National Monuments and Landmarks in US

The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah
A National Monument in the United States is a protected area that is similar to a National Park except that the President of the United States can quickly declare an area of the United States to be a National Monument without the approval of Congress. National monuments receive less funding and afford fewer protections to wildlife than national parks. However, areas within and extending beyond national parks, monuments, and national forests can be part of wilderness areas, which have an even greater degree of protection than a national park would alone, although wilderness areas managed by the United States Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management often allow hunting.

National monuments can be managed by one of several federal agencies: the National Park Service(NPS), United States Forest Service(USFS), United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), or Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

President Theodore Roosevelt established the first national monument, Devils Tower in Wyoming, on September 24, 1906. He established eighteen national monuments, although only nine still retain that designation. Fifteen presidents have created national monuments since the program began; only Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and George H. W. Bush did not. Bill Clinton created the most monuments, nineteen, and expanded three others. Jimmy Carter protected vast parts of Alaska, proclaiming fifteen national monuments, some of which later were promoted to national parks. The most recent national monument designated by Presidential Proclamation was by George W. Bush on January 6, 2009. Three marine locations in the central Pacific Ocean were protected, covering a total of 195,274 square miles (505,760 km2). The most recent monument, Prehistoric Trackways, was established by an Act of Congress, signed into law on March 30, 2009.

Concerns about protecting mostly prehistoric Indian ruins and artifacts—collectively termed antiquities—on western federal lands prompted the legislation. Its purpose was to allow the president to quickly preserve public land without waiting for legislation to pass through an unconcerned Congress. The ultimate goal was to protect all historic and prehistoric sites on U.S. federal lands.

Twenty-seven states have national monuments, as do the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Minor Outlying Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Arizona, with eighteen, has the largest number of national monuments, followed by New Mexico with twelve and California with ten. Fifty-five national monuments protect places of natural significance, including ten geological sites, seven marine sites, and five volcanic sites. Twenty-two national monuments are associated with Native Americans. Twenty-three are other historical sites, including ten forts. The total national monuments and landmarks in US is 100. I will just give a short description , agency in-charge and coordinates of the 20 most popular and visited national monuments as follows:

Of the 20 listed below, Macrine and I had visited only six since the 1960's.
How many in the list have you visited ? I bet you must have visited the Statue of Liberty in New York City and probably the George Washington birthplace in Virginia.


1. Admiralty Island USFS Alaska57°38′N 134°21′W / 57.64°N 134.35°W / 57.64; -134.35 (Admiralty Island) 01978-12-01 December 1, 1978 Occupying most of Admiralty Island, the 7th largest in the United States, this monument is part of Tongass National Forest in the Alaska Panhandle. It has a large population of grizzly, black, and brown bears, as well as whales, mountain goats, and deer. Most of the monument has been declared the Kootznoowoo Wilderness, restricting future development. The Greens Creek mine lies within the monument.

2.African Burial Ground NPS New York40°42′52″N 74°00′15″W / 40.7144°N 74.0042°W / 40.7144; -74.0042 (African Burial Ground) 02006-02-27 February 27, 2006 Re-discovered in 1991 during excavations for a new federal building, this former burial ground that contains the remains of more than 400 free and enslaved Africans buried during the 17th and 18th centuries was designated a National Historic Landmark memorial in 1993.

3. Bandelier NPS New Mexico35°47′N 106°16′W / 35.78°N 106.27°W / 35.78; -106.27 (Bandelier) 01916-02-11 February 11, 1916 A historic district, Bandelier contains Frijoles Canyon, which contains Ancestral Pueblo homes, kivas, rock paintings and petroglyphs.

4. California Coastal BLM California36°53′N 122°11′W / 36.89°N 122.18°W / 36.89; -122.18 (California Coastal) 02000-01-11 January 11, 2000 This monument ensures the protection of all islets, reefs and rock outcroppings from the coast of California to a distance of 12 nautical miles (22 km), along the entire 840-mile (1,350 km) long California coastline.

5. Craters of the Moon NPS, BLM Idaho43°25′N 113°31′W / 43.42°N 113.52°W / 43.42; -113.52 (Craters of the Moon) 01924-05-02 May 2, 1924 One of the best preserved flood basalt areas in the continental U.S. contains three lava fields along the Great Rift of Idaho as well as the world's deepest open rift cracks and other volcanic features.

6. Devils Tower NPS Wyoming44°35′N 104°43′W / 44.59°N 104.72°W / 44.59; -104.72 (Devils Tower) 01906-09-24 September 24, 1906 The tower is a monolithic igneous intrusion of volcanic neck rising dramatically 1,267 feet (386 m) above the surrounding terrain. Proclaimed by Theodore Roosevelt, this was the first national monument.

7. El Morro NPS New Mexico35°02′N 108°21′W / 35.04°N 108.35°W / 35.04; -108.35 (El Morro) 01906-12-08 December 8, 1906 On the site of an ancient east-west trail is a great sandstone promontory with a pool of water at its base. There are inscriptions from the 17th century as well as older petroglyphs made by the Anasazi.

8. Fort McHenry NPS Maryland39°15′47″N 76°34′44″W / 39.263°N 76.579°W / 39.263; -76.579 (Fort McHenry) 01925-03-03 March 3, 1925 The only place designated a national monument and historic shrine, Fort McHenry is a star-shaped fort best known for its role in the War of 1812 when it successfully defended Baltimore Harbor from an attack by the British navy. It inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner".

9. George Washington Birthplace NPS Virginia38°11′10″N 76°55′50″W / 38.1861°N 76.9305°W / 38.1861; -76.9305 (George Washington's Birthplace) 01930-01-23 January 23, 1930 Representative of 18th-century Virginia tobacco farms, this site is the birthplace and boyhood environment of George Washington. The entrance includes a Memorial Shaft obelisk of Vermont marble that is a one-tenth scale replica of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. Also within the monument are the historic birthplace home area, a kitchen house, and the Washington family burial ground.

10. George Washington Carver NPS Missouri36°59′10″N 94°21′14″W / 36.986°N 94.354°W / 36.986; -94.354 (George Washington Carver) 01943-07-14 July 14, 1943 The site preserves Moses Carver's farm, which was the boyhood home of George Washington Carver, a scientist and educator who developed many uses for peanuts. It was the first national monument dedicated to an African-American and first to a non-president.

11. Giant Sequoia USFS California36°02′N 118°30′W / 36.04°N 118.50°W / 36.04; -118.50 (Giant Sequoia National Monument) 02000-04-15 April 15, 2000 The monument includes 38 of the 39 Giant Sequoia groves in the Sequoia National Forest, amounting to about half of the sequoia groves currently in existence. This includes one of the ten largest Giant Sequoias, the Boole Tree. Its two parts are around Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks.

12. Gila Cliff Dwellings NPS New Mexico33°14′N 108°17′W / 33.24°N 108.28°W / 33.24; -108.28 (Gila Cliff Dwellings) 01907-11-16 November 16, 1907 Located within the Gila Wilderness, the people of the Mogollon culture lived in these cliff dwellings 180 feet (55 m) above the canyon floor from the 1280s through the early 14th century. They lived in five caves with 46 rooms. Henry B. Ailman discovered them in 1878.

John 13. Lava Beds NPS California41°43′N 121°31′W / 41.71°N 121.51°W / 41.71; -121.51 (Lava Beds) 01925-11-21 November 21, 1925 This is the site of the largest concentration of lava tube caves in North America. It also includes Petroglyph Point, one of the largest panels of Native American rock art. The monument lies on the northeast flank of the Medicine Lake Volcano, the largest volcano in the Cascade Range.

14. Montezuma Castle NPS Arizona34°37′N 111°50′W / 34.61°N 111.84°W / 34.61; -111.84 (Montezuma Castle) 01906-12-08 December 8, 1906 Montezuma Castle features well-preserved cliff dwellings built and used by the Pre-Columbian Sinagua people around 1400 AD. Several Hopi clans trace their roots to the area, which is not connected to Montezuma. The monument also includes the Montezuma Well, which has been used for irrigation since the 8th century.

15. Muir Woods NPS California37°53′N 122°35′W / 37.89°N 122.58°W / 37.89; -122.58 (Muir Woods) 01908-01-09 January 9, 1908 Part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, it protects one of the last old growth Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) groves in the San Francisco Bay Area as well as one of the most easily accessed.

16. Natural Bridges NPS Utah37°35′N 110°00′W / 37.58°N 110°W / 37.58; -110 (Natural Bridges) 01908-04-16 April 16, 1908 Located at the junction of White Canyon and Armstrong Canyon, it is part of the Colorado River drainage. It features the second- and third-largest natural bridges in the world, carved from the white Triassic sandstone of the Cedar Mesa Formation that gives White Canyon its name.

17. Petroglyph NPS New Mexico35°10′N 106°46′W / 35.16°N 106.76°W / 35.16; -106.76 (Petroglyph) 01990-06-27 June 27, 1990 This monument protects a variety of cultural and natural resources, including five volcanic cones, hundreds of archeological sites and an estimated 25,000 images carved by native peoples and early Spanish settlers. It lies on West Mesa, a volcanic basalt escarpment.

18. Rainbow Bridge NPS Utah37°05′N 110°58′W / 37.08°N 110.96°W / 37.08; -110.96 (Rainbow Bridge) 01910-05-30 May 30, 1910 One of the largest in the world, Rainbow Bridge is the most famous example of a natural bridge as well as the most accessible. It stands 290 feet (88 m) tall and spans 275 feet (84 m) wide; the top of the bridge is 42 feet (13 m) thick and 33 feet (10 m) wide. It was made from sandstone formed during the Triassic and the Jurassic periods.

19. Statue of Liberty NPS New York, New Jersey40°41′N 74°02′W / 40.69°N 74.04°W / 40.69; -74.04 (Statue of Liberty) 01924-10-15 October 15, 1924 This iconic statue, built in 1886 on Liberty Island and 151 feet (46 m) tall, commemorates the centennial of the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence and is a gesture of friendship from France to the U.S. Liberty Enlighening the World is a symbol of welcoming immigrants to the U.S. and is listed as a World Heritage Site. Ellis Island, where 12 million immigrants entering the U.S. passed through, is included in the monument.

20. White Sands NPS New Mexico32°47′N 106°10′W / 32.78°N 106.17°W / 32.78; -106.17 (White Sands) 01933-07-25 July 25, 1933 Located in the mountain-ringed Tularosa Basin valley area, White Sands consists of the southern part of a 275square miles (710 km2) field of white sand dunes composed of gypsum crystals. It is completely within the White Sands Missile Range and is subject to closure when tests are conducted.

Macrine and I are going to Paradise !

Welcome to Paradise

Not in Paradise as in Heaven or in my island paradise(Marinduque) in the Philippines, but in Paradise, California about 100 miles northeast of Sacramento. We have a standing invitation from Macrine's first cousin Angie Jambalos Auld to spend a weekend with her and hubby,Jim, in their sprawling ranch house in Paradise. Macrine had already been to her house in Paradise last year with sisters Jean and Fe Jambalos. However, I have never been to Paradise, so I am looking forward for this visit. So, where in the heck is Paradise, California? Here's what Wikipedia says:

Paradise is an incorporated town in Butte County, in the northwest foothills of California's Central Valley, in the Sierra. The town is considered part of the Chico Metropolitan Area. The population was 26,408 at the 2000 census. Paradise is some 8 miles (13 km) east of Chico and 100 miles (160 km) north-northeast of Sacramento and 10 miles( 16 Km) north of the Oroville area.

The town of Paradise is spread out on a wide ridge which rises between deep canyons on either side. These canyons are formed by the west branch of the Feather River to the east, and Butte Creek to the west. The Paradise area extends northwards from Paradise to include the unincorporated town of Magalia and smaller communities such as Stirling City to the far north. Elevations in the town range from around 1500 to 2300 feet (450 to 700 m), steadily increasing as one travels northwards. The area is known and very popular with the skydivers.( see video at bottom of page).

Now you have an idea where the heck is Paradise, CA.

The first post office was established at Paradise in 1877; it closed for a time in 1911, but was re-established later that year, when the post office at Orloff was closed. Paradise was incorporated in 1979. The name "Paradise" originated with an establishment called the Pair O' Dice Saloon. Even though the town is small it has some notable residents as follows:

1. Actor Tom Selleck has a residence in De Sabla just above Magalia.
2. Song Writer Charlie Puckett Strange Music Writer For Tech N9ne lived in Paradise
3. Statistician and athlete Joseph Hilbe graduated from Paradise High School.
4. Actress Carla Gugino lived in Paradise after a kidney operation when she was four years old.
5. Actor Gary Burghoff, best known as playing Radar O'Reilly on M*A*S*H, resides in Paradise.
6. Blues legend Lazy Lester is currently living in Paradise.
7. Child actress Tiffany Brissette, best known for her role as VICI on the 1980s sitcom Small Wonder was born in Paradise.
8. Norton Buffalo died in Paradise on 30 October 2009.
9. Oregon WR Jeff Maehl grew up in Paradise and graduated from Paradise High School.
10.NFL player Ward Walsh was born in Paradise.
Here's an aerial video of Paradise, for your enjoyment!


Note: Do you know that there are towns/places named Paradise in Ohio, Texas, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, Pennsylvania and Michigan ? In Michigan there is also a town named Hell. I am not sure, if I want to visit Hell, Michigan this summer! Paradise and Hell, Michigan are only about 300 miles from each other. Hell is south of Paradise.

Getty Center, Los Angeles, California

Photo from flickr.com

A few weeks ago, I invited a couple of my blog readers to "guest write" for one of my blogs on any topic, except, sex, politics or religion. The following article about the Getty Center in Los Angeles, California was submitted by Frank Cabunoc. He is from Quezon City, Philippines. Frank and his wife Mildred reside in Fairfield, CA.

Thank you, Frank for this excellent article. I hope you write another article soon.

"A trip to Los Angeles usually involves a visit to the theme parks, which is not on top of my priorities. Last October 2010, my wife wanted to visit Disneyland to see their Halloween theme display. I was hesitant but I realized it would be a good time to go see the Getty museums on the same trip, a place we’ve never visited. It was a compromise to go on vacation, so off we went to southern California.

There are two J. Paul Getty museums, one is the Getty Center which is located on top of a hill beside Hwy 405 in Los Angeles. The Getty Villa in Malibu can be reached through the Pacific Coast Highway.

The J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center in Los Angeles houses European paintings, drawings, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, decorative arts, and European and American photographs. The galleries at the Getty Center are housed in the Museum's five exhibition pavilions, plus the Getty Research Institute Exhibition Gallery. Admission is free, and parking is $15 per vehicle. Parking is free after 5:00 pm. At the Getty Center, the tram station sits on top of the parking building. There is a beautiful garden on the opposite side of the tracks. The landscaping contains several modern art pieces and sculptures, a preview of what is in store in the museum. The tram winds up the steep hill where you get a fantastic view of the freeway and Los Angeles. It is the sweetest way to start out a museum visit.
As you step out of the tram, you are welcomed by a huge veranda. At this juncture, the sweeping views of Los Angeles are already worth the price of parking. If you can pry yourself from the stunning views from the terrace, you climb up an impressive set of granite stairs into the main plaza. At the plaza, you will see the breathtaking architecture and layout of the surrounding buildings. The plaza is paved in stone and dotted with well-arranged ponds, rocks, benches, plants and trees. Seeing the superb architecture is definitely worth the trip, the building itself is as much an achievement as the art it houses.

I love it when a building made of steel, glass, marble and stone can inspire me just as much as any work of art, and the Getty Center accomplishes that. The well-ordered architecture and grounds inspires a bounty of feeling and thought. Every square inch of this place was well designed. No expenses were spared. This is the only place in Los Angeles I have found as magnificent.

There are five pavilions of the museum that are divided into specific time periods. Each wing has two floors containing an assorted collection of paintings, sculptures, photography, and furniture. They have a couple of areas hosting rotating fresh exhibits. The artwork selection isn't the best you would expect, but they do have the likes of recognizable paintings by Degas, Monet and Van Gogh. The art are mostly European and could be more diverse. Yet, there is so much to see and appreciate among the great variety of exhibits in the museum. They have a vast and wonderful collection of interesting artwork which you can draw or take pictures. There is a sketching room where you can try your hand to sketch a sculpture.


The words etched into the marble entrance into the gardens:
Ever Present Never Twice The Same,
Ever Changing Never Less Than Whole
-Robert Irwin

Go outdoors and enjoy the views of the building and the landscaping. The simple act of walking the museum grounds is more than amazing. In the center garden is a bridge which crosses a stream. The stream flows through the sloping landscape and empties into the pond of the main garden. The main garden is spectacular with the colorful array of plants and flowers surrounding the central pond and fountain. The walkway leads to the main garden, and the footpaths around allow you to view this garden of art from all angles. I do believe how lovely it is to be here, and how from every angle of the grounds there seems to be yet another lovely and different slice of scenery to pause over, reflect and appreciate.

I will say it is a challenge to get and absorb all the Getty Center has to offer in one trip. You may consider planning ahead, and making sure you have time allotted to make a complete visit. If you plan on coming to the Getty Center, arrive early in the morning to view all the different exhibits, have lunch at their restaurant and have a glass of wine. They have great coffee choices which will be an added treat. Spend the rest of the afternoon in and around the garden to soak up the beauty and life.

The Getty Center is an American treasure worth to be visited. The architecture and arts of the Getty Center along with the views of Los Angeles are magnificent to say the absolute least. It is an overall great place to visit and spend a whole day. Come to the Getty Center even if you are not interested in art, it is truly a unique and special place, a must see for everyone. I would recommend this place to any visitor in the Los Angeles area. If I have a chance, I will definitely come back again. If you have never seen the place, go at least once, just for the great experience. Here's a short video of the Getty Center. Stunning views and magnificent outdoor gardens indeed!

Overcoming Dementia and Alzheimers Disease

Image from realage.com
I received the following article on Dementia from a friend in the Philippines recently. It reminded me of the article I wrote titled Senior Momentitis, a few weeks ago. As a senior citizen, I do practice 10 of the 20 items below. How many of the items are you doing or planning to do? I will be glad to hear from you!
I thought she wrote the article, but I found out it was just forwarded to her by a friend from Australia. I feel this article has compelling content and very important for every body to read, especially for senior citizens.
There are 20 things or tips recommended by the author to prolong or overcome dementia in this article. However, I will add number 21. Quit smoking if you are a smoker. The earlier you quit, the longer your life and hopefully Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease will not be in your future. Here is the article:

"Most of us start worrying about dementia after retirement-and that may be too little,too late. Experts say that if you really want toward off dementia, you need to start taking care of your brain in your 30s and 40s - or even earlier.
More and more research is suggesting that lifestyle is very important to your brain's health," says Dr. Paul Nussbaum, a neuropsychologist and an adjunct associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. "If you want to live a long, healthy life, then many of us need to start as early as we can."
So what can you do to beef up your brain - and possibly ward off dementia? Nussbaum, who recently gave a speech on the topic for the Winter Park ( Fla. ) Health Foundation, offers 20 tips that may help".

1.Join clubs or organizations that need volunteers. If you start volunteering now, you won't feel lost and unneeded after you retire.
2 Develop a hobby or two. Hobbies help you develop a robust brain because you're trying something new and complex.
3.Practice writing with your non dominant hand several minutes everyday.This will exercise the opposite side of your brain and fire up those neurons.
4.Take dance lessons. In a study of nearly 500 people, dancing was the only regular physical activity associated with a significant decrease in the incidence of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. The people who danced three or four times a week showed 76 percent less incidence of dementia than those who danced only once a week or not at all.
5.Need a hobby? Start gardening. Researchers in New Zealand found that,of 1,000 people, those who gardened regularly were less likely to suffer from dementia! Not only does gardening reduce stress,but gardeners use their brains to plan gardens; they use visual and spatial reasoning to lay out a garden.
6.Buy a pedometer and walk 10,000 steps a day. Walking daily can reduce the risk of dementia because cardiovascular health is important to maintain blood flow to the brain.
7.Read and write daily. Reading stimulates a wide variety of brain areas that process and store information. Likewise, writing (not copying)stimulates many areas of the brain as well.
8.Start knitting. Using both hands works both sides of your brain. And it's a stress reducer.
9.Learn a new language. Whether it's a foreign language or sign language,you are working your brain by making it go back and forth between one language and the other. A researcher in England found that being bilingual seemed to delay symptoms of Alzheimer's disease for four years. And some research suggests that the earlier a child learns sign language, the higher his IQ - and people with high IQs are less likely to have dementia. So start them early.
10 Play board games such as Scrabble and Monopoly. Not only are you taxing your brain, you're socializing too. Playing solo games, such as solitaire or online computer brain games can be helpful,but Nussbaum prefers games that encourage you to socialize too.
11.Take classes throughout your lifetime. Learning produces structural and chemical changes in the brain,and education appears to help people live longer.Brain researchers have found that people with advanced degrees live longer and if they do have Alzheimer's, it often becomes apparent only in the very later stages of the disease.
12.Listen to classical music.A growing volume of research suggests that music may hard wire the brain, building links between the two hemispheres.Any kind of music may work,but there's some research that shows positive effects for classical music,though researchers don't understand why.
13.Learn a musical instrument. It may be harder than it was when you were a kid, but you'll be developing a dormant part of your brain.
14.Travel. When you travel (whether it's to a distant vacation spot or on a different route across town),you're forcing your brain to navigate a new and complex environment.A study of London taxi drivers found experienced drivers had larger brains because they have to store lots of information about locations and how to navigate there.
15.Pray. Daily prayer appears to help your immune system. And people who attend a formal worship service regularly live longer and report happier, healthier lives.
16.Learn to meditate. It's important for your brain that you learn to shut out the stresses of everyday life.
17.Get enough sleep. Studies have shown a link between interrupted sleep and dementia.
18.Eat more foods containing omega-3 fatty acids: Salmon, sardines, tuna, ocean trout, mackerel or herring, plus walnuts (which are higher in omega 3s than salmon) and flax seed. Flax seed oil, cod liver oil and walnut oil are good sources too.
19. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants in fruits and vegetables mop up some of the damage caused by free radicals, one of the leading killers of brain cells.
20. Eat at least one meal a day with family and friends. You'll slow down, socialize, and research shows you'll eat healthier food than if you ate alone or on the go.
Do you have another tip? I will love to hear from you.

Yamashita Treasures in the Philippines( Marcos Golden Buddha)

Marcos Stolen Golden Buddha

Have you heard about the Marcos stolen Buddha? The Buddha is part of the Yamashita treasures supposed to be buried in the Philippines. Below are three videos as well as a write up of the Yamachita treasures from Wikipedia that I found very intriguing and interesting.



Prince Yasuhito Chichibu Yamashita's gold, also referred to as the Yamashita treasure, is the name given to the alleged war loot stolen in Southeast Asia by Japanese forces during World War II and hidden in caves, tunnels and underground complexes in the Philippines. It is named for the Japanese general Tomoyuki Yamashita, nicknamed "The Tiger of Malaya". Though accounts that the treasure remains hidden in Philippines have lured treasure hunters from around the world for over fifty years, its existence is discounted by most experts. The rumored treasure has been the subject of a complex lawsuit that was filed in a Hawaiian state court in 1988 involving the Philippine treasure hunter, Rogelio Roxas, and former the Philippines president, Ferdinand Marcos.

Prominent among those arguing for the existence of Yamashita's gold are Sterling Seagrave and Peggy Seagrave, who have written two books relating to the subject: The Yamato Dynasty: the Secret History of Japan's Imperial Family (2000) and Gold Warriors: America's Secret Recovery of Yamashita's Gold (2003). The Seagraves contend that looting was organized on a massive scale, by both yakuza gangsters such as Yoshio Kodama, and the highest levels of Japanese society, including Emperor Hirohito. The Japanese government intended that loot from Southeast Asia would finance Japan's war effort. The Seagraves allege that Hirohito appointed his brother, Prince Yasuhito Chichibu, to head a secret organization called Kin no yuri ("Golden Lily"), for this purpose. It is purported that many of those who knew the locations of the loot were killed during the war, or later tried by the Allies for war crimes and executed or incarcerated. Yamashita himself was executed by the U.S. Army for his war crimes on February 23, 1946.

The stolen property reportedly included many different kinds of valuables looted from banks, depositories, temples, churches, other commercial premises, mosques, museums and private homes. It takes its name from General Tomoyuki Yamashita, who assumed command of Japanese forces in the Philippines in 1944.

According to various accounts, the loot was initially concentrated in Singapore, and later transported to the Philippines. The Japanese hoped to ship the treasure from the Philippines to the Japanese Home Islands after the war ended. As the War in the Pacific progressed, U.S. Navy submarines and Allied warplanes inflicted increasingly heavy sinking of Japanese merchant shipping. Some of the ships carrying the war booty back to Japan were sunk in combat.

The Seagraves and a few others have claimed that American military intelligence operatives located much of the loot; they colluded with Hirohito and other senior Japanese figures to conceal its existence, and; they used it to finance American covert intelligence operations around the world during the Cold War. These rumors have inspired many hopeful treasure hunters, but most experts and Filipino historians say there is no credible evidence behind these claims.

In 1992, Imelda Marcos claimed that Yamashita's gold accounted for the bulk of the wealth of her husband, Ferdinand Marcos.

Many individuals and consortia, both Philippine and foreign, continue to search for treasure sites. A number of accidental deaths, injuries and financial losses incurred by treasure hunters have been reported.

At present, the Mines & Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Natural Resources of the Philippines is the Filipino government agency that grants treasure permits.

Rogelio Roxas lawsuit: In March 1988, a Filipino treasure hunter named Rogelio Roxas filed a lawsuit in the state of Hawaii against the former president of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos and his wife Imelda Marcos for theft and human rights abuses. Roxas claimed that in Baguio City in 1961 he met the son of a former member of the Japanese army who mapped for him the location of the legendary Yamashita Treasure. Roxas claimed a second man, who served as Yamashita's interpreter during the Second World War, told him of visiting an underground chamber there where stores of gold and silver were kept, and who told of a golden Buddha kept at a convent located near the underground chambers. Roxas claimed that within the next few years he formed a group to search for the treasure, and obtained a permit for the purpose from a relative of Ferdinand, Judge Pio Marcos. In 1971, Roxas claimed, he and his group uncovered an enclosed chamber on state lands near Baguio City where he found bayonets, samurai swords, radios, and skeletal remains dressed in a Japanese military uniform. Also found in the chamber, Roxas claimed, were a 3-foot-high (0.91 m) golden-colored Buddha and numerous stacked crates which filled an area approximately 6 feet x 6 feet x 35 feet. He claimed he opened just one of the boxes, and found it packed with gold bullion. He said he took from the chamber the golden Buddha, which he estimated to weigh 1,000 kilograms, and one box with twenty-four gold bars, and hid them in his home. He claimed he resealed the chamber for safekeeping until he could arrange the removal of the remaining boxes, which he suspected were also filled with gold bars. Roxas said he sold seven of the gold bars from the opened box, and sought potential buyers for the golden Buddha. Two individuals representing prospective buyers examined and tested the metal in the Buddha, Roxas said, and reported it was made of solid, 20-carat gold. It was soon after this, Roxas claimed, that President Ferdinand Marcos learned of Roxas' discovery and ordered him arrested, beaten, and the Buddha and remaining gold seized. Roxas alleged that in retaliation to his vocal campaign to reclaim the Buddha and the remainder of the treasure taken from him, Ferdinand continued to have Roxas threatened, beaten and eventually incarcerated for over a year.

Following his release, Roxas put his claims against Marcos on hold until Ferdinand lost the presidency in 1986. But in 1988, Roxas and the Golden Budha Corporation, which now held the ownership rights to the treasure Roxas claims was stolen from him, filed suit against Ferdinand and wife Imelda in a Hawaiian state court seeking damages for the theft and the surrounding human rights abuses committed against Roxas. Roxas died on the eve of trial, but prior to his death he gave the deposition testimony that would be later used in evidence. In 1996, the Roxas estate and the Golden Buddha Corporation received what was then largest judgment ever awarded in history, $22 billion which with interest increased to $40.5 billion. In 1998, The Hawaii Supreme Court held that there was sufficient evidence to support the jury's finding that Roxas found the treasure and that Marcos converted it. However, the court reversed the damage award, holding that the $22 billion award of damages for the chamber full of gold was too speculative, as there was no evidence of quantity or quality, and ordered a new hearing on the value of the golden Buddha and 17 bars of gold only. After several more years of legal proceedings, the Golden Buddha Corporation obtained a final judgment against Imelda Marcos to the extent of her interest in the Marcos estate in the principal amount of $13,275,848.37 and Roxas’ estate obtained a $6 million judgment on the claim for human right abuse.

This lawsuit ultimately concluded that Roxas found a treasure, and although the Hawaiian state court was not required to determine whether this particular treasure was the legendary Yamashita’s gold, the testimony relied upon by the court in reaching its conclusion pointed in that direction. Roxas was allegedly following a map from the son of a Japanese soldier; Roxas allegedly relied on tips provided from Yamashita’s interpreter; and Roxas allegedly found samurai swords and the skeletons of dead Japanese soldiers in the treasure chamber. All this led the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal to summarize the allegations leading to Roxas’ final judgment as follows: "The Yamashita Treasure was found by Roxas and stolen from Roxas by Marcos' men."

Visitors Location

I left My Heart in Marinduque

I have always wanted to write a song about Leaving my heart in Marinduque. This song will be sang to the tune of the famous song in honor of the city by the bay ( I left My Heart in San Francisco). Here's it is: I hope you like it: Note the original lyrics as sang by Frank Sinatra is in the video at bottom of the page.

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 whereever 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!

Family Pictures and Pleasant Memories Slide Show

Family Pictures And Pleasant Memories Slideshow: David’s trip from Citrus Heights, California, United States to 17 cities Houston, Washington DC, Vancouver, Maui, Sacramento, Manila, Silver Spring, Modesto, Walnut Creek, Makati, Los Gatos, Richmond, Baguio, Placerville, Paradise, Iloilo City and Marinduque was created by TripAdvisor. See another United States slideshow. Create your own stunning free slideshow from your travel photos.

MI, Inc Medical Mission 2011 and Bellarocca R & R Slide Show

Mi, Inc Medical Mission And Bellarocca Resort, 2011 Slideshow: David’s trip from Citrus Heights, California, United States to Marinduque, Philippines was created by TripAdvisor. See another Marinduque slideshow. Create your own stunning slideshow with our free photo slideshow maker.

Slide Show of the Gardens of Chateau Du Mer

The Gardens of Chateau du Mer Slideshow: David’s trip from Citrus Heights, California, United States to Marinduque, Philippines was created by TripAdvisor. See another Marinduque slideshow. Take your travel photos and make a slideshow for free.

Photos from Good Friday Procession, Boac, Marinduque, 2011

The above are some photos, I took during the Good Friday Procession in Boac this year. The photos were taken from the second floor of the residence of Mrs. Siony Jambalos across the Boac Hotel in downtown Boac. Mrs Siony Jambalos is Macrine's sister-in-law. She is in-charge of the financial activities (reservation and payments, payroll etc..) of the Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort and Conference Center in our absence, that is when we are here in US.

Below is a short video from NPJNP Production about Good Friday Religious Procession this year.

Updates of the Geneology of the Nieva Clan-Macrine's Maternal Side

Dave and Macrine with Olga Nieva Luarca Quiazon. Olga is Macrine's first cousin. The photo was taken during our Medical Mission Orientation in Marinduque.

See the two recent updates at the bottom of this page-An e-mail from Veronica Nieva, granddaughter of Gregorio Nieva, one of the brothers of Juan Nieva, Macrine's grandfather and a photo of me, Macrine and Rene Nieva, another grandson of Juan Nieva in front of the Nieva Street in Makati. This small street is located in the financial district of Makati was named after Gregorio Nieva.

It is summer time and time for family reunions. The Nievas of the World will probably be have a reunion in the Philppines or here in US sometime this year or next year. Hopefully, Macrine and I could attend this time.
Dave and Macrine Katague of Marinduque and Northern California

In 2003, there was a reunion of the Nieva clan in the Philippines organized by Rene Elizalde Nieva, Macrine's first cousin. We were invited but not able to attend. Rene wrote in his invitation that he is in the process of writing a book about the Nieva clan. He said the book will be privately published with limited printing which will include a general history starting on the possible roots of the Nieva family as well as the achievements of various members of the clan and their contribution to the betterment of Marinduque and of the Philippines. As of this writing date, I have not heard on the status of Rene's book.

In his invitation he invited all the direct and indirect descendants of the children and spouses of Calixto Nieva and Epifania Morente. Note that Rene is the great-grandson of Calixto Nieva and Macrine is also the great-granddaughter of Calixto Nieva , thus Rene and Macrine are first cousins.

I just can not believe that my six grand children are now the great-great-great grand children of Calixto Nieva and Epifania Morente.

Calixto and Epifania Morente had six children, four boys and two girls as follows (from oldest to youngest) along with their spouses.

1.Juan Nieva had two wives. The first wife was Isabel Decena. When Isabel died Juan remarried Elvira Sarmiento. Juan Nieva is both Macrine's and Rene's grandfather. He was the first governor of Marinduque and also the grandfather of the outgoing Governor. Rene and Macrine are first cousin of Jose Antonio (Bong) Nieva Carrion, the outgoing Governor of Marinduque.

2.Victoria Nieva married Doroteo Mercader

3.Dionisio Nieva married Salud de la Santa

4.Gregorio Nieva married Maria Arevalo

5.Jose Nieva married Trinidad Carmona

6.Rosita Nieva married Dr Angel Mayuga

Rene's invitation also included the descendants of the brothers of Calixto, namely Pedro and Francisco Nieva. It also included the brothers and sisters of Epifania Morente, which included not just the Morentes but also the Roceses, Abadas, Trinidads and the Kasilags. Incidentally, the Reyeses are second cousins of Macrine and the other Nievas of Marinduque.

This article will concentrate on the descendants of Juan Nieva and his two wives, Isabel Decena from Santa Cruz and Elvira Sarmiento from Buenavista..

Children of Juan Nieva and Isabel Decena ( from Oldest to Youngest)

1.Calixto Nieva married Juanita Jambalos
2.Blanca Nieva- single was killed by the Japanese during World War II
3.Elena Nieva married Bernardo Jambalos, Jr ( brother of Juanita)

Children of Juan Nieva and Elvira Sarmiento(from Oldest to Youngest)

1.Guillermo ( Willie) Nieva married Dr Celina Elizalde
2.Rosario Nieva married Ramon Carrion
3.Ester Nieva married Rafael Seno
4.Monica Nieva married Conrado Luarca
5.Elizabeth Nieva married Romulo Santo Domingo
6.Asuncion Nieva married Dr. Rafael Ocampo
7.Fr Constantino Nieva- single

For the purpose of this article, I will discuss only the descendants of Elena Nieva and Bernardo Jambalos, Jr. They have seven children as follows: ( From Oldest to Youngest)

1.Macrine Nieva Jambalos- married David B Katague from Iloilo ( that's me)
2.Sister Guia Jambalos- Order of the Cenacle-single
3.Bernardo Jambalos III married Loreta Mercader
4.Fe Jambalos married Edgardo Lazarte
5.Edgar Jambalos ( deceased) married Asuncion Pagalunan
6.Jean Jambalos married Mitch Maeda
7.Rosario Jambalos married Michael Levin

Note that Rene Nieva is the oldest son of Guillermo Nieva and Dr. Celina Elizalde. The younger brother of Rene, Yong is my partner in our literary project, I left my Heart in Marinduque ( not San Francisco). http://marinduqueonmymind.blogspot.com

Macrine's telephone buddy and first cousin from Vancouver, BC, Canada Olga Luarca Quiazon is the oldest daughter of Monica and Conrado Luarca

The outgoing governor of Marinduque is the second son of Rosario Nieva and Ramon Carrion

This posting continues with the offspring of Macrine Jambalos and David B. Katague. They have 4 children and six grandchildren as follows:

1.Dodie( Diosdado) Katague married Ruth Carver- They have 3 children, Philip Winchester, Alexandra and Marina Katague
2.Dinah E Katague married David E King- They have 2 children, Ian and Elaine King
3.David E III-single
4.Ditas Macrine Katague married Nick Thompson- They have one child, Carenna Nicole Thompson

Fe Jambalos has two daughters, Lanie and Ella
Jean Jambalos has two daughters, Yuri and Yuka
Rosario has two children, Carlos and Zehara
Asuncion Jambalos has three sons, Edmund, Nonoy and Jhun-Jhun and a daughter, Marilyn
Bernardo Jambalos III has five children and three grandchildren as of this writing date.

Accomplishments of the children of David B and Macrine J. Katague are discussed in detail at
http://theintellectualmigrant.blogspot.com

Some Interesting Vignettes:

The marriage of Calixto and Juanita Jambalos was not approved by their father Don Juan Nieva. Juanita was the daughter of a barrio businessman from Laylay. During those time, if you are from the barrios, you are not welcome or accepted to the social group of the main town of Boac. The Jambalos family although well off were considered TAGABUKID ( from the bonies). Don Juan Nieva wanted his lawyer son to marry Enriqueta Nepomuceno, one of the popular socialites in Boac. When Juanita died, Calixto did not marry again. Soon Calixto also died and every one in town claimed he died with a broken heart. Enriqueta in the meantime was waiting for Calixto. Enriqueta never married and died as a spinster.

Blanca Nieva graduated from Nursing School at Philippine General Hospital and was earning well. When their father died, she helped in sending her half-sister Rosario to College. She supported her sister and spoiled her by dressing her up to maintain her place in the high society of Boac at that time.

Elena, is the third child of Isabel Decena from Santa Cruz. Isabel died giving birth to Elena. Elena was therefore nursed by the sister of Isabel, Regina Decena Reforma. Elena and Policarpio Reforma ( son of Regina) shared the same breast milk of Tia Regina. When Elena was five years old, she and sister Blanca as well as brother Calixto, were brought to Boac where their father Juan Nieva remarried Elvira Sarmiento from Buenavista.

Elena grew up under the care of Lola Victoria ( sister of Juan Nieva). They lived in the old Nieva Building at the foot of the hill leading to Mataas Na Bayan. Elena later went to college at the University of the Philippines and finished her Bachelor Degree in Education.

When Juanita Jambalos-Nieva( wife of Calixto) died during childbirth, Elena and Bernardo Jambalos II ( brother of Juanita) were made in-charged of bringing the corpse from Manila back to Marinduque.
During the trip, people mistook them as husband and wife. Their romance started then and later were married at the Boac Catholic Church.

Today, if I had to guess, there should be more than seven hundred members of the Nieva clan, just based on the six children of Calixto Nieva and Epifania Morente all over the world. If you include the descendants of Pedro and Francisco Nieva, the two brothers of Calixto, it could reached to more than a thousand Nievas all over the universe. If you are a member of this clan, please let me know. Someday, I may be able to trace the Nieva genealogy all the way to Spain, as I did with my mothers name "Balleza", several years ago. My e-mail is in this site and I am also in Face Book.

Addenda dated 5/20/2011:
In front of the Nieva Street in the Makati Financial District with Rene Nieva, Owner of Perceptions, Inc. This street was named in honor of Gregorio Nieva, one of the brothers of Juan Nieva.

There is also a bridge in Gasan Marinduque ( between the Gasan Market and Downtown) named the Nieva Bridge. I believe the bridge was named in honor of Juan Nieva being the first Governor of Marinduque.

Here's another addendum from Veronica (Ronie Nieva) granddaughter of Gregorio Nieva.

Thank you, Ronie for the update. Macrine and I had a grand time during our mini reunion last December at the The Relish Restaurant in Makati. Here's Ronie's e-mail to me:

Dave, I just read your genealogy. To help you complete the story, here is the Gregorio Nieva line (which you may know already). Gregorio and Maria Arevalo had two children Antonio (my father)& Lourdes Mila (who died early). Mila and Arturo Zamora had one son, Amando. Antonio and Teresa Feria had Veronica, Vicenta, Violeta and Juan Antonio. Veronica & Steve Ettinger had Jonathan & Kenneth. Vicenta & Emil Quinto had Edouard & Nicolo; Edouard & Traci Morinaga have Cade. Violeta & Mariano Arroyo had Manuela & Mariano Jr. Juan Antonio and Irene Casus had Paolo, Monique & Franco. That's it for us!

Ronie, do you know that the Nieva Street in Makati was named after your grandfather?.

Gasan-Gasan Festival on Easter Sunday, Marinduque

Gasan Gasan is an Easter Sunday Festival held in early morning in Gasan ( butterfly capital of the Philippines). The town's mayor in 2002 and her advisers conceptualize a new daytime Easter festival that can compete with the other towns in terms of attracting visitors during the Holy Week celebration. The towns of Mogpog, Boac and Gasan draw the most tourists because of the unique Lenten rituals and practices observed in these three towns. Santa Cruz, Torrijos and Buenavista, the other three towns of Marinduque also have Lenten events attracting tourists and visitors. For example this year, Santa Cruz hosted another Morionan competition on Holy Thursday ( the same day in Boac) while Buenavista sponsored a boat race. I do not know of any event in Torrijos this 2011 Holy Week celebration.

Gasan claims to be the cultural center of Marinduque for good reason. It was in Gasan where the Moriones tradition was discovered by local journalists in the early 1960's. Prior to this there was no other account of any Philipine festival that is charaterized by the use of masks. Menfolk of the towns of Mogpog (where the tradition originated), Boac and Gasan wore wooden masks during the Holy Week with costumes similar to those worn by Roman soldiers.

Several barangays of Gasan compete for cash prizes during this event. Below are two videos for your viewing pleasure.


Gasan Gasan Festival, 2008


Gasan Gasan Festival 2011

Moriones Festival 2011 in Marinduque

Macrine and I decided that for our snowbirding year 2011, we will still be in Marinduque even though it is past April 15. I did file for a tax extension, so I have 90 days after April 15 to file both my state and federal taxes in US. Thus, we got a chance to enjoy this year Moriones Festival. We attended almost all the Holy Week activities except for the Battle of the Morions on Holy Thursday afternoon.

There were two Battle of the Morions scheduled. One was held in Boac and the other in Santa Cruz. Both were held on Holy Thursday at 3:00PM. The one in Boac was sponsored by the provincial government headed by Governor Carmencita Reyes.

The one in Santa Cruz was sponsored by Congressman Allan Velasco, Percival Morales, the Mayor of the town and the Club Marinduqueno, headed by the mother of the congressman.

So there is even a political division in this Holy Week presentation. I agree with the Philippine Inquirer comments, that politics should be put aside during the Moriones Festival.

The following are the three videos for your viewing pleasure.
Morionan Promo Trailer in Santa Cruz

Moriones Parade in Boac

Portion of the Morionan Presentation in Boac

The following are some photos that I took during the opening parade in Boac on Holy Monday.