UPLB names flower after governor's wife

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines -The University of the Philippines-Los Banos (UPLB) has named their newly hybrid flower after Dr. Marilyn Marañon, the wife of Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr.

At a ceremony at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod Wednesday, UPLB named a Hibiscus flower (locally known as gumamela) after Dr. Marañon in "recognition of a life she has been selflessly devoting to public service and for her invaluable contributions to the people of Negros Occidental."

Dr. Luis Rey Velasco, UPLB chancellor, said the flower, officially named "Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Marilyn D. Maranon" is the latest flower from a long line of Hibiscus hybrids, and is a tribute to her under the Women in Public Service series.

"Every single plant, every single bloom, (of this flower) will always be a living reminder of the special individual behind this beautiful flower. Dr. Marilyn D. Marilyn's name, from hereon, shall live forever," the UPLB statement further read.

Velasco said the UPLB's Hibiscus Hybrids have been named after Filipinos who have made their mark in history and society. Among them are the heroines in the 1898 Philippine revolution, highly accomplished women scientists, acclaimed artists of Philippine cinema and outstanding UP alumnae.

The Institute, through Dr. Pablito Magdalita, its plant breeder, has passionately steered the breeding program producing new and stunning hybrids with flowers colors and forms, the UPLB statement added.

The "Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Marilyn D. Maranon" is truly a labor of love of the UPLB Crop Science Cluster-Institute of Plant Breeding, it added.

The "Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Marilyn D. Marañon" has flowers with lemon yellow petals with a white eye zone surrounded by a pinkish halo. The flowers, which have large size bloom of 3.5 inches, are continuously produced during the year, with May to December as its peak.

Its leaves are simple, egg-shaped, glossy and arranged alternately. The upper leaf surface is green, while the lower surface is light green.

The "Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Marilyn D. Marañon" is of medium height, shrubby and has a semi-erect growth habit. It is also described as a fast grower and a very prolific bloomer.

It is a product of the UPLB Crop Science Cluster-Institute of Plant Breeding.

UP Los Baños, in honoring Dr. Marañon, a 1966 graduate of the UE Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center with a doctor of medicine degree, said she has spent half of her lifetime dedicated to public service in her varying roles as medical doctor, political spouse, socio-civic leader and a health and environment advocate.

She and the governor have seven children and 14 grandchildren.

"Through her advocacy work and cause oriental projects, she complemented her husband's governance of Negros Occidental, and has helped transform it into one of the most progressive provinces in the country," Velasco said.

"I am humbled and greatly honored to have the privilege of having a flower named after me," Dr. Maranon said in her acceptance speech.

The doctor, who has a keen interest in flowers, said she wants to propagate the flower named her as an income generating project for women. (FREEMAN)