Gasan-Gasan Festival on Easter Sunday, Marinduque

This is an Easter Sunday Festival held in Gasan town where the only commercial airport in Marinduque is located. The town's lady mayor in 2002 with the help of her advisers conceptualize a new daytime Easter festival for Gasan than can compete with the other towns in terms of attracting visitors during the Holy Week celebration. The Marinduque towns of Mogpog, Boac and Gasan draw the most tourists because of the unique Lenten rituals and practices observed in these three towns.

Gasan prides itself as the cultural nerve-center of Marinduque with good reason. It was in Gasan where the moriones tradition was discovered by local journalists in the 1960s. 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 don wooden masks during the Holy Week with attires similar to those worn by Roman soldiers.

Barangays compete for cash prizes during this event. Below are two videos for your viewing pleasure.


Gasan Gasan Festival, 2008


Gasan Gasan Festival 2011

A Visit with Father Constantino Nieva-Macrine's Uncle

Father Tino, Rene and Genny Nieva, Bing Carrion, Me and Macrine

Three weeks ago, prior to our return to US, we visited Macrine's uncle, Reverend Father Constantino Nieva( Retired) in Metro Manila. Tito Tino ( that is the name that Macrine and I call him) is now under the care of Macrine's first cousin Bing Carrion. Tito Tino is afflicted with expressive amnesia or Alzheimer's disease. This affliction started about 4 years ago after his retirement as a parish priest in Long Island, New York.

Father Nieva's career parallels mine. I first knew of him at the University of the Philippines in Diliman in 1952. He was then President of the UP Student Catholic Action(UPSCA) and in Law school while I was also president of UPSCA, Iloilo Chapter. In 1953 when I transferred to Diliman, our friendship grew and he introduced me to his niece, Macrine Nieva Jambalos, and the rest is history. Fr. Tino finished Law school, but decided he wanted to be priest, after one year of practicing corporate law in Manila. He finished seminary school and decided to go to Rome ( Vatican), Italy for his Ph.D in Theology. After his Ph. D graduation, the Nieva Clan in Boac, Marinduque wanted him to return to the Philippines. But Tito Tino had other plans. He wanted to stay in US . During this time, he would visit us during his vacation from his parish duties in the State of New York. He was happy of being a parish priest until he retired about 5 years ago. We visited him in his parish house in Long Island two years before his retirement, when he was hospitalized for prostrate surgery. At that time, we were still residing in Maryland.

He retired in the Philippines in 2006. His Alzheimer's affliction started about 4 years ago. When we visited him about 3 years ago, his memory was not that bad and he could still talk. In our last visit three weeks ago, he could not talk, but would gave you a stare and a half smile as if he remembers. Fr. Tino is having good care at the Bing's Carrion residence. Bing informed us that her only regret is that two of Fr. Tino older sisters who are still alive and residing in Manila and Marinduque had never visited him. We will continue to pray for Fr. Tino's health. We also gave our thanks to Bing Carrion for taking care of our uncle, the Rev Fr. Constantino Nieva (Retired) of Boac, Marinduque. The photo above was taken three weeks ago during our recent visit ( May 8, 2011)at Bing Carrion residence.

We are Poor in Gold but Rich in Pleasant Memories

Our life is not rich in terms of dollars or pesos, but in pleasant memories and accomplishments.

How was this attained? First, I grew up in the 1940's in the midst of the Japanese-American War in the Philippines. My father at that time was a Dental Officer for the Philippine-American Guerrilla Forces in Panay and Romblon Islands. Thus, I did have a lot of contacts with American GI's from all parts of the US. These contacts initiated and triggered my desire and ambition to someday see and visit the US.
( I had no desire or dream to reside in US at that time)

Second, my elementary and high school years were also filled with accomplishments. I graduated with honors in 6th Grade and valedictorian in my high school class. Except for a bullying incident in my freshman year, I had pleasant memories of my elementary and high school years.

Third, my college years at UP, Iloilo and Diliman were also filled with scholastic achievements. I received the Fernando Lopez Scholarship in Iloilo for attaining the highest grade in the whole university. In Diliman, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry missing 0.02 points to graduate CUM LAUDE(with honors).

Fourth, my graduate school years at the University Of Illinois in Chicago were also filled with pleasant memories. Those years were the hardest and most challenging years of my life. Those years started with seeing my first snow in US, followed by raising three children ( my 4th child was born after my graduate school years) while a graduate and teaching assistant and culminated with my Ph.D graduation in Pharmaceutical Chemistry in 1964.

Fifth, my professional career working as a chemist for 20 years for three private companies and later for the federal government (FDA) for another 12 years ( as team leader) were unforgettable. My years in FDA were the happiest and most productive years in my professional career.

Sixth, Macrine and my involvement with the activities of the Filipino-American Community in the Washington, D.C., Kansas City, Missouri, Modesto and Pinole, California areas were memories that we will treasure and will never forget as long as we live.

Last, but not least were the civic, social and humanitarian projects that Macrine and I had been involved since the early 1960's. Our involvement with the Marinduque International, Inc medical mission projects since 1996 to the present are memories we will never forget. The letters of Appreciation and Thanks that Macrine and I received from the Office of the Governor in Marinduque in 2009 regarding our efforts in promoting tourism in the province, we will always treasure. The publication of my two articles in HULIQ News about Eco tourism in Marinduque in 2010 was indeed memorable and unforgettable.

Indeed, we are not rich in GOLD or SILVER, but in MEMORIES.
The front yard of our Retirement Home in Marinduque-Chateau Du Mer

For details of the above accomplishments and activities, visit my blog sites at
http://theintellectualmigrant.blogspot.com or http://lifeinus1960present.blogspot.com

Recent Photos of Orchids in the Gardens of Chateau Du Mer

A dark Yellow Vanda
A dark pink Vanda
A Small light yellow Phaelonopsis
A reddish Vanda
A pinkish-white Vanda
Another favorite Vanda
My twin blue Princess Mikasa
One of My Favorite Vanda

The above photos are some of the orchids blooming in the gardens of Chateau Du Mer from January to April, 2011. I hope you like them as much as I do! I have a dozen more plants that are blooming, but it will just be too boring to publish them all in this blog. Your comments will be appreciated.

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 with a tear or two. With a 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!

Our Fifty Four Years Wedding Anniversary-May 8, 2011

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. In spite 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 lasting 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 strengths as well as gifts and different personalities. Again there is no perfect human being, and no perfect husband or wife, lover or partner.
Macrine and I dancing the Rumba at the Welcome Night, 2011 MI,INc Medical Mission of Love
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.