Drawings: Dalliance of the Birds

Anna Christina R Rotor

 Living with Nature School on Blog
Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid (People's School on Air) with Ms Melly C Tenorio
738 DZRB 8 to 9 evening class, Monday to Friday

Eagles do it in the air, 
Bowers in colorful lair,
Hippos in the murky swamp,
Flamingos in river sump,
Monkeys in the high treetop,
Locusts on standing crop,
Fowls on the dusty ground,
Herons to where they're bound,
Horses neigh and kick and bite,
Snakes coy and fake to strike,
Giraffes entangle their necks,
Fish display their fins and streaks,
Frogs couple for long hours, 
Houseflies do it in their chores,
Humans in whispers petting,
Dalliance a sacred thing.

Drawings in pastel by Anna Christina R Rotor, circa 1995

Six Blind Men and an Elephant

Dr Abe V Rotor

Stone Elephant, UST, Manila

This fable by the Persian poet Jalãl al-Din Rümï (d 1273) is about human ignorance.

Each one of the sight-challenged men mistakes the part for the whole, just as today's adherents of various religious sects, political ideologies, and economic theories, claim a firm hold on Truth while disparaging or ignoring others.

1st Blind Man: A bed, referring to the belly.
2nd Blind Man: A venomous snake, the trunk
3rd Blind Man: A rope, the tail.
4th Blind Man: It's a pillar, a leg.
5th Blind Man: A beautiful fan, the ear.
6th Blind Man: A sword, the tusk.

In a parallel way, most people are blind to the Earth, perceiving it only in terms of utility -- as stacks of natural resources, raw materials, background scenery, and other commodities -- rather than as a Living Whole.

One wonders whether the six blind men - or women - would not have asked directions, joined hands, done a bit of networking, before declaring that they had Truth by the tail, trunk, ears, belly, tusk, or leg.

Which leads us to examine the so-called syndromes that continue to haunt mankind – his relationship with his fellowmen on one hand, and with the environment, on the other. ~

Disturbing Views: "Don't Go Gentle Into That Good Night."

 Blatant violations against human dignity and decency, in fact they dare us -  if ever we have such values. 

Dr Abe V Rotor 
Living with Nature School on Blog

Squatting in Metro Manila has become bolder.  Not only sidewalks are disappearing but streets are narrowing down. Shanties are transforming into permanent buildings.

Rolling billboard is a major cause of road accidents. It blinds the bus driver from rear view, and drivers of vehicles following behind. Open rear window gives a clear two-way view, it is a deterrent to holdup and other crimes and abuses.    

 Imagine yourself to be the driver of a vehicle following this bus and trying to get out of its distracting view in heavy traffic. Imagine pedestrians pausing before the colorful choreograph, and dancing with blaring dance beat. The other bus though less distracting likewise violates the law, and human dignity and public decency.  

Gabi ng Lagim on the street.  Now, that's not funny! 

These, among many others, are blatant violations against human dignity and decency; in fact they dare us - if ever we have such values.   The poet  Dylan Thomas urges us to be vigilant and involved in this poem - and not call it a day, if we have not.  In this case, for our Right for  Respect and Dignity.   It takes some meditation to imbibe its meaning.  Only then that we feel hurt, prodding us to act.  Otherwise we are among the perpetrators of violation and among those who are not blind yet cannot see.  

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night         
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
By Dylan Thomas 

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieve it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light. ~

*The poem's meaning is life affirming. It urges us to live life to the fullest and to never surrender.

LESSON on former Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid (People's School on Air) with Ms Melly C Tenorio

738 DZRB 8 to 9 evening class, Monday to Friday

A Challenge to Corporate Culture

A Challenge to Corporate Culture

A measure of service and success: serving the greatest benefit for the greatest number of people.

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 8 to 9 evening class, Monday to Friday

Curitiba, Brazil - a model community.

For many years in my youth I worked in a government organization that evolved in three stages - from a bureau to a corporation. I am referring to the National Food Authority. First, it was Rice and Corn Administration (RCA), then to National Grains Authority (NGA), and finally to National Food Authority (NFA).

I worked with the “old guards” and the “young Turks,” young people chosen for their outstanding performance in the academe and in the industry. I belonged to the middle group, the so called technocrats led by Bong Tanco, then the Minister of Agriculture, JD Drillon, top expert in agribusiness, Paeng Salas - the chief architect of the country’s food self-sufficiency program, Catoy Fronda, the brain and brawn of the implementing council of Malacañang’s food production which is the National Food and Agriculture Council (NFAC), and Jess Tanchanco, an organization man who transformed NGA into a giant government corporation, annexing Food Terminal Inc, Grainscor, Naphire, and Quedan.

The corporate structure of NGA and NFA enabled the Philippines to succeed in its food self-sufficiency program. It emerged as one of the most progressive countries in terms of food production. We exported rice, sugar, coconut, fish, meat and poultry, and many others.

In 1989, exactly twenty years with the government, I left and joined the academe as a professor.

What is corporate culture?

Japan is the most cited example, second to the US, when it comes to describing a culture that is shaped by a company’s vision and mission, and incorporated in its objectives. That is why employees are made to fully understand, nearly to the point of indoctrination, the company’s VMO. In fact conferences and seminars continue to instill this culture. Continuing education is needed both as refresher and orientation of new programs and developments, particularly to new members.

We had our corporate logo, motto, uniform, and while we looked alike inside the office we appeared distinct from other organizations. “NFA, yan,” gave an chin-up feeling. In the same way that we would find our models from other organizations. “SMC yata, yan,” “Taga-Meralco sila.” “Sa DA siya.” And our admiration rises when we meet an UN man, or a DBP consultant. One time the NGA played host to Miss Universe contest in Manila. For a particular occasion it was also putting our best foot forward, honing our social and organizational talents. We hosted international conferences with the United Nations, and celebrations like World Food Day, earning prestige to our organization and the country.

The idea of a corporate culture is good. I have been a part of this select world myself which without such experience I would not be as prepared as I am now in my retirement age and as professor. In short, it provided a strong foundation to the later part of life, particularly those like me, who left the organization very much earlier than retirement age. Well, for those who opted to remain to compulsory retirement age, the advantage is more of the retirement benefits.

But what makes corporate culture controversial?

Let us look into the following aspects:

1. Exclusivism – A number of corporations – governmental or private, local and multinational – tend to isolate themselves from general circulation and therefore from the community.

2. Elitism – There is a feeling or superiority developed by members of top corporations. And because of the many benefits they derive, this feeling may develop into elitism.

3. Bandwagon – Corporations tend to become doctrinaire, under the, “Follow the leader principle,” so that individual decisions are subordinated by the company’s direction. Human rights, particularly on the exercise of freedom (e.g. to vote, to worship, to assemble), may remain mute even outside the organization’s umbrella.

4. Homogeneity – While conformity may be good in instilling discipline and loyalty, the lack of diversity may be in the long run more dangerous. Diversity of ideas may mean introducing reform. Oriental culture is based on a less formal social infrastructure yet binding to all ages, relationships and walks of life?

5. Reputation - There is a saying, “Tell me your company, and I’ll tell you who you are.” One interpretation of this comment is that our character is reflected by the reputation of the company to which we belong. For some time the major players in the local fuel industry made a case in point for allegedly ridging fuel prices to their advantage, creating a perception of “insensitivity” to public welfare. I remember at one time seeing employees of a corporation with not-so-good reputation hiding their office uniform, putting it on only when they are inside their building. Is this not true also to non-corporate organizations, in the bureaucracy and schools?

6. Dinosaur Syndrome – Bigness is asset, then it becomes liability. The big Mesozoic reptiles could no longer sustain their body's needs when food became scarce and the climate became unbearable. This syndrome aptly applies to big corporations. And yet there are people who stand big because their company is a giant. It is standing side by side with a big brother. These people earn a lot, they have separated themselves from their class. In fact they seem to belong to another world. We do not feel they are members of the community, and may not know them at all. “That beautiful house is owned by Mr. X who works with Company X.” They are the first victims when the the dinosaur syndrome strikes.

7. Marx Dialectics - Corporate culture wedges people into classes – not only economic, but social and psychological – which leads us to believe that corporate culture is the hidden fuel of revolution. Dialectic Materialism, according to Marx, is a cycle as long as society is alienated by isolation, apathy, poverty, abuse of power, subjugation, many of which lead to socio-economic inequity.

8. Funnel Principle – Capitalism is like a huge funnel. Pour in the resources, and out flow the products to benefit people – workers, consumers, dependents, and all. This is not as simple as this analogy though. A corporation, unlike personal business, treats investments - so with profit – separately. The main reason is to separate corporate and personal obligations on the part of the incorporators and investors. This condition breeds greed. Huge assets, borrowings, undeclared profits find their way through this clandestine corporate channel, draining the legitimate organization, and “robbing” its beneficiaries. This is how a certain Madoff, a shrewd businessman embezzled $10-billion dollars of people’s investments.

9. Efficiency - Corporate efficiency relies on getting the best people to run the organization. Of course this can be said for all organizations - cooperatives, NGOs and even community organizations. But none can compare with the records of successful corporations. Which leads us to to believe that the greatest and most important asset is people.

10. Life Cycle - It follows a normal curve in a graph, and inverted letter C to show three stages of the cycle - growth, stability and decline. This is true to any corporation, or any organization for that matter. Living things make a perfect example. Corporations being organic all the more is subject to such inevitability. It is how one assesses this normal curve that makes judgment of a corporate's success or failure. Above all criteria, did the company serve the greatest benefit to the greatest number of people?

As I look back, the country is presently the largest rice importer in the world. Our electric and water bills are among the highest in the world. The supply and price of fuel are erratic and uncertain. The market is flooded with imported goods to the detriment of local producers. A number of transnational companies have closed shop recently. Salaries and wages are shrinking. OFWs are coming back, this time permanent balikbayan for losing their jobs. Graft and corruption in the public and private sectors has earned the country a very bad name.

How relevant is the corporation in the midst of economic crisis? These ten attributes may help us to know. ~

Requiem to a Mural: Heavenward Seven Doves Fly

"State of disrepair, this mural on the wall

speaks of human frailty, and eventual fall."

Dr Abe V Rotor

Wall Murals and Poems by Dr AV Rotor

St. Paul University Quezon City

Seven Doves Flying Heavenward, wall mural by AVR 

Seven these doves are, flying heavenward,

       in victory formation rising,

rising above the water, above the clouds,

       rising to heaven, rising. 

Seven these doves are, reciting the chapters

       of history, each one reciting,

reciting the rise and fall of power on earth,

       reciting the fallen man, reciting.

Seven these doves are, redeeming the faith

       of the fallen redeeming;

redeeming the grandeur and the glory of man,

       redeeming in heaven, redeeming. ~

State of disrepair, this mural on the wall

speaks of human frailty and eventual fall.

The Watchful Owl, symbol of knowledge; Life in the Burrow. Wall murals by the    

the author and children – Marlo, Anna and Carlo, ca. 2002.  St Paul University QC

These two murals are also in a state of irreversible disrepair. 

  

Details are fading, each and all,

    fading like the setting sun, 

every creature, big and small,

    vanishing until there's none.

So with hope, and so with faith,

    holed in idleness and ease;

lo! the open gate will not wait,

    in make-believe truth and peace. ~

   

Quo vadis, Saint Paul University (QC) Museum?

Goodbye, St Paul Museum QC, Goodbye.  
Dr Abe V Rotor

Rare photo reproduction - damaged face of Mary
in Michelangelo's Pieta, The Vatican

First High School graduation

Relics and artifacts

Natural History: marine specimens

Maria Cristina Falls mini diorama, students' project

Transform of a protist made from scraps, students' project

SPUQC Museum was principally a student museum. It was functional, a place for workshops, lectures and demonstrations. It was an extension of the laboratory for sciences and the humanities, and classroom during the peak of construction on the campus. It was integrated with the Ecological Sanctuary, a botanical garden home of 300 listed species, which unfortunately was phased out earlier.  The Museum was the site of pilgrimage attracting countless guests, parents and students, and specially those who had known SPUQC as a concentration camp during WW II.

The museum faced a new challenge after 15 years of existence after it was phased out.  It had never been a part of the organizational structure of the university, even if it was an accredited member of the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts, with the curator then sitting in one of the the NCCA'c committees, and as officer of the Association of Museums of the Philippines.

In Focus: 15 Years in Retrospect (1995 to 2010
Main Features 

 Story of St. Paul, presented in brief chapters of his life.

 St.Paul of Chartres Congregation, from its early beginning to the present time.

 St.Paul College QC, during WW II and after, and its subsequent rise to the present.

 Photo essays and verses about the Paulinian community and the Environment.

 Paintings and photographs by students in humanities.

 Religious collections, including Mother and Child in different versions.

 Cultural artifacts depicting ethnic Filipino culture.

 Mini-dioramas of major ecosystems.

 Mural paintings and reproductions of famous paintings.

 Institutional program linkages of SPUQC in environment, education, others.

Historic Greco-Roman Chapel was originally proposed to house the museum. The building was totally demolished. A theater and a chapel were built in its place. 

"Pets are humanizing."

"Pets are humanizing."

Formerly, Playmates in Our Postmodern World

“Animals keep you company when you’re really lonely. It helps because when you have a friend around who always likes you no matter what – it’s harder to feel bad or down.” – Aaron Carter

Pets bring out the child in us. They bridge the animate 

and the inanimate worlds in sweet memory and fantasy.

Dr Abe V Rotor

“Pets are humanizing. They remind us we have an obligation and responsibility to preserve and nurture and care for all life.” – James Cromwell

We could be that lifeless doll, insignificant, alone 

and lost on the fast lane of a postmodern world. 

Pets bring out the child in us. They bridge the animate and the inanimate worlds in sweet memory and fantasy. We do away with the cares and worries of grownups. They make life easier to live with.

Who could resist a puppy lapping our face, an aquarium fish jumping at sunrise, a cat sleeping on our lap, a dog waiting at the gate? Here's Bunny putting life in a stuffed animal.

We could be that lifeless doll, insignificant, alone and lost on the fast lane of a postmodern world.

“Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day. It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even how much closer we become with each other because of them.” – John Grogan

Photos by Anna Christina R Rotor with Sony Cybershot, at home.