Excerpts from My Autobiography for the Herald (THD)-Updated 8/4/23

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2023/08/excerpts-from-my-autobiography-updated.html

Mahjong as Part Socialization and Gambling Activity for Filipino Americans

In my latest article/posting, I discussed some tips to consider when purchasing an automatic mahjong table. This was inspired when when my Pinay Home Care Aide informed me that every month as part of her entertainment, she plays automatic mahjong in the residence of a friend ( another retired Pinay) a few minutes away from my house. This activity is also part socialization and part gambling. The last time she played she lost $200 after playing for 8 hours. I advise her to adhere to a monthly budget for this activity.

This incident reminded me of my younger years in the Philippines. At that time automatic mahjong tables had not been invented/manufactured. But playing mahjong in people's private residences as a gambling activity was  a very popular activity as there are no public parlors for gambling at that time. 

My aide information on this activity did not surprised me. Knowing that mahjong could be addictive I now believe that this is becoming popular in Filipino-American Homes specially for Seniors and Retirees here in the US. 

The host of this mahjong parties may make a little money from the TONGs ( contributions/payment/donation)  from patrons of the game. During my childhood years in the Philippines, I remember that the tongs varies from 5 to 10% of the winnings of the player per game. Here in Sacramento my aide informed me that the tongs is calculated based on the amount of the winnings of the player and a little bit complicated depending on the complexity of the game won.

Part of the TONGS is spent for the food and drinks provided by the Host to the Players. The rest of the tongs is income for the host. My aide informed me that her friend hosted automatic mahjong games three times a week from 11AM to 9PM. A few of the mahjong players have jobs, so scheduling is flexible. Bets are as low starting at $2/4 per game or as high as your budget allows. 

Here are more tips if you are really serious in buying an automatic mahjong table.

An Automatic Mahjong Table works by using magnetism. The table contains 4 powerful magnets which influence the magnets inside of the Mahjong tiles. By using magnetism we can establish which side of the tile will be facing up. This is accomplished by installing the magnets inside the tiles with their poles facing in the same direction of the magnets inside of the table. This will cause the magnets to repel and turn onto the side where the tile numbers are not seen. We also use the magnets to load the tiles onto a small conveyor belt to be distributed to each wall. We then use sensors to count how many tiles will load onto each wall and distribute the remaining tiles to the other walls where needed. This process is repeated every time a new game is played.

https://versatilemachinery.com/automatic-mahjong-table-faq/

 

 

Tips on Purchasing Automatic Mahjong Tables

 

Last Monday my home care aide (A Pinay) was 30 minutes late. I was worried as she was always on time even 5 minutes early. She told me she overslept. Later on she volunteered the reason why she overslept was the fact that she played automatic mahjong in her friend's house up to 2AM. Because it was late she did not go home and slept on her friend's couch. Her Friend's house is only 5 minutes away from me. Her own residence ( son's house) is 25 minutes away. I was curious about automatic mahjong table so I did some search here's what I found.

The automatic mahjong table cost varies from the cheapest model of $300 to the most expensive model-$50,000.00. The one I like is described below and can be purchased from Amazon.

https://www.google.com/search?q=automatic+mahjong+table+price&client=ubuntu&hs=rhz&channel=fs&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj306f3juP7AhW4JDQIHQHNACgQ_AUoAnoECAIQBA&biw=1373&bih=719&dpr=1

Amazon.com - Seller · $1,249.99

USA Mahjong Table 144Tiles 44mm 松乐 超大手感牌 Folding Automatic Mahjong Table with 4 Drawers & 2 Sets of 44mm No Number Chinese / Philippine Tiles ( Blue & Green) Not Fit

Visit

下单后您会收到一封确认邮件,请及时回复以便我们尽快发货,谢谢您的理解!You will receive a confirm message from seller, please reply it so that we can ship your order ASAP. Thank you for your understanding! 驰名品牌松乐,品质有保障。Tabletop Dimensions: 39′′ x 39′′ x 30.5" high from floor to tabletop Weight: 220 lb Cable:110v, Length: 5 feet long The folding table automatically shuffle tiles and push a button to roll the dice and start playing in 3 seconds! Comes 2 sets of 144pcs 44mm (43mm x 32mm x 22mm) large size magnetic tiles plus 8 blank tiles. 超大手感牌 

Never use MAGNETIC CHIPS! They will cause table breakdowns!We will provide the foldable table assembly instruction and Mahjong Table Convertible Modes electronic document Never use MAGNETIC CHIPS! They will cause table breakdowns! 

Contemporary Pedestal Automatic Mahjong Table comes 2 sets of magnetic tiles 144 tiles (1 Blue & 1 Green) The table can be used not only with Chinese mahjong set, but also Philippine style, India style...etc, but please double check the tiles picture and make sure that is what you play, usually not for American mahjong style. 

You can easily switch the modes on the table according to your preference : ) Example: Switch the code to "01" --- when playing 144 tiles (Traditional Chinese Mahjong ) Switch the code to "01" --- when playing 144 tiles. Tabletop dimensions: 38′′ x 38′′ 30.5" high from floor to tabletop Weight: 220 lb Cable:110v, Length: 5 feet long High quality table motor was designed by SOLOR Inc. and with the corporation of Panasonic team. The tiles are pretty and it's nice to have the numbers on the Chinese character tiles. Tiles were made of melanmine. 144 tiles Full Size Mahjong Set unfold dimensions: 110 cm x 101 cm x 77 cm Package included 1 automatic mahjong table + 2 sets of magnetic tiles 144 tiles (1 Blue & 1 Green)

 Here's a video of how the automatic mahjong table works.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpbjH_eHc6A

For the article why mahjong is a Katague clan Tradition read:

https://davidbkatague.blogspot.com/2021/12/playing-mahjong-reliving-my-favorite.html 

 Here's a video for Beginners-13 tiles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix6DmwP4Ets 

 

The reasons why Mahjong is Addicting:
 

 https://techstory.in/the-science-behind-why-mahjong-can-be-so-addictive-lets-find-out/

 

 

The Lunar Eclipse Last Night-May 15, 2022

The Moon from my Front Porch taken Mid Night-May 15, 2022

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — All eyes are on the forecast for later tonight as a total lunar eclipse will be visible Sunday night.

According to NASA, a partial lunar eclipse will be visible starting at 9:15 p.m. By 10:20 p.m., a full lunar eclipse will be visible and remain visible until 11:54 p.m. The partial lunar eclipse ends at 1:20 a.m.

The lunar eclipse will be visible anywhere the moon is visible. Because lunar eclipses occur during the full moon phase, the moon will generally be visible starting around sunset.

That means most viewers on the east coast will see the lunar eclipse in its entirety while those on the west coast will be able to see the lunar eclipse in progress.

The next total lunar eclipse will be in November, which will be visible throughout most of the U.S. The next lunar eclipse after that won’t be until March 2025.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth gets directly in between the Sun and moon. The shadow will make the moon appear blood red during totality.  Here's a live blog of the eclipse from indianaexpress.com

https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/science/lunar-eclipse-2022-live-updates-pictures-visibility-livestream-7919256/

Photo Credit: CNN.com

 

 

The Manila Brew-An Example of the Pinoy Entrteprenurial Prowess

Last week, Ditas and Rick were at the Manila Brew Coffee Shop with the Owner at the-Holborn Central District, London, UK.

The Manila Brew Coffee Shop in the Holborn Central London is an example of the Pinoy entrepreneurial prowess. The Manila Brew is the smallest coffee shop in the world ( Eat your heart out- Starbuck). It is known for its fresh ensaimadas  (see below for description). Here's the latest video for details.

Last Feb 27, Ditas ( daughter) and Rick ( nephew) were at the Manila Brew and enjoyed the fresh ensaimada and coffee as shown in the following photos.

My mouth is watering for fresh Ensaimadas*

Speaking of entrepreneurship in the Philippines:  The Philippines is a difficult environment for starting and growing a new business. ... Its population, on the other hand, is one of the world's most entrepreneurial — the country has the 10th most entrepreneurs per head globally and nearly 60% of Filipinos plan to open their own business in the coming three years as published on Dec 2, 2017.

 

Opportunity, to many Filipinos, apparently means becoming an entrepreneur—and it’s something they feel very confident about compared to most other nations in the Asia Pacific (Apac) region, says a new  study by professional network LinkedIn.

Read more: https://business.inquirer.net/262164/for-filipinos-becoming-an-entrepreneur-is-a-big-deal#ixzz7MDA101uW

*The ensaimada is a pastry product from Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain. It is a common cuisine eaten in Southwestern Europe, Latin America and the Philippines. The first written references to the Mallorcan ensaïmada date back to the 17th century. At that time, although wheat flour was mainly used for making bread, there is evidence that this typical pastry product was made for festivals and celebrations.

The ensaïmada de Mallorca is made with strong flour, water, sugar, eggs, mother dough and a kind of reduced pork lard named saïm. The handmade character of the product makes it difficult to give an exact formula, so scales have been established defining the proportion of each ingredient, giving rise to an excellent quality traditional product. The name comes from the Catalan word saïm, which means 'pork lard' (from the Arabic shahim (شحيم), meaning 'fat').

If you have not tasted this pastry, try it, you will love it!

Meanwhile, here's an old photo from my album during our last visit to Wembly Stadium, London, UK.

 

 

Development of New Drugs in the US- An Update

Last week news of President Biden Plan on lowering drug prescription costs reminded me of my article about drug development in the US.

https://twitter.com/search?q=lower+cost+of+prescription+drugs&ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Esearch

 

I wrote this article a decade ago today. I believe the contents of this article is still valid today except the costs and success rate.

Development of New Drugs in the United States Schematic

Image from medscape.com

As a retired FDA involved in the development of new drugs in the Division of Anti-Infective Drug Products, Office of New Drug Chemistry, I had often been asked by several of my blog readers to write a summary and an overview of new drug development in the US. I had been postponing it, because I thought the subject is confidential, but when I started browsing in the WEB today, I found several articles on the subject. I even found a Chemistry manufacturing supplement that I had approved several years ago. The letter of approval and the chemist review was printed in the Internet. However, the specifics of the supplement was erased in the approval letter as well as in the chemist review. The patent of the drug discussed had expired, so it is open to generic companies, otherwise the chemist review and letter of approval will never be made public. I am getting out of the subject, but let me start on the subject right now.

New Chemical Entity (NCE) development

Broadly the process can be divided into pre-clinical and clinical work.

Pre-clinical.

New Chemical Entities (NCEs)(also known as New Molecular Entities (NMEs)) are compounds which emerge from the process of drug discovery. These will have promising activity against a particular biological target thought to be important in disease; however, little will be known about the safety, toxicity, pharmacokinetics and metabolism of this NCE in humans. It is the function of drug development to assess all of these parameters prior to human clinical trials. A further major objective of drug development is to make a recommendation of the dose and schedule to be used the first time an NCE is used in a human clinical trial ("first-in-man" (FIM) or First Human Dose (FHD)).

In addition, drug development is required to establish the physicochemical properties of the NCE: its chemical makeup, stability, solubility. The process by which the chemical is made will be optimized so that from being made at the bench on a milligram scale by a synthetic chemist, it can be manufactured on the kilogram and then on the ton scale. It will be further examined for its suitability to be made into capsules, tablets, aeresol, intramuscular injectable, subcuteneous injectable, or intravenous formulations. Together these processes are known in preclinical development as Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control (CMC).

Note: The CMC portion of was my primary function as the Team Chemistry Leader during my employment with FDA

Many aspects of drug development are focused on satisfying the regulatory requirements of drug licensing authorities. These generally constitute a number of tests designed to determine the major toxicities of a novel compound prior to first use in man. It is a legal requirement that an assessment of major organ toxicity be performed (effects on the heart and lungs, brain, kidney, liver and digestive system), as well as effects on other parts of the body that might be affected by the drug (e.g. the skin if the new drug is to be delivered through the skin). While, increasingly, these tests can be made using in vitro methods (e.g. with isolated cells), many tests can only be made by using experimental animals, since it is only in an intact organism that the complex interplay of metabolism and drug exposure on toxicity can be examined.

The information gathered from this pre-clinical testing, as well as information on CMC, and is submitted to regulatory authorities (in the US, to the FDA), as an Investigational New Drug application or IND. If the IND is approved, development moves to the clinical phase.

Clinical phase.

Clinical trials involves three steps: Phase I trials, usually in healthy patients, determine safety and dosing Phase II trials are used to get an initial reading of efficacy and further explore safety in small numbers of sick patients Phase III trials a large, pivotal trials to determine safety and efficacy in sufficiently large numbers of patients

The process of drug development does not stop once an NCE begins human clinical trials. In addition to the tests required to move a novel drug into the clinic for the first time it is also important to ensure that long-term or chronic toxicities are determined, as well as effects on systems not previously monitored (fertility, reproduction, immune system, etc.). The compound will also be tested for its capability to cause cancer (carcinogenicity testing).

If a compound emerges from these tests with an acceptable toxicity and safety profile, and it can further be demonstrated to have the desired effect in clinical trials, then it can be submitted for marketing approval in the various countries where it will be sold. In the US, this process is called a New Drug Application or NDA. Most NCEs, however, fail during drug development, either because they have some unacceptable toxicity, or because they simply do not work in clinical trials.

As this drug discovery process becomes more expensive it is becoming important to look at new ways to bring forward NCEs. One approach to improve efficiency is to recognize that there are many steps requiring different levels of experimentation. The early phase of drug discovery actually has components of real innovation, components of experimentation and components that involve set routines. This model of Innovation, Experimentation, and Commoditization ensures that new ways to do work are adopted continually. This model also allows the discipline to use appropriate internal and external resources for the right work.

Costs

Studies published by diMasi et al in 2003 report an average pre-tax cost of approximately $800 million to bring a new drug (i.e. a drug with a new chemical entity) to market. A study published in 2006 estimates that costs vary from around $500 million to $2 billion depending on the therapy or the developing firm. A study published in 2010 in the journal Health Economics, including an author from the US Federal Trade Commission, was critical of the methods used by diMasi et al but came up with a higher estimate of ~$1.2B. Critic Marcia Angell, M.D., a former editor of the New England Journal of Medicine, has called that number grossly inflated, and estimates that the total is closer to $100 million. A 2011 study also critical of the diMasi methods, puts average costs at $55 million.

Success rate

Candidates for a new drug to treat a disease might theoretically include from 5,000 to 10,000 chemical compounds. On average about 250 of these will show sufficient promise for further evaluation using laboratory tests, mice and other test animals. Typically, about ten of these will qualify for tests on humans. A study conducted by the Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development covering the 1980s and 1990s found that only 21.5 percent of drugs that start phase I trials are eventually approved for marketing. Now you know why the drugs you purchased in the pharmacy is very expensive ( except the generic drugs). Most Americans will not be able to afford new drugs if they do not have insurance.

The mission of FDA is to enforce laws enacted by the U.S. Congress and regulations established by the Agency to protect the consumer's health, safety, and pocketbook. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act20 is the basic food and drug law of the U.S. With numerous amendments it is the most extensive law of its kind in the world. The law is intended to assure consumers that foods are pure and wholesome, safe to eat, and produced under sanitary conditions; that drugs and devices are safe and effective for their intended uses; that cosmetics are safe and made from appropriate ingredients; and that all labeling and packaging is truthful, informative, and not deceptive.Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

Code Of Federal Regulations (CFR)21. The final regulations published in the Federal Register22 (daily published record of proposed rules, final rules, meeting notices, etc.) are collected in the CFR. The CFR is divided into 50 titles that represent broad areas subject to Federal regulations. The FDA's portion of the CFR interprets the The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act23 and related statutes. Section 21 of the CFR24 contains most regulations pertaining to food and drugs.

Note: I hope you found the above posting informative. My next posting on this subject will be on the Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control(CMC) Requirements for IND's and NDA's. If you find this posting either boring or interesting, let me know via comments. Thank You.

 Comment:

Anonymous said...You have a very informative article, I hope the FDA does not condone your site for writing about their business. Would you know how much the FDA charges drug companies for testing each of their new drugs from start to finish? This must cost them a bundle because, FDA employs a plethora of highly educated doctors, scientists, mathematicians and business people. Jeffrey Ray

A very interesting interview about the development of new drugs by Dan Skovronsky, Director of Research and Development, Eli Lily. 

 

Meanwhile enjoy this photo from my collection-My Pineapple in my front Patio almost ready to be harvested.

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Childhood Dreams and the Afterglows of the Sunset of Our Lives for the StoryWorth Book

A. Dreams of Childhood- Accomplished and Partially Accomplished

The Japanese Bridge of Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort on Sunset, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines

When I was growing up in the small town of Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, Philippines in the mid 1940's, I had several dreams and goals in life. One of my first dream after seeing a movie made in US was to see and visit( not reside) US and play in the snow. This dream was attained in 1960. My other dream was to live in a house surrounded by fruit trees, flowers and orchids. This dream was realized in 1996 when we built our retirement home in Boac, Marinduque. Another dream I had was to build a Japanese bridge across a creek( see photo above) populated by tilapias and other fishes. This was attained when we constructed the beach house in 1998.

As a child I never dreamed to be rich in money, but just earned enough to live comfortably. This was fulfilled when we immigrated to US and after I completed my Ph.D degree in 1964. Completion of this graduate degree was the most important goal and dream in my life.

My last dream in my childhood years was to have a residence with a circular driveway with a fountain in the center. This dream was never attained completely. However, this dream, was partially fulfilled when we built the Chateau Du Mer Conference Hall in 2000. The Hall had a semi-circular driveway but no fountain. Building a fountain in the center was planned before construction. However, for practical reasons and lack of funds, this dream will probably not be fully realized unless I win a lot of $$ in the Lotto or at the Casinos.

Finally, I thank God for all his blessings for helping me attained most of my dreams and goals in life. Lord without YOU, I am nothing.

B.Afterglows in the Sunset of our Lives


The other day while looking at my old photo files, I found the above photograph. It is a sunset and its afterglow from the west balcony of our retirement beach house in Boac, Marinduque, Philippines taken ten years ago. Looking at the photo reminded me of both Macrine's and my professional life in the US.  Macrine retired as Manager, Quality Assurance Nurse Manager from one of Maryland's Home Health Nursing Company.  Macrine joined her Creator on August 10, 2020

I retired from FDA as a Chemistry Team Leader in the Center of New Drugs, Silver Spring, MD. Both of us had satisfying careers( I had received several awards, letters of commendation and appreciation, and an EEO award). So when we retired in the Fall of 2002, we often ask ourselves, if this is all that we can contribute to society and the community.

Since retirement is often called " the sunset of your life" stage, are there afterglows in our lives that we can be proud of. Yes, indeed! The following are examples of the afterglows in the sunset of our lives.

Several years ago, Macrine received a letter of Appreciation and Thanks from the late Governor Carmencita Reyes(RIP) because of her involvement in MI, Inc Medical Mission Of Love, 2006. Macrine was president and over-all chairperson of the medical mission in Marinduque that year. Here's an excerpt from C Reyes letter of Thanks.

Dear Mrs. Katague,

I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for all the assistance extended by MI, Inc. Your association is one of our full-time partners in the delivery of health services particularly in the conduct of medical/surgical missions which benefited hundreds of Marinduquenos. Thank you so much for the support and assistance extended to our administration and to the people of Marinduque. Mabuhay Kayo!

In addition about two decades ago, Macrine and I received a Letter of Thanks and Appreciation from then Governor Antonio Carrion in our efforts to promote tourism in the island not only during Easter but also whole year round. The letter mentioned several of my blogs and articles that proclaimed my love for the province and encouraging other Balikbayans to build retirement homes in the island.

In 2009, my dream as a "citizen journalist" was attained when two of my articles was accepted for publication in HULIQ News. The first article was about Marinduque as the Ecotourism capital of the Philippines. The second was on the revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant in Morong, Bataan.

Last but not least: Just recently two of my thousands of readers of my seven blogs commented: " I have been reading your various blogs and websites for about one week now. They are all well written and great reading. What I have been reading and following intently in your blog is your life story, very interesting and inspiring indeed. Please keep on writing and thanks for opening yourself up in your blogs."

A second reader also commented: I have been following your blog for quite sometime. I learned a lot about Marinduque and the Philippines. I specially enjoyed reading your childhood experiences during the Japanese-American War. Your contribution as an FDA employee to the burnt victims of the bombing in New York and the Pentagon in 2011 is indeed commendable and worthy of an award. Keep writing!

Will there be more afterglows in the future? I hope so. I would like to hear that our oldest grandson ( now 30) got married and gave us a great grandchild. In addition, we would like to hear the news that our youngest granddaughter( now 18) had graduated from college and that I am still healthy to attend her graduation.

Final Word of Wisdom to all My Readers: Be Happy and Trust in the Lord!