Text by: Martin R. Racza with inputs from The UP Manila Museum of a History of Ideas

An upcoming exhibit in honor of National Scientist and former UP Manila Chancellor Carmencita D. Padilla is set to open in October 2024 at the UP Manila Museum of a History of Ideas (UPM-MHI).

The exhibit will showcase 31 Hibiscus flowers including the Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Carmencita David-Padilla’, which was unveiled by the Institute of Plant Breeding of the University of the
Philippines Los Baños College of Agriculture in June 2015 as part of the week-long celebration of the investiture of then-Chancellor Padilla.

Initial discussions regarding the exhibit commenced on January 24, 2024, as representatives from the UPM-MHI engaged in fruitful dialogue with experts from the UPLB Museum of Natural
History. The visit also served as a comparative analysis to help develop a standard for the future collections, programs, and services of UPM-MHI.

Representatives of the UPM-MHI, led by Special Assistant to the Chancellor on the UPM-MHI, Dr. Honey Libertine Achanzar-Labor, and Museum Manager Joan R. Rosas, also examined the organizational structure of the UPLB Museum, which they plan to utilize as a benchmark to model their own office structure, staff functions, and delegation of responsibilities.

The discussions were followed by a tour through the Museum of Natural History & Botanical Herbarium, Mycological Herbarium, and Zoological and Wildlife Collection. The UPM-MHI team
also paid a courtesy visit at the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB), where they were met by former UP President and National Scientist, Dr. Emil Q. Javier.

The said visit to the UPLB Museum of Natural History marks the first time the UPM-MHI has conducted a benchmarking activity with a Constituent University museum. “We have always desired to establish stronger partnerships with other colleges and universities, so that whenever we may need to consult them, they could be easily tapped for assistance,” Rosas said.