Saturday, July 25, 2026
Animals have keener perception than humans, take heed!
Animals have keener perception than humans, take heed!
Dr Abe V Rotor
Gray heron arrives with the monsoon season
Casting of cicada. Cicada emerges from the
soil soon after the first heavy rain in May
Remember Paul, the octopus that predicted the Spanish championship in world's football in 2010? While the story may be embellished, animals no doubt have well developed instincts that awe humans, the advances in spite of science and technology.
1. The kingfisher (salaksak) is an emissary of death.
The kingfisher’s throaty voice is a call of death, so the old folks say. Well, when ponds and rivers dry up because of drought, this fish eater will scour for alternative food outside its niche, poaching around farms and homes.
2. Ants on the move signal the coming of a heavy rainfall, if not a typhoon. Likewise, cockroaches seek for shelter outside their hiding place.
The biological clock of these creatures responds to invisible signals, which comprise decreased atmospheric pressure, high relative humidity and air temperature. Their sensitive antennae and tactile hairs covering their body pick these up these changes of the environment. Thus we find ants in exodus, carrying their eggs and young nto sheltered places. Cockroaches become unusually active, flying about in frenzy, in search for a new place. There is a common message, that is, to escape to safer ground, an archetype information engrained in their genes passed on to them by their ancestors through evolution.
3. Cat grooming at the doorway tells of the coming of visitors.
Cats are fastidious clean creatures. Like birds at rest preening, cats lick their paws and fur clean especially after eating. But what has this to do with their alleged ability to forecast? Well, let’s look at it this way. It is customary in the province to cook something especially for our guests. And fond that we are with cats, we let them have their fill while we are cooking.
4. When house lizards (butiki) are noisy, there is a guest coming.
My father used to tell me when I was a child, that if house lizards make loud and crispy calls, it’s likely that a visitor is coming.
How do lizards know? Some people attribute this to the house lizard’s habit of “kissing” the ground at dusk. But this has nothing to do with predicting a guest’s arrival. But we know that when a person is anticipating a guest he is extraordinarily keen, and thus become aware of anything happening in his surroundings – including the mating calls of lizards.
House lizards take a drink on the ground and return to their dwellings on top of trees, on ceilings and roofs where water is scarce. By the way lizards are present where there are insects they feed on, such as areas around fluorescent lamps and streetlights.
5. Emergence of the June beetle ushers the start of rainy season.
Sometimes in comes out in May, hence also called May beetle.
This beetle, Leucopholis irrorata, resides under the soil for about a year as grub subsisting on roots of plants. It soon develops into pupa, and consequently adult towards the rainy season, remaining in its chamber until the first heavy rain comes. The beetle emerges and looks for food and mate. In a few days it dies, the female having laid dozens of eggs in the soil for the next generation.
What triggers metamorphosis is dictated by a biological clock pre-set by mature in the species. However, differential emergence among members of the population within the same species within a span of three months (April to June) is not fully understood.
Birds migrate in anticipation of winter and return 1n spring. Snakes travel in the desert to drink in an uncharted oasis. Honeybees travel many miles to gather nectar and pollen w2ithout getting lost. Well, here are other outstanding feats.
1. The kingfisher (salaksak) is an emissary of death.
The kingfisher’s throaty voice is a call of death, so the old folks say. Well, when ponds and rivers dry up because of drought, this fish eater will scour for alternative food outside its niche, poaching around farms and homes.
2. Ants on the move signal the coming of a heavy rainfall, if not a typhoon. Likewise, cockroaches seek for shelter outside their hiding place.
The biological clock of these creatures responds to invisible signals, which comprise decreased atmospheric pressure, high relative humidity and air temperature. Their sensitive antennae and tactile hairs covering their body pick these up these changes of the environment. Thus we find ants in exodus, carrying their eggs and young nto sheltered places. Cockroaches become unusually active, flying about in frenzy, in search for a new place. There is a common message, that is, to escape to safer ground, an archetype information engrained in their genes passed on to them by their ancestors through evolution.
3. Cat grooming at the doorway tells of the coming of visitors.
Cats are fastidious clean creatures. Like birds at rest preening, cats lick their paws and fur clean especially after eating. But what has this to do with their alleged ability to forecast? Well, let’s look at it this way. It is customary in the province to cook something especially for our guests. And fond that we are with cats, we let them have their fill while we are cooking.
4. When house lizards (butiki) are noisy, there is a guest coming.
My father used to tell me when I was a child, that if house lizards make loud and crispy calls, it’s likely that a visitor is coming.
How do lizards know? Some people attribute this to the house lizard’s habit of “kissing” the ground at dusk. But this has nothing to do with predicting a guest’s arrival. But we know that when a person is anticipating a guest he is extraordinarily keen, and thus become aware of anything happening in his surroundings – including the mating calls of lizards.
House lizards take a drink on the ground and return to their dwellings on top of trees, on ceilings and roofs where water is scarce. By the way lizards are present where there are insects they feed on, such as areas around fluorescent lamps and streetlights.
5. Emergence of the June beetle ushers the start of rainy season.
Sometimes in comes out in May, hence also called May beetle.
This beetle, Leucopholis irrorata, resides under the soil for about a year as grub subsisting on roots of plants. It soon develops into pupa, and consequently adult towards the rainy season, remaining in its chamber until the first heavy rain comes. The beetle emerges and looks for food and mate. In a few days it dies, the female having laid dozens of eggs in the soil for the next generation.
What triggers metamorphosis is dictated by a biological clock pre-set by mature in the species. However, differential emergence among members of the population within the same species within a span of three months (April to June) is not fully understood.
Friday, July 24, 2026
I love the rainbow
I love the rainbow
Dr Abe V Rotor
Rainbow across the Bamban River, TarlacI love the rainbow
because it holds a pot of gold
that glitters in kaleidoscope,
and prism on its huge crown,
where lovely deities play I'm told;
it's reborn when worn and old
into a cathedral in the sky
cherubim sweetly sing in praise,
humbling the proud and bold;
it guides the lost from the fold
and those searching for heaven -
a rainbow suddenly appears
whenever faith grows cold. ~
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
"Old Folks" - A Changing of the Guards
"Old Folks" - A Changing of the Guards
Dr Abe V Rotor
Author's Note: This article is dedicated to the living and deceased "old folks", keepers of time honored culture, tradition and values.
"If the folks we meet would say:
'I know something good about you,'
And then treat us that way? — N. Eldon Tanner
Senior professors of St Paul University QC attend an annual retreat in preparation for the new school year. They are practicing professors in media, research, philosophy and natural science.
Dr Florentino H Hornedo, Filipino historian, educator, anthropologist and UNESCO Commissioner poses with students at Batanes State University. Dr Hornedo is a native of Batanes.
"Old people have wisdom but not energy; young people have energy but not wisdom; energy and wisdom must be in the same body to create a much better civilization!" – Anonymous
0The religious is metamorphosing in the example of Mother Teresa, moving away from the comforts and rituals of cloistered life. Here sisters of different religious orders in habits like ordinary wear, work for the poor, like the rehabilitation of street children led by Bahay in Kuya founder, a French-Canadian priest, in dark shirt next to the author)
Bannawag magazine, the flagship of Ilocano language and culture, hinges on younger writers molded by the wisdom of writers, sociologists and local leaders from the older generation, among them Godofredo Reyes, Francisco Foronda, and the poetess Leonora Florentino. Photo: right, Cles Rambaud managing editor, and the author, columnist Okeyka Apong. .
I've always heard the old folks say that if you don't know how to enjoy good luck when it comes, you shouldn't complain if it passes you by. — Miguel De Cervantes Saavedra
Radyo ng Bayan announcer and host, Melly Tenorio seated, welcomes guests on live broadcast - authors of new book in Humanities led by the author, center. DZRB is the center of learning through radio - Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid or People's School on the Air, a daily evening class of one-hour, an innovation of media and education working on the principle of "university without walls."
Old folks are the nation. — Toni Cade Bambara
Change and contiguity. New leadership at the Ateneo de Manila University - young, dynamic, scholar, with world vision - take over the helm of this world class institution. Newly ordained Jesuit priest Jomari Manzano, nephew of author.
Fr. James B. Reuter, SJ, spiritual icon for two generations - like the soldier who never dies but just fades away. And yet in his way past ninety he continued to touch people's lives through his writings, TV shows, stage plays, and countless faithful seeking for advice. Author joins well-wishers on his 94th birthday, two years before his death.
Former government officials and university professors, Dr Anselmo S Cabigan (right) and author during a light moment prior to their retirement from St Paul University QC. They continue their mission to reach out for the least touched by formal education through the Internet. School on Blog reaches more than 500 viewers daily in the Philippines and abroad. Dr Cabigan has devised a new learning methodology, also on the Internet.
"Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears." – John Lennon
"Old age is the most unexpected of all things that happen to a man." – Anonymous
Fr. James B. Reuter, SJ, spiritual icon for two generations - like the soldier who never dies but just fades away. And yet in his way past ninety he continued to touch people's lives through his writings, TV shows, stage plays, and countless faithful seeking for advice. Author joins well-wishers on his 94th birthday, two years before his death.
"Caring about others, running the risk of feeling, and leaving an impact on people, brings happiness." – Harold Kushner
From left, author with classmates at Divine Word College of Vigan, formerly Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion, class 1957. Now in their golden years, they are still active in their respective professions in law, education, military and engineering, and media.
Sunday, July 19, 2026
Family Art Workshop on a Weekend
Family Art Workshop on a Weekend
Dr Abe V Rotor
“The family is one of nature’s masterpieces.” – George Santayana
("Nature is one of family's masterpieces." - avr)
A peaceful weekend with nature with paintbrush and canvas, in acrylic,
Rotor family residence, July 18, 2026, San Vicente, Ilocos Sur
Weekend - a choice a family makes, whether extended work or leisure. If leisure, is it rest or play, indoor or out there in the field, picnic or some kind of activity that hones the right brain through creativity and imaginative pursuits conducive to growing up of children, in strengthening family ties, and reaching out to others in leisurely but educational activity?
Weekend - freedom from work and school, day of prayer or biblical Sabbath the Creator set for man reverence and thanksgiving, silence and solitude, in many ways the world over, across different faiths and religions, with a common denominator - peace and contentment. But would a weekend just pass by with little remembrance and sense of accomplishment, else to forgetfulness and boredom its end?
Weekend - after mass they came for blessings of lolo, lola, tita, tito, the traditional way, wrinkled rough hands pressed on the forehead of the younger, familial hugs and surprises, friendly banter among the young - what a Sunday morning to a family and clan! Thereafter, aside from simple snack and cheerful conversations, comes a most important idea. Why not a family art workshop?
Weekend - a day of nature - Mother Earth, the provider of all things, we humans and other creatures need, nature entrusted to man as guardian, the subject of this painting.
Where do we begin, but look around? Land, water, sky in harmonious union; blue sky with clouds and birds passing; waterfalls meet the sea through streams and rivers; wildlife, pasture, mountains, forests, valleys, ad infinitum.
Author poses with members of the Rotor clan
with their finished artwork.
Young artists putting some final strokes.
"There are no passengers on spaceship earth. We are all crew."- Marshall McLuhan
(And artists are at the helm to capture all things beautiful and wonderful. - avr)
Effective Teaching Through Transforms and Dioramas
Effective Teaching Through Transforms and Dioramas
Dr Abe V Rotor
Living with Nature - School on Blog
Mural of a Forest Stream, UP Museum of Natural History, Laguna
Exoskeleton of insects and other arthropods showing plates and segments. UPLB Museum of Natural History, Mt Makiling, Laguna. Right, cross section of a typical mushroom, also showing the diversity of mushroom and relatives under Phylum Mycophyta.
When Dr. Anselmo S. Cabigan, a colleague in the teaching profession and a long time friend, showed me the works of his students in biology using nails, paper clips, tin can, buttons and anything one can pick around, to make a giant paramecium, which in nature is actually a microscopic one-celled animal, I thought it is a very good idea, a practical educational tool.
Dileptus, a relative of the Paramicium, a protist
(Courtesy of Dr Anselmo S Cabigan)
Short of saying that this approach is ethnic art, in many ways the students feel at home in the learning process. It is indigenous and simple. It makes use of discarded materials. It is dollar saver because we can do away with imported models that are expensive and may not even apply to local conditions.
Many materials around us are waiting to be transformed into something useful if we know how.
Giant stone frog guards a pond at UST Botanical Garden.
Toy as Transform
As a child the author loved making toys and playthings out of simple things and without spending a cent. For example, a wooden thread reel makes a fine road buggy self-propelled by rubber band that serves like the spring of an old fashioned watch. There is no need of battery and there is no such thing as depreciation. Well, it is because it has few parts and there was no direct cost involved.
The invention fascinated the kids in the neighborhood. Soon they had their own buggies and engaged in racing, of course a shade of the Tamiya toy race car. The invention may not be worth patenting, but with exorbitant price of cars and spiraling cost of fuel, there is good reason to think of re-inventing the wheel.
Mini diorama of a mountain or Alpine biome,former St Paul University QC Museum.
Sow bug model, Museum of Natural History, UPLB, Laguna
Damselfly model, Museum of Natural History, UPLB, Laguna1. Transforms in chemistry are models of atoms of elements and molecules of common compounds. These can be made of styropore, plastic and paper materials, better still wood.
2. Size, distance and positions of the planets in the solar system can be conveniently shown in a transform that is perhaps the most common project in general science for high school.
3. In geology, soil profile, cross-section of the earth, and profile of a volcano, are relatively easy to make.
4. Plant morphology, taxonomy and various stages in growth, are popular models to copy.
5. Embryology is best studied with models, so with the human body.
6. In literature, Shakespearean plays provide a wide choice of scenarios to choose from.
7. For history, significant events are re-enacted through transforms. So with the important people in history. The wax museum in Madrid houses life size personalities and fiction characters.
8. Puppet shows are among the first applications of transforms and dioramas. Remember, the scene of “The Lonely Goatherd” in Robert Wise’s “Sound of Music”?
9. The biggest transform, if I call it as such, is the giant bird of Nazca. It is so huge you can only decipher the figure from an aerial view.
10. The boundary of transforms and specimens in many cases is a thin line. Sometimes they are but one. A stuffed bird with simulated environment is a perfect example.
Children don’t learn much from toys anymore.
2. Size, distance and positions of the planets in the solar system can be conveniently shown in a transform that is perhaps the most common project in general science for high school.
3. In geology, soil profile, cross-section of the earth, and profile of a volcano, are relatively easy to make.
4. Plant morphology, taxonomy and various stages in growth, are popular models to copy.
5. Embryology is best studied with models, so with the human body.
6. In literature, Shakespearean plays provide a wide choice of scenarios to choose from.
7. For history, significant events are re-enacted through transforms. So with the important people in history. The wax museum in Madrid houses life size personalities and fiction characters.
8. Puppet shows are among the first applications of transforms and dioramas. Remember, the scene of “The Lonely Goatherd” in Robert Wise’s “Sound of Music”?
9. The biggest transform, if I call it as such, is the giant bird of Nazca. It is so huge you can only decipher the figure from an aerial view.
10. The boundary of transforms and specimens in many cases is a thin line. Sometimes they are but one. A stuffed bird with simulated environment is a perfect example.
Children don’t learn much from toys anymore.
Today’s toys come handy with a rich variety to choose from. There is no more effort to play a toy, more so to understand how it works. Inside the toy is unknown, a mystery that a child would like to find out and explore. It is the dismantling and subsequent destruction that satisfies his curiosity – if ever at all. Even knock down models do not offer the fresh feeling of success. So with toy models with the computer or on TV.
Seldom does a child today grow wiser and more mature with toys. During my time as a child when one made a toy that works, it was victory. Making toys is learning and a part of growing up. It is earning for oneself a trophy.
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Before, one made his own toy and he knew how it works. Today one unwittingly destroys a toy to find out how it works. Before, the element of function is the test of ones skill, such as in making a top or kite. Today, function is the realm of the manufacturer. Ready-made toys simply cater to the child’s curiosity, and incidentally to his learning. Modern toys create demand through style and sophistication that are not basic to functional design and value.
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Transforms are Evolving with the Times
Seldom does a child today grow wiser and more mature with toys. During my time as a child when one made a toy that works, it was victory. Making toys is learning and a part of growing up. It is earning for oneself a trophy.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Before, one made his own toy and he knew how it works. Today one unwittingly destroys a toy to find out how it works. Before, the element of function is the test of ones skill, such as in making a top or kite. Today, function is the realm of the manufacturer. Ready-made toys simply cater to the child’s curiosity, and incidentally to his learning. Modern toys create demand through style and sophistication that are not basic to functional design and value.
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Transforms are Evolving with the Times
It is the impact and value of a transform that one must look for. It is the relevance to present day situation that makes these tools valuable. As science and technology progress by leaps and bounds, many educational models have become outdated. For example, in genetics, limiting the model to the structure of the gene, and only to this level, would not sufficiently explain the new science of genetic engineering. One must know the Crick and Watson model and its latest version showing the DNA splitting and re-organizing in order to understand how Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) are made.
If we consider transform in its highest form think of simulation. The laws of physics are best illustrated here. Galileo climbed the leaning Tower of Pisa to demonstrate the relationship of mass and gravity. Darwin used transforms and actual specimens to illustrate his theory of evolution. Aerodynamics is studied in wind tunnels and weightlessness in gyroscopes.
Hands-on as compared with the computer is a more rewarding experience. Computers are known for rapid processing, wide coverage, versatility and virtual reality. It has wired the world and shrunk it within the reach of every user of the tool. In fact the box and the user are one, so to speak. But it is this very dependence on the computer that leaves very little room for the user to seek basic knowledge and learn basic skills.
Computers cannot totally replace transforms, audio-visual aids, and other educational tools. In the natural world the senses are very important. They must be honed. They are man’s connection to nature. Development of a skill is an actual activity, and it takes time to perfect it. Values are gained with good company. Innovation emanates where there is necessity. It is like saying necessity is the mother of invention. Feelings are conveyed and shared in a very personal way. Which reminds me of a person who asked the computer what is the meaning of love. The reply was prompt and came in a hundred definitions. Not satisfied, he asked the computer to illustrate the feeling of one in love. To which the machine labored for the correct answer. Finally it gave up and replied, “I cannot feel.”
Not with transforms. One must use fully his senses, a sixth included - a sense of appreciation that comes from the heart. “It is only through the heart that one speaks clearly,” said the fox to the Little Prince. It is true. True learning comes not only from the mind, but also together with the heart.
Transforms – Eveready Teaching Aid
A geometry teacher appeared at a loss. There was no blackboard; she was holding class under an acacia tree. “All right class, our lesson is about geometric figures,” she said simultaneously taking out a handkerchief. Every student took his handkerchief out, and the simple piece of cloth became a versatile educational tool.
When the author was a farmhand he used to count chicken as they queue out in the morning from the shed. Because there were many, he would position myself at a vantage point to insure he counted them all with a simple devise. By breaking the stick every count of ten, then add the number of breaks when all the fowls are out, it was not a difficult task. Then he would compare his count with the stick he used the day before.
Transforms serve as aids in measuring things where conventional or modern instruments are available. What other transforms of this kind do we know? Have you heard of the Pace Factor? Compute for your pace constant and you know how far you have walked or ran. Use it in determining the length of a corridor or dimensions of a hall or size of a rice field.
The author remembers Fr. Jerry Orbos in one of his homilies. To drive at his message he held a new pair of chopsticks. “You cannot use the chopsticks while the pair is still joined,” he said, and then broke it apart. “Now you can use it.”
Indeed transforms work best in bringing us back to our senses.~
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*Lesson on former Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid with Melly C Tenorio 738KHzAM 8-9 evening class Mon to Fri
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