Where the Heck is Marinduque?: December 2025

Planning to Visit the Philippines Soon?

There are hundreds of tourists attractions in the Philippines. But as a lover of the Island of Marinduque (Home of the Morions and Heart of the Philippines), I am indeed partial to its beauty, charm and its friendly and hospitable residents. Therefore, help me achieve my dream of seeing this island becomes a world tourist destination, by telling all your friends and relatives about this site. Welcome, to you all, new readers and faithful followers of this site! The photo above is Poctoy White Beach in Torrijos, Marinduque with beautiful and majestic Mt Malindig in the background. Some of the photos and videos on this site, I do not own. However, I have no intention on infringing your copyrights.

Monday, December 1, 2025

The Hirahara Dinner Here at THD

Last Sunday, November 30, 2025, Brian Hirahara and Family hosted a catered Dinner & Drinks from Havana Restaurant, a popular Cuban restaurant in Walnut Creek. https://www.havanarestaurant.net/.

We have Seafood Paella, Chicken Adobo, Plantain, Empanaditas, Salad and Churros and Creamy chocolate mouse for desserts. Mojitos and Lemonade were the choice of beverage. Before the Dinner, Brian presented the latest developments in downtown Walnut Creek. Since pictures speak louder than words here are some photos Ditas and I took during the dinner.

Brian and Me

My Plate-No dessert for Me

Thank you for the Dinner and Drinks, Brain. If you ever want to run for Mayor, I will vote for you. Brian, is the son of Carle, one of my bridge friends here at THD.

Meanwhile, here are five of the top news stories today (December 1, 2025):

📰 Top Headlines for December 1, 2025

Nasry Asfura leads in Honduras election, backed by Donald Trump

Asfura, the conservative candidate backed by Trump, has taken a slim lead in Honduras’s presidential race — a development likely to draw international attention. Reuters

Federal Reserve could face internal dissent in upcoming meetings — market watchers alert

Analysts expect a series of dissenting votes within the Fed in future meetings, which could introduce risks for markets and complicate upcoming monetary policy decisions. Reuters

Ukraine — fresh strikes and shifting dynamics raise stakes as peace talks advance

Kyiv was struck by renewed Russian attacks overnight, resulting in civilian casualties. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continue, with negotiators pushing for a durable peace even as tensions remain high. Al Jazeera+1

Average 30-year mortgage rates in the U.S. fall to ~6.144% — small reprieve for prospective homebuyers

The drop in mortgage rates may ease pressure on U.S. homebuyers, though rates remain historically elevated compared with pre-2022 norms. The Economic Times

New analysis warns nearly 12% of U.S. jobs — ~20 million — could be replaced by AI automation

A report released today suggests that automation driven by AI could displace tens of millions of American jobs, echoing concerns about a potential jobs crisis on the scale of historical economic downturns. 247wallst.com

ABOUT ME

I am a retired (Chemistry Team Leader from USFDA) Filipino-American who loves writing, gardening and photography. My wife (of 58 years) and I enjoy the snowbird lifestyle between the US and the Philippines. We have a small but very private beach resort( see above video) in the beautiful island of Marinduque, Philippines. I have several blog sites(ten), a personal blog, blogs about retiring in Marinduque and our beach resort and conference center-CHATEAU DU MER. I also write for www.squidoo.com now owned by HubPages.com

Marinduque: A Photogenic Province and Tourists Destination

Marinduque is a photoblogger dream. The province is endowed with unspoiled white sand beaches, pristine blue waters, fringing reefs, virgin coral reefs, coves, limestone caves, meandering rivers, mountain peaks, cascading waterfalls and streams, fabled sulfur and hot mineral springs,old churches and of course beautiful sunsets. The Internet is filled with photographs of the scenic beauty of this island not only from the local professional photographers but also from amateur photographers all over the world. The province has more than six big islands popular to beach lovers, scuba divers and snorkeling enthusiasts. It has Mt Malindig known to mountain climbers and hikers. It has Bathala and Tarug Caves popular to spelunkers and just curious seekers. In one of the eight caves of Bathala, there is a resident python, believed to be enchanted. If he shows himself when you visit the caves, it is suppose to bring you good luck.

Sunset over Tres Reyes Islands- Photo from panoramnio.com The nearest and most accessible islands from the capital town of Boac are the Tres Reyes Islands ( Islands of the Three Kings), Gaspar, Melchor and Baltazar in the town of Gasan. The local names are Laki, Pangkog and Man-nga ( see map above). These islands are located southwest of the mainland. The other three group of islands bigger in area and more populated are Polo, Maniwaya and Mongpong Islands. These are located in the Northeast part of the mainland in the town of Santa Cruz. Maniwaya's Polo Maria White Beach is being develop as an alternative to Boracay. There is a bigger island, Salamongue Island which is not as well known to the tourists and residents.. I really do not know the reason, but I believe it is not as accessible from the mainland . Moreover, it is not as developed( no electricity or running water) compared to the other islands.

One of the most popular white beach located in the mainland in the town of Torrijos is Poctoy White Beach. It is about a 70 minutes drive from downtown Boac. Poctoy White beach with Mt, Malindig as the background is the most photogenic and the most photographed scenery in the island.

Just late last year, the former Elephant Island in Lipata, Buenavista, owned privately, was renamed Bellarocca Resort Island and Spa. It has been converted to look like Santorini Island, Greece with buildings all painted in white sticking in the cliffs. From what I heard, this resort is one of the most expensive and luxurious resort in Southeast Asia. The cheapest room charges $300 per night excluding meals and other amenities. When I was in Marinduque last year, I met a few rich and famous Filipinos( businessmen, actors and actresses, TV personalities)) from Manila as well as Korean and Japanese tourists at Masiga Airport in Gasan on their way to the resort. From the resort advertisement, I know that the most expensive accommodation is a 3-bedroom villa with its own pool and jacussi charging about $ 800 per night without meals. Dong Ho, Oggie Ramos, Ferdz Decena, Allan Barredo, Sydney Snoeck and Dennis Villegas are some of the photographers that I know who have photo blogs about Marinduque. Their pictures are beautiful, unique and mesmerizing. It is worth your time to visit their photo blogs sites. Looking at their photographs of Marinduque, its Tradition and Culture will surely make you proud of the beauty of our island paradise.

Planning to Visit the Philippines Soon?

Monday, December 1, 2025

The Hirahara Dinner Here at THD

📰 Top Headlines for December 1, 2025

Link within