𝑹𝒂𝒇𝒇𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒂 𝒍𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒆 Blanco
Watercolor on paper
5"x7"

From my recent explorations

Collected more samples of some notable species we collected in Mount Tapulao (Zambales, PH) last year. Another successful exploration for 2026.

Wrapped the field exploration with a significant number of plant novelties. The rain poured heavily during our whole stay in the 2 mountains, however, I was able to find insects for my entom friends.

1st (of many) field explorations scheduled for 2026. Assigned to collect ferns and specific genera of flowering plants. Also asked to collect hoppers and crickets by friends and colleagues

stood in a branch thinner than half of my arm a few meters above the ground

found a flowering parasitic plant lodged to this single host tree within Mount Tapulao

This is how I usually collect plants, climb a tree and settle in a branch in which I think can support my weight. Sometimes, improvise ways to transfer to other trees using rattans found in the area

That's me!!, the one with the orange helmet

During our expedition, everyone got a chance to climb a tree to experience the Cafotrop setup (with Lionel Picart) at the camp. As someone who is used to climbing trees without any gear to collect plants, I struggled (but had a lot of fun) haha

Unfortunately, I only got 1 since I was focused on collecting plants. But, I could collect more next time with our entomology team (UPLB, the same team from Mount Tapulao by the way).

Karst Mountain- Mount Kilang

Collecting a very interesting lithophytic plant,

In my natural habitat haha

from the Philippines by the way, I forgot to include the country.

What a successful expedition not only for us in the plant team but for the whole team. We were lucky enough to discover a lot of plant novelties. What more if we were able to go to every corner of this mountain.

It was from Calanasan, Province of Apayao. It was abundant in the roadside forests in the area.

Another insect from our latest exploration. #Gryllidae
Might be good to illustrate this some time.

(As a botanist) I had a deeper understanding about insects earlier this year while working with a lot of entomologists who work on different groups. Here's a species of weevil I found from a recent exploration in one of the northern provinces in the Philippines #Coleoptera

Here's another artwork given to an entomologist that was very enthusiastic about birds during the expedition.

Watercolor and pen on paper
"Luzon tarictic hornbill"

One of the lead entomologist (president of International Auchenorrhyncha Society) wanted an artwork of any Cixiidae. So, I decided to paint a species that was collected during our expedition.

Watercolor on paper
Photo reference: Gernot Kunz (he was also part of the expedition)

Had a reconnaissance botanical fieldwork earlier this week with people from our institution and a researcher from Institut de Recherche pour le Développement in the mountains of Northern Luzon. It was very productive. Excited for the full blown exploration next year.

It was my first time to illustrate insects. All the original copies were sent to MNHN as a gift to the entomologists I worked with in the field. 𝑬𝒖𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒂 𝒎𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒂 was specifically requested by one of them.

Colored pencils and pen on watercolor paper (hot pressed)

Grateful to be a part of this expedition. I was there to document the plants. I also learned a lot from the fauna team...

A meme for #phylogenetics people.

Had the opportunity to join an expedition last month in collaboration with researchers from @mnhn.fr
What an amazing experience!

Painted a postcard of 𝘙𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘢 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘴𝘢, a Philippine endemic