SINGAPORE – Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his wife, Mrs. Louise Araneta Marcos, had a new orchid hybrid named in their honor on Wednesday.
A hardy, free-flowering orchid hybrid named Dendrobium Ferdinand Louise Marcos produces a spray of flowers about 50-70 cm long.
According to the National Parks Commission (NParks), its flowers have sepals (modified leaves that protect the flower as buds) adorned with lavender stripes against a white background, and a bluish tinge with purple lips. It has white petals washed out with mauve.
The announcement was made at a ceremony held at the Botanical Gardens during Marcos’ two-day state visit to Singapore, which began on Tuesday.
Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and his wife Joy Balakrishnan accompanied him at the National Orchid Garden where the ceremony took place.
Singapore traditionally names orchids after visiting foreign dignitaries as a sign of goodwill and friendship.
It will be Marcos’ first visit to Singapore as president since taking office in June. He is scheduled to visit President Halimah Yacoub in Istana late Wednesday.
He will also meet with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and witness the exchange of several agreements to strengthen cooperation in areas such as counter-terrorism and data privacy.
On Tuesday, Marcos attended an event at the National University of Singapore to thank the nearly 2,000 supporters who turned out for the chance to see him live.
Marcos arrived in Singapore this week after meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo. They discussed ASEAN’s role in the region, especially in the geopolitical environment of volatility.
