Heroism in Our Critical Time - A Reflective Analysis

Heroism in Our Critical Time

 - A Reflective Analysis

Dr Abe V Rotor

Light in the Woods II in acrylic by the author

You can be a hero in many ways. Consider these and rate yourself through Reflective Analysis.

1. If you live a practical life so as to build personal savings, become less dependent on borrowing, and reduce wasteful living in the process;

2. If you practice a lifestyle that favors good health and relationship, without the trapping of vices and ostentatious living, making yourself an example to others;

3. You are an effective teacher using simple tools and methods, instead of sophisticated tools and expensive means, to be able to bring functional literacy to the grassroots bypassed by formal schooling;

4. If you generate power – electricity and fuel – through direct and natural means such as biofuel, and energy from wind and water, and not depend on expensive, destructive, and non-renewable sources;

5. If you convert wastes into new and recycled materials, such as composting and biogas generation, thus reducing pollution and conserving natural resources;

6. If you produce food from your backyard and kitchen (gardening, poultry, food processing), in line with self reliance, home enterprise and clean environment;

7. If you plant trees as an avowed activity to help Nature rebuild the environment, as a means of bioremediation, erosion and flood control, and the like, while increasing the supply of food and useful materials derived from them;

8. If you build your own home that is simple and economical, comfortable and health-promoting, harmonizing it with the aesthetics and bounty of nature, thus enhancing the beauty of creation itself;

9. If your go natural - from food, medicine to personal items, promoting organically grown food, alternative medicine, non-GMO (genetically modified organisms) and the like, thus protecting the health of humans and the environment;

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We don't have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in the process of change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world. - Howard Zinn

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10. If you protect wildlife and help rebuild the natural habitat of threatened and endangered species of plants and animals in ecological sanctuaries, and by enforcing laws in protecting them;

11. If you do not stop learning, if you apply what you learn through skills, and valuing them as well, to enhance your output, and to share them for the benefits of others;

12. If you recognize and uphold the institutions, respecting the laws of the land, and revering great men and women for their works and examples for which they lived and died, without condition of doing your part well; 

Living with Nature II, mural in acrylic, by the author. 

 Courtesy of San Vicente (Ilocos Sur) Municipal Hall

13. If you make use of your time fully in work and study, and not live idly, thus living a life of example to the youth in particular - diligence, persistence, sharing, and most important, valuing of life’s purpose;

14. If you build a happy family and provide well its needs, and securing a bright future of your children - and even your children’s children;

15. If you engage in an enterprise, keeping in mind and applying it as well, through entrepreneurship that is equitable to all concerned stakeholders such as the Grameen Bank Model in Bangladesh founded by Nobel laureate M Yunus;

16. If you uphold and practice the principles of equality, fraternity and liberty, in every act and decision you make, providing room for kindness and forgiveness on one hand, and firmness and resolve on the other, even in the face of danger;

17. If you cannot quiet your mind and conscience with sin – whether it be a sin of commission or omission – until you have done your part in amending it and preventing it in harming other people, in corrupting society, and the environment;

18. If you are patient, forgiving, resilient, understanding, and such other qualities that enable you to rise above difficulties of living, particularly in times of calamities - not only for your own benefit, but more for those who are less fortunate than you are;

19. If you always remember to pray to that one God for his Providence, recognizing His gifts, through expression of Goodness to yourself, to Humanity and to Mother Earth;

20. If you are aware and honestly believe that you are “passing this way but once,” thus living the life that best earn your passage to that kingdom of your Creator – however humble that life may be.

Congratulations! Live then the life of a hero in these critical times.

Complete Fried Rice

 Complete Fried Rice

Make it Attractive and Tasty for your Kids.

Dr Abe V Rotor

 

 

  . Peep-a-boo Fried Rice

Oh, surprise your kids on the breakfast table, 

or when they seem to have no appetite at all.

a peep-a-boo fried rice to them guessing game. 

and there's always variety you can set again.   

  

Serve a complete rice meal

Or simply serve a complete rice meal with decors:

carrot bits, fried egg shreds, minced meat or fish

veggie and leek disguised, why not seaweeds, too? 

newly cooked, teeming hot - not leftover, please. ~

Nature is our best teacher. Here are vital signs to watch.

Nature is our best teacher. Here are vital signs to watch.
Rain is coming, take heed!  Hovering dragonflies, aggressive biting of mosquitoes, ants on the move carrying their young and provisions. 

Dr Abe V Rotor

Let's recognize Nature as our best teacher.

Read Nature. You will enjoy life, live healthier and longer. You'll gain more friends and respect from people.
Monsoon rains may last for 18 consecutive days, hence the term
siyam-siyam, from which Masagana 99 rice program was coined.
Above all, you will be at peace with yourself and with your environment.

Here are some biological signs to watch. They are Nature's barometer, so to speak; Nature's clock, Nature's way of communicating with the living world.

1. Mad dog – Its tail is tucked underneath; animal restless biting at anything within its reach; froth coming from its mouth; stealthily moves about without any apparent direction; dreads the presence of water (hydrophobia);   usually occurs during hot days particularly in summer. Be keen; keep distance; notify others of danger; get help.
Dogs must be vaccinated with anti-rabies and not allowed to go in the street. (Nikko, our pet at 15 before he died of old age.)

2. Drought – Occurs in summer; landscape scorched; dry river beds and ponds; brush fires occurs; lake water recedes; crack on earth, especially areas under water in monsoon; worst scenario - flowering of bamboo usually during El Nino, a phenomenon that happens every 7 to 10 years.
Leaves oft talisay (Terminalia catappa) turn orange to red before falling to the ground, a sign that the Amihan (cold season) has arrived.  
3. Earthquake – Farm animals restless; horses kick and neigh; pigs snort; fowls abandon usual roost; turkey cackle; cattle seek exit from corral; dogs howl; and the like. Wild animals abandon abode – snakes come out into the open; reptile keep out of the water; elephants defy their master’s command; birds abandon nest, other emigrate.

4. Typhoon – Doldrums-like calm; uneasiness to both humans and animals as barometer reading drops which means atmospheric pressure goes down; arthritis and hypertension 

symptoms are felt by sensitive persons. As typhoon approaches, sea becomes rough; sky overcast; clouds move fast to one direction; gusts of cold and warm wind, thunderstorms.
A restless cockroach in the evening
heralds the coming of bad weather.

5. Influenza – Precipitated by alternate cold and hot weather, thunderstorms, abrupt change in season. Influenza season is usually at the onset of amihan as the habagat comes to an end. Practical signs: people coughing in church and other gatherings; sale of cold tablets and antibiotics is up; hospitals full. Epidemic starts in the family, neighborhood, local community; also, in schools, malls and markets, and may spread to cover a city or district or province. Modern transportation has made spread of flu easier and wider.

6. Pristine Environment – Abundance of lichens on trunks and branches of trees, rocks, and soil. There are three types: crustose (crust), foliose (leaf-like) and fruticose (fruiting type). They are biological indicators of clean air. The ultimate test is the abundance of the fruticose type.

7. Inclement Weather – Halo around moon; gray and red sunset; a storm may be coming depending upon the intensity of these signs.

This field cricket, nature's violinist, is most
active during warm summer night.

8. Rain - Dragonflies hovering; aggressive biting of mosquitoes; ants move to another place carrying their young and provisions. The latter predicts heavy continuous rainfall or siyam-siyam or nep-nep. Herons on the move heralds the monsoon.

9. Monsoon – Frogs croak; insects (termite, ants) swarm; lightning and thunder get frequent; first heavy rain in May vegetates the landscape, thus turning from brown to green. It comes early or late, but usually in later part of May. Global warming has brought unpredictable signs indicating that our climate is changing.

10. Ripening of Fruits – Generally from green to yellow to orange (banana, orange, apple, etc. Determined by smell: guava, jackfruit, durian, melon, etc); shiny rind (caimito, siniguelas). Dull skin (chico), enlarged ridges and furrows (atis, guayabano, anonas)
 
When earthworms crawl out of their holes and search for higher grounds, it is a sign that a flood is coming.
Can you read other signs?
1. Sweetness/sourness of fruit
2. Maturity and succulence of vegetables (okra, cucumber)
3. Tenderness of nut (buko, macapuno)
4. Sweetness and maturity of fruit (watermelon)
5. Time to harvest singkamas, onions, garlic, sugar beet
6. Presence of jellyfish
7. Red tide season
8. Coming flood (earthworm abandon their burrows.)
9. Time to harvest palay, corn, wheat.
10. Slippery walkway (presence of algae and scum)
11. Depth of water (by color, sound of oar, current, clarity)
12. Cloud reading of weather.
13. Glassy eyes (deep feelings like hatred, or “wala sa sarili”)
14. Wrinkles at the corner of eyes (happy disposition)
15. Furrows on forehead (problematic)
16. Rough hand (worker, also athlete)
17. Brilliant and attentive eyes (intelligence)
18. Clumsiness, strumming (nervous, uncertain)
19. Heavy feet (angry, lazy)
20. Tight jaw (angry, restlessly active)

Open Forum:
1. How reliable is “gut feel”
2. How about ESP?
3. What is “aura?” How does it apply to relationships?
4. What is Biological Clock? Name how it affects your life.
5. Life starts at 40 – how do you interpret this?
6. What are prophets to you? Are there people who can see the future? Do you believe in Nostrodamus?
7. Are dreams hidden motives, indirect messages, prophesies?
8. How superstitious are you? Do you practice superstition?
9. Do you think you were once living on earth in another being or living thing, in another time and place? Do you believe re-incarnation?
10. How fatalistic are you – you are predestined even before you were born?

Please share us your knowledge and experiences. Learn more from Nature - she is our best teacher. ~

New Faces of "Old Folks" - A Changing of the Guards

New Faces of "Old Folks" - A Changing of the Guards 

Dr Abe V Rotor

Living with Nature School on Blog 

While the traditional concept of old folk has been left behind, the role of spiritual healers has become the subject of an anthropological study by Dr Ronel de la Cruz, published in a book on Fuga Island, focusing the interconnectedness of folk wisdom with modern day knowledge, folk medicine with the breakthroughs in medical science and technology.       

Professor Raul Sunico leads the country's foremost musical composers, conductors and performers, reviving the fine qualities of music as well as the time-honored history of Philippine music. His group continues to bring honor and prestige for the country in its various performances here and abroad. Professor Sunico is the dean of the UST Conservatory of Music.

Radyo ng Bayan announcer and host, Melly C Tenorio seated, welcomes guests on live broadcast - authors of new book, Humanities Today - An Experiential Approach,  led by the author, center. DZRB is the center of learning through radio - Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid or People's School on the Air, a daily evening class of one-hour, an innovation of media and education working on the principle of "university without walls."

 Workshop on Natural Healing attended by mostly senior citizens. As people grow older they tend to go to natural food and medicine using herbals and other alternative medicine. They develop an active and  participatory lifestyle contrary to passive retirement. DARE Foundation, QC

Gardening as a hobby is healthful specially to senior citizns.  It is a key to a happy, long life. It provides wholesome exercise, fresh supply of vegetables and fruits, sunlight, fresh air, happy disposition, more friends, some income generated, notwithstanding.

Caring for the the underprivileged.  Street children find a home in this center, thanks to the  community leaders lay snd religious who also give their time and share their talent. Here Msgr. Danny Sta Maria and author participate in a program for these children.   

 Research to old people is more realistic and practical; it is applied and not confined in the laboratory. Here two biologists are looking into the ability of plants in the forest to convert organic  matter efficiently through symbiosis with a fungus Mycorrhiza. Thus, discovering a phenomenon to shed light to some superstitious beliefs of old folks. 

Older people enjoy life equally with the younger ones through travelling, seeing places outside the confines of their retirement, and meeting people. Thus erasing the boundaries of age, interest, and  activities. Underground river, Puerto Princesa, Palawan

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The religious is metamorphosing in the example of Mother Teresa, moving away from the comforts and rituals of cloistered life. Here sisters of different religious orders in habits like ordinary wear, work for the poor, like the rehabilitation of street children led by Bahay in Kuya founder, a French-Canadian priest, in dark shirt next to the author)

Bannawag magazine the flagship of Ilocano language and cultutre, hinges on younger writers molded by the wisdom of writers, sociologists and local leaders from the older generation, among them Godofredo Reyes, Francisco Foronda, and the poetess Leonora Florentino. Photo: left, Cles Rambaud managing editor, and the author, columnist Okeyka Apong. 

Larry Henares (with lei), veteran journalist, continues to this day as columnist and broadcaster. You got to read, listen to Larry - professionals, businessmen, leaders say. He is newsman, critic, and in fact, conscience, with a parting "Hasta la bye, bye." a hind glimpse of our historical past. Photo: Larry with author and wife.       

 Former government officials and university professors, Dr Anselmo S Cabigan (right) and author during a light moment prior to their retirement from St Paul University QC.  They continue their mission to reach out for the least touched by formal education through the Internet.  School on Blog reaches more than 500 viewers daily in the Philippines and abroad. Dr Cabigan has devised a new learning methodology, also on the Internet.

Change and contiguity. New leadership at the Ateneo de Manila University - young, dynamic, scholar, with world vision - take over the helm of this world class institution. Newly ordained Jesuit priest Jomari Manzano, nephew of author.

 

 Fr. James B. Reuter, SJ, spiritual icon for two generations - like the soldier that never dies but just fades away.  And yet in his way past ninety he continues to touch people's lives through his writings, TV shows, stage plays, and countless faithful seeking for advice. Author joins well-wishers on his 94th birthday.

Divine Word College of Vigan, formerly Colegio de la Imaculada Concepcion (CIC) HS class 1956 Left to right: author with RTC Judge Ven Baclig, Businessman Ely Ragsac, Col Badong Barnachea, and Eng Fel Aviso.

Ode to a painting: Take Me Back to the Country

Take Me Back to the Country

Ode to a painting:

 Happy Childhood in the Country  

“Joyful moments of childhood are most precious, ephemeral yet eternal. The child in each one of us lives on to the golden years of life.” avr

Painting and Poem by Dr Abe V Rotor

             Happy Childhood in the Country, acrylic on canvas (58” x 33”)

 AVRotor 2019

Take me back to the country far away from the city, 
where sound is music, nature's canvas the landscape,
where the mountains, meadows and rivers are green;
where there are no walls, roofs, and bars to escape.

Take me back to the country far away from the crowd,
where I'm not just a part, where I am myself again;
where there is no high rise, where the cottage reigns,
where home is nature as I open the window pane. 

Take me back to the country far away from forgetting,
the cheerful child in me many, many years back;
flying kites at harvest time, fishing in the summer,
where school is far, yet learning is not what I lack.

Take me back to the country far away from the town,
where cars can't follow, where affluence has no place;
where commerce is simple, where wealth is not gold,
where living is not a show, where every meal a grace.

Take me back to the country far away from the race,
where I can compete best with myself, not with others;
where I can learn more the ways of nature, not of men;
where civilization begins once more at its borders. ~ 

Homeostasis - Dynamic Balance of Nature

Homeostasis - Dynamic Balance of Nature
Homeostasis refers to dynamic equilibrium, the ability of certain organisms or systems to maintain long term balance in spite of changes taking place in the environment over time. Here are some agents of Nature that help bring about such dynamic balance.

Dr Abe V Rotor

Living with Nature School on Blog

1. Rhizobium bacteria convert atmospheric Nitrogen into nitrate

for the use of plants. Note tubercles in lower photo where the

beneficial bacteria reside.

2. A host of soil insects, principally crickets and grubs, was

responsible in toppling this tree. Caliraya Lake, Laguna.

4. Foliose lichen grows and breaks down the lignin of wood.
Parks and Wildlife Nature Center, QC

5. Moss builds soil from rock, an example of biological weathering.
Calaruega Retreat Center, Alfonso, Cavite

6. Termites eat wood with the aid of protozoa that live in
their stomach, an ideal example of symbiosis.

7. Termite mound covers a tree stump, which ultimately become soil. 
Parks and Wildlife Nature Center, Quezon City.

8. Mushrooms grow on plant residues, and convert them into
humus which fertilizes the crop. Antipolo, Rizal

9. Shelf mushrooms grow on dead wood, eventually converting
it into soil that piles up on the forest oor. Mt. Makiling, Laguna

10. Rot fungi blanket the dead limb of Ficus tree.

UST Manila.

11. Drynaria Fern and acacia tree in a state of mutualism 
(symbiosis) favorable to the longevity of both symbionts.

12, Nymphaea and Cuperus are Nature's water purifiers, now used in 
bioremediation - the cleaning of polluted bodies of fresh water. 
(Detail of Mural by AVR)

13. Ants are efficient predators of  a wide range of pests.
They maintain a favorable balance of the food web and ecosystem.

14. Garden slug feeds of algae and organic waste - it is Nature's janitor. 

15. Yeast is ubiquitous, Nature's agent of fermentation.  Sugar is converted 

into ethanol and acetic acid, which ultimately break into elements.   

Lesson, Former Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid (People's School-on-Air) 738 DZRB AM Band, 

Lightning is Vital to our Living World

Lightning is Vital to our Living World  

Mysterious are nature's ways, the sun's energy 

transforming into electrical energy through lightning,

henceforth building proteins, the building blocks 

of all living things, great and small, as they grow and die,

and into the next cycle the process is the same -

ad infinitum. ~ 

Dr Abe V Rotor

 Living with Nature School on Blog [avrotor.blogspot.com]

Lightning is Nature's quick-fix agent converting inert atmospheric Nitrogen into soluble Nitrate compounds that fertilize soil and water, and nourish plants, other autotrophs, and saprophytes principally the mushrooms such as these specimens shown in the following photographs.  

Shelf mushroom; Auricularia (tainga ng daga) 

Dung mushroom

Oyster mushroom; stinkhorn 

All over the globe lightning strikes at one point or another
incessantly night and day, in good or bad weather.

The atmosphere and earth meet in deafening thunder
that accompanies a spark of a thousand atomic bombs
enough to light a city for days if captured and stored. 
  
In the process chemistry combines nitrogen with oxygen, 
one-to-three in proportion to form nitrates in tons 
and tons in a single bolt, becoming negatively charge 
and soluble, riding on the rain to descend to earth.

Nitrate the free radical ion joins a positive ion and forms
combinations of compounds that nourish plants and all
all photosynthetic organisms, and the saprophytes, too
- the mushrooms and their kin of Kingdom Mycophyta.

Wonder the hills and mountains turn green soon after
the first rain in May or even only a shower in April;  
afterward the whole landscape builds into a realm 
of emerald green as the sky sends boundless energy.

Electrical energy transforms into chemical energy
passing from  the inorganic to the organic world, thence
through the living world - the food chain and web,
food pyramid, there into the ecosystems and biomes,
finally to the biosphere that make the earth full of life. 

Mysterious are nature's ways, the sun's energy 
transforming into electrical energy through lightning,
henceforth building proteins, the building blocks 
of all living things, great or small, as they grow and die,
and into the next cycle the process is the same -

ad infinitum. ~  

Lesson, former Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid (People's School-on-Air) 

738 DZRB AM Band

Rip van Winkle Jr.

Rip van Winkle Jr.

“Why, you look like your father!”

Dr Abe V Rotor 

Living with Nature School on Blog

A balikbayan was visiting his hometown. He wanted to relive his pleasant childhood. There is something irresistible, a homing instinct that draw many balikbayan to come home in the later years of their lives. Some wish to be buried in the town of their birth.

His townmates call him Tatang, a courtesy to a much older person who is like a father. In fact Tatang means father. To earn this title is not easy.

Rip van Winkle, legendary character of the story of the same title by Washington Irving.

“You must be part of the people,” a Filipino sociologist said. “And you must have the respectability and touch.” But the most important qualification he mentioned is that you have to have children of your own who call you tatang in the biological sense. In the case of Tatang Ramon, his title is sociological.

Which gives essence to the term kapamilya, connoting extended family. Indeed that’s how small the hometown of Tatang Ramon is. Kinship is by consanguinity, affinity and by being a kababayan, rolled in one.

Tatang Ramon felt easy with the people especially the children, and he felt reciprocated. Well, this what you call touch. Tatang Ramon had the touch when he talsk, even with a slight slang that gives an inkling he is a balikbayan from the states. He had the touch when greeting his kababayan and talking to them. And he had a good memory; he could relate people to one another, at least people in his generation, with something interesting about them.

He is indeed a balikbayan – he is bringing out beautiful memories weaving them with the happenings of a changing world. He even talked of post-modern living, giving emphasis to the prefix, to stress the fact that we are "living in the future." What with space exploration, the Internet and cloning - but he did not dwell much on these for fear he might not be understood.
One day Tatang Ramon found a young man scratching the ground with a stick. He was reminded of his bible. There is a part where Christ was meditating scratching the ground with a stick – which up to now no one knows what he wrote. Around him were angry people who were about to stone a woman to death because she committed a grave sin. Christ rose and said, “He who has no sin casts the first stone.” No one dared. The people left and Christ said to the woman, “Go and sin no more.”
Tatang Ramon approached the fellow who was seemingly in deep reflection. He didn’t know what attracted him to do so. Apparently the fellow was sad and lonely. He needed comfort, at least company. He was writing something on the ground which could not be deciphered. To his surprise, he found out that the fellow is the son of a classmate of his in the elementary.

“What’s you name, young man?” he asked

“Jun,” he quipped, “Jun po … Tang.” Short for tatang. And he talked about his father.

“Why, you look like your father.”

You can imagine how the two fell into a familiar conversation, such as what Tatang Ramon and Jun’s father Tatang Juan had in common, what they did in school, but more important what they did after school. Oh, they fished in the river, rode bicycle together, played sipa and competed in nearby towns. It’s a novel if you are patient to hear everything. Tatang Ramon cut the story, “…then I left for the states … finished college … raised a family … found a good job … my children are on their own now… and here I am, a balikbayan.”
Jun did not say a thing. He heard Tatang Ramon all right.

One qualification how the title Tatang is earned is to be able to advise effectively. Even if you are not a sociologist this is basic. And what do you think Tatang Ramon did?

He gave an unsolicited advice. He cleared his throat, sat beside Jun like a father should to a troubled son.

“You see Jun, when you finish college you will meet people and visit different places. You will find a good job. And you will free yourself from the cares and worries of the world.” He paused, waiting for a response. There was none.

“You will simply enjoy the leisure of life.” The balikbayan flashed a friendly grin, thinking he had driven well his point.

The simpleton momentarily stopped scratching the ground, looked at his new mentor and casually spoke.

“And what do you think I’m doing now, 'Tang?"

Tatang Ramon felt he does not deserve the title – what with Jun’s response?

His mind found solace in his readings. He realized Rip van Winkle is still alive. He is in our midst.

Rip van Winkle is the principal character of a short story of the same title written by Washington Irving in the late 17th century.

Rip van Winkle was a very lazy person, a henpeck husband who left home and went up the mountain on a leisurely hunting and did not return until twenty years later. He fell asleep for twenty long years!

“Who am I?” He asked the villagers when he found his way back to his village. Everything changed, it was a new era. America was now an independent nation. Madam Winkle had long been gone. When he finally reached his old home, a young man was scratching the ground with a stick. His house was still there but was falling apart.

“I am Rip Van Winkle!” The old man cried. “Can’t anyone recognize me?” He paused and got closer to the young man and examined him from head to foot. He looked familiar. "And who are you?"

“I am Rip van Winkle,” came a wry answer. x x x

Lesson Former Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid (People's School-on-Air)  (www.pbs.gov.ph)