New 'gumamela' hybrid named after Unang Hirit's Gaby Concepcion

A new hybrid of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, or locally known as gumamela, is named after Unang Hirit's Kapuso sa Batas host, Atty. Gabriela "Gaby" Roldan-Concepcion, in honor of her.

On Saturday, March 23, University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) staff and students will be presenting the Hibiscus rosa-sinensis "Gabriela Roldan-Concepcion" to Concepcion in a ceremony.

Among the people who'll give the honor is Agripina O. Rasco, the plant breeder from the Institute of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture and Food Science, UP Los Baños, and Dr. Elpidio Agbisit, Jr. dean of the College of Agriculture and Food Science, UP Los Baños.

The awarding and launch of the Hibiscus rosa-sinensis "Gabriela Roldan-Concepcion" will be held at the Executive House of UP Diliman. 

UPLB has been developing gumamela hybrids since 1994.

Others in the past who have been honored in the same way included Taguig Representative Pia Cayetano, former Commission on Higher Education chair Patricia Licuanan, and academician Carmencita David-Padilla. —Kaela Malig/KBK, GMA News