A Botanic Garden and Farm

 

Portion of the resort -style farm

This is a private farm garden owned by one of Metro Manila's famous politician . The tour group was escorted by a security group upon reaching the place.

 

Koi pond 

The group saw a lot of collections ranging from family pictures, paintings , antiques,  potteries, furniture, santos, jars, figurines, furniture , books   and the south east Asian  style inspired  architecture in  each of the pavilion like structures which resembles Bali in Indonesia , Bangkok  or even  in Mainland China .

 

Asian inspired pavilion guarded by Chinese- Fu dogs

There  is like a big botanic garden which had themed landscape from European style manicured lawn and themed portions which separates expensive palms,  adeniums, ornamental plants, shrubs and flowering trees including several aviaries .

 

Shade house filled with blooming Dendrobium anosmum locally known as

( sanggumay ), Vanda hybrids, Vanda teres and native orchids

There are also several big green houses which housed the collections of cacti, succulents, orchids, bromeliads,  ferns, cycads , aroids  and  anthuriums.

According to one of the caretakers, this is like a wonderland of plants from different parts of the world. The collection of the exotic plants spanned over 30 years which started during the pre-martial law days .
The group was treated to a sumptuous buffet style lunch which offered the best from the area.The group were very happy to spend some time in the resort style farm . Photo opportunities and small chit chat with the gracious hosts were the done after the lunch break.

 

man -made lagoon planted with lotus 

There are several man-made pond and lagoons within the property which serves as a planting area for lotus, water lilies and were Peking ducks swim.

 

colorful service  vehicle 

The group needed a small service vehicle in order to tour the entire property.
Before the end of the  day the group was again treated for a light afternoon snacks which consists of native rice cakes, young coconut pie , nuts and soft drinks.

 

crucifixion tableau scene late 19th century

According to the owner , they are planning to open the property to the public for a fee in a few years to come . The place is perfect for weddings, parties, location shooting , photo opportunity, convention ,  meeting place  or simply a place to relax and  to admire the wonders of nature.

A Collector’s Humble Abode

Ms. May Dumlao is a former educator, editor and an entrepreneur  . She is known to have a fine collection of ferns, hoyas, orchids, bromeliads, aroids and is an active member of Philippine Horticultural Society, Fern and Nature Society of the Philippines.

An specimen sized Platycerium sp. in Ms. May Dumlao's garden

Her home is also a favorite hangout of the members of the societies and even friends of her children since the place is quite accessible.  She also recalled that television crew and movie outfit would ask permission to have a location shoot inside her home.

Tita Mae had various collections of paintings and sketches from reknown Philippine artists that were prominently hanged in her sala, dining room, bedroom and even near the passageway. In one instance, a photographer from a lifestyle magazine wanted to take pictures and to do stories of her famed painting collections, but this would entail the removal of these valuable items to be removed from their location. She politely decided not to allow the crew to feature her collections.

Her additional collection also includes matchboxes, ceramics, gongs and at one time collected stamps, paper bills and even Santos made from local Philippine wood. According to her relatives, peers, students and children gave most of the collection that were accumulated in a span of over 40 years.  Part of her collection also included old ceramic plates and jars from the Ming and Manchu dynasty, which were excavated by her group during the 1960’s in an undisclosed excavation sites in one of the provinces up north.

Back then; people would not dare collect these items since they believe that these things would bring bad luck. Most of the rare finds were being bought by foreigners like Taiwanese, Japanese and even Americans which would hire local treasure hunters. We just collected the ordinary ones and even dug some of the ceramics ourselves. In some instances, whenever we had a time to go to the beach we also collect shells.
She is also a writer, editor, cook, emcee among others.

President Corazon Aquino Tribute

President Corazon Aquino tribute exhibit booth landscaped by Mr. Kelvin Manubay, Mr. Jun Golamco, Mr. Rommel Arriola, Mr. Lawrence Chan with the help of Mr. Edilberto Capague Jr. and Mr. Jiffy Alegre  during the 63rd Mid-Year Orchid & Garden Show last August 27 to September 7 , 2009 at Quezon Cityhall grounds

Maria Corazon "Cory" Sumulong Cojuangco Aquino (January 25, 1933 – August 1, 2009) was the President of the Philippines and is considered as  "Mother of Democracy" in the Philippines. Serving from 1986 to 1992, she was the first female president of the Philippines and the first female president of any country in Asia.

Unknown to many, she is a nature and an orchid lover. In 1989, in response to government’s encouragement to develop the ornamental, floriculture and horticulture industry, many members of the Orchid Society of Davao, Inc. (OSDI) shifted to orchid growing as a business venture. This was fully endorsed by then President Corazon C. Aquino when she declared Davao City as the Orchid Center of the Philippines in 1992 through Proclamation No. 886.

During the incumbency of President Corazon "Cory" Aquino, several orchid genus and ornamental plant cultivars were named after her.  Dr. Romeo Gutierrez a well-known plant breeder, a three term president of Philippine Horticultural Society,  antique collector  , art collector and also a painter  bred Aglaonema Cory, a cultivar of the aglaonema that was named after former President Corazon Aquino. Its broad, dark green leaves consist of a herringbone pattern of grayish-silver,with yellow marks along the midrib. Like the sunburst, the yellow coloration of the young leaves becomes conspicuous through proper light conditions. It has white petioles and many suckers.

Aglaonema Corazon Aquino bred by Dr. Romeo Gutierrez

This  Aglaonema won the " Best Ornamental Plant in Show" of the Philippine Horticultural Society show held on February 10 to 17, 1990 at the Manila Seedling Bank Foundation .  Coincidentally the plaque was donated by house majority floor leader Mr. and Mrs. Francisco Sumulong  a relative of Mrs. Aquino maternal side.

 

Photo Courtesy of Singapore Botanic Gardens by: Mr. Whang Lay Keng - Head Living Collection

On the occasion of her state visit and the ASEAN head of state meeting in the island state of Singapore on August  26 , 1986 the Singapore Botanic Garden named Dendrobium Corazon Aquino (Parentage:  Dendrobium Tien Soeharto x Dendrobium Noor Aishah) an orchid hybrid after the incumbent leader.
According to the Royal Horticultural Society of London this orchid was registered on January 1, 1986 in their list.  SGB institute had the tradition of breeding and naming new orchid cultivars after famous world leaders, politicians, and celebrities.

On numerous occasions she would be invited to come, as guest of honor during various orchid & garden shows held by different garden clubs from all over the country.  She was one of the  guest of honor on the 46th annual orchid and garden show of the Philippine Orchid Society held at the Makati SM Car Park  compound in  February 1992.

Several years later, Atty. Hernando Perez, one of her former cabinet secretaries, developed a new breed of orchid and named it after her. He thought it was just right to breed BLC. Benigno Aquino an inter-generic yellow colored orchid variety. The good quality traits of the orchid made it a desirable breeding parent material for developing new breeds of orchid.

The orchid hybrid took 5 years to grow, using cross-pollination methods. Its "mother and father" plants are a variety of yellow orchid named BLC. Benigno Aquino (pod parent) and the greenish BLC. Malvarosa Jade ( pollen parent).

The Blc Cory Aquino orchid (Brassolaeliocattleya Cory Aquino) with code name HC - 547 -, bred by former Justice Secretary Hernando B. Perez, is a graceful but sturdy plant with yellow and green varieties.
Because of the breeding traits of BLC. Malvarosa Jade, there are 2 color forms of  the BLC. Cory Aquino that can be found.  One is yellow and the other is greenish yellow. All forms are highly sought after by orchid and plant collectors worldwide.

 

63rd Mid-Year Orchid & Garden Show poster

The color yellow is widely associated with both Sen. Ninoy and Cory Aquino, since they used this color in clothes or campaign paraphernalia. In retirement, in fact, the former president took up painting, with flowers as her chosen still life subjects. Flowers were also one of former President Aquino's favorite painting subjects finding the task a form of relaxation and a way of relieving stress. Having stepped down from office in 1992, Tita Cory, as she is fondly remembered, was quite content at becoming an ordinary citizen once again, but remained active in social work, and in wielding her undiminished moral authority whenever the democratic institutions she helped restore came under threat
.
Unlike most orchids that need to be propped up, the Blc Cory Aquino stands erect and proud, much like the ideologies of the late former president.

According to Nani Perez, "This orchid hybrid symbolizes strength of her character because it is a sturdy plant. Pirmeng naka-tindig yun eh. Pirmeng proud.” It is also feminine-looking but with a strong bearing. Its petals are light yellow which means it is long-lasting," he added.

In the last quarter of 2004, Perez said he was able to give her a pot of his best Blc. Cory Aquino and the plant's registry certificate from the Royal Horticultural Society, a London-based international group that registers orchid hybrids.

Atty. Perez was also featured in the “orchid episode” of “ Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho” aired last February 23, 2008 on GMA channel 7. The episode featured him as an orchid and a plant breeder since 1974 and among the orchid hybrids featured in the episode was the BLC. Cory Aquino, Blc. Ninoy Aquino among others. A portion of the episode was uploaded in the KMJS website.

In a recent television guest interview on ABS-CBN channel 2- top rated morning show  “ Umagang Kay Ganda” last August 4, 2009 with Ms. Donita Rose, He was also able to present the original Royal Horticultural Society certificate of orchid registration with frame and potted flowering orchid to the late president, this gesture made her very happy.

In the Flora Filipina Expo 2006 held from February 24 to March 5,2006  jointly organized by the Philippine Orchid Society (POS) and Philippine Horticultural Society (PHS) within the ruins of San Ignacio in Intramuros.  In this international event,  the winning orchid ( BLC. Cory Aquino) brought attention of the orchid breeders around the world that the Philippines had orchid hybidizers like Mr. Perez which breeds award winning orchids.

In the 61^st Mid-Year Orchid and Garden Show held from Aug. 29 to Sept. 10, 2007, the same orchid cultivar’s won the  "Best Philippine Hybrid" award one of the highest recognition that a breeder can get. - Perez said Aquino sent him a text message congratulating him for the "prize-winning orchid." He still keeps the text message on his phone to this day.

Breeders from Japan, Thailand , United Kingdom, USA  and local orchid collectors were very eager to have a division or sample of this award winning orchid hybrid.

Cory Aquino’s big role, not only for the restoration of the democracy in the Philippines, but also for the development of the local horticulture industry, cannot be underestimated. With the whole world paying homage to the former president, this is a small gratitude that any horticulturist or plant lover from all over the world can give.