Page 30 - Tạp chí bonsai cây cảnh BCI 2014Q4

tree in the exhibit went to Alfred Manarang for his
Top; Bobby Gopiao, Gold, Crab Apple, Malus
Bottom; Alfredo Manarang, Gold, Bantigue,
Pemphis acidula
28 | BCI | October/November/December 2014
Bantigue (Pemphis acidula). BCI Excellence Award
medals went to Alfred Manarang for his Bantigue
(Pemphis acidula) and to Roberto “Bobby” Gopiao for
his Barbados cherry (Malphigia glabra). The awards
were presented by Philippine Bonsai Society President
Augusto P. Rustia. The BCI medals were presented by
BCI board member Budi Sulistyo and BCI President
Tom Elias.
The Republic of the Philippine is located just North
of the Equator, thus, it has a tropical climate and flora.
Bonsai suitable for these conditions are tropical and
sub-tropical trees and shrubs. It was very encourag-
ing to see many species native to the Philippines be-
ing used to make wonderful bonsai. Foremost among
the native trees used for bonsai is Pemphis acidula or
Bantigue as it is known locally. These small trees or
large shrubs occur next to the beaches in the Ilocos
Norte region of the country. These twisted trunk trees
make extraordinary bonsai making them favored and
sought after by bonsai hobbyists. A shrubby species
of Desmodium in the legume family is another spe-
cies that is popular in the bonsai community. They
are known locally as Blue Bells due to the shape and
color of the numerous small flowers. Other species
of trees used and exhibited as bonsai include Ehren-
tiamicrophylla, Ficus microcarpa, Ficus concina, Ficus
rotundifolia, Flacourtia rukam, Lagerstroemia indica,
Maba buxifolia, Malphigia glabra, Murraya exotica,
Podocarpus species, Tamarindus indica, Terminalia
fontalia, Vitex agnus-castus, Wrightia religiosa, and
other species. Casuarina equisetifolia is occasionally
used for making bonsai.
The stone display
The stone display at this event was organized by the
Natural Stone Society of the Philippines. This study
group was organized many years ago by Mrs.
Felicidad S. Gupit. Mrs. Gupit is an active col-
lector of Philippine stones and has the larg-
est collections of these stones. Mrs. Gupit,
who is now in her mid 80s, participated
in this major exhibition. BCI President,
Tom Elias gave an illustrated lecture on
Chinese and Japanese stones to mem-
bers of this society and then conducted
a critique of the stones on display.
The Philippines is blessed
with rich mineral resources
and a complex geological
history. As such, there are
a wide range of excellent
stones to be found here,