Highlights of the 68th Mid-Year Orchid and Pet Show Opening at the Quezon Memorial Circle

Hardin ng mga Bulaklak ( HB ) , Quezon Memorial Circle,  Quezon City -Philippines

L-R Ms. Vangie Go ( Philippine Orchid Society -President ) , Senator Cynthia A. Villar , Mr. Leandro ” Dax”  Gazmin at the waling -waling landscape exhibit.

It was quite a bit overcast weather when the Philippine Orchid Society welcomed special guests of honor at the 68th Mid-Year Orchid and Garden Show. This year’s theme is ” The Great Orchid and Pet Show” .  A lot of the members of the society are also into pets and other hobbies . There is something new to be showcase, added a member of the organization which prefers to be anonymous.

waling -waling orchid in full bloom with tag number 4043

 The guests were amazed to see the lovely waling-waling orchid landscape exhibit of Ms. Vangie Go. Her landscape exhibit won second place and her waling-waling won ” Best Waling-waling ” of the show.  She is one of the  well-known orchid growers and hobbyists in the country which specializes in Vanda sanderiana. Unlike other orchid species or hybrids . Waling-waling orchid species is a slow grower , from seed flask to community pots and to blooming size  . It can take between 5 to 8 years for the orchid to bloom. Vanda sanderiana was named after Henry Frederick Conrad Sander by taxonomist Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach .

Quezon Cityhall Lancaster Band

There was a long list of special guests which included Mayor Herbert Bautista , Vice Mayor Maria Josefina ” Joy ” Belmonte , former First Lady Amelita ” Ming ” Ramos , ASEC  Agribusiness Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) director Mr. Leandro ” Dax”  Gazmin ,  Chief Executive Officer and President- Del Monte -Philippines Mr. Joselito ”  Butch”  Campos, Senator  Cynthia A. Villar and Mr. Aldrin C. Cuña- Quezon City Administrator . 

guests of honor were toured around the site

The event started past 4:00pm , When the ribbon cutting ceremony had started.  The special guests of honor were accompanied by QC Lancaster Band with members of the Philippine Orchid Society , invited guests and members of other plant societies.

interesting display of ikebana flower arrangement

There are over a dozen entry of the ikebana freestyle flower arrangement .What i noticed is that the participants are using living potted flowering orchids instead of the traditional cut-flowers . According to one of the participant in the competition, the flower shelf-life is longer compared to the cut-flowers.

Architect Bimbo Vergara

Among the top 5 winners is Architect Bimbo Vergara – He won 2 merit award ( BLUE ) First Place and ( RED ) Second Place . He used 2 live succulent plants , a Renanthera matutina a fire orchid species  which is found in Southeast Asian countries.   He completes the freestyle arrangement with a pedestal , tea cup and a standing Buddha to accentuate the design. Congratulations !

 

Ms. Dhory S. Alvendia

Ms. Dhory S. Alvendia is the President of the Floral Designers’ Circle of the Philippines . She had competed in numerous flower arrangement competitions locally and abroad.  Her entry is a pink unifoliate cattleya orchid .

Tillandsia xerographica

Tillandsia xerographica used to be rare both in cultivation and in the wild . But due to the help of different backyard hobbyists , farms and conservation efforts in their native Central and South America.  It is more abundant in cultivation .  The species is still threatened in the wild,  due to habitat destruction , over -collecting and insect infestation. The species is still listed in CITES .

CITES: http://cites.org/common/com/pc/14/X-PC14-08-Inf.pdf

santan bonsai

Santan is called Ixora , The flowering shrub has many uses and health benefits that include the extracting the barks , roots and even flowers .  Boiled ixora roots and stems can cure diarrhea, nausea, cough, asthma, wounds , sores and sometimes santan tea is made from dried flowers. The compact flowers are also used into leis making . 

Ms. Vangie Go is one of the big winners of the show

Some bonsai enthusiasts use santan shrub as a material for making bonsai. Santan can be very compact and their young stems can be trained and shaped into topiaries and are planted near temples. 

potted flowering orchids

flowering orchid hybrids and waling-walings were given as a token to the invited guests

L-R ASEC Hon. Leandro Gazmin, Atty . Rudy Sanidad, Mr. Jun Golamco and Mr. Kelvin Neil Manubay

A short program commenced after the short tour of the exhibition site , awards were given to the winners and small token of appreciation were given to the guests of honor .  A light afternoon snacks was served by resident caterer Ms. Baby De Leon.

bonsai exhibit

Professor Juan T. Lim is a bonsai and antique collector for several years, He is also active in many plants and animal clubs.  He had one of the most massive exhibit which delighted every visitors of the show.

Agoho bonsai or Casuarina equisetifolia

His prized winning Agoho bonsai or ( Casuarina equisetifolia) is at least 20 years -old . The tree species is found from Vietnam, Burma, Indo-China, French Polynesia , New Caledonia , Vanuatu , Australia and the Philippines

Professor Juan T. Lim

After the opening ceremonies, We were able to interviewed Mr. Lim and told him about his impressive bonsai .  He was very happy to win the award ” BEST Bonsai ” of the show . 

We all went to the commercial section and did some window shopping , Some extended their opening hours past 7:00pm to accommodate last minute buyers . I will be posting the list of the winners in landscaping competition , ikebana flower arrangement, ornamental plants, orchids and the BEST in SHOW Winners. 

The orchid show will run until September 8, 2014 . There will be a special 2-day PET SHOW -September 6 and 7 were different kinds of pets will be exhibited and there will be a pet competition and lecture scheduled on September 7, 2014 by Ms. Tiffany Cham.

 

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