Orchidarium and Butterfly Pavilion

	Philippine Travel Articles (courtesy of )

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a walk to

remember

The Orchidarium and Butterfly

Pavilion is a stirring reminder of the

wonders and riches of our natural

environment—to experience even

a scaled-down version of it is the

best argument for ecological

protection and preservation.

Josephine Baui reports

T THE HEART of old Manila,

At the exhibit area called Vanda Alliance, I learned that the
waling-waling, scientific name Vanda Sanderiana, is the
mother of all vandas. These hybrid orchids are collectively
lined up like a row of elegant princesses

the Orchidarium and Butterfly

Pavilion is an oasis for those looking

for a serene, quiet spot that's close to

nature: it is filled with lush greenery

The simulated Waterfall and Rock Wall reminded me of
places I've been to before, like the Tinago Falls in Iligan, the
Pagsanjan Falls in Laguna, and an unnamed hidden waterfall
in Mindoro. Just looking up the Rocky Trail stirred up
memories of the climb up Mt. Makulot in Cuenca, Batangas.
Indeed, a trip through the Orchidarium is like a scaled-down
tour of those places.

including a miniature rainforest.

And to think that this theme park

and ecological preserve is right in the

middle of congested roads and government buildings. A park
within a park, the Orchidarium is located inside the Luneta
National Park. Around it are the National Museum, Museo
Pambata, Rizal Park and its Planetarium, and the Manila Bay.
Owned and managed by the Clean and Green Foundation, the
Orchidarium began as a one-hectare donation from the
National Parks Authority. It used to be a parking lot.
Established in 1994, the Orchidarium houses orchid species—
the Philippines has reputedly the richest collection of orchids in
the world—and other varieties of indigenous plant life.

A charming showcase called First Ladies Blooms features
specially bred, enchanting little blooms of the kahoy dalaga
(wood maiden) flower. These new breeds were named after the
First Ladies of the Philippines, including the Mussaenda Dna.
Ming, (Ming Ramos is the wife of former President Ramos)
and Mussaenda Dna. Hilaria (Dona Hilaria was the wife of
first Philippine president, Emilio Aguinaldo). Other members
of the Mussaenda family on exhibit are named after different
Philippine words for "muse": Mussaenda Paraluman, Mutya,
Diyosa, Di wata, Lakambini, and Bathaluman which are
reminiscent of Philippine myths and legends.

ROCKS AND BUTTERFLIES

Upon entering the rustic adobe gate (after paying the 100-
peso admission fee), you begin your walk under the cool shade
of vines in a passage called the Trellis of Waves. At the end of
this passage, to the right, is a wall for wall-climbing enthusiasts.
Further along, you arrive at the Philippine Species Island, a
horticulturist's dream where at least thirty genres of orchid
species, represented by more than one hundred kinds of
orchids, are grown. One marvelous specie is the dove orchid, a
dendrubium which blooms only after five consecutive days of
rain! Here, a clearing allows families and friends to hold picnics.

At the Butterfly Pavilion, one can't help but feel a child's
fascination for these fragile insects, whose lives are as short as
their beauty is fleeting. Each step in a butterfly's life cycle is
showcased to enlighten the children. The underlying message
of the exhibit is that butterflies must be kept free, instead of
being caught and framed as souvenirs.



	IN BLOOM. Various endemic and crossbred orchids in Manila Orchidarium, and pizza offerings in Lush Life Garden Bistro, the restaurant in the middle of all this greenery. (OPPOSITE) A pathway that leads to butterflies.

FOREST FLOWERS		they attracted insects. The flora of the Philippine countryside is simply too varied and too many to fit in a one-hectare preservation area. Still, what's on exhibit at the Orchidarium and Butterfly Pavilion is a stirring reminder of the wonders and riches of our natural environment to experience even a scaled- down version of it is the best argument for ecological protection and preservation. Ignoring this park would make any urban dweller poorer in mind, body and spirit.
After the visual delight offered by the butterflies, visitors are treated to the balmy Scented Green walkways, where fragrant flowers like the camia create an ambiance of pastoral bliss. At the mini-Rainforest, one has to duck under the rough and rustic touch of Manaog Ka Irog, (come down, love) a light brown aerial vine, also known as the "money plant." I could hear the blending slush of water and the rubbing leaves of plants and trees, make the soft breathy sound I first heard on another trip, a hike to Mt. Makiling. It's amazing how this distinctive forest sound, has been recreated in the middle of an overcrowded, noisy city like Manila.

			A RARE FAVORITE

			Orchids are considered the world's most expensive and most "addictive" exotic flowers. Orchid hunters smuggle rare species out of jungles. Orchid addicts blow their savings on orchids while others create foundations to care for their plants after their death.
Other aerial plants came to view: the Buhok Ni Esther (hair of Esther) with its thick, long, kinky corn-colored strands cascading from the trellis. A sparkling red, star-shaped flower is creatively called Bituing Marikit (beautiful star). Other flowers have equally imaginative names. Dancing Lady is shaped like a tiny dame with carefully coiffed hair, in a baloon skirt, who sashays its pinkish tint as the wind blows. Then there's the Golden Duranta with a lavender flower and yellow pellets. It's also called Bridal Bouquet because of the boquet formation of the flowers. Meanwhile, a specie of the begonia plant is called Eyelashes. Then, for the first time in my life, I saw the banana flower. This variety sprouts a bright orange, heart-shaped flower while its fruits remain dwarfs and unfit for eating.
			The "Queen of Orchids" known locally as "waling-waling" (vanda sanderiana) is endemic to the Philippines and has been used extensively to breed some of the most beautiful orchids on earth. Roughly 80% of the vanda hybrids today are descended from vanda sanderiana.
			The most popular flavoring and scent, and also the second most expensive spice (second only to saffron), is vanilla. Vanilla is sourced from vanilla beans—the seed- pods of three species of vanilla orchids: Vanilla planifollia Andrews, Vanilla pompona Shiede and Vanilla tahitensis.
Reaching the exhibit called Fern Gully, I found myself searching for the bitter pako that the people of Ilocos and Mindoro use for salad. And where were the gumamelas (Hibiscus)? Later, I learned that they had to be pruned because

				Manila Orchidarium and Butterfly Pavilion is at the Teodoro F. Valencia Circle in Manila's Rizal Park/ Tel (632) 527-6376

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