Topics on My Last Blog on Election Day

Today is Election day in the US. I am getting tired of all the political news, but I hope my candidate wins. Today also reminded me of my own mortality after reading deaths of two relatives and a close friend. The following post was inspired by a photo of my youngest grand daughter on her first day of school for her 8th grade class last September.

Last September, I saw Carenna KT photo ( above) on her first day of school for her 8th grade class. I kept pondering that in eight years she may out of College if she takes a four-year college degree. Will I still be alive and kicking for another 8 years? I really hope so. However, if I conked out earlier, I will have no regrets. I believe as of today I have lived a good and productive life. I have attained all my goals and raised a family who are not a burden to society. I am happy and thanks the Lord for all his blessings.

Today, I am also thinking of the subject topics of my last blog. It will not be lecture although, I used to be a teacher, Instructor, UP Chemistry(1956-1959)in the Philippines. What would be the subject of my last blog ? For sure it will not be an article filled with high sounding words. It would be a simple and a direct post that comes from the heart. It will probably be a summary of what I have done both professionally and personally. I hope that my last blog will continue to inspire the younger generation as they read the ups and down of my autobiography.

Here's a summary from my Pamana Award in Chemistry Nomination Package, perhaps my future epitaph with the addition that I was also a loving and caring husband, father and grand father and maybe a loving great grand father.

"Dr Katague is a trailblazer in the field of Chemistry and Drug Regulation. He is the first Filipino American to attain the position of Team Leader and Expert in the Center of New Drugs, Food and Drug Administration. He is also the first Filipino-American to be elected for two 5 year terms( 1995-2005) to the United States Pharmacopeia Council of Experts since its inception in 1820. Dr Katague's drive and energy to succeed is a representation of the Filipino people's talent and passion for excellence. He has shown that Filipinos can contribute significantly to the advancement of science, therefore help the world a better and safer place by insuring that only safe and better quality drugs are approved and marketed".


The lights that shines when my Spirit is Gone- Carenna's Iluminati

Finally, the following note I received the other day makes me very happy and feel very successful: Thanks Sir. I've been an avid reader of your blog. Keep on writing Sir. Your stories about your life's journey really makes everyone inspired. God bless Po to you and your family.

This note is definitely from a young Filipino who shows respect with words Po for his elders. I am glad to hear you consider me as your role model. Maraming Salamat! Thank You, Madamo guid nga Salamat and Gracias Mi Amigo!

Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez-My BBC Radio Interview

Below is my post on my BBC Radio Interview by Melvin Ricarby of Radio 4, BBC, Bristol, UK on July of 2013. My portion of the tape start 12:16 and ends at 16:02 of the 30 minutes tape. I am also reposting my post on this subject written on September 27, 2013.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b036k8v8 ( My portion start at 12:16 and ends at 16:02-It explained how the above music have touched my life.

Last July, Mr Melvin Rickarby of Radio 4, BBC, Bristol, UK interviewed me on how and why Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez touched my heart. The summary of the interview along with other fans of Rodrigo were taped and you could download it in the website as follows:

SoulMusic: Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez for Guitar, Tuesday, July 09, 2013 4:00 AM

My three minute interview start at around 12 minutes and ends at 16 minutes of the 30 minutes tape. I felt weird hearing my own voice with my distinguishable Ilonggo-American accent. However, I am proud to be chosen by BBC as one of the fans of Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez.

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/radio4/soulmusic/rss.xml

A brief summary of the recording which was broadcasted live on July 9, 2013 at 4:00AM is as follows:

Written by Joaquin Rodrigo in 1939, the Concierto de Aranjuez is a guitar classic. It was written amid the chaos of the Spanish Civil War, and in circumstances of poverty and personal tragedy. This progamme explores how the piece touches and changes people's lives.

The composer's daughter Cecilia Rodrigo explains how the blind composer was inspired by the fountains and gardens of the palace of Aranjuez. Nelício Faria de Sales recounts an unforgettable performance deep inside one of Brazil's largest caves, while David B Katague remembers how the piece got him through a difficult period of separation from his family in the Philippines.

Guitarist Craig Ogden explains the magic of the piece for a performer, and actor Simon Callow recalls how hearing the piece was a formative experience for him during his schooldays, when it turned rural Berkshire into a piece of Spain.

Producer: Melvin Rickarby

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/radio4/soulmusic/rss.xml
Media files: soul music_20130709-1200a.mp3 (MP3 Format Sound, 12.7 MB)

The Alhambra Gardens, Granada, Spain

A couple of weeks ago, while I was reading my FaceBook(FB) page, one of my FB friends from Spain shared a video of the Alhambra Gardens in Granada, Spain. This reminded me of our trip to Southern Spain and vicinity in 2000. The following are some photos of our trip.

http://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2014/07/2000-photo-trip-down-memory-lane-trip.html

In case you have not been to the Alhambra Gardens, here's a video for your enjoyment.



Macrine and I as well as Ditas enjoyed this Southern Spain trip in 2000.



Note: The visit to Alhambra Gardens in 2000 is one of my childhood dreams that had been fulfilled.

New Vaccine for Parkinson Disease Looks Promising

Yesterday we went for our quarterly check up to Macrine's neurologist specializing in movement disorders and Parkinson Disease. As usual, we always talked about advancement and new therapies for Parkinson. I asked him if stem cell research is the latest and He said No. Since I have been following the Michael Fox News, I told the neurologist, that my guess is probably vaccine research. He smiled with an approving yes. He was not surprise that I mentioned vaccine research.

Jokingly I told him if the vaccine works, then he will run out of new patients, once the vaccine is approved. He just smiled and told me it probably will be another 4 years or more before vaccine is approved by FDA. He told me to read the following articles as follows:

https://www.michaeljfox.org/foundation/news-detail.php?vaccine-for-parkinson-reports-positive-results-from-boost-study

http://www.parkinson.org/find-help/blogs/whats-hot/december-2014

Macrine enjoying her lemon tree and trying to walk in the yard for her exercise after our quarterly check up from her neurologist yesterday. Today she tried to play the piano that I also posted in my FB page. To all who commented and like her piano playing and the above photo, thank you so much.

History of All Saints and All Souls Days

Macrine, Knitz (Amor) and I visiting the tomb of our parents, David and Paz Katague, in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, Philippines

Yesterday and today, the TV news in the Philippines are all about traffic due to the hundred thousands of Filipinos visiting the cemeteries to honor and pray for their beloved dead relatives. Here in the US, its all about Halloween costume parties and "Treat or Trick" for children knocking on your door for candies. Last night we have only about 30 kids knocking at our door. A couple of years ago, we had twice that number. It must be the rain that discourage the kids ( with their parents) Treat or Tricking this year.

If you are not a catholic you must be wondering why the celebration. Here's the explanation and video that explain it all.

"On All Souls Day, we not only remember the dead, but we apply our efforts, through prayer, almsgiving, and the Mass, to their release from Purgatory. There are two plenary indulgences attached to All Souls Day, one for visiting a church and another for visiting a cemetery. (The plenary indulgence for visiting a cemetery can also be obtained every day from November 1-8, and, as a partial indulgence, on any day of the year.) While the actions are performed by the living, the merits of the indulgences are applicable only to the souls in Purgatory. Since a plenary indulgence removes all of the temporal punishment for sin, which is the reason why souls are in Purgatory in the first place, applying a plenary indulgence to one of the Holy Souls in Purgatory means that the Holy Soul is released from Purgatory and enters Heaven. 

Praying for the dead is a Christian obligation. In the modern world, when many have come to doubt the Church's teaching on Purgatory, the need for such prayers has only increased. The Church devotes the month of November to prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, and participation in the Mass of All Souls Day is a good way to begin the month."