ANGELES CITY – Bonsai and horticulture enthusiasts from all over the region were served with a venue to exhibit their works and artistry as the Kapampangan Horticulture and Bonsai Society (KHBS) stages the 15th Regional Bonsai and Suiseki Competition last October 26-28 at the MarQuee Mall Activity Center.
Themed “Bayung Pun, Bayung Suli”, this year’s exhibition cum competition was held in collaboration with the City Government of Angeles through the Angeles City Tourism Office, and the City Information Office.
The annual event has been a convergence of horticulture hobbyists, enthusiasts, and collectors from the organization’s affiliated clubs, associations, and friends. A total of 106 entries participated this year in the said competition.
The program kicked off with a ribbon cutting ceremony led by City First Lady Herminia Pamintuan, BESCO CEO Im Yee Gin, KHBS President Bong De Luna BSAPI President Vincent Ferrer, KHBS Secretary Averell S. Laquindanum, and KHBS Vice President Dr. Ric Ramos.
“Working with nature including bonsai trees can help everyone become a better and a more peaceful person. The theme also represents the organization’s new sets of leaders wherein innovations and changes will be introduced in the coming years,” KHBS President De Luna said.
Meanwhile, BSAPI President Vincent Ferrer said that growing and tending to bonsai trees is a wonderful avocation and enormous stress reliever, thus encouraging everyone present to do the same. “Judging this year’s competition was tough yet dynamic and challenging but believes the winners were all deserving”, he added.
Aside from Bonsai exhibition, the event also featured ‘Suiseki’, a delicate and traditional Japanese art that studies naturally formed stones as objects of beauty and enjoyment.
Overall, the aim of the presentation is to advocate the appreciation for the craft and to share the instinctive beauty of these miniature trees and stones to the curiosity of the viewing public.
For his part, Vice Mayor Bryan Matthew Nepomuceno lauded KHBS for promoting Horticulture not only as a hobby but an artistic pursuit that provides livelihood opportunities through bonsai propagation.
The event is part of the city’s month-long Fiestang Kuliat celebration.
(AC-CIO with reports from Leo Andre’ Colle, Anna Mira Cunanan and Leian Chelo Ibe)
