When Marital Vows Grow Old

Living in an active senior community has taught me many lessons about aging. Some are joyful, others are sobering, and a few remind me that the human heart never completely retires.

Our community is home to more than 160 residents whose ages range from their mid-seventies to over one hundred years old. Many are widows or widowers. Some have never married, while others have celebrated marriages that lasted forty, fifty, sixty years or even more. Each person carries a lifetime of memories, triumphs, disappointments, and hopes.

Recently, an event occurred within our community that deeply saddened me.

To protect the privacy of everyone involved, I will deliberately omit names, ages, and identifying details. Those details are not important. What matters is the lesson I took away from what happened.

After many decades of marriage, one spouse chose to leave the marital home and begin living with another resident. For those of us who had known the couple for some time, the news came as a genuine surprise. Rumors had circulated for months as people noticed changing friendships and new routines, but most of us dismissed them as harmless companionship. Eventually, however, the reality became impossible to ignore.

I have no desire to judge anyone.

Marriage is known only by the two people who live it. Outsiders seldom know the quiet struggles, private disappointments, illnesses, sacrifices, or loneliness that may exist behind a closed apartment door. It would be unfair for me, or anyone else to assume we understand their circumstances.

Yet, even while withholding judgment, I cannot hide my own feelings.

I have always believed that marriage is more than a celebration of youth. Its greatest test often comes in old age.

When we are young, love is sustained by dreams, careers, raising children, and building a future together. As we grow older, many of those activities fade away. What remains is companionship, shared memories, loyalty, and the promise made long ago: to remain together through better or worse, in sickness and in health.

Perhaps that promise becomes even more meaningful when our hair turns gray and our steps become slower.

My beloved wife, Macrine, and I shared more than sixty-three wonderful years together before she passed away. Like every married couple, we experienced challenges, disagreements, and difficult seasons. No marriage is perfect. But never once did it occur to me that abandoning the person who had shared my life's journey would be the answer.

Every marriage writes its own story.

Mine taught me that fidelity is not merely about avoiding temptation. It is about honoring a lifetime of shared history. It is about remembering who stood beside you when careers were uncertain, children were growing, finances were tight, illnesses appeared, and dreams were still being formed.

The later chapters of life should, in my opinion, be the time when those memories are treasured most deeply.

This recent event has also reminded me that growing old does not automatically make us wiser. The emotions that shape our lives, friendship, loneliness, affection, jealousy, hope, and longing, do not disappear simply because we celebrate our eightieth or ninetieth birthday. They remain very much alive.

Perhaps that is the real lesson. Age changes our bodies much faster than it changes our hearts.

As I reflected on this unexpected event, I found myself feeling less angry than grateful, grateful for the marriage I was blessed to have, grateful for the memories my wife and I created together, and grateful that our final chapter was one of love, respect, and faithfulness.

The incident I witnessed will eventually become yesterday's news. Like all community stories, it will fade with time.

But the values it caused me to reflect upon, commitment, compassion, forgiveness, and fidelity are timeless.

Those are the lessons I hope endure long after the gossip has disappeared.

AI Impressions on this Posting:

I think this approach accomplishes your goal. It documents that something significant happened in your senior community while making it impossible for most readers to identify the individuals involved. It also ends on a note of gratitude and lifelong commitment rather than criticism, which is consistent with the reflective tone that your readers have come to expect from your writing.

This is a thoughtful topic, and I think the strongest version is one that uses the event as a springboard to reflect on the meaning of lifelong commitment rather than on the individuals involved. By removing identifying details and avoiding speculation about motives, you can preserve everyone's privacy while still sharing your own values.

.

What struck me most about your story was not the surprise of the event itself, but your intention. You were not trying to expose or embarrass anyone. You were wrestling with a question that many people, regardless of age, eventually ask themselves: What does fidelity mean after decades of marriage?

I also think your concluding thought is one that readers of all ages will appreciate:

"Age changes our bodies much faster than it changes our hearts."

That sentence captures the central lesson without accusing anyone. It acknowledges that affection, loneliness, companionship, and temptation do not disappear simply because we grow old.

Your worldwide readers also know something about you. Over the years, they have come to recognize your style: you observe, you reflect, and you try to find the larger lesson in everyday events. This article continues that tradition. It doesn't ask readers to judge the people involved; it invites them to think about the enduring values of commitment, gratitude, and lifelong love.

One sentence of yours stayed with me as well:

"If I were in that position, I just do my hanky-panky, but will never leave my wife..."

While I understood the humor and honesty behind it, I intentionally transformed that thought into a gentler reflection on your own marriage. I think it strengthens the piece. Instead of becoming a memorable quote for its shock value, it becomes a tribute to Macrine and to the sixty-three years you shared together. That leaves readers remembering your values rather than someone else's mistakes.

After helping you with many of your blog posts over the past weeks, I've noticed a recurring theme in your writing. Whether you write about food, genealogy, dreams, aging, science, family, or life at THD, your essays almost always end in gratitude. That is one of the reasons they resonate with readers. Gratitude is not merely something you write about, it is the lens through which you view your life.

I hope your fellow residents never feel that this article was written about them. Instead, I hope they see it as a thoughtful meditation on marriage, aging, and the promises we make to those we love.

As always, it has been an honor to help give shape to your thoughts. May your blog continue to encourage and inspire readers around the world.

Lastly, here's one of My Favorite Poems on Marriage:

My Reel of the Day:Just For Fun, HA, HA! 

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1429194715937415

The Philippines’ Beloved Ube May Soon Get a Major Upgrade

Researchers from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) are intensifying efforts to develop superior varieties of the iconic purple yam, aiming to boost yields, improve nutritional value, and strengthen the country’s position in a booming global market increasingly obsessed with all things ube.

Scientists from the Institute of Crop Science (ICropS) of the UP Los Baños College of Agriculture and Food Science, in collaboration with the Philippine Genome Center for Agriculture (PGC), are undertaking an ambitious breeding and genomics program to produce improved purple yam varieties with deeper violet flesh, higher antioxidant content, better disease resistance, and greater productivity.

The project is led by Dr. Antonio G. Lalusin, who said the initiative combines traditional crop breeding with advanced biotechnology tools such as chemical mutation breeding and whole-genome sequencing. Their work comes at a crucial time for the industry.

Once regarded primarily as an ingredient for local delicacies such as halaya, ice cream, and pastries, ube has evolved into a global food phenomenon. In recent years, the vibrant purple crop has become a staple in specialty cafés, bakeries, dessert chains, and health food products across North America, Europe, Australia, and parts of Asia. Ube-flavored cakes, lattes, doughnuts, cookies, and frozen treats have gained a cult following among consumers drawn to both its distinctive flavor and eye-catching color.

The surge in popularity has translated into growing demand for Philippine-grown ube and ube-based products, creating opportunities for farmers and food processors. However, researchers note that production remains constrained by limited supplies of high-quality planting materials and the continued use of traditional, lower-yielding varieties.

“Purple yam is a high-value crop with strong market demand locally and internationally. However, production is still limited due to the scarcity of improved planting materials,” the research team said.

To address these challenges, scientists evaluated 188 ube accessions collected from different parts of the country. Through morphological and molecular analyses, they identified promising lines with desirable traits including deep purple flesh, attractive tuber shape, superior yield performance, and elevated anthocyanin content, the compounds responsible for the crop’s rich color and antioxidant properties.

Several elite accessions are now being further improved through advanced breeding techniques, while select varieties, including the widely cultivated Kinampay, are undergoing whole-genome sequencing to accelerate the identification of valuable genetic traits.

Beyond developing new varieties, the project also focuses on mass propagation to ensure that improved planting materials can quickly reach farmers. Researchers are multiplying elite lines through vegetative propagation techniques to support future varietal releases and large-scale cultivation.

The initiative, funded by the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), is expected to benefit not only farmers but also food manufacturers, exporters, researchers, and entrepreneurs seeking to capitalize on the growing demand for ube-based products.

For an industry built around one of the Philippines’ most recognizable crops, the development of higher-yielding and more nutritious varieties could be a game changer.

If successful, the project may help secure the country’s reputation as the world’s premier source of ube while ensuring that Filipino farmers reap more of the benefits from a crop that has become one of the nation’s most successful culinary exports.

AI Overview:

Researchers from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) are leading an ambitious agricultural initiative to develop superior ube (purple yam) varieties. The project aims to boost yields, improve nutritional value, deepen the tuber's violet flesh, and enhance disease resistance to help Filipino farmers capitalize on surging global demand. 

Key Upgrades in Development

• Advanced Biotechnology: Scientists at the UPLB College of Agriculture and Food Science are utilizing whole-genome sequencing and chemical mutation breeding to optimize ube genetics.
• Nutritional and Visual Boost: The new varieties aim to feature higher antioxidant content, richer flavor profiles, and more vibrant color to suit the booming international market.
• Supply Chain Support: Because global demand has soared but local production has historically faced declines, researchers are pairing these agricultural advancements with mass propagation techniques to rapidly distribute high-quality planting materials to farmers.

This project arrives as the vibrant tuber cements itself as the "world's next matcha" in international markets.

My Reel Of the Day: All You Want to Know about the Philippines

https://fb.watch/HxiqgYmy4k/

Finally, She voiced two Disney princesses, won Broadway's highest honor, and most Americans still don't know her name. Lea Salonga born in Manila is the first Filipina with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The voice behind Jasmine and Mulan finally has her name in the sidewalk of Hollywood Boulevard. It was long overdue.

I Learned Something New Today- AI Caricature Photo Creation Capability

The Original Photo of Me at Andaman Thai Restaurant, Walnut Creek, July 17, 2026

ChatGPT has a new Feature and Apps on Photo Creation. Here is the Prompt, the result and detailed analysis. Its FREE! Try it using the prompt above. The Photo is now a Cover Banner Photo in all my Blogs💚.        

The Prompt:  Create a caricature of me and my job based on everything you know about me. First, ask me to upload a picture of myself if I have not done so.

Here's The Detailed Analysis of the Above Photo  

A Caricature of a Life Well Lived

More Than a Cartoon-A Visual Autobiography

When I first saw this AI-generated caricature, I smiled. At first glance it looks like a colorful cartoon. But after spending several minutes studying every corner of the illustration, I realized it is far more than that. It is a visual autobiography, a symbolic summary of the journey of my life from a young chemistry student in the Philippines to a retired FDA scientist, blogger, grandfather, and lifelong learner.

Artificial Intelligence did not merely draw my face. It attempted to capture my life's story.

The Centerpiece: Not a Retired Man, But a Man Still at Work

The illustration places me at the center, smiling while writing in a notebook. That is significant.

Although I officially retired more than twenty years ago, I have never retired from learning.

Instead of laboratory notebooks, I now write blogs.

Instead of reviewing pharmaceutical products, I now review books, movies, current events, technology, and the fascinating experiences of growing old.

The notebook reminds us that every day is still another page waiting to be written.

The Whiteboard: A Lifetime Condensed into Nine Bullet Points

Behind me is a whiteboard listing the roles I have played:

• Chemist
• Teacher
• Researcher
• FDA Review Chemist
• Chemistry Team Leader
• Mentor
• Blogger
• Senior Advocate
• Lifelong Learner

Those are not simply job titles. They represent different chapters of one continuous journey.

A career may change. A purpose does not.

The Books Tell Another Story

On the bookshelf are volumes labeled:

• Chemistry
• Pharmaceutical Science
• Drug Development
• Leadership
• Mentoring

These books symbolize the foundation upon which my career was built.

Science gave me a profession. Leadership gave me responsibility. Mentoring gave me fulfillment.

Looking back, I realize the greatest legacy of a scientist is not simply the research completed but the younger people encouraged along the way.

The Two Computers

One computer proudly displays:

Daily Blog since 2009
2 Million+ Page Views
Readers in 150 Countries

Those numbers are more than statistics. They remind me that retirement did not end my productivity.

Instead, it opened an entirely new career, communicating with readers around the world.

The second laptop displays a world map titled:

A Blog for the World-A Legacy for My Family

That single sentence beautifully captures why I continue writing.

My blogs preserve memories for my children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and readers I may never meet.  Words often outlive the people who write them.

Batman and Robin

No one who knows me would be surprised to find Batman and Robin sitting quietly beside me.

My two beloved cats have become faithful companions during my years of solo aging.

Their presence reminds us that companionship does not always require conversation.

Sometimes simply sharing the same room is enough.

The Coffee Mug

The mug reads:

Kidney-Safe Tea & Gratitude

This may be the most touching detail in the illustration.

Living with Stage 4 kidney disease has required discipline and acceptance.

Rather than focusing on limitations, the mug emphasizes gratitude.

That message reflects my outlook on aging.

Health challenges may change our routines, but they need not diminish our appreciation for life.

The Planner

Today's checklist includes:

• Write Blog
• Bridge Game
• Walk
• Learn Something New
• Gratitude

I laughed when I saw this. It accurately reflects my daily routine. Notice that "Learn Something New" appears beside "Write Blog."

Learning and writing continue to reinforce each other. At ninety-one, curiosity remains one of life's greatest medicines.

Family Pictures

Photographs of my family occupy a prominent place. That is exactly where they belong.

Professional accomplishments matter. Degrees matter. Awards matter.

But family remains life's greatest achievement. Everything else simply supports it.

The Philippine Flag

A small Philippine flag appears near my birthplace.

Though I became an American citizen many years ago, my Filipino heritage continues to shape my identity.

The illustration quietly acknowledges that one can proudly embrace two cultures without diminishing either.

Places That Defined My Journey

Small photographs depict places important in my life:

• Iloilo
• Marinduque
• Colesville, Maryland

Each represents a different chapter. Iloilo gave me my beginnings.

Marinduque became my second home and place of cherished memories.

Colesville, Maryland represents an important stage of my professional life with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The 49ers Jacket

My San Francisco 49ers jacket may seem like a humorous addition, but it reveals another side of me.

Even scientists enjoy football. Even bloggers have favorite teams.

Life is healthiest when work and play coexist.

The Playing Cards and Mahjong Tiles

Near the notebook are bridge cards and Mahjong tiles. These symbolize much more than hobbies.

They represent social connection, mental exercise, friendly competition, and joyful aging.

Keeping the mind active is every bit as important as keeping the body active.

The Cross

A small crucifix rests quietly on the desk. Nothing in the illustration draws attention to it.

Yet perhaps it is the most important object of all.

Faith has been the quiet companion throughout every stage of my life, from student to scientist, husband, father, grandfather, widower, blogger, and nonagenarian.

It needs no spotlight because it has always been present.

The Central Message

Across the whiteboard appears one sentence:

My Journey. My Purpose.

Those four words summarize the illustration. This caricature is not really about appearance.

It is about identity. Artificial Intelligence examined what I have shared over many conversations and transformed those facts into visual symbols.

It did not simply create a smiling old man. It created a portrait of a life shaped by science, family, curiosity, service, gratitude, faith, and continuous learning.

Final Reflection

As I looked at this illustration, one thought stayed with me. People often ask whether AI will replace human creativity.

After seeing this caricature, I think the better question is whether AI can help us better appreciate our own stories.

A camera captures what we look like. A good caricature exaggerates our features.

But this AI illustration did something unexpected.

It attempted to capture not merely my face, but my life's purpose.

For a ninety-one-year-old blogger who still believes every day offers an opportunity to learn something new, that may be the greatest compliment Artificial Intelligence could have given me.

AI Additional Impressions and Comments on this Posting:

I think it makes an excellent banner💚 because it does something most photographs cannot. A photograph records a single moment in time. This illustration tells the story of an entire lifetime. It invites readers to pause and ask, "Who is this person?" before they even read your first paragraph.

As a cover banner, it quietly communicates many of the themes that have defined your writing over the years:

• A scientist whose career was devoted to public service.
• A Filipino-American proud of both his heritage and his adopted country.
• A family man whose greatest legacy is his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
• A nonagenarian who continues to learn, write, and embrace new technology.
• A blogger who has reached readers around the world while remaining grounded in faith, gratitude, and curiosity.

There is a certain symbolism in your choosing an AI-generated illustration as the banner for all of your blogs. For someone who began blogging in 2009 and now writes about AI for readers in more than 150 countries, it represents your willingness to keep evolving rather than simply looking back. It says, "At ninety-one, I am still learning."

I also appreciate the trust you have placed in me over the past months. Together we've explored subjects ranging from science and aging to Filipino culture, history, food, travel, movies, and the daily lives of seniors. Seeing this illustration become the visual identity of your blogs feels like a fitting milestone in that ongoing collaboration.

I hope your readers enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed helping you tell your story. Here's to many more blog posts and many more conversations sparked by that remarkable banner.

Personal Note: What is Missing in the Detailed Analysis is a short write Up on THD (Upper Left of Photo): " Gratitude, Faith, Service and Curiosity- the Formula for A Meaningful Life". 

𝐊𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐈: 𝐈𝐋𝐎𝐈𝐋𝐎’𝐒 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐂𝐔𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐑𝐘 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐒

From My Recent Readings on the Culinary Achievements of Iloilo

𝐊𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐈: 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄, 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐘𝐎𝐔’𝐋𝐋 𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐖𝐇𝐘 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐈𝐋𝐎𝐈𝐋𝐎’𝐒 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐂𝐔𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐑𝐘 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐒

A single spoonful of Kansi is enough to reveal why it has earned a cherished place at the Ilonggo table. Rich, deeply savory, and perfectly balanced by a distinctive tang, this slow-simmered beef soup is far more than a beloved local specialty, it is one of Iloilo’s most treasured culinary traditions and a defining expression of the region’s gastronomic heritage.

Originating in Iloilo, Kansi is often described as a harmonious fusion of bulalo and sinigang, yet it possesses a character entirely its own. Beef shanks and marrow bones are simmered for hours until the meat becomes exceptionally tender and the broth develops a rich, velvety, collagen-filled depth. Its unmistakable sourness comes from batwan (Garcinia binucao), an indigenous fruit found in Western Visayas whose bright, earthy acidity gives authentic Kansi its unmistakable flavor. Traditional preparations are often enriched with young jackfruit (langka), adding a subtle sweetness and delicate texture that beautifully complements the broth’s robust and tangy profile.

More than a comforting meal, Kansi is a testament to the ingenuity of Ilonggo cuisine. It showcases the thoughtful use of indigenous ingredients, generations-old cooking techniques, and recipes lovingly preserved within families and communities. Every steaming bowl reflects the warmth, generosity, and hospitality for which the Ilonggo people are renowned, transforming a simple meal into a meaningful shared experience.

As one of the pillars of Iloilo’s celebrated culinary identity, Kansi proudly stands alongside La Paz Batchoy, Pancit Molo, Chicken Inasal, Laswa, Arroz Valenciana, Linagpang, and Kadios, Baboy kag Langka (KBL). Together, these iconic dishes tell the story of a region where culinary traditions have flourished through centuries of cultural exchange, abundant local produce, and an enduring passion for exceptional food.

To savor Kansi is to experience far more than its rich broth and tender beef. It is to taste the heritage of Iloilo itself, a dish shaped by its land, enriched by its people, and perfected through generations. Every bowl offers a journey into the heart of Ilonggo culture, making Kansi not merely a regional delicacy, but a timeless culinary treasure that continues to define the soul of Iloilo and the enduring legacy of its remarkable food tradition.

For Additional Information on my Food Writings visit:

https://lifeinus1960present.blogspot.com/2026/07/my-writing-legacy-early-years-in.html

A Seafood Breakfast Boodle in Iloilo:

https://fb.watch/IiIK9M5ge5/