Rafflesia Leonardi's founder Dr. Leonardo Co died in a crossfire between the communist rebels and the military last Monday, November 15, 2010, in Kanaga, Leyte.
It's been said that he together with his co-workers are doing field work in the said area. But the military didn't know it.
Dr. Co is knowned for discovering a type of Rafflessia, which had been called rafflesia leonardi under his first name, Leonardo.
"The discovery of a new species of Rafflesia in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Northeastern Luzon in the Philippines was a timely occasion for us to honor the most knowledgeable person on Philippine plants, Leonardo L. Co. Leonard has made the study of plants his love and life. As a student, his botanical curiosity was triggered by the diversity of ferns in the Philippines. Later in life as a botanist of Conservation International-Philippines and U.P. Diliman, he expanded his interests towards seed plant diversity. He spent most of his botanical career studying the forests of Luzon’s Sierra Madre. Leonard’s enthusiasm has motivated many students in the Philippines to pursue a career in Botany. His attitude towards the sincere pursuit and sharing of his knowledge in Plant Taxonomy has put real meaning to the words biodiversity conservation, scientist, endemic, endangered, capacity-building, participatory, community . . . for this, he gained my highest respect as a person and scientist."
According to Inquirer News,
"Co, who was also the president of the Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society, served as a museum researcher at the University of the Philippines Institute of Biology (IB). He was the de facto curator of the Jose Vera Santos Herbarium, according to Dr. Perry Ong, IB director.
He was known in the Cordilleras for his work in helping communities systematize the knowledge of traditional healers about medicinal plants for their own primary health care.
As a staff member of the Community Health, Education, Services and Training in the Cordillera Administrative Region (Chestcore) based in Baguio City since 1981, Co had helped list 122 medicinal plants in the region with their scientific and common names.
The list also included illustrations so anyone could identify the plant. Descriptions of the plant included habitat, distribution, parts utilized, indications, directions for use, dosage, and precautionary notes on toxicity and contraindications.
In 1989, Co published the book, “Common Medicinal Plants in the Cordillera Region: A Trainor’s Manual for Community-Based Health Programs,” in collaboration with Chestcore.
The book was primarily designed to help communities tap their traditional medicinal plants to treat some common diseases without relying too much on prescription drugs, which are not readily available.
He also authored “The Forest Trees of Palanan, Philippines: A Study in Population Ecology.”
Also, according to Ms. Barcelona, Dr. Co's ongoing projects are:
- Pictorial Guide to Philippine Ferns and Fern Allies
- Regional/Island Surveys of the Ferns and Fern Allies in the Philippines
- Electronic Databasing of Philippine fern collections in world herbaria
- Collection and Conservation Status of Philippine Endemic Ferns and Fern Allies
- Studies on Philippine Rafflesia
He really is a loss not only for the Philippines but also to the world. I hope the government will support Philippine Scientist and Inventors more. This may be able to help us have an economic growth.
Sources: Julie F. Barcelona, Inquirer
P.S.
For further readings, I found this blog in memoriam to Dr. Co. MabiDavid: Itenerary.
Also, for the rafflesias in the Philippines, refer to MPHScience.
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