1st Philippine International Flora and Fauna Expo 2008

The Philippine International Flora & Fauna Garden Expo  2008 intended  to bring into one roof the plant and animal industry, including other industries which has developed from it.  With its theme “Bringing Back Nature”, it tries to remind us as a people our affinity with nature and an aim to protect and conserve it.

girls clad in fairies costume were part of the PIFGEX 2008 opening

As much as possible, the event encourages the incorporation of real plants and animal in the garden homescape, how to maintain them and to promote their conservation.  Conservation could be achieved by protection of or native habitats, mass propagation and breeding of endangered and threatened plant and animal species, regulated collection, and public information

East- West Seed Company

The event was held from July 18 to 20, 2008 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City in Metro Manila. During the 3 day event there were over 10,000 people from all walks of life who went to the expo site.

Highlights:

Philippine Orchid Society nipa-hut landscape exhibit booth

Malvarosa Orchids one of the member of the Philippine Orchid Society had showcase an orchid landscape exhibit which featured  rare , endemic and hybrids .

Philippine Postal Corporation in cooperation with Filipinas Stamp Collectors’ Club exhibit booth

• Philippine Postal Corporation in cooperation with Filipinas Stamp Collectors’ Club will be exhibiting Philatelic items such as Flora and Fauna.

Philippine Native Plant Conservation Society , Inc exhibit booth

Rare Orchids, Ornamental Plants, Ferns, Cacti and Succulents, Bonsai, Natural Stones which was  exhibited by some
of the country’s leading plant societies like Philippine Orchid Society, Philippine Horticultural Society, Cactus and Succulents Society of the Philippines, Philippine Native Plant Conservation Society Inc., Philippine Bonsai Society among others.

• Avilon zoo one of the leading zoos in the country  showcased rare animals.
• Daily lectures and demonstrations from plants & animals enthusiasts and experts.
• Government agencies such as Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ,
Department of Agriculture, Department of Tourism , Bureau of Plant Industry will be participating in the event.
• Rizal Technological University had  a mushroom and orchid exhibit

• Filipino Inventors Society showcased proudly Philippine made inventions.
• EDSA Garden House exhibited  herbs which are organically grown .
• KWB and Klub Natur will spearhead the on site photography contest.
• NGO groups like Bantay Kalikasan, Greenpeace had  an exhibit booth.
• Budgerigar Society and Avian Society  had their exhibit and bird show
• Agri Aqua Network Incorporated the country’s largest agriculture based network participated in the event.
• Koi Village one of the largest breeder and exporter of fishes will be exhibiting their rare fishes.

• Butterfly Art will be showcasing different arts using butterflies.
• Spa Association of the Philippines will feature health and wellness activities and exhibit.
• Leading newspaper and television stations companies such as Manila Bulletin, Philippine Star, Business World, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Home Ideas Magazine UNTV channel 37, ABS-CBN channel 2, NBN channel 4 will cover the event.

There was a best exhibit booth contest judge thru public voting , which was won by the EDSA Garden House, followed by Earth Garden Landscaping (second place) and SAPI (third). Special mention was given to Mett’s Plant Arts , Philippine Orchid Society and Fred Salud’s Landscaping for its Avilon Zoo.

A collector’s humble abode

Ms. May Dumlao is a former educator, editor and an entrepreneur  . She is known to have a fine collection of ferns, hoyas, orchids, bromeliads, aroids and is an active member of Philippine Horticultural Society, Fern and Nature Society of the Philippines.

An specimen sized Platycerium sp. in Ms. Mae Dumlao’s garden

Her home is also a favorite hangout of the members of the societies and even friends of her children since the place is quite accessible.  She also recalled that television crew and movie outfit would ask permission to have a location shoot inside her home.

Tita Mae had various collections of paintings and sketches from reknown Philippine artists that were prominently hanged in her sala, dining room, bedroom and even near the passageway. In one instance, a photographer from a lifestyle magazine wanted to take pictures and to do stories of her famed painting collections, but this would entail the removal of these valuable items to be removed from their location. She politely decided not to allow the crew to feature her collections.

Her additional collection also includes matchboxes, ceramics, gongs and at one time collected stamps, paper bills and even Santos made from local Philippine wood. According to her relatives, peers, students and children gave most of the collection that were accumulated in a span of over 40 years.  Part of her collection also included old ceramic plates and jars from the Ming and Manchu dynasty, which were excavated by her group during the 1960’s in an undisclosed excavation sites in one of the provinces up north.

Back then; people would not dare collect these items since they believe that these things would bring bad luck. Most of the rare finds were being bought by foreigners like Taiwanese, Japanese and even Americans which would hire local treasure hunters. We just collected the ordinary ones and even dug some of the ceramics ourselves. In some instances, whenever we had a time to go to the beach we also collect shells.

She is also a writer, editor, cook, emcee among others.

Unique collections !

Collections of Mrs. Adoracion S. Bernabe

Tita Dorie as she is fondly remembered by her peers in various plant societies and other affiliate organizations had vast collections of plants, rocks, stones, memorabilia , paintings , antique and stamps among others in her Pansol  Laguna home.

She is  the current president of Cactus & Succulent Society of the Philippines and also an active member and officer of various horticultural societies  across the country.

For security reasons , the author will not disclose the exact location of her home and the  extent of her own collection.