Cure for Parkinson Disease- California Department of Aging

From My Health Readings This Week

Japanese scientists have achieved a remarkable step forward in treating Parkinson’s disease by implanting lab-grown brain cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS). These specialized cells are designed to replace the dopamine-producing neurons that are progressively lost in patients, leading to the motor symptoms associated with the disease. Early trials are showing that these implants can survive, integrate into the brain, and begin producing dopamine.

Patients who have undergone this experimental treatment are already displaying improved motor function, and scans confirm that the transplanted cells are actively working. If ongoing trials continue to show success, this therapy may not only relieve symptoms but potentially restore lost brain activity. This breakthrough could mark the beginning of regenerative medicine becoming a reality for millions worldwide living with Parkinson’s.

Meanwhile......

Scientists at the University of Florida developed an mRNA cancer vaccine that rapidly reprograms the immune system to attack glioblastoma, the most aggressive brain tumor.

In a first-in-human trial with four adult patients, the personalized vaccine, made from patients’ own tumor cells and delivered via lipid nanoparticles, triggered robust immune responses within 48 hours, mirroring results from preclinical mouse and dog studies.

The vaccine, which uses a novel clustered nanoparticle delivery system, is now advancing to a Phase 1 pediatric clinical trial for brain cancer, with plans to include up to 24 adult and pediatric patients to confirm safety and optimal dosing, followed by a Phase 2 trial with 25 children.

Finally.......

In a stunning medical breakthrough, scientists have developed a technique to retrain the immune system to stop attacking the body, a discovery that may reverse autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes. This innovation marks a major shift in how we approach chronic illnesses caused by immune system malfunction.

Instead of suppressing immunity, researchers created a therapy that re-educates immune cells to recognize healthy tissues as "self" and not a threat. This was tested in animal models with promising results. The immune system, once calmed and corrected, stopped destroying insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, restoring insulin production and reversing diabetic symptoms.

This approach tackles the root of autoimmune disease rather than just managing symptoms. By halting the attack at its source, this therapy could offer long-term relief or even a cure for millions living with autoimmune conditions.

Experts say this breakthrough opens new doors not just for diabetes, but also for conditions like lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical trials in humans are on the horizon, and the medical world is watching closely.

This isn't science fiction. It's the beginning of a new era in precision immunotherapy and chronic disease reversal.

Personal Note: TO ALL SENIORS Citizens of the State of California. Here's the site for Programs and Services, by The California Department of Aging.

https://aging.ca.gov/Programs_and_Services/

Fernando Amorsolo- Grand Old Man of Philippine Art

From My Art Readings This Week

Fernando Amorsolo (1892–1972) captured the essence of rural Philippine life with his masterful use of light. Born in Daet, Camarines Norte, he moved to Manila after his father’s passing and trained under his cousin, Fabian de la Rosa. He later studied at the UP School of Fine Arts and pursued further training in Madrid with support from Enrique Zobel.

Returning to the Philippines, Amorsolo became a celebrated painter and educator, serving as acting director of the UP School of Fine Arts. His iconic Planting Rice (1922) and other sunlit depictions of daily life became widely reproduced, making him one of the most sought-after artists of his time.

His romanticized vision of the Philippines defined the “Amorsolo school,” a style cherished for its warmth and nostalgia. Decades later, his legacy continues to shine.

Fernando Amorsolo y Cueto (May 30, 1892 – April 24, 1972) was a portraitist and painter of rural Philippine landscapes. Nicknamed the "Grand Old Man of Philippine Art," he was the first-ever to be recognized as a National Artist of the Philippines. He was recognized as such for his "pioneering use of impressionistic technique" as well as his skill in the use of lighting and backlighting in his paintings, "significant not only in the development of Philippine art but also in the formation of Filipino notions of self and identity."

Amorsolo, acclaimed as “Painter of Philippine Sunlight,” is best known for his illuminated landscapes, which often portrayed traditional Filipino customs, culture, fiestas and occupations. His pastoral works presented "an imagined sense of nationhood in counterpoint to American colonial rule" and were important to the formation of Filipino national identity. He was educated in the Classical traditionand aimed "to achieve his Philippine version of the Greek ideal for the human form." In his paintings of Filipina women, Amorsolo rejected Western ideals of beauty in favor of Filipino ideals and was fond of basing the faces of his subjects on members of his family.

Four days after his death, Amorsolo was posthumously honored as the first National Artist of the Philippines at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Amorsolo grave-statue in 2023

The volume of paintings, sketches, and studies of Amorsolo is believed to have reached more than 10,000 pieces. Amorsolo was an important influence on contemporary Filipino art and artists, even beyond the so-called "Amorsolo school." Amorsolo's influence can be seen in many landscape paintings by Filipino artists, including early landscape paintings by abstract painter Federico Aguilar Alcuaz.

Amorsolo statue

In 2003, Amorsolo's children founded the Fernando C. Amorsolo Art Foundation, which is dedicated to preserving Fernando Amorsolo's legacy, promoting his style and vision, and preserving a national heritage through the conservation and promotion of his works.

During his lifetime, Amorsolo had a total of 14 children from two marriages and a common-law-wife. In 1916, he married Salud Tolentino Jorge, with whom he had six children; Salud died in 1931. He then met and lived with common-law wife, Virginia Guevarra Santos, with whom he had three children, namely Manuel (who followed in his father's footstep, with a degree in Fine Arts from the University of the Philippines), Jorge and Norma before he met his would-be second wife, Maria del Carmen. While they were still together, Virginia found an engagement ring in one of Amorsolo's drawers; she knew the ring was for Maria, that prompted her to leave his house with her three children.

In 1935, Fernando married Maria del Carmen who gave him eight more children. Among her daughters with her are Sylvia Amorsolo-Lazo and Luz. But while they were married and Maria was giving birth to his children, Fernando had three more children with Virginia. His reputation was growing as fast as his brood and his work was more than enough to provide for his rather large family. Six of Amorsolo's children became artists themselves. His descendants include Eula Valdez and Paolo Ballesteros.

For Complete Details read:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernando_Amorsolo

Meanwhile, here's Amorsolo's Painting of the Nipa Hut valued from P750,000 to P850,000. The current dollar to pesos exchange is around 1 to 60. It used to be 1 to 2 when I was a kid, 

Compared this to the Jesse Santos,The Nipa Hut that I owned and displayed in my Apartment Living room here at THD(see painting below). 

Lastly, here's Amorsolo's Most Expensive Painting- Under the Mango Tree

Since 1998 the record price for this artist at auction was $1,030,104 USD sold at León Gallery, Makati in 2024.

Lastly, here's the List of 7 Most Expensive Paintings In The World 2023

The most renowned paintings, particularly those hailing from the era before 1803, their custodial domain is chiefly the hallowed halls of museums, beckoning patrons from all corners of the world. These veritable gems, seldom traded or sold, stand as exemplars of artistic excellence, and their worth transcends mere valuation. 

1. Mona Lisa - $970 Million
2. Salvator Mundi - $450.3 Million
3. Interchange -  $300 Million
4. The Card Players - $250 Million
5. Nafea Faa Ipoipo - $210 Million
6. Number 17A - $200 Million
7. Wasserschlangen II - $183.8 Million

I am familiar with Painting #1 and #2. I need to see the remaining paintings in the list. How about you? Have you seen all of the 7 paintings in the list above? If you have, I salute You! 

Personal Note: The Other Side of the Story:  This afternoon after the jazz Concert , Joann Konigsberg introduced herself to me and with great conviction said that she is not a racist and had never uttered the 5 letter word  starting with an "N". This was related to an incident when Liza our former African-American driver quit instantly that day. In my posting, I never mentioned Joann name, however based on the events and witnesses ( Liza was one hour late on her pick-up schedule), all the THD readers of my blog guessed it was her who was involved with Liza.  My dear THD readers, I believe that Joann is indeed not a racist, so please stopped talking about that past event and let us move forward. I am hoping that there will be no future similar event between from our almost 99% Caucasian Residents and a couple of THD  African- American or Filipino-Amercan employees.  For Details on the Liza Quitting versus Resident story read my blog:     

https://marinduquemyislandparadise.blogspot.com/2025/08/discrimination-in-united-states.html

The Verde Islands Passage in the Philippines- Amazon of the Oceans

A Sea Snake- One of thousands Sea Creatures at the Verde Island Passage

The Verde Island Passage is filled with colorful corals and fascinating fish species that will leave you with wonder. This marine paradise - spanning the provinces of Batangas, Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, and Romblon - houses 60% of the world’s known shorefish species.

The heart-shape island on the middle-right of the above photo-is my second home- Marinduque-Location of Chateau Du Mer.  Notice the coral reefs and mangroves in the island.   

What Do you Know about the Verde Island Passage in the Philippines? 

What Do you Know about the Verde Island Passage in the Philppines

The Verde Island Passage (VIP) is a strait in the Philippines separating the islands of Luzon and Mindoro, connecting the South China Sea to Tayabas Bay and the Sibuyan Sea. It is globally renowned as one of the world’s richest marine biodiversity hotspots, often referred to as the "Center of the Center of Marine Shorefish Biodiversity" and the "Amazon of the Oceans".

Key facts about the Verde Island Passage include:

• Biodiversity and Conservation Status: The passage is situated at the heart of the Coral Triangle and houses over 300 coral species, 1,736 shore fish species, 32 species of mangroves, and 20 species of seagrasses within a 10km region, making it the single most biodiverse marine habitat globally. This immense biodiversity sustains threatened species like hawksbill, olive ridley, and green turtles, dugongs, whale sharks, giant clams, and the unique red fin wrasse. It provides food and livelihoods to over 2 million Filipinos.

• Economic and Cultural Significance: VIP is a cornerstone for fisheries, tourism, and shipping in the region. It is a main shipping lane linking Manila to Visayas and Mindanao, with Batangas Port serving as a major entry and exit point for cargo and passenger vessels. The passage also supports robust local economies through coastal tourism, especially diving in marine sanctuaries, and harbors several historical sites, including one of the oldest lighthouses and a notable 16th-century Spanish shipwreck.

• Environmental Threats: Despite its significance, the VIP faces major threats such as overfishing, illegal fishing, pollution, unsustainable land use, irresponsible tourism, and fossil fuel-related industrialization. Of special note is the February 2023 oil spill when a tanker sank with 800,000 liters of industrial oil, causing ecological devastation and impacting local communities.

• Conservation Efforts: Numerous MPAs (marine protected areas) have been designated and community management initiatives are in place. The passage was officially designated as a "Hope Spot" by Mission Blue in 2023—recognizing its vital ecological and conservation importance. Local and national government agencies, along with NGOs like Conservation International, are working to address threats through policies, enforcement networks, and sustainable livelihood programs.

• Climate and Physical Features: VIP enjoys a tropical climate with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 32°C year-round. The passage is also known for its strong, sometimes hazardous currents, especially during the monsoon season, which complicates navigation for small vessels.

Overall, the Verde Island Passage stands as a critical marine ecosystem for the Philippines and the world, with urgent needs for ongoing protection and sustainable management to counter the growing environmental and industrial pressures.

Meanwhile, Did you know that....

THE PHILIPPINES WAS NAMED A GLOBAL HOT SPOT FOR SOFT CORALS IN WPS, BENHAM RISE

The Philippines’ West Philippine Sea (WPS) and Benham Rise have emerged as world centers of soft coral diversity, reinforcing the country’s status as a marine biodiversity hot spot, a groundbreaking international study revealed.

Led by Dr. Catherine McFadden and published in Nature Scientific Reports, the study analyzed over 4,000 samples through DNA barcoding. Philippine scientist Jue Lalas, a coauthor, shared that samples from Kalayaan Island Group, Palawan, Pangasinan, Puerto Galera, and Benham Bank collected between 2019 and 2021 were key contributors to the discovery.

“Our results show that the Philippines is a global center for zooxanthellate soft coral diversity, alongside the Western Indian Ocean,” said Lalas. Unlike hard corals, soft corals are sponge-like organisms vital as habitats and potential sources of medicines. Yet, they remain understudied, with fewer than 10 Filipino researchers currently focusing on them.

The findings highlight the urgent need to protect WPS and Benham Bank as critical centers of marine life, Lalas stressed, adding that continued exploration could unlock economic and medical breakthroughs.

Lastly, while I was cleaning my e-mail, I saw this poem written by Masha Kefer, my Cha-Cha dancing here at THD.  It is an example of an Acrostic poem.  

ODE  TO   DAVID

D   is for his DANCING shoes

A   Is for his positive ATTITUDE 

V   Is for his VARIATION of the word clogs

I     Is for his INTERESTING and INFORMATIVE blogs

D   Is for the Philippine restaurants his loves to DINE

Oh, I wish there was another letter to complete this rhyme!

Thanks again for the poem, Marsha