Philippine Taxonomic Initiative Inc. Team
John Altomonte
Johnny is a lecturer for both the Ateneo School of Government and the Ateneo Department of Environmental Science. While his primary research focus is on sustainable energy policy, he also aims to focus on the ecological and conservation implications involved with Philippine taxonomy.
Jamie Ann Aumentado
Jamie is an educator, mountaineer, and nature enthusiast. Her interest is in the Genus Strobilanthes. She studied pollen analysis present on honey samples produced by specific species of honeybee during her undergraduate years.
Abigail L. Garrino
Abi is a research associate at the Biodiversity Research Laboratory (BRL), UP Diliman. She embarks on expeditions in some of the country’s unexplored forests to conduct botanical assessments that help fill the gaps in the country’s floristic biodiversity knowledge. Her work as an early-career botanist aims not only to generate information on forest dynamics and restoration but also to provide insights in the management and conservation of the country’s last remaining forests.
William Cabanillas
Will is an avid mountaineer and nature enthusiast. His passion and interest in exploring the varied habitats of Palawan has led to his continuous documentation of its rich and unique biodiversity.
Yu Pin Ang
Yu Pin specializes in Begoniaceae in the Philippines. He is interested in improving local awareness and knowledge, and to influence other passionate individuals to contribute in this field. He also is a Boatnical Illustrator.
Jayson Mansibang
Jayson is an educator, a mountaineer and a botanical illustrator. His interest lies in the Genus Aeschynanthus, Syzygium, Saurauia and other understudied genera. He is also an advocate for native trees.
Lea Magarce-Camangeg
Lea is an educator from Palawan State University (PSU) and a PhD candidate, with an enthusiasm towards the conservation of Pangolins in Palawan. Over her free time, she volunteered with PTI to advance the understanding of it’s endemic flora, particularly Begonias.
Raab Bustamante
Raab, the Founder and Executive Director of PTI. His Interest lies in the Genus Begonia, Amorphophallus and the Family Orchideaeae, along with different habitat types, such as karst limestone & tropical moist broadleaf forests.
Mark Gregory Rule
Greg is an environmental science instructor at MSU Marawi. His interests are in the ecology and conservation of plants in limestone and ultramafic forest ecosystems, particularly in Mindanao Island. He also trained in the rehabilitation of denuded forest ecosystems using Rainforestation technology.
Maverick Tamayo
Maverick is a Biology instructor in UP Baguio who is interested in genus Vaccinium, Amorphophallus, and Dendrochilum. He explores the Cordillera Mountains in Northern Luzon and shares his knowledge with the indigenous communities. He is also an advocate of native plants.
John Patykowski
John is a plant ecologist specialising in vegetation dynamics after disturbance and the role of species in ecosystem functioning. He completed a PhD at Deakin University, Australia, and has almost a decade of experience working in the environmental sector including teaching, research, and advocating for policy.
LIEZEL MOLINA-MAGTOTO
Liezel is a faculty of the University of the Philippines Baguio (UPB). Her interests are in the taxonomy and ecology of bryophytes, pteridophytes, and angiosperms, particularly in the genera of Amorphophallus, Begonia, and Ardisia.