Sulu Garden Foundation, Inc.

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.

Hashtags:

03/01/2026

ON REFORESTING PHILIPPINES...ONE ISLAND AT A TIME. Today's article in Carbon Credits and recent progress in this effort by SGF, partners and friends.

The Philippines is combining drones, AI, and carbon finance to restore forests in Panay and build climate-resilient reforestation models.

28/12/2025

Behind every smile lies a journey of courage. Be part of their healing story. With your support, a child can receive a life-changing opportunity.

We invite you to help us raise funds for our upcoming surgical mission for children with cleft deformities. Together, we aim to support 100 Filipino children for our upcoming mission this February 2026.

You can visit us and learn how you can help through the following platforms:

Website:
https://sulugardenfoundation.org/cleft-philippines-medical-mission-matters/

GoFundMe
https://gofund.me/324548567

Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/sulugardenfoundation

03/12/2025

𝗔 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗮𝘆: 𝗦𝘂𝗹𝘂 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗨𝗸𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘆 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Yesterday, December 2, 2025, Sulu Garden Foundation, in partnership with the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of the Philippines, hosted a special discussion with Her Excellency Yuliia Fediv to explore innovations for land restoration. The session focused on technology-assisted reforestation, particularly the use of drone technologies, to accelerate the 𝗥𝗲-𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗮𝘆 initiative and scale nature-based solutions across the island.

Representatives from the Department of Agriculture VI and the Department of Science and Technology VI joined Dr. Carmelo del Castillo, For. Isidro Mosura Jr., partners from the Philippine Army for a constructive exchange on planning, monitoring, and verification using emerging tools. The meeting discussed how drones, AI, and hybrid restoration methods can improve efficiency, increase survival rates, and unlock nature-based finance to sustain long-term restoration.

This event strengthened our shared commitment to coordinated, multi-sector action. We are grateful to Her Excellency Fediv and all our guests for their insights and support. Moving forward, SGF will translate these conversations into pilot deployments, technical partnerships, and capacity-building activities that bring technology and communities together on the ground.

Read more: https://sulugardenfoundation.org/sgf-and-embassy-of-ukraine-convene-forum-on-drone-assisted-re-greening-of-panay/

24/11/2025

𝗔 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚
𝘚𝘰𝘰𝘯..

20/11/2025

SOME GOOD NEWS IN BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION RESEARCH. https://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/other/over-1-000-new-species-discovered-by-scientists/vi-AA1IA8dC?ocid=socialshare&fbclid=IwY2xjawOMB-5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe6MYdmWW3oMh0IKpOpFf0ZPfIOs96buAy6y9T-8vT1bhnDNIBfBLCAxvlQhE_aem_2xlKTUzXEREldvyesR2x7g

Explore the fascinating world of the 1,000 newly identified animal species in this informative episode. - 0:00 1,000 Newly Discovered Animal Species - 1:47 The Iberian Lynx - 2:20 The California Condor - 3:05 The Pygmy Hog - 4:00 Newly Discovered Frog Species - 6:13 Newly Discovered Sponge Crab Spec...

15/11/2025

𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟱: 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲: 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗳𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘆

Cleft lip and cleft palate are more than just medical conditions. They shape how a child eats, speaks, and how they see themselves. Through compassion, skilled hands, and accessible care, futures can be changed. In this episode, hear the powerful stories of children who once struggled to eat, to speak, and interact with others because of their condition and how free cleft surgery helped them regain their voice and rebuilt their confidence.

Many still wait. Many still hide. Help us bring hope to the next child waiting for a second chance at life.

Sulu Garden Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Miag-ao, Iloilo, dedicated to improving healthcare access in underserved communities. Through strategic partnerships with medical teams, local governments, and international supporters, SGF has become a leading force in providing free cleft lip and palate surgeries across Panay and beyond. Their work doesn't stop at surgery. They support patients from identification and transport to post-operative care, making sure no child is left behind due to poverty or distance.

One surgery costs ₱𝟯𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗼𝗿 $𝟱𝟱𝟬. It’s more than a medical procedure, it’s a chance at a full life.

𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝘄:
https://sulugardenfoundation.org/donate/

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸: https://sulugardenfoundation.org/cleft-philippines-medical-mission-matters/

𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽
• In-kind donations of medical supplies, equipment, and medicines
• Mission sponsorship to underwrite travel, lodging, and on-site costs
• Research sponsorship to advance clinical cleft-care innovations

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽
Your gift fuels every step of our mission:
☻ Free, high-quality cleft surgeries for children and adults
☻ Training and mentorship for local surgeons and nurses
☻ Outreach teams to remote barangays to find and support patients
☻ Essential supplies, from anesthesia to suture kits
☻ Post-op follow-up, free transportation, and financial assistance

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽
✓ In-kind donations of medical supplies, equipment, and medicines
✓ Mission sponsorship to underwrite travel, lodging, and on-site costs
✓ Research sponsorship to advance clinical cleft-care innovations

Subscribe for more inspiring episodes from the frontlines of compassion

Watch on Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLweMZcgI26YoRYdlquMOLMZMVSQrfmPWG&si=f7G6O_7p4dYBXKIU

Email us at: info@sulugardenfoundation.org

Narration by: Justin Luis Tiu
Edited by: Justin Luis Tiu, Kim Alunan

In collaboration with:
𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀, 𝗜𝗻𝗰. 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝘆

All videos & images were captured and shared with full permission from the children’s guardians

11/11/2025

𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗛𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗡 𝗔𝗙𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗠 🌳🦇

After Typhoon Tino passed Panay last week, some of Miag‑ao’s flying‑foxes appeared to have temporarily moved into a new roost — a towering Rain Tree (𝘚𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘢 𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘯) near SGF.

The shift may be due to weather disturbances, storm damage to former roosts, canopy defoliation, or crowding pressures.

The colony has been expanding across town since the Bubog tree (𝘚𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘪𝘢 𝘧𝘰𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘥𝘢) fell around 2019, and bats have now been recorded in at least seven urban sites, with 6,000+ individuals counted as of June 2025. A total of 130 roosting trees were documented from the previous bat count. However, for the past few months, more trees have been roosted since.

At least three species of flying foxes has been recorded in Miag-ao, namely the island flyng fox (𝘗. 𝘩𝘺𝘱𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘴), large flying fox (𝘗. 𝘷𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘺𝘳𝘶𝘴), and little golden-mantled flying fox (𝘗. 𝘱𝘶𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘶𝘴). So far, the species observed in this particular tree were island flying‑foxes.

As of today, the bats were not present in the Rain Tree anymore but were observed in nearby trees that were also not recorded previously.

Bats play a crucial role in our ecosystem. These new sites will be added to our monitoring and upcoming bat count.

𝗧𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲, 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁: https://sulugardenfoundation.org/bats-of-miagao/