New Orchid Species in the insurgent infested mountain in the Philippines

 NEW SPECIES. This undated handout photo shows an orchid Dendrobium lydiae in Bukidnon province, Mindanao. Five new orchid species have been discovered in increasingly denuded Philippine mountains, highlighting the need to protect forests in one of the world's most biologically diverse countries, conservationists said Friday. Photo by Miguel David de Leon/AFP

MANILA, Philippines – Five new orchid species have been discovered in remote Philippine mountains, protected from poaching because of an insurgency in the region, conservationists said Friday, June 24.

The species are found only in a mountain range on the rebellion-torn Mindanao area in the southern Philippines and have eluded those cataloguing plant life for 200 years, expert Miguel David de Leon told Agence France-Presse.

Poaching of wild orchids mostly by locals is rampant in the Philippines, with some communities illegally harvesting them without permits for export or to sell them along roads.

But Mindanao region is among the country's areas wracked by one of Asia's longest-running insurgencies, whereby Maoist guerrillas retain support among the poor in the farming and mountainous communities.

"The insurgency problem helps prevent poachers or would-be orchid-hunters from entering the forests," said De Leon, a plant and wildlife conservationist who found the species while trekking the mountains of Bukidnon province in Mindanao.

"These areas are very isolated. The terrain is treacherous, accessible only by foot and occasionally, a motorcycle or horse," he added.

The finds, first published in the German Orchideen Journal this year, include a dazzling yellow bloom flecked with brown spots.

"It is one of the most attractive among members of the genus," said De Leon.

"(The) other species are red or purple but this really stands out because it's the brightest shade of yellow."

De Leon, Australian taxonomist Jim Cootes and Filipino research associate Mark Arcebal Naive named their most vivid find Epicrianthes aquinoi, to honor outgoing Philippine President Benigno Aquino whose family uses the color yellow in political rallies.

Other species they discovered include a pure white and a red-lipped white Dendrobium, a dark red Epicrianthes, and a green slipper orchid with red stripes.

Cootes, who has written 3 books on Philippine orchids, told AFP the discoveries showed the rich biodiversity of the Southeast Asian nation, with more species awaiting discovery.

"We need to preserve what is left because the variation within the different species is so high that it is almost priceless," he said.

"The mountains throughout the archipelago need to be preserved," he added.

US-based Conservation International lists the Philippines as among 35 biodiversity hotspots – areas with the world's richest but most threatened plant and animal life.

Deforestation that plagues mountains across the Philippines also destroys orchid habitats as well as shrubs, fungi, and algae that keep the forests alive. – Rappler.com

Attack For 5 years now, barn swallows have been wintering in the heart of a town in Laguna,Philippines

from Makulay

Every November to March of the following year, thousands of birds make Barangay Dulong Bayan in San Pablo,  Laguna, Philippines their refuge. But Barangay Dulong Bayan is not a forest, nor a marsh, its a developed town. The birds choose the town to roost every night to the amazement of the locals. Problem is, by sundown, nobody dares come out without an umbrella or any cover for fear of getting pooped at by the birds. People are like rats scavenging to the nearest hole for protection as soon as the birds start arriving for the night. Its like a monster is coming everytime, and every body literally  runs and hides when someone spot the birds and shouts "they're coming".

the barn swallow

this has been happening only for the past 5 years. Before, that, nobody knows where the birds spend the night or why these birds choose to moved in San Pablo.

street lamp covered with poop

electric cables all pooped at

During these months, the birds feed and make their nest in house balconies, ceilings, electric post lamps, electric cables, fences and windows, Depositing tons of poop everyday.

That is the drawback, trellises, windows, ceilings, roofs, cars, pools, the streets are littered and covered with poop. The locals could do nothing but look forward for the summer when these birds which are migratory leave.

electric cables filled with birds

People in San Pablo know these birds just needed a room for the night, and must be given the hospitality any visitor deserves, regardless of their toilet etiquette.

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Bugsuk Island, Balabac, Palawan

from makulay

Balabac is a second class municipality in the province of Palawan, Philippines, off the southern end of Palawan Island. The town is one of municipalities in the Philippines which are mainly composed of a group of islands. The municipality consists of some 32 islands, the largest of which are Balabac and Bugsuk.

Bugsuk island seems to have what it takes to dethrone Boracay’s claim on having the ultimate mix of having powdery white sand and a lengthy uninterrupted stretch. Bugsuk’s white sand beach measures up to 15 kilometers in Google’s satellite imagery!  Bugsuk island in Balabac town is located near Palawan mainland’s southernmost tip, uncharted territory for mainstream tourism.

Bugsuk is getting popular that one day, it may end up like the well-developed  Boracay. A broad, flat island situated at the southern tip of Palawan undoubtedly hosts the longest and finest stretch of white sand beach in the country — finer than Boracay and longer than the famous Long Beach of San Vicente.

The beach along Barangay Sebaring on the southern part of Bugsuk Island is so fine and powdery that it will make your feet sink with every step. Local beach worms called wakwak thrive in this wide expanse of white sand, and for the Palawan tribe who inhabits the area, these worms dipped in vinegar translates to a snack.

The Philippine Black Nazarene (FEAST & DEVOTEES)

from makulay.com

The Nazarene (Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno) that has came all the way from Mexico through a galleon is a life-sized, dark-colored, wooden sculpture (carver is an Aztec carpenter) of Jesus Christ which has been known to be miraculous by majority of the people, especially its Filipino devotees. The black Nazarene is currently enshrined in the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila, Philippines where novena celebrations are held every Friday throughout the whole year. Roman Catholic tradition holds that the Black Nazarene came from a boat that caught fire, turning it from its original white into black or burnt complexion. For almost 200 years, the Black Nazarene is carried into the streets for procession in a "Caroza" or golden red carriage pulled through the streets of Quiapo by male devotees clad in maroon. Every 9th of January, the feast of the Most Holy Black Nazarene is celebrated while novena masses begin on the first Friday day of the year, in honor of its weekly novena mass held every Friday. This also celebrates the Translacion or the transfer of the image to its present shrine in Quiapo. The devotion to the miraculous Black Nazarene (Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno) has attracted huge following among the public. Its popularity, which initially spread to the northern and southern provinces of Luzon, spread over time throughout the country. Devotees pay homage to the Santo Cristo Jesus Nazareno by clapping their hands in praise at the end of every Mass performed at the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene. On its feast during January 9, people believed that whoever touched the Nazarene sometimes has been healed of their diseases. Catholics come from all over Manila for the chance that they will be able to get close enough to touch the image and perhaps even receive a miracle. Some devotees also throw towels or handkerchiefs to the people guarding the statue and ask them to rub them on the statue in anticipation of carrying some of that power away with them.

History of the Black Nazarene Festival

 The Black Nazarene statue was brought to Manila by the first group of Augustinian Recollect friars on May 31, 1606. The image was originally housed in the first Recollect church in Bagumbayan (now part of the Rizal Park), which was established on September 10, 1606, and placed under the patronage of Saint Juan Bautista Saint John the Baptist.

 In 1608, the image of the "Nazareno" was transferred to the second, bigger Recollect church dedicated to San Nicolas de Tolentino (Saint Nicholas of Tolentine). The Recollect Fathers dynamically promoted devotion to the Suffering of Our Lord represented by the image that in fifteen short years, the Cofradia de Santo Cristo Jesús Nazareno was established on April 21, 1621. The confraternity obtained Papal approval on April 20, 1650, from Pope Innocent X.

Sometime in the year 1787, then Archbishop of Manila, Basilio Sancho de Santas Junta y Rufina, ordered the transfer of the image of the Nazareno to the church in Quiapo, again providently placed under the patronage of Saint John the Baptist.The Black Nazarene made a lot of miraculous things. These are the survival of the image from the great fires that destroyed Quiapo Church in 1791 and 1929, the great earthquakes of 1645 and 1863, and the destructive Bombing of Manila in 1945 during World War II. Today the head and the cross stay on the Altar Mayor of the Minor Basilica, and the original body image of the Black Nazarene is used in the processions. Other, even smaller replica can be found in other churches.
 The procession of the Black Nazarene is the largest procession in the country.
 It takes place on January the 9th and on Good Friday through the streets of Quiapo,a small part of metro Manila.The procession dates from the 17th century. Thousands of men parade through the streets with the life-sized, black wooden statue of Jesus (of Nazarene).

A miracle after touching the statue?
During the feast of the Black Nazarene thousands of barefoot men join the annual procession. Walking barefoot during the procession is seen as a sign of humility.
During this procession the men yell "Viva Señor".
Everybody who is in the neighborhood of the cross tries to touch the statue. People believe that a miracle can happen after touching it.

 

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I LOVE OLD CHURCHES Philippines' Most beautiful Churches

from Makulay.com 

The Philippines has centuries old churches that are getting more beautiful and valuable with age as these contrast with newly created buildings in their localities. Whenever you travel in the Philippines. Always ask locals for their churches. Every province almost has a gem of a church rich in history and architecture. If you like old churches, these are must see. Here are some.

 San Agustin Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte

Santo Tomas Church in Miag-ao, Iloilo

Nuestra Senora DE Gracia Church in Guadalupe, Makati in Metro Manila.

113 years old  St. John Nepomocene Church can be found at Tangalan, Aklan

Nuestra Señora de la Luz Church in Loon Bohol

Albuquerque Church, Bohol

Iguig Church, Cagayan Province

Facade of the Basilica of St. Martin de Tours in Taal, Batangas

Saint Pancratius Chapel in Paco, Manila

Daraga Church Nuestra Señora de la Porteria, Legaspi City, CamSur Bicol

Imelda Marcos Rest House in Tacloban

THE SANTO NIÑO SHRINE (Imelda Marcos' SUMMER HOUSE in Tacloban
from Makulay.com

One of a must spot to visit in Tacloban City is the Santo Nino Shrine - now Romualdez Museum. It is one of the 29 rest houses of the late President Ferdinand Marcos. It was built for the first lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos, who was a daughter of Tacloban. The house was furnished with antiques from around the world like Austrian mirror, chandeliers from Czech Republic, tiles from Italy, jars from China, floor carpets from Argentina and other decorative arts from France, Italy and Germany. And there are also collections of original paintings of Fernando Amorsolo

The Santo Niño is probably one of the first to come to mind when Tacloban is mentioned. It is the patron saint of the city and many of its people’s religious events revolve around the Santo Niño.

 Although the real miraculous image can be found inside the Sto. Nino Church, there is another image that can be found inside the Romualdez museum. This one is made of Italian ivory and is the centerpiece of the altar that welcomes the guests visiting the Shrine. Beside the Sto. Niño were icons of St. Remedios and St. Vincent. Next to the latter is a monstrance, decorated with diamonds. That section of the museum is lit by beautiful chandeliers hanging above rows of pews made of narra.

    Truly, the former presidential mansion was a symbol of grandeur during the Marcos administration. But after the custody of the mansion was transferred to the national government through the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), did it retain its splendor?