A Confirmed Relative-Teofisto Guingona, Jr and THD News

From My readings This Morning. My father mentioned that Teofisto Guingona, Jr is our relative during my teenager years in the Philippines. Our exact relationship, I was not sure.  Today it was confirmed by Geni.

Geni's Relationship Finder just found a path between you and Teofisto Guingona Jr.in the World Family Tree. It turns out that Teofisto Guingona Jr. is your third cousin.

Teofisto Guingona Jr. (b. 1928) is a prominent Filipino politician and statesman known for his significant contributions to Philippine governance and democracy. Born in San Juan, Rizal, he was raised in a politically active family, which influenced his early interest in public service. Guingona pursued law at Ateneo de Manila University, laying the foundation for his legal and political career. In the 1970s, during the martial law era under Ferdinand Marcos, Guingona emerged as a vocal critic of the regime, advocating for human rights and democratic reforms. His political career gained momentum in the post-Marcos era, serving as a senator from 1987 to 1993 and again from 1998 to 2001.

 As a senator, he was instrumental in crafting legislation that promoted transparency and accountability in government. In 2001, Guingona was appointed Vice President of the Philippines under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. His tenure was marked by his steadfast commitment to anti-corruption initiatives. Guingona's legacy is defined by his unwavering dedication to democratic principles and his role in shaping modern Philippine politics.

Meanwhile, Did You Know That....

Sinangag (garlic fried rice) wasn’t originally a breakfast favorite—it was a practical way to avoid food waste! Farmers and fishermen fried leftover rice with garlic to prevent spoilage and make their meals last longer.

Over time, this survival food turned into a breakfast icon, now paired with longganisa, tapa, or tuyo in the famous Filipino "silog" combo. But at its core, Sinangag was born out of necessity and resilience!

Lastly, Good News from THD

THD has now 100% occupancy. Congratulations Jenny and Ted of Our Leasing Department.  With it are growing pains! The last 10 days, we have no local transportation services. There is some complaints about the 2-seating Scheduling. It has solved the problem of excessive noise and overcrowding at Newton's. I have heard of complaints from several residents about being hurried during the first seating schedule.  Others complain that there is now no flexibility of dining partners as in the previous dining schedule. 

Yesterday, I have been officially designated as the Greeter for New Resident Bill Obenchain, my neighbor in the Fairmont Building. Please join me in welcoming Bill to our community. Bill is now listed in the March phone book ( No Picture yet). THD now has a total of 145 residents. 

Happy Memories of My Younger Years- An Open Road On A Motorcycle

Two wheels, an open road, and a heart full of gratitude.- From the Lazy Traveler

 

The engine hums beneath me, a steady rhythm that matches the peacefulness of the open road. The wind brushes against my face, carrying the scent of the earth and the warmth of the afternoon sun. No traffic, no rush—just me, my motorcycle, and the endless stretch ahead. Each turn reveals another breathtaking view, each mile a reminder of how freeing the simple moments can be. The world feels vast yet familiar, like it was meant to be explored at this pace. Birds take flight in the distance, trees sway in the breeze, and for a while, nothing else matters. It's in rides like these that the mind finds clarity, and the soul finds peace. Because sometimes, happiness is as simple as an open road and a full heart.

A motorcycle ride of my younger Days- Reminds me of my pre-retirement  years at Chateau Du Mer, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines

Meanwhile, here are the differences between character- driven and emotion-driven people

Lastly, here are inspiring quotes about aging referred to me by JW- a loyal reader of my blogs.

https://www.inspiringquotes.com/funny-quotes-about-aging/YykjHzFGBwAH5ZHS?liu=0f06337c5125b35f1a4d7511406c59be

The Science and Chemistry of the Human Touch

I was talking to my massage therapist( Indy)the other day about why I am looking forward joyfully (semi-addiction) to my weekly massage. Indy said, because you feel good because massage releases oxytocin-a feel-good hormone that helps us better deal with stress.. I believe him, but I want to confirm it. So I did some Internet search and here are my readings on the science of human touch💚💚. Note that I have been having weekly massage since last year here at THD. Prior to my move here at THD, I had monthly massage ( home service) for the last 3 years in Fair Oaks.      

The article below also discussed our feeling if we are deprived of a human touch.  Here is a summary and for details read the website listed on the bottom of this page.  I have all of the three things that address touch deprivation listed below: massage, pets and weighted blankets.  I have posted articles on all three -massage( weekly) and pets( 2 cats) and weighted blankets💜. https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2022/12/the-benefits-of-weighted-blankets-for.html💜

THE BASICS

• What Is Depression?
• Take our Depression Test
• Find a therapist to overcome depression

KEY POINTS

• The need for human touch is one of our most basic, primal needs.
• Touch deprivation is correlated with negative health outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and immune system disorders.
• Ways to address touch deprivation include massage therapy, pets, and weighted blankets.

Source: AlessandroBiascioli/Shutterstock

Let’s be honest. The past 18 months have not invited a lot of touch. Quarantined at home and isolated from friends, many people have felt a lack of connection both emotionally as well as physically. Hugs and handshaking happen much less frequently now. And although the world is slowly returning to normal, the rise of the Delta variant suggests that social distancing will likely continue to define our social interactions for some time.

Much has been written in the media about the limits that social distancing has placed on single people’s sexual activity. As a human sexuality professor, I hear all about this from my students as well as from myfollowers.What’s largely been missed, though, is a more subtle yet even more fundamental need: the need for human touch.

The Science of Touch

The research demonstrating the need for human touch is vast. From a developmental standpoint, infants literally cannot survive without human touch. Skin-to-skin contact in even in the first hour after birth has been shown to help regulate newborns’ temperature, heart rate, and breathing, and decreases crying (Ferber, Feldman, & Makhoul, 2008). Touch also increases mothers' relaxation hormones and aids in the release of oxytocin. A now-famous study examined the sensory deprivation of children in understaffed orphanages in Romania (Carlson & Earls, 1997). The touch-deprived children, the authors found, had strikingly lower cortisol and growth development levels for their age group.

Harlow’s Monkey experiments (Harlow & Harlow, 1965) are perhaps the most famous example of research pointing at the primacy of the need for touch. In a series of experiments, Harlow created inanimate surrogate mothers for baby monkeys made from wire and wool. Each infant became attached to its particular “mother,” recognizing its unique face and preferring it above others.

Next, Harlow presented the infants with a soft, cuddly clothed "mother" as well as a wire "mother" located in two separate but attached chambers. Only the wire “mother” held a bottle with food. Harlow found that the monkeys spent far more time next snuggled against the cloth “mother” than they spent with the wire “mother” even though the wire “mother” was the only one with food. Food may be necessary for survival, but touch is what sustains us.

Later in his career, Harlow carried out perhaps his most controversial study, by cultivating infant monkeys in isolation chambers for up to 24 months. The infant monkeys emerged from isolation deeply disturbed, a finding of which many credit as having started the animal rights movement.

Since Harlow’s experiments, research has uncovered an astonishing number of poor health outcomes that result when we are deprived of touch. The correlation between anxiety, depression and stress and touch is large and inversely related. It has been found that touch calms our nervous center and slows down our heartbeat. Human touch also lowers blood pressure as well as cortisol, our stress hormone. It also triggers the release of oxytocin, a hormone known for promoting emotional bonding to others.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/everyone-on-top/202108/the-vital-importance-of-human-touch

We hold our emotions and feelings, and thus our tensions, inside of us, in our muscles and minds.

Benefits of Massage

Massage is not only useful to release this tension physically, but the physical contact from another human being can actually cause us to release oxytocin, a feel-good hormone that helps us better deal with stress.

University of Miami’s Touch Research Institute has found that touch provides the following benefits, among others:

• Lessening of pain
• Improved pulmonary (lung) function
• Increased growth in infant
• Lowered blood glucose (sugar) level
• Improved immune function to help you fight off illness and infection

Pair those benefits with the well-studied benefits of message, including, but not limited to:

• Reduction of anxiety or depression
• Stress Reduction
• Reduction of pain and muscle tension
• Treatment of digestive disorders, headaches, stress-related insomnia, strains and injuries, and sports injuries
• For Details read: 

https://umwellness.wordpress.com/2014/10/02/the-benefits-of-human-touch-through-massage/

Meanwhile,  here's my photo of my bubblegram cross decor and photo of Macrine( RIP) and myself. 

💚💚

Magic and Witchcraft Belief of Filipinos

Did you know that early accounts by explorers like Pigafetta** described the intriguing spiritual practices of the Filipinos, particularly their use of magic and witchcraft**?

Certain indigenous priests and healers were believed to control spirits, foretell the future, or even curse people. Leaders often consulted shamans or witch doctors for guidance in times of war and peace.

Some islanders were said to use magic to protect themselves from enemies, highlighting the strong superstition and mystical beliefs within native Filipino culture.

The above paragraph I found in my Face Book Today. It reminded me of Aswang's- one of my most widely read article published in my Hubpages Writing Account. I am reposting a summary of that article. 

An Aswang (or Asuwang) is a mythical creature in Philippine folklore. The aswang is an inherently evil vampire-like creature and is the subject of a wide variety of myths and stories, the details of which vary greatly. Spanish colonizers noted that the Aswang was the most feared among the mythical creatures of the Philippines, even in the 16th century.

The myth of the aswang is well known throughout the Philippines, except in the Ilocos region, which is the only region that does not have an equivalent myth. It is especially popular in the Western Visayan regions such as Capiz, Iloilo, and Antique. Other regional names for the aswang include "tik-tik", "wak-wak", and "soc-soc". Aswangs are often described as a combination of vampire and witch and are almost always female. They are sometimes used as a generic term applied to all types of witches, manananggals, shapeshifters, lycanthropes, and monsters.

For details visit the following site:

https://discover.hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/My-Encounters-with-Aswangs-Witches-Goblins-and-Ghosts-in-the-Philippines

In addition, long before the infamous witch hunts in Europe, the Spanish friars in the 1600s accused indigenous Filipinos, particularly Babaylans (native priestesses and healers), of practicing witchcraft.

The Spanish sought to suppress native spiritual beliefs, branding them as heretical or demonic. Many Babaylans were persecuted, exiled, or even executed for their resistance to Catholic conversion. This period marked a significant loss of pre-colonial Filipino traditions and indigenous healing practices.

Meanwhile, Did you know that:

The Age of Discovery, also known as the Age of Exploration, was a period of European exploration, colonization, and conquest that took place from the late 15th century to the 17th century. This period was marked by many notable events, including:

• Christopher Columbus

In 1492, Columbus set sail on a voyage to the Far East, but instead landed on two continents that were previously unknown.

• Spanish conquest of the Americas

The Spanish conquered the Aztecs of Mexico and the Incas of Peru, and by the end of the Age of Exploration, Spain ruled from the Southwestern United States to Argentina and Chile.

• Sir Francis Drake

Drake became the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe.

• Vasco da Gama

Da Gama sailed to India, becoming the first European to do so.

• Bartolomeu Dias

Dias discovered the Cape of Good Hope.

• Ferdinand Magellan

Magellan's voyage led to the discovery of the Strait of Magellan and the Philippines.

Finally, Did You Know that

In the early 20th century, some U.S. politicians considered making the Philippines a U.S. state. Given its size and population, the idea had some initial support.

However, logistical challenges and cultural differences led to the proposal being quickly dropped.

The complexities of integrating the Philippines fully as a state made it an impractical endeavor.

Filipinos Obsession with Food

  From My Readings on Filipino Obsession for Food

The above photo is a typical food preparation of Filipino Food from a typical Middle Class Family in the Philippines. Rich Filipinos would have Lechon and other Exotic Dishes ( Non-Filipino Comfort Food Dishes) Prepared for Special Occasions.  Rich Filipinos would have European dishes  added to the native delicacies featured above.   
Some of my THD friends informed me that I may have obsession with foods, since it is one of my favorite and frequent topics in my blogs. They also wondered why I am not overweight. My blog readers informed my my writings on Food assumed that I consumed a lot of it, but I am not overweight. My response is Moderation! But variety, yes, indeed. I love all ethnic foods of the world. Yes, I have an adventurous palate because of my childhood years. 
 https://myfavoritepinoydishes.blogspot.com/2025/01/gordon-ramsay-on-filipino-food.html

Here are some information why food is important to Filipinos in general. 

Cultural Significance: Food is a central part of Filipino culture. Many traditional dishes are tied to festivals, celebrations, and religious events, making meals an essential aspect of cultural identity. Social Connection: Meals are often communal, reflecting the Filipino value of ``bayanihan,'' or community spirit.

Why do Filipinos love eating all the time? - Quora

Why is food so important to Filipino culture?

A: Filipinos really represent 'family. ' It's family food. Food is always a big thing. Every Filipino – no matter where you go – and you go to their house, they will ask you if you're hungry.

What are the Filipino eating habits?

A typical Filipino diet in a day consists of about three and a half (3 ½) cups of cooked rice, one (1) matchbox of fried fish, and half (1/2) cup of boiled vegetables per day and these are usually consumed during the three (3) major meals of the day: breakfast, lunch and supper 

.

What food do Filipinos eat the most?

Staples. As in most Asian countries, the staple food in the Philippines is rice. It is most often steamed and always served with meat, fish and vegetable dishes. Leftover rice is often fried with garlic to make sinangag, which is usually served at breakfast together with a fried egg and cured meat or sausages.

In Addition do you know that ‘Kumain Ka Na?’ is the traditional greeting in the Philippines.

In the Philippines, asking "Kumain ka na?" (Have you eaten?) is more than just a question about food—it is a warm and caring way to greet someone. Unlike in Western cultures where greetings are typically "Hello" or "How are you?", Filipinos use this phrase to show concern and hospitality. This reflects the deeply ingrained cultural value of pakikisama (smooth social relationships) and malasakit (genuine care for others).

The habit stems from the Filipino emphasis on communal eating, where sharing meals is a way to bond and strengthen relationships. It also highlights the value placed on food as a symbol of love and generosity. Whether it’s a close friend, a family member, or even a casual acquaintance, asking "Kumain ka na?" is a way of ensuring someone’s well-being rather than just making small talk. In many cases, if the person responds with "Not yet," the one asking might even offer them food, reinforcing the Filipino trait of hospitality and generosity.

Moreover, Did you Know -The Filipino Habit of Leaving the Last Piece of Food on a Plate

In the Philippines, there is an unspoken rule known as "hiya" (shame or modesty) that influences dining etiquette. One peculiar habit rooted in this cultural value is leaving the last piece of food on a shared plate. Many Filipinos hesitate to take the final bite, fearing it may be perceived as selfish or greedy. This behavior is often accompanied by playful teasing, with people encouraging others to take it, yet no one wanting to be the one to do so.

To resolve this dilemma, some Filipinos jokingly assign the last piece to the youngest or to someone willing to take it after much persuasion. In more casual settings, it is sometimes cut in half or divided among diners to avoid awkwardness. Despite this habit, Filipinos are known for their generosity and hospitality, always ensuring that there is enough food for everyone.

Yesterday, Saturday, March 1, Dinah and I had lunch at Isla Grand Restaurant in Pleasant Hill. https://www.yelp.com/biz/isla-grand-pleasant-hill

Here the photos I took of our meal, enough left over for to-GO for my Freezer.

Meanwhile, Here's a train ride you may be interested!