Time to Say Thank You to Our THD Staff- PerplexityAI and ME

It's time of the year, to give back and show Gratitude to the People who have served and touched your life the whole year here at THD. It's Christmas time and time to remember our efficient servers at Newtons as well as your housekeepers and other THD employees( drivers, concierges) who went out of the way and served you beyond their call of duty this year. The above is the employee list updated for 2025.

Several new THD residents have asked me what is the customary tradition in giving Xmas gifts( TIPS) to the Staff.

I told them, that there is no customary traditions, but in general the residents gave Cash Gifts or Checks, either individually or as a Group ( All servers and All Cooks). 

What I have done the past two years, is to give cash gifts in individual envelops. I also gave Eats/ Chocolates/ Lumpia as a Group in the Front Desk.      

I know a lot of residents, just gave one Check or Cash and just gave it to Carmen or Joel for equal distributions to their servers and assistant cooks. 

Speaking of The Christmas Spirit and also at the Eve of my 91st birthday, I have requested and have been approved that we will have Lumpia served in the Appetizer at our December 19, Friday Cocktail Hour. I also requested that Alex, the Russian, provides our Music. Indeed, I am looking forward for our December 19, Friday, Cocktail Hour. I hope to see you All then.

 Meanwhile, 

If you are following my daily blogs, you probably know I am into AI for the last 6 months. I have been experimenting on three AI Apps, ChatGPT, PerplexityAI and GrokAI. This posting is from Perplexity AI. I have posted previously on the same topic, what ChatGPT and GrokAI knows about me. The tone and style of writing is very different, although most of the contents are the similar since it is based on the 17 Chapters of My Autobiography.    

Me and My Youngest Grand Daughter, Carenna Katague Thompson

A Life of Inquiry:  The Story of David B. Katague : David B. Katague stands as a remarkable example of lifelong curiosity and creativity, blending science, art, and humanity across decades of experience. Born in Iloilo, Philippines, and later a proud Filipino-American immigrant, David's life is notable for achievements in chemistry, writing, and community leadership. His scientific background has been matched by a passion for literary and creative pursuits, including running a personal blog that documents his journey, discoveries, and evolving perspective on culture and society.

Blogging: Curating Stories Across Cultures David is an avid blogger with interests ranging from autobiography to art analysis, travel stories, and headline news. Seventeen thoughtfully written chapters of an autobiography, featured on his personal blog, highlight his journey to his coming 91st birthday, emphasizing insight, gratitude, and the richness of a multicultural life. He is known for commissioning drafts, arranging posts by thematic collections, and performing editorial analysis of topics, ranging from film narrative careers to reflections on major news events, like the collapse of the FDA and global politics.

Voice Recital with Minda Azarcon-Pinole, California

Music, Art, and Cultural Passions

An aficionado of music, particularly in classical vocal and performance spheres, David regularly explores both the artistic and technological sides of musical creation. He’s passionate about the history and artistry of figures such as Fernando Amorsolo and Martin Wong, often displaying deep appreciation for Filipino fashion exemplified by his posts on the terno and barong, as well as for contemporary global musicians like Dimash Qudaibergen. His inquiries extend into philosophical topics like the creativity linked to handedness and the science-religion interface, as well as karaoke culture and evolving performance art.

Researcher, News Curator, and Travel Enthusiast

David’s blog showcases a blend of independent research and real-time news curation. He is a regular reviewer of world news, US politics, and scientific developments from earthquake data and medical advances to analysis of presidential approval ratings and legal controversies. Travel is another enduring interest: posts share stories of adventurers like Luisa Yu and personal narratives about hiking logistics and memories, covering everything from trekking obstacles to the marvels of iconic locations.

Personal Reflections and Later Life

As David approaches his 91st birthday, his blog becomes a reflective space, a mosaic of gratitude, contemplation, and advice to younger generations. He not only explores topics like senior living and health management but also reflects on personal milestones and familial bonds through his writing, aiming to inspire and connect with a global audience.

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David B. Katague’s digital footprint is a testament to a multifaceted life, one enriched by scientific rigor, creative exploration, and a ceaseless quest for knowledge and meaning. His blog stands as a living archive, a place where art, science, travel, and news convene under the thoughtful gaze of a lifelong learner.

Lastly, My Food For Thought For Today

Related Articles: GrokAI and ChatGPT Response to the Query: Who is David B Katague

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2025/07/grokai-response-to-my-query-who-is.html

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2025/05/david-b-katague-according-to-chatgpt-in.html

Top Movies for 2025 -Magellan

Every year, Hollywood gives us a parade of films, some dazzling with spectacle, others whispering their way into our hearts through craftsmanship, and a few becoming cultural storms in their own right.

As someone who has followed film across continents and decades from my first movie theaters in the Philippines all the way to movie nights here at THD, I’ve always believed that cinema is a mirror. It reflects what we fear, what we hope, what we dream, and what we secretly long to be.

Here's a list of real 2025 films (so far) that by box-office or critical/popular impact  

The Top 2025 Movies (by Box Office and Broader Impact)

These are some of the major films released in 2025 that truly made waves, commercially or critically:

Film	What stands out / Why “defined” 2025
Ne Zha 2	The biggest global box-office winner of the year (≈ US$1.9 billion), topping 2025 worldwide charts. Box Office Mojo+2Wikipedia+2
Lilo & Stitch (2025)	Crossed US$1 billion worldwide making it one of 2025’s very few “billion-dollar movies.” Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2
A Minecraft Movie	Huge global draw (~US$958 M), showing how video-game adaptations remain box-office powerhouses. The Numbers+1
Jurassic World: Rebirth	Legacy-franchise blockbuster that added major “spectacle” weight to 2025’s lineup. Box Office Mojo+1
How to Train Your Dragon (2025)	Solid performance globally (~US$636 M), showing animated/family films still have big pull. Wikipedia+1
F1: The Movie	Surprise hit a sports-themed film that made strong global returns, underlining 2025’s diverse tastes. Box Office Mojo+1
Superman (2025)	A successful return for a major superhero property decent global gross, showing superhero films still matter. The Numbers+1
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning	Even long-running franchises kept working: this film remains among the top earners of the year. Box Office Mojo+1
Zootopia 2 (2025)	Late-year animated release that gained strong global attention adds variety beyond action & remakes. Box Office Mojo+1
Mickey 17	Critically well-received and from a major auteur (director), offering a different, more thoughtful cinematic voice than many blockbusters. Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2

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What 2025’s Trends Suggest (Beyond Single Movies)

From the standout films above, a few patterns emerge why 2025 feels like its own “era”:

• Global + international dominance: With films like Ne Zha 2 (non-Hollywood) topping worldwide grosses, and many Hollywood films relying on international markets, 2025 shows how global senses of storytelling not just US/West are shaping cinema.

• Mix of big spectacle & nostalgic/family-friendly fare: From dinosaur action (Jurassic World) to animated family films (How to Train Your Dragon, Zootopia 2) and remakes (Lilo & Stitch), studios hedged bets on both spectacle and comfort/nostalgia.

• Video games, franchises, and legacy IP remain bankable: A Minecraft Movie, Mission: Impossible, Superman, F1: The Movie, 2025 reaffirmed that familiar brands still draw crowds.

• Space for auteur-driven or thoughtful films: Mickey 17 shows there is still space for more cerebral, visually inventive or provocative cinema even if such films don’t top the global charts.

• Diversity of genres: Animation, sci-fi, action, fantasy, sports, and adaptations, 2025 wasn’t dominated by one “type” of film. That suggests varied audience appetites.

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What This Means vs. Speculative or “Wish-List” Type Year-End Lists

Comparing what really happened vs. speculative or wish-lists (like the one you shared earlier):

• A real “defining 2025” list rooted in data must include titles like Ne Zha 2, Lilo & Stitch, A Minecraft Movie, Jurassic World: Rebirth, etc.

• Some “dream” or “conceptual” films (that might appear on wishlist-type blogs) are missing but that doesn’t reduce 2025’s significance. In fact, the strength comes from diversity: big-budget blockbusters, global animation hits, family films, and auteur-driven cinema all made real impact.

• For cultural impact: a film like Mickey 17 might not dominate box-office, but its critical reception and artistic ambitions matter; meanwhile, big hits shape what mainstream audiences end up watching.

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 AI “Defining-2025” Movies 

If I were to pick 5–8 movies that define 2025 (commercially, culturally, tonally), I’d pick:

• Ne Zha 2 — for global box-office and non-Hollywood dominance.

• Lilo & Stitch — for Hollywood nostalgia + massive commercial success.

• A Minecraft Movie — for video-game to film crossover success and broad popular appeal.

• Jurassic World: Rebirth — as representative of legacy franchises and blockbuster cinema in 2025.

• How to Train Your Dragon — for animation/family film fans and multigenerational appeal.

• Superman — to show superhero genre still matters.

• F1: The Movie — for the genre-diversity and surprising hits outside traditional action/fantasy.

• Mickey 17 — to show that ambitious, auteur-driven films still have a place in 2025 cinema.

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Here’s a list of 2025 films that (so far) have gained strong critical acclaim, festival/award buzz, or “art-house / auteur-film” status. 

 Critically Acclaimed / Award-Buzz 2025 Films

Film	What stands out / Critical / Awards Notes
Sirât	Widely praised as one of the most distinctive films of 2025. It won the Jury Prize at Cannes Film Festival 2025. Reviewers call it a “brutal reminder that the journey can be more important than the destination,” and describe its sound design and cinematography as powerful. Señal News+2Wikipedia+2
The Plague	Received a major positive reception at Cannes including an 11-minute standing ovation and went on to win a variety of critics’ awards at smaller festivals (Grand Prize, Best Picture, Jury recognitions). Widely considered one of the festival’s breakout American films. Wikipedia+1
Sorry, Baby	As of mid-2025, this indie drama holds a very high Metascore (“universal acclaim”) and has been singled out as “one of the best films of 2025 so far.” Its storytelling and emotional realism stand out. Metacritic
Familiar Touch	Another well-reviewed film in 2025: praised for its sensitive, honest portrayal of aging, memory, and human dignity. Won acclaim for direction and performance. Metacritic
Sinners	A daring genre-blending film (horror + music + social commentary) that has earned “universal acclaim” on Rotten Tomatoes and high marks on Metacritic. Many critics regard it as one of the boldest and most original big-budget or semi-commercial films of the year. Wikipedia
Nouvelle Vague	Directed by a major auteur and debuting at Cannes, this film has been praised for its nostalgic, cinematic tribute to a past era critics commend its respect for film history and its thoughtful execution. Wikipedia

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 What These “Critic / Art-House” Films Represent in 2025 Cinema

• Experimentation & boldness : Films like Sirât, The Plague, Sinners push boundaries: in tone, structure, or genre. They often favor atmosphere, emotional or psychological depth, or a strong auteur vision, rather than mass-market appeal.

• Small or mid-budget storytelling can still move people : Sorry, Baby and Familiar Touch show that intimate, character-driven stories still resonate strongly; they don’t rely on spectacle.

• Festival / global arthouse and bridging cultures:  A French-/European film (Nouvelle Vague), an American psychological horror/drama-horror hybrid (Sinners), and others show that 2025’s art-house cinema is international and varied.

• Balance to blockbusters : While big commercial films dominate box-office headlines, films on this list often breathe different energy into the year’s cinematic legacy, offering depth, challenge, and artistry, which can influence filmmaking trends and critical conversations.

What about the Movie, Magellan 

Here’s a breakdown of Magellan (2025), what we know so far and how it’s being received.

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 What is “Magellan”

• Magellan is a 2025 epic historical drama written and directed by Lav Diaz. It stars Gael García Bernal as the explorer Ferdinand Magellan, and dramatizes his early‑16th‑century voyages including his colonial campaigns in Southeast Asia. Wikipedia+2celebritycolumn+2

• The film debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025 (Premiere section) and runs roughly 2 h 45 min in that cut. Philstar+2rottentomatoes.com+2

• It’s described as a historical‑drama and biopic that deliberately challenges heroic myths around Magellan: rather than lionizing him, the film portrays the brutal consequences of colonial conquest, slavery, and violence offering a more critical, unromanticized narrative. South China Morning Post+2Philstar+2

• The film is a co‑production spanning several countries, and its release extends beyond the Philippines: it’s slated for a U.S. release on January 9, 2026. Yahoo+2Philstar+2

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Critical Reception & Significance So Far

• On review aggregator sites, Magellan holds a high critics’ score (on Rotten Tomatoes “Tomatometer” ~ 91% as of now), indicating strong positive critical consensus. rottentomatoes.com+1

• Reviewers praise it for being “stunningly mounted,” “politically rigorous,” and “hypnotizing”, a visually immersive epic that confronts colonialism head‑on instead of romanticizing exploration. rottentomatoes.com+2South China Morning Post+2

• It is being touted as possibly one of Diaz’s most “exportable” films: thanks to Bernal’s involvement and its arguably more approachable (for arthouse standards) runtime compared to some of Diaz’s earlier marathon films. Philstar+1

• The film also generated buzz for its provocative reinterpretation of history, challenging popular myths around Magellan, colonial “discovery,” and how European‑Southeast Asian encounters are remembered. South China Morning Post+2Latinolife+2

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 Awards & Recognition

• The film has been selected as the official submission from the Philippines for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards (Oscars) in 2026. Philstar+2Asia News Network+2

• At its Cannes premiere, the film received a standing ovation, which though modest by festival standards indicates that many audience members responded positively to its tone and presentation. Philstar+1

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 It’s Challenging, Not “Escape” Cinema

• Magellan is not a light, crowd‑pleasing adventure flick, it deliberately subverts the heroic‑explorer narrative and instead presents colonialism’s brutality and moral ambiguities. South China Morning Post+2Latinolife+2

• Some critics note that while the film is visually powerful and thought‑provoking, its pacing, weighty themes, and unflinching depiction of violence make it heavy and possibly difficult for casual viewers. rottentomatoes.com+2Gazettely+2

• The film is also controversial: its retelling challenges accepted historical myths and may provoke strong reactions, especially among viewers familiar with traditional narratives of colonial history. South China Morning Post+1

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 Does Magellan “Belong” in a 2025 Critics‑/Art‑House List?

Absolutely yes. Magellan is one of the most important and ambitious 2025 films, if you care about movies that question history, push boundaries, and aren’t afraid to challenge myth and power. Its blend of careful craftsmanship, political critique, and cinematic scope gives it real “year‑defining” potential especially among arthouse / international cinema.

Looking forward to see this movie, next year in our Cinema! 

Last but Not least, the Top Five Headlines News for Today

Emmanuel Macron warns of U.S. “betrayal risk” to Ukraine — geopolitical tensions rise

European leaders grew alarmed after Macron reportedly said there’s a chance the U.S. might abandon support for Ukraine, stirring fears in EU capitals about the future of military backing and regional security. The Guardian

U.S. military boat-strike in Caribbean under fire — congressional hearing underway

An upcoming congressional briefing will examine a controversial strike on a suspected drug-smuggling boat that reportedly killed survivors — raising serious human-rights and legal concerns. AP News+1

U.S. signs $2.5 B “America First” health deal with Kenya — new global-health strategy begins

The deal marks the first under the administration’s restructured foreign-aid posture, replacing traditional multilateral funding with targeted bilateral agreements. KPRC

FC Barcelona’s Dani Olmo out for ~1 month — club rules out new signings

Barcelona confirmed midfielder Dani Olmo’s shoulder injury will sideline him for about a month. Meanwhile, the club’s sporting director said no new signings (including a potential return of Lionel Messi) are planned this winter. Barca Blaugranes

Breakdown of U.S. science funding: Researchers say “decade of support” is collapsing

A major investigation reveals that 2025 has seen deep instability in U.S. federal research funding — causing widespread uncertainty and threatening the future of many science careers. statnews.com

Five Emotional Challenges of Getting Old

Five Emotional Challenges in Getting Old

 A Personal Reflection on the Emotional Landscape of Aging

Aging is often described in the language of biology, wrinkles, aches, slower metabolism, and fading memory. But the deeper changes happen in the quiet chambers of the heart. Getting old is not only a physical journey; it is an emotional pilgrimage, one that asks us to redefine meaning, identity, and love in gentler, quieter ways.

1. The Diminishing Circle

As we age, the circle of life narrows. Friends move away, grow frail, or simply vanish into the silence of time. Social gatherings become smaller, and sometimes the phone stops ringing as often. The loneliness that comes with this shrinking circle can be profound,  not because of the absence of noise, but the absence of shared memories. We grieve, not just for those we’ve lost, but for the part of ourselves that lived in their laughter.

2. Letting Go of Control

There comes a moment when we must surrender not out of defeat, but acceptance. The body no longer obeys as it once did, and independence gives way to reliance. For many, this loss of control is the hardest part: letting others help, trusting caregivers, allowing the world to move at its own pace. It’s an emotional reckoning that tests humility and grace.

3. Feeling Invisible

In a youth-obsessed culture, aging can feel like a quiet erasure. Society often stops seeing the elderly, not out of cruelty, but out of blindness. The world moves fast, and we become the still figures watching from the edges. Yet inside, the same spirit that once danced and dreamed still lives. The challenge is to remind ourselves and others that our worth is not measured by how visible we are, but by how deeply we have lived.

4. Facing Mortality

There comes a day when the future no longer stretches endlessly ahead, but folds gently toward its conclusion. The awareness of mortality can be terrifying, or strangely peaceful. For many, it’s both. It’s an invitation to reconcile with our past, with loved ones, and with ourselves. To live fully in the time that remains, even if that time feels borrowed.

5. The Weight of Memories

With age, memory becomes both comfort and burden. We revisit moments we can’t relive, conversations we wish had ended differently, faces we’ll never see again. Yet, memories are also our richest legacy. They are proof that we have loved, suffered, and mattered. The emotional challenge lies in learning how to carry them lightly enough to walk forward, but close enough to keep the heart warm.

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Personal Reflection

In the stillness of old age, I sometimes find myself listening not to the ticking of a clock, but to the rhythm of a life that has come full circle. The laughter that once echoed in crowded rooms now hums quietly inside me. The faces I miss have become stars in my inner sky. Aging, I’ve learned, is not the art of holding on, but the grace of letting go slowly, tenderly, and with gratitude for the beautiful weight of being alive.

Meanwhile, here's the AI Overview on the Above Topic

Five common emotional challenges in getting old are 

loss and grief, loneliness and isolation, loss of independence, fear of death and the unknown, and struggling with identity and purpose. These challenges often stem from life changes like retirement, declining health, and the death of loved ones, and can lead to feelings of sadness, anxiety, or frustration. 

1. Loss and Grief: Aging often involves multiple losses, including the death of friends, family, and partners. This can lead to a prolonged period of grieving and sadness.
2. Loneliness and Isolation: Retirement, health issues, or reduced mobility can lead to social isolation. This can result in feelings of loneliness, sadness, and even depression.
3. Loss of Independence: As physical and cognitive abilities decline, many seniors experience a loss of independence. This can lead to feelings of helplessness, frustration, sadness, and resentment.
4. Fear of Death and the Unknown: The aging process naturally brings a greater awareness of mortality. This can manifest as a fear of death, health concerns, or anxiety about the future, especially the unknown aspects of aging.
5. Struggling with Identity and Purpose: Career changes like retirement or the shift in family roles can cause some seniors to question their identity and purpose in life. This can lead to feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem. 

Lastly, 

Time does not simply move forward… it may fold around you.

For most of your life, you have been told time is a straight line. Past behind you. Present in front of you. Future waiting its turn. But cutting-edge quantum research is challenging that picture. Some physicists now propose that time might not flow at all. It may bend. Curve. Fold onto itself like pages touching in a closed book.

In quantum experiments, particles separated by distance seem to influence one another instantly. Cause and effect start to blur. Even stranger, certain models suggest that what happens now could ripple backward. In this view, the universe is not marching forward like a clock. It is constantly interacting across moments. Your present choices might not only shape tomorrow. They could echo into what came before.

Does that mean you can rewrite your past? Not in the movie-style sense. But it hints at something profound. Maybe nothing is ever truly gone. Maybe your healing changes the meaning of old memories. Maybe courage today transforms who you once were.

The science is still evolving. The equations are complex. The implications are wild. Yet the idea is simple enough to change how you live.

You are not just moving through time. You are participating in it. And every choice might ripple across more than one direction.

My Food For Thought For Today