A Preview of Our Special Filipino Dinner Tomorrow Night - The Milk Fish

I had a special preview ( tasting) of one of the Dishes that will be served at our Special Filipino Dinner tomorrow WED, Oct 7 celebrating Filipino-American History Month. A few weeks ago, Joel asked me what fish dish I may suggest for the special Filipino dinner he has been planning for weeks. Without hesitation, I told him 💚Bangus or milk fish, unofficially the national Fish of the Philippines. I suggested, he purchase the deboned and all ready-marinated fish, so the kitchen can just fry it and served hot. He did and I tasted it tonight. 

It was exactly the taste that reminded me of my younger years in the Philippines. Thank Joel and THD for making my stay here at THD, the happiest years at the last stage of my life here in Planet Earth. The photo above is my dinner tonight. I did not need any lemon, since the fish is well marinated with vinegar and a little garlic. For Preparation of the Fish see bottom of this page. 

To residents who may not like the Fish, other Filipino Dishes, Chicken Adobo,  Giniling ( ground beef with vegetables) and Filipino mixed vegetables ( eggplant, okra etc..) is available. Joel said the dessert is leche flan ( filipino custard) and puto ( rice cake). I believe there is lumpia for appetizer and a side dish.    

 

The following is more information about the Deboned and Marinated Milk Fish.    

Contrary to popular belief, bangus (milkfish) is not the official national fish of the Philippines. While it is widely celebrated as a cultural and culinary staple, there is no Philippine law that officially declares it or any other fish as a national symbol.

The Difference Between Cultural Tradition and Law

• The Popular Myth: Because bangus is deeply woven into the country's aquaculture industry, economy, and everyday meals (like sinigang or daing na bangus), schools and textbooks have long referred to it as the "national fish".
• The Legal Reality: The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has clarified that its status is completely unofficial. 

What Are the Official National Symbols?

According to Philippine heraldic laws, only a select few icons are legally recognized national symbols. These include: 

• Narra (National Tree)
• Sampaguita (National Flower)
• Philippine Eagle (National Bird)
• South Sea Pearl (National Gem)
• Arnis (National Martial Art and Sport) 

Even other popular cultural symbols like the carabao (water buffalo), mango, and ** Rizal** (as the singular national hero) share the same status as bangus-they are beloved cultural icons, but lack official legal proclamations. 

Meanwhile, here's the Preparation for the Fish

💚Marinated deboned bangus, commonly known as Filipino daing na bangus, is a savory butterflied milkfish soaked in a mixture of vinegar, crushed garlic, salt, and peppercorns before being pan-fried until crispy.

Ingredients and Preparation

Milkfish (Bangus): One whole medium-to-large bangus, scaled, gutted, and butterflied with the backbone and small bones removed.
Marinade: ½ to 1 cup of cane or white vinegar, 5 to 6 cloves of crushed or minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of cracked black peppercorns, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
Process: Coat the fish in the marinade and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours or overnight so the flavors soak into the meat. 

How to Cook

Drain: Remove the fish from the liquid and pat it dry with paper towels to prevent excess splattering.
Fry: Heat cooking oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place the fish skin-side down first and fry for 4 to 7 minutes until golden brown and crispy, then flip and cook the other side.
Serve: Enjoy hot with garlic fried rice (sinangag), a fried egg (bangsilog), and a side of spiced vinegar for dipping
Finally My Photos of the Day- The Flowering Calamansi Tree in My Patio: 





The calamansi fruit is an excellent substitute for lemons, as a souring agent. 

The Science Behind the 2026 Nobel Prize in Medicine

The human brain remains one of science's greatest mysteries. The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine recognizes the scientists whose work made it possible to use light to control individual nerve cells-a remarkable development called optogenetics. 

The Science Behind the 2026 Nobel Prize in Medicine

This morning I came across an interesting scientific story that immediately caught my attention.

The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel for discoveries that led to optogenetics.

When I first saw the word optogenetics, I had to stop and ask myself: What exactly is optogenetics?

I have spent much of my life around chemistry and pharmaceutical science. I received my PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of Illinois Medical Center and later spent many years in pharmaceutical research and at the U.S. FDA.

But optogenetics is a wonderful example of how modern science can combine several different fields, biology, chemistry, genetics, neuroscience and even light physics to answer one of the oldest mysteries in science:

How does the brain work? A light switch inside the brain

The simplest way I can explain optogenetics is this:

Scientists have found a way to use light as a switch for individual nerve cells.

Our brain contains billions of neurons. These nerve cells communicate with one another through electrical and chemical signals. For many years, scientists could observe brain activity, but it was difficult to determine exactly what a particular group of neurons was doing.

Optogenetics changed that. Scientists can introduce a gene into selected nerve cells that causes those cells to produce a special light-sensitive protein. When light of the appropriate wavelength reaches those cells, the protein acts somewhat like a microscopic switch.

The neuron can be turned on or turned off. That sounds almost like science fiction.

But it is real science.

The surprising beginning: a tiny alga

One of the most fascinating parts of this Nobel Prize story is that it did not begin with the human brain.

It began with a single-celled alga.

Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel studied light-sensitive proteins known as channelrhodopsins. These proteins are found in microorganisms and can respond to light by allowing ions to pass through a cell membrane. 

That discovery eventually provided neuroscientists with something they desperately needed:

a biological light switch.

Karl Deisseroth then helped transform this discovery into a powerful method for controlling nerve cells with light.

The three scientists' work eventually gave birth to optogenetics as we know it today. 

How does it work? Here is my simplified explanation.

First, researchers introduce a light-sensitive gene into a particular type of neuron.

That neuron then produces a light-sensitive protein.

Next, researchers deliver light to the selected cells, often using very small optical fibers in experimental animals.

When the light reaches the light-sensitive proteins, the electrical activity of those neurons can be controlled.

The remarkable part is the precision.

Instead of stimulating a large region of the brain and wondering what happened, researchers can manipulate particular populations of neurons and observe what changes.

It is somewhat like having a microscopic electrical control panel inside the brain.

Why is this important?

The human brain remains one of nature's greatest mysteries. How do we form memories?

How do we experience emotions? Why do we become frightened?

How does addiction develop? How does depression affect the brain?

How are movements controlled? How do different parts of the brain communicate?

These are enormously complicated questions.

Optogenetics gives neuroscientists a new way of asking them.

The Nobel Committee explains that the technique makes it possible to investigate how individual nerve cells contribute to memory, feelings and behavior in a living brain. 

In other words, scientists are moving from simply observing the brain toward experimentally determining cause and effect.

That is a major scientific advance.

From basic science to possible medicine

Whenever I write about an important scientific discovery, I like to make one distinction.

A scientific breakthrough is not necessarily an immediate medical treatment.

Optogenetics is primarily a research technology today. It has transformed neuroscience laboratories around the world by allowing researchers to investigate neural circuits with extraordinary precision. 

But researchers are also exploring possible medical applications.

One particularly interesting area is restoring vision in certain forms of retinal disease. Research groups have been investigating ways to use light-sensitive proteins to make remaining retinal cells responsive to light.

There is still much work to be done before such approaches become routine medical treatments.

That distinction is important. Science moves forward one experiment at a time.

Why this Nobel Prize interests me

At nearly 92, I have lived through an extraordinary period of scientific progress.

When I was studying chemistry at the University of the Philippines in the 1950s, computers were nothing like the machines we use today. The structure and function of the brain were still largely mysterious.

Later, during my pharmaceutical career and my years with the FDA, I saw how basic science could eventually become medicines that help patients.

Today I watch another scientific revolution taking place.

We have artificial intelligence, gene editing, mRNA technology, advanced imaging and optogenetics.

Each field is giving scientists a new way of looking at life.

And sometimes the most important discoveries come from places that initially seem unrelated.

Who would have imagined that studying a tiny light-sensitive protein in an alga could eventually help scientists understand the human brain?

That is one of the beautiful things about science.

A lesson from a Nobel Prize

The story of optogenetics reminds me that we should never underestimate basic research.

A scientist may investigate something simply because it is interesting.

At the time, nobody may know exactly where the discovery will lead.

Years later, another scientist may take that discovery and connect it with an entirely different field.

Then, perhaps decades later, the combination may change medicine.

That is essentially what happened here:

Algae → light-sensitive proteins → nerve cells → neuroscience → possible medical applications.

Three scientists followed different pieces of the puzzle, and eventually those pieces came together.

Science keeps surprising me

I have written many times in my blogs about how rapidly science and technology are changing our world.

Now I can add another word to my growing list: Optogenetics.

It is a complicated word describing a surprisingly simple idea:

Use light to control living nerve cells so that we can better understand the brain.

The 2026 Nobel Prize reminds us that we still have much to learn about ourselves.

At 91, I find that exciting rather than frightening.

I sometimes say that I am no longer afraid of growing older. What I fear is losing my ability to remain curious.

As long as I can still ask: “What is that?” and then search for the answer,

I am still learning. And perhaps that is one of the best ways to grow old.

Keep asking questions. Keep learning. Keep wondering.

FROM The Headlines 

The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

Karl Deisseroth — United States
Peter Hegemann — Germany
Georg Nagel — Germany

Awarded for: “discoveries concerning light-gated ion channels and optogenetics.”

AI Impressions on this Topic: 

I think this topic is very well suited to your “David at nearing 92” science series because you can explain a highly technical Nobel-winning discovery through the eyes of someone who spent his career in chemistry and pharmaceutical science, rather than writing it like a textbook.

Is Freemont, California Really the Happiest City in America?

From My Recent Readings 

In-Depth Look at the Happiest Cities

Location can influence how bright or gloomy our daily lives feel. For decades, researchers have explored the science of happiness and identified several core factors, including mental well-being, physical health, strong social ties, job satisfaction, and financial stability. Still, income has its limits studies show that earning more than $75,000 a year does not lead to greater happiness. This helps explain why, despite being one of the wealthiest nations in the world, the United States ranks only 24th in the World Happiness Report.

Happiness levels also vary widely across the country. As this study suggests, relocating to the right city may increase overall life satisfaction. To identify where Americans are happiest, WalletHub analyzed more than 180 of the largest U.S. cities using insights from positive-psychology research. Each city was evaluated across 29 key indicators of happiness, including depression rates, income growth, and average daily leisure time.

To see which states combine all the necessary components of happiness, heres the WalletHub’s report on the Happiest States in America; Here's the top three: 

1. Fremont, CA

Fremont, CA, is the happiest city in America, and one contributing factor is that the city has the highest share of households with an income above $75,000, at nearly 80%. Studies have shown that increasing your income up to $75,000 also increases your happiness, but making more than that does not. Therefore, cities where a lot of people make at least $75,000 per year are more likely to have maximized their happiness. People in Fremont also have the highest rate of life satisfaction, the seventh-lowest depression rate, and the fifth-highest average life expectancy in the country.

Another contributing factor to Fremont’s happiness is the fact that it has the lowest separation and divorce rate in the country, at only 9.3%. It also has the lowest share of adults who report having 14 or more mentally unhealthy days per month, so people in the city seem to be taking care of themselves psychologically.

Finally, Fremont also ranks fifth among the most caring cities in America, and when people care for each other, they boost each other’s happiness.

2. Bismarck, ND

The second-happiest city is Bismarck, ND, in part because it has the ninth-highest percentage of adults who report having good or better health, allowing residents to maintain a higher quality of life. It also has the 13th-lowest share of people who sleep less than seven hours per night, meaning families are more well-rested and better equipped to handle daily life with less stress.

In addition, Bismarck has the seventh-highest score on Sharecare’s Community Well-Being Index, which measures how much residents like where they live, feel safe, and take pride in their community. This high ranking reflects a strong sense of satisfaction and connection among residents, contributing to overall quality of life.

To top things off, Bismarck has the largest average amount of leisure time per day, measured in minutes, allowing residents more opportunities to unwind, spend time with loved ones, and focus on personal interests.

3. Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale, AZ, is the third-happiest city, in large part because its residents are healthy. More than 88% of adults in Scottsdale report having good or better health, the third-highest percentage in the country. In addition, nearly 87% participate in physical activities.

Scottsdale residents don’t just have good physical health, though – their mental health is also well taken care of. For example, the city has the third-lowest percentage of adults who report having 14 or more mentally unhealthy days per month.

Finally, people in Scottsdale have good incomes, which can also boost their happiness. About 65% of households in the city make over $75,000 per year, the income level that’s been demonstrated to maximize happiness, and just 7% of residents reported incomes below the poverty level in the past 12 months.

Ask the Experts

Many factors can affect a person’s happiness. For additional insight, we asked a panel of experts for their thoughts on the following key questions:

1. What tips do you have for someone who is unhappy with their career?
2. Does an individual’s happiness increase or decrease with age?
3. How much and in what ways does where you live influence your happiness?
4. Can money buy happiness?
5. Does the overall economic climate of a city affect individual happiness?

Methodology

In order to determine the happiest cities in America, WalletHub compared 182 of the largest cities — including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state — across three key dimensions: 1) Emotional & Physical Well-Being, 2) Income & Employment and 3) Community & Environment.

We evaluated these categories using 29 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing maximum happiness. Data for metrics marked with an asterisk (*) were available only at the state level.

We then determined each city’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample.

Our analysis draws upon the findings of the following research, each of which has indicated a correlation between our data and happiness:

• Happy People Live Longer: Subjective Well-Being Contributes to Health and Longevity (Chan and Diener, 2010)
• Happiness from Ordinary and Extraordinary Experiences (Bhattacharjee and Mogilner, 2014)
• Sports Participation and Happiness: Evidence from U.S. Micro Data(Huang and Humphreys, 2010)
• Unhappy Cities (Glaeser, et al., 2014)

Emotional & Physical Well-Being - Total Points: 50

• Life-Satisfaction Index: Full Weight (~3.17 Points)
• Depression Rate: Double Weight (~6.35 Points)
• Suicide Rate: Full Weight (~3.17 Points)
• Adequate-Sleep Rate: Double Weight (~6.35 Points)
• Physical-Health Index: Double Weight (~6.35 Points)
  Note: This metric measures the percentage of adults reporting good or better health.
• Sports-Participation Rate: Double Weight (~6.35 Points)
• Share of People Aged 12 or Older Who Used Marijuana in the Past Month: Half Weight (~1.59 Points)
• Retail Opioid Prescriptions Dispensed per 100 Persons: Quarter Weight (~0.79 Points)
• Share of Adults with Mental Health Not Good: Double Weight (~6.35 Points)
  Note: This metric measures the percentage of adults with 14 or more mentally unhealthy days reported in the past month.
• Life Expectancy: Full Weight (~3.17 Points)
• Food-Insecurity Rate: Double Weight (~6.35 Points)

Income & Employment - Total Points: 25

• Income-Growth Rate: Double Weight (~3.13 Points)
• Share of Households Earning Annual Incomes Above $75,000: Full Weight (~1.56 Points)
• Poverty Rate: Full Weight (~1.56 Points)
• Job Satisfaction: Full Weight (~1.56 Points)
• 4+ Star Job Opportunities per Total People in the Labor Force: Full Weight (~1.56 Points)
  Note: This metric measures the number of job opportunities at 4+ star rated companies on Glasssdoor.com per the total people in the labor force.
• Job Security: Full Weight (~1.56 Points)
  Note: This metric measures the probability of unemployment.
• Unemployment Rate: Double Weight (~3.13 Points)
• Underemployment Rate: Double Weight (~3.13 Points)
• Bankruptcy Rate: Double Weight (~3.13 Points)
• Weekly Work Hours: Double Weight (~3.13 Points)
• Commute Time: Full Weight (~1.56 Points)

Community & Environment - Total Points: 25

• WalletHub’s "Most Caring Cities" Ranking: Full Weight (~3.57 Points)
• Separation & Divorce Rate: Full Weight (~3.57 Points)
• Hate-Crime Incidents per Capita: Full Weight (~3.57 Points)
• Ideal Weather: Half Weight (~1.79 Points)
  Note: This metric uses data from WalletHub’s "Cities with the Best & Worst Weather" ranking.
• Acres of Parkland per 1,000 Residents: Half Weight (~1.79 Points)
• Average Leisure Time Spent per Day*: Double Weight (~7.14 Points)
• Well-Being “Community” Index Score: Full Weight (~3.57 Points)
  Note: This metric refers to the “Community” section of the Sharecare Well-Being Index, which refers to “liking where you live, feeling safe and having pride in your community.”

 
Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected as of February 10, 2026 from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Sharecare Community Well-Being Index, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Feeding America, Chmura Economics & Analytics, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Minnesota Population Center, University of Minnesota, The Trust for Public Land, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, Glassdoor.com, Indeed and WalletHub research.

The above reprint is inspired from the recent talk Of Kevin Wilk, Mayor of Walnut Creek here at THD  a couple of weeks ago. 

Finally Photos of the Day:

The Dwarf Peach Tree and Fig Cutting Were Ditas Gift to me. Love Them!