Fauna and Flora of Catague, Bohol, Philippines

The King Eagle

I recently received this letter from Dr Joel Cuello, current President of PAASE. This letter reminded me of my posting about the Fauna and Flora of Bohol. Here's Dr Cuello letter:

I only had an hour to spare in the newly reopened National Museum of Natural History of the Philippines in Manila last week, and so I only had time to enjoy its cavernous and marvelous six-story "Tree of Life" courtyard and visit a couple of its choice Galleries.

In under 40 minutes, however, I had startlingly close encounters with the world's tallest flying bird (Sarus crane), the world's largest and heaviest eagle (Philippine eagle), the skeleton of the world's largest crocodile in captivity (Lolong), the fossilized bones of Rhinoceros philippinensis dating to 709,000 years ago, and big chunks of petrified wood from Cagayan in Northern Luzon dating from the Middle-Pleistocene Epoch around 750,000 years ago.

Breathtaking.

Exhilarating.

I will certainly be coming back in future.

https://connect.xfinity.com/appsuite/#!!&app=io.ox/mail/detail&folder=default0/INBOX&id=965684

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There is a town named Catague in Bohol, Philippines. Thus I have a great interest in the island. My father's named was originally spell with a "C", but when he was in high school he changed it to start with a "K". So, I believe, I have a lot of relatives in Bohol, that I have never meet or will never meet in my life time. If your name is Catague or Katague in Bohol, please get in touch with me via this blog.

Bohol is an island province in the Philippines and its 10th largest island. It is located in the Central Visayas region and has a population of 1,137,000 (2000 census) with an area of 4,117.3 km. The island has unique flora and fauna worthy of discussing in this blog.

The Philippines supports a rich and varied flora with close botanical connections to Indonesia and mainland Southeast Asia. Forests cover almost one-half of the land area and are typically tropical, with the dominant family, Dipterocarpaceae, representing 75% of the stands. The forest also has vines, epiphytes, and climbers. Open grasslands, ranging up to 2.4 m (8 ft) in height, occupy one-fourth of the land area; they are man- made, the aftermath of the slash-and-burn agricultural system, and most contain tropical savanna grasses that are non nutritious and difficult to eradicate. The diverse flora includes 8,000 species of flowering plants, 1,000 kinds of ferns, and 800 species of orchids.

Seventy to eighty percent of non-flying mammals in the Philippines are found nowhere else in the world. Common mammals include the wild hog, deer, wild carabao, monkey, civet cat, and various rodents. There are about 196 breeding species of birds, among the more numerous being the megapodes (turkey-like wildfowl), button quail, jungle fowl, peacock pheasant, dove, pigeon, parrot, and hornbill. Reptilian life is represented by 190 species; there are crocodiles and the larger snakes include the python and several varieties of cobra. Of course Bohol is famous for its TARSIER, the smallest primate( monkey) in the world.

The fauna on Bohol is almost identical to that on Mindanao, Samar, and Leyte, but not that on nearby Negros. Scientists believe that the floral and faunal biodiversity unique to the Philippines is caused by the Ice Age. They also believe that the country has the most severely endangered plant and animal communities on earth.

Recently three unique flying animals/birds,attracted my attention, These are the King Eagle, a rail and a flying fox

The King Eagle-It is the largest eagle in the world. The King Eagle (Haring Ibon) tops in 5 of the 7 external measurements, namely, total length, bill gape, culmen, bill height and tarsus. The Harpy tops in 1 out of 7 measurements, namely the talon. In the wing measurement or wing chord, Haring Ibon is only second but Harpy Eagle is fifth.
Calayan Rail
Calayan Rail: New bird discovered in Babuyan Islands- A new bird species, believed to be found nowhere else in the world, has been discovered on the remote island of Calayan, 70 km north of Luzon. The bird will be named the ‘Calayan Rail’ (Gallirallus calayanensis), after the island on which it was found. Calayan is the largest island in the Babuyan Island group that lies between Batanes and Luzon.

Flying Foxes of the Philippines-
The Mindoro Pallid Flying Fox (Pteropus sp. A) is yet undescribed, but it could possibly be the smallest flying fox in the Philippines. It has been found in Mindoro, in the Anahawin River in Mts. Iglit-Baco National Park, and also in the lowland forest of Tandakan, Mt. Siburan in Sablayan, an area made up of drastic and gradual slopes with riverines in between, near a kaingin area, and in bamboo vegetation. All areas were predominated by trees of the family Dipterocapaceae.

Are You Addicted to Mahjong?

A Mahjong Set

Have you heard of a tile game called Mahjong? I learned this tile game when I was a child. It is mostly a game of luck, once you learned the basics of the game. This tile game is similar to the card game, gin rummy, but played with tiles. It is a game that most Filipina housewives are addicted to. I am sure if you reside in the Philippines or Hongkong, this game must be very familiar to you. You may be even addicted to it.

My mother taught me as well as my brothers and sisters how to play mahjong when we were growing up in the Philippines. We have two mahjong sets in the house. The cheap one was made of plastic which we used quite often and the expensive one made of ivory. The one made of ivory, we only used on special occasion when we celebrate birthdays, weddings and other special events when I was growing up in the Philippines.

According to my mother, I started playing mahjong very well when I was only 5 years old. It is a game of luck with a little skill involve once you learn the basics. I also learned how to play a card game called "Pangingue" in the Philippines, probably similar to pinochle, but different from gin rummy. Mahjong can be played on line or you can buy a disk and play it in your computer.

I have a disk (Hongkong mahjong) in my computer, but it has been a while since I played this game. Mahjong like any gambling game is very addictive. I have close relatives in the Philippines that died of tuberculosis(TV) because they play mahjong almost all day all year round and do nothing else. Unbelievable, but true.

Mahjong rules and specifics varies from region to region in the Philippines, but it is still a favorite past time of the middle class in the Philippines. A lot of Filipina housewives are addicted to mahjong. Besides mahjong there are two card games popular in Marinduque and other parts of the Philippines are PIKWA and TONG-IT. A number of housewives in my neighborhood in Amoingon, Boac, Marinduque play Tong-it every afternoon, both for recreation and a little gambling activity. We play Tong-it during a party break as a family game but no betting involved, when we are in Marinduque.

For rules and instruction how to play Mahjong read Wikipedia or ask a friend or relative for a demonstration. Once you learned the game, be careful it could be very, very addictive. But again, it is an excellent way to get rid of your boredom and the long, long hot summer in the Philippines.

The Use of the Internet by Senior Americans

I just came back from the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco the other day. While waiting for my turn I had a chance to converse with a number of Filipino-Americans Seniors about the Internet. There were ten seniors in the waiting room. About half of them have companions helping them with the paper work regarding renewal of visa, special power of attorneys and dual citizenships applications.

One of the senior citizen has no paper work ready and was asking me where I got my forms. I told her I downloaded it from the consulate website. Another senior in our group commented, So you are one of those rare seniors who uses the Internet ? Here's a sample of our conversation:

Me: I used the Internet not only for Face Book( social media) but I also do on-line banking and shopping. I also watch movies on line do a lot of blogging.

Senior Citizen 1: What is blogging?

Me: I have seven sites for personal blogging (writing articles) on any subject except sex, religion and politics.

Senior Citizen 2: When my grandson visit me once a month, he shows me pictures of our relatives in the Philippines in Facebook.

Senior Citizen 1: When do you have time to do your blogging?

Me: Being the primary care giver for my wife who is on a wheel chair and has Parkinson, my time for blogging is only from 9 to 1PM Monday to Friday, when Home Care Aides that I hired from two private agencies come to the house to take care of my wife. Also on Saturday and Sunday, another Aide ( personal friend of my son) comes to the house from 9 to 5PM. Our conversations ended when my number was called.

The above conversation aroused my interest, so I went to the Internet and found the following information about Use of Internet by Senior Americans.

More than 1/3 of Americans aged 65 or older do not used the Internet.

The top 5 reasons why they are not Internet users are

1. Just not interested (21%)
2. Do not own a Computer(13%)
3. Too Frustrating(10%)
4. Too old to learn (8%)
5. Lack of skills(8%)

For details visit the following site: https://thehustle.co/meet-the-11-of-americans-who-dont-use-the-internet/ll

Note: Anyone know about Senior Internet Users in the Philippines? My educated guess is probably less than 1%.

http://newsbytes.ph/2018/01/30/ph-now-has-67-million-internet-users-all-active-on-social-media/

The above article discuss the number of Internet users in the Philippines, but did not discuss age groups participation. Majority of Internet users in the Philippines are for Social Media Interaction.

A Day at the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco

Yesterday, I was at the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco getting my signature authenticated and notarized for a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) documents for the Philippines. It was not a very bad experience as I expected based on what I read in the Internet. The actual time I was in the Consulate was from 10AM to 2PM with a 30 minutes lunch break. However, I spent the whole day for this, because of the horrendous traffic from Sacramento to San Francisco. I hired a personal driver and her car(135), paid the gas(40), tolls(11), lunch break(44) and Parking(18). My total cost was about $250.

We left Sacramento at 7AM via HW50. It took us 45 minutes to reach I-80 and we encountered another traffic jam at UC Davis, in spite of driving in the carpool lane. Traffic was smooth until we reached the Pinole area. It took us another 45 minutes to cross the Oakland/SFO bridge. We arrived at the consulate at 10AM. While my driver was parking I formed my line at the guard to present 2 ID's before I was allowed to the 2nd floor of the Consulate Building at 447 Sutter Street. You have to take a number prior to your entry to the office. Since I am a Senior Citizen I got a C number( 67) supposed to be a courtesy number and separated from the general public. C numbers are given to Senior citizens, the Handicapped, pregnant women and women with small children. I love this idea.

There were 5 other senior Citizens ahead of me. While waiting for my turn, I got to "small talk" to three other seniors. We talk about the traffic, paper work required, the Internet and about dual citizenships. Two of them came from Stockton and the other from Fairfield. One of the senior citizens needs her passport renewed and did not have her paper work. I told them the forms are available for download at the Consulate web site. The other senior commented, so you are one of those rare seniors who uses the Internet! I smiled without any comment.

I went out of the waiting room and found out that most of the forms are available in front of the Office, but you need to have it copied. The Consulate has a Copy Machine that charge 0.25c per copy using quarters and one dollar bills.

I waited for another 30 minutes until my number was called. My SPA papers were examined, dated and I provided 6 copies of my driver license as my ID, indicating that I personally appeared at the Consulate on September 18, 2018. I was out and ready for the Cashier on the 6th Floor by around 11:45AM. I had 4 SPA's notarized and each SPA cost $25. I was told the documents will be ready for pickup from 1 to 2PM. By this time the lines were overflowing the waiting room area was full and dozens of seniors are now in the Hallways. I am glad I came early.

My personal driver and I had a leisurely lunch at a restaurant two blocks from the Consulate Building. It was a very expensive lunch costing me $44 plus $8 tip.

After lunch I decided to go back to the Consulate, since I needed information and forms for Dual citizenship for my son, who was born here in the US. He was born before we become US citizens. Is he qualified to apply? The forms for Dual Citizenship in the web applies to those originally born in the Philippines and need to reacquire their citizenship.

I look around for a Consulate employee with authority. I found one supervising the examining clerks at the counters. I know he is a Supervisor and may be able to give me my answer and the correct forms. I was correct. The supervisor gave me 2 forms not found in the web as follows:

1. Affidavit of Delayed Registration of Birth
2. Report of Birth

Supporting Documents that my son needed are: His birth Certificate, Our Naturalization Papers and Marriage Certificate. Our Naturalization Papers will show that we were still Filipino Citizens when he was born. Now I know that all my 4 children are eligible for Filipino dual citizenships if they want it. For Benefits and Advantages of dual citizenship read:

https://lifeinus1960present.blogspot.com/2013/06/advantages-of-dual-citizenship-phl-and.html


The above information was useful. I also learned that all dual citizens application is by appointment only beginning last September 4.

At 1PM, I went to the Releasing Documents Window to give my pick-up stub. It was at 1:50PM that my name was called and all the 4 SPA's were done. My driver and I hurriedly went to the Union Square Parking Garage, so we could get out of the city before the afternoon rush hour starts. We arrived in Sacramento around 5PM, accomplished but very tired. My legs were starting to cramp for seating in the car for almost three hours each way. Thank you to my personal driver. You were a good driver and I will ride with you anytime without fear.

All in All, my experience at the consulate was not bad at all. Creating the Courtesy Line for Seniors is an excellent idea. The clerk that checked my papers was friendly and helpful. The supervisor that gave me the 2 forms for my son's dual citizenship application was formal and informative. If you have business with the Consulate come as early as you can: Office Hours: MF is from 9 to 4 PM.

Latest News on the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease

If you have been following my blogs, you probably know that my wife, Macrine Nieva Jambalos had been diagnosed with Parkinson's about 5 years ago. She is under the care of a neurologist, but since Parkinson's has no cure, her neurological disorder is progressing as expected.

There are days when she is lucid, alert and alive with all the memories of our happy and productive life together in our 61st year of marriage. The above Plaque from Marinduque International, Inc. is one example of the civic and humanitarian projects that Macrine was once involved with passion and compassion to her fellow humankind( https://hubpages.com/politics/medical-mission-of-love-to-marinduque). The next medical mission of MI, Inc is scheduled for February, 2019. If you want to volunteer and need details visit MI. Inc website or Face Book page.

Thanks are in order to the current President of MI, Inc, Agnes Lardizabal Apeles for remembering Macrine's service to the organization for more than a decade during its 25th anniversary last month. Macrine is so happy and delighted to receive the Plaque. This is one of the two other service award plaques that she has received in the last two decades.

However, there are days when she is low and could hardly stand. There are days when she is confused, angry and ready to die. These dark days always reminds me of the latest development on the treatment of PD and perhaps a cure of this neurological disorder.

For detail information on the latest development in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease, Read the following site:

blogs.biomedcentral.com/bmcseriesblog/2018/04/09/advances-parkinsons-disease-treatment/

Do You Practice Feng Shui?

I was looking at my old files the other day. I found the following blog I wrote a couple of year ago still interesting and relevant. I hope you agree!

davidbkatague.blogspot.com/2012/12/do-you-practice-feng-shui.html

GrandParents Day-No One Cares!

Last Sunday, September 9 was GrandParents Day for the year 2018. As expected most grand children really do not care unless they are reminded by their parents. Here's a repost of my blog on this subject.

https://lifeinus1960present.blogspot.com/search?q=grand+parents+day

What I Learned about the Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy (DPT)

Macrine had been under the care of a physical therapist(PT) for the last 8 weeks. Macrine's mobility has improved quite a lot and today she did a few steps with the walker under the able supervision of her PT (C) employed by Blossom Ridge Home Care(BRHC) Agency. I am very please with the PT (C) performance that I reported it to her supervisor. I believe she will get a free Star Buck coffee with my call.

C excellent performance made me curious of what kind of training C had. She informed me she has a doctorate degree in Physical therapy (DPT). She is new to BRHC and just completed her 90 day probation last week and now a permanent employee of BRHC. C informed me she has a Bachelors degree in Kinesiology* and took her another three years to get her DPT complete with a doctoral thesis.

Here's a summary of what I learned about DPT versus the standard Ph.D program such as my Ph.D in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of Illinois.

"The practice of physical therapy is quickly advancing and moving into new realms. This is an exciting period of growth and development in this profession. The changes in health care delivery, social demographics, and globalization of health care are perfect opportunities for physical therapists to take on new and emerging roles in our health care system and to provide leadership in the field. As the profession forges ahead, a question arises: Is it time to discuss the idea of a “clinical doctorate” as the requirement for entry level to practice?

A clinical doctorate (or “practice doctorate”) programme is an entry-level degree that prepares students with the competencies required to enter clinical practice and become eligible for licensure. In physical therapy, this is often called the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. It differs from a PhD, where the focus is on research and the production of original scholarly work, and from a “post-professional doctorate” or “advanced practice doctorate,” which offers study in advanced or specialized clinical competencies to professionals who have graduated with another entry-level qualification, such as a bachelor's or master's degree".

For more information on DPT read the following: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3076909/

*One of my grand daughters graduated last April with a Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology. She plans to pursue a Masters Degree from UC Davis this year.

Two National Parks and Three States in Fourteen Hours

Bryce Canyon National Park

Macrine and I just experienced one of the best vacation we had since my retirement. For one week we stayed in Las Vegas, NV at the Polo Towers -under our time exchange program with International Interval, Inc. One day, we took a mini bus tour which lasted for 14 hours. The bus picked us up at Polo Towers about 6:30AM. Our first rest stop was at an Indian Reservation along I-15 N, where Macrine purchased two cartoons of cigarettes tax free and we had a chance to have coffee. We also had a packed breakfast, orange juice, muffins and energy bars provided by the tour company, Sweet Tours.


Macrine at the Visitor Center, Zion National Park

Here's a video of Zion National Park:https://youtu.be/HEZ3WyAUPZM

By the time we reached Zion National Park it was about 10:30AM. Along the way, our guide and driver relates to us ( eleven passengers), the history of Las Vegas, the fauna and flora of the area, the desert and rock formations that made this area so majestic and stunning. After our arrival, our tour driver parked at the Visitor Center. We took the park's bus( private cars not allowed) inside the canyon, stopping at several scenic point stops to take pictures. We did not have time to walk, since we still have to go to Bryce Canyon. The bus tour took about 60 minutes. Zion is indeed spectacular. We saw colorful canyons, forested mesas, and sandstone cliffs so high and indeed stunning and spectacular views. After the tour, we went back to the Visitor Center where our packed lunch of roast beef sandwiches was waiting for us. During lunch we exited the Park via the East Entrance- the Zion Mt Carmel Highway. We passed one of the longest tunnel in the US. By the time we reached the vicinity of Bryce Canyon ( with a photo stop at Red Canyon) it was about 2:00PM. We stopped at Ruby' Gift Shop, just outside the entrance of the Park for souvenirs and mandatory bath room break.


Then we started our two hours tour of the Park. First we stopped at Bryce Point, took some pictures, walked near the rim of the canyon and stayed there for about 15 minutes. If you have vertigo, this is not the place for you.
Macrine at Bryce Point

Our driver took us to Inspiration Point( second stop) and more picture taking and views to feast your eyes with the stunning scenery. We have an option to walk for 45 minutes from Inspiration to Sunset Point(last stop) or ride in the bus with our driver. If you hiked you will have a closer look at the Hoodoo's. Macrine and I decided not to hike as both of us have already aching feet from our walk at the Fashion Mall in Las Vegas and along the Strip Casinos the day before. We waited for the hikers until 4:00PM at Sunset Point. There, Macrine and I took more pictures and again the view was fantastic, and spectacular. Here's a video of Bryce Canyon National Park:

https://youtu.be/mn7Zv1ZNF4s

The Hoodoos
We were able to take pictures of the Hoodoos. Hoodoos are just pillar of rocks shaped like human beings. The fantastic shape is a result of erosion, millions of years ago. Legends say that the Hoodoo's cast a spell on all visitors to the park. After two hours at Bryce, we were on our way back to Las Vegas. On the way home, we stopped for picture taking along Navajo Lake. We were also passing the outskirts of Cedar Brake National Monument. We stopped at Cedar City for a quick fast food dinner. By the time we arrived in Las Vegas at our condo-hotel,it was 8:30PM. We were tired but happy to visit the two most beautiful national parks in the US.

The above is our route encompassing three states, Nevada, Arizona and Utah. I am glad I did not drive! Total round trip mileage is about 490 miles. Total Cost for Two: $400

Getting There from Las Vegas: I-15N then route 9E to 89N then 12E; Going Back to Las Vegas: Route 12W then 89S, then 14W then I-15S

Original article was written in 2010.

Are there Optional Clothing Beaches in Marinduque?

Photo from DuaneBurnett.com

One of My Most Popular Blogs with more than 8000 Views: Enjoy!

marinduqueawaitsyou.blogspot.com/2010/08/are-there-optional-clothing-beaches-in.html

Call Me By My Name

I am not talking about the Oscar nominated movie with a similar title(Photo above). This article is about several names that I have been called and addressed, depending on who is addressing me. I arranged it from the most formal and to the least formal as follows:


1. Dr Katague: From My former professional peers in FDA, clients and regulatory officers from Pharmaceutical Companies all over the world


2. Sir David Katague or Sir David: From My former students from the University of the Philippines from 1956 to 1959. From Younger Readers/Followers of my blogs


3. Mr. Katague: From people I just meet in social functions and that I am not well acquainted with


4. David or Dave: Almost from all my friends, neighbors and distant relatives and most of my FaceBook friends


5. Kuya or Manong Dave: From closed relatives on both Macrine's and my side of the family

and lastly


6. Nonoy, Noy, or Nonoy Dave or Tito Nonoy : From my closed relatives from Iloilo, Philippines

My closed relatives-who call me Dad, Lolo, and Kuya or Uncle Dave.

Note: In some rare cases, I have been called other names, such as Hey you!, Husband of Macrine or Husband of the Patient, Father of Ditas etc...Someday, I would like to be called GrandPa or Lolo of CarennaKT.


Incidentally, when I was a graduate student in Chicago in the mid-1960's, a stranger once called me a coconut, and a Chinese immigrant.

Here's a list of ethnic slurs referring to Filipino-Americans. Not in this list is coconuts-brown outside but white inside-refers to second or third generations Filipino-Americans who acts just like a normal white Caucasian Americans but with Filipino skin and physical features.

www.rsdb.org/race/filipinos