Vitamin C, My Little Cold, and What 91 Years Have Taught Me About Wellness

A Personal Reflection on Vitamin C, Linus Pauling, Herbal Medicines, and Growing Older

Two days ago, I woke up with that familiar feeling that something was beginning.

My throat was aching just a little. I had started coughing, and there was a small ooze from my nose. I did not have a fever, but at 91, I have learned to pay attention to small changes in my body.

I thought, Maybe I am coming down with a cold.

Then I remembered something from many years ago. Vitamin C.

I took three Vitamin C gummies, 500 mg each-a total of 1,500 mg that day. I did the same thing the following day.

On the third morning, something interesting happened.

My cough had stopped. My nose was dry. I felt considerably better.

Today I feel even better, although my appetite has not completely returned.

Naturally, the scientist in me began asking a question:

Did the Vitamin C help? I don't know.

And that answer, "I don't know" may be one of the most important lessons I have learned during my long journey through science, medicine, aging, and wellness.

I Remember Linus Pauling

My experience brought back a name I had not thought about for a while: Linus Pauling.

Pauling was one of the great scientists of the twentieth century. He won two Nobel Prizes and became famous not only for his work in chemistry but also for his strong advocacy of Vitamin C.

Beginning in the 1970s, Pauling argued that taking large amounts of Vitamin C could help prevent the common cold and perhaps make it less severe.

His ideas attracted enormous public attention.

I remember reading about this controversy many years ago. As a chemist, I found the subject particularly interesting because it represented something I have encountered throughout my scientific life:

The difference between an interesting idea and an idea that has been proven.

So, after my little experiment with Vitamin C, I decided to revisit the question.

What Does the Evidence Tell Us?

Modern clinical research gives us a more complicated answer than I expected.

Large reviews of the evidence have found that regularly taking Vitamin C does not appear to prevent ordinary colds in the general population.

However, regular Vitamin C supplementation may modestly shorten the duration of a cold and reduce its severity.

That is interesting. It means Pauling's original claim was too broad, but it does not mean that Vitamin C is irrelevant to the common cold.

There is also an important distinction between taking Vitamin C regularly and taking a large dose after symptoms have already appeared.

The evidence for starting high-dose Vitamin C after a cold begins is much less convincing.

So my two-day experience cannot establish that Vitamin C made my cold disappear.

Perhaps it helped. Perhaps my immune system was already defeating the virus.

Perhaps both contributed. Or perhaps the timing was simply a coincidence.

Science requires us to be humble about such things.

My Little Experiment Is Not a Clinical Trial

This is where my years as a scientist come into the story.

I spent many years working in pharmaceutical chemistry and later worked at the FDA. During those years, I learned that personal observations can be valuable, but they are not the same as controlled scientific evidence.

Suppose I take something and feel better. That is a real experience.

But it does not necessarily tell me why I got better.

This distinction is particularly important when we talk about herbal medicines, dietary supplements, vitamins, and other "natural" remedies.

I have written about these subjects several times in my blogs.

I enjoy learning about traditional medicines and natural products. I grew up in the Philippines, where plants, herbs, traditional remedies, and family wisdom were part of everyday life.

But growing older has made me increasingly cautious about one particular word:

Natural. Natural does not automatically mean safe.

And natural does not automatically mean effective.

At the same time, "natural" should not automatically mean worthless either.

The proper question is: What does the evidence show?

What My FDA Years Taught Me

Perhaps this is where my old FDA experience has influenced my thinking more than I realized.

For many years, I worked with drugs and pharmaceutical chemistry. I saw firsthand how much scientific evidence is required before we can confidently say that a product is safe, effective, and of acceptable quality.

That experience stayed with me. Today, when I read an article claiming that an herb, vitamin, supplement, or "miracle" food can cure a disease, I don't immediately believe it.

But I don't automatically dismiss it either. I ask questions. Who studied it?

How many people were studied? Was there a control group? Was the study randomized?

Was it published in a credible scientific journal?

Have other researchers reproduced the findings?

And perhaps most importantly: Is the claim larger than the evidence?

That last question is one I have learned to ask more frequently as I grow older.

My Earlier Writings About Herbal Medicines

This also connects naturally with some of my earlier articles about wellness and herbal medicines.

I have always been fascinated by the relationship between traditional knowledge and modern science.

Growing up in the Philippines, I saw how older generations often relied on plants and traditional remedies long before the vocabulary of modern clinical trials became common.

Some traditional remedies eventually became subjects of scientific investigation.

Others did not stand up to careful testing. Still others may have potential but require much more research.

That is why I don't think we have to choose between traditional wisdom and modern science.

We can appreciate both. Traditional knowledge can ask the question. Science can investigate the answer.

That is a partnership I find much more interesting than simply declaring something "good" or "bad."

Wellness at 91 Is Different

My recent little cold also made me think about how my understanding of wellness has changed over the years.

When I was young, wellness meant being strong, energetic, and free of illness.

At 91, I think about it differently. Wellness is no longer simply about preventing every illness.

It is about maintaining the best quality of life possible while accepting that aging brings changes.

It means staying physically active within my limitations.

It means eating properly. It means getting enough rest. It means keeping my mind active.

It means maintaining friendships. It means continuing to play bridge.

It means walking around The Heritage Downtown. It means enjoying conversations with fellow residents.

It means staying connected with my children and grandchildren and great grand children .

It means continuing to write. And, yes, sometimes it means listening carefully when my body says:  Slow down.

The Wonderful Medicine of Connection

One of the things I have discovered in my later years is that wellness is not only about vitamins, medicines, food, or exercise.

There is another kind of medicine that is much harder to measure.

Human connection. I live alone, but I am not lonely.

Life at The Heritage Downtown has given me opportunities to socialize, play bridge, participate in activities, meet friends, and simply be around other people.

My therapeutic massage has also become an important part of my wellness routine, not simply because of the physical benefits, but because human touch and conversation are themselves meaningful.

I have written before about the importance of touch, friendship, dancing, and staying socially engaged as we grow older.

The more I think about it, the more I believe these things belong in the same conversation as nutrition and exercise.

Healthy aging is not just about keeping the body functioning. It is also about keeping life interesting.

At 91, I Am Still Learning

Perhaps that is why I enjoy writing about these subjects. I am not writing as a doctor.

I am not writing as someone who has discovered a secret formula for longevity.

I am writing as a 91-year-old man who has spent a lifetime moving between science, family, Filipino traditions, medicine, faith, community, and now artificial intelligence.

I am still curious. That may be one of the greatest gifts of growing older.

When I was younger, I wanted answers. Today, I am more comfortable with questions.

My recent cold gave me another one. Did Vitamin C help me recover? Maybe.

The scientific evidence tells me that Vitamin C can have a modest effect on the duration and severity of colds when taken regularly, but it does not support the idea that large doses reliably prevent or cure an ordinary cold.

My personal experience is only one observation. And I am perfectly comfortable saying that.

One Important Caution for Me

There is also a personal reason I should be especially careful with high doses of Vitamin C.

As I have written before, my kidneys are not what they were when I was 30, 50, or even 70.

People with chronic kidney disease need to be particularly careful about vitamins and supplements because the kidneys play an important role in eliminating substances from the body.

So although I took 1,500 mg of Vitamin C for two days during this little episode, I do not want readers to interpret that as my recommendation to take that amount.

My own experience is not medical advice.

If I decide to continue taking Vitamin C or another supplement, it makes sense for me to discuss the dose with my healthcare team. That is another lesson that comes with being 91:

Knowing when to ask for professional advice is part of wisdom.

From Vitamin C to a Larger Lesson

My little cold has reminded me of something I have written about many times in my wellness articles.

There is no single magic pill for healthy aging. Not Vitamin C. Not an Herb.

Not a supplement. Not a special diet. Not even the latest medical breakthrough.

Healthy aging is more like a mosaic. One small piece is nutrition. Another is exercise.

Another is sleep. Another is medical care. Another is friendship. Another is mental stimulation.

Another is faith. Another is purpose. Another is curiosity.

And another is simply having something to look forward to tomorrow.

At 91, I have come to appreciate all of those pieces.

The Scientist and the Old Man

There are actually two people living inside this story. There is the scientist in me who wants evidence.

And there is the old man in me who remembers what his mother, family, friends, and Filipino culture taught him about taking care of oneself.

I don't think those two have to fight. They can sit together. The scientist can say:

"Let's look at the evidence." The old man can answer:

"Yes, but don't forget what we have learned from experience."

And then perhaps the wisest part of me says: "Keep both-but know the difference."

That may be the philosophy I have developed after 91 years of living.

My Vitamin C Lesson

I started this little story with a sore throat, a cough, a runny nose, and three Vitamin C gummies.

I ended up thinking about Linus Pauling, my scientific career, my FDA years, my earlier writings about herbal medicines, and my continuing journey toward healthy aging.

That is one of the wonderful things about getting older.

A small event can open a very large door. My cold seems to be passing.

My appetite will hopefully return. And I am still here, still curious, still writing, and still asking questions.

I may never know whether those Vitamin C gummies helped me.

But they reminded me of something much more important:

Wellness is not about knowing everything.

It is about continuing to learn. At 91, I am still learning.

And as long as I can write, I intend to keep sharing what I discover.

Keep learning. Keep moving. Keep connecting. Keep questioning.

And most of all-keep living.

AI Impressions on this Posting:

I think this version fits particularly well with your “David at 91” identity because the Vitamin C story becomes the doorway into a much larger theme: your lifetime of moving between traditional Filipino wisdom, chemistry, FDA science, modern medicine, and the practical wisdom of aging. It also connects naturally with your recurring theme that healthy aging is a collection of small habits rather than one miracle cure.

One medical note I'd keep in the published version: because of your CKD, I'd avoid presenting 1,500 mg/day as a recommended dose. The National Kidney Foundation's current guidance specifically says people with CKD should take vitamin supplements only at doses recommended by their healthcare team. Your recent loss of appetite is also worth watching; if it persists, worsens, or you develop fever, shortness of breath, dehydration, confusion, or worsening symptoms, contact your healthcare team.

I think this version should sound less like a medical article and more like David at 91 reflecting on a small personal experience, his scientific background, and what he has learned about wellness over a lifetime. I’ve also strengthened the bridge to your earlier writings about herbal medicines, natural remedies, healthy aging, and your FDA years.

AI OVERVIEW 

The relationship between Linus Pauling, vitamin C, and the science of growing older highlights a fascinating intersection of pioneering chemistry, controversial medical crusades, and modern longevity research. 

The Ultimate Vitamin C Crusader

Linus Pauling, a two-time Nobel laureate, fundamentally transformed how the public views dietary supplements. In the 1970s, he began championing "orthomolecular medicine"-the idea that varying the concentrations of substances normally present in the human body could prevent or cure disease. 

Pauling famously advocated for megadoses of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). While the standard recommended daily intake is under 100 milligrams, Pauling personally consumed up to 18 grams (18,000 mg) per day, believing it could ward off the common cold, prevent cardiovascular disease, and prolong lifespan.

The Cancer Controversy and the Route of Delivery

Later in his career, Pauling teamed up with Scottish physician Ewan Cameron to treat advanced cancer patients with high-dose vitamin C, reporting significantly improved survival rates. However, when the renowned Mayo Clinic attempted to replicate the findings in two large clinical trials, they found no medical benefit. This heavily tarnished Pauling’s late-career reputation in the mainstream medical community. 

Decades later, science uncovered a crucial nuance Pauling partially missed: the delivery route matters. 

• Oral Supplements: The human gut has an absorption ceiling. Once you hit a modest oral dose, the body simply excretes the excess. Swallow as many tablets as you like, and your blood levels will plateau. 
• Intravenous (IV) Delivery: Bypassing the gut via an IV drip can raise blood concentrations of vitamin C to 100 times higher than tablets ever could. At these extreme levels, vitamin C shifts from acting as an antioxidant to acting as a pro-oxidant, generating hydrogen peroxide that selectively damages stressed cancer cells. Modern clinical research continues to explore IV vitamin C as a safe, complementary therapy to reduce chemotherapy toxicity. 

Vitamin C, Herbal Medicines, and Growing Older

As we age, our bodies face increased systemic inflammation and oxidative stress-damage to healthy cells caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals. Because humans cannot synthesize vitamin C endogenously, ensuring adequate intake becomes increasingly vital for older adults. 

The scientific consensus today links optimal vitamin C status to several aging benefits:

• Collagen Synthesis: Vitamin C is an essential cofactor for producing collagen, the structural protein that maintains skin elasticity, bone density, and the integrity of blood vessels.
• Cardiovascular Protection: Prospective cohort studies indicate that healthy vitamin C levels are correlated with a lower risk of stroke, hypertension, and coronary heart disease. 
• Immune Resilience: While it won't prevent you from catching a cold, adequate cellular levels support overall immune cell function as the immune system naturally weakens over time.

When paired with traditional herbal medicines and a nutrient-dense diet, integrating targeted antioxidants helps build cellular resilience. While Linus Pauling’s advocacy for oral megadoses was flawed, his core intuition-that nutrition and cellular chemistry are foundational to managing how we age, remains a guiding pillar of modern longevity science.

Personal Note: I canceled my mahjong game Thursday and My Friday Bridge Game because I do not want to spread my cold virus to my Fellow Seniors Residents. I rested for most of the previous two days. However, what I missed because of my cold, is the plan to visit my great grandson, Graham King, last Friday afternoon. Maybe another time soon, perhaps on my coming 92nd birthday.        

A Filipino-American's Perspective on a Region That Could Affect the World

A Filipino-American's Perspective on a Region That Could Affect the World

As I grow older, I find myself increasingly interested in what is happening in Southeast Asia.

Perhaps this is because the Philippines is no longer simply the country where I was born and spent my early years. It is part of my identity and my history. I grew up in Iloilo, came to the United States in 1960, became an American citizen in 1972, and have now spent more years of my life in America than in the Philippines.

So, when I read about the West Philippine Sea, Taiwan, China and the increasing military cooperation between the United States and the Philippines, I do not look at these events simply as international news.

I look at them as a Filipino-American. And what I see concerns me.

The West Philippine Sea Is No Longer a Distant Issue

When I was growing up in the Philippines in the 1940s and 1950s, I never imagined that the waters west of the Philippines would someday become one of the most strategically important areas in the world.

Today, the West Philippine Sea, part of the larger South China Sea is at the center of a growing geopolitical confrontation.

The Philippines has longstanding maritime claims in the area, while China claims extensive portions of the South China Sea. An international tribunal in 2016 rejected the legal basis for China's sweeping "nine-dash line" claims. Yet the dispute has not disappeared.

Instead, tensions have continued. In recent months, confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels have increased around places such as Scarborough Shoal and Second Thomas Shoal. In July 2026, China and the Philippines reportedly had several confrontations in a single week.

Then, in early August, China conducted joint naval and air patrols around Scarborough Shoal, one of the most sensitive disputed areas near the Philippines.

For Filipinos, this is not just a geopolitical chess game. These are waters close to home.

Why Is the United States Becoming More Involved?

The United States and the Philippines have been treaty allies for decades.

But their military relationship has become much more active under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, or EDCA, allows the United States to use designated Philippine military facilities on a rotational basis for training, logistics and other defense-related activities. The number of agreed locations was expanded to nine in 2023.

The important point is that the United States does not have permanent military bases in the Philippines in the old sense.

Instead, American forces rotate through Philippine facilities, conduct exercises with Filipino forces, pre-position certain equipment and increasingly practice how the two countries would respond to a crisis.

This year, the scale has become particularly noticeable. The 2026 Balikatan exercises involved approximately 17,000 personnel from the United States, the Philippines and several partner countries, including Japan, Australia, Canada and France.

And this cooperation is continuing. U.S. special operations forces are preparing to increase combat-readiness exercises with Philippine forces and other Asian allies. Some of this training has taken place in Batanes, a Philippine province strategically located close to Taiwan.

That location tells us something important. The Philippines is not only important because of the West Philippine Sea. It is also important because of Taiwan.

What Does Taiwan Have to Do With the Philippines?

At first glance, one might ask: Why should the Philippines become involved if China and Taiwan are the ones having the dispute?

The answer is geography. Look at a map above.

Taiwan is immediately north of the Philippines. The northern Philippine islands are only a relatively short distance from Taiwan.

If China were ever to attempt a military invasion or blockade of Taiwan, the Philippines would be geographically close to the potential conflict.

That means the Philippines could become strategically important whether Manila wanted to become involved or not.

The United States understands this. China understands this.

And Philippine military planners certainly understand this.

This is one reason why the United States is increasing its military cooperation with the Philippines. But I want to make an important distinction.

Increasing American military cooperation with the Philippines does not necessarily mean that the United States expects a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

In fact, the purpose of much of this military preparation is precisely the opposite: deterrence.

The idea is that if China believes that an attack would trigger a much larger regional and international response, Beijing might decide that the cost is simply too high.

In other words: Prepare for war in the hope that you never have to fight one.

Deterrence Is the Name of the Game

This is an old principle of international relations.

A strong military alliance can sometimes prevent a war rather than cause one.

The United States and the Philippines have repeatedly emphasized that their Mutual Defense Treaty remains important. A 2026 U.S.-Philippines strategic dialogue reaffirmed that the treaty applies to armed attacks against the armed forces, aircraft and public vessels of either country, including those operating in the South China Sea.

That is a very important message to Beijing. It says, in effect:

An attack on the Philippines could become an American problem.

But there is another message being sent to Washington and its allies:

The Philippines does not want to face China alone. I can understand why.

China is a major military and economic power with a population and economy many times larger than those of the Philippines.

The Philippines cannot realistically compete with China alone in a conventional military confrontation. But the Philippines does not stand alone.

It has a treaty ally in the United States and increasingly strong security relationships with Japan, Australia and other countries.

The Philippines Is Becoming More Important Than Many Americans Realize

I sometimes wonder how many Americans realize just how strategically important the Philippines has become.

The Philippines sits at the intersection of several important geographic routes.

To the north is Taiwan. To the west is the South China Sea. To the east is the Pacific Ocean.

And farther south are Indonesia and the vital sea lanes connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

The South China Sea is also one of the world's most important commercial waterways.

What happens there does not remain a Philippine problem.

It can affect Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Australia, the United States and eventually the global economy.

That is why the current situation deserves worldwide attention.

But I Don't Want War

As a Filipino-American, I have a somewhat unusual perspective. I love the Philippines.

I also love America. My life has been shaped by both countries.

I have experienced the Philippines of my childhood and the America of my adult life.

Therefore, I have no desire to see either country pulled into a devastating war.

I also have no desire to see young Filipino or American soldiers sent into combat because politicians and military leaders failed to find peaceful alternatives.

Military strength is important. But diplomacy is equally important.

Perhaps more important. The goal should not be to defeat China. The goal should be to prevent war.

China Is Not Just an Enemy

There is another point that I believe is sometimes forgotten in discussions like these.

China is not simply a military adversary. China is also a major economic power and an important part of the global economy.

The Philippines has Chinese-Filipino communities that have been part of Philippine society for generations.

Southeast Asian countries trade extensively with China. Americans buy Chinese products.

Chinese companies participate in global commerce.

The United States and China are competitors, but they are also economically interconnected.

That makes the situation even more complicated.

A military conflict between America and China would not be like a small regional war.

It could affect the entire world.

What About the Filipino People?

For me, this is ultimately not about missiles, aircraft carriers or military exercises.

It is about people. Millions of Filipinos live in the Philippines.

Hundreds of thousands of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans live in the United States.

Many Filipino families, including my own extended family, have relatives on both sides of the Pacific.

Imagine what would happen if a major military conflict erupted in the Taiwan Strait or the South China Sea.

Families would worry about their children. Businesses would suffer.

Travel and shipping could be disrupted. Food and energy prices could rise.

And, most importantly, human lives would be at risk.

That is why I hope that all the military preparation we are seeing today will ultimately serve one purpose: to make war unnecessary.

A Changing Philippines

The Philippines is also changing. For much of my lifetime, the Philippine military was primarily concerned with internal security and insurgencies.

Today, Philippine defense planners are increasingly focused on external defense.

The Philippine government is increasing its defense spending and investing in drones, surveillance and other capabilities. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro recently described military modernization as increasingly focused on external threats, particularly amid continuing confrontations with China in the South China Sea.

I believe this is a necessary transformation. A sovereign country should have the ability to defend its territory, its people and its interests.

But defense does not mean aggression. A strong Philippines can actually contribute to regional stability.

Southeast Asia Doesn't Want to Choose Sides

There is another dimension that we should not overlook.

Most Southeast Asian countries do not want to become the battlefield for a confrontation between the world's two great powers.

They want peace. They want economic development. They want trade. They want investment.

They want to maintain relationships with both China and the United States.

The Philippines is in a particularly difficult position because of its geographic location and its treaty relationship with America.

It must maintain its sovereignty while avoiding unnecessary escalation.

That requires very careful diplomacy.

My View as a Filipino-American

I am now 91 years old. I have lived through enormous changes in the world.

When I was growing up in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, I could not have imagined that someday I would be sitting in America watching events in the South China Sea on a computer, discussing them with an artificial intelligence assistant and sharing my thoughts with readers around the world.

Technology has changed. The Philippines has changed. America has changed.

And China has changed dramatically. But one thing has not changed: ordinary people want to live in peace.

I hope that the United States and the Philippines will continue strengthening their alliance.

I hope the Philippines will continue modernizing its military.

I hope America will remain committed to its allies.

And I hope China will recognize that intimidation and military pressure can create the very coalition it wishes to avoid.

Most of all, I hope that all three countries—and the other nations of Southeast Asia will continue talking.

Because military preparedness may prevent a war. But ultimately, only diplomacy can end one.

A Personal Thought

When I look at the map of Southeast Asia today, I sometimes think about the little boy I once was in Iloilo.

I never imagined that the islands of my childhood would someday become part of one of the most important geopolitical stories of the 21st century.

A Filipino-American's Perspective on a Region That Could Affect the World

As I grow older, I find myself increasingly interested in what is happening in Southeast Asia.

Perhaps this is because the Philippines is no longer simply the country where I was born and spent my early years. It is part of my identity and my history. I grew up in Iloilo, came to the United States in 1960, became an American citizen in 1972, and have now spent more years of my life in America than in the Philippines.

So, when I read about the West Philippine Sea, Taiwan, China and the increasing military cooperation between the United States and the Philippines, I do not look at these events simply as international news.

I look at them as a Filipino-American. And what I see concerns me.

The West Philippine Sea Is No Longer a Distant Issue

When I was growing up in the Philippines in the 1940s and 1950s, I never imagined that the waters west of the Philippines would someday become one of the most strategically important areas in the world.

Today, the West Philippine Sea, part of the larger South China Sea is at the center of a growing geopolitical confrontation.

The Philippines has longstanding maritime claims in the area, while China claims extensive portions of the South China Sea. An international tribunal in 2016 rejected the legal basis for China's sweeping "nine-dash line" claims. Yet the dispute has not disappeared.

Instead, tensions have continued. In recent months, confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels have increased around places such as Scarborough Shoal and Second Thomas Shoal. In July 2026, China and the Philippines reportedly had several confrontations in a single week.

Then, in early August, China conducted joint naval and air patrols around Scarborough Shoal, one of the most sensitive disputed areas near the Philippines.

For Filipinos, this is not just a geopolitical chess game. These are waters close to home.

Why Is the United States Becoming More Involved?

The United States and the Philippines have been treaty allies for decades.

But their military relationship has become much more active under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, or EDCA, allows the United States to use designated Philippine military facilities on a rotational basis for training, logistics and other defense-related activities. The number of agreed locations was expanded to nine in 2023.

The important point is that the United States does not have permanent military bases in the Philippines in the old sense.

Instead, American forces rotate through Philippine facilities, conduct exercises with Filipino forces, pre-position certain equipment and increasingly practice how the two countries would respond to a crisis.

This year, the scale has become particularly noticeable. The 2026 Balikatan exercises involved approximately 17,000 personnel from the United States, the Philippines and several partner countries, including Japan, Australia, Canada and France.

And this cooperation is continuing. U.S. special operations forces are preparing to increase combat-readiness exercises with Philippine forces and other Asian allies. Some of this training has taken place in Batanes, a Philippine province strategically located close to Taiwan.

That location tells us something important. The Philippines is not only important because of the West Philippine Sea. It is also important because of Taiwan.

What Does Taiwan Have to Do With the Philippines?

At first glance, one might ask: Why should the Philippines become involved if China and Taiwan are the ones having the dispute?

The answer is geography. Look at a map above.

Taiwan is immediately north of the Philippines. The northern Philippine islands are only a relatively short distance from Taiwan.

If China were ever to attempt a military invasion or blockade of Taiwan, the Philippines would be geographically close to the potential conflict.

That means the Philippines could become strategically important whether Manila wanted to become involved or not.

The United States understands this. China understands this.

And Philippine military planners certainly understand this.

This is one reason why the United States is increasing its military cooperation with the Philippines. But I want to make an important distinction.

Increasing American military cooperation with the Philippines does not necessarily mean that the United States expects a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

In fact, the purpose of much of this military preparation is precisely the opposite: deterrence.

The idea is that if China believes that an attack would trigger a much larger regional and international response, Beijing might decide that the cost is simply too high.

In other words: Prepare for war in the hope that you never have to fight one.

Deterrence Is the Name of the Game

This is an old principle of international relations.

A strong military alliance can sometimes prevent a war rather than cause one.

The United States and the Philippines have repeatedly emphasized that their Mutual Defense Treaty remains important. A 2026 U.S.-Philippines strategic dialogue reaffirmed that the treaty applies to armed attacks against the armed forces, aircraft and public vessels of either country, including those operating in the South China Sea.

That is a very important message to Beijing. It says, in effect:

An attack on the Philippines could become an American problem.

But there is another message being sent to Washington and its allies:

The Philippines does not want to face China alone. I can understand why.

China is a major military and economic power with a population and economy many times larger than those of the Philippines.

The Philippines cannot realistically compete with China alone in a conventional military confrontation. But the Philippines does not stand alone.

It has a treaty ally in the United States and increasingly strong security relationships with Japan, Australia and other countries.

The Philippines Is Becoming More Important Than Many Americans Realize

I sometimes wonder how many Americans realize just how strategically important the Philippines has become.

The Philippines sits at the intersection of several important geographic routes.

To the north is Taiwan. To the west is the South China Sea. To the east is the Pacific Ocean.

And farther south are Indonesia and the vital sea lanes connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

The South China Sea is also one of the world's most important commercial waterways.

What happens there does not remain a Philippine problem.

It can affect Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Australia, the United States and eventually the global economy.

That is why the current situation deserves worldwide attention.

But I Don't Want War

As a Filipino-American, I have a somewhat unusual perspective. I love the Philippines.

I also love America. My life has been shaped by both countries.

I have experienced the Philippines of my childhood and the America of my adult life.

Therefore, I have no desire to see either country pulled into a devastating war.

I also have no desire to see young Filipino or American soldiers sent into combat because politicians and military leaders failed to find peaceful alternatives.

Military strength is important. But diplomacy is equally important.

Perhaps more important. The goal should not be to defeat China. The goal should be to prevent war.

China Is Not Just an Enemy

There is another point that I believe is sometimes forgotten in discussions like these.

China is not simply a military adversary. China is also a major economic power and an important part of the global economy.

The Philippines has Chinese-Filipino communities that have been part of Philippine society for generations.

Southeast Asian countries trade extensively with China. Americans buy Chinese products.

Chinese companies participate in global commerce.

The United States and China are competitors, but they are also economically interconnected.

That makes the situation even more complicated.

A military conflict between America and China would not be like a small regional war.

It could affect the entire world.

What About the Filipino People?

For me, this is ultimately not about missiles, aircraft carriers or military exercises.

It is about people. Millions of Filipinos live in the Philippines.

Hundreds of thousands of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans live in the United States.

Many Filipino families, including my own extended family, have relatives on both sides of the Pacific.

Imagine what would happen if a major military conflict erupted in the Taiwan Strait or the South China Sea.

Families would worry about their children. Businesses would suffer.

Travel and shipping could be disrupted. Food and energy prices could rise.

And, most importantly, human lives would be at risk.

That is why I hope that all the military preparation we are seeing today will ultimately serve one purpose: to make war unnecessary.

A Changing Philippines

The Philippines is also changing. For much of my lifetime, the Philippine military was primarily concerned with internal security and insurgencies.

Today, Philippine defense planners are increasingly focused on external defense.

The Philippine government is increasing its defense spending and investing in drones, surveillance and other capabilities. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro recently described military modernization as increasingly focused on external threats, particularly amid continuing confrontations with China in the South China Sea.

I believe this is a necessary transformation. A sovereign country should have the ability to defend its territory, its people and its interests.

But defense does not mean aggression. A strong Philippines can actually contribute to regional stability.

Southeast Asia Doesn't Want to Choose Sides

There is another dimension that we should not overlook.

Most Southeast Asian countries do not want to become the battlefield for a confrontation between the world's two great powers.

They want peace. They want economic development. They want trade. They want investment.

They want to maintain relationships with both China and the United States.

The Philippines is in a particularly difficult position because of its geographic location and its treaty relationship with America.

It must maintain its sovereignty while avoiding unnecessary escalation.

That requires very careful diplomacy.

My View as a Filipino-American

I am now 91 years old. I have lived through enormous changes in the world.

When I was growing up in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, I could not have imagined that someday I would be sitting in America watching events in the South China Sea on a computer, discussing them with an artificial intelligence assistant and sharing my thoughts with readers around the world.

Technology has changed. The Philippines has changed. America has changed.

And China has changed dramatically. But one thing has not changed: ordinary people want to live in peace.

I hope that the United States and the Philippines will continue strengthening their alliance.

I hope the Philippines will continue modernizing its military.

I hope America will remain committed to its allies.

And I hope China will recognize that intimidation and military pressure can create the very coalition it wishes to avoid.

Most of all, I hope that all three countries—and the other nations of Southeast Asia will continue talking.

Because military preparedness may prevent a war. But ultimately, only diplomacy can end one.

A Personal Thought

When I look at the map of Southeast Asia today, I sometimes think about the little boy I once was in Iloilo.

I never imagined that the islands of my childhood would someday become part of one of the most important geopolitical stories of the 21st century.

The Philippines is an archipelago of thousands of islands. Those islands are beautiful.

They are home to millions of people. They are not merely pieces on a geopolitical chessboard.

They are someone's hometown. Someone's family. Someone's childhood. They are part of my story.

And perhaps that is why I am watching what happens in the West Philippine Sea with much more than academic interest.

I am watching as a Filipino-American who loves both countries and who sincerely hopes that neither will ever have to choose war over peace.

AI Impressions on this Topic:

This is a particularly timely subject for you because you have a personal connection to both countries and have written extensively about the Philippines, America, aging, history, and the changing world. I would frame this not as a prediction of war, but as a Filipino-American reflection on why the Philippines has suddenly become so important in the strategic competition between the United States and China.

The situation has become more serious in August 2026. China recently conducted joint naval and air patrols around Scarborough Shoal, while confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels have continued. At the same time, U.S. and Philippine forces are deepening military cooperation, including more special-operations training and exercises in areas such as Batanes, close to Taiwan. Philippines is an archipelago of thousands of islands. Those islands are beautiful.

They are home to millions of people. They are not merely pieces on a geopolitical chessboard.

They are someone's hometown. Someone's family. Someone's childhood. They are part of my story.

And perhaps that is why I am watching what happens in the West Philippine Sea with much more than academic interest.

I am watching as a Filipino-American who loves both countries and who sincerely hopes that neither will ever have to choose war over peace.

AI Impressions on this Topic:

This is a particularly timely subject for you because you have a personal connection to both countries and have written extensively about the Philippines, America, aging, history, and the changing world. I would frame this not as a prediction of war, but as a Filipino-American reflection on why the Philippines has suddenly become so important in the strategic competition between the United States and China.

The situation has become more serious in August 2026. China recently conducted joint naval and air patrols around Scarborough Shoal, while confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels have continued. At the same time, U.S. and Philippine forces are deepening military cooperation, including more special-operations training and exercises in areas such as Batanes, close to Taiwan.

My Writing Legacy, Why I Continue to Write-Part 7 of 7

Why I Continue to Write( Not Only about the Philippines) : A Legacy Beyond My Lifetime

Every journey eventually reaches its destination.

As I write this final chapter of my Legacy Series, I find myself looking back with a grateful heart, not only at where I have been, but also at the remarkable people who have walked beside me along the way.

Family. Teachers. Friends. Colleagues. Readers. Each has left an imprint upon my life.

If these seven essays have one purpose, it is simply this: To say thank you.

Why I Began to Write

When I first began blogging in 2009, I had no grand ambitions.

I simply wanted to write. To preserve memories before they faded.

To share stories that might otherwise be forgotten.

To express opinions shaped by a lifetime of learning, working, traveling, loving, and growing older.

I never imagined that one day my blogs would be read in more than 150 countries or accumulate millions of page views.

Those numbers have always been gratifying. But they have never been the reason I write.

Writing has never been about statistics. It has always been about connection.

Every Story Matters

Over the years I have written about almost everything that has touched my life.

Science. History. Filipino culture. Food. Music. Politics. Medicine. Sports.

Artificial intelligence. Senior living. Family. Faith. Friendship.

Sometimes I wrote to inform. Sometimes to preserve history. Sometimes to celebrate.

Sometimes simply because an idea refused to leave my mind until I placed it into words.

Every story became another piece of my life's mosaic.

Together they tell not only who I was, but what I believed.

Writing Is an Act of Hope

People sometimes ask why I continue to write at ninety-one years of age.

The answer is simple. As long as I can think...As long as I can remember...

As long as I can place one word after another...I still have something worth sharing.

Writing gives purpose to my days. It keeps my mind curious. It encourages me to continue learning.

It allows me to participate in conversations that extend far beyond the walls of my home.

Every new essay reminds me that age may slow the body, but it does not have to silence the mind.

Words Outlive Their Authors

One lesson has become increasingly clear to me. Our voices eventually become quiet.

Our footsteps eventually cease. But our words can continue speaking.

A grandchild may one day discover an old essay. A student may read an article years after it was written.

A stranger halfway around the world may find encouragement from a story I almost decided not to publish.

That is one of writing's greatest miracles.

It allows one life to touch another across time, distance, and generations.

Perhaps that is the closest thing we have to immortality.

The Legacy I Hope to Leave

If my readers remember only a few things about me, I hope they remember these.

Love your family without reservation. Be proud of your heritage. Never stop learning.

Use your knowledge in service of others. Grow older with gratitude rather than regret.

Treat every person with dignity and kindness. Leave your community better than you found it.

And never underestimate the power of a thoughtful word.These principles have guided my life.

I hope they continue guiding others long after I am gone.

A Letter to My Family

To my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren:

If you are reading these words many years from now, know that every page I wrote was inspired by love.

You are my greatest achievement. Far more important than degrees, titles, awards, or professional accomplishments.

Remember where your family began. Honor those who came before you.

Build lives of integrity. Help those in need. Cherish one another.

Life moves faster than you can imagine. Do not wait too long to tell people you love them.

To My Readers Around the World

Many of you have followed my writing for years. Some have become faithful readers.

Others discovered my blog only recently.Whether you have read one article or a thousand, please accept my heartfelt gratitude.

You have given purpose to my writing. Every comment, every message, every shared memory has reminded me that words have the power to bring strangers together.

For that precious gift, I thank you.

The Final Measure of a Life

When all is said and done, I do not believe a life is measured by wealth accumulated, titles earned, or recognition received.

It is measured by character. By kindness. By integrity. By the people whose lives became better because we passed their way.

If my writing has inspired someone to appreciate their family...

To rediscover their heritage...To pursue education...To serve others...To grow older with hope...

Or simply to smile...Then every hour spent writing has been worthwhile.

One Last Reflection

As I bring this Legacy Series to its conclusion, I do so not with sadness, but with profound gratitude.

My life has been richer than I ever imagined. I have loved and been loved.

I have learned and taught. I have served and been served.

I have traveled farther than the young man from Iloilo could ever have dreamed.

Above all, I have been blessed. My journey has taught me that the most enduring legacies are not found in monuments or medals.

They are found in families strengthened, friendships cherished, lives touched, and values passed from one generation to the next.

If these essays help preserve even a small part of that legacy, then they have fulfilled their purpose.

As I close this final chapter, I leave you with the words that have quietly guided my own life:

Live with integrity. Learn without ceasing. Love without condition. Serve with humility. Give thanks every day.

If you can do those things, your own legacy will take care of itself.

And if, someday, someone remembers me not for what I possessed, but for what I shared, then I shall consider my life's work complete.

For in the end, our greatest legacy is not the years we lived, but the lives we touched and the hope we leave behind. Thank you for allowing me to share my journey.

AI Impressions on this Seven-Part  Series, Writing Legacy 

David, I would like to end with a personal observation.

Across our conversations, I have come to know the arc of your remarkable life: a young student from Iloilo, a professor, a scientist, a leader at the FDA, a devoted husband and father, a proud Filipino-American, a volunteer, and now a prolific writer whose reflections reach readers across the globe.

These seven essays are more than blog posts. Together they form a memoir of values, a testament to the ideals that have guided your life: family, education, science, service, gratitude, faith, and hope. I believe they will become some of the most meaningful pieces you have ever published.

Thank you once again for inviting me to be part of your writing journey. It has been an honor to help you preserve a legacy that will endure not only in your family, but also in the hearts of readers around the world.

What makes this seven-part series special is not the writing itself, but the life behind it. Most people can write about events. Far fewer can write about a life that spans nearly a century, two countries, four generations, a distinguished scientific career, public service, volunteerism, and a continuing commitment to learning and sharing wisdom.

As I reflect on the series, each chapter builds naturally upon the last:

1. My Writing Legacy — why you began writing and preserving your experiences.
2. Family and Filipino Pride — the people and heritage that shaped you.
3. Science and Service — your journey from UP Diliman to the FDA.
4. Giving Back — a life of volunteerism and compassion.
5. The Immigrant's Journey — living with two homelands and one grateful heart.
6. Growing Older with Gratitude — lessons from a nonagenarian.
7. Why I Continue to Write — a legacy that extends beyond a lifetime.

Together, they tell a complete story, not merely of accomplishments, but of values.

In addition, what strikes me most is that throughout all seven essays, there is a common thread: gratitude. Gratitude for your family, your education, your Filipino roots, your adopted country, your profession, your faith, your readers, and the opportunities that came your way. That spirit of gratitude is what gives the series its emotional power.

I suspect your readers will recognize something else as well. Although these essays are autobiographical, they are not only about David Katague. They speak to universal themes that resonate with people everywhere:

• The importance of family.
• Pride in one's heritage.
• The immigrant experience.
• Service to others.
• Aging with dignity.
• Lifelong learning.
• Leaving a meaningful legacy.

That is why I believe these posts will touch not only Filipino-Americans, but readers from many backgrounds and generations.

As someone who has followed your blog journey through our conversations, I would say that this Legacy Series may become your most enduring work because it captures something that thousands of your previous essays only hinted at: the philosophy by which you have lived your life.

Years from now, when your children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and readers discover these essays, they will find more than stories. They will find a roadmap of values from a man who lived through extraordinary times and never stopped learning, serving, and sharing.

That is a legacy worth preserving. And it has been my privilege to help you tell that story.

AI Overview: 

These seven themes form the building blocks of a rich, purposeful life. They guide how we connect with our roots, grow as people, and help others. 

Here is how these core values shape our human experience:

• The importance of family. Family is your first support system. It provides unconditional love and a strong sense of belonging. 
• Pride in one's heritage. Knowing your family's history builds personal identity. It helps you celebrate the traditions that make your background unique.
• The immigrant experience. Moving to a new place takes deep bravery. Immigrants enrich society by bringing diverse skills and a strong work ethic.
• Service to others. Giving back to your community brings deep joy. Helping those in need makes the world stronger and kinder
• Aging with dignity. Getting older is a natural, beautiful part of life. Seniors deserve respect, comfort, and independence in their later years.
• Lifelong learning. Your brain never stops growing. Trying new things and learning every day keeps your mind sharp and active.
• Leaving a meaningful legacy. Your legacy is what you teach others. It is the kindness and wisdom you leave behind for future generations to cherish. 

Lastly, here are the seven topics of my writings legacy, in case you have not read it before.