Philippine Tree of the Month: Alawihaw

Now emerging taller than our palms is a native dipterocarp called Alawíhaw (sp. Alawíhao?), whose scientific name I have yet to find. I chanced on this seedling only around three years ago, when I did not even know yet the importance of native trees. At the Manila Seedling Bank, I was talking to a staff member, inventorizing through their peripheral stocks I may not yet have. He pointed out this lone seedling, coyly telling me that this is a native tree, sounding rather deprecating yet I perceived he meant it as a practical and prudent choice.

Some months later, I became more aware of the importance of promoting our native flora, and I'm glad my Alawihaw's had a headstart.

Anonas

One of the first trees I got acquainted to when we started the farm years back was this tree planted near the road. When we started clearing the property, I gave clear instructions not to cut down any tree so we can clearly see what was in there. I planned around the trees to be as unobtrusive as I can but consequently, there were some small ones that had to be sacrificed to make way and clear some areas.


Eventually, we trimmed this Anonas (Annona reticulata) and incorporated it into the gardenscape. It's a generous tree; it shades the plants around it and consistently gives us the most delicious fruits.

Like a lot of people, I did not know of this tree and fruit until I came here. I know about the street named after it, and I even have a friend surnamed Anonas. But I had no clue it is a cousin of the Atis (Annona squamosa), and is actually bigger, fleshier, and creamier.

And when it is fully ripe, its skin turn an attractively pale red orange (below, foreground). It's refreshing to eat it chilled, and must be good to make into a shake.

Philippine Tree of the Month: Pili

Towering in the garden in less than five years is a Píli tree (Canarium ovatum), one of the very first seedlings we planted when we started here in San Celestino. I first appreciated this tree on a trip to Bicol, then to Negros Occidental. Apart from its delicious nuts, it is a handsome specimen tree and a sturdy hardwood.

Little did I know then that it is endemic to the Philippines, and comes in several varieties, all naturally occurring only in our country.

Home-Grown Lunch

How I wish we can always have dishes that are practically all grown or raised by us! Our lunch on this cool and damp day is nilagang manok, from our own free-range chickens and mustard leaves we've grown from seeds (below). Even the ginger we used is our own produce!

It's In the Bag!

The cabána, that is! A friend gifted me with a personalized tote with a photograph of our place printed on it. Not only is it so unique, it's also very practical and useful. Suddenly, my Christmas gifts to friends look so unimaginative...