Plants: Creeping Raspberry (𝘙𝘶𝘣𝘶𝘴 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘧𝘦𝘪) in Madaymen, Kibungan, Benguet

This is the Taiwanese creeping bramble most commonly known as the creeping raspberry (𝘙𝘶𝘣𝘶𝘴 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘧𝘦𝘪). It's native to higher elevations in the subtropical and tropical zones of Taiwan and the Philippines. Cordillerans have names for it in the Cordilleran languages.

The Kankana-eys call it 𝘣𝘶𝘯𝘰𝘵, 𝘣𝘢𝘶𝘯𝘰𝘵, 𝘣𝘶𝘺𝘢𝘨𝘨𝘢𝘸, 𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵. Take note that 𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵 is also used to refer to other species of wild berries. The Ibaloys call it 𝘥𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘳 𝘥𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘨. Some call it 𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘢𝘬𝘢𝘯. I'm not sure if this is Ibaloy or Kankana-ey. 

The berries of the creeping raspberry are edible. The berries are yellow/orangeish when ripe and they have a tangy flavor. The ripe berries often have pesky hairs all over them so you need to clean them up a bit before eating them. 

These were seen in Madaymen, Kibungan, Benguet.

Photos by Thre Sha. 

Plants: Black Nightshade (𝘚𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘮 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘳𝘶𝘮); La Trinidad, Benguet

This plant is called the black nightshade (𝘚𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘮 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘳𝘶𝘮) and it's very common in the Cordillera region. It belongs to the same genus with potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants. 

The young leaves/shoots are often collected and eaten. They have a bitter taste even when cooked but it's easy to get used to. 

The Kankana-eys call it 𝗮𝗺𝘁𝗶.

Too Many Filipinos Take Psychics and Conspiracy Theorists Seriously

It's unfortunate to see a lot of people online taking seriously the pronouncements of conspiracy theorists and psychics. 

If you really want to understand earthquakes, how they form, why they form, and how to prepare for them, you get your information from seismologists, geophysicists, and geologists. They are the scientific experts on earthquakes. 

Omens, superstitions, predictions by self-proclaimed psychics, opinions by people who have zero backgrounds on seismology/geology, and conspiracy theories are all just noise. They are not data-based or science-based. 

Treat earthquakes like you treat typhoons or storms. If you want to understand typhoons, how they form, and why they form, you get your information from atmospheric scientists like meteorologists and climatologists. Same with earthquakes. If you want to learn about earthquakes, the scientists who study them should be your sources of information. 

Superstitions and conspiracy theories are interesting and they make for fun conversations but that's all there is to them. They're good for entertainment. But bad for understanding how the natural world actually works.

You want to be prepared for The Big One? Then listen to what the scientists have to say. Not to the unsubstantiated predictions from conspiracy theorists and self-proclaimed psychics.

Highly Venomous Luzon King Cobra (𝑂𝑝ℎ𝑖𝑜𝑝ℎ𝑎𝑔𝑢𝑠 𝑠𝑎𝑙𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑎) Spotted in Kabugao, Apayao

This is a Luzon King Cobra (𝑂𝑝ℎ𝑖𝑜𝑝ℎ𝑎𝑔𝑢𝑠 𝑠𝑎𝑙𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑎) spotted in Kabugao, Apayao. This species is highly venomous but it still plays a very important role in maintaining balance in the ecosystem. 

When encountering one, the first thing to do is back off, maintain a safe distance, and let the snake pass or get away. Many snake-bites happen when people approach to either antagonize or try to hurt the snake. Getting close to the snake only puts you at risk of being bitten.

People in areas where Luzon king cobras have been spotted also need to learn what should be done in case of snake bites especially from highly venomous species like the Luzon King Cobra. There are many misconceptions out there about treating snake-bites. Contrary to popular belief, applying a tourniquet, cutting the wound, or trying to suck the venom are not effective first-aid procedures. These can do more harm than good. 

The proper first aid procedure is the 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗴𝗲 (𝗣𝗜𝗕). This is a first-aid technique that involves firmly bandaging the affected limb and then immobilizing it with a splint. Learning this procedure is important. 

Also, if you spot a Luzon King Cobra in your area, try reporting it to the King Cobra Initiative Philippines. This organization gathers data about venomous snakes and where they are usually seen. The data help them in coming up with better solutions and support for communities where these snakes are often seen.

Photo by Sheila Jane Gaoiran.

Vaccinium Kilangensis: A New Plant Species Discovered in Mt. Kilang, Butao, Calanasan, Apayao

This is the 𝘝𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘶𝘮 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴, a newly described plant species discovered by a team of scientists and researchers at Mt. Kilang in Butao, Calanasan, Apayao. This rare blueberry shrub is found nowhere else in the world which means it’s biologically unique to Apayao. 

The researchers named the new plant species after Mt. Kilang. Thus the plant’s 𝘝𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘶𝘮 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴 name. 

The findings of the researchers were published in the scientific journal Phytotaxa on October 3, 2025. The research team is composed of Dr. Pieter Pelser and Dr. Julie Barcelona of the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, Breiden Dela Cruz of the provincial government of Apayao, and Ma. Susana V. Legaspi and Dr. Jayson C. Ibanez of the Philippine Eagle Foundation. 

With the discovery of this new species, the number of 𝘝𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘶𝘮 species in the Philippines rises to 45. 

Here’s the ABSTRACT for the research team’s paper published in Phytotaxa:

“A new species of small-leaved 𝘝𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘶𝘮 is described from Kilang Pass in northern Luzon (Philippines), bringing the total number of Philippine 𝘝𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘶𝘮 species to 45. 𝘝𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘶𝘮 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴 differs from the other species in the genus in having elliptic (to narrowly obovate) leaves with an entire leaf margin and obtuse apex, one- to two-flowered inflorescences with persistent foliaceous bracts, broadly conical-urceolate corollas, and spurred anthers.”

[Photos by the Philippine Eagle Foundation.]

North Philippine hawk-eagle (Nisaetus philippensis) Spotted in Kibungan, Benguet

This is a north Philippine hawk-eagle (Nisaetus philippensis) found and rescued by a farmer in Palina, Kibungan, Benguet. The farmer turned it over to the Kibungan PNP which then transferred the bird to the care of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO). This eagle is endemic to Luzon which means it can only be found in Luzon.

The north Philippine hawk-eagle is considered an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature or IUCN. This means that this eagle has a very high risk of going extinct in their known native ranges in the near future. 

It's estimated that there's only between 400 to 600 mature Philippine hawk-eagles remaining in the wild. The main threat to their existence is habitat loss.

Back in April of this year, a Philippine hawk-eagle was also spotted in Sagada, Mountain Province. 

If you come across an injured eagle, always report it to the proper authorities. Call the attention of MENRO or CENRO. And get the assistance of barangay officials or the police for assistance in transferring it to MENRO/CENRO.

Photo by Kibungan PNP.

Cloud Watching in La Trinidad, Benguet

A nephophile is a person who loves clouds. If you have a fondness or obsession for clouds, then you are afflicted with nephophilia. 

Apparently, cloud watching is a thing. Cloud watching is defined by the UF Thompson Earth Systems Institute as follows: 

"Cloud gazing, also called cloud spotting or cloud watching, is the act of sitting down in a comfortable spot and observing the clouds overhead. While it sounds simple, cloud gazing is a relaxing activity that benefits your mental well-being and enhances your connection with earth's meteorological system."

Today was a great day for cloud watching. As always, the La Trinidad sky was pretty. 

#cloudwatching #cloudgazing #cloudspotting #latrinidad #benguet