Wednesday, April 29, 2020

The Origin of the Filipino Race-An Update

I was getting tired of Trump's( always praising himself as if he is a Perfect Person) and Pence antics ( not wearing a mask in his Mayo Clinic visit)this week. So, I decided looking at my old files today. I found the following worthy of re posting. Enjoy! Stay Home and Help save Lives!

Si Malakas at Maganda-The first Pinoy couple

This is my own English translation of the origin of the Filipino race. It is a story based on children's folklore written in the local dialect of the Philippines.

In 1972, after I received my US citizenship, I was invited by our Local Lions Club as a guest speaker during one of their monthly meetings. They requested that I talk about the Japanese-American War in the Philippines. This subject is one chapter in my autobiography, so I was confident about the content of my talk. However, I had no experience in public speaking, but had taken a speech class in college. Our speech teacher once said that before your speech, you have to put your audience at ease, so always tell a joke that is related to the subject of your talk. The following is the joke I told the group: The Origin of the Filipino Race.

Evidently, when God created mankind, he molded the human form using clays and an oven. The first time, he was doing this, God was so excited that he took what he was baking too soon. The human clay was under cooked or underdone. So it was pale and white. That was the origin of the White Race. God was not happy, so he started to bake another human form. This time he got a telephone call from Satan. God was upset he forgot about what he was doing and the baking was over done, the human form was overcooked, and turned black. This was the origin of the Black Race. God then told himself, “This time it will be perfect. I will watch it very carefully and will not be distracted by any calls.” His baking was perfect. The human form was golden brown, and perfectly cooked. This was the origin of the Filipino race.

Note: The original form of the above story was from children’s folklore in the local dialect (Ilonggo or Hiligaynon) in the Philippines. The above article is my own English translation of the folklore. I hope it brightens your day! Needless to say, my talk was a success!

Sunday, April 26, 2020

Spring is Here and Summer is Near in my Garden

A few minutes to forget about our stay-home situation!
First Cactus Bloom 2020

The following photos remind me that spring is in full swing and summer is coming soon. Let us forget for a few minutes the current covid-19 pandemic and Trump's poor leadership in handling this health crisis of our country.
My Red Roses

My Yellow Roses




My Avocado Plant showing new growth-survived the winter chills of Northern California
Geraniums Galore
Blooming Ice plant in Front Porch
Meanwhile enjoy this short video in my back yard

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

My Collection Of Nudes( Painting)

It is time to forget about the pandemic and hardships of staying at home for a few minutes and enjoy my collection of female nudes paintings and etching.
Nudes by Fernando Catague

Nudes by an Unknown Painter
Nudes by Jesse Santos



Meanwhile, enjoy these two pencil portraits of Macrine and I and the 4D's( 1982)by Jesse Santos-my surprise Silver Wedding Anniversary gift to Macrine

Also enjoy Joshua Bell rendition of the violin concerto in D major, op35 by Tchaikovsky-one of my favorite violin concerto

https://youtu.be/cbJZeNlrYKg
 and one of Carenna's original "Beautiful Heart"
https://www.facebook.com/ditas/videos/10157221160751270/

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Presidential Libraries and Museums

Visit to Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, 2004
There are 13 federally operated presidential libraries and museums in the US. Macrine and I have only visited four of them.

The first library we visited was the Lincoln Library in Springfield, Illinois. The second and third were the Truman Library in Independence, Missouri and the Eisenhower Library in Abilene, Kansas. The fourth library was the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California.

For the list of the other  presidential visit the website:  https://www.archives.gov/presidential-libraries/visit

Here are some information from Wikipedia on the four libraries that we have visited:

1. LINCOLN: The museum contains life-size dioramas of Lincoln's boyhood home, areas of the White House, the presidential box at Ford's Theatre, and the settings of key events in Lincoln's life, as well as pictures, artifacts and other memorabilia. Original artifacts are changed from time to time, but the collection usually includes items like the original hand written Gettysburg Address, a signed Emancipation Proclamation, his glasses and shaving mirror, Mary Todd Lincoln's music box, items from her White House china, her wedding dress, and more. The permanent exhibits are divided into two different stages of the president's life, called "Journey One: The Pre-Presidential Years", and "Journey Two: The Presidential Years", and a third, the "Treasures Gallery". Temporary exhibits rotate periodically. Past exhibits have dealt with the Civil War and Stephen A. Douglas. As of February 2014, a collection of Annie Leibovitz's photography, including photos of Lincoln's items, is on display.


2. TRUMAN: The Harry S. Truman Library and Museum is the presidential library and resting place of Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President of the United States (1945–1953), located on U.S. Highway 24 in Independence, Missouri. It was the first presidential library to be created under the provisions of the 1955 Presidential Libraries Act, and is one of thirteen presidential libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Administration.

History: Funeral services in 1972 for Harry Truman—president of the United States 1945—1953. His wife opted for a private service rather than a larger, state funeral in Washington, D.C.  Built on a hill overlooking the Kansas City skyline, on land donated by the City of Independence, the Truman Library was dedicated July 6, 1957, in a ceremony which included the Masonic Rites of Dedication and attendance by former President Herbert Hoover (then the only living former president other than President Truman), Chief Justice Earl Warren, and former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Here, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Medicare Act on July 30, 1965. On December 11, 2006, Kofi Annan gave his final speech as Secretary-General of the United Nations at the library, where he encouraged the United States to return to the multi-lateralist policies of Truman.

Truman's office: when Truman left the White House in 1953, he established an office in Room 1107 of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City at 925 Grand Avenue. When the library opened in 1957, he transferred his office to the facility and often worked there five or six days a week. In the office, he wrote articles, letters, and his book Mr. Citizen. In 2007, the Truman Library Institute announced a $1.6 million preservation and restoration of his working office to preserve the artifacts it contains and allow for easier public viewing. The three-stage project completed in 2009 and features an enclosed limestone pavilion for better access and viewing and an updated climate control system. The office appears today just as it did when Harry Truman died on December 26, 1972.

Truman's funeral services Funeral services for Truman were held in the Library auditorium and burial was in the courtyard. His wife, Bess Truman, was buried at his side in 1982. Their daughter, Margaret Truman Daniel, was a longtime member of the Truman Library Institute's board of directors. After her death in January 2008, Margaret's cremated remains and those of her late husband, Clifton Daniel (who died in 2000), were also interred in the Library's courtyard. The president's grandson, Clifton Truman Daniel, is currently honorary co-chair of the Institute's board of directors.

Exhibits and program: Two floors of exhibits show his life and presidency through photographs, documents, artifacts, memorabilia, film clips and a film about Truman's life. The library's replica of the Oval Office is a feature that has been copied by the Johnson, Ford, Carter, Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Clinton, and George W. Bush libraries. In an educational program called The White House Decision Center, school students take on the roles of President Truman and his advisors facing real-life historical decisions in a recreation of the West Wing of the White House. The mural Independence and the Opening of The West by Thomas Hart Benton adorns the walls of the lobby entrance. The mural, completed in 1961, was painted on site by Benton over a three-year span.



3. EISENHOWER: The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home is the presidential library, museum, and resting place of Dwight David Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States (1953–1961), located in his hometown of Abilene, Kansas. The museum also includes his boyhood home, where he lived from 1898 until being appointed to West Point in 1911. It is one of the thirteen presidential libraries under the auspices of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Admission to the Visitor Center, Boyhood Home, Place of Meditation (gravesite), and the archives is free. Admission to the museum is $12 for adults. The complex is open every day except New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.


4. REAGAN:
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Center for Public Affairs is the presidential library and final resting place of Ronald Wilson Reagan, the 40th President of the United States (1981–1989), and his wife Nancy Reagan. Designed by Hugh Stubbins and Associates, the library is located in Simi Valley, California, about 40 miles northwest of Downtown Los Angeles and 15 miles west of Chatsworth. The Reagan Library is the largest of the 13 federally operated presidential libraries. The street address, 40 Presidential Drive, is numbered in honor of Reagan's place as the 40th President.

When the Reagan Library opened it was the largest of the presidential libraries, at approximately 153,000 square feet. It held that title until the dedication of the William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park in Little Rock, Arkansas, on November 18, 2004. With the opening of the 90,000-square-foot. Air Force One Pavilion in October 2005, the Reagan Library reclaimed the title in terms of physical size; however, the Clinton Library remains the largest presidential library in terms of materials (documents, artifacts, photographs, etc.).

Like all presidential libraries since that of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Reagan Library was built entirely with private donations, at a cost of $60 million (equivalent to $137 million in 2015. Major donors included Walter Annenberg, Lew Wasserman, Lodwrick Cook, Joe Albritton, Rupert Murdoch, Richard Sills, and John P. McGovern. For fiscal year 2007, the Reagan Library had 305,331 visitors, making it the second-most-visited presidential library, following the Lyndon B. Johnson Library; that was down from its fiscal year 2006 number of 440,301 visitors, when it was the most visited library.

On March 6, 2016, Reagan's widow Nancy Reagan died at the age of 94 of congestive heart failure. After the funeral, she was buried next to her husband at the library on March 11, 2016.

Meanwhile, enjoy this video-Adagio from the Secret Garden
   
https://youtu.be/uSDqT8ATBxU

Thursday, April 9, 2020

Behind Every Sucessful Man is a Woman and Vice Versa

My interesting read and Food for Thought to share : Behind every successful man there is a woman and vice versa!! Do you Agree or Disagree?
Our Wedding Day, May 8, 1957
There are numerous stories where a successful person has attributed much of their success to their spouse or partner. We’ve often heard the saying “Behind every successful man there is a woman,” and vice versa. Research shows that the phrase is not just an empty one but there is a lot of truth to it – your success could depend on your spouse.
The study published at Carnegie Mellon University shows that if you have a supportive spouse there are greater chances of you succeeding in life. The study which involved 163 married couples had a rather interesting activity to find out if their theory held any water. As part of the study, partners were given a choice of either completing a simple puzzle or opting to compete for a prize. The partner's interactions with each other were observed by researchers.
What the researchers noticed was that couples who were more supportive of each other were more likely to opt for the competition. Those who opted for the simpler puzzle weren’t very interactive or supportive of each other.
Researchers followed up with the same couples six months later and discovered that the ones who had opted for the challenge were more content in their relationships than the ones who had attempted the simpler activity.
Professor of Psychology at Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Science, Brooke Feeney says
Many power couples have openly acknowledged the role that their spouses have played in helping them reach the heights that they have. Barrack Obama spoke about ‘his rock’ Michelle Obama on the Oprah Winfrey show in 2011 and how she kept him balanced.
“Obviously I couldn’t have done anything that I’ve done without Michelle.” Obama told Oprah and the world.
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook too spoke about the positive influence his wife Priscilla has had on his life when he delivered the commencement speech at Harvard in 2017. He said that she was the inspiration behind the social work that he does.
In 2013, in an interview with Oprah, Beyonce too acknowledged her husband, rapper Jay-Z's support “on so many levels.” She said that she wouldn’t be the woman that she is if he wasn’t in her life.
The study confirms what is a universal truth. If a partner or spouse lacks enthusiasm or is unhappy about the other’s growing success, the marriage will either end quickly or to save the marriage, the spouse will step back from opportunities on the work front and cut back on their chances of success. On the other hand, if the spouse encourages their partner to seek out new opportunities and is ready to give them the desired push when needed, success is bound to follow.
“Significant others can help you thrive through embracing life opportunities or they can hinder your ability to thrive.” author of the study, Feeney explains.
Source: https://www.bigperspectives.com/2019/02/the-secret-to-your-success-is-who-you.html?m=1&fbclid=IwAR034yJ7JgMZ0PFEZGbjLan4kdyBCrojnbfkNSbbiOAsLFM4jbgTkjIaT5E

Meanwhile, enjoy this video of Marinduque: https://www.facebook.com/marinduquenews/videos/479630659371158/

Thursday, April 2, 2020

Toilet Paper and Dungeness Crabs were Available at Food Maxx the Other Day

Toilet Paper, Paper Towel and Paper Napkins in Food Maxx Yesterday


For the first time in the last three weeks, Toilet Paper and Paper Towels were finally available at my favorite neighbor hood store ( Food Maxx) but purchase was limited to one per person.

In addition, Dungeness Crab was on Sale for only $4.98/lb ( regular price varies from $7.98 to $9.98 depending on availability and store) in our area. I purchased four 2.5lb-pound  freshly frozen whole crabs that Macrine and I enjoyed for dinner. With our dinner I cooked fresh okra sauteed in Shrimp Paste ( bagoong) with a tint of rice vinegar. It was yummy....

So in spite of of the Stay at Home Mandate ( except for essentials-grocery store, pharmacy and doctor appointments), I manage to escape from self quarantine yesterday. My cabin fever had been cured.

Macrine's caretaker ( Zapphire) insisted I wear a Face Mask and Gloves. We have plenty of gloves but no mask. However, Zapphire had an extra mask in her car and donated one to me.   
Posing with my mask on my way to the store. I took it off while driving and put it back inside the grocery store.

Here's the latest discussion/debate whether the public should wear mask or not:  

https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/31/health/coronavirus-masks-experts-debate/index.html

"The question, then, isn’t whether the coronavirus is “airborne” in the tediously academic way the word has been defined. As the journalist Roxanne Khamsi puts it, the virus is definitely borne by air.” The better questions are: How far does the virus move? And is it stable and concentrated enough at the end of its journey to harm someone’s health?"

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/04/coronavirus-pandemic-airborne-go-outside-masks/609235/

Stay Home and Save Lives!

Meanwhile enjoy this photo of my hibiscus from the gardens of Chateau Du Mer
Dungeness Crab at only $4.98/lb and Big Mangoes at $1.49 each

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