Philippine Pitcher Plants stamps issued by Philippine Postal Corporation

( Philatelic Division ) Manila Central Post Office, Liwasang Bonifacio , Ermita, Manila-Philippines

Pitcher plants scientifically known as Nepenthes are one of the most spectacular plant species on earth. The centre of diversity of Nepenthes is in Borneo island having 36 species followed by  Sumatra .

Nepenthes sanguinea and Nepenthes macfarlanei

But not to be outdone, the Philippines comes close  with almost 30 species of pitcher plant.  There were some pitcher plants recently discovered  and described by local and international taxonomists over the past few years .  I was able to buy a set ( 4 piece)  pitcher plant stamps and FDC from a Malaysian dealer during the 1996 ASEANPEX stamp exhibition . I have started growing local pitcher plants since in high school buying them in weekend markets or in garden shows.

Nepenthes rajah and Nepenthes lowii

There are movements  among  local philatelists to lobby for the pitcher plants to be  featured on stamps .  The proposal would  lie in dormant for more than a decade until some stamp collectors from Mindanao wrote several letters address to the Philatelic and Postage Department Chief  in 2008 and then again in 2011 .

Philippine pitcher plant on sheetlet Php 10.00 x 16 pieces ( Nepenthes attenboroughii, Nepenthes truncata , Nepenthes burkei , Nepenthes peltata) with 107, 000

I even gave some posters of Philippine pitcher plants ( featured by Philippine Native Plant Conservation Society Inc.) to some stamp advisory committee members in 2009  .  Unfortunately, one of them told me that it was inundated by “Ondoy”  flooding .  I would still wait for a couple of years in 2012 when i was able to buy a pitcher plant book of Dr. Victor B. Amoroso during a book launching held at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife .  I had to attend  a  ( closed door session ) with the stamp advisory committee meeting  just to point out the importance of the pitcher plants  to Philippine flora diversity and their saleability . Coinciding an auspicious date which was set  based on a double digit number,  the postal canceller was made with 03-13-13 dater.

Philippine pitcher plant souvenir sheet Php 40 pesos with 5 pitcher plants ( Nepenthes mira, Nepenthes mantalingajanensis , Nepenthes sibuyanensis, Nepenthes mindanaoensis and Nepenthes merrilliana)

Philippine Pitcher Plant First Day Cover with a set of 4 stamp designs and Nepenthes alata ( cache design)

Philippine Pitcher Plant First Day Cover with Nepenthes ventricosa ( cache design ) and souvenir stamp 

In many parts of the world,  coinciding an auspicious date for stamp issuance or release had been met with great marketing success and media mileage .

Note: No technical details were given by the Philatelic Section Chief of the Philippine Postal Corporation

References and Websites:

Golamco Jr.  Andres,  Nepenthes page 38 to 42 , Flora Filipina 2012 -Philippine Horticultural primer and directory

McPherson, S.R. and V.B. Amoroso 2011. Field Guide to the Pitcher Plants of the Philippines. Redfern Natural History

McPherson, S., J. Cervancia, C. Lee, M. Jaunzems, A. Fleischmann, F. Mey, E. Gironella & A. Robinson 2010. Nepenthes palawanensis (Nepenthaceae), a new pitcher plant species from Sultan Peak, Palawan Island, Philippines. In: S.R. McPherson Carnivorous Plants and their Habitats. Volume 2.

Rybka, V., R. Rybková & R. Cantley 2005. Nepenthes argentii on Sibuyan Island. PDF Carnivorous Plant Newsletter 34(2): 47–50.

Pitcher Plant.com : http://pitcher-plants.com/

Philippine Postal Corporation: http://www.phlpost.gov.ph/web/

wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nepenthes_species

Worldbex 2013 Highlights

World Trade Center and Philippine Trade Training Center, Pasay City , Metro Manila -Philippines

Worldbex 2013 exhibitors and participants

Worldbex 2013 is one of the most anticipated events in the Philippines and  in Asia  for this year .

neon colored toilet bowls and bathroom fixtures

The worldwide trend  nowadays is to put more emphasis on going GREEN , Sustainability ,  Environment friendly companies and their Corporate Social Responsibility . The author being an environmental advocate and member of various environmental societies will be  focusing on some companies which of contributed their resources in helping  the environment  , waste reduction  or their corporate social responsibility towards the community and environment.

Mariwasa Siam Ceramics Incorporated showcasing different tile colors

 The Tag-line of the company : MARIWASA is the FIRST and ONLY local ceramic tile maker certified by the Green Choice Philippines and given an Eco-Label Seal of approval.

Mime artists is one of the attraction of Mariwasa Saim Ceramics exhibit both

Website : www.mariwasa.com/

Davies Paint exhibit

Davies Paint -Philippines  focuses on protecting and preserving the environment is a core belief  of the company , two coveted international standards in quality and environmental performance which recognize our clear focus on sustainable practices, and most of our products are  Leadership in Energy and Environment Design of ( LEED ) compliant.  The company also started creating and implementing innovative ways to prevent pollution, reduce energy consumption and cut waste disposal costs – from product development to manufacturing processes and throughout our daily work.

Website: http://www.daviespaints.com.ph/

mime artists on the second floor of the exhibit

Architects , Construction Suppliers, Contractors,  Engineers, Real Estate developers , Students from various schools and universities and photo enthusiast would troop to the exposition site.

 different works of art using different kinds of materials like wood, plastic toys and metals . Some of which are made from recycled materials.

some of the art  displayed in the booth is the work of Philippine Native Plant Conservation Society member and artist Mr. Reg Yuson

As the economy construction and real estate markets is booming and the demands for new buildings ,commercial centers and residential houses will continue to grow .

Matimco wood exhibit

Matimco is a regular exhibitor at the Worldbex exposition . Their massive exhibit is a consistent crowd drawer .  Matimco, Inc. is the country’s  leading provider of quality architectural and structural wood products, catering to a diverse market . The company the first and only ISO Certified wood processing and treatment plant in the country, Matimco continues to evolve as it stretches the potential of wood applications. Most of the trees are planted in tree plantations .

Website: http://www.matimco.com/

Obra Maestra exhibit

This is part of the annual Worldbex intended for  fine arts, architecture and interior design  students from selected colleges, universities . The exhibit is dubbed ” Modern Living 2013 collection ”  The best exhibit design will win ” People’s Choice ” selected by people on their facebook account before the end of the Worldbex  . There are 9 competing schools for this year .

Here are some of the competing entries

Eulogio  Amang  Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology  ( EARIST )exhibit showcasing  bedroom setting  with an emphasis on straight edges with smooth and slim forms of contemporary counterpart. The  artistic curves and some elements of classical style.

University of Santo Tomas

This exhibit was done by selected group of students from the College of Fine Arts and Design . The living area is an opus of olive green accent and neutral color pieces. The space is framed perfectly with period details with stillness and simplicity.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

The dining set design is accentuated with glass and table pieces, the majestic touch of silhouette in the interior space bore a new artist idea that connects the beauty of the classic and modern concept.

University of the Philippines

A living room showcase the  paradoxy  is a design inspiration. The design is a contradictory the baroque and industrial styles are brought together in this stylish and liveable  space.

Philippine School of Interior Design

The bathroom design was a fusion of French empire motifs and the bathroom fixtures and bathtub  poses colors predominantly dark with large and masculine furniture which is a prevalent trend for 2013.

Note : I would like to invite the public to this annual event, the three hours or so spend in this exposition enriched my knowledge and feast of the eye. Until the next Worldbex 2014 !