Company Logo - Abaca Plant

Our company logo is a watercolor artwork (Lenila Batali of Designs by Lenila) of an ABACA PLANT

The abaca plant is a Philippine original. The origin of the abaca plant (a variety of the banana tree) is in the southern part of the Philippines (mainly found in the Bicol and Visayas region) where there are rain forests and highly humid atmospheric conditions. Its fiber is widely known in the export trade as Manila Hemp. Currently, Bicol and the Leyte-Samar area are the top producers of abaca fibers. While banana is valued for its fruits, the abaca is valued for its stalk The abaca plant also bear fruits and flowers that resemble closely the banana’s. The abaca is believed to have evolved in the Bicol area and since have been propagated fto Southern Luzon and the Visayas region.

One distinguishing characteristic between the banana and the abaca plant is the shape of the leaftip. The abaca is more pointed while the banana is rounded. Likewise the abaca fruits are small and are not as enticing as that of the banana.

The abaca is a plant material that the Philippine government regulates. While other plant material like seeds and flowers are freely shared between countries, among research centers, the abaca is restricted material.

It is used in the handicraft business as pulp material for handmade paper, fibers to be woven into ropes, and braids and cordage.

Acknowledgement :

Abaca Plant Photo and information from FIDA (Fiber Industry Development Authority - Philippines)