<figure class="image-550">
<img src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-29/regino-garcia.webp" alt="Black and white portrait painting of Regino Garcia, an elderly Filipino botanist and artist, featuring slicked hair, a prominent white beard and mustache, a formal suit coat, and a dark bowtie." loading="lazy" />
<figcaption>
Portrait of Regino Garcia (1840–1916), renowned 19th-century Filipino botanist, forester, and master illustrator of Flora de Filipinas.
</figcaption>
</figure>


<h2>
Early Scientific Career and Botanical Work
</h2>


Garcia's deep involvement with Philippine flora began early in his youth. In 1858, he joined the Manila Botanical Garden (Jardín Botánico de Manila) upon its founding, serving in various capacities over the decades:

<ul class="k-list">
<li>
Chief Gardener (1866): Appointed chief gardener after passing a competitive examination. He formally studied botany under Zoilo Espejo y Culebra, director of the Escuela de Agricultura, assisting him in compiling catalog records of indigenous plants.
</li>
<li>
Forestry Service (1877–1898): He joined the Spanish Forestry Bureau (Inspección General de Montes), eventually advancing to second-class assistant. During extensive field expeditions alongside Spanish botanist Sebastián Vidal y Soler, Garcia climbed remote mountains, mapped uncharted valleys, and collected over 1,000 plant species, 1,200 shell species, and numerous animal specimens.
</li>
<li>
Major Cataloging Work: Garcia personally compiled the manuscript for the Catálogo de las Plantas del Herbario (1892), a foundational reference work later utilized by American botanists.
</li>
</ul>


<h2>
Master Illustrator of Flora de Filipinas
</h2>


Beyond his scientific rigor, Garcia was a celebrated visual artist and educator. He served as an instructor in drawing, painting, and decoration at the <a href="/articles/3223/a-historical-account-of-the-university-of-santo-tomas" class="news_link">University of Santo Tomas</a>, as well as the prestigious <a href="/kauswagan/articles/2884/the-history-of-colegio-de-san-juan-de-letran" class="news_link">Colegio de San Juan de Letran</a>, Santa Catalina, and Santa Rosa.

Regino Garcia: Pioneer Filipino Botanist & Artist

Discover the life of Regino Garcia, from his iconic Flora de Filipinas illustrations to his role as a revolutionary engineer. Read his full biography now!

September 7, 1840: Regino Garcia, was born in Manila