New orchid in Singapore named after Marcos, First Lady

SINGAPORE — A new hybrid of orchid in Singapore has been named after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos.

The new orchid, called the Dendrobium Ferdinand Louise Marcos, is a robust and free-flowing orchid hybrid, which produces semi-arching inflorescences of 50 to 70 cm in length that bear 20 to 30 well-arranged flowers, measuring approximately 4 cm in width.

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise 'Liza' Araneta-Marcos are shown the Dendrobium Ferdinand Louise Marcos, a robust and free-flowering orchid hybrid named after them, at the National Orchid Garden in Singapore on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022. The Marcoses were welcomed at the garden by officials of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. MARIZ UMALI

Marcos and his wife, on the second day of their state visit here, went to the National Orchid Garden on Wednesday morning where park officials briefed them about the new orchid. They also signed the guestbook of the said garden.

According to curator Whang Lay Keng, the event signifies the closer ties between Singapore and the Philippines.

“We are very honored to have an orchid named after the President and spouse,” Whang said.

Whang said they also named an orchid after former Presidents Corazon Aquino and Rodrigo Duterte as well as former First Lady Imelda Marcos. —KBK/RSJ, GMA News