The Kadayawan Festival is a celebration of unity and friendship as well as thanksgiving for the bounty of the land which is characterised by its abundant fruits as well as flowers. One of the events which I always look forward to is the annual Ikebana exhibit organised by the members of Ikebana International Davao Chapter 133.
This year, they held their exhibit from August 11 to 13 at the Atrium of SM Lanang Premier with the theme “Peace and Serenity Through Ikebana”. “As we celebrate our 47th anniversary and annual exhibit, in another part of the Philippines, there is ongoing turmoil and violence in war-torn Marawi City.” said Ikebana International Davao Chapter 133 president Arlene “Jing” Puentespina in her welcome remarks. “We would like to dedicate our theme this year to the hundreds dead and thousands displaced from an event no one saw coming.”
“Making arrangements calms the soul, brings about peace and serenity.” he added, “it allow one to be still in an ever busy chaotic world. We want to remind everyone through our arrangements to reflect, to focus, and go on a sense of calmness and serenity within.”
Present for the exhibition’s opening ceremonies was Department of Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo, Japanese consul director Tomoko Dodo, Indonesian consul general Berlian Napitupulu, SM Lanang Premier’s operations manager Therese Manalo, as well as guests from Ikebana International chapter in Manila.
Aside from the floral exhibit, the Ikebana International Davao Chapter 133 also held workshops and demonstrations on August 12 and 13 with Ikebana Ohara and Ikenobo professor Jocye Kato.
Congratulations to the members and officers of Ikebana International Davao Chapter 133 on another breathtaking exhibit that speaks to the heart of flowers and friendship.
