A new orchid hybrid was named on Wednesday after President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and his wife, First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, during their state visit to Singapore.
The Marcoses graced the naming of "'Dendrobium Ferdinand Louise Marcos" at the National Orchid Garden in Singapore.
The new orchid hybrid was described as "robust and free-flowing", showcasing a mix of white and lavender blooms.
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"We express our deepest gratitude to the government of Singapore for having the 'Dendrobium Ferdinand Louise Marcos' orchid named in honor of myself and the First Lady of the Philippines, my wife, Louise Araneta-Marcos," Marcos said in a social media post.
It has been a tradition by the Singaporean government to name orchid hybrids after foreign dignitaries when they visit the island-nation.
Known as the "orchid diplomacy", this tradition serves as "a gesture of friendship to promote goodwill between Singapore and other countries," according to BiblioAsia, a publication of the National Library Board of Singapore.
In 2016, former President Rodrigo Duterte also had an orchid hybrid named after him when he went on a state visit to Singapore. The late President Benigno Aquino III also received the same honor in 2011, as well as his mother, the late President Corazon Aquino in 1986.
During his state visit, Marcos is set to meet with Singaporean President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to discuss regional and global issues and explore options for stronger economic ties.
