First Sanggumay Festival Opens in Bacolod City

888 Chinatown Square, Bacolod City –Philippines

“Sanggumay“, scientifically called Dendrobium anosmum  a fragrant native Philippine orchid, is being celebrated in the First Sanggumay Festival presently ongoing at the 888 Chinatown Square in Bacolod City.

L-R: NOOS president Dr John Clifton Martyr, Mr Rex Ramos, Dr Marilyn Marañon, NOOS VP Ms. Tina Magbojos

sanggumay orchids in bloom

This orchid species blooms during this time of the year and brings with it memories of warm summers in the province. Spectacular displays of long canes holding dozens of large fragrant blooms ranging from white , pink , purple with different varieties . This is also one of the most common and cultivated native orchid species in the country.

ribbon cutting ceremony

The festival opened with ribbon cutting ceremonies led by Mr. Rex Ramos, manager of the 888 Chinatown Square, and Dr. John Clifton Martyr, president of the Negros Occidental Orchid Society (NOOS).

Welcome remarks: Gist of message.”  We need to bring back our heritage orchids, the orchids and plants we grew up with, we need to plant more trees to help counteract climate change, and to take good care of God-given nature/environment for our enjoyment and for our children’s future” .

Bacolod Garden Club Prexy Carissa Ma-alat (2nd from L) and Garden Club members gracing the opening.

 

Special guests included Dr. Marilyn Marañon, first lady of the province of Negros Occidental and Miss Carrie Ma-alat, president of the Bacolod Garden Club and other garden club members.

commercial stalls selling different kinds of plants, orchids , fruit bearing trees

Blessing of exhibits was done by Reverend Father Binay Marwan. The central exhibit was a understated but elegant arrangement up of Sanggumays in varying shades of purple and a lone white form, blooming slipper orchids and various ferns and ornamental plants . Eleven NOOS members participated as commercial exhibitors selling their collection of various foliage and flowering plants. 

 

The show is conceptualized and organized by the Negros Occidental Orchid Society. The  orchid  festival show is open the public during mall hours and there is no entrance fees and will continue until April 9, 2016.