Sulu Garden Foundation, Inc.

25/05/2026

A MOST MEMORABLE MEETING THAT HAPPENED BY CHANCE--A GRATEFUL GIRL OPERATED IN 2024 FOR CLEFT DEFORMITY AND SGT. RUBIN PEREZ [Philippine Army, 61st Infantry Battalion, Camp Monteclaro, Miag-ao, Philippines]. While in Sibalom, Antique Province a girl came running towards Sgt. Perez and hugged his so happily The sergeant did not know her, but her mother said she remembered him during our Cleft Surgery Mission in San Jose, Antique at Angel Salazar Memorial Hospital. That Mission was supported through Smile Train, Medical Mission Maters, Sulu Garden Foundation and the Philippine Army. The girl had cleft palate surgery which required her to stay in the hospital for almost a week and saw Sgt. Perez always walking up and down the wards checking on the children and their families.

APPRECIATION OF OUR WORK BY PEOPLE COMES IN MANY WAYS. BUT THE APPRECIATION OF A SINGLE CHILD MATTERS EVEN MORE.

Total surgeries? 6,912 children already had a chance for a normal future. WE STILL HAVE MORE TO DO.

12/05/2026

Last May 8, 2026, we officially celebrated a major milestone as we held the 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆 for our dedicated Tourism student-trainees from Sorsogon State University.

This event marked the successful completion of a rigorous 600-hour on-the-job training program, honoring the hard work, grit, and passion these future industry leaders poured into every task. It was a day (and night) of joy and reflection, celebrating the journey from classroom learners to seasoned young professionals ready to take on the global tourism landscape.

Throughout this intensive program, these trainees demonstrated exceptional active participation in tourism-related field activities and became true champions for the promotion of our local heritage. They didn't just observe; they immersed themselves in the heart of our communities, contributing in-depth exploration and meticulous documentation of significant cultural landmarks and historical sites in Miag-ao ⛪🏞️🌊

To our Sorsogon State University interns: congratulations on completing your journey! 🎉

27/04/2026

For the people of the Philippines, Magellan’s defeat in the Battle of Mactan is hailed as the country’s first of many attempts to resist Western colonization of the islands. Rajah Lapulapu became the first of its many heroes over the three centuries of resistance against Spanish rule.

Read more: https://sulugardenfoundation.org/diorama-of-the-battle-of-mactan-2025/

17/04/2026

𝘚𝘏𝘏𝘏! 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 🦇🌳💤

The 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆 is observed annually to celebrate the vital roles bats play in ecosystems and to promote their conservation. Despite their importance, bats are among the most endangered animals in the world. They often face unprecedented threats from widespread habitat destruction, hunting, climate change and even negative stigma.

As of December 2025, 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝟳𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗳𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝘅𝗲𝘀 were documented roosting across 𝟭𝟮𝟯 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀 in Miag-ao, Iloilo. This remarkable urban colony shows how biodiversity and communities can coexist and benefit one another.

These synanthropic (species living closely alongside and benefiting from human beings) bats adapt to urban trees and deliver essential ecosystem services: pollination for native and cultivated plants, seed dispersal that aids forest recovery, and nutrient cycling that supports soil health.

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: https://sulugardenfoundation.org/bats-of-miagao/

Want to help monitor and protect Miag-ao’s wildlife? Join our citizen science group: https://facebook.com/groups/1404470124232105/

13/04/2026

JOB POSITION OPEN:
Marketing & Communications Specialist

On-site only
Location: Miag-ao, Iloilo

Send your resume/CV at info@sulugardenfoundation.org

Write as subject heading "Application-2026-MCS"

Send along with your CV, samples of writings/scripts, articles, videos you have personally undertaken.

No calls or in-person visit will be entertained. Qualified applicants will be notified by email for the interview.

25/03/2026

𝗦𝗚𝗙 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗖𝗖𝗔!

Sulu Garden Foundation has officially been accredited by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)—the country’s highest policy-making and grant-giving body for culture and the arts.

This recognition affirms SGF’s commitment to safeguarding Philippine heritage, traditions, and community creativity, while opening doors to national networks, cultural grants, and collaborative opportunities with artists, scholars, and heritage advocates across the country.

From documenting artisanal salt-making in Miag-ao, to conserving biocultural assets, to promoting local history through exhibitions, arts, and livelihood programs—SGF continues to champion the culture and nature in Panay and beyond.

We are proud to join the NCCA-accredited community and strengthen partnerships that amplify local voices, protect biocultural heritage, and inspire future generations.

For more information: https://sulugardenfoundation.org/sgf-is-now-an-accredited-organization-of-the-ncca/

Email us through info@sulugardenfoundation.org

12/03/2026

03/03/2026

World Wildlife Day 2026 ✨🌿

This year’s theme, “𝙈𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘼𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙨: 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝, 𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙇𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙨”, shines a spotlight on the plants that heal us, sustain our cultures, and support countless communities worldwide.

From small herbs and climbing vines to epiphytic orchids and agarwood, 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 (𝗠𝗔𝗣𝘀) are the backbone of traditional medicine, modern pharmaceuticals, and local economies. They stabilize soils, nurture pollinators, and safeguard biodiversity, yet many face growing threats from habitat loss, overharvesting, and illegal trade.

On March 3, 2026, let’s celebrate the wisdom of Indigenous peoples, the resilience of rural communities, and the global partnerships working to conserve these invaluable species. Protecting MAPs means protecting our health, heritage, and future livelihoods. 🌍💚

25/02/2026

"From 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝘂𝗯𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗵𝗮 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝘂𝗷𝗮𝗱𝗮 𝗕𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗼, the team 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 across the archipelago in 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗵𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀.

And they found something remarkable — 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗺𝘆𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀, a 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗮 that has shown 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗥𝗦𝗔, one of the 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰-𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘂𝗴𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱.
𝗦𝗶𝘅 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 — some showing potential against ovarian cancer — are 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗶𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲, including the first-ever patent filed by the University of San Agustin. " READ MORE >>> https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1461822548945126&set=a.159784769148917

In 2015, 𝗗𝗿. 𝗝𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗿. 𝗗𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹𝘆𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘆 did something their colleagues abroad couldn’t quite understand — 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝗳𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 to return to their hometown of Iloilo. Their destination? 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻 (𝗨𝗦𝗔), and a modest research lab with big, untapped potential.

The timing wasn’t random. 𝗜𝗹𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗱𝗿𝘂𝗴 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆. About 70 years ago, a 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗶𝗹 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻 and unknowingly laid the 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗺𝘆𝗰𝗶𝗻 — one of the 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱’𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀. The discovery happened here. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲.

These two scientists are 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻.

“𝘏𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺, 𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘺𝘤𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘐𝘭𝘰𝘪𝘭𝘰, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦, 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵,” Dr. Dalisay said.

“𝘍𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦.”

So they got to work. From 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝘂𝗯𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗵𝗮 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝘂𝗷𝗮𝗱𝗮 𝗕𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗼, the team 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 across the archipelago in 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗵𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀.

And they found something remarkable — 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗺𝘆𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀, a 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗮 that has shown 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗥𝗦𝗔, one of the 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰-𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘂𝗴𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱.

𝗦𝗶𝘅 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 — some showing potential against ovarian cancer — are 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗶𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲, including the first-ever patent filed by the University of San Agustin.

To support the research, the 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗠𝗥 𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘆𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘁 𝗨𝗦𝗔 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮, eliminating the need to ship samples all the way to Manila and dramatically speeding up the process of identifying new compounds.

Today, the 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟯,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘀 — a growing archive that could fuel the next generation of medical breakthroughs.

The work isn’t staying in the lab either. Through a partnership with 𝗣𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗫 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗜𝗻𝗰., the university has already brought products to market — including 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘀®, a skin care line derived from kadios seeds, and 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲®, a wound gel made from Marajon Honey.

𝗨𝗦𝗔 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝟯𝟬 𝗧𝘂𝗸𝗹𝗮𝘀 𝗟𝘂𝗻𝗮𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲 and a 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝘂𝗯 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗿𝘂𝗴 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆.

More than half a century after 𝗜𝗹𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗼’𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗶𝗹 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲’𝘀 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘀, the city is finally getting its due — not as a source of raw material, but as a center of world-class science.

𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘵, 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦. 🌊

15/02/2026

The Bats of Miag-ao
𝗔𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗴𝗮 𝗞𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗮𝘄 𝗸𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗶𝗮𝗴-𝗮𝗼

In the heart of the Municipality of Miag-ao in the Province of Iloilo, Panay Island, Western Visayas, "kabilaw" or flying-foxes have shared space with residents for over seven decades, creating a near-textbook example of human-wildlife interface.

Scientists have identified at least three species in the town center: large flying-fox (𝘗𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘴 𝘷𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘺𝘳𝘶𝘴), the island flying-fox (𝘗𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘴 𝘩𝘺𝘱𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘴), and the little golden-mantled flying-fox (𝘗𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘴 𝘱𝘶𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘶𝘴).

As of December 2025, 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝟳𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗳𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝘅𝗲𝘀 were documented roosting across 𝟭𝟮𝟯 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀. This remarkable urban colony shows how biodiversity and communities can coexist and benefit one another.

These synanthropic (species living closely alongside and benefiting from human beings) bats adapt to urban trees and deliver essential ecosystem services: pollination for native and cultivated plants, natural pest regulation, seed dispersal that aids forest recovery, and nutrient cycling that supports soil health.

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: https://sulugardenfoundation.org/bats-of-miagao/

Want to monitor and protect Miag-ao’s wildlife? Join our citizen science group: https://facebook.com/groups/1404470124232105/

24/01/2026

NEWS FROM CHINA --- and it is worth reading as SGF pursues its reforestation plan for the island of Panay. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=895614966394693&set=a.777739634848894

China’s massive tree-planting campaigns have reached a scale so vast that scientists observed something unprecedented: the nation’s water cycle itself began to change. Through decades of large-scale afforestation and reforestation projects, millions of hectares of land were transformed, reshaping how water moves through the atmosphere, soil, rivers, and underground reserves.

Trees play a powerful role in the climate system. Their roots absorb groundwater, their leaves release moisture into the air through transpiration, and their canopies influence cloud formation. As China dramatically increased forest cover, these natural processes intensified. In some regions, rainfall patterns shifted, river flows changed, and groundwater recharge rates were permanently altered.

One of the most famous efforts, aimed at stopping desert expansion and soil erosion, helped stabilize land and reduce dust storms. Forests slowed surface runoff, allowing more water to soak into the ground while reducing flooding risks. At the same time, increased vegetation changed evaporation rates, subtly influencing regional weather systems.

However, this transformation also revealed how powerful human-led environmental interventions can be. In certain dry regions, dense tree planting increased water consumption, placing pressure on local water supplies. This led scientists and planners to rethink tree-planting strategies, focusing more on native species, balanced density, and long-term sustainability rather than sheer numbers alone.

China’s experience stands as a global lesson: restoring nature at scale can reshape entire environmental systems—for better and for worse—if not carefully planned. It proves that forests are not just scenery; they are living infrastructure that controls water, climate, and life itself.

This remarkable transformation shows that when humans alter landscapes on a massive scale, the Earth responds in equally massive ways. The challenge now is learning how to guide that power responsibly for a balanced and resilient future.

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