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Waling-waling Orchid

Vanda sanderiana

Status: Endangered and very rare in its native habitat, because of over-collection, and destruction of native habitat..

Endemic to the tropical forests Mindanao in the Philippines, this exquisite flower dazzles all who behold her. A fan of leaves cascades from where it anchors at the tops of trees, topped by magnificent clusters of blooms of purple, vermilion, and blushing pink. A German taxonomist named Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach discovered it for the Western world in 1882, and from that first foreign revelation, the Waling-waling orchid became in danger of extinction. Desire to possess its beauty seized hold of western collectors in an overwhelming frenzy that threatened to strip the native forests of its prize beauty.

It is no wonder that within her native environs, tucked into the tree trunks on the lower slopes of Mount Apo and blooming in delicate profusion, the flower is known as the "Queen of orchids" or "beautiful goddess" or "beautiful lady from heaven". The Bagobos of the Philippines have an animistic worldview. Diwata are spirits of nature. They incarnate the essences of plants, animals, and places, and the Waling-waling is revered as a beautiful diwata.

 

References:
Tacio, Henrylito D. "Waling-waling: Queen of Philippine flowers". Philippine Morning Post, October 2021. https://philippinemorningpost.com/waling-waling-queen-of-philippine-flowers/#:~:text=%E2%80%9cThe%20waling%2Dwaling%20can%20best,the%20country%2c%E2%80%9D%20Paje%20explained.

clark, Jordan. "ENGKANTO & ANITOS: could Science Be close To Proving They're Real?". The Aswang Project, Jan 2016. https://www.aswangproject.com/engkanto-anitos-science/ Benedict, L. W. (1913). Bagobo Myths. The Journal of American Folklore, 26(99), 13-63. https://doi.org/10.2307/534786