Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE:
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

1561

REESTATION UNIT

fa RLS aX INDEX SE) E
HOUSE BILL NO. DLS 480 INDEX SERVICE

Introduced by Hon. Mylene J. Garcia-Albano

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to declare the Walingwaling as the National Flower of the Philippines,
to replace the Sampaguita.

The Sampaguita was designated as the Philippines’ National Flower by virtue of
Executive Proclamation No. 652 issued by Gov. Gen. Frank Murphy on February 1, 1934.

According to Dr. Eduardo Quisumbing, National Museum Director and Dr. Vicente
Saplala, a professor of the UP Los Banos, the sampaguita is a native of India and Arabia
while the Walingwaling “is not only indigenous but endemic to the Philippines”.

The Walingwaling plant, which is the best orchid variety in the country, is
scientifically known as Vanda Sanderiana and used to abound in the tropical forest of Mount
Apo, Province of Davao, and Zamboanga del Sur. The orchid is touted as the queen of
Philippine flowers and is worshipped as “diwata” by the native Bagobos.

Aside from having its origin in the Philippines, the Walingwaling flower is truly
symbolic of the Filipino traits and characteristics.

The Walingwaling plant grow on tall diptherocarps but is never known to be a
parasite. It lives on treetops reaching for the light of the sun.

This majestic plant perched atop a tall tree enjoying the elements of the earth
symbolize the high aspirations of the Filipino. The Walingwaling is never choosy in its
growing environs. It is known to thrive in the lowlands of Southern Tagalog, the cool climes
of Los Banos, Laguna and even the cold wintry weather of America, subsisting on the lights
of a flourescent bulb. Such quality can be a symbol of resiliency of the Filipinos. Moreover,
the plant could live without support. It does not shy away from symbiotic relationships with
the diptherocarps. Such characteristics are symbolic of Filipino independence. As a proud
Filipino race, we enjoy our independence but we also live harmoniously and peacefully with
other nations.



The omamental value of Walingwaling is of national and international popularity. It
was in 1982 when Frederick Sander of London introduced the Walingwaling to the orchid
enthusiasts and lovers in London. It was also propagated by orchid lobbyist and commercial
orchid growers in other countries particularly Singapore, Thailand, Hongkong and Hawaii.
Since then, the Walingwaling hybrids have been one of the world’s multibillion dollar orchid
and cutflower industry. This is symbolic of the adaptability of the Filipinos.

If Walingwaling shall be saved, protected, regulated and its industry developed, it
could be the single biggest dollar earner for the country and would contribute to the economic
growth of the Filipinos.

For these reasons, the Walingwaling should be the Philippines’ National Flower,

hence, this Bill, approval of which is earnestly recommended.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

561
HOUSE BILL NO. 1561

Introduced by Hon. Mylene J. Garcia-Albano

AN ACT
DECLARING THE WALINGWALING AS THE NATIONAL
FLOWER OF THE PHILIPPINES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. The Walingwaling orchid is hereby declared the National Flower of the
Philippines.

SEC. 2. The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources shall promulgate rules
and regulations that will govern the acquisition, care and disposal of, and to protect, conserve

and propagate the Walingwaling.

SEC. 3. Executive Proclamation No. 652 and laws, decrees, rules and regulations, or

parts thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 4, This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved,