Sulu Garden Miagao

27/08/2026

SCIENCE IN THE GARDEN. Identification of the vine used to make Miag-ao's bubud salt unique. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=122231313776509022&set=a.122149501202509022

𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗧

Exciting news from our SGF research team!
A new study co-authored by Kim Alunan, Ma. Angela Magarzo, Justin Tiu, and Executive Director Jonathan Matias has just been published in the journal Discover Plants.

Our team successfully verified the scientific identity of the local balunos vine—a crucial component in the traditional budbud salt-making process of Miag-ao, Iloilo—as 𝘔𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴 (Lour.) Spreng.
By bridging folk knowledge with scientific taxonomy, this research highlights the vital link between cultural heritage, local craftsmanship, and biodiversity conservation.

Read the full study here:
Alunan, K.A., Magarzo, M.A.T., Tiu, J.L.M., Matias, J.R. Morphotaxonomic verification of the ‘balunos’ vine used in the artisanal budbud salt of Miag-ao, Iloilo, Philippines. Discov. Plants 3, 358 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44372-026-00838-z

18/08/2026

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=122230085570509022&set=a.122149501202509022

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗶𝗮𝗴-𝗮𝗼 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲!

An entire year of monitoring, mapping and conservation action capturing years of coexistence between people and fruit bats at the heart of our town. These flying foxes, locally called 𝘬𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘸, are vital seed dispersers and indicators of forest health.

Read the highlights and join us as we move forward into 2026 and beyond!

LINK: https://sulugardenfoundation.org/bats-of-miagao/

Copyright © 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗦𝘂𝗹𝘂 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Front and back cover photos by: Matt Vincent S. Leonoras
Design and layout: Kim A. Alunan
Content by: Kim A. Alunan, Ma. Angela T. Magarzo, Jonathan R. Matias

Get in touch:
www.sulugardenfoundation.org
[email protected]

29/07/2026

https://www.tiktok.com//video/7665933544836943112?_r=1&_t=ZS-98R2vE5HyvC

25/05/2026

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=122219238908509022&set=a.122105796740509022

A MOST MEMORABLE MEETING THAT HAPPENED BY CHANCE--A GRATEFUL GIRL OPERATED IN 2024 FOR CLEFT DEFORMITY AND SGT. RUBIN PEREZ [Philippine Army, 61st Infantry Battalion, Camp Monteclaro, Miag-ao, Philippines]. While in Sibalom, Antique Province a girl came running towards Sgt. Perez and hugged his so happily The sergeant did not know her, but her mother said she remembered him during our Cleft Surgery Mission in San Jose, Antique at Angel Salazar Memorial Hospital. That Mission was supported through Smile Train, Medical Mission Maters, Sulu Garden Foundation and the Philippine Army. The girl had cleft palate surgery which required her to stay in the hospital for almost a week and saw Sgt. Perez always walking up and down the wards checking on the children and their families.

APPRECIATION OF OUR WORK BY PEOPLE COMES IN MANY WAYS. BUT THE APPRECIATION OF A SINGLE CHILD MATTERS EVEN MORE.

Total surgeries? 6,912 children already had a chance for a normal future. WE STILL HAVE MORE TO DO.

DONATE: https://sulugardenfoundation.org/donate/

17/02/2026

SULU GARDEN 2018. Nightlife in the province. Some things never change though 8 years had passed. Visit Miag-ao, see our UNESCO CHURCH, see the mountains and the sea, visit other historical sites. Then come visit us in Sulu Garden Miag-ao

13/02/2026

Restoring the Valentines' heart in the creek besides the 1873 Spanish Bridge. Looks more stunning at night with lights.

06/02/2026

VALENTINE'S DAY 2026 is fast approaching. Plan ahead. Enjoy this special day with your loved ones in our Garden for an all-day buffet celebration. Php 550 per person. 11 AM to 9 PM. Reserve your table as soon as possible.