Through the Mist of Time

The childhood in us throbs, throbs with the sweet music of time. 

Painting and verse by Dr Abe V Rotor 

Through the mist we see children

Years back with many years lost;

Yet much is gained in memory

That holds stories untold.

Who is fishing there? Ahoy!

Only the tingling chime answers;

The childhood in us throbs, throbs

With the sweet music of time. ~

Natural is Beautiful

Dr Abe V Rotor

There are two roads to beauty: the cosmetic way and the natural way. More and more people are realizing the high cost of beauty the cosmetic way; the highest prize being slow death. It is because many cosmetics contain toxic ingredients.

Here is a short list.

1. One of the hair straightening ingredients is formaldehyde, a carcinogen.

2. Shampoos and conditioners contain sulfates and preservatives like parabens, both potential hormone disrupters.

3. Eye shadow contents may include mercury, a neurotoxin, coal tar, a carcinogen, and 1,4-dioxane, which is linked to cancer.

4. Moisturizers may also contain parabens, while sunscreens contain oxybenzene, a hormone disrupter.

5. Your favorite lipstick may be contaminated with lead, a neurotoxin, as well as BHA, a potential carcinogen.
Simple country folks

6. Skin whiteners and sunburn protectants are among the early cosmetics known to to contain mercury.

Natural is beautiful. But if can't help it, why not go for herbal shampoos, activated carbon, virgin coconut oil, Bixa or anatto-based colors? There are do-it-yourself preparations, and stores specializing in organic products that can assist you.

"Give me beauty or give me death." There's no choice really.~

False Eyes for Defence in the Wild

Dr Abe V Rotor

Multiple false eyes of Nymphalid skipper for defence and offence.
Old folks tell children this creature is an emissary of night spirits
since it is most active at dusk (crepuscular).

 A pair of false eyes on the dorsal face of the wings of Papilio 

butterfly, with red coloration to make it authentic to would-be

 predators. Multiple dots form a imagery of a giant in the wild -

 a defence mechanism for survival,   

                           Owl-like eyes must be scary to predators, specially at night.

 And it is not just one, but a parliament of eyes in the dark. 
Imagine the eyes moving with the slightest movement of this
 skipper, or the things on which it is perched.
(Acknowledgement: Internet)

Feign dead, feign dead

Dr Abe V Rotor

Famy on stage, SPC-QC 1995 (Megabooks) 

Feign dead, feign dead,

with the backdrop of red,

in the shadow pf death;

let your audience

gasp its last breath,

feel the engulfing numbness,

the creeping chill, 

and utter loneliness

in deafening silence; 

for you are an artist 

reliving life at it portals,

to make us realize, 

we are only mortals. ~

Growing Up: Kids' World Away from Kids

Growing Up

Kids' World Away from Kids  

Dr Abe V Rotor

Take a break from computers and the mall,

confines of the small; 

break the wall of idleness, go for the ball

fast and make a goal.  

Solve the puzzle, some genius awaits you

for all you know;

left to right of the brain and back will show

a wider view of you.   

Take the road rough, look ahead, move on,

from the bandwagon;

it's your adventure, but follow the sun,   

sunrise to sundown.   

Markus 3, Laurence 5, anf Machie 5 in an art  workshop session 

at Don Antonio Heights 2 QC

                                                    Of football and decor art ~

Karimbuaya - secret of tasty lechon

Dr Abe V Rotor

It grows everywhere in the tropics, on wastelands, on idle farms and gardens, and untrodden corners of the field.

Young Euphorbia nerifolia grown directly from cutting.


Yet its presence is unsuspecting. Actually it grows almost into a tree. Its four cornered branches and stems are crowned with rows of stubby thorns, and bleed profusely with milky sap when cut, that browsing animals would not dare trespass, more so eat. Thus this perennial wild plant is an ideal natural fence and border.

But sorosoro or karimbuaya (Ilk) has another value very few people are aware. But to Ilocanos, no lechon is without karimbuaya.

Lechon baboy and manok 
This is the basic culinary procedure.

• Gather mature leaves as many as needed.
• Cut the leaves diagonally and thinly. Avoid skin contact as much as possible.
• Stuff the inside of the chicken or piglet and secure it closed. Similarly do the same with lechon baka and rellenong bangos.
• The stuff goes through the whole cooking period. It is served on the table as side dish vegetable for the lechon. It has a mild sour taste.

Why use karimbuaya? The sap removes unpleasant odor of meat and fish. It imparts a mild aroma, and improves taste. It is compatible with tanglad and ginger, onion and garlic, and most food adjuncts and additives.

Try karimbuaya next time you prepare lechon and relleno.~

Convergence in Art

"People move, everything is transient, ever changing, converging at the end."  
Paintings and Poem by Abe V Rotor

Inter-tangential convergence

Uni-tangential convergence

Movements in art come and go, short lived or enduring,

     laid forgotten, or into schools they bloom; 

the daring weaned from the masters must tread on and on

     outside convention hall to freely roam.   

The artist is no constant, nor equation the rule of art;

     more so with vision, however art is seen;

people move, they arrive, depart, transient or domestic,

     everywhere, every thing's ever changing.

And yet the urge to return is primordial at the end -

     the homing instinct in convergence;

art paves the road, clears the sky, rings the chime

     in poignant familial obedience. ~