Soft Opening of Arid and Aroids Living Gallery in Cavite

It was sunny day on May 29 when we visited the soft opening of Arid and Aroids ( AA) Living gallery in Cavite. Traffic was moderate along Mindanao Avenue exit within Barangay Talipapa, Novaliches, Quezon City.

It took us a little over 2 hours traversing the newly opened Metro Manila skyway en route to the province.

This is one of the three known farm location of Arid and Aroids, San Rafael in Bulacan and in Quezon province.

l-r Dr. Jae Silvestre, Mr. Boyet Ganigan and Mayor Socorro ” Corie” Rosario Poblete of Silang , Cavite province

Arid and Aroids Living Gallery

Arid and Aroid Living Gallery entrance

Arid and Aroids Living Gallery is like a living botanic collection of over 30 years by the dynamic tandem of Mr. Boyet Ganigan, Dr. Jae Silvestre and their families. The rare plants is collected from all over the world and meticulously propagated under their farms.

A lot of their plants are award winning collection and highly coveted by many collectors not just in the country but the rest of the world.

The last time we have visited the farm was for the Christmas salu-salo way back in 2019. The 1 hectare location is slowly being developed into world class attraction ideal venue location for pre-wedding nuptial photo, wedding location, intimate parties, outdoor garden setting, corporate events, product launching, debut among others.

The natural contour and landscape setting makes it different from other venue places in the province.

One of the invited guest suggested at they can also open a bar or an art gallery of paintings. There are also in house promo and raffle draw for those guests and buyers. The overall mood was festive but subtle due to the covid 2019 restrictions under general community quarantine with restrictions at National Capital Region plus Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna area.

Celebrity Guests

Mr. Troy Montero and Ms. Aubrey Miles

Mayor Socorro ” Corrie” Rosario Poblete, Vice Mayor Aidel Paul G. Belamide, some councilors and barangay officials were the special guests of honor.

We also happen to see the well known social media and fellow blogger Plant Chaser ( Atty. Bom Gomez) who went together with his daughter.

Mr. Troy Montero and Ms. Aubrey Santos Sandel, Ms. Gretchen Fullido, Mr. Emilio Yap III of Manila Bulletin were among the special guests during the soft opening.

Mr. Boyet Ganigan along with Mr. Emil Yap III and companion during the soft opening

Since strict protocol and health guidelines were in place, there were few on the guest lists. But this is very promising, The place is located within 20 kilometers from Tagaytay City.

La Dexie’s Catering Services

The guests, buyers and friends of Arid and Aroid were treated to a whole day of fun, camaraderie and food. The lunch meal were catered by La Dexie’s Catering Service from Cainta, Rizal province.

#10 Corona Street, Brookside Hills Subdivision, Cainta, Rizal province

Contact : 0920-919-2033 / Landline 8655-5867 or 8656-3894

AA Living Gallery – Address Barangay Tartaria , Silang Cavite

Operations : Everyday 8:00am to 5:00pm by appointment

Advertisement

Food Tasting and Wedding Expo at Jardin de Miramar in Antipolo

267 San Jose Extension , Padilla , Antipolo City -Rizal province

When it comes to events and a place to relax in Antipolo, There is Jardin de Miramar – This is one of the largest venue and event place in this side of the province .

Our group is very delighted to have gone to the place and many changes were done over the past several years. One can best describe the place as “Theme Park ” and Educational center .

boat and beautiful sculpture will greet visitors to the place

Galeria had boat theme garden where life-size boat and a gallery of fishes were their common names are painted within the outdoor gallery .  The area had a capacity of between 80 to 120 PAX depending on the event. The area is about 375 square meters

Yellow fin Tuna- Tambakol

Old Manila the centerpiece is a replica of the old adobe walls of intramuros , minus the civil guards and nosy people strolling .

an old wooden draw bridge add an old world charm to the place.

The place had a nice ponds which is ideal for thematic photo-shoot , garden wedding or just a stroll within the adobe walls. Climbing vines and flowering water lilies are sure hit among nature lovers and adds eerie beauty to an old world charm ! One simply can be transported back into time with these looks.

The place had a capacity of between 70 to 80 pax with a floor area of 180 square- meter

Sevilla is an indoor air-conditioned hall which had a capacity of between 100 to 200 pax with of Floor Area: 254 sqm. and courtyard of 56 sqm.

Jenry Villamar Photography and Video

table set-up by Hizon Catering

desserts sample

Penne and Fettuccine

Mr. Paolo Castillo -Fuentes and Chef Castillo-Fuentes gave the group their home-made tasty banana and jack fruit ( langka )  cake and their version of chocolate cupcakes.  They are also part time interior decorator , artists and plant collectors .

It had been a while since we saw each other , for those interested with their pastries and customized cakes , Try to reach them at their FB page :

Contact : 6512592

Website: http://jardindemiramar.com/

A Visit to Sibil Cemetery in Bulan , Sorsogon : Reconnecting My Family Roots

Bulan , Sorsogon province -Philippines

MRRL Trading and General Merchandise

It is my first time to visit and stayed in the town of Bulan , Sorsogon , We stayed with my second cousin’s home and hardware store at C. Gotladera street . It used to be known as Manuel Trading and was recently renamed to MRRL Trading and General Merchandise   .

 

C. Gotladera street corner Z.  Asuncion street 

Maternal Great Grandparents

Our maternal family genealogy  can be traced over a century ago, as recounted by my maternal aunts and cousins .  The story started when my maternal great grandfather ( Lolo sa Tuhod ) – Patricio Villanueva Lim from Zamboanga province and maternal great grandmother ( Lola sa Tuhod)  Cristina Tankiko / Tangkeko ( or Tangueco )  who hails from Malabon , Rizal married resulting in the birth of 7  female and 1 male with total of 8 children . The names of the children were  Victorina T. Lim,  Dionisio T. Lim ,  Agueda T. Lim , Otilla T. Lim, Maria T. Lim ,  Rosario T. Lim , Lola Torribia T. Lim and  Asuncion T. Lim. Lola Asuncion or known as Yaya Susoy.  My great grandmother died shortly after she was born .  My maternal grandmother is Lola Torribia T. Lim was born on May 17, 1910.

They settled and stayed in the town of Bulan and their old house is one of the first that got galvanized roof. ( de- galvanizado ) . They also acquired some lands within Bulan and nearby towns . They are considered as one of the prominent families of the place.

marble stoup donated by Mr and Mrs. Juan  R. Grillego and lower marker indicates the name Mrs. Torribia Lim viyuda De Vera 1966 at the Bulan Church

The Bulan church foundation ( one of the pillar ) have the name of my maternal grandmother ( the name of the people who donated to the construction of the church had their name etched in a marker – reconstruction started from 1965 to 1967 ) Unfortunately, the marble marker had been repainted and the donors name cannot be visibly seen .

My maternal grandmother , Lola Torribia Lim- De Vera is one of the siblings of the union. ( Please visit related link : Manila Chinese Cemetery  )

Lola sa Tuhod Cristina Tankiko / Tangkeko  ( or Tangueco ) -Lim is a well -bred mestiza woman , ( Tagala – Chinese lineage ) from Malabon , Rizal – Ms. Myna Uy ( my second cousin ) recounted that she had the privilege to visit the place several decades ago and there were some long lost relatives which visited her few years back from Malabon . She somehow have forgotten the exact barangay and could not recollect . According to her , the family is landed and fairly educated . She probably died around 1912  due to miscarriage, She was between 30 to 35 years-old .She was buried somewhere in Malabon .

According to the stories of my aunts and second cousins, Some of the relatives and nephews of my maternal grandmother would visit them in the mid -1950’s ( around 1954 or 1955 ) in their upholstery store in Gandara aka Sabino Padilla street. They could only remember Mr. Moises Tankiko /Tangkeko ( Tangueco) was around late 40’s  and Mr. Rene Tangkiko/ Tangkeko ( Tangueco) in his late teens.

Lolo sa Tuhod Patricio Villanueva -Lim my maternal great grand father is a mix of Chavacano , Spanish and Chinese who hails somewhere from Zamboanga province. He was probably born around 1860 , since some of my aunts had met him . They told me that he was about 86 years-old in 1946 when they met him. He died a year later in 1947.

My maternal great grandmother died young and my maternal great grand father remarried twice the second wife died shortly . My maternal aunts could not recount her name . I think they have 1 to 2 children .

Lola Tomasa Giro-Lim ( Lola Masa ) from Bulan – They have 2 siblings – Mr. Maximiano Lim and Ms. Salud Lim .

According to the stories of my second cousins: Ms. Myrna Uy and his brothers , My maternal great grandfather  and maternal step great grandmother might have been buried somewhere within this cemetery or was it at the other Catholic cemetery.

l-r Mr.Raymond L. De Vera , Mrs. Nenita L. De Vera and Vice Mayor Tessie Lim-Guran

I think they belonged to the LIM and De Vera family clan . We also paid a visit to the current vice mayor of the town of Bulan and have a courtesy call to Honorable Tessie G. Lim- Guran and her sister whom our maternal lineage are related ( great grandfather is also the same with her ) She is known as ” Para-Bulong ”  sort of faith healer , practicing it for over 30 years ! She lived in Luyo / Loyo or Zone 8  and we saw dozens of people would lined-up and wait for her .

I knew that she would inherit some qualities , since some people would tell us that the family is quite mystical and my maternal grandmother would also conduct some faith-healing session with the locals.

entrance to the civil or sibil cemetery

We have visited the Civil or Sibil cemetery to pay our respects to our Tsinoy fore bearers and to the UY family clan members that were interred at the cemetery . However due to time constrains , We were not able to locate the exact burial location.

 Chinese Martyrs Monument of June 13, 1942 erected on June 13, 1946 during the incumbency of Salvador Escudero – provincial governor 

So Tian Syo Leocadio Corro- Merchant

So Hong Su – Principal

Yap Tiong Kiat – School Teacher

Tan Ka Leong – Merchant

Te Yan Koy – Merchant

Lim Koy Han – Merchant

So Kun Siok – Student

Lee Kim Tian – Student

Tan Lin Siu- Student

Tan Liong Siu – Student

Chinese grave with inscription

Chinese businessmen and students who were shot by the Japanese at the  gate on suspicion of being guerillas or collaborators. Here also lies as the resting place of  many underground guerillas , patriots, fighters and others , both identified and not were interred.

chinese style pagoda entrance

Those who were killed during the many military encounters in Bulan between 1972-76, and hastily buried within the cemetery grounds. .

Mr. Tony Ariado and Mr. Fenito Guan are also buried within the cemetery and  countless of teachers and brave soldiers.

One can easily identify the prominent clans of Bulan, to the west the Geronas, the Galiases, and the De Castro to the eastern portion, the Gillegos and the Gotladeras.

The Sibil / Civil is the resting place of all others, especially of the Tsinoys. In the mid 19th and early 20th century ,  it was only in the  Romano or Campo Santo de Bulan  referring to the old Roman Catholic Cemetery where masses and blessings of the dead were held, but no longer this time. They now say mass in the Sibil.

A visit to the town surely gave a some time to trace my ancestral roots and i think more will surely unravel if i can trace my lost relatives in Malabon , Zamboanga and Sorsogon. Who knows there are more relatives out there .

 

Marikina Biyaya Industriya Organismo Expo 2010

Event: Biyaya . Industriya . Organismo Expo 2010

Venue: Marikina Riverbanks- ECOM Building

Date: September 15 to October 15, 2010 with possible pre-Christmas Bazaar extension

Theme: Pagkalinga at Pagpapahalaga sa Kalikasan

Event Venue: Riverbanks Center, the most unique commercial and recreational, one stop family destination in Marikina City. Riverbanks Development Corporation (RDC) established Riverbanks Center to develop the Marikina riverside into an urban center, enhanced by the river, preserving the ECOlogy and promoting people’s love for nature. With this in mind,  the company tag-line is your  ECO-friendly destination came about, “ECO” referring to ECOlogy, ECOnomy and E-COmmerce.

Marikina Riverbanks B.I.O. Expo 2010 poster

Visitor Profile: Riverbanks E-Com building is accessible to the residents of   Libis, Cubao , Xavierville Village in  Quezon City, Pasig, Antipolo, Cainta, San Mateo , Marikina and other nearby communities come in droves to check out the Riverbanks Mall housing popular retail stores, branded outlet stores, restaurants and favorite fastfood chains at ECO-friendly prices. And with the declaration by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) of two of Riverbanks Center’s buildings as information and technology (ICT) buildings, more spaces will be available for E-COmmerce services, restaurants and much more. Parking is not a problem with ample space for everyone.

Riverbanks E-Com building

E-COM Building :

PEZA registered E-com Bldg. of Riverbanks Center with more than 20,000 sq.m. open floor space to offer is now available for business process outsourcing (BPO) firms and other office tenants. Located at the portal of Marikina City, the new building is very accessible to public transportation like the MRT / LRT and the local public utility vehicles terminal. It is also adjacent to the Riverbanks Mall which houses a food court that offers several food choices at very affordable prices, fast food chains as well as restaurants that are open 24 / 7 . Parking and security will not be a problem with the ample covered parking situated just beside the new ICT building plus the presence of a police station within the area.

Vicinity Map Location:

How to get Here:
1. From Cubao, you may take the Jeepney or FX going to SSS, Fortune, Parang, Calumpang and San Mateo.
2. From Cubao, you may also take the LRT and get off at the Katipunan station and take the Jeepney or FX route mentioned above.
3. From UP, Tandang Sora and Commonwealth, you may take the Jeepney going to Katipunan and get off at the corner of Aurora Blvd. and take the same Jeepney/FX route stated above.

Event Brief:

B.I.O. stands for Biyaya , Industriya , Organismo a term used for the expo which will showcase the bounty of nature , industry and organism will be held at the Marikina Riverbanks E-Com Building . This bazaar trade fair will be held from September 15 to October 15, 2010 . The expo is a major event which caters primarily to showcase some of the country’s top producers from health and wellness products, agriculture , orchids, ornamental plant wholesalers, retailers, pet animals such as reptiles, dogs, cats, insects , fishes , pet accessories, leather , fashion , lifestyle ,travel, handicrafts, landscape artists , food , native products, environment friendly products and services, Non-Government Organizations , Cause – Oriented Association , Advocacy groups , Environmental Advocates.

Trade Fair and Exhibit

Exhibitors and company can join for a minimum period of 15 days and a maximum of 30 days . With its unique feature of different themed sections from petting zoo, reptile center , handicraft area, landscape theme gardens , eco -friendly products and services, organic produce , food section , an activity area and an interactive secretariat , Expect that there is something new every month !

Trade Show Partners and Exhibitors:

Reptiles Amphibians and Pet Center one of the event partners will showcase several exotic and rare pets such as reticulated pythons, tarantulas , caimans, turtles and several unique kinds of pet.

Mandaluyong Garden Club was formed more than 20 years ago when a group of garden enthusiasts formed a group that would educate the people the basics of gardening, plant appreciation and to nurture the environment . through several villages , subdivisions and condominiums within Mandaluyong City. Some of these villages include Wack- Wack, East  Greenhills, Acropolis and some high  rise condominium units. The trend of gardening on condominiums is also encourage by the group.

Metts’ Plant Art – Professor Serapion Metilla will have a landscape exhibit on the venue. His unique tray landscaping styles had earned him numerous awards and commendation from local and intentional  garden , ikebana and ornamental clubs.

Stella Blu – is a catering service with a mix fusion of Asian and Italian style of menu with branches located in Mandaluyong and Makati.

Planet Earth – a company known for their quality t-shirt and glow in the dark -t shirt.

Buy and Sell Philippines– Asia’s first Free Ads newspaper and Philippines #1 Free Ads newspaper will release a pre-event and a post event write-ups.

People’s Tonight – One of the Philippines largest English tabloid will help cover the event.

Manila Bulletin – One of the country’s leading newspaper

Tulay Newspaper – one of the leading fortnightly digest that caters the Filipino- Chinese community . This bi-monthly digest is part of the World News .

NBN channel 4 – a government station will help televised the event.

Pinoy Exchange Forum– One of the leading forum sites in the Philippines

World Vision Philippines – World Vision is a Christian development, relief and advocacy organization dedicated to
working with children, families and communities worldwide to reach their full potential by addressing the causes of poverty and injustice.

Philippine Science Centrum – Located adjacent to the B.I.O. Expo .

RK Fashion Design – Quality Philippine made fashion accessories with  international awards and recognition for its designs and the use of natural and organic materials and components.

Trade Show Committee:

This trade show was organized by Design Concept and Event Management for Marikina Riverbank Company . This event company started as a small venture 3 years ago which handles corporate functions, event coordination, trade shows , bazaars and exhibits .

Contact Details:

Ms. Erika Ramirez, Mr. Dan Del Rosario , Mr. Louie Rivero – Event coordinators
Telephone # 468-9277
Cellphone # 0916-402-3572

Ark Avilon

AVILON had its un seeming beginnings when Mr. Jake Gaw, an avid animal hobbyist who,at the age of four had his first encounter with animals while staying at his grandpa’s farm in Sta. Ana,Manila (still quite rural then) mingled among goats, cows, pigs and chickens at the farm. This initial encounter would make such a lasting impression on young Jake that he carried his interest in animals from then on. Thus, from guppies and budgies, Jake over the years extended and expanded his interest and collection to arapaimas and eagles and lions and macaques, pythons,etc.

Mr. Jake Gaw – owner of Avilon zoo

There are two, so to say, crossroads in the history of AVILON. The FIRST was when Jake had to transfer his pet lion to a new home, because his neighbors were concerned about the presence of a full-grown male lion living amongst them inside a subdivision. This search for a new home to house IO led Jake to the scenic countryside of San Isidro, Montalban (later to be called Rodriguez) in the Province of Rizal where he decided to build a weekend place for his family and, of course,home to  his other pets. It was 1992.

By 1994, the land within AVILON had been leveled and the concrete hollow block perimeter walls finished. Several man-made lagoons and ponds were then excavated, and the Big Lagoon where the Pavilion now stands is the largest, comprising an area of 3,000 square meters. Construction of animal exhibits followed, starting off with the Corrals where hoofed animals are being kept, the Multi-Purpose Building (now the Herpetarium) and the Hexagonal Birdcages (now the Avian Exhibit), followed by the Crocodiles and the Hornbills enclosures,and many more.

Avilon had also a big collection of exotic palms, orchids, bromeliads and trees aside from the animals from all over the country and the world.

Ark Avilon

PROPERTY DEVELOPER Ortigas & Co. Ltd. Partnership has added a zoo as one of the newest attractions in its children’s corridor in Frontera Verde, Pasig.

Ortigas Chief Operating Officer Rex C. Drilon II said  “The zoo is meant to add to the wholesome family oriented experience Frontera Verde was built to offer.”

Mr. Drilon said the P24 million, two-storey ark-shaped structure sits on a 2,000-square-meter lot, which is home to over a dozen of animal species.

“The idea of the ark/mini zoo was born here,” in an interview, Zoo Administrator Jake Gaw said.

giant gourami

“The Ortigases were trying to come up with innovative developments for Frontera [Verde]. The original idea was to have a mini zoo and since I had Avilon Zoo in Montalban, I said, ’why not build an ark?,’” he added.

Mr. Gaw said that the Noah’s Ark-inspired structure was born out of a collaboration with Ortigas Technical Planning Manager Art Alcantara.

Avilon Zoo contact information:

Ms. Teena Gaw at 0917-8311224 or call 9418393 and 9489866

Bo. San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal
Tel. Nos.: (632) 941-8393 * (632) 948-9866 (63917) 899-5126
Fax: (632) 941-8530
Entrance Fee: Php208.00 or $5.00/person

Ark Avilon

Weekdays 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Weekends & Holidays 10:00 am to 7:30pm

Frontera Verde Ortigas Avenue Corner C5, Pasig City
Telephone Nos. (+632) 706-2992/ 706-2993