SUPERWEEDS! Epidemic of Croplands - Spawned by Genetic Engineering

"Superweeds" spawned by genetic engineering threatens plantations of corn, soybeans, cotton in the US (and elsewhere) where these GMO crops are openly grown. 
Dr Abe V Rotor 

The controversial idea of developing resistance against weeds and other pests through direct gene splicing, say Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) into corn (Bt corn), has utterly failed. In nature, all organisms undergo  biological specialization, an adaptive 

mechanism in adjusting to changing conditions, thus the most important tool in evolutionary success. No man-induced resistance will ever overtake this continuing process. Bt Corn, thought to be caterpillar-resistant, is losing the race. So with Bt soybean et al.  And this holds true to all GMOs - plants, animals, protists and monerans. The worst consequence other than crop failure is the growing fear of consumers against eating GMO products. Ultimately, it is the danger of polluting natural gene pools - a living bomb that impairs the genetic order of the living world. 

Acknowledgement: Philippine Daily Inquirer, The World, January 14, 2014, Internet, Wikipedia, Scientific American, Time   

Children, Flowers and Butterflies

Children, Flowers  and Butterflies 

Dr Abe V Rotor

 

Mackie and Markus before a mural in tarpaulin of roses superimposed with 

oversize butterflies, Big Buddha Mountain, Hong Kong 2017

Once an artist drew flowers, and butterflies came;
He drew fruits, and birds came to pick them;
But there is something more the audience mused.
He drew the sun, its rays as bright as flame.

The mural graced the plaza, indeed a centerpiece
Days passed and the butterflies didn't return,
The birds just hovered, their song no longer heard.
People just passed by or took another turn.

One day children thought of planting seeds around
the mural: daisies, roses, lilies, and trees,
soon others joined until the place became a garden;.
now the home of birds, butterflies and bees. ~

Toddler - Keyhole to Growing Up (Markus 2+)

Toddler - Keyhole to Growing Up (Markus 2+)
Everyone has a friend, but grandchildren; 
God-sent in age golden, that life has no end.

Dr Abe V Rotor   

Toddlers when the bed is upturned,

cave instinct, trench to hide; 

Jung's archetype often wondered, 

of life beneath and outside. 

Daddy's boy, bright as the sun,

and all the love and fun;

ephemeral the age in his arm,

'til weaning is no harm.   

Cable car ride, Honkong 2017
On a glass floor of a cable car, 

like flying or walking on water;

conquer height, space and gravity,

above all fear and anxiety.  

Are we there yet? Often asked again and again;

not yet little one, wait;

but early to ask ahead of others indeed a gain,

than those of little faith.       

Between two grandmas he's filled with love;

more than parents alone can give;

Confucius smiles from above to down below,

to see his creed well received.   

Large forehead and ears.

keen eyes, pursed lips,

tight jaw and tilted chin, say,

he is the man of tomorrow

today.

Independence is all we need to give, 

trust and confidence to a child;

like sheep on a meadow sans the shepherd,

to live life without a guide.  

At a Hongkong restaurant 2017

Culinary art, visual expression of taste;

like humanities, expression of values,

crafts of the artisan at the grassroots,  

culture in different views.

 ~Blogger: Living with Nature - School on Blog by Dr. Abercio V. Rotor - Edit post

Growing Up Challenges (Mackie 5)

Growing Up Challenges  (Mackie 5)

"... young staying young, old as young,

whoever believes in Fairyland." 

Dr Abe V Rotor 

Little Narcissa seeing tomorrow

beauty ahead of her time and call,

a child becoming woman too soon;

beware of the mirror on the wall. 

Surprise or afraid, they come unexpected,

discovery for now and thence;

honing sensitivity, senses must respond

for courage and independence.

                                             

Demosthenes would roll pebbles in his mouth,

and follow the waves in rhythm and count;

Caruso's voice broke wine glass, his way to fame;

just sing your heart's content it's all the same.   

                                            

Tolstoy asked, in war and peace, what is the greatest test? 

adaptation, tolerance, enlightenment of the soul;  

challenge to the brave, doesn't matter to the mediocre;  

everyday is war and peace the greatest test to all.     

 

Disneyland Hong Kong 2017

Everybody's birthday in Disneyland, 

unifying the old and the young;

young staying young, old as young,

whoever believes in Fairyland. 

Toddler no more, dolls no longer dolls,

toys on the floor an oversight;

goodbye stroller, but don't get too far,

growing up is not overnight.  

Waterfront map, HK 2017
Literacy in a city to read map,

direction it tells, ride to take;

we're living in a jungle no less; 

don't get lost for heaven's sake. 

"Ate na si Mackie," 
 babysitter to a brother;
from crib to stroller, 
       title of her first story. ~

Let the sun shine in with wit and humor..

Let the sun shine in with wit and humor.

                          "Humor is mankind's greatest blessing." -  Mark Twain

Dr Abe V Rotor

The many faces of Peace
Peace is often mispronounced and a butt of jokes: fish, feast, piss, fish be with you, phase 1- phase 2, piece of paper, may you rest in peace (good sleep). – (Fr. Jerry Orbos, June 11, 2006)6. Count

What comes after five? Six, po. 7? Eight, po. Who taught you how to count? My father, po. What comes next after ten? Jack, po. (Fr. Jerry Orbos, June 11, 2006)

Man - Men

Men can be divided into three classes:

1. The handsome
2. The intellectual
3. The great majority

 Three things to give to marriage:

1. Industry
2. Inspiration
3. In

Kiss

"Best way to quiet a hysterical girl ," said the psychologist, "

  is to give her a kiss."

"But how do you get them hysterical?"

Language 
"So you have just returned from Paris.  Did you have any trouble with your French?"

"No, but the French did." ~

"A day without laughter is a day wasted." - Charlie Chaplin

The Return of Black & White Photography - Voice of Innocence

Photo-Poetry by Matthew Marlo R Rotor 

  VOICE OF INNOCENCE 

Hear the child’s voice of awe and wonder;

      its echo before and yonder;

Pure sound of innocence to remember

      in life’s stormy weather. 

SKY HIGH

                   Not all things in the sky fall;

dreams must soar or not at all,

as man must walk big and tall

to win life’s promise and goal.

             KEYHOLE OF LIFE

                        Through a keyhole

a child sees life in its dawn,

eager to walk down its hall   

all on his own.     

 MOTHER AND CHILD II

  

Move over Sir Raphael,

your obra maestra is too pure;

and heaven too far from hell,

and life on earth obscure.

LOAFING

 

                          How time flies into air castles,

   fairyland of the mind at ease;

Loafing old and young at peace

     knell the bells in Idleness.

COMFORT

 

Touch is second to none 

of a loving hand

of an old to the young,

daughter or son.

DOCTOR, DOCTOR, I’M SICK

“Doctor, doctor, I’m sick,” the adage would say,

When threat comes along the way;

Warning unheeded drives the doctor away,

And patient and mother but to pray.

TEAMWORK

 

The gene in action for gregariousness,

evolution at work;

From ants to beasts in the wilderness,

to the ever busy stork.

CHECK-UP

 

 A sound mind in a sound body,

that’s the Spartan way

to be happy, healthy and gay

at any hour of day.

 BEFORE A WALL

 

Whatever lies beyond the wall

wouldn’t this duo care to find,

in the idleness of youth and time;

wait ‘til the wall shall fall -

Mercy! woe to their kind!  ~

More and more medicinal plants are used for common ailments

Home Gardening 
More and more medicinal plants are used for common ailments
In grateful memory of the late Senator and former Health Secretary Juan M Flavier, author of Alternative Medicine law (Republic Act No. 8423* - "Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA) of 1997."

       Dr Abe V Rotor  

1. Mutha – Cyperus rotundus (barsanga Ilk)– a grass-like annual plants belonging to Family Cyperaceae, whose rhizomes survive the dry months to resume growth the following season. According to Salamat Dok (ABS TV program) the rhizome is dried and made into tea, a cure for stomach disorder, fresh rhizome is crushed and applied on wound.  

2. Sampa-sampalokan (Phyllantus niruri), a tamarind-like bush, is an effective cure of kidney trouble and in keeping HIV virus dormant. (Salamat Dok, March 19, 2006)

                              

3. Oregano (Coleus amboinicus) is effective for sore throat and as expectorant. Simply crush the leaves, fresh or blanched, mix with fruit juice or sugar and warm water.  

 

 4. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globules labillardiere) or bagras yields oil that smells like Vicks. To prepare a tooth drop, get some 30 fresh leaves that are mature, air dry and grind.  Add ethyl alcohol one-fourth the level of the ground leaves in a glass container. The extract is now ready for use as tooth drop and can be kept for months. When someone in the family complains of toothache all you do is to apply a drop on the aching tooth or dip it in cotton and apply on the affected area.  

1.      for the treatment of skin diseases

2.      it relieves stomachache, applied externally (tapal)

3.      leaf extract essence in soap

4.      fruit made into candy 

5. Angel’s trumpet (Datura sp) is reportedly being used by some people as a poor substitute of marijuana.  The while petals are dried and smoke like marijuana or mixed with tobacco.

                             

*Republic Act No. 8423 - AN ACT CREATING THE PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE OF TRADITIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE HEALTH CARE (PITAHC) TO ACCELERATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRADITIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE HEALTH CARE IN THE PHILIPPINES, PROVIDING FOR A TRADITIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE HEALTH CARE DEVELOPMENT FUND AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

 10 Medicinal Plants Recommended by the Department of Health 

1. Akapulko (Cassia alata) a medicinal plant called "ringworm bush or schrub" and "acapulco" in English, this Philippine herbal medicine is used to treat tinea infections, insect bites, ringworms, eczema, scabies and itchiness.
2. Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) Common names include "bitter melon " or "bitter gourd " in English. This Philippine herbal medicine has been found to be effective in the treatment of diabetes (diabetes mellitus), hemofrhoids, coughs, burns and scalds, and being studied for anti-cancer properties.
3. Bawang (Allium sativum) Common name in english is "Garlic". Bawang is a used in Philippine herbal medicine to treat infection with antibacterial, antiinflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-hypertensive properties. It is widely used to reduce cholesterol level in blood.
4.  Bayabas (Psidium guajava) - "Guava" in English. A Philippine herbal medicine used as antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, antioxidant hepatoprotective, anti-allergy, antimicrobial, anti-plasmodial, anti-cough, antidiabetic, and antigenotoxic in folkloric medicine.
5. Lagundi (Vitex negundo) - known as "5-leaved chaste tree" in english is used in Philippine herbal medicine to treat cough, colds and fever. It is also used as a relief for asthma & pharyngitis, rheumatism, dyspepsia, boils, and diarrhea.
6. Niyog-niyogan (Quisqualis indica L.) - is a vine known as "Chinese honey suckle". This Philippine herbal medicine is used to eliminate intestinal parasites.
7. Sambong (Blumea balsamifera)- English name: "Ngai camphor or Blumea camphor" is a Philippine herbal medicine used to treatkidney stones, wounds and cuts, rheumatism, anti-diarrhea, anti spasms, colds and coughs and hypertension
8. Tsaang Gubat (Ehretia microphylla Lam.) - English :"Wild tea" is a Philippine herbal medicine taken as tea to treat skin allergies including eczema, scabies and itchiness wounds in child birth
9. Ulasimang Bato | Pansit-Pansitan(Peperomia pellucida) is a Phillipine herbal medicine known for its effectivity in treating arthritis and gout.
10. Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglasii) - commonly known as Peppermint, is used in Philippine herbal medicine as analgesic to relive body aches and pain due to rheumatism and gout. It is also used to treat coughs, colds and insect bites, 

References: Living with Nature Series AVRotor, Living with Folk Wisdom (AVRotor), Philippine Herbal Medicine (Internet); acknowledgement: Photos from Internet