04/07/2026
Hidden within the forests of Basey, Samar blooms one of the island’s rarest natural wonders, Rafflesia manillana.
While Rafflesia is known as the world’s largest flower, Rafflesia manillana is among the smallest species, measuring only 14–19 cm across when fully open. It also holds a special place in Philippine botany as the first Rafflesia species ever discovered in the Philippines.
Its presence is a testament to the exceptional biodiversity of Samar Island Natural Park, home to countless rare and endemic plants and wildlife found nowhere else.
If you’re fortunate enough to encounter one along the trail, please admire it from a distance. Do not touch, pick, or remove it. Every bloom is rare, fragile, and worth protecting.