Carlos Trazo, ABS-CBN News | Published Nov 15, 2025 11:29 PM PHT
Fifteen years after the murder of Leonard Co, the country’s foremost plant taxonomist known as the People’s Botanist, family, friends, and conservation advocates gathered at the University of the Philippines Diliman to honor his life and legacy through “Bayani Ko,” a day-long commemoration of tree walks, planting, and the unveiling of newly rescued images from his fieldwork.
“Ngayong araw na ito ay fifteenth anniversary ni Leonard, and we are commemorating his life and death,” said his wife, Glenda Flores Co, who led the annual memorial mass with their daughter Linnaea.
Co was killed on November 15, 2010, in Kananga, Leyte, alongside forest guard Sofronio Cortez and guide Julius Borromeo, when soldiers of the 19th Infantry Battalion opened fire on their botanical team, mistaking them for rebels. The group had been conducting a survey of tree species for a forest restoration project of the Energy Development Corporation.
Glenda recalled the tragedy and the long wait for justice. “Sa ngayon, tapos na ang presentation of the prosecution at defense… so more on the verdict na. Katatapos lang noong last August. So ayan, maghihintay na lang sa verdict nila.”
Despite the pain, she said she never regretted supporting her husband’s passion for fieldwork. “Wala eh, kasi palagi naman siyang umaalis for fieldwork… yun naman talaga ang trabaho niya, kaya ‘di ako nagsisisi.”
She remembered him not only as a scientist but as a devoted family man. “Hindi lang siya isang botanist, isa rin po siyang napakareponsableng asawa. Kahit nasa fieldwork, palagi siyang tumatawag at kinakamusta kami. Bilang tatay naman, tuwing darating siya sa bahay matapos ang fieldwork niya ay sinasamahan niya yung daughter namin sa school tapos tinuturuan niya noon.”
What she misses most, Glenda said, are the simple joys of his presence. “Yung pagluluto niya, yung mga walang katapusang kwento-kwento niya about sa field. Sinasabi niya na ‘Sana kasama ko kayo dito’ or ‘Sana nakikita niyo anong mga trabaho ang ginagawa ko.’”
The day’s highlight was the release of thousands of digital photographs from Co’s fieldwork, rescued from a hard drive thought lost to rust and mold.
Restored and curated by the Institute of Biology in cooperation with the Constantino Foundation and Green Convergence, the images will be available for free public download as part of the Leonard Co Collection, a national repository of his works, notes, and memorabilia.
Ronald Achacoso, Co’s friend and president of the Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society, said the annual tree planting at the Arboretum of Endangered Philippine Trees is a way to keep Co’s vision alive.
He also talked about the series created by Co that he continued after his death, which was called “Classroom Without Walls,” wherein students go on tours to explore Philippine biodiversity.
“You cannot teach botany in the classroom or the love for native plants. Kailangan dalhin mo sila sa gubat,” he said, echoing Co’s belief that biodiversity must be experienced firsthand.
The commemoration also announced new initiatives: the Leonard Co Lecture Series, beginning November 21 with “Branches of History: Trees and Empire” by UP History Chair Dr. Ruel V. Pagunsan, and the creation of a bust of Co by UP College of Fine Arts Dean Toym Imao.
