If bees and butterflies had their way, they would surely be delighted to participate at the Fourth Rachy Z. Cuna Cup at the World Trade Center recently. The affair was successful as it was abloom with lilies, anthuriums, orchids, gerberas, mums, milflores among other tropical flowers and greens. Instead of the winged creatures flying and fleeing from one flower to another, 28 participants (14 each for the amateur and professional categories) put their mettle to the test and competed for the most awaited and prestigious award for floral excellence.
“I always believe in the artistry of the Filipinos. Through this award for floral excellence, we are uplifting Filipino floral design as an art form,” says Rachy Cuna, patron of the arts and the floral architect of the Philippines.
“The participants are professional florists. Others are hobbyists and enthusiasts. They join the competition because they themselves are confident that they can upgrade the level of floral designs; that they can be at par with their counterparts around the world,” says Pearl Banaag, president of the World Flower Council (WFC) of the Philippines that organized the floral Cup.
Part of the Cup’s proceeds, adds Banaag, will be donated to Lingap Sto. Niño, a social arm of the Sto. Niño de Pandacan Catholic Parish.
The affair was a whole day event as participants came up with different flower arrangements for different categories. The florists in the amateur division were asked to come up with floral designs for “Afternoon Tea Party,” “Dream Wedding Bouquet,” “Body Flowers” and “Tribute Arrangements.” On the other hand, those who joined the professional level displayed their talents in making floral designs for “Surprise Package,” “Romantic Wedding Banquet,” Body Flowers,” “Elegant Table Centerpiece” and “Designers’ Choice.”
At the end of the day, the winners were adjudged in front of the more than 300 spectators who attended the Cup. In the amateur category, Henry Pansacula of Flowers & Foliage received the first place with P30,000, a glass trophy and a copy of Rachy’s book Adornments. Emil Pascua Gaspar was named second placer with P20,000 and a glass trophy. Third place went to Angelito Caitom of Kyoto Flower Shop with P10,000 and a glass trophy.
In the professional category, Rodelio Vista of Sonata bested the grand award at the Fourth Rachy Z. Cuna Cup. He received P50,000, a glass trophy, a copy of Adornments and a free trip to Macau for the WFC International Summit 2008.
Mario de Vera of Kyoto Flower Shop was second placer with P30,000 and a glass trophy while Romanico Raza of Malacañang Palace Florists got the third place with P20,000 and a glass trophy.
All abuzz in judging the participants’ creations were WFC-Macau’s Cindy Chao and international artist Allison David for the amateur category. Judges for the professional category were WFC-Singapore’s Anson Low, WFC-Philippines vice president Nikki Chatto and WFC-International’s Arlene Puentespina.
The Fourth Rachy Z. Cuna Cup, lively hosted by Liela Salgado and Pearl Banaag and assisted by Joffrey Alajar among the many active members of the WFC Philippines, was sponsored by King Louis Flowers and Plants, Puentespina Orchids and Tropical Plants, Agrikultura Filipina, Inc. and Jasam Floral Sundries and Makati Skyline.
(E-mail the author at bumbaki@yahoo.com or my.new.beginnings@gmail.com)