Contest Steem Plants Week #1 - The Queen Of Philippine Flowers

Hello everyone! I am so happy that this contest is being revived. The Steem Plants Contest, this time hosted by @steemit.contest, was one of the challenges that I participated in and never missed. I was so sad when @knopka45 ended it. But now it is back! And hopefully for good! For all those who missed the announcement or have not heard of this yet, the link to the contest post and announcement can be found here. Read up and join in the fun.

For this maiden issue of the contest, I am showing you a very beautiful and expensive flower. Vanda sanderiana. It is a species of orchid commonly called Waling-waling in the Philippines. The orchid is considered to be the "Queen of Philippine Flowers" and is worshiped as a diwata or deity by some tribal indigenous people, most notably from the Bagobo tribe.

These orchids were on display last year at one of the big shopping malls on the occasion of the celebration of the city's foundation day. During this day, the city usually holds a parade and a floral motorcade highlighting all the things that the city is known for like orchids and other flowers, fruits and indigenous tribal ancestors of the island. But all these were suspended because of the pandemic.

My city is the orchid hub of the country. Here, all types of orchids are grown and sold all over the country and around the world. The Waling-waling is the most expensive orchid that is sold here but despite that it is the most sought-after specie. In fact, my city, Davao City, has adopted this flower as one of its tourism ambassadors and signs and images of it can be found all over the city.

In the photo above and the one below one can see an image of the Waling-waling in the street where a public park, the Bonifacio Park, is being constructed.

And that's all for now. So happy that we are starting this popular contest once again. Hope it will succeed. Stay safe everyone and a good luck to all the participants in the contest.

(All photos are mine.)