Bill seeking to have Waling-waling orchid named as national flower (just like the sampaguita) passes 2nd reading

Manila Standard Today reports that the bill seeking to name Waling-waling a national flower-which is authored by Davao City Rep. Mylene Garcia-Albano and Agham party-list Rep. Angelo Palmones-was passed on second reading without much plenary debate.

Garcia-Albano, who is also the vice chairman of the Committee on National Cultural Communities and Reforestation, said: "Waling-waling, whose scientific name is Vanda Sanderiana, is the country's best orchid variety."

Then again, some people are bound to ask: "Doesn’t the country already call sampaguita as its national flower?" Palmones pointed out that "the country has many national heroes." So, he asked, "Why not two national flowers?"

For more on this story, log on to Manila Standard Today.