Double 90th Birthday Party Celebration Yesterday

My Three Children: Dodie ( Diosdado), Dinah and Ditas Macrine ( The 3D's)

Yesterday from 12-4 PM, my oldest daughter, Dinah, organized/hosted a catered birthday party( my 90th) for me at her Club House ( Amador Lakes Apartments) in Dublin, Ca. Eight of My THD friends and bridge buddies were invited, but only 7 were able to attend. Ditas and Carenna took a long and tedious flight from Washington DC just to attend my party. Relatives and friends from Alameda, Castro Valley, Benicia, Sacramento, San Jose, San Diego, San Francisco, Novato, Fairfield, Oakland, Palo Alto and Mountain View attended my 90th Birthday. There were 40 guests all in all. The clubhouse venue was homey and perfect for a birthday celebration fit for a King.  Thank you All for coming. 

There was plenty of food, fried chicken, roast beef, baked beans, potato salad, bread and Caesar Salad.  A platter of Pancit ( Filipino Noodles), a gift of My Igsoon Mercedes Braceros  from San Jose added to the variety of food served. The Pancit is a symbol for long life. My couple friend, Frank and Mildred Cabunoc from Fairfield brought a Cassava Cake for dessert. Of course we have the birthday cake.

Thank you Igsoon Ceding, Frank and Mildred for the goodies. There were plenty of leftovers.  My youngest daughter Ditas  and youngest grand daughter, Carenna, from Washington DC took some photos and I am posting it here for your viewing pleasure.  The several short roast memories/vignettes from friends and relatives,  I will treasure very much.   

Later in the evening after dinner in Newton's the servers serenaded me with a Happy Birthday song and a cup of ice cream with one candle. One of the youngest server, asked me how old I was. I told her to guess, She said 75.  Evidently she had not been reading my blogs. It felt great to be loved and acknowledged. 

It was a birthday party, I will always remember. Thanks a million, Dinah for organizing/hosting it. My actual birthday date was December 20 ( Friday). On that day, the THD residents attending the Happy Hour every Friday sang Happy Birthday to me. That evening, my oldest son, Dodie and spouse, Ruth treated me to a Dim sum Dinner at Creek House in Parkside Drive, Walnut Creek, so I did not have dinner at Newton's.  ( dim sum walnut creek)        

Here are the photos from the Dublin Party for your viewing pleasure.  

With Frank and Mildred Cabunoc, from Fairfield, CA, Thank you for coming and the Cassava Cake 

My Igsoon Ceding ( Mercedes) Braceros from San Jose. She brought the Pancit, It was delicious   

John and Carol Larimore. In the Background Greg and Genny ( Dinah's best friends) from Novato

My Five Grand Children: From Left to Right: Philip, Marina, Alix, Me, Carenna and Ian. Elaine my other grand daughter from Portland, OR was planning to attend but cancelled due to Covid.   

My THD Bridge Buddies: Andi Shafer, Patty Healy, Sandi Green and Anne Long ( Not in the Photo_ Jane Williams).  

Meanwhile, I received a gift ( not expected) from Ditas and Carenna. It is TV tray she made herself. The decor is the Periodic Table of the Elements- very creative and appropriate gift for a chemist. Here are the photos;

   

Last but Not Least- A surprise gift from Carol Larimore- Decoupage Collage Art Work-Thank you so much, Carol. It is now hanging on the wall of the Hall Entrance of my Apartment- A Treasured Gift.   

Ten Things You Should Know About Reading

Previously I posted the nine reasons and benefits of reading books. This posting I received from my FaceBook page the other day detailed additional benefits why we should read. I was not surprised about #6, stating that reading can slow down the aging process. Do you agree with #4 and #10 also?      

Things You Probably Didn't Know About Reading

Reading is an integral part of our daily lives, providing a gateway to knowledge, entertainment, and personal growth. However, despite its familiarity, there are many fascinating aspects of reading that remain unknown to many. Here are some surprising facts about reading:

1. Your Brain Processes Images Faster Than Words

Research suggests that our brains process visual information 60,000 times faster than text. This explains why illustrations and graphics enhance comprehension and recall.

2. Reading Can Alter Your Brain Chemistry

Reading releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and relaxation. This "reading high" can reduce stress and improve mood.

3. The Average Reading Speed is 200-300 Words Per Minute

Most adults read at a pace of 200-300 words per minute, but skilled readers can reach speeds of up to 400 words per minute.

4. Reading Can Increase Empathy

Studies have shown that reading fiction improves empathy by allowing readers to experience different perspectives and emotions.

5. The World's Oldest Known Written Story Dates Back to 2100 BC

The ancient Sumerian epic, "The Epic of Gilgamesh," predates Homer's "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey."

6. Reading Can Slow Down Aging

Engaging in mentally stimulating activities like reading can delay cognitive decline and reduce the risk of age-related diseases.

7. Your Eyes Don't Move Linearly When Reading

Instead, they jump between focus points, taking in groups of words at a time. This process is called "saccadic movement."

8. Reading Can Improve Memory

Reading enhances memory by strengthening connections between brain cells and promoting neural plasticity.

9. The First E-Book Was Created in 1971

Michael Hart's digital version of "The Declaration of Independence" marked the beginning of the e-book era.

10. Reading Can Reduce Stress by 68%

A University of Sussex study found that reading reduces stress more effectively than listening to music or taking a walk.

Reading is more than just a hobby or necessity; it has profound effects on our minds, emotions, and well-being. By embracing reading, we can expand our knowledge, foster empathy, and cultivate a healthier, happier life.

Meanwhile, Did You Know? That----

The Philippines is a global leader in geothermal energy, with geothermal power being the second largest source of renewable energy in the country, and the fifth largest source of energy overall!

The country sits along the Ring of Fire, making it rich in geothermal resources. This natural heat from the Earth’s core is harnessed to generate electricity, particularly in areas like Leyte, Bacolod, and Tingloy. The Tiwi and MakBan geothermal plants are some of the largest in operation, helping provide sustainable energy to millions of Filipinos.

The Philippines is one of the top producers of geothermal energy in the world, contributing significantly to its renewable energy capacity and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Lastly, enjoy these fresh yellow roses adorning my kitchen.

Finally a thank You Note from the Newton Staff for the Christmas envelopes, I gave them.

Personal Note: After the Cocktail Hour, yesterday, Cydney and the Whole THD Gang sang Happy Birthday to me. Again thank you for your birthday greetings! It feels good to be LOVED and Acknowledge!

Memories of My First Job in the United States- Today is My Birthday

Today is My 90th Birthday. It is day of Recollection, Reflection and Gratitude!

So turning 90 brings back pleasant memories of my first job in the US. I am describing it in detail in this posting( a repost).     

I am in the 2nd Row, First from the Left ( #32) in dark brown Jacket, 1969. 

One of our numerous conversations during meal times here at THD was about our first job💚. There were a lot of interesting and challenging first jobs that I have heard. However, mine is also interesting and ground breaking. My employer was The Chemagro Corporation, Agricultural Research Subsidiary of Bayer Corp, Kansas City. Missouri. The company later sponsored me for permanent residency and later my family became US citizens in 1972. 

Here is a repost of my article:   

My First Industrial Job in the US was with Chemagro Corporation, Kansas City, Missouri in 1964. My first job in the Philippines after my Bachelor in Chemistry Degree in 1955 was Instructor in Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, UP, Diliman, Q.C. 

Group Photo of the Research Department in 1964. I was #36 in the group photo-second row and second from the Right,

My first industrial job after finishing my Ph.D from the University of Illinois was for Chemagro Corp in Kansas City, Missouri. My title was Chemist in the Methods Development group( Biochemistry) headed by Dr. Charles Anderson ( Chuck). My primary duty was to develop analytical methods for the detection of pesticides residues in plant and animal tissues. My work for five years( 1964-1969) resulted in several publications on the subject of analytical methods for pesticide residues in a couple of scientific journals. I enjoyed my first job very much because of my fellow employees and my supervisor, Dr. Chuck Anderson.

Chemagro sponsored me for my permanent resident visa from a student visa. Looking at the group photo above, I now realized I was the first Filipino scientist hired by the company. There were 40 employees in the research Department mostly white men in 1964. There were only six women and no black scientist in our department. Our Chief and Head of Research was a woman, Dr. Rosemarie Von Rumker ( middle of photo).   

I was very proud to be the only Asian hired by the company for several years. As a matter of fact my photo with two other white chemists was published in the Kansas City Star as an advertising for the company in 1967. 

Photo Taken in 1967 from the Kansas City Star Sunday Newspaper

Here's the latest information about Chemagro from the Internet: Chemagro is now called Bayer Crop Science, LP.

The Bayer Crop Science site is located on about 236 acres at 8400 Hawthorne Road in North Kansas City, Missouri, approximately 1.5 miles south of the confluence of the Missouri and Blue rivers. The facility occupies about 150 acres of the site and is protected by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ East Bottom Flood Levee. The remaining property is undeveloped land lying outside the Levee (river side of the Levee).

Before 1956, the property was farmland. In 1956, the facility opened as an agricultural chemical manufacturing facility, known as Chemagro, which became a wholly owned subsidiary of Bayer A.G. in 1967. In 1971, the facility came under control of the Mobay Chemical Corp. as a result of the merger and restructuring of various U.S. businesses affiliated with Bayer A.G. Over the years the facility formulated and produced numerous insecticides, fungicides and herbicides for agricultural use, including guthion (azinphosmethyl), disulfoton (Disyston), fenthion (Baytex), demeton (Systox), coumaphos (Baymix) and Meta-Systox-R. 

Since 1979, the facility has operated two hazardous waste container storage areas in the south-central part of the facility, with a combined capacity of 12,375 gallons; four 27,000-gallon hazardous waste storage tanks and one hazardous waste incinerator. In January 1992, the facility name changed to Miles Inc., and in April 1995 the name changed to Bayer Corp., Agricultural Division. These were not changes in ownership or operating responsibility, but changes in company name only. In 2002, Bayer CropScience LP assumed ownership of the site. 

LASTLY,  I would like to hear from you regarding your first job after your college graduation as well as your last job prior to retirement.  I am sure you still remember it! 

💚We  also talked about our last job prior to retirement. I posted this in my blogs a couple of years ago and was discus also during my last year talk about the Philippines.  My last job before retirement was with the Food and Drug Administration. I was the Chemistry Team Leader in the Division of Anti-Infective Drugs, Center of New Drugs, Silver Spring, MD. As team leader, I was responsible for prioritizing, assigning, and assuring the technical accuracy of all chemistry, manufacturing and control issues for all new drug applications submitted to the Division of Anti-Infective Drug Products, Center of New Drugs. 

I worked for FDA for 12 years prior to my retirement in 2002. My job with the FDA was the most challenging, happiest and rewarding experience in my professional career. 

htt-s://theintellectualmigrants.blogspot.com/2021/08/the-highlights-of-my-professional.html

Finally, here are some photos, I took of the Merrie Olde Christmas Carolers Concert last night at 7PM at the Lobby

Again, thanks a million to all my Friends and Relatives who send me their Birthday Greetings on my natal day, today! I enjoyed the singing phone greetings of Dick Botton as well as of Carol & John Larimore. 

Personal Reflections on the Eve of My 90th Birthday

Thank You, Lord for all your blessings and Graces on the Eve of my 90th Birthday.  It's only Dec 19 here in the US, but since it is already December 20 in the Philippines, I have been receiving birthday greetings in My Face Book Page. I also have received 2 Birthday cards ( see Photo Above) today.

However, this posting is a repost of my personal reflections and previous activities in my younger years together with my late spouse of 63 years, Macrine Jambalos Katague. I am reposting it today on the Eve of my 90th birthday. It's a day of Reflection, Recollection and Thanksgiving as well. My advance apology because this posting is a very long read. 

"During some of our meal time conversations here at THD with my fellow senior residents, we talked on numerous topics.  Some of the topics we discussed are about aging gracefully, as well as our former experiences during our young and active years.  However, one of the most inspiring and meaningful subject we discussed was "what have we done for others?" 

Here's an excerpt from my article about our involvement with the medical mission from my Hubpages.com writing account. 

"We have helped our less fortunate brethren with our time, effort and resources. We know we have truly lived because we have touched the lives of others.

My wife and I had devoted our time and resources to this humanitarian project since 1998. Our involvement in this humanitarian project has given us satisfaction and its one way of the many ways one can give back the good fortunes one receives while residing in the US. 

Macrine showing off the newly purchased Mission T-shirts in front of our Conference Hall, Amoigon, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines 

Dental and Medical Mission of Love

Macrine and I have been an active members of Marinduque International, Inc. (MI,Inc) for many years and have served for its seven bi-annual Medical and Dental Missions since 1998 in Marinduque, Philippines. MI, Inc is a non-profit organization based in the US. One of its missions is to provide free medical services to the impoverished residents of Marinduque, a small but beautiful island province in the heart of the Philippines. Our group is made up of migrants from the island now living in the first world, mostly in the US and Canada. Through hard work and skills, we have earned our good graces and fortunes from our adopted homeland and we have more than enough to share with our less fortunate country mates.

We are giving back to the community of our roots because it makes us feel good helping our compatriots. The more that we give of ourselves, the better we feel about ourselves. Whenever I work with the mission, I touch the lives of many of my poor countrymen living in the rural areas of the island. The organization motto is "Our mission is to help and together we will succeed". My medical mission involvement also projects my favorite quotation: "The time that you have really lived is the time you have touched the lives of others".

Our mission starts with fund raising by members mostly from our own pockets, friends and relatives. We recruit volunteer doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists and non-medical support staff to serve the missions, and they pay for their voyage to the islands. We procure and ship medicines badly needed by the islanders. Some of our members who own a place in the island, house the volunteers during the mission period. Others volunteers stay at the local hotels at their own expense but their whole week of food and local transportation is paid by Marinduque International. At the end of each mission we celebrate its success and thank the help of each volunteer as well as the local officials. It is also a time of reflection on all what we have shared of ourselves to our impoverished brothers and sisters". 

The Dental and Medical Mission Servicing the Needs of 6000 Residents 

The mission involves serving around 6,000 people from the six towns of the province who wait for hours in line under the sun, a difficult feat in a hot tropical humid setting, within a span of one week. About 40% of these patients from the interior of the province walked for 2 hours or more to reach the town center where the clinics are held. Most of these patients have never been seen by a physician in their lives. However, not everyone will be lucky to be seen by a doctor or provided free medicines. Many will return the next day to our new location to fall in line again and hope to be served for their needs. By the end of the mission a good number of people will never be served. It pains me to know and see the frustration of those who came hoping for help, only to be turned away due to constraints on our time, equipment and medicines.

Last February, it broke my heart when one patient had to be turned away when she was ready for a minor procedure on the operating table because surgical equipment was not available. It baffles me how the provincial government cannot provide a basic surgery instrument in its public hospital. We were on a mission to help and serve, but instead this patient had to deal with frustration, disappointment and anger.

During the mission I was assigned to the Pharmacy section, providing drugs and instructions to the patients. In the town of Buenavista, I had to break protocol and help a mother with her two sick young children. They were coughing and feverish, and were about to be turned away due to the limits in our time and medical volunteers.

I knew it was wrong and I could have been scolded for my actions, but I approached the mother, whispered to her to wait a little longer, and I could do something for her when the line has thinned down. Before closing time I waved for her, handed her vitamins, cough and fever medicines. She thanked me and showed me a smile that I will always remember as long as I live. On that day, I touched the lives of a mother and her two kids, and that was the day that I have really lived.

Macrine Welcoming Medical Missioners to Marinduque

Macrine and I welcoming medical missioners from US and Canada from ferry boat from Manila to Marinduque, 2011 

Here's my article REFLECTING TO my second favorite quote of:

  It is Better to Give than Receive 

There are several ways to GIVE. You can give, money, property or your time, knowledge and expertise. The following are three examples that I have  experience in giving. I am very proud of these deeds.

The DONOR WALL OF GRATITUDE at the UP Chemistry Building in Diliman. Q.C., Philippines

1. Money: Last May 7, 2014, Renan del Rosario, 1977 chemistry graduate and currently one of the advisers of the University of the Philippines Chemistry Alumni Foundation (UPCAF) treated me lunch and a personal tour of the new Institute of Chemistry Teaching Building at the UP Diliman National Science Complex. It was one of the highlights of my 90-day snow birding sojourn in the Philippines that year. I was able to take photographs of the Donor Wall which included my name(see photo above). The Donor Wall is right at the entrance of the teaching building just by the side of the guard podium. That day reminded me of my student and teaching days (1952 to 1959) at the College of Chemistry now known as the Institute of Chemistry. I was only 24 years old when I first taught chemistry to Pre-medical, Nursing, and Engineering students in the Fall of 1957 to 1959. 

Currently, I am a Life Member of the University of the Philippines Chemistry Alumni Foundation. I graduated from UP with a B.S. Chemistry degree in 1955. Immediately after graduation, I was appointed Assistant Instructor in Chemistry in my Alma Mater. A year later after I passed the National Chemistry Board Examination coping 3rd place, I was appointed to Instructor and held that position until late 1959 when I decided to pursue graduate work in the United States.  

The construction of a National Science Complex in Diliman, Quezon City started a few years ago which included a new Teaching Building for Chemistry. The first phase of government Funding was 200 million pesos and the second phase was 118 million pesos. 

In the Fall of 2013, I had the opportunity to visit the construction site through the kindness of Renan Del Rosario, the Chairman of the UPCAF Board of Trustees that year. Fund raising for furniture in the new building were undergoing also that year. That year, I also donated to the Foundation 10,000 pesos ( about $200) through Renan. I felt good about that donation. It was my way of saying thank you for the educational benefits that I had received from the University of the Philippines.( See my name listed in the Donor Wall in the above photo). 

2. Property: Sometime in the middle of May, 1990, I donated several volumes of technical journals from the duplicate copies from Stauffer Chemical library that were about to be burned and discarded. I was able to salvage several volumes of hard bound copies of Journal of Chromatography, 1971-1976. Included in my donation were dozens of volumes of hardbound copies of BioChemistry, Volumes 1969-1984. The value of the donation was about $1500. Shipping was arranged through the Commission on Filipinos Overseas ( CFO). On May 23, 1990, I received a thank you letter from Alfredo Perdon, Executive Director of CFO,as follows:

Dear Dr. Katague:

The Commission on Filipino Overseas acknowledge with thanks the donation of five boxes of technical journals to the Institute of Chemistry, University of the Philippines.

Your donation is a manifestation of the willingness of Filipino overseas to be actively involved in the development efforts of the country. Such participation through the Commission's “ Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino” or “ Linkapil” likewise serves to strengthen the linkages between Filipinos overseas and their countrymen.

Needless to say, these books will be a most welcome addition to the journal collection of the UP College of Science Library and will certainly be useful to the thousands of students in the said university. Best Regards and thanks you again for your donation.” 

3. Time and Expertise: In January, 1986, I participated in the United Nations Development Program at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. The program was for two weeks of consultancy ( lecture and management of research) at the U.P. Natural Sciences Research Institute( NSRI). My round trip fare was paid by UN and I also received a substantial amount of per diem during my consultancy period of two weeks. It was satisfying to give at least two weeks of my "Know-how" to my Alma Mater. The program at that time was called TOKTEN ( Transfer of Knowledge through Expatriate Nationals). Today, it is called Balik scientist program. The program helps in the alleviation of "Brain Drain" from 3rd world countries like the Philippines. This experience made me feel good, because I have given back to my Alma mater, even just two weeks of my time in the field of pesticide research and analytical residues method development.

 Indeed, as Einstein quotes, The value of a man resides in what he gives.

Lastly, In Filipino culture, birthdays come with a unique twist! Instead of friends treating you, it’s the birthday celebrant who treats everyone else. I will do this with lunch on December 21, in Dublin, CA. No gifts is required to attend my party (optional).

Whether it’s taking friends out to dinner or hosting a feast at home, the “birthday blowout” is a way for celebrants to show gratitude to loved ones. Quite a contrast to other cultures where the birthday person is typically on the receiving end! 

Finally my grateful thanks to those who have already given me gifts ( in spite of my warning, please no gifts) to those that I have invited for my Birthday lunch this Saturday ( December 21) in Dublin, Ca.  Thank You Andi for the above libation.

The lunch is organized by my oldest daughter, Dinah. Thanks a Million, Dinah!