“It’s not enough to go green, we have to go Philippine green!”

MANILA, 9 July 2021 —  The 52nd episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Pathways” featured experts in the preservation and propagation of Philippine indigenous plants to promote its critical role in enhancing biodiversity and adapting to climate change, and the protection and utilization of the indigenous crops and plants.

The online conversation conceptualized by three-term Senator, now Deputy Speaker and Antique Representative Loren Legarda featured Philippine indigenous plant advocates including Architect Rey Solero of the Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society, Inc.; Ronald Achacoso, Curator of the Pinto Arboretum of Philippine Plants; Prof. Liezl M. Atienza, a Registered Nutritionist-Dietician from the University of the Philippines – Los Banos (UPLB); and Leo Fuentes of the Magsasaka at Siyentipiko para sa Pag-unlad ng Agrikultura sa Mindanao.

This episode, hosted by environmental lawyer Ipat Luna, shed light on growing plants, trees, and flowers from an ecological perspective – why we should strive to plant trees and shrubs that are indigenous or native to the area, how indigenous people save and propagate indigenous seeds, and what indigenous plants are medicinal and good for the health.

“In ecology, everything is connected to everything else.  So if, enamored by the pink flowers of the cherry blossom, we plant it here, where it did not co-evolve with other species, it is taking up space that could have gone to a Philippine tree that is found nowhere else in the world.  Our endemic trees are endangered, and any tree we plant will be land that is not used to wrest them from extinction. So each time we plant, we have to be intentional and pick the right plants suited for the habitat,” said Atty. Luna.

Architect Solero, who is also a farmer and environmentalist, tackled the conservation of endangered Philippine native plants and flora, and his advocacy of promoting sustainable and regenerative lifestyle by creating man-made environments that are aligned, connected, and integrated with the natural environment and do not depart from natural systems.

“’Pag sinabing ‘Save indigenous plants’ parang gargantuan task – pero hindi po. Tayo po ay may malaking magagawa kahit hindi natin alam kung ano yung mga native o indigenous plants. Mag-compost po tayo, mahalin natin sila, start sowing, start appreciating, start conserving,” said Architect Solero.

Achacoso introduced Pinto Arboretrum, a botanical showcase of Philippine native trees and other plant groups that are indigenous. He advocates the linkages of science and art, two polarizing disciplines.

“When you say Arboretum, it is a garden of trees. Actually, if you go to a rainforest, you’ll seldom see our trees as entities in themselves. Itong mga puno natin parang mga micro-habitats, maraming nakatirang halaman diyan, sa garden of trees ko I also incorporated all the other Philippine native plant groups,” said Achacoso.

Prof. Atienza shared the nutritional benefits of Philippine indigenous plants and the potential of Philippine berries.

“Ngayon po ay kulang pa ang pag-aaral sa ating sariling berries kaya kami po, as part of a research team in UPLB and also a dietitian and nutrition scientist, ang inaaral po natin ay ang ating mga native o indigenous berries. Ito po ay ang bignay, duhat at lipote. Naniniwala po tayo na ang ating Philippine berries and other indigenous crops ay mayaman sa bioactive compounds na may health promoting property. Maganda sa kalusugan, maganda sa nutrisyon, pampalakas ng immune system lalo sa panahon ng pandemya ay pwede ring maging source of income,” said Prof. Atienza.

Fuentes, the Regional Coordinator for Mindanao of MASIPAG – Magsasaka at Siyentipiko para sa Pag-unlad ng Agrikultura, a national network of farmers, scientists, and NGOs that promotes sustainable use and management of biodiversity through farmers control of genetic and biological resources, production, and knowledge – shared about Lalapung, or the traditional seed storage of Lumads in Mindanao.

“Tandaan po natin na ‘yung prinsipyo sa ecology na ito ay shared world. Sa ating pang-araw araw na buhay ay huwag po nating kalimutan na ang mga katutubo natin ay patuloy na nangangalaga sa ating kalikasan,” said Fuentes.

As an online discussion to promote health, environmental consciousness, and climate-adaptive practices, “Stories for a Better Normal” aims to change the mindset of individuals, families, and communities by demonstrating ways in which a ‘better normal’ can be realized within our communities.

This online discussion is organized in partnership between the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda and the Climate Change Commission, with support from the Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation.