Unique plants, flowers in full bloom, and beautiful animals will take centerstage this week when the 2nd Philippine International Flora & Fauna Garden Expo (PIFGEX 2009) opens on Thursday at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. The show, which features the theme “Protecting and Sustaining Nature,” will be a four-day event and will feature an exhibit, tradeshow, and a conference. 

PIFGEX 2009 is organized by RPN Flora and Fauna, Inc. and managed by ICE, Inc.   The show’s co-producer is the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which will be showcasing the indigenous, endemic and endangered species of plants and animals from the country’s 14 regions. 

A conference on flora and fauna will be held during the event. On July 17, the conference will focus on plants. A lecture on the cultivation of ferns and fern allies for garden landscape will be given by Anthony Arbias. This will be followed by a discussion on important Philippine orchid species by Andres S. Golamco, Jr.  Other speakers include Dr. Merdelyn T. Caasi-Lit of UP Los Banos, and Ulysses Ferreras.

Animals will be the topic of discussion on July 18. Speakers will include Wally Saurez, who will be lecturing on the venomous snakes of the Philippines; Noel Rafael of Avilan Zoo, Professor Panchito Labay of the Marinduque State University and Dr. Melanie Guerra.

Aside from the conference, there will also be a series of daily lectures (located in two separate lecture areas) of various topics like global warming, roof gardening, banana farming, organic farming, and bee keeping, among many others.

Participants in the garden club show are the Philippine Orchid Society, Philippine Horticultural Society, Flower Club Philippines, World Flower Council, and the Cactus and Succulent Society of the Philippines.  Other plant exhibitors include the Philippine Association of Landscape Architects (PALA), King Louis Plants and Flowers, East West Seeds, Ramgo Seeds, Mett’s Plant Arts, EDSA Garden House, Philippine Native Plant Conservation Society Inc., and the Rizal Technological University.

There will also be a display of live domesticated Philippine and exotic birds, small mammals, snakes, lizards, butterflies, and fish.  Exhibitors from this category will be coming from the DENR and marine fish from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.  Other animal exhibitors include Zoobic Safari, EWK Aviaries, Arowana & Luohan Society and the Red Ostrich Farm.  

The EDSA Garden House and King Louis will execute the landscaping of the entrance hall.   There will also be a floriculture / cut-flower arrangement demonstration and competition.

PIFGEX 2009 also aims to underscore the fact that the Philippines is one of the richest ecosystems in the world. Yet the country also happens to be a biodiversity hotspot as the natural habitat of its plants and animals is slowly being destroyed by modernization.