Opening Highlights of the Flores De Mayo Exhibit at the Orchidarium

Flores de Mayo 2017 exhibit was in partnership between Department of Tourism , National Parks Development Committee in cooperation with League of Conservationists of the Philippines ( LOCPHIL) opened to the general public the  plant exhibition and trade bazaar at the Orchidarium ( Beside the National Museum of Anthropology ) within Rizal Park , Manila.

Since it was ” Mother’s Day ” all the parks entrance fees like Orchidarium , Chinese Garden , Children Garden , Japanese Garden and Paco Park were waived .

Among the prominent guests of honor includes Ms. Penelope D. Belmonte ( Executive Director-National Parks Development Committee ) Honorable Fema Duterte,Dr. Joan Lagunda of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, Presidential Legislative Liaison Office ASec. Astravel Pimentel-Naik, PCUP, Dr. Elba S. Cruz ( Development Academy of the Philippines ) ,  Mr. Rolando T. Mamaradlo ( NPDC -Chief Administration officer) , Mr. Niel Maceda ( LOCPHIL- President )

League of Orchid Conservationists of the Philippines officers and members

The Orchidarium used to be a parking lot about 8,000 square meters allotted to the employees of the Department of Finance and was later converted into a garden and sanctuary around 1994 . This is also a repository for rare and native orchid species found in the country.

Unfortunately, We only saw a handful of native orchids growing on trees, a lot of the native orchids such are sanggumay ( Dendrobium anosmum ) , dainty sanggumay ( Dendrobium aphyllum ) are not found.

Judging also commenced before the ribbon cutting ceremonies by the special guests of honor which includes Ms. Fema Duterte and officials from National Parks Development Committee.

Cymbidium finalysonianum specimen orchid spotted near the man-made waterfall blooming .

plant stalls 

There are also stall holders from different parts of the country like Mabuhay Orchids and Ornamental Plants from Cavite, Laguna , Quezon , Negros , Davao and Metro Manila .

Horti Negrense 

#14 exhibit booth , showcased some native orchids , Platycerium coronarium ferns

#7 landscape exhibit booth

#3 Landscape exhibit

#5 Landscape entry

#9 Landscape entry

Landscape Winners

Biona’s Garden won the first place ” Best in Landscape ” award which comes with blue ribbon and Php 75,000 cash reward courtesy of the National Parks Development Committee.

Mhin’s Garden won second place which also come with a cash prize of Php 50,000 plus red ribbon . Mhins Garden is from Calauan , Laguna province ( Contact : 0927-5660350/0921-2835214 )

Davao Susana Garden won third place with Php 35,000 cash and white ribbon. All the winners are members of the Los Baños Horticultural Society Inc.

After all the fanfare , participants, exhibitors were treated to an early lunch hosted by NPDC.

The exhibit will run until May 22, 2017. Photos are all from the author

 

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Flores de Mayo Exhibit at Orchidarium

National Parks Development Committee, Department of Tourism in partnership with League of Orchid Conservationists of the Philippines (LOPHIL) will be having an exhibit and bazaar at the Orchidarium within Rizal Park.

It used to house the collection of Madam Amelita “Ming” Ramos but has been neglected for quite sometime. There will be a landscape exhibition and contest, as well as sellers of plants. Participants come from different parts of the country. Judging of landscapes, opening of exhibits will be on May 14 ,2017morning, followed by 9-days of plant selling (14-22).

The event is called ” Flores de Mayo ” which will showcase blooming flowers this May. There will also be a ceremonial presentation of Dendrobium orchid hybrids named after the president.