Sunday, October 12, 2025

A Tribute to My Two Great Grandsons, Graham and Beau David

My Two Great Grand Sons- Graham Everett and Beau David
Graham Everett-DOB-May 4, 2025 and Beau David-DOB-July 7,2025

Poem 1. To My Dear Great-Grandsons, Graham and Beau,

What a joy it is to welcome you both to this world —
Graham Everett, who arrived with the late spring's sun on May 4, 2025,
and Beau David, July 7, 2025, already holding a place in my heart.

You are the grandsons of my cherished daughter Dinah,
and with your births, our family story continues —
a story of resilience, love, and dreams carried forward
from generation to generation.

As your great-grandfather, I want to share a bit of wisdom
that life has taught me:

Be kind — to yourselves and to others.
Kindness has a way of returning when you need it most.

Be curious — the world is wide and wonderful,
and questions will take you further than certainty ever will.

Love deeply — family, friends, and even strangers,
because love is the strongest legacy we leave behind.

And remember — you come from a line of people
who have faced challenges, celebrated joys,
and held each other through it all.
You are never alone in this life.

My heart is full knowing that I live on, in part, through you.
I look forward to watching who you’ll become.

With all my love and hopes for your days ahead,
Your Great-Grandfather,
David, Your Super Lolo

Beau David-2 Weeks Old, Portland, Oregon  

Poem 2. To My Dear Great-Grandsons, Graham and Beau,

What a joy it is to welcome you both into this beautiful, complicated world —
Graham Everett, who arrived with the light of late spring on May 4, 2025,
and Beau David, late summer, July 7, 2025, yet already loved beyond measure.

You are the grandsons of my dear daughter Dinah,
and with your arrival, our family story adds new chapters.
I want you to know that you are part of a long, enduring legacy
built on love, perseverance, and hope.

As your great-grandfather, allow me to pass along some wisdom
that life and time have taught me:

Be kind — it costs nothing but means everything.
Be curious — keep asking, keep learning, keep growing.
Be brave — life will test you, but face it with courage and grace.
And above all, cherish family — they are your roots and your wings.

We have a family motto I hope you’ll carry in your hearts:
"Strength with Compassion, Pride with Humility, Love without End."

May these words guide you, remind you of where you come from,
and inspire you to build lives of purpose and joy.

With all my love and dreams for your tomorrows,

Your Great-Grandfather,
David, Your Super Lolo

Beau David ( 3-Month Old) and Me, Redding, CA

Meanwhile, Did you know that.....
The Balangiga church bells, seized by American forces in 1901 during the Philippine-American War, took 117 years to be returned to the Philippines—making it one of the longest-running repatriation cases in modern history.
πŸ“ After a surprise attack by Filipino guerrillas in Balangiga, Samar, where 48 American soldiers were killed, U.S. troops retaliated and took the bells from San Lorenzo de Martir Church as war trophies.
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Two were kept in Wyoming, and one ended up in South Korea.

⏳ Despite decades of formal requests and public clamor, it wasn’t until 2018 that the U.S. Department of Defense finally returned the bells—a powerful gesture of reconciliation and historical justice.

Lastly, Look: My Second Home, Marinduque, Philippines


Cawit Port in Boac, Marinduque Airport in Gasan , Tres Reyes Islands in Gasan and Mount Malindig, Buenavista in just one frame, Philippines, July 2025
πŸ“· Full credits to ParekoyMandin TV

A Hectic Day- Visiting My Great Grandson in Redding, CA

Saturday, Oct 11, 2025-This was a whole day drive ( 2-way) and visit to see my second great grand son for the first time in Redding, CA.

Yesterday, my oldest  daughter Dinah, visited her grandson, Beau David in Redding, CA. I tag along. Beau David is 3-months old. His parents are: Elaine Katague King ( my grand daughter) and Kyle Joseph. Kyle's Grandparents reside in Redding- Elaine and Kyle reside in Portland, OR.   Kyle's Mom was also there and she resides In Medford, OR. 


The drive from Walnut Creek to Redding was about 2 hrs and 48 minutes one way. We left THD at 9AM, have lunch around 12 Noon. Have a photo shoots and visit until 4:10PM. I was back in THD at around 7:05PM.  At 7:15 PM,  I went down at our Cinema to see Downtown Abbey, but it was FULLπŸ’š.  I went back to my apartment and start writing this blog, while my Filipino dinner is thawing from my Freezer.  Here are some of the photos I took.   

Beau David ( 3-Months) and Me- The Super LOLO- Great Grand Father  


Dinah and her second Grand-Son; Dinah is my oldest Daughter
Dinah and smiling-3Month-old Beau David Joseph 

Beau David With Mama Elaine Katague King 
Beau David with GrandMa Joseph ( Mother of Kyle-Elaine husband)
Kyle and Elaine with Baby Beau David Sleeping

Beau David Napping on Mama Elaine Breast at our Arrival. 

Our visit took place at the beautifully landscape home of Kyle GrandParents. I took photos of the backyard landscaping as follows: 

A Beautiful-manicured Palm Tree and Cacti Plants Around the Kidney-Shaped Pool  
 




Maple- Elaine and Kyle's Pet Dog -A Bernese Mountain Dog-One Year Old



Dinah and I took a bathroom and fuel break half-way in Willows, CA  Here are the three photos I took during our stop...
It was A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY AUTUMN DAY

 Clear blue skies, no wind and the temperature in the Low 70's- A Perfect Day 

    LASTLY, HERE'S MY PHRASE OF THE DAY:

πŸ’šI was not the only one who was not able to see the Movie, Downtown Abbey, Final Episode, because we did not come 25 or 30 minutes early. We hope THD will rescheduled it.  


Friday, October 10, 2025

Machado Won Nobel Peace Prize Not Trump

The Nobel Peace Prize for 2025 has been awarded to Maria Corina Machado. We guess the Nobel committee doesn’t see a man who provokes violence on a daily basis, led a violent insurrection, murders people without evidence or trials, deploys the military on his own citizens, detains migrants in inhumane conditions, sends innocent people to torture prisons, rips families apart and orders law enforcement to violate the constitutional rights of his citizens, worthy of the award.

Here's the Video of her Reaction:

https://fb.watch/CEUQB5lh5h/

The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded today to MarΓ­a Corina Machado for "promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela." Machado is a leader of the democracy movement in Venezuela, which has campaigned for free elections and representative government. Announcing the award, the Nobel Committee said Machado's role as a "unifying figure" in Venezuela's opposition movement "is precisely what lies at the heart of democracy: our shared willingness to defend the principles of popular rule, even though we disagree." Machado went into hiding after the Venezuelan government moved to crush dissent following last year's election. It is unclear whether she will be able to attend the prize ceremony in Norway in December.

What Trump allies & MAGA figures have said on Trump Not winning the Peace Prize

White House / Trump aides

  • Steven Cheung (White House Communications Director):

    “The Nobel Committee proved they place politics over peace.” The Guardian

  • Richard Grenell (Trump special envoy):

    He tweeted: “The Nobel Prize died years ago.” The Guardian

These are fairly direct and dismissive statements. They frame the Nobel Committee as corrupt or politically biased rather than neutrally judging.


Social media and MAGA-aligned voices

  • A MAGA-aligned account (via Economic Times reporting) posted:

    “THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE IS A JOKE. Anyone with a brain knows Donald Trump should have won … TRUMP COULD HAVE CURED CANCER SUCH A JOKE.” The Economic Times

  • Laura Loomer (right-wing activist):

    Called Machado’s win “affirmative action nonsense.” The Economic Times

  • Another MAGA account:

    “What a disgrace and total BS” about the Nobel Committee’s decision. The Economic Times

  • Memes & mockery:

    Social media was flooded with edited images of Trump “throwing a tantrum,” or with captions like “Trump cries ‘I want my Nobel’” in response to the snub. India Today

Meanwhile, here's my article yesterday, on the Chances of Trump winning the Nobel Peace Prize

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2025/10/what-is-chance-of-trump-winning-peace.html


Lastly, here are the Winners of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry
πŸ’š

Omar Yaghi (UCBerkeley)– awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry – established a milestone in the development of metal–organic frameworks (MOF) in 1999, when he presented MOF-5 to the world. This material has become a classic in the field. It is an exceptionally spacious and stable molecular construction. Even when empty, it can be heated to 300°C without collapsing.
However, what caused many researchers to raise their eyebrows was the enormous area hiding inside the material’s cubic spaces. A couple of grams of MOF-5 holds an area as big as a football pitch.
Omar Yaghi laid the final bricks in the foundation of metal–organic frameworks in 2002 and 2003. In two articles, in ‘Science’ and ‘Nature’, he shows that it is possible to modify and change MOFs in a rational manner, giving them different properties. One thing he did was to produce 16 variants of MOF-5, with cavities that were both larger and smaller than those in the original material (see figure). One variant could store huge volumes of methane gas, which Yaghi suggested could be used in RNG-fuelled vehicles.
Subsequently, metal–organic frameworks have taken the world by storm. Researchers have developed a molecular kit with a wide range of different pieces that can be used to create new MOFs. These have different shapes and characters, providing incredible potential for the rational – or AI-based – design of MOFs for different purposes. For instance, Yaghi’s research group has harvested water from the desert air of Arizona. During the night, their MOF material captured water vapour from the air. When dawn came and the sun heated the material, they were able to collect the water.
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded toπŸ’š Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar M. Yaghi “for the development of metal–organic frameworks.”
Learn more
Press release: https://bit.ly/4njXUtg
Popular information: https://bit.ly/42gZLGZ
Advanced information: https://bit.ly/42gZUKx

Lastly, Did you know that......
The Ateneo de Manila University traces its origins all the way back to 1601, when the Jesuits founded the Colegio de San JosΓ© — one of the earliest formal schools in the Philippines.
After their return from expulsion, the Jesuits took over the Escuela Municipal de Manila in 1859, transforming it into a rigorous institution for higher learning.
This humble municipal school would later evolve into the Ateneo de Manila University, one of the most prestigious universities in the country today. Imagine — a school born in the 1600s still shaping Filipino minds more than 400 years later.

UST, 5 OTHER PH UNIVERSITIES KEEP SPOTS IN TIMES HIGHER ED WORLD RANKING
BREAKING: The University of Santo Tomas (UST) stays in the 1,501+ bracket of the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026 released Thursday.
Ateneo de Manila University led Philippine schools in the global list, placing within the 1,001–1,200 range, followed by the University of the Philippines, which ranked within the 1,201-1,500 range.
De La Salle University, MapΓΊa University, and Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology joined UST in the 1,501+ band.
The annual rankings assessed 2,191 universities from 115 countries based on 18 indicators in teaching, research quality, knowledge transfer, and international outlook.

Three Major Earthquakes in the Philippines

Three Earthquakes in the Philippines during the last ten days!


“Epicenter of Today’s Mindanao Earthquake: What We Know So Far (Educational Update)"

On October 10, 2025, a strong earthquake struck off the southeastern coast of Mindanao, Philippines. According to seismic agencies, its epicenter was located in the waters near Manay, Davao Oriental (approximately 62 km southeast of Manay) at a depth of about 20 km. The quake’s magnitude has been variously estimated between 7.4 and 7.5.
Its relatively shallow focus means stronger shaking near the epicenter and potentially greater impact on nearby coastal areas.
Because it occurred offshore, a tsunami warning was promptly issued for coastal regions within roughly 300 km of the epicenter.
Later, tsunami threat levels were reduced or lifted once further assessments suggested major waves were unlikely to pose widespread coastal inundation.
Local reports already indicate at least one casualty (due to falling debris) and structural damage in some areas of Davao Oriental and adjacent provinces.
Because earthquakes of this magnitude often trigger aftershocks, residents in affected areas are urged to stay alert, avoid damaged buildings, and follow evacuation or safety orders from local authorities.

Meanwhile,
The Reason Filipinos Never Eat Alone — Food Means Family
In Filipino culture, food is not just something to fill the stomach—it is a way to express love, care, and belonging. The saying “Kain tayo!” or “Let’s eat!” is more than a casual invitation; it is an act of inclusion and warmth that defines the Filipino way of life. For Filipinos, eating together is one of the most important symbols of family unity and community connection. It represents more than just sharing a meal—it is about sharing life itself.
When you visit a Filipino home, you will often be greeted with the words “Have you eaten?” before anything else. This simple gesture shows how deeply food and hospitality are intertwined in Filipino identity. Even when there is only a small amount of food on the table, Filipinos will still invite guests to join them. It is not about abundance; it is about generosity. The heart of every Filipino table lies in the belief that no one should feel left out or hungry when there is something to share.
The tradition of eating together—called salu-salo—goes back to pre-colonial times. Early Filipinos would gather around a bilao or banana leaves spread on a table, using their hands in the traditional kamayan style. This practice emphasized equality and unity; no one was higher or lower, and everyone shared from the same food. This communal act created strong bonds, and that spirit remains alive in modern Filipino homes, especially during birthdays, fiestas, or simple Sunday lunches.
In many Filipino households, mealtime is sacred. It is often the only time when every member of the family is together—sharing stories, laughter, and affection. Even overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), who are far from home, maintain this connection virtually. They eat while on video calls with their families, keeping the feeling of togetherness alive despite distance. The dining table becomes a bridge between hearts, a place where love is served with every plate.
For Filipinos, food is the language of care. Parents wake up early to cook for their children before school. Grandmothers prepare traditional dishes like adobo, sinigang, or kare-kare, not just because they taste good but because they remind everyone of home. These dishes carry memories, traditions, and love passed down through generations. Even the act of wrapping leftovers carefully to be eaten later or shared with neighbors shows how food is used as a tool of affection and connection.
During gatherings, Filipinos express their love through abundance. Tables overflow with dishes—from noodles symbolizing long life, to rice that represents sustenance and unity. Food in Filipino culture is never just about flavor; it carries meaning and emotion. The laughter, teasing, and kwentuhan (storytelling) that happen around the dining table make each meal unforgettable.
Eating alone, on the other hand, often feels strange for Filipinos. It is not because they cannot eat by themselves, but because mealtime is seen as a shared experience. Even in workplaces, schools, or construction sites, people often wait for others before starting to eat. This habit shows how strong the sense of togetherness is—it is part of the Filipino heart.
This love for communal eating also reflects the Filipino value of pakikisama, or harmonious relationships. Sharing a meal can ease tension, heal misunderstandings, and strengthen friendships. It’s why even after long days or hard times, families still find comfort in sitting together and eating. The laughter around the table becomes a form of healing, and every meal becomes a reminder that life is easier when shared.
In a fast-paced modern world where people eat in a hurry or alone, the Filipino tradition of eating together stands as a beautiful reminder of what truly matters—connection, love, and family. Whether it’s a simple breakfast with tuyo and rice or a grand Noche Buena feast, every meal is an expression of gratitude and togetherness.
To eat together in the Filipino way is to live with an open heart—to welcome others, to care deeply, and to never let anyone feel alone. For Filipinos, food is not just nourishment for the body; it feeds the soul and strengthens the bond that makes families and communities whole.

Here's my Photo of the Day-Cat-Ampalaya


Finally,
Ever wonder why you instantly click with some people? Science has an amazing answer.
Researchers say that when conversations flow effortlessly, your brains might actually be working in sync. This happens due to homophily — a natural tendency for people with similar brain structures to connect more easily. Basically, friends who “get” each other might be wired alike in key social areas of the brain.
Even more fascinating is interbrain synchrony, where two people’s brain activity patterns start mirroring each other during deep conversations or teamwork. It’s not mind-reading — it’s your brain’s way of forming connection on a whole new level.
So the next time you feel that instant connection, it might be because your minds are literally on the same wavelength.
πŸ“š Source: Thomson, J. (2024). The sci-fi hypothesis that explains why you click with certain people. Big Think.

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