Funeral Mass and 9-Day Post-Mortem Prayers for Our Ninong

The Altar Of the Newly Constructed Gasan Cathedral- A Funeral Mass was Held for Our Ninong Recently
In my previous article about the two 87-yr old close to us in Marinduque, I commented that our ninong died two weeks after my blog was published. Our ninong died in the evening of Good Friday in the presence of his only daughter who came all the way from US, the week before when she learned her DAD was getting weaker everyday. Our last visit with him was on Holy Wednesday. Although he was bedridden his mind was clear and sharp. He even commented that with our visit, everything is now complete. I did not understand his comment, until he continued we can now play mahjong or Piqua, a game we play when he visits us in Amoingon. Mahjong is a tile game similar to Rummy and Piqua is a card game similar Gin.

The funeral service and mass at the Gasan Cathedral, was filled with his friends and relatives. Macrine was requested to give a Eulogy at the end of the mass. She was unprepared but gave a short talk from her heart and a tear or two. With quavering voice, she told the crowd that our Ninong is just like an older brother to her. Our Ninong stayed at my parents-in-law house in Boac when he was in high school. He kept in touch with us even after he immigrated to US after his retirement.

The life of our Ninong is a good example of a poor but intelligent young man, who started as janitor and later become vice president of a commercial bank in Manila. After his retirement, he and his family ( wife and 4 children) immigrated to the US.
During this time, he worked as an International Auditor for one of the biggest private bank in California. His work allowed him to travel all over the world and in the US and Canada. Our Ninong left 4 children and six grandchildren all currently residing in the US.

Macrine and I attended the 9th Day Prayer Service and Lunch before our return to US. It was held in his ancestral home in Daykitin, Buenavista at 11:00AM. I have never attended a 9-day Prayer Service and Party here in Marinduque. It lasted for only 30 minutes. In between the prayers ( all in Tagalog) are songs also in tagalog. I recognized only one song titled Sino Ako ( Who Am I?). This song was also sang during my father's funeral mass a few years ago. After the prayers we had lunch consisting of pancit( rice noodles), adobo(Chicken) and menudo ( pork and beef).
We were given a big portion of the food served to bring home for dinner.

Our Ninong led a good life and gave some of his savings to the construction of the Gasan Cathedral. My only regret is that he had never written his biography even though he was a good writer. For the last six months, I keep on reminding him to write his life story for the benefit of the poor but talented young Filipinos, who have dreams of a successful life. Again, May our Ninong soul rest in Peace, Amen!

Photos from our Recent Stay at the Bellarocca Resort, Marinduque

Above are some of the photos I took during our recent visit and overnight stay at the now world famous 5 star resort in Buenavista, Marinduque, Philippines-The Bellarocca Resort and Spa, last February 13-14, 2011. This visit was in connection of Marinduque International Inc, post medical mission R&R activity. Anne Miles (President of MI, Inc-2010-2011) and I arranged for this visit which included a Catholic Mass by Bishop Rey Evangelista of the Diocese of Boac and a Valentine Dinner Dance. The resort gave us a 50% discount on our accommodation but not on meals and other amenities. It was a visit to remember. The place is beautiful and the view of Mt. Malindig and the Marinduque mainland from our bedroom as well as from all public areas of the resort was mesmerising and breath-taking. Here is a short video on Bellarocca from Mango Tours

Senior Momentitis

Am I suffering from "senior momentitis" or I am indeed getting senile?. Last month while still snowbirding in the Philippines, I had an attacked of "senior momentitis". A specific case was when I misplaced my reading glasses. I thought I left in the computer cafe or maybe in the bank. So, I called both places and my glasses was not there. So I empty my bag and low and behold, my glasses was hiding at the bottom. Note that I had searched my bag twice before calling the cafe and the bank, but my glasses was not there ( I did not empty my bag though). So is there normal for my age group? I bet it is!

Currently, I have still a clear memory of past events in my life. My mind still get ideas on various subjects, I want to write in my blogs. I just wish though that someone invent a computer or typewritter that can type my thoughts or write an article without me sitting down in front of the computer.( I hate taperecorders) Even perhaps, a machine that can type my dreams while I am asleep. But I know this is asking too much.

Sometimes in my sleep, I get ideas of subjects I want to write, mostly related to my past experiences, childhood memories and professional achievements. Just recently, I vividly remember a "bullying event" during my freshman year in high school. This event I had already described in one of my blogs( my autobiography). I wanted to write about it again, but when I woke up, I felt it was too painful to write about it. But it reminded me, how I felt a couple of years ago, when a number of news articles were published about teenagers committing suicide due to bullying.

Now back to the sublect of senior moments. As one gets old, it is normal to suffer from this aging process. However, to insure that this is not going to an advance stage, one must use his or her memory on a daily basis. In my case, I read and write. I play computer games that require memorizing. As the saying goes, USE it or LOSE it! Good Day to ALL!
Below is a hilarious video about senior meoments from Comedy Central.

Flower Arrangement ( Floristry) from My Garden at Chateau Du Mer

My Bird of Paradise Flower Arrangement from the Gardens of Chateau Du Mer

One of the many hobbies, I enjoy during my retirement years is Floristry. I have not taken any formal courses on the subject, but I have read several books on the subject. So what is Floristry. Here's what Wikipedia says:

"Floristry is the general term used to describe the professional floral trade. It encompasses flower care and handling, floral design or flower arranging, merchandising, and display and flower delivery. Wholesale florists sell bulk flowers and related supplies to professionals in the trade. Retail florists offer fresh flowers and related products and services to consumers.

Floristry is a term can refer to the cultivation of flowers as well as their arrangement, and to the business of selling them. Much of the raw material supplied for the floristry trade comes from the cut flower industry. Florist shops, along with online stores are the main flower-only outlets, but supermarkets, garden supply stores and filling stations also sell flowers.

Floral Design or floral arts is the art of creating flower arrangements in vases, bowls, baskets or other containers, or making bouquets and compositions from cut flowers, foliages, herbs, ornamental grasses and other plant materials. Often the terms "floral design" and "floristry" are considered synonymous. Florists are people who work with flowers and plants, generally at the retail level. The term is not to be confused with floristics (the study of distribution and relationships of plant species over geographic areas.). Floristry is also not to be confused with horticulture which more broadly relates to the cultivation of flowers and plants. Ability to create a variety of floral designs such as wreaths, bouquets, corsages, boutonnières/'buttonholes', permanent arrangements and other more complicated arrangements is also important".

In my younger years, I joined a Garden Club( Platte Woods, Missouri) so that I can exchange ideas on Floristry and Horticulture with others. A few of my flower arrangement had won ribbons and awards. The above flower arrangement is my 3 in 1 Bird of Paradise Creation, I made for Easter at Chateau Du Mer in Amoingon, Boac. All materials including ferns are grown in my garden. I called it Three in One, because the center of the arrangement is one specie of bird of paradise, followed by two of another specie at the side and three of another specie at the buttom of the floral bouquet. In between are ferns and greenery( leaves) to accentuate and give contrast to the yellow, red and pink colors of the flowers. A good flower arrangement must have balance, contrast and symmetry. I hope you enjoy my creation ( see photo above). Happy Spring time to ALL!

Married for Fifty Four Years-What's My Secret?

At our 54th Wedding Anniversary Dinner with Rene and Genny Nieva
A couple of days ago( May 8), we celebrated our 54th wedding anniversary in Eastwood City, Quezon City, PHL with first cousins Rene and Genny Nieva at the Old Vine Restaurant at the Eastwood Shopping Mall. I ordered a bottle of Australian wine ( around $27) with our dinner of steak and baby spareribs, seafood salad and dessert. Inspite of the expensive wine, our dinner for 4 costs me only $51. Thanks to our 4 senior citizens discount card of 20% each. Rene and Genny are owners of Perceptions, Inc., a PR firm in Makati.

May 8 is also the birthday of our oldest daughter Dinah Katague King. She turned golden this year.

Several of our friends and relatives often ask me what one has to do for a lasting marriage. In other words is there a formula or secret for a lastng marriage? The question has no specific answer and may vary from one couple to another. However, I do believe that the couple must really be in love with each other unconditionally. So, when do you know that both husband and wife had attained unconditional love?

You are truly in love with your partner when you have totally accepted her or his faults, weaknesses and flaws. There is no perfect human being, so once you have attained this outlook in your married life, your are indeed truly in love with your partner.

Have you felt angry about yourself and feel depressed once or several times in your life? If you have not experience this feeling once or twice in your life, you must be close to a perfect human being and a candidate for sainthood. To feel depressed once and a while is normal, but if this happens frequently, I suggest consult a professional for medical attention.

Now back to my secret for a Lasting and Happy Marriage. I have no secret except that there should always be an open communication between you and your partner. In the case of my wife of 54 years, Macrine Nieva Jambalos, I have accepted her flaws and she has accepted my own flaws and weaknesses. In addition, both of us have recognized our strenghts as well as gifts and different personalities. Again there is no perfect human being, and no perfect husband or wife.

May you have a lasting marriage and if you are reading this blog and about to
celebrate a wedding anniversary, our congratulations. May God bless you in your marriage.

Who Says, there is no Night Life in Marinduque?

Photo taken March, 2011
With the exception of Holy Week and during the Moriones Festival, downtown Boac is a ghost town by 9PM. All the stores, restaurants and computer cafes are closed. I also observed this is true for downtown Gasan and Mogpog. I have no idea about downtown Santa Cruz, Torrijos or Buenavista.

But Balanacan Cove in Mogpog has night life on Wednesday and Friday nights from 8 to 11PM. The resort Palm by the Beach ( Balanacan Cove Convention Center) has a live band for dancing. The resort is located 1Km east of Balanacan Port on a top of the hill with a mesmerizing view of Balanacan Bay. The resort is owned by Frank and Flor Irlandez formerly from Batangas. Frank and I were dorm mates during my graduate school days in the late 1950's for one semester. Flor (formerly Bautista) was also my classmate in Chemistry in UP in the early 1950's. She was one year ahead.

The Irlandez are aslo snowbirds like us. During the winter months they are here in Marinduque or Batangas. On the spring and summer months they reside in the US like us.

If you have not visited the resort, you are missing one of the most beautiful views in Marinduque. The view from the resort reminds me of the View of Taal Volcano and Lake from the Tagaytay Ridge. The resort is open now but construction is underway for the marina and other buildings. I hope The resort will be patronize by all Marinduquenos and hope for its success. Good day to All!