Vanishing Treasures of the Philippine Forest

by Lawrence R. Heaney and Jacinto C. Regalado, Jr.
Published by the Field Museum of Natural History
June 1998
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This is a superb book about the Philippine environment. If you care to know more about the state of the Philippine environment, this is one book that you must read. I read it during one sitting and could not take my mind off it.

First of all, this book is beautifully done, with beautiful pictures, beautiful and sympathetic writing, beautiful editing etc. This is just a luscious book reflecting the lushness of the Philippine forest. Secondly, the subject matter is very very timely. The Philippines is considered a hot spot so far as environmental disaster is concerned - and this book offers a lot of hope for the future, but also a lot of sadness. And last but not the least, you will be very proud of what's being written about in this book - especially about the Philippines being the most diverse country in terms of flora and fauna the world - but at the same time be very sad - because in as much as there are many new species of plants and animals being discovered in the Philippines right now - as soon as they are discovered, they are immediately placed in the endangered list.

From the book: Think of the Philippines as the Galapagos Islands times ten: More than 510 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians exist nowhere else. Only by protecting the rain forest in which they live can their future well-being, and that of the Filipino people, be assured.

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