GREENERY

Exploring The Illustrated Book Format on Philippine Native Plants as a Guide to Gardening

Ilana Antonio

When we think of the cities and subdivisions, we do not often think of them as part of the surrounding ecology. This bias extends to studies anconservation efforts. While it is important to protect and conserve wild lands, a lack of ecological design prevails in the areas that have already been developed for human use.

Gardening has always been a way of bridging man and nature together. Since the industrial revolution, the cultivation of gardens has been viewed as contributing towards health. However, gardens are usually formed by human aesthetics and are geared towards human utility. While dedicated eco-gardens exist, they are few and far between.

Still, gardening can become a powerful tool for the conservation of local wildlife. Native plants support native species. By simpling using native plants in one’s garden, one can provide food and spaces to local wildlife in an increasingly fragmented habitat.

CALABARZON is a hotspot for biodiversity, featuring several nature parks. However, its urban areas continue to expand.

Combining these concepts is “Greenery: Bringing CALABARZON Into Your Garden”, an illustrated digital book featuring painterly landscapes and illustrated essays. It will focus on Philippine native plants as well as mention some regional bugs and birds. It is organized into sections containing both the social aspects of gardening, as well as the principles of eco-gardening.

It utilizes a semi-realistic style that means to evoke lushness and richness, aiming to establish plants in context with its environment. The digital book is in a PDF format, that is meant to be promoted over social media and online gardening circles using auxiliary materials.

The project aims to acquaint local gardeners to Philippine native plants. By encouraging them to use native plants, we can help local species survive better in our modernizing world.

Ilana is an illustrator, but has done video editing and has interned as a scene shader for Rocketsheep Studios. Antonio enjoys plants and astronomy, taking great delight in the aesthetics of science and technology. Antonio also enjoys nonfiction books, written horror, tea, and coffee.

Email: ilana.antonio@gmail.com
Portfolio: ilanaantonio.portfoliobox.net