It’s always fun to read about the Philippines in other countries in a positive light. Even this is just a blip on Time Magazine again.

Studies in the Philippines show that later-born siblings tend to be shorter and weigh less than earlier-borns. (Think the slight advantage the 6-ft. 5-in. [196 cm] Peyton Manning has over the 6-ft. 4-in. [193 cm] Eli doesn’t help when he’s trying to throw over the outstretched arms of a leaping lineman?) Younger siblings are less likely to be vaccinated than older ones, with last-borns getting immunized sometimes at only half the rate of firstborns. Eldest siblings are also disproportionately represented in high-paying professions. Younger siblings, by contrast, are looser cannons, less educated and less strapping, perhaps, but statistically likelier to live the exhilarating life of an artist or a comedian, an adventurer, entrepreneur, GI or firefighter. And middle children? Well, they can be a puzzle—even to researchers.

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Head scientist, of the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines, Robert Zeigler is tackling poverty and hunger in Asia. He hopes that by developing new rice strains that could survive in dry land.
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New Animal and Plant Species Found in the Philippines
Source: Physorg, National Geographic

A new species of shrew and a striking orchid variety have been discovered on the western Philippines island of Palawan, scientists said Friday.

The Conservation International expedition to Mount Matalingahan in southern Palawan believes the species had never been recorded before, the group said.

The shrew is slightly larger than a mouse with soft brownish-black fur, a long tail, sharp snout and small eyes.

The apparently new species of plants include an orchid belonging to the genus Coelogyne with “a beautiful set of white flowers with golden lip petals.”

The specimens are to be sent to the national museum in Manila and the Chicago Field Museum, said the group’s spokeswoman Jaynee Tabangay.

Mount Matalingahan sits in a 120,000-hectare (296,400-acre) forest. Conservationists want the government to declare the site as a protected area for wildlife.

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