This Student Created Beautiful Maps of Philippine Wildlife

Juan Miguel Santos is in his third year as a medical student at the UERM and is a graduate B.S. Biology at the U.P. Diliman. Ever since the pandemic started, Santos has been creating digital art. FaunArt PH is one of these projects. 

“I started FaunArt PH initially as a hobby because I was curious what Philippine biodiversity looks like in art form. It was always taught in schools that the Philippines megadiverse countries in the world,” Santos tells Esquire Philippines. 

Santos was inspired by Raquel Maniquiz’s work on Philippine rafflesias, and that motivated him to showcase more of the country’s biodiversity. 

Hornbills of the Philippines

Deer of the Philippines

Platymantis Frogs of the Philippines

Urban Dwellers and the Lack of Awareness

According to Santos, he wanted to show Filipinos what the country truly holds as a megadiverse country. 

“The lack of awareness is probably because we live in urban areas while many of these native animals live in the forests. We hardly see these animals because they can hardly survive in cities. With that, I wanted to show everyone that the Philippines is something more especially in terms of our wildlife.”

Shrews of the Philippines

Monitor Lizards of the Philippines

Forest Mice of the Philippines

What About Critics Who Say We Shouldn't Reveal Their Habitats to Poachers?

Whenever we publish a feature on an endemic species of wildlife or plants and include their location, there are always keyboard warriors who criticize why we had to do that. 

But for Santos, it is crucial that Filipinos know these species and their habitats. 

“The locations of these animals are already available since these have been published in journals and have become more accessible through social media.

“It’s important for us to be aware of our native fauna and their habitats so that we would know how to protect them,” said Santos. 

“The best part of being aware of our wildlife and their habitats is that it creates a deep appreciation for their existence,” Santos tells Esquire Philippines. 

“The fact that many of these animals are found exclusively in our country gives a sense of national pride and such a perspective would urge us to protect and respect our natural resources as fellow Filipinos.”

Cloud Rats of the Philippines

Endemic Pigs of the Philippines