Brokeback Mountain-Support Your LGBT Community

The Orlando Massacre this week reminded me that homophobia and the hatred for the LGBT community exist in this world. In support of the LBGT community, I am reposting this Movie-an award winning film and as the critic says the best romantic movie ever made during the last decade. So, here it is even if you have seen it before. Watch it again to show your support to your LGBT community.

http://xfinitytv.comcast.net/watch/Brokeback-Mountain/8761939925434301112/690951747728/Brokeback-Mountain-%28Cinemax%29/videos

Brokeback Mountain is a 2005 American romantic drama film directed by Ang Lee. Adapted from the 1997 short story of the same name by Annie Proulx, the screenplay was written by Diana Ossana and Larry McMurtry. The film stars Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway and Michelle Williams, and depicts the complex emotional and sexual relationship between Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist in the American West from 1963 to 1983.

Brokeback Mountain was a commercial and critical success. It won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, Best Picture and Best Director at the British Academy Film Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Producers Guild of America Awards, Critics' Choice Movie Awards, and Independent Spirit Awards, among others. The film was nominated for eight Academy Awards, the most nominations at the 78th Academy Awards, where it won three: Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Original Score, while losing Best Picture.

Presenting My Youngest Grand Daughter-Carenna Katague Thompson

Carenna, daughter of Ditas my youngest daughter is now 13 years old. She is not only a composer, singer and award- winning photographer but also a future scientist. I am indeed a proud Lolo!

Here's her latest performance on 6/16/16: Enjoy!

My Involvement with the Medical Missions in Marinduque

Exactly six years ago today, I wrote an article in my blogs, the reasons why I participated during Marinduque International( MI, Inc) Medical Missions for the last six previous missions in the Philippines. My sentiments about volunteering is still applicable today. For those of you who had done or participated in a humanitarian project could probably identify and agree with me on this subject. The following article I am reposting today in case you have not read it. My advanced Happy Father's Day Greetings to all the DADs, Daddys, Papas and Fathers of the World!

Marinduque International Medical and Dental Mission, Boac, Marinduque,Philippines, 2008

One of the FaceBook users in my group “ Marinduquenos All Over The World” ask me yesterday, why I continue volunteering and giving my time, spend my own money and make a big effort to publicize this project of Marinduque International, Inc.( MI, Inc) via my blogs and Face Book account. I told her because I feel good about it. Moreover, the more I gave of myself ( time, money and my heart), the more I feel good about myself. For those of you who are not familiar with MI, Inc.. It is a non-profit organization registered in US compose of Marinduquenos now residing in US and Canada. Last year, a new chapter from Saudi Arabia joined the eight chapters in US and Canada. For more details please visit the website: www.marinduqueinternational.org

For those of you that had participated in at least one of the six previous medical mission ( 1998-2008), you know in your heart what I meant by “Feeling Good About Yourself.”. Some of you may have different reasons why you had participated previously or have plans of joining this coming mission next year ( February 5-14, 2011). But essentially,volunteering your time, money and your heart is one way of giving back to the poor and needy of Marinduque, the graces and good fortunes you have attained for yourself and your family when you immigrated to US, Canada or other parts of the world.

When you participate in the medical mission, you will touch the lives of many of your poor kababayans from the rural areas of the six towns of Marinduque. Therefore the saying that “the time that you really live is the time when you have touch the lives of others” can now be applied to you. For those of you who had not participated in the medical mission, your participation to this humanitarian project is highly encourage. I hope you will join us.

If you had participated in the previous medical mission, please feel free to add ( via comments) the benefits you have received personally and the reasons why you keep volunteering to this humanitarian project. I am looking forward to your participation next February in Marinduque. Mabuhay kayo Lahat!

Reminiscing Our Visits to Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

It's the start of the summer season with graduation ceremonies almost all over the US. My oldest grand daughter Elaine Katague King graduated from College the other day. I am very proud of her accomplishments. This summer reminds me of our vacation at Niagara Falls several years ago. Here's a repost of our two visits to Niagara Falls several years ago in case you have not read it. This is my most viewed blog with over 2500 views.

On August 9 to 11, 2001, Macrine and I attended the 5th International Reunion of Marinduque International, Inc. hosted by the Marinduque Cultural Society of Canada. The meeting was held at the Delta Meadowvale Resort and Conference Hotel in Ontario, Canada. On our way to Toronto from Bufallo, New York we passed by Niagara Falls both on the US side as well as the Canadian side. We had lunch at a restaurant overlooking the waterfalls and spent more than two hours taking pictures and just enjoying the sights and sounds of the Falls. In our entourage were 10 members of MI, Inc from the Washington, D.C. area.

Niagara Falls at Night

Macrine and I first visited Niagara Falls in the summer of 1985. We stayed for three days and had plenty of time enjoying the scenic and very rural Canadian country side up North of the Falls. We specially enjoyed the Falls at Night.


Niagara Falls is a Canadian city of 83,184 (as of 2008) residents on the Niagara River in the Golden Horseshoe region of Southern Ontario. Across the river is Niagara Falls, New York. Niagara Falls Ontario was incorporated on June 12, 1903.

The city is dominated by Niagara Falls, a world famous set of two large waterfalls on the Niagara River and benefits from the fact that both falls, the American and Horseshoe, can be best seen from the Canadian side of the river, thus presenting the city one of the major tourist attractions of the world. The natural spectacle brings in millions of tourists yearly. The city permitted the development of a tourist area along the falls and the gorge. This area which stretches along the Niagara River parkway and tourist promenade is particularly concentrated at the brink of the falls and, apart from the natural attractions along the river, includes huge parking lots, souvenir shops, observation towers, high-rise-hotels, casinos and theatres, mostly with colourful neon billboards and advertisements. Further to the north or south there are golf courses alongside historic sites from the War of 1812.

Note: This No. 14( Part 2) of the series of articles on places that Macrine and I had visited outside the US since 1960.

Inspiring and Interesting Comments on my Blogs

Since I started blogging in 2008, I have received more than 300 comments from my readers all over the world. I have a few negative comments but about 99% were positive and keep inspiring me with my blogging activities. The following are ten comments that really inspire me to continue blogging. I found them interesting and informative as well.
1. We hear about British successes. This is one of their forgotten failures, until now. Interesting that most of the Spanish army were Filipino soldiers and officers. Because of this I've now come across the story of the fight against the Dutch invasion and it is another forgotten story. The history of the Philippines seems to be filled with amazing forgotten stories. I'm going to read more and not just about the colonial period. Thank you for opening my eyes, on British Occupation of Manila-Forgotten Episode in Philippine History>by Anonymous.

2. Hi, I read your blogs like every week. Your story-telling style is awesome, keep doing what you're doing! Also see my site on, Thomas Coleman on Political Dynasty and Pork Barrel as Cause of Corruption in the Philippines
3. Dear Dr. David B. Katague, Greetings… I hereby humbly request your permission to allow me to copy some portion of your blog article regarding “Marinduque – My Island Tropical Paradise” for the reason that I’m doing a factual research about the province of Marinduque which I’ll use it for the construction of my argumentative essay entitled Marinduque. I assure you that this will only be used for academic purpose only in our university as a school project research. Furthermore, I admire that way you’ve written your blog article especially the details regarding the tourist spots in the province especially the Bellaroca resort since I haven’t been there due to its costly fee which I can’t afford so far. Your approval would be a great help for my research and studies. Thank you in advance for your kindest help. May the Lord shower you more of His blessings in these coming years. Sincerely yours, JHONAS Q. DE LA CRUZ on Latest Article on Traveling to Marinduque

4. The story of MHL has a nice ring about it. It tells the juicy details and reality of unconventional relationships, which add flavor to the plot and draws in the hordes of viewers. It would be educational to draw up a drama series which portray the pain, suffering and havoc of diseases spread mainly by gay relationships. People never learn and HIV/AIDS is spreading faster than we are aware of it. Your blog site can be a tool in helping stamp out the sexually transmitted diseases of our generation. Mark Stromill on Bisexuality-Theme of Episode 50 of My Husband's Lover
5. I have Filipino friends living in Spain who visit Morocco for the weekends, similar to Americans visiting the Mexico side for the weekend. It is an exotic short trip for them just as you mentioned. The street vendors remind us of people hawking everything in the streets of Manila. Nowadays, Morocco is a jumping point for would be illegal migrants from Africa heading to Europe. Spain continues to have a small territory in North Africa, I am not sure if it is near or on Morocco, and Spain has fortified its borders because some migrants enter it illegally and is a headache for the EU. Jose Luis Martinez on One Day in Tangier, Morocco, North Africa

6. Good to read your article about the discrimination. Looking forward for more articles like this on Prejudice and Discrimination Against Filipinosby Anonymous.

7. I'm impressed, you are now the handy man that your wife luckily married. You should post on your blogs the recipes of your new skill and we your readers can start judging you. Keep up the good work and have a joyful Father's day weekend. Orby Gustafsson on Blueberries Pancake for Breakfast

8. Dear Dave, I just came across your site while I was looking for background information regarding the Rigodon de Honor. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blogs and admire your dedication to keeping your blogs updated. Looks like retirement suits you! I am also a Filipino American who have dedicated the last 25 years in pursuit of improving the clinical trial enterprise. I noticed you retired from the FDA. Did you by any chance come across Dr. Jean Fourcroy and Dr. Peter Reinhart? We were members of the Board of Trustees of the former Academy of Pharmaceutical Physicians and Investigators. I just wanted to let you know that your stories inspired me to look into doing something similar. At age 56 and in the process of yet another reinvention of my professional and personal life,I found some wise pearls in your blogs. Thank you for sharing your stories with the world! Kind regards, Dr. Nadina Jose drnjose@gmail.com on Cinco de Mayo Celebration and Sales

9. Hi Sir, I am also an alumna of UP (Chemical Engineering, 2009) and stumbled upon your blog. I would just like to say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading your entries, and am impressed that you remain a prolific blogger well into your 70s! I can only aspire to do the same when I reach my golden years. Salamat po, and I look forward to your future posts. Regards, Patricia on Chapter 1: Childhood Memories of the Japanese-American War in the Philippines, 1941-1945
10. Hi there, Your blog page is just too perfect for our project, I don’t know how to catch your attention but hopefully you could spare me a minute to read this message. We've recently launched the site www.mytaste.com where users search through recipes from all the major recipe sites and blogs. We noticed that you have a great number of tasty recipes on your blog and would like to suggest you to have a look at our “Top Food Blogs” section. We would like to give you an opportunity to add your food blog to the list and have your recipes indexed on our site, all you have to do is add your blog URL here: http://www.mytaste.com/add-your-food-blog Our project is the second biggest worldwide when it comes to recipe search, and it’s already live in 37 countries, including countries in Europe, Asia, Middle-East, Australia, South America and South Africa. We deliver thousands of visitors to food blogs daily. Some of the top food blogs receive at least 10,000 visitors from us on a weekly on Garden Salad with Dungeness Crab

The Imitation Game Movie and Comcast Service on Line

One of my Favorite Movies worthy of your time. One of the benefits of subscribing to Comcast. However, yesterday, I had no Internet and land line phone service. I immediately called the Comcast Help Line and was connected to their Service Center in the Philippines. I had a pleasant and helpful talk with a representative named Lea. She informed me there is a Power Outage in our area, but Comcast expect this to be solved in 3 hours. She was helpful and promised to text me in my mobile phone once the problem is solved. She offered a $5 refund or credit to my account because of interruption of service. Four hours later, My Internet and Land line phone was still not working. I called COMCAST help line again. This time I was connected to the Help Desk in Seattle. I was told the Outage was fixed. The representative tried her best to reset my connection but no success. I was then told that a Technician will be scheduled for a personal visit the next day. I was told I will get a credit for interruption of service. Later on during the night my son tried to reset my PC and he was able to connect and restore Internet and Phone service. I had to cancel the Technician visit. I will stop now so you can enjoy this movie.

http://xfinitytv.comcast.net/watch/The-Imitation-Game/8638545684966749112/621374019941/The-Imitation-Game/videos

The Imitation Game is a 2014 American historical drama thriller film directed by Morten Tyldum, with a screenplay by Graham Moore loosely based on the biography Alan Turing: The Enigma by Andrew Hodges (previously adapted as the stage play and BBC drama Breaking the Code). It stars Benedict Cumberbatch as real-life British cryptanalyst Alan Turing, who decrypted German intelligence codes for the British government during World War II.

The film's screenplay topped the annual Black List for best unproduced Hollywood scripts in 2011. The Weinstein Company acquired the film for $7 million in February 2014, the highest amount ever paid for U.S. distribution rights at the European Film Market. It was released theatrically in the United Kingdom on November 14 and the United States on November 28.

The Imitation Game was a commercial and critical success. It grossed over $233 million worldwide against a $14 million production budget, making it the highest-grossing independent film of 2014. It was nominated in eight categories at the 87th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director (Tyldum), Best Actor (Cumberbatch), and Best Supporting Actress (Keira Knightley). It won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. It garnered five nominations in the 72nd Golden Globe Awards and was nominated in three categories at the 21st Screen Actors Guild Awards, including Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. It also received nine British Academy of Film and Television Arts nominations, including Best Film and Outstanding British Film, and won the People's Choice Award at the 39th Toronto International Film Festival.

The LGBT civil rights advocacy and political lobbying organization for Human Rights Campaign honored The Imitation Game for bringing Turing's legacy to a wider audience. However, the film was criticized for its inaccurate portrayal of historical events and Turing's character and relationships.

Side Effects for the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease

Lately Macrine has been complaining of neck stiffness/soreness. I had a feeling it is a side effect of Azilect- One of the drugs she is taking. Along with Azilect, 1 mg( Rasagiline) she is also taking Carbo-Levo Dopa( 25-100 mg) to control her movement disorders, tremors and other symptoms of PD. I believe this stiffness of the neck is due to Azilect as described in the package insert below.

Azilect is a very expensive drug. When it was first prescribed for her, I inquired from several drug outlets in our area( CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Costco) on the price for a 90 day supply. At that time I was quoted a price from $1590 to 2060 for the 90 day supply. I can not believe on the price, so I inquire on the Mail Order Prescription Benefits of My Federal Insurance. It will cost me only $80.

So What is Azilect?

Azilect (rasagiline) is a monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibitor used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Azilect is sometimes used with another drug called levodopa. Common side effects of Azilect include dizziness, spinning sensation, joint pain, headache, depression, heartburn, nausea, fever, muscle pain, dry mouth, stomach upset or abdominal pain, hair loss, skin rash, numbness or tingly feeling, loss of appetite, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, impotence, loss of interest in sex, trouble having an orgasm, strange dreams, or flu symptoms.

The recommended dose of Azilect for the treatment of Parkinson's disease patients is 1 mg administered orally once daily. Azilect may interact with ciprofloxacin, theophylline, or antidepressants.

For additional details on Azilect

http://www.rxlist.com/azilect-side-effects-drug-center.htm

From the Package Insert of the Drug: Get medical help right away if any of these serious side effects occur: frequent/severe headache, fast/slow/irregular/pounding heartbeat, chest pain, neck stiffness/soreness, severe nausea/vomiting, sweating/clammy skin (sometimes with fever), widened pupils, vision changes (e.g., double/blurred vision), sudden sensitivity to light (photophobia).

One of My Favorite Old Movies-The Pianist

I was just browsing for old but highly acclaimed movies and I happened to watch The Pianist. It was worth my time since I love classical piano pieces by Chopin. I highly recommend it if you do not mind watching the Germans maltreating the Jews (Holocaust)during World War II in Poland. It is one of the top ten movies I had watched in the last decades.

The Pianist is a 2002 historical drama film co-produced and directed by Roman Polanski, scripted by Ronald Harwood, and starring Adrien Brody. It is based on the autobiographical book The Pianist, a World War II memoir by the Polish-Jewish pianist and composer Władysław Szpilman. The film was a co-production between France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Poland.

The Pianist met with significant critical praise and received multiple awards and nominations. It was awarded the Palme d'Or at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival. At the 75th Academy Awards, The Pianist won Oscars for Best Director (Polanski), Best Adapted Screenplay (Ronald Harwood), and Best Actor (Brody), and was also nominated for four other awards, including the Academy Award for Best Picture. It also won the BAFTA Award for Best Film and BAFTA Award for Best Direction in 2003 and seven French Césars including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Brody.

Cooking My First Lobster Tails - Baking

I always wanted to cook lobster tails. However, I am scared I will ruin it and since lobster tails are expensive, I never had the courage to buy this delicious seafood. However today there is special sale at our local Food Mart. The price is only $12.49 per lb, regular price is $16.99. I purchase 3 medium size tails for only $9.99, indeed a good buy. I searched in the Internet for a Recipe and here is what attracted my attention:*

Directions:

Make sure lobster tails are thawed completely before cooking for best results.

To prepare the lobster tail for baking or broiling:

Grab a pair of kitchen shears and grab the lobster tail in your hand. Begin cutting down one side of the lobster tail as close to the side as you can. Repeat the cut down the other side of the lobster tail. Cut the shell across the middle at the base of the tail. Grab the top of the shell and peel back. Take a knife and cut around the lobster meat so when it's finished cooking, it's easy to remove.

Lay each lobster tail on individual sheets of foil. Prepare lobster marinade of 3 tablespoons each of lemon juice and clarified butter, with a pinch of paprika, white pepper, garlic powder and sea salt. Drizzle lobster marinade over lobster.

Fold up the ends of the foil so your lobster tail is completely sealed. Bake lobster tail according to the chart below in a 450° F. preheated oven.

2 oz. - 12 minutes....................4 oz. - 18 minutes

6 oz. - 22 minutes....................8 oz. - 26 minutes

12 oz. - 30 minutes................14 oz. or more - 35 minutes

Once the lobster is cooked, unwrap the tail, dunk in butter and enjoy!

*From: http://festivalfoods.net/cooking/5188/Baking_Lobster_Tails

Tired of City Living? Visit Marinduque Island Today

I wrote this article six years ago, But I feel it still applies today. It was my first blog post and first attempt to advertise Chateau Du Mer in the Internet. The cover photo was also my first photo of the coral reefs of the Amoingon Coast of Western Marinduque.

Sunset at Low Tide as viewed from the Balcony of the Beach House

There are hundreds of tourist destinations in the Philippines. However, my favorite destination is Marinduque Island, a sleepy, unspoiled and scenic island, south of Manila. It is not world renown as Boracay Island, Aklan. However, the island has white beaches, underground caves, hot and sulfur springs, waterfalls and Mt Malindig as well as several diving sites and numerous snorkeling sites around the island.

One of my friends in US, a retiree like myself calls the island "A Heaven on Earth", where you could live like a king for less than $1000 US dollars a month complete with a driver and a maid and an abundance of fresh seafood everyday if you wish. I called it my island paradise, because there is no pollution and not much traffic except on Easter Week, when tourists from Manila and other parts of the world attend the Moriones Festival. But that is only one week out of 52 weeks. The rest of the year, you could relax, enjoy the sun and live like a king or queen, again with less than $1000(US)a month.

Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort and Conference Center,formerly a private resort and retirement property is now open to the public. For details visit the website. www.chateaudumer.com

For information about Marinduque, visit the provincial website, www.marinduque.gov.ph

For travel blogs on the island, visit, http://eazytraveler.blogsspot.com/2008/04/marinduque

or Moriones Festival 2007 @clicktheCity.com.travel or guides.clickthecity.com/travel

or http://instaurareperomniachristo.blogspot.com/2008/04/marinduque