Old and Memorable Photos from My Album

While Cleaning out my closet the other day, I found the following old photos of my younger years. 

Pleasant Memories, Indeed! 

The above is our Bublegram Photo with a Lighted Base ( Me and Macrine (RIP). Macrine and I had been married for over 63 years, Macrine joined her Creator on August 10, 2020.  

 

My First Winter in the US- December, 1959 in Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania

The David B Katague Family with My Mother-in-law ( RIP-Elena Nieva Jambalos), Chicago, Illinois, 1963.  From Left to Right: Me, Dodie, Dinah, Macrine with David E ( both RIP) and Elena Nieva Jambalos(RIP).

The David B Katague Clan- Kansas City Missouri, 1966.  From Left to Right Dinah, me, David E III, Macrine with Ditas in her lap and Dodie.  

University of the Philippines Student Catholic Action, (UPSCA). Liberal Arts Chapter with Fr, John Delaney, S.J. (RIP). 1954

The University of the Philippines Students Catholic Action- Central Council, 1953  

Meanwhile Here are the Suggested Ideal Times to Eat: 

Lastly, In September 1948, one of the most intriguing Marian apparitions in the Philippines took place at the Carmelite Monastery in Lipa. A young novice, Sister Teresita Castillo, claimed she was praying in the convent garden when a radiant lady appeared, floating on a cloud. This mysterious figure, dressed in white and holding a golden rosary, introduced herself as the "Lady Mediatrix of All Grace."

Over the course of fifteen apparitions, a shower of rose petals allegedly fell, with images of Jesus, Mary, and other biblical scenes miraculously appearing on them. The apparition stirred intense devotion and widespread attention.

However, in the 1950s, Sister Teresing faced immense criticism and left the convent. An initial investigation dismissed the apparition as “non-supernatural,” but a twist came decades later. A bishop reportedly confessed on his deathbed that he was pressured to sign a dismissal of the apparition. In light of this, the case was reopened in 1991, leaving the phenomenon and its true nature an ongoing mystery.

Have a Blessed Sunday, Every One. Be Kind to One Another!

   

Some Famous Bromances in the US Presidency and History

Just recently, I took photos of Batman and Robin playing with each other. It reminded me of the word Bromance. Both Batman and Robin are male-neutered cats, so loving each other is an example of a cat bromance. Here are several photos I took.

So what is Bromance?: A bromance is a very close and non-sexual relationship between two or more men. It is an exceptionally tight, affectional, homosocial male bonding relationship exceeding that of usual friendship, and is distinguished from normal friendship by a particularly high level of emotional intimacy.

   Meanwhile here's and example of a bromance that is famous and shaped political history in the US. 

The president and his vice president were two of the closest in recent memory. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

It is hard to find a more famous bromance than the one between former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Biden.

After competing for the Democratic nomination in 2008, Obama chose Biden to join him on the ticket as his vice president.

From runs and walks around the White House to laughing over sharing meals and playing golf, the two were constantly seen together over their eight years in office. They even made friendship bracelets for each other to wear.

Before leaving office, Obama delivered the eulogy at the funeral of Biden's son, Beau. He also presented Biden with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in a surprise ceremony.

When the Bidens' planned to sell their house in order to help their son's family during his illness, Obama offered to cover the mortgage and give Biden the money.

Former first lady Michelle Obama once said that her husband and Biden "really love one another."

After leaving office, Obama said he "gained a brother" in Biden. "I don't like him, I love him," Biden said of Obama.

Her are references of other political bromances, in arts and in entertainment world.  

https://www.businessinsider.com/political-bromances-us-history-2018-7

https://time.com/3768202/best-bromances/

https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-greatest-bromances-art-history

Another bromance is between Abraham Lincoln and Josha Speed, that change the course of American history.  In 1837 Lincoln moved to Springfield to practise law and met Joshua Speed. They shared a bed for four years. “No two men were ever more intimate,” is how Speed summarised their relationship. Just how intimate is a touchy subject among scholars.

https://theconversation.com/did-abraham-lincolns-bromance-alter-th.-course-of-american-history-68031

Food for Thought: Will Trump and Putin be another famous bromance in history?

 Or Trump and Elon Musk?  I doubt it! They will just used each other when both are benefited for Power and Money.  I predict that Trump and Musk bromance will end before the end of 2025, when the economy will turn for the worst and Musk loses money because of Trump's tariff on imported goods from China and other countries and other policies. 

Ten American Celebrities with Filipino Ancestry

This is the 15th article on my blog series about the Philippines and Filipino-Americans in connection with Filipino-American History Month here in the US

1. BRUNO MARS

Bruno Mars or born as Peter Gene Hernandez is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, musician, and as we have seen a dancer. It doesn’t get bigger than this superstar. The Uptown funk and Just the way you are singer’s mother is Bernadette San Pedro Bayot Hernandez, a Filipina from Cebu. She passed away in 2013 because of a brain aneurysm.

2. VANESSA HUDGENS

Vanessa is an actress and a singer. Our favorite Gabriela Montez of High School Musical and now our favorite trio in the Princess switch is half Filipina thanks to her mom Gina Guanco. Her mother Gina is from Manila while her father was of Irish, French and Native American descent. She has always been proud of her Filipino roots as well.

3. OLIVIA RODRIGO

This rising pop star is only 18, but is making waves in the music industry. Her songs “Driver’s License,” “Deja Vu,” have been trending everywhere. Olivia is of Filipino heritage as her father is Filipino-American. She has also stated that her great-grandfather moved from the Philippines to the US as a teenager and her family follows Filipino traditions and cuisine.

4. BELLA POARCH

Bella Poarch is pure Filipino indeed as she was born in the Philippines and adopted by an American family as a child. Interesting fact is she joined the U.S. Navy when she was 18 and served for four years, before becoming a social media star. Her edgy pop song “Build a Bitch” have made headlines and gone viral as well.

5. JACOB BATALON

Born Jacob Batalon in Hawaii, to Filipino parents, Ned of Spiderman no way home is a pure Filipino. His Filipina mother, who has always supported his dreams, is Eva Andres who is originally from Pangasinan here in the Philippines.

6. NICOLE SCHERZINGER

Nicole is an American born Nicole Prascovia Elikolani Valiente is a singer, actress, and television personality raised in Hawaii. She was the lead singer of the sexy beautiful group of pussycat dolls who became one of the best-selling girl groups of all time. She was their lead vocalist and her father is Alfonso Valiente which is of Filipino descent. She takes pride in being Filipino and have even performed at the Global Filipino Music Festival.

7. HAILEE STEINFELD

Hailee is an actress and a singer. Emily junk in Pitch perfect 2, Kate Bishop in the new marvel series, The Hawkeye and Emily Dickinson in the tb series Dickinson. Her maternal grandfather, Ricardo Domasin, was half Filipino who hails from Panglao, Bohol. She even said in an interview “I have Filipino blood in me and I’m so proud of that”.

8. DAVE BAUTISTA

Dave is an American actor and former professional wrestler. We know his as Drax of the Guardians of the Galaxy and six-time world champion WWE wrestler “Batista”. His father is Filipino, Michael Bautista. He is proud to be a Filipino and even brought Adobo on set of the Guardians which he recalls everyone wiped out.

9. ENRIQUE IGLESIAS

Enrique is a singer and a song writer. He has become one of the best-selling Latin music artists in history. Pure Hot Latino? No, this sexy pop star is half Filipino. His father is Julio Iglesias who married the beautiful Manila socialite and magazine journalist Isabel Preysler. She is a Filipina mestiza with Spanish ancestry.

10. GABRIELLA SARMIENTO WILSON (H.E.R.)

H.E.R., whose real name is Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, is an R&B singer. She has become one of the most established and most awarded Filipino-American artists with four Grammys under her belt and top-charting songs like “Best Part” and “Damage.” She was born to a Filipino mother.

Meanwhile Here is the List of Filipino-American Executives in the Biden Administration. My daughter, Ditas Macrine Katague is on the list as Associate Director of Communications, Bureau of Census, Department of Commerce.

https://www.instagram.com/filamsforbiden/?hl=en

My Patio and Bougainvillas in Bloom. Photo Taken_ October 26, 2024 at THD💜.

💜THD is an active senior living community in downtown Walnut Creek, CA. Currently it has about 130 senior residents housed in 4 buildings with 147 apartment units. There is an in-house restaurant ( Newton's) and a Cinema. There is a small gym, yoga studio, small library and two meeting rooms. However, there is no Hall or Room that could be rented by residents for private parties ( birthday etc..) that could accommodate more than 50 attendees.   THD has 47 employees  (some are part time) and a Garage for Residents and Guests for Parking. THD has been awarded the Best For Senior Living Award for 2023 and 2024 by the Place for Mom organization. 

  I am the only Filipino-American Resident in this Senior Community. It is owned privately and hopefully will not be sold to a mega corporation for Senior living in the near future. This is my 17th month residency here and I am very happy with my living environment. Of course, there is no perfect place in the World and I believe THD and its employees are trying to do their jobs to the best of their abilities to enhance the residents well being and sense of belonging during the last stage of our lives.  But again there is always room for improvement. Suggestions for improvement have been posted in my previous blogs.

https://theintellectualmigrants.blogspot.com/2024/02/suggestions-for-improvement-of-quality.html

https://theheritagedowntown.com/

The Secret of SkinWalker Ranch- TV Review

I have watched this TV Series from Season 1 to now on its 5th Season with great pleasure and awe as the story unfold. This season  I learned a new topic, " Remote Viewing". using psychics to draw what they see based on the location given to them.  So what is Remote Viewing?

"Remote viewing is defined as the ability to acquire accurate information about a distant or non-local place, person or event without using your physical senses or any other obvious means. It’s associated with the idea of clairvoyance, seemingly being able to spontaneously know something without actually knowing how you got the information. It is also sometimes called “anomalous cognition” or “second sight.”

Many of us experience this from time to time as an intuitive flash of insight that turns out to be correct. Many well-known entrepreneurs and business people, like George Soros, Conrad Hilton, Thomas Alva Edison and Akio Morita, the co-founder of Sony, have attributed their business success to this ability. And we’ve all seen natural psychics perform seemingly amazing feats of mental skill on TV.

The difference between natural psychic receptivity and remote viewing is that the latter is a trained skill, a controlled process, that the average person can learn to do, to some degree or another ". (https://www.gaia.com/article/what-is-remote-viewing) 

I do not fully believe in it, but the results speak for itself.  Here's what Wikipedia say about this TV series:  

Skinwalker Ranch and the surrounding area have been referred to as "UFO alley" since the 1950s when numerous anomalous events and strange activity began occurring. A team of scientists and experts conducts a thorough and daring search of the infamous 512-acre property in Utah's Uinta Basin in an attempt to find out the answers behind more than 200 years of UFO sightings, strange animal mutations, and paranormal related mysteries. Scientists use the latest in cutting-edge technology, like ground-penetrating radar and drones, to seek shocking discoveries.

The TV series is now in its 5th Season and I am still enjoying it.  Here's the summary of the 5th Season.   

The fifth season of The HISTORY Channel’s popular series “The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch” tracks the boldest efforts yet of ranch owner Brandon Fugal and his team led by principal investigator Erik Bard and astrophysicist Dr. Travis Taylor to reveal the ultimate truth behind the infamous 512-acre anomalous property in Northeastern Utah. The mysterious area known as the Triangle remains a key focus for the team, while Erik and Travis lead new operations in the adjacent area known as the East Field; a location where they have previously captured footage of UAPs, and discovered ancient Native American petroglyphs and rock formations depicting interdimensional portals.

Additionally, this season follows the team as they conduct new advanced technology, drilling, and digging operations that leave them stunned with new discoveries. As they employ their most invasive operation to date, it is revealed that what the team could be dealing with is not only something that is not of this world, but that may also be related to other phenomena that they have encountered across the property thus far.

Meanwhile, enjoy this comparative table when you were young and now:

Last but not least, Last Night CandleLight Concert was another live musical event that I enjoyed very much. The highlights of the One hour acoustic guitar presentation were Cohens's Alleluia and My Cheating Heart. Thank you, David Landon for a fun one hour musical Saturday evening here at THD.

Again Kudos to Galen for another successful CandleLight Concert!   

UnFit_ A Documentary of the Psychology of Donald Trump

I watched This Documentary in my Prime Video the other day and I agree with the  review below. Now that President Biden has withdrawn, The Democrats chance of Defeating Trump has gone to higher level. Democrats unite and save America from the mad Dictator.   As of this writing date, Kamala Harris presumptive Democratic Nominee is leading Trump by 8 points from Independent Voters. The future of Kamala Harris looks bright!

This documentary shows the consequential repercussions of having Trump as our President again, due to his seriously flawed personality traits. It's so much more than his leadership skills and what policies he will put into place. How can we let this man lead our nation when his core values are the opposite of what we teach our children (be honest & kind, love your neighbor, share, apologize when you've done wrong, communicate openly, be openminded, forgive, etc.)? I learned in his first Presidency, Trump didn't unite the country during crisis nor did he intelligently try to help, instead he avoided responsibilty and denied Covid existed. If President again, he most likely will promote hate and encourage separating an already divided country. I believe he only cares about himself, threatens our democracy and we have too much at stake to let him be president again in 2024, if given the chance. We need a leader with a strong sense of character who will bring the nation together, promote positive changes and not tear it further apart. We truly need a leader to step up and serve the people of our great nation...TRUMP IS NOT MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN AND TRULY NEVER DID!

4.0 out of 5 stars

For other reviews visit:

https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Unfit-The-Psychology-of-Donald-Trump/0F75U4UJDOC19DPYZHN5FE64KQ

Meanwhile, here's the highlights of THD Events for July 29 to August 4.  The Sound Bath scheduled for Saturday, August 3 at 3PM, I highly recommend.  For the Benefits of Sound-Bathing read my article on this subject at bottom of the page.💚 

💚https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2024/06/sound-bathing-in-yoga-and-its-benefits.html