Nature's Art: Red Seaweeds Impressions. Gamet (Porphyra marcosii Cordero)

Nature's Art: Red Seaweeds Impressions 

Gamet (Porphyra marcosii Cordero)

Dr Abe V Rotor

Red Seaweed Impressions in acrylic by the author 2021  

On display at the author's residence, San Vicente, Ilocos Sur

 (Living with Nature Center)

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The use of red marine algae (Phylum Rhodophyta) as Chinese traditional medicine dates back as early as 300 B.C.  In today's science these lowly plant-like algae support successful treatment of viral infections such as those caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus, and with great potential value against the current coronavirus (Covid-19). 

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Top, clockwise: Close-up of fresh Porphyra marcosii, rocky shore of Burgos, Ilocos Norte where the red alga grows naturally and harvested by local folks; drying and curing of harvest under the sun; finished product - a mat of gamet ready for the market.  

Gamet (Porphyra Marcosii* is named after the late President Ferdinand Marcos.  It is  considered the gem of Philippine edible seaweeds for its being highly prized as elixir.  Gamet is called Black Gold in Ilocos Norte, where it is the only place in the country where it grows naturally. Burgos town is noted for this unique product.  (Gamet is commercially grown in Japan and South Korea.  It is called nori, popularly used in preparing maki recipe).  

* Named in honor of the late President by Filipino scientist, Dr. Paciente Cordero.  Marcosii was dropped from the official nomenclature of Porphyra species after the death of President Marcos, in lieu of a "similar" species from Vietnam. 

The author sat in the class of Dr. Cordero who was then professorial lecturer in Marine Biology at the Graduate School of the University of Santo Tomas. The author believes Porphyra Marcossi is indeed a new species, its authentically is scientifically vouched in international scientific journal publications, among them  Growth and Development of Porphyra marcosii (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) Under Different Temperatures and Photoperiod. Wilberto D. Monotilla1,2 and Masahiro Notoya; 
1Laboratory of Applied Phycology, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Konan-4, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8477 Japan
2National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of the Philippines-Diliman, 1101 Quezon City, Philippines) ~