Snowbirds Living in the Philippines : Marinduque's Putong or Tubong ( The Crowning)

Friday, November 1, 2019

Marinduque's Putong or Tubong ( The Crowning)

David III Putong, Chateau Du Mer, Boac, Marinduque, 2002

Putong Ceremony on my 60th Birthday, Colesville, MD, 1994

The tubong or putong, is a ceremony indigenous to the island of Marinduque, Philippines. Literally, the word “putong” means to crown, is a song of thanksgiving, hope and prayer for a long, blessed life. According to beliefs, the patron saint rejoices at this kind of celebrations and intercedes for the honoree in his wish for long life, happiness and safety from accidents and bad luck. Commonly performed to welcome guests and to wish them good life, health and luck. It is also done during birthdays, anniversaries, graduations or any special events that a person is thankful of and praying for a blessed path in life.

(https://themixedculture.com/2013/10/14/tubong-putong/)

Meanwhile enjoy this video of the modernized version of Putong danced by the youth of Marinduque during a recent MIMAROPA Agricultural Fair for Trade and Tourism in Manila.

https://www.facebook.com/polynuh/videos/2428913563871608/

This version is the Traditional Style:

https://www.facebook.com/freedomecoadventureparkPH/videos/1222848597855357/

We were honored with Putong during our first Medical Mission in Marinduque, 1990

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Joys of Retirement

I have been retired from USFDA since 2002. At first, I feel I have lost my identity as an individual or have lost my contribution to society. However, within a few weeks all these feelings were gone. It started when my wife and I started baby sitting one of our grandchildren. As some economics professor states: "Your children are your capital investments, but your grandchildren are your profits. That is why you love your grandchildren more than your children". I really agree with the statement. Retirement also gives you lots of time to do things you like to do, such as your hobbies and of course travel. In my case, I turned my hobby of gardening and landscaping into a small business in the Philippines. This endeavor was planned about five years before 2002. That year my wife and I started construction of our retirement home in Boac, Marinduque , Philippines. The next year we built a beach house, followed by a Conference Hall two years later. Needless to say, planning and executing the landscaping was a challenge and very enjoyable. With the help of local labor, I not only enjoy the time gardening and landscaping, but also help improved the economic situation of the province by providing work and jobs to the local residents. With plenty of time, I have engaged into two specific activities as follows: First, I created a website for my small business. By trial and error, I created and design the website, www.chateaudumer.com I have never been a computer nerd or expert. But with plenty of time and patience, the fruits of my labor could be enjoyed if you visit the website above. The second activity, I have not done before was to utilize on-line activities, such as shopping, paying bills ( save you stamps) and playing computer games in the Internet. I really enjoyed playing duplicate bridge on line. You play with players all over the world and can chat in between games. But be careful, you are not spending too much time in the computer. It is very addictive. With a lots of time, my wife and I devoted more time on our favorite humanitarian project. For the last 15 years, we have been involved with medical mission to the province of Marinduque. For details please visit the website: www.marinduqueinternational.org As a summary, the joy one gets on retirement is very specific for an individual. Some enjoy their free time by learning new activities, getting involved with humanitarian projects or spending more time with their grandchildren. Others hate it, since they missed their former jobs and co-workers. Others with no children still enjoy retirement by traveling, turning their hobbies into business or more community involvement. Of course those that retire and hate it, is believe to die earlier than those that enjoy their retirement years. So, plan your retirement as early as you can. The happier you are on retirement, the longer you will live.