Sulu Garden Foundation, Inc.

22/06/2026

𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵: 𝗦𝗚𝗙 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗖𝗖𝗔 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗶𝗮𝗴-𝗮𝗼 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵

The Sulu Garden Foundation (SGF), fueled by its longstanding commitment to safeguarding cultural heritage, in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), Miag-ao Parish Council, and the Miag-ao Local Government Units, convened a two-day consultative meeting on the restoration and repairs of the Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva on June 16–17, 2026, at Sulu Garden, Miag-ao, Iloilo.

The gathering brought together said agencies to discuss the condition of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and to strengthen the connection and collaboration for its conservation. The first day started with an initial consultation of the parish ministry and council, including Rev. Fr. Cirilo Camus, Rev. Fr. Kenneth Ezpeleta, Rev. Fr. Melvin Martin Daquilanea, together with SGF. The second day’s formal collaborative discussion hosted by SGF and led by NCCA, started with an overview presented by Salvador Acsay Jr., SGF Director of Heritage and History, who provided a brief account of the earthquakes that hit the Panay and the municipality of Miag-ao, including the recent 4.7 earthquake that originated from Anini-y, Antique, last June 14, 2026, and its ramifications to the Church’s structure.

The stakeholders also addressed a recent Facebook post circulating online, which highlighted that the evident cracks were caused by the recent earthquake that had brought a false narrative in the community, particularly on online social media platforms. However, Acsay reiterated that the structural damage was attributed not only to seismic activities, but also to environmental agents, such as vibrations from vehicular traffic along the road, acid rain, and pollution due to the presence of cracks long before the recent earthquake happened.

As a treasured cultural and religious landmark and a recognized World Heritage Site, its protection, preservation, and repair anchors on the shared responsibility and commitment of the whole community.

Read more: https://sulugardenfoundation.org/a-commitment-to-faith-sgf-and-ncca-hosts-conservation-talks-to-strengthen-the-future-of-miag-ao-church/

18/06/2026

📣 𝗪𝗘 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚!

The Sulu Garden Foundation is currently looking for passionate and driven individuals to join us on-site in Miag-ao, Iloilo. We are currently accepting applications for two (2) distinct positions:

🥼 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁
🌱 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁

These roles are open to recent graduates as well as professionals with relevant experience.

How to apply? Send an email to [email protected] containing your Curriculum Vitae with a subject heading: Application-2026-PC for Project Chemist or Application-2026-BRA for Biological Research Assistant.

To streamline the application process, no calls or in-person visits will be entertained. Qualified applicants will be notified via email for the interview.

17/06/2026

There is a massive, forgotten global industry buried right under our feet in Miag-ao. And for decades, we’ve been burning it for charcoal.

For centuries, Sibukaw (sappanwood) supplied the world with brilliant natural red dyes via the Manila-Acapulco Galleon trade. But when artificial, toxic dyes took over, the global market collapsed. Our forests were decimated, and this priceless cultural resource was relegated to mere firewood.

We are changing that paradigm.

With the official launch of Project Sibukaw, supported by the Australian Government’s Direct Aid Program, SGF is bridging biocultural heritage with rigorous scientific commercialization. This is our blueprint for how massive reforestation can generate immediate community wealth.

At our inception meeting at SGF Headquarters, Barangay Captain Hon. Gloria Mariano and 31 local landowners committed to this long-term environmental partnership. While the high-value sappanwood matures, farmers will secure immediate, high-yield livelihoods through strategic intercropping.

Watch what happens when you combine scientific tracking with true community-driven grassroots action.

🔗 Read the full operational breakdown of how we are reviving Panay’s forests and livelihoods below!

https://sulugardenfoundation.org/project-sibukaw-sulu-garden-foundations-sappanwood-agroforestry-initiative-in-miag-ao/

10/06/2026

Congratulations to the 2nd Year BS Biology students from the Department of Biology - University of San Agustin for completing their 40-hour 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗘𝗻𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 at Sulu Garden Foundation, Inc. 🎉

Through this 5-day industry exposure, they immersed themselves in research methodologies, fieldwork and laboratory practices through the organization's initiatives and activities, gaining hands-on experience in scientific inquiry and professional work environments.

05/06/2026

𝑪𝑳𝑬𝑭𝑻 𝑫𝑬𝑭𝑶𝑹𝑴𝑰𝑻𝒀, 𝑺𝑻𝑰𝑮𝑴𝑨 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑯𝑶𝑾 𝑻𝑶 𝑶𝑽𝑬𝑹𝑪𝑶𝑴𝑬. A TEDx talk by one who lived through it.

There is a stigma in the provinces that forces these families into hiding. Today, we are breaking that cycle wide open.

Cleft lip and palate affect roughly 1 in 700 babies worldwide—a reality heavily mirrored here in the Philippines, where we see an estimated national burden of over 2,500 to 3,000+ new cases every year. Yet, awareness often lags far behind the clinical reality.

In this inspiring TEDx talk, accounting professor and cleft-affected confidence coach Dr. Christine Errico breaks down why open discussion is vital for creating an inclusive world. Her message reinforces exactly why our medical missions prioritize comprehensive care—because true healing requires treating both the physical condition and the emotional impact.

🎥 Watch her transformative journey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sasDGtJTT3M

(This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.)

Donate to save one child's future >>> https://sulugardenfoundation.org/donate/

Cleft lip and palate affects 1 in 700 babies worldwide… the same in...

29/05/2026

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗮𝘆

Sulu Garden Foundation (SGF) recently welcomed representatives from the Iloilo Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO) for a collaborative discussion on advancing shared reforestation goals under the “Tanum Iloilo Towards a Forest Province” campaign and SGF’s “Re-Greening of Panay” initiative.

Present during the visit were Ms. Mitzi Peñaflorida and the foresters assigned to different districts in Iloilo. Discussions highlighted the projects’ initiatives on reforestation and landscape restoration that targets Iloilo as a forest province with a climate-resilient ecosystem and sustainable food production. The visitors also toured around SGF's research facilities and exhibitions featuring Miag-ao's culture and history.

The Tanum Iloilo for MoRProGRes program promotes tree growing and forest development across Iloilo’s forest lands and watersheds—integrating food security, tourism, and community participation in greening homes, schools, offices, and public spaces.

SGF’s Re-Greening of Panay: Reforesting the Philippines – One Island at a Time complements this vision through innovative seedball technology, enabling large-scale restoration across over 100,000 hectares of deforested land. https://sulugardenfoundation.org/re-greening-of-panay/.

25/05/2026

A MOST MEMORABLE MEETING THAT HAPPENED BY CHANCE--A GRATEFUL GIRL OPERATED IN 2024 FOR CLEFT DEFORMITY AND SGT. RUBIN PEREZ [Philippine Army, 61st Infantry Battalion, Camp Monteclaro, Miag-ao, Philippines]. While in Sibalom, Antique Province a girl came running towards Sgt. Perez and hugged his so happily The sergeant did not know her, but her mother said she remembered him during our Cleft Surgery Mission in San Jose, Antique at Angel Salazar Memorial Hospital. That Mission was supported through Smile Train, Medical Mission Maters, Sulu Garden Foundation and the Philippine Army. The girl had cleft palate surgery which required her to stay in the hospital for almost a week and saw Sgt. Perez always walking up and down the wards checking on the children and their families.

APPRECIATION OF OUR WORK BY PEOPLE COMES IN MANY WAYS. BUT THE APPRECIATION OF A SINGLE CHILD MATTERS EVEN MORE.

Total surgeries? 6,912 children already had a chance for a normal future. WE STILL HAVE MORE TO DO.

DONATE: https://sulugardenfoundation.org/donate/

12/05/2026

Last May 8, 2026, we officially celebrated a major milestone as we held the 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆 for our dedicated Tourism student-trainees from Sorsogon State University.

This event marked the successful completion of a rigorous 600-hour on-the-job training program, honoring the hard work, grit, and passion these future industry leaders poured into every task. It was a day (and night) of joy and reflection, celebrating the journey from classroom learners to seasoned young professionals ready to take on the global tourism landscape.

Throughout this intensive program, these trainees demonstrated exceptional active participation in tourism-related field activities and became true champions for the promotion of our local heritage. They didn't just observe; they immersed themselves in the heart of our communities, contributing in-depth exploration and meticulous documentation of significant cultural landmarks and historical sites in Miag-ao ⛪🏞️🌊

To our Sorsogon State University interns: congratulations on completing your journey! 🎉

27/04/2026

For the people of the Philippines, Magellan’s defeat in the Battle of Mactan is hailed as the country’s first of many attempts to resist Western colonization of the islands. Rajah Lapulapu became the first of its many heroes over the three centuries of resistance against Spanish rule.

Read more: https://sulugardenfoundation.org/diorama-of-the-battle-of-mactan-2025/