My Participation with the UNDC-TOKTEN Program in 1986

Three weeks ago,I joined a FaceBook group whose members are University of the Philippines Alumni who were former residents of the Men's South Dorm in Diliman, Q.C. The dormitory is now known as the Narra Residence Hall. Thousands of alumni- known and unknown in Philippine political and social life had memories of their college life in the Dorm. I was one of the first residents of the dorm and had resided there from 1953 to early 1957. I was asked by several former residents, what have I contributed to my Alma Mater (UP) since graduation in Chemistry in the mid 1950's. This article is my response to the query from some members of the above FB group. . I participated with the TOKTEN ( Transfer of Knowledge through Expatriate Nationals) United Nations Development Program( UNDP) in 1986 in the Philippines. My host was the University of the Philippines, Natural Science Research and Services Department, in Diliman, Quezon City. I volunteered for the short term program of 4 weeks during my summer vacation. It was a good experience and I was proud that at least I have contributed to ease the so called "brain-drain" phenomenon of the mid 1980's in the Philippines. The next year my contract was renewed but I did not have the time to get away from my private employment Today, the program is known as the Balik Scientist program sponsored by DOST. So what is TOKTEN? Read on... Transfer of Knowledge Through Expatriate Nationals (TOKTEN). I am # 15 in the List above. My subject of Expertise was Pesticide Residues. The TOKTEN concept is a global UNDP mechanism for tapping on expatriate nationals, who had migrated to other countries and achieved professional success abroad, and mobilizing them to undertake short-term consultancies in their countries of origin, under UN aegis. The TOKTEN approach is regarded as an added dimension of technical cooperation, which contributes to reducing the adverse effects of the "brain-drain", with several advantages as such as the shared language and traditions, relatively low cost and speed of implementation. The TOKTEN program is based on a spirit of volunteerism, which means that TOKTEN volunteers are not paid direct salaries but are entitled to round trip air ticket and a daily subsistence allowance (DSA). The highlights of this consultancy was the welcome lunch by the President of the University. At that time it was Ed Angara. The lunch was held on his residence in the Diliman campus. A big surprise during the lunch was when the Executive Secretary of to President was introduce to me. His name was Martin Gregorio. The last time I was with Martin was in 1951 during my weekend visit with his family in their residence in Manduriao, Iloilo. His older brother, Johnny Gregorio was my best friend in college at UPIC. At that time Martin I believe was only in his preteens. He used to follow me and Johnny and wants to join us in what we are doing. Johnny would sent him away and admonish him not to disturb us. Today I learn that Martin has two adult children, Cecile(Ascalon) and Ryan. Ryan is a well-known PBA player and coach adored by millions of Filipinos. Lastly, I am still searching for Johnny. I heard that he has settled in Victorias, Negros Occidental. If you know anything about Johnny, I will appreciate hearing from you via this blog or in my FaceBook page. Johnny has an older brother, Dominador, an accountant and a UP graduate also. Just recently I heard that Prof. Martin Gregorio had retired. His last post was the Vice President for Administration and Secretary of the UP and Board of Regents.

Photo Memories of My College Years in UPIC-1951 to 1953

I attended the University of the Philippines, Iloilo College (UPIC) with free tuition benefits after graduating as Valedictorian from my home town high school in Barotac Viejo. Iloilo. I maintained this free tuition benefits by being a college scholar in my first year then attained the University sholarship in my second year. I was also the recipient of the Fernando Lopez scholarship in 1952-1953. I was taking Pre-Med courses, but when I transferred to UP Diliman the next school year I changed my major to Chemistry. The following photos are worth more than a thousand words. UPIC is now called University of the Philippines in the Visayas and located in Miagao from Iloilo City. I was President of the UPSCA, Iloilo Chapter. The photo are members of UPSCA with Dean Nolasco and Inez Belleza( math professor). Do you recognize any face? Members of the Spanish Club-Circulo Cervantino, 1952 with Ted Gensola as Adviser. I was a priest in a tableau presented by UPSCA depicting the Spanish Colonization of the Philippines and conversion of the Natives to Catholicism. Officers of UPSCA and Guests from the Archdiocese of Jaro, Iloilo during the Tableau Program. I am in the front row first from the left. UPSCA Picnic, Bacolod City, 1953 Fellow UPSCANs and ME, 1953 UPIC Picnic

26. Places in the US that I had Visited-Dallas-Forth Worth, Texas

One of the perks and benefits working for FDA is attending an annual meeting of the American Chemical Society. In the mid 1990's, I attended one in Forth Worth-Dallas, Texas. This is a part of our continuing education program for chemist reviewers and team leaders. Again, Macrine was not able to join me. I stayed at a Hotel in the Cow Palace Stock Yard in Forth Worth. I did not have a lot of free time to tour the area except for a short visit to The Six Flags for half a day, Mckinney trolley and just drove around the downtown area. Below is a video, a must see if you have never been to Dallas-Forth Worth area.

Why Visit Fort Worth Texas

Dallas is the second largest city in Texas. Together, the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex offers visitors a variety of attractions and activities that simply can't be found elsewhere. From world-class zoos and museums to Texas-sized honky-tonks, the DFW area has it all. The top ten attractions recommended for tourists and visitors in the area are as follows: 1. Six Flags-Open year around, Six Flags Over Texas has been on forefront of them park entertainment for decades and offers rides, shows, and more to Dallas area visitors. 2. Texas Stadium-Home to the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Stadium also hosts a variety of other sporting and entertainment events. However, even when there isn't an event, visitors flock to Texas Stadium for tours. 3. Dallas Zoo-Visit animals from around the world in award winning natural habitats at the Dallas Zoo. During the summer months, visitors can even ride a monorail around the zoo grounds. 4. Dallas Arboretum-Located on White Rock Lake, just outside of downtown Dallas, the Arboretum features colorful gardens all year long. Tours are available daily. The Arboretum is also available for weddings and other private functions. 5. Medieval Times-An 11th-century style castle with a fish-filled moat is just the setting for the unique experience of an evening spent at Medieval Times. 6. McKinney Trolley-Dallas' McKinny Trolley is a historical trolley system, which recreates how a real trolley system of the early to mid-20th century looked and operated. 7. Billy Bob's-With close to 3 acres under one roof, Billy Bob's is certainly "Texas size." The massive nightclub is host to top country music acts, professional bullriding, and plenty of dancing. 8. Sixth Floor Museum-This museum is dedicated to preserving and celebrating information on John F. Kennedy's life, career, assassination and death. Located on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository building - the very spot the sniper's gun was found - the Sixth Floor Museum let's you gain a feel for how things happened in 1963. 9. National Cowgirl Hall of Fame-A one of a kind museum, Fort Worth's National Cowgirl Hall of Fame features exhibits and memorabilia honoring the 'gals of the west. 10. Ft. Worth Zoo-Visitors to the Ft. Worth Zoo will be transfixed by its wonderful exhibits, ranging from Raptor Canyon to Koala Outback, and attractions such as Tasmanian Tower and their virtual safari. Note: This is No. 26 of a series of articles on places that I had visited in the US since 1960.

Filipino Traditions and Practices on New Year's Eve and Day

Twelve kinds of round fruits should be in your table by midnight to bring good luck and prosperity to the Household

When I was growing up in the Philippines, my parents will tell us kids that on New Years Eve and Day, we should do the following for good luck. Doing these things will help insure that the coming year will be a happy and prosperous one. Many of these traditions and superstition are of Chinese influence, I believe.

1. Turn on all lights so that the coming year will be bright.

2. Make as much noise as you can to scare away evil spirits.

3. Debts must be paid off. Fill you wallet with fresh peso bills.

4. Open all doors, windows, cabinets and drawers to let good fortune in.

5. Scatter coins around the house, on tabletops.... inside drawers...

6. Clean everything including your body by taking a long bath, the closets and the whole house.

7. Wear polka-dots, preferably black and white. Anything round signifies prosperity.

8. Jump twelve times at midnight to increase your height. (Observed by Filipino children.)

There are five things related to food that we must do for good luck as follows:

1. Prepare 12 round fruits, one for each month of the coming new year ( see photo above).

2. Have a very round grape in your mouth at the stroke of midnight.

3. Eat a native delicacy made from sticky rice to make good fortune stick in the new year.

4. Eat long noodles (pancit) for long life ( definitely of Chinese origin). We should eat pancit also during our birthday.

5. Don't eat any chicken or fish. They are associated with the scarcity of food.

Then on New Years Day we should not clean anything, otherwise we might sweep away the good fortune. In addition we should not spend money at all. Our being thrifty that day will help us manage our money very well for the whole year. Do you have any New Years Eve tradition in your family? Please share!

Happy 2015 to All of You,Relatives, my dear readers and FaceBook Friends!

25. Places in the US that I had Visited-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Another city that I visited because of an American Chemical Society Meeting was Philadelphia, Pennsylvania way back in the mid 1980's. Again, Macrine was not able to join me, because of conflict on her work schedule. I did enjoy walking and window shopping at South Sreet and Society Hill. I also saw the famous Liberty Bell and Independence Hall and The Statue of Benjamen Franklin. I did enjoyed my 5 days visit of this historic city.

Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania, sixth-most-populous city in the United States and the fifty-first most populous city in the world. In 2008, the population of the city proper was estimated to be more than 1.54 million, while the Greater Philadelphia metropolitan area's population of 5.8 million made it the country's fifth largest. The city, which lies about 45 miles (72 km) southwest of New York City, is the nation's fourth-largest urban area by population and its fourth-largest consumer media market, as ranked by the Nielsen Media Research.

It is the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. Popular nicknames for Philadelphia include Philly and The City of Brotherly Love, from the literal meaning of the city's name in Greek (Greek: Φιλαδέλφεια (/pʰilaˈdelpʰeːa/, Modern Greek: /filaˈðɛlfia/) "brotherly love", compounded from philos (φίλος) "love", and adelphos (ἀδελφός) "brother").

A commercial, educational, and cultural center, Philadelphia was once the second-largest city in the British Empire(after London), and the social and geographical center of the original 13 American colonies. It was a centerpiece of early American history, host to many of the ideas and actions that gave birth to the American Revolution and Independence. It was the most populous city of the young United States, although by the first census in 1790, New York City had overtaken it.

Philadelphia served as one of the nation's many capitals during the Revolutionary War and after. After the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, the city served as the temporary national capital from 1790 to 1800 while Washington, D.C., was under construction. Here's a tour of the city and the Amish country of Lancaster. PA. It will be worth your time to view this video, if you have not been to Philadelphia and surrounding area.


Philadelphia is central to African American history. Many of its larger suburbs such as Chester, Pennsylvania; Wilmington, Delaware; Camden, New Jersey; and Trenton, New Jersey (sometimes included in the New York metropolitan area) have African American majorities. This community has been large since before the Great Migration, and despite area civil rights gains, continues to be affected by poverty and high crime. The area, in common with most of Pennsylvania, also has a very large population of Italian Americans.

Note: This is No.25 of a series of articles on places that I had visited in US since 1960.

24. Places in the US that Macrine and I had Visited-Boston, Massachusetts

I attended another American Chemical Society Meeting in Boston, MA way back in the late 1970's. This was another city, that Macrine was not able to join me because of her job status. So without Macrine, my fellow FDA employees toured the city and surrounding vicinity before and after our meeting sessions. I did enjoy the historic monuments and antique homes and mansions and partake Maine Lobsters in one of the city famous seafood restaurants. We visited Faneuil Hall, a well-known stop on the Freedom Trail, sometimes called "the Cradle of Liberty" because of its role in the American Revolution. Boston is the city in America that is almost an extension of Europe.

Boston is the capital and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. Boston city proper had a 2009 estimated population of 645,169, making it the twentieth largest in the country. Boston is also the anchor of a substantially larger metropolitan area called Greater Boston, home to 4.5 million people and the tenth-largest metropolitan area in the country. Greater Boston as a commuting region includes six Massachusetts counties, Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Plymouth, and Worcester, all of Rhode Island and parts of New Hampshire; it is home to 7.5 million people, making it the fifth-largest Combined Statistical Area in the United States.

Boston shares many cultural roots with greater New England, including a dialect of the non-rhotic Eastern New England accent known as Boston English, and a regional cuisine with a large emphasis on seafood, salt, and dairy products. Irish Americans are a major influence on Boston's politics and religious institutions. Boston also has its own collection of neologisms known as Boston slang.The city has a number of ornate theatres, including the Cutler Majestic Theatre, Boston Opera House, Citi Performing Arts Center, the Colonial Theater, and the Orpheum Theatre. Renowned performing-arts organizations include the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Ballet, Boston Early Music Festival, Boston Lyric Opera Company, OperaBoston, and the Handel and Haydn Society (one of the oldest choral companies in the United States). The city is also a major center for contemporary classical music, with a number of performing groups, some of which are associated with the city's conservatories and universities. There are also many major annual events such as First Night, which occurs on New Year's Eve, the annual Boston Arts Festival at Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, Italian summer feasts in the North End honoring Catholic saints, and several events during the Fourth of July period. These events include the week-long Harborfest festivities and a Boston Pops concert accompanied by fireworks on the banks of the Charles River.

Because of the city's prominent role in the American Revolution, several historic sites relating to that period are preserved as part of the Boston National Historical Park. Many are found along the Freedom Trail, which is marked by a red line of bricks embedded in the ground. The city is also home to several prominent art museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. In December 2006, the Institute of Contemporary Art moved from its Back Bay location to a new contemporary building designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro located in the Seaport District. The University of Massachusetts campus at Columbia Point houses the John F. Kennedy Library. The Boston Athenaeum (one of the oldest independent libraries in the United States), Boston Children's Museum, Bull & Finch Pub (whose building is known from the television show Cheers), Museum of Science, and the New England Aquarium are within the city.



Boston has been a noted religious center from its earliest days. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston serves nearly 300 parishes and is based in the Cathedral of the Holy Cross (1875) in the South End, while the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, with the Cathedral Church of St. Paul (1819) as its episcopal seat, serves just under 200 congregations. Two Protestant faiths are headquartered in Boston: Unitarian Universalism, with its headquarters on Beacon Hill, and the Christian Scientists, headquartered in Back Bay at the Mother Church (1894). The oldest church in Boston is King's Chapel, the city's first Anglican church, founded in 1686 and converted to Unitarianism in 1785. Other notable churches include Christ Church (better known as Old North Church, 1723), the oldest church building in the city, Trinity Church (1733), Park Street Church (1809), First Church in Boston (congregation founded 1630, building raised 1868), Old South Church (1874), and Mission Hill's Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (1878).
Here's a video on the sites and sound of this beautiful and historic city.


Note: This is No. 24 of a series of articles on the places that I had visited in the US since 1960.