My Autobiography: David Balleza K(C)atague: August 2025

Sunday, August 31, 2025

Photos of Our USS Potomac Cruise of San Francisco Bay

We had a perfect day yesterday's during the USS Potomac Cruise of the San Francisco Bay. Thank you, Laya, Sean and Sylvia. Laya was a perfect host, making everybody in the group needs are met. At my request, she even gave me ice cold water, so I do not have to walk far on the uneven floors of the ship.

I took pictures of the bay, as well as my souvenir purchase, a base cap to add to my collection( see photo above). Before the actual cruise, we viewed a 15-minute video on the History of the USS Potomac. There are brochures available for information purposes and I am posting it here as follows:

Here are photos of the Views from my Chair inside the Dining Room Area ( )

Souvenir gifts are displayed in the Dining Table*

Before Boarding

Laya bringing us our box lunch

Under the Golden Gate Bridge

Alcatraz Island- Trump New Prison for Illegal Immigrants-A stupid Idea!

Rita Robillard- One of Our Cruise Members- new Resident of THD

Under Both Bridges- Oakland-SFO and Golden Gate

Saturday, August 30, 2025

The Top Ten AI Broadcast on the CBS 60 Minutes Show

During the last 12 months, CBS 60 Minutes TV Show, had broadcasted articles on AI technology and its application. Here are the top ten most impactful AI-focused broadcasts over the past 12 months for your reading pleasure and information.

Top 10 Must-Highlight AI Segments from 60 Minutes (Past Year)

Drawing on the “latest artificial intelligence reports” YouTube compilation and CBS News transcripts, here’s a curated list of the most influential AI stories aired by 60 Minutes

Segment	Key Focus & Why It Matters
1. What's Next for AI at Google DeepMind (Apr)	DeepMind's Genie 2, Astra, and world-building simulations highlight cutting-edge generative AI with implications for robotics and virtual training environments. CBS News
2. A Tutor for Every Student: Khanmigo AI(Dec)	AI-driven tutoring tools like Khanmigo showcase how education can be personalized and enhanced—while preserving human teacher roles. CBS News+1
3. To Walk Again: Prosthetic Innovations(May/July)	Brain–machine interface breakthroughs give users control and tactile feedback via robotic limbs—remarkable strides in medical technology. CBS News+1
4. Unveiling: Deepfake, "Nudify" Site Risks (Dec)	Highlights privacy and ethical concerns around AI-created deceptive content. (Context from the YouTube summary.) YouTube
5. Humans in the Loop: AI Labor in Kenya (Nov)	Exposes exploitative labor practices where workers train AI systems under poor conditions for tiny pay. CBS News
6. The Future of Warfare: AI & Defense Strategies(May)	Insights from Gen. Mark Milley on how AI could transform military decision-making—but emphasizing the continued need for human oversight. CBS News+1
7. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang on AI’s Societal Impact	Huang defends the importance of humans in the AI loop and showcases how next-gen GPUs are empowering advancements in medicine, simulation, and robotics. MarketWatchCBS News
8. AI Mental Health Chatbots: Boon or Risk?	Explores how chatbot therapies—like Tessa—can sometimes offer harmful advice, especially for vulnerable users. CBS News
9. Training AI: The Hidden Human Cost	A related angle on labor concerns, going deeper into labelers’ experiences—long hours, low pay, and emotional strain. CBS News
	10. Digital Bridge—AI for Paralysis (May) Coverage of how AI-enabled technologies help paralyzed patients regain mobility or interaction. (Referenced in the YouTube summary.) YouTube Meanwhile, on a special edition airing on August 24, 2025—Sharyn Alfonsi travels to Costa Mesa, California to interview tech billionaire Palmer Luckey, founder of defense startup Anduril. The segment, titled “The Future of Warfare,” highlights the cutting-edge autonomous weapons developed by Anduril and explores their profound implications for modern conflict My BlogCBS News. Key Highlights: Autonomous Weapons in Action: Anduril is pioneering AI-powered weapons systems that operate with minimal to no human intervention—what some critics label "killer robots" CBS NewsMy Blog. Notable Technologies: The Roadrunner, a twin-turbo-jet drone interceptor, can autonomously take off, identify targets, strike if necessary, or land and retry if no target is found. Wearable 360-degree headsets enable soldiers to maintain full situational awareness. A jam-capable electromagnetic warfare system can disrupt drone swarms. The Dive XL, an autonomous submarine about the size of a school bus, capable of underwater missions without human presence. The unmanned fighter jet Fury: a cockpit-free, AI-controlled aircraft that can operate alongside manned jets—designed for high-risk missions. It’s slated for its first test flight this summer. These systems are not theoretical—they’re already deployed or under active development, with use by U.S. forces and in Ukraine CBS NewsMy Blog. AI Integration Platform — Lattice: Anduril’s AI backbone, Lattice, integrates data from satellites, drones, radar, and cameras to intelligently manage missions—from surveillance to target engagement—more swiftly than human-controlled systems CBS News. Human Oversight & Ethical Safeguards: While these weapons operate autonomously, every system includes a kill switch, allowing human operators to intervene. Luckey argues that “smart weapons” with safeguards are less dangerous than older, indiscriminate systems lacking any intelligence CBS News+1. Ethical Controversy: The segment addresses international criticism: the UN Secretary-General and other groups denounce lethal autonomous weapons as “politically unacceptable” or “morally repugnant.” Luckey counters by emphasizing real-world deterrence and the ethics of replacing human soldiers with machines that could reduce the risk to life CBS NewsMy Blog. Lastly, Did you know THE TRUE SIZE OF THE PHILIPPINES ? When we look at a world map, the Philippines often seems small—just a cluster of islands in Southeast Asia. But did you know that this impression is actually misleading? Most of the maps we use today are based on the Mercator projection, a type of map that distorts land sizes the farther a place is from the equator. Because the Philippines sits near the equator, it often looks much smaller than countries in Europe or farther north. In reality, the Philippines is much bigger than it appears. With a land area of over 300,000 square kilometers, the Philippines is larger than countries like South Korea, Portugal, Iceland, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates. It even surpasses popular nations like Nepal, Taiwan, Singapore, and Qatar in land size. On the other hand, it is still smaller than countries like France, Japan, Spain, Germany, and New Zealand, but not by much. And definitely not as tiny as it looks on a distorted map. This infographic helps us see just how vast our archipelago really is by placing it alongside the actual land sizes of well-known nations. It’s a proud reminder that the Philippines is not just a small dot on the globe—but a large, vibrant, and significant piece of the world. So the next time someone says the Philippines is “small,” you might want to show them the true size of our home.

Friday, August 29, 2025

The Victor Statue in Pasig City, Philippines by Jefre

The Victor Statue- Dedicated to the Global Filipino

The Victor is a colossal statue at the Pasig portion of Bridgetowne in Metro Manila, Philippines. At night time it is lighted:

Robinsons Land announced in 2019 that it would be installing a colossal statue at Bridgetowne, its own township spanning Pasig and Quezon City. Named The Victor, the statue was projected to be the "tallest lighting projection" in the world.The Victor was unveiled in August 2023.

Statue

The Victor was designed by Filipino-American artist Jefrë💚. It is mainly made from marine-grade perforated steel art from China. It stands 55 meters (180 ft) on a 5 m (16 ft) podium. It weighs 299.37 tonnes (660,000 lb).

It has a translucent surface that can be lit up with various colors at night through projection mapping.

The Victor is a tribute to Filipino businessman John Gokongwei(1926–2019). The statue depicts a man with one arm raised as if it is celebrating a victory. Jefrë also dedicates the statue to the "global Filipino".

💚 Jefre Figueras Manuel, commonly known by the mononym Jefrë, is a Filipino-American visual artist based in Orlando, Florida.

Jefre Figueras Manuel was born and raised in Chicago to Filipino parents who settled in the United States in the 1970s. His mother is a nurse from Santo Domingo, Ilocos Sur while his father is an accountant from San Pedro, Laguna. Jefrë's parents also had part-time jobs in design; his father did landscape contracting and design and his mother created wedding flower arrangements.

He initially pursued a degree in medicine for his collegiate studies. He later took courses at the Art Institute of Chicago and attended Ohio State University to study urban design and planning.

He first worked for Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in the 1990s. After he had a heart attack in 2007 or 2008 at age 35, he decided to set up his own organization, Studio Jefrë (StudioJEFRë), and pursued a career in public art. He did various projects involving community design, public art, parks and plazas, sculpture, temporary installations, interior design, avant-garde landscapes, eco-installations, and campus planning. He also joined competitions as well.

His works has been in public display in various cities in the United States such as Miami, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Orlando, and San Antonio as well as in London and Abu Dhabi. He has also done works in the Philippines as well.

Notable works

Jefrë is also the designer of the 15.54 m (51.0 ft) tall The Jax stainless steel sculpture to be built at the former site of Jacksonville Landing in Jacksonville, Florida. The artwork received mixed local reception. It has been a subject of a petition to stop its conception.He also did works that are publicly displayed in the Philippines. This includes Time in SM Megamall along EDSA, a mirror stainless steel sculpture of a human figure with a box head to convey the idea to value time in the context of the being stuck in traffic and portray people as "building blocks" of a city.

Other works include the Talking Heads at the Five Ecom Center Building at the SM Mall of Asia complex and the Sculpture Contour Series which consist of painted statues of a tamaraw, a tarsier, a rooster and an eagle in SM Aura Premier in 2016.

In 2018 he did the Tree of Life fiberglass sculpture installed at Robinsons Place Naga in Naga, Camarines Sur. In 2023, The Victor a 55 m (180 ft) light installation in Bridgetowne was completed.

In Addition,  Filipino-American artist JEFRË has introduced "Heart in the Park," a seven-story stainless steel sculpture that now rises as Port St. Lucie’s newest landmark.

The twisting, mirror-polished structure reflects its surroundings while framing a dramatic pedestrian bridge that cuts through the center of the heart, inviting visitors to walk within the work itself.

Unveiled before community members, civic leaders, and art lovers, the installation is both monumental and intimate. “This piece is not just a sculpture,” said JEFRË. “It is a symbol of hope, unity, and resilience. The heart is universal — it transcends culture, language, and borders.”

Known for creating large-scale icons such as "The Victor" in the Philippines, JEFRË continues to define skylines with works that carry both weight and meaning. With its gleaming surfaces and architectural presence, "Heart in the Park" is set to anchor the city as a cultural destination and symbol of connection.

Meanwhile, here's R-Evolution -A 45Ft Illuminated Sculpture in San Francisco by Marco Cochrane

R-Evolution at Embarcadero Plaza

A striking new addition to the city’s public art landscape, R-Evolution, a 45-foot-tall illuminated sculpture by renowned artist Marco Cochrane, will debut in Embarcadero Plaza on Thursday, April 10, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Originally unveiled at Burning Man, this monumental artwork embodies strength, resilience, and the power of representation. By placing R-Evolution in Embarcadero Plaza, the city continues its tradition of championing public art as a force for dialogue, civic engagement, and cultural revitalization—especially in a time when public spaces are being redefined.

Embarcadero Plaza was selected for its cultural and historical significance as a gateway to San Francisco. Positioned in front of the iconic Ferry Building and along Market Street, a major artery of the city, the location serves as both a vibrant meeting point and a space deeply connected to the city’s artistic and economic pulse. R-Evolution stands as a powerful symbol of empowerment and transformation, reinforcing San Francisco’s progressive spirit while activating a highly visible public space with a presence that is both bold and introspective.

With its daily breathing motion and illuminated presence at night, R-Evolution offers a dynamic, interactive experience that invites people to return, reflect, and engage. The installation is designed to draw visitors and increase foot traffic to the already thriving creative hub where local artists regularly sell their work—ensuring that this artwork not only inspires but also supports San Francisco’s artistic community

Lastly, Meet Jonathan — The 191-Year-Old Tortoise!

Jonathan, the Seychelles giant tortoise, just celebrated his 191st birthday, making him the oldest living land animal in the world! Born around 1832, Jonathan has witnessed centuries of history from Napoleon’s exile to modern-day inventions — and has outlived generations of humans.
Though blind and without a sense of smell, he’s still full of life, enjoying hand-fed meals, socializing with fellow tortoises, and even maintaining a healthy love life! Living at St. Helena’s Plantation House, Jonathan is more than a record-breaker — he’s a symbol of resilience, longevity, and the wonders of nature. 
Credit: St Helend Island Info 

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: