Macrine (RIP) and I: Photo Taken in 1982, Pinole, California, USA
In the next 21 days, I will be 91 years young. Here is a reflective summary of the highlights from my seventeen-chapter autobiography, celebrating my journey as I approach my 91st birthday this December.
A Life Rich in Memories
As I near my 91st birthday, I look back not with a ledger of riches or worldly possessions, but with gratitude for a life filled with memories, accomplishments, and meaningful relationships. My journey has been shaped by family, education, career, service, and community—a story that bridges continents and decades.
Roots in Wartime Philippines
My childhood began in the 1940s, amid the Japanese-American War in the Philippines. My father served as a Dental Officer for guerrilla forces, and early friendships with American soldiers ignited my interest in the United States, though I never dreamed I would one day live there.
Academic Pursuits and Achievements
School life brought milestones: graduating with honors in grade school and as valedictorian in high school, all despite the challenge of bullying in my early years. University years at UP Iloilo and UP Diliman were marked by scholarships, academic rigor, and a chemistry degree, narrowly missing Cum Laude honors, but gaining experiences that shaped my future.
Graduate Study and Early Career in America
Graduate school at the University of Illinois in Chicago proved to be one of the hardest yet most formative periods of my life. It was there I experienced snow for the first time, balanced the responsibilities of raising a young family, and ultimately earned a doctorate in Pharmaceutical Chemistry in 1964.
Professional Impact and Leadership
For twenty years, I worked as a chemist in three private firms before joining the US Food and Drug Administration. My tenure at the FDA was a capstone, serving as the first Filipino-American Chemistry team leader in the Center for New Drugs, and receiving multiple professional awards that I still cherish.
Family, Community, and Giving Back
Sixty-three years of marriage to Macrine💚 have been filled with partnership and shared commitment to service. Together, we contributed to Filipino-American communities across the US, from Washington, D.C. to California and spearheaded humanitarian projects such as the Marinduque International medical missions, which have touched countless lives since 1996.
The True Wealth of Life
My life’s wealth does not reside in gold, pesos, or dollars, but in the love, friendships, and service that have defined these nine decades. These memories and relationships are the real treasures I celebrate as I mark another birthday, thankful for every chapter and every person who has been a part of my story.
Let this reflection inspire not just those who know me, but anyone who reads these words: the richest lives are those spent in service, community, and lifelong learning. Thank you for sharing in my journey.
If you’d like to journey with me through the seventeen chapters of my autobiography, you can find them here: My Life Story – 17 Chapters http://davidbkatague.blogspot.com
Finally, here are the 🌍 Top Five News of the Day
Russian airstrike on Kyiv
Russia launched a deadly aerial strike against the Ukrainian capital overnight. The attack killed at least one person, injured dozens, and damaged residential buildings in Kyiv. ABC News
Anti‑corruption protests in Manila
Large-scale anti-corruption protests kicked off today in Metro Manila and other areas, as part of broader public outcry. Philstar+1
Cyclone Ditwah storm and its aftermath
A powerful storm named Ditwah brought heavy rain across parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry (and earlier impacted Sri Lanka), causing widespread flooding, damage, and humanitarian concerns. www.ndtv.com+1
Venezuela suspending deportation flights after US warning
Tensions escalated between the U.S. and Venezuela after the U.S.—per reports — closed Venezuelan airspace to certain flights. In response, Venezuela suspended all deportation flights in defiance. The Guardian+1
Request for pardon by Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister submitted an official request for a presidential pardon from the country’s president — a major development amid ongoing political and judicial turmoil. Yeshiva World News+1
