This is a new site highlighting my autobiography with my name David B Katague spelled backwards. The photo above is Chateau Du Mer Beach House in Boac, Marinduque, Philippines. Photo taken in the Spring of 2012.
David B. Katague is an online memoirist and cultural essayist whose writing has appeared on HubPages
Recently,
my relatives in the Philippines and I had a conversation about the most
expensive fish in the Philippines. I did some Internet search and
here's what I learned.
The Ludong or Lobed River Mullet is a freshwater mullet. While it
is claimed to be endemic to Cagayan River and tributaries extending
through the watersheds of Cagayan Valley and the Santa-Abra River
Systems of Ilocos Sur and Abra in the Philippines, verifiable and
reliable sources have listed Celebes, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, and
Fiji as areas where the lobed river mullet may be also found. It is
sometimes called the Pacific Salmon or the President's fish, since only
the President and the rich will be able to afford it.
Today March 26, 2021, would have been Macrine's 85th Birthday. A
video of her last year video taken by her Care Taker, I shared in my FB
page today also. Macrine passed away last August 10, 2020. She had lived
a good life for she had touched many other lives through her community
involvement here in the US as well as in the Philippines.
This
post is to remember Macrine(RIP) in her community involvement during
her productive and well-lived life here in the US as well as in the
Philippines.
The
three awards are Macrine's involvement with Marinduque International,
Inc and the Marinduque Association of the Capital Area. For details read:
Macrine was actively involved with Filipino-American
community in the tri-state area of Maryland, Virginia and Washington,
DC. SHE was also active with the Marinduquenos of the Capital Area (MACA).
Some of MACA's projects were giving scholarships to needy students in
PI. We also collaborated with the humanitarian projects of “ Feed the
Hungry, Inc”in Marinduque. In 1998, we participated in the medical
mission to Marinduque. We donated 100 used eyeglasses, medical supplies
and equipments to the local hospital. In May, 2001 we again participated
in the medical mission sponsored by Marinduque International,Inc.. I
helped in the distribution of drugs and served as acting treasurer
during the mission week, while Macrine was Executive Director of the
organization.
Macrine short biography was published in MI, Inc
Newsletter when she was elected President in 2003 as follows. "Macrine
was born in Boac and a product of the Immaculate Conception Academy High
School. She obtained her Bachelor in Business Administration degree in
1957 from the University of Santo Tomas. Two month after graduation she
married her college sweetheart, David Katague from Iloilo, who was then
teaching chemistry at UP Diliman. They immigrated to the US in 1960.
Macrine
stayed home for 18 years raising her four children but decided to go
back to nursing school in California. In 1979, she received her Bachelor
of Science degree from Holy Name College in Oakland, CA. as well as a
Certificate in Public Health Nursing specializing with Spanish speaking
patients.
In 1990, Macrine and David moved to Maryland where
she worked for nine years as Quality Improvement Nurse for several home
health organizations in the Washington, DC area. It was then, when she
joined the Marinduqueno Association of the Capital Area (MACA) and
became an active member of the association. She retired in 1998 and got
involved with the Filipino-American organizations in the DC
metropolitan area".
In June, 1999, Macrine was elected overall
chairperson of the Festival Committee that was in charge of the
celebration of Philippines Independence for the whole month of June. An
article was published by the Manila Mail, dated June 15, 1999. An
excerpt of the news article written by Bing C. Branigin reads:
RP TAKES CENTER STAGE-45 GROUPS JOIN PARADE IN D.C.
“A
big crowd watched the Philippines took center stage when
Filipino-Americans stage a colorful parade, fair and cultural show along
historic Pennsylvania Avenue on June 6.
Filipino Americans
display their pride in their culture and heritage to mark the 101st
anniversary of independence from Spain and more than a century of
Philippines- American relations. More
than 45 Filipino- American organizations participated in the parade and
whole day fair and cultural shows. They are groups from Washington,
D.C., Maryland, Northern Virginia, South Carolina and the 40 strong
Ati-atihan group from Virginia Beach. The Marinduquenos who are this year hosts, showed their Moriones, clad in colorful costumes and mask.
Macrine
Katague, Philippine Festival chairperson, said she was really impressed
by the number of groups who participated. For the last six months, the
Philippine Committee had been meeting regularly to make this year's
event better.
A group of twenty food vendors sold favorite
Philippine dishes, like lechon, pancit etc...For drinks, there was San
Miguel beer, sago at gulaman, coconut juice and halo-halo. There were
also twenty tents filled with dry goods, like T-shirts, jewelry, gift
items, travel agencies and phone cards. One of the highlights of the
fair was on-the-spot painting contest for the kids. The Philippine
Embassy displayed stamp collection, fabrics and handicraft from the
Philippines
Ambassador and Mrs Raul Rabe,
patiently stayed at the Fair from 9:00AM to 6:00PM, enjoying all the
activities. Rabe will end his term the end of this month. He will be
replaced by Ambassador Ernesto Maceda.
Mr.
Rabe told Manila Mail “ This is a great thing that we are celebrating
our independence here in Pennsylvania Avenue. I noticed that every year
we are getting better and bigger,. Hopefully we will keep the momentum
going”..
To show their support to their “kababayans”,
Marinduquenos from New Jersey came to town. Al Molato who represented
the Eastern Seaboard Marinduqueno said, “ This is fantastic, imagine our
small island is so small and taking a big role in the capital to host a
big endeavor like this. I would like to salute my co-marinduquenos and
Macrine Katague the chairperson, for a wonderful job.”
Meanwhile,
enjoy this photo of Macrine during our trip to London at Wembley
Stadium watching the Football Game between the Redskins and 49'ers.
The
subject of Food styling and Plating has been a subject that I enjoyed
reading for the last decades. Today, I finally had the time to write a
short article about it. Here it is and enjoy!!!
Food Styling and Plating- Feast with your eyes first, then your stomach.
Roasted Lamb Shanks and Beef Marrow for your 'Media noche',
accompanied with a selection of pickled vegetables, cured meats,
cheeses, fruits and breads.
Photo Credit: Aida Largado Peevers Eat with your Eyes First, then your stomach.
Food presentation is the art of modifying, processing, arranging, or decorating food to enhance its aesthetic appeal. ... It is not only about decorating the food, but also making it taste more delicious psychologically for the customers. Customers love it when the food
is arranged and served correctly. Sometimes, it is called plating
techniques. It is essential if you have a restaurant business, but there
is no harm if you practice at home. It is an art form, just like
painting.
Here are two examples:
Photo Credit: eatwell101.com
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Food presentation is the art of modifying, processing, arranging, or decorating food to enhance its aesthetic appeal.
The visual presentation of foods is often considered by chefs at many different stages of food preparation,
from the manner of tying or sewing meats, to the type of cut used in
chopping and slicing meats or vegetables, to the style of mold used in a poured dish. The food itself may be decorated as in elaborately iced cakes, topped with ornamental sometimes sculptural consumables, drizzled with sauces, sprinkled with seeds, powders, or other toppings, or it may be accompanied by edible or inedible garnishes.
Historically, the presentation of food has been used as a show of
wealth and power. Such displays often emphasize the complexity of a
dish's composition as opposed to its flavors. For instance, ancient
sources recall the hosts of Roman banquets adding precious metals and minerals to food in order to enhance its aesthetic appeal. Additionally, Medieval
aristocrats hosted feasts involving sculptural dishes and shows of live
animals. These banquets existed to show the culture and affluence of
its host, and were therefore tied to social class.
Contemporary food
aesthetics reflect the autonomy of the chef, such as in nouvelle cuisine
and Japanese bento boxes. Dishes often involve both simplistic and
complex designs. Some schools of thought, like French nouvelle cuisine,
emphasize minimalism while others create complicated compositions based
on modern aesthetic principles. Overall, the presentation of food reflects societal trends and beliefs.
Do you know what 2021 will bring? Curious? I suggest consult a legit
Psychic Reader. You will be surprise of what you will learn.
Just
recently a closed relative called me after her psychic readings via
chat-on-line regarding Macrine, my spouse who passed away last August.
She told me Macrine (RIP) is very happy in Heaven, playing cards and
smoking with her departed brothers. The psychic also told her that
Macrine visits me every now and then just to check if I am ok. This
conversation aroused my curiosity, so I did some search on On-line
Psychic Readings. Here's some information for you to read before you
decide to experience or avail of the services of Psychic Readers.
"Having an online psychic reading can be a wonderful and
life-affirming experience. After all, talented psychics use their gifts
to provide us with insights into our lives and help us become the best
version of ourselves. But unfortunately, not every online psychic is legit.
And that’s why it’s so important to find psychic websites you can trust. Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you!
Before we start, it’s important to remember that psychic readings are
incredibly personal. This means that the best service for me might not
be the best fit for you. And that’s OK. It just means that we need to
supply you with a few options to choose from!
So, to help you find the right fit, we’ve included the best psychic
websites that are perfect for budget-savvy shoppers, mobile app fans,
and even customers who want to see and hear their advisors.
With all that choice, we’re confident that you’ll find the perfect
service for you. So, let’s kick things off by looking at a great
all-rounder:"
• Introductory rates – from $0.60 per minute + 3 free minutes (usual rates from approx. $2.49
For over 20 years, Kasamba has been committed to ‘providing quality
online psychic readings via live chat, email, and phone’. And they boast
‘millions of happy clients’ amongst their previous customers.
So, why do we rate their chat readings so highly? Well, not only are
all of their psychics’ seasoned professionals who meet strict quality
guidelines, but they also offer chat readings via their specially
designed app.
This means that you can make the most of your 3 free minutes on the
bus, at the mall, or whilst you enjoy an americano in your favorite
coffee shop!
Keen is home to many wonderful psychic readers who, between them, offer a wide range of psychic services.
But why do we love them?
Well, we LOVE freebies! And with 3 free minutes for every new customer, getting a free psychic reading is a real option with Keen.
Now, it is important to note that as a platform for independent
psychics, Keen’s screening process is much less vigorous than other
providers. However, as they offer a satisfaction guarantee, you can
still be pretty confident that your reading will be accurate.
OK, ready for our next entry? Great, let’s look at one of the best online psychics for phone readings.
• Introductory rates- 30 minutes for $30 or 20 minutes for $20 + 5 minutes free (normal prices from $1 per min)
Operating since 2005, Ask Now’s advisors have helped thousands of
customers gain insight into their lives. So, why do we rate them?
Well, each of their psychics has been screened for both accuracy and
their commitment to helping others. This means that you can be sure of
an empathetic reception during your phone readings.
And if you’re looking for something extra, you can access a fantastic free daily horoscope just by going on their website!
• Introductory rates- 9.99 free credits which can be exchanged for up to 10 free minutes (usual rates from $0.99 per minute)
When it comes to contact methods, Oranum has chosen to specialize in one niche: live video readings.
And because they focus all of their attention on this one format,
they have become experts in their field. So, if you appreciate the
personal touch, choose a video reading with one of Oranum’s many 5 star
advisors. That way you can see and hear everything during your reading.
Plus, with their super-generous welcome offer, you can get your first reading completely free!
Last on our list is psychic source, which lets you pay by Paypal or
credit card. They also have a psychic matching tool that asks you a few
questions and then pairs you with a psychic that is a good match for
what you need help with.
-OK, so there we have it: our top 5 online psychic reading providers!
But if you’re new to the world of online psychic reading, you probably
have some questions, right?
No worries! Before you book your psychic reading, have a look at our FAQs…
Q. What is a psychic reading?
A. Psychics are people who have the ability to access information not
available through normal human senses. During a psychic reading,
psychics use these gifts to uncover truths about their customers.
Now, this sounds a little scary, but don’t worry: psychics aren’t
interested in uncovering your secrets! Instead, they use the knowledge
they gather to give advice and offer insight.
Maybe you’re at a crossroads in your career, or perhaps you’re
struggling to find love. Whatever your issue, a psychic will aim to help
you move forward in your life.
But whilst all psychics aim to help you, their methods can vary. Some will use tools like tarot cards
or runes to give readings. Others will consult spirit guides or angels
during their practice. And that means that it’s important that you do
some research before you book.
Q. How do I prepare for my online reading?
A. When you have a speak with a psychics, you want to ensure that you
get the most you can out of your readings. And this means being
prepared:
-Start by doing some research. This way you can make sure you speak
to a real psychic who is both accurate and empathetic. We advise using
one of the services outlines on this list and reading individual
psychics reviews.
-Next, prepare some questions. It can be difficult to think on the
spot during readings with psychics: having a list prepared can help you
feel more in control.
-Then, relax! Choose a quiet and peaceful spot and take some deep breaths. Your reading is about you, so try to enjoy it.
Q. What type of online psychic readings are best?
A. When you use a psychic service, you have a choice between chat,
email, video, and phone readings. But the best psychic contact method
depends entirely on your preferences.
Do you prefer to speak verbally? Phone psychics are probably your
best match. Are you better at typing than speaking out loud? Then chat
with online psychics through a website or app.
Q. What happens during readings with online psychics?
When you speak to a psychic online they will probably take a moment
or two to get to know you. During this time they will aim to help you
relax, and they will discuss the reason for your call.
Then they will use their gifts to focus on your unique energy (this allows them to connect psychically with you!).
Once connected, your session will begin.
Now, what happens next will depend on the type of session you have
booked, and what tools the psychic uses. For example, they may connect
with their spirit guides to provide information about your, one true
love, family relationships, or your career.
Or, if you chose to speak with a medium psychic, they may begin channeling the spirit of one of your loved ones.
But no matter which type of psychic you have chosen to speak with,
you should be given the opportunity to ask some follow-up questions.
Then, once you are satisfied, your session will end and you may be
asked to provide feedback. If you have the time to leave a review,
please do! That way, you’ll help future customers choose the best
psychic advisor for them.
Happy New Year to All! Good bye 2020. Welcome 2021.
Twelve Round Fruits in Your Table for Prosperity and Wealth-Filipino Traditions at New Year
The past years, I have posted New Years Eve and Day Traditions and Superstition ( see website at end of this blog) in the Philippines. Today I am reprinting for your information 12 Fascinating New Years Eve traditions from other parts of the world as follows:
Twelve Fascinating New Year’s Eve Traditions from Around The World by
In
the U.S., we usher out the last day of the year with cocktails, ball
drops and fireworks. Elsewhere, other types of symbolism play a big role
in this final holiday of the season.
2 / 13
Taste of Home
Japan
Just
before midnight on New Year’s Eve, the Japanese eat soba noodles. The
Toshikoshi soba, which translates to a “year-crossing” buckwheat noodle
dish, has lots of symbolism. The long noodle denotes the crossing from
one year to the next. Since it’s an easily cut noodle, it signifies a
letting go of the past year’s regrets—a cutting-off, if you will, before
the fresh start the new year brings.
3 / 13
Aripai Leangphet/Shutterstock
Spain
In
Spain, with 12 seconds remaining until the New Year, people eat 12
green grapes to bring good luck in the coming year. It’s thought to be
bad luck if you can’t eat them all by the final midnight chime. But
gobble them down in time and 12 months of good fortune will come your
way.
Italians
love lentils for their coin-like shape, symbolizing luck and
prosperity. A New Year’s Eve dinner usually features this legume to
bring on luck in the coming year. Pork is often added to lentil dishes
in the form of cotechino, a spicy sausage, or zampone, a deboned pig trotter, to represent the plenitude of the land.
6 / 13
LI Cook/Shutterstock
Colombia
On
the last night of the year, Colombians place three potatoes—one peeled,
one unpeeled, and one half peeled—under their beds. At midnight, they
pull out the first potato they touch. Peeled means they’ll have
financial problems, unpeeled indicates abundance, and half peeled…well,
somewhere in between.
Shutterstock / David Carillet
Australia
Australians
celebrate the New Year with midnight fireworks in cities and towns
throughout the country. Firework displays are launched off bridges, such
as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, from jetties along the beaches, and on
river banks, with the lights of the fireworks sparkling off the water.
In a typical year, people pack picnic baskets and arrive hours early to get the best viewing spots.
8 / 13
Zb89V/Shutterstock
The Philippines
Filipino
culture celebrates the New Year by serving 12 round fruits. The round
shape symbolizes coins, which represent prosperity and wealth for each
month of the upcoming year. Apples, melons, oranges and grapes are
popular picks, but any round fruit will do.
9 / 13
Shutterstock / V. Belov
Denmark
After a traditional New Year’s Eve meal of boiled cod with mustard, the Danes eat a tower of marzipan doughnuts called kransekage, meaning “wreath cake.” It was once called overflødighedshorn
(cornucopia), because the whole doughnut tower was tipped on its side,
with chocolate and treats spilling out. This traditional cake is also
served at weddings and birthdays.
10 / 13
Shutterstock / Alexander Lukatskiy
Canada
In
rural areas of Canada, New Year’s Eve is a time to spend ice fishing
with friends. Celebrations on the frozen ponds and rivers tend to last
all night as buddies fish in the open or in fishing shacks and perhaps
catch a fish or two to help celebrate the coming year.
Taste of Home
Ireland
The
Irish have a tradition of banging bread against the walls of their
houses on New Year’s Eve. The idea is that bad luck and evil spirits are
chased away and good luck is invited in. It also ensures that the
coming year will be filled with an abundance of bread and other food.
12 / 13
OZMedia/Shutterstock
Brazil
In
Brazil, particular foods are eaten to invite good luck for the coming
year. Seven is the lucky number on New Year’s Eve, so seven pomegranate
seeds are eaten to keep the purse full, and seven grapes ensure
abundance in all areas of life. Some Brazilians also jump over seven
waves in the ocean and make seven wishes for the new year as they leap.
Shutterstock / Africa Studio
Greece
The Greeks ring in the new year by eating vasilopita,
a sweet yeast bread. Eaten at midnight, the bread is made in honor of
Greece’s revered St. Basil. Before serving the family, beginning with
the oldest member, households set a slice of bread aside for the saint
and another portion for those in need. A coin is baked into the bread
and the person whose slice contains the coin is in for a year filled
with good fortune.
For details about New Year Eve and Day Traditions in the Philippines and other Part of the World visit:
I renamed one of my blogs, Becoming American this year. This was inspired by a vblog named Becoming Filipino by Kyle Jennermann from Canada.
This is one of my widely read blogs with more than 847,900 views as of this writing date. Goals for 2021-To attain more than 1 Million Views:
This week I renamed one of my blogs-Life in the US and in the Philippines:1960 to the Present to: Becoming American. This
change of title is inspired by one of the most widely read video blogs
(Vlog) about the Philippines by Kyle (Kulas) Jennermann, Becoming Filipino. https://www.facebook.com/becomingfilipino
BecomingFilipino
is an adventure. It
is the journey of a 26 year old Canadian trying to “Become Filipino”
through travel, experience, and sharing happiness. Kyle has travel
extensively in almost all parts of the Philippines since 2014.
Three
of the several hundreds of videos about his Philippines adventures that
Kyle has posted in his vlogs are from his experiences in Marinduque- Our second home.
Kyle
had posted five other blogs about Marinduque. Two videos are about the
Moriones and Heritage Houses in Boac and the other one is the
underground river cave in Santa Cruz.
Here are my six other blogs and total views as of this writing date.
The Intellectual Migrant-A Biography-Total Reader Views as of this Writing Date: 819,073.
Snowbirds in the Philippines-Total Reader Views as of this writing date:36,966.
Marinduque-My Island Paradise-Total Reader Views as of this Writing Date: 492,458.
I Left My Heart in Marinduque ( not in San Francisco-Total Reader Views: 148,261.
Chateau Du Mer Beach House and Conference Hall-Total Reader Views: 329,257
Kyle had also several videos about Iloilo-my province of birth. Here are three of them
The above videos reminds me of my childhood and teenage years- riding an albino carabao, eating raw sugar cane, seafood dishes (oysters), mango shakes and other Ilonggo delicacies.
Meanwhile, enjoy this photo-My PC Monitor of CDM Main House in Marinduque at Christmas.
and playing mahjong at Christmas Day with Family and Grand Children
