Where the Heck is Marinduque?

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.

Friday, October 27, 2023

The Philippines- The Call Center Capital of the World

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2023/10/understanding-filipino-traits-and.html

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

High Occupancy Rate in the Fairmount Building (THD)

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2023/10/high-occupancy-rate-of-first-floor-of.html

Friday, October 20, 2023

First Impressions of Friends and Relatives of THD

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2023/10/impressions-of-friends-and-relatives-of.html

Thursday, October 19, 2023

The Balance Sheet of Life-Message from My Face Book Page Last Month

After my successful talk here at THD last Saturday, I got into an introspective mode so here's my posting for today. I received this message from my FaceBook last month.

Sunset as Viewed from the Balcony of the Chateau Du Mer Beach House*, Marinduque, Philippines, 2011

https://chateaudemer.blogspot.com/2023/09/a-welcome-visit-from-nearby-relative.html

I received this page in my FaceBook Page last month. I just feel like sharing it with you- All of My Blog Readers all over the World. Have a Wonderful Day or Night Wherever You are on Planet Earth.

*https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2021/09/joys-and-pains-in-managing-small-beach.html

Me and one of Apartment-Mate ( Batman) just relaxing After Dinner here at THD

Lessons Learned in Life: This is what I learned  when I was promoted to the Position of Chemistry Team Leader in the Division Of Anti-Infective Drug Products, Office of New Drugs Chemistry, Food and Drug Administration in 1998.

When you are a leader, you are no longer responsible for doing the job; you are now responsible for inspiring, coaching, mentoring and motivating your team to become the very best version of themselves, which will help them produce their very best work. It’s all about people.

Monday, October 16, 2023

The Story Behind My T-Shirt " I Love Camiguin"

The Carl Weinberg Family-Susan Gave Me the "I Love Camiquin T-Shirt" from her Brother Alan

The above photo was taken during 2nd Annual Corn Hole Tournament Here at THD to honor the memory of Carl Weinberg-a long time resident here at THD. It was a beautiful & Fun day celebrating and remembering beloved Heritage resident Carl Weinberg with the 2nd Annual Carl Weinberg Memorial Corn Hole Tournament

My Unexpected Gift from the Weinberg Family Presented by Susan Last Friday Happy Hour. It was a "I Love Camiguin Black T-shirt from her brother Alan, who had visited Camiquin Island in his younger years.

Previously at the recent Corn Hole Tournament in Memory of Carl Weinberg, I have a few minutes of conversations with Susan and her brothers, Kevin, Alan and David. I learned that Alan had visited the Philippines before and I confirmed my Filipino ancestral roots to the Family . I forgot all of that conversation and behold Last Friday, Susan with her Mom on a wheel Chair gave me the T_shirt. -"I love Camiquin"( see photo above).

She said it is a gift from her brother, Alan. I was so surprised of this unexpected gift that I proudly wore it during the Happy Hour Event. Thank You Weinberg Family for the Gift! A gift that is unexpected I will treasure forever.

I have never been to Camiquin Island so I did some search and here's what I learned.

Camiquin Island in Mindanao is a land of friendly people, an island blessed with natural wonders. Majestic volcanoes, lagoons, lakes, cold, hot and soda springs, pristine waterfalls, white sandy beaches at par with the finest in the country, two beautiful islets lost at sea, and a seascape teeming with colorful varieties of marine life.

Camiguin is famous for its tourist spots like White Island, Mantigue Island, Mount Hibok-Hibok, and the recently-declared National Heritage Sites; the Bonbon Church Ruins, and the Sunken Cemetery. Although a booming tourist destination, Camiguin Island maintains its rural charm. It is one of the smallest province in the Philippines.

Here's some information on Camiquin Island.

https://camiguin.redbearnet.com/philmap.html

Camiguin Island reminds me of my second Home- The Beautiful Island of Marinduque

marinduque

My Retirement Home in Boac, Marinduque, Philippines, Chateau Du Mer

Sunday, October 15, 2023

My Talk as Speaker of the Month Here at THD

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2023/10/short-bio-for-introduction-to-talk-for.html

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.

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.