The Understory Naga, Naga City (2026)

01/05/2026

📰 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 | The White Angel 🪽

With its many names—White Angel, Arctic Snow, Coral Swirl, and Tellicherry Bark—𝘞𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘪𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘥𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢 has become a standout in ornamental landscapes. 🏞️

This perennial shrub typically grows up to ~2 meters tall, with smooth dark-brown branches and glossy green leaves marked by a pronounced midrib and veins. Its signature flowers—crisp white, five-petaled, and slightly twisted—create that delicate “pinwheel” look. In tropical climates, it can bloom nearly year-round, occasionally producing slender, paired pods (though these are often pruned to maintain its ornamental form). 🌳

Beyond aesthetics, its lightly fragrant blooms attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, contributing to small but meaningful pockets of urban biodiversity. Hardy and adaptable, it thrives in warm, humid environments making it well-suited for low-maintenance urban greening. 🦋

Native to Sri Lanka, 𝘞𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘪𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘥𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢 is cultivated in the Philippines primarily for its ornamental value, thanks to its compact growth, continuous flowering, and resilience in tropical conditions. 💪

𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻, 𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗮𝗴𝗮? 🌿

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📍 ? 🗺️
Landmark: Inside the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Basilica Minore, along the OLP Monument Garden
Address: Basilica Road, Balatas, Naga City, 4400 Camarines Sur
Coordinates: 13° 37′ 55.56″ N, 123° 12′ 1.66″ E

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𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 about 'White Angel' 👇
https://tinyurl.com/zzbhkn64

Research, Content, and Caption: Gabrielle Penelope Singson
Layout and Photograph: Rica Angela Magalona

𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀:
• Ngan, P. T. (1965). A revision of the genus Wrightia (Apocynaceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden, 52(2), 114-175.
• Rejitha, S., & Uma Devi, S. (2023). Flower and flower bud morphology study of selected ornamental plants of the family Apocynaceae. Int J Multidiscip Res Growth Eval, 1, 1-2.
• Brillo, S. C., & Deyto, R. C. (2026). Citizen Science Reveals Lepidopteran-Visitor Flower Network in Metro Manila, Philippines: A Preliminary Study. bioRxiv, 2026-02.

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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝘀 👥
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: .naga
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29/04/2026

📰 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 | Agoho Tree (Whistling Pine) 🌲

🗣️ “𝘖𝘮𝘨! 𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘰𝘬𝘢𝘺?….” “… 𝘯𝘰, 𝘐’𝘮 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙡.”

Meet 𝘊𝘢𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘢 𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘢, locally known as Agoho—a stylish look-alike that resembles a pine but is actually a flowering tree (angiosperm). 🌼

With its slender, drooping branchlets and tiny scale-like leaves arranged in whorls, Agoho has a distinctive appearance that often leads to mistaken identity. Its “needle-like” structures are actually modified stems, while the true leaves are minute and sheath-like. 🌲

Also known as whistling pine or Australian pine, Agoho thrives in tropical and coastal environments. It forms a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, allowing it to grow even in nutrient-poor, sandy soils. 🏝️

Ecologically, Agoho plays a key role in coastal protection—helping stabilize sand, reduce erosion, and provide habitat for wildlife. 🐾

Beyond its science, Agoho reminds us that not everything is what it seems—and that resilience often comes from quiet, well-adapted systems working beneath the surface.

This particular Agoho tree was spotted inside campus! 🏛️

How about you?
𝘏𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘨𝘰𝘩𝘰 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘢𝘨𝘢? 🤨🔍

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📍 ? 🗺️
Landmark: Along the Ateneo de Naga University car parking area, near the Burns Building, across Christ the King Church
Address: Ateneo Avenue, Bagumbayan Sur, Naga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines 4400
Coordinates: 13° 37′ 51.35″ N, 123° 11′ 06.87″ E

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𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 about 'Agoho' 👇
https://tinyurl.com/2um7y5b6

Research & Content: Jay Joshua Reyes
Caption: Melody Parone
Layout: Sophia Gail Flor
Photograph: Danielle Charisse Lagyap & Rica Angela Magalona

𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:
• Agoho, Casuarina equisetifolia Linn., IRON WOOD / Philippine Herbal Therapy / Alternative Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.stuartxchange.org/Agoho.html
• Casuarina equisetifolia Images - Useful Tropical Plants. (n.d.). https://tropical.theferns.info/image.php?id=Casuarina+equisetifolia

𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀:
• Agoho, Casuarina equisetifolia Linn., IRON WOOD / Philippine Herbal Therapy / Alternative Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.stuartxchange.org/Agoho.html
• Casuarina | Silvics of North America. (n.d.-b). https://research.fs.usda.gov/silvics/casuarina?utm
• Selina Wamucii. (2023, July 26). Plants » Selina Wamucii. https://www.selinawamucii.com/plants/casuarinaceae/casuarina-equisetifolia
• University of Santo Tomas. (2026, March 25). Agoho - University of Santo Tomas. https://www.ust.edu.ph/ust-manila-plant-databse/agoho/
• Green Institute. (2023, May 31). Casuarina equisetifolia — THE GREEN INSTITUTE. THE GREEN INSTITUTE. https://greeninstitute.ng/plants/2020/1/16/capraria-biflora-6dmrp-23x7x

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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝘀 👥
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: .naga
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25/04/2026

📰 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 | Bignay Tree (Currant Tree) 🌳

📍𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙖 𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙚—𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙖 𝙬𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢 𝙞𝙣 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙜𝙪𝙞𝙨𝙚. 🌱

Bignay is a portrait of generosity. Most famous for its "curtain" hanging clusters of berries, it serves as nature's own jewelry. 📿✨

This tree is the ultimate definition of 'zero-waste' living. While its berries are brewed into tea or fermented into world-renowned Bignay wine, the leaves serve as a bright souring agent for local dishes. And beyond the kitchen, it is a sturdy tree, standing firm against typhoon rain and winds while providing a cool canopy and a perfect bird sanctuary. 🐦 🌳

Bignay serves as a reminder for us that prosperity must always be shared.If we remain firmly rooted in our community, we will sustain those around us.💚

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📍 ? 🗺️
Landmark: Within the Naga City Hall complex, parking area beside the City Hall Multipurpose Building, across Hall of Justice
Address: City Hall Compound, J. Miranda Avenue, Naga City, 4400 Camarines Sur, Philippines
Coordinates: 13° 37′ 33.56″ N, 123° 11′ 54.13″ E
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𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 about 'Bignay' 👇
https://tinyurl.com/2mwfu49r

Research & Content: Rea Masalunga
Caption: Melody Parone
Layout: Macy Sophia Sagara
Photograph: Rica Angela Magalona

𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀:
• Butkhup, L., & Samappito, S. (2011). An analysis on flavonoids, phenolics and antioxidant activity of Antidesma bunius (bignay) fruit. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 14(7), 448–454. https://doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2011.448.454
• Food and Agriculture Organization. (n.d.). Antidesma bunius (bignay) profile. https://www.fao.org
• Gutiérrez, R. M. P. (2016). Review of Antidesma bunius (L.) Spreng: Phytochemical and pharmacological studies. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 10(4), 40–44. https://doi.org/10.5897/JMPR2015.5959
• Morton, J. F. (1987). Fruits of warm climates. Creative Resource Systems. https://openlibrary.org/books/OL2749624M/Fruits_of_warm_climates
• Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development. (n.d.). Health-promoting properties of bignay (Antidesma bunius). https://www.pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph
• Quisumbing, E. (1978). Medicinal plants of the Philippines. Katha Publishing Co. https://www.worldcat.org/title/medicinal-plants-of-the-philippines/oclc/4660006

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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝘀 👥
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: .naga
Instagram:

16/04/2026

📰 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 | Balete Tree (Weeping/Strangler Fig) 🌳

🎶 𝘛𝘢𝘺𝘰'𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘨-𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘢 𝘬𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘢𝘥𝘢 𝘯𝘨... 𝘕𝘢𝘨𝘢?!

📍𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙚𝙣𝙖𝙛𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙖 𝘼𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙪𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝘽𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙚 𝙏𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙤𝙧.🪾🍂

Balete (Weeping Fig) Trees start life by growing on another tree, sending down aerial roots that wrap around their host until they become a strong, self-supporting tree, earning their name as “strangler figs”. 💪

Beyond its unique growth habit, Balete Tree plays important roles in our ecosystem. It is tolerant of urban conditions, helps absorb atmospheric pollutants, and provides shade and canopy cover that support biodiversity. 🌏

The Balete Tree reminds us that not all strength is loud, sometimes it grows quietly and it doesn’t just grow, but it adapts, competes, and survives. 🍃

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📍 ? 🗺️
Landmark: Along Peñafrancia Avenue, beside Camarines Sur National High School main gate
Address: Peñafrancia Ave., Zone 1, Brgy. Peñafrancia, Naga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines 4400
Coordinates: 13° 37′ 48.11″ N, 123° 11′ 27.35″ E
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𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 about 'Balete' 👇
https://bit.ly/429aSB1

Research & Content: Ma**car Bañega
Caption: Gracelie Tamayo
Layout and Photograph: Rica Angela Magalona

𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:
• Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve. (n.d.). Ficus benjamina Fruit. https://levypreserve.org/plant-listings/ficus-benjamina/
• National Parks Board. (2023). Ficus benjamina Leaf Arrangement. https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/2/9/2902

𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀:
• Co’s Digital Flora of the Philippines. (n.d.). Ficus benjamina. https://www.philippineplants.org/Ficus.html
• Putz, F. E., & Holbrook, N. M. (1989). Strangler fig rooting habits and nutrient acquisition. Biotropica, 21(2), 147–151. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1537-2197.1989.tb15056.x
• Yong, J. W. H., & Wong, S. C. (2009). Physiological adaptations of epiphytic and hemi-epiphytic figs. Plant Ecology, 201(2), 415–428.
• Harrison, R. D. (2005). Figs and their role in tropical ecosystems. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 20(8), 378–385.
• Philippine Traditional Knowledge Digital Library on Health. (n.d.). Ficus benjamina L. https://www.tkdlph.com/index.php/ct-menu-item-3/ct-menu-item-7/11135-dakit
• Costa, S. de A. P., & Scotti, M. R. (2024). Old-growth Ficus trees provide soil water and carbon storage to urban greenspaces in a Brazilian metropolis. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cacint.2024.100171

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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝘀 👥
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: .naga
Instagram:

13/04/2026

📰 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 | Balayong (Palawan Cherry Blossom) 🌸

📍 𝙏𝙤𝙠𝙮𝙤, 𝙅𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙣? 𝙉𝙤, 𝙞𝙩'𝙨 𝙉𝙖𝙜𝙖 𝘾𝙞𝙩𝙮, 𝙋𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨!

𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀𝘆𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗽𝗮𝗹𝘀!🪴🍃

Every leaf, every bloom tells a story of resilience. Today, we honor plants that sustain and inspire us. From the air we breathe to the colors that mesmerize our sight, plants surely is one of nature’s greatest gifts.

As we celebrate plant appreciation day, here is an example of a plant that can make us in awe— 𝗣𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗺. 🌸

Commonly known as 𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘨, this plant transforms into delicate pink petals yearly and becomes reminiscent of cherry blossoms found in Japan. Although not considered as true cherry blossoms, its beauty is still a sight to behold.

Remember that everyday we must appreciate plants by cultivating, protecting, and preserving their true glory. So, hug a plant, thank a tree, and spread the green cheer! 🌳

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📍 ? 🗺️
Landmark: Inside Camarines Sur National High School near the guard house.
Address: Peñafrancia Ave., Zone 1, Brgy. Peñafrancia, Naga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines
Coordinates: 13°37 48.11" N, 123°11' 26.56" E
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𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 about 'Plant Appreciation Day' and 'Balayong' here 👇
https://bit.ly/4c8jfTx

Research & Content: Mahandra Shiri Declaro & Rica Angela Magalona
Caption: Drazen Quinones
Layout: Sophia Gail Flor
Photograph and Post-Process: Rica Angela Magalona

𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:
• Pedrography. (n.d.). Balayong flower. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/ByaheniPedro
• Lunti Plant Nursery. (n.d.). Palawan cherry (balayong) leaves. https://lunti.ph/products/palawan-cherry

𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀:
• Co’s Digital Flora of the Philippines. (n.d.). Fabaceae. Retrieved from https://www.philippineplants.org/Families/Fabaceae.html
• Agoo, E. M. G., et al. (2023). Resolving the identity and natural occurrence of the enigmatic Balayong. Manila Journal of Science. https://www.philippineplants.org/Families/Fabaceae.html
• Plants of the World Online (Kew Science). Cassia javanica. https://powo.science.kew.org/.../urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:484704-1

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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝘀 👥
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: .naga
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11/04/2026

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗲𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘆! 🐾

Today, we celebrate our beloved companions that share our homes, our lives, and our ecosystems. From dogs to cats and even scaled friends, these cute friends remind us of the importance of care, responsibility, and coexistence.

As we celebrate our own pets, let’s also remember those still waiting in shelters that are hoping for a loving home. Choosing to adopt is one meaningful way we can help give them that chance.

Let’s continue to protect, respect, and appreciate the diversity of life right here on land.

Share your pets in the comments or tell us about them. We would love to meet them! 🐶🐱

Read more about '𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘦𝘵 𝘋𝘢𝘺' here 👇
https://bit.ly/4dNTKrT

Reference:
National Day Calendar. (2026). National Pet Day – April 11. https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-pet-day-april-11

Research & Content: Mahandra Shiri Declaro
Caption: Blessie Therese Ramos
Layout: Macy Sophia Sagara

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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝘀 👥
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: .naga
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10/04/2026

𝘼 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙞𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙨; 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙖 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙧𝙨. 🍃

At the top, the Emergent trees take in the most light. Below them, the Canopy forms a living roof. Under that is the Understory—partly hidden, receiving just enough light for life to thrive.

Understory Naga was built to be a voice for this overlooked space.

Our goal is simple: to 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 and 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲—from students and professionals to the curious public. By bringing the "unnamed" closer to home, we hope to celebrate the small wonders that keep our Naga community alive.

Stay curious.
Look closer.
There's more life than you think. 🌳

Caption: Ma**ca Fiona Leonardo
Concept Note and Layout: Rica Angela Magalona

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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝘀 👥
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: .naga
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The Understory Naga

01/05/2026

29/04/2026

25/04/2026

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11/04/2026

10/04/2026

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