MODERN WORSHIP Simbang Gabi with social distancing I have almost forgotten what Christmas felt like. I confess I am not the type to enjoy all the hubbub, the cheerful tunes on the radio and television, the clamor of people looking to lounge around public spaces with their friends or families, and...
The Philippines is blessed with a vast number of endemic and indigenous species. It is, in fact, identified as one of the 17 mega-diverse countries on Earth. To be included on that list, a country must have a rich marine ecosystem and at least 5,000 of the world's flora as endemic species....
Vanilla is a versatile component that may be found in everything ranging from food to personal care products such as perfume and shampoo. There are three vanilla species with economic importance: vanilla planifolia, vanilla tahitensis, and vanilla pompona. Among them, studies show that vanilla...
By Jenna V. Genio Researchers from the Philippine Taxonomic Initiative (PTI) have described a new endemic Philippine plant with bright magenta flowers. The novel species Ardisia kalimbahin was discovered during an expedition in March 2021 and was recently published in the scientific journal...
Weeds are often perceived as undesirable plants in the fields, lawns, or gardens, but there are non-invasive, edible weeds that are more than what meets the eye. Take, for instance, sapsapon ( Crassocephalum crepidioides ) or redflower ragleaf, an annual herb that is not always seen as a hindrance,...
With the plethora of fish in the Philippine seas, it would be difficult to know them all by name. Many are probably more familiar with their physical traits than their local, scientific, and common names. We've compiled Tagalog and English terms of some fish and seafood that one might need to know...
The new year is just around the corner! This means that baskets of round fruits will soon be adorning the dining tables of Filipino homes. Aside from wearing clothes with polka dots on New Year’s eve, Filipinos believe that putting 12 (sometimes 13) round fruits on the table will bring their...
Farmed herbs and flowers have uses beyond the culinary and the decorative. Some farmers are slowly learning that they can be turned into essential oils and hydrosols for use in aromatherapy as well. “Aromatherapy basically focuses on the use of essential oils and aromatics in supporting our...
Essential oils are all the rage, with people using them for different things, from making a room smell fresh to mild pain relief. Unfortunately, the world of essential oils also contains a lot of misconceptions that need to be addressed. Jirbie Go and Lourdes Caballero are certified aromatherapists...
In a sea of farmers, there is one group that you might not expect to find: celebrities. Famous personalities have their own interests out of the spotlight, and farming, for some celebs, is one of them. The singer and actress Esperanza Perez Padilla, better known by her stage name Zsa Zsa...
Many folks find cultivating crops fulfilling because it gives them a continuous supply of fresh produce and makes them feel a sense of security. This explains why there has been an increase in the number of people gardening during the pandemic. Michael Triviño, an entrepreneur from Lucena City,...
Bamboo ( Bambusoideae ) is a grass that is often misidentified as a tree because of its tree-like appearance. It is a fast-growing grass with lots of functions ranging from food sources to construction material. One company that recognizes the value of bamboo is Bambu Salubre. Bambu is a Malay word...
