My Autobiography: David Balleza K(C)atague

Monday, May 4, 2026

UBE- My Purple Yam

At THD, being the only Filipino-American resident among 167 people has its amusing side. I have somehow become the resident expert on the Philippines, its history, its culture, its traditions, and, most happily, its food. The other day at bridge, one of my friends asked, “Hey David, I heard the Philippines has a black potato?” I laughed and said, “Not quite, you mean ube, the purple yam.” “Oh yes, yes, that’s it,” she said. And just like that, we were off on one of my favorite topics.

https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/02/business/ube-farms-philippines-intl-hnk-dst?utm_source=cnn_Five+Things+for+Monday%2C+May+4%2C+2026&utm_medium=email&bt_ee=8sFDucPfz8d27WMfMyTcoMgEIIvkQwDM%2Bqv34k4gbQKDUMnttJrYjqHFLNq9dQSb&bt_ts=1777891724469

Ube is one of those ingredients that makes people stop and smile. Its color is striking, but its charm goes far beyond appearance. It is not a potato at all, but a purple yam with a mild, slightly sweet flavor that is comforting, earthy, and just different enough to be memorable. In Filipino kitchens, ube has been loved for generations, not because it is trendy, but because it belongs to the heart of our cooking.

For many Filipinos, ube brings back memories of family gatherings, fiestas, and desserts that seem to vanish as soon as they are served. One of the best-known versions is ube halaya, the thick, creamy jam made from mashed purple yam, milk, and sugar. It is delicious by itself, but it also finds its way into ice cream, cakes, pastries, halo-halo, and all kinds of sweets that make people ask for seconds before they’ve finished their first serving.

I have always thought ube is a wonderful symbol of Filipino food. It is simple, beautiful, and a little surprising. It does not shout for attention, but once you taste it, you remember it. That is often true of Filipino cooking in general, it looks modest at first, then reveals layers of flavor, memory, and affection.

And maybe that is why I enjoy talking about it so much. Ube is more than a dessert ingredient. It is a little purple reminder of where we come from, what we value, and how food can carry culture across oceans and generations. So when someone asks me about the Philippines, I am always happy to start with ube. It is sweet, it is colorful, and it tells a good story.

Meanwhile,

Here's how to develop a positive attitude?

Developing a positive attitude can be achieved through a combination of practices and mindset shifts. Here are some strategies to help you cultivate positivity:

Practice gratitude: Focus on the good things in your life. Keep a gratitude journal to write down three things you're thankful for each day.

Reframe negative thoughts: Challenge negative self-talk by reframing negative thoughts into positive, realistic ones.

Surround yourself with positivity: Spend time with people who uplift and support you, and consume content that inspires and motivates you.

Take care of yourself: Get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and eat a balanced diet to help regulate your mood and energy levels.

Set achievable goals: Break down large goals into smaller, manageable tasks to build confidence and momentum.

Practice mindfulness: Focus on the present moment and let go of worries about the past or future.

Celebrate small wins: Acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small they may seem.

Develop self-compassion: Treat yourself with kindness, understanding, and patience, just as you would a close friend.

By incorporating these habits into your daily life, you can develop a more positive attitude and improve your overall well-being.

Lastly, Did you know that......

The moringa tree, known as the “miracle tree”, is one of the most nutrient-dense plants on the planet and is prized for its healing qualities. It also has another huge benefit, according to new research: it’s excellent at removing microplastics from water. https://cnn.it/4cFEcp6

Personal note: At Chateau Du Mer, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines, I have two Moringa ( Malunggay) in our backyard. We used the young leaves in our Tinola ( Chicken soup).

Sunday, May 3, 2026

Book with Themes of the Filipino-American Experience

My semi-fictional short-novel, The Roots of Time💚, published in my blogs last year received several positive comments.

HTTPS://CHATEAUDUMER.BLOGSPOT.COM/2025/06/THE-ROOTS-OF-TIME-DR-DEREK-MENDOZA.HTML

I queried ChatGPT for published books in the same theme as my short-novel. Here are the results.

"It appears that the story you are referring to, The Roots of Time featuring Dr. Derek Mendoza, may be a very recent release or perhaps a piece of original fiction. While there is no widely documented record of a published novel by that exact title featuring a character named Derek Mendoza as the first Filipino-American Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry, your description echoes themes common in contemporary Filipino-American literature.

For those interested in exploring similar themes of the Filipino-American experience, migration, and achievement, these highly-regarded works offer parallel narratives":

How to Stand Up to a Dictator: A memoir by Maria Ressa, who is the first Filipino to win the Nobel Peace Prize (2021). Her journey from New Jersey to the Philippines mirrors the "Stockholm stage" level of prestige you described.

America Is in the Heart: A seminal work by Carlos Bulosanthat traces the journey of a Filipino immigrant from rural life to the hardships and triumphs of the United States.

Patron Saints of Nothing: A novel by Randy Ribay that follows a Filipino-American teenager traveling back to the Philippines to uncover family truths.

In the Country: A collection of stories by Mia Alvar that explores the

global Filipino diaspora and the emotional "journeys through memory"

that connect them to their roots.

The Filipino-American experience is a rich literary subject, spanning

from the "Manong" generation of early laborers to contemporary

explorations of diaspora and identity.

Classic Literature & Foundational Works

These books are widely considered essential for understanding the

historical roots of the Filipino-American community.

America Is in the Heart by Carlos Bulosan: A 1946

social classic and semi-autobiographical novel. It

details the struggles of Filipino migrant workers in

the 1930s as they faced racial violence and poverty

while chasing the "American Dream" in the fields

and canneries of the West Coast.

Scent of Apples by Bienvenido N. Santos:

A collection of short stories focusing on Filipinos

living in exile in the United States during and after

World War II, capturing the loneliness and nostalgia

of the immigrant experience.

Dogeaters by Jessica Hagedorn: A National Book

Award finalist that uses a fragmented, multi-voice

narrative to explore the political and social landscape

of the Philippines under the Marcos regime, a pivotal

era for the diaspora.

Contemporary Fiction

Modern authors often explore themes of "hyphenated" identity

and the generational differences within immigrant families.

America Is Not the Heart by Elaine Castillo: This

novel follows three generations of a Filipino family I

n the Bay Area, examining how their shared history

of political turmoil in the Philippines affects their

lives in America.

Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay: A powerful

Young Adult novel about a Filipino-American teenager

who travels to the Philippines to uncover the truth

about his cousin's murder during the "War on Drugs."

In the Country by Mia Alvar: A collection of stories

that move between the Philippines, the Middle East,

and the United States, giving voice to the global Filipino diaspora, from nurses to domestic workers.

Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala: A "foodie

cozy mystery" that highlights the importance of family, community, and cuisine in the Filipino-American identity.

Memoirs & Non-Fiction

These personal accounts and scholarly works provide direct

insight into the lived realities of Filipino Americans.

The Body Papers by Grace Talusan: A memoir

that explores trauma, illness, and the complexities

of being an immigrant in a New England suburb.

Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen

by Jose Antonio Vargas: A memoir by a Pulitzer

Prize-winning journalist that discusses his life as an undocumented Filipino immigrant and his fight

for belonging.

Fairest by Meredith Talusan: A memoir about a girl

with albinism who moves from a rural Philippine village

to the U.S., eventually transitioning and navigating

the world through lenses of race, gender, and disability.

I Was Their American Dream by Malaka Gharib:

A graphic memoir about growing up as a first-generation

Filipino-Egyptian American, using humor to explore

cultural navigation.

The Latinos of Asia: How Filipino Americans Break

the Rules of Race by Anthony Christian Ocampo:

A sociological study that examines how Filipino Americans navigate racial categories and identity in the U.S.

Introduction of My Short Novel-The Roots of Time

💚IN THE ROOTS OF TIME, WE FOLLOW DR. DEREK
MENDOZA, THE FIRST FILIPINO-AMERICAN TO WIN
THE NOBEL PRIZE IN CHEMISTRY, ON HIS FLIGHT
TO STOCKHOLM, A JOURNEY NOT JUST THROUGH
AIR BUT THROUGH MEMORY. FROM THE HUMBLE
GARDENS OF RURAL ILOILO TO THE WORLD’S
MOST PRESTIGIOUS SCIENTIFIC STAGE, DEREK’S
LIFE IS A TESTAMENT TO TRADITION, LOVE, AND
THE ENDURING POWER OF BELIEF.
BLENDING FOLK WISDOM WITH HARD SCIENCE,
AND CULTURAL IDENTITY WITH GLOBAL
RECOGNITION, THIS REFLECTIVE SHORT NOVEL
CAPTURES ONE MAN’S QUEST TO PROVE THAT
HEALING-TRUE HEALING-BEGINS WITH
REMEMBERING WHERE YOU CAME FROM.

Highlights of My Professional Career

In my more than 40 years of professional career, I have experienced both working rank and file, as well as supervising the work of subordinates. I have worked in four private firms and the Federal Government, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where I retired. I enjoyed the challenges and difficulties of both types of job situations. This is the highlights of my work experience story.

My first job after completing my doctorate degree was a Chemist for Chemagro Corporation in Kansas City, Missouri. It was a subsidiary of Bayer Corporation, a German conglomerate. I worked for the analytical chemistry department comprised of about fifty people; half that number was either chemists or biologists. My specific task was to develop analytical methods for the detection of pesticide residues in plant and animal tissues. I worked on my own, similar to six other bench chemists, and we all reported to the same supervisor.

The firm sponsored my visa conversion from a student to a permanent resident, and I was able to legally work and reside in the United States with my family. The company generously took care of its employees. At the end of each successful year, everyone received a 13th month salary bonus. The employees and their families celebrated wonderful annual Christmas parties in a downtown Kansas City hotel, with dancing and free drinks for the whole night.

Inasmuch as I enjoyed and loved working for Chemagro for five years, I found a new job which offered a substantially higher pay. Due to my exemplary work performance, my supervisor preferred and lobbied for me to stay with the company. I had to turn him down because they could not match the package presented by my new employer. It was also a chance for me and my family to move and live in the US west coast, where the mild winter climate is bearable compared to the Midwest.

My next job was at the agricultural research division of Shell Development Company in Modesto, California. I was a Research Chemist, and again I worked individually, same as five other chemists who all reported to a supervisor. My specific duty was similar to my previous job. I worked for them for five years, until the company decided to get out of the pesticide business. They closed their research facility affecting the jobs of more than 200 employees.

My third industrial job was with the agricultural research division of Stauffer chemical company, located in Richmond, California. I was a Senior Research Chemist doing the same project as my two previous jobs. I worked for twelve continuous years for the company, with outstanding annual job performance. I became a Principal Research Chemist, the highest attainable non-supervisory position.

One day in 1986, my supervisor informed me that my job had been eliminated, and I had one day to vacate the facility. It was the most dreadful lay off experience in my life. I felt anger, sadness and humiliation to be dismissed from work with one day notice, after all the years of hard work invested for the company. This was an unforgettable incident and was the gloomiest point in my professional career.
The company terminated sixty research employees, who were upset of the bad news.

One of the chemists was distressed and expressed his outrageous anger by threatening the company and its workers. He told his supervisor of his intention to bomb and burn down the laboratory. He was immediately escorted by the security staff out of the building and into his car. He was informed to leave behind his personal belongings; they will be mailed to his residence. He was warned never to show up again near the company premises or risk getting arrested.

My supervisor was kind and allowed me to take my time to pack up my belongings. It took me two days to clear up my workplace, after toiling for a long period in the same jobsite. We were provided clerical help and office space, in preparation to look for another job, such as updating our resumes, and using the computer and copy machine. We were given six weeks of separation pay plus benefits.

Fortunately, with the help of a friend who is a Church parishioner, I found another job thirty days after leaving Stauffer chemical company. He hired me as a senior research chemist and as a group leader with two technicians to supervise. It was in the same field as my expertise in my previous three jobs spanning the last twenty one years. My new employer was Chevron Chemical Company, and which was located in the same area as my former employer.

This job gave me the introduction and basic knowledge of managing the work of subordinates. I worked for Chevron Company for four and a half years. The company decided to consolidate their research facilities in Texas, and lay off all its research employees. This time I had enough distress and agony from working, and eventually getting laid off from several private companies. To avoid going through any more miserable layoffs, I made a vow that I would never again work for a private company.

In my work experiences, there were noticeable and unavoidable jobsite occurrences. One can never miss the office romantic relationships between co-workers, both illicit and permitted. Though it was frowned upon, there was a boss and staff relationship, which was used as a ploy to get ahead in the company. Some relationships had chemistry, no pun intended, but some never worked out. Oftentimes, there was a sense of distrust among bench chemists for some workers who unjustly obtained preferred work assignments.

Some employees resorted to bribing superiors to get special privileges, such as being able to attend choice conferences and meetings in exciting venues or locations. Likewise, politics was always present at the worksites. It was during an era when various forms of harassment, equal opportunity and discrimination laws were not yet enforced in the workplace. Occasionally, an unexpected chemical explosion happens in a laboratory setting, where luckily no one got seriously hurt.

In the three private companies I worked for, I was able to publish scientific journals for some of the research studies and analytical methods which I developed for the respective companies of Chemagro, Shell Development and Stauffer.

After deciding and making a vow to avoid working in the private sector, I made my new goal which was either to work for the state of California, or the Federal government in Washington, D.C. Four months after I lost my job in Chevron, I was lucky and joyful to be hired by the Food and Drug Administration as a review chemist in the fall of 1990.

In 1994 I was promoted as an Expert Research Chemist with a GS-14 rating. My expertise was on Anti-malarial and Anti-parasitic drug products. In 1997, I was again deservingly promoted to Chemistry team leader, supervising the work of six Chemistry reviewers including five with doctorate degrees.

As team leader, I was responsible for prioritizing, assigning, and assuring the technical accuracy of all chemistry, manufacturing and control issues for all new drug applications submitted to the Division of Anti-Infective Drug Products, Center of New Drugs.

It was part of my responsibility to give advice, instruct and promote high morale and teamwork in my group. My work in the FDA is confidential, until the drug patent on the products I worked on has expired. There are manufacturing supplements that I have approved that are now open for the public in the Internet.

In 1998, I won the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Award. The citation reads, “For outstanding accomplishments in fostering the objectives of the EEO Program by hiring minorities and encouraging their professional growth while providing excellent leadership.” I have received numerous certificates of appreciation, awards in leadership and communications, commendation for teamwork and excellence in the accomplishment of the FDA mission. I have also received several letters of appreciation from private industry for my review work.

There are many good things working as rank and file while enjoying doing one’s job individually. It is a humbling, satisfying and productive experience, if one can work in harmony with one’s immediate supervisor. Working individually develops one’s skills in goal setting and scheduling. But in general, the financial rewards are less than a person who has supervisory responsibilities.

Managing the work of others has its challenges. Moreover, it develops one’s skill in handling and developing people, and the compensation rewards and benefits are better. Due to additional duties, responsibilities and leadership, supervisory work can be more stressful than working as a subordinate. However, supervisory jobs give one more personal growth and satisfaction, based on my personal experience. My work in FDA as a team leader managing the work of six scientists had been the happiest and rewarding work experience in my career in Chemistry. You might also like:

Monday, May 4, 2026

UBE- My Purple Yam

Sunday, May 3, 2026

Book with Themes of the Filipino-American Experience

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