Wild food plants or “survival plants”

 San Vicente Botanical Garden 16: 

Wild food plants or "survival plants"

Ethnobotany, the study of plants and their uses in primitive societies, is gaining recognition in the light of economic crisis. It offers a solution to poverty and malnutrition. Culinary delight comes in various food preparations from native vegetables.

Dr Abe V Rotor

  Survivors of war, plane crash, shipwreck have a lot of lessons to share, among them are edible plants that kept them alive. 

• Talisay (Terminalia catappa) bears nut like fruits that contain small seeds that taste like almond. 

• Tibig (Ficus nota.) The fruits are edible and have a good flavor.  They are soft and fleshy when mature. 

Banana blossom (Puso ng saging)

• Isis (Ficus odorata) or isis because its rough leaves are used as natural sandpaper for utensil and wood.  Its fruits like tibig are edible.   

• Balleba (Vallisnera) is an aquatic plant growing in clear streams, ponds and lakes, whose leaves appear like ribbon, hence it is also called ribbon grass. The leaves are gathered and served fresh with tomato, onion and salt.

   Papait (Mollogo oppositifolia)

• Apulid or water chestnut.  Our native apulid produces very small bulbs - only one-third the size of the Chinese or Vietnamese apulid.  It grows wild in places where water is present year round. It is boiled, peeled and served.  

• Aratiles (Muntingia calabura) bears plenty of tiny berries which are red to violet when ripe. It is sweet and somewhat aromatic. 
                                           Himba-ba-o or Alokong 
                           (Alleanthus luzonicus)

• Wild sinkamas (Pacchyrhizus erosus) has enlarged roots which may remain in the soil even after the plants has dried up in summer. It is gathered and eaten raw. 

• Urai (Amaranthus spinosus). The plant become spiny as it matures. It is the very young plant that is gathered as vegetable. 

• Mulberry (Morus alba). Its leaves are the chief food of silkworm.  The fruits when ripe are purple to black, and while very small are juicy and fairly sweet. 

Bagbagkong, flower vegetable 

• Taro (Colocasia sp.). The Palawan gabi grows twice the height of man and produces a large corm.  There is a technique in preparing and cooking the corm. Or making starch out of it.  The key is thorough cleaning and cooking.  

• Gulasiman (Portulaca oleracea) has succulent leaves and stems which are cooked as vegetables.  

• Talinum ((Talinum triangulare). The succulent stems and leaves are gathered as vegetable.  

Saluyot tops (Corchorus olitorius) 

. Edible Fern (Pako’) - Athyrium esculentum); gulasiman or ngalog (Portulaca) Male  flowers of squash (Cucurbita maxima) 

 • Alugbati (Basella rubra) is a twining plant with reddish stems and leaves. The tops are gathered as vegetable which is mucilaginous when cooked.

Other wild vegetables:

1. Young leaves of cassava or kamoteng kahoy (Manihot utilissima)

2. Petals of Gumamela (Hibiscus rosasinensis)

3. Young leaves of kamkamote (Ipomea triloba)

4. Amaranth or spinach (Amaranthus spinosus) - seedling stage

5. Flowers of madre de cacao or kakawate (Gliricida sepium)

6. Corm of banana (Musa sapientum)

7. Ubod or pith of maguey (Agave cantala)

8. Talinum (Talinum quadriculoare)

Male  flowers of squash (Cucurbita maxima

9. Flower of katuray (Sesbania grandiflora)

10. Corm of Palawan gabi (Colocasia sp)

Dampalit (Sesuvium portulacastrum)  

Often referred to as wild food plants or hunger crops, these and many others, perhaps hundreds, provide an alternative source of food and nutrition on the grassroots in times of poor harvest and calamities like drought. Being native or indigenous they survive extreme conditions of the environment, they need very little care, if at all. 

Ethnobotany, the study of plants and their uses in primitive societies, is gaining recognition in the light of economic crisis. It offers a solution to poverty and malnutrition. Culinary delight comes in various food preparations from native vegetables. ~

Food and Nutritional Value of Kulitis, Amaranth, Alugbati, Spinach, Talinum in 5 Articles

 Food and Nutritional Value

Kulitis, Amaranth, Alugbati, Spinach, Talinum

Part 1 - Kulitis: A super food!

Part 2 - Chinese Spinach and Spiny Spinach

Part 3 - 14 Health Benefits of Alugbati Leaves

Part 4 - Popeye spinach
Part 5 - The ever-present talinum

Researched and Posted by Dr Abe V Rotor in response to queries on wild food vegetables to augment people's food and nutrition supply,  particularly among the young generation.

Part 1 - Kulitis: A super food!

Kulitis as we locals call it or the Amaranth, is an edible plant that is easy to grow, grows everywhere and can be found especially in a tropical country like the Philippines. It is an upright annual plant that belongs to the amaranth family and can go as tall as 2.5 meters. According to the Wikipedia, Amaranths as what it is collectively known is a cosmopolitan genus of annual or short-lived perennial plants also known as Amaranthus. Some of its species are grown as ornamental plants, pseudocereals, and leaf vegetables.

Kulitis is mostly grown for its leaves, it is widely used as a component in our dishes. You can be creative in making a dish out of its leaves.

The benefits of this Super Food! It rich in minerals like iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, copper, and calcium.

• It has an Antioxidant
• Low in Calories
• High in Dietary Fiber
• Rich in Vitamins A, C, K,
• Rich in B Vitamins
• Gluten Free
• Rich in Protein
• Rich in Lysine
• Reduces Bad cholesterol

Better grow your own pot or bed of Kulitis to have a ready supply of ingredients to include it on your dishes, then ingest and have all of these nutrients for our health and wellness. Also, growing your own pot of Kulitis ensures you of consuming organic produce and free of commercial pesticides that can do harm to our health.

With all of these benefits that came from this super vegetable you just can’t resist including this staple food on your daily diet.  

AA I Floricel N. Denopol, RND Acknowledgement Internet with gratitude - avr

Part 2 - Chinese Spinach and Spiny Spinach

Amaranthus dubius and Amaranthus spinosus

 

LEFT PHOTO, Amaranthus dubius, the red spinach, Chinese spinach, spleen amaranth, hon-toi-moi, yin choy, hsien tsai, or Arai keerai belongs to the economically important family Amaranthaceae, native to South America, Mexico, and the West Indies, however; it is widely introduced throughout the world. The species occurs locally in France and Germany and is naturalized or invasive in tropical and subtropical regions of the United States (Florida and Hawaii), Africa, Asia, Australia and the Pacific. Usually it grows to a size of 80–120 centimeters (31–47 in). It has both green and red varieties, as well as some with mixed colors. The green variety is practically indistinguishable from Amaranthus viridis. Amaranthus dubius is very close genetically to Amaranthus spinosus (RIGHT PHOTO) and other Amaranthus species. This species is valued as a leafy vegetable throughout South and Southeast Asia and also in Africa. It is commonly cooked with onions, tomatoes and peanut sauce. 

NOTE: Amaranthus spinosus is gathered in the field as vegetable in its seedling stage, before the spines develop and become tough.

Part 3 
14 Health Benefits of Alugbati Leaves 

– Philippine Super Food
rachelleignacio (Internet)
Acknowledgement with gratitude - avr
Alugbati leaves are also known as Malabar Spinach. It is named after the place where it is found. Malabar is a place in Philippine. Although people call it spinach, it is actually not spinach at all.

Nutritional information of alugbati leaves
Just like the other green vegetable, this leaves also have high level of iron. However, it also has ample of nutrition which is beneficial for health. To make it detail, the nutritional information of each 100 grams of alugbati leaves are listed as follow.

Calories 19Carbohydrate 3.4 grFat 0.3 grProtein 1.8 grVitamin A 160%Magnesium 16%Vitamin C 170%Iron 6%Vitamin B6 10%Sodium 24 mgPotassium 510 mgCalcium 10%

Health benefits of alugbati leaves
So, let’s just call it alugbati leaves. This is heart shaped leaves which grow along in the purple stem. Alugbati is a succulent plant. It can be found in tropical Asia and Africa countries.

#1. Control blood pressure
How can this vine be so powerful? Well, it contains minerals. Therefore it is also powerful to control your blood pressure. The high potassium and manganese will be very beneficial for blood pressure and heart rate. Therefore, it can prevent heart disease. It is able to relieve headache related to the high blood pressure. Besides vegetables, health benefits of Magnetic Bracelet can also control the blood pressure.

#2. Prevent constipation
The fleshy leaves are very smooth for digestive system. It also facilitates good bowel movement, so that we can prevent constipation and the other digestive problems. The other option to avoid constipation is by health benefits Drinking 4 Glasses of Water in the Morning

#3. Relieve ulcer
The leaves smoothness is also able to relieve stomach ulcer. It is safe and healthy for any digestive problems. Of course, we still have to consider about how we cook this leaves.

#4. Prevent cancer
Just like the other kinds of vegetable, alugbati is rich with antioxidant. Antioxidant is very important to fight free radical. Free radical is the main culprit of some cancer. Study proves that green vegetables are very good to prevent the growth of cancer cell in lung and oral cavity.

#5. Prevent anemia
This leaves is also called spinach for some reasons. Despite the appearance, the nutrient contained in this leave is similar with spinach’s. Just like spinach, this leaves is also rich with iron. The iron contain in every 100 grams of fresh leaves is able to fulfill 15% daily need of iron. With the regular consumption, the iron intake will keep us from getting anemia. This is very beneficial, especially for women.

#6. Lose weight
It is very good to include this vegetable into your diet. In every single serving contain many nutrients such as vitamin, mineral, and natural fiber. Yet, it is very low in calorie. Isn’t it a best deal for your weight loss diet? The dietary fiber is also good to improve your digestive organs. The improved digestion will also affect the good metabolism system. As we know, good metabolism is the key for losing your weight.

#7. Release toxins
The excretion system is important to release toxins out of the body. As the ability of alugbati to improve bowel movement, it is enable the body to release toxin from the feces. In addition, the leaves are also known as diuretic. Therefore, it will enable the body to release toxins by urine. Indeed. that’s the health benefits of alugbati leaves.

#8. Improve eyesight
Alugbati or basella is rich with vitamin A. Not only are the leaves, the stem also the source of vitamin A. We know that vitamin A is significant for eyes’ health. Therefore, consuming alugbati leaves is able to improve our eyesight.

#9. Boost immunity
A study found that vitamin C in alugbati is high. The study compared alugbati leaves with the other kinds of green vegetables such as spinach. The high vitamin C is very good to improve the immune system. It is because vitamin C is resistance against infectious agents.

#10. Soften skin
For soft skin, we can apply this leaves onto your skin and use it as a facial mask. It is able to re-hydrate and cool down your skin. Therefore, besides eating the leaves, we can also get the benefit from directly applying the leaves onto skin. Besides vegetables, fruits are also significant for skin . Here are the List of Fruits for Healthy Skin.

#11. Anti aging property
Not only cancer, free radical will also stimulates premature aging. To prevent, we need to supply our skin with antioxidant. With the antioxidant in it, basella will give your skin some benefits. This pinoy leaves will slow down your aging process by protecting your skin. It is able to make your skin look younger.

#12. Reduce swelling
The ability of the leaves to cool down skin can also be applied for swelling. Beside the water, vitamins are able to block inflammation and reduce swelling.

#13. Good for pregnancy
Experts suggest pregnant mother fulfilling the folate intake. It is because folate is essential for the baby’s nervous system. When most people think that folate can be obtained from fish, we can also get folate from vegetable. One of vegetables which provide folate is alugbati or basella leaves. Therefore, pregnant mother is advised to include this leaves into their daily menu. the other vegetable which is good for prgenancy is Brazilian Spinach.

#14. Help you sleep
Sometimes you feel so tired but you can’t even close your eyes. Do you know that alugbati can also solve this problem? Besides maintaining the health of the internal organ and skin, alugbati leaves is also able to help you relax. The minerals, especially magnesium and zinc of alugbati leaves will help you to close your eyes and relax your whole body. Magnesium and zinc can also recharge your energy quickly. 

Recommendation in consuming alugbati leaves
People in some Asia countries commonly use this leaves as vegetable to any kind of cuisine. However, the selection is also important step before we cook the leaves. To choose the perfect leaves, make sure to choose the fresh leaves with shiny leaves and firm stems. Avoid sunken, dry and discolored leaves.

In preparing the leaves, don’t forget to wash the leaves in cold running water to get health benefits of alugbati leaves. We can include some soft stem of it. Just like health benefits of Water Spinach , alugbati leaves produce some water when it is cooked. In addition, it produces thick glue like consistency to the cooking. Therefore, it is good to include this tender leaves into soup, stew, or stir fry vegetable.
image source
#colorchallenge#life#nature#philippines
5 years ago in #food by rachelleignacio (60)

Part 4 - Popeye spinach

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)

Spinach as a superfood: It worked for Popeye…or did it?
by Baylor Scott & White Health 
Acknowledgement with gratitude - avr

Spinach has been on the table for over 1700 years, with the first spinach meal likely served up in ancient Persia (now Iran). History books suggest that the King of Nepal introduced spinach to China in the 7th century and spinach was on the plate in Europe by the 11th century. Catherine de Medici of Florence, Italy, brought her cooks to France when she married the King Henry II of France, because her cooks could prepare the delicate spinach greens to her liking. Since that time, any dish presented on a bed of spinach is “a la Florentine.”

Older Americans remember a cartoon figure named Popeye that gained incredible strength by eating canned spinach. The cartoon character came to life in 1929, soon after demand for canned vegetables skyrocketed after WWI, so it was only fitting that Popeye would promote a safe and inexpensive health food However, the cartoon strip published by Segar on July 3, 1932, attributed Popeye’s strength to the Vitamin A content in spinach and not iron. Segar’s intention was to increase the health of children by increasing vitamin intake, not iron intake, from spinach. ~

Part 5 - The ever-present talinum
By Patricia Bianca S. Taculao

Acknowledgement with Gratitude - avr

In backyards, gardens, or similar places, there’s usually a plant that resembles a weed in appearance. If given close attention, it can be evident that it’s not a weed at all.

This plant is locally known as talinum (Talinum triangulare), or Philippine spinach in English, and is actually an herb that can grow all year round and almost anywhere with humid to dry environments.

Although it looks like a weed, talinum can grow up to one meter tall without branches. If with branches, the plant looks shorter. It also has fleshy or succulent roots, stems, and leaves which allows it to absorb more water. However, the most distinct feature of talinum is its five-petal pink flowers which sprout from the tip of the shoot.

Being a succulent, the plant does not require constant irrigation, can withstand hot summer months unlike other leafy greens, and is available throughout the year.

The plant’s leaves are consumed as a vegetable, particularly in the north and in several areas in Visayas. These are harvested 40 to 55 days from planting to allow the plant to grow new shoots.

Fresh leaves can also be used in salads and sandwiches to give particular dishes a certain crunch from the plant’s juiciness.

Apart from being used in dishes, talinum also has ornamental uses. It is occasionally planted as a potted border plant or as an edging plant in landscaping because of its bright green foliage and dainty, pink flowers.

Moreover, the plant has a background in folk medicine that are known in regions both local and overseas. Crushed talinum leaves are known to relieve swelling, inflammation, and sores. Leaf extracts have also been proven to possess significant amounts of antioxidants.

Aside from these medicinal benefits, talinum is also known to regulate blood sugar levels and allegedly cure hypertension.

The information written above was taken from the “Indigenous vegetables of the Philippines” which is a project funded and coordinated by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARD) and implemented by the Institute of Crop Science (ICropS), College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) in 2018 to 2019.

References: Internet, Living with Folk Wisdom, AV Rotor (UST}, Living with Nature, AVRotor (UST), Living with Nature in Our Times, AVRotor (UST), former Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid (People's School on Air) DZRB 

Grow Philippine spinach (talinum) year round in pots

Grow Philippine spinach (talinum) year round in pots
Talinum is rich in vitamin A and C, calcium, iron, and dietary fiber.

Dr Abe V Rotor

Talinum (Talinum fruticosum = T. tiangulare). Other names: Ceylon spinach, Fame flower, Surinam Purslane. While it is cultivated as a leafy vegetable in Africa and South and Southeast Asia, it generally grows as an annual weed in fields and gardens during the monsoon season. .

Potted talinum at home

Talinum is propagated by cutting. Plant in pots if you have no space in the garden. Use the lower half of one-gallon PET bottles. (Or any convenient improvised pot.) Punch 3 or 4 holes on the side, an inch above the bottom to drain excess water, but to store water as well.

You may buy ready made garden pots (photos). Be sure they fit into the place like window sill, fence, patio, and other locations where the plant receives adequate sunlight, and is safe from animals, sudden changes of weather, and pollution. 

On reaching 4 to 6 inches, harvest the succulent shoots, wait for new shoots to develop for the next harvest, at two weeks interval. Replace spent soil with new garden soil, preferably with compost, after 4 or 5 harvests. Staggered planting schedule in different pots will assure a continuous supply of fresh talinum year round.

Author with talinum harvest. Pick only the leaves and let the shoots grow new leaves. If you wish to have more shoots, harvest the succulent tops, like kamote tops, to induce branching.

Talinum is rich in vitamin A and C, calcium, iron, and dietary fiber. There are many ways to prepare talinum. The most common is blanching to be served as salad, with tomato and onions, or seasoning. Talinum is the choice vegetable for beef stew. 

 And sinigang. It goes well with fish, and other vegetables, when cooking bulanglang or diningding. Why don't you try adobong talinum,, like adobong kangkong? ~

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

Annex

The ever-present talinum
May 29, 20205720 views
By Patricia Bianca S. Taculao

Acknowledgement with Gratitude - avr

In backyards, gardens, or similar places, there’s usually a plant that resembles a weed in appearance. If given close attention, it can be evident that it’s not a weed at all.

This plant is locally known as talinum (Talinum triangulare), or Philippine spinach in English, and is actually an herb that can grow all year round and almost anywhere with humid to dry environments.

Although it looks like a weed, talinum can grow up to one meter tall without branches. If with branches, the plant looks shorter. It also has fleshy or succulent roots, stems, and leaves which allows it to absorb more water. However, the most distinct feature of talinum is its five-petal pink flowers which sprout from the tip of the shoot.

Being a succulent, the plant does not require constant irrigation, can withstand hot summer months unlike other leafy greens, and is available throughout the year.

The plant’s leaves are consumed as a vegetable, particularly in the north and in several areas in Visayas. These are harvested 40 to 55 days from planting to allow the plant to grow new shoots.

Fresh leaves can also be used in salads and sandwiches to give particular dishes a certain crunch from the plant’s juiciness.

Apart from being used in dishes, talinum also has ornamental uses. It is occasionally planted as a potted border plant or as an edging plant in landscaping because of its bright green foliage and dainty, pink flowers.

Moreover, the plant has a background in folk medicine that are known in regions both local and overseas. Crushed talinum leaves are known to relieve swelling, inflammation, and sores. Leaf extracts have also been proven to possess significant amounts of antioxidants.

Aside from these medicinal benefits, talinum is also known to regulate blood sugar levels and allegedly cure hypertension.

The information written above was taken from the “Indigenous vegetables of the Philippines” which is a project funded and coordinated by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARD) and implemented by the Institute of Crop Science (ICropS), College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) in 2018 to 2019.

Old Folks' Science - or Superstition?

  Old Folks' Science - or Superstition? 

Conceiving mothers eat twin bananas in order to give birth to a twin.

 Dr Abe V Rotor

Which is which? Find out the answer at the end of this test.
 

1. Kapre (ogre) lives on old trees; dwende (dwarf) lives among mushrooms.

2. Raining while the sun is out breeds insects.

3. You know how big ube (Dioscorea alata)  tuber is by its mound on the ground.

4.Karurayan na dumalaga (all white female fryer) is best food for a recuperating patient.

5. Swarming of winged termites and ants predicts siyam-siyam (18 days of uninterrupted rainfall)

6. Red sky in the west means a typhoon is coming.

7. When you break a drinking glass, take another and break it too, to break the omen.

8. Jackfruit or Nangka may bear fruit from its roots underground.

Fruit laden nangka.  Agoo, La Union

9.When a spoon is accidentally dropped, a female guest is coming. If fork, a male guest.

10. When buying watermelon, choose that which has wide spaces between the “ribs.” It is more fleshy and sweet.

11. Actually you can hear the earth breath on a quiet summer night.

12. Predominance of cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica) means the land is not suitable for  farming.

13. Snake means good luck; monitor lizard bad luck.

14. Oranges with indented bottom are sweeter.

15. Powdered rhino horn is medicine and aphrodisiac.

16. Worms (fly maggots) improve the taste of bagoong or patis. (fish sauce)

17. Just wipe kitchen table and sink with mild vinegar to drive ants away.

18. Large and round macopa contains seeds, so with lanzones (Lansium domesticum).

19. Prune standing corn plants of their tassel (male flower), in order to get fuller cobs.

20. There are people who cook ampalaya (Momordica charantia) which tastes more bitter.

21. A brooding animal, like snake, is ferocious.

22. Guava seeds may cause appendicitis

23. Ginseng increase human virility or has aphrodisiac property.

24. Cut the leaves (pruning) of rice seedlings before transplanting in the field to make them grow faster and bigger.

25. Conceiving mothers eat twin bananas in order to give birth to a twin.

26. During full moon crabs are lean.

27. Phases of the moons influence behavior (lunatic effect).

28. Gate must not face directly the dead-end of a road.

29. Planting cassava stem upturned will produce poisonous tuber.

30. Ring around the moon means a storm coming.

31. When you got a fishbone stuck in the throat, get the cat and gently rub its paws around the affected area.

32. Never allow a conceiving mother to get near a fruiting tree, else the fruits will fall prematurely.

33. Beware! Dogs can detect a dog eater. He is prune to dog bite or even a pack attack. 

34. Food offering at the family altar during festivals is homage to the spirits

35. Say tabi-tabi when entering a thicket.

36. Put sugar as fertilizer to get sweeter fruits.

37. Some people suffer body aches before a typhoon brews near.

38. When walking through a forest, wear a face mask backward to ward of tiger or lion attack.

39. When harvesting the first fruits, get an oversize basket and pretend that the harvest is heavy.

40. Expect rain if hordes of dragonflies hover low.

41. Size and shape of lips of a woman reflects her private organ.

42. Get male flower and introduce it into the female flower to enhance the fruit to develop.

43. Crickets are noisiest in summer.

44. When transplanting banana tiller take out the eyes (young tiller buds) arising on the corm.

45. Wet your navel with the first raindrops in summer.

46. Noisy hen layers are not productive layers.

47. Roosters do sometimes lay eggs which are very small and sterile.

48. Throw sand into axils of coconut leaves to prevent beetle attack

49. Black cat bring bad luck when you meet them on the corridor or street.

50. Salaksak or kingfisher means death.

ANSWERS: False answer to 7,8,9,11,13,16,22,25,28,29,31,32,34,35,36,39,41,45 and 47.
Reference: Living with Folk Wisdom by AV Rotor, UST Publishing House España, Manila. Book available at National Book Store, and UST Publishing House.

RATING: 46-50 Outstanding. You must be one of the old folks.
41-45 Very Good . You must be living with old folks.
36-40 Good. You have a good grasp of tradition
31-34 Fair. You are not really moving away from tradition.
30 and below. Read more about old folks' science and superstitious beliefs.

Tamales keeps freshness and natural taste of fish Make culinary art as simple, practical and healthful as possible.

Tamales keeps freshness and natural taste of fish

Make culinary art as simple, practical and healthful as possible. Cook small fish like dulong (Ipon Ilk), and dilis (anchovies) the tamales (tamalis Ilk) way. Let's return to indigenous cooking practices - and live happy, long and healthy like our ancestors.

Dr Abe V Rotor

Follow these steps, refer to the photos.

1. Wash fresh fish with a strainer.
2. Add salt, chopped ginger and onion.
3. Wilt leaves with stalk
4. Pack in small amount, good per person.
5. Line stainless pan (or clay pot) with banana stalk
6. Arrange packed tamales for cooking, cover.
7. Don't overcook, serve whole pan on dining table
8. Best when steaming hot, save the juice
9. Pack is ideal for baon
10. Eat with fresh tomato for variety.

 
Share this lesson with your family, school and community. Let's return to indigenous cooking practices - and live happy, long and healthy like our ancestors.

A LOVELY PAIR IN A BOWER

 A LOVELY PAIR IN A BOWER

Dr Abe V Rotor

 A Lovely Pair in a Bower in acrylic (11.5" X 16") by AV Rotor

Let the world go by in their bower,

lovers blind to the busy world,

away from the maddening crowd;

fleeting moment is forever,

to this pair in their lair.

Wonder in our midst who we are,

blind to each other, but the world,

strange this crowd we are in;

where's this lovely pair,

where's their bower?

Environmentalists: Disciples of Nature Part 2

  Environmentalists: Disciples of Nature 

Apostles for the Environment

Dr Abe V Rotor


Graduate students in Environmental Science pose with their professor, 

Dr AV Rotor (second from right) on a field lecture on the university campus. 

UST Botanical Garden is the oldest plant sanctuary in Manila, originally 

specializing in pharmaceutical plants.

University of Santo Tomas – The Graduate School First Semester, 2012-2013
Environmental Science – Professor: Dr Abe V Rotor

1. ADIVOSO, Angelica Cyril Cruz “AC” Faculty, College of San Benildo, Cainta, Rizal,

2. ARENAS, Minerva C “Mines” Faculty, Nueva Ecija High School, Cabanatuan City

3. CALIPJO, Arleen M “Arlene” Faculty, Cavite State University, Silang, Cavite

4. CHAO, George Y “George” Faculty, College of Engineering, UST

5. DE GUZMAN, Romualdo B Jr “Jun” Faculty, Bataan Peninsular State University

6. DELIMA, Precila C “Precy” Faculty, Isabela State University, Cauayan City, Isabela

7. DEMAUSA, Mary Joy C “Mary Joy” Staff Laboratory, University of the East, Caloocan

8. MANUBAY, Frederick Ray A “Fred” Faculty, High School, UST

9. ORDOñEZ, Maria Manuela P “Marie” Faculty, San Sebastian College, 

    Recoletos, Cavite City

10. PANGANIBAN, Citadel Faculty, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Batangas

11. SANTOS, Hetdiliza A “Hydie” Faculty, Navotas National High School

12. VILLANUEVA, Laarni M “Lani” Faculty, Lyceum of the Phil U, Batangas

Apostles for the Environment Tenets

1. When spring comes without stir, “don't go gentle into the night,” rise and find out where have all the birds gone that herald the new season, and the new beginning of life.

2. When the monsoon ends too soon, summer sets early, the land scorched, the rivers and ponds dried up, warn of the coming of a severe El Niño, a cyclical phenomenon.

3. When algal bloom in make-believe proportion spreads in lakes, sound the alarm of fish kill coming in order to avert losses and hunger, and to save the ecosystem.

4. When people move to cities in exodus, convince them, advise government, it is a tender trap that takes them away from the real Good Life on the countryside.

5. When clouds simply pass over the landscape, take the lead to reforest the hills and mountains, restore the watershed with a million and one trees.

6. When flood sweeps the land taking with it lives and properties, and eroding soil fertility, be part of rehabilitation and planning; believe that flood can be tamed.

7. When you find an abundance of lichens of different types on trees and rocks, and fireflies at night, assure residents of the pristine condition of their environment, and help them in preserving it.

8. When and where wildlife areas are shrinking, backyards and idle lots can be developed as alternative wildlife sanctuary, initiate this as a community project.

9. When asked what vegetables are safe from pesticide residues and chemicals from fertilizers, promote native species like malunggay, kamote tops, gabi, saluyot, and the like, they are also more nutritious and easy to grow. And promote natural or organic farming, too.

10. When asked of Nature's way of maintaining the ecosystem, explain the role of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, composting, symbiosis, and the like. These natural processes and cycles have been taking place even before the arrival of the human species.

11. When additives are found in food - MSG, Nutrasweet or any artificial sugar, salitre in sausage, sulfite in white sugar, melamin in milk, formalin in fish, warn the public against taking these, initiate through legislation and campaign to ban these additives.

12. When children spend too much time before the TV, on computers, and other gadgets, offer alternatives more favorable to their upbringing and well-being by getting close to nature like camping, gardening and other outdoor activities.

13. When old folks talk about traditional wisdom and values, demonstrate native skills, listen and translate them into useful applications, disseminate these in school and through extension.

14. When animals are restless, reptiles and rodents coming out of their burrows and dens, fish attempting to escape, fowls noisy, suspect the coming of a force majeure such as earthquake. Be alert to face possible consequences, and to extend assistance.

15. When epidemic threatens an area, say bird flu, hepatitis, dengue, cholera, initiate community cooperation with health and other institutions to arrest the spread of these diseases.

16. When a child has little concern about the environment, teach him, guide him to explore the beautiful world of nature, and make him realize his importance and his role in maintaining a balanced environment.

17. When there is a worthy movement to save the environment, such as Clean and Green, Piso sa Pasig, or any local campaign, lead and extend your full support.

18. When there are farms and fishponds neglected or abandoned, find out how these are put back to their productive conditions, or converted into a wildlife sanctuary.

19. When at rest or in confinement for health reason, explore natural remedies with herbals, through pet therapy, aromatherapy, and other proven remedies, in consultation with your doctor.

20. When in doubt if civilization is disguised evil, which is the root of war, poverty, environmental degradation, and the like, remember that it is also civilization that is responsible in building the great institutions of mankind, so that it is the obligation of each member of society to maintain the integrity of these institutions – indeed a noble mission to lead.

21. When appreciating the vastness of creation such as the seas, valleys, mountains, and entertain the idea that their resources are unlimited, view these in their microcosm like a pond or hill - for what can happen to this minuscule could be the same on a larger scale and proportion – be the prophet, but not of doom.

22. When you shall have found success in scholarship, wealth, power, family, etc., the task of integrating all these for the purpose of sharing with those in dire need, and for posterity and sustainability, becomes a greater challenge, indeed this is the price of success.

23. When devoting your time and energy and talents to the service of community and environment as dictated by your profession and as a good citizen, do not neglect your obligation to yourself and family, and by so doing, build a model on which you are looked up to by those you serve.

24. When hope dims in this troubled world, with continued disregard to protect Mother Earth, human abuse and indifference in pursuit of economic gains and affluence, violation of order and harmony of society, degradation of values, “don’t go gentle into the night” – be the sentinel ever vigilant, the guardian ever righteous, for opportunity awaits you in your greatest hour.

25. When on a fine Sunday morning you hear birds in the trees, fish splashing in a pond, and plants blooming, say a prayer of praise and thanksgiving in music and verse, painting, or simply through reflection of the magnificence of creation. ~

NOTE: To my students in particular, please recruit twelve (12) followers from your family, community and organization, who believe and are willing to carry on the tasks we have set. Send the list with basic info through avrotor@gmail.com or through the Comments of this Blog, or through Mail. These 25 tenets serve as guide in your recruitment and selection. This invitation is open to all viewers here and abroad.