Glowing Caterpillars

                                   

Glowing Caterpillars

Painting and Poem by Dr Abe V Rotor

Glowing Caterpillars in acrylic on mounted canvas (21.5” x 22”) AVR 2014

Wondered I as a child seeing you glow in the dark,
     passing  the day in slumber with your host;
your fire is myth, but what philosophy does it make,  
     of your presence exacting a heavy cost?

As I grew up, I learned phosphorescence everywhere:
      plankton of endless number and variety;
the woods and fields studded with watchful eyes,          
      and you, you make a glowing crown of a tree.

I’ve seen wild mushrooms, jellyfish in the deep, glow,
      sulfur bacteria in boiling caldera shining;
and in old age a myriad fireflies mingling with the stars,  

     that link us all to a Supreme Being. ~    

The Making of a Plastic Continent

The Making of a Plastic Continent

Dr Abe V Rotor

Living with Nature- School on Blog

The main Plastic Vortex as big as the state of Texas - and growing - lies north of Hawaii off the coast of Canada and the US. "Islands" of plastics coalesce into the vortex. Dutch scientists propose to convert the floating debris into a livable environment. Satellite photo below shows ocean currents and gyres responsible in creating the vortex. Canada is directly affected as indicated in the North Pacific Gyre.

Another gyre in the North Atlantic is poised to form another Plastic Vortex along the east coast of the US and Canada. If this happens we might expect a graver consequence as plastic merges with seaweeds that comprise the huge Sargasso Sea. (See lowermost photos, from the Internet)


NOTE: There are other gyres three in the south hemisphere, all potential spawning grounds of floating garbage

Relate these events with the following:

1. Pope Francis Laudato Si (Praise Be), a call to save the Earth

2. Canada exporting trash to the Philippines

3. Earth Summits - review and prospects

4. Culture of Consumerism

5. Waste management models

6. Personal concern and action

7. Global Leadership challenge8. Autotoxicity - myth of fact?

Study the following photos (Internet).

 

Silence of the Pond

 Silence of the Pond

Painting and Poem by Abe V Rotor

Silence of the Pond, AV Rotor, Circa 1989

Here true silence lies, 

not eerie, not deafening, 

for silence is communion 

of self and surrounding. 

Here true silence lies: 

leaves quiver in the breeze, 

ripples gently rise and fade, 

buzz the honey bees. 

Here true silence lies, 

in the rhythm of the sky, 

the rainbow a huge harp, 

music all that sing or cry. 

Here true silence lies: 

the sound of the pond, 

not in its depth or breadth; 

the trees by their bond. 

Here true silence lies, 

beyond the audible, 

in magic waves in the air, 

and the perceptible. 

Here true silence lies, 

giving in is acceptance, 

the root of humility, 

courage in any instance. 

Here true silence lies, 

the heart longs, singing, 

thoughts not to reason 

the confines of living. 

Here true silence lies, 

sweet memories an art 

in the silence of a pond, 

throbbing in the heart. ~

Children art workshop. Plot the earth as it moves around the sun

Children art workshop

Plot the earth as it moves around the sun

Dr Abe V Rotor

Neighborhood children plot the movement of the Earth around the sun, and the changing seasons.  


Plot the earth as it moves around the sun in 365 days, plus one-fourth day, to complete a calendar year (and a leap year every four years); divide it into four phases or seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter in this order. And while the order is fixed, the occurrence of the seasons in the Northern Hemisphere is exactly the opposite in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Plot the earth as it moves around the sun and mark the longest day (June 21), longest night (Dec 21), and call them Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice, respectively - that is, if you live somewhere in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere it is winter when it is summer in the north, summer when winter, and Spring and Autumn are interchanged.    

Plot the earth as it moves around the sun and mark two dates when day is equal to night: Spring Equinox (March 21) and Autumnal Equinox (Sept 21) - whether you live in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere.  These dates are significant to some leaders: "Beware at the ides of March." (warning before the assassination of Julius Caesar), and declaration of Martial Law in the Philippines by President Ferdinand Marcos.  

Plot the earth as it moves around the sun and know when the rains start and ends (habagat), when the rice fields are about to be harvested and when the cold  Siberian winds blow in (amihan).  And in between, a brief hot and dry summer that allows the land to rest (fallow), and children to take a vacation from school. 

Plot the earth as it moves around the sun, and study the relationship of our planet with other planets, the nature of its orbit - apogee and perigee - as these affect our climate and the living things on earth.  In fact, the realignment  of the planets is full of speculations and prophesies regarding the end of the world.  

Plot the earth as it moves around the sun and imagine how the sun's energy is harnessed by plants by means of photosynthesis, how differential heating causes
wind, storm and severe winter, the movement of air and ocean currents that redistribute heat and cold.  Or simply to witness the passing of night to day at different proportions and schedules. 

Plot the earth as it moves around the sun and know it by heart as the calendar of school and office, of work and play, of planting and harvesting, of various human activities and festivities, it is the calendar measured in seconds, minutes, hours, days, lifetime, generation, epoch. It is the reminder that "we pass this way but once."  And therefore, the greatest gift of our existence. ~

Life on the Farm mural speaks

 Life on the Farm mural speaks 

 Dr Abe V Rotor

Living with Nature - School on Blog 

Lesson on former Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid with Ms Melly C Tenorio, 

738 DZRB AM Band, 8 to 9 evening class, Monday to Friday

Life on the Farm, mural by AVR circa 1995

The mural speaks of 

- the fields turning gold in the sun at harvest time;

- the wind carrying colorful kites, big and small;

- the stream hissing on its path, murmuring on the rocks;

- the clouds carving faces and creatures to children's delight; 

- birds in the trees chirping at sunrise and at sundown; 

- the carabao being led from the pasture to its shed;

- haystacks growing at harvest like giant mushrooms;

- duhat time and the trees bearing children in their branches; 

- trees whispering in the breeze and cools its shade;

- old trees regarded sacred, home of the unseen spirits;

- mushrooms growing on punso guarded by dwendes;  

- a full moon and one swears he saw a kapre up in a tree;  

- frogs croaking for rain; soon the ponds and rivers are full;   

- the waterhole shrinking, and its fish being caught for viand;  

- herons flying and alighting among the carabao herd; 

- the kingfisher singing in sonorous and unwelcome tune;

- rain coming in downpour, the wind blowing hard;    

- the family gathered for the Angelus and at supper time. ~ 

Giant Millipede Diken-diken

 Giant Millipede (Diken-diken Ilk)

Dr Abe V Rotor

Archispirostreptus gigas, known as the giant African millipede or shongololo, is the largest extant species of millipede, growing up to 33.5 centimetres in length, 67 millimetres in circumference.

It was a plaything when we were young, 

young farmhands and oh, what a fun; 

diken-diken, as we called it then, 

would sleep in the warmth of our hand. 

then it crawled surreptitiously out, 

and we tamed another just the same. 

Eureka! we pupils of Mark Twain, 

discovered the opossum game. ~

NOTE: Caution to children. Don't play with the millipede. When excited it exudes cyano gas, a defense against its enemies. Although the amount is small, this poisonous gas may be allergenic to sensitive individuals. Wash hands thoroughly after working where millipedes abound.

 Reference: Living with Nature Handbook -  AVRotor UST Publishing House Manila 2010

Happiness – Divide it and it Multiplies

Happiness –

Divide it and it Multiplies

Closing Remarks by Mateo Laurencio Vicente M Rotor, 8 *

Grade 2 Convocation, Diliman Preparatory School QC

Let me first greet everyone a very pleasant day. Now that I am residing in Ilocos, I wish to greet you in Ilocano, “Naimbag a bigatyo amin.” (Good morning everyone.)

Allow me to start my closing remarks by asking you a puzzle. A puzzle is a kind of problem solving, but for us kids it is a game, and whoever can answer it first and correct, deserves a kudos - and prize.

What is it that when you divide and share it with others, the thing will multiply? Yes, it actually becomes more – the more you share with others.

It is not like pizza pie. When you slice pizza, it will soon be gone, as each one gets his share.

I repeat the puzzle. What is the thing or commodity that if you share it with others, it will multiply, and the more you share the more it will multiply, almost without end?

I can see a hand. I see more hands. I see smiling faces.

The answer is HAPPINESS. This is the theme of my talk today. Happiness multiplies a hundred times, if not a thousand folds. A pizza pie may end up with an empty plate, but not happiness.

When you are happy, people around you are happy. Smile and people smile with you. Laugh and the world laughs with you, said a famous poet. Ella Wilcox added, “Weep and you weep alone.”

“When you are happy, people will want to be around you and share your happiness, but when you are sad, people will avoid you.”

I can see that you are smiling and calmly laughing. That’s the popular expression of happiness. But where does happiness come from?

It is a discipline that spontaneously comes from within the person. It comes from a spring of joy from the mind, from the heart, and from the spirit. When we are thinking, feeling and praying.

When we get good grades, we are happy. When we receive a gift on our birthday, we are happy. Happiness goes with greetings like - Good Morning, Good Night. Notice our parents beaming with sweet smile when we are around. Say hello and pat your pet dog, and it will wag its tail and lap your face. Being courteous draws a smile from our teacher. Sharing our toys with your friends makes everyone happy. Playing as a team is happiness, even if we may lose.

Which leads us to the higher realm of happiness, the stage we at our age and grade levels, are beginning to understand. And what is that?

Happiness builds character. It builds pride and confidence. It keeps friendship alive. Happiness builds loyalty. It is the secret of good health. Remember the saying, Laughter is the best medicine. Happiness makes the morning bright; it leads us to good rest and sleep. And wakes us up ready to face a beautiful new day

And the most important role of happiness is in building true and lasting LOVE. There can be no true love without happiness. Let us then be happy – divide and share it with our parents, teachers, home, and school. Divide and share happiness with our community, country and the world. This is our most important contribution to WORLD PEACE.

Because we have solved the puzzle, we deserve a good break from school. And during this break, let’s all practice dividing and multiplying happiness and make a happy world around us.

Thank you, again, for the trust you have given me to talk on behalf my classmates, teachers and my alma mater. ~ 

* Mateo is a pupil of Teacher Jho Madriaga, 

Grade 2 Matatag, Diliman Preparatory School QC

Acknowledgement: Internet illustrations
Mateo is grandson of the author