Flammable fruit can act as fuel

In 1975, when the energy crisis started to worsen around the world, an inedible but unusual fruit was rediscovered. Yellowish when ripe, it had one extra­ordinary trait which could easily make it the fruit of the century: it was flammable. The rediscoverer, Ignacio Liwag, a school­teacher of Mayuyao, Ifugao learned that its juice had long been used as fuel to light the homes of the Ifugaos. The tribe aptly called it hanga.

Aware of the potential of the hanga tree, Liwag informed the government officials in the province. Unfortunately, no one replied or came to Mayuyao to investigate.

In December 1980, Liwag wrote to Domingo Panganiban, director of the Itureau of Plant Industry, who sent scientists to Mayuyao. The scientists confirmed Liwag's report and returned to Panganiban with some hanga fruits.

The rediscovery of the tree hit the I unit pages. It was only then that the Value of the fruit as a potential energy source was underscored.