Marvelous life forms
Published by Green Convergence, Philippine Native Trees 404: Rooted & Rising owes its sky-high collectibility to an assembly of tree lovers, botanists, environmentalists, and organizations, who may all be credited for adding a prized title to Filipiniana. Impressively, this fourth iteration of a keepsake has become a volume of almost a thousand pages. A virtual, virtuous doorstop, weighing a ton as it’s usually said, and requiring a heavy table to rest it on for enthused reading.
The tome is dedicated to “The Spirit / The Inspiration” who are named in the cover in necessary tribute: Leoncio L. Co and Oscar M. Lopez.
Also credited on the cover are technical editors Jayson A. Mansibang, MSc, and Lillian Jennifer V. Rodriguez, PhD.
A supplementary list of editors includes Marietta R. Marciano as editor-in-chief, Raymund B. Villanueva as copy editor, Gloria M. Angara, and Renato Redentor Constantino.
Responsible for the striking book cover design are artist Katya M. Angara and Elena Silena Z. Sarmiento. In her Artist Statement, Katya offers: “Winged entries are my artistic signatures, and for these I handpicked the Philippine Jungle Crow (Coreus philipinus): One crow is white and the other crow is black, expressing the universal life forces of Yin and Yang. Birds are psychopomps or guides between the tellurian and sublime worlds.”
In an FB post on May 25, soon after the book launch, she expressed “My love and gratitude to my ever-supportive mother, Gloria Angara, for gifting me with a love of plants and gardening…” She also acknowledged how ‘Snowie’ Sarmiento helped her make the cover more beautiful than I could have ever imagined.” Then thanked “the lionhearted Red Constantino of the Constantino Foundation for the immensely kind words about my art…”
We’re happy to note that she turns out to be the daughter of long-time friend Gloria or “Baby.” with whom we associated in the National Film Board in the 1980s. And of course Katya’s equally prominent dad is former Senator President Edgardo Angara, for whom we also did some book work a long time ago.
We can’t complete the full list of credits, other than citing some names as among the lead photographers: the late lamented environmentalist hero Co, Mansibang, Ulysses F. Ferreras, and Nestor A. Bartolome.
If you like regarding trees and their myriad representations, simply for aesthetics or for a deeper appreciation of proper identification and incremental knowledge, this book will give you hours of dedicated pleasure. Taking pride in our natural resources can only begin with the wondrous flora in our midst.
Personal stories contributed by tree lovers and amateur foresters are what flesh out the volume beyond the pictures, scientific classifications and popular names. We are intrigued by brief narratives on new finds such as “Manambo: The Wild Cocaine?” Or “Caution: Lagapak, the Prankster Tree ... A Tree of Mirth.” Also “A Tree that Smells like Root Beer.”
The Publisher’s Note by Imelda P. Sarmiento, to whom we owe our treasured copy, provides more than an epic back story.
“Our first three editions were spawned in a somewhat regular interval of three years: Book 101 in 2012, Book 202 in 2015, and Book 303 in 2018. This time, however, it took eight long years to offer you this installment.”
One of the major reasons was the COVID pandemic episode. Technological mishaps lengthened the gap. But the result has been rewarding.
Sarmiento adds: “Leafing through the 924 pages of this book, you will notice some excitingly significant and interesting changes and additions. Now we are not only providing you with an entrée of 172 featured species, we are also introducing a canapé of 263 more species that are their direct siblings. That’s 445 tree features, 64 more than the combined total of 380 native tree species our first three books cover.”
Among the other notable orgs that have supported the Green Convergence Board headed by Victoria M. Segovia are the PNPCSI or Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society Inc. with its president Anthony Arbias, and the SBCAF or San Beda College Alumni Foundation Board with its president Jaime C. Galvez Tan. Then of course there’s the primary sponsor, FPH: A Lopez Group Company.
In his Message, Benjamin “Jay” R. Lopez recalls how his dad Oscar M. Lopez “believed that every tree carries a story of resilience, belonging, and quiet strength.” Additionally, “To him, each tree was a living archive of the Philippines — its memory, identity, and hope woven into bark, leaf, and root.”
Segovia of Green Convergence writes the Preface: “… (A)llow yourself to be fascinated by the diversity of species that flourish across our islands. … Each narrative is designed to heighten appreciation for our trees, offer insight into their ecological importance, cultural significance, and practical uses, and show how lives are intertwined with these marvelous life forms.”
Mansibang titles his Introduction as “Seeking Truth Among Trees.” He offers:
"Each new discovery is a reminder that the forest still holds many secrets. We still have trees to discover, re-discover, name, conserve, and cherish. And each revelation is a testament to the dedication of Filipino botanists who, through science and passion, serve not just our forests but the very people who depend on them."
You may email greenconvergencephil@gmail.com for details on availability.
