CALANASAN, APAYAO — Forest guards and local environmental officers in the mountainous town of Calanasan have discovered clusters of rare, blooming wild jade vine (Strongylodon macrobotrys) in the province’s remote rainforests, a find celebrated as a sign of a thriving and biodiverse ecosystem.
The discovery was made on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, during a routine biodiversity monitoring mission conducted by the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) in Barangays Tanglagan and Langnao.
The “Tayabak” Discovery Commonly known as Tayabak, the jade vine is endemic to the tropical rainforests of the Philippines and is globally recognized for its spectacular, claw-shaped turquoise-to-jade-green flowers.
- A Perfect Bloom: MENRO officer Sarah Mae Batil noted that while the vine has been documented in previous years, this is the first time it has been found in “perfect bloom.”
- Ecological Health: The presence of Tayabak is a strong indicator of a pristine environment, as the plant is sensitive to habitat changes and relies on bats for pollination.
- National Treasure: The jade vine is considered a symbol of Philippine natural beauty and is featured on the country’s five-peso coin.
Conservation and Customary Law Authorities emphasized that the discovery is protected under both national and local laws.
- Wildlife Act: The gathering of Tayabak for cultivation or sale is strictly prohibited under the Wildlife Act.
- Lapat Ordinance: In Calanasan, the plant is also protected by the “Lapat” system, a sacred customary practice of the Isnag people. Under this tradition, specific forest areas are declared off-limits or sacred following a death in the community, effectively creating an indigenous protected area.
Public Advisory The MENRO has advised the public to report any sightings of the vine for documentation purposes but warns against attempting to gather or transplant the species, which is currently categorized as vulnerable or endangered in the wild.
The find in Apayao follows a similar botanical discovery on Mindoro Island earlier this week, reinforcing the Philippines’ status as a global biodiversity hotspot even as environmental groups continue to call for more stringent protections of primary forest fragments.