FRONT YARD OF THE MAIN HOUSE WITH SERVANT QUARTERS BY THE SIDE AT THE END OF THE LONG DRIVEWAY. SOME PHOTOS AND VIDEOS ON THIS SITE, I DO NOT OWN. HOWEVER, I HAVE NO INTENTION IN INFRINGING ON YOUR COPYRIGHTS.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
Why am I still Happy After Retirement
I have just finished reading an article about an American Citizen who is married to a Filipina and decided to move permanently to the Philippines about 10 years ago. At first there were a lot of cultural shocks but after two years of acculturation and adjustment to the life in the Philippines, the couple claimed they are very, very happy today in the Philippines. The article also reminded me that indeed happiness is not a place but in your heart and mind. The article also inspired me to write this short article on why I am very happy even after my retirement.
Happiness is not the same for every person, once the basic necessity of life has been achieved. In my case, what makes me happy is not a lot of money but personal achievements. Another item that makes me happy is my personal relationships with my family, relatives and friends. In addition, one must have an achievable goal in every stage of his life even after retirement to be happy.
The most important item that makes me a happy is our lifestyle. If you have been reading my blogs, you probably already know that my wife and I are practicing the snowbird lifestyle between US and in the Philippines, every year, since 2002.
In 2002, I retired from the Food and Drug Administration. Two years before my retirement, my wife and I started building our retirement home in Boac, Marinduque, Philippines. After the main house was completed we decided to add a servant quarter next door to the main house. Two years later we built a beach house followed by a conference hall At first we did not plan on opening the beach house and conference hall to the public. However, because of popular demand, we decided in 2006, that the Hall and Beach House is now publicly available for rent. This is the beginning of my small beach resort and Conference Center. We named it Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort and Conference Center.
How about you, my dear readers? What makes you happy? A lot of money and a prestigious job? A Happy Marriage? Good Health and Family Accomplishments? Lifestyle ? I will be glad to hear from you!
Friday, August 17, 2012
Snowbirding in the Philippines

The following article was written by Celina Macaisa and posted on January 2, 2010 by www.myphilippineretirement.com. It was titled Retiring Half-a-Year in the US and the Philippines.
"When a Global Filipino Retires, which country does he choose for the next part of his life? Will he need to leave home, friends, and family (a second time)? For decades, due to lack of well-paying jobs in the Philippines, Filipinos have been leaving their country and families behind to improve their own and their families’ standard of living.
And after decades of working hard in a highly-competitive, fast-paced business environment, and ‘you are on your own culture’ of a 1st world country; these (former) Filipinos are now prioritizing how to increase the quality of their retirement years.
Ironically, the Philippines which may not have been a great country to make a living in during their younger years is an excellent country for retirement: warm climate and culture, relaxed pace of life, and lower living expenses. Hence, the ‘snowbird lifestyle’ of having two residences in different parts of the world, which has been practiced by Europeans and North Americans for centuries, is now gaining more acceptance by Filipinos who immigrated abroad.
The Rise of the Filipino Snowbird “I know of another person who is doing the same lifestyle we have, 6 months in PI [Philippine Islands] and 6 months in the US. We call ourselves snow birds. A lot of our friends are envious of us.” - David B. Katague
However, although many Filipinos living abroad are aware of the ‘snowbird’ retirement lifestyle, many are not quite sure about the planning and costs needed to make it work.
Hence, this article is written to give a look on how one Filipino couple, David and Macrine Katague was able to put into reality their wish to live their retirement years both in the U.S. and the Philippines—-two countries they think of as home and where key family members live.
David B. Katague is a retired Chemistry Team Leader of the Food and Drug Administration in Silver Spring, Maryland USA. He is also currently a proprietor of Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort, in Boac, Marinduque, Philippines.And one of the most interesting things you will learn from this interview is that beyond harsh winters and cost, ‘family’ is the driving reason and support factor for making this retirement lifestyle work".
Here is our interview with David B. Katague:
1) How many years have you spent in the US? “[We] have lived in US since 1960 to the present.”
2) What were your top reasons for choosing your retirement lifestyle of living half-a year in the Philippines and half-a-year in the States?
“[Our reasons were] climate (even though the winters of Northern California are much milder than that of Chicago or Toronto), relatives, and cheaper standard of living.”
3) Before making this decision, did you know of another former Filipino retiree who practiced this ‘snowbird lifestyle’ that influenced you? “[Yes], my sister-in-law”
4) Did you re-acquire your Filipino citizenship or retired in the Philippines under the Special Resident’s Retirement Visa (SRRV)?
“My wife reacquired her Filipino citizenship 2 yrs ago. I will consider applying for dual citizenship if I decide to live in Philippines permanently.”
5) How do you spend your time here in the Philippines? What makes retiring in the Philippines interesting and inspiring in terms of activities, new experiences, and living with other Filipinos?
”Setting up a small business (a beach resort and conference center (www.chateaudumer.com), keeps me busy while I am in Marinduque.
In addition since my favorite hobby is gardening, the tropical climate is conducive to growing orchids, fruits, and vegetables and other tropical ornamentals. This gives me plenty of exercise both physical and mental, an antidote to developing AZ disease.”
Also the presence of relatives makes life masaya lalo na [happy especially] during the Christmas and Easter Season. I do miss my grandchildren during Christmas while we are in PI [Philippine Islands].”
6) Practical concerns on this retirement lifestyle: a) Are you receiving pension? How is this retirement way of life feasible?
“I have SS, private and federal pension. Since I am maintaining 2 households, it is a very expensive proposition. Luckily, I have a son, who takes care of our house here in NC [Northern California] while we are in PI.
When we are in US, I have a full time caretaker who takes care of the house and the beach resort.”
b) In articles discussing retiring in the Philippines, an allowance of US$1,000 to $1,500 a month is often quoted as enough for a retiring couple to live on. Is this still true in your experience? “Yes, $1500 a month is still adequate in the provinces. In Manila, this amount will be probably too tight.”
c) Did you need to have a trial-run first? Or did you stay in the Phil with a tourist visa first before making the final decision?
“[No.] I know life in PI as I grew up there until I was 21 years old. The only question is where in the Philippines, we should retire, my home province or my wife's home province. Marinduque was the winner.”
7) Medical Insurance and Healthcare: In living half-a-year in the Philippines, what plans did you make for medical emergencies since U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not cover for treatment in the Philippines?
“I have Blue Cross under the Federal Insurance Plan. My wife has Phil Health. I recommend a minimum of $2000 for medical emergency.”
8) Are there any individuals and organizations who were a big help to you in setting-up your retirement life in the Philippines? What do you think the government can improve on to attract more former Filipino retirees? “Yes, my sister-in law helped us built our retirement home, while we were still working here in US.”
“To encourage Filipinos expatriate, the government should help in relocation by exempting them of taxes for their household goods and car. Also, there should be someone in the Philippines to help them settle and facilitate their move.”
Note: Currently, one-time tax exemptions for importing personal goods (except for cars) to the Philippine is only provided to former Filipino retirees who applied for the Special Resident Retirees Visa (SRRV), within 90 days of SRRV issuance and not exceeding $7,000. These tax exemptions are not accorded to former Filipinos who are retiring in the Philippines through re-acquisition of Filipino citizenship. - myphilippineretirement.com
9) Advice on doing it right:
a) Any suggestion/advice for other Former Filipinos who are still evaluating their decision in living part of their retirement life in the Philippines? “Always plan ahead. Choose a location, where you have relatives and friends [emphasis mine]. Get health insurance accepted in PI, but reserve cash for medical emergency.” b) Last question: Are there some common pitfalls to avoid?
“Do not engage in business if you can not personally manage it or have a trusted relative or employee to do it.
Keep your mouth shut in local politics. [Get] acculturated again to the Filipino lifestyle of [being] easy going, no value of time [or different regard for time as compared to N. America] to avoid the rat race again, thus preventing a heart stroke.
Keep always busy both in mind and body, thus enjoying your retirement, and hopefully a long life.”
To summarize this interview, a global Filipino can enjoy his retirement years both in his country of birth and new home country through adequate financial preparation and family support.Why make a tough choice of permanently leaving your new home, new friends, and family in North America; or forego the warmth of the climate and culture of your country of birth when you can be a Filipino snowbird?
Cooking is a Labor of Love in the Philippines

Macrine loves to cook here in the US, but not in Boac, Marinduque. She complains it is a labor of love. We know that meat products such as pork, beef and lamb are not as tender as the one you purchase in the US. Except for LIVER, all of meat products must be pressured cook to be tender enough for the teeth of senior citizens like us. On the other hand chicken ( not the native one) is acceptable and could be enjoyed without the use of the pressure cooker.
Moreover, our indoor kitchen in Marinduque is not air conditioned, so Macrine "sweats like a hog" when she cooks even with the assistance of our cook and housekeeper. In case you do not know, the homes of most middle class Filipinos have always two kitchens. The indoor and outdoor kitchens. The later kitchen is sometimes called the "dirty" Kitchen. This is the area where you can cook with charcoal and wood. Barbecued fresh fish is cooked in this area.
The dish that Macrine loves to cook is Liver with Onions. She cooked it in soy sauce with lemon, vinegar, sugar and garlic salt. Another dish that she does not trust our cook are the tempura tiger prawns, okra, sweet potato and eggplant. All other dishes are cooked by our cook without her supervision. My favorite dish is eggplant relleno with shrimps, onions and tomatoes. Speaking of tomatoes, the Philippine variety are small and sour whereas the US variety are huge and sweet. So in the Philippines tomatoes are vegetables and in the US they are fruits. Agree or disagree?
Marinduque is abundant with fresh vegetables. You can purchase almost all kinds of vegetables except green lettuce, broccoli, asparagus and spinach. Fresh Fish and sea foods are also abundant and reasonable except during the rainy season and during Lent. My favorite fish is BINGAW-a fish belonging to the red snapper specie. It taste like pork and has no fishy smell. It is expensive and rare.
Speaking of fish, Do you know that the fish head is the most delicious part of the fish. When you have an important guest for dinner(in the Philippines), it is customary to serve him the head in the soup dish called sinigang. The sinigang is cooked with a variety of vegetables and may be flavored only with Philippine tomatoes ( sour) or with tamarind also a sour fruit. I know that to most Americans fish heads are not sold in the groceries. Fish heads is not considered food, definitely not a delicacy.
Fish Heads soup reminded me of a memorable event, when my younger brother and his family from Australia visited us in Colesville, Maryland in the mid-1990's. During the week of their visit we received a gift of SALMON from our fisherman friend from Virginia. Macrine cooked it as sinigang. Instead of me, gorging the fish head, I gave it to my brother, since he was our guest. After dinner my brother informed me that the fish soup was the most delicious fish dish he had tasted for quite sometime. He was very appreciative, that I gave him the fish head. I hope he remembers this event. Anyway, the saying that "a Way to a man's heart is through his stomach" really applies in our marriage. I am very appreciative that Macrine is a Good Cook!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Ten Things of what we Love and Hate Living in Marinduque

If you have been reading my blogs and my Facebook status updates, you probably know that my wife and I spend our winter time in Marinduque where we have a small beach resort and a retirement home. A lot of our friends here in the US often asked us, which place do we like best, Northern California or Marinduque. Our answer is a definite both Places. But sometimes, I personally do not want to spend time in Marinduque for the following reasons;
1. The Medical facilities, Hospital, Diagnostic Clinics are not to US Standards
2. The frequent brownouts, the littering of the beaches, and poor garbage collections system
3. The noise of barking dogs, loud karoake music in the middle of the night, the constant honking of the jeepneys
4. The hot and humid weather by around March, April and May
5. Transportation services-land, sea and air services to the island could use a major improvement
But there are several things, why my wife and I love Marinduque
1. The gorgeous sunsets, gentle sea breezes and cool temperature during the months of December , January and February
2. The orchids, bougainvillas, hibiscus, euporbias, and other blooming shrubs and fruit trees in my garden
3. The Filipino dishes-such as the kari-kari, grilled sword fish, coconut lobster and fresh mangoes and other fruits
4. The slower tempo of life, the air-conditioned Internet Cafes, traffic-less roads on weekends, blue skies and clear-blue water of the nearby beaches
5. The Antiques homes, Old Churches, white beaches, waterfalls, fringing reefs and breath taking views in some parts of the Islands
There are other things that my wife and I like and love about Marinduque, but the above five are the ones that we will always remember and treasure in our hearts.
How about you? If you are from Marinduque, what are the things that you hate and love about our Island Province. I will be glad to hear from you.
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