Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Puling ken Salugsug (Haiku in Ilocano) (Dust in the Eye and Thorn in the Finger)

Ni Dr. Abe V. Rotor

Napulinganka?
Ipang-res mo’t mamindua,
Mabang-arangka.

(Dust in your eyes? Blow your nose twice to obtain relief.)

Agkatkatawa,
Lumlumwag iti banga,
Ittip tungpalna.

(Laughing while pot is boiling may end up into crust.)




Ay, danggayam man
Dagiti lumlumdaang,
‘Toy masakbayam.

(Sympathize with the bereaved to deserve the same in the future. )

Agbalballaigi,
Rosario nga balitok,
Makasisirap.

(Miraculous rosary of gold, glaring to the sight.)

Agpampannimid,
Bato nga arapa-ap
Ay, daksanggasat.

(Air castle - dream in stone - what a sorry state!)

Balangawisan,
Bullalayaw ta-aw,
Laud ken daya.

(A fishing pole spans the ocean from east to west.)


Iwaksi nga galad,Barbasan, ub-ubanan,
Karirigatan.
(Bad habit is hard to give up for the bearded and gray haired.)
x x x

Acknowledgement: Internet photos  
NCCA SEAL

Saturday, August 26, 2017

Living Prism

Painting and Poem by Dr Abe V Rotor
Living Prism in the Deep in acrylic (24” x 43”) 2017

Sunlight splits into colors, the rainbow,
     through droplets hanging in the sky,
the deep among seaweeds where fishes play,
     letting time and the world go by.

Oh, how the seasons come and go at ease,
     ephemeral in our lifetime,
yet fullest in awe and wonder and joy,
     in the living prism in our prime.

In the golden years as the sun sets down,
     and into the deep its last rays must die,
lingers, flickers the light saved by the day
     into beautiful dreams to live by. ~

A Parthenon of Nature

Dr Abe V Rotor
Living with Nature School on Blog 

                        
 A Walk Among the Trees, in acrylic by th author. (c.2000) 
Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches QC 

I liken these living columns the temple of Nature 
     that make sacred all creatures big and small,
Bestow reverence to life without exception,
     Lo! except to Homo sapiens since his Fall.

The Parthenon, enduring symbol of Ancient Greece, 
     of democracy and western culture and pride - 
"The glory that was Greece" remembered in ruins,
     and "the grandeur that was Rome" in archive.  

   Ruins of the Parthenon of Athens built in 447 BC in honor of goddess Athena, (Wikipedia, photo by Steve Swayne)

Friday, August 25, 2017

Do you have Sleep Problems? Take this quiz.

Paying attention to your sleep cycle can improve your physical and mental health.
Dr Abe V Rotor
Living with Nature - School on Blog

Rip van Winkle slept for twenty long years, a legend by Washington Irving.
Acknowledgment Internet, Wikipedia

Your Sleep Cycle: A Quiz

1. Do you fall asleep easily during the day while reading, watching TV, or doing other sedentary activities?
2. Do you find that you are irritable and short-tempered for no particular reason during the day?
3. Do you need an alarm clock to awaken you in the morning?
4. Do you wake up feeling sluggish and sleepy?
5. Do you need a nap to keep you alert through the afternoon and evening?
6. Do you regularly “sleep in” an hour or more on weekends?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may not be getting enough sleep to meet your individual sleep cycle needs.

1. Do you stay awake in bed long after the lights are out, waiting for sleep to come?
2. Do you awaken in the morning before your alarm clock goes off?
3. Do you spend the last hour or two in bed alternating between sleep and wakefulness?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be trying to get some sleep than your individual sleep cycle demands.

1. Do you smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol or a caffeinated beverage late in the afternoon or evening?
2. Do you fall asleep with the radio, TV, or lights on?
3. Do you take sleeping pills?
4. Do you sleep in a very cold or very hot room?
5. Can outside noises (such as airplanes or street traffic) be heard in your bedroom at night?
6. Are you depressed, anxious, or worried?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be damaging your natural sleep cycle and not be getting the quality of sleep you need to feel and perform at your best,

Tips for Improving your Sleep Cycle

Paying attention to your sleep cycle can improve your physical and mental health. Here is a summary of tips for ensuring that your nighttime rhythms add to your daytime health and happiness.

1. Assess your sleep needs and determine the optimum number of hours you need to sleep.
2. Keep regular sleep hours, even on weekends.
3. If you stay up late, be sure, get up regular time the next morning.
4. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and caffeine, especially after 6:00 p.m
5. Do not use sleeping pills
6. Use naps judiciously. If you nap, do so regularly.
7. Never nap if you have trouble sleeping tight.
8. Avoid falling asleep with the light on radio on.

Don't worry, an owl can be as happy as a lark, and a lark as vigilant as an owl. Just follow your inner rhythm. ~

The Wonder of Papaya

Papaya contains enzymes that help prevent oxidization of cholesterol which helps to prevent heart attacks and because it is rich in fiber, helps to lower blood cholesterol levels.
Dr Abe V Rotor 

 

Giant papaya, 3.5 kg,brings joy to the dining table.  At Home, QC 


1. Papaya is rich in fiber and lowers cholesterol levels, it helps prevent prevent heart-attacks.

2. The antioxidants in papaya help in controlling premature ageing.

3. The seeds of papaya expel intestinal worms and parasites.

4. Papaya helps in preventing constipation and aids in digestion.

5. Papain dissolves dead cells, giving fresh and glowing skin as a result.

6. It helps cure skin infections and wounds that don’t heal quickly.

7. Papain is a digestive enzyme that helps in natural digestion.

8. It is a good food for those who want to lose some weight.

9. It helps cure nausea and morning sickness suffered by of pregnant women.

10. Contains anti-inflammatory enzymes relieve pain from arthritis, edema and osteoporosis.

11. It possesses anti-cancerous properties that can help in preventing cancer

12. It is rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin C that boost the body’s immunity

13. It is made into shampoo to control dandruff.

14. Fresh papaya helps in controlling menstrual irregularities, and eases menstrual cramps.

15. Papaya juice helps in curing infections of the colon

16. It has anti-proliferative effects on the liver cancer cells, hence it slows down the growth of cancer cells of liver and helps in its cure.

17. The digestive enzyme in papaya (papain) help in natural digestion thus helps to prevent constipation and aid food digestion.

18. It is high in nutritional value and low in calories making it ideal for those who want to lose weight.

19. Papaya is great for the skin and can be used as a face pack. It helps to open clogged pores, helps to get rid of acne

20. It is a whole fruit as it is loaded with most nutrients required in one’s balanced diet.

The nutritional value of papaya are (per 100 grams) 
  • Energy- 163 kJ
  • Sugars- 5.90 gram
  • Calories- 39 kcal
  • Dietary fiber- 1.8 gram
  • Fat- 0.14 gram
  • Carbohydrates- 9.81 gram
  • Vitamin A- 328 micrograms (41%)
  • Vitamin B1- 0.04 milligram (3%)
  • Vitamin B2- 0.05 milligram (4%)
  • Vitamin B3- 0.338 milligram (2%)
  • Vitamin B6- 0.1 milligram (8%)
  • Vitamin B9- 38 milligram (10%)
  • Vitamin C- 61.8 milligram (74%)
  • Protein- 0.61 gram
  • Iron- 0.10 milligram (1%)
  • Calcium- 24 milligram (2%)
  • Phosphorus- 5 milligram (1%)
  • Potassium- 257 milligram (5%)
  • Magnesium- 10 milligram (3%)
  • Sodium-3 milligram
Acknowledgement: Data from Internet 

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Old Lighthouse of a Rocky Cove

Dr Abe V Rotor
Living with Nature School on Blog

Old Lighthouse of a Rocky Cove in acrylic AVR (50" x 47")

You had your days of the sailing ships,
guiding them all away from danger;
and the rocks had grown passive and kind
unyielding though to time and wear.

I used to climb your spiraling staircase,
and gaze the horizon on your deck;
waiting for sunset and glow of your lamp,
or catch your waning light at daybreak.

But that was many, many years ago,
brave sentinel of sea and sky,
bright and wonder to far, far away land,
perhaps even to angels passing by.

I came home one sunset, and you asked,
where in the world I have long been;
standing tall still, oh, my dear old friend,
light beams coming out of your ruin.~

Magical Skyscapes

Dr Abe V Rotor
Living with Nature - School on Blog

Lesson: Skyscape watching as a scientific and artistic study, hobby, and therapy.
  • Are you lonesome? Bored?
  • Or full of energy and looking for ways of expression?
  • Go outdoor, by the sea or lake; on the fields and on the hills.
  • Have a canvas and paint and easel. A drawing pad. Camera.
  • And most important, time and leisure.
A stretch of cumulo-nimbus cloud over Tagaytay, Cavite

Heavy clouds over Tagaytay Ridge


City skyscape before sunset, QC


Stormy clouds on the West


Sunset over Quirino Bridge, Santa Ilocos Sur

Fiery clouds before sunset, San Vicente I Sur

Gray sunset, Tagaytay City

Solar eclipse, Lagro QC


Skyscape


Ephemeral as the sampaguita flower,
Ever changing like the chameleon;
Unpredictable as rain at the end of summer,
It mirrors my thoughts and passion.

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Flow Gently, Sweet Afton - Memories of War

"Flow gently sweet Afton among thy green braes,
Flow gently I'll sing thee a song in thy praise"

Dr Abe V. Rotor


WWII Memorial beside the St Paul University Museum, QC. The school is remembered as a concentration camp of the Japanese during the War. It was later left in ruins after the liberation.


It was in the last year of the Japanese occupation that memories of World War II became vivid to me. In desperation the enemy killed anyone at sight in exchange for its apparent defeat. Hiroshima and Nagasaki were soon to be erased virtually from the map. I was then four years old. According to psychologists, at this age impressions become lasting memory.

Vigilance was the game. Far ahead of time one should be able to detect the enemy. Fear gripped the neighborhood and the whole town. We hid in a dugout shelter made of solid narra slabs several meters away from our house. Trees and banana plants hid it from view. At one time, I wanted to get fresh air, but my auntie-yaya, Basang prevented me to do so. Japanese soldiers were around the place. I heard them chase our geese and chicken. Then I heard my favorite goose, Purao, pleading - then it fell silent. Instinctively I rushed out of our hideout, but Basang pulled me back just in the nick of time.


Before this incident Japanese soldiers entered and ransacked our house. Two confronted Basang who was then wearing thick shawl and holding me tight in her arms. In trembling voice, she was saying repeatedly, “Malaria, malaria,” and begging the soldiers to take anything they wanted and leave us. One took all our eggs and started eating them raw, pitching the shell at us. One hit me straight on the face and I  squirmed. Basang apologized. The soldier shouted. Then the other came back with a stuffed pillow case and signaled the other to leave, but before leaving he gave me a hard look.


It is a face I still see today, cold as steel, lips pursed into a threat, brows drawn down like curtain over sultry and flashy eyes. How I reacted on the wicked face, I don't remember. I must have just stared coldly. But deep in me grew a resolved never to be afraid of the Japanese or any enemy for that matter.


Images of planes in dogfight are still vivid in my memory. Toward the east is the Cordillera range that looked blue in the distance. The view was clear from our house, and hideout. Even if the old San Vicente church got across our view, we saw now and then warplanes passing above. It was also the first and only time I saw a double body aircraft flying. There was one occasion warplanes fought just overhead, a plane simply burst into flame and dark smoke not far from our place. My dad prodded us to go back to our underground hideout.


When I was in high school I had a teacher in literature, Mrs. Socorro Villamor. She was the widow of war hero, Col. Jesus Villamor, one of the greatest Filipino pilots in WWII. After shooting down a number of Japanese fighter planes, his own plane was hit and he died in the crash. Camp Villamor was named in his honor.


My classmate and I wondered why Mrs. Villamor was always wearing black. At one time she recited in class, Flow Gently Sweet Afton lyrics  by Robert Burns, a famous 18th century English poet. She even sang it, then came to a halt sobbing. We were all very quiet until she recovered. The poem made us weep, too, more in sympathy to our teacher.


The first stanza is the most moving part of the poem, which is repeated in the sixth and last stanza.


Flow gently sweet afton among thy green braes
Flow gently I'll sing thee a song in thy praise
My Mary's asleep by thy murmuring stream
Flow gently sweet afton, disturb not her dream

Thou stock dove whose echo resound through the glen
Ye wild whistling blackbirds in yon thorny den
Thou greencrested lapwing thy screaming forbear
I charge you, disturb not my slumbering fair

How lofty, sweet Afton, thy neighboring hills
Far marked with the courses of clear winding rills
There daily I wander as noon rises high
My flocks and my Mary's sweet cot in my eye

How pleasant thy banks and sweet valleys below
Where wild are the woodlands, the primroses blow
There oft, as mild evening weeps over the lea
The sweet scented birk shades my Mary and me

Thy crystal stream, afton, how lovely it glides
And winds by the cot where my Mary resides
How wanton the waters her snowy feet lave
As gathering sweet flowers, she stems thy clear wave

Flow gently sweet afton among thy green braes
Flow gently sweet river, the theme of my lays
My Mary's asleep by thy murmuring stream
Flow gently sweet Afton, disturb not her dream


"Sweet Afton" lyrics is thoroughly romantic in the use of natural objects as a background for human emotions, which in this case is symbolic of a sad experience that permeates into the heart and soul of a grieving person. The melody has a refrain after each lyric-stanza, slowly rising and falling within the standard octave, so that it can be sang with little effort, and in ones own cadence. It can be sang and recited in an alternate fashion taking liberty to pause now and then.

Sweet Afton is a lyrical poem describing the Afton Water in Ayrshire, Scotland. It was written by Robert Burns in 1791 and set to music by Jonathan E. Spilman in 1837, under the title Flow gently, sweet Afton. Sweet Afton contains a lot of monosyllables, which contribute to a gentle, soothing rhythm. It can be seen as a hymn for peace. The poem is in the metre 11 - 11 - 11- 11, and is often sung to the tune of the popular Christmas carol Away in a Manger called Cradle Song.



I treasure the poem very much. I imagine my mother who died during the war and I was an infant then, lying in a tomb by the shade of an old acacia tree. Both the tomb and tree are now gone, but the breeze like the flow of Afton, takes me to some memories I'll never understand but can only feel as I read the poem or play on the violin its plaintive melody. There too, I see in my mind a great warrior in the sky, and a strong willed teacher telling us in school to go on with life, like a stream, gently flowing, gently flowing. 

NOTE: For his bravery as a pilot and ingenuity as an intelligence officer, President Ramon Magsaysay awarded posthumously Lieutenant Colonel Jesus Antonio Villamor the Medal of Valor on January 21, 1954. As a further tribute to one of the Air Force's greatest heroes, the PAF's principal facility in Metro Manila has been named Col. Jesus Villamor Air Base. x x x

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

A Lesson on the Parable as a form of short story to convey a moral theme

 Parable of the Five Trees 

Dr Abe V Rotor 

                             
 Parable of the Five Trees in Acrylic by AVR

Trees, like humans, also talk. They talk to one another everyday.

Actually the breeze passing through their leaves carry their conversations and even their songs and messages.

Only that we do not understand what they are saying, so we can only make inferences. For example, the rustling of their leaves and their outstretched branches touching one another, or some trees leaning to get close to others undoubtedly vouch this belief to the level of phenomenon.

The communication of trees runs through a network that enhances the unity and harmony of the ecosystem they form. Sometimes this kind of communication is perceived as queer, unintelligible sounds which made our ancestors believe there are spirits guarding the place like the deity Maria Makiling guarding the forest that is named after her.


Old folks advise us trespassers just to utter reverently "Bari-bari... Or tabi-tabi, po." when going through the forest or thicket.

One day five juvenile narra trees were engaged in a conversation.

Said one, "When I grow up and reach my fate to be cut down, I wish that I be made into a beautiful bed fit only for a king or queen."

The four trees began to have their own wishes, too.

Said the second narra, "I would like to be the mast of the tallest ship that travels fast and wide on the ocean."

Said the third, "I will make a fort, a strong fort, no invader can break through."

The fourth narra tree took some time to think, then said, "I'll be a tower to hold a big bell."

The fifth was the last to speak, but not outwitted. "Oh, in my case I would like to give all my wood to make the biggest temple of worship."

Years and years passed, and the trees finally reached full maturity. The woodsmen came and cut them down.

Guess what happened to the trees. Did all their wishes come true?

The first tree did not become a beautiful bed, but only a manger, actually a feeding trough in a secluded barn.

The second tree did not become part of a tall ship; it was made into a simple boat.

The third tree was not made into a strong fort, only a stem of it the size of a pencil and  became a writing tool of sort.

The fourth tree was not made into a belfry, but just one branch of it was made into a fine shepherd's crook.

The fifth tree failed to provide materials to build the largest temple of worship; two limbs were made into a cross.

So when Christ came into this world, he was born on a manger. It was comfortable enough on a wintry night?

When He became a shepherd, He looked for a crook and found a sturdy one to tend His flock of sheep.

As a Preacher He rode on a dinghy on which he delivered his sermons and told parables before the throng along the shores of Galilee.

When people were about to stone a sinner to death, He took a stick and wrote something on the ground, and on rising said, "He who has no sin cast the first stone." No one did.

Alas! When Christ was condemned to die, He carried a wooden cross and on it he was crucified. The cross became the symbol of Christianity.

When I went on a pilgrimage to the part of the forest where the five trees once grew, I found nothing but grass. There was complete silence as a beam of light from the sky shone on the spot where I stood. ~      

                               Reflection on the Parable of the Five Trees 

Lofty are my dreams soaring far and wide,
     In boundless flight to nowhere;
in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasure,
     and confidence of a conqueror.

Blind of history, even as it repeats itself,
     In short-lived fame and fortune,
Yet models it presents to my ambitions
     In glitters, glory and grandeur.

All In youth’s craving, and craving still
     To believe dreams ne’er get old;
But time takes toll in dreams unfulfilled,
     And fate the judgment on earth.

Beyond lies a second kingdom few
     Can grasp – life’s real meaning;
Life’s purpose, stirrings of the soul
     To live in others, beyond the self.

How little do I know of the Fisherman,
     Born simple, preached love,
wrote justice, searched the lost lamb,
    died that humanity may live. ~
                                                                               
                                                                avrotor 2013
   

Monday, August 21, 2017

Brainstorming - Framework for Group Session

Brainstorming - Framework for Group Session
Brainstorm ( Geistesblitz in German) is flash of inspiration, brainwave, scintillation, flash of genius. Brainstorming makes every member of the organization feel important.
Dr Abe V Rotor
Living with Nature School on Blog

Brainstorming - Class in Developmental Communication under the author, UST Faculty of rts and Letters.

Brainstorming is a popular group interaction in various settings - community, academic and business - in a workshop style. It is a group creativity technique designed to generate a large number of ideas for the solution of a problem, or analysis of a situation.

Four Rules in Brainstorming

1. Encourage freewheeling expression.

2. Reserve criticism on anyone’s ideas.

3. Generate good, workable, profitable ideas.

4. Combine ideas for strength.

Code of Conduct

1. Encourage the ideas of others.

2. Make positive constructive comments.

3. Encourage the participation of all members.

4. Solicit input from others in the department.

5. Ensure that credit is given to those to whom it is due.

6. Maintain a friendly and enthusiastic atmosphere.

7. Attend all scheduled meetings.

8. Rotate tasks on a voluntary basis.

9. Mail the minutes of the meeting within a reasonable time.

10. Assist other group members as necessary.

11. Follow the rules of brainstorming.

12. Follow Robert’s Rules of Order.

13. Maintain equality among all members of the group.

14. Accept the decision of the majority.
Conduct of Session

1. A warm-up session, to expose novice participants to the criticism-free environment. A simple problem is brainstormed, for example, Prevent Dengue in the Community.

2. The facilitator presents the problem and gives a further explanation if needed.

3. The facilitator asks the brainstorming group for their ideas.

4. If no ideas are forthcoming, the facilitator suggests a lead to encourage creativity.

5. All participants present their ideas, and the idea collector records them.

6. To ensure clarity, participants may elaborate on their ideas.

7. When time is up, the facilitator organizes the ideas based on the topic goal and encourages discussion.

8. Ideas are categorized.

9. The whole list is reviewed to ensure that everyone understands the ideas.

10. Duplicate ideas and obviously infeasible solutions are removed.

11. The facilitator thanks all participants and gives each a token of appreciation.

The role of the rapporteur is vital. He is in charge of the proceedings, noting the salient points. Electronic recording may make the work easier. In either case, it is important that the proceedings are properly transcribed, edited and presented as minutes. This may serve as agenda material for follow-up meetings, or presented as reference for project development, and even policy formulation.

Now the most important thing. Things are easier said than done. Implementation is the proof of the success of the brainstorming. Ideas are translated to action.

Brainstorming is key to group decision and action, and collective responsibility, irrespective of whoever thought of the idea, or who did not agree with it.

In all its practicality, brainstorming makes every member of the organization feel important, although the process may not necessarily arrive at the best solution to a problem.~

References: The New Publicity Kit by J Smith; Philippine Journalism by J Luna Castro; Principles of Extension (Moshav and Kibbutz); Journalism for Filipinos, by A Malinao; Brainstorming, Wikipedia~ 

The 8 Dimensions of a Brainstorm Session
bright ideas.jpg


Most people think brainstorming sessions are all about ideas -- much in the same way Wall Street bankers think life is all about money.

While ideas are certainly a big part of brainstorming, they are only a part.

People who rush into a brainstorming session starving for new ideas will miss the boat (and the train, car, and unicycle) completely unless they tune into the some other important dynamics that are also at play:

1. INVESTIGATION: If you want your brainstorming sessions to be effective, you'll need to do some investigating before hand. Get curious. Ask questions. Dig deeper. The more you find out what the real issues are, the greater your chances of framing powerful questions to brainstorm and choosing the best techniques to use.

2. IMMERSION: While good ideas can surface at any time, their chances radically increase the more that brainstorm participants are immersed. Translation? No coming and going during a session. No distractions. No interruptions. And don't forget to put a "do not disturb" sign on the door.

3. INTERACTION: Ideas come to people at all times of day and under all kinds of circumstances. But in a brainstorming session, it's the quality of interaction that makes the difference -- how people connect with each other, how they listen, and build on ideas. Your job, as facilitator, is to increase the quality of interaction.

4. INSPIRATION: Creative output is often a function of mindset. Bored, disengaged people rarely originate good ideas. Inspired people do. This is one of your main tasks, as a brainstorm facilitator -- to do everything in your power to keep participants inspired. The more you do, the less techniques you will need.

5. IDEATION: Look around. Everything you see began as an idea in someone's mind. Simply put, ideas are the seeds of innovation -- the first shape a new possibility takes. As a facilitator of the creative process, your job is to foster the conditions that amplify the odds of new ideas being conceived, developed, and articulated.

6. ILLUMINATION: Ideas are great. Ideas are cool. But they are also a dime a dozen unless they lead to an insight or aha. Until then, ideas are only two dimensional. But when the light goes on inside the minds of the people in your session, the ideas are activated and the odds radically increase of them manifesting.

7. INTEGRATION: Well-run brainstorming sessions have a way of intoxicating people. Doors open. Energy soars. Possibilities emerge. But unless participants have a chance to make sense of what they've conceived, the ideas are less likely to manifest. Opening the doors of the imagination is a good thing, but so is closure.

8. IMPLEMENTATION: Perhaps the biggest reason why most brainstorming sessions fail is what happens after -- or, shall I say, what doesn't happen after. Implementation is the name of the game. Before you let people go, clarify next steps, who's doing what (and by when), and what outside support is needed.

Internet feature and photos 




Saturday, August 19, 2017

Can you see the creatures in this painting?

Dr Abe V Rotor 
Living Wall  in acrylic by AVR 2015

Where are the butterflies fluttering, midges hovering,
honeybees in their daily chore,
  mantises stalking for prey, ants scurrying,
carrying goods to their store?  

Where are the birds chirping, crickets fiddling, 
calling the members of their kind,
millipedes moving like train, snails gliding,  
camouflaged and hard to find?

You can't see them in this composite painting;  
only through imagination
do they exist - the art of make-believe working   
in the artist's solemn bastion. ~