Crocodile in the Sky

Crocodile in the Sky

Dr Abe V Rotor

These two photographs of Manila Bay along Roxas Boulevard were taken

from the Cultural Center of the Philippines where the 2009 Ramon Magsaysay 

Awards Ceremonies was held on that day, August 30, 2009.

Crocodile in the Sky 

I thought I would see the last of your kind 

With every tree cut, swamp drained, 

The river dammed or made into sewer, 

The shore into resort and fishpond. 

Or at least in homage, I would visit you

In a museum, stuffed or in skeleton.

Darwin and Freud studied you well, 

Didn’t they? So with Orwell and Marx, 

Prophets and sages of old and new, 

Crick and Watson, Venter and Collins – 

If your DNA doesn’t suffice to tell me 

All about you – then who are you? 

You must be a ghost who haunts and lurks, 

Immortal before your mortal demise 

And haunting man since his fall, 

And haunting him still - perhaps forever; 

Ah, you are the biblical devil no less 

To test man's rationality and obedience. 

You have no place then except the place 

Of your birth and those of your ancestors 

In flesh and blood – and if you are a ghost, 

It’s time to say goodbye to your friends, 

Your guardians, benefactors, 

And clear your image in the sky. ~ 

12 Verses to Ponder as Adages

 12 Verses to Ponder as Adages 

An adage (Latin: adagium) is a short, usually philosophical, but memorable saying which holds some important fact of experience that is considered true by many people, or that has gained some credibility through its long memetic use. (Wikipedia)

Dr Abe V Rotor
Living with Nature School on Blog
Lesson on Former Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid (People's School-on-Air) with Ms Melly C Tenorio 738 DZRB AM Band, 8 to 9 evening class Monday to Friday 

 A triad of sturdy old trees, painting in acrylic by the author 

1.
Being tall you buffer the wind,
being strong you carry the weak,
the lowly and the meek;
gentle is the giant in you.

2.
Seeing our past we find little to share,
if the past is the present we are living in.

3. 
Necessity brings out ingenuity;
remoteness puts up the genuine test. 

4. 
Such is the fate of an era gone,
the master left his craft - li'l or none.

5.
Might plus providence or luck, 
fill the will that we may lack.

6. 
But the tower I know maybe simple and low,
yet reaches a height far away from sight.

7.
Rare is a friend in our slumber
and a guardian we may not remember. 

8. 
From green to gold they will become
as they store the power of the sun.

Wheatfield, Vincent Van Gogh

9.
When reality dies it becomes a dream,
and dream is reality again foreseen.

10.
They are those destined to live best in the wild,
where everything is so little, others barely thrive. 

11. 
For a lost lamb, Nature may please 
to make it into a new species,
but lays down a new treaty
above necessity and pity.

The Old Man and the Sea in watercolor, based on the novel of Ernest Hemingway

12.
The world may never know or meet the victor,
the master of the game, and all who wish 
a prize for every catch, or the wounded warrior
back in his hut dreaming if his big fish.~

Marriage in Critical Times - a Test of Love and Devotion

Marriage in Critical Times -

a Test of Love and Devotion

Lesson from Leo and Lorraine Matrimony, June 26, 2021

By Dr Abe and Cecille Rotor

First of all, allow us to express our gratitude to everyone for gracing this occasion, the wedding of Leo and Lorraine. We, the parents of Leo, cannot be physically present, for some restrictive reasons due to the pandemic.  

We reiterate our congratulations and best wishes to the new couple, and we express our readiness to stand by, for, and with them always.

Two things come to mind about marriage, two aspects that deeply bind marriage.  These are Love and Devotion. In fact there is a song of the same title.

The key difference of the two is that Love is defined as the intense feeling of affection, warmth, fondness, and regard towards a person or a thing. Devotion is defined as a strong feeling of love or loyalty. It is being loyal to a cause or duty.

Now, this is not a lecture as we would listen in the university, but we would like to emphasize marriage as a primordial and sacred institution. It is now being threatened,  and in fact, endangered in many liberal societies in postmodern times, aggravated by the pandemic.  

How significant is marriage, by the way? It is indeed a subject of many stories.  It is not only the first and oldest social institution; it is one of the most celebrated events, yearly remembered and historically recorded.  

In the Christian world we look at the beginning  of marriage in the Wedding at Cana  - where Christ made his first public miracle - the turning of water into wine.

If we take a close look at the biblical account of the wedding feast at Cana, we can learn three important lessons:

• Marriage is a sacrament,
• God wants to pour abundant grace upon your marriage, and
• Obedience is the key to receiving grace.

Marriage is the beginning—the beginning of the family—and is a life-long commitment. It also provides an opportunity to grow in selflessness as husband and wife serve each other for the benefit of their children. 

Marriage is more than a physical union; it is also a spiritual and emotional union. This union mirrors the one between God and His Church.

Leo and Lorraine may find what we are saying quite familiar, but this is an opportune time for review and recollection.  Why is marriage important?

Importance of Marriage* 

1. Beginning
“Marriage is the beginning—the beginning of the family—and is a life-long commitment. ”

2. Oneness
When a man and woman get married, the “two become one.” Marriage is a bond like no other. It gives us a life partner, a teammate, as we move through the challenges of life together.

3. Purity
Marriage is designed for purity. We face temptation nearly every minute and from all directions. The bond of marriage gives us the support to defeat temptation by engaging in deep, satisfying love—a love that gives to, and receives from, our mate physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

4. Parenting
When a marriage produces a child, it is one of life’s greatest blessings. Roughly 40% of children being raised today are in a home without a father. The effects of that fact are staggering. The absence father in the family increases mental and behavioral disorders as well as criminal activity and substance abuse. But when children are raised in a healthy marriage, they get a front row seat to see and experience the lasting benefits of a strong family.

5. Love
Marriage is designed to mirror our Creator’s unconditional love for us. It’s a love that will always be there and will never leave us or forsake us. When a man and woman love one another unconditionally, contentment and joy follow.

Allow us to talk about the Myths about marriage. Here are the ten most encountered popular beliefs or myths.  

Myth 1: Marriage will solve all of your problems.
Marriage isn’t a magic wand that can take a person’s troubles away

Myth 2: Good, healthy marriages come naturally.

All relationships experience peaks and valleys. 

Myth 3: Living together first can test if the marriage will be successful.
Living together before marriage in many circumstances is associated with negative marital outcomes.

Myth 4: Your love life is neutral.

Your love life has spillover effects into friendships, and other familial relationships.
It also affects your physical and mental health

Myth 5: “Never go to bed angry.”
It’s OK to call a time out, but reconnect soon enough. 

Myth 6: Healthy marriages are conflict free.
All couples experience conflict, but healthy couples can communicate and resolve conflict effectively.

Myth 7: Your spouse completes you.
A spouse can only complement you, but not complete you.

Myth 8: Married people have less satisfying sex lives.

Survey says it is not true. 

Myth 9: Marriage is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get.
Successful marriages aren’t generally the result of luck or chance. 

Myth 10: Conflicts only stem from the behavior of the spouses.
Strong boundaries around your marital relationship will help you and your spouse weather the storms of outside interference.

Putting time and energy into making your marriage work is a full-time job in itself. But it’s one worth making the investment in. If your relationship is stuck in any of these marriage myths, marriage counseling can help you focus on the realities of marriage to strengthen your connection.**

Again, we say Good Luck and Bon voyage to your new life's journey. ~

References
* All Pro Dad, Internet
** Center for Psychological Development, Internet

The Joy of New Life ... but where does Nature come in?

The Joy of New Life ... but where does Nature come in?

Man re-shapes the Earth at will for his needs
and wants disguised as values.

Dr Abe V Rotor



This editorial cartoon, The Joy of New Life, accompanies the editorial Still Poor, PDI March 21, 2016, following Easter Sunday.

What role has environment to The Joy of New Life,
and to the state of being Still Poor"?

Poverty undermines the pillars of truly a happy life;
it creates its own world apart.

Anthropocentric claim of human supremacy over
all creatures is itself an ecological crisis.

Man re-shapes the Earth at will for his needs
and wants disguised as values.

Education for literacy, justice for equality, freedom
as right are licenses to anthropocentrism.

Dignity sets man on a pedestal, lord and master
of all creation, rational and supreme.

Who enthroned man with such power, but a god
he claims the source of his power.

Self-anointed, he wills as his god wills, acts in his behalf,
in an authoritarian rule.

Collective referendum, consultation, decision are all
but mankind alone, sans all creatures on earth.

Who stops him from cutting down whole forests,
dam rivers, level mountains?

All in pursuit of progress, in the name of civilization,
for wealth, comfort and happiness.

And mankind covers the earth, aims at the universe,
challenges now the god in his mind.

And reasons out, rationality after all justifies
both good and evil, acts as amoral.

Deserts expand, land, air and water foul with waste,
"Tragedy of the commons" breeds war.

Nations break up, millions in exodus to nowhere,
where there was once progress.

Where there was once a paradise, a golden city
in its place, now also gone.

What role has environment to The Joy of New Life,
and to the state of being Still Poor"? ~

A Study of Rembrandt's "Return of the Prodigal Son"

 A Study of Rembrandt's "Return of the Prodigal Son"

Dr Abe V Rotor
Living with Nature - School on Blog

At the center of Amsterdam plaza in Netherlands is a monument of Rembrandt, the greatest Dutch painter rivaled only by Vincent Van Gogh who - two centuries later - revolutionized the romantic and classical schools the former brought fame worldwide.

The works of Rembrandt are distinctly unique. His colors are almost divine, combining warm and cool colors into something which make Rembrandt paintings Rembrandt - unmistakable, alluring, devotional. Painters all over the world followed his style, even up to the present. But none has ever claimed success. Rembrandt is original.

Juan Luna's Spolarium bears Rembrandt's influence in color, style and subject. Like the great master, Luna knew how to create special effects. For example the heads of the dead gladiators are smaller compared to their torso, creating a massive yet undistorted view, a kind of foreshortening effect. A diagonal perspective adds to forward movement, and common direction. A distant view of the mural draws spectators like Rembrandt's murals. The hidden characters (like in Rembrandt's Return of the Prodigal Son) adds mysticism to the scene, combining romanticism and realism. Luna inspired people to fight for freedom. He influenced later works like Millets's Man with a Hoe becoming a model of ideological movement against social injustice.

This is where Rembrandt is left in peace with his subject and theme, for Rembrandt was not a reformist of this nature. His own way of changing the world, so to speak, through his painting is by love and compassion as shown by this masterpiece - The Return of the Prodigal Son - unparalleled, universal, timeless.

The Return of the Prodigal Son, c. 1661–1669. (262 cm × 205 cm) by Rembrandt van Rijn, Hermitage Museum, St. Peterburg, Russia. (Unedited as it appears on the Internet).

The Return of the Prodigal Son demonstrates the mastery of Rembrandt. His evocation of spirituality and the parable's message of forgiveness has been considered the height of his art. “Monumental,” is perhaps the highest praise by Rembrandt scholars led by Rosenberg. “The painting interprets the Christian idea of mercy with extraordinary solemnity, as though this were his spiritual testament to the world.” Historian Kenneth Clark, exulted the work, "A picture which those who have seen the original may be forgiven for claiming as the greatest picture ever painted."

It is among the Dutch master's final works, likely completed within two years of his death in 1669. It depicts the moment of the prodigal son’s return to his father in the Biblical parable. In the painting, the son has returned home in a wretched state from travels in which he wasted his inheritance and fell into poverty and despair. He kneels before his father in repentance, wishing for forgiveness and a renewed place in the family, having realized that even his father's servants had a better station in life than he. His father receives him with a tender gesture. His hands seem to suggest mothering and fathering at once; the left appears larger and more masculine, set on the son's shoulder, while the right is softer and more receptive in gesture.

A stream of light bathes the whole body of the repentant son, and strikes directly the face of his father in anguish and joy. The light extends to reveal the expression of the face of the older brother (standing at right) pathetic but unmoved as his body is unbent, and his hands freely crossed over a guided cane which is symbol of authority and affluence to. This further projects extreme comparison. With worn out sandals, one foot bare, clothes tattered , and head shaven - all makes wretchedness real. Rembrandt purposely hid the other characters in dim light and little details to focus the singular encounter. Yet viewers have the idea who they are in their own guesses and conclusions as they contemplate on the painting.

This is the same photo as above with Adobe Photoshop editing on lighting and contrast to show a clearer background in order to expose the characters. The woman at top left, barely visible, is likely the mother, while the seated man, whose dress implies wealth, may be an advisor to the estate or a tax collector.The standing man at center is likely a servant.

The prodigal son's older brother crosses his hands in judgment. In the parable he objects to the father's compassion for the sinful son.

But he answered his father, "Behold, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed a commandment of yours, but you never gave me a goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this, your son, came, who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him." (Luke 15:29–30).

The father explains, "But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found" (Luke 15:32). World English Bible.

Rembrandt was moved by the parable, that he made a variety of drawings, etchings, and paintings on the theme that spanned decades, beginning with this 1636 etching.

Dutch priest Henri Nouwen (1932–1996) was so taken by the painting that he eventually wrote a short book, The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Meditation on Fathers, Brothers, and Sons (1992), using the parable and Rembrandt's painting as frameworks. He begins by describing his visit to the State Hermitage Museum in 1986, where he was able to contemplate on the painting alone for hours. Considering the role of the father and sons in the parable in relation to Rembrandt's biography, he wrote:

Rembrandt is as much the elder son of the parable as he is the younger. When, during the last years of his life, he painted both sons in Return of the Prodigal Son, he had lived a life in which neither the lostness of the younger son nor the lostness of the elder son was alien to him. Both needed healing and forgiveness. Both needed to come home. Both needed the embrace of a forgiving father. But from the story itself, as well as from Rembrandt's painting, it is clear that the hardest conversion to go through is the conversion of the one who stayed home. (Wikipedia)
--------------------------------------

Pope Francis' 100-page new book released in 86 countries (12 Jan 2016), to start the Francis Holy Year of Mercy The Holy Father criticized the self-proclaimed righteous, the doctrinaire-minded rigorists, the scholars of the church laws and rules, who in the long history of the church have challenged Christ's unconditional love and mercy. He offered "We must avoid the attitude of someone who judges and condemns from the lofty heights of his own certainty, looking for the splinter in his brother's eye while remaining unaware of the beam in his own." Pope Francis said

Which leads us to ponder on the deeper sense of sin which is pride and unforgiving attitude of the "righteous" brother over his returning prodigal brother. And on the part of the mother, what role had she as a mother? How about the wealthy guest, who apparently like the mother were unmoved, indifferent, cold?

The book rallies the church and her leaders to go out from the confines of the altar and pulpit, to reach out for the needy, the suffering, the hopeless.

To quote Pope Francis in his new book:

“I often say that in order for this to happen, it is necessary to go out: to go out from the churches and the parishes, to go outside and look for people where they live, where they suffer, and where they hope. I like to use the image of a field hospital to describe this “Church that goes forth”. It exists where there is combat. It is not a solid structure with all the equipment where people go to receive treatment for both small and large infirmities. It is a mobile structure that offers first aid and immediate care, so that its soldiers do not die.”

“It is a place for urgent care, not a place to see a specialist. I hope that the Jubilee [The Holy Year of Mercy] will serve to reveal the Church’s deeply maternal and merciful side, a Church that goes forth toward those who are “wounded,” who are in need of an attentive ear, understanding, forgiveness, and love.”

Which leads us back to The Prodigal Son. Wouldn't the father have taken the road to look for his prodigal son? A good father is not only forgiving, he is a missionary. Thousands, nay, millions out there are proverbial prodigal sons. ~

A Tribute and Reminder of Fathers' Role in these Critical Times

A Tribute and Reminder of Fathers' Role in these Critical Times

Father's Day is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society

In celebration of International Fathers Day

June 16, 2019 , Manila Hotel

PM GENERAL GUILLERMO ELEAZAR and DR ABERCIO V ROTOR 

Hi! This was taken during the Ulirang Ama Awarding last June 16 2019 held at The Manila Hotel. My grandpa, Dr. Abercio Rotor, was one of the awardees together with another ulirang ama. I always pretend to play as a super-agent, that is why, when I met NCRPO PM General Guillermo Eleazar, i was so happy! Someday, I want to be like him! And I was also happy because I got to play and spend some time with my grandpa, grandma (photo), tita ann  and tito mac, tito carlo, and my cousins; mackie

(photo) and markus. It was a very happy Father’s Day. HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Mateo Laurencio Vicente M Rotor, 8

 

                                 AVR - Ulirang Ama Awardee for Education 2019

 

29 Ulirang Ama awardees 2019 in 11 sectoral categories pose with Ulirang Ama/Ina Foundation officers after the awarding ceremonies at the Manila Hotel.  (Dr Rotor is shown standing, extreme right)

Excerpt of TV interview of Dr Abercio V Rotor Ph.D.

I am honored to receive this prestigious award Ulirang Ama for Education 2019.

While I am an individual named by your Foundation, I must insist of sharing this award with all fathers.

Father's Day brings back sweet memories of the man in particular who was father to me. The inspiration he provided and the moral values he instilled are very much alive in me - in my children and hopefully with their children, ad infinitum. To my late father, “To the world you are a dad; to our family you are the world."

Father's Day bespeaks the unity and continuity of the Filipino in particular that the Family is the central element in our national life. The role of the father carries responsibilities as well as the joys and rewards of fatherhood. 

“If the father's responsibility and authority break down, the family is in trouble. If the family is in trouble, the Nation is in trouble.” Said United States VP Gerald Ford 1974 Father of the Year Awardee)

I congratulate the organizers of this yearly event in keeping this beautiful bond of love blooming with kindness and love. This is one of the most important bonds a person can share. It affirms the greatest gift of the Omnipotent Being the sacredness of man-woman union in matrimony and procreation and in establishing the nucleus of society. 

Robert Browning has very rightly stated that “Take away love and our earth is a tomb”. God had sent to us love in various forms and one of them is your Father. He is a person who stands by our side no matter what. He loves his children unconditionally and the beauty of the relationship is that he does it all without demanding anything in return.

Before I get carried away with my role of the father and recipient of this award, let me point out that my wife Cecille deserves the same if not, greater recognition, because  a father cannot be a father without a mother for their children.

The concept of Father's Day is one that celebrates human relationships built on love and family unity while inspired by the love of country and humanity with the moral values instilled by the Supreme Creator.

Again, I thank you for selecting me for this cherished award. I wish all the fathers Happy Fathers' Day. But let us not forget the mothers, the uncles, the aunts, the grandparents, and the children themselves who make it all possible.  

---------------------

"We never know the love of a parent till we become parents ourselves."

—Henry Ward Beecher 

Dr Abercio V Rotor Family

Front, seated: Dr Abe V Rotor, Sister Venie Valdez Rotor, spouse Cecilia Rojas Rotor.  Standing L-R, Daughter Anna Christina Rotor-Sta Maria (with grandson Markus Andrei), niece Jules Rojas; son Leo Carlo Rotor (with granddaughter Michaela Adrianna);  Dr Charisse Mendoza Rotor (MD); Matthew Marlo R Rotor. (Not in the picture is son-in-law Mac Sta Maria who took this photo)

New Normal and New Future 10: Monsoon is Here! It is Spring in the Tropics.

New Normal and New Future 10   

Monsoon is Here!  It is Spring in the Tropics. 

Dr Abe V Rotor

Living with Nature - School on Blog

Monsoon is spring in the tropics

New roots of the betel palm; new thorns of the cherry tree.  

 

.Auricularia or black fungus  emerges from old limbs of mango.  Popularly known as taingang daga  (rat's ear for resembling like one).  New buds, precursor of a crown, emerges on young talisay tree.  

Lesson: Make a list of natural phenomena occurring around you as the monsoon season deepens towards July and August. Share your observations with your family, school and community. ~

Dr Jose P Rizal: Man for All Seasons and Humanity (In commemoration of Rizal's 160th birth anniversary, June 19 2021)

Dr Jose P Rizal: Man for All Seasons and Humanity (In commemoration of Rizal's 160th birth anniversary, June 19 2021)

Dr Jose P Rizal 

Man for All Seasons and Humanity 

Dedicated to our country's National Hero, born June 19, 1861, and whose martyrdom on December 30, 1896 ignited a revolution against Spain leading to Philippine Independence.  

Rizal: boy and man; Artist's study: head profile of Rizal

 

Rizal as a student in Europe; right, most popular portrait, in official documents and books; Rizal, had he reached 90. Acknowledgment: Mr. Philip Cabrera, son of the artist; and the National Historical Institute.

This article serves as a reference guide to students taking the Rizal Course, a three-unit subject in college. 

Dr Abe V Rotor
Former Professor, Rizal Course, UST and SPUQC
Living with Nature School on Blog

The following article about Dr Jose Rizal is widely circulated on the Internet in celebration of Rizal Day which is observed every 30th day of December, the day he was executed in Bagumbayan by Spanish authorities. To preserve the originality of the report, I am presenting it the same way it is found on the Internet and as written by two sources of information, for which I express my indebtedness and gratitude. Rizal as the Father of Filipino Nationalism (Manila: Bureau of printing, 1941), pp.3-4.; and Rizal's Concept of World Brotherhood,  1958, pp.48-60. The intention of printing this article about Dr. Rizal, is to provide a fresh perspective about him and his teachings - and principally for the cause for which he gave his life - a cause which we would like to review in the light of present problems and challenges. - AVR 

TRIVIA: Complete name of Jose Rizal: José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda

The Philippine national hero, Jose Rizal, has his own views and concepts about Global Fellowship which is synonymous to "Internationalism", "Worldwide Brotherhood", "International Alliance", and "Global Fellowship of Humankind". The following concepts are taken from Rizal's own words, speeches, literature, and careful analysis of his personal history and works.

"It is not what your country can do for you, but it is what you can do for your country." Rizal

Factors that shaped Rizal

Among the factors that shaped Jose Rizal as a person:

1. Racial origin: Rizal descended from the Malay race and also genetically inherited the mixed Ilocano and Pangasinan bloodline of his mother. He also has Chinese and Spanish lineage.

2. Faith (religion): Christianity also shaped Rizal's way of thinking. He was born, baptized, and raised as a Roman Catholic.

3. His being a reader of books: He read many manuscripts, books, and other publications printed in various languages.

4. His being a linguist: His knowledge of different languages apart from his own. He can speak and understand 22 languages.

5. His voyages: He was able to befriend foreigners from the various nations that he was able to visit.

Rizal's ideas about "Brotherhood" (Fellowship)

These are Rizal's ideas about the subject of having a fellowship or brotherhood of humankind:

1. Education: The proper upbringing and education of children and daughter in order for them to prevent the same fate and suffering experienced by the uneducated and ignorant fellowmen under the rule of the Spaniards.

2. Faith or religion: The belief in only one God. The existence of different religions should not be the cause of misunderstandings. Instead, this existence of many religions should be used to attain unity and freedom. There should be deep respect to every individual's faith; the beliefs that one had become accustomed to and was brought up with since childhood.

3. Fellowman: It is important for one person to have a friend (fellow) and the establishment of an acquaintance with fellow human beings. (It is also important) to recognize the equality of rights of every fellow human being regardless of differences in beliefs and social status.

Rizal's efforts to promote a "Global Fellowship"

Rizal promoted global fellowship through the following:

a. Formation of organizations: Included here are known scholars and scientists recognized as the International Association of Filipinologists.

b. Friendship: In every journey, he was able to meet and befriend foreigners who sympathize with the experiences and events occurring in the Philippines.

c. Maintenance of communication: Before and during his exile at Dapitan, Rizal was able to keep in touch with his friends located in different parts of the world. He was also able to exchange opinions, writings and even specimens which he then studied and examined.

d. Joining organizations: Rizal believed in the goals of organizations that are related to the achievement of unity and freedom of humankind. He always had the time and opportunity to join into organizations.

Basis of "Worldwide Brotherhood" (Worldwide Fellowship)

These are the basis of the above ideas, which were then taken from Rizal's opinions found in his own writings and speeches which intend to establish unity, harmony, alliance and bonding among nations: The fundamental cause or reason for having the absence of human rights is eradicated through the establishment of unity.

One of Rizal's wishes is the presence of equal rights, justice, dignity, and peace. The basis for the unity of mankind is religion and the "Lord of Creations"; because a mutual alliance that yearns to provide a large scope of respect in human faith is needed, despite of our differences in race, education, and age. One of the negative effects of colonialism is racial discrimination. The presence of a worldwide alliance intends to eradicate any form of discrimination based on race, status in life, or religion.

Rizal wishes Peace to become an instrument that will stop the colonialism (colonization) of nations. This is also one of Rizal's concerns related to the "mutual understanding" expected from Spain but also from other countries. Similar to Rizal's protest against the public presentation (the use as exhibits) of the Igorots in Madrid in 1887 which, according to him, caused anger and misunderstanding from people who believed in the importance of one's race.

Hindrances towards the achievement of a "Worldwide Brotherhood"

However, Rizal also knew that there are hindrances in achieving such a worldwide fellowship: Change and harmony can be achieved through the presence of unity among fellowmen (which is) the belief in one's rights, dignity, human worth, and in the equality of rights between genders and among nations.

From one of the speeches of Rizal:

“The Philippines will remain one with Spain if the laws are observed and carried out (in the Philippines), if the Philippine civilization is "given life" (enlivened), and if human rights will be respected and will be provided without any tarnish and forms of deceitfulness. ”

Rizal's words revealed the hindrances against an aspired unity of humankind:

1. The absence of human rights.

2. Wrong beliefs in the implementation of agreements.

3. Taking advantage of other people.

4. Ignoring (not willing to hear) the wishes of the people.

5. Racial discrimination.

Excerpt from one of Rizal's letter to a friend:

“ If Spain does not wish to be a friend or brother to the Philippines, strongly the Philippines does not wish to be either. What is requested are kindness, the much-awaited justice, and not pity from Spain. If the conquering of a nation will result to its hardship, it is better to leave it and grant it its independence. ”

This letter presents Rizal's desire and anticipated friendship between Spain and the Philippines, but one which is based on equality of rights.

Translation:

"What? Does no Caesar, does no Achilles appear on your stage now,
Not an Andromache e'en, not an Orestes, my friend?"
"No! there is naught to be seen there but parsons, and syndics of commerce,
Secretaries perchance, ensigns, and majors of horse."
"But, my good friend, pray tell me, what can such people e'er meet with
That can be truly great? - what that is great can they do?"

- Friedrich Schiller, "Shakespeare's Ghost," translated by John Bowring

Translation:

TO MY COUNTRY

Recorded in the history of human suffering are cancers of such malignant character that even minor contact aggravates them, endangering overwhelming pain. How often, in the midst of modern civilizations have I wanted to bring you into the discussion, sometimes to recall these memories, sometimes to compare you to other countries, so often that your beloved image became to me like a social cancer.

Therefore, because I desire your good health, which is indeed all of ours, and because I seek better stewardship for you, I will do with you what the ancients did with their infirmed: they placed them on the steps of their temples so that each in his own way could invoke a divinity that might offer a cure.

With that in mind, I will try to reproduce your current condition faithfully, without prejudice; I will lift the veil hiding your ills, and sacrifice everything to truth, even my own pride, since, as your son, I, too, suffer your defects and shortcomings.~

NOTE: This article serves as a general reference, and reference to students taking the Rizal Course, a 3-unit subject in college.

x x x

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Anecdotes about Rizal 
Acknowledgement: Internet

1. One day, intending to cross Laguna de Bay, the boy Rizal rode on a boat. While in the middle of the lake, he accidentally dropped one of his slippers into the rough waters. The slipper was immediately swept away by the swift strong currents .Do you know what he did? He intentionally dropped the other slipper into the water. When somebody asked why he did such a thing, he remarked, "A slipper would be useless without its mate".

2. It was Jose Rizal's Mother who told him about the story of the moth. One night, her mother noticed that Rizal was not paying anymore attention to what she is saying. As she was staring at Rizal, he then was staring at the moth flying around the lamp. She then told Rizal about the story related to it.

There was a Mother and son Moth flying around the light of a candle. The Mother moth told her son not to go near the light because that was a fire and it could kill him easily. The son agreed. But he thought to himself that his mother was selfish because she doesn't want him to experience the kind of warmth that the light had given her. Then the son moth flew nearer. Soon, the wind blew the light of the candle and it reached the wings of the son moth and he died.

Rizal's mother told him that if the son moth only listened to what his Mother said, then he wouldn't be killed by that fire. 

Rizal must have remembered his mother's anecdote that night a moth visited him in Fort Santiago where he awaited his execution the following morning. He must have thought of the moth dying for his country's freedom. It died for a cause. It is the way martyrs die.  

Documents of the Declaration of Philippine Independence  on June 1, 1898

Artist's interpretation on Rizal on his way to execution at Bagumbayan. Note lively gait and stride, and apparently jovial conversation with the escorting military officer. It was reported
by an attending doctor that Rizal's pulse rate was normal even as he faced the firing squad.

Macopa (Eugenia jambolana): Table Fruit and Table Wine (SV2W Series)

Trees for Peace 

Macopa (Eugenia jambolana): 

Table Fruit and Table Wine

"A summer fruit - macopa seen from a distance

luscious red in clusters invitingly free;

Pavlov is right - quench your thirst in advance, 

         simply pick aplenty on the ground or tree;

or at sunset, a toast or two of its aged brew

brings about a happy Grecian view." - avr  

Dr Abe V Rotor 

 

Macopa (Eugenia jambolana) is picked and directly eaten when it reaches fullest size, dark red and shiny.  Quite often the fruit falls to the ground at any stage of development due to insect pest (fruit fly - Dacus sp), sudden gusts of wind, drought and other factors.

Author's son Matthew Marlo Rotor prepares the must (raw ingredients) 

of selected macopa fruits for brewing.  It takes at least a year to fully 

age the wine. 

 

Macopa, like other local fruits in season can be made into table wine, such as these samples. Table wine from different local fruits produced at  San Vicente Botanical Garden. under the supervision of the author.  San Vicente, Ilocos Sur. ~