The Most Popular and Talked Current TV Series- The White Lotus

The White Lotus
Genre	Dark comedy drama Satire
Created by	Mike White
Written by	Mike White
Directed by	Mike White
Starring	see cast list
Music by	Cristobal Tapia de Veer Kim Neundorf
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of seasons	3
No. of episodes	18
Production
Executive producers	Nick Hall David Bernad Mike White Mark Kamine
Producers	John M. Valerio Heather Persons Todd Brown
Production locations	Hawaii Sicily Thailand
Cinematography	Ben Kutchins Xavier Grobet
Editors	Heather Persons John M. Valerio Scott Turner
Running time	54–77 minutes
Production companies	HBO Entertainment Pallogram The District Rip Cord Productions
Original release
Network	HBO
Release	July 11, 2021 – present

I have watched this TV Series and enjoyed it very much. It has received numerous awards.  Season 3 is on Episode 6 now and two more episodes is coming.  Season 4 has been renewed and now in the planning stage. So, in case you have not heard of this award-winning TV mini-series, here's a summary from Wikipedia. The most talk subject in the series - https://time.com/7269550/the-white-lotus-incest-lochlan-saxon/

The White Lotus, through its fearless exploration of human relationships, continues to push the envelope of television drama. It invites viewers to reflect on the complexities of desire, memory, and identity, all while keeping them on the edge of their seats. As the series unfolds, one can only anticipate the further revelations and twists that will keep audiences captivated and eager for more.

In exploring these themes, it becomes apparent that The White Lotus is not just a show about the opulent lives of its characters; it is a mirror reflecting the complexities and contradictions of human nature. Each episode peels back the layers of its characters, revealing the flawed, vulnerable, and ultimately relatable facets of their personalities. The narrative compels viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves and the world around them, challenging preconceived notions and societal taboos.

The White Lotus is an American dark comedy drama anthology television series created by Mike White for HBO that premiered on July 11, 2021. The series follows the exploits of the guests and staff during a week spent at a luxury global resort hotel chain. The first season was filmed and set in Hawaii, the second in Sicily and the third in Thailand.

The White Lotus was greenlit in October 2020 as a miniseries but was adapted to an anthology series by HBO in August 2021: its second season aired from October 30 to December 11, 2022, and its third season from February 16 until April 6, 2025, being delayed due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike. The series has been renewed for a fourth season.

The series has been acclaimed by critics for its writing, acting, humor, and production values and has received several accolades: it has won fifteen Primetime Emmy Awards – including for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series – and two Golden Globes, including for Best Limited or Anthology Series or Television Film. Jennifer Coolidge won several awards for her performance in the first two seasons, including two Primetime Emmys and a Golden Globe, while White won two Emmys for his writing and directing.

Accolades

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by The White Lotus

The first season received 11 nominations at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards in the limited or anthology series categories. It was also nominated for nine Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards across eight categories, winning five. The series won the most Emmys across both ceremonies, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, Murray Bartlett for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor, Jennifer Coolidgefor Outstanding Supporting Actress, and Mike White for both Outstanding Directing and Outstanding Writing. Connie Britton, Alexandra Daddario, Jake Lacy, Natasha Rothwell, Sydney Sweeney, and Steve Zahn also received acting nominations.

The second season received 12 nominations at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards across five categories and 11 nominations at the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards across 10 categories, moving from limited/anthology series to drama series. It won four awards at the Creative Arts Emmys. For the Primetime Emmys, Coolidge won for Outstanding Supporting Actress. Other nominations included Outstanding Drama Series; F. Murray Abraham, Michael Imperioli, Theo James, and Will Sharpe for Outstanding Supporting Actor; Meghann Fahy, Sabrina Impacciatore, Aubrey Plaza, and Simona Tabasco for Outstanding Supporting Actress; and White for Outstanding Directing and Outstanding Writing for the episode "Arrivederci".

The series was included in the American Film Institute Awards top ten Programs of the Year list for 2021 and 2022. Other nominations include three Critics' Choice Television Awards (winning all), five Golden Globe Awards (winning two), and a People's Choice Award.

Meanwhile,  here are the real luxuries in life! 

Lastly, Did you know that.....

During the 1700s, the Visayas became a hotspot for human trafficking. Spanish colonizers and Moro raiders captured Visayan natives and sold them in Batavia (now Jakarta, Indonesia), where they were forced into slavery.

These enslaved Filipinos were absorbed into Indonesian society, and some may have unknowingly started new bloodlines. Today, there could be Indonesians with Visayan ancestry without even realizing it!

The Visayas (/vəˈsaɪəz/ və-SY-əz), or the Visayan Islands(Visayan: Kabisay-an, Cebuano pronunciation: [kabiˈsajʔan]; Filipino: Kabisayaan [kɐbɪsɐˈjaʔan]), are one of the three principal geographical divisions of the Philippines, along with Luzon and Mindanao. Located in the central part of the archipelago, it consists of several islands, primarily surrounding the Visayan Sea, although the Visayas are also considered the northeast extremity of the entire Sulu Sea. Its inhabitants are predominantly the Visayan peoples.

The major islands of the Visayas are Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte and Samar. The region may also include the provinces of Palawan, Romblon, and Masbate, whose populations identify as Visayan and whose languages are more closely related to other Visayan languages than to the major languages of Luzon.

Growing Up with a Nanny- I will be a Great Grand Daddy Soon

Attached is a true story of a Nanny in Ivory Coast, West Africa. The story struck a cord in heart during my childhood years of memories in the Philippines. I have a similar experience, but did not have a chance to repay her. This is my story. My photo below(Nonoy) and my younger brother Erico( Nening), Jaro, Iloilo, April 2, 1937

From 1934 to 1941, I had a Nanny growing up in Jaro, Iloilo City. Philippines. I remember very well how she was so over-protective. I was not allowed to play outside as other boys of my age did at that time. When I was 2 years old, I had polio which had me partially paralyzed for almost 2 years; I was totally dependent on her. She was my second mother, but at that time, I loved her more than my biological mother. I called her Yaya!

When Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and the Philippines in the first week of December, 1941, My Nanny went back to her own town. Our family moved from the city of Jaro to a small town- the ancestral home on my mother (Barotac Viejo, Iloilo). I remember, it took me a couple of months to recover from the initial shock of losing a Nanny. As I was growing up, I sometimes wish, that she may be able to join our household once more. But as fate dictate, the week after Japan bombed the Philippines in December, 1941 was the last time, I saw my Nanny. I had to learn to live without a Nanny who took care of me during the first 7 years of my life. I think it was a blessing in disguise, because, I learned to be independent and took care of my own needs growing up.

First Picture: Me at 2 years and 2 months old, 2nd: My Boy Scout Years, 1944-1946 and 3rd Photo-Graduation from Elementary School, 1947  

( https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2017/11/my-boys-scout-picture-featured-in.html)

Here's a story of the French Boy who was able to Repay his Nanny from My Readings.

"A French man recently traveled to Ivory Coast in West Africa to find a very special person from his childhood—his nanny.

Many years ago, when the man was a little boy, he lived in Ivory Coast with his father. During this time, a kind and caring nanny looked after him. She fed him, played with him, and cared for him like a mother. The boy loved her very much.

After some years, the man's father retired from his job, and the family moved back to France. When they left, they lost contact with the nanny. There were no mobile phones or social media to help them stay in touch.

Now, 38 years later, the man still remembered his nanny. He wanted to find her and thank her for all the love she gave him as a child. So, he decided to travel back to Ivory Coast to look for her.

After searching, the man finally found his nanny! When they saw each other again, they were very happy and emotional. They hugged tightly, and tears filled their eyes. It was a moment of pure joy.

To show his deep appreciation, the man gave his nanny 10 million francs as a gift. He also arranged a monthly allowance for her, so she could live comfortably for the rest of her life.

Meanwhile, the above story reminded me of the award-winning Singaporean movie, Iloilo.

Set in Singapore, Iloilo chronicles the relationship between the Lim family and their newly arrived maid, Teresa. Like many other Filipino woman, she has come to this city in search of a better life. Her presence in the family worsens their already strained relationship. Jiale, the young and troublesome son, starts to form a unique bond with Teresa, who soon becomes an unspoken part of the family. But this is 1997 and the Asian Financial Crisis is beginning to be felt in the region and Aunt Terry ( Nanny/maid) was dismissed. She returned home to Iloilo- a Province in Panay Island, Philippines. Iloilo, incidentally is my birth province.

Several years later, Jiale now an adult and a successful film maker went to Iloilo to search for his Nanny, Teresa ( Aunt Terry). He found her in one of the rural town in Iloilo alive but living in poverty. Jiale had a happy reunion with His Nanny. He gave Teresa some financial assistance and invited her to visit Singapore to attend the premier of his award winning movie. He inform Teresa that his experience as a boy with her as his Nanny was the inspiration for his award-winning movie.  

Iloilo received positive reviews at the Cannes Film Festival. The film was later awarded the Camera d'Or award, an award which recognizes the best debut feature film in the competition. It received six nominations at the Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards and won four: Best Film, Best New Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress for Yeo Yann Yann.

Lastly, Did you Know That....

Long before the Spanish arrived, the Ivatan people of Batanes were already master builders and defenders. They constructed idiang—massive stone fortresses perched on cliffs—to protect their communities from raiders and pirates.

These fortresses weren’t just walls; they were entire villages, strategically built to make invasions nearly impossible. Today, traces of these ancient strongholds still stand, proving that the Ivatans were warriors as much as they were survivors.

Personal Note: My Daughter Dinah, informed me a couple of weeks ago that I will be a double Great Grand Dad this May and July. Dinah's son, Ian's wife Sara is due this May with a Baby Boy. Moreover Dinah's daughter Elaine is expecting baby Beau David this July. Two great grand kids-another important milestone in my last stage of life. Meanwhile yesterday, would have been Macrine's 89th Birthday as well as Elaine's birthday also. Here's an old photo of Macrine, Elaine and Me taken a couple of years ago during Elaine's graduation.

The short video below was taken 9 years ago today during Macrine's 80th Birthday

https://www.facebook.com/reel/10206575725928235

Walking Sticks, Canes and Rollators

My three Walking Canes- 2 Quads and a 

 One single Wooden Designer's Cane💚. The design is the head of the Cobra. This posting is inspired by recent number of falls of THD residents which resulted in broken bones and in some cases hospitalization.
I have been using a walking cane for the last 5 years.  It helps relieve pressure on
my left leg joint. When I was a child, I had polio. The Polio vaccine was not available during my childhood years. As a result of polio, my left leg is about 1 cm shorter than my right leg. So to relieve pressure on my short leg, I used a walking cane.
There are several types of walking canes. I have used all types, but my favorites are theQuad canes for more stability.    When I move to THD in June 2023, I had three other single walking cane. Since. I no longer need it, I gave it to a fellow resident, when he mentioned he was planning to buy one. Today, I have not seen this resident using a cane. I believehis reason is vanity. He told me he looks super old with a cane. My advise is to use it for prevention. Forget about vanity or aesthetics. If you fall and break a bone, then its all yourfault.  If you need more balance and stability used a walker💙. This is my Cobra Head Designer's Cane. 

 


What is the difference between walking sticks and canes?

 For details  and pricing on designer's cane, read the web site at the bottom of the page.    

A walking cane is a mobility device designed as a long-term aid for balance as well as to relieve pressure on a leg joint while walking. A walking stick, in comparison, is used to temporarily help with footing and stability when walking on rough or uneven terrain.

Walking Cane vs. Walking Stick - What's the difference?

       Which is better for balance, a cane or a walking stick?

If you need a tool to balance stability and regular support, the cane is a good choice. The cane was designed with this purpose in mind and it is excellently effective. A walking stick, on the other hand, might be a better option if you only need a device for trail walking, hiking, or aesthetic purposes.

💚https://artwalkingsticks.com/collections/designer-canes?srsltid=AfmBOorVsHMadklNsOQYTx8ATtiUkYj3CMMRGih0LtTzGsr1gyU97eLx

💙Walkers/Rollators:

For seniors facing balance issues, a four-wheel walker is often recommended. 

These walkers provide a sturdy base and help prevent falls. They come with built-in seats 

and brakes, making them ideal for those who need frequent rests or additional support 

while walking. Consider the Drive Medical Steerable Upright Walker.

If you need stable support when moving around, then you should use a walker. On the other

 hand, a rollator is great if you can hold your balance but need to be able to sit down regularly

 or have a place to carry your necessities. A rollator is also very good if your arms or grip

 is weak.

Can you get a prescription for a walker?

Medicare can cover the cost of a rollator walker if your healthcare professional determines

 that it's necessary for your health. A doctor who accepts Medicare has to prescribe the 

walker, which you need to get from a Medicare-approved supplier.

The New Generation of Filipino-Americans- Some Persons called them "my people".

Meanwhile, if you are a Filipino-American with a Caucasian Supervisor or Boss, would you

 be slighted if you are called "my people"? To me , there is subtle hint of racial prejudice 

in the phrase.  Do you agree or disagree? I like to hear from you. 

Lastly, here's a short video of Leif, my daughter's pet dog from Alexandria, VA frolicking 

in the snow.