Dalawa na ang magiging national flowers ng Pilipinas, isang pangkaraniwan at isang pambihira.
Pebrero 6, 2013 – Inaprubahan na sa ikatlo at huling pagbasa sa Senado ang panukalang batas na magdedeklara sa Waling-waling bilang pambansang bulaklak kasama ng Sampaguita.
Ang House Bill No. 5655 ay nagdedeklara sa Waling-waling bilang national flower. Samantala, ang sampaguita ay idineklarang national flower ng Pilipinas sa pamamagitan ng Proclamation No. 652 noong February 1934.
Idineklarang pambansang bulaklak rin ang Waling-waling dahil ito diumano ay pambihira at sa Pilipinas lamang makikita hindi katulad ng Sampaguita, isang pangkaraniwan at native plant mula sa India at Arabia na dinala lamang sa Pilipinas.
Ang Waling-waling ay tinaguriang Queen of Philippine Flowers at tanyag rin maging sa mga bansang Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong at Hawaii.
“Waling-waling, the country's best orchid variety, scientifically known as Vanda Sanderiana, thrives in the tropical forest of Mount Apo in Davao and Zamboanga Del Sur," paliwanag ni Garcia-Albano, ang vice chairperson ng House committees on national cultural communities and reforestation.
"The Waling-waling plant grows on tall diptherocarps but is never known to be a parasite. It lives on treetops reaching for the light of the sun, making it truly symbolic of the Filipino traits and characteristics," dagdag ng mambabatas.
Inihayag naman ng mga opisyal ng National Museum na: "the selection of Sampaguita as a national flower was not based on endemism but its historical significance, plus its popularity, ornamental value, fragrance and the roles it plays in the legends and traditions of the Filipino people."
