Living with Nature - School on Blog by Dr. Abercio V. Rotor

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

B&W Photography Revival: “Life is in color, but black and white is more realistic.”

Monochrome Photography

B&W Photography Revival

“Life is in color, but black and white is more realistic.”

– Samuel Fuller
Photos and Verses by Dr Abe V Rotor

Home Garden

My Late Son, Pao and his Yaya, Conching

Lagro QC

This is a patch of Eden,

the work of Grimm's Seven*,

a shade in the lost Garden

and a li'l corner of Heaven.

Fish play in the pond,

Crucifers grow on sand,

and tomatoes line the bund,

while vine reach for the sun.

- AV Rotor 1994

* "The Seven Ravens" is a German fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm.

It is of Aarne–Thompson type 451, commonly found throughout Europe.

Other variants of the Aarne–Thompson type include The Six Swans,

The Twelve Wild Ducks, Udea and her Seven Brothers, The Wild Swans,

and The Twelve Brothers. Wikipedia

“Black and white creates a strange dreamscape

that color never can.” – Jack Antonoff

Old Carillon

Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur

Your bells in the distance are a chime,

Music on the wind, reminder of time,

Calling the lost lambs from across the sea,

And linking your host in the Holy See.

“Black and white are the colours of photography. To me they symbolize the alternatives of hope and despair to which mankind is forever subjected.” – Robert Frank

Hull and Outrigger

UST Biological Station

Palauig, Zambales

Someone invented your hull.

Another your outrigger

Which comes one-sided

Or in winglike pair.

Your hull slices the water

While your arm rides on the crest.

In duo you conquer

The river and the sea,

Linking the islands in chain

Since the time of the Odyssey.

“Black and white does more to evoke an emotion

and freeze a moment in time.” – Kyle Anstey

The "Tablon" Sawers*

San Vicente, Ilocos Sur

If Millet were to paint this scenario,

In the masterpiece of "Man with a Hoe";

If Markham puts meaning in these duo,

Then life is a see-saw, see-saw, see-saw.

* Age old way of cutting lumber into broad planks

locally called "tablon". San Vicente is well known

for furniture making.

To see in color is a delight for the eye but to see in black

and white is a delight for the soul” – Andri Cauldwell

Danajon Reef

Western Coast of Bohol

Far, far away by boat,

away from drudgery

at the other side of a moat

is this blue, blue sea -

a Shangri-La to soothe scars,

where in quiet reminiscence
the corals and stars
twinkle in cadence,
where the sky meets the sea,
the cloud rises from the water,
and fishes sail to the sky.
And I? Oh,
I'm but a foreign matter.

“Black and white creates a strange dreamscape that colour never can.” – Jack Antonoff ~

Together we move towards a progressive tomorrow

Together we move towards a progressive tomorrow

Neither can we stop time by “holding the hands of the clock, nor conquer space by confining ourselves within walls.” Without exception we “pass this way but once.” - avr

Sabay-sabay na Hakbang Tungo sa Maunlad na Kinabukasan

By Dr. Abercio V. Rotor, Ph.D.
Guest of Honor and Speaker

Grade 6 Graduation Ceremonies, April 7, 2017

San Vicente Integrated School, San Vicente Ilocos Sur

San Vicente Integrated School today as it was during my time some sixty four years ago - same building, same playground. Where has education changed and gone? One can only surmise what lies ahead of these school children. It is the duty of us, we who have spent the formative years of our lives in this school, to guide our younger brothers and sisters, our children, and grand children.

Many years ago I was sitting where you are right now – proud, hopeful, and filled with joy and inspiration. In my time, it was also graduation in this school, then San Vicente Central Elementary School. That was in 1953. How many years would that be since then?

While you are counting the number of years, let me tell you a story. It’s about Juan Tamad in Philippine folklore when he was young - probably of your age. One day a kindly gentleman, a balikbayan, found Juan loafing under a mango tree. After a friendly introduction the gentleman gave Juan an unsolicited piece of advice.

“You see Johnny, when you go to school and finish your studies, you will meet people and visit places here and abroad. You will find a good job. And you will free yourself from the cares and worries of life.” The gentleman paused, waiting for a response. But there was none.

So he continued “You will simply enjoy the leisure of life.” The balikbayan flashed a friendly smile, thinking he had driven well his point.

The simpleton momentarily stopped scratching the ground, looked at this new mentor and casually spoke. “And what do you think I’m doing now, Sir?"

Whatever happened to Juan Tamad is well known to us Filipinos for we have accepted him as a comic character, but in real life Juan Tamad and his kind ended up a failure.

The story has similarities with a story, Rip van Winkle, written by Washington Irving in the late 17th century.

Rip van Winkle was a very lazy person, a henpeck husband who left home and went up the mountain alone on a leisurely hunting adventure. He did not return until twenty years later. He fell asleep for twenty long years!

When he found his way back to his village nobody recognized him. He was now very old and looked very strange with his old clothes and long beard. He mentioned names they could not recall. Finally he asked the villagers, “Who am I?” as if he was still dreaming.

Everything had changed, it was a new era. America was now an independent nation. Madam Winkle had long been gone. When he finally reached his old home that was virtually falling apart, he saw a young man idly scratching the ground with a stick.

“I am Rip Van Winkle!” The old man introduced himself. Exasperated he cried “Can’t anyone recognize me?” He paused and took a closer at the young man, examining him from head to foot. He looked familiar. "Who are you?" he asked.

“I am Rip van Winkle,” came a wry answer. He was Rip van Winkle Junior.

Now let me continue my message to you.

Between 1953 and 2017 – that’s 64 long years - the world has vastly and irreversibly changed, and in fact, in this span of time which included the second part of the twentieth century considered as the industrial and modern age, and the beginning of this new millennium – our world has been moving on a course different and momentum faster than at any time in history. This is the kind of world you are going to set foot as you study further, and as you prepare for your career and future.

This is the challenge of the theme of your graduation: Sabay-sabay na Hakbang Tungo sa Maunlad na Kinabukasan. (Let’s move together towards a progressive tomorrow.)

But what is graduation really?

Graduation is springtime. It is metamorphosis. For you who are graduating today, it is the beginning of a voyage into a world that is uncertain and as rough as the sea itself.

For me on my part, it is coming home from that world that you are going to seek. In Pilipino, “Patungo pa lang kayo, ako’y nakabalik na.” Like the biblical Prodigal Son I am back home to the arms of my father, our venerable patron saint, San Vicente Ferrer. There at the altar of his church is written, Ur-urayenka Anakko. (I am waiting for you my child.) Yes, I have come back to his longing and loving embrace.

What have I to tell you about that world believed to be full of promises of fame, riches and pleasure? What’s really in store in that world I saw, and a part of it, for sixty-four long years?

Let me tell you, it is not a comfortable one. In fact it is a very serious world; it is on the other side of fantasyland in comics and movies. It is the real life and there is no other choice. It is not the kind of world associated with the folkloric character, Juan Tamad, or the world of Rip van Winkle who woke up after twenty long years, a stranger to his home, neighbors, and even his own son.

It is a postmodern world – a world of the future we seem to be living today. Everything is changing very fast, and we are adrift without defined direction and goal. We seem to be living in extremes. In our search for true happiness we experience deep sorrow. Glorious victory and devastating defeat. You will realize the value of time to move forward, and a time to retreat. A time to be with others and a time to be alone – to meditate and reflect before moving ahead again. Uncertainties lie at every crossroad, and you cannot simply stop at the middle. You must decide and move on.

Neither can we stop time by “holding the hands of the clock, nor conquer space by confining ourselves within walls.” Without exception we “pass this way but once.”

In life, we pass this way in a hurry; we live on fast food, crave for instant products, instant relationships, and ride on fast transport moving from one place to another, yet always looking for freedom and a destiny. There is always that sense of urgency as if we are in a race, a race without a name.

Which leads me to tell another story.

A young man was driving a caleza loaded with coconut (buko). “I’ll be late and I won’t be able to sell my coconuts,” he said to himself. Whereupon he saw an old man on the roadside. He stopped and asked. “How can I reach the marketplace the soonest, Apo Lakay (old man)?”

The old man glanced at the fully loaded caleza, smiled and said, “Just go slow, Anak.”

“Crazy,” the young man muttered and cracked the whip sending his horse to gallop not minding the rough and rutted road The nuts kept falling along the way so that he had to stop now and then to pick them up.

The old man was right after all.

Graduation just doesn’t send you off, much less if you think you are unprepared. You have yet another phase of study ahead. Just don’t indulge in wistful thinking and careless haste. Stop worrying, look ahead and listen to your calling. Examine yourself not what people think of you, but what you can see in you - your potentials. And remember there is always something you can be at your best, something over and above that of others. You have your forte. It is a gift the benevolent Creator has given you – even if you did not ask for it.

I refer you to the eight realms of Multiple Intelligence. It means the intelligence of a person is spread out in eight areas. No one is grossly judged or denied when it comes to mental faculty. As you grow up you will realize how gifted you are in certain realms that compensate for other realms you may not be as gifted. You will realize the interconnections of realms that compose your talents. In other words, talents are a combination of related realms. And what is most surprising is that talent is not the sum or total contribution of such realms, but of their synergistic effect. Synergy is a mystery. To illustrate, if your right hand can carry fifty kilos and your left can carry another fifty kilos, you think your maximum carrying capacity is one hundred kilos?

Wrong. You can carry much more – with will and determination. That is synergy which emanates from the human spirit.

Now what are these realms of intelligence? As I enumerate them, rate yourselves - each one of you – accordingly to assess your own potentials. Graduation is a time to assess your capabilities and know yourself before you pass through the gate of your school and face the realities of life.

Not in this order or sequence, the realms are: interpersonal (intelligence of human relationship), intrapersonal (intelligence of spirituality), kinesthetics (athletic intelligence), linguistics (intelligence of languages), dialectics or logic (intelligence of philosophy and mathematics), music (intelligence in auditory art), spatial (intelligence in visual arts), and naturalism (intelligence of good relationship with the natural world).

Please always bear this in mind, there’s no normal person who is flatly denied of intelligence. “Walang tao na bobo,” pardon the word. “Meron lang mga bagay na mahina siya. “ On the other hand, there are areas he can excel. This is the law of compensation. Build of this strength and strengthen those you are weak. And remember there are early bloomers and late bloomers. You may be closer on either side or in between these extremes. And remember, there is nothing late as long as you live, as long as the sun rises and sets.

Dr Jose Rizal, our national hero, is the epitome of multiple intelligence. He was prodigiously gifted. But the ultimate expression of such gifts was his deep commitment to a cause – a noble cause - for the good of his country and his people. Greatness is in dedicating our gift of intelligence to such purpose, not only for our own good, but more for the betterment of others. They call this virtue selflessness. It is selflessness that we can best offer our prayer of thanksgiving to our benevolent Creator.

Allow me to tell a final story. It’s about three workers.

Three workers were engrossed doing their assigned tasks when Rajah Soliman, then king of Manila during the pre-Hispanic era, arrived at the construction site. He was so casual in attire that no one recognized him as the king. While inspecting the progress of his project he came upon three workers. After observing them for some time, he asked each one of them what he was doing.

The first worker said, “I am making a perfect block of stone to make a solid and strong wall.” The king nodded with a smile and commended the worker.

Then it was the turn of the second worker. “This is my source of living to support my family so we can live decently.” The king nodded and commended the worker.

Finally, it was the turn of the third worker. The king asked him the same question.

“I am building a fort.” he said with a sense of pride. The king nodded and smiled.

At the end of the day the king called for the third worker who answered, “I’m building a fort.” The king made him overseer of the whole project.

Guess what happened to the first and second worker?

The king called for them, too. He made the first worker architect of the project, and the second, head of the king’s household.

And they all live happily ever after. ~

Congratulations to you the graduates, your parents and teachers, and to all those who contributed to your success, and the success of this occasion. Last but not the least, congratulations Principal Beatriz Riotoc and staff of San Vicente Integrated School, my alma mater I will always love. ~

Monday, January 19, 2026

An Evening Guest - A Giant House Spider!

An Evening Guest - A Giant House Spider!

Dr Abe V Rotor

In my room one peaceful evening came a spider*.
Welcome, gladly I said, as it paused for a moment
on drawings on the wall my grand children** made,
its legs tapping a message for whatever it meant.

Ah, you are an artist too, I guessed, as it moved
along and across swiftly I thought it would fall,
Instead it embraced a make-believe companion;
I looked into this creature a mirror on the wall.

* Giant house spider (Aratigena africa) is also known as Wolsey spider (Tegenaria parietina), sometimes referred to as Cardinal spider, named after Cardinal Wolsey during the time of Henry VIII of England. Giant house spiders have been recently classified under genus Aratigena.

** Pastel drawings by the author's grandchildren at their ancestral home in San Vicente, Ilocos Sur, circa 2016. Mackie, now 14, drew this geometric figure of a spider.

Saturday, January 17, 2026

Echoes on Lake Tikub

Echoes on Lake Tikub

“A lake is a landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is Earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature.” - Henry David Thoreau

Dr Abe V Rotor

Lake Tikub, Tiaong, Quezon. Photo by the author circa 1993

Note flowering Madre de cacao (Gliricida sepium) on the ridge

of the crater lake, which usually occurs in summer.

It is here where I want to stay,
On some bejeweled mountain tops,
Where my voice dies down the valley.
Somewhere before the lake it stops.

Where dark clouds gather and glitter,
Like arms raised against the sky
Or giants who rise and scare,
But into wispy feathers die.

I hear the singing of the angels,
As the winds weave through the green,
And brush my face with a thousand needles,
To feel the touch of a hand unseen.

- AV Rotor, Light in the Woods 1995 Megabooks

Aerial view of Lake Tikub Internet photo

Friday, January 16, 2026

The Many Worlds of the Willow Tree

The Many Worlds of the Willow Tree

"Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind." - Bruce Lee

Dr Abe V Rotor
Living with Nature School on Blog

The weeping willow (Salyx babylonica) looks sad and in mourning, its leaves droop and are pointed downward, extending to the ground or water where it grows on river banks and pool sides. Like a Narcissus, its reflection is an illusion of awe and wonder, and fear.

The drooping branches though makes a perfect promenade shade and shelter; it is a favorite subject of art and poetry.

Author under a willow tree. UST campus, Manila

At the slightest breeze, the tree "weeps" in whispers, and sways daintily without any apparent effort. Few dare to plant willow by the window - it transforms into a spiritual being to the superstitious, and courts bad luck to the pessimist.

But the willow is an important tree. Where it grows it creates an ambiance of mixed feelings, and to many cultures it is a tree that is much revered - and feared. Overall all, the world is not what it is without the willow - weeping to the sorrowful, hissing and vibrant to the hopeful, romantic to the lover, sacred to the religious, miracle cure to the healer.
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Direct crude extract (ground fresh leaves) repels mosquitoes and flies. It also serves as fresh deodorant in the bathroom and kitchen. Dilute with tap water at 1:4, filter with ordinary cloth, and spray (atomizer) on garden plants and in dark corners. Another preparation is by dissolving the fresh extract with ethyl alcohol 1:2 ratio, air dry, and add Vaseline or Petroleum Jelly to the powder residue. This serves as ointment of minor wounds and skin problems.

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The Importance of the willow tree
Medicine -

The leaves and bark of the willow tree contain Salicin which is metabolized into salicylic acid in the human body.
Precursor of aspirin.
Salicin is isolated in crystalline form and formulated as acetylsalicylic acid, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Provides temporary relief.
Ancient remedy for common ailments to the Sumerians, Greeks and Native Americans
Claimed to be effective in cure of diseases including cancer.

Agriculture - as source of nectar and pollen for bees.

Energy - biomass and biofuel,

Art -

Charcoal for drawing, wood for sculptures
Garden features and landscaping
Pen and ink paintings in China and Japan

Environment -

Hedges and landscaping
Land reclamation, soil building and soil reclamation
Phytoremediation,(bioengineering)
Slope stabilization and soil erosion control
Biofiltration, shelterbelt and windbreak
Wildlife habitat

Religion -

Ritual in Jewish holiday of Sukkot, and Buddhism
Christian churches in northwestern Europe and Ukraine use willow branches in place of palms on Palm Sunday.
In China, some people carry willow branches on the day of their Tomb Sweeping or Qingming Festival.
Willow branches are put up on gates and/or front doors, to ward off the evil spirits.
The Goddess of Mercy Guanyin is shown seated on a rock with a willow branch.

Literature -

Ancient Korean poem goes, "By the willow in the rain in the evening." The poet Hongrang to her parting lover wrote, "...I will be the willow on your bedside."
In Japanese tradition, the willow is associated with ghosts. It is popularly supposed that a ghost will appear where a willow grows. Willow trees are also quite prevalent in folklore and myths.
In English folklore, a willow tree is believed to be quite sinister, capable of uprooting itself and stalking travelers.
Hans Christian Andersen wrote a story called "Under the Willow Tree" (1853) in which children ask questions of a tree they call "willow-father", paired with another entity called "elder-mother"
Old Man Willow in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, appearing in The Lord of the Rings.
"Green Willow" is a Japanese ghost story. Other stories: "The Willow Wife" and "Wisdom of the Willow Tree."
Remember "The Willow in the Wind?" ~

Excerpt from

The Willow in the Wind

Kathy Matthea 1989
Painting by Claude Monet

"So we gotta learn to bend
Like a willow in the wind
Like a willow in the wind."
Some hearts are brittle
Won't give one little."

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Lesson on former Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid with Ms Melly C Tenorio 738 DZRB AM Band, 8 to 9 evening class, Monday to Friday

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Usapang Bayan: International Day of Education January 24, 2026

Usapang Bayan 2-3 pm January 16, 2025

United Nations Eighth International Day of Education

January 24, 2026 Theme:

"The Power of Youth in Co-creating Education"

With Emphasis on Open University and DevCom

(Development Communication)

Author visits Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU)

- First Open University in Southeast Asia

Ms Melly C Tenorio, host; and Dr Abe V Rotor, guest

Living with Nature - School on Blog

Please open avrotor.blogspot.com Living with Nature

4 Types of Learning

UNESCO report (Scott, 2015), being competent in a field requires education focusing on four types of learning, namely:

a) “learning to know”, which focuses on sound and integrated content knowledge;
b) “learning to do”, which focuses on active learning’ skills, such as critical thinking and problem solving;
c) “learning to be”, which focuses on personal qualities that shape learners’ identities; and
d) “learning to live together”, which focuses on social qualities of learning.

These four types of learning needs were built upon the assumption that they refer to three main types of knowledge that any competent professional in a certain field enacts, which are:

“know what”, meaning knowing the subject matter;
“know how”, meaning knowing how to solve particular problems in the field;

and “know to be”, meaning how to behave and think in certain contexts

or situations.

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Part 1 - Major Features of Open University

Open universities are known for their flexibility, affordable tuition, and open-door academic policy. They offer a variety of features, including:

1· Flexibility - Open universities offer flexible study options, including full-time and part-time programs. They also allow students to learn at their own pace.

2· Career guidance - Open universities offer career guidance services to help students explore career options and develop skills.

3· Strong community - Open universities often have online forums and face-to-face tutorials where students can connect with each other.

4· Affordable tuition - Open universities are known for their affordable tuition, which makes education accessible to a wide range of people.

5· Open-door policy - Open universities have minimal or no entry requirements, and admission is based on minimum education.

6· No age limit - Open universities are open to people of any age, from any background.

7· Distance learning - Open universities offer distance learning courses and qualifications, which can be accessed by people in remote areas or those who are unable to attend classes in person.

8· Skill development - Open universities offer access to quality education and skill development.

STOU - First Open University in Southeast Asia

Having been in Thailand in 2015, I saw a different picture. Thailand which means "land of the free" is a peaceful and progressive country, which I can vouch from the fact that I have had the chance to be with Thais since my student days, in visiting Sokhothai Thammathirat Open University, among other institutions, and from the fact that the Philippines historically gets most of its imported rice from Thailand.

This series of articles is my humble way of showing my appreciation to Thailand or old Siam, truly the land of the free.

Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University campus, Thailand

Printed instructional materials; STOU professor on live television lecture.

Author visits Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University

Nationwide radio and television centralized control panel. Interview: Dr Abe Rotor (left) and Professor Suchin Phongsak. Dr. Abercio V Rotor, professor of the University of Santo Tomas (3rd from left) poses with STOU faculty headed by Dean Achara Cheewatragoongit (4th), and Prof. Sukanya Phromphon (extreme right) during a recent visit to Thailand’s second largest open university, which has a population of 280,000 students. Dr. Rotor is also head instructor of Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid People’s School-on-Air broadcast daily on DZRB network . Others in the photo (L to R) are Director Elvira Martinez and Director Cecilia R Rotor of National Food Authority, Prof. Suchin Phongsat (former STOU professor), Mrs Cora Rocero Phongsat, and a faculty member and coordinator of the group.

Part 2 - Development Communication

- Catalyst of Socio-Economic Change

Dr Abe V Rotor

What is Development Communication?
Development Communication is recognizing the power of communication as a catalyst for social development. it is also the utilization of existent communication tools and applicable theories for result-driven strategies for the advancement of society.

University of the Philippines at Los Baños: seat of the country's agricultural research and training.

Development Communication is a type of marketing and public opinion research that is used specifically to develop effective communication or as the use of communication to promote social development.
Purposive communication intended for a specific target audience that allows for the translation of information into action resulting in a higher quality of life.
The improvement of a community using information and technology and the community's ability to maintain the created ideal state without compromising its environment and resources.
It is the voluntary involvement of a group of people in a development activity with full knowledge of its purpose that will allow them to grow individually and as a community.
The process of eliciting positive change (social, political, economic, moral, environmental, etc) through an effective exchange of pertinent information in order to induce people to action.
Development communication extends to include: information dissemination on developmental schemes/projects, communication for eliciting positive change, interactivity, feedback on developmental issues, feedback/reverse communication for eliciting change. On development side, sustainability issues need to be given proper importance vis-a-vis economic development.
The practice of systematically applying the processes, strategies, and principles of communication to bring about positive social change.

The term "Development Communication" was first coined in 1972 by Nora C. Quebral, who defines the field as "the art and science of human communication linked to a society's planned transformation from a state of poverty to one of dynamic socio-economic growth that makes for greater equity and the larger unfolding of individual potential."

Original building which housed UPLB's Farm and Home Development program. Author was among the pioneers of this special graduate course in 1962-1963 under the leadership of then Dioscorro Umali, Thomas Flores, Leo de Guzman, Roger Cuyno, Perla Tagumpay, Nora Quebral, Diosdado Castro, et al.

Some approaches include:

• information dissemination and education,
• behavior change,
• social marketing,
• social mobilization,
• media advocacy,
• communication for social change, and
• participatory development communication.

Different schools of development communication have arisen in different places.

1. The "Bretton Woods school of development communication" arose with the economic strategies outlined in the Marshall Plan after WW2, and the establishment of the Bretton Woods system and of the WB and IMF in 1944. Due to his pioneering influence in the field, Everett Rogers has often been termed the "father of development communication."
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Originally, the paradigm involved production and planting of development in indigenous and uncivilized societies. This western approach to development communication was criticized early on, especially by Latin American researchers because it tended to locate the problem in the underdeveloped nation rather than its unequal relations with powerful economies. There was also an assumption that Western models of industrial capitalism are appropriate for all parts of the world. Many projects for development communication failed to address the real underlying problems in poor countries such as lack of access to land, agricultural credits and fair market prices.
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The world bank currently defines development communication as the "integration of strategic communication in development projects" based on a clear understanding of indigenous realities. Institutions associated with the Bretton Woods school include:

PHOTO: Dr Anselmo S Cabigan served as director for Research and Extension of the National Food Authority until he retired to join the academe. Extension draws the link between and among the stakeholders of the state agency in stabilizing price and supply of basic food. Similarly development communication aims at bringing in unity and understanding among various sectors of society.

• UNESCO
• United Nations (FAO),
• the Rockefeller Foundation,
• the Department of International Development of the United Kingdom,
• the Ford Foundation.

2. Latin America
The Latin American School of Development traces its history back further than the Bretton Woods school, emerging in the 1940s with the efforts of Colombia's Radio Sutatenza and Bolivia's Radios Minera. These stations were the first to use participatory and educational rural radio approaches to empowering the marginalized. In effect, they have since served as the earliest models for participatory broadcasting efforts around the world.

3. India
The history of organized development communication in India can be traced to rural radio broadcasts in the 1940s. As is logical, the broadcasts used indigenous languages such as Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati and Kannada.

PHOTO: Dr Dioscoro L Umali (1917 – 1992) served as Dean of UPLB and became the regional Director of FAO in Southeast Asia. He continued to serve as consultant of IRRI after his retirement.

Independent India's earliest organized experiments in development communication started with Community Development projects initiated by the union government in 1950's. Radio played an equally important role in reaching messages to the masses. Universities and other educational institutions - especially the agricultural universities, through their extension networks - and international organizations under the UN umbrella carried the dev-comm experiments further.

4. Africa
The African school of development communication sprang from the continent's post-colonial and communist movements in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Development communication in Anglophone Africa saw the use of Radio and theatre for community education, adult literacy, health and agricultural education.

5. University of the Philippines at Los Baños
The systematic study and practice of Development Communication in the Philippines began in the 1970s with the pioneering work of Nora C Quebral who, in 1972 became the first to come up with the term "Development Communication." In at least some circles within the field, it is Quebral who is recognized as the "Mother" of Development Communication.

Aspects of development communication which the CDC has extensively explored include Development Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Development Journalism, Educational Communication, Science Communication, Strategic Communication, and Health Communication.

Mother of DevCom in the Philippines. She helped in launching DC as an academic discipline and she has taught many renown development communication professionals. Her academic base since the 1960′s has been the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). She coined the term “development communication”, which she defined as: “the art and science of human communication linked to a society’s planned transformation from a state of poverty to one of dynamic socio-economic growth that makes for greater equity and the larger unfolding of individual potential.”

6. Cybernetics approach
Another area of exploration for the CDC at UPLB is the aspect of development communication relating to the information sciences, the decision sciences, and the field of knowledge management. In 1993, as part of the then Institute of Development Communication’s Faculty papers series, Alexander Flor wrote a paper on environmental communication that, among other things, proposed a definition of Development Communication expanded from the perspective of cybernetics and general systems theory:

If information counters entropy and societal breakdown is a type of entropy, then there must be a specific type of information that counters societal entropy. The exchange of such information – be it at the individual, group, or societal level – is called development communication.

7. The Participatory Development Communication school
Focusing the involvement of the community in development efforts, the evolution of the Participatory Development Communication School involved collaboration between First World and Third World development communication organizations.

Development communication is the scientific study of how to achieve and sustain positive change in individuals, groups, organizations, or communities. It involves applying the principles of scientific research, such as rigorous experimentation, data analysis, and evidence-based decision making to design and implement effective interventions. This field encompasses various domains, including project management, training, community engagement, and evaluation, all aimed at promoting understanding, knowledge creation, and effective action (Clarke & Gregory, 2001). Effective development communication aims to enhance the quality of relationships, empower individuals, and foster long-term success.

Reference: Clarke, S., & Gregory, A. (2001). Setting theory: Explaining the conceptual foundations of success and failure in services and consulting.

References
1.Quebral, Nora C. (1973/72). "What Do We Mean by ‘Development Communication’". International Development Review 15 (2): 25–28.

2. Quebral, Nora (23 November 2001). "Development Communication in a Borderless World". Paper presented at the national conference-workshop on the undergraduate development communication curriculum, "New Dimensions, Bold Decisions". Continuing Education Center, UP Los Baños: Department of Science Communication, College of Development Communication, University of the Philippines Los Baños. pp. 15–28.

3.Manyoso. Linje (March 2006). "Manifesto for Development Communication: Nora C. Quebral and the Los Baños School of Development Communication". Asian Journal of Communication 16 (1): 79–99. doi:10.1080/01292980500467632

4.Avrind Singhal, Everett M. Rogers (1999). Entertainment-education: A Communication Strategy for Social Change , Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. ISBN 0805833501.

5.Flor, Alexander (1993) (Monograph). Upstream and Downstream Interventions in Environmental Communication. Institute of Development Communication.

6.Thussu, Daya Kishan 2000). International Communication: Continuity and Change. London: Arnold.

Part 3 - Begging for a Seat in School

- Neutral Morality in Disguise

"He who feels for the needy

with but some coins is a fool,

in a world deaf to a poor boy

begging for a seat in school." - avr

Dr Abe V Rotor

It pains me so much - personally and as a part of humanity -
to see a boy beggar in rags, or incognito walking with us,
or abandoned in some dingy corner, when the world proudly
proclaims, "never in history has Homo sapiens, the thinking,
reasoning man, reached the pinnacle of progress way, way
above the banner of enlightenment."

Wrong. I still feel guilty seeing the likes of this young beggar.
millions of them around the world - in rich and poor countries,
industrialized and agricultural, for this is not a matter of mercy,
not even compassion - or neutral morality. Words come easy,
mother statements as universal truth, prayers are empty still.~

A foreign student from the Middle East at the UST Graduate School c. 1996 gave me this almost worn out reproduction of a painting meticulously wrapped in plastic as a souvenir and as an expression of gratitude to me as his professor in natural science. "I carried this with me," he said, "as a source of challenge with the hope that I will succeed in my studies - and to be of help later to children like this boy. Now I am going back to my country."

I was speechless. I examined the painting. There is no name - title and artist, or any note for that matter. A good follower of this blog mentioned the painter artist in passing - for which I am grateful to him. The painter, based on his style and subject apparently belonged to the post classicism era at the dawn of realism, when art began to transcend to the people, which we know today as people's art. I found out later that it is the masterpiece of the famous Russian painter, Nikolay Petrovich Bogdalov-Belsky (1868–1945).

A disturbing scene to Maslow -
could he have been wrong?
What is self-actualization
to the striving throng?

What's good is the Bastille trilogy -
pillars of modern society:
equality, fraternity,
liberty - sans dignity?

Motherhood words may come easy;
they cannot be mistaken,
for the lips that speak of promise
are easily forgotten.

And the world goes on as it seems;
a beggar boy, its conscience:
lost youth, lost hope, lost future
in the midst of affluence.

The door is jarred to full view
and knocking wouldn't lend an ear;
indifference makes man blind
or takes him to the rear.

He who feels for the needy
with but some coins is a fool,
in a world deaf to a poor boy
begging for a seat in school. ~

Typical scenes in marginalized societies mainly in metropolitan suburbs.

"Please sir, I want some more" - from Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

ANNEX A - University of the Philippines Open University

The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) has an average enrollment of 2,800 students per term. UPOU has been offering its programs and courses fully online since 2007.

UPOU offers 26 graduate and three undergraduate programs in the fields of Education, Information and Communication Studies, and Management and Development Studies.

Notable alumni

Jackie Lou Blanco

Juan Miguel Zubiri

Toni Gonzaga

Richard Gomez

Sarah Geronimo

Rachelle Ann Go

Established on 23 February 1995, the University of the Philippines – Open University (UPOU) pioneered online teaching and learning and continues to play a leading role in the study and practice of open learning and distance education in the Philippines.

UPOU is envisioned as a leader in teaching and learning in the digital age, helping to equip Filipinos with the knowledge and skills they need for life and work in the 21st century.

Our mission is to provide Filipinos everywhere access to quality higher education through innovative methods of teaching and learning that are designed to be responsive to their needs as well as to national development priorities. We uphold the values of scholarship, academic excellence, academic freedom, humanism, social responsibility, and service to the nation.

UPOU is also mandated to contribute towards upgrading the quality of the educational system of the country by developing innovative instructional strategies and technologies and sharing these with other colleges and universities through cooperative programs. Republic Act 10650 (Open Distance Learning Law) has tasked UPOU to assist relevant national agencies, higher education institutions, and technical and vocational institutions in developing their distance education programs through training, technical assistance, research, and other academic programs.

We are the nation’s most comprehensive distance education institution, with 37 degree programs comprised of seven undergraduate programs, two graduate certificate programs, 12 graduate diploma programs, 13 master’s programs, and three doctoral programs. UPOU also offers certification programs, continuing education programs (CEP), and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). We have Mega Learning Hubs in the National Capital Region (Diliman) and the Visayas (Cebu). This, coupled with our ability to harness a wide range of digital technologies in education, has enabled us to build a global community of mostly Filipino learners in more than 70 countries.

UP secured the 336th spot worldwide, a significant improvement over its 404th spot in the previous year's rankings. Rising out of the challenging times during the COVID- 19 pandemic, this latest round of rankings indicate an upward trend for the university. Jun 5, 2024

ANNEX B - Top 10 Distance Learning Universities in the World

Here’s a list of the best distance learning universities in the world and why you should choose them.

1. University of Manchester The University of Manchester is a social research institute. It is set up in Manchester, United Kingdom. The institute was founded in 2008 with over forty-seven thousand students and faculty members. It is one of the best distance learning university in the world. Following are the distance learning courses offered at the University of Manchester:

Law
Journalism
Humanities
Architecture
Social Science
Art and Design
Computer Science
Medicine and Health
Business Management
Natural and applied science
Engineering and Technology
Education, hospitality, and Sport

2. The University of Florida - The University of Florida is located in Gainesville, Florida. It is an open research university established in 1853 with 34,000 students. Also, UF provides many distance learning programs. The courses they are offering encompass:

Journalism
Liberal Arts
Communications
Agricultural Science
Medicine and Health
Business Administration
Science and so much more.

3. University College of London - University College of London was the first established university in London, England, in 1826. It is a top-ranked public research institution and a part of Russell Group, with almost 40,000 learners enrolled. The distance learning courses at the university are:

Social sciences
Business management
Humanities development
Computing and Information systems
Education and so on.

4. University of Liverpool - The University of Liverpool is one of the leading institutions in research and education. It was established in 1881 and is located in England. UL is also a part of the Russell Group. The classes they are offering are as follows:

Psychology
Health care
Public health
Cyber security
Digital Marketing
Computer Science
Business Management
Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

5. Boston University - Boston University is a private research institution in Boston, USA. It has two campuses and was founded in 1839 in Newbury by the Methodists.
Their distance learning program offers bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees. They are as follows:

Law
Journalism
Humanities
Architecture
Social Science
Art and Design
Computer Science
Medicine and Health
Business Management
Engineering & Technology
Natural and Applied science
Education, hospitality, and sport

6. Columbia University - Columbia University is also a private research school founded in 1745 in New York City. It has over 6,000 students. Some of the elaborate courses offered are:

Bioethics
Engineering
Data Science
Business Studies
Applied Analytics
Computer Science
Narrative Medicine
Artificial Intelligence
Operations Research
Applied Mathematics
Technology Management
Insurance and Wealth Management

7. The University of Pretoria - The University of Pretoria is among Africa’s top universities. It’s known for its socially impactful research to solve the world’s most pressing issues. Moreover, they have been offering distance learning program degrees since 2002. Online Courses Offered by the University

Law
Ecology
Economics
Accounting
Culinary science
Agriculture and forestry
Management Education
Engineering and Engineering Technology

8. The University of Southern Queensland - It’s one of the most prestigious distance learning universities in Toowoomba, Australia. USQ is renowned for its supportive environment and commitment to excellence. Online Courses Offered by USQ

Business
Commerce
Humanities
Climate science
Law and Justices
Agricultural science
Applied data science
Creative arts education
Health and Community
Engineering and science
Communication and Information Technology
English Language programs and so on.

9. Georgia Institute of Technology - Georgia Institute of Technology was established in 1885 in Atlanta, USA. The institute is committed to service, and research and provides focused, technological-based education to numerous students worldwide. Distance learning courses at Georgia Tech are:

Education
Mathematics
Natural sciences
Computer science
Medicine and Health
Business management
Engineering and Technology
Environmental and Earth sciences

10. Charles Sturt University - Charles Sturt University is an Australian multi-campus public university in New South Wales. They have over 43,000 students enrolled in different programs. Online Learning Courses Offered

Education
Applied science
Computer science
Medicine and Health
Business management
Engineering and so on.

Frequently Asked Questiones (FAQs) About Online Degree Programs
There are a lot of questions that distance learners will have on their minds while opting for an online degree. Here are the most frequently asked questions!

Are distance learning degrees considered valid by employers?
Today, as education has transitioned to online platforms, many employers prefer and hire college graduates who earned their degrees online. A distance learning degree from an accredited college or university matches the same high standards as an on-campus degree. At most institutions, distance learners and on-campus students get identical diplomas.

Also, online programs usually use the same instructional resources and staff members as an in-person program at the same college. Likewise, online students meet the exact graduation requirements as on-campus learners. Consequently, many employers hire online graduates for various entry-level positions.

Do I need any technical or soft skills to join the distance learning program?

There are only specific minimum requirements of the software and hardware components of the device for you to access the learning material and online classes. We recommend you always check the course syllabus for soft skill requirements. Usually, these requirements are only how to handle your device, set up the learning environment, and access your syllabus.

Is an online degree worthwhile like traditional ones?

The delivery method is the only difference between an online course and a traditional degree. Universities and colleges set high academic standards for all degree-granting programs, including distance learning courses.

Whether learners enroll online or in person, undergraduates must complete general education prerequisites, major courses, and electives to earn their bachelor’s degree. Accrediting bodies at colleges and universities review faculty qualifications and course materials to ensure quality online and in-person classes. So, an online degree is as worthwhile as a traditional course but has the advantage of a more flexible delivery format.

What devices do I need for distance learning?
Depending on the degree program requirements, you would need a smartphone, notebook, or computer.

How can I manage my time studying remotely?
You need to plan your course very carefully to succeed. Check your courses daily to keep yourself on track and complete the assignments and quizzes. Here are some more valuable tips to help you manage your time effectively during an online course.

Conclusion
A shift to remote learning during the pandemic has made online education more common. Today many universities offer online degrees, and students must choose a program and an institution that suits their educational and career needs. ~

ANNEX C

International Day Of Education 2026: History, Significance
The International Day of Education was created to show the power of education in achieving global goals and building a better future. Edited by:Lavkesh Singh

It was officially declared by United Nations on December 3, 2018.

The International Day of Education is celebrated every year on January 24 to highlight the important role of education in promoting peace and development. It was officially declared by the United Nations General Assembly on December 3, 2018, through resolution 73/25.

In 2025, the world will celebrate the seventh International Day of Education with the theme: "AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation." This theme focuses on how education can help people understand, adapt to, and shape the rapid changes brought by artificial intelligence and technology.

The official website reads: "As computer and AI-driven systems become more sophisticated, the boundaries between human intention and machine-driven action often blur, raising critical questions about how to preserve, redefine, and, ideally, elevate human agency in an age of technological acceleration."

The International Day of Education was created to show the power of education in achieving global goals and building a better future. The resolution to establish this day was co-written by Nigeria and 58 other countries, showing strong worldwide support for fair, high-quality education for everyone.

Significance: The International Day of Education highlights the key ways education helps the world:

o Promoting peace and development: Education is essential for creating peaceful and strong communities.

o Achieving global goals: Quality education supports Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) and helps achieve other global targets.
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o Encouraging teamwork: The resolution calls on governments, organisations, businesses, and individuals to work together to make education accessible to all.

UNESCO, the UN's education agency, leads the yearly celebration of this day.~

USAPANG BAYAN

January 3, 22, & 24, 2025 2 to 3 pm (3 broadcast sessions)

January 16, 2026 Latest Session

January 24, 2026 Theme:

"The Power of Youth in Co-creating Education"

(With Emphasis on Open University and
Development Communication)

Ms Melly C Tenorio, host; and Dr Abe V Rotor, guest
Living with Nature - School on Blog
Please open avrotor.blogspot.com Living with Nature

A Visit to Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU)

- First Open University in Southeast Asia