A Visit to Nayong Pilipino within Rizal Park

 

Nayong Pilipino, Rizal Park ,  Manila-Philippines

I got an opportunity to re-visit the famed Orchidarium within Rizal Park  in which the author was a volunteer tour guide , events coordinator several years ago. I visited the park twice after it re-opened in 2013 – They gave a FREE entrance promo and another one when we have a group of foreign tourists from Singapore , while they were on the country .

Nayong Pilipino

History :

The place used to be operated under the Clean and Green Foundation which was a pet project of then former first lady Mrs. Amelita ” Ming” Ramos in late 1992 . The place used to be a vacant parking space allotted to the Department of Finance before it was  the National Park Development Committee  (NPDC) the one in charge of Rizal Park  had taken jurisdiction of the place  .

dancing ladies

The place was developed by the foundation and opened to the public in late 1994 with several man made waterfalls, butterfly area,  mini aviary ,  hanging bridge, fishing facilities , rock wall climbing  , an art gallery and a fine dining outlet  ( Lush Life) operated by Barbaras.

semi-terete vanda

The Clean and Green Foundation had a partnership with several plant societies like Philippine Orchid Society , Philippine Horticultural Society , Fern and Nature Society of the Philippines members who donated the initial collection of plants and orchids.

They used to charge an entrance fees of Php 100 general public , Php 50 students and seniors at P60. Additional fees: rock wall climbing at P50 and fishing at P25.

pavilion

This was a restaurant ( Lush Life)  and an art gallery several years ago .

Ifugao house- This area used to be covered with hundreds of terete vandas, mokaras, kagawaras before it closed down .

man made waterfall , rock climbing and concrete bridge

For the children and young adults, there is the Rocky Trail, which has a facility for sport wall-climbing. They can also go fishing at the Mystic Lagoon where bamboo poles can be rented.

golden tilapia

wedding set-up by Hizon Catering

The place is a favorite place for  pre-nuptial , weddings, photographers , students and young artists.

hanging bridge – was built mid-2008 and is popular among school children

kalesa carriages

I have also donated several clumps of sanggumays and fairy sanggumays in mid- 2008 before the Orchidarium closed-down for several years due to management issues .

colorful painted jeepney greets the visitor

The management of the place was initially offered to different NGO groups and plant societies but because of financial constraints and lack of resources , It was turned over to Nayong Pilipino sometime in 2012 .

The Orchidarium name was changed to Nayong Pilipino is a cultural theme park .  Asie from the usual attractions like man-made lagoon and different plants. There are interesting display of Philippine attractions like Ifugao hut , kalesas and roving exhibition.

The place can be rented out for weddings, debuts, garden events, pictorials, photo shoot and events.

Address: Orchidarium Rizal Park, Ermita Metro Manila, Ermita, Manila

Update : As of October 15, 2016 – Entrance Fees: Adults Php 40 and Students Php 30

Operating Hours: Mon – Sun, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Contact numbers: 405-0279 (telefax); 405-0377 , 525-0601, 405-0198, 405-0309 Email address: np.orchidarium@gmail.com

Note: Photos are from the author ,to those who wish to grab the copy for any purposes, Please try to link or cite this page .

Horticulture 2012 Show – New Trends and Creative Techniques

Charito Planas Garden, Quezon Memorial Circle- Quezon City L-R  Mr. Joselito ” Butch” Campos, Mrs. Cynthia A. Villar , Mrs. Adoracion S. Bernabe , Quezon City Vice- Mayor Mrs. Joy Belmonte- Alimurong

 

Landscape of King Louis Farm – a show stopper and a hall of fame awardee

It was a fine sunny afternoon last January 26, 2012 Thursday when the author was invited  to the opening of  Horticulture 2012 held at the Quezon Memorial Circle near the Commonwealth Avenue side. The venue of the show was the Bonsai / Araos Garden, it was recently renamed as Charito Planas Garden in honor of former Quezon City Vice-Mayor 1992- 1995, socio -civic and human rights leader, A former president of the Quezon City Parks Development Foundation Inc., which manages the Quezon Memorial Circle, she is also known as an advocate of women’s causes. – Atty. Charito M. Planas. She is accredited to have gradually developed the area into a horticulture and medicinal plant haven during her term as vice-mayor.

Untying of the garland  led by  board of directors of different  plant societies , members,  guests of honor , vips, and sympathizers

This is a favorite venue area  of various horticultural and bonsai shows. The location was chosen because of its accessibility to joggers, students and passersby. There is a mini cemented stage were programs are held.  There are already several members of the Philippine Horticultural Society Incorporated 1976, Philippine Bonsai Society, Fern and Nature Society of the Philippines, Philippine Native Plant Conservation Society Incorporated 2007, Ayala-Alabang Garden Club, Makati Garden Club and Las Piñas Garden Club among others.

Miss Joy Belmonte-Alimurong

This year marked the 37th year of PHSI annual horticulture show with its’ theme ” New Trends and Creative Techniques in Horticulture “ the show featured an array of multifaceted landscape exhibits which showcase some of the   youngest, best and brightest landscapers in the country.

 Mr. Modesto Manglicmot , Architect Oscar Duque,  Mr.& Mrs. Romeo Gutierrez-President of PHSI  ( wearing light green vests ) & Mrs. Adoracion S. Bernanbe in pink and Mr. Joselito Campos

There are around 75 commercial booths where one can buy plants and plant materials from the ordinary ones, to rare and collector’s item plants.

nepenthes alata / pitcher plant being sold in one of the stalls

There will also be a  daily lecture where those interested in gardening and plants can attend.  This year’s over-all show chairperson led by the tandem of  Dr. Romeo Gutierrez and Mrs. Adoracion S. Bernabe or more popularly called Tita Dorie / Dory  by almost all people in the horticultural world.

Mr. Francis Gener being interviewed by a staff and crew of PTV channel 4

Tita Dorie is very active in almost all horticultural societies in the country. She has vast collections of ferns, bonsai, cactus, succulents, orchids, exotic fruits, suseiki, antique furniture and among others, She is also well-known in other parts of the world.

Unigreen Ornamental Farm booth

There is also a member who said ” Kapag si Tita Dorie ang nag-show chairperson ng isang event, bongga ang show”   The show is quite impressive if Tita Dorie is the chairperson. Spectacular Indeed!

Quezon City band

It was around past 4:00pm when the guests of honor arrived led by Vice- Mayor Ms. Joy Belmonte, administrators of Quezon Memorial Circle, Mrs. Cynthia A. Villar and Mr. Buth Campos. They were warmly greeted by all the board members of the society and well-wishers,  from various horticultural groups. Kuratong was performed by the Boys Scouts of the Philippines that led the guests of honor in their places at the prepared garland, which was be untied.

boys scout of the Philippines with kuratong

When the guests are already properly positioned the Kuratong had stopped. After the garland was untied, the Quezon City band played a welcoming band. The sunshine ladies and gentlemen then led the guests to the exhibition site – (These are the term given to the group of usherettes and reception committee members of the society.)  After the guest had taken seats, the doxology was led by a group of kids from The Learning Tree Growth Center, Incorporated.

After the doxology , the children performed a modern song using angklung , a traditional bamboo instrument used in many Southeast Asian countries.

kids with angklung

      It was pat 5:00pm when Dr. Romeo Gutierrez -President of PHSI in his welcome addresses the need of gardening in towns and cities.   Dr. Gutierrez is a plant enthusiast, He is also a plant breeder and painting collector .    A short power point presentation was prepared before the opening speech of Mrs. Cynthia A. Villar chairperson of the Villar Foundation, This foundation is known for its meaningful community projects like assistance to OFW in distress, Skills and Livelihood assistance, various environmental projects like water hyacinth handicrafts, River Rehabilitation Programs and Social Enterprises in Las Piñas City.

native baskets  made from water hyacinth with organic compost packs

Horticulturists and environmentalists across the country would always remember the Villars as big players in the horticultural industry; plants are needed to beautify their real estate projects.  Mrs. Villar is very friendly and down to earth person,  Her passion and love for the environment truly reflected on her glowing presence.   ” Iba ang aura ni Mrs. Villar ”  . Mrs. Villar had a different aura, this was according to one of the on-lookers.  Eager members and invited guests requested her to have a photo opportunity. The foundation also gave away native handbags with compost soil packs as a started kit! For those who wanted to know more about the advocacy  and projects of the Villar Foundation here is the link:

Website: http://www.villarfoundation.org/

Another guest of honor is Mr. Joselito ” Buth ” Campos Jr. of  Del Monte Pacific LTD. Philippines and chairperson of Evergreen Holdings,  He also pledge to donate an undetermined amount of money for the Philippine Horticultural Society various projects. He is also known to be a  koi breeder, animal lover, furniture collector and specializes in collecting of rare plants from all over the world.

 Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society Inc. members and board of directors

Not to be outdone was wives of former ambassadors, members  various NGO and cause- oriented groups which  donated the trophies to the winners of the show.

Among the exhibitors is Mr. Yuyung LaO who is well known for his many exotic ornamental plant collections  from all over the world . He is also considered as one of the most-in-demand landscaper  not only  in this country but also in other Asian countries.  Mr. LaO  long list of  clientele  included  dignitaries, politicians, resorts ,  well-known celebrities, businessmen and even royalties !  Another exhibitor is  Mr. Boyet Ganigan of Aroids and Arids. He has a big collection of rare plants in Silang, Cavite.  A frequent winner in the field of landscaping and plants , His  fame led him to be featured in some of the country’s top newspaper and blogs .

Landscape booth executed by internationally known landscaper Mr. Yuyong La’O – this exhibit won third prize.

Other exhibitors were Mr. Fred Salud, Professor Serapion Metilla in tandem with Dr. Romeo Gutierrez, Mr. Francis Gener of King Louis Flowers and Ornamental Plants.  Mr. Gener has been a frequent winner in landscape exhibits both local and international.

L-R Mr. Botchie Canicula  , Mrs. Siony Ng , Ms. Rebecca C. Buenaventura &  Ms.Myrna Magalong

  Mr. Noel Vincent ” Botchie ” Canicula which specializes in fern, variegated plants, anthuriums, cactus , succulents , bromeliads, native plants  and among others.  An entrepreneur at heart , He converted their family  garden into a thematic NVC garden restaurant in San Mateo , Rizal . He was featured in some television shows like Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho ( cactus episode aired last January 10, 2009) on  GMA Kapuso channel 7  and Umagang Kay Ganda of ABS-CBN channel 2 .

Mr. George Mendoza  have their exhibit booths. While, the Philippine Bonsai Society will  exhibit their prized bonsai trees, Natural Stone Society will also display their stone collections.

Best Landscape in Show Award – executed by the tandem of  Mr. Lardy Abundo, Mrs. Teresa Baldonado and Ms. Marilois Estrella

There are also exhibits by Mr. Lardy Abundo, Tess Baldonado and Marilois Estrella, the World Flower Council,  Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society Incorporated , Cactus and Succulent Society, the group of Wendy-Fern Study Group or FSG and Ariod Study Group or ASTIG , Mett’s Plant Arts and a community booth for members of the society which displayed their prized collections of plants .

The plants in this landscape exhibit had numerous awards  – executed by Mr. Noel Vincent ” Botchie ” Canicula

The Horticulture 2012 committee heads  :  Dr. Romeo Gutierrez and Ms. Dorie S. Bernabe, co-chairpersons; Mrs. Teresa Baldonado, commercial; Dr. Romeo Gutierrez, exhibits; Mr. Modesto Manglicmot, physical arrangements; Architect Oscar Duque, security; Mrs. Felicidad S. Gupit, invitation; Mr. Fernando Aurigue Jr., judging and awards; Architect Patricia Regalado, lectures and program; Professor Serapion Metilla, publicity; Mrs. Norma Villanueva, secretariat and raffle; Mr. Anthony Arbias, registration; Mrs. Rosita Yu, officers of the day; Mrs. Dorie S. Bernabe, ways and means and reception; and Mr. Vincent Canicula, finance.

Pastor Mike Lacanilao

Another media and radio personality is Pastor Mike Lacanilao a prime time news co-anchor of Ms. Helen Vela of GMA-  Balita ( 1986 to 1995 ) of GMA channel 7.

He is now a bible preacher and his passion over plants and gardening led him to become a member of the Philippine Horticultural Society.

After all the fanfare and impressive opening, the winners were finally announced, the official cater provider Ms. Baby De Leon is also on hand to supervise her staff.

Variegated Tupidanthus ” Best Plant in Show”

Hoya siarae 

Philippine hoyas was exhibited in memory of Dr. Simeona” Monina ” Siar 1962-2011 , She was accredited in identification and naming of new hoya species .