For some, the first step to planting a garden is in laying down the groundwork. For some, it’s in choosing the plants and plotting it out as a blueprint. But for the premiere landscapist in the Philippines, it all starts with a look.
Armed with a very visual and hands-on style, Ponce Veridiano admits with a laugh that he ‘doesn’t do drawings and rarely attends meetings.’ “What I do instead is to go to the site, close my eyes and from then, envision what the garden will look like.” Unorthodox as it may seem, Veridiano’s design process has served him well in creating the almost cinematic backdrop of the Greenbelt gardens, the WSycip park in Legazpi Village, the Pearl Farm Resort in Davao, and Kawayan Cove in Batangas. And even the crème dela crème of Manila society – the Zobels, Sorianos, Cojuangcos and Floirendos to name a few—also entrust their gardens to the unique vision of Ponce Veridiano.
But far from being your savvy landscapist, Veridiano is the quintessential self-made man who has had to work his way from the ground up – both literally and figuratively.
Rooted Beginnings
An Electrical Engineering graduate, Veridiano did not hone his craft in hallowed university halls. With no formal training in landscaping, he channels an intrinsic talent and an inherent love for plants. “Since I was young, I really loved plants. And in our province, I remember really enjoying the orchards and the coconuts,” he enthuses.
But Veridiano did not act upon this interest until years later, in all of places – Meralco. After passing the boards, he worked in the country’s biggest electric company as a clerk assistant and in so doing, joined the company’s Garden Club. “I competed in several horticultural shows and there I met someone who convinced me to work with plants full time. “
But everything did not come up roses for Ponce. He cites a particular incident wherein an organizer, upon seeing how his plants were just placed in makeshift cans, rudely kicked them aside. “Our competitors back then were señoras whose plants were imported and whose accessories were collector’s items; while we only had plants from Baguio and accessories from Divisoria,” shares Veridiano. “From there I became challenged and promised myself that my plants will never be judged that way again.” The rest as they say, is history.
Branching Out
After winning a series of horticultural shows, Ponce Veridiano took the notice of Ramon Diyco, one of the judges and noted Chinese businessman. “He led me to Binondo where one of my first projects— a 2x10 square meter pocket garden inside a living room—was located. They liked it and it marked the start of my work with the Chinese community.”
From the Chinese, Veridiano went on to work for who he considers as the most challenging clients – the Filipinos. “A friend recommended me to Inday Aurelio who was then looking for a landscape artist for the Floirendos. The family then brought me to Davao.” In the midst of working on various projects for the Floirendos, Ponce encountered other notable Filipino families. “I work for the whole family: from the grandfather down to the apo.
For more information about Kawayan Cove, contact 843-9136 to 38 and 843-8820.