At the Crossroad of Agriculture and Ecology in a Photo Exhibit

At the Crossroad of Agriculture and Ecology

in a Photo Exhibit

 Abe V. Rotor Photo Exhibit at the National Library 1972  

That's 60 years ago, I was in my twenties (PHOTO), single and full of energy, new in my job with the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DENR).  Martial Law was just declared by President Ferdinand Marcos, the country hoped for change.   

For me, a shift from academe to bureaucracy was a big break, in fact a wide gap, from biologist and ecologist to agricultural adviser and public servant, from the confines of university wall and research laboratory to the open fields, onto the grassroots.

At the crossroad of development for economic necessity to one that secures environmental balance as well, I played a vital role as council secretary and executive assistant to a 22-member inter-agency presidential council (NFAC);  

Crash programs were launched without delay as hunger loomed:  Masagana 99 for rice, Maisan 77 for corn, pioneer production of wheat (trigo), soybean, sorghum, Gulayan sa Kalusugan for vegetables, Green Revolution for agriculture-at-large on all levels and corners of the country - barangay to schools; 

Dendrology (wood farming) and agro-forestry were launched nationwide; hybrid  ipil-ipil plantation set up for wood, natural fertilizer, feeds, industrial fuel, likewise for erosion and flood control, reforestation, for which this miracle tree got its name.

Bakahan Barangay (cattle raising), piggery and chicken production on the municipal and barangay  levels, Palay-isdahan (fish culture in ricefield), SWIP (Small Water Impounding Projects) for irrigation and power generation, among other projects;

 

New frontiers of agriculture were pushed onto the upland and hillside, contour farming, SALT (Slope Agricultural Land Technology), down to the sea - mariculture (seaweeds farming, fish pens, floating cages), swamps reclaimed into new farms;

Increased farm production, yield : input ratio was pushed to the maximum, which means more and new tools and inputs: fertilizers, pesticides, machines, seeds, etc., supported by aggressive extension cum financial subsidy for farmers; 

Author prepares ecology exhibit in Black and White photographs, National Library 1972 

The complex crossroad of change was visualized as traditional versus modern agriculture; intensive and ecological farming; integrated farming and agro-processing, combining agriculture and industry in a new enterprise: agribusiness; 

 
Quo vadis? (Where are we headed for?) What roads lead to greater and long-term advantage? Where and what measures can we gain in one but not the other? Do we gain in agriculture at the expense of the environment, or is it the other way?  
  
This scenario projected the theme and message of a one-man photo exhibit in 1972, first at the Nayong Pilipino in Parañaque, then moved to the National Library in Manila. Ecology then a relatively new field, and proposed subject in schools.~

 

                         Personal collection from the 1972 Ecology exhibit. 

Exhibit is featured in Pace Magazine 1972 ~

Life Begins at Retirement

Happy 75th Birthday, July 28 2026

Life Begins at Retirement*

Cecilia Rojas Rotor, CPA, MBA, CESO VI

 Former Director of Budget, Treasury and Fund Management

 

Retirement is a journey, not a destination. It only means that it is time for a new adventure.  Adventure in the golden years of life. 

What really makes life beautiful with NFA? What make an employee spend her most precious years of life with NFA?  Let me count the ways.

 1. Here at NFA, I learned the true application of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.  I aspired  in my own capacity to be a good student of this great thought.  

Author fondly poses with grand daughter, Mackie.

For NFA is the acronym of the principles of Maslow’s Concept:  man’s basic survival Need is Food; man’s basic social need is Family (the NFA family); and man’s highest need is Actualization – actualization of NFA’s vision and mission. 

NFA is very important indeed! In fact, I learned that no country - big and small, industrialized and developing - is without an NFA, or its equivalence or counterpart.  I say, NFA is a universal organization. It is said in the Universal Prayer as well, “Give us this day our daily bread.”  (Us refers to all, irrespective of race, age, status, belief, ideology; it is the word us with reference to adequacy of food that unites mankind.)

 2. NFA is my alma mater now, and I am proud to be one. It is bigger than my own, in college and in the graduate school, for I am now among thousands who once served the organization, and countless number of people whom it served - and continues to serve. 

It is my alma mater for four scores and two years, subtly saying 42 years of continuous service, the longest “schooling” until I was awarded (finally) with a “diploma of retirement” – which I cannot refuse. The concept of alumna of NFA is, “Once an NaFiAin, always a NaFiAian.” And every time I happen to meet a co-alumna or co- alumnus, the world spontaneously brightens up, reversing the hands of time, and re-creating many wonderful scenarios that make memories fresh and alive.

3. Life after NFA is beautiful.  It is another stage of life which I am beginning to enjoy as a grandmother. Retirement is out of the dictionary when you are babysitter, teacher, housekeeper, playmate, rolled into one.

NFA taught me many things to prepare me to be a wonderful and loving Lola , borrowing the words of Mackie my eldest granddaughter. (See above photo )

Happiness I realize is compensating for the limited time and presence I had with my family while I was with NFA. But it is NFA that made me realize that happiness is not truly your own alone.” It is one commodity that, if you divide and distribute, it will multiply.” It is boundless, it is eternal; it defies any mathematical law.  It is man’s greatest glory on earth. 

4. It is at NFA where I tried to study and understand issues considered to be sensitive, such as the term “subsidy.” As an accountant I saw a financial picture inclined towards social goals and objectives, of stabilizing the industry to prevent hunger and its consequences; to pursue the idea of attaining self-sufficiency, while aiming at sustainable productivity. Meanwhile huge importation is inevitable year in and year out.  These are gargantuan images that are difficult to comprehend, much less to attain, if I may say. 

And yet these are the very reasons why NFA should and must exist, firm and strong to lead its various stakeholders. I leave the organization with the urgent wish that it continue to pursue its noble task vigorously.  Its triumph shall, in every alumnus, proudly feels.    

5. There is a saying by John F Kennedy (originally by our own national hero Jose Rizal), “Ask not what America can do for you; but what you can do for America.”   

Analogously I ask myself. “What have I done for NFA, and what has NFA done for me?” 

Allow me to count the ways that I know of: 

It is at NFA where my career blossomed from accountant to director.

Rotor-Sta Maria-Mendoza-Viray family in a re-union

 It is at NFA that I was able to obtain an MBA and CESO, on top of my CPA.

·       It is at NFA where I grew gray hairs old folks say is a sign of wisdom and counsel.

·       It is with NFA I learned to hurdle obstacles generally attendant to public service.

·       It is with NFA I tried my best to set a standard of a role model for my staff and colleagues in government.

·       It is at NFA where I found personal happiness, and comfort in the dark hours.

·       It is with NFA I did the best I could in actively participating in decision making and strategic planning.   

·       It is at NFA where I saw action, and fought in the battlefield, so to speak.     

·       It is with NFA I helped steer the boat toward  its goal and mission.   

Lastly, but not the least, It is at NFA where I found a life partner and together built a happy family. And look at the world as bright as ever. ~ 

*Response to a tribute given by the members of the Management Committee of the National Food Authority, August 8, 2016. Reprint,  NFA's 48th Anniversary September 26 2020 Feature on GRAINS Magazine.

100 Plants at the Living with Nature Center in their common and scientific names, and families.

100 Plants at the Living with Nature Center

San Vicente, Ilocos Sur

List of plants in their common and scientific names, and families.

Dr Abe V Rotor

 
Anahaw -  Saribus rotundifolius - Caryophyllaceae 

1.  Achiote or Annatto – Bixa orellana - Bixaceae

2.     Alagaw – Premna odorata - Lamiaceae

3.     Anahaw -  Saribus rotundifolius - Caryophyllaceae 

4.     Apatot – Morinda littoralis/citrifolia - Rubiaceae

5.     Arios – Podocarpus costalis - Gymnospermae

6.     Balete - Ficus benjamina - Moraceae

7.     Bird’s Nest fern – Asplenium nidus - Aspleniaceae

8.     Bougainvillea – Bougainvillea spectabilis Nyctaginaceae

9.     Bromeliad – Portea   spp - Bromeliaceae

10. Caballero plant – Caesalpinia pulcherrima - Fabaceae PHOTO

11. Caimito – Crysophyllum cainito - Sapotaceeae    

12. Calamansi – Citrus macrocarpa - Rutaceae

13. Chico – Achras (Sapodilla) zapota - Sapotaceae

14. Chinese Bamboo – Bambusa multiplex - Poaceae

15. Coconut – Cocos nucifera - Arecaceae

16. Creeping Fig – Ficus pumila - Moraceae 

17. Cyperus – C. papyrus Cyperaceae

18. Dalandan – Citrus decumana - Rutaceae

19.  Duhat – Syzygium cumini – Myrtaceae

20.  False Bird of Paradise – Heliconia psittacorum – Heliconiaceae

21. Giant Bamboo – Dedrocalamus giganteus - Poaceae

22. Giant Thorny Bamboo – Bambusa bambos Poaceae

23. Aplas - Ficus hawili - Moraceae

24. Kalachuchi – Plumeria rubra/ P alba   Apocynaceae

25. Ilang-ilang – Cananga odorata - Annonaceae

26. Makopa – Eugenia jambalana - Myrtaceae

27.  Mayana - Coleus blumei - Lamiaceae

28.  Red Anthurium – A. andraeanum - Araceae   

29.  Sanggumay – Dendrobium anosmum Orchidaceae

Sorosoro or Karimbuaya

30.  Bromeliad – Guzmania spp. Bromeliaceae

31.  Gumamela – Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Malvaceae

32.  Maguey – Agave cantala – Asparagaceae 

      (sub-Family  Agavoideae)

33.    Mahogany - Swietinia macrophylla - Meliaceae

34. Strangler’s Fig (balete) Ficus benjamina - Moraceae

35. Molave – Vitex parviflora  - Verbenaceae

36. Narra – Pterocarpus indicus - Dipterocarpaceae

37. White Lauan – Shorea contorta - Dipterocarpaceae

38. Bitaog - Calophyllum inophyllum– Calophyllaceae

39.   Bikal Bamboo – Schizostachyum dielsianum - Poaceae

40.   Staghorn Fern – Platycerium bifurcatum - Polypodiaceae

41. Oak fern – Gymnocarpium dryopteris - Cystopteridaceae

42. Balimbing – Averrhoa bilimbi -Oxalidaceae  

43.   Tubang Bakod – Jatropha curcas - Euphorbiaceae

44. Jatropha (coral plant) – Jatropha podagrica/multifida - Euphorbiaceae

45. Castor bean – Ricinus communis - Euphorbiacae  

46. Calamansi – Citrus microcarpa - Rutaceae

47. Sampalok – Tamarindus indica – Ceasalpiniaceae

48. Banaba – Lagerstroemia speciosa - Lythraceae

49. Golden Shower – Cassia fistula - Fabaceae

50. Lobster’s Claw plant – Heliconia rostata - Heliconiaceae

51. Soro-soro – Euphorbia neriifolia - Euphorbiaceae

52. Buntot Tigre – Cordyline roxburghiana - Agaveceae 

53. Barbados Cherry – Malphighia emarginata

54. Kamachili – Pithecolobium dulce - Fabaceae

55. Pandakaki – Tabernaemontana pandakaqui - Apocynaceae

56. Pandan – Pandanus amaryllifolius - Pandanaceae

57. Mahogany – Swietenia macrophylla - Meliaceae

58. Maiden Hair Fern – Adriatum raddianum - Pteridaceae

59. Lantana plant – Lantana camara - Verbenaceae

60. Nangka – Artocarpus heterophyllus - Moraceae

61.   Philodendron – P. melanochrysum

62.   Indian Mast Tree – Polyalthia longifolia

63. Fishtail palm – Caryota mitis - Arecaceae

64. Shanghai Beauty – Jatropha integerrima - Euphorbiaceae

65. Selaginella – S, lepidophylla/braunii - Selaginellaceae

66. Tsaang Gubat – Ehretia microphylla - Boraginaceae PHOTO

67. Manga – Mangifera indica - Anacardiaceae

68. Mulberry – Morus nigra - Moraceae  

69. Yellow Bell – Tecoma stans – Bignoniaceae family

70. Kamias – Averrhoa bilimbi - Oxalidaceae

71.   Forget-Me-Not – Myosotis scorpioides - Boraginaceae

72.   Rambutan – Nephelium lappaceaum  - Sapindaceae

73. Bromeliad – Portea   spp - Bromeliaceae

74. Sisal – Agave sisalana - Agavaceae

75. Thorns of Christ plant – Euphorbia milii - Euphorbiaceae

76. Mickey Mouse plant – Ochna serrulate Ochnaceae

77. Lagundi – Vitex negundo Verbenaceae

                                  Croton (Codiaum variegatum)

78. Lotus – Nelumbium nelumbo Nelumbonaceae

79.   Nymphaea – Nymphaea alba/ colorata - Nymphaeaceae

80. Santol – Sandoricum koetjape - Meliaceae

81. Tibig – Ficus nota - Moraceae

82. Fortune plant – Dracaena sanderiana - Asparagaceae

83. Gummamela - Hibiscus rosa-sinensis - Malvaceae

84. Palmera – Borassus flabellifer - Araceae

85. Talisay (Lugo’) – Terminalia catappa - Combretaceae ~

-----------

Continuing List

1. Kandaroma
2. Hornwort PHOTO 
   
3. Miracle tree/calabash
4. Ornamental pineapple
5. Thorns of Christ
6. Pomelo
7. Fishtail Palm
8. 
   Bunga de Jolo
9. Limonsito
10. Zigzag plant
11. Alagao
12. Variegated Pandan
13. Pandan Mabango
14. Ngalog
15. Tabtabukol
16. Elephant's Ear Agave
17. Snake Plant Agave
18. 
    Neem Tree
19. Kupkup-yis
20. Acacia
21. Jatropha curcas
22. Jatropha multifida PHOTO
23. Pansit-pansitan
24. Sida acuta PHOTO
25. Chinese Bamboo

  
  
  
  
   
  

 

  

  

 

Photos by the author at the Living with Nature botanical garden, 2025

* Identify each plant with its common and scientific name, its uses and benefits, for your school project and community workshop.  This article serves as a simple guide in putting up a backyard garden, or simply a collection of plants in pots and vacant lots. ~