A Selection of Stamps from Thailand

A good friend  gave a come mint stamps from Thailand . He is a low profile person and would like to keep this a secret .

different kinds of flowering plants and plants from Thailand 

The First set on top which composed of 4 stamps were issued in 1984 to commemorate international letter writing week .

Second set was issued in 1985 composed of 4 stamps  to commemorate international letter writing week .

Third Set was issued in 1999 to commemorate international letter writing week

Fourth Set was issued in 2001 which commemorates international letter writing week ( medicinal plants)

I would like to ” Thank ” this person who gave me this wonderful set of Thai stamps . This is an early birthday gift for me . Maraming Salamat Po !

 

 

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Hill 394 Forest Reserve

It was past 9:00 am when the group reach the forest reserve in this side of Subic. According to Engineer Ricardo Alcantara one of out local guides in the area. When the Americans were in control of the area.

Mr. Alexander Mesia showed the trail left by the troop of monkeys

         The forest reserve is usually off-limits to the locals, until 1992 when the area was formally turned-over to the government . Very few groups  were permitted  to visit the reservation . In 2011,  they only allowed two to  three  groups to visit the place .

panoramic view of the surrounding mountain and forest areas from hill 394 summit

Subic’s most popular peak takes you 394 meters  or about 1, 293 feet above sea level and offers a spectacular view of the legendary Mount Natib and Subic Bay, in the northwest.  Hill 394  let its beauty speak for itself. This is a popular area for bird watching, mountain hikers  ,  students of biology and botany .

Concrete ammunition bunkers are found all over the forest reserve , apparently they can easily be mistaken as a small hill , but in a close inspection these are storage places for the ammunition of the Americans.

 ammunition depository bunker during the American stay in Subic now these bunkers are abandoned and swiflets  and  Eurasian tree sparrow or maya-maya  make these bunkers as their second home

According  to our guides , these bunkers are camouflage by the thick forest vegetation and grasses .  There are about 400 to 500 such ammunition bunkers  that were scattered around the former military naval base forest reserve and adjacent area.   The  construction zenith of these hill- shaped depot  happened during the Vietnam war in the mid 1960’s  to early 1970’s . These are multimillion dollar project and a closely guarded military secret of the American naval station .   Some of  the bunkers  are now converted into art galleries or restaurants.

The group first had to get the necessary permits from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority . Here are some of the conditions :

1.) Extreme precaution shall be taken not to cause any disturbance / destruction in the forest , aquatic / marine environment .

2.) Proper waste disposal shall always be observed.

3.) No trails shall be created on forest areas.

4.) Collection of flora and fauna maybe allowed for identification purposes only.

5.) Results of the study can only be used for academic purposes and shall not be published without proper coordination and approval from the office.

forest trail created by the Americans

Normally , the hike going up the trail up to the topmost part will only take between 45 minutes to 1 hour however it took the group almost 2 hours to reach the  hill summit  ( due to initial surveys conducted )

old ficus balete  tree -possibly more than a century -old

The debate among botanist and forest experts would reveal that this is a disturbed lowland forest which means that the forest was already disturbed long time ago from logging (  Americans and Japanese occupation  )  Since it was assumed that the trails were made by the Americans. The topmost portion of the hill was flatten and bulldozed using heavy equipment . Apparently the area was used as a helicopter landing  site during their jungle survival trainings.

summit of hill 394 – notice the lack of natural vegetation and flat terrain

You can see that the area was disturbed and most of the trees are missing .  The area is said to have been used as a forest survival training site intended for jungle survival .  The fallen logs  must have been used by the US military when they were in Subic long time ago.

 group picture

The area that the group visited  , is said to be the extended ancestral domain of the Aeta living in the nearby Zambales area.

Notes:

* The team saw some plastic bottles and brought them down to our van ( we had to dispose of the plastic bottles properly)  We saw at the trail, apparently the plastic bottles  were from the previous hikers who just left them .

* The group is highly compose of credible people from various environmental NGOs and experts coming from DENR, National Museum, and Academe .

* A  preliminary survey of flora and fauna was done  within the trail areas.

* At the end of the 2 hour trek, the group  surveyed more than 100 species of trees, about 2 dozen birds, 1 orchid species, about half a dozen ferns  and half a dozen aroids  ( along the established trek path ).

* The team  saw tree sapling that are germinated ,  this is a natural way of re-forestation . however there are signs that foreign non-endemic trees  examples are Gemelina , Mahogany , weeds, flowering plants that were naturalized  in this part of Subic.

* Feral population of cats and even rats poses a treat to the local endemic wildlife bird and small mammals .

3rd Philippine International Flora and Fauna Green Living Expo 2010

The organizers  would like to welcome you to the 3^rd Philippine International Flora and Fauna Green Living Expo (PIFGEX 3) with the theme “Gifts of Nature” to be held on July 22-25, 2010 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City.

PIFGEX 2010 poster

We endeavor to bring together and educate people about the Philippine’s natural beauty, its rich yet fragile biodiversity, its endearing culture and also, its unique products.

PIFGEX is the first event that has brought together both government and private industry. It is one of the major projects that RPN Flora and Fauna Inc. organizes annually.

year’s event gave an opportunity for companies, government and private groups to exhibit their products and ideas to the greater public and to special targeted groups. In past shows we have offered exhibitors a chance to talk and make presentations about their products, ideas or services. We also have special interest areas set aside such as live animal displays and provide some exhibitors a display area in the front of the venue as a secondary showcase area. This has been a very successful format allowing exhibitors to introduce new and current products in the market place. Our media partners like Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Star, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Business Mirror and Business World has also extended their help and support by way of reaching our intended audience.

The exposition will also be attended by representative exhibitors from different regions of the Philippines. The participation and great contributions of these regions, through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), helps to accentuate the issue of environmental awareness, as well as share visuals and informations about their place and their industries.

It is  a collaboration of major and developing companies, NGO’s and the government sector to elevate public awareness about what we have to offer, and how our companies and groups are doing their part in the urgent call to revive our land and our planet and in caring for our country’s resources. Together we can make this a crusade and our personal commitment to our country and the environment. Recent calamities have shown we need to take a more proactive role in environmental protection wherein each individual can play their part. Education is an important part of this process and PIFGEX is the only trade show that addresses this important concern.

RPN Flora and Fauna Inc. will continue to improve and innovate in future shows giving exhibitors a chance to discuss and introduce new products and ideas that could contribute to the greening of our country, and reduce industrial and consumer wastes.

Proceeds from the event will be used to fund all expeditions that RPN Flora and Fauna Inc. has been organizing for the research, survey, documentation and eventually, the creation of books that will showcase the flora and fauna of the Philippines from the Batanes group of islands up to the island of Tawi-Tawi.  Let us all become a part of this urgent and worthwhile project that is of great help in upbringing further interest to study and preserve our wildlife and our country as a whole.

Should you need more information, please call Mr. Delmer Rivera at (02) 534 9826 or 0905 3538487 or email him at // events@philippinefloraandfauna.org

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We have attached an application form for you to fill up, should you wish to exhibit again in PIFGEX .

Department of Education Culture and Sports issued a DepED Advisory no . 6 series 2010 dated January 11, 2010  endorsing the event to all public and private academic institution all over the country to come and visit the event.

Articles from : PIFGEX 2010 website

Events Highlight:

CHED- This institution highly endorses this event for college and universities from all over the country. The event will draw livelihood seminars, educational information from academe , industry and practitioners .

Department Of Environment and Natural Resources – This government institution will have an exhibit and a special conference will be attended by top DENR officials.

Partner Exhibitors:
AANI – One of the largest Agriculture,Aqua -Fisheries , Environmental , Organic, Educational , Inventor  organizations  will proudly showcase their products, services and new technologies in the event.

BIOMOD- is a computer platform for ensemble forecasting of species distributions, enabling the treatment of a range of methodological uncertainties in models and the examination of species-environment relationships.

Filipinas Stamp Collectors’ Club – One of the most dynamic stamp societies in the Philippines which popularized the FREE Postal Heritage Walking Tours around the city with the use of stamps as a guide will exhibit rare and endemic Flora and Fauna on stamps. A lecture series by Mr. Lawrence Chan (VP) on July 22 and 23, 2010 will also focus on how to start collecting stamps on thematic like flora and fauna on stamps.

Filipino Inventors Society – Will showcase distinctive and unique Philippine made inventions that are truly world class .

Flower Club Philippines- with modern and stylized art of flower arrangement , These group of young creative designers raises flower arrangement into an unique blend of modern and contemporary design fit for modern lifestyles.

Planet Earth T-shirt – Export oriented t-shirt company . These wonderfully crafted t-shirt are pioneer in environmental designs such as animal motifs , flora and glow in the dark shirt.

Earth Institute, Asia – This international research and development institute provide environmental advocate and educating the public through mass media critical issues like Climate Change, Environmental degradation among others .

Bayer Health Care- One of the leading companies in the world will provide interesting product demonstrations and innovative product lines for health and environment .

Klub Natur – will exhibit unique environmental photography and landscape settings.

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office- This organization will provide selected indigent communities a livelihood opportunities in turning waste products into profitable fashion items such as recycled bags, recycled newspaper , fashion accessories, gift items among others.

Pepsi Philippines- One of the world’s most famous beverage company will sponsor the outdoor tents and product sampling during the show.

Mister cool – Philippines largest outdoor cooling de-humidifier equipment .

Rizal Technological University – One of the largest technical , tertiary universities in the country will display and showcase its mushroom and urban gardening modules.

Field Trips from various schools, colleges and universities from all over the country and the world .

1st Philippine International Flora and Fauna Expo 2008

The Philippine International Flora & Fauna Garden Expo  2008 intended  to bring into one roof the plant and animal industry, including other industries which has developed from it.  With its theme “Bringing Back Nature”, it tries to remind us as a people our affinity with nature and an aim to protect and conserve it.

girls clad in fairies costume were part of the PIFGEX 2008 opening

As much as possible, the event encourages the incorporation of real plants and animal in the garden homescape, how to maintain them and to promote their conservation.  Conservation could be achieved by protection of or native habitats, mass propagation and breeding of endangered and threatened plant and animal species, regulated collection, and public information

East- West Seed Company

The event was held from July 18 to 20, 2008 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City in Metro Manila. During the 3 day event there were over 10,000 people from all walks of life who went to the expo site.

Highlights:

Philippine Orchid Society nipa-hut landscape exhibit booth

Malvarosa Orchids one of the member of the Philippine Orchid Society had showcase an orchid landscape exhibit which featured  rare , endemic and hybrids .

Philippine Postal Corporation in cooperation with Filipinas Stamp Collectors’ Club exhibit booth

• Philippine Postal Corporation in cooperation with Filipinas Stamp Collectors’ Club will be exhibiting Philatelic items such as Flora and Fauna.

Philippine Native Plant Conservation Society , Inc exhibit booth

Rare Orchids, Ornamental Plants, Ferns, Cacti and Succulents, Bonsai, Natural Stones which was  exhibited by some
of the country’s leading plant societies like Philippine Orchid Society, Philippine Horticultural Society, Cactus and Succulents Society of the Philippines, Philippine Native Plant Conservation Society Inc., Philippine Bonsai Society among others.

• Avilon zoo one of the leading zoos in the country  showcased rare animals.
• Daily lectures and demonstrations from plants & animals enthusiasts and experts.
• Government agencies such as Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ,
Department of Agriculture, Department of Tourism , Bureau of Plant Industry will be participating in the event.
• Rizal Technological University had  a mushroom and orchid exhibit

• Filipino Inventors Society showcased proudly Philippine made inventions.
• EDSA Garden House exhibited  herbs which are organically grown .
• KWB and Klub Natur will spearhead the on site photography contest.
• NGO groups like Bantay Kalikasan, Greenpeace had  an exhibit booth.
• Budgerigar Society and Avian Society  had their exhibit and bird show
• Agri Aqua Network Incorporated the country’s largest agriculture based network participated in the event.
• Koi Village one of the largest breeder and exporter of fishes will be exhibiting their rare fishes.

• Butterfly Art will be showcasing different arts using butterflies.
• Spa Association of the Philippines will feature health and wellness activities and exhibit.
• Leading newspaper and television stations companies such as Manila Bulletin, Philippine Star, Business World, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Home Ideas Magazine UNTV channel 37, ABS-CBN channel 2, NBN channel 4 will cover the event.

There was a best exhibit booth contest judge thru public voting , which was won by the EDSA Garden House, followed by Earth Garden Landscaping (second place) and SAPI (third). Special mention was given to Mett’s Plant Arts , Philippine Orchid Society and Fred Salud’s Landscaping for its Avilon Zoo.