Rare Native Dishes

Dr Abe V Rotor

Caliente or ox hide, softened and sliced,
served with onion and fresh pepper.

Ngarusangis (small seashells)

Appetite drives the will wild and free
To satiate hunger, more so curiosity,
Where the edge is just a step away,
Beyond adventure lies eternity;
Puffer or grub or some crustacean,
It's dare or delight to the epicurean.

Pesang Dalag (snakehead)
Native chicken tinola

Arusip or lato (Caulerpa), served fresh, with tomato and onion

The Two Faces of Fire

Dr Abe V Rotor

Painting in acrylic, AVR 2004

Fire is life, fire is death;

nature's first invention, 

ultimate destruction,

yet comfort by the hearth.

Fire is wild, fire is tame,

source of prime energy,

or friend turned enemy;
or glowing wand of fame. 

Fire bares all, covers all;
creeps under, runs uphill;
in summer or in chill,
all things short or tall. 

Fire, the first whim, last cry,
at home, in battlefield;
the first arm, the first shield,
the worst fear, the last sigh. ~ 

Sea Cavern Mural

Dr Abe V Rotor 
 Living with Nature - School on Blog
Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid with Ms Melly C Tenorio
738 DZRB AM, 8 to 9 evening class Mon to Fri

Wall Mural at SPUQC painted by the author, ca 2000

Visit a submarine cave of the tropical seas
through a mural of the imagination -
pristine, unspoiled, undiscovered eversince;
or one, the remnant of exploitation,
man’s endless pursuit of power and riches,
and his concept of the art of creation. ~

What make Children's Art beautiful and meaningful?

Leo Carlo Rotor's art lessons, part 2:

What make Children's Art beautiful and meaningful?

• Simple and colorful 
• Meaning and message
• Contemporary style
• Experiential 
• Freedom of expression 
• Personal style
• Linkages in topics
• Thorough and complete
• Defined and specific
• Sense of Achievement  

These ten attributes make children's art a wholesome experience, and worth all the honors a young artist aspires for. They set the beginning of a career and good character - and preparation for the children's bright future.  

 I

The word MODERN itself can be depicted by the way it is expressed. 

An experience on graduation day - in the past or in the future.

Prize - it comes in many ways: gem, ribbon, trophy, necklace, ring, and the like. 

Involvement - prelude to maturity, building the foundation of good citizenship.

Entertainment - where and when reality and fantasy are one, reason and imagination converge.

Work also means obligation and responsibility, mother than output and reward. 

Surrealism, a postmodern art, may not mean anything, nonetheless challenging to the viewer to interpret,

Food - but why are the tools bigger than the food itself? Interpretative art challenges the viewsr and relates the hidden message to contemporary issues.

Wonder of the world, the Rice Terraces of Ifugao, now in a state of disrepair, it has been demoted in the UNESCO Heritage list.

Frivolous celebration is not good, and it does not enhance joy and success of an occasion how special it may be. 

Religion and tradition, Christianity and paganism, are too early to teach children. But it is their innocence that moderates conflicting beliefs and philosophies.

Dichotomy

Dr Abe V Rotor

Glass painting, AVR c. 2005

I wonder what the world is like without you:

     . the seed wakes up  to a new life

       only when weaned strong;  

     . trees without branches and stems

       would be like palms and ferns;

     . horns not in pair make defense futile,

       save the rhino, and the unicorn;

     . unpaired limbs, claws and wings 

       make the reptiles and fish rule;
     . plants in the garden would not
       submit to Fibonacci's sequence;
     . flocks, herds and colonies grow
       unless resources are short;           

     . the living minutiae, the amoeba

       and its kin would be more mean.

  these and others unheeding your call -

  would they rather make a new realm?    

I wonder what we humans are like without you:
     . where truth from falsehood rises
       yet unseen by mob or the strong;
     . to decipher beauty and defy
       contrast and morality;
     . to travel on the Augustinian road 
       not of man but of God;
     . why men die for their beliefs,
       at the end, proved to be right;
     . why half of the world suffers
       while the other has too much;  
     . cries and laughter echo from halls
       and altars, in war and peace;       
     . yet humans live and die as one race
       repeatedly in history.  
I wonder if dichotomy is a grand design
of unity and diversity in continuum,
and make the world go on and on. ~

Photography: Silhouettes and Filters (University of Santo Tomas, Manila)

Dr Abe V Rotor

Monument of founder: Fr Miguel Benavides

Tower and icons on UST main building.

Just impression of your faith,

before the close of day,

your profile in silhouette

to remind me to pray. ~

False kindness: Never help a chick to hatch, a pupa to become a butterfly

Dr Abe V Rotor

And never touch animal babies before they are weaned, otherwise they will be devoured or abandoned by their mothers.

Don't help a flower bud to open. Don't help a chich get out of its shell,  Paintings by AVR.

But curious kids we were, we would surreptitiously smuggle puppies from their mother while she is away. They are simply irresistibly cute. So with kittens and rabbits. But the smell of humans is enough cause for nursing animals to kill and even devour their newly born offspring as in the case of rats. A mother cat simply transfers her young to another place difficult to discover. Dogs refuse to nurse their puppies if disturbed.

And beware. Nursing animals are by instinct ferocious, and even turn against their own masters, as in the case of the dog, and more so in the wild. A brooding cobra will surely strike at any intruder. Nursing cows and horses chase man or animal that threatens their young. A brooding hen is ill-tempered, ready to attack, so with hawks, eagles and other birds. Among lower animals the paper wasp or putakti is a classical example of collective assault. Just keep away at bay.

What happens to the chick assisted to hatch from its shell instead of leaving it to struggle on its own?  It will be sickly and most likely lame.  And how about the butterfly helped to metamorphose from its chrysalis?  It will never be able to fly.~ 

Hide-and-seek Game

Dr Abe V Rotor

Pet fish, Oscar, at home QC

Everyday it is our casual game, 

with Oscar, my pet and friend;

until one day I saw the reeds

as cold iron bars, and I, a fiend.~

The Nipa Hut - A Living Memory

Dr Abe V Rotor

The Nipa Hut - A Living Memory

Take me under your thatched roof away from the aircon room,

Let me lie on your slatted floor, not on a bed of foam; 

Let me see the world through your windows and open door,

And hear the crickets in the dark, the birds at dawn. 

Take me away from the city, and lead me back to my home,

Away from the busy lane, to where an old road

Ends to the open where the fields are a vast of brown and green;

Lead me to the legends the old folks once told.   

Take me to Nature I've long missed in my youthful years,

When the monsoon surrenders to the golden grain, 

A rooster crows to herald the dawn atop your nipa crown,

That rustles in sweet notes with the breeze and rain. 

Take me back where dreams are born, where they grow,

Where one day, like the river flowing down to the sea,

Take many a  child to where the world lies in hope and obscurity;

To return or not, you remain in him a living memory. ~

Bahay Kubo version with home garden (Painting in oil by author)

 

Tree house, Rosario La Union

 Garden hut, Florida Blanca, Pampanga

Typical Nipa Hut, Florida Blanca Pampanga

Nipa Hut at IRRI Museum, Los Baños, Laguna

Nipa house and cottage for handicraft and storage (back), 
San Juan, Ilocos Sur

 Nipa Hut for stage play, SPU Quezon City

Floating Nipa Hut, Bohol 

Philippine Folk and Classical Music Revival: Sa Kabukiran (In the Countryside) and Other Songs

Compiled by Dr Abe V Rotor 

                                                         Painting by Fernando C Amorsolo  

Sa Kabukiran was a Spanish song that was translated into Cebuano. The famous lyricist Levi Celerio wrote Tagalog words for it, which were then popularized in a recording by Sylvia La Torre in the 1940's. It became such a hit that a movie was made with the title Sa Kabukiran in 1947. 

TAGALOG SONG LYRICS	ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Sa kabukiran, walang kalungkutan Lahat ng araw ay kaligayahan Ang halaman kung aking masdan Masiglang lahat ang kanilang kulay	In the countryside, there is no sorrow All the days are joyful When I look at the plants Their colors are all cheerful
Ang mga ibon nag-aawitan Kawili-wili silang pakinggan O aking buhay na maligaya Busog ang puso at maginhawa	The birds are all a-singing It's entertaining to listen to them Oh, my happy life My heart is full and at ease

Paruparong Bukid
Field Butterfly

Paruparong bukid na lilipad-lipad
Sa gitna ng daan papagapagaspas
Isang bara ang tapis
Isang dangkal ang manggas
Ang sayang de kola
Isang piyesa ang sayad

May payneta pa siya — uy!
May suklay pa man din — uy!
Nagwas de-ohetes ang palalabasin
Haharap sa altar at mananalamin
At saka lalakad nang pakendeng-kendeng. 

This song compares a certain woman to a mountain butterfly.

Santa Clara

Santa Clarang pinung-pino
Ang pangako ko ay ganito
Pagdating ko po sa Ubando
Ay magsasayaw ng pandanggo

Abaruray! abarinding!
ang pangako'y tutuparin!
Abaruray! abarinding!
ang pangako'y tutuparin!

Santa Clarang pinong-pino,
Ako po ay bigyan mo
Ng asawang labintatlo
Sa gastos ay walang reklamo!

Santa Clara
(English translation) 
To the very refined, Saint Claire
This is my promise
Upon reaching Obando Town
I will dance the pandanggo.}

To the very refined, Saint Claire
I pray that you grant me
Thirteen spouses all in all
To the costs, I won’t complain at all!

Filipino Folk Song  

Rice Planting
Planting rice is never fun
Bent from morn till the set of sun,
Cannot stand and cannot sit,
Cannot rest for a little bit.


Planting rice is no fun
Bent from morn till set of sun,
Cannot stand, cannot sit,
Cannot rest a little bit.

Oh, come friends and let us homeward take our way,
Now we rest until the dawn is gray,
Sleep, welcome sleep, we need to keep us strong
Morn brings another workday long.

Filipino Folk Song

Pandangguhan

I

Manunugtug ay nangagpasimula
At nangagsayawan ang mga mutya
Sa mga padyak parang magigiba
Ang bawat tapakan ng mga bakya
II
Kung pagmamasdan ay nakatutuwa
Ang hinhin nila'y hindi nawawala
Tunay na hinahangaan ng madla
Ang sayaw nitong ating munting bansa
III
Dahil sa ikaw mutyang paraluman
Walang singganda sa dagat silangan
Mahal na hiyas ang puso mo hirang
Ang pag-ibig mo'y hirap makamtan

Kung hindi taos ay masasawi
Mga pagsuyong iniaalay
Kung hindi taos ay masasawi
Mga pagsuyong iniaalay
IV
Halina aking mahal, ligaya ko ay ikaw
Kapag 'di ka natatanaw,
Ang buhay ko ay anong panglaw
Halina aking mahal, ligaya ko ay ikaw
Kapag 'di ka natatanaw,
Ang buhay ko ay anong panglaw
V
Kung may pista sa aming bayan,
Ang lahat ay nagdiriwang
May letchon bawat tahanan,
May gayak pati simbahan
Paglabas ni Santa Mariang mahal,
Kami ay taos na nagdarasal
Prusisyon dito ay nagdaraan,
Kung kaya't ang iba'y nag-aabang
May tumutugtog at may sumasayaw,
Mayrong sa galak ay napapasigaw
Ang pista sa bayan namin ay ganyan,
Ang saya'y tila walang katapusan.
(Ulitin ang I)

(English Rough Translation) I
The musicians have began
And the maidens dance
Seems to be destroyed In the tramp
To each trample of the wooden shoes
II
If you look is so amusing
The refinement were not missing
Really admired by the people
The dance of our small country
III
As of you muse Pearl
Nothing as beautiful as to the east sea
Dear beloved jewel your heart
Your love is hard to attain
If you are not sincere is perish
Affection offered
If you are not sincere is perish
Affection offered
IV
Come my dear, you are my happiness
When I do not not see you,
My life is dreary
Come my dear, you are my happiness

When I do not not see you,
My life is dreary
V
If there is feast in our town,
Everyone is celebrating
There are letchon in every home,
There is decoration in the church
The release of Saint Mary dear,
We is sincerely praying
Here Procession is passing,
So the others waiting
There are playing instruments and dancing,
There are shouting to the delight
The feast in our town like that,
The happiness seems endless.
(Repeat I)

Ilocano Folk Song

 Manang Biday

            

Manang Biday, ilukat mo man

’Ta bintana ikalumbabam

Ta kitaem ’toy kinayawan

Ay, matayakon no dinak kaasian

Siasinnoka nga aglabaslabas

Ditoy hardinko pagay-ayamak

Ammom ngarud a balasangak

Sabong ni lirio, di pay nagukrad

Denggem, ading, ta bilinenka

Ta inkanto ’diay sadi daya

Agalakanto’t bunga’t mangga

Ken lansones pay, adu a kita

No nababa, imo gaw-aten

No nangato, dika sukdalen

No naregreg, dika piduten

Ngem labaslabasamto met laeng

Daytoy paniok no maregregko

Ti makapidut isublinanto

Ta nagmarka iti naganko

Nabordaan pay ti sinanpuso

Alaem dayta kutsilio

Ta abriem ’toy barukongko

Tapno maipapasmo ti guram

Kaniak ken sentimiento

Philippine Songs

Mabuhay Singers

Halina't Umawit Album

1       Lawiswis Kawayan

2       Leron Leron Sinta

3       Carinosa

4       Aking Bituin

5       Chit-Chirit-Chit

6       Kataka-taka

7       Sinisinta Kita

8       Paruparong Bukid

9       Halina't Magsaya

10     Tugtuging Bukid

11     Sarung-Banggi

12     Sa Libis Ng Nayon

Ephemeris

Painting and Poem by Dr Abe V Rotor

                                                                                                Mural detail, AVR 2007

If beauty were clouds rising, drifting ,
White in the morning, dark and heavy,
And red in the sunset on the bay,
I choose that which brings the rain
And rainbow in the morning or end of day,
 
But beauty is ephemeral and only a glance,
As brief as butterflies and passing breeze,
A rampaging river that rushes to the sea;
Fullest if truly be, but beauty is fleeting,
Fleeting until it is gone and free. ~

10 Ways to Enjoy Homemade Meatballs (bolabola) Dish.

It takes a few minutes - and a happy heart - to prepare it. Dr Abe V Rotor
Living with Nature School on Blog

Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid (People's School-on-Air) with Ms Melly C Tenorio

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

Bola bola dish goes well with take home food.  It gives the quaint feeling you are at home with the family.
  
Ask Gelyn how to make a dish of bola bola soup - it's a complete dish for a whole family - children and adults alike. Don't forget the vegetable. Ask Dahlia the formula: Ground beef or pork, rice flour, egg, carrot, garlic, black pepper and a dash of salt. Roll into balls.

When caught in heavy traffic, tired and hungry, and home from work you are bound;

When it's a weekend and for a change, you enjoy culinary art at home;

When food has become plentiful, but the palate has grown too familiar;

When the weather is inclement and there’s warning sign not to go out;

When you must heed the harmful effects of taking food with MSG or Vetsin;

When you have a garden to supply some of your needs in the kitchen; 

When there's limited time to cook for your guests for lunch and dinner time; 

When there's going to be a party, and you have a say on what menus to serve;

When teaching in school or community about food as key to good health.  

When a poor fellow knocks at the gate, thirsty and hungry.

Reach out  for a bowl of bolabola dish homemade.  It takes a few minutes - and a happy heart - to prepare it. ~