Daly City: The Beating Heart of Filipino America

If there is one place in the United States where the spirit, culture, and resilience of the Filipino community shine brightest, it is Daly City, California. Often called “Little Manila of the West Coast,” Daly City has long been recognized as the most Filipino American city in America. Today, nearly one in three residents trace their roots to the Philippines, creating a vibrant cultural tapestry unlike anywhere else in the country.

A City Built by Immigrants, Held Together by Community

Daly City’s Filipino story began decades ago, shaped by immigration waves from the 1960s through the 1990s. Many families arrived in search of opportunity, nurses, engineers, military service members, medical technologists, caretakers, and professionals seeking a better life. Over time, the community grew not just in number, but in influence.

Walk along Gellert Boulevard and you’ll hear Tagalog, Ilocano, Bisaya, or Pangasinense in the air. Visit a local market and you’ll see longganisa, pandesal, bagoong, and fresh tilapia lining the shelves. Attend a weekend gathering and you’ll find yourself surrounded not just by food, but by family, even if you’ve only just met.

The Historic First: Daly City’s Filipino American Leadership

Daly City made national headlines when it elected its first Filipino American mayor.
According to Gene.com, that mayor, Mike Guingona, is actually my third cousin💚, a personal detail that adds a special layer of pride to Daly City’s story.  Filipino leadership in the city has only grown since then, with many public servants, educators, and community leaders following in the footsteps of those early trailblazers.

• Why Daly City Became “The Most Filipino City in America”

There are many reasons why Daly City became the cultural home base for Filipino Americans:

• Affordability and proximity to San Francisco, especially for families working in healthcare and the service industries.

• Strong social networks, early Filipino residents invited relatives, who then brought more relatives, creating multi-generational clusters.

• Community institutions, from churches to cultural centers, gave families a place to gather and keep traditions alive.

• Shared identity and support, new immigrants found guidance and belonging within a familiar cultural environment.

Today, Daly City is more than just a demographic statistic. It is a living, breathing testament to Filipino perseverance, hospitality, and community spirit.

The Filipino Identity, Alive and Evolving

What makes Daly City remarkable is not simply its numbers, it’s the way Filipino identity is woven into everyday life. Festivals, parades, restaurants, karaoke bars, senior clubs, youth organizations, and churches all contribute to a community that feels unmistakably Filipino yet authentically American.

Generations born in the U.S. are still connected to their roots through family stories, food, language, and traditions passed lovingly from one generation to the next.

A City That Feels Like Home

For many Filipinos including those of us who immigrated decades ago, Daly City symbolizes both memory and aspiration. It is a reminder that Filipino culture thrives not only in small barangays in the Philippines, but also here in America, where it continues to grow, adapt, and flourish.

And for me, discovering that Daly City’s first Filipino American mayor is my third cousin adds an even more personal connection,  a reminder that the Filipino diaspora is vast, but ultimately, woven tightly together.

Daly City stands today as a proud symbol of Filipino achievement in the United States. Not just the most Filipino city in America, but one of the most welcoming and community-centered cities to be found anywhere.

💚https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2025/08/mike-guingona-and-ramon-campos-jr-are.html

Meanwhile, 

When Filipinos move to America, the biggest shock isn’t the weather or the food, it’s the mindset shift.

In the Philippines, community is everywhere. Family is close. Neighbors talk. People help without being asked. There’s always someone to call, someone to lean on.

But in America especially in quiet suburbs and small towns life hits different.

People mind their own business. Privacy is a big deal. Everyone’s busy juggling work, schedules, bills, and responsibilities. Not because they’re rude… but because the system is built for independence.

And here’s the truth many Filipinos learn the hard way: If you bring the “masandal ka sa iba” mindset, you’ll struggle. If you expect automatic help, you’ll end up disappointed.

America rewards independence, initiative, and planning.

But here’s the beauty of it: If you work hard, adapt, and respect the culture, America will open doors and opportunities you never imagined. Just don’t expect it to feel like the Philippines because it won’t.

Be ready. Be proactive. Bring your Filipino warmth… but adjust your expectations.

America runs on independence. The Philippines runs on connection.

Both are beautiful but both can hurt you if you don’t understand the difference. 

Lastly, My Photo Of the Day

My Great Grandson Beau David- First Christmas, Portland, Oregon 12/07/25

Finally, here is the estimated share of residents reporting Filipino / Philippine ancestry

• Daly City, CA — ~33% of residents report Filipino ancestry. Statistical Atlas+1
  (Daly City is widely reported as the Bay Area city with the highest Filipino share, roughly one-third of residents.)

• Hercules, CA — roughly 25–30% Filipino ancestry  World Population Review+1
  (Hercules has a large Asian population; multiple sources show a substantial Filipino presence but not the 60% figure you mentioned.)

• Pittsburg, CA — roughly 10–15% Filipino ancestry (citywide; some tracts are higher). Statistical Atlas+1
  (StatisticalAtlas shows tracts up to ~23% Filipino, but citywide reporting is lower, around the low-teens by ancestry measures.)

• Vallejo, CA — roughly 12–20% Filipino ancestry (varies by neighborhood). Data USA+1
  (Vallejo has a sizeable Filipino community; some neighborhoods/tracts have much higher concentrations.)

• Oakland, CA — roughly 3–6% Filipino ancestry (citywide; some neighborhoods higher). Statistical Atlas+1
  (Oakland’s Filipino population is smaller as a citywide share; particular neighborhoods show higher Filipino ancestry percentages.)

• San Francisco, CA — roughly 4–6% Filipino ancestry (citywide), with concentrated neighborhoods (SoMa, Tenderloin, etc.). Statistical Atlas+1

• Last but not Least: Based on available data, approximately 

  1.6% of residents in Walnut Creek, CA reported Filipino ancestry in recent census statistics. 

Turning 91 Isn't the End- More Reflections

My 91st Birthday Gift from Carenna from Paris, France! ( Also my Pinoy Cap with Philippine flag design)

Some of these changes wear the gentle glow of blessings; others carry the hush of warning. Yet every one has the power to alter your perspective, deepen your love, and transform your daily experience. Here’s what emerges after 91, drawn from personal reflections and the lived wisdom of those who walk this path with grace.

1. The Body: Slowing Down, Then Waking Up

After 91, the body signals changes both sudden and subtle. Limbs take longer to stretch awake, the once-automatic stride becomes a conscious waltz, and energy must be portioned like fine tea on a rainy day. Yet paradoxically, each physical limit invites sharper awareness of what truly matters: the pleasure of sunlight on skin, the gift of deep breaths, the simple act of rising from bed unaided. It’s as though frailty itself has become a teacher, gently coaxing you to savor the miracle of movement and presence each morning.

2.The Mind: Memory’s Dance and the Dawn of Wisdom

Many fear the shifting landscape of memory, and yes, it’s true facts and faces don’t always obey your commands anymore. But alongside this loss comes something precious: an ability to see the long arc of your own story, to let go of trivial details and cherish the meanings that endure. Conversations deepen, small grievances become less important, and gratitude becomes easier to find in daily life. You laugh more at old errors, finding lessons in their remnants, and you begin to recognize wisdom as a shimmering thread running through every recollection.

3.The Soul: Connection Takes Center Stage

Loneliness can linger, especially if friends and loved ones have stepped ahead to the next chapter. But for many, turning 91 awakens a craving for connection more authentic than ever before. You might find your world narrowing, but relationships deepen, grandchildren are no longer just playmates, but windows to possibility; neighbors become lifelines; old friends, reminders of love’s durability. Even gratitude itself expands, a constant companion as you marvel at the interplay of shared laughter and tearful goodbyes.

4. Blessings: Purpose Emerges in Small Things

There is a clarity at 91 that’s hard-won, a knowing that the smallest actions can ripple through the fabric of your world. You may find greater satisfaction in just playing bridge/mahjong, writing notes to loved ones, or quietly helping a neighbor. Purpose at this age rarely arrives with fanfare; instead, it slips into everyday exchanges, quiet joys, the feeling that even now you are shaping your legacy with every kind gesture. Mindfulness and appreciation become not just practices, but ways of living.

5. Warnings: Listening and Adapting

Alongside these gifts, there are warnings, too. Health becomes unpredictable, destinies can shift quickly, and loss sometimes arrives without warning. The body calls for careful listening, whether it’s new aches, medication side effects, or challenges to independence. The mind requires gentle tending, with puzzles, conversations, and new discoveries to keep curiosity alive. The soul must be protected from the shadow of bitterness and fear; practicing gratitude, self-compassion, and reaching out for support are antidotes to isolation. These warnings aren’t merely shadows, they are signposts urging you to adapt, seek help, and cherish each day anew.

A Graceful Invitation

If you’re welcoming your 91s, or walking alongside someone who is, know that this time is far from the end, it’s the start of a deeper, richer chapter. For all the changes, some blessings, some warnings, life past 91 can be a mosaic of meaning, connection, and gratitude. Lean and Listen deeply. Choose love over fear. This season, like every other, asks quietly for your presence and rewards you with wisdom that only time can offer.

Some Favorite Quotes on Aging Gracefully: 

My physical body may be less efficient and less beautiful in old age. But God has given me an enormous compensation: my mind is richer my Soul is broader and my wisdom is at a peak. I am so happy with the riches of my advanced peak age that, contrary to Faust, I would not wish to return to youth. ~Robert Muller

“The best part about life?  Every morning you have a new opportunity to become a happier version of yourself.” Anonymous 

 

“Lighten up, just enjoy life, smile more, laugh more, and don’t get so worked up about things.” Kenneth Branagh

 Finally, here's my music video for Today- Autumn Leaves

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1930288190866259

My Food For Thought For Today:

Metformin- A Drug I have Used for Over Thirty Years- Pearl Harbor Day

Metformin: A Drug I Lived With for 30 Years And What We’re Learning About Its Longevity and Brain Effects

For more than three decades, metformin was part of my daily routine. Like millions of people living with Type 2 diabetes, I took that familiar white tablet every morning without much thought. It became a quiet companion in my health journey. reliable, inexpensive, and scientifically trusted.

Then last year, everything changed. When my kidney disease reached an advanced stage, my nephrologist insisted I discontinue metformin. It was the right call for my condition, but it marked the end of a very long chapter.

What surprised me recently  and inspired this blog is the growing body of research suggesting metformin might do far more than control blood sugar. After six decades of use, scientists are still uncovering unexpected effects, including potential benefits for longevity and even brain function.

The Metformin “Longevity Drug” Reputation

Over the last ten years, metformin has been widely discussed as a possible life-extension drug. Observational studies have hinted that people taking metformin sometimes experience:

• Lower all-cause mortality than even some non-diabetics

• Reduced inflammation

• Improved metabolic efficiency

• Possible protection against age-related diseases

These findings earned metformin a reputation as a “prolonging life” medication although researchers emphasize that these are associations, not proof of cause-and-effect. The large TAME Trial (Targeting Aging with Metformin) was launched to study whether metformin could actually slow biological aging.

Although the trial has had funding challenges, the scientific curiosity remains strong. Even after 60 years, metformin still refuses to be a simple drug.

Surprising Research on Metformin and the Brain

The image above reflects another emerging discovery: metformin may influence brain function in ways we are only beginning to understand.

Recent laboratory and small clinical studies suggest metformin might:

• Support neuroplasticity

• Improve glucose use in brain cells

• Promote the growth of certain neural stem cells

• Reduce inflammation linked to cognitive decline

Some scientists are exploring whether metformin could help delay or modify conditions like dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or age-related memory loss. These ideas are still in early stages, but they point to a broader truth: the brain and metabolism are closely intertwined.

I find it remarkable that a drug originally extracted from French lilac plants and introduced in the 1950s is now being studied for its potential impact on the aging brain.

My Personal Perspective After 30 Years of Use

Looking back, I see metformin as one of the steady supports in my long journey with Type 2 diabetes. It helped me maintain good control during decades of working at the FDA, raising my family, and later enjoying my retirement years with Macrine (RIP), my wife for over 63 years. 

Stopping it because of kidney disease was necessary and an important reminder that no medication is risk-free. Metformin is not recommended for people with advanced chronic kidney disease because the body can no longer clear the drug efficiently.

Yet I cannot help but feel a sense of curiosity about this medication that served me well for so long. Could it actually have influenced my health beyond diabetes? Could it even have had subtle effects on memory, energy, or cognition? We may never know, but the science is certainly evolving in surprising ways.

A Final Thought

As I reflect on turning 91 soon, I realize how quickly medical knowledge continues to change. A drug I began taking in the 1990s is now being studied as a possible anti-aging tool  and even as something that may help keep the mind sharp.

Whether these findings prove true or simply fade into scientific history, metformin remains one of the most interesting and important drugs of the modern era.

And for me, it will always be part of my story, a companion through decades of living, working, blogging, and aging, hopefully gracefully. 

Meanwhile, Today is Pearl Harbor Day | December 7, 1941

Tomorrow, we pause to Honor the Americans whose lives were forever changed on this day 84 years ago.

A quiet Sunday morning turned into one of the darkest moments in our nation’s history and one of the greatest displays of courage the world has ever seen.

2,403 Americans were killed. Hundreds more were wounded. And countless families received news that shattered their world.

But amid the smoke, chaos, and fear, ordinary men and women showed extraordinary bravery. Sailors fought through fire. Medics risked their lives to pull others to safety. Service members stood their ground, not knowing if help would arrive in time.

This is the legacy we remember today. Not just the attack, but the sacrifice, the valor, and the resilience of those who stood firm when the world changed around them.

To the Heroes we lost, and to the families who still carry their memory: We see you. We Honor you. We will never forget. Let us live each day with the gratitude their sacrifice deserves. I was almost 8 years old on that Day which will live in Infamy...I still remember that event and will never be erased in my Memory,

Lastly, here's the  AI Overview

Pearl Harbor Day, December 7, 1941, marks the surprise attack by Japan on the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, killing over 2,400 Americans, wounding many more, and sinking battleships, drawing the U.S. into World War II, with National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day observed annually to honor the sacrifice and courage of those involved. 

Key Facts About the Attack:

• Date & Time: Sunday morning, December 7, 1941.
• Perpetrator: Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service.
• Location: Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii.
• Casualties: 2,403 Americans killed, 1,178 wounded, with losses in ships and aircraft.
• Significance: Prompted the U.S. to declare war on Japan the next day, officially entering World War II. 

Remembrance:

• National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: An official U.S. observance to honor those who died.
• Commemoration: Events include ceremonies at the Pearl Harbor Memorial and tributes to survivors and the fallen. 

The "Date Which Will Live in Infamy":

• President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously called December 7th "a date which will live in infamy" in his address to Congress, solidifying the nation's commitment to the war effort. 

The event is remembered not just for the devastation but also for the extraordinary bravery and sacrifice shown by ordinary service members in the face of chaos. 

Iloilo Gastronomy Book Wins Prestigious Gourmand Award

Iloilo Gastronomy Book Wins the Prestigious Gourmand Awards!

Iloilo City continues to shine on the global stage of gastronomy! The book “Gastronomic Expressions of Our City, Iloilo: Nature, Culture, and Geography” has been recognized at the 31st Gourmand Cookbook Awards 2025, winning Best in the World in its category: B25 UNESCO City of Gastronomy Book, Best Publishers Series.

“Instead of simply sharing Ilonggo recipes, it offers a multifaceted, deeply academic, philosophical, historical, and cultural exploration of Filipino Gastronomy via Iloilo's foodways and culture,” Ige Ramos, Conceptual Framework and Creative Director said.

“This beautiful volume is more than a book; it's a love letter to Iloilo's rich culinary heritage, a celebration of the land, sea, and people who make our city's gastronomy truly extraordinary. From our endemic ingredients to the hands that cultivate and cook them, every page tells the story of what makes us a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy,” Iloilo City Government said in a statement.

Meanwhile here's the AI Overview

The 

Iloilo Gastronomy Book was honored by the prestigious Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, which announced it as a finalist in its category. This achievement recognizes the book's importance in documenting the culinary heritage of the Ilonggo people. The book is known for weaving together stories, traditions, and recipes that showcase the region's diverse flavors. 

• The Iloilo Gastronomy Book was named a finalist for its contribution to preserving Ilonggo culinary heritage.
• It has been recognized for its role in documenting the region's traditions, landscapes, and communities through food.
• The book was a finalist in its category at the 31st Gourmand Awards.
• This award highlights the growing global appreciation for regional Filipino cuisines and cultures.
• The book serves as both an archive and a celebration of Iloilo's unique gastronomic identity. 
• 
• Iloilo City is My Place of Birth- December 20, 1934
• Meanhile, 

  

  BREAKING: Donald Trump launches demeaning and sexist tirade at female reporter for asking him why his stupid ballroom is going to cost so much!
  The president of the United States, laser-focused as always on the biggest priorities facing the American people, took to Truth Social to explain why the gigantic eyesore of a ballroom he’s building where the East Wing used to be is costing more than previously expected and trashed CNN’s Kaitlan Collins for asking those pesky questions with answers he doesn’t want to give.
  “Caitlin Collin’s of Fake News CNN, always Stupid and Nasty, asked me why the new Ballroom was costing more money than originally thought one year ago. I said because it is going to be double the size, and the quality of finishes and interiors has been brought to the highest level. Also, the column SPAN has been substantially increased for purposes of viewing.”
  “It is actually under budget and ahead of schedule, as my jobs always are. It’s just much bigger and more beautiful than originally planned. Interestingly, and seldom reported, there are no taxpayer dollars involved. It is being fully paid for by private donations. FAKE NEWS CNN, and the guy who runs the whole corrupt operation that owns it, is one of the worst in the business. Their ratings are so low that they’re not even counted or relevant anymore. MAGA!!!”
  This is the third time in a month that Trump has exhibited truly repulsive hatred and anger towards women who dare to challenge him; his racism is also reaching new lows, as evidenced by his appalling speech about how Somali-Americans are “garbage.”
  His dementia is accelerating, and with it is an intensifying venom towards anyone and anything that bothers him. He clearly does not have the mental temperament needed to be the President of the United States and should be removed immediately. 25th Amendment now!

  
  

  Finally,