^ How do we celebrate THANKSGIVING DAY in the Philippines?

How do we celebrate THANKSGIVING DAY

in the Philippines?

US Thanksgiving Day Celebration   

Fourth Thursday of November 

November 27, 2025

Researched and organized for avrotor.blogspot.com  

TATAKalikasan AdMU Radyo Katipunan, and Usapang Bayan 

radio programs, by Dr Abe V Rotor

Do we celebrate Thanksgiving in the Philippines?
No, Filipinos do not traditionally celebrate Thanksgiving as a public holiday, though many have adopted it as a cultural tradition, blending it with Filipino customs. While American Thanksgiving is on the fourth Thursday of November, Filipinos often celebrate a similar concept of "pasasalamat" (giving thanks) around any significant milestone, such as graduations, homecomings, or exams. When celebrating American Thanksgiving, they may incorporate Filipino dishes like lechon or pancit into the feast. AI Overview-Internet

 

Filipinos often celebrate a similar concept of "pasasalamat" (giving thanks) around any significant milestone, such as fiestas, birthdays, graduations, homecomings, anniversaries and other occasions.

(Acknowledgement with gratitude: Internet Photos)

Ever since the pilgrims, Americans have celebrated days of thanksgiving, but until 1863 there was no one day of the year that people thought of as

thanksgiving day.

Sarah Josepha Hale who wrote the nursery rhyme, "Mary has a Little Lamb," thought there should be. Starting in 1827, she wrote to every president, urging him to establish one, but no one listened until Abraham Lincoln, after the victory at Gettysburg, issued a proclamation setting aside the last Thursday of November as a day to give thanks for the survival of the nation.

US Thanksgiving Day marks the end of the American Civil War

The American Civil War was the culmination of the struggle between the advocates and opponents of slavery that dated from the founding of the United States. This sectional conflict between Northern states and slaveholding Southern states had been tempered by a series of political compromises, but by the late 1850s the issue of the extension of slavery to the western states had reached a boiling point. The election of Abraham Lincoln, a member of the antislavery Republican Party, as president in 1860 precipitated the secession of 11 Southern states, leading to a civil war.

The Union won the American Civil War. The war effectively ended in April 1865 when Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered his troops to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia. The final surrender of Confederate troops on the western periphery came in Galveston, Texas, on June 2.

It is estimated that from 752,000 to 851,000 soldiers died during the American Civil War (more than all US soldiers combined who died in WW1 and WW2 and other wars America was involved, including Vietnam war*). This figure represents approximately 2 percent of the American population in 1860. The Battle of Gettysburg, one of the bloodiest engagements during the Civil War, resulted in about 7,000 deaths and 51,000 total casualties.

Reference: Who was Abraham Lincoln? By Janet Pascal, illustrated by john O'Brien, Grosset & Dunlap 2008; Internet

Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated on various dates in October and November in the United States, Canada, Saint Lucia, Liberia, and unofficially in countries like Brazil and Germany. It is also observed in the Australian territory of Norfolk Island. Date: Thursday, November 28, 2024; Observed for: 403 years

As an American colony from 1898 to 1946, the Philippines celebrated Thanksgiving on the same day as the United States. Internet Photo 

President Manuel Quezon even declared it an official local holiday in 1935. Commemoration paused during the Japanese occupation, although locals still celebrated secretly. The tradition returned during the administration of former President Marcos, who even moved the date to September 21. It ended after the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.

Today, though Thanksgiving is no longer an official holiday in the Philippines, many Filipinos celebrate it as a cultural tradition. Some restaurants even create special menus featuring classic dishes, like lechon or roasted pig* in lieu of turkey.. Internet

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Let's set an official Thanksgiving Day in the Philippines for Filipinos to look forward for peace and unity, security and stability.  It is a date to rally the people to save our country from corruption and disintegration, hopelessness and Bahala Na syndrome. Thanksgiving is a goal to celebrate as a nation, not only personal and isolated celebration. Not an aftermath of undefined "victory", but a purposeful achievement. and glory. - AV Rotor 

AI Overview

Thanksgiving Day in the Philippines

The Philippines historically celebrated Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November during the American colonial period, later shifting to September 21 under President Marcos, and a 2026 House bill proposes reviving it on the fourth Thursday of November.

Overview
Thanksgiving is not currently an official nationwide holiday in the Philippines, but it has a long and evolving history influenced by American rule and later political changes.

Historical Timeline

o  American Colonial Period (1901–1935)Thanksgiving was celebrated in the Philippines on the fourth Thursday of November, mirroring the U.S. tradition. Philippine News Agency
Act No. 345 (1902) made it an official public holiday. Philstar Life
o  Commonwealth Era (1935–1941) President Manuel L. Quezon continued issuing proclamations declaring Thanksgiving a national holiday. Philstar Life
o  Japanese Occupation (1941–1945) Americans and Filipinos celebrated Thanksgiving secretly. Philippine News Agency
o  Post‑War to Early Marcos Era. Thanksgiving continued to be observed annually through presidential proclamations. Philstar Life
o  Marcos Era (1973–1985) Proclamation No. 1181 (1973) moved Thanksgiving to September 21, aligning it with the “Bagong Lipunan” ideology. Philippine News Agency
This observance ended after the 1986 EDSA Revolution. Philippine News Agency

Modern Developments
o  Proposed Revival (2026) House Bill No. 7613 was approved on third reading in August 2026, proposing National Thanksgiving Day on the fourth Thursday of November.
o  The bill aims to promote gratitude, unity, and national solidarity. Philstar Life
It still awaits Senate approval before becoming law.

Cultural Context. Thanksgiving is widely recognized due to American influence but is not a traditional Filipino holiday today.
Filipinos typically focus on “ber-month” holidays such as All Saints’ Day, All Souls’ Day, and Christmas. beholdphilippines.com

Key Dates Summary
Period Thanksgiving Date Notes

1901–1935 Fourth Thursday of November American colonial rule 
1935–1972 Fourth Thursday of November Continued by Quezon and successors
1973–1985 September 21 Marcos-era “National Thanksgiving Day”
Post‑1986 None Holiday discontinued
Proposed (2026) Fourth Thursday of November Pending Senate approval

The Philippines’ Thanksgiving observance has shifted significantly over time, reflecting changes in governance and cultural identity.  Official pronouncement of Thanksgiving Day still awaits Senate approval before becoming into law.

^ "Take me for a moment away from you, Mother Earth, that I may see my friends, neighbors and me."- avr

 Mother Earth's Day

"Take me for a moment away from you, Mother Earth,

that I may see my friends, neighbors and me."- avr

Formerly, Scenic Rural Iloilo from the Air 

                    Photos and Poem by Dr Abe V Rotor

  

 Biggest spotlight - the sun - reveals a typical farming community, the fields 

basking with the golden color of grain and color of the earth after harvest.

Take me for a moment away from you, Mother Earth,

higher than the highest mountain, the tallest building,

that I may view life whole and solid and unabridged

in a perspective beyond details, and without stirring:

I see clouds shrouding you from the sun and blue sky,

in cumulus like giant mushroom on the horizon, rising,

and released into nimbus, becoming heavy, falling as rain

in the accompaniment of wind, thunder and lightning.

I see rivers swell and lakes fill to the brim in monsoon,

flooding fields and pasture, spilling through the valley,

meandering, roaring over waterfalls and boulders,

resting in swamps and estuaries, then flowing to sea.  

  

I see farmers in the field, women and children, too,

and work animals pulling the plow and the harrow;

I hear singing and laughter and joyous conversation,

barking of dogs, cackling  of fowls trailing the furrow.

I see harvesters gather the golden grains by hand;

drying shocks in the sun, and building  haystacks;

I see flocks of pigeon and native chicken gleaning,

women and children, the sun setting on their backs.  

I see the fields scorched, a smoke here and there - 

brush fire! when the grass dries up bursts into flame

spreading all over, burning anything on its path - 

what a waste! but it is nature's work and game. 

I see poor harvest, good harvest, where and why,

crops early or late, and fields never planted at all;

I see farming a way of life, farming as a business,

and farm life in all seasons, happiness its goal.

I see children flying kites of various makes and colors,

beside them grownups cheering, coaching, flying

their own kites too, oh, they have not forgotten

the art of their childhood, so do I, reminiscing.

I see children playing patintero, trompo and sipa,

games of old folks when they too, were children;

games of beetles and spiders as gladiators;

palo de sebo and pabitin cannot be forgotten.   

I see tourists, I see balikbayan, I see old and young;

familiar and unfamiliar faces, sweet, shy, and bold;

I see children going to school, housewives to market,

people of all walks of life, always on the move. 

I see the hills and mountains, to me they're the same,

but where have the forests gone, the pasture?

I see the rivers, the lakes and ponds old as they are,

I have always loved all of these as I love nature.  

I have seen enough, let me return, Mother Earth,

to my home, sweet home, on the farm, to my family;

and tell them of what I've seen in my short sojourn; 

down below I saw my friends, my neighbors, and me. ~  

  

  Geometric parcels of farmland in parallel formation apparently 

   show diversified farming and system of crop rotation. 

 

It's the peak of summer, and the rains have not arrived.  

Green patches are fields irrigated from shallow wells.

 

Residential houses huddle on one side of a creek (left); 

farms undergo fallowing, a resting period in summer.

 

Misty air looms over the dry landscape - a prelude to monsoon.

 

This fringe of land appears to have a sub-climate of its 

own influenced by the surrounding sea, while the

 rest of the island undergoes the normal dry season. 

  The uplands were once covered with forests and grasslands, 

now converted into agriculture and human settlements.  

A wisp of smoke greets the lazy morning air from among 

the trees that line a creek appearing like a miniature forest. 

 

A unique symmetry created by a natural waterway crowded 

with trees that form a natural windbreak and  sanctuary of 

surrounding organisms specially in summer. ~ 

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

AI Overview

"Take me for a moment away from you, Mother Earth, 

that I may see my friends, neighbors and me."- avr

Living with Nature School on Blog 

Naturalism - The Eighth Sense 

The line expresses a momentary longing to step back from the burdens, wounds, or overwhelming realities of the natural world, while still acknowledging a deep bond with Mother Earth.

How this fits Dr. Abe V. Rotor’s ecological themes

Dr. Abercio V. Rotor is widely known for eco-poetry that highlights humanity’s relationship with nature, environmental justice, and the urgency of ecological care. De La Salle University. His works often portray Earth as a living, nurturing presence — a mother figure — while also confronting the damage humans inflict on the environment.

Given this context, the line can be understood as:

o  A plea for temporary escape from environmental suffering — disasters, degradation, or the emotional weight of witnessing ecological decline. Rotor’s eco-poetry often “dismantles disasters to bring forth survival through witnessing” suggesting that environmental awareness can be emotionally heavy.

o  A moment of human vulnerability, where the speaker feels overwhelmed by the responsibility or grief tied to caring for the planet.
o  Not a rejection of nature, but a brief pause — a breath — before returning to the work of stewardship.

Symbolic meaning “Mother Earth” signals affection, dependence, and reverence. Rotor’s poetry consistently frames Earth as a nurturing but endangered presence

“Take me… away from you” suggests emotional fatigue: the speaker is overwhelmed by what they see — destruction, imbalance, or humanity’s failures.

“For a moment” is crucial: it implies the speaker will return. The bond is unbroken.
In essence, the line captures the tension between love for nature and the pain of witnessing its suffering — a recurring theme in Rotor’s eco-literary work.

Why this interpretation fits Rotor’s eco-literacy
Rotor’s ecological literacy emphasizes:

o  Mutualistic relationships between species and environments
o  Environmental justice and testimony against ecological abuse 
o  Using poetry to inspire sustainable though

A line asking for temporary distance from Mother Earth aligns with the emotional dimension of ecological witnessing — the need to step back, reflect, and regain strength before continuing the work of caring for the planet. ~
 

^ I am Nature Crucified

 I am Nature Crucified

I am Nature crucified by the unending pursuit of progress, 

the goal and measure of the Good Life.

 Dr Abe V Rotor

  Silhouette of a tree skeleton, QC. Photo by the author

I am Nature crucified, Paradise lost to my own guardian

whom my Creator assigned custodian of the living earth;

I am Nature crucified by loggers, my kin and neighbors 

annihilated, forever removed from their place of birth;

I am Nature crucified by slash-and-burn farming dreaded

- once lush forests now bare, desertification their fate;

I am Nature crucified, greedy men with giant machines

take hours to destroy what I built for thousands of years;

I am Nature crucified in the name of progress, countries 

vying for wealth and power, fighting among themselves; 

I am Nature crucified, rivers are dammed, lakes dried up,

swamps drained, estuaries blocked, waterways silted;

I am Nature crucified, the landscape littered with wastes,

gases into the air form acid rain, and thin the ozone layer;

I am Nature crucified, flora and fauna losing their natural

gene pools by selective breeding and genetic engineering;

I am Nature crucified, the earth is in fever steadily rising,

ice caps and glaciers melting, raising the level of the sea; 

I am Nature crucified, privacy and rest becoming a luxury

in a runaway population living on fast lanes, and rat race. 

I am Nature crucified, inequitable distribution of wealth

the source of conflict, greed and poverty, unhappiness;

I am Nature crucified by the promise of heaven in afterlife,

the faithful restrained to regain Paradise while on earth.

I am Nature crucified by scholars of never ending debates,

on the goodness of the human race in fraternal praises;

I am Nature crucified by the many denominations of faith,

pitting God against one another in endless proselytizing;

I am Nature crucified by licenses of freedom in extremism,

human rights and democracy - tools of inaction and abuse;

I am Nature crucified by mad scientists splitting the atom,

building cities, tearing the earth, probing ocean and space;

I am Nature crucified by capitalism, consumerism its tool

to stir economy worldwide, wastefulness its consequence;

I am Nature crucified by the unending pursuit of progress,

the goal and measure of superiority, nation against nation;

I am Nature crucified by man’s folly to become immortal:

cryonics, cloning, robotics - triumvirates for singularity.

I am Nature crucified, hungry, thirsty, imprisoned, naked,

abandoned – wishing some souls to stop, look and listen. ~

                 Published Lagro Gazette Jan-Mar 2017; reprint from Living with Nature in our Home and Community,                               2023pp 229-232, Sadiri Publishing

ANNEX A _ AI Overview

 “I am Nature Crucified”

The phrase “I am Nature Crucified” expresses how human greed and destructive behavior inflict suffering on the natural world, portraying nature as a victim sacrificed by human actions.

Context from Dr. Abe Rotor’s work
The article appears in Living With Nature in Our Home and Community, where it is listed among three pieces that warn of the consequences of man’s destructive behavior and folly toward affluence. This grouping signals that the phrase is meant as a powerful environmental metaphor, not a literal statement.

Core meaning

o  Nature as a crucified figure — The phrase evokes the image of crucifixion, a symbol of extreme suffering and unjust sacrifice. Rotor uses this to show that nature bears the pain of human exploitation, pollution, and overconsumption.
o  Human responsibility — By personifying nature, Rotor emphasizes that environmental destruction is not abstract; it is harm inflicted on a living system that sustains human life.
o  Affluence and folly — The web result notes that the article warns against the folly of affluence
o  This suggests that the “crucifixion” is caused by modern lifestyles driven by excess, convenience, and disregard for ecological limits.

Moral and emotional appeal — The metaphor encourages readers to feel empathy and guilt, prompting reflection on how everyday choices contribute to environmental degradation.

How it fits into Rotor’s broader themes
Dr. Rotor’s writings consistently highlight:

o  Nature as teacher and provider
o  The need for conservation and mindful living
o  The dangers of consumerism and environmental neglect
o  “I Am Nature Crucified” aligns with these themes by dramatizing the consequences of ignoring nature’s limits and treating the environment as expendable.

Why the metaphor is effective

o  It personalizes environmental harm.
o  It connects ecological issues with ethical responsibility.
o  It frames environmental destruction as a tragedy caused by human choices, not fate.

"I am Nature crucified, hungry, thirsty, imprisoned, naked,

      abandoned – wishing some souls to stop, look and listen."  ~

"Nature, Nature on the Wall, A Beautiful Life to Recall.” In loving memory of the late Veneranda V Rotor, ofs

"Nature, Nature on the Wall,

A Beautiful Life to Recall.”

In loving memory of the late Veneranda V Rotor, ofs

on her birth anniversary October 23, 1939-2024

“Humans love the art of make-believe,

  Scenic Nature painted on the wall,

  Once empty and forgotten now alive,

  Bringing in friends to the call.” - avr

       

Sor Veny V Rotor (seated) and Ms Helen I Nolasco (in red) pose before a mural 

painted by the author. Sor Veny was the author's sister, the eldest of 

three  siblings of the late Matias Rotor and Enriqueta Valdez..

“Sitting on the rock, reaching for the sky,

All day if you wish with no one asking why.”

   

     

“Grace is something in the spirit to share,

That grows the more we love and care.”

     

Sor Veny left, led house guest on a short walk at the botanical garden.

         What makes a house green

other than the color green;

but a verdant garden scene

happy and healthy to live in.

     

Sor Veny (foreground) led a short prayer before the 

Resurrection at her family's residence,

Apo Resureccion

How many times do we die and live again?

When we fall down and rise,

   we fail and succeed,

   when we are blind and see,

   deaf and hear,

   sin and atone,

   hate and love,

   love and care,

   ad infinitum;

the message of the Resurrection.

     

“Oh, heart on the wall,

Do you still feel?

Do you still throb,

The throb of love?

Ivy, ivy on the wall,

Don’t hide a living heart.”

“Heavenly rays above your head, an experience full,

Enlightening to the heart and soul;

Listen to a voice once on Damascus Road to Saul,

Shh… just listen, listen to His call.” - avr

     

Stairway connects art gallery and library.

Stairway connects

the past and the present,

man and his Creator,

events current and future,

known and unknown

now and hereafter.

     

Sor Veny Rotor (right) explained to house guest some modern 

paintings at the gallery, among them are her works.

Modern art

Impressionism to surrealism,

Dali, Matisse, Picasso to blame;

Avant-garde and graffiti, the same;

Please roll back to realism.

Sor Veny V Rotor and Ms Helen I Nolasco (in red), house guest 2020

Living with Nature Center Rotor Residence

San Vicente Ilocos Sur ~

^ Backyard Garden as Ecological Sanctuary

Backyard Garden as Ecological Sanctuary

Dr Abe V Rotor

“The goal of life is living in agreement with nature.” – Zeno

Zeno of Elea, a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher believed in monism, 

the idea that only one single entity exists that makes up all of reality.

 

Rambutan grows on a backyard at Quezon City  

 

Honey bee frequently visit flowering plants; spiders are 

residents and trap insects for food.   

An orchard in Amadeo, Cavite, attracts tourists and researchers 

on the secret of multi-storey cropping system.

Our homelot nearly equivalent to a typical subdivision residential lot lies just across the watershed of La Mesa dam, the source of water for the population of Metro Manila.

Everyday birds from the watershed come to our garden. They perch on the trees singing melodious songs for hours. They are a gentle alarm clock and at sunset draw out the tension of the day. For some 25 years now with the children spending their childhood and adolescence, memories come spontaneously alive at nature’s presence. We look for nature, and nature comes to you, too. We can make the backyard a sanctuary of living things. It becomes a corner of Eden so to speak, in the inner eyes of the English poet John Milton, in the soul searching music of Beethoven, and in the quasi-spiritual reverence for life of John Muir and Aldo Leopold.

What makes an ecological garden? Here are some guidelines.

Let nature do the arranging of the plants – their kinds, growing habits, seasonal occurrence, and niches. This principle must prevail over our plan to make the garden Italian or Japanese in which case it is man who dictates the plan of the garden.

The garden serves three important functions.

• Cooling effect. A 10-year old acacia tree for example, has the capacity to provide the cooling power of ten 10Hp air conditioning units. Trees make a huge umbrella that protects us from heat stroke.

• Windbreak. Trees, especially if planted in group or rows, and in combination of other plants, can withstand the strength of strong wind.

• Sound barrier. Foliage serves as acoustic, absorbing echoes, and filtering unwanted sound waves, and resonating the good ones like in an amphitheater.

• Dust filter. Plants eliminate particles in the air with their leaves trapping and moistening them with transpired water, thus sending them back to the soil.

• Radiation filter. Plants serve as buffer against ultraviolet rays as well as cosmic rays. So with other forms of radiation, visible and invisible, that are harmful to health and environment.

• Color filter. Plants act like a giant prism, but unlike the lens, colors are pooled into a common color - green – the coolest of all colors, neutral and soothing to the eyes and other senses.

A garden is not a garden if it does not smell like one. Ilang-ilang exudes sweet scent throughout the year. It is sweetest in early morning and evening, and a soft breeze spreads the scent in the neighborhood. The best scents in the garden come from Eucalyptus, binunga (samat), pandan mabango, sweet basil, roses, rosal, dama de noche, and of course, sampaguita.

One day I found leisure watching a spider span a huge web. It is a giant spider called Haring Gagamba working of a tapestry. I remember the story of the Irish hero, Robert The Bruce, watch a spider making a web. The spider failed in several attempts to construct the primary frame. It gave the downhearted hero the heart to win back the crown.

In the garden, there are unceasing battles between and among living things. . Birds eat on caterpillar, frogs have their fill on flies, dragonflies hover and devour flying gnats, spiders entrap grasshoppers, preying mantis prey on unwary insects. I have observed hantik or green tree ants (Oecepalla smaragdina) build nest in the upper branches of talisay. Their colony is closely knit and their nest is an architectural wonder. The green leaves are sewed together by the workers stroking the larvae to secrete a sticky substance that dries like paper. The larva is actually carried by an adult like a tube of epoxy as other workers hold the leaves to be sewed together. These ants attack as an army that even a caterpillar is subdued in an instant and sooner or later cut into pieces which the ants carry to their nest to feed the colony.

Yet in the same spot ants and termites live together. It is a demonstration on how two different niches work, bounded by biological rules. The ant colony stays above ground to up the foliage, while the termites in an anthill called punso. Yes, the termites – they are an engineering genius. They build their mound at the foot of the big talisay tree – then, when dug out, move to another place overnight, and when we think they are no longer there, it is likely that they are virtually sleeping with us inside the house. And true, we discovered a colony of termite in an apparador, and another in a roof beam. It is here that man turn against a destructive organism.

Plants kill other plants to maintain their boundaries. They abort germinating seeds even of their kind that become threat to their existence. Allelopathy is a phenomenon plants harm one another, in order to enhance success in competition for sunlight, nutrients, water and space. Plants secrete chemicals in their roots, stems, and leaves. To illustrate, we have a ten-year old malunggay that is slowly being choked by coconut and binuga tree (Macaranga tenarius). All the cultivars of mayana I planted were lost, due to inter competition, and then they were overrun by carabao grass. Ube (Dioscorea alata) takes advantage with its viny habit virtually leaping out into space, its leaves covering much of the trees and wall, then after rainy season it all disappears leaving but a five-kilo tuber ensconced in the soft earth and mulch.

But wonder what those plants are clinging on the trunk of trees. These are epiphytes, a relationship called commensalism. The epiphytes benefit from their tree host. They gain foothold and elevation to reach sunlight without harming their host. We have a talisay tree that carries on its trunk a cluster of native orchid that blooms with a dangling inflorescence appearing like giant leis.

Lest a garden is misunderstood as purely aesthetic and ecological, one coconut tree can provide an ample supply of walis tingting, sweets, coconut milk (gata), husk for the orchids, firewood, and buko, but we love this tree of life most whenever birds build their nest on top and unfold a primitive sense of family love and care.

At night bats come and gather the ripe fleshy fruits of talisay (Terminalia catappa), and would accidentally drop a fruit or two hitting the roof of our house, and if we are not aware of the cause, we would attribute it to a prankster – or a spirit who wants to disturb our sleep.

Do you believe in spontaneous generation? Saluyot, amaranth, kamkamote, Portulaca – these and other wild growing vegetables pop out of the ground following the first heavy rains in May, and believe me, after two weeks they are ready for the kitchen. Their succulent leaves and stems are rich in vitamins and minerals. But we do not gather the plants entirely; we simply trim down the leaves leaving the plant to reach maturity. How these wild species survive the dry months is a proof of their sturdiness which guided their successful evolution.

How high can a tree reach? Well, our ilang-ilang grew and grew and grew, and then one day a strong wind decapitated it. Then the upper branches dried up one by one until the tree has but a bunch of low branches. We know that there is always limit to growth, and the very same factors that favored it also created its liabilities. I am reminded of the syndrome of bigness whether it be an animal or tree or business. We call this Dinosaur Syndrome.

The Importance of a Garden Pond

 Garden pond provides water and natural fertilizer, and adds coolness

to the surrounding. Catfish or hito, tilapia, pako, and aquarium fish are raised here. 

Are you aware that having a pond to complement your garden is beneficial for you and members of your family? This is so because a pond represents an ecosystem. As such it has the basic features of a functioning ecological unit.

The pond is a field laboratory for microbiology. Plankton organisms are revealed under the microscope. In their diversity, a whole new world unfolds- a world man did not know before Anton van Leewenhoek introduced the science of microscopy sometime in the 17th century.

There are monerans and protists, the world’s oldest - yet simplest - organisms. It is a wonder why these organisms did not evolve and develop into complex organisms like the plants and animals we know - and why they are ensconced in a confined environment such as a pond.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

The microcosm of the ocean is the pond; it is like “seeing the world in a grain of sand.” And for the eons of time and generations these organisms have passed through, it is like “holding eternity in the palm of the hand.” Thus the pond is the representation of our biological world, manifesting how little we know of God’s immense wisdom contained in a drop of water that teems with myriads of micro-organisms.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Anyone who takes time to sit by the pond could lose his thoughts in the larger realm of nature and the countryside. Cattail and umbrella plants rise among the floating water lilies, whose pink to purple flowers break the monotony of the pondscape. But the centerpiece of the pond is a community of white-flowered lotus or purple flowered Nymphaea..

From the deep green water, one may be surprised to see a school of colorful carp and tilapia, stirring at the slightest hint of company and food. Their graceful movement creates gentle waves and soft lapping sounds against the shore line. To an observant eye, small fish like Poecilia and rainbow fish form small schools that inhabit the edges of the pond and its tiny islets and coves formed by aquatic plants and stone. These tiny fish are always mindful about staying out of the path of their large counterpart. Other than small insects that fall into the water, they subsist on the latter’s morsels.

At the bottom of the pond lies the harmless, independent janitor fish known for their role of eating crust of algae and scum. That is why they are important in keeping aquariums and ponds clean. In the process, they convert organic matter into detritus, the pond’s natural fertilizer, and are the source of sediments that accumulate and become a foothold of aquatic plants. Seldom to these helpful creatures rise to the surface, but if you want to see these shy, docile fish, peer into the water on a clear day when the sun is directly above, and you will find them lying prostrate at the bottom, like sunken ship on a sea floor.

The pond relieves tension. When you need to relax, observe the turtles basking in the morning sun, stretching their neck and appendages. Or watch those cooling off on a hot day, their nostrils and carapace protruding out of the water. Nearby, a toad might patiently sit on a leaf pad, sheepishly eyeing an unwary insect for its next meal, its long tongue coiled like spring, ready to strike like lasso. And zap - poor fly has become a meal - and again, zap, zap. 

Bees buzz from flowers to flower, while dragonflies - red, green and brown - hover prettily above the water as they search for a suitable place to lay eggs that will hatch into aquatic nymphs that feed on mosquito wrigglers and Daphnia. 

Strung on leaves and stalks are spider webs glistening with dewdrops. These resemble strings of diamonds that will soon turn into nearly invisible death traps for the hoppers, mosquitoes and flies that stray into them. Frogs are permanent residents in a small pond, singing at the onset of rain and exchange love calls throughout the breeding season. They remain quiet in summer as they aestivate and wait for the rains to come again.

Kataba or canal fish (Poecillia) thrives without any care, as long as there is water, living on plankton and insects that fall into the pond or attracted by a nearby vigil light. Whenever there is stagnant pools around, I put a pair of these mosquito-eating fish and that solves the possibility of malaria or dengue to occur in our the place. Our pond serves as kataba nursery of sort; we give relatives, friends and students who wish to grow kataba in their own aquarium or pond.

The green water in the pond is a good hunting ground for microscopic flora and fauna. With a microscope on hand I have discovered a lot of planktons, many of which are unfamiliar. The green color is made up of millions of one-celled green algae which constitute the pasture of zooplankton organisms. They are the autotrophs, the base of the food pyramid in a pond ecosystem.

Would a backyard fill in the vacuum created by our wanton destruction of natural resources, the rape of our forests, the draining of swamps, the conversion of mangrove to fisheries? Or the gross negligence in keeping our lakes and rivers full and clean – or at least for having nature to take care of them? I doubt. But the little Eden each one of us make in our backyards would collectively recreate little by little that bigger Paradise we lost, when and to what extent,  we can only surmise and struggle with will and resolve. It is our little contribution in regaining the Lost Paradise. xxx

Author conducts field lecture with his class in biology at the UST Graduate School.

  

Giant African snail is a pest, but it can be picked and destroyed; moth visits yellow flower, a common ornamental liana and shrub.

  

Decorative bromeliad, relative of the pineapple; staghorn 

fern on Royal palm, beneath is a clinging philodendron.

  

Grotto is a common feature of a Filipino garden. 

Trivia: Do you believe in the Doctrine of Signatures? By examining the physical characteristics of plants we can read how nature intended them to be used. This is not true.

This is a belief called Doctrine of Signatures, which was popular during the Middle Ages. Liverworts (Riccia and Marchantia) which resemble the shape of liver are effective for liver diseases. The shapes of eggplant and avocado suggest fertility and aphrodisiac value. Apple and mango resemble the heart and are therefore good when it comes to matters of love. Kidney beans are good for the kidney, but the truth is that it has high uric acid content. The garlic plant has a hollow stem so that it would be of benefit in afflictions of the windpipe, hence used in all types of respiratory disorders such as cough, colds, catarrh, asthma and bronchial problems. Physical appearance has nothing to do with the curative powers of plants, or animals for that matter. It is true that garlic is an effective respiratory cure, but it is its active ingredients that are responsible for it.

*Lesson on former Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid DZRB 738 AM, 8 to 9 Evening Class Monday to Friday, Dr. Abe V. Rotor and Ms. Melly Tenorio, 

AI Overview

 Backyard Garden as Ecological Sanctuary

Living with Nature and Naturalism - The Eighth Sense

In Dr. Abe V. Rotor’s writing, a “backyard garden as ecological sanctuary” means a small home garden intentionally managed as a mini‑ecosystem that protects biodiversity, restores natural balance, and provides refuge for plants, insects, birds, and other wildlife.

Core Meaning
Dr. Abe V. Rotor—an environmentalist, educator, and long‑time advocate of nature stewardship—often describes the backyard as a microcosm of the natural world, where ordinary households can help heal damaged environments. In his blog Living with Nature, the phrase generally carries these ideas:

. A backyard garden is a living habitat, not just a place for ornamentals or vegetables. It supports insects, birds, soil organisms, and native plants.
. It functions as a sanctuary, meaning a safe, nurturing space where life can thrive despite urbanization, pollution, and habitat loss.
. It restores ecological relationships, such as pollination, nutrient cycling, and natural pest control.
. It encourages human-nature connection, teaching stewardship, mindfulness, and respect for living systems.

Ecological Principles Behind the Phrase
Even without direct citations in the supplied results, Dr. Rotor’s writings consistently emphasized:

. Biodiversity — A backyard with varied plants (native species, flowering plants, fruit trees, herbs) attracts diverse wildlife.
. Sustainability — Composting, recycling organic waste, and avoiding harmful chemicals help maintain soil health and reduce environmental impact.
. Balance — Allowing beneficial insects, birds, and natural predators to coexist reduces the . need for synthetic pesticides.
. Resilience — Small green spaces help buffer heat, improve air quality, and support climate adaptation, especially in Philippine towns and cities.

Why It Matters in the Philippine Context
In places like Ilocos Region, where rapid development and climate pressures affect natural habitats, Dr. Rotor highlights backyard gardens as:

. Accessible conservation spaces for ordinary families
. Refuges for native species displaced by land conversion
. Sources of food security, especially vegetables, herbs, and fruit
. Cultural continuity, preserving traditional plant varieties and gardening practices

What Makes a Backyard Garden an “Ecological Sanctuary”
A garden becomes a sanctuary when it includes:

. Native or endemic plants that support local wildlife
. Pollinator-friendly flowers for bees, butterflies, and moths
. Trees and shrubs that provide shade, nesting sites, and microhabitats
. Compost areas that enrich soil and support decomposers
. Minimal chemical use, allowing natural ecological processes to function
. Water sources like small ponds or basins for birds and insects
. Spaces for quiet observation, reinforcing the human role as caretaker

In Summary
The phrase reflects Dr. Rotor’s belief that every household can contribute to environmental healing. A backyard garden becomes an ecological sanctuary when it is treated not merely as a decorative or utilitarian space, but as a living refuge that supports biodiversity, ecological balance, and human-nature harmony. ~

"When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world." - John Muir, "Father of National Parks"