Ramon

I'm a man taking leaps of faith.Certified Public Accountant.

[Tim Cone @manilacone]

What Alex Eala is doing internationally is big news, but still not being glorified enough back here at home. What she is doing on the biggest stages is incredible. Every person in the country should be talking about her. Amazing!!! Go Alex!

[Masungi Georeserve @MasungiGeo]

ONCE LOST TO SCIENCE, THIS SPECIES IS FOUND AFTER 130 YEARS 📷

RIZAL PROVINCE — A plant species last recorded in the 1890s has been rediscovered thriving within the limestone forests of the Masungi Georeserve. The Philippine Journal of Science has published the confirmed finding of Exacum loheri (H. Hara) Klack., a species once considered lost, in a new research note authored by scientists from the University of the Philippines Diliman and the Philippine Normal University.

This marks the first verified record of the species in over 130 years, following its original collection by Swiss botanist August Loher in 1895.

The study, “Notes on the Poorly Known Exacum loheri (H. Hara) Klack. (Gentianaceae) and a Key to the Philippine Species of Exacum,” presents the first-ever photographs of living E. loheri. The plant was serendipitously rediscovered during a malacological (snail) reconnaissance study within Masungi’s “600 Steps” area in Baras and Tanay, Rizal.

Described as achlorophyllous or mycoheterotrophic, E. loheri lacks chlorophyll and relies entirely on a symbiotic relationship with fungi for its nutrients — an exceptionally rare adaptation in plants. It was observed growing on humus-rich limestone soils near a freshwater channel in a secondary karst forest, underscoring the ecological complexity and conservation importance of Masungi’s limestone ecosystems.

According to researchers Jayson A. Mansibang, Lawrence Jacob C. Alterado, Aaron Gabriel B. Espinosa, and Erwin M. Blancaflor, Masungi Georeserve currently harbors the only known living population of E. loheri in the wild. “Considering its restricted distribution, this species is presumed to be extremely rare and probably threatened at present,” the authors wrote.

Beyond documenting the rediscovery, the paper also provides a comprehensive taxonomic key to all known Philippine species of Exacum, enriching the country’s botanical research and biodiversity database.
“The rediscovery of this long-lost species shows why the Vena Group’s 603-MW wind project has no place in the Masungi Karst Conservation Area. Every year, science reveals more rare and endemic life thriving here — proof that this landscape is irreplaceable,” — Billie Dumaliang, Director for Advocacy, Masungi Georeserve Foundation.

The rediscovery reinforces Masungi’s role as a critical refuge for rare and endemic species within the Sierra Madre range, a landscape increasingly threatened by quarrying, large-scale infrastructure, and other destructive activities.

The Foundation continues to collaborate with scientists, communities, and environmental defenders to safeguard these irreplaceable habitats.

Masungi Georeserve Foundation extends its gratitude to the University of the Philippines Diliman Institute of Biology, Philippine Normal University, and the Malacological Society of Australasia for their invaluable fieldwork and scientific partnership that led to this rediscovery.

###

About the Masungi Georeserve Foundation
The Masungi Georeserve Foundation, a 2022 recipient of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Action Campaign Inspire Award, is a non-profit organization dedicated to conserving the Masungi karst ecosystem in Baras, Rizal, Philippines. Through the Masungi Geopark Project, the foundation is spearheading the restoration of over 2,700 hectares of degraded watershed areas. Its mission extends to advancing research, education, and sustainable geotourism, safeguarding the region’s natural heritage for future generations.

For more information, contact: [email protected]

Link to the Philippine Journal of Science Research Note:
https://t.co/XSQm7litER...

[Aui 2000 @Aui_2000]

Now that TI is over, can @GaiminGladiator and @GGNickcvillo please explain what could have possibly happened to stop their players and team from playing at TI?

[Francis J. Ricamora @ilovekikkoman]

At SGV, we strive to uphold our commitment to deliver information and services that can help sustain your business. We are pleased to share with you our special Infographic on CREATE MORE Act or Republic Act No. 12066.

[Raeyei🎖️🐰 @raeyei]

APT but it's DOTA 2..?

I LOVE DOTA EVEN IF DOTA DOESN'T LOVE ME BACK #apt #dota2

[The Philippine Star @PhilippineStar]

The Supreme Court (SC) has issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the transfer of “excess” funds of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to the national treasury. https://t.co/gjS1lJ7M3v | via @onenewsph

[BBC News (World) @BBCWorld]

Smear campaign against celebrity-endorsed nature reserve exposed https://t.co/X2XsJVCPAk

[Mike @chubbaldy]

As someone who studied Philippine children’s literature for my MA, there are several aspects of VP Sara’s book that we can talk about. Let’s analyze some of them

🧵

[Rappler @rapplerdotcom]

Philippines' Bianca Pagdanganan slipped seven spots as she fell out of the medal picture in the Paris Olympics women’s golf competition after the third round on Friday, August 9. Photos from Reuters

#Paris2024 https://t.co/wtU8ENxujE

[Ambassador of Japan in the Philippines @AmbJPNinPH]

Supporting PH’s efforts on the oil spill incident, JCG exchanged insights w/ PCG on oil removal strategies, while JAXA provided satellite imagery to PhilSA. 🇯🇵will continue to work closely w/ 🇵🇭to mitigate the spread of marine pollution & restore the marine environment. 🪸🌊

[Thomas thee Tankengine @goodkidbikecity]

Looks like we removed a bunch of bike lanes, humigpit tayo sa e-bikes, and got everyone buying hybrids... and traffic is worse than ever. hahahahahaha

[Thomas thee Tankengine @goodkidbikecity]

Nothing is so powerful as the feeling that your country has turned a corner for the better.

Glory to the students of Bangladesh!

I pass on the words of my friend Fuad: "Remember, protecting freedom is much more painful than gaining freedom."

[ABS-CBN News @ABSCBNNews]

1,501 irregular birth certificates issued to foreigners from Davao Del Sur from 2016-2023
https://t.co/XsKwYUcnyP

[The Olympic Games @Olympics]

It's #Bronze for Aira Villegas. 🇵🇭

She finishes third in the boxing women's 50kg category bout, and wins the Philippines’s second ever Olympic medal in women’s boxing. 💪

#Boxing | #Paris2024 | #Samsung | #TogetherForTomorrow

[One Sports @OneSportsPHL]

SALUDO PA RIN KAMI SAYO, EJ 🫡

Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena was definitely emotional after coming up short, placing fourth in the men’s pole vault final at #Paris2024.

#Paris2024 #OlympicGames #100TaongLaban #ParaSaBayan

[The Olympic Games @Olympics]

Three years ago, the Philippines 🇵🇭 had never won an Olympic gold medal...

Fast forward to #Paris2024, and now they have three!

🥇🥇🥇

[BLAST SLAM @BLASTDota]

This new Muerta persona is crazy 🤯

[Kiko Pangilinan @kikopangilinan]

Isa tayo sa 3 senador na bumoto kontra sa POGO nung nakaraang Kongreso kaya salamat PBBM na ipasasara na ang pugad ng kriminal na sindikato at iligal gawain na umaabot sa bilyong pisong halaga ng pasugalan. Habulin rin ang mga sugapa na ex govt officials na kasabwat nila.

[GG | Gaimin Gladiators ⚔️ @GaiminGladiator]

WHO LET THEM COOK?! 👨‍🍳

We deep-fried EL CLASICO, boiled some LIQUID dreams, and had spare time to FIRE UP THE CROWD. 🔥

We are your #RiyadhMasters and #EsportsWorldCup Champions! 🏆

[SPOT.ph @Spotdotph]

There's definitely more to Masungi than getting that "sapot" snap.
https://t.co/mT2c0SwUT8