75 Trendy Plants in the Philippines for 2021 (Part 4)

Plantiquarians, plantitos, plantitas, halamoms, batang halaman will always on a look-out for cheaper and trendy plants this coming 2021 and 2022.

Many are looking for small plants which can fill their limited space. They can be grown with minimal care. The crazy and abnormal rise in prices are brought by the limited supply and high interest by the general public in plants. This is called as plantdemics meaning plants are in demand.

75 Trendy Plants in the Philippines for 2021 to 2022

63. Nephrolepis exaltata ( Boston Fern)- This is a popular fern found in almost every part of the world. often grown in hanging baskets or similar conditions. They are grown near entrance or hung on main window. It is believes to invites good chi or good fortunes into one’s home or business.

Caladium hybrids -Photo credit: pixabay user: leoleobobeo-1487549

62. Caladium hybrids – Popularity of caladium hybrids will still be strong up until early 2022. Newer varieties and more colorful spotting will be flooding the local market. However, the prices of the caladium especially the older cultivar varieties will slowly taper off since there are a lot of backyard growers propagating those varieties.

61. Dracena sanderiana – popularly called Chinese lucky bamboo, lucky bamboo, friendship bamboo, ribbon plant, water bamboo and corn plant. This is very common and is found in almost every homes, business establishments and offices. This plant is quite hardy.

Commonly peddled by ambulant vendors, The demand for these plants will still be strong. Some people believes it bring good luck or good chi in homes and businesses.

60. Aloe vera and related species- Aloe had been quite popular succulent plant in the country for several decades. Aside from the medicinal value that the plant is known for. This can be grown in pots, the species requires well-drained, sandy potting soil and bright, sunny conditions.

mature plants can bear flowers and it is highly attractive. There are between 550 to 560 species of Aloes in which a lot are highly decorative. There are also several hybrids.

59. Ficus benjamina, commonly known as weeping fig, benjamin fig , ficus tree, balete. This is highly ornamental and commonly propagated in many garden centers. MMDA and some local government unit had planted hundreds if not thousands of this ficus along road side in the mid-1980’s to early 1990’s.

Ficus benjamina

Photo credit : pixabay user: manfredrichter-4055600

NASA determined that this plant was effective at removing common household air toxins like formaldehyde and xylene. Hence the popularity of the plant.

Weeping fig cultivars and its variegated types are in demand like ‘Danielle’, ‘Naomi’, ‘Exotica’, and ‘Golden King’ since these are much fewer compared to the ones found in garden centers, streets and parks. Propagation is quite easy- one can propagate Ficus benjamina thru seeds, air layering and to some extent cutting from stems with roots.

58 . Ficus elastica commonly called rubber fig, rubber bush, rubber tree, rubber plant, or Indian rubber bush, Indian rubber tree, banyan tree or Balete.

Ficus elastica

Photo credit: pixabay user: tortic84-2633672

Another well-known type of belete tree. One can encounter mature Ficus elastica in many parts of the country. According to some botanists, this was probably introduced into the country by Indian and other southeast Asian traders before the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th century. Some would otherwise dispute this theory, Since the range of this ficus is found in Southeast Asia.

In the United States, This can be grown in sub-tropical areas of Florida and in USDA Zones 10-12.

Some of the cultivars varieties includes Ficus elastica ‘Robusta’, Lemon Lime among others surge in popularity during the enhanced community quarantine in early part of 2020. In recent visit to local garden centers in Metro Manila. Prices for the common types had been falling due to increase supply. An example was the 1 foot cutting newly established Ficus elastica ” Lemon Lime” which sell between Php 1,500 to Php 2,000 would now averages between Php 750 to Php 1,200. Variegated forms will still be in demand.

Croton or San Francisco

Photo credit: pixabay user:pixasandid-356019

57. Crotons hybrids- Locally known as San Francisco. This was popular as hedge plant, potted plant in the countryside for a long time. The leaves are used as accents in flower arrangements. Large scale farms like Costa Farm would grow these in large volume. Other Asian countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan would have different cultivar varieties.

There are hundreds of cultivar varieties to grow and these plants are easy to propagate.

Epipermum aureum also known as pothos, money plant, taro vine

Photo credit: pixabay user: sweetlouise-3967705

56. Epipermum aureum and varieties ( pothos, hunter’s robe, ivy arum, money plant, and taro vine) are just few of the common names given by sellers and backyard gardeners. The plant is a member of Araceae family. Price of the more common types have begun leveling off but the variegated forms are still in demand.

Photo courtesy of Mr. Lebon Ong, Dennis Lao and Mr. Jorge Sahagun

55. Asplenium australasicum plicatum Cultivar Variety ” Mini Philippine Cobra” This is a compact growing mutant fern (gamma irradiated Philippine Cobra) of Asplenium australasicum plicatum2021 population finally released to the industry. This is a project of Mr. Jorge Sahagun of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) in Quezon City.

Compared with the older variety in the market, This particular form is ideal for small growing area, office, condominium spaces. Fern collectors are already waiting for its release next year, There are already some reservation for this mutant form for release in 2022.

Note: These are just a partial list of the 75 trendy plants for 2021 and 2022! Happy Growing to all .

Special Mention : Mr. Lebon Ong, Mr. Dennis Lao , Mr. Jeorge Sahagun, Mrs. Letty Manalo, Ms. Esperanza Sanchez

Sources:

Personal Interview among plant center owners, Orchid and Plant Lovers of the Philippines FB, Mindanao Avenue Garden Center, Fairview Neopolitan Garden Center, Cartimar Garden Center, White Plains, Bulacan Garden, Arid and Aroid’s Farm, Quezon City Memorial Circle, Tabang -Guiguinto Plant growers, GreenScapes Garden Center– Novaliches, Farmer’s Garden Center -Cubao, Sidcor -Eaton Centris Sunday Market, Rona’s Garden.

Related article link 75 Trendy Plants for the Philippines in 2021 part 3) ( 75 Trendy Plants for the Philippines in 2021 Part 2) and ( 75 Trendy Plants for the Philippines in 2021 Part 1)

Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Winners Proclaimed

Miss Universe- Philippines 2020 winners and runner-ups were proclaimed few hours ago at a pre-taped telecast.

This was after more than 10 months of preliminary competition, enhanced community quarantine lock down, some candidate had dropped out due to covid 2019 and personal reasons.

Image: courtesy of the Miss Universe Philippines organization

Miss Universe -Philippines 2020 Winners

Ms. Rabiya Mateo  of Iloilo City was named Miss Universe Philippines 2020 during the pageant’s pre-taped coronation ceremonies at the Baguio Country Club’s Cordillera Convention Hall over the weekend.

The almost three hour pageant was also shown in different parts of the world via youtube and television broadcast.

Ms. Ysabella Ysmael from Parañaque City bagged first runner-up honors while Ms. Michele Gumabao from Quezon City was named second runner-up.

Ms. Pauline Amelinckx from Bohol was named third runner-up while Ms.Kimberly Hakenson of Cavite was fourth runner up.   

The 22-year-old Mateo, who bested 45 other candidates, will represent the country in the 69th Miss Universe pageant, the venue and date is still to be announce.

Next Generation Kiampung you will surely drool on

Kiampung, Kiampeng or Kiampong which literally means “salty rice” was derived from Hokkien language of Amoy or Fujian province in China. The southern- style rice casserole is a staple in almost all of Filipino-Chinese communities. In fact,Chinese communities around the world had their own version of kiampung.

Culinary Experts and Historians

Culinary experts and historians would sometimes compare this rice dish as Chinese- style paella because of the amount of ingredients added into this meal. Some fancy restaurants would have pork belly, chicken, rabbit meat,chorizo,shitake mushroom, minced garlic, crushed ginger, leeks, kangkong stalks, diced taro rhizome, sliced carrots, mustard, chestnuts, meat balls, hard-boiled eggs, bokchoy etc.. added unto the rice casserole dish.

Toppings would include any of the following: spring onion leaves, ma-hu ( pork or chicken floss), pickled radish, seaweeds, pickled cucumber, sliced century egg, dried shrimp and roasted peanuts.

In principle, Kiampung / Kiampeng /Kiampong is just a simple soy sauce rice casserole dish, with a bits of pork meat and small amount of vegetables added into the dish.

We live in Binondo –Manila Chinatown, Santa Mesa, Santa Cruz, Sampaloc districts for several years and tasted at least a dozen variants of kiampung. But all the variations were salty and greasy.

Healthy Kiampung from Ama’s Recipe

Ama is a Hokkien word for grandmother on the paternal ( father’s)side. Ama’s Recipe is a start-up home-based enterprise which started their operations few weeks ago during the height of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila.

The kiampung/ kiampong/ kiampeng recipe was handed down from Ama Diana to her granddaughters Ms. Alexis Nicole Sze and Ms. Abigail Sofia Sze (tandem of two sisters) in which they specialize in serving a healthy version of kiampung throughout her growing years.

Ama’s Recipe tagline” a recipe that warms the soul“. captured the heart warming love, affection and care that she had experienced from her grandmother. As a 3rd generation family member,  the dynamic duo wanted to share their family’s affection thru their recipes.

Ama’s Recipe has a limited menu, They focus on their signature family heirloom kiampung/ kiampong/kiampeng, hard boiled tea eggs and adobo peanuts.

The usual “KKKK” Kamag-Anak,Kaibigan,Kapitbahay, Klasmeyt system were use to promote their signature family heirloom meal. The public reception of their dishes had been phenomenal in just a matter of few weeks!

Ama’s Kiampung (P250) is soy based rice dish, cubed tofu, grated carrots, marinated pork meat topped with chopped spring onions, grated ginger, sauteed shallots and adobo peanuts!

This is considered as a full meal complete with go, grow and glow element. Ideal for all ages. Ama’s kiampung is good for sharing between for 2-3 persons. For those maintaining a low sodium diet or with underlying health condition. There pose no problem, since they are not using the commercial soy sauce brands with high sodium and preservatives.

Boiled Tea Eggs (Php 150 for 6 pieces) This is best paired with kiampung/ kiampong/ kiampeng. The tea eggs recipe have originated from Zhejiang province but quickly spread in different provinces of China. Eventually some regional variation and distinct flavors were developed to suit the local taste buds.

The process is that chicken or duck eggs are gently cracked all over and simmered in a flavorful broth of tea leaves, soy sauce, spices for several hours until the black liquid seeps in along the cracks. The eggs end up with a rich flavor and an intricate, delicate spider-webbed pattern emerged.

Eating tea eggs also had some medicinal and therapeutic effects too! The tea egg can be eaten anytime of the day, hot or cold.

It is quite popular in Taiwan (ROC) and there were restaurants in 168 Mall, Divisoria,Guillermo Masangkay street, Ongpin street within Manila Chinatown which sells these eggs. But Ama’s Recipe would win hands-down since they use quality ingredients.

Adobo Peanuts are sold separately if you want to add more toppings to the kiampung / kiampong/ kiampeng. (Php200 per 300 grams). What is different from their adobo peanuts from the rest of the pack is that they are not greasy and are only roasted upon order. So it does not have a soggy or rancid after taste.

The Kiampung was delivered thru Grab delivery within 45 minutes from the place of origin to the northern outskirt of Quezon City. We will surely order again and highly recommend their short list of menu. We think that there are still more hidden recipes by their ama, still waiting to be shared by Ms. Alexsis Nicole and Ms. Abigail Sze in the near future.

Mr. Crisanto Laurente of Grab holding the kiampung meal pack

How to Place an Order

For weekdays- Mondays to Fridays – They are open for a minimum order of at least 3 Kiampung / Kiampong meals.

Saturdays and Sundays- No minimum order for their Kiampung/ Kiampong meals.

They also accepts bulk orders at least 2 to 3 days advance notice and are subject to the availability of the menu.

One can contact them on Facebook and Instagram for deliveries which can be done through Grab, Lalamove,  Mr Speedy, R&R express and will be charged to the buyer.

Ama’s Recipe

Contact Persons: Ms. Alexis Nicole Sze and Ms. Abigail Sofia Sze

Contact : 0917-5765855

Facebook: Ama’s Recipe

Instagram: @amas_recipe

Sauyo Market Visit During Enhanced Community Quarantine in Quezon City

Sauyo market is located near Quirino Highway within Barangay Bagbag and near Barangay Sauyo in Novaliches, Quezon City.

There is a public market which is accessible to the residents of West Fairview, Barangay Sauyo, Barangay Bagbag and Barangay Talipapa in Novaliches, Quezon City.

Qurino Highway corner Mindanao Avenue near Barangay Talipapa, Novaliches

Quirino Highway is quite busy even on ordinary days but the traffic is just reduced to handful of vehicle which ply the main avenue.

Barangay Sauyo is home to about 80,000 residents of the district. While Barangay Bagbag had about 60,000 residents.

buyers lined-up at a local general merchandise stall within Sauyo Market

The market is normally jam pack on ordinary days since there were a lot of people buying wet, fresh produce and dry goods.

COVID 2019 cases in Quezon City as posted at their social media accounts as of April 2, 2020

Sauyo Market

Social distancing is limited to just a mere 1 feet with people crowding on stalls which sells basic necessities like canned goods, biscuits, rice, powdered milk, sugar, coffee among others.

Saba banana

What we noticed is the slight increase in the price of saba banana. Saba banana is usually retailed per piece from Php 1.00 to Php 3.50 before the pre-COVID 2019 enhance community quarantine.  Is now sold for Php 50 per kilo just a couple of days ago.

Some people believed that eating 1 saba banana or banana will help them better immune system in order to fight the coronavirus. In fact i have posted 30 myths about coronavirus few weeks ago.

local bakery

Local bakeries within Sauyo market still have a lot of baked pastries and local breads. But the seller told me that their stock of flour, milk, sugar and margarine which are the basic ingredients for making bread may not last for more than two weeks.

squid and tuna

smiles from fish vendor

Despite the hardship that these vendors endure, they still managed to give smile. As they say there is a rainbow at the end of the tunnel.

15 Things to Do During Enhanced Community Quarantine in the Philippines

Enhanced community quarantine had been in effect in the entire Luzon island and the country last March 17. People are getting wary because a significant portion of the population have their usual work or employment disrupted.

For at least 1 week people living within Metro Manila and nearby provinces affected have a hard time procuring basic necessities like food, medicines and cellphone load.

While Extreme Enhanced Community Quarantine means that there were at least 2 to 3 cases of covid 19 within a barangay or locality. Household members of coronavirus patients are not allowed to leave their residences. People within a 500-meter radius from these houses are also under strict monitoring.

Quezon City had 142 barangays in the city, 42 now have coronavirus cases. There were at least 12 barangays that were classified under this category. This mean that there were multiple of cases of COVID 2019 in the 12 barangays.

memorandum circular

15 Things to Do During Enhanced Community Quarantine

15.) Try to stay tune to national government, local government, reputable blogs,vlogs or  news agencies thru their valid social media sites or websites. Another alternative is to listen and check radio or community bulletin. Community bulletin are normally posted in some villages, subdivision, barangay centers or by their respective social media accounts.

There are daily updates send via short messaging service by National Telecommunication and Communication (NTC) and weather updates by Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA).

14.) Stay at Home – Staying at home is the best and try to practice social distancing even to immediate members of the family.

13.) Wait for the Special Quarantine Pass to be Issued- In many areas, community quarantine pass were already issued. Try to assign the most capable and healthy member of the family to do some errands.

12.) Observe local curfew time and other local ordinances: Some people especially in the marginalized sector of the country may not observe local curfew time and quite a number of people had been arrested because they violated local curfew or ordinances. Some towns like Marilao, Bulacan implements odd even scheme for their residents base on the quarantine passes given to the residents. Liquor ban may be enforced in some areas.

photo courtesy of ( pixabay: klaushausmann-1332067 )

11.) Disinfect and Practice Good Hygiene- Here is a pdf site where one can make home made disinfectant. The ratio is 1 tablespoon of bleach per 1 gallon will give you 50 to 200 ppm sanitizing solution. Remember to frequently wash your hands with soap at least 20 seconds. Try to sing “Happy Birthday ” twice.

photo courtesy of (pixabay: wian-1852106)

Before entering one’s house, Be particular of the pair slipper/ tsinelas or shoes used from going outside. Never enter the house with dirty shoes or slippers. In our case, we have two set of slippers, One set is left outside and one set for indoor use. In extreme cases, one can make a do it yourself foot bath, which is vital for not spreading the virus inside your house. This practice is done in farms, piggeries or hospitals ICU.

10.) Boost Your Immune System- Aside from taking your multi-vitamins and vitamin C medicine. Getting sunshine can also help boost your immune system, The best way to get vitamin D is by going out from 6:00 am to 8:00am, Try to observe social distancing. These includes vitamins D-1, D-2, and D-3. Your body produces vitamin D naturally when it is directly exposed to sunlight.

9.) Prepare a Budget and Meal Plan- Since a lot of people does not have a regular means of earning an income. Try to sort out which food item or material is the most necessary. It is also good to have a good credit line within your community.

photo courtesy (pixabay: stanwilliamsphoto-10634669)

8.) Avoid sharing fake news and rumor mongering – Before sharing fake news and rumors, try to verify it a number of times from reliable sources. According to a recent televised briefing conducted by Secretary Karlo Nograles in PTV ( government owned television station) He said that Philippine National Police,CIDG, NBI cyber crime office were monitoring social media sites and fake news sites. Remember that people or websites which spread fake news can get flagged down or get maximum penalties.

Do not forget about some myths about the covid2019 which can cause panic to the general population. A lot of the myths were unfounded and does not have scientific basis that were proven.

7.) Exercise- Do not forget to keep healthy and do not forget to keep your body healthy. Doing household choirs like washing dishes, washing clothes, watering plants, taking care of pets and scrubbing floors can be substitute for exercises.

6.) Practice General Cleaning- Try to check every nook and cranny of your house. Try to remove dirt by cleaning windows, brushing floors and throwing away items of no use.

5.) Learn New Hobby or Skill- Learning new skill or hobby like cooking, gardening, knitting, arts, basic carpentry or try to spend time watching your favorite television series or old movies.

4.) Stock Up on Plastic Containers- There can be an unannounced water or electricity interruptions during the period. Some villages or communities which rely on water pumps which may not have enough water to go around. Same with portable plastic ware for food containers. Living in an area where there is water problem and rotational water service interruption may pose some problems when it comes to potable water or even water for general usage.

It is also good to have portable water filter system or batteries in case of prolonged blackout.

3.) Sleep Early (Depending on age bracket)- Maintain good sleeping habits from 6 to 8 hours of good night sleep.

2.) Presence of Mind- Having presence of mind, sane attitude and calmness are needed in this times of crisis.

1.) Have a Sunny Disposition in Life-Nothing beats a person with a sunny disposition in life. Remember to have faith and always be positive no matter how challenging times.

Sources and References: (website and social media accounts):

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group ( CIDG) http://www.cidg.pnp.gov.ph

Department of Health (DOH) http://www.doh.gov.ph

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)

Johns Hopkins: coronavirus.jhu.edu

National Telecommunications and Communications (NTC) www. ntc.gov.ph

Offical Gazette.Gov.Ph : http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph

Philippine Information Agency (PIA) www.covid19.gov.ph

Philippine National Police (PNP) www. pnp.gov.ph

Presidential Communications (PCOO) http://www.pcoo.gov.ph

People’s Television Network (PTV 4) ptvnews.ph

World Health Organization (WHO) http://www.who.int