Carrying the Past Forward: Family, Memory, and Filipino Identity

AT Tanoshi Japanese Bistro-My Grilled Salmon Collar Appetizer  

My Reflections on the writings of Dr. David B. Katague and the enduring presence of heritage in Filipino-American life, 

I have come to see family history not as something distant or archival, but as something I carry with me every day, even here in Los Angeles, far from the provinces of Iloilo and Marinduque. In reflecting on the writings of Dr. David B. Katague, I find myself not just reading his story, but recognizing parts of my own journey within it.

His work takes me back to a Philippines I did not fully live through, yet somehow deeply understand. Through his memoirs and genealogical writing, I can almost feel the texture of pre-war provincial life, the closeness of community, the rhythm of daily routines, the quiet dignity that defined how families lived. These are not just stories of the past; they are echoes that still shape how many of us in the Filipino-American community relate to one another today.

Living also in a senior community here in Los Angeles, I often see how these cultural threads continue to surface in subtle but meaningful ways. Conversations about food, memories of fiestas, the way respect is shown to elders, these are not random fragments of nostalgia. They are living expressions of identity. When I read Dr. Katague’s accounts of life in Iloilo and Marinduque, I am reminded that what we carry into these spaces in America is not just memory, but continuity.

The war years he writes about feel especially significant to me. They represent a shared historical rupture, one that shaped not only his family, but an entire generation of Filipinos. As I reflect on those accounts, I think about how many of the elders around me, whether they speak of it directly or not, are shaped by similar histories of disruption and resilience. There is a quiet strength I notice in them, a steadiness that seems rooted in having endured and adapted. Dr. Katague’s writing gives that strength a narrative, a context.

What resonates even more deeply is the story of migration that follows. Like many Filipino families, his story expands beyond the islands, eventually connecting to lives lived here in the United States. This is something I witness daily, how people navigate the balance between holding on and moving forward. In community gatherings, in shared meals, in casual conversations, I see how values from Iloilo, Marinduque, and other parts of the Philippines continue to shape identity in a new cultural landscape.

His dedication to genealogy also speaks to something I have come to value more over time. In a world that often moves too quickly, where personal histories can easily be forgotten, there is something profoundly grounding about tracing one’s roots. It turns history into something tangible. It reminds me that identity is not something we invent in isolation, it is something we inherit, interpret, and pass on.

As I engage with Filipino-American community events and listen to the stories of others, I realize how much Dr. Katague’s work reflects a shared experience. His family’s history is unique, yet it mirrors so many others. It shows how personal narratives and national history are deeply intertwined.

What stays with me most is the idea of continuity. Living here in Los Angeles, it would be easy to think of the Philippines as something “back there,” separate from everyday life. But that is not how it works. The past is present in how we speak, how we remember, how we relate to one another. Dr. Katague’s writing reinforces that for me. It reminds me that identity is not divided between here and there; it is something we carry across places and generations.

In many ways, his work has deepened my own awareness of what it means to belong, not just to a place, but to a history. And in that sense, his writing is not just a record of one family’s past. It is an invitation to all of us, especially those of us living far from the Philippines, to reconnect with our roots and to recognize that those roots are still very much alive.

By Eric M- A Fellow Filipino-American, Loyal Blog Reader since 2016, Los Angeles, CA  

My Photo of the Day:  My Great Grand Son- Beau Joseph 

My Writing Legacy- Early Years in America -A Prequel

This is a Prequel of My 7-parts Series on my Writing Legacy 

This was the response of ChatGPT on my Prompt about my Early writing Activities. 

Dr. David B. Katague has written extensively about his family's deep ancestral roots in Iloilo and Marinduque, capturing a rich tapestry of life in the Philippines before and after World War II. Through his memoirs and his dedicated genealogy writing, he documents how his family history mirrors the broader cultural identity of the Philippines.

Here are the key stories and ancestral lines he has explored:

The Ancestral Roots: Iloilo and Marinduque

• The Javellana Lineage in Jaro: Dr. Katague has documented his family's connections to the prominent Javellana clan of Jaro, Iloilo City. Historically one of the wealthiest and most culturally significant colonial-era towns in the Philippines, Jaro forms a major pillar of his paternal ancestry. He discovered that his father, David Jamili Javellana Katague, was the grandson of Victoriano Catague and Marcelina Javellana. 
• The Barrido-Balleza Roots in Barotac Viejo: On his mother’s side (Paz Barrido Balleza), Dr. Katague traces his lineage to Barotac Viejo, Iloilo. His stories vividly recall growing up in this coastal town, capturing the tight-knit community, local traditions, and the daily rhythm of life in the Visayan countryside.
• The Move to Marinduque: Dr. Katague also frequently writes about Marinduque, the island province known as the heart of the Philippines. The geography of both Marinduque and Iloilo heavily influenced his personal tastes, especially his lifelong love for traditional Filipino seafood dishes. 

Childhood, Folklore, and Traditional Food

• World War II Memories: Some of his most poignant historical articles focus on his childhood memories during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. He writes about the resilience of his family, the hardships of the war era, and what it was like to witness the country’s liberation.
• Filipino Folklore & Cultural Proverbs: Fascinated by the spiritual and natural heritage of the islands, Dr. Katague has preserved stories about traditional folklore. Beyond the famous, mystical Balete tree, he explores how local trees and nature spirits weave into native Filipino superstitions and cultural proverbs.
• Preserving Family Recipes: To keep his heritage alive for his children and grandchildren in the United States, Dr. Katague has painstakingly documented traditional Filipino family recipes. His writings detail how to prepare authentic, soulful Visayan comfort food, viewing cooking as an essential bridge of cultural love across generations.

A Legacy of Writing

For Dr. Katague, writing about the Philippines is a lifelong mission. His articles stand as a vital record for Filipino-Americans, ensuring that the stories of his parents, the local history of Iloilo, and the traditions of the old country are never forgotten by future generations.

Dr. David B. Katague’s online writing spans across multiple digital blogs. His entries explore the immigrant experience, the joys of getting older, and the preservation of his beloved homeland's history.

Through blogs like Becoming American (formerly Life in the United States), The Intellectual Migrants, Why Retire in the Philippines, and Joys of Retirement at Chateau De La Mer, he has built a massive library of personal reflections. 

🇵🇭 Filipino Culture, History, and Traditions

Dr. Katague treats his blogs as a living museum for the traditions he left behind.

• The War Through a Child’s Eyes: One of his most deeply personal historical archives is titled The Japanese-American War in the Philippines, 1941-1945. Here, he writes about hiding in the hills as a young boy, witnessing the occupation, and the unforgettable moment American troops arrived to liberate his town.
• Spotlight on Marinduque: In his blog Marinduque Awaits You, he highlights the island's unique culture. He frequently writes about the famous Moriones Festival, local Roman Catholic traditions, and the distinct Visayan-Tagalog blend of regional life.
• The Food Archive: He views traditional food as the ultimate cultural anchor. He frequently blogs about how to cook authentic dishes like Adobo, Pancit, and Visayan seafood, ensuring these recipes are passed down to young Filipino-Americans. 

🇺🇸 Early Life in the United States & The "Intellectual Migrants"

Dr. Katague arrived in the U.S. as a highly educated professional, a journey he explores in detail to help other immigrants.

• The Professional Culture Shock: In The Intellectual Migrants, he blogs about the unique experiences of Filipino scientists, doctors, and engineers who moved to America in the late 20th century. He covers the challenges of professional integration, finding community, and overcoming workplace biases. []
• Building a Family in a New Land: His blog Becoming American explores the lighter, personal side of early immigrant life. He writes about his first cold winters, the experience of raising his children (including Dodie) in a blended cultural environment, and the ultimate pride of achieving the American Dream. []

🏖️ Wellness, Aging, and the Joys of Retirement

Dr. Katague rejects the idea that aging means slowing down. Instead, he treats it as a vibrant new chapter of freedom.

• Active Mind, Active Body: As a trained scientist and former FDA chemist, his wellness philosophy centers on staying curious. He regularly writes about the mental health benefits of writing, genealogy research, and gardening to keep the brain sharp.
• Chateau De La Mer: Much of his retirement wellness advice centers around his beautiful seaside property, Chateau De La Mer. He advocates for spending time close to nature, enjoying a ocean-fresh diet, and creating physical spaces where a large, multi-generational family can gather.
• The "Why Retire" Debate: In Why Retire in the Philippines, he weighs the health and economic benefits of moving back home versus staying in the United States. He often notes that the warmth, slow pace, and tight-knit community structure of the Philippines offer an incredibly healing environment for retirees.

Dr. David B. Katague has shared vivid, deeply personal memories of his arrival in America in September 1960, when he moved from the Philippines to pursue his graduate studies in Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy in Chicago. 

His blog posts, particularly on Becoming American and his holiday essays, highlight the culture shock, loneliness, and wonder felt by a young Filipino intellectual navigating a massive new country.

✈️ The Journey and the Great Chicago Winter

• The Harsh Midwest Climate: Coming from the tropical heat of the Visayan islands, the most striking physical shock for Dr. Katague was the Midwestern weather. He frequently writes about how gloomy, freezing, and depressing his first winter in Chicago felt, as he adjusted to snow and heavy winter coats for the first time.
• Long-Distance Separation: In his shared love stories with his wife, Macrine, he recounts the emotional toll of their early days. He had to leave his wife back in the Philippines when he first arrived to establish himself as a graduate student, relying purely on old-fashioned airmail letters to stay connected across the Pacific Ocean. 

🍗 First Impressions: The Legendary First Thanksgiving (1960)

One of his most famous and detailed entries focuses on his very first Thanksgiving Day in America, just a couple of months after his arrival.

• The Invitation: As a lonely international graduate student with nowhere to go on a major American holiday, he was warmly invited into the home of an American family.
• The Food Shock: He writes with amusement about his first impressions of traditional Thanksgiving food. Coming from the highly seasoned, savory, and seafood-rich palate of Iloilo, he found the massive roasted turkey, stuffing, and especially the sweet cranberry sauce to be entirely foreign and fascinating.
• A Lesson in American Hospitality: Beyond the culinary differences, that specific day left a permanent mark on him. He blogged about how that dinner shaped his early, highly positive impressions of the United States, experiencing firsthand the genuine warmth, generosity, and openness that Americans showed to foreign students.

🎓 The "Intellectual Migrant" Paradigm

Dr. Katague used these student memories to frame his broader commentary on The Intellectual Migrants blog. He often reflects on how student visas in the 1960s were a grueling but proud pathway. He details the heavy pressure to succeed academically in competitive American labs, balancing intense laboratory research at the University of Illinois with the financial frugality required of a young immigrant student surviving on a tight university stipend.

Ultimately, his reflections show that these difficult, freezing early years in Chicago laid the exact foundation for his decades-long career as an FDA chemist and his family’s ultimate realization of the American Dream.