant-Pot.../dp/1734124105

The Filipino Instant Pot Cookbook: Classic and Modern Filipino Recipes for Your Electric Pressure Cooker

The Filipino Instant Pot Cookbook: Classic and Modern Filipino Recipes for Your Electric Pressure Cooker

Princisita Molina

Use pressure cooker to all meat before finalize the recipe.

Mary Anne Stevens

Menudo, arroz caldo

Mark Quijano

Adobo, afritada, nilaga

Lavinia Lways

Kare kare

Edmar Yetyet

Beef pares

Aggie Renee

Kare Kare

Xiarhina Consunji

Kaldereta

Nilaga…

Constancia Cabasa

Piglets oxtail soup

Lorna Barriga Mapue

Caldereta

Arden Heraldo

Karekare,kaldereta,mechado, nilagang baka, goto.

Nina Roper Yearwood

Sinigang!

Joel Agpawa Hendrix

None

Mitchie Ahohada

Pork leg and baked beans

Lester Z. Machacon

bulalo

James Martinez

Kare kare.

Faye Virtucio Espocia

Kare kare, calderetang kambing, sinigang, tinola and kanin!!!!

Amelia Dumalaog Miranda

Any meat that takes time to boil and soften

Pauline T Santos

Mechado

Estee Naval Dizon

paella, put rice seafood stock and at 1 teaspoon saffron and put chicken , shrimp , sausages

Becca Sagun Ugali

Papaitan,karekare,nilaga

Catherine Cuevas Sablad

Kare kare, sinigang, nilaga, mechado

Flo Vander Wiede

Karekare, bulalo

Gerlynmae Añover-Baello

Eto luto ni mister https://youtu.be/sbvwBd62jSY

Sinigang na Beef Pata with a Twist. Easy and delicious.

Sinigang na Beef Pata with a Twist. Easy and delicious.

Camille Harvey

Leche flan

Margie Salvador Bonifacio Pratt

Other than bulalo at kare Kare. Adobo, rice minsan spaghetti

Lola Vogler

I never use pressure cooker in My entire life

Belinda Agustin Macatangay

Kare kare...for the oxtail and tendons

ArtandMonica Lai

Adobo

Rucel Pletado

Chicken adobo

Julie Espiritu

Beef stew Adobo chicken/pork, Menudo.

Meanwhile enjoy this video -Cooking Lengua Estofado- one of my favorite Filipino Dish and a coconut lobster from Chateau Du Mer, Boac, Marindque, Philippines