22 Classic Literature Books in Your Palm

 22 Classic Literature Books in Your Palm.

More Books at the Living with Nature Center

San Vicente, Ilocos Sur

A book is like a garden, carried in the pocket. There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island. Oh, magic hour, when a child first knows she can read printed words! To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark. (Excerpts from famous quotations on classic literature)

Dr Abe V Rotor

The story of Heidi may have been written in 1880, but author Johanna Spyri's messages of optimism, altruism and nature appreciation continue to attract new readers around the globe.

Tous pour un, un pour tous (All for one, and one for all) is a motto traditionally associated with the titular heroes of the novel The Three Musketeers written by Alexandre Dumas père, first published in 1844.

Treasure Island is an adventure and historical novel by the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson. It was published as a book in 1883, and tells a story of "buccaneers and buried gold" set in the 18th century.

Gulliver's Travel's, written by Jonathan Swift, recounts in first-person narrative the vibrant adventures of Lemuel Gulliver, a surgeon who works on ships and time after time encounters himself stranded in new lands, a victim of shipwreck, piracy, and mutiny.

A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett is about a young girl named Sara Crewe, who becomes a servant at an English boarding school after her father's death.

King Solomon's Mine. Though this is a work of fiction, there might be some truth to the story. The Bible does not explicitly say that Solomon owned mines but does speak about his wealth and his access to raw materials, which he used to create riches for the First Temple.

Swiss Family Robinson. In this family film, the Robinson clan -- mother (Dorothy McGuire), father (John Mills) and their three sons, Fritz, Ernst and Francis -- flee the reign of Napoleon to start afresh in New Guinea. When their ship gets damaged en route, the family takes refuge on a deserted island.

Kidnapped. In this family film, the Robinson clan -- mother (Dorothy McGuire), father (John Mills) and their three sons, Fritz, Ernst and Francis -- flee the reign of Napoleon to start afresh in New Guinea. When their ship gets damaged en route, the family takes refuge on a deserted island.

In Dracula, Jonathan Harker travels to Transylvania to help Count Dracula finalize legal business regarding a purchase in London. Harker barely survives an encounter with Dracula and his Brides and writes to his fiancé Mina in London. Mina leaves to help Johnathan, but writes to her friend Lucy about life in London.

The Mummy, or Ramses the Damned is a 1989 horror novel by American writer Anne Rice. Taking place during the early twentieth century, it follows the collision between a British archeologist's family and a resurrected mummy.

In Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," the ambitious scientist Victor Frankenstein, driven by a thirst for knowledge, creates a creature from corpses, only to abandon his creation and suffer the consequences of his hubris, leading to tragedy and a exploration of themes like responsibility, ethics, and the nature of humanity.

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Dr Jekyll is a kind, well-respected and intelligent scientist who meddles with the darker side of science, as he wants to bring out his 'second' nature. He does this through transforming himself into Mr Hyde - his evil alter ego who doesn't repent or accept responsibility for his evil crimes and ways.

 

"Lorna Doone," a historical romance by R.D. Blackmore, follows the love story of John Ridd, a farmer, and Lorna Doone, a beautiful woman raised by outlaws in 17th-century Exmoor, amidst the backdrop of violence and social unrest.

"Oliver Twist," a novel by Charles Dickens, follows the journey of an orphaned boy, Oliver, who endures hardship in a workhouse, encounters criminals, and ultimately finds redemption, exploring themes of poverty, crime, and social injustice in 19th-century England.

 

"The Lost World" can refer to two different works: a 1912 science fiction novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle about a plateau in South America with prehistoric animals, or a 1997 sequel to the film "Jurassic Park" by Michael Crichton, exploring a "lost world" of dinosaurs on Isla Sorna.

"The Hound of the Baskervilles," a Sherlock Holmes novel by Arthur Conan Doyle, centers on a mysterious death and the legend of a supernatural hound haunting the Baskerville estate in the English moors, which Holmes and Watson investigate, ultimately revealing a real-life culprit behind the supernatural façade.

 

Mutiny of the Bounty. On April 28, 1789, during a voyage from Tahiti, the crew of the HMS Bounty, led by Fletcher Christian, mutinied against Captain William Bligh, forcing him and 18 loyal crew members into a small boat and setting them adrift.

"Oliver Twist," a novel by Charles Dickens, follows the journey of an orphaned boy, Oliver, as he navigates the harsh realities of 19th-century London, facing poverty, crime, and the corrupting influence of society, ultimately finding redemption and a loving family.

 

 

"Black Beauty" follows the horse Black Beauty's life, narrated from his perspective, as he experiences kindness and cruelty from various owners, ultimately finding a happy retirement after facing hardships and abuse.

"The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," a classic novel by Mark Twain, follows the mischievous and adventurous escapades of a young boy, Tom, in the fictional town of St. Petersburg, Missouri, exploring themes of childhood, freedom, and societal expectations.

"The Wind in the Willows," a beloved children's classic, follows the adventures of animal friends—Mole, Rat, Badger, and Toad—as they navigate life in the English countryside, emphasizing themes of friendship, nature, and the importance of moderation and facing challenges together.

In "Around the World in 80 Days," Phileas Fogg, a meticulous Englishman, bets his friends that he can circumnavigate the globe in 80 days, and embarks on a globe-trotting adventure with his loyal valet, Passepartout, facing numerous challenges and unexpected events along the way.

Acknowledgement with gratitude: AI Overview, Google, Internet, publishers of these books in this article.

Let Us Encourage Our Children to Engage in Art in 4 Parts

 Let Us Encourage Our Children to Engage in Art

“I started painting as a hobby when I was little. I didn’t know I had any talent. I believe talent is just a pursued interest. Anybody can do what I do.” – Bob Ross

Part 1 - Benefits of Art for Children

Part 2 - Respite in Drawing

Part 3 - Take time out to be close to Mother Nature 

             (Original title: Children Painting under the Trees)

Part 4 - Ode to the Kite in the Sky

Dr Abe V Rotor

Engaging children in art fosters creativity, emotional expression, and cognitive development, allowing them to explore their inner world and connect with the world around them. Art provides a unique language for self-expression and can help children develop essential life skills. Internet

Part 1 - Benefits of Art for Children 

Author and tutor Dr Rotor poses with young artists V-jay Rigos, Francezz Ragasa, R-jay Tolentino, and Kimberly Santos, all students of San Vicente Integrated School. March 30, 2025 at Living with Nature Center 

One fine Sunday morning four kids from the neighborhood came

 to draw with pastel colors, cheerful and cellphone-free. 

And what do we know, we grownups, teachers, parents, guardians?

Look at their works of art - what a great discovery!  

“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” – Aristotle

 

Take your choice -  color as you wish,

from the creative mind, joyful heart

parrot, jay, heron - just don't miss

the free expression and joy of art.

"A picture is a poem without words". -  Horace

 

"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." - Pablo Picasso

Sailboats in the wind sans sailors;

a proud mother hen sans her brood;

sans man's presence, yet complete

to the young, not we who are old.  

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist when he grows up." - Pablo Picasso

8 Important Benefits of Art for Children 

That Everyone Should Know*

Creating art isn’t just a fun, colorful pastime. It has a variety of unique, positive effects on preschoolers, young children, and teens that other activities don’t provide. Here are eight reasons why you should encourage kids to participate in art on a regular basis.

1. Stimulates Creativity and Problem-Solving Skills

2. Promotes Self-Esteem and Self-Expression

3. Contributes to Fine Motor Skill Development

4. Helps Develop Visual-Spatial Processing

5. Builds Memory and Self-Control

6. Provides Rest, Relaxation, and Reward

7. Increases Academic Performance

8. Connects Kids to People and the World

 

Dr Rotor's family and friends, grownups and children - all disciples and students of art.                   

“The urge to draw must be quite deep within us, because children love to do it” – David Hockney

Acknowledgement with Gratitude to *Painting to Gogh (Painting to Gogh Offers Fun, Engaging Painting Tutorials for Kids), Internet

Part 2 - Respite in Drawing

Living with Nature Center

San Vicente, Ilocos Sur

“I experience things by drawing them.” -Eleanor Dickinson

"Lolo," knocking on the gate, they called,

"Why it's gloomy, typhoon's coming," I said;

And the wind had started blowing cold; 

Children are children, bless them, oh Lord.

And I, a parent, a teacher grown very old,

Rose from my armchair to meet the three;

"Can we draw?" chorused they cheerfully  

What shall they draw when the sky's heavy?

Dr Abe V Rotor

Facilitator

Living with Nature garden with Rizal's shrine as background.  

The shrine depicts his life in exile at Dapitan as artist, scientist, 

doctor, teacher and farmer, among other roles.

Who knows more than one's mind and feeling, 

more than all the world's hearing and seeing?

“When I draw I rule the world.” -Mort Walker

They write "finished" when they've not really started;

children are impatient to what we grownups wanted.

As an artist, art's never finished, take Venus de Milo,

or the works of Michelangelo and Vincent Van Gogh.

However I explained, chorused they "Tapos na, Lolo." 

 

Ideals never die, they live in innocence of childhood,

Where have all the singing birds gone after a typhoon?

Listen to the children with colors, they'll return soon. 

Children see beauty restored sooner than we do,

and a brighter tomorrow. ~

Author's Note: From the neighborhood these three children came to learn drawing in the course of weather disturbances caused by a series of typhoons lately. School classes were suspended, but thanks to the brief calm moments the children found respite in drawing. They brought home their works, in order to share their acquired skill and optimism to their family and community.                              

                        

         Part 3 - Take time out to be close to Mother Nature

(Original title: Children Painting under the Trees)

"Go to Mother Nature when tired, lonely and uncertain,

when all human comfort fails, when abandoned." - avr

Dr Abe V Rotor

Living with Nature - School on Blog (avrotor.blogspot.com)

Also open Naturalism -the Eighth Sense

Integrated Children's Summer Workshop conducted by the author 

at the San Vicente Botanical Garden , San Vicente, Ilocos Sur.

Take time out from TV, computer, malling;

     life's so dull, busy yet empty;

The left brain's overworked, the right idle,

     growing up is a sad story.

Take time out in summer away from school,

     put down your books and depart;

give imagination a chance over knowledge

     through creativity in the art.

Take time out to be close to Mother Nature,

     draw and paint under the trees,

recreate the world you wish it should be,

     let your worries go with the breeze.

Take time out to be your real self, discover

     beyond the world of reality,

with myriad colors and the paintbrush,

     the boundless realm of fantasy. ~

Author's Family takes a break for chores and school 

 

"Keep close to Nature's heart... and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean." - John Muir. 

(John Muir, also known as "John of the Mountains" and "Father of the National Parks", was an influential Scottish-American naturalist, author, environmental philosopher, botanist, zoologist, glaciologist, and early advocate for the preservation of wilderness in the United States of America). ~

                          Part 4 -  Ode to the Kite in the Sky 

Dr Abe V Rotor

Kite Flying on the Lakeshore in acrylic, group project, 

Children's Summer Art Workshop, circa 1995.  

Fly high into the sky, until you see us but minuscule on the ground, 

how insignificant we all are, to the world and to the universe;

Fly with the wind with all your might, that we too, feel we are flying,

save our strength, our will and faith to remain with Mother Earth,

our home, our only planet, our spaceship, the place of our birth.

Fly high with our dreams, our fantasy of conquering space and stars,

how lofty dreams are, how ambitious, how proud we humans are;

Fly away from our hold, be free, drift aimlessly if you call that freedom;

then neither you are a friend, nor we are your master, but a renegade, 

breaking away from the rules and order that humanity has made. ~ 

"Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country." - Anais Nin

Usapang Bayan April 4, 2025: Let Us Enhance Religious Practices and Beliefs Favorable to Health, Culture, and Environment

Let Us Enhance Religious Practices and Beliefs Favorable to Health, Culture, and Environment

Original title: Save the Trees on Palm Sunday*

Usapang Bayan April 4, 2025

Ms Melly C Tenorio, host, and Dr Abe V Rotor, Guest

 Part 1 - Effects of religious practices and beliefs to Health and Environment

It is time to review them in the light of health warnings and environmental concerns, particularly in these critical times of global warming and environmental degradation.  It is in line with the Holy Father's encyclical, Laudato Si'

Avoid wasteful candle offering.  It is harmful to health and environment.

1. Retreat and reflection is therapy, helps the mind, body and spirit release tension and do away with the effects of stress.

2. Abstinence conserves animal population especially during the lean months, conserving breeding stocks - like seeds (binhi) – in order to multiply in the next season.

3. The washing of feet is not only ritual, it is also sanitation, getting rid of germs and preventing their spread.

4. Dipping your fingers into the holy water bowl is now seldom practiced. Never wash your hands or face in it. 

5. Take communion on your palm, never with your tongue. Epidemic such as H1N1 (flu) and COVID-19 can be spread this way.

6. Holding hands in prayer is discouraged also for health and sanitation, keeping one's privacy in reverence, notwithstanding. 

7. Kissing icons is likewise discouraged for the same reason. Wiping holy objects with handkerchief will only pick up germs.

8. Paying last respect to the dead should be done with extreme care, especially if the cause of death is highly contagious like COVID-19, Ebola and SARS. Remember the tragic death of some religious sisters who contacted Ebola from their dead colleague?

9. Don't walk on your knees to the altar; kneeling in prayer is enough. Be kind to your knee tendon and kneecap; knee injury may incapacitate you permanently. "You re not growing younger," an elder advised me. Let's learn from athletes who retired early because of knee injury.

10. Removing shoes before entering a house of worship is an expression of respect and reverence, as well as for purposes of maintaining sanitation in the place. Any footwear carries dirt and germs, and may be teems with bacteria and fungi from long and intimate wear. This practice may not be as strict in Catholic churches as in Muslim mosques and Buddhist temples. Removing shoes in other places like prayer rooms, wakes, even homes, are becoming a popular practice.

11. Many religious ceremonies are without the use of incense**. Incense smoke and scent usually produce a pleasant and calming effect to the faithful. It is also an effective fumigant against flying and crawling insects. Its repellant effect helped keep down the spread of bubonic plague during the Middle Ages. The Plague bacillus, Yersinia pestis, which killed a third of the population in the known world is carried by flea (Xenopsylla cheopis) that resides in rats. Incense comes in various preparations and offerings, candle sticks among the most common. Burning candles have similar but lesser effects. To get rid of flies around food; one or two burning candles keep them at bay. Try it.

12. To some religions pork is banned. Pork is a carrier of known parasites such as tapeworm, hookworm, and Ascaris. It contributes to obesity, and related ailments. 

13. Ancient religions regard certain places, objects such as trees sacred, thus enhancing their conservation. Such worship was replaced by later religions, and modern living, thus losing their protection as a result.

14. On Palm Sunday trees are stripped off of their buds, leaves and stems. This is detrimental to the environment. Millions of pesos worth of coconut trees and other trees are destroyed. Endangered species such as the Cycad (Oliva), are pushed to the brink of extinction.

 

Bundles of palm fronds (young leaves of coconut and other palm trees). 

Lavish and wasteful observance of Palm Sunday, while Nature suffers and 

people lose their livelihood. 

The Christian world loses millions and millions worth of palm trees every Palm Sunday. Coconut-based economy is the worst hit - the source of many domestic and export products, and the foundation of people's livelihood. The coconut is the most important tree in maintaining the balance of tropical ecosystems.

• Don't use young (bud) leaves of coconut for palaspas. You will kill the tree.
• Conserve the Oliva or the Cycads (Cycas spp). They are "living fossils" which lived in the dinosaur era, and now endangered as species.   
• Don't strip the young leaves of buri and anahaw palms. They are now in the list of threatened species. The buri (Corypha elata) is the largest native palm species found in the Philippines, with trunks attaining a diameter of 1 meter, height of 20 meters, and with large fan-shaped leaves from which buri braids, raffia, and buntal hats are made.  
• Get only the mature leaves - never the young leaves or bud. Get only a frond or small leaf, or part of it. Don't be wasteful. 
• There's no need for each faithful to carry palaspas. One for a whole family is enough.
• Get substitute plants that are not ecologically endangered and economically threatened. (Examples: MacArthur's Palm, palmera, Areca or betel nut, bunga de Jolo, and from hundreds of non-palm plants from bamboo to ground orchid and fern. Use mature or older leaves - never the young leaves and buds.
• Seek advice from your community and religious leaders, and environmentalists.

 
Oliva or Cycas, a living fossil is now endangered. Buri palm 
(Corypha) is now classified as threatened species

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 Benefits of Religious Practice for Your Health

1. It reduces the risk of death 

2. Lower rates of depression 

3. Religious experiences provide a cognitive framework for dealing with traumas 

4. Religiousness is better for mental health than sports among older people

5. It keeps young people away from alcohol and drugs 

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

Review and Summary 

1. On Palm Sunday trees are stripped of their buds, leaves and stems. This is detrimental to the environment especially in summer when plants face tight water regime.

2. Fasting is cleansing, it helps the body stop the accumulation of unwanted substances such as cholesterol, and allows the body to eliminate toxic materials.

3. Retreat and reflection is therapy, helps the mind, body and spirit to release tension and do away with the effects of stress.
 
4. Abstinence conserves animal population especially during the lean months, conserving breeding stocks - like seeds (binhi) – in order to multiply in the next season. Abstinence protects us from infectious animal diseases such as anthrax.
 
5. To some religions pork is banned. Pork is a carrier of known parasites such as tapeworm, hookworm, and Ascaris. It is known to contribute to obesity and many ailments.

6. Ancient religions regard certain places and trees sacred, thus enhancing their conservation. Such worship was replaced by later religions, and modern living style, thus losing their protection. 

7. The washing of feet is not only ritual, it is also sanitation, getting rid of germs and preventing them to spread. 

8. Walking on knees, a form of penitence, usually along the aisle to reach the altar, is harmful to the knee joint and cap (patella).
 
9. Self inflicting of wounds imitating the scourging at the pillar, practiced by flagellants may lead to loss of blood, serious infection, and even death.
 
10. Communal holy water may become a breeding place of vermin and germs causing ailments and epidemic diseases.

11. Receive holy communion with the palm of your hand to lessen the possibility of disease transmission. 

12. Kissing or touching the dead is discouraged. Diseases like COVID-19, Ebola, SARS, MERS-CoV must be strictly quarantined.~

How do you classify the following practices? Add on to this list for livelier sharing with your family and church   

• Removing shoes and slippers before entering a temple of worship
• Viewing the bright sky and even the sun - to witness a miracle 
• Wearing robes and habits of holy persons
• Wearing veil when attending mass or any ritual inside the church
• Baptism by immersion in a pool or river
• Offering flowers at the altar, especially in the month of May
• Walking barefoot as penitence, usually under the sun on rough road..
• Actual crucifixion on Good Friday as "ultimate penitence"   
• Joining a huge religious assembly or procession such as the Black Nazarene. 
• Kissing icons for intercession or expression of reverence. ~

*Laudato Si' is an encyclical of Pope Francis published in May 2015. It focuses on care for the natural environment and all people, as well as broader questions of the relationship between God, humans, and the Earth. The encyclical's subtitle, “Care for Our Common Home,” reinforces these key themes.

** Burning incense can help boost creativity and flow state by clearing and stimulating the mind. Purify your space. Buddhist monks have been using incense to purify their atmosphere for thousands of years. Amazingly, one study showed that burning incense for an hour reduced the bacteria in the air by 94%!

NOTE: This article served as a yearly lesson for more than 30 years on the former Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid with Ms Melly C Tenorio as host, and the author as broadcast instructor.  738 DZRB AM, 8 to 9 evening class, Monday to Friday, linked with  Philippine Broadcasting Service (PBS) network, and this Blog avrotor.bloforgspot.com and Naturalism - the Eighth Sense

Acknowledgement: Internet, Radio Katipunan, Ateneo, UST,  San Vicente IS Parish

Replay on 87.9 fm Radyo Katipunan, February 23, 2023

Part 2 - Pope Francis proposes 15 simple acts of charity.

Lent starts this Wednesday, March 5. Instead of fasting from meat during Lent, Pope Francis proposes 15 simple acts of charity. Look at this beauty!

1. Say hello (always and everywhere)
2. Say thank you (even if you don't “have to”).
3. Remind others how much you love them.
4. Greeting with joy those people you see every day.
5. Listening to the other's story, without prejudice, with love.

6. Stopping to help. Being attentive to those who need you.
7. Lifting someone's spirits.
8. Celebrating the qualities or successes of another.
9. Select what you don't use and give it to someone who needs it.
10. Help when needed so that another can rest.

11. Correct with love, don't keep quiet out of fear.
12. Have nice details with those who are close to you.
13. Clean what I use at home.
14. Help others overcome obstacles.
15. Call your parents, if you are fortunate enough to have them.

• Fast from hurtful words and spread kind words
• Fast from discontent and fill yourself with gratitude
• Fast from anger and fill yourself with meekness and patience
• Fast from pessimism and fill yourself with hope and optimism
• Fast from worries and fill yourself with trust in God
• Fast from complaining and fill yourself with the simple things in life
• Fast from pressures and fill yourself with prayer
• Fast from sadness and bitterness and fill your heart with joy
• Fast from selfishness and fill yourself with compassion for others
• Fast from unforgiveness and fill yourself with attitudes of reconciliation
• Fast from words and fill yourself with silence and listening to others

If all We try this fast, the daily life will be filled with: *PEACE,* *TRUST,* *JOY,* AND *LIFE* Great wisdom from Pope Francis in this Lenten proposal, that is why I share it with pleasure!!!

Part 3 - Tips for an Eco-Friendly Ramadan 

Minimize Food Waste

Yes, we understand. In the heart of Ramadan, where every Iftar (the meal with which Muslims break their fast) carries the weight of tradition, food takes the spotlight. Yet, amid the culinary delicacies, the burden of meal preparation can weigh heavy (those tasked with the responsibility of cooking can relate). Sadly, this holy month often witnesses a global issue: an excess of uneaten food. Countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia have seen successful community initiatives to redistribute excess food to those in need, a practice that can be emulated elsewhere.

Meanwhile, kindly spare a thought and a prayer for those in parts of the world suffering from hunger and a lack of clean water. Food is a basic need, but a huge chunk of unprivileged people have been denied this right. The least we can do is minimize food waste and help in whatever way we can.

Embrace Sustainable Eating

A plant-based diet primarily focuses on consuming plant foods, such as whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, rich in antioxidants, fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Notably, this dietary approach boasts a lower environmental impact compared to meat and dairy consumption.

Dania Jukaku, a Clinical Dietician at Bounceback Centre in Abu Dhabi, UAE, emphasises the significance of consuming a plant-based diet for maintaining energy levels during fasting in Ramadan. She recommends integrating plant-based proteins, fibre, and essential minerals like iron, magnesium, and calcium into Suhoor meals to complement the fasting-induced anti-inflammatory effects. Dania further shares a few quick and nutritious plant-based meals that you too can try:

Smoothie: Blend berries and banana with nut milk, then add a tablespoon of ground flaxseed and chia seeds, and a touch of honey for sweetness.

Breakfast wrap or sandwich: a whole grain tortilla or quinoa bread filled with scrambled eggs, beans, onions, and peppers, topped with avocado.

Soup: Enjoy a comforting bowl of soup with beans or chickpeas, lentils, and vegetables such as mushrooms. Pair it with a crisp, green, leafy salad like tabbouleh for a satisfying and nutritious meal.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The principle of avoiding waste—time, energy, resources, money, or food—is deeply ingrained in Islam. During Ramadan, large gatherings often lead to excessive plastic waste from food packaging, cutlery, and decorations. There is a dire need to opt for sustainable alternatives: paper or bamboo cups, using bagasse (sugarcane fibre) as a biodegradable material, and reusable stainless steel cutlery, even on a smaller scale, like at home. Additionally, make a conscious effort to segregate dry and wet waste; prioritize recycling and reuse, especially with items like clothes, is vital to curbing waste generation. Furthermore, consider investing in durable decorations that can be used year after year.

Farah Ruknuddeen, MPA (Masters of Public Administration and Policy) from Los Angeles, USA, highlights the need for embracing "Green Ramadan" practices, encompassing reusing wherever feasible, minimising extravagance during iftars, and incorporating more plant-based foods into our meals. She adds that her family's journey towards sustainability in their daily lives and consumer choices has been guided by small and consistent steps to implement knowledge for the betterment of themselves and those around them.

Reflecting on her own experiences, Farah shares, "We derive immense joy from crafting some of our Ramadan and Eid decorations, with each passing year adding a new piece to our collection. My children hold a deep sentimental attachment to these homemade treasures. The dedication and time invested in crafting each item fosters a profound sense of care and appreciation, resulting in cherished memories that we eagerly anticipate revisiting year after year."

Energy Conservation

Implementing simple yet impactful changes consistently in our daily routine can bring about significant change. Start by being mindful of energy usage—turn off lights, appliances, and gadgets when not in use, and don't forget to switch off power sockets to prevent energy wastage. Opt for energy-efficient LED lights over traditional incandescent bulbs; not only do they consume less energy, but they also have a longer lifespan, saving you money in the long run. Harness natural light by opening curtains and blinds during the day, reducing the need for artificial lighting and minimising your carbon footprint.

Water Conservation

Water is an extremely precious resource, as life forms depend on it in several ways. According to UNICEF, approximately four billion individuals, which accounts for nearly two-thirds of the global population, endure severe water scarcity for at least one month annually. The need for water conservation is crucial now more than ever, especially in countries facing water shortage issues, like Yemen, Palestine, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, and South Africa, among others. We can play a role by using water sparingly during ablutions, fixing any leaks in our home, and, if possible, practicing rainwater harvesting. Simple measures can lead to substantial water savings.

Charity and Community Initiatives

Every human is tested by Allah in different ways; while these trials may seem insignificant to some, for those enduring them, they represent a daunting reality. Ramadan is a time of giving and compassion, particularly towards the underprivileged. It is a time when hearts soften and empathy thrives, inspiring Muslims to take concrete actions to uplift those in need. In the context of Green Ramadan, giving back to the Earth is a form of charity that benefits everyone, from cleaning our surroundings and participating in tree-planting initiatives to enjoying nature walks, feeding birds and animals, and embracing plastic-free iftars. Engaging in these eco-friendly community initiatives fosters a sense of unity and responsibility towards the environment while enriching the spirit of Ramadan.

Educate, Reflect, and Act

Education serves as a potent catalyst, laying the foundation for understanding the significance of eco-friendly practices and their positive impact on the environment. Through introspection, we assess our habits, ensuring they resonate with our values and contribute to the well-being of our planet. Whether it's disseminating tips, ideas, or insights on social platforms, scrutinising our consumption habits, or engaging in communal endeavours, each effort brings us closer to fostering a greener Earth.

"As an educator for nearly six years, I've made it a priority to instill in my students the importance of reducing plastic usage, supporting local products, and advocating for environmental responsibility. This Ramadan, I'm encouraging my students and friends to avoid plastic containers during iftars, opting instead for paper alternatives to minimise pollution,” shares Hiba Zohra, Teacher, Saudi Arabia.

Conclusion
Observing a greener Ramadan isn't just about shrinking our environmental impact; it's about honouring and fulfilling our duty as caretakers of the Earth—a fundamental value deeply ingrained in Islamic teachings. While we fast, pray, and strive to do more good deeds with an intention to please Almighty Allah, let's also pledge to make choices that safeguard and cherish our planet for generations to come. By adopting these practices, believers can ensure that their Ramadan observance fosters a planet that's healthier, cleaner, and more sustainable. Let this Ramadan mark the beginning of a lifelong dedication to eco-conscious living, inspiring communities worldwide with our positive example.

ANNEXES

Some Religious Beliefs and their Effects to Man and his Society 

A. "The balete tree (Ficus benjamina) is the home of bad spirits. Those who go near the tree become sick."

Dr Abe V Rotor

Balete has indeed a bad reputation. In fact its real name is strangler’s fig because it slowly strangles its host tree to death, using its trunk as if it were its own until it decomposes underneath its interlacing roots and branches. Years after nothing can be traced of its once benevolent host.

Brace roots of balete wrap around an acacia tree, UST Manila.  Photo by the author.

The juvenile balete is popularly made into bonsai, and the young tree is domesticated into shrub and graces our homes, roadside and parks. But in the forest, it is a monster, taking over towering trees. Some wrest with the emergents, trees that rise above the canopy layer of the forest, virtually piercing through the cloud. 

The tree house in the novel, Swiss Family Robinson, written by Johan Wyss in the 17th century, was built atop a huge balete. A proof of this contention is that the core of the trunk is hollow, which could only mean, the tree strangled its host tree to death. I had the chance to climb the Swiss Family Robinson tree at the Disneyland in Los Angeles, USA, through the tree’s interior spiraling stairs. From the tree house everything below is Lilliputian. Here the Robinsons were safe from the beasts of the forest; it served as their watchtower, too. Of course the tree in Disneyland is made of steel and concrete, but it appeared real the way it is described in the novel.

Anyone who gets near an old balete will develop goose bumps. Imagine walking along Balete Drive (Quezon City) at night and meet a white lady (PHOTO Internet). Old folk will tell you it was a balete Judas Escariot hanged himself. Others will relate how a kapre (black hairy monster) sits high up in the tree, his long thin legs dangling with its cavernous prop roots. 

But in India and other parts of Asia, the banyan tree, a relative of the balete (Family Moraceae) is the home of kind spirits. Banyan is among the longest living tree species after the Redwood and the Bristle Pine. 

Largest banyan tree in Japan (Internet)

Unlike the latter, the banyan actually “walks around,” its prop roots colonizing the immediate surroundings so that a centuries-old tree may reach a diameter of twenty meters or more.  

 Imagine how massive and extensive the banyan is – it can house a temple under its prop roots, making it Ripley’s living house of worship. ~

 

A huge banyan tree sits on an ancient temple in Cambodia.  Head of 

a stone Buddha emerges from a maze of brace roots of banyan in 

Thailand.  (Internet) ~

Annex B

Spirit of the Tree

Dr Abe V Rotor

Call the kapre, dwende, tikbalang

to scare or just for fun;

the goddess Maria Makiling,

and Helios, the sun.

I imagine the world without them -

without them around:

Children wouldn't be home before dark;

and dogs at night wouldn't bark?

Why sunflowers always face the sun,

and go to sleep when gone;

trespassers, beware, take the road instead,

unless you hold the labyrinth's thread;

over the hills and valleys thunder rolls

when angry Thor growls,

and mushrooms spontaneously appear

breaking the ground like spear;

phosphorescence fascinates us,

even after the fire has turned to ash;

look up, they’re but one - fireflies and stars,

fireflies are the missing stars;

holiest the altar of nature unspoiled,

where logging was foiled,

where the kapre lives in big trees,

and scares with a sudden breeze;

paddies sigh, bamboos creak and whisper,

unseen - creatures or not – slither.

The world is alive with tales and legends;

untrue yet true, for they are a twin;

and if you pass by a tree, stop and listen

to the spirit that throbs within.~

Annex C - Old Folks’ Science or Superstition?

Dr Abe V Rotor
Living with Nature School on Blog
Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid with Ms Melly C Tenorio
738 DZRB AM 8 to 9 Evening Class, Monday to Friday

Which is which? Science or Superstition? Find out the answer at the end of this test.

1. Raining while the sun is out breeds insects.
2. Nangka may bear fruit from its roots underground.
3. You know how big ube tuber is by its mound.
4.Karurayan na dumalaga (all white female fryer) is best food for a recuperating patient.
5. Swarming of winged termites and ants predicts siyam-siyam (18 days of

    uninterrupted rainfall)
6. Red sky in the west means coming of a typhoon.
7. When you break a glass, take another and break it too, to break the omen.
8. Kapre (ogre) lives on old trees; dwende (dwarf) lives among mushrooms.
9.When a spoon is accidentally dropped, a female guest is coming. If fork, a male guest.
10. When buying watermelon, choose that which has wide spaces between the “ribs.” 

      It is more fleshy and sweet.
11. Actually you can hear the earth breath on a quiet summer night.
12. Predominance of cogon grass means the land is not worth farming.
13. Snake means good luck; monitor lizard bad luck.
14. Oranges with indented bottom are sweeter.
15. Powdered rhino horn is medicine and aphrodisiac.
16. Worms improve the taste of bagoong or patis. (fish sauce)
17. Just wipe kitchen with mild vinegar to drive ants away.
18. Large and round macopa contains seeds, so with lanzones.
19. Prune standing corn stalk to get fuller cobs.
20. There are people who cook ampalaya which tastes more bitter.
21. A brooding animal, like snake, is ferocious.
22. Guava seeds may cause appendicitis
23. Ginseng increase human virility or has aphrodisiac property.
24. Cut the leaves (pruning) of rice seedlings before transplanting in the field to make

      them grow faster and bigger.
25. When you eat twin bananas you will bear also twins.
26. During full moon crabs are lean.
27. Phases of the moons influence behavior (lunatic effect).
28. Gate must not face directly the dead-end of a road.
29. Planting cassava stem upturned will produce poisonous tuber.
30. Ring around the moon means a storm coming.
31. When you have a fishbone stuck, get the cat and gently rub its paws on the affected

      area.
32. When a spoon is accidentally dropped, a female guest is coming. If fork, a male

      guest.
33. A brooding animal, like snake, is ferocious.
34. Food offering at the family altar during festivals is homage to the spirits
35. Say tabi-tabi when entering a thicket.
36. Put sugar as fertilizer to get sweeter fruits.
37. Some people suffer body aches before a typhoon brews near.
38. When walking through a forest, wear a face mask backward to ward of tiger or

      lion attack.
39. When harvesting the first fruits, get an oversize basket and pretend that the

      harvest is heavy.
40. Expect rain if hordes of dragonflies hover low.
41. Size and shape of lips of a woman reflects her private organ.
42. Get male flower and introduce it into the female flower to enhance the fruit 

      to develop.
43. Crickets are noisiest in summer.
44. When transplanting banana tiller take out the eyes (young tiller buds) arising 

      on the corm.
45. Wet your navel with the first raindrops in summer.
46. Noisy hen layers are not productive layers.
47. Roosters do sometimes lay eggs which are very small and sterile.
48. Throw sand into axils of coconut leaves to prevent beetle attack
49. Black cat bring bad luck when you meet them on the corridor or street.
50. Salaksak or kingfisher means death.

ANSWERS: False answer to 7,8,9,11,13,16,22,25,28,29,31,32,34,35,36,39,41,45 and 47.

RATING: 46-50 Outstanding. You must be one of the old folks.
41-45 Very Good . You must be living with old folks.
36-40 Good. You have a good grasp of tradition
31-34 Fair. You are not really moving away from tradition.
30 and below. Read more about old folks' science and superstitious beliefs.

Annex D

Quaintness of Philippine Culture

is Enriched by Superstition

Living with superstition builds character 

(100 Popular Superstitious Beliefs) - A Self-evaluation

People are generally superstitious, especially those of the older generation. We relate many events to supernatural causes. We act according to beliefs we inherited from our ancestors. Superstition may not rule our lives but it serves to sharpen our consciousness, build our character, and help preserve our culture. Mythology is important in every culture and it influences other cultures as well. Greek mythology is the leading example.

                                                                 Dr Abe V Rotor

1. After the wedding the man must exit first from the church so that he will not become a henpeck husband.

2. Don’t clean the house at night, more so, if you sweep the dirt out of the door. You drive good luck away, (Lalabas ang suwerte.)

Image of a white lady taken by a CCTV camera

3. If you get lost in the wilderness, reverse your shirt, so that you will be able find your way back.


4. Three persons in a picture means the one at the middle will die.

5. A mole (taling) on the sole indicates the person is a wanderer (gala’).

6. A mole (taling) located along the path of tears means the person is going to be widowed.

7. Tikbalang (Filipino version of a centaur) comes out when it is raining while the sun is out.

8. Bride must never try her bridal gown before the wedding; the ceremony might not push through.

9. Don’t hang on the window; you court bad luck.

10. Itchy palm means you are going to have money.

11. Keep your fingers close together and if light seeps through between them, it means you are not frugal.

12. Singing while cooking means you are going to remain a bachelor or spinster – or marry someone much older than you.

13. A victim of maternal impression (paglilihi) loses pep (sigla) and may even get sick.

14. If a pregnant woman is in labor, never sit at the center of the stair.

15. A comet in the sky means war is coming.

16. Eat raw eggs to enhance easy delivery of your baby.

17. A pregnant mother should not eat eggplant, else her baby will have dark complexion.

18. One who cries every time she cuts onions means she does not love her father- and mother-in-law (biyanan).

19. Taking a bath immediately after ironing clothes will make you sick of leprosy.

20. If a pregnant woman eats eggs, her child will be born blind.

21. Full moon causes abnormal behavior. People who are affected by this belief are called lunatics.

22. Beware of Friday the 13th, you might meet an accident.

Kapre, a hairy black monster, lives in this old balete tree.

UPLB Mt Makiling, Laguna on the way to the Mud Spring.

There is a report that the tree bleeds with blood-like sap!

23. No two siblings should marry within the same year, otherwise their marriages will not be successful.

24. When someone gives you a footwear as a gift, be sure to pay him any amount in order to break the omen that you will be “kicked” or pushed around.

25. When the pregnant wife skips or walks over (laktawan) her husband, the husband will bear the burden of paglilihi (maternal impression).

26. If you want a person to be sad and to cry often, give him or her a handkerchief as a gift.

27. One who is about to be wed must remain at home to avoid accident.

28. Avoid having your feet pointed at the door while sleeping.

29. Prepare rice cake like suman and tikoy on New Year so that good luck will stick around.

30. When planting be sure your stomach is full, so that you will get good harvest.

31. If you accidentally break a glass or china, get a similar one and break it, otherwise bad luck will haunt you.

32. Breaking a mirror means “seven years itch.”

33. If you dream you lost a tooth, it means is bad luck. To break the omen, silently go to a tree and tell your dream so that it will be the tree that will suffer.

34.  Forego your trip if a black cat crosses your path – it is bad luck.

35. A birthday celebrant must take extra precaution against accident, so with a new graduate.

36. The bride should not look behind while marching the aisle, otherwise the wedding will not be disrupted.

37. The number of steps of a stair is based on the alternate oro (gold)-plata (silver) formula. Aim for oro in the last or highest step.

38. Wearing bright clothes, especially red, on your birthday makes the day happy.

39. Needle bought in the afternoon is likely to rust.

40. Don’t give your loved one a necklace, otherwise your relationship will not last.

41. Don’t allow your friend to remove your ring, otherwise you will quarrel.

42. Kill a chicken for a new born baby as an offering.

43. Sweeping or cleaning the house while a dead relative is in wake will lead to the death of another member of the family.

44. Eating jackfruit during menstruation is prohibited otherwise the woman will get sick and even die.

45. When planting sitao (string bean), place a comb on your hair to induce the production of abundant long fruits.

46. Eating chicken cooked with squash will cause leprosy.

47. A woman on her menstrual period should not visit a garden or orchard otherwise the plants will become sick or die.

48. To know if it is true jade, it remains cool even if the body is warm.

49. Beware of the werewolf. Man can turn into a wolf, and vice versa.

50. Eight (8) is a lucky number; 8 is infinity. It means money will circulate.

51. Four (4) means in Chinese C or death. Every time you reach an age with the number 9 or 4, take precaution; you are prone to accident.

52. Don’t cut fingernails at night; it’s bad luck.

53. In Chinese marriage, the woman walks backward led by a relative to be delivered to the bridegroom.

54. If a child keeps spitting, it will rain.

55. If you point at the moon you will suffer a cut.

56. Babies smile at angels we don’t see.

57. Fixed marriage at birth is good luck.

58. Chinese calendar is late by two months – New Year is in February.
Chinese age starts one year at birth.

59. Palm lines of our hand may change, so with our lives.

60. Blessed palm leaves on Easter Sunday is hang at the door for good luck.

61. First cut hair and fingernails of a baby must be kept in a book so that he will be intelligent.

62. Wearing black is symbol of mourning; to the Chinese it is wearing all white.

63. Among the Chinese, miniaturized house, car and the like, go with the departed to assure him of a happy afterlife.

64. In a Chinese temple, you offer food to the gods, and then eat it after. This is not the case in Filipino custom; just leave the food offering (atang).

65. To the Chinese, paper money goes with the dead; it will be converted into real money in afterlife.

Indeed there's really a white carabao, and it glows at night in flickering light.

66. Light candles outside of the house during All Saints Day in deference to of the souls of the dead and the unseen.

67. When you happen to encounter a funeral entourage, throw some coins in respect of the dead.

68. Don’t stand in front of a gate if you are pregnant.

69. If by mistake it’s the bride that hands over the arras to the bridegroom, expect that she will be the breadwinner.

70. Diamond studded wedding rings do not make a perfect relationship.

71. When blessing a new vehicle, sprinkler fresh blood of chicken in tires and engine to bad omen of accident.

72. Place some coins in the foundation of buildings and other structures during ground breaking ceremony to make them strong and withstand time.

73. Children are sacrificed in making bridges and other infrastructure.

74. Bury placenta with rosary and pencil so that the child will be both intelligent and God-fearing.

75. Palms with crisscross lines (rapas Ilk) means the person is cruel.

76. Palms with netted lines means the person has an unorganized life (magulong buhay).

77. Shake (pagpagin) the items such as clothes after a customer had left without buying any, to break bad luck.

78. Place money in a bed pan (arinola), so that it becomes plentiful.

79. Babies that fall from their cradle do not suffer injury, thanks to their guardian angels.

80. When you give a wallet as gift be sure you put a coin or a money bill in it so that the wallet won’t run out of money.

81. When transferring to a new house carry with you 24 oranges, salt, water, and rice.

82. Jade stones around the wrist of a baby indicate his condition. If they turn light in color the baby is not well.

83. When transferring a dead person into the house, be sure it is head first; when taking him out, it is feet first.

84.Bed must not face the door, otherwise the sleeping person will become a victim of bangongot.

85.Don’t bump the coffin while carrying it; it is bad luck.

86. Pour water at the doorway once the coffin has been taken out.

87. Wash face and hands after the dead has been laid to rest.

90. When coming from a wake have a stopover somewhere and do not directly go home, otherwise the spirit of the dead will follow you.

91. The wishbone of a chicken* (PHOTO) makes a wholesome game for two. Wish comes true to the one who gets   the common stem of the Y-shape bone.

92. One can determine the sex of the baby by the poise and shape of the pregnant woman. If rotund, it’s going to be a girl; if pointed, it’s going to be a boy.

93. During labor, if the pain is bearable and continuous, it’s going to be a girl; if labor pain is intermittent and intense, it’s going to be a boy.

94. When leaving the dining table ahead, those who are still eating must rotate their plates, otherwise they will remain bachelors or spinsters. (The belief is silent on the fate of the married ones.)

95. Couple to be married the following day must not see each other the night before.

96. When Friday comes don’t talk about the supernatural, such as kapre, dwende, and the like.

97. Never buy a cat; it will not be a good mouse catcher.

98. If a cat sneezes it’s going to rain. But if it sneezes three times, everyone in the family will catch cold.

99. A cat that has its back towards the fire means a typhoon in coming.

100. Unfortunate events usually happen on full moon. ~

* Wishbone: Ancient Romans were the first to see the wishbone as a symbol of luck, which eventually turned into the tradition of actually breaking it apart. A chicken wishbone would be snapped apart by two people while they were each making a wish. The person holding the longer piece was said to have good fortune or a wish granted. If the bone cracked evenly in half, both people would have their wishes come true.

Annex E - Kapre - Monster or Spirit?

Dr Abe V Rotor

The kapre is perhaps the most popular Philippine mythological character. Grownups and children  regard the kapre either as monster or spirit.  As monster it is bad and feared; as spirit it is kind and respected.

Old folks tell us the kapre assumes a dual role, and therefore, lives in parallel worlds, like us. And when their worlds meet with ours, different scenarios capture our senses and imagination.  

Scenarios of such encounters have been passed on through generations and many survive to this day.

They occupy a respectable place in Philippine literature, but versions in comics, movies and animations are creating different images of this mythological huge, black and hairy, creature.

 Here is a personal encounter with the kapre.

 

“Did you hear that?” I was startled by a mysterious moaning in the dark. I switched on the headlight.

 

“What is it?” Cecille sleepily responded.

 

“It’s a strange sound, like someone agonizing.” I said while straining my eyes on the sugarcane fields on both sides of the road.

 

We had just parked along a newly opened road of the North Diversion somewhere in Tarlac that night. My wife and I were driving to Manila after a vacation in our hometown in Ilocos. I was so tired driving; I pulled our Ford Escort to the grass lane for a brief rest, and switched off the engine.

 

Then. “Did you hear that?” Cecille shook me. It was the same agonizing sound I heard earlier, and it was getting louder!

 

I switched on the headlight, and there stood at the opposite side of the road a tall figure the outline of the Colossus of Rhodes – black and hairy, so huge I could barely see his torso.

Instinctively I started the engine and stepped on the gas. Cecille moved close to me as the monster took another step toward us. We escaped in the nick of time.

 

Since then I became popular with children. “Tell us about the kapre!” And they would gather around clinging to one another. It reminded me of Lola Basiang, the story teller of folklores and legends.

 

My story became known to my friends and officemates. It was the cause of a meeting suddenly losing its agenda to the kapre. Everyone had something to say about the mythical monster. They talked about kapre living atop big old trees, along rivers and lakes. One related his experience while clearing the vines clinging around a large tree when suddenly he noticed blood dripping from above.

 

He looked up. Kapre!

 

Old folks say there are different kinds of kapre. There is even one taking over abandoned houses and empty buildings. There is kapre on empty playgrounds, farms and pastures. Kapre in gambling places, like the cockpit, kapre appearing suddenly in a group picture.

 

Since then we didn’t have to stay in office late. We had to finish our work early so we would not be taking the stairway that is seldom used, or hear typewriters clicking when everyone had already left. We won’t be passing dark alleys on our way home.

 

Children who heard the story of the kapre would stop playing at dusk. The farmer looks at the leaves of acacia, and when they start drooping, starts walking for home. Everyone in the family must be home for supper.

 

Because of the kapre, trees are spared of the ruthless chain saw. People passing through thickets politely whisper, “tabi tabi, po.” Fishermen catch just enough fish for their family’s need. Harvest festivals are observed even if harvest is not good.

 

Indeed there are different kinds of kapre. And they abound everywhere.

 

When I was buying a new battery for my car and told the salesman how I encountered a kapre one dark night, he handed me a new brand of battery.

 

“Sir, makakasiguro kayo dito.” (Sir, you are very safe with this battery.) ~

 Playing with the Kapre 

He is a friend, he is an enemy;
the world is divided in two;
but who is friend, who is enemy,
when you talk about kapre?

He can be seen, to others unseen,
appears to one, not to another;
at daytime or in the evening;
it's his choice. Oh, brother!

He is kind, although scary;
seldom loved and feared by most,
lonely and misunderstood;
unlike any other ghost;

He watches children passing by
prods them home before dark;
warns them not to tarry where
danger lurks, where dogs bark.

He watches fruits until they're ripe
and shoos away trespassers,
makes loggers sick from guilt,
keeps the menagerie from hunters

He sways in the trees and comes down
awhile to the young in company;
teaching them in discreet allegory
a unique children's story.

Can you describe the kapre, his looks, habits and places he frequents? What is the counterpart of the kapre in other countries? Where does he live? Is he diurnal or nocturnal? Or crepuscular (active during dusk)? Is there reason for the kapre to exist?  In the first place, does he (It is believed to be male) really exist? What is his mission, if any?

* Lesson on TataKalikasan Ateneo de Manila University; February 22, 2024
(Thursday) 11 to 12 a.m. 87.9 FM Radyo Katipunan