Life in Marinduque without a Driver, Housekeeper and Cook

Reminiscing our snow birding lifestyle in the Philippines in March of 2012.



Last March(2012) during our snow birding sojourn in the Philippines, Miko, our pet dog( see photo above) was our only companion, 24 hours a day except when our laundry lady and two temporary workers are here in Amoingon, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines to do their gardening duties. Our driver/caretaker and cook/housekeeper(husband and wife team) were on their two weeks paid vacation and two weeks of paid sick leave. Thus, I got to feed Miko every day as well as exercise him in the beach every afternoon 15 minutes before sunset. Miko understands both English and Filipino commands such as sit, move and let's go as well as "kain na"( eat), alis( get way) etc.... Miko loves American food and leftovers. His favorite is Chicken Macaroni salad and Italian Spaghetti( not the sweet Filipino spaghetti).

My other duty was to drive Macrine to the public market in downtown Boac. This is the job, I really do not enjoy, because the public market stinks, specially the FISH section. The open market is always crowded and not many parking spaces. Luckily, I have to do this only once a week. Speaking of driving in Marinduque: Driving here requires that you toot your horn more often. It also teaches you how to expertly maneuver overtaking the slow tricycle drivers as well as carefully passing jeepney drivers who drop and pick up passengers in the middle of the road. In addition to the inconsiderate jeepney drivers, you have to watch out for pedestrians, small children, dogs and chickens crossing the national road without any warning.

However, after driving to downtown Boac (10 KM one way) and to downtown Gasan (12 KM one way) for one month, I feel more at ease, thus, do not missed the services of our driver. On the other hand, Macrine really missed the services of our housekeeper and cook. Macrine does not mind cooking( we purchased 90% of our meals from local restaurants), but hates washing the dishes. We do not have a dishwasher here( we do have a washing machine), so dish washing have to be done manually. Macrine hates the grease and oil that sticks on the plates, so she has to boil water to rinse and clean the dishes every time.

At the end of March, our Driver and Housekeeper returned to their normal duties. We feel we are back in Paradise. But, remember that there is no perfect place on earth. Paradise only exists in your heart and mind. But to my mind, Marinduque is paradise when you have help in your daily activities, such as cooking, cleaning the house, driving, gardening and other errands.

This is indeed close to perfect living especially when you compared it to our daily activities in Northern California-our primary residence. Here in Northern California, Macrine and I do all the household duties, driving, gardening, grocery shopping, since we can not afford the services of a personal driver and housekeeper and cook. Occasionally we hired a cleaning lady to clean the whole house.

Note: If you have been following my blogs, we are called "snowbirds". We have a new friend from Toronto, Canada who commented when he learned of our lifestyle. "So you are "snowbirding" every year"? I am envious of your lifestyle. Yes, Indeed and we loved snowbirding and if you are envious, we understand why.

Photo Memories of Our Younger Years

Macrine and I treasured the following photos as we count our blessings celebrating our 62nd wedding anniversary in this whole month of May, 2019. We thank you Lord everyday and until our last breath on this Planet-Earth.

Me and Eric(RIP), 1937

Macrine and Sister Guia(RIP), 1939

My Boys Scout Years( 1945-1946)

My Elementary School Graduation Photo, 1947

Monthly Socials, University of the Philippines, 1952

Macrine, BS degree in Commerce graduation with Parents( Bernardo Jambalos and Elena Nieva),1956

Honeymoon, Quezon City.

Wedding Day-May 8, 1957

Wedding Cake Ceremony, May 8, 1957 -Notice the miniature replica of the Circular Chapel of the Holy Sacrifice, Diliman as the cake decor

Ten Encouraging Thoughts in Aging Gracefully

Sunset from the Balcony of the Chateau Du Mer Beach House, Amoingon, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines

I received this e-mail today. I do not know the author, but has been circulating in the Web. I can identify with the sentiments of this article. If you are retired this is a must read for you. If not passed it on to your older friends and relatives. An encouraging suggestion.....to share.

Many people feel unhappy, health-wise and security-wise, after 60 years of age. Or 70! Or 75! Or whatever is your age now! Life can begin now, it is all in your hands! Many people feel unhappy, health-wise and security-wise, owing to the diminishing importance given to them and their opinions. But, it need not be so, if only we understand the basic principles of life and follow them. Here are ten encouraging thoughts to age gracefully and make life after retirement pleasant.

1. Never say I am ‘aged': There are three ages, chronological, biological, and psychological. The first is calculated based on our date of birth; the second is determined by the health conditions; the third is how old we feel we are. While we don't have control over the first, we can take care of our health with good diet, exercise and a cheerful attitude. A positive attitude and optimistic thinking can reverse the third age.

2. Health is wealth: If you really love your kith and kin, taking care of your health should be your priority. Thus, you will not be a burden to them. Have an annual health check-up and take the prescribed medicines regularly. Do take health insurance coverage.

3. Money is important: Money is essential for meeting the basic necessities of life, keeping good health and earning family respect and security. Don't spend beyond your means even for your children. You have lived for them all through. If your children are grateful and they will take care of you, you are blessed. But, never take it for granted.

4. Relaxation and recreation: The most relaxing and recreating forces are a healthy religious attitude, good sleep, music and laughter. Have faith in God, learn to sleep well, love good music and see the funny side of life.

5. Time is precious: It is almost like holding a horses' reins. When they are in your hands, you can control them. Imagine that every day you are born again. Yesterday is a cancelled check. Tomorrow is a promissory note. Today is ready cash - use it profitably. Live this moment; live it fully, now, in the present time.

6. Change is the only permanent thing: We should accept change - it is inevitable. The only way to make sense out of change is to join in the dance. Change has brought about many pleasant things. We should be happy that our children are blessed.

7. Enlightened selfishness: All of us are basically selfish. Whatever we do, we expect something in return. We should definitely be grateful to those who stood by us. But, our focus should be on the internal satisfaction and the happiness we derive by doing good for others, without expecting anything in return. Perform a random act of kindness daily.

8. Forget and forgive: Don't be bothered too much about others' mistakes. We are not spiritual enough to show our other cheek when we are slapped in one. But for the sake of our own health and happiness, let us forgive and forget them. Otherwise, we will be only increasing our blood pressure.

9. Everything has a purpose: Take life as it comes. Accept yourself as you are and also accept others for what they are. Everybody is unique and is right in his own way.

10. Overcome the fear of death: We all know that one day we have to leave this world. Still we are afraid of death. We think that our spouse and children will be unable to withstand our loss. But the truth is that your life on earth is not eternal, earth is not your home perpetually. Your love ones will miss you but the memories live on, you can be an example for them to carry on! Last but most important, you have a God who loves and cares for you! You have a future and a hope in Him....you have a choice...life can begin NOW..... So, are you aging gracefully or miserably?

Some members of the David Katague Clan- 2018
Note: Both Macrine and I just discussed #10 the other day. We both agree we have no fear of death. How about You? Have you accepted item #10?

Today is Carenna's 16th Birthday

Carenna and Mom playing mahjong with me last Sunday ( Mother's Day)

I am really getting old in age if not in mind/spirit as Macrine and I celebrate our youngest grand daughter 16th birthday today. Carenna is the only daughter of our youngest daughter, Ditas. Macrine and I love her very much and indeed are very proud of her accomplishments so far. She is a singer and song writer and getting straight A's in her high school class. Again, Happy Birthday, Little Pangga!

Carenna's 16th Birthday Treat

For more details on her singing and song writing activities visit her Face Book page as follows:

https://www.facebook.com/CarennaKTmusic/?epa=SEARCH_BOX

Playing Mahjong with Ditas and Carenna

Carenna received an advance gift( a mahjong set) on her coming 16th birthday this coming May 14(tomorrow). We played after lunch yesterday.

Macrine watching us playing mahjong after lunch yesterday Mother's Day lunch.

Have you heard of a tile game called Mahjong? I learned this tile game when I was a child. It is mostly a game of luck, once you learned the basics of the game. This tile game is similar to the card game, gin rummy, but played with tiles. It is a game that most Filipina housewives are addicted to. I am sure if you reside in the Philippines or Hongkong, this game must be very familiar to you. You may be even addicted to it.

My mother taught me as well as my brothers and sisters how to play mahjong when we were growing up in the Philippines. We have two mahjong sets in the house. The cheap one was made of plastic which we used quite often and the expensive one made of ivory. The one made of ivory, we only used on special occasion when we celebrate birthdays, weddings and other special events when I was growing up in the Philippines.

According to my mother, I started playing mahjong very well when I was only 5 years old. It is a game of luck with a little skill involve once you learn the basics. I also learned how to play a card game called "Pangingue" in the Philippines, probably similar to pinochle, but different from gin rummy. Mahjong can be played on line or you can buy a disk and play it in your computer.

I have a disk (Hongkong mahjong) in my computer, but it has been a while since I played this game. Mahjong like any gambling game is very addictive. I have close relatives in the Philippines that died of tuberculosis(TV) because they play mahjong almost all day all year round and do nothing else. Unbelievable, but true.

Mahjong rules and specifics varies from region to region in the Philippines, but it is still a favorite past time of the middle class in the Philippines. A lot of Filipina housewives are addicted to mahjong. Besides mahjong there are two card games popular in Marinduque and other parts of the Philippines are PIKWA and TONG-IT. A number of housewives in my neighborhood in Amoingon, Boac, Marinduque play Tong-it every afternoon, both for recreation and a little gambling activity. We play Tong-it during a party break as a family game but no betting involved, when we are in Marinduque.

For rules and instruction how to play Mahjong read Wikipedia or ask a friend or relative for a demonstration. Once you learned the game, be careful it could be very, very addictive. But again, it is an excellent way to get rid of your boredom and the long, long hot summer in the Philippines.

My Favorite Acrostic Poem on Mother's Day

A dozen red roses from Macrine's Care Giver-Letty Constancio. Thank you Letty for your thoughtfulness.

Mothers Day Flowers from Ditas and Carenna and Dimsun for Lunch

Today is Mother's Day. I am reposting my article 3 years ago, in case of you have not read it. Mother's Day is the second most popular holiday as far as gift giving( flowers and chocolates) here in the US, Christmas being the number one. This day is dedicated to MUMs, MOMs,or MAMAs all over the world. My own mother died 27 years ago, but every year, I dedicate this acrostic poem to her. I also dedicate this poem to all mothers of the World.

There are hundreds of poems in the web about Mothers and Motherhood. But the following acrostic poem is my favorite. I will always remember all the things she had taught me such as being frugal and be responsible for my actions. To all my readers, Happy Mothers' Day and enjoy the following poem.

M - O - T - H - E - R

"M" is for the million things she gave me,
"O" means only that she's growing old,
"T" is for the tears she shed to save me,
"H" is for her heart of purest gold;
"E" is for her eyes, with love-light shining,
"R" means right, and right she'll always be,

Put them all together, they spell "MOTHER,"

A word that means the world to me. Howard Johnson (c. 1915)

For more mother's day poem, visit www.mothersdaycelebration.com

Today, I like also to remember my Mother by revisiting and posting an excerpt from an article Tribute to My Parents, in my autobiography, http://davidbkatague.blogspot.com

"My mother, Paz Barrido Balleza and family are big landowners in Barotac Viejo and the neighboring towns of Banate and Ajuy. The Balleza family were considered rich at that time. She was born on January 14, 1909 and is the youngest of three children, the only girl with two older brothers, Modesto, Jr (lawyer) and Jose who are much older than her. My mother’s parents both died, when she was only in high school. So, she was under the care of her oldest brother, Modesto. At that time, Modesto Balleza family had a big house in Iloilo City, just across the street from St. Paul Hospital and one block from Assumption College-an exclusive and private school for girls.

My mother went to high school at Assumption College until she was a junior. In her senior year, she met my father, fell in love with him, stopped school and got married. My mother with tears in her eyes told me that the reason she married without finishing high school was to get away from the control of her oldest brother. When their parents died, there was no will. Thus, the Balleza properties (rice and corn lands, coconut plantations, fish ponds) were all under the control of her two brothers.

The division of property according to my mother was very unfair. The brothers claimed the best rice lands to themselves. What was left for her to inherit were the properties in the distant barrios, rice land with no irrigation, except for one parcel of rice land (20 hectares) near the town. Of course, she did not receive one-third share of their parents' properties. When she married, control of her properties was given to her. My Dad then helped her manage the rice lands and other properties.

My mother was very frugal. She would not leave a morsel of rice on her plate. I remember her saying, “If you do not finish your food, God will punish you”. So even today, I always have a clean plate after lunch or dinner. My mother had a strict budget and allocated 10% of the farm income into her savings. By the time, I was in college, they had enough savings to purchase a commercial property in Iloilo City. With the back pay that my father received having served as a Dental Officer in the Philippine-American Army from 1941-1945, they were able to build a commercial building at Iznart street, just across the YMCA building, etc...". For the whole article, you are welcome to read my blog dated 12/15/11 as indicated above.
The David Jamili Katague Family, Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, Philippines, 1956 My Mother Front Row on the Right. I am in the Back Row, First from the Left.

How about you? Do you have pleasant memories of your Mother? I will be delighted to hear from you!

A Simple Lunch for Our 62nd Wedding Anniversary

Today May 8, 2019 is our 62nd wedding anniversary. We celebrated it last Sunday, May 5 with a simple lunch with only 4 guests, Dennis and Karen Richardson( our neighbor) and Ian King ( my oldest grandson) and Sara Lynn ( his housemate and partner). I invited several relatives and friends for our lunch but the reason only 4 came was discussed in my previous posting a few days ago(The Days prior to our 62nd Wedding Anniversary-5-1-19).

The following photos showed our cake, the menu, Ian and Sara, Dennis and Karen with me and Macrine. David III was our photographer.

Our simple menu consists only of Pancit, Kare-kare, Honey-bake ham, puto, rice and menudo besides the cake.

We thank the Lord for all his blessings on this day of our 62nd wedding anniversary. Also, many thanks to all our friends and relatives of their greetings and messages( via FB) and telephone calls. We are indeed lucky to be alive on this day-another important event in our marriage. May God Bless us All!

Note: Today is also the birthday of our oldest daughter, Dinah. Happy Birthday, Dinah!!

Photo Tribute to Sister Guia Nieva Jambalos, r.c.

My sister-in-law Sister Guia Nieva Jambalos passed away on May 1, 2019. She had a Pharmacy degree from UST and was a Nun( Spiritual Director) for the Cenacle Sisters in the Philippines for more than 50 years. Her life is a perfect example of my favorite saying, You have only lived if you have touched the life of others.
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Based on the comments and condolences on her FaceBook page, Sister Guia has indeed touched numerous lives.

Macrine and Sister Guia(1939), Boac, Marinduque. Macrine my spouse for almost 62 years is two years older than Sister Guia.

Here are some tributes from her page book page: https://www.facebook.com/guia.jambalos.5

The following are a few photos from my album for remembrance: Rest in Peace, Sister Guia!

The Cenacle Visit, Warrenville, Illinois, 1962

Annual Family Vacation to the San Francisco Bay Area-2015

The Cenacle Fulton St, Chicago, Illinois, 1963

Sister Guia and her 4 Sisters- Macrine Katague, Fe Jambalos, Jean Maeda and Charro Levine-2017

Plantation Bay Vacation with Relatives-2018

Plantation Bay with Jean Maeda and Samantha Chalfin-2018


Here's some tribute from her Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/guia.jambalos.5

The Week Prior to Our 62nd Wedding Anniversary

Macrine enjoying a beautiful spring day in our patio-April 26, 2019

This coming May 8 ( a Wednesday-work day) will be exactly 62 years when Macrine and I got married in the Philippines. Two weeks ago, I had planned a get-together of relatives, friends and neighbors to join us in this memorable event in our life. Because May 8 is a work day, I asked our relatives and friends of two possible days that may be convenient for the majority. At first, I decided on May 12. With a few exceptions all of my future guests responded they will not be able to attend since it is Mother's Day. So I decided that May 5* ( Cinco de Mayo-big Mexican-American Festivities) is the day. As of this writing date, only ten are planning to attend.

The other day, I also received some bad news from the Philippines. Macrine's sister, Sister Guia( Cenacle) is seriously ill. Macrine's two other sisters here in the US are going home to the Philippines to be by her side on her last days of life.

I am a little bit disappointed that only half of my invited guests are coming. Macrine and I will celebrate our 62nd wedding anniversary with honey-baked ham, Pancit, Kare-kare and a few other Pinoy dishes. I have ordered the cake from our local French Pastry Shoppe. It is an orange-chiffon cake decorated with fresh fruits. The orange-chiffon cake was a significant item and was a catalyst in our May 8, 1957 marriage( sixty two years ago) as discussed in my autobiography (https://davidbkatague.blogspot.com/2013/05/today-is-our-56th-wedding-anniversary.html).

The following five photos: Our Wedding Day, 25th Wedding Anniversary, 50th Wedding Anniversary, 55th wedding anniversary and 60th wedding anniversary.

Wedding Day, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines, May 8,1957

Silver Wedding Anniversary, Pinole, California,USA, May 8,1982

Golden Wedding Anniversary, Boac, Marinduque, May 8, 2007

Macrine and I, May 8, 2012.-Our 55th Wedding Anniversary-Fair Oaks, California

Our 60th Wedding Anniversary-May 8, 2017

*https://davidbkatague.blogspot.com/2013/05/cinco-de-mayo-celebration-and-sales.html