Ode to a painting: Happy Childhood in 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. ~

The Unknown - Irony of Art

 The Unknown - Irony of Art

"Art takes the lead, to break man's indifference,

      to guide him out of the unknown."- avr

Dr Abe V Rotor

The Unknown - Irony of Art, in acrylic by AVRotor 2026

There's irony in art: one said, it's beautiful;

     I like the bright color, said another;

It is as if it were real, a critic commented;

     but what's the message, brother?

One asked if I painted it right on-the-spot;

     a child thought it was by imagination;

a man was furious: who burned the forest? 

     blaming one and the whole nation. 

Calmly I said, it's an effect of global warming,

      and man's folly plus the phenomenon; 

art takes the lead, to break man's indifference,

      to guide him out of the unknown. ~  

Find a Special Place in Nature

  Find a Special Place in Nature 

Discover Nature and Discover Yourself

Get out of your confine, find a place in nature, live with her beauty and bounty, her people and community, you may yet find the meaning of life.

Painting and Verse by Dr Abe V Rotor

 Find a Special Place in Nature in acrylic by AVRotor 2026

If you've been in all your life living on the fast lane, trying to beat everyone, though you know you'll never win this nameless race;

If you've been residing in a high rise building, taller than everything around, and touching the clouds, and you know your feet is off the ground;

If you've been missing the passing of seasons, the wonders that each brings, though you keep the holidays and weekends;

If you've been constantly bothered by ailments that medicine can only relieve, and not cure, and doctors can only advise;

If you've lost contact with your roots through the years of searching for fame, wedging farther your connection, feeling like an orphan;

If you've succeeded in your career, rising to the top to the awe and admiration of your colleagues, yet deep inside is a feeling of emptiness;

If you've reached retirement after all the years of work and its responsibilities, but trapped in a dull, prosaic life of boredom;

If you've lost your loved ones, alone you gather the pieces of happy memories, nostalgic they are the rest of your life;

If you've been a good and loving guardian to your own children and other children, and they call you dad or "Lolo," and feeling being young again;

Get out of your confine, find a place in nature, live with her beauty and bounty, her people and community, you may yet find the true meaning of life. ~ 

"Nature is not a place to visit. It is home." — Gary Snyder

Details Find a Special Place in Nature, in acrylic by AVRotor 2026

"Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you." — Frank Lloyd Wright

Mexican Indigenous Amate Art

Mexican Indigenous Amate Art

Amate Artwork on Display at the Living with Nature Center

San Vicente, Ilocos Sur

 Dr Abe V Rotor

Mexican artists have been using the bark of trees to create art for centuries. Amate is a traditional Mexican bark paper, crafted since pre-Hispanic times (c. 75 CE) from Ficus or Trema tree bark.

 

 The Otomi people of central Mexico, particularly in the region surrounding the village of Pahuatlán, have been instrumental in preserving and commercializing this ancient art form. 

 

"Todo acto de creación, es un acto de amor" (Every act of creation is an act of love) — A quote by José Revueltas often applied to the labor-intensive, artistic process.

 

Amate is significant in Mexican culture, often used for folk art paintings.

 It also refers to a tree in Mexico or a rare, archaic verb meaning 

to dishearten or subdue. 

 

"Feed the Artists, starve them when the trees are gone." — A cautionary, modern reflection on the sustainability of the materials and the pressure on artisans. 

 

The Nahua painters of Guerrero adopted the use of amate paper, which they transferred from the Otomi people, to create intricate bark paper paintings. These artists have been instrumental in reviving and promoting the use of amate paper, which is now one of the most widely available Mexican indigenous handicrafts. 

"Amo el color del jade, y el enervante perfume de las flores, pero amo más a mi hermano, el hombre" (I love the color of jade, and the unnerving perfume of the flowers, but I love my brother more, the man) — A quote by Aztec poet Nezahualcóyotl, reflecting the nature-focused themes of many amate paintings.

 

The oldest known amate paper was discovered in Huitzilapa, Jalisco, dating back to 75 CE. It is made by boiling and pounding the bark of Ficus tecolutensis, Ficus aurea, or Trema micrantha trees to create a paper sheet.

 

The process of making amate paper involves stripping the bark from the fig tree, soaking it in water, and then pounding it into thin sheets. These sheets are then left to dry in the sun, resulting in a textured, earthy canvas that provides a unique backdrop for the paintings.

 

The subjects of amate bark paintings are deeply rooted in indigenous mythology and daily life, and they carry symbolic meanings that have been passed down through generations.

 

"Amamos a un ser mortal como si fuese inmortal." (We love a mortal being as if it were immortal) — A reflection from writer Octavio Paz that resonates with the timeless nature of these traditional, hand-painted scenes.

Mexican Indigenous Amate art, a tradition with pre-Hispanic roots using bark paper, is primarily celebrated through visual, vibrant depictions of nature, birds, and village life rather than written quotes. It symbolizes a connection to ancient Aztec and Otomí heritage, embodying, as described by artisans, a painstaking process of harvesting tree bark and drying it in the sun. AI Overview

Acknowledgement with Gratitude: To the Mexican artist who demonstrated this unique ancient art during the author's visit in Mexico in 1986; Internet/AIOverview/Wikipedia.

Convergence in Nature: "Living pillars make a temple of nature."

Convergence in Nature*

"Living pillars make a temple of nature."

Paintings and Poem by Dr Abe V Rotor

Trees  Bridge Heaven and Earth  in acrylic by AVRotor 2026

Living pillars make a temple of nature,

     bridge the land and the sky;

home of creatures all, big and small,

     seen and unseen by the naked eye.

Atop epiphytes make a living crown

     of humble praise and glory,

in music and prayer night and day,

     in an unending story.

Beside, rows of trees form a column,

     like soldiers in the battlefield,

a fort they make to keep a place safe, 

     a lovely home with living shield.

Thoreau's Walden lives to this day,

     life's truly a community;

Darwin's treatise returns in search

     of peace, unity and piety.

Ephemeral is our world, sages say,

     save some sweet memory;

convergence truly holds the key

     to oneness and eternity. ~

Living Fort of Trees in acrylic by AVRotor 2026 

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*A gift to Rodney and Amanda Rojas on their wedding day, April 30. 2026

Convergence in Nature: Meditation

 Convergence in Nature  

Meditation

Painting and Verse by Dr Abe V Rotor

                             Convergence in Nature, (30" x 70") AVR 2012

One may find where land, water and sky meet:

• peace and turbulence,
• light and darkness,
• order and chaos,
• love and hate,
• joy and sorrow,
• hope and despair,
• life and death.

       Another may find where land, water and heaven meet:

• turbulence and peace,
• darkness and light
• chaos and order,
• hate and love,
• sorrow and joy,
• despair and hope,
• death and new life. ~

Painting: Courtesy of the author's nephews and nieces, Dr Rene and Marilyn Makilan, USA, on the occasion of their visit with Shekinah, and Ronnie Rotor, to the Philippines, 2012.

International Workers Day, May 1, 2026: A Challenge to Corporate Culture

International Workers Day, May 1, 2026

A Challenge to Corporate Culture

A measure of service and success: serving the greatest benefit for the greatest number of people.

Dr Abe V Rotor

For many years in my youth I worked in a government organization that evolved in three stages - from a bureau to a corporation. I am referring to the National Food Authority. First, it was Rice and Corn Administration (RCA), then to National Grains Authority (NGA), and finally to National Food Authority (NFA).

I worked with the “old guards” and the “young Turks,” young people chosen for their outstanding performance in the academe and in the industry. I belonged to the middle group, the so called technocrats led by Bong Tanco, then the Minister of Agriculture, JD Drillon, top expert in agribusiness, Paeng Salas - the chief architect of the country’s food self-sufficiency program, Catoy Fronda, the brain and brawn of the implementing council of Malacañang’s food production which is the National Food and Agriculture Council (NFAC), and Jess Tanchanco, an organization man who transformed NGA into a giant government corporation, annexing Food Terminal Inc, Grainscor, Naphire, and Quedan.

The corporate structure of NGA and NFA enabled the Philippines to succeed in its food self-sufficiency program. It emerged as one of the most progressive countries in terms of food production. We exported rice, sugar, coconut, fish, meat and poultry, and many others.

In 1989, exactly twenty years with the government, I left and joined the academe as a professor.

What is corporate culture?

Japan is the most cited example, second to the US, when it comes to describing a culture that is shaped by a company’s vision and mission, and incorporated in its objectives. That is why employees are made to fully understand, nearly to the point of indoctrination, the company’s VMO. In fact conferences and seminars continue to instill this culture. Continuing education is needed both as refresher and orientation of new programs and developments, particularly to new members.

We had our corporate logo, motto, uniform, and while we looked alike inside the office we appeared distinct from other organizations. “NFA, yan,” gave an chin-up feeling. In the same way that we would find our models from other organizations. “SMC yata, yan,” “Taga-Meralco sila.” “Sa DA siya.” And our admiration rises when we meet an UN man, or a DBP consultant. One time the NGA played host to Miss Universe contest in Manila. For a particular occasion it was also putting our best foot forward, honing our social and organizational talents. We hosted international conferences with the United Nations, and celebrations like World Food Day, earning prestige to our organization and the country.

The idea of a corporate culture is good. I have been a part of this select world myself which without such experience I would not be as prepared as I am now in my retirement age and as professor. In short, it provided a strong foundation to the later part of life, particularly those like me, who left the organization very much earlier than retirement age. Well, for those who opted to remain to compulsory retirement age, the advantage is more of the retirement benefits.

But what makes corporate culture controversial?

Let us look into the following aspects:

1. Exclusivism – A number of corporations – governmental or private, local and multinational – tend to isolate themselves from general circulation and therefore from the community.

2. Elitism – There is a feeling or superiority developed by members of top corporations. And because of the many benefits they derive, this feeling may develop into elitism.

3. Bandwagon – Corporations tend to become doctrinaire, under the, “Follow the leader principle,” so that individual decisions are subordinated by the company’s direction. Human rights, particularly on the exercise of freedom (e.g. to vote, to worship, to assemble), may remain mute even outside the organization’s umbrella.

4. Homogeneity – While conformity may be good in instilling discipline and loyalty, the lack of diversity may be in the long run more dangerous. Diversity of ideas may mean introducing reform. Oriental culture is based on a less formal social infrastructure yet binding to all ages, relationships and walks of life?

5. Reputation - There is a saying, “Tell me your company, and I’ll tell you who you are.” One interpretation of this comment is that our character is reflected by the reputation of the company to which we belong. For some time the major players in the local fuel industry made a case in point for allegedly ridging fuel prices to their advantage, creating a perception of “insensitivity” to public welfare. I remember at one time seeing employees of a corporation with not-so-good reputation hiding their office uniform, putting it on only when they are inside their building. Is this not true also to non-corporate organizations, in the bureaucracy and schools?

6. Dinosaur Syndrome – Bigness is asset, then it becomes liability. The big Mesozoic reptiles could no longer sustain their body's needs when food became scarce and the climate became unbearable. This syndrome aptly applies to big corporations. And yet there are people who stand big because their company is a giant. It is standing side by side with a big brother. These people earn a lot, they have separated themselves from their class. In fact they seem to belong to another world. We do not feel they are members of the community, and may not know them at all. “That beautiful house is owned by Mr. X who works with Company X.” They are the first victims when the the dinosaur syndrome strikes.

7. Marx Dialectics - Corporate culture wedges people into classes – not only economic, but social and psychological – which leads us to believe that corporate culture is the hidden fuel of revolution. Dialectic Materialism, according to Marx, is a cycle as long as society is alienated by isolation, apathy, poverty, abuse of power, subjugation, many of which lead to socio-economic inequity.

8. Funnel Principle – Capitalism is like a huge funnel. Pour in the resources, and out flow the products to benefit people – workers, consumers, dependents, and all. This is not as simple as this analogy though. A corporation, unlike personal business, treats investments - so with profit – separately. The main reason is to separate corporate and personal obligations on the part of the incorporators and investors. This condition breeds greed. Huge assets, borrowings, undeclared profits find their way through this clandestine corporate channel, draining the legitimate organization, and “robbing” its beneficiaries. This is how a certain Madoff, a shrewd businessman embezzled $10-billion dollars of people’s investments.

9. Efficiency - Corporate efficiency relies on getting the best people to run the organization. Of course this can be said for all organizations - cooperatives, NGOs and even community organizations. But none can compare with the records of successful corporations. Which leads us to to believe that the greatest and most important asset is people.

10. Life Cycle - It follows a normal curve in a graph, and inverted letter C to show three stages of the cycle - growth, stability and decline. This is true to any corporation, or any organization for that matter. Living things make a perfect example. Corporations being organic all the more is subject to such inevitability. It is how one assesses this normal curve that makes judgment of a corporate's success or failure. Above all criteria, did the company serve the greatest benefit to the greatest number of people?

As I look back, the country is presently the largest rice importer in the world. Our electric and water bills are among the highest in the world. The supply and price of fuel are erratic and uncertain. The market is flooded with imported goods to the detriment of local producers. A number of transnational companies have closed shop recently. Salaries and wages are shrinking. OFWs are coming back, this time permanent balikbayan for losing their jobs. Graft and corruption in the public and private sectors has earned the country a very bad name.

How relevant is the corporation in the midst of economic crisis? These ten attributes may help us to know. ~

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International Workers' Day 2026 (May 1) focuses on collective solidarity, advocating for labor rights, economic justice, and safe working conditions. Key themes include "Workers over Billionaires," pushing back against privatization and the rising cost of living, with some specific regional themes centering on workplace safety and inclusivity. AI Overview

Lesson on former Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid (People's School on Air) with Ms Melly C Tenorio 738 DZRB 8 to 9 evening class, Monday to Friday, a reprint.