About POS

The Philippine Orchid Society, Inc. is a non-sectarian, non-profit, and non-stock professional organization which specializes on Philippine orchids species and hybrids. It is popularly called “POS” among its members and endorsers alike. The group is based in Quezon City, however its members and affiliated garden clubs are scattered all over the country.

The POS holds two Orchid Shows per year which are:

  1. The POS Annual Orchid & Garden Show - which is held during the last week of February to the first week of March (usually March 01 - 10) of every year, to coincide with the natural blooming of the Phalaenopsis (Mariposa) and the Dendrobium anosmum (Sanggumay) .
  2. The POS Midyear Orchid & Garden Show - which is held during August of every year to coincide with the blooming of the Vanda sanderiana (Waling-Waling) which is found in the logo of the society.

The Orchid Show is a 10-day event, with an opening ceremony on a Thursday, and becomes open to the public the following day (Friday) up till the 10th day (which is a Monday). During this event, orchid landscape exhibits, plant judging competition, lectures, free clinics, and commercial sale of orchids, ornamental plants and garden accessories are held. This is a time for get-together for various garden plant enthusiasts, collectors and old friends.

About the Founder, Dr. Eduardo Quisumbing y Arguelles

Dr. Eduardo Quisumbing y Arguelles

BSA, University of the Philippines Los Baños, 1918
MS, University of the Philippines Los Baños, 1921
PhD, University of Chicago 1923
Year elected as Academician: 1979

He organized the PHILIPPINE ORCHID SOCIETY, INC. in 1946. A foremost botanist, Dr. Quisumbing is pioneer in the study of Philippine medicinal plants where he made tremendous contribution. His book Medicinal Plants in Philippines is the forerunner of all researches on medicinal plants in the country. He was author of more than 129 scientific articles published here and abroad. Dr. Quisumbing, during his tenure as Director of the National Museum, undertook restoration of the Herbarium which was completely destroyed during the war. Dr. Quisumbing was recipient of the Distinguished Service Star (1954) for outstanding contribution to the field of systematic botany; Diploma of Merit on Orchidology and Fellow Gold Medal, Malaysian Orchid Society (1966); Gold Medal, American Orchid Society and 1975 PhilAAS Most Outstanding Award.

The Philippine Orchid Society’s Objectives

The objectives of the Society are:

  1. to promote and foster interest in the cultivation of orchids;
  2. to aid in any possible way the development, improvement, preservation, conservation, and proliferation of orchids;
  3. to conduct and cause to conduct scientific researches on development, improvement, preservation and proliferation of orchids;
  4. to assist those engaged in growing orchids by such researches and information dissemination; and
  5. to extend the knowledge, production, use, conservation and appreciation of orchids of any kind and in the Philippines and worldwide.

How to Join Our Society!

Any person interested in orchid growing or any organization or entity dealing with any aspect of the orchid industry, who/that agrees to bind himself/itself under this By-Laws, and commits to abide by all rules and regulations of the Society, may be admitted as Member.

Orchid enthusiasts locally and all over the world are invited to join the Philippine Orchid Society to enjoy the following packages:

  • Monthly Newsletter Bulletin
  • Two (2) issues Philippine Orchid Review Magazine
  • Monthly meeting (every third Saturday of the month) where the members can attend talks, slides or film shows on aspects of orchid diversity and culture.
  • Organize tour to different gardens, centers, events and shows.
  • Free entrance to POS orchid shows.
  • Discounted rate on seminars organized by the P.O.S
  • Christmas Party Invitation

Membership fee:

Individual Membership Fee: Php 900.00 annually
Couple Membership Fee: PhP 1,600.00 annually
Association Membership Fee: Php1,600.00 annually
Lifetime Membership: Php 10,000.00
Individual Foreign Membership: USD$ 60.00 annually

Regular Activities:

  1. Monthly General Membership Meetings– The Philippine Orchid Society usually meet on every 3rd Saturday of the month. This event could either be a field trip to orchid nurseries in the provinces or a meeting at the POS office, at residence of a member here in Metro Manila or at one of the nurseries at Manila Seedling Bank. The agenda of the monthly meetings includes a lecture on various cultural practices on orchids, induction of new members, presentation and announcement of pertinent matters.
  2. Orchid & Garden Shows— Garden shows usually happen twice a year. It is scheduled during the February – March & August – September. The two garden shows a year coincides with the flowering of the Phalaenopsis and Dendrobium (February) and the Waling – Waling (Vanda sanderiana) (August ). This is usually a 12 day (1 week ) event, with the opening on a Thursday, and becomes open to the public on the following Friday up to the second Sunday. There was also instances when the garden show extended up to 3 weeks (the longest ever).
  3. Orchid Hunting, Out of Town / Out of Country Trips
  4. Special Orchid trainings during summer- usually a comprehensive orchid growing training workshop, orchid embryo / tissue culture training, orchid judging training or other special trainings /lectures.
  5. Christmas Party- usually on the first week of December.