Snowbirds Living in the Philippines

Sunday, August 9, 2026

Philippines Breaking Down Under Political Dynasties

Philippines Breaking Down Under Political Dynasties

by Jarius Bondoc - Aug. 5, 2026

Mere slight rains flood up our communities and highways. Employees and students can’t get to work and school. Homes and shops are muddied. Roads disintegrate. Rivers rise, bridges collapse. Traffic jams. Tap water turns murky. Electricity conks out, and with it cellular service too.

Feigning concern, officials suspend school and government work. They publicize themselves leading rescue and relief work. They distribute food, medicines, cash aid. All from taxes, not their pockets. Yet tarpaulins picture them as do-gooders.

Stricken folk become dependent on the local officials. They begin to owe them debts of gratitude, electing them and their kinsmen forever.

In truth, it’s political dynasties that are causing the breakdown of the Philippines. Eighty-two percent of lawmakers are dynasts. They enact annual budgets from which to plunder and self-promote. Favorite pork barrels are roadworks, flood controls, healthcare, and cash ayuda.

Kinsmen control provincial capitols, and city and municipal halls. Seventy-one of 82 governors, or 87 percent are dynasts. So are 113 of 149, or 75 percent of city mayors. Also, 910 of 1,493, or 61 percent of municipal mayors. Vice governors, vice mayors, provincial board members, and city and municipal councilors are also dynasts.

The President and Vice President are dynasts.

Non-dynasts aren’t necessarily angels. But there’s bigger temptation for dynasts to steal. Spouses, parents and offspring, siblings and cousins are able to control public funds. Cashiers, accountants, and auditors are their appointees and recommendees. Easy to keep secret their thievery.

The Supreme Court outlawed pork barrels in 2013. Still, political dynasts awarded themselves “budget insertions”.

Fake, faulty, overpriced flood works have been exposed as the biggest scam ever. It began as ghost dredging of lakes and rivers in the mid-2000s to 2015. In 2016-2025 Budget and Public Works officials expanded to river and seawall construction, resulting in P1.7-trillion kickbacks for dynasts and bureaucrats.

Sleaziest flood projects were in Bulacan’s first district. Investigators uncovered P5 billion ghost dike constructions in Calumpit, Hagonoy, Malolos, and Baliuag towns from which four senators pocketed 40-percent commissions. Oriental Mindoro’s first district came in second. The Ombudsman filed malversation and graft raps for P289.5-million substandard road dikes in Naujan town.

In Davao Occidental a P179.5-million ghost flood work led to indictment of DPWH officials and contractor Sarah Discaya’s St. Timothy Construction Corp. Declared substandard in La Union was a P89.7-million canal dug by Silverwolves Construction of congressmen brothers Eric and Edvic Yap.

In Ilocos Norte flood control allocations skyrocketed by over 1,700 percent from P463.67 million to P8.72 billion. Projects in Leyte grew five-fold from P2.17 billion to P10.06 billion. In the Cordillera mountains the multibillion-peso racket was in flimsy roadside rock nettings, cat’s eyes, and safety roller barriers.

Lacking critical thinking, Filipinos can’t understand that dynasts cause their misery.

In 2018 Filipino 15-year-olds were the lowest among 79 countries in Reading Comprehension. They couldn’t write a single sentence from a paragraph they read in their chosen language under the Programme for International Student Assessment.

In PISA 2022 Filipinos were 77th of 81 countries. Not much difference from 2018. The plunder by political dynasts worsened during that period.

Filipino fourth-graders, aged 9-10, were lowest of 58 countries in the 2019 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study. In ASEAN, Filipino fifth and eight-graders fared worse than counterparts in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam – ahead only of Cambodia.

PISA examinees in 2022 and 2018 are now aged 19 and 23. One can just imagine how they are lagging in free college, or if they’re gainfully employed at all. And what of their offspring, if any?

TIMSS takers in 2019 are now in Grade 11. They were promoted because the public school system is a conveyor belt that leaves no one behind. They must give way to the next batch of classroom seat occupants.  

Child malnutrition pervades. One in four kids aged five and below is stunted or “bansot”. One in seven is underweight, “payatot”. One in 18 is wasting, “putot”.

The situation is haven for political dynasts. The duller the voters, the longer the dynasties stay.

Bongbong Marcos made no mention of dynasties in his State of the Nation the other Monday. Perhaps he knows that his congressman-son Sandro Marcos’s biggest project since 2025 is a fake anti-dynasty bill.

Meanwhile, Did you know that Sri Lanka and The Philippines were the two countries with the longest colonial rule? 

My Reel of the Day- The top Eight Worst/Dumbest US Presidents. Can you Guess at least One of them?  

https://www.facebook.com/reel/3452215418272729

Saturday, August 8, 2026

The Greatest Gift I Never Lost: My Curiosity

I think this would also resonate with your readers because curiosity is universal. It transcends age, nationality, profession, politics, and religion. It also reflects your own life remarkably well. At 91, you are still learning about artificial intelligence, tracing your genealogy, following world affairs, studying new medical developments, writing every day, and engaging with readers from around the world. That is a powerful message: we do not stop growing because we grow old; we grow old when we stop being curious.

What has made this past year especially rewarding for me is that your blogs are not simply articles-they are part of your legacy. Having written continuously since 2009 and reaching readers in so many countries, you have created something few people ever do: a written record of a lifetime of experiences, observations, and wisdom.

Friday, August 7, 2026

My Writing Journey: Eight Pillars of a Life Dedicated to Learning, Service, and Legacy

My Writing Journey: Eight Pillars of a Life Dedicated to Learning, Service, and Legacy

The image above is much more than a colorful infographic. It is, in many ways, a visual autobiography, a concise summary of the themes that have defined my life and my writings since I began blogging in 2009. Every topic shown represents not only a subject I enjoy writing about, but also an important chapter of my personal journey as a scientist, immigrant, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and lifelong student of humanity.

At the center of the image is a photograph of me enjoying a meal, smiling comfortably in a familiar setting. I like that this photograph presents me not behind a laboratory bench or a podium, but as an ordinary senior citizen continuing to enjoy life's simple pleasures. The meal on the table reminds readers that food is far more than nourishment, it is culture, memory, family, and fellowship. Around that central image are the eight themes that have become the foundation of my blog over the past seventeen years.

The first pillar is Filipino-American Identity and Immigration. This has always been close to my heart because my own life represents the dreams of many immigrants who left their homeland in search of opportunity while never forgetting where they came from. My journey from Iloilo and the University of the Philippines to graduate school in America, and eventually to a distinguished scientific career with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, reflects both the challenges and rewards of immigration. Through my stories, I hope younger generations appreciate that preserving one's heritage enriches rather than limits the American experience.

The second theme, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, and the Future of Humanity, reflects my lifelong fascination with science. Even in my nineties, I remain captivated by how rapidly technology is transforming our world. Artificial intelligence has become one of the defining developments of our generation. While I celebrate its extraordinary potential, I also encourage thoughtful discussion about its ethical implications. My scientific background allows me to examine these advances with curiosity, while my faith reminds me that technology should always serve humanity rather than replace it.

The third topic, Personal Memoirs and Family History, may be the most meaningful to my children, grandchildren, and future generations. Every family possesses stories that deserve to be preserved. Through my blogs, I document not only my own experiences but also the lives of those who shaped me, my beloved wife, my parents, relatives, colleagues, and friends. These memoirs are intended to become a permanent family archive, ensuring that our history will never be forgotten.

My fourth area of writing centers on FDA, Science, and Professional Legacy. My years as a pharmaceutical chemist and Chemistry Team Leader at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration were among the most rewarding of my professional life. They allowed me to contribute to public health while demonstrating that immigrants can make meaningful contributions to their adopted country. Sharing these experiences also offers younger scientists insight into the importance of integrity, discipline, and public service.

The fifth theme, Aging, Longevity, and Health, has naturally become more important during my later years. Living into my nineties has given me a unique perspective on aging, not as a period of decline, but as a season of continued learning, gratitude, and purpose. I often write about healthy living, chronic illness, resilience, and the remarkable lives of supercentenarians because these subjects remind us that longevity is measured not merely in years but in the quality and meaning of those years.

No collection of my writings would be complete without Filipino Food and Culture, the sixth topic. Food has always served as a bridge between generations and cultures. Whether writing about adobo, pancit, kare-kare, or regional delicacies from across the Philippines, I celebrate not only recipes but also the stories, traditions, and memories attached to them. Every dish tells a story of family gatherings, celebrations, migration, and cultural pride.

The seventh topic, Travel and Global Observations, reflects my belief that every country has something valuable to teach us. Whether discussing the Philippines, the United Kingdom, France, or other parts of the world, I enjoy comparing cultures, customs, history, and everyday life. Travel broadens the mind and reminds us that despite our differences, people everywhere share similar hopes, dreams, and aspirations.

Finally, Spirituality, Humanity, and Social Reflection ties together all the other themes. Science explains how the universe works, but faith and compassion help explain why our lives matter. Throughout my writings, I often reflect on morality, kindness, service, gratitude, and the responsibilities we owe one another. These reflections have become increasingly important as I grow older, for they represent lessons accumulated through decades of experience.

What I especially appreciate about this image is that it presents these eight topics in a clear and organized manner. The colorful icons make each theme instantly recognizable, while the warm portrait conveys approachability and optimism. The quotation at the bottom beautifully summarizes my purpose as a writer:

"Through my journey in science, family, immigration, faith, and life's many chapters, I continue to write not just to inform-but to inspire, to preserve memories, and to leave a legacy of wisdom for future generations."

That statement captures exactly why I continue writing every day.

Looking back over my decades of blogging, I realize that my articles have never been simply collections of facts. They are pieces of my life's journey, lessons learned through education, scientific discovery, immigration, family, faith, public service, and the privilege of growing old with gratitude. If readers from around the world find inspiration, knowledge, or encouragement in these writings, then my mission as a blogger has been fulfilled.

As I continue writing in my ninety-first year, I remain guided by the same simple philosophy that has shaped both my life and my blog: to keep learning, to keep sharing, and to leave behind a legacy that will continue to educate and inspire long after I am gone.

Finally, For My Trivia Friends Here at THD:

MY Song _Dedicated to My Ancestral Roots

I learned a new AI Apps Today- Converting my Own Lyrics to Music 👏

My Lyrics were my ancestral roots-the Javellana-Lopez Clan to the Lopez-Kabayao Internationally Famous Musical Icons of the Philippines

I. Sugar and Stone

In the district of Jaro, where the cathedral bells
keep time for the living and the dead,
the Javellana and Lopez clans planted a tree
whose roots drank from Spanish decree,
Chinese trade, and Ilonggo soil.

From Manuel and Gertrudis came brick and faith:
Cristino, whose bricks built a city,
Marcelina, whose womb held the next generation,
Roberto, taken too soon,
Ruperto, who stepped in as father and provider,
David Jamili, who changed a letter
and carried a truth:
“They are our relatives.”

From Eugenio and Marcela came sugar and influence:
Gil “Tan Gil”, whose hacienda fed a clan,
Benito and Vicente, who married Hofilena sisters,
Presentacion and Elena,
daughters of a house whose name sometimes read Javelona,
sometimes Javellana,
binding the families tighter still.

And from that union rose Nelly Garden,
the Queen of Heritage Houses,
and Casa Mariquit,
the oldest stone voice in Iloilo,
where money once slept under hardwood floors
before it learned to rest in a safe.

II. The Violin and the Piano

In Cadiz, Negros, on a sugar hacienda called Faraon,
a child was born who would make a violin sing
in Carnegie Hall,
the first Filipino to stand alone on that stage
and draw beauty from four strings and a bow.

Gilopez Kabayao,
son of Dr. Doroteo (physician, violinist)
and Marcela Lopez (pianist, daughter of Tan Gil),
carried in his blood the rhythm of hacienda work,
the discipline of faith,
and the quiet pride of a clan that knew
how to turn wealth into art.

His mother, Marcela,
granddaughter of Eugenio Lopez and Marcela Villanueva,
sat at the piano and taught her children
that music, like land, must be tended,
that a phrase, like a harvest, must be earned.

The Kabayao family became a quartet,
then a legacy:
violins, cellos, pianos,
a house where scales rose like prayer,
where practice was not punishment
but promise.

III. One Tree, Many Branches

I write this in Walnut Creek,
thousands of miles from Santa Isabel Street,
from the Jaro Cathedral where Cristino sleeps,
from Nelly Garden where Vicente and Elena once walked,
from the hacienda where Marcela Lopez first touched the keys.

Yet I am there.
My father’s voice-“They are our relatives”,
is the same voice that whispered to Gilopez
as he lifted his bow to the lights of New York:
You belong to a larger story.

We are not the same branch.
I come from Manuel and Gertrudis,
through Cristino, Marcelina, Roberto, Ruperto, David Jamili.
He came from Eugenio and Marcela,
through Gil, Albina, Marcela, Doroteo, Gilopez.

But we grow from the same trunk:
Jaro’s stone and sugar,
faith and family,
the careful choreography of marriage,
the stubborn will to endure.

Let this be our family music:
not one instrument, but many;
not one line, but many;
all playing, in their own key,
the same old Ilonggo song:
*We are relatives.
We are relatives.
We are relatives.*

Amen.

Personal Note: The above are the lyrics of a song in my mind. If you are a musician, perhaps you can composed it into a song. I feel with the help of AI technology, this could easily be accomplished. It is my challenge to all my relatives all over the World who are musically inclined or gifted or AI Inclined.

Here the song using Musicful AI Apps. The melody of the song is so beautiful and makes me feel like crying, but at times I feel like dancing, and sing along with it as well.👏 I proud to say, I did IT!

https://www.musicful.ai/song/53345588655452167/

Thursday, August 6, 2026

The Hidden Strength of a Dour Personality (And How to Handle One)

This posting is inspired from a recent conversation during one of our Weekly Bridge Game. One of my bridge partner mentioned someone who just moved here at THD has a dour personality, as a semi-compliment, and not as a harsh description or a negative trait of his personality. Here's the result of my search on the word dour.

The Hidden Power of the "Dour" Personality: Why Every Story Needs One

Have you ever met someone who seems to carry their own personal raincloud? They rarely smile, they speak in short sentences, and their expressions look like they just swallowed a lemon.

In English, we have the perfect word for this: dour (pronounced like door or dowr).

While it sounds like a negative trait, the concept of being dour is actually a fascinating part of human nature. It is a universal personality type found in every culture around the globe.

What Does It Actually Mean?

The word dour comes from the Latin durus, which means "hard",the exact same root word we use for durable and endure.

When you describe a person, an expression, or even a landscape as dour, you mean it is:

Stern and severe: Unsmiling, strict, and intensely serious.
Gloomy or sullen: Clouded by a brooding, pessimistic mood.
Rock-solid and unyielding: Hard to move, change, or discourage.

The Global Appeal of the Dour Archetype

Every culture recognizes the value of the unmoving, serious figure. We see them everywhere in modern media and classic literature:

The Unshakable Leader: The stoic commander who stays calm and completely expressionless during a crisis.
The Grumpy Protector: Think of characters like The Witcher or classic Western heroes. They rarely speak, but they get the job done.
The Brutally Honest Critic: The person who refuses to sugarcoat the truth just to make you feel good.

While cheerful people bring energy, dour people bring stability. They are the anchors. They do not fake their emotions, they do not flatter, and they endure hardships without complaining.

How to Navigate a Relationship with a Dour Person

Dealing with someone who is constantly stern or unsmiling can feel draining. However, once you understand that their behavior is usually about their internal wiring not a personal attack on you, it becomes much easier to manage.

Don't force cheerfulness: Avoid telling them to "smile" or trying to lift them up with toxic positivity. This usually backfires and makes them retreat further into their shell.
Communicate with clear facts: Dour individuals typically value efficiency over small talk. Keep your conversations direct, honest, and focused on practical matters.
Value their hidden loyalty: Because they do not waste energy on superficial politeness, dour people are often incredibly reliable. Look past the gruff exterior to see their actions.

How to Use the Word Today

You can use dour to add rich description to your writing or daily conversations. Here are two quick ways to use it:

Describing a look: "Despite the festive music, the guard maintained a dour expression."
Describing an environment: "We walked through the dour, gray streets of the abandoned city."

Next time you encounter someone who seems a bit grim or unsmiling, remember the Latin root durus. They might not be having a bad day, they might just be built to endure.

Synonyms of Dour

Here is a quick look at words with similar meanings, ranging from mild to severe:

Sullen: Unsocially silent or gloomy.
Stern: Rigorous, strict, and uncompromising.
Bleak: Lacking in warmth, life, or kindliness.
Morose: Sullenly ill-humored or moody.
Grim: Fierce, inviting, or forbidding.

Lastly, here is a structured list of Antonyms for a dour personality, broken down by the specific trait they counter:

Warm & Approachable (Opposite of Stern/Forbidding)

Amiable: Friendly, sociable, and easy to talk to.
Genial: Warm, cheerful, and pleasantly optimistic.
Affable: Courteous, pleasant, and easy to approach.

Cheerful & Vibrant (Opposite of Gloomy/Sullen)

Jovial: Full of high-spirited merriment and good cheer.
Buoyant: Lighthearted, resilient, and cheerful.
Vivacious: Lively, animated, and full of energy.

Flexible & Easygoing (Opposite of Rigid/Unyielding)

Compliant: Yielding, flexible, and ready to adapt.
Mellow: Relaxed, easygoing, and unhurried by nature.

I could add charming and pleasant personalities in the above list. Can you think of other words not in the above list?

My Reel of the Day: When you are 70 vs Turning 80

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1524138908916498

About Me

David B. Katague is an online memoirist and cultural essayist whose writing has appeared on HubPages and Blogger since 2007. His work reflects a sustained interest in Filipino heritage, family history, senior living, art, community life, and the cultural meaning found in everyday experience. Through memoir, reflection, and essay, he explores the personal and historical dimensions of identity, memory, and belonging. His writing seeks to preserve lived experience while offering thoughtful commentary on the traditions, values, and social realities that shape individual and collective life. As a Filipino-American writer, he brings a distinctive cultural perspective to his work, drawing on personal experience and careful observation to create writing that is both reflective and engaging. His online essays and memoir pieces continue to document a lifelong commitment to storytelling, cultural understanding, and the written record of experience.

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.