Last weekend of flower & garden show in QC
MANILA, Philippines - In commemoration of Quezon City’s 75th founding anniversary, an extravaganza of Flower and Garden Show Festival is ongoing until tomorrow with the cooperation of the Bonsai and Suiseki Alliance of the Philippines, Inc. (BASAPI) headed by Vic Derona, the Cactus and Succulent Society of the Philippines, Inc. (CSSPI) headed by Becky Buenaventura, and the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Manila (IISM) headed by Dr. Divina Lupe Lazaro. It is being held at the Quezon Memorial Circle fronting the Phil. Coconut Authority, right side of Commonwealth Avenue entrance.
Overall chair Dorie S. Bernabe says the theme is “Ancient Arts in Modern Times,” which will showcase bonsai, Suiseki, Ikebana floral arrangements, dishgardens, ornamentals, herbs, medicinal plants, ornamentals, cacti and other succulents.
The art of dwarfing plants called bonsai and Suiseki (natural rare and unusual stones) is showcased by the members of the Bonsai and Suiseki Alliance of the Philippines from Metro Manila, Rizal, Marikina, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Pampanga and Pangasinan chapters.
In the Philippines the Chinese migrants who settled in Binondo, Manila were also growing plants in rocks. This was gleaned from the writings of a Spanish priest Father Pedro Cherino in his book Relacion delas Islas Filipinas in 1590. In Chapter 10 he mentioned that the Chinese were growing balite trees (Ficus sp.) on Coral stones which until to this day, is still practiced by bonsai culturists calling it rock-clasping or rock-grown style. In the US . and other countries the art of bonsai started to develop only after liberation from World War ll. The American soldiers who were stationed in Japan brought with them potted plants as well as the knowledge and culture when they were discharged honorably. Now there are many bonsai clubs in the U.S.A. and the most well known is Bonsai Club International with affiliations worldwide.
Related to bonsai culture is Suiseki or stones with natural forms, shapes or designs depicting a person, animal, flower or whatever interesting representations untouched by man.
Ikebana, the art of flower arrangement also started among the Buddhist monks of India and China.
Apart from flower arrangements, the Bonsai and the Cactus groups will present not only individual plants but also landscaping. There will be also the commercial section where garden enthusiasts may buy.
Open free to the public apart from the daily lecture-demonstrations, other activities will be On-the-spot painting, flower arrangement and dish gardening contest among high school students. For more details call 9394593 or 0939-9922-2804 or send email to serapionmetilla@yahoo.com.
