The Discovery of the Philippines by Ferdinand Magellan

Today's Blog, is a little bit of history about the Philippines-The Country of My Birth. This was taken from the book of H. Butterworth on the Story of Magellan and Discovery of the Philippines. If you are not a history enthusiast, please do not continue, but if you want to be inform a little bit of Philippine History, please go on.....The video about the Philippines is also worth your time.

" Of the five ships and 270 men that set sail from Spain in September 1519 on a mission to circumnavigate the globe, only one ship and 18 hungry and disheveled men managed to return. On September 6, 1522, one thousand eighty-two days after their departure, the Spanish captain Juan Sebastián de Elcano guided his ship, the Victoria, back to port, completing an exhausting and dangerous journey. It was, in the words of historian Laurence Bergreen, "the greatest maritime journey ever undertaken and the most significant." But the man who conceived the expedition, Ferdinand Magellan, did not live to see its conclusion. He was killed in the Philippines in 1521 at the age of 40.

In 1519, while much of Europe was entangled in religious conflicts arising from the Protestant Reformation, Spain and Portugal were the dominant powers on the continent, competing to extend their influence and authority worldwide amid the Age of Discovery. Magellan, a Portuguese nobleman (born Fernão de Magalhães), was already an experienced navigator and explorer when he offered his services to the Spanish King Charles V, proposing to establish Spanish trade routes to Asia by approaching from the east, instead of through the Indian Ocean.

Magellan's plan was to travel to "the Indies" (Indonesia and India) by first navigating around the "New World" (as the Americas were then called). This had never been done before, and most sailors of the time considered it impossible.

Magellan first crossed the Atlantic and sailed along the coast of South America. While waiting for better weather in what is now Argentina, he had to quell a mutiny. One of his ships was wrecked, and another turned back to Spain. It was an inauspicious start to the expedition.

Magellan managed to find a passage around the treacherous southern tip of South America (which became known as the "Strait of Magellan") and entered a relatively calm ocean that he called the "Pacific Ocean." He expected the crossing of what we now call the Pacific Ocean to take about four days. Instead, it took almost four months. As their food spoiled and the water supply began to dwindle, the men started to starve, and around 30 of them died of scurvy before reaching land. They made a brief stop in Guam but had to leave after the natives took a boat and other supplies from Magellan's ships, leading him to order a brutal retaliation (diplomacy was not Magellan's strong suit).

In March 1521, Magellan's expedition arrived in the Philippines. There, he recklessly involved himself in a rivalry between two chieftains, Humabon on the island of Cebu and Lapu-Lapu on the island of Mactan. Humabon and his followers readily converted to Christianity and allied with Magellan. But on April 26, a messenger from a Mactan chieftain named Zula told Magellan that Lapu-Lapu refused to obey the Spanish king. Magellan and a group of his men, with the support and encouragement of Humabon, set out for Mactan intending to subdue Lapu-Lapu. It was a fatal mistake.

Magellan was confident that with their armor, muskets, and spears, he and his men could easily defeat Lapu-Lapu and his followers, who were armed with bows, arrows, and bamboo spears. When his ship arrived at the island, he sent a demand that Lapu-Lapu and his people swear allegiance to Humabon, pay tribute, obey the Spanish king, and convert to Christianity. Lapu-Lapu and his people flatly refused and prepared for battle.

On April 27, 1521, Magellan and his group landed on Mactan and faced fierce resistance from the local warriors. Despite their technological superiority, the Spaniards were outnumbered and ambushed. During the confrontation, Magellan was wounded in the arm with a spear and then struck in the leg by an arrow. Disabled by his wounds, he was surrounded by the warriors and ultimately killed on the beach.

Magellan's death was a significant blow to the expedition, but his men did not give up. Led by Juan Sebastián de Elcano, they continued the journey and eventually completed the first circumnavigation of the world. On September 6, 1522, the Victoria returned to Spain with its crew, decimated but triumphant.

Despite its tragic end, Magellan's voyage remains one of the most important milestones in the history of maritime exploration. His expedition proved that it was possible to sail around the world and opened new trade routes that would have a lasting impact on global trade and geopolitics. Although Magellan did not live to see the success of his enterprise, his legacy endures, through Juan Sebastián de Elcano, as one of history's great navigators and explorers".

Credits: Miriam Baños

Here's a short video about the Philippines:

💚https://fb.watch/uygEIT5PCi/

The Philippines is one of the most mineral-rich countries in the world, ranking fifth for deposits of gold, nickel, copper, and chromite. This wealth of resources is largely due to the country's volcanic activity, which has resulted in rich mineral deposits. Although the Philippines has substantial copper-gold deposits, it does not hold the title for the largest copper deposit or the second-largest gold deposit globally. Regions like Zambales are particularly noted for their rich mineral resources. The mining industry plays a vital role in the country's economy, emphasizing the importance of responsible and sustainable mining practices.

Ten Interesting Facts About Sleep

I received the following article from Phil Paris the other day(cpapnation.com). It is very interesting and I am sharing it with you. It is related to my previous posting on why sleep is the foundation of good health and longevity. I could identify with items 4 and 7, validated by my own personal experiences. I have a number of relatives that are sleep walkers. My 2 cats, Batman and Robin take 16 hours nap every day.  Here's the article for your reading pleasure.       

"Sleep is one of life’s great mysteries. We spend about a third of our lives doing it, but we’re only just beginning to uncover the science behind our nightly snooze. From animals with bizarre sleep habits to human quirks like yawning, there’s a treasure trove of strange and fascinating facts about sleep. Here’s a look at some of the most mind-boggling sleep facts that might just make you see bedtime a little differently!

1. Dolphins Sleep with One Eye Open

Dolphins have evolved to sleep with half of their brain at a time! They close one eye while the other eye stays open, allowing them to keep an eye out for danger and maintain control over their breathing. 

2. Humans Yawn to Cool the Brain

Ever wonder why you can’t stop yawning when you’re tired? Contrary to popular belief, yawning isn’t just about increasing oxygen intake. Recent research suggests that yawning helps cool down the brain! When we yawn, we stretch our jaw, which increases blood flow to the brain, and the cool air we breathe in lowers the brain temperature slightly.

3. Some People Only Need 4 Hours of Sleep—Thanks to a Gene

While most of us need 7-8 hours to feel fully rested, a lucky few carry a rare genetic mutation that allows them to function perfectly well on just four hours of sleep! 

4. Sleepwalking: Your Brain’s Autopilot Mode

Sleepwalking, or somnambulism, is a phenomenon where a person can perform complex activities like walking, talking, and even cooking while still asleep. During sleepwalking episodes, certain parts of the brain, including those responsible for movement, are active while other parts, particularly those involved in judgment and memory, remain asleep. 

5. You Forget 90% of Your Dreams Within Minutes

Have you ever woken up with a dream fresh in your mind, only to forget it moments later? You’re not alone! Research shows that most people forget up to 90% of their dreams within the first few minutes of waking. This is because our brains don’t store dreams as memories in the same way they store waking experiences. 

6. Teenagers Really Do Need More Sleep

It’s not just an excuse! Teenagers experience a shift in their circadian rhythms (the body’s internal clock), which causes them to feel tired later at night and to need more sleep overall. This shift makes early school hours particularly challenging for teens, who often aren’t fully alert until later in the morning. 

7. Why Are Cats Such Great Nappers?

If you’ve ever owned a cat, you know how much they love to sleep. Cats spend around 16 hours a day snoozing, which might seem excessive, but it’s actually a survival mechanism. In the wild, felines are predators that need to conserve energy for hunting. By sleeping for long stretches, they store up the energy required for those high-energy bursts of activity. 

8. Bizarre Sleep: Giraffes and Elephants Sleep Standing Up

Giraffes and elephants are among the animals that can sleep while standing, though they do occasionally lie down. This adaptation helps them stay alert to predators, as it’s easier to take off running from a standing position. Giraffes, in particular, need very little sleep compared to other animals, snoozing for only about 30 minutes to two hours a day in short intervals.

9. “Sleep Drunkenness” is a Real Thing

Ever wake up feeling completely disoriented, as if you’ve been wrenched from a deep sleep? This sensation, called “sleep drunkenness” or sleep inertia, can occur when you’re woken up from a deep stage of sleep, such as REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. 

10. Lucid Dreaming: When You Control the Dream

Lucid dreaming is a state where a person becomes aware they’re dreaming and may even be able to control aspects of the dream. Some people practice techniques to induce lucid dreaming and use it as a form of entertainment, therapy, or problem-solving.

https://www.zzzquil.com/en-us/article/12-fun-facts-about-sleep

Lastly, Here's a photo of my bougainvillea in bloom and the one camelia flower in my Patio.

 Here's the completed side entrance to the Fairmont Building. Looks Spacious and less clutter!

 

The Wall Mural at the Faimont Building by Trenton Gregory

I talked to Trenton💚Gregory the other day. He said the two deers in his wall mural in the Fairmont Building ( THD) is now complete.  It is indeed beautiful and very realistic, Thank You Trenton for your art work. Your wall mural enhances and promotes the well-being and sense of contentment of the senior residents here at THD.  More Power to your Artistic Talent. 

Here are the other photos of the Fairmont Wall Mural that Trenton sent me recently.   

It has more vibrant details, more contrast and vibrancy as well as depth. 

Here is the other photo of the Mural, I took previously, before completion.

Here are the photos of ducks, heron, fox, and a rabbit and a small cottage which added more beauty and realism to the Gigantic Wall Mural.   

Meanwhile, the other day, I mentioned that I missed the Persimmon tree in the THD Garden and I was not sure what will be the replacement. Here are the photos I took today, including the ongoing landscaping improvement on the side of Fairmont as well as the new seating chairs in the swimming pool. The pool looks more spacious and inviting. 

 

Here's Trenton Gregory Website for Detail information about his Art Work.  

💚https://trentongregoryfineart.com/

A Good Sleep is Foundation to Good Health and Longevity

I was reading my FaceBook this morning when the following article attracted my attention. I am reposting it because recently a few of my fellow senior residents informed me that lately they have HARD time sleeping because of the unexpected results of the Election of Trump.   I advised them that life must GO ON and forget what happened the last few days. Perhaps their good sleeping pattern will return to normal. The following article explained in detail why a good night sleep is a key to long life and good health. I hope you find the following article useful and informative.   It is  long read, but if you have problems sleeping, please continue reading.    

" One of the most important (and least appreciated) keys to extending your healthspan is a great night’s sleep. It rejuvenates the body, boosts cognitive function, and powers your immune system. It’s the foundation for your health and longevity. 

Sleep expert Matthew Walker, director of the Center for Human Sleep Science at the University of California, Berkeley and author of the excellent book Why We Sleep, says that sleep is the single most effective thing we can do to reset our mental and physical health each day. There is a direct relationship between how well you sleep and how long you live, and almost nobody can get away with fewer than six hours of sleep a night without harming their health.

For most people, regularly getting eight hours of sleep boosts memory retention, enhances concentration, augments creativity, stabilizes emotions, strengthens the immune system, enhances athletic performance, and staves off deadly ailments like cancers and heart disease.

Still not convinced?  Here are three powerful examples:

1. The difference between getting a good night’s sleep and a bad one is a decrease from 100% to 60% in the brain's ability to retain new facts. That’s the difference, as Walker puts it, between “acing an exam and failing it miserably.”

2. Going twenty-four hours without sleep is like having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10%, above the legal limit for driving in most places.

3. A sleepless night with only four hours of sleep resulted in a 70% reduction in the activity of your natural killer cells (which combat infections and cancer). Remarkably, the activity of natural killer cells returns to baseline levels after one night of normal sleep.

Sleep doesn’t get the respect it deserves. It’s often the first thing people sacrifice to make time for almost anything else, whether leisure or work. But the popular belief that “you can sleep when you’re dead” is fundamentally damaging to your health, happiness, and longevity.

For example, regularly getting fewer than six or seven hours of sleep each night doubles your risk of cancer and can increase the likelihood that you’ll develop Alzheimer’s disease. Insufficient sleep can also contribute to major psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and depression.

One key lesson from Walker is if humans had been able to evolve with the ability to get along with less sleep, then we would have. We are most vulnerable to predation and least productive while we sleep. Yet evolutionarily our bodies retained the need for eight hours.

Insufficient sleep can have serious metabolic and hormonal consequences. When individuals are sleep-deprived, the body essentially enters a state of malnutrition. “If you take the mentality of ‘I’ll sleep when I’m dead,’ ironically, you will have both a shorter life and the quality of that life will be significantly worse as a consequence,” Walker said onstage at our longevity conference this year. He then highlighted a study where young, healthy men were restricted to five hours of sleep for five nights. The result? Their testosterone levels droppedto the equivalent of someone 10 years older. “Five hours a night for five nights will age a man by a decade,” Walker emphasized, noting that this also affects female reproductive hormones such as estrogen and progesterone.

Sleep deprivation also leads to cognitive and metabolic impairments. A study that restricted people to four hours of sleep for four nights found that these individuals, previously with normal blood sugar, became classified as prediabetic by the end of the trial. This underscores the profound metabolic toll that insufficient sleep can take in a very short time.

Convinced yet? Here are 9 tips for optimizing your sleep.

1. Aim for 7-9 hours: Anything less than 7 hours of sleep can lead to significant metabolic, cognitive, and cardiovascular impairments.

2. Improve sleep efficiency: Walker emphasizes that efficiency is crucial. You can get a sense of yours through sleep trackers like Oura or WHOOP. Anything less than 85% (time spent in bed sleeping versus awake) needs attention.

3. Maintain regular sleep patterns: Regularity is more important than quantity when it comes to long-term health benefits. Walker recommends going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, with only a +/- 25-minute variance.

4. Align your sleep with your chronotype: Everyone has a chronotype—whether they’re a morning person or a night owl. Your goal should be to gradually adjust to a healthy sleep schedule that respects your natural tendencies. For example, if you're a night owl, start with a bedtime close to when you feel naturally drowsy, like 11:30 PM, and gradually shift it earlier by 15-30 minutes every few nights. 

5. Time your exercise right: For optimal sleep quality, it's best to finish exercise 90 minutes before bed, allowing your body enough time to cool down.

6. Eat at the right times, too: It’s best to finish eating at least two hours before bed, giving your body time to digest and reducing indigestion during sleep.

7. Manage stress before sleep: To avoid “tired and wired” syndrome before bed, consider journaling, taking a hot shower, meditation, or catching up with a friend.

8.    Practice good sleep hygiene: An hour before bedtime, lower the lights in your room by 70%. If you need to use your phone, do it only while standing, and put it away when you lie down. Remove clocks from view to avoid watching the time pass.

9.  Monitor yourself for sleep apnea: Sleep apnea, a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, reduces oxygen levels and can lead to increased risks of heart disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline. Your doctor can order a sleep study, or you can use tools like the SnoreLab app to track signs like loud snoring or gasping for air. If symptoms appear, seek professional evaluation.

Reference: https://time.com/7160802/sleep-longevity-live-longer-health/?

Lastly, enjoy this photo of my first Camelia Bloom in my Patio here at THD

 

The Spider Plant- Landscaping Changes Here at THD

IF YOU HAVE a Spider PLANT, YOU'RE IN LUCK: THAT'S WHY IT'S WORTH ITS WEIGHT IN GOLD AT HOME. The spider plant also symbolized Abundance. Here are benefits of the spider plant and may apply to other indoor plants, also.

1. Purify Air: Removes indoor toxins like formaldehyde and xylene.

2. Easy Care: Thrives in indirect light with infrequent watering.

3. Increase Humidity: Adds moisture to the air, which can help with dry skin and respiratory issues.

4. Safe for Pets: Non-toxic to cats and dogs.

5. Enhance Decor: Adds visual appeal with lush, arching leaves and the ability to grow spiderettes.

6. Reduce Stress: Caring for plants can lower stress levels.

7. Simple Propagation: Easily propagate new plants from spiderettes.

Meanwhile enjoy this photo of my dinner with Joyce Gonsalves, Richard Botton and Peggy Quirk, Debbie Baldwin several  months ago.  My order for the night was the Mighty Cheese Burger with all its trimmings. 

 

Meanwhile, the Best and Worst Rated Pinoy Dishes from Taste Atlas. How many of the above dishes have you tasted? Do you have an adventurous taste buds? If so you should try at least a number of the above Pinoy Dishes.

And Lastly, the Persimmon Tree in the THD Garden is Gone. I am not sure what the replacement will be. But currently, landscaping changes are in progress. Hopefully, it will be for the better.

I will surely miss that Persimmon tree loaded with fruits.